血管内皮生长因子基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞同种异体移植治疗大鼠急性心肌梗死

目的探讨同种异体血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)基因转染的骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)在大鼠梗死心脏局部存活、分化及对心功能的影响;明确同种异体干细胞及VEGF基因转染干细胞移植治疗急性心肌梗死(AMI)的可行性及效果。方法雄性SD大鼠30只,随机分为单纯注射培养基对照组、MSCs治疗组及VEGF基因转染MSCs治疗组。分离纯化雄性Wistar大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(rMSCs),于左冠状动脉前降支结扎1h后植入到SD大鼠心组织,移植4周后检测心功能并取心脏行组织染色检查。结果异体大鼠MSCs可在梗死心组织定居、生存;免疫组化检测MSCs转化为心肌细胞及血管内皮细胞;与对照组比较VEGF基因转染异体细胞移植组左室射血分数升高(P<0.05),梗死边缘区心肌面毛细血管数目明显增加(P<0.05)。结论同种异体VEGF基因转染MSCs移植治疗AMI可行、有效。     

通心络对心肌梗死大鼠心室缝隙连接蛋白43重构及室性心律失常的影响

目的:探讨通心络(TXL)对心肌梗死大鼠心室缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)重构及室性心律失常(VA)的影响。方法:雄性SD大鼠100只,随机分为假手术(sham)组(n=25)和手术组(n=75)。手术组动物结扎冠状动脉左前降支制备心肌梗死模型,假手术组只开胸不结扎。将手术后存活3 d的大鼠随机分为TXL治疗组(TXL组)和心肌梗死组(MI组)。TXL组给予TXL(2 g·kg-1·d-1)连续4周灌胃治疗,MI组和sham组则给予等体积生理盐水灌胃。药物干预结束后,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测梗死周边区心肌组织白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)及内皮素-1(ET-1)的水平;免疫组化法检测Cx43的分布;Western blotting法检测Cx43表达;RT-PCR法检测Cx43 mRNA的表达;采用Burst刺激诱发VA。结果:与sham组相比,MI组梗死周边心肌的IL-1β和ET-1水平均显著升高,而Cx43的mRNA及蛋白表达均显著降低,Cx43分布无规律性且侧面化分布增多,VA诱发率也明显升高(P0.05);与MI组相比,TXL组梗死周边心肌IL-1β和ET-1水平明显降低,Cx43的mRNA及蛋白表达均显著增加,Cx43部分呈线性分布于心肌细胞闰盘处,VA诱发率也明显降低(P0.05)。结论:TXL可降低心肌梗死大鼠VA的发生率,其机制可能与TXL抑制心肌梗死后Cx43重构有关。     

大鼠心脏缺血对间隙连接蛋白Cx43分布的影响

目的：探讨大鼠心脏缺血区心肌间隙连接蛋白43（Connexin 43．Cx43）的分布特征。方法：结扎大鼠冠状动脉前降支造成心肌缺血模型。用免疫组织化学法显示心肌缺血区、边缘带及非缺血区Cx43的分布。结果：缺血中心区和边缘区Cx43表达明显紊乱。缺血中心区心肌细胞端-端相接处的Cx43严重消失．重接排列到细胞侧-侧相接处。边缘区Cx43阳性颗粒开始从细胞端-端处向四周扩散,非缺血区Cx43的表达与止常心肌相同。结论：急性短时间心肌缺血时Cx43已开始大量扩散和重新分布,可能是导致心功能异常的结构基础。     

同种异体移植骨髓间质干细胞治疗大鼠心梗后心室重构

目的： 观察骨髓间质干细胞（MSCs）移植对大鼠心梗后心室重构和心功能的影响，比较成年大鼠MSCs与乳鼠MSCs移植疗效，初步探讨同种异体移植的可行性。方法: 分别取大鼠和乳鼠的骨髓，体外分离、扩增培养MSCs，Brdu标记。在结扎冠脉后1-2 h 分别将大鼠MSCs和乳鼠MSCs分点注射到异体大鼠心脏梗死边缘区，6周后，采用超声心动图和解剖直测法获得大鼠心功能、心室重构和病理学资料。结果: 细胞移植组左室舒张末期内径和收缩末期内径短于、室壁厚于对照组，重量指数和心室腔都明显小于对照组。组织病理表现细胞移植组心梗区心肌数目多于、血管密度大于对照组，细胞外基质胶原的形成和血管周围胶原沉积均明显少于对照组，心梗区可见Brdu阳性细胞。但大鼠MSCs移植组和乳鼠MSCs移植组间无明显差异。结论: 同种异体骨髓间质干细胞可以在心梗区定植，减少胶原形成，促进心肌和血管生成，从而延缓心梗后心室重构，提高左室收缩和舒张功能。成年鼠干细胞移植与乳鼠干细胞移植具有相似的效果。     

TGF-β1/Smad通路在血管紧张素Ⅱ下调缝隙连接蛋白43表达中的作用

目的:分析心肌梗死(MI)后心脏组织中血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)、缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)/Smad通路相关因子的变化情况,以探讨AngⅡ能否经由TGF-β1/Smad调节Cx43的表达。方法:采用左前降支冠状动脉(LAD)结扎建立大鼠心肌梗死模型后,20只SD雄性大鼠随机分为氯沙坦(20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))治疗组与MI组,分别于结扎后及治疗2周后检测心功能情况,并检测治疗2周后左室心肌组织不同区域AngⅡ、AngⅡ1型受体(AT1)、Cx43以及TGF-β1/Smad通路相关分子的变化情况。结果:氯沙坦组左室舒张末期内径(LVIDd)和左室收缩末期内径(LVIDs)明显缩小(P0.01),室间隔厚度(IVSd)及左室后壁厚度(LVPWd)明显减小(P0.05),左室射血分数(LVEF)显著增加(P0.01);梗死区和边缘区的AngⅡ水平明显降低;梗死区AT1表达显著降低;Cx43在心肌组织不同区域表达增高,TGF-β1、Smad 2、Smad 3在心肌组织不同区域表达均降低,而Smad 7表达增高。结论:心肌梗死后AngⅡ激活可能通过作用于TGF-β1/Smad通路导致Cx43表达下调。     

戊四唑致痫大鼠脑内缝隙连接的作用

目的: 研究缝隙连接(gap junction, GJ)在癫痫发病中的作用及机制。方法: 以戊四唑 (pentylene-tetrazol, PTZ)致痫大鼠模型为研究对象,采用免疫组织化学和实时定量RT-PCR技术,分别检测缝隙连接蛋白Cx32和Cx43在癫痫发作后不同时点皮层和海马神经元的表达。加用卡马西平(carbamazepine, CBZ)和甘珀酸(carbenoxolone, CBX)干预,观察二者对Cx32/43表达以及大鼠癫痫发作的影响。结果: 免疫组织化学染色显示PTZ致痫2 h后大鼠脑内Cx32/43阳性细胞开始增多,8 h后增多更为明显。实时定量RT-PCR示致痫2 h Cx32 mRNA迅速升高,5 h达高峰。Cx43 mRNA表达水平较低,但明显高于对照组。CBX显著抑制了Cx32/43的表达,CBZ对Cx32和Cx43的表达无明显影响。二者均抑制了大鼠的痫样发作。结论: GJ参与癫痫的发病过程,具有促进癫痫发作的作用。CBZ不影响Cx32/43的表达,表明其抗癫痫作用机制与阻断GJ 无关。     

多器官功能障碍综合症大鼠小肠肌层Cx43和缝隙连接变化以及大承气汤的干预作用

<正>目的:以细菌性腹膜炎致多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)大鼠模型为研究对象,观察小肠肌层中的缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)分布和它构成的缝隙连接(GJ)数量和结构变化,以及大承气汤(DCQD)对Cx43和GJ的影响。     

人脐带间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞的实验研究

目的 探讨人脐带间充质干细胞(MSCs)在体外向心肌细胞分化的能力及移植后对急性心肌梗死大鼠心功能恢复的影响.方法 胶原酶胰酶消化法分离脐带MSCs.取第4-6代脐带干细胞,采用5-氮胞苷诱导,免疫组织化学和免疫荧光法对诱导后细胞进行鉴定.建立大鼠心肌梗死模型,并按完全随机法将其分为2组(n=10):细胞移植组和空白对照组.将培养脐带MSCs移植到大鼠梗死心肌周围,4周后,免疫荧光法鉴定移植细胞,并超声检测心功能改变.结果 体外诱导后,细胞的形态不断发生变化,诱导后的细胞表达心肌特异性α-肌动蛋白、肌球蛋白和肌钙蛋白T,阳性率在50%以上.细胞移植4周后,脐带MSCs在缺血心肌内存活并分化为心肌样细胞,心功能检测显示脐带MSCs移植组大鼠在移植后4周的左心室射血分数[(68.4±15.2)%]比对照组大鼠明显增加[(53.2±13.4)%,P＜0.05].结论 人脐带MSCs能够在体内外分化为心肌样细胞,并能促进心脏功能的恢复.     

大鼠心肌成纤维细胞通过增加基质金属蛋白酶2活性抑制心肌细胞缝隙连接功能

目的：探讨缺氧复氧（hypoxia/reoxygenation, H/R）后大鼠心肌成纤维细胞（cardiac fibroblasts, CFs条件培养液对心肌细胞中缝隙连接蛋白43(connexin 43, Cx43)表达和缝隙连接功能的影响及其分子机制。方法：（1）将H9c2细胞随机分为5组：对照（control）组、常氧（normal）组、基质金属蛋白酶2抑制剂ARP-100(ARP)组、H/R组和H/R+ARP组。荧光划痕技术评价缝隙连接功能,Western blot实验检测Cx43的表达及磷酸化水平,明胶酶谱法测定条件培养液中基质金属蛋白酶的活性。（2）将SD大鼠随机分为control组、ARP组、缺血再灌注（I/R）组和I/R+ARP组,每组8只。微电极阵列技术采集心律失常发生类型和持续时间,免疫组织化学实验检测心肌组织中Cx43蛋白的表达及分布,Western blot实验检测Cx43的表达及磷酸化水平。结果：与control组相比,H/R组Cx43蛋白表达显著下降（P<0.01）,磷酸化水平下调（P<0.01）,荧光扩散范围变窄（P<0.01）,MMP...     

丹酚酸B通过调控Cx43抑制铁死亡对心肌梗死大鼠模型的保护机制研究

目的：基于铁死亡探讨丹酚酸B(Sal B)对心肌梗死（MI）大鼠模型的保护作用,并分析缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)在其中的作用。方法：经结扎左冠状动脉法构建MI大鼠模型,随机分组为假手术（sham）组、MI组、Sal B组、Sal B+AAV9-GFP组、Sal B+AAV9-GFP-Cx43-siRNA组和Sal B+AAV9-GFP-Cx43-siRNA+铁死亡抑制剂ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)组,造模2 d后给予相应处理。4周后,HE染色和Perl blue染色分别观察心肌形态和铁累积;免疫荧光染色观察Cx43在心肌中分布;透射电镜观察心肌超微结构;试剂盒检测血清肌酸激酶MB(CK-MB)、心肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）水平,以及心肌丙二醛（MDA）、活性氧（ROS）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）和铁含量;Western blot检测心肌p-Cx43和Cx43蛋白水平。结果：相较于sham组,MI组心肌纤维出现坏死、断裂,排列紊乱,心肌线粒体出现损伤,Cx43蛋白在心肌细胞侧侧连接处弥散分布,血清CK-MB、cTnI和LDH水平,以及心肌MDA、ROS、铁离子含...     

Spontaneous and inducible ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction in mice.

INTRODUCTION: Remodeling of gap junctions has been implicated in development of ventricular arrhythmias following myocardial infarction (MI) but the specific contribution of reduced electrical coupling is not known. We addressed this question using hearts from mice heterozygous for a connexin43 null allele (Cx43(+/-)). METHODS: To determine whether Cx43-deficient mice exhibit increased spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in the setting of chronic ischemic heart disease, radiofrequency transmitters were implanted in wild-type and Cx43(+/-) mice 2 days or 9 weeks after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation or sham operations. ECGs were recorded from unanesthetized, unrestrained mice 1 and 10 weeks after MI. Isolated, perfused hearts excised 1 and 10 weeks after MI were subjected to programmed electrical stimulation to induce arrhythmias. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Hearts with infarcts exhibited more spontaneous and inducible arrhythmias, but there was no significant difference between wild-type and Cx43-deficient mice. Fewer hearts exhibited spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT) in vivo than were inducible in vitro, suggesting that structural and functional substrates for inducible VT in isolated hearts may not be sufficient for initiation and maintenance of sustained VT in vivo. Previous studies have shown that Cx43-deficient mice exhibit more VT than wild-type mice during acute regional ischemia. Mice with MI exhibit increased arrhythmias. However, reduced coupling in Cx43-deficient mice does not significantly enhance spontaneous or inducible VT after MI.     

大鼠骨髓间质干细胞体外诱导分化为心肌样细胞Cx43通讯连接功能检测

目的： 探讨大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）体外诱导分化为心肌样细胞Cx43的分布与通讯连接功能状态。方法： 取健康SD大鼠骨髓，用5-氮杂胞苷体外诱导培养。取诱导培养2、3、4周的MSCs为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组，另取急性分离的心肌细胞为对照组，用激光共聚焦技术检测Cx43的分布及平均荧光漂白恢复率。结果： 对Cx43在细胞内分布检测发现，随诱导培养时间的延长，细胞内蛋白颗粒密度逐渐增加；诱导培养4周后MSCs内蛋白颗粒密度与对照组比较无显著差异（63.87±12.43，64.87±12.15，P>0.05）。各组细胞平均荧光漂白率的变化趋势与Cx43分布变化相似，即随诱导培养时间的延长，细胞平均荧光漂白率逐渐增加；Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组及对照组分别为19.59%±6.08%、37.17%±3.84%、46.82%±2.69%、49.71%±5.53%，Ⅲ组与对照组比较无显著差异（P>0.05）。结论： 大鼠MSCs在体外诱导培养4周后已分化为心肌样细胞，其细胞Cx43的分布与通讯连接功能与正常心肌细胞相似。     

梗死心肌组织裂解液对鼠骨髓间充质干细胞诱导分化作用的体外研究

 目的 探讨梗死心肌组织裂解液对骨髓间充质干细胞（MSC）向心肌细胞分化的诱导作用。 方法 取 SD 大鼠梗死区心肌组织及其周围区域正常心肌组织分别制备梗死心肌组织裂解液和正常心肌组织裂解液；用 Balb/c 小鼠骨髓细胞进行 MSC 培养，取生长较好的第 2 代 MSC 制备 MSC 贴片，分别用 DMEM 培养基（空白对照组）、加入正常心肌组织裂解液的 DMEM 培养基（正常心肌组织裂解液组）和加入梗死心肌组织裂解液的 DMEM 培养基（梗死心肌组织裂解液组）培养。取各组培养 14 d 的 MSC，透射电镜下观察细胞超微结构；并进行免疫细胞化学染色，观察 α-肌动蛋白（actin）、心肌特异性转录因子 4（GATA-4）、心肌特异性肌球蛋白重链（MHC）、心肌特异性肌钙蛋白 T（cTnT）、心肌特异性肌钙蛋白 I（cTnI）、心肌增强因子 2（MEF-2）、连接蛋白（Cx）43 和 Cx45 的表达情况。 结果 超微结构观察显示空白对照组细胞器结构正常；正常心肌组织裂解液组细胞内未见明显的肌丝样结构；而梗死心肌组织裂解液组部分细胞内可见细小的肌丝样结构。免疫细胞化学染色分析显示，空白对照组 MSC 不表达心肌细胞特异性蛋白；正常心肌组织裂解液组 MSC 仅表达 α-actin；而梗死心肌组织裂解液组 MSC 表达 α-actin、GATA-4、MHC、cTnT、cTnI 和 MEF-2 等心肌特异性标志蛋白，但不表达 Cx43 和 Cx45。 结论 梗死心肌组织裂解液可以诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌样细胞分化。     

Impact of synovial membrane-derived stem cell transplantation in a rat model of myocardial infarction

To explore a new source of cell therapy for myocardial infarction (MI), we assessed the usefulness of mesenchymal stem cells derived from synovial membrane samples (SM MSCs). We developed a model of MI by ligation of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in Lewis rats. Two weeks after ligation, 5 × 10⁶ SM MSCs were injected into the MI scar area (T group, n = 9), while buffer was injected into the control group (C group, n = 9). Cardiac performances measured by echocardiography at 4 weeks after transplantation were significantly increased in the T group as compared with the C group. Masson’s trichrome staining showed that SM MSC transplantation decreased collagen volume in the myocardium. Engrafted SM MSCs were found in the border zone of the infarct area. Immunohistological analysis showed that these cells were positive for the sarcomeric markers alpha-actinin and titin, and negative for desmin, troponin T, and connexin 43. SM MSC transplantation improved cardiac performance in a rat model of MI in the subacute phase, possibly through transdifferentiation of the engrafted cells into a myogenic lineage, which led to inhibition of myocardial fibrosis. Our results suggest that SM MSCs are a potential new regeneration therapy candidate for heart failure.     

Comparison of Cardiac Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation on the Cardiac Electrophysiology in Rats with Myocardial Infarction

Introduction

Whether transplanted cardiac stem cells (CSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) similarly is still unclear. We sought to compare the effects of the CSC and MSC transplantation on the electrophysiological characteristics and VFT in rats with myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

MI was induced in 30 male Sprague–Dawley rats. Two weeks later, animals were randomized to receive 5?×?10⁶ CSCs labeled with PKH26 in PBS or 5?×?10⁶ MSCs labeled with PKH26 in phosphate buffer solution(PBS) or PBS alone injection into the infarcted anterior ventricular free wall. Six weeks after the injection, electrophysiological characteristics and VFT were measured. Labeled CSCs and MSCs were observed in 5 μm cryostat sections from each heart.

Results

Malignant ventricular arrhythmias were significantly (P?=?0.0055) less inducible in the CSC group than the MSC group. The VFTs were improved in the CSC group compared with the MSC group. Labeled CSCs and MSCs were identified in the infarct zone and infarct marginal zone. Labeled CSCs expressed Connexin-43, von Willebrand factor, α-smooth muscle actin and α-sarcomeric actin,while the Labeled MSCs expressed von Willebrand factor, α-smooth muscle actin and α-sarcomeric actin in vivo.

Conclusions

After 6 weeks of cell transplantation, CSCs are superior to MSCs in modulating the electrophysiological abnormality and improving the VFT in rats with MI. CSCs and MSCs express markers that suggest muscle, endothelium and vascular smooth muscle phenotypes in vivo, but MSCs rarely express Connexin-43.     

星形胶质细胞的缝隙连接蛋白43参与冷冻伤后脑水肿的形成

目的:探讨脑水肿后星形胶质细胞缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)的表达及其在脑水肿的发生发展过程中所起的作用。方法:采用颅骨外液氮冷冻法建立大鼠右侧顶叶皮层脑水肿模型。实验分为假手术组、脑水肿模型组和脑水肿模型+缝隙连接阻断剂(carbenoxolone或octanol)干预组。干湿重法测定冷冻伤后的脑含水量;甲酰胺法测定大鼠血脑屏障通透性的改变;HE染色观察冷冻伤脑组织的病理变化;Western blot法和免疫组化检测Cx43蛋白的表达情况。结果:冷冻伤可引起大鼠损伤脑皮层区的含水量增加,在冷冻伤后24 h脑水肿发展到高峰。冷冻伤引起损伤脑皮层区域的血脑屏障通透性增加,范围大于直接冷冻损伤区。HE染色观察显示冷冻伤中心区细胞坏死明显,而冷冻伤周围区域出现水肿。脑冷冻伤引起冷冻伤周围皮层区域的Cx43蛋白表达增加,但冷冻伤中心区的Cx43蛋白表达降低。Carbenoxolone或octanol阻断Cx43的功能,降低了冷冻伤皮层区的含水量和血屏障通透性。结论:脑水肿时星形胶质细胞上的Cx43表达上调,功能增强;阻断Cx43的功能可在一定程度上减轻脑水肿。     

Remodeling of cardiac fibroblasts following myocardial infarction results in increased gap junction intercellular communication

BackgroundWe have recently shown that native murine ventricular fibroblasts express both connexin43 (Cx43) and Cx45, and that the level of Cx43 expression influences intercellular coupling and cell proliferation. Relatively little is known, however, about how myocardial infarction (MI) influences expression of Cx43, or how altered Cx43 expression may affect fibroblast function post-MI. Fibroblasts are critical for infarct healing and post-infarct ventricular remodeling. They can couple electrically with cardiac myocytes and influence myocardial activation patterns. Thus, Cx43 remodeling and the level of intercellular communication in fibroblasts expressed in the infarcted heart were the subject of the present investigation.MethodsFibroblasts were isolated from both infarct scar and remote, noninfarcted regions of murine hearts 6 d after coronary ligation. Expression levels of Cx43, α-smooth muscle actin and N-cadherin were quantified by immunoblotting. Gap junctional intercellular communication was quantified by Lucifer yellow dye transfer.Results and ConclusionsFibroblasts isolated from infarcted hearts exhibited marked up-regulation of Cx43 protein expression and enhanced intercellular coupling. Exogenous administration of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) to fibroblast cultures from normal, non-operated hearts produced comparable up-regulation of Cx43, suggesting that increased intercellular communication between fibroblasts in infarct and peri-infarct regions may be secondary to activation of a TGF-β pathway. Unlike cardiac myocytes that down-regulate Cx43, presumably to limit intercellular transmission of biochemical mediators of ischemic injury, fibroblasts may up-regulate Cx43 to maintain electrical and metabolic coupling at a time when intercellular communication is compromised.     

Evidence for a role of connexin 43 in trigeminal pain using RNA interference in vivo

The importance of glial cells in the generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain is becoming widely accepted. We examined the role of glial-specific gap junctions in nociception in the rat trigeminal ganglion in nerve-injured and -uninjured states. The connexin 43 (Cx43) gap-junction subunit was found to be confined to the satellite glial cells (SGCs) that tightly envelop primary sensory neurons in the trigeminal ganglion and we therefore used Cx43 RNA interference (RNAi) to alter gap-junction function in SGCs. Using behavioral evaluation, together with immunocytochemical and Western blot monitoring, we show that Cx43 increased in the trigeminal ganglion in rats with a chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the infraorbital nerve. Reducing Cx43 expression using RNAi in CCI rats reduced painlike behavior, whereas in non-CCI rats, reducing Cx43 expression increased painlike behavior. The degree of painlike behavior in CCI rats and intact, Cx43-silenced rats was similar. Our results support previous suggestions that increases in glial gap junctions after nerve injury increases nociceptive behavior but paradoxically the reduction of gap junctions in normal ganglia also increases nociceptive behavior, possibly a reflection of the multiple functions performed by glia.