脑出血后脑组织中水通道蛋白4的定位分布变化

目的观察脑出血(intracerebral hemorrhage,ICH)后大鼠脑组织中水通道蛋白4(aquaporin 4,AQP4)的定位分布变化,以探讨AQP4在出血性脑水肿发生发展中的作用。方法 SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术(sham)组和ICH组(ICH后1d、3d、7d),采用自体血注入法建立大鼠ICH动物模型,干湿重法检测脑水含量变化,透射电镜检测组织结构病理变化,免疫荧光双标记检测AQP4的定位分布变化。结果 ICH后1d、3d出血侧脑组织明显水肿,ICH后1d血肿周围组织结构破坏最为明显,可见毛细血管内皮细胞肿胀及血管周围间隙增宽等改变;免疫荧光结果显示,ICH后脑组织中,AQP4在血肿周围组织、外胶质界膜、内胶质界膜等与水转运密切相关的极性表达部位,其免疫反应发生变化;而在穹窿下器、齿状回等AQP4的非极性表达部位,AQP4的免疫反应无明显变化。结论结果表明,ICH后病理改变主要影响AQP4的极性表达非极性表达则不受影响。由此提示,AQP4极性表达变化可能促进出血性脑水肿的发展。     

模拟高原低氧对大鼠脑内神经胶质细胞的影响

目的：观察模拟高原低氧对成年大鼠脑内胶质细胞的影响。方法：大鼠在模拟海拔4000m高原低压舱内连续暴露1、3、7d,胶质原纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）与Griffoniasimplicifolia同功凝集素（GSA-IB4）组织细胞化学分别显示星形胶质细胞与小胶质细胞。结果：GFAP与GSA-IB4阳性细胞在低氧后3．7d两个时相显著增多,主要分布于新皮层、海马、纹状体及室管膜下层等区域。结论：模拟高原低氧能引起大鼠脑内星形胶质细胞与小胶质细胞的显著活化。     

脑水肿时紧密连接蛋白occludin及AQP4的表达变化

目的:采用枕大池内注入脂多糖(lipopolysaccharides,LPS)的方法建立大鼠脑水肿模型,观察脑组织病理形态学变化,脑组织含水量(brain water content,BWC),血脑屏障(blood brain barrier,BBB)的紧密连接蛋白Occludin和水通道蛋白-4(aquaporin 4,AQP4)表达水平的动态变化,研究AQP4及Occludin与脑水肿形成的关系,及其可能的作用机制,为临床脑水肿的治疗提供理论依据。方法:选用Wistar健康成年大鼠,随机分为正常对照组,生理盐水组和脂多糖组,后两组的观察时间点选定于造模后3 h、6h、12 h、24 h、72 h。采用经皮穿刺枕大池内注入脂多糖的方法制备脑水肿动物模型,正常对照组、生理盐水组及脂多糖组分别于各时间点进行开颅取脑,测定脑组织含水量,通过HE染色法观察脑组织的病理形态学变化,应用Western blot方法检测occludin的表达变化。应用RT-PCR技术测定脑组织内AQP4mRNA的表达变化。结果:生理盐水组各时间点中有少量AQP4mRNA及occludin蛋白的表达,与正常对照组之间无显著性差异;脂多糖组在造模后3 hAQP4的mRNA表达开始增加,6-12 h达高峰,此后明显下降,随后表达开始减弱,24-72 h表达显著低于生理盐水组;occludin蛋白表达下降出现于造模后3 h,12-24 h下降更明显,72 h表达开始升高。结论:枕大池内注入脂多糖(LPS)所建立脑水肿模型中,脑组织含水量及血脑屏障通透性增加,病理学特点是血管源性脑水肿出现早且持久,后期伴有细胞毒性脑水肿的改变。AQP4早期表达增强是胶质细胞的适应性反应,与血脑屏障的破坏有关,促进了血管源性脑水肿的发生。后期AQP4表达减弱是机体内在防御机制的表现,同时又促进细胞毒性脑水肿的形成。occludin在脑组织中表达量随脑水肿的加重而降低,即与脑水肿的程度呈负相关,目前认为这与脑水肿时内皮细胞通透性增加,血脑屏障的通透性改变,导致occludin的表达下调有关,促进了血管源性脑水肿的发生。针对以上特点,我们可以进一步研究调控AQP4及occludin表达的药物,从而减轻脑损伤后脑水肿的程度,为脑水肿的治疗提供新的临床策略。     

脑外伤后ERK信号通路调节AQP4及其锚定蛋白DG的表达

脑外伤是青年人最主要的致死与致残疾病。脑水肿是脑外伤的严重并发症,其形成与脑内最主要的水通道蛋白4（aquaporin4, AQP4）关系密切。AQP4对水的转运与其在星形胶质细胞胞膜上的极性分布有关。肌营养不良-肌萎缩蛋白复合物（dystrophin-dystroglycan complex, DDC）可能与AQP4的锚定及极性分布有关。肌萎缩蛋白（dystroglycan, DG）是该复合物的核心成员,但其对AQP4锚定及极性表达的作用目前并不清楚。脑外伤后,AQP4的表达改变是否与DG有关,其二者表达变化的调控机制均不清楚。为了揭示以上科学问题,为临床治疗脑外伤后脑水肿提供理论依据,分别进行在体、离体及离体干扰实验。研究发现脑外伤后,AQP4、α-DG、β-DG的表达,于6 h增至峰值,后逐渐减弱,于24 h降至最低,48 h再次表达上调。在此过程中,其表达变化规律虽基本一致,但确实存在不一致的现象。排除其他因素干扰,在星形胶质细胞划伤后,DG与AQP4及p-ERK的表达改变完全一致;抑制及激活ERK信号通路后,分别导致DG与AQP4的表达下调及上调。以上结果证实,脑外伤后,DG参与AQP4在星形胶质细胞的锚定,但并非AQP4极性表达的专属锚定蛋白质;机械损伤后,早期ERK信号通路激活,并上调DG及AQP4的表达。     

水通道蛋白4在脑缺血后脑水肿中的作用

脑缺血是由于动脉阻塞或灌注不足导致大脑局部血流减少无法满足代谢需求产生的功能障碍。脑水肿是脑组织间或细胞内液体过度积聚的病理现象,是脑缺血后较为严重的并发症,将会导致颅内压升高,脑组织受压而神经功能受损,甚至死亡。水通道蛋白(aquaporin)是一类分布在细胞膜上的蛋白质家族,目前已发现有13种亚型,主要调节细胞内外水平衡且参与细胞迁移和信号传导等多个生理病理过程。水通道蛋白4(aquaporin-4,AQP4)主要分布在中枢神经系统中星形胶质细胞的终足上,在细胞毒性水肿和血管源性水肿的形成和消除中起双重作用,与脑缺血后脑水肿有密切关系。机体通过转录过程及翻译后修饰等多个水平调节AQP4的表达协调其功能。本文回顾了目前AQP4在脑缺血后作用的最新进展,力图为治疗脑卒中后脑水肿提供新的研究方向。     

综述与专论: 星形胶质细胞调节性容积减小（RVD）的关键膜蛋白研究进展

星形胶质细胞承担着维持脑部内环境稳态的重要功能,包括维持脑的水电解质平衡。然而,在缺血性脑卒中等多种疾病中,星形胶质细胞会首先出现明显的细胞水肿,进而促进脑水肿的发生,加重脑损伤。调节性容积减小（RVD）是星形胶质细胞面对水肿时快速减小自身部分容积的代偿反应。最新研究进展发现,水通道蛋白（AQP）和体积调节性阴离子通道（VRAC）是RVD过程的关键参与者。VRAC是LRRC8家族成员构成的异多聚体,星形胶质细胞水肿时,VRAC激活,介导阴离子和有机渗透性物质快速向细胞外转运,是RVD的主要驱动力。AQP是一种6次跨膜蛋白,具有选择性的双向水通道,是星形胶质细胞快速水肿的结构基础,同时也是RVD过程中水转移至胞外的“快速通道”。进一步了解VRAC和AQP的结构、功能及其在RVD中发挥的作用,有助于最终解析星形胶质细胞RVD的发生机制并为脑水肿的治疗提供潜在靶点。     

当归对宫内低氧新生大鼠海马神经元与神经胶质细胞的影响及其机制

目的:探讨宫内低氧对新生大鼠海马CA3区神经元与神经胶质细胞的影响及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在低氧后的表达与当归的干预作用。方法:将大鼠随机分为对照组、低氧组和当归组分别受孕,取新生鼠脑组织制片后做神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)mRNA、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)mRNA、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA原位杂交。结果:当归能显著增大低氧新生鼠海马CA3区NSE mRNA和VEGF mRNA原位杂交阳性细胞IOD值,减小GFAP mRNA原位杂交阳性细胞IOD值。结论:当归注射液可增加低氧所致的新生大鼠海马CA3区神经元的数量,减弱该区神经胶质细胞的增生,其机制可能是进一步上调低氧后VEGFmRNA的表达。     

胆红素脑病SD乳鼠模型中脑水通道蛋白-4表达发生变化

神经细胞水肿是胆红素脑病（bilirubin encephalopathy,BE）发生发展过程中的重要病理变化。水通道蛋白-4（aquaporin-4,AQP4）的表达及分布异常与多种疾病所致细胞毒性脑水肿的发生发展具有密切联系。但胆红素脑病中AQP4的表达变化规律及其在病理进展中的作用尚不清楚。采用7日龄SD大鼠小脑延髓池注射胆红素溶液的方法,建立新生大鼠胆红素脑病模型。胆红素脑病模型根据胆红素作用时间的不同,分为12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和7 d组。采用HE及尼氏染色,检测各新生大鼠脑组织的病理改变;应用透射电镜(TEM),检测胆红素作用24 h后,鼠脑组织超微结构的变化;应用免疫荧光及Western 印迹,检测 AQP4在脑组织中的表达变化。通过上述实验,以探讨AQP4的表达变化与胆红素所致脑损伤的关系。HE及尼氏染色结果显示,随着胆红素沉积时间的延长,神经细胞逐渐肿胀,细胞间隙增大,尼氏小体数量逐渐减少;电镜结果显示,胆红素脑病24 h后神经细胞线粒体出现肿胀;免疫荧光染色显示,24 h组AQP4的表达范围明显增加,其后表达范围逐渐减少,表达强度也随之减弱;Western 印迹结果显示,AQP4表达在不同时间点呈现先增高后降低的趋势,在24 h达到峰值（24 h组1.38 ± 0.11 vs 对照组0.87 ± 0.21, P＜0.05）,在之后的各时间点上,AQP4的表达呈现下降趋势,而72 h组与7 d组AQP4表达均低于48 h组（P＜0.05）,基本恢复到对照组的表达水平（P＞0.05）。上述结果提示,胆红素脑病中胆红素的毒性作用将引起AQP4表达量的改变,AQP4的表达变化与胆红素脑病中细胞毒性脑水肿的发生相关,并且可能在胆红素脑病脑损伤的进展中发挥作用。     

胆红素脑病SD乳鼠模型中脑水通道蛋白-4表达发生变化

神经细胞水肿是胆红素脑病（bilirubin encephalopathy,BE）发生发展过程中的重要病理变化。水通道蛋白-4（aquaporin-4,AQP4）的表达及分布异常与多种疾病所致细胞毒性脑水肿的发生发展具有密切联系。但胆红素脑病中AQP4的表达变化规律及其在病理进展中的作用尚不清楚。采用7日龄SD大鼠小脑延髓池注射胆红素溶液的方法,建立新生大鼠胆红素脑病模型。胆红素脑病模型根据胆红素作用时间的不同,分为12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和7 d组。采用HE及尼氏染色,检测各新生大鼠脑组织的病理改变;应用透射电镜(TEM),检测胆红素作用24 h后,鼠脑组织超微结构的变化;应用免疫荧光及Western 印迹,检测 AQP4在脑组织中的表达变化。通过上述实验,以探讨AQP4的表达变化与胆红素所致脑损伤的关系。HE及尼氏染色结果显示,随着胆红素沉积时间的延长,神经细胞逐渐肿胀,细胞间隙增大,尼氏小体数量逐渐减少;电镜结果显示,胆红素脑病24 h后神经细胞线粒体出现肿胀;免疫荧光染色显示,24 h组AQP4的表达范围明显增加,其后表达范围逐渐减少,表达强度也随之减弱;Western 印迹结果显示,AQP4表达在不同时间点呈现先增高后降低的趋势,在24 h达到峰值（24 h组1.38 ± 0.11 vs 对照组0.87 ± 0.21, P＜0.05）,在之后的各时间点上,AQP4的表达呈现下降趋势,而72 h组与7 d组AQP4表达均低于48 h组（P＜0.05）,基本恢复到对照组的表达水平（P＞0.05）。上述结果提示,胆红素脑病中胆红素的毒性作用将引起AQP4表达量的改变,AQP4的表达变化与胆红素脑病中细胞毒性脑水肿的发生相关,并且可能在胆红素脑病脑损伤的进展中发挥作用。     

次声作用后血管内皮细胞超微结构的实验观察

目的: 观察8 Hz、130 dB次声不同时间暴露后大鼠血管内皮细胞的超微结构及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达.方法: 用8 Hz、130 dB的次声连续作用大鼠1 d、7 d、14 d,每天2 h,观察血管内皮细胞超微结构及VEGF表达的改变.结果: 在次声暴露期间,与对照组比较,7 d时内皮细胞出现线粒体肿胀和内质网扩张,14 d时出现内皮细胞脱落;VEGF表达随时间较对照组增强.结论: 次声可引血管内皮细胞超微结构与VEGF表达的变化,这些变化和次声暴露的时间有关.     

Potential role of the methylation of VEGF gene promoter in response to hypoxia in oxygen‐induced retinopathy: beneficial effect of the absence of AQP4

Hypoxia‐dependent accumulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in retinal diseases characterized by neovessel formation. In this study, we investigated whether the glial water channel Aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) is involved in the hypoxia‐dependent VEGF upregulation in the retina of a mouse model of oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR). The expression levels of VEGF, the hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the production of nitric oxide (NO), the methylation status of the HIF‐1 binding site (HBS) in the VEGF gene promoter, the binding of HIF‐1α to the HBS, the retinal vascularization and function have been determined in the retina of wild‐type (WT) and AQP4 knock out (KO) mice under hypoxic (OIR) or normoxic conditions. In response to 5 days of hypoxia, WT mice were characterized by (i) AQP4 upregulation, (ii) increased levels of VEGF, HIF‐1α, iNOS and NO, (iii) pathological angiogenesis as determined by engorged retinal tufts and (iv) dysfunctional electroretinogram (ERG). AQP4 deletion prevents VEGF, iNOS and NO upregulation in response to hypoxia thus leading to reduced retinal damage although in the presence of high levels of HIF‐1α. In AQP4 KO mice, HBS demethylation in response to the beginning of hypoxia is lower than in WT mice reducing the binding of HIF‐1α to the VEGF gene promoter. We conclude that in the absence of AQP4, an impaired HBS demethylation prevents HIF‐1 binding to the VEGF gene promoter and the relative VEGF transactivation, reducing the VEGF‐induced retinal damage in response to hypoxia.     

运动训练对大鼠主动脉应力和NF-κB及c-fos表达的影响

目的：探讨不同强度运动训练对大鼠主动脉应力和NF-κB及c-fos表达的影响。方法：采用跑台训练方式,建立大鼠有氧运动和疲劳运动模型,运用免疫组织化学SABC法研究不同强度运动训练对大鼠主动脉VEC和VSMC中NF-κB及c-fos表达的影响。结果：胸主动脉血压的变化与对照组比较,有氧训练和疲劳训练均显著性升高（P〈0．05）,但有氧训练与疲劳训练之间差异不显著。与对照组比较,有氧训练大鼠VEC和VSMC中NF-κB和c-fos均显著性下调表达,胸主动脉张开角显著性升高（P〈0．05）,疲劳训练大鼠VEC和VSMC中NF-κB和c-fos均显著性上调表达（P〈0．05）。与有氧运动组比较,疲劳运动大鼠VEC和VSMC中NF-κB和c-fos表达与胸主动脉张开角升高均具有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。表明不同强度运动大鼠主动脉VEC中NF-κB和c-fos表达变化趋势不同,疲劳训练组表达的增加趋势更显著。结论：运动可引起大鼠主动脉VEC和VSMC NF-κB及c-fos表达的变化,且与运动强度关系密切。有氧训练引起的慢性剪切应力变化可使主动脉VEC和VSMC NF-κB加及c-fos显著性下调表达,与VEC和VSMC维持血管功能的稳态有关;疲劳训练可导致壁面摩擦剪切力、周向应力增加,过度的剪切力作用可引起主动脉VEC和VSMC NF-κB及c-fos显著性上调表达,血管张开角显著增加,血管发生非均匀生长,引起血管结构与功能的重塑。     

Hypoxia regulates VEGF expression and cellular proliferation by osteoblasts in vitro.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the critical role of angiogenesis for successful osteogenesis during endochondral ossification and fracture repair. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent endothelial cell-specific cytokine, has been shown to be mitogenic and chemotactic for endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenic in many in vivo models. Based on previous work that (1) VEGF is up-regulated during membranous fracture healing, (2) the fracture site contains a hypoxic gradient, (3) VEGF is up-regulated in a variety of cells in response to hypoxia, and (4) VEGF is expressed by isolated osteoblasts in vitro stimulated by other fracture cytokines, the hypothesis that hypoxia may regulate the expression of VEGF by osteoblasts was formulated. This hypothesis was tested in a series of in vitro studies in which VEGF mRNA and protein expression was assessed after exposure of osteoblast-like cells to hypoxic stimuli. In addition, the effects of a hypoxic microenvironment on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro was analyzed. These results demonstrate that hypoxia does, indeed, regulate expression of VEGF in osteoblast-like cells in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, it is demonstrated that hypoxia results in decreased cellular proliferation, decreased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and increased alkaline phosphatase (a marker of osteoblast differentiation). Taken together, these data suggest that osteoblasts, through the expression of VEGF, may be in part responsible for angiogenesis and the resultant increased blood flow to fractured bone segments. In addition, these data provide evidence that osteoblasts have oxygen-sensing mechanisms and that decreased oxygen tension can regulate gene expression, cellular proliferation, and cellular differentiation.     

Hypoxic damage to the periventricular white matter in neonatal brain: role of vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide and excitotoxicity

The present study examined factors that may be involved in the development of hypoxic periventricular white matter damage in the neonatal brain. Wistar rats (1-day old) were subjected to hypoxia and the periventricular white matter (corpus callosum) was examined for the mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), endothelial, neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, nNOS and iNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) between 3 h and 14 days after hypoxic exposure by real-time RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, NMDAR1, eNOS, nNOS and iNOS in corpus callosum was observed in response to hypoxia. NMDAR1 and iNOS expression was found in the activated microglial cells, whereas VEGF was localized to astrocytes. An enzyme immunoassay showed that the VEGF concentration in corpus callosum was significantly higher up to 7 days after hypoxic exposure. NO levels, measured by colorimetric assay, were also significantly higher in hypoxic rats up to 14 days after hypoxic exposure as compared with the controls. A large number of axons undergoing degeneration were observed between 3 h and 7 days after the hypoxic exposure at electron-microscopic level. Our findings point towards the involvement of excitotoxicity, VEGF and NO in periventricular white matter damage in response to hypoxia.     

Protection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor to Brain Edema Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Its Involved Mechanisms: Effect of Aquaporin-4

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has protective effects on many neurological diseases. However, whether VEGF acts on brain edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is largely unknown. Our previous study has shown aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays an important role in brain edema elimination following ICH. Meanwhile, there is close relationship between VEGF and AQP4. In this study, we aimed to test effects of VEGF on brain edema following ICH and examine whether they were AQP4 dependent. Recombinant human VEGF165 (rhVEGF165) was injected intracerebroventricularly 1 d after ICH induced by microinjecting autologous whole blood into striatum. We detected perihemotomal AQP4 protein expression, then examined the effects of rhVEGF165 on perihemotomal brain edema at 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after injection in wild type (AQP4^+/+) and AQP4 knock-out (AQP4^−/−) mice. Furthermore, we assessed the possible signal transduction pathways activated by VEGF to regulate AQP4 expression via astrocyte cultures. We found perihemotomal AQP4 protein expression was highly increased by rhVEGF165. RhVEGF165 alleviated perihemotomal brain edema in AQP4^+/+ mice at each time point, but had no effect on AQP4^−/− mice. Perihemotomal EB extravasation was increased by rhVEGF165 in AQP4^−/− mice, but not AQP4^+/+ mice. RhVEGF165 reduced neurological deficits and increased Nissl’s staining cells surrounding hemotoma in both types of mice and these effects were related to AQP4. RhVEGF165 up-regulated phospharylation of C-Jun amino-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and AQP4 protein in cultured astrocytes. The latter was inhibited by JNK and ERK inhibitors. In conclusion, VEGF reduces neurological deficits, brain edema, and neuronal death surrounding hemotoma but has no influence on BBB permeability. These effects are closely related to AQP4 up-regulation, possibly through activating JNK and ERK pathways. The current study may present new insights to treatment of brain edema following ICH.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压的影响

目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）移植对大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压（HPH）的影响。方法：体外分离、培养、鉴定SD大鼠骨髓MSCs、绿色荧光蛋白腺病毒标记MSCs细胞。将健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组（NC组）8只、低氧性肺动脉高压组（HPH组）8只,低氧性肺动脉高压同时骨髓间充质干细胞移植组（MSCs组）24只,低氧性肺动脉高压同时携带血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的MSCs移植组（VEGF＋MSCs组）24只。采用常压间歇低氧法建立大鼠肺动脉高压模型,干细胞转染并行干细胞移植。观察大鼠平均肺动脉压力（mPAP）,计算右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）,显微镜下观察各组大鼠肺小动脉形态结构改变,并在荧光显微镜下观察干细胞移植7d,14d,28d时腺病毒转染荧光标记的MSCs在肺小动脉分布及表现。结果：NC组28d时mPAP（mmHg）为15．5±1．5,而HPH组、MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组分另q为26．1±1．9、21．6±2．7及20．1±2．9,均明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,但MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组较HPH组明显下降（P〈0．01）,MSCs组与MSCs＋VEGF组无明显差别。NC组28d时RVHI为0．28±0．02,而HPH组、MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组RVHI分别为0．43±0．07、0．34±0．03及0．35±0．01,均明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,但MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组较HPH组明显下降（P〈0．05）,MSCs组与MSCs＋VEGF组无明显差别。HPH组28d时,肺小动脉管壁明显增厚,管腔明显狭窄、闭塞,内皮细胞不完整,而MSCs组血管壁较HPH组变薄,管腔通畅,内皮细胞完整性改善,MSC8组及MSCs＋VEGF组的表现改变不明显。结论：骨髓间充质干细胞移植可改善肺小动脉血管重塑,从而部分逆转HPH的进程;而将VEGF与MSCs联合移植并未提高单纯MSCs移植的作用。