骨形态发生蛋白和白血病抑制因子诱导肝干细胞分化

目的 在永生化的小鼠肝干（祖）细胞(HP)模型上筛选并优化高效的肝细胞定向分化诱导方法,探讨HP向肝细胞定向分化过程及分子机制。 方法分别采用含人白血病抑制因子(LIF)、骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)2和BMP9基因的重组腺病毒感染HP,在病毒感染后第4天、第7天和第10天用糖原染色和吲哚花青绿(ICG)摄取实验观察HP的分化成熟度,并在第4、7、10、14天通过检测白蛋白启动子调控的荧光素酶报告基因活性,观察细胞合成白蛋白情况。计量资料比较用t检验。结果 BMP2和BMP9对HP的诱导作用最强,荧光素酶活性、PAS染色和ICG摄取细胞阳性率随诱导时间的延长明显上升,在诱导后第7天最高,HP对BMP9的诱导应答最强,与对照组相比,酶活性增加了近9倍（t=17.30,P＜0.01）,BMP2处理组增加了5倍（t=16.41,P＜0.01）,LIF处理组增加了3倍（t=6.04,P＜0.01）。诱导第7天时,PAS染色细胞阳性率在BMP2和BMP9组分别为30％和45％; ICG细胞阳性率在BMP2和BMP9组分别为40％和30％。LIF诱导后,PAS染色、ICG摄取细胞阳性率以及荧光素酶活性有一定增加。结论 BMP2、BMP9和LIF能够诱导HP向发育晚期肝细胞分化,并初步具备成熟肝细胞的一些功能。     

Differential expressions of antioxidant status in aging rats: the role of transcriptional factor Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathway

Antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) play an important role in the protection of cells against reactive oxygen species and facilitate the prevention of oxidative stress-induced aging. In the present study, the antioxidant indices, including the content of peroxidation product and the expression of AOEs in rat livers of varying ages (2, 12 and 18-24 months old) were evaluated. Erythrocytes haemolysis induced by free radicals showed significant age-dependent increases (P < 0.05). The content of oxidation products in livers showed that increasing age was associated with serious oxidative injury. The activities of AOEs decreased with increasing age. Expression of the antioxidant and age-related gene, klotho, decreased with increasing age. Western blot assay showed that aged rats experience higher levels of oxidative stress. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) exhibited an age-dependent decrease. Additionally, the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade (MAPK) played a regulatory role in signaling transduction. Overall, we suggest that age-related declines of the antioxidant defense are closely involved with the expression of Nrf2 and are regulated by the MAPK family.     

ERK1/2信号途径与弓形虫侵入细胞及胞内增殖关系的研究

目的探讨阻断细胞外蛋白调节激酶(ERK1/2)信号途径对弓形虫速殖子侵入宿主细胞及在胞内增殖的影响。方法姬氏染色法检测ERK1/2途径不同时间及不同剂量的抑制剂U0126或PD98059作用下宿主细胞感染弓形虫速殖子的百分率,根据细胞感染率和感染细胞内虫荷量分析ERK1/2途径抑制剂对速殖子在细胞中增殖的影响。结果速殖子在细胞培养系统中以1、10和100μmol/L U0126或PD98059作用3 h、6 h和9 h后,前者细胞培养孔中的细胞感染率分别较对照组平均下降34.62%(P<0.01)、53.55%(P<0.01)和67.76%(P<0.01),后者分别较对照组平均下降22.67%(P<0.01)、52.21%(P<0.01)和58.99%(P<0.01);感染细胞感染速殖子率与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论阻断ERK1/2途径的不同信号位点对弓形虫速殖子侵入宿主细胞影响不同,ERK1/2途径在速殖子侵入宿主细胞起主要作用,但对侵入后的增殖无明显影响。     

碘缺乏和甲状腺功能减退对大鼠仔鼠小脑细胞外信号调节激酶1/2蛋白表达的影响

目的 观察碘缺乏和甲状腺功能减退(甲减)对大鼠仔鼠小脑细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(extracellular signal-regulate kinase,ERK1/2)蛋白表达的影响.方法 健康Wistar大鼠28只,雌性,60日龄.将大鼠按体质量随机分为对照组、碘缺乏病组、甲减组,甲减组根据饮水中含丙基硫尿嘧啶(PTU)剂量分为5 mg/L组和15 mg/L组.每组各7只.母鼠妊娠后,分别选用低碘饲料及PTU饮水诱导建立低碘及甲减大鼠动物模型.仔鼠出生7、14、21、28、42 d时分别处死,测定仔鼠小脑质量;取小脑组织进行镀银染色和免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶(S-P)染色,光镜下观察小脑形态学变化,图像分析仪下观察ERK1/2蛋白表达.结果 仔鼠出生14、21、28、42 d时,小脑质量各组间比较差异有统计学意义(F=6.325、8.870、16.191、21.574,P均<0.05);碘缺乏病组仔鼠小脑质量[(0.0945±0.0233)、(0.1347±0.0046)、(0.1542±0.0094)、(0.1949±0.0048)g]明显低于对照组[(0.1856±0.0123)、(0.2049±0.0098)、(0.2268±0.0065)、(0.2606±0.0086)g,P均<0.05]和甲减组[5 mg/L组:(0.1741±0.0172)、(0.1927±0.0103)、(0.2181±0.0064)、(0.2583±0.0054)g,P均<0.05;15 mg/L组:(0.1604±0.0083)、(0.1682±0.0103)、(0.1996±0.0073)、(0.2579±0.0067)g,P均<0.05].出生7 d时,对照组、甲减组仔鼠小脑皮质具有典型的层状结构,各层之间界限清晰,但碘缺乏病组各层之间界限模糊;出生21 d时,与对照组比较,15 mg/L组和碘缺乏病组仔鼠小脑外颗粒细胞消失延迟,仍有2～3层外颗粒细胞;出生28、42 d时,甲减组和碘缺乏病组仔鼠小脑分子层厚度低于对照组.小脑组织ERK1/2平均积分光密度,在出生7 d时,组间比较差异无统计学意义(F=1.102,P>0.05);在出生14、21、28、42 d时,各组间比较差异有统计学意义(F=16.131、13.543、26.953、41.583,P均<0.01);碘缺乏病组(7.3245±0.5070)、(8.3606±1.0683)、(9.1217±1.0402)、(12.1587±0.7581)和甲减组[5 mg/L组:(11.4307±15200)、(14.919±0.8497)、(169082±1.1130)、(15.7721±0.82913);15 ms/L组:(7.8538±0.9775)、(11.2461±0.8138)、(12.7800±1.3783)、(13.0871±1.1450)]明显低于对照组[(16.2831±0.5143)、(20.2653±0.9551)、(22.7485±1.0267)、(22.1725±0.9939),P均<0.01].结论 碘缺乏和甲减可使仔鼠小脑产生明显的形态学改变,降低大鼠仔鼠小脑组织ERK1/2蛋白表达.影响神经系统的发育.     

Using U0126 to dissect the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade in the regulation of gene expression by endothelin-1 in cardiac myocytes

The hypertrophic agonist endothelin-1 rapidly but transiently activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade (and other signalling pathways) in cardiac myocytes, but the events linking this to hypertrophy are not understood. Using Affymetrix rat U34A microarrays, we identified the short-term (2-4 h) changes in gene expression induced in neonatal myocytes by endothelin-1 alone or in combination with the ERK1/2 cascade inhibitor, U0126. Expression of 15 genes was significantly changed by U0126 alone, and expression of an additional 78 genes was significantly changed by endothelin-1. Of the genes upregulated by U0126, four are classically induced through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by dioxins suggesting that U0126 activates the xenobiotic response element in cardiac myocytes potentially independently of effects on ERK1/2 signalling. The 78 genes showing altered expression with endothelin-1 formed five clusters: (i) three clusters showing upregulation by endothelin-1 according to time course (4 h > 2 h; 2 h > 4 h; 2 h approximately 4 h) with at least partial inhibition by U0126; (ii) a cluster of 11 genes upregulated by endothelin-1 but unaffected by U0126 suggesting regulation through signalling pathways other than ERK1/2; (iii) a cluster of six genes downregulated by endothelin-1 with attenuation by U0126. Thus, U0126 apparently activates the AhR in cardiac myocytes (which must be taken into account in protracted studies), but careful analysis allows identification of genes potentially regulated acutely via the ERK1/2 cascade. Our data suggest that the majority of changes in gene expression induced by endothelin-1 are mediated by the ERK1/2 cascade.     

SHP2 mediates gp130-dependent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via negative regulation of skeletal alpha-actin gene

Morphological and biochemical phenotypes of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy are determined by neurohumoral factors. Stimulation of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) results in uniform cell enlargement in all directions with an increase in skeletal α-actin (α-SKA) gene expression, while stimulation of gp130 receptor by interleukin-6 (IL-6)-related cytokines induces longitudinal elongation with no increase in α-SKA gene expression. Thus, α-SKA is a discriminating marker for hypertrophic phenotypes; however, regulatory mechanisms of α-SKA gene expression remain unknown. Here, we clarified the role of SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) in α-SKA gene expression. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, endothelin-1 (ET-1), a GPCR agonist, but not leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an IL-6-related cytokine, induced RhoA activation and promotes α-SKA gene expression via RhoA. In contrast, LIF, but not ET-1, induced activation of SHP2 in cardiomyocytes, suggesting that SHP2 might negatively regulate α-SKA gene expression downstream of gp130. Therefore, we examined the effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of wild-type SHP2 (SHP2^WT), dominant-negative SHP2 (SHP2^C/S), or β-galactosidase (β-gal), on α-SKA gene expression. LIF did not upregulate α-SKA mRNA in cardiomyocytes overexpressing either β-gal or SHP2^WT. In cardiomyocytes overexpressing SHP2^C/S, LIF induced upregulation of α-SKA mRNA, which was abrogated by concomitant overexpression of either C3-toxin or dominant-negative RhoA. RhoA was activated after LIF stimulation in the cardiomyocytes overexpressing SHP2^C/S, but not in myocytes overexpressing β-gal. Furthermore, SHP2 mediates LIF-induced longitudinal elongation of cardiomyocytes via ERK5 activation. Collectively, these findings indicate that SHP2 negatively regulates α-SKA expression via RhoA inactivation and suggest that SHP2 implicates ERK5 in cardiomyocyte elongation downstream of gp130.     

LncRNA PVT1 knockdown alleviated ox-LDL-induced vascular endothelial cell injury and atherosclerosis by miR-153-3p/GRB2 axis via ERK/p38 pathway

Background and aimsLncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) plays a regulatory role in some cardiovascular diseases, but its role in atherosclerosis (AS) remains barely explored. The study aimed to investigate the effects of PVT1 on high fat diet-induced AS and its potential mechanisms.Methods and resultsApoE −/− mice were fed with high fat diet for 8 weeks to establish an AS model. Lentiviral vectors containing PVT1 short hairpin RNA (PVT1-shRNA) or NC-shRNA were administered by tail vein injection. Cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory factor secretion, and cellular oxidative stress were measured to evaluate oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were used to confirm the interaction between miR-153-3p and PVT1 or growth factor receptor binding protein 2 (GRB2). Atherosclerotic lesions, lipid deposition, and cell apoptosis in aorta were analyzed by H&E, Oil Red O, and TUNEL straining. PVT1 knockdown alleviated ox-LDL-induced inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in HUVECs. PVT1 acted as a sponge of miR-153-3p, and GRB2 was confirmed as a target of miR-153-3p. MiR-153-3p overexpression attenuated the enhanced effects of PVT1 on ox-LDL-induced cell damage. GRB2 overexpression reversed the mitigating effects of miR-153-3p on ox-LDL-caused injury. Inhibiting PVT1 restrained the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 pathway via miR-153-3p/GRB2 axis. Additionally, silencing PVT1 in vivo reduced atherosclerotic plaques, lipid deposition, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in AS mice.ConclusionPVT1 knockdown alleviated ox-LDL-induced vascular endothelial cell injury and atherosclerosis through miR-153-3p/GRB2 axis via ERK1/2 and p38 pathway.     

Differential involvement of signaling pathways in the regulation of growth hormone release by somatostatin and growth hormone-releasing hormone in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Somatostatin is the most effective inhibitor of GH release, and GHRH was recently identified as one of the primary GH-releasing factors in teleosts. In this study, we analyzed the possible intracellular transduction pathways that are involved in the mechanisms induced by SRIF and GHRH to regulate GH release. Using a pharmacological approach, the blockade of the PLC/IP/PKC pathway reversed the SRIF-induced inhibition of GH release but did not affect the GHRH-induced stimulation of GH release. Furthermore, SRIF reduced the GH release induced by two PKC activators. Inhibitors of the AC/cAMP/PKA pathway reversed both the SRIF- and GHRH-induced effects on GH release. Moreover, the GH release evoked by forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP were completely abolished by SRIF. The blockade of the NOS/NO pathway attenuated the GHRH-induced GH release but had minimal effects on the inhibitory actions of SRIF. In addition, inhibitors of the sGC/cGMP pathway did not modify the SRIF- or GHRH-induced regulation of GH release. Taken together, these findings indicate that the SRIF-induced inhibition of GH release is mediated by both the PLC/IP/PKC and the AC/cAMP/PKA pathways and not by the NOS/NO/sGC/cGMP pathway. In contrast, the GHRH-induced stimulation of GH secretion is mediated by both the AC/cAMP/PKA and the NOS/NO pathways and is independent of the sGC/cGMP pathway and the PLC/IP/PKC system.     

Revisiting the evolution of gonadotropin-releasing hormones and their receptors in vertebrates: secrets hidden in genomes

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its G protein-coupled receptor, GnRHR, play a pivotal role in the control of reproduction in vertebrates. To date, many GnRH and GnRHR genes have been identified in a large variety of vertebrate species using conventional biochemical and molecular biological tools in combination with bioinformatic tools. Phylogenetic approaches, primarily based on amino acid sequence identity, make it possible to classify these multiple GnRHs and GnRHRs into several lineages. Four vertebrate GnRH lineages GnRH1, GnRH2, GnRH3, and GnRH4 (for lamprey) are well established. Four vertebrate GnRHR lineages have also been proposed—three for nonmammalian GnRHRs and mammalian GnRHR2 as well as one for mammalian GnRHR1. However, these phylogenetic analyses cannot fully explain the evolutionary origins of each lineage and the relationships among the lineages. Rapid and vast accumulation of genome sequence information for many vertebrate species, together with advances in bioinformatic tools, has allowed large-scale genome comparison to explore the origin and relationship of gene families of interest. The present review discusses the evolutionary mechanism of vertebrate GnRHs and GnRHRs based on extensive genome comparison. In this article, we focus only on vertebrate genomes because of the difficulty in comparing invertebrate and vertebrate genomes due to their marked divergence.     

The role of endocannabinoids in gonadal function and fertility along the evolutionary axis

Endocannabinoids are natural lipids able to bind to cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors. Their biological actions at the central and peripheral level are under the tight control of the proteins responsible for their synthesis, transport and degradation. In the last few years, several reports have pointed out these lipid mediators as critical signals, together with sex hormones and cytokines, in various aspects of animal and human reproduction. The identification of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in reproductive cells and tissues of invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals highlights the key role played by these endogenous compounds along the evolutionary axis. Here, we review the main actions of endocannabinoids on female and male reproductive events, and discuss the interplay between them, steroid hormones and cytokines in regulating fertility. In addition, we discuss the involvement of endocannabinoid signalling in ensuring a correct chromatin remodeling, and hence a good DNA quality, in sperm cells.