Intrathymic inoculation of liver specific antigen protects hepatocytes from apoptosis after liver allotransplantation

AIM: To study the effects of intrathymic inoculation of liver specific antigen (LSA) on hepatocyte apoptosis after liver allotransplantation. METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was used in this study. Group Ⅰ: syngenic control (Wistar-to-Wistar); Group Ⅱ: acute rejection (SD-to-Wistar); Group Ⅲ: thymus inoculation of SD rat LSA day 7 before transplantation. The observation of general situation and survival time, hepatocyte apoptosis and LAT expression in liver transplants were used to analyze immune state of animals in different groups. RESULTS: The general situation of group Ⅰ was very well after transplantation. Recipients of groupⅡ lost body weight progressively and all died within day 9 to day 13 post transplantation. As for group Ⅲ, the general situation of recipients was remarkably better than that in group Ⅱ. The positive cells of apoptosis in group Ⅲ detected by TUNEL were not significantly different from that in group Ⅰ, but was significantly lower than that in group Ⅱ. LAT was detected at any time in group Ⅱ with peak expression at day 5 and day 7 post transplantation. In contrast, LAT was not detected in any other groups. CONCLUSION: Intrathymic inoculation of LSA protects hepatocytes from apoptosis after liver allotransplantation.     

Effects of soluble transforming growth factor-β type Ⅱ receptor on cardiac functions after myocardial infarction in rats

AIM: To observe the effects of soluble transforming growth factor-β type Ⅱ receptor (sTGFβRⅡ) on cardiac functions after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. METHODS: MI was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats surviving to the third day after MI were included in the study and randomly divided into MI group, pAd-sTGFβRⅡ group (transfected with recombinant adenovirus vector expressing the extracellular domain gene of TGF-βRⅡ), vector group and sham group. Four weeks later, the heart rate (HR), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and ejection fraction (EF) were evaluated by echocardiograms. The expression of sTGFβRⅡ in myocardial tissues was observed under fluorescence microscope by frozen sectioning, and the expression of typeⅠ and Ⅲ collagens was observed by Sirius red-saturated picric acid staining. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. The activity of MMP-9 was assayed by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, HR, LVEDD, LVESD, typeⅠ and Ⅲ collagen, mRNA and protein of MMP-9, and the activity of MMP-9 increased significantly (P<0.01), and EF decreased (P<0.01) in MI group and vector group. Compared with MI group, EF was increased (P<0.01), but HR, LVEDD, LVESD, typeⅠ and Ⅲ collagen, mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 and the activity of MMP-9 decreased significantly (P<0.01) in pAd-sTGFβRⅡ group, and all the parameters above were still higher than those in sham group. CONCLUSION: sTGFβRⅡ intervention improves the cardiac functions after MI by inhibiting TGF-β-mediated MMP-9 expression.     

Relationship between helper T lymphocytes immune deviation and class Ⅱ MHC antigen expression in acute rejection of transplanted heart

AIM: To observe the relationship between the immune deviation of Th1 and Th2 cell clones and class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression in different stages of acute rejection in transplanted hearts. METHODS: Heart transplantation were performed in rats.Isografts and non-transplanted animals were used as control group. Donor class II MHC antigen expression were detected with monoclonal antibodies and immunostaining technique and the amount of type Ⅰ and Ⅱ cytokines mRNA expression were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR in cardiac allografts. RESULTS: Myocardial IL-2 mRNA and donor class Ⅱ MHC antigen expression were significantly in-creased, accompanied with development of acute rejection (P<0.01). However, IL-4 mRNA decreased significantly (P<0.01). The immune deviation between type Ⅰ and Ⅱ cytokines mRNA expression occurred in the rejecting stage at which the cardiac allograft tissue infiltrated by multiple foci of lymphocytes and class Ⅱ MHC antigen became highly expressed. CONCLUSION: There was correlationship between Th cells immune deviation and donor class Ⅱ MHC antigen expression in the process of acute rejection in cardiac allografts. Immune deviation of T cells may facilitated the expression of donor MHC class Ⅱ antigen on transplanted heart.     

“2012年园艺植物染色体倍性操作与遗传改良学术研讨会”预备通知

自2008年11月在中国农业科学院郑州果树研究所成功召开园艺植物染色体倍性操作与遗传改良研讨会以来,我国科研人员在该领域的研究取得了可喜的成绩。为进一步总结近几年来在该领域的研究进展,促进园艺植物倍性育种研究,同时为该领域的专家、学者和同仁们提供良好的交流平台。中国园艺学会定于2012年4月中旬在重庆召开园艺植物染色体倍性操作与遗传改良学术研讨会。欢迎从事该研究领域及相关研究工作的人员参加。     

PDL1Ig gene-modified BMSCs induce immune tolerance in rat liver transplantation

AIM: To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) modified by programed death ligand-1 immunoglobulin(PDL₁Ig) gene on immune rejection of orthotopic liver transplantation in rats. METHODS: Rat BMSCs were cultured and identified. The protein expression of PDL₁Ig in the BMSCs 72 h after infection with pAdEasy-1/PDL₁Ig was detected by Western blot. Mixed lymphocyte reaction was used to detect the inhibitory effect of BMSCs on the viability of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood. The male Wistar rats were used as donors(n=40), and the male SD rats were used as recipients(n=40). The rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation was established by improved cuff method for observing acute rejection. The rats were randomly divided into control group, BMSCs treatment group, BMSCs/GFP treatment group and BMSCs/PDL₁Ig treatment group with 10 pairs each. Five rats were executed at the 7th day and the remains were used for measuring the survival time. RESULTS: The expression of PDL₁Ig in the BMSCs was detected after pAdEasy-1/PDL₁Ig infection. The effect of BMSCs/PDL₁Ig on the viability of the lymphocytes was stronger than that of BMSCs/GFP. The level of IL-4 in BMSCs/PDL₁Ig group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups, while the levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 were significantly decreased. The liver function in BMSCs/PDL₁Ig group was significantly improved and the levels of ALT, AST and TBil were almost recovered to normal at the 7th day after transplantation. Severe rejection reaction was observed in control group, and rejection reactions were decreased with different degrees in BMSCs treatment group and BMSCs/GFP treatment group. Much slighter rejection reaction and significantly longer survival time were showed in BMSCs/PDL₁Ig group than those in the other 3 groups. CONCLUSION: PDL₁Ig-modified BMSCs inhibit the rejection of liver transplantation in rats and induce the immune tolerance, and the effect is better than that of BMSCs alone.     

裂褶菌对有氧性运动疲劳恢复作用

以动物实验的方法分析裂褶菌改善人体疲劳的情况,检测裂褶菌子实体干粉和发酵液对小鼠肝糖原含量、肌糖原含量、琥珀酸脱氢酶(succinate dehydrogenase,SDH)活力、乳酸脱氢酶(1actic dehydrogenase,LDH)活力、血清尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen,BUN)含量及血乳酸(1actic acid,LD)含量的影响。结果表明,试验Ⅰ组、试验Ⅱ组和试验Ⅲ组小鼠的肝糖原含量、SDH活力及LDH活力极显著高于对照组(饲喂100%基础饲料)(P<0.01);试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的肌糖原含量极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);运动后试验Ⅰ组、试验Ⅱ组和试验Ⅲ组小鼠的BUN增量和LD的水平极显著低于对照组(P<0.01),说明裂褶茵具有明显解除运动疲劳的作用。     

Effect of cell transplantation for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction using vascular endothelial growth factor gene transferred neonatal cardiomyocytes

AIM:To observe the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) when adenovirus induced VEGF165 (AdVEGF165) gene transferred into neonatal cardiomyocytes in vitro,and to investigate the impact on heart function after transplanted the transferred cardiomyocytes into infarct myocardium in rats.METHODS:Neonatal cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and labeled with BrdU,then transferred by AdVEGF165.ELISA was applied to assay the expression and secretion of VEGF.Wistar rats,in which left descending branch of coronary artery was ligated,were randomly divided into four groups and transplanted into MI area with transferred cardiomyocytes (group Ⅰ),untransferred cardiomyocytes (group Ⅱ),AdVEGF165 (group Ⅲ) and culture medium (group Ⅳ),respectively.The echocardiograph was applied to evaluate the heart function before and after cell transplantation.Then the rats were executed and the hearts were harvested for histological (hematoxylin-eosin) and immunohistological (anti-BrdU dyeing) examinations.The vessels were also counted in injected area.RESULTS:ELISA indicated that the expression and secretion of VEGF in groupⅠwere higher than those in the rest (P<0.01).Echocardiograph revealed that the improvement of ejection fraction (EF) in groupⅠwas greater than that in other groups (P<0.01).Immunohistological study showed that the implanted cardiomyocytes survived in MI area.More blood vessels in groupⅠthan other groups were observed (P<0.01) by vessel-counting.CONCLUSIONS:AdVEGF165 gene transfer increased the VEGF-production,accelerated neovascularization in MI area and increased the blood flow.The method makes favor for the survival of implanted cells and greatly improves the heart function.     

Effect of amiodarone and metoprolol on platelet activation,fibrinolytic activity and vasoactive mediators in acute myocardial infarction in rabbits

AIM:To explore the significance of platelet activation, fibrinolytic activity and the changes of vasoactive mediators in acute myocardial infarction in rabbits and the intervention of amiodarone and metoprolol.METHODS:Fifty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups, ten for each. Group Ⅰ: sham group, group Ⅱ: acute myocardial infarction(AMI) group, group Ⅲ: AMI and lidocaine group, group Ⅳ: AMI and amiodarone group, group Ⅴ: AMI and metoprolol group.The middle point of left ventricular coronary artery was ligated (groupⅡ,Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ ) or a sham ligation(group Ⅰ). Four hours later, blood was collected for measuring plasma concentration of TXB₂, 6-Keto-PGF_1α, ET, NO, plasma activity of t-Pa and PAI.After that, the heart was taken out to evaluate the infarction size(IS).RESULTS:Plasma concentration of TXB₂, ET, NO and plasma activity of PAI were significantly higher in groupⅡ,Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ than those in group Ⅰ(P＜0.01), but the plasma concentration of 6-Keto-PGF_1α and plasma activity of t-Pa were remarkably lower in groupⅡ,Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ than those in group Ⅰ(P＜0.01). There were no difference in plasma concentration of TXB₂, 6-Keto-PGF_1α, t-Pa activity and infarction size in group Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ(P＞0.05).Compared to group Ⅱ, plasma concentration of ET, NO and PAI activity were significantly decresed (P＜0.01)in group Ⅳ. Plasma concentration of TXB₂, ET, NO and plasma activity of PAI were significantly lower in groupⅤ than those in group Ⅱ(P＜0.01). Conversely, plasma concentration of 6-Keto-PGF1 and plasma activity of t-Pa were remarkably higher in group Ⅴ than those in group Ⅱ(P＜0.01). The infarction size was remarkly decrease(P＜0.01)in group Ⅴ.CONCLUSIONS:Amiodarone inhibited PAI avtivity, decreased release of ET and NO in AMI in rabbits. Metoprolol inhibited platelet activation, improved fibrinolytic, decreased release of ET and NO, and reduced myocardial infarction size in AMI in rabbits; Lidocaine had no effect above.     

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen and cyclosporin A on thelevels of active oxygens and nitric oxide in spleens of skin transplanted mice

AIM: To study effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and cyclosporin A (CsA) on the contents of active oxygens and nitric oxide (NO) in spleens of skin transplanted mice. METHODS: The donor mice BALB/C and receptor mice C₅₇BL/6 were tested for skin transplantation. The HBO group mice were treated with 99.2% oxygen under 0.25 MPa for 1.5 hours, while CsA group mice were treated with CsA 0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 by abdomen injection. After 14 days, the spleen were extracted the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT) and NO synthases (NOS) were determined. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the control group, the transplantation group, HBO group and CsA group have markedly increased the content of MDA and the activities of GSH-PX and CAT; Compared with the transplantation group, the CsA group have markedly increased activity of SOD and reduced activities of GSH-PX and CAT; the HBO group have markedly reduced the activity of GSH-PX and increased the activities of CAT and SOD (P<0.01). (2) Compared with the control group, the transplantation group have markedly increased the content of NO and the activity of NOS; Compared with the transplantation group, the HBO group have markedly increased the activity of NOS and reduced the content of NO (P<0.01); The content of NO and the activity of NOS in CsA group was not changed significantly. CONCLUSION: In the lymphocytes of the transplantation group, the peroxidation is intensified, and the content of NO and the activity of NOS increased. HBO and CsA may activate the systems of oxidation/antioxidation and NO/NOS in spleen, which may be related to their mechanism of inhibition rejection.     

Effects of chloroquine on autophagy and collagen metabolism in activated hepatic stellate cells in vitro

AIM: To explore the effects of chloroquine (CQ) on collagen Ⅰand collagen Ⅲ expression in activated rat hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 and the possible mechanism.METHODS: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was used to activate HSC-T6 cells and 3 doses of CQ was administered for 24 h. The cells were divided into 5 groups as follows:control group, TGF-β1 group, TGF-β1+CQ (15 μmol/L) group, TGF-β1+CQ (30 μmol/L) group and TGF-β1 + CQ (60 μmol/L) group. Western blot was used to determine the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I, P62 and α-SMA in activated HSC-T6 cells. The expression of collagen I and collagen Ⅲ was detected by immunocytochemical staining, Western blot and RT-qPCR. Western blot and RT-qPCR were also used to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 at mRNA and protein levels.RESULTS: The ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and P62 expression were increased after CQ intervention. Moreover, they were significantly higher in the TGF-β1+CQ groups than those in TGF-β1 group (P<0.01). The expression of collagen I and collagen Ⅲ at mRNA and protein levels was significantly increased in all TGF-β1+CQ groups as compared with TGF-β1 group (P<0.01), and it was markedly increased among TGF-β1+CQ groups in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of MMP-13 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly lowered and that of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was significantly increased in TGF-β1+CQ groups as compared with TGF-β1 group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Inhibition of autophagy by CQ in activated HSC-T6 cells up-regulates the expression of collagen I and collagen Ⅲ in a dose-dependent way, probably due to reduction of MMP-13 and enhancement of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression.     

Regulation of hypoxic response elements to expression of hVEGF165 gene transferred to cardiomyocytes under anoxic and normoxic conditions

AIM:To investigate effects of hypoxic response elements (HRE) on expression of hVEGF165 gene transferred to myocardiocyte under anoxic and normoxic conditions in vitro.METHODS:Myocardiocytes from neonatal SD rats were isolated and cultured in serum-free medium.The r-AAV vector packaged with 293T cells was used to transfer cultured myocardiocytes.Myocardiocytes were divided into eight groups: Group Ⅰ: myocardiocytes were cultured for 24 hours under normoxic conditions as control;Group Ⅱ: cells was cultured under hypoxia for 8 hours;Group Ⅲ: infected cells were cultured for 24 hours under normoxic conditions;Group Ⅳ: infected cells were cultured under hypoxia for 8 hours;GroupⅤ: infected cells were cultured under hypoxia for 8 hours and normoxia for 4 hours;GroupⅥ: infected cells were cultured under hypoxia for 8 hours and normoxia for 8 hours;GroupⅦ: infected cells were cultured under hypoxia for 8 hours and normoxia for 12 hours;Group Ⅷ: infected cells were cultured under hypoxia only for 20 hours.hVEGF165 protein was quantified from culture medium using ELISA,hVEGF165 protein in myocardiocytes was detected with immunofluorescence and expression of hVEGF165 mRNA was also determined by RT-PCR.RESULTS:95% myocardiocytes showed beating rhythmically with 86% of cTn-I positive staining.87% virual transferred efficiency was achieved.The contents of hVEGF165 protein in group Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅷ were higher than those in other groups (P<0.01).Immunofluorescence positive cells were observed in group Ⅳ,Ⅴ and group Ⅷ.RT-PCR revealed that a 484 bp strip was also found in the same groups.CONCLUSION:rAAV-HRE9-hVEGF165 vector infected cultured myocardiocyte successfully.Under hypoxia,expression of hVEGF165mRNA and hVEGF165 protein were regulated by HRE,whereas under normoxic conditions the expression of hVEGF165 mRNA and hVEGF165 protein were ceased.     

自由基清除剂对几种蔬菜衰老种子活力的影响

用外源自由基清除剂ＳＢＮ（１、２ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）和ＧＳＨ（０．００１、０．００５ｋｇ／Ｌ）浸种西瓜、甜瓜和萝卜衰老种子能显著促进其萌发,而ＡｓＡ（５、１０、１５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）浸种效果不明显,上述处理要不同程度地提高衰老种子中ＣＡＴ和ＳＯＤ活性,降低Ｏ２＾－产生速率,减轻膜脂过氧化作用。     

Effects of the calpain system expression on atrial structural remodeling in canine with atrial fibrillation

AIM: To evaluate the influence of the calpain system mRNA and protein expression on the progress of atrial structural remodeling in fibrillating canine.METHODS: 17 dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal control group (SR,n=6) and atrial fibrillation (AF,n=11) group.AF was induced by rapid pacing for 8 weeks and all dogs underwent transthoratic echocardiography before and after rapid pacing.The mRNA and protein expression of calpainⅠ,calpainⅡand calpastatin were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS: Compared with SR group,the left atrial diameters and the content of calcium in atrial myocardium increased significantly in AF group (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of calpainⅠand calpainⅡ (P>0.05) between two groups.The expression of calpastatin mRNA was upregulated significantly in AF group (P<0.05).The levels of calpainⅠand calpainⅡprotein were significantly increased in AF group compared with SR group (P<0.05).The expression of calpastatin protein was significantly decreased in AF group (P<0.05).The calpainⅠand calpainⅡprotein levels were positively correlated with the left atrial diameter.The calpastatin protein level was negatively correlated with the left atrial diameter (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The changes of the calpain system protein expression in AF result in the disturbance of calpain/calpastatin system and degradation of many proteins,which may play an important role in mechanism of atrial remodeling.     

Expression of MHC Ⅱ on rat corneal keratocytes is inhibited by special siRNA targeting CⅡTA

AIM: To investigate the feasibility to inhibit the expression of MHCⅡ by special siRNA targeting class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex (MHC Ⅱ) transactivator (CⅡTA), which might regulate MHC Ⅱexpression for suppressing immune rejection. METHODS: Five different siRNA were designed, synthesized and transfected into freshly isolated rat corneal keratocytes. At 24 hours posttransfection, the changes of MHC Ⅱexpression were detected by flowcytometry, and the mRNA abundance of CⅡTA and MHC Ⅱ was measured by FQ-PCR after inducing with recombinant rat interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). RESULTS: Different siRNA showed different reduction in MHC Ⅱ and CⅡTA expression compared with the control (P<0.01). Among the five groups, the siRNA-4 was the most efficient. The mRNA content of CⅡTA and MHC Ⅱ were reduced by 95.10%±1.25% and 82.70%±1.95% respectively and the expression of MHC Ⅱ was inhibited by over 80% in siRNA-4 group at 24 hours posttransfection. CONCLUSIONS: The special siRNA targeting to CⅡTA inhibits CⅡTA mRNA and further inhibits its regulation of MHC Ⅱ molecular expression. The blockade of MHC Ⅱ by siRNA may be useful for further studying allogeneic corneal limbal transplantation.