Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Oligodendrocyte Differentiation

During development, the secreted molecule Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is required for lineage specification and proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLPs), which are the glia cells responsible for the myelination of axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Shh signaling has been implicated in controlling both the generation of oligodendrocytes (OLGs) during embryonic development and their production in adulthood. Although, some evidence points to a role of Shh signaling in OLG development, its involvement in OLG differentiation remains to be fully determined. The objective of this study was to assess whether Shh signaling is involved in OLG differentiation after neural stem cell commitment to the OLG lineage. To address these questions, we manipulated Shh signaling using cyclopamine, a potent inhibitor of Shh signaling activator Smoothened (Smo), alone or combined with the agonist SAG in OLG primary cultures and assessed expression of myelin-specific markers. We found that inactivation of Shh signaling caused a dose-dependent decrease in myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) in differentiating OLGs. Co-treatment of the cells with SAG reversed the inhibitory effect of cyclopamine on both myelin-specific protein levels and morphological changes associated with it. Further experiments are required to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which Shh signaling regulates OLG differentiation.     

Exploring Sonic Hedgehog Cell Signaling in Neurogenesis: Its Potential Role in Depressive Behavior

Neurochemical Research - Depression is the most prevalent form of neuropsychiatric disorder affecting all age groups globally. As per the estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO),...     

The Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Osteoclastogenesis and Jaw Bone Destruction

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and its signaling have been identified in several human cancers, and increased levels of its expression appear to correlate with disease progression and metastasis. However, the role of SHH in bone destruction associated with oral squamous cell carcinomas is still unclear. In this study we analyzed SHH expression and the role played by SHH signaling in gingival carcinoma-induced jawbone destruction. From an analysis of surgically resected lower gingival squamous cell carcinoma mandible samples, we found that SHH was highly expressed in tumor cells that had invaded the bone matrix. On the other hand, the hedgehog receptor Patched and the signaling molecule Gli-2 were highly expressed in the osteoclasts and the progenitor cells. SHH stimulated osteoclast formation and pit formation in the presence of the receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in CD11b⁺ mouse bone marrow cells. SHH upregulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, NFATc1, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and Cathepsin K expression in RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggest that tumor-derived SHH stimulated the osteoclast formation and bone resorption in the tumor jawbone microenvironment.     

抗炎多肽AF-2对LPS诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤的保护

目的研究抗炎多肽AF-2（antiflammin-2）对内毒素（LPS）诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用。方法Balb/c雄性小鼠37只,随机分为3组,对照组（n=10）、急性肺损伤（ALI）模型组（n=14）和AF-2治疗组（n=13）,模型组和治疗组腹腔注射大肠杆菌内毒素复制小鼠肺损伤模型,治疗组同时注射抗炎多肽AF-2,对照组和模型组注射等量的生理盐水。在0h、6h和12h记录动物的呼吸频率,12h处死动物,肺组织切片观察肺病理变化,ELISA法检测血清细胞因子。结果6h和12hAF-2治疗组动物呼吸频率均低于模型组。肺组织病理显示AF-2对LPS诱导的小鼠ALI肺组织的渗出、炎细胞浸润有一定的抑制作用。AF-2治疗组与ALI模型组比较血清IL-6水平明显下降。结论AF-2对内毒素诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤有一定的保护作用。     

小剂量脂多糖气管内滴注制备急性肺损伤动物模型的探究

目的急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合征(Acute lung injury/Acute respiratory distress syndrome,ALI/ARDS)发病率与死亡率均较高,发病机制迄今尚不完全清楚,也无特效的治疗方法。本实验成功地建立一种轻型ALI动物模型,为研究该病的早期发病机制及治疗提供重要的观察手段。方法给予45只SD大鼠气管内灌注内毒素0.5 mL/kg(LPS 200μg/mL),观察4、12、24及48 h光镜和电镜下的病理改变;观察支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中细胞分数、白蛋白等。结果在观察时间内实验动物均存活。LPS给予后实验组病理检查发现①肺间质水肿;②肺泡腔内多形核中性粒细胞(PMN)浸润和红细胞渗出;③肺泡Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞破坏。以LPS给予后4~12 h为最严重。BALF中PMN及白蛋白明显增加。结论气管内灌注内毒素0.5 mL/kg(LPS200μg/mL)成功地建立急性肺损伤动物模型。     

Caveolin-1和黏附分子在LPS诱导的急性肺损伤模型中的变化

通过实时荧光定量PCR(real-time PCR)等方法,研究了脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI)小鼠模型肺组织中小窝蛋白-1(caveolin-1)、血管细胞粘附分子-1(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,VCAM-1)和E-选择素(E-selectin)的m RNA表达变化情况,以初步探索caveolin-1在ALI发病机制中的作用。实验结果表明,与对照组相比较,经腹腔注射LPS(20 mg/kg)的实验组中肺系数、髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase,MPO)m RNA水平明显升高(P0.05),同时VCAM-1和E-selectin的m RNA表达水平增加(P0.05),而caveolin-1的m RNA表达减少(P0.05)。上述研究提示,LPS可能通过抑制caveolin-1的表达,使黏附分子VCAM-1、E-selectin的表达上调,从而使肺组织中性粒细胞大量浸润,MPO增多,加重肺损伤。     

Role of CD14 in a Mouse Model of Acute Lung Inflammation Induced by Different Lipopolysaccharide Chemotypes

Background

Recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is required for effective defense against invading gram-negative bacteria. Recently, in vitro studies revealed that CD14 is required for activation of the myeloid differentiation factor (MyD)88-dependent Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signaling pathway by smooth (S)-LPS, but not by rough (R)-LPS. The present study investigated the role of CD14 in induction of lung inflammation in mice by these different LPS chemotypes.

Methodology/Results

Neutrophil accumulation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined 6 hours after intranasal treatment of wild type (WT) and CD14 knock-out (KO) mice with different doses S-LPS or R-LPS. The contribution of CD14 to lung inflammation induced by S-LPS or R-LPS depended on the LPS dose. At low doses, S-LPS and R-LPS induced neutrophil influx in a CD14-dependent manner. Low dose S-LPS-induced cytokine release also depended on CD14. Strikingly, neutrophil influx and TNF release induced by high dose S-LPS or R-LPS was diminished in the presence of CD14. Intranasal administration of sCD14 to CD14 KO mice treated with S-LPS partially reversed the inflammatory response to the response observed in WT mice.

Conclusions

In conclusion, CD14 modulates effects of both S-LPS and R-LPS within the lung in a similar way. Except for R-LPS-induced TNF release, S-LPS and R-LPS at low dose induced acute lung inflammation in a CD14-dependent manner, while the inflammatory response triggered by high dose S-LPS or R-LPS was diminished by CD14.     

原儿茶酸对脂多糖诱导的急性肺损伤小鼠的保护作用

目的:探索原儿茶酸(protocatechuicacid,PCA)对脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI)小鼠的保护作用,探讨其保护机制。方法:将40只昆明小鼠按随机数字表法均分为空白对照组(NC组)、LPS模型组、原儿茶酸预处理组(PCA+LPS组)、地塞米松阳性对照组(Dex+LPS组),每组10只,模型组以5mg·kg-1脂多糖腹腔内注射诱导急性肺损伤。6h后处死小鼠,HE染色观察肺组织病理学变化;BCA法检测肺泡灌洗液中总蛋白浓度;ELISA检测肺泡灌洗液炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β含量;Western Blot检测肺组织中p38MAPK、p-p38MAPK、p-ATF2蛋白的表达水平。结果:与对照组相比,模型组小鼠肺损伤明显,肺泡内出血、水肿、炎细胞浸润,肺泡灌洗液中TNF-α、IL-1β的含量及总蛋白浓度增加,肺组织中p38MAPK/p-p38MAPK、p-ATF2表达均明显增加(均P0.01)。与模型组相比,原儿茶酸预处理组、地塞米松阳性对照组肺组织病理损伤程度明显减轻,肺泡灌洗液中TNF-α、IL-1β的含量及总蛋白浓度、肺组织中p38MAPK/p-p38MAPK、p-ATF2表达均明显降低(均P0.01)。结论:PCA对LPS诱导的急性肺损伤有保护作用,其作用机制可能与其抑制p38MAPK-p-ATF2信号通路的活化、降低肺组织炎症反应有关。     

百草枯致急性肺损伤大鼠模型的建立

目的建立一种百草枯诱导的急性肺损伤（ALI）大鼠模型。方法将20只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组10只、实验组10只。实验组一次性口服灌胃百草枯（PQ）80mg／kg,于给药后1天处死大鼠,观察光镜下肺组织病理改变、肺动脉血氧分压（PaO2）、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）蛋白含量等。结果给予百草枯1天后肺形态学出现显著异常,PaO2及BALF蛋白含量出现显著改变。结论一次性灌胃百草枯80mg／kg成功建立急性肺损伤动物模型。     

Hedgehog Signaling: Progenitor Phenotype in Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Recently, we have shown that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is dependent on activation of the Hedgehog signaling, an embryonic pathway implicated in development, morphogenesis and the regulation of stem cell fates. These findings form the framework for an emerging view of cancer as a process of aberrant organogenesis in which progenitor/ stem cells escape dependence on niche signaling through mutation in genes such as Ptch, or through persistent activation of progenitor cell pathways. Interestingly, the normally quiescent airway epithelial compartment uses the Hh pathway to repopulate itself when challenged by injury. How Hh signaling works to promote the malignant phenotype promises to be as important biologically as the promise of Hh pathway inhibitors are clinically.

Key words

Cancer, Hedgehog signaling, Morphogenesis, Stem cells     

Resveratrol Pretreatment Decreases Ischemic Injury and Improves Neurological Function Via Sonic Hedgehog Signaling After Stroke in Rats

Resveratrol has neuroprotective effects for ischemic cerebral stroke. However, its neuroprotective mechanism for stroke is less well understood. Beneficial actions of the activated Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in stroke, such as improving neurological function, promoting neurogenesis, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and pro-angiogenic effects, have been noted, but relatively little is known about the role of Shh signaling in resveratrol-reduced cerebral ischemic injury after stroke. The present study tests whether the Shh pathway mediates resveratrol to decrease cerebral ischemic injury and improve neurological function after stroke. We observed that resveratrol pretreatment significantly improved neurological function, decreased infarct volume, enhanced vitality, and reduced apoptosis of neurons in vivo and vitro after stroke. Meanwhile, expression levels of Shh, Ptc-1, Smo, and Gli-1 mRNAs were significantly upregulated and Gli-1 was relocated to the nucleus. Intriguingly, in vivo and in vitro inhibition of the Shh signaling pathway with cyclopamine, a Smo inhibitor, completely reversed the above effects of resveratrol. These results suggest that decreased cerebral ischemic injury and improved neurological function by resveratrol may be mediated by the Shh signaling pathway.     

NDRG2在大鼠肺缺血再灌注损伤中的表达

目的:通过建立大鼠肺缺血再灌注损伤(Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury,LIRI)模型,观察肺缺血再灌注损伤后,肺组织中N-myc下游调节基因2(N-myc downstream regulated gene,NDRG2)表达水平的变化.方法:将70只健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分成对照组(C)、缺血组(I)、缺血再灌注组(I/R)(后两组各含3个亚组),每组10只.麻醉固定大鼠,颈部切口行气管插管.右侧开胸,肺缺血组依次分别选择游离夹闭右肺门(即右主支气管,右肺动、静脉)缺血30 min、60 min、120 min后,麻醉处死大鼠获取肺组织.肺缺血再灌注组同样选择游离夹闭右肺门,于夹闭右肺门60 min后松开,分别取再灌注30 min、60 min、120m in后麻醉处死大鼠获取肺组织样本.采用免疫组化对肺组织NDRG2进行蛋白定位检测、RT-PCR对肺组织NDRG2 mRNA含量进行检测、Western-blot对肺组织NDRG2蛋白含量进行检测.结果:肺缺血组与对照组比较,肺组织NDRG2的表达无明显变化(P＞0.05);肺缺血再灌注组与对照组比较,NDRG2蛋白含量和mRNA表达量逐渐下降,在60 min时达最低,之后又有所回升,但仍低于对照组(P＜0.05).结论:肺缺血再灌注损伤可下调肺组织中NDR G2的表达含量,NDRG2可能是肺缺血再灌注损伤的靶向调控位点.     

人参皂苷Rg5对脓毒血症大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

目的:观察人参皂苷Rg5对脓毒血症大鼠引起急性肺损伤(ALI)的作用.方法:30只大鼠建立盲肠结扎穿孔法(CLP)脓毒症模型,随机均分为以下3组(n=10):阴性对照组(Sham组)、CLP组及CLP+Rg5组.各组分别于手术后24 h时检测大鼠血清TNF-、IL-6、高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1)及IL-10含量;手术24 h后检测肺组织干湿重比(W/D)、髓过氧化物酶活性(MPO)及NF-кB活性;HE法进行肺组织学评分.结果:CLP+Rg5组血浆及肺组织HMGB1和TNF-水平明显低于CLP组(P＜0.05).CLP+Rg5组肺组织W/D、MPO活性、NF-кB活性及肺组织损伤评分均明显低于CLP组(P＜0.05).IL-10水平24h时在各组动物比较结果差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:人参皂苷Rg5可以改善脓毒血症引起ALI时炎症反应从而发挥肺保护作用.     

L-精氨酸对实验性大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨一氧化氮(NO)前体物质L-精氨酸(L-Arg)在内毒素(LPS)致大鼠急性肺损伤中的作用.方法 SD大鼠24只随机分为空白对照组、LPS组和L-Arg(500 mg/kg)组.腹腔注射LPS(100 μg/kg)复制急性肺损伤动物模型.在LPS注射2 h后,取大鼠肺称其湿重与干重,计算肺湿干比,测定肺灌洗液蛋白含量和白细胞数量,并进行肺组织病理学检查.结果 与对照组相比,LPS组肺湿干比、肺灌洗液蛋白含量和白细胞计数显著增高(P<0.01,n=8),病理学切片见急性肺损伤性变化;与LPS组相比,L-Arg组肺湿干比、肺灌洗液蛋白含量和白细胞计数显著降低(P<0.01,n=8),肺组织急性损伤显著减轻.结论 L-Arg具有抗LPS致急性肺损伤的作用.     

富氢液对大鼠脓毒血症引起急性肺损伤的影响

目的:探讨富氢液对大鼠脓毒血症引起急性肺损伤的影响。方法:24只大鼠建立盲肠结扎穿孔法(CLP)脓毒症模型,随机均分为以下3组(n=8):假手术组(Sham组)、CLP组及CLP+富氢液组。CLP+富氢液组于CLP后即时、6及18 h腹腔分别注射富氢液5 ml/kg,CLP组及假手术组于上述相应时间点腹腔注射富氢液5 ml/kg。CLP或假手术24 h后检测肺组织TNF-α、IL-6、HMGB1、IL-10、MDA、SOD、MPO活性及干湿重比(W/D)并采用HE染色法进行肺组织学评分。结果:与Sham组比较,CLP组及CLP+富氢液组肺组织TNF-α、IL-6、HMGB1、IL-10、MDA、SOD、MPO活性、W/D及肺组织学评分明显升高而SOD活性明显降低(P<0.05);与CLP组相比,CLP+富氢液组IL-6、HMGB1、MDA、MPO明显降低及肺组织学评分明显降低而SOD明显升高(P<0.05)。结论:富氢液降低脓毒血症的炎性反应和氧化应激,从而改善ALI时的肺功能。     

Role of the ANKMY2-FKBP38 Axis in Regulation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Signaling Pathway

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted morphogen that controls the patterning and growth of various tissues in the developing vertebrate embryo, including the central nervous system. Ablation of the FK506-binding protein 38 (FKBP38) gene results in activation of the Shh signaling pathway in mouse embryos, but the molecular mechanism by which FKBP38 suppresses Shh signaling has remained unclear. With the use of a proteomics approach, we have now identified ANKMY2, a protein with three ankyrin repeats and a MYND (myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1)-type Zn²⁺ finger domain, as a molecule that interacts with FKBP38. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed that endogenous FKBP38 and ANKMY2 interact in the mouse brain. Depletion or overexpression of ANKMY2 resulted in down- and up-regulation of Shh signaling, respectively, in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Furthermore, combined depletion of both FKBP38 and ANKMY2 attenuated Shh signaling in these cells, suggesting that ANKMY2 acts downstream of FKBP38 to activate the Shh signaling pathway. Targeting of the zebrafish ortholog of mouse Ankmy2 (ankmy2a) in fish embryos with an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide conferred a phenotype reflecting loss of function of the Shh pathway, suggesting that the regulation of Shh signaling by ANKMY2 is conserved between mammals and fish. Our findings thus indicate that the FKBP38-ANKMY2 axis plays a key role in regulation of Shh signaling in vivo.