OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that the mRNA expression of serine protease 23 (PRSS23) was increased in skin fibroblasts from systemic sclerosis patients (SSc). The purpose of this study is to explore the pathogenetic effect and mechanism of PRSS23 in skin fibrosis of SSc. METHODS: The expression of PRSS23 in skin tissues from the SSc patients and healthy controls was detected by immunohisto-chemistry. Fibroblasts isolated from fresh skin tissue were used to detect the expression of PRSS23 by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Overexprssion of PRSS23 in BJ, the fibroblasts cell line of skin, was constructed by lentivirus. After stimulation with 400 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide for 12 h, Annexin V/7-AAD staining was used to detect apoptosis of fibroblasts; flow cytometry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related protein cleaved Caspase-3. The expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in fibroblasts was detected by RT-qPCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, the expression of PRSS23 in skin tissues of the SSc patients was significantly increased [4.952 (3.806-5.439) vs. 0.806 (0.395-1.173), P < 0.001], and fibroblast was the main cell that expressed PRSS23. The mRNA [27.59 (25.02-30.00) vs. 1.00, P < 0.001] and protein [0.675 (0.587-0.837) vs. 0.451 (0.342-0.502), P=0.029] of PRSS23 in skin fibroblasts isolated from the SSc patients were significantly up-regulated. Compared with the control group, the anti-apoptotic ability of skin fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 was enhanced, and the proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced after hydrogen peroxide induction [(5.043±1.097)% vs. (17.480±3.212)%, P=0.022], the expression of apoptosis-related protein cleaved Caspase-3 was also markedly reduced [(0.718±0.022) vs. (1.422±0.105), P=0.003]. In addition, the mRNA [(99.780±1.796) vs. (1.000±0.004), P < 0.001] and protein [(211.600±2.431) ng/L vs. (65.930±1.768) ng/L, P < 0.001] of IL-6 in the fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 were significantly up-regulated; the mRNA[(3.555±0.555) vs. (1.000±0.004), P < 0.001] and protein levels [(41.190±0.949) ng/L vs. (31.150±0.360) ng/L, P < 0.001] of TNF-α in the fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 were also significantly up-regulated. CONCLUSION The expression of PRSS23 is increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients. PRSS23 can inhibit cell apoptosis, promote the secretion of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and regulate the process that skin fibroblasts transform into pro-inflammatory type. So, PRSS23 is associated with the development of skin fibrosis.
Humans ; Scleroderma, Systemic/enzymology* ; Fibroblasts/pathology* ; Apoptosis ; Skin/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Cells, Cultured ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Serine Endopeptidases/genetics*

Endotoxins are common exogenous pyrogens. Excessive endotoxins in medical devices and injections can lead to serious consequences such as sepsis, septic shock, and even death. Therefore, endotoxin detection plays a crucial role in medical, pharmaceutical, and food sectors. The wide application of Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) has led to a sharp decline in the number of horseshoe crabs. Moreover, the LAL assay has limitations such as interbatch variations and difficulty in quantification. The recombinant factor C (rFC) assay is stable between batches, highly sensitive, and capable of quantitation, and thus it can be used as an alternative for the LAL assay. However, the high cost and complex procedures involved in producing recombinant factor C have limited the widespread application of this method. In order to simplify the preparation and reduce the production cost of recombinant factor C, this study focuses on the production of recombinant factor C based on the baculovirus expression system. Multiple measures such as a high-yield and anti-apoptotic vector qBac-IIIG, the optimal signal peptide, and the optimized codon were used to reach the goal of endotoxin detection with cell supernatant. This method simplifies the steps of protein purification. The sensitivity of the supernatant reached 0.05 EU/mL in a 1-L fermentation system, and 500 000 detecting reactions can be supported per liter of fermentation broth. This study increases the yield and activity of recombinant factor C, simplifies the procedures of protein purification, and reduces the cost, laying a foundation for the promotion and application of recombinant factor C in endotoxin detection.
Animals ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics* ; Horseshoe Crabs/chemistry* ; Baculoviridae/metabolism* ; Endotoxins/analysis* ; Protein C/biosynthesis* ; Genetic Vectors/genetics* ; Arthropod Proteins/genetics* ; Enzyme Precursors ; Serine Endopeptidases

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men and posing a serious threat to men's health. Detection methods such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate biopsy, and magnetic resonance imaging are widely used for prostate cancer screening, but they have low specificity, high cost, and significant risks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop highly specific, low-cost, easily obtained, stable, and reliable biomarkers, and use them as the basis to establish non-invasive screening and diagnostic methods for prostate cancer. This paper reviewed the recent advances in the use of prostate cancer biomarkers and combined detection methods for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment and provides an in-depth analysis and comparison of different biomarkers and combined detection methods, as well as points out the directions and challenges for future research. The paper emphasizes the importance of developing efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-implement biomarkers to increase the early diagnosis rate of prostate cancer, improve patient prognosis, and reduce the waste of healthcare resources. This paper provides an important theoretical basis and technical guidance for early diagnosis, precise treatment and prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer, and has important reference value for promoting clinical research and practice of prostate cancer.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood* ; Early Detection of Cancer/methods* ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II/metabolism* ; Antigens, Neoplasm/blood* ; Antigens, Surface ; Serine Endopeptidases

Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Bile Acids and Salts ; metabolism ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; pathology ; virology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; pathology ; Cytokine Release Syndrome ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral ; Epithelial Cells ; enzymology ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; etiology ; Liver ; pathology ; Organoids ; pathology ; virology ; Pandemics ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; analysis ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; pathology ; Receptors, Virus ; analysis ; Serine Endopeptidases ; analysis ; Viral Load

With the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) all over the world, there is an increasing number of children with such infection. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), one of the binding sites for SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans, can bind to viral spike proteins, allowing transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) to activate S-protein to trigger infection and induce the production of various inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1, interferon-l, and tumor necrosis factor. Compared with adults, children tend to have lower expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which are presumed to be associated with milder symptoms and fewer cases in children. The article summarizes the research advances in the role of ACE2 during SARS-CoV-2 infection, in order to help understand the pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and provide a reference for better development of drugs and vaccines to prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 in children.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism* ; COVID-19 ; Child ; Humans ; Receptors, Virus/metabolism* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Serine Endopeptidases/metabolism*

Zfyve16 (a.k.a. endofin or endosome-associated FYVE-domain protein), a member of the FYVE-domain protein family, is involved in endosomal trafficking and in TGF-β, BMP, and EGFR signaling. The FYVE protein SARA regulates the TGF-β signaling pathway by recruiting Smad2/3 and accelerating their phosphorylation, thereby altering their susceptibility to TGF-β-mediated T cell suppression. Zfyve16 binds to Smad4 and their binding affects the formation of Smad2/3-Smad4 complex in TGF-β signaling. However, the in vivo function of Zfyve16 remains unknown. In this study, we generated a Zfyve16 knockout mouse strain (Zfyve16) and examined its hematopoietic phenotypes and hematopoietic reconstruction ability. The proportion of Tcells in the peripheral blood of Zfyve16 mice increases compared with that in wild-type mice. This finding is consistent with the role of Zfyve16 in facilitating TGF-β signaling. Unpredictably, B cell proliferation is inhibited in Zfyve16 mice. The proliferation potential of Zfyve16 B-lymphoid cells also significantly decreases in vitro. These results suggest that Zfyve16 inhibits the proliferation of T cells, possibly through the TGF-β signaling, but upregulates the proliferation of B-lymphoid cells.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins, Receptor-Regulated ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of serine protease HtrA1 in human periodontal ligament tissue and to explore the effect of HtrA1 on the proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC).

METHODSSix human premolars and three human third molars(patient's ages ranging from 12 to 25, with intact root, without caries and/or periodontitis) were obtained in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of Wuhan University Hospital of Stomatology. Reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry analysis were applied to investigate the expression of HtrA1. Primary hPDLC were obtained by tissue-culture method in vitro. The proliferation of hPDLC was determined by methyl thiazolytetrazolium(MTT). Lentivirus-mediated over-expression and reduction of HtrA1 level was performed. An empty vector was used as negative control. On days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, the growth of hPDLC was characterized using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay.

RESULTSRT-PCR data indicated that HtrA1 mRNA was expressed in human periodontal ligament tissue. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed HtrA1 was expressed in human periodontal ligament, mainly in the cytoplasm of hPDLC and the extracellular matrix. The MTT result suggested that the growth curve was consistent with the growth characteristics of hPDLC. The stable over-expression and knockdown cell lines was successfully established by lentivirus with more than 90% transfection efficiency. CCK-8 assay showed that HtrA1 over-expression inhibited the proliferation of hPDLC(0.897±0.060, 0.890±0.083, 1.631±0.038, 1.111±0.041, 1.110±0.189), while cell proliferation increased after down-regulation of HtrA1(0.329±0.021, 0.529±0.044, 0.973±0.056, 1.626±0.102, 2.344±0.198)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHtrA1 is expressed in human periodontal ligament tissue at both mRNA and protein levels, and may play an important role in regulating the proliferation of hPDLC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Down-Regulation ; Genetic Vectors ; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1 ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; physiology ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Young Adult

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Protein Precursors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism

PURPOSE: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and promotes degradation of the LDLR. Inhibition of PCSK9 either by reducing its expression or by blocking its activity results in the upregulation of the LDLR and subsequently lowers the plasma concentration of LDL-cholesterol. As a modality to inhibit PCSK9 action, we searched the chemical library for small molecules that block the binding of PCSK9 to the LDLR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 100 chemicals that bind to PCSK9 where the EGF-AB fragment of the LDLR binds via in silico screening of the ChemBridge chemical library, using the computational GOLD algorithm analysis. Effects of chemicals were evaluated using the PCSK9-LDLR binding assay, immunoblot analysis, and the LDL-cholesterol uptake assay in vitro, as well as the fast performance liquid chromatography assay for plasma lipoproteins in vivo. RESULTS: A set of chemicals were found that decreased the binding of PCSK9 to the EGF-AB fragment of the LDLR in a dose-dependent manner. They also increased the amount of the LDLR significantly and subsequently increased the uptake of fluorescence-labeled LDL in HepG2 cells. Additionally, one particular molecule lowered the plasma concentration of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly in wild-type mice, while such an effect was not observed in Pcsk9 knockout mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings strongly suggest that in silico screening of small molecules that inhibit the protein-protein interaction between PCSK9 and the LDLR is a potential modality for developing hypercholesterolemia therapeutics.
Animals ; Cholesterol/*blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Proprotein Convertases/*metabolism ; Receptors, LDL/*metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases/*metabolism ; *Small Molecule Libraries

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of different doses of 8-hydroxy dihydroberberine (Hdber) for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats.

METHODSA rat model of hyperlipidemia was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet for 4 weeks in 70 rats of 80 animals, and 10 rats were randomly selected as control group. The hyperlipidemic rats were then randomly divided into the following groups: a model group (MOD); a berberine group [BBR, 156 mg/(kg day)]; Hdber groups, which were treated with different doses of Hdber [78, 39 and 19.5 mg/(kg day)]; and a simvastatin group [SIM, 4 mg/(kg day)]. The corresponding therapy was administered to the rats of each treatment via gastric tubes. Normal animals were used as a control group. The blood levels of various lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acid (FFA), apolipoprotein AI(Apo-AI) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) were examined. The protein expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) in liver tissues were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the control group of rats, the model group demonstrated a deteriorated blood lipid profile and exhibited increased expression levels of PCSK-9 protein in their liver tissues (P<0.01). In addition, the high-fat diet decreased the expression levels of LDL-R, SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in murine liver tissues. However, the addition of berberine or Hdber reversed the blood lipid profile changes (P<0.05 or P<0.01), decreased the expression levels of PCSK-9 proteins (P<0.01), and increased the expression levels of LDL-R proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats (P<0.01). These compounds did not significantly influence the expression levels of SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats.

CONCLUSIONSHdber is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats. The therapeutic mechanisms of Hdber may be associated with increasing the expression of LDL-R protein and decreasing the expression of PCSK-9 protein in liver tissues.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; blood ; Apolipoproteins B ; blood ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Proprotein Convertase 9 ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, LDL ; metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 ; metabolism