The characterization of the genetic variations of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is essential to understand the relationship between the genetic diversity of MHC molecules and disease resistance and susceptibility in adaptive immunity. We previously reported the development of high-resolution individual locus typing methods for three of the most polymorphic swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) class II loci, namely, SLA-DQA, SLA-DQB1, and SLA-DRB1. In this study, we extensively modified our previous protocols and developed a method for the simultaneous amplification of the three SLA class II genes and subsequent analysis of individual loci using direct sequencing. The unbiased and simultaneous amplification of alleles from the all three hyper-polymorphic and pseudogene containing genes such as MHC genes is extremely challenging. However, using this method, we demonstrated the successful typing of SLA-DQA, SLA-DQB1, and SLA-DRB1 for 31 selected individuals comprising 26 different SLA class II haplotypes which were identified from 700 animals using the single locus typing methods. The results were identical to the known genotypes from the individual locus typing. The new method has significant benefits over the individual locus typing, including lower typing cost, use of less biomaterial, less effort and fewer errors in handling large samples for multiple loci. We also extensively characterized the haplotypes of SLA class II genes and reported three new haplotypes. Our results should serve as a basis to investigate the possible association between polymorphisms of MHC class II and differences in immune responses to exogenous antigens.

Hypertrophy of myocytes has been implicated in cardiac dysfunctions affecting wall stress and patterns of gene expression. However, molecular targets potentially preventing cardiac hypertrophy have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrate that upregulation of catalase by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is involved in the anti-hypertrophic activity of PPARδ in angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Activation of PPARδ by a specific ligand GW501516 significantly inhibited Ang II-induced hypertrophy and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. These effects of GW501516 were almost completely abolished in cells stably expressing small hairpin (sh)RNA targeting PPARδ, indicating that PPARδ mediates these effects. Significant concentration and time-dependent increases in catalase at both mRNA and protein levels were observed in GW501516-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In addition, GW501516-activated PPARδ significantly enhanced catalase promoter activity and protein expression, even in the presence of Ang II. GW501516-activated PPARδ also inhibited the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which are both marker proteins for hypertrophy. The effects of GW501516 on the expression of ANP and BNP were reversed by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT), a catalase inhibitor. Inhibition or downregulation of catalase by 3-AT or small interfering (si)RNA, respectively, abrogated the effects of PPARδ on Ang II-induced hypertrophy and ROS generation, indicating that these effects of PPARδ are mediated through catalase induction. Furthermore, GW501516-activated PPARδ exerted catalase-dependent inhibitory effects on Ang II-induced hypertrophy by blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Taken together, these results indicate that the anti-hypertrophic activity of PPARδ may be achieved, at least in part, by sequestering ROS through fine-tuning the expression of catalase in cardiomyocytes.

Cellular senescence is associated with age-related vascular disorders and has been implicated in vascular dysfunctions. Here, we show that duck oil-loaded nanoemulsion (DO-NE) attenuates premature senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) triggered by angiotensin II (Ang II). Compared with control nanoemulsion (NE), DO-NE significantly inhibited the activity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, which is a biomarker of cellular senescence, in Ang II-treated VSMCs. SIRT1 protein expression was dose- and time-dependently induced in VSMCs exposed to DO-NE, but not in those exposed to NE, and SIRT1 promoter activity was also elevated. Consistently, DO-NE also dose-dependently rescued Ang II-induced repression of SIRT1 expression, indicating that SIRT1 is linked to the anti-senescence action of DO-NE in VSMCs treated with Ang II. Furthermore, the SIRT1 agonist resveratrol potentiated the effects of DO-NE on VSMCs exposed to Ang II, whereas the SIRT1 inhibitor sirtinol elicited the opposite effect. These findings indicate that DO-NE inhibits senescence by upregulating SIRT1 and thereby impedes vascular aging triggered by Ang II.

Emerging evidence shows that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) plays a pivotal role in cellular aging. However, its function in retinal disease processes such as hyperglycemia-associated diabetic retinopathy is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PPARδ inhibits premature senescence of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells induced by high glucose (HG) through SIRT1 upregulation. A specific ligand GW501516-activation of PPARδ suppressed premature senescence and production of reactive oxygen species induced by HG in ARPE-19 cells, a spontaneously arising human RPE cell line. These effects were accompanied by the regulation of the premature senescence-associated genes p53, p21, and SMP-30. Furthermore, GW501516-activated PPARδ almost completely abolished the effects of HG treatment on the formation of phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2A.X) foci, a molecular marker of aging. These inhibitory effects of GW501516 were significantly reversed in ARPE-19 cells stably expressing small hairpin RNA targeting PPARδ. Notably, GW501516 significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1, indicating that GW501516-activated PPARδ exerted its beneficial effects through SIRT1. In addition, GW501516 restored HG-suppressed SIRT1 expression, corroborating the role of SIRT1 in the anti-senescence function of PPARδ. The effects of PPARδ on HG-induced premature senescence and the expression of the senescence-associated genes p53, p21, and SMP-30 were mimicked by the SIRT1 activator resveratrol, but blocked by the SIRT1 inhibitor sirtinol. Collectively, these results indicate that GW501516-activated PPARδ inhibits HG-triggered premature senescence of RPE cells by modulating SIRT1 signaling.

Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy that removes damaged mitochondria. Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulated mitophagy is implicated in numerous autoimmune diseases, but the role of mitophagy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not yet been reported. The aim of the present study was to determine the roles of mitophagy in patient-derived RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) and in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis mouse model. We measured the mitophagy marker PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in RASFs treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) using Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Arthritis was induced in PINK1-/- mice by intraperitoneal injection of an anti-type II collagen antibody cocktail and lipopolysaccharide. RA severity was assessed by histopathology. PINK1 expression and damaged mitochondria increased in TNF-α treated RASFs via increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. PINK1 knockdown RASFs decreased cellular migration and invasion functions. In addition, PINK1-/- mice with arthritis exhibited markedly reduced swelling and inflammation relative to wild-type mice with arthritis. Taken together, these findings suggest that regulation of PINK1 expression in RA could represent a potential therapeutic and diagnostic target for RA.

The newly synthesized compound TGF-β signaling agonist (T74) is a small molecule associated with the TGF-β receptor signaling pathway. Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) have been used to examine immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects in multiple autoimmune disease models. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment of DCs with T74 has an antirheumatic effect in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Bone marrow-derived cells were obtained from DBA/1J mice and differentiated into DCs. T74-treated DCs (T74-DCs) were generated by treating bone marrow-derived DCs with LPS, type II collagen, and T74. T74-DCs expressed lower levels of surface molecules and inflammatory cytokines associated with antigen presentation and T cell stimulation. The ability of T74-DCs to differentiate effector T cells was lower than that of T74-untreated DCs (NT-DCs), but T74-DCs increased the regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation in vitro. DBA/1J mice received two subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of type II collagen to establish CIA. Mice then received two s.c. injections of T74-DCs or NT-DCs. Joint inflammation was ameliorated in the paws of T74-DC-treated mice. Additionally, Treg populations in T74-DC-treated mice were higher than in NT-DC-treated or PBS-treated CIA mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that T74 induces tolerance in DCs, and that T74-mediated DCs exert antirheumatic effects via induction of Tregs.

Inflammatory signal-mediated release of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a damage-associated molecular pattern or alarmin. The inflammatory functions of HMGB1 have been extensively investigated; however, less is known about the mechanisms controlling HMGB1 release. We show that SIRT1, the human homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein silent information regulator 2, which is involved in cellular senescence and possibly the response to inflammation, forms a stable complex with HMGB1 in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. SIRT1 directly interacted with HMGB1 via its N-terminal lysine residues (28-30), and thereby inhibited HMGB1 release to improve survival in an experimental model of sepsis. By contrast, inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-α promoted HMGB1 release by provoking its dissociation from SIRT1 dependent on acetylation, thereby increasing the association between HMGB1 and chromosome region maintenance 1, leading to HMGB1 translocation. In vivo infection with wild-type SIRT1 and HMGB1(K282930R), a hypo-acetylation mutant, improved survival (85.7%) during endotoxemia more than infection with wild-type SIRT1 and HMGB1-expressing adenovirus, indicating that the acetylation-dependent interaction between HMGB1 and SIRT1 is critical for LPS-induced lethality. Taken together, we propose that SIRT1 forms an anti-inflammatory complex with HMGB1, allowing cells to bypass the response to inflammation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR-δ)-dependent signaling is associated with rapid wound healing in the skin. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of PPAR-δ-agonist treatment on cardiac healing in post-myocardial infarction (MI) rats. Animals were assigned to the following groups: sham-operated control group, left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (MI) group, or MI with administration of the PPAR-δ agonist GW610742 group. GW610742 (1 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally after the operation and repeated every 3 days. Echocardiographic data showed no differences between the two groups in terms of cardiac function and remodeling until 4 weeks. However, the degrees of angiogenesis and fibrosis after MI were significantly higher in the GW610742-treated rats than in the untreated MI rats at 1 week following MI, which changes were not different at 2 weeks after MI. Naturally, PPAR-δ expression in infarcted myocardium was highest increased in 3 day after MI and then disappeared in 14 day after MI. GW610742 increased myofibroblast differentiation and transforming growth factor-beta 2 expression in the infarct zone at 7 days after MI. GW610742 also increased bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) recruitment in whole myocardium, and increased serum platelet-derived growth factor B, stromal-derived factor-1 alpha, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 levels at day 3 after MI. PPAR-δ agonists treatment have the temporal effect on early fibrosis of infarcted myocardium, which might not sustain the functional and structural beneficial effect.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reduced particle size of ginseng by roasting and cryogenic milling on increasing its water solubility and physiological activity. The samples were roasted for different times (9-21 min) and generated in different sizes (10-50, and >50 μm). All roasted samples revealed significantly smaller particle sizes than did non-roasted samples, based on Sauter mean diameter (D [3,2], p < 0.05). Furthermore, the particle sizes of roasted samples decreased until roasting up to 15 min. In terms of the water solubility index (WSI), antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content (TPC), and total polysaccharides according to particle size, 10-20 μm-sized samples showed the highest values when compared with >50 μm-sized samples. Based on roasting time, WSI values of all samples roasted for up to 15 min were higher than those of the control (not roasted) (p < 0.05). Antioxidant activity and TPC also increased with increasing roasting time. Total polysaccharide content was the highest upon roasting for 15 min, except for the 10-20 μm sample. Ginsenoside content of roasted samples >20 μm size was higher than that of the control (not roasted) except after 15 min of roasting. Therefore, roasting and cryogenic milling are effective in producing ginseng root powder.

Intracellular iron accumulation in dopaminergic neurons contributes to neuronal cell death in progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. However, the mechanisms of iron homeostasis in this context remain incompletely understood. In the present study, we assessed the role of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) in cellular iron homeostasis. We identified that PPARδ inhibited 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-triggered neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. PPARδ activation with GW501516, a specific PPARδ agonist, mitigated 6-OHDA-induced neuronal damage. Further, PPARδ activation also suppressed iron accumulation, which contributes to 6-OHDA-induced neuronal damage. PPARδ activation attenuated 6-OHDA-induced neuronal damage in a similar manner to that of the iron chelator deferoxamine. We further elucidated that PPARδ modulated cellular iron homeostasis by regulating expression of divalent metal transporter 1, ferroportin 1, and ferritin, but not transferrin receptor 1, through iron regulatory protein 1 in 6-OHDA-treated cells. Interestingly, PPARδ activation suppressed 6-OHDA-triggered generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. The effects of GW501516 were abrogated by shRNA knockdown of PPARδ, indicating that the effects of GW501516 were PPARδ-dependent. Taken together, these findings suggest that PPARδ attenuates 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity by preventing intracellular iron accumulation, thereby suppressing iron overload-associated generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides, key mediators of ferroptotic cell death.

We investigated the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) on angiotensin II (Ang II)-triggered hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Activation of PPARδ by GW501516, a specific ligand of PPARδ, significantly inhibited Ang II-stimulated protein synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by [3H]-leucine incorporation. GW501516-activated PPARδ also suppressed Ang II-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VSMCs. Transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against PPARδ significantly reversed the effects of GW501516 on [3H]-leucine incorporation and ROS generation, indicating that PPARδ is involved in these effects. By contrast, these GW501516-mediated actions were potentiated in VSMCs transfected with siRNA against NADPH oxidase (NOX) 1 or 4, suggesting that ligand-activated PPARδ elicits these effects by modulating NOX-mediated ROS generation. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 also inhibited Ang II-stimulated [3H]-leucine incorporation and ROS generation by preventing membrane translocation of Rac1. These observations suggest that PPARδ is an endogenous modulator of Ang II-triggered hypertrophy of VSMCs, and is thus a potential target to treat vascular diseases associated with hypertrophic changes of VSMCs.

Real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most sensitive, and valuable technique for rare mRNA detection. However, the expression profiles of reference genes under different experimental conditions, such as different mouse strains, developmental stage, and culture conditions have been poorly studied.

Differentiated somatic cells can be reprogrammed into the pluripotent state by cell-cell fusion. In the pluripotent state, reprogrammed cells may then self-renew and differentiate into all three germ layers. Fusion-induced reprogramming also epigenetically modifies the somatic cell genome through DNA demethylation, X chromosome reactivation, and histone modification. In this study, we investigated whether fusion with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) also reprograms genomic imprinting patterns in somatic cells. In particular, we examined imprinting changes in parthenogenetic neural stem cells fused with biparental ESCs, as well as in biparental neural stem cells fused with parthenogenetic ESCs. The resulting hybrid cells expressed the pluripotency markers Oct4 and Nanog. In addition, methylation of several imprinted genes except Peg3 was comparable between hybrid cells and ESCs. This finding indicates that reprogramming by cell fusion does not necessarily reverse the status of all imprinted genes to the state of pluripotent fusion partner.

Gene therapy is a promising technique for the treatment of various diseases. The development of minimally toxic and highly efficient non-viral gene delivery vectors is the most challenging undertaking in the field of gene therapy. Here, we developed dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODAB)-nanoceria (CeO2) hybrids as a new class of non-viral gene delivery vectors. These DODAB-modified CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2/DODAB) could effectively compact the pDNA, allowing for highly efficient gene transfection into the selected cell lines. The CeO2/DODAB nanovectors were also found to be non-toxic and did not induce ROS formation as well as any stress responsive and pro-survival signaling pathways. The overall vector performance of CeO2/DODAB nanohybrids was comparable with lipofectamine and DOTAP, and higher than calcium phosphate and DEAE-dextran for transfecting small plasmids. The increased cellular uptake of the nanovector/DNA complexes through clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis and subsequent release from the endosomes further support the increased gene transfection efficiency of the CeO2/DODAB vectors. Besides, CeO2/DODAB nanovectors could transfect genes in vivo without any sign of toxicity. Taken together, this new nano-vector has the potential to be used for gene delivery in biomedical applications.

Migration and invasion of cancer cells into surrounding tissue is a key stage of cancer metastasis. Here, we show that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ regulates migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells via thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and its degrading protease, a disintegrin and metalloprotease domains with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1). Activation of PPARδ by GW501516, a specific ligand for PPARδ, led to marked inhibition in the cell migration and TSP-1 expression of breast cancer. These effects were suppressed by small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of ADAMTS1, indicating that ADAMTS1 is involved in PPARδ-mediated inhibition of migration and TSP-1 expression in breast cancer cells. In addition, ligand-activated PPARδ upregulated expression of ADAMTS1 at the transcriptional level via binding of PPARδ to a direct repeat-1 site within the ADAMTS1 gene promoter. Furthermore, ligand-activated PPARδ suppressed invasion of breast cancer cells in an ADAMTS1-dependent manner. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PPARδ suppresses migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by downregulating TSP-1 in a process mediated by upregulation of ADAMTS1.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a well-known damage-related alarmin that participates in cellular inflammatory responses. However, the mechanisms leading to HMGB1 release in inflammatory conditions and the therapeutic agents that could prevent it remain poorly understood. This study attempted to examine whether the Curcumin longa herb, which is known to have anti-inflammatory property, can modulate cellular inflammatory responses by regulating HMGB1 release.

Bioactivities of fish collagen peptide are now being elucidated in diverse biological systems. Here, we investigated the effect of fish collagen peptide on the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in obese mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). Subcritical water-hydrolyzed fish collagen peptide (SWFCP) significantly inhibited lipid accumulation during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, which was accompanied by decreased expression of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2) genes, key regulators of differentiation and maintenance of adipocytes. SWFCP was also found to suppress the palmitate-induced accumulation of lipid vacuoles in hepatocytes. Oral administration of SWFCP significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight gain without a significant difference in food intake. Consistent with its effects in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, SWFCP inhibited the expression of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, and aP2 in epididymal adipose tissue of mice fed a HFD, leading to a significant reduction in adipocyte size. Furthermore, SWFCP significantly reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein, and increased serum high-density lipoprotein. These observations suggest that SWFCP inhibits adipocyte differentiation through a mechanism involving transcriptional repression of the major adipogenic regulators C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ, thereby reducing body weight gain and adipogenesis in an animal model of obesity.

Neuronal expression of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) has been implicated in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanisms that regulate BACE1 expression are unclear. Here, we show that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) decreases BACE1 expression by up-regulating suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The activation of PPARδ by GW501516, a specific PPARδ agonist, inhibited expression of BACE1. This effect was abrogated by shRNA-mediated knockdown of PPARδ and by treatment with the PPARδ antagonist GSK0660, indicating that PPARδ is involved in GW501516-mediated suppression of BACE1 expression. On the other hand, GW501516-activated PPARδ induced expression of SOCS1, which is a negative regulator of cytokine signal transduction, at the transcriptional level by binding to a PPAR response element in its promoter. This GW501516-mediated induction of SOCS1 expression led to down-regulation of BACE1 expression via inactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1. GW501516-activated PPARδ suppressed the generation of neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) in accordance with the decrease in BACE1 expression. Taken together, these results indicate that PPARδ attenuates BACE1 expression via SOCS1-mediated inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 signaling, thereby suppressing BACE1-associated generation of neurotoxic Aβ.

Processed meat products are prone to oxidative damage and quality decline during storage; however, these problems can be mitigated by the proper formulation of meat productions. This study evaluated the effects of natural anti-oxidants found in Boswellia serrata (B), whey protein powder (W), and their combination on pork patties during storage, exploring changes in textural properties and lipid oxidation susceptibility. The 2% whey-added group exhibited a higher crude protein content than the untreated control group. The highest water-holding capacity and lowest cooking losses were observed in mixed-additive groups (WB1 (2% W/0.5% B) and WB2 (2% W/1.0% B), and the highest sensory scores for overall acceptability were obtained for WB1. Adding B. serrata can neutralize the hardness caused by whey powder, thereby improving palatability. From 7 d (days 7), the extents of lipid oxidation, determined using 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) analysis, for the WB1 and WB2 groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. The WB1 and WB2 groups exhibited substantially suppressed total bacterial colony and Escherichia coli counts relative to the control group. Our findings suggest that the additive combination of B. serrata and whey protein powders can suppress lipid oxidation, improve storage stability, and enhance textural properties in the production of functional pork patties.

Ring finger protein 219 (RNF219), a protein containing the C3 HC4 -type RING-HC motif, has been identified as a binding partner of the histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). To explore the functions of RNF219, we examined its possible roles in the cellular responses to inflammation.