Hepatoprotective effects of Xiaoyao San formula on hepatic steatosis and inflammation via regulating the sex hormones metabolism

BACKGROUND The modified Xiaoyao San(MXS)formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer,which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and prolonging patient survival.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of MXS in ameliorating hepatic injury,steatosis and inflammation.METHODS A choline-deficient/high-fat diet-induced rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)model was used to examine the effects of MXS on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes.Liver tissues were collected for western blotting and immunohisto chemistry(IHC)assays.Lipid accumulation and hepatic fibrosis were detected using oil red staining and Sirius red staining.The serum samples were collected for biochemical assays and NMR-based metabonomics analysis.The inflammation/lipid metabolism-related signaling and regulators in liver tissues were also detected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MXS against NASH.RESULTS MXS showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes under metabolic stress.The western blotting and IHC results indicated that MXS activated AMPK pathway but inhibited the expression of key regulators related to lipid accumulation,inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the pathogenesis of NASH.The metabonomics analysis systemically indicated that the arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis are the two main target metabolic pathways for MXS to ameliorate liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis.Mechanistically,we found that MXS protected against NASH by attenuating the sex hormone-related metabolism,especially the metabolism of male hormones.CONCLUSION MXS ameliorates inflammation and hepatic steatosis of NASH by inhibiting the metabolism of male hormones.Targeting male hormone related metabolic pathways may be the potential therapeutic approach for NASH.

Caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase X is essential for homologous chromosome synapsis and recombination during meiosis of male mouse germ cells

Meiosis is the process of producing haploid gametes through a series of complex chromosomal events and the coordinated action of various proteins.The mitochondrial protease complex(ClpXP),which consists of caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase X(ClpX)and caseinolytic protease P(ClpP)and mediates the degradation of misfolded,damaged,and oxidized proteins,is essential for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.ClpXP has been implicated in meiosis regulation,but its precise role is currently unknown.In this study,we engineered an inducible male germ cell-specific knockout caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase X(Clpx^(cKO))mouse model to investigate the function of ClpX in meiosis.We found that disrupting Clpx in male mice induced germ cell apoptosis and led to an absence of sperm in the epididymis.Specifically,it caused asynapsis of homologous chromosomes and impaired meiotic recombination,resulting in meiotic arrest in the zygotene-to-pachytene transition phase.The loss of ClpX compromised the double-strand break(DSB)repair machinery by markedly reducing the recruitment of DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog 1(RAD51)to DSB sites.This dysfunction may be due to an insufficient supply of energy from the aberrant mitochondria in Clpx^(cKO) spermatocytes,as discerned by electron microscopy.Furthermore,ubiquitination signals on chromosomes and the expression of oxidative phosphorylation subunits were both significantly attenuated in Clpx^(cKO) spermatocytes.Taken together,we propose that ClpX is essential for maintaining mitochondrial protein homeostasis and ensuring homologous chromosome pairing,synapsis,and recombination in spermatocytes during meiotic prophase I.

Microsporogenesis and meiotic behavior in nine species of the genus Pinus

The meiotic behavior of 10 taxa （nine species and one variety） of the genus Pinus was investigated using pollen mother cells （PMCs） to reveal the differentiation among karyotypes. Chromosome spreads were prepared by conventional squashing. The meiotic index and the average configuration were higher, whereas the frequency of aberrance （chromosomal bridges, fragments, or micronuclei） was lower, in all 10 taxa compared with other gynmosperms. The meiotic index, average configuration, and frequency of irregularity were found to be uniform among the species. It was shown that the genomes of the Pinus species investigated were highly stable, confirming results of previous mitotic analyses in this genus. However, slight differentiation of homologous chromosomes among genomes was revealed by analysis of meiotic configurations in Pinus nigra var. poiretiana. Quadrivalents were observed in 9.31% of PMCs in this species. This is the first time that quadrivalents have been observed in gymnosperms.

Expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten in liver of athymic mice with hepatocellular carcinoma and the effect of Fuzheng Jiedu Decoction

AIM： To explore the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN） in liver of athymic mice with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and the effect of Fuzheng Jiedu Decoction （FJD）. METHODS： Forty eight male BALB/c athymic mice models were built by Bel-7402 with an indirect method. After 24 h of postoperation, the 48 athymic mice were distributed randomly into 4 groups： A, B, C, D, each group had 12 athymic mice. Group A were were treated by intragastric administration with FT207 （Tegafur） for 4 wk. Group B, C and D were treated by intragastric administration with FJD （complex prescription of Chinese crude drug） that had been delegated into 3 kinds of density as the low, middle, and high for 4 wk. At last, athymic mice were put to death, live time, volume of tumors, exponent of tumors and the tumor metastasis in livers were observed; and PTEN was detected in hepatic tissue, latero-cancer tissue and cancer tissue by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： Four weeks later, the total survival rate in treatment group （A ＋ B ＋ C） was 50% and higher than the control group （0%） treated by FT207, （P 〈 0.01）. The survival rate in group A, B, C was higher than in group D, and except group A with D, there was significant differentces （Fisher＇s Exact Test P = 0.05 or 0.01）. And no differences were observed between the treatment groups and the control group in volume of tumors and exponent of tumors （P 〉 0.05）. Tumor metastasis in livers of the treatment group was less than the controls （Fisher＇s Exact Test, P = 0.021）. The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the intensity of PTEN in latero-cancer tissue was the highest, and then the hepatic tissue, the lowest was cancer tissue （Kruskal- Wallis test, X^2 = 60.67, P = 0.000）. It also showed that the intensity of PTEN in treatment groups （A, B, C） was higher than the control group （D） （F = 5.90, P = 0.002 in hepatic tissue and F = 15.99, P = 0.000 in latero-cancer tissue and X^2 = 26.08, P = 0.000 in cancer tissue）, and group B is the highest in the treatment groups （P 〈 0.05, r = 0.01. respectively）. However, there was no significant statistic difference between group A and group C （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： FJD can prolong the survival time and decrease tumor metastasis in livers of these experimental mice. Mechanisms of FJD healing HCC may partially be explained by enhancing the expression of PTEN in liver.

Colonic manifestations of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome: Case series and systematic review

AIM: To investigate our clinical experience with the colonic manifestations of phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) and to perform a systematic literature review regarding the same.

PTEN and Ki67 expression is associated with clinicopathologic features of non-small cell lung cancer

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10（PTEN） and the proliferating antigen Ki67 have been widely studied in several tumors.However,their role as indicator in non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC）remains unknown.Here,we investigated the expression of PTEN and Ki67 in NSCLC tissues and paired normal lung tissues to identify whether these proteins are associated with lung cancer development and survival.Immunohistochemistry for PTEN and Ki67 was performed on 67 lung cancer tissues and 41 paired adjacent normal lung tissues to detect the expression of these two proteins.The expression of PTEN in NSCLC tissues（32.8%） was significantly lower than that in normal tissues（82.9%,P 〈 0.05）.In contrast,the expression of Ki67 in NSCLC tissues（76.1%） was significantly higher than that in normal tissues（27.3%,P 〈 0.05）.Expression of both PTEN and Ki67 were strongly associated with tumor histology,clinical stage,lymph node metastasis,differentiation and4-year postoperative survival rate（P 〈 0.05）.However,PTEN expression was negatively correlated with Ki67 expression（r =-0.279,P 〈 0.05）.In conclusion,low PTEN expression and Ki67 overexpression are associated with malignant invasion and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC.These proteins may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of NSCLC.

Upregulated DJ-1 Promotes Renal Tubular EMT by Suppressing Cytoplasmic PTEN Expression and Akt Activation

Recently,phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10（PTEN） is suggested as a new agent in the fighting against fibrogenesis.In tumor,DJ-1 is identified as a negative regulator of PTEN.But the expression of DJ-1 and the regulation of PTEN in fibrosis are unclear.Renal fibrosis was induced in 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy rat model.Human proximal tubular epithelial cells（HKC） were treated with transforming growth factor-beta 1（TGF-β1）,or transfected with DJ-1 or PTEN.Confocal microscope was used to investigate the localization of DJ-1 and PTEN.The selective phosphoinositide-3 kinase（PI3K） inhibitor,LY294002,was administered to inhibit PI3K pathway.The DJ-1 and PTEN expression,markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT） and Akt phosphorylation were measured by RT-PCR,Western blotting or immunocytochemistry.In vitro,after HKC cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h,the expression of DJ-1 was increased,and that of PTEN was decreased.In vivo,the same results were identified in 5/6-nephrectomized rats.In normal HKC cells,most of DJ-1 protein localized in cytoplasm,and little in nucleus.TGF-β1 upregulated DJ-1 expression in both cytoplasma and nuclei.In contrary,TGF-β1 emptied cytoplasmic PTEN protein into nucleus.Overexpression of DJ-1 decreased the expression of PTEN,promoted the activation of Akt and the expression of vimentin,and also led to the loss of cytoplasmic PTEN.Contrarily,overexpression of PTEN protected HKC cells from TGF-β1-induced EMT.In conclusion,DJ-1 is upregulated in renal fibrosis and DJ-1 mediates EMT by suppressing cytoplasmic PTEN expression and Akt activation.

Phosphatase and tensin homology deleted in chromosome 10,hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha gene expression in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma and their relation to vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression

To examine phosphatase and tensin homology deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN),hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) gene expressions and their relation to vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein expression in the patients with human colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas.Methods The expression of PTEN,HIF-1 alpha gene was detected by using in situ hybridization,and the VEGF expression levels by immunohistochemistry in colorectal adenomas and primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.Results Strong expression of HIF-1 alpha was detectable in the majority of colorectal dadenocarcinoma,particularly surrounding areas of necrosis in adenocarcinoma.PTEN,HIF-1 alpha mRNA and VEGF protein were positive in 51.6%,67.7% and 59.7% respectively in 62 cases of adenocarcinomas,and 77.8%,44.4% and 33.3% respectively in 18 cases of adenomas.The positive rate of VEGF was higher in the patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas than that in those with adenomas,whereas that of PTEN mRNA was contrary.HIF-1 mRNA expression was correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis,liver metastasis,Duke’s stage and recurrence.During colorectal tumor progression,the expression of HIF-1 alpha mRNA was positively correlated with the VEGF protein expression (χ2= 4.751 ,P<0.05),but negatively with the PTEN mRNA expression(χ2=21.84,P<0.01).Conclusion The absence or low expression of PTEN and the increased levels of HIF-1α and VEGF may paly an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal carcinoma.These results suggest that VEGF upregulated by HIF-1 alpha gene may be involved in angiogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.4 refs,1 tab.

Molecular Mechanisms of Homologous Chromosome Pairing and Segregation in Plants

In most eukaryotic species, three basic steps of pairing, recombination and synapsis occur during prophase of meiosis I. Homologous chromosomal pairing and recombination are essential for accurate segregation of chromosomes. In contrast to the well-studied processes such as recombination and synapsis, many aspects of chromosome pairing are still obscure. Recent progress in several species indicates that the telomere bouquet formation can facilitate homologous chromosome pairing by bringing chromosome ends into close proximity, but the sole presence of telomere clustering is not sufficient for recognizing homologous pairs. On the other hand, accurate segregation of the genetic material from parent to offspring during meiosis is dependent on the segregation of homologs in the reductional meiotic division （MI） with sister kinetochores exhibiting mono-orientation from the same pole, and the segregation of sister chromatids during the equational meiotic division （MII） with kinetochores showing bi-orientation from the two poles. The underlying mechanism of orientation and segregation is still unclear. Here we focus on recent studies in plants and other species that provide insight into how chromosomes find their partners and mechanisms mediating chromosomal segregation.

MiR-106b-5p Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-induced Apoptosis by Targeting Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Deleted on Chromosome 10 in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Background： Apoptosis of endothelial cells （ECs） plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis and there are also evidence indicated that phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 （PTEN） is a viable target in therapeutic approaches to prevent vascular ECs apoptosis. Aberrant miR-106b-5p expression has been reported in the plasma of patients with unstable atherosclerotic plaques. However, the role and underlying mechanism of miR-106-5p in the genesis of atherosclerosis have not been addressed. In this study, we explored the anti-apoptotic role of miR-106-5p by regulating PTEN expression in vascular ECs. Methods： Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-106b-5p in human atherosclerotic plaques and normal vascular tissues. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVEC） were transfected with miR-106b-5p mimic or negative control mimic, and apoptosis was induced by serum starvation and tumor necrosis factor-α （TN F-α） treat. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR experiments were used to detect PTEN expression levels and TN F-α-induced apoptosis was evaluated by the activation of caspase-3 and cell DNA fragmentation levels in HUVEC. Results： The expression ofmiR-106b-5p was significantly downregulated in plaques than in normal vascular tissues. TNF-α significantly downregulated miR-106b-5p expression levels and upregulated activation of caspase-3 and cell DNA fragmentation levels in HUVEC. Overexpression ofmiR-106b-5p with miR-106b-5p mimic inhibited PTEN expression and TNF-α-induced apoptosis in HUVEC. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-106b-5p binds to PTEN mRNA 3＇ untranslated region site, Conclusion： MiR-106b-5p could inhibit the expression of PTEN in vascular ECs, which could block TNF-α-induced activation of caspase-3, thus prevent ECs apoptosis in atherosclerosis diseases.

Prognostic value of PTEN in de novo diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer

The purpose of our study is to investigate the prognostic value of phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10(PTEN)expression in patients with de novo metastatic castration naive prostate cancer(mCNPC).A total of 205 patients with mCNPC at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center(Shanghai,China)were retrospectively examined.Immunohistochemical staining of PTEN was performed on prostate biopsy samples of these patients.Associations among clinicopathological features,patient survival and PTEN protein expression were analyzed.PTEN loss occurred in 58 of 205(28.3%)patients.Loss of PTEN was significantly correlated with high metastatic volume(P=0.017).No association between PTEN expression and Gleason score was observed.Patients with PTEN loss had significantly shorter progression-free survival(PFS,P<0.001)and overall survival(OS,P<0.001)compared with patients with intact PTEN expression.Multivariate analysis showed that elevated alkaline phosphatase,high metastatic volume and PTEN loss were independent poor prognostic factors for PFS.The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status(ECOG PS)≥2 and PTEN loss were independent poor prognostic factors for OS.The adjusted hazard ratio of PTEN loss for PFS and OS was 1.67(95%confidence interval[CI]:1.14–2.43,P=0.008)and 1.95(95%CI:1.23–3.10,P=0.005),respectively.PTEN loss was also significantly associated with shorter PFS(P=0.025)and OS(P<0.001)in patients with low-volume metastatic disease.Our data showed that PTEN loss is an independent predictor for shorter PFS and OS in patients with de novo mCNPC.