Efficacy of Indocyanine Green-Mediated Sonodynamic Therapy on Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has become a new therapeutic method because of its activation of certain sensitizers by ultrasound. Some studies have reported that indocyanine green (ICG) has the characteristics of a sonosensitizer and favorable fluorescence imaging in synovitis of early inflammatory arthritis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of ICG-mediated SDT on MH7A cells in vitro and the potential mechanisms involved. ICG was found to be taken up mainly in cytoplasm, with maximal uptake in 4 h. Cell viability in ICG-mediated SDT (SDT-0.5 and SDT-1.0) groups decreased significantly to 73.09 ± 1.97% and 54.24 ± 4.66%, respectively; cell apoptosis increased significantly to 26.43 ± 0.91% and 45.93 ± 6.17%, respectively. Moreover, marked loss in mitochondrial membrane potential and greatly increased generation of reactive oxygen species were observed in ICG-mediated SDT groups. Interestingly, the loss in cell viability could be effectively rescued with pretreatment with the reactive oxygen species scavenger N-acetylcysteine. These results indicate that ICG-mediated SDT is cytotoxic to fibroblast-like synoviocytes and is a potential modality for targeted therapy of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis.     

王枣子总黄酮影响佐剂性关节炎大鼠病理的分子机制研究

课题组前期研究发现宿州地方特色药材王枣子中总黄酮(total flavonoids of Isodon amethystoides,TFIA)对佐剂性关节炎(adjuvant arthritis,AA)具有一定的治疗作用,并且这种治疗作用可能是通过对miR-152表达的上调实现的,该文进一步研究TFIA对AA大鼠病理机制影响的分子机制。采用完全弗氏佐剂制备AA大鼠,TFIA灌胃治疗,采用Real-time qPCR检测TFIA灌胃治疗对AA大鼠关节滑膜成纤维样滑膜细胞(fibroblast like synoviocytes,FLS)中miR-152、甲基化酶DNMT1及甲基化结合蛋白MeCP2构成的负调控环路的影响,对miR-152下游经典Wnt信号通路的影响,对AA大鼠病理基因fibronectin表达的影响。TFIA灌胃治疗显著抑制DNMT1表达,逆转了AA大鼠病理中存在的由miR-152,DNMT1和MeCP2构成的负调控环路,向治疗组FLS转染miR-152 inhibitors后,DNMT1表达显著恢复。TFIA灌胃治疗显著上调SFRP4表达,抑制经典Wnt信号通路关键基因β-catenin,C-myc和ccnd1表达,显著抑制AA病理基因fibronectin表达,向治疗组FLS转染miR-152 inhibitors后,逆转了TFIA灌胃治疗对SFRP4,β-catenin,C-myc,ccnd1和fibronectin表达的影响。TFIA可能通过miR-152表达的上调抑制DNMT1表达,上调SFRP4表达,抑制经典Wnt信号关节基因β-catenin,C-myc,ccnd1表达,抑制RA基因fibronectin表达。     

乌梢蛇蛋白对滑膜细胞增殖、凋亡及wt-p53／bcl-2mRNA表达的影响

目的研究乌梢蛇蛋白对体外培养的类风湿关节炎患者成纤维样滑膜细胞（fibroblast-like synoviocytes,FLS）生长的抑制情况,探讨乌梢蛇蛋白影响FLS凋亡的可能分子机制。方法常规方法提取乌梢蛇总蛋白,组织贴块法培养FLS;采用不同剂量（高、中、低剂量）乌梢蛇蛋白作用FLS后,应用MTT法检测乌梢蛇蛋白对细胞增殖的影响,流式细胞仪技术检测细胞的凋亡情况．RT—PCR方法检测细胞wt-p53／bcl-2 mRNA的变化。结果乌梢蛇蛋白中高剂量组FLS增殖率与空白对照组比较明显减少,细胞凋亡率明显增加．差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;乌梢蛇蛋白中高剂量组FLS的wt-p53 mRNA表达量增加,Bcl-2mRNA表达量降低,与空白对照组比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论乌梢蛇蛋白可抑制FLS增殖和促进其凋亡。其作用机制可能是通过调节wt—p53／bcl-2基因表达来实现。     

Ginsenoside metabolite compound K attenuates inflammatory responses of adjuvant-induced arthritis rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of ginsenoside metabolite compound K (CK) on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats and the partial mechanisms focused on the function of immunocyte (B cell and macrophage) and effectors’ cell (fibroblast-like synoviocyte, FLS).

Methods: Animals were divided randomly into nine groups including control, AA, CK (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160?mg/kg, i.g.), and MTX (0.5?mg/kg, i.g.). The effects of CK on AA rats are evaluated by swelling of the paw, histopathology of joint, and inflammatory cytokine production in serum. To further investigate the effects of CK on the function of B cell, peritoneal macrophage, and FLS from AA rats, we examined the proliferation of B cell and FLS by [3H] thymidine incorporation, and the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophage was measured by neutral red uptake. Cytokines and antibodies in serum and the supernatant from peritoneal macrophage and FLS were measured by ELISA kit.

Results: CK suppressed the severity of AA rats by attenuating the paw swelling and histopathology of joint. CK can inhibit the proliferation of B cell and autoantibody levels, and suppressed the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophage and secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 and up-regulated the level of protective cytokines IL-10. CK attenuated the proliferation of FLS, and balanced the ratio of RANKL to OPG in AA rats.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that CK may attenuate the severity of AA rats, partially by influencing the function of immunocyte (B cell and macrophage) and effectors’ cells (FLS) in AA.     

Role of cathepsin B in regulating migration and invasion of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes into inflamed tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Cathepsin B (CB), an important proteinase that participates in joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), exhibits higher expression in fibroblast‐like synoviocyte (FLS) of abnormal proliferative synovial tissues. Whether and how it affects the biological behaviours of RA‐FLS, such as migration and invasion, are poorly understood. In the present study, CB expression in synovial tissues of patients with RA and ostearthritis (OA) were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Stable depletion of endogenous CB was achieved by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, and decrease of CB activity was acquired by using its specific inhibitor (CA074Me). The effects of CA074Me and RNA interference (RNAi) treatments on proliferation, migration, invasion, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2/‐9 expression, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation, and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation of FLS were analysed. In RA synovial tissues, CB was expressed at elevated levels compared with OA synovial tissues. CA074Me could inhibit invasion of FLS obtained from RA patients in an ex‐vivo invasion model. CA074Me and siRNA treatments suppressed the migration and invasion of FLS, reduced the activity, expression and mRNA level of MMP‐2, restrained the activation of FAK and reduced the expression of F‐actin. Moreover, CA074Me decreased the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) in FLS, while siCB treatment reduced the phosphorylation of P38 but not JNK. CB substantially contributes to the invasive phenotype of FLS that leads to joint destruction in RA. This proteinase may show promise as a therapeutic target in inflammatory arthritis.     

Balance between activating NKG2D,DNAM‐1, NKp44 and NKp46 and inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptors determine natural killer degranulation towards rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and synovial hyperplasia leading to progressive joint destruction. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) are central components of the aggressive, tumour‐like synovial structure termed pannus, which invades the joint space and cartilage. A distinct natural killer (NK) cell subset expressing the inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptor is present in RA synovial fluid. Little is known about possible cellular interactions between RA‐FLS and NK cells. We used cultured RA‐FLS and the human NK cell line Nishi, of which the latter expresses an NK receptor repertoire similar to that of NK cells in RA synovial fluid, as an in vitro model system of RA‐FLS/NK cell cross‐talk. We show that RA‐FLS express numerous ligands for both activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors, and stimulate degranulation of Nishi cells. We found that NKG2D, DNAM‐1, NKp46 and NKp44 are the key activating receptors involved in Nishi cell degranulation towards RA‐FLS. Moreover, blockade of the interaction between CD94/NKG2A and its ligand HLA‐E expressed on RA‐FLS further enhanced Nishi cell degranulation in co‐culture with RA‐FLS. Using cultured RA‐FLS and the human NK cell line Nishi as an in vitro model system of RA‐FLS/NK cell cross‐talk, our results suggest that cell‐mediated cytotoxicity of RA‐FLS may be one mechanism by which NK cells influence local joint inflammation in RA.     

Cyr61促进RA滑膜细胞增殖及炎症因子调控研究

目的:采用类风湿性关节炎(RA)患者滑膜细胞的体外培养,研究基质蛋白Cyr61在RA滑膜细胞增殖中的作用及其机制。方法:通过Real-time PCR、Western blot和免疫组化检测RA病人的滑膜组织和细胞中Cyr61的表达情况;用3H-TdR掺入法检测滑膜液(SF)对滑膜细胞增殖的影响;用ELISA方法检测RA患者滑膜液中Cyr61蛋白的水平。结果:RA病人的滑膜组织和细胞中高表达Cyr61;SF能刺激滑膜细胞发生明显增殖;且RA患者滑膜液中含高浓度的Cyr61蛋白。用SiRNA干扰技术抑制滑膜细胞中Cyr61基因表达,再加入滑膜液后,则滑膜细胞增殖明显降低。同时,将SF与anti-Cyr61抗体共同孵育后再刺激滑膜细胞,FLS也不再发生明显增殖。进一步研究滑膜液中与上调Cyr61表达有关的炎症细胞因子,发现SF中IFNγ-和TNFα-具有上调Cyr61蛋白表达的作用。结论:Cyr61蛋白是促进滑膜细胞增殖的重要调控基因;RA患者滑膜液中含有高浓度的炎症因子IFNγ-和TNFα-,通过上调Cyr61蛋白表达而促进滑膜细胞增殖,可能是促进RA病理性滑膜增生的重要因素之一。     

IL-22对类风湿关节炎成纤维样滑膜细胞的作用

目的:探究白细胞介素(IL)-22对类风湿关节炎(RA)成纤维样滑膜细胞(FLSs)功能的影响及机制。方法:组织块法培养RA-FLSs。将不同浓度(0、1、10、100μg/L)的重组人源性IL-22(rhIL-22)与RA-FLSs共培养24 h、48 h、72 h,CCK-8法检测细胞活力的改变;利用10μg/L的rhIL-22作用于RA-FLSs 24 h,流式细胞术检测细胞周期改变。rhIL-22和/或信号转导和转录因子3(STAT3)特异性抑制剂STA-21以不同浓度作用RA-FLSs 24h,Western blot法检测Bcl-2和p-STAT3蛋白水平的变化。结果:不同浓度的rhIL-22作用于RA-FLSs 24 h、48 h、72h后,RA-FLSs细胞活力明显增高,均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。rhIL-22刺激RA-FLSs后,S期和G_2/M期细胞明显增多,G_0/G_1期细胞减少。Western blot法检测结果提示rhIL-22可上调RA-FLSs中Bcl-2、p-STAT3的蛋白水平,而STA-21单用或联用rhIL-22均可抑制RA-FLSs中Bcl-2及p-STAT3的表达(P0.05)。结论:IL-22在RA-FLSs细胞活力和周期调节中起重要作用,且STAT3在IL-22促RA-FLSs细胞Bcl-2表达的过程中起关键作用,提示IL-22可能对RA-FLSs凋亡有一定的影响。     

鸦胆子苦醇通过调节细胞骨架力学性质抑制类风湿关节炎成纤维样滑膜细胞的侵袭行为

目的研究鸦胆子苦醇对类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)成纤维样滑膜细胞(fibroblast-like synoviocytes,FLS)细胞骨架力学性质的调控以及对RA FLS侵袭行为的影响。方法细胞骨架染色法检测鸦胆子苦醇对RA FLS细胞骨架力学性质的调控;Transwell小室法检测鸦胆子苦醇对RA FLS细胞骨架的调控和对RA FLS侵袭行为的影响;酶谱和Western blotting法检测鸦胆子苦醇对RA FLS中MMP-2、MMP-3表达的影响。结果通过细胞骨架染色并在显微镜下观察发现,鸦胆子苦醇可显著减少RA FLS伪足数量的产生,通过调节细胞骨架网络的力学性质抑制细胞的运动能力,鸦胆子苦醇可抑制RA FLS的侵袭并能下调MMP-2、MMP-3的表达水平。结论鸦胆子苦醇能调节RA FLS的细胞骨架的力学性质并抑制细胞的侵袭行为,同时鸦胆子苦醇可通过降低MMP-2、MMP-3的表达抑制RA FLS的侵袭。研究结果为进一步开发治疗RA的新药物提供了相应实验依据。     

周期性机械拉伸对类风湿关节炎和骨关节炎成纤维样滑膜细胞BMP-2表达的影响

目的 研究周期性拉伸对类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis, RA)和骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)成纤维样滑膜细胞(fibroblast-like synoviocytes, FLS)中骨形态发生蛋白-2 (bone morphogenetic protein2,BMP2)表达的影响,探讨力学刺激在不同病理过程中对滑膜组织的作用。方法 在正常条件和炎症条件下使用Flex cell 4000周期性力学加载系统,分别对正常、RA、OA来源的人膝关节FLS施加连续2 h和6 h的6%、0.5 Hz的拉应力,比较测定BMP-2 mRNA表达的差异性。结果 2 h的机械拉伸对3种FLS中BMP-2 mRNA的水平均无显著性影响,6 h的机械拉伸能够显著升高RA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA的水平。炎症因子(IL-1β)作用2 h对正常FLS无显著影响,作用6 h使其中BMP-2 mRNA的水平显著升高; IL-1β作用2 h和6 h均使RA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA的水平显著升高,但只有作用2 h才使OA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA的水平显著升高,作用6 h对OA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA的水平无显著影响;炎症因子和力学刺激共同作用2 h使正常和RA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA的水平显著升高,作用6 h使正常、RA、OA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA水平均显著升高。结论 正常、RA、OA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA对于力学刺激和炎症因子的响应不同,结果提示在RA和OA发病机制中,炎症因子的影响可能比力学刺激更强;力学刺激和IL-1β共同作用6 h后对OA FLS中BMP-2 mRNA产生协同效应,提示两者联合作用对OA病情发展具有一定作用。