Boron Affects Immune Function Through Modulation of Splenic T Lymphocyte Subsets,Cytokine Secretion,and Lymphocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis in Rats

This study demonstrated the mechanisms of boron effects in a rat model and provided a scientific basis for the rational of boron use. These findings were achieved by investigating the effects of boron (10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640 mg/L in drinking water or 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 mg/kg BW) on rat serum immunoglobulins (IgGs), splenic cytokines, lymphocyte subsets, as well as on lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis. Addition of 20 (3) and 40 (6) mg/L (mg/kg BW) of boron to drinking water significantly increased rat serum IgG concentrations, splenic IFN-γ and IL-4 expression as well as the number of splenic CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)⁺ cells. Supplementation of drinking water with 40 mg/L (6 mg/kg BW) boron also markedly increased splenic IL-2 expression and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ cell ratio and reduced splenic CD8⁺ cell number. Supplementation with 80 mg/L (12 mg/kg BW) boron significantly increased CD3⁺ and PCNA⁺ cell numbers (P < 0.05) and decreased the IL-10 expression in the spleen. Addition of 320 (48) and 640 (96) mg/L (mg/kg BW) boron markedly reduced the serum IgG concentrations; splenic IL-2 and IL-10 expression; the number of CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and PCNA⁺ cells; and increased the number of splenic CD8⁺ and caspase-3⁺ cells and promoted caspase-3 expression in CD3⁺ cells. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the supplementation of rat drinking water with 20(3) and 40(6) mg/L (mg/kg BW) boron can markedly enhance humoral and cellular immune functions, while boron concentrations above 320 mg/L (48 mg/kg BW) can have an inhibitory effect or even toxicity on immune functions. These results exhibit a U-shaped response characteristic of low and high doses of boron supplementation on immune function and imply that proper boron supplementation in food for humans and animals could be used as an immunity regulator.     

The PICALM Protein Plays a Key Role in Iron Homeostasis and Cell Proliferation

The ubiquitously expressed phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly (PICALM) protein associates with the plasma membrane, binds clathrin, and plays a role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Alterations of the human PICALM gene are present in aggressive hematopoietic malignancies, and genome-wide association studies have recently linked the PICALM locus to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Inactivating and hypomorphic Picalm mutations in mice cause different degrees of severity of anemia, abnormal iron metabolism, growth retardation and shortened lifespan. To understand PICALM's function, we studied the consequences of PICALM overexpression and characterized PICALM-deficient cells derived from mutant fit1 mice. Our results identify a role for PICALM in transferrin receptor (TfR) internalization and demonstrate that the C-terminal PICALM residues are critical for its association with clathrin and for the inhibitory effect of PICALM overexpression on TfR internalization. Murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) that are deficient in PICALM display several characteristics of iron deficiency (increased surface TfR expression, decreased intracellular iron levels, and reduced cellular proliferation), all of which are rescued by retroviral PICALM expression. The proliferation defect of cells that lack PICALM results, at least in part, from insufficient iron uptake, since it can be corrected by iron supplementation. Moreover, PICALM-deficient cells are particularly sensitive to iron chelation. Taken together, these data reveal that PICALM plays a critical role in iron homeostasis, and offer new perspectives into the pathogenesis of PICALM-associated diseases.     

The Role and Mechanism of Exogenous Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Osteogenetic Formation

The aims of this study were to expose the function of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the proliferation and intracellular communication of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to observe the change in IGF-1, BMP-2 and their receptor in the MSCs cell with exogenous CGRP, and to explore whether exogenous CGRP will induce MSCs to express the osteoinduced factor and it’s receptor. MSCs were separated from bone marrow and collected by gradient centrifugation and adherent culture. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect CGRP receptor in MSCs in logarithmic growth phase [1]. Hybridoma technique was used to produce rabbit-anti-human CGRP receptor, which was used in the Western blot test to detect CGRP receptor protein produced in human MSCs. Then, MSCs were parted into 3 groups decided by the concentration of CGRP. Cell proliferation was detected through methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) test. Cell form in each group was detected through optical microscope, in the same time point. Cell cycle was detected with flow cytometric to analyze the ratio of cell in the mitotic time. MSCs collected from healthy volunteer were parted into 3 groups: the control group, the anagen group, and the experimental group. Intracellular communication medium molecule was detected through radioimmunoassay; intracellular communication and signal conduction were detected through carboxyfluorescein diacetate fluorescent dye. The expression of Cx43mRNA was detected through real-time PCR. The mRNA expressions of proliferation-related biological factor of MSCs were detected through real-time PCR. MSCs collected by gradient centrifugation and cultured by adherent culture have high purity and proliferation effect. It was proved through RT-PCR that MSCs express CGRP receptor mRNA, and it was also be proved through Western blot that MSCs express CGRP receptor protein. The MTT test showed similar result, the 10–8 mol/L CGRP group had the highest proliferation speed, and the control group had the lowest. There is statistical difference between experimental group and control group. There also had static difference between the 10–8 mol/L CGRP group and the other two experimental group. Expression of Cx43mRNA in experimental group was higher than the other two groups, but, without static difference. It was proved that the mRNA expressions of IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, and BMP-2 receptor in experimental group were higher than that in control group with static difference. The mRNA expressions of BMP-2 in all the groups had no static difference. And C_t index in all the groups were higher than 35. It was proved that MSCs express CGRP receptor mRNA and protein. With MTT test, it had been proved that exogenous CGRP can accelerate the proliferation speed in the logarithmic growth phase. With flow cytometric, it had been proved that exogenous CGRP can raise the ratio of the cell in the DNA synthesis period and mitosis prophase. CGRP can promote not only intracellular communication of MSCs but also the expression of Cx43mRNA. The exogenous CGRP can increase the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, and BMP-2 receptor of MSCs. In all the groups, the Ct indexes of BMP-2mRNA were higher than 35, which could be considered as negative expression.     

Secretion of Shh by a Neurovascular Bundle Niche Supports Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homeostasis in the Adult Mouse Incisor

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黄芪多糖对多发性骨髓瘤患者骨髓间充质干细胞增殖与细胞因子表达的影响

目的:探讨黄芪多糖对多发性骨髓瘤(multiple myeloma,MM)患者骨髓间充质干细胞(bone mesenchymal stem cells,BMSC)增殖与细胞因子表达的影响.方法:采用密度梯度离心法分离MM患者骨髓间充质干细胞(MM-BMSC)及正常人骨髓间充质干细胞(ND-BMSC).取第3代BMSC,测定细胞的生长曲线及细胞因子的表达.分别采用MTT法、细胞流式术检测不同浓度APS对MM-BMSC的细胞增殖、细胞周期的影响,ELISA法测定IL-1β与IL-6的表达水平.结果:成功分离得到MM-BMSC和ND-BM-SC,细胞生长曲线显示MM-BMSC增殖缓慢,倍增时间为86h,而ND-BMSC的倍增时间为60h,两者相比差异具有统计学差异(P＜0.05).基础正常情况下,MM-BMSC与ND-MSC分泌的IL-1β、IL-6的水平有明显差异(P＜0.05).APS可促进MM-BMSC增殖,其中1 mg/mL APS的作用最为明显(P＜0.01).MM-BMSC基本都处于静止期,1 mg/mL APS处理的MM-BMSC处于G0/G1期细胞比例较其明显降低(P＜0.05),S,G2/M期细胞比例较其明显增高(P＜0.05),且1 mg/mL APS可显著下调MM-BMSC分泌IL-1β及IL-6的水平(P＜0.05).结论:多发性骨髓瘤患者骨髓间充质干细胞IL-1β、IL-6分泌水平异常,1 mg/mL黄芪多糖可促进骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖并下调其IL-1β,IL-6的分泌.     

CD44 Plays a Functional Role in Helicobacter pylori-induced Epithelial Cell Proliferation

The cytotoxin-associated gene (Cag) pathogenicity island is a strain-specificconstituent of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) thataugments cancer risk. CagA translocates into the cytoplasm where it stimulates cellsignaling through the interaction with tyrosine kinase c-Met receptor, leadingcellular proliferation. Identified as a potential gastric stem cell marker,cluster-of-differentiation (CD) CD44 also acts as a co-receptor for c-Met, butwhether it plays a functional role in H. pylori-induced epithelialproliferation is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that CD44 plays a functional rolein H. pylori-induced epithelial cell proliferation. To assay changesin gastric epithelial cell proliferation in relation to the direct interaction withH. pylori, human- and mouse-derived gastric organoids wereinfected with the G27 H. pylori strain or a mutant G27 strainbearing cagA deletion (∆CagA::cat). Epithelial proliferationwas quantified by EdU immunostaining. Phosphorylation of c-Met was analyzed byimmunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis for expression of CD44 andCagA. H. pylori infection of both mouse- and human-derived gastricorganoids induced epithelial proliferation that correlated with c-Metphosphorylation. CagA and CD44 co-immunoprecipitated with phosphorylated c-Met. Theformation of this complex did not occur in organoids infected with∆CagA::cat. Epithelial proliferation in response toH. pylori infection was lost in infected organoids derived fromCD44-deficient mouse stomachs. Human-derived fundic gastric organoids exhibited aninduction in proliferation when infected with H. pylorithat was notseen in organoids pre-treated with a peptide inhibitor specific to CD44. In thewell-established Mongolian gerbil model of gastric cancer, animals treated with CD44peptide inhibitor Pep1, resulted in the inhibition of H.pylori-induced proliferation and associated atrophic gastritis. The currentstudy reports a unique approach to study H. pylori interaction withthe human gastric epithelium. Here, we show that CD44 plays a functional role inH. pylori-induced epithelial cell proliferation.     

Human Recombinant B7-H3 Expressed in E.colt Enhances T Lymphocyte Proliferation and IL-10 Secretion in Vitro

Since it was proposed in 1970, the two-signal hypothesis for T lymphocyte activation became widely accepted, which elucidated T cells required two distinct signals for optimal T helper precursor cell expansion. This model hypothesized that peptides presen…     

SAHA抑制间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2的增殖与成脂分化

本文研究组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂辛二酰苯胺异羟肟酸（suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid,SAHA）对间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs) C3H10T1/2增殖和成脂分化的影响及其可能的作用机制.用Western印迹验证SAHA对细胞内蛋白乙酰化的影响;用MTT和流式细胞术检测细胞活性和细胞周期;利用油红O染色检测细胞成脂分化,实时定量PCR检测PPARγ2和成脂分化标志物Fabp4、perilipin以及adipoq mRNA的转录.Western印迹结果显示,SAHA可促进细胞内蛋白的乙酰化.MTT和流式细胞术结果显示,SAHA对C3H10T1/2细胞活性的抑制呈浓度依赖性,随着SAHA浓度增加,细胞形态趋向于展平,并将细胞周期抑制在G0/G1期;SAHA可呈浓度依赖性抑制C3H10T1/2 细胞的成脂分化作用.同时实时定量PCR结果显示,SAHA抑制成脂关键转录因子PPARγ2,脂肪因子Fabp4、perilipin和adipoq mRNA的转录.综上所述,SAHA可影响间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞形态,并呈剂量依赖性地抑制其增殖和成脂分化.     

miR-448通过抑制上皮间质转化抑制肺癌细胞增殖和运动能力

探讨mi R-448对肺癌细胞增殖和运动的影响及其分子机制。采用实时荧光定量PCR(polymerase chain reaction)检测原发肺癌组织和癌旁正常组织mi R-448表达水平。转染mi R-448 mimic和inhibitor至肺癌A549细胞系,通过MTT(3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazoliumbromide)、平板克隆形成和Transwell实验观察mi R-448表达对A549增殖和运动能力的影响;利用Western blot检测EMT(epithelial-mesenchymal transition)标志物蛋白表达水平,通过实时荧光定量PCR检测EMT相关转录因子m RNA表达水平。实时荧光定量PCR显示较癌旁正常组织相比,mi R-448在原发肺癌组织中表达降低。MTT和平板克隆形成实验显示,过表达mi R-448抑制A549细胞增殖和运动能力;降表达mi R-448增强A549细胞增殖和运动能力。Western blot显示降表达mi R-448能下调上皮标志物E-cadherin,上调间质标志物Vimentin表达水平。实时荧光定量PCR显示降表达mi R-448能上调EMT相关转录因子Twist1和ZEB1 m RNA表达水平。mi R-448可通过抑制EMT抑制肺癌进展。     

Role of cAMP and Neutrophil Cyclooxygenase in Gonadotropin-Dependent Regulation of T Lymphocyte Proliferation

The effect of the main pregnancy hormone, chorionic gonadotropin (CG), on proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was studied in the presence of autologous neutrophils; also, hormone-dependent regulation of the cAMP levels in T lymphocytes and neutrophils was evaluated. PBMC proliferation in response to a mitogen is suppressed by physiological doses of CG (10, 50, and 100 IU/ml). Autologous neutrophils enhance the suppression induced by the low dose of CG (10 IU/ml), but when cyclooxygenase was inhibited this effect was not observed; this suggests that the anti-proliferative effects of the low dose of CG can be mediated by the products generated by neutrophil cyclooxygenase. The effect of CG was associated with increased cAMP levels in T lymphocytes and neutrophils. Comparison of functional and cAMP-related effects of CG in both cell populations indicates that cAMP is involved in the anti-proliferative effects of CG.     

Fibronectin Combined with Stem Cell Factor Plays an Important Role in Melanocyte Proliferation,Differentiation and Migration in Cultured Mouse Neural Crest Cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) is essential to the migration and differentiation of melanocytes during embryogenesis because mutations in either the SCF gene, or its ligand, KIT, result in defects in coat pigmentation in mice. Using a neural crest cell (NCC) primary culture system from wild‐type mice, we previously demonstrated that KIT‐positive and/or L ‐3, 4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)‐positive melanocyte precursors proliferate following the addition of SCF to the culture medium. Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are considered to play a role in the migration and differentiation of various cells including melanocytes. We cultured mouse NCCs in the presence of SCF in individual wells coated with ECM; fibronectin (FN), collagen I (CLI), chondroitin sulphate, or dermatan sulphate. More KIT‐positive cells and DOPA‐positive cells were detected in the presence of SCF on ECM‐coated wells than on non‐coated wells. A statistically significant increase in DOPA‐positive cells was evident in FN and CLI wells. In contrast, in the absence of SCF, few DOPA‐positive cells and KIT‐positive cells were detected on either the ECM‐coated or non‐coated wells. We concluded that ECM affect melanocyte proliferation and development in the presence of SCF. To determine the key site of FN function, RGDS peptides in the FN sequence, which supports spreading of NCCs, were added to the NCC culture. The number of DOPA‐positive cells decreased with RGDS concentration in a dose‐dependent fashion. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of integrin a5, a receptor of RGDS, in NCCs. These results suggest the RGDS domain of FN plays a contributory role as an active site in the induction of FN function in NCCs. In addition, we examined the effect of FN with SCF on the NCC migration by measuring cluster size, and found an increase in size following treatment with FN.     

siRNA对乳腺癌细胞Cyclin E表达和生长抑制作用

研究siRNA对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株cyclin E表达的抑制及对细胞生长的影响。化学合成针对cyclin E基因的小干扰RNA（siRNA）,转染MCF-7细胞株;分别应用荧光定量PCR和免疫印迹测定cyclin E mRNA和蛋白质的表达,CCK-8测定细胞的增殖活性,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期,软琼脂培养检测细胞克隆形成能力。10、50、100nmol／L siRNA-cyclin E分别使MCF-7细胞cyclin E基因表达降低了24．7％、62．5％和71．0％,蛋白质表达降低了40．8％、66．5％和71．3％。转染siRNA-cyclin E后,G1期细胞增多,S期减少,增殖受到抑制,软琼脂克隆形成率降低。结果提示,在MCF-7细胞株中,导入针对cyclin E的siRNA,可有效抑制cyclin E的表达,进而使细胞增殖减缓,逆转其恶性表型。     

The Effects of Hedgehog on the RNA-Binding Protein Msi1 in the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are essential tools for regenerative medicine due to their capacity for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. As MSCs are found in very small numbers in various tissues, in vitro cell expansion is an essential step that is needed before these cells can be used in clinical applications. Therefore, it is important to identify and characterize factors that are involved in MSC proliferation and apoptosis. In the present study, we focused on Hedgehog (Hh) signaling because several studies have proposed that Hh signaling plays a critical role in controlling the proliferation of stem and progenitor cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of MSCs remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the direct effects of Hh signaling on the proliferation and apoptosis of hUCB-MSCs as well as investigated potential downstream regulatory mechanisms that may be responsible for Hh signaling. We observed that the Hedgehog agonist purmorphamine enhanced cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis through the RNA-binding protein Msi1 by regulating the expression of an oncoprotein (i.e., c-Myc), a cell cycle regulatory molecule (i.e., p21^CIP1,WAF1 ) and two microRNAs (i.e., miRNA-148a and miRNA-148b). This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating the self-renewal capability of MSCs with relevance to clinical applications.     

惊厥后大鼠海马神经再生与凋亡的动态变化

探讨惊厥持续状态(status convulsion,SC)后大鼠海马神经再生与凋亡的动态变化。建立成年Wistar鼠30minSC模型,在SC后1天至56天的6个时间点上处死动物,处死前1天均腹腔注射5-溴2-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine,BrdU);采用免疫组织化学方法动态检测BrdU、nestin的表达,确定神经干细胞增殖水平;双重荧光染色标记nestin/TUNEL,确定新生神经干细胞存活时间。与对照组相比,BrdU阳性细胞数目于SC后第7天在CA1区达增殖高峰,28天降至正常水平;于SC后第28天在齿状回达增殖高峰,56天降至正常水平;在SC后第7天,CA3区有大量的BrdU阳性细胞;BrdU和nestin阳性细胞数目无统计学差异。在SC后的前3天,CA1区新增殖的神经细胞呈TUNEL阳性;齿状回新增殖细胞始终表现TUNEL阴性。上述结果提示:SC后能激活自体神经干细胞原位增殖,并且部分新生细胞向损伤区域迁移。     

HSP70在放线菌素D所致肺腺癌细胞增殖抑制和凋亡中的作用

为探讨热休克蛋白70(heatshockprotein70,HSP70)在肺腺癌中的表达及其作用,首先采用免疫印迹检测经临床支纤镜确诊并行手术切除的肺腺癌组织标本中HSP70的表达,结果显示在癌旁正常组织中HSP70的表达量显著低于其在癌组织中的表达量.其次,采用HSP70反义寡核苷酸阻断A549细胞中HSP70表达后,经MTT和Hoechst33258检测发现,HSP70下调能显著促进放线菌素D(actinomycinD,ActD)所致的A549细胞增殖抑制及凋亡,反义寡核苷酸处理组与正义或随机寡核苷酸处理组比较P值均小于0.05.进一步构建HSP70真核重组质粒并瞬时转染A549细胞后,能显著增加A549细胞中HSP70表达,同时采用MTT和流式细胞术及基因组DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测发现,HSP70过表达能显著抵消ActD所致细胞增殖抑制及凋亡,转染HSP70重组质粒组与转染空载体组相比P值小于0.05.上述结果提示,HSP70在肺腺癌组织中高表达,高表达的HSP70在降低肺腺癌细胞对ActD的敏感性及促进癌细胞增殖与抑制凋亡等方面发挥了重要作用.     

Interleukin-7, but Not Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin,Plays a Key Role in the T Cell Response to Influenza A Virus

The immune response to viral infection is ideally rapid and specific, resulting in viral clearance and establishment of immune memory. Some viruses such as HIV can evade such responses leading to chronic infection, while others like Influenza A can elicit a severe inflammatory response with immune-related complications including death. Cytokines play a major role in shaping the appropriate outcomes to infection. While Interleukin-7 (IL-7) has a critical role in T and B cell development, treatment with IL-7 has recently been shown to aid the adaptive T cell response in clearance of chronic viral infection. In contrast, the IL-7-related cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has a limited role in lymphocyte development but is important in the immune response to parasitic worms and allergens. The role for these cytokines in the immune response to an acute viral infection is unclear. IL-7 and TSLP share IL-7Rα as part of their heterodimeric receptors with the gamma common chain (γc) and TSLPR, respectively. We investigated the role of IL-7 and TSLP in the primary immune response to influenza A infection using hypomorphic IL-7Rα (IL-7Rα^449F) and TSLPR^−/− mice. We found that IL-7, but not TSLP, plays an important role in control of influenza A virus. We also showed that IL-7 signaling was necessary for the generation of a robust influenza A-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell response and that this requirement is intrinsic to CD8 T cells. These findings demonstrate a significant role for IL-7 during acute viral infection.     

Cell Proliferation and Neuroblast Differentiation in the Rat Dentate Gyrus After Intrathecal Treatment with Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have emerged as a new therapeutic tool for a number of clinical applications, because they have multipotency and paracrine effects via various factors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of adipose-derived MSC (Ad-MSC) transplantation via intrathecal injection through the cisterna magna on cell proliferation and differentiation of endogenous stem cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) using Ki-67 (a marker for proliferating cells), and doublecortin (DCX, a marker for neuroblasts). The transplanted Ad-MSC were detected in the meninges, not in the hippocampal parenchyma. However, the number of Ki-67-immunoreactive cells was significantly increased by 83% in the DG 2 days after single Ad-MSC injection, and by 67% at 23 days after repeated Ad-MSC treatment compared with that in the vehicle-treated group after Ad-MSC transplantation. On the other hand, the number of DCX-immunoreactive cells in the DG was not changed at 2 days after single Ad-MSC injection; however, it was significantly increased by 62% 9 days after single Ad-MSC injection. At 23 days after repeated Ad-MSC application, the number of DCX-immunoreactive cells was much more increased (223% of the vehicle-treated group). At this time point, DCX protein levels were also significantly increased compared with those in the vehicle-treated group. These results suggest that the intrathecal injection of Ad-MSC could enhance endogenous cell proliferation, and the repeated Ad-MSC injection could be more efficient for an enhancement of endogenous cell proliferation and differentiation in the brain.