cTnT^（R141W）转基因小鼠扩张型心肌病模型的建立

目的建立cTnT^R141W扩张型心肌病的转基因小鼠模型。方法把cTnT^R141W基因插入-αMHC启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立cTnT^R141W转基因C57BL/6J小鼠。PCR鉴定cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠的基因表型,实时PCR检测基因的拷贝数,Northern blotting检测基因表达,光学显微镜和超声检测cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠心脏的病理改变。结果建立了3个系的cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠。3个系的基因拷贝数分别是15、20和59拷贝。cTnT^R141W基因在心脏组织的表达水平高于内源性cTnT。病理分析显示cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠心房心室明显大于野生型,心室壁明显变薄,心肌细胞不均匀肥大,心肌间质纤维增多。超声检查显示心室腔明显扩大,收缩期容积和舒张期容积显著增大,射血分数、短轴缩短率、室壁运动度明显降低。结论cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠的全心扩大,室壁变薄,心肌细胞肥大,间质纤维化以及心肌收缩力下降,说明成功建立了cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠扩张型心肌病模型,为研究扩张型心肌病发病机制和药物研发提供了有价值的动物模型。     

Differential Gene Expression of Cardiac Ion Channels in Human Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by idiopathic dilation and systolic contractile dysfunction of the cardiac chambers. The present work aimed to study the alterations in gene expression of ion channels involved in cardiomyocyte function.

Methods and Results

Microarray profiling using the Affymetrix Human Gene® 1.0 ST array was performed using 17 RNA samples, 12 from DCM patients undergoing cardiac transplantation and 5 control donors (CNT). The analysis focused on 7 cardiac ion channel genes, since this category has not been previously studied in human DCM. SCN2B was upregulated, while KCNJ5, KCNJ8, CLIC2, CLCN3, CACNB2, and CACNA1C were downregulated. The RT-qPCR (21 DCM and 8 CNT samples) validated the gene expression of SCN2B (p < 0.0001), KCNJ5 (p < 0.05), KCNJ8 (p < 0.05), CLIC2 (p < 0.05), and CACNB2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we performed an IPA analysis and we found a functional relationship between the different ion channels studied in this work.

Conclusion

This study shows a differential expression of ion channel genes involved in cardiac contraction in DCM that might partly underlie the changes in left ventricular function observed in these patients. These results could be the basis for new genetic therapeutic approaches.     

不同剂量呋喃唑酮诱导SD大鼠扩张型心肌病模型的实验研究

目的:改进现有呋喃唑酮(Fz)诱导SD大鼠扩张型心肌病(DCM)动物模型,使其血生化、心功能及组织病理改变更接近人类DCM临床病理生理过程.方法:150只2周龄SD大鼠分为四组,分别按Fz 0.30 mg/g、0.25 mg/g、0.20 mg/g灌胃,每日1次,以生理盐水为对照,分别在给药4、8、12和16周检查大鼠一般状况,检验血清肌钙蛋白I、肌钙蛋白T和N端前体脑钠肽水平,心脏功能和电镜、光镜观察组织病理改变.结果:(1)实验组鼠生长状况差,逐渐出现肢体水肿,站立行走不稳等症状,高、中、低剂量组大鼠各时间点体重明显小于相应对照组,而心脏重量/体重比值却高于相应对照组;(2)实验组大鼠给药8、12、16周超声检测发现心腔扩大,左室后壁动度明显减弱,部分出现同向运动;(3)高、中、低剂量组鼠各时间点右心房压均明显高于相应对照组鼠,心率较相应对照组鼠慢,主动脉压无明显差异;(4)实验组鼠给药8、12、16周HE染色显示心肌出现心肌纤维肥大、非特异性退行性变及间质纤维化,肝和肺有明显淤血;(5)实验组鼠给药8、12、16周苦味酸-天狼星红偏振光法观察心肌纤维化随年龄增长而逐渐加重,各型胶原比例失调,排列紊乱;(6)实验组鼠给药8、12、16周电镜显示心肌线粒体增生肿胀,肌丝排列紊乱,心肌细胞肥大和萎缩同时存在,有变性、坏死及纤维化.结论:中剂量Fz(0.25mg/g)灌胃12周作为大鼠DCM模型在临床表现,病理生理上与人类DCM更相似.     

Regional Changes in Rat Brain Adenosine A1 Receptors Following Seizures

Abstract

Generalized seizures induced a widespread upregulation of adenosine A1 receptors linked to G proteins in the rat brain. Changes in receptor density were more pronounced in structures mediating seizure activity and were age-dependent.     

The Imbalanced Expression of Adenosine Receptors in an Epilepsy Model Corrected Using Targeted Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation

Adenosine inhibits epileptic episodes by interacting with G-protein-coupled receptors. This study examined the mechanism by which the inhibitory effect of adenosine becomes impaired during epileptogenesis. Dynamic changes in adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs) and A2a receptors (A2aRs) were investigated in a kindling model of epilepsy. RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence results indicated that expression of A1Rs was increased in the hippocampus 24 h after kindling, but progressively decreased 1 and 6 months after kindling. Opposite changes were seen in the expression of A2aRs. This bidirectional change resulted in an imbalance between A1Rs and A2aRs and dysregulation of the adenosine system. Autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation was used to correct this disorder and avoid side effects of systematic adenosine therapy. Paramagnetic iron oxide particles were used to mark and track the MSCs in vivo using MRI. The results indicated that the transplanted cells migrated along the callosum and settled at the ependymal layer. The MSCs displayed a relatively long survival time, at least 3 months. The improved AR expression and EEG findings suggested that MSC transplantation was a potentially effective means of treating refractory epilepsy.     

分离差异表达基因的方法

了解不同细胞或同类细胞在不同发育阶段、不同生理状态下的基因表达状况,可以为研究生命活动过程提供重要信息。以差别筛选,扣除杂交等基本方法为出发点,研究基因表达差异的方法不断完善,先后出现了DDRT-PCR,RDA,SSH,cDNA微阵列(基因芯片)等技术。这里着重对这些方法的优缺点及改进进行了论述和评介,并对技术的发展趋势进行了分析。     

Effects of Candesartan on Electrical Remodeling in the Hearts of Inherited Dilated Cardiomyopathy Model Mice

Inherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by dilatation and dysfunction of the ventricles, and often results in sudden death or heart failure (HF). Although angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been used for the treatment of HF, little is known about the effects on postulated electrical remodeling that occurs in inherited DCM. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of candesartan, one of the ARBs, on cardiac function and electrical remodeling in the hearts of inherited DCM model mice (TNNT2 ΔK210). DCM mice were treated with candesartan in drinking water for 2 months from 1 month of age. Control, non-treated DCM mice showed an enlargement of the heart with prolongation of QRS and QT intervals, and died at t_1/2 of 70 days. Candesartan dramatically extended the lifespan of DCM mice, suppressed cardiac dilatation, and improved the functional parameters of the myocardium. It also greatly suppressed prolongation of QRS and QT intervals and action potential duration (APD) in the left ventricular myocardium and occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia. Expression analysis revealed that down-regulation of Kv4.2 (I_to channel protein), KChIP2 (auxiliary subunit of Kv4.2), and Kv1.5 (I_Kur channel protein) in DCM was partially reversed by candesartan administration. Interestingly, non-treated DCM heart had both normal-sized myocytes with moderately decreased I_to and I_Kur and enlarged cells with greatly reduced K⁺ currents (I_to, I_Kur I_K1 and I_ss). Treatment with candesartan completely abrogated the emergence of the enlarged cells but did not reverse the I_to, and I_Kur in normal-sized cells in DCM hearts. Our results indicate that candesartan treatment suppresses structural remodeling to prevent severe electrical remodeling in inherited DCM.     

Haplotypes of NOS3 Gene Polymorphisms in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by systolic dysfunction, followed by heart failure necessitating cardiac transplantation. The genetic basis is well established by the identification of mutations in sarcomere and cytoskeleton gene/s. Modifier genes and environmental factors are also considered to play a significant role in the variable expression of the disease, hence various mechanisms are implicated and one such mechanism is oxidative stress. Nitric Oxide (NO), a primary physiological transmitter derived from endothelium seems to play a composite role with diverse anti-atherogenic effects as vasodilator. Three functional polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene viz., T-786C of the 5′ flanking region, 27bp VNTR in intron4 and G894T of exon 7 were genotyped to identify their role in DCM. A total of 115 DCM samples and 454 controls were included. Genotyping was carried out by PCR -RFLP method. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were computed in both control & patient groups and appropriate statistical tests were employed. A significant association of TC genotype (T-786C) with an odds ratio of 1.74, (95% CI 1.14 - 2.67, p = 0.01) was observed in DCM. Likewise the GT genotypic frequency of G894T polymorphism was found to be statistically significant (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.34–3.27, p = 0.0011), with the recessive allele T being significantly associated with DCM (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.18 - 2.30, p = 0.003). The haplotype carrying the recessive alleles of G894T and T-786C, C4bT was found to exhibit 7 folds increased risk for DCM compared to the controls. Hence C4bT haplotype could be the risk haplotype for DCM. Our findings suggest the possible implication of NOS3 gene in the disease phenotype, wherein NOS3 may be synergistically functioning in DCM associated heart failure via the excessive production of NO in cardiomyocytes resulting in decreased myocardial contractility and systolic dysfunction, a common feature of DCM phenotype.     

人参皂甙Rb1改善转基因扩张型心肌病模型小鼠的心功能和心脏重构

目的利用cTnT^R141W转基因扩张型心肌病小鼠,研究人参皂甙Rb1对遗传性扩张型心肌病心功能及心脏重构的作用及其可能机制。方法将cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠随机分为模型组和人参皂甙Rb1治疗组（70 mg/kg/d）,连续给药7个月,取野生型小鼠作为对照组。心脏超声检测心脏功能及几何构型。HE染色观察心肌细胞变化。透射电镜分析心肌超微结构。RT-PCR检测心肌粘附蛋白的表达。免疫荧光激光共聚焦观察心肌粘附分子Itga8的表达与分布。结果Rb1长期给药能显著改善该模型的心脏功能及几何构型。光镜和透射电镜观察显示Rb1能减轻心肌细胞排列紊乱及超微结构的破坏。RT-PCR结果显示,在模型中Cx40表达降低,E-cad、itga8和itgb1bp3表达升高,但在Rb1组中接近正常水平。免疫荧光激光共聚焦结果显示Rb1可降低Itga8的表达量并调节其分布。结论Rb1可改善扩张型心肌病模型的心功能,抑制心脏重构,其作用可能部分通过调节粘附蛋白的表达而实现的。     

Modulation of Receptors for Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone by Benzodiazepines: Brain Regional Differences

The benzodiazepines (BZDs) chlordiazepoxide (CDE), diazepam (DZM), and flurazepam (FLM) inhibited receptor binding for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) with low micromolar potency. In contrast, numerous other categories of drugs were previously shown to be inactive. Scatchard analysis of competition data suggested that the BZDs reduced TRH receptor affinity, consistent with competitive inhibition. Receptors from amygdala, retina, and pituitary appeared more sensitive to inhibition by BZDs than those from hypothalamus, hippocampus, spinal cord, or cerebellum. The latter four regions also gave shallower inhibition curves. CDE revealed an apparently biphasic dissociation of [3-Me-His2]TRH([3H]MeTRH) from amygdala membranes at 4 degrees C, with kinetics similar to those with TRH. These results suggest that TRH receptors in the brain are heterogeneous and that certain BZDs in high therapeutic concentrations may exert central effects through actions at TRH receptors or coupled proteins.     

Recent Progress in the Purification of Adenosine Receptors

Abstract

A₁ adenosine receptors were purified to an apparent homogeneity from rat brain and testicular membranes by a novel affinity chromatography system using xanthine amine congener (XAC) as an immobilized ligand. This affinity chromatography was also useful for the purification of human brain A1 adenosine receptor.     

人参皂甙Rb1抑制扩张型心肌病发生中的HB-EGF表达和纤维化

目的HB-EGF过表达可促进心肌纤维化及心肌细胞凋亡,本文研究人参皂甙Rb1对cTnT^R141W转基因扩张型心肌病小鼠发病过程中的HB-EGF表达和心肌纤维化的影响。方法将cTnT^R141W转基因小鼠随机分为模型组和人参皂甙Rb1组（70 mg/kg/d）,连续给药7个月,取野生型小鼠作为对照组。用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析。心脏超声检测心功能及心脏几何构型。计算心重指数。光镜观察心肌细胞及间质变化。Western blot检测心脏HB-EGF,pSTAT3表达水平。结果Rb1长期给药能显著改善该模型的心功能和心脏几何构型,将死亡率降低50%。Rb1治疗组心重指数降低11.3%（P〈0.05）,光镜观察显示Rb1能减轻心肌细胞排列紊乱以及间质纤维化。Western blot结果显示Rb1能够显著降低模型中的HB-EGF及pSTAT3的表达。结论Rb1抑制心肌病发生中的HB-EGF表达及抑制下游信号pSTAT的激活,并改善扩张型心肌病模型的心功能及心脏重构。     

Discrete Distributions of Adenosine Receptors in Mammalian Retina

Binding sites for both the adenosine A1 receptor agonists [3H]phenylisopropyladenosine and [3H]cyclohexyladenosine and the mixed A1-A2 agonist N-[3H]ethylcarboxamidoadenosine [( 3H]NECA) were localized in rabbit and mouse retinas using autoradiographic techniques. These two classes of agonists bound to very different regions of mammalian retinas. A1 agonist binding was localized to the inner retina, particularly over the inner plexiform layer. The binding of [3H]NECA was observed primarily over the retinal pigmented epithelium and the outer and inner segments of photoreceptors. [3H]NECA labeling was not affected either by including a low concentration of unlabeled A1 agonist or by pretreating tissue with N-ethylmaleimide to inhibit ligand binding at A1 sites. While virtually all of the [3H]NECA binding was displaced by an excess of unlabeled NECA, displacement with antagonist or a large excess of cyclohexyladenosine revealed that approximately 30% of the [3H]NECA binding was at non-A1,A2 sites. The majority of the binding in the outer retina thus labeled A2 receptor sites. The unique localizations of the two classes of adenosine receptors suggest different functions in visual processing.     

Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies a Troponin T Mutation Hot Spot in Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) commonly causes heart failure and shows extensive genetic heterogeneity that may be amenable to newly developed next-generation DNA sequencing of the exome. In this study we report the successful use of exome sequencing to identify a pathogenic variant in the TNNT2 gene using segregation analysis in a large DCM family. Exome sequencing was performed on three distant relatives from a large family with a clear DCM phenotype. Missense, nonsense, and splice variants were analyzed for segregation among the three affected family members and confirmed in other relatives by direct sequencing. A c.517T C>T, Arg173Trp TNNT2 variant segregated with all affected family members and was also detected in one additional DCM family in our registry. The inclusion of segregation analysis using distant family members markedly improved the bioinformatics filtering process by removing from consideration variants that were not shared by all affected subjects. Haplotype analysis confirmed that the variant found in both DCM families was located on two distinct haplotypes, supporting the notion of independent mutational events in each family. In conclusion, an exome sequencing strategy that includes segregation analysis using distant affected relatives within a family represents a viable diagnostic strategy in a genetically heterogeneous disease like DCM.     

小鼠脑组织腺苷A2A受体缺失模型的建立与评价

制备了脑组织腺苷A2A受体基因缺失的小鼠模型并对该模型进行评价。在采用2次6.2 Gy X线间隔照射对敲除A2A受体基因的雌性C57BL/6小鼠进行清髓处理后, 将野生型雄性C57BL/6小鼠骨髓细胞移植到其体内, 使其脑组织的A2A受体仍保持缺失型。然后对移植效果进行鉴定, 并对模型的生理指标进行观察和评价。结果发现: 骨髓移植6周后, 受体小鼠的白细胞性染色体基因由雌性变为雄性; 骨髓中A2A受体阳性细胞率为94.85%, 而脑内A2A受体mRNA与A2A受体基因敲除小鼠比较, 无显著差异。模型小鼠除心率略低于野生型小鼠外, 在呼吸频率、脑含水量以及脑内谷氨酸含量等生理指标上均与野生型小鼠和A2A基因敲除小鼠无显著差异。     

A Computer Generated Model of Adenosine Receptors Rationalising Binding and Selectivity of Receptor Ligands

Abstract

Computer graphic analyses on a broad spectrum of adenosine receptor ligands has shown that both the A1 and A2 adenosine receptors have three binding sites. The spatial relationship of these three binding sites has been defined. Adenosine orientation at A1 and A2 is different.