Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in bovine luteal cells induced by prostaglandin F2α, interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α

We recently demonstrated that luteal cells flow out from the ovary via lymphatic vessels during luteolysis. However, the regulatory mechanisms of the outflow of luteal cells are not known. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade the extracellular matrix and basal membrane, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) inhibit the activity of MMPs. To test the hypothesis that MMP expression in luteal cells is regulated by luteolytic factors, we investigated the effects of prostaglandin F2α (PGF), interferon γ (IFNG) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) on the mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMPs in cultured luteal cells. Luteal cells obtained from the CL at the mid-luteal stage (days 8–12 after ovulation) were cultured with PGF (0.01, 0.1, 1 μM), IFNG (0.05, 0.5, 5 nM) and TNF (0.05, 0.5, 0.5 nM) alone or in combination for 24 h. PGF and IFNG significantly increased the expression of MMP-1 mRNA. In addition, 1 μM PGF in combination with 5 nM IFNG stimulated MMP-1 and MMP-9 mRNA expression significantly more than either treatment alone. In contrast, IFNG significantly decreased the level of MMP-14 mRNA. The mRNA expression of TIMP-1, which preferentially inhibits MMP-1, was suppressed by 5 nM INFG. One μM PGF and 5 nM IFNG suppressed TIMP-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest a new role of MMPs: luteal MMPs stimulated by PGF and IFNG break down the extracellular matrix surrounding luteal cells, which accelerates detachment from the CL during luteolysis, providing an essential prerequisite for outflow of luteal cells from the CL to lymphatic vessels.     

Mdivi-1, mitochondrial fission inhibitor,impairs developmental competence and mitochondrial function of embryos and cells in pigs

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that undergo constant fusion/fission as well as activities orchestrated by large dynamin-related GTPases. These dynamic mitochondrial processes influence mitochondrial morphology, size and function. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mitochondrial fission inhibitor, mdivi-1, on developmental competence and mitochondrial function of porcine embryos and primary cells. Presumptive porcine embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with mdivi-1 (0, 10 and 50 μM) for 6 days. Porcine fibroblast cells were cultured in growth medium with mdivi-1 (0 and 50 μM) for 2 days. Our results showed that the rate of blastocyst production and cell growth in the mdivi-1 (50 μM) treated group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in the mdivi-1 (50 μM) treated group was increased relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Subsequent evaluation revealed that the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the apoptotic index were increased by mdivi-1 (50 μM) treatment (P < 0.05). Finally, the expression of mitochondrial fission-related protein (Drp 1) was lower in the embryos and cells in the mdivi-1-treated group than the control group. Taken together, these results indicate that mdivi-1 treatment may inhibit developmental competence and mitochondrial function in porcine embryos and primary cells.     

RNAi-mediated knockdown of INHBB increases apoptosis and inhibits steroidogenesis in mouse granulosa cells

Inhibins are members of the TGFβ superfamily and act as suppressors of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from pituitary glands via a negative feedback mechanism to regulate folliculogenesis. In this study, the INHBB gene was knocked down by three RNAi-Ready pSIREN-RetroQ-ZsGreen vector- mediated recombinant plasmids to explore the effects of INHBB silencing on granulosa cell (GC) cell cycle, apoptosis and steroid production in vitro. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, flow cytometry and ELISA were performed to evaluate the role of INHBB in the mouse GC cell cycle, apoptosis and steroid production in vitro. The results showed that the relative mRNA and protein expression of INHBB in mouse GCs can be significantly reduced by RNAi with pshRNA-B1, pshRNA-B2 and pshRNA-B3 plasmids, with pshRNA-B3 having the best knockdown efficiency. Downregulation of the expression of INHBB significantly arrests cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and increases the apoptosis rate in GCs. This was further confirmed by downregulation of the protein expressions of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E and Bcl2, while the protein expression of Bax was upregulated. In addition, specific downregulation of INHBB markedly decreased the concentration of estradiol and progesterone, which was further validated by the decrease in the mRNA levels of CYP19A1and CYP11A1. These findings suggest that inhibin βB is important in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle progression in granulosa cells. Furthermore, the inhibin βB subunit has a role in the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis. Evidence is accumulating to support the concept that inhibin βB is physiologically essential for early folliculogenesis in the mouse.     

鼠源细胞TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

为对鼠源细胞进行鉴别检测,以鼠线粒体16S rRNA基因序列为靶位点设计特异性引物及探针,建立实时荧光定量PCR检测方法,并评价该方法的特异性及敏感性。结果显示,所建立的检测方法特异性好,针对鼠源细胞基因组荧光定量PCR扩增曲线良好,其他物种来源细胞基因组及生物制品原辅材料未出现特异性扩增曲线;敏感性高,基因拷贝数检出限度为45.3拷贝。本试验建立的荧光定量PCR检测方法能够有效地对鼠源细胞进行快速检测,为细胞质量控制提供了有效方法。     

Salvianolate attenuates oxidative stress injury of human endothelial EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To investigate the effect of salvianolate on oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells.METHODS: EA.hy926 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups:control group, damage group, and anti-damage groups (salvianolate+damage groups). The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The migration ability of the EA.hy926 cells was detected by Transwell assay. The content of nitric oxide (NO) in the culture supernatant of the EA.hy926 cells was examined. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by ELISA. The apoptosis,mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular superoxide anion content of the EA.hy926 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, NF-κB and p53 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with damage group, the viability of EA.hy926 cells pretreated with salvianolate at different concentrations was significantly increased (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Savianolate enhanced the migration ability of the cells. The levels of VEGF, NO and mitochondrial transmembrane potential were increased (P<0.05), and the intracellular ROS level was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The protein levels of NF-κB, p53, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly decreased, and the protein level of Bcl-2 was markedly increased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Savianolate reduces the damage of EA.hy926 cells by hydrogen peroxide exposure, and its mechanism may be related to the blocking of NF-κB signaling pathway.     

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。     

甲状腺素对猪小肠上皮细胞miR-let-7a基因表达及细胞增殖的影响

miR-let-7a在动物细胞的分化、增殖与凋亡等方面发挥越来越重要的作用。甲状腺激素(TH)作用非常广泛,机体的每个细胞几乎都是TH作用的靶细胞,其可以促进组织分化、生长和成熟。本实验用甲状腺素(T4)浓度分别为(0、0.02、0.03、0.05、0.075、0.1、0.2μmol/L)在体外培养猪的小肠上皮细胞。结果表明:T4处理组的细胞体积形态相对于空白对照组没有明显变化;当T4添加浓度为0.03μmol/L时,细胞的增殖率显著低于其他组(P0.05);当T4浓度为0~0.03μmol/L时,let-7a的表达随着添加剂量的增加而升高,浓度从0.03~0.2μmol/L变化时,let-7a的表达呈现降低趋势,浓度为0.03μmol/L时表达量极显著高于其他组(P0.01)。let-7a的表达量与细胞增殖呈负相关。     

Identification and establishment of sorting method for isolating CD11b+ myeloid cells in human hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

AIM: To establish a method for obtaining specific cells in solid tumor tissue by sorting of CD11b⁺ myeloid cells in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.METHODS: Tumor tissues were prepared into single cell suspension by mechanical method combined with enzyme digestion, and then the CD11b⁺ myeloid cells were isolated by flow cytometry. The sorted cells were identified by immunocytochemistry. The viability and morphologiy of the sorted cells were evaluated by Giemsa and Typan blue staining. The cell purity was evaluated by flow cytometry.RESULTS: Sufficient numbers of CD11b⁺ cells with high purity were isolated by sorting with flow cytometry from the single cell suspension prepared by mechanical and enzyme digestion. The purity of the cells was confirmed by statistical analysis (P<0.05). The positive rates of the cells before and after sorting were significantly different (P<0.01). The positive cells were verified by immunocytochemical method. Meanwhile, the sorted cells had complete morphology and good activity.CONCLUSION: The CD11b⁺ myeloid cells in solid tumor tissue can be isolated by flow cytometry from the machine-enzyme digestion suspension with high purity, good activity and complete morphology.