Dysfunction of Shh signaling activates autophagy to inhibit trophoblast motility in recurrent miscarriage

Pan Yibin,Yan Lili,Chen Qiaoqiao,Wei Cheng,Dai Yongdong,Tong Xiaomei,Zhu Haiyan,Lu Meifei,Zhang Yanling,Jin Xiaoying,Zhang Tai,Lin Xiaona,Zhou Feng,Zhang Songying 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

In early pregnancy, the placenta anchors the conceptus and supports embryonic development and survival. This study aimed to investigate the underlying functions of Shh signaling in recurrent miscarriage (RM), a serious disorder of pregnancy. In the present study, Shh and Gli2 were mainly observed in cytotrophoblasts (CTBs), Ptch was mainly observed in syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), and Smo and Gli3 were expressed in both CTBs and STBs. Shh signaling was significantly impaired in human placenta tissue from recurrent miscarriage patients compared to that of gestational age-matched normal controls. VEGF-A and CD31 protein levels were also significantly decreased in recurrent miscarriage patients. Furthermore, inhibition of Shh signaling impaired the motility of JAR cells by regulating the expression of Gli2 and Gli3. Intriguingly, inhibition of Shh signaling also triggered autophagy and autolysosome accumulation. Additionally, knockdown of BECN1 reversed Gant61-induced motility inhibition. In conclusion, our results showed that dysfunction of Shh signaling activated autophagy to inhibit trophoblast motility, which suggests the Shh pathway and autophagy as potential targets for RM therapy.

Leaky Gut in IBD: Intestinal Barrier–Gut Microbiota Interaction

Yu Shunying,Sun Yibin,Shao Xinyu,Zhou Yuqing,Yu Yang,Kuai Xiaoyi,Zhou Chunli 한국미생물·생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.7

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global disease that is in increasing incidence. The gut, which contains the largest amount of lymphoid tissue in the human body, as well as a wide range of nervous system components, is integral in ensuring intestinal homeostasis and function. By interacting with gut microbiota, immune cells, and the enteric nervous system, the intestinal barrier, which is a solid barrier, protects the intestinal tract from the external environment, thereby maintaining homeostasis throughout the body. Destruction of the intestinal barrier is referred to as developing a “leaky gut,” which causes a series of changes relating to the occurrence of IBD. Changes in the interactions between the intestinal barrier and gut microbiota are particularly crucial in the development of IBD. Exploring the leaky gut and its interaction with the gut microbiota, immune cells, and the neuroimmune system may help further explain the pathogenesis of IBD and provide potential therapeutic methods for future use.

Recent Advances in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sang-Eun Lee,Christopher Nguyen,Yibin Xie,Zixin Deng,Zhengwei Zhou,Debiao Li,장혁재 대한심장학회 2019 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.49 No.2

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provides accurate anatomic information and advanced soft contrast, making it the reference standard for assessing cardiac volumes and systolic function. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in CMR sequences. New technical development has widened the use of CMR imaging beyond the simple characterization of myocardial scars and assessment of contractility. These novel CMR sequences offer comprehensive assessments of coronary plaque characterization, myocardial fiber orientation, and even metabolic activity, and they can be readily applied in clinical settings. CMR imaging is able to provide new insights into understanding the pathophysiologic process of underlying cardiac disease, and it can help physicians choose the best treatment strategies. Although several limitations, including the high cost and time-consuming process, have limited the widespread clinical use of CMR imaging so far, recent advances in software and hardware technologies have made the future more promising.

Genome-wide association study for loin muscle area of commercial crossbred pigs

Luan Menghao,Ruan Donglin,Qiu Yibin,Ye Yong,Zhou Shenping,Yang Jifei,Sun Ying,Ma Fucai,Wu Zhenfang,Yang Jie,Yang Ming,Zheng Enqin,Cai Gengyuan,Huang Sixiu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.6

Objective: Loin muscle area (LMA) is an important target trait of pig breeding. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with LMA in the Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire) crossbred pigs (DLY). Methods: A genome-wide association study was performed using the Illumina 50K chip to map the genetic marker and genes associated with LMA in 511 DLY pigs (255 boars and 256 sows). Results: After quality control, we detected 35,426 SNPs, including six SNPs significantly associated with LMA in pigs, with MARC0094338 and ASGA0072817 being the two key SNPs responsible for 1.77% and 2.48% of the phenotypic variance of LMA, respectively. Based on previous research, we determined two candidate genes (growth hormone receptor [GHR] and 3-oxoacid Co A-transferase 1 [OXCT1]) that are associated with fat deposition and muscle growth and found further additional genes (MYOCD, ARHGAP44, ELAC2, MAP2K4, FBXO4, FBLL1, RARS1, SLIT3, and RANK3) that are presumed to have an effect on LMA. Conclusion: This study contributes to the identification of the mutation that underlies quantitative trait loci associated with LMA and to future pig breeding programs based on marker-assisted selection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of the identified candidate genes in the physiological processes involved in LMA regulation.

Superfine wheat bran improves the hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic properties in a high-fat rat model

Shahid Ahmed Junejo,Huihui Geng,Songnan Li,Ajeet Kumar Kaka,Alam Rashid,Yibin Zhou 한국식품과학회 2020 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.29 No.4

Wheat bran (WB) is an abundant source of fiber, promoting the health for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastrointestinal disorders. However, the role of superfine-WB in improving the obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia needs to be revealed. The superfine- WB (low and high treatments) was studied on body-weight, blood sugar, serum, and liver lipids in a high-fat rat model for 5-weeks. The high-fat diet substantially increased bodyweight, sugar levels, lipids, and malondialdehyde in serum and liver. In contrast, the superfine-WB treatments reduced food and energy intake, postprandial glucose, body-weight, blood and liver cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, low-density lipoprotein, and increased the level of highdensity lipoprotein. Additionally, when the two different concentrations were compared, the maximum impact was exhibited by the superfine-WB containing high concentration. These results suggest that the superfine-WB significantly improves the hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and possibly also protecting against other acute, recurrent, or chronic diseases.

RhoGDI2 induced malignant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer cells via regulating Snail expression

Yi Bin,Hu You,Zhu Dongming,Yao Jun,Zhou Jian,Zhang Yi,He Zhilong,Zhang Lifeng,Zhang Zixiang,Yang Jian,Tang Yuchen,Huang Yujie,Li Dechun,Liu Qiuhua 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.5

Background: Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI2) has been shown to contribute to the aggressive phenotypes of human cancers, such as tumor metastasis and chemoresistance. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of RhoGDI2 on tumor progression and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: The expression of RhoGDI2 in pancreatic cancer cells was detected by Western blot analysis. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches were done to examine the malignant phenotypes of the RhoGDI2-expressing or RhoGDI2-depleting cells. The correlation between RhoGDI2 and Snail was also analyzed. Results: Differential expression of RhoGDI2 protein in pancreatic cancer cell lines was identified. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments showed that RhoGDI2 induced the malignant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer cells, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and gemcitabine (GEM) chemoresistance. The upregulation of RhoGDI2 stimulated the expression of Snail, resulting in the altered expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and mesenchymal marker Vimentin, which were characteristics of the tumorigenic activity of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The expression of RhoGDI2 and Snail was upregulated in clinical tumor samples, and higher expression of RhoGDI2 or Snail was significantly associated with poor patient survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Conclusion: The findings indicated that RhoGDI2 promoted GEM resistance and tumor progression in pancreatic cancer and that RhoGDI2 might be a potential therapeutic target in patients with PDAC.