Genetic studies and molecular cloning approaches have been successfully used to identify several transcription factors that regulate the numerous stages of cartilage development. Sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (Sox9) is an essential transcription factor for the initial stage of cartilage development. Sox5 and Sox6 play an important role in the chondrogenic action of Sox9, presumably by defining its cartilage specificity. Several transcription factors have been identified as transcriptional partners for Sox9 during cartilage development. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Runx3 are necessary for hypertrophy of chondrocytes. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) function as co-activators for Runx2 during hypertrophy of chondrocytes. In addition, myocyte-enhancer factor 2C (Mef2C) is required for initiation of chondrocyte hypertrophy, presumably by functioning upstream of Runx2. Importantly, the pathogenic roles of several transcription factors in osteoarthritis have been demonstrated based on the similarity of pathological phenomena seen in osteoarthritis with chondrocyte hypertrophy. We discuss the importance of investigating cellular and molecular properties of articular chondrocytes and degradation mechanisms in osteoarthritis, one of the most common cartilage diseases.
Activating Transcription Factor 4 ; Cartilage Diseases ; Cartilage* ; Chondrocytes ; Cloning, Molecular ; Hypertrophy ; Osteoarthritis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcription Factors*

High glucose leads to physio/pathological alterations in diabetes patients. We investigated collagen production in human gingival cells that were cultured in high concentrations of glucose. Collagen synthesis and secretion were increased when the cells were exposed to high concentrations of glucose. We examined endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response because glucose metabolism is related to ER functional status. An ER stress response including the expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), inositol requiring enzyme alpha (IRE-1alpha) and phosphoreukaryotic initiation factor alpha (p-eIF-2alpha) was activated in the presence of high glucose. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF-4), a downstream protein of p-eIF-2alpha as well as a transcription factor for collagen, was also phosphorylated and translocalized into the nucleus. The chemical chaperone 4-PBA inhibited the ER stress response and ATF-4 phosphorylation as well as nuclear translocation. Our results suggest that high concentrations of glucose-induced collagen are linked to ER stress and the associated phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of ATF-4.
Activating Transcription Factor 4 ; Butylamines ; Collagen ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Fibroblasts ; Glucose ; Humans ; Inositol ; Peptide Initiation Factors ; Phenylbutyrates ; Phosphorylation ; Transcription Factors

Controlling balance between T-helper type 1 (Th1) and T-helper type 2 (Th2) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the biological rhythm of Th1/Th2 and circumventing diseases caused by Th1/Th2 imbalance. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is a Th2-type cytokine and often associated with hypersensitivity-related diseases such as atopic dermatitis and allergies when overexpressed. In this study, we have tried to elucidate the function of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol (EC-18) as an essential modulator of Th1/Th2 balance. EC-18 has showed an inhibitory effect on the production of IL-4 in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR analysis has proved EC-18 affect the transcription of IL-4. By analyzing the phosphorylation status of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), which is a transcriptional activator of IL-4 expression, we discovered that EC-18 induced the decrease of STAT6 activity in several stimulated cell lines, which was also showed in STAT6 reporter analysis. Co-treatment of EC-18 significantly weakened atopy-like phenotypes in mice treated with an allergen. Collectively, our results suggest that EC-18 is a potent Th2 modulating factor by regulating the transcription of IL-4 via STAT6 modulation, and could be developed for immune-modulatory therapeutics.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Hypersensitivity ; Interleukin-4* ; Mice ; Phenotype ; Phosphorylation ; STAT6 Transcription Factor

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis of a patient presenting with dysmorphism, intellectual disability, psychomotor delay and hypoplasia of corpus callosum by using next generation sequencing. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the patient and his family members and subjected to exome sequencing. Suspected variants were verified with Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The patient was found to carry a heterozygous c.1357delAinsGGA variant in exon 11 of the TCF4 gene, which was verified as de novo by Sanger sequencing. The variant may result in a truncated protein and affect its function. CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.1357delAinsGGA variant the TCF4 gene probably underlies the disease in the proband.
Facies ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Hyperventilation/genetics* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Male ; Transcription Factor 4/genetics*

Child ; Humans ; Facies ; Hyperventilation/genetics* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mutation ; Transcription Factor 4/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of a child with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. METHODS: A child who had presented at the Medical Genetics Center of Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital on February 24, 2021 and his parents were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the child was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents and subjected to trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Karyotype analysis was also carried out for the child, and her mother was subjected to ultra-deep sequencing and prenatal diagnosis upon her subsequent pregnancy. RESULTS: The clinical manifestations of the proband included facial dysmorphism, Simian crease, and mental retardation. Genetic testing revealed that he has carried a heterozygous c.1762C>T (p.Arg588Cys) variant of the TCF4 gene, for which both parents had a wild-type. The variant was unreported previously and was rated as likely pathogenic based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Ultra-deep sequencing indicated that the variant has a proportion of 2.63% in the mother, suggesting the presence of low percentage mosaicism. Prenatal diagnosis of amniotic fluid sample suggested that the fetus did not carry the same variant. CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.1762C>T variant of the TCF4 gene probably underlay the disease in this child and has derived from the low percentage mosaicism in his mother.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mosaicism ; Mothers ; Mutation ; Parents ; Transcription Factor 4/genetics*

To study the effect of anemoside B4 on rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Seventy-two SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group and model group.The method of exposure to cigarette smoke and combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to replicate the rat model of COPD.After the model was maintained for 5 weeks,the rats were randomly divided into model group,dexamethasone group (0.81 mg·kg~(-1)) and anemoside B4 low,medium and high (2,4,8 mg·kg~(-1)) dose groups,a group of 12 animals were administered,and then the administration was started.The administration was maintained until the28th day,and the pulmonary function parameters of rats were measured by an animal pulmonary function instrument.After testing the rat lung function parameters,immediately draw rat alveolar lavage fluid (BALF),and use high-throughput protein chip technology to determined the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in rat BALF.HE staining was used to observe the general pathological changes of rat lung and tracheal tissue.Masson staining was used to observe the collagen deposition in rat lung tissue.Real-time q PCR method was used to determine the mRNA expression level of related genes in rat lung tissue.Western blot method was used to determine the expression levels of related proteins in rat lung tissues.According to the findings,compared with the model group,the dexamethasone group and the anemoside B4 drug groups had different degrees of increase in the lung function parameters of rats (P<0.01,P<0.05),improved the expression level of inflammatory cytokines in the BALF of rats to varying degrees (P<0.01,P<0.05),and improved the pathological structure of rat lung tissue to varying degrees.Relative mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2),matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12),matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1),interleukin-6 (IL-6),and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were significantly reduced (P<0.01);whereas relative mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9) and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 2 (TIMP-2) were increased significantly (P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expression levels of T-box transcription factor (T-bet),interleukin-12 (IL-12) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4(STAT4) reduced to varying degrees (P<0.01,P<0.05).The mRNA of transcription factor GATA3 (binding protein-3),interleukin-4 (IL-4) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) in rat lung tissues and the protein expression levels of IL-4 and STAT6 were increased to varying degrees (P<0.01,P<0.05).In conclusion,anemoside B4 has a certain protective effect on COPD rats caused by cigarette smoke exposure and combined with LPS.The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of IL-12/STAT4 and IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathways.
Animals ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lung/metabolism* ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/genetics* ; Rats ; STAT4 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; STAT6 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Saponins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of activated protein 1 (AP-1) in cell cycle changes on human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF) induced by benzo (a) pyrene [B (a) P], and relationships between AP-1 and cyclin D1/CDK4-E2F-1/4.

METHODSCells transfected with AP-1 luciferase reporter plasmid (AP-H) were cultured with serum-free RPMI1640 for 48 h, and treated with 2 micromol/L B (a) P for 24 h. AP-1 relative activity was detected by luciferase assay. Changes of cell cycle and the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and E2F-1/4 were checked using the flow cytometer and Western blot assay.

RESULTSAfter B (a) P was treated for 24 h, the ratio of G1 phase cells (71 +/- 2)% was decreased to (48 +/- 3)% (P < 0.05), and an increase was observed in the ratio of S phase. AP-1 activity and cyclin D1/E2F-1 expression were increased significantly, but CDK4/E2F-4 expression did not change after B (a) P treatment. When AP-1 activity was inhibited by curcumin, decreases of G1 phase in response to B (a) P treatment were blocked, and overexpression of cyclin D1/E2F-1 was attenuated, but CDK4/E2F-4 expression was not changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONAP-1 is involved in B (a) P induced cell cycle changes, and is the upstream signals of cyclin D1/E2F-1, but not CDK4/E2F-4.

Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; E2F1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; E2F4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of leukodepleted blood transfusions on peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cell balance in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODSFifty-seven ALL patients in our hospital from March 2016 to August 2017 were selected, 31 of them received routine blood transfusion were enrolled in group A, and 26 patients received depleted-blood leukotransfusion were enrolled in group B, 36 cases in normal physical examination at the same period were enrolled in control group. And the basic clinical characteristics of patients were recorded; the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells in peripheral blood of patients was analyzed by flow cytometry;the serum levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 were detected by ELISA method; the mRNA levels of T-bet and GATA-3 in lymphocytes were detected by RT-PCR;the protein levels of T-bet and GATA-3 in lymphocyte were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe Th1/Th2 ratio in peripheral blood of ALL patients significantly related with patient age and risk grade (P<0.05).After treatment,the change of Th1/Th2 ratio in group A showed no statistical difference from Th1/Th2 ratio before treatment (P>0.05), while the Th1/Th2 ratio in group B increased (P<0.05);the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 secreted from Th1 and Th2 cells of ALL patients in A group were not changed significantly(P>0.05), while the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ secreted from Th1 cells of ALL patients in group B increased, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 secreted from Th2 cells in group B decreased with statistical difference (P<0.05); the RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expression levels of T-bet mRNA and T-bet protein in group A were lower than those in control group, while the expression levels of T-bet mRNA and T-bet protein in group B were higher than those in group A (P<0.05); the expression levels of mRNA and GATA-3 protein in group A were higher than those in control group, the expression levels of mRNA and GATA-3 protein in group B were lower than those in group A (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe leukoreduced blood transfusion helps to improve the balance of Th1/Th2 cells in peripheral blood and improve the immune function of patients, which may closely relate with the expression levels of T-bet and GATA-3.

Blood Transfusion ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-4 ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Th1 Cells ; Th2 Cells

OBJECTIVE: To determine the time course and potential mechanism of fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) in the regulation of adipogenesis.
 METHODS: We cultured human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) pre-adipocytes with recombinant FGF-1 and harvested cells at various stages prior to and during differentiation; at cell proliferation (D-3), confluence (D0), early (D3), middle (D7) and mature (D14) stages of differentiation. We determined lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes by morphological observation and quantitative measurement of oil red O staining. We also examined the expression of adipogenic genes and related markers involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway using quantitative Real-time PCR and Western blot.
 RESULTS: Compared to control SGBS cells, treatment with FGF-1 increased lipid accumulation; induced a sustained increase in the mRNA for peroxisome proliferater-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), adiponectin and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4); and promoted a sustained decrease in expression of markers of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, β-catenin and transcription factor 4 (TCF4).
 CONCLUSION The adipogenic effects of FGF-1 are apparent throughout the whole priming and differentiation period in human SGBS pre-adipocytes. Furthermore, our results suggest that FGF-1 
promotes adipogenesis, at least in part, via a sustained decrease in activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Adipocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Adipogenesis ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor 4 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism