Effect of Regulation of HSV-tk Gene Expression and Tumor Killed Activity with a Single Tetracycline-regulatable Plasmid Vector on HeLa Cells

To construct a single tetracycline-regulatable plasmid vector based on the double tetracycline-regulatable plasmid vector system for regulating HSV-tk gene expression so as to effectively kill HeLa cells. Two tetracycline operator（TetO2） was cloned into pcDNA3.1 and a cassette was made for a cytomegalovirus-type 2 tetracycline operator（CMV-TetO2） promoter, and the obtained vector was named pcDNA3.1-CMV-TetO2. Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase（HSV-tk） gene and tetracycline repressor（TR） gene were cloned into pcDNA3.1-CMV-TetO2 and the two genes were linked with internal ribosome entry site（IRES） to gain a vector named pcDNA3.1-CMV-TetO2- HSV-tk-IRES-TR. The HeLa cells were stablly transfected with pcDNA3.1-CMV-TetO2-HSV-tk-IRES-TR plasmid. The expression of HSV-tk and TR were detected by RToPCR, the tumorcidal activity of HSV-tk/GCV was determined by MTT assay. In Hela cells transfected with the above plasmid vector, HSV-tk gene and TR gene can be expressed lowly and the concentration of GCV producing a 50% decrease in cell viability was about 50 lag/mL without adding deoxycycline; in contrast, the expessions of HSV-tk gene and TR gene increased significantly and the concentration of GCV producing a 50% decrease in cell viability was about 5 μg/mL with adding deoxycycline. Therefore tetracycline can regulate the expression and tumorcidal activity of HSV-tk gene in HeLa cells with this single plasmid vector.

Combination therapy of murine liver cancer with IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene

Objective: To investigate the synergistic anti-tumor effects of murine IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene therapy in mice bearing liver cancer. Methods: Mouse liver cancer MM45T. Li (H-2d) cells were transfected with retroviral vector containing IL-12 gene or HSV-TK gene insert. Gene-modified liver cancer cells, MM45T. Li/IL-12 and MM45T. Li/TK, with stable expression of IL-12 and TK were obtained. Balb/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2′105 MM45T. Li cells. When the tumor reached a size of 0.5-1.0 cm, a mixture of MM45T.Li/TK cells and 60Co-irradiated MM45T. Li/IL-12 cell were injected intratumoraly. Ganciclovir (GCV) was injected ip (40 mg.kg-1.d-1) for 10 days. Intratumoral injection of 60Co-irradiated MM45T. Li/IL-12 cells was repeated twice in one week apart. Mice with distant tumors were treated according to the same protocol. CTL activity of spleen cells was measured by 51Cr-release assay and phenotype of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In mice treated with MM45T. Li/IL-12 or MM45T. Li/TK+GCV individually led to moderate reduction in tumor growth, but neither could eradicate the tumor completely, while in 60% of mice treated with a mixture of MM45T. Li/IL-12 and MM45T. Li/TK cells plus GCV, complete tumor regression was observed, with no tumor recurrence for two months. The growth of distant tumor was also inhibited significantly in mice similarly treated. Most of the mice received combined gene therapy plus GCV had abundant CD4+, CD8+T lymphocyte infiltration. Their CTL activity was significantly higher than in mice received single gene therapy. Conclusion Combination therapy with IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene plus GCV is effective for mouse liver cancer.

Adenovirus-mediated HSV-TK Gene Therapy Using hTERT Promoter in CNE Cells in vitro

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase（hTERT） activity was detected in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma celI（CNE） but not in human normal lung fibroblas t（CCD-11Lu）. Recombinant adenoviruses Ad-CMV-TK-enh and Ad-hTERT-TK-enh were constructed and infected into normal fibroblasts and nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Ad-CMV-TK-enh with 100 μmol/L of ganciclovir（GCV） caused 87% of CCD-11Lu cells death and 91% of CNE cells death, Ad-hTERT-TK-enh with 100 μmol/L of GCV caused 24% of CCD-11Lu cells death and 79% of CNE cells death. These results indicate that the Ad-hTERT-TK-enh with GCV may be a useful method in suppressing tumor growth in targeted nasopharyngeal carcinoma gene therapy.

Peripheral blood RNA biomarkers can predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Dysregulation of genes involved in the long-chain fatty acid transport in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is an aggressive lethal malignancy with limited options for treatment and a 5-year survival rate of 11%in the United States.As for other types of tumors,such as colorectal cancer,aberrant de novo lipid synthesis and reprogrammed lipid metabolism have been suggested to be associated with PDAC development and progression.AIM To identify the possible involvement of lipid metabolism in PDAC by analyzing in tumoral and non-tumoral tissues the expression level of the most relevant genes involved in the long-chain fatty acid(FA)import into cell.METHODS A gene expression analysis of FASN,CD36,SLC27A1,SLC27A2,SLC27A3,SLC27A4,SLC27A5,ACSL1,and ACSL3 was performed by qRT-PCR in 24 tumoral PDAC tissues and 11 samples from non-tumoral pancreatic tissues obtained via fine needle aspiration or via surgical resection.The genes were considered significantly dysregulated between the groups when the p value was<0.05 and the fold change(FC)was≤0.5 and≥2.RESULTS We found that three FA transporters and two long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases genes were significantly upregulated in the PDAC tissue compared to the non-tumoral tissue:SLC27A2(FC=5.66;P=0.033),SLC27A3(FC=2.68;P=0.040),SLC27A4(FC=3.13;P=0.033),ACSL1(FC=4.10;P<0.001),and ACSL3(FC=2.67;P=0.012).We further investigated any possible association between the levels of the analyzed mRNAs and the specific characteristics of the tumors,including the anatomic location,the lymph node involvement,and the presence of metastasis.A significant difference in the expression of SLC27A3(FC=3.28;P=0.040)was found comparing patients with and without lymph nodes involvement with an overexpression of this transcript in 17 patients presenting tumoral cells in the lymph nodes.CONCLUSION Despite the low number of patients analyzed,these preliminary results seem to be promising.Addressing lipid metabolism through a broad strategy could be a beneficial way to treat this malignancy.Future in vitro and in vivo studies on these genes may offer important insights into the mechanisms linking PDAC with the long-chain FA import pathway.

The autophagy-lysosome pathway:a potential target in the chemical and gene therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disease with movement disorders associated with the intracytoplasmic deposition of aggregate proteins such asα-synuclein in neurons.As one of the major intracellular degradation pathways,the autophagy-lysosome pathway plays an important role in eliminating these proteins.Accumulating evidence has shown that upregulation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway may contribute to the clearance ofα-synuclein aggregates and protect against degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.Moreover,multiple genes associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease are intimately linked to alterations in the autophagy-lysosome pathway.Thus,this pathway appears to be a promising therapeutic target for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.In this review,we briefly introduce the machinery of autophagy.Then,we provide a description of the effects of Parkinson’s disease–related genes on the autophagy-lysosome pathway.Finally,we highlight the potential chemical and genetic therapeutic strategies targeting the autophagy–lysosome pathway and their applications in Parkinson’s disease.

Recovery of the injured neural system through gene delivery to surviving neurons in Parkinson’s disease

A critical unaddressed problem in Parkinson’s disease is the lack of therapy that slows or hampers neurodegeneration.While medications effectively manage symptoms,they offer no long-term benefit because they fail to address the underlying neuronal loss.This highlights that the elusive goals of halting progression and restoring damaged neurons limit the long-term impact of current approaches.Recent clinical trials using gene therapy have demonstrated the safety of various vector delivery systems,dosages,and transgenes expressed in the central nervous system,signifying tangible and substantial progress in applying gene therapy as a promising Parkinson’s disease treatment.Intriguingly,at diagnosis,many dopamine neurons remain in the substantia nigra,offering a potential window for recovery and survival.We propose that modulating these surviving dopamine neurons and axons in the substantia nigra and striatum using gene therapy offers a potentially more impactful therapeutic approach for future research.Moreover,innovative gene therapies that focus on preserving the remaining elements may have significant potential for enhancing long-term outcomes and the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease.In this review,we provide a perspective on how gene therapy can protect vulnerable elements in the substantia nigra and striatum,offering a novel approach to addressing Parkinson’s disease at its core.

AAV2-PDE6B restores retinal structure and function in the retinal degeneration 10 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa by promoting phototransduction and inhibiting apoptosis

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that lead to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death.However,there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by PDE6B mutation.Adeno-associated virus(AAV)-mediated gene therapy is a promising strategy for treating retinitis pigmentosa.The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which AAV2-PDE6B rescues retinal function.To do this,we injected retinal degeneration 10(rd10)mice subretinally with AAV2-PDE6B and assessed the therapeutic effects on retinal function and structure using dark-and light-adapted electroretinogram,optical coherence tomography,and immunofluorescence.Data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was conducted to investigate protein expression levels and pathway enrichment,and the results from this analysis were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.AAV2-PDE6B injection significantly upregulated PDE6βexpression,preserved electroretinogram responses,and preserved outer nuclear layer thickness in rd10 mice.Differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and rd10 mice were closely related to visual perception,and treating rd10 mice with AAV2-PDE6B restored differentially expressed protein expression to levels similar to those seen in wild-type mice.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins whose expression was most significantly altered by AAV2-PDE6B injection were enriched in phototransduction pathways.Furthermore,the phototransductionrelated proteins Pde6α,Rom1,Rho,Aldh1a1,and Rbp1 exhibited opposite expression patterns in rd10 mice with or without AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Finally,Bax/Bcl-2,p-ERK/ERK,and p-c-Fos/c-Fos expression levels decreased in rd10 mice following AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Our data suggest that AAV2-PDE6B-mediated gene therapy promotes phototransduction and inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway and upregulating Bcl-2/Bax expression in retinitis pigmentosa.

Heterogeneity of mature oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system

Mature oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths that are crucial for the insulation of axons and efficient signal transmission in the central nervous system.Recent evidence has challenged the classical view of the functionally static mature oligodendrocyte and revealed a gamut of dynamic functions such as the ability to modulate neuronal circuitry and provide metabolic support to axons.Despite the recognition of potential heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocyte function,a comprehensive summary of mature oligodendrocyte diversity is lacking.We delve into early 20th-century studies by Robertson and Río-Hortega that laid the foundation for the modern identification of regional and morphological heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocytes.Indeed,recent morphologic and functional studies call into question the long-assumed homogeneity of mature oligodendrocyte function through the identification of distinct subtypes with varying myelination preferences.Furthermore,modern molecular investigations,employing techniques such as single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing,consistently unveil at least six mature oligodendrocyte subpopulations in the human central nervous system that are highly transcriptomically diverse and vary with central nervous system region.Age and disease related mature oligodendrocyte variation denotes the impact of pathological conditions such as multiple sclerosis,Alzheimer's disease,and psychiatric disorders.Nevertheless,caution is warranted when subclassifying mature oligodendrocytes because of the simplification needed to make conclusions about cell identity from temporally confined investigations.Future studies leveraging advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell proteomics promise a more nuanced understanding of mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity.Such research avenues that precisely evaluate mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity with care to understand the mitigating influence of species,sex,central nervous system region,age,and disease,hold promise for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting varied central nervous system pathology.

Pan-TRK positive uterine sarcoma in immunohistochemistry without neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusions:A case report

BACKGROUND The classification of uterine sarcomas is based on distinctive morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics,increasingly supported by molecular genetic diagnostics.Data on neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase(NTRK)gene fusionpositive uterine sarcoma,potentially aggressive and morphologically similar to fibrosarcoma,are limited due to its recent recognition.Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry(IHC)analysis serves as an effective screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity for NTRK-fusion malignancies.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a malignant mesenchymal tumor originating from the uterine cervix,which was pan-TRK IHC-positive but lacked NTRK gene fusions,accompanied by a brief literature review.A 55-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and distension,exhibiting significant ascites and multiple solid pelvic masses.Pelvic examination revealed a tumor encompassing the uterine cervix,extending to the vagina and uterine corpus.A punch biopsy of the cervix indicated NTRK sarcoma with positive immunochemical pan-TRK stain.However,subsequent next generation sequencing revealed no NTRK gene fusion,leading to a diagnosis of poorly differentiated,advanced-stage sarcoma.CONCLUSION The clinical significance of NTRK gene fusion lies in potential treatment with TRK inhibitors for positive sarcomas.Identifying such rare tumors is crucial due to the potential applicability of tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor treatment.

Genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse neonatal outcomes

Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a metabolic disorder,recognised during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.GDM is linked with adverse newborn outcomes such as macrosomia,premature delivery,metabolic disorder,cardiovascular,and neurological disorders.Recent investigations have focused on the correlation of genetic factors such asβ-cell function and insulin secretary genes(transcription factor 7 like 2,potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily q member 1,adipo-nectin etc.)on maternal metabolism during gestation leading to GDM.Epigenetic alterations like DNA methylation,histone modification,and miRNA expression can influence gene expression and play a dominant role in feto-maternal meta-bolic pathways.Interactions between genes and environment,resulting in differ-ential gene expression patterns may lead to GDM.Researchers suggested that GDM women are more susceptible to insulin resistance,which alters intrauterine surroundings,resulting hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.Epigenetic modi-fications in genes affecting neuroendocrine activities,and metabolism,increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring.There is currently no treatment or effective preventive method for GDM,since the molecular processes of insulin resistance are not well understood.The present review was undertaken to un-derstand the pathophysiology of GDM and its effects on adverse neonatal out-comes.In addition,the study of genetic and epigenetic alterations will provide lead to researchers in the search for predictive molecular biomarkers.

Autophagy-targeting modulation to promote peripheral nerve regeneration

Nerve regeneration following traumatic peripheral nerve injuries and neuropathies is a complex process modulated by diverse factors and intricate molecular mechanisms.Past studies have focused on factors that stimulate axonal outgrowth and myelin regeneration.However,recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of autophagy in peripheral nerve regeneration,particularly in the context of traumatic injuries.Consequently,autophagy-targeting modulation has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration.Our current understanding suggests that activating autophagy facilitates the rapid clearance of damaged axons and myelin sheaths,thereby enhancing neuronal survival and mitigating injury-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.These actions collectively contribute to creating a favorable microenvironment for structural and functional nerve regeneration.A range of autophagyinducing drugs and interventions have demonstrated beneficial effects in alleviating peripheral neuropathy and promoting nerve regeneration in preclinical models of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.This review delves into the regulation of autophagy in cell types involved in peripheral nerve regeneration,summarizing the potential drugs and interventions that can be harnessed to promote this process.We hope that our review will offer novel insights and perspectives on the exploitation of autophagy pathways in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries and neuropathies.

Bidirectional regulation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphateadenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway and its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in China,and the treatment options are limited.The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)activates the stimulator of interferon gene(STING)signaling pathway as a crucial immune response pathway in the cytoplasm,which detects cytoplasmic DNA to regulate innate and adaptive immune responses.As a potential therapeutic target,cGASSTING pathway markedly inhibits tumor cell proliferation and metastasis,with its activation being particularly relevant in HCC.However,prolonged pathway activation may lead to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment,which fostering the invasion or metastasis of liver tumor cells.AIM To investigate the dual-regulation mechanism of cGAS-STING in HCC.METHODS This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.The study conducted a comprehensive search for articles related to HCC on PubMed and Web of Science databases.Through rigorous screening and meticulous analysis of the retrieved literature,the research aimed to summarize and elucidate the impact of the cGAS-STING pathway on HCC tumors.RESULTS All authors collaboratively selected studies for inclusion,extracted data,and the initial search of online databases yielded 1445 studies.After removing duplicates,remaining 964 records were screened.Ultimately,55 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review.CONCLUSION Acute inflammation can have a few inhibitory effects on cancer,while chronic inflammation generally promotes its progression.Extended cGAS-STING pathway activation will result in a suppressive tumor microenvironment.

Genetic signatures of ERCC1 and ERCC2 expression,along with SNPs variants,unveil favorable prognosis in SCLC patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy

Background:Platinum chemotherapy(CT)remains the backbone of systemic therapy for patients with smallcell lung cancer(SCLC).The nucleotide excision repair(NER)pathway plays a central role in the repair of the DNA damage exerted by platinum agents.Alteration in this repair mechanism may affect patients’survival.Materials and Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 38 patients with extensive disease(ED)-SCLC who underwent platinum-CT at the Clinical Oncology Unit,Careggi University Hospital,Florence(Italy),from 2015 to 2020.mRNA expression analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)characterization of three NER pathway genes—namely ERCC1,ERCC2,and ERCC5—were performed on patient tumor samples.Results:Overall,elevated expression of ERCC genes was observed in SCLC patients compared to healthy controls.Patients with low ERCC1 and ERCC5 expression levels exhibited a better median progression-free survival(mPFS=7.1 vs.4.9 months,p=0.39 for ERCC1 and mPFS=6.9 vs.4.8 months,p=0.093 for ERCC5)and overall survival(mOS=8.7 vs.6.0 months,p=0.4 for ERCC1 and mOS=7.2 vs.6.2 months,p=0.13 for ERCC5).Genotyping analysis of five SNPs of ERCC genes showed a longer survival in patients harboring the wild-type genotype or the heterozygous variant of the ERCC1 rs11615 SNP(p=0.24 for PFS and p=0.14 for OS)and of the rs13181 and rs1799793 ERCC2 SNPs(p=0.43 and p=0.26 for PFS and p=0.21 and p=0.16 for OS,respectively)compared to patients with homozygous mutant genotypes.Conclusions:The comprehensive analysis of ERCC gene expression and SNP variants appears to identify patients who derive greater survival benefits from platinum-CT.

The pseudo-type response regulator gene Clsc regulates rind stripe coloration in watermelon

The color and pattern of watermelon rind are crucial external traits that directly affect consumer preferences.Watermelons with stripes having a stronger color than the background rind are ideal for studying stripe patterns in plants,while there is still limited knowledge about the genetic mechanisms underlying stripe coloration due to the lack of germplasm resources.In this study,we focused on a watermelon germplasm with colorless stripes,and genetic analysis revealed that the trait is controlled by a single recessive gene.The gene Clsc(Citrullus lanatus stripe coloration),which is responsible for the colorless stripe,was localized into a 147.6 kb region on Chr9 by linkage analysis in a large F2 mapping population.Further analysis revealed that the Cla97C09G175170 gene encodes the APRR2 transcription factor,plays a crucial role in determining the watermelon colorless stripe phenotype and was deduced to be related to chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast development.Physiological experiments indicated that Cla97C09G175170 may significantly influence chloroplast development and chlorophyll synthesis in watermelon.The results of this study provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of stripe coloration in watermelon and can be useful in the development of marker-assisted selection(MAS)for new watermelon cultivars.

Generation of transgenic chicken through ovarian injection

Background : Traditional DNA microinjection methods used in mammals are difficult to apply to avian species due to their unique reproductive characteristics. Genetic manipulation in chickens, particularly involving immature follicles within living ovaries, has not been extensively explored. This study seeks to establish an efficient method for generating transgenic chickens through ovarian injection, potentially bypassing the challenges associated with primordial germ cell (PGC) manipulation and fertilized egg microinjection. Methods : Hens were anesthetized and underwent a surgical procedure to access the ovary for DNA injection into immature follicles. The study used liposomes to deliver GFP- expressing plasmids at various dosages. After injection, hens recovered, and their eggs were fertilized through artificial insemination. Results : Transgenic chickens were successfully generated in one generation without needing G0 founders. The injection of 20 μg plasmid yielded the highest transgenic efficiency at 12.1%. GFP- positive embryos were confirmed through microscopy, and successful transgene expression was validated at the tissue level using immunostain- ing. TERT and GFP elements introduced in the G1 generation resulted in 4.1% positive transgene rates, as confirmed by PCR and Southern blotting. Conclusion : This ovarian injection method offers a promising alternative for avian ge- netic manipulation, bypassing complex PGC procedures and enabling direct genera- tion of G1 transgenic chickens. This technique simplifies the transgenic process for chickens and has the potential to be adapted for other avian species, especially those without established PGCs culture systems.

AAV-mediated expression of p65shRNA and bone morphogenetic protein 4 synergistically enhances chondrocyte regeneration

BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene manipulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis may not produce satisfactory results.Previous studies have shown that nuclear factorκB could promote the inflammatory pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes,and bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)could promote cartilage regeneration.OBJECTIVE:To test whether combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 will yield the synergistic effect on chondrocytes regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.METHODS:Viral particles containing AAV-p65-shRNA and AAV-BMP4 were prepared.Their efficacy in inhibiting inflammation in chondrocytes and promoting chondrogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo by transfecting AAV-p65-shRNA or AAV-BMP4 into cells.The experiments were divided into five groups:PBS group;osteoarthritis group;AAV-BMP4 group;AAV-p65shRNA group;and BMP4-p65shRNA 1:1 group.Samples were collected at 4,12,and 24 weeks postoperatively.Tissue staining,including safranin O and Alcian blue,was applied after collecting articular tissue.Then,the optimal ratio between the two types of transfected viral particles was further investigated to improve the chondrogenic potential of mixed cells in vivo.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 together showed a synergistic effect on cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.Mixed cells transfected with AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 at a 1:1 ratio produced the most extracellular matrix synthesis(P<0.05).In vivo results also revealed that the combination of the two viruses had the highest regenerative potential for osteoarthritic cartilage(P<0.05).In the present study,we also discovered that the combined therapy had the maximum effect when the two viruses were administered in equal proportions.Decreasing either p65shRNA or BMP4 transfected cells resulted in less collagen II synthesis.This implies that inhibiting inflammation by p65shRNA and promoting regeneration by BMP4 are equally important for osteoarthritis treatment.These findings provide a new strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis by simultaneously inhibiting cartilage inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.

Small auxin-up RNA gene OsSAUR33 promotes seed aging tolerance in rice

Seed aging tolerance during storage is generally an important trait for crop production, yet the role of small auxin-up RNA genes in conferring seed aging tolerance is largely unknown in rice. In this study, one small auxin-up RNA gene, OsSAUR33, was found to be involved in the regulation of seed aging tolerance in rice. The expression of OsSAUR33 was significantly induced in aged seeds compared with unaged seeds during the seed germination phase. Accordingly, the disruption of OsSAUR33 significantly reduced seed vigor compared to the wild type(WT) in response to natural storage or artificial aging treatments. The rice OsSAUR33 gene promotes the vigor of aged seeds by enhancing their reactive oxygen species(ROS) level during seed germination, and the accumulation of ROS was significantly delayed in the aged seeds of Ossaur33 mutants in comparison with WT during seed germination. Hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) treatments promoted the vigor of aged seeds in various rice varieties. Our results provide timely theoretical and technical insights for the trait improvement of seed aging tolerance in rice.

Genetic insights in infectious diseases:Insights from a case report and implications for personalized medicine

The relationship between genetics and infectious diseases is important in shaping our understanding of disease susceptibility,progression,and treatment.Recent research shows the impact of genetic variations,such as heme-oxygenase promoter length,on diseases like malaria and sepsis,revealing both protective and inconclusive effects.Studies on vaccine responses highlight genetic markers like human leukocyte antigens,emphasizing the potential for personalized immunization strategies.The ongoing battle against drug-resistant tuberculosis(TB)illustrates the complexity of genomic variants in predicting resistance,highlighting the need for integrated diagnostic tools.Additionally,genome-wide association studies reveal antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacterial genomes,while host genetic polymorphisms,such as those in solute carrier family 11 member 1 and vitamin D receptor,demonstrate their role in TB susceptibility.Advanced techniques like metagenomic next-generation sequencing promise detailed pathogen detection but face challenges in cost and accessibility.A case report involving a highly virulent Mycobacterium TB strain with the pks1 gene further highlights the need for genetic insights in understanding disease severity and developing targeted interventions.This evolving landscape emphasizes the role of genetics in infectious diseases,while also addressing the need for standardized studies and accessible technologies.