TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.
PROBLEM: Context: To investigate the expression of scavenger receptor that binds phosphatidylserine and oxidized lipoprotein (SR-PSOX)/CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) in the human monocyte-derived cell line THP-1, and the effect of lentiviral vectors for the stable delivery of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 short hairpin RNA on foam cell formation.', 'A lentiviral expression vector containing enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) and SR-PSOX small interfering RNA (siRNA) (Lenti-SR-PSOXsi), or the control siRNA (Lenti-NC) gene was constructed. A human monocyte-derived cell line THP-1 was transfected with a different multiplicity of infection (MOI) of Lenti-SR-PSOXsi or Lenti-NC, and cultured to obtain stably-transfected THP- 1KD and THP-1NC cells. After incubation with oxidatively-modified, low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), the expression of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 mRNA was determined by real-time PCR. The expression of the SR-PSOX/CXCL16 protein was detected by flow cytometry analysis. The effect of Lenti-SR-PSOXsi on foam cell formation was assessed by Oil red O-stain analysis.', 'Ox-LDL increased the expression of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner in THP-1 cells. Four days after transfection with Lenti-SR-PSOXsi (MOI: 100), the percentage of GFP expression cells was over 89.3%. The expression of the SR-PSOX/ CXCL16 mRNA and protein in THP-1KD cells significantly decreased compared with the parent cells, even the THP-1KD cells stimulated with 40 mg/L Ox-LDL. Ox-LDL uptake experiments in THP-1- and THP-1KD-derived macrophages indicated that SR-PSOX/CXCL16 deficiency decreased the development of macrophage- derived foam cell formation.\Question: Does lentiviral vector-mediated siRNA knockdown of SR-PSOX inhibit foam cell formation in vitro?

SOLUTION: The above data showed that SRPSOX siRNA delivered by using lentiviral vectors in THP-1 cells was a powerful tool for studying the effect of SR-PSOX, and decreased the expression of the SRPSOX gene by inhibiting macrophage-derived foam cell formation.

PROBLEM: Context: To evaluate the relationship between pro-atherogenic biomarkers and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.', 'Plasma nitric oxide (NO), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, EAT thickness, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were determined in patients aged >18 years who were referred for echocardiography for heart ischemia or non-ischemic diseases. Cardiovascular risk factors (Framingham score [FS]20) were weighted.', 'Hypertension, dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus were prevalent (55% of 40 patients). Patients with FS20 (n=21) showed significantly higher EAT and CIMT values. Globally, MDA, CIMT, age, waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and FS were associated with EAT thickness. EAT was significantly associated with NO in patients with FS20. Significant differences in EAT thickness were found between patients stratified by NO value, FMD, age, smoking status, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and FS. An EAT-associated atherogenic risk (CIMT1mm) model was statistically significant when MDA and type 2 diabetes mellitus were included.\Question: Are pro-atherogenic mediators and subclinical atherogenesis related to epicardial adipose tissue thickness in patients with cardiovascular risk?

SOLUTION: EAT thickness was associated with MDA, CIMT, age, waist circumference, HDL-C and FS globally, but with NO only in patients with FS20. EAT may be used to identify vascular damage stage, possibly influenced by MDA and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PROBLEM: Context: A subset of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) exhibit mutations of -catenin gene CTNNB1 and overexpress Glutamine synthetase (GS). The CTNNB1-mutated HCC cell line HepG2 is sensitive to glutamine starvation induced in vitro with the antileukemic drug Crisantaspase and the GS inhibitor methionine-L-sulfoximine (MSO).', 'Immunodeficient mice with subcutaneous xenografts of the CTNNB1-mutated HCC cell lines HepG2 and HC-AFW1 were treated with Crisantaspase and/or MSO, and tumour growth was monitored. At the end of treatment, tumour weight and histology were assessed. Serum and tissue amino acids were determined by HPLC. Gene and protein expression were estimated with RT-PCR and western blot and GS activity with a colorimetric method. mTOR activity was evaluated from the phosphorylation of p70S6K1.', 'Crisantaspase and MSO depleted serum glutamine, lowered glutamine in liver and tumour tissue, and inhibited liver GS activity. HepG2 tumour growth was significantly reduced by either Crisantaspase or MSO, and completely suppressed by the combined treatment. The combined treatment was also effective against xenografts of the HC-AFW1 cell line, which is Crisantaspase resistant in vitro.\Question: Does glutamine depletion by crisantaspase hinder the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts?

SOLUTION:
The combination of Crisantaspase and MSO reduces glutamine supply to CTNNB1-mutated HCC xenografts and hinders their growth.