Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2: Tumor biology, signaling pathway and therapeutic targeting (Review).

Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2) is a type II transmembrane protein that serves critical roles in antiretroviral defense in the innate immune response. In addition, it has been suggested that BST2 is highly expressed in various types of human cancer and high BST2 expression is related to different clinicopathological parameters in cancer. The molecular mechanism underlying BST2 as a potential tumor biomarker in human solid tumors has been reported on; however, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no review published on the molecular mechanism of BST2 in human solid tumors. The present review focuses on human BST2 expression, structure and functions; the molecular mechanisms of BST2 in breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastrointestinal tumor and other solid tumors; the therapeutic potential of BST2; and the possibility of BST2 as a potential marker. BST2 is involved in cell membrane integrity and lipid raft formation, which can activate epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathways, providing a potential mechanistic link between BST2 and tumorigenesis. Notably, BST2 may be considered a universal tumor biomarker and a potential therapeutical target.

Molecular pathogenesis, mechanism and therapy of Cav1 in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second incidence of malignant tumors in men worldwide. Its incidence and mortality are increasing year by year. Enhanced expression of Cav1 in prostate cancer has been linked to both proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, influencing disease progression. Dysregulation of the Cav1 gene shows a notable association with prostate cancer. Nevertheless, there is no systematic review to report about molecular signal mechanism of Cav1 and drug treatment in prostate cancer. This article reviews the structure, physiological and pathological functions of Cav1, the pathogenic signaling pathways involved in prostate cancer, and the current drug treatment of prostate cancer. Cav1 mainly affects the occurrence of prostate cancer through AKT/mTOR, H-RAS/PLCε, CD147/MMPs and other pathways, as well as substance metabolism including lipid metabolism and aerobic glycolysis. Baicalein, simvastatin, triptolide and other drugs can effectively inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. As a biomarker of prostate cancer, Cav1 may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Renal arteriovenous malformation causing hematuria: Case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Renal arteriovenous malformations are rare vascular morphological anomalies that can be classified as congenital, idiopathic and acquired, of which congenital renal arteriovenous malformations are the most common. This disease is a rare cause of hematuria. In this case report, we report the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with renal arteriovenous malformation. We also review the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of renal arteriovenous malformations in the published literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 35-year-old female patient presented to a local hospital with right-sided lumbar abdominal pain with hematuria for 2 days. Physical examination showed percussion pain in the right renal area. Laboratory tests such as routine blood and blood biochemistry did not show any significant abnormalities when the patient entered the hospital. Considering the patient's medical history, a urological computed tomography scan showed blood accumulation in the right renal pelvis, upper middle ureter and bladder. Subsequently, routine blood tests showed that the patient's red blood cells and hemoglobin continued to decrease. An emergency renal arteriogram was performed, which showed a tortuous right upper renal pole branch artery and multiple thickened veins communicating with it. DIAGNOSIS: This patient was diagnosed with cirsoid renal arteriovenous malformation. INTERVENTIONS: Renal artery embolization was performed immediately after the renal arteriogram was performed on the patient. OUTCOMES: On review of the angiogram, the tortuous right upper renal pole branch artery was found to be obstructed, and the thickened vein disappeared, and the renal vein was normally visualized in due course. On the third postoperative day, the patient was free of hematuria. Physical examination showed no percussion pain in the renal area. The patient healed and was discharged. A 1-year follow-up was performed and the patient gave feedback that she no longer had symptoms such as back pain and hematuria in her daily life. LESSONS: This case illustrates that early use of vascular interventions is an important method for the diagnosis and treatment of cirsoid renal arteriovenous malformations.

Molecular mechanisms of syncytin-1 in tumors and placental development related diseases.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have evolved from exogenous retroviruses and account for approximately 8% of the human genome. A growing number of findings suggest that the abnormal expression of HERV genes is associated with schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, endometriosis, breast cancer, bladder cancer and other diseases. HERV-W env (syncytin-1) is a membrane glycoprotein which plays an important role in placental development. It includes embryo implantation, fusion of syncytiotrophoblasts and of fertilized eggs, and immune response. The abnormal expression of syncytin-1 is related to placental development-related diseases such as preeclampsia, infertility, and intrauterine growth restriction, as well as tumors such as neuroblastoma, endometrial cancer, and endometriosis. This review mainly focused on the molecular interactions of syncytin-1 in placental development-related diseases and tumors, to explore whether syncytin-1 can be an emerging biological marker and potential therapeutic target.

The Role of Fascin-1 in Human Urologic Cancers: A Promising Biomarker or Therapeutic Target?

Human cancer statistics show that an increased incidence of urologic cancers such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Due to the lack of early markers and effective therapeutic targets, their prognosis is poor. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein, which functions in the formation of cell protrusions by cross-linking with actin filaments. Studies have found that fascin-1 expression is elevated in most human cancers and is related to outcomes such as neoplasm metastasis, reduced survival, and increased aggressiveness. Fascin-1 has been considered as a potential therapeutic target for urologic cancers, but there is no comprehensive review to evaluate these studies. This review aimed to provide an enhanced literature review, outline, and summarize the mechanism of fascin-1 in urologic cancers and discuss the therapeutic potential of fascin-1 and the possibility of its use as a potential marker. We also focused on the correlation between the overexpression of fascin-1 and clinicopathological parameters. Mechanistically, fascin-1 is regulated by several regulators and signaling pathways (such as long noncoding RNA, microRNA, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular regulated protein kinases). The overexpression of fascin-1 is related to clinicopathologic parameters such as pathological stage, bone or lymph node metastasis, and reduced disease-free survival. Several fascin-1 inhibitors (G2, NP-G2-044) have been evaluated in vitro and in preclinical models. The study proved the promising potential of fascin-1 as a newly developing biomarker and a potential therapeutic target that needs further investigation. The data also highlight the inadequacy of fascin-1 to serve as a novel biomarker for prostate cancer.

The role of fascin-1 in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of respiratory related cancers.

Human cancer statistics report that respiratory related cancers such as lung, laryngeal, oral and nasopharyngeal cancers account for a large proportion of tumors, and tumor metastasis remains the major reason for patient death. The metastasis of tumor cells requires actin cytoskeleton remodeling, in which fascin-1 plays an important role. Fascin-1 can cross-link F-actin microfilaments into bundles and form finger-like cell protrusions. Some studies have shown that fascin-1 is overexpressed in human tumors and is associated with tumor growth, migration and invasion. The role of fascin-1 in respiratory related cancers is not very clear. The main purpose of this study was to provide an updated literature review on the role of fascin-1 in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of respiratory related cancers. These studies suggested that fascin-1 can serve as an emerging biomarker and potential therapeutic target, and has attracted widespread attention.

Improved hydrogen evolution performance by engineering bimetallic AuPd loaded on amino and nitrogen functionalized mesoporous hollow carbon spheres.

A highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by delicate engineering of NH2-functionalized and N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (NH2-N-HMCS), which was used for supporting AuPd alloy nanoparticles with ultrafine size and good dispersion (denoted as AuPd/NH2-N-HMCS). Without using any additives, the prepared AuPd/NH2-N-HMCS catalytic formic acid dehydrogenation possesses superior catalytic activity with an initial turnover frequency value of 7747 mol H2 per mol catalyst per h at 298 K. The excellent performance of AuPd/NH2-N-HMCS derives from the unique hollow mesoporous structure, the small particle sizes and high dispersion of AuPd nanoparticles and the modified Pd electronic structure in the AuPd/NH2-N-HMCS composite, as well as the synergistic effect of the modified support.

The Biocompatibility of Multi-Source Stem Cells and Gelatin-Carboxymethyl Chitosan-Sodium Alginate Hybrid Biomaterials.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, biological tissue engineering is a growing field of research. Biocompatibility is a key indicator for measuring tissue engineering biomaterials, which is of great significance for the replacement and repair of damaged tissues. METHODS: In this study, using gelatin, carboxymethyl chitosan, and sodium alginate, a tissue engineering material scaffold that can carry cells was successfully prepared. The material was characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the prepared scaffolds have physicochemical properties, such as swelling ratio, biodegradability. we observed the biocompatibility of the hydrogel to different adult stem cells (BMSCs and ADSCs) in vivo and in vitro. Adult stem cells were planted on gelatin-carboxymethyl chitosan-sodium alginate (Gel/SA/CMCS) hydrogels for 7 days in vitro, and the survival of stem cells in vitro was observed by live/died staining. Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogels loaded with stem cells were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice for 14 days of in vivo culture observation. The survival of adult stem cells was observed by staining for stem cell surface markers (CD29, CD90) and Ki67. RESULTS: The scaffolds had a microporous structure with an appropriate pore size (about 80 µm). Live/died staining showed that adult stem cells could stably survive in Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogels for at least 7 days. After 14 days of culture in nude mice, Ki67 staining showed that the stem cells supported by Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogel still had high proliferation activity. CONCLUSION: Gel/SA/CMCSs hydrogel has a stable interpenetrating porous structure, suitable swelling performance and degradation rate, can promote and support the survival of adult stem cells in vivo and in vitro, and has good biocompatibility. Therefore, Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogel is a strong candidate for biological tissue engineering materials.

Fascin Inhibitors Decrease Cell Migration and Adhesion While Increase Overall Survival of Mice Bearing Bladder Cancers.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Early stage bladder tumors can be surgically removed, but these patients usually have relapses. When bladder cancer becomes metastatic, survival is very low. There is an urgent need for new treatments for metastatic bladder cancers. Here, we report that a new fascin inhibitor decreases the migration and adhesion of bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, this inhibitor decreases the primary tumor growth and increases the overall survival of mice bearing bladder cancers, alone, as well as in combination with the chemotherapy medication, cisplatin, or the immune checkpoint inhibitor, anti-PD-1 antibody. These data suggest that fascin inhibitors can be explored as a new treatment for bladder cancers.

High coercivity Pr2Fe14B magnetic nanoparticles by a mechanochemical method.

Nd2Fe14B nanoparticles are widely used because of their outstanding hard magnetic properties. In fact, Pr2Fe14B has higher magneto-crystalline anisotropy than Nd2Fe14B, which makes Pr-Fe-B a promising magnetic material. However, the chemical synthesis route to Pr2Fe14B nanoparticles is challenging because of the higher reduction potential of Pr3+, as well as the complex annealing conditions. In this work, Pr2Fe14B nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via an efficient and green mechanochemical method consisting of high energy ball milling, annealing, and a washing process. Microstructural investigations revealed that the oxide precursors were uniformly wrapped by CaO and CaH2, which formed an embedded structure after ball milling. Then, Pr2Fe14B powder was synthesized via a time-saving annealing process. The impact of the Pr2O3 content and the preparation conditions was investigated. The coercivity of the as-annealed powder with 100 wt% Pr2O3 excess is 18.9 kOe. After magnetic alignment, the coercivity, remanence, and maximum energy product were: 9.8 kOe, 78.4 emu g-1, and 9.8 MGOe, respectively. The present work provides a promising strategy for preparing anisotropic Pr-Fe-B permanent magnetic materials.

Ureter tissue engineering with vessel extracellular matrix and differentiated urine-derived stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of ureter tissue engineering using vessel extracellular matrix (VECM) and differentiated urine-derived stem cells (USCs) in a rabbit model. METHODS: VECM was prepared by a modified technique. USCs were isolated from human urine samples and cultured with an induction medium for the differentiation of the cells into urothelium and smooth muscle phenotypes. For contractile phenotype conversion, the induced smooth muscle cells were transfected with the miR-199a-5p plasmid. The differentiated cells were seeded onto VECM and cultured under dynamic conditions in vitro for 2 weeks. The graft was tubularized and wrapped by two layers of the omentum of a rabbit for vascularization. Then, the maturated graft was used for ureter reconstruction in vivo. RESULTS: VECM has microporous structures that allow cell infiltration and exhibit adequate biocompatibility with seeding cells. USCs were isolated and identified by flow cytometry. After induction, the urothelium phenotype gene was confirmed at mRNA and protein levels. With the combined induction by TGF-ß1 and miR-199a-5p, the differentiated cells can express the smooth muscle phenotype gene and convert to the contractile phenotype. After seeding cells onto VECM, the induced urothelium cells formed a single epithelial layer, and the induced smooth muscle cells formed a few cell layers during dynamic culture. After 3 weeks of omental maturation, tubular graft was vascularized. At 2 months post ureter reconstruction, histological evaluation showed a clearly layered structure of ureter with multilayered urothelium over the organized smooth muscle tissue. CONCLUSION: By seeding differentiated USCs onto VECM, a tissue-engineered graft could form multilayered urothelium and organized smooth muscle tissue after ureteral reconstruction in vivo. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cell-based tissue engineering offers an alternative technique for urinary tract reconstruction. In this work, we describe a novel strategy for ureter tissue engineering. We modified the techniques of vessel extracellular matrix (VECM) preparation and used a dynamic culture system for seeding cells onto VECM. We found that VECM had the trait of containing VEGF and exhibited blood vessel formation potential. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) could be differentiated into urothelial cells and functional contractile phenotype smooth muscle cells in vitro. By seeding differentiated USCs onto VECM, a tissue-engineered graft could form multilayered urothelium and organized smooth muscle tissue after ureteral reconstruction in vivo. This strategy might be applied in clinical research for the treatment of long-segment ureteral defect.

The synergetic effect of a structure-engineered mesoporous SiO2-ZnO composite for doxycycline adsorption.

The design and synthesis of an efficient adsorbent for antibiotics-based pollutants is challenging due to the unique physicochemical properties of antibiotics. The development of a mesoporous SiO2-ZnO composite is a novel way to achieve excellent adsorption efficiency for doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) in aqueous solutions due to the engineered highly open mesoporous structure and the ZnO-modified framework. Unlike the traditional method of obtaining mesoporous composites by post-synthesis techniques, the novel one-step method developed in this study is both effective and environment-friendly. The adsorption mechanism based on the novel synergetic effect between SiO2 and ZnO was demonstrated through several experiments. SiO2 led to the creation of a 3D open framework structure that provides sufficient space and rapid transport channels for adsorption, ensuring rapid adsorption kinetics. A higher number of active sites and enhanced affinity of the contaminants are provided by ZnO, ensuring high adsorption capacity. The mesoporous SiO2-ZnO could be easily regenerated without a significant decrease in its adsorption efficiency. These results indicate that the developed strategy afforded a simple approach for synthesizing the novel mesoporous composites, and that mesoporous SiO2-ZnO is a possible alternative adsorbent for the removal of DOX from wastewater.

A facile route to magnetic mesoporous core-shell structured silicas containing covalently bound cyclodextrins for the removal of the antibiotic doxycycline from water.

The excessive use of antibiotics has led to various environmental problems; the control and separation of these antibiotics are important in environmental science. Herein, a novel mesoporous nanocomposite, Fe3O4@SiO2@mSiO2-CD, has been synthesized for the removal of antibiotic compounds from aqueous media. The well-designed nanocomposite is composed of ß-cyclodextrin functionalized surfaces, ordered mesoporous silica shells with large radially oriented mesopores, and nonporous silica-coated magnetic cores (Fe3O4). The synergistic action of both the mesoporous structure and the accessible cavity of ß-cyclodextrin ensures the good adsorption of doxycycline. Furthermore, the Fe3O4@SiO2@mSiO2-CD nanocomposite can be collected, separated and easily recycled from aqueous solution using an external magnet.

Comparison of intrafascial and non-intrafascial radical prostatectomy for low risk localized prostate cancer.

In this meta-analysis study, we compared the oncological and functional outcomes of intrafascial radical prostatectomy (IFRP) with non-intrafascial radical prostatectomy (NIFRP) in the treatment of patients with low risk localized prostate cancer (PCa). Relevant articles were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and the ISI Web of Knowledge databases. A total of 2096 patients were included from 7 eligible studies. Results of the pooled data showed that the oncological outcomes including gleason score, positive surgical margin and biochemical free survival rates were similar between the two groups. IFRP was superior to NIFRP with lower postoperative complication rates (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.38, 0.85, p = 0.006), higher continence rates at 3 months post-operation (RR: 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04, 1.26; p = 0.006), and higher potency rates at 6 months (RR: 1.53; 95% CI, 1.07, 2.18; p = 0.02) and 12 months post-operation (RR: 1.38; 95% CI, 1.11, 1.73; p = 0.005). Additionally, there was a tendency towards higher potency rate in patients ≤65 years old compared with patients >65 years old after IFRP. Overall, these findings suggest that IFRP in young patients with low risk localized PCa had less postoperative complications, shortened time to return to continence and improved potency rate without compromising complete tumor control.

Effect of ERß-regulated ERK1/2 signaling on biological behaviors of prostate cancer cells.

Estrogen receptor beta (ERß) plays a role in prostate carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ERß gene silencing in PC3 androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. PC3 cells were transfected with vector alone, scrambled shRNA vector, vector encoding ERß-targeting shRNA (shERß), or shERß followed by addition of PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (shERß+PD98059). Cyclin D1, Bcl-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, and phosphorylated (p-) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) expression was detected by western blotting. While ERK1/2 expression was comparable in all cells, p-ERK1/2 expression was highest in shERß cells, and lowest in shERß+PD98059 cells. Bcl-2, cyclin D1, and MMP2 expression was highest and lowest in shERß and shERß+PD98059 cells, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that ERß silencing promoted cell proliferation by decreasing the percentage of cells in G0/G1. Analysis of colony formation, migration, and invasion capacities, measured using soft agar colony-formation, wound-healing, and transwell invasion assays, respectively, showed that ERß silencing augments cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and that this increase is reversed by PD98059 treatment. A tumor xenograft model in nude mice was used to assess the effect of ERß silencing on the biological behavior of PC3 cells. Colony formation assays and tumor transplantation data indicated that ERß silencing promotes tumor formation. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumors showed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p-ERK1/2 expression, but not that of total ERK1/2, was increased upon ERß silencing. In conclusion, out data demonstrate that ERß gene silencing enhances malignant biological behaviors of PC3 cells by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Differentiate into urothelium and smooth muscle cells from adipose tissue-derived stem cells for ureter reconstruction in a rabbit model.

Ureter reconstruction is still a tough task for urologist. Cell-based tissue engineering serves a better technique for patients with long segments of ureter defect who need ureter reconstruction. In this study, we sought to evaluate the differentiation potential of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) into urothelial lineage and smooth muscle lineage and to assess the possibility of ureter reconstruction using differentiated cells seeded vessel extracellular matrix (VECM) in a rabbit model. ADSCs were isolated from adipose tissue and identified in vitro. Subsequently, they were cultured with induction medium for urothelium and smooth muscle phenotypes differentiation. After 14 days inducing, differentiation was evaluated by Quantitative PCR and western blot studies. After fluorescent protein labeling, the differentiated cells were seeded onto VECM and cultured under dynamic conditions in vitro. After 7 days culturing, the cell-seeded graft was tubularized and wrapped by two layers of the omentum in a rabbit. Three weeks later, the maturated graft was used for ureter reconstruction in vivo. The ADSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the ADSCs expressed CD29 and CD90, but did not express CD34. After induction, urothelium phenotypes gene (cytokeratin 7) and smooth muscle expression gene (a-SMA and SM-MHC) was confirmed in mRNA and protein level. After cells seeding onto VECM, the induced urothelium cells formed a single epithelial layer, and the induced smooth muscle cells formed a few cell layers during dynamic culture. After 3 weeks of omental maturation, tubular graft was vascularized and comprised epithelial layer positively with cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20 on the luminal aspect. At 8 weeks post ureter reconstruction, histological evaluation showed a clearly layered structure of ureter with terminally differentiated multilayered urothelium positively with cytokeratin 20 and uroplakin III over connective smooth muscle tissue positively with a-SMA and SM-MHC. The labeled induced cells could be observed in the reconstructed ureter. We demonstrated that ADSCs could differentiate into urothelial and smooth muscle lineage. Tissue engineered graft by these differentiated cells seeded on VECM could be employed to long segments ureter reconstruction after omental maturation in vivo.

Antioxidative mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides promotes repair and regeneration following cavernous nerve injury.

Polysaccharides extracted from Lycium barbarum exhibit antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that these polysaccharides resist oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage following cavernous nerve injury. In this study, rat models were intragastrically administered Lycium barbarum polysaccharides for 2 weeks at 1, 7, and 14 days after cavernous nerve injury. Serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly increased at 1 and 2 weeks post-injury. Serum malondialdehyde levels decreased at 2 and 4 weeks. At 12 weeks, peak intracavernous pressure, the number of myelinated axons and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase-positive nerve fibers, levels of phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein and 3-nitrotyrosine were higher in rats administered at 1 day post-injury compared with rats administered at 7 and 14 days post-injury. These findings suggest that application of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides following cavernous nerve crush injury effectively promotes nerve regeneration and erectile functional recovery. This neuroregenerative effect was most effective in rats orally administered Lycium barbarum polysaccharides at 1 day after cavernous nerve crush injury.

One-pot synthesis of ordered mesoporous silver nanoparticle/carbon composites for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

Ordered mesoporous silver nanoparticle/carbon composites have been produced by a "one-pot" synthesis method. They have open mesopores (4.2-5.0 nm), large specific surface areas (465-584 m(2) g(-1)) and high pore volumes (0.29-0.50 cm(3) g(-1)) and contain stable, confined but accessible Ag nanoparticles. As a result, they show high performance in catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The mesostructure and particle size as a function of Ag content were studied and correlated with the catalytic activity. The ordered mesoporous carbon framework and highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles make the material a novel system for effective contacting with the reactants and catalysis of the reaction.