Child ; Developmental Disabilities/genetics* ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Seizures/genetics* ; Seizures, Febrile/genetics* ; Semaphorins/genetics*

Adult ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Semaphorins ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; metabolism ; Thrombocytopenia ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for three patients with development delay and to correlate their clinical phenotypes with genetic findings. METHODS: The karyotypes of the probands and their parents were analyzed by conventional G-banding. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was used to detect microdeletion and microduplication. RESULTS: No kartotypic abnormality was detected in the patients and their parents. CMA analysis identified a de novo 3.10 Mb deletion on chromosome 15q24.1q24.2 in case 1, a de novo 3.14 Mb deletion at 15q24.1q24.2 in case 2, and a 3.13 Mb deletion at 15q24.1q24.2 in case 3. All deletions have encompassed the CPLX3,SEMA7A and SIN3A genes. CONCLUSION The three patients were diagnosed with 15q24 microdeletion syndrome. CPLX3,SEMA7A and SIN3A may be the key genes responsible for this syndrome.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; Child ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Disorders ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 ; genetics ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Semaphorins ; genetics

BACKGROUNDHypoxia promotes tumor angiogenesis and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) plays a pivotal role in this process. Recently identified pro-angiogenic factor, semaphorin4D (Sema4D) also promotes angiogenesis and enhances invasive proliferation in some tumors. Furthermore, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can increase the expression of HIF-1α and Sema4D in cancer cells and thus influence tumor growth and progression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TAMs on the expression of Sema4D and HIF-1α and the impact of biologic behavior in colon cancer cells.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to analyze HIF-1α and Sema4D expression in 86 curatively resected colon cancer samples and 52 normal colon tissues samples. The relationship between their expression and clinicopathological factors was analyzed. Furthermore, macrophage-tumor cell interactions, such as metastasis, angiogenesis, were also studied using in vitro co-culture systems. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., USA). Differences between two groups were analyzed with Student's t test.

RESULTSHIF-1α (58%) and Sema4D (60%) were expressed at a significantly higher level in tumors than in normal tissues (P < 0.01, for both). Furthermore, HIF-1α and Sema4D expression was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis, specific histological types and TNM stages (P < 0.05), but not with age and tumor size (P > 0.05). Sema4D expression was correlated with that of HIF-1α (r = 0.567, P < 0.01). TAMs markedly induced HIF-1α and Sema4D expression in colon cancer cells and subsequently increased their migration and invasion.

CONCLUSIONSHIF-1α and Sema4D expression are closely related to lymphatic metastasis, specific histological types and TNM stages in colon cancer. Furthermore, TAMs promote migration and invasion of colon cancer cells and endothelial tube formation, possibly through up-regulation of HIF-1α and Sema4D.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophages ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; pathology ; Semaphorins ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Exploring the underlying mechanism of rituximab resistance is critical to improve the outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we tried to identify the effects of the axon guidance factor semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F) on rituximab resistance as well as its therapeutic value in DLBCL. METHODS: The effects of SEMA3F on the treatment response to rituximab were investigated by gain- or loss-of-function experiments. The role of the Hippo pathway in SEMA3F-mediated activity was explored. A xenograft mouse model generated by SEMA3F knockdown in cells was used to evaluate rituximab sensitivity and combined therapeutic effects. The prognostic value of SEMA3F and TAZ (WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1) was examined in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and human DLBCL specimens. RESULTS: We found that loss of SEMA3F was related to a poor prognosis in patients who received rituximab-based immunochemotherapy instead of chemotherapy regimen. Knockdown of SEMA3F significantly repressed the expression of CD20 and reduced the proapoptotic activity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity induced by rituximab. We further demonstrated that the Hippo pathway was involved in the SEMA3F-mediated regulation of CD20. Knockdown of SEMA3F expression induced the nuclear accumulation of TAZ and inhibited CD20 transcriptional levels via direct binding of the transcription factor TEAD2 and the CD20 promoter. Moreover, in patients with DLBCL, SEMA3F expression was negatively correlated with TAZ, and patients with SEMA3F low TAZ high had a limited benefit from a rituximab-based strategy. Specifically, treatment of DLBCL cells with rituximab and a YAP/TAZ inhibitor showed promising therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo . CONCLUSION Our study thus defined a previously unknown mechanism of SEMA3F-mediated rituximab resistance through TAZ activation in DLBCL and identified potential therapeutic targets in patients.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Rituximab/therapeutic use* ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Semaphorins/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of DNA Sema4D gene silencing by RNA interfering on the proliferation, migration and invasion of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells, and to study the effect of pshRNASema4D on the growth of SKOV3 cells in transplanted tumor in nude mice.

METHODSRecombinant plasmid pshRNASema4D-A, B and C were respectively transfected into SKOV3 cells by lipofetamine 2000, while cells transfected by plasmid vector pcDNA3.1 and cells untreated as control groups. RT-PCR was adopted to select the recombinant plasmid which showed the most optimal inhibition effect. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detected the mRNA and protein expression of Sema4D in SKOV3 cells tranfected for 24, 48 and 72 hours. MTT assay was used to investigate the proliferation of the SKOV3 cells after trasnsfection. Transwell cell migration and invasion assays were used to investigate the migration and invasion abilities of the SKOV3 cells after trasnsfection. Human ovarian cancer model was established in nude mice, and the nude mice were treated with pshRNASema4D-B once every 3 days for 3 weeks. The bulk of the transplanted tumor was measured.

RESULTSThree Sema4D-targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) A, B and C were successfully inserted into the plasmid vector pshRNA, and the coding sequences of the obtained shRNA were consistent with the designed fragment. The results indicated that both recombinant plasmid pshRNASema4D-A and B could effectively knock down the expression of Sema4D gene in human ovarian cancer cells, of which pshRNASema4D-B was the better choice, while no effect of pshRNASema4D-C was seen. RT-PCR results showed that the relative mRNA expression of Sema4D gene in SKOV3 cells transfected with pshRNA-Sema4D for 24, 48 and 72 hours were 0.401 ± 0.051, 0.120 ± 0.035 and 0.014 ± 0.015, respectively, which were significantly lower than that in SKOV3 cells transfected by empty vector and non-transfected cells at 72 hours after transfection. (0.521 ± 0.019, 0.536 ± 0.040,respectively, P < 0.05). The Westen blot analysis manifested that the relative expression of Sema4D protein of SKOV3 cells transfected by pshRNASema4D for 24, 48 and 72 hours were 0.196 ± 0.023, 0.074 ± 0.015 and 0.040 ± 0.014, respectively, which were significantly lower than that in SKOV3 cells transfected by empty vector and non-transfected cells at 72 hours after transfection. (0.275 ± 0.009, 0.282 ± 0.015, respectively, P < 0.05). Comparing with the empty vector-transfected and non-transfected cells, the proliferation, invasion and migration ability of SKOV3 cells transfected with pshRNA-Sema4D were obviously weakened. The pshRNASema4D-B significantly suppressed the growth of the SKOV3 cells-transplanted tumors in nude mice, and the IR (inhibitory rate) of pshRNASema 4D-B group was (61.0 ± 3.3)% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSema4D can be successfully silenced by RNA interfering in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. Downregulation of Sema4D can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. The pshRNASema4D can significantly suppress the growth in transplanted tumor of human ovary cancer in nude mice. Sema4D may become a candidate gene of gene therapy of human ovarian cancer.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Semaphorins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

Erbin, a member of Leucine-rich repeat and PDZ-containing protein family, was found to inhibit TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in our previous study. However, the mechanism of Erbin in regulating EMT is unclear. Semaphorin protein Sema4C, with PDZ binding site at C-terminal has been recognized as a positive regulator of EMT. Here, we aimed to examine the interaction between Erbin and Sema4C. HK2 cells were treated with TGF-β1, or transfected with Erbin and (or) Sema4C. Interaction of Erbin and Sema4C was identified by immunoprecipitation. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of Erbin and Sema4C at mRNA level after transfection. The expression levels of Erbin, Sema4C, and markers of EMT were measured by using Western blotting or ELISA. After HK2 cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h, the protein expression levels of Erbin and Sema4C were both up-regulated, and immunoprecipitation results showed Erbin interacted with Sema4C in HK2 cells both at endogenous and exogenous levels. Furthermore, overexpression of Sema4C suppressed E-cadherin, induced vimentin and promoted fibronectin secretion, indicating Sema4C promotes the process of EMT. However, HK2 cells overexpressing Erbin were resistant to Sema4C-induced EMT. In contrast, Erbin specific siRNA promoted EMT induced by Sema4C. Taken together, these results suggest that Erbin can interact with Sema4C, and co-expression of Erbin blocks the process of Sema4C-induced EMT.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; RNA Interference ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semaphorins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Skeletal fluorosis is a chronically metabolic bone disease with extensive hyperostosis osteosclerosis caused by long time exposure to fluoride. Skeletal fluorosis brings about a series of abnormal changes of the extremity, such as joint pain, joint stiffness, bone deformity, etc. Differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts were regulated by osteoclasts via Sema4D/Plexin-B1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts are conducted by osteoblasts via RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway. Both of these processes form a feedback circuit which is a key link in skeletal fluorosis. In this study, an osteoblast-osteoclast co-culture model in vitro was developed to illustrate the mechanism of skeletal fluorosis. With the increase of fluoride concentration, the expression level of Sema4D was decreased and TGF-β1 was increased continuously. OPG/RANKL mRNA level, however, increased gradually. On the basis of that, the inhibition of Sema4D/Plexin-B1/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway caused by fluoride promoted the level of TGF-β1 and activated the proliferation of osteoblasts. In addition, osteroprotegerin (OPG) secreted by osteoblasts was up-regulated by fluoride. The competitive combination of OPG and RANKL was strengthened and the combination of RANKL and RANK was hindered. And then the differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts were inhibited, and bone absorption was weakened, leading to skeletal fluorosis.
Animals ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Feedback, Physiological ; Fetus ; Fluorides ; pharmacology ; GTPase-Activating Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Semaphorins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; rho-Associated Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism