METTL3 promotes IL‐1β–induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes by driving m6A‐dependent maturation of miR‐126‐5p

METTL3 is an important regulatory molecule in the process of RNA biosynthesis. It mainly regulates mRNA translation, alternative splicing and microRNA maturation by mediating m6A‐dependent methylation. Interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) is an important inducer of cartilage degeneration that can induce an inflammatory cascade reaction in chondrocytes and inhibit the normal biological function of cells. However, it is unclear whether IL‐1β is related to METTL3 expression or plays a regulatory role in endplate cartilage degeneration. In this study, we found that the expression level of METTL3 and methylation level of m6A in human endplate cartilage with different degrees of degeneration were significantly different, indicating that the methylation modification of m6A mediated by METTL3 was closely related to the degeneration of human endplate cartilage. Next, through a series of functional experiments, we found that miR‐126‐5p can play a significant role in IL‐1β–induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes. Moreover, we found that miR‐126‐5p can inhibit the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway by targeting PIK3R2 gene, leading to the disorder of cell vitality and functional metabolism. To further determine whether METTL3 could regulate miR‐126‐5p maturation, we first confirmed that METTL3 can bind the key protein underlying pri‐miRNA processing, DGCR8. Additionally, when METTL3 expression was inhibited, the miR‐126‐5p maturation process was blocked. Therefore, we hypothesized that METTL3 can promote cleavage of pri‐miR‐126‐5p and form mature miR‐126‐5p by combining with DGCR8.     

椎间孔镜与开窗术对腰椎间盘突出患者远期治疗效果对比

目的:探究椎间孔镜与开窗术对腰椎间盘突出患者治疗远期效果对比。方法:选择2016年3月至2018年3月于我院接受治疗的腰椎间盘突出患者,按照其接受术式的不同将其分为孔镜组(108例)和开窗组(40例),对比两组手术出血量、术后卧床时间及切口长度,对比两组术前、术后3个月及术后12个月腰椎日本矫形外科学会(Japan Orthopaedic Assoctiation,JOA)评分、Odwestry功能障碍指数(Odwestris ability index, ODI)评分、视觉模拟评分(Visual analog scales,VAS)及生活质量评分,最后对比两组术后12个月椎间隙高度降低数值。结果:(1)孔镜组术中出血量、术后卧床时间及切口长度均小于开窗组,手术时间长于开窗组(P0.05);(2)术前两者JOA及ODI评分对比无统计学意义(P0.05),术后3个月及术后12个月孔镜组JOA及ODI评分优于开窗组(P0.05);(3)术前两组VAS及SF-36量表(the 36-item shot form health survey,SF-36)评分对比无统计学意义(P0.05),术后3个月及12个月两组VAS评分均有明显下降,SF-36评分有明显上升(P0.05),且术后3个月及12个月孔镜组SF-36评分高于开窗组(P0.05),VAS评分对比无统计学意义(P0.05);(4)术后12个月,孔镜组椎间隙高度降低率低于开窗组(P0.05)。结论:椎间孔镜在治疗腰椎间盘突出方面效果较好,相比于开窗术,孔镜术患者术中创伤小、术后恢复快、腰椎功能改善明显,且远期随访显示患者生活质量更高,值得进行临床推广。     

Physiological polyspermy: Selection of a sperm nucleus for the development of diploid genomes in amphibians

The union between a sperm and an egg nucleus in egg fertilization is necessary to mix genetic materials to create a new diploid genome for the next generation. In most animals, only one sperm is incorporated into the egg (monospermy), but several animals exhibit physiological polyspermy in which several sperms enter the egg during normal fertilization. However, only one sperm nucleus forms the zygote nucleus with the egg nucleus, even in a polyspermic egg. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the selection of sperm nuclei in the egg cytoplasm have been well investigated in urodele amphibians. The principal sperm nucleus develops a larger sperm aster and contacts the egg nucleus to form a zygote nucleus, whereas other accessory sperm nuclei are unable to approach the egg nucleus. The diploid zygote nucleus induces cleavage and participates in embryonic development, whereas the accessory sperm nuclei undergo pyknosis and degenerate. We propose several models to account for the mechanisms of the selection of one sperm nucleus and the degeneration of accessory sperm nuclei. The roles of physiological polyspermy in animal reproduction are discussed by comparison with other polyspermic species.     

6-gingerol protects nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells from oxidative injury by activating autophagy

BACKGROUNDTo date, there has been no effective treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSCs) showed encouraging results in IDD treatment, but the overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) impaired the endogenous repair abilities of NPMSCs. 6-gingerol (6-GIN) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory reagent that might protect NPMSCs from injury.AIMTo investigate the effect of 6-GIN on NPMSCs under oxidative conditions and the potential mechanism.METHODSThe cholecystokinin-8 assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide and the protective effects of 6-GIN. ROS levels were measured by 2´7´-dichlorofluorescin diacetate analysis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was detected by the tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide assay. TUNEL assay and Annexin V/PI double-staining were used to determine the apoptosis rate. Additionally, autophagy-related proteins (Beclin-1, LC-3, and p62), apoptosis-associated proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3), and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins (PI3K and Akt) were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Autophagosomes were detected by transmission electron microscopy in NPMSCs. LC-3 was also detected by immunofluorescence. The mRNA expression of collagen II and aggrecan was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the changes in collagen II and MMP-13 expression were verified through an immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS6-GIN exhibited protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in NPMSCs, decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular ROS levels, and inhibited cell apoptosis. 6-GIN could increase Bcl-2 expression and decrease Bax and caspase-3 expression. The MMP, Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry and TUNEL assay results further confirmed that 6-GIN treatment significantly inhibited NPMSC apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide. 6-GIN treatment promoted extracellular matrix (ECM) expression by reducing the oxidative stress injury-induced increase in MMP-13 expression. 6-GIN activated autophagy by increasing the expression of autophagy-related markers (Beclin-1 and LC-3) and decreasing the expression of p62. Autophagosomes were visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Pretreatment with 3-MA and BAF further confirmed that 6-GIN-mediated stimulation of autophagy did not reduce autophagosome turnover but increased autophagic flux. The PI3K/Akt pathway was also found to be activated by 6-GIN. 6-GIN inhibited NPMSC apoptosis and ECM degeneration, in which autophagy and the PI3K/Akt pathway were involved.CONCLUSION6-GIN efficiently decreases ROS levels, attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced NPMSCs apoptosis, and protects the ECM from degeneration. 6-GIN is a promising candidate for treating IDD.     

金针菇退化菌丝的生理生化特征

【背景】金针菇菌种在继代培养的过程中会出现菌种退化的现象,影响着金针菇的产量与质量。【目的】为研究金针菇退化菌种菌丝的生理生化特征,筛选金针菇退化菌株。【方法】以金针菇原始菌株(H)和退化菌株(T)为研究对象,测定不同碳源培养基上菌丝的生理生化特征及超氧化物歧化酶(SuperoxideDismutase,SOD)、过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)和过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)的活性,并测定菌丝在栽培瓶中的漆酶(Laccase,Lac)和锰过氧化物酶(ManganesePeroxidase,MnP)的活性,记录菌丝在搔菌后的恢复情况。【结果】T在各个碳源的菌丝生长速度低于H,粉孢子等级在3-4级之间,SOD、CAT活性低于H,在栽培料中的Lac活性和MnP活性在第5天时与H相同,在第10、15、20天低于H。T在搔菌后菌丝恢复时间比H恢复时间长,恢复后的菌丝长势没有H长势浓密。【结论】通过探究金针菇原始菌株与退化菌株的菌丝生理生化特征,为判断金针菇菌株是否为退化菌株提供理论依据。     

莱菔子乙醇提取物对ApoE-/-小鼠血脂血糖及肝脂肪变性的影响*

目的:探讨莱菔子乙醇提取物(AERS)对ApoE^-/-小鼠血脂血糖及肝脂肪变性的影响及其机制。方法:随机将60只ApoE^-/-小鼠分为对照组(CG)、生理盐水组(NG)、罗格列酮组(RG)、AERS治疗组,后者再分成AERS低、中、高剂量组(AERS-L/M/H),每组10只。除CG常规饲料外,其他动物均以高脂高糖高盐饲料饲养9周,CG和NG分别每天以等容量NS灌胃1次,RG每天灌胃罗格列酮(1.33 mg·kg^-1,NS稀释成等容量溶液,每次0.2 ml·10 g^-1),AERS组动物每天分别予AERS灌胃(100、300和900 mg·kg^-1)9周后。肝病理学观察,检测FPG、FIns,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(IRI)和肝系数(LC)。检测血清ALT、AST、瘦素(LEP)、TNF-α及血脂水平(TC、FFA等)。Western blot检测肝脂质代谢相关蛋白表达(HMG-R、LDL-R、LEP-R)。结果:与CG相比,NG和RG肝脏外观(色泽、肿胀情况等)和病理学(脂肪变性、肝细胞坏死等)改变明显,而AERS-M/H与CG相似;与CG相比,血清FPG、Fins、IRI、ALT、AST、TNF-α、LC、TG、LDL-C、FFA、LEP等指标明显升高(P＜0.05);与NG相比,AERS呈现剂量依赖性降低(P＜0.05);与RG相比,AERS-H的FPG、Fins明显升高(P＜0.05),而IRI明显降低(P＜0.05);与NG和RG相比,AERS组的HMG-R和LEP-R蛋白表达呈剂量依赖性减少,而LDL-R蛋白表达呈剂量依赖性增加(P＜0.05)。结论:AERS能阻止高脂高糖饲料诱导ApoE^-/^-小鼠血脂血糖升高及肝脂肪变性,其机制与减少FFA和LEP的生成,抑制TNF-α、HMG-R、LEP-R蛋白表达和促进LDL-R的蛋白表达有关。     

基于转录组测序探究ATP7B基因缺陷小鼠铜累积诱导肝细胞自噬的相关机制*

目的：分析ATP7B基因缺陷(Wilson's disease,WD)小鼠肝脏组织中自噬相关基因的表达和自噬相关蛋白的相互作用方式,探讨铜累积诱导肝内自噬活化的可能机制。方法：对4周龄和12周龄WD小鼠肝组织进行铜含量检测和转录组测序,对差异基因进行GO和KEGG富集分析,筛选自噬相关差异基因做qRT-PCR和Western blot验证,采用GeneMANIA数据库构建自噬相关差异蛋白的互作网络(PPI)并进行功能注释分析,抑制自噬相关蛋白的表达分析其对自噬的影响。结果：与野生型小鼠相比,WD小鼠肝铜含量显著升高,铜累积导致基因表达模式改变;基于GO数据库统计自噬相关差异基因数目,4周龄和12周龄分别有8个、51个,基于KEGG数据库统计,4周龄和12周龄分别有5个、19个;筛选Ulk1、Ddit4、Plk3等9个基因进行qRT-PCR,定量结果与测序结果表达趋势基本一致;其编码的蛋白质通过共表达、共定位等方式互相作用;Western blot结果显示铜累积导致Ulk1、Plk3、Park2蛋白表达显著增加和细胞自噬发生,抑制Ulk1、Plk3、Park2的蛋白质表达可显著下调细胞自噬水平。结论：WD不同阶段的铜累积可调节肝脏多个自噬相关基因的表达,通过其编码的自噬相关蛋白的互相作用共同诱导肝脏自噬活化以缓解肝损伤。