Objective Kisspeptin,a protein encoded by the KISS1 gene,functions as an essential factor in suppressing tumor growth.The intricate orchestration of cellular processes such as proliferation and differentiation is governed by the Notch1/Akt/Foxo1 signaling pathway,which assumes a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis.In the specific context of this investigation,the focal point lies in a meticulous exploration of the intricate mechanisms underlying the regulatory effect of kisspeptin on the process of endometrial decidualization.This investigation delves into the interplay between kisspeptin and the Notch1/Akt/Foxo1 signaling pathway,aiming to elucidate its significance in the pathophysiology of recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA).Methods We enrolled a cohort comprising 45 individuals diagnosed with RSA,who were admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Reproductive Center at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between June 2020 and December 2020.On the other hand,an additional group of 50 women undergoing elective abortion at the outpatient clinic of the Family Planning Department during the same timeframe was also included.To comprehensively assess the molecular landscape,Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to analyze the expression levels of kisspeptin(and its gene KISS1),IGFBP1(an established marker of decidualization),Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1 within the decidua.Human endometrial stromal cells(hESC)were given targeted interventions,including treatment with siRNA to disrupt KISS1 or exposure to kisspeptin10(the bioactive fragment of kisspeptin),and were subsequently designated as the siKP group or the KP10 group,respectively.A control group comprised hESC was transfected with blank siRNA,and cell proliferation was meticulously evaluated with CCK8 assay.Following in vitro induction for decidualization across the three experimental groups,immunofluorescence assay was performed to identify differences in Notch1 expression and decidualization morphology between the siKP and the KP10 groups.Furthermore,RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to gauge the expression levels of IGFBP1,Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1 across the three cell groups.Subsequently,decidualization was induced in hESC by adding inhibitors targeting Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1.The expression profiles of the aforementioned proteins and genes in the four groups were then examined,with hESC induced for decidualization without adding inhibitors serving as the normal control group.To establish murine models of normal pregnancy(NP)and RSA,CBA/J×BALB/c and CBA/J×DBA/2 mice were used.The mice were respectively labeled as the NP model and RSA model.The experimental groups received intraperitoneal injections of kisspeptin10 and kisspeptin234(acting as a blocker)and were designated as RSA-KP10 and NP-KP234 groups.On the other hand,the control groups received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline(NS)and were referred to as RSA-NS and NP-NS groups.Each group comprised 6 mice,and uterine tissues from embryos at 9.5 days of gestation were meticulously collected for observation of embryo absorption and examination of the expression of the aforementioned proteins and genes.Results The analysis revealed that the expression levels of kisspeptin,IGFBP1,Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1 were significantly lower in patients diagnosed with RSA compared to those in women with NP(P<0.01 for kisspeptin and P<0.05 for IGFBP1,Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1).After the introduction of kisspeptin10 to hESC,there was an observed enhancement in decidualization capability.Subsequently,the expression levels of Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1 showed an increase,but they decreased after interference with KISS1.Through immunofluorescence analysis,it was observed that proliferative hESC displayed a slender morphology,but they transitioned to a rounder and larger morphology post-decidualization.Concurrently,the expression of Notch1 increased,suggesting enhanced decidualization upon the administration of kisspeptin10,but the expression decreased after interference with KISS1.Further experimentation involved treating hESC with inhibitors specific to Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1 separately,revealing a regulatory sequence of Notch1/Akt/Foxo1(P<0.05).In comparison to the NS group,NP mice administered with kisspeptin234 exhibited increased fetal absorption rates(P<0.001)and decreased expression of IGFBP1,Notch1,Akt,and Foxo1(P<0.05).Conversely,RSA mice administered with kisspeptin10 demonstrated decreased fetal absorption rates(P<0.001)and increased expression levels of the aforementioned molecules(P<0.05).Conclusion It is suggested that kisspeptin might exert its regulatory influence on the process of decidualization through the modulation of the Notch1/Akt/Foxo1 signaling cascade.A down-regulation of the expression levels of kisspeptin could result in suboptimal decidualization,which in turn might contribute to the development or progression of RSA.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of polymorphisms of N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-phospholipase D (DAPE-PLD) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) genes, as well as their interaction, with schizophrenia.

METHODSPolymorphisms of NAPE-PLD rs12540583 and FAAH rs324420, rs2295633, and rs6429600 were determined with PCR - restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and Sanger sequencing. The genotypes of 345 subjects of Han Chinese origin diagnosed with schizophrenia and a 403 controls were compared. The results were analyzed with SPSS 17.0, and the interaction of the two genes was analyzed using a multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method.

RESULTSThe frequency of NAPE-PLD rs12540583 polymorphism was significantly different between the two groups under both dominant and additive models (χ2=17.18 vs. χ2=18.94, P<0.0125). The frequencies of AC genotype and C allele of the patient group at rs12540583 were higher than those of the controls, and the interaction of NAPE-PLD and FAAH was associated with schizophrenia. A four-loci model (rs12540583, rs324420, rs2295633 and rs6429600) can best model the interaction between NAPE-PLD and FAAH.

CONCLUSIONThe AC genotype and C allele of NAPE-PLD rs12540583 locus are risk factors for schizophrenia, and the interaction between NAPE-PLD rs12540583 and FAAH rs324420, rs2295633 and rs6429600 is associated with schizophrenia.

Adult ; Amidohydrolases ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phospholipase D ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Schizophrenia ; genetics

Objective:To prepare and preliminarily identify the monoclonal antibodies(mAbs) specifically against 3D protein of Enterovirus 71(EV71),using bioinformatics to predict the epitopes of 3D,with HBc protein as a carrier.Methods: Artificial screening of 3D protein epitope sequences by bioinformatic method,inserted into the major immunodominant region(MIR) area of Hepatitis B virus core protein(HBc),to construct the recombinant protein.BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant virus like particles(VLPs),to prepare the mAbs against 3D protein of EV71.Affinity chromatography technology was used to purify the mAb.The indirect ELISA,ELISPOT,immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining methods were used to identify the characteristic of the mAb.Results: We displayed 3D(aa34-43),3D(aa61-76) and 3D(aa151-164) epitopes by constructing fusion protein using HBc VLPs as a vector,after hybridization,one positive hybridoma cell line(3E1) was selected by ELISA.The isotype of 3E1 was IgG2a.The results of immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining assay showed that the mAb 3E1 could specifically recognize EV71.Conclusion: The prepared mAb 3E1 can specifically recognizes the EV71,which laid the foundation for the detection of virus and further study on 3D protein,and verified the bioinformatics technology combined with HBc carrier displaying peptides could prepare mAb quickly and efficiently.