Phosphatidylserine improves axonal transport by inhibition of HDAC and has potential in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Familial dysautonomia （FD） is a rare children neurodegenerative disease caused due to a point mutation in the IKBKAP gene that results in decreased IKK complex-associated protein （IKAP） protein production. The disease affects mostly the dorsal root ganglion （DRG） and the sympathetic ganglion. Recently, we found that the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in FD patients are defects in axonal transport of nerve growth factors and microtubule stability in the DRG. Neurons are highly polarized cells with very long axons. In order to survive and maintain proper function, neurons depend on transport of proteins and other cellular components from the neuronal body along the axons. We further demonstrated that IKAP is necessary for axon maintenance and showed that phosphatidylserine acts as an HDAC6 inhib- itor to rescue neuronal function in FD cells. In this review, we will highlight our latest research findings.

Contemporary approach to diagnosis and classification of renal cell carcinoma with mixed histologic features

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an important contributor to cancer-specific mortality worldwide. Targeted agents that inhibit key subtype-specific signaling pathways have improved survival times and have recently become part of the standard of care for this disease. Accurately diagnosing and classifying RCC on the basis of tumor histology is thus critical. RCC has been traditionally divided into clear-cell and non-clearcell categories, with papillary RCC forming the most common subtype of non-clear-cell RCC. Renal neoplasms with overlapping histologies, such as tumors with mixed clear-cell and papillary features and hybrid renal oncocytic tumors, are increasingly seen in contemporary practice and present a diagnostic challenge with important therapeutic implications. In this review, we discuss the histologic, immunohistochemical, cytogenetic, and clinicopathologic aspects of these differential diagnoses and illustrate how the classification of RCC has evolved to integrate both the tumor's microscopic appearance and its molecular fingerprint.

Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy in an African American patient: an unusual racial demographic for a condition more common in individuals of East Asian descent

Dear Editor,The study outlining the manifestations of Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy(BCD)in five Chinese patients offered insights into common disease-causing variants associated with Chinese patients as well as a novel mutation[1].This genetic condition is commonly reported among East Asian populations and to some extent Mediterranean populations[2].

γ-aminobutyric acid B2 receptor:A potential therapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma in patients with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND The association between diabetes mellitus(DM)and the increased risk and progression of cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)has been reported with unclear underlying mechanisms.Previous studies showed thatγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)B2 receptor(GABBR2)was upregulated in CCA cells cultured in high glucose(HG)conditions.Roles of GABA receptors in CCA progression have also been studied,but their association with DM and hyperglycemia in CCA remains unclarified.AIM To investigate the effects of hyperglycemia on GABBR2 expression and the potential use of GABBR2 as a CCA therapeutic target.METHODS CCA cells,KKU-055 and KKU-213A,were cultured in Dulbecco Modified Eagle’s Medium supplemented with 5.6 mmol/L(normal glucose,NG)or 25 mmol/L(HG)glucose and assigned as NG and HG cells,respectively.GABBR2 expression in NG and HG cells was investigated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot.Expression and localization of GABBR2 in CCA cells were determined using immunocytofluorescence.GABBR2 expression in tumor tissues from CCA patients with and without DM was studied using immunohistochemistry,and the correlations of GABBR2 with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients were analyzed using univariate analysis.Effects of baclofen,a GABA-B receptor agonist,on CCA cell proliferation and clonogenicity were tested using the MTT and clonogenic assays.Phospho-kinases arrays were used to screen the affected signaling pathways after baclofen treatment,and the candidate signaling molecules were validated using the public transcriptomic data and western blot.RESULTS GABBR2 expression in CCA cells was induced by HG in a dose-and time-dependent manner.CCA tissues from patients with DM and hyperglycemia also showed a significantly higher GABBR2 expression compared with tumor tissues from those with euglycemia(P<0.01).High GABBR2 expression was significantly associated with a poorer non-papillary histological subtype but with smaller sizes of CCA tumors(P<0.05).HG cells of both tested CCA cell lines were more sensitive to baclofen treatment.Baclofen significantly suppressed the proliferation and clonogenicity of CCA cells in both NG and HG conditions(P<0.05).Phospho-kinase arrays suggested glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK3),β-catenin,and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)as candidate signaling molecules under the regulation of GABBR2,which were verified in NG and HG cells of the individual CCA cell lines.Cyclin D1 and c-Myc,the common downstream targets of GSK3/β-catenin and STAT3 involving cell proliferation,were accordingly downregulated after baclofen treatment.CONCLUSION GABBR2 is upregulated by HG and holds a promising role as a therapeutic target for CCA regardless of the glucose condition.

染色体异常与男性不育

Infertility in humans is surprisingly common occurring in approximately 15% of the population wishing to start a family. Despite this, the molecular and genetic factors underlying the cause of infertility remain largely undiscovered. Nevertheless, more and more genetic factors associated with infertility are being identified. This review will focus on our current understanding of the chromosomal basis of male infertility specifically： chromosomal aneuploidy, structural and numerical karyotype abnormalities and Y chromosomal microdeletions. Chromosomal aneuploidy is the leading cause of pregnancy loss and developmental disabilities in humans. Aneuploidy is predominantly maternal in origin, but concerns have been raised regarding the safety of intracytoplasmic sperm injection as infertile men have significantly higher levels of sperm aneuploidy compared to their fertile counterparts. Males with numerical or structural karyotype abnormalities are also at an increased risk of producing aneuploid sperm. Our current understanding of how sperm aneuploidy translates to embryo aneuploidy will be reviewed, as well as the application of preimplantation genetic diagnosis （PGD） in such cases. Clinical recommendations where possible will be made, as well as discussion of the use of emerging array technology in PGD and its potential applications in male infertility.

Vleiotic recombination and male infertility： from basic science to clinical reality？

Infertility is a common problem that affects approximately 15% of the population. Although many advances have been made in the treatment of infertility, the molecular and genetic causes of male infertility remain largely elusive. This review will present a summary of our current knowledge on the genetic origin of male infertility and the key events of male meiosis. It focuses on chromosome synapsis and meiotic recombination and the problems that arise when errors in these processes occur, specifically meiotic arrest and chromosome aneuploidy, the leading cause of pregnancy loss in humans. In addition, meiosis-specific candidate genes will be discussed, including a discussion on why we have been largely unsuccessful at identifying disease-causing mutations in infertile men. Finally clinical applications of sperm aneuploidy screening will be touched upon along with future prospective clinical tests to better characterize male infertility in a move towards personalized medicine.

Keratinocytes costimulate naive human T cells via CD2: a potential target to prevent the development of proinflammatory Th1 cells in the skin

The interplay between keratinocytes and immune cells,especially T cells,plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory skin diseases.During psoriasis,keratinocytes attract T cells by releasing chemokines,while skin-infiltrating selfreactive T cells secrete proinflammatory cytokines,e.g.,IFN γand IL-17A,that cause epidermal hyperplasia.Similarly,in chronic graftversus-host disease,allogenic IFN γ-producing Th1/Tc1 and IL-17-producing Th17/Tc17 cells are recruited by keratinocyte-derived chemokines and accumulate in the skin.However,whether keratinocytes act as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells to directly activate naive human T cells in the epidermis remains unknown.Here,we demonstrate that under proinflammatory conditions,primary human keratinocytes indeed activate naive human T cells.This activation required cell contact and costimulatory signaling via CD58/CD2 and CD54/LFA-1.Naive T cells costimulated by keratinocytes selectively differentiated into Th1 and Th17 cells.In particular,keratinocyte-initiated Th1 differentiation was dependent on costimulation through CD58/CD2.The latter molecule initiated STAT1 signaling and IFN γproduction in T cells.Costimulation of T cells by keratinocytes resulting in Th1 and Th17 differentiation represents a new explanation for the local enrichment of Th1 and Th17 cells in the skin of patients with a chronic inflammatory skin disease.Consequently,local interference with T cell–keratinocyte interactions may represent a novel strategy for the treatment of Th1 and Th17 cell-driven skin diseases.

Serotonin type 3 receptor subunit gene polymorphisms associated with psychosomatic symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome:A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND Single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of the serotonin type 3 receptor subunit(HTR3)genes have been associated with psychosomatic symptoms,but it is not clear whether these associations exist in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).AIM To assess the association of HTR3 polymorphisms with depressive,anxiety,and somatization symptoms in individuals with IBS.METHODS In this retrospective study,623 participants with IBS were recruited from five specialty centers in Germany,Sweden,the United States,the United Kingdom,and Ireland.Depressive,anxiety,and somatization symptoms and sociodemographic characteristics were collected.Four functional SNPs—HTR3A c.-42C>T,HTR3B c.386A>C,HTR3C c.489C>A,and HTR3E c.*76G>A—were genotyped and analyzed using the dominant and recessive models.We also performed separate analyses for sex and IBS subtypes.SNP scores were calculated as the number of minor alleles of the SNPs above.The impact of HTR3C c.489C>A was tested by radioligand-binding and calcium influx assays.RESULTS Depressive and anxiety symptoms significantly worsened with increasing numbers of minor HTR3C c.489C>A alleles in the dominant model(F_(depressive)=7.475,P_(depressive)=0.006;F_(anxiety)=6.535,P_(anxiety)=0.011).A higher SNP score(range 0-6)was linked to a worsened depressive symptoms score(F=7.710,P-linear trend=0.006)in IBS.The potential relevance of the HTR3C SNP was corroborated,showing changes in the expression level of 5-HT3AC variant receptors.CONCLUSION We have provided the first evidence that HTR3C c.489C>A is involved in depressive and anxiety symptoms in individuals with IBS.The SNP score indicated that an increasing number of minor alleles is linked to the worsening of depressive symptoms in IBS.

Missense mutation in DYNC1H1 gene caused psychomotor developmental delay and muscle weakness:A case report

BACKGROUND The DYNC1H1 gene encodes a part of the dynamic protein,and the protein mutations may further affect the growth and development of neurons,resulting in degeneration of anterior horn cells of the spinal cord,and a variety of clinical phenotypes finally resulting in axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 20(CMT20),mental retardation 13(MRD13)and spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominant 1(SMA-LED).The incidence of the disease is low,and it is difficult to diagnose,especially in children.Here,we report a case of DYNC1H1 gene mutation and review the related literature to improve the pediatrician’s understanding of DYNC1H1 gene-related disease to make an early correct diagnosis and provide better services for children.CASE SUMMARY A 4-mo-old Chinese female child with adducted thumbs,high arch feet,and epileptic seizure presented slow response,delayed development,and low limb muscle strength.Electroencephalogram showed abnormal waves,a large number of multifocal sharp waves,sharp slow waves,and multiple spasms with a series of attacks.High-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified a heterozygous mutation,c.5885 G>A(p.R1962H),in the DYNC1H1 gene(NM 001376)of the proband,which was not identified in her parents.Combined with the clinical manifestations and pedigree of this family,this mutation is likely pathogenic based on the American Academy of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.The child was followed when she was 1 year and 2 mo old.The magnetic resonance imaging result was consistent with the findings of white matter myelinated dysplasia and congenital giant gyrus.The extensive neurogenic damage to the extremities was considered,as the results of electromyography showed that the motor conduction velocity and sensory conduction of the nerves of the extremities were not abnormal,and the degree of fit of the children with severe contraction was poor.At present,the child is 80 cm in length and 9 kg in weight,with slender limbs and low muscle strength,and still does not raise her head.She cannot sit or speak.Speech,motor,and mental development was significantly delayed.There is still no effective treatment for this disease.CONCLUSION We herein report a de novo variant of DYNC1H1 gene,c.5885 G>A(p.R1962H),leading to overlapping phenotypes(seizure,general growth retardation,and muscle weakness)of CMT20,MRD13,and SMA-LED,but there is no effective treatment for such condition.Our case enriches the DYNC1H1 gene mutation spectrum and provides an important basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment and genetic counseling.

利用CRISPR/Cas9系统建立斑马鱼Morn3基因敲除模型

目的:采用高效基因编辑系统CRISPR/Cas9对斑马鱼的Morn3基因进行编辑,以期建立Morn3基因敲除斑马鱼模型。方法:针对斑马鱼Morn3基因用生物信息学选取靶位点,构建gRNA表达载体并体外转录,将gRNA和Cas9mRNA混合物显微注射到斑马鱼单细胞期的受精卵中,24~48 h提取基因组DNA,PCR扩增出目的片段,限制性酶切法初步检测基因打靶情况,最后进行测序分析确定编辑效果。结果:取3个靶位点(M1、M2、M3)进行试验,选择gRNA浓度较高的M2和M3进行注射。限制性酶切及测序的结果显示M3已产生基因编辑效应。结论:本研究通过CRISPR/Cas9系统成功获得Morn3基因编辑的突变体,为进一步探讨Morn3基因的作用提供研究基础。

Free fatty acids receptors 2 and 3 control cell proliferation by regulating cellular glucose uptake

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a worldwide problem,which has been associated with changes in diet and lifestyle pattern.As a result of colonic fermentation of dietary fibres,short chain free fatty acids are generated which activate free fatty acid receptors(FFAR)2 and 3.FFAR2 and FFAR3 genes are abundantly expressed in colonic epithelium and play an important role in the metabolic homeostasis of colonic epithelial cells.Earlier studies point to the involvement of FFAR2 in colorectal carcinogenesis.AIM To understand the role of short chain FFARs in CRC.METHODS Transcriptome analysis console software was used to analyse microarray data from CRC patients and cell lines.We employed short-hairpin RNA mediated down regulation of FFAR2 and FFAR3 genes,which was validated using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction.Assays for glucose uptake and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)generation was done along with immunofluorescence studies to study the effects of FFAR2/FFAR3 knockdown.For measuring cell proliferation,we employed real time electrical impedancebased assay available from xCELLigence.RESULTS Microarray data analysis of CRC patient samples showed a significant down regulation of FFAR2 gene expression.This prompted us to study the FFAR2 in CRC.Since,FFAR3 shares significant structural and functional homology with FFAR2,we knocked down both these receptors in CRC cell line HCT 116.These modified cell lines exhibited higher proliferation rate and were found to have increased glucose uptake as well as increased level of glucose transporter 1.Since,FFAR2 and FFAR3 signal through G protein subunit(Gαi),knockdown of these receptors was associated with increased cAMP.Inhibition of protein kinase A(PKA)did not alter the growth and proliferation of these cells indicating a mechanism independent of cAMP/PKA pathway.CONCLUSION Our results suggest role of FFAR2/FFAR3 genes in increased proliferation of colon cancer cells via enhanced glucose uptake and exclude the role of PKA mediated cAMP signalling.Alternate pathways could be involved that would ultimately result in increased cell proliferation as a result of down regulated FFAR2/FFAR3 genes.This study paves the way to understand the mechanism of action of short chain FFARs in CRC.

genetic studies in irritable bowel syndrome-status quo

AIM To evaluate the most common studied genetic polymorphisms that may have an etiological role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).METHODS The data base Pub Med was searched for studies analyzing the association between gene polymorphisms and IBS. All original full papers, written in English, were retained for further analysis. The retrieved papers were further systematized according to those polymorphisms that have been detected in IBS.RESULTS Considering these criteria, our literature search found 12 polymorphisms, residing in 10 genes, which were reported to be consistently associated with IBS. The initial search identified 189 articles, out of which 48 potentially appropriate articles were reviewed. Of these 48 articles, 41 articles were included in the review. These articles were published between 2002 and 2016. Out of these 41 studies, 17 reported analysis of the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene (SLC6A4), eight on guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit beta-3 (GNbeta3), six on the serotonin type 3 receptor genes (HTR3A), four on (HTR3E), three on (HTR2A), three the tumor necrosis factor superfamily member TL1A gene (TNFSF15), and ten on genetic polymorphisms with limited evidence.CONCLUSION Current evidence for the relation between genetic polymorphisms and IBS is limited owing to the fact that high-quality prospective studies and detailed phenotyping of patients suffering from IBS and matched controls were lacking in the past.

Activation mechanisms of clinically distinct B-Raf V600Eand V600K mutants

Dear Editor,B-Raf,the main effector of Ras in the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathway,is among the most highly mutated kinases in human cancer[1].About 40%-60%of melanoma patients harbor B-Raf mutations,of which∼90%involve V600E and V600K.B-RafV600E is more frequent(60%-80%)than B-RafV600K(10%-30%).Substitution of a Val codon by Glu requires a single nucleotide change,whereas Val to Lys requires two[2].This is in line with melanoma patients harboring the V600K mutation,who usually suffer from higher sun exposure that may induce increased DNA damage[3].Since both mutations occur at the same position of the kinase domain and are mutated to charged residues,it was believed that the B-Raf V600E and V600K mutantswould share a similar behavior,and in clinical trials,patients with V600E and V600K mutations have been recruited into the same cohort.

Optimization of high throughput spectral flow cytometry for immune cell profiling in mouse liver

The liver plays an important role in both metabolism and immunity.Disruption of the hepatic immune microenvironment is closely associated with various liver diseases.To gain a better understanding of how different types of immune cells contribute to the progression of liver diseases,it is crucial to thoroughly characterize hepatic immune cells.Although direct digestion of liver tissue is a relatively simple method for isolating immune cells,it often induces excessive hepatocyte death,which causes a release of intracellular components that leads to the activation of stress responses and injury in the surrounding cells.This injury can lead to excessive death in the hepatic immune cells,making isolation and accurate characterization of the immune profile challenging,especially in diseased livers.The method described here addresses these challenges by utilizing Phosphate buffered saline(PBS)and digestion buffer perfusions to eliminate contaminating blood cells,ensure a pure hepatic immune population,and minimize hepatic immune cell death.Further ex vivo digestion of the liver enables the isolation of the immune cells from the hepatic tissues and the generation of a single-cell suspension that can be stained for spectral flow cytometry.To enhance intracellular cytokine detection and maintain signaling under different physiological and pathological conditions,this protocol uses an in vivo administration of Brefeldin A,a less toxic inhibitor of cytokine secretion.This in vivo administration of Brefeldin A allows for a more accurate representation of the immune cell function and cytokine expression compared to the traditionally used ex vivo Brefeldin A administration.A comprehensive spectral flow cytometry panel,comprising extracellular and intracellular staining,is used for deep immunophenotyping and immune cell effector function profiling.While this protocol is specifically designed for liver digestion of Mdr2 knockout mice(a model for primary sclerosing cholangitis)and flow cytometry staining,it can also be applied to other liver diseases and sensitive tissues.

A new precision medicine initiative at the dawn of exascale computing

Which signaling pathway and protein to selea to mitigate the patient's expected drug resistance?The number of possibilities facing the physician is massive,and the drug combination should fit the patient status.Here,we briefly review current approaches and data and map an innovative patient-specific strategy to forecast drug resistance targets that centers on parallel(or redundant)proliferation pathways in specialized cells.It considers the availability of each protein in each pathway in the specific cell,its activating mutations,and the chromatin accessibility of its encoding gene.The construction of the resulting Proliferation Pathway Network Atlas will harness the emerging exascale computing and advanced artificial intelligence(Al)methods for therapeutic development.Merging the resulting set of targets,pathways,and proteins,with current strategies will augment the choice for the attending physicians to thwart resistance.

Providing meaningful survival benefit to hepatocellular carcinoma patients:combination therapy of future

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly fatal disease,the mortality of which runs parallel to its incidence.Historically,viral hepatitis has been the major cause of HCC(1).Vaccine is available for hepatitis B virus(HBV)and a drug cocktail is effective in bringing down blood hepatitis C virus(HCV)level to zero.With successful application of mRNA vaccine for COVID-19,it is a matter of time before an effective vaccine for HCV is generated.Despite these positive advancements,the incidence of HCC is continuing to rise because of HCC development as a direct consequence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)caused by obesity(1).While viral hepatitis is waning in the Western countries,obesity is now a global problem,requiring impactful treatment regimen for HCC that can provide meaningful survival benefit.

Pleiotropic tumor suppressor functions of WWOX antagonize metastasis

Tumor progression and metastasis are the major causes of death among cancer associated mortality.Metastatic cells acquire features of migration and invasion and usually undergo epithelia-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Acquirement of these various hallmarks rely on different cellular pathways,including TGF-βand Wnt signaling.Recently,we reported that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase(WWOX)acts as a tumor suppressor and has anti-metastatic activities involving regulation of several key microRNAs(miRNAs)in triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Here,we report that WWOX restoration in highly metastatic MDA-MB435S cancer cells alters mRNA expression profiles;further,WWOX interacts with various proteins to exert its tumor suppressor function.Careful alignment and analysis of gene and miRNA expression in these cells revealed profound changes in cellular pathways mediating adhesion,invasion and motility.We further demonstrate that WWOX,through regulation of miR-146a levels,regulates SMAD3,which is a member of the TGF-βsignaling pathway.Moreover,proteomic analysis of WWOX partners revealed regulation of the Wnt-signaling activation through physical interaction with Disheveled.Altogether,these findings underscore a significant role for WWOX in antagonizing metastasis,further highlighting its role and therapeutic potential in suppressing tumor progression.

Dynamin Regulates Autophagy by Modulating Lysosomal Function

Autophagy is a central lysosomal degradation pathway required for maintaining cellular homeostasis and its dysfunction is associated with numerous human diseases. To identify players in autophagy, we tested ~ 1200 chemically induced mutations on the X chromosome in Drosophila fat body clones and discovered that shibire （shi） plays an essential role in starvation-induced autophagy, shi encodes a dynamin protein required for fission of clathrin-coated vesicles from the plasma membrane during endocytosis. We showed that Shi is dispensable for autophagy initiation and autophagosome--lysosome fusion, but required for lysosomal/autolysosomal acidification. We also showed that other endocytic core machinery components like clathrin and AP2 play similar but not identical roles in regulating autophagy and lysosomal function as dynamin. Previous studies suggested that dynamin directly regulates autophagosome formation and autophagic lysosome reformation （ALR） through its excision activity, Here, we provide evidence that dynamin also regulates autophagy indirectly by regulating lysosomal function.