Kidney fibrosis is the final common pathway of all progressive chronic kidney diseases, of which diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has emerged ...as one of the most important origins of matrix-producing fibroblasts. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have been introduced into the market as antidiabetes drugs. Here, we found that the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin ameliorated kidney fibrosis in diabetic mice without altering the blood glucose levels associated with the inhibition of EndMT and the restoration of microRNA 29s. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic CD-1 mice exhibited kidney fibrosis and strong immunoreactivity for DPP-4 by 24 weeks after the onset of diabetes. At 20 weeks after the onset of diabetes, mice were treated with linagliptin for 4 weeks. Linagliptin-treated diabetic mice exhibited a suppression of DPP-4 activity/protein expression and an amelioration of kidney fibrosis associated with the inhibition of EndMT. The therapeutic effects of linagliptin on diabetic kidneys were associated with the suppression of profibrotic programs, as assessed by mRNA microarray analysis. We found that the induction of DPP-4 observed in diabetic kidneys may be associated with suppressed levels of microRNA 29s in diabetic mice; linagliptin restored microRNA 29s and suppressed DPP-4 protein levels. Using cultured endothelial cells, we found that linagliptin inhibited TGF-β2-induced EndMT, and such anti-EndMT effects of linagliptin were mediated through microRNA 29 induction. These results indicate the possible novel pleiotropic action of linagliptin to restore normal kidney function in diabetic patients with renal impairment.
Little is known about the organizational and functional connectivity of the corticospinal (CS) circuits that are essential for voluntary movement. Here, we map the connectivity between CS neurons in ...the forelimb motor and sensory cortices and various spinal interneurons, demonstrating that distinct CS-interneuron circuits control specific aspects of skilled movements. CS fibers originating in the mouse motor cortex directly synapse onto premotor interneurons, including those expressing Chx10. Lesions of the motor cortex or silencing of spinal Chx10+ interneurons produces deficits in skilled reaching. In contrast, CS neurons in the sensory cortex do not synapse directly onto premotor interneurons, and they preferentially connect to Vglut3+ spinal interneurons. Lesions to the sensory cortex or inhibition of Vglut3+ interneurons cause deficits in food pellet release movements in goal-oriented tasks. These findings reveal that CS neurons in the motor and sensory cortices differentially control skilled movements through distinct CS-spinal interneuron circuits.
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•Mouse CS axons from motor and sensory cortices project to distinct spinal regions•We map connectivity between CS neurons and various spinal interneurons•CS neurons in motor cortex control reaching via spinal Chx10+ interneurons•CS neurons in sensory cortex control food release via spinal Vglut3+ interneurons
Ueno et al. generate a detailed connectivity map between corticospinal (CS) neurons in the motor and sensory cortices and spinal interneurons. The CS circuits originating from the motor and sensory cortices connect to distinct subpopulations of spinal interneurons to control discrete aspects of skilled movements.
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive neoplasm causatively associated with exposure to asbestos. MM is rarely responsive to conventional cytotoxic drugs, and the outcome remains dismal. It is, ...therefore, necessary to identify the signaling pathways that drive MM and to develop new therapeutics specifically targeting the molecules involved.
We performed comprehensive RNA sequencing of 12 MM cell lines and four clinical samples using so-called next-generation sequencers.
We found 15 novel fusion transcripts including one derived from chromosomal translocation between the large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1) and presenilin-1 (PSEN1) genes. LATS1 is one of the central players of the emerging Hippo signaling pathway. The LATS1–PSEN1 fusion gene product lacked the ability to phosphorylate yes-associated protein and to suppress the growth of a MM cell line. The wild-type LATS1 allele was undetectable in this cell line, indicating two-hit genetic inactivation of its tumor suppressor function. Using pathway-targeted exon sequencing, we further identified a total of 11 somatic mutations in four Hippo pathway genes (neurofibromatosis type 2 NF2, LATS2, RASSF1, and SAV1) in 35% (8 of 23) of clinical samples. Nuclear staining of yes-associated protein was detected in 55% (24 of 44) of the clinical samples. Expression and/or phosphorylation of the Hippo signaling proteins, RASSF1, Merlin (NF2), LATS1, and LATS2, was frequently absent.
The frequent alterations of Hippo pathway molecules found in this study indicate the therapeutic feasibility of targeting this pathway in patients with MM.
Axon regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is limited by both a decreased intrinsic ability of neurons to grow axons and the growth-hindering effects of extrinsic inhibitory molecules expressed ...around the lesion. Deletion of
(
) augments mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and enhances the intrinsic regenerative response of injured corticospinal neurons after SCI. Because of the variety of growth-restrictive extrinsic molecules, it remains unclear how inhibition of conserved inhibitory signaling elements would affect axon regeneration and rewiring after SCI. Moreover, it remains unknown how a combinatorial approach to modulate both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms can enhance regeneration and rewiring after SCI. In the present study, we deleted
and
, which encode small GTPases that mediate growth inhibition signals of a variety of extrinsic molecules, to remove global extrinsic pathways.
/
double deletion in mice suppressed retraction or dieback of corticospinal axons after SCI. In contrast,
deletion increased regrowth of corticospinal axons into the lesion core. Although deletion of both
and
did not promote axon regrowth across the lesion or motor recovery, it additively promoted rewiring of corticospinal circuits connecting the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, and hindlimb muscles. Our genetic findings, therefore, reveal that a combinatorial approach to modulate both intrinsic and extrinsic factors can additively promote neural circuit rewiring after SCI.
SCI often causes severe motor deficits because of damage to the corticospinal tract (CST), the major neural pathway for voluntary movements. Regeneration of CST axons is required to reconstruct motor circuits and restore functions; however, a lower intrinsic ability to grow axons and extrinsic inhibitory molecules severely limit axon regeneration in the CNS. Here, we investigated whether suppression of extrinsic inhibitory cues by genetic deletion of
as well as enhancement of the intrinsic pathway by deletion of
could enable axon regrowth and rewiring of the CST after SCI. We show that simultaneous elimination of extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways can additively promote axon sprouting and rewiring of the corticospinal circuits. Our data demonstrate a potential molecular approach to reconstruct motor pathways after SCI.
In this study, a facile synthesis of 3-carboxylated indoles involving a tandem-type cyclization of 2-ethynylanilines and subsequent CO2 fixation at the 3-position of the indole ring is realized. The ...reaction proceeds efficiently at 65 °C under 10 atm of CO2, giving rise to variously substituted 3-carboxylated indoles, generally in high yields. An inorganic base, such as K2CO3, is the only reagent required, and the addition of transition metal catalysts is not necessary. The method provides a novel, simple, and promising strategy for CO2 fixation in the research field of heterocyclic chemistry.
Investigations on configurations and properties of the electrode in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of an electrolyzer using an anion exchange membrane (AEM) were performed based on an ...experimental study using a small single electrolysis cell. First, two different configurations of the catalyst layer (CL) for the MEA were prepared using commercially available materials: a catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) and a catalyst-coated substrate (CCS). Experimental electrolysis results revealed that the electrode configuration appropriate for the MEA of AEM electrolyzers is CCM-cathode and CCS-anode. Then, the effect of electrode properties (catalyst loading and binder content in CLs) on electrolysis performance was examined experimentally, revealing an optimal range of catalyst loading and binder content.
Graphical Abstract
Syncope prognosis is related to both its etiology and comorbidities, with cardiac syncope (CS) having higher risks for mortality and cardiovascular events than syncope of non-cardiac causes. Although ...a novel insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is an effective diagnostic tool for unexplained syncope, decision regarding ICM implantation with a high pre-test likelihood of CS should contribute to economic cost reduction and avoidance of unnecessary complications. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with CS after ICM implantation in patients with unexplained syncope. This retrospective observational study included 31 consecutive patients with ICM implantation for syncope between September 2016 and August 2021. The initial examinations for syncope included a detailed history, physical examination, blood tests, 12-lead electrocardiograms, and transthoracic echocardiography. Of the 31 patients, 13 (41.9%) experienced recurrent CS during follow-up (676 ± 469 days). Among several clinical factors, syncope-related minor injuries (
p
= 0.017) and higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP;
p
= 0.043) levels were significantly associated with CS. Moreover, multivariable analysis showed that both syncope-related minor injuries (odds ratio, 11.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–88.4;
p
= 0.022) and BNP higher than 64.0 pg/mL (odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–44.2;
p
= 0.038) were independent predictors of CS after ICM implantation. In conclusion, a history of minor injury secondary to syncope and higher BNP levels were independent CS predictors in patients receiving ICM for syncope. These results emphasized the utility of ICM implantation early in the diagnostic journey of patients presenting with CS predictors requiring specific treatments.
Gene amplification and protein overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) are specific targets for HER2‐targeting drugs in breast, gastric, salivary gland, and colorectal ...cancers. The histopathological determination of HER2 status is crucial for treatment, highlighting the importance of improving HER2 detection accuracy in clinical practice. We prepared tissue microarray (TMA) slides for use as control slides for the standardization of gastric HER2 testing. Four human gastric cancer cell lines with HER2 scores of 3+, 2+, 1+, and 0 were xenografted in NOG mice. The TMA slides were constructed using samples from three different areas in these tumors. Staining properties were determined using six clinical kits for HER2. In TMA, HER2‐positive tumors with HER2 scores of 3+ and 2+ showed good staining with all diagnostic kits, and the tissue images were similar to those of clinical samples. Xenograft tumor slides could potentially be used as external controls to standardize staining conditions for a variety of kits and may improve the accuracy of HER2 detection in clinical practice.
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