Feline adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with IFN-γ enhance immunomodulatory effects through the PGE 2 pathway

Background@#Preconditioning with inflammatory stimuli is used to improve the secretion of anti-inflammatory agents in stem cells from variant species such as mouse, human, and dog. However, there are only few studies on feline stem cells. @*Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the immune regulatory capacity of feline adipose tissue-derived (fAT) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pretreated with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). @*Methods@#To assess the interaction of lymphocytes and macrophages with IFN-γ-pretreated fAT-MSCs, mouse splenocytes and RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with the conditioned media from IFN-γ-pretreated MSCs. @*Results@#Pretreatment with IFN-γ increased the gene expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, hepatocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factorbeta 1 in the MSCs. The conditioned media from IFN-γ-pretreated MSCs increased the expression levels of M2 macrophage markers and regulatory T-cell markers compared to those in the conditioned media from naive MSCs. Further, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) inhibitor NS-398 attenuated the immunoregulatory potential of MSCs, suggesting that the increased PGE 2 levels induced by IFN-γ stimulation is a crucial factor in the immune regulatory capacity of MSCs pretreated with IFN-γ. @*Conclusions@#IFN-γ pretreatment improves the immune regulatory profile of fAT-MSCs mainly via the secretion of PGE 2 , which induces macrophage polarization and increases regulatory T-cell numbers.

Feline adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with IFN-γ enhance immunomodulatory effects through the PGE 2 pathway

Background@#Preconditioning with inflammatory stimuli is used to improve the secretion of anti-inflammatory agents in stem cells from variant species such as mouse, human, and dog. However, there are only few studies on feline stem cells. @*Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the immune regulatory capacity of feline adipose tissue-derived (fAT) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pretreated with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). @*Methods@#To assess the interaction of lymphocytes and macrophages with IFN-γ-pretreated fAT-MSCs, mouse splenocytes and RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with the conditioned media from IFN-γ-pretreated MSCs. @*Results@#Pretreatment with IFN-γ increased the gene expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, hepatocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factorbeta 1 in the MSCs. The conditioned media from IFN-γ-pretreated MSCs increased the expression levels of M2 macrophage markers and regulatory T-cell markers compared to those in the conditioned media from naive MSCs. Further, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) inhibitor NS-398 attenuated the immunoregulatory potential of MSCs, suggesting that the increased PGE 2 levels induced by IFN-γ stimulation is a crucial factor in the immune regulatory capacity of MSCs pretreated with IFN-γ. @*Conclusions@#IFN-γ pretreatment improves the immune regulatory profile of fAT-MSCs mainly via the secretion of PGE 2 , which induces macrophage polarization and increases regulatory T-cell numbers.

Effects of a Physical Activity Program based on Social Cognitive Theory for Old-Old Women with Knee Osteoarthritis / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to verify the effects of a physical activity program based on social cognitive theory for elderly women with knee osteoarthritis (KO). @*Methods@#Ninety-two women aged over 75 with KO from one community center and five senior centers in G county participated. Groups of physical activity based on social cognitive theory (experimental, n=38), Thera-band physical activity (comparison, n=24), and no intervention (control, =30) participated in a 16-session, 8-week program. @*Results@#Knee joint function, muscular strength, exercise self-efficacy, outcome expectations for exercise, social support, and social networks increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the other groups. @*Conclusion@#Physical activity based on social cognitive theory most effectively increased physical function, self-efficacy, and social support of elderly women with KO.

Effects of a Physical Activity Program based on Social Cognitive Theory for Old-Old Women with Knee Osteoarthritis / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to verify the effects of a physical activity program based on social cognitive theory for elderly women with knee osteoarthritis (KO). @*Methods@#Ninety-two women aged over 75 with KO from one community center and five senior centers in G county participated. Groups of physical activity based on social cognitive theory (experimental, n=38), Thera-band physical activity (comparison, n=24), and no intervention (control, =30) participated in a 16-session, 8-week program. @*Results@#Knee joint function, muscular strength, exercise self-efficacy, outcome expectations for exercise, social support, and social networks increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the other groups. @*Conclusion@#Physical activity based on social cognitive theory most effectively increased physical function, self-efficacy, and social support of elderly women with KO.

Factors of Determining N-acetylcysteine Administration in Patients with Acute Acetaminophen Poisoning

Purpose@#In acute acetaminophen poisoning, the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can effectively treat the main complications, such as kidney injury and liver failure. In the current situation, measurements of the acetaminophen concentration are not checked in the usual medical facilities. Therefore, this study examined the factors of determining the administration of NAC in addition to the stated amount of intake. @*Methods@#The medical records of patients who visited Ajou University Hospital emergency center with acetaminophen poisoning from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy-nine patients were initially included. Among these patients, 82 patients were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who were 15 years of age or older; those whose ingested dose, ingested time, and body weight were clearly identified; and patients whose acetaminophen sampling time was within 24 hours. Patients were divided into two groups: NAC administered vs. non-NAC administered. The following variables were compared in these two groups: ingested dose, ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, psychiatric disease history, classification of toxicon-toxic groups, duration of hospitalization, and laboratory results. @*Results@#Univariate analysis revealed the ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, and psychiatric disease history to be the determining factors in administering NAC. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the ingested dose per body weight was the only significant factor leading to an NAC treatment decision. (Odds ratio=1.039, 95% Confidential interval=1.009-1.070, p=0.009) @*Conclusion@#The ingested dose per body weight was the only determining factor for administering NAC in patients with acute acetaminophen poisoning. On the other hand, additional criteria or indicators for the NAC administration decision will be necessary considering the inaccuracy of the ingested dose per body weight and the efficiency of NAC administration.

Factors of Determining N-acetylcysteine Administration in Patients with Acute Acetaminophen Poisoning

Purpose@#In acute acetaminophen poisoning, the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can effectively treat the main complications, such as kidney injury and liver failure. In the current situation, measurements of the acetaminophen concentration are not checked in the usual medical facilities. Therefore, this study examined the factors of determining the administration of NAC in addition to the stated amount of intake. @*Methods@#The medical records of patients who visited Ajou University Hospital emergency center with acetaminophen poisoning from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy-nine patients were initially included. Among these patients, 82 patients were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who were 15 years of age or older; those whose ingested dose, ingested time, and body weight were clearly identified; and patients whose acetaminophen sampling time was within 24 hours. Patients were divided into two groups: NAC administered vs. non-NAC administered. The following variables were compared in these two groups: ingested dose, ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, psychiatric disease history, classification of toxicon-toxic groups, duration of hospitalization, and laboratory results. @*Results@#Univariate analysis revealed the ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, and psychiatric disease history to be the determining factors in administering NAC. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the ingested dose per body weight was the only significant factor leading to an NAC treatment decision. (Odds ratio=1.039, 95% Confidential interval=1.009-1.070, p=0.009) @*Conclusion@#The ingested dose per body weight was the only determining factor for administering NAC in patients with acute acetaminophen poisoning. On the other hand, additional criteria or indicators for the NAC administration decision will be necessary considering the inaccuracy of the ingested dose per body weight and the efficiency of NAC administration.

Effect of BIS depletion on HSF1-dependent transcriptional activation in A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells

The expression of BCL-2 interacting cell death suppressor (BIS), an anti-stress or anti-apoptotic protein, has been shown to be regulated at the transcriptional level by heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) upon various stresses. Recently, HSF1 was also shown to bind to BIS, but the significance of these protein-protein interactions on HSF1 activity has not been fully defined. In the present study, we observed that complete depletion of BIS using a CRISPR/Cas9 system in A549 non-small cell lung cancer did not affect the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP27 mRNAs under various stress conditions such as heat shock, proteotoxic stress, and oxidative stress. The lack of a functional association of BIS with HSF1 activity was also demonstrated by transient downregulation of BIS by siRNA in A549 and U87 glioblastoma cells. Endogenous BIS mRNA levels were significantly suppressed in BIS knockout (KO) A549 cells compared to BIS wild type (WT) A549 cells at the constitutive and inducible levels. The promoter activities of BIS and HSP70 as well as the degradation rate of BIS mRNA were not influenced by depletion of BIS. In addition, the expression levels of the mutant BIS construct, in which 14 bp were deleted as in BIS-KO A549 cells, were not different from those of the WT BIS construct, indicating that mRNA stability was not the mechanism for autoregulation of BIS. Our results suggested that BIS was not required for HSF1 activity, but was required for its own expression, which involved an HSF1-independent pathway.

Myosin heavy chain is stabilized by BCL-2 interacting cell death suppressor (BIS) in skeletal muscle

BCL-2 interacting cell death suppressor (BIS), which is ubiquitously expressed, has important roles in various cellular processes, such as apoptosis, the cellular stress response, migration and invasion and protein quality control. In particular, BIS is highly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles, and BIS gene mutations result in human myopathy. In this study, we show that mRNA and protein levels of BIS were markedly increased during skeletal myogenesis in C2C12 cells and mouse satellite cells. BIS knockdown did not prevent the early stage of skeletal myogenesis, but did induce muscle atrophy and a decrease in the diameter of myotubes. BIS knockdown significantly suppressed the expression level of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) without changing the expression levels of myogenic marker proteins, such as Mgn, Cav-3 and MG53. In addition, BIS endogenously interacted with MyHC, and BIS knockdown induced MyHC ubiquitination and degradation. From these data, we conclude that molecular association of MyHC and BIS is necessary for MyHC stabilization in skeletal muscle.

Myosin heavy chain is stabilized by BCL-2 interacting cell death suppressor (BIS) in skeletal muscle

BCL-2 interacting cell death suppressor (BIS), which is ubiquitously expressed, has important roles in various cellular processes, such as apoptosis, the cellular stress response, migration and invasion and protein quality control. In particular, BIS is highly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles, and BIS gene mutations result in human myopathy. In this study, we show that mRNA and protein levels of BIS were markedly increased during skeletal myogenesis in C2C12 cells and mouse satellite cells. BIS knockdown did not prevent the early stage of skeletal myogenesis, but did induce muscle atrophy and a decrease in the diameter of myotubes. BIS knockdown significantly suppressed the expression level of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) without changing the expression levels of myogenic marker proteins, such as Mgn, Cav-3 and MG53. In addition, BIS endogenously interacted with MyHC, and BIS knockdown induced MyHC ubiquitination and degradation. From these data, we conclude that molecular association of MyHC and BIS is necessary for MyHC stabilization in skeletal muscle.

ERK-mediated phosphorylation of BIS regulates nuclear translocation of HSF1 under oxidative stress

B-cell lymphoma (BCL)-2-interacting cell death suppressor (BIS) has diverse cellular functions depending on its binding partners. However, little is known about the effects of biochemical modification of BIS on its various activities under oxidative stress conditions. In this study, we showed that H₂O₂ reduced BIS mobility on SDS–polyacrylamide gels in a time-dependent manner via the activation of extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK). The combined results of mass spectroscopy and computational prediction identified Thr285 and Ser289 in BIS as candidate residues for phosphorylation by ERK under oxidative stress conditions. Deletion of these sites resulted in a partial reduction in the H₂O₂-induced mobility shift relative to that of the wild-type BIS protein; overexpression of the deletion mutant sensitized A172 cells to H₂O₂-induced cell death without increasing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Expression of the BIS deletion mutant decreased the level of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 mRNA following H₂O₂ treatment, which was accompanied by impaired nuclear translocation of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) 1. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the binding of wild-type BIS to HSF1 was decreased by oxidative stress, while the binding of the BIS deletion mutant to HSF1 was not affected. These results indicate that ERK-dependent phosphorylation of BIS has a role in the regulation of nuclear translocation of HSF1 likely through modulation of its interaction affinity with HSF1, which affects HSP70 expression and sensitivity to oxidative stress.

Imaging Mass Spectrometry in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma for the Identification and Validation of Biomarker Proteins

Direct tissue imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has become increasingly important in biology and medicine, because this technology can detect the relative abundance and spatial distribution of interesting proteins in tissues. Five thyroid cancer samples, along with normal tissue, were sliced and transferred onto conductive glass slides. After laser scanning by MALDI-TOF equipped with a smart beam laser, images were created for individual masses and proteins were classified at 200-microm spatial resolution. Based on the spatial distribution, region-specific proteins on a tumor lesion could be identified by protein extraction from tumor tissue and analysis using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Using all the spectral data at each spot, various intensities of a specific peak were detected in the tumor and normal regions of the thyroid. Differences in the molecular weights of expressed proteins between tumor and normal regions were analyzed using unsupervised and supervised clustering. To verify the presence of discovered proteins through IMS, we identified ribosomal protein P2, which is specific for cancer. We have demonstrated the feasibility of IMS as a useful tool for the analysis of tissue sections, and identified the tumor-specific protein ribosomal protein P2.

Bis is Induced by Oxidative Stress via Activation of HSF1

The Bis protein is known to be involved in a variety of cellular processes including apoptosis, migration, autophagy as well as protein quality control. Bis expression is induced in response to a number of types of stress, such as heat shock or a proteasome inhibitor via the activation of heat shock factor (HSF)1. We report herein that Bis expression is increased at the transcriptional level in HK-2 kidney tubular cells and A172 glioma cells by exposure to oxidative stress such as H2O2 treatment and oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. The pretreatment of HK-2 cells with N-acetyl cysteine, suppressed Bis induction. Furthermore, HSF1 silencing attenuated Bis expression that was induced by H2O2, accompaniedby increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Using a series of deletion constructs of the bis gene promoter, two putative heat shock elements located in the proximal region of the bis gene promoter were found to be essential for the constitutive expression is as well as the inducible expression of Bis. Taken together, our results indicate that oxidative stress induces Bis expression at the transcriptional levels via activation of HSF1, which might confer an expansion of antioxidant capacity against pro-oxidant milieu. However, the possible role of the other cis-element in the induction of Bis remains to be determined.

A Case of Pancreatic Pseudocyst Presenting as Duodenal Bleeding / 대한내과학회지

Pancreatic pseudocysts occur following acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis or secondary to pancreatic trauma. Most pancreatic pseudocysts are located in or around the pancreas, but they can be found in all the potential spaces around viscera in and outside of the abdominal cavity. The complications of pancreatic pseudocyst are infection, rupture, obstruction, fistula, or hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is a rare but frequently fatal complication of pancreatic pseudocysts. We report a case of pancreatic pseudocyst presented as bleeding of duodenum, which was misidentified for duodenal submucosal tumor bleeding.

Expression of Bis in the mouse gastrointestinal system / 대한해부학회지

The Bcl-2 interacting death suppressor (Bis) protein is known to be involved in a variety of pathophysiological conditions. We recently generated bis-deficient mice, which exhibited early lethality with typical nutritional deprivation status. To further investigate the molecular basis for the malnutrition phenotype of bis deficient mice, we explored Bis expression in the digestive system of normal mice. Western blot analysis and quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that Bis expression is highest in the esophagus, followed by the stomach, colon, jejunum and ileum. Immunohistochemical data indicated that Bis expression is restricted to the stratified squamous epitheliums in the esophagus and forestomach, and was not notable in the columnar epitheliums in the stomach, small intestine and colon. In addition, strong Bis immunoreactivity was detected in the striated muscles surrounding the esophagus and smooth muscles at a lesser intensity throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Ganglionated plexuses, located in submucous layers, as well as intermuscular layers, were specifically immunoreactive for Bis. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that Bis is co-localized in glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing enteric glial cells. Immunostaining with neuron specific esterase antibodies indicate that Bis is also present in the cell bodies of ganglions in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Our findings indicate that Bis plays a role in regulating GI functions, such as motility and absorption, through modulating signal transmission between the ENS and smooth muscles or the intestinal epitheliums.

A Case of a Colon Perforation Due to a Soft Rectal Foreign Body / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Numerous foreign bodies in the rectum have been reported in the literature. Their removal can be challenging depending on the size and shape of the objects and their anatomical location in the rectum. A 64-year-old man presented to the emergency department after inserting a sausage into his rectum. He had some rectal discomfort and lower abdominal pain. There were no signs of bowel perforation. We attempted to extract the sausage impacted in the recto-sigmoid junction by colonoscopy using a snare and grasping forceps but failed to extract the foreign body. Unfortunately, a colon perforation had occurred, and the sausage was eventually extracted by performing a colostomy at the recto-sigmoid junction with primary repair. We report this case of a soft rectal foreign body impacted in the recto-sigmoid colon complicated by a colon perforation with a literature review.

A Case of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Associated with Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a and Ribavirin Therapy / 대한내과학회지

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin is the standard treatment regimen in chronic hepatitis C. The main adverse events of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy are bone marrow depression, alopecia, insomnia, and influenza-like symptoms. However, there are few reports of cutaneous sarcoidosis occurring during pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy. Here, we report a case of cutaneous sarcoidosis induced by pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin during the treatment for chronic hepatitis C. The patient's sarcoidosis improved spontaneously after the treatment.

A Case of Strongyloides Stercoralis Concurrently Invading the Stomach and Colon / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode that may involve any segment of the Gl tract or virtually every human organ because of its autoinfection cycle and hyperinfection. It may occur in either immunocompetent or immunocompromised individuals. A 72-year-old woman who had no notable medical history presented with chronic diarrhea and generalized edema and she revealed protein losing eneteropathy. She was diagnosed with Strongyloidiasis infection through EGD and a colonoscopic biopsy specimen at a time when there were rhabditiform larvae present. The patient was treated with albendazole 400 mg/day for three days. At the follow-up three months later, the endoscopic biopsy specimens revealed no evidence of Strongyloidiasis infection and her clinical symptoms had progressively improved. The present case represents a rare report of Strongyloidiasis in a immunocompetent patient diagnosed through EGD and the colonoscopic biopsy specimen concurrently. So, we report on this case along with a review of the relevant literature.

Effect of Modulation of hnRNP L Levels on the Decay of bcl-2 mRNA in MCF-7 Cells

It has been shown that CA repeats in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of bcl-2 mRNA contribute the constitutive decay of bcl-2 mRNA and that hnRNP L (heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L) interacts with CA repeats in the 3'-UTR of bcl-2 mRNA, both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine whether the alteration of hnRNP L affects the stability of bcl-2 mRNA in vivo. Human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells were transfected with hnRNP L-specific shRNA or hnRNP L-expressing vector to decrease or increase hnRNP L levels, respectively, followed by an actinomycin D chase. An RT-PCR analysis showed that the rate of degradation of endogenous bcl-2 mRNA was not affected by the decrease or increase in the hnRNP L levels. Furthermore, during apoptosis or autophagy, in which bcl-2 expression has been reported to decrease, no difference in the degradation of bcl-2 mRNA was observed between control and hnRNP L-knock down MCF-7 Cells. On the other hand, the levels of AUF-1 and nucleolin, transacting factors for ARE in the 3'UTR of bcl-2 mRNA, were not significantly affected by the decrease in hnRNP L, suggesting that a disturbance in the quantitative balance between these transacting factors is not likely to interfere with the effect of hnRNP L. Collectively, the findings indicate that the decay of bcl-2 mRNA does not appear to be directly controlled by hnRNP L in vivo.

Induction of unfolded protein response during neuronal induction of rat bone marrow stromal cells and mouse embryonic stem cells

When we treated rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs) with neuronal differentiation induction media, typical unfolded protein response (UPR) was observed. BIP/GRP78 protein expression was time-dependently increased, and three branches of UPR were all activated. ATF6 increased the transcription of XBP1 which was successfully spliced by IRE1. PERK was phosphorylated and it was followed by eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Transcription of two downstream targets of eIF2alpha, ATF4 and CHOP/GADD153, were transiently up-regulated with the peak level at 24 h. Immunocytochemical study showed clear coexpression of BIP and ATF4 with NeuN and Map2, respectively. UPR was also observed during the neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. Finally, chemical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducers, thapsigargin, tunicamycin, and brefeldin A, dose-dependently increased both mRNA and protein expressions of NF-L, and, its expression was specific to BIP-positive rBMSCs. Our results showing the induction of UPR during neuronal differentiations of rBMSCs and mES cells as well as NF-L expression by ER stress inducers strongly suggest the potential role of UPR in neuronal differentiation.

Recognition of Advance Directives by Advanced Cancer Patients and Medical Doctors in Hospice Care Ward / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: We undertook this study to find out the recognitions of terminal cancer patients and doctors about advance directives (ADs), of how they would do in non-response medical conditions and whether ADs could be one of medical options for their dying with dignity. METHODS: One hundred thirty four cancer patients in the Hospice Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, and 97 medical doctors in the Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Medical Center, were asked about ADs, including Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR), medical power of attorney, living will and medical options. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients (97%) and 38 doctors (39.2%) were unfamiliar with ADs, however, 128 patients (95.5%), 95 doctors (97.9%) agreed with it. Seventy nine patients (59.0%) and 96 doctors (99.0%) wanted DNR rather then intensive treatments if they were in non-response medical conditions. Eighty four patients (62.7%) and 75 doctors (77.3%) were agreeable to medical power of attorney. One hundred Thirty four patients (100.0%) and 94 doctors (96.9%) did not want medical options to be in terminal conditions, and hoped to die in peace. CONCLUSION: Most of patients did not know about ADs and how to make it. However, they showed positive attitudes about it. If we advertise it properly, it is highly likely that a large number of cancer patients would make their living wills easily by ADs. Nevertheless, many legal and ethical problems have to be solved. Doctors should engage their patients in an ongoing communication about the end-of-life. Therefore, let the patients have opportunities to plan their own deaths.