极小种群野生植物八蕊单室茱萸的种群状况研究

八蕊单室茱萸为云南省特有的极小种群野生植物和濒危物种。通过查阅相关文献并结合访问调查,确定八蕊单室茱萸可能分布的区域,开展种群资源调查。结果显示:八蕊单室茱萸目前仅在普洱市和西双版纳州有10个天然种群,其种群规模已低于最小可存活种群,属极小种群野生植物和濒危物种,亟需开展保护工作。生境破坏和生境片段化是导致八蕊单室茱单室茱萸濒危的人为因素。提出收集种质资源、营建和管护近地保护种群、建立迁地和回归种群等保育建议。     

CD36/Src/ERK pathway is involved in process of monocyte differentiation into macrophages

AIM To investigate the role of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) on differentiation of monocytes to macrophages. METHODS Human monocyte THP-1 cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) at 0, 100 and 200 μg /L. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CD36 (siCD36) was employed to knock down the expression of CD36 in THP-1 cells. The CD36 over-expression (CD36OE) cell line was constructed by transfection with a recombinant lentivirus containing CD36 cDNA. Optical microscopy and crystal violet staining were used to detect the monocyte morphological changes and adhesion ability. The protein expression of CD36 was measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. The mRNA levels of CD36, CD11b and CD80 were detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK） and Src tyrosine kinase were determined by Western blot. RESULTS The cellular adhesiveness of THP-1 cells was elevated in the process of monocytes differentiation, and the expression of CD36 was increased in this process as well (P<0.01). siCD36 was transfected into the THP-1 cells (CD36i group) and the silencing efficiency was approximately 80%. The cell surface area and cellular adhesiveness were significantly decreased in CD36i group compared with scrambled siRNA (NCi) group (P<0.01). The mRNA levels of CD11b and CD80 were decreased in CD36i group compared with NCi group (P<0.01). The cell surface area and cellular adhesiveness were increased in CD36OE group compared with empty vector (vector) group (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of CD11b and CD80 were increased in CD36OE group compared with vector group (P<0.01). The phosphorylation levels of ERK and Src were decreased in CD36i group compared with NCi group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CD36 promotes the differentiation of human monocyte THP-1 cells to macrophages by increasing the phosphorylation of Src and further activating ERK.     

苦参碱对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖、凋亡及抗氧化能力的影响

【目的】探究苦参碱对体外培养的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)增殖、凋亡及抗氧化能力的影响。【方法】利用含0(A组),25(B组),50(C组),75(D组)和100μg/mL(E组)苦参碱的培养基培养奶牛乳腺上皮细胞。通过四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测BMECs活性,采用流式细胞仪(AnnexinV/PI双染法)检测苦参碱对BMECs凋亡的影响,并检测苦参碱对BMECs抗氧化酶活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响,采用real-time PCR对BMECs中Caspase-3、p53、STAT1和SOCS3基因的相对表达量进行检测。【结果】用药5d时,低质量浓度(25和50μg/mL)苦参碱对BMECs增殖具有促进作用,高质量浓度(75和100μg/mL)苦参碱对细胞增殖具有抑制作用;B~E组BMECs的凋亡率均极显著高于A组(P0.01);B~E组BMECs培养上清液中NO和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平明显高于A组。B~E组BMECs的过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均比A组高,其中C组极显著高于A组(P0.01);B~E组的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性均极显著高于A组(P0.01),E组的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平极显著高于A组(P0.01),各组MDA含量无显著性差异。与A组相比,苦参碱上调了B~E组BMECs中Caspase-3、p53、STAT1和SOCS3基因的相对表达量。【结论】低质量浓度苦参碱能够促进BMECs增殖,高质量浓度苦参碱则会抑制BMECs增殖;不同质量浓度苦参碱均可提高BMECs的抗氧化能力,其中50μg/mL苦参碱提高BMECs抗氧化能力的效果最明显。     

Role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating HSP70 through ERK1/2 signaling pathway in PC12 cells

AIM:To study the role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and inhibiting apoptosis induced by oxidative stress through extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway in the PC12 cells. METHODS:Sodium nitoprusside (SNP) was used to induce oxidative stress injury in the PC12 cells. The cultured PC12 cells were divided into SNP-injured group (incubated with SNP at 0.5 mmol/L for 6, 12, 18 and 24 h), ghrelin pretreatment group (ghrelin at 100 nmol/L was given 30 min before adding SNP); HSP70 inhibitor group (quercetin at 10 μmol/L was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment), ERK inhibitor group (ERK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment) and control group (added same amount of culture medium only). The apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the apoptotic rate of PC12 cells in SNP-injured group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with SNP-injured group, ghrelin (100 nmol/L) pretreatment significantly inhibited SNP-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells (P<0.05), and significantly up-regulated the protein expression of HSP70 (P<0.05). Time-effect analysis showed that ghrelin had the most significant effect at 18 h after SNP injury. Quercetin, an inhibitor of HSP 70, significantly reduced the anti-apoptotic effect of ghrelin (P<0.05). Ghrelin pretreatment promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 significantly inhibited the effects of ghrelin on up-regulation of HSP70 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Ghrelin upregulates the expression of HSP70 and inhibits the apoptosis in the PC12 cells induced by oxidative stress by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.     

Effect of miR-29b-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-29b (miR-29b)-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.METHODS: Hepatic liver fibrosis rat model was established, and its HSC were isolated. Normal rat HSC were also obtained and identified in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of miR-29b, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and liver fibrosis marker proteins in the acquired cells. Finally, the direct targeting binding of miR-29b to TGF-β1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS: With the activation of HSC, the expression of miR-29b gradually decreased (P<0.01), while the expression of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin gradually increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of Smad2/3/4 was significantly increased, and the expression of Smad7 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29b bound directly to "UCUCUCCGU" in the 3'UTR of TGF-β1, indicating that TGF-β1 was a downstream target gene of miR-29b.CONCLUSION: miR-29b may be involved in the inhibition of HSC activation and migration, thereby inhibiting the process of liver fibrosis. The biological function of miR-29b may be through the direct targeting of TGF-β1, thus regulating and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.     

Ultrastructural impairment of islet microvascular endothelial cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice

AIM: To investigate the ultrastructural changes of islet microvascular endothelial cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group. The expression of insulin and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) in islet microvessels was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The ultrastructural changes of islet β cells and islet microvessels were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the number of islet β cells, ratio of β cells/α cells, average number of secretory granules in β cells and insulin expression area per islet in diabetic group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Besides, diabetic group had fewer microvessels with lower expression of CD31 (P<0.01). Mitochondria in islet microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes in diabetic group were swelling. The basement membrane of islet microvessels became thicker in diabetic group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Islet microvascular endothelial cells were impaired in type 1 diabetic mice.     

Vitamin C enhanced myocardial differentiation of dedifferentiated fat cells

AIM: In order to observe the myocardial differentiation capacity of the dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells treated with vitamin C in vitro. METHODS: DFAT cells were dedifferentiated from the mature rat adipocytes with ceiling adherent culture. The DFAT cells of passage 3 were used in the study. Vitamin C and/or neonatal rat heart tissue lysate were added into the culture medium to induce myocardial differentiation for 3 weeks. The cell morphology was observed under microscope. The myocardial-specific markers, such as cTnT, GATA-4 and NKx2.5, were examined by the methods of immunofluorescence, PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Mature rat adipocytes dedifferentiated into fibroblast-like DFAT cells after ceiling adherent culture. The DFAT cells spontaneously differentiated into cardiomyocyte-like cells under normal culture condition with a low incidence. After treated with neonatal rat heart cell lysate, the DFAT cells became cardiomyocyte-like cells that had bigger size, longer shape and myotubule-structure. The expression of cTnT, GATA-4 and NKx2.5 was remarkably increased at both mRNA and protein levels as compared with the normal cultured DFAT cells. The expression of cTnT, GATA-4 and NKx2.5 was further increased in DFAT cells after treating with vitamin C. No spontaneous beating cell was observed. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C enhances the differentiation of DFAT cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells.     

Model construction of rat coronary artery smooth muscle cell endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by thapsigargin

AIM: To investigate the primary culture method for coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs), and to establish the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) model in CASMCs of SD rats. METHODS: CASMCs were cultured by tissue explant method. The morphological characteristics were observed under optical microscope. The marker proteins of CASMCs, including α-SMA and SM-MHC, were identified by immunofluorescence technique. The protein expression levels of BiP and CHOP, the marker molecules of ERS, were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The spindle-shaped CASMCs climbed out from the edge of coronary artery tissues after 6 d, and formed the typical "hill and valley" growth pattern of CASMCs at 9~10 d. The result of immunofluorescence technique showed that α-SMA and SM-MHC were positively expressed. The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of BiP and CHOP in TG (1 and 2 μmol/L) treatment groups was increased compared with control group. Compared with control group, the protein expression of BiP and CHOP was significantly increased after 1 μmol/L TG treatment for 24 and 48 h. CONCLUSION: CASMCs can be successfully cultured by tissue explant method. ERS model of CASMCs was established by 1 μmol/L TG treatment for 24 h.