Isolation and Characterization of Proteins Interacting with Activin Type Ⅱ Receptors

Regulation of the number of aetivin receptors that are present in the cell membrane plays a key role in the modulation of cellular responses to activin. In order to find the regulators, a novel protein ARIPzip, interacting with activin type II receptors, was searched and identified by using yeast two-hybrid screening. ARIPzip is a splicing variant of ARIP2. This has been discussed previously. ARIPzip can specifically interact with ActR Ⅱ A, and is widely distributed in mouse tissues. Overexpression of ARIPzip can cause the activin-induced transcriptional activities to increase in a dose-dependent manner while the overexpression of ARIV2 can decrease these activities. These data suggest that the C-terminal rezions of ARIP2 and ARIPzip are involved in the regulation of activin signaling.

Selective inhibition of cell growth by activin in SNU-16 cells

AIM： To investigate whether activin regulates the cell proliferation of human gastric cancer cell line SNU-16 through the mRNA changes in activin receptors, Smads and p21^CIP1/WAF1. METHODS： The human gastric cancer cell lines were cultured, RNAs were purified, and RT-PCRs were carried out with specifically designed primer for each gene. Among them, the two cell lines SNU-5 and SNU-16 were cultured with activin A for 24, 48 and 72 h. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. For SNU-16, changes in ActRIA, ActRIB, ActRIIA, ActRIIB, Smad2, Smad4, Smad7, and p21^CIP1/WAF1 mRNAs were detected with RT-PCR after the cells were cultured with activin A for 24, 48 and 72 h. RESULTS： The proliferation of SNU-16 cells was down regulated by activin A whereas other cells showed no change. Basal level of inhibin/activin subunits, activin receptors, Smads, and p21^CIP1/WAF1 except for activin βB mRNAs was observed to have differential expression patterns in the human gastric cancer cell lines, AGS, KATO III, SNU-1, SNU-5, SNU-16, SNU-484, SNU-601, SNU-638, SNU-668, and SNU-719. Interestingly, significantly higher expressions of ActR IIA and IIB mRNAs were observed in SNU-16 cells when compared to other cells. After activin treatment, ActR IA, IB, and IIA mRNA levels were decreased whereas ActR IIB mRNA level increased in SNU-16 cells. Smad4 mRNA increased for up to 48 h whereas Smad7 mRNA increased sharply at 24 h and returned to the initial level at 48 h in SNU-16 cells. In addition, expression of the p21^CIP1/WAF1 the mitotic inhibitor, peaked at 72 h after activin treatment in SNU-16 cells. CONCLUSION： Our results suggest that inhibition of cell growth by activin is regulated by the negative feedback effect of Smad7 on the activin signaling pathway, and is mediated through p21^CIP1/WAF1 activation in SNU-16 cells.

Link between mutations in ACVRL1 and PLA2G4A genes and chronic intestinal ulcers:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Genetic factors of chronic intestinal ulcers are increasingly garnering attention.We present a case of chronic intestinal ulcers and bleeding associated with mu-tations of the activin A receptor type II-like 1(ACVRL1)and phospholipase A2 group IVA(PLA2G4A)genes and review the available relevant literature.CASE SUMMARY A 20-year-old man was admitted to our center with a 6-year history of recurrent abdominal pain,diarrhea,and dark stools.At the onset 6 years ago,the patient had received treatment at a local hospital for abdominal pain persisting for 7 d,under the diagnosis of diffuse peritonitis,acute gangrenous appendicitis with perforation,adhesive intestinal obstruction,and pelvic abscess.The surgical treat-ment included exploratory laparotomy,appendectomy,intestinal adhesiolysis,and pelvic abscess removal.The patient’s condition improved and he was dis-charged.However,the recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and passage of black stools started again one year after discharge.On the basis of these features and results of subsequent colonoscopy,the clinical diagnosis was established as in-flammatory bowel disease(IBD).Accordingly,aminosalicylic acid,immunotherapy,and related symptomatic treatment were administered,but the symptoms of the patient did not improve significantly.Further investigations revealed mutations in the ACVRL1 and PLA2G4A genes.ACVRL1 and PLA2G4A are involved in angiogenesis and coagulation,respectively.This suggests that the chronic intestinal ulcers and bleeding in this case may be linked to mutations in the ACVRL1 and PLA2G4A genes.Oral Kangfuxin liquid was administered to promote healing of the intestinal mucosa and effectively manage clinical symptoms.CONCLUSION Mutations in the ACVRL1 and PLA2G4A genes may be one of the causes of chronic intestinal ulcers and bleeding in IBD.Orally administered Kangfuxin liquid may have therapeutic potential.

Administration of soluble activin receptor 2B increases bone and muscle mass in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta（OI） comprises a group of heritable connective tissue disorders generally defined by recurrent fractures, low bone mass, short stature and skeletal fragility. Beyond the skeletal complications of OI,many patients also report intolerance to physical activity, fatigue and muscle weakness. Indeed, recent studies have demonstrated that skeletal muscle is also negatively affected by OI, both directly and indirectly. Given the well-established interdependence of bone and skeletal muscle in both physiology and pathophysiology and the observations of skeletal muscle pathology in patients with OI, we investigated the therapeutic potential of simultaneous anabolic targeting of both bone and skeletal muscle using a soluble activin receptor 2B（ACVR2B） in a mouse model of type Ⅲ OI（oim）. Treatment of 12-week-old oim mice with ACVR2 B for 4 weeks resulted in significant increases in both bone and muscle that were similar to those observed in healthy,wild-type littermates. This proof of concept study provides encouraging evidence for a holistic approach to treating the deleterious consequences of OI in the musculoskeletal system.

Correlation between expression of two transforming growth factor-beta 1 receptors and microvascular density in a rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury

The effects of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） are currently controversial. Whether TGF-β1 promotes or inhibits revascularization under different conditions remains poorly understood. Based on previous studies, the current experiment established rat models of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury （IRI）, and demonstrated that pathological and functional damage was also increased after IRI. The most serious damage was observed at 3 days after reperfusion, at which time microvascular density fell to its lowest level. Soon afterwards, microvascular density increased, new collateral circulation was gradually established at 4 to 7 days after reperfusion, and pathological damage and neurological deficits were improved. TGF-β1, activin receptor-like kinase 5 （ALK5） mRNA and protein expression levels increased gradually over time. In contrast, ALK1 mRNA and protein expression decreased over the same period. A significant negative correlation was detected between microvascular density and expression of the ALK5 gene transcript. There was no correlation between microvascular density and ALK1 gene transcriptional expression following cerebral IRI in a rat model. These findings suggest that ALK5, rather than ALK1, is the critical receptor in the TGF-β1 signal pathways after cerebral IRI.

AB039. BMP9 signaling maintains endothelial integrity and prevents hyperglycemia-induced retinal vascular permeability

Background:The maintenance of a quiescent retinal vascular endothelial barrier is paramount for tissue supply and homeostasis to ensure visual function.Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes causes structural and functional alterations of the endothelium that are accelerated by the production of several mediators such as VEGF.The disturbance of interendothelial junction stability leading to retinal hyperpermeability is one of the changes leading to diabetic macular edema(DME)that can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy.Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of DME have enabled effective new therapies such as anti-VEGF’s,which are however associated with non-negligible side effects.The discovery of endothelium-specific protective targets that could restore retinal endothelial quiescence could provide a therapeutic alternative.Signaling mediated by BMP9 circulating protein via its endothelium-specific receptor ALK1,is known for its role in the maintenance of vascular quiescence.However,its ability to protect the endothelium and prevent vascular permeability has not been tested in the context of diabetes.Methods:We investigated BMP9/ALK1 signalling pathway in the hyperglycemic endothelium and its effect on retinal permeability in a type 1 diabetes mouse model.Hyperglycemic endothelial cells and tissue were extracted to evaluate BMP9/ALK1 signaling.BMP9 overexpression was achieved using adenoviral vectors.Retinal permeability was measured using miles assay.Results:We found that BMP9/ALK1 signaling was inhibited in hyperglycemic endothelial cells and blood vessels of diabetic(DB)mice,and that this loss of function was directly associated with retinal hyperpermeability.Molecularly,inhibition of this pathway triggers the activation of the VEGFR2/SRC pathway reducing interendothelial adhesion junctions.Conversely,the activation of ALK1 by sustained BMP9 overexpression in DB mice enabled the restoration of physiological permeability by regulating the levels and localization of interendothelial junctions,in part by limiting the action of VEGF signalling.We also observed that BMP9 overexpression demonstrated a regulating effect of blood glucose levels in DB mice.Our results showed that BMP9 significantly ameliorates glucose control over a 4-week span in DB mice and that this regulation was mediated primarily via the ALK3 receptor inhibiting gluconeogenic gene expression and hepatic glucose production and hence hyperglycemia.Conclusions:Together,our data show that BMP9 acts on several levels to safeguard endothelial integrity preventing retinal hyperpermeability in DB mice.The effects are mediated by its endocrine effect by directly stabilizing the endothelial barrier through Alk1 and its hypoglycemic paracrine/autocrine action in the liver through Alk3.Thus,BMP9 could be used in the development of future therapeutic alternatives against several vascular diseases involving edematous complications.