Downregulation of lncRNA XIST may promote Th17 differentiation through KDM6A-TSAd pathway in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUNDS: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease with significant female preponderance. X inactive specific transcript (XIST) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and a key regulator of X-chromosome inactivation which is related to the sex-bias of autoimmunity. And Th17 cell proportion was significantly elevated in NMOSD according to our previous study. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the expression levels of lncRNA XIST-KDM6A-TSAd pathway in lymphocytes of female NMOSD patients, and investigate its possible relationship with pathogenesis of NMOSD. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study enrolled 30 acute-phase untreated female NMOSD patients and 30 age-matched female healthy controls, their lymphocytes were collected for experiments. Microarray as well as validation experiments showed lncRNA XIST was significantly downregulated in the NMOSD group. And the levels of lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A) decreased in NMOSD and showed significant positive correlation with XIST. The levels of T cell-specific adapter (TSAd) mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in NMOSD. And Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that NMOSD had more H3K27me3 modification than control at TSAd promoter region. CONCLUSIONS: The present study introduced a potential pathway that following lncRNA XIST downregulation, which process may promote Th17 differentiation in NMOSD. These findings shed new light on the immune regulation mechanism about lncRNA XIST and related epigenetic features, which may contribute to develop female-specific treatment plans.

[Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Reeds in Wetland Soils with Different Salt Content].

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Claroideoglomus etunicatum (CE), Rhizophagus intraradices (RI), Funneliformis mosseae (FM) and Glomus versiforme (GV) on AM colonization rate, biomass, mineral nutrient uptake, C: N: P ratios and Na and Cl- concentrations of reeds (Phragmites australis) grown in saline and non-saline wetland soils. The aim was to provide a technical basis for the ecological revegetation and salinity restoration of wetland ecosystem. The results indicated that symbiotic associations were successfully established between the four isolates and reeds grown in the two types of wetland soils. The average AM colonization rates ranged from 2.5% to 38%. The mean root colonization rate of CE was significantly higher than those of the other three isolates. There were no significant differences in root colonization rates between saline and non-saline wetland soils. The biomass and nutrient contents of reeds grown in non-saline wetland soils were significantly higher than those grown in saline wetland soils. However, Na+ and Cl- concentrations of reeds grown in non-saline wetland soils were significantly lower than those grown in saline wetland soils. In non-saline wetland soils, inoculation with GV significantly increased the shoot dry weight and the shoot N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents of reeds. Inoculation with GV and RI significantly improved the root P and K contents of reeds. Inoculation with the four AM fungi significantly reduced the shoot N: P ratios. Inoculation with FM and GV significantly reduced the root C : N and C : P ratios. Inoculation with the four AM fungi significantly reduced the shoot Cl- concentrations. Inoculation with RI significantly reduced the shoot Na+ concentrations. In saline wetland soils, inoculation with AM fungi had no significant effect on the biomass, mineral nutrient uptake and Na+ and Cl- concentrations of reeds. The results demonstrated that the four AM fungi isolates had different effects on the growth of reeds in wetland soils with different salt contents. Inoculation with AM fungi played a more positive role in improving the growth of reeds in non-saline wetland soil than those in saline wetland soil. Further experiments should be conducted to screen optimal AM fungi isolates under field conditions and to evaluate the practical effects of AM fungi on the growth of reeds in wetland soils with different salt contents.

[Distribution characteristic and current situation of soil rare earth contamination in the Bayan Obo mining area and Baotou tailing reservoir in Inner Mongolia].

The pollution status and distribution characteristic of rare earth elements in soil were analyzed around Bayan Obo mining area and Baotou tailing reservoir located in Inner Mongolia grassland ecosystem, aiming at grasping the overall situation of grassland ecosystem pollution caused by rare earth elements and providing basic information as well as theoretical basis. The results indicated that seven rare earth elements in soils from different directions of Baotou tailing reservoir accumulated to a certain extent compared to the soil background value of Inner Mongolia. The pollution degree was Ce > La > Nd > Pr > Sm > Y > Eu. Within 50 m from the edge of tailing reservoir, soil rare earth contamination was the most serious, with the concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Y reaching 11,45.0 mg x kg(-1), 23,636.0 mg x kg(-1), 4568.16 mg x kg(-1) , 6855.51 mg x kg(-1), 582.18 mg x kg(-1), 94.21 mg x kg(-1)), and 136.25 mg x kg(-1), respectively. Owing to the dominant wind direction of northwest, soils from the southeast were contaminated most seriously. For Bayan Obo mining area, the concentrations of seven rare earth elements in soil from the mining area were significantly higher than those of other areas investigated, with the concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Y reaching 3112.56 mg x kg(-1), 7142.12 mg x kg(-1), 1467.12 mg x kg(-1), 2552.80 mg x kg(-1), 210.80 mg x kg(-1), 36.20 mg x kg(-1) and 63.22 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The soils of six areas of Bayan Obo mining area were all contaminated by rare earth elements, and the contamination degree was in the order of mining area > outside the dump > east side of the railway > the dump > outside the urban area > west side of the railway. Besides, the transportation of rare earth ore led to the soil rare earth contamination along the railway, and the distribution characteristic of rare earth elements in soils along the railway was affected by the dominant wind direction of northwest. Baotou tailing reservoir and Bayan Obo mining area had the same contamination characteristic, and the concentrations of rare earth elements were in accordance with those in the tailings. The health and stabilization of local grassland ecosystem are being threatened by excessive soil rare earth elements.

[Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and rare earth elements uptake of soybean grown in rare earth mine tailings].

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus versiforme on the plant growth, nutrient uptake, C: N: P stoichiometric, uptake of heavy metals and rare earth elements by soybean (Glycine max) grown in rare earth mine tailings. The aim was to provide a basis for the revegetation of rare earth mine tailings. The results indicated that soybean had a high mycorrhizal colonization and symbiotic associations were successfully established with G. versiforme, with an average rate of approximately 67%. The colonization of G. versiforme significantly promoted the growth of soybean, increased P, K contents, and decreased C: N: P ratios, supporting the growth rate hypothesis. Inoculation with G. versiforme significantly decreased shoots and roots La, Ce, Pr and Nd concentrations of soybean compared to the control treatment. However, inoculation with G. versiforme had no significant effect on the heavy metal concentrations, except for significantly decreased shoot Fe and Cr concentrations and increased root Cd concentrations. The experiment demonstrates that AM fungi have a potential role for soybean to adapt the composite adversity of rare earth tailings and play a positive role in revegetation of rare earth mine tailings. Further studies on the role of AM fungi under natural conditions should be conducted.

[Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the vegetation restoration of different types of coal mine spoil banks].

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus etunicatum (GE) and Glomus versiforme (GV) on the plant growth, nutrient uptake, C: N: P stoichiometric, uptake of heavy metals by maize (Zea mays L.) grown in three types of coal mine spoil banks. The aim was to provide a technical basis for the revegetation of coal mine spoil banks in grassland ecosystem. The results indicated that the symbiotic associations were successfully established between two isolates and maize grown in the three substrates, with an average mycorrhizal colonization rate ranging from 36% to 54%. The colonization of two AM fungi significantly increased the dry weight of maize grown in recent discharged and weathered coal mine spoils and GE increased those grown in weathered coal mine spoil. Inoculation with AM fungi promoted the uptake of N, P and K by maize to varying degrees. In addition, inoculation with GE and GV also decreased C: N: P ratios, supporting the growth rate hypothesis, and had significantly differences on concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in shoots and roots of maize. The results indicated that GE and GV had different mycorrhizal effects on maize in the three types of substrates. GV was more suitable for the revegetation of recent discharged coal mine spoil and weathered coal mine spoil, while GE was more suitable for the revegetation of spontaneous combusted coal mine spoil. The experiment demonstrates that AM fungi have a potential role for maize to enhance the ability to adapt the composite adversity of different types of coal mine spoil and play a positive role in the revegetation of different coal mine spoil banks. Further field experiments should be conducted to evaluate the practical effects of AM fungi on the vegetation restoration of different types of coal mine spoil under field conditions.