ZNF488 Enhances the Invasion and Tumorigenesis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Via the Wnt Signaling Pathway Involving Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Dan Zong,Li Yin,Qian Zhong,Wen-jie Guo,Jian-hua Xu,Ning Jiang,Zhi-rui Lin,Man-zhi Li,Ping Han,Lin Xu,Xia He,Mu-sheng Zeng 대한암학회 2016 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.48 No.1

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of Zinc finger protein 488 (ZNF488) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods The endogenous expression of ZNF488 in NPC tissues, normal nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues and NPC cell lines were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ZNF488 over-expressing and knock-down NPC cell line models were estab- lished through retroviral vector pMSCV mediated over-expression and small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated knock-down. The invasion and migration capacities were evaluated by wound healing and transwell invasion assays in ZNF488 over-expressing and control cell lines. Soft-agar colony formation and a xenograft experiment were performed to study tumorigenic ability in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis were used to examine protein changes followed by ZNF488 over-expression. Microarray analysis was performed to explore gene expression profilings, while luciferase reporter assay to evaluate the transcriptive activity of Tcf/Lef. Results ZNF488 was over-expressed in NPC tissues compared with normal tissues, especially higher in 5-8F and S18, which are well-established high metastatic NPC clones. Functional studies indicate that over-expression of ZNF488 provokes invasion, whereas knock-down of ZNF488 alleviates invasive capability. Moreover, over-expression of ZNF488 promotes NPC tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Our data further show that over-expression of ZNF488 induces epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating the WNT/β -catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion Our data strongly suggest that ZNF488 acts as an oncogene, promoting invasion and tumorigenesis by activating the Wnt/β -catenin pathway to induce EMT in NPC.

Utrecht Interstitial Applicator Shifts and DVH Parameter Changes in 3D CT-based HDR Brachytherapy of Cervical Cancer

Shi, Dan,He, Ming-Yuan,Zhao, Zhi-Peng,Wu, Ning,Zhao, Hong-Fu,Xu, Zhi-Jian,Cheng, Guang-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: For brachytherapy of cervical cancer, applicator shifts can not be avoided. The present investigation concerned Utrecht interstitial applicator shifts and their effects on organ movement and DVH parameters during 3D CT-based HDR brachytherapy of cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: After the applicator being implanted, CT imaging was achieved for oncologist contouring CTVhr, CTVir, and OAR, including bladder, rectum, sigmoid colon and small intestines. After the treatment, CT imaging was repeated to determine applicator shifts and OARs movements. Two CT images were matched by pelvic structures. In both imaging results, we defined the tandem by the tip and the base as the marker point, and evaluated applicator shift, including X, Y and Z. Based on the repeated CT imaging, oncologist contoured the target volume and OARs again. We combined the treatment plan with the repeated CT imaging and evaluated the change range for the doses of CTVhr D90, D2cc of OARs. Results: The average applicator shift was -0.16 mm to 0.10 mm for X, 1.49 mm to 2.14 mm for Y, and 1.9 mm to 2.3 mm for Z. The change of average physical doses and EQD2 values in Gy${\alpha}/{\beta}$ range for CTVhr D90 decreased by 2.55 % and 3.5 %, bladder D2cc decreased by 5.94 % and 8.77 %, rectum D2cc decreased by 2.94 % and 4 %, sigmoid colon D2cc decreased by 3.38 % and 3.72 %, and small intestines D2cc increased by 3.72 % and 10.94 %. Conclusions: Applicator shifts and DVH parameter changes induced the total dose inaccurately and could not be ignored. The doses of target volume and OARs varied inevitably.

Mitochondrial NDUFA4L2 attenuates the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells induced by oxidative stress via the inhibition of mitophagy

Wen-Ning Xu,Huo-Liang Zheng,Run-Ze Yang,Tao Liu,Wei Yu,Xin-Feng Zheng,Bo Li,Sheng-Dan Jiang,Lei-Sheng Jiang 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

The main pathological mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the programmed apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Oxidative stress is a significant cause of IVDD. Whether mitophagy is induced by strong oxidative stress in IVDD remains to be determined. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and mitophagy and to better understand the mechanism of IVDD in vivo and in vitro. To this end, we obtained primary NP cells from the human NP and subsequently exposed them to TBHP. We observed that oxidative stress induced mitophagy to cause apoptosis in NP cells, and we suppressed mitophagy and found that NP cells were protected against apoptosis. Interestingly, TBHP resulted in mitophagy through the inhibition of the HIF-1α/NDUFA4L2 pathway. Therefore, the upregulation of mitochondrial NDUFA4L2 restricted mitophagy induced by oxidative stress. Furthermore, the expression levels of HIF-1α and NDUFA4L2 were decreased in human IVDD. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that the upregulation of NDUFA4L2 ameliorated the apoptosis of NP cells by repressing excessive mitophagy, which ultimately alleviated IVDD. These findings show for the first time that NDUFA4L2 and mitophagy may be potential therapeutic targets for IVDD.

RASSF1A Gene Methylation is Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Risk in Chinese

Wu, Kun,Xu, Xiao-Ning,Chen, Yu,Pu, Xiao-Lin,Wang, Bo-Yuan,Tang, Xiao-Dan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

In order to explore the association between RASSF1A methylation and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk of Chinese, we carried out a meta-analysis with searches of PubMed, Web of Science, ProQest and Medline databases. Ultimately, 14 articles were identified and analysised using R Software (R version 3.1.2) including meta packages. Overall, we found a significant relationship between RASSF1A methylation and NPC risk (OR 30.7; 95 % CI, 16.71~56.23; z=11.0591; p<0.0001) in a fixed effects model and (OR 32.1; 95% CI, 14.27~72.01; z=8.3984; p<0.0001) in a random effects model pooled. In tissue and NP brushings groups, similar results were found. Hence, our study identified a strong association between RASSF1A methylation and NPC and highlighted a promising potential for RASSF1A methylation in NPC risk prediction of Chinese.

Contributed Mini Review : Role of Wnt signaling in fracture healing

( Hui Yun Xu ),( Jing Duan ),( Dan Dan Ning ),( Jing Bao Li ),( Ruo Fei Liu ),( Rui Xin Yang ),( Jean X Jiang ),( Peng Shang ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2014 BMB Reports Vol.47 No.12

The Wnt signaling pathway is well known to play major roles in skeletal development and homeostasis. In certain aspects, fracture repair mimics the process of bone embryonic development. Thus, the importance of Wnt signaling in fracture healing has become more apparent in recent years. Here, we summarize recent research progress in the area, which may be conducive to the development of Wnt-based therapeutic strategies for bone repair.

Humidity and Temperature Response Characteristics of Optical Fiber Dislocation Fusion Sensor Coated with Graphene Quantum Dots

Dai Lin Li,Xiao Dan Yu,Ning Wang,Wenting Liu,Shiqi Liu,Liang Xu,Dong Fang,Huapeng Yu 한국광학회 2023 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.7 No.5

An optical fiber dislocation fusion humidity sensor coated with graphene quantum dots is investigated. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer is fabricated with three dislocated single-mode fibers with graphene quantum dots coating humidity-sensitive materials. Humidity response experiments showed a good linear response and high sensitivity with easy fabrication and low-cost materials. From 22% to 98% RH, the humidity response sensitivity of the sensor is 0.24 dB/% RH, with 0.9825 linearity. To investigate the cross-response of humidity and temperature, temperature response experiments are conducted. From30 ℃ to 70 ℃, the results showed 0.02 dB/℃ sensitivity and 0.9824 linearity. The humidity responseexperimental curve is compared with the temperature experimental curve. The big difference between humidity sensitivity and temperature sensitivity is very helpful to solve the cross-response of humidity and temperature. The influence of temperature fluctuations in humidity measurements is not obvious.

Polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz Enhances Cytokine Secretion by Stimulating the TLR4–MyD88–NF-κB Signaling Pathway in the Mouse Spleen

Bing-Xin Li,Wan-Yan Li,Yun-Bo Tian,Si-Xuan Guo,Yun-Mao Huang,Dan-Ning Xu,Nan Cao 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.9

Polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (PAMK) has been reported to have beneficial effects on regulation of immune responses in mammals and poultry. Nonetheless, the immunoregulatory mechanism of action of PAMK remains unclear. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling cascade has been proved as a classic polysaccharide-regulated pathway. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of PAMK on the TLR4 signaling pathway in the regulation of spleen function in mice. Ninety-six 5-week-old BALB/c female mice were randomly allocated into four groups with three replicates per group and eight mice per replicate in a single-factor completely randomized experimental design. The control group was fed a basic diet (PAMK free); the other three groups were fed 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg PAMK for 28 days. The spleen index, concentrations of cytokines, and mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to TLR4 signaling were determined in spleen tissue. Compared with the control group, the spleen index significantly increased in all treatment groups. Concentrations of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, interferon γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the medium-PAMK group also increased significantly. PAMK in the medium-PAMK group significantly increased both mRNA and protein expression of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), TRAF3, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the spleen. In conclusion, PAMK may increase immune-response capacity of the spleen in mice via TLR4–MyD88–NF-κB signaling.