TRAIL-related neurotoxicity implies interaction with the Wnt pathway in human neuronal cells in vitro

Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is involved in amyloid beta dependent neurotoxicity via the extrinsic pathway. Recently, several genes modulating TRAIL cytotoxicity have been characterized, providing evidence for a role of wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site family (Wnt), Jun-N-terminal kinase and other pathways in increased cell susceptibility to the cytokine. We investigated whether neurotoxic effects of TRAIL could be due to modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Western blot analysis of Wnt in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells showed significantly decreased Wnt expression in cultures treated with TRAIL. Correspondingly, both phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta and degradation of cytoplasmic β-catenin were increased, as well as phosphorylation of the τ protein, bringing about the picture of neuronal damage. As a counterproof of the interaction of TRAIL with the Wnt pathway, the addition of the specific glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitor SB216763 resulted in rescue of a significant percent of cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The rescue was total when the caspase 8 inhibitor z-IETD-FMK was added in combination with SB216763. Results show that, probably, in addition to triggering caspase signaling, TRAIL also interferes with the Wnt pathway, additionally concurring to neuronal damage. These data suggest that the Wnt pathway substantially contributes to the TRAIL-related neurotoxicity and indicate the TRAIL system as a candidate target for pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.     

Mutation and control of the human immunodeficiency virus

We examine the dynamics of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as therapies that minimize viral load, restore adaptive immunity, and use minimal dosage of anti-HIV drugs. Virtual therapies for wild-type infections are demonstrated; however, the HIV infection is never cured, requiring continued treatment to keep the condition in remission. With high viral turnover and mutation rates, drug-resistant strains of HIV evolve quickly. The ability of optimal therapy to contain drug-resistant strains is shown to depend upon the relative fitness of mutant strains.     

内源性神经干细胞与脑老化的治疗

近十几年研究发现成年人脑神经元可以再生,使人们重新认识老年脑神经细胞的可塑性,它为脑损伤的修复带来新的希望。最新研究表明,神经再生可被调控,是一种新的修复机制。这使得利用内源性神经干细胞治疗老龄相关的神经退行性疾病成为可能。     

血管紧张素酶2在黄疸大鼠心脏中的表达

目的:研究阻塞性黄疸大鼠心组织中血管紧张素转化酶2(ACE2)的 mRNA 和蛋白质水平,探讨阻塞性黄疸大鼠心功能损害与 ACE2 的关系.方法:36 只 SD 大鼠随机分为假手术(SO)组(n=18)和胆总管结扎(BDL)组(n=18),于术后3d、7d、10d分别随机取 2 组大鼠的心组织(n=6),采用实时定量 PCR 方法和免疫组化方法检测心组织内 ACE2 的 mRNA 和蛋白质的表达水平.结果:(1)BDL组的总胆红素(TBIL)和肝功能指标(ALT)较 SO 组显著升高(P＜0.01),BDL 组中 7d 组 TBIL 为最高(158.65±10.80mmol/L)(P＜0.05),3d 组 ALT 为最高(236.07±12.49U/L)(P＜0.05);(2)BDL组心组织 ACE2 的 mRNA 水平较假手术组均呈一定程度的下降,其中 7d 组下降最显著(P＜0.01);(3)黄疸大鼠心肌纤维中 ACE2 的阳性率明显减少,且强度减弱,其中 7d 组减少最明显.结论:阻塞性黄疸大鼠心脏中的 ACE2 mRNA 和蛋白质水平均下调,可能是引起阻塞性黄疽后心功能损害的因素之一.     

蛋氨酸脑啡肽对免疫系统恢复作用的研究

采用固相合成法合成蛋氨酸脑啡肽,制备成注射液。对经放化疗后免疫系统受到伤害的晚期肿瘤志愿者进行治疗,经静脉滴注15 d。患者免疫系统指标全面迅速恢复,淋巴细胞亚群间比例趋于合理,证明蛋氨酸脑啡肽可以用于癌症患者的免疫系统的恢复治疗。     

体外超声在心脏疾病治疗中的应用

随着超声技术的发展和对心脏疾病治疗研究的深入,超声技术在心脏疾病治疗领域中的应用逐步成为研究热点。其中,体外超声作为一种无创物理疗法,尤为受到研究者们的关注。本文介绍了近年来体外超声在心脏疾病治疗中的应用进展,并对其存在的问题和发展前景进行了探讨。     

不同光源对K562细胞ALA-PDT作用的实验研究

目的:利用532 nm脉冲激光、532 nm连续激光和氙灯对K562细胞进行基于5-氨基乙酰丙酸的光动力疗法(ALA-PDT),研究在不同光照条件下细胞抑制率的变化情况,为实现体外ALA-PDT的高效率选择合适的光源。方法:在其他条件相同的情况下,采用不同的光源、不同的光剂量对ALA-PDT组细胞进行辐照,利用O-LYMPUS倒置荧光显微镜和显微镜数码相机系统观察细胞的形态学变化并拍照,利用光学显微镜进行台盼兰拒染法检测细胞的抑制率变化情况。结果:532 nm连续激光和脉冲激光对K562细胞的ALA-PDT抑制率均较低,增加光剂量也不能有效提高ALA-PDT的抑制率;氙灯在功率密度为350 mW/cm2、光照5 min时就能达到最佳的光剂量,此时单纯光照对K562细胞的光损伤作用很小且ALA-PDT效率很高。结论:宽光谱、高功率的氙灯对K562细胞的ALA-PDT效果远优于532 nm激光,对体外ALA-PDT实验比较适用。     

敲减血管内皮生长因子受体-2表达抑制人乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤的生长

应用化学修饰的小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)抑制裸鼠乳腺癌移植瘤血管内皮生长因子受体-2基因（VEGFR2,又称kinase insert domain-containing receptor, KDR)的表达, 探讨抑制肿瘤血管生成对人乳腺癌(MCF-7)裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响．雌裸鼠皮下种植MCF 7 细胞,肿瘤长至一定大小时, 随机分为对照组（A）、转染试剂对照组（B）、小剂量治疗组（C）及大剂量治疗组（D）．肿瘤局部分别注射葡萄糖溶液、In vivo jetPEI^TM转染试剂和In vivo jetPEI^TM转染试剂包裹的KDRsiRNA．22 d后处死全部动物, 取肿瘤, 测其大小及重量, HE 及免疫组化染色,微血管密度计数,同时用RT-PCR检测KDR基因的表达水平．结果显示,siRNA治疗组瘤组织的增长受到明显抑制;HE染色显示,治疗组肿瘤中心区出现大面积细胞坏死;免疫组化结果显示,染色阳性血管数明显低于对照组;同时RT-PCR结果表明,治疗组KDR表达下调．对照组各指标无显著变化．因此,化学修饰的siRNA介导的RNAi可以降低人乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤血管中KDR 表达, 抑制血管生成进而抑制肿瘤的生长,是潜在的肿瘤治疗新方法．     

Bending of z-lines by mechanical stimuli: An input signal for integrin dependent modulation of ion channels?

We studied which components of mechanical cell deformation are involved in “stretch modulated ion currents” (SMIC). Murine ventricular myocytes were attached to glass coverslips and deformed in x, y and z with a 16 μm thin glass stylus (S) of calibrated stiffness. Three-dimensional confocal microscopy characterized cell deformation (T-tubular membranes, mitochondria) and bending of S (indicative of the applied force). Axial (x-) displacement of S sheared the upper cell part versus the attached bottom, close to S, it changed sarcomere length and bent z-lines (“z-line displacement”). Vertical (z-press) or transversal (y-shear) displacement of S bulged cytoplasm and mitochondria transversally without detectable z-line displacement.Axial stiffness increased with the extent of stress (“stress stiffening”). Depolymerization of F-actin or block of integrin receptors reduced stiffness. SMIC served as a proxy readout of deformation-induced signaling. Axial deformation activated a non-selective cation conductance (G_ns) and deactivated an inwardly rectifying K⁺ conductance (G_K1), z-press or y-shear did not induce SMIC. Depolymerization of F-actin or block of integrin receptors reduced SMIC. SMIC did not depend on changes in sarcomere length but correlated with the extent of z-line bending. We discuss that both shear stress at the attached cell bottom and z-line bending could activate mechanosensors. Since SMIC was absent during deformations without z-line bending we postulate that z-line bending is a necessary component for SMIC signaling.     

An improved numerical method for strong coupling of excitation and contraction models in the heart

Quantifying the interactions between excitation and contraction is fundamental to furthering our understanding of cardiac physiology. To date simulating these effects in strongly coupled excitation and contraction tissue models has proved computationally challenging. This is in part due to the numerical methods implemented to maintain numerical stability in previous simulations, which produced computationally intensive problems. In this study, we analytically identify and quantify the velocity and length dependent sources of instability in the current established coupling method and propose a new method which addresses these issues. Specifically, we account for the length and velocity dependence of active tension within the finite deformation equations, such that the active tension is updated at each intermediate Newton iteration, within the mechanics solution step. We then demonstrate that the model is stable and converges in a three-dimensional rod under isometric contraction. Subsequently, we show that the coupling method can produce stable solutions in a cube with many of the attributes present in the heart, including asymmetrical activation, an inhomogeneous fibre field and a nonlinear constitutive law. The results show no instabilities and quantify the error introduced by discrete length updates. This validates our proposed coupling framework, demonstrating significant improvement in the stability of excitation and contraction simulations.