TEAD1转录本的鉴定及其在鸡前脂肪细胞中的功能研究

目的 TEAD1转录因子1（TEAD1）在前脂肪细胞中表达,但是功能还不清楚。本研究旨在探讨TEAD1的两个转录本对永生化鸡前脂肪细胞系（immortalized chicken preadipocyte 1,ICP1）细胞增殖、迁移、凋亡和分化的影响。方法 克隆TEAD1基因的全长序列,对获得的两个转录本进行生物信息学分析。利用间接免疫荧光分析TEAD1转录本的亚细胞定位。通过RT-qPCR、CCK-8和EdU等方法,检测过表达TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞增殖的影响。利用划痕实验检测TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞迁移的影响。利用细胞凋亡-Hoechst染色和RT-qPCR,分析过表达TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞凋亡的影响。通过RT-qPCR检测TEAD1转录本在不同组织、不同细胞系和ICP1细胞分化过程中的表达。利用油红O染色、BODIPY染色、RT-qPCR、Western blot和双荧光素酶报告基因技术,分析过表达TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞脂滴积累及成脂相关基因转录的影响。最后,测定过表达TEAD1转录本的ICP1细胞中甘油三酯（TG）含量。结果 克隆TEAD1全长编码区,鉴定出两个TEAD1转录本。TEAD1-V1主要定位于细胞核,TEAD1-V2定位于细胞质与细胞核。过表达TEAD1-V1和TEAD1-V2均抑制ICP1细胞增殖。过表达TEAD1-V1促进ICP1细胞迁移,而过表达TEAD1-V2对ICP1细胞迁移没有影响。且过表达TEAD1-V1和TEAD1-V2均促进ICP1细胞凋亡。两个转录本在不同组织和细胞系中的表达模式相似,在前脂肪细胞分化过程中的表达先下降后上升。过表达TEAD1-V1能显著减少ICP1细胞中脂滴的积累（P<0.05）,抑制C/EBPα表达;而过表达TEAD1-V2对脂滴积累和成脂相关基因的蛋白质表达水平没有明显作用（P>0.05）。过表达TEAD1-V1能显著降低ICP1细胞中甘油三脂的含量（P<0.05）,而过表达TEAD1-V2对ICP1细胞中甘油三酯含量没有影响（P>0.05）。结论 本研究首次克隆并鉴定了鸡TEAD1基因的两个转录本。过表达转录本TEAD1-V1和TEAD1-V2抑制鸡前脂肪细胞增殖并且促进鸡前脂肪细胞凋亡;TEAD1-V1抑制前脂肪细胞分化并促进前脂肪细胞迁移,而TEAD1-V2对前脂肪细胞分化和迁移没有影响。     

槟榔碱对3T3-L1脂肪细胞脂代谢的影响

目的：观察槟榔碱对3T3-L1脂肪细胞脂代谢的影响并探讨其可能机制。方法：采用经典的"鸡尾酒"法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化成熟,随后用不同浓度的槟榔碱（0、25、50、100 μmol/L）处理成熟脂肪细胞72 h。72 h后,四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法检测细胞的活性;油红O染色观察胞浆内脂滴情况;Western blot检测脂肪酸合成酶（FAS）、甘油三酯脂肪酶（ATGL）、激素敏感性脂肪酶（HSL）蛋白表达。结果：诱导分化成熟的脂肪细胞胞浆内可见大量脂滴;MTT显示：0~100 μmol/L槟榔碱对脂肪细胞活力无显著影响;油红O染色后脂质含量测定结果表明槟榔碱能减少成熟脂肪细胞中脂质含量;Western blot结果显示：与0 μmol/L组（对照组）相比,槟榔碱可显著降低脂肪细胞内FAS的蛋白表达,增加ATGL和HSL的蛋白表达;其中以50 μmol/L组最为显著。结论：槟榔碱使脂肪细胞脂解增强,可能与降低脂质合成关键酶FAS的表达,增加脂质分解代谢关键酶ATGL和HSL的表达有关。     

双硫仑治疗小鼠肥胖的安全性和有效性评价

摘要 目的：观察双硫仑治疗小鼠肥胖的安全性和有效性。方法：取6周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠10只,高脂饲料诱导肥胖后,随机分为双硫仑组（双硫仑玉米油溶液,300 mg/(kg?d）和对照组（等量玉米油）,每组5只小鼠。每日灌胃给药1次,连续2周,期间仍给与高脂饲料。监测小鼠食物消耗量和体重。给药结束后取小鼠血清、附睾白色脂肪垫、肩胛间区棕色脂肪和肝脏。白色、棕色脂肪和肝脏进行HE染色,观察细胞形态。电镜下观察棕色脂肪细胞内的脂滴和线粒体。Realtime-qPCR法检测棕色脂肪组织中Ucp1、Fabp4、Prdml6和Cidea的mRNA相对表达量,Western blot法检测Ucp1的蛋白表达量。检测血清中转氨酶ALT和AST含量。取8周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠10只,随机分为双硫仑组（双硫仑300 mg/(kg?d）和对照组（等量玉米油）,每日灌胃1次,连续2周。给药结束后进行棕色脂肪和肝脏HE染色并检测血清中ALT和AST含量。取8周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠10只,随机分为双硫仑组（双硫仑300 mg/(kg?d）和对照组（等量玉米油）,每日灌胃1次,连续4周,进行肝脏HE染色并检测血清中ALT和AST含量。取孕13.5天的C57BL/6J胚胎小鼠,进行成纤维细胞原代培养,分为双硫仑组（双硫仑5 mg/L）和对照组（等量DMSO）并诱导分化为棕色脂肪细胞。分化8天后进行油红O染色,观察脂滴形成情况,检测Ucp1、Fabp4、Prdml6和Cidea的mRNA相对表达量和Ucp1的蛋白表达量。结果：肥胖小鼠给药过程中,双硫仑组和对照组的进食量及体重变化并无明显差别（P＞0.05）。给药结束后,两组白色脂肪细胞大小无明显差别。双硫仑组小鼠棕色脂肪细胞直径和细胞内脂滴明显增大（P＜0.05）,脂滴数量、线粒体形态及数量无明显差别（P＞0.05）。双硫仑组小鼠棕色脂肪中Cidea和Prdm16的mRNA表达减少（P＜0.05）。正常体重小鼠双硫仑给药2周后棕色脂肪细胞脂滴也增大。细胞实验结果显示,双硫仑组脂滴形成明显减少,Ucp1、Cidea、Prdm16的mRNA表达明显减少（P<0.05）;Ucp1的蛋白表达明显减少（P<0.05）。肥胖与正常小鼠双硫仑给药2周后均出现明显的肝细胞水肿,血清中ALT和AST升高（P<0.05）,正常小鼠给药4周后仍有明显肝细胞水肿,ALT和AST升高（P<0.05）。结论：短期使用双硫仑对饮食诱导的肥胖小鼠无明显减肥作用;双硫仑在体内、外均可抑制小鼠棕色脂肪细胞的分化。短期使用双硫仑可引起肝损害。双硫仑用于减肥治疗的安全性及有效性尚不够理想。     

Fsp27基因沉默载体的构建及其对细胞脂解的影响研究

构建脂肪特异性蛋白27(Fat-specific protein of 27,Fsp27)基因沉默载体,研究沉默Fsp27基因表达对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响,并对其作用机制进行探究。采用RNAi技术,构建Fsp27基因真核干扰载体,下调Fsp27基因的表达。“鸡尾酒”法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化为成熟脂肪细胞。脂质体转染脂肪细胞,油红O染色脂滴,酶法测定细胞中甘油及甘油三酯的含量。Western blot法检测细胞中Fsp27、HSL、ATGL和PPARγ的蛋白表达。Western blot结果显示:阳性sh-Fsp27干扰载体均能有效下调Fsp27的表达,且伴随细胞内ATGL和PPARγ的表达量升高(P<0.05),其中sh-Fsp27-2的沉默效果最好;酶学方法检测结果显示:阳性sh-Fsp27干扰组细胞中甘油三酯含量下降,甘油含量升高(P<0.05);油红O染色结果发现:空白对照组与阴性对照组均有大脂滴堆积,阳性sh-Fsp27组小脂滴分布广泛,未见明显的大脂滴。sh-Fsp27-2组基因沉默载体的沉默效果最好,Fsp27基因沉默可以加快3T3-L1细胞的脂解速率,其主要是通过抑制脂滴融合和增强ATGL酶的水解来完成对脂解的调控。     

促酰化蛋白对脂肪细胞分化中脂滴相关蛋白TIP47表达的影响

研究促酰化蛋白（acylation stimulating protein, ASP）在3T3-L1脂肪细胞分化中对脂滴相关蛋白TIP47(tail-interacting protein 47 kD)表达的影响,从而探讨ASP在成脂方面的重要意义．用免疫荧光染色法观察3T3-L1前脂肪细胞中TIP47的表达定位;采用经典激素鸡尾酒法诱导分化3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,用RT-PCR和Western 印迹方法检测诱导分化的3T3-L1脂肪细胞中TIP47 mRNA和蛋白表达;在分化过程中不同时点,对诱导分化中的3T3-L1脂肪细胞分别给予胰岛素和ASP处理,并设立相应空白对照,用RT-PCR和Western印迹方法检测TIP47 mRNA和蛋白表达． 结果显示,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞中TIP47主要在胞浆内表达;诱导分化过程中的3T3-L1脂肪细胞TIP47 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平呈时间依赖性降低;ASP对诱导分化的3T3-L1脂肪细胞中TIP47 mRNA和蛋白表达有显著的上调作用,但随着分化至48 h,其上调作用已不明显;胰岛素仅在分化的0 d对脂肪细胞中TIP47 mRNA和蛋白表达有上调作用,之后基本无影响．结果提示,ASP促成脂作用可能与其调节脂滴相关蛋白TIP47的表达密切相关,从而为认识及防治肥胖症开拓新的思路．     

CRISPR/Cas9敲除PLIN1基因增强3T3-L1脂肪细胞的脂解作用

应用CRISPR/Cas9技术敲除3T3-L1前脂肪细胞plin1,观察PLIN1缺失对脂肪细胞中脂肪水解的影响并探究可能机制。常规培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,电穿孔法转染plin1敲除载体,嘌呤霉素培养基挑选plin1敲除细胞,观察转染及筛选后的细胞存活率。"鸡尾酒"法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化,酶法测定甘油和TG含量,油红O染色观察脂滴形态及数目的变化。Western blotting检测PLIN1、PPARγ、Fsp27和脂肪酶的蛋白表达;RT-PCR检测PLIN1和脂肪酶的mRNA表达。对照组细胞诱导分化后,微小脂滴数目较少,单房脂滴数目较多并围绕细胞核呈环型排列。相较于对照组,敲除组细胞诱导分化后微小脂滴数目增加,单房脂滴体积缩小,数目减少;细胞中PLIN1mRNA及蛋白表达被显著抑制(P0.05);甘油水平显著上升(0.0984±0.0076),TG含量显著下降(0.031 0±0.005 3);HSL和ATGL两种脂肪酶的mRNA及蛋白表达均升高(P0.05);PPARγ和Fsp27的表达未有明显变化。上述结果表明plin1敲除后通过暴露脂滴中脂质以及上调脂肪酶等效应增强了3T3-L1脂肪细胞的脂解作用。     

精氨酸甲基转移酶（PRMT）7通过IGF-1信号通路调控人骨髓间充质干细胞成脂分化的研究

目的 本研究旨在明确精氨酸甲基转移酶（PRMT）7在人骨髓间充质干细胞（hBMSCs）成脂分化过程中的变化以及是否调控hBMSCs成脂分化,进而探索相应的调控机制。方法 通过定量反转录PCR（qRT-PCR）和蛋白质印迹（Western blot）检测hBMSCs成脂分化过程中PRMT7的变化;通过qRT-PCR和Western blot实验证明PRMT7稳定敲低细胞系构建成功。进行油红O染色和定量分析,以及qRT-PCR和Western blot实验检测PRMT7稳定敲低细胞系成脂分化水平的变化;通过裸鼠体内异位成脂实验,油红O染色检测PRMT7稳定敲低细胞系体内异位成脂的效果;通过qRT-PCR和Western blot证明PRMT7稳定过表达细胞系构建成功。进行油红O染色和定量分析以及qRT-PCR和Western blot实验检测PRMT7稳定过表达细胞系成脂分化水平的变化;通过qRT-PCR和Western blot实验检测敲低PRMT7和过表达PRMT7的细胞中IGF-1表达水平的变化。在PRMT7稳定敲低细胞系中转染siIGF-1并通过qRT-PCR和Western blot检测IGF-1的表达水平验证敲低效率。通过油红O染色和定量分析,qRT-PCR实验检测转染siIGF-1的敲低组hBMSCs成脂分化水平的变化。结果 本文发现：在hBMSCs成脂过程中,PRMT7表达水平明显降低（P<0.01）;敲低PRMT7后hBMSCs的成脂分化能力增强（P<0.001）;敲低PRMT7后hBMSCs的体内异位成脂分化能力增强;过表达PRMT7后hBMSCs的成脂分化能力减弱（P<0.01）;PRMT7敲低后IGF-1表达水平增加（P<0.000 1）;PRMT7过表达后IGF-1表达水平降低（P<0.000 1）;转染siIGF-1后,各细胞系IGF-1表达水平明显降低（P<0.001）;敲低组转染siIGF-1后成脂分化能力明显降低（P<0.01）。结论 本研究通过细胞水平和裸鼠皮下移植实验发现PRMT7显著抑制hBMSCs成脂分化,机制研究发现PRMT7对hBMSCs成脂分化的调控作用依赖IGF-1信号通路。上述研究表明,PRMT7可能是治疗相关疾病的潜在分子靶点,为PRMT7和hBMSCs应用于相关疾病治疗提供了新思路。     

LINC00472参与TGF-β1诱导的HK-2细胞系纤维化和上皮间充质转化

摘要 目的：探讨长链非编码RNA LINC00472在肾纤维化细胞模型中的表达及其在TGF-β1诱导的肾小管上皮细胞纤维化和上皮间充质转化（EMT）中的功能作用。方法：使用重组人TGF-β1诱导人肾小管上皮细胞（HK-2）纤维化和EMT,采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测细胞中纤维化相关基因和LINC00472的mRNA表达水平,通过Western blot免疫印迹法检测细胞中纤维化相关基因的蛋白表达水平,通过划痕实验评估LINC00472表达对HK-2细胞迁移能力的影响。结果：TGF-β1能成功诱导HK-2细胞发生纤维化和EMT,并剂量和时间依赖性地抑制LINC00472的表达（P<0.05）。抑制LINC00472进一步促进TGF-β1诱导的Fibronectin和Vimentin上调,以及E-cadherin下调（P<0.05）;而过表达LINC00472则能逆转TGF-β1对纤维化相关基因的诱导作用（P<0.05）。此外,抑制LINC00472能进一步增强TGF-β1诱导的HK-2细胞迁移（P<0.05）,而上调LINC00472则使细胞迁移受到抑制（P<0.05）。结论：LINC00472在TGF-β1诱导的肾纤维化细胞模型中呈低表达,其表达水平的降低能促进细胞纤维化和EMT过程。     

胞外酸化经ASIC1/RIP1途径抑制TFEB介导的巨噬细胞脂噬

目的 探讨胞外酸化对巨噬细胞脂噬的影响及其作用机制。方法 采用RAW264.7巨噬细胞,以pH 6.5培养液与 25 mg/L氧化低密度脂蛋白（ox-LDL）共孵育24 h构建胞外酸化诱导的泡沫细胞模型。分别以ASIC1特异性阻断剂PcTx-1和RIP1抑制剂Nec-1干预胞外酸化诱导的RAW264.7巨噬细胞24 h,油红O染色检测细胞内脂质蓄积;蛋白质印迹（Western blot）检测总ASIC1、膜ASIC1、p-RIP1 Ser166、p-TFEB Ser142、LC3和p62蛋白的表达;激光共聚焦显微镜观察脂滴（Bodipy示踪）与自噬标志物LC3II和LAMP1共定位;透射电镜观察细胞内脂滴和脂噬泡的数量变化;胆固醇荧光试剂盒检测ABCA1介导的胆固醇流出。结果 与pH 7.4组相比较,pH 6.5胞外酸化组胞内的脂质蓄积和细胞质膜上的ASIC1蛋白表达显著增加,p-RIP1Ser166、p-TFEB Ser142水平升高,LC3II蛋白减少和p62蛋白增加,脂滴与LC3II和LAMP1的共定位都分别减少,细胞内的脂滴数量显著增加,自噬体和脂噬泡的数量则明显减少,ABCA1介导的巨噬细胞内胆固醇流出显著减少。然而,胞外酸化对RAW264.7巨噬细胞的上述效应能被ASIC1特异性阻断剂PcTx-1和RIP1抑制剂Nec-1所取消。结论 胞外酸化经激活ASIC1/RIP1途径促进TFEB磷酸化抑制巨噬细胞脂噬,ASIC1可能是防治动脉粥样硬化等脂质蓄积疾病的新靶点。     

严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2膜蛋白对宿主细胞pre-mRNA 3"UTR加工的影响

目的 研究严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）膜蛋白对宿主细胞mRNA前体（pre-mRNA）3"非翻译区（UTR）加工的影响。方法 本研究以人肺上皮细胞系A549为模型，利用瞬时转染在细胞内过表达SARS-CoV-2膜蛋白；利用RNA-Seq测序技术及生物信息学分析方法，系统性描绘宿主细胞选择性多聚腺苷酸化（alternative polyadenylation，APA）事件；Metascape数据库对发生显著APA变化的基因进行功能富集分析；RT-qPCR验证靶基因3"UTR长度变化；蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blot）检测目的蛋白表达水平。结果 SARS-CoV-2膜蛋白外源表达后宿主细胞内共813个基因发生显著APA变化。GO和KEGG分析显示，差异APA基因广泛参与有丝分裂细胞周期、调节细胞应激等生物过程，涉及病毒感染和蛋白质加工等。从中进一步筛选出AKT1基因，在IGV软件中显示3"UTR延长；RT-qPCR验证AKT1基因的3"UTR长度变化趋势；Western blot结果显示AKT1蛋白磷酸化水平增加。结论 SARS-CoV-2膜蛋白潜在影响宿主pre-mRNA的3"UTR加工，其中参与多种病毒性生物过程的AKT1基因 3"UTR延长，且其编码的蛋白质功能在细胞内被激活。     

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase Nm23-M1 involves in oligodendroglial versus neuronal cell fate decision in vitro

The adult glial progenitor cells were recently shown to be able to produce neurons in central nervous system (CNS) and to become multipotent in vitro. Although the fate decision of glial progenitors was studied extensively, the signals and factors which regulate the timing of neuronal differentiation still remain unknown. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the neuronal differentiation from glial progenitors, we modified the gene expression profile in NG2⁺ glial progenitor cells using enhanced retroviral mutagen (ERM) technique followed by phenotype screening to identify possible gene(s) responsible for glial-neuronal cell fate determination. Among the identified molecules, we found the gene named non-metastatic cell 1 which encodes a nucleoside diphosphate kinase protein A (Nm23-M1 or NME1). So far, the Nm23 members have been shown to be involved in various molecular processes including tumor metastasis, cell proliferation, differentiation and cell fate determination. In the present study, we provide evidence suggesting the role of NME1 in glial-neuronal cell fate determination in vitro. We showed that NME1 is widely expressed in neuronal structures throughout adult mouse CNS. Our immunohistochemical results revealed that NME1 is strongly colocalized with NF200 through white matter of spinal cord and brain. Interestingly, NME1 overexpression in oligodendrocyte progenitor OLN-93 cells potently induced the acquisition of neuronal fate, while its silencing was shown to promote oligodendrocyte differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that dual-functional role of NME1 is achieved through cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Our data therefore suggested that NME1 acts as a switcher or reprogramming factor which involves in oligodentrocyte versus neuron cell fate specification in vitro.     

体细胞重编程逆转为干细胞的研究进展

目前细胞和发育生物学上的研究成果为生物医学研究提供了广泛的前景.将完全分化的细胞重编程,不经过胚胎逆转为多能干细胞状态,这点燃了再生医学应用的新希望,这一成果从法律、道德、伦理等不同方面被人们所接受.通过体细胞克隆胚胎获得干细胞所面临的破坏胚胎的伦理限制,促使研究者去寻求将分化细胞重编程逆转为干细胞的新方法.主要论述了体细胞重编程的原理、过程及不经过胚胎逆转为多能干细胞的方法.     

胚胎干细胞起源的探讨

目前胚胎干细胞(ESCs)建系的取材来源包括桑椹胚的卵裂球、囊胚的内细胞团(ICM)、上胚层细胞和原始生殖细胞(PGCs),甚至从新生鼠睾丸细胞也分离得到类ES样细胞系。这就提出了一个问题,什么是ESCs最接近的体内细胞来源。传统观念常常把ESCs等同于ICM细胞,也有学者认为ESCs更象上胚层细胞,而在已知的分子标记基因方面,ESCs所具有的特征更接近体内早期生殖细胞。不清楚ESCs最接近的体内细胞来源,可能是制约许多品系小鼠和大多哺乳类动物建系成功率提高的原因之一。ESCs系与EG细胞系的分离条件不同表明,加强对ESCs多能性维持基因调控研究具有重要意义。本文从ESCs的经典概念及其发展,早期胚胎细胞和生殖细胞发育规律,早期胚胎细胞、早期生殖细胞和ESCs的关系等方面进行综合分析,认为ESCs可能有多种接近的体内细胞来源。进一步应通过对ESCs建系不同的取材细胞和不同品系的ESCs间进行比较研究,以便弄清ESCs的来源和转化机制,为提高不同物种ESCs建系效率提供理论支持。     

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of pilomatrixoma

FNA smears from five histologically confirmed cases of pilomatrixoma were reviewed to delineate the cytological features helpful in diagnosis. A combination of basaloid cells, ghost cells and foreign body giant cells appeared to be necessary in FNA smear for a confident cytodiagnosis of pilomatrixoma. Presence of naked nuclei, nucleated squamous cells and calcification were additional features in favour of the diagnosis. Another 10 cases with initial cytodiagnosis of pilomatrixoma or benign skin appendage tumour were reviewed. Using the above criteria, diagnosis of pilomatrixoma was easy in five cases. One case was problematical due to presence of atypical squamous cells. Initially the cytological features were most commonly confused with epidermal inclusion cyst, giant cell lesion or a squamous cell carcinoma. The main reasons for erroneous diagnosis were lack of awareness of cytological features, predominance of one component over the others, and non‐representative FNA smears. Atypia in nucleated squamous cells, and misinterpretation of basaloid cells as malignant can lead to diagnostic dilemma. Adequate clinical data are also necessary.     

诱导型细胞的研究进展

胚胎干细胞(ES细胞)和诱导型多能干细胞(iPS细胞)的研究进展为生物学基础研究注入了新的活力,然而免疫排斥、致瘤性以及诱导效率低等缺陷制约其进一步快速发展和临床应用．最近,科学家借鉴iPS细胞诱导技术和传统的诱导体系,将终末分化细胞直接诱导为功能性细胞,如心肌细胞、神经细胞和肝脏细胞,称为诱导型细胞．这些研究进展极大地促进了细胞分化、重编程和表观遗传学的研究,也为人类再生医学的研究提供了新的途径．     

Induction of γδT cells from HSC-enriched BMCs co-cultured with iPSC-derived thymic epithelial cells

T cells bearing γδ antigen receptors have been investigated as potential treatments for several diseases, including malignant tumours. However, the clinical application of γδT cells has been hampered by their relatively low abundance in vivo and the technical difficulty of inducing their differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro. Here, we describe a novel method for generating mouse γδT cells by co-culturing HSC-enriched bone marrow cells (HSC-eBMCs) with induced thymic epithelial cells (iTECs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We used BMCs from CD45.1 congenic C57BL/6 mice to distinguish them from iPSCs, which expressed CD45.2. We showed that HSC-eBMCs and iTECs cultured with IL-2 + IL-7 for up to 21 days induced CD45.1⁺ γδT cells that expressed a broad repertoire of Vγ and Vδ T-cell receptors. Notably, the induced lymphocytes contained few or no αβT cells, NK1.1⁺ natural killer cells, or B220⁺ B cells. Adoptive transfer of the induced γδT cells to leukemia-bearing mice significantly reduced tumour growth and prolonged mouse survival with no obvious side effects, such as tumorigenesis and autoimmune diseases. This new method suggests that it could also be used to produce human γδT cells for clinical applications.     

Whole cell biocatalysts stabilization for l-carnitine production

We present how whole cells can be used in different ways to stabilize enzyme catalysts in the cell environment to perform biotransformations. Some of the factors which affect their use in biotransformations, such as the nature of the substrate/product, the reusability of cells, the extension of cell viability by cell activation periods or the addition of energetic substrates and the stabilization in solids supports, are considered. The use of sufficiently active enzymes in the cell environment to perform biotransformations within growing, resting, permeabilized, dried, osmotically stressed, freely suspended and immobilized cells, is discussed in the text. The different cell states of enterobacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Proteus sp., can be used to produce l-carnitine from crotonobetaine or d-carnitine substrate, are analyzed.     

Bovine mammary stem cells: cell biology meets production agriculture

Mammary stem cells (MaSC) provide for net growth, renewal and turnover of mammary epithelial cells, and are therefore potential targets for strategies to increase production efficiency. Appropriate regulation of MaSC can potentially benefit milk yield, persistency, dry period management and tissue repair. Accordingly, we and others have attempted to characterize and alter the function of bovine MaSC. In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge of MaSC gained from studies using mouse and human model systems and present research on bovine MaSC within that context. Recent data indicate that MaSC retain labeled DNA for extended periods because of their selective segregation of template DNA strands during mitosis. Relying on this long-term retention of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled DNA, we identified putative bovine MaSC. These label-retaining epithelial cells (LREC) are in low abundance within mammary epithelium (<1%). They are predominantly estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and localized in a basal or suprabasal layer of the epithelium throughout the gland. Thus, the response of MaSC to estrogen, the major mitogen in mammary gland, is likely mediated by paracrine factors released by cells that are ER-positive. This is consistent with considerable evidence for cross-talk within and between epithelial cells and surrounding stromal cells. Excision of classes of cells by laser microdissection and subsequent microarray analysis will hopefully provide markers for MaSC and insights into their regulation. Preliminary analyses of gene expression in laser-microdissected LREC and non-LREC are consistent with the concept that LREC represent populations of stem cells and progenitor cells that differ with regard to their properties and location within the epithelial layer. We have attempted to modulate the MaSC number by infusing a solution of xanthosine through the teat canal and into the ductal network of the mammary glands of prepubertal heifers. This treatment increased the number of putative stem cells, as evidenced by an increase in the percentage of LREC and increased telomerase activity within the tissue. The exciting possibility that stem cell expansion can influence milk production is currently under investigation.