Effects of a CC2D1A/Freud-1 Knockdown in the Hippocampus on Behavior, the Serotonin System, and BDNF

The serotonin 5-HT1A receptor is one of the most abundant and widely distributed brain serotonin (5-HT) receptors that play a major role in the modulation of emotions and behavior. The 5-HT1A receptor gene (Htr1a) is under the control of transcription factor Freud-1 (also known as CC2D1A/Freud-1). Here, using adeno-associated virus (AAV) constructs in vivo, we investigated effects of a Cc2d1a/Freud-1 knockdown in the hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice on behavior, the brain 5-HT system, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). AAV particles carrying the pAAV_H1-2_shRNA-Freud-1_Syn_EGFP plasmid encoding a short-hairpin RNA targeting mouse Cc2d1a/Freud-1 mRNA had an antidepressant effect in the forced swim test 5 weeks after virus injection. The knockdown impaired spatiotemporal memory as assessed in the Morris water maze. pAAV_H1-2_shRNA-Freud-1_Syn_EGFP decreased Cc2d1a/Freud-1 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the Cc2d1a/Freud-1 knockdown upregulated 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid but not their ratio. The Cc2d1a/Freud-1 knockdown failed to increase mRNA and protein levels of Htr1a but diminished a 5-HT1A receptor functional response. Meanwhile, the Cc2d1a/Freud-1 knockdown reduced Creb mRNA expression and CREB phosphorylation and upregulated cFos mRNA. The knockdown enhanced the expression of a BDNF precursor (proBDNF protein), which is known to play a crucial part in neuroplasticity. Our data indicate that transcription factor CC2D1A/Freud-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders not only via the 5-HT1A receptor and transcription factor CREB but also through an influence on BDNF.

A novel plasma membrane-phillic graphene oxide nanocarrier for neuropeptide delivery to generate tolerogenic dendritic cells in GVHD Immunotherapy

The prevention and the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a barrier to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Tolerogenic dendritic cells (TDCs) have become a hotspot in GVHD prevention despite the poor induction efficiency. Herein, we designed a novel size-dependent platform of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets for neuropeptide delivery for the purpose of TDC generation. GO with a lateral size༞1 µm (L-GO) showed strong affinities to DC membrane, which effectively promoted the recognition between neuropeptide, urocortin (UCN) and its receptor CRHR2 and in turn benefited TDC generation through PKA C/CREB phosphorylation. Simultaneously, L-GO also elevated the expression of CCR7 and enhanced the migration ability of TDCs by mediating cytoskeleton reorganization. In vivo experiments offered direct evidence that TDCs inducted by UCN@L-GO exhibited efficient migration to lymph nodes, abundant generation of Treg, a significant decrease of proinflammatory cytokines and in turn excellent efficiency in GVHD relief. In the current study, we proposed an innovative GO nanosheets based cytomembrane-targeted platform for neuropeptide delivery and subsequent TDC generation. In the meantime, the promoted mobility of TDC pulsed by GOs ensured the high homing efficiency to secondary lymph nodes, attributing to GVHD treatment in vivo. Thus, such work provided a promising strategy that might be applicable more broadly to delivery systems for receptor-mediated drugs, and could meet the changing demand of nanotechnology-based immunotherapy.

ZIP10 drives osteosarcoma proliferation and chemoresistance through ITGA10-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway

Background The zinc transporters Zrt- and Irt-related protein (ZIP/SLC39) are overexpressed in human tumors and correlate with poor prognosis; however, their contributions to carcinogenesis and chemoresistance in osteosarcoma (OS) remain unclear. Methods We collected 64 OS patient tissues with (n = 12) or without (n = 52) chemotherapy. The expression levels of ZIP10 were measured by immunohistochemistry and applied to prognostic analysis. ZIP10 was knocked down or overexpressed in OS cell lines to explore its effect on proliferation and chemoresistance. RNA sequencing, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blotting analysis were performed to explore ZIP10-regulated downstream target genes. A xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate the mechanisms by which ZIP10 modulates chemoresistance in OS cells. Results The expression of ZIP10 was significantly induced by chemotherapy and highly associated with the clinical outcomes of OS. Knockdown of ZIP10 suppressed OS cell proliferation and chemoresistance. In addition, ZIP10 promoted Zn content-induced cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and activation, which are required for integrin α10 (ITGA10) transcription and ITGA10-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Importantly, ITGA10 stimulated PI3K/AKT signaling but not the classical FAK or SRC pathway. Moreover, overexpression of ZIP10 promoted ITGA10 expression and conferred chemoresistance. Treatment with the CREB inhibitor 666–15 or the PI3K/AKT inhibitor GSK690693 impaired tumor chemoresistance in ZIP10-overexpressing cells. Finally, a xenograft mouse model established by subcutaneous injection of 143B cells confirmed that ZIP10 mediates chemotherapy resistance in OS cells via the ZIP10-ITGA10-PI3K/AKT axis. Conclusions We demonstrate that ZIP10 drives OS proliferation and chemoresistance through ITGA10-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which might serve as a target for OS treatment.

Zinc-mediated activation of CREB pathway in proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in pulmonary hypertension

Background Transcription factor CREB is involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, little is known about the role and regulatory signaling of CREB in PH. Methods A series of techniques, including bioinformatics methods, western blot, cell proliferation and luciferase reporter assay were used to perform a comprehensive analysis of the role and regulation of CREB in proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in PH. Results Using bioinformatic analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the development of monocrotaline (MCT)- and hypoxia-induced PH, we found the overrepresentation of CRE-containing DEGs. Western blot analysis revealed a sustained increase in total- and phosphorylated-CREB in PASMCs isolated from rats treated with MCT. Similarly, an enhanced and prolonged serum-induced CREB phosphorylation was observed in hypoxia-pretreated PASMCs. The sustained CREB phosphorylation in PASMCs may be associated with multiple protein kinases phosphorylated CREB. Additionally, hierarchical clustering analysis showed reduced expression of the majority of CREB phosphatases in PH, including regulatory subunits of PP2A, Ppp2r2c and Ppp2r3a. Cell proliferation analysis showed increased PASMCs proliferation in MCT-induced PH, an effect relied on CREB-mediated transcriptional activity. Further analysis revealed the raised intracellular labile zinc possibly from ZIP12 was associated with reduced phosphatases, increased CREB-mediated transcriptional activity and PASMCs proliferation. Conclusions CREB pathway was overactivated in the development of PH and contributed to PASMCs proliferation, which was associated with multiple protein kinases and/or reduced CREB phosphatases and raised intracellular zinc. Thus, this study may provide a novel insight into the CREB pathway in the pathogenesis of PH.

Investigation of Key Signaling Pathways Associating miR-204 and Common Retinopathies

MicroRNAs are a large group of small noncoding RNAs that work in multiple cellular pathways. miR-204, as one of the key axes in the development, maintenance, and pathogenesis of the retina, plays several roles by modulating its target genes. This study was aimed at evaluating the target genes of miR-204 involved in the development and progression of common retinopathies such as glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and age-related macular degeneration. In this study, three datasets related to retinopathies (GSE50195, GSE27276, and GSE97508) were selected from Gene Expression Omnibus. miR-204 target genes were isolated from TargeScan. The shares between retinopathy and miR-204 target genes were then categorized. Using Enrichr and STRING, we highlighted the signaling pathways and the relationships between the proteins. SHC1 events in ERBB2, adherent junction’s interactions, NGF signaling via TRKA from the plasma membrane, IRF3-mediated activation of type 1 IFN, pathways in upregulated genes and G0 and early G1, RORA-activated gene expression, PERK-regulated gene expression, adherent junction’s interactions, and CREB phosphorylation pathways in downregulated genes were identified in glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and age-related macular degeneration. WEE1, SMC2, HMGB1, RRM2, and POLA1 proteins were also observed to be involved in the progression and invasion of retinoblastoma; SLC24A2 and DTX4 in age-related macular degeneration; and EPHB6, EFNB3, and SHC1 in glaucoma. Continuous bioinformatics analysis has shown that miR-204 has a significant presence and expression in retinal tissue, and approximately 293 genes are controlled and regulated by miR-204 in this tissue; also, target genes of miR-204 have the potential to develop various retinopathies; thus, a study of related target genes can provide appropriate treatment strategies in the future.

Resveratrol Blocks Retrotransposition of LINE-1 Through PPAR α and Sirtuin-6

The retroelement long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) comprises about 17% of the human genome. L1 retrotransposition is known to cause genomic instability and related disorders, and resveratrol suppresses this retrotransposition; however, the underlying mechanism is still not elucidated. Recent observations showed that low-molecular-weight compounds might induce L1 retrotransposition through unknown mechanisms. This study aimed to determine polyphenol resveratrol (RV)’s effect on L1-RTP (retrotransposition) in somatic cells. Surprisingly, RV completely blocked L1-RTP. Experiments using the PPARα inhibitor GW6471 or siRNA-mediated PPARα depletion showed that RV-mediated L1-RTP’s inhibition depended on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). We demonstrated that RV inhibits p38 and CREB phosphorylation, which are involved in MAPK signaling, and the L1-ORF1 protein’s chromatin recruitment. Furthermore, RV increased the expression of sirtuin-6 (SIRT6), which inhibited the activation of L1. The sirtuins family, SIRT1, SIRT6, and SIRT7, but not SIRT3, are involved in RV-mediated inhibition of L1-RTP. Overall, our findings suggest that RV directly modulates PPARα-mediated L1-RTP in somatic cells and that MAPK signaling interacts with SIRT1, SIRT6, and SIRT7 closely and may play a role in preventing human diseases such as cancer.

Abstract P379: Inhibition Of O-glcnac Transferase Ogt Activates P38 Signaling In Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes

The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 is important in cardiac hypertrophic responses and p38 inhibition has been tested as a potential therapeutic approach to heart failure. p38 is tightly regulated by upstream kinases and phosphatases. While p38 inhibitors suppress cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in animal models, the partial efficacy of p38 inhibitors in clinical trials for heart failure illustrates the need for a deeper understanding of p38-regulatory mechanisms. O -linked N-Acetylglucosamine ( O -GlcNAc) on Ser/Thr residues is a ubiquitous intracellular modification ( O -GlcNAcylation) that participates in intracellular signaling, often occurring in counterpoint to phosphorylation. O -GlcNAcylation is catalyzed by O -GlcNAc Transferase (OGT) and removed by O -GlcNAc-Ase (OGA). Given the crucial regulation of p38 activity by phosphorylation, we hypothesized that O -GlcNAcylation regulates p38 phosphorylation during basal and hypertrophic cardiomyocyte signaling. Treating neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) with OSMI-1 (inhibitor of OGT) significantly decreased O -GlcNAcylation (0.48 ± 0.02, P <0.001 vs. vehicle), whereas treatment with Thiamet-G (inhibitor of OGA) significantly increased O -GlcNAcylation (3.0-fold increase ± 0.35, P <0.05 vs. vehicle). OSMI1 treatment induced the phosphorylation of p38 at its activation site (3.9-fold increase ± 0.46, P <0.001 vs. vehicle) and promoted the phosphorylation of the downstream target, heat shock protein Hsp27 (8-fold increase ± 1.3, P <0.0001 vs. vehicle) and transcription factor Creb (3.3-fold increase ± 0.12, P <0.001 vs. vehicle). OSMI-1 had an additive effect in inducing p38 and Creb phosphorylation following hypertrophic stimulation by phenylephrine (3.1-fold and 1.4-fold increase vs. phenylephrine respectively, P <0.05). Treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB202190 abolished the phosphorylation of Hsp27 and Creb that was induced by OSMI-1. Canonical upstream activators of p38 include the MAP3Ks, TAK1 and ASK1. However, we found that treatment with ASK1 or TAK1 inhibitors (GS-444217 and Takinib, respectively) either alone, or in combination, did not negate the phosphorylation of p38 by OSMI-1. We conclude that regulation of p38 by OGT activity could occur at a level downstream of canonical MAP3Ks or through non-canonical pathways.

Prolonging photoperiod promotes testosterone synthesis of Leydig cells by directly targeting local melatonin system in rooster testes

The study investigated the effects of prolonging photoperiod on the synthesis of testosterone and melatonin in roosters, and the effect of melatonin on testosterone synthesis in rooster Leydig cells as well as its molecular mechanisms. We randomly divided one hundred and twenty 20-week-old roosters into three groups and provided 6, 12.5 and 16 h light, respectively. The results showed that prolonging photoperiod promoted testosterone synthesis, decreased melatonin production, and inhibited the expression of melatonin membrane receptors MEL1A, MEL1B, MEL1C, and aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) in rooster testes. Subsequently, rooster Leydig cells were isolated and treated with 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL melatonin for 36 h. The results suggested that melatonin inhibited testosterone synthesis in rooster Leydig cells, and silencing MEL1A and MEL1B relieved the inhibition of melatonin on testosterone synthesis. Additionally, melatonin reduced the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level and the phosphorylation level of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), and CREB overexpression alleviated the inhibition of melatonin on testosterone synthesis. Furthermore, pretreatment with cAMP activator forskolin or protein kinase A (PKA) activator 8-bromo-cAMP blocked the inhibition of melatonin on CREB phosphorylation and testosterone synthesis. These results indicated that prolonging photoperiod promoted testosterone synthesis associated with the decrease in melatonin production and membrane receptors and biosynthetic enzyme of melatonin in rooster testes, and melatonin inhibited testosterone synthesis of rooster Leydig cells by inhibiting the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway via MEL1A and MEL1B. This may be evidence that prolonging photoperiod could promote testosterone synthesis through the inhibition of the local melatonin pathway in rooster testes.