Integrative Molecular Phenotyping
INTEGRATIVE MOLECULAR
PHENOTYPING
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY

PubMed

Insights into the Tumor-Stromal-Immune Cell Metabolism Crosstalk in Ovarian Cancer

Mon, 07/08/2023 - 12:00
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2023 Aug 7. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00588.2022. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a constellation of abundant cellular components, extracellular matrix, and soluble factors. Soluble factors such as cytokines, chemokines, structural proteins, extracellular vesicles, and metabolites are critical means of non-contact cellular communication acting as messengers to convey pro- or anti-tumorigenic signals. Vast advancements have been made in our understanding of how cancer cells adapt their metabolism to meet environmental demands and utilize these adaptations to promote survival, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The stromal TME contribution to this metabolic rewiring has been relatively underexplored, particularly in ovarian cancer. Thus, metabolic activity alterations in the TME hold promise for further study and potential therapeutic exploitation. In this review, we focus on the cellular components of the TME with emphasis on: 1) metabolic signatures of ovarian cancer; 2) understanding the stromal cell network and their metabolic crosstalk with tumor cells; and 3) how stromal and tumor cell metabolites alter intratumoral immune cell metabolism and function. Together, these elements provide insight into the metabolic influence of the TME and emphasize the importance of understanding how metabolic performance drives cancer progression.PMID:37545409 | DOI:10.1152/ajpcell.00588.2022

Selective extraction of plant bioactive compounds with deep eutectic solvents: Iris sibirica L. as example

Mon, 07/08/2023 - 12:00
Phytochem Anal. 2023 Aug 6. doi: 10.1002/pca.3272. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are promising extractants with tuneable properties. However, there is a lack of reports about the influence of the nature of the original DES on obtaining the metabolomic profile of a plant.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of obtaining Iris sibirica L. chromatographical profiles with DESs based on various hydrogen bond donors and acceptors as extraction solvents.METHODOLOGY: DESs were prepared by mixing choline chloride or tetrabutylammonium bromide with various hydrogen bond donors and investigated for the extraction of bioactive substances from biotechnological raw materials of I. sibirica L. The obtained extracts were analysed by HPLC with diode array detector (DAD) and Q-MS.RESULTS: Chromatographic profiles for I. sibirica L. extracts by eight choline chloride DESs and six tetrabutylammonium DESs have been obtained. It has been found that selective recovery of bioactive substances can be achieved by varying the composition of DESs. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified in I. sibirica L. using HPLC-MS. Phase separation was observed with acetonitrile for four DESs. New flavonoid derivatives have been found in DES extracts compared with methanol extracts.CONCLUSION: The results showed the possibility of DES usage for extraction without water addition. Selectivity of DESs varies depending on the chemical composition of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. Choline chloride is a more suitable hydrogen bond acceptor for the flavonoid extraction. Choline chloride-lactic acid (1:1) DES has demonstrated a metabolic profile that was the closest to the methanol one and enhanced the extraction up to 2.6-fold.PMID:37545032 | DOI:10.1002/pca.3272

Advances in algomics technology: Application in wastewater treatment and biofuel production

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
Bioresour Technol. 2023 Aug 4:129636. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129636. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAdvanced sustainable bioremediation is gaining importance with rising global pollution. This review examines microalgae's potential for sustainable bioremediation and process enhancement using multi-omics approaches. Recently, microalgae-bacterial consortia have emerged for synergistic nutrient removal, allowing complex metabolite exchanges. Advanced bioremediation requires effective consortium design or pure culture based on the treatment stage and specific roles. The strain potential must be screened using modern omics approaches aligning wastewater composition. The review highlights crucial research gaps in microalgal bioremediation. It discusses multi-omics advantages for understanding microalgal fitness concerning wastewater composition and facilitating the design of microalgal consortia based on bioremediation skills. Metagenomics enables strain identification, thereby monitoring microbial dynamics during the treatment process. Transcriptomics and metabolomics encourage the algal cell response toward nutrients and pollutants in wastewater. Multi-omics role is also summarized for product enhancement to make algal treatment sustainable and fit for sustainable development goals and growing circular bioeconomy scenario.PMID:37544548 | DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129636

Integration of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the molecular responses of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain to infection by an undescribed endoparasite Portunion sp

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2023 Aug 4:108978. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108978. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPortunion is a rare endoparasitic isopod genus, recently observed inhabiting the hemocoel of the commercially important mud crab, Scylla paramamosain. For better understanding of the host-parasite interaction between S. paramamosain and Portunion sp., the metabolomic and transcriptomic changes in the hemolymph of the S. paramamosain were analyzed. We detected a total of 143 and 126 differentially accumulated metabolites in the positive and negative modes, respectively. Pathways related to amino acids and vitamin synthesis, such as Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, Tyrosine metabolism, Cysteine and methionine metabolism, Vitamin B6 metabolism, and Biotin metabolism were significantly enriched. Based on the transcriptomic data, a total of 942 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 25 and 36 were significantly related to the immune system and metabolic pathways, respectively. Based on the metabolomic and transcriptomic data, 90 correlated metabolite-gene pairs were selected to build a regulatory network. Common significantly enriched pathways, including Starch and sucrose metabolism, Metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, Nitrogen metabolism, and Galactose metabolism were detected. On the basis of our analysis, the endoparasite Portunion sp. places a heavy metabolic burden on the host, particularly with respect to fundamental resources, such as amino acids, vitamins, carbohydrates, and lipids. In summary, these data provide an overview of the global metabolic and transcriptomic changes of the S. paramamosain resulting from Portunion sp. infection.PMID:37544464 | DOI:10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108978

Effects of glyphosate exposure on gut-liver axis: Metabolomic and mechanistic analysis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 4:166062. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166062. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTGlyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicide worldwide, is potentially harmful to non-target aquatic organisms. However, the environmental health risks regarding impacts on metabolism homeostasis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated bioaccumulation, metabolism disorders and mechanisms in grass carp after exposure to glyphosate. Higher accumulation of glyphosate and its major metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid, in the gut was detected. Intestinal inflammation, barrier damage and hepatic steatosis were caused by glyphosate exposure. Lipid metabolism disorder was confirmed by the decreased triglyceride, increased total cholesterol and lipoproteins in serum and decreased visceral fat. Metabolomics analysis found that glyphosate exposure significantly inhibited bile acids biosynthesis in liver with decreased total bile acids content, which was further supported by significant downregulations of cyp27a1, cyp8b1 and fxr. Moreover, the dysbiosis of gut microbiota contributed to the inflammation in liver and gut by increasing lipopolysaccharide, as well as to the declined bile acids circulation by reducing secondary bile acids. These results indicated that exposure to environmental levels of glyphosate generated higher bioaccumulation in gut, where evoked enterohepatic injury, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and disturbed homeostasis of bile acids metabolism; then the functional dysregulation of the gut-liver axis possibly resulted in ultimate lipid metabolism disorder. These findings highlight the metabolism health risks of glyphosate exposure to fish in aquatic environment.PMID:37544446 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166062

Association between Neuroligin-1 polymorphism and plasma glutamine levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
EBioMedicine. 2023 Aug 4;95:104746. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104746. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Unravelling the relationships between candidate genes and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotypes remains an outstanding challenge. Endophenotypes, defined as inheritable, measurable quantitative traits, might provide intermediary links between genetic risk factors and multifaceted ASD phenotypes. In this study, we sought to determine whether plasma metabolite levels could serve as endophenotypes in individuals with ASD and their family members.METHODS: We employed an untargeted, high-resolution metabolomics platform to analyse 14,342 features across 1099 plasma samples. These samples were collected from probands and their family members participating in the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) (N = 658), compared with neurotypical individuals enrolled in the PrecisionLink Health Discovery (PLHD) program at Boston Children's Hospital (N = 441). We conducted a metabolite quantitative trait loci (mQTL) analysis using whole-genome genotyping data from each cohort in AGRE and PLHD, aiming to prioritize significant mQTL and metabolite pairs that were exclusively observed in AGRE.FINDINGS: Within the AGRE group, we identified 54 significant associations between genotypes and metabolite levels (P < 5.27 × 10-11), 44 of which were not observed in the PLHD group. Plasma glutamine levels were found to be associated with variants in the NLGN1 gene, a gene that encodes post-synaptic cell-adhesion molecules in excitatory neurons. This association was not detected in the PLHD group. Notably, a significant negative correlation between plasma glutamine and glutamate levels was observed in the AGRE group, but not in the PLHD group. Furthermore, plasma glutamine levels showed a negative correlation with the severity of restrictive and repetitive behaviours (RRB) in ASD, although no direct association was observed between RRB severity and the NLGN1 genotype.INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that plasma glutamine levels could potentially serve as an endophenotype, thus establishing a link between the genetic risk associated with NLGN1 and the severity of RRB in ASD. This identified association could facilitate the development of novel therapeutic targets, assist in selecting specific cohorts for clinical trials, and provide insights into target symptoms for future ASD treatment strategies.FUNDING: This work was supported by the National Institute of Health (grant numbers: R01MH107205, U01TR002623, R24OD024622, OT2OD032720, and R01NS129188) and the PrecisionLink Biobank for Health Discovery at Boston Children's Hospital.PMID:37544204 | DOI:10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104746

Unveiling potentially convergent key events related to adverse outcome pathways induced by silver nanoparticles via cross-species omics-scale analysis

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
J Hazard Mater. 2023 Aug 2;459:132208. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132208. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe adverse effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been studied in various models. However, there has been discordance between molecular responses across the literature, attributed to methodological biases and the physicochemical variability of AgNPs. In this study, a gene pathway meta-analysis was conducted to identify convergent and divergent key events (KEs) associated with AgNPs and explore common patterns of these KEs across species. We performed a cross-species analysis of transcriptomic data from multiple studies involving various AgNPs exposure. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed a set of pathways linked to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and metabolite and lipid metabolism, which are considered potentially conserved KEs across species. Subsequently, experiments confirmed that oxidative stress responses could be early KEs in both Caenorhabditis elegans and HepG2 cells. Moreover, AgNPs preferentially impaired the mitochondria, as evidenced by mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction. Furthermore, disruption of amino acids, nucleotides, sulfur compounds, glycerolipids, and glycerophospholipids metabolism were in good agreement with gene pathway shreds of evidence. Our findings imply that, although there may be organism-specific responses, potentially conserved events could exist regardless of species and physicochemical factors. These results provide valuable insights into the development of adverse outcome pathways of AgNPs across species and the regulatory toxicity of AgNPs.PMID:37544172 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132208

Viral protein R (Vpr)-induced neuroinflammation and its potential contribution to neuronal dysfunction: a scoping review

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
BMC Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 6;23(1):512. doi: 10.1186/s12879-023-08495-3.ABSTRACTHIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are the result of the activity of HIV-1 within the central nervous system (CNS). While the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced the occurrence of severe cases of HAND, milder cases still persist. The persistence of HAND in the modern ART era has been linked to a chronic dysregulated inflammatory profile. There is increasing evidence suggesting a potential role of Viral protein R (Vpr) in dysregulating the neuroinflammatory processes in people living with HIV (PLHIV), which may contribute to the development of HAND. Since the role of Vpr in neuroinflammatory mechanisms has not been clearly defined, we conducted a scoping review of fundamental research studies on this topic. The review aimed to assess the size and scope of available research literature on this topic and provide commentary on whether Vpr contributes to neuroinflammation, as highlighted in fundamental studies. Based on the specified selection criteria, 10 studies (6 of which were cell culture-based and 4 that included both animal and cell culture experiments) were eligible for inclusion. The main findings were that (1) Vpr can increase neuroinflammatory markers, with studies consistently reporting higher levels of TNF-α and IL-8, (2) Vpr induces (neuro)inflammation via specific pathways, including the PI3K/AKT, p38-MAPk, JNK-SAPK and Sur1-Trpm4 channels in astrocytes and the p38 and JNK-SAPK in myeloid cells, and (3) Vpr-specific protein amino acid signatures (73R, 77R and 80A) may play an important role in exacerbating neuroinflammation and the neuropathophysiology of HAND. Therefore, Vpr should be investigated for its potential contribution to neuroinflammation in the development of HAND.PMID:37545000 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-023-08495-3

Metabolic characteristics of self-pollinated wheat seed under red and blue light during early development

Sun, 06/08/2023 - 12:00
Planta. 2023 Aug 6;258(3):63. doi: 10.1007/s00425-023-04217-w.ABSTRACTBlue light has a greater effect on jasmonic acid and flavonoid accumulation in wheat seeds than red light; blue light reduces starch synthesis and the size of starch granules and seeds. This study sought to elucidate the effects of blue and red light on seed metabolism to provide important insights regarding the role of light quality in regulating seed growth and development. We used combined multi-omics analysis to investigate the impact of red and blue light (BL) on the induction of secondary metabolite accumulation in the hexaploid wheat Dianmai 3 after pollination. Flavonoids and alkaloids were the most differentially abundant metabolites detected under different treatments. Additionally, we used multi-omics and weighted correlation network analysis to screen multiple candidate genes associated with jasmonic acid (JA) and flavonoids. Expression regulatory networks were constructed based on RNA-sequencing data and their potential binding sites. The results revealed that BL had a greater effect on JA and flavonoid accumulation in wheat seeds than red light. Furthermore, BL reduced starch synthesis and stunted the size of starch granules and seeds. Collectively, these findings clarify the role of BL in the metabolic regulation of early seed development in wheat.PMID:37543957 | DOI:10.1007/s00425-023-04217-w

Hyperfructosemia in sleep disordered breathing: metabolome analysis of Nagahama study

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
Sci Rep. 2023 Aug 5;13(1):12735. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-40002-1.ABSTRACTSleep disordered breathing (SDB), mainly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), constitutes a major health problem due to the large number of patients. Intermittent hypoxia caused by SDB induces alterations in metabolic function. Nevertheless, metabolites characteristic for SDB are largely unknown. In this study, we performed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolome analysis using data from The Nagahama Study (n = 6373). SDB-related metabolites were defined based on their variable importance score in orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and fold changes in normalized peak-intensity levels between moderate-severe SDB patients and participants without SDB. We identified 20 metabolites as SDB-related, and interestingly, these metabolites were frequently included in pathways related to fructose. Multivariate analysis revealed that moderate-severe SDB was a significant factor for increased plasma fructose levels (β = 0.210, P = 0.006, generalized linear model) even after the adjustment of confounding factors. We further investigated changes in plasma fructose levels after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment using samples from patients with OSA (n = 60) diagnosed by polysomnography at Kyoto University Hospital, and found that patients with marked hypoxemia exhibited prominent hyperfructosemia and their plasma fructose levels lowered after CPAP treatment. These data suggest that hyperfructosemia is the abnormality characteristic to SDB, which can be reduced by CPAP treatment.PMID:37543666 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-40002-1

Multi-omics strategies uncover the molecular mechanisms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium deficiency responses in Brassica napus

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2023 Aug 5;28(1):63. doi: 10.1186/s11658-023-00479-0.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are critical macronutrients in crops, such that deficiency in any of N, P or K has substantial effects on crop growth. However, the specific commonalities of plant responses to different macronutrient deficiencies remain largely unknown.METHODS: Here, we assessed the phenotypic and physiological performances along with whole transcriptome and metabolomic profiles of rapeseed seedlings exposed to N, P and K deficiency stresses.RESULTS: Quantities of reactive oxygen species were significantly increased by all macronutrient deficiencies. N and K deficiencies resulted in more severe root development responses than P deficiency, as well as greater chlorophyll content reduction in leaves (associated with disrupted chloroplast structure). Transcriptome and metabolome analyses validated the macronutrient-specific responses, with more pronounced effects of N and P deficiencies on mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and metabolites relative to K deficiency. Tissue-specific responses also occurred, with greater effects of macronutrient deficiencies on roots compared with shoots. We further uncovered a set of common responders with simultaneous roles in all three macronutrient deficiencies, including 112 mRNAs and 10 miRNAs involved in hormonal signaling, ion transport and oxidative stress in the root, and 33 mRNAs and 6 miRNAs with roles in abiotic stress response and photosynthesis in the shoot. 27 and seven common miRNA-mRNA pairs with role in miRNA-mediated regulation of oxidoreduction processes and ion transmembrane transport were identified in all three macronutrient deficiencies. No circRNA was responsive to three macronutrient deficiency stresses, but two common circRNAs were identified for two macronutrient deficiencies. Combined analysis of circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs suggested that two circRNAs act as decoys for miR156 and participate in oxidoreduction processes and transmembrane transport in both N- and P-deprived roots. Simultaneously, dramatic alterations of metabolites also occurred. Associations of RNAs with metabolites were observed, and suggested potential positive regulatory roles for tricarboxylic acids, azoles, carbohydrates, sterols and auxins, and negative regulatory roles for aromatic and aspartate amino acids, glucosamine-containing compounds, cinnamic acid, and nicotianamine in plant adaptation to macronutrient deficiency.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed strategies to rescue rapeseed from macronutrient deficiency stress, including reducing the expression of non-essential genes and activating or enhancing the expression of anti-stress genes, aided by plant hormones, ion transporters and stress responders. The common responders to different macronutrient deficiencies identified could be targeted to enhance nutrient use efficiency in rapeseed.PMID:37543634 | DOI:10.1186/s11658-023-00479-0

The NAC transcription factors SNAP1/2/3/4 are central regulators mediating high nitrogen responses in mature nodules of soybean

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
Nat Commun. 2023 Aug 5;14(1):4711. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40392-w.ABSTRACTLegumes can utilize atmospheric nitrogen via symbiotic nitrogen fixation, but this process is inhibited by high soil inorganic nitrogen. So far, how high nitrogen inhibits N2 fixation in mature nodules is still poorly understood. Here we construct a co-expression network in soybean nodule and find that a dynamic and reversible transcriptional network underlies the high N inhibition of N2 fixation. Intriguingly, several NAC transcription factors (TFs), designated as Soybean Nitrogen Associated NAPs (SNAPs), are amongst the most connected hub TFs. The nodules of snap1/2/3/4 quadruple mutants show less sensitivity to the high nitrogen inhibition of nitrogenase activity and acceleration of senescence. Integrative analysis shows that these SNAP TFs largely influence the high nitrogen transcriptional response through direct regulation of a subnetwork of senescence-associated genes and transcriptional regulators. We propose that the SNAP-mediated transcriptional network may trigger nodule senescence in response to high nitrogen.PMID:37543605 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-40392-w

Multi-omics profiling of CSF from spinal muscular atrophy type 3 patients after nusinersen treatment: a 2-year follow-up multicenter retrospective study

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Aug 5;80(8):241. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04885-7.ABSTRACTSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene resulting in reduced levels of the SMN protein. Nusinersen, the first antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) approved for SMA treatment, binds to the SMN2 gene, paralogue to SMN1, and mediates the translation of a functional SMN protein. Here, we used longitudinal high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) to assess both global proteome and metabolome in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from ten SMA type 3 patients, with the aim of identifying novel readouts of pharmacodynamic/response to treatment and predictive markers of treatment response. Patients had a median age of 33.5 [29.5; 38.25] years, and 80% of them were ambulant at time of the enrolment, with a median HFMSE score of 37.5 [25.75; 50.75]. Untargeted CSF proteome and metabolome were measured using high-resolution MS (nLC-HRMS) on CSF samples obtained before treatment (T0) and after 2 years of follow-up (T22). A total of 26 proteins were found to be differentially expressed between T0 and T22 upon VSN normalization and LIMMA differential analysis, accounting for paired replica. Notably, key markers of the insulin-growth factor signaling pathway were upregulated after treatment together with selective modulation of key transcription regulators. Using CombiROC multimarker signature analysis, we suggest that detecting a reduction of SEMA6A and an increase of COL1A2 and GRIA4 might reflect therapeutic efficacy of nusinersen. Longitudinal metabolome profiling, analyzed with paired t-Test, showed a significant shift for some aminoacid utilization induced by treatment, whereas other metabolites were largely unchanged. Together, these data suggest perturbation upon nusinersen treatment still sustained after 22 months of follow-up and confirm the utility of CSF multi-omic profiling as pharmacodynamic biomarker for SMA type 3. Nonetheless, validation studies are needed to confirm this evidence in a larger sample size and to further dissect combined markers of response to treatment.PMID:37543540 | DOI:10.1007/s00018-023-04885-7

Adrenal steroid metabolites and bone status in patients with adrenal incidentalomas and hypercortisolism

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
EBioMedicine. 2023 Jul 21:104733. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104733. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS), resulting from cortisol-producing adenomas (CPA), causes endogenous steroid-induced osteoporosis (SIOP). However, the risk of endogenous SIOP cannot be explained by cortisol excess alone, and how other steroid metabolites affect bone status is unclear.METHODS: ACS was diagnosed as serum cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dL after the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST-cortisol). Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, 21 plasma steroid metabolites were measured in 73 patients with ACS and 85 patients with non-functioning adrenal tumors (NFAT). Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and relevant steroid metabolites were analyzed in some of CPA tissues.FINDINGS: Discriminant and principal component analyses distinguished steroid profiles between the ACS and NFAT groups in premenopausal women. Premenopausal women with ACS exhibited higher levels of a mineralocorticoid metabolite, 11-deoxycorticosterone (11-DOC), and lower levels of androgen metabolites, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, and androsterone-glucuronide. In premenopausal women with ACS, DST-cortisol negatively correlated with trabecular bone score (TBS). Additionally, 11-DOC negatively correlated with lumbar spine-bone mineral density, whereas androsterone-glucuronide positively correlated with TBS. The CPA tissues showed increased 11-DOC levels with increased expression of CYP21A2, essential for 11-DOC synthesis. Adrenal non-tumor tissues were atrophied with reduced expression of CYB5A, required for androgen synthesis.INTERPRETATION: This study demonstrates that unbalanced production of adrenal steroid metabolites, derived from both adrenal tumor and non-tumor tissues, contributes to the pathogenesis of endogenous SIOP in premenopausal women with ACS.FUNDING: JSPS KAKENHI, Secom Science and Technology Foundation, Takeda Science Foundation, Japan Foundation for Applied Enzymology, AMED-CREST, JSTA-STEP, JST-Moonshot, and Ono Medical Research Foundation.PMID:37543511 | DOI:10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104733

Multi-omics approaches in psychoneuroimmunology and health research: Conceptual considerations and methodological recommendations

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
Brain Behav Immun. 2023 Aug 3:S0889-1591(23)00215-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.07.022. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has grown substantially in both relevance and prominence over the past 40 years. Notwithstanding its impressive trajectory, a majority of PNI studies are still based on a relatively small number of analytes. To advance this work, we suggest that PNI, and health research in general, can benefit greatly from adopting a multi-omics approach, which involves integrating data across multiple biological levels (e.g., the genome, proteome, transcriptome, metabolome, lipidome, and microbiome/metagenome) to more comprehensively profile biological functions and relate these profiles to clinical and behavioral outcomes. To assist investigators in this endeavor, we provide an overview of multi-omics research, highlight recent landmark multi-omics studies investigating human health and disease risk, and discuss how multi-omics can be applied to better elucidate links between psychological, nervous system, and immune system activity. In doing so, we describe how to design high-quality multi-omics PNI studies, decide which biological samples (e.g., blood, stool, urine, saliva, solid tissue) are most relevant, incorporate behavioral and wearable sensing data into multi-omics research, and understand key data quality, integration, analysis, and interpretation issues. PNI researchers are addressing some of the most interesting and important questions at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and immunology. Applying a multi-omics approach to this work will greatly expand the horizon of what is possible in PNI and has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of mind-body medicine.PMID:37543247 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2023.07.022

Specific milk composition of miR-30b transgenic mice associated with early duodenum maturation in offspring with lasting consequences for growth

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
J Nutr. 2023 Aug 3:S0022-3166(23)72527-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.003. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Milk composition is complex and includes numerous components essential for offspring growth and development. In addition to the high abundance of miR-30b microRNA, milk produced by the transgenic mouse model of miR-30b-mammary deregulation displays a significantly altered fatty acid profile. Moreover, wild-type adopted pups fed miR-30b milk present an early growth defect.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the consequences of miR-30b milk feeding on the duodenal development of wild-type neonates, a prime target of suckled milk, along with comprehensive milk phenotyping.METHODS: The duodenum of wild-type pups fed miR-30b milk was extensively characterized at postnatal day (PND)-5, PND-6, and PND-15 using histological, transcriptomic, proteomic, and duodenal permeability analyses, and compared to pups fed wild-type milk. Milk of miR-30b foster dams collected at mid-lactation was extensively analyzed using proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic approaches and hormonal immunoassays.RESULTS: At PND-5, wild-type pups fed miR-30b milk showed maturation of their duodenum (1.5-fold (p<0.05) and 1.3-fold (p<0.10) increase expression of Claudin-3 and Claudin-4, respectively; changes in eight duodenal protein; p<0.10), with an earlier reduction in paracellular and transcellular permeability (183 ng/mL FSA and 12 ng/ml HRP, respectively, compared to 5,700 ng/mL FSA and 90 ng/ml HRP in wild-type; p<0.001). Compared to wild-type milk, miR-30b milk displayed an increase in total lipid (219 g/L compared to 151 g/L; p<0.05), ceramide (17.6 μM compared to 6.9 μM; p<0.05), sphingomyelin levels (163.7 μM compared to 76.3 μM; p<0.05), the over-expression of nine proteins involved in the gut barrier (p<0.1) and higher insulin and leptin levels (1.88 ng/ml and 2.04 ng/ml, respectively, compared to 0.79 ng/ml and 1.06 ng/ml; p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: miR-30b milk displays significant changes in bioactive components associated with neonatal duodenal integrity and maturation which could be involved in the earlier intestinal closure phenotype of the wild-type pups associated with a lower growth rate.PMID:37543213 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.003

Efficacy evaluation and metabolomics analysis of Huanglian Jiedu decoction in combination with donepezil for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2023 Jul 29;235:115610. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115610. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive disease with continuous brain changes and has caused a severe burden on families and society. Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula that can improve AD animals' cognitive impairment. This study recruited 50 AD patients who were divided into two groups, one receiving donepezil (DON) treatment and the other receiving DON + HLJD treatment for 3 months. The curative effect, inflammatory and oxidative stress levels were analyzed. The PES-D/11, MMSE, and ADL scales were used to evaluate traditional Chinese medicine syndrome elements, cognitive function, mental state, and life ability. There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics and vital sign indicators. After drug treatment, the results showed that AD patients with HLJD combined with DON treatment didn't increase the adverse effects and had good compliance. HLJD combined with DON could improve the disease syndrome, making the differences in PES-D/11, MMSE, and ADL scores before and after the intervention larger. Furthermore, both DON and DON+HLJD treatment inhibited the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA, raised SOD level, and HLJD enhances the inhibitory effect of DON on inflammation and oxidative stress. IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA levels were significantly correlated with curative effect. Moreover, this study found 107 (206) up-regulated metabolites and 1430 (145) down-regulated metabolites in urine (serum) and conducted differential metabolite screening and correlation analysis suggesting that HLJD may interfere with oxidative stress and inflammation in AD by regulating lipid metabolism and glutamic acid metabolism. Arachidonic acid, diaminopimelic acid, and 1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid may play an important role in HLJD to improve AD.PMID:37542831 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115610

UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS assisted targeted metabolomics to study the enrichment of vinca alkaloids and related metabolites in Catharanthus roseus plants grown under controlled LED environment

Sat, 05/08/2023 - 12:00
J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2023 Jul 29;235:115611. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115611. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEnrichment of pharmaceutically important vinca alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine, in the leaves of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) plants through different pre- or postharvest treatments or cultivation conditions, e.g., exposing the plants to UV-irradiation, has been in focus for decades. Controlled LED environment in the visible light range offers the possibility of monitoring the changes in the concentration of metabolites in the vinca alkaloid-related pathway without involving UV-related abiotic stress. In the frame of our targeted metabolomics approach, 64 vinca alkaloids and metabolites were screened with the help of a UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS instrumental setup from the leaf extracts of C. roseus plants grown in chambers under control (medium light), low light, and high blue / high red/ high far-red conditions. Out of the 14 metabolites that could be assigned either unambiguously with authentic standards or tentatively with high resolution mass spectrometry-based methods, all three dimer vinca alkaloids, that is, 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine, vinblastine and vincristine showed an at least nine-fold enrichment under high blue irradiation when compared with the control conditions: final concentrations of 961 mg kg-1 dry weight, 33.8 mg kg-1 dry weight, and 11.7 mg kg-1 dry weight could be achieved, respectively. As supported by multivariate statistical analysis, the key metabolites of the vinca alkaloid pathway were highly represented among the metabolites that were specifically stimulated by high blue light application.PMID:37542828 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115611

Genome-wide identification and analysis of a cotton secretome reveals its role in resistance against Verticillium dahliae

Fri, 04/08/2023 - 12:00
BMC Biol. 2023 Aug 4;21(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12915-023-01650-x.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The extracellular space between the cell wall and plasma membrane is a battlefield in plant-pathogen interactions. Within this space, the pathogen employs its secretome to attack the host in a variety of ways, including immunity manipulation. However, the role of the plant secretome is rarely studied for its role in disease resistance.RESULTS: Here, we examined the secretome of Verticillium wilt-resistant Gossypium hirsutum cultivar Zhongzhimian No.2 (ZZM2, encoding 95,327 predicted coding sequences) to determine its role in disease resistance against the wilt causal agent, Verticillium dahliae. Bioinformatics-driven analyses showed that the ZZM2 genome encodes 2085 secreted proteins and that these display disequilibrium in their distribution among the chromosomes. The cotton secretome displayed differences in the abundance of certain amino acid residues as compared to the remaining encoded proteins due to the localization of these putative proteins in the extracellular space. The secretome analysis revealed conservation for an allotetraploid genome, which nevertheless exhibited variation among orthologs and comparable unique genes between the two sub-genomes. Secretome annotation strongly suggested its involvement in extracellular stress responses (hydrolase activity, oxidoreductase activity, and extracellular region, etc.), thus contributing to resistance against the V. dahliae infection. Furthermore, the defense response genes (immunity marker NbHIN1, salicylic acid marker NbPR1, and jasmonic acid marker NbLOX4) were activated to varying degrees when Nicotina benthamiana leaves were agro-infiltrated with 28 randomly selected members, suggesting that the secretome plays an important role in the immunity response. Finally, gene silencing assays of 11 members from 13 selected candidates in ZZM2 displayed higher susceptibility to V. dahliae, suggesting that the secretome members confer the Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton.CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that the cotton secretome plays an important role in Verticillium wilt resistance, facilitating the development of the resistance gene markers and increasing the understanding of the mechanisms regulating disease resistance.PMID:37542270 | PMC:PMC10403859 | DOI:10.1186/s12915-023-01650-x

How do prolonged anchorage-free lifetimes strengthen non-small-cell lung cancer cells to evade anoikis? - A link with altered cellular metabolomics

Fri, 04/08/2023 - 12:00
Biol Res. 2023 Aug 5;56(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s40659-023-00456-z.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Malignant cells adopt anoikis resistance to survive anchorage-free stresses and initiate cancer metastasis. It is still unknown how varying periods of anchorage loss contribute to anoikis resistance, cell migration, and metabolic reprogramming of cancerous cells.RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that prolonging the anchorage-free lifetime of non-small-cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells for 7 days strengthened anoikis resistance, as shown by higher half-life and capability to survive and grow without anchorage, compared to wild-type cells or those losing anchorage for 3 days. While the prolonged anchorage-free lifetime was responsible for the increased aggressive feature of survival cells to perform rapid 3-dimensional migration during the first 3 h of a transwell assay, no significant influence was observed with 2-dimensional surface migration detected at 12 and 24 h by a wound-healing method. Metabolomics analysis revealed significant alteration in the intracellular levels of six (oxalic acid, cholesterol, 1-ethylpyrrolidine, 1-(3-methylbutyl)-2,3,4,6-tetramethylbenzene, β-alanine, and putrescine) among all 37 identified metabolites during 7 days without anchorage. Based on significance values, enrichment ratios, and impact scores of all metabolites and their associated pathways, three principal metabolic activities (non-standard amino acid metabolism, cell membrane biosynthesis, and oxidative stress response) offered potential links with anoikis resistance.CONCLUSIONS: These findings further our insights into the evolution of anoikis resistance in lung cancer cells and identify promising biomarkers for early lung cancer diagnosis.PMID:37542350 | DOI:10.1186/s40659-023-00456-z

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