Precursor cells of newly formed connective tissue in inflammatory foci in various organs in mice

The origin of fibroblast-like cells of the capsule around a foreign body in the spleen, liver, peritoneal cavity, subcutaneous connective tissue of mice, the localization of cells-precursors, their proliferative potencies and the ability to migrate through blood were studied using 3H-thymidine autoradiography. Precursors of the inflammation focus cells (irrespective of localization) reproduce intensively outside the limits of intraorganic connective tissue, supposedly, in hemopoietic organs of the bone marrow type and migrate, through the blood channel, into tissues (inflammation foci), where they terminate their differentiation.     

Hemopoiesis on Stromal Sublayers Formed by Constant Lines of Fibroblasts

We studied the formation of hemopoietic colonies on an artificial sublayer in the peritoneal cavity of mice under the influence of stromal sublayers consisting of fibroblasts of six constant cell limes. All studied lines of stromal cells supported the formation of granulocytic foci and some of them supported the formation of erythroid foci as well. It was shown that hemopoiesis was preserved or, in some cases, enhanced on sublayers of fixed (metabolically inactive) cells. The treatment of fibroblasts by E. coli lipopolysaccharide did not lead, as a rule, to significant stimulation of hemopoiesis.     

Long non‐coding RNAs in melanoma

Melanoma is the most lethal cutaneous cancer with a highly aggressive and metastatic phenotype. While recent genetic and epigenetic studies have shed new insights into the mechanism of melanoma development, the involvement of regulatory non‐coding RNAs remain unclear. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of endogenous non‐protein‐coding RNAs with the capacity to regulate gene expression at multiple levels. Recent evidences have shown that lncRNAs can regulate many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and invasion. In the melanoma, deregulation of a number of lncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, MALAT1, BANCR, ANRIL, SPRY‐IT1 and SAMMSON, have been reported. Our review summarizes the functional role of lncRNAs in melanoma and their potential clinical application for diagnosis, prognostication and treatment.     

Interleukin-4 Restores Insulin Sensitivity in Lipid-Induced Insulin-Resistant Adipocytes

Obesity and latent inflammation in adipose tissue significantly contribute to the development of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. Here we studied whether the antiinflammatory interleukin-4 (IL-4) can restore insulin sensitivity in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The activity of key components of the insulin signaling cascade was assessed by immunoblotting using phospho-specific antibodies to insulin receptor substrate IRS1 (Tyr612), Akt (Thr308 and Ser473), and AS160 (Ser318) protein that regulates translocation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter to the plasma membrane. IR was induced in mature adipocytes with albumin-conjugated palmitate. IR significantly reduced phosphorylation levels of all the above-mentioned proteins. Addition of IL-4 to the culturing medium during IR induction led to a dose-dependent stimulation of the insulin-promoted phosphorylation of IRS1, Akt, and AS160. At the optimal concentration of 50 ng/ml, IL-4 fully restored activation of the insulin cascade in IR cells, but it did not affect insulin signaling activation in the control cells. IL- 4 neither upregulated expression of key adipogenesis markers GLUT4 and PPARγ nor caused lipid accumulation in the adipocytes. These results demonstrate that IL-4 can restore insulin sensitivity in adipocytes via mechanisms not associated with induced adipogenesis or de novo formation of lipid depots.     

Protective effect of bixin on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Background

The liver is an important organ for its ability to transform xenobiotics, making the liver tissue a prime target for toxic substances. The carotenoid bixin present in annatto is an antioxidant that can protect cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of free radicals. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of bixin on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in rats.

Results

The animals were divided into four groups with six rats in each group. CCl₄ (0.125 mL kg^-1 body wt.) was injected intraperitoneally, and bixin (5.0 mg kg^-1 body wt.) was given by gavage 7 days before the CCl₄ injection. Bixin prevented the liver damage caused by CCl₄, as noted by the significant decrease in serum aminotransferases release. Bixin protected the liver against the oxidizing effects of CCl₄ by preventing a decrease in glutathione reductase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione and NADPH. The peroxidation of membrane lipids and histopathological damage of the liver was significantly prevented by bixin treatment.

Conclusion

Therefore, we can conclude that the protective effect of bixin against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl₄ is related to the antioxidant activity of the compound.     

Effects of perturbed geomagnetic field on connective tissue metabolism and some systems of homeostasis after hydroxyapatite implantation

The influence of perturbed geomagnetic field (PGMF) on glucocorticoid, epinephrine, hydroxyproline content in intact rats and after intramuscular implantation of demineralized bone matrix and combined (hydroxyapatite/bone meal) samples was investigated. It was found that the exposure of the intact rats to PGMF led to decrease in free and peptide-bound hydroxyproline in plasma. In the rats with hydroxyapatite/bone meal samples placed in ectopic sites the exposure to PGMF normalized hydroxyproline, glucocorticoid and epinephrine content.     

Immunofluorescent study of the hemopoietic organs of xenogeneic mouse radiation chimeras]

An immunofluorescent study of hemopoietic organs in xenogenic (mouse-rat) radiation chimaeras has been carried out by means of specific antiserum against hemopoietic cells of the rat bone marrow. The presence of donor cells was tested at different times after the transplantation in the bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus and liver of radiochimaeras. The transplanted cells were shown to populate all hemopoietic organs of the recipient, first of all tissues of the bone marrow type and, then, lymphoid organs. The donor (bone marrow) origin of the extramedullar foci of hemopoiesis in the liver was established.     

Hemopoiesis on Acetate Cellulose Membranes in the Presence of Lipopolysaccharide

The formation of hemopoietic colonies on acetate cellulose membranes in the peritoneal cavity of mice was markedly enhanced after the injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. In addition to granulocytic-macrophagal differentiation, the foci of erythropoiesis appeared. The stimulating effect of lipopolysaccharide was not expressed in nonirradiated mice and during the formation of hemopoietic foci on acetate cellulose membranes in the subcutaneous connective tissue.