MicroRNA-142-3p modulates atherosclerosis-associated endothelial cell apoptosis via targeting Rictor

AIM To investigate the role of microRNA-142-3p （miR-142-3p） in endothelial cell apoptosis during atherosclerosis （AS） and the underlying mechanism. METHODS Human aortic endothelial cells （HAECs） were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）. The expression level of miR-142-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. Apoptosis was determined via flow cytometry （FCM） and caspase-3 activity assay. Prediction of the binding site between miR-142-3p and 3’-UTR of Rictor mRNA was performed by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS The expression of miR-142-3p was substantially up-regulated during the ox-LDL-elicited apoptosis in HAECs （P<0.05,P<0.01）. Forced expression of miR-142-3p exacerbated apoptosis in HAECs whereas inhibition of miR-142-3p partly alleviated apoptotic cell death mediated by ox-LDL. Further analysis identified Rictor as a direct target gene of miR-142-3p, and Rictor knock-down abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of miR-142-3p inhibitor. Moreover, the Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） signaling pathway was found to mediate the beneficial effect of miR-142-3p inhibitor on endothelial cells apoptosis. CONCLUSION Down-regulation of miR-142-3p inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis and atherosclerotic development by up-regulating the expression of Rictor and activating the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Analysis on Differential Expression Genes in Porcine Aortic Vascular Endothelial Cells Induced by Apolipoprotein C Ⅲ

The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression genes induced by ApoCⅢ,and study the function of ApoCⅢ.Porcine aortic vascular endothelial cells were successfully isolated using enzyme digestion,and then screened the differential expression genes induced by ApoCⅢ using the Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology.The results showed 647 differential expression genes,including 390 up-regulated genes and 257 down-regulated genes.The qRT-PCR results verified that the gene expression results from Solexa sequencing data were reliable.GO and Pathway analysis showed that the function of differential expression genes were related to immune response,cell apoptosis and death.These findings suggested that ApoCⅢ affected the physiological function of porcine aortic endothelial cells by the molecular pathways of inflammation,cell adhesion and apoptosis,which provided a theoretical basis for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis caused by ApoCⅢ.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—AORTIC THROMBOEMBOLISM ASSOCIATED WITH SPIROCERCOSIS IN A DOG

An 8-year-old neutered female Rhodesian Ridgeback developed acute, nonneurological right pelvic limb lameness. Femoral pulsation was poor, and oscillometric blood pressure measurements between the two pelvic limbs differed markedly. A caudal aortic right external iliac embolus was detected sonographically. Radiographically, there was a caudal esophageal mass and thoracic vertebral spondylitis typical of spirocercosis. Using CT-angiography, a caudal thoracic aortic aneurysm with a mural thrombus was detected. The dog recovered following heparin and aspirin therapy but signs recurred 7 months later. Subsequently, the patient improved on treatment and remains asymptomatic. This report illustrates the value of CT-angiography in detecting aortic thrombosis in dogs with spirocercosis.     

多层螺旋CT与核磁共振血管成像、数字减影对主动脉夹层诊断的比较研究

目的：比较多层螺旋CT(multi-slice spiral CT，MSCT)与核磁共振血管成像(MRA)、数字减影(DSA)对主动脉夹层(aortic dissection，AD)的诊断价值。方法：对17例AD患者行MSCT检查，并与MRA、DSA的检查结果进行比较。结果：对17例AD患者用MSCT、MRA、DSA都能作出诊断(按DeBakey分型，Ⅰ型有4例，Ⅱ型有1例，Ⅲ型有12例)，但只有MSCT能明确显示夹层的范围和分支的受累情况，以及剥离内膜瓣、裂口及主动脉的周围情况。而MRA对裂口的检出率只有21．74％，DSA可达87．0％。结论：MSCT对AD的分型以及破裂口的定位诊断更具准确性，对动脉分支显示更清晰。     

CAUDAL VENOUS RETURN THROUGH A LEFT AZYGOS VEIN IN A DOG

The Clinical, radiologic and echocardiographic findings in a one-year old dog with mild subvalvular aortic stenosis and aberrant caudal vena circulation are described. Aberrant systemic venous return to the right side of the heart usually has little clinical significance, but the unusual features in survey radiographs, contrast angiograms and contrast echocardiograms constitute the reasons for this report.