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Human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (hTFPI-2) has three kunitz domains whose structure and function are unclear. We expressed the first kunitz domain of hTFPI-2 (hTFPI-2/KD1) as functional form using Pichia pastoris and investigated its characterization. In the experiment, hTFPI-2/KD1 can inhibit the plasmin and trypsin activity and the Ki of hTFPI-2/KD1 towards plasmin (30nM) and trypsin (50nM) was determined as 10 and 7nM by chromogenic assay, respectively. hTFPI-2/KD1 can also inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9 in zymography assay. Furthermore, the inhibition of hTFPI-2/KD1 to the Matrigel invasion by HT-1080 is also described. This study provides a method to produce hTFPI-2/KD1 efficiently and some insights into the structure and function of hTFPI-2/KD1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Cytochromes P450 (CYP) 2C9 are polymorphic enzymes which catalyze a wide spectrum of drugs. It is also responsible for the metabolism of arachidonic acid into EETs. EETs are known to be a vasoactive substance and play an important role in a hypertensive episode. Whether the genetic polymorphism of CYP2C9 will affect the vasoactive effect and consequently affect hypertension formation is still unknown. We investigated the association of CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and CYP2C9*6 with hypertension. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-nine hypertension patients and 265 healthy controls participated in our study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to identify CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and CYP2C9*6. Results: CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*6 were not detected in our study. The allelic frequency of CYP2C9*3 was 0.015 in hypertension patients in our study. In healthy controls, the allelic frequency of CYP2C9*3 was 0.049. Significant difference existed in CYP2C9*3 frequency between hypertension patients and healthy controls (0.015 for hypertension patients vs. 0.049 for healthy controls; χ2=9.728, P<0.005, OR=0.277, 95% CI: 0.118–0.651). Also, gender-dependent difference was observed. In females, CYP2C9*3 frequency of hypertension patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls (χ2=11.513, P<0.001, OR=0.113, 95% CI: 0.026–0.500). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report on CYP2C9 frequencies in hypertension patients. Our study implied that CYP2C9*3 had a secondary protective effect in females, which may be useful for studying hypertension pathogenesis and therapeutics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Necroptosis induction in vitro often requires caspase-8 (Casp8) inhibition by zVAD because pro-Casp8 cleaves RIP1 to disintegrate the necrosome. It has been unclear how the Casp8 blockade of necroptosis is eliminated naturally. Here, we show that pro-Casp8 within the necrosome can be inactivated by phosphorylation at Thr265 (pC8T265). pC8T265 occurs in vitro in various necroptotic cells and in the cecum of TNF-treated mice. p90 RSK is the kinase of pro-Casp8. It is activated by a mechanism that does not need ERK but PDK1, which is recruited to the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL-containing necrosome. Phosphorylation of pro-Casp8 at Thr265 can substitute for zVAD to permit necroptosis in vitro. pC8T265 mimic T265E knockin mice are embryonic lethal due to unconstrained necroptosis, and the pharmaceutical inhibition of RSK-mediated pC8T265 diminishes TNF-induced cecum damage and lethality in mice by halting necroptosis. Thus, phosphorylation of pro-Casp8 at Thr265 by RSK is an intrinsic mechanism for passing the Casp8 checkpoint of necroptosis. • Phosphorylation of pro-caspase-8 at Thr265 releases the blockade of necroptosis • RSK phosphorylates pro-caspase-8 at Thr265 in the necrosome • PDK1 activates RSK by an ERK-independent mechanism to promote necroptosis • RSK inhibition protects mice from TNF-induced cecum injury and lethality An intrinsic mechanism—RSK, activated by TNF via PDK1—for overcoming necroptosis blockade is revealed by Yang et al. that phosphorylates pro-caspase-8 at Thr265 within the necrosome to inactivate pro-caspase-8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This trial aimed to assess the effects of exenatide, a GLP-1RA, on renal outcomes in patients with T2DM and DKD. Methods: We performed a randomized, parallel study conducted in 4 general hospitals. T2DM patients with an eGFR≥30mL/min/1.73m2 and macroalbuminuria, defined as 24h-urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UAER) >0.3g/24h, were randomized 1:1 to receive exenatide twice daily plus glargine or lispro insulin plus glargine for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was percentage change in 24h-UAER after 24 weeks of intervention comparing to baseline measurement. The secondary outcomes included the percentage change in urinary ACR, change in 24h-UAER, ACR, HbA1c, FPG, body weight and blood pressure. The safety outcomes include rates of hypoglycemia, adverse events and change in eGFR during the follow up. Results: Between March 2016 and April 2019, 92 patients were randomized and took at least one dose of study drug. The mean age of the participants was 56 years. At baseline, the median 24h-UAER was 1512.0 mg/24h (IQR 782.5-2818.0), and mean eGFR was 70.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 (SD 23.4). After 24 weeks, exenatide reduced the percentage change of the 24h-UAER (difference between groups was 29.7%, p=0.0255), the percentage change of ACR (difference between groups was 28.4%, p=0.0395) and the absolute change of ACR (difference between groups was 607.8 mg/g, p=0.0209) but had no significant difference on the absolute change of 24h-UAER than the control group. Meanwhile, the body weight declined by 1.3kg with exenatide (difference between groups was 2.7kg, p=0.0001). There was no difference between two groups on the change in HbA1c, FPG, blood pressure or eGFR. Comparing to the control group, lower frequency of hypoglycemia as well as more gastrointestinal adverse events were in intervention group. Conclusions: Exenatide twice daily plus glargine for 24 weeks resulted in significant reduction of albuminuria in T2DM patients with DKD. Disclosure: X. Wang: None. Q. Zhang: None. M. Guan: None. S. Sheng: None. W. Mo: None. M. Zou: None. J. Li: None. J. Bi: None. X. Tang: None. J. He: None. G. Xu: None. P. Li: None. H. Zhang: None. Y. Xue: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing nanoporous thermal insulation materials is an effective method for solving energy consumption problems. In this study, fumed silica based thermal insulating composite was prepared using a novel dry molding method. Thermal conductivity was measured using a guarded hot plate method in the steady state. The results indicated that this composite exhibited excellent thermal insulating performance, achieving an ultra-low thermal conductivity of 0.0205 W/mK at 100 °C. By analyzing the microstructure using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), we found that the fiber surface was modified by a 12 μm-thick layer of fumed silica particles that reduced solid heat transfer. However, at high temperatures, thermal insulating performance decreased rapidly, and thermal conductivity reached up to 0.119 W/mK at 500 °C. Based on this problem, a heat transfer model was constructed to explain micro-nano scale heat transfer mechanisms of this composite. The results indicated that gas-solid coupled thermal conductivity occupied a large proportion of 78.3% at 100 °C, but the value was only 0.015 W/mK. As the serving temperature increased, radiative heat transfer gradually occupied the dominant position in total heat transfer. Radiative thermal conductivity reached up to 0.101 W/mK at 500 °C, which was approximately 93.3% of total thermal conductivity. Therefore, it was apparent that the increase in radiative heat transfer was the main cause of the decline in thermal insulating performance at high temperatures. Additionally, the effect of the fiber mass ratio on thermal conductivity was investigated at various temperatures. Empirical and simulated data were compared, and the results revealed that the heat transfer model was basically consistent with experimental findings, achieving a mean error of only 4.78%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RhTyrRS (Y341A) treatment induces VEGF-R II phosphorylation leading to NF-κB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Then, it binds to the VCAM-1 gene promoter, resulting in the up-regulation of VCAM-1 in the vascular endothelial cells. Accordingly, the overexpressed VCAM-1 moved from the intracellular to the cells surface, recruiting more megakaryocytes to adhere to the surface of the blood vessel to produce more platelets. Tumor chemotherapy and radiotherapy induces hematopoietic cell damage, resulting in thrombocytopenia. Conventional platelet transfusion strategies or drug therapies are used to treat thrombocytopenia. However, these therapies may result in a several side effects, including heightened susceptibility to infectious diseases and the formation of anti-TPO-antibodies. Therefore, a more secure strategy should be explored to overcome and compensate for the shortcomings of conventional strategies. Effects of rhTyrRS(Y341A) on the expression of VCAM-1 on the surface of HUVECs were determined by analysing mRNA expression, promoter activity, protein expression. The molecular mechanisms of the effects of rhTyrRS(Y341A) on the expression of VCAM-1 on the surface of HUVECs were investigated by determining the activation of VEGF-R II/NF-κB pathway. Our results provide evidence that rhTyrRS (Y341A) activates NF-κB to upregulate VCAM-1 in a VEGF-R II/NF-κB pathway-dependent, resulting in megakaryocyte adhering to PVECs to induce platelet production. This study suggested that rhTyrRS (Y341A), a novel human tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase mutation, increased the platelet count under normal conditions. Further more, we confirmed that an NF-κB-mediated mechanism is involved in rhTyrRS (Y341A)-induced thrombopoiesis, which involves its interaction with VEGF-R II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the association of CYP2C9* 3 and * 6 with hyperlipidaemia in Chinese. Methods Four hundred and seventy-six Chinese participated in the study, including 211 uncomplicated hyperlipidaemic patients and 265 healthy controls. PCR-RFLP was used to identify CYP2C9* 3 and * 6. Results CYP2C9* 6 was not detected in this study. The allelic frequency of CYP2C9* 3 was 0.039 (95% CI 0.022, 0.056). A nonsignificant difference existed in CYP2C9* 3 frequencies between males and females ( P = 0.605, OR = 1.194, 95% CI 0.610, 2.336), patients and controls ( P = 0.063, OR = 0.506, 95% CI 0.244, 1.049) in the total population. However, in the female group, CYP2C9* 3 frequency in patients with hyperlipidaemia was significantly lower than that in controls ( P < 0.0001, OR = 0.062, 95% CI 0.008, 0.476). Conclusions The association of CYP2C9* 3 with hyperlipidaemia was specific for females in this Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleoporins (Nups) are involved in neural development, and alterations in Nup genes are linked to human neurological diseases. However, physiological functions of specific Nups and the underlying mechanisms involved in these processes remain elusive. Here, we show that tissue-specific depletion of the nucleoporin Seh1 causes dramatic myelination defects in the CNS. Although proliferation is not altered in Seh1-deficient oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), they fail to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes, which impairs myelin production and remyelination after demyelinating injury. Genome-wide analyses show that Seh1 regulates a core myelinogenic regulatory network and establishes an accessible chromatin landscape. Mechanistically, Seh1 regulates OPCs differentiation by assembling Olig2 and Brd7 into a transcription complex at nuclear periphery. Together, our results reveal that Seh1 is required for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination by promoting assembly of an Olig2-dependent transcription complex and define a nucleoporin as a key player in the CNS. • Nucleoporin Seh1 is required for OPC differentiation • Seh1 is essential for CNS myelination and remyelination • Seh1 forms a complex with Olig2 at nuclear periphery • Seh1 recruits Olig2 and Brd7 to promote oligodendrocyte development Liu et al. demonstrate that the nucleoporin Seh1 functions in oligodendrocyte differentiation, myelination, and post-injury remyelination by assembling a Seh1/Olig2/Brd7 transcription complex at nuclear periphery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Astrocyte dysfunction and inflammation are associated with the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. Here, we found that multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (Men1 ; protein: menin) expression is attenuated in the brain of mice exposed to CUMS (chronic unpredictable mild stress) or lipopolysaccharide. Astrocyte-specific reduction of Men1 (GcKO) led to depressive-like behaviors in mice. We observed enhanced NF-κB activation and IL-1β production with menin deficiency in astrocytes, where depressive-like behaviors in GcKO mice were restored by NF-κB inhibitor or IL-1β receptor antagonist. Importantly, we identified a SNP, rs375804228, in human MEN1 , where G503D substitution is associated with a higher risk of MDD onset. G503D substitution abolished menin-p65 interactions, thereby enhancing NF-κB activation and IL-1β production. Our results reveal a distinct astroglial role for menin in regulating neuroinflammation in depression, indicating that menin may be an attractive therapeutic target in MDD. Highlights • Astroglia menin deficiency leads to depressive-like behaviors in mice • Menin reduction in astrocytes promotes IL-1β generation through NF-κB activation • NF-κB and IL-1β inhibitors attenuate the depressive-like phenotypes • A MEN1 SNP associated with MDD risk leads to aberrant NF-κB activation Mechanisms underlying astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation in depression remain unclear. Menin regulates NF-κB activity in astrocytes to promote neuroinflammation. Clinically, a MEN1 SNP is associated with the onset of depression. This study reveals a distinct role for menin in neuroinflammation and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite rapid advancement in generation of large-scale microarray gene expression datasets, robust multigene expression signatures that are capable of guiding the use of specific therapies have not been routinely implemented into clinical care. We have developed an iterative resampling analysis to predict sensitivity algorithm to generate gene expression sensitivity profiles that predict patient responses to specific therapies. The resultant signatures have a robust capacity to accurately predict drug sensitivity as well as the identification of synergistic combinations. Here, we apply this approach to predict response to PARP inhibitors, and show it can greatly outperforms current clinical biomarkers, including BRCA1/2 mutation status, accurately identifying PARP inhibitor-sensitive cancer cell lines, primary patient-derived tumor cells, and patient-derived xenografts. These signatures were also capable of predicting patient response, as shown by applying a cisplatin sensitivity signature to ovarian cancer patients. We additionally demonstrate how these drug-sensitivity signatures can be applied to identify novel synergizing agents to improve drug efficacy. Tailoring therapeutic interventions to improve patient prognosis is of utmost importance, and our drug sensitivity prediction signatures may prove highly beneficial for patient management. Personalized medicine: Signature-guided cancer therapy Personalized cancer therapy is one of the holy grails of oncology, as the ability to determine what treatment would best benefit a patient would serve not only to improve outcomes, but also mitigate side effects from less effective treatments. Here, we develop algorithms to predict what patients will respond to a given therapeutic modality, as well as ways to specifically target any observed phenotype, by integrating large scale data sets that profile cancer cell line gene expression and sensitivity to hundreds of drugs. Furthermore, we show how these gene expression signatures can be used to predict novel synergizing agents to further enhance the efficacy of these therapeutics. Taken together, this work stands to advance the era of personalized medicine by enabling precision medicine approaches in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malignant glioma is a common primary tumor of the central nervous system. Brevican, an abundant extracellular matrix component in the adult brain, plays a critical role in the process of glioma. The mechanisms for the highly invasive behavior of gliomas are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine whether brevican is a predictor of glioma and its roles in glioma cell motility.Methods: In this study, immunohistochemistry staining for brevican expression was performed in malignant gliomas and benign controls. We also explored the effects of brevican on cell adhesion and migration in brevican-overexpressed cells. Knockdown of brevican expression was achieved by stable transfection of U251 cells transduced with a construct encoding a short hairpin DNA directed against the brevican gene, which correspondingly, down-regulated the proliferation, invasion and spread of brevican-expressing cells. Moreover, the role of brevican in the growth and progression of glioma was demonstrated by in vivo studies.Results: Our results provide evidence for the molecular and cellular mechanisms that may underlie the motility-promoting role of brevican in the progression of glioma. The role of brevican as a target for immunotherapy might be taken into consideration in future studies.Conclusions: This study suggests that expression of brevican is associated with glioma cell adhesion, motility and tumor growth, and also is related to glioma cell differentiation, therefore it may be a marker for malignance degree of glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]