ABSTRACT. We searched for key genes that could accurately predict bone mineral density. The gene expression profile GSE7429 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which includes 20 samples, 10 with high and 10 with low bone mineral density. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with packages in R language. Further, BLASTX was used to obtain COG function classifications of all the DEGs. The GOTM software was used to find DEGs enriched modules. The functions of genes in the modules was also predicted with the software GENECODIS. Three hundred and three genes were identified as DEGs by comparing high and low bone mineral density samples; the selected genes were mapped to 14 modules collected in PPID. Genes VDR, ESR1, and NRIP1, located in the same module, were significantly enriched in intracellular receptor-mediated signaling biological processes. We conclude that the genes VDR, ESR1, NRIP1 in B cells have a close relationship with bone mineral density. The expression patterns of these genes could be used to determine osteoprotegerin function and for early diagnosis and prevention of low bone mineral density.
Currently, infectious syphilis has been resurgent in China and has become a significant public health problem. The rapid expansion of syphilis screening programs is urgently required. In the present study, the performance of the Determine Syphilis TP assay (Determine TP assay) for the detection of antibodies against Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) for syphilis serodiagnosis was evaluated. In total, 300 serum samples were tested for the presence of treponemal-specific antibodies using the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay, the Determine TP assay, and the InTec immunochromatography assay (InTec assay). The Determine TP assay detected 99, 11, and 5 positive results, whereas the InTec assay detected 97, 3, and 3 positive samples from group I (100 TPPA-positive sera), group II (13 TPPA 1:80 +/- sera), and group III (187 TPPA-negative sera), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and the rate concordant with TPPA for the Determine TP assay were 97.35, 98.91, and 97.33%, respectively. In comparison to the TPPA, the Determine TP assay is simple to perform and time-saving, making it a favorable alternative for the detection of T. pallidum-specific antibodies where other T. pallidum-specific confirmatory tests are not available. In addition, this rapid treponemal test promotes prompt treatment for syphilis by providing early laboratory diagnosis.
BackgroundAlcohol is regarded as a leading risk factor of osteopenia. Our previous works indicated Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway plays crucial role in the ethanol-induced anti-osteogenic effect in bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). It was acknowledged that PI3K/Akt is negatively regulated by the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) phosphatase. PTEN expression was reported to be upregualted in ethanol-administrated animals.ObjectivesIn this study, we explored the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced osteopenia and investigated the role of PTEN and Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin axis in this pathological process.MethodsIn vitro, Western blotting, separation of nucleus and cytosolic extracts, confocal scanning, RT-PCR were used to investigate the inhibition of ethanol on Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signalling pathway via upregulation of PTEN in hBMSCs. In vivo, micro-computerised tomography, hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining, Van Gieson staining, Masson’s trichrome and fluorochrome labelling were employed to reveal that PTEN inhibition provided protective effects against ethanol on bone tissue.ResultsWe found that ethanol increased PTEN expression both in BMSCs and in bone tissue of ethanol-administrated rats. PTEN upregulation impaired the recruitment of Akt to the plasma membrane, and suppressed Akt phosphorylation at Ser473, there by inhibiting the Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signalling pathway in BMSCs and inhibited the expression of osteogenic genes COL1 and OCN both in vitro and in vivo. To counteract the inhibitory effect of ethanol, two selective PTEN inhibitors were introduced. The result of micro-computerised tomography, hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining, Van Gieson staining, Masson’s trichrome and fluorochrome labelling indicated PTEN inhibition provided protective effects against ethanol on bone tissue. Interestingly, our data revealed that the mRNA of PETN, paralleled with PTENP1, was increased in a time-dependent manner upon ethanol stimulation, which resulted in increasing PTEN protein level. In addition, ethanol increased PTEN expression while decreased p-PTEN expression in a time-dependent manner, which indicated the generation of more functional PTEN.ConclusionsTaken together, dual regulations of PTEN by ethanol via transcriptional and post-transcriptional process impaired the downstream signalling of Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSC. Therefore, we propose that PTEN inhibition treatment for Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin activation could be tested in the clinic as a potential therapeutic approach to preventing the development of alcohol-induced osteopenia.References[1] Song MS, Salmena L Pandolfi PP. The functions and regulation of the PTEN tumour suppressor. Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology2012;13:283–296. doi:10.1038/nrm3330[2] Xian L, et al. Matrix IGF-1 maintains bone mass by activation of mTOR in mesenchymal stem cells. Nature medicine2012;18:1095–1101. doi:10.1038/nm.2793[3] Vanhaesebroeck B, Stephens L, Hawkins P. PI3K signalling: the path to discovery and understand...
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