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Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease specific to pregnancy that causes 9–10 % of maternal deaths. Early-onset PE (<34 weeks' gestation) is the most dangerous category of PE. Wnt7a and GPR124 (G protein-coupled receptor 124) are widely expressed in the human reproductive process. Especially during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis, Wnt7a plays a crucial role. However, few studies have examined the association between Wnt7a-GPR124 and early-onset PE. The aim of this study was to examine the significance of Wnt7a and GPR124 in early-onset PE as well as Wnt7a's role in trophoblast cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time PCR, and western blotting (WB) were used to investigate Wnt7a and GPR124 expression in normal and early-onset PE placentas. Additionally, FACS, Transwell, and CCK-8 assays were used to diagnose Wnt7a involvement in migration, invasion, and proliferation. In the early-onset PE group, Wnt7a and GPR124 expression was significantly lower than in the normal group, especially in the area of syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). A negative correlation was found between Wnt7a RNA and GPR124 expression (r=−0.42, p<0.01). However, the Wnt7a RNA expression level was positive correlated with PE severity. In further cellular functional experiments, knockdown of Wnt7a inhibits HTR8/SVeno cells invasion and migration but has little effect on proliferation and apoptosis. Through the Wnt pathway, Wnt7a regulates trophoblast cell invasion and migration, and may contribute to early-onset preeclampsia pathogenesis. A molecular level study of Wnt7a will be needed to find downstream proteins and mechanisms of interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have identified that NUDT21 plays a vital role in MDS transformations, while the transcription factor RUNX1 is essential for normal hematopoiesis, which is a high expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and we aim to explore the linkage between the two genes and new pathways for MDS transformation to AML. Prediction of RUNX1 expression levels and its relationship with NUDT21 in AML and MDS patients was performed using bioinformatics techniques and validated in patients. Using lentiviral packaging technology, NUDT21 knockdown and overexpression models were developed in AML and MDS cell lines. These models were validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting. The cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation, and cytokines were examined by flow cytometry, CCK-8 analyzed proliferation, and the intracellular localization of NUDT21 and RUNX1 was examined by immunofluorescence. mRNA transcriptome sequencing was performed on THP-1, MUTZ-1, and Dapars analyzed SKM-1 cell lines and the sequencing data to observe the knockdown effect of NUDT21 on RUNX1. qPCR and western blot revealed a positive correlation between NUDT21 and RUNX1; both were located in the nucleus. Overexpression of NUDT21 reduced apoptosis, promoted cell proliferation, and possibly increased the invasive ability of cells. It also altered the APA site in the RUNX1 3'-UTRs region. NUDT21 regulates RUNX1 gene expression and promotes AML transformation in MDS through an APA mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT (BZR) are transcriptional factors that bind to the DNA of targeted genes to regulate several plant growth and physiological processes in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, information on such genes in Brassica napus is minimal. Furthermore, the new reference Brassica napus genome offers an excellent opportunity to systematically characterize this gene family in B. napus. In our study, 21 BnaBZR genes were distributed across 19 chromosomes of B. napus and clustered into four subgroups based on Arabidopsis thaliana orthologs. Functional divergence analysis among these groups evident the shifting of evolutionary rate after the duplication events. In terms of structural analysis, the BnaBZR genes within each subgroup are highly conserved but are distinctive within groups. Organ-specific expression analyses of BnaBZR genes using RNA-seq data and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed complex expression patterns in plant tissues during stress conditions. In which genes belonging to subgroups III and IV were identified to play central roles in plant tolerance to salt, drought, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum stress. The insights from this study enrich our understanding of the B. napus BZR gene family and lay a foundation for future research in improving rape seed environmental adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To investigate the effect of hypoxia on pulmonary artery endothelial cells and the role of NOTCH3 in endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) and to provide a research model for pulmonary disease and explain the pathogenesis of the pulmonary disease. Methods. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells were divided into two groups and cultured in normoxic and hypoxic environments, respectively. QPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to detect endothelial cell-specific marker protein and mRNA expression in each group, and the ability of endothelial cells migration was evaluated by scratch and transwell experiment. Results. The pulmonary artery endothelial cells in the normoxic group presented a typical pebble-like arrangement, and the endothelial cells in hypoxic culture showed a long spindle appearance. Hypoxia induced high expression of NOTCH3, Jagged-1, Hes1, c-Src, and CSL. Immunofluorescence showed that endothelial cells in hypoxic culture began to express the α-SMA, and the expression of vWF increased with hypoxia. Cell viability, scratch, and transwell results showed that endothelial cells in the hypoxic group were more capable of viability and migration than those in the normoxic group. The induction of EnMT by hypoxia can be inhibited by using notch3-specific inhibitor DAPT and Jagged-1. This study also found that miR-7-5p can regulate endothelial NOTCH3, indicating that miRNA is also involved in the process of endothelial-mesenchymal transformation. Conclusion. Hypoxia promotes the transformation of endothelial cells into mesenchymal cells by opening the NOTCH3 pathway, which lays the foundation for disease progression or clinical prognosis, and is of great significance in the treatment of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been documented as possible candidates for skin rejuvenation. However, the effects of ADSC-derived exosomes on photoaged skin remain to be fully elucidated. This study was aimed at determining the antiaging effects of ADSC-derived exosomes on photoaged skin. Human ADSCs were isolated from the adipose tissue of healthy women and cultured in vitro. Then, exosomes were extracted from the cultured ADSCs, purified by ultracentrifugation, and verified by examination of cell morphology using transmission electron microscopy and the identification of specific biomarkers. Meanwhile, the optimal exosome concentration and treatment time were selected. The photoaged skin model was created by subjecting Sprague-Dawley rats to ultraviolet B radiation. Exosomes were injected into the photoaged skin in a single therapeutic dose. The thickness of the epidermis and dermis was observed by HE staining. The relative mRNA expression of type I collagen, type III collagen, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-3) was determined by real-time PCR. In the rat model of photoaged skin, the injected exosomes markedly decreased the epidermal thickness and increased the dermal thickness of the photoaged skin 7 days after treatment. Moreover, the proportion of the stratum corneum of the epidermis was decreased. Furthermore, real-time RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of type I collagen was increased and that of type III collagen, MMP-1, and MMP-3 was decreased. Our results demonstrate that ADSC-derived exosome treatment could significantly improve skin photodamage and that ADSC-derived exosomes may be a potential agent for photoaged skin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Luhong formula (LHF)—a traditional Chinese medicine containing Cervus nippon Temminck, Carthamus tinctorius L., Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao, Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Cinnamomum cassia Presl, and Lepidium apetalum Willd—is used in the treatment of heart failure, but little is known about its mechanism of action. We have investigated the effects of LHF on antifibrosis. Methods. Forty-eight SD male rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 8), model group, sham-operation group, perindopril group (0.036 mg/ml), LHF high doses (LHF-H, 1.44 g/mL), LHF middle doses (LHF-M, 0.72 g/mL), and LHF low doses (LHF-L, 0.36 g/mL). Except the sham-operation group, the other groups were received an abdominal aorta constriction to establish a model of myocardial hypertrophy. The HW and LVW were measured to calculate the LVW/BW and HW/BW. ELISA was used to detect the serum concentration of BNP. The expressions of eNOS, TGF-β1, caspase-3, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in heart tissues were assessed by western blot analysis. mRNA expressions of eNOS, Col1a1, Col3a1, TGF-β1, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in heart tissues were measured by RT-PCR. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and picrosirius red staining for observing the morphological characteristics and collagen fibers I and III of the myocardium under a light microscope. Results. LHF significantly lowered the rat's HW/BW and LVM/BW, and the level of BNP in the LHF-treated group compared with the model group. Histopathological and pathomorphological changes of collagen fibers I and III showed that LHF inhibited myocardial fibrosis in heart failure rats. Treatment with LHF upregulated eNOS expression in heart tissue and downregulated Col1a1, Col3a1, TGF-β1, caspase-3, VEGF, and VEGFR2 expression. Conclusion. LHF can improve left ventricular remodeling in a pressure-overloaded heart failure rat model; this cardiac protective ability may be due to cardiac fibrosis and attenuated apoptosis. Upregulated eNOS expression and downregulated Col1a1, Col3a1, TGF-β1, caspase-3, VEGF, and VEGFR2 expression may play a role in the observed LHF cardioprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein 7 (EGFL7) is an endothelial cell-derived secreted factor that regulates vascular tube formation. In human cancer, the specificity of expression is lost as EGFL7 has been detected in tumor cells, in addition to endothelial cells. This study evaluated the intricate relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and EGFL7 under both hyperoxia and hypoxia states.Materials and Methods: In the present study, immunohistochemical staining and ELISA were applied to examine the relative level of EGFL7 in 182 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues and 110 cases of HCC serum samples. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were applied to verify the correlation between serum EGFL7 level and anoxic microenvironment. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the correlation between EGFL7 and HIF1-α.Results: The correlations between EGFL7 expression and patients' age, tumor size, gender, N-stage, history of cirrhosis, M-stage, history of hepatitis C, and history of hepatitis B were statistically insignificant (P = 0.28, 0.34, 0.71, 0.15, 0.8, 0.2, 0.052, and 0.14, respectively). High level of EGFL7 was significantly correlated with overall survival as well as disease-free survival in 182 HCC patients (P = 0.0016 and P < 0.001, respectively). The correlations between serum EGFL7 and vascular invasion and extrahepatic metastasis were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Among the 35 HIF1-α-positive HCC patients, 69% were medium positive and 31% were strong positive. EGFL7 protein expression level was oxygen dependent in HCC line (P < 0.05).Conclusions: EGFL7 was found to be a potential predictor for HCC survival and metastasis state; EGFL7 may be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in human HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipins play dual function in lipid metabolism by serving as phosphatidate phosphatase and transcriptional co-regulators of gene expression. Mammalian lipin proteins consist of lipin1, lipin2, and lipin3 and are encoded by their respective genes Lpin1, Lpin2, and Lpin3. To date, most studies are concerned with Lpin1, only a few have addressed Lpin2 and Lpin3. Ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 and their associations with traits would help to explore their molecular and physiological functions in sheep. In this study, 48 animals with an equal number of males and females each for both breeds of fat-tailed sheep such as Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) were chosen to evaluate the ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 from eight different tissues and months of age by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between gene expression and slaughter and tail traits were also analyzed. The results showed that Lpin2 mRNA was highly expressed in perirenal and tail fats, and was also substantially expressed in liver, kidney, reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest levels in small intestine and femoral biceps. Lpin3 mRNA was prominently expressed in liver and small intestine, and was also expressed at high levels in kidney, perirenal and tail fats as well as reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest level in femoral biceps. Global expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 in GLT both were significantly higher than those in STH. Spatiotemporal expression showed that the highest levels of Lpin2 expression occurred at 10 months of age in two breeds of sheep, with the lowest expression at 2 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. The greatest levels of Lpin3 expression occurred at 4 months of age in STH and at 10 months of age in GLT, with the lowest expression at 12 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. Breed and age significantly influenced the tissue expression patterns of Lpin2 and Lpin3, respectively, and sex significantly influenced the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Lpin3. Meanwhile, Lpin2 and Lpin3 mRNA expression both showed significant correlations with slaughter and tail traits, and the associations appear to be related with the ontogenetic expression as well as the potential functions of lipin2 and lipin3 in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization is prevalent in plants, which plays important roles in genome evolution. Apart from direct transfer and recombinatory generation of genetic variations by hybridization, de novo genetic instabilities can be induced by the process per se. One mechanism by which such de novo genetic variability can be generated by interspecific hybridization is transpositional reactivation of quiescent parental transposable elements (TEs) in the nascent hybrids. We have reported previously that introgressive hybridization between rice ( Oryza sativa L.) and Zizania latifolia Griseb had induced rampant mobilization of three TEs, a copia-like LTR retrotransposon Tos17, a MITE mPing and a class II TE belonging to the hAT superfamily, Dart/nDart. In this study, we further found that two additional LTR retrotransposons, a gypsy-like (named RIRE2) and a copia-like (named Copia076), were also transpositionally reactivated in three recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from introgressive hybridization between rice and Z. latifolia. Novel bands of these two retroelements appeared in the RILs relative to their rice parental line (cv. Matsumae) in Southern blot, suggestive of retrotransposition, which was substantiated by transposon display (TD) and locus-specific PCR amplification for insertion sites. Both elements were found to be transcribed but at variable levels in the leaf tissue of the parental line and the RILs, suggesting that transcriptional control was probably not a mechanism for their transpositional activity in the RILs. Expression analysis of four genes adjacent to de novo insertions by Copia076 revealed marked difference in the transcript abundance for each of the genes between the RILs and their rice parental line, but the alterations in expression appeared unrelated with the retroelement insertions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Both ovariectomized animals and animals fed with Ca-depleted diets are commonly used in vivo models for the investigation of osteoporosis-related bone loss. The present study aimed to study the genomic responses of bone in aged female rats to ovariectomy and dietary Ca deficiency in these models. Aged (11 months old) Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy or sham-operation and fed with diets containing different dietary Ca content (LCD, 0.1% Ca or HCD, 1.2% Ca) for 12 weeks. Serum and urine were collected for biochemical marker measurement, and tibias were collected for bone mineral density (BMD) analysis by pQCT as well as for gene expression analysis by real-time PCR. Ovariectomy increased serum N-telopeptides of bone type I collagen (NTx) levels in aged rats fed with HCD (P <0.05). In addition, ovariectomy reduced BMD and predicted bone strength of tibial proximal metaphysis in aged rats fed with either LCD or HCD. Dietary Ca deficiency did not alter serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) or NTx levels, but induced a loss of BMD at tibia proximal metaphysis in aged rats. Ovariectomy promoted the mRNA expression of alpha-1 type I collagen (COL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL); and inhibited the mRNA expression of cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the proximal tibia of aged rats. Low-Ca diet significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of COL, core binding factor I (Cbfa1), OPG and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) in proximal tibia of aged rats. Our study revealed that the genomic responses of bone in proximal tibia to ovariectomy and dietary Ca deficiency were different. The bone loss induced by ovariectomy appears to be mediated primarily by an increase in RANKL mRNA expression; whereas the induction by dietary Ca restriction might be mediated by the induction of carbonic anhydrase II expression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Long noncoding RNA SNHG10 has been reported to promote the development of liver cancer. While by analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset we observed the downregulation of SNHG10 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to investigate the roles of SNHG10 in NSCLC. Materials and Methods: This study included 60 pairs of NSCLC and nontumor tissue samples collected from 60 NSCLC patients (males and females, 39-66 years, 50.9 ± 5.5 years). Gene expression was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Overexpression experiments were used to analyze gene interactions. Effects of cell transfections on cell proliferation were analyzed by performing CCK-8 cell proliferation assays. Results: We confirmed the downregulation of SNHG10 in NSCLC. In addition, low expression level of SNHG10 predicted the poor survival of NSCLC patients. SNHG10 can directly interact with miR-543, while overexpression of miR-543 failed to downregulate SNHG10. However, SNHG10 overexpression led to upregulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a downstream target of miR-543. Cell proliferation assay showed that SNHG10 and SIRT1 overexpression led to the decreased proliferation rate of NSCLC cells. In contrast, miR-543 over-expression played an opposite role and reduced the effects of SNHG10 and SIRT1 overexpression. Conclusions: In conclusion, SNHG10 sponges miR-543 to upregulate tumor suppressive SIRT1 in NSCLC to suppress cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An effective DNA marker for authenticating the genus Salvia was screened using seven DNA regions (rbcL, matK, trnL–F, and psbA–trnH from the chloroplast genome, and ITS, ITS1, and ITS2 from the nuclear genome) and three combinations (rbcL+ matK, psbA–trnH+ITS1, and trnL–F+ITS1). The present study collected 232 sequences from 27 Salvia species through DNA sequencing and 77 sequences within the same taxa from the GenBank. The discriminatory capabilities of these regions were evaluated in terms of PCR amplification success, intraspecific and interspecific divergence, DNA barcoding gaps, and identification efficiency via a tree-based method. ITS1 was superior to the other marker for discriminating between species, with an accuracy of 81.48%. The three combinations did not increase species discrimination. Finally, we found that ITS1 is a powerful barcode for identifying Salvia species, especially Salvia miltiorrhiza. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Genome-wide hypomethylation has been confirmed in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Proteins containing methylcytosine-binding domain (MBD) are involved in promoter methylation as transcriptional repressors and promote the gene-silencing effect of DNA methylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methylation pattern of T cells and the relationship between genomic methylation and the expression of MBD2 and MBD4 in ITP patients. DNA deoxymethylcytosine content of CD4+ cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the transcription levels of MBD2 and MBD4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ cells. DNA dmC content in CD4+ cells of ITP patients was significantly lower than in the controls (p = 0.001). The mRNA level of MBD2 and MBD4 in CD4+ cells of ITP patients was statistically lower than those of the controls (p < 0.001). Positive correlations between methylation indexes and expression of each enzyme were observed in the control group (r 2 = 0.718, p = 0.004 for MBD2; r 2 = 0.608, p = 0.015 for MBD4). However, inverse correlations were found in ITP patients (r 2 = 0.604, p = 0.008 for MBD2; r 2 = 0.498, p = 0.027 for MBD4). Our results indicate that decreased expression of MBD2 and MBD4 might involve in the pathogenesis of ITP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]