T140 Inhibits Apoptosis and Promotes Proliferation and Matrix Formation Through the SDF-1/CXC Receptor-4 Signaling Pathway in Endplate Chondrocytes of the Rat Intervertebral Discs.

Background: Cartilaginous endplate (CEP), a thin layer of hyaline cartilage located between the vertebral endplate and nucleus pulposus, transports the nutrient into the disc. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of T140 (polyphemusin II-derived peptide) on the CEP cell growth, apoptosis, and the matrix formation via the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/cysteine X cysteine (CXC) receptor-4 (CXCR4) signaling pathway.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation and dissected for the isolation and the appraisal of CEP cells that were extracted from the endplate in rat intervertebral discs and were then added with different concentrations of reagents (SDF-1 and T140).

Downregulation of miR-124 predicts poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients.

Background And Aims: miRNA-124 (miR-124) expression was known to be downregulated in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Downregulation of miR-124 was significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with PDAC. Recent studies have shown that circulating miRNAs could be the potential biomarkers for invasive diagnostic as well as prognostic purposes.