内皮前体细胞的动员与调节

胚胎发生时期,内皮前体细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)参与了原始血管形成的最初过程(血管发生)。已有的证据显示,分化为内皮细胞(endothelial cells,Ecs)的前体也存在于成人中,正常情况下,EPCs停留在成人的骨髓,但是,可以通过细胞因子或血管生成因子信号被动员到循环血,迁移到生理或病理条件下的新血管形成位点,并原位分化成内皮细胞,快速和及时地修复损伤的血管。自源的EPCs原住动员或移植是治疗性血管再生的一个潜在、有效的方法,因此,探究EPCs从骨髓的动员和调节,对血管再生以及修复器官功能具有重要的意义。     

Hela l-CaD is Implicated in the Migration of Endothelial Cells/Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Human Neoplasms

Caldesmon (CaD) is a major actin-binding protein distributed in a variety of cell types. No functional differences among the isoforms in in vitro studies were found so far. In a previous study we found that the low molecular caldesmon isoform (Hela l-CaD) is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs)/endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in tumor vasculature of various human tumors. Activation of cell motility is necessary for the navigation of the tip ECs during angiogenesis, and migration of EPCs from the bone marrow during vasculogenesis. In the present study we searched for features of motility and the intracellular expression sites of Hela l-CaD in ECs/EPCs of various human tumors under histologically preserved microenviroment. We discovered a variety of motility-related cell protrusions like filopodia, microspikes, lamellipodia, podosomes, membrane blebs and membrane ruffles in the activated ECs/EPCs. Hela l-CaD appeared to be invariably expressed in the subregions of these cell protrusions. The findings suggest that Hela l-CaD is implicated in the migration of ECs/EPC in human neoplasms where they contribute to tumor vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.Key words: Hela l-CaD, cell motility, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, ECs/EPCs     

Hela l-CaD Is Implicated in the Migration of Endothelial Cells/Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Human Neoplasms

Caldesmon (CaD) is a major actin-binding protein distributed in a variety of cell types. No functional differences among the isoforms in in vitro studies were found so far. In a previous study we found that the low molecular caldesmon isoform (Hela l-CaD) is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs)/endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in tumor vasculature of various human tumors. Activation of cell motility is necessary for the navigation of the tip ECs during angiogenesis, and migration of EPCs from the bone marrow during vasculogenesis. In the present study we searched for features of motility and the intracellular expression sites of Hela l-CaD in ECs/EPCs of various human tumors under histologically preserved microenviroment. We discovered a variety of motility-related cell protrusions like filopodia, microspikes, lamellipodia, podosomes, membrane blebs and membrane ruffles in the activated ECs/EPCs. Hela l-CaD appeared to be invariably expressed in the subregions of these cell protrusions. The findings suggest that Hela l-CaD is implicated in the migration of ECs/EPC in human neoplasms where they contribute to tumor vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.     

新型近红外荧光探针MHI85在胆道系统成像的实验研究

目的:观察一种新型近红外荧光探针MHI85在器官中的成像特点,寻找特异性的器官成像荧光探针,为手术提供帮助。方法:用海洋光学测量系统检测近红外荧光探针MHI85的吸光度和荧光强度,分析其光学特点。随后将近红外荧光探针MHI85注射到CD-1小鼠体内,4小时后观察小鼠体内腹腔、胆囊和胆管、离体小鼠腹部脏器的近红外荧光成像情况。并测量离体脏器的信号背景比(SBR)。结果:近红外荧光探针MHI85最大吸收峰值和荧光峰值分别在690 nm和713 nm,说明其发光谱在700 nm左右,且成像稳定。利用小动物活体成像系统发现,近红外荧光探针MHI85在小鼠胆囊、胆囊管、左右肝管、肝总管可见明显荧光信号。心、肺、肝、胰、脾、肾、十二指肠、小肠均无荧光信号,而胆囊中可见明显的荧光信号。离体脏器SBR结果显示,胆囊的SBR明显高于其他脏器。结论:近红外荧光分子探针MHI85对胆囊及胆道系统具有良好的靶向性,且成像清晰、定位准确。     

Differential Effects of Isoxazole-9 on Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells,Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells,and Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Adult mammalian brain can be plastic after injury and disease. Therefore, boosting endogenous repair mechanisms would be a useful therapeutic approach for neurological disorders. Isoxazole-9 (Isx-9) has been reported to enhance neurogenesis from neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). However, the effects of Isx-9 on other types of progenitor/precursor cells remain mostly unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Isx-9 on the three major populations of progenitor/precursor cells in brain: NSPCs, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Cultured primary NSPCs, OPCs, or EPCs were treated with various concentrations of Isx-9 (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 μM), and their cell numbers were counted in a blinded manner. Isx-9 slightly increased the number of NSPCs and effectively induced neuronal differentiation of NSPCs. However, Isx-9 significantly decreased OPC number in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting cytotoxicity. Isx-9 did not affect EPC cell number. But in a matrigel assay of angiogenesis, Isx-9 significantly inhibited tube formation in outgrowth endothelial cells derived from EPCs. This potential anti-tube-formation effect of Isx-9 was confirmed in a brain endothelial cell line. Taken together, our data suggest that mechanisms and targets for promoting stem/progenitor cells in the central nervous system may significantly differ between cell types.     

Molecular Imaging of Pancreatic Duct Adenocarcinoma Using a Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor-Targeted Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe

Imaging probes targeting type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB₂R) overexpressed in pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissue have the potential to improve early detection and surgical outcome of PDAC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the molecular imaging potential of a CB₂R-targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (NIR760-XLP6) for PDAC. CB₂R overexpression was observed in both PDAC patient tissues and various pancreatic cancer cell lines. In vitro fluorescence imaging indicated specific binding of NIR760-XLP6 to CB₂R in human PDAC PANC-1 cells. In a xenograft mouse tumor model, NIR760-XLP6 showed remarkable 50- (ex vivo) and 3.2-fold (in vivo) tumor to normal contrast enhancement with minimal liver and kidney uptake. In a PDAC lymph node metastasis model, significant signal contrast was observed in bilateral axillary lymph nodes with PDAC metastasis after injection of the probe. In conclusion, NIR760-XLP6 exhibits promising characteristics for imaging PDAC, and CB₂R appears to be an attractive target for PDAC imaging.     

近红外荧光染料IR-783在膀胱癌中的成像研究

目的:观察研究近红外荧光染料IR-783在膀胱癌中的特异性成像。方法:通过染料与膀胱癌细胞及正常细胞共孵育,观察近红外荧光染料IR-783是否能够实现膀胱癌细胞的选择性成像。利用细胞器示踪剂观察近红外荧光染料在膀胱癌细胞内的共定位;使用IR-783检测循环血液中及尿液中的膀胱癌细胞。结果:近红外荧光染料IR-783可被膀胱癌细胞选择性摄取。IR-783可选择性聚集在膜性细胞器如线粒体和溶酶体内,这种选择性聚集作用使IR-783可以保持较长的染色效果。近红外染料可以检测到血液或尿液极少量的膀胱癌细胞。结论:近红外荧光染料IR-783能够被膀胱癌细胞特异性吸收,可用于血液和尿液中膀胱肿瘤细胞的特异性诊断,具有重要的临床应用前景。     

Real-Time Imaging of DNA Damage in Yeast Cells Using Ultra-Short Near-Infrared Pulsed Laser Irradiation

Analysis of accumulation of repair and checkpoint proteins at repair sites in yeast nuclei has conventionally used chemical agents, ionizing radiation or induction of endonucleases to inflict localized damage. In addition to these methods, similar studies in mammalian cells have used laser irradiation, which has the advantage that damage is inflicted at a specific nuclear region and at a precise time, and this allows accurate kinetic analysis of protein accumulation at DNA damage sites. We show here that it is feasible to use short pulses of near-infrared laser irradiation to inflict DNA damage in subnuclear regions of yeast nuclei by multiphoton absorption. In conjunction with use of fluorescently-tagged proteins, this allows quantitative analysis of protein accumulation at damage sites within seconds of damage induction. PCNA accumulated at damage sites rapidly, such that maximum accumulation was seen approximately 50 s after damage, then levels declined linearly over 200–1000 s after irradiation. RPA accumulated with slower kinetics such that hardly any accumulation was detected within 60 s of irradiation, and levels subsequently increased linearly over the next 900 s, after which levels were approximately constant (up to ca. 2700 s) at the damage site. This approach complements existing methodologies to allow analysis of key damage sensors and chromatin modification changes occurring within seconds of damage inception.     

三维联合培养牙髓细胞和血管内皮祖细胞促进成牙本质向/成骨向分化

目的:探讨三维联合培养牙髓细胞(dental pulp cells, DPCs)和血管内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells, EPCs)对成牙本质向/成骨向分化的影响。方法:取单独培养DPCs及联合培养的DPCs和EPCs进行三维培养后成牙本质向/成骨向诱导,使用茜素红染色及半定量分析、RT-PCR和细胞免疫荧光检测成牙本质向/成骨向分化能力。采用SPSS 23.0统计软件对数据进行统计学分析。结果:茜素红染色显示联合培养组和单独培养组之间未见显著差异。RT-PCR和细胞免疫荧光显示成牙本质向/成骨向相关基因m RNAs和蛋白表达水平联合培养组显著高于单独培养组。结论:三维联合培养的DPCs和EPCs促进成牙本质向/成骨向分化,为牙髓再生提供可能实验依据。     

利用锌特异性探针HL~1示踪植物细胞外Zn~(2+)的分布

以拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)和谷子(Setaria italic)为研究材料,利用锌特异性探针HL1,使用荧光分光光度仪、等温滴定热量测定仪(ITC200)和倒置荧光显微镜等仪器探究了该化学探针的特性以及植物细胞外游离Zn~(2+)的分布。结果表明,当HL1与不同元素溶液混合时,只与Zn~(2+)特异性结合,在紫外光(UV)激发下,发射出波长为500 nm的蓝色荧光;生成物的平衡解离常数KD=7.02×10–4 mol·L–1,具有很好的稳定性。拟南芥叶片中的Zn~(2+)分布于细胞间隙及叶表皮毛的外周和表层,且叶表皮毛的荧光强度具有明显的浓度依赖性;谷子叶片中的Zn~(2+)分布在细胞间隙以及维管组织。拟南芥根中的Zn~(2+)分布于根的伸长区,且荧光强度也明显地表现出与浓度相关。由此推断,根伸长区与Zn~(2+)运输有关,叶的维管组织是植物细胞外运输Zn~(2+)的主要途径,细胞间隙和叶表皮毛是植物储存Zn~(2+)的主要区域。HL1适用于检测细胞外Zn~(2+)的分布。     

内皮祖细胞移植在慢性阻塞性肺疾病小鼠体内分布

目的:观察经气管移植内皮祖细胞(EPCs)在烟雾暴露所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病模型小鼠中的分布及分化.方法:体外分离小鼠骨髓单个核细胞于EGM-2MV培养基中培养并鉴定.24只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为正常对照组、COPD+PBS干预组及COPD+EPCs干预组;香烟烟雾暴露90 d建立慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)小鼠模型;烟雾暴露结束后,COPD+PBS干预组及COPD+EPCs干预组分别经气管注入30 μ LPBS和30 μ L细胞悬液(含1×105个CM-DiI标记EPCs).移植后观察30 d处死小鼠,通过荧光显微镜观察移植细胞在肺内的分布及通过免疫荧光检测广谱细胞角蛋白的表达水平.结果:EPCs移植后30d可见EPCs分布于肺血管及气道,部分细胞表达上皮特异标志广谱细胞角蛋白.结论:EPCs移植后可定植COPD模型小鼠肺血管及气道,且可能转化为支气管及肺泡上皮细胞.     

High-Contrast Fluorescence Imaging in Fixed and Living Cells Using Optimized Optical Switches

We present the design, synthesis and characterization of new functionalized fluorescent optical switches for rapid, all-visible light-mediated manipulation of fluorescence signals from labelled structures within living cells, and as probes for high-contrast optical lock-in detection (OLID) imaging microscopy. A triazole-substituted BIPS (TzBIPS) is identified from a rational synthetic design strategy that undergoes robust, rapid and reversible, visible light-driven transitions between a colorless spiro- (SP) and a far-red absorbing merocyanine (MC) state within living cells. The excited MC-state of TzBIPS may also decay to the MC-ground state emitting near infra-red fluorescence, which is used as a sensitive and quantitative read-out of the state of the optical switch in living cells. The SP to MC transition for a membrane-targeted TzBIPS probe (C₁₂-TzBIPS) is triggered at 405 nm at an energy level compatible with studies in living cells, while the action spectrum of the reverse transition (MC to SP) has a maximum at 650 nm. The SP to MC transition is complete within the 790 ns pixel dwell time of the confocal microscope, while a single cycle of optical switching between the SP and MC states in a region of interest is complete within 8 ms (125 Hz) within living cells, the fastest rate attained for any optical switch probe in a biological sample. This property can be exploited for real-time correction of background signals in living cells. A reactive form of TzBIPS is linked to secondary antibodies and used, in conjunction with an enhanced scope-based analysis of the modulated MC-fluorescence in immuno-stained cells, for high-contrast immunofluorescence microscopic analysis of the actin cytoskeleton.     

Reverse-D-4F Increases the Number of Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Improves Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunctions in High Fat Diet Mice

Although high density lipoprotein (HDL) improves the functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), the effect of HDL ApoAI mimetic peptide reverse-D-4F (Rev-D4F) on EPC mobilization and repair of EPC dysfunctions remains to be studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of Rev-D4F on peripheral blood cell subpopulations in C57 mice treated with a high fat diet and the mechanism of Rev-D4F in improving the function of EPCs impaired by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The high fat diet significantly decreased the number of EPCs, EPC migratory functions, and the percentage of lymphocytes in the white blood cells. However, it significantly increased the number of white blood cells, the percentage of monocytes in the white blood cells, and the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and TNF-α in the plasma. Rev-D4F clearly inhibited the effect of the high fat diet on the quantification of peripheral blood cell subpopulations and cytokine levels, and increased stromal cell derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) in the plasma. We provided in vitro evidence that TNF-α impaired EPC proliferation, migration, and tube formation through inactive AKT and eNOS, which was restored by Rev-D4F treatment. In contrast, both the PI3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002) and AKT inhibitor (perifosine) obviously inhibited the restoration of Rev-4F on EPCs impaired by TNF-α. Our results suggested that Rev-D4F increases the quantity of endothelial progenitor cells through increasing the SDF-1α levels and decreasing the TNF-α level of peripheral blood in high fat diet-induced C57BL/6J mice, and restores TNF-α induced dysfunctions of EPCs partly through stimulating the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.     

Imaging Circulating Tumor Cells in Freely Moving Awake Small Animals Using a Miniaturized Intravital Microscope

Metastasis, the cause for 90% of cancer mortality, is a complex and poorly understood process involving the invasion of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) into blood vessels. These cells have potential prognostic value as biomarkers for early metastatic risk. But their rarity and the lack of specificity and sensitivity in measuring them render their interrogation by current techniques very challenging. How and when these cells are circulating in the blood, on their way to potentially give rise to metastasis, is a question that remains largely unanswered. In order to provide an insight into this "black box" using non-invasive imaging, we developed a novel miniature intravital microscopy (mIVM) strategy capable of real-time long-term monitoring of CTCs in awake small animals. We established an experimental 4T1-GL mouse model of metastatic breast cancer, in which tumor cells express both fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter genes to enable both single cell and whole body tumor imaging. Using mIVM, we monitored blood vessels of different diameters in awake mice in an experimental model of metastasis. Using an in-house software algorithm we developed, we demonstrated in vivo CTC enumeration and computation of CTC trajectory and speed. These data represent the first reported use we know of for a miniature mountable intravital microscopy setup for in vivo imaging of CTCs in awake animals.     

Nicotine Promotes Late Endothelial Progenitor Cells Functional Activity in a PI 3-Kinase-Dependent Manner

Recent studies have shown that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participated in angiogenic effects of nicotine and nicotine dose dependently increased the functional activity of early EPCs. The effects of nicotine on late EPCs remain to be determined. Therefore, we investigated whether nicotine had influences on the functional activity of late EPCs. Late EPCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and characterized. Late EPCs of 3–5 passages were treated for 32 h with either vehicle or nicotine. The proliferative, migratory, and in vitro vasculogenesis activities of late EPCs were assayed with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, modified Boyden chamber assay, and in matrigel, respectively. Late EPCs adhesion assay was performed by replating cells on fibronectin-coated dishes, and then adherent cells were counted. Nicotine enhanced proliferative, migratory, adhesive, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacities of late EPCs. These effects were significantly reduced in the presence of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor.     

内皮祖细胞在支架术后再内皮化中应用的研究进展

足细胞是附着在肾小球基底膜外的高度分化的上皮细胞,在维持肾小球滤过屏障完整性及限制血浆蛋白的滤出方面均发挥重要作用。近年来,在糖尿病肾病的研究中发现,足细胞损伤对蛋白尿及肾小球硬化等病理变化均明显相关。本文就糖尿病肾病时足细胞损伤的特点作一简要概述,为以后的相关研究奠定基础。     

Genome Editing in Mouse Spermatogonial Stem/Progenitor Cells Using Engineered Nucleases

Editing the genome to create specific sequence modifications is a powerful way to study gene function and promises future applicability to gene therapy. Creation of precise modifications requires homologous recombination, a very rare event in most cell types that can be stimulated by introducing a double strand break near the target sequence. One method to create a double strand break in a particular sequence is with a custom designed nuclease. We used engineered nucleases to stimulate homologous recombination to correct a mutant gene in mouse “GS” (germline stem) cells, testicular derived cell cultures containing spermatogonial stem cells and progenitor cells. We demonstrated that gene-corrected cells maintained several properties of spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells including the ability to colonize following testicular transplantation. This proof of concept for genome editing in GS cells impacts both cell therapy and basic research given the potential for GS cells to be propagated in vitro, contribute to the germline in vivo following testicular transplantation or become reprogrammed to pluripotency in vitro.     

Sequential In vivo Imaging of Osteogenic Stem/Progenitor Cells During Fracture Repair

Bone turns over continuously and is highly regenerative following injury. Osteogenic stem/progenitor cells have long been hypothesized to exist, but in vivo demonstration of such cells has only recently been attained. Here, in vivo imaging techniques to investigate the role of endogenous osteogenic stem/progenitor cells (OSPCs) and their progeny in bone repair are provided. Using osteo-lineage cell tracing models and intravital imaging of induced microfractures in calvarial bone, OSPCs can be directly observed during the first few days after injury, in which critical events in the early repair process occur. Injury sites can be sequentially imaged revealing that OSPCs relocate to the injury, increase in number and differentiate into bone forming osteoblasts. These methods offer a means of investigating the role of stem cell-intrinsic and extrinsic molecular regulators for bone regeneration and repair.     

内皮祖细胞在支架术后再内皮化中应用的研究进展

经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的应用改善了冠心病患者的临床症状及预后,但现在困扰人们的问题是作为其术后并发症之一的支架内再狭窄发病率仍然很高。大量的研究证实,内膜增生在支架内再狭窄的形成中起主导作用,所以提高受损内膜再内皮化的速度是防止支架内再狭窄的一个重要措施。新近的研究表明,内皮祖细胞能参与损伤后血管内皮修复,促进受损血管内膜的再内皮化,因此,在防止支架内再狭窄中将得到进一步的研究与应用。因此,本文就内皮祖细胞在支架术后再内皮化中应用的研究进展做一综述。