Role of intestinal flora imbalance in pathogenesis of pouchitis

Objective: To discuss the role of intestinal flora imbalance in the pathogenesis of pouchitis. Methods: The puochitis rat model was established and the faeces sample and the mucous membrane sample were collected regularly, in which the bacterial nucleic acids were extracted for quantitative analysis of the intestinal flora in the samples through using the real-time quantitative PCR technique and high energy sequencing technology. Results: The disorder phenomenon of the intestinal flora appeared at the 7th day of the experiment, and the pouchitis was presented at the 21 th day of the experiment. At the 31 th day of the experiment, compared to control group and non-pouchitis group, the quantity of Bifidobacterium and the Lactobacillusof the pouchitis model rats in the mucous membrane sample and the faeces sample were significantly decreased(P0.05), and the Bacteroidetes, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and 桛 Clostridium leptum subgroup in the mucous membrane of pouchitis were significantly decreased(P0.05). The Clostridium coccoides group was the main flora in the mucous membrane of pouchitis, the bacterial diversity of non-puochitis group and control group was significantly higher than that of the puochitis group(P0.05). Conclusions: The intestinal flora imbalance is one of the factors that cause the incidence of the pouhitis; this study provides a clue of the pathogenesis and treatment direction of the intestinal inflammatory disease.     

Mechanism of TLR-4/NF-κB pathway in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury of mouse

Objective: To detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR-4) and NF-κB and to discuss the mechanism of TLR-4/NF-κB pathway in the myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury of mouse. Methods: TLR-4 mutant mice and wild homozygous mice were divided into the model group and sham group. Mice in the model group were given the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery for the modeling, while mice in the sham group were not given the ligation after threading. The cardiac muscle tissues were collected for the morphological observation. The immuno histochemistry was employed to detect the expression of NF-κB, Western blot was used to detect the expression of TLR-4 and ELISA to detect the expression of serum inflammatory factors. Results: The expression of NF-κB in TLR-4 null mice after the myocardial ischemia reperfusion was significantly lower than that in wild homozygous mice. For the model group and sham group, the expression of TLR-4 in wild homozygous mice was all significantly higher than that in TLR-4 null mice, while the expression of TLR-4 in TLR-4 null mice in the model group was significantly higher than that in sham group, with the statistical difference(P0.05). The expression of inflammatory factors in TLR-4 null mice and wild homozygous mice in the model group was significantly higher than that in sham group. The expression of all factors in group A with TLR-4 null was significantly lower than that in group B with wild homozygous type, with the statistical difference(P0.05). Conclusions: TLR-4/NF-κB pathway is closely related to the myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, which plays its role through the release of inflammatory cytokines.     

Thalidomide effect in endothelial cell of acute radiation proctitis

AIM： To determine whether thalidomide prevents microvascular injury in acute radiation proctitis in white rats. METHODS： Fourteen female Wistar rats were used： six in the radiation group, six in the thalidomide group, and two in normal controls. The radiation and thalidomide groups were irradiated at the pelvic area using a single 30 Gy exposure. The thalidomide （150 mg/kg） was injected into the peritoneum for 7 d from the day of irradiation. All animals were sacrificed and the rectums were removed on day 8 after irradiation. The microvessels of resected specimens were immunohistochemically stained with thrombomodulin （TM）, von Willebrand Factor （vWF）, and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. RESULTS： The microscopic scores did not differ significantly between the radiation and thalidomide groups, but both were higher than in the control group. Expression of TM was significantly lower in the endothelial cells （EC） of the radiation group than in the control and thalidomide groups （P 〈 0.001）. The number of capillaries expressing vWF in the EC was higher in the radiation group （15.3 ± 6.8） than in the control group （3.7 ± 1.7）, and the number of capillaries expressing vWF was attenuated by thalidomide （10.8 ± 3.5, P 〈 0.001）. The intensity of VEGF expression in capillaries was greater in the radiation group than in the control group and was also attenuated by thalidomide （P = 0.003）. CONCLUSION： The mechanisms of acute radiation-induced proctitis in the rats are related to endothelial cell injury of microvessel, which may be attenuated with thalidomide.     

Decreased IgA+ plasma cells and IgA expression in acute liver necrosis mice

AIM: To investigate the number of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA+) plasma cells and expression of intestinal IgA in mice with acute liver necrosis. METHODS: A model of acute liver necrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sixty mice were randomly divided into one of 4 equal groups: normal control, acute liver necrosis, LPS, or GalN. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were employed to assess liver and intestinal injury, count intestinal IgA+ plasma cells, and measure the expression level of IgA and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the small intestinal mucosa of mice. RESULTS: Injured intestinal mucosa was observed in the acute liver necrosis group but not in the normal, LPS or GalN groups. Compared with the normal group,intestinal IgA+ plasma cells were slightly decreased in the LPS and GalN groups [429 ± 20 per high power f ield (HPF), 406 ± 18/HPF, respectively], whereas they were markedly decreased in the acute liver necrosis group (282 ± 17/HPF vs 495 ± 26/HPF in normal group, P < 0.05). The expression of intestinal IgA was also slightly decreased in LPS and GalN groups, but was markedly reduced in the acute liver necrosis group as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (P < 0.05). In contrast, the level of IFN-γ was slightly increased in LPS, GalN and acute liver necrosis groups, but with no statistical signif icance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intestinal IgA+ plasma cells and IgA expression levels indicating that mucosal immune barrier dysfunction, does exist in acute liver necrosis.     

VSL#3 can prevent ulcerative colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice

AIM To investigate the effects of VSL#3 on tumor formation, and fecal and intestinal mucosal microbiota in azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium(AOM/DSS) induced mice model. METHODS C57 BL/6 mice were administered AOM/DSS to develop the ulcerative colitis(UC) carcinogenesis model. Mice were treated with 5-ASA(75 mg/kg/d), VSL#3(1.5 × 109 CFU/d), or 5-ASA combined with VSL#3 by gavage from the day of AOM injection for three months(five days/week). The tumor load was compared in each group, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL)-6 levels were evaluated in colon tissue. The stool and intestinal mucosa samples were collected to analyze the differences in the intestinal microbiota by 16 s rDNA sequencing method.RESULTS VSL#3 significantly reduced the tumor load in AOM/DSS-induced mice model and decreased the level of TNF-α and IL-6 in colon tissue. The model group had a lower level of Lactobacillus and higher level of Oscillibacter and Lachnoclostridium in fecal microbiota than the control group. After the intervention with 5-ASA and VSL#3, Bacillus and Lactococcus were increased, while Lachnoclostridium and Oscillibacter were reduced. 5-ASA combined with VSL#3 increased the Lactobacillus and decreased the Oscillibacter. The intestinal mucosal microbiota analysis showed a lower level of Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and higher level of Al oprevotel a in the model group as compared to the control group. After supplementation with VSL#3, Bifidobacterium was increased. 5-ASA combined with VSL#3 increased the level of both Lachnoclostridium and Bifidobacterium. CONCLUSION VSL#3 can prevent UC-associated carcinogenesis in mice, reduce the colonic mucosal inflammation levels, and rebalance the fecal and mucosal intestinal microbiota.     

Claudin-7 gene knockout causes destruction of intestinal structure and animal death in mice

BACKGROUND Claudin-7, one of the important components of cellular tight junctions, is currently considered to be expressed abnormally in colorectal inflammation and colorectal cancer. However, there is currently no effective animal model to study its specific mechanism. Therefore, we constructed three lines of Claudin-7 knockout mice using the Cre/LoxP system.AIM To determine the function of the tumor suppressor gene Claudin-7 by generating three lines of Claudin-7 gene knockout mice.METHODS We crossed Claudin-7-floxed mice with CMV-Cre, vil1-Cre, and villin-CreERT2 transgenic mice, and the offspring were self-crossed to obtain conventional Claudin-7 knockout mice, conditional(intestinal specific) Claudin-7 knockout mice, and inducible conditional Claudin-7 knockout mice. Intraperitoneal injection of tamoxifen into the inducible conditional Claudin-7 knockout mice can induce the knockout of Claudin-7. PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to identify mouse genotypes, and Western blot was used to confirm the knockout of Claudin-7. The mental state, body length, and survival time of these mice were observed. The dying mice were sacrificed, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed to observe changes in intestinal structure and proliferation markers.RESULTS We generated Claudin-7-floxed mice and three lines of Claudin-7 gene knockout mice using the Cre/LoxP system successfully. Conventional and intestinal specific Claudin-7 knockout mice were stunted and died during the perinatal period, and intestinal HE staining in these mice revealed mucosal gland structure disappearance and connective tissue hyperplasia with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration. The inducible conditional Claudin-7 knockout mice had a normal phenotype at birth, but after the induction with tamoxifen, they exhibited a dying state. Intestinal HE staining showed significant inflammatory cell infiltration, and atypical hyperplasia and adenoma were also observed. Intestinal immunohistochemistry analysis showed abnormal expression and distribution of Ki67, and the normal intestinal proliferation balance was disrupted. The intestinal crypt size in inducible conditional Claudin-7 knockout mice was increased compared with control mice(small intestine: 54.1 ± 2.96 vs 38.4 ± 1.63;large intestine: 44.7 ± 1.93 vs 27.4 ± 0.60; P < 0.001).CONCLUSION The knockout of Claudin-7 in vivo causes extensive inflammation, atypical hyperplasia, and adenoma in intestinal tissue as well as animal death in mice.Claudin-7 may act as a tumor suppressor gene in the development of colorectal cancer.     

Anti-tumor effect of pEgr-IFNγ,gene-radiotherapy in B16 melanoma-bearing mice

AIM: To construct a pEgr-IFNγ Plasmid and to investigate its expression properties of interferon-γ (INF-γ) induced by irradiation and the effect of gene-radiotherapy on the growth of melanoma. METHODS: A recombined plasmid, pEgr-IFNγ, was constructed and transfected into B16 cell line with lipofectamine. The expression properties of pEgr-IFNγ were investigated by ELISA. Then, a B16 melanoma-bearing model was established in mice, and the plasmid wasinjected into the tumor tissue. The tumor received 20 Gy X-ray irradiation 36 h after injection, and IFN-γ expression was detected from the tumor tissue. A tumor growth curve at different time points was determined. RESULTS: The eukaryotic expression vector, pEgr-IFNγ, was successfully constructed and transfected into B16 cells. IFN-γ expression was significantly increased in transfected cells after X-ray irradiation in comparison with 0 Gy group (77.73-94.60 pg/mL, P&lt;0.05-0.001), and was significantly higher at 4 h and 6 h than that of control group after 2 Gy X-ray irradiation (78.90-90.00 pg/mL, P&lt;0.01-0.001).When the transfected cells were given 2 Gy irradiation 5 times at an interval of 24 h, IFN-y expression decreased in a time-dependent manner. From d 3 to d 15 after IFNγ generadiotherapy, the tumor growth was significantly slower than that after irradiation or gene therapy alone. CONCLUSION: The anti-tumor effect of pEgr-IFNγ generadiotherapy is better than that of genebherapy or radiotherapy alone for melanoma. These results may establish an important experimental basis for gene-radiotherapy of cancer.     

酒精通过抑制肠上皮干细胞增殖损伤肠上皮的更新修复能力

目的 研究酒精对肠上皮干细胞(ISC)和肠上皮更新修复能力的影响。方法 将18只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为对照组(n=9)和酒精处理组(n=9)。采用Gao-Binge法制备慢性酒精中毒模型。在造模成功后,腹腔注射5-溴-2-脱氧脲苷(BrdU),分别在注射后2 h、24 h和72 h取小肠组织,采用免疫组化法检测BrdU阳性细胞和ISC特异性标志物Lgr5表达。结果 与对照组小鼠比,酒精处理组小鼠小肠绒毛高度显著缩短、萎缩;酒精处理组小鼠ISC细胞Lgr5表达显著弱于对照组;酒精处理组小鼠每个肠隐窝BrdU阳性细胞数量为(3.50±0.65)个/肠隐窝,显著少于对照组【(7.90±1.08)个/肠隐窝,P＜0.05】;在注射BrdU 后2 h、24 h和72 h,酒精处理组小鼠小肠BrdU阳性细胞迁移距离分别为(66.67±1.60)μm、(219.40±12.11)μm和(313.90±9.76)μm,显著短于对照组【分别为(111.10±1.60)μm、(319.00±10.04)μm和(625.90±3.34)μm,P＜0.05】。结论 酒精通过抑制ISC引起肠上皮细胞增殖和迁移能力下降,从而损伤肠上皮的更新修复能力,导致肠上皮屏障功能障碍。     

Age and diet act through distinct isoforms of the class II transactivator gene in mouse intestinal epithelium

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Normal weaning induces class II major histocompatibility complex (Ia) and invariant chain (Ii) expression in the mouse intestinal epithelium. Because the class II transactivator protein (CIITA) induces Ia and Ii in most cell types, we hypothesized that diet-induced expression of these genes was through CIITA. METHODS: Mouse litters were split and weaned onto an elemental diet or a normal (complex) chow diet. On days 24, 31, and 45, epithelial cells were isolated from small intestine with EDTA, and the RNA was extracted from both wild-type and interferon (IFN)-gamma receptor knockout mice. Messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by Northern blotting, RNase protection assay, and real-time polymerase chain reaction and Ia localized by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: By day 31, CIITA mRNA was induced in the intestinal epithelium of normally weaned wild-type mice, and this mirrored the expression of Ii chain mRNA. Mice weaned onto an elemental diet did not exhibit Ii mRNA or increased CIITA mRNA in the intestinal epithelium by day 31, but low levels of Ii mRNA were detectable by day 45. Of the 3 isoforms of CIITA, weaning onto a complex diet induced only CIITA IV by day 31. Mice deficient in the IFN-gamma receptor expressed Ia in the epithelium and they also accumulated Ii mRNA (at low levels) by day 45, irrespective of diet. CIITA III mRNA accumulation mirrored the dietary-independent changes of Ii mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Two mechanisms regulate Ii in the mouse intestinal epithelium: a rapid one, which is diet-induced acting through CIITA IV; and a slower, dietary-independent pathway, acting through CIITA III.     

灭活血吸虫卵对实验性结肠炎肠黏膜的影响

目的 研究灭活血吸虫卵对2,4,6一三硝基苯磺酸(tinitrobenzene sulfonic acid,TNBS)诱导小鼠结肠炎肠黏膜紧密连接蛋白ZO-1和Occludin基因及蛋白表达影响及其机制.方法 清洁级BALB/C雌性小鼠50只分成对照组(10只)、TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组(20只)和TNBS+血吸虫卵组(20只).TNBS+血吸虫卵组在造模前第3、14天分别给予腹腔注射冰冻灭活血吸虫卵10 000个(1 ml冰0.9%氯化钠溶液混悬液);TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组给予相同体积的冰0.9%氯化钠溶液腹腔注射.后两组予TNBS溶液灌肠(100 mg/kg)建立结肠炎模型,建模后第7天处死存活小鼠,观察各组小鼠结肠的大体形态和HE染色光镜下病理特征;荧光实时定量PCR法测定结肠组织的Occludin和ZO-1基因表达;Western印迹法检测蛋白表达;免疫组化法测定结肠组织紧密连接蛋白表达分布.结果 TNBS+血吸虫卵组小鼠死亡率较TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组明显下降(15%比30%).TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组组织学评分为(4.21±0.40)分,较TNBS+血吸虫卵组和对照组高[(1.74±0.10)和(1.06±0.20)分,P<0.05].TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组ZO-1和Occludin mRNA表达量较对照组显著下降(P<0.01),而TNBS+血吸虫卵组较TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组显著增加(P<0.05).TNBs+0.9%氯化钠溶液组ZO-1蛋白相对灰度值较正常对照组降低50.3%(P<0.05),而TNBS+血吸虫卵组较TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液增加41.1%(P<0.05);TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组Occludin相对灰度值较对照组下降48.7%(P<0.05),而血吸虫卵组较TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组增加23.6%(P<0.05).ZO-1、Occludin蛋白染色强度TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组分布均较对照组间增强(P<0.01),而TNBS+血吸虫卵组染色强度信号分布较TNBS+0.9%氯化钠溶液组显著增加(P<0.05).结论 灭活血吸虫卵能在细胞水平加强紧密连接蛋白ZO-1、Occludin聚集及表达,通过稳定紧密连接蛋白,增加肠道黏膜屏障功能,显著改善实验性结肠炎的肠道炎症反应.     

核心蛋白多糖及其mRNA在硬皮病模型小鼠皮损中的表达

目的 观察核心蛋白多糖及其mRNA在正常小鼠皮肤和硬皮病小鼠皮损中的表达,探讨其在硬皮病发病中的作用.方法 构建博来霉素诱导的硬皮病小鼠模型,从皮肤和肺组织病理及胶原含量2个方丽来验证模型;用免疫组织化学法和反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法测定核心蛋白多糖及其mRNA在硬皮病小鼠及正常小鼠皮肤中的表达.数据采用秩和检验和t检验进行分析.结果 根据模型组小鼠和对照组小鼠的皮肤和肺组织病理、皮肤胶原含量的比较,确定硬皮病小鼠模型构建成功.免疫组织化学示:核心蛋门多糖mRNA在对照组没有显著的阳性表达变化;RT-PCR示:核心蛋白多糖在空白对照组小鼠皮肤中呈阳性高表达(0.60±0.15),而在模型组小鼠呈现表达下调[(0.26±0.03),P<0.05].结论 核心蛋向多糖及其mRNA在硬皮病小鼠中呈低表达;推测这种低表达可能与转化生长因子(TGF)-β1与TGF-β2在硬皮病小鼠中高表达,中和或消耗核心蛋白多糖有关.     

微小膜壳绦虫感染对ICR小鼠小肠LY6A(Sca-1)及IFN-γ、STAT1表达的影响

目的 探讨微小膜壳绦虫感染ICR小鼠小肠组织中LY6A及IFN-γ、STAT1的表达情况。方法 采集微小膜壳绦虫成虫标本并收集虫卵制作悬液。将ICR小鼠随机分为对照组和实验组,实验组以定量1 000个/只虫卵灌胃感染,于感染后第2 d和第8 d按照编号处死小鼠获取小肠组织。采用HE染色进行小肠组织病理学观察,RT-PCR技术检测LY6A、IFN-γ和STAT1的mRNA相对表达量,免疫组织化学技术检测小肠中LY6A蛋白阳性细胞的表达,并用PRM技术对LY6A蛋白和STAT1蛋白进行相对丰度定量。结果 HE染色结果显示感染后第8 d在肠腔内发现成虫节片,并且虫体寄生处出现急性炎症反应。RT-PCR检测显示感染第2 d实验组LY6A(t=12.57,P<0.001)和STAT1(t=12.13,P<0.001)的mRNA相对表达量低于对照组,而IFN-γ的mRNA相对表达量高于对照组(t=7.78,P<0.01);感染后第8 d实验组LY6A(t=10.01,P<0.001)和STAT1(t=11.19,P<0.001)的mRNA相对表达量高于对照组;而IFN-γ的mRNA相对表达量低于对照组(t=26.47,P<0.001)。免疫组化结果显示感染后第2 d实验组LY6A阳性细胞百分比高于对照组(t=4.26,P<0.01),感染后第8 d实验组LY6A蛋白阳性细胞百分比高于对照组(t=8.18,P<0.001)。PRM检测结果显示感染后第2 d实验组LY6A蛋白相对表达量低于对照组(t=6.55,P<0.05),实验组STAT1蛋白与对照组相比无统计学差异,感染后第8 d实验组LY6A蛋白(t=4.95,P<0.05)和STAT1(t=2.91,P<0.05)蛋白的相对表达量均高于对照组。结论 微小膜壳绦虫感染ICR小鼠小肠后LY6A(Sca-1)的mRNA水平和蛋白水平在幼虫侵入早期呈低表达,成虫期呈高表达;IFN-γ对LY6A的表达不起主导作用,而STAT1可能对LY6A(Sca-1)的表达起诱导作用。     

Mindin is upregulated during colitis and may activate NF-κB in a TLR-9 mediated manner

AIM:To investigate the regulation of mindin expression and the signaling pathway involved during inflammation.METHODS:C57BL/6 mice were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 6 d to induce acute colitis,and then the colon was harvested for histological analysis or for RNA isolation.mRNA expression of mindin and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 was analyzed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and mindin expression construct was conf irmed by Western blotting.Mou...     

Mindin is upregulated during colitis and may activate NF-��B in a TLR-9 mediated manner

AIM:To investigate the regulation of mindin expression and the signaling pathway involved during inflammation.METHODS:C57BL/6 mice were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 6 d to induce acute colitis,and then the colon was harvested for histological analysis or for RNA isolation.mRNA expression of mindin and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 was analyzed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and mindin expression construct was conf irmed by Western blotting.Mouse macrophage and intestinal epithelial lineage cells were stimulated with different cytokines and toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands,before pNF-κB-luciferase activity was assessed using the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS:mRNA expression of mindin was upregulated 4.7 ± 1.1 fold compared with the baseline during DSS-induced intestinal inflammation in the mice.Stimulation with CpG-ODN (a known TLR-9 ligand) induced 4.2 ± 0.3 fold upregulation of mindin expression in RAW 264.7 cells.Full-length of mindin was cloned from cDNA of mouse mesenteric lymph node,then the pCMV-Mindin-Flag expression vector was established and the protein expression level was confi rmed.Transfection of the mindin construct and stimulation with CpG-ODN signifi cantly increased the NF-κB-luciferase activity by 2.5 ± 0.3 and 4.5 ± 0.5 fold in RAW264.7 and CMT93 cells,respectively (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:Mindin expression is upregulated during intestinal inflammation and may induce NF-κB promoter activation in a TLR-9 mediated manner.     

Functional Relevance of Activin A in the Intestinal Epithelium

Background: Activin A modulates inflammation and repair in various tissues. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of activin A on intestinal epithelial cell function and to evaluate a potential role in intestinal epithelial wound repair and inflammation. Methods: The expression of activin A and its receptors ActRI and ActRII in intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells and in tissues from IBD patients and non-inflamed controls was evaluated using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Functional effects of activin A on intestinal epithelial cell migration and proliferation were assessed using an in vitro wounding model and colorimetric MTT assays. Results: Expression of the activin β A subunit and the activin receptors ActRI and ActRII in IEC-6 cells was demonstrated using RT-PCR. Activin A (50 ng/ml) caused a significant, on average 2.8-fold enhancement of epithelial cell migration and a significant on average 4.1-fold inhibition of IEC-6 cell proliferation. Expression of ActRI and ActRII was observed in all intestinal tissues from patients with IBD and in all controls. In contrast, no expression of the activin β A-subunit was observed in controls, while β A expression was found in intestinal tissues from IBD patients. Conclusions: Activin A may play an important role in the modulation of intestinal epithelial cell function, thus providing a new approach to modulate intestinal wound repair.     

Differentially expressed proteins of gamma-ray irradiated mouse intestinal epithelial cells by two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

AIM: To identify the differentially expressed proteins involved in ionizing radiation in mice and to explore new ways for studying radiation-related proteins.METHODS: Bal B/c mice grouped as sham-irradiation, 3h and 72 h irradiation were exposed to 9.0Gy single dose of γ-irradiation. Intestinal epithelia were isolated from mice,and total proteins were extracted with urea containing solution. A series of methods were used, including twodimensional electrophoresis, PDQuest 2-DE software analysis, peptide mass fingerprinting based on matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and SWISS-PROT database searching, to separate and identify the differential proteins.Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to validate the differentially expressed proteins.RESULTS: Mouse intestine was severely damaged by 9.0 Gy γ-irradiation. Tmage analysis of two-dimensional gels revealed that averages of 638±39, 566±32 and 591±29 protein spots were detected in 3 groups, respectively, and the majority of these protein spots were matched. About 360 protein spots were matched between normal group and 3 h irradiation group, and the correlation coefficient was 0.78 by correlation analysis of gels. Also 312 protein spots matched between normal group and 72 h irradiation group, and 282 protein spots between 3 h and 72 h irradiation groups. Twenty-eight differential protein spots were isolated from gels, digested with trypsin, and measured with MALDI-TOF-MS. A total of 25 spots yielded good spectra, and 19 spots matched known proteins after database searching. These proteins were mainly involved in anti-oxidation, metabolism, signal transduction,and protein post-translational processes. Western-blotting confirmed that enolase was up-regulated by γ-irradiation. Upregulation of peroxiredoxin ! was verified by applying RTPCR technique, but no change occurred in Q8VC72.CONCLUSION: These differentially expressed proteins might play important roles when mouse intestine was severely injured by γ-irradiation. It is suggested that differential proteomic analysis may be a useful tool to study the proteins involved in radiation damage of mouse intestinal epithelia.