miR-301a-3p对大鼠星形胶质细胞Cx43转录后的靶向调控作用

目的:研究大鼠星形胶质细胞中微小RNA-301a-3p(miR-301a-3p)对缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)表达的靶向调控作用及其作用位点。方法:合成miR-301a-3p agomir和miR-301a-3p antagomir,转染至星形胶质细胞,Western blot检测各组细胞中Cx43蛋白的表达情况;构建重组载体wt-pEZX-MT05-Cx43和mut-pEZX-MT05-Cx43,采用双萤光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-301a-3p的靶基因;构建表达载体pcDNA3.1-Cx43,通过回复实验分析miR-301a-3p对细胞凋亡的影响。结果:将miR-301a-3p agomir转染到星形胶质细胞后,Western blot检测显示,与对照组相比,Cx43蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.05)。双萤光素酶报告基因实验结果表明,miR-301a-3p能够与Cx43的3′-UTR结合,对其表达产生负调控;将不含Cx43 3′-UTR的重组载体pcDNA3.1-Cx43转染星形胶质细胞后,能够回复miR-301a-3p对Cx43蛋白表达的负调控作用,引起细胞凋亡。结论:Cx...     

渗透压变化对缝隙连接蛋白在培养的大鼠下丘脑星形胶质细胞和神经元表达的影响

目的观察渗透压改变对培养的下丘脑星形胶质细胞的缝隙连接蛋白Connexin43（Cx43）和神经元的缝隙连接蛋白Cx32表达的影响。方法体外培养孕14d或新生1d SD大鼠下丘脑的神经元和星形胶质细胞并进行纯化和鉴定。实验各分两组,第1组：细胞由等渗培养液移至高渗培养液（含9％NaCl）分别放置1min、3min、5min、10min和15min后将液体吸出常规固定;第2组：细胞先置于高渗培养液中15min后换成等渗培养液,分别在1min、3min、5min和10min后将等渗培养液吸出常规固定。两者均进行抗Cx43或抗Cx32的免疫荧光染色,Confoeal显微镜观察。结果第1组,Cx43在刺激1min后在星形胶质细胞表达比对照组有所增加,3min达到高峰,以后逐渐降低,15min恢复正常;而Cx32在刺激后1min的神经元中表达比对照组增加,5min达到高峰,以后降低。15min恢复正常。第2组同样为Cx43在星形胶质细胞刺激1min后表达增加,3min达到高峰,以后降低,10min恢复正常;神经元的Cx32表达在刺激后5min达到高峰,以后降低,10min恢复正常。两组Cx43表达的高峰期均早于Cx32。结论Cx43和Cx32可能参与星形胶质细胞与神经元渗透压的调节。     

蛋白脂蛋白在两型星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞中的表达

目的:探讨蛋白脂蛋白(PLP)在分化成熟的两型星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞中的表达。方法:用激光共聚焦双重免疫荧光标记技术检测PLP在分化成熟的两型星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞中的表达情况。结果:在O-2A谱系来源的成熟2型星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞中PLP抗体标记为阳性,而在T1A谱系来源的成熟1型星形胶质细胞中则未检测到PLP的表达,从而在蛋白质水平验证本室研究两型星形胶质细胞基因表达谱差异基因芯片结果中PLP mRNA在T2A中高表达,而在T1A中低表达的现象。结论:PLP等脂代谢相关基因可能在O-2A谱系发生和分化过程中起重要作用,O-2A谱系与神经髓鞘发生以及脑内脂质代谢内在机制密切相关。     

活化小胶质细胞致星形胶质细胞激活

目的探讨活化小胶质细胞培养液对星形胶质细胞的影响。方法 LPS激活原代培养小胶质细胞,采用活化的小胶质细胞条件培养液刺激星形胶质细胞,观察星形胶质细胞GFAP及IL-1β和TNFα的表达。结果 LPS刺激后,小胶质细胞OX42表达量上升,IL-1β和TNFα的表达量增高;小胶质细胞条件培养液可致星形胶质细胞激活,GFAP表达量上升,IL-1β和TNFα的表达量增加。结论活化小胶质细胞的条件培养液可致星形胶质细胞激活,激活的小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞表达前炎症介质IL-1β和TNFα。     

谷氨酸在星形胶质细胞培养中对CX43磷酸化的调节机制

目的:通过离体培养脊髓星形胶质细胞,探讨谷氨酸对缝隙连接蛋白43磷酸化的调节机制。方法:实验分为正常对照组、谷氨酸刺激组(10μmol/L谷氨酸作用24 h)、PKC抑制剂组(20μmol/L Go6976作用24 h)。Western Blot法检测各组星形胶质细胞中P-CX43、P-PKC、P-ERK蛋白的表达;细胞免疫荧光法检测各组星形胶质细胞P-CX43胞膜蛋白的表达。结果:谷氨酸刺激组与正常对照组相比,星形胶质细胞P-CX43、P-PKC蛋白的表达增加(P<0.05);在谷氨酸刺激的基础上给予PKC抑制剂作用后P-CX43的表达降低(P<0.05)。结论:谷氨酸可以通过PKC通路使CX43的磷酸化增加。     

脑缺血早期星形胶质细胞胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白免疫组化的时程变化研究

目的：探讨脑缺血早期（24h内）大脑皮质星形胶质细胞（Ast)的变化规律。方法：应用胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白免疫组织化学ABC技术。结果：缺血15min和30min组,缺血中心区大脑皮质胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白阳性细胞较均匀地分布于Ⅱ－Ⅵ层,细胞数量明显多于非缺血区;缺血１h和２h组胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白阳性细胞数量进一步增加,胞质染色加深,并集中出现于Ⅲ、Ⅳ层;缺血３h组胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白阳性细胞进一步增大呈气球样,突起增长变粗,突起内出现水肿泡;缺血６h组胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白细胞固缩,边界不清;12h和24h组缺血中心区胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白细胞消失。同时观察到缺血3h和6h组缺血边缘区胶质原纤维性酸性蛋白细胞数量增多,直径增大,并可见到细胞分裂现象。结论：星形胶质细胞对脑缺血早期神经元损伤具有较强的保护作用。     

星形胶质细胞谱系及星形细胞瘤起源的研究

各种神经胶质细胞中数目最多、分布最广的星形细胞担负了神经胶质细胞的大部分功能。根据对两种神经组织标志物─ＧＦＡＰ、Ａ－２Ｂ－５抗体的反应不同，将星形细胞分为１型（ＧＦＡＰ＋Ａ－２Ｂ－５－）和２型（ＧＦＡＰ＋、Ａ－２Ｂ－５＋）。研究指出两型星细胞来源于不同祖细胞，而存在两个谱系，星形细胞胶质瘤与星形细胞具有同样的谱系源。对小胶质细胞在星形细胞发生和分化中的作用亦予以阐述。     

星形胶质细胞的可塑性

星形胶质细胞具有可塑性 ,即指其在内外环境变化刺激下 ,在整个生命过程中 ,能改变其自身特性 ,而在表型上呈现出很大程度的可变性。主要表现为细胞大小、形态及数目的变化 ,其中以细胞突起变化最明显。不同发育阶段 ,不同区域的星形胶质细胞可塑性不同。星形胶质细胞可塑性的机制 ,目前认为主要是递质刺激相应的星形胶质细胞受体来实现的     

冷冻伤脑水肿发病机制的研究进展

脑水肿是由于脑组织水分含量增多引起的脑容积增大。冻伤引起脑水肿，脑水肿进一步造成二次脑损伤，从而加重第一次脑损害的结果。冷冻伤脑水肿由于其高致残率、高死亡率已成为颅脑疾患死亡的主要原因之一。因此，冷冻伤脑水肿的防治已成为一研究热点。本就冷冻伤脑水肿发病机制的研究进展作一综述。     

Functional gap junctions in thymic epithelial cells are formed by connexin 43

A multiparametric study was carried out to investigate the presence and possible role of communicating junctions in the thymus, particularly in the thymic epithelium, the major component of the thymic microenvironment. The presence of direct cell-cell communication mediated by gap junctions was demonstrated in human and murine thymic epithelial cells (TEC) by means of in situ and in vitro immunohistochemical labeling as well as in vitro fluorochrome injection and double whole-cell patch clamp experiments. Moreover, both immuno- and Northern blot studies revealed that the gap junction protein connexin 43 and its mRNA were present in TEC. Importantly, we showed that thymic endocrine activity, as ascertained by thymulin production, could be specifically downmodulated in vitro by a gap junction inhibitor, octanol. We also investigated the existence of gap junctions between TEC and thymocytes. In thymic nurse cells we were able to detect cell-cell communication, although only a minor percentage of epithelial/thymocyte pairs were coupled in a given moment. In contrast, intercellular communication was not detected between cultured phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum and the respective rosetting thymocytes. We suggest that gap junctions formed by connexin 43 may represent a novel (and rather cell type-specific) pathway for intrathymic cellular communication, including TEC/TEC as well as possible TEC/thymocyte interactions.     

Ischaemia-induced temporal expression of connexin43 in rat heart

 To investigate the regulation of cell-to-cell coupling in myocardial ischaemia, the three-dimensional expression of connexin43 (Cx43) during experimental ischaemia was examined using a confocal laser scanning microscope. After induction of myocardial infarction in rats, serial optical sections were obtained from the left ventricular myocardium at various times (3 h to 60 days after ligation). The expression of Cx43 was detected immunohistochemically with FITC-labelled anti-rat Cx43 antibody. Fluorescent dots of Cx43 remained along the intercalated disc and decreased in number around the infarct up to 12 h after ligation. Cx43-expression disappeared completely within 48 h after ligation. After day 4, and especially on days 8 and 15 after ligation, the edges of the cardiomyocytes bordering the infarcted area manifested numerous sarcoplasmic tentacles that reacted positively to anti-desmin antibody. Distinct expression of Cx43 was observed extensively on the tentacles, although no cardiomyocytes remained viable around them. By day 60 after ligation, atypical expression of Cx43 had disappeared. These findings suggest that ischaemia induces temporally abnormal expression of Cx43, which might be responsible for abnormal conduction around the infarct. Received: 4 April 1997 / Accepted: 19 June 1997     

大鼠骨骼肌成肌细胞与乳鼠心肌细胞共培养对缝隙连接蛋白43表达的影响

目的 观察体外共培养的乳鼠心肌细胞与大鼠骨骼肌成肌细胞(简称L6细胞)以及乳鼠心肌细胞与转染外源性缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)基因的L6细胞(简称L6-Cx43细胞)间Cx43蛋白的表达情况,从而探讨共培养时心肌环境对成肌细胞的作用.方法 将乳鼠心肌细胞与4′,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚标记的大鼠骨骼肌成肌细胞进行共培养...     

The phosphorylated form of connexin43 is up-regulated in breast hyperplasias and carcinomas and in their neoformed capillaries

We applied an antiserum (SA226P) specifically recognizing the phosphorylated form of connexin43 (P-Cx43) to human breast samples including normal breast samples, with fibrocystic disease (FCD), fibroadenomas (FA), in situ and infiltrating carcinomas of all major types, and miscellaneous extramammary tumors. The findings were compared with those obtained with commercial antisera recognizing all Cx43 forms (pan-Cx43). A subset of samples was stained for Her2-neu and p44/42 to mitogen-activated protein kinase. Paraffin step sections were used. Immunoblots were performed on frozen samples of a representative subset of cases. In the normal breast, FCD, and FA, SA226P stained strongly and extensively most myoepithelial cells (MECs); luminal cells remained unstained. In proliferative FCD and some cellular FA, SA226P stained MEC and the capillary endothelium (CE). In ductal and lobular in situ carcinomas, SA226P reacted strongly and diffusely with the remaining MEC, the CE, and the transformed luminal cells. SA226P stained all infiltrating carcinomas except the tubular variant. In all breast carcinomas, the CE within and adjacent to tumors and some myofibroblasts stained with SA226P. By contrast, pan-Cx43 stained weakly and sporadically the MEC and rare samples of invasive carcinomas. Notably, Mab p44/42 reacted in parallel with the samples stained with SA226P, whereas reactions with Her2 were negative. Immunoblot findings paralleled those obtained immunohistochemically. We conclude that P-Cx43, restricted to MEC in the normal breast, is up-regulated in the same cells in hyperplasias and dysplasias and FA and is strongly up-regulated in invasive carcinomas. Notably, in some proliferative FCD and in most in situ and infiltrating carcinomas, P-Cx43 is strongly expressed in CE within and adjacent to the lesions but not away from them. These findings were paralleled by the strong nuclear reactions noted with Mab p44/42. These phenomena, although not exclusive to malignancy, are particularly conspicuous in breast carcinomas and seemingly reflect active proliferation associated with abnormal gap junctional intercellular communication.     

Altered expression of connexin43 and phosphorylation connexin43 in glioma tumors

In this study, we aim to evaluate the connexin (Cx43) and phosphorylation Cx43 (p-Cx43) expression of human glioma tumors and correlate their expression with degrees of malignancy and proliferation, apoptosis, and migration activity of tumors. Cx43 and p-Cx43 expression were examined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The U251 cell viability was measured by MTT analysis. The apoptosis and migration were also evaluated by flow cytometric analysis and fluoroblok transwell chambers, respectively. We found that the Cx43 expression were significantly downregulated in in malignant glioma (WHO grade III and IV), compared to the malignant glioma (WHO grade I and II) and the p-Cx43 expression levels of malignant glioma (WHO grade III and IV) were significantly increased (P<0.05), compared to the malignant glioma (WHO grade I and II) at immunohistochemical analysis. After treatment of cells with a specific inhibitor of PKC, MAPK, and PTK inhibitors, the cell viability and migration were significantly decreased, while the apoptosis was slightly induced. In conclusion, the Cx43 expression level is inversely correlated with the tumor grade and proliferation and migration activity of tumor. Higher p-Cx43 expression level in high tumor grade suggests that a complex mechanism is involved in the suppression of tumor growth by connexins.     

美托洛尔对心力衰竭大鼠心肌细胞磷酸化缝隙连接蛋白43表达及心肌细胞凋亡的影响

 目的：观察美托洛尔对心力衰竭（HF）大鼠在体心肌组织磷酸化缝隙连接蛋白43（p-Cx43）表达水平和心肌细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨其可能机制。方法：SD大鼠100只随机分为5组（n=20）：假手术（sham）组、HF组、小剂量（1.25 mg·kg-1·d-1）美托洛尔治疗（MetoA）组、中剂量（5 mg·kg-1·d-1）美托洛尔治疗（MetoB）组和大剂量（20 mg·kg-1·d-1）美托洛尔治疗（MetoC）组。缩窄腹主动脉建立HF动物模型,术后第4周开始给药至第8周。术后第4周和第8周超声心动图测定血流动力学指标;术后第8周取出心脏,HE和Masson染色观察心脏结构改变和胶原纤维增生情况,Western blotting检测p-Cx43表达水平,TUNEL法检测心肌细胞凋亡,p-Cx43表达水平与心肌细胞凋亡指数进行Pearson相关分析。结果：(1) 美托洛尔治疗改善HF大鼠血流动力学,在治疗剂量范围内美托洛尔剂量增加可有效逆转HF时的心肌重塑,呈剂量依赖效应。(2) HF组中p-Cx43表达量显著高于sham组（P<001）,而随美托洛尔治疗剂量的增加,p-Cx43表达量较HF组逐渐降低,各治疗组间两两比较亦有显著差异（P<001）。(3) HF组心肌细胞凋亡指数［(51.17±6.94)%］较sham组［(4.62±1.60)%］明显增加（P<001）;MetoA组凋亡指数为(40.60±4.15)%, MetoB组凋亡指数为(30.66±4.00)%,MetoC组凋亡指数为(22.24±5.69)%,均显著低于HF组（P<001）,各治疗组间两两比较亦有显著差异（P<001）。(4) 大鼠心肌组织p-Cx43表达水平与心肌细胞凋亡指数呈显著正相关（r=0.905, P<001）。结论: 美托洛尔对抗HF诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的机制可能与其抑制p-Cx43表达有关。     

Direct cell/cell communication in the lymphoid germinal center: connexin43 gap junctions functionally couple follicular dendritic cells to each other and to B lymphocytes

Direct cell/cell communication occurs through gap junctions (GJ). We mapped GJ expression in secondary lymphoid organs and found, for the first time, a high density of connexin43 (Cx43) GJ in follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in close association with lymphocytes (Krenacs T. and Rosendaal M., J. Histochem. Cytochem. 1995. 43: 1125–1137). In this work, we used a combination of ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, molecular methods, and functional dye transfer experiments to study which germinal center cells are involved in direct cell/cell communication and how GJ expression is regulated during antigen responses. One week after injecting the footpad of mice with 50 μg lysozyme, Cx43 GJ were detected on elongated cells in the paracortex of their popliteal lymph nodes. Repeated challenge led to the formation of secondary follicles with enlarged FDC meshwork full of Cx43 GJ. This positive correlation may reflect an importance for GJ in the pattern formation of FDC and lymphoid follicles. In human tonsil, the density of GJ and FDC was highest in the light zone of germinal centers where the fate of B cells is thought to be decided. Cx43 colocalized with CD21 and CD35 antigens in the vicinity of desmosomal junctions on FDC embracing lymphocytes. Freeze-fracture hallmarks of GJ of 200–400 nm were also found on FDC in the vicinity of desmosomal plaques. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis showed the consistent presence of Cx43 mRNA in human tonsil and spleen. Most Cx43 message was localized in situ to cells with FDC morphology and some to a few germinal center lymphocytes. To investigate functional cell coupling, we set up FDC/B cell cultures from the low density cell fractions of human tonsils. Cx43 plaques associated with lymphocytes were detected both on elongated FDC processes in early cultures (up to 4 h) and in established FDC/B cell clusters (between 4 and 24 h). In early cultures, we injected FDC with Lucifer Yellow, a fluorescent dye which passes through GJ: the dye spread into adjacent FDC and occasionally from FDC into CD19⁺ B cells. Based on these results, we propose that direct cell/cell communication through Cx43 GJ is involved in FDC/FDC and in FDC/B cell interactions. The functionally coupled FDC meshwork may serve as a communication channel synchronizing germinal center events. FDC may also deliver crucial direct signals through GJ involved in the rescue of high-affinity B cell clones from apoptotic cell death.