大丽轮枝菌粗毒素在棉花根冠细胞生物学测定方法上的研究

在棉花根冠细胞生物测定过程中,棉花黄萎病病菌通过提纯复壮而达到较强的侵染能力,并制备出较多的黄萎病菌粗毒素。介绍了粗毒素的简易制备、根冠细胞培养与制备过程以及染色过程中染色剂的选择、染色时间的长短。实验与传统方法相比有几点改进:总结出细胞振荡时间在1~2 min之内;之后黑暗条件下静置培养2~6 h;选用pH为6.5的0.01%中性红染色3~5 min,之后加入一滴0.2%伊文思兰染色,伊文思兰的染色时间应严格掌握在3min以内等,为根冠细胞测定方法的推广提供了一定的理论支持。     

两种菊酯类农药对鲤血细胞的影响

采用对鲤肌肉注射不同浓度的高效反式氯氰菊酯和功夫菊酯,研究了两种菊酯类农药对鲤血细胞形态、红细胞渗透脆性的影响。结果显示:随两种农药攻毒浓度增大、时间延长,鲤血细胞异形率增大。低浓度(6、60μg/kg)中毒鲤成熟红细胞大小不一,核稍有畸形,淋巴细胞、单核细胞增多,核浆界限不清,有空泡,甚至伴有核溶解的白细胞;而高浓度(600、6 000μg/kg)中毒鲤血细胞中除伴有低浓度中毒症状,还出现了染色质模糊,部分白细胞核浆界限不清,甚至溶解,退化更明显。红细胞渗透脆性亦随攻毒浓度增大、时间延长而增高,且开始溶血点的变化幅度较完全溶血点大,表明最小抵抗值更易受环境因子影响。     

Sargassum horneri as a Functional Food Ameliorated IgE/BSA-Induced Mast Cell Activation and Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis in Mice

Sargassum horneri (S. horneri), an edible brown alga, has been proposed as a functional food with an improvement effect on abnormal skin immune responses. The present study investigates the anti-allergic effect of an ethanol extract from S. horneri (SHE) on immunoglobulin E (IgE)/bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mediated activation in bone marrow-derived cultured-mast cells (BMCMCs) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice. SHE markedly and dose-dependently suppressed the degranulation of BMCMCs by reducing the β-hexosaminidase and histamine release without cytotoxicity. In addition, SHE significantly decreased the FcεRI expression on the surface of BMCMCs and its IgE binding. Moreover, SHE reduced the mRNA expression and the production of allergic cytokines; interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13; interferon (IFN)-γ and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; and a chemokine, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), by suppressing the activation of Src-family kinases and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling. In further study, the application of SHE reduced the PCA reaction in an IgE/BSA-induced type I allergic mice model. Taken together, we suggest that SHE has an anti-allergic effect in type I allergic responses.     

Effects of different active constituents of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins in endothelial cells induced by ox-LDL

AIM To investigate the effects of different components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum ［gypenosides (Gps), gypenoside XLIX (GpXLIX) and ginsenoside Rb3 (GRb3)］ on mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins in endothelial cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). METHODS EA.hy926 cells were divided into control group, model group, Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group. The cells in control group were cultured only in DMEM complete medium. The cells in model group were treated with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 48 h. The cells in Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group were treated with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 h, and then treated with Gps, GpXLIX and GRb3 at 100 mg/L for another 24 h, respectively. The ATP content in each group was detected by ELISA. The expression levels of mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins, cytochrome C oxidase subunit 5a （Cox5a）, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S1 （Ndufs1）, ATP synthase F1 subunit alpha (ATP5a) and cytochrome C (Cyt C）, were determined by Wes automatic Western blot quantitative analysis system and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with control group, the ATP content in model group was decreased (P<0.01). After drug intervention, the ATP content increased to different degrees in Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group (P<0.01). The results of Wes automatic Western blot quantitative analysis system were consistent with those of Western blot. These results showed that compared with control group, the protein expression of Cox5a, Ndufs1 and ATP5a in model group was decreased, and the protein expression of Cyt C was increased (P<0.01). After intervention, the protein expression of Cox5a, Ndufs1 and ATP5a was increased and the protein expression of Cyt C was decreased in Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among them, the effect of Gps on the protein expression of Cox5a, Ndufs1 and Cyt C was significantly stronger than those of the 2 monomer components, and the effect of GRb3 was found to be superior in the 2 monomer components. The effect of GpXLIX on ATP5a protein was superior to the other 2 components. CONCLUSION Gynostemma total saponins and related active ingredients protect ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells by affecting mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins, thereby preventing and treating atherosclerosis.     

Soluble Klotho protein suppresses THP-1-derived foam cell formation

AIMTo investigate the role of soluble Klotho protein in THP-1-derived foam cell formation. METHODSTHP-1 monocytes were induced into macrophages by treatment with 160 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate for 48 h, and then were divided into 6 groups: negative control group (THP-1-derived macrophages), positive control group [THP-1-derived foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 48 h], and 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L soluble Klotho protein groups (THP-1-derived macrophages pretreated with soluble Klotho protein at the indicat?ed concentraions for 2 h and then induced by ox-LDL for 48 h). Lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed by oil red O staining. The cholesterol outflow rate was detected by scintillation counting technique. The content of intracellular total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester was detected by enzyme fluorescence analysis. The expression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 （ACAT1） and ATP-binding cassette transport?er A1 (ABCA1) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTSOil red O staining and lipid mass quantification showed that THP-1-derived foam cell formation was dose-dependently suppressed by soluble Klotho protein. The cholesterol efflux rate of THP-1-derived foam cells was increased by soluble Klotho protein in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, soluble Klotho protein decreased the expression of ACAT1 and increased the expression of ABCA1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The soluble Klotho protein inhibits THP-1-derived foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner by down-regulating the expression of ACAT1 and up-regulating the expression of ABCA1.     

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.     

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in trimethylamine N-oxide-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate whether endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-mediated oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: The cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. The cells were stained by DCFH-DA, and the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed by phase-contrast microscopy and detected by flow cytometric analysis. The protein levels of phospho-IRE-1α, IRE-1α and GRP78/BiP were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: TMAO exerted no significant effect on the viability of HUVECs. For a long period (>24 h), even a low concentration (10 μmol/L) of TMAO increased the oxidative stress level in the HUVECs (P<0.05). TMAO increased the phosphorylation level of IRE-1α and significantly up-regulated the protein level of GRP78/BiP in HUVECs (P<0.01). Pretreatment with STF-083010, an inhibitor of IRE1α, for 1 h reduced TMAO-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in TMAO-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs.     

CD36/Src/ERK pathway is involved in process of monocyte differentiation into macrophages

AIM To investigate the role of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) on differentiation of monocytes to macrophages. METHODS Human monocyte THP-1 cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) at 0, 100 and 200 μg /L. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CD36 (siCD36) was employed to knock down the expression of CD36 in THP-1 cells. The CD36 over-expression (CD36OE) cell line was constructed by transfection with a recombinant lentivirus containing CD36 cDNA. Optical microscopy and crystal violet staining were used to detect the monocyte morphological changes and adhesion ability. The protein expression of CD36 was measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. The mRNA levels of CD36, CD11b and CD80 were detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK） and Src tyrosine kinase were determined by Western blot. RESULTS The cellular adhesiveness of THP-1 cells was elevated in the process of monocytes differentiation, and the expression of CD36 was increased in this process as well (P<0.01). siCD36 was transfected into the THP-1 cells (CD36i group) and the silencing efficiency was approximately 80%. The cell surface area and cellular adhesiveness were significantly decreased in CD36i group compared with scrambled siRNA (NCi) group (P<0.01). The mRNA levels of CD11b and CD80 were decreased in CD36i group compared with NCi group (P<0.01). The cell surface area and cellular adhesiveness were increased in CD36OE group compared with empty vector (vector) group (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of CD11b and CD80 were increased in CD36OE group compared with vector group (P<0.01). The phosphorylation levels of ERK and Src were decreased in CD36i group compared with NCi group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CD36 promotes the differentiation of human monocyte THP-1 cells to macrophages by increasing the phosphorylation of Src and further activating ERK.