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.     

Effects of platelet-rich plasma on chondrocyte apoptosis and NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway in rabbits with osteoarthritis

AIM To explore the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on rabbit osteoarthritis and its possible mechanism. METHODS The rabbits with knee osteoarthritis were prepared and then divided into model group, sodium hyaluronate (SH) group and PRP group, and another sham operation group was set up, with 6 rabbits in each group. The gross morphological changes of rabbit cartilage were observed. HE staining was used to evaluate the pathomorphological changes of the cartilage. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of chondrocytes. The expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin-1β （IL-1β） signaling pathway-related molecules was observed by immunohistochemical staining, and the protein levels of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. Chondrocytes were isolated and processed according to grouping, and the NLRP3 and IL-1β levels of the cells were measured by ELISA. RESULTS Compared with sham operation group, Pelletier score, Mankin score, chondrocyte apoptotic rate, the positive protein expression rates of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), caspase-1 and IL-1β, and the protein levels of caspase-3 and Bax in model group were increased significantly (P<0.05), while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, Pelletier score, Mankin score, the apoptotic rate of chondrocytes, the positive protein expression rates of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-1β, and the protein levels of caspase-3 and Bax in SH group and PRP group were decreased significantly (P<0.05), while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was increased significantly (P<0.05). In PRP group, Pelletier score, Mankin score, the apoptotic rate of chondrocytes, the positive protein expression rates of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-1β, and the protein levels of caspase-3 and Bax were lower than those in SH group, while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was higher than that in SH group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expression of NL?RP3 and IL-1β in MCC950 (NLRP3 ihibitor) group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the expression of NLRP3 in eucalyptol (IL-1β inhibitor) group was not significantly changed (P>0.05), and the expression of IL-1β was significantly reduced (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Platelet-rich plasma promotes the repair of cartilage in osteoarthritis rabbits, which has better effect than SH. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3/IL-1β pathway and the reduction of chondrocyte apoptosis.     

Expression and function of circular RNA_0000231 in non-small-cell lung cancer

AIM: To investigate the expression and function of circular RNA_0000231 (circ_0000231) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of circ_0000231 in the NSCLC tissues and cell lines. circ_0000231 small interfering RNA (si-circ_0000231) or negative control siRNA of circ_0000231 (NC) was transfected into the NSCLC cells. The proliferation and apoptosis of the NSCLC cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of circ_0000231 in the NSCLC tissues and cell lines was significantly up-regulated compared with precancerous tissues and lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B (P<0.05). After transfection of NSCLC cells with si-circ_0000231, the cell viability, colony formation numbers were significantly decreased, and the apoptotic rate in si-circ_0000231 group was significantly increased as compared with NC group (P<0.01). In addition, the results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that transfection of si-circ_0000231 inhibited the expression of CCND1 and Bcl-2 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of circ_0000231 is significantly increased in the NSCLC tissues and cells. Knock-down of circ_0000231 expression significantly inhibits the proliferation of NSCLC cells.     

草鱼TAB1蛋白的原核重组表达及其抗体制备

为了制备草鱼重组TAB1蛋白(rCiTAB1)及其特异性抗体,首先以草鱼头肾组织c DNA为模板,PCR扩增Ci TAB1基因全长序列,并依次构建重组克隆质粒p MD19-T-Ci TAB1与重组表达质粒pET-32a-Ci TAB1。该重组表达质粒经0.5 mmol·L~(-1) IPTG,37℃诱导表达12 h后获得以包涵体形式表达的重组CiTAB1蛋白(rCiTAB1)。然后,采用3种不同方法对包涵体蛋白进行变性,发现与高浓度尿素直接变性法和洗涤后尿素变性法相比,洗涤后梯度尿素变性法处理后的蛋白纯度最好,经透析复性后得到浓度为2 mg·mL~(-1)的r Ci TAB1。最后,将rCiTAB1蛋白与白油佐剂及免疫增强剂混合,室温下混合1.5h乳化成免疫原,3次免疫新西兰大白兔制备兔抗CiTAB1抗体,经间接ELISA方法和免疫琼脂双向扩散试验测得免疫后第33天血清中特异性抗体的效价分别为1∶1 048 576和1∶16。Western blot检测到一条分子量约为72 kDa的特异性条带,表明该抗体能特异性识别r Ci TAB1蛋白。研究结果为后续深入研究CiTAB1蛋白功能提供了物质基础。     

木薯(Manihot esculenta)AKT1基因的克隆及生物信息学分析

植物细胞中的K^+通道蛋白AKT1(Arabidopsis K^+transpoter 1)主要负责吸收K^+。本研究基于木薯基因组数据库信息,利用PCR技术从木薯中克隆一个MeAKT1基因,该基因全长2634 bp,编码877个氨基酸,生物信息学分析表明MeAKT1含有10个外显子和9个内含子,编码的氨基酸分子量为99.02 kD,等电点为8.43,属于稳定蛋白。MeAKT1包含有5个跨膜区域,N端含有1个Ion_trans结构域,C端有1个KHA结构域,其二级结构以α-螺旋和无规则卷曲为主,进化树分析发现MeAKT1与蓖麻RcAKT1的亲缘关系最近。通过对MeAKT1蛋白的生物信息学分析有助于下一步深入研究MeAKT1在木薯耐贫瘠过程中的功能。     

西葫芦新品种‘京葫36’的选育

‘京葫36’是北京市农林科学院蔬菜研究中心育成的耐寒、适宜长季节栽培的越冬温室专用西葫芦杂交1代新品种,父母本分别为‘07754’和‘0421’。该品种长势旺盛、生长期长、耐低温弱光、株型合理、通风透光性好;低温弱光条件下连续结瓜能力强,瓜码密、产量高,采瓜期可达200 d以上;商品瓜长23~24 cm,粗6~7 cm,瓜条长柱形、粗细均匀,颜色翠绿,光泽度好,品质佳,商品性突出。适合北方越冬温室与春秋大棚种植。2014年5月通过山西省农作物品种审定委员会认定;2017年获得植物新品种权保护。     

稻瘟病菌CAAX蛋白酶MoRce1的功能研究

 蛋白质的翻译后异戊烯化修饰(CAAX修饰)能够介导真核生物中许多重要蛋白质的亚细胞定位以及蛋白与蛋白间的相互作用。稻瘟病菌(Magnaporthe oryzae)引致的稻瘟病是水稻最重要病害之一,造成全球水稻严重减产。为深入了解稻瘟病菌致病机理,更好地防控稻瘟病,我们研究了异戊烯修饰是否影响稻瘟病菌的生长发育和致病性。首先从稻瘟病菌基因组数据库中鉴定到一个稻瘟病菌的异戊烯蛋白酶MoRce1,同源比对发现MoRce1保守结构域在各物种之间变化较大,猜测在不同物种中该蛋白可能出现了功能分化。经同源重组方法敲除MoRCE1基因,发现MoRCE1缺失突变体在胁迫培养条件下细胞壁完整性明显缺陷,但是对营养生长、产孢、萌发以及致病性没有明显影响,说明MoRce1蛋白可能通过参与稻瘟病菌细胞壁合成相关蛋白的异戊烯化修饰进而影响该菌细胞壁的完整性,其具体机制还有待深入研究。     

基于GM(1,1)的天然次生林空间结构预测

【目的】系统地分析已有天然次生林林分空间结构数据,通过灰色模型预测天然次生林林分空间结构各指标未来的发展趋势,对天然林经营具有十分重要的意义。【方法】以湖南大围山自然保护区典型次生林为研究对象,依据结构化森林经营理论,选取了混交度、竞争指数、角尺度、空间密度指数、开阔比数、大小比数、林分综合均质性指数作为天然次生林林分空间结构合理性评价与预测的量化指标,构建了基于GM(1,1)的天然次生林林分空间结构灰色预测模型。模型将2008年林分空间结构各指标的平均值作为初始值,并在研究区设置了面积为20 m×20 m的5个研究样地(M1,M2,M3,M4,M5),利用保护区2008-2018年典型样地林分空间信息,预测了研究区调研样地2019年-2021年林分空间结构各指标未来的变化趋势。【结果】利用精度检验机制对该模型的精确度进行了有效性检验,检验结果表明,所有指标预测合格概率P合=71.43%,良好的概率P良好=22.86%,优的概率P优=5.71%,表明该预测模型符合精度检验要求。【结论】样地未来3 a各指标整体变化尺度不大,林分空间结构基本稳定。从各指标在2008-2018年时空上的变化规律来看,各样地林分平均竞争指数、平均大小比数及平均空间密度指数是影响林分均质性指数的关键指标。     

玉米粉中伏马毒素FB1基体标准物质的评价

为填补我国在伏马毒素基体标准物质的空白,本试验研制了以玉米粉为基体的伏马毒素FB1标准物质,玉米样品经过筛、加标、冷冻干燥、磨粉、混匀、密封分装后,用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)法检验样品的均匀性、稳定性,幵联合多家实验室对玉米粉中伏马毒素FB1含量定值,同时分析样品的不确定度。样品均匀性经斱差分析法表明F值为1.42,小于临界值F_(0.05),且伏马毒素FB1含量在觃定时间6个月内无明显变化。结果表明,均匀性与稳定性均符合标准物质的要求。样品定值为1475.56μg kg~(–1),不确定度为169.98μg kg~(–1)。该标准物质可替代进口标准物质,用于伏马毒素检测过程中的仪器校准、实验室质量控制和操作人员的水平考核等。     

microRNA-124-3p调控H1N1亚型猪流感病毒致小鼠肺损伤的研究

为研究microRNA-124-3p（miR-124-3p）对H1N1亚型猪流感病毒（swine influenza virus，SIV）感染小鼠所致肺损伤的调控作用，本试验构建miR-124-3p腺病毒表达载体，通过小鼠尾部静脉注射法构建miR-124-3p差异表达小鼠模型，试验分3组：过表达组、抑制组和对照组。48 h后，各组小鼠鼻腔接种H1N1亚型SIV，每只10⁵ EID₅₀（50 μL）。连续观察14 d，计算小鼠平均体重变化率、观察病理切片并测定相关炎症因子IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6 mRNA相对表达量。结果显示，已成功将pre-miR序列及其sponge序列插入腺病毒的穿梭质粒，并将其共转染293A细胞。实时荧光定量PCR检测证实，与对照组相比，过表达组和抑制组小鼠黑色素瘤细胞miR-124-3p表达水平分别极显著升高（P<0.01）和显著降低（P<0.05），表明成功构建腺病毒表达载体。过表达组、抑制组和对照组小鼠体重变化率分别为－5.5%、－12.4%和－8.6%。抑制组和对照组均可见肺泡壁增厚，其间有多量淋巴细胞浸润，部分肺泡内出现纤维蛋白渗出，且抑制组病理变化更为严重，肺泡中还有大量的红细胞浸润；而过表达组仅有少量的淋巴细胞浸润，肺脏组织较正常。与对照组相比，过表达组检测的炎症因子IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6 mRNA表达水平均显著降低（P<0.05）；抑制组炎症相关炎症因子mRNA表达水平均显著升高（P<0.05）。本试验结果表明，miR-124-3p对H1N1亚型SIV感染小鼠所致的肺脏炎症因子的表达具有抑制作用，同时能减轻肺脏病理损伤。