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wang, z.

Publications and source records attributed to wang, z..

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Chronic kidney disease promotes anxiety susceptibility through an angiotensin II central amygdala axis

Background: Neuropsychiatric comorbidities are highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly defined. Methods: We established multiple mouse models of CKD and identified an adenine-induced model as the most suitable platform to study neurobehavioral alterations. Anxiety susceptibility was operationalized as the emergence of anxiety-like behavior after subthreshold unpredictable stress (SUS) and was assessed using the SUS paradigm combined with behavioral assays. Region-focused c-Fos mapping, fiber photometry, and chemogenetic manipulation were used to interrogate neural circuit activity. Pharmacological and genetic approaches were applied to investigate the role of angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling. Finally, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) activation was used to explore brain-to-kidney feedback by using in vivo multiphoton microscopy imaging techniques. Results: CKD mice showed no consistent baseline anxiety-like phenotype across standard assays but developed robust anxiety-like behavior after subthreshold unpredictable stress. Region-focused c-Fos profiling and fiber photometry identified the central amygdala (CeA) as a stress-sensitized limbic node in CKD. Chemogenetic inhibition of CeA GABAergic neurons attenuated anxiety-like behavior, supporting a functional role for CeA activity. Mechanistically, CKD elevated circulating Ang II and enhanced CeA accumulation of peripherally administered FAM-Ang II-associated signal. CeA-specific Agtr1a knockdown attenuated anxiety-like behavior and exaggerated stress evoked CeA calcium responses. Exploratory experiments further showed that sustained PVN glutamatergic activation aggravated early renal injury markers in a mild renal injury model. These findings support a kidney-to-brain model in which CKD primes CeA stress circuits, while local Ang II AT1R signaling contributes to the behavioral expression of stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, with a potential brain to kidney feedback component. Conclusions: CKD promotes stress-induced anxiety susceptibility through a CeA-centered mechanism involving local Ang II AT1R signaling. These findings identify CeA Ang II AT1R signaling as a potential contributor to CKD-associated stress-related affective vulnerability.

animal behavior and cognition↗

Memory B cell Development in Response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 and Nanoparticle Immunization in Mice

Nanoparticle immunogens excel at rapidly inducing high levels of circulating antibodies and are being deployed as part of several novel vaccines. However, their ability to elicit memory B cell responses is less well understood. Here we compared serologic and memory B cell responses to prime boost vaccination with either SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 mRNA vaccine, or protein nanoparticles: SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 homotypic containing a single receptor binding domain (RBD); (homotypic beta) or a combination of different Sarbecovirus RBDs (mosaic 8b), respectively. The memory B cells elicited by the 3 vaccine regimens showed closely related antibody sequences, similar levels of somatic mutation and clonal diversity. The breadth of serologic responses elicited by the mosaic nanoparticles were comparable to the homotypic nanoparticle and superior to the mRNA vaccine for some mismatched strains. However, serum neutralizing titers to SARS-CoV-2 were highest after mRNA vaccination. The three vaccines elicited memory B cells that produced antibodies specific to a broad range of epitopes on the RBD that differed in a way that may reflect epitope masking. Monoclonal antibodies derived from memory B cells elicited by the mosaic 8b nanoparticle showed greater breadth against a panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-CoV. Significance StatementNanoparticle vaccines are promising next-generation vaccine candidates, yet their capacity to generate durable memory B cell responses remains incompletely understood. We compared immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA, homotypic beta nanoparticle, or mosaic 8b nanoparticle vaccination in mice. Serum antibody neutralizing responses against a panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants elicited by an mRNA vaccine were equivalent or superior to those elicited by mosaic 8b nanoparticle vaccines. However, the monoclonal antibodies derived from memory B cells elicited by the mosaic 8b nanoparticle showed better neutralizing breadth against heterologous pseudoviruses. These findings highlight individual strengths of mRNA and nanoparticle vaccines and show that mosaic 8b nanoparticle immunogens can enhance the breadth of memory B cell-derived antibodies.

immunology↗

Stem-like Prostate Remodeling in Obesity Mediates Resistance to 5α-Reductase Inhibition Therapy in BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is closely associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Although 5-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) are widely used to treat BPH, their effectiveness varies significantly, particularly in obese patients. However, the mechanisms by which obesity affects prostate growth and modulates therapeutic responses remain poorly understood. In mice, highfat diet (HFD) increased prostate weight and induced SRD5A2-independent epithelial remodeling with expansion of proximal urethral luminal epithelial cells. ScRNA-seq of prostate tissues from Srd5a2null and control mice on HFD showed enrichment of proximal stem-like populations, reduced androgen signaling, and activation of WNT and NOTCH pathways via heightened stromal-epithelial crosstalk. Clinically, BMI gain, regardless of 5ARI use, correlated with transition zone growth, stronger activity of stem-cell signatures, reduced SRD5A2, and androgen signaling downregulation. Xenium spatial profiling indicated that BMI gain expands stem-like epithelial populations and a NOTCHenriched periepithelial stromal niche surrounding epithelial compartments, supporting stemness. Patients with substantial BMI gain were less responsive to 5ARI, whereas weight control plus 5ARI therapy synergistically improved outcomes. In conclusion, BMI gain promotes proximal prostate enlargement through an SRD5A2-independent stem-like cell mediated pathway that blunts 5ARI efficacy. Combining pharmacotherapy with weight control yields superior efficacy and supports individualized management of BPH.

pathology↗

Reconstructing the Ischemic Cerebrum by Transplanted Human Neurons

Neural transplantation holds the potential to repair damaged neural circuits in neurological diseases. However, it remains unknown how the grafted neurons project axons to and make functional connections with the appropriate targets to repair the damaged circuit at the adult stage. Here we report that human cortical progenitors, transplanted into the ischemic mouse motor cortex, matured and integrated into cortical and subcortical neural circuits including the corticospinal tract. Neuronal tracing combined with single-nuclei RNA sequencing revealed the close relationship between the transcription profiles of a cortical neuronal subtype, especially those of axon guidance and synapse assembly, with the specific target projection and synapse organization. Machine learning-based regression further identified the transcriptional codes for the targeted projection and circuit integration to reconstruct the damaged circuits. Our finding opens a promising strategy for treating neurological diseases through promoting regeneration and neural transplantation. HighlightsHuman ESC-derived cortical neurons reconstitute the ischemic motor cortex Functionally repaired corticospinal tract restores animal behaviors Transplanted cortical neurons exhibit subtype-specific projection and integration Unique transcriptional coding for axonal navigation in the mature CNS

neuroscience↗

A new nitrogen biochemical process: Oxidization of ammonium into nitrogen gas using nitrate

The nitrifying bacteria oxidize ammonium into nitrite or nitrate under aerobic conditions, while the anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria utilize nitrite to oxidize ammonium into nitrogen gas under anaerobic conditions. There is no biochemical process that can directly oxidize ammonium into nitrogen gas using nitrate under anaerobic conditions. In this study, mature anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) granular sludge was inoculated in an anaerobic nitrogen-removal system, while nitrate and ammonium were used as the influent substrates. The experiment was conducted for 537 days at a temperature of 30-32{degrees}C and a pH of 8.0-9.0. The transformation from nitrite-anammox to nitrate-anammox was stably achieved on the 350th day. The experimental results showed that, nitrate directly oxidized ammonium into nitrogen gas under anaerobic conditions. The produced gas consisted of 96.3% nitrogen and 3.7% carbon dioxide. The removal ratio of ammonium to nitrate was approximately 1.67:1, and the total inorganic nitrogen removal rate reached up to 290.20 mg/(L{middle dot}d). Unlike the nitrite-anammox reaction, this reaction was accompanied by an acid production process, which caused a decrease in pH. When the substrate was changed to nitrite and ammonium, the total nitrogen removal rate of only 1.1-1.3 mg/(L{middle dot}d) was achieved. This new biochemical reaction of nitrogen was defined as nitrate-anammox. The study reveals a new pathway of nitrogen transformation, providing novel insights into the global nitrogen cycle.

microbiology↗

Stromal SRD5A2 promotes prostate growth through WNT5A-LEF1-IGF1 signaling in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Steroid 5-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2) is a key enzyme in androgen metabolism and a pharmacologic target in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While SRD5A2 is known to mediate stromal-epithelial interactions that influence prostate growth, the relationship between baseline SRD5A2 expression and prostate volume remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed SRD5A2 expression in human prostate tissues from the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) trial and institutional biorepository cohorts. Quantitative assessments were performed and correlations were evaluated between expression level of SRD5A2, WNT5A, prostate volume, and tissue signaling profiles. SRD5A2 expression was significantly associated with total prostate and transition zone volume in both human cohorts. Stromal-specific WNT5A expression showed a strong positive correlation with SRD5A2, while neither serum nor tissue dihydrotestosterone levels correlated with SRD5A2 expression. In Srd5a2-null mice, Wnt5a expression in the prostate stroma was dependent on Srd5a2 and showed region-specific regulation. Mechanistically, SRD5A2 overexpression in human prostate stromal cells upregulated WNT5A and Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 (LEF1), activated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling, increased proliferation, and reduced apoptosis. Conditioned media from these cells enhanced epithelial proliferation through paracrine IGF1 activity, independent of epithelial WNT signaling. This study provides the first evidence that SRD5A2 promotes prostate growth through a stromal WNT5A-LEF1-IGF1 paracrine signaling axis, functioning independently of androgen levels. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic mechanism relevant for BPH patients with resistance to conventional 5-reductase inhibitor therapy.

pathology↗

TomoScore: A Neural Network Approach for Quality Assessment of Cellular cryo-ET

Electron cryo-tomography (cryoET) is a powerful imaging tool that allows three-dimensional visualization of subcellular and molecular architecture without chemical fixation. Tomogram quality varies widely, particularly during large high-throughput data collections, and the most common strategy for initial quality assessment is empirical judgment by an expert. Tomograms are collected for two distinct purposes: 1) Annotation of subcellular features and cellular morphology, typically performed at lower magnifications and higher defocus. 2) Subtomogram averaging, generally at higher magnifications and closer to focus. For the first purpose, contrast and the ability to distinguish cellular features of interest are key, whereas for subtomogram averaging, recoverable signal at high resolution is the key factor. We have developed "TomoScore" a deep-learning based tomogram quality metric to assess the suitability of individual tomograms for cellular annotation based on the scale of features which can be distinguished. We further explore the relationship between accumulated electron dose and resulting quality, suggesting an optimum dose range for cryoET data collection. Overall, our study streamlines data processing and reduces the need for human involvement during pre-selection for tomogram segmentation.

biophysics↗

Ectonucleotidases and Purinergic Receptors in Mouse Prostate Gland

Extracellular ATP/ADP and its metabolite adenosine are important signaling molecules that regulate cellular function by binding to P2 and P1/adenosine receptors. The kinetics of these signaling molecules are critically modulated by ectonucleotidases, enzymes that convert ATP/ADP to adenosine. Although the expression and function of these enzymes and relevant purinergic receptors in the prostate gland are not well understood, recent reports indicate impaired ATP hydrolysis activity in the aging prostate. Purinergic signaling is known for its role in inflammation, muscle contraction, pain sensation, and cell proliferation in many systems, suggesting its potential importance in normal prostate function and pathological conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. To better understand purine-converting enzymes and purinergic receptors in the prostate, we isolated mouse prostate glands for immunofluorescent staining and microscopy imaging using specific antibodies. Our study identified a differential expression profile of purinergic enzymes and receptors in the prostate: ENTPD1 and P2x1 receptors predominantly in prostate smooth muscle cells, ENTPD2 and NT5E in prostate interstitial cells, and ALPL in prostate epithelial cells. Functionally, in addition to the P2x1-mediated prostate smooth muscle contraction induced by agonist ,{beta}-meATP, we observed an ATP{gamma}S-induced contraction force after P2x1 desensitization. This led to the identification of multiple P2Y receptors in mouse prostate smooth muscle, including P2Y1, P2Y2, and P2Y11 receptors, which potentially mediate the ATP{gamma}S-induced contraction force. These discoveries lay the foundation for further mechanistic understanding of how purinergic signaling regulates prostate function and dysfunction in both rodents and potentially humans.

physiology↗

ORMDL3 restrains type-I interferon signaling and anti-tumor immunity by promoting RIG-I degradation

Mounting evidence has demonstrated the genetic association of ORMDL3 (ORMDL Sphingolipid Biosynthesis Regulator 3) gene polymorphisms with bronchial asthma and a diverse set of inflammatory disorders. However, its role in type I interferon (IFN) signaling remains poorly defined. Herein, we report that ORMDL3 is a negative modulator of the type I IFN signaling by interacting with MAVS (Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling protein) and subsequently promoting the proteasome-mediated degradation of RIG-I (Retinoic Acid-Inducible Gene I). Immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry (IP-MS) assays uncovered that ORMDL3 binds to USP10 (Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 10), which forms a complex with and stabilizes RIG-I through decreasing its K48-linked ubiquitination. ORMDL3 thus disrupts the interaction between USP10 and RIG-I, thereby promoting RIG-I degradation. Additionally, subcutaneous syngeneic tumor models in C57BL/6 mice revealed that inhibition of ORMDL3 enhances anti-tumor efficacy by augmenting the proportion of cytotoxic CD8 positive T cells and IFN production in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Collectively, our findings reveal the pivotal roles of ORMDL3 in maintaining antiviral innate immune responses and anti-tumor immunity.

molecular biology↗

The study on the impact of indoleacetic acid on enhancing the ability of the rumen's original microecology to degrade aflatoxin B1.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a serious threat to the health of cattle and is strictly monitored in their diets. Rumen microorganisms in cattle have the ability to degrade AFB1, but this capability is limited. Enhancing the degradation capacity of the original rumen microecology for AFB1 is a novel approach. From a molecular perspective,indoleacetic-3-acid (IAA) promotes the expression of cytochromes, which can improve the degradation of AFB1. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of different concentrations of IAA on the degradation of AFB1 by the rumen microecology. Experiments used rumen fluid from three adult cows as donors, and the cows were all fed the same total mixed ration. Rumen fluid was collected from these three cannulated cows before morning feeding to prepare in vitro fermentation fluid. The experiments used a completely randomized design, with each treatment repeated four times. The results showed that as the fermentation time increased, the content of AFB1 gradually decreased, with a degradation rate of up to 75.73% after 24 h. AFB1 altered the rumen fermentation pattern, with a significant reduction in the content of acetic acid (P<0.05) and a significant decrease in the acetic acid to propionic acid ratio (P<0.05). It also affected the rumen microecology, causing a significant reduction in the abundance of Ruminococcus amylophilus, Prevotella ruminicola, and Fusobacterium succinogenes (P<0.05). In addition, this study found that with the increase in the amount of IAA added, the content of AFB1 in the rumen gradually decreased. IAA enhances the degradation capacity of the original rumen microecology for AFB1, and the addition of IAA alleviates the impact of AFB1 on Ruminococcus amylophilus, Prevotella ruminicola, and Fusobacterium succinogenes in the rumen (P<0.05). Moreover, the addition of IAA can promote the stability of the rumen microecology, with significantly higher acetic acid and acetic acid to propionic acid ratios in the fermentation fluid compared to the non-added group (P<0.05). In summary, the addition of IAA can improve the degradation capacity of the rumen microecology for AFB1, providing a new solution for alleviating the impact of AFB1 on animal health.

microbiology↗

Recombinant expression, purification, and antifungal activity of the novel antimicrobial peptide TaW662

Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is a significant wheat fungal pathogen, posing threats to both yield and quality. Antimicrobial peptides, with their broad-spectrum activities, hold promise in combating Bgt-induced wheat fungal diseases.In this study, we identified TaW662, an antifungal peptide gene sourced from the wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium disomic alien addition line SN6306. Through third-generation transcriptome sequencing, we obtained the full-length transcript of TaW662. Notably, TaW662 exhibited upregulated expression in response to powdery mildew infection in SN6306. Subcellular localization analysis revealed TaW662s extracellular secretion, suggesting its role in defense mechanisms. Additionally, the TaW662 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified protein could inhibit the growth of Bgt in vitro. Utilizing the online alphafold2 server, we predicted the three-dimensional structure of TaW662, aiding in understanding its fungicidal mechanisms. Analysis of TaW662s physicochemical properties further supported its potential efficacy as a fungicide against Bgt. In conclusion, TaW662 emerges as a promising candidate for combating Bgt-induced wheat fungal diseases, warranting further exploration for agricultural disease management strategies. HighlightsTaW662, a secreted protein homologous to TaWIR1, is induced in wheat by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt). The expression pattern of TaW662 in wheat under induced by Bgt was analysed using RNA-Seq technology. The three-dimensional structure of TaW662 was predicted using AlphaFold2. The growth of Bgt is inhibited by recombinant TaW662.

plant biology↗

The assembly and efflux processes revealed by in situ structures of the ABC-type tripartite pump MacAB-TolC

The MacAB-TolC tripartite efflux pump is widely distributed in Gram-negative bacteria, extruding antibiotics and virulence factors that lead to multidrug resistance and pathogenicity. This pump spans the cell envelope through its three components, an inner membrane ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter MacB, a periplasmic adaptor protein MacA, and an outer membrane protein TolC. However, the assembly process and efflux mechanism of the MacAB-TolC in cells remain unclear. Here, we resolve the in situ structures of Escherichia coli (E. coli) MacAB-TolC efflux pump by electron cryo-tomography and subtomogram averaging. In E. coli without antibiotic treatment, we observe a fully assembled MacAB-TolC pump with a weak constriction density in the middle of the MacA region. When E. coli cells were treated with erythromycin, we discovered the emergence of MacA-TolC subcomplexes, indicating flexible binding of MacB in the presence of an antibiotic substrate. This finding was further validated by in vivo crosslinking results. Together, our data present the in situ assembly process of the MacAB-TolC and derive a substrate-driven working model for ABC-type tripartite pump.

microbiology↗

Rare Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Based on Indirect Competitive Screening of Single Hapten-specific Rabbit Antibody Secreting Cell

Rare antibody that is able to tolerate physio-chemical factors is preferred and highly demanded in diagnosis and therapy. Rabbit monoclonal antibodies (RmAbs) are distinguished owing to their high affinity and stability. However, the efficiency and availability of traditional methods for RmAb discovery are limited, especially for small molecules. Here, we present an indirect competitive screening method in nanowells, named CSMN, for single rabbit antibody secreting cells (ASCs) selection with 20.6 h and proposed an efficient platform for RmAb production against small molecule with 5.8 days for the first time. Chloramphenicol (CAP) as an antibacterial agent has the great threats for public health. We applied the CSMN to select CAP-specific ASCs and produced one high affinity RmAb, surprisingly showing extremely halophilic properties with an IC50 of 0.08 ng mL-1 in saturated salt solution which has as yet not been shown by other antibodies. Molecular dynamic simulation showed that the negatively charged surface improved the stability of the RmAb structure with additional disulfide bonds compared with mouse antibody. Moreover, the reduced solvent accessible surface area of the binding pocket increased the interactions of RmAb with CAP in a saturated salt solution. Furthermore, the RmAb was used to develop an immunoassay for the detection of CAP in real biological samples with simple pretreatment, shorter assay time, and higher sensitivity. The results demonstrated that the practical and efficient CSMN is suitable for rare RmAb discovery against small molecules.

biochemistry↗

Tegaserod maleate suppresses the growth of gastric cancer in vivo and in vitro by targeting MEK1/2

Gastric cancer (GC), ranking fifth in global incidence and fourth in mortality. The current treatments for GC include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Although management and treatment strategies for GC have been improved over the last decade, the overall five-year survival rate remains less than 30%. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find novel therapeutic or preventive strategies that can increase GC patient survival rates. In the current study, we found that tegaserod maleate, a FDA-approved drug, could inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. Tegaserod maleate binds to MEK1 /2 and inhibits MEK1 /2 kinase activity. Moreover, the construction of CRISPER/Cas9 cell line further verified that tegaserod maleate depended on MEK1 /2 to inhibit the progress of gastric cancer. Notably, we found that tegaserod maleate suppressed tumor growth in patient-derived gastric xenograft (PDX) mouse model. We also compared tegaserod maleate with trametinib, a clinical MEK1/2 inhibitor, and comfirmed that tegaserod maleate have the same effect in inhibiting tumor volume and tumor weight. Our findings suggest that tegaserod maleate can inhibit GC proliferation by targeting MEK1/2.

pathology↗

Mining the potential of VRS1-5 gene to raise barley grain yield

VRS1-5 genes determine spike row types during the early stages of spike development in barley (Hordeum vulgare), yet their functions for the determination of grain yield during the late stages of spike development are largely unknown. To assess the role of VRS1-5 genes in determining grain yield components, we sequenced VRS1-5 genes from 894 worldwide barley accessions and measured 19 spike morphology traits in four environments. Single nucleotide polymorphism SNP markers and gene marker-based haplotypes for VRS1-5 displayed close associations with spike morphology traits. We further developed a spatiote-temporal transcriptome atlas (255 samples) at 17 stages and five positions along the spike, that linked spike morphology to spikelet development and expression patterns of VRS1-5 genes. Phenotypic measurements demonstrated that mutations in VRS1-5 suppress the initiation of spikelet primordia and, trigger spikelet abortion by increasing cytokinin content and improving sensitivity of spikelet primordia to cytokinin. Our integrated results illustrate how breeding can globally alter spike morphology through diversity at the VRS1-5 genes, which show great potential in increasing barley grain yield.

developmental biology↗

A systematic dissection of human primary osteoblasts in vivo at single-cell resolution

Osteoblasts are multifunctional bone cells, which play essential roles in bone formation, angiogenesis regulation, as well as maintenance of hematopoiesis. Although both in vivo and in vitro studies on mice have identified several potential osteoblast subtypes based on their different transition stages or biological responses to external stimuli, the categorization of primary osteoblast subtypes in vivo in humans has not yet been achieved. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to perform a systematic cellular taxonomy dissection of freshly isolated human osteoblasts. Based on the gene expression patterns and cell lineage reconstruction, we identified three distinct cell clusters including preosteoblasts, mature osteoblasts, and an undetermined rare osteoblast subpopulation. This novel subtype was mainly characterized by the nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 and 2 (NR4A1 and NR4A2), and its existence was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. Trajectory inference analysis suggested that the undetermined cluster, together with the preosteoblasts, are involved in the regulation of osteoblastogenesis and also give rise to mature osteoblasts. Investigation of the biological processes and signaling pathways enriched in each subpopulation revealed that in addition to bone formation, preosteoblasts and undetermined osteoblasts may also regulate both angiogenesis and hemopoiesis. Finally, we demonstrated that there are systematic differences between the transcriptional profiles of human osteoblasts in vivo and mouse osteoblasts both in vivo and in vitro, highlighting the necessity for studying bone physiological processes in humans rather than solely relying on mouse models. Our findings provide novel insights into the cellular heterogeneity and potential biological functions of human primary osteoblasts at the single-cell level, which is an important and necessary step to further dissect the biological roles of osteoblasts in bone metabolism under various (patho-) physiological conditions.

bioinformatics↗