Expression of VEGF Receptors on Endothelial Cells in Mouse Skeletal Muscle

VEGFR surface localization plays a critical role in converting extracellular VEGF signaling towards angiogenic outcomes, and the quantitative characterization of these parameters is critical for advancing computational models; however the levels of these receptors on blood vessels is currently unknown. Therefore our aim is to quantitatively determine the VEGFR localization on endothelial cells from mouse hindlimb skeletal muscles. We contextualize this VEGFR quantification through comparison to VEGFR-levels on cells in vitro. Using quantitative fluorescence we measure and compare the levels of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 on endothelial cells isolated from C57BL/6 and BALB/c gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior hindlimb muscles. Fluorescence measurements are calibrated using beads with known numbers of phycoerythrin molecules. The data show a 2-fold higher VEGFR1 surface localization relative to VEGFR2 with 2,000–3,700 VEGFR1/endothelial cell and 1,300–2,000 VEGFR2/endothelial cell. We determine that endothelial cells from the highly glycolytic muscle, tibialis anterior, contain 30% higher number of VEGFR1 surface receptors than gastrocnemius; BALB/c mice display ∼17% higher number of VEGFR1 than C57BL/6. When we compare these results to mouse fibroblasts in vitro, we observe high levels of VEGFR1 (35,800/cell) and very low levels of VEGFR2 (700/cell), while in human endothelial cells in vitro, we observe that the balance of VEGFRs is inverted, with higher levels VEGFR2 (5,800/cell) and lower levels of VEGFR1 (1,800/cell). Our studies also reveal significant cell-to-cell heterogeneity in receptor expression, and the quantification of these dissimilarities ex vivo for the first time provides insight into the balance of anti-angiogenic or modulatory (VEGFR1) and pro-angiogenic (VEGFR2) signaling.     

Rb基因在小鼠胚胎发育中期肾组织的表达

用原位杂交法检测小鼠肾组织中细胞周期调控基因Rb的表达;用免疫组织化学及缺口末端标记法观察小鼠肾组织发育过程中的细胞增殖与凋亡：结果表明,Rb基因主要在肾上皮细胞表达,随胎龄增长而表达颜色加深。肾组织在第13天有一个较大的增殖增长,到第14天生长趋于稳定。以上结果说明Rb基因在小鼠胚胎肾发育中期有表达,该基因在胚胎肾发育中期起一定的作用;同时胚胎发育中期肾细胞增殖与凋亡相伴存在。     

Gm2052基因在小鼠胚胎发育中表达的初步研究

目的:研究预测的编码蛋白基因Gm2052在小鼠胚胎发育阶段的表达模式,为进一步了解该基因的功能奠定基础。方法:通过全胚胎原位杂交技术、组织切片原位杂交技术及半定量RT-PCR方法,对预测的Gm2052基因在小鼠胚胎发育中后期及在新生小鼠中的表达情况进行初步分析。结果:全胚胎原位杂交显示,在E10.5小鼠胚胎中,Gm2052仅在脑中表达;当小鼠胚胎发育至E13.5时,Gm2052在脑、舌、肺、肝脏、胰腺等组织中均有表达。半定量RT-PCR结果显示,在小鼠胚胎中后期(E15.5和E18.5)及新生小鼠(出生后第9 d)中,Gm2052呈动态表达模式。结论:预测基因Gm2052与小鼠脑的发育密切相关,并可能参与小鼠肺、肝脏及胰腺等主要脏器胚期的发育。     

Analysis of Kif5b Expression during Mouse Kidney Development

Recent studies showed that kidney-specific inactivation of Kif3a produces kidney cysts and renal failure, suggesting that kinesin-mediated intracellular transportation is important for the establishement and maintenance of renal epithelial cell polarity and normal nephron functions. Kif5b, one of the most conserved kinesin heavy chain, is the mouse homologue of the human ubiquitous Kinesin Heavy Chain (uKHC). In order to elucidate the role of Kif5b in kidney development and function, it is essential to establish its expression profile within the organ. Therefore, in this study, we examined the expression pattern of Kif5b in mouse kidney. Kidneys from embryonic (E) 12.5-, 16.5-dpc (days post coitus) mouse fetuses, from postnatal (P) day 0, 10, 20 pups and from adult mice were collected. The distribution of Kif5b was analyzed by immunostaining. The possible involvement of Kif5b in kidney development was investigated in conditional mutant mice by using a Cre-LoxP strategy. This study showed that the distribution of Kif5b displayed spatiotemporal changes during postnatal kidney development. In kidneys of new born mice, Kif5b was strongly expressed in all developing tubules and in the ureteric bud, but not in the glomerulus or in other early-developing structures, such as the cap mesenchyme, the comma-shaped body, and the S-shaped body. In kidneys of postnatal day 20 or of older mice, however, Kif5b was localized selectively in the basolateral domain of epithelial cells of the thick ascending loop of Henle, as well as of the distal convoluted tubule, with little expression being observed in the proximal tubule or in the collecting duct. Conditional knock-down of Kif5b in mouse kidney did not result in detectable morphological defects, but it did lead to a decrease in cell proliferation rate and also to a mislocalization of Na⁺/K⁺/-ATPase, indicating that although Kif5b is non-essential for kidney morphogenesis, it is important for nephron maturation.     

LIN28A Modulates Splicing and Gene Expression Programs in Breast Cancer Cells

LIN28 is an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein with critical functions in developmental timing and cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LIN28''s oncogenic properties are yet to be described. RNA-protein immunoprecipitation coupled with genome-wide sequencing (RIP-Seq) analysis revealed significant LIN28 binding within 843 mRNAs in breast cancer cells. Many of the LIN28-bound mRNAs are implicated in the regulation of RNA and cell metabolism. We identify heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), a protein with multiple roles in mRNA metabolism, as a LIN28-interacting partner. Subsequently, we used a custom computational method to identify differentially spliced gene isoforms in LIN28 and hnRNP A1 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-treated cells. The results reveal that these proteins regulate alternative splicing and steady-state mRNA expression of genes implicated in aspects of breast cancer biology. Notably, cells lacking LIN28 undergo significant isoform switching of the ENAH gene, resulting in a decrease in the expression of the ENAH exon 11a isoform. The expression of ENAH isoform 11a has been shown to be elevated in breast cancers that express HER2. Intriguingly, analysis of publicly available array data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) reveals that LIN28 expression in the HER2 subtype is significantly different from that in other breast cancer subtypes. Collectively, our data suggest that LIN28 may regulate splicing and gene expression programs that drive breast cancer subtype phenotypes.     

序列优化的小鼠IL-33基因在哺乳动物细胞中的有效分泌表达

目的: 白细胞介素(IL)-33具有重要的免疫调控作用,在疾病中扮演着重要的角色。本文旨在通过基因优化实现IL-33在哺乳动物细胞中的高效表达,为疾病机理研究以及疫苗免疫佐剂应用等提供基础。方法: 根据小鼠白细胞介素-33成熟肽(mIL-33)的氨基酸序列,以哺乳动物细胞基因表达密码子偏好性进行基因优化设计;化学合成优化的mIL-33基因片段,通过搭桥PCR将编码人CD8α信号肽的核酸序列分别与优化或未优化的mIL-33基因连接,并与绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)基因分别构建到双表达单元质粒 pBudCE4.1的不同启动子下;重组质粒经 lipofectamine 3000 和PEI转染293FT 细胞;以 Western blot和ELISA检测重组蛋白的表达;收集表达的mIL-33刺激巨噬细胞Raw264.7,ELISA检测培养上清的TNFα水平,以证明IL-33的生物学活性。结果: 重组质粒经酶切鉴定及测序分析证实构建成功; lipofectamine 3000转染效率较PEI转染更高;Western blot和ELISA 结果显示密码子优化的mIL-33表达水平较未优化序列更高,在EF-1α启动子和CMV启动子指导下mIL-33在293FT 细胞表达水平相当,CD8α信号肽成功引导mIL-33的分泌,产物具生物学活性。结论: 密码子优化操作显著改善了 mIL-33在哺乳动物细胞中的表达水平,为进一步研究奠定了基础。     

AI429618基因在小鼠胚期表达的研究

目的:通过对与小鼠胚胎发育相关的新基因AI429618表达模式的初步分析为揭示小鼠胚胎发育机理提供研究基础.方法:利用Northern-blot和原位杂交方法对该基因进行表达谱分析.结果:Northern结果表明该基因在E12.5,E.15.5,E18.5三个时期都有所表达,并且在E12.5的小鼠胚胎中处于一个相对较高的转录水平,E15.5表达骤降并且基本上与E18.5(略高)持平;原位杂交结果显示E9.5,E10.5的小鼠胚胎中这一基因的表达集中在端脑、中脑、后脑、腮弓、前肢芽以及尾芽,E15.5的切片原位杂交中这一基因的表达信号在胸腺,肺,肝,肾,小肠中极为显著.结论:AI429618基因在小鼠胚胎发育期有着持续广泛的表达,可能对胚胎的正常发育起着重要的调控作用.     

High Throughput Gene Expression Analysis Identifies Reliable Expression Markers of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells

Considerable interest has been generated for the development of suitable corneal endothelial graft alternatives through cell-tissue engineering, which can potentially alleviate the shortage of corneal transplant material. The advent of less invasive suture-less key-hole surgery options such as Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) and Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), which involve transplantation of solely the endothelial layer instead of full thickness cornea, provide further impetus for the development of alternative endothelial grafts for clinical applications. A major challenge for this endeavor is the lack of specific markers for this cell type. To identify genes that reliably mark corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in vivo and in vitro, we performed RNA-sequencing on freshly isolated human CECs (from both young and old donors), CEC cultures, and corneal stroma. Gene expression of these corneal cell types was also compared to that of other human tissue types. Based on high throughput comparative gene expression analysis, we identified a panel of markers that are: i) highly expressed in CECs from both young donors and old donors; ii) expressed in CECs in vivo and in vitro; and iii) not expressed in corneal stroma keratocytes and the activated corneal stroma fibroblasts. These were SLC4A11, COL8A2 and CYYR1. The use of this panel of genes in combination reliably ascertains the identity of the CEC cell type.     

GSH Transport in Immortalized Mouse Brain Endothelial Cells

We have previously shown GSH transport across the blood-brain barrier in vivo and expression of transport in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with bovine brain capillary mRNA. In the present study, we have used MBEC-4, an immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line, to establish the presence of Na+-dependent and Na+-independent GSH transport and have localized the Na+-dependent transporter using domain-enriched plasma membrane vesicles. In cells depleted of GSH with buthionine sulfoximine, a significant increase of intracellular GSH could be demonstrated only in the presence of Na+. Partial but significant Na+ dependency of [35S]GSH uptake was observed for two GSH concentrations in MBEC-4 cells in which gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase were inhibited to ensure absence of breakdown and resynthesis of GSH. Uniqueness of Na+-dependent uptake in MBEC-4 cells was confirmed with parallel uptake studies with Cos-7 cells that did not show this activity. Molecular form of uptake was verified as predominantly GSH, and very little conversion of [35S]cysteine to GSH occurred under the same incubation conditions. Poly(A)+ RNA from MBEC expressed GSH uptake with significant (approximately 40-70%) Na+ dependency, whereas uptake expressed by poly(A)+ RNA from HepG2 and Cos-1 cells was Na+ independent. Plasma membrane vesicles from MBEC were separated into three fractions (30, 34, and 38% sucrose, by wt) by density gradient centrifugation. Na+-dependent glucose transport, reported to be localized to the abluminal membrane, was found to be associated with the 38% fraction (abluminal). Na+-dependent GSH transport was present in the 30% fraction, which was identified as the apical (luminal) membrane by localization of P-glycoprotein 170 by western blot analysis. Localization of Na+-dependent GSH transport to the luminal membrane and its ability to drive up intracellular GSH may find application in the delivery of supplemented GSH to the brain in vivo.     

Ypel3基因在小鼠胚胎发育中的表达与调控

目的:探讨小鼠胚胎发育过程中Ypel3基因的时空特异性表达与调控,为后续功能研究奠定基础。方法:选取胎龄(E)10.5、12.5、14.5、16.5和18.5 d的小鼠胚胎,利用荧光定量RT-PCR技术研究Ypel3基因mRNA的时序性动态表达谱;采用原位杂交技术观察Ypel3基因mRNA在胚胎发育E11.5和E15.5的空间表达谱;应用定量RT-PCR技术检测表观遗传学修饰对Ypel3基因mRNA表达丰度的影响。结果:定量RT-PCR表明该基因从胚胎发育的早中期开始表达,到出生前表达量呈逐渐升高趋势;原位杂交显示E11.5信号出现在脑和心脏中,E15.5信号在脑、舌、心、肺、胸腺、肝、肾等主要脏器中均有表达;甲基化转移酶抑制剂5-氮胞苷(5-Aza)处理的Neuro-2a(N2a)细胞中,Ypel3的表达水平未产生显著变化,而去乙酰化酶抑制剂4-苯丁酸(4-PBA)处理后该基因表达显著升高,5-Aza和4-PBA联合处理后表达水平进一步升高。结论:Ypel3基因在小鼠胚胎发育各阶段有广泛的表达,提示其具有重要作用,且该基因的表达可能受到组蛋白乙酰化的调控。     

内皮细胞E选择蛋白的表达及p53基因的影响

为探讨血管内皮细胞Ｅ选择蛋白的表达及野生型ｐ５３ 基因对其表达的影响, 采用流式细胞术及ＲＴＰＣＲ法分别测定其Ｅ选择蛋白及其ｍ ＲＮＡ水平。结果表明： 静息状态的内皮细胞表面检测不到Ｅ选择蛋白的表达, 尽管此时细胞内存在Ｅ选择蛋白的ｍＲＮＡ。肿瘤坏死因子α（ＴＮＦα） 可浓度依赖性地诱导内皮细胞表达Ｅ选择蛋白, 内皮细胞表面Ｅ选择蛋白表达的增加伴随着细胞内Ｅ选择蛋白ｍＲＮＡ 水平的升高。ＴＮＦα刺激内皮细胞后４ ～６ ｈ ,Ｅ选择蛋白的表达达高峰。将ｐ５３ 基因导入内皮细胞后, 经ＴＮＦα诱导的内皮细胞表面Ｅ选择蛋白的表达显著下降, 同时细胞内的Ｅ选择蛋白ｍＲＮＡ 的水平也明显降低。导入ｐ５３ 基因不影响静息状态内皮细胞Ｅ选择蛋白的表达及其ｍ ＲＮＡ 的水平。提示： ｐ５３ 基因至少部分通过降低Ｅ选择蛋白的ｍＲＮＡ 水平而抑制ＴＮＦα诱导的内皮细胞表面Ｅ选择蛋白的表达。     

Differential Effects of TPA and Pristane on Gene Expression and Transformation in Mouse Epidermal Cells

The effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) on gene expression and transformation were examined using two clones (P⁺, TPA transformation sensitive and P^-, TPA resistant) of the mouse epidermal cell line JB6. Results from transformation studies indicated pristane was more efficient, i.e., lower concentrations were required to elicit an equivalent response, in transforming the P⁺, but not the P^-, clone of JB6 compared to TPA. Furthermore, results from these studies demonstrated either TPA or pristane was effective in the transactivation of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene under the regulatory control of most viral promoter/enhancer elements transfected into the P⁺, but not the P^-, clone of JB6. However, if a consensus cAMP response element was linked to the simian virus 40 early promoter, pristane activation was observed in both P⁺ and P^- cells. The differential effects of these two compounds suggest that while they have similar characteristics, they may utilize different pathways to elicit their effects.     

Conditional Transgene Expression in Endothelial Cells

The ability to tightly control transgene expression in vivo provides an opportunity to determine the role of certain gene products at different times during development and/or in response to different stimuli. We have characterized and evaluated a tetracycline-responsive endothelial-specific binary system during mouse development, by engineering several transgenic lines which drive the expression of a tetracycline- controlled transactivator (tTA) under the control of either the Tek or Tie promoters (driver lines). We have also generated a responder line which carries multiple copies of the tTA DNA binding element (tetos) upstream of a reporter gene coding for a nuclear targeted -galactosidase (responder lines). No expression of the target transgene was detected in mice homozygous for the reporter transgene. On mating the driver lines with the responder line, expression of -galactosidase from the reporter transgene was detected within the endothelium. Responder transgene expression was repressed rapidly upon addition of doxycycline to the drinking water. Importantly, this repression was reversible upon withdrawal of the drug. This approach should be useful to deliver the expression of potentially toxic gene products or rescue embryonic mutations that affect either the endothelial lineage or production of growth factors which are secreted systemically.     

低氧诱导因子和角质细胞生长因子双基因重组腺病毒的构建及其在肺泡上皮细胞中的表达

目的：构建同时携带低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）和角质细胞生长因子（KGF）N腺病毒载体（pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF）,观察其在防治肺损伤潜在的应用前景。方法：低氧处理A549细胞后提取总RNA并逆转录为eDNA作为模板,依据GeneBank公布的HIF-1α cDNA设计引物,并分别引入KpnI和BamHI酶切位点,PCR扩增后将目的基因HIF-1α连接到载体pShuttle-CMV-EGFP上,构建重组质粒pShuttle-GFP—HIF。然后以质粒plRES2-EGFP-KGF为模板,用引入NheI和PmeI酶切位点的引物PCR扩增KGF基因并克隆到重组质粒pShuttle-GFP-HIF上,获得穿梭质粒重组质粒pShuttle—GFP-HIF—KGF。采用细菌内重组方法将目的序列重组到pAdxsi病毒骨架栽体上构建携带HIF．10t和KGF双基因的重组腺病毒载体pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF。检测重组腺病毒滴度后,转染人肺泡上皮细胞A549,检测目的基因的转染表达。结果：通过对构建质粒克隆进行测序及酶切,证实携带HIF—lot和KGF双基因的重组腺病毒载体pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF构建成功,且构建的重组腺病毒纯度好、滴度高。用pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF以100MOI转染A549细胞后24h后在荧光显微镜下可观察到细胞有较强的绿色荧光表达,48h时荧光更强;转染48hELISA法检测培养上清中HIF-1蛋白表达水平为（56．36±4．53）ng／mL,KGF蛋白表达水平为（60．20±2．92）ng／mL。结论：成功构建了腺病毒栽体pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF,其转染效率及目的基因的蛋白表达水平较高,具有潜在的进一步在肺损伤局部应用的前景,为后期制备可以同时发挥KGF、HIF-1作用的基因治疗药物打下基础,同时为高海拔地区应激性急性肺损伤的有效防治提供实验基础。     

电穿孔介导的人对氧磷酶1基因在小鼠原代骨骼肌细胞中的转移与表达

非病毒载体介导的外源基因在哺乳动物骨骼肌细胞中的表达往往受限于基因转移效率的低下.本文利用电穿孔为基因转移方法,研究了人对氧磷酶基因（PON1）在原代培养的小鼠骨骼肌成肌细胞和成熟肌管中的转移与表达.在上述细胞中加入PON1的真核表达质粒后实施一定条件的电穿孔,通过测定不同时间点培养基与细胞裂解液中芳香酯酶活性的变化以衡量PON1的表达与分泌.结果显示,PON1在成肌细胞中表达的最佳电穿孔条件为800 V/cm, 20 ms and 50 μF;在肌管中为700 V/cm, 20 ms and 50 μF.在此条件下,细胞存活率均达75%以上,且表达的蛋白均可有效分泌.RT PCR分析同样验证了PON1 mRNA在骨骼肌细胞中的高效表达.电穿孔介导的PON1基因表达效率显著高于传统的基因转移方法如磷酸钙法和阳离子脂质体法.因此,以不同分化阶段的骨骼肌细胞为靶细胞,通过电穿孔介导外源基因表达切实可行,并可能在细胞工程与基因治疗等领域均具有潜在的应用前景.