27-nt miRNA对血管内皮细胞eNOS表达/活性的调节及其代谢产物的影响

目的:前期工作表明,27-nt miRNA对eNOS的转录和表达有负反馈调节作用。本实验进一步探讨27-nt miRNA对血管内皮细胞eNOS的基因表达、活性调节及其代谢产物的影响。方法:构建27-nt miRNA高表达质粒,并将其转染至HUVECs。MTT法检测细胞的增殖情况,划痕实验检测细胞的迁移能力,Western Blot检测27-nt miRNA及细胞eNOS蛋白的表达情况,ELISA法检测eNOS活性,硝酸还原法测定细胞培养上清液中NO的含量。结果:27-nt miRNA对HUVECs的增殖有强烈的抑制作用(0.674±0.093 vs 0.315±0.013,0.743±0.076 vs 0.315±0.013,P0.05);27-nt miRNA对HUVECs的迁移有显著的抑制作用(0.483±0.009vs 0.806±0.017,0.465±0.047 vs 0.806±0.017,P0.05);27-nt miRNA显著降低eNOS蛋白的表达(0.410±0.004 vs 0.645±0.007,0.483±0.009 vs 0.645±0.007,P0.05)及明显抑制eNOS的活性(1.093±0.357 vs 5.034±0.509,1.707±0.652 vs 5.034±0.509,P0.05);27-nt miRNA明显抑制NO的合成与释放(70.687±4.432 vs 136.803±6.913,75.264±4.481 vs 136.803±6.913,P0.05)。结论:27-nt miRNA高表达明显抑制eNOS基因的表达及活性;27-nt miRNA明显抑制NO的合成和释放,可能成为血管性疾病治疗的分子靶点。     

上调Sp1表达对小细胞肺癌耐药细胞的化疗增敏作用

探讨转录因子Sp1对人小细胞肺癌足叶乙甙耐药细胞H446/VP的化疗增敏作用。采用脂质体转染Sp1质粒进入细胞,MTT法检测细胞对足叶乙甙作用的半数抑制浓度(IC50);AO/EB双荧光染色观察细胞死亡率;RT-PCR和Western印迹检测Sp1、拓扑异构酶Ⅱα(Topo Ⅱα)和拓扑异构酶Ⅱβ(Topo Ⅱβ)mRNA和蛋白质表达。结果:细胞转染Sp1质粒后IC50明显降低,细胞死亡率明显增加。RT-PCR和Western印迹检测可见,H446/VP-Sp1细胞中Sp1、Topo Ⅱα的mRNA和蛋白质表达量均较转染前明显增加,而Topo Ⅱβ表达无显著性差别。研究表明,上调Sp1表达可提高人小细胞肺癌耐药细胞中Topo Ⅱα的表达,为Topo Ⅱ抑制剂类药物提供了更多的作用靶点,使细胞对Topo Ⅱ抑制剂类药物的敏感度提高。     

RNA干扰技术对肝癌细胞内源survivin基因表达的影响

应用RNA干扰技术（RNAi）研究针对凋亡抑制因子survivin的siRNA抑制肝癌细胞株内源survivin基因的表达.转染重组质粒pshRNA-survivin至肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721,通过免疫荧光、蛋白质印迹和半定量RT-PCR检测survivin蛋白表达及mRNA转录水平的变化.结果表明：构建的三种重组质粒pshRNA-survivin1/2/3均能明显抑制survivin基因的表达;应用免疫荧光检测survivin基因的表达,转染重组质粒pshRNA-survivin的实验组survivin荧光强度明显低于转染载体pTZU6＋1和pshRNA-GFP对照组;蛋白质印迹结果表明,重组质粒pshRNA-survivin明显抑制survivin蛋白的表达,抑制率为62%～78％,通过半定量RT-PCR检测到survivin基因mRNA转录明显减少,抑制率为57%～64％.由上述结果可以得出结论：重组质粒pshRNA-survivin可明显抑制SMMC-7721细胞内源survivin的表达和mRNA的转录,为survivin介导的肿瘤基因沉寂疗法提供实验基础.     

凝血因子FXIII A链基因第1内含子内顺式调节元件的鉴定

探讨FⅩⅢ A基因表达的分子机制.凝胶阻滞实验（EMSA）结果证明,FⅩⅢ A基因第1内含子5′区的前12碱基与转录因子结合并由此调控基因表达.FⅩⅢ A基因第1内含子第12位碱基由C突变为A(内含子1 (+12)C→A)导致与转录因子结合能力降低.构建不同的荧光素酶表达质粒Luc 1、Luc 2、Luc 3、Luc 4、Luc 5、Luc 6,并转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞.结果显示,如果Luc 5（具有最高表达活性）的内含子1(+12)由C突变为A,启动子活性显著降低.与Luc 5相比,突变后的Luc 5的活性分别下降了52.9％（U937, P＜0.01）和47.6％（HepG2, P＜0.01）.将Luc 5与PN3 Sp1共同转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞后,Luc 5的荧光素酶活性分别提高了42.4％（U937,与Luc 5单独转染比较P＜0.01）和54.9％（HepG2, 与Luc 5单独转染比较P＜0.01）,而突变后的Luc 5（Mut）与PN3 Sp1共同转染则没有明显的改变.表明转录因子Sp1在FⅩⅢ A基因表达的重要性.这些结果也表明,内含子在FⅩⅢ A基因表达过程中起重要作用,为遗传性凝血因子发病机理的研究提供了新的证据.     

凝血因子FⅧA链基因第1内含子内顺式调节元件的鉴定

探讨FⅧA基因表达的分子机制.凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)结果证明,FⅧA基因第1内含子5′区的前12碱基与转录因子结合并由此调控基因表达.FⅧA基因第1内含子第12位碱基由C突变为A(内含子1( 12)C→A)导致与转录因子结合能力降低.构建不同的荧光素酶表达质粒Luc1、Luc2、Luc3、Luc4、Luc5、Luc6,并转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞.结果显示,如果Luc5(具有最高表达活性)的内含子1( 12)由C突变为A,启动子活性显著降低.与Luc5相比,突变后的Luc5的活性分别下降了52·9%(U937,P<0·01)和47·6%(HepG2,P<0·01).将Luc5与PN3 Sp1共同转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞后,Luc5的荧光素酶活性分别提高了42·4%(U937,与Luc5单独转染比较P<0·01)和54·9%(HepG2,与Luc5单独转染比较P<0·01),而突变后的Luc5(Mut)与PN3 Sp1共同转染则没有明显的改变.表明转录因子Sp1在FXA基因表达的重要性.这些结果也表明,内含子在FⅧA基因表达过程中起重要作用,为遗传性凝血因子Ⅷ发病机理的研究提供了新的证据.     

AP-2α在小鼠血管内皮细胞中上调VEGF的表达

转录因子AP-2α(activating protein 2α)在哺乳动物发育、分化以及肿瘤的发生等生命现象中起重要作用,最近的研究发现.在HaCaT角化细胞中,AP-2α可以影响vaseular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)的表达.对C 57BL/6J小鼠胸主动脉血管内皮细胞进行了原代培养,取2～4代细胞分别以转染质粒pCMV-Myc,pCMV-Myc-AP-2α,pCMV-Myc-VEGFA以及SiRNA-AP-2α,Control-RNAi-AP-2α,SiRNA-VEGFA,Control-RNAi-VEGFA.然后采用实时定量RT-PCR和Western Blot分别检测Ap-2α和VEGF mRNA与蛋白的表达水平.结果发现在小鼠血管内皮细胞中AP-2α的过表达可使VEGF mRNA和蛋白质表达水平上升:培养细胞转染SiRNA-AP-2α后可使VEGF mRNA的表达和蛋白的表达水平下降:而VEGF的过表达及SiRNA-VEGFA对AP-2α mRNA和蛋白的表达水平没有明显影响,因此,在小鼠血管内皮细胞中AP-2α可上调VEGF的表达.     

HRE．ppET-1调控血管内皮生长因子基因在内皮细胞的靶向性表达

试图探讨缺氧反应元件（hypoxia-responsive element,HRE）增强人前内皮素原-1基因（human preproendothelin-1,ppET-1）启动子在缺氧条件下靶向调控血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）基因在内皮细胞中的表达,以提高基因治疗的效果．构建真核表达载体pEGFP—HRE．ppET-1,pcDNA3．1-VEGF＋Pa（VA）,pcDNA3．1-ppET—1＋VEGF＋Pa（PVA）,pcDNA3．1-HRE．ppET-1＋VEGF＋Pa（HPVA）,脂质体转染离体培养的脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）和肝细胞,荧光显微镜下观察GFP表达,验证HRE．ppET-1调控元件在内皮细胞中的特异性．培养基中加入100μmol／L的氯化钻模拟细胞体外缺氧环境．载体转染后,RT-PCR和Western blot半定量分别检测各载体VEGF mRNA和蛋白水平在常氧及缺氧条件下的表达差异．应用Elisa定量检测细胞上清VEGF蛋白的表达量,分析各载体的表达水平．使用MTT实验检测细胞增殖率．GFP的表达显示HRE．ppET-1调控元件在内皮细胞中可有效转录外源基因,在非内皮细胞中表达极弱．RT—PCR,Western Blot及Elisa的检测结果均表明缺氧条件下HPVA组以及PVA组中,VEGF的表达均较常氧条件下增强（P〈0．05）．MTT实验检测显示HPVA转染的缺氧条件下的HUVEC增殖率超过其常氧未转染对照组．结果显示,HRE．ppET-1调控元件具有内皮细胞表达特异性,并能在缺氧条件下显著提高VEGF的表达,刺激内皮细胞的增殖,为进一步开展内皮细胞的靶向基因治疗研究奠定良好基础．     

人皮肤成纤维细胞中α1(Ⅰ)前胶原基因转录调控研究

为寻找纤维化形成中调控人Ⅰ型前胶原基因高水平转录的启动序列及其DNA结合蛋白 ,以人皮肤成纤维细胞α1(Ⅰ )前胶原基因转录起始点上游 - 2 5kb至 + 4 2bp的片段为靶序列 ,采用PCR、基因重组、报告基因测活、细胞基因转染技术比较不同长短启动子活性 .凝胶滞留实验 (EM SA)研究高启动活性片段相应的DNA结合蛋白 .基因转染高活性转录因子识别序列至靶细胞 ,探讨前胶原基因激活阻断的新手段 .结果表明 ,- 2 4 83～ + 4 2bp、 - 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp序列具有强启动调控活性 ,而 - 10 5～ + 4 2bp片段启动活性最低 .EMSA对高启动活性小片段DNA结合蛋白的分析提示 ,- 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp序列中存在转录因子Ap 1、Sp 1、NF 1的特异结合位点 .转染高活性转录因子识别序列Ap 1、Sp 1至靶细胞可竞争性阻断胶原基因启动转录激活 .研究提示 ,人α1(Ⅰ )前胶原基因 - 2 4 83～ + 4 2bp、 - 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp片段有高启动活性 .转录因子Ap 1、Sp 1、NF 1与 - 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp序列中相应识别序列的结合与其基础高转录活性有关 .转染高活性转录因子识别序列Ap 1、Sp 1可从转录水平阻断胶原基因的激活     

P13K信号通路通过Skp2、p27调节肝癌细胞的增殖

探讨磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（PI3K）信号通路调节肝癌细胞增殖的机制．用LY294002特异性阻断P13K信号通路后,人肝癌细胞（SMMC-7721）的增殖明显被抑制．RT-PCR及蛋白质印迹结果显示,LY294002增加了p27蛋白的表达,但不影响p27的mRNA表达．在LY294002处理的细胞中转入p27的RNAi质粒以干扰p27蛋白的表达后,肝癌细胞的增殖能力可部分恢复．放线菌酮（Chx）处理实验表明,阻断P13K信号通路使p27蛋白的半衰期延长,稳定性增加．进一步研究发现,LY294002可抑制介导p27蛋白降解的关键分子Skp2的rnRNA表达,还可缩短Skp2蛋白的半衰期,降低Skp2蛋白的稳定性．但在SMMC-7721中分别转染P13K下游重要靶分子Akt的持续激活和失活突变体,却并不影响p27蛋白的表达．这些结果表明,P13K信号通路在转录及翻译后水平调节Skp2的表达而影响p27蛋白的降解,从而调节肝癌细胞的增殖,但Akt并没有参与这种调节．     

槲皮素对前列腺癌细胞增殖及转录因子Sp1功能的抑制作用

雄激素受体(androgenreceptor,AR)作为核转录因子,其高表达、基因突变以及AR辅激活因子的过表达等造成AR的异常激活与前列腺癌细胞的增殖、恶化转移、多药耐药等密切相关.天然黄酮槲皮素(quercetin),是一很有潜力的预防和治疗前列腺肿瘤的化合物.槲皮素不仅抑制前列腺癌细胞LNCaP的增殖,并呈剂量依赖性,而且下调前列腺癌中AR的表达、抑制AR的转录激活功能.GCbox是AR核心启动子的主要正调控元件,是转录因子Sp1的结合位点.细胞转染结果表明,槲皮素能抑制Sp1蛋白对AR启动子的激活作用,可能是槲皮素下调AR表达的机理之一.进一步研究显示,槲皮素还能明显抑制Sp1蛋白对AR转录激活功能的增强作用.Western印迹结果显示,槲皮素对Sp1蛋白表达无明显影响,但能够诱导c-Jun的高表达,而高表达的c-Jun蛋白能逆转Sp1蛋白对AR的转录激活作用,由此推测,槲皮素可能通过介导c-Jun与Sp1的蛋白质相互作用,抑制Sp1的功能,进而起到抑制AR表达和功能的作用.免疫沉淀结果又进一步证实了Sp1与c-Jun二者的相互作用.因此,槲皮素可能通过抑制前列腺癌细胞中AR的表达和功能抑制了细胞的增殖,其分子机理可能与槲皮素诱导的c-Jun与Sp1蛋白相互作用、降低Sp1对AR的转录激活作用有关.     

Biogenesis of short intronic repeat 27-nucleotide small RNA from endothelial nitric-oxide synthase gene

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is a constitutively expressed gene in endothelium that produces NO and is critical for vascular integrity. Previously, we reported that the 27-nucleotide (nt) repeat polymorphism in eNOS intron 4, a source of 27-nt small RNA, which inhibits eNOS expression, were associated with cardiovascular risk and expression of the eNOS gene. In the current study, we investigated the biogenesis of the intron 4-derived 27-nt small RNA. Using Northern blot, we showed that the eNOS-derived 27-nt short intronic repeat RNA (sir-RNA) expressed only in the eNOS expressing endothelial cells. Cells containing 10 x 27- or 5 x 27-nt repeats produced higher levels of 27nt sir-RNA and lower levels of eNOS mRNA than the cells with 4 x 27-nt repeats. The 27nt sir-RNA was mostly present within the endothelial nuclei. When the splicing junctions of the 27-nt repeat containing intron 4 in the full-length eNOS cDNA vector were mutated, 27nt sir-RNA biogenesis was abolished. Suppression of Drosha or Dicer diminished the biogenesis of the 27nt sir-RNA. Our study suggests that the 27nt sir-RNA derived through eNOS pre-mRNA splicing may represent a new class of small RNA. The more eNOS is transcribed or higher number of the 27-nt repeats, the more 27nt sir-RNA is produced, which functions as a negative feedback self-regulator by specifically inhibiting the host gene eNOS expression. This novel molecular model may be responsible for quantitative differences between individuals carrying different numbers of the polymorphic repeats hence the cardiovascular risk.     

miR-878靶向调控Pim1促进线粒体分裂导致心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤

目的 心肌缺血/再灌注（MI/R）损伤是导致急性心肌梗死患者不良心血管结局的重要原因。然而,目前对MI/R损伤的分子机制仍不明确。本文旨在确定微小RNA-878(miR-878)对MI/R损伤的影响及其分子机制。方法 在H9c2细胞中建立缺氧/复氧（H/R）模型。采用CCK-8法检测细胞活力。采用生化试剂盒检测乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）含量。流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡水平。采用免疫荧光法及激光共聚焦显微镜分析线粒体形态。采用免疫荧光法检测线粒体活性氧（mtROS）水平。使用双荧光素酶报告基因实验研究miR-878与Pim1的结合位点。RNA免疫沉淀（RIP）实验验证miR-878与Pim1的结合关系。实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测基因的表达水平。结果 与对照组相比,miR-878在H/R处理的H9c2细胞中表达显著升高（（1.00±0.25） vs(9.70±2.63),P<0.01）。在H/R诱导的细胞中,转染miR-878抑制剂能够显著增加细胞活力（（46.67±3.00） vs(74.62±4.08),P<0.000 1）,并...     

Role of DNA methyltransferase 1 on the altered eNOS expression in human umbilical endothelium from intrauterine growth restricted fetuses

Reduced fetal growth associates with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in both young and adult offspring and the nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in these effects. Epigenetic processes are likely to underlie such effects, but there is to date no evidence that endothelial dysfunction in early life results from epigenetic processes on key genes in the NO system, such as NOS3 (eNOS) and ARG2 (arginase-2). We determined basal DNA methylation status in NOS3 and ARG2 promoters, and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) effect on eNOS and arginase-2 expression using human endothelial cells isolated from umbilical arteries (HUAEC) and veins (HUVEC) from control and intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses. Compared with cells from control pregnancies, eNOS protein and mRNA levels were increased in HUAEC, but decreased in HUVEC, from IUGR, while arginase-2 levels were increased in IUGR-HUVEC. The NOS3 promoter showed a decrease in DNA methylation at CpG -352 in IUGR-HUAEC, and an increase in IUGR-HUVEC, when compared with control cells. Methylation in the hypoxia response element of the NOS3 promoter was increased in IUGR-HUAEC and decreased in HUVEC. Methylation in the AGR2 promoter in IUGR-HUVEC was decreased in a putative HRE, and without changes in IUGR-HUAEC. Silencing of DNMT1 expression normalized eNOS expression in IUGR endothelial cells, and restored the normal response to hypoxia in HUVEC, without effects on arginase-2. This data suggest that eNOS expression in IUGR-derived endothelial cells is programmed by altered DNA methylation, and can be reversed by transient silencing of the DNA methylation machinery.     

Physcion,a tetra-substituted 9,10-anthraquinone,prevents homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction by activating Ca2+- and Akt-eNOS-NO signaling pathways

BackgroundHomocysteine (Hcy) induced vascular endothelial dysfunction is known to be closely associated with oxidative stress and impaired NO system. 1,8-Dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylanthracene-9,10-dione (physcion) has been known to has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to define the protective effect of physcion on Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction and its mechanisms involved.Study Design and MethodsHyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) rat model was induced by feeding 3% methionine. A rat thoracic aortic ring model was used to investigate the effects of physcion on Hcy-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation. Two doses, low (L, 30 mg/kg/day) and high (H, 50 mg/kg/day) of physcion were used in the present study. To construct Hcy-injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) model, the cells treated with 3 mM Hcy. The effects of physcion on Hcy-induced HUVECs cytotoxicity and apoptosis were studied using MTT and flow cytometry. Confocal analysis was used to determine the levels of intracellular Ca²⁺. The levels of protein expression of the apoptosis-related markers Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-9/3, and Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were evaluated by western blot.ResultsIn the HHcy rat model, plasma levels of Hcy and malondialdehyde (MDA) were elevated (20.45 ± 2.42 vs. 4.67 ± 1.94 μM, 9.42 ± 0.48 vs. 3.47 ± 0.59 nM, p < 0.001 for both), whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were decreased (77.11 ± 4.78 vs. 115.02 ± 5.63 U/ml, 44.51 ± 4.45 vs. 64.18 ± 5.34 μM, p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). However, treatment with physcion significantly reversed these changes (11.82 ± 2.02 vs. 20.45 ± 2.42 μM, 5.97 ± 0.72 vs. 9.42 ± 0.48 nM, 108.75 ± 5.65 vs. 77.11 ± 4.78 U/ml, 58.14 ± 6.02 vs. 44.51 ± 4.45 μM, p < 0.01 for all). Physcion also prevented Hcy-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation in HHcy rats (1.56 ± 0.06 vs. 15.44 ± 2.53 nM EC₅₀ for ACh vasorelaxation, p < 0.05 vs. HHcy). In Hcy-injured HUVECs, physcion inhibited the impaired viability, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species. Hcy treatment significantly increased the protein phosphorylation levels of p38 (2.26 ± 0.20 vs. 1.00 ± 0.12, p <0.01), ERK (2.11 ± 0.21 vs. 1.00 ± 0.11, p <0.01) and JNK. Moreover, physcion reversed the Hcy-induced apoptosis related parameter changes such as decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio, and increased protein expression of caspase-9/3 in HUVECs. Furthermore, the downregulation of Ca²⁺, Akt, eNOS and NO caused by Hcy were recovered with physcion treatment in HUVECs.ConclusionPhyscion prevents Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction by activating Ca²⁺- and Akt-eNOS-NO signaling pathways. This study provides the first evidence that physcion might be a candidate agent for the prevention of cardiovascular disease induced by Hcy.