Moderate acute exercise (70% VO2 peak) induces TGF‐β, α‐amylase and IgA in saliva during recovery

Strenuous exercise promotes changes in salivary IgA and can be associated with a high incidence of upper respiratory tract Infections. However, moderate exercise enhances immune function. The effect of exercise on salivary IgA has been well studied, but its effect on other immunological parameters is poorly studied. Thus, this study determined the effect of moderate acute exercise on immunological salivary parameters, such as the levels of cytokines (TGF‐β and IL‐5), IgA, α‐amylase and total protein, over 24 h. Ten male adult subjects exercised for 60 min at an intensity of 70% VO₂ peak. Saliva samples were collected before (‘basal’) and 0, 12 and 24 h after an exercise session. The total salivary protein was lower after 12 and 24 h than immediately after exercise, whereas α‐amylase increased at 12 and 24 h after exercise compared with basal levels. The IgA concentration was increased at 24 h after exercise relative to immediately after exercise, and there was no difference in the IL‐5 while TGF‐β concentration increased in recovery. In conclusion, 70% VO₂ peak exercise does not induce changes immediately after exercise, but after 24 h, it produces an increase in salivary TGF‐β without changing IL‐5.     

Kinase inhibitors for cardiovascular disease

Over the last decade, there has been substantial progress toward understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Elucidating cellular responses to the extracellular environment and signal transduction mechanisms have provided the opportunity to explore novel molecular therapeutic approaches for the treatment of CVDs. Neurohormonal stimulation has been implicated in these diseases; blockade of the renin-angiotensin and beta-adrenergic systems are examples of therapeutic effectiveness. There are multiple cell signaling cascades, some of which are beneficial or compensatory and others deleterious. The balance between these pathways, which in large part is dictated by the cellular environment, determines the outcome as a diseased or non-diseased state. Selective targeting of signaling pathways using protein kinase inhibitors, would have a potential advantage over receptor blockers. We review potential protein kinase targets and recent evidence supporting therapeutic interventional value in CVDs.     

Anterior‐posterior regionalized gene expression in the Ciona notochord

Background: In the simple ascidian chordate Ciona, the signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks giving rise to initial notochord induction are largely understood and the mechanisms of notochord morphogenesis are being systematically elucidated. The notochord has generally been thought of as a non‐compartmentalized or regionalized organ that is not finely patterned at the level of gene expression. Quantitative imaging methods have recently shown, however, that notochord cell size, shape, and behavior vary consistently along the anterior‐posterior (AP) axis. Results: Here we screen candidate genes by whole mount in situ hybridization for potential AP asymmetry. We identify 4 genes that show non‐uniform expression in the notochord. Ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) is expressed more strongly in the secondary notochord lineage than the primary. CTGF is expressed stochastically in a subset of notochord cells. A novel calmodulin‐like gene (BCamL) is expressed more strongly at both the anterior and posterior tips of the notochord. A TGF‐β ortholog is expressed in a gradient from posterior to anterior. The asymmetries in ERM, BCamL, and TGF‐β expression are evident even before the notochord cells have intercalated into a single‐file column. Conclusions: We conclude that the Ciona notochord is not a homogeneous tissue but instead shows distinct patterns of regionalized gene expression. Developmental Dynamics 243:612–620, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

骨形态发生蛋白-7通过 TGFβ／smad 信号通路抑制高糖诱导下足细胞的转分化

目的：通过观察骨形态发生蛋白-7（BMP-7）对高糖环境培养下足细胞 p-smad2/3、nephrin、desmin 表达的影响探讨 BMP-7抑制足细胞转分化机制。方法以体外培养的小鼠永生化足细胞为研究对象,将其分为以下4组：正常糖组（NG 组,含 D-葡萄糖5．5 mmol/L）、高糖刺激组（HG 组,含 D-葡萄糖30 mmol/L）、高糖＋BMP-7干预组（BMP-7组,含 D-葡萄糖30 mmol/L＋400 ng/ml rhBMP-7）、甘露醇对照组（MN 组,含 D-葡萄糖5．5 mmol/L ＋甘露醇24．5 mmol/L）,各组干预时间为48 h,应用荧光定量 PCR 法检测足细胞 nephrin、desmin mRNA 表达量,Western blot 检测足细胞 p-smad2/3、nephrin、desmin 蛋白表达量。结果正常状态下足细胞高表达 nephrin,少量表达 p-smad2/3、desmin;高糖刺激可以上调足细胞 p-smad2/3、desmin 的表达、下调 nephrin 的表达（P ＜0．05）;BMP-7与高糖共同培养在一定程度上可以抑制高糖引起的足细胞 p-smad2/3表达上调,减少 desmin 表达,恢复 nephrin 表达（P＜0．05）;NG 组与 MN 组之间比较 p-smad2/3、nephrin、desmin 表达水平无显著差异（P ＞0．05）。结论BMP-7可能通过调节 TGFβ/smad 信号通路抑制高糖诱导足细胞转分化。     

自发性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化中Smads通路的改变及卡托普利的调控作用

目的 观察TGFβ-Smads传导通路在自发性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化形成中的作用机制及其卡托普利的调控作用.方法 取15周龄雄性自发性高血压大鼠20只,随机均分为模型组及卡托普利组;另取10只同龄健康雄性WKY大鼠作为正常对照组.卡托普利组给予45mg/kg卡托普利灌胃,模型组、正常对照组给予等量0.9%氯化钠溶液灌胃,2次/d,疗程为12周.12周后,采用ELISA法检测血清Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原;采用半定量RT-PCR法检测转化生长因子β1（TGFβ1）的表达;免疫组化检测Smad2/3及Smad7的表达.结果 与正常对照组比较,模型组大鼠心肌Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原及TGFβ1、Smad2/3的表达均明显升高（均P＜0.05）,Smad7的表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;与模型组比较,卡托普利组大鼠心肌Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原及TGFβ1、Smad2/3的表达均明显降低（均P＜0.05）,Smad7的表达明显升高（P＜0.05）.结论 自发性高血压大鼠TGFβ-Smad通路的激活可能是导致其心肌组织中Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原表达增高从而形成心肌纤维化的机制之一;卡托普利具有抑制高血压所导致的心肌纤维化的作用.     

Mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium accelerates wound healing with fewer scars

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from umbilical cord s (UC‐MSCs) have been shown to enhance cutaneous wound healing by means of the paracrine activity. Fibroblasts are the primary cells involved in wound repair. The paracrine effects of UC‐MSCs on dermal fibroblasts have not been fully explored in vitro or in vivo. Dermal fibroblasts were treated with conditioned media from UC‐MSCs (UC‐MSC‐CM). In this model, UC‐MSC‐CM increased the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, adult dermal fibroblasts transitioned into a phenotype with a low myofibroblast formation capacity, a decreased ratio of transforming growth factor‐β1,3 (TGF‐β1/3) and an increased ratio of matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (MMP/TIMP). Additionally, UC‐MSC‐CM‐treated wounds showed accelerated healing with fewer scars compared with control groups. These observations suggest that UC‐MSC‐CM may be a feasible strategy to promote cutaneous repair and a potential means to realise scarless healing.