The Hippo pathway: Horizons for innovative treatments of peripheral nerve diseases

Initially identified in Drosophila, the Hippo signaling pathway regulates how cells respond to their environment by controlling proliferation, migration and differentiation. Many recent studies have focused on characterizing Hippo pathway function and regulation in mammalian cells. Here, we present a brief overview of the major components of the Hippo pathway, as well as their regulation and function. We comprehensively review the studies that have contributed to our understanding of the Hippo pathway in the function of the peripheral nervous system and in peripheral nerve diseases. Finally, we discuss innovative approaches that aim to modulate Hippo pathway components in diseases of the peripheral nervous system.     

Stochastic non-enzymatic modification of long-lived macromolecules - A missing hallmark of aging

Damage accumulation in long-living macromolecules (especially extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, nuclear pore complex (NPC) proteins, and histones) is a missing hallmark of aging. Stochastic non-enzymatic modifications of ECM trigger cellular senescence as well as many other hallmarks of aging affect organ barriers integrity and drive tissue fibrosis. The importance of it for aging makes it a key target for interventions. The most promising of them can be AGE inhibitors (chelators, O-acetyl group or transglycating activity compounds, amadorins and amadoriases), glucosepane breakers, stimulators of elastogenesis, and RAGE antagonists.     

Emerging Insights Into the Role of the Hippo Pathway in Multiple Myeloma and Associated Bone Disease

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma-cell dyscrasia with numerous treatment options currently available; however, drug resistance is usually inevitable, so there is a constant need for novel treatment approaches. The Hippo pathway has emerged as an important mediator of oncogenesis in solid tumors. More recently, its key role in regulating apoptosis and mediating resistance in MM and other hematologic malignancies has been demonstrated in preclinical studies, which provides a strong basis for further clinical investigation. The Hippo pathway is also implicated in the pathogenesis of MM-induced bone disease, as it regulates both osteoblast and osteoclast function. We provide an overview of the available data regarding the role of the Hippo signaling components in the pathophysiology of MM. A better understanding of the underlying interactions at the molecular and cellular levels will lead to novel and promising treatment approaches.     

Hippo信号通路与肾病

Hippo信号通路是近年来备受关注的一条调节器官生长和组织大小的重要信号通路,其已被证实在肿瘤的发生、发展中发挥重要作用.目前Hippo信号通路与肾病的相关性研究仍处于起步阶段.在急性肾损伤(acute renal injury,AKI)方面,Hippo信号通路可能参与小管上皮细胞的凋亡、上皮-间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)以及AKI进展至慢性肾脏病(chronic kidney disease,CKD)等多个环节.此外,Hippo信号通路还参与多种慢性肾脏病,包括局灶节段性肾小球硬化症、糖尿病肾病、多囊肾等的发生和疾病进展.     

TAZ/WWTR1影响肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的侵袭、迁移能力

目的 探讨转录共激活子TAZ/WWTR1对肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721侵袭、迁移的影响,为寻找原发性肝细胞癌的防治提供理论基础.方法 TAZ基因靶向干扰RNA的设计合成:从TAZ的信使RNA(mRNA)中挑选出合适的siRNA靶点序列作为候选,序列通过基因BLAST,得出三对siRNA;TAZ过表达质粒的构建:从SMMC-7721细胞中提取TAZ基因,使用pCMV5-HA为载体构建人TAZ过表达质粒;细胞转染:以LipofectaminTM2000为载体,将TAZ siRNAs转入SMMC-7721细胞中,应用实时RT-PCR和Western blotting检测TAZ的表达情况,筛选出于扰效果最佳的siRNA,并进一步比较转染了TAZ siRNA组与转染了阴性对照组的SMMC-7721细胞侵袭、迁移能力的变化;构建稳定过表达TAZ基因的人肝癌细胞(SMMC-7721)系:用LipofectaminTM2000将TAZ过表达质粒转染入SMMC-7721细胞中,使用G418筛选出稳定高表达TAZ的细胞系,应用Transwell侵袭实验观测TAZ稳定过表达的SMMC-7721细胞的侵袭、迁移能力.结果 三对siRNA均可使TAZ表达下调,其中siRNA-1效果最佳;与阴性对照组相比,转染了TAZ siRNA-1的SMMC-7721细胞的侵袭、迁移能力下降;经过鉴定确定为稳定过表达TAZ的SMMC-7721细胞的侵袭、迁移能力相比于阴性对照组显著升高.结论 本研究通过靶向干扰和稳定过表达TAZ基因的方法证实TAZ能够影响人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721的侵袭、迁移能力,为揭示原发性肝癌恶性转移的发病甚至启动机制提供一个崭新思路.     

Barth综合征1例临床及基因突变分析

目的探讨Barth综合征(BTHS)的临床表现及遗传学特征。方法回顾分析1例BTHS患儿的临床资料。结果患儿,男,10月龄,以左室增大,爆发性心肌炎,心力衰竭,肌无力,单核细胞增多,低血糖,乳酸性酸中毒,腹泻,面部异常等为主要表现。基因测序显示TAZ基因存在一个错义突变(c.406CT,p.Cys136Arg),突变来自患儿母亲。结论扩充了中国BTHS的基因突变谱及临床特征。     

pLenti6/V5-DEST-TAZ载体的构建及其对成骨前体细胞MC3T3-E1分化的影响

目的：构建人真核表达的TAZ慢病毒载体pLenti6/V5-DEST-TAZ,转染293FT 细胞获得重组慢病毒颗粒,探讨TAZ对成骨前体细胞MC3T3-E1 分化的调控作用。方法：将已经过测序验证的含有TAZ基因慢病毒入门质粒pENTR(tm)221-TAZ通过LR反应克隆到慢病毒载体pLenti6/V5-DEST中。对重组质粒进行酶切鉴定,并在细胞中验证表达。将该重组载体和其他PackingMix 3 个质粒载体充分混合,用阳离子脂质体转染293FT 细胞,培养和待细胞完全裂解后收集富含TAZ基因的病毒颗粒上清液,取适量上清液感染MC3T3-E1细胞,采用杀稻瘟菌素Blastcidin 筛选,建立稳定过量表达 TAZ 蛋白的 MC3T3-E1/TAZ细胞系。用条件培养基诱导 MC3T3-E1和 MC3T3-E1/TAZ细胞系向成骨细胞定向分化,von Kossa 和茜素红染色观察MC3T3-E1和MC3T3-E1/TAZ细胞的成骨分化。结果：凝胶电泳和测序结果均证明TAZ重组慢病毒载体pLenti6/V5-DEST-TAZ构建正确,并能在细胞中正确表达。与辅助质粒共转包装细胞获得慢病毒颗粒,并成功感染MC3T3-E1细胞。Von Kossa 染色和茜素红染色, MC3T3-E1/TAZ细胞系中生成的磷酸钙比MC3T3-E1细胞系中生成的磷酸钙多。结论：成功构建了人真核表达的质粒载体pLenti6/V5-DEST-TAZ,并能在细胞中正确表达;成功包装了TAZ病毒,并获得过表达TAZ的MC3T3-E1细胞;过表达TAZ促进MC3T3-E1向成骨细胞分化。