TFPI from erythroblasts drives heme production in central macrophages promoting erythropoiesis in polycythemia.

Bleeding and thrombosis are known as common complications of polycythemia for a long time. However, the role of coagulation system in erythropoiesis is unclear. Here, we discover that an anticoagulant protein tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) plays an essential role in erythropoiesis via the control of heme biosynthesis in central macrophages.

CRHR1 mediates the transcriptional expression of pituitary hormones and their receptors under hypoxia.

Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays critical roles in stress responses under challenging conditions such as hypoxia, regulating gene expression and integrating activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-targets cells. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways of hypoxic stress in the pituitary remain to be defined. Here, we report that hypoxia induced dynamic changes in the transcription factors, hormones, and their receptors in the adult rat pituitary.

Meteorin links the bone marrow hypoxic state to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell mobilization.

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are supported and regulated by niche cells in the bone marrow with an important characterization of physiological hypoxia. However, how hypoxia regulates HSPCs is still unclear. Here, we find that meteorin (Metrn) from hypoxic macrophages restrains HSPC mobilization.

Molecular characterization, expression and functional analysis of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) are nuclear receptors with distinct roles in energy metabolism and immunity. Although extensively studied in mammals, immunomodulatory roles of this molecule in teleost fish remain to be investigated. In this study, large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) PPARγ (LcPPARγ) sequence was cloned, which encodes a polypeptide of 541 amino acids that include signature domains belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily.

Matrix metalloproteinase-25 from Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) is involved in pro-inflammatory responses.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are highly expressed in leukocytes and macrophages, which play a role in the innate immune response. Here, the cDNA sequence of MMP25 from Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) (LjMMP25) was identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that LjMMP25 was most closely related to large yellow croaker MMP25.

Two paralogs of CXCR4 in the Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonica) are involved in the immune response of B lymphocytes.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family, plays an important role in host immune responses. Within the teleost lineage, there are two paralogs of CXCR4; however, the role of CXCR4 in teleost B cells is poorly understood. In this study, we determined the cDNA sequences of the two CXCR4 paralogs from the Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonica; LjCXCR4a and LjCXCR4b).

Characterization of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) osteoprotegerin and its role in the innate immune response against to Vibrio alginolyticus.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, contributing to inflammation, apoptosis, and differentiation. However, the function of OPG in the host immune system of teleosts remains unclear. Here, we cloned the cDNA of the LcOPG gene from large yellow croaker.

Pharmacological inhibition of KDM5A for cancer treatment.

Lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A, also named RBP2 or JARID1A) is a demethylase that can remove methyl groups from histones H3K4me1/2/3. It is aberrantly expressed in many cancers, where it impedes differentiation and contributes to cancer cell proliferation, cell metastasis and invasiveness, drug resistance, and is associated with poor prognosis. Pharmacological inhibition of KDM5A has been reported to significantly attenuate tumor progression in vitro and in vivo in a range of solid tumors and acute myeloid leukemia.

Two ACTH analogs exert differential effects on monocytes/macrophages function regulation in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a bioactive peptide of the family of melanocortins, is generated from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). So far, the research on the specific functions of ACTH in the immune system of teleosts is limited. We determined two complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of POMC in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis), termed PaPOMC-A and PaPOMC-B.

Two transcription factors PU.1a and PU.1b have different functions in the immune system of teleost ayu.

Transcription factor PU.1 is a regulator of macrophage function, however, the specific function of PU.1 in teleost monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ) remains unknown.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α involved in macrophage regulation in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) under hypoxia.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) plays a critical role in immune and inflammatory responses and is important in controlling a variety of processes in monocytes and macrophages. However, the role of HIF-1α in the teleost immune system remains less known. In this study, we cloned the cDNA sequence of HIF-1α from the ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis, PaHIF-1α).

The emerging role of KDM5A in human cancer.

Histone methylation is a key posttranslational modification of chromatin, and its dysregulation affects a wide array of nuclear activities including the maintenance of genome integrity, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic inheritance. Variations in the pattern of histone methylation influence both physiological and pathological events. Lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A, also known as JARID1A or RBP2) is a KDM5 Jumonji histone demethylase subfamily member that erases di- and tri-methyl groups from lysine 4 of histone H3.

Characterization of ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) urocortin: The function of an endocrine factor in monocyte/macrophage regulation.

Urocortin (UCN) is a hormone in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that is expressed in various immune cells. However, the function of teleost UCN in the immune system remains unclear. In this study, we cloned the cDNA sequence of UCN from ayu Plecoglossus altivelis (PaUCN).

Identification and characterization of a tumor necrosis factor receptor like protein encoded by Cyprinid Herpesvirus 2.

Virus-encoded tumor necrosis factor receptors (vTNFRs) facilitate viral escape from the host immune response during viral propagation. Cyprinid Herpesvirus-2 (CyHV-2) is a double-stranded DNA virus of alloherpesviridae family that causes great economic losses in the aquaculture industry. The present study identified and characterized a novel TNFR homolog termed ORF4 in CyHV-2.

Development of an annelid-like peristaltic crawling soft robot using dielectric elastomer actuators.

The annelid, which consists of several identical segments, exploits its soft structures to move effectively in complex natural environments. Elongation and shortening of different segments produce a reverse peristaltic wave while retractable setae generate a variable friction, enabling bidirectional crawling locomotion. Although several designs have applied soft technologies towards the construction of annelid-like robots, these robots do not exhibit the homonymous segmentation, reverse peristaltic wave and variable friction.

CXCR4s in Teleosts: Two Paralogous Chemokine Receptors and Their Roles in Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Homeostasis.

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) generate the entire repertoire of immune cells in vertebrates and play a crucial role during infection. Although two copies of CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) genes are generally identified in teleosts, the function of teleost CXCR4 genes in HSPCs is less known. In this study, we identified two CXCR4 genes from a teleost, ayu (), named PaCXCR4a and PaCXCR4b.

Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation influences the function of monocytes/macrophages in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis).

Adrenergic receptors (ARs) are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily that can be categorized into αARs and βARs. The specific function of ARs in teleost monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ) remains unknown. We determined the cDNA sequence of ARs from ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis; PaαAR and PaβAR).

The interleukin-6 regulates the function of monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ) via the interleukin-6 receptor β in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis).

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the most pleiotropic cytokines because of its wide range of effects on cells of the immune and non-immune systems in the body. However, the role of IL-6 in fish monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ) is poorly understood. In this study, we cloned the cDNA sequence of the IL-6 gene from ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) and demonstrated using a tissue distribution assay that ayu interleukin-6 (PaIL-6) mRNA is expressed in all tested tissues.

Specific function and modulation of teleost monocytes/macrophages: polarization and phagocytosis.

Macrophages exist in most tissues and play a variety of functions in vertebrates. Teleost fish species are found in most aquatic environments throughout the world and are quite diverse for a group of vertebrate animals. Due to whole genome duplication and environmental adaptation, teleost monocytes/macrophages possess a variety of different functions and modulations compared with those of mammals.

Glucocorticoid receptor in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis): Genomic and non-genomic effects on monocytes/macrophages function.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is an important feedback regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis. However, there are a limited number of studies focused on host-pathogen interactions in which an association between GR and immune response has been evaluated in monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ) after being challenged with highly pathogenic bacteria. Here, we cloned the cDNA sequence of the glucocorticoid receptor (PaGR) gene from ayu fish.

A Novel Lipopolysaccharide Recognition Mechanism Mediated by Internalization in Teleost Macrophages.

Macrophages in teleosts are less sensitive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared to mammals. The functional equivalent of the mammalian LPS surface receptor in teleost macrophages for the pro-inflammatory response is either non-existent or replaced by negative regulation. LPS signaling in teleost macrophages remains unclear.