Demonstration of expression of a neuropeptide-encoding gene in crustacean hemocytes

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) was originally identified in a neuroendocrine system-the X-organ/sinus gland complex. In this study, a cDNA (Prc-CHH) encoding CHH precursor was cloned from the hemocyte of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Analysis of tissues by a CHH-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the presence of CHH in hemocytes, the levels of which were much lower than those in the sinus gland, but 2 to 10 times higher than those in the thoracic and cerebral ganglia. Total hemocytes were separated by density gradient centrifugation into layers of hyaline cell (HC), semi-granular cell (SGC), and granular cell (GC). Analysis of extracts of each layer using ELISA revealed that CHH is present in GCs (202.8±86.7 fmol/mg protein) and SGCs (497.8±49.4 fmol/mg protein), but not in HCs. Finally, CHH stimulated the membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity of hemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These data for the first time confirm that a crustacean neuropeptide-encoding gene is expressed in cells essential for immunity and its expression in hemocytes is cell type-specific. Effect of CHH on the membrane-bound GC activity of hemocyte suggests that hemocyte is a target site of CHH. Possible functions of the hemocyte-derived CHH are discussed.     

Demonstration of expression of a neuropeptide-encoding gene in crustacean hemocytes

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) was originally identified in a neuroendocrine system-the X-organ/sinus gland complex. In this study, a cDNA (Prc-CHH) encoding CHH precursor was cloned from the hemocyte of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Analysis of tissues by a CHH-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the presence of CHH in hemocytes, the levels of which were much lower than those in the sinus gland, but 2 to 10 times higher than those in the thoracic and cerebral ganglia. Total hemocytes were separated by density gradient centrifugation into layers of hyaline cell (HC), semi-granular cell (SGC), and granular cell (GC). Analysis of extracts of each layer using ELISA revealed that CHH is present in GCs (202.8 ± 86.7 fmol/mg protein) and SGCs (497.8 ± 49.4 fmol/mg protein), but not in HCs. Finally, CHH stimulated the membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity of hemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These data for the first time confirm that a crustacean neuropeptide-encoding gene is expressed in cells essential for immunity and its expression in hemocytes is cell type-specific. Effect of CHH on the membrane-bound GC activity of hemocyte suggests that hemocyte is a target site of CHH. Possible functions of the hemocyte-derived CHH are discussed.     

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infects specific hemocytes of the shrimp Penaeus merguiensis

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was specifically detected by PCR in Penaeus merguiensis hemocytes, hemolymph and plasma. This suggested a close association between the shrimp hemolymph and the virus. Three types of hemocyte from shrimp were isolated using flow cytometry. Dynamic changes of the hemocyte subpopulations in P. merguiensis at different times after infection were observed, indicating that the WSSV infection selectively affected specific subpopulations. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and a Wright-Giemsa double staining study of hemocyte types further confirmed the cellular localization of the virus in the infected hemocytes. Electron microscopy revealed virus particles in both vacuoles and the nucleus of the semigranular cells (SGC), as well as in the vacuoles of the granular cells (GC). However, no virus could be detected in the hyaline cells (HC). Our results suggest that the virus infects 2 types of shrimp hemocytes--GCs and SGCs. The SGC type contains higher virus loads and exhibits faster infection rates, and is apparently more susceptible to WSSV infection.     

Two novel ficolin-like proteins act as pattern recognition receptors for invading pathogens in the freshwater crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

To isolate pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)-binding molecules, the bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus was used as an affinity matrix to find bacteria-binding proteins in the plasma of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. Two new bacteria-binding ficolin-like proteins (FLPs) were identified by 2-DE and MS analysis. The FLPs have a fibrinogen-related domain (FReD) in their C-terminal and a repeat region in their N-terminal regions with putative structural similarities to the collagen-like domain of vertebrate ficolins and mannose binding lectins (MBLs). Phylogenetic analysis shows that the newly isolated crayfish FLP1 and FLP2 cluster separately from other FReD-containing proteins. A tissue distribution study showed that the mRNA expression of FLP occurred mainly in the hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) and in the hepatopancreas. Recombinant FLPs exhibited agglutination activity of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila in the presence of Ca(2+) . The FLPs could bind to A. hydrophila, E. coli as well as S. aureus as judged by bacteria adsorption. Moreover, the FLPs may help crayfish to clear Gram-negative bacteria, but not Gram-positive bacteria which had been injected into the hemolymph. When Gram-negative bacteria coated with FLPs were incubated with Hpt cells, a lower death rate of the cells was found compared with control treatment. Our results suggest that FLPs function as pattern recognition receptors in the immune response of crayfish.     

Ancient Cytokines,the Role of Astakines as Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoiesis is the process by which hemocytes mature and subsequently enter the circulation. Vertebrate prokineticins (PKs) are known to take part in this process, as are the invertebrate prokineticin domain proteins, astakines. In Pacifastacus leniusculus, astakine 1 is essential for the release of new hemocytes into the open circulatory system of these animals. In addition to astakine 1, we have now cloned a homologue of astakine 1 with an insert of 13 amino acids, named as astakine 2. Both crustacean astakines lack the N-terminal AVIT motif, which is present in vertebrate PKs, and hence receptor binding differs from that of vertebrate PKs. We have found astakine-like sequences in 19 different invertebrate species, and the sequences show that some motifs are conserved among invertebrate groups. Previously we showed that astakine 1 is directly involved in hematopoiesis, and now we show that astakine 1 and astakine 2 have different roles in hemocyte lineage differentiation. Astakine 1 can stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) cells (precursor of hemocytes) as well as specifically induce differentiation of Hpt cells along the semigranular cell lineage, whereas astakine 2 plays a role in granular cell differentiation. Moreover, we discuss the impact of the putative structures of different astakines in comparison with the vertebrate prokineticins.     

Phosphorylation is required for myosin regulatory light chain (PmMRLC) to control yellow head virus infection in shrimp hemocytes

The cellular signal-transduction process is largely controlled by protein phosphorylation. Shrimp infected with yellow head virus show dramatic changes in their hemocyte phosphoproteomic patterns, and aberrant activation of phosphorylation-based signaling networks has been implicated in a number of diseases. In this study, we focused on phosphorylation of Penaeus monodon myosin regulatory light chain (PmMRLC) that is induced at an early hour post YHV infection and is concomitant with cellular actin remodeling. In shrimp cell cultures, this phosphorylation was inhibited by the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitors ML-7 and ML-9, suggesting that PmMLC phosphorylation is MLCK pathway-dependent. Blocking PmMRLC phosphorylation resulted in increased replication of YHV and reduction of phagocytic activities of shrimp hemocytes called semigranular cells (SGC) and granular cells (GC). Injection of MLCK inhibitors prior to YHV challenge resulted in dose-dependent elevation in quantity of YHV-positive GC and cytoplasmic YHV protein, coincident with high shrimp mortality. Altogether, we demonstrated that PmMRLC phosphorylation increases after YHV infection in shrimp and that inhibition of the phosphorylation leads to increased YHV replication, reduced hemocyte phagocytic activity (probably through actin remodeling) and subsequent shrimp death. Thus, further studies on the MLCK activation pathway may lead to new strategies in development and implementation of therapy for YHV infections in shrimp.     

Identification and properties of a receptor for the invertebrate cytokine astakine, involved in hematopoiesis

We have recently isolated an invertebrate cytokine from a freshwater crayfish, which we named astakine 1. Interestingly this protein is expressed exclusively in hemocytes and hematopoietic tissue and is essential for the release of new hemocytes into the open circulatory system of these animals. This astakine has a prokineticin (PK) domain but lacks the N-terminal AVIT amino acids and hence receptor binding may differ from vertebrate PKs. Accordingly, here we report that a receptor for astakine 1 on hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) cells is identical to the β-subunit of F₁ATP synthase. In this study we have used several different methods to clearly demonstrate that ATP-synthase is located on the plasma membrane of a subpopulation of Hpt cells and there may function as a receptor for astakine, whereas mature blood cells (hemocytes) do not have any ATP-synthase on the outside of their plasma membranes. Our results clearly show that ATP synthase β subunits are present on the cell surface of Hpt cells and highlight the need for more detailed studies on intracellular traffic connections between mitochondria and other membrane compartments.     

比较NRP-1反义寡核苷酸与VEGFR-2反义寡核苷酸对人胃癌SGC7901细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的:研究比较神经纤毛蛋白1(NRP-1)反义寡核苷酸(ASODN)与血管内皮生长因子受体2(VEGFR-2)反义寡核苷酸(ASODN)对人胃癌SGC7901细胞增殖活性及凋亡水平的影响。 方法:分别及同时将不同浓度经硫代磷酸化修饰的NRP-1 ASODN 和 VEGFR-2 ASODN 转染入人胃癌SGC7901细胞,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测NRP-1基因和VEGFR-2 基因mRNA的转录水平;MTT比色法测量细胞的增殖活性;流式细胞仪测量细胞的凋亡水平。 结果:转染NRP-1 ASODN和VEGFR-2 ASODN后,人胃癌SGC7901细胞NRP-1基因和VEGFR-2 基因mRNA的转录水平均出现降低;NRP-1 ASODN和VEGFR-2 ASODN对SGC7901细胞有明显抑制增殖和促进凋亡的作用,且随着ASODN浓度升高而增强;分别转染时其作用无显著差别,联合转染时其作用明显增强。结论:NRP-1 ASODN和VEGFR-2 ASODN可抑制人胃癌SGC7901细胞 NRP-1基因和VEGFR-2 基因mRNA的转录水平及细胞增殖活性,促进细胞凋亡;与分别转染相比,两者联合转染作用明显增强。     

中国鲎和圆尾鲎血淋巴细胞分类和特征的比较研究

为了更好地了解中国鲎(Tachpleus tridentatus)和圆尾鲎(Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda)血淋巴细胞的种类组成和特征差异,综合运用光学显微镜、扫描电镜和粒度仪,较为系统地对两种鲎的血淋巴细胞进行了分类和特征研究,从而为两种鲎的血淋巴细胞和分子生物学研究提供基础资料。根据血淋巴细胞大小、核质比、细胞着色特点、细胞中颗粒存在与否、颗粒的密集程度等,中国鲎和圆尾鲎的血淋巴细胞均可分为大颗粒细胞、小颗粒细胞和透明细胞三种主要类型,且两种鲎的血淋巴细胞均以颗粒细胞为主,透明细胞在血淋巴细胞中所占比例最小,但具有高核质比。两种鲎的同类血淋巴细胞在染色和形态上无显著性差异,但在同一种鲎中,血淋巴细胞密度存在显著的雌雄差异。       

PARP-1对高糖诱导的心肌细胞增殖的影响及机制研究

目的:研究PARP-1对高糖诱导的心肌细胞增殖的影响及可能机制。方法:用高糖处理H9C2细胞,qRT-PCR和Western blot检测细胞中PARP-1 m RNA和蛋白水平。H9C2细胞转染PARP-1 si RNA和si RNA control,q RT-PCR和Western blot检测细胞中PARP-1 m RNA和蛋白水平。用高糖处理转染PARP-1 si RNA后的H9C2细胞,CCK-8检测细胞增殖情况,硫代巴比妥酸法检测丙二醛(MDA)水平,黄嘌呤氧化酶法检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平,Western blot检测增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)、p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)、磷酸化的p38MAPK(p-p38MAPK)蛋白的表达。结果:高糖诱导的H9C2细胞中PARP-1 m RNA和蛋白水平明显高于正常培养的H9C2细胞(P0.05)。PARP-1 si RNA能够明显下调H9C2细胞中PARP-1 m RNA和蛋白水平。高糖处理后H9C2细胞存活率明显降低,细胞中MDA水平升高,细胞中SOD水平降低,细胞内的PCNA水平降低,p38MAPK磷酸化水平升高,与正常培养的H9C2细胞相比,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。用高糖培养下调PARP-1的H9C2细胞,细胞存活率有所升高,细胞中MDA水平降低,细胞中SOD水平也升高,细胞中PCNA水平升高,细胞中p38MAPK磷酸化水平降低,与单纯高糖培养的细胞相比,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:PARP-1在高糖诱导的心肌细胞中表达上调,可能通过激活p38MAPK信号途径,增加细胞脂质氧化应激抑制心肌细胞增殖。     

Blood reactions in vitro in crayfish against a fungal parasite, Aphanomyces astaci

The immediate and subsequent reactions in crayfish blood upon making contact with hyphae of the crayfish plague fungus were observed in vitro. Blood cells agglomerated and clumped rapidly on the hyphae in streaming blood. Very brief contact by chance with a hypha, or with cell extensions from cells or a cell clump on the hypha, caused flowing cells to stop and adhere. Chemotaxis was not believed to be of any importance. Particles originating from hemocyte granules were specifically attached to, and “encapsulated” the distal portion of, the hypha (even without the presence of the cells themselves), where their content of polyphenol oxidase became activated. These processes may be connected with the defense mechanism in crayfish. Within a few hours the process of melanization could be observed on the hyphal surface. Both the enzyme(s) and the substrate(s) for the melanization reaction seem to originate from the blood cells. Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) could replace the natural substrate and greatly enhanced the process. The melanization in whole blood was much heavier in a crayfish resistant to the disease than in a susceptible one.     

ERK1/2 inhibition enhances apoptosis induced by JAK2 silencing in human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells

Recent studies suggest JAK2 signaling may be a therapeutic target for treatment of gastric cancer (GC). However, the exact roles of JAK2 in gastric carcinogenesis are not very clear. Here, we have targeted JAK2 to be silenced by shRNA and investigated the biological functions and related mechanisms of JAK2 in GC cell SGC7901. In this study, JAK2 is commonly highly expressed in GC tissues as compared to their adjacent normal tissues (n = 75, p < 0.01). Specific down-regulation of JAK2 suppressed cell proliferation and colony-forming units, induced G2/M arrest in SGC7901 cells, but had no significant effect on cell apoptosis in vitro or tumor growth inhibition in vivo. Interestingly, JAK2 silencing-induced activation of ERK1/2, and inactivation of ERK1/2 using the specific ERK inhibitor PD98059 markedly enhanced JAK2 shRNA-induced cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Ultimately, combination of PD98059 and JAK2 shRNA significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. Our results implicate JAK2 silencing-induced cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and ERK1/2 inhibition could enhance apoptosis induced by JAK2 silencing in SGC7901 cells.     

长链非编码RNA UCA1在胃癌多药耐药中的作用研究

目的:研究胃癌耐药细胞及其亲本细胞中长链非编码RNA UCA1的表达差异,探讨UCA1在胃癌多药耐药中的作用。方法:通过实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)检测胃癌耐药细胞SGC7901/ADR、SGC7901/VCR及其亲本细胞SGC7901中UCA1的表达差异;通过si RNA转染降低SGC7901/ADR中UCA1表达,MTT法检测细胞半数抑制浓度(IC50)的变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡变化。结果:QRT-PCR结果显示,UCA1在SGC7901/ADR和SGC7901/VCR胃癌耐药细胞表达显著高于SGC7901胃癌亲本细胞;MTT实验表明,干扰UCA1的SGC7901/ADR相对于阴性对照(NC)组的IC50显著降低;凋亡检测结果显示,在相同剂量化疗药物作用下,干扰UCA1后SGC7901/ADR凋亡率显著高于NC组;Western blot证实,干扰UCA1表达可显著降低BCL-2蛋白表达。结论:长链非编码RNA UCA1在胃癌耐药细胞表达显著升高,干扰UCA1表达可明显逆转胃癌耐药,UCA1可作为治疗胃癌耐药的重要分子靶标。     

人多肽N-乙酰氨基半乳糖转移酶2基因反义RNA表达质粒的构建及其功能的初步研究

反义封闭人多肽N-乙酰氨基半乳糖转移酶2 (pp-GalNAc-T2)的基因表达, 对胃癌细胞SGC7901中转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)与基质金属蛋白酶2 (MMP2)基因表达及细胞增殖有影响.在对几株肿瘤细胞的pp-GalNAc-T2基因表达水平进行分析后, 以高表达pp-GalNAc-T2的人胃癌细胞株SGC7901的总RNA为模板, 利用RT-PCR方法扩增两段不同长度pp-GalNAc-T2基因片段, 构建反义表达载体转染胃癌细胞SGC7901, 通过Ｇ418筛选, 建立一系列旨在封闭胃癌细胞SGC7901 ppGalNAc-T2基因表达的亚细胞克隆.通过流式细胞术、荧光显微镜、RT-PCR及Western印迹检测反义封闭pp-GalNAc-T2基因RNA表达后胃癌细胞SGC7901增殖以及TGF-β1、MMP2表达水平的变化. 反义封闭pp-GalNAc-T2基因表达后, 胃癌细胞SGC7901 pp-GalNAc-T2的表达水平明显降低, 细胞分裂增殖减慢, 表明反义封闭pp-GalNAc-T2基因表达对胃癌细胞SGC7901的生长增殖有影响.结果还显示, 反义封闭pp-GalNAc-T2基因表达可使TGF-β1、MMP2基因在mRNA与蛋白质表达水平均增加, 提示pp-GalNAc-T2基因表达可能对胃癌细胞SGC7901浸润转移产生影响.以上结果表明, pp-GalNAc-T2基因在肿瘤细胞中广泛表达, 并可能与肿瘤的增殖及浸润转移相关.