NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β信号通路在缺氧缺血性脑损伤的作用

新生儿缺氧缺血性脑损伤(hypoxic-ischemic brain damage,HIBD)是导致新生儿死亡和婴幼儿伤残的主要原因,发病机制包括细胞能量代谢衰竭、血管源性脑水肿、兴奋性氨基酸神经毒性、氧化应激、炎症反应等的交互作用,其中炎症反应是重要的病理生理过程,涉及NLRP3(NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3)/caspase-1/IL-1β信号通路的激活,促进白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)等炎症因子成熟与释放,诱导神经细胞焦亡。本文就NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β信号通路的概述、激活途径、介导HIBD的作用机制及HIBD治疗的相关新进展等方面进行综述,以期为HIBD的神经保护策略提供新思路。     

沉默信息调节因子1在阿尔茨海默病中的神经保护作用

沉默信息调节因子1(silent information regulator1,SIRT1)作为NAD+依赖的脱乙酰基酶,参与基因转录、能量代谢以及细胞衰老过程的调节。近年研究显示,SIRT1具有明显的神经保护作用。但SIRT1在阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)中如何发挥对神经元的调节及保护作用仍不甚明了。本文结合近年的研究,重点总结了SIRT1在AD中的神经保护作用及其可能的分子机制,为防治神经退行性疾病提供新思路。     

神经血管单元和Notch信号通路在缺血性卒中后的作用

缺血性卒中是临床常见疾病,且致死致残率高,幸存的患者预后多不同程度的患有偏瘫等后遗症,但目前还没有好的治疗方法。很长一段时间以来,卒中后的治疗关注点在于神经元的保护,割裂了神经元和周围细胞的联系。2001年,"神经血管单元"概念的提出为缺血性卒中的临床治疗提供了新的角度。此外,有研究表明Notch信号通路参与了神经、血管再生过程,对于卒中后神经血管单元的修复有调节作用。因此,本文从神经血管单元和Notch信号通路两个切入点综述了二者在缺血性卒中发生后的作用。     

脱氢表雄酮在神经系统的作用及机制

脱氢表雄酮（DHEA）是人体性激素的前体物质,能够在大脑神经元以及星形胶质细胞中从头合成,属于神经甾体。动物实验与临床实验均显示,DHEA对神经系统具有营养、保护以及调节高级功能等作用,可能具有防治神经退行性疾病、缺血性脑病、外伤、某些精神疾病等应用前景。研究发现,DHEA的作用机制存在基因与非基因两条通路,具体表现在抗氧化应激、抗兴奋性毒性、抗细胞凋亡等多个方面。近来,在细胞与分子水平对DHEA的神经保护作用研究较多,本文就此予以综述。     

Sirt1与心肌保护

Sirt1是依赖烟碱胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(NAD+)的第III类组蛋白去乙酰化酶。在心肌细胞中,Sirt1通过去乙酰化相关因子增强细胞抵抗氧化应激的能力、减少细胞凋亡、减轻炎症反应、调节能量代谢、协调心脏舒缩功能,发挥心肌保护作用。现主要对Sirt1的相关信号通路及其心肌保护作用研究进展进行综述。     

乳酸受体GPR81的研究进展

GPR81是乳酸的特异性受体,具有调节脂肪细胞发育和分化、抑制脂肪分解、抑制炎性反应,以及调节脑能量代谢、脑血流量和神经元功能的协同变化等生物学功能。GPR81生物学功能的分子机制包括:(1)通过GPR81/Gi/c AMP信号转导通路抑制脂肪分解和调节脑能量代谢、脑血流量和神经元功能的协同变化;(2)通过GPR81/β-arrestin 2/NF-κB及GPR81/β-arrestin 2/NLRP3信号通路抑制巨噬细胞炎性反应。GPR81功能异常与肥胖、血脂异常、胰岛素抵抗、糖耐量减低和2型糖尿病密切相关,还可能参与了颞叶癫痫、中枢性疲乏及缺血性脑血管疾病的发生发展。就乳酸受体GPR81在脂质代谢、炎性反应及中枢神经系统中的作用进行综述。     

靶向调控SIRT1与阿尔茨海默病治疗

沉默信息调节因子1 (silent information regulator 1, SIRT1)是哺乳动物NAD+依赖的去乙酰化酶沉默信息调节因子(sirtuin)家族的七种蛋白质之一。SIRT1具有神经保护作用,且研究揭示SIRT1在阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease, AD)中具有潜在神经保护作用。SIRT1调节许多AD相关病理过程,包括调节淀粉样蛋白前体蛋白(amyloid-β precursor protein, APP)剪切、神经炎症、神经退行性变和线粒体功能障碍等。SIRT1在AD中受到了特别的关注,药理学或遗传学手段激活sirtuin通路在AD实验模型中显示出治疗作用。本综述阐述了SIRT1在AD中的病理作用机制最新研究进展,并对SIRT1诱导剂及其在AD中的治疗潜力进行了概述。     

Wnt信号通路及相关神经因子对神经再生的影响

脑缺血可造成神经元损伤,影响神经功能。有关神经因子可诱导神经干细胞在一定条件下增殖分化成新的神经细胞,这些新的细胞在缺血性脑损伤后参与神经功能的修复。本文详细介绍了Wnt信号通路中相关蛋白的作用机制和Wnt信号通路对神经再生的影响,以及神经源性因子和促神经发生相关因子对于神经发生的影响。     

食欲素神经肽在应激过程中的作用

食欲素因其在调节能量代谢、睡眠和唤醒等生理功能中的作用而备受关注.近年来研究逐渐发现,食欲素参与应激和奖赏过程的调节,特别是其在药物成瘾过程中的作用是目前的研究热点.主要介绍食欲素系统与应激相关系统之间的神经联系,阐述了其在应激相关的生理、神经内分泌与行为反应中的作用.并进一步介绍了食欲素系统在应激诱发药物成瘾复吸过程中的作用.食欲素对应激反应的调控作用具有相对特异性,受应激的种类、其他应激相关神经递质系统及食欲素神经元的投射通路等多种因素影响.     

综述: Hippo通路在神经发育和神经系统疾病中的功能

Hippo通路是一个调控组织器官大小、细胞增殖、分化和凋亡的高度保守的信号通路.我们研究了氧化压力条件下Hippo通路在神经细胞中的作用,并发现哺乳动物STE20样的丝-苏氨酸蛋白激酶(MST1)可参与氧化应激诱导的神经细胞凋亡,其上游受非受体酪氨酸激酶c-Abl的调控.近期,我们研究发现MST1参与脑缺血引起的神经炎症,还发现Yes相关蛋白1(YAP)参与神经干细胞的自我更新.本文将介绍Hippo通路在中枢神经系统疾病和神经发育中的作用和机制研究的相关进展.     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.