Salvage of pyrimidine nucleosides by Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is incapable of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis because it cannot incorporate bicarbonate, aspartate or orotate into its pyrimidine nucleotides or nucleic acids. The organism can salvage exogenous cytidine greater than uridine greater than uracil and thymidine, and incorporate them into the nucleotide pool. A portion of cytidine is converted to CMP, CDP and CTP by cytidine phosphotransferase and nucleotide kinases. Some cytidine and most of uracil are, however, converted first to uridine by cytidine deaminase and uridine phosphorylase respectively; uridine is then incorporated into UMP, UDP and UTP by uridine phosphotransferase and nucleotide kinases. The two phosphotransferases, found mainly in the non-sedimentable fraction of T. vaginalis, provide the main avenue of pyrimidine salvage. No significant levels of pyrimidine phosphoribosyl transferase or nucleoside kinases can be detected in the extract. T. vaginalis has no appreciable dihydrofolate reductase or thymidylate synthetase; it grows normally in millimolar concentrations of methotrexate, pyrimethamine, or trimethoprim, and cannot incorporate labels from exogenous uracil or uridine into DNA. It has an enzyme thymidine phosphotransferase in the sedimentable fraction which converts thymidine to TMP. Thymidine salvage in T. vaginalis is thus totally isolated from the rest of the pyrimidine salvage.     

Establishment of an Evaluation Method for Gene Silencing by Serial Pulmonary Administration of siRNA and pDNA Powders: Naked siRNA Inhalation Powder Suppresses Luciferase Gene Expression in the Lung

In order to evaluate the in vivo effect of inhaled formulations, it is a gold standard to create a lung metastasis model by intravenously injecting cancer cells into an animal. Because the cancer grows from the blood vessel side, there is a possibility of underestimating the effect of an inhaled formulation administered to the lung epithelium side. In addition, the metastasis model has disadvantages in terms of preparation time and expense. The present study aimed to establish a new method to evaluate the effect of an inhaled small interfering RNA (siRNA) formulation that is more correct, more rapid, and less expensive. We investigated whether siRNA can suppress gene expression of plasmid DNA (pDNA) by serial pulmonary administration of siRNA and pDNA powders prepared by spray-freeze-drying. We revealed that formulations of dry siRNA powder significantly suppressed gene expression of pDNA powder compared with a control group with no siRNA. Naked siRNA inhalation powder with no vector showed the suppression of gene expression equivalent to that of an siRNA-polyethyleneimine complex without damaging tissues. These results show that the present method is suitable for evaluating the gene-silencing effect of inhaled siRNA powders.     

The Effect of PEI-Mediated E1A on the Radiosensitivity of Hepatic Carcinoma Cells

Objective: The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated adenovirus 5 early region 1A (E1A) on radiosensitivity of human hepatic carcinoma cell in vitro and to disclosure the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human hepatic carcinoma SMMC-7721 cell line was transfected with E1A gene using PEI vector. Untransfected cells (SMMC-7721 group), cells transfected with blank-vector (SMMC-7721-vect group), and cells transfected with E1A gene (SMMC-7721-E1A group) were treated with 6 MV X-ray irradiation at doses of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and Gy, respectively. Radiosensitivity was determined by MTT assay and quantified by calculating the cell survival rate. Cell-cycle distribution and apotosis rate were monitored by flow cytometry. Results: The survival rate of SMMC-7721-E1A was significantly lower than that of SMMC-7721 cell. Apoptosis rate of SMMC-7721-E1A group was significantly higher than that of SMMC-7721group (P<0.01).The ratio of S stage in cell cycle of SMMC-7721-E1A was significantly lower than that in SMMC-7721 cell. The ratio of G2/M stage in cell cycle of SMMC-7721-E1A was significantly higher than that in SMMC-7721 cell (P<0.01). Conclusion: PEI could transfect E1A gene into hepatic carcinoma cells PEI-mediated E1A could effectively enhance radiosensitivity of hepatic carcinoma cells which may be related to its effects on apoptosis promoting leading to S phase suppression and G2/M phase arrest.     

Pulmonary delivery of siRNA against acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome

The use of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) has been under investigation for the treatment of several unmet medical needs, including acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) wherein siRNA may be implemented to modify the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at the mRNA level. The properties such as clear anatomy, accessibility, and relatively low enzyme activity make the lung a good target for local siRNA therapy. However, the translation of siRNA is restricted by the inefficient delivery of siRNA therapeutics to the target cells due to the properties of naked siRNA. Thus, this review will focus on the various delivery systems that can be used and the different barriers that need to be surmounted for the development of stable inhalable siRNA formulations for human use before siRNA therapeutics for ALI/ARDS become available in the clinic.     

基于PEI的亚氨乙酸型复合螯合吸附材料IAA-PEI-SiO2的制备及其螯合吸附特性

以偶联剂γ氯丙基三甲氧基硅烷为媒介,将聚胺大分子聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)以偶合接枝的方式,接枝于微米级硅胶微粒表面,制得接枝微粒PEISiO2,然后以氯乙酸为试剂,通过亲核取代反应将亚氨乙酸(IAA)基团键合于硅胶微粒表面,形成了具有多齿配基的亚氨乙酸型螯合微粒IAAPEISiO2。重点研究了螯合微粒IAAPEISiO2的制备过程,初步探讨了其对重金属离子及稀土离子的螯合吸附特性。研究结果表明：接枝微粒PEISiO2与氯乙酸之间的亲核取代反应遵循SN2反应历程;反应温度较高或缚酸剂用量过多时,会促进氯乙酸的水解,减缓亲核取代反应,使亚氨乙酸的键合率下降;适宜的反应温度为60 ℃,适宜的缚酸剂NaHCO3用量是使体系中NaHCO3与氯乙酸物质的量之比为1∶1。与接枝微粒PEISiO2相比,螯合微粒IAAPEISiO2对Cu2+及Eu3+的吸附容量大幅度提升,显示出强螯合吸附特性。     

RNA interference targeting hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha reduces post-operative adhesions in rats

BACKGROUND: To investigate the use of RNA interference mediated gene down-regulation targeting hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) in an effort to prevent abdominal adhesion formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real time PCR and a PAI-1 protein activity assay were used in vitro to determine the efficacy of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). For in vivo experiments, 57 white female rats were operated to generate ischemic and serosal injury to the uterine horns, and treated with saline, siRNA(Lamin A/C) (negative control), siRNA(HIF-1alpha), siRNA(PAI-1), or siRNA(HIF-1alpha) plus siRNA(PAI-1). The cationic polyer poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) was used as the delivery vehicle for all siRNAs delivered in vivo. Adhesions were analyzed by a blinded surgeon 8 days post-surgery. RESULTS: After in vitro transfection with siRNA, at least 69% gene down-regulation was obtained for all siRNAs tested. In vitro siRNA-mediated down-regulation of HIF-1alpha, PAI-1 or their simultaneous delivery resulted in a significant decrease of PAI-1 protein activity (at least P < 0.05). Administration of 4 nmol siRNA(HIF-1alpha)/PEI complexes after injury to the uterine horns achieved a statistical reduction of post-operative adhesion formation with a reduction by 52% (P < 0.05). Delivery of 4 nmol siRNA(PAI-1)/PEI complexes and the simultaneous delivery of 2 nmol siRNA(HIF-1alpha) plus 2 nmol siRNA(PAI-1), resulted in a reduction of abdominal adhesion by 36% and 42%, respectively, with the reduction being statistically significant when compared directly to the saline control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These data show that administration of siRNA/PEI complexes within the peritoneal cavity can be used to prevent post-operative abdominopelvic adhesions.     

Dendronized Hyperbranched Polyethyleneimines with Switchable Thermoresponsiveness and Encapsulation

Hyperbranched polyethyleneimines (PEIs) with multiple layered structures and high density of terminal amino groups have shown great potential for applications in biomedicine, sensors, and catalysis. In this work, a kind of dendronized hyperbranched PEIs (DHPs) is synthesized by modification of PEIs with dendritic oligoethylene glycols (OEGs). These DHPs not only inherit the characteristic thermoresponsive behavior from the OEG dendrons, but also show low cytotoxicity and switchable encapsulation capacities. Their thermoresponsive behavior is found to be mainly dependent on the coverage and amphiphilicity of dendritic OEGs, solution pH, and NaCl concentration. Moreover, DHPs exhibit advantages in thermally-switchable complexation with guest molecules because of their adjustable crowding effect from the densely packed OEG chains. In addition, these DHPs can also be used as nanoreactors, which can reduce metal ions into metal nanoparticles in a convenient way. In virtue of these peculiarities, it is believed that these dendronized hyperbranched PEIs with smart properties can be used as promising scaffolds in drug-controlled release and nanoreactors.     

聚乙烯亚胺修饰的荧光素钠纳米颗粒在荧光素眼底血管造影术的应用和安全性

目的　探讨聚乙烯亚胺修饰的荧光素钠（PEI-NHAc-FS）纳米颗粒（nanoparticles,NPs）在荧光素眼底血管造影术的应用和安全性。方法　选取90只健康棕色雄性挪威大鼠作为实验动物。将1 mL 荧光素钠（200 g·L^-1）加入10 mol的1-乙基-（3-二甲基氨基丙基）碳酰二亚胺盐酸盐（EDC）混合物中搅拌30 min,再加入10 mol的N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺搅拌3 h。然后将该溶液加入到5 mL聚乙烯亚胺（polyethyleneimine,PEI）（76 g·L^-1）中,剧烈搅拌3 d获得PEI-NH₂-FS。将2 mL三乙胺加入到PEI-NH₂-FS原液中,30 min后再将1 mL的乙酸酐加入混合物中搅拌24 h,合成PEI-NHAc-FS。使用核磁共振波谱仪和紫外可见光吸收光谱观察PEI-NHAc-FS的结构,并对合成的NPs结构进行表征;CCK-8检测其细胞毒性。选取30只大鼠,根据荧光素钠和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs的浓度（5 g·L^-1、10 g·L^-1、50 g·L^-1）将大鼠分为6组,每组5只,分别于注射前及注射后5 min、20 min、30 min和60 min进行眼底摄像,采集大鼠眼底血管荧光素图像。用激光诱导大鼠脉络膜新生血管模型后,取10只大鼠,随机分为10 g·L^-1荧光素钠组和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组,每组5只,分别于注射前及注射后5 min、20 min、30 min和60 min通过眼底血管造影成像观察病灶处渗漏。另取40只大鼠,随机分为10 g·L^-1荧光素钠组和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组,每组20只,于注射后10 min、20 min、30 min和60 min进行荧光冰冻切片。将10只大鼠随机分为对照组（注射生理盐水）和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组,每组5只,行组织切片HE染色和视网膜电图检测。采用HE染色和视网膜电图观察PEI-NHAc-FS NPs在体内的生物安全性。结果　通过核磁共振和紫外可见光吸收光谱观察到荧光素钠与PEI成功耦合。发射荧光光谱显示,游离荧光素钠和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs的最大发射波长分别出现在546 nm和544 nm处。CCK-8检测结果表明,不同浓度的荧光素钠和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs处理人脐静脉内皮细胞12 h、24 h后,细胞活性差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。即使用10 μmol·L^-1 PEI-NHAc-FS NPs处理24 h和未处理之间细胞存活率差异亦无统计学意义（P>0.05）。在5 g·L^-1游离荧光素钠组和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组中,均仅显影视网膜主要血管,不能用于荧光素眼底血管造影的诊断。而在10 g·L^-1游离荧光素钠组和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组可清晰地显示视网膜主要血管及微血管的结构,且在注射后30 min时血管荧光强度基本相同。PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组在60 min时荧光强度已基本消失,而游离荧光素钠组仍保持较强的荧光强度。10 g·L^-1游离荧光素钠组和PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组荧光素眼底血管造影结果显示,经尾静脉注射造影剂后,视网膜血管内可见荧光成像;同时病灶部位可见荧光渗漏。游离荧光素钠组在视网膜组织中荧光较强,对视网膜组织有较强的吸附和渗透作用,而PEI-NHAc-FS NPs组在视网膜组织中荧光较弱,对视网膜组织吸附较弱。HE染色和视网膜电图对造影剂进行体内生物安全性分析结果显示,PEI-NHAc-FS NPs安全性较好。结论　PEI-NHAc-FS NPs能够安全、有效地用于荧光素眼底血管造影。     

聚乙烯亚胺修饰纳米金基因载体制备及体外实验研究

目的 制备聚乙烯亚胺修饰纳米金基因载体并研究其理化性质的表征参数和体外转染效率.方法 通过化学还原法制备聚乙烯亚胺修饰的纳米金基因载体,用绿色荧光蛋白质粒(pAcGFP-N1)做报告基因,纳米基因载体可通过静电吸附的方式结合质粒DNA.用紫外分光光度计检测其吸收光谱,用透射电镜观察其形态特征,激光粒度分析仪测定其粒度分布、表面电位(Zeta电位),1％琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测该基因载体与质粒DNA的结合稳定性,CCK-8实验检测聚乙烯亚胺修饰纳米金基因载体及DNA-纳米金复合物对HEK293细胞的细胞毒性作用,通过荧光显微镜观察聚乙烯亚胺纳米基因载体介导pAcGFP-N1在体外培养的HEK293细胞中的表达,并分析其转染效率.结果 聚乙烯亚胺还原氯金酸可以得到带正电荷的纳米颗粒,呈单分散球形分布,其粒径为(12.3 ±3.3)nm.在pH =7.2时,Zeta电位为+(29.7±5.1)mV.1％琼脂糖凝胶电泳结果表明,当纳米金/质粒DNA≥0.5时,质粒DNA可完全结合到纳米金表面.体外转染实验表明,聚乙烯亚胺修饰纳米金基因载体能介导pAcGFP-N1转染HEK293细胞并在细胞中表达绿色荧光蛋白,其转染效率可达25％.结论 聚乙烯亚胺修饰纳米金是一种新型非病毒基因载体,具有转染效率高、对细胞毒性小等优势.