Effect of miR-29b-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-29b (miR-29b)-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.METHODS: Hepatic liver fibrosis rat model was established, and its HSC were isolated. Normal rat HSC were also obtained and identified in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of miR-29b, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and liver fibrosis marker proteins in the acquired cells. Finally, the direct targeting binding of miR-29b to TGF-β1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS: With the activation of HSC, the expression of miR-29b gradually decreased (P<0.01), while the expression of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin gradually increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of Smad2/3/4 was significantly increased, and the expression of Smad7 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29b bound directly to "UCUCUCCGU" in the 3'UTR of TGF-β1, indicating that TGF-β1 was a downstream target gene of miR-29b.CONCLUSION: miR-29b may be involved in the inhibition of HSC activation and migration, thereby inhibiting the process of liver fibrosis. The biological function of miR-29b may be through the direct targeting of TGF-β1, thus regulating and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.     

荔枝果皮花色苷生物合成及调控机理研究进展

荔枝是无患子科荔枝属的亚热带常绿果树,具有很高的商业价值。荔枝果皮色泽由多种色素决定,是影响消费者需求的重要品质性状。果实着色是花色苷积累的结果,荔枝果皮花色苷的生物合成是一个复杂的过程,主要由遗传背景决定,同时受内外环境影响。本文重点介绍荔枝果皮花色苷的生物合成途径,从外界环境、生理生化以及分子生物学等方面,对花色苷积累的调控机制进行综述,并展望该领域的研究方向,为提升荔枝果实的色泽品质提供重要参考。     

Preliminary Study on NF-κB Signaling Pathway Regulating Brucella Intracellular Survival Molecular Mechanisms

By the infection of Brucella virulent strain and attenuated strain in mice macrophage RAW264.7,the assay was aimed to explore the relationship between NF-κB signaling pathways and Brucella virulent strain and attenuated strain in intracellular survival.Use different MOI Brucella (2308,RB51,16M and M5) to infect mice macrophage RAW264.7,after 0,4,8 and 24 h infected,cracking cell and collecting supernatant,we detected the effect of Brucella on activation of NF-κB signaling pathway by Western blotting.Different concentrations of NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor were incubated with mice macrophage RAW264.7,with different multiplicities of infection (MOI) of Brucella infecting cells,ELISA kits to detect the expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine;At the same time,count the number of intracellular bacteria of CFU.The results showed that rough cattle Brucella strains RB51 could strongly activate NF-κB signaling pathway,smooth cattle Brucella strains 2308 was weak in the activation;At the same time,the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway was concentration dependent.When the MOI was 80,infection time was 8 h,NF-κB activation degrees of rough cattle Brucella strains RB51 and smooth cattle Brucella strains 2308 were the strongest,and this pathway was involved in producing TNF-α and IL-6;NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor BAY11-7082 affected Brucella intracellular survival.So rough cattle Brucella strains RB51 intracellular survival and NF-κB signaling pathway activity were closely related.The results laid the foundation for the further study of Brucella intracellular pathogenesis,also provided scientific basis for the research of new drugs to Brucella,and prevention and treatment of brucellosis.     

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein up-regulates endothelin receptors in mouse mesenteric artery through p38 MAPK pathway

AIMTo investigate whether minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) affects the quantity and activity of endothelin （ET） type A (ET_A) and type B (ET_B) receptors in mouse mesenteric artery by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathway. METHODSThe KM mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group (injection of NS via caudal vein), mmLDL group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein), LDL group (injection of LDL via caudal vein), mmLDL+SB 203580 group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of p38 MAPK pathway specific inhibitor SB 203580) and mmLDL+DMSO group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of DMSO). Mesenteric artery ring segment vasoconstriction dose-response curves affected by sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) and ET-1 were recorded by the myography system. The mRNA levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor, IL-6, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NF-κB and p-NF-κB were determined by Western blot. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. RESULTSThe contractile responses of the blood vessel segments to S6c and ET-1 were significantly increased by mmLDL (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ET_A receptor, ET_B receptor, and IL-6 significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB were significantly increased (P<0.01). The serum level of IL-6 was significantly increased (P<0.01). These effects of mmLDL were inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580. CONCLUSION mmLDL increses the serum concentration of IL-6, up-regulates the expression of IL-6, ET_A receptor and ET_B receptor in mouse mesenteric artery, and enhances the vasoconstriction function medi?ated by ET_A and ET_B receptors, which is related to the activation of p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway and downstream NF-κB pathway.     

基于REE示踪的土壤团聚体破碎转化路径定量表征

土壤团聚体破碎转化路径是坡面侵蚀过程研究的难点问题之一。目前团聚体破碎转化路径的定量表征仍不明晰,一定程度上限制了土壤侵蚀过程中泥沙分选搬运机制的深入研究。基于大样带调查选取6种不同质地的典型农耕地土壤为研究对象,结合稀土元素(Rare Earth Elements,REE)示踪方法,综合分析不同粒径土壤团聚体(5~2,2~1,1~0.5,0.5~0.25,<0.25 mm)和不同径流扰动周期(24 h,7天)对REE吸附和解吸能力的影响,探究REE示踪不同粒径土壤团聚体破碎转化的可行性,定量表征了土壤团聚体破碎转化路径。结果表明:REE与土壤团聚体的实际吸附浓度低于施放浓度,2~1,1~0.5,0.5~0.25,<0.25 mm土壤团聚体的REE吸附浓度与黏粒含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05);径流扰动影响对吸附于土壤团聚体的REE解吸作用十分微弱,解吸浓度仅占REE实际吸附浓度的0.001%~0.139%。5~2,2~1,1~0.5,05~0.25,<0.25 mm土壤团聚体经过湿筛后向各粒径转化的路径基本相同,向<0.25 mm微团聚体转化为土壤团聚体破碎的主要路径。相较于粉粒、黏粒含量较高的土壤团聚体,砂粒含量较高的土壤团聚体向1~0.5,0.5~0.25 mm粒径的转化贡献率整体偏低。基于REE示踪得到的>0.25 mm各粒径团聚体质量整体被低估,低估范围为-27.96%^-11.08%;而<0.25 mm团聚体质量则被高估,高估范围为3.65%~22.73%。基于各粒径土壤团聚体的REE量化值建立了校正关系,可将计算相对误差降低至0.04%~16.24%。     

CUDC-907 induces DNA damage and autophagy in glioma cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of CUDC-907, a dual histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, on the DNA damage, cell cycle distribution and autophagy in human glioma U251 cells. METHODS:U251 cells were treated with CUDC-907 of different concentrations, and the cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The quantitative γ-H2AX foci were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The cell cycle distribution of U251 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS:CUDC-907 inhibited the cell viability and the phosphorylation of Akt and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70s6K) in the U251 cells (P<0.05). In CUDC-907-treated cells, the number of γ-H2AX foci and protein expression of γ-H2AX were increased significantly (P<0.05). CUDC-907 also induced cell arrest in the G₂/M phase by up-regulating the expression of p21, and inhibiting the protein level of cyclin B1 and the phosphorylation of cell division cycle protein 2 (Cdc2). In addition, CUDC-907 triggered cell autophagy, and inhibition of autophagy increased CUDC-907-induced DNA damage of U251 cells. CONCLUSION:CUDC-907 significantly inhibits PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, induces DNA damage and arrests cell cycle in G₂/M phase. Blockage of autophagy promotes CUDC-907-induced DNA damage of U251 cells.     

猪链球菌蛋白表面展示系统的构建及展示蛋白的初步观察

为构建猪链球菌(Streptococcus suis)蛋白表面展示系统,本研究通过序列分析,确定猪链球菌的LPxTG蛋白及其信号肽(SP)和胞壁锚定基序(CWA),通过PCR扩增Peno-SP、GFP、CWA的DNA片段并融合,构建强启动子Peno控制表达编码SP-GFP-CWA融合蛋白的DNA片段,将该重组DNA片段连接pSET2载体,获得蛋白表面展示质粒,转化猪链球菌,构建得到以GFP为报告蛋白的猪链球菌蛋白表面展示系统。结果显示,利用猪链球菌的10个LPxTG蛋白及其SP和CWA序列,构建了10个含有Peno-SP-GFP-CWA融合片段的重组pSET2表面蛋白展示质粒pSsPSD1至pSsPSD10,分别转化猪链球菌05ZYH33,PCR鉴定显示其中7个转化猪链球菌。采用western blot初步检测其展示蛋白,结果显示,7个转化阳性菌株均能有效表达GFP蛋白,以成熟GFP条带为指标,均表现出了一定的外源GFP表面展示水平,分别命名为SsPSD1、SsPSD2、SsPSD4、SsPSD7-SsPSD10,其中SsPSD1、SsPSD4、SsPSD8和SsPSD9表面展示水平相对较好,在猪链球菌表面展示外源蛋白方面具有很好的潜力。本研究首次尝试建立猪链球菌蛋白表面展示系统,为猪链球菌表面递呈外源蛋白或抗原提供了新的策略。     

玉米霜霉病的侵染途径及防治措施

系统综述了玉米霜霉病的症状表现、发生规律和防治措施等方面的研究进展.加强进境植物检疫、及时清除病残体和选育高抗的玉米品种是防治玉米霜霉病的重中之重.     

绵羊卵泡发育过程中关键信号通路研究进展

卵泡从原始卵泡发育为成熟卵泡，直至排卵、黄体发育等过程都受到精密的调控，产生大量的优势卵泡是绵羊产多羔及实现快速扩繁的关键因素。研究发现，相关信号通路和转录因子通过影响绵羊卵泡中卵母细胞、颗粒细胞的生长，进而调控卵泡的发育成熟，对这些信号通路进行深入了解，有助于探索卵泡发育的调控机制，早日实现绵羊高效繁育。Notch是卵泡发育过程中发挥重要作用的高度保守信号通路，PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路各成员都是广泛存在于细胞内的信号转导分子，在卵泡发育早期发挥了主要作用，还有间隙连接（gap junction，GJ）和跨带突触（transzonal projections，TZPs）等物理连接方式，在细胞间的交流通讯起到重要作用。作者详细介绍了Notch信号通路、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路、间隙连接及跨带突触的结构功能在绵羊卵泡发育中的调控作用，为进一步探明绵羊卵泡发育的调控机制提供参考。     

Mechanism of JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway in ischemic postconditio-ning neuroprotection after cerebral ischemia in tree shrews

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effect of JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway on the neuroprotection of ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) in tree shrews, and to explore the mechanisms of cerebral injury deterioration after inhibiting the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. METHODS: The model of thrombotic cerebral ischemia was induced by photochemical reaction in tree shrews and the IPoC was established at 4 h after ischemia followed by clipping ipsilateral common carotid artery on the ischemia side for 5 min (3 times). After IPoC and intracerebroventricular injection of AG490 (JAK2 inhibitor), the changes of cerebral infarction area were detected by TTC staining, and the histological and ultrastructural changes of cortical neurons were observed under light and electron microscopes, respectively. The protein levels of t-STAT3 and p-STAT3 in the cortical tissue were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The neuronal pycnosis, mitochondrial swelling and vanish of the mitochondrial cristae were found in cortical cortex, and the infarction area was (24.78±3.30)% at 24 h after cerebral ischemia. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation level of STAT3 protein in the cortical tissue was significantly increased (P<0.01). The cortical neuronal damage and mitochondrial swelling were decreased after IPoC, the area of cerebral infarction was significantly reduced to (17.67±1.83)% (P<0.01), and the phosphorylation level of STAT3 protein was further increased (P<0.01). However, the neuronal damage was aggravated, the infarction area was expanded to (23.85±2.77)%(P<0.05) after treatment with AG490, and the phosphorylation level of STAT3 protein was also significantly reduced (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: IPoC may reduce cerebral injury by regulating the phosphorylation of STAT3 protein, and inhibition of JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway may counteract the cerebral protective effect of IPoC and aggravate brain injury.