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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 775 records · Page 43

Role of leukotriene B4 12-hydroxydehydrogenase in α-galactosylceramide-pulsed dendritic cell therapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Highlights: • LTB4DH in CD4{sup +} T cells rescued IFN-γ production with PGE{sub 2}. • LTB4DH in CD8{sup +} T cells rescued tumoricidal activity with PGE{sub 2}. • LTB4DH in CD8{sup +} T cells increased the expression of cytotoxic molecules with PGE{sub 2}. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells exhibit potent antitumor effects upon activation by recognizing a specific glycolipid antigen. We previously performed phase I–II clinical studies to utilize iNKT cells using α-galactosylceramide-pulsed dendritic cells and identified leukotriene B4 12-hydroxydehydrogenase (LTB4DH) as a biomarker highly expressed in T cells derived from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who showed prolonged survival in respond to the iNKT cell immunotherapy. Because LTB4DH expression correlated with prolonged survival of NSCLC patients, we considered LTB4DH to play a role in iNKT cell immunotherapy. We herein demonstrate that the overexpression of LTB4DH in CD4{sup +} or CD8{sup +} T cells increases interferon-γ production and tumoricidal activity in the presence of prostaglandin E{sub 2}. Moreover, the expression of granzyme a, granzyme b, and perforin mRNA was increased in LTB4DH-overexpressing cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Serum microRNA-211 as a biomarker for diabetic retinopathy via modulating Sirtuin 1

Highlights: • Serum miR-211 was significantly up-regulated in patients with diabetic retinopathy. • miR-211 was significantly up-regulated associated with diabetes duration. • miR-211 could directly target SIRT1 and may regulate the expression of SIRT1. • Serum miR-211 as a biomarker for diabetic retinopathy via modulating Sirtuin 1. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive microvascular complication associated with diabetes, and remains the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) were involving in the physiological and pathophysiological processes of diabetes and its microvascular and macrovascular complications. The purpose of the current investigation is to identify the candidate miR-211 as a novel biomarker for occurrence and progression of DR in clinical study and experimental research. Firstly, miR-211 was considered as a candidate miRNA identifying by miRNA microarray analysis, Venn diagram analysis, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and receiver operating characteristic curve in clinical study. Then, the predicted Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) may be the target gene of miR-211 searching by TargetScan 7.2. Moreover, miR-211 was significantly up-regulated, while SIRT1 mRNA significantly down-regulated measuring by qRT-PCR, meanwhile, SIRT1 protein was significantly down-regulated in coincidence with SIRT1 mRNA detecting by western blot, and even aggravated associated with diabetes duration in diabetic retinal tissues of vivo experiment. Additionally, miR-211 was directly targeted SIRT1 confirming by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, with transfection of antagomiR-211, the apoptosis of HUVECs was significantly suppressed employing by flow cytometry analysis, nevertheless the viability of HUVECs was significantly promoted exploiting by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Finally, SIRT1 mRNA and SIRT1 protein were significantly up-regulated testing by qRT-PCR and western blot respectively in hyperglycemic HUVECs transfected with antagomiR-211 of vitro experiment. Consequently, the current clinical study and experimental research imply that serum miR-211 as a novel biomarker with high sensitivity and specificity could be associated with occurrence and progression of DR via targeting SIRT1.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Zoledronate and high glucose levels influence osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption via the AMPK pathway

Highlights: • High glucose suppresses osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption. • ZOL suppresses osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption in high glucose. • The influences on osteoclast above realize via the AMPK pathway. • The expression of NFATc1, SYK, CTSK and TRAP is regulated by AMPK. Bisphosphonates, the main drugs to treat osteoporosis, have been shown to protect against bone loss in diabetic osteoporosis. However, the effects of the bisphosphonate zoledronate (ZOL) on osteoclast differentiation and function in a high glucose environment as well as the involvement of the adenosine activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway remain unclear. In the current study, RAW264.7 cells were induced into osteoclasts, divided into low glucose, high glucose, low glucose + ZOL, and high glucose + ZOL groups, which were tested for cell proliferation, cell migration, integrity of the osteoclast sealing zone, osteoclast differentiation, bone absorption, and protein and mRNA expression of genes in the AMPK pathway. We demonstrated that high glucose promoted the expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, while inhibited nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), cathepsin K (CTSK), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), which influenced osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption. Upon addition of ZOL to high glucose, the expression of AMPK, p-AMPK increased and the expression of NFATc1, SYK, CTSK, TRAP decreased, while osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption were further inhibited. Further more, when added Compound C (AMPK antagonist), we found the expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, decreased, whereas NFATc1, SYK, and TRAP increased. In contrast, AMPK and p-AMPK increased and NFATc1, SYK, CTSK and TRAP decreased upon addition of AICAR, an AMPK agonist. In conclusion, the results suggest AMPK has potential as a new target for the treatment of osteoporosis, the high glucose environment promoted RAW264.7 cell migration, but suppressed osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption, and ZOL suppressed osteoclast migration, differentiation, and bone absorption via the AMPK pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Circular RNA HIPK3 exerts oncogenic properties through suppression of miR-124 in lung cancer

Highlights: • CircHIPK3 is upregulated in human lung cancer cells. • CircHIPK3 siRNA inhibits lung cancer cell survival and proliferation. • CircHIPK3 overexpression promotes lung cancer cell survival and proliferation. • CircHIPK3 regulates expression miR-124 and its targets in lung cancer cells. • CircHIPK3 upregulation correlates with miR-124 downregulation in human lung cancer tissues. The current study tested the expression and potential functions of circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) in human lung cancer. Our results show that circHIPK3 expression is upregulated in established (A549 line) and primary human lung cancer cells, when compared to its low level in the lung epithelial cells. siRNA-mediated silencing of circHIPK3 potently inhibited survival and proliferation of lung cancer cells, but inducing significant apoptosis activation. Contrarily, forced overexpression of circHIPK3 by a lentiviral construct promoted lung cancer cell survival and proliferation. CircHIPK3 acted as a microRNA-124 (miR-124) sponger and regulated the expression of miR-124 mRNA targets, including SphK1, CDK4 and STAT3, in lung cancer cells. Transfection of miR-124 inhibitor significantly inhibited circHIPK3 siRNA-induced lung cancer cell death and apoptosis. At last, we show that circHIPK3 levels are upregulated in human lung cancer tissues, correlated with miR-124 downregulation. The miR-124 targets (SphK1, STAT3 and CDK4) are upregulated in lung cancer tissues. Together, we propose that circHIPK3 promotes lung cancer cell progression possibly by sponging miR-124. These observations indicate a possible novel therapeutic strategy involving circHIPK3-miR-124 pathway against lung cancer.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Binding of SRSF4 to a novel enhancer modulates splicing of exon 6 of Fas pre-mRNA

Highlights: • SRSF4 expression promotes exon 6 inclusion of Fas pre-mRNA. • A stronger 5′ splice-site of exon 6 is required for SRSF4-mediated regulation on exon 6 splicing. • SRSF4 functionally targets GGGGUG RNA sequence on exon 6. • SRSF4 directly interacts with GGGGUG sequence on exon 6. Alternative splicing of exon 6 in Fas pre-mRNA generates a membrane bound pro-apoptotic isoform or soluble anti-apoptotic isoform. SRSF4 is a member of Arginine-Serine rich (SR) protein family. Here we demonstrate that increased SRSF4 expression stimulates exon 6 inclusion, and that reduced SRSF4 expression promotes exon 6 exclusion. We also show that weaker but not stronger 5’ splice-site strength of exon 6 abolishes the SRSF4 effects on exon 6 splicing. Furthermore, we identified a novel enhancer on exon 6, on which SRSF4 interacts functionally and physically. Our results illustrate a novel regulatory mechanism of Fas pre-mRNA splicing.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Adenylate cyclase 7 regulated by miR-192 promotes ATRA-induced differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells

Highlights: • AC7 affects cAMP production in APL cells. • Knockdown of AC7 inhibits ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells. • MiR-192 directly targets 3′ UTR of AC7 mRNA and inhibits its expression. • MiR-192 knockdown promotes ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells by up-regulating AC7. • AC7 and miR-192 expression levels are associated with the relapse of APL patients. Adenylate cyclase 7 (AC7) has been reported to participate in various biological processes during cancer progression. However, the roles of AC7 in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells are still unknown. In this study, firstly, our results showed that AC7 affected intracellular cAMP level and influenced ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells. Secondly, we revealed that miR-192 could directly target AC7 expression and knockdown of miR-192 promoted ATRA-induced APL cell differentiation by regulating AC7 expression. Furthermore, we found that AC7 expression was lower in patients with relapsed APL than that in patients with newly diagnosed APL, while miR-192 expression was relatively higher in patients with relapsed APL. Taken together, our results show that miR-192-mediated AC7 could play important roles in differentiation of APL cells, AC7 and miR-192 might be new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for patients with relapsed APL.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Retinoic acid co-treatment aggravates severity of dioxin-induced skin lesions in hairless mice via induction of inflammatory response

Highlights: • Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) is ineffective for dioxin-induced skin lesions in mice. • Co-treatment with dioxin and RA results in psoriasis-like phenotype not seen under treatment with either compound alone. • Strong inflammation is the most prominent effect induced by combined treatment with dioxin and RA. Exposure to toxic halogenated polyaromatic hydrocarbons, of which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent, induces diverse skin pathologies in humans, including chloracne, hyperkeratosis, hamartomas, etc. While the toxic effects of TCDD have been extensively studied, effective approaches to their treatment are still lacking. Retinoids are commonly used in therapy of acneiform skin diseases. In vitro, retinoids elicit antagonistic effects on keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, as compared to TCDD, suggesting their potential in treatment of TCDD-induced skin lesions. Nevertheless, the modulation of TCDD activity in skin by retinoids in vivo was never reported. We have used N-TERT keratinocyte cell line and hairless (hr) mice to determine if retinoic acid (RA) can lessen or reverse TCDD-induced effects in vitro and in vivo. RA co-treatment suppressed TCDD-induced changes in the expression of differentiation-associated genes and N-TERT keratinocyte viability in vitro. However, in hairless mice (in vivo), RA/TCDD co-treatment produced more severe effects, than treatment with either of the two compounds individually. RA/TCDD co-application to mouse skin strongly stimulated keratinocyte proliferation, resulting in dramatic epidermal hyperplasia. It has also led to massive immune cell infiltration into the dermis, and increased mRNA expression of inflammation markers, including IL1β, IL6 and S100A7. Thus, retinoids not only appeared ineffective in treatment of TCDD-induced skin lesions in hairless mice, but also resulted in their exaggeration. These in vivo results question previous cell culture-based claims that RA may reduce TCDD-induced skin effects and caution against the reliance on in vitro data in TCDD toxicology research.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

LncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 15 accelerates the breast cancer cells progression via miR-153–3p/KLF5 positive feedback loop

Highlights: • CASC15 expression level was aberrantly high-expressed in breast cancer tissue specimens and cells. • Loss-of-functional experiments showed that knockdown of CASC15 suppressed the malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells. • CASC15 functioned as ceRNA of miR-153–3p, besides, miR-153–3p targeted the 3‘-UTR of KLF5 mRNA. • KLF5 binds with the promoter region of CASC15 and activates the transcription. Emerging literature have illustrated the vital regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) on the breast cancer tumorigenesis. Although series of researches have been proceeded on the pathogenesis, there are still much of unsolved mysteries worth investigating. This study uncovered that CASC15 expression level was aberrantly high-expressed in breast cancer tissue specimens and cells. Functionally, the loss-of-functional experiments showed that knockdown of CASC15 suppressed the malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells, such as proliferation, invasion and tumor growth in vitro and vivo. Mechanically, we confirmed that CASC15 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-153–3p, besides, miR-153–3p targeted the 3‘-UTR of KLF5 mRNA utilizing the bioinformatics online tools, luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Interestingly, we confirmed that the transcription factor KLF5 binds with the promoter region of CASC15 and activates the transcription. In conclusion, we validated the positive feedback loop of KLF5/CASC15/miR-153–3p/KLF5 in the acceleration of breast cancer malignant behaviors and tumorigenesis, suggesting the important biologic roles of CASC15 on the breast cancer tumorigenesis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

SpWRKY6 acts as a positive regulator during tomato resistance to Phytophthora infestans infection

Highlights: • SpWRKY6 acts as a positive regulator of tomato resistance to P. infestans infection. • Over-expressing SpWRKY6 tomato increased resistance to P. infestans by scavenging reactive oxygen species. • SpWRKY6-mediated tomato resistance to P. infestans through regulating the expression level of PR genes. WRKY transcription factors have been widely known to play key regulatory roles in plant disease resistance. In our previous study, characteristics of SpWRKY6 and its role in response to biotic and abiotic stress was studied. To further investigate the function of SpWRKY6 in tomato resistance to Phytophthora infestans (P. infestans), we studied the effects of loss and gain of function of SpWRKY6. Inhibition of SpWRKY6 mRNA accumulation in tomato leaves, using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), greatly reduced SpWRKY6 mRNA levels, and compromised tomato resistance to P. infestans. In contrast, overexpressing- SpWRKY6 tomato plants showed enhanced resistance to P. infestans, accompanied by decreased number of necrotic cells, lesion sizes and disease index. Furthermore, after P. infestans infection, the expression levels of pathogenesis related (PR) genes in transgenic tomato plants overexpressed SpWRKY6 were significantly higher than those in wild type plants, while the number of necrotic cells and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were fewer and lower. Taken together, these results indicating that SpWRKY6 acts as a positive regulator of tomato resistance to P. infestans infection through regulating the ROS level and the expression level of PR genes along with alleviating cell membrane injury.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Nuclear import of transcriptional corepressor BCOR occurs through interaction with karyopherin α expressed in human periodontal ligament

Highlights: • Human periodontal ligament cells express karyopherin α (KPNA) of three subclasses. • BCL6 corepressor (BCOR) is translocated to the nucleus by KPNA2, 4, and 6. • BCOR interacts with KPNA through nuclear localization signal 1. • BCOR mutation causing OFCD syndrome downregulates the SMAD4-SHH-NFIC pathways. Mutations in the gene encoding BCL-6 corepressor (BCOR) are responsible for oculofaciocardiodental (OFCD) syndrome, which is a rare X-linked dominant disorder characterized by radiculomegaly of permanent teeth as the most typical symptom. To function as a transcriptional corepressor, BCOR needs to enter the nucleus; however, the molecular pathway for its nuclear translocation during dental root formation remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism underlying BCOR transport into the nucleus. Our results showed that human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells expressed karyopherin α (KPNA)2, KPNA4, and KPNA6 belonging to a family of nuclear import proteins, which interacted with BCOR in the immunoprecipitation assay. Site-directed mutagenesis targeting the two nuclear localization signals (NLSs) within BCOR reduced its nuclear translocation; however, co-expression of KPNA2, KPNA4, or KPNA6 with BCOR carrying a previously described mutation which eliminated one of the two NLSs significantly increased nuclear accumulation of the mutant BCOR, indicating participation of KPNA in BCOR nuclear translocation. Comparative expression profiling of PDL cells isolated from normal and OFCD patients revealed significant downregulation of SMAD4, GLI1, and nuclear factor 1-C (NFIC) mRNA expression, suggesting that BCOR mutations cause hyperactive root formation in OFCD syndrome by inhibiting SMAD4-Hedgehog-NFIC signaling implicated in dental root development. Our study contributes to understanding of the mechanisms providing nuclear import of BCOR during root formation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The roles of hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 and iron regulatory protein 1 in iron uptake induced by acute hypoxia

Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and transferrin receptor (TfR1) are vital proteins for cellular iron uptake. These proteins have hypoxia-responsive elements (HREs) in their 5‘-regulatory region, and they are regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) transcriptionally under hypoxic condition. Besides, iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) regulates DMT1 and TfR1 by binding to iron-responsive elements (IREs) present in their mRNAs to control cellular iron homeostasis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Comprehensive analysis of long noncoding RNA-associated competing endogenous RNA network in cholangiocarcinoma

Highlights: • LncRNAs as a ceRNA can regulate the expression of target genes, which can influence on tumorigenesis and tumor progression. • We firstly developed novel lncRNAs as well as their action mechanisms in CCA. • We identified a total of 1411 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 3494 mRNAs, and 64 miRNAs. • A ceRNA network consisting of 116 lncRNAs, 14 miRNAs and 59 mRNAs was established. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can interact with microRNAs (miRNAs) as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to regulate the expression of target genes, which can largely influence on tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the role of lncRNA-mediated ceRNAs in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains unknown. This study aimed to develop novel lncRNAs as well as their action mechanisms in CCA.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DPY30 functions in glucose homeostasis via integrating activated histone epigenetic modifications

Highlights: • DPY30 promoted the expression of key glycolytic genes. • DPY30 recruited H3K4me3 on key glycolytic gene promoters. • DPY30 integrated H3K4me3 and H3K9Ac on key glycolytic gene promoters via inhibiting SIRT6 occupancy. Glucose homeostasis is a key event during many physiological and pathological processes. Histone modifications have emerged as vital factors influencing this process. DPY30, a core subunit of SET1/MLL family histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, has been reported to be amplified in cancers. However, the role of DPY30 in glucose homeostasis remains unclear. Here we reported that DPY30 regulated H3K4me3 recruitment to control the expression of Hif1α and its targeted glycolytic genes. Specifically, DPY30 promoted H3K9Ac recruitment via inhibiting SIRT6 occupancy on these gene promoters. Finally, we observed significant upregulation of DPY30 mRNA expression in hepatocellular carcinoma samples from datasets. Taken together, our results reveal a critical role of DPY30 in glucose homeostasis and might offer new therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities for cancers.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Interferon-β signal may up-regulate PD-L1 expression through IRF9-dependent and independent pathways in lung cancer cells

Highlights: • IFN-β stimuli augmented PD-L1 expression in mouse and human lung cancer cells. • JAK signaling molecules were indispensable for IFN-β-triggered induction of PD-L1. • IRF9 played important, but not indispensable, roles for PD-L1 induction by IFN-β. • PI3-K pathway may have differential effects on PD-L1 and PD-L1 mRNA expression. The programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) (also called B7-H1 and CD274) belonging to the CD28 family of co-stimulatory molecules is ectopically expressed on the surface of various cancer cells. PD-L1 interacts with programmed death-1 (PD-1) on T cells to trigger an inhibitory signal that suppresses anti-tumor T cell responses as an important mechanism of tumor escape from anti-tumor immune response. Recent development of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades has provided novel immunotherapy strategies for cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although the therapy is quite effective for some patients with NSCLC, others are resistant to the treatment, so that regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 in lung cancer cells need to be understood in detail. Here we analyzed effect of interferon-β (IFN-β) that can be produced in cancer microenvironment on PD-L1 expression in lung tumor cells. An addition of IFN-β elevated PD-L1 expression in mouse and human lung cancer cell lines in culture. This phenomenon was totally dependent on JAK signaling molecules, while IRF9 deficiency in murine lung cancer cells partially attenuated the IFN-β-induced increase in PD-L1. mTOR may not be significantly involved in the regulation of PD-L1, whereas PI3-K pathway played differential roles on PD-L1 mRNA and cell-surface PD-L1 expression, in the cells treated with IFN-β. These results strongly suggest that the type I IFN receptor signal elicits an increase in PD-L1 expression in lung cancer cells through IRF9-dependent and independent pathways.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Dll4-Notch1 signaling but not VEGF-A is essential for hyperoxia induced vessel regression in retina

Highlights: • Our study find that VEGF-A is not an indispensable factor in hyperoxia induced vessel regression. • Hyperoxia exposure inactivated Dll4-Notch1 signaling in vessel regression region. • Inhibition of Dll4-Notch1 signaling by short-time administration of Dll4 neutralizing antibodies or DAPT exaggerates hyperoxia induced vascular regression. It is well recognized that decreased vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) mRNA plays an important role in retinal vessel regression induced by hyperoxia. However, this concept has been challenged by increasing new evidence. Furthermore, VEGF-A strongly enhances Dll4 expression and inhibition of Dll4-Notch signaling leads to excessive sprouting angiogenesis. Recently, it is shown that inactivation of Dll4-Notch1 signaling reduce hyperoxia induced vessel regression. It is unknown whether sprouting angiogenesis contributes to the protective effect or not and further investigations are needed. Moreover, the expression of Dll4 or Notch1 activation in the regressing plexus remains elucidated. To determine the role of VEGF-A and Dll4-Notch1 signaling in hyperoxia induced vascular regression in the retina, we used mice at postnatal day 5 (P5) - P7. Hyperoxia induced massive vascular regression in the central plexus but not in the angiogenic plexus and had no effect on sprouting angiogenesis. Immunostaining showed that VEGF-A was significantly repressed in the angiogenic front region after hyperoxia exposure but not detectable in the central area of both normoxia and hyperoxia treated retinas. In contrast, Notch ligand Delta-like 4 (Dll4) and Notch1 intracellular domain (N1-ICD) expression were inhibited in the regressing capillaries of central retina but comparable in the angiogenic plexus after high oxygen treatment. Moreover, administration of Dll4 neutralizing antibody or γ-Secretase inhibitor DAPT significantly aggravated vessel regression induced by short-time hyperoxia administration. Our data show that repressed Dll4-Notch1 signaling pathway but not downregulation of VEGF-A expression are responsible for hyperoxia induced pervasive vessel regression.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

CD44v-dependent upregulation of xCT is involved in the acquisition of cisplatin-resistance in human lung cancer A549 cells

Highlights: • Cancer stem cell-like properties disappeared in CDDP-resistant cells. • CD44v overexpression is not involved in cancer stem cell properties. • Increased xCT expression leads to the acquisition of CDDP-resistance. Cisplatin (CDDP) is widely used as an anti-cancer platinum agent but its therapeutic efficacy is limited by acquired drug resistance. To develop a new therapeutic strategy that could overcome this resistance, it is important to characterize CDDP-resistant cancer cells. Here we established human lung cancer A549 cell-derived low- and high-grade CDDP-resistant sublines, termed ACR4 and ACR20 cells, by stepwise increasing CDDP concentrations up to 4 and 20 μM, respectively. ACR4 and ACR20 cells showed 6- and 16-fold higher resistance to CDDP than A549 cells, respectively. Cell migration, invasion, and sphere formation were significantly decreased, whereas expression of the stem cell marker CD44v was increased in order of A549, ACR4, and ACR20 cells. The expression of the cystine-glutamate transporter xCT, which is encoded by SLC7A11, was upregulated because of the increased cell surface expression of CD44v in ACR20 cells. Treatment with the xCT inhibitor salazosulfapyridine and knockdown of SLC7A11 mRNA by a specific siRNA significantly improved sensitivity to CDDP in A549, ACR4, and ACR20 cells. Thus, our results suggest that CD44v overexpression is not involved in cancer stem cell properties but increases xCT expression, which leads to the acquisition of CDDP-resistance. This mechanism may contribute to the development of a new therapeutic strategy that can overcome resistance.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Weak-form latent space dynamics identification

Recent work in data-driven modeling has demonstrated that a weak formulation of model equations enhances the noise robustness of a wide range of computational methods. In this paper, we demonstrate the power of the weak form to enhance the LaSDI (Latent Space Dynamics Identification) algorithm, a recently developed data-driven reduced order modeling technique. We introduce a weak form-based version WLaSDI (Weak-form Latent Space Dynamics Identification). WLaSDI first compresses data, then projects onto the test functions and learns the local latent space models. Notably, WLaSDI demonstrates significantly enhanced robustness to noise. With WLaSDI, the local latent space is obtained using weak-form equation learning techniques. Compared to the standard sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) used in LaSDI, the variance reduction of the weak form guarantees a robust and precise latent space recovery, hence allowing for a fast, robust, and accurate simulation. We demonstrate the efficacy of WLaSDI vs. LaSDI on several common benchmark examples including viscid and inviscid Burgers', radial advection, and heat conduction. For instance, in the case of 1D inviscid Burgers' simulations with the addition of up to 100% Gaussian white noise, the relative error remains consistently below 6% for WLaSDI, while it can exceed 10,000% for LaSDI. Similarly, for radial advection simulations, the relative errors stay below 15% for WLaSDI, in stark contrast to the potential errors of up to 10,000% with LaSDI. Moreover, speedups of several orders of magnitude can be obtained with WLaSDI. For example applying WLaSDI to 1D Burgers' yields a 140X speedup compared to the corresponding full order model.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DNA damage protection by bulk and nano forms of quercetin in lymphocytes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exposed to the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinolone (IQ)

Highlights: • In COPD patients and healthy individuals IQ increased DNA damage and frequency of micronuclei. • Induction of catalase indicates a stimulation of the antioxidant enzyme system. • Quercetin significantly reduced oxidative stress in COPD patients and healthy individuals. • The bulk version of quercetin was compared directly to its nano form which caused greater reduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in humans, describes a group of lung conditions characterised by airflow limitation that is poorly reversible. The airflow limitation usually progresses slowly and is related to an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to toxic particles. COPD is characterised by oxidative stress and an increased risk of lung carcinoma. The 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) is one of a number of mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines found mainly in well-cooked meats which are thus part of the regular diet. Antioxidants are very important in order to protect the cells against oxidative damage. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of IQ on the level of DNA damage and susceptibility to a potent mutagen in peripheral blood cells of COPD patients. DNA damage and the frequency of micronuclei (MNi) were evaluated using the Comet and micronucleus assays, respectively. Differential expressions of both mRNA and protein of the endogenous antioxidant enzyme catalase were evaluated with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of bulk and nano forms of quercetin and their combination with IQ were examined. Results of the present study clearly demonstrated that MNi frequency in the peripheral blood lymphocytes exhibited a positive correlation with the DNA damage as evident from the different Comet assay parameters. Increase of the endogenous antioxidant catalase also showed there was a stimulation of this enzyme system by IQ. Whereas, the endogenous antioxidant quercetin significantly reduced oxidative stress in COPD patients and healthy individuals.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗