周期性张应力刺激下成肌细胞钙网蛋白的表达及变化

目的：检测成肌细胞钙网蛋白（CRT）在循环拉伸应力刺激下的表达变化。方法：体外构建面颌部成肌细胞力学刺激模型。加力组以0．5赫兹的加载频率和10％细胞拉伸变形幅度对细胞进行加力培养1h,6h,12h,24h,运用实时荧光定量PCR技术跟Westem Blot技术分别检测在周期性张应力作用下成肌细胞CRT在基因水平及蛋白水平的表达变化。结果：当对细胞加力6h后,CRTmRNA及蛋白表达量开始增多,加力12h后CRTmRNA及蛋白表达量到达最多（P〈0．01）,加力0h组与加力12h组之间差异有显著的统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论：持续的周期性张应力刺激下CRTmRNA及蛋白表达增加。     

左旋卡尼汀对脂多糖诱导小鼠肺微血管内皮细胞自噬和凋亡的影响*

目的:探讨左旋卡尼汀(LC)对脂多糖(LPS)损伤的小鼠肺微血管内皮细胞(PMVECs)的保护作用及自噬、凋亡的影响。方法:采用体外培养的小鼠PMVECs,分为对照组(Control组)、LPS组(10 μg/ ml,3、6、12、24 h)、LPS(10 μg/ ml,24 h)+LC(终浓度为2.5、5、10 μg/ml)(LC组)。Annexin V-FITC/PI双标记法检测细胞凋亡,细胞免疫荧光染色法检测自噬小体,Western blot法检测自噬相关蛋白LC3及凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的含量,CCK-8法检测细胞活力。结果:① 与Control组比较,LPS 6 h、12 h、24 h组PMVECs细胞活力显著受到抑制,细胞凋亡率、自噬蛋白LC3Ⅱ表达显著增高(P均＜0.01),LC3蛋白阳性表达。②与LPS 24 h组比较,各浓度LC组PMVECs细胞活力显著提高、自噬蛋白LC3II表达水平显著升高(P均＜0.01),而PMVECs凋亡率和凋亡蛋白Caspase-3表达水平均明显降低 (P＜0.05)。结论:LC具有提高LPS刺激的小鼠PMVECs活性、促进PMVECs自噬、抑制凋亡的作用。     

周期性张应力对牙周膜成纤维细胞凋亡的影响

目的:在体外条件下,探讨周期张应力作用对人牙周膜成纤维细胞凋亡的影响及PI3k/Akt信号通路在细胞凋亡中的作用。方法:应用多通道细胞牵张应力加载系统,以HPDLFs(人牙周膜成纤维细胞)为对象构建细胞体外培养-力学刺激模型,对照组为0h,0h+LY294002,加力组1 h,6 h,12 h,12 h+LY294002,24 h,力值定为15%,频率为1/6HZ,即10循环/分钟。采用Hoechst33258染色检测细胞形态和凋亡情况,应用RT-PCR技术检测Bcl-2、Bax的表达情况。结果:Hoechst 33258细胞染色结果显示,对照组的细胞核为弥散均匀的圆形或椭圆形荧光,实验组的细胞核或细胞质内出现可见致密浓染的颗粒、新月体或环状荧,RT-PCR结果显示Bcl-2与Bax基因表达均呈现时间依赖性。12 h HPDLFs的细胞凋亡数达最高峰值(P<0.01),24 h细胞凋亡峰值开始下降,但仍高于未加力组(P<0.05)。与对照组相比加入LY294002后,Bcl-2/Bax比值较加载相同时间的加力组小(P<0.05)。结论:一定的时间范围内,周期性张应力能促进HPDLFs凋亡;随着时间的延长(24h),细胞凋亡受到抑制;PI3K/Akt信号传导通路可能参与在周期性张应力介导的HPDLFs的凋亡。     

周期性张应力对大鼠髁突软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原表达的影响

目的:在成功构建髁突软骨细胞体外培养-力学刺激模型的基础上,探讨周期性张应力对髁突软骨细胞主要细胞外基质(Ⅱ型胶原)合成的影响.方法:本研究采用FX-5000T应力加载系统对体外培养的第3代大鼠髁突软骨细胞分别施加1h、6h、12h和24 h的周期性张应力,应力刺激强度为10％1 HZ.加力完成后即刻收集加力细胞,提取细胞总RNA反转录成cDNA,应用RT-PCR技术检测髁突软骨细胞主要细胞外基质Ⅱ型胶原(type-Ⅱ collagen,Col-Ⅱ)mRNA的表达变化情况.结果:与对照组(0h组)相比,加力1 h时Col-Ⅱ的表达增加,但无统计学意义;加力6h时Col-Ⅱ表达显著增加(P＜0.05);加力12h时Col-Ⅱ表达开始下降;当加力至24h时表达量显著降低(P＜0.05).结论:周期性张应力可以影响髁突软骨细胞主要细胞外基质的合成,在一定范围内随加力时间的延长基质合成逐渐增强;进一步延长加力时间,基质的合成受到明显抑制.     

周期性张应力对面颌肌细胞Na+/K+-ATPase功能活性影响

目的:本研究在成功构建面颌肌细胞体外培养一力学刺激模型的基础上,探讨机械张应力对细胞内Na+水平和面颌肌细胞Na+/K+-ATPase功能活性的影响.方法:本实验采用Blua法,对SD大鼠乳鼠面颌肌细胞进行体外原代培养、鉴定并绘制生长曲线;取第3代细胞接种于细胞加力板上,采用Forcel四点弯曲加力装置,对细胞分别施加1h、2h、4h、8h、12h、16h、24 h和48 h的张应力刺激,后测定细胞内Na+水平变化和Na+/K+-ATPase功能活性改变.结果:(1)Na+水平变化:与对照(不加力)组相比,加力1h细胞内Na+显著增加(P＜0.05),并随加力时间延长逐渐降低,加力至12h时降到正常水平,再延长加力时间Na+无明显变化.(2) Na+/K+-ATPase功能活性变化:分别施加不同时间的周期性张应力后,Na泵的活性在加力8小时后才开始增加(0.5725mmolPi/mgPr.hr),随加力时间延长进一步增加,48小时后达到最大值(0.8963mmolPi/mgPr.h).结论:周期性张应力刺激会引起细胞内Na+的改变,并可以增加骨骼肌细胞Na+/K+-ATPase的活性.     

CHOP双重调控衣霉素诱导的DU-145细胞凋亡及自噬的研究

目的研究内质网应激分子CHOP调控细胞凋亡与自噬的作用和机制。 方法利用衣霉素诱导DU-145细胞产生内质网应激,Western Blot法检测内质网应激相关分子Grp78、Grp94、p-eIF2α和CHOP及自噬蛋白LC3Ⅱ、Atg5和Beclin1的表达;用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡水平;沉默CHOP基因,用Western Blot法检测凋亡蛋白PARP、Caspase3的表达,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;并利用免疫荧光检测自噬标志性蛋白LC3B的表达。 结果衣霉素诱导DU-145细胞内质网应激能诱导一定程度的细胞凋亡,衣霉素处理8、12、24?h的细胞凋亡率分别为3.27﹪±1.02﹪,8.97﹪±0.71﹪和11.67﹪±1.41﹪,处理12?h及24?h的细胞凋亡率与对照组相比差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.01）。同时也能通过抑制PI3K/AKt/mTOR信号通路激活DU-145细胞自噬。CHOP基因沉默抑制细胞凋亡,shCtrl组细胞凋亡率为32.17﹪±3.93﹪,shCHOP-1组细胞凋亡率为23.53﹪±3.41﹪,两组相比差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。且CHOP基因沉默能促进细胞自噬分子LC3B的表达。 结论衣霉素诱导DU-145细胞内质网应激状态下,CHOP在细胞凋亡与自噬之间发挥双重调控作用。     

白花蛇舌草多糖提取物对喉癌Hep-2细胞内质网自噬的影响*

目的:探讨白花蛇舌草多糖提取物(HDPE)对喉癌Hep-2细胞内质网自噬的影响。方法:实验分为对照组、HDPE 100、200、400 mg/L组和3-MA(自噬抑制剂)组,噻唑盐比色法(MTT)检测各组细胞培养24 h、48 h、72 h后增殖抑制率;原位末端转移酶标记法(TUNEL)法检测各组培养48 h细胞凋亡情况;单丹黄酰尸胺(MDC)染色观察各组培养48 h细胞自噬体及自噬溶酶体的变化;透射电镜观察培养48 h细胞内质网周围自噬囊泡的产生情况;蛋白印迹法(Western blot)检测各组培养48 h细胞Beclin-1蛋白(Beclin-1)、微管相关轻链蛋白3Ⅰ(LC3Ⅰ)、微管相关轻链蛋白3Ⅱ(LC3Ⅱ)、葡萄糖调节蛋白 78(GRP78)、活化转录因子6(ATF6)及CCAAT 增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白(CHOP)表达。结果:与对照组比较,HDPE 100、200、400 mg/L组和3-MA组细胞增殖抑制率、凋亡指数AI升高,MDC阳性细胞率量降低,内质网周围自噬囊泡减少,GRP78、ATF6及CHOP表达及LC3Ⅰ/LC3Ⅱ比值升高,Beclin-1表达降低(P＜0.05);与3-MA组比较,HDPE 400 mg/L组细胞增殖抑制率、凋亡指数AI升高,MDC阳性细胞率、GRP78、ATF6及CHOP表达及LC3Ⅰ/LC3Ⅱ比值升高,Beclin-1表达降低(P＜0.05)。结论:HDPE可能通过抑制喉癌Hep-2细胞内质网自噬,促进细胞内质网应激凋亡,进而抑制Hep-2细胞增殖能力。     

周期性张应力对面颌肌细胞Na~＋/K~＋-ATPase功能活性影响

目的：本研究在成功构建面颌肌细胞体外培养一力学刺激模型的基础上,探讨机械张应力对细胞内Na＋水平和面颌肌细胞Na＋/K＋-ATPase功能活性的影响。方法：本实验采用Blua法,对SD大鼠乳鼠面颌肌细胞进行体外原代培养、鉴定并绘制生长曲线;取第3代细胞接种于细胞加力板上,采用Forcel四点弯曲加力装置,对细胞分别施加1 h、2 h、4 h、8 h、12 h、16 h、24 h和48 h的张应力刺激,后测定细胞内Na＋水平变化和Na＋/K＋-ATPase功能活性改变。结果：（1）Na＋水平变化：与对照（不加力）组相比,加力1h细胞内Na＋显著增加（P〈0.05）,并随加力时间延长逐渐降低,加力至12h时降到正常水平,再延长加力时间Na＋无明显变化。（2）Na＋/K＋-ATPase功能活性变化：分别施加不同时间的周期性张应力后,Na泵的活性在加力8小时后才开始增加（0.5725mmolPi/mgPr.hr）,随加力时间延长进一步增加,48小时后达到最大值（0.8963mmolPi/mgPr.h）。结论：周期性张应力刺激会引起细胞内Na＋的改变,并可以增加骨骼肌细胞Na＋/K＋-ATPase的活性。     

TGF-β1在应力介导的牙周膜成纤维细胞增殖中的作用及其机制

目的:探讨周期性张应力作用下人牙周膜成纤维细胞(HPDLF)转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)对其细胞增殖的作用,及对其I型胶原基因表达的作用和影响.方法:在成功构建人牙周膜成纤维细胞体外培养力学刺激模型的基础上,利用多通道细胞牵张应力加载系统,对细胞分别施加2、6、12与24 h的周期性张应力,以不加力组为对照组,观察各组细胞形态变化,利用细胞计数试剂8检测细胞增殖活性,并利用ELISA试剂盒检测加力后各组TGF-β1的表达,并对加力12h组加入TGF-β1抑制剂SB431542,利用RT-PCR检测技术检测对I型胶原基因表达的影响.结果:与对照组比较,加力2h细胞增殖稍降低,6h增殖活性增强,12h达到峰值,24h增殖活性明显受到抑制;TGF-β1的表达与细胞增殖成正相关;TGF-β1受到抑制后细胞增殖受到影响,I型胶原的表达也受到影响.结论:人牙周膜成纤维细胞的增殖在一定时间的周期性张应力作用下先增加然后再抑制,其中TGF-β1参与细胞增殖,并且TGF-β1对人牙周膜成纤维细胞I型胶原的表达起促进作用.     

自噬对高糖诱导的人冠状动脉内皮细胞凋亡的保护作用

目的:研究自噬对高糖诱导的人冠状动脉内皮细胞凋亡的影响。方法:将人冠状动脉内皮细胞,分别用常规培养基(正常对照组)、含30 mmol/L D-葡萄糖的高糖培养基(高糖组)、高糖培养基合并雷帕霉素(Rapamycin,RAPA;100 nmol/L)干预(RAPA组)和高糖培养基合并3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-Methyladenine,3-MA,5 mmol/L)干预(3-MA组)培养。利用CCK-8法检测细胞生长活力,使用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡水平,western blot检测细胞自噬标记蛋白(Beclin1)的表达水平。结果:(1)高糖溶液刺激内皮细胞24 h后,细胞生长活力为正常组的55.0%(P0.01),自噬标记蛋白Beclin1的表达水平明显增加,凋亡水平为正常组的2.0倍;(2)与高糖组相比,RAPA组细胞生长活力明显增加,Beclin1的表达明显升高(P0.01),凋亡水平为高糖组的70.1%;(3)与高糖组相比,3-MA组细胞生长活力明显减少,Beclin1的表达明显降低(P0.01),凋亡水平为高糖组的1.42倍。结论:细胞自噬可能对高糖诱导的人冠状动脉内皮细胞具有凋亡保护作用。     

白藜芦醇甙减轻高糖所致心肌微血管内皮细胞损伤的作用及机制研究

目的:探讨白藜芦醇甙在高糖处理的大鼠心肌微血管内皮细胞损伤中的作用及其可能调控机制。方法:酶消法分离大鼠CMECs,高糖处理CMECs建立细胞损伤模型,实验随机分为6个组:对照组(葡萄糖浓度为5.5 mmol/L)、白藜芦醇甙组、高糖组(葡萄糖浓度为33 mmol/L)、高糖+白藜芦醇甙组、高糖+白藜芦醇甙+3-MA(自噬抑制剂)组和高糖+雷帕霉素(自噬诱导剂)组。白藜芦醇甙组和高糖+白藜芦醇甙组分别加入10μmol/L的白藜芦醇甙孵育24 h,高糖+白藜芦醇甙+3-MA组加入10μmol/L的白藜芦醇甙和10μmmol/L 3-MA孵育24 h,高糖+雷帕霉素组加入100 nmol/L的雷帕霉素孵育24小时。CCK-8实验检测大鼠CMECs增殖;Tunel法检测大鼠CMECs凋亡;FITC-葡聚糖清除实验检测单层CMECs通透性;Western blot检测LC3Ⅱ和p62的表达。结果:与对照组和白藜芦醇甙组相比,高糖组CMECs增殖能力降低(P<0.05),凋亡率显著增加(P<0.05),细胞通透性增加(P<0.05),LC3Ⅱ表达降低(P<0.05),p62的表达增加(P<0.05);与高糖组相比,高糖+白藜芦醇甙组和高糖+雷帕霉素组CMECs增殖能力增加(P<0.05),凋亡率显著降低(P<0.05),细胞通透性降低(P<0.05),LC3Ⅱ表达增加(P<0.05),p62的表达降低(P<0.05);与高糖+白藜芦醇甙组相比,高糖+白藜芦醇甙+3-MA组CMECs增殖能力降低(P<0.05),凋亡率显著增加(P<0.05),细胞通透性增加(P<0.05),LC3Ⅱ表达降低(P<0.05),p62的表达增加(P<0.05)。结论:白藜芦醇甙通过增加自噬减轻高糖处理的大鼠心肌微血管内皮细胞损伤。     

Autophagy activation is associated with neuroprotection in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemic preconditioning

Several recent studies have showed that autophagy is involved in ischemic brain damage, but it may also play a pro-survival role in ischemic preconditioning. This study was taken to determine the role of autophagy in an animal model of cerebral ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Focal cerebral IPC was produced in rats by a brief ischemic insult followed by permanent focal ischemia (PFI) 24 h later using the suture occlusion technique. The rats were pretreated with intracerebral ventricle infusion of the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and bafliomycin A1 (Baf A1) or the autophagy inducer rapamycin to evaluate the contribution of autophagy to IPC-induced neuroprotection. The results from electron microscopic examinations and immunofluorescence showed that both IPC and PFI induced autophagy activation, but the extent and persistence of autophagy activation were varied. IPC treatment significantly reduced infarct volume, brain edema and motor deficits after subsequent PFI, whereas 3-MA and Baf A1 suppressed the neuroprotection induced by IPC. 3-MA pretreatment also significantly attenuated upregulation of LC3-II, beclin 1 and HSP70 and downregulation of p62. To further determine if autophagy induction is responsible for IPC-induced neuroprotection, rats were treated with rapamycin 24 h before the onset of PFI. The results showed that rapamycin reduced infarct volume, brain edema and motor deficits induced by PFI. Rapamycin pretreatment also increased the protein levels of LC3-II and beclin 1. These results demonstrate that autophagy activation during IPC offers a remarkable tolerance to a subsequent fatal ischemic insult, and IPC's neuroprotective effects can be mimicked by autophagy inducers.     

Autophagy regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress in ischemic preconditioning

Recent studies have suggested that autophagy plays a prosurvival role in ischemic preconditioning (IPC). This study was taken to assess the linkage between autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during the process of IPC. The effects of IPC on ER stress and neuronal injury were determined by exposure of primary cultured murine cortical neurons to 30 min of OGD 24 h prior to a subsequent lethal OGD. The effects of IPC on ER stress and ischemic brain damage were evaluated in rats by a brief ischemic insult followed by permanent focal ischemia (PFI) 24 h later using the suture occlusion technique. The results showed that both IPC and lethal OGD increased the LC3-II expression and decreased p62 protein levels, but the extent of autophagy activation was varied. IPC treatment ameliorated OGD-induced cell damage in cultured cortical neurons, whereas 3-MA (5-20 mM) and bafilomycin A 1 (75-150 nM) suppressed the neuroprotection induced by IPC. 3-MA, at the dose blocking autophagy, significantly inhibited IPC-induced HSP70, HSP60 and GRP78 upregulation; meanwhile, it also aggregated the ER stress and increased activated caspase-12, caspase-3 and CHOP protein levels both in vitro and in vivo models. The ER stress inhibitor Sal (75 pmol) recovered IPC-induced neuroprotection in the presence of 3-MA. Rapamycin 50-200 nM in vitro and 35 pmol in vivo 24 h before the onset of lethal ischemia reduced ER stress and ischemia-induced neuronal damage. These results demonstrated that pre-activation of autophagy by ischemic preconditioning can boost endogenous defense mechanisms to upregulate molecular chaperones, and hence reduce excessive ER stress during fatal ischemia.     

Bel-7402细胞通过自噬逃避FAS/ActD诱导的凋亡

为了探究FAS抗体与放线菌素D（actinomycin D,ActD）诱导肝癌细胞Bel-7402凋亡的作用机制,通过自噬阻断剂3-MA的作用,来探讨自噬与凋亡的关系.利用电子显微镜和流式细胞仪观察细胞自噬及凋亡.结果表明,FAS/ActD在诱导细胞凋亡的同时伴有细胞自噬现象,在3-MA作用下,FAS/ActD所诱导的细胞自噬体减少,而凋亡现象严重.并且通过流式细胞仪分析表明,3-MA明显增高FAS/ActD所诱导的细胞凋亡率. Western印迹分析进一步显示,FAS/ActD能引起caspase-3激活产生断裂,同时刺激LC3和BECN1表达,而3-MA作用后自噬体减少,同时LC3和BECN1表达降低,但是caspase-3断裂带表达明显增加.以上结果提示,FAS/ActD诱导的Bel-7402细胞凋亡的同时伴有细胞自噬,Bel-7402细胞通过自噬逃避FAS/ActD诱导的凋亡.     

Autophagy regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress in ischemic preconditioning

Recent studies have suggested that autophagy plays a prosurvival role in ischemic preconditioning (IPC). This study was taken to assess the linkage between autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during the process of IPC. The effects of IPC on ER stress and neuronal injury were determined by exposure of primary cultured murine cortical neurons to 30 min of OGD 24 h prior to a subsequent lethal OGD. The effects of IPC on ER stress and ischemic brain damage were evaluated in rats by a brief ischemic insult followed by permanent focal ischemia (PFI) 24 h later using the suture occlusion technique. The results showed that both IPC and lethal OGD increased the LC3-II expression and decreased p62 protein levels, but the extent of autophagy activation was varied. IPC treatment ameliorated OGD-induced cell damage in cultured cortical neurons, whereas 3-MA (5–20 mM) and bafilomycin A₁ (75–150 nM) suppressed the neuroprotection induced by IPC. 3-MA, at the dose blocking autophagy, significantly inhibited IPC-induced HSP70, HSP60 and GRP78 upregulation; meanwhile, it also aggregated the ER stress and increased activated caspase-12, caspase-3 and CHOP protein levels both in vitro and in vivo models. The ER stress inhibitor Sal (75 pmol) recovered IPC-induced neuroprotection in the presence of 3-MA. Rapamycin 50–200 nM in vitro and 35 pmol in vivo 24 h before the onset of lethal ischemia reduced ER stress and ischemia-induced neuronal damage. These results demonstrated that pre-activation of autophagy by ischemic preconditioning can boost endogenous defense mechanisms to upregulate molecular chaperones, and hence reduce excessive ER stress during fatal ischemia.     

热休克蛋白A5介导的自噬在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用

目的：探讨热休克蛋白A5（HSPA5）诱导的自噬在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用。方法：将36只BALB/c小鼠随机分为sham、缺血再灌注（I/R）、vehicle + I/R、3-甲基腺嘌呤（3-MA） + I/R、scramble siRNA + I/R和HSPA5 siRNA + I/R组（n=6）。Sham组只进行手术操作,不插入线栓。I/R采用大脑中动脉阻塞（MCAO）60 min后再灌注24 h。Vehicle + I/R组和3-MA + I/R将5μl 0.9% NaCl或3-MA （30 mg/ml）在MCAO前30 min侧脑室注射。scramble siRNA + I/R组和HSPA5 siRNA + I/R组将5μl scramble siRNA或HSPA5 siRNA （2μg/μl）在MCAO前24 h侧脑室注射。检测神经细胞内自噬体、缺血大脑皮层（LC3）-Ⅱ/LC3-I表达、神经元损伤程度及神经功能缺损。结果：显微镜下sham组小鼠大脑皮层神经细胞形态正常;I/R组小鼠缺血大脑皮层神经元胞质中细胞器减少,自噬体形成。与sham组比较,I/R组缺血大脑皮层LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I蛋白表达水平显著增高（P < 0.05）;与I/R组相比,3-MA + I/R组或HSPA5 siRNA + I/R组缺血大脑皮层LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I蛋白表达明显减少（P < 0.05）;3-MA + I/R组及HSPA5 siR-NA + I/R组I/R后脑缺血性损伤及神经系统症状加重（P < 0.05）。结论：HSPA5诱导自噬可能在小鼠局灶性I/R损伤中发挥保护作用。     

Time-Dependent Changes in Apoptosis Upon Autophagy Inhibition in Astrocytes Exposed to Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation

Recent studies have implicated the role of autophagy in brain ischemia pathophysiology. However, it remains unclear whether autophagy activation is protective or detrimental to astrocytes undergoing ischemic stress. This study evaluated the influence of ischemia-induced autophagy on cell death and the course of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in primary cultures of rat cortical astrocytes exposed to combined oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The role of autophagy was assessed by pharmacological inhibition with 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Cell viability was evaluated by measuring LDH release and through the use of the alamarBlue Assay. Apoptosis and necrosis were determined by fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33,342 and propidium iodide staining, respectively. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by immunoblotting. The downregulation of autophagy during OGD resulted in decreased cell viability and time-dependent changes in levels of apoptosis and necrosis. After short-term OGD (1, 4 h), cells treated with 3-MA showed higher level of cleaved caspase 3 compared with control cells. This result was consistent with an evaluation of apoptotic cell number by fluorescence microscopy. However, after prolonged exposure to OGD (8, 24 h), the number of apoptotic astrocytes (microscopically evaluated) did not differ or was even lower (as marked by caspase 3) in the presence of the autophagy inhibitor in comparison to the control. A higher level of necrosis was observed in 3-MA-treated cells compared to non-treated cells after 24 h OGD. The downregulation of autophagy caused time-dependent changes in both extrinsic (cleaved caspase 8, TNFα) and intrinsic (cleaved caspase 9) apoptotic pathways. Our results strongly indicate that the activation of autophagy in astrocytes undergoing ischemic stress is an adaptive mechanism, which allows for longer cell survival by delaying the initiation of apoptosis and necrosis.     

The autophagy-related protein LC3 is processed in stallion spermatozoa during short-and long-term storage and the related stressful conditions

Use of cooled and frozen semen is becoming increasingly prevalent in the equine industry. However, these procedures cause harmful effects in the sperm cell resulting in reduced cell lifespan and fertility rates. Apoptosis and necrosis-related events are increased during semen cryopreservation. However, a third type of cell death, named autophagy, has not been studied during equine semen storage. Light chain (LC)3 protein is a key component of the autophagy pathway. Under autophagy activation, LC3-I is lipidated and converted to LC3-II. The ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I is widely used as a marker of autophagy activation. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether LC3 is processed during cooling, freezing and the stressful conditions associated with these technologies. A secondary objective was to determine if LC3 processing can be modulated and if that may improve the quality of cryopreserved semen. LC3 processing was studied by Western blot with a specific antibody that recognized both LC3-I and LC3-II. Viability was assessed by flow cytometry. Modulation of LC3-I to LC3-II was studied with known autophagy activators (STF-62247 and rapamycin) or inhibitors (chloroquine and 3-MA) used in somatic cells. The results showed that conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II increased significantly during cooling at 4°C, freezing/thawing and each of the stressful conditions tested (UV radiation, oxidative stress, osmotic stress and changes in temperature). STF-62247 and rapamycin increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and decreased the viability of equine sperm, whereas chloroquine and 3-MA inhibited LC3 processing and maintained the percentage of viable cells after 2 h of incubation at 37°C. Finally, refrigeration at 4°C for 96 h and freezing at −196°C in the presence of chloroquine and 3-MA resulted in higher percentages of viable cells. In conclusion, results showed that an ‘autophagy-like’ mechanism may be involved in the regulation of sperm viability during equine semen cryopreservation. Modulation of autophagy during these reproductive technologies may result in an improvement of semen quality and therefore in higher fertility rates.     

Oridonin up-regulates expression of P21 and induces autophagy and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

Background: Oridonin (ORI) could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. However, the mechanism is not fully understood.Methods: Human prostate cancer (HPC) cells were cultured in vitro and cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay. The ultrastructure changes were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). Chemical staining with acridine orange (AO), MDC or DAPI was used to detect acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) and alternation of DNA. Expression of LC3 and P21 was detected by Western Blot. Apoptotic rates and cell cycle arrest were detected by FACS.Results: Our study demonstrated that after ORI treatment, the proliferations of human prostate cancer (HPC) cell lines PC-3 and LNCaP were inhibited in a concentration and time-dependent manner. ORI induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. A large number of autophagosomes with double-membrane structure and acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) were detected in the cytoplasm of HPC cells treated with ORI for 24 hours. ORI resulted in the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and recruitment of LC3-II to the autophagosomal membranes. Autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) reduced AVOs formation and inhibited LC3-I to LC3-II conversion. At 48 h, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and disappearance of surface microvilli were detected in ORI-treated cells. ORI induced a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells (PC-3: 5.4% to 27.0%, LNCaP: 5.3% to 31.0%). Promoting autophagy by nutrient starvation increased cell viability, while inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA promoted cell death. The expression of P21 was increased by ORI, which could be completely reversed by the inhibition of autophagy.Conclusions: Our findings indicated that autophagy occurred before the onset of apoptosis and protected cancer cells in ORI-treated HPC cells. P21 was involved in ORI-induced autophagy and apoptosis. Our results provide an experimental basis for understand the anti-tumor mechanism of ORI as treatment for prostate cancer.