The M87 jet is extensively examined by utilizing general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations as well as the steady axisymmetric force-free electrodynamic (FFE) solution. Quasi-steady funnel jets are obtained in GRMHD simulations up to the scale of ∼ 100 gravitational radius (r g ) for various black hole (BH) spins. As is known, the funnel edge is approximately determined by the following equipartitions; i) the magnetic and rest-mass energy densities and ii) the gas and magnetic pressures. Our numerical results give an additional factor that they follow the outermost parabolic streamline of the FFE solution, which is anchored to the event horizon on the equatorial plane. We also identify the matter dominated, non-relativistic corona/wind play a dynamical role in shaping the funnel jet into the parabolic geometry. We confirm a quantitative overlap between the outermost parabolic streamline of the FFE jet and the edge of jet sheath in VLBI observations at ∼ 10 1 -10 5 r g , suggesting that the M87 jet is likely powered by the spinning BH. Our GRMHD simulations also indicate a lateral stratification of the bulk acceleration (i.e., the spine-sheath structure) as well as an emergence of knotty superluminal features. The spin characterizes the location of the jet stagnation surface inside the funnel. We suggest that the limb-brightened feature could be associated with the nature of the BH-driven jet, if the Doppler beaming is a dominant factor. Our findings can be examined with (sub-)mm VLBI observations, giving a clue for the origin of the M87 jet.

Glypican-3 (gpc3) is the gene responsible for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel overgrowth syndrome. Previously, we have shown that GPC3 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we demonstrated the mechanisms for GPC3-mediated oncogenesis. Firstly, GPC3 overexpression in NIH3T3 cells gave to cancer cell phenotypes including growing in serum-free medium and forming colonies in soft agar, or on the other way, GPC3 knockdown in HuH-7 cells decreased oncogenecity. We further demonstrated that GPC3 bound specifically through its N-terminal proline-rich region to both Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II and IGF-1R. GPC3 stimulated the phosphorylation of IGF-1R and the downstream signaling molecule extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in an IGF-II-dependent way. Also, GPC3 knockdown in HCC cells decreased the phosphorylation of both IGF-1R and ERK. Therefore, GPC3 confers oncogenecity through the interaction between IGF-II and its receptor, and the subsequent activation of the IGF-signaling pathway. This data are novel to the current understanding of the role of GPC3 in HCC and will be important in future developments of cancer therapy.

The structure of the NGC 6251 jet on the milliarcsecond scale is investigated using images taken with the European VLBI Network and the Very Long Baseline Array. We detect a structural transition of the jet from a parabolic to a conical shape at a distance of (1 − 2) × 10 5 times the Schwarzschild radius from the central engine, which is close to the sphere of gravitational influence of the supermassive black hole (SMBH). We also examine the jet pressure profiles with the synchrotron minimum energy assumption to discuss the physical origin of the structural transition. The NGC 6251 jet, together with the M87 jet, suggests a fundamental process of the structural transition in the jets of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Collimated AGN jets are characterized by their external galactic medium, showing that AGN jets interplay with the SMBH and its host galaxy.