厄贝沙坦对糖尿病大鼠心肌损伤中Notch1信号通路的影响

目的：观察厄贝沙坦对糖尿病大鼠心肌损伤的作用,分析Notch1信号通路在其中的变化。方法：实验分4组：正常对照组（CON）、高糖高脂组（HC）、糖尿病组（DM）和厄贝沙坦+糖尿病组（Ir+DM）。制作2型糖尿病（T2DM）大鼠模型成功后,第8周开始检测大鼠空腹血糖水平（FBG）、全心质量及左心室重量,计算心脏指数（H/B）及左室重量指数（LVWI）,检测大鼠血浆甘油三酯（TG）、胆固醇（TC）水平,检测心肌组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）含量变化,免疫组化检测Bcl-2、Bax表达变化,Western blot检测大鼠心肌组织Notch1、Hes-1及Jagged-1的蛋白表达。结果：与CON组相比,HC组H/B、LVWI、FBG无明显变化,血脂、MDA含量明显升高,SOD活性、Bcl-2/Bax及Notch1、Hes-1、Jagged-1蛋白表达降低;与HC组相比,DM组H/B、LVWI、FBG、MDA含量增加明显,血脂水平无明显变化,SOD活性、Bcl-2/Bax及Notch1信号通路蛋白表达进一步降低;与DM组相比,厄贝沙坦干预组H/B、LVWI明显降低,血脂、血糖水平无明显变化,但SOD活性、Bcl-2/Bax增加,MDA含量降低,同时Notch1信号通路相关蛋白表达增加。结论：糖尿病可导致大鼠发生心肌损伤,厄贝沙坦可能通过增强Notch1信号通路的表达发挥心肌保护作用。     

Transient focal cerebral ischemia down-regulates glutamate transporters GLT-1 and EAAC1 expression in rat brain

Transient focal cerebral ischemia leads to extensive excitotoxic neuronal damage in rat cerebral cortex. Efficient reuptake of the released glutamate is essential for preventing glutamate receptor over-stimulation and neuronal death. Present study evaluated the expression of the glial (GLT-1 and GLAST) and neuronal (EAAC1) subtypes of glutamate transporters after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Between 24h to 72h of reperfusion after transient MCAO, GLT-1 and EAAC1 protein levels decreased significantly (by 36% to 56%, p < 0.05) in the ipsilateral cortex compared with the contralateral cortex or sham control. GLT-1 and EAAC1 mRNA expression also decreased in the ipsilateral cortex of ischemic rats at both 24h and 72h of reperfusion, compared with the contralateral cortex or sham control. Glutamate transporter down-regulation may disrupt the normal clearance of the synaptically-released glutamate and may contribute to the ischemic neuronal death.     

NOTCH1信号通路介导白藜芦醇抗肝缺血/再灌注所致大鼠心脏损伤保护作用的机制研究

目的：观察Notch1信号通路在肝缺血/再灌注损伤时对心脏损伤的保护作用并探讨其相关的机制。方法：36只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组,假手术组（SC组）、肝缺血/再灌注组（HIR组）、白藜芦醇预处理组（Res处理组）,每组12只。各组均与肝脏缺血40 min再灌注2 h（SC组旷置相等时间）后,记录左室血流动力学变化,测定血清肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）和白细胞介素-6（IL-6）浓度,取心肌组织测定SOD活力及MDA含量,Western blot检测心肌组织反应Notch通路活化标志的NICD表达,以RT-PCR法从转录水平检测Notch1和TNF-α的表达水平。结果：与SC比较,HIR组左室收缩及舒张功能均显著降低（P<0.01）,血清CK、LDH活力,TNF-α和IL-6浓度明显升高（P<0.01）,心肌MDA含量明显升高而SOD活力明显降低（P<0.01）,且Notch1表达下降,TNF-α表达增加;与I/R组相比,Res处理组左室舒缩功能明显升高,血清CK、LDH活力及TNF-α、IL-6浓度明显降低,同时心肌SOD活力明显升高而MDA含量明显降低,Notch1表达上升TNF-α表达降低。结论：白藜芦醇对肝缺血/再灌注大鼠心脏具有保护作用,其机制可能与Notch1信号通路的激活进而调节炎症反应及氧化应激有关。     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血后扩布性阻抑的发作及电针对其影响

目的：观察Wistar大鼠局灶性脑缺血后扩布性阻抑（SD）的发作情况及缺血后电针的影响。方法：线检法闭塞大鼠大脑中动脉,制备局灶性脑缺血模型。用神经电生理、神经病理等方法检测局灶性脑缺血后3h内SD发作情况及电针“合谷”穴（LI4）对SD的影响。结果：电针可减少局灶性脑缺血时SD的发作。结论：电针减少局灶性脑缺血时SD的发作,可能与电针缩小局灶性脑梗塞体积有关。     

Ceftriaxone modulates uptake activity of glial glutamate transporter‐1 against global brain ischemia in rats

Ceftriaxone(Cef) selectively increases the expression of glial glutamate transporter‐1 (GLT‐1), which was thought to be neuroprotective in some circumstances. However, the effect of Cef on glutamate uptake of GLT‐1 was mostly assayed using in vitro studies such as primary neuron/astrocyte cultures or brain slices. In addition, the effect of Cef on neurons in different ischemic models was still discrepant. Therefore, this study was undertaken to observe the effect of Cef on neurons in global brain ischemia in rats, and especially to provide direct evidence of the up‐regulation of GLT‐1 uptake for glutamate contributing to the neuronal protection of Cef against brain ischemia. Neuropathological evaluation indicated that administration of Cef, especially pre‐treatment protocols, significantly prevented delayed neuronal death in hippocampal CA1 subregion normally induced by global brain ischemia. Simultaneously, pre‐administration of Cef significantly up‐regulated the expression of GLT‐1. Particularly, GLT‐1 uptake assay with ³H‐glutamate in living cells from adult rats showed that up‐regulation in glutamate uptake accompanied up‐regulated GLT‐1 expression. Inhibition of GLT‐1 by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or dihydrokainate significantly inhibited the Cef‐induced up‐regulation in GLT‐1 uptake and the neuroprotective effect against global ischemia. Thus, we may conclude that Cef protects neurons against global brain ischemia via up‐regulation of the expression and glutamate uptake of GLT‐1.

     

Down-regulation of Notch1 by gamma-secretase inhibition contributes to cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells A2780

The release of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) is mediated by γ-secretase. γ-Secretase inhibitors have been shown to be potent inhibitors of NICD. We hypothesized that Notch1 is acting as an oncogene in ovarian cancer and that inhibition of Notch1 would lead to inhibition of cell growth and apoptotic cell death in ovarian cancer cells. In this study, expressions of Notch1 and hes1 in four human ovarian cancer (A2780, SKOV3, HO-8910, and HO-8910PM), and one ovarian surface (IOSE 144) cell lines were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The effects of γ-secretase inhibition (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester, DAPT) were measured by MTT assay, flow cytometry, ELISA and colony-forming assay. Our results showed that Notch1 and hes1 were found in all the four human ovarian cancer and IOSE 144 cell lines, and they were significantly higher in ovarian cancer cells A2780 compared to another four ovarian cells. Down-regulation of Notch1 expression by DAPT was able to substantially inhibit cell growth, induce G1 cell cycle arrest and induce cell apoptosis in A2780 in dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, hes1 was found to be down-regulated in dose- and time-dependent manner by DAPT in A2780. These results demonstrate that treatment with DAPT leads to growth inhibition and apoptosis of A2780 cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. These findings also support the conclusion that blocking of the Notch1 activity by γ-secretase inhibitors represents a potentially attractive strategy of targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.     

Regulation of A(2A) adenosine receptor expression and functioning following permanent focal ischemia in rat brain

Ischemia, through modulation of adenosine receptors (ARs), may influence adenosine-mediated-cellular responses. In the present study, we investigated the modulation of rat A_2A receptor expression and functioning, in rat cerebral cortex and striatum, following in vivo focal ischemia (24 h). In cortex, middle cerebral artery occlusion did not induce any alterations in A_2A receptor binding and functioning. On the contrary, in striatum, a significant decrease in A_2A ligand affinity, associated with an increase in receptor density, were detected. In striatum, ischemia also induced a significant reduction both in G protein pool and in A_2A receptor-G protein coupling. On the contrary, A_2A receptor functional responsiveness, measured as stimulation of adenylyl cyclise, was not affected by ischemia, suggesting receptor up-regulation may represent a compensatory mechanism to maintain receptor functioning during cerebral damage. Immunohistochemical study showed that following 24 h middle cerebral artery occlusion, A_2A ARs were definitely expressed both on neurons and activated microglia in ischemic striatum and cortex, but were not detected on astrocytes. In the non-ischemic hemisphere and in sham-operated rats A_2A ARs were barely detected. Modifications of ARs may play a significant role in determining adenosine effects during ischemia and therefore should be taken into account when evaluating time-dependent protective effects of specific A_2A active compounds.     

Retracted: DLX5 gene regulates the Notch signaling pathway to promote glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in uremic rats

Uremia largely results from the accumulation of organic waste products normally cleared by the kidneys, which commonly accompanies kidney failure and chronic kidney disease. However, genetic investigations in a uremia remain largely unclear. This study aimed to determine the expression patterns of distal-less homeobox 5 (DLX5) in uremia rat model and further to study its effects on glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Uremic expression chip was applied to screen differentially expressed genes in uremia. Next, we used small interfering RNA-mediated RNA interference to specifically silence DLX5 in experimental uremic rats to understand the regulatory mechanism of DLX5. To understand effect of Notch1 signaling pathway in uremia, we also treated experimental uremic rats with γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI), an inhibitor of Notch1 signaling pathway. The expression of fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Hes1, Hes5, and Jagged2 was determined. The semiquantitative assessment was applied to verify the effects of DLX5 on glomerulosclerosis. In the uremic expression chip, we found that DLX5 was upregulated in uremia samples, and considered to regulate the Notch signaling pathway. We found that small interfering RNA-mediated DLX5 inhibition or Notch1 signaling pathway inhibitory treatment relieved and delayed the kidney injury and glomerulosclerosis in uremia. Meanwhile, inhibition of DLX5 or Nothch1 signaling pathway reduced expression of FN, LN, Nothch1, TGF-β1, Hes1, Hes5, and Jagged2. Intriguingly, we discovered that Notch1 signaling pathway was inhibited after silencing DLX5. In conclusion, these findings highlight that DLX5 regulates Notch signaling, which may, in turn, promote complications of uremia such as kidney fibrosis, providing a novel therapeutic target for treating uremia.     

Mapping spatio-temporal activation of Notch signaling during neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the developing mouse brain

Notch1 plays various important roles including the maintenance of the stem cell state as well as the promotion of glial fates in mammalian CNS development. However, because of the very low amount of the activated form of Notch1 present in vivo, its precise activation pattern has remained unknown. In this study, we mapped the active state of this signaling pathway in situ in the developing mouse brain using a specific antibody that recognizes the processed form of the intracellular domain of Notch1 cleaved by presenilin/gamma-secretase activity. By using this antibody, active state of Notch1 came to be detectable with a higher sensitivity than using conventional antibody against Notch1. We found that activated Notch1 was mainly detected in the nuclei of a subpopulation of radial glial cells, the majority of proliferating precursor cells in the ventricular zone (VZ). However, Notch1 activation was not detected in neuronal precursor cells positive for neuronal basic helix-loop-helix proteins or in differentiating neurons in the embryonic forebrain. Interestingly, we found that Notch1 was transiently activated in the astrocytic lineage during perinatal CNS development. Taken together, the present method has enabled us to determine the timing, gradients, and boundaries of the activation of Notch signaling.     

Notch signaling in melanoma: interacting pathways and stromal influences that enhance Notch targeting

The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved, intercellular signaling cascade. Notch was first described in the early 1900s when a mutant Drosophila showed notches on the wing margins. Studies of the role of Notch signaling have ever since flourished, and the pleiotropic nature of the Notch gene is now evident. Indeed, the Notch signaling pathway plays key roles in cell fate decisions, tissue patterning, and morphogenesis during development. However, deregulation of this pathway can contribute to cell transformation and tumorigenesis. Several reports have now highlighted the role of Notch signaling in a variety of malignancies where Notch can either be an oncogene or a tumor suppressor depending on the cell context. Here, we summarize the major components of Notch signaling with an aim to emphasize the contribution of deregulated Notch signaling in melanomagenesis.     

孕酮对缺血／再灌注大鼠脑皮层水肿的影响

目的探讨孕酮(progesterone,PROG)对脑水肿的影响.方法48只大鼠随机分为6组即缺血/再灌(I/R)组,二甲基亚砜(DMSO)组,预防(pretreatment)组,防治(pre+posttreatment)组,治疗(posttreatment)组,地塞米松(DEXA)组.采用大鼠局灶性脑缺血/再灌注(I/R)模型,测定大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)24h后脑皮层水、钠、钾、钙含量.结果与DMSO组相比,应用PROG预防及防治组均能明显降低缺血皮层的H2O(P＜0.01)、Na+(P＜0.01)、Ca2+(P＜0.01)含量,升高K+(P＜0.01)含量,而治疗组虽能明显降低H2O(P＜0.05)、Na+(P＜0.01),但降低Ca2+(P>0.05)和升高K+(P＞0.05)的效果不显著.DEXA组的结果与PROG预防或防治组类似.结论用PROG预防或防治能显著减轻I/R引起的脑水肿.     

Notch1 expression and ligand interactions in progenitor cells of the mouse olfactory epithelium

Despite the relatively simplified organization of the olfactory epithelium (OE), our understanding of the factors that regulate its cellular diversity is limited. Genetic and localization studies suggest that Notch signaling may be important in this process. We characterize here a population of Notch1 ⁺ olfactory basal cells in embryonic mice that coordinately express both the Notch effector Hes5 and the glycosyltransferase Lfng. These cells are distinct from Mash1 ⁺ neuronal precursors, but give rise to sensory neurons, suggesting that Notch1 signals may in part function to maintain a neurogenic progenitor pool. Furthermore, Lfng ⁺ cells also generate a population of cells in the migratory mass that appear to be ensheathing glial precursors, indicating potential multipotency in these progenitors. The Notch ligand Dll4 is expressed by basal OE cells that are interspersed with Notch1 ⁺ progenitors during later OE neurogenesis. In contrast, mice deficient in Dll1 exhibit a smaller OE and a loss of Hes5 expression, indicating an earlier function in olfactory progenitor cell development. Taken together, these results further support a role for Notch signaling in the regulation of olfactory neurogenesis and cell diversity.     

线栓法建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血／再灌注模型的改进与探讨

目的：提供一种比较简易的大鼠局灶性脑缺血／再灌注模型制备方法。方法：对Zea Longa线栓法进行改进,并与Zea Longa法从rCBF、神经功能缺陷评分以及梗塞灶体积等三个方面进行对比研究。结果：我们改进的线栓法与Zea Longa法相比,在rCBF、神经功能缺陷评分以及梗塞灶体积等方面,两者之间无显著性差异（t检验,P＞0．05）。结论：改进线栓法建立的大鼠局灶性脑缺血／再灌注模型也同样可靠、稳定,且较Zea Longa法易操作。     

缺氧缺糖诱导心肌细胞损伤中Notch信号对HIF-α及自噬相关基因Beclin1,LC3I,LC3II表达的影响*

目的: 探讨在缺氧缺糖诱导心肌细胞损伤的模型中Notch信号对低氧诱导因子(HIF-1α)及自噬相关的基因Beclin1,LC3I,LC3II的影响。方法: 利用低氧培养箱与低糖DMEM培养基建立缺氧缺糖细胞(OGD)模型,细胞分为正常对照组,缺氧缺糖组(OGD group),缺氧缺糖+ NC siRNA组(OGD + NC siRNA group),缺氧缺糖+ Notch1 siRNA组(OGD + Notch1 siRNA group),缺氧缺糖+ HIF-1α siRNA组(OGD + HIF-1α siRNA group),利用Western blot检测Notch1 siRNA与HIF-1α siRNA的干预效果;利用Western blot 检测Notch1 siRNA对模型细胞中HIF-1α表达的影响;利用CCK-8实验检测Notch1 siRNA与HIF-1α siRNA对心肌细胞活性的影响;利用Western blot检测Notch1 siRNA与HIF-1α siRNA对自噬相关的基因Beclin1,LC3I,LC3II的影响。结果: HIF-1α siRNA可有效敲低模型心肌细胞HIF-1α的表达,而Notch1 siRNA可有效敲低模型心肌细胞中Notch1与HIF-1α的表达;Notch1 siRNA与HIF-1α siRNA可降低缺氧缺糖细胞模型中心肌细胞的活性,且二者的作用之间没有统计学差异(P＞0.05);Western blot结果显示Notch1 siRNA与HIF-1α siRNA可降低模型细胞中自噬相关的基因Beclin1,LC3I,LC3II的表达,降低LC3II/LC3I的比率。结论: Notch1通过正向调节模型细胞HIF-1α的表达,进而提高缺氧缺糖诱导的自噬,发挥对心肌的保护作用。