Expression of glucose-regulated stress protein GRP78 is related to progression of melanoma

Aims:  Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a protein translated in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that has been implicated in the pathogenesis and resistance to therapy of a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate its expression and role in the development and progression of human melanoma.
Methods and results:  The immunohistochemical expression of GRP78 in naevi, primary melanoma and melanoma metastases from 171 patients was correlated with clinicopathological factors and patient survival. The GRP78 immunoreactivity score (IRS) was 0.2 in compound naevi, 0.65 in dysplastic naevi, 4.65 in naevi adjacent to primary melanoma, 2.4 in melanoma in situ , 11.2 in thin (≤1.0 mm) and 18.1 in thick (>1.0 mm) primary melanoma. It was 18 and 17.3 in subcutaneous and lymph node metastases, respectively ( P  < 0.0001). GRP78 expression was positively correlated with increasing tumour thickness ( P  = 0.001) and with increasing dermal tumour mitotic index ( P  = 0.0004). Disease-free survival (χ² = 8.0703, P  = 0.0045) and overall survival (χ² = 6.2633, P  = 0.0123) in melanoma patients with IRS >25 were significantly lower than in melanoma patients with IRS <25.
Conclusions:  GRP78 expression appears to correlate with known correlates of melanoma progression and survival and requires further evaluation as a prognostic biomarker in melanoma.     

内质网分子伴侣GRP78在大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中的表达变化

目的观察在大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤(SCII)过程中内质网分子伴侣GRP78的表达变化,并探讨其意义。方法健康成年Wistar大鼠55只,随机分为两组:(1)脊髓压迫缺血再灌注组50只,每个时间点10只,采用自制压迫装置制备脊髓压迫缺血再灌注模型;(2)假手术对照组5只,只做全椎板切除不做脊髓压迫。用免疫组化、West-ernblot和TUNEL等方法,分别于缺血再灌注后30min、3、7、11和23h,检测压迫段脊髓组织中GRP78的表达变化及细胞凋亡情况。结果再灌注30min后,GRP78在压迫段脊髓开始表达上调,7h达峰值,11h表达回落,23h显著减少。TUNEL染色显示,神经细胞的凋亡指数随着再灌注时间的延长而升高。结论GRP78在脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中呈现时序性的表达变化,这可能是脊髓内源性保护机制之一。     

肝纤维化大鼠肝细胞内质网形态及GRP78表达的研究

目的: 观察四氯化碳(CCl₄)致大鼠肝纤维化过程中内质网形态及内质网应激标志性蛋白——葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)的表达变化, 探讨内质网应激在肝纤维化发病机制中可能的作用。方法: 雄性Wistar大鼠皮下注射CCl₄制备肝纤维化模型,分别在4周及8周处死大鼠测定肝脏指数、血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活性, 观察肝组织病理改变和肝细胞内质网形态, 免疫组化和real-time PCR分别检测肝组织GRP78蛋白及mRNA表达变化。结果: 肝纤维化组大鼠肝脏指数、血清ALT和AST活性显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01),肝纤维化明显, 电镜下见肝细胞内质网扩张,数量明显减少; 肝细胞胞浆中GRP78蛋白表达量及mRNA表达量较正常组显著增加(P<0.01)。结论: 在CCl₄诱导的肝纤维化发生过程中肝细胞内质网形态有明显损伤性变化, 内质网应激蛋白GRP78蛋白及基因表达水平明显增加, 提示内质网应激参与肝纤维化发生发展。     

脑缺血及后适应对树鼩海马内质网应激信号分子PERK及GRP78的影响

目的:探讨脑缺血及后适应对树鼩海马内质网应激信号分子蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶(PERK)及葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)的影响及后适应的脑保护机制。方法:光化学反应诱导树鼩局部血栓性脑缺血,于脑缺血后3.5 h夹闭、打开缺血侧颈总动脉交替3个循环(每次5 min)以复制缺血后适应模型。HE染色观察缺血侧海马神经元损伤及超微结构变化,RT-PCR检测脑缺血及后适应不同时间海马组织PERK及GRP78 mRNA表达的变化,免疫组织化学法与Western blot法检测PERK及GRP78的蛋白定位及表达变化。结果:海马神经元随脑缺血时间延长而损伤加重,缺血24 h损伤最为严重,后适应可减轻损伤。脑缺血4 h、24 h及72 h PERK的mRNA及蛋白表达较假手术组增高(P0.05),后适应组与相应的缺血组相比,PERK的mRNA及蛋白表达减少,4 h、24 h差异显著(P0.05);脑缺血4 h、24 h及72 h GRP78的mRNA及蛋白表达与假手术组无明显差异,后适应24 h组较缺血24 h组表达增高(P0.05)。结论:树鼩局部血栓性脑缺血可激活缺血侧海马内质网应激反应,引起PERK/e IF2α信号转导通路中相关分子PERK的mRNA及蛋白表达增高。缺血后适应处理通过下调PERK、上调GRP78的表达,减轻内质网应激反应,减少神经元损伤,具有一定的脑保护作用。     

内质网应激相关分子葡萄糖调节蛋白78及增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白在高血压大鼠全脑缺血海马区的表达变化

目的:观察血压正常大鼠和高血压大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后海马区CAAT/增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白(CHOP)、葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)的表达变化,探讨内质网应激在高血压增加脑缺血再灌注神经易损性中的作用.方法:60只雄性血压正常Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham)和全脑缺血再灌注组(I/R);另取30只雄性自发性高血压大鼠为高血压全脑缺血再灌注组(SHR+I/R).应用改良的Pulsineli 4血管阻断(4-VO)法制作全脑缺血再灌注模型.各组分别在术后6、24、48 h,H-E染色观察海马区神经细胞形态变化;免疫组织化学和免疫印迹检测海马区CHOP、GRP78的表达;48 h八臂迷宫检测动物行为学变化.结果:与Sham组比较,I/R组各时间点存活神经元数量降低;GRP78表达增高,24 h达高峰;CHOP表达增高,24 h达高峰,高表达持续至48 h;与I/R组比较,SHR+ IR组各时间点存活神经细胞数量降低;GPR78表达6h增高,24、48h显著减少;6、24 h CHOP表达增高,48 h明显减少;八臂迷宫结果显示SHR+I/R组与I/R组比较,各检测指标变化差异有统计学意义.结论:高血压可增加脑缺血再灌注神经易损性,与加重缺血再灌注后GRP78表达下降、CHOP活体表达增高有关.     

淫羊藿苷抑制内质网应激介导HT22细胞抗谷氨酸诱导凋亡

目的探讨淫羊藿苷(ICA)通过调控内质网应激(ERS)通路保护小鼠海马神经元HT22细胞抗谷氨酸(Glu)损伤的机制。方法筛选适当的ICA预处理浓度,以Glu(5 mmol/L)处理18 h构建细胞损伤模型。将细胞分为对照组、Glu损伤组、低剂量ICA+Glu(L-ICA+Glu)组和高剂量ICA+Glu(H-ICA+Glu)组。CCK-8法检测细胞活性,TUNEL染色显示凋亡细胞,比色法检测细胞乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放量,JC-1染色检测线粒体膜电位(MMP)变化,DCFH-DA检测细胞活性氧(ROS)水平,Western blot检测ERS通路和凋亡相关蛋白含量。此外,以上各组经CHOP siRNA预处理后,分为Glu+ControlsiRNA组、Glu+CHOPsiRNA组、H-ICA+Glu+ControlsiRNA组、H-ICA+Glu+CHOPsiRNA组,检测细胞活性、凋亡率、ROS含量、MMP水平及凋亡相关蛋白表达。结果ICA在浓度低于10μmol/L时无明显毒性作用。ICA能够显著提高HT22细胞活性,降低LDH释放量,抑制细胞凋亡,降低ROS水平,恢复MMP,且呈剂量依赖性(P<0.05)。此外,ICA下调损伤后p-eIF2α和CHOP表达,同时增加Bcl2,抑制Bax(P<0.05)。CHOP siRNA预处理后,Glu的损伤作用明显减弱;同时CHOP siRNA预处理能够明显增强ICA对HT22细胞的保护作用。结论ICA可能通过部分抑制ERS诱导的氧化应激及凋亡,保护HT22细胞抗Glu损伤。     

单侧输尿管梗阻的大鼠内质网应激相关蛋白表达上调

目的探究内质网应激(ERS)相关凋亡通路在单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)大鼠肾间质纤维化中的作用机制。方法将大鼠随机分为假手术组及UUO模型组,UUO组行左侧输尿管结扎术,于术后3、7和14 d HE和Masson染色观察肾脏病理变化;眼底静脉丛取血,分离血清测定血尿素氮及肌酐;Western blot检测葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、内质网源性转录因子(CHOP)、凋亡相关蛋白半胱氨酸天门冬氨酸蛋白酶3(caspase-3)及caspase-12蛋白表达。结果与假手术组相比,UUO模型组可见:1)肾小管扩张和肾间质纤维化程度随输尿管梗阻时间延长而渐进性加重;2)GRP78、CHOP、caspase-3及caspase-12蛋白表达在术后3 d均有上调,随着梗阻时间延长,上述蛋白表达更显著(P0.01)。结论内质网应激相关标志性蛋白在UUO大鼠肾间质纤维化的早期即存在表达上调,可能促进了肾间质纤维化不断进展。     

金属硫蛋白降低GRP78和CHOP蛋白表达减轻大鼠砷中毒肝细胞凋亡

目的 研究葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、C/EBP环磷酸腺苷反应元件结合转录因子同源蛋白(CHOP)在金属硫蛋白(MT)减轻大鼠砷中毒肝细胞凋亡中的作用.方法 建立MT治疗亚砷酸钠(NaAsO2)诱导的大鼠砷中毒肝损伤模型,用MT治疗2周,以TUNEL法检测肝细胞凋亡,免疫组化法、Western blot检测大鼠肝脏GRP78、CHOP蛋白表达.结果 砷中毒模型组大鼠肝细胞凋亡、肝组织GRP78和CHOP蛋白表达较对照组显著升高(P＜0.05),MT治疗组肝细胞凋亡、肝组织GRP78和CHOP蛋白表达明显回降(P＜0.05),但仍然高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 MT可通过降低GRP78和CHOP蛋白表达减轻大鼠砷中毒所致的肝细胞凋亡.     

The immunosuppressive and protective ability of glucose-regulated protein 78 for improvement of alloimmunity in beta cell transplantation

An insulinoma cell line, NIT-1, transfected with glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) was established, namely NIT-GRP78, and used to study the immunosuppressive and protective ability of GRP78. In extended cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) killing assay, NIT-1-primed lymphocytes were more cytotoxic in killing beta cells than NIT-GRP78-primed lymphocytes. Severe necrosis was observed only when the NIT-1-primed lymphocytes were cultured with NIT-1 beta cells, but not with NIT-GRP78 cells. In addition, an increase of interleukin (IL)-4 secretion from beta cell-primed splenocytes when GRP78 presence was observed in cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Diabetic mice reached normoglycaemia promptly and gained weight after transplantation of either NIT-1 or NIT-GRP78 cells. However, the recipient mice transplanted with NIT-GRP78 cells lived much longer than those recipients transplanted with NIT-1 cells, which was due apparently to prolonged insulin production by the transplanted NIT-GRP78 cells. In fact, we observed a significant increase of insulin concentration after glucose stimulation of diabetic mice received NIT-GRP78 cells at day 7 post-transplantation. From the results we propose that GRP78 could have a dual function in both protecting NIT-1 cells from CTL-mediated lysis and stimulating a population of T helper 2 cells to down-regulate the immune response to the transplanted beta cells.     

SIGN-R1, a C-type lectin, binds to Bip/GRP78 and this interaction mediates the regurgitation of T-cell-independent type 2 antigen dextran through the endoplasmic reticulum

Capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae are representative T-cell-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigens, frequently causing serious infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. However, the detailed mechanism of this immune escape by CPSs is poorly understood. To pursue this question, polysaccharide dextran, ligand of SIGN-R1 as well as an appropriate model of the immunogenicity of many TI-2 polysaccharide antigens was used. SIGN-R1 bound to binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), a well-characterized endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, primarily in non-ER compartments. Interestingly, SIGN-R1⁺ macrophages in the MZ showed high expression of BiP, implying an important role of SIGN-R1 binding to BiP in vivo. To our surprise, dextran is rapidly transported into the ER and subsequently regurgitated out of cells in vitro or in vivo. BiP down-regulation in SIGN-R1 transfectant reduced the regurgitation of dextran, causing the accumulation of dextran in the ER.Therefore, these results demonstrated the first example to describe the intracellular trafficking and the regurgitation of TI-2 antigen dextran, suggesting the novel pathway of TI-2 antigen presentation to immune cells.     

内质网应激激活P38通路诱导胃癌细胞对多柔比星产生耐药

目的:在二维及三维细胞培养模式下探讨内质网应激能否诱导胃癌细胞对多柔比星产生耐药及其可能机制。方法:本研究利用贴壁培养的胃癌细胞,采用流式细胞仪检测对照组、内质网应激诱导剂组、多柔比星组及内质网应激诱导剂加多柔比星组的细胞凋亡率;并检测P38通路受阻能否逆转内质网应激诱导胃癌细胞对多柔比星的耐药现象。利用前期建立的胃癌细胞三维培养模型,用流式细胞仪及live/dead assay进一步验证以上结果。结果:在贴壁培养模式下,与对照组相比,各药物处理组胃癌细胞的凋亡率均明显增高,多柔比星组细胞凋亡率显著高于内质网应激诱导剂加多柔比星组;且P38活化受阻可基本恢复内质网应激状态下胃癌细胞对多柔比星的敏感性。在三维培养模式下,流式细胞仪及live/dead assay检测结果与贴壁培养条件下一致。结论:在二维及三维培养模式下,内质网应激均可通过激活P38通路诱导胃癌细胞对化疗药物多柔比星产生耐药,阻断该通路可基本抑制内质网应激诱导胃癌细胞对该化疗药物的耐药现象。     

Extract of deafferented hippocampus promotes in vitro radial glial cell differentiation into neurons

To explore the effects of deafferented hippocampal extracts on the differentiation of radial glial cells (RGCs), hippocampal RGCs of postnatal day 1 rats were isolated under adherent conditions in vitro. Protein extracts of deafferented hippocampus were prepared from adult rats following fimbria fornix lesion. RGCs were exposed to extracts of deafferented or normal hippocampus and the type and extent of proliferation and differentiation were evaluated. We report that extracts of deafferented hippocampus more effectively promoted RGC proliferation than extracts of normal hippocampus. Moreover, although RGC differentiation in vitro primarily generated cells of glial lineages, cells exposed to extracts of deafferented hippocampus, but not of normal hippocampus, showed a significantly increased trend towards the generation of cells of neuronal lineages. We conclude that extracts of deafferented hippocampus promote RGC proliferation and neurogenesis.     

Sorting of neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors into secretory pathways

There are two major secretory pathways in neurons, the regulated pathway and the constitutive pathway. Neuropeptides and other regulated secretory proteins are known to be sorted into large dense-core vesicles of the regulated pathway in the trans-Golgi network and are secreted upon stimulus-induced increases in intracellular Ca²⁺. The newly synthesized cell surface receptors are usually sorted into microvesicles of the constitutive pathway and inserted into the plasma membrane by spontaneous exocytosis. Small-diameter sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia and pheochromocytoma cells express neuropeptides (e.g., substance P) and several neuropeptide receptors including opioid receptors. The μ-opioid receptors are delivered to the cell surface through the constitutive pathway, whereas another type of opioid receptor, the δ-opioid receptor, is often found in the membrane of large dense-core vesicles and can be inserted into the plasma membrane when exocytosis occurs. Recent studies show that sequences with opposite electrical polarity within the prohormones of substance P are essential for their sorting into large dense-core vesicles. Moreover, the δ-opioid receptor is sorted into large dense-core vesicles by its interaction with protachykinin, a prohormone of substance P. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that determine the sorting and trafficking of neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors in neurons.     

Modulators of BK and SK channels alter electrical activity in vitro in single vasopressin neurons isolated from the rat supraoptic nucleus

Release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) from magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) is controlled by the electrical activities of the MNCs. Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, such as the BK and SK channels, are K⁺-selective ion channels that are activated in response to increased intracellular calcium concentrations. Intrinsic affinities for Ca²⁺ permit these channels to exert a negative feedback effect on cellular excitability. In the present study, we used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to examine the effects of BK or SK channel modulators on neuronal activity in single isolated rat SON MNCs that express an AVP-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgene. Application of BK or SK channel activators abolished the action potentials and induced hyperpolarization. In contrast, the number of action potentials was significantly increased after application of BK or SK channel blockers. Our results suggest that BK and SK channels in AVP neurons may play a role in the regulatory mechanisms of neural activity.     

Radial glial cell heterogeneity--the source of diverse progeny in the CNS

Here, we discuss the identity, heterogeneity and functions of radial glial cells mostly in the developing central nervous system (CNS). First, we define radial glial cells by morphological, cell biological and molecular criteria as true glial cells, akin to astroglia. We then describe the appearance of radial glial cells during neural development as a precursor intermediate between immature neuroepithelial cells and differentiating progeny. Then we review the diverse progeny arising in different lineages from radial glial cells as observed by clonal analyses and time-lapse imaging. This leads us to discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of the lineage heterogeneity of radial glial cells - including their diversity in distinct regions of the CNS. We conclude by considering the possible mechanisms allowing neurogenic radial glial cells to persist into adulthood in various vertebrate classes ranging from fish to birds, while neurogenic glial cells become restricted to few small regions of the adult forebrain in mice and men.     

Removal of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus from human-in-mouse breast tumor xenografts by cell-sorting

Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) can infect transplantable mouse tumors or xenograft tumors in mice through LDV-contaminated mouse biological materials, such as Matrigel, or through mice infected with LDV. LDV infects specifically mouse macrophages and alters immune system and tumor phenotype. The traditional approaches to remove LDV from tumor cells, by transplanting tumors into rats or culturing tumor cells in vitro, are inefficient, labor-intensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, these approaches are not feasible for primary tumor cells that cannot survive tissue culture conditions or that may change phenotype in rats. This study reports that fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is a simple and efficient approach for purifying living primary human breast tumor cells from LDV⁺ mouse stromal cells, which can be completed in a few hours. When purified from Matrigel contaminated LDV⁺ tumors, sorted human breast tumor cells, as well as tumors grown from sorted cells, were shown to be LDV-free, as tested by PCR. The results demonstrate that cell sorting is effective, much faster and less likely to alter tumor cell phenotype than traditional methods for removing LDV from xenograft models. This approach may also be used to remove other rodent-specific viruses from models derived from distinct tissues or species with sortable markers, where virus does not replicate in the cells to be purified.     

Curcumin I protects the dopaminergic cell line SH-SY5Y from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity through attenuation of p53-mediated apoptosis

Mesolimbic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in sustained behavioral changes following chronic social stress, and its depletion may reduce susceptibility to such behavioral alterations. Enhanced mesolimbic BDNF is proposed as pro-depressive and anhedonic, while depleting ventral tegmetal area (VTA) BDNF increases weight by enhancing hedonic eating. Here, we questioned whether depletion of VTA BDNF would alleviate social defeat stress-induced deficits in weight regulation, or affect social behavior in the presence or absence of social stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral intra-VTA infusions of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing shRNA against BDNF or a control virus. Three weeks later, rats underwent 4 episodes of social defeat stress involving exposure to an aggressive Long-Evans resident rat, or control handling every third day. Depleted VTA BDNF conferred resistance to the deficient weight regulation normally observed during intermittent social defeat stress, and enhanced long-term weight gain regardless of stress history. In addition, social approach and avoidance behavior towards a novel social target were measured 7 weeks after stress. Social defeat stress chronically reduced social behavior, whereas depletion of VTA BDNF chronically increased social behavior. Our results reveal that depletion of VTA BDNF alleviates some consequences of intermittent social defeat stress, enhances social behavior, and may contribute to weight gain. These data implicate VTA BDNF in protracted behavioral responses to stress, social stimuli, and weight regulation.     

A fast and sensitive method for isolation of detergent-resistant membranes from T cells

We describe a fast and sensitive method for isolation of detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) from T cells by sucrose density gradient centrifugation using a smaller accumulated centrifugal force in a tabletop ultracentrifuge. Compared to previous reports, this method, which requires less biological material, is faster and permits quantitative separation of DRMs from other cellular membranes with good resolution. The method, which can be completed in 6 h, yields more than 80% of the total content of DRM-associated adaptor molecules LAT (linker for T cell activation), PAG/Cbp (protein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains or Csk-binding protein) and LIME (Lck-interacting membrane protein) in low-density fractions using only 2x10(7) T cells.     

Hepatic potential of bone marrow stromal cells: development of in vitro co-culture and intra-portal transplantation models

Bone marrow comprises heterogeneous cell populations and is thought to contain certain progenitors with the ability to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal cell lineages. To identify any differentiation plasticity of adult bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like phenotypes, we developed a co-culture model with damaged liver tissue and an animal model of engraftment in cirrhotic liver via intra-portal transplantation. After 10 days of co-culture with injured liver tissues, BMSC expressed specific markers for hepatocytes by RT-PCR and Western blot. The two animal models for liver injury employed used carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induction or bile duct ligation. For tracing BMSC resident in the liver after intra-portal transplantation, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive BMSCs or in situ hybridization of Y-chromosome Sry gene in male BMSC were used in a cross-sex transplantation model. Expression of hepatocyte-specific markers in recipients' liver tissues was determined by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Our findings demonstrated that about 16% parenchyma cells were GFP-positive cells derived from infused BMSCs, and expression of albumin was detected in these cells in engrafted liver tissues. In conclusion, BMSCs exhibited hepatocyte-like phenotypes after co-cultivation with liver tissue and transplanted into the injured liver. The presented evidence indicated the trans differentiation potential of BMSC developing to the hepatocytes.