Mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in the interleukin-10–deficient murine model of preeclampsia indicate nitric oxide dysregulation

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Efficacy of recombinant Marek’s disease virus vectored vaccines with computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin insert against genetically diverse H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses

The genetic and antigenic drift associated with the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) lineage and the emergence of vaccine-resistant field viruses underscores the need for a broadly protective H5 influenza A vaccine. Here, we tested experimental vector herpesvirus of turkey (vHVT)-H5 vaccines containing either wild-type clade 2.3.4.4A-derived H5 inserts or computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) inserts with challenge by homologous and genetically divergent H5 HPAI Gs/GD lineage viruses in chickens. Direct assessment of protection was confirmed for all the tested constructs, which provided clinical protection against the homologous and heterologous H5 HPAI Gs/GD challenge viruses and significantly decreased oropharyngeal shedding titers compared to the sham vaccine. The cross reactivity was assessed by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and focus reduction assay against a panel of phylogenetically and antigenically diverse H5 strains. The COBRA-derived H5 inserts elicited antibody responses against antigenically diverse strains, while the wild-type-derived H5 vaccines elicited protection mostly against close antigenically related clades 2.3.4.4A and 2.3.4.4D viruses. In conclusion, the HVT vector, a widely used replicating vaccine platform in poultry, with H5 insert provides clinical protection and significant reduction of viral shedding against homologous and heterologous challenge. In addition, the COBRA-derived inserts have the potential to be used against antigenically distinct co-circulating viruses and future drift variants.     

多功能纳米金在肺腺癌A549荷瘤小鼠模型中的放射增敏作用及Micro CT成像研究

目的 探究多功能纳米金在肺腺癌A549荷瘤小鼠模型中的放射增敏作用及Micro CT成像。方法 荷瘤小鼠瘤体内注射纳米金,分别行160 kV X线及6 MV X线不同能量级照射,并测量肿瘤体积变化。瘤体内注射纳米金,在不同时间点行Micro CT扫描,观察纳米金在瘤组织中的成像及沉积时间。结果 对照组与纳米金组肿瘤体积变化无明显差异(P=0.941)。6 MV X线联合纳米金组与6 MV X线组比较肿瘤体积略缩小,但两组没有统计学差异(P=0.730)。160 kV X线联合纳米金组肿瘤体积明显小于160 kV X线组(P=0.026)。Micro CT扫描显示纳米金在肿瘤中的沉积时间可持续30天,成像效果很好,且未见纳米金相关毒性。结论 多功能纳米金对160 kV X线照射肺腺癌A549移植瘤有明显的放射增敏作用;纳米金瘤体的稳定CT成像可作为图像引导放疗肿瘤靶区定位和勾画的一种潜在方法。     

Inhibition of Atherosclerotic Plaque Development by Oral Administration of α-Glucosyl Hesperidin and Water-Dispersible Hesperetin in Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice

Objective: Hesperidin, an abundant flavonoid in citrus fruit, and its aglycone, hesperetin, have been reported to possess various physiological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and antihypertensive activities. In this study, we investigated whether α-glucosyl hesperidin and water-dispersible hesperetin have protective effects on atherosclerotic progression in apolipoprotein E knockout (Apo-E KO) mice.

Methods: Ten-week-old male Apo-E KO mice were randomly assigned a regular high-fat diet, a high-fat diet with 0.5% α-glucosyl hesperidin, or a high-fat diet with 0.1% water-dispersible hesperetin for 12?weeks. Measurement of plasma total cholesterol levels, histological staining of aortic root, and immunohistochemistry for macrophages were performed to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque formation. Vascular reactivity of mouse aortic rings was also measured.

Results: Both α-glucosyl hesperidin and water-dispersible hesperetin reduced plasma total cholesterol level. They also reduced plaque formation area, adipose deposition, and macrophage infiltration into atherosclerotic lesion. Vascular-endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine was improved in both experimental diet groups compared to the high-fat diet group.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that both α-glucosyl hesperidin and water-dispersible hesperetin exert protective effects on atherosclerotic progression in Apo-E KO mice because they exhibit hypolipidemic activity, reduce inflammation through macrophages, and prevent endothelial dysfunction.     

Non‐Invasive Ultrasound Quantification of Scar Tissue Volume Identifies Early Functional Changes During Tendon Healing

Tendon injuries are very common and disrupt the transmission of forces from muscle to bone, leading to impaired function and quality of life. Successful restoration of tendon function after injury is a challenging clinical problem due to the pathological, scar‐mediated manner in which the tendons heal. Currently, there are no standard treatments to modulate scar tissue formation and improve tendon healing. A major limitation to the identification of therapeutic candidates has been the reliance on terminal endpoint metrics of healing in pre‐clinical studies, which require a large number of animals and result in destruction of the tissue. To address this limitation, we have identified quantification of scar tissue volume (STV) from ultrasound (US) imaging as a longitudinal, non‐invasive metric of tendon healing. STV was strongly correlated with established endpoint metrics of gliding function including gliding resistance and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) flexion angle. However, no associations were observed between STV and structural or material properties. To define the sensitivity of STV to identify differences between functionally discrete tendon healing phenotypes, we utilized S100a4 haploinsufficient mice (S100a4^GFP/+), which heal with improved gliding function relative to wild‐type (WT) littermates. A significant decrease in STV was observed in S100a4^GFP/+ repairs, relative to WT at day 14. Taken together, these data suggest US quantification of STV as a means to facilitate the rapid screening of biological and pharmacological interventions to improve tendon healing, and identify promising therapeutic targets, in an efficient, cost‐effective manner. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2476–2485, 2019     

Berberine Induces Cell Apoptosis through Cytochrome C/Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/Caspase-3 and Apoptosis Inducing Factor Pathway in Mouse Insulinoma Cells

Objective: To investigate apoptotic effects of berberine, a significant alkaloids component existing in Rhizoma coptidis, and its possible acting mechanism in insulinoma cells. Methods: Different concentrations of berberine were used to treat mouse insulinoma(MIN6) cells for various period of time. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed using methylthiazolyldiphenvl-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Changes in the relating pro-and anti-apoptosis proteins were detected by western-blotting. Results: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50) of berberine was 5.7 μmol/L on MIN6 cells viability for 16 h. Berberine caused a 20% reduction(P0.05) in cell number after only 4-h incubation; which reached 50% after 24 h(P0.01). Berberine treatment for 16 h significantly increased the level of DNA fragmentation. The flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate increased 2.9-and 4.6-fold after treating with berberine(5 μmol/L) for 8 and 16 h, while 3-and 8.7-fold after 10 μmol/L treatment for 8 and 16 h(P0.01). Berberine treatment dramatically elevated the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Meanwhile, berberine notably increased the apoptosis-inducing factors and cytochrome C transforming from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1(Apaf-1) was subsequently activated after cytochrome C release. Furthermore, caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase were also activated to trigger apoptosis cascade. Conclusion: High concentration(5 and 10 μmol/L) of berberine could induce the apoptosis of MIN6 cells through cytochrome C/Apaf-1/caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor(AIF) pathway.     

LncRNA ANRIL靶向miR-195对HCT116细胞及裸鼠移植瘤放射增敏实验研究

目的 探究LncRNA ANRIL对结直肠癌HCT116细胞体外体内放射增敏作用及机制。方法 qPCR检测ANRIL表达。将阴性对照siRNA、ANRIL siRNA、miR-NC mimic、miR-195 mimic、miR-NC inhibitor、miR-195 inhibitor转染至HCT116细胞中分别记为阴性对照、沉默ANRIL、过表达miR-NC、过表达miR-195、抑制miR-NC、抑制miR-195组,以不做任何处理的HCT116细胞为空白对照组。克隆形成实验检测放射敏感性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,StarBase预测ANRIL下游miRNAs,双荧光素酶报告基因实验进一步验证。裸鼠皮下移植瘤实验检测ANRIL对照射后移植瘤生长影响。结果 沉默ANRIL组细胞存活分数较阴性对照组降低(P<0.05),其放射增敏比为1.52。沉默ANRIL+4Gy组细胞凋亡率较阴性对照+4Gy组增加[(27.86±2.78)%︰(12.06±1.46)%,P<0.05]。裸鼠皮下移植瘤实验结果显示在13、16、19、22、25天时阴性对照组肿瘤体积比沉默ANRIL组降低[(234±66)、(273±63)、(296±72)、(321±85)、(403±94) mm³与(357±79)、(485±124)、(617±143)、(764±174)、(985±221) mm³,P<0.05]。miR-195是ANRIL靶基因,抑制miR-195可逆转沉默ANRIL对HCT116细胞放射增敏和凋亡促进作用及移植瘤生长抑制作用。结论 LncRNA ANRIL通过调控miR-195表达来调节HCT116细胞放射敏感性,可能为临床结直肠癌放疗提供一个新的增敏靶点。