Methylprednisolone and Indomethacin Inhibit Oxidative Stress Mediated Apoptosis in Rat C6 Glioblastoma Cells

Glioblastoma patients receive anti-inflammatory agent for alleviation of vasogenic edema and pain prior to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Oxidative stress is an important mechanism of action of some chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of glioblastoma. So, we examined the modulatory effects of methylprednisolone (MP, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) and indomethacin (IM, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) on apoptosis in rat C6 glioblastoma cells following oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Exposure of C6 cells to 1 mM H₂O₂ for 24 h caused significant amounts of morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis. Expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels were altered resulting in an increase in Bax : Bcl-2 ratio in apoptotic cells, which also exhibited overexpression of 80 kDa calpain and an increase in calpain-cleaved 145 kDa α-spectrin breakdown product. Immunofluorescent and propidium iodide labeling detected caspase-3-p20 fragment in apoptotic cells, indicating activation of caspase-3 as well. Treatment of cells with 1 μM MP or 10 μM IM alone did not induce apoptosis. Pretreatment (1 h) with either 1 μM MP or 10 μM IM significantly inhibited H₂O₂ mediated apoptosis in C6 cells. Thus, pretreatment of glioblastoma with an anti-inflammatory agent, either steroidal or non-steroidal, may compromise the action of a chemotherapeutic agent that mediates therapeutic action via oxidative stress.     

ASGP受体介导的体内基因转移

我们针对肝细胞特异的ＡＳＧＰ（去唾液酸糖蛋白）受体,构建了一种具有肝细胞特异导向性的基因转移载体系统,该载体包括两种共价结合的功能成分：一种为ＡＳＧＰ,作为配体,与肝细胞表面特异的ＡＳＧＰ受体结合;另一种为多聚左旋赖氨酸（ｐｏｌｙ－Ｌ－ｌｙｓｉｎｅ）,与ＤＮＡ以强静电作用相结合。小鼠尾静脉注射３２Ｐ－ＤＮＡ－ｐｏｌｙ－Ｌ－ｌｙｓｉｎｅ－ＡＳＯＲ（去唾液酸ａｌ酸性糖蛋白）或等量的３２Ｐ－ＤＮＡ、ＡＳＯＲ、ｐｏｌｙ－ＤＬ－ｌｙｓｉｎｅ单体混合物,２０小时后,小鼠肝、脾、肾各组织的放射性计数结果表明该载体系统具有较强的肝组织特异性。     

Cucurbitacin I Induces Protective Autophagy in Glioblastoma in Vitro and in Vivo

There is an urgent need for new therapeutic avenues to improve the outcome of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Current studies have suggested that cucurbitacin I, a natural selective inhibitor of JAK2/STAT3, has a potent anticancer effect on a variety of cancer cell types. This study showed that autophagy and apoptosis were induced by cucurbitacin I. Exposure of GBM cells to cucurbitacin I resulted in pronounced apoptotic cell death through activating bcl-2 family proteins. Cells treatment with cucurbitacin I up-regulated Beclin 1 and triggered autophagosome formation and accumulation as well as conversion of LC3I to LC3II. Activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/p70S6K pathway, but not the PI3K/AKT pathway, occurred in autophagy induced by cucurbitacin I, which was accompanied by decreased hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. Stable overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α induced by FG-4497 prevented cucurbitacin I-induced autophagy and down-regulation of bcl-2. Knockdown of beclin 1 or treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine also inhibited autophagy induced by cucurbitacin I. A coimmunoprecipitation assay showed that the interaction of Bcl-2 and Beclin 1/hVps34 decreased markedly in cells treated with cucurbitacin I. Furthermore, knockdown of beclin 1 or treatment with the lysosome inhibitor chloroquine sensitized cancer cells to cucurbitacin I-induced apoptosis. Finally, a xenograft model provided additional evidence for the occurrence of cucurbitacin I-induced apoptosis and autophagy in vitro. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cucurbitacin I-mediated GBM cell death and may provide an efficacious therapy for patients harboring GBM.     

体外诱导大鼠脂肪间充质干细胞向肝细胞方向分化的研究

目的:探讨大鼠脂肪间充质干细胞(ADMSCs)是否可以在体外被诱导向肝细胞方向分化。方法:从大鼠脂肪组织中分离出干细胞,行体外扩增、传代;用免疫荧光染色法检测其表面标志,用成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF-4)和肝细胞生长因子(HGF)诱导其向肝细胞分化;倒置显微镜观察细胞形态变化,诱导后14天和21天分别用免疫荧光检测法检测肝细胞标志物白蛋白的表达,每次换液时留取培养上清用尿素氮测试盒检测尿素氮含量。结果:免疫荧光检测显示从脂肪组织所获取的细胞表面标志CD29阳性,而CD31和CD145均为阴性;诱导14天后可逐渐观察到肝细胞样形态改变;免疫荧光检测到白蛋白表达;尿素氮检测显示诱导组尿素氮含量随时间延长而逐渐升高。结论:从大鼠脂肪组织中获取的脂肪间充质干细胞能在体外被诱导分化成形态、表型及功能与肝细胞相似的细胞。     

多形胶质母细胞瘤细胞系端粒酶活性的测定

端粒缩短见于星形细胞瘤发展过程中,但其长度在胶质母细胞瘤／细胞系相对稳定,提示胶质瘤细胞内存在端粒修复机制的可能性．为证实此点,利用端粒重复片段扩增技术（ＴＲＡＰ）,对８株人／大鼠多形胶质母细胞系的蛋白提取液中端粒酶活性加以测定．结果显示：８例胶质瘤样本的反应液均可见端粒ＰＣＲ扩增片段;用无ＤＮａｓｅ的ＲＮａｓｅ事先处理蛋白提取液,可明显降低或消除ＰＣＲ产物的出现,说明ＴＲＡＰ反应中的ＰＣＲ扩增是在端粒酶的介导下进行而非ＤＮＡ污染或其它端粒修复因子所致．从而不但建立起检测人癌细胞内端粒酶活性的可靠方法,也为针对端粒酶的胶质母细胞瘤生物／药物治疗提供了实验依据．     

SA脂质体介导DNA转染昆虫细胞的研究

ＳＡ脂质体介导ＤＮＡ转染昆虫细胞的研究张传溪（浙江农业大学应用昆虫学研究所杭州３１００２９）吴祥甫（中国科学院上海生物化学研究所上海２０００３１）杆状病毒昆虫表达系统是８０年代发展起来的高效真核表达系统,具有表达量高,表达产物后加工较完全等优点,因...     

Directed In Vitro Myogenesis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Their In Vivo Engraftment

Development of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based therapy requires derivation of in vitro expandable cell populations that can readily differentiate to specified cell types and engraft upon transplantation. Here, we report that hESCs can differentiate into skeletal muscle cells without genetic manipulation. This is achieved through the isolation of cells expressing a mesodermal marker, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRA), following embryoid body (EB) formation. The ESC-derived cells differentiated into myoblasts in vitro as evident by upregulation of various myogenic genes, irrespective of the presence of serum in the medium. This result is further corroborated by the presence of sarcomeric myosin and desmin, markers for terminally differentiated cells. When transplanted in vivo, these pre-myogenically committed cells were viable in tibialis anterior muscles 14 days post-implantation. These hESC-derived cells, which readily undergo myogenic differentiation in culture medium containing serum, could be a viable cell source for skeletal muscle repair and tissue engineering to ameliorate various muscle wasting diseases.     

Bcl-2 siRNA Augments Taxol Mediated Apoptotic Death in Human Glioblastoma U138MG and U251MG Cells

The anti-neoplastic drug taxol binds to β-tubulin to prevent tumor cell division, promoting cell death. However, high dose taxol treatment may induce cell death in normal cells too. The anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 is upregulated in many cancer cells to protect them from apoptosis. In the current study, we knocked down Bcl-2 expression using cognate siRNA during low-dose taxol treatment to induce apoptosis in two human glioblastoma U138MG and U251MG cell lines. The cells were treated with either 100 nM taxol or 100 nM Bcl-2 siRNA or both for 72 h. Immunofluorescent stainings for calpain and active caspase-3 showed increases in expression and co-localization of these proteases in apoptotic cells. Fluorometric assays demonstrated increases in intracellular free [Ca²⁺], calpain, and caspase-3 indicating augmentation of apoptosis. Western blotting demonstrated dramatic increases in the levels of Bax, Bak, tBid, active caspases, DNA fragmentation factor-40 (DFF40), cleaved fragments of lamin, fodrin, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) during apoptosis. The events related to apoptosis were prominent more in combination therapy than in either treatment alone. Our current study demonstrated that Bcl-2 siRNA significantly augmented taxol mediated apoptosis in different human glioblastoma cells through induction of calpain and caspase proteolytic activities. Thus, combination of taxol and Bcl-2 siRNA offers a novel therapeutic strategy for controlling the malignant growth of human glioblastoma cells. Special issue article in honor of Dr. George DeVries.     

Soluble LRIG2 Ectodomain Is Released from Glioblastoma Cells and Promotes the Proliferation and Inhibits the Apoptosis of Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo in a Similar Manner to the Full-Length LRIG2

The human leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains (LRIG) gene family contains LRIG1, 2 and 3, encoding integral membrane proteins with an ectodomain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail. LRIG1 negatively regulates multiple receptor tyrosine kinases signaling including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and is a proposed tumor suppressor. The soluble LRIG1 ectodomain is demonstrated to be shed naturally and inhibit the progression of glioma. However, little is known regarding the functions of LRIG2. In oligodendroglioma, LRIG2 expression is associated with poor survival, suggesting that LRIG2 might have different functions compared with LRIG1. Since soluble LRIG1 ectodomain has a similar function to the full-length LRIG1, we hypothesize that the different roles exerted by LRIG2 and LRIG1 result from the difference of their ectodomains. Here, we addressed the functions of LRIG2 and LRIG2 ectodomain in the proliferation and apoptosis of glioma and the possible underlying mechanisms. Firstly, we found that LRIG2 expression levels positively correlated with the grade of glioma. Further, we demonstrated for the first time that soluble LRIG2 ectodomain was capable of being released from glioblastoma cells and exerted a pro-proliferative effect. Overexpression of LRIG2 ectodomain promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo in a similar manner to the full-length LRIG2. Both full-length LRIG2 and LRIG2 ectodomain were found to physically interact with EGFR, enhance the activation of EGFR and its downstream PI3 K/Akt pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that soluble LRIG2 ectodomain is capable of being released from glioblastoma cells and exerts a similar role to the full-length LRIG2 in the regulation of EGFR signaling in the progression of glioblastoma. LRIG2 ectodomain, with potent pro-tumor effects, holds promise for providing a new therapeutic target for the treatment of glioblastoma.     

Salinomycin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

The anti-tumor antibiotic salinomycin (Sal) was recently identified as a selective inhibitor of breast cancer stem cells; however, the effect of Sal on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not clear. This study aimed to determine the anti-tumor efficacy and mechanism of Sal on HCC. HCC cell lines (HepG2, SMMC-7721, and BEL-7402) were treated with Sal. Cell doubling time was determinated by drawing growth curve, cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit 8. The fraction of CD133⁺ cell subpopulations was assessed by flow cytometry. We found that Sal inhibits proliferation and decreases PCNA levels as well as the proportion of HCC CD133⁺cell subpopulations in HCC cells. Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry and showed that Sal caused cell cycle arrest of the various HCC cell lines in different phases. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. Sal induced apoptosis as characterized by an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Several signaling pathways were selected for further mechanistic analyses using real time-PCR and Western blot assays. Compared to control, β-catenin expression is significantly down-regulated upon Sal addition. The Ca²⁺ concentration in HCC cells was examined by flow cytometry and higher Ca²⁺ concentrations were observed in Sal treatment groups. The anti-tumor effect of Sal was further verified in vivo using the hepatoma orthotopic tumor model and the data obtained showed that the size of liver tumors in Sal-treated groups decreased compared to controls. Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining also demonstrated that Sal inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in vivo. Finally, the role of Sal on in vivo Wnt/β-catenin signaling was evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. This study demonstrates Sal inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo and one potential mechanism is inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling via increased intracellular Ca²⁺ levels.     

姜黄素诱导Nrf2 核转位对脂多糖引起库普弗细胞分泌炎症 细胞因子的影响

目的:研究姜黄素诱导大鼠Kupffer细胞Nrf2核转位对脂多糖(LPS)引起的炎症细胞因子分泌的影响。方法:分别用10μM、20μM和30μM干预Kupffer细胞8h,诱导Nrf2核转位水平;将Kupffer细胞随机分为对照组、LPS组和干预组,对照组正常培养未加姜黄素和LPS,LPS组用10μg/mL的LPS加入Kupffer细胞培养液共同培养2 h;干预组用30μM姜黄素干预8h后,余处理同LPS组。Western blot检测Nrf2核转位水平,分光光度法检测细胞MDA、GSH水平,ELISA法检测上清液TNF-α和IL-6,放免法检测IL-1β。结果:①姜黄素诱导Kupffer细胞Nrf2核转位,核转位水平随浓度增加而增高。②LPS组MDA水平较对照组显著升高(P<0.01),干预组MDA水平较LPS组显著降低(P<0.01),仍显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。LPS组GSH水平较对照组显著降低(P<0.01),干预组GSH水平较LPS组显著升高(P<0.01),仍显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。③LPS组上清液TNF-α,IL-1β和IL-6显著高于对照组(P<0.01),干预组均显著低于模型组(P<0.01),但显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:姜黄素通过诱导Kupffer细胞Nrf2核转位,降低LPS诱导的氧化应激损伤,抑制Kupffer细胞分泌炎症细胞因子。     

Effects of Melatonin on Carbonic Anhydrase from Human Erythrocytes In Vitro and from Rat Erythrocytes In Vivo

The in vitro effects of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) on human carbonic anhydrase isozymes (HCA-I and HCA-II) from human erythrocytes and in vivo effects on rat erythrocytes carbonic anhydrase (CA) were determined. Human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase isozymes were purified by haemolysate preparation and Sepharose-4B-L tyrosine-sulfanilamide affinity gel chromatography. The HCA-I enzyme, having a specific activity of 7337.5?EU/mg protein, was purified 843-fold with a yield of 60% and the HCA-II enzyme, having a specific activity of 17067?EU/mg protein, was purified 1962-fold with a yield of 22.7%. For in vitro experiments, the enzyme activity was minimal at 2×10-4?M melatonin concentration and increased above this concentration. Ten mg?kg-1 melatonin was administered intraperitoneally and showed a stimulatory effect on the enzyme. Time-dependent in vivo studies were conducted for melatonin in Sprague–Dawley type rats. It was found that CA activity in the rat erythrocytes was decreased by the melatonin after 1 and 3 hours to 2500±500.0 and 1875±239.4 respectively which were statistically significant (p<0.05) differences to the control (2660±235.8). However, CA activity was restored to its normal level after 6?h (2666±235.7) (p>0.05) probably due to metabolism of the melatonin. The findings indicate that melatonin may be pharmacologically useful in some diseases.     

姜黄素诱导Nrf2核转位对脂多糖引起库普弗细胞分泌炎症细胞因子的影响

目的：研究姜黄素诱导大鼠Kupffer细胞Nrf2核转位对脂多糖（LPS）引起的炎症细胞因子分泌的影响。方法：分别用10μM、20μM和30μM干预Kupffer细胞8h,诱导Nrf2核转位水平;将Kupffer细胞随机分为对照组、LPS组和干预组,对照组正常培养未加姜黄素和LPS,LPS组用10μg／mL的LPS加入Kupffer细胞培养液共同培养2h;干预组用30μM姜黄素干预8h后,余处理同LPS组。Western blot检测Nrf2核转位水平,分光光度法检测细胞MDA、GSH水平,ELISA法检测上清液TNF-α和IL-6,放免法检测IL-1β。结果：①姜黄素诱导Kupffer细胞Nrf2核转位,核转位水平随浓度增加而增高。②LPS组MDA水平较对照组显著升高（P〈0．01）,干预组MDA水平较LPS组显著降低（P〈0．01）,仍显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）。LPS组GSH水平较对照组显著降低（P〈0．01）,干预组GSH水平较LPS组显著升高（P〈0．01）,仍显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）。③LPS组上清液TNF-α,IL-1β和IL-6显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）,干预组均显著低于模型组（P〈0．01）,但显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论：姜黄素通过诱导Kupffer细胞Nrf2核转位,降低LPS诱导的氧化应激损伤,抑制Kupffer细胞分泌炎症细胞因子。     

5-Hydroxytryptamine Modulates Migration,Cytokine and Chemokine Release and T-Cell Priming Capacity of Dendritic Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Beside its well described role in the central and peripheral nervous system 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), commonly known as serotonin, is also a potent immuno-modulator. Serotoninergic receptors (5-HTR) are expressed by a broad range of inflammatory cell types, including dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we aimed to further characterize the immuno-biological properties of serotoninergic receptors on human monocyte-derived DCs. 5-HT was able to induce oriented migration in immature but not in LPS-matured DCs via activation of 5-HTR₁ and 5-HTR₂ receptor subtypes. Accordingly, 5-HT also increased migration of pulmonary DCs to draining lymph nodes in vivo. By binding to 5-HTR₃, 5-HTR₄ and 5-HTR₇ receptors, 5-HT up-regulated production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Additionally, 5-HT influenced chemokine release by human monocyte-derived DCs: production of the potent Th1 chemoattractant IP-10/CXCL10 was inhibited in mature DCs, whereas CCL22/MDC secretion was up-regulated in both immature and mature DCs. Furthermore, DCs matured in the presence of 5-HT switched to a high IL-10 and low IL-12p70 secreting phenotype. Consistently, 5-HT favoured the outcome of a Th2 immune response both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, our study shows that 5-HT is a potent regulator of human dendritic cell function, and that targeting serotoninergic receptors might be a promising approach for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.     

HZ08 Reverse P-Glycoprotein Mediated Multidrug Resistance In Vitro and In Vivo

BackgroundMultidrug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is highly expressed on membrane of tumor cells and is implicated in resistance to tumor chemotherapy. HZ08 is synthesized and studied in order to find a novel P-gp inhibitor.MethodsMDCK-MDR1 monolayer transport, calcein-AM P-gp inhibition and P-gp ATPase assays were used to confirm the P-gp inhibition capability of HZ08. Furthermore, KB-WT and KB-VCR cells were used to evaluate the P-gp inhibitory activity of HZ08 both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsResults showed that HZ08 was more potent than verapamil in MDCK-MDR1 monolayer transportation model. Meanwhile, P-gp ATPase assay and calcein-AM P-gp inhibition assay confirmed that HZ08 inhibited P-gp ATPase with a calcein-AM IC50 of 2.44±0.31μM. In addition, significantly greater in vitro multidrug resistance reversing effects were observed when vincristine or paclitaxel was used in combination with 10μM HZ08 compared with 10μM verapamil. Moreover, HZ08 could significantly enhance the sensitivity of vincristine with a similar effect like verapamil in both KB-WT and KB-VCR tumor xenograft models.ConclusionsThe novel structure HZ08 could be a potent P-gp inhibitor.