Role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free calcium concentration ( [Ca²⁺]_i) of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in rats. METHODS: The fluorescence Ca²⁺ indicator Fura-2/AM was used to observe [Ca²⁺]_i of rat PASMCs in normal and chronic hypoxic condition. The influences of potassium channels on PASMCs proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. RESULTS: 1. In normoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (156.91±8.60) nmol/L, and in hypoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (294.01±16.81) nmol/L. 2. In normoxic condition, the voltage-dependent K⁺-channel antagonist 4-aminopyridine (4AP), but not the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺-channel antagonist tetraethylammonium (TEA) and the ATP-sensitive K⁺-channel antagonist glibenclamide (Glib) increased [Ca²⁺]_i. 3. In hypoxic condition, 4AP and TEA caused the rise in [Ca²⁺]_i , but Glib had no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. 4. MTT assay showed that 4AP increased the value of absorbing light degree (A value) in normoxic and hypoxic condition (0.582±0.062,0.873±0.043,respectively, P＜0.01), TEA increased A value only in hypoxic condition, and Glib had no effect on the proliferation of PASMCs. CONCLUSIONS: K_V plays an important role in the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs. K_Ca serves as distinct responsive roles in the regulation of proliferation of PASMCs in hypoxic condition. K_ATP has no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in IL-1β-stimulated mesangial cells is medicated by NF-κB/IκB signal pathway

AIM: To investigate the role of NF-κB/IκB signal pathway in the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human mesangial cells (HMC). METHODS: The PGE₂ concentration in supernatants of HMC was measured by radioimmunoassay. COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western blot were used to detect the activity of NF-κB and degradation of IκB. RESULTS: IL-1β significantly upregulated COX-2 expression and PGE₂ production in HMC. Significant up-regulation of NF-κB activation, nuclear translocation of p65 subunit, and degradation of IκB α and IκB β were observed in IL-1β-induced HMC. CONCLUSION: Expression of COX-2 in IL-1β-induced HMC is mediated by NF-κB/IκB signal pathway.     

Inhibition of K562 cell growth by antisense drug targeting with VEGF mRNA in vitro

AIM: To investigate inhibition of K562 cell growth by antisense drug targeted VEGF mRNA. METHODS: X7, 20-mer antisense sequences were selected, synthesized and modified with phosphorothioate. The drug was transfected into K562 cells in the present of lipofection. Cell growth was assayed by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and MTT. The level of VEGF protein in the media was determined by ELISA. The morphology of apoptotic cells were observed by Giemsa staining, and the propotion of apoptotic cells was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The antisense drug inhibited growth of K562 and downregulated expression of VEGF protein significantly, compared with Scrambed control group and showed dose-dependent relation. Signs of apoptosis of K562 cells were not observed. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of K562 cell proliferation, but not cells apoptosis induction is the mechanism of inhibing growth of K562 cells by antisense drug targeted VEGF mRNA. At same time, VEGF has function of promoting K562 cell proliferation, and VEGF mRNA may be a new target attached by drugs.     

苦皮藤素类似物的合成与结构鉴定

以苦皮藤Celastrus angulatus Max.提取物水解产物中的多羟基β-二氢沉香呋喃为原料,合成了对粘虫Mythimna separata具有毒杀活性的苦皮藤素(Celangulin)类似物,并在活性追踪的指导下分离得到了两个具有杀虫活性的苦皮藤素类似物 A和B, 其结构经核磁共振谱、快原子轰击质谱、高分辨质谱等波谱学方法鉴定为2β,6α,8β,13-四异丁酰氧基-1β,4α,9α-三羟基-β-二氢沉香呋喃及1β,2β,6α,8β,13-五异丁酰氧基-4α,9α-二羟基-β-二氢沉香呋喃。化合物 A和B 均为新化合物,在20 mg/mL的浓度下对三龄粘虫Mythimna separata的胃毒活性(死亡率)分别为89.5%和93.2%。     

Mariner转座子与小菜蛾抗性关系的研究

以抗溴氰菊酯、杀虫双、杀螟丹小菜蛾种群及其敏感品系为研究对象,借助聚合酶链式反应(PCR)、载体筛选、琼脂糖凝胶电泳等实验技术,检测了小菜蛾4个品系的Mariner转座子的存在及其与抗性的关系。结果表明,在抗溴氰菊酯、杀虫双、杀螟丹以及敏感品系的小菜蛾中都存在两种大约500 bp的Mariner转座子片断,初次证明在小菜蛾4个品系中均含有两种Mariner转座子,并发现一种新的转座子基因片断,但是没有发现Mariner转座子与抗性之间存在直接的联系。研究结果将为利用Mariner转座子标签法在小菜蛾中分离定位基因、转化外源基因、转基因昆虫防治害虫等研究提供理论基础。     

半自然条件下几种赤眼蜂及品系对亚洲玉米螟卵寄生能力比较

在半自然条件(田间网罩)下,将人工饲养的玉米螟卵按4、8、16块/株3个处理分别固定在网罩内的玉米植株中上部叶片上,然后每网罩分别引入供试赤眼蜂20头,24 h后更换玉米螟卵块,连续3 d。7 d后调查供寄生的玉米螟卵被寄生率及羽化率。结果表明:在半自然条件下广赤眼蜂伊朗1-1品系虽寄生能力高于其他供试品系,但到第2、3天明显降低;玉米螟赤眼蜂北京6-2-2品系每天均维持一个较平稳的寄生能力,产卵量在时间上的分配比较分散,并在第2、3天显示出比其他品系较高的寄生潜能。广赤眼蜂伊朗1-1品系的卵块寄生数量可随卵块密度的增加而增加,而其他品系则在各处理密度下,寄生数量基本没有变化;从卵粒寄生率看,广赤眼蜂伊朗1-1和吉林1-2两个品系的寄生数量随卵块密度的增加而大幅度提高,其他品系增加幅度较小。     

Astrocyte proliferation in the rat hippocampus after middle cerebral artery occlusion

AIM: To study rat astrocyte proliferation in ipsilateral hippocampus following focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In hippocampus of rats at 3, 7 and 30 days after MCAO, the numbers and anatomic distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of GFAP and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the ipsilateral hippocampus were analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Astrocytes appeared hypertrophic, with increased process thickness and numbers at 7 days after MCAO, and the highest density of astrocytes were seen at 30 days in the CA1, CA2 regions of the ipsilateral hippocampus. Western blot analysis revealed that GFAP levels were normal at 3 days, but increased by 7 days and remained elevation at 30 days. Western blot analysis of PCNA protein also revealed identified upregulation PCNA at 3 days after MCAO and the expression peaked at 7 days. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that focal cerebral ischemia in the rat results in a rapid response, a process often referred to as reactive astrogliosis or glial scarring, from resident astrocytes of the ipsilateral hippocampus to the side of ischemia.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in chronic inflammatory mucosa of lacrimal sac

AIM: To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in inflammatory mucosa of lacrimal sac. METHODS: Immunohistochemical S-P method was used to examine the expression of VEGF in the mocusa from 12 patients with chronic dacryocystitis and 8 volunteers. RESULTS: The positive rates of VEGF expression in different parts of the mocusa were: basal lamina: 44.3%±7.6％; surface epithelium: 16.9%±4.6％; connective tissue: 15.2%±4.9％, all normal mocusa of 8 cases were negative. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01), a significant difference among each part of the chronic inflammatory mocusa of lacrimal sac. CONCLUSION: VEGF may play an important role in hyperplasia of inflammatory mucosa of lacrimal sac.     

Effect of sodium nitroprusside on activation of nuclear factor κB

AIM: To investigate the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on activation of nuclear factor κB. METHODS: The techniques of culture of human T lymphocytes, Western blot and RT-PCR were applied. The effects of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at different concentrations on mRNA and protein expression of IκB_α in human T lymphocytes at 30 min or 120 min after stimulating with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-P) were observed. RESULTS: SNP at middle or high concentrations reduced the degradation of κIB_αprotein 30 min after stimulating with PHA-P,and increased the re-expression of κIB_αmRNA 120 min after stimulating with PHA-P significantly.CONCLUSION: The mechanism of inhibitory effect of SNP at middle or high concentrations may be due to the decrease in degradation and the increase in re-synthesis of κIB_α.The regulatory mechanism of SNP at low concentration may not be through κIB_α.