Evidence of progesterone receptor mRNA in endothelial cells

ＥｖｉｄｅｎｃｅｏｆｐｒｏｇｅｓｔｅｒｏｎｅｒｅｃｅｐｔｏｒｍＲＮＡｉｎｅｎｄｏｔｈｅｌｉａｌｃｅｌｌｓＬｕｏＨｏｎｇｚｈｉ（罗宏志），ＷａｎｇＨｏｎｇｙｉ（王弘毅），ＬｉｕＷｅｉ（刘伟），ＣｈｅｎｇＪｉｅ（程捷），ＺｈａｏＸｉａｏｄｏｎｇ（赵小东）...     

Expression of adenovirus-mediated neurotrophin-3 gene in Schwann cells of sciatic nerve in rats

Sｕｃｃｅｓｓｆｕｌｐｅｒｉｐｈｅｒａｌｎｅｒｖｅｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎａｆｔｅｒｍｉｃｒｏｓｕｒｇｉｃａｌｒｅｐａｉｒｒｅｑｕｉｒｅｓｏｐｔｉｍａｌｃｏｎｄｉｔｉｏｎｓｉｎｔｈｅｍｉｃｒｏ ｍｉｌｉｅｕ .Ｎｅｕｒｏｔｒｏｐｈｉｃｆａｃｔｏｒｓ(ＮＴＦｓ) ,ｍａｉｎｐａｒｔｓｏｆｔｈｅｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｖｅｍｉｃｒｏ ｍｉｌｉｅｕ ,ｈａｖｅｂｅｅｎｓｈｏｗｎｔｏｐｌａｙａｎｅｓｓｅｎｔｉａｌｔｒｏｐｈｉｃｒｏｌｅｉｎｔｈｅｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔａｎｄｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎｏｆｐｅｒｉｐｈｅｒａ…     

The role of LFA-1 in the lysis of bladder cancer cells by bacillus Calmette-Guérin and interleukin 2-activated killer cells

Activated cytotoxic effector cells such as bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-activated killer (BAK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells are thought to mediate the antitumor effects in the immunotherapy of superficial bladder cancer with BCG. We investigated the role of the leukocyte-function-antigen-1 and its two subunits CD11a and CD18 in the lysis of bladder tumor cells by both effector cell populations. We used flow cytometry to measure CD11a and CD18 expression on BAK and LAK cells. The involvement of both surface molecules in the lysis of bladder tumor cells was determined by phase contrast microscopy and a set of radioactive-release assays using specific inhibitory antibodies. BAK and LAK cells expressed more CD11a and CD18 on their surfaces than unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Effector-target cell adhesion was a prerequisite for the cell-mediated cytotoxicity of BAK and LAK cells against bladder tumor targets. Cytotoxicity of both BAK and LAK cells was inhibited by a combination of anti-CD11a and -CD18 monoclonal antibodies. Our study gives further insight into the complex interactions of the adhesion molecules of activated immune cells and their respective tumor targets and might help to increase our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of BCG-immunotherapy.     

The in vitro myelin formation in neurospheres of human neural stem cells

Objective: To explore the culture conditions of human neural stem cells and to investigate the ultrastructure of neurospheres. Methods: The cells from the embryonic human cortices were mechanically dissociated. N2 medium was adapted to culture and expand the cells. The cells were identified by immunocytochemistry and EM was applied to examine the ultrastructure of neurospheres. Results: The neural stem cells from human embryonic brains were successfully cultured and formed typical neurospheres in suspension, and most of the cells expressed vimentin, which was a marker for neural progenitor cells, and the cells could differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In vitro myelin formation in neurospheres were observed at an early stageof culture. Conclusions: Human neural stem cells can be cultured from embryonic brains, can form the typical neurospheres in suspension in vitro and have the ability of myelinating, and may be potential source for transplantation in treating myelin disorders.     

Differentiation of adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into Schwann-like cells in vitro

Bonemarrowmesenchymalstemcells, alsocalledbonemarrowstromalcells (BMSCs), areisolatedfrombonemarrow, andtheycanmultiplyinvitroanddifferentiateintoosteogeniccells,chondrocytes, adipocytes, musclecellsandneuralcells.1 5 RecentstudieshavedemonstratedthatBMSCsfromadultratscoulddifferentiateintoSchwann likecellsinspecificconditions.6, 7 BMSCsmayhavepotentialapplicationforautologousneuraltransplantation. Inthisstudy, wetrytoinvestigatethedifferentiativecapabilityofadulthumanBMSCsintoSchwann l…     

Dexmedetomidine and clonidine inhibit the function of NaV1.7 independent of ��2-adrenoceptor in adrenal chromaffin cells

Purpose  

Besides being administered systemically for sedation and analgesia, α₂-agonists such as dexmedetomidine and clonidine have been administered with intrathecal, epidural, or perineural injections, leading to an antinociceptive effect at the spinal cord or peripheral nerve level. However, the mechanism for this remains unclear. In the present study, we examined whether dexmedetomidine and clonidine could inhibit the function of tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na⁺ channels, which play important roles in the generation of pain.     

Interaction of ketamine with μ2 opioid receptors in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

Purpose. Ketamine is known to interact with opioid receptors. However, because this agent does not produce opioid-like respiratory depression, it might not interact with μ₂ opioid receptors. Therefore, we have studied the interaction of ketamine with μ₂ opioid receptors expressed in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods. SH-SY5Y cells (passage 70–80) were used to obtain ketamine dose-response curves for inhibition of 0.4 nM [³H][d-Ala²,MePhe⁴,Gly(ol)⁵] enkephalin (DAMGO) binding to μ₂ opioid receptors and of forskolin (1 μM)-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation. Results. Ketamine displaced [³H]DAMGO binding in SH-SY5Y cells with a K _i of 12.1 μM. However, this concentrations did not inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation, although at supraclinical concentrations, significant inhibition was observed with an estimated IC₅₀ of 700 μM. Conclusion. The present study indicates that a clinically relevant concentration of ketamine interacts with μ₂ opioid receptors. However, no agonist activity was observed. Received for publication on September 10, 1998; accepted on January 5, 1999     

Apoptosis of prostatic cells in male rats with diabetes mellitus

Apoptosis of prostatic cells in male rats with diabetes mellitus     

Ultrastructural characteristics of “aging” of human prostate cells in monolayer cell culture

Summary Monolayer tissue culture cells from benign nodular hyperplasia of the prostate transferred at 1–2 weeks intervals were examined under the electron microscope after the 3rd, 9th, and 10th transfers. Changes seen after 9 to 10 transfers were interpreted as an aging process and consisted of the presence of lysosomes of various types and variations in the mitochondria profile. These changes were described in detail and illustrated and compared to the ultrastructural appearance of monolayer cell cultures in the early transfer stage.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Veterans Administration Research Funds.     

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells: in vivo regulators of alloimmune reactivity?

Dendritic cells (DC) exhibit remarkable plasticity in terms of their ability to induce and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Human and mouse interferon alpha-producing plasmacytoid (p) DC have been found to regulate allogeneic T cell responses in vitro. Evidence is emerging that pDC may also regulate immune reactivity in vivo, including the responses that underlie graft-versus-host disease and organ transplant rejection. These cells may also offer potential for therapy of adverse immune responses and the promotion of tolerance induction.     

Effect of decoy-oligodeoxynucleotides on expression of inflammation mediators in pMΦ cells from rats

Objective: To study the effect of decoyoligodeoxynucleotides (decoy-ODNs) in dumbbell shape with the oligodeoxynucleotide sequence similar to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) cis-elements on expression of inflammation mediators in pMcP cells from rats. Methods： With carriers of cationic liposomes, decoy-ODNs were transfected into pMΦ cells of rats. Then the inhibiting effects of the decoy-ODNs on tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 were analyzed. Results. Decoy-ODNs could decrease the expression of TNFα and IL-6 in dose-dependent fashion but had weaker inhibiting effect on IL-10. Conclusions: Decoy-ODNs targeting NF-κB can decrease the expression of inflammatory mediators in pMΦ cells from rats.     

Effects of leptin and neuropeptide Y on function of human ovarian granulosa cells in vitro

Objective: To investigate the effects of leptin and neuropeptide Y on steroidogenesis of human ovarian granulosa cells in vitro. Methods: Human ovarian granulosa cells were isolated from follicular fluid obtained during oocyte retrieval of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program and cultured for 2 days with various concentration of leptin(1,10,100 ng/ml) or neuropeptide Y (1×10-6, 1×10-7, 1×10-8 mol/L) alone or both,or with the combination of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG 0, 20 IU/L). The medium was collected for estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) measurements. Results: (1)Whether hCG existed or not, the adding of leptin did not alter estradiol and progesterone production by human granulosa cells (P>0.05).(2) Only when the concentration of neuropeptide Y was at 1×10-7mol/L,estradiol level was lower than that in the control (P<0.05).(3) The levels of estradiol in neuropeptide Y (1×10-7mol/L) plus hCG group were significantly higher than those with neuropeptide Y alone(P<0.05). (4) In the absence of hCG, the levels of estradiol in neuropeptide Y (1×10-7mol/L)plus leptin (10 ng/ml) group were significantly higher than those with neuropeptide Y(1×10-7mol/L)alone(P<0.05).Conclusions: (1)Leptin alone produced no direct effect on secretion of E2 and P from granulosa cells in vitro.(2)Neuropeptide Y alone may inhibit the secretion of E2, but the inhibition would probably be blocked with the presentation of hCG.(3)Leptin probably blocked the inhibition of neuropeptide Y on E2 secretion, and this may indicate that there were some coordination between leptin and neuropeptid Y on the level of ovarian function.