Cross-linking of cell surface ganglioside GM1 induces the selective apoptosis of mature CD+ T lymphocytes

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids found ubiquitously on thesurface of mammalian cells. They contain a ceramide tail thatis inserted into the membrane and exposed carbohydrate and sialicacid moleties. The non-toxic B subunit oligomer (EtxB) of Escherichiacoli heat-labile enterotoxin (Etx) is a potent immunogen invivo and has profound modulatory effects on EtxB-primed lymphocytesin vitro, properties which are dependent on its ability to bindto GM1 ganglioside receptors. Here, it is shown that cross-linkingGM1 by EtxB causes a differential effect on mature CD4⁺ andCD8⁺ T cells from lymph node cultures proliferating in responseto an unrelated antigen, ovalbumin. Addition of EtxB to suchcultures led to the complete depletion of CD8⁺ T cells comparedwith enhanced activation of CD4⁺ T cells [as measured by expressionof CD25 (IL-2R)]. By contrast, addition of a mutant EtxB, EtxB(G33D),which does not bind to GM1, failed to trigger CD8⁺ T cell depletion.When EtxB was added to isolated non-immune CD8⁺ lymphocytesrapid (12–18 h) alterations in nuclear morphology andthe appearance of sub-G₀/G₁ levels of DNA were induced; propertieswhich are characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis. EtxB(G33D)failed to trigger apoptosis, indicating that the induction ofthe apoptotic signal was dependent on the binding of GM1. Thesefindings provide an insight into the potent immunogenicity andimmunomodulatory properties of E. coli enterotoxins as wellas heralding a novel method for the selective induction of apoptosisin mature CD8⁺ T lymphocytes.     

p53 expression in CMV-infected cells: association with the alternative expression of the p53 transactivated genes p21/WAF1 and MDM2

The p53 tumour suppressor gene is a cell cycle regulator, able to induce cell cycle arrest to allow DNA repair or apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms underlying p53 action imply transactivation of p53 dependent genes such as WAF1 (for wild type p53 associated fragment 1) and the murine double minute (MDM2) gene. In some cases, inactivation of the p53 gene results from p53 gene mutations leading to p53 protein accumulation, but in others it may results from mechanisms other than mutation, such as interaction with viral or cellular proteins. The expression of p53 protein and p53 transactivated gene proteins p21/WAF1 and MDM2, combined with in situ detection of apoptosis, was studied in specimens of CMV-infected patients as an in vivo model of p53 alteration not due to point mutation. p53 positivity was found in CMV + cells in different tissues, in cells with typical inclusion bodies, and in in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry CMV + cells without inclusions (hidden infection). Although this p53 reactivity was accompanied by the expression of MDM2 and p21/WAF1 proteins, the patterns of MDM2 and p21/WAF1 protein expression were mutually exclusive, and were associated with the presence or absence of inclusion bodies. Nuclei bearing inclusion bodies were usually MDM2 +, p21/WAF1?, while hidden infected cells were usually MDM2?, p21/WAF1 +. Apoptosis was not detected in any tissue section from CMV-infected patients. Two alternative patterns were found in CMV-infected tissues: p53 +, p21/WAF1 +, MDM2?, or p53 +, p21/WAF1?, MDM2 + protein expression. These may represent examples of p53 dependent alternative effects in the course of CMV infection. Early stages are represented by CMV + cells without inclusion bodies, which display p53 and p21/WAF1 expression, suggesting that p53 could be acting as a growth suppressor protein. Late CMV infection is represented by cells harbouring inclusion bodies. These cells showed a p53 +, p21/WAF1?, MDM2 + profile, consistent with MDM2 mediated p53 inactivation. The absence of p21/WAF1 expression and lack of apoptosis suggest that the p53 protein expressed by MDM2 + cells could be functionally inactivated in CMV-infected cells with inclusion bodies. Previous studies have suggested that p53 inactivation by MDM2 over-expression occurs in sarcomas and lymphomas. Our observations seem to indicate that this mechanism of MDM2 mediated p53 inactivation may play a role in the late phase of CMV infection.     

Effects of Dietary Oat Beta-Glucans on Colon Apoptosis and Autophagy through TLRs and Dectin-1 Signaling Pathways—Crohn’s Disease Model Study

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission. The aim of this study was to determine the time-dependent effects of dietary oat beta-glucans on colon apoptosis and autophagy in the CD rat model. Methods: A total of 150 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two main groups: healthy control (H) and a TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzosulfonic acid)-induced colitis (C) group, both including subgroups fed with feed without beta-glucans (βG−) or feed supplemented with low- (βGl) or high-molar-mass oat beta-glucans (βGh) for 3, 7, or 21 days. The expression of autophagy (LC3B) and apoptosis (Caspase-3) markers, as well as Toll-like (TLRs) and Dectin-1 receptors, in the colon epithelial cells, was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results: The results showed that in rats with colitis, after 3 days of induction of inflammation, the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3B in intestinal epithelial cells did not change, while that of TLR 4 and Dectin-1 decreased. Beta-glucan supplementation caused an increase in the expression of TLR 5 and Dectin-1 with no changes in the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3B. After 7 days, a high expression of Caspase-3 was observed in the colitis-induced animals without any changes in the expression of LC3B and TLRs, and simultaneously, a decrease in Dectin-1 expression was observed. The consumption of feed with βGl or βGh resulted in a decrease in Caspase-3 expression and an increase in TLR 5 expression in the CβGl group, with no change in the expression of LC3B and TLR 4. After 21 days, the expression of Caspase-3 and TLRs was not changed by colitis, while that of LC3B and Dectin-1 was decreased. Feed supplementation with βGh resulted in an increase in the expression of both Caspase-3 and LC3B, while the consumption of feed with βGh and βGl increased Dectin-1 expression. However, regardless of the type of nutritional intervention, the expression of TLRs did not change after 21 days. Conclusions: Dietary intake of βGl and βGh significantly reduced colitis by time-dependent modification of autophagy and apoptosis, with βGI exhibiting a stronger effect on apoptosis and βGh on autophagy. The mechanism of this action may be based on the activation of TLRs and Dectin-1 receptor and depends on the period of exacerbation or remission of CD.     

心房纤颤与心肌细胞凋亡的关系

目的　探讨心房纤颤患者的心房肌细胞是否存在细胞凋亡。方法　利用EdUTP缺口末端标记技术染色和透射电镜观察心房纤颤患者的心房肌组织。结果　心房纤颤患者心房肌少数细胞核不规则 ,核膜有皱褶 ,染色质凝集成颗粒状 ;细胞器密度增加 ,肌原纤维固缩或坏死 ,线粒体脱嵴 ,溶酶体和心钠素颗粒增多 ;有些细胞膜有皱褶。心肌细胞间胶原纤维和纤维细胞增多 ,有些纤维细胞的染色质在核膜下凝集明显。结论　心房纤颤状态下 ,有少部分心肌细胞和纤维细胞有凋亡现象 ,这可能不是房颤的病因而是房颤的结果。     

APP17肽对卵巢去势大鼠海马神经元凋亡相关因子表达的影响

为研究卵巢去势大鼠海马神经元内凋亡相关因子Fas、Fas L、NFκB、c fos、c Jun的表达及APP1 7肽对这些因子表达的影响 ,将健康雌性Wistar大鼠行双侧卵巢切除手术造模 ,并用APP1 7肽治疗 ,分别用免疫组化方法观察Fas、Fas L、NFκB、c fos、c Jun的表达 ,用TUNEL方法检测神经元的凋亡。结果发现 :卵巢去势大鼠海马神经元Fas、Fas L、c fos、c Jun的表达增高 ,而NFκB的表达则减少 ;使用APP1 7肽治疗后 ,上述蛋白质的表达恢复到正常水平 ,TUNEL检测未发现凋亡神经元。提示卵巢去势大鼠发生了海马神经元的凋亡相关蛋白的改变 ,可能是神经元处于凋亡前状态 ;APP1 7肽可改善卵巢去势大鼠海马神经元内凋亡相关蛋白的表达 ,维持神经元的正常功能     

红细胞免疫作用对胃癌细胞凋亡影响的初步研究

目的探讨红细胞免疫作用对胃癌BGC - 82 3细胞凋亡的影响 ,以及淋巴细胞的协同作用。方法应用红细胞免疫粘附肿瘤细胞花环试验、流式细胞术及放射免疫等方法 ,采用正常人外周血红细胞及红细胞 -淋巴细胞免疫粘附人胃腺癌BGC - 82 3细胞 ,检测红细胞及红细胞 -淋巴细胞免疫粘附胃癌细胞花环率 -胃癌细胞凋亡率、凋亡相关基因Fas、Bcl- 2以及凋亡相关信号传导物质cAMP、PKC的变化。结果红细胞组肿瘤红细胞花环率为 (2 8.41± 5 .0 1) % ,与对照组比较 ,红细胞组胃癌细胞凋亡率、Fas基因的表达、胃癌细胞内cAMP水平显著升高 ,蛋白激酶C(proteinkinaseC ,PKC)水平显著降低 (P <0 .0 1) ;与红细胞组相比 ,红淋混合组总花环率、胃癌细胞凋亡率、胃癌细胞内cAMP水平进一步增高 ,Bcl- 2基因的表达及PKC水平降低更为显著 (P <0 .0 1)。结论正常人红细胞可免疫粘附体外培养的胃癌BGC - 82 3细胞 ,通过红细胞的免疫作用 ,尤其是免疫粘附 ,可增加凋亡相关基因Fas的表达 ,增高胃癌细胞内cAMP水平 ,降低PKC水平 ,从而可能在诱导胃癌细胞凋亡方面起到某种作用 ;自身淋巴细胞有不同程度的促进和协同作用。     

大鼠心肌缺血再灌注时心肌细胞凋亡情况及缺血预处理对其影响

目的探讨缺血再灌注及缺血预处理对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌细胞凋亡的影响.方法制备大鼠缺血预处理(IP)、缺血再灌注损伤(I/R)模型,采用末端脱氧核苷酸转换酶介导的生物素平移缺口末端标记技术(TUNEL)检测心肌细胞凋亡情况;同时检测心肌梗死范围.结果I/R组细胞凋亡率(43.37±4.82%)高,IP组虽然也有一定的心肌细胞凋亡率(24.53±2.95%),但较I/R组明显降低(P＜0.001).IP组心肌梗死范围较I/R组明显减小.结论心肌缺血再灌注损伤可诱发或加重心肌细胞凋亡,IP能明显减少缺血再灌注诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的发生率,能明显减少心肌梗死范围,减轻缺血再灌注损伤;IP能减少心肌梗死范围、减轻缺血再灌注损伤的机理可能与其能明显减少心肌细胞凋亡有关.     

三氧化二砷诱导肺癌细胞凋亡及对细胞周期的影响

目的 :探讨三氧化二砷 (As2 O3 )对人肺癌细胞株 (Spc- A1)诱导凋亡的机制 ,为抗肿瘤药物的筛选和用药方式提供理论依据。方法 :体外培养 Spc- A1细胞株与不同浓度的 As2 O3 进行作用 ,应用 MTT比色法、流式细胞仪技术、电子显微镜技术观察细胞增殖率、细胞周期率、细胞凋亡率及亚细胞水平变化。结果 :As2 O3 能够抑制 Spc- A1细胞的增殖 ,且呈时间剂量依赖性 ,Spc- A1细胞凋亡率与药物浓度和时间呈依赖关系。电镜观察细胞线粒体肿胀、空泡 ,染色质浓缩、核碎裂。结论 :As2 O3 可诱导 Spc- A1细胞凋亡 ,细胞周期延长 ,线粒体变性。     

人脑星形细胞肿瘤中细胞凋亡及bcl-2，Bax基因的表达

目的 :探讨人脑星形细胞肿瘤组织中的细胞凋亡 ,以及细胞凋亡与其相关基因bcl 2、Bax表达之间的关系。方法 :采用原位末端标记的TUNEL技术及免疫组织化学S P法对 30例星形细胞肿瘤手术标本进行检测 ,分别观察了肿瘤组织中凋亡细胞密度及bcl 2、Bax基因的表达。结果 :星形细胞肿瘤组织中普遍存在细胞凋亡现象 ,凋亡细胞密度随肿瘤恶性度的升高 ,呈逐渐降低的趋势 (t=2 .77,P <0 .0 1) ;bcl 2、Bax在星形细胞肿瘤组织中表达阳性率分别为 5 0 %和 10 0 % ,其中bcl 2表达强度与凋亡细胞密度呈显著负相关 (r=- 0 .92 2 ,P <0 .0 0 1)。结论 :细胞凋亡受抑在星形细胞肿瘤发生及间变过程中起重要作用 ;bcl 2基因表达对细胞凋亡的发生起抑制作用 ;Bax基因对细胞凋亡的调节可能存在更为复杂的机制。     

1—甲基—4—苯基吡啶啶离子诱发大鼠小脑颗粒细胞凋亡

目的 建立1－甲基－4－苯基吡啶离子（1－methy1-4-phenyl pyridinium ion,MPP^ )诱导的大鼠小脑颗粒细胞凋亡模型。方法 MPP^ 处理大鼠小脑颗粒细胞,分别用甲基绿－派诺宁染色,DNA凝胶电泳,流式细胞术进行检测。结果 浓度为50μmol/L MPP^ 使小脑颗粒细胞发生凋亡。结论 以MPP^ 为诱导剂建立的大鼠小脑颗粒细胞凋亡模型,可用于研究和帕金森病（PD）有关的细胞凋亡的调控机制和筛选抗PD药物。