Objective:Osteoarthritis(OA)and sarcopenia are significant health concerns in the elderly,substantially impacting their daily activities and quality of life.However,the relationship between them remains poorly underst...Objective:Osteoarthritis(OA)and sarcopenia are significant health concerns in the elderly,substantially impacting their daily activities and quality of life.However,the relationship between them remains poorly understood.This study aims to uncover common biomarkers and pathways associated with both OA and sarcopenia.Methods:Gene expression profiles related to OA and sarcopenia were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between disease and control groups were identified using R software.Common DEGs were extracted via Venn diagram analysis.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were conducted to identify biological processes and pathways associated with shared DEGs.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were constructed,and candidate hub genes were ranked using the maximal clique centrality(MCC)algorithm.Further validation of hub gene expression was performed using 2 independent datasets.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of key genes for OA and sarcopenia.Mouse models of OA and sarcopenia were established.Hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O/Fast Green staining were used to validate the OA model.The sarcopenia model was validated via rotarod testing and quadriceps muscle mass measurement.Real-time reverse transcription PCR(real-time RT-PCR)was employed to assess the mRNA expression levels of candidate key genes in both models.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was conducted to identify pathways associated with the selected shared key genes in both diseases.Results:A total of 89 common DEGs were identified in the gene expression profiles of OA and sarcopenia,including 76 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes.These 89 DEGs were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption,the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction.PPI network analysis and MCC algorithm analysis of the 89 common DEGs identified the top 17 candidate hub genes.Based on the differential expression analysis of these 17 candidate hub genes in the validation datasets,AEBP1 and COL8A2 were ultimately selected as the common key genes for both diseases,both of which showed a significant upregulation trend in the disease groups(all P<0.05).The value of area under the curve(AUC)for AEBP1 and COL8A2 in the OA and sarcopenia datasets were all greater than 0.7,indicating that both genes have potential value in predicting OA and sarcopenia.Real-time RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of AEBP1 and COL8A2 were significantly upregulated in the disease groups(all P<0.05),consistent with the results observed in the bioinformatics analysis.GSEA revealed that AEBP1 and COL8A2 were closely related to extracellular matrix-receptor interaction,ribosome,and oxidative phosphorylation in OA and sarcopenia.Conclusion:AEBP1 and COL8A2 have the potential to serve as common biomarkers for OA and sarcopenia.The extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway may represent a potential target for the prevention and treatment of both OA and sarcopenia.展开更多
Objective:Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal ectasia disorder,arising from a myriad of causes including genetic predispositions,environmental factors,biomechanical influences,and inflammatory reactions.This study...Objective:Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal ectasia disorder,arising from a myriad of causes including genetic predispositions,environmental factors,biomechanical influences,and inflammatory reactions.This study aims to identify potential pathogenetic gene mutations in patients with sporadic KC in the Han Chinese population.Methods:Twenty-five patients with primary KC as well as 50 unrelated population matched healthy controls,were included in this study to identify potential pathogenic gene mutations among sporadic KC patients in the Han Chinese population.Sanger sequencing and whole-exome sequencing(WES)were used to analyze mutations in the zinc finger protein 469(ZNF469)gene.Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the potential role of ZNF469 in KC pathogenesis.Results:Five novel heterozygous missense variants were identified in KC patients.Among them,2 compound heterozygous variants,c.8986G>C(p.E2996Q)with c.11765A>C(p.D3922A),and c.4423C>G(p.L1475V)with c.10633G>A(p.G3545R),were determined to be possible pathogenic factors for KC.Conclusion:Mutations in the ZNF469 gene may contribute to the development of KC in the Han Chinese population.These mutation sites may provide valuable information for future genetic screening of KC patients and their families.展开更多
Objective To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress.Methods Twenty male SD rats were ra...Objective To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomized equally into control group and heat stress group.After exposure to 32℃for 2 weeks in the latter group,the rats were examined for histopathological changes and Bmal1 expression in the thoracic aorta using HE staining and immunohistochemistry.In the cell experiments,cultured rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells(RTAECs)were incubated at 40℃for 12 h with or without prior transfection with a Bmal1-specific small interfering RNA(si-Bmal1)or a negative sequence.In both rat thoracic aorta and RTAECs,the expressions of Bmal1,the cell cycle proteins CDK1,CDK4,CDK6,and cyclin B1,and apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis in rat thoracic aorta,and the changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in RTAECs were analyzed with flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control rats,the rats exposed to heat stress showed significantly increased blood pressures and lowered heart rate with elastic fiber disruption and increased expressions of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 in the thoracic aorta(P<0.05).In cultured RTAECs,heat stress caused significant increase of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 protein expression levels,which were obviously lowered in cells with prior si-Bmal1 transfection.Bmal1 knockdown also inhibited heat stress-induced increase of apoptosis in RTAECs as evidenced by decreased expression of Bax and increased expression of Bcl-2.Conclusion Heat stress upregulates Bmal1 expression and causes alterations in expressions of cyclins to trigger apoptosis of rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells,which can be partly alleviated by suppressing Bmal1 expression.展开更多
Background Verticillium dahliae,a soil-borne fungi,can cause Verticillium wilt,and seriously diminish the yield and quality of cotton.However,the pathogenic mechanism of V.dahliae is complex and not clearly understood...Background Verticillium dahliae,a soil-borne fungi,can cause Verticillium wilt,and seriously diminish the yield and quality of cotton.However,the pathogenic mechanism of V.dahliae is complex and not clearly understood at the moment.This study aimed to identify the high-affinity nicotinic acid transporter genes in V.dahliae.The gene expression profiles in V.dahliae following sensing of root exudates from susceptible and resistant cotton varieties were analyzed.The function of VdNAT1 in the pathogenic process of V.dahliae was studied using the tobacco rattle virus(TRV)-based host-induced gene silencing(HIGS)technique.Results Eight high-affinity nicotinic acid transporter genes were identified from V.dahliae through the bioinformatics method.Each protein contains a conserved major facilitator superfamily(MFS)domain,which belongs to the MFS superfamily.Evolutionary relationship analysis revealed that all 8 genes belong to the anion:cation symporter(ACS)subfamily.All proteins have transmembrane domains,ranging from 7 to 12.The expression levels of most VdNAT genes were significantly increased after induction by root exudates from susceptible cotton varieties.Silencing VdNAT1 gene by HIGS significantly inhibited the accumulation of fungal biomass in cotton plants,and alleviated the disease symptoms of cotton.Conclusions Eight VdNAT genes were identified from V.dahliae,and most VdNAT genes was up-regulated after induced by root exudates from susceptible cotton variety.In addition,VdNAT1 is required for the pathogenicity of V.dahliae.Overall,these findings will facilitate the pathogenic molecular mechanism of V.dahliae and provide candidate genes.展开更多
Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was cloned as an human immunodeficiency virus -1-inducible and tumor necrosis factor-α-inducible transcript in primary human fetal astrocytes by a rapid subtraction hybridization app...Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was cloned as an human immunodeficiency virus -1-inducible and tumor necrosis factor-α-inducible transcript in primary human fetal astrocytes by a rapid subtraction hybridization approach. AEG-1 down-regulates the expression of the glutamate transporter EAAT2,thus,it is implicated in glutamate-induced excitotoxic damage to neurons as evident in HIV-associated neurodegeneration. Meanwhile,AEG-1 expression is elevated in subsets of breast cancer,prostatic cancer,glioblastoma multiforme and melanoma cells,having a dual specificity phosphatase activity. Overexpression of AEG-1 increases and siRNA inhibition of AEG-1 decreases migration and invasion of human glioma cells,respectively. Recent observations indicate that AEG-1 exerts its effects by activating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and AEG-1 is a downstream target of Ha-ras and plays an important role in Ha-ras-mediated tumorigenesis. These findings are intensifying interest in AEG-1 as a crucial regulator of tumor progression and metastasis and as a potential mediator of neurodegeneration.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82060418).
文摘Objective:Osteoarthritis(OA)and sarcopenia are significant health concerns in the elderly,substantially impacting their daily activities and quality of life.However,the relationship between them remains poorly understood.This study aims to uncover common biomarkers and pathways associated with both OA and sarcopenia.Methods:Gene expression profiles related to OA and sarcopenia were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between disease and control groups were identified using R software.Common DEGs were extracted via Venn diagram analysis.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were conducted to identify biological processes and pathways associated with shared DEGs.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were constructed,and candidate hub genes were ranked using the maximal clique centrality(MCC)algorithm.Further validation of hub gene expression was performed using 2 independent datasets.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of key genes for OA and sarcopenia.Mouse models of OA and sarcopenia were established.Hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O/Fast Green staining were used to validate the OA model.The sarcopenia model was validated via rotarod testing and quadriceps muscle mass measurement.Real-time reverse transcription PCR(real-time RT-PCR)was employed to assess the mRNA expression levels of candidate key genes in both models.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was conducted to identify pathways associated with the selected shared key genes in both diseases.Results:A total of 89 common DEGs were identified in the gene expression profiles of OA and sarcopenia,including 76 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes.These 89 DEGs were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption,the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction.PPI network analysis and MCC algorithm analysis of the 89 common DEGs identified the top 17 candidate hub genes.Based on the differential expression analysis of these 17 candidate hub genes in the validation datasets,AEBP1 and COL8A2 were ultimately selected as the common key genes for both diseases,both of which showed a significant upregulation trend in the disease groups(all P<0.05).The value of area under the curve(AUC)for AEBP1 and COL8A2 in the OA and sarcopenia datasets were all greater than 0.7,indicating that both genes have potential value in predicting OA and sarcopenia.Real-time RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of AEBP1 and COL8A2 were significantly upregulated in the disease groups(all P<0.05),consistent with the results observed in the bioinformatics analysis.GSEA revealed that AEBP1 and COL8A2 were closely related to extracellular matrix-receptor interaction,ribosome,and oxidative phosphorylation in OA and sarcopenia.Conclusion:AEBP1 and COL8A2 have the potential to serve as common biomarkers for OA and sarcopenia.The extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway may represent a potential target for the prevention and treatment of both OA and sarcopenia.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation(82271057)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(2023JJ30818),China。
文摘Objective:Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal ectasia disorder,arising from a myriad of causes including genetic predispositions,environmental factors,biomechanical influences,and inflammatory reactions.This study aims to identify potential pathogenetic gene mutations in patients with sporadic KC in the Han Chinese population.Methods:Twenty-five patients with primary KC as well as 50 unrelated population matched healthy controls,were included in this study to identify potential pathogenic gene mutations among sporadic KC patients in the Han Chinese population.Sanger sequencing and whole-exome sequencing(WES)were used to analyze mutations in the zinc finger protein 469(ZNF469)gene.Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the potential role of ZNF469 in KC pathogenesis.Results:Five novel heterozygous missense variants were identified in KC patients.Among them,2 compound heterozygous variants,c.8986G>C(p.E2996Q)with c.11765A>C(p.D3922A),and c.4423C>G(p.L1475V)with c.10633G>A(p.G3545R),were determined to be possible pathogenic factors for KC.Conclusion:Mutations in the ZNF469 gene may contribute to the development of KC in the Han Chinese population.These mutation sites may provide valuable information for future genetic screening of KC patients and their families.
文摘Objective To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomized equally into control group and heat stress group.After exposure to 32℃for 2 weeks in the latter group,the rats were examined for histopathological changes and Bmal1 expression in the thoracic aorta using HE staining and immunohistochemistry.In the cell experiments,cultured rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells(RTAECs)were incubated at 40℃for 12 h with or without prior transfection with a Bmal1-specific small interfering RNA(si-Bmal1)or a negative sequence.In both rat thoracic aorta and RTAECs,the expressions of Bmal1,the cell cycle proteins CDK1,CDK4,CDK6,and cyclin B1,and apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis in rat thoracic aorta,and the changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in RTAECs were analyzed with flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control rats,the rats exposed to heat stress showed significantly increased blood pressures and lowered heart rate with elastic fiber disruption and increased expressions of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 in the thoracic aorta(P<0.05).In cultured RTAECs,heat stress caused significant increase of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 protein expression levels,which were obviously lowered in cells with prior si-Bmal1 transfection.Bmal1 knockdown also inhibited heat stress-induced increase of apoptosis in RTAECs as evidenced by decreased expression of Bax and increased expression of Bcl-2.Conclusion Heat stress upregulates Bmal1 expression and causes alterations in expressions of cyclins to trigger apoptosis of rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells,which can be partly alleviated by suppressing Bmal1 expression.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32160615).
文摘Background Verticillium dahliae,a soil-borne fungi,can cause Verticillium wilt,and seriously diminish the yield and quality of cotton.However,the pathogenic mechanism of V.dahliae is complex and not clearly understood at the moment.This study aimed to identify the high-affinity nicotinic acid transporter genes in V.dahliae.The gene expression profiles in V.dahliae following sensing of root exudates from susceptible and resistant cotton varieties were analyzed.The function of VdNAT1 in the pathogenic process of V.dahliae was studied using the tobacco rattle virus(TRV)-based host-induced gene silencing(HIGS)technique.Results Eight high-affinity nicotinic acid transporter genes were identified from V.dahliae through the bioinformatics method.Each protein contains a conserved major facilitator superfamily(MFS)domain,which belongs to the MFS superfamily.Evolutionary relationship analysis revealed that all 8 genes belong to the anion:cation symporter(ACS)subfamily.All proteins have transmembrane domains,ranging from 7 to 12.The expression levels of most VdNAT genes were significantly increased after induction by root exudates from susceptible cotton varieties.Silencing VdNAT1 gene by HIGS significantly inhibited the accumulation of fungal biomass in cotton plants,and alleviated the disease symptoms of cotton.Conclusions Eight VdNAT genes were identified from V.dahliae,and most VdNAT genes was up-regulated after induced by root exudates from susceptible cotton variety.In addition,VdNAT1 is required for the pathogenicity of V.dahliae.Overall,these findings will facilitate the pathogenic molecular mechanism of V.dahliae and provide candidate genes.
文摘Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was cloned as an human immunodeficiency virus -1-inducible and tumor necrosis factor-α-inducible transcript in primary human fetal astrocytes by a rapid subtraction hybridization approach. AEG-1 down-regulates the expression of the glutamate transporter EAAT2,thus,it is implicated in glutamate-induced excitotoxic damage to neurons as evident in HIV-associated neurodegeneration. Meanwhile,AEG-1 expression is elevated in subsets of breast cancer,prostatic cancer,glioblastoma multiforme and melanoma cells,having a dual specificity phosphatase activity. Overexpression of AEG-1 increases and siRNA inhibition of AEG-1 decreases migration and invasion of human glioma cells,respectively. Recent observations indicate that AEG-1 exerts its effects by activating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and AEG-1 is a downstream target of Ha-ras and plays an important role in Ha-ras-mediated tumorigenesis. These findings are intensifying interest in AEG-1 as a crucial regulator of tumor progression and metastasis and as a potential mediator of neurodegeneration.
