Expression of Heme Oxygenase Isozyme mRNAs in the Human Brain and Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Nitric Oxide Donors

Abstract: Heme oxygenase is an essential enzyme in the heme catabolism that produces carbon monoxide (CO). This study was designed to examine the expression of two heme oxygenase isozyme mRNAs in the human brain and to explore the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and various neuropeptides in the regulation of their expression. Northern blot analysis showed the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and heme oxygenase-2 mRNAs in every region of the brain examined, with the highest levels found in the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, occipital cortex, and hypothalamus. In a human glioblastoma cell line, T98G, treatment with any of three types of NO donors—sodium nitroprusside, 3-morpholinosydnonimine, and S -nitroso- l -glutathione—caused a significant increase in the levels of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA but not in the levels of heme oxygenase-2 and heat-shock protein 70 mRNAs. Sodium nitroprusside increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 protein but not the levels of heat-shock protein 70 in T98G cells. The increase in content of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA caused by sodium nitroprusside was completely abolished by the treatment with actinomycin D. On the other hand, the levels of heme oxygenase isozyme mRNAs were not noticeably changed in T98G cells following the treatment with 8-bromo cyclic GMP, sodium nitrite, or various neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide, endothelin-1, and corticotropin-releasing hormone. The present study has shown the expression profiles of heme oxygenase-1 and -2 mRNAs in the human brain and the induction of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA caused by NO donors in T98G cells. These findings raise a possibility that the CO/heme oxygenase system may function in concert with the NO/NO synthase system in the brain.     

Neuronal Overexpression of Heme Oxygenase-1 Correlates with an Attenuated Exploratory Behavior and Causes an Increase in Neuronal NADPH Diaphorase Staining

Abstract: Heme oxygenase isozymes, HO-1 (also known as hsp32) and HO-2, are the source for the formation of the putative messenger molecule carbon monoxide (CO), reactive iron, and the in vitro antioxidant bilirubin. We have developed and characterized transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress the stress protein in neurons in various brain regions. The Tg mice were generated by the use of rat HO-1 cDNA under the control of the neuron-specific enolase promoter. Except for a tendency to have an enlarged spleen, Tg mice did not show gross anatomical changes. Increase in HO-1 mRNA, which was demonstrated by northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, was accompanied by an increase in neuronal HO-1 protein expression, shown by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and an increase in HO activity. Expression of the transgene correlated with an attenuation of exploratory behavior and increased circling activity and coincided with enhanced neuronal NADPH diaphorase staining. Those changes were not accompanied by an increase in DNA damage or significant change in whole-brain NO synthase activity. The HO-1 Tg mice potentially represent a good model to examine the function of CO as a neuromodulator, iron as a gene regulator, and bile pigments as in vivo antioxidants.     

Carbon monoxide decreases the level of iNOS protein and active dimer in IL-1β-stimulated hepatocytes

There is evidence that NO can regulate CO production, however less is known about CO regulation of NO synthesis. Our studies were undertaken to define how CO regulates iNOS in cultured hepatocytes. CO (250 ppm) exposure resulted in a significant decrease in iNOS protein, nitrite production, level of active iNOS dimer and cytosolic iNOS activity in cells stimulated with cytokines (IL-1β) or transfected with the human iNOS gene. However, IL-1β-stimulated iNOS mRNA expression was unaffected by CO. These effects of CO on iNOS protein levels were inhibited when CO was scavenged using hemoglobin. HO-1 induction with an adenoviral vector carrying HO-1 showed a decrease in total iNOS protein, nitrite production, and iNOS dimer level from cells stimulated by IL-1β. iNOS protein level was significantly higher in lung endothelial cells isolated from HO-1 knockout mice compared to wild type cultures stimulated with cytokines mixture. CO was found to increase p38 phosphorylation and p38 inhibition using SB203580 increased iNOS protein levels in response to IL-1β. Interestingly, proteasome inhibitors (MG132 and Lactacystin) and an autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) reversed CO influence iNOS levels. Our results imply that CO exposure decreases NO production by suppressing dimer formation and increasing iNOS degradation through a process involving p38 activation.     

miR-103a对癫痫大鼠海马组织星形胶质细胞活化的影响

为了考察miR-103a对癫痫大鼠海马组织星形胶质细胞活化的影响。本研究通过腹腔注射氯化锂和毛果芸香碱诱导癫痫大鼠模型,对大鼠脑室内注射miR-103a抑制剂来敲低miR-103a的表达;采用免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠海马组织中胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的阳性表达;采用RT-qPCR和Western blotting方法检测大鼠海马组织中miR-103a、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、GFAP、TNF-α和IL-6的m RNA和蛋白表达;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色评价海马组织病变程度;Nissl染色检测神经元存活情况;TUNEL染色检测神经元的凋亡。结果显示,癫痫大鼠海马组织中miR-103a被上调。下调miR-103a抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中GFAP的mRNA和蛋白表达,且抑制癫痫大鼠海马神经元的病理损伤,但能促进癫痫大鼠海马神经元的存活并抑制其凋亡。此外,下调miR-103a还抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中IL-6和TNF-α的表达,并促进癫痫大鼠海马组织中BDNF的表达。本研究表明,靶向沉默miR-103a可以抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中星形胶质细胞的活化并改善神经元的病理损伤。     

琥珀酸对大鼠海马CA1区神经元电压依赖性钙电流的影响

目的：观察不同浓度的琥珀酸对大鼠海马CA1区神经元电压依赖性钙通道（voltage—dependent calcium channels,VDCC）电流的作用,初步探讨琥珀酸对神经元保护的电生理学基础。方法：采用传统全细胞膜片钳技术和制霉菌素（nystatin）穿孔膜片钳技术观察琥珀酸对海马CA1区神经元VDCC电流的影响。结果：不同浓度的琥珀酸（10^-6、10^-5、10^-4、10^-3、10^-2和10^-1mol·L^-1）在海马CA1区对低电压激活（low—voltage activated,LVA）钙通道电流未见任何影响,而对高电压激活（high—voltage activated,HVA）钙通道电流的抑制呈浓度依赖性。对照组HVA钙电流为580．05±17．32pA,分别给予10^-6、10^-5、10^-4、10^-3、10^-2和10^-1mol·L^-1。的琥珀酸后,HVA钙电流依次为563．74±16．65,517．99±15．24,444．66±13．26,405．32±19．11,269．03±9．96和86．41±3．25pA,同对照组相比差异有统计学意义（n=8,P〈0．01）。结论：琥珀酸能浓度依赖性地抑制HVA钙电流,而对LVA钙电流无影响。由此推测琥珀酸可能通过抑制HVA钙电流减少Ca^2＋内流而影响海马CA1区神经元的兴奋性,从而抑制癫痫的形成,其脑保护作用可能与此有关。     

Daily and seasonal changes in heat exposure and the Hsp70 level of individuals from a field population of Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki 1836) (Pulmonata, Hygromiidae) in Southern France

The Mediterranean land snail Xeropicta derbentina forms huge populations in Southern France. In order to characterize heat exposure and the induction of the 70-kD heat shock protein (Hsp70) response system during the life cycle of this snail, a selected population from the Vaucluse area, Provence, was investigated encompassing the issues of morphological life cycle parameters (shell size and colouration), the daily courses of heat exposure at different heights above the ground, of shell temperature, and that of the individual Hsp70 levels. The study covered all four seasons of the year 2011. Snails were found to be annual, reaching their final size in August. The shell colouration pattern showed high variation in juveniles (spring) with a strong tendency towards becoming uniformly white at old age in autumn. In all seasons, ambient air temperature decreased with increasing distance from the ground surface during daytime while remaining constantly low in the night. Overall, the Hsp70 level of individuals followed the ambient temperature during diurnal and seasonal variations. Correlation analysis revealed a positive association of individual shell temperature and Hsp70 level for the most part of the life cycle of the snails until late summer, whereas a negative correlation was found for aged animals indicating senescence effects on the capacity of the stress response system.     

钴- 原卟啉对大鼠脑损伤区域血红素氧合酶-1及损伤周边区脑含水量的影响

目的:研究探讨钴-原卟啉对大鼠脑损伤的保护作用。方法:用钴-原卟啉灌(50mg/kg)胃处理后,建立液压脑损伤模型,采用免疫组织化学SP三步法检测大鼠脑损伤区域血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)的表达情况,用干湿重法测定损伤周边区脑含水量的变化。结果:正常组、假手术组大鼠HO-1均无表达;模型组脑损伤区域的HO-1阳性细胞数为(3.45±047);实验组12h、24h、3d和7dHO-1的阳性细胞数分别为:(10.9±1.35)、(10.62±1.88)、(12.4±1.57)和(10.99±2.42)。正常组、假手术组脑损伤周边区脑含水量分别为(78.7±0.4)%和(78.6±0.7)%;模型组脑含水量(89.3±0.3)%;实验组12h、24h、3d和7d脑含水量分别为:(83.1±0.3)%、(83.6±0.6)%、(83.9±0.4)%和(83.2±0.3)%。结论:钴-原卟啉(CoPP)能够诱导大鼠脑损伤区域HO-1的表达,减轻脑损伤周边区域的水肿程度,故钴-原卟啉对大鼠脑损伤具有保护作用。     

围产期食物限制对子代成年大鼠海马CA1区突触可塑性的影响

围产期食物限制导致子代大鼠学习和记忆能力等的神经生物学变化,但其机制并不清楚。将成年Wistar雌性大鼠与雄性大鼠同笼,受孕后随机分为对照组 (n=9) 和食物限制组 (n=8) 。对照组母鼠在妊娠期和哺乳期自由进食和饮水,食物限制组母鼠从妊娠的第7天到子代大鼠出生后21天进行食物限制,食物限制量为对照组大鼠的50%。子代雄性大鼠成年后,通过Morris 水迷宫测试空间学习和记忆能力。之后,在海马CA1区在体记录场兴奋性突触后电位 (field excitatory postsynaptic potential,fEPSP),并采用免疫组织化学方法观察海马CA1区神经元型一氧化氮合酶 (nNOS) 阳性细胞密度的变化。结果表明,围产期食物限制降低了子代大鼠出生后第1、7、10、14和21天的体重,并减弱了成年子代大鼠的学习和记忆能力,海马CA1区fEPSP的斜率和nNOS阳性细胞的密度也明显降低。结果提示,围产期食物限制可能通过抑制NO的产生降低了海马突触可塑性,从而影响了子代大鼠的学习和记忆能力。     

The effect of vaccination with the lysate of heat-shocked tumor cells on nitric oxide production in BALB/c mice with fibrosarcoma tumor

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) on splenocyte proliferation and nitric oxide (NO) production in the BALB/c mice fibrosarcoma tumor model. To do so, HSP-70 was induced in the lysate of heat-shocked tumor cells and WEHI-164 cells (mouse fibrosarcoma cell line) were injected subcutaneously into the right flank of inbred BALB/c mice to establish a tumor model. Three animal bearing tumor groups were applied: the test group; vaccinated with HSP-70 enriched tumor lysate; control group I, vaccinated with tumor lysate only; and control group II, which received PBS. Using immunoblot analysis, an increase of HSP-70 expression was detected in the lysate of heat-shocked cells in comparison with non-heat-shocked cells. The effect of the test lysate on NO production was measured both in vitro and in vivo in the peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes of tumor bearing mice, respectively. The result showed a significant increase in NO production both in vitro by peritoneal macrophages and in vivo after immunization with HSP-70 enriched tumor lysate. In addition, tumor growth was significantly postponed and the proliferation of splenocytes was increased in the test group. Our results indicate that the lysate of heat-shocked tumor cells was more potent than that of non-heat-shocked tumor cells in inducing anti-tumor immunity. Since production of NO by HSP-activated antigen presenting cells (APCs) is likely to affect innate immunity and tumor growth, the probable mechanism of postponing tumor growth would be NO production by innate immune cells. These findings provide a useful therapeutic model for developing novel approaches to cancer treatments.     

热休克因子1对内毒素所致G-CSF基因表达的影响

为探讨热休克因子1(heatshockfactor 1,HSF1)活化和过表达对内毒素(endotoxin ,ET)所致粒细胞集落刺激因子(granulocyte colonystimulatingfactor,G CSF)基因表达的影响,采用大肠杆菌内毒素即脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide ,LPS)处理RAW2 6 4 7巨噬细胞,并通过热休克预处理诱导HSF1活化,采用Western印迹检测HSP70的表达观察HSF1的活化情况,RT PCR检测热休克反应(heatshockresponse ,HSR)对G CSFmRNA表达的影响;构建HSF1的pcDNA3 1真核表达质粒,采用脂质体转染法建立HSF1过表达RAW 2 6 4 7巨噬细胞株,用免疫细胞化学和Western印迹观察HSF1的表达,RT- PCR及Northern印迹进一步研究HSF1对G CSF基因表达的可能影响.发现LPS诱导巨噬细胞中G- CSFmRNA表达增多,并随时间的延长,表达量逐渐增加;与单纯内毒素处理组相比,热休克预处理后,LPS诱导的巨噬细胞G- CSFmRNA的表达明显被抑制;建立的稳定表达HSF1的RAW 2 6 4 7细胞株中有HSF1蛋白的核移位;HSF1过表达可明显抑制LPS诱导的RAW2 6 4 7巨噬细胞G -CSFmRNA的表达.上述结果表明热休克预处理能抑制LPS诱导的巨噬细胞G- CSFmRNA的表达;HSF1过表达可抑制内毒素诱导的巨噬细胞G CSFmRNA的表达.     

花生油对2型糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经生长因子及胆碱乙酰转移酶表达的影响

目的通过观察2型糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经生长因子（NGF）和胆碱乙酰转移酶（ChAT）表达的改变,研究花生油对2型糖尿病大鼠海马神经元NGF及ChAT表达的影响,探讨花生油在防治糖尿病脑病中的作用。方法 60只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组（C组）、2型糖尿病组（T2DM组）、2型糖尿病给予2 mL花生油组（T2DM＋2 mL组）及2型糖尿病给予5 mL花生油组（T2DM＋5 mL组）。其中C组给予正常饮食,糖尿病组大鼠给予高脂饮食喂养,2个月后,按25 mg/kg体质量腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）制成2型糖尿病模型,T2DM组、T2DM＋2 mL组及T2DM＋5 mL组大鼠继续给予高脂饮食。糖尿病造模1个月后处死全部大鼠,行脑冰冻切片,用免疫组织化学方法检测各组大鼠海马CA1区NGF和ChAT的表达。结果 （1）T2DM组大鼠海马CA1区NGF表达比C组明显降低（P〈0.05）,T2DM＋2 mL组及T2DM＋5 mL组大鼠海马CA1区NGF表达均明显高于未给予花生油的T2DM组（P〈0.05）。（2）T2DM组大鼠海马CA1区ChAT表达显著低于C组（P〈0.05）,T2DM＋2 mL组和T2DM＋5 mL组大鼠海马CA1区ChAT表达均明显高于未给予花生油的T2DM组（P〈0.05）。结论 2型糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经生长因子表达降低,胆碱能神经元数量减少,这可能是2型糖尿病脑病发生的原因之一。花生油能增加2型糖尿病大鼠海马区内神经生长因子表达,促进胆碱能神经元存活,表明花生油具有一定的保护大鼠糖尿病脑病的作用。     

丹参酮对于阿尔茨海默症大鼠颞叶iNOS，MMP-2 表达的 影响及机理研究

目的：应用中药丹参酮(tanshinone II A,Tan II A)治疗AD大鼠,观察TanⅡ A 干预前后,AD大鼠学习记忆、颞叶中诱导型一氧 化氮合成酶(iNOS)、基质金属蛋白酶（MMP-2）表达的变化。方法：采用beta- 淀粉样蛋白（A beta）定向注射法建立AD大鼠模型,并使用 Tan II A 干预,通过避暗测试、real-time PCR和Western Blot 分别观察大鼠学习记忆能力、大鼠颞叶MMP-2、iNOS 两者的mRNA 及蛋白表达的变化。应用SPSS13.0 进行统计学分析。结果：与假手术组相比,AD 组的平均潜伏期缩短（P＜0.01）,平均错误次数 增加（P＜0.01）,差异均有统计学意义。颞叶内iNOS、MMP-2 mRNA 表达均显著增高（P＜ 0.01, P＜0.01）;两蛋白的表达均显著增 高（P＜0.01, P＜0.01）。与AD组相比,Tan IIA 组的平均潜伏期延长（P＜0.01）,平均错误次数减少（P＜0.01）,差异均有统计学意 义。颞叶内iNOS、MMP-2 mRNA表达均显著下降（P＜0.05, P＜0.05）,两蛋白的表达均显著下降（P＜0.01, P＜0.01）。结论：Tan II A 干预可显著降低AD 大鼠颞叶中iNOS、MMP-2 mRNA及蛋白的表达,显著改善AD 大鼠的学习记忆能力。其作用机制可能是 通过降低A-beta诱导的iNOS及MMP-2 的表达,抑制氧化应激损伤来完成。     

Effect of transient overexpression of Gqα on soluble and polymerized tubulin pools in GH3 and AtT-20 cells

In order to study G_q-tubulin interaction in the cytosol, GH₃ and AtT-20 cells (stably expressing TRH receptor) were transiently transfected with G_qα cDNA. Forty-eight hours after transfection, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated prolactin (PRL) secretion by G_qα-transfected GH₃ cells increased by 90% compared to mock-transfected cells. In addition, using immunocytochemistry it was observed that G_qα-specific staining was much more prominent in G_qα-transfected GH₃ and AtT-20 cells (also transfected with G_qα) compared to mock-transfected cells. Thus, transfection resulted in successful overexpression of functional G_qα. Forty-eight hours after transfection, cells were processed to obtain soluble and polymerized tubulin fractions. Tubulin levels were determined in these fractions by immunoblotting using polyclonal anti-tubulin antibodies. Compared to mock-transfected cells soluble tubulin levels decreased in G_qα-transfected GH₁ and AtT-20 cells, by 33 and 52%, respectively. Moreover, compared to mock-transfected cells a 50% reduction in the ratio (an index of the flux between tubulin pools) of soluble and polymerized tubulin levels was observed in G_qα-transfected GH₃ and AtT-20 cells. To determine whether these effects on tubulin were mediated by G_q directly, we examined the influence of purified G_q on tubulin polymerization. G_q (0.5 μM) inhibited polymerization of crude tubulin (present in GH₃ cell cytosol) by 53%. In contrast to its effects on GH₃ cell cytosol tubulin, G_q stimulated purified tubulin polymerization by 160%. These results suggest that G_q modulates the polymerization and depolymerization cycles of tubulin and that this modulation is in turn influenced by other unknown cellular components. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of Repeated Treatment with a γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Agonist on Postnatal Neural Development in Rats

The effect of treatment with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP) on neural development was monitored in rats by following the expression of the neuron-specific proteins neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), D1, and D3 as well as the enzymes glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH). As judged from the effect of the treatment on the expression of NCAM and GAD, GABA agonists have the capacity to accelerate and enhance neuronal development during the early postnatal period. However, as judged from the expression of D1- and D3-protein some adverse late effects may result from prolonged treatment with high doses of GABA agonists. The decrease in GLDH specific activity observed in THIP-treated rats during their late postnatal development possibly indicates a repression of glutamatergic neurons.