Preparation of recombinant PTD-HSP27 and verification of its ability to penetrate the cell membrane of human lens epithelial cells and rabbit cornea

AIM: To construct the prokaryotic expression system containing protein transduction domain (PTD) with heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in order to prepare and purify the recombinant protein, and to verify whether the recombinant protein PTD-HSP27 has the ability to penetrate the human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) membrane and the rabbit cornea. METHODS: The plasmid pKYB-PTD-HSPB1-6His was constructed by the technique of overlap extension PCR. The plasmid was transformed and PTD-HSP27 was purified through nickel affinity chromatography column and identified by Western blotting. PTD-HSP27-6His was labeled with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The penetrating ability of PTD-HSP27 into HLECs and rabbit cornea was tested. RESULTS: The recombinant PTD-HSP27 plasmid was successfully cloned and effectively expressed. The correctness of the recombinant protein PTD-HSP27 was demonstrated. Fluorescence microscopic examination showed that PTD-HSP27-FITC was internalized by HLECs. Fluorescent labeled PTD-HSP27 was then observed in the rabbit aqueous humor. CONCLUSION: The recombined gene PTD-HSPB1 was constructed by overlap extension PCR technique and the PTD-HSP27 fusion protein was prepared and purified by nickel affinity chromatography column. Using the technique of PTD-fusion protein, HSP27 was transduced into HLECs and passed through the cornea.     

辣椒新品种驻椒21的选育

驻椒21是以辣椒雄性不育两用系AB0582为母本,以自交系B0318为父本选育而成的辣椒一代杂种。早熟,全生育182d(天)果实羊角形,果长19.2cm,果宽3.7cm,平均单果质量44.6g,青熟果黄绿色,每667m2产量3380kg左右,辣椒素含量26.2mg·kg-1,VC含量1040mg·kg-1。适宜早春保护地和春露地地膜覆盖栽培。     

辣椒新品种海丰1052

海丰1052是以08-123为母本,F07-253-2-1为父本配制的早熟鲜食线椒一代杂种。始花节位为第7~8节,果实顺直,果面光滑,果肩略皱,辣味较强,青熟果亮绿色,老熟果鲜红色,果实纵径31.2cm,横径1.5cm,平均单果质量为32.6g,VC含量为672mg·kg-1,可溶性糖含量1.7g·kg-1,蛋白质含量为14.0g·kg-1,辣椒素含量为0.25g·kg-1。抗CMV、TMV,中抗疫病。一般每667m2产量3000kg左右。适合北方露地、秋延后大棚栽培,广东、广西、山西、陕西等地露地栽培。     

番茄疮痂病生物防治研究进展

番茄疮痂病是世界范围内普遍发生的一种细菌性病害,主要为害番茄和辣椒,严重影响其产量与品质。本文综述了国内外利用植物根际促生菌(PGPR)、突变菌株(Mutant)、噬菌体(Phage)、其他生防菌及活性剂等生防因子防治番茄疮痂病的研究进展,并对该病害生物防治存在的问题和发展前景进行了探讨。     

Role of PPARα/PGC-1α in doxorubicin induced mouse dilated cardio-myopathy

AIM: To investigate the changes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)α/peroxisome proliferator activated receptor coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) in doxorubicin (DOX) induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its effect on the energy metabolism and myocardial function in mice. METHODS: Forty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, DOX group, PPARα inhibitor group and PPARα agonist group. The DCM model was established by injection of DOX. The protein levels of PPARα/PGC-1α were detected. The PPARα inhibitor and PPARα agonist were used 2 weeks beforeinjection of DOX. The contents of adenine acid and phosphocreatine (Pcr) in the mitochondria were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ANT activity was analyzed by the atractyloside-inhibitor stop technique. The changes of the echocardiography and hemodynamics were also observed. RESULTS: DOX induced DCM model was successfully established. The protein levels of PPARα and PGC-1α in control group were significantly higher than those in DOX group (P<0.05). Both of the high-energy phosphate contents and the transport activity of ANT were decreased in DOX group (P<0.05), and the hemodynamic parameters were disordered (P<0.01). Compared with DOX group, PPARα inhibitor pre-treatment significantly reduced the PPARα/PGC-1α expression. Meanwhile, high-energy phosphate contents in the mitochondria and the ANT transport activity of the mitochondria decreased, as well as the left ventricular function (P<0.05). On the other hand, PPARα agonist significantly increased the expression of PPARα and PGC-1α, and improved the transport activity of ANT. In addition, the hemodynamic parameters were ameliorated, but the high-energy phosphate contents of the mitochondria did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: PPARα/PGC-1α plays an important role in the regulation of ANT transport activity in dilated cardiomyopathy induced by DOX, and the activation of PPARα/PGC-1α has protective effects on the DCM induced by DOX.     

Downregulation of DEK induces cell apoptosis via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway in gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of DEK downregulation on the apoptosis of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells, and to explore its associations with NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis related proteins. METHODS: SGC-7901 cells with different treatments were divided into 3 groups including untreated group, control siRNA group and DEK siRNA group. The expression of DEK at mRNA and protein levels in the SGC-7901 cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the SGC-7901 cells were investigated by Caspase-Glo^®-3/9 kit. Finally, the expression of key regulatory protein p65 of NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in the SGC-7901 cells was investigated by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with untreated group and control siRNA group, the expression of DEK at mRNA and protein levels was significantly downregulated in DEK siRNA group (P<0.05). In addition, the ratios of early phase apoptosis and total apoptosis in DEK siRNA group were markedly higher than those in untreated group and control siRNA group (P<0.05). Most notably, the decrease in p65 and Bcl-2 proteins, increase in Bax protein and the increases of caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities were observed in DEK siRNA group. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of DEK mediates cell apoptosis of gastric carcinoma may be tightly associated with NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Development of cell model of polymer/liquid crystal and effect of their elasticity on adhesion of rBM-MSCs

AIM: To develop the cell model of polymer/liquid crystal and to study the effect of their elasticity on the adhesion of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs). METHODS: Using the method of solvent evaporation induced phase separation, the cell model of polymer/liquid crystal was constructed. The surface morphology and phase separation structure were determined by polarized optical microscopy (POM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). rBM-MSCs were separated and expanded by adherent culture. The surface markers of rBM-MSCs were detected by flow cytometry. The cells were induced to osteogenic differentiation and adipogenic differentiation for 2 weeks. After 3 passages, the cells were divided into 4 groups, including total PU control group, 10% membrane group, 30% membrane group and 50% membrane group. The cells were then incubated with rhodamine phalloidin for cytoskeleton staining and were observed under the confocal laser scanning microscope after cultured for 24 h. RESULTS: The cell model of polymer/liquid crystal was constructed successfully using the method of solvent evaporation induced phase separation. Flow cytometry results showed that the rBM-MSCs positively expressed CD29, CD44 and CD90, and negatively expressed CD34 and CD45. After stained with alizarin red S and oil red O, the calcium nodule and lipid droplets in rBM-MSCs were observed obviously. The cytoskeleton staining result indicated that the area in total PU control group, 10% membrane group and 30% membrane group were greater, and the actin microfilaments were also clearer than that in 50% membrane group. CONCLUSION: The cell model with suitable content of liquid crystal made a contribution to the rBM-MSCs' adhesion, but too much liquid crystal inhibits cell adhesion.     

Relationship between Th17 cells infiltrated in lungs and pulmonary vascular reconstruction under hypobarric hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) mRNA and interleukin-17(IL-17) protein in the lung tissue under hypobaric hypoxia, and the relationship between Th17 cells and hypoxic pulmonary vascular reconstruction. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice(n=50) were randomly divided into control group and 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypobaric hypoxia groups. The mice in hypobaric hypoxia groups were housed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber(simulated altitude of 6 000 m) for 3 d, 7 d, 14 d or 28 d. The mice in control group were housed in normal pressure and oxygen environment. The hemodynamic data were recorded by cardiac catheterization. The hypertrophy of right ventricle was evaluated by the ratio of weight of the right ventricle to the weight of the left ventricle plus interventri-cular septum, and the right ventricular weight over body weight. The spleen was collected and the proportions of the Th17(CD4⁺IL-17⁺RORγt⁺) cells were detected by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 and the change of IL-17 in the lung tissue were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the spleen and lung tissues was measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mouse right ventricular systolic pressure, the hypertrophy index of right ventricle and the serum IL-17 level were significantly elevated in hypoxia groups, which was consistent with the results of flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the lung tissue was also significantly increased in 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. The expression of IL-17 in the lung tissue was significantly increased in 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia promotes differentiation of Th0 cells to Th17 cells in the spleen. The Th17 cells infiltrated in the lung tissue under hypobarric hypoxia are involved in pulmonary vascular reconstruction.     

Transplantation of bcl-2 gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improves cardiac function and angiogenesis in rabbit ischemic car-diac insufficiency model

AIM: To investigate the effects of transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) modified by bcl-2 gene on myocardial cell apoptosis, angiogenesis and cardiac function in the rabbit after acute myocardial infarction (MI).METHODS: The rabbit BMSCs were isolated, cultured and purified in vitro. The BMSCs were transfected with adenovirus or adenovirus-Bcl-2. The rabbit model of MI was established by ligation of left anterior descending branch. The rabbits were injected with Ad-Bcl-2-BMSCs (MI+Bcl-2-BMSCs group), Ad-BMSCs (MI+BMSCs group) and DMEM (MI group) in infarction marginal zone 2 weeks after ligation. The cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography.The apoptosis of myocardial cells was measured by TUNEL. The mRNA expression of VEGF was detected by real-time PCR. The expression of CD31 was examined by immunohistochemical staining, and new blood capillaries were counted at 4 weeks after BMSCs transplantation. The correlation of the above values with cardiac function was analyzed.RESULTS: The cardiac function was better, the apoptotic rate was lower, the mRNA expression of VEGF and the capillary density were higher in both MI+Bcl-2-BMSCs group and the MI+BMSCs group than those in MI group, and those in MI+Bcl-2-BMSCs group increased more obviously.The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had a negative correlation with the myocardial cell apoptosis rate. A positive correlation with the mRNA expression level of VEGF and the capillary density was also observed.CONCLUSION: The transplantation of BMSCs modified by bcl-2 gene significantly reduces the myocardial cell apoptosis, promotes angiogenesis, improves heart function of the rabbits with MI.     

Effect of idazoxan on permeability of inflammatory blood-brain barrier model in vitro

AIM: To study the effect of idazoxan on the permeability of inflammatory blood-brain barrier (BBB) model in vitro and the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1.METHODS: In vitro BBB model was established by murine brain endothelial cell line bEnd.3 incubated for 7 d. The cells were treated with TNF-α (10 nmol/L) for additional 24 h to establish the inflammatory BBB model, which was pretreated with IDA at doses of 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L, respectively. The permeability was measured using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran (FD-40, MW 40,000), the expression of ZO-1 was detected by Western blot analysis, the distribution of ZO-1 was observed by immunofluorescence, and the mRNA expression of MMP-9/TIMP-1 was measured by RT-PCR.RESULTS: After incubated for 7 d, b.End3 cells converged to be confluent monolayer with low permeability. The inflammatory BBB model induced by TNF-α treatment displayed much higher permeability with decreased expression of tight junction protein ZO-1, destroyed distribution of ZO-1 and increased mRNA expression of MMP-9. When pretreated with IDA, the permeability was greatly decreased, the expression of ZO-1 was greatly increased, the abnormal distribution of ZO-1 was greatly ameliorated and the mRNA expression of MMP-9 was obviously reduced. The effect was most significant in IDA (200 μmol/L)-pretreated group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: IDA directly acts on brain endothelial cells to reduce the expression of MMP-9, increase the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1 and ameliorate the destroyed distribution of ZO-1 in the inflammatory BBB, thus reversing the abnormally elevated permeability in a inflammatory BBB model in vitro induced by TNF-α.