Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of multiple biological processes by altering gene expression at various levels. Apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) is closely linked to numerous cardiovascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, thrombus formation and plaque erosion. However, studies on lncRNAs in the cardiovascular system are just beginning. And thus far, no anti-apoptosis lncRNAs have been identified in VECs. Here, we focused on the anti-apoptosis roles of lncRNAs in the serum and FGF-2 starvation-induced apoptosis of VECs. Using microarray analysis, we found a novel lncRNA LOC100129973 which acted as an apoptosis inhibitor in VECs. Through sponging miR-4707-5p and miR-4767, lncRNA LOC100129973 upregulated the expression of two apoptosis repressors gene, Apoptosis Inhibitor 5 (API5) and BCL2 like 12 (BCL2L12), and thus alleviated the serum and FGF-2 starvation-induced apoptosis in VECs. This evidence suggests that lncRNA LOC100129973 is an attractive target to improve endothelial function and for therapy of apoptosis related cardiovascular diseases.

Increased integrin β4 (ITGB4) level is accompanied by malignant progression of multiple carcinomas. However, selective therapeutic strategies against cancer cells expressing a high level of ITGB4 have not been reported. Here, for the first time, we report that a chiral small molecule, SEC, selectively promotes apoptosis in cancer cells expressing a high level of ITGB4 by inducing ITGB4 nuclear translocation. Nuclear ITGB4 can bind to the ATF3 promoter region and activate the expression of ATF3, then upregulate the downstream pro-apoptosis genes. Furthermore, SEC promoted the binding of annexin A7 (ANXA7) to ITGB4 and increased ANXA7 GTPase activity. Activated ANXA7 promoted ITGB4 nuclear translocation by triggering ITGB4 phosphorylation at Y1494. SEC also inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in the avian embryo model. We identified a small molecule, SEC, with selective pro-apoptosis effects on cancer cells with high expression of ITGB4, both in vitro and in vivo, by triggering the binding of ITGB4 and ANXA7, ITGB4 nuclear trafficking, and pro-apoptosis gene expression.

BACKGROUND Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom (POM) is an edible mushroom with rich nutritional components and vital pharmacological properties. The present study comprised 100 cross‐bred piglets, weaned at 28 days old, who were randomly assigned to four POM diets with five replicates per diet and five piglets per pen. RESULTS POM supplementation ( P < 0.05) decreased the incidence of diarrhea, and also increased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain of pigs. Fecal acetate, butyrate and propionate increased with the addition of POM. Interleukin‐2, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, tumor necrosis factor‐α and immunoglobulin A increased ( P < 0.05) with the addition of POM. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant microbial strains in the fecal samples, irrespective of POM supplementation. Shannon diversity, whole tree phylogenetic diversity, observed species and Chao1 analysis exhibited significant variation in species richness across the treatments. Principal coordinates analysis showed a significant ( P < 0.1) increase in the microbial communities amongst all of the treatment groups. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggest that the supplementation of POM in the diet of piglets might increase feed consumption, gut microbial composition and diversity, as well as short‐chain fatty acids synthesis, consequently preventing the occurrence of diarrhea and increasing the growth of piglets. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.