TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage with a context and an answer, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.
PROBLEM: Context: BAF312 (Siponimod) is a dual agonist at the sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors, S1PR1 and S1PR5. This drug is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigated the effects of BAF312 on isolated astrocyte and microglia cultures as well as in slice culture models of demyelination.', 'Mouse and human astrocytes were treated with S1PR modulators and changes in the levels of pERK, pAkt, and calcium signalling as well as S1PR1 internalization and cytokine levels was investigated using Western blotting, immunochemistry, ELISA and confocal microscopy. Organotypic slice cultures were prepared from the cerebellum of 10-day-old mice and treated with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), psychosine and/or S1PR modulators, and changes in myelination states were measured by fluorescence of myelin basic protein and neurofilament H.', 'BAF312 treatment of human and mouse astrocytes activated pERK, pAKT and Ca(2+) signalling as well as inducing S1PR1 internalization. Notably, activation of S1PR1 increased pERK and pAKT in mouse astrocytes while both S1PR1 and S1PR3 equally increased pERK and pAKT in human astrocytes, suggesting that the coupling of S1PR1 and S1PR3 to pERK and pAKT differ in mouse and human astrocytes. We also observed that BAF312 moderately attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or TNFα/IL17-induced levels of IL6 in both astrocyte and microglia cell cultures. In organotypic slice cultures, BAF312 reduced LPC-induced levels of IL6 and attenuated LPC-mediated demyelination. We have shown previously that the toxic lipid metabolite psychosine induces demyelination in organotypic slice cultures, without altering the levels of cytokines, such as IL6. Importantly, psychosine-induced demyelination was also attenuated by BAF312.
Answer: Overall, this study suggests that BAF312 can modulate glial cell function and attenuate demyelination, highlighting this drug as a further potential therapy in demyelinating disorders, beyond MS.

SOLUTION: Does the dual S1PR1/S1PR5 drug BAF312 ( Siponimod ) attenuate demyelination in organotypic slice cultures?

PROBLEM: Context: A growing body of evidence supports the notion that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as key regulators of tumorigenesis. In the present study, the expression and roles of miRNA-361-5p were explored in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).', 'Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression miR-361-5p in HCC tissues and pair-matched adjacent normal tissues. MTT and BrdU assays were used to identify the role of miR-361-5p in the regulation of proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Using bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assays and Western blots were used to identify the molecular target of miR-361-5p. nude mice were used to detect the anti-tumor role of miR-361-5p in vivo.', 'miR-361-5p was down-regulated in HCC tissues in comparison to adjacent normal tissues, due to hypermethylation at its promoter region. Overexpression of miR-361-5p suppressed proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) receptor 6 (CXCR6) was identified as a target of miR-361-5p. Indeed, knockdown of CXCR6 photocopied, while overexpression of CXCR6 largely attenuated the anti-proliferative effect of miR-361-5p. More importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated that forced expression of miR-361-5p significantly inhibited tumor growth in the nude mice.
Answer: Our results indicate that miR-361-5p acts as a tumor suppressor and might serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC patients.

SOLUTION: Does microRNA-361-5p inhibit Cancer Cell Growth by Targeting CXCR6 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma?

PROBLEM: Context: XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) is a tumor suppressor gene, but its role in angiogenesis is unknown. We investigated whether XAF1 has any antiangiogenesis effect.', 'MS1 (a mouse endothelial cell line) was infected with an adenoviral vector ZD55-XAF1. Controls were uninfected or infected with ZD55-EGFP. Wound healing assay and tube formation assay were used to assess angiogenesis. Cell proliferation was detected by WST-1 assay, and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL and APOPercentagetrade mark assays.', 'ZD55-XAF1 significantly upregulated XAF1, which was associated with decreased cell proliferation, migration and tube formation of MS1 cells. Ectopic overexpression of XAF1 induced apoptosis in MS1 and also sensitized cells to 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis. A significant decrease in the expression of Tie-1, Ang-1, Ang-2 and c-Myc was observed.
Answer: Our data suggest that XAF1 possesses a potential antiangiogenesis effect. Suppressed expression of Tie-1, Ang-1, Ang-2 and c-Myc may be mechanistically responsible for the observed antiangiogenesis effect.

SOLUTION:
Does xIAP-associated factor 1 ( XAF1 ) suppress angiogenesis in mouse endothelial cells?