MicroRNA-152-5p inhibits proliferation and migration and promotes apoptosis by regulating expression of Smad3 in human keloid fibroblasts

( Qianqian Pang ),( Yuming Wang ),( Mingyuan Xu ),( Jiachao Xu ),( Shengquan Xu ),( Yichen Shen ),( Jinghong Xu ),( Rui Lei ) 생화학분자생물학회 2019 BMB Reports Vol.52 No.3

Keloids are the most common pathological form of trauma healing, with features that seriously affect appearance and body function, are difficult to treat and have a high recurrence rate. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are involved in a variety of pathological processes and play an important role in the process of fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the function and regulatory network of miR-152-5p in keloids. The miRNA miR-152-5p is frequently downregulated in keloid tissue and primary cells compared to normal skin tissue and fibroblasts. In addition, the downregulation of miR-152-5p is significantly associated with the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of keloid cells. Overexpression of miR-152-5p significantly inhibits the progression of fibrosis in keloids. Smad3 is a direct target of miR-152-5p, and knockdown of Smad3 also inhibits fibrosis progression, consistent with the overexpression of miR-152-5p. The interaction between miR-152-5p and Smad3 occurs through the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways and regulates collagen3 production. In summary, our study demonstrates that miR-152-5p/Smad3 regulatory pathways involved in fibrotic progression may be a potential therapeutic target of keloids. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(3): 202-207]

Colonic Dysmotility in Murine Partial Colonic Obstruction Due to Functional Changes in Interstitial Cells

Qianqian Wang,Jingyu Zang,Xu Huang,Hongli Lu,Wenxie Xu,Jie Chen 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2019 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.25 No.4

Background/Aims Interstitial cells play important roles in gastrointestinal (GI) neuro-smooth muscle transmission. The underlying mechanisms of colonic dysmotility have not been well illustrated. We established a partial colon obstruction (PCO) mouse model to investigate the changes of interstitial cells and the correlation with colonic motility. Methods Western blot technique was employed to observe the protein expressions of Kit, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (Pdgfra), Ca2+-activated Cl− (Ano1) channels, and small conductance Ca2+- activated K+ (SK) channels. Colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) and isometric force measurements were employed in control mice and PCO mice. Results PCO mice showed distended abdomen and feces excretion was significantly reduced. Anatomically, the colon above the obstructive silicone ring was obviously dilated. Kit and Ano1 proteins in the colonic smooth muscle layer of the PCO colons were significantly decreased, while the expression of Pdgfra and SK3 proteins were significantly increased. The effects of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) and an Ano1 channel inhibitor (NPPB) on CMMC and colonic spontaneous contractions were decreased in the proximal and distal colons of PCO mice. The SK agonist, CyPPA and antagonist, apamin in PCO mice showed more effect to the CMMCs and colonic smooth muscle contractions. Conclusions Colonic transit disorder may be due to the downregulation of the Kit and Ano1 channels and the upregulation of SK3 channels in platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α positive (PDGFRα+) cells. The imbalance between interstitial cells of Cajal-Ano1 and PDGFRα-SK3 distribution might be a potential reason for the colonic dysmotility. Background/Aims Interstitial cells play important roles in gastrointestinal (GI) neuro-smooth muscle transmission. The underlying mechanisms of colonic dysmotility have not been well illustrated. We established a partial colon obstruction (PCO) mouse model to investigate the changes of interstitial cells and the correlation with colonic motility. Methods Western blot technique was employed to observe the protein expressions of Kit, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (Pdgfra), Ca2+-activated Cl− (Ano1) channels, and small conductance Ca2+- activated K+ (SK) channels. Colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) and isometric force measurements were employed in control mice and PCO mice. Results PCO mice showed distended abdomen and feces excretion was significantly reduced. Anatomically, the colon above the obstructive silicone ring was obviously dilated. Kit and Ano1 proteins in the colonic smooth muscle layer of the PCO colons were significantly decreased, while the expression of Pdgfra and SK3 proteins were significantly increased. The effects of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) and an Ano1 channel inhibitor (NPPB) on CMMC and colonic spontaneous contractions were decreased in the proximal and distal colons of PCO mice. The SK agonist, CyPPA and antagonist, apamin in PCO mice showed more effect to the CMMCs and colonic smooth muscle contractions. Conclusions Colonic transit disorder may be due to the downregulation of the Kit and Ano1 channels and the upregulation of SK3 channels in platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α positive (PDGFRα+) cells. The imbalance between interstitial cells of Cajal-Ano1 and PDGFRα-SK3 distribution might be a potential reason for the colonic dysmotility.

Experimental research on design wind loads of a large air-cooling structure

Xu Yazhou,Ren Qianqian,Bai Guoliang,Li Hongxing 한국풍공학회 2019 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.28 No.4

Because of the particularity and complexity of direct air-cooling structures (ACS), wind parameters given in the general load codes are not suitable for the wind-resistant design. In order to investigate the wind loads of ACS, two 1/150 scaled three-span models were designed and fabricated, corresponding to a rigid model and an aero-elastic model, and wind tunnel tests were then carried out. The model used for testing the wind pressure distribution of the ACS was defined as the rigid model in this paper, and the stiffness of which was higher than that of the aero-elastic model. By testing the rigid model, the wind pressure distribution of the ACS model was studied, the shape coefficients of “A” shaped frame and windbreak walls, and the gust factor of the windbreak walls were determined. Through testing the aero-elastic model, the wind-induced dynamic responses of the ACS model was studied, and the wind vibration coefficients of ACS were determined based on the experimental displacement responses. The factors including wind direction angle and rotation of fan were taken into account in this test. The results indicated that the influence of running fans could be ignored in the structural design of ACS, and the wind direction angle had a certain effect on the parameters. Moreover, the shielding effect of windbreak walls induced that wind loads of the “A” shaped frame were all suction. Subsequently, based on the design formula of wind loads in accordance with the Chinese load code, the corresponding parameters were presented as a reference for wind-resistant design and wind load calculation of air-cooling structures.

AbSte7, a MAPKK Gene of Alternaria brassicicola, Is Involved in Conidiation, Salt/Oxidative Stress, and Pathogenicity

Xu, Houjuan,Zhang, Qianqian,Cui, Wenjuan,Zhang, Xiaofei,Liu, Weiyang,Zhang, Li,Islam, Md. Nurul,Baek, Kwang-Hyun,Wang, Yujun The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnol 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.7

Alternaria brassicicola (Schwein.) invades Brassicaceae and causes black spot disease, significantly lowering productivity. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream kinases, including MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) and MAPKK kinases (MAPKKK), comprise one of the most important signaling pathways determining the pathogenicity of diverse plant pathogens. The AbSte7 gene in the genome of A. brassicicola was predicted to be a homolog of yeast Ste7, a MAPKK; therefore, the function was characterized by generating null mutant strains with a gene replacement method. AbSte7 replacement mutants (RMs) had a slower growth rate and altered colony morphology compared with the wild-type strain. Disruption of the AbSte7 gene resulted in defects in conidiation and melanin accumulation. AbSte7 was also involved in the resistance pathways in salt and oxidative stress, working to negatively regulate salt tolerance and positively regulate oxidative stress. Pathogenicity assays revealed that AbSte7 RMs could not infect intact cabbage leaves, but only formed very small lesions in wounded leaves, whereas typical lesions appeared on both intact and wounded leaves inoculated with the wild-type strain. As the first studied MAPKK in A. brassicicola, these data strongly suggest that the AbSte7 gene is an essential element for the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. brassicicola.

Molecular Dynamics Study of Polyisoprene-polystyrene Composites: Spatial Complementary Behaviour

Xu Liu,Shuai Leng,Qianqian Zhang,Yongbing Xue 한국고분자학회 2020 폴리머 Vol.44 No.6

Various additives have been applied to adjust the properties of rubber in the tire industry. As an important environmental waste, plastic is a potential additive to be added to rubber to blend aiming at forming abrasive and deformation resistance elastomers. However, the molecular details remain unclear, especially for their assembly structure. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we have studied the assembly structures and processes of polyisoprene and polystyrene complex, focusing on the spatial complementary behavior. The simulation results indicate that polyisoprene and polystyrene can form tight entangled structure. The polyisoprene can adjust their conformations to fill up the cavity generated from polystyrene self-aggregation. The formed cross-linked and spatial polystyrene complementary structures can improve the plasticity and abrasive resistance, which is superiority in tire design. Our results provide an important understanding of the rubber application and tire industry and give a possible idea to deal with abandoned plastics.

Effects of Exocellobiohydrolase CBHA on Fermentation of Tobacco Leaves

Xu Xueqin,Wang Qianqian,Yang Longyan,Chen Zhiyan,Zhou Yun,Feng Hui,Zhang Peng,Wang Jie 한국미생물·생명공학회 2024 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.34 No.8

The quality of tobacco is directly affected by macromolecular content, fermentation is an effective method to improve biochemical properties. In this study, we utilized CBHA (cellobiohydrolase A) glycosylase, which was expressed by Pichia pastoris, as an additive for fermentation. The contents of main chemical components of tobacco leaves after fermentation were determined, and the changes of microbial community structure and abundance in tobacco leaves during fermentation were analyzed. The relationship between chemical composition and changes in microbial composition was investigated, and the function of bacteria and fungi in fermentation was predicted to identify possible metabolic pathways. After 48 h of CBHA fermentation, the contents of starch, cellulose and total nitrogen in tobacco leaf decreased by 17.60%, 28.91% and 16.05%, respectively. The microbial community structure changed significantly, with Aspergillus abundance decreasing significantly, while Filobasidum, Cladosporium, Bullera, Komagataella, etc., increased in CBHA treated group. Soluble sugar was most affected by microbial community in tobacco leaves, which was negatively correlated with starch, cellulose and total nitrogen. During the fermentation process, the relative abundance of metabolism-related functional genes increased, and the expressions of cellulase and endopeptidase also increased. The results showed that the changes of bacterial community and dominant microbial community on tobacco leaves affected the content of chemical components in tobacco leaves, and adding CBHA for fermentation had a positive effect on improving the quality of tobacco leaves.

Study of SO2 oxidation over V2O5/activated carbon catalyst using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformation spectroscopy

Wenjing Xu,Zhanggen Huang,Qianqian Guo,Yaqin Hou,Xiaojin Han 한국화학공학회 2014 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.31 No.5

The SO2 oxidation over V2O5/AC catalyst was studied using an in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fouriertransformation spectroscopy technique at 120 oC. Results reveal that the surface oxygen groups could neither act asactive sites for SO2 oxidation nor supply the oxygen needed for VV↔VIV redox cycle. The vanadia species and gasphase oxygen are essential for SO2 oxidation. During SO2 oxidation over V2O5/AC, the surface hydroxyl groups involvein the formation of sulfate species. The role of water vapor in flue gas might be to supplement the hydroxyl groupsconsumed so that the SO2 oxidation could continue.

Study On the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Policy in Chinese Urban Cities

( Bijun Xu ),( Shanping Chen ),( Jun Tai ),( Qianqian Tao ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회 2011 ISWA Vol.2011 No.0

AbSte7, a MAPKK Gene of Alternaria brassicicola, Is Involved in Conidiation, Salt/Oxidative Stress, and Pathogenicity

( Houjuan Xu ),( Qianqian Zhang ),( Wenjuan Cui ),( Xiaofei Zhang ),( Weiyang Liu ),( Li Zhang ),( Md. Nurul Islam ),( Kwang-hyun Baek ),( Yujun Wang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.6

Alternaria brassicicola (Schwein.) invades Brassicaceae and causes black spot disease, significantly lowering productivity. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream kinases, including MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) and MAPKK kinases (MAPKKK), comprise one of the most important signaling pathways determining the pathogenicity of diverse plant pathogens. The AbSte7 gene in the genome of A. brassicicola was predicted to be a homolog of yeast Ste7, a MAPKK; therefore, the function was characterized by generating null mutant strains with a gene replacement method. AbSte7 replacement mutants (RMs) had a slower growth rate and altered colony morphology compared with the wild-type strain. Disruption of the AbSte7 gene resulted in defects in conidiation and melanin accumulation. AbSte7 was also involved in the resistance pathways in salt and oxidative stress, working to negatively regulate salt tolerance and positively regulate oxidative stress. Pathogenicity assays revealed that AbSte7 RMs could not infect intact cabbage leaves, but only formed very small lesions in wounded leaves, whereas typical lesions appeared on both intact and wounded leaves inoculated with the wild-type strain. As the first studied MAPKK in A. brassicicola, these data strongly suggest that the AbSte7 gene is an essential element for the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. brassicicola.

Synthesis, Structure and Thermal Properties of Bifurazano[3,4-b:3',4'-f]furoxano[3'',4''-d]oxacyclohetpatriene (BFFO)

Zhou, Yanshui,Xu, Kangzhen,Wang, Bozhou,Zhang, Hang,Qiu, Qianqian,Zhao, Fengqi Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.10

A novel energetic compound, bifurazano[3,4-b:3',4'-f]furoxano[3'',4''-d] oxacyclohetpatriene (BFFO), was synthesized through special etherification and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal of $BFFO{\cdot}H_2O$ is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c with crystal parameters of a = $9.324(4){\AA}$, b = $9.727(4){\AA}$, c = $10.391(4){\AA}$, ${\beta}=106.305(6)^{\circ}$, V = $904.5(6){\AA}^3$, Z = 4, ${\mu}=0.17mm^{-1}$, F(000) = 512 and $D_c=1.866g\;cm^{-3}$. Spectroscopic properties and thermal behaviors of BFFO were studied. BFFO presents good detonation properties.