Targeting filamin B induces tumor growth and metastasis via enhanced activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and secretion of VEGF-A.

Filamins regulate cell locomotion and associate with diverse signaling molecules. We have recently found that targeting filamin A (FLNA) reduces RAS-induced lung adenocarcinomas. In this study, we explored the role of another major filamin isoform, filamin B (FLNB), in tumor development. In contrast to FLNA, we report that targeting FLNB enhances RAS-induced tumor growth and metastasis which is associated with higher matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. Flnb deficiency in mouse embryonic fibroblasts results in increased proteolytic activity of MMP-9 and cell invasion mediated by the RAS/ERK pathway. Similarly, silencing FLNB in multiple human cancer cells increases the proteolytic activity of MMP-9 and tumor cell invasion. Furthermore, we observed that Flnb-deficient RAS-induced tumors display more capillary structures that is correlated with increased vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) secretion. Inhibition of ERK activation blocks phorbol myristate acetate-induced MMP-9 activity and VEGF-A secretion in vitro. In addition, silencing FLNB in human ovarian cancer cells increases secretion of VEGF-A that induces endothelial cells to form more vascular structures in vitro. We conclude that FLNB suppresses tumor growth and metastasis by regulating the activity of MMP-9 and secretion of VEGF-A which is mediated by the RAS/ERK pathway.Oncogenesis (2014) 3, e119; doi:10.1038/oncsis.2014.33; published online 22 September 2014.

Study on constant-step stress accelerated life tests in white organic light-emitting diodes.

In order to obtain reliability information for a white organic light-emitting diode (OLED), two constant and one step stress tests were conducted with its working current increased. The Weibull function was applied to describe the OLED life distribution, and the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and its iterative flow chart were used to calculate shape and scale parameters. Furthermore, the accelerated life equation was determined using the least squares method, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to assess if the white OLED life follows a Weibull distribution, and self-developed software was used to predict the average and the median lifetimes of the OLED. The numerical results indicate that white OLED life conforms to a Weibull distribution, and that the accelerated life equation completely satisfies the inverse power law. The estimated life of a white OLED may provide significant guidelines for its manufacturers and customers.

[Effect and mechanism of active fraction A guizhi decoction on dual-directional thermoregulation: effect on heat shock protein in hypothalamus of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of active fraction A in Guizhi Decoction (Fr.A) on dual-directional thermoregulation and its mechanism of influencing heat shock protein (HSP) in hypothalamus. METHOD: Using Western blot method to measure HSP of hypothalamus in febrile and hypothermal rats. RESULTS: Regulating the body temperature in dual-direction, Fr.A could antagonize the decrease of HSP contents of hypothalamus in hypothermal rats induced by aminopyrine, and abate the HSP content in febrile rats induced by yeast. CONCLUSION: Fr.A adjusts the body temperature through regulating the contents of HSP of hypothalamus in febrile and hypothermal rats.

[Preliminary analysis of relationship between immunological changes and syndrome differentiation-typing in traditional Chinese medicine and prognosis with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

In order to study the relationship between the basement immunological changes, TCM Syndrome Differentiation and prognosis, alkaline phosphates antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) and ELISA assay were used to determine the T lymphocyte subsets, the platelet associated antibody (PAIgG, PAIgA, PAIgM) and plasma antiplatelet-autoantibodies (GP II b, GP III a, GP I b) in 55 chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and 53 healthy subjects as control. The results indicated that the immunological changes was closely related to the prognosis, while the TCM Syndrome Differentiation was also related to it, which denoted that it is significant to investigate both factors in guiding treatment and assessing the prognosis.

[Mechanism of decoction of guizhi tang on dual-directional thermoregulation. Effect on the action of bombesin].

Hypothermia induced by administration of bombesin into the lateral ventricle of brain in cold exposed rats could be inhibited by Guizhi Tang (GZT). The GZT could also reverse the potency of fever induced by injection of [D-Phe12] bombesin, a bombesin receptor antagonist, into the brain of febrile rats. But there was no effect of GZT on body temperature when bombesin and [D-Phe12] bombesin were simultaneously injected into the lateral ventricle of cold exposed rats. These studies indicated that the dual-directional thermoregulation of GZT was carried out partially by affecting the bombesin receptor in thermoregulation center of hypothalamus.

[Mechanism of guizhi tang on dual-directional thermoregulation--effect of prostaglandin E2 level in hypothalamus of rats].

Antipyretic action was found in febrile rats induced by yeast, and body temperature was elevated in hypothermia rats induced by aminopyrine, when 10 g/kg of Guizhi Tang (GZT) was administered per os. The content of prostaglandin E in the hypothalamus of rats was determined with the radioimmunoassay. Administration of GZT in 10 g/kg p.o. could both decrease the PGE2 level of hypothalamic blood in febrile rats, and increase the PGE2 level in hypothermia rats. Antipyretic action of GZT was also displayed when microinjection of PGE2 into the lateral ventricle which produced fever in rats. The evidence was provided that GZT might carry out at least part of the dual-directional regulating action in body temperature through the promotion or inhibition on PGE2 synthesis, release, or metabolism in the thermoregulatory center.