Recipe for a Busy Bee: MicroRNAs in Honey Bee Caste Determination

Social caste determination in the honey bee is assumed to be determined by the dietary status of the young larvae and translated into physiological and epigenetic changes through nutrient-sensing pathways. We have employed Illumina/Solexa sequencing to examine the small RNA content in the bee larval food, and show that worker jelly is enriched in miRNA complexity and abundance relative to royal jelly. The miRNA levels in worker jelly were 7–215 fold higher than in royal jelly, and both jellies showed dynamic changes in miRNA content during the 4^th to 6^th day of larval development. Adding specific miRNAs to royal jelly elicited significant changes in queen larval mRNA expression and morphological characters of the emerging adult queen bee. We propose that miRNAs in the nurse bee secretions constitute an additional element in the regulatory control of caste determination in the honey bee.     

Lefty A attenuates the TGF-β1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition of human renal proximal epithelial tubular cells

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial event for renal fibrosis that can be elicited by TGF-β1/Smads signaling and its downstream mediator connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). As a distinct member of the TGF-β superfamily, Lefty A has been shown to be significantly downregulated in the kidneys of patients with severe ureteral obstruction, suggesting its role in renal fibrosis induced by obstructive nephropathy. In order to determine whether Lefty A prevents TGF-β1-induced EMT, human proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2) were stably transfected with Lefty A or control vectors and stimulated with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 48 h. The results show that stimulation with TGF-β1 led to EMT including cell morphology changes, Smad2/3 signaling pathway activation, increased α-SMA, collagen type I, and CTGF expression, and decreased E-cadherin expression in mock-transfected HK-2 cells. Overexpression of Lefty A efficiently blocked p-Smad2/3 activation and attenuated all these EMT changes induced by TGF-β1. This finding suggests that Lefty A may serve as a potential new therapeutic target to inhibit or even reverse EMT during the process of renal fibrosis.     

Focal adhesion kinase mediates TGF-β1-induced renal tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in vitro

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase which participates in many important cellular processes such as cell adhesion and migration. However, the role of FAK in renal tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is still unknown. FAK was knocked down by transfection of specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cultured HK-2 cells, then the cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). The expression of FAK, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),E-cadherin, Akt, matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and collagen IV were detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence methods, respectively. Cell migration was determined by transwell assay. The results suggest that the expression of FAK was up-regulated in HK-2 cells when incubated with TGF-β1(10 μg/l), which was accompanied by reduced expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of α-SMA. All these changes were restored by FAK siRNA. Akt phosphorylation was induced by the treatment with TGF-β1, which was blocked by FAK siRNA. TGF-β1-induced down-regulation of E-cadherin was recovered by a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, without affecting the expression of FAK. Functionally, TGF-β1 induced an increase in MMP-9 expression, as well as decreased expression of TIMP-1 and collagen IV, which were all restored by the FAK siRNA transfection. In addition, FAK siRNA significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced cells migration. In conclusion, FAK may play a crucial role in mediating TGF-β1-induced EMT through the activation of Akt pathway.     

Response gene to complement 32 is essential for fibroblast activation in renal fibrosis

Response gene to complement 32 (RGC-32) is a downstream target of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). TGF-β is known to play a pathogenic role in renal fibrosis. In this study, we investigated RGC-32 function in renal fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice, a model of progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis. RGC-32 is normally expressed only in blood vessels of mouse kidney. However, UUO induces RGC-32 expression in renal interstitial cells at the early stage of kidney injury, suggesting that RGC-32 is involved in interstitial fibroblast activation. Indeed, expression of smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA), an indicator of fibroblast activation, is limited to the interstitial cells at the early stage, and became apparent later in both interstitial and tubular cells. RGC-32 knockdown by shRNA significantly inhibits UUO-induced renal structural damage, α-SMA expression and collagen deposition, suggesting that RGC-32 is essential for the onset of renal interstitial fibrosis. In vitro studies indicate that RGC-32 mediates TGF-β-induced fibroblast activation. Mechanistically, RGC-32 interacts with Smad3 and enhances Smad3 binding to the Smad binding element in α-SMA promoter as demonstrated by DNA affinity assay. In the chromatin setting, Smad3, but not Smad2, binds to α-SMA promoter in fibroblasts. RGC-32 appears to be essential for Smad3 interaction with the promoters of fibroblast activation-related genes in vivo. Functionally, RGC-32 is crucial for Smad3-mediated α-SMA promoter activity. Taken together, we identify RGC-32 as a novel fibrogenic factor contributing to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis through fibroblast activation.     

感染囊幼病的工蜂咽下腺细胞的超微结构的变化

前言 中华蜜蜂囊幼病是我国养蜂业的一种重要病毒病,发病率很高,有的地区造成大量的幼虫死亡,给我国养蜂生产带来一定的危害,为了对防治病害提供科学的依据,我们首先对该病病原进行了分离、提纯及电子显微镜的研究等工作。发现该病毒对幼虫和成蜂,尤其对工蜂体内各个器官都有程度不同的影响。在幼虫发病期症状特别明显,病幼虫身体松软多水,其表皮容易破裂,当悬挂幼虫时其幼虫末端积聚有透明的液滴,在巢房内幼虫头部尖并变成黑色,头部稍微向上抬起呈船形。死后的幼虫干涸变为褐色的外壳留于巢房内,当感染的幼虫全部封盖后,巢房盖的中央有一小孔,这些异常的变化都是囊幼病的典型症状。幼虫症状虽很明显,但工蜂感染病毒后在外部形态上却没有明显     

β-Casomorphin-7 attenuates the development of nephropathy in type I diabetes via inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells

This study was designed to investigate the putative protective effect of β-casomorphin-7 on diabetic nephropathy in a rat model, and to explore the possible mechanism of this effect. SD rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: control group, diabetes group and β-casomorphin-7-treatment group. All rats were euthanized after 30 days with or without β-casomorphin-7 treatment. Biochemical parameters including blood glucose and renal function were quantified. The concentration of plasma TGF-β1 was measured by ELISA. Histopathological changes to the kidney were studied by Masson and Sirius red staining. Expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), E-cadherin, vimentin, cytokeratin19 and TGF-β1 mRNA in rat renal cortices were analyzed by real-time PCR. Changes in α-SMA and E-cadherin protein expression in rat renal cortices were quantified by Western blot. β-Casomorphin-7 treatment of diabetic rats reduced urinary glucose, urinary protein, serum creatinine, blood urinary nitrogen, plasma TGF-β1 and the ratio of kidney: body weight. Masson and Sirius red staining showed that β-casomorphin-7 treatment attenuated renal interstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats. Compared to the control rats, diabetic rats had elevated expressions of α-SMA, vimentin and TGF-β1 mRNA and α -SMA protein and decreased expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin19 mRNA, and E-cadherin protein. β-Casomorphin-7 treatment of diabetic rats partially normalized these changes. Our results suggest that administration of β-casomorphin-7 attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis caused by diabetes. This protective effect may be associated, in part, with down regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Is cytochrome P450 3A4 regulated by menstrual cycle hormones in control endometrium and endometriosis?

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of evodiamine on fibroblast activation in cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were stimulated with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) to induce fibroblast activation. After co-cultured with evodiamine (5, 10 μM), the proliferation and pro-fibrotic proteins expression of cardiac fibroblasts were evaluated. HUVECs were also stimulated with TGF-β1 to induce EndMT and treated with evodiamine (5, 10 μM) at the same time. The EndMT response in the HUVECs was evaluated as well as the capacity of the transitioned endothelial cells migrating to surrounding tissue. As a result, Evodiamine-blunted TGF-β1 induced activation of cardiac fibroblast into myofibroblast as assessed by the decreased expressions of α-SMA. Furthermore, evodiamine reduced the increased protein expression of fibrosis markers in neonatal and adult rat cardiac fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. HUVECs stimulated with TGF-β1 exhibited lower expression levels of CD31, CD34, and higher levels of α-SMA, vimentin than the control cells. This phenotype was eliminated in the HUVECs treated with both 5 and 10 μM evodiamine. Evodiamine significantly reduced the increase in migration ability that occurred in response to TGF-β1 in HUVECs. In addition, the activation of Smad2, Smad3, ERK1/2, and Akt, and the nuclear translocation of Smad4 in both cardiac fibroblasts and HUVEC were blocked by evodiamine treatment. Thus, evodiamine could prevent cardiac fibroblasts from activation into myofibroblast and protect HUVEC against EndMT. These effects may be mediated by inhibition of the TGFβ pathway in both cardiac fibroblasts and HUVECs.     

DNA methylation regulates α-smooth muscle actin expression during cardiac fibroblast differentiation

Cardiac fibroblast (CF) differentiation to myofibroblasts expressing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) plays a key role in cardiac fibrosis. Therefore, a study of the mechanism regulating α-SMA expression is a means to understanding the mechanism of fibroblast differentiation and cardiac fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that DNA methylation is associated with gene expression and is related to the development of tissue fibrosis. However, the mechanisms by which CF differentiation is regulated by DNA methylation remain unclear. Here, we explored the epigenetic regulation of α-SMA expression and its relevance in CF differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated that α-SMA was overexpressed and DNMT1 expression was downregulated in the infarct area after myocardial infarction. Treatment of CFs with transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) in vitro upregulated α-SMA expression via epigenetic modifications. TGF-β₁ also inhibited DNMT1 expression and activity during CF differentiation. In addition, α-SMA expression was regulated by DNMT1. Conversely, increasing DNMT1 expression levels rescued the TGF-β₁-induced upregulation of α-SMA expression. Finally, TGF-β₁ regulated α-SMA expression by inhibiting the DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation of the α-SMA promoter. Taken together, our research showed that inhibition of the DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation of the α-SMA promoter plays an essential role in CF differentiation. In addition, DNMT1 may be a new target for the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis.     

糖尿病大鼠血糖控制前后肾小管上皮细胞VEGF、TGF-β1及Smad蛋白表达的动态研究

目的动态观察链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病大鼠血糖控制前后肾小管上皮细胞（TEC）中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）、Smad2/3、Smad4的表达情况,探讨四者在糖尿病大鼠TEC表型转变和肾间质纤维化中可能发挥的作用及相互关系。方法实验动物随机分为5组,依病程长短分为①A组（2周组）,②B组（4周组）,③C组（8周组）,④D组（16周组）,⑤E组（24周组）,每组分别设有正常对照组（N组）和糖尿病组（a组）;另外,16周、24周两组加设胰岛素治疗组（b组）。采用尾静脉注射STZ法复制糖尿病大鼠模型;免疫组织化学方法检测肾小管VEGF、TGF-β1、Smad2/3、Smad4及α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（-αSMA）和纤连蛋白（FN）的表达;Western blot检测肾皮质VEGF和TGF-β1蛋白;PAS染色光镜观察肾小管基底膜变化及细胞外基质沉积情况等形态学改变;生化方法测定血糖、血肌酐及24小时尿蛋白量。结果正常对照组VEGF、TGF-β1及Smad2/3、Smad4在肾小管均有少量表达,-αSMA在肾小管无表达;糖尿病组肾小管前述四者的表达均显著高于正常对照组,且从16周开始肾小管上皮细胞可见α-SMA蛋白阳性表达;糖尿病16周时肾小管VEGF、TGF-β1、Smad2/3、Smad4两两之间呈正相关;随糖尿病进展,α-SMA及FN在肾小管表达增多,24h尿蛋白增多,肾脏肥大指数增大,而VEGF、TGF-β1二者都分别和-αSMA、FN、24h尿蛋白及肾脏肥大指数呈正相关性;胰岛素治疗后,VEGF、TGF-β1、Smad2/3、Smad4及FN的表达都比糖尿病组明显下降,且各指标之间的正相关性依然存在,-αSMA蛋白则呈阴性表达。结论糖尿病肾病大鼠肾小管上皮细胞表达的VEGF、TGF-β1及Smad2/3、Smad4参与了TEC表型转变和肾间质纤维化的发生,并且VEGF和TGF-β1相互作用,共同促进了肾脏损害。胰岛素对DN大鼠TEMT和肾间质纤维化的影响可能部分是通过间接阻断VEGF、TGF-β1和Smad2/3、Smad4在TEC中的合成来实现的。     

Reduced Klotho expression level in kidney aggravates renal interstitial fibrosis

Renal expression of the klotho gene is markedly suppressed in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since renal fibrosis is the final common pathology of CKD, we tested whether decreased Klotho expression is a cause and/or a result of renal fibrosis in mice and cultured renal cell lines. We induced renal fibrosis by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice with reduced Klotho expression (kl/+ mice) and compared them with wild-type mice. The UUO kidneys from kl/+ mice expressed significantly higher levels of fibrosis markers such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)) than those from wild-type mice. In addition, in cultured renal fibroblast cells (NRK49F), the levels of α-SMA and PAI1 expression were significantly suppressed by addition of recombinant Klotho protein to the medium. The similar effects were observed by a TGF-β(1) receptor inhibitor (ALK5 inhibitor). These observations suggest that low renal Klotho expression enhances TGF-β(1) activity and is a cause of renal fibrosis. On the other hand, TGF-β(1) reduced Klotho expression in renal cultured epithelial cells (inner medullary collecting duct and human renal proximal tubular epithelium), suggesting that low renal Klotho expression is a result of renal fibrosis. Taken together, renal fibrosis can trigger a deterioration spiral of Klotho expression, which may be involved in the pathophysiology of CKD progression.     

高脂喂养大鼠肾小管上皮细胞SREBP-1、TGF-β1、α-SMA的表达和细胞外基质沉积

目的:探讨高脂喂养对大鼠肾脏小管上皮细胞SREBP-1、TGF-β1、α-SMA表达和细胞外基质(ECM)的影响。方法:高脂饲料喂养大鼠12周后,油红O检测肾脏脂质沉积,Masson染色检测肾小管间质细胞外基质沉积,免疫组化、Western blot和原位杂交检测SREBP-1、TGF-β1、α-SMA和FN的表达。结果:高脂喂养后大鼠体重明显增加,血糖、甘油三酯和胰岛素均升高,油红O检测显示大鼠肾小管上皮细胞内出现明显脂滴。SREBP-1蛋白和mRNA在肾小管上皮细胞内表达,高脂组高于正常对照组,分别是正常组的1.88倍和1.85倍;TGF-β1和α-SMA也定位于肾小管上皮细胞胞浆并出现上调。Masson染色显示高脂喂养大鼠肾间质ECM沉积增多,纤维粘连蛋白FN检测也显示模型组表达强于对照组。结论:高脂饮食喂养可能通过上调肾脏小管上皮细胞SREBP-1表达使细胞内脂滴沉积,并进一步诱导TGF-β1、α-SMA合成而导致细胞外基质堆积。     

Significance of α-SMA in myofibroblasts emerging in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis

Myofibroblast transdifferentiation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. However, the significance of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, which is the major morphological characteristic of myofibroblasts, remains to be determined in detail. The effect of α-SMA expression on fibrosis tissue was examined by using a fibrosis model (collagen gel) in vitro. The transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts was triggered in the culture medium with 0.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)+transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, but not with 10% FBS+TGF-β1. The TGF-β1-induced gel contraction caused by myofibroblasts was greater than that by fibroblasts. Gel contraction by myofibroblasts involved the Ca2+-dependent myosin light chain kinase pathway, as well as the activation of Rho kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Taken together, these findings suggest that α-SMA expression in renal interstitial fibroblasts, i.e., myofibroblast transdifferentiation, accelerates the contraction of the tubulointerstitial fibrosis tissue via the Ca2+-dependent pathway, in addition to the pathways involved in fibroblast contraction; this event may lead to renal atrophy and renal failure.     

Conservation of nutrients in larval tissue by cannibalizing honey bees

ABSTRACT. ¹⁴C-phenylalanine appeared in royal jelly secreted by worker honey bees ( Apis mellifera , L.) directly after eating ¹⁴-phenyl-alanine labelled larvae. The amount of labelled phenylalanine in royal jelly was associated directly with the volume of jelly produced. Loss of radio-label from the workers, in the form of O₂¹⁴C, increased when royal jelly secretion ended. These patterns show that conservation of nutrients in cannibalized tissue is enhanced when the cannibal bees are producing royal jelly. Specific activity of radiolabel in worker bee hypopharyngeal glands was higher than in thoracic muscle, showing selective movement within the bees of a nutrient acquired by cannibalism.     

Fluorofenidone attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis in the rat model of obstructive nephropathy

Fluorofenidone (FD) is a novel pyridone agent with significant antifibrotic effects in vitro. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of FD on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy caused by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). With pirfenidone (PD, 500 mg/kg/day) and enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) as the positive treatment controls, the rats in different experimental groups were administered with FD (500 mg/kg/day) from day 4 to day 14 after UUO. The tubulointerstitial injury, interstitial collagen deposition, and expression of type I and type III collagen, transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were assessed. FD treatment significantly attenuated the prominently increased scores of tubulointerstitial injury, interstitial collagen deposition, and protein expression of type I and type III collagen in ureter-obstructed kidneys, respectively. As compared with untreated rats, FD also significantly reduced the expression of α-SMA, TGF-β(1), CTGF, PDGF, and inhibitor of TIMP-1 in the obstructed kidneys. Fluorofenidone attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis in the rat model of obstructive nephropathy through its regulation on fibrogenic growth factors, tubular cell transdifferentiation, and extracellular matrix.     

Oral Administration of Royal Jelly Restores Tear Secretion Capacity in Rat Blink-Suppressed Dry Eye Model by Modulating Lacrimal Gland Function

Tears are secreted from the lacrimal gland (LG), a dysfunction in which induces dry eye, resulting in ocular discomfort and visual impairment. Honey bee products are used as a nutritional source in daily life and medicine; however, little is known about their effects on dry eye. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of honey bee products on tear secretion capacity in dry eye. We selected raw honey, propolis, royal jelly (RJ), pollen, or larva from commercially available honey bee products. Tear secretion capacity was evaluated following the oral administration of each honey bee product in a rat blink-suppressed dry eye model. Changes in tear secretion, LG ATP content, and LG mitochondrial levels were measured. RJ restored the tear secretion capacity and decrease in LG ATP content and mitochondrial levels to the largest extent. Royal jelly can be used as a preventative intervention for dry eye by managing tear secretion capacity in the LG.     

Effects of TGF-β1 on the proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells and a human periodontal ligament stem/progenitor cell line

Periodontal ligament (PDL) is a specialized connective tissue that influences the lifespan of the tooth. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine, but little is known about the effects of TGF-β1 on PDL cells. Our aim has been to demonstrate the expression of TGF-β1 in rat PDL tissues and to evaluate its effects on the proliferation and gene expression in human PDL cells (HPLCs) and a human PDL stem/progenitor cell line, line 1-11, that we have recently developed. The expression of TGF-β1 in the entire PDL tissue was confirmed immunohistochemically, and both HPLCs and cell line 1-11 expressed mRNA from the TGF-β1, TGF-β type I receptor, and TGF-β type II receptor genes. Although exogenous TGF-β1 stimulated the proliferation of HPLCs, it did not upregulate the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type I collagen (Col I), or fibrillin-1 (FBN1) mRNA or of α-SMA protein in HPLCs, whereas expression for these genes was attenuated by an anti-TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody. In contrast, exogenous TGF-β1 reduced the proliferation of cell line 1-11, although it upregulated the expression of α-SMA, Col I, and FBN1 mRNA and of α-SMA protein in this cell line. In addition, interleukin-1 beta stimulation significantly reduced the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and protein in HPLCs. Thus, TGF-β1 seems to play an important role in inducing fibroblastic differentiation of PDL stem/progenitor cells and in maintaining the PDL apparatus under physiological conditions.     

Renal protective effects of arjunolic acid in a cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity model

Cisplatin is the first platinum-containing anti-cancer drugs. Cisplatin notable side effect of nephrotoxicity limits its use in clinic. Meanwhile, arjunolic acid possesses anti-inflammatory properties and plays protective roles against chemically induced organ pathophysiology. This study was conducted to find out whether arjunolic acid could attenuate kidney damage in rats, and to elucidate its possible mechanism of action. Fifty rats were treated with cisplatin (10 mg/kg) in the presence/absence of 100 or 250 mg/kg arjunolic acid. Arjunolic acid is given 1 h after cisplatin. Morphological changes were assessed in kidney sections stained with Hematoxylin/Eosin and Masson Trichrome. Kidney samples were used for measurements of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and its type 1 receptor (TGF-βR1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β by ELISA. Gene expression NFκB was determined by real time-PCR. Kidney tissue apoptosis was assessed by measuring the activities of caspase-3/8/9. The renal protective effect of arjunolic acid was confirmed by approximately normal appearance of renal tissue and the relatively unaffected serum creatinine and urea levels. Furthermore, arjunolic acid showed dose dependent reduction in cisplatin-induced elevation in renal levels of TGF-βR1, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-1β and caspases. These findings demonstrated that arjunolic acid attenuates cisplatin nephrotoxicity either indirectly by enhancing body antioxidant activity or directly through several mechanisms, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, blocking activation of TGF-β1, and anti-apoptotic effects.