Treatment of intracerebral haemorrhage in rats with intraventricular transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells

We explored the effects on brain oedema and neurological functional recovery after transplantation of hAECs (human amniotic epithelial cells) into the lateral ventricle of rats with ICH (intracerebral haemorrhage). hAECs were isolated from human term placenta and seeded for primary culture. We delivered hAECs labelled with Hoechst33258 and transfected with EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) gene using lentiviral vectors into ICH rat models. The behaviour of the animals and brain oedema were evaluated after 28 days, and brain sections were made for morphological and immunohistochemical analyses with fluorescence microscopy. Our results were as follows. Transplanted hAECs were observed along the lateral wall and survived for at least 4 weeks. Some of the cells were stained with human specific antibody to vimentin and nestin. Around the injury site, activated microglia stained with OX42 were reduced. The water content of ICH rats decreased in the treatment group. The behaviour test scores were improved in the treatment group compared with those in the control groups. In conclusion, hAECs cannot only survive in the lateral ventricle of ICH rats after transplantation, but also express vimentin and nestin. hAEC transplantation reduced brain oedema and improved the motor deficits of ICH rats.     

Long-term serial cultivation of arterial and capillary endothelium from adult bovine brain

Summary Cerebrovascular endothelial cells from adult bovine brain were carried successfully in long-term, serial culture. Endothelial cells were obtained from the middle and anterior cerebral arteries and from capillaries isolated from grey matter of the cerebral cortex or caudate nucleus. Capillary cells were found to grow best in RPMI 1640 with 20% fetal bovine serum. They did not require tumor-conditioned medium or matrix-coated surfaces, although fibronectin was used to enhance the initial plating efficiency of the primary cultures. The same conditions were used to support satisfactory growth of arterial endothelial cells; however they did not grow as rapidly as the capillary cells. Retention of endothelial-specific characteristics were shown for capillary-derived cells carried up to Passage 28, arterial-derived cells up to Passage 11, and after frozen storage of both types of cultured cells. Cultures of both arterial and capillary cells stained positively for Factor VIII antigen, exhibited a nonthrombogenic surface, and produced prostacyclin in response to arachidonic acid. Arterial endothelial cells produced more prostacyclin than capillary endothelium. The capillary cells had a unique tendency to assume a ringlike morphology after subculture and sometimes formed capillarylike networks of cell cords in dense cultures. When cultured in a three-dimensional plasma clot, capillary and arterial endothelial cells, but none of the other cell types studied, organized into tubelike structures reminiscent of capillary formation in vivo. The availability of long-term cultures of cerebrovascular endothelial cells provides an opportunity to compare properties of arterial and capillary endothelium from the same tissue and to investigate such processes as angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier induction. This work was supported in part by Public Health Service grant NS-18586 from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and by a grant from The Council for Tobacco Research—U.S.A., Inc. C. E. was supported by the Universidad Autonoma of Madrid and the Ministerio de Universidades e Investigacion of Spain.     

前列环素参与低氧,高二氧化碳脑血管张力调节

本工作是在初生小牛基底动脉血管条上,用前列环素合成酶抑制剂—消炎痛（Ｉｎｄｏｍｅｔｈａｃｉｎ）研究前列环素及内皮细胞在低氧高二氧化碳脑血管扩张机制中的作用。实验结果表明,消炎痛对常氧下脑血管张力没有影响,但可抑制低氧高二氧化碳引起的脑血管扩张反应。去除内皮细胞后低氧、高二氧化碳扩张脑血管的作用显著减小,此时再给予消炎痛对血管张力无明显作用。由此提示,前列环素和内皮细胞参与低氧,高二氧化碳的脑血管扩张作用,而前列环素是来源于内皮细胞。     

Developmental changes in high-affinity uptake of GABA by cultured neurons

High-affinity uptake of [³H]-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied in cultures of neonatal rat cortical neurons grown on pre-formed monolayers of non-neuronal (glial) cells. Both the maximum rate (V _max) and, to a smaller extent, theK _m of [³H]GABA uptake increased with time. In addition, in parallel with these changes, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid and cis-3-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (ACHC), compounds which are considered typical substrate/inhibitors of GABA uptake in neurons, became progressively stronger inhibitors of [³H]GABA uptake. Consequently, the present results may mean that the studies using uptake, of [³H]GABA, [³H]ACHC, or [³H]DABA as a specific marker for GABAergic neurons differentiating during the ontogenetic development of the central nervous system may have to be interpreted with caution.     

Phenotypic diversity in cultured cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

Summary Diversity exists in both the structure and function of the endothelial cells (EC) that comprise the microvasculature of different organs. Studies of EC have been aided by our ability to first isolate and subsequently establish cultures from microvascularized tissue. After the isolation of microvessel endothelial cells (MEC) derived from rat cerebrum, we observed morphologic differences in colonies of cells that grew in primary cultures. The morphologies ranged from a cobblestone phenotype considered typical of EC in culture to elongated and stellate cell appearances. Serially passaged cell lines were established based on two parameters: initially by growth and, second, on differences in primary colony morphology using selective weeding techniques. Each culture was examined for the presence of EC-characteristic markers which include Factor-VIII-related antigen, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme activity, collagen type IV synthesis, and PGI₂ production. Variable expression of each of these characteristics among the established EC lines was observed. Growth curves established for each of the EC cultures demonstrated differences in both population doubling rates and cell densities at confluence. The endocytic capacity of each EC line was also evaluated. Our ability to isolate and establish a number of morphologically distinct EC cultures indicates that diversity exists within the EC that comprise the cerebral microvasculature. Diversity in the established cell lines suggests either the EC that line the brain microvasculature exist as a mosaic or that morphologically distinct cultures may originate from different microanatomical origins (arteriolar, true capillary, or venular) or may have resulted from cells at different points in their in vitro life spans at the time of isolation. This research was supported by grants HLO3227 and HLO1514 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

一氧化氮参与低氧脑血管张力调节

本工作是初生小牛基底动脉血管条上,用一氧化氮合成酶抑制剂－Ｌ－硝基精氨酸研究ＮＯ及内皮细胞在低氧脑血管扩张机制中的作用。实验结果表明,Ｌ－ＮＮＡ可减弱低氧扩血管作用,但减少的值要小于常氧下相同浓度Ｌ－ＮＮＡ所引起的作用。     

Dispersion of the neurons expressing layer specific markers in the reeler brain

Neurons with similar functions including neuronal connectivity and gene expression form discrete condensed structures within the vertebrate brain. This is exemplified within the circuitry formed by the cortical layers and the neuronal nuclei. It is well known that the Reelin protein is required for development of these neuronal structures in rodents and human, but the function of Reelin remains controversial. In this report, we used “layer‐specific markers” of the cerebral cortex to carry out detailed observations of spatial distribution of the neuronal subpopulations in the brain of the Reelin deficient mouse, reeler. We observed a spatially dispersed expression of the markers in the reeler cerebral cortex. These markers are expressed also in other laminated and non‐laminated structures of brain, in which we observed similar abnormal gene expression. Our observations suggest that neurons within the brain structures (such as the layers and the nuclei), which normally exhibit condensed distribution of marker expressions, loosen their segregation or scatter by a lack of Reelin.     

粉防己碱对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注后IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-8表达的影响

目的：探讨粉防己碱对大鼠脑缺血／再灌注后炎性因子表达的影响。方法：72只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（Sham）,缺血／再灌注组（I/R）,粉防己碱处理组（Tet）。采用线栓法复制大鼠右侧大脑中动脉脑缺血／再灌注模型,用放射免疫方法测定脑组织中IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-8的含量。结果：脑缺血／再灌注早期脑组织中IL-1β、TNF-α表达迅速升高,IL-8表达稍滞后;Tet组中脑组织中此三个因子的表达显著降低（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。结论：粉防己碱抑制大鼠脑组织缺血佴灌注早期炎性细胞因子的表达,减轻炎性反应,对缺血佴灌注脑组织具有保护作用。     

Ozone alleviates ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting mitochondrion‐mediated apoptosis pathway in SH‐SY5Y cells

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries are common and often cause severe complications. Ozone has been applied for protecting I/R injury in animal models of several organs including cerebra, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase measurement were used to determine the influence of ozone on cell activity and damage of SH‐SY5Y cells. Some redox items such as catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) was determined by JC‐1 assay. Cytochrome‐c (cyt‐c) level in the cytoplasm and mitochondrion was measured by western blotting. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, and some apoptosis‐related molecules were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Ozone alleviated oxidative damage by increasing GSH‐Px, SOD, CAT, and decreasing MDA. Ozone decreased mitochondrial damage caused by I/R injury and inhibited the release of cyt‐c from mitochondrion to cytoplasm in SH‐SY5Y cells. The cell apoptosis caused by I/R was inhibited by ozone, and ozone could decrease apoptosis by increasing the ratio of Bcl‐2/Bax and inhibiting caspase signaling pathway in SH‐SY5Y cells. Ozone has the ability of maintaining redox homeostasis, decreasing mitochondrion damage, and inhibiting neurocytes apoptosis induced by I/R. Therefore, ozone may be a promising protective strategy against cerebral I/R injury.     

Membrane proteins involved in the adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to the endothelium.

Plasmodium falciparum (human malaria) infections are characterized by the attachment of erythrocytes infected with mature stage parasites to endothelial cells lining the post-capillary venules, a phenomenon known as sequestration. In the human body, the microvessels of the heart, lungs, kidneys, small intestine, and liver are the principal sites of sequestration. Sequestered cells that clog the brain capillaries may reduce blood flow sufficiently so that there is confusion, lethargy, and unarousable coma--cerebral malaria. This review considers what is known about the molecular characteristics of the surface proteins, that is, the red cell receptors and the endothelial cell ligands, involved in sequestration. Recent work from our laboratory on the characterization of the adhesive proteins on the surface of the P falciparum-infected red cell, and the ligands to which they bind on human brain endothelial cells is also discussed. Finally, consideration is given to the multifactor processes involved in sequestration and cerebral malaria, as well as the possible role of 'anti-adhesion therapy' in the management of severe malaria.     

Comparison of intracerebral transplantation effects of different stem cells on rodent stroke models

In the present study, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), induced neural stem cells (iNSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and an immortalized cell line (RMNE6), representing different characteristics of stem cells, were transplanted into normal and/or injured brain areas of rodent stroke models, and their effects were compared to select suitable stem cells for cell replacement stroke therapy. The rat and mice ischaemic models were constructed using the middle cerebral artery occlusion technique. Both electrocoagulation of the artery and the intraluminal filament technique were used. The behaviour changes and fates of grafted stem cells were determined mainly by behaviour testing and immunocytochemistry. Following iPSC transplantation into the corpora striata of normal mice, a tumour developed in the brain. The iNSCs survived well and migrated towards the injured area without differentiation. Although there was no tumourigenesis in the brain of normal or ischaemic mice after the iNSCs were transplanted in the cortices, the behaviour in ischaemic mice was not improved. Upon transplanting MSC and RMNE6 cells into ischaemic rat brains, results similar to iNSCs in mice were seen. However, transplantation of RMNE6 caused a brain tumour. Thus, tumourigenesis and indeterminate improvement of behaviour are challenging problems encountered in stem cell therapy for stroke, and the intrinsic characteristics of stem cells should be remodelled before transplantation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct mapping of melanoma cell ‐ endothelial cell interactions

The most life‐threatening aspect of cancer is metastasis; cancer patient mortality is mainly due to metastasis. Among all metastases, presence of brain metastasis is one with the poorest prognosis; the median survival time can be counted in months. Therefore, prevention or decreasing their incidence would be highly desired both by patients and physicians. Metastatic cells invading the brain must breach the cerebral vasculature, primarily the blood‐brain barrier. The key step in this process is the establishment of firm adhesion between the cancer cell and the cerebral endothelial layer. Using the atomic force microscope, a high‐resolution force spectrograph, our aim was to explore the connections among the cell morphology, cellular mechanics, and biological function in the process of transendothelial migration of metastatic cancer cells. By immobilization of a melanoma cell to an atomic force microscope's cantilever, intercellular adhesion was directly measured at quasi‐physiological conditions. Hereby, we present our latest results by using this melanoma‐decorated probe. Binding characteristics to a confluent layer of brain endothelial cells was directly measured by means of single‐cell force spectroscopy. Adhesion dynamics and strength were characterized, and we present data about spatial distribution of elasticity and detachment strength. These results highlight the importance of cellular mechanics in brain metastasis formation and emphasize the enormous potential toward exploration of intercellular dynamic‐related processes.     

Akt1 interacts with epidermal growth factor receptors and hedgehog signaling to increase stem/transit amplifying cells in the embryonic mouse cortex

A subset of precursors in the embryonic mouse cortex and in neurospheres expresses a higher level of the serine/threonine kinase Akt1 than neighboring precursors. We reported previously that the functional significance of high Akt1 expression was enhanced Akt1 activity, resulting in an increase in survival, proliferation, and self-renewal of multipotent stem/transit amplifying cells. Akt1 can interact with a number of signaling pathways, but the extrinsic factors that are required for specific effects of elevated Akt1 expression have not been identified. In this study we addressed the contributions of signaling via epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hedgehog (Hh) receptors. In EGF receptor-null precursors or following transient inhibition of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity, elevating Akt1 by retroviral transduction could still increase survival and proliferation but could not increase self-renewal. We also found that elevated Akt1 expression induced the expression of EGF receptors (EGFRs) in wild-type precursors. Several extrinsic factors, including Shh, can induce EGFR expression by cortical precursors, and we found that elevating Akt1 allowed them to respond to a subthreshold concentration of Shh to induce EGFRs. In precursors that lack the Hh receptor smoothened, however, elevating Akt1 did not increase EGFR expression or self-renewal, though it could still stimulate proliferation. These findings suggest that a subset of precursors in the embryonic cortex that express an elevated level of Akt1 can respond to lower concentrations of Shh than neighboring precursors, resulting in an increase in their expression of EGFRs. Signaling via EGFRs is required for their self-renewal.     

Higenamine protects neuronal cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced injury

Higenamine, a plant-based alkaloid, exhibits various properties, such as antiapoptotic and antioxidative effects. Previous studies proved that higenamine possesses potential therapeutic effects for ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. However, the role of higenamine in cerebral I/R injury has not been fully evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of higenamine on cerebral I/R injury and the potential mechanism. Our data showed that higenamine ameliorated oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced neuronal cells injury. Induction of reactive oxygen species and malonaldehyde production, and the inhibition of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity caused by OGD/R were attenuated by higenamine. In addition, higenamine inhibited the increases in caspase-3 activity and Bax expression, and inhibited the decrease in Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, higenamine elevated the expression levels of p-Akt, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The inhibitor of PI3K/Akt (LY294002) abolished the protective effects of higenamine on OGD/R-induced neuronal cells. These findings indicated that higenamine protects neuronal cells against OGD/R-induced injury by regulating the Akt and Nrf2/HO-1-signaling pathways. Collectively, higenamine might be considered as new strategy for the prevention and treatment of cerebral I/R injury.     

小鼠胎肝间充质干细胞在缺血脑组织中迁移机制的研究

目的：探讨小鼠胎肝间充质干细胞（flMSCs）在缺血脑组织中迁移的机制。方法：分离和培养小鼠flMSCs,制备小鼠脑缺血再灌注模型,RT-PCR方法检测小鼠flMSCs表达的趋化因子受体及其唯一配体基质细胞来源因子1α（SDF-1α）在缺血损伤脑组织中的n1RNA表达;Westernblot检测SDF-1α蛋白在缺血损伤脑组织中的表达;免疫组织化学检测SDF-1α在缺血损伤脑组织中的表达和分布;Boydenchamber法进行SDF-1α诱导flMSCs迁移的体外实验。结果：flMSCs经RT-PCR检测表达趋化因子受体CR1,CR3,CXCR1,CXCR2,CXCR3,CXCR4。脑缺血损伤侧脑组织SDF-1αmRNA表达显著增高,与正常脑组织SDF-1αmRNA比,具有显著差异（P〈0．01）,Westernblot检测显示缺血侧脑组织SDF-1α蛋白表达量在12、24、48h分别为0．35±0．05,0．88±0．04,0．74±0．07,与正常脑组织SDF-1α蛋白（0．22±0．04）比,差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。免疫组织化学检测显示,缺血损伤后24h,缺血侧脑皮质,海马等缺血边缘区SDF-1α表达显著增高,缺血对侧及正常脑组织未见明显SDF-1α表达。体外迁移实验显示SDF—1α体外可以趋化flMSCs发生迁移,CXCR4阻断抗体可以阻断SDF—1α诱导flMSCs发生的迁移。结论：SDF-1α可以诱导flMSCs发生迁移,趋化因子受体CXCR4及其配体SDF-1α的相互作用是flMSCs在缺血损伤脑组织中迁移的机制之一.     

Bax κ, a novel Bax splice variant from ischemic rat brain lacking an ART domain, promotes neuronal cell death

Bax is a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein that regulates programmed cell death through homodimerization and through heterodimerization with Bcl-2. Bax alpha is encoded by six exons and undergoes alternative splicing. Bax kappa, a splice variant of Bax with conserved BH1, BH2 and BH3 binding domains and a C-terminal transmembrane domain (TM), but with an extra 446-bp insert between exons 1 and 2 leading to loss of an N-terminal ART domain, was identified from an ischemic rat brain cDNA library. Expression of Bax kappa mRNA and protein was up-regulated in hippocampus after cerebral ischemic injury. The increased Bax kappa mRNA was distributed mainly in selectively vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons that are destined to die after global ischemia. Overexpression of Bax kappa protein in HN33 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells induced cell death, which was partially abrogated by co-overexpression of Bcl-2. Moreover, co-overexpression of Bax kappa and Bax alpha increased HN33 cell death. The results suggest that the Bax kappa may have a role in ischemic neuronal death.     

Notch signalling in healthy and diseased vasculature

Notch signalling is an evolutionarily highly conserved signalling mechanism governing differentiation and regulating homeostasis in many tissues. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the roles that Notch signalling plays in the vasculature. We describe how Notch signalling regulates different steps during the genesis and remodelling of blood vessels (vasculogenesis and angiogenesis), including critical roles in assigning arterial and venous identities to the emerging blood vessels and regulation of their branching. We then proceed to discuss how experimental perturbation of Notch signalling in the vasculature later in development affects vascular homeostasis. In this review, we also describe how dysregulated Notch signalling, as a consequence of direct mutations of genes in the Notch pathway or aberrant Notch signalling output, contributes to various types of vascular disease, including CADASIL, Snedden syndrome and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Finally, we point out some of the current knowledge gaps and identify remaining challenges in understanding the role of Notch in the vasculature, which need to be addressed to pave the way for Notch-based therapies to cure or ameliorate vascular disease.     

敲低脑内皮细胞粘附分子抑制HNSC细胞的侵袭能力

转移是包含头颈部鳞状细胞癌（head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma, HNSC）在内的多种肿瘤复发和患者死亡的主要原因。目前,关于HNSC转移的网络调控机制仍有待进一步完善,以期降低HNSC死亡率。首先,通过在线数据库GEPIA统计后发现,脑内皮细胞粘附分子（cerebral endothelial cell adhesion molecule, CERCAM）在519例头颈部肿瘤中的相对表达量为4.98,是其在44例正常组织中（相对表达量为2.47）表达量的2.02倍。并且发现CERCAM表达量与头颈部肿瘤患者较差的预后正相关（P=0.015）。其次,在舌癌细胞SCC-9、喉癌细胞HEP2和鼻咽癌细胞CNE2敲低CERCAM的表达,发现上述3种细胞的侵袭能力均较对照组分别下降93.60%、37.18%和40.63%。最后,生物信息学预测结合Western印迹的结果证实,敲低CERCAM后,上调E-钙黏蛋白（E-cadherin）,同时下调锌指E盒结合蛋白(zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox1, ZEB1)、波形蛋白(vimentin)和Twist相关蛋白1（Twist-related protein 1, TWIST1）。结果证实,CERCAM可能通过调控头颈部肿瘤细胞的上皮间充质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT）标志物来促进该类细胞发生侵袭。