Enhancement of germ cell apoptosis induced by ethanol in transgenic mice overexpressing Fas Ligand

It was suggested that chronic ethanol exposure could result in testicular germ cell apoptosis, but the mechanism is still unclear. In the present study, we use a model of transgenic mice ubiquitously overexpressing human FasL to investigate whether Fas ligand plays a role in ethanol-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis. Both wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic (TG) mice were treated with acute ethanol (20% v/v) by introperitoneal injection for five times. After ethanol injection, WT mice displayed up-regulation of Fas ligand in the testes, which was shown by FITCconjugated flow cytometry and western blotting. Moreover, TG mice exhibited significantly more apoptotic germcells than WT mice did after ethanol injection, which was demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, PI staining flowcytometry and TUNEL staining. In addition, histopathological examination revealed that degenerative changes ofepithelial component of the tubules occurred in FasL overexpressing transgenic mice while testicular morphologywas normal in wild-type mice after acute ethanol exposure, suggesting FasL expression determines the sensitivity of testes to ethanol in mice. In summary, we provide the direct evidences that Fas ligand mediates the apoptosis of testicular germ cells induced by acute ethanol using FasL transgenic mice.     

A stage—specific protein factor binding to a CACCC motif in both human β—globin gene promoter and 5‘—HS2 region

The DNaseI hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) of human β-globin locus control region(LCR) is required for the high level expression of human β-globin genes.In the present study,a stage-specific protein factor (LPF-β) was identified in the nuclear extract prepared from mouse fetal liver at d 18 of gestation,which could bind to the HS2 region of human β-globin LCR.We also found that the shift band of LPF-β factor could be competed by human β-globin promoter.However,it couldn‘t be competed by human ε-globin promoter or by human ^Aγ-globin promoter.Furthermore,our data demonstrated that the binding-sequence of LPF-β factor is 5‘CACACCCTA 3‘,which is located at the HS2 region of β-LCR(from-10845 to-10853 bp)and human β-globin promoter(from-92 to -84 bp).We speculated that these regions containing the CACCC box in both the human β-globin promoter and HS2 might function as stage selector elements in the regulation of human β-globin switching and the LPF-β factor might be a stage-specific protein factor involved in the regulation of human β-globin gene expression.     

Establishment of La-tPA/G-CSF dual transgenic mice and expression in their mammary gland

Expression vectors of human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSG) and long acting tissue plasminogen activator (La-tPA) in mammary gland were constructed using promoters of mouse whey acid protein gene (WAP) and sheep β-lactoglobulin gene (BLG) with sizes of 2.6 and 5 kb respectively. Two kinds of transgenic mice of G-CSF and La-tPA were produced with microinjection. The expression of G-CSF and La-tPA was achieved in mammary glands of transgenic mice, respectively. In order to establish dual transgenic mice of La-tPA/G-CSF, transgenic mice carrying G-CSF and La-tPA gene characterized with specific expression in mammary gland were mated. La-tPA/G-CSF dual transgenic mice were screened out from the hybrid offspring by Once-PCR. The co-expression of La-tPA and G-CSF in mammary gland of the dual transgenic mice was confirmed by the milk assayed and Northern blot analysis. Some parameters about the dual transgenic mice indicated that there were fewer litters than that of normal mice. The ratio of du     

氯化高铁血红素诱导K562细胞中β-珠蛋白基因表达的研究

以绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）基因为报道基因,构建了在β-珠蛋白启动子驱动及HS2元件调控下的重组表达载体HG,用脂质体转染法将其转染到K562细胞中,并用RT-PCR方法及流式细胞仪检测氯化高铁血红素(Hm)对K562细胞中β-珠蛋白基因表达及重组载体HG在K562细胞中瞬时表达的影响。结果显示：用30μmol/L Hm诱导K562细胞24、48及72h后,不仅其γ-珠蛋白mRNA水平升高,其β-珠蛋白mRNA水平也明显上升,而且这种诱导作用在诱导24、48h后比较明显;Hm还可增强重组表达载体HG在K562细胞中的瞬时表达。提示Hm诱导红系分化的机理可能与γ→β-珠蛋白基因的转换机制相关。 Abstract: The recombinant plasmid HG was constructed,in which the reporter gene encoding the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was driven by the β-globin promoter and regulated under the HS2 element.The inductive effect of hemin on the expression of the β-globin gene and transiently transfected β-globin genes in K562 cells was analysed by FACS as well as RT-PCR method.The results showed that the level of γ and β-globin gene mRNA in K562 cells increased significantly after 24,48 and 72 hours induced with 30 μmol/LHm.And this inductive effect was sronger after 24 and 48 hours.Furthermore,the transient expression of plasmid HG in K562 cells increased significantly with hemin induction.These results indicated that the mechanism of inductive erythroid differentiation with hemin may be correlated with mechanism of γ→β-globin gene.     

Peripheral clonal deletion of MBP-specific T cells by intravenous au-toantigen: rapid reversal of ongoing, progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis can be initiated spontaneously and developed progressively in TCR transgenic mice specific for myelin basic protein when exposed to non-sterile environment, thus more closely mimicking human multiple sclerosis. By intravenous administration of myelin basic protein, we succeeded in rapidly reversing the clinical and pathological signs of progressive spontaneous disease in these mice. The majority of transgenic T cells of MBP-injected mice was deleted, with dramatically increased numbers of apoptotic cells, in lymph nodes and spleen, but not in thymus. Proliferative responses of single     

A preliminary analysis of antineoplastic activity of parvovirus MVMp NS—1 proteins

Human gastric cancer MKN-45 cells were transfected with pULB 3238,a plasmid carrying MVMp MS-1 gene with its original P4 promoter replaced by the glucocorticoid inducible promoter MMTV-LTR.After the integration and expression of NS-1 gene,some of the transfectants died,while others remained alive,but the growth features of survived cells were changed.For further study on the antineoplastic function of parvoviral NS-1 protein in vivo,transgenic mice carrying NS-1 genes were established by conventional method.Among 4 founders,one of them was found to be able to transmit the transgene to around 50% of their offsprings.RT-PCR was performed to indicate the expression of NS-1 gene in transgenic mice and its mRNA appeared in a variety of tissues.The expression of integrated NS-1 gene may correlate with the decreased incidence of tumor induced in vivo by chemical carcinogens.     

Redox regulation of mast cell histamine release in thioredoxin-1 （TRX） transgenic mice

Thioredoxin-1 （TRX） is a stress-inducible redox-regulatory protein with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Here we show that the release of histamine from mast cells elicited by cross-linking of high-affinity receptor for IgE （FcεRI） was significantly suppressed in TRX transgenic （TRX-tg） mice compared to wild type （WT） mice. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） of mast cells stimulated by IgE and antigen was also reduced in TRX-tg mice compared to WT mice. Whereas there was no difference in the production ofcytokines （IL-6 and TNF-α） from mast cells in response to 2,4-dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin （DNP-BSA） stimulation in TRX-tg and WT mice. Immunological status of TRX-tg mice inclined to T helper （Th） 2 dominant in primary immune response, although there was no difference in the population of dendritic cells （DCs） and regulatory T cells. We conclude that the histamine release from mast cells in TRX-tg mice is suppressed by inhibition of ROS generation. As ROS are involved in mast cell activation and facilitate mediator release, TRX may be a key signaling molecule regulating the early events in the IgE signaling in mast cells and the allergic inflammation.     

Inter-chain disulfide bond improved protein trans-splicing increases plasma coagulation activity in C57BL/6 mice following portal vein FVIII gene delivery by dual vectors

Protein trans-splicing based dual-vector factor VIII(FVIII) gene delivery is adversely affected by less efficiency of protein splicing.We sought to increase the amount of spliced FVIII protein and plasma coagulation activity in dual-vector FVIII transgene in mice by means of strengthening the interaction of inteins,protein splicing elements,thereby facilitating protein trans-splicing.Dual-vector delivery of the FVIII gene in cultured cells showed that replacement of Met226 in the heavy chain and Asp1828 in the light chain with Cys residues could facilitate inter-chain disulfide linking and improve protein trans-splicing,increasing the levels of spliced FVIII protein.In this study,C57BL/6 mice were coadministered dual vectors of intein-fused human FVIII heavy chain and light chain with Cys mutations via portal vein injection into the liver.Forty-eight hours post-injection,plasma was collected and analyzed for FVIII antigen concentration and coagulation activity.These mice showed increased circulating FVIII heavy chain polypeptide(442±151 ng mL-1 vs.305±103 ng mL-1) and coagulation activity(1.46±0.37 IU mL-1 vs.0.85±0.23 IU mL-1) compared with control mice co-administered dual vectors expressing the heavy and light chains of wild-type FVIII.Moreover,coagulation activity was similar to that of mice receiving a single vector expressing FVIII(1.79±0.59 IU mL-1).These findings indicate that improving protein trans-splicing by inter-chain disulfide bonding is a promising approach for increasing the efficacy of dual-vector based FVIII gene transfer.     

Alterations of cardiac and lymphocyte β-adrenoceptors in rat with chronic heart failure

The alterations of cardiac and lymphocyte β-adrenoceptors were observed in the rats with chronic heart failure produced by constriction of both abdominal aorta and renal artery. The results showed that β1-adrenocep-tor density and mRNA levels were increased, whereas these levels remained unchanged for β2 The concentration-contractile response curve for isoproterenol was shifted to the right in cardiac atrium, whereas the concentration-cAMP accumulation response curve for isoproterenol in myocardium was not changed. The number of β-adrenoceptors in blood lymphocyte was markedly reduced. Thus in the heart-failure rats the density of cardiac β-adrenoceptor was increased accompanying reduced β-adrenoceptor-mediated positive inotropic response, suggesting a post adenylate cyclase dys-function or impaired contractile components. In contrast, the alteration of β-adrenoceptor in lymphocyte is consistent with the reduced β-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic response in heart.     

Structural basis of interaction between protein tyrosine phosphatase PCP-2 and β-catenin

PCP-2 is a member of receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase of the MAM domain family. To investigate which part of PCP-2 was involved in its interaction with β-catenin, we constructed various deletion mutants of PCP-2. These PCP-2 mutants and wild-type PCP-2 were co-transfected into BHK-21 cells with β-catenin individually. An in vivo binding assay revealed that the expression of wild-type PCP-2, PCP-2 DC1C2 (deleted PCP-2 without both PTP domains) and PCP-2 ΔC2 (deleted PCP-2 without the second PTP domain) could be immunoprecipitated by anti-catenin antibody in every co-transfection, but PCP-2 EXT (deleted PCP-2 without the juxtamembrane region and both PTP domains) was missing, which implied that PCP-2 and b-catenin could associate directly and the juxtamembrane region in PCP-2 was sufficient for the process.     

The Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Transgenic Mice Carrying Human Coagulation Factor VIII Can Correct Phenotype in Hemophilia A Mice

Hemophilia A （HA） is an inherited X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by coagulant factor VIII （FVIII） deficiency. Previous studies showed that introduction of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） modified by FVIll-expressing retrovims may result in phenotypic correction of HA animals. This study aimed at the investigation of an alternative gene therapy strategy that may lead to sustained FVIII transgene expression in HA mice. B-domain-de/eted human FVIll （hFVHIBD） vector was microinjected into single-cell embryos of wild-type mice to generate a transgenic mouse line, from which hFVIIIBD-MSCs were isolated, followed by transplantation into HA mice. RT-PCR and real-time PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of hFVlllBD in multi-organs of recipient HA mice. Immunohistochemistry showed the presence of hFVIIIBD positive staining in multi-organs of recipient HA mice. ELISA indicated that plasma hFVIIIBD level in recipient mice reached its peak （77 ng/ mL） at the 3rd week after implantation, and achieved sustained expression during the 5-week observation period. Plasma FVIII activities of recipient HA mice increased from 0% to 32% after hFVIIIBD-MSCs transplantation. APTT （activated partial thromboplastin time） value decreased in hFVIIIBD-MSCs transplanted HA mice compared with untreated HA mice （45.5 s vs. 91.3 s）. Our study demonstrated an effective phenotypic correction in HA mice using genetically modified MSCs from hFVIIIBD transgenic mice.     

AKT2基因的过表达抑制H2O2诱导的乳腺癌细胞凋亡

To study the effect of Akt2 gene on the apoptosis of breast cancer cells induced by H2O2. The full length cDNA of Akt2 gene was amplified by RT-PCR, and then cloned into pcDNA3.1 /myc-His(-)A vector (Wild type, WT-Akt2). Dominant negative mutant of AKT2 (DN-Ak2) were made by QuikChange site-directed mutagenesis. The eukaryotic expression vector of WT-Akt2 and DN-Akt2 were constructed, and were then transfected into MCF-7 breast cancer cells, respectively. Clones stably expressing Akt2 or DN-Akt2 were obtained by neomycin screening; Two different siRNA fragments targeted Akt2 gene were designed and synthesized, and were then transfected into the same cells. Cell apoptosis pre or post-H2O2 treatment was determined by TUNEL 和DNA Laddering assays. The sequencing result confirmed WT-Akt2 and DN-Akt2 were successfully constructed, and the results of Western Blot show They had good expression in MCF-7 cells, and Akt2 siRNA could effectively silence Akt2 expression. The resistance for apoptosis-induced by H2O2 in MCF-7 cells with WT-Akt2 over-expression was significantly increased (DN-Akt2 showed opposite function). The apoptotic cell number induced by H2O2 was significantly lower in stable transfectants with the WT-Akt2 vector than in those with empty vector or in untransfected cells (P ＜0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between the latter two groups (P ＞0.05). The function of inhibition of apoptosis by Akt2 was blocked by Akt2 siRNA and PI3K/Akt inhibitor, wortmannin. Thus, Akt2’s effect was further confirmed by these endogenous results. Overall, our study suggests that Akt2 can increase the resistance of human breast cancer cells to the apoptosis induced by H2O2, and it may be used as a therapeutic target for breast cancer, providing a foundation for investigation the molecular mechanism of breast cancer cells resistant to the apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen.