Allograft rejection-related gene expression in the endothelial cells of renal transplantation recipients after cytomegalovirus infection

Objective: To explore the effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on rejection-related gene expression in the endothelial cells of renal transplantation recipients. Methods: Endothelial cells (ECs) were cultured and stimulated by a variety of factors: A, normal control group; B, inactivated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection group; C, HCMV infection group; D, HCMV supematant infection group; and E, ganciclovir HCMV group. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and major histocompability complex (MHC) class Ⅰ and class Ⅱ antigens was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and immuno-histochemistry. Results: We found characteristic CMV-infected ECs in this study. There were no significant differences among groups A, B and D (P>0.05). Although the expression levels of ICAM-1 were not significantly different between groups C and E (P>0.05), the ICAM-1 expression in these two groups was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05). ICAM-1 expression was detected in groups C and E, while there was no expression in groups A, B and D. Furthermore, there was no significant difference of ICAM-1 mRNA expression between groups C and E (P>0.05). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC expression was detected in all the groups, while HLA-DR expression was only detected in groups C and E. There were no significant dif-ferences of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR expression among groups A, B and D (P>0.05). However, the HLA-ABC and HLA-DR expression levels in groups C and D were higher than those of the remaining groups previously reported (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the HLA-ABC and HLA-DR expression levels in group E were lower than those of group C (P<0.05). Conclusion: CMV could up-regulate the expression levels of ICAM-1 and MHC antigens, which was closely related to allograft rejection.     

Expressions of cardiac sympathetic norepinephrine transporter and β1-adrenergic receptor decreased in aged rats

Evidence suggests that the deterioration of communication between the sympathetic nervous system and cardiovas-cular system always accompanies the aging of human and animals. Cardiac sympathetic norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) on presynaptic membrane is a predominant component to eliminate released NE in the synaptic cleff and maintains the sensitivity of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR). In the present study, we investigated NET and β1-AR mRNA levels and sympathetic nerve density in cardiac sympathetic ganglion and leff ventricular myocardium in 2- and 16-month-old rats with Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of NET mRNA, NET protein and β1-AR mRNA in the ganglia or myocardia of 16-month-old rats were markedly reduced by 67%, 26%, and 43%, respectively, in comparison with those in 2-month-old rats. Our results also show that aging induces a strong decrease of the catecholaminergic nerve fiber density.     

Heat shock protein 90 protects rat mesenchymal stem cells against hypoxia and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways

Mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)transplantation has shown a therapeutic potential to repair the ischemic and infracted myocardium,but the effects are limited by the apoptosis and loss of donor cells in host cardiac microenvironment.The aim of this study is to explore the cytoprotection of heat shock protein 90(Hsp90)against hypoxia and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis and the possible mechanisms in rat MSCs.Cell viability was determined by3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay.Apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33258nuclear staining and flow cytometric analysis with annexin V/PI staining.The gene expression of Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)and V-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2(ErbB2)was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3,Bcl-2,Bcl-xL,Bax,total-ERK,phospho-ERK,totaI-Akt,phospho-Akt,and Hsp90 were detected by Western blot.The production of nitric oxide was measured by spectrophotometric assay.Hsp90 improves MSC viability and protects MSCs against apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and hypoxia.The protective role of Hsp90 not only elevates Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bax expression and attenuates cleaved caspase-3 expression via down-regulating membrane TLR-4 and ErbB2 receptors and then activating their downstream PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways,but also enhances the paracrine effect of MSCs.These findings demonstrated a novel and effective treatment strategy against MSC apoptosis in cell transplantation.     

Study on the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Objective: To evaluate the interaction between serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. Methods: The serum levels of sICAM-1 in 205 patients with chronic gastric diseases were detected by ELISA method and the status of H. pylori was determined by histologic examination, RUT, 14C - UBT, and serology. The sera obtained from 18 healthy volunteers served as controls. Results: The serum levels of sICAM-1 were significantly higher in patients with H. pylori positive than those of H. pylori negative (889.43±32.52 ng/ml vs. 747.07±30.45 ng/ml, P<0.05). The serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with mild, moderate and severe infection of H. pylori were 841.68±72.36 ng/ml, 905.43±37.59 ng/ml and 1012.54±49.34 ng/ml,respectively (P<0.05). The serum levels of sICAM-1 proved to be significantly correlated with the density of H. pylori colonization in gastric mucosa (rs =0.316, P<0.001). The serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicated that H. pylori infection up-regulates the expression of sICAM-1.     

Expressions of cardiac sympathetic norepinephrine transporter and β1-adrenergic receptor decreased in aged rats

Evidence suggests that the deterioration of communication between the sympathetic nervous system and cardiovascular system always accompanies the aging of human and animals. Cardiac sympathetic norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) on presynaptic membrane is a predominant component to eliminate released NE in the synaptic cleft and maintains the sensitivity of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR). In the present study, we investigated NET and β1-AR mRNA levels and sympathetic nerve density in cardiac sympathetic ganglion and left ventricular myocardium in 2- and 16-month-old rats with Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of NET mRNA, NET protein and β₁-AR mRNA in the ganglia or myocardia of 16-month-old rats were markedly reduced by 67%, 26%, and 43%, respectively, in comparison with those in 2-month-old rats. Our results also show that aging induces a strong decrease of the catecholaminergic nerve fiber density. Project supported by the Postdoctoral Fellow Foundation of the Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai (No. 98–10) and the Natural Science Foundation of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force (Nos. WKH2006-5 and WKH2008ZO4), China     

Imbalanced expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Objective  

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are correlated with a more malignant phenotype in many cancers. This study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK_1/2), as the key regulatory mechanism of the MAPKs, in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).     

Fluorescent co-localization of PTS1 and PTS2 and its application in analysis of the gene function and the peroxisomal dynamic in Magnaporthe oryzae

The peroxisomal matrix proteins involved in many important biological metabolism pathways in eukaryotic cells are encoded by nucleal genes, synthesized in the cytoplasm and then transported into the organelles. Targeting and import of these proteins depend on their two peroxisomal targeting signals (PTS1 and PTS2) in sequence as we have known so far. The vectors of the fluorescent fusions with PTS, i.e., green fluorescence protein (GFP)-PTSI, GFP-PTS2 and red fluorescence protein (RFP)-PTS1, were constructed and introduced into Magnaporthe oryzae Guy11 cells. Transformants containing these fusions emitted fluorescence in a punctate pattern, and the locations of the red and green fluorescence overlapped exactly in RFP-PTS1 and GFP-PTS2 co-transformed strains. These data indicated that both PTS 1 and PTS2 fusions were imported into peroxisomes. A probable higher efficiency of PTSI machinery was revealed by comparing the fluorescence backgrounds in GFP-PTS1 and GFP-PTS2 transformants. By introducing both RFP-PTS1 and GFP-PTS2 into △mgpex6 mutants, the involvement of MGPEX6 gene in both PTS1 and PTS2 pathways was proved. In addition, using these transformants, the inducement of peroxisomes and the dynamic of peroxisomal number during the pre-penetration processes were investigated as well. In summary, by the localization and co-localization of PTSI and PTS2, we provided a useful tool to evaluate the biological roles of the peroxisomes and the related genes.     

Sequence analysis and expression pattern of MGTA1 gene in rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea

INTRODUCTION Fungi cause most plant diseases of all groups of microbes. During their infection cycles, fungal pathogens must undergo two key processes: first, penetration through cuticles into host plant cells; second, colonization in host cells utilizing nutrients from their hosts. To penetrate host cells, fungi de-velop a series of specialized infection structures such as appressorium, penetration peg, and infection hypha. The appressorium-mediated penetration is a process typical of s…     

SEB超抗原受体拮抗剂在大肠杆菌中的高效可溶性表达、纯化及活性初步研究

目的:在大肠杆菌(BL21)中构建可溶性表达的金黄色葡萄球菌B型肠毒素(SEB)受体拮抗剂。方法:首先确定SEB受体桔抗剂的基因序列,然后用含有SEB受体桔抗剂的基因序列重组质粒表达载体PGEX-4T-1转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),利用IPTG诱导表达获得蛋白,产物经GST柱纯化后,利用ELISA检测其与SEB的结合能力并进行其体内外药效学实验。结果:该质粒成功转化为可溶性表达,ELISA结果显示表达产物可与SEB特异性结合。结论:本研究成功对SEB受体拮抗剂GST可溶性表达并对其活性进行初步分析。     

Morphological and pathologic changes of experimental chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） and the regulating mechanism of protein expression in rats

INTRODUCTION In 1998 gastrointestinal pathologists reached aconsensus on the definition of chronic atrophic gas- tritis (CAG), which was described as programmed loss of gastric gland and/or replacement by intestinal glands in gastric mucosa. CAG was recognized to be closely related with development of gastric cancer and listed as precancerous lesions in this meeting (Genta, 1998). According to Correa (1992)’s cascade of gas-tric carcinogenesis, gastric cancer was believed to develop fr…     

Study on the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in patients withHelicobacter pylori infection

Objective: To evaluate the interaction between serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) andHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. Methods: The serum levels of sICAM-1 in 205 patients with chronic gastric diseases were detected by ELISA method and the status ofH. pylori was determined by histologic examination, RUT,¹⁴C-UBT, and serology. The sera obtained from 18 healthy volunteers served as controls. Results: The serum levels of sICAM-1 were significantly higher in patients withH. pylori positive than those of H. pylori negative (889.43±32.52 ng/ml vs. 747.07±30.45 ng/ml,P<0.05). The serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with mild, moderate and severe infection ofH. pylori were 841.68±72.36 ng/ml, 905.43±37.59 ng/ml and 1012.54±49.34 ng/ml, respectively (P<0.05). The serum levels of sICAM-1, proved to be significantly correlated with the density ofH. pylori colonization in gastric mucosa (r _s=0.316,P<0.001). The serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicated thatH. pylori infection up-regulates the expression of sICAM-1.     

Study on the expression and mutation of human telomeric repeat binding factor ( hTRF1 ) in 10 malignant hematopoietic cell lines

Objective: Detecting the expression and mutation of human telomeric repeat binding factor (hTRF1) in 10 malignant hematopoietic cell line cells on the base of determining its genomic structure and its four pseudogenes to clarify if hTRF1 mutation is one of the factors of the activation of telomerase. Methods: hTRF1cDNA sequences were obtained from GenBank, its genome structure and pseudogenes were forecasted by BLAST and other biology information programs and then testified by sequencing. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of hTRF1mRNA in 10 cell line cells, including myelogenous leukemia cell lines K562, HL-60, U-937, NB4, THP-1, HEL and Dami; lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines 6T-CEM, Jurkat and Raji. Telomerase activities of cells were detected by using telomeric repeat amplification (TRAP)-ELISA protocol. PCR and sequencing were used to detect mutation of each exon of hTRF1 in 10 cell line cells. Results: hTRF1 gene, mapped to 8q13, was divided into 10 exons and spans 38.6 kb. Four processed pseudogenes of hTRF1 located on chromosome 13, 18, 21 and X respectively, was named as ψhTRF1-13, ψhTRF1-18, ψhTRF1-21 and ψhTRF1-X respectively. All cell line cells showed positive telomerase activity. The expression of hTRF1 was significantly lower in malignant hematopoietic cell lines cells (0.0338, 0.0108:_0.0749) than in normal mononuclear cells (0.0493, 0.0369:_0.128) (P=0.004). But no significant mutation was found in all exons of hTRF1 in 10 cell line cells. Four variants were found in part of intron 1, 2 and 8 of hTRF1. Their infection on gene function is unknown and needs further studies. Conclusion: hTRF1 mutation is probably not one of the main factors for telomerase activation in malignant hematopoietic disease. Project supported by the National Basic Research Program (973) of China (No. 2002CB713700) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39870339)