Dhx33 promotes B-cell growth and proliferation by controlling activation-induced rRNA upregulation

Upon recognition of foreign antigens,naïve B cells undergo rapid activation,growth,and proliferation.How B-cell growth and proliferation are coupled with activation remains poorly understood.Combining CRISPR/Cas9-mediated functional analysis and mouse genetics approaches,we found that Dhx33,an activation-induced RNA helicase,plays a critical role in coupling B-cell activation with growth and proliferation.Mutant mice with B-cell-specific deletion of Dhx33 exhibited impaired B-cell development,germinal center reactions,plasma cell differentiation,and antibody production.Dhx33-deficient B cells appeared normal in the steady state and early stage of activation but were retarded in growth and proliferation.Mechanistically,Dhx33 played an indispensable role in activation-induced upregulation of ribosomal DNA(rDNA)transcription.In the absence of Dhx33,activated B cells were compromised in their ability to ramp up 47S ribosomal RNA(rRNA)production and ribosome biogenesis,resulting in nucleolar stress,p53 accumulation,and cellular death.Our findings demonstrate an essential role for Dhx33 in coupling B-cell activation with growth and proliferation and suggest that Dhx33 inhibition is a potential therapy for lymphoma and antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Expression and Change of B Cell Activation Factor of the TNF Family(BAFF) Gene between Human Normal and Inflamed Fallopian Tubes

Objective To investigate the expression of B cell activation factor of the TNF family （BAFF） gene between human normal and inflamed fallopian tubes. Methods Tissue samples of human normal fallopian tube （n=20） and inflamed fallopian tube （n=20） were collected. The expression of BAFF gene was determined by the real- time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and immunohistochemistry. Results BAFF immunostaining appeared on the cellular membrane and in the cytoplasm of tubal epithelial cells. Both BAFF protein and mRNA in normal fallopian tubes had lower levels than those in inflamed fallopian tubes （P〈0.01）. Conclusion BAFF protein and mRNA are present in human tubal tissues. BAFF gene in human inflamed fallopian tube would have a high expression.

Cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss:The stress response theory

The stress response theory is a relatively new concept about the cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISHL). A number of possible etiologies have been proposed in the literature, as discussed in this paper, but each proposed etiology has been both supported and refuted in the literature. However, the stress response theory can integrate hypotheses that have been advocated so far. The word "stress" refers to a constellation of physical and psychological stimuli including systemic viral and bacterial illness, systemic inflammatory disorders, and physical, mental or metabolic stress. Numerous studies have demonstrated adverse effects of systemic stress on health. Stress causes changes in the immune system and cytokine network through activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Several types of catecholamine and cytokine receptors are in the cochlea cells other than capillary cells, and then they can respond to systemic stressors. However, there are few studies examining how systemic stress is associated with cochlear dysfunction. The stress response theory addresses this question. In the theory, a variety of stressors and risk factors contribute to the onset of ISHL in varying degrees. The lateral wall of the cochlea has very unique responses to systemic stressors. It plays a critical role in causing ISHL. Systemic stressors converge at the lateral wall and trigger pathological activation of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, a transcriptional factor known as a stress sensor. This activation enhances local expression of genes associated with immune and inflammatory system, resulting in cochlear dysfunction. We review the original stress response theory advocated by Adams et al and the integrative stress response theory that integrates our knowledge about the etiologies of ISHL so far.

Regulation of CD137 expression through K-Ras signaling in pancreatic cancer cells

Background:The interaction between CD137 and its ligand(CD137L)plays a major role in the regulation of immune functions and affects cancer immunotherapy.CD137 is a cell surface protein mainly located on activated T cells,and its regulation and functions in immune cells are well established.However,the expression of CD137 and its regulation in cancer cells remain poorly understood.The main purposes of this study were to examine the expression of CD137 in pancreatic cancer cells and to investigate its underlying mechanisms.Methods:Cells containing inducible K-RasG12V expression vector or with different K-Ras mutational statuses were used as in vitro models to examine the regulation of CD137 expression by K-Ras.Various molecular assays were employed to explore the regulatory mechanisms.Tumor specimens from 15 pancreatic cancer patients and serum samples from 10 patients and 10 healthy donors were used to test if the expression of CD137 could be validated in clinical samples.Results:We found that the CD137 protein was expressed on the cell surface in pancreatic cancer tissues and cancer cell lines.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed no difference in the levels of secreted CD137 in the sera of patients and healthy donors.By using the K-Ras inducible cell system,we further showed that oncogenic K-Ras up-regulated CD137 through the activation of MAPK(mitogen-activated protein kinases)and NF-κB(nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells)pathways,as evidenced by significantly reduced CD137 mRNA expression led by genetic silencing of MAPK1 and p65,the key proteins involved in the respective pathways.Further-more,we also found that the NF-κB pathway was mainly stimulated by the K-Ras-induced secretion of interleukin-1α(IL-1α)which promoted the transcription of the CD137 gene in pancreatic cancer cell lines.Analysis of the TCGA(the cancer genome atlas)database also revealed a significant correlation between IL-1αand CD137 expression(r=0.274)in tumor samples from pancreatic cancer patients(P<0.001).Conclusions:The present study has demonstrated that the CD137 protein was expressed on pancreatic cancer cell surface,and has identified a novel mechanism by which K-Ras regulates CD137 in pancreatic cancer cells through MAPK and NF-κB pathways stimulated by IL-1α.

RNAi screen to identify protein phosphatases that regulate the NF-kappaB signaling

NF-kappaB plays a critical role in cell survival,apoptosis,and inflammatory responses.Serine/threoninespecific phosphatases(PPs)represent the second major class of enzymes that catalyze the dephosphorylation of proteins.The roles of PPs regulating NF-kappaB activities are poorly understood.Here we describe an RNAi-based screen to identify the PPs that involve in regulating NFkappaB signaling.Thirty-four candidate PPs siRNAs were synthesized and primarily screened by NF-kappaB reporter gene assay in HeLa cells.PHLPP,one of the protein phosphatase type 2C family members(PP2C),was identified as a positive regulator of NF-kappaB signaling.Knock-down of PHLPP dramatically attenuated TNFα-stimulated NF-kappaB transcriptional activation.Knockdown of PHLPP led to enhancement of NF-kappaB/p65 nuclear import and retention,but decreased TNFα-induced phosphorylation at Ser276 on p65.This critical phosphorylation was also drastically reduced by knock-down of PKCalpha and Akt1,two important serine/threonine kinases dephosphorylated by PHLPP.The results together suggest that PHLPP-Akt-PKC may represent an important signaling loop that activates NF-kappaB/p65 signaling through critical serine phosphorylation.

Design,synthesis and bioactivity of chalcones and its analogues

The Vernohia anthelmintica L.＇s extract is one of the most popular Uygur medicines used for vitiligo. It is believed that the chalcone compounds of the plant play an important role in the treatment since they may activate tyrosinase and improve melanin production. In this study, twenty-one chalcones and nine analogues were synthesized in view of three different components of chalcone（A, B ring and a,b-unsaturated carbonyl）. After biological evaluation of their activity on tyrosinase in cell-free systems,the result showed that most compounds（except polyhydroxy chalcones） possess activator effect on the tyrosinase, especially for 13a–15a, 20 a and 1b, which bearing a comparable activity to the positive control8-MOP. SAR of these tyrosinase activator was summed up for the first time as well. Finally, compound 13 a was found to increase melanin contents and tyrosinase activity 1.75 and 1.3 fold, respectively, compared with that of untreated murine B16 cells at the concentration of 40 mg/m L.