All-trans retinoic acid modulates fas expression and enhances chemosensitivity of human medulloblastoma cells

Retinoic acid (RA) can promote human medulloblastoma cells Med-3 toward differentiation but is not sufficient to induce cell death, suggesting its limited effect on medulloblastomas. On the other hand, the differentiated tumour cells have been supposed to be more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs. To elucidate this possibility for medulloblastoma cells, 10 microM/l RA, 1.0 microg/ml cisplatin (CP) and their half-dosage combinations were utilized in this study to treat Med-3 cells and their influences in cell proliferation, morphology and death patterns were evaluated. In parallel, the expressions of Fas and its ligand (FasL) were analyzed by immunocytochemical staining and Western blot hybridization. Anti-Fas antibody was used to incubate the Med-3 cells pretreated by 10 microM/l RA or 1.0 microg/ml CP. It was revealed that RA and CP could inhibit cell growth but rarely induce apoptosis. Combination of half doses each of RA and CP effectively caused most of tumour cells to die of apoptosis within 6 days. FasL molecules in 29 kDa and 37 kDa were detected in Med-3 cells with and without the treatments. The Fas molecule around 30 kDa and located in the cytoplasm was found in the normally cultured cells and the cells treated by CP. An additional 45 kDa Fas band with the appearance of its cell surface labeling was detected in the cells treated by 10 microM/l RA and by 5 microM/l RA + 0.5 microg/ml CP. The anti-Fas antibody could efficiently induce apoptosis only in the cell populations pretreated by RA. Our data thus suggest that RA can enhance the chemosensitivity of human medulloblastoma Med-3 cells presumably via modulating the Fas expression pattern. The RA/CP combined regimen would be a potential therapeutic approach for medulloblastomas.     

All-trans retinoic acid up-regulates Prostaglandin-E Synthase expression in human macrophages

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a potent retinoid, which has been used successfully in different clinical settings as a potential drug to treat COPD and emphysema. In the present study, we analyzed genes modulated by ATRA by performing mRNA expression array analysis on alveolar macrophages after treatment with ATRA. Here we observed a 375-fold up-regulation of Prostaglandin-E Synthase (microsomal PGES-1, NM_004878 PTGES) which mediates the conversion of prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) to Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). We furthermore studied the expression of PTGES after treatment with ATRA in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. ATRA up-regulated PTGES mRNA expression in MDMs generated with M-CSF by 2500-fold whereas in M-CSF+IL-13 macrophages the up-regulation was only 20-fold. Similarly, ATRA up-regulated PTGES mRNA expression by factor 1524 in BAL cells. The up-regulation of PTGES mRNA expression by ATRA is both time and dose dependent. IL-13 suppressed the ATRA induced PTGES expression at both mRNA and protein level in MDM and BAL cells. We also observed that LPS acts synergistically with ATRA in MDMs and strongly induces PTGES expression. ATRA had little impact on cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and -2) expression as compared to PTGES expression under the same experimental conditions. Furthermore, we observed an induction of PGE(2) levels by ATRA in BAL cells. These data indicate that ATRA is a potent inducer of PTGES expression in human macrophages but not in alternatively activated macrophages and suggest that the eicosanoid pathway is important for ATRA action in macrophages.     

抗Fas抗体诱导维甲酸分化后的髓母细胞瘤细胞凋亡

目的：观察全反式维甲素（ＲＡ）诱导分化前后,人髓母细胞瘤细胞系Ｍｅｄ－３对抗Ｆａｓ抗体的反应特点并探讨其免疫治疗意义。方法：使用１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＲＡ诱导Ｍｅｄ－３细胞分化并在处理得当时或第２４、４８、７２、９６ｈ,分别加入最终浓度为２５,５０,１００,２００和４００ｎｇ／ｍｌ的抗Ｆａｓ抗体,结合各组细胞Ｆａｓ表达形式,分析其形态学,细胞动力学,克隆形成能力和死亡特点。结果：正常培养的Ｍｅｄ－３细     

多西环素诱导单核细胞系THP-1凋亡的实验研究

目的： 研究多西环素诱导THP-1细胞凋亡的作用。方法： 以PMA诱导THP-1细胞分化贴壁，分别按0 mg/L、5 mg/L、10 mg/L、20 mg/L、40 mg/L、80 mg/L的浓度梯度加入多西环素，作用12 h或48 h，设空白对照组。观察细胞形态变化，采用MTT法检测THP-1细胞活性，AnnexinⅤ和PI双染色后用流式细胞仪检测THP-1细胞早期凋亡，末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记(TUNEL)检测THP-1细胞晚期凋亡。结果： 随着多西环素浓度增高，THP-1细胞收缩变圆，细胞间距增宽乃至完全分离，死亡、崩解的THP-1细胞逐渐增多。MTT法显示随着多西环素作用浓度增高，活性THP-1细胞数量逐渐下降。流式细胞仪检测和TUNEL检测显示THP-1细胞的早期凋亡和晚期凋亡率均伴随多西环素作用浓度的升高而升高。结论： 本实验首次阐明多西环素可以诱导人THP-1细胞凋亡，其效应呈明显的剂量依赖关系。     

Arginine transport in human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells during macrophage differentiation

L-arginine metabolism in myeloid cells plays a central role in the processes of macrophage activation and in the regulation of immune responses. In this study, we investigated arginine transport activity and the expression of the related transporter genes during the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages. We show here that the induction of THP-1 monocyte differentiation by PMA markedly increases the expression of SLC7A7 mRNA and of y(+)LAT1 protein and consequently, the activity of system y(+)L-mediated arginine transport. Conversely, the activity of system y(+) decreases during macrophage differentiation as a result of a reduction in CAT1 protein expression. The PMA-induced, macrophage-differentiated phenotype and the increased activity of system y(+)L through the induction of SLC7A7 gene are mediated by the specific activation of PKCβ. SLC7A7 gene silencing causes a significant reduction of system y(+)L activity and a subsequent, marked increase of arginine and lysine cell content, thus suggesting that in macrophagic cells, system y(+)L activity is mainly directed outwardly. Differentiating agents other than PMA, i.e., VD3 and ATRA, are equally effective in the stimulation of system y(+)L transport activity through the increased expression of SLC7A7 mRNA and y(+)LAT1 protein. Moreover, we found that also during differentiation of human monocytes from peripheral blood SLC7A7 mRNA and system y(+)L activity are increased. These findings point to SLC7A7 gene as a marker of macrophage differentiation.     

Low density lipoprotein promotes human naive T cell differentiation to Th1 cells

Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in the arterial wall and its incorporation into foam cells leads to inflammation and nucleation of atherosclerotic plaque; this is opposed by HDL. OxLDL and HDL regulate activation of macrophages and endothelial cells, and study of T cell participation has been limited to mature, differentiated cells such as Th1 cells, which perpetuate atherogenesis by promoting cell-mediated responses and inflammation. Immature naïve T cells, just emerged from the thymus, have remained largely unstudied. We hypothesized that LDL and HDL provide selective modulation of immature naïve T cell differentiation and participation in plaque development. In our in vitro model, naïve cells become activated and differentiate to mature effector T cells that are Th1, Th2 or Treg cells. Addition of oxLDL favored differentiation to Th1 cells, reduced Th2 cell activity and prolonged cell survival. In contrast, HDL inhibited T cell proliferation and reduced cell survival. The data suggest a novel mechanism where oxLDL enhances differentiation of human naïve CD4+ T cells to Th1 cells capable of promoting inflammation and plaque progression, and this is opposed by HDL.     

全反式维甲酸通过DOK1/PPARγ信号通路抑制人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的增殖

目的:探讨全反式维甲酸(ATRA)对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖的影响及可能机制。方法:MCF-7细胞培养于含10%胎牛血清、1%青霉素/链霉素的DMEM培养液,蛋白免疫印迹检测蛋白质的表达,MTT法和溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(Brd U)掺入法测定细胞增殖,TUNEL法测定细胞凋亡,携带目标基因shRNA的慢病毒用于沉默目标基因,过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)的活性采用商品化的试剂盒测定。结果:ATRA处理可抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖,促进其凋亡;同时,ATRA以时间依赖方式刺激停靠蛋白1(DOK1)的表达。沉默DOK1可降低ATRA对MCF-7细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。此外,DOK1基因沉默可抑制PPARγ的表达和活性。而PPARγ选择性抑制剂GW9662可减轻ATRA对MCF-7细胞增殖的抑制和对细胞凋亡的促进作用。结论:ATRA通过抑制细胞增殖、促进细胞凋亡而抑制MCF-7细胞的生存,这一作用经DOK1激活的PPARγ介导。     

Characterization of Salmonella-induced cell death in human macrophage-like THP-1 cells

Salmonella strains are facultative intracellular pathogens that produce marked cytopathology during infection of host cells. Different forms of cytopathic effects have been associated with the virulence systems encoded by the two Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI-1 and SPI-2) and the spv locus. We used Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin to investigate the induction of cytopathology during infection of the human macrophage-like cell line THP-1. Analysis of host cells by flow cytometry using a fluorescent terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed that 70% of THP-1 cells showed DNA fragmentation after 4 h of infection, increasing to greater than 90% by 5.5 h. Moreover, the results showed that gentamicin-killed or chloramphenicol-treated bacteria did not induce DNA fragmentation. Serovar Dublin strains with mutations in SPI-1, SPI-2, or spvB induced these cytopathic effects similar to wild-type bacteria. In contrast, a mutation in the phoP regulatory gene abolished DNA fragmentation in the TUNEL assay. Caspase-3 activation was detected during Salmonella infection of THP-1 cells, but caspase-8 and caspase-9 activities were not found. However, inhibition of caspase-3 did not block Salmonella-induced DNA fragmentation. These results identify a previously undetected apoptotic effect in Salmonella-infected cells that is dependent on phoP gene function.     

内脂素通过上调ACAT1诱导THP-1源性泡沫细胞形成

目的:观察酰基辅酶A:胆固醇酰基转移酶1(ACAT1)在内脂素(visfatin)诱导THP-1源性泡沫细胞形成中的作用,以初步探讨visfatin诱导泡沫细胞形成的分子机制。方法:THP-1单核细胞诱导分化为巨噬细胞,予不同浓度的visfatin(1×10-7~1×10-5mol/L)分别作用0~48小时,运用油红O染色观察细胞浆脂滴变化,酶荧光法检测细胞内总胆固醇(TC)和游离胆固醇(FC)含量,TC与FC之差为胆固醇酯(CE)含量。分别运用RT-PCR和Western blot检测ACAT1 mRNA和蛋白表达。结果:与对照组比较,visfatin干预组细胞浆脂滴明显增多,CE与TC的比值明显增加(>50%)。visfatin呈浓度和时间依赖性地上调ACAT1 mRNA和蛋白表达(P<0.05)。结论:ACAT1表达上调是visfatin诱导THP-1源性泡沫细胞形成的机制之一,这可能为visfatin致动脉粥样硬化发病机制的研究提供一个新的理论依据。     

HCMV感染对人THP-1细胞HLA-G及其受体表达的影响

目的:研究人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)感染对人THP-1细胞人类白细胞抗原G(HLA-G)异构体及其受体表达的影响探讨HLA-G在HCMV逃逸宿主免疫应答中的作用。方法:HCMV Towne株感染THP-1细胞后,采用RT-PCR和Western blot检测HLA-G异构体mRNA和蛋白水平,流式细胞术检测THP-1细胞HLA-G及其表面受体ILT2、ILT4的表达,ELISA检测细胞培养上清中IL-10及可溶性HLA-G(sHLA-G)水平,同时检测细胞存活率。结果:HCMV感染后细胞未出现明显凋亡,细胞存活率高。HCMV感染THP-1细胞1 d后HLA-G1、-G3、-G4和-G5的mRNA表达明显上调,HLA-G1和HLA-G5的蛋白表达明显上调。THP-1细胞HLA-G、ILT2和ILT4的表达在感染1 d后明显上调。sHLA-G水平在感染1 d后显著升高,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。THP-1细胞培养上清液IL-10水平在感染1 d后明显上调,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:HCMV感染THP-1细胞能诱导HLA-G异构体的差异表达,以HLA-G1和HLA-G5为主,且上调其表面受体ILT2/ILT4的表达。同时,HCMV感染能诱导THP-1细胞分泌IL-10。该研究为进一步探讨HCMV逃避机体免疫应答的机制提供实验依据。     

Effects of retinoic acid receptor-selective agonists on human nasal epithelial cell differentiation.

Retinoids play a critical role in the maintenance of the mucociliary phenotype of epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract. To determine the role of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in the regulation of epithelial differentiation, we tested the effect of the synthetic retinoids CD336, CD2019, and CD666, selective agonists for RARalpha, RARbeta, and RARgamma, respectively, during differentiation of human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells in vitro. Using glutamylated tubulin and transglutaminase I (Tg I) as markers of ciliated cell and squamous cell differentiation, respectively, we showed that retinoic acid (RA) stimulated mucociliary differentiation and, in parallel, inhibited squamous cell differentiation. The agonists of the three RARs independently induced ciliogenesis and inhibited squamous cell differentiation by downregulating Tg I expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Antagonists specific for the three RARs abolished the effects of the corresponding agonists, demonstrating an RAR-specific mediated effect. Moreover, treatment of retinoid-deficient cultures with RAR agonists induced conversion of the squamous-like phenotype into a ciliated phenotype. In conclusion, all three RARs are potentially involved in the differentiating effects of RA in respiratory epithelial cells.