MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of human cancers, including breast cancer (BC). In the current study, we examined the expression pattern of the miRNA miR‐125a‐5p in human ...BC tissues, tumorigenesis of BC progression. We found that miR‐125a‐5p was significantly downregulated in human BC tissues. Overexpression of miR‐125a‐5p in a xenograft mouse model indicated that miR‐125a‐5p may function as a tumour suppressor during carcinogenesis. To explore the molecular mechanism by which miR‐125a‐5p contributes to BC progression, we predicted the target genes of miR‐125a‐5p and identified BC susceptibility gene 1–associated protein 1 (BAP1) as a direct target. Finally, we demonstrated that BAP1 had opposing effects to those of miR‐125a‐5p on BC cells, suggesting that miR‐125a‐5p may inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis by negatively regulating BAP1. Taken together, our findings provide the first clues regarding the role of miR‐125a‐5p as a tumour suppressor in BC via the inhibition of BAP1 translation.
Our research indicated that miR‐125a‐5p can negatively regulate breast cancer susceptibility gene 1–associated protein 1 (BAP1), resulting in the inhibition of breast cancer (BC) tumorigenesis in vivo and in vitro. This suggests that a novel strategy for BC treatment may be found after further research on miR‐125a‐5p and BAP1.
Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) plays a major role in the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, which is significantly activated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The function of ...RhoA in RA synovitis and bone erosion is still elusive. Here, we not only explored the impact of RhoA on the proliferation and invasion of RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) but also elucidated its effect on mouse osteoclast and a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Results showed that RhoA was overexpressed in RA and CIA synovial tissues. Lentivirus-mediated silencing of RhoA increased apoptosis, attenuated invasion, and dramatically upregulated osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (OPG/RANKL) ratio in RA-FLSs. Additionally, the silencing of RhoA inhibited mouse osteoclast differentiation in vitro and alleviated synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion in the CIA mouse model. These effects in RA-FLSs and osteoclasts were all regulated by RhoA/Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) and might interact with Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathways.
The exogenous application of low-intensity electric stimulation (ES) may mimic a natural endogenous bioelectric current and accelerate the repair process of skin wounds. This study designed a novel ...microcurrent dressing (MCD) and evaluated its potential effects on wound healing in a rat skin defect model.
First, wireless ES was integrated into a medical cotton cushion to fabricate the MCD, and its electrical property was examined by using a universal power meter. Then, animal experiments were conducted to evaluate the MCD's effect. Forty-five rats were randomized into control (Con) group, Vaseline gauze (VG) group and MCD group. A full-thickness round skin incision 1.5 cm in diameter was made on the back of each animal. Apart from routine disinfection, the Con rats were untreated, whereas the other two groups were treated with VG or MCD. On days 3, 7 and 14 post injury, the wound areas were observed and measured using image analysis software following photography, and the skin samples were harvested from wound tissue. Then, histopathological morphology was observed routinely by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β expression were detected by Western blotting. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression were detected with immunohistochemistry.
The MCD generated a sf electric potential greater than 0.95 V. Animal experiments showed that the wound-healing rate in the MCD group was significantly increased compared with the Con and VG groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Histopathological observation revealed an alleviated inflammatory response, induced vascular proliferation and accelerated epithelization in the MCD group. Moreover, samples from the MCD group expressed reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels and increased VEGF and EGF levels compared with those of the other two groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was noted between the Con and VG groups at each time point.
The MCD generates a stable and lasting ES and significantly promotes wound healing by reducing inflammation duration and increasing growth factors expression. Thus, MCD may act as a promising biomaterial device for skin wound healing.
Mutated BRCA1/2 genes are associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). So far most of the identified BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants are single nucleotide variants (SNVs) or ...insertions/deletions (Indels). However, large genomic rearrangements (LGRs) such as copy number variants (CNVs) are also playing an important role in HBOC predisposition. Their frequency and spectrum have been well studied in western populations but remain largely unknown for Chinese population.
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 218 unrelated familial breast and/or ovarian cancer (FBOC) patients living in Eastern China. PCR-based Sanger sequencing and panel-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed to detect pathogenic SNVs and Indels in BRCA1/2 genes. For the patients lacking small pathogenic variants, multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay was conducted to screen for LGRs.
In total, we identified 44 samples (20.1%) carrying small pathogenic variants (26 in BRCA1 and 18 in BRCA2, respectively). Among the rest of 174 samples, five were found carrying novel deleterious LGRs in BRCA1 which are exon5-7dup (1 patient), exon13-14dup (2 patients), and exon1-22del (2 patients). No LGR was found in BRCA2. Overall, LGRs accounted for 16.1% (5/31) of BRCA1 pathogenic variants, and were detected in 2.3% (5/218) of all FBOC patients.
LGR variants in BRCA1 gene play a significant role in Chinese HBOC patients. MLPA or other similar LGR-detecting methods should be recommended along with nucleotide sequencing as the initial screening approach for Chinese HBOC women.
RING finger 187 (RNF187), a ubiquitin-ligating (E3) enzyme, plays a crucial role in the proliferation of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether RNF187 exhibits comparable functionality in ...the development of germline cells. To investigate the potential involvement of RNF187 in germ cell development, we conducted interference and overexpression assays using GC-2 cells, a mouse spermatocyte-derived cell line. Our findings reveal that the interaction between RNF187 and histone H3 increases the viability, proliferation, and migratory capacity of GC-2 cells. Moreover, we provide evidence demonstrating that RNF187 interacts with H3 and mediates the ubiquitination of H3 at lysine 57 (K57) or lysine 80 (K80), directly or indirectly resulting in increased cellular transcription. This is a study to report the role of RNF187 in maintaining the development of GC-2 cells by mediating histone H3 ubiquitination, thus highlighting the involvement of the K57 and K80 residues of H3 in the epistatic regulation of gene transcription. These discoveries provide a new theoretical foundation for further comprehensive investigations into the function of RNF187 in the reproductive system.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is relatively common worldwide and an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It is closely linked to arterial stiffness of the carotid artery. However, the ...association of MetS with the safety of carotid revascularization has been rarely studied. The aim of this study was to observe the current status of MetS and its components in Chinese carotid revascularized patients, and investigate the impact on major adverse clinical events (MACEs) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS).
From January 2013 to December 2017, patients undergoing CEA or CAS in the Neurosurgery Department of Xuanwu Hospital were retrospectively recruited. The changes in prevalence of MetS and each component with time were investigated. The primary outcome was 30-day post-operative MACEs. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the impact of MetS on CEA or CAS.
A total of 2068 patients who underwent CEA (766 cases) or CAS (1302 cases) were included. The rate of MetS was 17.9%; the prevalence rate of MetS increased with time. The occurrence rate of MACEs in CEA was 3.4% (26 cases) and in CAS, 3.1% (40 cases). There was no statistical difference between the two groups (3.4% vs. 3.1%, P = 0.600). For CEA patients, univariate analysis showed that the MACE (+) group had increased diabetes history (53.8% vs. 30.9%, P = 0.014) and MetS (34.6% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.023). For CAS patients, univariate analysis showed that the MACE (+) group had increased coronary artery disease history (40.0% vs. 21.6%, P = 0.006) and internal carotid artery tortuosity (67.5%% vs. 37.6%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the MACE (+) group had higher systolic blood pressure (143.38 ± 22.74 vs. 135.42 ± 17.17 mmHg, P = 0.004). Multivariable analysis showed that the influencing factors for MACEs in CEA included history of diabetes (odds ratio OR = 2.345; 95% confidence interval CI = 1.057-5.205; P = 0.036) and MetS (OR = 2.476; 95% CI = 1.065-5.757; P = 0.035). The influencing factors for MACEs in CAS included systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.023; 95% CI = 1.005-1.040; P = 0.010), coronary artery disease (OR = 2.382; 95% CI = 1.237-4.587; P = 0.009) and internal carotid artery tortuosity (OR = 3.221; 95% CI = 1.637-6.337; P = 0.001).
The prevalence rate of MetS increased with time in carotid revascularized patients. MetS is a risk for short-term MACEs after CEA, but not CAS.
Microwaves have been suggested to induce neuronal injury and increase permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), but the mechanism remains unknown. The role of the vascular endothelial growth ...factor (VEGF)/Flk-1-Raf/MAPK kinase (MEK)/extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway in structural and functional injury of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) following microwave exposure was examined. An in vitro BBB model composed of the ECV304 cell line and primary rat cerebral astrocytes was exposed to microwave radiation (50 mW/cm
2
, 5 min). The structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the permeability was assessed by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) transmission. Activity and expression of VEGF/Flk-1-ERK pathway components and occludin also were examined. Our results showed that microwave radiation caused intercellular tight junctions to broaden and fracture with decreased TEER values and increased HRP permeability. After microwave exposure, activation of the VEGF/Flk-1-ERK pathway and Tyr phosphorylation of occludin were observed, along with down-regulated expression and interaction of occludin with zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). After Flk-1 (SU5416) and MEK1/2 (U0126) inhibitors were used, the structure and function of the BBB were recovered. The increase in expression of ERK signal transduction molecules was muted, while the expression and the activity of occludin were accelerated, as well as the interactions of occludin with p-ERK and ZO-1 following microwave radiation. Thus, microwave radiation may induce BBB damage by activating the VEGF/Flk-1-ERK pathway, enhancing Tyr phosphorylation of occludin, while partially inhibiting expression and interaction of occludin with ZO-1.
Objective The aim of this study is to investigate whether microwave exposure would affect the N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling pathway to establish whether this plays a role in ...synaptic plasticity impairment.
Methods 48 male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 mW/cm^2 microwave for 10 min every other day for three times. Hippocampal structure was observed through H&E staining and transmission electron microscope. PC12 cells were exposed to 30 mW/cm^2 microwave for 5 min and the synapse morphology was visualized with scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The release of amino acid neurotransmitters and calcium influx were detected. The expressions of several key NMDAR signaling molecules were evaluated.
Results Microwave exposure caused injury in rat hippocampal structure and PC12 cells, especially the structure and quantity of synapses. The ratio of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters was increased and the intracellular calcium level was elevated in PC12 cells. A significant change in NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) and related signaling molecules (CaZ+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II gamma and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein) were examined.
Conclusion 30 mW/cm^2 microwave exposure resulted in alterations of synaptic structure, amino acid neurotransmitter release and calcium influx. NMDAR signaling molecules were closely associated with impaired synaptic plasticity.
Four new heteropolyanions {PMo12Sb2O40Cu(Im)22}·Im (1), {PMo12Sb2O40(Cd(Phen)2)2Cl} (2), Cu(Phen)22PMo12Sb2O40 (3) and Cd(bpy)4(H2O)2PMo12Sb2O40·bpy·2H2O (4) (Im = imidazole, Phen = ...1,10‐phenanthroline, bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder XRD analyses and elemental analyses. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that these four compounds represent examples of compounds based on the bis‐antimony‐capped Keggin polyoxoanion {PMo12Sb2O40} and different transition‐metal coordination complexes. Compound 1 exhibits a novel 1D chain structure, compound 2 is the first example of an extended structure constructed from polyoxoanions, transition‐metal coordination complexes and halide ions and compounds 3 and 4 are supramolecular structures constructed from {PMo12Sb2O40} polyoxoanions and different transition‐metal coordination fragments.
Four new heteropolyanions have been synthesized and characterized. Two represent the first examples of extended structures based on polyoxoanion PMo12O40Sb22– with an α‐Keggin configuration and different transition‐metal coordination complexes and the other two are supramolecular structures constructed from {PMo12Sb2O40} polyoxoanions and different transition‐metal coordination fragments.