miR-191在胃癌组织中的表达及其靶基因的预测

目的:分析胃癌组织中miR-191的表达及预测其靶基因,并检测靶基因在胃癌组织中的表达.方法:胃癌及配对癌旁正常组织标本50例,应用基于SYBRGreenⅠ的实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测miR-191的表达情况,后用2-??CT方法进行相对定量分析.利用生物信息学软件对miR-191进行靶基因预测.用免疫组织化学检测靶基因在胃癌组织中的表达情况,并分析其与miR-191表达情况的关系.结果:miR-191在胃癌组织中的表达显著高于癌旁正常组织[0.0314(0.0037-0.4924)vs0.0240(0.0037-0.1593),P<0.05],miR-191与临床病理特征(性别、年龄、病理组织分型、淋巴结转移和TNM分期)无显著相关性.对miR-191预测得到磷脂酶C-delta1(phospholipaseC-delta1,PLCD1)、SOX4等9个靶基因,其中SOX4和NDST1被证明是miR-191的靶基因.PLCD1在胃癌组织中的表达显著低于癌旁正常组织(56.7%vs96.7%,P<0.01),且其与miR-191在胃癌中的表达呈负相关(90%vs30%,r=-0.639,P<0.01).结论:miR-191在胃癌组织中呈高表达,可能通过调控PLCD1对胃癌的发病起重要作用.     

Mitigation of acute kidney injury by cell-cycle inhibitors that suppress both CDK4/6 and OCT2 functions

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potentially fatal syndrome characterized by a rapid decline in kidney function caused by ischemic or toxic injury to renal tubular cells. The widely used chemotherapy drug cisplatin accumulates preferentially in the renal tubular cells and is a frequent cause of drug-induced AKI. During the development of AKI the quiescent tubular cells reenter the cell cycle. Strategies that block cell-cycle progression ameliorate kidney injury, possibly by averting cell division in the presence of extensive DNA damage. However, the early signaling events that lead to cell-cycle activation during AKI are not known. In the current study, using mouse models of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, we show that the G1/S-regulating cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) pathway is activated in parallel with renal cell-cycle entry but before the development of AKI. Targeted inhibition of CDK4/6 pathway by small-molecule inhibitors palbociclib (PD-0332991) and ribociclib (LEE011) resulted in inhibition of cell-cycle progression, amelioration of kidney injury, and improved overall survival. Of additional significance, these compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), which contributes to the cellular accumulation of cisplatin and subsequent kidney injury. The unique cell-cycle and OCT2-targeting activities of palbociclib and LEE011, combined with their potential for clinical translation, support their further exploration as therapeutic candidates for prevention of AKI.Cell division is a fundamental biological process that is tightly regulated by evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways (1, 2). The initial decision to start cell division, the fidelity of subsequent DNA replication, and the final formation of daughter cells is monitored and regulated by these essential pathways (2–6). The cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are the central players that orchestrate this orderly progression through the cell cycle (1, 2, 6, 7). The enzymatic activity of CDKs is regulated by complex mechanisms that include posttranslational modifications and expression of activating and inhibitory proteins (1, 2, 6, 7). The spatial and temporal changes in the activity of these CDK complexes are thought to generate the distinct substrate specificities that lead to sequential and unidirectional progression of the cell cycle (1, 8, 9).Cell-cycle deregulation is a universal feature of human cancer and a long-sought-after target for anticancer therapy (1, 10–13). Frequent genetic or epigenetic changes in mitogenic pathways, CDKs, cyclins, or CDK inhibitors are observed in various human cancers (1, 4, 11). In particular, the G1/S-regulating CDK4/6–cyclin D–inhibitors of CDK4 (INK4)–retinoblastoma (Rb) protein pathway frequently is disrupted in cancer cells (11, 14). These observations provided an impetus to develop CDK inhibitors as anticancer drugs. However, the earlier class of CDK inhibitors had limited specificity, inadequate clinical activity, poor pharmacokinetic properties, and unacceptable toxicity profiles (10, 11, 14, 15). These disappointing initial efforts now have been followed by the development of the specific CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib (PD0332991), ribociclib (LEE011), and abemaciclib (LY2835219), which have demonstrated manageable toxicities, improved pharmacokinetic properties, and impressive antitumor activity, especially in certain forms of breast cancer (14, 16). Successful early clinical trials with these three CDK4/6 inhibitors have generated cautious enthusiasm that these drugs may emerge as a new class of anticancer agents (14, 17). Palbociclib recently was approved by Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and became the first CDK4/6 inhibitor approved for anticancer therapy (18).In addition to its potential as an anticancer strategy, CDK4/6 inhibition in normal tissues could be exploited therapeutically for wide-ranging clinical conditions. For example, radiation-induced myelosuppression, caused by cell death of proliferating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, can be rescued by palbociclib (19, 20). Furthermore, cytotoxic anticancer agents cause significant toxicities to normal proliferating cells, which possibly could be mitigated by the concomitant use of CDK4/6 inhibitors (20, 21). More broadly, cell-cycle inhibition could have beneficial effects in disorders in which maladaptive proliferation of normal cells contributes to the disease pathology, as observed in vascular proliferative diseases, hyperproliferative skin diseases, and autoimmune disorders (22, 23). In support of this possibility, palbociclib treatment recently was reported to ameliorate disease progression in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis through cell-cycle inhibition of synovial fibroblasts (24).Abnormal cellular proliferation also is a hallmark of various kidney diseases (25), and cell-cycle inhibition has been shown to ameliorate significantly the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease (26), nephritis (27), and acute kidney injury (AKI) (28). Remarkably, during AKI, the normally quiescent renal tubular cells reenter the cell cycle (29–34), and blocking cell-cycle progression can reduce renal injury (28). Here, we provide evidence that the CDK4/6 pathway is activated early during AKI and demonstrate significant protective effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors in animal models of cisplatin-induced AKI. In addition, we found that the CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib and LEE011 are potent inhibitors of organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), a cisplatin uptake transporter highly expressed in renal tubular cells (35–37). Our findings provide a rationale for the clinical development of palbociclib and LEE011 for the prevention and treatment of AKI.     

肝癌患者血清miRNA-4516的表达及其临床意义和靶基因的预测

目的:探讨血清miRNA-4516在肝癌中的表达情况及其临床意义并预测其可能的靶基因.方法:收集100例肝癌患者和同期体检的100例健康人血清样本,采用RT-PCR测定血清miRNA-4516表达水平,分析其与肝癌临床病理的相关性,最后通过生物信息学预测miRNA-4516可能的靶基因.结果:经分析血清miRNA-45...     

Simultaneous expression of Oct4 and genes of three germ layers in single cell-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells

Future application of adult stem cells in clinical therapies largely depends on the successful isolation of homogeneous stem cells with high plasticity. Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) are thought to be a more primitive stem cell population capable of extensive in vitro proliferation with no senescence or loss of differentiation capability. The present study was aimed to find a less complicated and more economical protocol for obtaining single cell-derived MAPCs and understand the molecule mechanism of multi-lineage differentiation of MAPCs. We successfully obtained a comparatively homogeneous population of MAPCs and confirmed that single cell-derived MAPCs were able to transcribe Oct4 and genes of three germ layers simultaneously, and differentiate into multiple lineages. Our observations suggest that single cell-derived MAPCs under appropriate circumstances could maintain not only characteristics of stem cells but multi-lineage differentiation potential through quantitative modulation of corresponding regulating gene expression, rather than switching on expression of specific genes.     

Loss of the miR-21 allele elevates the expression of its target genes and reduces tumorigenesis

MicroRNA 21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in virtually all types of carcinomas and various types of hematological malignancies. To determine whether miR-21 promotes tumor development in vivo, we knocked out the miR-21 allele in mice. In response to the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate mouse skin carcinogenesis protocol, miR-21-null mice showed a significant reduction in papilloma formation compared with wild-type mice. We revealed that cellular apoptosis was elevated and cell proliferation was decreased in mice deficient of miR-21 compared to wild-type animals. In addition, we found that a large number of validated or predicted miR-21 target genes were up-regulated in miR-21-null keratinocytes, which are precursor cells to skin papillomas. Specifically, up-regulation of Spry1, Pten, and Pdcd4 when miR-21 was ablated coincided with reduced phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and JNK, three major downstream effectors of Ras activation that plays a predominant role in DMBA-initiated skin carcinogenesis. These results provide in vivo evidence that miR-21 exerts its oncogenic function through negatively regulating its target genes.     

Mutational spectrum analysis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia includes genes associated with epigenetic regulation: UTX, EZH2, and DNMT3A

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, is characterized by monocytic proliferation, dysplasia, and progression to acute myeloid leukemia. CMML has been associated with somatic mutations in diverse recently identified genes. We analyzed 72 well-characterized patients with CMML (N = 52) and CMML-derived acute myeloid leukemia (N = 20) for recurrent chromosomal abnormalities with the use of routine cytogenetics and single nucleotide polymorphism arrays along with comprehensive mutational screening. Cytogenetic aberrations were present in 46% of cases, whereas single nucleotide polymorphism array increased the diagnostic yield to 60%. At least 1 mutation was found in 86% of all cases; novel UTX, DNMT3A, and EZH2 mutations were found in 8%, 10%, and 5.5% of patients, respectively. TET2 mutations were present in 49%, ASXL1 in 43%, CBL in 14%, IDH1/2 in 4%, KRAS in 7%, NRAS in 4%, and JAK2 V617F in 1% of patients. Various mutant genotype combinations were observed, indicating molecular heterogeneity in CMML. Our results suggest that molecular defects affecting distinct pathways can lead to similar clinical phenotypes.     

MSI4/FVE interacts with CUL4-DDB1 and a PRC2-like complex to control epigenetic regulation of flowering time in Arabidopsis

Flowering at the right time is crucial to ensure successful plant reproduction and seed yield and is dependent on both environmental and endogenous parameters. Among the different pathways that impinge on flowering, the autonomous pathway promotes floral transition independently of day length through the repression of the central flowering repressor flowering locus C (FLC). FLC blocks floral transition by repressing flowering time integrators such as flowering locus T (FT). MSI4/FVE is a key regulator of the autonomous pathway that reduces FLC expression. Here we report that the MSI4 protein is a DDB1 and CUL4-associated factor that represses FLC expression through its association with a CLF-Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) in Arabidopsis. Thus, the lack of MSI4 or decreased CUL4 activity reduces H3K27 trimethylation on FLC, but also on its downstream target FT, resulting in increased expression of both genes. Moreover, CUL4 interacts with FLC chromatin in an MSI4-dependant manner, and the interaction between MSI4 and CUL4-DDB1 is necessary for the epigenetic repression of FLC. Overall our work provides evidence for a unique functional interaction between the cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase (CUL4-DDB1(MSI4)) and a CLF-PRC2 complex in the regulation of flowering timing in Arabidopsis.     

Mapping and functional characterization of rat chromosome 4 regions that regulate arthritis models and phenotypes in congenic strains

OBJECTIVE: DA rats are highly susceptible to experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Linkage analyses in different models have identified several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) within a 70-cM region of DA rat chromosome 4 (C4). We produced congenic strains for these QTLs in order to map and characterize their impact on arthritis development. METHODS: Selective breeding was used to transfer C4 intervals from arthritis-resistant PVG.1AV1 rats onto DA rats. These congenic strains were evaluated for susceptibility to arthritis induced by intradermal injection of rat type II collagen, pristane (a well-defined synthetic adjuvant oil), mycobacteria, or squalene (an endogenous adjuvant oil used in human vaccine). RESULTS: Rats congenic for PVG.1AV1 genes in the 70-cM region were less susceptible than DA rats to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), pristane-induced arthritis, adjuvant-induced arthritis, and squalene-induced arthritis (SIA). Experiments in subcongenic strains indicated a gene regulating arthritis in males located in a 20-cM interval overlapping the QTL Pia5. A second gene, located in a 10-cM interval harboring the QTL Oia2, attenuated SIA and CIA. The latter caused a change in anticollagen antibody isotype levels toward a pattern similar to that seen in PVG.1AV1 rats. CONCLUSION: The QTL Oia2 regulates arthritis induced both by the nonimmunogenic immunostimulant squalene and by cartilage collagen. In CIA, it also skews anticollagen isotype profiles, suggesting qualitative regulation of autoimmunity. Interestingly, the homologous human chromosome region 12p12-p13 has also been linked to RA, suggesting that genetic and functional dissection of this locus will provide clues to disease pathways that lead to joint inflammation.     

MicroRNA-21及其靶基因程序性细胞死亡因子4在动脉粥样硬化中的作用

目的探讨microRNA(miR)-21及其靶基因程序性细胞死亡因子4(PDCD4)在动脉粥样硬化(AS)发生发展中的作用。方法收集38例急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者及34例非冠心病患者的血浆,实时定量PCR检测miR-21的表达水平。在Lipo3 000的介导下,将miR-21类似物、抑制剂及沉默PDCD4(siP DCD4)分别转染鼠巨噬细胞系RAW 264.7细胞,并用氧化修饰低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)与细胞共同孵育,设立空白对照组(未转染且未加ox-LDL)及ox-LDL组(仅加oxLDL)。采用油红O染色检测细胞泡沫化程度,实时定量PCR及Western blot分别检测泡沫细胞中miR-21及PDCD4蛋白水平。此外,建立ApoE~(-/-)小鼠AS模型20只,按随机数字表法分为3组:单纯高脂喂养组6只、过表达miR-21组7只及阴性对照组(NC,7只),鼠尾静脉注射胆固醇包裹的miR-21激动剂(agomiR-21)及阴性对照agomiR-NC分别建立过表达miR-21组及NC组。选用正常饲料喂养的C57BL/6小鼠作为正常对照组。实时定量PCR检测miR-21在AS斑块及正常动脉组织中的表达;Western blot及免疫组化分别检测PDCD4蛋白水平。结果与相应的对照组比较,miR-21在STEMI患者血浆、泡沫细胞及单纯高脂喂养ApoE~(-/-)小鼠斑块组织中的表达水平均明显升高(P<0.001;P<0.01;P<0.01);泡沫细胞及单纯高脂喂养ApoE~(-/-)小鼠斑块内PDCD4蛋白水平明显增多;与ox-LDL组比较,ox-LDL+miR-21类似物组及ox-LDL+siP DCD4组巨噬细胞泡沫化程度明显下降,ox-LDL+miR-21抑制剂组细胞泡沫化程度明显增加。过表达miR-21组AS斑块内PDCD4蛋白水平较NC组明显减少,且斑块较NC组明显减小。结论 miR-21在急性STEMI患者血浆中、泡沫细胞及AS斑块内的水平明显升高。过表达miR-21及沉默PDCD4可抑制巨噬细胞向泡沫细胞的转化,这与动物组织实验结果一致,表明miR-21或可靶向调控PDCD4的表达,从而发挥抗AS的作用。     

乙型肝炎病毒e抗原与核心抗原调节靶基因的比较

目的利用基因表达谱芯片技术筛选、比较乙型肝炎病毒e抗原和核心抗原调节靶基因。方法利用分子生物学技术和生物信息学技术相结合,克隆HBeAg和HBcAg的编码基因,常规分子生物学技术构建相应的真核细胞表达载体pcDNA3.1-HBeAg和pcDNA3.1-HBcAg脂质体技术转染肝母细胞瘤细胞系HepG2,利用基因表达谱芯片技术筛选转染细胞的差异表达cDNA的类型。结果对于2个基因转染细胞系差异表达基因谱的分析,HBeAg和HBcAg共同上调的基因1条;HBeAg和HBcAg共同下调的基因1条;未发现HBeAg上调,而HBcAg下调;或HBeAg下调,而HBcAg上调的基因类型;还有一些靶基因,或只受到HBeAg的调节,或只受到HBcAg的调节。结论应用基因表达谱芯片技术对于HBeAg和HBcAg反式调节的靶基因进行分析,可以发现HBeAg和HBcAg可引起体内多个系统相关的基因表达改变,两者在体内所调节的基因种类方面还有很大差异。