Establishment of Dental Epithelial Cell Line (HAT-7) and the Cell Differentiation Dependent on Notch Signaling Pathway

Rat incisors grow continuously throughout life. Producing a variety of dental epithelial cells is performed by stem cells located in the cervical loop of the incisor apex. To study the mechanisms for cell differentiation, we established a dental epithelial cell line (HAT-7) originating from a cervical loop epithelium of a rat incisor. Immunochemical studies showed that HAT-7 produced the cells expressing amelogenin, ameloblastin, or alkaline phosphatase (ALP). To illustrate a role of Notch signaling in the determinant of the cell fate, we examined expression patterns of Notch1 and Jagged1 in HAT-7 density dependently. At lower cell density, Notch1- or Jagged1-expressing cells were not seen. However, when they were fully confluent, cells began to express Notch1 or Jagged1 strongly. Some ALP-positive cells were almost consistent with Notch1-expressing cells but not Jagged1-expressing cells. These results suggested that the determinant of direction of differentiation was associated with Notch signaling pathway.     

Notch signaling regulates the differentiation of post-mitotic intestinal epithelial cells

The intestinal epithelium comprises differentiated cells of four lineages maintained by precursor cells. As the Notch pathway controls the fate of proliferating cells in many systems, we investigated the effect of conditional expression of an activated Notch mutant in intestinal epithelium. An increase in the number of goblet cells occurs within 8 h of induction, due to an effect of Notch on post-mitotic cells, not on precursors. This observation broadens the role of Notch into controlling postmitotic differentiation and indicates that the composition of the epithelium is not solely determined by progenitor cells.     

脂多糖调控Notch 信号通路作用于人牙髓干细胞增殖、分化、凋亡的实验研究

目的:探讨脂多糖调控Notch 信号通路对人牙髓干细胞增殖、分化、凋亡的影响及机制。方法:从牙髓组织中分离出人牙髓干细胞(hDPSCs),CCK8 实验检测0、0.1、1、10 μg/ ml 的脂多糖处理hDPSCs 1、3、5、7 d 后细胞的增殖情况;RT-PCR 检测1 μg/ ml 的脂多糖处理hDPSCs 0、3、7、14、21 d 后矿化相关基因ALP、DSPP、DMP1 的mRNA 表达情况;流式细胞仪检测1 μg/ ml 的脂多糖处理hDPSCs 0、7、14、21 d 后的细胞凋亡情况;Western blot 检测Cleaved caspase3、Notch1、Hes1 的蛋白表达。结果:不同浓度的脂多糖刺激hDPSCs 1、3、5 d 后细胞的增殖均无显著差异,培养至第7 天时,0.1、1、10 μg/ ml 的脂多糖组细胞的增殖均显著低于0 滋g/ ml 的脂多糖组(P<0.01);脂多糖处理hDPSCs 3 d 时ALP、DSPP、DMP1 的mRNA 表达与对照组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),7、14、21 d 时ALP、DSPP、DMP1 的mRNA 表达均显著高于对照组(P<0.01);脂多糖处理hDPSCs 7、14、21 d 时细胞的凋亡率及Cleaved caspase3、Notch1、Hes1 蛋白表达均显著高于对照组(P<0.01),21 d 时ALP、DSPP、DMP1 的mRNA 表达及细胞凋亡率和Cleaved caspase3、Notch1、Hes1 蛋白表达均有下降趋势。结论:脂多糖可降低hDPSCs 的增殖,促进其矿化和凋亡,其机制与激活Notch 信号通路有关。     

Notch1 信号通路调控银屑病模型小鼠Th17 细胞分化和功能

目的:探讨Notch1 信号通路对银屑病模型小鼠Th17 细胞分化和功能的调控作用。方法:以5% 咪喹莫特外涂联合 2b 干扰素腹腔注射的方法制备20 只银屑病模型小鼠,免疫磁珠分离小鼠脾脏CD4+ T 淋巴细胞,流式细胞术检测 Th17 细胞比例,实时荧光定量RT-PCR 检测Th17 细胞特异性转录因子ROR-t、效应性细胞因子IL-17A、Notch1 信号分子及其靶基因Hes-1 的mRNA 表达水平,并与10 只对照组小鼠相比较。将银屑病模型小鼠CD4+ T 淋巴细胞分为未干预对照组和Notch1 抑制剂组( 分泌酶抑制剂DAPT),检测DAPT 阻断Notch1 信号对银屑病模型小鼠Notch1 信号分子及Hes-1、Th17 细胞比例、ROR-t 及IL-17A 表达水平的影响。结果:银屑病模型小鼠CD4+ T 淋巴细胞中Th17 细胞比例,ROR-t、IL-17A、Notch1及Hes-1 的mRNA 表达水平均显著高于对照小鼠[分别为(2.97±0.86)% 比(0.65±0.11)%,t =15.083;(5.75±0.61)比(1.57±0.43),t =21.630;(7.83±0.97)比(1.63±0.31),t =25.348;(7.10±1.37)比(1.47±0.34),t = 17.386;(7.30±1.15)比(1.67±0.48),t = 18.840,P 均<0.01];与未干预对照组相比,银屑病模型小鼠CD4+ T 淋巴细胞各DAPT 处理组中Notch1、Hes-1mRNA 表达水平,Th17 细胞比例、ROR-t 与IL-17A mRNA 表达水平及培养上清液中IL-17A 含量均明显下降,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(F 值分别为74.368、89.719、126.572、94.558、124.323 和123.231,P 均<0.01),且随DAPT 浓度的增加呈剂量依赖性降低。结论:Notch1 信号通路能够调控银屑病模型小鼠Th17 细胞的分化和功能,对银屑病的免疫靶向治疗有潜在价值。     

Notch信号通路调控调节性T细胞作用机制的研究进展

Notch信号通路是脊椎动物和非脊椎动物进化上高度保守的信号途径。Notch信号传导途径与免疫系统存在着密切的关系,参与T细胞功能的调控,包括T细胞的活化和增殖,细胞因子分泌和Th1或Th2分化,也参与调节性T细胞（Treg）的产生、扩增和功能发挥。Notch信号途径不仅参与了免疫系统的发育,同时在成熟的免疫细胞功能调节中也具有重要的作用。     

Notch ligand-bearing thymic epithelial cells initiate and sustain Notch signaling in thymocytes independently of T cell receptor signaling.

Thymic epithelial cells are specialized to play essential roles at multiple stages of T cell development in the thymus, yet the molecular basis of this specialization is largely unknown. Recently, the Notch family of transmembrane proteins has been implicated in thymocyte development. Such proteins interact with cell surface proteins of the Delta-like and Jagged families. It is known that Notch ligands are expressed intrathymically, and that Notch signaling is regulated by Notch ligands expressed on either the same or third-party cells. However, functional analysis of Notch ligand expression, and elucidation of the mechanism of Notch ligand signaling in thymocyte development, are unclear. Here, we find that Notch ligand expression in the thymus is compartmentalized, with MHC class II(+) thymic epithelium, but not thymocytes nor dendritic cells, expressing Jagged-1, Jagged-2 and Delta-like-1. We also provide evidence that contact with Notch ligands on thymic epithelium is necessary to activate and sustain Notch signaling in thymocytes, and that this can occur independently of positive selection induction. Our data suggest that Notch ligand expression by thymic epithelium may partly explain the specialization of these cells in supporting thymocyte development, by regulating Notch activation via an inductive signaling mechanism independently of signaling leading to positive selection.     

Notch信号转导对小细胞肺癌的调控及其机制研究

目的 探讨Notch信号转导对小细胞肺癌的调控作用及可能机制.方法 应用重组质粒转染的方法,在小细胞肺癌细胞株NCI-H446中表达组成性活化的Notch1(NIC转染组),同时设立转染空质粒组和未转染组作为对照组,待筛选出稳定细胞株后,以MTT法检测细胞活力,应用半定量RT-PCR技术测定Notch1及其下游基因(HES1和hASH1)表达,并应用免疫细胞化学标记和Westernblot技术对神经内分泌标志物嗜铬粒素A(CgA)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)的表达行半定量[阳性单位(PU)值]分析.结果 未转染组和转染空质粒组Notch1及其下游基因HES1表达不明显,而hASH1表达显著,转染组细胞Notch1及HES1表达升高,同时伴有hASH1表达明显降低.与两对照组比较,转染组细胞增殖速度显著降低,连续6 d测得的吸光度(A)值均小于未转染组和转染空质粒组(均P<0.05).免疫细胞化学染色显示,NIC转染组、转染空质粒组、未转染组的CgA染色的PU值分别为8.81±0.77、38.10±1.55、38.97±0.80,NSE染色的PU值分别为7.21±0.59、28.25±1.46、30.57±1.31,NIC转染组CgA和NSE的PU值均小于转染空质粒组和未转染组(均P<0.01).Western blot检测结果中,将未转染组的条带灰度值设为1.00,NIC转染组、转染空质粒组的CgA条带灰度值分别为0.54±0.03、0.99±0.05,NSE条带灰度值分别为0.43±0.02、1.07±0.09,NIC转染组cgA和NSE条带的灰度值均小于转染空质粒组和未转染组(均P<0.01).结论 Notch信号途径对小细胞肺癌的调控可能是通过靶基因HES1对分化效应基因hASH1的转录抑制来实现的;Notch信号途径可以抑制小细胞肺癌细胞的增殖,降低其神经内分泌标志物的表达.     

The role of Notch and IL-7 signaling in early thymocyte proliferation and differentiation

We have analyzed the roles of Notch and IL-7 signaling in the proliferation and differentiation of mouse progenitor thymocyte subpopulations cultured on Notch delta-like-1 ligand-expressing OP9 stromal cells. Using bulk and limiting dilution cultures, we show that DN1 and DN2 cells require both Notch and IL-7 signaling for efficient proliferation and differentiation into cytoplasmic TCRbeta and surface TCRalpha/beta and TCRgamma/delta expressing T cells. Selection for cytoplasmic TCRbeta-positive cells is dependent on preTalpha expression. Both gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR expressing T cells arising in culture can be efficiently stimulated by anti-CD3 cross-linking, suggesting that they might be functional. The differentiation of adult, but not fetal, DN1 and DN2 thymocytes into CD4 and/or CD8 expressing cells is inhibited by IL-7. Finally, efficient proliferation and differentiation of DN3 cells requires Notch signaling and preTCR expression, but is independent of IL-7.     

Regulation of endothelial cell differentiation and arterial specification by VEGF and Notch signaling

Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying vascular development in vertebrates indicates that initially vasculogenesis occurs when a primary capillary plexus forms de novo from endothelial cell precursors derived from nascent mesodermal cells. Transplantation experiments in avian embryos demonstrate that embryonic endothelial cells originate from two different mesodermal lineages: splanchnic mesoderm and somites. Genetic analysis of mouse and zebrafish reveals that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/Flk1 and Notch signaling play crucial roles throughout embryonic vascular development. VEGFA plays a major role in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, survival, and regulation of vascular permeability. Flk1, the primary VEGFA receptor, is the earliest marker of the developing endothelial lineage and is essential for endothelial differentiation during vasculogenesis. Notch signaling has been demonstrated to directly induce arterial endothelial differentiation. Recent studies suggest that Notch signaling is activated downstream of VEGF signaling and negatively regulates VEGF-induced angiogenesis and suppresses aberrant vascular branching morphogenesis. In addition to altering endothelial cell fate through Notch activation, VEGFA directly guides endothelial cell migration in an isoform-dependent manner, modifying vascular patterns. Interestingly, genetic studies in mice show that many molecules involved in VEGF or Notch signaling must be tightly regulated for proper vascular formation. Taken together, VEGF and Notch signaling apparently coordinate vascular patterning by regulating each other.     

Establishment of an epithelial cell line from rat thymus

A cell line (IT-26R21), composed only of epithelial cells, was established from normal rat thymus. Thymuses were treated with both collagenase and trypsin. Four months after the initiation of cultures, epithelial cells in packed colonies formed a monolayer and no other cells were found in cultures. Thereafter, epithelial cells have been subcultured with trypsin and EDTA, and are currently at the 30th subculture. Based upon the fine structure of the thymus in vivo, IT-26R21 cells were identified as epithelial cells from the thymus, because of their mosaic-like arrangement, desmosomes and tonofilaments. Other features also supported their origin and identity.     

Notch信号通路及其在肺癌发生中的作用

Notch信号通路存在于多种动物体内,是许多细胞信号转导通路的交汇点,不仅对正常组织、细胞的分化、发育起重要作用,而且和一些肿瘤的发生、发展相关。Notch信号在肺癌中的作用多样，在不同类型肺癌中呈现出不同的促癌或抑癌功能。了解Notch和肺癌的关系有利于进一步阐明肺癌发生机制,提出预防和治疗肺癌的新途径，为肿瘤基因治疗提供一个新的有希望的靶点。     

Wnt和Notch信号通路在肿瘤干细胞自我更新中的作用

肿瘤干细胞是一类能够导致肿瘤发生的具有自我更新能力的细胞，它与干细胞具有很多相似性，其中最重要的一点是自我更新能力。它们具有相似的自我更新调节通路，如：Wnt，Notch和Shh(Sonic hedgehog)。Wnt和Notch信号通路通过其受体和配体的相互作用在自我更新的增殖和分化中都起着重要的作用，两者均能促进干细胞增殖而抑制其分化，但各自侧重不同。此外，Wnt和Notch信号通路之间相互作用、协调共同完成干细胞的自我更新。对肿瘤干细胞的Wnt和Notch信号通路研究将为未来肿瘤的靶向治疗提供新的方向。     

Notch signaling in differentiation and function of dendritic cells

Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to multiple lineages of cells. This process is governed by a tightly controlled signaling network regulated by cytokines and a direct cell-cell contact. Notch signaling represents one of the major pathways activated during direct interaction between hematopoietic progenitor cells and bone marrow stroma. A critical role of Notch signaling in differentiation of T- and B-lymphocytes has now been established. Until recently, the role of Notch signaling in the development of myeloid cells and particular dendritic cells remained unclear. In this review, we discuss recent exciting findings that shed light on the critical role of Notch in differentiation and the function of dendritic cells and its impact on immune responses.     

Establishment of a murine pre-B cell clone dependent on interleukin-7 and stem cell factor.

To identify cytokines required for proliferation of murine pre-B cells, we established a pre-B cell clone MH11 (B220+ MB-1+ sIgM-) on a stromal cell line ST2 from day 13 fetal liver. The growth of MH11 is dependent on ST2. Another stromal cell line PA6, non-secretor of IL-7, could not support MH11 unless IL-7 was added. We investigated the effect of cytokines on proliferation of MH11 with or without stromal cells. IL-7 had a stimulatory effect on proliferation of MH11, but IL-7 alone could not support MH11 growth without ST2. Recombinant stem cell factor (rSCF) also had a positive effect on MH11. rSCF and rIL-7, when added together, could maintain the growth of MH11 in the absence of stromal cells. Moreover, the growth of MH11 on ST2 was inhibited almost completely by anti-c-kit monoclonal antibody (mAb). These results demonstrate that direct SCF/c-kit interaction is involved in the stimulation of pre-B cells.     

Establishment of a ciliated epithelial cell line from human Fallopian tube

Human tubal epithelial cells in primary culture were transfected with simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen plasmid, and an immortalized ciliated cell line, named as NT/T-S, was established without crisis. Transmission electron microscopy proved that NT/T-S cells had cilia, microvilli, junctional complexes, rough endoplasmic reticula, free ribosomes and microtubules. NT/T-S cells were evaluated preliminarily on the basis of co-culture study using surplus embryos at the 4- to 8-cell stage in our IVF and embryo transfer programme. All of the 133 embryos had >/=10% fragments (based on the surface area) and were unworthy of cryopreservation. Up to 57% (16/28) of the embryos with 10-30% fragments reached the blastocyst stage by co-culture. In contrast, blastocyst formation was observed in <10% of the control embryos, some of which were co-cultured with NFL/T cells (the immortalized human fetal liver epithelial cells) (1/16), and the others were incubated with the co-culture medium alone (1/18). Various cytokines/growth factors such as leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and basic fibroblast growth factor were secreted by NT/T-S cells as well as by the tubal epithelial cells in primary culture. The establishment of a ciliated cell line will provide a valuable resource for the further studies of the Fallopian tube in the early events of pregnancy.