低温胁迫诱导斑马鱼ZF4细胞ROS及MAPK相关蛋白表达的影响

为了研究鱼类低温下分子调控机制及其与活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)之间的关系,本实验对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎成纤维ZF4细胞进行不同程度的低温胁迫(18℃和10℃),监测其在不同低温胁迫时间下(1 d、3 d和5 d)ROS的变化以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)通路中蛋白的表达情况。结果显示:(1)DCFH-DA探针法表明在低温胁迫作用下,细胞内ROS含量增加。细胞内ROS上升水平与外界胁迫压力成正相关。低温处理3 d后,18℃和10℃的细胞,其ROS含量与对照组(28℃)相比分别显著升高到(1.23±0.04)倍(P0.05)和(2.31±0.08)倍(P0.05)。(2)Western Blot检测磷酸化的p38(p-p38)和磷酸化的JNK(p-JNK p54和p-JNK p46)的水平变化,结果显示低温胁迫可以使p38和JNK的活性增强,且均在10℃处理3 d达到最高水平。(3)进一步检测DNA断裂标记蛋白γH2A.X的表达水平,结果显示,无论在18℃还是10℃,其在第3天呈现高表达。本实验初步证实低温胁迫能够诱导斑马鱼细胞ROS的产生;通过对不同时间点的蛋白表达水平检测,发现p-JNK、p-p38和γH2A.X激活时间点与低温诱导ROS表达时间点相吻合。该研究为后期对斑马鱼细胞低温胁迫实验奠定基础,其中低温下处理3 d可以作为一个检测各个蛋白变化的关键时间点。     

草鱼mst2在免疫应答中的作用机制

为了初步阐明草鱼哺乳动物STE20样蛋白激酶2基因(mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 2, mst2)在机体免疫中的作用机制,实验采用RNA-Seq技术对干扰mst2后经脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)应激的草鱼肾细胞系(Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney cell lines,CIK)进行了转录组测序与验证分析。测序原始数据经De novo拼接与组装后共获得22 374个独立功能基因(unigenes),其中已知功能基因为21 199个,预测的新基因为1 175个。干扰mst2后经LPS应激的unigenes表达差异分析表明,对照组与实验组之间共存在38个差异基因(differentially expressed genes,DEGs),其中上调基因16个,下调基因22个。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术(quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)对38个DEGs的RNASeq结果进行验证,结果显示,qRT-PCR和RNA-Seq分析一致,说明RNA-Seq分析结果可靠。采用RNA干扰技术干扰mst2后经LPS处理,CIK细胞转录组中DEGs参与免疫代谢的途径主要有MAPK信号通路、内吞作用途径、自噬途径和细胞因子受体相互作用途径。凋亡相关基因检测结果显示,干扰mst2并经LPS处理后,促凋亡基因(fas、bad1、bad2、caspase-3、caspase-8和caspase-9)转录水平上调,抗凋亡基因(bcl2)转录水平下调,证明干扰mst2后经LPS处理会诱发细胞发生凋亡。综上所述,mst2可通过调控凋亡相关过程参与机体免疫反应。本研究结果初步阐明了草鱼mst2参与机体免疫应答的分子机理,可为草鱼细菌性疾病防控提供一定的基础理论参考。     

丁酸钠对脂多糖诱导的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞系炎性损伤的修复作用

本研究拟通过分析丁酸钠对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞系(MAC-T细胞)炎性损伤的修复作用,进一步从体外角度阐述丁酸钠对奶牛乳腺健康的调控机制。在MAC-T细胞中添加不同浓度(0、1、10、100、1 000、10 000 ng/mL)的LPS,检测细胞活力,以确定LPS的适宜浓度,建立细胞氧化损伤模型;并进一步在MAC-T细胞中添加不同浓度(0、2、4、8、16、32μmol/L)的丁酸钠,检测细胞凋亡率,以确定丁酸钠的适宜浓度。最终选用1 000 ng/mL LPS和16μmol/L丁酸钠用于本试验。试验分为3组,分别为对照组、LPS处理组和LPS+丁酸钠处理组,分别对其细胞形态、氧化应激指标及凋亡蛋白mRNA表达水平进行检测。结果表明：1)对照组MAC-T细胞呈扁平的无规则形态,贴壁状态良好;而LPS处理组MAC-T细胞核固缩、破裂,并出现大面积死亡脱落现象;LPS+丁酸钠处理组MAC-T细胞边缘清楚,胞内颗粒较少,死亡脱落现象明显减少。2)与对照组相比,LPS处理组MAC-T细胞中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和总抗氧化力(T-AOC)显著降低(P<0.05),丙...     

Studies on uptake and intracellular processing of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus by Atlantic cod scavenger endothelial cells

Previous work in our group has identified the scavenger endothelial cells (SECs) of heart endocardium in cod, Gadus morhua L., as the major site for elimination of both physiological and foreign macromolecular waste from the circulation. The present study was undertaken to establish the role of cod SECs in the clearance of virus. We focused on infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) as it is a well-known virus with a broad host range, and causes significant economic losses in the salmon industry. Our results showed that cod SEC cultures infected by the IPNV produce high titres of new virus. Ligand-receptor inhibition experiments suggested that the virus did not enter the cells through any of the major endocytosis receptors of cod SECs. Yet, the infection lowered the capacity of the cells to endocytose ligands via the scavenger receptor. Inhibitors of receptor recycling and vesicle acidification did not affect virus infectivity. The finding that SEC cultures prepared from 25% of the cod produced high titres of IPNV without being infected in the laboratory, suggests that SECs of cod may serve as reservoirs for IPNV in persistently infected cod.     

Direct actions of serotonin on gonadotropin-II and growth hormone release from goldfish pituitary cells: interactions with gonadotropin-releasing hormone and dopamine and further evaluation of serotonin receptor specificity

In this study, the direct actions of serotonin (5HT) on gonadotropin (GTH)-II and growth hormone (GH) release in the goldfish were tested at the pituitary cell level. 5HT (10 nM - 10 µM) stimulated GTH-II but inhibited GH release from perifused goldfish pituitary cells in a dose-dependent manner. The minimal effective dose of 5HT tested to suppress basal GH secretion (10 nM) was 10-fold lower than that to stimulate GTH-II release (100 nM). The GTH-II releasing effect of 5HT was abolished by repeated 5HT treatment (10 µM) whereas the corresponding inhibition on GH release was unaffected. These results suggest that 5HT receptors on goldfish gonadotrophs and somatotrophs exhibit intrinsic differences in terms of sensitivity to stimulation and resistance to desensitization. Salmon GTH-releasing hormone (sGnRH, 100 nM) stimulated GTH-II and GH release from goldfish pituitary cells. The GTH-II releasing action of sGnRH was unaffected by simultaneous treatment of 5HT (1 µM). However, the corresponding GH response to sGnRH (100 nM) was inhibited. In the goldfish, dopamine is known to stimulate GH release through activation of pituitary D1 receptors. In the present study, the GH-releasing action of dopamine (1 µM) and the D1 agonist SKF38393 (1 µM) was significantly reduced by 5HT (1 µM). To examine the receptor specificity of 5HT action, the effects of 5HT1 and 5HT2 analogs on GTH-II and GH release were tested in goldfish pituitary cells. The 5HT1 agonist 8OH DPAT (0.1 and 1µM) and 5HT2 agonist methyl 5HT (0.1 1µM) mimicked the GTH-II releasing effect of 5HT. The 5HT1 agonist 8OH DPAT (0.1 and 1µM) also stimulated GH release but the 5HT2 agonist methyl 5HT (0.1 and 1µM) was inhibitory to basal GH secretion. In addition, 5HT (1µM) -stimulated GTH-II release was abolished by the 5HT1 antagonist methiothepin (10µM) and 5HT2 antagonist mianserin (10µM). Similarly, the inhibitory action of 5HT (1µM) on basal GH release was blocked by the 5HT2 antagonist mianserin (10µM). The 5HT1 antagonist methiothepin (10µM) was not effective in this regard. These results, taken together, indicate that 5HT exerts its regulatory actions on GTH-II and GH release in the goldfish directly at the pituitary cell level, probably through interactions with other regulators including sGnRH and dopamine. The GTH-II releasing action of 5HT is mediated through 5HT2 and possibly 5HT1 receptors. The inhibition of 5HT on basal GH release is mediated through 5HT2 receptors only. Apparently, 5HT1 receptors are not involved in this inhibitory action. In this study, a paradoxical stimulatory component of 5HT on GH release by activating 5HT1 receptors is also implicated.     

Gonadal morphogenesis and sex differentiation in cultured chub mackerel,Scomber japonicus

The timing of primordial germ‐cell (PGC) migration with regard to the gonadal anlagen, gonad formation and sex differentiation was examined histologically in the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) at 5–190 days post hatching (dph). At 5 dph, PGCs appeared on the peritoneal epithelium surface or in the mesentery, on the dorsal side of the abdominal cavity. By 10 dph, stromal cells around the PGCs proliferated. The gonadal primordium was formed by 15 dph. The gonadosomatic index was 0.01% at 30 dph and increased thereafter (0.32% in females and 0.04% in males at 160 dph). Ovarian differentiation occurred at 30–40 dph, indicated by ovarian cavity formation (elongation and fusion of the upper and lower ovarian edges). Meiosis was subsequently initiated. A few meiotic oocytes surrounded the cavity at 50 dph; most were in the perinucleolus stage at 60 dph and attained a diameter of 60–70 μm at 190 dph. Testicular differentiation occurred at 30 dph, indicated by the formation of the sperm duct primordium. Spermatogonia gradually proliferated, developing into spermatocytes at the chromatin–nucleolus stage (after 90 dph) and subsequently into spermatids and spermatozoa (160 dph). These data could aid the development of seeding and cell‐engineering technologies for scombrid fish.     

胚胎干细胞的研究进展及应用前景

干细胞(Stem Cell)是一类具有分化潜能和自我复制的早期未分化细胞。胚胎干细胞(Embryonic stem cells,ES细胞)是一种早期胚胎内细胞团(inner cell mass,ICM)或原始生殖细胞(primordial germ cell,PGC)经体外分化抑制培养,分离和克隆得到的具有发育全能性的高度未分化细胞。本文综述了胚胎干细胞的形态学、生长特性、免疫学鉴定方法,ES细胞抑制分化和诱导分化的机理以及饲养层、血清和细胞因子等影响胚胎干细胞分离克隆的因素,并进一步阐述了胚胎干细胞的应用前景以及存在的问题。     

Fluorescence localization of epidermal cathepsins L and B in the Japanese eel

Histochemical localization of proteolytic activities in the dorsal epidermis of Japanese eel was demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy utilizing 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (4M$\beta$NA) derivatives as substrates and 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde as a trapping agent. Carbobenzoxy-L-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-4M$\beta$NA (Cbz-Phe-Arg-4M$\beta$NA) and Cbz-Arg-Arg-4M$\beta$NA were used for direct detection of cathepsins L and B activities, respectively, in fresh frozen sections and unfixed cells of the eel epidermis. The fluorescing areas, where Cbz-Phe-Arg-4M$\beta$NA was hydrolyzed by cathepsin L, were shown in mucus secretory cells and club cells and broadly around skin surface. The fluorescing areas due to Cbz-Arg-Arg-4M$\beta$NA hydrolysis by cathepsin B were localized similarly in these tissues. The fluorescing intensity for both catheptic activities in mucus secretory cells was higher than that in club cells, where small fluorescing granules were distributed. These results indicate that eel cathepsins L and B are stored in epidermal secretory cells at different levels and probably serve as defense factors before or after secretion by these cells. Abbreviations: Cbz – carbobenzoxy; 4M$\beta$NA – 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide; NSA – 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde.     

Functional changes of retinal ganglion cells in rd1 mice during midterm of retinal pigmentosa

AIM: To investigate how the function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) change in the midterm of retinal pigmentosa (RP) in rd1 mice (a transgenic animal model of RP). METHODS: The action potentials from multiple RGCs in rd1 mice at postnatal 20 d (P20) or normal C57 mice (control) were simultaneously recorded by multi-electrode array recording. The functional changes of surviving ganglion cells were evaluated by comparing spontaneous and light-evoked activities of RGCs between rd1 and control mice. The extent of photoreceptor degeneration was verified by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry results showed the thickness of the retinal photoreceptor layer of rd1 mice was significantly lower than that in normal mice at P20. According to the light response properties, we classified ganglion cells into 6 subgroups: ON sustained, ON transient, ON-OFF sustained, ON-OFF transient, OFF sustained and OFF transient RGCs, with a very tiny percentage of OFF sustained RGCs (1.0%~3.1%). The percentage of RGCs remaining light responsive in rd1 mice was significantly lower than that in C57 mice. The average spontaneous spiking rate for rd1 RGCs was overall significantly increased compared to that in C57 cells, whereas different RGC types had different changes. The light-induced responses and light sensitivities of all types of RGCs in rd1 mice were both significantly lower than those in C57 mice. CONCLUSION: The photoreceptors of rd1 mice are severely degenerated in the midterm of retinal degeneration. The functions of RGCs in rd1 mice in the midterm of degeneration decay obviously, with variance in different RGCs types.     

含蛋氨酸二肽影响奶牛乳腺上皮细胞乳蛋白合成相关基因表达

本试验旨在研究含蛋氨酸(Met)二肽对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)内乳蛋白合成相关基因表达的影响。试验分3部分,均采用单因子完全随机试验设计,Met的添加浓度及培养时间分别为60μg/m L(0.402 mmol/L)、48 h。第1部分,培养液添加8种含Met二肽[蛋氨酸-蛋氨酸(P-Met-Met)、蛋氨酸-赖氨酸(P-Met-Lys)、蛋氨酸-色氨酸(P-Met-Trp)、蛋氨酸-苯丙氨酸(P-Met-Phe)、蛋氨酸-苏氨酸(P-Met-Thr)、蛋氨酸-异亮氨酸(P-Met-Ile)、蛋氨酸-亮氨酸(P-Met-Leu)、蛋氨酸-缬氨酸(P-Met-Val)],以不添加二肽为对照,测定BMECs乳蛋白合成相关基因(αs1-酪蛋白、β-酪蛋白、κ-酪蛋白、β-乳球蛋白、Ⅱ型小肽转运载体和氨肽酶氮)的表达量;第2部分,培养液添加8种与上述二肽对应的游离氨基酸(F-Met-Met、F-Met-Lys、F-MetTrp、F-M et-Phe、F-M et-Thr、F-M et-Ile、F-M et-Leu、F-M et-Val),以不添加游离氨基酸为对照,测定BM ECs乳蛋白合成相关基因的表达量;第3部分,用二肽等物质的量替代相应游离氨基酸,测定BMECs乳蛋白合成相关基因的表达量以及细胞内外氨肽酶含量。结果表明:P-Met-Met和P-M et-Lys组较对照组和其他二肽组上调了αs1-酪蛋白和β-酪蛋白基因的表达量,且P-M et-M et组优于P-Met-Lys组。F-Met-Met和F-Met-Lys组较对照组和其他游离氨基酸组显著提高了αs1-酪蛋白基因的表达量(P0.05)。除P-Met-Val和P-Met-Leu组外,其他二肽替代游离氨基酸后均不同程度地提高了乳蛋白和Ⅱ型小肽转运载体基因的表达量,其中P-Met-Met表现出较好的促进效果。总之,含Met二肽等量替代对应的游离氨基酸能够促进乳蛋白基因的表达,其中尤以P-Met-Met的效果最好。