叶酸缺乏对小鼠胚胎干细胞Nespas DMR区甲基化修饰的影响

目的：探讨叶酸缺乏对小鼠胚胎干细胞（ESCs）中Nespas差异甲基化区域（Differentially Methylated Region,DMR）甲基化修饰的影响以及叶酸浓度与甲基化水平的关系。方法：多种不同浓度叶酸处理小鼠ESCs,化学发光免疫分析法检测ESCs细胞内叶酸浓度。利用MassARRAY技术平台检测三种不同叶酸浓度处理后的ESCs中Nespas DMR启动子区,外显子区和内含子区甲基化修饰状态,并且分析Nespas DMR启动子区,外显子区和内含子区甲基化水平与叶酸浓度之间的关系。结果：无叶酸组（FF）小鼠ESCs细胞内叶酸浓度显著低于低叶酸组（FD）与正常叶酸组（FN）（P〈0.05）。Nespas DMR中启动子区、外显子区以及内含子区甲基化水平在FF组显著低于FD和FN组（P〈0.05）,并且Nespas DMR中启动子区以及内含子区甲基化水平与叶酸浓度存在显著的正相关（P〈0.05）。结论：叶酸缺乏影响小鼠ESCs中Nespas DMR区甲基化修饰的建立。     

叶酸缺乏对小鼠胚胎干细胞Nespas DMR 区甲基化修饰的影响

目的：探讨叶酸缺乏对小鼠胚胎干细胞（ESCs）中Nespas 差异甲基化区域（Differentially Methylated Region, DMR）甲基化修 饰的影响以及叶酸浓度与甲基化水平的关系。方法：多种不同浓度叶酸处理小鼠ESCs,化学发光免疫分析法检测ESCs 细胞内叶 酸浓度。利用MassARRAY 技术平台检测三种不同叶酸浓度处理后的ESCs中Nespas DMR 启动子区,外显子区和内含子区甲基 化修饰状态,并且分析Nespas DMR 启动子区,外显子区和内含子区甲基化水平与叶酸浓度之间的关系。结果：无叶酸组（FF）小鼠 ESCs 细胞内叶酸浓度显著低于低叶酸组（FD）与正常叶酸组（FN）（P<0.05）。Nespas DMR 中启动子区、外显子区以及内含子区甲 基化水平在FF组显著低于FD 和FN 组（P<0.05）,并且Nespas DMR中启动子区以及内含子区甲基化水平与叶酸浓度存在显著 的正相关（P<0.05）。结论：叶酸缺乏影响小鼠ESCs 中Nespas DMR 区甲基化修饰的建立。     

叶酸对PCPA抑郁小鼠外侧缰核β-CaMKⅡ水平的影响

为探究叶酸对PCPA抑郁症模型小鼠的干预作用及其对外侧缰核β-Ca MK II水平的影响,将昆明种小鼠40只随机分为三组:对照组、模型组、叶酸组,通过腹腔注射PCPA(100 mg/kg)每日1次,连续4 d构建抑郁症模型,旷场与悬尾实验观察小鼠行为变化,HPLC检测小鼠下丘脑5-HT含量,免疫组化测定小鼠外侧缰核β-Ca MK II表达水平。结果显示,模型组与对照组相比自主活动能力下降,悬尾不动时间延长(P0.05),而叶酸组与对照组相比上述实验结果无统计学差异(P0.05)。模型组与对照组相比下丘脑5-HT含量降低,外侧缰核β-Ca MK II表达水平下降(P0.05)。结果表明叶酸能显著提高下丘脑5-HT含量与外侧缰核β-Ca MK II水平,其抗抑郁作用机制可能与之有关。     

MTX诱导神经管畸形动物模型的建立

目的:通过二氢叶酸还原酶(DHFR)竞争性抑制剂甲氨蝶呤(MTX)建立叶酸缺乏的神经管畸形(NTDs)动物模型。方法:本研究用孕7.5天C57BL/6J小鼠,采用腹腔注射(ip)不同剂量的MTX建立叶酸代谢障碍的小鼠NTDs模型,LC/MS/MS及酶学方法检测胚胎组织中叶酸相关代谢产物水平及DHFR活性。结果:最佳的致畸剂量为,MTX 4.5 mg/kg,其NTDs发生率最高为31.4%。畸形的胎鼠表型多数为后脑泡未闭,且其身长(4.21±0.76),体重(9.49±3.48)均明显低于对照组(6.32±0.56;22.76±3.23)(P0.05;P0.05)。MTX实验组的胚胎组织中DHFR的活性较对照组显著降低(P0.05),5-MeTHF和5-FoTHF的浓度和对照组相比也明显降低(P0.05)。结论:本研究成功的建立了叶酸缺乏的神经管畸形动物模型。     

亲和色谱和反相高效液相色谱测定菠菜和拟南芥中四氢叶酸代谢物及叶酸的含量(英文)

植物中来源于甘氨酸和丝氨酸的一碳单位转移给四氢叶酸用于四氢叶酸代谢物的生物合成.由于含量低、成份复杂以及稳定性差,植物组织中四氢叶酸代谢物和叶酸的定量分析一度是一个挑战性很强的课题.本研究旨在建立一种可靠方法测定对甲基基团要求不同的植物(例如累积甘氨酸甜菜碱的菠菜与不累积甘氨酸甜菜碱的拟南芥)中四氢叶酸代谢物和叶酸的含量,用于研究这些植物中通过叶酸途径的一碳单位通量.菠菜和拟南芥叶片在金色荧光灯下加液氮研磨,加入大鼠血浆轭合酶粗提物处理,提取物经叶酸结合蛋白琼脂糖亲和色谱柱纯化,用附有荧光和紫外检测器的高效液相色谱仪分离并测定四氢叶酸代谢物和叶酸的含量.菠菜和拟南芥叶片中单谷氨酸型N5-甲基四氢叶酸含量分别是252ng/g和64ng/g,而总N5-甲基四氢叶酸的含量分别是370ng/g和199ng/g.两种植物均检测到少量的四氢叶酸和N5-醛基四氢叶酸,但只在拟南芥叶片而非菠菜叶片中检测到叶酸.实验结果显示,菠菜中单谷氨酸型和多谷氨酸型N5-甲基四氢叶酸的含量均比拟南芥显著增多.这种样品制备和高效液相色谱方法适于测定植物中四氢叶酸代谢物和叶酸的含量.     

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯抑制TNF-a和IL-1β在小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间的表达

肿瘤坏死因子-a(tumor necrosis factor-a,TNF-a)和白细胞介素-1β(interleukin, IL-1β)在创伤修复中起着至关重要的作用.本研究利用小鼠皮肤深II度烫伤模型,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测烫伤部位组织Tnf-a mRNA和Il-1β mRNA的表达水平以及TNF-a和IL-1β的含量,以探讨表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(EGCG)对小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间TNF-a和IL-1β表达的影响.结果显示,用0.2 mg/g EGCG膏剂涂敷烫伤皮肤,处理12 h可致组织Tnf-a mRNA表达水平和TNF-a含量下降,处理24 h可致组织Il-1β mRNA表达水平和IL-1β含量下降.上述结果提示0.2 mg/g EGCG处理能抑制烫伤组织TNF-a和IL-1β的表达,减弱创伤组织的炎症反应,有助于创伤组织的修复.     

20-HETE对小鼠葡萄糖刺激胰岛素分泌反应的影响

为了考察20-羟基二十碳四烯酸(20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, 20-HETE)对葡萄糖刺激胰岛素分泌反应的影响,本研究选择CYP4F2转基因小鼠和小鼠胰岛素瘤INS-1E细胞作为研究材料,通过LCMS/MS检测WT和TG小鼠的胰腺20-HETE水平。通过IPGTT测定小鼠葡萄糖耐量,通过ELISA测定小鼠血浆C肽水平来检测胰岛素分泌。通过Western blotting、Real time PCR、免疫组化和免疫荧光来检测小鼠胰腺或INS-1E细胞中Glut2、GSK-3β(Ser9点)和AKT (Ser473点)的磷酸化水平。TG小鼠的20-HETE水平((7.26±2.03) ng/mg蛋白)显著高于WT小鼠((2.14±0.76) ng/mg蛋白)。在用20-HETE合成的选择性抑制剂HET0016处理后,TG小鼠((0.33±0.07) ng/mg蛋白)和WT小鼠((0.27±0.06) ng/mg蛋白)胰腺组织中的20-HETE水平均急剧降低。给予葡萄糖处理30 min后,TG小鼠的血糖水平均显著高于WT小鼠,而血浆C肽水平显著低于WT小鼠(p<0.05)。与WT小鼠相比,TG小鼠的胰腺组织中Glut2 m RNA和蛋白水平显著降低。与WT小鼠相比,CYP4F2转基因小鼠的GSK-3β和AKT磷酸化均显著降低。20-HETE处理可导致INS-1E细胞中AKT/GSK-3β磷酸化水平和Glut2表达水平显著降低(p<0.05)。此外,用17 mmol/L葡萄糖处理INS-1E细胞1 h,20-HETE处理组的胰岛素分泌显著降低。应用GSK-3β选择性抑制剂TWS119预处理INS-1E细胞3 h后,TWS119 (一种GSK-3β选择性抑制剂)预处理显著逆转了Glut2表达水平的降低以及胰岛素分泌的减少。20-HETE主要通过AKT/GSK-3β信号通路来下调Glut2的表达,进而减弱胰岛素分泌,导致胰岛素分泌功能障碍。     

叶酸缺乏致胎鼠宫内发育迟缓及肝脏胰岛素生长因子 系统表达变化

目的：叶酸是一种水溶性B 族维生素,在体内氨基酸与核苷酸代谢中起重要作用, 是胎儿生长发育所必须的营养素。本文通 过建立叶酸缺乏的孕鼠模型,探讨叶酸缺乏对胎鼠宫内发育的影响,并研究胎鼠肝脏组织中胰岛素生长因子（IGF）系统的表达变 化。方法：雌性C57BL/6J 小鼠叶酸缺乏组6 只、正常对照组6 只,分别饲以不含叶酸和含2 mg 叶酸/kg 的纯合饲料。四周后与雄 鼠交配,于怀孕第13.5 天（13.5 dpc）对孕鼠剖腹取胎,观察和评价胎鼠发育指标,并对宫内发育迟缓（IUGR）比率进行统计。用 Real-time PCR 法检测胎鼠肝脏组织中胰岛素生长因子Ⅰ（IGFⅠ）、胰岛素生长因子Ⅰ受体（IGFⅠ R）、胰岛素生长因子Ⅱ（IGF Ⅱ）、胰岛素生长因子Ⅱ受体（IGFⅡR）、胰岛素生长因子结合蛋白1（IGFBP-1）和胰岛素生长因子结合蛋白3（IGFBP-3）mRNA的 相对表达水平。结果：叶酸缺乏组雌鼠合笼前每日体重增长量降低,13.5 dpc胎鼠吸收胎和死胎比率升高,胎重下降,IUGR 比率显 著升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;叶酸缺乏组胎鼠肝脏组织中IGFⅡ和IGFⅡR mRNA 的相对表达水平均低于正常对照组 （P<0.05）,IGFⅠ、IGFⅠR、IGFBP-1 和IGFBP-3 mRNA的相对表达水平两组间没有差异（P>0.05）。结论：叶酸缺乏会导致小鼠孕 中期胎鼠IUGR 比率升高及胎肝IGFⅡ和IGFⅡR mRNA 的表达水平降低,提示叶酸缺乏对IGF系统基因的调控,可能与胎鼠IUGR 发生机制有关。     

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯抑制TNF-α和IL-β在小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间的表达

肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)和白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)在创伤修复中起着至关重要的作用.本研究利用小鼠皮肤深II度烫伤模型,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测烫伤部位组织Tnf-αmRNA和Il-1βmRNA的表达水平以及TNF-α和IL-1β的含量,探讨表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(EGCG)对小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间TNF-α和IL-1β表达的影响.结果显示,用0.2 mg/g EGCG膏剂涂敷烫伤皮肤,处理12 h可致组织Tnf-αmRNA表达水平和TNF-α含量下降,处理24 h可致组织Il-1βmRNA表达水平和IL-1β含量下降.上述结果提示,0.2 mg/g EGCG处理能抑制烫伤组织TNF-α和IL-1β的表达,减弱创伤组织的炎症反应,有助于创伤组织的修复.     

小鼠生长过程中肝、肺、肾胶原蛋白与MMP-1含量变化

利用高效液相色谱法(High performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)和酶联免疫吸附实验(Enzyme-linked immunoassay,ELISA)对小鼠生长过程中肝、肺、肾胶原蛋白与基质金属蛋白酶-1(Matrix metalloproteinase-1,MMP-1)含量变化规律进行研究。以0–18周的小鼠肝、肺、肾为研究对象,通过HPLC法对不同周龄小鼠肝、肺、肾中羟脯胺酸(Hydroxyproline,Hyp)含量及比例进行测定,并换算得到胶原蛋白的含量;利用ELISA检测不同周龄小鼠肝、肺、肾中MMP-1的含量和活性。结果表明,小鼠肝、肺、肾中胶原含量各不相同(肺(COL)>肾(COL)>肝(COL)),且随着周龄的增加胶原蛋白含量变化均呈先增加后降低的趋势。其中肝、肺、肾中胶原蛋白含量分别在第9、6、9周达到最高值,分别为5.52 ng/mg、54.10 ng/mg、19.20 ng/mg;9–18周呈缓慢降低趋势。ELISA检测结果表明,小鼠肝、肺、肾中MMP-1的含量随周龄增加呈先降低后增加的趋势,MMP-1活性的变化趋势与之相反。这表明组织内胶原蛋白含量的增加会抑制MMP-1的分泌。     

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.     

Enterovirus 71 3C proteolytically processes the histone H3 N-terminal tail during infection

Highlights
1. The N-terminal tail of histone H3 is specifically cleaved during EV71 infection.
2. Viral protease 3C is identified as a protease responsible for proteolytically processing the N-terminal H3 tail.
3. Our finding reveals a new epigenetic regulatory mechanism for Enterovirus 71 in virus-host interactions.     

Detection of EBV and HHV6 in the Brain Tissue of Patients with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis

Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) is a rare pediatric neurological disorder, and the exact etiology is not clear. Viral infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of RE, but conflicting results have reported. In this study, we evaluated the expression of both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus (HHV) 6 antigens in brain sections from 30 patients with RE and 16 control individuals by immunohistochemistry. In the RE group, EBV and HHV6 antigens were detected in 56.7% (17/30) and 50% (15/30) of individuals, respectively. In contrast, no detectable EBV and HHV6 antigen expression was found in brain tissues of the control group. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in 20.0% (6/30) of individuals. In particular, a 4-year-old boy had a typical clinical course, including a medical history of viral encephalitis, intractable epilepsy, and hemispheric atrophy. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in neurons and astrocytes in the brain tissue, accompanied by a high frequency of CD8⁺ T cells. Our results suggest that EBV and HHV6 infection and the activation of CD8⁺ T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RE.     

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).     

Development of a Novel Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2

In conclusion, the novel visual RT-LAMP assay is a simple, rapid, and sensitive approach for detection of SARS-CoV-2, and it is ready for application in primary care and community hospitals or health care centers, and even patients' own houses in response to the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic because the assay does not require sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Furthermore, it is also ready to be used in fields for screening samples from wild animals and environments to facilitate the identification of potential intermediate hosts that mediate the cross-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from bats to humans.