Regulatory effect of astragaloside IV on SDF-1α/CXCR4 in EPCs

AIM: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and its mechanism. METHODS: Rat bone marrow-derived EPCs were cultured in vitro. The proliferation, adhesion, migration, apoptosis and tube formation capacity of EPCs treated with AS-IV and AMD3100, a specific blocker of CXCR4, were observed. The effects of AS-IV on the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR4 at mRNA and protein levels and the protein level of p-CXCR4 in the EPCs were determined. RESULTS: AS-IV significantly enhanced the proliferation, adhesion, migration and tube formation abilities of EPCs, reduced the apoptosis of EPCs, and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 and the p-CXCR4 protein level in the EPCs. On the other hand, AMD3100 blocked the up-regulating effect of AS-IV on the mRNA and protein expression of CXCR4 and the p-CXCR4 protein level in the EPCs, but did not affect the effect of AS-IV on the expression of SDF-1α. CONCLUSION: AS-IV might enhance the biological function of EPCs by regulating the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR in EPCs.     

Pyroptosis mediates high glucose-induced inflammation and injury in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts

AIM To investigate whether pyroptosis contributes to the inflammation and injury in mouse embryonic osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 induced by high glucose (HG; 45 mmol/L glucose). METHODS The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 (CASP1) were determined by Western blot. The secretion levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β were measured by ELISA. The intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining followed by photofluorography. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was examined by rhodamine 123 staining followed by photofluorography. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined using the ALP kit, and the number of mineralized nodules was detected by alizarin red S staining. RESULTS After the MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were treated with HG for 24 h, the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and CASP1, and the secretion levels of IL-18 and IL-1β were significantly increased. The decrease in cell viability, and the increases in ROS generation and MMP loss were also observed. Moreover, the differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were inhibited, evidenced by decreases in both ALP activity and mineralized nodule number. Knockdown of CASP1 by siRNA attenuated the HG-induced osteoblast inflammation and injury mentioned above. CONCLUSION Pyroptosis mediates HG-induced inflammation and injury in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.     

Mouse melanoma cell exosomes promote expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts

AIM To investigate the effect of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells on the expression of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) protein in fibroblasts. METHODS Ultracentrifugation was adopted to separete exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells. The morphological structure of exosomes was observed by negative-staining electron microscopy. The size distribution of exosomes was determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101) and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Tyrp2), were identified by Western blot. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the process that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) took in exosomes during co-culture. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Rac1 protein in MEF. RESULTS B16-F10 cell exosomes showed a typical tea tray-like structure, with a size range of 141~255 nm, and expressed protein markers Tsg101 and Tyrp2. The results of laser confocal microscopy showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, a small number of exosomes appeared in the MEF at 12 h, and a large number of exosomes accumulated in the MEF after co-cultured for 24 and 36 h. Western blot analysis showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the expression of Rac1 protein in the MEF was significantly increased at 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.01). The results of immunocytochemical staining showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the positive expression level of Rac1 in the MEF cells was significantly increased at 12 h, 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Intake of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells promotes the expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts.     

Soluble Klotho protein suppresses THP-1-derived foam cell formation

AIMTo investigate the role of soluble Klotho protein in THP-1-derived foam cell formation. METHODSTHP-1 monocytes were induced into macrophages by treatment with 160 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate for 48 h, and then were divided into 6 groups: negative control group (THP-1-derived macrophages), positive control group [THP-1-derived foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 48 h], and 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L soluble Klotho protein groups (THP-1-derived macrophages pretreated with soluble Klotho protein at the indicat?ed concentraions for 2 h and then induced by ox-LDL for 48 h). Lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed by oil red O staining. The cholesterol outflow rate was detected by scintillation counting technique. The content of intracellular total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester was detected by enzyme fluorescence analysis. The expression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 （ACAT1） and ATP-binding cassette transport?er A1 (ABCA1) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTSOil red O staining and lipid mass quantification showed that THP-1-derived foam cell formation was dose-dependently suppressed by soluble Klotho protein. The cholesterol efflux rate of THP-1-derived foam cells was increased by soluble Klotho protein in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, soluble Klotho protein decreased the expression of ACAT1 and increased the expression of ABCA1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The soluble Klotho protein inhibits THP-1-derived foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner by down-regulating the expression of ACAT1 and up-regulating the expression of ABCA1.     

Role of IP3R in LH-EGFR-induced mouse oocyte meiotic resumption

AIM: To explore the effect of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisposphate receptor (IP₃R) in luteinizing hormone-epidermal growth factor receptor (LH-EGFR)-induced oocyte meiotic resumption. METHODS: Models of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexs (COCs) culture and follicle culture in vitro were generated to study the effects of 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borate (2-APB) and heparin (IP₃R specific inhibitors) on LH/EGF-induced oocyte meiotic resumption and EGF-induced cumulus cell expansion. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of cumulus expansion-related factors. The changes of the intracellular calcium level were monitored using Fluo 3-AM, and the cGMP level was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The inhibitors of IP₃R, 2-APB and heparin, dramatically reversed EGF-induced oocyte maturation (P<0.05) and decreased cGMP levels in COCs (P<0.05). In addition, 2-APB and heparin reversed EGF-induced cumulus expansion, and significantly inhibited EGF-induced cumulus expansion-related factor expression (P<0.05). The activation of IP₃R increased intracellular calcium level, and the study found that 2-APB and heparin dramatically reversed EGF-induced elevation of calcium level in cumulus cells (P<0.05). Follicular culture in vitro showed that 2-APB and heparin significantly reversed the LH-induced oocyte maturation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LH-EGFR signaling pathway increases calcium level in cumulus cells through IP₃R, resulting in meiotic resumption.     

四川地区猕猴桃病毒1的RT-PCR检测及外壳蛋白基因序列分析

为了明确近期新西兰报道的侵染猕猴桃的新病毒——猕猴桃病毒1（Actinidia virus 1，AcV-1）在四川地区猕猴桃上的发生情况及其分子特性，采用RT-PCR对来自四川6个地区疑似感染病毒的90份猕猴桃主栽品种‘红阳’和‘金果’的叶片样品进行检测。结果表明，22份样品为AcV-1阳性，检出率为24.4%。将获得的5个AcV-1分离物和已报道的新西兰分离物K75的外壳蛋白（coat protein，CP）基因序列进行比对，结果表明，分离物间核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列的相似性分别为84.8% ~ 97.1%和89.7% ~ 99.6%，其中除邛崃分离物HYH5与新西兰分离物K75的核苷酸序列相似性较高（97.1%）外，其余4个分离物均低于91%。系统进化分析结果显示，这些分离物主要聚集在3个分支上，分离物HYH5与新西兰分离物K75位于同一分支，其余分离物位于另外2个分支。     

羊角椒新品种寿研梦扬的选育

寿研梦扬是由母本CSVHPM1407001和父本CSVHPF1407002配制而成的羊角椒一代杂种。植株长势旺盛,连续坐果能力强;果实长羊角形,果长25～30 cm,果肩宽3～4 cm;青熟果黄绿色,老熟果红色;外表光亮,商品性好,耐贮运;单果质量100 g左右,辣味浓,宜鲜食;田间对病毒病、炭疽病和疫病的抗性强于对照喜洋洋。保护地栽培鲜椒产量可达12 840 kg·(667 m~2)~(-1)左右。适宜山东、河北等地区早春、秋延保护地种植。     

黑甜糯玉米新品种黑甜糯639的选育

黑甜糯639是以糯玉米自交系HNF为母本,以甜玉米自交系D91为父本配制而成的黑甜糯玉米一代杂种。生育期为91 d(天),株高263 cm,穗位151 cm,雄穗主轴与分枝角度中等,一级分枝18～23个,果穗筒型,籽粒黑紫色,甜糯籽粒比例为1∶3,籽粒可溶性糖含量为12.5%,支链淀粉占总淀粉含量的98.1%,口感佳。高抗丝黑穗病、茎腐病、大斑病,抗穗腐病和矮花叶病,平均每667 m~2鲜穗产量900 kg左右。适宜在山西省鲜食糯玉米主产区种植。     

早熟松散型花椰菜新品种优松58的选育

优松58是以细胞质雄性不育系HZ-28为母本,以自交系HL-94为父本配制而成的早熟松散型花椰菜一代杂种。华北地区秋露地从定植至收获60 d(天)左右。株型半直立,生长势强,叶片椭圆形,深绿色,叶缘多波浪;花球半球形,白色,球面光滑,花梗绿,口感脆嫩、甜,品质优,单球质量1.0 kg左右。常规栽培平均每667 m~2产量2 000 kg以上,可适当密植,田间对霜霉病、黑腐病的抗性强于对照津松62,适合北京、天津、河北、河南、山东、安徽等地秋季露地栽培。     

辣椒新品种桂牛5号的选育

桂牛5号是以自交系Ca1-5-1为母本,以自交系Ca1-3-8为父本配制而成的牛角椒一代杂种。中早熟,植株生长势较强,连续坐果能力强;果实长牛角形,果长25～30 cm,果肩宽3.5～4.0 cm,单果质量125 g左右;青熟果黄绿色,老熟果鲜红色,商品性好,微辣,果实干物质含量7.88%,VC含量1?530 mg · kg~(-1),辣椒素含量0.023%,宜鲜食,耐贮运;田间对病毒病、炭疽病、疫病的抗性强于对照黄美龙,露地栽培鲜椒产量3?500 kg · (667 m~2)~(-1)左右,适宜广西、广东等地春、秋露地种植。