Non-specific cellular responses of rainbow trout to Vibrio anguillarum and its extracellular products (ECPs)

We have studied the early inflammatory response induced by Vibrio anguillarum and by its extracellular products (ECPs) in rainbow trout after intraperitoneal injection. The results showed a very similar inflammatory response which included leucopenia, mainly due to lymphopenia, neutrophilia and an increase in the number of circulating monocytes. Melanomacrophages as well as immature leucocytes were frequently observed circulating in the blood of injected rainbow trout. Monocytes often contain phagocytosed bacteria and other, altered cells including erythrocytes and leucocytes. However, neutrophils only occasionally phagocytosed bacteria. Many circulating leucocytes showed important structural alterations. Neutrophils of trout injected with bacteria and ECPs also showed stronger PAS-staining than those of control trout as well as Döhle bodies and swollen granules. A marked vasodilatation was observed in the kidney and spleen which was coincidental with a mobilization of eosinophilic granular cells and an hypertrophy of sinusoidal endothelial cells showing an increase in the number of cytoplasmic granules. An increase in the number of macrophages and melanomacrophages in the kidney and spleen as well as oedema and leucocyte infiltration in the liver and gills were also noted.     

Increase in extracellular cross-linking by tissue transglutaminase and reduction in expression of MMP-9 contribute differentially to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in rats

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a Ca²⁺-dependent enzyme which stabilizes the extracellular matrix (ECM) through post-translational modification, and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, we have investigated whether tTG contributes to the glomerular ECM expansion in the puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-injection-induced experimental rat model of FSGS. The localization and expression of tTG, MMP-9 gelatinase, and the ECM component fibronectin (FN) in kidneys was determined by immunohistochemistry and measured by semi-quantitative analysis. Protein levels of tTG and MMP-9 were also analyzed by Western blotting.In situtransglutaminase activity was assayed by measurement of incorporated substrate and the immunofluorescence staining for the cross-linking product, ε-(γ-glutamyl) lysine. Prominent proteinuria, a typical pathological feature of FSGS, was observed in PAN injection group rats. tTG immunoreactivity was located markedly in glomeruli and the levels of this protein in whole-kidney homogenates of PAN injection group rats were significantly increased (361± 106% control, P< 0.05). Similarly, transglutaminase activity and ε-(γ-glutamyl) lysine were also predominately located within glomeruli and were much more intense in the PAN-injected group than that in control animals. MMP-9 was also located primarily within glomeruli. In PAN-injected kidneys, protein levels of active MMP-9 were significantly reduced (59± 27% control, P< 0.01), while pro-MMP-9 levels increased (148± 42% control, P< 0.05). Remarkable expression of glomerular fibronectin (FN) was found in PAN injection group rats. Semi-quantitative analysis demonstrated this increased intensity of FN staining in the PAN-injected rats was 149± 23% of the control values (P< 0.05). Enhanced cross-linking of ECM by tissue transglutaminase and decreased degradation due to reduced active MMP-9 expression may be at least partially responsible for the deposition of FN within injured glomeruli in experimental FSGS.     

Inhibition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory effects by lipid peroxidation products

Oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (PAPC) was earlier shown to inhibit inflammatory effects of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolisacharide (LPS). We studied the antiendotoxin activity of other classes of oxidized phospholipids carrying different polar groups and fatty acids. Oxidized phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidic acid inhibited the LPS-induced expression of E-selectin on the surface of human endothelial cells. The type of esterified polyunsaturated fatty acid was not essential for inhibition of the LPS effects. Native unoxidized phospholipids did not influence the effects of LPS. Thus, the anti-endotoxin activity of oxidized phospholipids crucially depends on the presence of an oxidation-modified fatty acid residue.     

cDNA cloning of an extracellular dermal glycoprotein of carrot and its expression in response to wounding

Suspension-cultured cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.) synthesize and secrete a glycoprotein that is normally found only in dermal tissues (epidermis, endodermis and periderm). This protein, previously called GP57, is now referred to as EDGP (E xtracellular D ermal G lyco P rotein). We purified sufficient quantities of EDGP to obtain amino-acid sequences on two internal tryptic peptides and screened a cDNA library of young carrot roots with antiserum to EDGP and with oligonucleotides corresponding to the peptides. Here we report the derived amino-acid sequence of EDGP. Sequence comparisons show that it has 40% amino-acid sequence identity with 7S basic globulin, a protein that is released when soybean seeds are soaked in hot water for a few hours. We suggest that these two proteins belong to a new family of dermal proteins. As far as we know, this is the first reported derived amino-acid sequence for protein that is specific to the epidermis and other dermal tissues. The level of EDGP mRNA is low in dry seeds, but increases rapidly in growing seedlings as they develop dermal tissues. The level of mRNA is low in storage roots, but increases rapidly in response to wounding. The presence of EDGP in dermal tissues and its up-regulation in response to wounding indicate a role in the response of plants to biotic and-or abiotic stresses. An unusual feature of the amino-acid sequence of EDGP is that it contains a short motif, which is present at the active site of aspartyl proteases such as pepsin and chymosin.Abbreviations cDNA copy DNA - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophen-oxyacetic acid - EDGP extracellular dermal glycoprotein - 7SBG 7S basic globulin Supported by a contract from the United States Department of Energy (Energy Biosciences) (to M.J.C.) and a Grant-in-Aid for Special Research on Priority Areas (01660002, Cellular and Molecular Basis for Reproductive Processes in Plants) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, and by the Fund from Basic Research Core System of Science and Technology Agency, Japan (to S.S.).     

Influences of calorie restriction and lipopolysaccharide therapy on inflammation,cytokine response,and cell proliferation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma mouse model

The study aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone and in combination with calorie restriction (CR) on the pancreatic tissues in C57BL/6 mice modeled with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Forty male C57BL/6 mice (10-13 weeks old) were divided into five groups; LPS, LPS + CR, PDAC, PDAC + LPS, and PDAC + LPS + CR. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κβ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) mRNA expression levels were measured in pancreatic tissues. NF-κβ, IL-6, JNK, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) peptide levels were determined by immunohistochemistry. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically. TH1/TH2 cytokine measurements were determined by a flow cytometer. It was detected that the number of PCNA immune + cells in the PDAC + LPS + CR group was significantly lower than in the PDAC and PDAC + LPS groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 respectively). PDAC + LPS + CR group's plasma interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-6, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-3, and IL-4 levels were found to be significantly lower than the PDAC group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05 respectively). According to our findings, the combination of low-dose LPS and 40% CR was found to be more effective in PDAC model mice.     

No fever and leucocytosis in response to a lipopolysaccharide challenge in an insectivorous bat

Bat immune systems may allow them to respond to zoonotic agents more efficiently than other mammals. As the first line of defence, the taxonomically conserved acute phase immune reaction of leucocytosis and fever is crucial for coping with infections, but it is unknown if this response is a key constituent to bat immunological success. We investigated the acute phase reaction to a standard lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in Pallas''s mastiff bats (Molossus molossus). Challenged bats lost mass, but in contrast to other mammals showed no leucocytosis or fever. There also was no influence on body temperature reduction during torpor. When compared to recent genome-wide assays for constituent immune genes, this lack of a conserved fever response to LPS contributes to a clearer understanding of the innate immune system in bat species and of the coevolution of bats with a wide diversity of pathogens.     

Crosslinking of casein by microbial transglutaminase and its resulting influence on the stability of micelle structure

The influence of enzymatic crosslinking by microbial transglutaminase (mTG) on the stability of casein micelles of ultrahigh temperature (UHT)-treated milk in the presence of EDTA (0-0.45 mM) or ethanol (0-74 vol%) as well as under high hydrostatic pressures up to 400 MPa was investigated. Disintegration of micelles and changes in micelle size were monitored by the measurement of turbidity as well as by dynamic light scattering. The results show that the incubation of UHTtreated milk with mTG resulted in an improved micelle stability toward disintegration on addition of EDTA, ethanol, or pressure treatment. Intramicellar formed isopetides significantly enhanced the stability of casein micelles. It is supposed that net-like crosslinks are formed within the external region of the micelles and they adopt the stabilizing role of colloidal calcium phosphate within the micelles, thus making the micelles less contestable for disrupting influences.     

胞外亲环素A对炎症发生的影响及其抗体在抑制炎症反应中的作用

亲环素A(Cyclophilin A,CypA)是肽基脯氨酰顺/反异构酶家族成员,主要分布于细胞质中,当细胞受到外界刺激时会分泌到细胞间隙,与CD147以配体-受体形式结合,促进炎症细胞的趋化。利用大肠杆菌BL21表达并纯化CypA蛋白,利用该蛋白刺激小鼠的骨髓来源巨噬细胞(BMDM)。实时荧光定量PCR和ELISA试验结果发现,BMDM分泌的IL-1β等炎症因子的表达水平均显著上调,表明胞外CypA具有促进炎症发生的作用。同时以CypA蛋白为免疫原制备多克隆抗体,用于LPS诱导的小鼠急性肺炎的治疗试验。与未治疗组相比,anti-CypA抗体治疗组小鼠的肺组织表面出血点较少,损伤程度减轻,肺组织和血液中IL-1β的表达量显著下降,表明anti-CypA抗体对LPS诱导的炎症具有一定的治疗效果。本研究以胞外CypA-CD147的相互作用为靶点,利用anti-CypA抗体抑制炎症反应,为开发抗炎症药物提供了一种新的思路和策略。     

Granzyme B degrades extracellular matrix and contributes to delayed wound closure in apolipoprotein E knockout mice

Chronic inflammation and excessive protease activity have a major role in the persistence of non-healing wounds. Granzyme B (GzmB) is a serine protease expressed during chronic inflammation that, in conjunction with perforin, has a well-established role in initiating apoptotic cell death. GzmB is also capable of acting extracellularly, independent of perforin and can degrade several extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that are critical during wound healing. We used apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout (AKO) mice as a novel model of chronic inflammation and impaired wound healing to investigate the role of GzmB in chronic wounds. Wild-type and AKO mice were grown to 7 weeks (young) or 37 weeks (old) of age on a regular chow or high-fat diet (HFD), given a 1-cm diameter full thickness wound on their mid dorsum and allowed to heal for 16 days. Old AKO mice fed a HFD exhibited reduced wound closure, delayed contraction, chronic inflammation and altered ECM remodeling. Conversely, GzmB/ApoE double knockout mice displayed improved wound closure and contraction rates. In addition, murine GzmB was found to degrade both fibronectin and vitronectin derived from healthy mouse granulation tissue. In addition, GzmB-mediated degradation of fibronectin generated a fragment similar in size to that observed in non-healing mouse wounds. These results provide the first direct evidence that GzmB contributes to chronic wound healing in part through degradation of ECM.     

microRNA-129 overexpression in endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicle influences inflammatory response caused by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the potency to function as modulators in the process of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This investigation was performed to decipher the mechanism of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs)-derived EVs in myocardial I/R injury with the involvement of microRNA-129 (miR-129). HUVECs-secreted EVs were collected and identified. An I/R mouse model was developed, and cardiomyocytes were used for vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion model establishment. Differentially expressed miRNAs in myocardial tissues after EV treatment were assessed using microarray analysis. The target relationship between miR-129 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was identified using a dual-luciferase assay. Gain- and loss-function studies regarding miR-129 were implemented to figure out its roles in myocardial I/R injury. Meanwhile, the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa-binding (NF-κB) p65 signaling and NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was evaluated. EVs diminished the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and the secretion of inflammatory factors, and all these trends were reversed by miR-129 reduction. miR-129 bound to the 3′-untranslated region of TLR4 directly. The NF-κB p65 signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome were abnormally activated after I/R injury, whose impairment after EVs was partially restored by miR-129 downregulation. This study illustrated that EVs could carry miR-129 to mitigate myocardial I/R injury via downregulating TLR4 and disrupting the NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome.     

Biology,role and therapeutic potential of circulating histones in acute inflammatory disorders

Histones are positively charged nuclear proteins that facilitate packaging of DNA into nucleosomes common to all eukaryotic cells. Upon cell injury or cell signalling processes, histones are released passively through cell necrosis or actively from immune cells as part of extracellular traps. Extracellular histones function as microbicidal proteins and are pro‐thrombotic, limiting spread of infection or isolating areas of injury to allow for immune cell infiltration, clearance of infection and initiation of tissue regeneration and repair. Histone toxicity, however, is not specific to microbes and contributes to tissue and end‐organ injury, which in cases of systemic inflammation may lead to organ failure and death. This review details the processes of histones release in acute inflammation, the mechanisms of histone‐related tissue toxicity and current and future strategies for therapy targeting histones in acute inflammatory diseases.     

Streptomyces hygroscopicus谷氨酰胺转胺酶酶原基因的鉴定及在大肠杆菌中的表达

[目的]鉴定来源于吸水链霉菌的谷氨酰胺转胺酶基因;研究其在大肠杆菌系统的克隆与表达;分析该酶与其同源酶的活性中心氨基酸序列.[方法]从本实验室筛选的吸水链霉菌(Streptomyces hygroscopicus;CCTCC M203062)发酵液中,分离纯化得到谷氨酰胺转胺酶酶原(pro-MTGase),测得N-端前十个氨基酸序列并与其它链霉菌来源的相应基因序列比较设计引物,扩增得到pro-MTGase 基因,将该基因插入到表达载体pET-20b( )信号肽pelB下游,构建分泌型表达载体pET/pro-MTG,并转化不同的大肠杆菌宿主BL21(DE3)和Rosetta(DE3)pLysS.[结果]获得了pro-MTGase的完整基因序列,多重碱基序列比对表明其与S.platensis和S.caniferus的pro-MTGase基因同源性高达92%.利用Rosetta(DE3)pLysS通过降温至24℃诱导策略,获得部分胞外表达的酶原.SDS-PAGE显示,胞外表达重组蛋白的分子量约为44kDa,与吸水链霉菌表达的天然酶原相符.诱导4 h后发酵液中的重组酶原经胰蛋白酶活化为成熟酶后测得最高酶活为0.24U/mL.[结论]该研究是对吸水链霉菌的谷氨酰胺转胺酶基因的首次报道,也是国内首次利用大肠杆菌实现pro-MTGase的胞外可溶性表达.     

HSPA12B inhibits lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Heat shock protein A12B (HSPA12B) is a newly discovered member of the HSP70 protein family. This study investigated the effects of HSPA12B on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the possible mechanisms involved. A HUVECs inflammatory model was induced by LPS. Overexpression of HSPA12B in HUVECs was achieved by infection with recombinant adenoviruses encoding green fluorescence protein‐HSPA12B. Knockdown of HSPA12B was achieved by siRNA technique. Twenty four hours after virus infection or siRNA transfection, HUVECs were stimulated with 1 μg/ml LPS for 4 hrs. Endothelial cell permeability ability was determined by transwell permeability assay. The binding rate of human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) with HUVECs was examined using myeloperoxidase assay. Cell migrating ability was determined by the wound‐healing assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of interested genes were analyzed by RT‐qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The release of cytokines interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α was measured by ELISA. HSPA12B suppressed LPS‐induced HUVEC permeability and reduced PMN adhesion to HUVECs. HSPA12B also inhibited LPS‐induced up‐regulation of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokine expression. By contrast, knockdown of HSPA12B enhanced LPS‐induced increases in the expression of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, HSPA12B activated PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and pharmacological inhibition of this pathway by Wortmannin completely abrogated the protection of HSPA12B against inflammatory response in HUVECs. Our results suggest that HSPA12B attenuates LPS‐induced inflammatory responses in HUVECs via activation of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.     

脂多糖诱导大鼠主动脉血红素氧合酶-1表达及其对血管反应性的影响

目的：探讨血红素－HO－1－CO－cGMP道路对内毒素血症大鼠主动脉血管张力的影响及其分子机制。方法：用离体血管环张力测定技术,观察静脉注射脂多糖（LPS）6h,大鼠胸主动脉环（TARs)对苯肾上腺素（PE）累积收缩反应。分别用一氧化碳（CO）供体正缺血红素（He),血红素氧合酶－1（HO－1）抑制剂锌原卟啉（ZnPP-IX),鸟苷酸环化酶（sGC)抑制剂亚甲兰（MB）预卵育后,测定TARs对PE收缩反应的变化。分别测定主动脉中CO含量,HO－1活性,Western blot测定HO－1蛋白含量,RT－PCR检测HO－1 mRNA表达的改变。结果：LPS组TARs对PE累积收缩反应明显降低,ZnPP-IX可部分逆转低收缩反应,MB可完全逆转低收缩反应,而用He可加重低收缩反应状态;LPS组动脉组织中CO的含量上升,HO－1活性、蛋白表达量和mRNA表达均明显增加。结论：LPS可使主动脉HO－1基因表达上调,蛋白含量及酶活性明显增加,表明启动血红素－HO－1－CO－cGMP通路,是介导ES大鼠主动脉低收缩反应重要机制之一。     

Simvastatin prevents the inflammatory process and the dopaminergic degeneration induced by the intranigral injection of lipopolysaccharide

Anti-inflammatory strategies have attracted much interest for their potential to prevent further deterioration of Parkinson's disease. Recent experimental and clinical evidence indicate that statins – extensively used in medical practice as effective lipid-lowering agents – have also anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the influence of simvastatin on the degenerative process of the dopaminergic neurons of the rat following intranigral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent inductor of inflammation that we have previously used as an animal model of Parkinson's disease. We evaluated TH positive neurons, astroglial, and microglial populations and found that simvastatin prevented the inflammatory processes, as the induction of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and iNOS and the consequent dopaminergic degeneration induced by LPS. Moreover, simvastatin produced the activation of the neurotrophic factor BDNF, along with the prevention of the oxidative damage to proteins. Moreover, it also prevents the main changes produced by LPS on different mitogen-activated protein kinases, featured as increases of P-c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase, P-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p-38, and P-glycogen synthase kinase and the decrease of the promotion of cell survival signals such as cAMP response element-binding protein and Akt. Our results suggest that statins could delay the progression of dopaminergic degeneration in disorders involving inflammatory processes.