Apoptosis of bile duct epithelial cells in hepatic allograft rejection

Liver biopsy remains the 'gold standard' for monitoring rejection in liver transplant patients. Portal inflammation, bile duct damage and endothelialitis are recognized features of hepatic allograft rejection. The pathogenesis of the bile duct injury during rejection, however, remains unclear. To define the mechanism of bile duct damage, we studied the light- and electronmicroscopic appearance of hepatic tissue from selected patients in whom allograft failure was solely due to rejection. Of the 25 orthotopic liver transplant rejection cases examined, 17 were mild, seven were moderate and one was severe rejection. Light microscopy examination of the damaged bile duct epithelium revealed evidence of apoptosis which was confirmed by electronmicroscopy. Furthermore, there appeared to be a positive correlation between the grade of rejection and the number of apoptotic cells. Also included in the study were 13 cases of chronic active hepatitis and 10 normal livers which showed the least apoptotic cells. We conclude that the identification of apoptotic cells in damaged bile ducts in allograft biopsies might be helpful in the diagnosis of rejection and in assessment of the severity of rejection.     

Effects of voluntary physical exercise on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and behavior of Ts65Dn mice,a model of Down syndrome

The Ts65Dn (TS) mouse is the most widely used model of Down syndrome (DS). This mouse shares many phenotypic characteristics with the human condition including cognitive and neuromorphological alterations. In this study the effects of physical exercise on hippocampal neurogenesis and behavior in TS mice were assessed. 10–12 month-old male TS and control (CO) mice were submitted to voluntary physical exercise for 7 weeks and the effects of this protocol on hippocampal morphology, neurogenesis and apoptosis were evaluated. Physical exercise improved performance in the acquisition sessions of the Morris water maze in TS but not in CO mice. Conversely, it did not have any effect on anxiety or depressive behavior in TS mice but it did reduce the cognitive components of anxiety in CO mice. TS mice presented a reduced dentate gyrus (DG) volume, subgranular zone area and number of granule neurons. Hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in TS mice as shown by the reduced number of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) positive cells. Voluntary physical exercise did not rescue these alterations in TS mice but it did increase the number of doublecortin (DCX)-and phospho histone 3 (PH3)-positive neurons in CO mice. It is concluded that physical exercise produced a modest anxiolytic effect in CO mice and that this was accompanied by an increased number of immature cells in the hippocampal DG. On the other hand, voluntary physical exercise exerted a positive effect on TS mice learning of the platform position in the Morris water maze that seems to be mediated by a neurogenesis-independent mechanism.     

Effects of glycinin and β-conglycinin on enterocyte apoptosis,proliferation and migration of piglets

Glycinin and β-conglycinin have been identified as major food/feed allergens. But effects of glycinin and β-conglycinin on enterocyte migration in piglets are scare. Fifteen weanling (7.06±0.18 kg) General No. 1 barrows, weaned at 28 days, were used. The piglets were randomly allotted to three (A, B and C) treatments with five replicates. The piglets in the A group (control group) were fed diets without ingredients originating from leguminous products, while the piglets in the B or C groups were fed the diets containing purified glycinin or β-conglycinin, which replaced protein in Group A by 4%. All the experimental periods were followed for 7 days. Five-micrometre thick sections of small intestinal tissue were stained with the TUNEL method to assess apoptotic activity, and with Ki-67 immunohistochemistry to assess cellular proliferation. The results indicated that glycinin or β-conglycinin increased proliferative index and apoptotic index in duodenum for piglets (P<0.05).     

miR-375在变应性鼻炎小鼠鼻黏膜上皮细胞凋亡中的调控作用

目的探讨miR-375在变应性鼻炎小鼠鼻黏膜上皮细胞凋亡和炎症反应中的调控作用。方法运用卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏的小鼠变应性鼻炎模型,使用实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)、蛋白质印迹试验(Western Blot)、酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)、免疫组织化学检测鼻黏膜上皮细胞内miR-375、JAK2、细胞凋亡相关蛋白(JAK2蛋白,裂解的蛋白酶3(Cleaved caspase 3),聚[ADP-核糖]聚合酶裂解酶(Cleaved PARP),蛋白酶3(Caspase 3),聚[ADP-核糖]聚合酶(PARP),p-STAT3蛋白,STAT3蛋白和β肌动蛋白(β-actin))和血浆IL-6、TNF-α、IL-10的表达水平。结果miR-375在变应性鼻炎小鼠的鼻黏膜上皮细胞中表达降低,而JAK2表达增高;JAK2蛋白、p-STAT3蛋白和裂解的蛋白酶3均在OVA组表达增高;给OVA致敏的变应性鼻炎小鼠注射miR-375模拟物可以导致血清IL-6、TNF-α的分泌下降,而IL-10分泌增加,该作用可以被带有过表达JAK2的腺病毒感染后而减弱。结论miR-375/JAK2调控通路存在于变应性鼻炎鼻黏膜上皮细胞中,并通过JAK2/STAT3信号通路调控细胞的凋亡和炎症反应,miR-375在变应性鼻炎的病程中有保护性机制。     

子宫腺肌病异位内膜细胞的凋亡及其调控蛋白Bcl-2表达的研究

目的研究子宫腺肌病在位和异位内膜腺体和间质细胞凋亡及Bcl-2的调控作用。方法子宫腺肌病（简称腺肌病）27例,对照组（肌瘤组）32例。应用免疫组化方法检测在位和异位内膜腺体和间质细胞Bcl-2的表达;采用脱氧核糖核苷酸末断转移酶介导的缺口末端标记（TUNEL）技术测定子宫内膜细胞的凋亡数（凋亡细胞数/10个高倍视野）。结果腺肌病组异位内膜腺体和间质细胞的凋亡数较其在位内膜均显著降低（腺体细胞P〈0.001,间质细胞P=0.001）。两组在位内膜腺体和间质细胞中Bcl-2表达均呈周期性变化,其染色强度增生期均显著高于分泌期（P〈0.05）。腺肌病组异位腺体和间质细胞中Bcl-2染色强度均高于其同期在位内膜,（P=0.035,P=0.016）。腺肌病组内膜细胞凋亡数与Bcl-2表达呈负相关。结论与在位内膜相比,腺肌病患者异位内膜细胞凋亡显著减少。Bcl-2可能是抑制腺肌病内膜细胞凋亡的重要因素之一。     

β-榄香烯对K562细胞周期与细胞凋亡的影响及其机制探讨

目的探讨β-榄香烯(β-ELE)对人慢性髓性白血病细胞株K562细胞周期及细胞凋亡的影响及其机制。方法K562和不同浓度的β-ELE共同培养后,应用流式细胞仪技术和Hoe-chest33258/PI荧光染色法检测β-ELE对K562细胞周期及凋亡的影响,应用RT-PCR技术测定野生型p53活化片段(P21wild-type p53 activated fregmentl,P21WAF1)、Survivin mRNA水平。结果不同浓度β-ELE能使K562细胞阻滞于G1期,G1期细胞百分比增加,S期细胞百分比明显下降,呈剂量、时间依赖性,且与对照组相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。β-ELE作用于K562细胞24h,48h后,在G0/G1期前,可见明显的亚二倍体(凋亡峰),其凋亡率呈剂量、时间依赖性,与对照组比较有显著意义(P<0.01)。Hoechest33258/PI免疫荧光技术发现β-ELE能使凋亡细胞数目明显增多(P<0.01)。RT-PCR结果显示β-ELE能下调K562细胞Survivin mRNA表达,上调P21WAF1mRNA的表达(P<0.01)。结论β-ELE能够阻止细胞K562细胞从G1期向S期转换。β-ELE可以诱导K562细胞凋亡,呈剂量、时间依赖性。β-ELE导致细胞周期阻滞可能与上调P21WAF1mRNA的表达有关;促进K562细胞凋亡机制可能与下调Survivin mRNA的表达有关。随着药物浓度的增加,P21WAF1mRNA表达增加,而SurvivinmRNA表达下降。     

金属铜配合物Cu(Ⅱ)吨酮冠醚的体外抗肿瘤作用

目的探讨金属铜配合物Cu（Ⅱ）吨酮冠醚（XCE-Cu）的体外抗肿瘤作用。方法采用噻唑蓝比色法测定XCE—Cu对卵巢癌细胞3AO、食管鳞癌细胞ECA109、肺癌细胞GLC-82、胃癌细胞SGC一7901增殖的抑制作用;应用流式细胞仪检测药物对3AO细胞周期和凋亡的影响。结果XCE—Cu呈浓度依赖性的抑制3AO、ECAl09、GLC-82、SGC-7901细胞生长,作用72h的半抑制浓度依次为4．1、8．2、15．9、8．7ug／mL,其中对3AO的抑制作用最强。作用24、48、72hXCE-Cu呈浓度、时间依赖性的抑制3AO细胞生长,作用明显强于卡铂。12．5—50ug／mL使3AO细胞G1期减少而S期和G2期增加,并剂量依赖性的诱导细胞凋亡。结论XCE—Cu在体外具有抗肿瘤作用,对3AO细胞的选择性高,其机理为阻止细胞于S期和诱导细胞调亡。     

Effect of allopurinol on germ cell apoptosis following testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat

Recent evidence suggests that apoptosis is involved in germ cell loss following testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Allopurinol (Allo) is as a free radical scavenger which prevents tissue damage caused by reperfusion and oxygenation after ischemia; however, its effect on apoptosis in this type of injury has not been studied. To examine the effect of allopurinol on germ cell apoptosis following testicular IR in a rat. Forty rats were divided randomly into 4 experimental groups of 10 rats each: group A (Sham)-Sham operated animals; group B (Sham-Allo)-Sham operated rats treated with allopurinol given PO (by gavage) at a dose of 200 mg/kg, once daily, immediately before and 24 h following operation; group C (IR)-rats underwent 90 min of unilateral testicular ischemia and 48 h of reperfusion; group D (IR-Allo)-rats underwent IR and were treated with allopurinol similar to group B. The ipsilateral and contralateral testes were harvested 48 h following operation. Johnsen's criteria and the number of germinal cell layers were used to categorize spermatogenesis. TUNEL assay was used to determine germ cell apoptosis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Testicular ischemia in rats led to histological damage in the ipsilateral testis. In the contralateral testis minimal damage was observed. Treatment with allopurinol increased significantly Johnsen's score in both the ischemic (7.3 +/- 0.5 vs 5.6 +/- 0.5, P < 0.05) and contralateral (8.9 +/- 0.1 vs 8.3 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05) testis, compared to IR-animals. Germ cell apoptosis in both the ischemic and the contralateral testis increased significantly after IR. Treatment with allopurinol resulted in a significant decrease in germ cell apoptosis in the ipsilateral testis, expressed as the number of positive tubules per 100 tubules (AI-1, (apoptotic index) threefold decrease, P < 0.005) and the number of apoptotic cells per 100 tubules (AI-2, fivefold decrease, P < 0.005) as well as a significant decrease in germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis (AI-1, 3.5-fold decrease, P < 0.05, AI-2- sixfold decrease, P < 0.005) compared to IR animals. In a rat model of testicular IR, treatment with allopurinol decreases germ cell apoptosis in both ischemic and contralateral testes and improves spermatogenesis.     

Knockdown of KDM1B inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the common malignant tumors in digestive tract with a high fatality rate. The oncogenic role of lysine-specific demethylase1 (LSD1/KDM1?A) has been well recognized in PC. While, the role of its homolog LSD2 (KDM1B) in regulating PC progression is poorly understood. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the functional role of KDM1B in PC cells. The expression of KDM1B was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in PC tissues and cells. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA was applied to silence KDM1B in PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT and Celigo assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by both Caspase-Glo^®3/7 assay and Flow cytometry. Intracellular signaling molecules were detected using a PathScan intracellular signaling array kit. In this study, we found KDM1B was highly expressed in PC tissues compared to paracancerous tissues. Moreover, elevated expression of KDM1B was detected in PC cell lines (BxPC-3, CFPAC-1, PANC-1 and SW1990) as compared with a normal human pancreatic duct epithelial cell line (HPDE6-C7). Further investigations revealed that KDM1B knockdown significantly inhibited PC cell proliferation. Furthermore, the apoptosis of PANC-1 and SW1990 cells was significantly increased after KDM1B knockdown. Notably, the activations of p-ERK1/2, p-Smad2, p-p53, cleaved PARP, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-7, p-eIF2a and Survivin were promoted by KDM1B knockdown, while IkBa was suppressed. Taken together, our findings provided new insights into the critical and multifaceted roles of KDM1B in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and offered a potentially novel target in preventing the progression of PC.     

miR-142-5p regulates pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis by regulation of RAP1A

Pancreatic cancer, one of the fatal and aggressive malignancies, leads the sixth cancer-associated death in China. microRNAs are believed to exert function in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. In the present study, we firstly found that miR-142-5p was downregulated in pancreatic cancer tumor tissues while Ras-related protein Rap-1 A (RAP1A) was upregulated compared with para-carcinoma non-tumor tissues. Then, we found that RAP1A could be a putative target gene of miR-142-5p by bioinformatics tool TargetScan. Furthermore, we conducted luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, western blot and correlation analysis to demonstrate that miR-142-5p could negatively regulate RAP1A expression by binding to its 3′UTR. In addition, cell-counting kit 8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays certified that miR-142-5p overexpression may inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation but promote cell apoptosis; while the variation could be reversed by co-transfected with pcDNA3.1-RAP1A. Finally, miR-142-5p overexpression downregulated p-ERK1/2, phosphate p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p-p38); however, the variation induced by miR-142-5p mimic could be reversed by co-transfected with pcDNA3.1-RAP1A. In conclusion, our findings indicate that targeting miR-142-5p may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.