重组碱性成纤维细胞生长因子通过Notch1信号通路对糖尿病大鼠视网膜神经节细胞的保护作用

目的　探讨重组碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor,rbFGF)通过Notch1信号通路对糖尿病大鼠视网膜神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cell，RGC)的保护作用。方法　雄性SD大鼠40只，随机分成对照组、糖尿病组、rbFGF组、rbFGF+DAPT组(DAPT为Notch1通路的特异性拮抗剂)，每组10只。后三组大鼠采用单次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin,STZ) 诱导糖尿病模型。模型诱导成功后，rbFGF组给予rbFGF 10 μL(200 U)玻璃体内注射给药，rbFGF+DAPT组在给予rbFGF基础上加用DAPT(10 μmol·L^-1)。注射12周后，HE染色检测RGC密度，免疫组织化学染色检测神经元再生相关蛋白GAP-43、Notch1蛋白表达，Western blot检测GAP-43、Notch1蛋白及凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3相对表达量。结果　与对照组RGC密度(433.49±6.02)个·mm^-2，GAP-43荧光强度(8.96±0.26)%、Notch1阳性率(45.04±0.46)%及Caspase-3 (27.91±0.63) %蛋白表达相比，糖尿病组RGC密度(328.35±6.43)mm^-2，Notch1荧光强度(31.66±0.40)%蛋白表达明显降低，GAP-43荧光强度(13.66±0.52)%、Caspase-3 (48.91±0.64)%蛋白表达明显增加(均为P<0.05)；而与糖尿病组相比，rbFGF组RGC密度(425.30±7.98)个·mm^-2，Notch1阳性率(41.76±0.62)% 及GAP-43荧光强度(33.05±0.37)%蛋白表达明显增加，Caspase-3 (28.86±0.71)%蛋白表达明显降低(均为P<0.05)；而rbFGF+DAPT组RGC密度(324.91±8.22)个·mm^-2，GAP-43荧光强度(14.27±0.64)%、Notch1阳性率(30.40±0.82)%及Caspase-3 (47.63±0.68)%蛋白表达均无明显变化(均为P>0.05)。结论　rbFGF可上调糖尿病状态下视网膜GAP-43蛋白表达，下调Caspase-3蛋白表达，进而提高RGC的存活，其机制可能与激活Notch1信号通路有关。     

Circulating lectin pathway proteins do not predict short-term cardiac outcomes after myocardial infarction

Despite improvements in treatment, coronary artery disease is still responsible for one-third of all deaths globally, due predominantly to myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. There is an important potential in developing new strategies for treatment of patients with these conditions. Inflammation, and in particular the actions of the complement system, has emerged as part of the pathogenesis in reperfusion injury in patients with MI. To further qualify this, we examined the association between the plasma levels of lectin pathway proteins and myocardial end-points, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and infarct size in a cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A blood sample was drawn the day after percutaneous coronary intervention from 73 patients with STEMI. The primary end-points, LVEF and infarct size, were measured with magnetic resonance imaging 6–9 days after the infarct. Complement pattern-recognition molecules of the lectin pathway (mannan-binding lectin, H-ficolin, L-ficolin and M-ficolin) were analysed along with soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma with immunofluorometric assays <50%. CRP correlated negatively with LVEF, regression coefficient = –0·17 (P = 0·01). None of the lectin pathway proteins correlated to LVEF or infarct size, nor did soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC). There were no differences in plasma levels of these complement proteins when comparing patients with ejection fraction <50% to patients with ejection fraction <50%. Pattern-recognition molecules of the lectin pathway and sMAC do not predict short-term cardiac outcomes after MI.     

Slow atrioventricular nodal pathway affecting fast pathway conduction

A 15‐year‐old girl with a history of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia underwent an electrophysiology study (EPS) for diagnosis and ablation. Her baseline electrocardiogram and echocardiogram were normal. At EPS, she had dual atrioventricular nodal (AVN) conduction, but isoproterenol was needed to initiate the slow‐fast form of AVN reentry. Before ablation without any isoproterenol, she began to have a spontaneous block in the fast pathway with continuous conduction over the slow pathway. After ablation of the slow pathway, all complexes conducted over the fast pathway during a 25‐year follow‐up. Possible electrotonic interaction between the slow and fast pathways is proposed as the mechanism for this phenomenon.     

Melatonin receptors in Atlantic salmon stimulate cAMP levels in heterologous cell lines and show season‐dependent daily variations in pituitary expression levels

The hormone melatonin connects environmental cues, such as photoperiod and temperature, with a number of physiological and behavioural processes, including seasonal reproduction, through binding to their cognate receptors. This study reports the structural, functional and physiological characterization of five high‐affinity melatonin receptors (Mtnr1aaα, Mtnr1aaβ, Mtnr1ab, Mtnr1al, Mtnr1b) in Atlantic salmon. Phylogenetic analysis clustered salmon melatonin receptors into three monophyletic groups, Mtnr1A, Mtnr1Al and Mtnr1B, but no functional representative of the Mtnr1C group. Contrary to previous studies in vertebrates, pharmacological characterization of four receptors in COS‐7, CHO and SH‐SY5Y cell lines (Mtnr1Aaα, Mtnr1Aaβ, Mtnr1Ab, Mtnr1B) showed induction of intracellular cAMP levels following 2‐iodomelatonin or melatonin exposure. No consistent response was measured after N‐acetyl‐serotonin or serotonin exposure. Melatonin receptor genes were expressed at all levels of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐gonad axis, with three genes (mtnr1aaβ, mtnr1ab and mtnr1b) detected in the pituitary. Pituitary receptors displayed daily fluctuations in mRNA levels during spring, prior to the onset of gonadal maturation, but not in autumn, strongly implying a direct involvement of melatonin in seasonal processes regulated by the pituitary. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cAMP induction mediated via melatonin receptors in a teleost species.     

Brain gliomas,hydrocephalus and idiopathic aqueduct stenosis in children with neurofibromatosis type 1

PurposeTo evaluate the incidence and clinical importance of brain gliomas – optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) and especially gliomas outside the optic pathway (GOOP) for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), additionally, to assess the causes of obstructive hydrocephalus in NF1 children with an emphasis on cases caused by idiopathic aqueduct stenosis.Subjects and methodsWe analysed data from 285 NF1 children followed up on our department from 1990 to 2010 by the same examination battery.ResultsWe have found OPGs in 77/285 (27%) children and GOOPs in 29/285 (10,2%) of NF1 children, of who 19 had OPG and GOOP together, so the total number of brain glioma was 87/285 (30,5%). GOOPs were significantly more often treated than OPGs (p > 0.01). OPGs contain clinically important subgroup of 14/285 (4.9%) spreading to hypothalamus. Spontaneous regression was documented in 4/285 (1.4%) gliomas and the same number of NF1 children died due to gliomas.Obstructive hydrocephalus was found in 22/285 (7.7%) patients and 14/22 cases were due to glioma. Idiopathic aqueduct stenosis caused hydrocephalus in 6/22 cases and was found in 2.1% of NF1 children. Two had other cause.ConclusionsThe total brain glioma number (OPGs and only GOOPs together) better reflected the overall brain tumour risk for NF1 children. However, GOOPs occur less frequently than OPGs, they are more clinically relevant. The obstructive hydrocephalus was severe and featuring frequent complication, especially those with GOOP. Idiopathic aqueduct stenosis shows an unpredictable cause of hydrocephalus in comparison with glioma and is another reason for careful neurologic follow up.     

Therapeutic potential of trametinib to inhibit the mutagenesis by inactivating the protein kinase pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction:Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is known to be involved in the tumorigenesis of cancer cells including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and kinases involved in this pathway are frequently mutated. The development of new targeted therapies in cancer has led to the evaluation of MEK-inhibitors.

Areas covered: This article reviews different studies using trametinib alone, in combination with other targeted therapies or associated with other non-targeted therapies in NSCLC, with a focus on KRAS mutant and BRAF mutant NSCLC.

Expert commentary: Trametinib demonstrated activity in association with a BRAF inhibitor when BRAF was mutated. The combination of trametinib and dabrafenib has been approved for this population of BRAF mutant NSCLC patients. For KRAS mutant NSCLC, the combination of trametinib with chemotherapy has showed promising results and should be further assessed. Several clinical trials are ongoing, assessing trametinib in combination with other targeted therapies. In addition, preclinical studies suggest a synergistic effect of trametinib in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors and such combinations should be studied in clinical trials.     

尿石素A激活自噬改善糖尿病小鼠肝脏胰岛素抵抗研究

目的研究尿石素A(UA)对2型糖尿病模型小鼠肝脏胰岛素信号通路的影响及与自噬的关系。方法将C57BL/6小鼠按体质量随机分成4组,即对照组、模型组、尿石素A(50 mg/kg)组、尿石素A(50 mg/kg)联合氯喹(50 mg/kg)组,高脂饲料喂养6周后,ip链脲佐菌素(STZ)建立2型糖尿病模型。各组小鼠ig给药7周,检测小鼠体质量、饮水量、血脂、空腹血糖(FBG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)水平;计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、胰岛素敏感指数(ISI);HE染色观察小鼠肝组织病理变化;蛋白免疫印迹法检测小鼠肝组织磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)、葡萄糖转运蛋白2(Glut2)、磷酸化糖原合酶激酶-3β(p-GSK3β)及自噬相关蛋白微管相关蛋白质1轻链3Ⅱ/Ⅰ(LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ)、选择性自噬接头蛋白(p62)表达水平。结果与模型组比较,UA能够显著改善糖尿病模型小鼠肝组织脂肪变和水肿;显著降低血浆三酰甘油(TG)、游离脂肪酸(FFA)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-C)、FBG、FINS水平,升高高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)水平(P0.01);显著降低HOMA-IR,升高ISI(P0.01);上调肝组织p-Akt、Glut2、p-GSK3β、LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ蛋白表达,抑制p62蛋白表达(P0.01)。联合氯喹后,小鼠FBG、FINS、HOMA-IR增加,ISI降低(P0.05);肝组织水肿和脂肪病变明显加重;肝组织p-Akt、Glut2、LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ蛋白表达水平降低,p62蛋白表达水平升高(P0.05),显示自噬抑制剂氯喹明显削弱了UA的作用。结论 UA可能是通过激活肝脏自噬改善糖尿病小鼠肝脏胰岛素抵抗。     

LncRNA MEG3靶向miR-181a-5p调控宫颈癌细胞放射敏感性

目的 研究LncRNA MEG3对宫颈癌细胞放射敏感性的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法 运用qRT-PCR法检测放射抗性和放射敏感性宫颈癌细胞中LncRNA MEG3的表达;将过表达对照组(转染pcDNA 3.1)、过表达LncRNA MEG3组(转染pcDNA 3.1-LncRNA MEG3)、抑制miR-NC组(转染anti-miR-NC)、抑制miR-181a-5p组(转染anti-miR-181a-5p)、过表达LncRNA MEG3+过表达miR-NC组(共转染pcDNA 3.1-LncRNA MEG3和anti-miR-NC)、过表达LncRNA MEG3+过表达miR-181a-5p组(共转染pcDNA 3.1-LncRNA MEG3和anti-miR-181a-5p),均用脂质体法转染至SiHa细胞;克隆形成实验检测细胞的存活分数;流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡率;双荧光素酶报告基因检测实验检测细胞的荧光活性;Western blot检测细胞中PTEN、p-Akt、Akt的蛋白表达。结果 与放射敏感组相比,放射抗性宫颈癌组织中LncRNA MEG3的表达明显降低(P<0.05),其表达量与宫颈癌细胞的放射敏感性呈正相关;过表达LncRNA MEG3、抑制miR-181a-5p均可显著增强宫颈癌细胞SiHa放射敏感性,促进凋亡(P<0.05);野生型LncRNA MEG3细胞的荧光活性受miR-181a-5p的抑制。过表达miR-181a-5p逆转了LncRNA MEG3对宫颈癌细胞放射增敏和促凋亡作用及对PTEN/Akt信号通路的调控。结论 长链非编码RNA LncRNA MEG3可增强宫颈癌细胞放射敏感性,其机制可能与靶向miR-181a-5p调控PTEN/Akt 信号通路有关,可为提高宫颈癌的预后提供新方向。     

川续断提取物续断皂苷Ⅵ防治骨质疏松症的研究进展

随着我国老年人绝对数量的增长以及老龄化加速,骨质疏松症(osteoporosis,OP)已然成为我国需要面对的公共健康问题。近年来对续断防治OP的基础及临床研究成为热点,研究发现川续断皂苷Ⅵ具有较好的防治OP的功效,可以通过多个细胞层面及生物学通路干预骨代谢,从而发挥治疗OP的作用。笔者从续断皂苷Ⅵ对BMSCs、成骨细胞、破骨细胞及相关生物学信号通路的影响来综述续断皂苷Ⅵ防治骨质疏松的研究概况,以期为续断皂苷Ⅵ的基础研究、临床应用及新药开发等提供参考。     

胃癌组织中WISP1和Ki67的表达及其临床病理意义

目的:探讨胃癌组织中WISP1和Ki67蛋白的表达及其临床病理意义。方法:收集中国医科大学附属第一医院肿瘤外科手术切除的胃癌组织标本87例及其配对非癌（距癌灶边缘>5 cm取材）胃黏膜组织80例，采用免疫组织化学方法检测WISP1和Ki67蛋白在胃癌组织及其配对正常胃黏膜组织中的表达。结果:胃癌组织中WISP1的阳性表达率为81.61%（71/87），显著高于非癌胃黏膜组织阳性表达率12.50%（10/80）。WISP1蛋白表达，在低分化腺癌中的阳性表达较中（P=0.000）、高（P=0.032)分化管状腺癌显著增高，弥漫型胃癌显著高于肠型胃癌（P=0.000），在肿瘤直径>5 cm的胃癌组织中显著高于肿瘤直径≤5 cm的胃癌组织（P=0.010），在伴有淋巴结转移的胃原发灶癌组织中较无淋巴结转移组增高（P=0.025）。Ki67蛋白表达与进展期胃癌患者肿瘤浸润深度（P=0.043）和淋巴结转移（P=0.027）相关。WISP1阳性表达与Ki67表达呈正相关（rk=0.240，P=0.026）。结论:WISP1在胃癌组织中表达显著上调，联合检测胃癌组织中WISP1和Ki67蛋白的表达，可更好的预测淋巴结转移情况，为胃癌患者预后评价提供参考。