Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode Radiation Kills Leukemia Cells Without Affecting Hematopoiesis of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Mice.

OBJECTIVES: The eradication of leukemia cells while sparing hematopoietic stem cells in the graft before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant is critical to prevention of leukemia relapse. Proliferating cells have been shown to be more prone to apoptosis than differentiated cells in response to ultraviolet radiation; however, whether leukemia cells are more sensitive to ultraviolet LED radiation than hematopoietic stem cells remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the in vitro responses between murine leukemia L1210 cells and murine hematopoietic stem cells to 280-nm ultraviolet LED radiation. We also investigated the effects of ultraviolet LED radiation on the tumorigenic and metastatic capacity of L1210 cells and hematopoietic stem cell hematopoiesis in a mouse model of hematopoietic stem cell transplant. RESULTS: L1210 cells were more sensitive to ultraviolet LED radiation than hematopoietic stem cells in vitro, as evidenced by significantly reduced colony formation rates and cell proliferation rates, along with remarkably increased apoptosis rates in L1210 cells. Compared with corresponding unirradiated cells, ultraviolet LED-irradiated L1210 cells failed to generate palpable tumors in mice, whereas ultraviolet LED-irradiated bone marrow cells restored hematopoiesis in vivo. Furthermore, transplant with an irradiated mixture of L1210 cells and bone marrow cells showed later onset of leukemia, milder leukemic infiltration, and prolonged survival in mice, compared with unirradiated cell transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ultraviolet LED radiation can suppress the proliferative and tumorigenic abilities of leukemia cells without reducing the hematopoietic reconstitution capacity of hematopoietic stem cells, serving as a promising approach to kill leukemia cells in autograft before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

ADGRL4 Promotes Cell Growth, Aggressiveness, EMT, and Angiogenesis in Neuroblastoma via Activation of ERK/STAT3 Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common pediatric solid tumors. Emerging evidence has indicated that ADGRL4 can act as a master regulator of tumor progression. In addition, it is well documented that the ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway can promote the proliferation, EMT, angiogenesis, and metastasis in tumors. The current study was formulated to elucidate the exact role of ADGRL4 in the malignant behaviors of NB cells and to investigate the intrinsic mechanism. METHODS: In this work, expression differences of ADGRL4 in human NB cell lines and HUVECs were assessed via RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. For functional experiments, sh-ADGRL4 was transfected into SK-N-SH cells to generate ADGRL4 knockdown stable cell line. Moreover, ADGRL4 knockdown stable SK-N-SH cells were treated with LM22B-10 (an ERK activator) for rescue experiments. CCK-8 colony formation determined NB cells' growth, migration, invasion, wound healing, and transwell assays. Meanwhile, proliferation-, metastasis- and EMT- associated proteins were also detected. Additionally, a tube formation assay was employed to evaluate in vitro angiogenesis. VM-cadherin, the marker of angiogenesis, was assessed using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Data showed notably upregulated ADGRL4 in NB cells, especially in SK-NSH cells. ADGRL4 knockdown inhibited NB cell growth, migration, invasion, EMT, and in vitro angiogenesis. ADGRL4 knockdown inactivated ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway. Activation of the ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway partially rescued the tumor suppression effects of ADGRL4 knockdown on NB cells. CONCLUSION: To conclude, the downregulation of ADGRL4 may inhibit cell growth, aggressiveness, EMT, and angiogenesis in NB by inactivating the ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Angiotensin-(1-9) attenuates adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats via the angiotensin type 2 receptor.

Adriamycin (ADR) causes irreversible damage to the heart, leading to ADR-induced cardiomyopathy (ACM). Angiotensin-(1-9) [Ang-(1-9)] is a peptide from the counter-regulatory renin-angiotensin system, but the effects on ACM is unclear. Our study was aimed to explore the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of Ang-(1-9) against ACM in Wistar rats. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with ADR via six equal doses (each containing 2.5 mg/kg) within a period of 2 weeks to induce ACM. After 2 weeks of ADR treatment, the rats were treated with Ang-(1-9) (200 ng/kg/min) or angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist PD123319 (100 ng/kg/min) for 4 weeks. Although Ang-(1-9) treatment did not influence blood pressure, it significantly improved left ventricular function and remodeling in ADR-treated rats, by inhibiting collagen deposition, the expression of TGF-ß1, inflammatory response, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress. Moreover, Ang-(1-9) reduced ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK phosphorylation. The therapeutic effects of Ang-(1-9) were blocked by the AT2R antagonist PD123319, which also offset the down-regulation protein expression of pERK1/2 and pP38 MAPK induced by Ang-(1-9). These data suggest that Ang-(1-9) improved left ventricular function and remodeling in ADR-treated rats by an AT2R/ ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK-dependent mechanism. Thus, the Ang-(1-9)/AT2R axis may provide a novel and promising target to the prevention and treatment of ACM.

Astragaloside IV alleviates lung inflammation in Klebsiella pneumonia rats by suppressing TGF-ß1/Smad pathway.

Astragaloside IV is a biologically active substance derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus mambranaceus Bunge, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of astragaloside IV on Klebsiella pneumonia rats and the underlying mechanisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) rats were treated with different dosages of astragaloside IV (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) by intragastric administration. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. Pathological changes of lung tissue were inspected by HE staining. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 in lung tissue was determined with immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of TGF-ß1, p-Smad2/Smad2, p-Smad3/Smad3, IκBα/p-IκBα, and p65/p-p65 in lung tissue were determined by western blot. The mechanism was further investigated with TGF-ß1 inhibitor SB-431542. Astragaloside IV reduced the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by K. pneumoniae and improved lung tissue damage in a dose-dependent manner. Astragaloside IV also decreased the expression of TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and decreased the protein levels of inflammation-related p-IκBα and p65 in lung tissues induced by K. pneumoniae. Additionally, it was found that the effects of 20 mg/kg astragaloside IV were similar to SB-431542, which could improve pulmonary fibrosis induced by K. pneumoniae, decrease the levels of TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins in lung, and reduce inflammation at the same time. Astragaloside IV could alleviate the inflammation of rat pneumonia induced by K. pneumoniae through suppressing the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway.

Astragaloside IV alleviates lung inflammation in Klebsiella pneumonia rats by suppressing TGF-β1/Smad pathway

Astragaloside IV is a biologically active substance derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus mambranaceus Bunge, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of astragaloside IV on Klebsiella pneumonia rats and the underlying mechanisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) rats were treated with different dosages of astragaloside IV (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) by intragastric administration. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. Pathological changes of lung tissue were inspected by HE staining. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in lung tissue was determined with immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad2/Smad2, p-Smad3/Smad3, IκBα/p-IκBα, and p65/p-p65 in lung tissue were determined by western blot. The mechanism was further investigated with TGF-β1 inhibitor SB-431542. Astragaloside IV reduced the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by K. pneumoniae and improved lung tissue damage in a dose-dependent manner. Astragaloside IV also decreased the expression of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and decreased the protein levels of inflammation-related p-IκBα and p65 in lung tissues induced by K. pneumoniae. Additionally, it was found that the effects of 20 mg/kg astragaloside IV were similar to SB-431542, which could improve pulmonary fibrosis induced by K. pneumoniae, decrease the levels of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins in lung, and reduce inflammation at the same time. Astragaloside IV could alleviate the inflammation of rat pneumonia induced by K. pneumoniae through suppressing the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.

Serum dual-specificity phosphatase 1 reflects decreased exacerbation risk, correlates with less advanced exacerbation severity and lower inflammatory cytokines in children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: It is as fact that dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) regulates the T cell activation, pro-allergic response, and inflammation to engage with the pathogenesis of asthma, but its clinical role in children with asthma is unclear. The present study aimed to explore the expression of DUSP1, its association with exacerbation risk, severity, and inflammatory cytokines in children with asthma. METHOD: Around 52 children with asthma-exacerbation, 50 children in asthma-remission, and 50 healthy children were chosen for the study. The serum levels of DUSP1, as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-17 were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The levels of DUSP1 was the highest in healthy children (median (IQR)=34.305 (25.892- 43.693) ng/mL), the second highest in children in asthma-remission (median (IQR)=21.471 (18.581-27.934) ng/mL), and the lowest in children with asthma-exacerbation (median (IQR)=13.982 (7.901-21.624) ng/mL) (P<0.001). At the same time, DUSP1 was also related to decreased asthma risk with area under curve (AUC) (95%CI) of 0.847 (0.780-0.914), and correlated with its lower exacerbation risk with AUC (95%CI) of 0.755 (0.661-0.849). Besides, DUSP1 was negatively linked with exacerbation severity (rs =-0.338, P=0.014), immunoglobulin E (rs =-0.277, P=0.047), TNF-α (rs =-0.423, P=0.002), IL-1ß (rs =-0.389, P=0.004), and IL-17 (rs =-0.293, P=0.035), but not related with other disease features in children with asthma-exacerbation. Meanwhile, DUSP1 was only negatively associated with TNF-α (rs=-0.300, P=0.034) and IL-1ß (rs =-0.309, P=0.029) in children in asthma-remission. However, no correlation was found in DUSP1 with inflammatory cytokines or other disease features in healthy children (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: DUSP1 reflects the reduced exacerbation risk, and associates with lower exacerbation severity and inflammatory cytokines in children with asthma-exacerbation; it also associates with inflammatory cytokines in children in asthma-remission. These findings suggest that DUSP1 may help to improve the management of asthmatic children.

FOXO3a­modulated DEPDC1 promotes malignant progression of nephroblastoma via the Wnt/ß­catenin signaling pathway.

DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC1) and forkhead box transcription factor 3a (FOXO3a) serve a role in tumor cells. To the best of our knowledge, however, the expression of DEPDC1 and FOXO3a in nephroblastoma and their role and potential mechanisms in nephroblastoma cells have not been reported. The aim of the present study was to characterize the expression of DEPDC1 and FOXO3a in nephroblastoma, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of DEPDC1 and FOXO3a were detected using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blotting. Cell viability, proliferation, invasion and migration were detected using Cell Counting Kit­8, colony formation, Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. The activity of DEPDC1 promoter was detected by dual­luciferase reporter assay and the association between FOXO3a and DEPDC1 was detected using immunoprecipitation. DEPDC1 expression was significantly increased in nephroblastoma cells, particularly WiT49 cells. Compared with the negative control, DEPDC1 knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration of WiT49 cells, while DEPDC1 overexpression (Ov) reversed these effects. By contrast, expression of FOXO3a was decreased in WiT49 cells and immunoprecipitation showed that FOXO3a bound to the DEPDC1 promoter. Ov­FOXO3a inhibited WiT49 cell proliferation, invasion and migration, as well as protein expression levels of phosphorylated­glycogen synthase kinase­3ß, Wnt3a and ß­catenin, while DEPDC1 Ov reversed the inhibitory effects of FOXO3a Ov on WiT49 cells. In conclusion, DEPDC1 promoted malignant progression of nephroblastoma via the Wnt/ß­catenin signaling pathway; this may be regulated by FOXO3a.

JNK pathway-associated phosphatase illustrates low expression and negative correlations with inflammation, disease activity, and T-helper 17 cells in inflammatory bowel disease children.

BACKGROUND: C-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) modulates the T cell receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-mediated autoimmunity, thus participating in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to explore the clinical implication of JKAP in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) children. METHODS: C-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-23, interferon-γ (T-helper 1 secreted cytokine), and interleukin-17A (T-helper 17 secreted cytokine) in serum samples from 140 IBD children (including 60 Crohn's disease (CD) children and 80 ulcerative colitis (UC) children) were detected by ELISA. Meanwhile, JKAP from serum samples of 10 healthy controls (HCs) was also detected by ELISA. RESULTS: C-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase was reduced in CD children (median (interquartile range (IQR)): 51.6 (36.8-69.5) pg/ml) and UC children (median (IQR): 57.5 (43.4-78.5) pg/ml) compared with HCs (median (IQR): 101.8 (70.0-143.2) pg/ml) (both p < 0.05). In CD children, JKAP was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.016) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p = 0.029); while in UC children, JKAP was also negatively correlated with CRP (p = 0.006) and ESR (p = 0.022). Regarding the correlation of JKAP with disease activity, it presented negative correlations with PCDAI (p = 0.001) and PUCAI (p = 0.002). Besides, JKAP was negatively related to TNF-α (both p < 0.05) but not interleukin-23 (both p>0.05) in CD and UC children. Additionally, JKAP was not correlated with interferon-γ in CD or UC children (both p>0.05), while negatively correlated with interleukin-17A in CD and UC children (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: C-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase shows low expression and negative correlations with inflammation, disease activity, and T-helper 17 cells in IBD children.

An association and meta-analysis study of 4 SNPs from beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene with risk of asthma in children.

BACKGROUND: Although various case-control studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between ADRB2 gene polymorphisms and asthma risk in different population groups, the results have been conflicting and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: We performed a case-control study to investigate the association of 4 SNPs in the ADRB2 gene with risk of asthma in children, and then conducted a meta-analysis by combining the previous studies. METHODS: A total of 340 patients and 340 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. All of the subjects were genotyped using the PCR-based invader assay. The case-control study was performed to define the contribution of rs1042713, rs1042714, rs1800888, and rs1042711 to the predisposition of asthma. Additionally, we further conducted a meta-analysis of the study findings together with those of previously reported studies. RESULTS: No significant association was found between the polymorphisms rs1042713, rs1042714, rs1800888, and rs1042711 and asthma in the current case-control study. The meta-analysis confirmed that there was no positive association of these SNPs with asthma in children in Asia, South America, Europe and the overall population. CONCLUSIONS: None of the four polymorphisms in ADRB2 gene were associated with a risk of asthma in a current children population.

Distinct role of Tim-3 in systemic lupus erythematosus and clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Tim-3 is considered as one of the T-cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM) gene family members, which contributes to the activating or silencing genes, but the mechanism of Tim-3 function in mediating SLE or tumor metastasis has not been well explored. Here, we reported Tim-3 was high expressed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with SLE, detected by RT-PCR, significantly, GATA-3 mRNA expression also increased in patients with SLE, compared with the healthy control groups. The bioinformatics used to detect the TCGA database indicated the abnormal expression of Tim-3 was involved in several different cancer types. Further, the higher expression of Tim-3 in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma TCGA database indicated it was a marker for worse 5-year survival. The high expression of Tim-3 in different ccRCC cell lines was detected in both RNA level and protein level. Further, two kinds of relative Tim-3 siRNAs in ccRCC cell lines inhibit cell migration and invasion in vitro, However, the inhibition could be partially rescued by the additional GATA3 knockdown. Further, the down regulation in the RNA and protein levels of GATA3, and the negative correlation between Tim-3 and GATA3 implied that suppression of downstream GATA3 was an important mechanism by which Tim-3 triggered metastasis in ccRCC cell lines. Together, our experiments reveal the role for Tim-3 in facilitating SLE or invasive potential of ccRCC cells by either activating GATA3 or inhibiting GATA3, suggesting that Tim-3 might be a potential therapeutic target for treating SLE or clear cell renal cell carcinoma.