Fibulin-5在主动脉夹层血管壁中表达异常

目的:研究Stanford A型主动脉夹层(aortic dissection,AD)升主动脉和正常升主动脉血管组织中Fibulin-5表达的差异。方法:收集Stanford A型AD患者手术中切除的升主动脉血管组织标本12例(AD组),多器官捐献患者升主动脉血管12例(对照组)。采用EVG染色观察主动脉中膜弹性纤维形态结构;应用SP免疫组织化学法及Western blot法对标本组织中的Fibulin-5进行检测分析。结果:AD组主动脉中膜弹性纤维形态和排列不规则、破碎、丢失,结构紊乱。免疫组织化学显示Fibulin-5阳性表达见于主动脉壁平滑肌细胞胞质中,AD组与对照组比较,Fibulin-5表达明显较少。Western blot蛋白印迹示AD组Fibulin-5表达明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:Fibulin-5在AD主动脉中膜中表达下调,可能在AD的发生中发挥作用。     

Stanford A型主动脉夹层血管壁及外周血中热休克蛋白90的表达及意义

目的:探索热休克蛋白90(Heat shock protein 90, HSP90)在Stanford A型主动脉夹层(Aortic dissection, AD)血管壁组织中的表达及其与平滑肌细胞(Smooth muscle cells, SMCs)表型标志物的相关性。方法:收集本院急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层患者病变主动脉壁组织和外周血标本(AD组,20例),心脏移植供体等来源的正常主动脉壁组织和外周血标本(正常组,10例);ELISA法检测血浆HSP90含量;免疫组化染色检测HSP90的表达差异及定位;Western blot检测组织标本中蛋白的表达差异;应用Spearman分析HSP90和SMCs表型标志物表达的相关性。结果:AD患者血浆中HSP90的含量显著高于正常组(142.38±40.16ng/mL vs. 54.99±24.46 ng/mL,P<0.01)。相对于正常主动脉壁组织,主动脉夹层血管壁组织中HSP90表达明显升高,且主要分布在血管壁中层细胞的胞浆中,分泌型SMCs标志物OPN的表达明显增多,而收缩型标志物α-SMA表达则显著减少。HSP90和α-SMA的蛋白表达呈负相关(R2=0.677,P<0.01),和OPN呈正相关(R²=0.572,P<0.01)。结论:主动脉夹层患者的血管壁组织及外周血中的HSP90含量明显升高,参与了主动脉夹层的发生发展。     

FHL1在胸主动脉瘤发病机制中的初步研究

目的:研究FHL1蛋白在胸主动脉瘤发病机制中的作用。方法:利用Western Blotting分析胸主动脉瘤患者与正常人主动脉组织中FHL1蛋白表达的情况,利用免疫组织化学检测FHL1蛋白在主动脉组织中的定位,并进一步分析该蛋白在两组中的表达情况,结合文献报道分析FHL1蛋白在胸主动脉瘤发病机制中的作用。结果:Western Blotting、免疫组织化学分析均表明FHL1蛋白在胸主动脉瘤患者主动脉组织表达水平较正常人明显降低,FHL1蛋白主要定位于主动脉血管平滑肌细胞的细胞质中。结论:FHL1蛋白在胸主动脉瘤患者主动脉组织中明显降低,这可能导致主动脉血管平滑肌细胞增殖能力下降,从而在胸主动脉瘤的发病中发挥重要的作用。     

缺氧诱导因子1及下游NADPH氧化酶在酒精性肝病大鼠肝组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨缺氧诱导因子-1(HIF-1)及NADPH氧化酶(NOX)在酒精性肝病(ALD)发病过程中的表达及意义。方法 Wistar大鼠正常饲养1周后随机分为正常对照组和模型组,模型组大鼠采用逐渐增加酒精浓度和剂量(30%-60%,5-9g/kg/d)的方法酒精灌胃,分别于4周、8周、12周和16周末随机分批处死,留取肝组织标本并制备10%的肝匀浆。应用比色法检测肝匀浆肝组织甘油三酯(TG)、氧自由基(OFR)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的含量,免疫组织化学染色和Western blot方法观察肝组织HIF-1α蛋白表达,RT-PCR方法分别检测HIF-1α及P47phox NOX mRNA的表达。结果成功制备酒精性肝病大鼠模型,随着造模时间的延长肝组织HIF-1α蛋白表达量及HIF-1α和P47phox NOX mRNA逐渐增强,至16周时达高峰,HIF-1α与P47phox NOX mRNA相对表达量间呈正相关(r=0.73,P0.01),P47phox NOX mRNA相对表达量与TG、OFR和MDA的含量呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.63、0.68和0.65,P值均0.01,与SOD呈负相关,相关系数为-0.65,P0.01。结论 ALD模型大鼠肝组织HIF-α及下游NOX表达增强,与肝脏氧化应激密切相关,参与酒精性肝病的发病过程。     

华法令诱导大鼠体内主动脉的钙化作用

目的:研究华法令对大鼠体内主动脉的钙化作用。方法:采用华法令(3 mg/g饲料)的饲料喂养诱导大鼠体内动脉钙化。实验分3组(n=6),对照组、6 W钙化组、12 W钙化组。Von Kossa染色观察钙结节形成,邻甲酚酞络合酮比色法定量测定钙沉积含量。采用TUNEL染色法检测大鼠主动脉组织内血管平滑肌细胞(Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell,VSMC)凋亡。Western blot法检测大鼠主动脉组织中生长抑制特异蛋白6(Growth Arrest Specific Gene 6 Protein,Gas 6)蛋白表达水平。结果:钙化组钙结节、钙沉积含量及VSMC凋亡均高于对照组(P0.01)有显著差异。钙化形成与凋亡表达呈显著正相关(R2=0.8853,P0.0001);钙化组Gas 6蛋白表达量较对照组下调(P0.01)有显著差异。结论:华法令通过下调Gas 6蛋白诱导大鼠体内主动脉钙化形成。     

Hippo信号通路在颈动脉结扎所致大鼠动脉血管重构中的表达及其意义

目的:在建立大鼠血管重构模型基础上探讨Hippo信号通路在该模型中的表达及意义。方法:模型组(n=40)经颈部正中切口游离出左侧颈总动脉,用6-0不可吸收线在尽量靠近近心端处结扎,完全阻断血流。对照组(n=20)仅将手术线穿过颈总动脉而不结扎,闭合切合。14 d后处死所有动物,经原手术路径分离颈总动脉,收集结扎处至远心端的动脉。用HE以及MASSON染色观察血管形态以及纤维化,免疫组织化学染色法检测颈动脉中α-肌动蛋白(α-MSA)和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达,Western blot检测yes相关蛋白(YAP),PDZ结合基序的转录辅激活子(TAZ),TEAD1,Bax,Bcl-2的表达。结果:与对照组相比,造模组HE染色提示血管重构明显,新生内膜/中膜比例明显增加,MASSON染色提示纤维化明显增加;免疫组织化学染色法提示造模组血管α-MSA及PCNA表达明显增加; Western blot提示造模组血管YAP,TAZ,TEAD1,Bcl-2表达增加,而Bax表达降低,Bax/Bcl-2蛋白比例明显降低。结论:本研究成功建立颈动脉结扎介导的大鼠血管重构模型,另外证明Hippo信号通路在颈动脉结扎介导的大鼠血管重构模型中明显激活,以及可能介导增殖、凋亡相关的Bax/Bcl-2比值的改变,进而参与平滑肌细胞增殖促进血管重构。     

α-平滑肌肌动蛋白在人胸主动脉夹层中的表达

目的:探讨胸主动脉壁中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达与胸主动脉夹层(TAD)的关系。方法:采集人TAD的动脉壁组织和正常人胸主动脉壁组织,采用Western Blotting和免疫组织化学方法检测α-SMA在组织中的表达程度。结果:在DA组中,α-SMA的表达明显减少,血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)以增殖表型为主。结论α-SMA的减少主要发生在血管中膜层的VSMC中,细胞发生表型变化,导致中膜弹性变差,发生夹层病变。因此,α-SMA可能在TAD的发病中具有重要作用,值得进一步深入探讨。     

BMP7基因沉默抑制钙盐诱导猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞成骨分化

目的:探究小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)介导的骨形态发生蛋白7(bone morphogenetic protein7,BMP7)基因沉默对钙盐诱导猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞成骨分化的影响及机制,为钙化性主动脉瓣膜病(calcific aortic valve disease,CAVD)的干预及治疗提供理论依据。方法:非CAVD瓣膜组织(non-CAVD组)取自手术治疗的主动脉夹层患者,CAVD瓣膜组织(CAVD组)取自因钙化性主动脉瓣狭窄而进行主动脉瓣膜置换术的患者,采用免疫组化和Western blot法检测non-CAVD组和CAVD组中BMP7、Runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)的蛋白质表达水平。选取健康家猪处死后即刻于无菌条件下取主动脉瓣叶,采用胶原酶连续消化法分离主动脉瓣膜间质细胞,观察其形态特征,并用免疫荧光染色行表型鉴定。采用脂质体转染法将BMP7-siRNA转染猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞,采用qPCR和Western blot法验证BMP7表达的变化;利用钙盐培养基诱导细胞成骨分化,建立体外主动脉瓣膜间质细胞钙化模型后,采用ALP染色和茜素红S染色实验分别检测细胞早期及晚期成骨分化能力;采用qPCR和Western blot法分别检测细胞成骨相关基因及蛋白质Runx2、OCN和OPN的表达情况。并用Western blot法检测BMP7下游信号通路中Smad1/5/8的磷酸化水平。结果:BMP7和Runx2蛋白在CAVD组中表达明显高于non-CAVD组。成功分离出原代猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞,α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)及波形蛋白(vimentin)染色阳性,血管性血友病因子(von willebrand factor,vWF)染色阴性。转染BMP7-siRNA后猪主动脉瓣膜间质细胞中BMP7的mRNA和蛋白质水平均明显下调,早期及晚期成骨分化能力均明显降低。沉默BMP7基因的表达,可下调Runx2、OCN和OPN的基因及蛋白质表达,且磷酸化的Smad1/5/8(p-Smad1/5/8)蛋白水平明显降低。结论:BMP7基因沉默抑制钙盐诱导的主动脉瓣膜间质细胞的成骨分化能力,BMP7/Smads信号通路可能在该过程中发挥重要作用。     

尾部悬吊对大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平的影响

目的:观察模拟失重对大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平的影响,探讨其可能机制。方法:采用3周尾部悬吊大鼠模型模拟失重状态,通过DHE荧光探针技术观察大鼠动脉血管超氧阴离子水平变化,通过比色法测定大鼠动脉血管丙二醛(MDA)含量,通过蛋白印记技术观察悬吊(SUS)大鼠和正常对照(CON)大鼠动脉血管NOX4、p22phox的表达变化。结果:尾部悬吊3周后,SUS组大鼠胸主动脉超氧阴离子水平较CON组明显增高,SUS组(0.849±0.023 nmol/mg protein)大鼠MDA含量较CON组(0.575±0.054nmol/mg protein)明显增加;SUS组大鼠胸主动脉的p22phox及NOX4蛋白表达均较CON组明显增强。结论:模拟失重3周可使大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平明显增高,p22phox及NOX4蛋白表达明显增多,结果提示,尾部悬吊模拟失重状态下氧化应激水平增高可能与NADPH氧化酶表达增高有关。     

细胞内铜/锌超氧化物歧化酶在人胸主动脉夹层的表达研究

目的:探讨细胞内铜/锌超氧化物岐化酶(copper zinc superoxide dismutase,Cu/Zn-SOD,SOD-1)在人胸主动脉夹层(humanthoracic aortic dissection,hTAD)中的表达情况及其在hTAD中的可能作用。方法:蛋白质印迹法(Western blot,WB)检测SOD-1在TAD和正常人胸主动脉(NA)中膜组织中的表达情况,免疫组织化学染色(immunohistochemistry,IHC)验证SOD-1在动脉壁中的表达和定位。结果:蛋白质印迹和免疫组化染色均显示SOD-1在TAD组表达量较NA组减低(P<0.05);免疫组化染色进一步显示,SOD-1主要位于主动脉壁中膜平滑肌细胞的胞质内,其在夹层主动脉壁中膜撕开处表达缺失。结论:SOD-1在TAD中表达量减少,可能由于参与氧化应激引起的脂质过氧化和炎症反应,以及细胞外基质(extracellular matrix,ECM)的降解等机制所致。     

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif 1 (ADAMTS1) expression increases in acute aortic dissection

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease caused by progressive medial degeneration of the aortic wall. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1) is a recently identified extracellular metalloproteinase participating in the development of vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. In the present study, we found that ADAMTS1 was significantly elevated in blood samples from AAD patients compared with patients with acute myocardial infarction and healthy volunteers. Based on these findings, we established an AAD model by infusing angiotensin II in older mice. AAD was successfully developed in aorta tissues, with an incidence of 42% after 14 days in the angiotensin II group. Macrophage and neutrophil infiltration was observed in the media of the aorta, and ADAMTS1 overexpression was found in the aorta by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Double immunofluorescence staining showed the expression of ADAMTS1 in macrophages and neutrophils. Consistent with the upregulation of ADAMTS1 in aortic dissection tissues, versican (a proteoglycan substrate of ADAMTS1) was degraded significantly more in these tissues than in control aortic tissues. These data suggest that the increased expression of ADAMTS1 protein in macrophages and neutrophils that infiltrated aortic tissues may promote the progression of AAD by degrading versican.     

Angiotensin-II induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and promotes aortic adventitial fibroblasts differentiating into myofibroblasts during aortic dissection formation

The development of acute aortic dissection (AD) is attributed to unbearable wall tension superimposed on disordered of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the aortic wall. Adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) phenotypic differentiation response to stress exhibits essential function to regulate the remolding of vascular. Little is known about the AFs phenotypic differentiation and its possible mechanism in patients with AD. In this study, we examined their roles in AD. Surgical specimens of the aorta from AD patients (n = 10) and controls (n = 10) were tested for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1,2 (ERK1/2) and phospho-ERK1/2 expression, respectively by western blot. When compared with controls, protein levels of α-SMA was significantly decreased and levels of phospho-ERK1/2 was increased significantly in the aortic wall from patients with AD. Immunohistochemistry results showed elevated staining of both α-SMA and phospho-ERK1/2 in the adventitia of the aortic wall from patients with AD, on the contrary, staining of α-SMA in the media was decreased compared with controls. In vitro, the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway was involved in Ang-II-induced phenotypic differentiation and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA expression in AFs. This study provides a new insight into the biological action of AFs and phospho-ERK1/2 promoting phenotypic differentiation and MMP-2 expression, suggesting an important role of AFs in leading to disorder the delicate balance of ECM metabolism in the aortic wall, so that AFs may be an essential participant during AD formation.     

Structural modeling reveals microstructure-strength relationship for human ascending thoracic aorta

High lethality of aortic dissection necessitates accurate predictive metrics for dissection risk assessment. The not infrequent incidence of dissection at aortic diameters <5.5 cm, the current threshold guideline for surgical intervention (Nishimura et al., 2014), indicates an unmet need for improved evidence-based risk stratification metrics. Meeting this need requires a fundamental understanding of the structural mechanisms responsible for dissection evolution within the vessel wall. We present a structural model of the repeating lamellar structure of the aortic media comprised of elastic lamellae and collagen fiber networks, the primary load-bearing components of the vessel wall. This model was used to assess the role of these structural features in determining in-plane tissue strength, which governs dissection initiation from an intimal tear. Ascending aortic tissue specimens from three clinically-relevant patient populations were considered: non-aneurysmal aorta from patients with morphologically normal tricuspid aortic valve (CTRL), aneurysmal aorta from patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), and aneurysmal aorta from patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Multiphoton imaging derived collagen fiber organization for each patient cohort was explicitly incorporated in our model. Model parameters were calibrated using experimentally-measured uniaxial tensile strength data in the circumferential direction for each cohort, while the model was validated by contrasting simulated tissue strength against experimentally-measured strength in the longitudinal direction. Orientation distribution, controlling the fraction of loaded collagen fibers at a given stretch, was identified as a key feature governing anisotropic tissue strength for all patient cohorts.     

趋化因子受体CX3CR1调控人主动脉瓣膜间质细胞成骨分化的作用研究

目的:探究趋化因子受体CX3CR1调控人主动脉瓣膜间质细胞成骨分化的作用和机制,为钙化性主动脉瓣膜疾病的早期干预和治疗提供新思路。方法:取非钙化主动脉瓣(3例)和钙化主动脉瓣(5例),免疫组织化学染色检测成骨相关转录因子Runx2、骨桥蛋白OPN和骨钙蛋白OCN的表达;取3例非钙化的主动脉瓣,采用胶原酶连续消化法分离人主动脉瓣膜间质细胞,观察细胞形态及生长状态,并采用细胞免疫荧光进行表型鉴定。对成骨诱导培养的人主动脉瓣膜间质细胞分别过表达和干扰趋化因子受体CX3CR1,平行设置CM组、OM组和negative control+OM组,采用qPCR和Western blot检测Runx2、OPN和OCN的表达,Western blot检测AKT和p-AKT的表达。茜素红S染色评价晚期钙结节形成情况。结果:临床标本显示钙化的主动脉瓣较非钙化的主动脉瓣高表达CX3CR1(P 0. 05);成功分离人主动脉瓣膜间质细胞,α-SMA和Vimentin阳性,vWF阴性。与CM、OM、negative control组比较,CX3CR1+OM组Runx2、OPN和p-AKT表达上调(P 0. 05),且茜素红S染色可见明显钙结节;与CM、OM、negative siRNA control+OM组比较,si CX3CR1+OM组Runx2、OPN和p-AKT表达下调(P 0. 05),且茜素红S染色可见钙结节减少。结论:趋化因子受体CX3CR1可能通过AKT信号通路促进人主动脉瓣膜间质细胞成骨分化。     

LncRNA H19 regulates smooth muscle cell functions and participates in the development of aortic dissection through sponging miR-193b-3p

Background: Multiple studies showed that long-chain noncoding RNA H19 (LncRNA H19) is high-expressed in human and mouse abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). We speculated that it plays an important role in arterial disease, and therefore studied the role and mechanism of H19 in aortic dissection (AD).Methods: The expressions of related genes in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) induced by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) or in the aortic tissue of AD patients/mice were identified by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The targeting relationship between H19 and miR-193b-3p was predicted and verified by bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase assay, RNA pull-down assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and Pearson correlation coefficient. The H19 and miR-193b-3p effects on the biological functions of tissues and cells were examined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide) assay, wound-healing assay, and Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) staining.Results: LncRNA H19 was abnormally high-expressed in thoracic aorta tissues of AD patients, and it could competitively bind to and inhibit miR-193b-3p. In the PDGF-BB group, the expressions of H19, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were up-regulated and the expressions of miR-193b-3p, α-SMA, and SM22α were down-regulated; moreover, the proliferation and migration rate of HASMCs were increased. However, H19 silencing reversed the regulation of PDGF-BB on HASMCs. More interestingly, miR-193b-3p inhibitor could partially reverse the effect of H19 silencing. In addition, the above results were verified by animal experiments, showing that shH19 and up-regulated miR-193b-3p could significantly reduce the thoracic aorta pathological damage in AD mice.Conclusion: LncRNA H19 regulated smooth muscle cell function by sponging miR-193b-3p and it participated in the development of AD.     

基质金属蛋白酶基因多态性与主动脉夹层的研究进展*

摘要：主动脉夹层(Aortic dissection, AD)为最危险的主动脉疾病之一,病死率较高,且发病率呈逐年上升的趋势。越来越多的证据 表明遗传因素影响该疾病的发生及发展,基因多态性为该疾病的遗传易感因素之一。主动脉夹层患者可观察到主动脉中膜的退 化,当主动脉结构发生改变时,必然导致一系列的病理生理反应,进而影响其功能。细胞外基质（Extracellular matrix,ECM）是由弹 性纤维和胶原纤维组成的,可以保持主动脉管壁的稳定性。主动脉夹层的发生与ECM 的代谢平衡有关,降解ECM的酶为基质金 属蛋白酶（Matrix metalloproteinases,MMPs）,这种酶在主动脉的重塑过程中也发挥作用,与夹层的发生密切相关。单核苷酸多态 性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)作为遗传学标记,可以预测该疾病的发生, 指导该疾病的临床研究方向,对于易感性较高 的患者可进行早期的预防及监测,在AD的预防及治疗方面发挥重大作用。本文对基质金属蛋白酶基因多态性与主动脉夹层之间 的关系做一综述。     

Differential gene expression of 36-kDa microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP-36/MFAP4) in rat organs

By using quantitative Western blot analysis and the real time polymerase chain reaction technique, we investigated the differential gene expression of microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP-36) in rat organs. The gene was expressed highly in sites rich in elastic fibers, such as aorta, skin, and esophagus. However, MAGP-36 was also expressed highly in some other sites containing no elastic fibers. In lung and trachea, the expression levels of MAGP-36 mRNA were about seven times higher than those in other elastic tissues, although the protein abundances were almost at the same levels as other elastic tissues. MAGP-36 seemed to be secreted outside these organs. In brain, kidney, and spleen, although the expression levels of MAGP-36 mRNA were low, substantial amounts of MAGP-36 protein were detected. An immunohistochemical study revealed that MAGP-36 was present at the brush border of the S3 segment of proximal tubules in kidney. Since MAGP-36 is known to bind to mannan, MAGP-36 might be involved in mannose transport in the S3 segment. Thus, MAGP-36 might be multifunctional and present in a wide variety of sites in various organs.