Viral mimetic poly(I:C) induces neutrophil extracellular traps via PAD4 to promote inflammation and thrombosis.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular webs of DNA, histones and granular contents that are released by neutrophils to control infections. However, NETs that is not properly regulated can propagate inflammation and thrombosis. It was recognized that viruses can induce NETs. As a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded (ds) RNA, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] is known to induce inflammation and thrombosis. However, whether and how poly(I:C) modulates NETs remains unclear. Here, we have demonstrated that poly(I:C) induced extracellular DNA traps in human neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. Further, poly(I:C) or dsRNA virus elevated the levels of myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes and citrullinated histone H3, which are specific markers of NETs, in both neutrophil supernatants and mouse plasma. Interestingly, a potent peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) inhibitor, BB-CL-Amidine (BB-CLA) or PAD4 knockdown effectively prevented poly(I:C)-induced NETs formation and release. In addition, BB-CLA abrogated poly(I:C)-triggered neutrophil activation and infiltration, and vascular permeability in lungs. BB-CLA also attenuated poly(I:C)-induced thrombocytopenia in circulation, fibrin deposition and thrombus formation in tissues. Taken together, these results suggest that viral mimetic poly(I:C) may induce NETs-dependent inflammation and thrombosis through PAD4, and that inhibiting PAD4 may become a good strategy to protect against viral infection-caused inflammation/thrombosis-related pathological conditions of diseases.

A Rare Case of Intravascular Fasciitis Misdiagnosed as Deep Venous Thrombosis.

PURPOSE: This case aimed to explore the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of intravascular fasciitis (IVF) that involve a large blood vessel. CASE REPORT: A 27-year-old man presented with swelling and pain of the left lower limb for 5 days. The report of Doppler ultrasonography confirmed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower left limb (acute phase). However, laboratory value for the presence of D-dimer was negative. Thus, we performed an ascending venography and identified a mass in the common femoral vein. At operation, an incision of the left common femoral vein was made, and the mass was completely resected. CONCLUSIONS: The situation of IVF that grew in a large vein is extremely rare and can easily be misdiagnosed as DVT. The presence of D-dimer is important for a differential diagnosis. Ascending venography can be applied in making an accurate diagnosis.

Spinal Cord Ischemia after Endovascular Aortic Repair of a Unilateral Iliac Artery Dissecting Aneurysm: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is a rare complication of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm that is attributed to the variable anatomy of the artery of Adamkiewicz, embolization of the collateral circulation, or hypoperfusion of cord structures secondary to hypotension. CASE REPORT: A hypertensive 83-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with a 2.3-cm right iliac artery dissecting aneurysm. Paraplegia occurred on the first day after endovascular repair of iliac artery aneurysm. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple foci of spinal cord ischemia involvement from T10 to L1. Neither arterial pressure augmentation nor steroid therapy was effective. We hypothesized that the compromised blood flow from the artery of Adamkiewicz, combined with the transient hypotension and embolism, resulted in spinal cord infarction. The patient was eventually transferred to a nursing facility, with no improvement in his neurological status. CONCLUSIONS: SCI after endovascular aortic repair is an extremely rare and unpredictable complication. Physicians should pay more attention to the patients with comorbidities of atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or peripheral artery occlusive disease.

MiR-411 suppressed vein wall fibrosis by downregulating MMP-2 via targeting HIF-1α.

This study was aim to investigate the specific mechanisms of miR-411 in vein wall fibrosis remodeling. Vein wall fibrosis injury-induced deep venous thrombosis (DVT) rat model was well established. The expression of miR-411 at mRNA levels and Collagen I, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α together with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 at protein levels in vein wall tissues and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) following transfection were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the potential target of miR-411. MiR-411 mimic injected into rat model of DVT was to verify the role of miR-411 in vein wall fibrosis in vivo. MiR-411 was downregulated while Collagen I, HIF-1α and MMP-2 was upregulated in vein wall tissues and VSMCs obtained from rat model of DVT. MiR-411 overexpression in VSMCs separated from rats of vascular remodeling group (VR-VSMCs) upregulated miR-411, HIF-1α and inhibited cell proliferation and Collagen I expression, while miR-411 knockdown in VSMCs isolated from healthy rats (Control-VSMCs) reversed the effects. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that HIF-1α was a target of miR-411. In addition, overexpression of miR-411 and HIF-1α in VR-VSMCs promoted HIF-1α, Collagen I expression and cell proliferation, however, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 treatment led to adverse trends. MiR-411 mimic injected into rat model of DVT could suppress vein wall fibrosis in vivo. MiR-411 inhibited vein wall fibrosis by downregulating MMP-2 mediated by HIF-1α.

High expression of atonal homolog 8 predicts a poor clinical outcome in patients with colorectal cancer and contributes to tumor progression.

Hitherto, it has been identified that numerous basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play vital roles in tumor initiation and progression. Atonal homolog 8 (ATOH8) is a member of the bHLH family of transcription factors, which participates in embryogenesis and the development of various tissues. Several studies have demonstrated that ATOH8 is involved in the progression of malignancies; however, the effects of ATOH8 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression and function of ATOH8 in CRC. The present study included 106 paired CRCs and peritumoral samples. The expression of ATOH8 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and the results were compared with the clinical outcomes of the patients. Furthermore, cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, wound healing and cytotoxicity assays were performed in colon cancer cell line SW620. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the expression of ATOH8 in CRC tissues was significantly increased compared with the peritumoral tissues, and that the high expression of ATOH8 was associated with a high serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and a worse overall survival. In vitro assays revealed that ATOH8 knockdown in colon cancer cells inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The present study suggests that ATOH8 promotes the progression of CRC and may potentially serve as a novel prognostic predictor and potential therapeutic target in CRC.

High Rab11-FIP4 expression predicts poor prognosis and exhibits tumor promotion in pancreatic cancer.

Some studies have demonstrated that Rab11-family interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs) are connected with the tumorigenesis, and they may act as tumor promoters in some cancers. The clinicopathological significance of Rab11-family interacting protein 4 (Rab11-FIP4 ) expression and its possible effects on pancreatic cancer (PC) are still undiscovered. In this study, Rab11-FIP4 protein expression level in 60 PC specimens and pair-matched non-cancerous samples were detected by immunohistochemistry analysis. The results were analysed and compared with each patients' clinical data. Rab11-FIP4 expression in PC tissues increased significantly more than that of adjacent non-cancerous tissues (P=0.0001). Overexpression of Rab11-FIP4 in the PC tissues was significantly related to tumor size (P=0.0001), histological grade (P=0.028), metastasis (P=0.001) and TNM stage (P=0.004) but not with age (P=0.832), gender (P=0.228) or tumor site (P=0.875). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that overexpression of Rab11-FIP4 was significantly related to overall survival time (P=0.0036). In addition, Rab11-FIP4 in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells were successfully knocked-out using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Rab11-FIP4 knockout in PANC-1 cells inhibited cell growth, invasion and metastasis, and arrested cell cycle progression, but did not alter apoptosis. Our findings suggest that overexpression of Rab11-FIP4 predicts poor clinical outcomes for pancreatic cancer and contributes to pancreatic tumor progression.

Human cytomegalovirus-encoded US28 may act as a tumor promoter in colorectal cancer.

AIM: To assess human cytomegalovirus-encoded US28 gene function in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine US28 expression in 103 CRC patient samples and 98 corresponding adjacent noncancerous samples. Patient data were compared by age, sex, tumor location, histological grade, Dukes' stage, and overall mean survival time. In addition, the US28 gene was transiently transfected into the CRC LOVO cell line, and cell proliferation was assessed using a cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry and a cell invasion transwell assay were also carried out. RESULTS: US28 levels were clearly higher in CRC tissues (38.8%) than in adjacent noncancerous samples (7.1%) (P = 0.000). Interestingly, elevated US28 amounts in CRC tissues were significantly associated with histological grade, metastasis, Dukes' stage, and overall survival (all P < 0.05); meanwhile, US28 expression was not significantly correlated with age, sex or tumor location. In addition, multivariate Cox regression data revealed US28 level as an independent CRC prognostic marker (P = 0.000). LOVO cells successfully transfected with the US28 gene exhibited higher viability, greater chemotherapy resistance, accelerated cell cycle progression, and increased invasion ability. CONCLUSION: US28 expression is predictive of poor prognosis and may promote CRC.

Latexin exhibits tumor-suppressor potential in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Recent studies suggest that latexin (Lxn) expression is involved in stem cell regulation and that it plays significant roles in tumor cell migration and invasion. The clinicopathological significance of Lxn expression and its possible correlation with CD133 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently unknown. In the present study, immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine Lxn and CD133 expression in 43 PDAC patient samples and in 32 corresponding adjacent non-cancerous samples. The results were analyzed and compared with patient age, gender, tumor site and size, histological grade, clinical stage and overall mean survival time. Lxn expression was clearly decreased in the PDAC tissues compared with that in the adjacent non-cancerous tissues, while CD133 expression was increased. Low Lxn expression in the PDAC tissues was significantly correlated with tumor size (P=0.002), histological grade (P=0.000), metastasis (P=0.007) and clinical stage (P=0.018), but not with age (P=0.451), gender (P=0.395) or tumor site (P=0.697). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that low Lxn expression was significantly correlated with reduced overall survival time (P=0.000). Furthermore, Lxn expression was found to be inversely correlated with CD133 expression (r=-0.485, P=0.001). Furthermore, CD133-positive MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic tumor cells were sorted by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and those that overexpressed Lxn exhibited a significantly higher rate of apoptosis and lower proliferative activity. Our findings suggest that Lxn may function as a tumor suppressor that targets CD133-positive pancreatic cancer cells.

Latexin inhibits the proliferation of CD133+ miapaca-2 pancreatic cancer stem-like cells.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of evidence suggests that pancreatic cancer contains cancer stem cells (CSCs), which may be relevant to the resistance of chemotherapy. Latexin (Lxn) is a negative regulator of stem cell proliferation and we investigate the effects of Lxn on CD133+ pancreatic cancer stem-like cells. METHODS: CD133+ miapaca-2 cells, a human pancreatic carcinoma cell line, were isolated and sorted by magnetic activated cell sorting and flow cytometry. The capacity for self-renewal, proliferation, and tumorigenicity of CD133+ miapaca-2 cells was determined by the floating spheres test and tumor xenograft assays. Protein and mRNA expression of Lxn in CD133+ and CD133- miapaca-2 cells were detected by Western blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. After CD133+ miapaca-2 cells were treated with Lxn in serum-free medium (SFM), cell proliferation was assayed with a Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2, bax, and c-myc were also analyzed. RESULTS: We successfully isolated CD133+ miapaca-2 cells that exhibited the capacity for self-renewal in SFM, a proliferation potential in DMEM supplemented with FBS, and high tumorigenicity in nude mice. Lxn protein and mRNA expression levels in CD133+ miapaca-2 cells were significantly lower than those in CD133- cells. Lxn-treated CD133+ miapaca-2 cells exhibited increased apoptosis and low proliferation activity, down-regulation of Bcl-2 and c-myc expression, and up-regulation of Bax expression in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Lxn induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of CD133+ miapaca-2 cells. These changes are associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2 and c-myc and up-regulation of Bax.

Artesunate inhibits the growth of gastric cancer cells through the mechanism of promoting oncosis both in vitro and in vivo.

This study aims to investigate the significance and mechanism of artesunate involved in suppressing the proliferation of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. In the in-vitro experiments, artesunate inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901, BGC-823, and AGS) with concentration-dependent activity, with no significant effect on GES-1 cells. BGC-823 cells treated with artesunate showed the typical morphologic features of oncosis rather than apoptosis. Meanwhile, we observed calcium overload, downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and upregulation of calpain-2 expression in the artesunate-treated BGC-823 cells. In addition, the in-vivo study showed that artesunate produced a dose-dependent tumor regression in nude mice. The antitumor activity of 240 mg/kg artesunate was similar to that of 10 mg/kg docetaxel. Furthermore, compared with the control group, no significant difference was observed in the body weight of artesunate-treated nude mice other than docetaxel-treated nude mice. These observations show that artesunate has concentration-dependent inhibitory activities against gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo by promoting cell oncosis through an impact of calcium, vascular endothelial growth factor, and calpain-2 expression.

Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases: molecular and clinical implications to gastrointestinal carcinogenesis.

Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases are two groups of enzymes whose opposing activities govern the dynamic levels of reversible acetylation on specific lysine residues of histones and many other proteins. Gastrointestinal (GI) carcinogenesis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, the role of epigenetic abnormalities such as aberrant histone acetylation has been recognized to be pivotal in regulating benign tumorigenesis and eventual malignant transformation. Here we provide an overview of histone acetylation, list the major groups of histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases, and cover in relatively more details the recent studies that suggest the links of these enzymes to GI carcinogenesis. As potential novel therapeutics for GI and other cancers, histone deacetylase inhibitors are also discussed.