Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue are the two largest organs in the body. Skeletal muscle is an effector organ, and adipose tissue is an organ that stores energy; in addition, they are endocrine organs that secrete cytokines, namely myokines and adipokines, respectively. Myokines consist of myostatin, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-<em>15</em>, irisin, <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> 21, and myonectin; adipokines include leptin, adiponectin, resistin, chemerin, and visfatin. Furthermore, certain cytokines, such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis <em>factor</em>-α, are released by both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and exhibit a bioactive effect; thus, they are called adipo-myokines. Recently, novel myokines or adipokines were identified through the secretomic technique, which has expanded our knowledge on the previously unknown functions of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and provide a new avenue of investigation for obesity treatment or animal production. This review focuses on the roles of and crosstalk between myokines and adipokines in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue that modulate the molecular events in the metabolic homeostasis of the whole body.

Besides the established selection criteria based on embryo morphology and blastomere number, new parameters for embryo viability are needed to improve the clinical outcome of IVF and more particular of elective single-embryo transfer. Genome-wide gene expression in cumulus cells was studied, since these cells surround the oocyte inside the follicle and therefore possibly reflect oocyte developmental potential. Early cleavage (EC) was chosen as a parameter for embryo viability. Gene expression in cumulus cells from eight oocytes resulting in an EC embryo (EC-CC; n = 8) and from eight oocytes resulting in a non-EC (NEC) embryo (NEC-CC; n = 8) was analysed using microarrays (n = 16). A total of 611 genes were differentially expressed (P < 0.01), mainly involved in cell cycle, angiogenesis, apoptosis, epidermal <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>, <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> and platelet-derived <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> signalling, general vesicle transport and chemokine and cytokine signalling. Of the 25 selected differentially expressed genes analysed by quantitative real-time PCR <em>15</em> (60%) genes could be validated in the original samples. Of these 8 (53%) could also be validated in 24 (12-EC-CC and 12 NEC-CC) extra independent samples. The most differentially expressed genes among these were CCND2, CXCR4, GPX3, CTNND1 DHCR7, DVL3, HSPB1 and TRIM28, which probably point to hypoxic conditions or a delayed oocyte maturation in NEC-CC samples. This opens up perspectives for new molecular embryo or oocyte selection parameters which might also be useful in countries where the selection has to be made at the oocyte stage before fertilization instead of at the embryonic stage.

We investigated the possibility that insulin could stimulate translation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA in a murine <em>fibroblast</em> cell line that expresses large numbers of human insulin receptors (HIR 3.5 cells). Within 3 h after exposure to 70 nM insulin, ODC enzyme activity increased approximately 50-fold and mRNA accumulation 3-fold in the HIR 3.5 cells but not in normal <em>fibroblasts</em>. Pretreatment of cells with cycloheximide completely inhibited insulin-stimulated ODC expression; actinomycin D partially inhibited this effect. To determine the influence of the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of ODC mRNA on insulin-regulated ODC expression, plasmids were constructed which contained sequences from the 5'UTR of a rat ODC mRNA interposed between the ferritin promoter and the coding region of the human <em>growth</em> hormone gene. These constructions were then expressed transiently in HIR 3.5 cells. Insulin stimulated a 2-4-fold change in <em>growth</em> hormone accumulation in the medium of cells transiently expressing plasmids containing the entire 5'UTR of ODC mRNA or just the 5'-most 1<em>15</em> bases, a G/C-rich conserved sequence predicted to form a stem-loop structure and shown previously to be responsible for constitutive inhibition of translation. There was a direct correlation between the extent of insulin stimulation and the predicted secondary structure of the added 5'UTR sequences. To determine whether this effect might be due to insulin activation of initiation <em>factors</em> responsible for melting mRNA secondary structure, we examined the effect of insulin on the phosphorylation states of two such <em>factors</em>, eucaryotic initiation <em>factors</em> eIF-4B and eIF-4E. Insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of both initiation <em>factors</em>; this stimulation was evident at <em>15</em> min and maximal by 60 min. These results suggest a potential general mechanism by which insulin could preferentially stimulate translation of mRNAs whose 5'UTRs exhibit significant secondary structure by activating initiation <em>factors</em> involved in melting such secondary structures.

Thrombin stimulation of 1321N1 astrocytoma cells leads to Ras-dependent AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation and to DNA replication. In contrast to what has been observed in most cell systems, in 1321N1 cells these responses are pertussis toxin-insensitive. The pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein G12 has been implicated in cell <em>growth</em> and transformation in different cell systems. We have examined the potential role of this protein in AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation and DNA synthesis in 1321N1 cells. Transient expression of an activated (GTPase-deficient) mutant of G alpha 12 increased AP-1-dependent gene expression. This response was inhibited by co-expression of a dominant negative Ala-<em>15</em> Ras protein. To determine whether the pertussis toxin-insensitive G12 protein is involved in the thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis, an inhibitory antibody against the C-terminal sequence of G alpha 12 subunit was microinjected into 1321N1 cells. Microinjection of the anti-G alpha 12 resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis. In contrast, microinjection of nonimmune IgG or an antibody directed against the C terminus of G alpha o did not reduce the mitogenic response to thrombin. Furthermore, microinjection of the anti-G alpha 12 antibody had no effect on <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-stimulated DNA synthesis. These results demonstrate a specific role for G alpha 12 in the mitogenic response to thrombin in human astroglial cells.

The effect of the human rIL-1 alpha and rTNF-alpha on the binding of 125I-labeled epidermal <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> ([125I]EGF) to its receptor (EGF-R) has been studied in human gingival <em>fibroblasts</em> (HuGi). Incubation of these cells with recombinant cytokines at 37 degrees C caused a rapid, dose-dependent decrease in their ability to subsequently bind subsaturating levels of [125I]EGF at 4 degrees C. Inhibition was evident at 5 min after addition of cytokines, reached a maximal level (60-70% reduction) after <em>15</em> to 30 min, and declined thereafter. Normal EGF binding was attained by 2 h. Half-maximal inhibition of EGF binding occurred at 10 pM IL-1 and 50 pM TNF. The two cytokines were not additive in their effect. Competition experiments at 4 degrees C showed that the cytokines did not interact directly with EGF-R; Scatchard analysis of binding of [125I]EGF to HuGi after treatment with IL-1 and TNF revealed an increase in EGF-R Kd from 0.75 nM to 2.9 nM with no change in receptor number. The effect of IL-1 and TNF on EGF-R was compared with that of the tumor-promotor PMA which is known to "transmodulate" EGF-R affinity by activating protein kinase C which then phosphorylates EGF-R. PMA caused a greater inhibition of EGF binding to HuGi (80 to 85% inhibition; ED50 = 500 pM), and recovery of binding was much slower. Importantly, in HuGi made deficient in protein kinase C by prolonged incubation with PMA, addition of fresh PMA no longer affected EGF binding, while the response to IL-1 and TNF was intact. Cytokine- but not PMA-mediated EGF-R transmodulation was partially reversed by treatment of the cells with millimolar concentrations of the kinase inhibitor amiloride. HuGi were incubated with H3 32PO4, stimulated with PMA or cytokines, and EGF-R were immunoprecipitated; IL-1 and TNF, like PMA, caused a 2- to 5-fold increase in receptor phosphorylation. We conclude that occupation of IL-1 and TNF-R activates a protein kinase, distinct from kinase C, for which EGF-R is a substrate.

Fat-storing cells (FSCs), perisinusoidal cells which normally participate in metabolism of vitamin A, have been suggested to participate in collagen synthesis in fibrotic liver. However, key mediators which regulate collagen metabolism in FSCs are yet to be elucidated. In <em>fibroblasts</em>, Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Tumor Necrosis <em>Factor</em> alpha (TNF alpha), and Transforming <em>Growth</em> <em>Factor</em> beta (TGF beta) have been shown to induce diverse modulations of collagen metabolism and cell proliferation. In the present study, these cytokines were tested for their abilities to regulate collagen formation and proliferation by cultured rat FSCs. FSCs primary culture was established and incubated in the absence or presence of various concentrations of IL-1 alpha, TNF alpha, and TGF beta 1. Tritiated proline and thymidine were used to examine collagen formation and cell proliferation. IL-1 alpha (2.5-10 U/ml) had a concentration-dependent stimulatory effect on FSC proliferation with a maximal response of 160% compared to that of untreated FSCs. This mitogenic effect resulted in slight but significant increases (<em>15</em>-20%) in the net collagen formation. However, when this parameter was standardized relative to DNA content, significant inhibition of both collagen and noncollagen protein formation by IL-1 alpha was demonstrated. TNF alpha also exhibited a similar mitogenic effect but induced a more selective inhibition of collagen formation. In contrast, TGF beta 1 (0.01-1 ng/ml) specifically enhanced collagen formation by 60-80%, as also evidenced by significant increases in the ratio of [3H]hydroxyproline to [3H]proline incorporated in newly formed proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Complex cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are regulated in part by extracellular signaling molecules: for example, polypeptide <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em>, cytokines, and peptide hormones. Many polypeptide <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> exert their mitogenic effects by binding to specific cell surface receptor protein tyrosine kinases. This interaction triggers numerous biochemical responses, including changes in phospholipid metabolism, the activation of a protein phosphorylation cascade, and the enhanced expression of specific immediate-early, delayed-early, or late response genes. In this review, I summarize the major findings obtained from studies investigating the effects of serum or individual polypeptide <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> on gene expression in murine <em>fibroblasts</em>. Several experimental approaches, including differential hybridization screening of cDNA libraries and differential display, have been employed to identify mRNA species that are expressed at elevated levels in serum- or polypeptide <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-stimulated cells. These studies have demonstrated that serum- and <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-inducible genes encode a diverse family of proteins, including DNA-binding transcription <em>factors</em>, cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix proteins, metabolic enzymes, secreted chemokines, and serine-threonine kinases. Some of these gene products act as effectors of specific cell cycle functions (e.g., enzymes involved in nucleotide and DNA synthesis), others are required to successfully convert a metabolically inactive cell to a metabolically active cell that will eventually increase in size and then divide (e.g., glucose-metabolizing enzymes), and some actually function as positive or negative regulators of cell cycle progression. In conclusion, research conducted during the past <em>15</em> years on serum- and <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-regulated gene expression in murine <em>fibroblasts</em> has provided significant insight into mitogenic signal transduction and cell <em>growth</em> control.

BACKGROUND

Plasma and serum biomarkers of angiogenesis and activated endothelial cells were evaluated to assess biological activity of PTK787/ZK 222584 (PTK/ZK), a novel oral angiogenesis inhibitor targeting all known vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinases.

METHODS

Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) (n=63) were enrolled into two phase I/II dose escalation trials of PTK/ZK in 28-day cycles until discontinuation. Patients with stable disease for>> or =2 months were categorized as 'non-progressors'. Plasma markers of angiogenesis, VEGF-A and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and the serum markers of activated endothelial cells, sTIE-2 and sE-Selectin, were assessed at baseline, and pre-dose on days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 28 of every cycle, with additional assessments 10 h post-dose on days 1 and 15. The percentage change from baseline was subsequently correlated with AUC and C(max) of PTK/ZK on day 1, cycle 1 and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

A dose-dependent increase in plasma VEGF-A and bFGF was observed in the first cycle of PTK/ZK treatment. The correlation of change in plasma VEGF-A with AUC and C(max) was characterized by an E(max) model, suggesting that a change of>> or =150% from baseline VEGF-A correlated with non-progressive disease. Change from baseline plasma VEGF-A within the first cycle of treatment was significantly correlated with clinical outcome by logistic regression analysis (P=0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with CRC treated with PTK/ZK, changes in plasma VEGF-A and bFGF demonstrate biological activity of PTK/ZK, may help to establish optimal dose and correlate with outcome.

Casein kinase II (CKII) is a highly conserved ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase composed of two catalytically active (alpha and/or alpha') and two regulatory (beta) subunits. It has been suspected that, among numerous other cellular functions, CKII might play a role in the control of mitogenic signaling. To test for such a role and its mechanism in intact cells, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated against CKII beta using a recombinant protein containing amino acids 20-200 of human CKII beta. The CKII beta-specific mAb with the highest reactivity, mAb IVG6 (classified as IgG1 with kappa light chains), was purified to homogeneity. It recognized a CKII beta epitope comprising the amino acids 140-<em>15</em>6, a basic and highly conserved region. In addition, polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) were raised and made monospecific by affinity purification. pAbs-mediated quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy of human IMR-90 <em>fibroblasts</em> and/or Western blots of cell fractions revealed (i) CKII beta was present in exponentially <em>growing</em> cells at a 2-3-fold higher level than in quiescent cells, (ii) CKII beta was localized predominantly in the nucleus of cells (3-<em>15</em>-fold cytoplasmic level depending on cellular state and assay used), and (iii) the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio of CKII beta was higher by a <em>factor</em> of 2 in exponentially <em>growing</em> cells. Consequently, mitogenic stimulation of quiescent cells by fetal calf serum doubled the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio of CKII beta. The increase occurred within the 1st h of stimulation. The translocation of CKII beta into the nucleus was inhibited when mAb IVG6 was injected into the cytoplasm at the time of mitogenic stimulation. This microinjection also significantly inhibited the cell proliferation. The data imply that cytoplasmic CKII participates in the transmission of mitogenic signals by translocation into the nucleus.

OBJECTIVE

Human thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are characterized by extracellular matrix breakdown associated with progressive smooth muscle cell (SMC) rarefaction. These features are present in all types of TAA: monogenic forms [mainly Marfan syndrome (MFS)], forms associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and degenerative forms. Initially described in a mouse model of MFS, the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signalling pathway is now assumed to play a role in TAA of various aetiologies. However, the relation between the aetiological diversity and the common cell phenotype with respect to TGF-β signalling remains unexplained.

RESULTS

This study was performed on human aortic samples, including TAA [MFS, n = 14; BAV, n = 15; and degenerative, n = 19] and normal aortas (n = 10) from which tissue extracts and human SMCs and fibroblasts were obtained. We show that all types of TAA share a complex dysregulation of Smad2 signalling, independent of TGF-β1 in TAA-derived SMCs (pharmacological study, qPCR). The Smad2 dysregulation is characterized by an SMC-specific, heritable activation and overexpression of Smad2, compared with normal aortas. The cell specificity and heritability of this overexpression strongly suggest the implication of epigenetic control of Smad2 expression. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that the increases in H3K9/14 acetylation and H3K4 methylation are involved in Smad2 overexpression in TAA, in a cell-specific and transcription start site-specific manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the heritability, the cell specificity, and the independence with regard to TGF-β1 and genetic backgrounds of the Smad2 dysregulation in human thoracic aneurysms and the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms regulating histone marks in this process.

BACKGROUND

The role of bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to determine safety and efficacy in chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving bevacizumab in combination with fixed-dose rate (FDR) gemcitabine and low-dose cisplatin.

METHODS

Eligible patients received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 at FDR infusion (10 mg/m(2) per minute), cisplatin 20 mg/m(2), and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg, on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Patients were monitored by computed tomography scans every two cycles and monthly serum CA19-9 measurements.

RESULTS

Of 52 patients eligible for analysis, ten (19.2%) had an unconfirmed response and 30 (57.7%) had stable disease. Of 35 patients with elevated baseline CA19-9 levels, 20 (57.1%) had>> or = 50% biomarker decline during treatment. Median time to tumor progression was 6.6 months and median survival was 8.2 months (estimated 1-year survival, 36%). Grade 3/4 toxicities possibly related to bevacizumab included thromboembolic events (15.1%), hypertension (13.2%), gastrointestinal bleeding (9.4%), cardiac events (7.5%), and bowel perforation (5.7%). Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor levels and circulating tumor cell concentration did not correlate with overall survival, either at baseline or after 2 months of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This bevacizumab-containing study regimen is modestly effective in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, although occasional serious complications may occur. Given the negative results of CALGB 80303, future efforts should be focused on identifying those specific patients who are most likely to benefit from bevacizumab-based therapy.

<em>Fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> (FGFs) <em>15</em>/19 and 21 belong to the FGF endocrine subfamily. They present the intriguing characteristic to be transcribed and secreted in certain tissues and to act as hormones. The insulin-mimetic properties of FGF21 and the regulatory role of FGF<em>15</em>/19 in bile acid and glucose homeostasis endorse these hormones as druggable targets in metabolic disorders. Here, we present details on discoveries, identification, transcriptional regulation, and mechanism of actions of FGF<em>15</em>/19 and FGF21 with a critical perspective view on their putative role as metabolic integrators in the liver.

After primary infection, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) establishes latency in neurons of the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. Many questions concerning the mechanism of VZV pathogenesis remain unanswered, due in part to the strict host tropism and inconsistent availability of human tissue obtained from autopsies and abortions. The recent development of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells provides great potential for the study of many diseases. We previously generated human iPS cells from skin <em>fibroblasts</em> by introducing four reprogramming genes with non-integrating adenovirus. In this study, we developed a novel protocol to generate sensory neurons from iPS cells. Human iPS cells were exposed to small molecule inhibitors for 10 days, which efficiently converted pluripotent cells into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). The NPCs were then exposed for two weeks to <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> required for their conversion to sensory neurons. The iPS cell-derived sensory neurons were characterized by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and electrophysiology. After differentiation, approximately 80% of the total cell population expressed the neuron-specific protein, βIII-tubulin. Importantly, <em>15</em>% of the total cell population co-expressed the markers Brn3a and peripherin, indicating that these cells are sensory neurons. These sensory neurons could be infected by both VZV and herpes simplex virus (HSV), a related alphaherpesvirus. Since limited neuronal populations are capable of supporting the entire VZV and HSV life cycles, our iPS-derived sensory neuron model may prove useful for studying alphaherpesvirus latency and reactivation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma and retinoic acid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer regulates cell <em>growth</em> and differentiation. Zinc finger transcription <em>factor</em>-9 (Zf9), whose phosphorylation promotes target genes, is a transcription <em>factor</em> essential for transactivation of the transforming <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (TGF)-beta1 gene. This study investigated whether activation of PPARgamma-RXR heterodimer inhibits TGFbeta1 gene transcription and Zf9 phosphorylation and, if so, what signaling pathway regulates it. Either <em>15</em>-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2) or 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) treatment decreased the TGFbeta1 mRNA level in L929 <em>fibroblasts</em>. PGJ2 + RA, compared with individual treatment alone, synergistically inhibited the TGFbeta1 gene expression, which was abrogated by PPARgamma antagonists. Likewise, PGJ2 + RA decreased luciferase expression from the TGFbeta1 gene promoter. Promoter deletion analysis of the TGFbeta1 gene revealed that pGL3-323 making up to -323-base pair region, but lacking PPAR-responsive elements, responded to PGJ2 + RA. PGJ2 + RA treatment inhibited the activity of p70 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 (S6K1), abolishing Zf9 phosphorylation at serine as did rapamycin [a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor]. Zf9 dephosphorylation by PGJ2 + RA was reversed by transfection of cells with the plasmid encoding constitutively active S6K1 (CA-S6K1). Transfection with dominant negative S6K1 inhibited the TGFbeta1 gene. TGFbeta1 gene repression by PGJ2 + RA was consistently antagonized by CA-S6K1. Ectopic expression of PPARgamma1 and RXRalpha repressed pGL3-323 transactivation with S6K1 inhibition, which was abrogated by CA-S6K1 transfection. PGJ2 + RA induced phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), whose overexpression repressed the TGFbeta1 gene through S6K1 inhibition, decreasing extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase 1 and Akt-mTOR phosphorylations. Data indicate that activation of PPARgamma-RXR heterodimer represses the TGFbeta1 gene and induces Zf9 dephosphorylation via PTEN-mediated S6K1 inhibition, providing insight into pharmacological manipulation of the TGFbeta1 gene regulation.

Therapeutic angiogenesis is the controlled induction or stimulation of new blood vessel formation to reduce unfavourable tissue effects caused by local hypoxia and to enhance tissue repair. The effects of ultrasound on wound healing, chronic ulcers, fracture healing and osteoradionecrosis may be explained by the enhancement of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify which cytokines and angiogenesis <em>factors</em> are induced by ultrasound in vitro. Two ultrasound machines were evaluated, a "traditional" (1 MHz, pulsed 1:4, tested at four intensities), and a "long wave" machine (45 kHz, continuous, also tested at four intensities). The ultrasound was applied to human mandibular osteoblasts, gingival <em>fibroblasts</em> and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (monocytes). The following cytokines and angiogenesis <em>factors</em> were assayed by ELISA techniques: interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), IL-6, tumour necrosis <em>factor</em> alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-8, <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (bFGF) and vascular endothelial <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (VEGF).A slight stimulation of IL-1beta was noted in all cell types. There was no difference in the IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. The angiogenesis-related cytokines, IL-8 and bFGF, were significantly stimulated in osteoblasts, and VEGF was significantly stimulated in all cell types. Both ultrasound machines produced similar results, and the optimum intensities were 0.1 and 0. 4 W/cm2 (SATA) with 1 MHz ultrasound, and <em>15</em> and 30 mW/cm2 (SATA) with 45 kHz ultrasound.The results show that therapeutic ultrasound stimulates the production of angiogenic <em>factors</em> such as IL-8, bFGF and VEGF. This may be one of the mechanisms through which therapeutic ultrasound induces angiogenesis and healing.

Somatomedin-C/insulin-like <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-I (Sm-C/IGF-I) and insulin stimulate DNA synthesis and cell replication in cultured human <em>fibroblasts</em>. It has been postulated that the <em>growth</em>-promoting actions of both peptides are mediated through the type I Sm-C/IGF-I receptor. This study tests this hypothesis using two recently developed monoclonal antibodies. The antibody designated sm 1.2 is directed to Sm-C, whereas the antibody designated alpha IR-3 is directed against the type I receptor for Sm-C/IGF-I. Radiolabeled monoclonal antibody alpha IR-3 was bound to human foreskin <em>fibroblasts</em> in a reversible time-dependent fashion, with 90% of the specific binding complete after 6 h of incubation at <em>15</em> C. Binding of [125I]alpha IR-3 was completely inhibited by excess unlabeled antibody, but not by 50 nM Sm-C or 1000 nM insulin. Specific binding of [125I]Sm-C fell to 27% of the control value in the presence of 50 nM alpha IR-3, and this concentration of antibody significantly reduced the mitogenic response to both Sm-C and insulin. Antibody sm 1.2 blocked the mitogenic response to exogenous Sm-C, but did not block the response to insulin; indeed, in some experiments, sm 1.2 enhanced the response to insulin. We postulate that this enhancement is the result of neutralizing endogenously produced Sm-like substances. This study provides further evidence that the <em>growth</em>-promoting effects of insulin in this cell type are the result of interaction with the Sm-C/IGF-I receptor.

Spacing patterns are of fundamental importance in various repeated structures which develop at regular intervals such as feathers, teeth and insect ommatidia. The mouse tongue develops a regular papilla pattern and provides a good model to study pattern formation. We examined the expression patterns of the signalling molecules, sonic hedgehog (Shh), bone morphogenetic proteins -2 and -4 (Bmp-2 and Bmp-4), and <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-8 (Fgf-8) in mouse embryos between E 10.5 and <em>15</em>. We show that all four genes are expressed uniformly in the tongue epithelium between E 10.5 and 11. At E 13, before morphologically detectable gustatory papillae initiation, Shh, Bmp-2 and Bmp-4 expression segregates into discrete spots, whereas, Fgf-8 is downregulated. At E 14, small eminences in the anterior part of the tongue are the first morphological indications of fungiform papillae, and they express Shh and Bmp-2, whereas, Bmp-4 is almost absent in the tongue. We conclude that these conserved signalling molecules are associated with the initiation and early morphogenesis of the tongue papillae.

miRNAs (microRNAs) have been shown to play a role in myocardial fibrosis. The present study was designed to analyse whether alterations in miRNA expression contribute to the progression of myocardial fibrosis in AS (aortic valve stenosis) patients through up-regulation of the pro-fibrotic <em>factor</em> TGF-β1 (transforming <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-β type 1). Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from 28 patients with severe AS, and from the necropsies of 10 control subjects. AS patients presented increased myocardial CVF (collagen volume fraction) and TGF-β1 compared with the controls, these parameters being correlated in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups by cluster analysis according to their CVF: SF (severe fibrosis; CVF>><em>15</em>%; n=<em>15</em>) and non-SF (CVF ≤<em>15</em>%; n=13). TGF-β1 was increased in patients with SF compared with those with non-SF. To analyse the involvement of miRNAs in SF, the miRNA expression profile of 10 patients (four with non-SF and six with SF) was analysed showing that 99 miRNAs were down-regulated and 19 up-regulated in the SF patients compared with the non-SF patients. Those miRNAs potentially targeting TGF-β1 were validated by real-time RT (reverse transcription)-PCR in the whole test population, corroborating that miR-122 and miR-18b were down-regulated in patients with SF compared with those with non-SF and the control subjects. Additionally, miR-122 was inversely correlated with the CVF, TGF-β1 and the TGF-β1-regulated PCPE-1 (procollagen C-terminal proteinase enhancer-1) in all patients. Experiments in human <em>fibroblasts</em> demonstrated that miR-122 targets and inhibits TGF-β1. In conclusion, for the first time we show that myocardial down-regulation of miR-122 might be involved in myocardial fibrosis in AS patients, probably through TGF-β1 up-regulation.

Recent studies on cytokine and <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> stimulated signal transduction have defined a direct pathway (Stat91) linking cell surface receptors to target genes in the nucleus. The Stat91 pathway regulated c-fos gene transcription involves activation by tyrosine phosphorylation of the DNA binding <em>factor</em> SIF (sis-inducing <em>factor</em>) in the cytoplasm, its nuclear translocation, and interaction with the regulatory element SIE (sis-inducing element). SIF is a complex of proteins containing members of the STAT family of transcription <em>factors</em>. We determined whether angiotensin II (AII), which acts as a <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> in many cell types, could activate the Stat91 pathway. We used neonatal rat cardiac <em>fibroblasts</em> expressing G-protein linked AII receptors and CHO-K1 cells expressing stably transfected angiotensin type 1A (AT1A) receptors to address this question. Angiotensin II induced SIF-like activity in both cell types, with initial induction at <em>15</em>-30 min, maximal around 2-3 h, and undetectable at 6 h. Cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions from cells exposed to AII contained DNA binding activity to SIE. The SIF activity was insensitive to protein synthesis inhibitors and sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Stat91 or a related protein was identified as a component of the AII-induced SIF complex and increased levels of this tyrosine-phosphorylated protein were found in nuclear extracts of cells treated with AII. This is the first evidence that a seven transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor, namely AT1A, activates the Stat91-nuclear signaling pathway.

Cardiac fibrosis is a hallmark feature of pathologic remodeling of the heart in response to hemodynamic or neurohormonal stress. Accumulating evidence implicates connective tissue <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (CTGF) as a key mediator of this process. Our group has previously identified Kruppel-Like <em>Factor</em> <em>15</em> (KLF<em>15</em>) as an important regulator of cardiac remodeling in response to stress; however, the role of this transcription <em>factor</em> in cardiac fibrosis has not been reported. Here we provide evidence that treatment of neonatal rat ventricular <em>fibroblasts</em> (NRVFs) with the potent pro-fibrotic agent Transforming <em>Growth</em> <em>Factor</em>-beta1 (TGFbeta1) strongly reduces KLF<em>15</em> expression while inducing the pro-fibrotic <em>factor</em> CTGF. Adenoviral overexpression of KLF<em>15</em> inhibits basal and TGFbeta1-induced CTGF expression in NRVFs. Furthermore, hearts from KLF<em>15</em>-/- mice subjected to aortic banding exhibited increased CTGF levels and fibrosis. From a mechanistic standpoint, KLF<em>15</em> inhibits basal and TGFbeta1-mediated induction of the CTGF promoter. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that KLF<em>15</em> inhibits recruitment of the co-activator P/CAF to the CTGF promoter with no significant effect on Smad3-DNA binding. Consistent with this observation, KLF<em>15</em> mediated repression of the CTGF promoter is rescued by P/CAF overexpression. Our result implicates KLF<em>15</em> as a novel negative regulator of CTGF expression and cardiac fibrosis.

Mammalian <em>fibroblasts</em> require mitogens in order to exit from G0 (quiescence) and progress through the G1 phase of the cell cycle, although once they pass the restriction point late in G1 they can enter S phase and complete the cell cycle without mitogens [1]. Mitogenic signals are integrated through the GTPase Ras, which regulates the levels of cyclin D1 [2-5], a component of the cell cycle machinery that operates during G1 phase by activating cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4). The accumulation of active cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes also requires Ras [6]. These two G1 cyclin-Cdk complexes act on a family of E2F-associated transcriptional repressors typified by the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) to bring about a transcriptional program that promotes passage through S phase [7-9], but can also activate DNA replication independently of Rb-E2F [10-12]. Although G1 cyclin-Cdk complexes are required for S-phase entry and can shorten G1 phase when overexpressed [13-<em>15</em>], it is not known whether they are sufficient for this transition. Here, we report that serum-starved (G0) diploid human <em>fibroblasts</em> initiate DNA synthesis upon microinjection of active G1 cyclin-Cdk complexes, but not upon microinjection of an S-phase cyclin-Cdk complex. These data indicate that G1 Cdk activation is rate-limiting for S-phase entry, and that Cdk activation is likely to be the primary function of <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> signalling pathways that lead to DNA synthesis.

In vertebrate skeletal muscles, the type 1 isoform of ryanodine receptor (RyR1) is essential in triggering contraction by releasing Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in response to plasma membrane depolarisation. Recently, the presence of another RyR isoform, RyR3, has been detected in mammalian skeletal muscle cells, raising the question of the eventual relevance of RyR3 for muscle cell physiology. The expression of RyR3 was investigated during differentiation of skeletal muscle cells. Using antibodies able to distinguish the different RyR isoforms and Western blot analysis, the RyR3 protein was detected in the microsomal fractions of differentiated skeletal muscle cells but not of undifferentiated cells. Accordingly, blocking muscle differentiation by the addition of either transforming <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-beta or basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> prevented the expression of the RyR3 protein. In differentiated skeletal muscle cells, RyR3 was expressed independent of cell fusion and myotube formation. The expression of RyR3 was also investigated during development of the diaphragm muscle. The RyR3 content in the diaphragm muscle increased between the late stage of fetal development and the first postnatal days. However, at variance with RyR1, which reached maximum levels of expression 2-3 weeks after birth, the expression of RyR3 was found to be higher in the neonatal phase of the diaphragm muscle development (2-<em>15</em> days after birth) than in the same muscle from adult mice. The differential content of RyR3 in adult skeletal muscles was found not to be mediated by neurotrophic <em>factors</em> or electrical activity. These findings indicate that RyR3 is preferentially expressed in differentiated skeletal muscle cells. In addition, during skeletal muscle development, its expression is regulated differently from that of RyR1.

Receptor tyrosine phosphatases have been implicated in playing important roles in cell signaling events by their ability to regulate the level of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Although the catalytic activity of their phosphatase domains has been well established, the biological roles of these molecules are, for the most part, not well understood. Here we show that the Caenorhabditis elegans protein CLR-1 (CLeaR) is a receptor tyrosine phosphatase (RTP) with a complex extracellular region and two intracellular phosphatase domains. Mutations in clr-1 result in a dramatic Clr phenotype that we have used to study the physiological requirements for the CLR-1 RTP. We show that the phosphatase activity of the membrane-proximal domain is essential for the in vivo function of CLR-1. By contrast, we present evidence that the membrane-distal domain is not required to prevent the Clr phenotype in vivo. The Clr phenotype of clr-1 mutants is mimicked by activation of the EGL-<em>15</em> <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> receptor (FGFR) and is suppressed by mutations that reduce or eliminate the activity of egl-<em>15</em>. Our data strongly indicate that CLR-1 attenuates the action of an FGFR-mediated signaling pathway by dephosphorylation.

OBJECTIVE

Use of the frailty index to measure an accumulation of deficits has been proven a valuable method for identifying elderly people at risk for increased vulnerability, disease, injury, and mortality. However, complementary molecular frailty biomarkers or ideally biomarker panels have not yet been identified. We conducted a systematic search to identify biomarker candidates for a frailty biomarker panel.

METHODS

Gene expression databases were searched (http://genomics.senescence.info/genes including GenAge, AnAge, LongevityMap, CellAge, DrugAge, Digital Aging Atlas) to identify genes regulated in aging, longevity, and age-related diseases with a focus on secreted factors or molecules detectable in body fluids as potential frailty biomarkers. Factors broadly expressed, related to several "hallmark of aging" pathways as well as used or predicted as biomarkers in other disease settings, particularly age-related pathologies, were identified. This set of biomarkers was further expanded according to the expertise and experience of the authors. In the next step, biomarkers were assigned to six "hallmark of aging" pathways, namely (1) inflammation, (2) mitochondria and apoptosis, (3) calcium homeostasis, (4) fibrosis, (5) NMJ (neuromuscular junction) and neurons, (6) cytoskeleton and hormones, or (7) other principles and an extensive literature search was performed for each candidate to explore their potential and priority as frailty biomarkers.

RESULTS

A total of 44 markers were evaluated in the seven categories listed above, and 19 were awarded a high priority score, 22 identified as medium priority and three were low priority. In each category high and medium priority markers were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarker panels for frailty would be of high value and better than single markers. Based on our search we would propose a core panel of frailty biomarkers consisting of (1) CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10), IL-6 (interleukin 6), CX3CL1 (C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1), (2) GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15), FNDC5 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5), vimentin (VIM), (3) regucalcin (RGN/SMP30), calreticulin, (4) PLAU (plasminogen activator, urokinase), AGT (angiotensinogen), (5) BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor), progranulin (PGRN), (6) α-klotho (KL), FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23), FGF21, leptin (LEP), (7) miRNA (micro Ribonucleic acid) panel (to be further defined), AHCY (adenosylhomocysteinase) and KRT18 (keratin 18). An expanded panel would also include (1) pentraxin (PTX3), sVCAM/ICAM (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1/Intercellular adhesion molecule 1), defensin α, (2) APP (amyloid beta precursor protein), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), (3) S100B (S100 calcium binding protein B), (4) TGFβ (transforming growth factor beta), PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1), TGM2 (transglutaminase 2), (5) sRAGE (soluble receptor for advanced glycosylation end products), HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1), C3/C1Q (complement factor 3/1Q), ST2 (Interleukin 1 receptor like 1), agrin (AGRN), (6) IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), resistin (RETN), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), ghrelin (GHRL), growth hormone (GH), (7) microparticle panel (to be further defined), GpnmB (glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B) and lactoferrin (LTF). We believe that these predicted panels need to be experimentally explored in animal models and frail cohorts in order to ascertain their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential.