Dietary cis-9, trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid reduces amyloid β-protein accumulation and upregulates anti-inflammatory cytokines in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is an isomer of linoleic acid (LA). The predominant dietary CLA is cis-9, trans-11-CLA (c-9, t-11-CLA), which constitutes up to ~ 90% of total CLA and is thought to be responsible for the positive health benefits associated with CLA. However, the effects of c-9, t-11-CLA on Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain to be elucidated.

Engulfment of Toxic Amyloid β-protein in Neurons and Astrocytes Mediated by MEGF10.

Amyloid-β proteins (A β), including Aβ42 and A β 43, are known pathogenesis factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unwanted substances in the brain, including A β, are generally removed by microglia, astrocytes, or neurons via a phagocytosis receptor. We observed that neurons and astrocytes engulfed A β 42 and A β 43, which are more neurotoxic than A β 40.

Reciprocal control of G1-phase progression is required for Th-POK/Runx3-mediated CD4/8 thymocyte cell fate decision.

After receiving a TCR-mediated differentiation signal, CD4 and CD8 double-positive thymocytes diverge into CD4 or CD8 single-positive T cells, for which Th-POK and Runx3 have been identified as pivotal transcription factors, respectively. The cross-antagonistic regulation of Th-POK and Runx3 seems to be essential for CD4/8 thymocyte lineage commitment. However, the process for determining which pivotal factor acts dominantly has not been established.

Dual functions of Runx proteins for reactivating CD8 and silencing CD4 at the commitment process into CD8 thymocytes.

To understand how CD8 expression is regulated during the transition process from CD4+8+ (CD4 and CD8 double positive, DP) to CD4-8+ (CD8 single positive, CD8SP) cells in the thymus, the involvement of Runx proteins in the alteration of chromatin configuration was investigated. Using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we first demonstrated that Runx proteins bind to the stage-specific CD8 enhancer, as well as the CD4 silencer, in CD8SP thymocytes. Among Runx family members, Runx3 expression was initiated in DP thymocytes receiving a positive selection signal and increased in concert with differentiation to the CD8SP stage.