Notch信号及自噬在三氧化矿化聚合物促人牙髓细胞体外增殖中的作用

目的:探讨Notch信号及自噬在三氧化矿化聚合物(MTA)促人牙髓细胞(h DPCs)体外增殖中的作用。方法:取临床上完整拔除的健康第三磨牙,通过酶消化法获得原代培养h DPCs。采用CCK-8比色法检测不同浓度(0.5、1.0、2.0、5.0、10.0 mg/m L)MTA对h DPCs增殖的影响,筛选出最佳促增殖作用浓度和作用时间。通过Western Blot法检测MTA作用下h DPCs Notch信号及自噬相关蛋白表达的变化。结果:1.0 mg/m L MTA对体外培养h DPCs促增殖作用最显著,高浓度MTA(10 mg/m L)则具有一定的细胞毒性。与未处理h DPCs相比,MTA处理组h DPCs的Notch1、Hes1表达(P0.05)及自噬相关蛋白P62及LC3II/I表达(P0.01)均显著增高。平衡盐溶液(EBSS)饥饿实验诱导自噬发生后Notch1表达水平显著下降。结论:MTA可显著促进h DPCs的体外增殖,其作用机制可能与Notch1-Hes1信号转导途径激活及自噬抑制有关。     

Host genetic factors in American cutaneous leishmaniasis: a critical appraisal of studies conducted in an endemic area of Brazil

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a vector-transmitted infectious diseasewith an estimated 1.5 million new cases per year. In Brazil, ACL represents asignificant public health problem, with approximately 30,000 new reported casesannually, representing an incidence of 18.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Corte dePedra is in a region endemic for ACL in the state of Bahia (BA), northeastern Brazil,with 500-1,300 patients treated annually. Over the last decade, population andfamily-based candidate gene studies were conducted in Corte de Pedra, founded onprevious knowledge from studies on mice and humans. Notwithstanding limitationsrelated to sample size and power, these studies contribute important geneticbiomarkers that identify novel pathways of disease pathogenesis and possible newtherapeutic targets. The present paper is a narrative review about ACL immunogeneticsin BA, highlighting in particular the interacting roles of the wound healing geneFLI1 with interleukin-6 and genes SMAD2 andSMAD3 of the transforming growth factor beta signalling pathway.This research highlights the need for well-powered genetic and functional studies onLeishmania braziliensis infection as essential to define andvalidate the role of host genes in determining resistance/susceptibility regardingthis disease.     

Notch信号通路对肝癌细胞迁移能力及E-cadherin，COX-2表达的影响

目的:探讨Notch信号通路对肝癌细胞迁移能力及钙粘附蛋白E(E-cadherin)、环氧化酶-2(COX-2)表达的影响。方法:体外培养肝癌细胞系(SMMC-7721、MHCC97H)、正常非肿瘤肝细胞系(HL-7702),Transwell小室用于测定细胞的迁移侵袭能力,Western blot蛋白印迹法用于测定Notch1、E-cadherin、COX-2蛋白的表达水平,并采用DAPT阻断Notch信号通路,比较肝癌细胞系与正常非肿瘤肝细胞系的迁移侵袭能力及肝癌细胞中E-cadherin、COX-2蛋白的表达水平的改变。结果:SMMC-7721细胞、MHCC97H细胞的迁移能力强于HL-7702细胞,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);相比于HL-7702细胞,MHCC97H细胞、SMMC-7721细胞中的Notch1、COX-2表达水平均显著升高,E-cadherin的表达水平明显降低(P0.05);DAPT处理后,SMMC-7721细胞、MHCC97H细胞发生迁移的能力均弱于对照组,差异有统计意义(P0.05);DAPT处理后,SMMC-7721细胞、MHCC97H细胞内COX-2、Notch1的表达量明显降低,而E-cadherin的表达水平升高(P0.05)。结论:Notch信号通路参与肝癌细胞迁移过程,其机制可能与E-cadherin、COX-2的表达相关。     

Complementary roles of microtubules and microfilaments in the lung fibroblast-mediated contraction of collagen gels: Dynamics and the influence of cell density

Summary Fibroblasts are important cellular components in wound healing, scar formation, and fibrotic disorders; and the fibroblast-populated collagen-gel (FPCG) model allows examination of fibroblast behavior in an in vitro three-dimensional environment similar to that in vivo. Contraction of free-floating FPCGs depends, on an active and dynamic cytoskeleton, and the contraction dynamics are highly influenced by cell density. We investigated mechanistic differences between high- and low-cell density FPCG contraction by evaluating contraction dynamics in detail, using specific cytoskeletal disruptors. Collagen gels were seeded with human lung fibroblasts at either high (HD) or low (LD) density, and incubated with or without cytoskeletal disruptors colchicine (microtubules) or cytochalasin D (microfilaments). Gel area was measured daily. FPCG contraction curves were essentially sigmoidal, featuring an initial period of no contraction (lag phase), followed by a period of rapid contraction (log phase). Contraction curves of HD-FPCGs were distinct from those of LD-FPCGs. For example, HD-FPCGs had a negligible lag phase (compared with 3 d for LD-FPCGs) and exhibited a higher rate of log-phase contraction. Both colchicine and cytochalasin dose-dependently inhibited contraction but specifically affected different phases of contraction in HD- and LD-FPCGs; and colchicine inhibited LD-FPCGs much more than HD-FPCGs. The data indicate that LD- and HD-FPCGs contract through different primary mechanisms. Microtubules and microfilaments are both complementarily and dynamically involved in the contraction of FPCGs, and cell density influences primary cytoskeletal mechanisms. These results provide valuable information about fibroblast behavior in healing and fibrosis, and may suggest novel treatment options.     

NF-KB在腹部肠管火器伤后肝组织中的表达及意义

摘要目的：探讨NF-KB在腹部火器伤肠管穿透后肝组织中的变化及意义。方法：42头健康长白仔猪随机等分为对照组和伤后1h、2h、4h、8h、12h和24h组,实验组建立腹部肠管火器伤模型后,用免疫组化图像分析法测定各组肝内NF．KB的表达,同时测定血清中ALT、AST水平,光镜下观察各组肝脏组织学变化。结果：实验组肝内NF-KB活性明显高于对照组,并于伤后1h和8h出现2个高峰（P〈0．05）。实验组出现逐渐加重的肝细胞水肿、变性、坏死,血清ALT、AST水平在伤后明显升高,并于伤后2h和12h出现2个高峰（P〈0．05）。结论：NF-KB的活化在腹部火器伤肠管穿透后继发性肝损伤中扮演着重要角色。     

Loss of CCM3 impairs DLL4‐Notch signalling: implication in endothelial angiogenesis and in inherited cerebral cavernous malformations

CCM3, a product of the cerebral cavernous malformation 3 or programmed cell death 10 gene (CCM3/PDCD10), is broadly expressed throughout development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Increasing evidence indicates a crucial role of CCM3 in vascular development and in regulation of angiogenesis and apoptosis. Furthermore, loss of CCM3 causes inherited (familial) cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a common brain vascular anomaly involving aberrant angiogenesis. This study focused on signalling pathways underlying the angiogenic functions of CCM3. Silencing CCM3 by siRNA stimulated endothelial proliferation, migration and sprouting accompanied by significant downregulation of the core components of Notch signalling including DLL4, Notch4, HEY2 and HES1 and by activation of VEGF and Erk pathways. Treatment with recombinant DLL4 (rhDLL4) restored DLL4 expression and reversed CCM3‐silence‐mediated impairment of Notch signalling and reduced the ratio of VEGF‐R2 to VEGF‐R1 expression. Importantly, restoration of DLL4‐Notch signalling entirely rescued the hyper‐angiogenic phenotype induced by CCM3 silence. A concomitant loss of CCM3 and the core components of DLL4‐Notch signalling were also demonstrated in CCM3‐deficient endothelial cells derived from human CCM lesions (CCMEC) and in a CCM3 germline mutation carrier. This study defined DLL4 as a key downstream target of CCM3 in endothelial cells. CCM3/DLL4‐Notch pathway serves as an important signalling for endothelial angiogenesis and is potentially implicated in the pathomechanism of human CCMs.     

Patterns of MHC‐dependent mate selection in humans and nonhuman primates: a meta‐analysis

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in vertebrates are integral for effective adaptive immune response and are associated with sexual selection. Evidence from a range of vertebrates supports MHC‐based preference for diverse and dissimilar mating partners, but evidence from human mate choice studies has been disparate and controversial. Methodologies and sampling peculiarities specific to human studies make it difficult to know whether wide discrepancies in results among human populations are real or artefact. To better understand what processes may affect MHC‐mediated mate choice across humans and nonhuman primates, we performed phylogenetically controlled meta‐analyses using 58 effect sizes from 30 studies across seven primate species. Primates showed a general trend favouring more MHC‐diverse mates, which was statistically significant for humans. In contrast, there was no tendency for MHC‐dissimilar mate choice, and for humans, we observed effect sizes indicating selection of both MHC‐dissimilar and MHC‐similar mates. Focusing on MHC‐similar effect sizes only, we found evidence that preference for MHC similarity was an artefact of population ethnic heterogeneity in observational studies but not among experimental studies with more control over sociocultural biases. This suggests that human assortative mating biases may be responsible for some patterns of MHC‐based mate choice. Additionally, the overall effect sizes of primate MHC‐based mating preferences are relatively weak (Fisher's Z correlation coefficient for dissimilarity Zr = 0.044, diversity Zr = 0.153), calling for careful sampling design in future studies. Overall, our results indicate that preference for more MHC‐diverse mates is significant for humans and likely conserved across primates.     

Anti‐aging pharmacology in cutaneous wound healing: effects of metformin,resveratrol, and rapamycin by local application

Cutaneous wounds are among the most common soft tissue injuries and are particularly hard to heal in aging. Caloric restriction (CR) is well documented to extend longevity; pharmacologically, profound rejuvenative effects of CR mimetics have been uncovered, especially metformin (MET), resveratrol (RSV), and rapamycin (RAPA). However, locally applied impacts and functional differences of these agents on wound healing remain to be established. Here, we discovered that chronic topical administration of MET and RSV, but not RAPA, accelerated wound healing with improved epidermis, hair follicles, and collagen deposition in young rodents, and MET exerted more profound effects. Furthermore, locally applied MET and RSV improved vascularization of the wound beds, which were attributed to stimulation of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, the key mediator of wound healing. Notably, in aged skin, AMPK pathway was inhibited, correlated with impaired vasculature and reduced healing ability. As therapeutic approaches, local treatments of MET and RSV prevented age‐related AMPK suppression and angiogenic inhibition in wound beds. Moreover, in aged rats, rejuvenative effects of topically applied MET and RSV on cell viability of wound beds were confirmed, of which MET showed more prominent anti‐aging effects. We further verified that only MET promoted wound healing and cutaneous integrity in aged skin. These findings clarified differential effects of CR‐based anti‐aging pharmacology in wound healing, identified critical angiogenic and rejuvenative mechanisms through AMPK pathway in both young and aged skin, and unraveled chronic local application of MET as the optimal and promising regenerative agent in treating cutaneous wound defects.     

Cellular aging beyond cellular senescence: Markers of senescence prior to cell cycle arrest in vitro and in vivo

The field of research on cellular senescence experienced a rapid expansion from being primarily focused on in vitro aspects of aging to the vast territories of animal and clinical research. Cellular senescence is defined by a set of markers, many of which are present and accumulate in a gradual manner prior to senescence induction or are found outside of the context of cellular senescence. These markers are now used to measure the impact of cellular senescence on aging and disease as well as outcomes of anti‐senescence interventions, many of which are at the stage of clinical trials. It is thus of primary importance to discuss their specificity as well as their role in the establishment of senescence. Here, the presence and role of senescence markers are described in cells prior to cell cycle arrest, especially in the context of replicative aging and in vivo conditions. Specifically, this review article seeks to describe the process of “cellular aging”: the progression of internal changes occurring in primary cells leading to the induction of cellular senescence and culminating in cell death. Phenotypic changes associated with aging prior to senescence induction will be characterized, as well as their effect on the induction of cell senescence and the final fate of cells reviewed. Using published datasets on assessments of senescence markers in vivo, it will be described how disparities between quantifications can be explained by the concept of cellular aging. Finally, throughout the article the applicational value of broadening cellular senescence paradigm will be discussed.     

Differential Expression of GABAA/Benzodiazepine Receptor Subunit mRNAs and Ligand Binding Sites in Mouse Cerebellar Neurons Following In Vivo Ethanol Administration: An Autoradiographic Analysis

Abstract: The γ-aminobutyric acid_A (GABA_A)/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor is a pentamer composed of subunits belonging to several classes (α_1–6, β_1–4, γ_1–4, δ, and ρ₁ and ρ₂). In situ hybridization, radioligand autoradiography, and immunocytochemistry were used to examine GABA_A/BZ receptor α₁, α₆, β₂, β₃, and γ₂ subunit expression in murine Purkinje, granule, and deep cerebellar neurons after in vivo ethanol exposure. Chronic ethanol treatment resulted in decreased α₁ subunit mRNA expression in each cell type, whereas the expression of α₆ and γ₂ subunit mRNA levels increased; no changes were observed in the expression of β₂ and β₃ subunit mRNA. GABA and BZ agonist binding and antibody staining paralleled the changes in mRNA levels. Acute ethanol injection resulted in increased expression of α₁ and β₃ mRNAs, whereas levels of α₆, β₂, and γ₂ mRNAs remained stable. Our results indicate that, in cerebellar neurons, the expression of specific GABA_A/BZ receptor subunit mRNAs, polypeptides, and binding sites is independently regulated by in vivo administration of alcohol. The observed changes were not restricted to any one cerebellar cell type, because subunit expression in Purkinje, granule, and deep cerebellar cells was similarly affected.     

Patterns of population differentiation in annual killifishes from the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata Basin: the role of vicariance and dispersal

Aim To elucidate the role of vicariance versus dispersal at the microevolutionary scale in annual killifish populations belonging to the Austrolebias bellottii species complex (Rivulidae). Within this complex, A. bellottii and A. apaii have low vagility and occur widely within the study area, making them excellent models for testing biogeographic hypotheses of differentiation. Location South America, in the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata river basin. Methods Molecular data and morphometric analyses were used to reconstruct the phylogeographic history and morphological variation of 24 populations of two taxa of the A. bellottii species complex. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) model‐based methods, estimates of clade divergence times implemented in beast , non‐metric multidimensional scaling, analysis of molecular variance results, and morphological analyses elucidated the role of vicariance versus dispersal hypotheses in population differentiation in the aforementioned river basin. Results In the A. bellottii species complex from the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata river basin, past allopatric fragmentation from vicariance events seems to be the most plausible scenario for diversification since the Late Miocene and more recently since the Plio‐Pleistocene. The Plio‐Pleistocene vicariance produced the differentiation of three major clades in A. bellottii populations. One clade from the eastern Uruguay River drainage was separated from another in western Uruguay and the Paraná–La Plata River drainages. A later vicariance event split populations to the south (lower Paraná–La Plata Basin) and north (middle Paraná) of the western Paraná River drainage. However, our results do not exclude the possibility of dispersal events among A. bellottii populations from both the Uruguay and Paraná river drainages, which could occur in these river basins during hypothesized connectivity cycles of the Late Pliocene and Pleistocene. Main conclusions Past allopatric fragmentation caused by different vicariance events seems to be the main driver of diversification in the A. bellottii species complex since the Plio‐Pleistocene. However, the current molecular data suggest that populations from both drainages of the Paraná–Uruguay rivers may have experienced cycles of connectivity during the Pleistocene, perhaps including multiple vicariance or dispersal events from populations located in the western lower Uruguay River drainage, which encompassed climatic and geological changes in the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata Basin.     

Production of Melanocyte‐Specific Antibodies to Human Melanosomal Proteins: Expression Patterns in Normal Human Skin and in Cutaneous Pigmented Lesions

Multiple factors affect skin pigmentation, including those that regulate melanocyte and/or keratinocyte function. Such factors, particularly those that operate at the level of the melanosome, are relatively well characterized in mice, but the expression and function of structural and enzymatic proteins in melanocytes in human skin are not as well known. Some years ago, we generated peptide‐specific antibodies to murine melanosomal proteins that proved to be instrumental in elucidating melanocyte development and differentiation in mice, but cross‐reactivity of those antibodies with the corresponding human proteins often was weak or absent. In an effort to characterize the roles of melanosomal proteins in human skin pigmentation, and to understand the underlying mechanism(s) of abnormal skin pigmentation, we have now generated polyclonal antibodies against the human melanocyte‐specific markers, tyrosinase, tyrosinase‐related protein 1 (TYRP1), Dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and Pmel17 (SILV, also known as GP100). We used these antibodies to determine the distribution and function of melanosomal proteins in normal human skin (adult and newborn) and in various cutaneous pigmented lesions, such as intradermal nevi, lentigo simplex, solar lentigines and malignant melanomas. We also examined cytokeratin expression in these same samples to assess keratinocyte distribution and function. Immunohistochemical staining reveals distinct patterns of melanocyte distribution and function in normal skin and in various types of cutaneous pigmented lesions. Those differences in the expression patterns of melanocyte markers provide important clues to the roles of melanocytes in normal and in disrupted skin pigmentation.     

Implication of the First and Third Extracellular Loops of the μ-Opioid Receptor in the Formation of the Ligand Binding Site: A Study Using Chimeric μ-Opioid/Angiotensin Receptors

Abstract: Recent studies on chimeric μ/δ-, μ/κ- and δ/κ-opioid receptors have suggested that extracellular loops of the receptors were involved in the discriminatory binding of selective ligands by controlling their entry into the transmembrane binding site. Since homochimeric opioid receptors are mostly informative in terms of selectivity, the role of extracellular loops was examined here by studying heterochimeric μ receptors where the totality or parts of extracellular loops were replaced by the corresponding regions of the receptor for angiotensin II. Chimeric μ receptors with extracellular loop EL1 or EL3 originating from the angiotensin receptor had 100-fold decreased affinities for opioids; the length of the first extracellular loop, which is one residue longer in angiotensin than μ receptors, was shown to be responsible for this situation. Substitution of the μ receptor second extracellular loop by that of the angiotensin receptor diminished by ∼10-fold the affinities for opioids. Since all chimeras had altered affinities for selective and nonselective ligands, we propose that extracellular domains of the μ receptor, particularly the first and third loops, constrain the relative positioning of the connected transmembrane domains where selective as well as nonselective contact points form the opioid binding site.