Knockdown of HMGA2 gene inhibits TGF-β1-induced human embryonic lung fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis

AIM: To investigate the effects of high mobility group A2(HMGA2) gene knockdown on the cell viability, apoptosis, collagen synthesis and oxidative stress of human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). METHODS: The HELF were divided into blank group, TGF-β1 group,negative control (NC) group and HMGA2 siRNA(si-HMGA2) group. The protein levels of HMGA2, AKT and p-AKT were determined by Western blot. The cell viability and apoptotic rate was analyzed by MTT assay and flow cytometry,respectively. The mRNA expression of collagen I (COL-Ⅰ) and COL-Ⅲ was detected by RT-qPCR. DCFH-DA was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RESULTS: Compared with blank group, the protein levels of HMGA2 and p-AKT, the cell viability, the mRNA expression of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ in TGF-β1 group were significantly increased, but the apoptotic rate and ROS level were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with TGF-β1 group, the protein levels of HMGA2 and p-AKT, the cell viability, the mRNA expression of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ in si-HMGA2 group were significantly decreased, but the apoptotic rate and ROS level were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Knockdown of HMGA2 gene expression decreases the viability and collagen synthesis, and promotes apoptosis and ROS production of human embryonic lung fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

Effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus

AIM:To investigate the effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus. METHODS:The asthmatic rat model induced by respiratory syncytial virus was established. The experimental rats were divided into normal group, asthma model group, low dose (0.33 mL/kg), middle dose (3.0 mL/kg) and high dose (10 mL/kg) of Kechuanning groups, and PD98059 (3 mg/kg) group. The airway responsiveness of the rats was measured by animal ventilator. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining. PAS staining and Masson staining were used to observe goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the lung tissues of the rats was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the airway responsiveness of the rats in middle dose and high dose of Kechuanning groups was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the injury of lung tissues was significantly decreased, the goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissues was also significantly decreased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in high dose of Kechuanning group was significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Kechuanning may treat asthma by regulating the expression of p-ERK1/2 in the lung tissues and improving the airway remodeling symptoms of asthmatic rats induced by virus.     

Protective efficacy of an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine produced from Re-11, Re-12, and H7-Re2 strains against challenge with different H5 and H7 viruses in chickens

We developed an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine by using Re-11, Re-12, and H7-Re2 vaccine seed viruses, which were generated by reverse genetics and derived their HA genes from A/duck/Guizhou/S4184/2017(H5 N6)(DK/GZ/S4184/17)(a clade 2.3.4.4 d virus), A/chicken/Liaoning/SD007/2017(H5 N1)(CK/LN/SD007/17)(a clade 2.3.2.1 d virus), and A/chicken/Guangxi/SD098/2017(H7 N9)(CK/GX/SD098/17), respectively. The protective efficacy of this novel vaccine and that of the recently used H5/H7 bivalent inactivated vaccine against different H5 and H7 N9 viruses was evaluated in chickens. We found that the H5/H7 bivalent vaccine provided solid protection against the H7 N9 virus CK/GX/SD098/17, but only 50–60% protection against different H5 viruses. In contrast, the novel H5/H7 trivalent vaccine provided complete protection against the H5 and H7 viruses tested. Our study underscores the importance of timely updating of vaccines for avian influenza control.     

芹菜水孔蛋白基因AgPIP2;1的克隆及其对非生物胁迫的响应

为了研究芹菜质膜内在蛋白基因的序列特征及其在非生物胁迫条件下的表达特性,探讨其抗逆功能,以芹菜品种六合黄心芹为试验材料,通过RT-PCR技术克隆AgPIP2;1基因,通过生物信息学软件分析其核苷酸和氨基酸序列特征,并采用荧光定量PCR技术检测其在不同组织的表达及其对非生物胁迫的响应。结果表明,AgPIP2;1基因含有1个861 bp的开放阅读框,编码286个氨基酸,其编码的蛋白属于PIP2类蛋白。氨基酸序列分析显示,AgPIP2;1含有高度保守的NPA基序以及高等植物PIP蛋白的保守序列,与其他物种PIP2类蛋白具有较高的同源性,与胡萝卜DcPIP2;1的氨基酸序列同源性达到97.90%。在亲缘关系上与大豆GmPIP2;1、胡萝卜DcPIP2;1和绿豆VrPIP2;1较为接近。实时荧光定量PCR技术分析表明,AgPIP2;1基因在芹菜根、叶柄和叶片中均有表达,其中在叶片中的表达量最高,在根中的表达量最低,呈现比较明显的组织特异性。此外,AgPIP2;1基因受到高温、低温、干旱和盐等非生物胁迫的诱导,说明该基因可能参与芹菜抵御非生物胁迫的过程。本研究为进一步了解AgPIP2;1基因的功能及其在非生物胁迫中的作用奠定了基础。     

铁皮石斛PRC2复合体成员的鉴定及对胁迫响应的表达分析

为了探讨PRC2复合体在铁皮石斛生长发育和胁迫响应中的功能,通过生物信息学方法筛选了铁皮石斛PRC2核心成员DcCLF、DcSWN、DcEMF2、DcFIE和DcMSI1,借助酵母双杂交技术分析了它们之间的互作关系,利用半定量PCR分析了PRC2核心成员的组织表达谱,通过荧光定量PCR检测了它们对非生物胁迫(低温、高温、脱水)和病害胁迫(齐整小核菌、灰葡萄孢霉菌)的响应情况。结果表明,铁皮石斛PRC2复合体包含5个成员:E(z)同源基因DcCLF和DcSWN、Su(z)12基因DcEMF2、ESC基因DcFIE、p55基因DcMSI1,且这5个成员间的互作关系基本符合模式植物的互作模式,也存在物种特异性,表明PRC2复合体在进化中既有保守性也有特殊性。PRC2核心成员在铁皮石斛根、茎、叶、花蕾、成花中均有表达,但不同基因的表达存在组织差异性。同时,PRC2成员响应不同的环境和病害胁迫:DcCLF受低温、高温和脱水等各种环境胁迫的显著诱导;DcMSI1和DcEMF2在齐整小核菌侵染下表达明显上调,而DcSWN在灰葡萄孢霉菌侵染下受诱导程度最大。铁皮石斛PRC2复合体在生长发育和胁迫应答中发挥重要作用,可为分子辅助育种提供关键靶标基因。     

GFDL-ESM2M气候模式下京津冀地区未来潜在蒸散量时空变化

为探究未来潜在蒸散量时空变化特征,该研究以京津冀地区为例,基于美国GFDL提供的GFDL-ESM2M全球气候模式,得到京津冀地区92个格点2000-2050年的平均气温、最高气温、最低气温、太阳总辐射、平均相对湿度和近地面平均风速,应用Penman-Monteith公式计算京津冀地区未来92个格点的逐日潜在蒸散量(ET0),分析其时空分布特征及其与气象要素的相关关系。结果表明:未来年ET0总体呈增加趋势,RCP8.5情景下ET0上升速度最快,且随着时间推移增幅越来越大。夏季ET0增长速度最快,其次为春季、秋季与冬季,意味着未来ET0季节差异将愈加明显,可能出现更为严重的季节性干旱。ET0空间分布呈由西南向东北逐渐递减趋势,其中中部地区增速最快,增长趋势由中部向南北递减。不同气候情景下平均气温均呈逐年上升趋势,风速、太阳总辐射略微上升,而相对湿度下降。ET0与太阳总辐射的相关系数最大,呈由东北向西南递增趋势,其次为最高气温,呈由西北向东南递增趋势。ET0与相对湿度变化呈显著负相关,相关系数绝对值呈东北向西南递增趋势,ET0与风速相关度不明显。该研究可为农业需水预测与灌溉管理、科学应对气候变化提供基础支撑。     

CeO2添加比例对Fe基催化剂催化纤维素气化制氢的影响

为研究CeO2添加对生物质催化气化制氢特性的影响，该研究采用分级气化系统分析了不同CeO2/Fe2O3比例（Ce∶Fe摩尔比为0∶1、3∶7、5∶5、7∶3、1∶0）双金属催化剂对纤维素水蒸气催化重整制氢气体产物产量、组成以及催化剂的结构演变特性的影响。结果表明，CeO2/Fe2O3催化剂在制氢反应中的催化性能明显优于纯CeO2或Fe2O3催化剂，当Ce∶Fe摩尔比为3∶7时，在800℃下氢气的最大产率为21.63 mmol/g（以纤维素计，下同）；当温度大于等于800℃时，催化剂氧化还原反应后可生成CeFeO3，且CeFeO3的存在对纤维素水蒸气气化过程有促进作用。CeO2的引入提高了催化剂的氧化性能和稳定性，提高了使用寿命。该研究对生物质气化机制的深入理解具有一定的指导意义。