Activation of repair pathways after neuronal DNA damage induced by bupivacaine

AIM To investigate the activation of related repair pathways after bupivacaine-induced neuronal DNA damage by cDNA gene screening. METHODS The bupivacaine-induced SH-SY5Y neuronal damage and DNA damage model was established. The technique of cDNA microplate array was used to screen the 21 important regulatory factors in the DNA damage repair pathway. Post-analysis of these differentially expressed repair genes for the repair pathway enrichment and distribution was performed. The data were analyzed by GraphPad Prism 6 statistical software to compare differences between groups. RESULTS The viability of SH-SY5Y cells treated with bupivacaine at different concentrations （detected by CCK-8 assay） showed that the IC₅₀ value of bupivacaine was 1.5 mmol/L. The comet assay related index （the comet tail） was increased （P<0.05）， the phosphorylation level of γH2AX protein was increased （P<0.05）， indicating that DNA damage in the SH-SY5Y cells was significantly aggravated after bupivacaine treatment. The results of cDNA microplate assay showed that compared withcontrol group， the differentially expressed genes after bupivacaine treatment were DNA-PKcs， PTEN， NTH1， RAD9， CSB， GADD45， XPD， XPC-HR23B and P53. The analysis showed that these repair genes were mainly concentrated in the following 3 repair mechanisms： base excision repair， nucleotide excision repair， and non-homologous reconstitution. CONCLUSION The repair genes differentially expressed after neuronal DNA damage caused by local anesthetics are mainly concentrated in the pathways of non-homologous end-joining， base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair.     

APE/Ref-1 protein and ischemia/reperfusion injury of neurons in the brain

Cerebral ischemia and the aftermath of reperfusion form a hypoxic/hyperoxic sequence of events that can trigger DNA damage in neurons of central nervous system. Neuronal apoptosis will happen without immediate DNA repair. APE/Ref-1 is a multifunctional protein involoved in DNA base excision repair pathway and in redox reguiation of DNA-binding activity of AP-1 family members, which may play an important role in protection of postischemic neuronal damage.     

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia by enriching cell-free fetal DNA in materal plasma

AIM: To establish a kind of simple and efficient method for cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) enrichment and to investigate its range of applications and the advantages and disadvantages.METHODS: (1) The single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs), which linked to paternal β-thalassemia mutations, were screened. We analyzed the contact between the SNPs in β- thalassemia gene (HBBgene) and haploid type by the Haploview software, and then selected these close SNPs which have higher heterozygosity with the HBBgene. (2) We selected 4 cases of different β-thalassemia mutations with their husband, and then we used TT-FAST-COLD-PCR to enrich the IVS-II-654 mutations in maternal plasma. If the IVS-II-654 mutation was not detected, we detected the SNP which linked to the IVS-II-654 mutation. Similarly, we used TT-FULL-COLD-PCR to enrich the CD41-42 mutations in the maternal plasma. At the same time, we used the conventional PCR to enrich CD41-42 mutation and IVS-II-654 mutation in the maternal plasma.RESULTS: (1) Nine cases of the SNP (rs7480526) linked to the mutation at IVS-II-654 in HBBgene, and 11 cases of the SNP (rs10768683) linked to the mutation at CD41-42 in HBBgene were detected. (2) We detected 1 case who inherited the paternal β-thalassemia mutation (IVS-II-654). We did not directly detect patermal IVS-II-654 mutation in maternal plasma, but detected the SNP linked to the IVS-II-654 mutation in the other case and had 100% detection, and 2 cases inherited the paternal β-thalassemia mutations (CD41-42) in the maternal plasma by TT-FULL-COLD-PCR and had 100% detection. However, we detected nothing by conventional PCR. CONCLUSION: TT-COLD-PCR is applicable to enrich cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma and is a method in the field of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis.     

Expression of DNA repair gene ERCC1 and its relationship with PAH-DNA adducts in lung cancer tissues

AIM: To investigate the expression of nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 and its relationship with PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)-DNA adducts in lung cancer tissues. METHODS: ERCC1 mRNA expression and the PAH-induced DNA adducts were detected in 150 lung cancer tissues, 120 adjacent lung tissues without cancer cells, 40 benign lung lesions and 40 normal lung tissues. The effects of some exposure factors on the expression of ERCC1 gene and the connection between ERCC1 and PAH-DNA adduct was analyzed. RESULTS: Reduced expression levels of ERCC1 were observed in 46 of 150 (30.7%) lung cancer specimens and 1 of 40 (2.5%) normal lung tissues. Smoking may suppress the expression of ERCC1 gene. The level of PAH-DNA adduct was negatively correlated with the expression of ERCC1 gene, the Spearman coefficient was -0.648, P<0.01. CONCLUSION: ERCC1 is an important nucleotide excision repair gene and may participate in the repair of DNA damage, such as PAH-DNA adduct. Low expression of ERCC1 may play an important role in the development of human lung cancer.     

茭白黑粉菌及茭白植株中DNA的提取方法

研究了茭白黑粉菌及茭白植株中基因组DNA的高效提取方法。采用改进的CTAB（十六烷基三甲基溴化铵）法提取DNA,根据琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测、A260/A280的测定和PCR扩增结果表明,用改进的CTAB法提取茭白黑粉菌及茭白植株基因组DNA,所得DNA无论是纯度还是完整性都比较好,适合于酶切和PCR扩增,可以用于分子生物学研究。     

Mechanism of systemic inflammatory response syndrome induced by EC DNA

AIM: To investigate whether the bacterial DNA participates in SIRS and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Escherichia coli genomic DNA (EC DNA) was extracted and purified from Escherichia coli 25922 by alkaline lysis method. Mortality of mice challenged with EC DNA and the changes of TNF-α and IL-6 in rat serum were observed. ANA-1 cells were cultured in vitro, after the cells were stimulated by different concentrations of EC DNA and LPS, the level of TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant were tested. Meanwhile,expression of TLR9 and TLR4 on cell surface was measured. Activation of NF-JB was also observed. RESULTS: The lethal effect of EC DNA on mice with an obvious dose-effect relationship was observed. The death happened within 24 hours. Calf thymus DNA and DNase I-treated EC DNA did not lead to mice to die. The changes of serum TNF-α and IL-6 in rats induced by EC DNA and LPS were similar, but TNF-α peak level of EC DNA group appeared 1 hour earlier than that of LPS group. In vitro, large amount of TNF-α and IL-6 were released from ANA-1 cells stimulated by EC DNA. High expression of TLR9 and TLR4 was observed on surfaces of THP-1 cells. In particularly, LPS induced strong activation of NFκB. The results suggested other pathway possibly took part in the signal transduction inducea by EC DNA. CONCLUSION: EC DNA has the abilities to lead to death of mice, andinduces serum TNF- αand IL- 6 level to increase in rats and ANA- 1 cells to release cytokines in vitro. High expression of TLR9 and TLR4, strong activation of NF- κB may be its importantmolecular mechanism, but other pathway probably exists to play an important role.     

紫玉兰花干燥方法对其活性成分和抗氧化性的影响

以紫玉兰(Magnolia liliflora Desr)花为材料,采用晒干、阴干、热风干燥、微波干燥等不同的干燥方法进行处理,探索其对紫玉兰花黄酮、多酚含量及抗氧化性的影响。结果表明:不同干燥方法处理紫玉兰花,干燥速度快慢顺序为:微波干燥热风干燥晒干阴干。阴干、900 W微波干燥和50℃热风干燥样品的黄酮、多酚含量及抗氧化性较高,晒干处理对多酚、黄酮的分解损失最大,抗氧化活性最低。DPPH·清除率与黄酮含量(R2=0.7300)和多酚含量(R2=0.6675)显著相关,总还原力与多酚含量显著相关(R2=0.8234)。     

Breast cancer stem cells cultured without insulin and effect of estrogen induction

AIM:To determine whether suspension culture medium without insulin can be used to feed breast cancer tumorsphere, or not. METHODS:MCF7 cells were used to build tumorsphere. The morphological changes, CD44+ CD24- expression, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) expression and multiple division ability were measured to identify the breast cancer stem cells and to detect the function of 17β-estradiol (E2β) in tumorsphere of MCF7 cells. RESULTS:The tumorshere, each containing 30 to 60 cells, was obtained by the method of insulin-removal suspension culture. These cells were cytokeratin 18 and CD10 proteins positive, and the number of CD44+ CD24- cells and ALDH1 protein expression were significantly higher than the adherent cultured cells (P<0.05). Using 10-10 mol/L E2β to treat the tumorshere for 7 d, the tumor cell number and volume were significantly increased. Using 10-10 mol/L E2β to treat the tumorshere for 24 h, the CD44+ CD24-cells and ALDH1 protein expression were significantly higher than those in non-treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Suspension culture medium without insulin can be used to feed breast cancer tumorsphere. These tumorsphere could be used as a model to determine the function of E2β in breast cancer stem cell research.     

Cell direct reprogramming：a new technique for treating diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by an absolute or relative deficiency in β-cell mass, which cannot be reversed with existing therapeutic strategies. The restoration of the endogenous islet β-cells can stabilize the level of blood glucose. The islet β-cells can be obtained from the directional differentiation of stem cells, but the process is complex and has the risk of teratomas generation. Cell direct reprogramming, one terminal differentiated cell can transdifferentiate into another kind of terminal differentiated cell, which is other than directional differentiation from stem cells. Direct reprogramming gives rise to the generation of islet β-cells from one terminal differentiated cell, may be preferable for diabetes therapy because of its unique advantage.     

New strategy of constructing the β2m gene targeting vector

AIM:The purpose of this study was to establish a new strategy for constructing the mouse β₂m gene targeting vector in order to increase the homologous recombination frequency in contrast with our previous one, which was successfully constructed in the normal way.METHODS:A 4.2 kb 3' arm and a 0.8 kb 5' arm were amplified by PCR from the mouse β₂m-pSV2△HXgpt genomic clone. They included the start region and the three exons, which were separated into two parts from exons 2 (the main coding block) for the two arms——5' arm and 3' arm.RESULTS:The two fragments, in reverse orientation to the Neo gene, were cloned into pPNT respectively on either side of Neo. They were identified by PCR, restriction analysis and sequence analysis as well.CONCLUSION:The mouse β₂m gene targenting vector has been cloned successfully.     

IL-1β stimulated neuron activation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

AIM: To study the effect of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on neuron activation during the process of medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).METHODS: IL-1β, rapamycin [an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)]and lentiviral transfection to knockdown PI3K-p85 were used to pre-treat the neurons. The protein levels of PI3K-p85, p-Akt, p-p70S6K and MAP2 were detected and the relationship among the tested cytokines was analyzed. The neuron endocytosis was observed in each group. RESULTS: IL-1β increased the protein levels of PI3K-p85, p-Akt and p-p70S6K, up-regulated the expression of PI3K-p85 binding with IL-1RI in the neurons, and increased the neuron endocytosis compared with control group (P<0.05). These processes were inhibited by rapamycin and silence of PI3K-p85 (P<0.05). Inhibition of the PI3K-p85 binding to IL-1RI decreased the protein levels of p-Akt, p-p70S6K and MAP2 which were increased by IL-1β stimulation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: IL-1β activates PI3K-p85 by binding with IL-1RI to promote the activation and proliferation of neuron synapses via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms in MTLE chronic progress.     

Effect of integrin β1 on multidrug resistance in gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells

AIM: To study the effect of integrin β1 on multidrug resistance in gastric cancer and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: The expression of integrin β1 at mRNA and protein levels in the SGC-7901 cells and SGC-7901/DDP cells was determined by qPCR and Western blot. The expression of integrin β1 in the SGC-7901/DDP cells was silenced by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. The cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay, the cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the protein levels of integrin β1, Bcl-2/Bax, cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3, cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and p-AKT/AKT were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: The expression of integrin β1 at both mRNA and protein levels was significantly upregulated in SGC-7901/DDP cells. The expression of integrin β1 was increased in SGC-7901 cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil. Knockdown of integrin β1 induced apoptosis of SGC-7901/DDP cells with an increased sensitivity to the chemotherapeutic agents. Meanwhile, knockdown of integrin β1 downregulated the protein levels of Bcl-2/Bax, p-AKT^Ser473 and p-AKT^Thr308, while promoted the release of Cyt-C and upregulated the protein level of cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSION: Knockdown of integrin β1 increases the sensitivity of SGC-7901/DDP cells to the chemotherapeutic agents, and promotes the cell apoptosis via mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The mechanism may be related to the attenuation of AKT pathway by inhibiting phosphorylations of AKT at Ser473 and Thr308.     

Distinct effects of different β-adrenoceptor stimulation patterns on car-diac AMP-activated protein kinase activity

AIM: To investigate the cardiac AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and the effects of AMPK activator on cardiac structure and function in the mice with different β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) stimulation patterns. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with AMPK activator (AICAR, 250 mg· kg^-1·d^-1) or saline, and infused with β-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO, 5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for 14 d. The cardiac functions were evaluated by echocardiography or hemodynamic method, and the hearts were harvested after infusion cessation immediately or 3 d later. Phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: Sustained ISO infusion increased p-AMPK level. AICAR did not further increase p-AMPK but attenuated ISO-induced increase in heart weight. Sustained ISO infusion increased cardiac systolic function as indicated by left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) and maximum rate of pressure rise (+dp/dt_max). The cardiac systolic function was not further increased by AICAR. The cardiac diastolic function as indicated by left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was not different in each group. In contrast, cardiac p-AMPK level was similar between the control mice and the mice with sustained ISO infusion and ceased infusion for 3 d. In this model, AICAR improved the cardiac systolic and diastolic functions, which were impaired by ISO. Moreover, the increased pattern of p-AMPK level was similar with that of heart rate upon ISO stimulation. CONCLUSION: Sustained ISO infusion increases p-AMPK. After ISO infusion cessation for 3 d, p-AMPK is decreased to the basal level. β-AR-induced inotropic effects should be avoided to investigate the cardioprotective role of AMPK activation in the β-AR stimulation models.     

Cloning of human β thalassemic mutation β IVS II654(C→T) and establishment of its mammalian expression system

AIM: To clone human β-globin gene carrying a thalassemic mutation IVS II654(C→T) and establish a eukaryotic expression system for high-level expression of human β IVS II654 gene in mouse erythroleukaemia(MEL) cells. METHODS: The fragments of human β 654 gene isolated from the β thalassemia patients homozygous for the β 654 mutation were amplified by PCR, and cloned to plasmid pBGT51. Then, the human β LCR and β 654 gene were subcloned from plasmid pBGT51 to the stable mammalian expression vector pcDNA3. 1+ together, and the MEL cells were transfected with this vector using commercially available cationic lipid FuGENE6. The MEL cells were induced for further maturation by DMSO and the expression of human β 654 gene in the MEL cells was identified by RT-PCR. RESULTS: A mammalian expression system of human β thalassemic mutation βIVS II654(C→T) was established. CONCLUSION: The level and the reliability of expression of human β 654 gene in the MEL cells in vitro are similar to that in vivo in human body. This may be a valuable gene therapy model for human β thalassemic mutation βIVS II654(C→T).     

Effects of stachydrine hydrochloride on experimental acute cerebral infarction in rats

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of stachydrine hydrochloride on experimental acute cerebral infarction in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: SD rats (n=75) were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham group, cerebral infarction model group, and stachydrine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) treatment groups. After the establishment of cerebral infarction model, the rats were given stachydrine hydrochloride at dose of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg by gavage daily for 14 d. The impairment of neurological function in each group was scored. The cerebral infarction volume and brain water content were measured. Moreover, the protein levels of β-catenin, cyclin D1, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and p-GSK-3β in the brain tissues were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with cerebral infarction group, the score of neurological function impairment, cerebral infarction volume and brain water content were significantly decreased in stachydrine hydrochloride treatment groups. In addition, the protein levels of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and p-GSK-3β were markedly increased after stachydrine hydrochloride treatment. CONCLUSION: Stachydrine hydrochloride protects against experimental acute cerebral infarction through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Effect of Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway on EMT in A549/DDP cells mediated by TGF-β1

AIM: To observe the expression of Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway-related molecules in cisplatin-resistant cell line A549/DDP mediated by transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), and to explore the association of Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS: The A549/DDP cells were divided into TGF-β₁ (+) group, TGF-β₁ (-) group and LY294002 group. The morphological changes of A549/DDP cells treated with TGF-β₁ were observed under microscope. The protein expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin was determined by the methods of immumofluorescence and Western blot. The protein levels of Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β^Ser9 and Snail were also detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The A549/DDP cells in TGF-β₁ (+) group were dispersive, showed a spindle-like shape and developed pseudopodia. This transformation was conformed to classic EMT markers. Compared with TGF-β₁ (-) group, the protein expression of E-cadherin in TGF-β₁ (+) group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and N-cadherin was significantly increased (P<0.05). The protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-3β^Ser9 and Snail were also significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with TGF-β₁ (+) group, the protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-3β^Ser9 and Snail were significantly decreased in LY294002 group (P<0.05). No difference of Akt and GSK-3β expression between TGF-β₁ (-) group and TGF-β₁ (+) group was observed. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of EMT in A549/DDP cells might be related to Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway activated by TGF-β₁.     

Effects of GSK-3β knockdown by RNA interference on formation of keloid in vitro

AIM: To study the suppressive effect of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) knockdown by RNA interference on the formation of keloid. METHODS: Human keloid fibroblasts (KFB) in vitro were transfected with 3 pairs of specific GSK-3β small interfering RNA (siRNA). The best siRNA to inhibit the GSK-3β expression in human KFB was screen by RT-PCR and Western blot. The expression of GSK-3β and related proteins at mRNA and protein levels in the KFB was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS: The GSK-3β siRNA1434 remarkably inhibited the expression of GSK-3β at mRNA and proteins levels in the human KFB. After transfection with GSK-3β siRNA, the protein levels of β-catenin, p-GSK-3β, Wnt2 and cyclin D1 were all decreased. KFB growth became slow. With the extension of time, the inhibition of cell growth increased, and the cell doubling time was significantly delayed. CONCLUSION: siRNA targeting GSK-3β efficiently knocks down the expression of GSK-3β in the human KFB, and inhibits the activation of Wnt signaling pathway, thus inhibiting the growth of keloid. GSK-3β may be a potential therapeutic target for keloid.