Modulation of Isoflavones on Bone—nodule Formation in Rat Calvaria Osteoblasts in vitro

Objective:to observe the effects of two main isoflavones,daidzein and genistein on the bone-nodule formation in rat calvaria osteoblasts in vitro.Methods:Osteoblasts obtained from newborn Sprague-dawley rat calvarias were cultured for several generations.The second generation cells were cultured in Minimum Essential Medium supplemenmted with ascorbic acid and Na-beta-glycerophosphate for several days,in the presence of daidzein and genistein,with or without the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780.Number of nodules was counted at the end of the incubation period(day 20) by staining with Alizarin Red S calcium stain.The release of osteocalcin,as a marker of osteoblast activity,was also determined on day 7 and 12 during the incubation period.Results:compared with the control,the numbers of nodules were both increased by incubation with daidzin and genistein,17β-estradiol was used as a positive control and proved to be a more effective inducer of the increase in bone-nodules formation than daidzein and genisterin.The release of osteocalcin into culture media was also increased in the presence of daidzein and genistein,as well as 17β-estradiol on day 7 and day 12(day 12 were higher).The estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780 completely blocked the genistein-and 17β0estradiol-induced increase of nodule numbers and osteocalcin release in osteoblasts.Howerver,the effects induced by daidzein could not be inhibited by ICI 182780.Conclusion:These findings suggest that geinistein can stimulate bone-nodule formation and increase the release of osteocalcin in rat osteoblasts.The effects,like those induced by 17β-estradiol,are mediated by the estrogen receptor dependent pathway,Daidzin also can stimulate bone-nodule formation and increase the release of osteocalcin in rat osteoblasts,but it is not,at least not merely,mediated by the estrogen receptor dependent pathway.     

Presence of Meiotic Spindles Indicates Early Cleavage of Embryos

Objective To assess whether the detection of the meiotic spindle could anticipate the appear- ance of early cleavage. Methods Oocytes were obtained from stimulated ovaries of consenting patients undergoing oocytes retrieval for ICSI. Spindles were imaged with the Polscope. After ICSI, oocytes with or without spindles were cultured for examination of early cleavage and embryo development. A total of 328 oocytes from 50 cycles were examined with the Polscope and inseminated by ICSI. Results Spindles were imaged in 81.7% of oocytes. After ICSI, more oocytes with spindles (78.4%) fertilized normally than oocytes without spindles (53.3%) (P<0.001). At 25-27 h post ICSI, more fertilized oocytes developed from oocytes with spindles (81.9%) were detected early cleavage than those from oocytes without spindles (28.1%) (P<0.001). Significantly more embryos with early cleavage (82.2%) developed to high quality embryos at d 3 compared with the embryos without early cleavage (48.3%) (P=0.001). The value of rs related to the relation- ship between spindles and early cleavage was 0.420 (P<0.001). Conclusion The existing of the early cleavage may have a predictive value on the opportunity of high quality embryos and the existing of the spindle may have a predictive value in the appearance of early cleavage.     

Changes in the T-cell receptor Vβ gene repertoire after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background We distinguished graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) from graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects and to investigate the distribution of T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ gene repertoire in individuals with leukemia before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 10 normal individuals, 8 donors and 11 patients with leukemia before and after transplantation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of 24 TCR Vβ genes was used to examine serial samples of PBMC. The PCR products were further analyzed by genescan to evaluate clonality of T cells. Results The 24 TCR Vβ gene repertoire displayed highly diverse and polyclonal spectratypes in all normal individuals and 4 of 8 donors. Another 4 donors expressed part of the 24 TCR V~ subfamily and 1 donor had oligoclonality. The expressions of the 24 TCR V~ subfamilies were skewed and restricted in 11 leukemia patients before and after transplantation. Some absences of 24 TCR Vβ subfamily expression were quite similar between the recipients pro-transplantation and related donors. The number of subfamilies expressed increased over time post-transplantation, but the restricted expressions of the subfamily could last 6-30 months after transplantation. All patients with GVHD and some without GVHD exhibited T cell clonal expansion. The expansive T cell clone was distributed in Vβ 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 21 and Vβ 23 in patients with GVHD and in Vβ 7, 9, 16 and 19 in patients without GVHD. One patient with syngeneic-HSCT (syn-HSCT) had Vβ 15 and 16 T cell expansion after transplantation. One patient displayed Vβ 18 T cell expansion after donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). Conclusions Normal individuals express the entire 24 TCR Vβ gene repertoire and have polyclonal distribution. However, the TCR Vβ gene repertoire is only partially expressed in some donors. The TCR Vβ gene repertoire is restrictedly expressed in a skew fashion in patients with leukemia before and after transplantation. The number of TCR Vβ gene subfamilies increases over time posttransplantation. GVHD and GVL effects may induce the proliferation of T cell clones. Clinical GVL response may be distinguished from GVHD alloreactivity through the host MHC antigen.     

Parathyroid hormone stimulating synthesis of fibronectin by mesangial cells via TGF—β in rats

Objective: To investigate whether hPTH1-34 regulate the synthesis of fibronectin (FN) from cultured rat mesangial cells and its possible mechanism. Methods: (1) MCs seeded at a density of 1 × 104 per well in 24-well plates were treated with medium containing various concentrations of hPTH1-34(10-12 mol/l -10-8 mol/l) for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, control cells were treated with vehicle only. The FN levels (in the supernatant) were measured by ELISA assay. (2) MCs were co-cultured with 10 ng/l of anti-TGF-β antibody and various concentrations of hPTH1-34(10-12 mol/l - 10-8 mol/l ). Forty-eight hours later, FN were tested by ELISA. (4) MCs were co-cultured with 10 ng/l of anti-TGF-β antibody and 10-8 mol/l hPTH1-34 for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h and then FN were tested. Results: (1) hPTH1-34 stimulated FN synthesis in a dose-and time-dependent way with a peak at 10-8 mol/l (P<0. 01). (2) Anti-TGF-β antibody inhibited the stimulation effect of hPTH1-34, on synthesis of FN in cultured rat mesangial cells     

Protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of HERG potassium channels in a hum an cell line

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of human ether- a- go- go- related gene ( HERG) potassium channels regulated by protein kinase A (PKA) in a human cell line.Methods HERG channels were stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, a nd currents were measured with the patch clamp technique.The direct phosphoryl ation of HERG channel proteins expressed heterologously in Xenopus laevis oocytes was examined by [32]P labeling and immunoprecipitation with an a nti- HERG antibody.Results Elevation of the intracellular cAMP- concentration by incubation with the adenyl ate cyclase activator, forskolin (10 μmol/L), and the broad range phosphodiest erase inhibitor, IBMX (100 μmol/L), caused a HERG tail current reduction of 83 . 2%.In addition, direct application of the membrane permeable cAMP analog, 8 - Br- cAMP (500 μmol/L), reduced the tail current amplitude by 29. 3%.Intrac ellular application of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (200 U/ml) led to a tail current decrease by 56. 9% and shifted the activation curve by 15. 4 m V towards more positive potentials.HERG WT proteins showed two phosphorylated bands, an upper band with a molecular mass of ≈155 kDa and a lower band with a molecular mass of ≈135 kDa, indicating that both the core- and the fully glyco sylated forms of the protein were phosphorylated. Conclusions PKA- mediated phosphorylation of HERG channels causes current reduction in a hum an cell line.The coupling between the repolarizing cardiac HERG potassium curr ent and the protein kinase A system could contribute to arrhythmogenesis under p athophysiological conditions.     

Inflammation unmasks gabapentin’s effect on Aδ-fiber evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons of rat spinal cord

Objective To study the analgesic mechanism of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, during antinociceptive clinical treatment. Methods Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were taken from adult rat spinal cord slices to investigate the effect of gabapentin on primary afferent Aδ-fiber evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) to substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in normal and inflamed (established by plantar injection of carrageenan) rats. Results Gabapentin (5-20 μmol/L for 5 min) depressed dorsal root Aδ fiber evoked polysynaptic, but not monosynaptic EPSCs to SG experiencing inflammation by about 25% (n=10, P&lt;0.01). However, gabapentin did not depress the evoked polysynaptic or monosynaptic EPSCs in normal rats. Gabapentin failed to block a glutamate receptor subtype, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), -induced slow excitatory currents on SG neurons.Conclusions Inflammation, at least in part, unmasks the gabapentin depression on nociception transmission in the dorsal horn, and this depression is not due to the blockade of postsynaptic NMDA receptor.     

Study of structure function correlation of chemokine receptor CXCR4

Objective: To explore the correlation between structure domains and functions of chemokine receptor CXCR4. Methods: After the establishment of wild type chemokine.receptor CXCR4 and CXCR2 expressing cell lines, 5 CXCR4/CXCR2 chimeras, 2 CXCR4 mutants were stably expressed on CHO cell line. Binding activities of all variants with the ligand, recombinant human SDF-1β, signal transduction ability after stimulation and their function as coreceptor for HIV-1 were studied with ligand-binding assay, Cytosensor/ microphysiometry and cell-cell reporter gene fusion assay. Results: Among all 7 changed CXCR4 receptors, 3 chimeras (2444a, 4442, 4122), and 1 mutant (CXCR4-Tr) bond with SDF-1β in varying degrees, of which only 2444a totally and CXCR4-Tr partially maintain signaling. All changed receptors except for 4222 could act as coreceptors for HIV-1 (LAI) in varying degrees. Conclusion: Several structure domains of CXCR4 are involved in the binding with SDF-1β, among which, N-terminal extracellular domain has h     

EFFECT OF INTERLEUKIN-1β ON GROWTH HORMONE GENE EXPRESSION AND ITS POSSIBLE MOLECULAR MECHANISM IN RAT MtT/S SOMATOTROPH CELLS

Objective To elucidate the effect of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on human growth hormone (hGH) gene expression in a rat somatotropic pituitary cell line MtT/S. Methods Stably transfected MtT/S cells were firstly established by transfecting 484-Luc1 plasmid which contained hGH gene promoter -484 to 30 bp and luciferase reporter gene. The effect of IL-1β on hGH gene expression was determined by assaying the luciferase activities. RT-PCR method was also used to determine whether IL-1 recepor mRNA was expressed in MtT/S cells. Results The 103 U/mL IL-1β stimulated secretion and synthesis of GH, and promoted the 5’-promoter activity of GH gene in stably transfected MtT/SGL cells with the action of 1.38 times above the control. Among inhibitors of signaling transduction pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK/MEK) inhibitor PD98059 (40 μmol/L) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 (5 μmol/L) completely blocked the stimulatory effect of IL-1β, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor LY294002 partly abolished the effect of IL-1β. Western blot analysis further confirmed the activation of phosphorylated MEK and p38 MAPK in MtT/SGL cells. Neither over-expression of Pit-1 nor inhibition of Pit-1 expression affected induction of hGH promoter activity by IL-1β. A series of deletion constructs of hGH promoter were created to identify the DNA sequence that mediated the effect of IL-1β, and results showed that the stimulatory effect of IL-1β was abolished following deletion of the -196 to -132 bp fragment. Conclusions IL-1β promotes GH secretion and synthesis in rat MtT/S somatotroph cells. The stimulatory effect of IL-1β on hGH gene promoter appears to require the activation of MEK, p38 MAPK, PI3-K, and a fragment of promoter sequence that spans the –196 to –132 bp of the gene, but it may be unlinked with Pit-1 protein.     

Inflammation unmasks gabapentin'''' s effect on AS-fiber evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons of rat spinal cord

Objective To study the analgesic mechanism of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, during antinociceptive clinical treatment.Methods Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were taken from adult rat spinal cord slices to investigate the effect of gabapentin on primary afferent A8-fiber evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) to substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in normal and inflamed (established by plantar injection of carrageenan) rats.Results Gabapentin (5 -20 μmol/L for 5 min) depressed dorsal root A8 fiber evoked polysynaptic, but not monosynaptic EPSCs to SG experiencing inflammation by about 25% (n = 10, P <0. 01). However, gabapentin did not depress the evoked polysynaptic or monosynaptic EPSCs in normal rats. Gabapentin failed to block a glutamate receptor subtype, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), -induced slow excitatory currents on SG neurons.Conclusions Inflammation, at least in pan", unmasks the gabapentin depression on nociception transmission in the dorsal horn, and this depression is not due     

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Labeling of Spinal Cord Neural Stem Cells Genetically Modified by Nerve Growth Factor-β

This study established superparamagnetic iron oxide （SPIO）-labeled nerve growth fac-tor-β （NGF-β） gene-modified spinal cord-derived neural stem cells （NSCs）. The El4 rat embryonic spinal cord-derived NSCs were isolated and cultured. The cells of the third passage were transfected with plasmid pcDNA3-hNGFβ by using FuGENE HD transfection reagent. The expression of NGFβ was measured by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. The positive clones were selected, allowed to proliferate and then labeled with SPIO, which was mediated by FuGENE HD transfection reagent. Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） were used to identify the SPIO particles in the cells. The distinctive markers for stem cells （nestin）, neuron （β-Ⅲ-tubulin）, oligodendrocyte （CNPase） and astrocyte （GFAP） were employed to evaluate the differentiation ability of the labeled cells. The immunocytochemistry and western blotting showed that NGF-β was expressed in spinal cord-derived NSCs. Prussian blue staining indicated that numerous blue-stained particles appeared in the cytoplasma of the labeled cells. TEM showed that SPIO particles were found in vacuolar structures of different sizes and the cytoplasma. The immunocytochemistry demonstrated that the labeled cells were nestin-positive. After differentiation, the cells expressed β-Ⅲ-tubulin, CNPase and GFAP. It was concluded that the SPIO-labeled NGF-β gene-modified spinal cord-derived NSC were successfully established, which are multipotent and capable of self-renewal.     

Expression and purification of recombinant human chemokine SDF—1βin E.coli

Objective: To obtain recombinant human SDF-1β expressed in E. coli and purify SDF-1β with biological activity from the bacterium. Methods: A thioredoxin-SDF-1β fusion protein (26 × 103) composed of230 amino acid residues was expressed in E. coli AD494 (DE3)pLysS under the induction of IPTG when pET32a(+)-SDF-1β was used as an expression vector. Purified SDF-1β was produced through following procedures: Bacteria lysis, metal-chelated affinity chromatography (MAC), enterokinase digestion to separate SDF-1β from fusion protein, cation exchange chromatography (CEC) and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Western blot with anti-SDF-1β monoclonal antibody (mAb), N-terminal amino acid sequencing, ligand-binding assay and cytosensor/microphysiometry were used to investigate the biochemical characters and biological activities of the purified SDF-1β. Results: From 10% to 15% of total bacterium protein was expressed as fusion protein. Approximately 400μg purified SDF-1β (7. 8 × 103) consisting of 71 amino acid residues were produced from 1 L of fermented bacteria. Western blot showed that anti-SDF-1β mAb bound with the purified SDF-1β specifically. N-terminal amino acid sequencing indicates that N-terminus of purified SDF-1β possessed as the same amino acid sequence as nature one. Purified SDF-1β not only had the binding activity with CXCR4 expressing cells [Kd = ( 12.20± 2. 99) nmol/L ], but also activated CXCR4 expressing cell signaling specifically in a dose-dependence manner. Conclusion: The purified recombinant human SDF-1β produced with this method possesses biochemical characters and biological activities as same as those nature human SDF-1β.     

Effects of Isoflurane on the Actions of Neuromuscular Blockers on the Muscle Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptors

Summary: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that volatile anesthetic enhancement of muscle relaxation is the result of combined drug effects on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The poly A mRNA from muscle by isolation were microinjected into Xenopus oocytes for receptor expression.Concentration-effect curves for the inhibition of Ach-induced currents were established for vecuronium, rocuranium, and isoflurane. Subsequently. inhibitory effects of NDMRs were studied in the presence of the isoflurane at a concentration equivalent to half the concentration producing a 50 % inhibition alone. All tested drugs produced rapid and readily reversible concentration-dependent inhibition. The 50% inhibitory concentration values were 889 μmol/L (95 % CI: 711-1214 μmol),33.4μmol (95 0% CI： 27. 1-41.7 nmol) and 9.2 nmol (95% CI: 7.9-12.3 nmol) for isoflurane,rocuranium and vecuronium, respectively. Coapplication of isoflurane significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of rocuranium and vecuronium, and it was especially so at low concentration of NMDRs. Isoflurane increases the potency of NDMRs, possibly by enhancing antagonist affinity at the receptor site.     

Huannao Yicong Decoction (还脑益聪方) extract reduces inflammation and cell apoptosis in Aβ1-42-induced Alzheimer's disease model of rats

Objective: Huannao Yicong Decoction (还脑益聪方, HYD), an effective herbal formula against Alzheimer''s disease (AD), has been proven to have neuroprotective action in amyloid β-protein1-42 (Aβ1-42)-induced rat model. This study was designed to characterize mechanisms by which HYD leads to suppression of inflammation and apoptosis in the brains of Aβ1-42-induced rat. Methods: A total of 72 rats were divided into 6 groups, which were referred to as: sham operation group, model group, donepezil-treated group, HYD low-dose group (HYDL), HYD middle-dose group (HYDM) and HYD high-dose group (HYDH). Rats in HYDL, HYDM and HYDH were injected with Aβ1-42 at the CA1 region of hippocampus to form AD model and were fed the HYD extract at different dose of 3.78, 7.56 and 18.90 g crude drug/kg. The behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) before sacrifice. Pathological changes of the brain tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of Aβ and proteins that are associated with apoptosis such as B-cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteine-aspartic protease (caspase)-3, -8, -9 and -12 in serum were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD rats were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01; Expressions of IL-1, TNF-α, Aβ and apoptosis-signaling proteins caspase-3, -8, -9, -12 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). When treated with HYD extract, the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD-model rats were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), IL-1, TNF-α, Aβ, caspase-3, -8, -9 and -12 were down-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: HYD extract can improve the learning and memory ability deficits, alleviate the inflammatory response and pathological manifestations induced by Aβ1-42 injection in the rat model of AD. HYD down-regulates the levels of IL-1, TNF-α and Aβ, and decreases the rate of apoptosis by modulating apoptosis-signaling-related proteins such as caspase-3, -8, -9, and -12.     

Huannao Yicong Decoction(还脑益聪方) Extract Reduces Inflammation and Cell Apoptosis in Aβ_(1-42)-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Model of Rats

Objective: Huannao Yicong Decoction(还脑益聪方, HYD), an effective herbal formula against Alzheimer's disease(AD), has been proven to have neuroprotective action in amyloid β-protein_(1-42))(Aβ_(1-42))-induced rat model. This study was designed to characterize mechanisms by which HYD leads to suppression of inflammation and apoptosis in the brains of Aβ_(1-42)-induced rat. Methods: A total of 72 rats were divided into 6 groups, which were referred to as: sham operation group, model group, donepezil-treated group, HYD low-dose group(HYDL), HYD middle-dose group(HYDM) and HYD high-dose group(HYDH). Rats in HYDL, HYDM and HYDH were injected with Aβ_(1-42) at the CA1 region of hippocampus to form AD model and were fed the HYD extract at different dose of 3.78, 7.56 and 18.90 g crude drug/kg. The behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by Morris water maze(MWM) before sacrifice. Pathological changes of the brain tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin eosin(HE) staining. The levels of interleukin-1(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of Aβ and proteins that are associated with apoptosis such as B-cell lymphoma-2 protein(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cysteine-aspartic protease(caspase)-3,-8,-9 and-12 in serum were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD rats were significantly decreased(P0.05 or P0.01; Expressions of IL-1, TNF-α, Aβ and apoptosis-signaling proteins caspase-3,-8,-9,-12 were significantly up-regulated(P0.05 or P0.01). The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were significantly decreased in the model group(P0.01). When treated with HYD extract, the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD-model rats were significantly increased(P0.05 or P0.01), IL-1, TNF-α, Aβ, caspase-3,-8,-9 and-12 were down-regulated(P0.05 or P0.01), and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were reduced(P0.05 or P0.01). Conclusions: HYD extract can improve the learning and memory ability deficits, alleviate the inflammatory response and pathological manifestations induced by Aβ_(1-42) injection in the rat model of AD. HYD down-regulates the levels of IL-1, TNF-α and Aβ, and decreases the rate of apoptosis by modulating apoptosis-signaling-related proteins such as caspase-3,-8,-9, and-12.     

Epigenetic Regulation of the ERβ Gene on the Estrogen Signal Transfection Pathway in Colon Cancer Cells

We studied the regulatory effects of the estragen receptorβ(ERβ)gene on the downstream estrogen signal transfection pathway in colon cancer cells and the possible mechanisms involved.A human ERβ gene recombinant expression plasmid,pEGFP-C1-ERβ,was constructed and transfected into the Caco-2 colon cancer cell line,a line with low ERβ gene expression.The expression of ERβ mRNA and protein was detected 72h after transfection.RT-PCR was used to examine the expression levels of the progesterone recepror(PR)gene ...     

Effect of Certain Toxicants on Gonadotropin-Induced Ovarian Non-Esterified Cholesterol Depletion and Steroidogenic Enzyme Stimulation of the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio in vitro

Isolated ovarian tissues from the common carp, Cyprinus carpio were incubated in vitro to obtain a discrete effect of four common toxicants of industrial origin, namely phenol, sulfide, mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride, on gonadotropin-induced alteration of nonesterified and esterified cholesterol and steroidogenic enzymes, △5-3β-HSD and 17β-HSD activity. Stage Ⅱ ovarian tissue containing 30-40% mature oocytes were shown to be most responsive to gonadotropins in depleting only nonesterified cholesterol moiety and stimulating the activity of both. Safe doses of above mentioned toxicants when added separately to stage Ⅱ ovarian tissue with oLH (1 μg/incubation) gonadotropin-induced depletion of nonesterified cholesterol and gonadotropin-induced stimulation of the activity of both enzymes was significantly inhibited. Esterified cholesterol remained almost unaltered. Findings clearly indicate the impairment of gonadotropin induced fish ovarian steroidogenesis by the four toxicants separately.     

Effects of ribozyme targeting platelet-derived growth factor receptor β subunit gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells in vitro

Background Activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is essentially involved in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. The most potent growth factor for HSC is platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor β subunit (PDGFR-β) is the predominant signal transduction pathyway of PDGF which is overexpressed in activated HSC. This study investigated the cleavage activity of hammerhead ribozyme targeting PDGFR-β mRNA in HSC and the effect on biological characteristics of HSC.Methods Expression vector of anti-PDGFR-β ribozyme was constructed and transfected into rat activated HSC with lipofectamin. The positive cell clones were gained by G418 selection. The expression of PDGFR-β, α-smooth muscle actin, and typeⅠand type Ⅲ collagen were detected by using Northern blot, Western blot and immunocytochemical staining, respectively. The cell proliferation was determined with MTT colorimetric assay. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by using flow cytometry, acridine orange fluorescence vital staining and transmission electron microscopy.Results The expression of PDGFR-β at mRNA and protein level was markedly reduced in ribozyme-transfected HSC by 49%-57% (P&lt;0.05-0.01). The proliferation and α-smooth muscle actin expression of ribozyme-transfected HSC were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05-0.01), and the type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen synthesis were also reduced (P&lt;0.01). In addition, the proliferative response of ribozyme-transfected HSC to PDGF BB was significantly inhibited. Otherwise, the apoptotic cells were significantly increased in ribozyme-transfected HSC (P&lt;0.01), and typical apoptotic cells could be found under transmission electron microscopy.Conclusions The anti-PDGFR-β ribozyme effectively cleaved the target RNA and significantly inhibited its expression, which blocked the signal transduction of PDGF at receptor level, inhibited HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis, and induced HSC apoptosis. These results suggest that inhibiting PDGFR-β expression of HSC may be a new target for the therapy of liver fibrogenesis, and ribozyme may be a useful tool for inhibiting PDGFR-β expression.     

Effects of Progestin and Antiprogestin on the Expression of FSH Receptor and LH Receptor mRNA in Porcine Granulosa and Thecal Cells

In order to investigate the mechanism of progestin and antiprogestin in the regula-tion of ovarian steroidogenesis, a dual-chamber culture system was prepared with the amnion membrane of human placenta. Isolated porcine granulosa and thecal cells from 4～6 mm-diameter follicles were grown on both sides of the amnion, respectively, and co-cultured with or without LNG and RU486. After 48 h incubation, the mRNAs of FSH receptor (FSH-R) and LH receptor (LH-R) of both cells were observed by in situ hybridization. The results showed that granulosa cells expressed both FSH-R mR-NA and LH-R mRNA, while thecal cells expressed LH-R mRNA only. Under the stimulation of FSH, both LNG and RU486 increased FSH-R mRNA expression of granulosa cells. Under the stimulation of LH, LNG enhanced LH-R mRNA expres-sion of thecal cells；while RU486 decreased its expression. When granulosa and thecal cells were exposed to FSH and LH both, the actions of LNG and RU 486 in thecal cells showed the same result as that stimulated by LH alone. In granulosa cells LNG de-creased LH-R mRNA expression, while RU486 increased its expression. These data suggest that； (1) granulosa cells expressed FSH-R mRNA significantly； (2) both the progestin and antiprogestin directly acted on the mRNA expression of gonadotropin re-ceptors of ovarian cells, but effects were different； (3) the response of granulosa or thecal cells to the action of LNG and RU486 was not the same. The mechanism needs to be further investigated.