131 research outputs found

    A ROP GTPase-Dependent Auxin Signaling Pathway Regulates the Subcellular Distribution of PIN2 in Arabidopsis Roots

    Get PDF
    SummaryPIN-FORMED (PIN) protein-mediated auxin polar transport is critically important for development, pattern formation, and morphogenesis in plants. Auxin has been implicated in the regulation of polar auxin transport by inhibiting PIN endocytosis [1, 2], but how auxin regulates this process is poorly understood. Our genetic screen identified the Arabidopsis SPIKE1 (SPK1) gene whose loss-of-function mutations increased lateral root density and retarded gravitropic responses, as do pin2 knockout mutations [3]. SPK1 belongs to the conserved DHR2-Dock family of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors [4–6]. The spk1 mutations induced PIN2 internalization that was not suppressed by auxin, as did the loss-of-function mutations for Rho-like GTPase from Plants 6 (ROP6)-GTPase or its effector RIC1. Furthermore, SPK1 was required for auxin induction of ROP6 activation. Our results have established a Rho GTPase-based auxin signaling pathway that maintains PIN2 polar distribution to the plasma membrane via inhibition of its internalization in Arabidopsis roots. Our findings provide new insights into signaling mechanisms that underlie the regulation of the dynamic trafficking of PINs required for long-distance auxin transport and that link auxin signaling to PIN-mediated pattern formation and morphogenesis

    Bioinformatics analysis of CUL2/4A/9 and its function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

    Get PDF
    Introduction: Several previous studies have shown that differential expression of cullin (CUL) family proteins may be involved in mediation of the signal transduction pathways associated with cancer. However, the function of CULs is still unclear in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Material and methods: We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, cBioPortal, Metascape, STRING, Cytoscape, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Kaplan-Meier plotter, and Tumor Immune System Interaction Database (TISIDB) to access the expression of CULs and the possible correlation with the tumourigenesis, development, prognosis, immunity, and transcriptional level of CULs in HNSCC. Furthermore, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect messenger ribonucleid acid (mRNA) levels in HNSCC tissues and cell samples. We also explored the cell proliferation and migration separately by CCK8 assay and wound healing assay. Results: The results showed that the expressions of CUL2/4A were upregulated and CUL9 was downregulated in HNSCC patients as compared with normal patients. CUL2/4A/9 were also linked to the clinicopathological features and overall survival of HNSCC in bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, we noticed that CUL2/4A/9 may take part in tumour-specific immune response by modulating the tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and immunomodulators. Lastly, we found that CUL2/4A/9 could promote cellular proliferation and migration. Conclusion: These results suggest that the transcriptional levels of CUL2/4A/9 were upregulated and these genes could affect proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells. Therefore, CUL2/4A/9 could potentially function as novel independent biomarkers in HNSCC patients

    Nitidine Chloride Alleviates Inflammation and Cellular Senescence in Murine Osteoarthritis Through Scavenging ROS

    Get PDF
    Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, representing a major source of disability, pain and socioeconomic burden. Yet the effective pharmaceutical treatments applied in the clinical works are merely symptomatic management with uncertainty around their long-term safety and efficacy, namely no drugs currently are capable of modulating the biological progression of OA. Here, we identified the potent anti-inflammatory as well as anti-oxidative properties of Nitidine Chloride (NitC), a bioactive phytochemical alkaloid extracted from natural herbs, in IL-1β-treated rat articular chondrocytes (RACs), LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 and rat osteoarthritic models in vivo. We demonstrated NitC remarkably inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators including COX2 and iNOS, suppressed the activation of MAPK and NF-κB cell signaling pathway and reduced the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) degrading enzymes including MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13 in IL-1β-treated RACs. Several emerging bioinformatics tools were performed to predict the underlying mechanism, the result of which indicated the potential reactive oxygen species (ROS) clearance potential of NitC. Further, NitC exhibited its anti-oxidative potential through ameliorating cellular senescence in IL-1β-treated RACs and decreasing NLRP3 inflammasomes activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 via scavenging ROS. Additionally, X-ray, micro-CT and other experiments in vivo demonstrated that intra-articular injection of NitC significantly alleviated the cartilage erosion, ECM degradation and subchondral alterations in OA progression. In conclusion, the present study reported the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of NitC in OA biological process, providing a promising therapeutic agent for OA management

    Education in inpatient children and young people’s mental health services

    Get PDF
    <p>As a chronic disease, osteoarthritis (OA) leads to the degradation of both cartilage and subchondral bone, its development being mediated by proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of specnuezhenide (SPN) in OA and its underlying mechanism were studied in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that SPN decreases the expression of cartilage matrix-degrading enzymes and the activation of NF-κB and wnt/β-catenin signaling, and increases chondrocyte-specific gene expression in IL-1β-induced inflammation in chondrocytes. Furthermore, SPN treatment prevents the degeneration of both cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat model of OA. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that SPN decreases interleukin-1β-induced inflammation in rat chondrocytes by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB and wnt/β-catenin pathways, and, thus, has therapeutic potential in the treatment of OA.</p

    Critical Role of Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 in Mediating the Activation of Renal Fibroblasts

    Get PDF
    ObjectiveTo explore the expression of cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) in ischemic renal fibrosis and the role of Cyr61 in mediating the activation of renal fibroblasts.Methods(1) The rat model of renal fibrosis was established after ischemia-reperfusion acute renal injury (IR-AKI). We detected the renal function by biochemical test, evaluated the fibrosis by Masson staining, and detected the expression of Cyr61 by western blotting. (2) Bioinformatics technique was adopted to analyze the expression of Cyr61 in activated renal fibroblasts. (3) Normal rat kidney fibroblast cells (NRK-49F cells) with over-expression of Cyr61 (Cyr61+) and low-expression of it (Cyr61--) were established by plasmid transfection. Then part of the cells were activated by TGF-β1 and NRK-49F cells were divided into control group, activated group, Cyr61+/Cyr61-- group and Cyr61+/Cyr61-- activated group. The expression of Cyr61 and fibrosis related factors (Col1α1, Col3α1, MMP9, and MMP13) were ascertained by PCR and western blotting. Cell proliferation was discovered by CCK8 method, cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the transcription of cell senescence related factors (P53, P21, Rb, and P16) were ascertained by PCR method.Results(1) In the process of fibrosis after IR-AKI, the area of collagen fiber was most obviously at AKI 1W, while the Cyr61 protein was at the lowest level at AKI 1W. (2) Gene chip analysis showed that the expression of Cyr61 was decreased in renal fibroblasts after IR. (3) Compared with control group, Cyr61+ group expressed less Col1α1 or Col3α1, as well as more MMP9 and MMP13. At the same time, the proliferation of Cyr61+ group decreased and cells in G1 phases increased with more transcription of P53, P21, and Rb (all P &lt; 0.05). Compared with activated group, the results of Cyr61+ activated group were similar to the above. The above effects of low expression group were just the opposite. In addition, there was no difference in the transcription of P16 among these groups (P &gt; 0.05).ConclusionCyr61 may not only inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of fibroblasts, but may also inhibit proliferation by promoting fibroblasts arrest in G1 phase through the P53/P21/Rb interrelated cell senescence pathway, subsequently affecting the process of ischemic renal fibrosis

    Ectopic tissue engineered ligament with silk collagen scaffold for ACL regeneration: A preliminary study

    Get PDF
    Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains a formidable clinical challenge because of the lack of vascularization and adequate cell numbers in the joint cavity. In this study, we developed a novel strategy to mimic the early stage of repair in vivo, which recapitulated extra-articular inflammatory response to facilitate the early ingrowth of blood vessels and cells. A vascularized ectopic tissue engineered ligament (ETEL) with silk collagen scaffold was developed and then transferred to reconstruct the ACL in rabbits without interruption of perfusion. At 2 weeks after ACL reconstruction, more well-perfused cells and vessels were found in the regenerated ACL with ETEL, which decreased dramatically at the 4 and 12 week time points with collagen deposition and maturation. ACL treated with ETEL exhibited more mature ligament structure and enhanced ligament-bone healing post-reconstructive surgery at 4 and 12 weeks, as compared with the control group. In addition, the ETEL group was demonstrated to have higher modulus and stiffness than the control group significantly at 12 weeks post-reconstructive surgery. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the ETEL can provide sufficient vascularity and cellularity during the early stages of healing, and subsequently promote ACL regeneration and ligament-bone healing, suggesting its clinic use as a promising therapeutic modality. Statement of Significance Early inflammatory cell infiltration, tissue and vessels ingrowth were significantly higher in the extra articular implanted scaffolds than theses in the joint cavity. By mimicking the early stages of wound repair, which provided extra-articular inflammatory stimulation to facilitate the early ingrowth of blood vessels and cells, a vascularized ectopic tissue engineered ligament (ETEL) with silk collagen scaffold was constructed by subcutaneous implantation for 2 weeks. The fully vascularized TE ligament was then transferred to rebuild ACL without blood perfusion interruption, and was demonstrated to exhibit improved ACL regeneration, bone tunnel healing and mechanical properties. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc

    Rac1 Is Required for Pathogenicity and Chm1-Dependent Conidiogenesis in Rice Fungal Pathogen Magnaporthe grisea

    Get PDF
    Rac1 is a small GTPase involved in actin cytoskeleton organization and polarized cell growth in many organisms. In this study, we investigate the biological function of MgRac1, a Rac1 homolog in Magnaporthe grisea. The Mgrac1 deletion mutants are defective in conidial production. Among the few conidia generated, they are malformed and defective in appressorial formation and consequently lose pathogenicity. Genetic complementation with native MgRac1 fully recovers all these defective phenotypes. Consistently, expression of a dominant negative allele of MgRac1 exhibits the same defect as the deletion mutants, while expression of a constitutively active allele of MgRac1 can induce abnormally large conidia with defects in infection-related growth. Furthermore, we show the interactions between MgRac1 and its effectors, including the PAK kinase Chm1 and NADPH oxidases (Nox1 and Nox2), by the yeast two-hybrid assay. While the Nox proteins are important for pathogenicity, the MgRac1-Chm1 interaction is responsible for conidiogenesis. A constitutively active chm1 mutant, in which the Rac1-binding PBD domain is removed, fully restores conidiation of the Mgrac1 deletion mutants, but these conidia do not develop appressoria normally and are not pathogenic to rice plants. Our data suggest that the MgRac1-Chm1 pathway is responsible for conidiogenesis, but additional pathways, including the Nox pathway, are necessary for appressorial formation and pathogenicity

    RNA interference in Lepidoptera: An overview of successful and unsuccessful studies and implications for experimental design

    Full text link
    • …
    corecore