过表达miR-155抑制BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化

目的:研究过表达miR-155对BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化的影响。方法:(1)用重组腺病毒Ad-BMP9(BMP9)诱导C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化,定量PCR(qPCR)检测miR-155的表达,RT-PCR检测Runx2和ALP的表达。(2)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,qPCR检测miR-155的表达,ALP活性和染色检测早期成骨能力。(3)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,诱导分化14d茜素红S染色检测晚期成骨能力。(4)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,qPCR检测成骨分化相关基因Runx2、OSX、COL1A1、ALP、OCN和OPN的表达。(5)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,Western blot检测p-Smad1/5/8、OCN和OPN蛋白水平的表达。(6)qPCR和Western blot分别检测HIF1α和VEGF的mRNA表达水平和蛋白质表达水平。(7)应用荧光素酶报告基因对miR-155的靶基因进行筛选和验证。结果:在BMP9诱导C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化过程中,过表达miR-155降低ALP活性及染色;减少钙盐沉积;成骨分化相关基因Runx2、OSX、COL1A1、ALP、OCN和OPN表达降低;抑制p-Smad1/5/8、OCN和OPN蛋白水平的表达;HIF1α和VEGF的mRNA和蛋白表达水平减少。在对靶基因的检测中,过表达miR-155可以抑制HIF1α蛋白水平的表达,但对其mRNA水平无明显影响。结论:miR-155过表达减弱BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化,可能是通过抑制Smad/BMP信号通路发挥作用,也有可能是通过抑制靶基因HIF1α的表达来发挥作用。     

SATB2促进BMP9诱导C2C12细胞的成骨分化

目的:研究特异AT序列结合蛋白2(Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2,SATB2)在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)C2C12成骨分化中的作用。方法:首先用Ad-BMP9感染C2C12细胞,RT-PCR检测SATB2在基因水平上的表达变化,Western blot检测SATB2在蛋白水平上的变化;构建过表达SATB2重组腺病毒Ad-SATB2,感染C2C12细胞后,Western blot验证Ad-SATB2表达情况;用AdSATB2处理BMP9诱导的C2C12细胞,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性和染色检测成骨早期ALP的变化,茜素红S染色检测成骨晚期指标钙盐沉积的变化。结果:Ad-BMP9处理C2C12细胞后,比对照组SATB2在基因水平和蛋白水平上表达量上调;Ad-SATB2可以在细胞中成功表达SATB2蛋白;用Ad-SATB2处理BMP9诱导的C2C12细胞后,ALP以及钙盐的沉积与对照比较均上调。结论:SATB2可以促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C2C12的成骨分化。     

INH-α对BMP9诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化的作用

为了研究抑制素α亚基(inhibinα-subunit INH-α)对骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein9,BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)成骨分化的影响,本研究采用细胞化学染色法检测第3天、第5天、第7天细胞中碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性的变化。利用RT-PCR和Western blotting检测细胞中的成骨分化早期标志物(Runx2)和晚期标志物(OPN)的mRNA含量及蛋白表达水平。茜素红S染色法检测第21天细胞中的钙盐沉积变化。发现BMP9组ALP活性明显增高,INH-α组ALP活性与对照组相比无明显变化,但联合运用BMP9和INH-α组ALP活性较BMP9组明显降低。此外,BMP9组Runx2和OPN的mRNA含量和蛋白表达水平明显增高,而联用BMP9和INH-α组中的Runx2和OPN水平较BMP9组显著下降(p<0.01)。同样,在茜素红S染色实验中,BMP9组钙盐结节明显增多,染色深;而在联合运用BMP9和INH-α组钙盐结节较BMP9组明显减少,染色变浅。说明INH-α能够抑制BMP9诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化作用。     

Hmox1促进BMP9诱导C3H10T1/2细胞向成骨分化

目的:研究血红素加氧酶1(hemeoxygenase 1,Hmox1)在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9)诱导下间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化过程中发挥的作用。方法:用Ad-BMP9感染C3H10T1/2,分别用Q-PCR和Western blot检测Hmox1mRNA和蛋白水平的变化;Hmox1激动剂COPP处理BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)染色和活性测定检测早期成骨指标ALP的变化;过表达Hmox1的重组腺病毒(Ad-Hmox1)处理BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞,ALP染色和活性测定早期成骨指标ALP,茜素红染色检测晚期成骨指标钙盐沉积,Western blot检测成骨相关基因COL1A1。结果:Ad-BMP9感染C3H10T1/2后,Hmox1的mRNA及蛋白水平均升高;BMP9与Hmox1激动剂COPP联用与BMP9组相比ALP的活性增强;Ad-Hmox1可以增强BMP9诱导下C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性和钙盐沉积,以及成骨相关基因COL1A1表达。结论:Hmox1可以促进BMP9诱导下C3H10T1/2细胞的成骨分化。     

骨形态发生蛋白9定向诱导多潜能干细胞成骨分化

为确认和评价骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9, BMP9)定向诱导多潜能干细胞成骨分化的能力,以鼠间充质干细胞C3H10、小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(mouse embryonic fibroblasts,MEFs)和骨髓基质细胞(bone marrow stromal cell, BMSC)三种多潜能干细胞为目标细胞,用重组腺病毒的方法将BMP9导入细胞,通过荧光素酶报告基因实验、碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)定量测定、钙盐沉积实验、real time PCR、动物实验和组织化学染色等方法,观察BMP9对于多潜能干细胞成骨分化的定向诱导作用．结果提示,BMP9能诱导C3H10、MEFs和BMSC细胞ALP的表达,且具有剂量依赖性．BMP9在体外能够促进C3H10细胞和MEFs细胞的钙盐沉积．经BMP9刺激后,C3H10细胞成骨相关基因ALP、Runx2、骨桥素(osteopontin, OPN)和骨钙素(osteocalcin, OC)的mRNA水平均增加．荧光素酶报告基因实验证实,BMP9可以活化Smad和成骨关键基因Runx2．动物实验和组织化学染色检查显示,BMP9可以诱导C3H10细胞在裸鼠皮下异位成骨,因此,BMP9具有定向诱导多潜能干细胞成骨分化的能力．     

BMP9经Smad信号通路调控iSCAP成骨/成牙本质分化

目的：研究BMP9是否能够激活 iSCAP细胞中的Smad信号通路,以及Smad信号通路在BMP9诱导iSCAP细胞成骨/成牙本质向分化过程中的作用。方法：首先,采用Western印迹实验检测Ad-BMP9转染iSCAP后Smad1/5/8蛋白的磷酸化水平。随后,利用dnALK1重组腺病毒和BMP9条件培养基作用于iSCAP,Western印迹实验检测Smad1/5/8蛋白磷酸化水平;采用碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性检测和染色方法分析早期成骨/成牙本质指标变化,茜素红染色法检测钙盐沉积程度;RT-PCR成骨/成牙本质相关基因Runx2、OCN、OPN和DMP1表达的影响。结果：BMP9可上调iSCAP中Smad1/5/8的磷酸化水平;dnALK1抑制BMP9条件培养基作用后,可抑制Smad1/5/8的磷酸化,iSCAP细胞中早期成骨/成牙本质标志物ALP活性和晚期成骨/成牙本质标志钙盐结节减少,重要成骨转录因子Runx2基因表达减少,成骨/成牙本质相关基因OCN、OPN、DMP1的表达也受到了抑制。结论：Smad信号通路在BMP9诱导iSCAP成骨/成牙本质过程中存在并起着重要作用。     

SDF-1/CXCR4在BMP9介导C2C12细胞成骨分化过程中的作用研究

为了观察SDF-1/CXCR4信号轴在BMP9促C2C12细胞成骨分化过程中的作用,通过重组腺病毒过表达BMP9,检测对C2C12细胞中SDF-1及受体CXCR4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平的影响;同时利用重组腺病毒或中和抗体干扰SDF-1/CXCR4,与BMP9先后作用于C2C12细胞,通过定量测定碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、染色测定ALP表达、免疫细胞化学测定骨钙蛋白(OCN)表达、茜素红S染色测定钙盐沉积、Real-time PCR检测成骨相关转录因子Runx2和Osx的表达、Western blot检测成骨分化信号通路MAPK和Smad的变化。结果显示,BMP9能明显抑制C2C12细胞中SDF-1、CXCR4的表达(P<0.01),且具有剂量和时间依赖性;预先干扰SDF-1/CXCR4能明显影响由BMP9介导的早、中期成骨标志物ALP、OCN及早期转录因子Runx2、Osx的表达(P<0.01)和MAPK、Smad信号通路相关蛋白的变化(P<0.05);外源性SDF-1并不能影响晚期成骨标志物钙盐沉积。提示SDF-1/CXCR4信号轴在由BMP9介导的C2C12细胞成骨分化早、中期过程中发挥重要作用。     

DLX1对BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化的影响

目的:分析和确认转录因子DLX1在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9,BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化中的作用。方法:首先,BMP9腺病毒感染C3H10T1/2细胞,RT-PCR和Western blot检测DLX1表达变化;随后,利用重组腺病毒技术分别过表达DLX1和RNA干扰(RNA Intenference,RNAi)抑制DLX1的表达,并利用碱性磷酸酶(Alkaline Phosphatase,ALP)染色、钙盐沉积实验(茜素红染色),免疫细胞化学检测骨钙素(osteocalcin,OCN)表达和裸鼠皮下异位成骨实验分析DLX1对于BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化的影响。荧光素酶报告基因实验和Western blot分析DLX1对于BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞Smad1/5/8信号途径的影响。结果:BMP9可以促进C3H10T1/2细胞中DLX1基因和蛋白表达水平;过表达DLX1在体外可进一步促进BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性、钙盐沉积以及OCN的表达,过表达DLX1亦可促进BMP9诱导的裸鼠皮下异位成骨;反之,RNAi抑制DLX1表达后,由BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性、钙盐沉积、OCN表达和裸鼠皮下异位成骨均相应受到抑制。过表达DLX1可进一步增强BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞中Smad/1/5/8的转录调控活性,RNAi降低DLX1表达则可抑制BMP9诱导Smad/1/5/8的转录调控活性。但是,无论过表达DLX1和RNAi降低DLX1表达均不会对BMP9诱导的Smad/1/5/8磷酸化造成影响。结论:DLX1可以调节BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化,其调节作用可能是通过影响Smad1/5/8信号的转录调控活性而实现的。     

LPS通过上调BMP4促进猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞成骨样分化

该文主要探究了LPS通过上调骨形态发生蛋白4(bone morphogenetic protein 4,BMP4)促进猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞(valve interstitial cells,VICs)成骨样分化的作用及机制,为钙化性主动脉瓣膜病(calcific aortic valve disease,CAVD)的干预及治疗提供理论依据。采用免疫组化法检测非CAVD组和CAVD组瓣膜组织中Runx2和BMP4的表达,Western blot检测Runx2和BMP4的蛋白表达;采用胶原酶(I型)消化瓣膜后分离猪VICs,用免疫荧光染色进行表型鉴定;采用LPS和重组人BMP4腺病毒处理VICs;用ALP染色、茜素红S染色、qRT-PCR和Western blot法检测细胞的早期和晚期成骨能力、Smad1/5/8和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平。结果显示,BMP4和Runx2蛋白在CAVD组中的表达水平明显高于non-CAVD组。原代猪VICs分离成功,其中α-SMA和Vimentin呈阳性,CD31呈阴性。LPS可使VICs ALP活性增强、钙盐沉积增多、钙化指标上升和BMP4增加;BMP4可使VICs ALP活性增强、钙盐沉积增多、钙化指标上升,且使Smad1/5/8和EKR1/2的磷酸化水平升高。提示LPS可以上调BMP4的表达进而促进VICs的成骨样分化,Smad1/5/8与ERK1/2信号通路可能在该过程中发挥重要作用。     

MiR-21协同BMP9促进间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化

目的:探讨miR-21与BMP9之间的关系,明确miR-21在BMP9诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化中的作用。方法:(1)Ad-BMP9感染C3H10T1/2细胞,Real-time-PCR检测miR-21表达。RT-PCR检测ALP的表达。(2)MiR-21转染C3H10T1/2细胞,Real-time-PCR检测miR-21和BMP9表达。(3)MiR-21和BMP9-CM处理C3H10 T1/2细胞,ALP活性和染色实验检测C3H10 T1/2细胞早期成骨能力。茜素红S染色实验检测钙盐沉积情况。(4)MiR-21和BMP9-CM处理C3H10 T1/2细胞,Real-time-PCR检测成骨分化相关因子ALP,OCN的表达。(5)MiR-21和BMP9-CM处理C3H10T1/2细胞,Western blot检测p-Smad1/5蛋白水平的表达。结果:(1)BMP9暂时降低miR-21的表达。MiR-21也可以暂时降低BMP9的表达。(2)MiR-21可以协同BMP9增强ALP和钙盐沉积。(3)MiR-21协同BMP9增加了p-Smad1/5蛋白水平的表达。结论:MiR-21与BMP9存在相互关系,两者可以互相调节表达。MiR-21可以协同BMP9促进间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化,这一过程与增强BMP9/Smad信号的激活程度有关。     

A Unique Protease Cleavage Site Predicted in the Spike Protein of the Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Potentially Related to Viral Transmissibility

正Dear Editor,In December 2019, a novel human coronavirus caused an epidemic of severe pneumonia(Coronavirus Disease 2019,COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei, China(Wu et al. 2020; Zhu et al. 2020). So far, this virus has spread to all areas of China and even to other countries. The epidemic has caused 67,102 confirmed infections with 1526 fatal cases     

Curcuminoids as inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase: A receptor based pharmacophore study with distance mapping of the active site

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric that interacts irreversibly forming an adduct with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an enzyme responsible for redox control of cell and defence against oxidative stress. Docking at both the active sites of TrxR was performed to compare the potency of three naturally occurring curcuminoids, namely curcumin, demethoxy curcumin and bis-demethoxy curcumin. Results show that active sites of TrxR occur at the junction of E and F chains. Volume and area of both cavities is predicted. It has been concluded by distance mapping of the most active conformations that Se atom of catalytic residue SeCYS498, is at a distance of 3.56 from C13 of demethoxy curcumin at the E chain active site, whereas C13 carbon atom forms adduct with Se atom of SeCys 498. We report that at least one methoxy group in curcuminoids is necessary for interation with catalytic residues of thioredoxin. Pharmacophore of both active sites of the TrxR receptor for curcumin and demethoxy curcumin molecules has been drawn and proposed for design and synthesis of most probable potent antiproliferative synthetic drugs.     

Comparative morphology of the carpel in the Liliaceae: Hewardieae, Petrosavieae, and Tricyrteae

The young pistils in the melanthioid tribes, Hewardieae, Petrosavieae and Tricyrteae, are uniformly tricarpellate and syncarpous. They lack raphide idioblasts. All are multiovulate, with bitegmic ovules. The Petrosavieae are marked by the presence of septal glands and incomplete syncarpy. Tepals and stamens adhere to the ovary in the Hewardieae and the Petrosavieae but not in the Tricyrteae. Two vascular bundles occur in the stamens of the Hewartlieae and Tricyrtis latifolia. Ventral bundles in the upper part of the ovary of the Hewardieae are continuous with compound septal bundles and placental bundles in the lower part. Putative ventral bundles occur in the alternate position in the Tricyrteae and putative placental bundles in the opposite. position in the Petrosavieae. The dichtomously branched stigma in each carpel of the Tricyrteae is supplied by a bifurcated dorsal bundle.     

Selection with two alleles and complete dominance

For a plant selection model with frequency-independent viabilities, fertilities and selfing rates, it is shown that apart from global fixation, for certain parameter combinations a protected polymorphism and facultative fixation (either allele may become fixed according to initial frequencies) may both occur. Facultative fixation requires different selling rates for the dominant and recessive type. Protection of the polymorphism requires resource allocation for male and female function. In this connection the problem of purely genetically caused population extinction is discussed.
For general frequency dependence and regular segregation, the chances for establishment of a completely recessive gene are compared to those of a completely dominant gene. It is proven that the process of establishment of the recessive gene, despite a fitness advantage, may be considerably endangered by drift effects if random mating prevails. The recessive gene may reach the same effectivity in establishment as a dominant gene, only if the recessive homozygote mates exclusively with its own type during the period of establishment.     

Perinatal Vertical Transmission of Chikungunya Virus in Ruili,a Town on the Border between China and Myanmar

正Dear Editor,Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus in the family of Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, is transmitted by the A.aegyptii or A. albopictus mosquito, and causes disease in humans characterized by fever, rash, and arthralgia (Silva and Dermody 2017; Suhrbier 2019). It was first reported in 1953 in Tanzania, and caused only a few outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa and Asia in last century. However, in the epidemic in 2004, CHIKV acquired mutations that conferred enhanced transmission by the A. albopictus mosquito(Schuffenecker et al. 2006). Since then, it has successively caused outbreaks in Africa, the Indian Ocean, South East Asia, the South America, and Europe (Zeller et al. 2016).