The new and special phenotype of DC cells in AT of ND and HFD mice.

<p>(A) The DCs that infiltrated into AT are immature DCs. Multicolor FCM analyses were performed on single cell suspensions that were stained with specific mAb against FITC-CD11c and PE-CD40, CD80, CD86 MHCI and MHCII, cells were gated on the CD11c population. Numbers in histograms represent the geometric mean fluorescence of the gated cells. Open histograms indicate isotype control. (B) The ATDCs of HFD mice have the relatively stable phenotype with or without LPS stimulation. The ATDCs were incubated with or without LPS (100 ng/ml) stimulation at 37°C for 12 hours and stained with specific mAb against FITC-CD11c and PE-CD40, CD80, CD86, MHCI and MHCII. Numbers in histograms represent the geometric mean fluorescence of the gated CD11c cells. (C) The ATDCs of HFD mice have the relatively phagocytosis ability with or without LPS stimulation. The ATDCs were incubated with or without LPS stimulation and HcRed-expressed <i>E.coli</i> at 37°C for 4 hours. Data are representative of three independent experiments.</p

HFD mice AT expresses higher levers of ATDCs chemo-attractant CCL20 than ND mice.

<p>(A) mRNA levels of CCR6 were determined by RT-PCR method. mRNA levels of CCL20(B), MIP-1(C) and IL-8(D) were determined by qRT- PCR method on HFD mice AT and ND mice AT relative to β-actin. Data are presented as mean ± SD of 5 samples pooled from three independent experiments. Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. *<i>p</i><0.05, N.S no significance.</p

There are more DCs in HFD mice AT than ND mice AT.

<p>(A) CD11c⁺ DCs expression in HFD mice AT. CD11c⁺ DCs in HFD mice AT were analyzed using flow cytometry. And proportions of CD11c⁺ DC in the AT of HFD mice (n = 6) and ND mice (n = 6). (B) Morphology of DC-like cells in HFD mice AT under transmission electron microscope. (C) The CD11c⁺ DCs in HFD mice AT were negative for CD3 and B220. Open histograms indicate isotype control, numbers in histograms represent the geometric mean fluorescence. (D, E) The CD11c⁺ DCs in HFD mice AT are different from macrophages. (D) The phagocytosis ability of ATDCs and macrophages assessed by incubating with HcRed-expressed <i>E.coli</i> at 37°C for 4 hours. Numbers in histograms represent the geometric mean fluorescence. (E) The CD11c⁺ DCs and macrophages from HFD mice spleen or adipose tissues were stained with specific mAb against F4/80, cells were gated on the CD11c⁺ population, and numbers in histograms represent the geometric mean fluorescence of the gated cells. All data are shown as the mean ± SD of 6 samples pooled from three independent experiments. Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. ***<i>p</i><0.001.</p

Aberrant DNA Methylation: Implications in Racial Health Disparity

<div><p>Background</p><p>Incidence and mortality rates of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) are higher in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasian Americans (CAs). Deficient micronutrient intake due to dietary restrictions in racial/ethnic populations can alter genetic and molecular profiles leading to dysregulated methylation patterns and the inheritance of somatic to germline mutations.</p><p>Materials and Methods</p><p>Total DNA and RNA samples of paired tumor and adjacent normal colon tissues were prepared from AA and CA CRC specimens. Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS) and RNA sequencing were employed to evaluate total genome methylation of 5’-regulatory regions and dysregulation of gene expression, respectively. Robust analysis was conducted using a trimming-and-retrieving scheme for RRBS library mapping in conjunction with the BStool toolkit.</p><p>Results</p><p>DNA from the tumor of AA CRC patients, compared to adjacent normal tissues, contained 1,588 hypermethylated and 100 hypomethylated differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Whereas, 109 hypermethylated and 4 hypomethylated DMRs were observed in DNA from the tumor of CA CRC patients; representing a 14.6-fold and 25-fold change, respectively. Specifically; CHL1, 4 anti-inflammatory genes (i.e., NELL1, GDF1, ARHGEF4, and ITGA4), and 7 miRNAs (of which miR-9-3p and miR-124-3p have been implicated in CRC) were hypermethylated in DNA samples from AA patients with CRC. From the same sample set, RNAseq analysis revealed 108 downregulated genes (including 14 ribosomal proteins) and 34 upregulated genes (including POLR2B and CYP1B1 [targets of miR-124-3p]) in AA patients with CRC versus CA patients.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>DNA methylation profile and/or products of its downstream targets could serve as biomarker(s) addressing racial health disparity.</p></div

Ribosomal proteins are downregulated in AA CRC vs CA CRC.

<p>Ribosomal proteins are downregulated in AA CRC vs CA CRC.</p

Interplay between ATDCs and CD4⁺T cells.

<p>(A,B) 2×10⁵ ATDCs or SPDCs were isolated from HFD mice AT and SP by microbeads method and co-cultured them with 1×10⁶ CD4⁺T cells that isolated from 6-8 weeks old male C57BL/6 mice for 7 days. The single cell suspensions of the co-culture system which was in the presence or absence of anti-IL-6, anti-IL-23 or isotype IgG were stained with specific mAb against FITC-CD4 and PE-IL-17. And the multicolor FCM analyses were performed on the single cell suspensions. (C) The concentration of IL-17 in the supernatant were examined by ELISA method. Data are presented as mean ± SD of 3 samples pooled from three independent experiments. Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. **<i>p</i><0.01, *<i>p</i><0.05.</p

Higher level of Th17 cells were existed in obesity adipose tissues.

<p>(A) The CD4⁺T cells of HFD and ND mice AT were isolated by microbeads method and then incubated them with PMA and ionomycin at 37°C for 4 hours. mRNA levels of IL-17 in the HFD and ND mice AT were examined by qRT-PCR method. (B) mRNA levels of RORγt in the HFD and ND mice AT were examined by qRT-PCR method. Data are presented as mean ± SD of 3 samples pooled from three independent experiments. Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. **<i>p</i><0.01, *<i>p</i><0.05.</p

Annotated list of differentially downregulated genes in AA CRC compared to CA CRC, ranked by statistical significance.

<p>Annotated list of differentially downregulated genes in AA CRC compared to CA CRC, ranked by statistical significance.</p

Differently methylated miRNAs in AA and CA CRC specimens, ranked by statistical significance.

<p>Differently methylated miRNAs in AA and CA CRC specimens, ranked by statistical significance.</p

The ATDCs expressed higher levels of IL-6, TGF-β and IL-23 than SPDCs.

<p>The ATDCs and SPDCs of HFD mice were isolated by microbeads method, and then incubated them with PMA and ionomycin at 37°C for 4 hours. mRNA levels of IL-6, TGF-β, IL-23p19, IL-12p40 and IL-12p35 in the ATDCs and SPDCs were examined by qRT-PCR method. The concentration of IL-6, IL-23 in the supernatant were examined by ELISA method. Data are presented as mean ± SD of 6 samples pooled from three independent experiments. Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. **<i>p</i><0.01, *<i>p</i><0.05.</p