Desmosdumotin-C A环衍生物TEP诱导HL-60细胞凋亡作用机制研究

本研究主要探讨毛叶假鹰爪素C(Desmosdumotin C)A环衍生物TEP诱导人急性白血病HL-60细胞凋亡作用及机制。流式细胞技术检测TEP诱导细胞凋亡及其对凋亡细胞中Fas、Fas L、Bax、Bcl-2表达率的影响,透射电镜观察凋亡细胞形态学改变。结果显示40μg/m L TEP作用细胞24 h后,细胞可呈现典型的凋亡形态学变化;40μg/m L TEP可明显提高凋亡细胞中Fas、Fas L、Bax的表达(P0.05),并可明显降低抗凋亡细胞Bcl-2的表达(P0.05)。以上实验结果表明毛叶假鹰爪素C(Desmosdumotin C,Des C)A环衍生物TEP可有效地诱导HL-60细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与上调Fas、Fas L、Bax表达以及下调Bcl-2表达有关。     

丙二醛对体外培养下小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡的诱导作用

为了探索丙二醛对小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)凋亡的诱导作用及其机制,在不同浓度的丙二醛培养体系中孵育MSCs 24 h,用TUNEL法、流式细胞术检测MSC凋亡率,并用实时定量RT-PCR、Western印迹检测Bcl-2、Bax及Caspase-3基因的表达水平。结果发现,MDA能浓度依赖性地增加TUNEL阳性细胞百分率、亚G1峰细胞百分率,同时下调Bcl-2 mRNA及蛋白的表达,上调Bax mRNA和Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白的表达.这些结果表明:在体外培养条件下,丙二醛可诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的凋亡,其作用机制与Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3基因表达水平的变化有关。     

大蒜素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡

该研究探讨了大蒜素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡及其作用机制。用不同浓度大蒜素作用人胃癌SGC-7901细胞48 h。通过MTT法检测细胞活性。光学、激光共聚焦显微镜下观察细胞形态变化。流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率和细胞周期。qRT-PCR和Western blot检测Bax、Bcl-2基因和蛋白的表达水平。结果显示,大蒜素处理细胞48 h的IC50值为78μg/m L,显微镜下可观察到明显的凋亡现象,细胞凋亡率为(61.15±3.77)%,细胞阻滞于G1期,Bcl-2基因和蛋白表达均下降,Bax基因和蛋白表达均增加(P0.05)。综上所述,在一定浓度范围内,大蒜素能抑制人胃癌SGC-7901细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,呈剂量依赖性,并可上调Bax基因表达,下调Bcl-2基因表达。     

川楝素诱导人肺癌A549细胞凋亡

该研究旨在探讨川楝素诱导人肺癌A549细胞凋亡作用及其作用机制。通过不同浓度的川楝素作用于A549细胞48 h后,采用MTT法检测细胞活性;光学显微镜及荧光显微镜下观察细胞形态结构;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率、线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm)和细胞周期;实时定量RTPCR和Western blot分别检测Bax、Bcl-2、Fas、Cycs(细胞色素C)和Caspase-3基因m RNA和蛋白质水平。结果显示,在一定浓度范围内,川楝素能抑制A549细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,且呈剂量依赖性。川楝素作用48 h的最佳药物浓度是40μmol/L,增殖抑制率为46.73%±1.47%,细胞凋亡率为13.18%±0.41%,线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm)显著下降(P0.01),细胞阻滞于G2期和S期;Bcl-2的表达显著降低,Bax、Fas、Cycs和Caspase-3的表达显著增加(P0.01),提示川楝素可能通过上调Bax、Fas、Cycs和Caspase-3基因和下调Bcl-2基因诱导人肺癌A549细胞凋亡。     

高糖预处理内皮细胞条件培养基对脐带间充质干细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

为了探讨体外高糖诱发内皮细胞损伤而继发性对人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell,h UC-MSC)增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制,该研究采用酶消化法分离培养人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cell,h UVEC),制备不同糖浓度(5,30 mmol/L)培养h UVECs 24,48,72 h条件培养基(conditioned medium,CM);内皮细胞条件培养基(h UVEC-CM)培养h UC-MSC 3 d,实时细胞监测系统检测h UC-MSC的增殖;Annexin V/PI双染流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡情况;Western blot法检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax和Cl-Caspase3的表达。结果显示,条件培养基培养h UC-MSC 3 d后,与对照组相比,h UVEC-CM(HG)组h UC-MSC的增殖活力明显降低,凋亡率显著升高,凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2的表达明显减少,Bax及Cl-Caspase3的表达明显增加(P0.05)。以上表明,h UVEC-CM(HG)能抑制h UC-MSC的增殖,并通过调节凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax、Cl-Caspase3的表达诱导h UC-MSC凋亡。     

瘦素对卵巢癌细胞 SKOV3 增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:探讨瘦素对人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞增殖及凋亡的影响及其作用机制。方法:用不同浓度的瘦素(0、50、100、200 ng/m L)处理人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞48 h后,采用MTT法检细胞的生长;以血清饥饿诱导细胞凋亡,同时给予瘦素刺激,Annexin V/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡的变化;western blotting分析p21、cyclin D1、Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达水平和ERK1/2通路的活化情况。结果:瘦素以剂量依赖性的方式促进人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞的增殖,同时抑制血清饥饿诱导的细胞凋亡。瘦素处理可下调p21和上调cyclin D1的表达,抑制促凋亡分子Bax的表达和上调抗凋亡分子Bcl-2的表达。瘦素可诱导细胞中ERK1/2通路的活化,其抑制剂PD98059可明显抑制瘦素诱导的促细胞增殖和抗凋亡作用,同时伴随有cyclin D1、Bcl-2蛋白表达的下调和Bax的上调。结论:瘦素可能通过活化ERK1/2通路调节细胞有丝分裂进程,进而促进卵巢癌细胞的增殖;同时通过调节凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax的表达抑制卵巢癌细胞的凋亡。     

凝血酶诱导大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡及其与Bcl-2及Bax表达变化关系的实验研究

目的研究不同浓度凝血酶诱导海马神经元凋亡的作用及其机制.方法将原代培养新生大鼠海马神经元分为对照组,凝血酶组(1U/ml,10U/ml,20U/ml,40U/ml),凝血酶受体激活肽组.应用TUNEL及流式细胞仪检测凋亡细胞数及凋亡百分率,免疫细胞化学方法检测Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达.结果低浓度凝血酶组(1U/ml)凋亡细胞数和凋亡率与对照组无差异,Bcl-2表达增加;随凝血酶浓度增加,TUNEL阳性细胞数及凋亡率明显增多,Bcl-2表达下调,Bax表达上调,Bcl-2/Bax比值降低.凝血酶受体激活肽的作用与大剂量凝血酶类似.结论凝血酶可能通过激活PAR-1受体诱导凋亡,凋亡呈剂量依赖性.Bcl-2的表达减少,Bax的表达增加,Bcl-2/Bax降低可能为高浓度凝血酶诱导凋亡的机制之一.     

华蟾素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡

本实验旨在探讨华蟾素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡的作用及其作用机制。采用不同浓度的华蟾素作用胃癌SGC-7901细胞48 h后,MTT法检测细胞活性;光学、荧光显微镜、流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。Real Time RT-PCR和Western Blot分别检测Bax、Bcl-2基因m RNA和蛋白表达水平。结果显示,华蟾素对胃癌SGC-7901细胞增殖具有抑制作用且呈剂量依赖性关系,华蟾素处理7901细胞48 h的IC50值为35.67μg/m L,凋亡率为(5.01±1.69)%。显微镜下观察细胞呈明显凋亡现象,线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm)显著下降(p0.05),细胞阻滞于G1期;Bcl-2的表达下调,Bax的表达明显增加(p0.05,p0.01)。提示华蟾素可能通过上调Bax基因,下调Bcl-2基因诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡。     

白藜芦醇对人子宫内膜癌细胞系AN3CA 增殖和凋亡效应 及其机制探讨

目的:探讨白藜芦醇(resveratrol,Res)对人子宫内膜癌细胞AN3CA的增殖抑制和凋亡诱导效应及可能存在的机制。方法:应用噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测Res对AN3CA的增殖影响;流式细胞术检测Res对细胞周期分布和凋亡影响;荧光实时定量PCR检测Res对细胞Bcl-2、Bax和MMP-9mRNA表达水平的影响;Western Blot方法检测Res对PCNA、Bcl-2、Bax及ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平的影响。结果:Res对子宫内膜癌细胞AN3CA具有显著的生长抑制作用(P<0.01),呈时间-剂量依赖性;不同浓度Res处理细胞G0/G1期比例显著增加伴随S期细胞数的减少;细胞凋亡率明显增高,200μmol/l Res处理48h凋亡率可达30.96%±2.041%(P<0.01)。与对照组相比,Res能抑制PCNA的蛋白表达量,增加Bax和降低Bcl-2转录和蛋白水平的表达量。Res在短时间内(0.5-1h)激活ERK1/2的磷酸化表达但随着作用时间延长(4-48h)其表现为抑制效应。结论:Res具有抑制AN3CA细胞增殖,诱导细胞G0/G1期阻滞和凋亡的效应。Res诱导凋亡可能是通过上调Bax,下调Bcl-2发挥作用,其抗癌作用机制可能与ERK1/2通路失调相关。     

姜黄素通过MAPK信号通路诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡

本文阐述了姜黄素(Curcumin)对体外培养的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨了其诱导凋亡的信号转导机制。采用MTT法和细胞计数法检测不同浓度姜黄素对人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721增殖的影响,利用流式细胞术检测姜黄素对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡的影响,通过RT-PCR及Western blot检测姜黄素对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞中凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3、Survivin、Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响,最后通过检测MAPK的磷酸化水平分析姜黄素诱导SMMC-7721细胞凋亡的信号转导机制,通过MAPK抑制剂实验进一步证实诱导凋亡的分子机制。研究结果显示,姜黄素呈时间和剂量依赖性抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖,其中40μmol/L姜黄素可明显诱导SMMC-7721细胞的凋亡,并呈时间依赖性上调促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3和Bax的表达、下调抗凋亡蛋白Survivin和Bcl-2的表达,姜黄素对凋亡相关蛋白表达的调节及诱导凋亡可以通过激活JNK、抑制ERK和p38 MAPK信号通路实现。表明姜黄素可诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡,其机制与姜黄素激活JNK、抑制ERK和p38 MAPK信号通路从而上调Caspase-3和Bax的表达,下调Survivin和Bcl-2的表达有关。     

胆固醇致人血管内皮细胞DNA损伤

本文研究胆固醇是否通过氧化应激机制损伤人内皮细胞DNA.实验用125 mg/L, 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L胆固醇作用于人内皮细胞12 h,用免疫荧光法观察到不同浓度的胆固醇均可诱导细胞内γH2AX形成焦点,随着胆固醇浓度的增加,γH2AX焦点的荧光强度也逐渐增强.利用Western印迹及流式细胞术检测到细胞内γH2AX的量和ROS水平也随胆固醇浓度增大而增加.彗星电泳实验检测到细胞内拖尾DNA量随胆固醇浓度逐渐增加,DNA损伤加重.用抗氧化剂10 mmol/L N 乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)预作用细胞1 h后,再用50 mg/L胆固醇作用细胞12 h,细胞内γH2AX焦点的荧光强度明显减弱,γH2AX量减少,ROS的水平下降.结果表明,胆固醇可诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞中ROS升高,导致DNA损伤.     

Synthesis and biological characterization of human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and its analogs.

Novel analogs of human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) were designed, synthesized and characterized to be used as tools to generate monoclonal antibodies as potential human therapeutics. MCP-1 and three analogs were synthesized by step-wise Fmoc solid phase synthesis. After oxidation to form the two-disulfide bonds, affinity chromatography using an immobilized mouse anti-human MCP-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was utilized for a simple and highly effective purification procedure for the proteins. The final products were extensively characterized and compared with recombinant human MCP-1 (rhMCP-1). All proteins showed identical binding with mouse anti-human MCP-1 mAbs as measured by surface plasmon resonance. Synthetic MCP-1 and the analogs were comparable to recombinant MCP-1 in competition radio-ligand binding to CCR2 receptors on THP-1 cells, and MCP-1-induced, calcium mobilization and chemotaxis assays.     

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and CC chemokine receptor 2 in non-small cell lung cancer and its significance

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and its significance has been demonstrated in some cancer cells in recent clinical studies. However, the role of tumor MCP-1 and CCR2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of MCP-1 and CCR2 expression in NSCLC cells. The relationship between MCP-1 and CCR2 expression in NSCLC cancer cells was examined by immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens from 134 patients. Sixty-five of these patients had follow-up records. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression model were used to assess overall survival according to the presence or absence of MCP-1 and CCR2 expression in tumor cells. MCP-1 was detected in cancer cells of 107 NSCLC (79.9 %) and CCR2 was detected in cancer cells of 39 NSCLC (29.1 %). MCP-1 expression was correlated with sex, smoking habits, histology, and tumor size. Presence of MCP-1 in tumor cells was associated with better overall survival (P = 0.018). By multivariate analysis, MCP-1 expression in cancer cells showed an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.002, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.256, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.106–0.616). There was no significant relationship between CCR2 expression in tumor cells and clinical and pathological characteristics. Also, no significant positive correlation between MCP-1 and CCR2 expression was revealed by Spearman correlation analysis. Our data indicate that MCP-1 is overexpressed in NSCLC cells. Its expression in cancer cells is associated with better survival in NSCLC patients.     

急性缺血性脑卒中患者血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2及MCP-1水平表达及其与患者病情及预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探究急性缺血性脑卒中（AIS）患者血清视黄醇结合蛋白4（RBP4）、脂蛋白磷脂酶A2（Lp-PLA2）及单核细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）水平表达及其与患者病情及预后的关系。方法：选取2020年6月～2021年12月我院收治的130例初发AIS患者作为研究对象,根据美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分分为轻度组、中度组、重度组,另取同期在我院体检的志愿者45例作为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELLSA）法检测并对比各组血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平差异。改良Rankin量表（MRS）评估AIS患者入院14 d预后,比较不同预后患者临床资料差异。采用Pearson相关系数分析血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平与NIHSS、MRS评分的相关性。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1对AIS患者预后的预测价值。结果：AIS患者的血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平均明显高于对照组,且随着病情程度的加重,血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平逐渐升高（P＜0.05）。预后不良组年龄、血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平以及NIHSS评分均明显高于预后良好组（P＜0.05）。AIS患者的血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平与NIHSS、MRS评分之间均呈正相关（P＜0.05）。血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1三项联合检测预测AIS患者预后的ROC曲线下面积为0.957,明显高于各指标单独检测的0.775、0.799、0.781。结论：AIS患者血清RBP4、Lp-PLA2、MCP-1水平显著升高,升高程度与患者病情及预后密切相关,三项指标联合检测对AIS患者预后具有良好的预测价值。     

Prostaglandin E2 modulates TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 synthesis in pancreatic acinar cells in a PKA-dependent manner

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is increased in human chronic pancreatitis. We recently demonstrated in a model of chronic pancreatitis (WBN/Kob rat) that inhibition of COX-2 activity reduces and delays pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 mRNA and PGE(2) were significantly reduced, correlating with a decreased infiltration of macrophages. MCP-1 plays an important role in the recruitment of macrophages to the site of tissue injury. The aim of our study is to identify mechanisms by which macrophages and acinar cells maintain an inflammatory reaction. The expression profile of E prostanoid receptors EP(1-4) and MCP-1 was analyzed by RT-PCR from pancreatic specimens and AR42J cells. MCP-1 secretion was detected by ELISA from rat pancreatic lobuli. We determined EP(1-4) mRNA levels in WBN/Kob rats with chronic pancreatic inflammation. Individual isoforms were highly increased in rat pancreas, concurrent with MCP-1 mRNA expression. In supernatants of pancreatic lobuli and AR42J cells, MCP-1 was detectable by ELISA. In the presence of TNF-alpha, MCP-1 was upregulated. Coincubation with PGE(2) enhanced the TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 synthesis significantly. Similarly, TNF-alpha mRNA was synergistically upregulated by TNF-alpha and PGE(2). Furthermore, the synergistic effect of TNF-alpha and PGE(2) was abolished by inhibition of PKA but not of PKC. We conclude that EP receptors are upregulated during chronic pancreatic inflammation. PGE(2) modulates the TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 synthesis and secretion from acinar cells. This synergistic effect is controlled by PKA. This mechanism might explain the COX-2-dependent propagation of pancreatic inflammation.     

Functional differences between monocyte chemotactic protein-1 receptor A and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 receptor B expressed in a Jurkat T cell

The monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) receptor (MCP-1R) is expressed on monocytes, a subpopulation of memory T lymphocytes, and basophils. Two alternatively spliced forms of MCP-1R, CCR2A and CCR2B, exist and differ only in their carboxyl-terminal tails. To determine whether CCR2A and CCR2B receptors function similarly, Jurkat T cells were stably transfected with plasmids encoding the human CCR2A or CCR2B gene. Nanomolar concentrations of MCP-1 induced chemotaxis in the CCR2B transfectants that express high, intermediate, and low levels of MCP-1R. Peak chemotactic activity was shifted to the right as receptor number decreased. Five-fold more MCP-1 was required to initiate chemotaxis of the CCR2A low transfectant, but the peak of chemotaxis was similar for the CCR2A and CCR2B transfectants expressing similar numbers of receptors. MCP-1-induced chemotaxis was sensitive to pertussis toxin, implying that both CCR2A and CCR2B are G(i)alpha protein coupled. MCP-1 induced a transient Ca(2+) flux in the CCR2B transfectant that was partially sensitive to pertussis toxin. In contrast, MCP-1 did not induce Ca(2+) flux in the CCR2A transfectant. Since MCP-1 can stimulate chemotaxis of the CCR2A transfectant without inducing Ca(2+) mobilization, Ca(2+) flux may not be required for MCP-1-induced chemotaxis in the Jurkat transfectants. These results indicate that functional differences exist between the CCR2A and CCR2B transfectants that can be attributed solely to differences in the carboxyl-terminal tail.     

RANTES and MCP-3 inhibit the replication of T-cell-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strains (SF-2, MN, and HE).

The effects of the C-C chemokines RANTES (regulation upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted) and MCP-3 (monocyte chemotactic protein 3) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) activated in vitro with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were investigated. The following T-cell line-tropic (T-tropic) HIV strains were tested: HIV type 1 (HIV-1) SF-2, HIV-1 IIIB, HIV-1 MN, HIV-1 NDK, HIV-1 HE, HIV-1 NL4-3, HIV-2 ROD, and HIV-2 EHO. The strain most sensitive to the antiviral effects of RANTES and MCP-3 appeared to be HIV-1 SF-2. A 50% inhibitory concentration for HIV-1 SF-2 of 4 ng of RANTES per ml was obtained, and that of MCP-3 was about 1 ng/ml. However, MCP-3 was inactive at 100 ng/ml. Other HIV-1 strains, such as MN and HE, were less sensitive to the antiviral effects of RANTES and MCP-3, whereas all the other HIV strains tested were insensitive. Although the ratio of CD3+ CD4+ to CD3+ CD8+ T cells was the same in HIV-infected PBMC cultures treated or untreated with the chemokines, RANTES and MCP-3 interfered with the binding of monoclonal antibody (MAb) OKT4 to the CD4 receptor on T cells but not with the binding of MAb OKT4A. Therefore, RANTES and MCP-3 not only interfere with the HIV-induced fusion process but also have some modulating effect on the CD4 cell receptor. The chemokines did not affect HIV-1 binding to PHA-stimulated PBMC. Taken together, our observations point to the important role that both RANTES and MCP-3 may play in inhibiting HIV-1 replication of certain T-tropic strains in primary PBMC cultures. This may have important implications for immunotherapeutic strategies designed to slow down disease progression in AIDS.     

Expression of MCP-1 in the Hippocampus of SHRSP with Ischemia-Related Delayed Neuronal Death

1. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats with transient global ischemia in order to study the involvement of the infiltration of blood monocytes in the mechanism of ischemia-related neuronal death.2. The brains of the animals with occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries for 10 min were removed at 8 h, 1, 2, 4 and 7 days after reperfusion. Frozen sections were used for in situ hybridization and tissue specimens from the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex were used to measure the concentration of MCP-1 by ELISA.3. No MCP-1 mRNA was detected in the hippocampus of the sham group animals. One day after ischemia-reperfusion, MCP-1 mRNA was clearly expressed in the CA4 subfield and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, while it was slightly expressed in the lacnosum moleculare of the CA1 subfield. A dramatic expression was demonstrated in the entire CA1 subfield at 2 days after the operation. Most of the cells expressing MCP-1 were astrocytes. At 4 and 7 days after reperfusion, no MCP-1 mRNA was detected in the hippocampus. The concentration of MCP-1 protein dramatically increased in the hippocampus at 2 days after reperfusion.4. Taken together with the findings of our previous study showing an increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in the hippocampus from 12 h after ischemia-reperfusion, the astrocytes expressing MCP-1 might therefore induce the migration of monocytes into the brain parenchyma. As a result, such astrocytes expressing MCP-1 may therefore be related to the pathological events of delayed neuronal death in the pyramidal neurons.