In Vivo Longitudinal Tracking of Lymphangiogenesis and Angiogenesis in Cutaneous Melanoma Mouse Model Using Multifunctional Optical Coherence Tomography.

Melanoma is a high-risk skin cancer because it tends to metastasize early and ultimately leads to death. In this study, we introduced a noninvasive multifunctional optical coherence tomography (MFOCT) for the early detection of premetastatic pathogenesis in cutaneous melanoma by label-free imaging of microstructures (i.e., providing the thickness and the scattering information) and microcirculation (i.e., providing depth-resolved angiography and lymphangiography). Using MFOCT-based approaches, we presented an in vivo longitudinal observation of the tumor microenvironment in Braf V600E/V600E ;Pten -/- mice with inducible melanoma monitored for 42 days. Quantitative analysis of MFOCT images identified an increased number of lymphatic and vascular vessels during tumor progression and faster lymphangiogenesis (beginning on day 21) than angiogenesis (beginning on day 28) in the melanoma microenvironment. We further observed lymphatic vessel enlargement from the first week of melanoma development, implying tumor cells interacting with the vessels and increased likelihood of metastasis. MFOCT identified cutaneous melanoma‒associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis before the possible visual perception of the tumor (≥42 days) and before metastasis could be diagnosed using micropositron emission tomography (35 days). Thus, the proposed quantitative analysis using MFOCT has the potential for early detection of cutaneous melanoma progression or prediction of metastatic melanoma in a mouse model. However, retrospective and extensive experiments still need to be performed in the future to confirm the value of MFOCT in clinical application.

TIAM2S as a novel regulator for serotonin level enhances brain plasticity and locomotion behavior.

TIAM2S, the short form of human T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2, can have oncogenic effects when aberrantly expressed in the liver or lungs. However, it is also abundant in healthy, non-neoplastic brain tissue, in which its primary function is still unknown. Here, we examined the neurobiological and behavioral significance of human TIAM2S using the human brain protein panels, a human NT2/D1-derived neuronal cell line model (NT2/N), and transgenic mice that overexpress human TIAM2S (TIAM2S-TG). Our data reveal that TIAM2S exists primarily in neurons of the restricted brain areas around the limbic system and in well-differentiated NT2/N cells. Functional studies revealed that TIAM2S has no guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity and is mainly located in the nucleus. Furthermore, whole-transcriptome and enrichment analysis with total RNA sequencing revealed that TIAM2S-knockdown (TIAM2S-KD) was strongly associated with the cellular processes of the brain structural development and differentiation, serotonin-related signaling, and the diseases markers representing neurobehavioral developmental disorders. Moreover, TIAM2S-KD cells display decreased neurite outgrowth and reduced serotonin levels. Moreover, TIAM2S overexpressing TG mice show increased number and length of serotonergic fibers at early postnatal stage, results in higher serotonin levels at both the serum and brain regions, and higher neuroplasticity and hyperlocomotion in latter adulthood. Taken together, our results illustrate the non-oncogenic functions of human TIAM2S and demonstrate that TIAM2S is a novel regulator of serotonin level, brain neuroplasticity, and locomotion behavior.

CK1α ablation in keratinocytes induces p53-dependent, sunburn-protective skin hyperpigmentation.

Casein kinase 1α (CK1α), a component of the ß-catenin destruction complex, is a critical regulator of Wnt signaling; its ablation induces both Wnt and p53 activation. To characterize the role of CK1α (encoded by Csnk1a1) in skin physiology, we crossed mice harboring floxed Csnk1a1 with mice expressing K14-Cre-ERT2 to generate mice in which tamoxifen induces the deletion of Csnk1a1 exclusively in keratinocytes [single-knockout (SKO) mice]. As expected, CK1α loss was accompanied by ß-catenin and p53 stabilization, with the preferential induction of p53 target genes, but phenotypically most striking was hyperpigmentation of the skin, importantly without tumorigenesis, for at least 9 mo after Csnk1a1 ablation. The number of epidermal melanocytes and eumelanin levels were dramatically increased in SKO mice. To clarify the putative role of p53 in epidermal hyperpigmentation, we established K14-Cre-ERT2 CK1α/p53 double-knockout (DKO) mice and found that coablation failed to induce epidermal hyperpigmentation, demonstrating that it was p53-dependent. Transcriptome analysis of the epidermis revealed p53-dependent up-regulation of Kit ligand (KitL). SKO mice treated with ACK2 (a Kit-neutralizing antibody) or imatinib (a Kit inhibitor) abrogated the CK1α ablation-induced hyperpigmentation, demonstrating that it requires the KitL/Kit pathway. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), a precursor of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), was not activated in the CK1α ablation-induced hyperpigmentation, which is in contrast to the mechanism of p53-dependent UV tanning. Nevertheless, acute sunburn effects were successfully prevented in the hyperpigmented skin of SKO mice. CK1α inhibition induces skin-protective eumelanin but no carcinogenic pheomelanin and may therefore constitute an effective strategy for safely increasing eumelanin via UV-independent pathways, protecting against acute sunburn.