异牡荆素对非小细胞性肺癌细胞自我更新和凋亡的影响

目的研究异牡荆素(ISO)对非小细胞性肺癌(NSCLC)细胞的影响和潜在的机制。方法将A549和H1650细胞分别分为空白组、低剂量实验组(4μmol·L^-1 ISO)和高剂量实验组(16μmol·L^-1 ISO)。用噻唑蓝法检测NSCLC细胞活性,用肿瘤球形成实验检测NSCLC细胞的细胞球形成率,用Western blot法检测NSCLC细胞凋亡、自我更新、无翅型MMTV整合位点家族/β-连环蛋白(Wnt/β-catenin)信号通路相关蛋白的表达水平。结果与空白组比较,低、高剂量实验组中A549和H1650细胞在24,48和72 h的细胞活性均显著降低。低、高剂量实验组和空白组中A549细胞的细胞球形成率分别为(4.18±0.45)%,(2.01±0.67)%和(6.02±0.57)%,切割的半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3相对表达量分别为0.24±0.08,1.25±0.13和0.06±0.07,SRY相关高迁移率族盒蛋白-2相对表达量分别为0.49±0.04,0.25±0.03和1.00±0.09,Kruppel样因子4相对表达量分别为0.68±0.04,0.44±0.03和1.01±0.06,Wnt1相对表达量分别为0.63±0.06,0.28±0.04和1.00±0.06,β-catenin相对表达量分别为0.41±0.05,0.22±0.03和1.01±0.09;与空白组比较,低、高剂量实验组中A549细胞的上述指标的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。上述3组中H1650细胞的上述指标也呈现一致的现象。结论ISO可能通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路来抑制NSCLC细胞活性和自我更新,并促进其凋亡。     

治伤巴布剂对大鼠急性软组织损伤模型P38MAPK、AKT信号通路的影响＊

目的 观察治伤巴布剂对急性软组织损伤（acute soft tissue injury， ASTI）模型p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase，MAPK）、丝/苏氨酸蛋白激酶（AKT）信号通路的影响，探讨治伤巴布剂干预ASTI的可能作用机制。方法 将40只雄性SD大鼠按照随机数字表法分为正常对照组、模型对照组、治伤巴布剂组、p38MAPK信号通路抑制剂组、AKT信号通路抑制剂组，每组8只。除正常对照组外，其余四组均予以左侧后肢小腿ASTI造模。造模成功后，治伤巴布剂组于标记部位立即予治伤巴布剂（修剪成1.5x3cm大小）外敷，并用胶布固定；其余四组均予等剂量赋形剂（修剪成1.5×3 cm大小）外敷处理，胶布固定；持续外敷，共持续24 h。p38MAPK信号通路抑制剂组在造模前30 min予腹腔注射p38MAPK信号通路抑制剂SB203580（400 μg/kg/天）1次；AKT信号通路抑制剂组在造模前30 min予腹腔注射AKT信号通路抑制剂perifosine（20 mg/kg/天）1次。分别于0（造模前）、2h、4h、8h、12h、24h测量受伤小腿肌肉处的周长，并计算肌肉肿胀率（muscle swelling rate，MSR）。24 h药物干预结束后，采用颈椎脱臼法处死大鼠。后将左侧后肢小腿损伤中心部位进行取材，分成三份。一部分用于观察组织病理学形态变化；一部分用于逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测核因子-κB（nuclear factor kappa-B，NF-κB）p65 mRNA、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）mRNA、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）mRNA表达水平；剩下部分用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法检测骨骼肌组织TNF-α、IL-1β含量水平及蛋白质免疫印迹（Western-blot）法测定p38MAPK、AKT、NF-κB p65、核因子抑制蛋白α（inhibitor kappa B alpha， IκBα）表达水平。结果 与正常对照组相比，模型对照组MSR显著增加（P<0.01）；病理形态学上，骨骼肌组织可见大面积肌细胞排列紊乱，肌细胞变性坏死，间质内可见红细胞聚集及大量炎症细胞浸润；骨骼肌组织TNF-α、IL-1β含量水平显著升高（P<0.01）；磷酸化p38MAPK（p-p38）/总p38MAPK（t-p38），磷酸化-AKT（p-AKT）/总-AKT（t-AKT）明显升高（P<0.01），NF-κB p65及NF-κB p65mRNA表达水平明显升高（P<0.01）。与模型对照组相比，治伤巴布剂组MSR在治疗第8 h、12 h、24 h显著下降（P<0.01），且在治疗第24 h，其MSR较p38MAPK、AKT信号通路抑制剂组下降更明显（P<0.05）；病理学评分显著下降（P<0.01），且较p38MAPK、AKT信号通路抑制剂组下降更显著（P<0.05）；骨骼肌组织TNF-α、IL-1β含量水平明显下降（P<0.01），且较p38MAPK、AKT信号通路抑制剂组更显著（P<0.05）；p-p38/t-p38及p-AKT/t-AKT明显下降（P<0.01），NF-κB p65及NF-κB p65 mRNA表达水平显著下降（P<0.01），且较p38MAPK、AKT信号通路抑制剂组在降低NF-κB p65及NF-κB p65 mRNA相对表达值方面更显著（P<0.01）。结论 治伤巴布剂可能同时对p38MAPK、AKT信号通路产生了一定的抑制作用，引起NF-κB活性下调，NF-κB p65蛋白的表达下调，进而引起骨骼肌组织TNF-α、IL-1β炎性细胞因子含量水平下调，减轻ASTI炎症反应，从而改善ASTI。     

黄芩素调控 NLRP3 / Caspase-1 通路对牙周炎大鼠牙槽骨吸收的影响

目的 探索黄芩素调控核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白 3 ( nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3, NLRP3) / 半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶 1 ( cysteine aspartate protease 1, Caspase1) 通路对牙周炎大鼠牙槽骨吸收的影响。 方法 将 40 只牙周炎大鼠随机分为模型组、 黄芩素组、 激活剂 组、 黄芩素 + 激活剂组, 另取 10 只正常作为对照组。 检测大鼠釉牙骨质界到牙槽嵴顶 (CEJ-AC) 的距离、 血清中白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)、 转化生长因子-β (TGF-β) 含量以及牙周组织病理变化、 IL-6、 TGF-β 阳性 表达和 NLRP3、 Caspase-1 蛋白表达。 结果 模型组大鼠 CEJ-AC、 NLRP3、 Caspase-1、 IL-6、 TGF-β 水平及 阳性表达水平以及蛋白表达水平均升高 (P< 0. 05); 经黄芩素干预后, 各项指标均降低 (P< 0. 05); 引入 激活剂明显削弱了黄芩素对牙周炎大鼠的抗炎作用。 结论 黄芩素通过抑制 NLRP3 / Caspase-1 通路减轻炎性反应, 控制牙槽骨吸收。     

Medicinal nicotine in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome,the new corticosteroid

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) refers to the anti-inflammatory effects mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system. Existence of this pathway was first demonstrated when acetylcholinesterase inhibitors showed benefits in animal models of sepsis. CAP functions via the vagus nerve. The systemic anti-inflammatory effects of CAP converges on the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on splenic macrophages, leading to suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and simultaneous stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 10. CAP offers a novel mechanism to mitigate inflammation. Electrical vagal nerve stimulation has shown benefits in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Direct agonists like nicotine and GTS-1 have also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in models of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, as have acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like Galantamine and Physostigmine. Experience with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced acute respiratory distress syndrome indicates that immunomodulators have a protective role in patient outcomes. Dexamethasone is the only medication currently in use that has shown to improve clinical outcomes. This is likely due to the suppression of what is referred to as a cytokine storm, which is implicated in the lethality of viral pneumonia. Nicotine transdermal patch activates CAP and harvests its anti-inflammatory potential by means of an easily administered depot delivery mechanism. It could prove to be a promising, safe and inexpensive additional tool in the currently limited armamentarium at our disposal for management of COVID-19 induced acute hypoxic respiratory failure.     

Functional estrogen receptor signal transduction pathway activity and antihormonal therapy response in low-grade ovarian carcinoma

Background

Advanced low-grade ovarian carcinoma (LGOC) is difficult to treat. In several studies, high estrogen receptor (ER) protein expression was observed in patients with LGOC, which suggests that antihormonal therapy (AHT) is a treatment option. However, only a subgroup of patients respond to AHT, and this response cannot be adequately predicted by currently used immunohistochemistry (IHC). A possible explanation is that IHC only takes the ligand, but not the activity, of the whole signal transduction pathway (STP) into account. Therefore, in this study, the authors assessed whether functional STP activity can be an alternative tool to predict response to AHT in LGOC.

Methods

Tumor tissue samples were obtained from patients with primary or recurrent LGOC who subsequently received AHT. Histoscores of ER and progesterone receptor (PR) were determined. In addition, STP activity of the ER STP and of six other STPs known to play a role in ovarian cancer was assessed and compared with the STP activity of healthy postmenopausal fallopian tube epithelium.

Results

Patients who had normal ER STP activity had a progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.1 months. This was significantly shorter in patients who had low and very high ER STP activity, with a median PFS of 6.0 and 2.1 months, respectively (p < .001). Unlike ER histoscores, PR histoscores were strongly correlated to the ER STP activity and thus to PFS.

Conclusions

Aberrant low and very high functional ER STP activity and low PR histoscores in patients with LGOC indicate decreased response to AHT. ER IHC is not representative of functional ER STP activity and is not related to PFS.     

基于弥散张量成像的脑白质微结构分析方法在视路损伤中的应用进展

视觉通路包括视神经、视交叉、视束、视放射及视皮质。常规磁共振检查技术难以发现视路损伤后白质纤维微结构改变,眼科学检查也存在一定的局限性及主观性,且不能探测后视路的变化。弥散张量成像(diffusion tensor imaging,DTI)作为一种新兴的磁共振成像技术,通过各种后处理分析方法结合不同的参数进行分析,可提供组织的微结构信息,并能够直观显示活体白质纤维束,在无创地探索疾病的神经病理机制、评估预后方面起着重要的作用。近年来随着DTI后处理方法的不断创新,其在视路损伤中的研究越来越多。本文在介绍DTI的主要参数及常见脑白质微结构分析方法的同时,阐述了其在视路损伤研究中的应用,并进一步对各种分析方法的优缺点进行总结。     

温阳解郁颗粒调节BDNF/TrkB/ERK信号通路保护皮质酮诱导损伤型海马神经细胞的作用机制研究＊

目的 观察温阳解郁颗粒（Wenyang Jieyu granule，WYJY）对皮质酮（Corticosterone，CORT）诱导损伤型小鼠海马神经细胞（TH22 cell）的保护作用，基于脑源性神经营养因子（Brain derived neurotrophic factor， BDNF）/酪氨酸激酶B（Tyrosine kinase B， TrkB）/细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶（Extra cellular regulated protein kinases， ERK）信号通路探讨WYJY保护海马神经细胞的作用机制。方法 体外构建小鼠海马神经细胞皮质酮诱导损伤模型，以不同浓度的WYJY和氟西汀（Fluoxetine，FXT）含药血清作用于模型细胞，细胞增殖-毒性检测（Cell Counting Kit-8， CCK-8）法分析细胞活性，倒置显微镜下观察给药前后细胞形态结构的改变，采用蛋白免疫印迹法（Western Blot）、实时荧光定量PCR（Quantitative real-time PCR， qPCR）法检测神经细胞内凋亡因子（BCL2-Associated X， Bax）、抗凋亡因子（B-cell lymphoma-2， Bcl-2）、BDNF、Trkb、ERK以及丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶（Phospho-p90RSK， RSK）、环磷腺苷效应元件结合蛋白（cAMP-response element binding protein， CREB）蛋白表达水平以及相关基因的表达水平。结果 在浓度为459.5 μmol·L^-1的CORT作用24 h后，HT22细胞的活性抑制率达到50%，在此条件作用下细胞形态结构损伤明显，凋亡程度严重，细胞上清中BDNF的含量显著减少（P<0.05），细胞内凋亡相关因子Bax/Bcl-2的比值明显升高（P<0.01），BDNF、Trkb、ERK、RSK、CREB磷酸化蛋白表达水平和mRNA表达水平明显降低（P<0.01）；以5%的浓度为2.85 g·kg^-1的WYJY和10%的FXT含药血清作用于受损的HT22细胞后，HT22细胞存活率明显提升（P<0.01），细胞结构的损伤明显改善，细胞凋亡程度减轻，细胞外BDNF的含量显著升高（P<0.05），细胞内Bax/Bcl-2比值显著下调（P<0.01），BDNF、Trkb、ERK、RSK、CREB磷酸化蛋白表达水平和mRNA表达水平显著提升（P<0.05，P<0.01）。结论 温阳解郁颗粒可有效保护高浓度CORT造成的小鼠海马神经细胞损伤。调控BDNF/Trkb/ERK通路，放大CREB信号传导，影响Bcl-2、BDNF水平，可能是其保护海马神经元，发挥抗抑郁疗效的重要机制。     

ArgD of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a functional N-acetylornithine aminotransferase with moonlighting function as an effective immune modulator

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) encodes an essential enzyme acetyl ornithine aminotransferase ArgD (Rv1655) of arginine biosynthetic pathway which plays crucial role in M. tuberculosis growth and survival. ArgD catalyzes the reversible conversion of N-acetylornithine and 2 oxoglutarate into glutamate-5-semialdehyde and L-glutamate. It also possesses succinyl diaminopimelate aminotransferase activity and can thus carry out the corresponding step in lysine biosynthesis. These essential roles played by ArgD in amino acid biosynthetic pathways highlight it as an important metabolic chokepoint thus an important drug target. We showed that M. tuberculosis ArgD rescues the growth of ΔargD E. coli grown in minimal media validating its functional importance. Phylogenetic analysis of M. tuberculosis ArgD showed homology with proteins in gram positive bacteria, pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria suggesting the essentiality of this protein. ArgD is a secretory protein that could be utilized by M. tuberculosis to modulate host innate immunity as its moonlighting function. In-silico analysis predicted it to be a highly antigenic protein. The recombinant ArgD protein when exposed to macrophage cells induced enhanced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL6 and IL12 in a dose dependent manner. ArgD also induced the increased production of innate immune effector molecule NOS2 and NO in macrophages. We also demonstrated ArgD mediated activation of the canonical NFkB pathway. Notably, we also show that ArgD is a specific TLR4 agonist involved in the activation of pro-inflammatory signaling for sustained production of effector cytokines. Intriguingly, ArgD protein treatment activated macrophages to acquire the M1 phenotype through the increased surface expression of MHCII and costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. ArgD induced robust B-cell response in immunized mice, validating its antigenicity potential as predicted by the in-silico analysis. These properties of M. tuberculosis ArgD signify its functional plasticity that could be exploited as a possible drug target to combat tuberculosis.