DEK基因RNAi慢病毒表达载体的构建及其功能鉴定

目的：构建DEK基因的RNA干扰（ RNAi）慢病毒表达载体,并对其生物学功能进行初步检测。方法采用RNAi技术,根据DEK基因的序列,确定其有效靶序列,合成DEK基因的Oligo DNA,退火形成双链DNA,将其克隆到经BamHⅠ与EcoRⅠ酶切后的小干扰RNA（ siRNA）表达载体PSIH-H1上,产生PSIH-H1-DEK慢病毒载体,筛选阳性克隆并测序鉴定。与3个包装质粒共转染293T细胞,包装成慢病毒后感染乳腺癌细胞ZR75-1,经嘌呤霉素（ puromycin,puro）筛选2周后,收集部分细胞利用实时聚合酶链反应（ real time-PCR,RT-PCR）和Western印迹分别检验DEK在信使RNA （ mRNA ）和蛋白水平的敲低效果,并通过细胞生长实验检测DEK对人乳腺癌细胞系ZR75-1细胞生长的影响。结果 PCR和DNA测序结果证实,DEK siRNA慢病毒表达载体PSIH-H1-DEK构建成功。 RT-PCR和Western印迹结果显示,构建的DEK siRNA可有效抑制DEK基因的表达,并由此建立了敲低DEK的稳定克隆。生长曲线实验表明, DEK siRNA可抑制人乳腺癌细胞系ZR75-1细胞的生长。结论成功构建了DEK基因的RNAi慢病毒表达载体,感染人乳腺癌细胞系ZR75-1细胞后,有效沉默了ZR75-1细胞中的DEK基因的表达,为进一步研究DEK基因在乳腺癌中的作用奠定基础。     

RNA干扰巨噬细胞移动抑制因子对宫颈癌Caski细胞上皮-间质转化的影响

目的通过RNA干扰技术研究巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)对宫颈癌Caski细胞上皮-间质转化(EMT)的影响作用。方法通过构建重组真核表达载体p Genesil-1-MIF si RNA,转染宫颈癌Caski细胞(Caski-p Genesil-MIF si RNA组),同时设空载体转染组(Caski-p Genesil-1组)和空白对照组(Caski组),采用荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)和蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测Caski细胞中MIF m RNA相对表达量的变化,并检测转染前后Caski细胞中EMT相关指标E-cadherin和Vimentin的表达变化。结果 p Genesil-1-MIF si RNA转染Caski细胞后MIF m RNA的表达量减少,低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);RNA干扰抑制MIF基因表达后,与对照组相比,p Genesil-1-MIF si RNA组Caski细胞上皮标记物E-cadherin m RNA及蛋白表达水平上调(P<0.05),间叶标记物Vimentin m RNA及蛋白表达水平显著下调(P<0.05)。结论抑制MIF基因表达可抑制宫颈癌Caski细胞发生EMT的能力。     

Abnormalities of the executive control network in multiple sclerosis phenotypes: An fMRI effective connectivity study

The Stroop interference task is a cognitively demanding task of executive control, a cognitive ability that is often impaired in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to compare effective connectivity patterns within a network of brain regions involved in the Stroop task performance between MS patients with three disease clinical phenotypes [relapsing‐remitting (RRMS), benign (BMS), and secondary progressive (SPMS)] and healthy subjects. Effective connectivity analysis was performed on Stroop task data using a novel method based on causal Bayes networks. Compared with controls, MS phenotypes were slower at performing the task and had reduced performance accuracy during incongruent trials that required increased cognitive control. MS phenotypes also exhibited connectivity abnormalities reflected as weaker shared connections, presence of extra connections (i.e., connections absent in the HC connectivity pattern), connection reversal, and loss. In SPMS and the BMS groups but not in the RRMS group, extra connections were associated with deficits in the Stroop task performance. In the BMS group, the response time associated with correct responses during the congruent condition showed a positive correlation with the left posterior parietal → dorsal anterior cingulate connection. In the SPMS group, performance accuracy during the congruent condition showed a negative correlation with the right insula → left insula connection. No associations between extra connections and behavioral performance measures were observed in the RRMS group. These results suggest that, depending on the phenotype, patients with MS use different strategies when cognitive control demands are high and rely on different network connections. Hum Brain Mapp, 37:2293–2304, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

IFN regulatory Factor-1 induced macrophage pyroptosis by modulating m6A modification of circ_0029589 in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundPyroptosis is identified as a novel form of inflammatory programmed cell death and has been recently found to be closely related to atherosclerosis (AS). We found that IFN regulatory factor-1(IRF-1) effectively promotes macrophage pyroptosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Subsequent studies have demonstrated that circRNAs are implicated in AS. However, the underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in macrophage pyroptosis remain elusive.MethodsWe detected the RNA expression of hsa_circ_0002984, hsa_circ_0010283 and hsa_circ_0029589 in human PBMC-derived macrophages from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The lentiviral recombinant vector for hsa_circ_0029589 overexpression (pLC5-GFP-circ_0029589) and small interference RNAs targeting hsa_circ_0029589 and METTL3 were constructed. Then, macrophages were transfected with pLC5-GFP-circ_0029589, si-circ_0029589 or si-METTL3 after IRF-1 was overexpressed and to explore the potential mechanism of hsa_circ_0029589 involved in IRF-1 induced macrophage pyroptosis.ResultsThe relative RNA expression level of hsa_circ_0029589 in macrophages was decreased, whereas the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level of hsa_circ_0029589 and the expression of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 were validated to be significantly elevated in macrophages in patients with ACS. Furthermore, overexpression of IRF-1 suppressed the expression of hsa_circ_0029589, but induced its m6A level along with the expression of METTL3 in macrophages. Additionally, either overexpression of hsa_circ_0029589 or inhibition of METTL3 significantly increased the expression of hsa_circ_0029589 and attenuated macrophage pyroptosis.ConclusionOur observations suggest a novel mechanism by which IRF-1 facilitates macrophage pyroptosis and inflammation in ACS and AS by inhibiting circ_0029589 through promoting its m6A modification.     

How to Tailor Structural Colors for Extended Visibility and White Light Generation Employing Direct Laser Interference Patterning

The appearance of a surface can be controlled by creating periodic microstructures designed to diffract light and produce structural colors. Nevertheless, since structural coloration is based on diffraction, the produced colors have a strong dependence on the viewing angle and absence of coloration takes place while tilting the samples. In this work direct laser interference patterning is used to firstly provide transparent polymer sheets a structural coloration with a high‐range observation angle, and secondly to demonstrate the combination of structural colors, producing a white coloring effect. The employed approaches are based on the fabrication of micro‐gratings with multiple periods in the same structured area and on the engineering of the diffraction orders of the diffraction spectrum. The patterned surfaces are characterized by confocal microscopy and angular spectrometry in reflection mode. The morphological characterization shows homogeneous surface patterns, while the spectral results demonstrate that combining four spatial periods on a single patterned surface, a white appearance is obtained over an angular observation range higher than 30°. The experimental results are supported by theoretical predictions by means of generalized formulas based on the diffraction of light.     

Systemic disruption of the homeostasis of transfer RNA isopentenyltransferase causes growth and development abnormalities in Bombyx mori

Isopentenylation at A37 (i⁶A37) of some transfer RNAs (tRNAs) plays a vital role in regulating the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis. However, whether insects, which are well known for their highly efficient protein synthesis machinery, employ this regulatory mechanism remains uninvestigated. In the current study, a candidate tRNA isopentenyltransferase (IPT) gene with three alternative splicing isoforms (BmIPT1–BmIPT3) was identified in Bombyx mori (silkworm). Only BmIPT1 could complement a yeast mutant lacking tRNA IPT. Phylogenetic analysis showed that silkworm tRNA IPT is conserved in the Lepidoptera. BmIPT was expressed in all B. mori tissues and organs that were investigated, but was expressed at a significantly higher level in silk glands of the fourth instar compared to the first day of the fifth instar. Interestingly, BmIPT was expressed at a significantly higher level in the domesticated silkworm, B. mori, than in wild Bombyx mandarina in multiple tissues and organs. Knock‐down of BmIPT by RNA interference caused severe abnormalities in silk spinning and metamorphosis. Constitutive overexpression of BmIPT1 using a cytoplasmic actin 4 promoter in B. mori raised its messenger RNA level more than sixfold compared with nontransgenic insects and led to significant decreases in the body weight and cocoon shell ratio. Together, these results confirm the first functional tRNA IPT in insects and show that a suitable expression level of tRNA IPT is vital for silk spinning, normal growth, and metamorphosis. Thus, i⁶A modification at position A37 in tRNA probably plays an important role in B. mori protein synthesis.     

Knockdown of cadherin genes decreases susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis produced Crystal toxins

The striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis Walker, is one of the most destructive rice pests in Asia. Insecticidal crystal proteins (Cry toxins) produced by Bacillus thuringiensis are widely used as biopesticides or in developing transgenic crops for pest management. In this study, we tested the involvement of two newly cloned C. suppressalis cadherins (CsCAD3 and CsCAD4) in the toxicity of Cry1Ab/Ac, Cry2Aa and Cry1Ca. Our results showed that CsCAD4 was expressed highest in the midgut, whereas CsCAD3 was expressed highest in the epidermis. The feeding of double‐stranded RNA specific to CsCAD3 and CsCAD4 respectively significantly suppressed the expressions of target gene. The knockdown of CsCAD3 significantly reduced the mortality of larvae to Cry1Ab/Ac, whereas knockdown of CsCAD4 significantly decreased the larval susceptibility to Cry2Aa. In contrast, reduced expressions of CsCAD3 or CsCAD4 were not interacted with larval susceptibility to Cry1Ca. Our results suggest that CsCAD3 and CsCAD4 function in Cry toxin toxicity and these findings will help us to better understand the action mechanism of Cry toxins in C. suppressalis.     

Gene therapeutic approaches to inhibit hepatitis B virus replication

Acute and chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infections remain to present a major global health problem. The infection can be associated with acute symptomatic or asymptomatic hepatitis which can cause chronic inflammation of the liver and over years this can lead to cirrhosis and the development of hepatocellularcarcinomas. Currently available therapeutics for chronically infected individuals aim at reducing viral replication and to slow down or stop the progression of the disease. Therefore, novel treatment options are needed to efficiently combat and eradicate this disease. Here we provide a state of the art overview of gene therapeutic approaches to inhibit HBV replication. We discuss non-viral and viral approaches which were explored to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids aiming at reducing HBV replication. Types of delivered therapeutic nucleic acids which were studied since many years include antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and antisense RNA, ribozymes and DNAzymes, RNA interference, and external guide sequences. More recently designer nucleases gained increased attention and were exploited to destroy the HBV genome. In addition we mention other strategies to reduce HBV replication based on delivery of DNA encoding dominant negative mutants and DNA vaccination. In combination with available cell culture and animal models for HBV infection, in vitro and in vivo studies can be performed to test efficacy of gene therapeutic approaches. Recent progress but also challenges will be specified and future perspectives will be discussed. This is an exciting time to explore such approaches because recent successes of gene therapeutic strategies in the clinic to treat genetic diseases raise hope to find alternative treatment options for patients chronically infected with HBV.     

A study on the inhibition of VEGF expression in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma cells via iNOS gene RNAi in vitro

In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Using RNAi, we transfected chemically synthesised iNOS siRNA into ACC‐M cells (a highly metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line) and detected the change in the gene and protein expression levels of iNOS and VEGF by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. A transwell invasiveness assay was used to examine the changes in invasive ability of ACC‐M cells. Cell growth was determined using a CCK‐8 assay. Apoptosis and cell‐cycle phases were detected by flow cytometry. We found that silencing iNOS down‐regulated the expression of VEGF and then inhibited cell growth and invasiveness of SACC cells, while it increased apoptosis. Therefore, we concluded that iNOS can regulate VEGF expression and iNOS may be a therapeutic target.