Sprr1 and miR-130b contribute to the senescence-like phenotype in aging.

Aging is an inevitable process with senescence being one of its hallmarks. Recent advances have indicated that the elimination of senescent cells can reduce the signs of aging and increase healthy life span. Here, we identify a negative modulator of aging, Sprr1a, and in turn a negative modulator of Sprr1a, miR-130b.

Effects of Administration Route of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on the Survival of Allogeneic Skin Grafts in Mice.

Background: Composite tissue allotransplantation presents considerable potential for defective tissue reconstruction. However, the high immunogenicity of the allogeneic skin grafts can cause acute rejection. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) reportedly have an immunomodulation potential, which may improve the survival of allogeneic skin grafts.

A catenin of the plakophilin-subfamily, Pkp3, responds to canonical-Wnt pathway components and signals.

Vertebrate beta-catenin plays a key role as a transducer of canonical-Wnt signals. We earlier reported that, similar to beta-catenin, the cytoplasmic signaling pool of p120-catenin-isoform1 is stabilized in response to canonical-Wnt signals. To obtain a yet broader view of the Wnt-pathway's impact upon catenin proteins, we focused upon plakophilin3 (plakophilin-3; Pkp3) as a representative of the plakophilin-catenin subfamily.

Suppressive Effects of a Truncated Inhibitor K562 Protein-Derived Peptide on Two Proinflammatory Cytokines, IL-17 and TNF-α.

Inhibitor K562 (IK) protein was first isolated from the culture medium of K562 cells, a leukemia cell line, and is an inhibitory regulator of interferon-γ-induced major histocompatibility complex class II expression. Recently, exogenous truncated IK (tIK) protein showed potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammation-related diseases. In this study, we designed a novel putative anti-inflammatory peptide derived from tIK protein based on homology modeling of the human interleukin-10 (hIL-10) structure, and investigated whether the peptide exerted inhibitory effects against proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Insight into the bovine milk peptide LPcin-YK3 selection in the proteolytic system of Lactobacillus species.

Antimicrobial peptides are class of small, positively charged peptides known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activities for most antimicrobial peptides have largely remained elusive, particularly in the lactic acid bacteria. However, recently our investigation using LPcin-YK3, an antimicrobial peptide from bovine milk, suggests that in vitro antimicrobial activity was reduced over 100-fold compared with pathogenic bacteria.

Cyclized Oligopeptide Targeting LRP5/6-DKK1 Interaction Reduces the Growth of Tumor Burden in a Multiple Myeloma Mouse Model.

Purpose: Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) has been extensively investigated in mouse models of multiple myeloma, which results in osteolytic bone lesions. Elevated DKK1 levels in bone marrow plasma and serum inhibit the differentiation of osteoblast precursors. Present pharmaceutical approaches to target bone lesions are limited to antiresorptive agents.

A Novel Human PTH Analog [Cys25]hPTH(1-34) Restores Bone Mass in Ovariectomized Mice.

Context: Recently, an arginine-to-cysteine homozygous mutation at position 25 in mature PTH was reported in a Korean patient with hypoparathyroidism.

Objective: To clarify whether the high bone mass phenotype observed in this patient was related to the hypoparathyroidism itself or to chronic elevation of mutant PTH.

Methods: A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed in MC3T3E1, ROS 17/2.

The systemic effects of sclerostin overexpression using ΦC31 integrase in mice.

Sclerostin, encoded by the Sost gene, is mainly produced by osteocytes in bone and antagonizes the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is a requisite for bone formation. Currently, human anti-sclerostin antibodies are being tested in phase III clinical trials. In addition, serum sclerostin levels are reported to be associated with bone mineral density and fracture risk in normal individuals; however, the correlation between serum sclerostin and bone mass remains controversial.