Microcystin-LR-induced ultrastructural changes in rats

The ultrastructure of hepatic, pulmonary, and renal lesions was evaluated in rats injected intraperitoneally with a lethal dose of microcystin-LR (MCLR, 160 micrograms/kg), a cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin produced by the blue-green algae, Microcystis aeruginosa. Hepatic lesions were first seen at 10 minutes post-dosing and consisted of mild widening of hepatocyte intercellular spaces centrilobularly. At 20 minutes post-dosing, hepatocyte plasma membrane alterations were more pronounced, consisting of plasma membrane invagination with formation of variably sized and shaped intracytoplasmic vacuoles, loss of microvilli along the sinusoidal face, and widespread, pronounced hepatocyte separation. By 30 minutes, the space of Disse was markedly widened. At 60 minutes post-dosing, centrilobular areas contained necrotic cells and apparently intact, isolated, organelles intermingled with erythrocytes and platelets. In less severely affected regions there was prominent hepatocyte rounding, and erythrocytes and platelets were present in the widened space of Disse. Large amounts of hepatocellular debris and intact hepatocytes were present in the pulmonary vasculature, while smaller amounts of debris were also seen in the glomerular and peritubular capillaries of the renal cortex. This study shows that initial lesions are confined to shape changes in the plasma membrane of hepatocytes. These changes are consistent with the hypothesis that microcystin-LR induces alterations in the hepatocyte cytoskeleton. Later changes consist of hepatocyte disassociation and necrosis, as well as endothelial damage, which allow release of hepatocytes and debris into the circulation with microembolism in lungs and kidneys.     

Active bleb formation is abated in Lytechinus variegatus red spherule coelomocytes after disruption of acto‐myosin contractility

Red spherule coelomocytes are immune cells in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus that have been characterized as motile O₂ transport cells. Video microscopy of living red spherule coelomocytes reveals a constitutive, dynamic array of cellular morphologies and movements. Cells continuously send out and retract membrane blebs all over the cell surface as part of their normal cellular physiology. Disruption of microtubules by perfusion with either nocodazole or taxol had no effect on bleb formation or motility. Perfusion with cytochalasin B abated bleb formation and revealed cells that exhibited multiple small spheres attached by short membrane extensions. Attenuation of blebbing and intracellular organelle motility were restored by washing out with cytochalasin B. Treatment with phalloidin also abated bleb formation and revealed a smooth, spherical cellular morphology. The effects of phalloidin were completely reversible after washout. Red spherule coelomocytes treated with blebbistatin rounded up with an irreversible retraction of blebs into surface blebs that were greatly reduced in size, number and motility. Normal cell surface bleb formation and intracellular organelle motility were not restored after washout of the drug. These results indicate that the acto‐myosin contractile mechanism contributes to the dynamics of constitutive cell surface membrane blebbing in invertebrate immune cells.     

Evidence for cytoskeletal changes secondary to plasma membrane functional alterations in the in vitro cell response to Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin

To investigate the mode of action of Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin, MDCK cells were treated with purified toxin and incubated at 37 degrees C for up to 24h. Exposure to epsilon-toxin caused a time-dependent decrease in cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. After 30min of treatment retraction of the cell body and the emission of filopodia were detectable in a number of cells. Longer exposure resulted in cell rounding and cell blebbing which reached a maximum after 5h of toxin treatment. A parallel modification in the cytoskeleton was also detected. Actin marginalization and the entanglement of microtubules and intermediate filaments were observed by fluorescence microscopy after 30min of toxin exposure. Functional alterations of the plasma membrane of MDCK cells were assessed by flow cytometry. After 10 or 30min of intoxication an increase in cell volume was detected, indicating an alteration in plasma membrane permeability. These findings provide evidence for cytoskeletal changes and plasma membrane functional alterations in the in vitro cell response to C. perfringens epsilon-toxin.     

Isolation and culture of parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells from neonatal swine liver

Procedures for the isolation and monolayer culture of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal (Kupffer and endothelial) cells from livers of neonatal pigs (1 to 15 d of age) are described. Cell suspensions were obtained by a modification of the two-step collagenase perfusion technique. Hepatocytes were collected by low-speed centrifugation and nonparenchymal cell populations were purified by centrifugal elutriation. Hepatocytes were readily maintained in arginine-free medium fortified with either fetal calf serum or bovine serum albumin and oleate for periods as long as 6 d. The ability of cultured hepatocytes to incorporate 3H-leucine and 3H-thymidine into protein and DNA, respectively, demonstrated that cells were metabolically active for at least 3 d in culture. The 3H-leucine incorporation into total cell protein was constant regardless of animal age at the time of cell isolation, while incorporation of 3H-thymidine was influenced by animal age. Incorporation of both precursors was dependent upon duration of culture period in vitro and the type of medium (serum-free vs serum-containing) in which the cells were maintained. Morphological observation and analysis of the DNA and protein levels of hepatocyte monolayers suggest that cells did not replicate during the 3-d incubation period. The ability to isolate and culture metabolically active, nonreplicating hepatocytes from neonatal pigs in a serum-free medium affords opportunities for investigation of the influence of specific hormones and specific growth factors on the uptake and metabolism of nutrients by the liver. Similarly, the neonatal pig will serve as a useful model for the characterization of hepatic nonparenchymal cell metabolism during the neonatal period.     

Mitoxantrone Induced Apoptosis through ROS in Rat Hepatama RH35 Cell Line

The assay was aimed to study the cytotoxicity and mechanisms of mitoxantrone (MTN) in rat hepatama cell line RH35. MTT assay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of MTN, and microscope was used to observe cellular morphologic changes. Apoptotic ratio and intracellular ROS generation were measured by flow cytometric analysis. The protein expression was examined by Western blotting analysis. The results showed that MTN inhibited RH35 cell growth in a time-and concentration-dependent manner. The morphologic changes were observed in the cells, including cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies when treated with 15 μmol/L MTN for 24 and 48 h. And MTN also induced the increase of apoptotic ratio and generation of ROS in a time dependent manner. In addition, the intracellular ROS generation ratio and the apoptotic ratio of MTN treated group were extremely decreased by the ROS scavenger NAC (P<0.01). The pretreatment of RH35 cells with 15 mmol/L NAC thoroughly reversed the MTN-induced enhancement of caspase-3, Bax and CytC level and attenuation of Bcl-2 level. In conclusion, MTN induced apoptosis in RH35 cells through increasing the generation of ROS.     

米托蒽醌通过活性氧诱导大鼠肝癌RH35细胞凋亡的研究

试验旨在探讨米托蒽醌（mitoxantrone,MTN）对大鼠肝癌RH35细胞毒性及其作用机制。以MTT法检测MTN的细胞毒性,显微镜观察细胞形态变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率及细胞中活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）的产生,Western blotting检测相关蛋白的表达。结果显示,MTN时间和剂量依赖性地抑制RH35细胞的生长;15 μmol/L MTN作用于细胞24、48 h后可使细胞皱缩、变圆,并出芽形成明显的凋亡小体,且其可时间依赖性地诱导凋亡细胞比率的增加及ROS的产生;ROS清除剂NAC可以极显著降低MTN诱导的RH35细胞的ROS的产生和凋亡率（P<0.01）;15 mmol/L NAC可以下调MTN诱导的caspase-3、Bax及CytC表达增加,上调MTN诱导的Bcl-2表达降低。结果提示,MTN通过增加细胞内ROS而诱导RH35细胞发生凋亡。     

A technique for isolation of bovine hepatocytes

A technique for preparing viable and functional isolated hepatocytes from cattle liver is described. The basic procedure, which was adapted from published methods established for laboratory species, employed a two-step in vitro vascular perfusion of the caudate lobe: (1) perfusion with a calcium-free buffer containing ethylene bis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for removal of blood cells and extracellular calcium and (2) perfusion with calcium-fortified buffer containing collagenase for cell dissociation. Hepatocyte suspensions prepared from the caudate lobes of 20 cattle possessed a mean viability of 81.3% as determined by trypan blue exclusion. Mean yield was 2.2 X 10(7) viable hepatocytes/g of liver (wet wt). Viable hepatocytes utilized O2 at a rate 2.82 times greater than nonviable hepatocytes. Biochemical function of the hepatocyte suspensions was assessed by rates of gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. Glucose production from added lactate ranged from .88 to 1.47 mumol X min-1 X g-1 of liver tissue (dry wt). Both gluconeogenic and fatty acid oxidation rates were substantially greater in isolated hepatocytes when compared with liver slices. Isolated hepatocyte contained .398 +/- .033 (SE) nmol cytochromes P-450/mg microsomal protein and .285 +/- .025 nmol cytochrome bs/mg microsomal protein, which was comparable with amounts in liver tissue from the same animals (.568 +/- .056 and .298 +/- .033 nmol/mg protein, respectively). No significant decline of either cytochrome was detectable for isolated hepatocytes for up to 5.5 h after euthanasia. The potential usefulness of isolated bovine hepatocytes in xenobiotic metabolism studies is illustrated by the epoxidation of aldrin.     

Characterization of sublethal microcystin-LR exposure in mice

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is a potent hepatotoxin produced by the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The histology of acute lethal toxicity has been well characterized, but histology is limited regarding sublethal exposure. Balb/C mice were given a single sublethal dose of MCLR (45 microg/kg) and euthanized at 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after exposure. Centrilobular to midzonal hepatocellular hypertrophy with loss of cytosolic vacuolation consistent with glycogen depletion occurred at 2 hours. At 4 hours, central lobular hepatocytes exhibited eccentric areas of eosinophilic cytoplasmic condensation that were partially aggregated around the outer nuclear membrane. The areas were weakly positive for cytokeratin and somewhat resembled the Mallory bodies of alcoholic human hepatitis. Small numbers of apoptotic hepatocytes were seen at 24 hours. The toxin was detectable by immunohistochemistry (IHC) as early as 2 hours and was colocalized with the areas of hepatocellular hypertrophy. Intense nuclear staining occurred at 4 hours; this was no longer evident after 12 hours. Strong staining of apoptotic bodies occurred at 24 hours. Mice that received two daily doses had a marked increase in apoptotic hepatocytes in the centrilobular areas. Lesions at four and seven doses consisted of marked hepatocytomegaly and karyomegaly with parenchymal disarray and cytosolic vacuolation. IHC revealed diffuse staining throughout the liver parenchyma consistent with toxin accumulation. An anti-MCLR monoclonal antibody detected bands at the 40-kDa mark in nuclear extracts that were identified as protein phosphatases 1 and 2A by western blotting, consistent with a covalent interaction between MCLR and nuclear protein phosphatases.     

An updated method for the isolation and culture of primary calf hepatocytes

Primary hepatocytes are commonly used during in vitro studies, but care must be taken with isolation and culture of the cells to ensure their viability. In this study, hepatocytes were isolated from the liver (caudate process) of a newborn calf by the collagenase perfusion and digestion method. The trypan blue exclusion method was used to determine total cell number and the survival rate of hepatocytes, while hepatocyte function was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase, albumin and urea in culture medium supernatants at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 h. Results showed that the number of viable cells/g of liver (wet weight) averaged 1.12×10(7) cells/g, with an average hepatocyte viability of 85.7% (range 83-92%). After 48 h of culture, the hepatocytes solidly adhered to the well culture plate and were spread in an epithelioid shape, with clear cell boundaries between the cells and biliary ductule-like structures formed which persisted for up to 10 days. Hepatocyte function was optimal at 72 h after isolation and culture. This simple and economical procedure for the isolation and culture of viable cells may be useful for in vitro bovine hepatocyte studies.     

Acute aflatoxicosis in swine: clinical pathology, histopathology, and electron microscopy

Feeder pigs weighing 12 to 15 kg each were given a single oral dose of aflatoxin, 1.2 mg/kg of body weight. Liver-specific serum enzyme activities were compared with gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural hepatic changes in individual pigs euthanatized at 24, 48, and 72 hours after they were given aflatoxin. The greater the morphologic change in liver of the treated pigs, the greater the increase in liver-specific serum enzyme activities. Isocitric dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities increased in 6 of 8 treated pigs by 24 hours. Increase in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was not significant. Microscopic and ultrastructural changes in centrilobular hepatocytes included glycogen deletion, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum swelling, membrane disruption, and nuclear fragmentation at 24 hours. The centrilobular areas had marked extravasation of erythrocytes at 24 hours without basal lamina changes. At 72 hours, the centrilobular hepatocytes had increased lipid vacuoles and acceptable amounts of glycogen. Marked infiltrations of monocytes, plasma cells, and lymphocytes were also present at this time.     

鸡亚慢性镉中毒及硒颉颃效应的肝脏亚微结构变化

为深入探讨镉致动物肝毒性的机制及硒颉颃效应,选用90只100日龄伊沙褐公鸡随机分为3组,通过在日粮中添加一定剂量的镉及硒与镉,建立亚慢性镉中毒或硒颉颃模型;用透射电镜观察亚慢性镉中毒及硒颉颃鸡肝脏的亚微结构变化。证实亚慢性镉中毒可引起鸡肝脏细胞的损伤,造成线粒体、溶酶体等细胞器受损;出现大片细胞萎缩、坏死、凋亡。结果表明,硒能有效地降低镉对细胞器的损伤,减少细胞凋亡数量。     

Moderate protective effect of 6-MFA, a microbial metabolite obtained from Aspergillus ochraceus on immunological liver injury in mice

Hepatoprotective effect of 6-MFA, obtained from fungus Aspergillus ochraceus ATCC 28706, was evaluated by employing three different immunological liver injury mice models. The first liver injury model was induced by injecting anti-basic liver protein (BLP) antibody into mice previously immunised with rabbit IgG (RGG). The other models were simulated by injecting antiliver specific protein (LSP) antibody or by injecting bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into mice pretreated with Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum). 6-MFA treatment inhibited the increased transaminases (GOT and GPT) activities and showed a tendency to inhibit the histopathological changes of the liver in all the models studied. Furthermore, 6-MFA treatment inhibited deoxycholic acid induced transaminase release from cultured rat hepatocytes in vitro, but failed to affect the formation of hemolytic plaque forming cells in immunised mice spleens and hemolytic activity of guinea pig complement in immunohemolytic reaction. Our findings, therefore, suggested that the moderate hepatoprotective effect of 6-MFA could be related to it's protective effect on hepatocyte plasma membrane rather than the direct inhibitory effects on the antibody formation and/or complement activity.     

Apoptosis induced in vivo by new type gosling viral enteritis virus

In this study, apoptosis was induced by new type gosling viral enteritis virus (NGVEV) in experimentally infected goslings is reported in detail for the first time. After 3-day-old goslings were orally inoculated with a NGVEV-CN strain suspension, the time course of NGVEV effects on apoptotic morphological changes of the internal tissues was evaluated. These changes were observed by histological analysis with light microscopy and ultrastructural analysis with transmission electron microscopy. DNA fragmentation was assessed with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and DNA ladder analysis. A series of characteristic apoptotic morphological changes including chromatin condensation and margination, cytoplasmic shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, and formation of apoptotic bodies were noted. Apoptosis was readily observed in the lymphoid and gastrointestinal organs, and sporadically occurred in other organs after 3 days post-infection (PI). The presence and quantity of TUNEL-positive cells increased with infection time until 9 days PI. DNA extracted from the NGVEV-infected gosling cells displayed characteristic 180~200 bp ladders. Apoptotic cells were ubiquitously distributed, especially among lymphocytes, macrophages, monocytes, and epithelial and intestinal cells. Necrosis was subsequently detected during the late NGVEV-infection phase, which was characterized by cell swelling, plasma membrane collapse, and rapidly lysis. Our results suggested that apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NGVE disease.     

Calcium ionophore-induced egress of Toxoplasma gondii shortly after host cell invasion

Calcium plays crucial roles in important events of Toxoplasma gondii life cycle, including motility, invasion and egress from the host cell. Calcium ionophore has been used to artificially trigger release of the parasites from infected cells. In this report we describe that calcium ionophore A21387 induced T. gondii egress from LLC-MK2 cells at times as early as 2 h after entry. Addition of kinase inhibitors as staurosporine, wortmanine and genistein to the incubation medium significantly reduced ionophore-induced egress. The same occurred when the actin inhibitor cytochalasin D was used. Parasites egressed 2 h post-infection from ionophore-treated cultures were unable of establishing infection in a new cell. S-VHS recording of egressing parasites showed that they assume an hourglass shape as they cross the plasma membrane, similar to the moving junction constriction observed during active invasion, and extrudes the conoid, similarly to what is also observed during invasion. Transmission and high resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed that the egressing tachyzoites are free from host cell derived membranes. These include plasma membrane and parasitophorous vacuole membranes as well as associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Taken together, these results indicate that although invasion and egress may share similar signaling pathways, as indicated by the effect of kinase and actin inhibitors, the tachyzoites move freely in the cytosol, a phenomenon very distinctive from invasion and that deserves attention.     

The effects of direct and microsomal activated aflatoxin B1 on chicken peritoneal macrophages in vitro.

Sephadex-elicited peritoneal exudate cells were cultured on glass coverslips in order to determine the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on chicken macrophages. Adherent macrophage monolayers were exposed for 1 h to 5, 10, and 20 micrograms ml-1 of AFB1, directly or to 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5 micrograms ml-1 of AFB1 in the presence of a chicken microsomal mixed function oxidase system (MFO). After exposure, the macrophage cultures were washed and allowed to recover for 2 h in fresh culture medium. Parameters measured at 2 h post recovery period were the substrate adherence potential, morphological alterations, phagocytic ability, and number of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) internalized per phagocytic macrophage. Direct in vitro exposure to AFB1 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in macrophage adherence potential, and an increase in cell damage as determined by nuclear disintegration and cytoplasmic blebbing, but no detrimental effects were observed on percent phagocytic cells or the number of internalized SRBC. However, significant reductions in adherence potential, increased morphological alterations, and reduced phagocytosis and internalization of SRBC were observed when MFOs were added to cultures treated with much lower doses of AFB1. Addition of piperonyl butoxide (a P-450 inhibitor) abrogated AFB1-MFO induced alterations. This study suggests that microsomal activated AFB1 causes significant alterations in chicken macrophage functions.     

枯草芽孢杆菌拮抗病原菌对细胞微丝的影响

本研究旨在探讨枯草芽孢杆菌拮抗2种病原菌(鼠伤寒沙门氏菌和产肠毒素大肠杆菌)对人结肠癌细胞Caco-2细胞中微丝的影响。将枯草芽孢杆菌及上述2种病原菌加到Caco-2细胞上,用异硫氰酸荧光素-鬼笔环肽标记细胞微丝,在倒置荧光显微镜下观察细胞微丝的变化;利用Western blotting检测细胞微丝调节蛋白Rac1蛋白的表达变化。结果显示正常Caco-2细胞内微丝呈散在的平行排列;加鼠伤寒沙门氏菌后微丝呈小区域聚集;加产肠毒素大肠杆菌后细胞微丝重排聚集在细胞中央放射状分布或分布紊乱;单独加枯草芽孢杆菌后细胞微丝排列方式变化不大;同时分别加2种病原菌和枯草芽孢杆菌后,大部分的细胞内微丝排列整齐,只是在少部分细胞内存在微丝的聚集。产肠毒素大肠杆菌、鼠伤寒沙门氏菌可使细胞微丝调节蛋白Rac1的表达显著上调,而枯草芽孢杆菌则可抑制病原菌对Rac1的影响。本试验证明产肠毒素大肠杆菌、鼠伤寒沙门氏菌可影响细胞微丝的表达和分布;而枯草芽孢杆菌及其培养上清液可抑制病原菌的这种破坏作用。     

JNK抑制剂对仔猪肝细胞药物性损伤的缓解作用及其机理

【目的】 研究c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)抑制剂SP600125对仔猪原代肝细胞药物性损伤的缓解作用及机理。【方法】 通过二步灌流法获得仔猪原代肝细胞，将肝细胞分为对照组(C)、JNK抑制剂组(SP)、模型组(M)和治疗组(T)，每组6个重复。对照组细胞不添加药物，SP组用2 μmol/L SP600125处理细胞，M组用80 μg/mL脂多糖(LPS)+20 μg/mL恩诺沙星(ENR)处理细胞，T组用80 μg/mL LPS+20 μg/mL ENR +2 μmol/L SP600125处理细胞，处理12 h后，收集上清测定谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活性，收集细胞测定谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase，GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase，SOD)活性、丙二醛(malondialdehyde，MDA)含量及肝细胞核因子-1(hepatocyte nuclear factor 1，HNF-1)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶A1(glutathione S-transferase alpha 1，GSTA1)mRNA的相对表达量。【结果】 与对照组相比，M组肝细胞培养液上清中ALT和AST活性均显著升高(P<0.05)，M组肝细胞中GSH-Px和SOD活性、HNF-1和GSTA1 mRNA的相对表达量均极显著降低(P<0.01)，MDA含量极显著提高(P<0.01);与M组相比，T组肝细胞培养液上清中ALT、AST的活性均显著下降(P<0.05)，T组肝细胞中GSH-Px和SOD活性、HNF-1和GSTA1 mRNA的相对表达量均显著提高(P<0.05)，MDA含量显著降低(P<0.05)。【结论】 JNK抑制剂SP600125可通过调控细胞的抗氧化能力及HNF-1和GSTA1的表达缓解由LPS/ENR导致的仔猪原代肝细胞的药物性损伤。     

Immunocytochemical Identification of Different Cell Types in Bovine Nasolabial Glands with Particular Emphasis on Cytoskeletal Protein Expression

Nasolabial glands are serous glands forming a thick subcutaneous layer in the bovine muzzle. In order to identify the different epithelial cell types, both immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase techniques were employed on frozen and fixed sections using monoclonal antibodies to cytoskeletal proteins and S-100. Actin was also detected with phalloidin. The results show that four cell types can be identified on the ground of the different composition of the cytoskeletal filaments: acinar, basket, luminal duct and basal duct cells. Acinar, luminal duct cells and basal duct cells express different patterns of cytokeratins, as shown by the 12 anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies used, and both basket cells and the basal cells of intercalated ducts are also reactive to phalloidin and anti-x-smooth muscle actin monoclonal antibody. The presence of actin supports the conclusion that basal duct cells are also contractile elements, i. e. myoepithelial cells. Vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and S-100, molecules considered to be markers of myoepithelial cells by many AA., were not found. The intermediate filaments of the duct epithelium appear more complex and heterogeneous in comparison with those present in the acinar cells.     

大鼠原代肝脏细胞的分离培养及其膜受体鉴定

本研究采用改良的两步胶原酶灌流法分离培养大鼠肝脏细胞,并对其进行了形态学观察、功能检测及表面受体的鉴定,以探索其短期培养的最佳功能状态。结果表明,平均每只大鼠可获取2.12×10⁸个肝脏细胞,平均活率达94.23%;光镜下观察发现肝脏细胞呈多角形并成片生长;对肝脏细胞的LDH、Alb和尿素进行连续检测,结果发现细胞离体培养第3天功能较好;Mab263-PE单抗鉴定结果显示,肝脏细胞生长激素受体功能健全尚未受损,为细胞信号转导等相关试验奠定了基础。