All-in-One Fusogenic Nanoreactor for the Rapid Detection of Exosomal MicroRNAs for Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Molecular-profiling-based cancer diagnosis has significant implications for predicting disease prognosis and selecting targeted therapeutic interventions. The analysis of cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) provides a noninvasive and sequential method to assess the molecular landscape of cancer. Here, we developed an all-in-one fusogenic nanoreactor (FNR) encapsulating DNA-fueled molecular machines (DMMs) for the rapid and direct detection of EV-associated microRNAs (EV miRNAs) in a single step.

Tumour-associated myeloid cells expressing IL-10R2/IL-22R1 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor survival rate, largely due to the lack of early diagnosis. Although myeloid cells are crucial in the tumour microenvironment, whether their specific subset can be a biomarker of PDAC progression is unclear.

Methods: We analysed IL-22 receptor expression in PDAC and peripheral blood.

Concomitant induction of SLIT3 and microRNA-218-2 in macrophages by toll-like receptor 4 activation limits osteoclast commitment.

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) conducts a highly regulated inflammatory process by limiting the extent of inflammation to avoid toxicity and tissue damage, even in bone tissues. Thus, it is plausible that strategies for the maintenance of normal bone-immunity to prevent undesirable bone damage by TLR4 activation can exist, but direct evidence is still lacking.

Methods: Osteoclast precursors (OCPs) obtained from WT or Slit3-deficient mice were differentiated into osteoclast (OC) with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), RANK ligand (RANKL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by determining the number of TRAP-positive multinuclear cells (TRAP MNCs).

DCIR suppresses osteoclastic proliferation and resorption by downregulating M-CSF and RANKL signaling.

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) is an inhibitory C-type lectin receptor that acts as a negative regulator in the immune system and bone metabolism. We previously revealed that DCIR deficiency enhanced osteoclastogenesis and antigen presentation of dendritic cells, and that asialo-biantennary N-glycan (NA2) functions as a ligand for DCIR. NA2 binding to DCIR suppressed murine and human osteoclastogenesis that occurs in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL.

Blocking DCIR mitigates colitis and prevents colorectal tumors by enhancing the GM-CSF-STAT5 pathway.

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR; Clec4a2), a member of the C-type lectin receptor family, plays important roles in homeostasis of the immune and bone systems. However, the intestinal role of this molecule is unclear. Here, we show that dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and azoxymethane-DSS-induced intestinal tumors are reduced in Clec4a2 mice independently of intestinal microbiota.

The C-type lectin receptor Clec1A plays an important role in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by enhancing antigen presenting ability of dendritic cells and inducing inflammatory cytokine IL-17.

Clec1A, a member of C-type lectin receptor family, has a carbohydrate recognition domain in its extracellular region, but no known signaling motif in the cytoplasmic domain. Clec1a is highly expressed in endothelial cells and weakly in dendritic cells. Although this molecule was reported to play an important role in the host defense against Aspergillus fumigatus by recognizing 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-melanin on the fungal surface, the roles of this molecule in un-infected animals remain to be elucidated.

DCIR and its ligand asialo-biantennary N-glycan regulate DC function and osteoclastogenesis.

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) is a C-type lectin receptor with a carbohydrate recognition domain and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif. Previously, we showed that Dcir-/- mice spontaneously develop autoimmune enthesitis and sialadenitis, and also develop metabolic bone abnormalities. However, the ligands for DCIR functionality remain to be elucidated.

Interleukin-17 family members in health and disease.

The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family consists of six family members (IL-17A-IL-17F) and all the corresponding receptors have been identified recently. This family is mainly involved in the host defense mechanisms against bacteria, fungi and helminth infection by inducing cytokines and chemokines, recruiting neutrophils, inducing anti-microbial proteins and modifying T-helper cell differentiation. IL-17A and some other family cytokines are also involved in the development of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis by inducing inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and antibodies against IL-17A as well as the receptor IL-17RA are being successfully used for the treatment of these diseases.

Removal of Aflatoxin B by Edible Mushroom-Forming Fungi and Its Mechanism.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are biologically active toxic metabolites, which are produced by certain toxigenic sp. on agricultural crops. In this study, five edible mushroom-forming fungi were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) for their ability to remove aflatoxin B (AFB), one of the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens known.

Insights on the Functional Role of Beta-Glucans in Fungal Immunity Using Receptor-Deficient Mouse Models.

Understanding the host anti-fungal immunity induced by beta-glucan has been one of the most challenging conundrums in the field of biomedical research. During the last couple of decades, insights on the role of beta-glucan in fungal disease progression, susceptibility, and resistance have been greatly augmented through the utility of various beta-glucan cognate receptor-deficient mouse models. Analysis of dectin-1 knockout mice has clarified the downstream signaling pathways and adaptive effector responses triggered by beta-glucan in anti-fungal immunity.

TARM1 contributes to development of arthritis by activating dendritic cells through recognition of collagens.

TARM1 is a member of the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor family and stimulates macrophages and neutrophils in vitro by associating with FcRγ. However, the function of this molecule in the regulation of the immune system is unclear. Here, we show that Tarm1 expression is elevated in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis mouse models, and the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is suppressed in Tarm1 mice.

Distribution Analysis of Twelve Mycotoxins in Corn and Corn-Derived Products by LC-MS/MS to Evaluate the Carry-Over Ratio during Wet-Milling.

This study investigated the distribution of twelve mycotoxins (aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂; ochratoxin A; fumonisins B₁ and B₂; deoxynivalenol; nivalenol; zearalenone; T-2 toxin; and HT-2 toxin) in corn and corn by-products (corn bran, cornstarch, corn gluten, corn gluten feed, corn germ, light steep water, and corn steep liquor) produced by wet-milling in Korea. Fifty-two samples were collected from three factories producing cornstarch and other corn by-products. The samples were pretreated on an immunoaffinity column (IAC), and then the levels of the 12 mycotoxins were analyzed simultaneously by liquid chromatography-coupled triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

IL-36α from Skin-Resident Cells Plays an Important Role in the Pathogenesis of Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasiform Dermatitis by Forming a Local Autoamplification Loop.

IL-36α (gene symbol ), a member of the IL-36 family, is closely associated with inflammatory diseases, including colitis and psoriasis. In this study, we found that mice developed milder psoriasiform dermatitis upon treatment with imiquimod, a ligand for TLR ligand 7 (TLR7) and TLR8, whereas mice showed similar susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis to wild-type mice. These effects were observed in both cohoused and separately housed conditions, and antibiotic treatment did not cancel the resistance of mice to imiquimod-induced dermatitis.

Long-Term Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol in Feed and Feed Raw Materials with a Special Focus on South Korea.

The fungi produce toxic substances called mycotoxins, which can cause disease and harmful effects in grains, livestock, and humans. Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin, is one of the mycotoxins that is known to cause vomiting in livestock. This study shows the occurrence of deoxynivalenol in feedstuffs (compound feed and feed ingredients) between 2009 and 2016 in South Korea.

A Decrease of Incidence Cases of Fumonisins in South Korean Feedstuff between 2011 and 2016.

Several plant pathogen species produce fumonisins (FUMs); which can end up in food and feed and; when ingested; can exhibit harmful effects on humans and livestock. Mycotoxin intoxication by fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) can cause porcine pulmonary edema; leukoencephalomalacia in equines; esophageal cancer and birth defects by natural contamination. Herein; the occurrence of FB₁ and FB₂ in feedstuff (compound feed and feed ingredients) was investigated between 2011 and 2016 in South Korea.

The Occurrence of Zearalenone in South Korean Feedstuffs between 2009 and 2016.

Mycotoxins produced by plant pathogen species have harmful effects on humans and livestock by natural contamination in food and feed. Zearalenone, one of the well-known mycotoxins, causes hyperestrogenism and toxicosis resulting in reproductive dysfunction in animals. This study investigated the occurrence of zearalenone in feedstuffs (compound feeds, feed ingredients) between 2009 and 2016 in South Korea to obtain information on zearalenone contamination in feeds for management.

IL-1 receptor antagonist-deficient mice develop autoimmune arthritis due to intrinsic activation of IL-17-producing CCR2(+)Vγ6(+)γδ T cells.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing γδ T (γδ17) cells have been implicated in inflammatory diseases, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that both CD4(+) and γδ17 cells are required for the development of autoimmune arthritis in IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra)-deficient mice. Specifically, activated CD4(+) T cells direct γδ T-cell infiltration by inducing CCL2 expression in joints.

DCIR maintains bone homeostasis by regulating IFN-γ production in T cells.

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) is a C-type lectin receptor mainly expressed in DCs. Dcir (-/-) mice spontaneously develop autoimmune enthesitis and ankylosis accompanied by fibrocartilage proliferation and ectopic ossification. However, the mechanisms of new bone/cartilage formation in Dcir (-/-) mice remain to be elucidated.

Behaviour of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum on rice as affected by degree of milling, temperature, and relative humidity during storage.

We investigated the survival and growth patterns of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum, as well as mycotoxin production, on Korean rice as affected by the degree of milling (rough, brown, and white rice) and storage conditions (21 °C/85% relative humidity [RH], 21 °C/97% RH, and 30 °C/85% RH). When rice was stored at 21 °C/85% RH, the population of A. flavus remained constant and aflatoxin was not produced, regardless of the degree of milling.

The proportion of non-aflatoxigenic strains of the Aspergillus flavus/oryzae complex from meju by analyses of the aflatoxin biosynthetic genes.

Strains of the Aspergillus flavus/oryzae complex are frequently isolated from meju, a fermented soybean product, that is used as the starting material for ganjang (soy sauce) and doenjang (soybean paste) production. In this study, we examined the aflatoxin producing capacity of A. flavus/oryzae strains isolated from meju.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 expressed in T cells plays an important role in the development of collagen-induced arthritis.

Introduction: Chemokines and their receptors are potential therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Among these, several studies suggested the involvement of CXC chemokine 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand CXC ligand 12 (SDF-1) in RA pathogenesis. However, the role of these molecules in T-cell function is not known completely because of embryonic lethality of Cxcr4- and Cxcl12-deficient mice.

Dectin-2 recognition of alpha-mannans and induction of Th17 cell differentiation is essential for host defense against Candida albicans.

Dectin-2 (gene symbol Clec4n) is a C-type lectin expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. However, its functional roles and signaling mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we generated Clec4n(-/-) mice and showed that this molecule is important for host defense against Candida albicans (C.

Incomplete recoveries of fumonisins present in naturally contaminated corn foods from an immunoaffinity column.

Following previous observations of apparent instability of fumonisin B1 in corn starch and corn meal, immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup, of the type used in the analysis of commercial starch-containing corn foods for fumonisins, was investigated. Foods analyzed for naturally occurring fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 included corn flour (3 different products), corn meal, and corn flakes. In 2 series of experiments, fractions were eluted by gravity or vacuum from narrow- or wide-bore Fumonitest IACs either with 2 x 2 mL methanol, followed by 2 mL methanol-water (8 + 2, v/v), or with 2 mL methanol, then 2 mL methanol-water (8 + 2, v/v).