p300/p53/Smad3 pathway involved in aging-related atrial fibrosis in human atrial fibroblasts

AIM To investigate the role of p300 in aging-related atrial fibrosis in human atrial fibroblasts （HAFs） and its potential mechanism. METHODS HAFs were obtained from human left atrial tissue, and the senescence model was established by cell passage. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase （SA-β-Gal） staining was used to detect the cell senescence, and Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of p300, p53, Smad3 and other senescence and fibrosis associated proteins in HAFs. RESULTS Compared to passage 3 HAFs, the proportion of senescent cells, and the protein levels of p300, p53, p-Smad3 and other senescence and fibrosis associated proteins were increased in HAFs at passage 7 and 11 （P<0.05）. After treated with curcumin （a p300 inhibitor） or transfection with p300 small-hairpin （sh） RNA plasmid, the protein levels of p300, and the senescence and fibrosis associated proteins were decreased in HAFs at passage 7（P<0.05）. Up-regulation of p300 by transfection with p300 over-expression plasmid increased the protein levels of p53, Smad3 and MMP-2 in HAFs at passage 3 （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION p300/p53/Smad3 signaling pathway plays an important role in aging-related atrial fibrosis in HAFs.     

MicroRNA-9-5p mediates sympathetic overactivity by targeting KCNN3 in paraventricular nucleus of rats with T2D

AIM To investigate whether microRNA-9-5p （miR-9-5p） mediates sympathetic overactivity by targeting KCNN3 （potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily N, member 3） gene,which encoded small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel 3 （SK3） protein, in paraventricular nucleus （PVN） of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2D）. METHODS A rat model of T2D was established by high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin. The levels of miR-9-5p and KCNN3 mRNA in PVN were detected by real-time PCR. The relationship between KCNN3 and miR-9-5p was predicted by TargetScan. Recombinant adeno-associated virus （rAAV）-miR-9-5p or KCNN3 were bilaterally microinjected into the PVN to observe the changes in plasma glucose levels and sympathetic drive indicators. The number of FosB and SK3 positive cells was measured by immunofluorescence staining. The protein expression of SK3 was determined by Western blot. The relationship between KCNN3 and miR-9-5p were confirmed by cell transfection and dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS Compared with the rats in diabetes control （DC） group, the blood glucose, sympathetic drive indexes and the level of miR-9-5p in PVN were significantly increased, while the SK3 expression in PVN was obviously reduced in the diabetes mellitus （DM） rats. After microinjecion of rAAV-miR-9-5p in PVN, the sympathetic drive indexes, blood glucose, and the number of FosB-positive cells were increased significantly, but the SK3 protein expression was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. However, up-regulation of KCNN3 in PVN had the opposite effect. These responses were obviously enhanced in DM rats compared with DC rats. The results of cell transfection and dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-9-5p bound to the 3’-UTR of KCNN3 and inhibit its expression. CONCLUSION miR-9-5p was up-regulated in PVN of the rats with T2D, and it may mediate sympathoexcitation by targeting KCNN3.     

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein up-regulates endothelin receptors in mouse mesenteric artery through p38 MAPK pathway

AIMTo investigate whether minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) affects the quantity and activity of endothelin （ET） type A (ET_A) and type B (ET_B) receptors in mouse mesenteric artery by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathway. METHODSThe KM mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group (injection of NS via caudal vein), mmLDL group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein), LDL group (injection of LDL via caudal vein), mmLDL+SB 203580 group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of p38 MAPK pathway specific inhibitor SB 203580) and mmLDL+DMSO group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of DMSO). Mesenteric artery ring segment vasoconstriction dose-response curves affected by sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) and ET-1 were recorded by the myography system. The mRNA levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor, IL-6, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NF-κB and p-NF-κB were determined by Western blot. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. RESULTSThe contractile responses of the blood vessel segments to S6c and ET-1 were significantly increased by mmLDL (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ET_A receptor, ET_B receptor, and IL-6 significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB were significantly increased (P<0.01). The serum level of IL-6 was significantly increased (P<0.01). These effects of mmLDL were inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580. CONCLUSION mmLDL increses the serum concentration of IL-6, up-regulates the expression of IL-6, ET_A receptor and ET_B receptor in mouse mesenteric artery, and enhances the vasoconstriction function medi?ated by ET_A and ET_B receptors, which is related to the activation of p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway and downstream NF-κB pathway.     

Effect of Linc00152 targeting miR-376c-3p on viability,apoptosis and radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of Linc00152 on the viability, apoptosis and radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of Linc00152 and microRNA-376c-3p(miR-376c-3p) in human cervical cancer HeLa cells and SiHa cells, and normal cervical Ect1/E6E7 cells. The cervical cancer HeLa cells with low Linc00152 expression or miR-376c-3p over-expression were established. MTT assay, flow cytometry, colony formation assay and Western blot were used to determine the cell viability, apoptosis, radiosensitivity and related protein expression. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the regulatory relationship between Linc00152 and miR-376c-3p in the HeLa cells. RESULTS: Compared with the Ect1/E6E7 cells, Linc00152 was up-regulated in the HeLa cells and SiHa cells, and miR-376c-3p was down-regulated (P < 0.05). Low expression of Linc00152 or over-expression of miR-376c-3p inhibited the viability of HeLa cells, induced apoptosis, enhanced the radiosensitivity, inhibited the protein expression of cyclin D and Bcl-2, and promoted the protein expression of P21 and Bax (P < 0.05). Linc00152 negatively regulated miR-376c-3p expression in the HeLa cells, and inhibition of miR-376c-3p expression reversed the effect of low expression of Linc00152 on HeLa cell viability, apoptosis and radiosensitivity. CONCLUSION: Linc00152 is highly expressed in the cervical cancer cells. Linc00152 affects the viability, apoptosis and radiosensitivity of HeLa cells by targeting miR-376c-3p, which is a potential diagnosis and treatment target for cervical cancer.     

Down-regulation of miR-153-3p attenuates H2O2-induced H9C2 cell injury by promoting Nrf2 expression

AIM To study the effect of microRNA-153-3p (miR-153-3p) knock-down on oxidative injury of H9C2 cells induced by H₂O₂ and its specific mechanism. METHODS The oxidative stress injury of H9C2 cell model was induced by H₂O₂, and then the cell viability and the expression of miR-153-3p were detected by MTT assay and RT-qPCR, respectively. The effects of miR-153-3p knock-down on the H9C2 cell injury under oxidative stress were studied by RNA interference technology. The targets of miR-153-3p were identified by Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS MTT assay showed that the viability of H9C2 cells was decreased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.05). The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression of miR-153-3p was increased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.05). Knock-down of miR-153-3p increased the viability of H9C2 cells under oxidative stress, decreased the cell apoptosis and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2（Nrf2） and antioxidant response element（ARE） activity were increased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.01). TargetScan analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that Nrf2 was one of the potential target genes of miR-153-3p. The results of Western blot further showed that over-expression of miR-153-3p inhibited the expression of Nrf2 (P<0.01), while down-regulation of miR-153-3p increased the expression of Nrf2 (P<0.01). Dual interference with Nrf2 and miR-153-3p significantly reduced H9C2 cell viability, promoted the apoptosis, increased MDA content, and decreased SOD activity in the presence of H₂O₂ (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Inhibition of miR-153-3p expression attenuates the injury of H9C2 cells induced by H₂O₂ through up-regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.     

Resveratrol protects cortical neurons in infant rats with bacterial meningitis through miR-223-3p/NLRP3 pathway

AIM To investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (Res) on cortical neurons in rat bacterial meningitis (BM) model. METHODS Group B hemolytic Streptococcus was injected via the posterior cistern to establish a BM model. Resveratrol was administered intranasally and microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) antagomir was administered by intracerebroventricular injection. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the brain tissue. Loeffler scoring method was used to evaluate the neurobehavioral functions. TUNEL staining was used to detect neuronal apoptosis. The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The protein levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were determined by Western blot. The expression level of miR-223-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. Online software TargetScan was used to search for the complementary nucleotide sequences between miR-223-3p and NLRP3 mRNA. RESULTS Compared with sham group, the thickness of meninges in BM model was increased, the neurological score was decreased (P<0.05), and the number of TUNEL positive neurons was increased significantly (P<0.05). Astrocytes and microglia were activated, the fluorescence intensity of IL-1β and IL-18 was increased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and miR-223-3p were increased (P<0.05). Compared with BM group, after treatment with resveratrol, the neurological score was increased (P<0.05), the number of TUNEL positive neurons was decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the inflammatory response of astrocytes and microglia was suppressed. The fluorescence intensity of IL-1β and IL-18 was decreased (P<0.05), the protein levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased (P<0.05), and the expression level of miR-223-3p was increased (P<0.05). A nucleotide sequence in the 3'-UTR of NLRP3 mRNA might be targeted by miR-223-3p. In the brain of rat BM model, compared with antagomir control group, the expression of NLRP3 was increased in miR-223-3p antagomir group with resveratrol treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Resveratrol may reduce the inflammatory death of cortical neurons in BM model of infant rats through miR-223-3p/NLRP3 pathway, thus playing a protective role for the neurons.     

民勤4种主要灌木植物δ13C季节变化及与气象因子的关系

对民勤4种主要灌木植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C测定,研究不同荒漠灌木植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C差异及其季节变化,并探讨植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C与气象因子之间的关系。结果表明:1）4种灌木植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C值不同月份之间存在极显著差异（P＜0.01）,除梭梭外,其他3种植物δ¹³C值生长初期（5月）>生长中后期（6-10月）。4 种灌木植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C值种间差异在5-10月都达到极显著水平（P＜0.01）,沙拐枣＞梭梭＞柠条锦鸡儿＞白刺。2）4种主要灌木植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C值受到物种、月份、物种×月份的影响,均达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),但受物种的影响最大。3）4种灌木植物叶片/同化枝δ¹³C值与气象因子的关系因其物种而异;影响梭梭、沙拐枣、白刺、柠条锦鸡儿叶片/同化枝δ¹³C值的主要气象因子分别是平均气温、相对湿度、蒸发量。     

尧山46种夏季野生灌木观赏植物评价

基于河南省尧山地区野外实地调查结果并结合相关文献,筛选出46种夏季野生花灌木观赏植物,利用层次分析法构建综合评价体系。从花、叶、果、枝干4个方面,选择16项评价指标,借助Yaahp 10.3软件并根据行业专家意见构建判断矩阵,确定各项指标的权重,对选定的46种植物进行综合评价。根据综合评价结果将46种夏季野生花灌木划分为4个等级,珍珠梅、桦叶荚蒾、金银忍冬等7种植物开发潜力大,紫珠、黄蔷薇、海州常山等11种植物可适度开发利用,匍匐栒子、锦带花、缫丝花等21种植物可作为一般开发利用对象,其余7种植物可较少考虑开发利用。以期为本地区夏季野生灌木资源开发提供参考。     

Generation of a uniform thymic malignant lymphoma model with C57BL/6J p53 gene deficient mice

Lymphoma is the third most common cancer diagnosed in children, and T-cell lymphoma has the worst prognosis based on clinical observations. To date, a lymphoma model with uniform penetrance has not yet been developed. In this study, we generated a p53 deficient mouse model by targeting embryonic stem cells derived from a C57BL/6J mouse strain. Homozygous p53 deficient mice exhibited a higher rate of spontaneous tumorigenesis, with a high spontaneous occurrence rate (93.3%) of malignant lymphoma. Because tumor models with high phenotypic consistency are currently needed, we generated a lymphoma model by a single intraperitoneal injection of 37.5 or 75 mg/kg N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to p53 deficient mice. Lymphoma and retinal degeneration occurred in 100% of p53^+/− mice administered with higher concentrations of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, a much greater response than those of previously reported models. The main anatomic sites of lymphoma were the thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Both induced and spontaneous lymphomas in the thymus and spleen stained positive for CD3 antigen, and flow cytometry detected positive CD4 and/or CD8 cells. Based on our observations and previous data, we hypothesize that mice with a B6 background are prone to lymphomagenesis.