Hyperbaric oxygen therapy activates CREB/BDNF signaling pathway to reduce synaptic damage in hippocampal neurons of Alzheimer disease mice

AIM To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on synaptic damage of hippocampal neurons in APP/PS1 transgenic (TG) mice and its possible mechanism. METHODS The 6-month-old male APP/PS1 TG mice were randomly divided into TG group, HBO group and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) inhibitor H89 group, with 10 mice in each group. Ten male wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice of the same age were used as negative control group (WT group). The mice in HBO and H89 groups were treated with HBO for 6 cycles, while the mice in WT group and TG group were not treated. The learning and memory abilities were observed by Morris water maze. The nesting ability of the mice was detected by nesting test. The Nissl bodies in hippocampal neurons were observed by Nissl staining. The mRNA expression of CREB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus was detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of synapsin (SYN), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), CREB, phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and BDNF in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with WT group, the learning and memory abilities of the mice in TG group were signilficantly reduced (P<0.05). In addition, the nesting score, the number of Nissl bodies in the hippocampal neurons, the mRNA expression of CREB and BDNF, and the protein levels of SYN, PSD95, GAP43, p-CREB and BDNF were also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with TG group, the learning and memory abilities of the mice in HBO group were improved (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the nesting scores of the mice were significantly increased (P<0.05), the neurons in the hippocampus were arranged neatly, and the number of Nissl bodies, the relative mRNA expression of CREB and BDNF,and the protein levels of SYN, PSD95, GAP43, p-CREB and BDNF were also increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with HBO group, the mice in H89 group had poor learning and memory abilities, lowered nesting scores and decreased number of Nissl bodies. Futhermore, the relative mRNA expression of CREB and BDNF, and the protein levels of SYN, PSD95, GAP43, p-CREB and BDNF were also decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION HBO improves the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 TG mice, and its mechanism may be related to activating the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway to reduce synaptic damage of hippocampal neurons in mice.     

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.     

Resveratrol protects cortical neurons in infant rats with bacterial meningitis through miR-223-3p/NLRP3 pathway

AIM To investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (Res) on cortical neurons in rat bacterial meningitis (BM) model. METHODS Group B hemolytic Streptococcus was injected via the posterior cistern to establish a BM model. Resveratrol was administered intranasally and microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) antagomir was administered by intracerebroventricular injection. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the brain tissue. Loeffler scoring method was used to evaluate the neurobehavioral functions. TUNEL staining was used to detect neuronal apoptosis. The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The protein levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were determined by Western blot. The expression level of miR-223-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. Online software TargetScan was used to search for the complementary nucleotide sequences between miR-223-3p and NLRP3 mRNA. RESULTS Compared with sham group, the thickness of meninges in BM model was increased, the neurological score was decreased (P<0.05), and the number of TUNEL positive neurons was increased significantly (P<0.05). Astrocytes and microglia were activated, the fluorescence intensity of IL-1β and IL-18 was increased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and miR-223-3p were increased (P<0.05). Compared with BM group, after treatment with resveratrol, the neurological score was increased (P<0.05), the number of TUNEL positive neurons was decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the inflammatory response of astrocytes and microglia was suppressed. The fluorescence intensity of IL-1β and IL-18 was decreased (P<0.05), the protein levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased (P<0.05), and the expression level of miR-223-3p was increased (P<0.05). A nucleotide sequence in the 3'-UTR of NLRP3 mRNA might be targeted by miR-223-3p. In the brain of rat BM model, compared with antagomir control group, the expression of NLRP3 was increased in miR-223-3p antagomir group with resveratrol treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Resveratrol may reduce the inflammatory death of cortical neurons in BM model of infant rats through miR-223-3p/NLRP3 pathway, thus playing a protective role for the neurons.     

Panax notoginseng saponins suppress oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced pyroptosis of SH-SY5Y cells

AIM To investigate the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on pyroptosis of SH-SY5Y cells induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). METHODS The OGD/R was conducted to induce ischemia/reperfusion injury in SH-SY5Y cells. The effects of PNS on the viability (detected by CCK-8 assay) and membrane permeability [indicated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and propidium iodide (PI) staining positive cell proportion] of OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells were observed. The protein levels of gasdermin D (GSDMD), GSDMD N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-N), caspase-1 and caspase-4, and the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in the cells were also determined. RESULTS After exposure to OGD/R, the viability of SH-SY5Y cells dramatically decreased (P<0.01), while the LDH leakage, the PI staining positive cell proportion, the protein levels of GSDMD, GSDMD-N, caspase-1 and caspase-4, and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased (P<0.01). However, PNS treatment enhanced the viability of SH-SY5Y cells inhibited by OGD/R (P<0.01), but reduced the leakage of LDH and the percentage of PI staining positive cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, PNS reversed the increases in the protein levels of GSDMD, GSDMD-N, caspase-1 and caspase-4 and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 in OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Treatment with PNS alleviates OGD/R-induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells. Its mechanism may be related to inhibition of SH-SY5Y cell pyroptosis induced by OGD/R.     

Down-regulation of miR-153-3p attenuates H2O2-induced H9C2 cell injury by promoting Nrf2 expression

AIM To study the effect of microRNA-153-3p (miR-153-3p) knock-down on oxidative injury of H9C2 cells induced by H₂O₂ and its specific mechanism. METHODS The oxidative stress injury of H9C2 cell model was induced by H₂O₂, and then the cell viability and the expression of miR-153-3p were detected by MTT assay and RT-qPCR, respectively. The effects of miR-153-3p knock-down on the H9C2 cell injury under oxidative stress were studied by RNA interference technology. The targets of miR-153-3p were identified by Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS MTT assay showed that the viability of H9C2 cells was decreased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.05). The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression of miR-153-3p was increased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.05). Knock-down of miR-153-3p increased the viability of H9C2 cells under oxidative stress, decreased the cell apoptosis and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2（Nrf2） and antioxidant response element（ARE） activity were increased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.01). TargetScan analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that Nrf2 was one of the potential target genes of miR-153-3p. The results of Western blot further showed that over-expression of miR-153-3p inhibited the expression of Nrf2 (P<0.01), while down-regulation of miR-153-3p increased the expression of Nrf2 (P<0.01). Dual interference with Nrf2 and miR-153-3p significantly reduced H9C2 cell viability， promoted the apoptosis, increased MDA content, and decreased SOD activity in the presence of H₂O₂ (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Inhibition of miR-153-3p expression attenuates the injury of H9C2 cells induced by H₂O₂ through up-regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.     

芜菁Br14-3-3的克隆及其在非生物胁迫下的表达分析

克隆了‘津田芜菁’（Brassica rapa subsp. rapifera‘Tsuda’）通用调节因子14-3-3基因cDNA序列，命名为Br14-3-3（GenBank登录号为MK896872）。该基因全长1 113 bp，开放阅读框全长774 bp，编码含有257个氨基酸的多肽。荧光定量PCR分析Br14-3-3在‘津田芜菁’不同组织中及其在温度、脱水、渗透、ABA和无机盐等非生物胁迫下幼苗中的表达，结果表明该基因在‘津田芜菁’的花中表达量最高，幼苗中次之；低温抑制了Br14-3-3的表达，其他非生物胁迫可诱导该基因表达，暗示Br14-3-3在非生物胁迫应答中发挥功能。     

枣AP2/ERF转录因子鉴定及其响应枣疯病植原体表达分析

利用生物信息学方法，从植物转录因子数据库和NCBI数据库中分别得到175和164个候选的枣AP2/ERF转录因子序列，使用DNAMAN软件进行序列比对、去除重复序列，采用SMART软件预测蛋白结构域发现，枣基因组中包含有145个AP2/ERF基因，其中ERF、AP2、RAV亚家族分别含有116个、23个、5个，另有1个独立基因。预测枣AP2/ERF转录因子氨基酸数量在111 ~ 692之间，分子量在12 446.87 ~ 76 154.10之间，pI在4.31 ~ 10.11之间。鉴定出的145个AP2/ERF转录因子，105个分别定位到12条染色体上，40个未能定位。在此基础上，利用嫁接病芽方法将枣疯病植原体转至健康枣植株，通过转录组测序和qRT-PCR手段，分析了AP2/ERF转录因子对枣植原体侵染的响应，在植原体侵染枣的6个不同时期，枣AP2/ERF表达数量和表达量均不相同，共有48个差异表达基因，其中ZjAP2*9、ZjERF49和ZjERF91是响应枣疯病植原体最为重要的AP2/ERF转录因子。     

不同营养水平日粮对陕北白绒山羊生长性能和小肠组织SLC7A7、SLC3A1及SLC15A1 mRNA表达的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮营养水平对断奶后2~6月龄陕北白绒山羊生长性能及小肠组织中与氨基酸转运吸收相关的SLC7A7、SLC3A1和SLC15A1 mRNA表达的影响。选取健康、日龄（（60±1.60）d）和体重（（10.73±1.03）kg）相近的雌性陕北白绒山羊羔羊36只，随机分为4组，分别饲喂4种试验日粮，其消化能和粗蛋白质水平分别为标准日粮的85%、100%、115%和130%。标准日粮营养水平参考肉羊饲养标准NY/T816-2004，依据生长阶段（10~19 kg、15~27 kg）和目标增重设置。试验期间，分别于120和180日龄称重，于180日龄，每个重复屠宰1只试验羊，采集十二指肠中上部、空肠中段、回肠末端组织样品，通过实时荧光定量PCR检测SLC7A7、SLC3A1和SLC15A1表达水平。结果表明：1）第一阶段（60~120 d）115%水平组平均日增重显著高于其他三组（P<0.05），第二阶段（121~180 d）115%水平组平均日增重显著高于85%和100%水平组（P<0.05），与130%水平组无明显差异。两阶段115%水平组羔羊干物质采食量极显著高于其他3组（P<0.01）。两阶段料重比115%水平组显著低于85%、100%水平组（P<0.05）。2）相同营养水平下，SLC7A7和SLC15A1 mRNA的表达丰度顺序均为回肠>空肠>十二指肠；3）随日粮营养水平的增加，SLC7A7、SLC3A1和SLC15A1 mRNA在小肠各段的相对表达量呈先上升后下降的趋势，且115%水平组表达量最高。115%水平组SLC7A7和SLC15A1 mRNA相对表达量显著高于其他3组（P<0.05）；115%水平组SLC3A1 mRNA的相对表达量显著高于85%和130%水平组组（P<0.05）。本试验条件下，与其他营养水平组相比，115%水平组陕北白绒山羊羔羊在2~6月龄生长性能最佳，SLC7A7、SLC3A1和SLC15A1 mRNA在小肠各段的表达量最高。