HCV NS5A通过抑制p-AMPK并上调固醇调节元件结合蛋白2及HMG-CoA还原酶促进小鼠肝细胞胆固醇合成北大核心CSCD

已有研究证明,丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)非结构蛋白5A(NS5A)可诱导肝细胞脂肪变性。本文报告,HCV NS5A刺激肝细胞胆固醇合成,引起脂代谢失调,促进肝脂肪变性。首先,我们构建了由小鼠甲胎蛋白增强子和小鼠白蛋白启动子驱动的NS5A及NS5A domainⅠ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ的慢病毒表达载体,包装成病毒颗粒后通过尾静脉注射感染小鼠。小鼠血清总胆固醇测定及肝组织切片苏木精-伊红染色揭示,与模拟注射对照及增强绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)慢病毒颗粒处理小鼠比较,NS5A慢病毒颗粒处理小鼠血清总胆固醇水平明显升高;肝细胞内脂滴明显增多。免疫组化和RTq PCR分析显示,胆固醇合成的关键调节酶HMG-CoA还原酶(HMGCR)在NS5A慢病毒处理的小鼠肝内表达显著升高。蛋白质印迹结果证明,与模拟注射及EGFP慢病毒颗粒处理的小鼠比较,NS5A慢病毒颗粒处理的小鼠肝细胞磷酸化的腺苷一磷酸活化蛋白激酶(p-AMPK)水平明显降低,而固醇调节元件结合蛋白2(SREBP-2)及其靶基因HMGCR的水平显著升高。进一步研究发现,NS5A domainⅡ慢病毒颗粒处理的小鼠肝细胞p-AMPK、SREBP-2和HMGCR表达水平与全长NS5A慢病毒处理的小鼠相似。上述结果提示,HCV NS5A蛋白可通过抑制AMPK磷酸化激活,上调SREBP-2而促进胆固醇合成的限速酶HMGCR的表达,从而促进小鼠肝细胞胆固醇合成。上述结果还提示,NS5A domainⅡ可能是全长NS5A蛋白调节HMGCR基因表达的有效片段。总之,本研究证明,HCV NS5A可引起胆固醇代谢紊乱,这可能是慢性HCV感染引起肝脂肪变性的机制之一。很遗憾,在本研究中,尚未测定SREBP-1的靶基因乙酰CoA羧化酶(脂肪酸合成的限速酶)的表达,相关实验正在进行中。     

HCV NS5A通过抑制p-AMPK并上调固醇调节元件结合蛋白2及HMG-CoA还原酶促进小鼠肝细胞胆固醇合成

已有研究证明,丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)非结构蛋白5A(NS5A)可诱导肝细胞脂肪变性。本文报告,HCV NS5A刺激肝细胞胆固醇合成,引起脂代谢失调,促进肝脂肪变性。首先,我们构建了由小鼠甲胎蛋白增强子和小鼠白蛋白启动子驱动的NS5A及NS5A domainⅠ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ的慢病毒表达载体,包装成病毒颗粒后通过尾静脉注射感染小鼠。小鼠血清总胆固醇测定及肝组织切片苏木精-伊红染色揭示,与模拟注射对照及增强绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)慢病毒颗粒处理小鼠比较,NS5A慢病毒颗粒处理小鼠血清总胆固醇水平明显升高;肝细胞内脂滴明显增多。免疫组化和RTq PCR分析显示,胆固醇合成的关键调节酶HMG-CoA还原酶(HMGCR)在NS5A慢病毒处理的小鼠肝内表达显著升高。蛋白质印迹结果证明,与模拟注射及EGFP慢病毒颗粒处理的小鼠比较,NS5A慢病毒颗粒处理的小鼠肝细胞磷酸化的腺苷一磷酸活化蛋白激酶(p-AMPK)水平明显降低,而固醇调节元件结合蛋白2(SREBP-2)及其靶基因HMGCR的水平显著升高。进一步研究发现,NS5A domainⅡ慢病毒颗粒处理的小鼠肝细胞p-AMPK、SREBP-2和HMGCR表达水平与全长NS5A慢病毒处理的小鼠相似。上述结果提示,HCV NS5A蛋白可通过抑制AMPK磷酸化激活,上调SREBP-2而促进胆固醇合成的限速酶HMGCR的表达,从而促进小鼠肝细胞胆固醇合成。上述结果还提示,NS5A domainⅡ可能是全长NS5A蛋白调节HMGCR基因表达的有效片段。总之,本研究证明,HCV NS5A可引起胆固醇代谢紊乱,这可能是慢性HCV感染引起肝脂肪变性的机制之一。很遗憾,在本研究中,尚未测定SREBP-1的靶基因乙酰CoA羧化酶(脂肪酸合成的限速酶)的表达,相关实验正在进行中。     

7-酮基胆甾醇-9-羧基壬烷通过SREBP1c通路缓解油酸诱导HepG2细胞脂质生成

本研究目的是为了探究7-酮基胆甾醇-9-羧基壬烷（OXL-1）对油酸诱导的HepG2细胞形成的非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）细胞模型中脂质生成的潜在抑制作用。油红染色显示OXL-1能显著降低油酸诱导的甘油三酯（TG）和总胆固醇（TC）的脂质生成。基因芯片分析发现,与对照组相比,HepG2细胞经OXL-1处理后固醇调节元件结合蛋白1c（SREBP1c）、脂肪酸合酶（FAS）及乙酰辅酶a羧化酶α（ACCα）转录表达显著降低。相比较于对照组,OXL-1组甘油三脂减少56.87% ± 9.08%（P<0.01）,总胆固醇减少24.96% ± 5.45%（P<0.01）。同时也使SREBP1c、FAS和ACCα蛋白质表达水平降低。OXL-1组相比OA组,其SREBP1c、FAS和ACCα的蛋白质表达分别下调52.62% ± 6.38%（P<0.01）、51.14% ± 8.75%（P<0.01）和19.46% ± 3.64%（P<0.05）。结果说明,OXL-1可能经由SREBP1c、FAS和ACCα的转录和蛋白质水平的调控作用来阻止OA诱导的脂质蓄积。综上结果揭示,OXL-1可能在非酒精性脂肪肝病细胞模型中作为一种阻止脂质积累的新型化合物。     

Tet-on和Cre/loxP系统双重调控表达丙型肝炎病毒NS3/4A蛋白酶三转基因小鼠的建立

目的:建立Tet-On调控系统和Cre/loxP基因剔除系统双重调控表达丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)NS3/4A丝氨酸蛋白酶三转基因小鼠。方法:选择适龄并经鉴定的在Tet-on系统调控下肝脏特异性表达Cre重组酶的双转基因小鼠Lap/LC-1与在Tet-on系统调控下肝脏特异性表达萤光素酶(Luc)的双转基因小鼠Lap/NS3/4A交配,子代小鼠经PCR检测、筛选基因组中NS3/4A、Lap、LC-1等3个转基因片段均阳性的小鼠。三阳性的NS3/4A/Lap/LC-1小鼠经多西环素(Dox)诱导1周后,以在体生物发光成像系统(BLI)检测报告基因Luc的表达,免疫组化检测小鼠体内Cre重组酶、HCV NS3/4A丝氨酸蛋白酶的表达状况。结果:NS3/4A/Lap/LC-1小鼠经Dox诱导后,BLI结果显示仅在小鼠肝脏部位有强烈的发光信号,表明这些小鼠肝细胞内报告基因Luc特异高效表达;免疫组化结果证实Cre重组酶、NS3/4A蛋白酶仅在经诱导后的小鼠肝细胞中特异性表达。结论:建立了Tet-On调控系统和Cre/loxP基因剔除系统双重调控下表达HCV NS3/4A丝氨酸蛋白酶的三转基因小鼠模型,为进一步研究HCV NS3/4A丝氨酸蛋白酶在HCV感染后与宿主相互作用的机制,以及抗NS3/4A丝氨酸蛋白酶特异性抑制剂的筛选奠定了基础。     

丙型肝炎病毒NS3-5B转基因小鼠模型的构建

目的:构建表达丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)NS3-5B蛋白的转基因小鼠模型。方法:显微注射线性化p IRES2-EGFP-NS3-5B载体到小鼠受精卵,制备并传代筛选HCV NS3-5B转基因小鼠;通过血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)检测和肝脏HE染色,对6周龄转基因小鼠进行肝功能评价。结果:PCR、RT-PCR和Western印迹结果表明HCV NS3-5B转基因小鼠构建成功;6周龄部分转基因小鼠血清ALT和AST值升高,但差别无统计学意义,肝组织形态无改变。结论:构建了HCV NS3-5B转基因小鼠模型,为进一步在体研究HCV复制复合体建立了平台。     

HBx与肝细胞脂肪变性关系及可能机制的细胞学研究

从细胞水平探讨乙型肝炎病毒X蛋白(hepatitis B virus X protein,HBx)与肝细胞脂肪变性的关系,并探讨其可能分子机制。油红O染色及细胞内甘油三酯含量测定鉴定HepG2.2.15细胞和HepG2细胞的脂变程度;Western blotting检测HBx,肝X受体(liver X receptor alpha,LXRα)及脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthase,FAS)蛋白的表达。结果显示,C2.2.15组细胞脂变程度较CG2组细胞重。O2.2.15组细胞在24,48及72h的脂变程度及TG含量均较同一时间段的OG2组增加;Western blotting结果显示,HepG2.2.15细胞内有HBx蛋白表达,而HepG2细胞则无此蛋白表达;C2.2.15组细胞LXRα及FAS蛋白表达强度较CG2组细胞高。HBx蛋白与肝细胞脂肪变性存在密切的关系,其机制可能与HBx/LXRα/FAS信号通路有关。     

庚型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠的建立

利用受精卵原核显微注射的方法,产生了含有HGV结构蛋白C、E1、E2及部分非结构蛋白NS2、NS3的转基因小鼠.得到10只founder小鼠,其中有3只founder小鼠与正常小鼠交配后得到了整合有外源基因的F1代阳性小鼠.RT-PCR的结果显示,外源基因可在founder小鼠及F1代小鼠的血液有核细胞及肝细胞内转录;组织病理学检查显示,某些转基因小鼠的肝细胞出现了水样变、脂肪变性及轻微炎性反应等病理学改变,但与同一品系的正常小鼠相比,转基因小鼠血清转氨酶无明显升高.     

三种丙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠系的同时制备

为研究丙型肝炎病毒的致病致瘤机理及结构基因与非结构基因3区(NS3)的功能及其在HCV感染致病中的作用,建立一个HCV分子治疗的动物模型,构建了含金属硫蛋白启动子和HCV结构基因或NS3基因的质粒,将两者等量混合后用显微注射法接种于昆明白小鼠受精卵内制备转基因小鼠.通过PCR筛选获得三种整合HCV结构基因或/和NS3基因的首建鼠.结果表明:a.注射后卵存活率与仔鼠出生率分别为81%、30%;b.检测60只G0代小鼠,结构基因整合鼠6只(10%),NS3基因整合鼠4只(6.7%),双基因整合鼠9只(15%),总整合率为31.7%;c.RT-PCR法检测阳性鼠肝中有靶基因mRNA的转录;d.4只首建鼠与正常鼠回交获得38只G1小鼠,其中20只为整合鼠,整合率为52.6%;e.转基因鼠表型迄今无明显异常.表明一次显微注射同时获得了三种整合HCV结构基因或/和NS3基因的转基因小鼠.     

可调控肝脏特异性表达HCV全基因转基因小鼠模型的建立

目的:构建一种可调控肝细胞特异性表达丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)全基因的小动物模型。方法:将9.6 kb的HCV全长基因JFH1插入Tet-on系统效应表达载体p TRE2中,并在HCV全基因3'端插入丁型肝炎病毒(HDV)核酶序列,从而构建转基因载体p TRE2-JFH1(HCV);将该转基因载体线性化后显微注射获得整合有HCV全基因的TRE2-HCV首建鼠;将该阳性鼠与本室保存的Alb-rt TA转基因小鼠杂交,获得肝细胞白蛋白启动子调控HCV全基因表达的Tet-on-Alb-HCV双转基因小鼠;在强力霉素(Dox)诱导后通过PCR、Western印迹、免疫组化等方法鉴定转基因小鼠HCV基因整合及HCV蛋白在肝组织中的表达;实时定量PCR检测小鼠血清及肝组织中的HCV滴度;用HCV反义小分子药物anti-mi R122评价该模型在药物评价中的应用。结果:获得了整合rt TA基因和HCV全长基因的双转基因小鼠;Dox诱导下,该转基因小鼠可在肝组织长期特异性表达HCV全长基因,小鼠血清中可检测到HCV的RNA;分子药物anti-mi R122可降低血清中的HCV滴度。结论:构建了可调控肝组织特异性表达HCV全基因的转基因小鼠模型,该小鼠模型可应用于HCV药物筛选和评价研究。     

帕金森病α-Synuclein转基因小鼠模型中G蛋白偶联受体激酶5的表达

目的观测G蛋白偶联受体激酶5（G protein-coupled receptor kinase,GRK5）在帕金森病α-synuclein转基因小鼠模型中的表达变化情况,了解GRK5在帕金森病中的可能作用,为发现帕金森病发病机制和探索更好的治疗方法提供新的方向。方法采用Western blotting和实时荧光定量PCR技术对具有不同的人alpha synuclein（hα--syn）表达水平的帕金森病α-synuclein转基因模型小鼠以及3月龄,6月龄以及9月龄A53T突变型帕金森病α-synuclein转基因模型小鼠脑组织进行GRK5的RNA和蛋白水平检测,与同窝阴性对照小鼠进行比较。结果各组帕金森病α-synuclein转基因小鼠与阴性对照小鼠相比,GRK5蛋白表达水平均有不同程度的增加,并且随着转入的hα--syn蛋白表达水平的高低而有所变化。3月龄和6月龄帕金森病转基因模型小鼠与同月龄阴性对照组小鼠相比,GRK5的mRNA和蛋白水平没有变化;而9月龄帕金森病转基因模型小鼠与同月龄阴性对照组小鼠相比,GRK5的mRNA和蛋白水平都有所增加。结论帕金森病α-synuclein转基因模型小鼠具有更高表达水平的GRK5。     

Inhibition of cholesterol absorption associated with a PPAR alpha-dependent increase in ABC binding cassette transporter A1 in mice

Dietary supplementation with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) ligand WY 14,643 gave rise to a 4- to 5-fold increase in the expression of mRNA for the ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in the intestine of normal mice. There was no effect in the intestine of PPAR alpha-null mice. Consumption of a high-cholesterol diet also increased intestinal ABCA1 expression. The effects of WY 14,643 and the high-cholesterol diet were not additive. WY 14,643 feeding reduced intestinal absorption of cholesterol in the normal mice, irrespective of the dietary cholesterol concentration, and this resulted in lower diet-derived cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentrations in plasma and liver. At each concentration of dietary cholesterol, there was a similar significant inverse correlation between intestinal ABCA1 mRNA content and the amount of cholesterol absorbed. The fibrate-induced changes in the intestines of the normal mice were accompanied by an increased concentration of the mRNA encoding the sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1c gene (SREBP-1c), a known target gene for the oxysterol receptor liver X receptor alpha (LXR alpha). There was a correlation between intestinal ABCA1 mRNA and SREBP-1c mRNA contents, but not between SREBP-1c mRNA content and cholesterol absorption. These results suggest that PPAR alpha influences cholesterol absorption through modulating ABCA1 activity in the intestine by a mechanism involving LXR alpha.     

Decreased nuclear hormone receptor expression in the livers of mice in late pregnancy

During the third trimester of pregnancy, there is an increase in serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. The mechanisms accounting for these changes in lipid metabolism during pregnancy are unknown. We hypothesized that, during pregnancy, the expression of nuclear hormone receptors involved in regulating lipid metabolism would decrease. In 19-day pregnant mice, serum triglyceride and non-HDL cholesterol levels were significantly increased, whereas total cholesterol was slightly decreased, because of a decrease in the HDL fraction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha, PPARbeta/delta, and PPARgamma, liver X receptor (LXR)alpha and LXRbeta, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and retinoid X receptor (RXR)alpha, RXRbeta, and RXRgamma mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the livers of 19-day pregnant mice. Additionally, the expressions of thyroid receptor (TR)alpha, pregnane X receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1a, SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, and liver receptor homolog 1 were also decreased, whereas the expression of TRbeta, constitutive androstane receptor, and hepatic nuclear factor 4 showed no significant change. mRNA levels of the PPAR target genes carnitine-palmitoyl transferase 1alpha and acyl-CoA oxidase, the LXR target genes SREBP1c, ATP-binding cassettes G5 and G8, the FXR target gene SHP, and the TR target genes malic enzyme and Spot14 were all significantly decreased. Finally, the expressions of PPARgamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha and PGC-1beta, known activators of a number of nuclear hormone receptors, were also significantly decreased. The decreases in expression of RXRs, PPARs, LXRs, FXR, TRs, SREBPs, and PGC-1s could contribute to the alterations in lipid metabolism during late pregnancy.     

Disturbances in the normal regulation of SREBP-sensitive genes in PPAR alpha-deficient mice

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha)-null mice were used to investigate the nature of the relationship between the normal circadian rhythm of hepatic PPAR alpha expression and the expression of the lipogenic and cholesterogenic sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-regulated genes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoAR). The expression of FAS and HMG-CoAR varied rhythmically over the diurnal cycle in the normal mice, with patterns that were the opposite of that of PPAR alpha. The diurnal variation of lipogenic and cholesterogenic gene expression was attenuated or abolished in the PPAR alpha-null mice. This resulted in decreased expression compared with normal mice, but only during the dark phase of the cycle, when food intake was high. The diurnal variation in hepatic fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis was also abolished in the PPAR alpha-null animals and the variations in the concentration of plasma triacylglycerol, nonesterified fatty acids, and cholesterol were all attenuated. The failure of HMG-CoAR expression to increase during the feeding period in the PPAR alpha-null mice was associated with a decrease in hepatic nonesterified cholesterol content and an increase in cholesteryl ester compared with normal mice. There was no defect in the downregulation of hepatic HMG-CoAR mRNA in response to dietary cholesterol in the PPAR alpha-null mice. Under these conditions, hepatic PPAR gamma expression increased in both the control and PPAR alpha-deficient mice. The results suggest that PPAR alpha-deficiency disturbs the normal circadian regulation of certain SREBP-sensitive genes in the liver, but does not affect their response to dietary cholesterol. -- Patel, D. D., B. L. Knight, D. Wiggins, S. M. Humphreys, and G. F. Gibbons. Disturbances in the normal regulation of SREBP-sensitive genes in PPAR alpha-deficient mice. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 328--337.     

Synthetic LXR agonist attenuates plaque formation in apoE-/- mice without inducing liver steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are important regulators of cholesterol and lipid metabolism. LXR agonists have been shown to limit the cellular cholesterol content by inducing reverse cholesterol transport, increasing bile acid production, and inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Most of them, however, also increase lipogenesis via sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) and carbohydrate response element-binding protein activation resulting in hypertriglyceridemia and liver steatosis. We report on the antiatherogenic properties of the steroidal liver X receptor agonist N,N-dimethyl-3beta-hydroxy-cholenamide (DMHCA) in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. Long-term administration of DMHCA (11 weeks) significantly reduced lesion formation in male and female apoE-null mice. Notably, DMHCA neither increased hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels in male nor female apoE-deficient mice. ATP binding cassette transporter A1 and G1 and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA abundances were increased, whereas SREBP1c mRNA expression was unchanged in liver, and even decreased in macrophages and intestine. Short-term treatment revealed even higher changes on mRNA regulation. Our data provide evidence that DMHCA is a strong candidate as therapeutic agent for the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis, circumventing the negative side effects of other LXR agonists.