Effect of hypoxia on generation of neurospheres from adipose tissue-derived canine mesenchymal stromal cells

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs) are good candidates for cell therapy due to the accessibility of fat tissue and the abundance of AT-MSCs therein. Neurospheres are free-floating spherical condensations of cells with neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) characteristics that can be derived from AT-MSCs. The aims of this study were to examine the influence of oxygen (O₂) tension on generation of neurospheres from canine AT-MSCs (AT-cMSCs) and to develop a hypoxic cell culture system to enhance the survival and therapeutic benefit of generated neurospheres.AT-cMSCs were cultured under varying oxygen tensions (1%, 5% and 21%) in a neurosphere culture system. Neurosphere number and area were evaluated and NSPC markers were quantified using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Effects of oxygen on neurosphere expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1, α subunit (HIF1A) and its target genes, erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were quantified by qPCR. Neural differentiation potential was evaluated in 21% O₂ by cell morphology and qPCR.Neurospheres were successfully generated from AT-cMSCs at all O₂ tensions. Expression of nestin mRNA (NES) was significantly increased after neurosphere culture and was significantly higher in 1% O₂ compared to 5% and 21% O₂. Neurospheres cultured in 1% O₂ had significantly increased levels of VEGF and EPOR. There was a significant increase in CXCR4 expression in neurospheres generated at all O₂ tensions. Neurosphere culture under hypoxia had no negative effect on subsequent neural differentiation. This study suggests that generation of neurospheres under hypoxia could be beneficial when considering these cells for neurological cell therapies.     

MCU在低氧诱导肉鸡心肌细胞线粒体损伤中的作用

旨在探讨线粒体钙单向转运体（mitochondrial calcium uniporter,MCU）介导线粒体Ca²⁺转运是否参与低氧诱导的肉鸡心肌细胞线粒体损伤。试验通过分离白羽肉鸡鸡胚原代心肌细胞,在低氧条件下（3% O₂,5% CO₂,92% N₂）培养24、48、72 h,同时使用RU360抑制MCU的表达并在低氧条件下处理72 h后,使用流式细胞术检测细胞内Ca²⁺浓度、线粒体Ca²⁺浓度、线粒体活性氧水平和线粒体膜电位,检测MCU及其调节因子的mRNA和蛋白表达。结果显示,通过差速贴壁方法培养的心肌细胞纯度可达90%以上;低氧培养24 h,诱导心肌细胞MCU、MICU1 mRNA表达增加（P<0.05）,胞浆和线粒体内Ca²⁺浓度显著上升（P<0.05）,线粒体膜电位增加（P<0.05）;低氧培养48 h,诱导MCUR1和MICU1 mRNA表达减少（P<0.05）,细胞Ca²⁺浓度上升（P<0.05）;低氧培养72 h,诱导MCU mRNA表达增加（P<0.01）,细胞和线粒体内Ca²⁺增加（P<0.01）,线粒体膜电位下降（P<0.01）,活性氧增加（P<0.01）。低氧处理72 h后,与低氧组相比,RU360预处理组细胞和线粒体内Ca²⁺减少,线粒体膜电位上升,活性氧生成减少（P<0.01）,MCU mRNA表达减少（P<0.01）。结果表明：低氧诱导MCU上调导致线粒体钙超载,促使线粒体功能降低并发生损伤,进而心肌细胞发生损伤;抑制MCU表达可以减轻低氧诱导的心肌细胞线粒体钙超载,保护线粒体。     

Both butyrate incubation and hypoxia upregulate genes involved in the ruminal transport of SCFA and their metabolites

Butyrate modulates the differentiation, proliferation and gene expression profiles of various cell types. Ruminal epithelium is exposed to a high intraluminal concentration and inflow of n‐butyrate. We aimed to investigate the influence of n‐butyrate on the mRNA expression of proteins involved in the transmembranal transfer of n‐butyrate metabolites and short‐chain fatty acids in ruminal epithelium. N‐butyrate‐induced changes were compared with the effects of hypoxia because metabolite accumulation after O₂ depletion is at least partly comparable to the accumulation of metabolites after n‐butyrate exposure. Furthermore, in various tissues, O₂ depletion modulates the expression of transport proteins that are also involved in the extrusion of metabolites derived from n‐butyrate breakdown in ruminal epithelium. Sheep ruminal epithelia mounted in Ussing chambers were exposed to 50 mM n‐butyrate or incubated under hypoxic conditions for 6 h. Electrophysiological measurements showed hypoxia‐induced damage in the epithelia. The mRNA expression levels of monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) 1 and 4, anion exchanger (AE) 2, downregulated in adenoma (DRA), putative anion transporter (PAT) 1 and glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 were assessed by RT‐qPCR. We also examined the mRNA expression of nuclear factor (NF) κB, cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) 1α and acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACO) to elucidate the possible signalling pathways involved in the modulation of gene expression. The mRNA expression levels of MCT 1, MCT 4, GLUT 1, HIF 1α and COX 2 were upregulated after both n‐butyrate exposure and hypoxia. ACO and PAT 1 were upregulated only after n‐butyrate incubation. Upregulation of both MCT isoforms and NFκB after n‐butyrate incubation could be detected on protein level as well. Our study suggests key roles for MCT 1 and 4 in the adaptation to an increased intracellular load of metabolites, whereas an involvement of PAT 1 in the transport of n‐butyrate also seems possible.     

Could hypoxia influence basic biological properties and ultrastructural features of adult canine mesenchymal stem /stromal cells?

The aim of the present study was to compare canine adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells cultured under normoxic (20% O₂) and not severe hypoxic (7% O₂) conditions in terms of marker expression, proliferation rate, differentiation potential and cell morphology. Intra-abdominal fat tissue samples were recovered from 4 dogs and cells isolated from each sample were cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Proliferation rate and adhesion ability were determined, differentiation towards chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages was induced; the expression of CD44, CD34, DLA-DQA1, DLA-DRA1 was determined by PCR, while flow cytometry analysis for CD90, CD105, CD45 and CD14 was carried out. The morphological study was performed by transmission electron microscopy. Canine AT-MSCs, cultured under different oxygen tensions, maintained their basic biological features. However, under hypoxia, cells were not able to form spheroid aggregates revealing a reduction of their adhesivness. In both conditions, MSCs mainly displayed the same ultrastructural morphology and retained the ability to produce membrane vesicles. Noteworthy, MSCs cultivated under hypoxya revealed a huge shedding of large complex vesicles, containing smaller round-shaped vesicles. In our study, hypoxia partially influences the basic biological properties and the ultrastructural features of canine mesenchymal stem /stromal cells. Further studies are needed to clarify how hypoxia affects EVs production in term of amount and content in order to understand its contribution in tissue regenerative mechanisms and the possible employment in clinical applications. The findings of the present work could be noteworthy for canine as well as for other mammalian species.     

Expansion under hypoxic conditions enhances the chondrogenic potential of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are widely used in regenerative medicine in horses. Most of the molecular characterisations of BM-MSCs have been made at 20% O₂, a higher oxygen level than the one surrounding the cells inside the bone marrow. The present work compares the lifespan and the tri-lineage potential of equine BM-MSCs expanded in normoxia (20% O₂) and hypoxia (5% O₂). No significant differences were found in long-term cultures for osteogenesis and adipogenesis between normoxic and hypoxic expanded BM-MSCs. An up-regulation of the chondrogenesis-related genes (COL2A1, ACAN, LUM, BGL, and COMP) and an increase of the extracellular sulphated glycosaminoglycan content were found in cells that were expanded under hypoxia. These results suggest that the expansion of BM-MSCs in hypoxic conditions enhances chondrogenesis in equine BM-MSCs.     

Effect of melatonin on regulation of apoptosis and steroidogenesis in cultured buffalo granulosa cells

This study was aimed to address melatonin receptor expression, mRNA level of hypothalamus and hypophysis hormone receptors (GnRHR, FSHR, and LHR), steroidogenesis, cell cycle, apoptosis, and their regulatory factors after addition of melatonin for 24 hr in cultured buffalo granulosa cells (GCs). The results revealed that direct addition of different concentrations of melatonin (100 pM, 1 nM, and 100 nM) resulted in significant upregulation (p < 0.05) of mRNA level of melatonin receptor 1a (MT1) without affecting melatonin receptor 1b (MT2). Melatonin treatment significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) mRNA level of FSH and GnRH receptors, whereas 100 nM dose of melatonin significantly increased mRNA level of LH receptor. Treatment with 100 nM of melatonin significantly decreased the basal progesterone production with significant decrease (p < 0.05) in mRNA levels of StAR and p450ssc, and lower mRNA level of genes (Insig1, Lipe, and Scrab1) that affect cholesterol availability. Melatonin supplementation suppressed apoptosis (100 nM, p < 0.05) and enhanced G2/M phase (1 nM, 100 nM, p < 0.05) of cell cycle progression which was further corroborated by decrease in protein expression of caspase‐3, p21, and p27 and increase in bcl2. Our results demonstrate that melatonin regulates gonadotrophin receptors and ovarian steroidogenesis through MT1. Furthermore, the notion of its incorporation in apoptosis and proliferation of buffalo GCs extends its role in buffalo ovaries.     

Polycythemia in dogs with chronic hypoxic pulmonary disease

BackgroundProlonged tissue hypoxia caused by chronic pulmonary disease is commonly regarded as an important mechanism in the development of secondary polycythemia, but little clinical data are available to support this hypothesis.ObjectiveTo study the prevalence and severity of erythrocytosis accompanying chronic hypoxic pulmonary disease in dogs.AnimalsForty‐seven dogs with hypoxic chronic pulmonary disease, 27 dogs with nonhypoxic chronic pulmonary disease, and 60 healthy controls.MethodsDogs with chronic pulmonary disease and chronic hypoxemia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen [PaO₂] < 80 mm Hg on at least 2 arterial blood gas measurements a minimum of 1 month apart) were identified retrospectively from patient records. Association between arterial oxygen and red blood cell parameters was analyzed using Pearson''s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression analysis.ResultsRed blood cell parameters measured at the end of the hypoxemia period were within the laboratory reference range in most dogs. In chronically hypoxemic dogs, hematocrit (Hct) was increased in 4/47 (8.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0‐17) dogs, erythrocyte count (Erytr) was increased in 12/47 (26%; 95%CI, 13‐38) dogs and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) was increased in 3/47 (6.4%; 95%CI, 0‐14) dogs. No marked polycythemia (Hct ≥65%) was noted in any of the dogs. Red blood cell parameters were not associated with the severity of hypoxemia (correlation to PaO₂: Erytr, r = −.14; Hb, r = −.21; Hct, r = −.14; P > .05 for all).Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePolycythemia is uncommon, and usually mild if present, in dogs with chronic hypoxia caused by pulmonary disease.     

Phenethyl isothiocyanate as an anti-nutritional factor attenuates deoxynivalenol-induced IPEC-J2 cell injury through inhibiting ROSmediated autophagy

Deoxynivalenol(DON)is considered to be the most harmful mycotoxin that affects the intestinal health of animals and humans.Phenethyl isothiocyanate(PEITC)in feedstuff is an anti-nutritional factor and impairs nutrient digestion and absorption in the animal intestinal.In the current study,we aimed to explore the effects of PEITC on DON-induced apoptosis,intestinal tight junction disorder,and its potential molecular mechanism in the porcine jejunum epithelial cell line(IPEC-J2).Our results indicated that PEITC treatment markedly alleviated DON-induced cytotoxicity,decreasing the apoptotic cell percentage and pro-apoptotic mRNA/protein levels,and increasing zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),occludin and claudin-1 mRNA/protein expression.Meanwhile,PEITC treatment ameliorated DON-induced an increase of the inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2)mRNA levels and intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)level,and a decrease of glutathione peroxidase 1(GPx1),superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2),catalase(CAT)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)mRNA levels.Additionally,PEITC treatment significantly down-regulated autophagy-related protein 5(ATG5),beclin-1 and microtubuleassociated protein 1 light chain 3B(LC3-II)mRNA/protein levels,decreased the number of green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3(GFP-LC3)puncta and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)protein expression,and up-regulated phospho-protein kinase B(p-Akt)and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)protein expression against DON.However,the activation of autophagy by rapamycin,an autophagy agonist,abolished the protective effects of PEITC against DON-induced cytotoxicity,apoptosis and intestinal tight junction disorder.Collectively,PEITC could confer protection against DON-induced porcine intestinal epithelial cell injury by suppressing ROSmediated autophagy.     

Effect of adenovirus-mediated up-regulation of α-enolase gene products on follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA of granular cells from goose F1 follicles

Enolases are glycolytic enzymes in the glycolytic pathway. In order to evaluate the effect of ENO1 on follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) mRNA of primary granular cell from goose F1 follicles, the recombinant plasmid adenovirus carrying ENO1 were constructed and infected the primary culture granular cells. The granular cells were randomly divided into three groups: recombinant adenovirus infected (pAd-CMV-ENO1), empty vector infected (pAd-CMV-Null) and no virus (mock control). The expression levels of FSHR mRNA and LHR mRNA of granular cells were examined by qRT-PCR. The results showed the group pAd-CMV-ENO1 had significantly higher FSHR mRNA expression levels than the other two groups (P < 0.05), but had significantly lower LHR mRNA expression levels than the other two groups (P < 0.05). The results suggested that ENO1 could improve the combination rate between FSH and FSHR to accelerate the proliferation and differentiation and steroidogenesis in poultry gonadal tissues.     

A selectively suppressing amino acid transporter: Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 inhibits cell growth and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway in skeletal muscle cells

Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2), also known as solute carrier family 38 member 2 (SLC38A2), is expressed in the skeletal muscle. Our research previously indicated that SNAT2 mRNA expression level in the skeletal muscle was modulated by genotype and dietary protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the key role of the amino acid transporter SNAT2 in muscle cell growth, differentiation, and related signaling pathways via SNAT2 suppression using the inhibitor α-methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB). The results showed that SNAT2 suppression down-regulated both the mRNA and protein expression levels of SNAT2 in C2C12 cells, inhibited cell viability and differentiation of the cell, and regulated the cell distribution in G0/G1 and S phases (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, most of the intercellular amino acid content of the cells after MeAIB co-culturing was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of system L amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), silent information regulator 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1 alpha, as well as the protein expression levels of amino acid transporters LAT1 and vacuolar protein sorting 34, were all down-regulated. The phosphorylated protein expression levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), regulatory-associated protein of mTOR, 4E binding protein 1, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 after MeAIB treatment were also significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05), which could contribute to the importance of SNAT2 in amino acid transportation and skeletal muscle cell sensing. In conclusion, SNAT2 suppression inhibited C2C12 cell growth and differentiation, as well as the availability of free amino acids. Although the mTOR complex 1 signaling pathway was found to be involved, its response to different nutrients requires further study.     

Role of protease inhibitors and acylation stimulating protein in the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Treatment of AIDS (HIV) and hepatitis C virus needs protease inhibitors (PI) to prevent viral replication. Uses of PI in therapy are usually associated with a decrease in body weight and dyslipidemia. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is a protein synthesized in adipocytes to increase triglycerides biosynthesis, for that the relation of PI and ASP to adipogenesis is tested in this work. ASP expression was increased during 3T3-L1 differentiation and reached a peak at day 8 with cell maturation. Addition of PI during adipocytes differentiation dose dependently and significantly (p < 0.5) inhibited the degree of triglycerides (TG) accumulation. Moreover, presence of ASP (450 ng/mL) in media significantly (p < 0.5) stimulated the degree of TG accumulation and there was additive stimulation for ASP when added with insulin (10 µg/mL). Finally, when ASP in different doses (Low, 16.7; Medium, 45 and High, 450 ng/mL) incubated with a dose of ×150 PI, ASP partially inhibited the PI-inhibited adipogenesis and TG accumulation. The results in this study show that PI inhibit lipids accumulation and confirm role of ASP in TG biosynthesis and adipogenesis.     

Melatonin improves cryopreservation of ram sperm by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening

Cryopreservation damages permeability of sperm mitochondrial membranes, with formation of a mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Mitochondria are both a primary synthesis site and principle target for melatonin, which can directly inhibit mPTP formation. The objective was to determine effects of melatonin on mPTP opening of frozen-thawed ram sperm and elucidate underlying pathways by antagonist and agonists of melatonin receptors (MTs), and antagonists of PI3K and GSK 3β treatments; furthermore, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c) release and fertilization were analysed to assess the effect of mPTP status mediated by melatonin on quality of frozen-thawed sperm. Fresh ram semen was diluted in glucose-egg yolk buffer with 0 or 10^–7 M melatonin (frozen and frozen + melatonin groups, respectively) and slow-frozen. In frozen-thawed sperm, melatonin added at initiation of 4°C equilibration was most effective for inhibiting mPTP opening, decreasing peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerase activity of cyclophilin D and increasing plasma membrane integrity, ΔΨm, mitochondrial Cyt c concentration and fertilizing ability (p < .05). In a mechanistic study, the melatonin receptor (MT)1 antagonist eliminated inhibition of melatonin on mPTP opening, whereas MT1 agonist had opposite effects (p < .05). Neither MT2 antagonist nor agonist had significant effect, but PI3K and/or GSK 3β antagonist decreased inhibition of MT1 agonist on mPTP opening (p < .05). In conclusion, melatonin improved sperm cryopreservation, perhaps by acting on MT1 via the PI3K-Akt-GSK 3β pathway to inhibit mPTP opening.     

Survival of hypoxic human mesenchymal stem cells is enhanced by a positive feedback loop involving miR-210 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has emerged as a potential new treatment for myocardial infarction. However, the poor viability of MSCs after transplantation critically limits the efficacy of this new strategy. The expression of microRNA-210 (miR-210) is induced by hypoxia and is important for cell survival under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia increases the levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) protein and miR-210 in human MSCs (hMSCs). miR-210 positively regulates HIF-1α activity. Furthermore, miR-210 expression is also induced by hypoxia through the regulation of HIF-1α. To investigate the effect of miR-210 on hMSC survival under hypoxic conditions, survival rates along with signaling related to cell survival were evaluated in hMSCs over-expressing miR-210 or ones that lacked HIF-1α expression. Elevated miR-210 expression increased survival rates along with Akt and ERK activity in hMSCs with hypoxia. These data demonstrated that a positive feedback loop involving miR-210 and HIF-1α was important for MSC survival under hypoxic conditions.     

No effect of exogenous melatonin on development of cryopreserved metaphase II oocytes in mouse

Background

This study was conducted to investigate effect of exogenous melatonin on the development of mouse mature oocytes after cryopreservation.

Results

First, mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes were vitrified in the open-pulled straws (OPS). After warming, they were cultured for 1 h in M₂ medium containing melatonin at different concentrations (0, 10⁻⁹, 10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁵, 10⁻³ mol/L). Then the oocytes were used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels (fluorescence microscopy), and the developmental potential after parthenogenetic activation. The experimental results showed that the ROS level and cleavage rate in 10⁻³ mol/L melatonin group was significantly lower than that in melatonin-free group (control). The GSH levels and blastocyst rates in all melatonin-treated groups were similar to that in control. Based on the above results, we detected the expression of gene Hsp90aa1, Hsf1, Hspa1b, Nrf2 and Bcl-x1 with qRT-PCR in oocytes treated with 10⁻⁷, or 10⁻³ mol/L melatonin and untreated control. After warming and culture for 1 h, the oocytes showed higher Hsp90aa1 expression in 10⁻⁷ mol/L melatonin-treated group than in the control (P < 0.05); the Hsf1, Hsp90aa1 and Bcl-x1 expression were significantly decreased in 10⁻³ mol/L melatonin-treated group when compared to the control. Based on the above results and previous research, we detected the development of vitrified-warmed oocytes treated with either 10⁻⁷ or 0 mol/L melatonin by in vitro fertilization. No difference was observed between them.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the supplementation of melatonin (10⁻⁹ to 10⁻³ mol/L) in culture medium and incubation for 1 h did not improve the subsequent developmental potential of vitrified-warmed mouse MII oocytes, even if there were alteration in gene expression.