Exosomal miR-125a-5p regulates T lymphocyte subsets to promote silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis by targeting TRAF6

Silicosis caused by long-term inhalation of crystalline silica during occupational activities seriously threatens the health of occupational populations. Imbalances in T helper 1(Th1), Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) promote the development of pulmonary silicosis. Exosomes and their contents, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), represent a new type of intercellular signal transmission mediator related to various diseases including pulmonary fibrosis. However, whether exosomal miRNAs can affect the progression of silicosis by regulating T cell differentiation remains to be determined. To test this hypothesis, we established a miR-125a-5p antagomir mouse model and examined changes in miR-125a-5p levels and T cell subtypes. We found that miR-125a-5p levels were increased in lung tissues and serum exosomes in the silica group at 7 days and 28 days. Downregulation of miR-125a-5p attenuated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin, p-p65, and p-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) kinase (IKK) protein expression, while tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and p-inhibitor of κBα (IKBα) expression were increased. MiR-125a-5p anta-miR treatment contributes to the maintenance of Th1/Th2 balance during the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Our findings indicated that knockdown miR-125a-5p could regulate T lymphocyte subsets and significantly reduce pulmonary fibrosis by targeting TRAF6

Comparison of Dosimetric Gains Provided by Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy, Volume-Modulated Arc Therapy, and Helical Tomotherapy for High-Grade Glioma

Purpose. Because of the poor prognosis for high-grade glioma (HGG) patients, it is important to increase the dose of the tumor to improve the efficacy while minimizing the dose of organs at risk (OARs). Thus, we evaluated the potential dosimetric gains of helical tomotherapy (HT) versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for high-grade glioma (HGG). Methods. A total of 42 HGG patients were retrospectively selected who had undergone helical tomotherapy; then, IMRT and VMAT plans were generated and optimized for comparison after contouring crucial neuronal structures for neurogenesis and neurocognitive function. IMRT and VMAT were optimized with the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) (Version 11.0.31) and HT using TomoTherapy Hi-Art Software (Version 2.0.7) (Accuray, Madison, WI, USA). All three techniques were optimized for simultaneously delivering 60 Gy to planning target volume (PTV) 1 and 50-54 Gy to PTV2. We also analyzed the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of PTVs and organ at risk (OAR) sparing. Results. There was no significant difference in the PTV coverage among IMRT, VMAT, or HT. As for the HI, HT plans (PTV1 HI: 0.09±0.03, PTV2 HI: 0.17±0.05) had the best homogeneity when compared to IMRT plans (PTV1 HI: 0.10±0.04, PTV2 HI: 0.18±0.04) and VMAT plans (PTV1 HI: 0.11±0.03, PTV2 HI: 0.20±0.03). The CI value of HT (PTV1 CI: 0.98±0.03, PTV2: 0.98±0.05) was closest to the optimal value. Except for the IMRT and VMAT groups, there were statistically significant differences between the other two groups of the CI values in both PTV1 and PTV2. The other comparison values were statistically significant except for the optic nerve, and VMAT had the best sparing of the optic chiasm. The mean and max doses of OARs declined significantly in HT. Conclusions. For high-grade glioma patients, HT had superior outcomes in terms of PTV coverage and OAR sparing as compared with IMRT/VMAT

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

non present