降钙素基因相关肽对肺纤维化大鼠肺组织eIF3a、p27表达的影响

目的：观察降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）对肺纤维化大鼠肺组织真核翻译起始因子3a （eIF3a）、p27表达的影响,探讨CGRP在肺纤维化中的作用及机制。方法：雄性SD大鼠,体重180~220 g,随机分为3组（n=8）：对照组、博莱霉素组、博莱霉素+辣椒素组。采用气管内注射博莱霉素（5 mg/kg）诱导肺纤维化大鼠模型。造模前4 d大鼠皮下注射辣椒素（Capsaicin）（50 mg/kg·d）,造模后第28天处死动物,颈动脉采血ELISA法测定血浆CGRP含量。细胞实验分6组（n=9）：Control组,转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）组,CGRP （1、10、100 nmol/L）组,CGRP8-37 1 μmol/L和CGRP 100 nmol/L组。细胞用CGRP和（或） CGRP8-37预处理1 h,再用TGF-β1（5 ng/ml）处理48 h。5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（BrdU）法检测细胞增殖。免疫组化、real-time PCR和（或） Western blot检测eIF3a、p27、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）、collagen Ⅰ mRNA及蛋白表达。结果：博莱霉素诱发肺纤维化动物肺组织eIF3a、α-SMA及Ⅰ胶原表达增高,CGRP及p27的表达明显降低。外源性CGRP可剂量依赖性的抑制TGF-β1诱导的肺成纤维细胞增殖,明显抑制eIF3a、α-SMA、Ⅰ胶原的表达,上调p27的表达,这些作用可以被CGRP阻断剂CGRP8-37所取消。结论：CGRP在博莱霉素诱导的肺纤维化中起着重要作用,可能通过抑制eIF3a、上调p27的表达而抑制肺成纤维细胞的增殖,进而抑制肺纤维化的形成与发展。     

靶向沉默HIF-1α信号通路抑制百草枯中毒诱导的肺泡上皮细胞上皮间质转化

目的:探讨HIF-1α信号通路在百草枯(paraquat,PQ)诱导大鼠Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞上皮间质转化(Epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)中的作用机制。方法:使用20μmol/L浓度的百草枯溶剂对大鼠Ⅱ型肺泡上皮RLE-6TN细胞干预24 h,随后在倒置光学显微镜观察各组细胞形态学变化;用real-time PCR与Western blot法检测RLE-6TN细胞中HIF-1α、上皮表型标记蛋白E-cadherin及间质表型标记蛋白Vimentin的表达,Transwell侵袭实验检测各处理组细胞侵袭能力的改变;使用HIF-1α靶向si RNA抑制其表达后,进一步采用RT-PCR和Western blot检测HIF-1α、E-cadherin和Vimentin的表达水平,Transwell法检测细胞侵袭能力变化。结果:体外百草枯溶液可显著诱导大鼠Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞RLE-6TN细胞HIF-1α表达升高和上皮间质转化的发生,同时细胞的体外侵袭能力也增强。靶向沉默HIF-1α基因后,百草枯诱导的上皮间质转化过程被逆转,同时细胞侵袭能力显著减弱。结论:百草枯通过调控HIF-1α信号通路来诱导RLE-6TN细胞上皮间质转化的发生,进而促进肺纤维化的形成。     

小剂量辣椒素抗小鼠肺纤维化的作用及其机制

目的: 观察小剂量辣椒素(Cap)抗小鼠肺纤维化的作用是否与其激动瞬时电位感受器香草酸受体1(TRPV1)有关。方法: 实验设对照(CON)组、博莱霉素(BLM)组、Cap(0.5、1、2 mg/kg)剂量组及Cap (2 mg/kg)+ TRPV1受体阻断剂SB-452533(2.5 mg/kg)剂量组,每组n=12。BLM(3.5 mg/kg)气管注射诱导肺纤维化小鼠模型。造模后连续皮下注射给药21 d。血浆降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)浓度采用ELISA法快速测定。肺组织病理变化和胶原沉积分别采用HE染色、Masson染色和免疫组化进行检测。肺组织α-CGRP、β-CGRP、I 型胶原(collagen I)、III 型胶原(collagen III)、E钙粘蛋白(E-Cadherin)、紧密连接蛋白-1(ZO-1)、波形蛋白(Vimentin)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、TRPV1、磷酸化ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2)和真核翻译起始因子3a(eIF3a)mRNA及蛋白表达分别采用qPCR和(或)Western blot法检测。结果: 与BLM组相比,小剂量Cap给药21 d后,病理检查发现小鼠肺纤维化明显减轻;肺组织胶原表达明显下降(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);肺泡上皮细胞上皮间质转分化(EMT)明显受到抑制(E-Cadherin和ZO-1的表达明显升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)而Vimentin和α-SMA的表达明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01));TRPV1和CGRP表达水平明显升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)而ERK磷酸化水平和eIF3a表达水平明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。但当使用TRPV1受体阻断剂阻断TRPV1后,小剂量Cap逆转肺泡EMT、改善肺纤维化的作用被显著取消,同时CGRP表达水平又明显降低(P＜0.01)而p-ERK1/2和eIF3a的表达水平又明显升高(P＜0.01)。结论: 小剂量Cap能够逆转肺泡上皮细胞EMT、缓解肺纤维化。其机制可能与其激动TRPV1、促进CGRP释放,进而抑制ERK磷酸化和下调eIF3a的表达有关。     

TGF-β1诱导的Postn、α-SMA和CollagenⅠ在宫腔粘连内膜组织中高表达与粘连严重程度相关

骨膜蛋白（periostin, Postn）与转化生长因子-β1（transforming growth factor-beta1,TGF-β1）信号通路活动密切相关,并参与多种纤维化疾病的病理形成,但在宫腔粘连（intrauterine adhesions,IUAs）形成过程中的作用机制尚不清楚。为了解Postn与纤维标志物（α-平滑肌肌动蛋白：alpha smooth muscle actin,α-SMA,Ⅰ型胶原：CollagenⅠ）在宫腔粘连发病中的作用,本研究收集宫腔粘连（实验组）轻、中、重度各20名患者的内膜组织,非宫腔粘连者20名（对照组）,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术、Western印迹技术和免疫组化染色证明：Postn与α-SMA、CollagenⅠ在mRNA和蛋白质表达水平的趋势一致,且与宫腔粘连严重程度呈正相关;实验组Postn、α-SMA 和 CollagenⅠ较对照组明显升高,其中以中、重度宫腔粘连患者内膜组织Postn、α-SMA和CollagenⅠ表达有非常显著的统计学差异（P＜0.01）。同时,为探究TGF-β1与Postn等纤维标志物的关系,利用重组人转化生长因子TGF-β1刺激原代子宫内膜基质细胞后,Western印迹结果显示,TGF-β1与Postn、α-SMA和CollagenⅠ蛋白质表达变化呈现剂量和时间依赖关系。上述结果证实,内膜纤维化是宫腔粘连的主要特征,由Postn等纤维产物参与形成,且与粘连程度相关。推测该病理过程可能与内膜损伤后,TGF-β1促使子宫内膜基质细胞成纤维分化、诱导Postn持续高表达有关。     

miR-101a在乙型肝炎病毒相关性肝纤维化患者中的表达及对肝星状细胞的影响

摘要 目的：探究miR-101a在乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）相关性肝纤维化患者中的表达及对肝星状细胞（HSC）的影响。方法：根据肝纤维化程度将HBV相关性肝纤维化患者进行分组（S0组、S1组、S2组、S3组和S4组）,健康受试者作为健康对照组。通过RT-PCR检测肺组织中miR-101a的表达,并分析miR-101a与疾病严重程度的关系。使用重组人TGF-β1处理人肝星状细胞系LX-2,并对LX-2细胞转染阴性对照 miRNA模拟物（NC-mimic组）、miR-101a模拟物（miR-101a-mimic组）、阴性对照 miRNA抑制剂（NC-inhibitor组）或miR-101a抑制剂（miR-101a-inhibitor组）,未转染的细胞作为对照组,然后通过RT-PCR或蛋白质印迹检测激活HSC及ECM产生的关键基因（α-SMA、COL1A1、COL1A2和COL3A1）和蛋白（a-SMA、collagen I和collagen III）的表达水平。将SD大鼠随机分为4组：对照组、CCl4组、Ad-control组和Ad-miR-101a组,对大鼠腹腔注射CCl₄（1 mL/kg体重）诱导肝纤维化模型,每周3次,共4周。然后将5×10⁹感染单位的携带miR-101a的重组腺病毒（Ad-miR-101a）或对照腺病毒（Ad-control）经尾静脉注射到大鼠中。4周后,通过苏木精和伊红（H＆E）和Masson三色染色评估肝脏形态和纤维化,通过免疫组化染色评估肝脏α-SMA、E-cadherin、vimentin、Smad4或p-Smad2/3的表达。结果：与健康受试者相比,HBV相关肝纤维化患者肝组织中miR-101a的表达水平明显降低,并且miR-101a的表达水平随着患者的严重程度升高而降低（P<0.05）。与未处理的细胞相比,miR-101a在TGF-β1处理的LX-2细胞中以浓度和时间依赖性方式显著下降（P<0.05）。与未处理的细胞相比,5 ng/mL TGF-β1处理LX-2细胞中的α-SMA、COL1A1、COL1A2和COL3A1 mRNA表达水平及a-SMA、collagen I和collagen III 蛋白表达水平均显著升高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,miR-101a-mimic组的α-SMA、COL1A1、COL1A2、COL3A1和TGF-β1 mRNA和a-SMA、collagen I、collagen III、TGF-β1、Smad3和p-Smad3蛋白表达均下调（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,Ad-miR-101a组大鼠肝组织中E-cadherin的表达上调,但α-SMA、vimentin、Smad4和p-Smad2/3的表达下调（P<0.05）;Ad-miR-101a组大鼠的肝组织形态基本恢复正常,肝组织纤维化程度低于CCl₄组。结论：miR-101a水平与乙型肝炎病毒相关性肝纤维化严重程度相关,上调miR-101a可能通过抑制HSC的活化及上皮间质转化发挥抗纤维化作用。     

过表达微小RNA miR-125b抑制肝癌细胞上皮-间质转换及促进细胞凋亡

微小RNA-125b（miR-125b）在许多恶性肿瘤的增殖、分化和凋亡等过程中具有很重要的作用,但miR-125b是否涉及肝癌的上皮 间质转换过程（EMT）还有待进一步研究。本研究通过构建过表达miR-125b的肝癌稳转细胞株,初步检测miR-125b对于肝癌的EMT过程和相关的TGF-β信号通路的影响,以及对于肝癌细胞凋亡的影响。以慢病毒载体pHRS-1cla EGFP 构建过表达miR-125b的载体质粒(pHRS-1cla-miR125b-CMV-EGFP),并对上述载体进行NheⅠ、XbaⅠ双酶切和测序鉴定,鉴定正确后,在293T细胞中进行慢病毒包装,浓缩病毒后,对MHCC97-H进行慢病毒感染并采用流式分选GFP阳性的细胞。实时定量PCR检测表明肝癌细胞稳转株MHCC97-H-PHRS-miR-125b-EGFP的miR-125b表达量是空载体转染组的6倍。Western印迹检测发现,与空载体对照组相比,MHCC97-H-PHRS-miR-125b-EGFP细胞中间质细胞标志α-SMA表达显著下调,上皮细胞标志E-cadherin表达显著上调,同样的,用Western印迹检测也发现MHCC97-H-PHRS-miR-125b-EGFP细胞中TGF-β信号通路关键下游分子Smad2和Smad4的表达显著下调,细胞凋亡检测结果表明,与对照组相比,过表达miR-125b的稳转株凋亡率增加到19.66%,加入TGF-β1后,过表达miR-125b的稳转株凋亡率进一步增加到74.7%。同样的,在体内治疗实验中,我们采用商品化的体内核酸转染试剂,在皮下肿瘤组织中过表达miR-125b mimics,结果表明miR-125b的过表达与肿瘤组织的凋亡成正相关性（r=0.83463,P < 0.01）,且免疫组化结果也表明,miR-125b过表达后,E-cadherin表达显著上调,α-SMA及Smad2和Smad4的表达显著下调。上述结果表明,我们成功构建了过表达miR-125b的肝癌细胞稳转株,并成功建立了肿瘤组织中过表达miR-125b mimics的动物模型,在体内外均观察到过表达miR-125b后对肝癌细胞EMT过程的抑制作用和对细胞凋亡的促进作用。相关研究结果加深了我们对miR-125b在肝癌中抑制肝癌发展作用机制的理解,及其作为潜在的治疗肝癌的新靶点的重要性。     

Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞间质转分化中的Notch-1/ Twist-1信号通路机制*

目的:通过研究Notch-1/Twist-1信号通路参与Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞间质转分化(EMT)作用,为阐明肺纤维化(PF)发病机制提供理论依据。方法:动物实验设对照组和博莱霉素(BLM)组(n=15)。气管注射BLM(7 500 U/kg)诱导肺纤维化大鼠模型,造模后28 d取左肺下叶固定于10%福尔马林中,进行HE、Masson及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)免疫组化染色。体外培养Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞(RLE-6TN),细胞实验设对照(Control)组、TGF-β1(5 ng/ml)组、TGF-β1+ Notch-1 siRNA阴性对照组(NC siRNA, 100 pmol/L)和TGF-β1+Notch-1 siRNA干扰组(Notch-1 siRNA, 100 pmol/L),每组设9个复孔。细胞先用NC siRNA或Notch-1 siRNA预处理24 h,再用TGF-β1处理48 h。检测肺组织和(或)II型肺泡上皮细胞内TGF-β1、I型胶原(collagen I)、III型胶原(collagen III)、E-钙粘蛋白(E-Cadherin)、紧密连接蛋白-1(ZO-1)、波形蛋白(Vimentin)、N-钙粘蛋白(N-Cadherin)、Notch-1、Notch-1胞内域(NICD)、Hes-1和Twist-1 mRNA和(或)蛋白表达。结果:动物实验结果显示,与对照组相比,BLM组肺泡萎缩、塌陷并发生融合,肺泡间隔明显增宽,可见大量炎性细胞的浸润。肺间质胶原纤维沉积明显增多,collagen I和collagen III的表达明显增加(P＜0.01);另外,肺BLM组织中E-cadherin和ZO-1表达明显下降而Vimentin和N-cadherin的表达明显增加(P＜0.01);同时,BLM组肺组织TGF-β1、Notch-1、NICD、Hes-1和Twist-1的表达也明显上调(P＜ 0.01)。细胞实验结果显示,与Control相比,TGF-β1组Notch-1、NICD、Hes-1、Twist-1、collagen I和collagen III的表达明显升高,同时E-Cadherin和ZO-1的表达明显降低而Vimentin和N-cadherin的表达明显升高(P＜0.01)。与TGF-β1组相比,Notch-1 siRNA能够明显降低TGF-β1诱导Notch-1、NICD、Hes-1和Twist-1的表达(P＜0.05或P＜ 0.01),同时E-Cadherin和ZO-1的表达明显升高而Vimentin和N-cadherin的表达明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。另外Notch-1 siRNA还能够明显降低TGF-β1诱导的collagen I和collagen III的表达(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。结论:Notch-1/Twist-1信号通路参与了Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞EMT,可能参与了肺纤维化的发生发展。     

miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖及迁移能力的影响

目的：通过敲低微小RNA （microRNA,miRNA）-449a的方法研究miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的增殖和迁移能力的影响。方法：采用miRNA芯片在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和人正常乳腺细胞MCF-10A筛选具有表达差异的miRNA;化学合成法制备miR-449a的抑制剂（inhibitor）,转染后经real-time PCR验证表达的变化;细胞增殖CCK-8实验对转染后细胞增殖能力进行检测;划痕实验检测细胞转移能力,transwell小室实验检测细胞侵袭的改变;蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）实验对MCF-7细胞增殖和迁移相关的β-catenin和E-cadherin蛋白进行检测;通过生物信息学软件预测miR-449a潜在靶基因为Notch 1,荧光素酶实验检测Notch 1是miR-449a的靶基因。结果：分别收集MCF-7和MCF-10A细胞,芯片结果显示miR-449a在MCF-7细胞的表达水平显著高于MCF-10A;本研究将细胞分为未处理组（Mock组）,阴性对照组（negative control组,NC组）和处理组,通过收集不同组MCF-7细胞进行试验,CCK-8结果显示miR-449a下调后MCF-7细胞增殖能力显著降低;划痕实验结果显示miR-449a表达降低导致MCF-7细胞转移能力降低;transwell实验结果显示MCF-7细胞侵袭受到抑制;Western blot结果发现miR-449a敲低后β-catenin表达降低,E-cadherin表达增加;荧光素酶试验结果显示,miR-449a能够显著降低Notch 1-3'-UTR质粒的荧光素活性（P<0.01）。结论：在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中敲低miR-449a能够显著抑制癌细胞增殖和迁移,而这一变化可能通过降低Notch 1蛋白表达实现的。     

奥曲肽对TGF-β1诱导大鼠气道平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨奥曲肽对转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）诱导气道平滑肌细胞（ASMCs）增殖及凋亡的作用,并了解上述作用是否通过含有SH2结构域的蛋白质酪氨酸磷酸酶1（SHP-1）介导。方法：体外培养大鼠气道平滑肌细胞（ASMCs）,以TGF-β1、奥曲肽、SHP-1抑制剂NSC87877作为工具药。将ASMCs分为对照组、TGF-β1组、TGF-β1+奥曲肽组、TGF-β1+奥曲肽+NSC87877组,四甲基偶氮唑蓝（MTT）比色法测定ASMCs增殖,Western blot检测磷酸化SHP-1的水平。另将ASMCs分为对照组、0.01 nmol/ml奥曲肽组、0.1 nmol/ml奥曲肽组,Annexin V/P I双标记流式细胞仪分析方法检测细胞凋亡。结果：①TGF-β1组ASMCs的增殖反应高于对照组（P<0.01）,TGF-β1+奥曲肽组ASMCs增殖反应显著低于TGF-β1组（P<0.05）,TGF-β1+奥曲肽+NSC87877组的增殖反应显著低于TGF-β1+奥曲肽组（P<0.01）;②0.01 nmol/ml奥曲肽组凋亡率显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,0.1 nmol/ml奥曲肽组与对照组比较凋亡率无显著差异;③TGF-β1组较对照组p-SHP-1水平显著降低（P<0.05）,TGF-β1+奥曲肽组较TGF-β1组p-SHP-1水平稍升高,但差异无统计学意义,TGF-β1+奥曲肽+NSC87877组p-SHP-1水平较其余3组显著降低（P<0.01）。结论：奥曲肽可抑制TGF-β1诱导的ASMCs增生;低剂量奥曲肽促进ASMCs凋亡,较高剂量奥曲肽对ASMCs凋亡无明显影响;奥曲肽抑制ASMCs增生与SHP-1激活无关,可能通过介导生长抑素受体2（SSTR2）作用的其他机制或通过其他生长抑素受体（SSTRs）抑制ASMCs生长。     

积雪草对转染TGF-β1基因的大鼠肾小球系膜细胞Smad 2/3、Smad 7和胶原蛋白Ⅳ表达的影响

目的：通过细胞转基因技术,获得稳定表达转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）的系膜细胞（MC）克隆,观察积雪草（CA）对Smad 2/3、Smad 7和胶原蛋白1V表达及Smad 2/3磷酸化的影响。方法：采用脂质体的方法将TGF-β1表达质粒转入MC细胞,采用G418筛选并建立稳定表达TGF-β1的细胞株。将MC细胞株分为3组：对照组（未转染TGFβ1的MC+RPMI 1640+10%正常大鼠血清）,TGF-β1转染组（稳定表达TGF-β1的MC+RPMI 1640+10%正常大鼠血清）,积雪草（CA）组：稳定表达TGF-β1的MC+RPMI 1640+10%含高浓度CA的大鼠血清。实验重复5次。ELISA法检测各组培养上清中TGF-β1和胶原Ⅳ的含量;RT-PCR方法检测各组细胞TGF-β1、Smad 2/3、Smad 7的mRNA表达水平;Western印迹法检测各组细胞TGF-β1、Smad 2/3、p-Smad 2/3、Smad 7、胶原Ⅳ的蛋白质水平。结果：TGF-β1转染组细胞上清液中的TGF-β1和胶原蛋白Ⅳ水平显著升高,积雪草能显著降低TGF-β1和胶原蛋白Ⅳ水平;TGF-β1转染组细胞中TGF-β1、Smad 2/3的mRNA和蛋白质表达水平及Smad 2/3的磷酸化水平均显著升高,而CA可显著降低MC细胞中TGF-β1、Smad 2/3的mRNA和蛋白质表达水平及Smad 2/3的磷酸化水平;TGF-β1转染组细胞中的Smad 7 mRNA水平显著降低,而CA能使Smad 7的mRNA水平显著升高。结论：稳定表达TGF-β1的MC细胞能激活TGFβ1/Smad信号通路,并引起胶原蛋白Ⅳ表达增加,而CA通过抑制此通路的激活,进而抑制胶原蛋白Ⅳ的表达而减缓糖尿病肾病（DN）的发生。     

依帕司他对单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾间质纤维化的干预作用及其机制

目的:观察依帕司他(EPS)对单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)大鼠间质纤维化的保护作用及其机制。方法:实验设假手术组(Sham)组、UUO、UUO+EPS(50 mg/kg)及UUO+EPS(100 mg/kg)剂量组,每组n=8。左侧输尿管结扎制备UUO大鼠模型。造模后连续灌胃给药3周,sham和UUO组给予等体积的羟甲基纤维素钠。HE和Masson染色观察肾组织病理变化及胶原沉积情况。免疫组化法观察肾组织醛糖还原酶(AR)表达情况,分别采用real-time PCR和(或) Western blot检测肾脏I型胶原(collagen I)、III型胶原(collagen III)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、成纤维细胞特异蛋白-1(FSP-1)、纤连蛋白(FN)、E-钙粘蛋白(E-cadherin)、转化生成因子-β1(TGF-β1)和AR mRNA及蛋白表达。结果:与Sham组相比,UUO组大鼠小管上皮细胞萎缩、空泡样变性,肾间质成纤维细胞及肌成纤维细胞大量增殖并伴大量炎症细胞浸润,胶原沉积明显增加,collagen I、collagen III、TGF-β1和AR mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.01),同时EMT标志性蛋白α-SMA、FSP-1、FN mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.01),而E-cadherin mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显降低。与UUO组相比,经EPS治疗3周后,肾间质纤维化程度明显减轻,胶原沉积明显减少,collagen I、collagen III、TGF-β1和AR mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显降低(P<0.01或P<0.05),另外α-SMA、FSP-1、FN mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显降低(P<0.01或P<0.05),而E-cadherin mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.01或P<0.05),而且100 mg/kg剂量组上述指标的改变均好于低剂量组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:依帕司他对肾间质纤维化具有一定的改善作用,其机制可能与其抑制TGF-β1介导的AR表达、进而抑制大鼠肾小管上皮细胞EMT有关。     

ERK/GSK3β/Snail signaling mediates radiation-induced alveolar epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Radiotherapy is one of the major treatment regimes for thoracic malignancies, but can lead to severe lung complications including pneumonitis and fibrosis. Recent studies suggest that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in tissue injury leading to organ fibrosis. To investigate whether radiation can induce EMT in lung epithelial cells and also to understand the potential mechanism(s) associated with this change, rat alveolar type II lung epithelial RLE-6TN cells were irradiated with 8 Gy of (137)Cs γ-rays. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses revealed a time-dependent decrease in E-cadherin with a concomitant increase in α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin after radiation, suggesting that the epithelial cells acquired a mesenchymal-like morphology. Protein levels and nuclear translocation of Snail, the key inducer of EMT, were significantly elevated in the irradiated cells. Radiation also induced a time-dependent inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), an endogenous inhibitor of Snail. A marked increase in phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but not JNK or p38, was observed in irradiated RLE-6TN cells. Silencing ERK1/2 using siRNAs and the MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126 attenuated the radiation-induced phosphorylation of GSK3β and altered the protein levels of Snail, α-SMA, and E-cadherin in RLE-6TN cells. Preincubating RLE-6TN cells with N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, abolished the radiation-induced phosphorylation of ERK and altered protein levels of Snail, E-cadherin, and α-SMA. These findings reveal, for the first time, that radiation-induced EMT in alveolar type II epithelial cells is mediated by the ERK/GSK3β/Snail pathway.     

The effect of TGF-β1 and Smad7 gene transfer on the phenotypic changes of rat alveolar epithelial cells

The aim of this study was to investigate whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) could induce alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, and whether Smad7 gene transfer could block this transition. We also aimed to elucidate the possible mechanisms of these processes. The Smad7 gene was transfected to the rat type II alveolar epithelial cell line (RLE-6TN). Expression of the EMT-associated markers was assayed by Western Blot and Real-time PCR. Morphological alterations were examined via phase-contrast microscope and fluorescence microscope, while ultrastructural changes were examined via electron microscope. TGF-β1 treatment induced a fibrotic phenotype of RLE-6TN with increased expression of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin, and decreased expression of E-cadherin (E-cad) and cytokeratin19 (CK19). After transfecting the RLE-6TN with the Smad7 gene, the expression of the mesenchymal markers was downregulated while that of the epithelial markers was upregulated. TGF-β1 treatment for 48 h resulted in the separation of RLE-6TN from one another and a change into elongated, myofibroblast-like cells. After the RLE-6TN had been transfected with the Smad7 gene, TGF-β1 treatment had no effect on the morphology of the RLE-6TN. TGF-β1 treatment for 48 h resulted in an abundant expression of α-SMA in the RLE-6TN. If the RLE-6TN were transfected with the Smad7 gene, TGF-β1 treatment for 48 h could only induce a low level of α-SMA expression. Furthermore, TGF-β1 treatment for 12 h resulted in the degeneration and swelling of the osmiophilic multilamellar bodies, which were the markers of type II alveolar epithelial cells. TGF-β1 can induce alveolar epithelialmesenchymal transition in vitro, which is dependent on the Smads signaling pathway to a certain extent. Overexpression of the Smad7 gene can partially block this process     

Notch mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transformation is associated with increased expression of the Snail transcription factor

Notch signalling pathway has been implicated as an important contributor to epithelial to myofibroblast transformation (EMT) in tumourigenesis. However, its role in kidney tubular cells undergoing EMT is not defined. This study assessed Notch signalling and the downstream effects on Snail in cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells. EMT was induced by exposure to transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ₁) and angiotensin II (AngII). The expressions of Notch1, Snail, E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were determined by Western blot. Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 production were determined by zymography. The specific roles of Notch1-ICD and Snail were determined by gene expression or siRNA technique respectively. TGFβ₁ and AngII resulted in EMT as characterized by the expected decrease in E-cadherin expression, an increase in α-SMA, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and associated increase of Notch1 and Snail. Over-expression of Notch1-ICD similarly resulted in increased Snail expression, loss of E-cadherin and increasedα-SMA. Inhibiting Snail degradation by pre-treatment with lithium chloride (LiCl) led to a further decrease in E-cadherin expression in cells concurrently exposed to TGFβ₁ + AngII, confirming that Snail is a repressor of E-cadherin. Silencing of Snail blocked TGFβ₁ + AngII induced EMT. Inhibition of Notch activation, by concurrent exposure to DAPT during the induction of EMT attenuated the decrease in E-cadherin expression, limited the increase in α-SMA and MMP-2 and -9 expression and decreased Snail expression. These results suggest a direct role for Notch signalling via the Snail pathway in the development of EMT and renal fibrosis.     

Hypoxia-induced down-regulation of microRNA-34a promotes EMT by targeting the Notch signaling pathway in tubular epithelial cells

Background

Hypoxia-induced renal tubular cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important event leading to renal fibrosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that bind to their mRNA targets, thereby leading to translational repression. The role of miRNA in hypoxia-induced EMT is largely unknown.

Methodology/Principal Findings

miRNA profiling was performed for the identification of differentially expressed miRNAs in HK-2 cells under normal and low oxygen, and the results were then verified by quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The function of miRNAs in hypoxia-induced renal tubular cell EMT was assessed by the transfection of specific miRNA inhibitors and mimics. Luciferase reporter gene assays and western blot analysis were performed to validate the target genes of miR-34a. siRNA against Jagged1 was designed to investigate the role of the miR-34a-Notch pathway in hypoxia induced renal tubular cell EMT. miRNA-34a was identified as being downregulated in hypoxic renal tubular epithelial cells. Inhibition of miR-34a expression in HK-2 cells, which highly express endogenous miR-34a, promoted a mesenchymal phenotype accompanied by reduced expression of the epithelial marker Z0-1, E-cadherin and increased expression of the mesenchymal markers α-SMA and vimentin. Conversely, miR-34a mimics effectively prevented hypoxia-induced EMT. Transfection of miRNA-34a in HK-2 cells under hypoxia abolished hypoxia-induced expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 as well as Notch downstream signals, such as snail. Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays showed direct evidence for miR-34a targeting Notch1 and Jagged1. siRNAs against Jagged1 or Notch1 effectively prevented miR-34a inhibitor-induced tubular epithelial cell EMT.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study provides evidence that the hypoxia-induced decrease of miR-34a expression could promote EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells by directly targeting Notch1 and Jagged1, and subsequently, Notch downstream signaling.     

Epithelial�Cmesenchymal transition of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells via Rhoa/Rock pathway

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the RhoA/Rock signaling pathway in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs). Primary SD rat peritoneal mesothelial cells were cultured in vitro. RPMCs were randomly assigned to four groups: group A (control), group B (TGF-β1, 10?μg/L), group C (10?μg/L TGF-β1?+?10?μmol/L Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rock that was pre-applied for 2?h before TGF-β1 stimulation), and group D (Y-27632 alone, 10?μmol/L). Our results were as follows: (1) TGF-β1 stimulation elicited a robust increase in RhoA activity in a time-dependent manner; the increase was 2.57?±?0.52 times larger than the activity observed for the control group (P?相似文献