Correlation between DNA methylation and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells

Yan‑Li Li,Xi‑Qian Xing,Yi Xiao,Yan‑Hong Liu,Yu‑Shan Zhou,Min Zhuang,Chao‑Qian Li 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.12

Background: The overexpression of TSLP and DNA methylation in asthma were both risk factors the relationship was not clear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylation status of TSLP promoter and mRNA/protein expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into: Control group, treated with PBS, model group, sensitized with LPS (10 μg/mL) for 12 h (37 °C, 5% CO2). Other groups were cultured with the pCMV3 plasmid (M + NC/pCMV), pGPH1 plasmid (M + NC/pGPH), DNMT1/pCMV3 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pCMV), and DNMT1/pGPH1 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pGPH) for 48 h. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 and TSLP were measured using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, TSLP mRNA (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1, P < 0.001) and protein (1.07 ± 0.04 vs. 1.46 ± 0.11, P < 0.01) were significantly greater, and the methylation of promoter was lower (92.75 ± 1.26 vs. 58.57 ± 3.34, P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, TSLP mRNA (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1.17 ± 0.10, P < 0.001) decreased, but TSLP promoter methylation increased (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 92.58 ± 7.30, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pCMV. TSLP mRNA and protein were higher (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 5.32 ± 0.21, P < 0.001; 1.46 ± 0.11 vs. 1.94 ± 0.11, respectively, P < 0.01), TSLP promoter methylation was lower (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 33.57 ± 4.29, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pGPH. Conclusions: Overexpression of TSLP in asthmatic airway epithelial cells may be regulated by DNA demethylation.

Investigation on Excitation Equivalence Technique for Thin-Walled Panel Based on Pseudo-excitation Method

Hong-wei Zhou,Qun Yan,Ding-wen Guo,Yan Wang 한국항공우주학회 2022 International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sc Vol.23 No.4

The new-generation high-speed fighter aircraft primarily utilizes the internal weapons bay structure. When the bay door opens, the level of acoustic load on the structure panel could reach more than 170 dB. As a result, the problem of sonic fatigue is evident in the internal structures of the weapon bay. Nowadays, when conducting ground test, an acoustic noise loading greater than 170 dB is difficult and uneconomic to apply because of limited noise generation ability. An equivalence technique based on the modal superimposition approach and a pseudo-excitation method has been developed to mimic the acoustic loading into an equivalent vibration excitation, and a procedure based on FEM code has been implemented. A single laminated plate structure and a typical built-up panel specimen from internal weapons bay were taken for validation. The results indicate that the response under the derived equivalent vibration excitation shows a good consistency with an error of less than 1% with that under the acoustic load in simulation, while with an error less than 10% in alternative vibration test.

Metastasis associated genomic aberrations in stage II rectal cancer

Hong Zhao,Zhi-Zhou Shi,Rui Jiang,Dong-Bing Zhao,Hai-Tao Zhou,Jian-Wei Liang,Xin-Yu Bi,Jian-Jun Zhao,Zhi-Yu Li,Jian-Guo Zhou,Zhen Huang,Ye-Fan Zhang,Jian Wang,Xin Xu,Yan Cai,Ming-Rong Wang,Yu Zhang 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.11

Genomic aberrations of rectal carcinoma, especially DNA copy number changes associated with metastasis were largely unclear. We aim to identify the metastasis associated biomarkers in stage II rectal cancer. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues of stage II rectal carcinoma were analyzed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization, and genomic aberrations were identified by Genomic Workbench and SAM software. Copy number changes and mRNA expressions were validated by Real-time PCR in an independent rectal cancer samples. The results showed that the most frequent gains in stage II rectal cancer were at 1q21.2-q23.1, 3p21.31, 11q12.2-q23.3, 12q24.11-q24.31, 12q13.11-q14.1 and losses in 18q11.2-q23, 17q21.33-q22, 13q31.1-q31.3, 21q21.1-q21.3, 8p23.3-p23.1 and 4q22.1-q23. Twenty-two amplifications and five homozygous deletions were also identified. We further found that S100A1 (1q21.3-q23.1), MCM7 (7q22.1) and JUND (19p13.11) were amplified and overexpressed in stage II rectal cancer. Interestingly, the genomic aberrations affected 14 signaling pathways including VEGF signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism. Most importantly, loss of 13q31.1-q34 and gain of 1q44 were associated with distant metastasis. Our results indicated that these metastasis associated genomic changes may be useful to reveal the pathogenesis of rectal cancer metastasis and identify candidate biomarkers.

LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and hypertriglycer-idemia: a meta-analysis involving 1,640 subjects

( Yan-yan Li ),( Yan-hong Zhou ),( Ge Gong ),( Hong-yu Geng ),( Xin-xing Yang ),( Xiang-ming Wang ),( Chuan-wei Zhou ),( Jian Xu ),( Yun Qian ) 대한내과학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.32 No.6

Background/Aims: Although lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene Pvu II polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia (HT), there is no clear consensus within the scientific community. Methods: A meta-analysis of 1,640 subjects from six individual studies was conducted to better elucidate the potential relationship between the LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated by using fixed effect models. Results: Our analysis indicated a significant association between LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population under allelic (OR, 1.550; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.830; p = 1.158 × 10^-7), recessive (OR, 0.540; 95% CI, 0.390 to 0.750; p = 0.0002), dominant (OR, 1.889; 95% CI, 1.501 to 2.377; p = 5.960 × 10^-8), homozygous (OR, 2.167; 95% CI, 1.531 to 3.067; p = 1.242 × 10^-5), heterozygous (OR, 1.810; 95% CI, 1.419 to 2.309; p = 1.842 × 10^-6), and additive genetic models (OR, 1.553; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.828; p = 1.158 × 10^-7). Conclusions: Because LPL gene Pvu II restriction fragment length polymorphism polymorphism was associated with an elevated risk of HT, the P+ allele carriers of the LPL gene might be predisposed to HT.

Glutathione S-transferase M1 Null Genotype and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility in China and India: Evidence from an Updated Meta-analysis

Liu, Hong-Zhou,Peng, Jie,Peng, Chun-Yan,Yan, Ming,Zheng, Fang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

Background: Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) have been reported to be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the effect of the GSTMl null genotype was divergent in the literature and we therefore performed the present meta-analysis to explore the relationship in detail. Materials and Metbods: Reported studies were searched from 1990 to March 1, 2014 in PubMed and Wanfang Med Online. The total odds oatio (OR) and 95% CI were calculated and analyzed by Review Manager 5.1 and STATE 12. Results: Total OR was calculated from 26 articles with 3,769 cases and 5,517 controls and the association proved significant (OR [95%CI]=1.50 [1.25, 1.80], P<0.05) in the Chinese population. However, there was no significant association between hepatocellular carcinoma risk among subjects carrying the GSTM1 null genotype (OR [95%CI]=1.20 [0.88-1.64], P=0.24) in subgroups of publication in English and in Indian populations (OR [95%CI]=1.80 [0.80-4.20], P=0.15). Conclusions: The GSTM1 deletion polymorphism might not have a significant effect on the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma overall.

Increasing Demeclocycline Production in Streptomyces aureofaciens by Manipulating the Expression of a Novel SARP Family Regulator and Its Genes

Yan-Ying Tan,Guang-Yao Zhu,Rui-Fang Ye,Hong-Zhou Zhang,De-Yu Zhu 한국생물공학회 2021 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.26 No.6

Demeclocycline (DMCTC), a tetracycline derivative antibiotic produced by Streptomyces aureofaciens, has attracted attention owing to its high bioavailability, prolonged maintenance of a therapeutic concentration, and greater efficacy against many infectious microorganisms. However, the productivity of the DMCTC-producing strains has remained low. Thus, it is necessary to identify gene-knockout or amplification targets to increase DMCTC production. Here, we demonstrated that ctcB, which encodes a Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory protein (SARP), and ctcC, which encodes a resistance gene, positively regulate the biosynthesis of DMCTC in S. aureofaciens strain DT1. In particular, overexpression of the ctcB gene in S. aureofaciens DT1 significantly enhanced DMCTC production, resulting in increased expression of ctcG, ctcN, ctcQ, ctcH, ctcV, and ctcC. The deletion of ctcB dramatically reduced the DMCTC level, implying that CtcB is an activator of DMCTC biosynthesis. Although overexpression of the ctcC, which encodes a ribosomal protection protein, enhancing DMCTC biosynthesis in S. aureofaciens DT1, the improvement was limited compared with that achieved by ctcB overexpression. This is the first study to identify the role of ctcB and ctcC in DMCTC accumulation; these genes may also be ideal candidate targets for facilitating DMCTC production by other Streptomyces strains.

Analysis of Free Amino Acids during Fermentation by Bacillus subtilis Using Capillary Electrophoresis

Yanli Ren,Jinyan Zhou,Xiaoyong Zhang,Zhidong Li,Juan Zhong,Jie Yang,Tan Xu,Hong Tan 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.6

A high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) method was presented to identify and quantitate free amino acids during fermentation by Bacillus subtilis. Amino acids, pre-column derivatized with phenylisothicyanate,were separated and characterized by HPCE. In order to optimize separation conditions, the assay was developed by varying the β-cyclodextrin concentration and pH of the background electrolyte. A buffer system comprising 30 mM phosphate and 3 mM β-cyclodextrin at pH 7.0, voltage of 20 kV and detection wavelength of 254 nm showed the best results, with 17 out of 20phenylthioncarbamyl amino acids in a solution adequately separated. For quantification, p-aminobenzoic acid was added as an internal standard. Analysis of free amino acids in Bacillus subtilis culture medium using this method revealed good consistency with the values obtained using conventional ninhydrin-based amino acid analyzer. Four free amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, and tyrosine) concentration in an extracellular matrix during fermentation by Bacillus subtilis were mainly monitored using this method.

Comparative Study between ZOOMit and Conventional Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI for Assessing Parotid Gland Abnormalities in Patients with Early- or Mid-Stage Sjögren’s Syndrome

Zhou Qing-Qing,Zhang Wei,Yu Yu-Sheng,Li Hong-Yan,Wei Liang,Li Xue-Song,He Zhen-Zhen,Zhang Hong 대한영상의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.4

Objective: To compare the reproducibility and performance of quantitative metrics between ZOOMit and conventional intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of early- and mid-stage Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 52.0 ± 10.8 years; male:female, 2:20) with early- or mid-stage SS and 20 healthy controls (46.9 ± 14.6 years; male:female, 7:13) were prospectively enrolled in our study. ZOOMit IVIM and conventional IVIM MRI were performed simultaneously in all individuals using a 3T scanner. Quantitative IVIM parameters - including tissue diffusivity (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) - inter- and intra-observer reproducibility in measuring these parameters, and their ability to distinguish patients with SS from healthy individuals were assessed and compared between ZOOMit IVIM and conventional IVIM methods, appropriately. MR gland nodular grade (MRG) was also examined. Results: Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was better with ZOOMit imaging than with conventional IVIM imaging (ZOOMit vs. conventional, intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.897–0.941 vs. 0.667–0.782 for inter-observer reproducibility and 0.891–0.968 vs. 0.814–0.853 for intra-observer reproducibility). Significant differences in ZOOMit f, ZOOMit D*, conventional D*, and MRG between patients with SS and healthy individuals (all p < 0.05) were observed. ZOOMit D* outperformed conventional D* in diagnosing early- and mid-stage SS (area under receiver operating curve, 0.867 and 0.658, respectively; p = 0.002). The combination of ZOOMit D*, MRG, and ZOOMit f as a new diagnostic index for SS, increased diagnostic area under the curve to 0.961, which was higher than that of any single parameter (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Considering its better reproducibility and performance, ZOOMit IVIM may be preferred over conventional IVIM MRI, and may subsequently improve the ability to diagnose early- and mid-stage SS.

Gambogenic Acid Induction of Apoptosis in a Breast Cancer Cell Line

Zhou, Jing,Luo, Yan-Hong,Wang, Ji-Rong,Lu, Bin-Bin,Wang, Ke-Ming,Tian, Ye Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: Gambogenic acid is a major active compound of gamboge which exudes from the Garcinia hanburyi tree. Gambogenic acid anti-cancer activity in vitro has been reported in several studies, including an A549 nude mouse model. However, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Methods: We used nude mouse models to detect the effect of gambogenic acid on breast tumors, analyzing expression of apoptosis-related proteins in vivo by Western blotting. Effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by MTT, flow cytometry and Western blotting. Inhibitors of caspase-3,-8,-9 were also used to detect effects on caspase family members. Results: We found that gambogenic acid suppressed breast tumor growth in vivo, in association with increased expression of Fas and cleaved caspase-3,-8,-9 and bax, as well as decrease in the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. Gambogenic acid inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our observations suggested that Gambogenic acid suppressed breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell growth by mediating apoptosis through death receptor and mitochondrial pathways in vivo and in vitro.

2,3,5,4’-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside modulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells injury under oxidative stress

Yan Guo,Wenxue Fan,Shuyu Cao,Yuefeng Xie,Jiancong Hong,Huifen Zhou,Haitong Wan,Bo Jin 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.6

Endothelial cell injury is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. The 2,3,5,4’-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside (TSG) contributes to alleviate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury through mechanisms still know a little. This study aims to clarify the TSG effects on gene expression (mRNA and microRNA) related to oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by H₂O₂ in HUVECs. We found that TSG significantly reduced the death rate of cells and increased intracellular superoxide dismutase activity. At qRT-PCR, experimental data showed that TSG significantly counteracted the expressions of miR-9-5p, miR-16, miR-21, miR-29b, miR-145-5p, and miR-204-5p. Besides, TSG prevented the expression of ATF6 and CHOP increasing. In contrast, TSG promoted the expression of E2F1. In conclusion, our results point to the obvious protective effect of TSG on HUVECs injury induced by H₂O₂, and the mechanism may through miR16/ATF6/ E2F1 signaling pathway.