Atorvastatin inhibits IL-1β and IL-18 releases via lowering the expression of NLRP1 inflammasome

AIM: To explore the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1) inflammasome in atorvastatin-induced reduction of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) releases from the THP-1 macrophages. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 μg/L) was used to trigger the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in the THP-1 macrophages. The cells were incubated with different concentrations of atorvastatin (1, 10 and 20 μmol/L) for 24 h, or treated with 10 μmol/L atorvastatin for different time (12 h, 24 h and 48 h). NLRP1 siRNA was transfected into the THP-1 cells. The mRNA expression of NLRP1 inflammasome was detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of NLRP1 inflammasome was determined by Western blot. The secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Atorvastatin inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP1 inflammasome in the THP-1 macrophages in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Transfection of NLRP1 siRNA significantly decreased the protein expression of NLRP1 and promoted the suppressive effect of atorvastatin on IL-1β and IL-18 secretion in the THP-1 macrophages. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin inhibits the production of IL-1β and IL-18 in the macrophages through decreasing NLRP1 inflammasome expression, possibly contributing to the anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerosis.     

Interaction of NR2D subunit of NMDA receptor with MOCA

AIM: To identify the potential proteins interacting with NR2D subunit of NMDA receptor by yeast two-hybrid screening and to investigate the role of NR2D in excitotoxicity of the retina.METHODS: The Clontech GAL4 yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen the mouse brain cDNA library, and the bait plasmid containing C-terminus of NR2D was constructed. Physical interaction between 2 proteins was verified by co-immunoprecipitation assay. The subcellular localization of 2 proteins in the mouse retina was observed under microscope with immunofluorescence.RESULTS: Modifier of cell adhesion (MOCA) was identified as a new protein interacting with NR2D. MOCA and NR2D were co-expressed in the mouse retina. CONCLUSION: MOCA specifically interacts with NR2D, which provides the experimental basis for identifying the role of glutamate excitotoxicity in the retina neurodegeneration.     

动物鲜味受体的研究进展及其基因表达调控

动物的鲜味受体包括代谢型谷氨酸受体(m GluR)和味觉受体异源二聚体(T1R1/T1R3),是C型G蛋白偶联受体,N末端捕蝇草模块(VFT)区域可与鲜味配体结合,识别鲜味。本文主要论述了鲜味受体的研究进展、鲜味识别转导机制及鲜味受体基因的表达调控等,以期为相关研究提供参考。     

日本大耳白兔TLR3部分cDNA克隆及mRNA在组织中的分布

采用RT—PCR技术从日本大耳白兔的脾脏组织克隆出兔的Toll样受体基因3（命名为。TLR3），并对其mRNA在兔的17种组织中的分布情况进行了检测。结果显示，RTLR3核苷酸序列与GenBank中登载的穴兔（Oryctolagus cuniculus）TLR3序列（登录号：NM_001082219）相似性为100％；兔的胸腺、脾脏、睾丸等14种组织中检测出TLR3 mRNA的转录产物，而在骨骼、胃和皮肤中未能发现。推导的氨基酸序列同源性比对表明，兔TLR3与人、野猪、牛、猫、褐鼠等动物的同源性最高，为80％-85％；与原鸡同源性次之，为61％；与草鱼、绿河豚等同源性在45％～48％之间；系统进化树分析表明，兔TLR3与马的亲缘关系最接近，与猪、人／绵羊、牛、猩猩／猫的亲缘关系依次渐远，与鼠的亲缘关系最远。可见，TLR3在不同种属动物及不同组织中所起的作用具有生物多样性。     

Phenolic compounds in plant disease resistance

We propose that an important first line in plant defense against infection is provided by the very rapid synthesis of phenolics and their polymerization in the cell wall. This rapid synthesis, which leaves no time forde novo enzyme synthesis, is regulated by the extreme pH-dependence of the hydroxylase, catalyzing the formation of caffeoyl-CoA from 4-coumaroyl-CoA. We further propose that elicitor treatment or infection causes rapid membrane changes leading to a decrease in cytoplasmic pH. This decrease would have the effect of activating the hydroxylase.     

Ultrastructure of Colonic Epithelial Cells in Vitamin E and Selenium Deficient Pigs

Pigs deficient in vitamin E and selenium had a decreased contrast of the intracellular membranes compared with pigs supplemented with vitamin E and selenium. Other common changes in the deficient animals included a reduced number of microvilli, with a short and irregular appearance, numerous swollen mitochondria with empty spaces and intercellular oedema. It is suggested that these morphological changes are attributed to the insufficient supply of vitamin E and selenium, though it is not excluded that particular intestinal factors may participate in the development of the lesions.     

Studies on the mechanism of vaccinal immunity to Marek''s disease

Current knowledge of the nature of the antigens and of the host immune responses in vaccinal immunity to Marek's disease is reviewed. It is suggested that a two-step mechanism of resistance operates. The first step involves humoral and cell-mediated responses directed against viral antigens; the second step occurs after challenge with Marek's disease virus and consists of cellmediated responses directed against tumour cells.     

北极狐多巴胺受体D1基因的克隆测序

为了获得北极狐多巴胺受体D1基因序列,给北极狐自咬行为提供理论依据。采用聚合酶链式反应方法,从北极狐耳组织扩增出多巴胺受体D1基因的部分外显子序列,并对其进行克隆测序,将该序列提交到Genebank上。Genebank中的Blast分析表明,北极狐多巴胺D1受体基因与家狗(Canis familiaris)的同源性为99%,与牛(Bos taurus)的同源性为93%,与人(Homo sapiens)的同源性为92%。     

电脉冲刺激肾旁穴对兔丘脑雌激素受体蛋白表达的影响

采用电脉冲刺激穴位法及免疫组织化学SP法，研究了电脉冲刺激肾旁穴对丘脑内雌激素受体免疫反应阳性产物的影响。结果发现雌激素受体免疫反应阳性产物在丘脑内广泛分布，可见电针组丘脑室旁核、丘脑腹外侧核、丘脑腹内侧核、丘脑腹主核、丘脑中央中核、丘脑网状核、丘脑室周核等核区有大量阳性产物，且多分布于神经元的胞浆、胞核和突起中、有少部分分布于胞膜上，染色较深，突起明显，细胞形态多样，轮廓清晰；而对照组相应神经核团中阳性细胞数量较少且淡染，突起也不明显，形态单一或轮廓不清。两组阳性产物的染色强度和细胞数目均差异显著。以上结果表明电脉冲刺激肾旁穴可使家兔上述核团内雌激素受体的表达增强。     

不同感染量REV对鸡免疫反应和细胞毒性作用的影响

用不同剂量网状内皮增生症病毒（REV）感染肉鸡和SPF鸡后，检测血液中T淋巴细胞对ConA的反应和NK细胞、细胞毒T细胞（CTL）的细胞毒性作用以及NDV抗体生成变化等，观察REV感染对机体非特异性、特异性细胞免疫反应和体液免疫反应的影响。结果表明无论高剂量还是低剂量REV感染均造成体液免疫和非特异性细胞免疫抑制，而且高剂量比低剂量对免疫功能的抑制作用更强，但对NK细胞和细胞毒T细胞的细胞杀伤活性却有升高趋势，在抗肿瘤方面发挥一定的作用。这种结果说明REV感染对机体的免疫抑制是有选择性的，且抑制程度与感染病毒量有关。