scholarly journals Comparative Transcriptomic and Lipidomic Analyses of Human Male and Female Meibomian Glands Reveal Common Signature Genes of Meibogenesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor A. Butovich ◽  
Nita Bhat ◽  
Jadwiga C. Wojtowicz

Meibum is a lipid secretion that is produced by holocrine Meibomian glands (MGs). MGs are a specialized type of sebaceous glands that are embedded in the human eyelids. Chemically, meibum and sebum are different. A detailed characterization of lipidome and transcriptome of MG is required to deconvolute a complex and poorly characterized array of biosynthetic reactions (termed meibogenesis) that lead to formation of meibum. Changes in the composition and quality of meibum have been linked to various ocular disorders, some of which are more prevalent in males, while others in females. To establish the role of gender in meibogenesis in humans, we characterized MG transcriptomes and lipidomes of females and males, and identified signature genes of meibogenesis in both genders. Specimens of MG tissues were subjected to mRNA microarray analyses. Chemical composition of meibum samples was assessed chromatographically and mass spectrometrically. Both targeted and untargeted approaches were used. About 290 signature genes of meibogenesis were identified. The analyses of their expression patterns demonstrated no major differences between the genders. Lipid profiling of major classes of meibomian lipids, such as wax esters, cholesteryl esters, free cholesterol, (O)-acylated omega-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFA), cholesteryl esters of OAHFA, and triacylglycerols, also demonstrated only minor (and random) differences in these lipids. The results of transcriptomic analyses correlated well with lipidomic data. Taken together, our data imply that in males and females, meibogenesis proceeds in a similar fashion, yielding secretions with similar, highly conserved, compositions. This finding is important for designing novel, gender-independent diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to various MG-related diseases and pathological conditions.

Author(s):  
Piero Sciavilla ◽  
Francesco Strati ◽  
Monica Di Paola ◽  
Monica Modesto ◽  
Francesco Vitali ◽  
...  

Abstract Studies so far conducted on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been focused mainly on the role of gut bacterial dysbiosis in modulating the intestinal permeability, inflammation, and motility, with consequences on the quality of life. Limited evidences showed a potential involvement of gut fungal communities. Here, the gut bacterial and fungal microbiota of a cohort of IBS patients have been characterized and compared with that of healthy subjects (HS). The IBS microbial community structure differed significantly compared to HS. In particular, we observed an enrichment of bacterial taxa involved in gut inflammation, such as Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus, Fusobacteria, Gemella, and Rothia, as well as depletion of health-promoting bacterial genera, such as Roseburia and Faecalibacterium. Gut microbial profiles in IBS patients differed also in accordance with constipation. Sequence analysis of the gut mycobiota showed enrichment of Saccharomycetes in IBS. Culturomics analysis of fungal isolates from feces showed enrichment of Candida spp. displaying from IBS a clonal expansion and a distinct genotypic profiles and different phenotypical features when compared to HS of Candida albicans isolates. Alongside the well-characterized gut bacterial dysbiosis in IBS, this study shed light on a yet poorly explored fungal component of the intestinal ecosystem, the gut mycobiota. Our results showed a differential fungal community in IBS compared to HS, suggesting potential for new insights on the involvement of the gut mycobiota in IBS. Key points • Comparison of gut microbiota and mycobiota between IBS and healthy subjects • Investigation of cultivable fungi in IBS and healthy subjects • Candida albicans isolates result more virulent in IBS subjects compared to healthy subjects


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Tati Barus ◽  
Jason Wiranata Sanjaya ◽  
Anastasia Tatik Hartanti ◽  
Adi Yulandi ◽  
Vivitri Dewi Prasasty ◽  
...  

Abstract. Soybeans tempeh (tempeh) is processed by fermentation using Rhizopus spp. Tempeh is an important source of protein in Indonesia. The traditional inoculum in fermentation locally is known as Usar which is made from the leaves of Hibiscus tiliaceus. However, Rhizopus information from Usar is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to identify and investigate the genetic diversity of Rhizopus species from Usar and tempeh based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence and the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Twenty-three Rhizopus strains were isolated from Usar and ten Rhizopus strains were isolated from tempeh. Based on ITS sequences, the isolates were similar to R Rhizopus microsporus (30 isolates) and Rhizopus delemar (3 isolates) with 98-99% similarity. The genetics of R. microsporus and R. delemar are varied and different from the genetics of R. microsporus from tempeh. The growth temperature of R. microsporus varies from 33 to 48°C and R. delemar can grow to a maximum at 33°C. The role of R. microsporus and R. delemar from Usar in determining the quality of tempeh is still limited. Therefore, it needs to be investigated further.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2261
Author(s):  
Nidhi Gupta ◽  
Abhishek Kanojia ◽  
Arpana Katiyar ◽  
Yashwanti Mudgil

Salt stress is considered to be the most severe abiotic stress. High soil salinity leads to osmotic and ionic toxicity, resulting in reduced plant growth and crop production. The role of G-proteins during salt stresses is well established. AGB1, a G-protein subunit, not only plays an important role during regulation of Na+ fluxes in roots, but is also involved in the translocation of Na+ from roots to shoots. N-Myc Downregulated like 1 (NDL1) is an interacting partner of G protein βγ subunits and C-4 domain of RGS1 in Arabidopsis. Our recent in-planta expression analysis of NDL1 reported changes in patterns during salt stress. Based on these expression profiles, we have carried out functional characterization of the AGB1-NDL1 module during salinity stress. Using various available mutant and overexpression lines of NDL1 and AGB1, we found that NDL1 acts as a negative regulator during salt stress response at the seedling stage, an opposite response to that of AGB1. On the other hand, during the germination phase of the plant, this role is reversed, indicating developmental and tissue specific regulation. To elucidate the mechanism of the AGB1-NDL1 module, we investigated the possible role of the three NDL1 stress specific interactors, namely ANNAT1, SLT1, and IDH-V, using yeast as a model. The present study revealed that NDL1 acts as a modulator of salt stress response, wherein it can have both positive as well as negative functions during salinity stress. Our findings suggest that the NDL1 mediated stress response depends on its developmental stage-specific expression patterns as well as the differential presence and interaction of the stress-specific interactors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Oldani ◽  
Anna Maria Villa ◽  
Marta Manzoni ◽  
Pasquale Melchioretto ◽  
Paolo Parenti ◽  
...  

Abstract In this paper we report the metabolic characterization of two foci, F1 and F3, obtained at the end of Cell Transformation Assay (CTA), performed by treating C3H10T1/2Cl8 mouse embryo fibroblasts with 1 µM CdCl2 for 24 h. The elucidation of cadmium action mechanism can be useful both to improve the in vitro CTA and to yield insights into carcinogenesis. We previously showed that, despite being both completely transformed type III foci, F1 and F3 foci display different morphologies, proliferative behaviors and gene expression patterns. In this work, the metabolism of the two foci was investigated through Seahorse and enzyme activity assays; moreover, mitochondria were studied in confocal microscopy and reactive oxygen species were detected by flow cytometry. Results showed that F1 focus has higher glycolytic and TCA fluxes compared to F3 focus, and a more negative mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ), so that most ATP synthesis is performed through oxidative phosphorylation. Confocal microscopy showed mitochondria crowded in the perinuclear region. On the other hand, F3 focus showed lower metabolic rates, with ATP mainly produced by glycolysis and damaged mitochondria. On the whole, our results showed that cadmium treatment induced lasting metabolic alterations in both foci. Triggered by the loss of Pasteur effect in F1 focus and by mitochondrial impairment in F3 focus, these alterations lead to a loss of coordination among glycolysis, TCA and oxidative phosphorylation, which leads to malignant transformation.


Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 993-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.L. Blitz ◽  
K.W. Cho

In order to study the regional specification of neural tissue we isolated Xotx2, a Xenopus homolog of the Drosophila orthodenticle gene. Xotx2 is initially expressed in Spemann's organizer and its expression is absent in the ectoderm of early gastrulae. As gastrulation proceeds, Xotx2 expression is induced in the overlying ectoderm and this domain of expression moves anteriorly in register with underlying anterior mesoderm throughout the remainder of gastrulation. The expression pattern of Xotx2 suggests that a wave of Xotx2 expression (marking anterior neurectoderm) travels through the ectoderm of the gastrula with the movement of underlying anterior (prechordal plate) mesoderm. This expression of Xotx2 is reminiscent of the Eyal-Giladi model for neural induction. According to this model, anterior neural-inducing signals emanating from underlying anterior mesoderm transiently induce anterior neural tissues after vertical contact with the overlying ectoderm. Further patterning is achieved when the ectoderm receives caudalizing signals as it comes in contact with more posterior mesoderm during subsequent gastrulation movements. Functional characterization of the Xotx2 protein has revealed its involvement in differentiation of the anterior-most tissue, the cement gland. Ectopic expression of Xotx2 in embryos induces extra cement glands in the skin as well as inducing a cement gland marker (XAG1) in isolated animal cap ectoderm. Microinjection of RNA encoding the organizer-specific homeo-domain protein goosecoid into the ventral marginal zone results in induction of the Xotx2 gene. This result, taken in combination with the indistinguishable expression patterns of Xotx2 and goosecoid in the anterior mesoderm suggests that Xotx2 is a target of goosecoid regulation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (10) ◽  
pp. E852-E860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliya M. Yamaleyeva ◽  
Mark C. Chappell ◽  
K. Bridget Brosnihan ◽  
Lauren Anton ◽  
David L. Caudell ◽  
...  

The role of the endogenous apelin system in pregnancy is not well understood. Apelin's actions in pregnancy are further complicated by the expression of multiple forms of the peptide. Using radioimmunoassay (RIA) alone, we established the expression of apelin content in the chorionic villi of preeclamptic (PRE) and normal pregnant women (NORM) at 36–38 wk of gestation. Total apelin content was lower in PRE compared with NORM chorionic villi (49.7 ± 3.4 vs. 72.3 ± 9.8 fmol/mg protein; n = 20–22) and was associated with a trend for lower preproapelin mRNA in the PRE. Further characterization of apelin isoforms by HPLC-RIA was conducted in pooled samples from each group. The expression patterns of apelin peptides in NORM and PRE villi revealed little or no apelin-36 or apelin-17. Pyroglutamate apelin-13 [(Pyr1)-apelin-13] was the predominant form of the peptide in NORM and PRE villi. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity was higher in PRE villi (572.0 ± 23.0 vs. 485.3 ± 24.8 pmol·mg−1·min−1; n = 18–22). A low dose of ANG II (1 nM; 2 h) decreased apelin release in NORM villous explants that was blocked by the ANG II receptor 1 (AT1) antagonist losartan. Moreover, losartan enhanced apelin release above the 2-h baseline levels in both NORM and PRE villi ( P < 0.05). In summary, these studies are the first to demonstrate the lower apelin content in human placental chorionic villi of PRE subjects using quantitative RIA. (Pyr1)-apelin-13 is the predominant form of endogenous apelin in the chorionic villi of NORM and PRE. The potential mechanism of lower apelin expression in the PRE villi may involve a negative regulation of apelin by ANG II.


2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 3037-3041 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Corregidor ◽  
V. Babentsov ◽  
J. L. Castaño ◽  
M. Fiederle ◽  
T. Feltgen ◽  
...  

CdTe:Zn:V crystals grown by the seeded Bridgman method in microgravity conditions during the STS95-Spacelab-AGHF-1 mission and in the ground laboratory (l-g) were analyzed and compared. The results obtained clearly show that the structural quality of the space crystal is better. Density of inclusions, concentration of dislocations, and presence of stresses are lower in the microgravity-grown (μ-g) crystal. The l-g crystal contains twins and grains from the beginning of the growth process, that is, from the near-seed region. In general, the concentration of inclusions and amount of segregated impurities on the l-g crystal are larger than in the μ-g crystal. X-ray rocking curves and low-temperature photoluminescence spectra demonstrate the relatively high quality of both crystals on a microscale at the beginning of the growth and show that the l-g conditions were worse at the end. The results of this investigation demonstrate a positive role of contactless growth and μ-g conditions in the melt in suppressing the creation of inclusions and dislocations.


The Winners ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Lyudmyla Маlyarets ◽  
Oleksandr Dorokhov

The problems of measuring the quality attributes for different objects in the economy were considered. This article used methods of value measuring in the economy that were determined by the existing types. In this, it must distinguish between direct primary measurement, indirect measurement, joint and combined measurement. The different ways to solve it on the basis of joint measurement of qualitative and quantitative attributes inherent to economic facilities that were explored. Stages and elements of the quantities measurement processes in the economy were classified and analyzed. The corresponding mathematical methods and tools depending on the objectives and procedures of measurements are determined. The conceptual representation of an integral quality of the object in the economy as a generalizing indicator was proposed. It finds that it is possible to make general conclusions that underestimate the role of non-metric signs in the characterization of the object that is explained by their insufficient study and poorly developed mathematical tools to measure them.


Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naisu Yang ◽  
Bohao Zhao ◽  
Shuaishuai Hu ◽  
Zhiyuan Bao ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
...  

The naturally colorful fur of the Rex rabbit is becoming increasingly popular in the modern textile market. Our previous study found that POU class 2 homeobox 1 gene (POU2F1) potentially affects the expression of genes involved in fur color formation in the Rex rabbit, but the function and regulation of POU2F1 has not been reported. In this study, the expression patterns of POU2F1 in Rex rabbits of various colors, as well as in different organs, were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Interference and overexpression of POU2F1 were used to identify the potential effects of POU2F1 on other genes related to fur color formation. The results show that the levels of POU2F1 expression were significantly higher in the dorsal skin of the brown and protein yellow Rex rabbits, compared with that of the black one. POU2F1 mRNAs were widespread in the tissues examined in this study and showed the highest level in the lungs. By transfecting rabbit melanocytes with an POU2F1-overexpression plasmid, we found that the POU2F1 protein was located at the nucleus, and the protein showed the classic characteristics of a transcription factor. In addition, abnormal expression of POU2F1 significantly affected the expression of pigmentation-related genes, including SLC7A11, MITF, SLC24A5, MC1R, and ASIP, revealing the regulatory roles of POU2F1 on pigmentation. The results provide the basis for further exploration of the role of POU2F1 in fur color formation of the Rex rabbit.


1996 ◽  
Vol 184 (6) ◽  
pp. 2085-2090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Brennan ◽  
Suzanne Lemieux ◽  
J. Douglas Freeman ◽  
Dixie L. Mager ◽  
Fumio Takei

Ly-49C is a member of the polymorphic family of murine NK cell inhibitory receptors. The 5E6 antibody that defines a subset of NK cells responsible for the rejection of parental H-2d bone marrow by F1 mice has been shown previously to react with Ly-49C. Here, the 5E6 antibody was found to detect two Ly-49C-related molecules in B6 mice. Two cDNA clones were isolated from B6 NK cells, one identical to previously reported Ly-49CB6 and the other a novel cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence of the latter differs from that of Ly-49CBALB at only 4 residues, whereas the previously reported Ly-49CB6 differs at 22 residues. Flow cytometric analyses of COS cells transfected with the two cDNAs showed that the 5E6 antibody binds to both Ly-49 molecules, while another anti-Ly-49C antibody, 4LO3311, binds to the newly described Ly-49C but not the previously reported Ly-49CB6. Two-color flow cytometric analysis detected 5E6+4LO3311− as well as 5E6+4LO3311+ subsets of NK cells from B6, but not BALB/c, mice. The level of Ly-49C expression on B6 NK cells detected by the 4LO3311 antibody was substantially lower than that on BALB/c NK cells. Binding specificity of the novel Ly-49CB6 was indistinguishable from that of Ly-49CBALB, whereas no binding was detectable with previously reported Ly-49CB6. These results demonstrate that the newly described Ly-49CB6, not the previously reported Ly-49CB6, is the probable B6 allelic form of Ly49C. The previously reported Ly-49CB6 must be encoded by a separate gene and should be renamed Ly-49I. The implication of these results with respect to the role of Ly-49C in hybrid resistance is discussed.


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