Effects of arsenic trioxide on T-bet/GATA3 signal pathway in MRL/lpr mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on T-bet/GATA3 signal pathway in MRL/lpr mice.METHODS: MRL/lpr mice and C57BL/6J mice at the age of 20 weeks were chosen and then divided in 2 different sub-groups, respectively. The mice in 2 sub-groups received ATO (0.4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) and sodium chloride (NS, volume weight-determined) by intraperitoneal injection respectively for 2 months. Afterward, the spleens were isolated from the MRL/lpr and C57BL/6J mice under pathogen-free condition and the suspensions were prepared. The mRNA level of T-bet, GATA3, IFN-γ,IL-4 and the mRNA ratio of T-bet/GATA3 were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of T-bet and GATA3 was determined by Western blot. The serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were measured by ELISA.RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of T-bet, IFN-γ and the mRNA ratio of T-bet/GATA3 in NS group of MRL/lpr mice were higher than those in NS group of C57BL/6J mice (P<0.05). However, the GATA3 and IL-4 were lower in NS group of MRL/lpr mice in both mRNA and protein level (P<0.05). In MRL/lpr mice, the mRNA and protein levels of T-bet, IFN-γ and the mRNA ratio of T-bet/GATA3 were lower in ATO group compared with NS group (P<0.05), no difference was found in GATA3 and IL-4. No difference of the indexes mentioned above between ATO group and NS group in C57BL/6J mice was observed.CONCLUSION: ATO may affect the signaling pathway of T-bet/GATA3 to down-regulate the mRNA expression and the protein secretion of IFN-γ by decreasing the expression of T-bet in MRL/lpr mice.     

中国园艺学会2012年学术年会暨庆祝《园艺学报》创刊50周年—园艺学进展论坛征文通知

"中国园艺学会2012年学术年会暨庆祝《园艺学报》创刊50周年—园艺学进展论坛"将于2012年10月在西安举行,即日起征集:①研究论文摘要,②有关园艺学进展的综述文章。经审查合格的摘要和综述将分别收入"中国园艺学会2012年学术年会论文摘要集"和"庆祝《园艺学报》创刊50周年—园艺学进展论坛专辑",并于会前以     

Comparison of Toll-like receptor expression in granulocytes from umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood

AIM：To compare the expression levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the granulocytes isolated from umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood. METHODS：The granulocytes in umbilical blood and adult peri-pheral blood were isolated by the method of density gradient centrifugation combined with red blood cell splitting. The purity of the cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression levels of 10 TLRs were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein levels of some TLRs were also tested by flow cytometry. RESULTS：The populations of CD19- CD24+ cells and CD3+ cells were （95.66±3.15）% and (4.19±1.54)% in neonatal granulocytes,respectively, and were (95.36±1.74)% and (4.30±0.96)% in adult granulocytes,respectively. The relative mRNA expression levels of TLRs in the granulocytes isolated from umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood were as follows: TLR1 0.141±0.091 and 0.691±0.447, TLR2 0.388±0.337 and 0.901±0.508, TLR4 0.093±0.071 and 0.254±0.147, TLR6 0.056±0.045 and 0.202±0.034, TLR7 0.001±0.001 and 0.004±0.003, and TLR8 0.046±0.040 and 0.211±0.146,and the diffe-rence had statistical significance (P<0.01). However, no difference in the expression levels of TLR3, TLR5, TLR9 and TLR10 between the neonatal and adult gra-nulocytes was observed (P>0.05). Among them, the mRNA expression of TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 was at a low level in both neonatal and adult granulocytes. The protein level of TLR2 in adult gra-nulocytes (30.50±5.69) was higher than that in neonatal granulocytes (21.40±3.09, P<0.05). CONCLUSION：Low mRNA expression of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4 and TLR6, and low protein level of TLR2 in neonatal granulocytes indicate that the ability of recognizing bacterial pathogen by neonatal granulocytes may be defective or not yet fully mature.     

Inhibition of miR-9 expression suppresses proliferation,invasion and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of down-regulated miR-9 expression on the proliferation, invasion and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. METHODS: Human NPC CNE1 and CNE2 cells were transfected with the inhibitor of miR-9 by Lipofectamine to down-regulate the expression of miR-9, and the cells transfected with an inhibitor control were also set up. The cell proliferation and cell cycle were evaluated by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The cell invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell invasion and wound-healing assays. Immunoblotting was applied to analyze the levels of the proteins. RESULTS: Compared with control group, inhibition of miR-9 expression in the NPC cells by transfection of the miR-9 inhibitor significantly decreased the proliferation ability (P<0.05). The percentages of the cells in G0/G1 phase ［CNE2: (57.96±1.39)% vs (47.93±1.76)%, P<0.05; CNE1: (51.24±0.88)% vs (48.29±0.39)%, P<0.05］ were significantly increased. The migration distances ［CNE2: (186.50±7.94)μm vs (247.56±15.56)μm, P<0.05; CNE1: (139.06±16.73)μm vs (230.66±14.27)μm, P<0.01］ and the invasion ability of the CNE2 cells (43.00±3.17 vs 65.80±5.20, P<0.01) were also significantly inhibited. Moreover, the tumor cells transfected with the inhibitors produced lower β-catenin. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of miR-9 expression suppresses the proliferation, invasion and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells regulate the function of Th17/ Treg in peripheral blood of severe asthmatic children

AIM：To investigate the regulatory function of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on T helper 17 cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of severe asthmatic children. METHODS：MSCs were isolated, cultured and identified in vitro. MSCs digested with mitomycin were cocultured with T lymphocytes (TLC) at different ratios (1∶1, 1∶2, 1∶10 and 1∶20) from severe asthmatic children for 72 h. The proliferation of TLC was measured by CCK-8 method. In the coculture system of the 1∶2 ratio and the single TLC system, the supernatant levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor C (RORC) and forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) in TLC was detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS：After cocultured with MSCs, the proliferation of TLC decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). It also showed decreases in IL-17 (3 799±441 vs 4 890 ±373, P<0.05) and RORC mRNA level (1.21±0.14 vs 3.85±0.48, P<0.05), while an increase in TGF-β level (209±32 vs 117±26, P<0.05) was observed. No influence on the mRNA expression of Foxp3 was found (P>0.05). CONCLUSION：MSCs suppresses Th17 polarization of naive peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and matures Th17 cells secreting IL-17, which may effectively revise Th17/Treg imbalance of asthma.     

Role of Akt/NF-κB pathway in immune-complexes-induced MCP-1 and CSF-1 expression in murine glomerular mesangial cells

AIM: To explore the role of Akt/NF-κB pathway in immune-complexes-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) expression in Mesangial Cells. METHODS: Primary murine glomerular mesangial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, stimulation group and antisense, sense and mismatched oligodeoxynucleotide group. In control group, the cells were stimulated with monomeric IgG after treatment with 0.5% lipofectin for 8 h. In stimulation group, the cells, which had been treated with 0.5% lipofectin for 8 h, were stimulated with aggregated IgG. In antisense, sense and mismatched oligodeoxynucleotide group, being transduced antisense, sense and mismatched oligodeoxynucleotide respectively with 0.5% lipofectin 8 h, the cells were stimulated with AIgG. MCP-1 and CSF-1 in supernatant were deteced with ELISA. In addition, RT-PCR was used to determine MCP-1 and CSF-1 mRNA expression, and EMSA to investigated the activation of NF-κB. RESULTS: Mesangial cells cultured in vitro had a low level NF-κB activation and a low level constitutive expression of MCP-1 and CSF-1. Stimulated with AIgG, activation of NF-κB was markedly increased(0.35±0.06 vs 0.75±0.16, P＜0.01), expression of MCP-1 and CSF-1 mRNA (0.48±0.03 vs 0.72±0.02, P＜0.05; 0.44±0.01 vs 0.59±0.02, P＜0.05), MCP-1 and CSF-1 levels in supernatant(15.52±1.81 vs 43.05±3.18, P＜0.05; 389.06±13.75 vs 764.22±31.78, P＜0.05) were markedly increased. Akt1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide markedly inhibited immune-complexes-induced NF-κB activation, MCP-1 and CSF-1 mRNA and protein expression. CONCLUSION: Akt/NF-κB pathway mediates immune-complexes-induced MCP-1 and CSF-1 expression in mesangial cells. It suggests that Akt/NF-κB pathway may be a new therapy target for macrophage recruitment and activation in immune complexes nephritis.     

Effect of microRNA-100 on proliferation activity and cell cycle of hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM：To investigate the effect of microRNA-100 (miR-100) on the proliferation activity and cell cycle of hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS：Synthetic miR-100 mimic and its negative control were transfected into human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells by liposome method. After transfection, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation activity. The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) at mRNA and protein levels was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS：The transfection efficiency mediated by cationic liposome was greater than 85%. The inhibitory rates of cell proliferation in HepG2 cells were (43.5±12.2)%, (46.5±3.7)% and (52.1±0.2)% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfected with miR-100 mimic, respectively, which were significantly increased as compared with the control cells. Moreover, the cell proliferation index in experimental group (35.8 ± 1.4) was higher than that in negative control group (39.2 ± 1.0) and simple liposome group (40.7 ± 2.0) at 72 h. At the same time, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Plk1 obviously decreased in HepG2 cells transfected with miR-100 at 72 h after transfection. CONCLUSION：miR-100 suppresses the proliferation activity of hepatocarcinoma cells by down-regulating Plk1 gene expression.     

Role of miRNA-24 in regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and vascular endothelial cell proliferation

AIM：To investigate whether miRNA-24 is involved in the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and vascular endothelial cell proliferation. METHODS：A plasmid that highly expressed miRNA-24 was constructed, and was transfected into the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by liposome. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. The expression of eNOS and Sp1 at mRNA and protein levels was exa-mined by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.RESULTS：Compared with control group, the proliferation of endothelial cells in miRNA-24 group was significantly decreased by 41.97 % (0.47±0.04 vs 0.81±0.03, P<0.01), and the expression of eNOS at mRNA and protein levels was decreased by 44.8% (0.48±0.01 vs 0.87±0.03, P<0.05) and 71.92% (0.16±0.06 vs 0.57±0.08, P<0.05), respectively. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of Sp1 were significantly decreased by 53.00% (0.45±0.02 vs 0.93±0.01, P<0.05) and by 62.31% (0.13±0.07 vs 0.31±0.09, P<0.05), respectively. In miRNA-24 inhibitor group, the above indexes were decreased compared with control group, but significantly increased compared with miRNA-24 group. CONCLUSION：miRNA-24 significantly inhibits the proliferation of HUVECs and the eNOS expression. Sp1 possibly acts as one of the important factors in the regulation of eNOS expression by miRNA-24.     

Effects of lipopolysaccharide and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist on proliferation and nitric oxide synthesis of mesangial cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) on mesangial cells proliferation and nitric oxide synthesis. METHODS: Glomerular mesangial cells from SD rats were cultured. The first and second passages of cultured cells were used for the experiment. LPS and LPS plus IL-1ra were added in cell cultures, respectively. By using chemical method the nitrite in supernatants was measured, [³H]-TdR incorporation was determined to evaluate the GMC proliferation. Northern and slot hybridizations were performed to detect the expression of iNOS mRNA. RESULTS: There were expression of iNOS mRNA, more production of nitrite (0.64±0.25 vs 0.12±0.06 nmol/10⁴ cell) in supernatants and GMC proliferation (3735±1177.9 vs 1785±280.6) in LPS group compared to the control. While compared with LPS group, in LPS+IL-1ra GMC group, expression of iNOS mRNA decreased by 40%, nitrite increased (3.28±0.33nmol/10⁴ cell), proliferation of GMC decreased (818±77.27). CONCLUSION: LPS could activate the GMC to express iNOS mRNA and produce more nitrite. IL-1ra could partially inhibit the effects of LPS on the expression of iNOS mRNA in GMC, but not nitrite. There is no synchronous correlation between NO production and GMC proliferation.     

Effect of tetrandrine on radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the radiosensitizing effect of maximum non-cytotoxic doses of tetrandrine (Tet) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines CNE1 and CNE2.METHODS: The cells were treated with ma-ximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet (for CNE1 cells at 1.5 μmol/L and for CNE2 cells at 1.8 μmol/L), irradiation at 4 Gy, or combination of irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of γ-H2AX, cleaved caspase-3, p-CDC25C, CDK1, p-CDK1, cyclin B1, ERK and p-ERK were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: The expression of γ-H2AX was increased in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells after combined treatment with irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The percentages of CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells at G₂/M phase in irradiation group were (18.09±0.42)% and (18.48±1.32)%, respectively, which were decreased to (15.88±1.04)% and (13.80±0.82)% in combined treatment group, respectively (P<0.05). Combined treatment enhanced the increase in the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 caused by irradiation. The protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 were increased in a dose-dependent manner by Tet treatment (P<0.05), while the expression of CDK1 showed no difference among different doses of Tet treatments. The protein levels of p-CDC25C, p-CDK1 and CDK1 showed no difference after the treatment with maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The combined treatment with irradiation and the maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet decreased the protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 (P<0.05), increased the expression of cyclin B1, and had no influence on the expression of CDK1 (P<0.05). The combined treatment resulted in an increase in the protein level of p-ERK1 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet enhance the DNA damage and apoptosis in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells caused by irradiation, and the mechanism might be associated with ending of G₂/M arrest via activation of ERK/CDC25C/CDK1/cyclin B1 pathways.     

FAK gene silencing enhances chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in leukemic cells XU Lü-hong1,

AIM: To investigate the effect of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene silencing on chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in leukemic cells. METHODS: Lentiviral-FAK-shRNA was transfected into BCR/ABL-BaF3 leukemic cells. The protein expression of FAK was detected by Western blotting. BCR/ABL-BaF3 leukemic cells were treated with different concentrations of imatinib in vitro, and the apoptosis was determined by labeling with Annexin V. A murine model of leukemia was established and the mice were treated with FAK shRNA and imatinib. Survival time and distribution of leukemic cells in bone marrow and spleen of the mice were monitored. RESULTS: FAK shRNA was successfully constructed and effectively inhibited FAK gene expression. With 5 μmol/L imatinib treatment, the percentages of apoptotic cells in vector control group and FAK shRNA group were (9.76±1.97)% and (21.90±3.20)%, respectively, and significant difference between these 2 groups (P<0.05) was observed. With 50 μmol/L imatinib treatment, the percentages of apoptotic cells in vector control group and FAK shRNA group were (56.10±6.00)% and (82.10±5.70)%, respectively,also with significant difference between these 2 groups (P<0.05). Compared with vector control group, the mice in FAK gene silencing group displayed significantly prolonged survival time. Moreover, 60 days after injection of leukemic cells, the percentages of leukemic cells in bone marrow and spleen of the mice were significantly decreased in FAK gene silencing group as compared with those in vector control group. CONCLUSION: FAK gene silencing promotes the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drug in leukemic cells, indicating that FAK gene silencing might be considered as a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia.     

Effects of lentivirus-mediated caspase-3 silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

AIM：To investigate the effects of caspase-3 gene silencing on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS：A lentiviral vector expressing caspase-3 shRNA was constructed and transfected into rat bone marrow MSCs．The expression of caspase-3 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were evaluated by MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA was detected by real-time PCR. The apoptosis of the cells was evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS：Recombinant lentivirus was successfully transfected into MSCs. The proliferation of the MSCs transfected with caspase-3 shRNA was significantly promoted (P<0.05) and the proportion of the cells in S phase was increased to (52.66±0.30) %. Compared with control groups, caspase-3 silencing up-regulated the mRNA level of bcl-2 and down-regulated the mRNA level of bax, and the ratio of bcl-2 to bax increased (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate in MSCs-shRNA group was (15.01±1.73) %, which was significantly lower than those in MSCs and MSCs-vector group ［(23.67±1.16) % and (25.67±3.05) %, respectively; P<0.05］. CONCLUSION: Caspase-3 silencing regulates cell cycle, promotes the proliferation and attenuates the apoptosis of rat bone marrow MSCs.     

Effect of ghrelin on iNOS expression in alveolar macrophages and lung tissues in rats with sepsis-associated lung injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of ghrelin on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in alveolar macrophages and lung tissues in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) rats. METHODS: The septic rat model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male SD rats were divided into sham group, CLP group and CLP+ghrelin group. The rats in the former 2 groups were further divided into 3 subgroups, which were 6 h, 12 h and 20 h post-operation groups. Ghrelin was administered by intraperitoneal injection at 3 h and 15 h after operation in ghrelin group. The samples were harvested 20 h after operation. The mRNA expression of iNOS in alveolar macrophages collected from bronchoalveolar lavage was detected by RT-PCR. The protein levels of lung iNOS were measured by Western blotting. The lung pathological examination was performed 20 h after operation. RESULTS: In CLP group, the mRNA expression levels of iNOS in the alveolar macrophages were 1.33±0.05, 1.44±0.08, 1.57±0.11 at 6 h, 12 h and 20 h after CLP, respectively, which were higher than that in sham group, but did not show time correlation. However, it was lower in CLP group than that in CLP+ghrelin group at 20 h after CLP (2.27±0.37, P<0.05). At 20 h after CLP, the protein level of lung iNOS was decreased in CLP+ghrelin group (0.87± 0.03) as compared with CLP group (1.08±0.05). Compared with sham group, the histopathological score was increased in both CLP group and CLP+ghrelin group, but it was lower in CLP+ghrelin group (5.83±0.477) than that in CLP group (7.83±0.75). CONCLUSION: Ghrelin treatment improves the degree of ALI. During 6 h to 20 h after CLP, the mRNA expression of iNOS in alveolar macrophages was elevated, but the difference was not seen as the time went on. Ghrelin up-regulates the mRNA expression of iNOS in alveolar macrophages and inhibits iNOS expression in lungs of septic rats.     

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.     

IgE-FcεRI crosslink accelerates atherosclerosis development in allergic asthmatic mice

AIM:To investigate whether allergic asthma accelerates the development of atherosclerosis in mice related to Th2 cells and interleukin-4 (IL-4), and the roles of activation of macrophages by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-Fc ε receptor I (FcεRI) crosslink during the process. METHODS:Six-week-old ApoE^-/- mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to establish the allergic asthma model, and then assigned to 3 groups:control group, asthmatic placebo group and asthmatic IL-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) intervention group (intervention for 8 weeks). The lesion area was measured by oil red O staining. The percentages of Th2 cells in the splenocytes of the mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of IL-4 and the macrophage-related inflammatory factors, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) and IL-6, in the spleen was detected by real-time PCR. Local IgE and FcεRIα expression in the plaque was evaluated by immunofluorescence/immunohistochemical staining, and the circulating IL-4 and IgE were measured by ELISA. RESULTS:Accompanied by aggravated atherogenesis in asthmatic ApoE^-/- mice, the proportion of Th2 cells and IL-4 mRNA in the spleen, IgE and FcεRIα expression in the aortic root, and the mRNA expression of MCP-1, MIP-1α and IL-6 were markedly increased. After 8-week treatment with IL-4 mAb, the lesion area in the aortic root of asthmatic ApoE^-/- mice was markedly decreased, the elevated IgE and FcεRIα expression was significantly decreased, and the mRNA expression of macrophage-related inflammatory factors was also decreased. CONCLUSION:Allergic asthma accelerates the atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice, which is associated with the increased Th2 cells and IL-4, and the activation of macrophages by IgE-FcεRI crosslink.     

Change of Th17/Treg in rat brain with acute ischemic stroke

AIM:To investigate the changes of T helper 17 (Th17) cells/regulatory T (Treg) cells in the brain of rats with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS:Acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established by thread embolization in SD rats, and sham operation was used as control. The infarct volume of the rats in each group was observed by TTC staining on day 3 after MCAO. The levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-10 in the brain tissues were measured by ELISA. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of IL-17, IL-10, Foxp3 and RORγt. The proportion of Th17 cells and Treg cells was measured by flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group, the protein level of IL-17A in MCAO group was increased (P<0.05), and the protein level of IL-10 was decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of RORγt and IL-17 was increased (P<0.05), and the mRNA levels of Foxp3 and IL-10 were decreased (P<0.05). The proportion of Th17 cells was increased (P<0.05), while the proportion of Treg cells was decreased (P<0.05), and the Th17/Treg ratio was thus increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The increase in Th17 cells and the decrease in Treg cells in the brain tissues of acute ischemic rats indicate that the immuno-inflammatory response is activated after cerebral infarction, and the balance of T helper 17/Treg is broken.     

Influences of chronic hypoxia on the gene expression of Kv1.3,Kv2.1 and Kv3.1 induced by acute hypoxia in PASMC of rats

AIM and METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 6th rat subcultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMC) exposed to continual chronic hypoxia or normoxia and the effects of chronic hypoxia on the changes of Kv1.3,Kv2.1,Kv3.1 mRNA in cultured PASMC induced by acute hypoxia were studied by semiquantitative RT-PCR in vitro. RESULTS:①Kv1.3,Kv2.1,Kv3.1 genes were found to be expressed in PASMC of rats exposed either to hypoxia or normxia.②The expression of Kv2.1 and Kv3.1 in 6th subcultured of PASMC in normaxia group could be upregulated by exposure to acute hypoxia,the levels of Kv2.1 and Kv3.1 mRNA were significantly increased from 0.646±0.092, 0.782±0.104 to 1.059±0.134, 0.985±0.116,respectively (P<0.01,n=5). ③PASMC cultured continuously in chronic hypoxia for 6 subcultures and then exposed to normoxia for 12 h,thereafter the expression of Kv2.1 and Kv3.1 were downregulated by acute hypoxia for 6 hours.The level of Kv2.1 mRNA was significantly decreased from 1.008±0.117 to 0.649±0.097 (P<0.01,n=5). CONCLUSION:Kv2.1,Kv3.1 genes might be oxygen sensitive genes.Chronic hypoxia might change the response of these Kv genes of PASMC to acute hypoxia and down-regulate its expression,which might probably decrease the role of Kv in HPV.     

Effect of Wip1 gene silencing on chemotherapy sensitivity of human colon cancer cells

AIM: To observe the inhibitory effect of siRNA targeting to Wip1 gene on the Wip1 gene expression in the colon cancer cells and to investigate the influence of Wip1 gene silencing on the chemotherapy sensitivity of colon cancer cells. METHODS: Wip1-811 siRNA targeting to Wip1 gene was transfected into RKO colon cancer cells with high expression of Wip1 gene. The mRNA expression of Wip1 was measured by real-time PCR. The protein level of Wip1 was detected by Western blotting. The viability of RKO colon cancer cells was measured by MTS assay. The cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Wip1-811 siRNA efficiently inhibited the expression of Wip1 at mRNA and protein levels. The enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity of RKO colon cancer cells was observed after inhibition of Wip1 gene expression. The viability of RKO colon cancer cells was decreased from (89.4±6.6)% to (74.7±3.9)% after treated with 5-fluorouracil (P<0.05) and decreased from (77.9±2.4)% to (66.7±2.9)% after treated with oxaliplatin (P<0.05). The cell apoptotic rate was increased from (7.7±0.5)% to (12.3±3.2)% and from (14.7±2.1)% to (34.0±2.1)% when RKO colon cancer cells were treated with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Wip1 gene silencing enhances chemotherapy sensitivity of colon cancer cells.