Effect of Yangjing-Zhongyu decoction on in vitro maturation and expression of PDGFA and PDGFRα of mouse oocytes

AIMTo investigate the effects of Yangjing-Zhongyu decoction on the in vitro maturation and expression of platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) of mouse oocytes. METHODSThe SPF female KM mice were given Yangjing-Zhongyu decoction, and the blood was collected to prepare serum. The serum containing Yangjing-Zhongyu decoction was used to culture immature oocyte-granulosa cell complexes. After the in vitro culture, the oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate and cleavage rate were observed and calculated, and the expression of PDGFA and PDGFRα in the oocytes at protein and mRNA levels was determined by West?ern blot and real-time PCR. RESULTSYangjing-Zhongyu decoction increased the in vitro maturation rate and fertil?ization rate of the oocytes (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein and mRNA expression of PDGFA and PDGFRα (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Yangjing-Zhongyu decoction may promote the in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes by down-regulating the expression of PDGFA and PDGFRα.     

Comparison of isolation and primary culture in vitro between human ovarian mural granulosa cells and cumulus cells

AIM To establish a suitable cell model for the study of ovarian function through comparing the isolation and primary culture effect of human ovarian mural granulosa cells （MGCs） and cumulus cells （CCs）. METHODS The follicular fluid of 16 patients who underwent assisted reproductive technique and their cumulus oocyte complexes （n=223） were collected. Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate the MGCs and the methods of mechanical cutting plus enzyme hydrolysis were used to isolate the CCs. The cell counts and survival rates were analyzed by trypan blue staining and the expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR） was analyzed by flow cytometry to identify the purity. The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）, P62 and Bax at mRNA and protein levels was determined by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS There had less isolation time, higher survival rate （P<0.05） and better tractility in vitro of CCs compared with MGCs. The results of flow cytometry showed that the FSHR expression of CCs and MGCs after isolation was （92.23±2.66）% and （81.33±6.57）%, respectively, with significant differences （P<0.05）. The mRNA level of LC3 in CCs was significantly lower than that in MGCs （P<0.01）, and the mRNA level of Bax was significantly higher than that in MGCs （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in P62 mRNA expression between CCS and MGCs（P>0.05）. The difference of protein expressions of these molecules in the 2 kinds of cells were consistent with that in mRNA. CONCLUSION Mechanical cutting method plus enzyme hydrolysis is a simple way to isolate the CCs, with high purity and good cellular state in vitro, which can be used as a cell model for ovarian function research.     

Effect of compound of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae on expression of ADAM10 in Aβ-induced hippocampal neuron HT22 cells with or without hepcidin expression knock-down

AIM To explore the effect of compound of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae on the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 （ADAM10） in Aβ-induced hippocampal neuron HT22 cells with or without hepcidin （HAMP） expression knock-down for analyzing the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease （AD） at cell level. METHODS Hippocampal neuron HT22 cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into 7 groups： control group, Aβ group （Aβ_25-35-induced HT22 cells）, RNAi group （HAMP gene was silenced in HT22 cells）, Aβ+RNAi group （HAMP gene expression in Aβ_25-35-induced HT22 cells was silenced）, Aβ+TCM group （Aβ_25-35-induced HT22 cells were treated with Epimedium, Astragalus root and Radix Puerariae effective components）, RNAi+TCM group （HT22 cells with HAMP gene silence were treated with Epimedium, Astragalus root and Radix Puerariae effective components） and Aβ+RNAi+TCM group （Aβ_25-35-induced HT22 cells with HAMP gene silence were treated with Epimedium, Astragalus root and Radix Puerariae effective components）. The silence efficiency of HAMP siRNA was detected by qPCR and Western blot. The ADAM10 expression in each group was determined by immunofluorescence, qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS The HAMP siRNA-3 sequence had the highest interference efficiency. Compared with control group, the expression levels of ADAM10 in Aβ group, RNAi group and Aβ+RNAi group were decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with Aβ group,the expression levels of ADAM10 in Aβ+RNAi group was also decreased （P<0.05）, and the expression levels of ADAM10 in Aβ+TCM group was increased （P<0.05）. Compared with RNAi group, the expression levels of ADAM10 in Aβ+RNAi group was decreased （P<0.05）, while the expression levels of ADAM10 in RNAi+TCM group was increased （P<0.05）. Compared with Aβ+RNAi group, the expression levels of ADAM10 in Aβ+RNAi+TCM group was increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION The effective components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae compound promotes the expression of ADAM10 in Aβ_25-35-induced HT22 cells, which mechanism may be related to the expression of HAMP.     

Effect of 27nt-miRNA on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein

AIM To investigate the effect of 27nt-miRNA （27nt-miR） on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein （Ox-LDL） and its underlying mechanism. METHODS HUVECs were cultured in vitro and grouped as below： normal control group, Ox-LDL group, 27nt-miR+Ox-LDL group, anti-27nt-miR+Ox-LDL group and negative control+Ox-LDL group. The cells in Ox-LDL group were treated with Ox-LDL at 40 mg/L for 48 h, while those in normal control group were untreated but cultured normally. The cells in 27nt-miR+Ox-LDL group, anti-27nt-miR+Ox-LDL group and negative control+Ox-LDL group were transfected with their corresponding lentiviral vectors under the same procedure, followed by treatment with Ox-LDL at 40 mg/L for 48 h to induce apoptosis. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The migration capacity was detected by scratch assay. The caspase-3 activity was measured by caspase-3 activity assay kit. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by Hoechst 33258 and flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. RESUITS： Compared with negative control+Ox-LDL group, the cell viability and migration ability were significantly decreased by over-expression of 27nt-miR in the HUVECs （P<0.05）, while the activity of caspase-3 and apoptosis induced by Ox-LDL were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）, and the mRNA and protein expression level of Bcl-2 was down-regulated in 27nt-miR+Ox-LDL group （P<0.05）. Meanwhile, all the above indexes showed an opposite tendency in anti-27nt-miR+Ox-LDL group. CONCLUSION 27nt-miR promotes Ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and inhibits the viability and migration of HUVECs in vitro, possibly through regulating the expression of apoptotic/anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bax,caspase-3 and Bcl-2.     

SUMO-specific protease 3 aggravates CaPO4-induced mouse abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by promoting macrophage polarization

AIMTo investigate the role of SUMO-specific protease 3 (SENP3) in macrophage polarization and calcium phosphate (CaPO₄)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation in mice. METHODS（1） Bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) in Senp3^flox/flox (wild-type, WT) mice and Senp3^flox/flox; Lyz2-Cre (monocyte-specific SENP3 knockout, i.e. conditioned knockout, cKO) mice were isolated and induced for M1 and M2 polarization. The mRNA and protein expression level of SENP3 were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunocytofluorescence, and the differential distribution of M1/M2 BMDMs from WT and cKO mice was analyzed. （2） CaPO₄ was administrated to induce AAA model in 8~12-week-old male WT and cKO mice. The AAA incidence, survival rate and maximal aortic diameter were analyzed between the 2 groups. Aortic aneurysm tissues were collected for pathological analysis, and the expression levels of SENP3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), IL-6 and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Dihydroethidium staining in situ in frozen sections was used to analyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). （3） To explore the potential mechanisms, Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation were used to verify the de-SUMO modification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) induced by SENP3. Besides, BMDMs were transfected with Flag-MKK7 wild type (Flag-MKK7 WT) and SUMO-modified site K18 mutant (Flag-MKK7 K18R mutant), and then M1 polarization of the cells was induced. The protein levels of p-JNK and MMP-9 in the 2 groups were determined by Western blot. RESULTS(1) SENP3 expression was up-regulated in M1 polarized macrophages (P<0.01), but was down-regulated in M2 polarized macrophages (P<0.01). The expression of SENP3 was decreased during the transformation of M1 to M2 in the macrophages (P<0.01), but was significantly up-regulated during the opposite process (P<0.01). Besides, more M1 macrophages and less M2 macrophages after induction were observed in the BMDMs from cKO mice than those from WT mice. (2) SENP3 expression was up-regulated in AAA tissues (P<0.05). The AAA incidence of cKO mice was significantly reduced after CaPO₄ induction (P<0.01), the survival rate was significantly improved (P<0.05), and maximal aortic diameter was significantly reduced in cKO group (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, and the production of ROS were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), meanwhile MMP-9 expression was also down-regulated in cKO mice (P<0.05). (3) the SUMO2/3 modification of MKK7 was reduced during M1 polarization, and MKK7 interaction with SENP3 was enhanced. Significantly up-regulated protein level of p-JNK and MMP-9 were verified in the M1 macrophages transfected with Flag-MKK7 K18R mutant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SENP3 activates the MAPK/JNK pathway via de-SUMOylation of MKK7, regulates the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages and promotes the protein level of MMP-9, thus aggravating AAA formation.     

Alleviating effect of exenatide on ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice is independent on reducing body weight

AIM To investigate the alleviating effect of exenatide （Exe）, a glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1） receptor agonist, on the ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice and its mechanism. METHODS Eight-week-old male ob/ob mice and their wild-type （WT） littermates were randomly divided into 3 groups, ob/ob group, ob/ob+Exe group and WT group, and treated with Exe at 24 nmol/kg or the same volume of saline intraperitoneally once daily for 4 weeks. The body weight, fasting blood glucose （FBG） and fat content were measured after the 4-week treatment. The oil red O staining and the quantification of triglyceride （TG） were performed on the skeletal muscle. The serum levels of TG, total cholesterol and free fatty acid （FFA） were also measured by ELISA. The expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） and lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined by Western blot. Mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were used as an in vitro model to further investigate the effects of Exe. RESULTS As compared with the ob/ob mice treated with saline, 4-week Exe treatment did not reduce body weight, FBG, food intake and fat content in ob/ob mice （P>0.05）. However, serum FFA was decreased （P<0.05）. Oil red O staining and the quantification of TG showed that 4-week Exe treatment significantly attenuated the ectopic lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice （P<0.05）. The results of Western blot showed that the levels of phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK） and lipolysis-related proteins were up-regulated, while the lipid synthesis-related proteins were down-regulated by Exe （P<0.05）. Treatment with Exe alleviated the lipid accumulation in the C2C12 cells induced by sodium palmate （P<0.05）, and the effects of Exe on the levels of p-AMPK and lipid metabolism-related proteins in the C2C12 cells were consistent with those in the ob/ob mice （P<0.05）. Treatment with Exe also up-regulated the protein expression of glucose transporter 4 and improved the ability of glucose uptake in the C2C12 cells （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Short-term Exe treatment attenuates the ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice by up-regulating lipolysis-related proteins and down-regulating lipid synthesis-related proteins, which is independent on body weight loss.     

Expression of histone chaperone ASF1B in prostate cancer cells and its effect on cell viability in vitro

AIM To investigate the expression of histone chaperone anti-silencing function 1B （ASF1B） in prostate cancer cells and its effect on cell viability in vitro. METHODS Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were used, and knockdown of ASF1B was conducted by small interfering RNA （siRNA） transfection into the cells. The cells were divided into control group, siRNA negative control vector （mock） group and siRNA-ASF1B group. The viability of the PC-3 cells treated with ASF1B-siRNA for 12, 24 and 48 h was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related molecules was detected by RT-qPCR, and the expression levels of MAPK/JNK/ERK signaling pathway-related proteins were determined by Western blot. RESULTS The protein level of ASF1B in the normal cells （benign prostatic hyperplasia） was significantly lower than that in the PC-3 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with control group and mock group, the protein expression level of ASF1B in the PC-3 cells transfected with siRNA-ASF1B plasmid and the viability of the PC-3 cells were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The apoptotic rate of the PC-3 cells transfected with siRNA-ASF1B plasmid was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.01）, and the cell cycle was arrested at G₁ phase. The mRNA levels of p53, caspase-3, Bax and PARP-1 in the PC-3 cells transfected with siRNA-ASF1B plasmid were up-regulated compared with those in control group and Mack group （P<0.01）. In addition, the protein levels of MAP2K4 and p-JNK in the PC-3 cells in siRNA-ASF1B group were significantly higher than those in mock group （P<0.01）, while the protein level of p-ERK was significantly lower than that in mock group （P<0.01）. CONCLUSION ASF1B silencing induces G₁ arrest and promotes apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Activating MAPK/JNK/ERK signaling pathway may be a possible contributor to the anti-prostate cancer effect of siRNA-ASF1B.     

Niflumic acid inhibits the proliferation,migration and invasion of glioma U87 cells

AIM To investigate the effect of niflumic acid （NFA） on human glioma U87 cells and to clarify the potential mechanism. METHODS The U87 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into blank control group, and 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L NFA groups. MTT assay was performed to determine the viability of cells in various groups. Migration and invasion abilities were measured by real-time cell analysis （RTCA）. RESULTS The results of MTT assay showed that compared with blank control group, the viability of U87 cells was increased after treatment with NFA for 12 h （P<0.05 or P<0.01）, while the viability was significantly decreased after treatment with NFA for 24 and 48 h （P<0.05 or P<0.01） in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of RTCA showed that compared with control group, the cell migration and invasion abilities were inhibited in 100 and 200 μmol/L NFA groups （P<0.05 or P<0.01） and the inhibitory effects were more obvious in 200 μmol/L NFA group （P<0.01）. CONCLUSION NFA inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of human glioma U87 cells.     

Dasatinib inhibits the viability and migration of renal carcinoma cell lines 786-O and 769-P by up-regulating p53 expression and down-regulating AKT phosphorylation in vitro

AIM To explore the effect of dasatinib on the viability, apoptosis and migration of human renal carcinoma cell lines 786-O and 769-P, as well as the molecular mechanism in vitro. METHODS 786-O cells and 769-P cells were treated with different concentrations （0~2 μmol/L） of dasatinib, and 0 μmol/L dasatinib was used as blank control group. MTT method was used to detect cell viability. Wound healing assay was used to detect the effect of dasatinib on migration. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to observe the effect of dasatinib on apoptosis. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of dasatinib on cell cycle. Western blot method was used to detected cell cycle- and apoptosis-related protein levels. RESULTS Dasatinib inhibited viability and migration of 786-O and 769-P cells, and the inhibitory effect of dasatinib increased with the concentration of dasatinib （P<0.05）. The IC₅₀ values of dasatinib against 786-O and 769-P cell lines were （0.958 7±0.028 8） μmol/L and （0.784 3±0.066 0） μmol/L, respectively. After treatment with dasatinib for 24 h, the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 increased significantly （P<0.01）, while the expression of cyclin D1 decreased （P<0.05）. The cycle-related pathway proteins p53 and p21 increased （P<0.05）, while the level of p-AKT was decreased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Dasatinib impaired the viability and migration ability of human renal carcinoma cell lines 786-O and 769-P by up-regulating p53 expression and down-regulating AKT phosphorylation.     

Effect of intermittent hypoxia on bladder detrusor cell apoptosis and regulatory mechanism of Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus

AIM To investigate the effect of intermittent hypoxia （IH） on bladder detrusor cells apoptosis and calcium channel, and to discuss the regulatory mechanism of Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus （AOF）. METHODS IH model of bladder detrusor cells was established by treating the cells with 6 cycles of 5% O₂ for 60 min and 20% O₂ for 30 min. Human bladder detrusor cells were cultured in vitro, randomly divided into 6 groups, each group had 8 holes. P₂X₃ receptor antagonist + IH （A） group, M₃ receptor antagonist + IH （B） group, β₃ receptor antagonist + IH （C） group, AOF + IH （D） group, saline + IH control （NC） group and air simulation control （AC） group were set up. The cells density and morphology were identified by the methods of counting chamber and immunofluorescence light microscopy （LM） after interventions. The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Calcium channel expression was detected by patch clamp. RESULTS （1） Compared with the cells in AC group, the cells density and activity were significantly increased in NC group （P<0.05）; some cells appeared protrusions, turned round and blur in cell borders. （2） The results of immunofluorescence for detecting α-SMA protein expression showed that, compared with the cells in group AC, the mean absorbance （MA） in group NC was significantly increased （F=3.25, P<0.05）; compared with the cells in group NC, that in group A and group D was both decreased significantly （P<0.05）. （3） Compared with the cells in group AC, the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased in group NC （P<0.05）; Compared with the cells in group NC, the apoptotic rates in group A and group D were both significantly increased （P>0.05）. （4） Compared with the cells in group AC, calcium ion channel expression was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the cells in group NC, calcium ion channel expression in AOF （100 mg/L） and AOF （50 mg/L） group was significantly increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION IH regulates bladder detrusor cells proliferation and apoptosis through P₂X₃ bladder nerve receptors, high or moderate dose of AOF may change calcium channel and play a protective role in IH induced cell damage.     

AT1-AA induces autophagy and apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes through oxidative stress

AIM: To investigate the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) on oxidative stress, autophagy and apoptosis in H9c2 cells, and to analyze the possible mechanism. METHODS: The rat H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro. The effect of AT1-AA at different concentrations for different time on the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Upon the optimum concentration (10^-5 mol/L) and time point (24 h) determined in this stu-dy, the experssion levels of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot, and the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined by oxidative stress kits. RESULTS: AT1-AA decreased cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, promoted apoptosis, and up-regulated the levels of autophagy and oxidative stress (P<0.05). The apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by AT1-AA was decreased after pretreatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (P<0.05). The levels of autophagy and apoptosis in the H9c2 cells pretreated with α-lipoic acid were decreased (P<0.05). Pretreatment with angiotensin Ⅱtype 1 receptor inhibitor telmisartan inhibited oxidative stress, and significantly decreased the levels of autophagy and apoptosis induced by AT1-AA in the H9c2 cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AT1-AA induces autophagy and apoptosis of H9c2 cells through oxidative stress.     

Role and potential mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation in treatment of chronic hepatitis B

AIM To investigate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B （CHB） and the potential mechanism. METHODS Fifty C57BL/6J mice （6~8 weeks old） were divided into 5 groups： control group, CHB group, entecavir （ETV） group, comprehensive treatment （ETV+FMT, EFMT） group, and blocker （TAK-242+ETV+FMT, EFMT-TAK） group. The mice in each group were given corresponding treatment. The general condition of the mice was observed daily, and fecal specimens were kept every 10 d. The mice were sacrificed after 12 weeks, and the liver tissues and blood samples were collected. HE staining was used for histological scoring. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） levels were measured by ELISA. Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） expression was detected by flow cytometry. Intestinal flora diversity was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS （1） Compared with control group, the body weight of the mice in CHB group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The body weight loss of the mice in ETV group, EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was reversed to some extent as compared with CHB group （P<0.05）. （2） The histological score of the mice in CHB group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. The score in ETV group was lower than that in CHB group （P<0.05）. The scores in EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group were lower than that in ETV group （P<0.05）, and that in EFMT-TAK group had a further downward trend compared with EFMT group （P<0.05）. （3） Compared with control group, the serum level of HBsAg in the CHB mice was significantly increased （P<0.05） and decreased after ETV treatment （P<0.05）. The HBsAg level in both EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was significantly lower than that in ETV group （P<0.05）. （4） The IL-18 level in CHB group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. After ETV treatment, the IL-18 level was decreased （P<0.05）, and that in both EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was decreased more than that in ETV group （P<0.05）. （5） TLR4 expression in CHB group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）, that in ETV group was lower than CHB group （P<0.05）, and that in EFMT group was further decreased （P<0.05）. （6） The heat map analysis at the class level showed that the abundances of Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria and Negativicutes in CHB group were significantly higher than those in control group, and those of Deltaproteobacteria and Negativicutes in EFMT group were close to those in control group. The heat map analysis at the family level indicated that the abundances of Burkholderiaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae and Veillonellaceae in CHB group were significantly higher than those in control group, while those in ETV group and EFMT group gradually approached normal levels. The α diversity index in CHB group was significantly decreased, while the diversity in ETV group was increased, that in EFMT group was further increased, and that in EFMT-TAK group was the highest. CONCLUSION FMT plays an active role in the treatment of CHB. The mechanism may be related to reducing the level of IL-18 and improving the structure and diversity of intestinal flora. The TLR4 signaling pathway is involved.     

IL-33-modified BMSCs attenuate acute kidney injury induced by sepsis in rats through MyD88

AIM To investigate the effect of interleukin-33 (IL-33)-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats and the expression of myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88). METHODS A septic rat model was established by cecal ligation and puncture. The SD rats (n=80) were randomly divided into control group, model group, negative transfection group (transplanting untransfected BMSCs) and IL-33 transfection group (transplanting BMSCs transfected with IL-33), with 20 in each group. Survival rates of the rats within 72 h in the 4 groups were compared. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured before, and 24, 48 and 72 h after transplantation. The kidney pathological damage was observed by HE staining, and the apoptosis of renal cells was detected by TUNEL method 72 h after transplantation. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MyD88. RESULTS The survival rate of the rats in model group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The survival rate of the rats in IL-33 transfection group was higher than that in model group and negative transfection group (P<0.05). The levels of SCr and BUN in model group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The levels of SCr and BUN in IL-33 transfection group were significantly reduced after transplantation, and were lower than those in model group and negative transfection group (P<0.05). The renal tissue pathological injury score in model group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Compared with model group and negative transfection group, the renal tissue pathological injury score in IL-33 transfection group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The proportion of apoptotic cells in the kidney tissues in model group were higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Compared with model group and negative transfection group, the proportion of apoptotic cells in the kidney tissues in IL-33 transfection group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TLR4 and MyD88 in model group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Compared with model group and negative transfection group, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TLR4 and MyD88 in IL-33 transfection group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION IL-33 gene-modified BMSCs significantly improve the renal function of AKI rats with sepsis. The mechanism may be related to IL-33 regulating TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway and inhibiting renal inflammatory response.     

Sinomenine reduces MPP+-induced damage in SK-N-SH cells via ANRIL/miR-626 signaling pathway

AIM To investigate the effect of sinomenine (SN) on the damage of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells induced by 1-methyl-4-4 phenylpyridine (MPP⁺) and its mechanism for exploring the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. METHODS SN was used to treat MPP⁺-induced SK-N-SH cells. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. The expression levels of long noncoding RNA ANRIL and microRNA-626 (miR-626) were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the relationship between ANRIL and miR-626. After ANRIL small interfering RNA was transfected into SK-N-SH cells, the effects of ANRIL expression knock-down on MPP⁺-induced SK-N-SH cell apoptosis, the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax, and the levels of MDA and GSH in cell culture supernatants were examined. RESULTS After treatment with MPP⁺, the apoptotic rate, Bax protein level and ANRIL expression in SK-N-SH cells were increased (P<0.05), and the Bcl-2 protein level and miR-626 expression were decreased (P<0.05). The level of MDA in cell culture supernatants was increased (P<0.05), and the level of GSH was decreased (P<0.05). After SN treatment or ANRIL expression knock-down, decreased apoptotic rate, Bax protein level and ANRIL expression (P<0.05), and increased Bcl-2 protein level and miR-626 expression in MPP⁺-induced SK-N-SH cells were observed (P<0.05). The level of MDA in the cell culture supernatants was decreased (P<0.05), and the level of GSH was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SN attenuates MPP⁺-induced damage in SK-N-SH cells by regulating ANRIL/miR-626 signaling pathway.     

Effect of NLRC3 expression knock-down on growth of normal human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

AIM To investigate the effect of NOD-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain containing 3 (NLRC3) expression knock-down on the viability and apoptosis of normal human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells and its mechanism. METHODS The small interfering RNA (siRNA) fragments of NLRC3 gene were transfected into BEAS-2B cells using Lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent to knock down the NLRC3 expression. The interference fragment was screened by RT-qPCR. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 staining. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS The interference segment 3 of NLRC3 gene (siNLRC3-3) displayed the best interference effect on NLRC3 expression in BEAS-2B cells (P<0.01). Knock-down of NLRC3 expression in BEAS-2B cells enhanced the cell viability (P<0.01). Knock-down of NLRC3 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased the apoptotic rate (P<0.05). Moreover, knock-down of NLRC3 significantly up-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression and significantly down-regulated Bax protein expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Knock-down of NLRC3 expression enhances the viability and inhibits the apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells, which may be related to increase in the expression of Bcl-2 protein and decrease in the expression of Bax protein.     

矮化中间砧‘宫藤富士’苹果栽植密度对树体生长、冠层光照和果实产量的影响

2011 年春季定植的矮化中间砧苹果成品苗（3 年根 1 年干的‘宫藤富士’/SH6/平邑甜茶）为试材，设置 7 种不同的栽植密度（株行距分别为 1 m × 3 m、1.5 m × 3 m、2 m × 3 m、0.75 m × 4 m、1 m × 4 m、1.25 m × 4 m 和 1.5 m × 4 m），细纺锤形整枝修剪，自栽植第 2 年，连续 7 年调查 7 种栽植密度对树体生长、冠层光照分布、果实产量和品质的影响。随着树龄的增长，不同栽植密度下树干粗度和总枝量逐年增加，不同处理间树干粗度无显著差异，第 7 年 1 m × 3 m 和 0.75 m × 4 m 两个栽植密度下树体总枝量超过 140 万条 · hm-2，第 8 年均超过 140 万条 · hm-2。栽植前期（第 2 ~ 4 年）各栽植密度树体短枝比例不断增加，长枝比例不断减少，第 5 年各栽植密度枝类组成趋于稳定；综合稳产 3 年（第 6 ~ 8 年）树体的枝类组成数据，4 m 行距的短枝比例明显高于 3 m 行距，长枝比例略低。树体冠层平均相对光照强度由高到低的株行距处理依次为 1.5 m × 4 m（63.87%）、1.25 m × 4 m（61.44%）、2 m × 3 m（61.27%）、1 m × 4 m（59.19%）、0.75 m × 4 m（55.79%）、1.5 m × 3 m（53.67%）和 1 m × 3 m（49.37%）；相同栽植株数下，4 m 行距处理低光效（相对光照强度小于 40%）的区域比例显著小于 3 m 行距。比较前 5 年的累计产量，以行距 4 m 和 1 m × 3 m 的最高。综合稳产 3 年的结果情况，大果率（单果质量 > 200 g 的果实产量占总产量的比例）以 4 m 行距和 2 m × 3 m 的最高。各栽植密度下的果实的可溶性固形物含量、固酸比、果形指数和果实硬度均无显著差异。综上，采用 4 m 行距，1 ~ 1.25 m 株距，树体成形快，稳产后树体结构合理，冠层光照充足，低效光区比例少，前期产量高。     

Effect of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on viability and apoptosis of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cells by regulating miR-363-3p expression

AIM To investigate the mechanism of long noncoding RNA （lncRNA） FEZF1-AS1 regulating microRNA-363-3p （miR-363-3p） on the viability and apoptosis of lipopolysaocharide （LPS）-induced vascular endothelial cells. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were cultured in vitro. pcDNA-NC, pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1, anti-miR-NC, anti-miR-363-3p, miR-NC and miR-363-3p mimics were transfected into the HUVECs and LPS stimulation was applied for 24 h. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to verify the targeted regulation of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. Western blot was used to determined the expression of cyclin D1, Ki67 and cleaved caspase-3. RESULTS Compared with control group, the expression level of FEZF1-AS1 in LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the expression level of miR-363-3p was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with pcDNA-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with anti-miR-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in anti-miR-363-3p+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 targeted miR-363-3p. Compared with miR-NC+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group, the cell viability in miR-363-3p+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Over-expression of FEZF1-AS1 promotes the viability and inhibits apoptosis of LPS induced vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting the expression of miR-363-3p.