Hippo信号对卵巢生殖干细胞增殖及卵巢功能的影响

已有研究表明,Hippo信号通路对干细胞的自我更新和分化至关重要,且Hippo信号通路在调控卵泡生长中起重要作用,然而,目前关于Hippo通路对卵巢生殖干细胞的增殖和分化以及卵巢功能重塑的影响相关的研究较少。为了明确Hippo信号通路效应因子YAP1与卵巢生殖干细胞体外增殖分化的关系,以及Hippo信号通路对卵巢癌的主要功能。我们采用两步法酶促分离和磁性分离技术分别鉴定卵巢生殖干细胞,通过测定MVH和OCT4标记物的表达,然后选择YAP1作为Hippo信号通路的主要效应分子,作为研究的靶基因。将含有过表达的YAP1或YAP1靶向的shRNA的慢病毒转导入卵巢生殖干细胞中。通过将过表达YAP1或YAP1 shRNA的慢病毒载体微量注射到不育小鼠模型中,观察调节Hippo信号通路对卵巢的增殖、分化和内分泌功能的影响。研究结果表明,在分离的卵巢生殖干细胞中观察到YAP1和MVH的共表达。与对照组相比,过表达YAP1的卵巢生殖干细胞中MVH和OCT4表达水平显著增加。而YAP1敲低后,MVH和OCT4水平显著降低;不育小鼠模型中YAP1过表达15 d后,E2和FSH含量显著升高,而YAP1 shRNA表达后,小鼠血清E2和FSH含量显著降低。YAP1可用于调控卵巢生殖干细胞的增殖和分化以及小鼠的卵巢功能。本研究表明,Hippo信号通路可能是调控卵巢功能重建的一个新的分子靶点。     

Hippo信号通路主要分子与卵巢生殖干细胞相关因子在人和小鼠卵巢衰退过程中的表达相关

本研究旨在探讨Hippo信号通路的主要分子与卵巢生殖干细胞(ovarian germline stem cell, OGSC)相关因子在人和小鼠衰老不同功能状态卵巢中表达的相关性。选择2月龄性成熟期(正常对照)、12月龄衰老期(生理性衰退) KM系小鼠卵巢,以及青年期(青春期后～35岁)、中年期(36～50岁)和绝经期(51～60岁)女性卵巢皮层样本;采用环磷酰胺/马利兰片(cyclophosphamide/busulfan, CY/BUS)腹腔注射方式构建小鼠病理性衰退卵巢模型,用HE染色法检测各级卵泡的变化,用免疫组织化学法和免疫荧光染色法检测Hippo信号分子与OGSC相关因子(MVH/OCT4)的定位和表达变化,用Western blot检测Hippo信号通路的主要分子和OGSC相关因子的蛋白表达水平。结果显示,在生理性和病理性衰退模型小鼠卵巢中已无正常卵泡,仅有一些闭锁卵泡存在;和正常对照小鼠相比,生理性和病理性衰退模型小鼠卵巢皮层Hippo信号通路的主要分子(pYAP1)和MVH/OCT4蛋白表达水平均显著降低,病理性衰退模型小鼠卵巢皮层pYAP1/YAP1比值升高。和青年期女性相比,中年期和绝经期女性卵巢表面上皮(ovarian surface epithelium, OSE)结构逐渐变得松散,皮层处细胞也逐渐减少;LATS2蛋白表达水平在青年期女性OSE最高,MST1蛋白表达水平在老年期女性OSE最低,而YAP1和pYAP1蛋白表达水平在中年期女性OSE最高;相比青年期女性,中年期和老年期OSE的pYAP1/YAP1比值显著降低,而二者之间无显著性差异。青年期女性OSE中MVH蛋白表达水平显著高于中年期和老年期。以上结果表明,Hippo信号通路的主要分子与OGSC相关因子的蛋白表达之间有相关性,提示Hippo信号通路可能调控OGSC相关因子表达,从而参与卵巢功能的生理性衰退和病理性衰退过程。     

Notch信号通路与生殖干细胞研究进展

Notch信号通路是一个在进化中高度保守的信号通道,具有调控细胞增殖、分化及凋亡的作用。近年来,随着研究的不断深入,发现Notch信号通路与生殖干细胞的增殖分化及干细胞微环境的作用机理密切关联,Notch信号通路在生殖系统发育及疾病治疗中的作用机制逐渐引起人们的广泛关注。该文综合论述了Notch信号通路的生理特性及功能,重点阐述Notch信号通路在精原干细胞、卵巢生殖干细胞及生殖干细胞微环境系统中的调控机制。     

Osa在果蝇卵巢生殖干细胞分化中的功能研究

果蝇卵巢生殖干细胞(Germline stem cell,GSC)是在活体(in vivo)研究干细胞命运调控的理想平台。表观遗传机制在果蝇卵巢GSC命运调控中发挥重要作用,其机理的探明需要研究并发现更多参与此过程的表观调控因子。为探究果蝇染色质重塑复合物BAP中特有的亚基Osa在果蝇卵巢GSC分化调控中的功能及其分子机理,利用GAL4/UAS二元表达系统结合RNAi技术在干细胞微环境组分护卫细胞(Escort cells,ECs)中特异性下调osa的表达,并通过免疫荧光染色法对相关指标进行检测。结果显示,敲减ECs中osa可致卵巢组织卵原区中未分化生殖细胞数目(Undifferentiated germ cells,UGCs)显著增多,同时BMP信号通路激活标志p Mad、Dad-lacZ阳性细胞数目显著增多,并观察到EC细胞形态异常,不能有效包裹生殖系细胞。推论Osa以BMP信号通路依赖方式参与果蝇卵巢GSC的分化调控,其作用机理还可能涉及EC细胞特定的形态学过程。     

异氟烷对小鼠神经干细胞BDNF/Caspase3 及Notch信号相关基因表达的影响

目的:探讨异氟烷对小鼠神经干细胞的BDNF、Caspase3及Notch信号相关基因表达的影响。方法:给予体外培养的新生小鼠海马神经干细胞不同浓度异氟烷处理,实验分为对照组和异氟烷处理组(ISO1.0,ISO1.5),其中异氟烷组细胞分别给予1.0MAC和1.5 MAC两个浓度的异氟烷处理2小时,对照组给予O_2处理2小时,随后置于培养箱正常培养24小时后收集细胞,提取细胞RNA检测BDNF,Caspase3及Notch相关基因(Notch2、Notch 3和Hes5)的m RNA水平变化。结果:与对照组相比,(1)异氟烷组小鼠神经干细胞的功能基因BDNF m RNA水平下调,凋亡相关基因Caspase3的m RNA水平上调;(2)异氟烷组神经干细胞的Notch2和Notch3受体m RNA表达下调,Notch信号通路靶基因Hes5的m RNA水平也明显下调;(3)异氟烷对神经干细胞的作用具有剂量依赖性,浓度越高对神经干细胞BDNF、Caspase3及Notch信号相关基因表达的影响越大。结论:异氟烷可能通过抑制小鼠神经干细胞的Notch信号通路,下调BDNF的m RNA表达,上调Caspase3的m RNA水平,影响神经干细胞的正常功能。     

柚皮素通过Notch1/Hes1通路抑制肺癌干细胞增殖、迁移和分化

为探讨柚皮素对肺癌干细胞增殖、迁移和分化的分子机制,本研究应用免疫磁珠法分选肺癌干细胞(A549-CSCs),并通过流式细胞术进行表面分子的鉴定;通过CCK8法检测不同浓度的柚皮素(25μg/m L,50μg/mL, 100μg/mL)对肺癌干细胞(A549-CSCs)活力的影响,Transwell检测柚皮素对A549-CSCs细胞迁移能力的影响,Q-PCR检测柚皮素对肺癌干细胞分化相关因子Sox2和Oct4 m RNA表达的影响,Western blotting法检测柚皮素对细胞内Notch1和Hes1蛋白表达的影响。流式细胞术检测结果显示,A549-CSCs细胞表面分子CD133呈阳性表达,符合肺癌干细胞特征。CCK8结果显示,与对照组(control)比较,25μg/m L、50μg/mL、100μg/mL柚皮素处理A549-CSCs 24 h,细胞活力显著降低(p<0.05);Transwell检测结果显示,与对照组比较,不同浓度柚皮素处理组A549-CSCs迁移能力显著降低(p<0.05);定量PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction, Q-PCR)结果显示,与对照组比较,柚皮素处理组细胞Sox2和Oct4 m RNA表达水平显著降低(p<0.05);蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)结果显示,与对照组相比柚皮素处理组细胞Notch1和Hes1蛋白表达水平均降低。本研究发现柚皮素可能通过抑制Notch1/Hes1通路抑制肺癌干细胞增殖、迁移和分化。这为柚皮素治疗肺癌提供临床依据。     

壳寡糖对病理性卵巢衰退小鼠免疫功能和生殖功能的作用

目的：探讨壳寡糖促进病理性卵巢功能衰退小鼠生殖功能和免疫功能恢复的可能性。方法：选用43只生育旺盛期雌性小鼠,除正常对照组（n=8）外,其它通过白消安/环磷酰胺构建病理性卵巢功能衰退模型模拟卵巢功能早衰,随机选取3只,卵巢切片HE染色观察卵泡情况以判断不孕模型。构建成功后将余下32只随机平均分为4组（n=8）,经不同剂量壳寡糖（0,100,200,300 mg/（kg·d））灌胃后,比较组间卵巢、脾脏、胸腺脏体比的变化,观察卵泡情况、检测腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬能力、外周血雌二醇（E₂）及孕酮（P）水平,检测卵巢生殖上皮细胞中生殖细胞标志物小鼠血管同源物（MVH）、干细胞标志物OCT-4以及卵巢中免疫因子肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白介素-2（IL-2）、白介素-6（IL-6）表达量的变化,并分析生殖干细胞标记物表达水平变化与免疫因子表达水平变化的相关关系。结果：随壳寡糖灌胃剂量的增加,卵巢、脾脏和胸腺脏体比同步增高;卵巢中总卵泡数及各级卵泡数都呈递增趋势;外周血E2水平递增,P水平呈递减趋势;腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能随剂量增高而增强;生殖干细胞标记物和免疫因子的表达水平均呈显著递增趋势,表明生殖干细胞标记物的表达水平与免疫因子表达水平的变化呈显著的正相关关系（P < 0.05）。结论：壳寡糖可改善病理性卵巢功能早衰小鼠的免疫功能,促进雌性生殖干细胞增殖、分化,从而促进卵巢病理性早衰机体生殖功能在一定程度上的恢复。     

Notch信号通路与卵巢生理病理

Notch是对脊椎和无脊椎动物的系统发育、肿瘤发生等生理病理过程十分重要的一类信号受体家族。活化的Notch受体与其配体结合后,通过两次水解而释放其胞内段,后者入核后与转录因子CSL家族结合而激活靶基因,精确调控各谱系细胞的分化、增殖和凋亡,在细胞命运决定中起关键作用。近来研究表明,Notch信号通路与卵巢生理病理密切相关。     

YB-1通过激活Notch受体信号通路抑制肺鳞癌细胞凋亡研究

目的探讨肺鳞癌中YB-1是否通过激活Notch受体信号通路发挥凋亡抑制作用。方法将YB-1干扰质粒pYr-1.1-YB-1-shRNA和野生表达质粒pYr-ads-1-YB-1分别转染肺鳞癌细胞株SK-MES-1,Western blot检测YB-1、RT-PCR检测Notch受体信号通路靶基因Hes1的表达;pYr-ads-1-YB-1瞬时转染SK-MES-1细胞,DAPT抑制Notch受体信号通路,Annexin V-PI双染法检测凋亡。结果 (1)YB-1可正调控Notch受体信号通路靶基因Hes1的转录;(2)YB-1过表达可显著抑制顺铂诱导的凋亡,DAPT抑制Notch受体信号通路后解除了YB-1的凋亡抑制作用。结论 YB-1可通过激活Notch受体信号通路抑制肺鳞癌细胞凋亡。     

组蛋白乙酰化修饰H4K16ac参与乳腺癌细胞Notch1致瘤信号传递

Notch1信号通路在调节细胞的增殖、分化和凋亡中起重要作用。Notch1信号通路的异常激活可促进乳腺癌的发生、发展,但调控此过程的表观遗传机制尚有待于阐明。本研究发现,与相应的癌旁组织相比,乳腺癌组织中Notch1活性片段NIC1呈高表达,而组蛋白H4第16位赖氨酸残基乙酰化(H4K16ac)水平较低。敲低MCF-7细胞中Notch1可导致H4K16ac水平升高,且MCF-7细胞的增殖和迁移能力下降。本研究结果提示表观遗传修饰H4K16ac参与乳腺癌细胞Notch1致瘤信号传递,为乳腺癌发生、发展的机制研究提供了新思路。     

Notch Signaling in Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

Background

Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (DTAAD) is characterized by progressive medial degeneration, which may result from excessive tissue destruction and insufficient repair. Resistance to tissue destruction and aortic self-repair are critical in preventing medial degeneration. The signaling pathways that control these processes in DTAAD are poorly understood. Because Notch signaling is a critical pathway for cell survival, proliferation, and tissue repair, we examined its activation in DTAAD.

Methods

We studied descending thoracic aortic tissue from patients with sporadic thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA; n = 14) or chronic thoracic aortic dissection (TAD; n = 16) and from age-matched organ donors (n = 12). Using western blot, real-time RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence staining, we examined aortic tissue samples for the Notch ligands Delta-like 1, Delta-like 4 (DLL1/4), and Jagged1; the Notch receptor 1 (Notch1); the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD); and Hes1, a downstream target of Notch signaling.

Results

Western blots and RT-PCR showed higher levels of the Notch1 protein and mRNA and the NICD and Hes1 proteins in both TAA and TAD tissues than in control tissue. However, immunofluorescence staining showed a complex pattern of Notch signaling in the diseased tissue. The ligand DLL1/4 and Notch1 were significantly decreased and NICD and Hes1 were rarely detected in medial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in both TAA and TAD tissues, indicating downregulation of Notch signaling in aortic VSMCs. Interestingly Jagged1, NICD, and Hes1 were highly present in CD34+ stem cells and Stro-1+ stem cells in aortas from TAA and TAD patients. NICD and Hes1 were also detected in most fibroblasts and macrophages that accumulated in the aortic wall of DTAAD patients.

Conclusions

Notch signaling exhibits a complex pattern in DTAAD. The Notch pathway is impaired in medial VSMCs but activated in stem cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages.     

Mesenchymal stem cells regulate the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells through Notch signaling

The effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on proliferation and cell fate determination of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been investigated. NSCs were co-cultured with MSCs or NIH3T3 cells using an in vitro transwell system. After 4 days, immunofluorescence staining showed that the number of cells positive for the cell proliferation antigen, ki-67, in neurospheres in MSCs was greater than in NIH3T3 cells. In some experiments, the top-layers of MSCs and NIH3T3 cells were removed to induce NSCs differentiation. Seven days after initiating differentiation, the levels of the neuronal marker, NSE, were higher in NSCs in MSCs co-culture group, and those of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were lower, compared with NIH3T3 cells co-culture group. These were confirmed by immunofluorescence. The role of the Notch signaling pathway analyzed with the specific inhibitor, DAPT, and by examining the expression of Notch-related genes using RT-PCR showed that after co-culturing with MSCs for 24 h, NSCs expressed much higher levels of ki-67, Notch1, and Hes1 than did NSCs co-cultured with NIH3T3 cells. Treatment with DAPT decreased ki-67, Notch1 and Hes1 expression in NCSs, and increased Mash1 expression. The data indicate that the interactions between MSCs and NSCs promote NSCs proliferation and are involved in specifying neuronal fate, mediated in part by Notch signaling.     

Notch lineages and activity in intestinal stem cells determined by a new set of knock-in mice

The conserved role of Notch signaling in controlling intestinal cell fate specification and homeostasis has been extensively studied. Nevertheless, the precise identity of the cells in which Notch signaling is active and the role of different Notch receptor paralogues in the intestine remain ambiguous, due to the lack of reliable tools to investigate Notch expression and function in vivo. We generated a new series of transgenic mice that allowed us, by lineage analysis, to formally prove that Notch1 and Notch2 are specifically expressed in crypt stem cells. In addition, a novel Notch reporter mouse, Hes1-EmGFP(SAT), demonstrated exclusive Notch activity in crypt stem cells and absorptive progenitors. This roster of knock-in and reporter mice represents a valuable resource to functionally explore the Notch pathway in vivo in virtually all tissues.     

The notch signaling system is present in the postnatal pituitary: marked expression and regulatory activity in the newly discovered side population

Recently, we discovered in the adult anterior pituitary a subset of cells with side population (SP) phenotype, enriched for expression of stem/progenitor cell-associated factors like Sca1, and of Notch1 and Hes (hairy and enhancer of split) 1, components of the classically developmental Notch pathway. In the present study, we elaborated the expression of the Notch signaling system in the postnatal pituitary, and examined its functional significance within the SP compartment. Using RT-PCR, we detected in the anterior pituitary of adult mouse the expression of all four vertebrate Notch receptors, as well as of Hes1, 5, and 6, key downstream targets and effectors of Notch. All Notch receptors, Hes1 and Hes5 were measured at higher mRNA levels in the Sca1(high) SP than in the main population (MP) of differentiated hormonal cells. In contrast, Hes6, known as an inhibitor of Hes1, was more abundant in the MP. Cells with SP phenotype, enriched for Sca1(high) expression, were detected throughout postnatal life. Their proportion was higher in immature mice, but did not change from adult (8 wk old) to much older age (1 yr old). Notch pathway expression was higher in the Sca1(high) SP than in the MP at all postnatal ages analyzed. Functional implication of Notch signaling in the SP was investigated in reaggregate cultures of adult mouse anterior pituitary cells. Treatment with the gamma-secretase inhibitor DAPT down-regulated Notch activity and reduced the proportion of SP cells. Activation of Notch signaling with the conserved DSL motif of Notch ligands, or with a soluble ligand, caused a rise in SP cell number, at least in part due to a proliferative effect. The SP also expanded in proportion when aggregates were treated with leukemia-inhibitory factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor, again at least partly accounted for by a mitogenic action. These intrapituitary growth factors all activated Notch signaling, and DAPT abrogated the expansion of the SP by basic fibroblast growth factor and leukemia-inhibitory factor, thus exposing a possible cross talk. In conclusion, we show that the Notch pathway, typically situated in embryogenesis, is also present and active in the postnatal pituitary, that it is particularly expressed within the SP independent of age, and that it plays a role in the regulation of SP abundance. Whether our data indicate that Notch regulates renewal and fate decisions of putative stem/progenitor cells within the pituitary SP as found in other tissues, remains open for further exploration.     

Convergence of Wnt and Notch signaling controls ovarian cancer cell survival

In the last 40 years ovarian cancer mortality rates have slightly declined and, consequently, it continues to be the fifth cause of cancer death in women. In the present study, we showed that β-catenin signaling is involved in the functions of ovarian cancer cells and interacts with the Notch system. Wnt and Notch systems showed to be prosurvival for ovarian cancer cells and their inhibition impaired cell proliferation and migration. We also demonstrated that the inhibition of β-catenin by means of two molecules, XAV939 and ICG-001, decreased the proliferation of the IGROV1 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines and that ICG-001 increased the percentage of IGROV1 cells undergoing apoptosis. The simultaneous inhibition of β-catenin and Notch signaling, by using the DAPT inhibitor, decreased ovarian cancer cell proliferation to the same extent as targeting only the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. A similar effect was observed in IGROV1 cell migration with ICG-001 and DAPT. ICG-001 increased the Notch target genes Hes-1 and Hey-1 and increased Jagged1 expression. However, no changes were observed in Dll4 or Notch 1 and 4 expressions. Our results suggest that Notch and β-catenin signaling co-operate in ovarian cancer to ensure the proliferation and migration of cells and that this could be achieved, at least partly, by the upregulation of Notch Jagged1 ligand in the absence of Wnt signaling. We showed that the Wnt pathway crosstalks with Notch in ovarian cancer cell functions, which may have implications in ovarian cancer therapeutics.     

Notch1 and its ligands Delta-like and Jagged are expressed and active in distinct cell populations in the postnatal mouse brain

Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vertebrate neurogenesis. However, in vitro experiments suggest that Notch1 may also be involved in the regulation of later stages of brain development. We have addressed putative roles in the central nervous system by examining the expression of Notch signaling cascade components in the postnatal mouse brain. In situ mRNA hybridization revealed that Notch1 is associated with cells in the subventricular zone, the dentate gyrus and the rostromigratory stream, all regions of continued neurogenesis in the postnatal brain. In addition, Notch1 is expressed at low levels throughout the cortex and olfactory bulb and shows striking expression in the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer. The Notch ligands, including Delta-like1 and 3 and Jagged1 and Jagged2, show distinct expression patterns in the developing and adult brain overlapping that of Notch1. In addition, the downstream targets of the Notch signaling cascade Hes1, Hes3, Hes5 and the intrinsic Notch regulatory proteins Numb and Numblike also show active signaling in distinct brain regions. Hes5 coincides with the majority of Notch1 expression and can be detected in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and putative germinal zones. Hes3, on the other hand, shows a restricted expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells. The distribution of Notch1 and its putative ligands suggest distinct roles in specific subsets of cells in the postnatal brain including putative stem cells and differentiated neurons.     

KRT1 gene silencing ameliorates myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury via the activation of the Notch signaling pathway in mouse models

Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (MIRI) includes major drawbacks, such as excessive formation of free radicals and also overload of calcium, which lead to cell death, tissue scarring, and remodeling. The current study aims to explore whether KRT1 silencing may ameliorate MIRI via the Notch signaling pathway in mouse models. Myocardial tissues were used for the determination of the positive rate of KRT1 protein expression, apoptosis of myocardial cells, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression, expression of related biomarkers as well as myocardial infarction area. The transfected myocardial cells were treated with KRT1-siRNA, Jagged1, and DAPT (inhibitor of Notch-1 signaling pathway). The expression of KRT1, NICD, Hes1, Bcl-2, and Bax protein was detected. The MTT assay was applied for cell proliferation and flow cytometry was used for cell apoptosis. Mice with MIRI had a higher positive rate of KRT1 protein expression, apoptosis of myocardial cells, CK and LDH expression, myocardial infarction area, increased expression of MDA, NO, SDH, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, KRT1, Bax protein, CK, and LDH, and decreased expression of SOD, NICD, Hes1, and Bcl-2. The downregulation of KRT1 led to decreased expression of KRT1 and Bax protein, increased expression of NICD, Hes1, and Bcl-2, decreased cell apoptosis, and improved cell proliferation. The inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway leads to reduced expression of Bax, increased expression of NICD, Hes1, and Bcl 2, and also decreased cell apoptosis and increased cell proliferation. Our data conclude that KRT1 silencing is able to make MIRI better by activating the Notch signaling pathway in mice.     

Gegen Qinlian decoction maintains colonic mucosal homeostasis in acute/chronic ulcerative colitis via bidirectionally modulating dysregulated Notch signaling

BackgroundGegen Qinlian decoction (GQ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically proven to be effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its therapeutic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Notch signaling plays an essential role in the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium.PurposeThis study was designed to ascertain the mechanism by which GQ participates in the recovery of the colonic mucosa by regulating Notch signaling in acute and chronic UC models.MethodsAcute and chronic UC mice (C57BL/6) were established with 3 and 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), respectively, and treated with oral administration of GQ. The expression of the Notch target gene Hes1 and the Notch-related proteins RBP-J, MAML and Math1 was analyzed by western blotting. PTEN mRNA levels were detected by qRT-PCR. Mucin production that is characteristic of goblet cells was determined by Alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff staining and verified by examining MUC2 mRNA levels by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was assayed by immunohistochemistry analysis of Ki67. HT-29 and FHC cells and Toll-like receptor 4 knockout (TLR4^−/−) acute UC mice were also used in this study.ResultsGQ restored the injured colonic mucosa in both acute and chronic UC models. We found that Notch signaling was hyperactive in acute UC mice and hypoactive in chronic UC mice. GQ downregulated Hes1, RBP-J and MAML proteins and augmented goblet cells in the acute UC models, whereas GQ upregulated Hes1, RBP-J and MAML proteins in chronic UC mice, reducing goblet cell differentiation and promoting crypt base columnar (CBC) stem cell proliferation. Hes1 mRNA was suppressed in TLR4^−/− UC mice, and GQ treatment reversed this effect. In vitro, GQ reduced Hes1 protein in Notch-activated HT29 and FHC cells but increased Hes1 protein in Notch-inhibited cells.ConclusionsGQ restored the colonic epithelium by maintaining mucosal homeostasis via bidirectional regulation of Notch signaling in acute/chronic UC models.     

Hypoxic remodelling of Ca2+ signalling in proliferating human arterial smooth muscle

Since Notch signaling plays a critical role in stem cells and oncogenesis, we hypothesized that Notch signaling might play roles in cancer stem cells and cancer cells with a stem cell phenotype. In this study, we accessed potential functions of the Notch pathway in the formation of cancer stem cells using human glioma. Using RT-PCR, we found that most human astrogliomas of different grades expressed moderate to high level of Notch receptors and ligands. mRNA of Hes5 but not Hes1, both of which are major downstream molecules of the Notch pathway, was also detected. In human glioma cell lines BT325, U251, SHG-44, and U87, mRNA encoding different types of Notch receptors were detected, but active form of Notch1 (NIC) was only detected in SHG-44 and U87 by Western blot. Interestingly, proliferation of these two glioma cell lines appeared faster than that of the other two lines in which NIC was not detected. We have over-expressed NIC of Notch1 in SHG-44 cells by constitutive transfection to evaluate the effects of Notch signaling on glioma cells. Our results showed that over-expression of NIC in SHG-44 cells promoted the growth and the colony-forming activity of SHG-44 cells. Interestingly, over-expression of NIC increased the formation neurosphere-like colonies in the presence of growth factors. These colonies expressed nestin, and could be induced to cells expressing neuron-, astrocyte-, or oligodendrocyte-specific markers, consistent with phenotypes of neural stem cells. These data suggest that Notch signaling promote the formation of cancer stem cell-like cells in human glioma. Xue-Ping Zhang, Gang Zheng and Lian Zou are contributed equally to this study.