酶法制备壳寡糖及其生物学功能

用正交试验方法考察温度、酶浓度、pH对蜗牛酶降解壳聚糖的影响,筛选蜗牛酶降解壳聚糖的最佳反应条件,采用SDS-PAGE方法分析降解产物,制备具有生物学功能的壳寡糖。用不同浓度的壳寡糖处理人肝癌HepG2细胞,观察细胞形态学变化,MTT法检测壳寡糖对其增殖的影响,琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测DNA变化,流式细胞术检测凋亡率(AR)。结果表明:蜗牛酶降解壳聚糖的产物主要是聚合度为4以上的寡糖,更多的接近壳六糖。最佳反应条件为pH 4.0、温度40℃、酶和底物质量比为4∶50;壳寡糖质量浓度在2~4 mg/mL时,对HepG2细胞增殖有抑制效应,细胞经壳寡糖处理48 h后,开始空泡化,DNA出现明显的凋亡条带,AR明显高于对照组。在最佳反应条件下蜗牛酶能较好地降解壳聚糖,制备的壳寡糖在一定浓度范围内能通过诱导HepG2细胞发生凋亡而抑制其增殖,其作用呈浓度依赖性。     

壳寡糖诱导水稻过敏性细胞死亡及抗病性的提高

作为真菌细胞壁的主要成分之一的壳寡糖(Oligo-GlcNAc)能够诱导水稻悬浮细胞和幼叶细胞发生过敏性死亡,并伴有H2O2的积累.以1 μg*mL-1壳寡糖处理水稻悬浮细胞12 h后细胞明显死亡;诱导水稻幼叶细胞出现明显的死亡所需壳寡糖浓度为5 μg*mL-1.以壳寡糖处理的水稻抗稻瘟病性也明显增强.     

壳寡糖对烟草悬浮细胞茉莉酸合成基因转录的影响

采用RT-PCR方法研究了不同浓度壳寡糖对烟草悬浮细胞茉莉酸合成酶基因的转录调控。结果表明, 50 μg.mL-1壳寡糖能够明显诱导烟草悬浮细胞茉莉酸合成途径的关键酶——磷脂酶A2、13-脂氧合酶、丙二烯氧化物合成酶、丙二烯氧化物环化酶和12-氧-植物二烯酸还原酶基因的表达, 而且该浓度的壳寡糖对这些基因的诱导作用相同(似)。在实验设定时间内均诱导表达编码磷脂酶A2的基因, 对其它基因的诱导时间均为8小时, 表明50 μg.mL-1壳寡糖在诱抗过程中启动了茉莉酸合成途径。而200 μg.mL-1壳寡糖的处理对这些基因的表达无显著影响。表明不同浓度的壳寡糖对烟草悬浮细胞的作用模式存在差异, 且高浓度的壳寡糖在烟草悬浮细胞中启动的信号通路可能没有茉莉酸信号的参与。     

壳寡糖对烟草悬浮细胞茉莉酸合成基因转录的影响

采用RT-PCR方法研究了不同浓度壳寡糖对烟草悬浮细胞茉莉酸合成酶基因的转录调控。结果表明,50μg·mL^-1壳寡糖能够明显诱导烟草悬浮细胞茉莉酸合成途径的关键酶——磷脂酶A2、13-脂氧合酶、丙二烯氧化物合成酶、丙二烯氧化物环化酶和12-氧-植物二烯酸还原酶基因的表达,而且该浓度的壳寡糖对这些基因的诱导作用相同（似）。在实验设定时间内均诱导表达编码磷脂酶A2的基因,对其它基因的诱导时间均为8小时,表明50μg·mL^-1壳寡糖在诱抗过程中启动了茉莉酸合成途径。而200μg·mL^-1壳寡糖的处理对这些基因的表达无显著影响。表明不同浓度的壳寡糖对烟草悬浮细胞的作用模式存在差异,且高浓度的壳寡糖在烟草悬浮细胞中启动的信号通路可能没有茉莉酸信号的参与。     

硒代蛋氨酸对Aβ1-42诱导N2a细胞损伤的保护作用

探索硒代蛋氨酸（Se-Met）的早期干预对Aβ1-42诱导的Neuro-2A（N2a）细胞损伤的保护作用。将N2a细胞分为对照组、Aβ1-42诱导损伤组、Se．Met组和Se—Met预处理的ADl-42组,CCK．8法检测显示不同浓度Se-Met对N2a细胞活力的影响不同,且Se．Met能减弱Aβ1-42诱导N2a细胞活力的降低（P〈0．01）：DCFH．DA标记检测可见Se-Met预处理明显抑制Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞内总活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）水平增高,Aβ1-42作用24h组效果更显著（P〈0．05）;Westernblot检测发现,Se-Met可显著回升Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞synaptophysin和PSD95水平的降低（P〈0．05;P〈0．05）;同时,Se-Met可显著降低Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞内LC3-II／LC3-I水平的升高（P〈0．05）。因此,Se-Met在一定作用时间和浓度下可以提高N2a细胞的活力,对Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞ROS水平增高、自噬均有抑制作用,同时缓解Aβ1-42引起的突触损伤;Se-Met对Aβ1-42诱导N2a细胞损伤具有较好的保护作用。     

壳寡糖对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721中Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达的影响

目的检测壳寡糖对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的抑制效果及对凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Caspase-3的影响。方法采用噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测不同浓度壳寡糖对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721细胞增殖的抑制作用,并利用荧光Hoechst33258染色法检测细胞凋亡状况。最后通过免疫细胞化学方法研究壳寡糖对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721中Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达的影响。结果壳寡糖能够抑制SMMC-7721细胞增殖,并且促进SMMC-7721细胞的凋亡,并且壳寡糖能够上调促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的表达和降低抑制凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达。结论壳寡糖对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖有抑制作用,此作用可能是通过促进Caspase-3的表达和抑制Bcl-2的表达来实现的。     

硒代蛋氨酸对Aβ_(1-42)诱导N2a细胞损伤的保护作用

探索硒代蛋氨酸(Se-Met)的早期干预对Aβ1-42诱导的Neuro-2A(N2a)细胞损伤的保护作用。将N2a细胞分为对照组、Aβ1-42诱导损伤组、Se-Met组和Se-Met预处理的Aβ1-42组,CCK-8法检测显示不同浓度Se-Met对N2a细胞活力的影响不同,且Se-Met能减弱Aβ1-42诱导N2a细胞活力的降低(P0.01);DCFH-DA标记检测可见Se-Met预处理明显抑制Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞内总活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平增高,Aβ1-42作用24 h组效果更显著(P0.05);Western blot检测发现,Se-Met可显著回升Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞synaptophysin和PSD95水平的降低(P0.05;P0.05);同时,Se-Met可显著降低Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞内LC3-II/LC3-I水平的升高(P0.05)。因此,Se-Met在一定作用时间和浓度下可以提高N2a细胞的活力,对Aβ1-42引起的N2a细胞ROS水平增高、自噬均有抑制作用,同时缓解Aβ1-42引起的突触损伤;Se-Met对Aβ1-42诱导N2a细胞损伤具有较好的保护作用。     

壳寡糖及其衍生物在治疗阿尔茨海默病中的作用机制

阿尔茨海默病是一种神经退行性疾病,主要病理特征为细胞外间隙β-淀粉样蛋白沉积所形成的老年斑,细胞内异常磷酸化tau蛋白聚集形成的神经纤维缠结,以及神经元突触连接丢失。壳寡糖是自然界唯一带正电荷的碱性多糖,对人类的健康有着重大意义。壳寡糖及其衍生物与β-分泌酶、铜离子、活性氧类、乙酰胆碱酯酶、血管紧张肽转化酶、肾素生理活性及细胞信号转导密切相关,在治疗阿尔茨海默病的过程中起到重要作用。本文综述了壳寡糖及其衍生物在治疗阿尔茨海默病过程中的作用机制,并对壳寡糖及其衍生物预防及治疗阿尔茨海默病的应用做了展望。     

壳寡糖诱导植物防御反应中一氧化氮信号的研究

壳寡糖可以增强植物对病虫害的防御能力,为了深入研究壳寡糖的作用机理,首次运用荧光酶标仪及一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)荧光探针Diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA)对壳寡糖诱导的NO信号进行研究。研究发现,不同浓度的壳寡糖均可诱导烟草悬浮细胞产生NO;NO的清除剂Carboxy-PTIO potassium salt(cPTIO)和一氧化氮合酶(Nitric oxide synthase,NOS)抑制剂N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl Ester(L-NAME)可以明显抑制NO的产生;硝酸还原酶(Nitrate reductase, NR)的抑制剂叠氮化钠和钨酸钠对NO的产生无影响;Ca²⁺流相关抑制剂氯化镧和钌红均可抑制NO的产生。NO和Ca²⁺流的相关抑制剂可明显抑制壳寡糖诱导的抗性相关基因的表达。结果显示:壳寡糖主要通过NOS酶催化合成NO,且NO参与调节壳寡糖诱导的抗性相关基因的表达,在此过程中,Ca²⁺可以调节NO的合成。     

壳寡糖对烟草幼苗生长和光合作用及与其相关生理指标的影响

采用酶解法获得的壳寡糖,处理烟草幼苗的结果显示,0．01mg·L^-1壳寡糖对烟草幼苗生长有促进作用,幼苗株高、叶面积增加;功能叶片中叶绿素含量、净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、蒸腾速率（Tr）和胞间CO2浓度（Ci）升高;气孔限制值（Ls）下降。而高浓度（100mg·L^-1）壳寡糖处理的则抑制生长。促进烟草幼苗生长最适的壳寡糖浓度为0．01mg·L^-1,施用两次的效果优于一次的。     

Chitooligosaccharide-mediated neuroprotection is associated with modulation of Hsps expression and reduction of MAPK phosphorylation

There is mounting evidence implicating the role of oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease. In this study we aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of chitooligosaccharide (COS), an antioxidant oligosaccharide, on hydrogen peroxide induced apoptosis in NGF-differentitated rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. COS treatment reversed the decrease of cell viability induced by H(2)O(2) and this was associated with diminished intracellular ROS and decreased level of cytosolic Ca(2+). Additionally, COS contributed to up-regulation of Bcl-2, down regulation of Bax protein and reduction of cleaved Caspase-3 protein. COS treatment stabilized Nrf2 in nucleus and increased the Hsp70 level within cell while down-regulated Hsp90 expression. Moreover, COS could inhibit the phosphorylation of different mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), whose aberrant phosphorylation has been implicated in AD. Our findings suggest that heat shock response and MAPK cascades are both involved in cell survival, and by concomitantly regulating both pathways, COS can be a promising agent in treating neurodegenerative diseases.     

Methyl B12 protects PC12 cells against cytotoxicity induced by Aβ25−35

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common aging-associated dementia. The population of AD patients is increasing as the world age grows. Currently, there is no cure for AD. Given that methyl vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) deficiency is related to AD and Aβ-induced oxidative damage and that methylcobalamin can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) by direct or indirect ways, we studied the effect of methylcobalamin on the cytotoxicity of Aβ. PC12 cells were chronically exposed (24 hours) to Aβ_25-35 (25 μM) to establish an AD cell model. The cells were pretreated with or without methylcobalamin (1-100 μM) to investigate the role of methylcobalamin. Cell viability and apoptosis were tested, followed by testing of mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial calcium concentration. We observed that methylcobalamin improved the cell viability by decreasing the ratio of apoptosis cells in this AD cell model. Further experiments suggested that methylcobalamin functioned as an antioxidant to scavenge ROS, reducing the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria calcium flux through IP3R, preventing mitochondria dysfunction, ultimately protecting cells against apoptosis and cell death. Taken together, our results presented, for the first time, that methyl vitamin B12 can protect cells from Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and the mechanism was mainly relevant to the antioxidative function of methyl B12.     

Hyperoxygenation Attenuated a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis through Raising Skin Level of ROS

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease resulting from excessive stimulation of immune cells. Traditionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the progression of inflammatory diseases, but several opposing observations suggest the protective role of ROS in inflammatory disease. Recently, we demonstrated ROS prevented imiquimod-induced psoriatic dermatitis through enhancing regulatory T cell function. Thus, we hypothesized AD might also be attenuated in elevated levels of ROS through tissue hyperoxygenation, such as by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) or applying an oxygen-carrying chemical, perfluorodecalin (PFD). Elevated levels of ROS in the skin have been demonstrated directly by staining with dihydroethidum as well as indirectly by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). A murine model of AD was developed by repeated application of a chemical irritant (1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene) and house dust mite (Dermatophagoide farinae) extract on one ear of BALB/c mice. The results showed treatment with HBOT or PFD significantly attenuated AD, comparably with 0.1% prednicarbate without any signs of side effects, such as telangiectasia. The expressions of interleukin-17A and interferon-γ were also decreased in the AD lesions by treatment with HBOT or PFD. Enhanced expression of IDO and reduced level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, in association with increased frequency of FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells in the AD lesions, might be involved in the underlying mechanism of oxygen therapy. Taken together, it was suggested that tissue hyperoxygenation, by HBOT or treatment with PFD, might attenuate AD through enhancing skin ROS level.     

Effect of chitooligosaccharide on neuronal differentiation of PC-12 cells

Chitosan is now being widely used biomaterial in the tissue engineering field, and has great potential as a candidate material for preparing nerve guidance conduits due to its various favorable properties, especially that of good nerve cell affinity. Chitosan can be degraded in vivo into chitooligosaccharide. We have investigated the in vitro effects of chitooligosaccharide on neuronal differentiation of PC-12 cells to see what effects chitooligosaccharide have on certain functions in the regenerating neurons. The morphologic observation and assessment using the specific reagent of tetrazolium salt WST-8 indicated that neurite outgrowths from PC-12 cells and the viability of PC-12 cells were enhanced by treatment of chitooligosaccharide. The real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed showed that chitooligosaccharide could upregulate the expression of neurofilament-H mRNA or protein and N-cadherin protein in PC-12 cells. The maximum effect of 0.1 mg/ml chitooligosaccharide was obtained after 2 week culture. All the data suggest that chitooligosaccharide possesses good nerve cell affinity by supporting nerve cell adhesion and promoting neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth.     

Coumarin derivatives protection against ROS production in cellular models of Abeta toxicities

The role of oxidative stress and free radicals in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been the focus of many recent studies. The role of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in AD is thought to be associated with Abeta (amyloid - beta) damage in cells. A number of coumarin derivatives were previously found to be potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Herein, these coumarin derivatives were tested as H(2)O(2) scavengers with the DCF assay using two types of neuronal cells: (a) wild type (N2a) neuroblastoma cells and (b) APP/PS1 transgenic cell line expressing Abeta. Their scavenging activity was varied between the types of cell cultures and it was found to be concentration and time dependent in the mutant cells. Their protective role against cell death further supports this notion. These results suggest that these compounds could be used as a template in the design of new molecules with a possible role in AD.     

Coumarin derivatives protection against ROS production in cellular models of Aβ toxicities

The role of oxidative stress and free radicals in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been the focus of many recent studies. The role of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in AD is thought to be associated with Aβ (amyloid – β) damage in cells. A number of coumarin derivatives were previously found to be potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Herein, these coumarin derivatives were tested as H₂O₂ scavengers with the DCF assay using two types of neuronal cells: (a) wild type (N2a) neuroblastoma cells and (b) APP/PS1 transgenic cell line expressing Aβ. Their scavenging activity was varied between the types of cell cultures and it was found to be concentration and time dependent in the mutant cells. Their protective role against cell death further supports this notion. These results suggest that these compounds could be used as a template in the design of new molecules with a possible role in AD.     

Differential alterations in antioxidant capacity in cells from Alzheimer patients

Oxidative stress occurs in brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. A major question in AD research is whether the oxidative stress is just secondary to neurodegeneration. To test whether oxidative stress is an inherent property of AD tissues, the ability of cultured fibroblasts bearing the AD Presenilin-1 246 Ala-->Glu mutation to handle reactive oxygen species (ROS) was compared to controls. Although ROS in cells from AD subjects were only slightly less than cells from controls under basal conditions (-10%) or after exposure to H(2)O(2) (-16%), treatment with antioxidants revealed clear differences. Pretreatment with DMSO, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, reduced basal and H(2)O(2)-induced ROS levels significantly more in cells from controls (-22%, -22%) than in those from AD subjects (-4%, +14%). On the other hand, pretreatment with Trolox diminished H(2)O(2)-induced ROS significantly more in cells from AD (-60%) than control subjects (-39%). In summary, cells from AD patients have greater Trolox sensitive ROS and less DMSO sensitive ROS than controls. The results demonstrate that fibroblasts bearing this PS-1 mutation have altered means of handling oxidative stress and appear useful for determining the mechanism underlying the altered redox metabolism.