Cyclin D1启动子在养精胶囊促进小鼠精原干细胞增殖中的作用※

目的 研究养精胶囊促进小鼠精原干细胞（SSCs）增殖的分子机制。方法 将不同浓度的养精胶囊提取物加入SSCs中培养48 h，CCK-8检测细胞的增殖活性，流式细胞仪检测细胞周期，荧光素酶报告基因检测Cyclin D1启动子的活性，qRT-PCR以及免疫荧光检测Cyclin D1的表达。之后进行阻断实验，在加入养精胶囊前预先加入siRNA-Cyclin D1，同样的方法检测细胞的增殖活性、细胞周期、Cyclin D1启动子的活性以及Cyclin D1的表达情况。结果 低、中、高浓度的养精胶囊可以促进SSCs的增殖，提高S期细胞的比例，增强Cyclin D1启动子的活性，促进Cyclin D1的表达。阻断Cyclin D1后，SSCs的增殖活性降低，S期细胞比例减少，Cyclin D1启动子的活性降低，Cyclin D1的表达减少。结论 养精胶囊通过增强Cyclin D1启动子的活性提高Cyclin D1的转录和翻译水平，进而促进SSCs增殖。     

Analysis of the role of palmitoleic acid in acute anterior uveitis

PurposeTo study the role of palmitoleic acid (PA) in the pathogenesis of acute anterior uveitis (AAU).MethodsPA levels in feces from AAU patients were measured by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and compared with samples obtained from healthy individuals. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to assess the effect of PA on dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4⁺T cells obtained from mice, AAU patients and healthy individuals. C57BL/6 mice were fed with PA or vehicle and experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) was induced with a human retinal IRBP651-670 peptide. Disease severity of EAU was evaluated by clinical manifestation and histology. Differentiation of splenic Type 1 helper T cells (Th1) and Th17 cells was evaluated by FCM. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomics analysis was used to identify differentially expressed proteins following incubation of DCs with PA.ResultsThe fecal concentration of PA was increased in AAU patients as compared with healthy individuals. In vitro, PA promoted apoptosis of DCs and inhibited the secretion of TNF-α from mouse bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) as well as in DCs from AAU patients and healthy individuals. It only decreased DCs surface marker expression and IL-12p70 secretion in BMDCs and healthy individuals DCs but not in AAU patient DCs. PA-treated BMDCs inhibited Th cell differentiation from mouse naïve CD4⁺T cells and IL-17 and IFN-γ secretion in co-culture supernatants. PA also inhibited the differentiation of Th cells and secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17 in CD4⁺T cells from mice, AAU patients and healthy individuals. In vivo, PA-treated EAU mice showed milder clinical and histopathological intraocular manifestations as compared with the control group. PA feeding inhibited differentiation of splenic Th17 cells, whereas Th1 cells were not affected. Up to 30 upregulated and 77 downregulated proteins were identified when comparing PA-treated DCs with controls.ConclusionAn increased expression of fecal PA was observed in AAU patients. PA was shown to have immunoregulatory effects on DCs and CD4⁺T cells and attenuated disease severity in EAU mice.     

Hydroxychloroquine is a novel therapeutic approach for rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease in face. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-malaria drug, was reported to have anti-inflammation activities. However, the role of HCQ on rosacea remains unclear. In this study, we revealed the potential molecular mechanism by which HCQ improved rosacea in rosacea-like mice and mast cells (MCs). Moreover, the effects of HCQ treatment for rosacea patients were investigated. In this study, we found HCQ ameliorated the rosacea-like phenotype and MCs infiltration. The elevated pro-inflammatory factors and mast cell protease were significantly inhibited by HCQ treatment in rosacea-like mice. In vitro, HCQ suppresses LL37-induced MCs activation in vitro, including the release of inflammatory factors, chemotaxis, degranulation and calcium influx. Moreover, HCQ attenuated LL37-mediated MCs activation partly via inhibiting KCa3.1-mediated calcium signaling. Thus, these evidences suggest HCQ ameliorated rosacea-like dermatitis may be by regulating immune response of MCs. Finally, the 8-week HCQ treatment exerted satisfactory therapeutic effects on erythema and inflammatory lesions of rosacea patients, indicating that it is a promising drug for rosacea in clinical treatment.     

Toll-like receptor 4, Toll-like receptor 7 and Toll-like receptor 9 agonists enhance immune responses against blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi infection in BALB/c mice

BackgroundToll-like receptor (TLR) signals play vital roles during the blood-stage of malaria infections. However, the roles of TLR agonists in the regulation of immune responses and the development of protective immunity to malaria remain poorly understood.MethodBALB/c mice were pre-treated with TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 agonists, followed by infection with Plasmodium chabaudi. After infection, splenic dendritic cells (DCs), Th1 cells and programmed death-1 (PD-1) expressed on Th1 cells, as well as regulatory T cells (Tregs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-10 in splenocytes and IgG1 and IgG2a in serum were measured by ELISA.ResultAdministration of TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 agonists prior to infection improved disease outcomes. All TLR agonists promoted DC activation, and the proportions of Th1 cells increased. In TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 agonist treated groups the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α were elevated, and IgG1 and IgG2a serum levels were also significantly increased. TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 agonists diminished the activation of Tregs and down-regulated the anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β and IL-10. Finally, PD-1 expressed on Th1 cells were decreased in TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 agonist treated groups compared with control groups.ConclusionTLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 agonists activated DC-mediated innate immune responses and adaptive immune response, which against the blood-stage of Plasmodium and might be applied to malaria protection and treatment.     

Moderately Acidic pH Promotes Angiogenesis: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

IntroductionThis study evaluated the effect of different pH values of 4.4, 5.4, 6.4, 7.4, 8.4, and 9.4 on angiogenesis.MethodsEndothelial cells were isolated from the mice molar teeth and placed in 42 Matrigel (Corning, NY)-coated wells, which were prepared and divided into 6 groups (n = 7). Synthetic tissue fluid was prepared and divided into 6 parts, and their pH values were adjusted to 4.4, 5.4, 6.4, 7.4, 8.4, and 9.4. A 2-mL volume from each group was diluted in the growth medium at a ratio of 1:3 and used for tubulogenesis assay. Forty-two 6-week-old mice in 6 groups (n = 7) were used for choroidal neovascularization (CNV). A 2-μL volume from each group or saline (control) was delivered by intravitreal injection on the day of laser application and 1 week later. Data on the number of nodes, the total length of the branches, and CNV areas (μm²) were determined using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) and analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests. The correlation was assessed between the tested variables.ResultsThe number of nodes decreased with changes in pH values as follows: 6.4 > 5.4 > 7.4 > 8.4 > 9.4 > 4.4. The total branch length decreased with pH value changes as follows: 6.4 > 4.4 > 6.4 > 7.4 > 8.4 > 9.4, and the CNV areas decreased with pH value changes as follows: 6.4 > 5.4 > 4.4 > 7.4 > 8.4 > 9.4.ConclusionsModerately acidic pH values (5.4 and 6.4) enhanced angiogenesis, whereas moderately alkaline pH values (8.4 and 9.4) suppressed angiogenesis.     

益气温阳活血利水方对AngⅡ诱导H9c2心肌细胞线粒体凋亡途径的影响

目的观察益气温阳活血利水方含药血清对AngII诱导H9c2心肌细胞线粒体凋亡途径相关Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-9基因及蛋白的表达变化,探讨益气温阳活血利水方对AngII诱导H9c2心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用的机制。方法AngII诱导H9c2心肌细胞凋亡模型,采用血清药理学方法制备益气温阳活血利水方含药血清并进行干预,使用qRT-PCR、Western Blot、免疫组化方法检测Caspase-9 mRNA和蛋白及Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达变化。结果益气温阳活血利水方含药血清可提高Bcl-2蛋白表达,降低Bax蛋白表达,下调Caspase-9基因及蛋白的表达水平,且含药血清高剂量组改善作用最好。结论益气温阳活血利水方含药血清对AngII诱导H9c2心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用是通过调节线粒体凋亡途径相关Bcl-2、Bax基因蛋白的表达,从而抑制Caspase-9的表达实现的。