绞股蓝总苷对高脂血症大鼠血管平滑肌细胞表型的影响

研究绞股蓝总苷对高脂诱导的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞表型的影响及可能的分子机制。采用高脂饲料喂饲建立高脂大鼠模型,观察绞股蓝总苷对血脂各成分的影响,血管平滑肌细胞超微结构及血管表型标志物表达的影响。结果显示,绞股蓝总苷能降低大鼠血脂水平并抑制血管平滑肌细胞超微结构发生去分化表型改变;增加高脂大鼠动脉分化标志蛋白SM-actin的表达,降低细胞增殖蛋白PCNA的表达。说明绞股蓝总苷能有效抑制高脂诱导的大鼠平滑肌细胞去分化,机制可能与抑制MCPIP1的表达有关。     

糖尿病和非糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔模型的建立

目的建立兔动脉粥样硬化和糖尿病动脉粥样硬化模型并比较其动脉粥样硬化病变的特点。方法四氧嘧啶静脉推注诱发糖尿病后,行腹主动脉球囊损伤术拉伤内皮并饲高脂饲料建立糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔模型,非糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔模型静脉推注生理盐水,余处理相同。喂养10周做腹主动脉造影和腹主动脉内超声后处死,取腹主动脉横切片做HE染色和免疫组化,比较两组兔主动脉内膜/中膜比值及巨噬细胞、平滑肌细胞含量,以评价动脉粥样硬化病变的程度和性质。结果所有兔胸主动脉粥样硬化病变明显轻于腹主动脉;糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔腹主动脉壁特别是近血管腔处巨噬细胞浸润明显多于动脉粥样硬化兔,而平滑肌细胞含量显著减少。结论糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔的腹主动脉粥样硬化病变内有更加活跃的炎症细胞浸润,提示病变性质更加不稳定。     

冠状动脉粥样硬化大鼠实验动物模型的改进与评价

目的通过对文献报道的动脉粥样硬化大鼠造模方法的改进,建立一种适合进行心血管疾病研究的冠状动脉粥样硬化Wistar大鼠模型。方法将40只大鼠随机分为对照组与模型组,对照组15只,模型组25只。模型组高脂饲料喂养配合前3个月,每月按15万U/kg每月腹腔注射维生素D3一次,对照组喂养普通饲料,造模时长150 d。实验结束后通过对血管内皮、脂代谢、炎症浸润几个方面对模型大鼠进行考察。结果证实模型组大鼠较对照组血清LDL-C、CHO、TG水平明显升高,HDL-C/LDL-C、NO/ET-1值明显降低;AI值显著增高;血清NO、ET-1、ox-LDL、AngⅡ、sICAM-1表达明显增高;HE染色显示：模型组大鼠冠状动脉出现血栓、内皮破坏、粥样斑块形成,血管壁钙化情况;心肌纤维组织增生,炎细胞浸润,心肌轻度变性;主动脉出现动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,而对照组无病变产生。结论本方法能够提供一种稳定的、复制性好的用于冠状动脉粥样硬化实验研究的大鼠模型。     

紫杉醇对大鼠颅内C_6胶质瘤细胞wnt/β-catenin信号通路的影响

目的观察紫杉醇类药物对大鼠颅内胶质瘤细胞中wnt/β-catenin信号通路基因和蛋白表达的影响,探讨wnt/β-catenin信号通路在紫杉醇治疗胶质瘤中的作用。方法通过预实验计算出紫杉醇IC50=6.04nmol/L,实验组中加入紫杉醇溶液终浓度6.04nmol/L,对照组加等体积培养液,温箱中作用48h后,采用RT-PCR法检测各组细胞c-myc基因表达,免疫组织化学法检测β-catenin蛋白表达。结果两组C6细胞中均检测出β-catenin蛋白和c-myc的mRNA表达,癌基因c-myc mRNA表达实验组较对照组明显下降(P0.05),而且β-catenin蛋白表达也较对照组降低(P0.05)。结论抑制细胞内β-catenin蛋白表达及癌基因c-myc的表达,从而阻断wnt信号转导通路,是紫杉醇类药物抗癌机制之一,研究紫杉醇对wnt/β-catenin信号通路的影响对提高其疗效有潜在的临床意义。     

高脂血症对大鼠心电图的影响及其作用机制

目的:探讨在高脂血症状态下,大鼠心电图的变化情况,及高胆固醇血症对心肌电生理特性影响的机制。方法:将20只Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组和高脂饮食组,喂养10周后,检测大鼠的血脂水平、心电图和室颤阈值,并通过全细胞膜片钳记录心室肌细胞的ICa,L;利用组织病理学方法评价对照组及高脂饮食组的大鼠动脉粥样硬化的程度。结果:高脂饮食组的大鼠血脂水平与对照组相比明显增高(P<0.01);在高脂饮食组的大鼠动脉血管管壁中,可见广泛分布的粥样硬化斑块。在高脂饮食组的大鼠心电图中,室颤阈值为(4.23±0.12)V,明显低于对照组(12.80±6.34)V,P<0.05。高脂饮食组大鼠的QTc间期(94±16)ms,与对照组(67±12)ms相比明显延长,P<0.05。高脂饮食组大鼠的心室肌细胞的ICa,L密度为(12.83±3.28)pA/pF,与对照组(9.21±2.16)pA/pF相比明显高,P<0.05。结论:高脂饮食后,大鼠的心电图有明显变化,QTc间期延长;高胆固醇血症能明显增加大鼠心肌细胞的ICa,L的,延长复极时程,降低室颤阈值。     

ApoE~(-/-)小鼠动脉粥样硬化模型的建立

ApoE-基因敲除小鼠(ApoE-/-)经含有21%脂肪和0.15%胆固醇的高脂饲料喂食12周后进行各项血脂胆固醇水平检测,以及整体主动脉油红O染色与主动脉根部病理切片油红O染色等动脉粥样硬化病理分析。结果显示经过高脂诱导的ApoE-/-小鼠的血浆总胆固醇和甘油三酯水平均比未经饮食诱导的ApoE-/-小鼠、经同样饮食处理的野生型小鼠以及未经处理的野生型小鼠均显著升高(P0.05);低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇水平与野生型(正常饮食组和高脂组)相比升高了近3倍多;高脂诱导ApoE-/-小鼠的主动脉斑块面积占整体主动脉面积的65%,显著高于ApoE-/-小鼠的正常饮食组(21%)(P0.05),同时主动脉根部的血管壁明显增厚,管腔变窄。实验结果表明通过高脂饲料饮食诱导,成功建立了动脉粥样硬化模型小鼠,可为下游的药物筛选、基因治疗以及动脉粥样硬化机理的体内研究提供理想的实验材料。     

抑制Toll样受体4对apoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化病变的影响

通过Toll样受体4(TLR4)抑制剂表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对TLR4途径的抑制,研究apoE-/- 小鼠TLR4及多种炎症因子的表达和动脉粥样硬化病变程度的改变,以探讨TLR4途径在动脉粥样硬化病变发生中的作用.5岗龄雄性apoE-/- 小鼠50只,随机分成4组:基础饮食组对照组(n=12)、高脂饮食组对照组(n=12)、基础饮食+EGCG组(n=13)、高脂饮食+EGCG组(n=13).给药14周后处死动物,从主动脉根部连续冰冻切片,油红O染色观察主动脉窦处动脉粥样硬化(As)斑块面积,定量分析主动脉粥样硬化斑块大小及占管腔的面积百分比,采用Real time-PCR检测主动脉TLR4 mRNA和CD14mRNA的表达,蛋白质印迹检测TLR4和CD14蛋白表达,ELISA检测小鼠血清中单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1,肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)浓度.研究结果提示:EGCG显著减轻apoE-/- 主动脉窦部的动脉粥样硬化病变,高脂对照组的主动脉窦AS斑块面积为(2.37±0.08)mm2,高脂饲料+EGCG组的主动脉窦AS斑块的面积为(1.05±0.13)mm2,EGCG组小鼠主动脉窦粥样斑块面积比相应对照组明显减少(P<0.05),高脂饮食+EGCG组小鼠TLR4蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.05),MCP-1,TNF-α的含量减少,与高脂饮食对照组相比差异有显著性(P<0.05).TLR4信号转导途径在高脂所致的AS发生当中有着重要作用,该信号途径的激活至少是AS发生当中的一个重要环节.     

HepaCAM通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制膀胱癌细胞T24的增殖

该研究探讨了肝细胞黏附分子(hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule,Hepa CAM)对膀胱癌细胞T24增殖的影响及其对Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的调控作用。T24细胞做空白处理、空载腺病毒(Ad-GFP)处理和Hepa CAM过表达腺病毒(Ad-GFP-Hepa CAM)处理,CCK-8法检测Hepa CAM对细胞增殖的影响,q RT-PCR和Western blot法检测Hepa CAM对β-catenin、c-Myc和cyclin D1的m RNA和蛋白表达水平的影响。采用Wnt/β-catenin信号通路激活剂Li Cl处理T24细胞,MTT法检测细胞增殖能力,Western blot检测GSK3β(try216)磷酸化水平及β-catenin、c-Myc和cyclin D1蛋白水平,克隆形成试验检测细胞的克隆形成能力。结果显示,过表达Hepa CAM后,能够抑制T24细胞的生长,下调β-catenin、c-Myc及cyclin D1的m RNA和蛋白的表达水平。5,10,20μmol/L的Li Cl作用细胞2 h后,均可促进T24细胞的增殖。10μmol/L的Li Cl作用2 h后能够降低GSK3β的磷酸化水平,促进Wnt信号通路的活化。10μmol/L的Li Cl与Ad-GFP-Hepa CAM联合处理细胞后,能够逆转Hepa CAM对β-catenin、c-Myc及cyclin D1蛋白水平和细胞增殖的抑制作用。该研究表明,Hepa CAM可通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制膀胱癌细胞T24的增殖。     

Hippo信号通路在颈动脉结扎所致大鼠动脉血管重构中的表达及其意义

目的:在建立大鼠血管重构模型基础上探讨Hippo信号通路在该模型中的表达及意义。方法:模型组(n=40)经颈部正中切口游离出左侧颈总动脉,用6-0不可吸收线在尽量靠近近心端处结扎,完全阻断血流。对照组(n=20)仅将手术线穿过颈总动脉而不结扎,闭合切合。14 d后处死所有动物,经原手术路径分离颈总动脉,收集结扎处至远心端的动脉。用HE以及MASSON染色观察血管形态以及纤维化,免疫组织化学染色法检测颈动脉中α-肌动蛋白(α-MSA)和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达,Western blot检测yes相关蛋白(YAP),PDZ结合基序的转录辅激活子(TAZ),TEAD1,Bax,Bcl-2的表达。结果:与对照组相比,造模组HE染色提示血管重构明显,新生内膜/中膜比例明显增加,MASSON染色提示纤维化明显增加;免疫组织化学染色法提示造模组血管α-MSA及PCNA表达明显增加; Western blot提示造模组血管YAP,TAZ,TEAD1,Bcl-2表达增加,而Bax表达降低,Bax/Bcl-2蛋白比例明显降低。结论:本研究成功建立颈动脉结扎介导的大鼠血管重构模型,另外证明Hippo信号通路在颈动脉结扎介导的大鼠血管重构模型中明显激活,以及可能介导增殖、凋亡相关的Bax/Bcl-2比值的改变,进而参与平滑肌细胞增殖促进血管重构。     

兔实验性动脉粥样硬化和急性心肌梗死双模型的建立

目的建立兔实验性动脉粥样硬化和心肌梗死双模型,比较血管新生在动脉粥样硬化和缺血心肌中发生机制的差异。方法选择20只雄性新西兰兔,随机分为两组,A组10只为普通饮食对照组,B组10只为高脂饮食组,共喂养9周。第3周末心导管封堵冠状动脉血管致急性心肌梗死。测定不同时期血脂水平。实验终点,苏丹Ⅲ染色测定主动脉斑块阳性面积;免疫组化染色测定不同心肌区域和主动脉血管壁CD34阳性反应强度,测定不同心肌区域新生血管密度;Western blot检测hypoxia-inducible factor1α(HIF-1α)在动脉粥样硬化和缺血心肌中的表达。结果高脂组血脂水平进行性增高。高脂组主动脉斑块阳性面积高于对照组,差异有显著性。在心肌正常区、梗死区和梗死边缘区:CD34阳性反应强度和新生血管密度各组间差异有显著性,HIF-1α的表达各组间差异有显著性;均为梗死边缘区最高,梗死区次之,正常区最低。在高脂组和对照组主动脉:CD34阳性反应强度两组间差异有显著性,HIF-1α的表达两组间差异有显著性;高脂组强于对照组。结论成功建立兔实验性动脉粥样硬化和心肌梗死双模型,提示动脉粥样硬化和缺血心肌中均有血管新生的参与。     

MiR-499 induces cardiac differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells through wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that over-expressing miR-499 in rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) induces them to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells through the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.MethodsRat BM-MSCs were infected with lentiviral vectors bearing miR-499. The expression of cardiac-specific markers, NKx2.5, GATA4, MEF2C, and cTnI in these cells were examined by rtPCR or Western blot analysis and the activity of the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was evaluated by measuring the phosphorylation status of β-catenin.ResultsOver-expression of miR-499 in rat BM-MSCs increased the expression of cardiac-specific genes, such as NKx2.5, GATA4, MEF2C, and cTnI and decreased the ratio of phosphorylated/dephosphorylated β-catenin in the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus activating the pathway. Knocking down the expression of Dvl, an adaptor molecule in the wnt/β-catenin signaling, partially blocked the role of the miR-499 and decreased those cardiac-specific genes.ConclusionOver-expression of miR-499 in rat BM-MSCs induces them toward cardiac differentiation through the activating the wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.     

Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products (RAGE) Blockade Do Damage to Neuronal Survival via Disrupting Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Spinal Cord Injury

Wnt signaling are recognized key factors in neuronal development, cell proliferation and axonal guidance. However, RAGE effect on wnt signaling after spinal cord injury (SCI) are poorly understood. Our study aims to explore RAGE blockade effect on wnt signaling after SCI. We constructed Allen SCI model and micro-injected with RAGE neutralizing antibody or IgG after injury. We determined β-catenin, wnt3a and its receptor frizzled-5 via Western blot. We determined β-catenin/NeuN expression at 2 weeks after SCI via immunofluorescence (IF). We found that β-catenin, wnt3a and wnt receptor frizzled5 expression were activated after SCI at 3 days after injury. However, RAGE blockade inhibit β-catenin, wnt3a and frizzled5 expression. We found that β-catenin accumulation in NeuN cells were activated after SCI via IF, however, RAGE blockade reduced β-catenin and NeuN positive cells. RAGE blockade attenuated number of survived neurons and decreased area of spared white matter around the epicenter. RAGE signaling may involved in disrupting wnt signaling to aids neuronal recovery after SCI.     

Aluminum Trichloride Inhibited Osteoblastic Proliferation and Downregulated the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Aluminum (Al) exposure inhibits bone formation. Osteoblastic proliferation promotes bone formation. Therefore, we inferred that Al may inhibit bone formation by the inhibition of osteoblastic proliferation. However, the effects and molecular mechanisms of Al on osteoblastic proliferation are still under investigation. Osteoblastic proliferation can be regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. To investigate the effects of Al on osteoblastic proliferation and whether Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in it, osteoblasts from neonatal rats were cultured and exposed to 0, 0.4 mM (1/20 IC₅₀), 0.8 mM (1/10 IC₅₀), and 1.6 mM (1/5 IC₅₀) of aluminum trichloride (AlCl₃) for 24 h, respectively. The osteoblastic proliferation rates; Wnt3a, lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP-5), T cell factor 1 (TCF-1), cyclin D1, and c-Myc messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions; and p-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), GSK3β, and β-catenin protein expressions indicated that AlCl₃ inhibited osteoblastic proliferation and downregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, the AlCl₃ concentration was negatively correlated with osteoblastic proliferation rates and the mRNA expressions of Wnt3a, c-Myc, and cyclin D1, while the osteoblastic proliferation rates were positively correlated with mRNA expressions of Wnt3a, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. Taken together, these findings indicated that AlCl₃ inhibits osteoblastic proliferation may be associated with the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE1 regulates the beta-catenin/TCF signaling through PP2A B56 gamma subunit in proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells

The phenotypic change of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), from a 'contractile' phenotype to a 'synthetic' phenotype, is crucial for pathogenic vascular remodeling in vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Ca(2+)/calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1) isozymes, including PDE1A and PDE1C, play integral roles in regulating the proliferation of synthetic VSMCs. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) remain unknown. In this study, we explore the role and mechanism of PDE1 isoforms in regulating β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF) signaling in VSMCs, a pathway important for vascular remodeling through promoting VSMC growth and survival. We found that inhibition of PDE1 activity markedly attenuated β-catenin/TCF signaling by downregulating β-catenin protein. The effect of PDE1 inhibition on β-catenin protein reduction is exerted via promoting glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)β activation, β-catenin phosphorylation and subsequent β-catenin protein degradation. Moreover, PDE1 inhibition specifically upregulated phosphatase protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) B56γ subunit gene expression, which is responsible for the effects of PDE1 inhibition on GSK3β and β-catenin/TCF signaling. Furthermore, the effect of PDE1 inhibition on β-catenin was specifically mediated by PDE1A but not PDE1C isozyme. Interestingly, in synthetic VSMCs, PP2A B56γ, phospho-GSK3β and phospho-β-catenin were all found in the nucleus, suggesting that PDE1A regulates nuclear β-catenin protein stability through the nuclear PP2A-GSK3β-β-catenin signaling axis. Taken together, these findings provide direct evidence for the first time that PP2A B56γ is a critical mediator for PDE1A in the regulation of β-catenin signaling in proliferating VSMCs.     

WISP1 silencing confers protection against epithelial–mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats via inactivation of the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in uremia

Uremia can affect hepatic metabolism of drugs by regulating the clearance of drugs, but it has not been clarified whether gene silencing could modulate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in uremia. Hence, we investigated the effect of WISP1 gene silencing on the renal tubular EMT in uremia through the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Initially, microarray-based gene expression profiling of uremia was used to identify differentially expressed genes. Following the establishment of uremia rat model, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen of rats were detected. Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) were transfected with shRNA-WISP1 lentivirus interference vectors and LiCI (the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activator) to explore the regulatory mechanism of WISP1 in uremia in relation to the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Then, expression of WISP1, wnt2b, E-cadherin, α-SMA, c-myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was determined. Furthermore, TEC migration and invasion were evaluated. Results suggested that WISP1 and the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were associated with uremia. Uremic rats exhibited increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, upregulated WISPl, and activated wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Subsequently, WISP1 silencing decreased wnt2b, c-myc, Cyclin D1, α-SMA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression but increased E-cadherin expression, whereas LiCI treatment exhibited the opposite trends. In addition, WISP1 silencing suppressed TEC migration and invasion, whereas LiCI treatment promoted TEC migration and invasion. The findings indicate that WISP1 gene silencing suppresses the activation of the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus reducing EMT of renal TECs in uremic rats.     

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Diclofenac and Celecoxib Attenuates Wnt/β-Catenin/Tcf Signaling Pathway in Human Glioblastoma Cells

Glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive primary brain tumors, carry a bleak prognosis and often recur even after standard treatment modalities. Emerging evidence suggests that deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf signaling pathway contributes to glioblastoma progression. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit tumor cell proliferation by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf signaling in various human malignancies. In this study, we sought to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf signaling in glioblastoma cells by the NSAIDs diclofenac and celecoxib. Both diclofenac and celecoxib significantly reduced the proliferation, colony formation and migration of human glioblastoma cells. Diclofenac and celecoxib downregulated β-catenin/Tcf reporter activity. Western and qRT-PCR analysis showed that diclofenac and celecoxib reduced the expression of β-catenin target genes Axin2, cyclin D1 and c-Myc. In addition, the cytoplasmic accumulation and nuclear translocation of β-catenin was significantly reduced following diclofenac and celecoxib treatment. Furthermore, diclofenac and celecoxib significantly increased phosphorylation of β-catenin and reduced the phosphorylation of GSK3β. These results clearly indicated that diclofenac and celecoxib are potential therapeutic agents against glioblastoma cells that act by suppressing the activation of Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf signaling.     

HT-29 human colon cancer cell proliferation is regulated by cytosolic phospholipase A(2)α dependent PGE(2)via both PKA and PKB pathways

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2)α (cPLA(2)α) up-regulation has been reported in human colorectal cancer cells, thus we aimed to elucidate its role in the proliferation of the human colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29. EGF caused a rapid activation of cPLA(2)α which coincided with a significant increase in cell proliferation. The inhibition of cPLA(2)α activity by pyrrophenone or by antisense oligonucleotide against cPLA(2)α (AS) or inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production by indomethacin resulted with inhibition of cell proliferation, that was restored by addition of PGE(2). The secreted PGE(2) activated both protein kinase A (PKA) and PKB/Akt pathways via the EP2 and EP4 receptors. Either, the PKA inhibitor (H-89) or the PKB/Akt inhibitor (Ly294002) caused a partial inhibition of cell proliferation which was restored by PGE(2). But, inhibited proliferation in the presence of both inhibitors could not be restored by addition of PGE(2). AS or H-89, but not Ly294002, inhibited CREB activation, suggesting that CREB activation is mediated by PKA. AS or Ly294002, but not H-89, decreased PKB/Akt activation as well as the nuclear localization of β-catenin and cyclin D1 and increased the plasma membrane localization of β-catenin with E-cadherin, suggesting that these processes are regulated by the PKB pathway. Similarly, Caco-2 cells exhibited cPLA(2)α dependent proliferation via activation of both PKA and PKB/Akt pathways. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the regulation of HT-29 proliferation is mediated by cPLA(2)α-dependent PGE(2) production. PGE(2)via EP induces CREB phosphorylation by the PKA pathway and regulates β-catenin and cyclin D1 cellular localization by PKB/Akt pathway.