贝伐单抗对ALA—PDT诱导的新生血管形成和胶质瘤生长的影响

探讨贝伐单抗对低剂量5-氨基乙酰丙酸（5-Aminolevulinicacid,ALA）介导的光动力学疗法（photodynamic therapy,PDT）诱导的脑组织新生血管形成和U87脑胶质瘤生长的影响。通过将裸小鼠随机分为对照组、ALA．PDT预处置组（ALA：2．3×10-3mol／kg,能量密度：10J／cm2）、贝伐单抗预处置组（1．6×10-5mol／kg）和联合预处置组（ALA—PDT＋贝伐单抗）,并接受相应处置。第10d,检测PDT照射及相应区域内新生血管形成和VEGF表达并种植U87脑胶质瘤细胞,21d后观察肿瘤体积。与对照组比较,低剂量ALA-PDT预处置后新生血管增多、VEGF表达增高,肿瘤体积增大,这些变化在联合预处置组被抑制;贝伐单抗预处置组的血管形态和VEGF表达虽无明显变化,但肿瘤体积减小。研究结果表明低剂量ALA-PDT可通过刺激VEGF表达诱导照射区新生血管形成,这种微环境的改变有利于U87胶质瘤细胞生长,但这些作用可被贝伐单抗所抑制。     

瑞舒伐他汀促进缺氧复氧间充质干细胞增殖的机制研究

目的：探讨瑞舒伐他汀对缺氧复氧损伤后脂肪来源间充质干细胞增殖的影响及机制。方法：酶消化法分离小鼠的脂肪间充质干细胞（AD-MSCs）,流式细胞术检测CD90、CD44、CD34、CD45等细胞标志物。建立缺氧（H）6h/复氧（R）42h细胞模型,AD-MSCs分为3组：①对照组;②缺氧/复氧组（H/R）;③H/R＋瑞舒伐他汀干预组（浓度分别为10-8、10-7、10-6mol/L）。MTT法测定各组细胞增殖,免疫印迹法检测细胞内Akt、Erk及其磷酸化的表达水平。结果：流式细胞术结果显示脂肪间充质干细胞CD44及CD90阳性,CD34、CD45阴性。MTT实验显示在缺氧环境中,瑞舒伐他汀的干预可显著增加AD-MSCs的增殖（P〈0.05）。Westernblot检测pAkt及pErk的表达在瑞舒伐他汀干预组明显高于对照组和H/R组。（P〈0.05）。结论：瑞舒伐他汀可通过Akt、Erk信号途径促进H/R损伤后AD-MSCs的增殖。     

经穴注射BMSCs联合中药对大鼠血清VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1浓度的影响

目的：前期基础实验发现经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞联合益气活血中药对大鼠缺血后肢骨骼肌血管密度以及后肢血流恢复具有明显促进作用,为进一步明确其机制,本研究着重经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）联合益气活血方对大鼠血清中血管内皮细胞生长因子（VGEF）,粒细胞集落刺激因子（G-CSF）,基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF-1）浓度的影响,从而为临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供新的思路和方法。方法：25只大鼠随机分为空白对照组（CG）、下肢缺血模型组（IG）、益气活血方缺血组（HG）、经穴注射BMSCs缺血组（BG）,经穴注射BMSCs＋益气活血方缺血组（BHG）,每组5只,在给予相应干预措施后,于7天后取血清,用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1质量浓度。结果：1与CG比较,IG、HG、BG、BHG大鼠血清中VEGF、SDF-1、G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;2与IG比较,HG、BG、BHG组大鼠血清中VEGF,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）,BG、BHG大鼠血清中SDF-1浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;3与HG比较,BG、BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;4与BG比较,BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）,以上差异均有统计学意义。结论：经穴注射BMSCs联合益气活血中药可大幅提升下肢缺血模型大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1质量浓度,为临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供了新的思路和方法。     

瑞舒伐他汀对载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠动脉粥样硬化中调节性T细胞的影响

目的：探讨瑞舒伐他汀对载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoEKO）小鼠动脉粥样硬化中调节性T细胞的影响。方法：首先将30只ApoEKO小鼠建立动脉粥样硬化模型,随机分为高胆固醇饮食组（对照组）、瑞舒伐他汀低剂量组和瑞舒伐他汀高剂量组,各组分别给予蒸馏水或瑞舒伐他汀进行干预8周;将主动脉根部行冰冻切片油红染色,评估粥样硬化斑块面积大小;免疫组织化学法检测主动脉根部粥样硬化斑块处调节性T细胞（Treg）的表达。结果：各组小鼠均有动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,采用瑞舒伐他汀治疗的小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块的面积明显小于未经治疗的小鼠（P〈0.01）,同时瑞舒伐他汀能明显增加粥样硬化病变处调节性T细胞的表达,且呈现剂效关系。结论：本实验观察到瑞舒伐他汀不仅能减小ApoEKO小鼠的主动脉粥样硬化斑块,且能使调节性T细胞的表达增多,推测瑞舒伐他汀可以通过促进调节性T细胞的生成而起到抑制动脉粥样硬化的作用。     

经穴注射BMSCs联合中药对大鼠血清VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1 浓度的影响

目的：前期基础实验发现经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞联合益气活血中药对大鼠缺血后肢骨骼肌血管密度以及后肢血流恢 复具有明显促进作用,为进一步明确其机制,本研究着重经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）联合益气活血方对大鼠血清中血 管内皮细胞生长因子（VGEF）,粒细胞集落刺激因子（G-CSF）,基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF-1）浓度的影响,从而为临床中医血管外 科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供新的思路和方法。方法：25只大鼠随机分为空白对照组（CG）、下肢缺血模型组（IG）、益气活血方 缺血组（HG）、经穴注射BMSCs 缺血组（BG）,经穴注射BMSCs+ 益气活血方缺血组（BHG）,每组5 只,在给予相应干预措施后, 于7 天后取血清,用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1 质量浓度。结果：①与CG比较,IG、HG、BG、 BHG 大鼠血清中VEGF、SDF-1、G-CSF浓度显著升高（P＜0.01）;②与IG 比较,HG、BG、BHG 组大鼠血清中VEGF,G-CSF浓度 显著升高（P＜0.01）,BG、BHG 大鼠血清中SDF-1 浓度显著升高（P＜0.01）;③与HG 比较,BG、BHG 大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1, G-CSF 浓度显著升高（P＜0.01）;④与BG比较,BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P＜0.01）,以上差异均有统 计学意义。结论：经穴注射BMSCs联合益气活血中药可大幅提升下肢缺血模型大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1 质量浓度,为 临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供了新的思路和方法。     

基于HIF-1α-iNOS信号通路探讨瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理对糖尿病小鼠的心肌保护作用

摘要 目的：探讨瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理对糖尿病小鼠心肌的作用并分析其保护作用的机制。方法：应用高脂高糖饮食的方法构建2型糖尿病小鼠动物模型,随机分为假手术组（sham组）、缺血/再灌注组(I/R组)、缺血后处理组（IpostC组）及瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理组（RPO+IpostC组）,每组10只。分析各组小鼠低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）蛋白表达及血浆炎症因子、血清一氧化氮（NO）水平变化,观察各组小鼠心肌梗死面积、心肌组织HE染色结构变化。结果：与I/R组、IPostC组相比,RPO+IpostC组HIF-1α,iNOS蛋白表达显著上调（P<0.05）;与IpostC 组相比,RPO+ IpostC组小鼠血清NO和血浆IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平均明显降低,血浆IL-10升高（P<0.05）;经显微镜观察显示,sham组小鼠的心肌细胞HE染色结构正常,RPO+IpostC组小鼠心肌细胞HE染色后损伤相对较小;与I/R组相比,IpostC组和RPO+IpostC组小鼠缺血面积（AAR/LV）、梗死面积（IRR/AAR）均明显减小,且RPO+IpostC组小鼠AAR/LV、IRR/AAR最小（P<0.05）。结论：瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理可以通过对糖尿病小鼠HIF-1α-iNOS信号通路进行调节,进而上调HIF-1α、iNOS蛋白表达,减轻炎症反应,降低心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤,保护心肌。     

体外缺血缺氧条件下大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生的机制研究

目的：研究体外大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, BMSCs）在缺血缺氧条件下发生凋亡的作用机制。方法：采取大鼠骨髓,以密度梯度离心分离出单个核细胞（MNCs）,于体外培养并由牛垂体提取物（PEX）诱导扩增传代培养出骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）。经形态学和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定后,骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）在缺血缺氧条件下培养,通过Annexin V／PI双染细胞凋亡检测比较不同组别细胞的凋亡率和蛋白印迹法（western blot）来观察细胞中蛋白的变化。结果：①经形态学观察和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定,提示骨髓间充质干细胞培养成功。②对照组（无缺血缺氧）与缺血缺氧组比较,缺血缺氧组的凋亡率显著性增加,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著性增加提示PI3K（Phosphoinositide-3kinase）／Akt（ProteinkinaseB,PKB）信号通路被激活（P〈0．05）;同时缺血缺氧组与缺血缺氧＋PI3K／Akt抑制剂（LY294002）组比较,缺血缺氧＋PI3K／Akt抑制剂（LY294002）组的凋亡率显著降低,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著减少提示PI3K/Akt信号通路被抑制（P〈0．05）。结论：PI3K／Akt信号通路对体外缺血缺氧条件下培养的骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生有关键性作用。     

乳腺上皮细胞特异性敲除Scrib基因杂合子小鼠的制作与鉴定

目的利用Cre．LoxP重组酶系统构建乳腺上皮细胞特异性敲除Serib基因杂合子小鼠,并进行鉴定,为进一步在动物整体水平研究Scrib基因在乳腺癌中的作用提供研究平台。方法将Scrib条件敲除杂合子小鼠（Scrib＋/ft小鼠）进行繁殖并鉴定,然后将鉴定结果为阳性的子代Scrib＋/ft小鼠与乳腺上皮细胞特异性表达Cre重组酶的MMTV．Cre纯合子小鼠进行杂交,鉴定其子代小鼠的基因型。结果成功繁育Scrib条件敲除小鼠和MMTV．Cre小鼠,并通过鉴定得到Scrib＋/ft小鼠,与MMTV-Cre小鼠杂交并繁殖,获得基因型为Scrib＋/ft;MMTVCre＋/-小鼠5只。结论本研究利用Cre．LoxP重组酶系统成功构建了乳腺上皮细胞特异性敲除Scrib基因杂合子小鼠,为进一步研究极性蛋白Scrib表达下调在乳腺癌发生中的作用提供了良好的动物模型。     

AQP1在CD-1纯系野生型孕鼠胎盘组织的表达

目的：研究水通道蛋白1（Aquaporin 1,AQP1）在小鼠胎盘组织的分布及表达,初步探讨AQP1在羊水循环及母胎液体平衡中的作用。方法：各取四只雌雄成年健康野生型CD1小鼠（wild type,AQP1＋/＋）及AQP1基因敲除小鼠（AQP1-KO,AQP1-/）-,将纯合子AQP1基因敲除雌雄小鼠等数量合笼交配,第二日检出阴道栓者记为妊娠第1天（1 gestational day,1GD）;野生型小鼠同样合笼记录。分别取两组13GD孕鼠的胎盘组织各一个,应用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）技术及免疫组织化学技术检测AQP1胎盘组织中的表达,并确定AQP1在小鼠胎盘组织的定位。结果：1.RT-PCR结果表明AQP1在CD-1野生型孕鼠胎盘组织表达,AQP1基因敲除鼠无表达;2.免疫组织化学方法发现AQP1表达于小鼠胎盘血管内皮细胞和滋养细胞,AQP1基因敲除鼠无表达。结论：在mRNA水平和蛋白水平均发现AQP1在CD-1纯系野生型孕鼠胎盘组织的表达,提示AQP1可能在羊水循环及母胎液体平衡中发挥作用。     

匹伐他汀对体外培养人脐静脉血内皮祖细胞数量及功能的影响

目的：通过体外培养人脐静脉血内皮祖细胞（endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs）,观察他汀类新药（匹伐他汀）对EPCs数量及增殖、迁移和粘附功能的影响。方法：采用密度梯度离心法分离培养人脐静脉血单个核细胞,将其接种在包被有人纤维连接蛋白培养板上,培养7 d后,收集贴壁细胞,加入不同浓度匹伐他汀（分别为0.001 μmol/L、0.01 μmol/L、0.1 μmol/L、1.0 μmol/L）培养24 h,用免疫荧光法观察EPCs 吸收FITC-UEA-I 和Dil-acLDL情况对EPCs 进行鉴定,然后分别采用MTT 比色法、改良的Boyden小室、粘附能力测定实验对各实验组测定,来观察匹伐他汀对EPCs 数量及增殖、迁移和粘附功能影响。结果：匹伐他汀组与对照组相比,匹伐他汀显著提高了体外培养EPCs的数量及增殖、迁移与粘附能力（P〈0.05）。匹伐他汀浓度在0.1 μmol/L 时对EPCs影响达到最大。随着药物浓度的继续增大,EPCs的上述功能反呈下降趋势,但1.0 μmol/L 组仍高于对照组。结论：匹伐他汀能增加体外培养EPCs的数量及增殖、迁移和粘附能力,可作为EPCs 培养的一种改良方法,为其更好的应用于临床具有重要的意义。     

Follistatin-like 1, a secreted muscle protein, promotes endothelial cell function and revascularization in ischemic tissue through a nitric-oxide synthase-dependent mechanism

Myogenic Akt signaling coordinates blood vessel recruitment with normal tissue growth. Here, we investigated the role of Follistatin-like 1 (Fstl1) in the regulation of endothelial cell function and blood vessel growth in muscle. Transgenic Akt1 overexpression in skeletal muscle led to myofiber growth that was coupled to an increase in muscle capillary density. Myogenic Akt signaling or ischemic hind limb surgery led to the induction of Fstl1 in muscle and increased circulating levels of Fstl1. Intramuscular administration of an adenoviral vector expressing Fstl1 (Ad-Fstl1) accelerated flow recovery and increased capillary density in the ischemic hind limbs of wild-type mice, and this was associated with an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation at residue Ser-1179. In cultured endothelial cells, Ad-Fstl1 stimulated migration and differentiation into network structures and inhibited apoptosis under conditions of serum deprivation. These cell responses were associated with the activating phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS. Conversely, transduction with dominant-negative Akt or LY294002 blocked Fstl1-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation and inhibited Fstl1-stimulated cellular responses. Treatment with the eNOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester also reduced endothelial cell migration and differentiation induced by Ad-Fstl1. The stimulatory effect of Ad-Fstl1 on ischemic limb reperfusion was abolished in mice lacking eNOS. These data indicate that Fstl1 is a secreted muscle protein or myokine that can function to promote endothelial cell function and stimulates revascularization in response to ischemic insult through its ability to activate Akt-eNOS signaling.     

Autophagic-lysosomal pathway functions in the masseter and tongue muscles in the klotho mouse, a mouse model for aging

Klotho mutant (kl/kl) mice, a type of short-lived mouse models, display several aging-related phenotypes. To investigate whether the atrophy of skeletal muscles is induced in these mice via activation of the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway and/or the autophagic-lysosomal pathway through an alteration of insulin/IGF-I signaling, we analyzed the activity of the two pathways for protein degradation and components of the insulin/IGF signaling pathway in their skeletal muscles. The masseter, tongue, and gastrocnemius muscles in kl/kl showed marked reductions in muscle weight and in myofiber diameter compared with +/+. The autophagic-lysosomal pathway in kl/kl was activated in the masseter and tongue, but not in the gastrocnemius, compared with that in +/+, whereas the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway in these three muscles of kl/kl was not altered. No marked difference in the phosphorylation levels of insulin/IGF-I signaling components, such as insulin/IGF-I receptor, Akt, and FoxO in three muscles studied were found between kl/kl and +/+, but the phosphorylation levels of signaling component at the downstream of mTOR such as 4E-BP1 and p70 S6K were suppressed in the masseter and tongue of kl/kl compared with +/+. Deficiency of essential amino acids is reported to activate the autophagy-lysosomal pathway through the down-regulation of mTOR, not through IGF-Akt-FoxO. The masseter and tongue seem to be more actively moved than limb muscles in kl/kl, because they are essential for survival activities such as mastication, swallowing, and respiration. Thus, the deficiency of amino acid by the active movement of the masseter and tongue seems to stimulate the autophagic-lysosomal pathway via the down-regulation of mTOR signalling pathway.     

Klotho ablation converts the biochemical and skeletal alterations in FGF23 (R176Q) transgenic mice to a Klotho-deficient phenotype

Transgenic mice overexpressing fibroblast growth factor (FGF23) (R176Q) (F(Tg)) exhibit biochemical {hypophosphatemia, phosphaturia, abnormal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] metabolism} and skeletal (rickets and osteomalacia) abnormalities attributable to FGF23 action. In vitro studies now implicate the aging-related factor Klotho in the signaling mechanism of FGF23. In this study, we used a mouse genetic approach to validate in vivo the pivotal role of Klotho in the metabolic and skeletal derangements associated with FGF23 (R176Q) overexpression. To this end, we crossed mice heterozygous for the hypomorphic Klotho allele (Kl(+/-)) to F(Tg) mice and obtained F(Tg) transgenic mice homozygous for the Kl-hypomorphic allele (F(Tg)/Kl(-/-)). Mice were killed on postnatal day 50, and serum and tissues were procured for analysis and comparison with F(Tg), wild-type, and Kl(-/-) controls. From 4 wk onward, F(Tg)/Kl(-/-) mice were clearly distinguishable from F(Tg) mice and exhibited a striking phenotypic resemblance to the Kl(-/-) controls. Serum analysis for calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and alkaline phosphatase activity confirmed the biochemical similarity between the F(Tg)/Kl(-/-) and Kl(-/-) mice and their distinctness from the F(Tg) controls. The characteristic skeletal changes associated with FGF23 (R176Q) overexpression were also dramatically reversed by the absence of Klotho. Hence the wide, unmineralized growth plates and the osteomalacic abnormalities apparent in trabecular and cortical bone were completely reversed in the F(Tg)/Kl(-/-) mice. Nevertheless, independent actions of Klotho on bone were suggested as manifested by alterations in mineralized bone, and in cortical bone volume which were observed in both the Kl(-/-) and F(Tr)/Kl(-/-) mutants. In summary, our findings substantiate in vivo the essential role of Klotho in the mechanism of action of FGF23 in view of the fact that Klotho ablation converts the biochemical and skeletal manifestations resulting from FGF23 overexpression to a phenotype consistent with Klotho deficiency.     

Neuron-derived Neurotrophic Factor Functions as a Novel Modulator That Enhances Endothelial Cell Function and Revascularization Processes

Strategies to stimulate revascularization are valuable for cardiovascular diseases. Here we identify neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF)/epidermacan as a secreted molecule that is up-regulated in endothelial cells in ischemic limbs of mice. NDNF was secreted from cultured human endothelial cells, and its secretion was stimulated by hypoxia. NDNF promoted endothelial cell network formation and survival in vitro through activation of Akt/endothelial NOS (eNOS) signaling involving integrin αvβ3. Conversely, siRNA-mediated knockdown of NDNF in endothelial cells led to reduction of cellular responses and basal Akt signaling. Intramuscular overexpression of NDNF led to enhanced blood flow recovery and capillary density in ischemic limbs of mice, which was accompanied by enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS. The stimulatory actions of NDNF on perfusion recovery in ischemic muscles of mice were abolished by eNOS deficiency or NOS inhibition. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated reduction of NDNF in muscles of mice resulted in reduction of perfusion recovery and phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in response to ischemia. Our data indicate that NDNF acts as an endogenous modulator that promotes endothelial cell function and ischemia-induced revascularization through eNOS-dependent mechanisms. Thus, NDNF can represent a therapeutic target for the manipulation of ischemic vascular disorders.     

Fat-derived factor omentin stimulates endothelial cell function and ischemia-induced revascularization via endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism

Obesity-related diseases are associated with vascular dysfunction and impaired revascularization. Omentin is a fat-derived secreted protein, which is down-regulated in association with obese complications. Here, we investigated whether omentin modulates endothelial cell function and revascularization processes in vitro and in vivo. Systemic delivery of an adenoviral vector expressing omentin (Ad-omentin) enhanced blood flow recovery and capillary density in ischemic limbs of wild-type mice in vivo, which were accompanied by increased phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a physiological concentration of recombinant omentin protein increased differentiation into vascular-like structures and decreased apoptotic activity under conditions of serum starvation. Treatment with omentin protein stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in HUVECs. Inhibition of Akt signaling by treatment with dominant-negative Akt or LY294002 blocked the stimulatory effects of omentin on differentiation and survival of HUVECs and reversed omentin-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation. Pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor also reduced the omentin-induced increase in HUVEC differentiation and survival. Omentin protein also stimulated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in HUVECs. Transduction with dominant-negative AMP-activated protein kinase diminished omentin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and omentin-stimulated increase in HUVEC differentiation and survival. Of importance, in contrast to wild-type mice, systemic administration of Ad-omentin did not affect blood flow in ischemic muscle in eNOS-deficient mice in vivo. These data indicate that omentin promotes endothelial cell function and revascularization in response to ischemia through its ability to stimulate an Akt-eNOS signaling pathway.     

Caloric restriction stimulates revascularization in response to ischemia via adiponectin-mediated activation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase

Caloric restriction (CR) can extend longevity and modulate the features of obesity-related metabolic and vascular diseases. However, the functional roles of CR in regulation of revascularization in response to ischemia have not been examined. Here we investigated whether CR modulates vascular response by employing a murine hindlimb ischemia model. Wild-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into two groups that were fed either ad libitum (AL) or CR (65% of the diet consumption of AL). Four weeks later, mice were subjected to unilateral hindlimb ischemic surgery. Body weight of WT mice fed CR (CR-WT) was decreased by 26% compared with WT mice fed AL (AL-WT). Revascularization of ischemic hindlimb relative to the contralateral limb was accelerated in CR-WT compared with AL-WT as evaluated by laser Doppler blood flow and capillary density analyses. CR-WT mice had significantly higher plasma levels of the fat-derived hormone adiponectin compared with AL-WT mice. In contrast to WT mice, CR did not affect the revascularization of ischemic limbs of adiponectin-deficient (APN-KO) mice. CR stimulated the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) in the ischemic limbs of WT mice. CR increased plasma adiponectin levels in eNOS-KO mice but did not stimulate limb perfusion in this strain. CR-WT mice showed enhanced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in ischemic muscle, and administration of AMPK inhibitor compound C abolished CR-induced increase in limb perfusion and eNOS phosphorylation in WT mice. Our observations indicate that CR can promote revascularization in response to tissue ischemia via an AMPK-eNOS-dependent mechanism that is mediated by adiponectin.     

Vildagliptin Stimulates Endothelial Cell Network Formation and Ischemia-induced Revascularization via an Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase-dependent Mechanism

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are known to lower glucose levels and are also beneficial in the management of cardiovascular disease. Here, we investigated whether a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, vildagliptin, modulates endothelial cell network formation and revascularization processes in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with vildagliptin enhanced blood flow recovery and capillary density in the ischemic limbs of wild-type mice, with accompanying increases in phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS). In contrast to wild-type mice, treatment with vildagliptin did not improve blood flow in ischemic muscles of eNOS-deficient mice. Treatment with vildagliptin increased the levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and adiponectin, which have protective effects on the vasculature. Both vildagliptin and GLP-1 increased the differentiation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) into vascular-like structures, although vildagliptin was less effective than GLP-1. GLP-1 and vildagliptin also stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in HUVECs. Pretreatment with a PI3 kinase or NOS inhibitor blocked the stimulatory effects of both vildagliptin and GLP-1 on HUVEC differentiation. Furthermore, treatment with vildagliptin only partially increased the limb flow of ischemic muscle in adiponectin-deficient mice in vivo. GLP-1, but not vildagliptin, significantly increased adiponectin expression in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro. These data indicate that vildagliptin promotes endothelial cell function via eNOS signaling, an effect that may be mediated by both GLP-1-dependent and GLP-1-independent mechanisms. The beneficial activity of GLP-1 for revascularization may also be partially mediated by its ability to increase adiponectin production.     

Protective Roles of DMP1 in High Phosphate Homeostasis

Purpose

Dmp1 (dentin matrix protein1) null mice (Dmp1^−/−) display hypophosphatemic rickets with a sharp increase in fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Disruption of Klotho (the obligatory co-receptor of FGF23) results in hyperphosphatemia with ectopic calcifications formed in blood vessels and kidneys. To determine the role of DMP1 in both a hyperphosphatemic environment and within the ectopic calcifications, we created Dmp1/Klotho compound deficient (Dmp1^−/−kl/kl) mice.

Procedures

A combination of TUNEL, immunohistochemistry, TRAP, von Kossa, micro CT, bone histomorphometry, serum biochemistry and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques were used to analyze the changes in blood vessels, kidney and bone for wild type control, Dmp1^−/−, Klotho deficient (kl/kl) and Dmp1^−/−kl/kl animals.

Findings

Interestingly, Dmp1^−/−kl/kl mice show a dramatic improvement of rickets and an identical serum biochemical phenotype to kl/kl mice (extremely high FGF23, hyperphosphatemia and reduced parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels). Unexpectedly, Dmp1^−/−kl/kl mice presented elevated levels of apoptosis in osteocytes, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells in small and large blood vessels, and within the kidney as well as dramatic increase in ectopic calcification in all these tissues, as compared to kl/kl.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that DMP1 has an anti-apoptotic role in hyperphosphatemia. Discovering this novel protective role of DMP1 may have clinical relevance in protecting the cells from apoptosis in high-phosphate environments as observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD).     

Severely reduced production of klotho in human chronic renal failure kidney

We recently identified a novel gene, termed klotho (kl) that is involved in the development of a syndrome in mice resembling human aging. A defect of the kl gene expression in mice leads to multiple disorders including arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, ectopic calcification, and skin atrophy together with short life-span and infertility. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), develop multiple complications that are reminiscent of phenotypes observed in kl mutant mice. Furthermore, the kl gene is mainly expressed in kidney and brain. These evidences above suggest the possible involvement of Klotho function in the complications arising in CRF patients. To investigate the above possibility, we examined the kidneys of 10 clinically or histologically diagnosed CRF cases. The level of kl gene expression was measured by utilizing RNase protection assay. The expression of Klotho protein was assayed by utilizing Western blot analysis and by immunohistochemistry. The levels of kl mRNA expression were greatly reduced in all CRF kidneys. Moreover, the production of Klotho protein was also severely reduced in all CRF kidneys. These results suggest that the decrease in kl gene expression in CRF patients may underlie the deteriorating process of multiple complications in the CRF patients.     

Klotho protein deficiency leads to overactivation of mu-calpain

The klotho mouse is an animal model that prematurely shows phenotypes resembling human aging. Here we report that in homozygotes for the klotho mutation (kl(-/-)), alpha(II)-spectrin is highly cleaved, even before the occurrence of aging symptoms such as calcification and arteriosclerosis. Because alpha(II)-spectrin is susceptible to proteolysis by calpain, we examined the activation of calpain in kl(-/-) mice. m-Calpain was not activated, but mu-calpain was activated at an abnormally high level, and an endogenous inhibitor of calpain, calpastatin, was significantly decreased. Proteolysis of alpha(II)-spectrin increased with decreasing level of Klotho protein. Similar phenomena were observed in normal aged mice. Our results indicate that the abnormal activation of calpain due to the decrease of Klotho protein leads to degradation of cytoskeletal elements such as alpha(II)-spectrin. Such deterioration may trigger renal abnormalities in kl(-/-) mice and aged mice, but Klotho protein may suppress these processes.