Globin composition and synthesis of hemoglobins in developing fetal mice erythroid cells

Fetal mouse erythropoiesis proceeds initially in yolk-sac blood islands (8 to 12 days) and, subsequently, in liver (12 to at least 16 days). Yolksac cells synthesize three hemoglobins, Hb E(I), Hb E(II) and Hb E(III). Hb E(I) has x- and y-globin chains; Hb E(II) has alpha and y; HB E(III), alpha and z. No detectable beta-globin is formed in these cells. Liver erythroid cells form only adult hemoglobin, composed of alpha- and beta-chains.     

Autonomous developmental control of human embryonic globin gene switching in transgenic mice

The mechanisms by which expression of the beta-like globin genes are developmentally regulated are under intense investigation. The temporal control of human embryonic (epsilon) globin expression was analyzed. A 3.7-kilobase (kb) fragment that contained the entire human epsilon-globin gene was linked to a 2.5-kb cassette of the locus control region (LCR), and the developmental time of expression of this construct was studied in transgenic mice. The human epsilon-globin transgene was expressed in yolk sac-derived primitive erythroid cells, but not in fetal liver or bone marrow-derived definitive erythroid cells. The absence of epsilon gene expression in definitive erythroid cells suggests that the developmental regulation of the epsilon-globin gene depends only on the presence of the LCR and the epsilon-globin gene itself (that is, an autonomous negative control mechanism). The autonomy of epsilon-globin gene developmental control distinguishes it from the competitive mechanism of regulation of gamma and beta-globin genes, and therefore, suggests that at least two distinct mechanisms function in human hemoglobin switching.     

Erythroid progenitors circulating in the blood of adult individuals produce fetal hemoglobin in culture

Erythroid colonies, raised from erythroid stem cells circulating in the peripheral blood of normal adult individuals, synthesize considerable amounts of fetal hemoglobin. In cultures from persons with sickling disorders, amounts of hemoglobin F that are known to inhibit sickling in vivo are produced. The results provide evidence that primitive erythroid progenitors are able to express the hemoglobin F production program and that cultures of mononuclear cells of the adult blood can be used to investigate the mechanisms involved in regulation of gamma-globin gene switching.     

Embryonic and neoplastic cell surfaces: availability of receptors for concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin

Embryonic tissue cells dissociated with ethylenediaminetetraacetate are readily agglutinated by the carbohydrate-binding protein concanavalin A. In this property, they resemble transformed, neoplastic cells; and they differ from untransformed adult cells, which are agglutinated by concanavalin A only after their receptors are unmasked by proteolytic treatment. Receptor sites for wheat germ agglutinin are also present on the surface of embryonic cells, but in a masked form, as on untransformed adult culture cells; they can be unmasked by treatment of the cells with trypsin. Concanavalin A binding sites on embryonic cells may function in cell contact and cell organization during embryonic morphogenesis and differentiation and later become masked in adult cells. The unmasking of these sites in neoplastic cells may represent a return, in this respect, to a condition resembling that of embryonic cells and may be related to cell mobility associated with infiltration and metastasis.     

Amniotic contraction and embryonic motility in the chick embryo

During part of the incubation period of chick embryos the amnion shows spontaneous contractions. Removal of the amnion on days 9, 10, and 11 has no effect on the amount of, or the cyclic aspects of, motility exhibited by the embryo. These observations question the importance of the amnion and yolk-sac as stimulative factors in the initiation and maintenance of cyclic embryonic motility at the ages studied.     

Arabinosylcytosine induces fetal hemoglobin in baboons by perturbing erythroid cell differentiation kinetics

Arabinosylcytosine, a compound that inhibits DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, stimulates fetal hemoglobin in adult baboons and produces significant perturbations in the pools of erythroid progenitors. It appears that changes in the kinetics of erythroid cell differentiation rather than direct action on the gamma genes underlie stimulation of fetal hemoglobin in the adult animals in vivo. These results also suggest that chemotherapeutic agents selected for their low carcinogenic or mutagenic potential could be used for therapeutic induction of fetal hemoglobin in patients with sickle cell anemia.     

印楝素对小菜蛾胚胎细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

【目的】探讨印楝素对小菜蛾Plutella xyllostella胚胎细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及可能的机制。【方法】将体外培养的小菜蛾胚胎细胞分为印楝素处理组和未处理组,采用CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞增殖的抑制率,激光共聚焦镜检PI染色后的细胞死亡和DAPI染色后的凋亡小体,通过Western-blotting检测各组细胞Caspase-3的表达情况以及通路蛋白Akt的磷酸化水平。【结果】印楝素对小菜蛾胚胎细胞有明显的增殖抑制作用,且呈现浓度依赖性,24 h的IC_(50)为4.4μg·mL~(-1)。印楝素处理后的细胞经PI染色后能明显观察到死亡细胞,DAPI染色后可见凋亡小体;Caspase-3蛋白发生剪切,并且抑制Akt的磷酸化水平。【结论】印楝素对小菜蛾胚胎细胞的增殖有明显的抑制作用,并通过抑制Akt信号通路的活化,诱导细胞产生依赖于Caspase-3的Ⅰ型凋亡。     

Specific mutations induced by triplex-forming oligonucleotides in mice

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) recognize and bind to specific duplex DNA sequences and have been used extensively to modify gene function in cells. Although germ line mutations can be incorporated by means of embryonic stem cell technology, little progress has been made toward introducing mutations in somatic cells of living organisms. Here we demonstrate that TFOs can induce mutations at specific genomic sites in somatic cells of adult mice. Mutation detection was facilitated by the use of transgenic mice bearing chromosomal copies of the supF and cII reporter genes. Mice treated with a supF-targeted TFO displayed about fivefold greater mutation frequencies in the supF gene compared with mice treated with a scrambled sequence control oligomer. No mutagenesis was detected in the control gene (cII) with either oligonucleotide. These results demonstrate that site-specific, TFO-directed genome modification can be accomplished in intact animals.     

干细胞及其在人类医学上的应用前景

干细胞是指从胚胎、胎儿或成年个体各种组织中分离出来的多能性细胞 ,具有体外保持未分化状态的无限增殖能力 ,在不同条件下可诱导分化为不同的细胞类型、组织甚至器官。胚胎癌细胞、胚胎干细胞、胚胎生殖细胞和成年组织干细胞是目前研究的几类主要干细胞 ,它们除作为发育生物学研究的细胞模型外 ,在人类医学领域也具有潜在的应用价值     

牛和小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞混合制成的饲养层对牛胚胎干细胞的体外培养

【目的】建立适合的牛胚胎干细胞培养环境,保持其未分化状态,保证细胞的全能性。【方法】分别培养小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞（mouse embryonic fibroblast,MEF）和牛胎儿成纤维细胞（bovine embryonic fibroblast,BEF）,用丝裂霉素C处理两种成纤维细胞分别计数后按1﹕0、1﹕1、2﹕1、1﹕2和0﹕1的比例制成混合饲养层,观察牛胚胎干细胞的生长状态,并对生长在混合饲养层上的牛胚胎干细胞进行碱性磷酸酶,OCT4和SSEA-1免疫组化检测,OCT4、SOX2、NANOG mRNA 表达RT-PCR检测、体外分化形成拟胚体等试验。【结果】①生长在混合饲养层上的牛胚胎干细胞比单独生长在小鼠或牛胎儿成纤维细胞饲养层的结构致密、与滋养层界限明显;②小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞和牛胎儿成纤维细胞在1﹕1比例混合下牛胚胎干细胞克隆结构致密、显著堆积且边缘轮廓清晰优于其它比例组合;③获得的牛胚胎干细胞AKP染色及OCT4、SSEA-1抗原表达均成阳性,分别在体外分化培养形成了拟胚体。【结论】小鼠和牛胎儿成纤维细胞在以1﹕1的比例混合下制成的饲养层可更好地支持牛胚胎干细胞的体外培养,获得的克隆形态最好。     

人类胚胎干细胞研究述评

对人类胚胎干细胞(hESCs)的来源、培养方法、建系条件、生物学特性和鉴定方法、遗传操作及其需解决的问题进行了讨论。提出目前研究的重点在于揭示维持ES细胞多能性和自我更新的机理,进一步优化人类和其他哺乳动物类ES细胞的分离、培养、建系方法,探讨其定向分化机理,建立胚胎干细胞(ESCs)和胚胎生殖细胞(EGCs)的大规模快速扩增技术;完善hESCs向重要功能细胞(生殖细胞)分化的体系;单细胞比对分析ESCs、畸胎瘤细胞(ECSs)、EGCs、类胚体(EBs)、各级生殖细胞和成体细胞的基因及蛋白表达图谱,以探求生殖细胞、成体细胞、ESCs、ECSs、EGCs的本质区别,积极开展将ES细胞用于治疗人类疾病模型的研究。     

瓯江彩鲤仔鱼摄食与生长研究

对瓯江彩鲤卵黄囊期仔鱼的发育进行了连续观察,研究其在开口摄食前的发育、生长以及初次摄食饥饿不可逆点(PNR)。结果表明:(1)仔鱼对卵黄囊的日净消耗量的最大值出现在出膜后的第1d,体长最大增长率出现在3日龄仔鱼;(2)孵化后第7d即6日龄仔鱼,卵黄囊基本全部被吸收,同时,饥饿期仔鱼开始出现负生长;(3)3日龄仔鱼开始摄食,5日龄仔鱼初次摄食率达84.38%,8日龄仔鱼降到41.94%,进入PNR,从刚孵化到仔鱼初次摄食饥饿"不可逆点"的时距达9d;(4)仔鱼混合营养期较短,为3d,摄食能力时间可持续8d。     

Erythropoietin retards DNA breakdown and prevents programmed death in erythroid progenitor cells

The mechanism by which erythropoietin controls mammalian erythrocyte production is unknown. Labeling experiments in vitro with [3H]thymidine demonstrated DNA cleavage in erythroid progenitor cells that was accompanied by DNA repair and synthesis. Erythropoietin reduced DNA cleavage by a factor of 2.6. In the absence of erythropoietin, erythroid progenitor cells accumulated DNA cleavage fragments characteristic of those found in programmed cell death (apoptosis) by 2 to 4 hours and began dying by 16 hours. In the presence of erythropoietin, the progenitor cells survived and differentiated into reticulocytes. Thus, apoptosis is a major component of normal erythropoiesis, and erythropoietin controls erythrocyte production by retarding DNA breakdown and preventing apoptosis in erythroid progenitor cells.     

Embryonic stem cells. Stem cell programs

The availability of human embryonic stem cell lines provides an important tool for scientists to explore the fundamental mechanisms that regulate differentiation into specific cell types. When more is known about the mechanisms that govern these processes, human embryonic stem cells may be clinically useful in generating cell types that have been damaged or depleted by a variety of human diseases. The NIH is actively pursuing a variety of initiatives to promote this developing research field, while continuing and expanding its long-standing investment in adult stem cells and research.     

鸡胚胎腺垂体促甲状腺激素细胞的发生及其变化

应用免疫组织化学方法,对第3.5～20.5 d鸡胚腺垂体促甲状腺激素亚单位(TSH撸┫赴姆⑸⑹亢托翁植急浠媛山辛搜芯俊=峁允荆杭ε叻⒂牡?0.5 d,有少量TSH呦赴植加谙俅固迩耙叮赴派常伲舜螅患ε叻⒂牡?4.5 d以后,TSH呦赴灾黾樱≒ < 0.05),细胞体积增大,胞浆增多,细胞着色浓,分布于腺垂体前叶边缘区,少量分布于后叶背侧。研究结果证明,鸡胚腺垂体TSH呦赴⑸谂咛シ⒂闹衅冢幌赴脑鲋撤只谭⑸诩ε叻⒂闹泻笃冢籘SH的合成和分泌功能在胚胎发育的后期最旺盛。TSH呦赴植加谙俅固迩耙逗秃笠侗巢唷?     

Neuronal properties of nymphal and adult insect neurosecretory cells in vitro

Neurosecretory brain cells from late nymphal and adult cockroaches were grown for 1 to 3 months in a chemically defined medium in combined cultures with embryonic organs or oocytes from nymphal and adult specimens. Under these conditions, neurosecretory cells show vigorous axonal growth. Electron dense granules in cell perikarya and axons of 3-month-old cultures are suggestive of neurosecretory activity in vitro.     

东北地区白斑狗鱼人工繁殖技术的研究

在长春地区进行了白斑狗鱼的人工繁殖,并对白斑狗鱼胚胎发育及卵黄囊期仔鱼的发育情况进行了研究.结果表明,白斑狗鱼卵呈圆球形,金黄色,多油球,卵径为1.9～2.2 mm.白斑狗鱼受精卵在水温10～14℃下经188 h孵化出膜,有效积温为2244℃·h;在水温12～14℃下卵黄囊期需10 d,有效积温为120 ～ 140℃·h.受精率达73.3％,孵化率为48.5％.     

Concanavalin A agglutination of intestinal cells from the human fetus

Concanavalin A markedly agglutinated isolated epithelial cells from the intestine of the human fetus but not from the intestine of the adult. Wheat germ agglutinin only moderately agglutinated cells from the intestine of an adult. These results extend the studies of concanavalin A agglutination of embryonic cells to human tissue, and they suggest that concanavalin A may be reacting with a common antigen on the fetal cell membrane.     

Differential control of U1 small nuclear RNA expression during mouse development

During normal mouse development the relative amounts of two types of U1 small nuclear RNA's (U1 RNA) change significantly. Fetal tissues have comparable levels of the two major types of mouse U1 RNA's, mU1a and mU1b, whereas most differentiated adult tissues contain only mU1a RNA's. Those adult tissues that also accumulate detectable amounts of embryonic (mU1b) RNA's (for example, testis, spleen, and thymus) contain a significant proportion of stem cells capable of further differentiation. Several strains of mice express minor sequence variants of U1 RNA's that are subject to the same developmental controls as the major types of adult and embryonic U1 RNA. The differential accumulation of embryonic U1 RNA's may influence the pattern of gene expression during early development and differentiation.     

Hair cell regeneration after acoustic trauma in adult Coturnix quail

Recovery of hair cells was studied at various times after acoustic trauma in adult quail. An initial loss of hair cells recovered to within 5 percent of the original number of cells. Tritium-labeled thymidine was injected after this acoustic trauma to determine if mitosis played a role in recovery of hair cells. Within 10 days of acoustic trauma, incorporation of [3H]thymidine was seen over the nuclei of hair cells and supporting cells in the region of initial hair cell loss. Thus, hair cell regeneration can occur after embryonic terminal mitosis.