Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide VIP-like activity in the rat small intestine

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide nerve processes and cell bodies were identified by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry in the rat small intestine. Labeled nerve processes were numerous in the inner circular smooth muscle coat and mainly in the mucosa, but were absent in the longitudinal muscle layer. Submucosal blood vessels were often surrounded by immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal polypeptide positive nerves, in close associations (distance less than 40 mn) to blood vessel basement membranes and to smooth muscle cells. In the ganglia of the myenteric and submucous plexuses, labeled fibers surrounded unstained neural cell bodies. The synaptic vesicles of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide positive terminals were 35-40 nm in diameter and some dense core vesicles (80-120 nm in diameter) were also observed in the same profiles. These observations suggest that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide nerves may participate in regulating smooth muscle activity and local blood flow in the small intestine.     

抗纤维化细胞因子对TGF-β1基因启动转录活性的影响

转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1)是一类现已明确的致纤维化细胞因子,具有广泛的生物学效应,对细胞外基质(ECM)基因表达、降解、细胞增殖分化、凋亡及免疫功能都具有重要调节作用。前期我们研究发现,TGF-β1启动调控序列中单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点-509C>T与肝纤维化进展及血浆中TGF-β1浓度有明显的相关性。本研究旨在探讨抗纤维化细胞因子(IL-10、HGF、IFN-γ)对含TGF-β1基因-509C>T启动调控序列活性的影响。我们以特定-509C>T基因型患者DNA为模板,用PCR方法扩增得到一对长度为2.14kb(-1328~+812)含有-509C>T变异的TGF-β1上游基因片段,并将其与不含启动子的pCAT3-enhancer报告基因载体重组,构建重组体phT-GF2.14C和phTGF2.14T。用脂质体转染法将两种重组体分别转染至正常人肝脏细胞中,分别用IL-10(4ng/ml)、HGF(10ng/ml)、IFN-γ(20ng/ml)干预转染后细胞。ELISA法测定转染细胞的报告基因CAT活性。结果表明:肝细胞转染重组体phTGF2.14C细胞的CAT活性明显高于转染重组体phTGF2.14T(t=12.5882,P=0.0002)。IFN-γ对TGF-β1基因启动子phTGF2.14C、phTGF2.14T均具有显著抑制作用。细胞因子IL-10和HGF对其调控作用不显著。TGF-β1基因-509C>T中C等位基因可明显增强TGF-β1基因上游启动调控序列的转录活性,IFN-γ作为一种抗纤维化细胞因子在基因转录水平对含有两种等位基因-509C>T的TGF-β1基因上游启动调控序列均具有抑制作用。而作为抗纤维化细胞因子的IL-10与HGF在2.14Kb(-1328~+812)区域内对TGF-β1基因上游启动调控序列的作用不显著。     

Functional expression of 4-1BB (CD137) in the inflammatory tissue in Crohn's disease

4-1BB ligand (L) expressed on antigen presenting cells (APC) interacts with 4-1BB, expressed on activated T cells and this interaction costimulates T cells to secrete cytokines and to proliferate. We investigated whether 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions might be involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). In immunohistochemistry, we found 4-1BB expression on lamina propria (LP) cells in inflamed and to a lesser extend in non-inflamed gut tissue from CD patients. mRNA levels for 4-1BB were also elevated in intestinal CD tissue. In contrast, only few 4-1BB-expressing cells were found in inflamed tissue from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and almost no positive cells were found in control intestinal tissue. 4-1BB expression was better sustained on in vitro activated lamina propria T cells from CD patients compared to controls. Finally, agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody enhanced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and proliferation of lamina propria T cells from CD patients. Taken together, our data suggest that 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions contribute to the persistence of gut inflammation in CD.     

Evidence for the existence of two forms of α2A-adrenoceptors in the rat

Summary The _2A-adrenoceptors in rat spleen, kidney, spinal cord and cerebral cortex were studied using [³H]-RX821002 radioligand binding. In the spleen, spinal cord and cerebral cortex, the ligand bound to saturable sites with a K _d of about 1 nmol/l and capacities of 134, 240 and 290 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Computer modelling competition curves for 39 drugs, including those for _2A-, _2B- or _2C-adrenoceptor selective drugs, indicated that the sites labelled by [³H]-RX821002 in the spleen consisted of a single population of _2A-adrenoceptors. However, the competition curves for guanoxabenz were definitely biphasic and resolved into two site fits, indicating that guanoxabenz was binding to both high affinity (K _d = 35 nmol/1) and low affinity (K _d = 8900 nmol/1) _2A-adrenoceptor sites in the proportions 57% and 43%, respectively. The K _d ^Sfor a number of ₂-adrenoceptor subtype selective drugs, measured in competition with [³H]-RX821002 in cerebral cortex and spinal cord, were highly correlated with those obtained in the spleen indicating their _2A-adrenoceptor nature. However, by contrast to the results with the spleen, the guanoxabenz competition curves for the spinal cord and cerebral cortex were monophasic and resolved only into one site fits, the K _d of guanoxabenz being about 4000 nmol/l for both tissues. Drug K _d ^Sfor kidney _2A-adrenoceptors were also determined using [³H]-RX821002. For nearly all drugs tested, the K _d ^Swere highly correlated with those found for the _2A-adrenoceptors in the other rat tissues. However, for guanoxabenz, the data indicated that it competed with [³H]-RX821002 at a single _2A-adrenoceptor site with a K _d of 39 nmol/1. When the rat _2A-adrenoceptor gene RG20 was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells and its ligand binding properties probed using [³H]-RX821002, the drug K _d ^Sobtained were also highly correlated with those found for the _2A-adrenoceptors in the spleen, cerebral cortex, spinal cord and kidney of the rat. For the RG20 encoded receptor, the guanoxabenz competition curves were steep and monophasic and modelled best into one site fits, with the Kd of guanoxabenz being 5200 nmol/1.It is suggested that guanoxabenz can differentiate between two forms of _2A-adrenoceptors in the rat: _2A1 and _2A2. The _2A1-form is present in the spleen and kidney where it shows a high apparent affinity for guanoxabenz. The _2A2-form shows a low apparent affinity for guanoxabenz and is present in the spleen, cerebal cortex and spinal cord. The _2A2-form of the rat ₂-adrenoceptor appears to be encoded by the RG20 gene. The _2A, and _2A2-adrenoceptor forms do not represent high and low affinity receptor forms for agonists because assays included EDTA, Gpp(NH)p and Na⁺, which eliminated the high affinity receptors for agonists.     

Synaptic organization of excitatory and inhibitory boutons associated with spinal neurons which project through the dorsal columns of the cat

The cell bodies and proximal dendrites of postsynaptic dorsal column neurons were examined for synaptic boutons which displayed immunoreactivity for the principal excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA. The neurons were labelled by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase and GABA or glutamate-containing boutons were revealed by performing postembedding immunogold reactions on electron microscope sections. Five neurons were examined and all of them were postsynaptic to boutons which contained either GABA or glutamate. Quantitative analysis of two of the cells revealed that more than 90% of the synaptic profiles associated with them displayed immunogold reactions for these transmitters. Analysis of series of alternate sections, which were reacted for either GABA or glutamate, showed that there was no overlap in the populations of immunoreactive boutons. Furthermore, GABA and glutamate immunoreactions were associated with boutons which had different morphological characteristics. In addition, some large glutamate-enriched boutons were postsynaptic to small boutons which displayed immunogold reactions for GABA. This study demonstrates morphological bases for direct excitation, postsynaptic inhibition and presynaptic inhibition of postsynaptic dorsal column cells.     

Evaluation of a new fletcher applicator using cesium-137

The improved Fletcher Applicator¹ is a recent modification of the afterloading Fletcher system. Its aluminum construction reduces the weight by 50 % and is more comfortable for the patient. Removable caps contain medially placed tungsten screens that shield tissues anteriorly and posteriorly. When the caps are removed, the colpostats can be used as Delclos mini-ovoids. A method for evaluating the dosimetry of brachytherapy applicators in a water phantom was devised so this applicator could be studied and compared with other gynecologic applicators. The results show that the transmission ratios—the fraction of radiation transmitted through the tungsten shields—differ from those of the preloaded Fletcher colpostat, but are similar to the transmission ratios of the Fletcher-Suit applicator. There is a 10 % to 25 % reduction in the radiation dose to the region of the bladder trigone and anterior rectum with the shield containing cap in place. This percent reduction in dose is in agreement with other Fletcher applicators. Misalignment of the source basket within the colpostat, and motion of the source in the carrier cause variations in the dose rate at specific distances from the colpostat.     

PPAR-γ的激动剂抑制肺癌细胞生长的实验研究

目的　研究肺癌细胞上过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体γ(PPAR γ)的表达及其经配体 (激动剂 )活化后抑制肺癌细胞生长的机制。方法　以RT PCR和Westernblot检测肺癌细胞上PPAR γ的表达 ,并通过MTT和细胞计数检测经PPAR γ的激动剂作用后的细胞增殖情况 ,以TUNEL检测细胞的凋亡情况。结果　两种细胞上均有PPAR γ的表达 ;PPAR γ的配体作用后明显抑制细胞生长 ,且与时间和剂量有关 ;经配体活化的PPAR γ能诱导细胞凋亡 ,使其增殖受抑。结论　作为肺癌治疗的新靶点———PPAR γ在肺癌细胞上表达 ,且经配体活化后能通过诱导凋亡而抑制肺癌细胞的生长 ,从而为未来肺癌的治疗提供了新的途径     

金钱草中黄酮苷的分离与结构鉴定金钱草中黄酮苷的分离与结构鉴定

目的从金钱草中分离制备标准品。方法用硅胶柱色谱进行分离,通过理化方法及IR,UV,MS,¹HNMR,¹³CNMR,DEPT,HMQC,HMBC等光谱分析确定化合物结构。结果从金钱草中分离得到2个化合物,分别鉴定为鼠李酮酸γ-内酯(I)、山奈酚-3-O-α-L-鼠李糖(1→2)-β-D-木糖苷(II)。结论II为新化合物,命名为金钱草素,I为首次从该属植物中分离得到。     

淋巴细胞微核试验用于全血γ射线辐照效果评价

目的探讨淋巴细胞微核试验用于全血γ射线的辐照效果。方法分别用15、25、35Gy射线剂量的137Cs辐照血液,注入含有PHA的RPIM1640培养基的小瓶中培养(37℃,72h),收集淋巴细胞,制片,观察和计算微核细胞率;另分离淋巴细胞,进行淋巴细胞增殖试验。结果与对照组相比,随着辐照剂量的升高,微核细胞率显著升高(P<0.01),而淋巴细胞增殖率显著下降(P<0.01)。微核细胞率与淋巴细胞增值率之间有高度相关性,曲线拟合方程为:^Y=1021.246613-43.872036X 0.825340X2-0.004886X3,R2=0.999999,P<0.01。结论微核试验用于评价γ射线灭活淋巴细胞的效果有一定的应用前景,35Gy剂量的137Csγ射线对淋巴细胞的灭活效果较好。