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.     

Up-regulation of miR-181a attenuates releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV,fibronectin and α-SMA in human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced the productions of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). METHODS: CSE-induced miR-181a expression was detected by RT-qPCR in the HBECs. After tansfected with miR-181a mimic, the releases of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by ELISA, the protein expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA was determined by Western blot. The activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was also evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: CSE increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of miR-181a in the HBECs (P<0.05). However, transfected with miR-181a mimic partially prevented the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, and inhibited the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA (P<0.05). Additionally, the activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 evoked by CSE was attenuated after transfected with miR-181a mimic. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-181a prevents the releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA in the HBECs, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.     

Effect of miR-29b-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-29b (miR-29b)-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.METHODS: Hepatic liver fibrosis rat model was established, and its HSC were isolated. Normal rat HSC were also obtained and identified in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of miR-29b, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and liver fibrosis marker proteins in the acquired cells. Finally, the direct targeting binding of miR-29b to TGF-β1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS: With the activation of HSC, the expression of miR-29b gradually decreased (P<0.01), while the expression of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin gradually increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of Smad2/3/4 was significantly increased, and the expression of Smad7 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29b bound directly to "UCUCUCCGU" in the 3'UTR of TGF-β1, indicating that TGF-β1 was a downstream target gene of miR-29b.CONCLUSION: miR-29b may be involved in the inhibition of HSC activation and migration, thereby inhibiting the process of liver fibrosis. The biological function of miR-29b may be through the direct targeting of TGF-β1, thus regulating and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.     

上皮间质转化促乳腺癌机制及药物干预治疗研究进展

乳腺癌是犬、猫等伴侣动物与人类常发疾病,作为人类及动物常患恶性肿瘤和主要致死肿瘤之一,其疾病负担仍呈逐步加重趋势,乳腺癌的预防及治疗形势愈加严峻。上皮间质转化(EMT)是乳腺癌发生发展中重要的生物学过程。EMT还可促进恶性肿瘤的侵袭、扩散及耐药,因此它在肿瘤的研究中日益受到关注,靶向于EMT是治疗乳腺癌的重要研究方向与热点。文章就EMT发生过程中细胞形态功能及标志物的变化、EMT分类及EMT与乳腺癌的关系分别展开论述,详细解析了EMT相关TGF-β/Smad、NF-κB及Wnt信号通路转导途径;随后对乳腺癌治疗药物研究进展,包括TGF-β/Smad通路抑制剂开发,相关药物、基因及细胞因子治疗前景、NF-κB通路与Wnt通路抑制剂的动物试验研究结果进行了详细论述;最后对乳腺癌的治疗发展与趋势进行了展望。深入认识信号通路调控乳腺癌EMT的生物学过程,明确其发生发展机制,寻找关键靶点及开发靶向药物,将为乳腺癌的精准治疗带来曙光。     

吐鲁番黑羊MSTN/Smad信号通路基因表达的发育性变化

为探讨MSTN/Smad信号通路基因对吐鲁番黑羊肌肉生长发育的影响,采用实时定量PCR法,分别对1～6月龄吐鲁番黑羊的腿肌和尾脂MSTN/Smad信号通路基因进行检测.结果表明：MSTN/Smad信号通路基因在腿肌和尾脂组织中均有表达,MSTN/Smad信号通路基因在吐鲁番黑羊不同生长阶段的腿肌和尾脂中的表达没有出现随月龄的增加而一直增加或下降的趋势.     

Smad泛素化调节因子2siRNA的筛选及转染原代肾小管上皮细胞条件的优化简

试验旨在优化Smad泛素化调节因子2（Smurf2） siRNA最佳转染条件,筛选最佳siRNA干扰片段,进而实现对Smurf2基因的瞬时沉默,为研究Smurf2基因在马兜铃酸肾病（aristolochic acid nephrohathy,AAN）中的作用奠定基础。本研究通过培养小鼠原代肾小管上皮细胞（renal tubular epithelial cells,RTECs）,并以脂质体Lipofectamine^TM 2000为转染介质,将Smurf2 siRNA转染入RTECs;通过观察绿色荧光的表达量及Real-time PCR反应优化转染条件,转染后Real-time PCR检测mRNA表达抑制率。CCK-8法检测Smurf2 siRNA复合物对RTECs活性的影响;同时,用Real-time PCR和Western blotting检测不同位点Smurf2 siRNA对Smurf2 表达的影响。结果显示,当Lipofectamine ^TM 2000与siRNA比例为1.5 μL∶30 pmol时,转染效率最高,为70%～80%;Smurf2-619 siRNA干扰效果最明显;与正常组相比,转染siRNA组的Smurf2蛋白表达水平显著下降（P<0.05）。最终确定了Smurf2 siRNA最佳转染条件,其中Smurf2-619 siRNA对Smurf2 表达的抑制率最高。     

PC12细胞诱导的神经缺血细胞Smad7-siRNA及沉默效果的检测

目的探讨诱导PC12细胞分化的神经细胞靶向沉默Smad7基因特性,同时进行沉默效果检测．方法以Smad7基因为靶目标,设计合成3条siRNA序列,进行细胞转染,利用Rea1time—PCR和Westernblot技术检测沉默效果,筛选出最有效的干扰序列,同时检测出最佳的转染浓度和转染时间．结果针对Smad7基因设计合成及筛选出靶向沉默Smad7基因的干扰序列（siRNA1）;siRNA1的最佳转染浓度是4μg／mL;siRNA1的最佳转染时间是24h;siRNA1对Smad7的抑制效果优于其他干扰序列．结论siRNA1能有效沉默Smad7基因;lipofecta—mineTM2000可成功将siRNA1转染至神经细胞,转染效率较高;利用siRNA技术能有效抑制神经细胞．     

Effect of rhynchophylline on TGF-β1/Smad pathway for processing ventricular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of rhynchophylline (Rhy) on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into model group, high dose (10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) and low dose (2.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) group of rhynchophylline, captopril group (17.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1). Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as normal control. Respectively, systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff every 2 weeks. After 10 weeks, heart weight index and left ventricular weight index were calculated. The myocardial hydroxyproline and plasma angiotensin Ⅱ were detected. Moreover, basic myocardial histopathological changes and myocardial collagen fibres were observed by HE staining and Masson staining, respectively. The protein expression of TGF-β₁ and Smad3 in the myocardium was measured by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with SHR model group, Rhy significantly reduced blood pressure (P<0.05), the levels of HYP in the myocardium (P<0.05) and the levels of AngⅡ in the plasma (P<0.01). The pathological damages of the myocardial tissues and collagen deposition were attenuated. The protein expression of TGF-β₁ and Smad3 was significantly reduced by the treatment with Rhy (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Rhynchophylline reduces blood pressure and adjusts to improve ventricular remodeling of SHR. The mechanism may be involved in the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway and reducing AngⅡ content.     

基于Smad 7基因为靶序列的RNA干涉作用研究

为了探讨小干涉RNA(siRNA)对靶基因Smad7mRNA表达的阻断作用,采用体外转录方法制备Smad7基因的小干涉RNAs(siRNAs),用脂质体介导瞬时转染BERP35T 2肺癌细胞系,并采用Northernblot杂交检测靶基因mRNA的表达丰度。结果表明,根据Smad7编码区序列在体外成功地制备了针对2个不同靶序列的siRNAs;Northernblot杂交显示,在转染siRNA的BERP35T 2细胞中,不管是内源性的还是外源性的,Smad7mRNA的表达丰度均明显下降。说明Smad7基因编码区中542563bp及701722bp2个区域均是siRNA作用的有效靶序列,本研究设计并制备的siRNAs能有效抑制Smad7基因的表达。