High glucose promotes gap junctional communication in cultured neonatal cardiac fibroblasts via AMPK activation

Cardiac fibroblasts are known to be essential for adaptive responses in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, and increased intercellular communication of myocardial cells and cardiac fibroblasts acts as a crucial factor in maintaining the functional integrity of the heart. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a key stress signaling kinase, which plays an important role in promoting cell survival and improving cell function. However, the underlying link between AMPK and gap junctional communication (GJIC) is still poorly understood. In this study, a connection between AMPK and GJIC in high glucose-mediated neonatal cardiac fibroblasts was assessed using fibroblast migration, measurement of dye transfer and connexin43 (Cx43) expression. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) and Compound C (CC) were used to regulate AMPK activity. The levels of cell migration and Cx43 protein expression in neonatal cardiac fibroblasts increased during high glucose treatment, accompanied by developed dye transfer. In addition, high glucose induced abundant phosphorylation of AMPK. Suppression of AMPK phosphorylation using CC reduced dye transfer, cell migration and Cx43 protein expression in neonatal cardiac fibroblasts, whereas the activation of AMPK using AICAR mimicked the high glucose-mediated cell migration, Cx43 protein expression and dye transfer enhancement. AMPK appears to participate in regulating GJIC in high-glucose-treated neonatal cardiac fibroblasts, including cell migration, dye transfer, Cx43 expression and distribution.     

NDRG1 expression is related to the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer patients through modulating proliferation,invasion and cell cycle of gastric cancer cells

N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) has been proposed as a tumor suppressor gene in many different types of tumors, but its potential function and corresponding mechanism are not yet fully elucidated. This study aims to detect the possible function of NDRG1 in gastric cancer progression. In this study, 112 paired gastric cancer tissues and corresponding nonmalignant gastric tissues were utilized to identify the differential protein expression of NDRG1 by immunohistochemistry and its clinical significance was analyzed. Furthermore, 49 of 112 paired gastric specimens were used to detect the differential mRNA expression by real-time PCR. The over expression of NDRG1 in human gastric cancer cell line AGS by PcDNA3.1–NDRG1 transfection was utilized to detect the role of NDRG1 in regulating the biological behavior of gastric cancer. NDRG1 expression was significantly decreased in primary gastric cancer tissues, compared with its corresponding nonmalignant gastric tissues (p < 0.05), and its decreased expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p < 0.01), invasion depth (p < 0.01) and differentiation (p < 0.05). Additionally, the overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients with high expression of NDRG1 was higher than those with low expression during the follow-up period. NDRG1 overexpression suppressed cells proliferation, invasion and induced a G1 cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer. Furthermore, the down-regulation of NDRG1 in gastric cancer metastatic progression was correlated to E-cadherin and MMP-9. Our results verify that NDRG1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene and may play an important role in the metastasis progression and prognosis of gastric cancer.     

Development of uniform density control with self-assembled colloidal gold nanoparticles on a modified silicon substrate

Here, we present a simple method for controlling the density of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) on a modified silicon substrate, by destabilizing the colloidal Au NPs with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxylsilane (3-MPTMS) for microelectromechanical-system-based applications to reduce tribological issues. A silicon surface was pretreated with a 3-MPTMS solution, immediately after which thiolated Au NPs were added to it, resulting in their uniform deposition on the silicon substrate. Without any material property change of the colloidal Au NPs, we observed the formation of large clusters Au NPs on the modified silicon surface. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the addition of 3-MPTMS resulted in an alternation of the chemical characteristics of the solution. Atomic force microscopy imaging supported the notion that silicon surface modification is the most important factor on tribological properties of materials along with ligand-modified Au NPs. The density of Au NPs on a silicon surface was significantly dependent on several factors, including the concentration of colloidal Au NPs, deposition time, and concentration of 3-MPTMS solution, while temperature range which was used throughout experiment was determined to have no significant effect. A relatively high density of Au NPs forms on the silicon surface as the concentrations of Au NPs and 3-MPTMS are increased. In addition, the maximum deposition of Au NPs on silicon wafer was observed at 3 h, while the effects of temperature variation were minimal.     

Relationship of Cob characters with Grain Morphology in Maize (Zea mays,Poaceae)

Twenty varieties of maize (Zea mays, Poaceae) were studied through 11 attributes in three to seven randomly selected plants of each variety with a view to understanding the effect of cob characters on technologically desirable grain qualities. Canonical discriminant analysis showed thatproductivity (determined by total grain weight/cob, cob diameter and average grain weight) was the most discriminating among varieties followed by round grains fraction (represented by whole top and middle flat grains, number of rows and grain count/surface area), middle flat grains (composed of middle flat grains and grain count/surface area) and shape of the cob (determined by shape index, total grain weight/cob and cob diameter), which accounted for 35.1, 18.3, 12.2, and 9.8% of the total variance, respectively. In the light of these results, tentative norms have been suggested to evolve maize varieties of superior technological properties and yet retain high productivity. A cylindrical cob of large diameter with highest number of grains/area and smallest possible number of rows together constituted an ideal combination to achieve the objectives. Such possibilities in the light of available information are discussed.     

The many structural faces of calmodulin: a multitasking molecular jackknife

Calmodulin (CaM) is a highly conserved protein and a crucial calcium sensor in eukaryotes. CaM is a regulator of hundreds of diverse target proteins. A wealth of studies has been carried out on the structure of CaM, both in the unliganded form and in complexes with target proteins and peptides. The outcome of these studies points toward a high propensity to attain various conformational states, depending on the binding partner. The purpose of this review is to provide examples of different conformations of CaM trapped in the crystal state. In addition, comparisons are made to corresponding studies in solution. The different CaM conformations in crystal structures are also compared based on the positions of the metal ions bound to their EF hands, in terms of distances, angles, and pseudo-torsion angles. Possible caveats and artifacts in CaM crystal structures are discussed, as well as the possibilities of trapping biologically relevant CaM conformations in the crystal state.     

Plasmonic Property and Stability of Core-Shell Au@SiO2 Nanostructures

Au nanorod (Au NR) is one of the most studied colloidal nanostructures for its tunable longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (SPR_L) property in the near infrared region. And surface coating Au NRs into core-shell nanostructures is particularly important for further investigation and possible applications. In this paper, Au NRs colloids were synthesized using an improved seed method. Then as-prepared Au NRs were coated with SiO₂ to form a core-shell nanostructure (Au@SiO₂) with different shell thickness. And the influence of SiO₂ shell on the SPR_L of Au NRs was investigated based on the experimental results and FDTD simulations. Under the 808 nm laser irradiating, the stability of Au@SiO₂ was studied. Compared with Au NRs, the Au@SiO₂ is stable with increasing laser power (up to 8 W), whereas Au NRs undergo a shape deformation from rod to spherical nanoparticle when the laser power is 5 W. The high stability and tunable optical properties of core-shell structured Au@SiO₂, along with advantages of SiO₂, show that Au@SiO₂ composites are promising in designing plasmonic photothermal properties or further applications in nanomedicine.     

Protective Effect of Naringenin in Experimental Ischemic Stroke: Down-Regulated NOD2, RIP2, NF-κB,MMP-9 and Up-Regulated Claudin-5 Expression

Inflammatory damage plays a pivotal, mainly detrimental role in cerebral ischemic pathogenesis and may represent a promising target for treatment. Naringenin (NG) has gained growing appreciation for its beneficial biological effects through its anti-inflammatory property. Whether this protective effect applies to cerebral ischemic injury, we therefore investigate the potential neuroprotective role of NG and the underlying mechanisms. Focal cerebral ischemia in male Sprague–Dawley rats was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and NG was pre-administered intragastrically once daily for four consecutive days before surgery. Neurological deficit, brain water content and infarct volume were measured at 24 h after stroke. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to explore the anti-inflammatory potential of NG in the regulation of NOD2, RIP2 and NF-κB in ischemic cerebral cortex. Additionally, the activities of MMP-9 and claudin-5 were analyzed to detect NG’s influence on blood–brain barrier. Compared with pMCAO and Vehicle groups, NG noticeably improved neurological deficit, decreased infarct volume and edema at 24 h after ischemic insult. Consistent with these results, our data also indicated that NG significantly downregulated the expression of NOD2, RIP2, NF-κB and MMP-9, and upregulated the expression of claudin-5 (P < 0.05). The results provided a neuroprotective profile of NG in cerebral ischemia, this effect was likely exerted by down-regulated NOD2, RIP2, NF-κB, MMP-9 and up-regulated claudin-5 expression.     

Creation of a HEK293 cell line stably expressing the proteasome subunit PSMD14 fused with fluorescent protein EGFP and HTBT tag

In the present work, a stable cell line based on human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells, which expresses the proteasome subunit PSMD14 fused to the fluorescent protein EGFP and HTBH tag, has been selected. This protein, PSMD14-EGFP-HTBH, was shown to be completely incorporated into proteasomes, and such complexes have a chymotrypsin-like peptidase activity that is fundamental for proteasomes. The constructed and selected cell line can be used for further fluorescent studies of localization of proteasomes in the cell.     

Effect of Transient Cerebral Ischemia on the Expression of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) in the Gerbil Hippocampus Proper

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multi-ligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily that has been implicated in multiple neuronal and inflammatory stress processes. In this study, we examined changes in RAGE immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the gerbil hippocampus (CA1-3 regions) after 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. The ischemic hippocampus was stained with cresyl violet, neuronal nuclei (a neuron-specific soluble nuclear antigen) antibody and Fluoro-Jade B (a marker for neuronal degeneration). 5 days after ischemia–reperfusion, delayed neuronal death occurred in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region. RAGE immunoreactivity was not detected in any regions of the CA1-3 regions of the sham-group; the immunoreactivity was markedly increased only in the CA1 region from 3 days after ischemia–reperfusion. On the other hand, RAGE immunoreactivity was newly expressed in astrocytes, not in microglia. Western blot analysis showed that RAGE protein level was highest at 5 days post-ischemia. In brief, both the RAGE immunoreactivity and protein level were distinctively increased in astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 region from 3 days after transient cerebral ischemia. These results indicate that the increase of RAGE expression in astrocytes after ischemia–reperfusion may be related to the ischemia-caused activation of astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 region.     

Increased Expression of Angiogenic Factors in Cultured Human Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Endothelial Cells

To compare the mRNA level of angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 in cultured human brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) endothelial cells (ECs) and normal brain endothelial cells (BECs). Tissue explants both from deformed vessels of AVM and normal microvessel were put into culture for endothelial cells. After the monolayer adherent ECs reached confluence, they were tested with endothelial specific marker CD34 and von Willebrand factor (vWF) by immunochemical assay. mRNA levels of VEGF-A, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in AVM endothelial cells (AVMECs) and BECs were measured by PCR. Immunostaining confirmed that more than 95 % of the cultured cells were CD34 (Fig. 1b) and/or vWF positive. Expression levels of VEGF-A and MMP-2 mRNAs were significantly higher in AVMECs than in BECs. The MMP-9 level was also increased in AVMECs, but the difference was not statistically significant. Vascular tissue explants adherent method is a better approach for isolation and culture of AVMECs. Cultured AVMECs expressed higher angiogenic factors (VEGF, MMP-2) than the controlled BECs, implicating angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AVM.     

A Novel Approach to Block HIV-1 Coreceptor CXCR4 in Non-toxic Manner

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is one of the major coreceptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and considered as an important therapeutic target. Knockdown of CXCR4 by RNA interference has emerged as a promising strategy for combating HIV-1 infection. However, there is a potential drawback to this strategy as undesired side effects may occur due to the loss of natural function of CXCR4. In this study, we developed a novel approach using a single lentiviral vector to express simultaneously CXCR4 dual-shRNAs and an shRNA-resistant CXCR4 mutant possessing the most possible natural functions of CXCR4 and reduced HIV-1 coreceptor activity. Via this approach we achieved the replacement of endogenous CXCR4 by CXCR4 mutant P191A that could compensate the functional loss of endogenous CXCR4 and significant reduction of HIV-1 replication by 59.2 %. Besides, we demonstrated that construction of recombinant lentiviral vector using 2A peptide-based strategy has significant advantages over using additional promoter-based strategy, including increase of lentivirus titer and avoidance of promoter competition. Therefore, the novel approach to block HIV-1 coreceptor CXCR4 without impairing its normal function provides a new strategy for CXCR4-targeted therapeutics for HIV-1 infection and potential universal applications to knock down a cellular protein in non-toxic manner.     

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor regulates apoptotic sensitivity of colon cancer HCT116 cell line to TRAIL via JNK-p53 pathway

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) serves not only as an anchor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator but also participates in intracellular signal transduction events. In this study, we investigated whether uPAR could modulate TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells HCT116. Using an antisense strategy, we established a stable HCT116 cell line with down-regulated uPAR. The sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis was evaluated by FACS analysis. Our results show that the inhibition of uPAR could sensitize HCT116 to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. uPAR inhibition changed the expression of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, Bid and p53, in a pro-apoptotic manner. We also found that the inhibition of uPAR down-regulated the phosphorylation of FAK, ERK and JNK. The inhibition of p53 by RNA interference rescued cells from enhanced apoptosis, thus indicating that p53 is critical for enhancing TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, JNK, but not ERK, inhibition involved in the up-regulation of p53. JNK negatively regulated p53 protein level. Overall, our results show that uPAR inhibition can sensitize colon cancer cells HCT116 to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via active p53 and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways that JNK inhibition is involved.     

Estimates of heavy metal tolerance and chromium(VI) reducing ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CCTCC AB93066: chromium(VI) toxicity and environmental parameters optimization

The potential role of parameters in the reduction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not well documented. In this study, laboratory batch studies were conducted to assess the effect of a variety of factors, e.g., carbon sources, salinity, initial Cr(VI) concentrations, co-existing ions and a metabolic inhibitor, on microbial Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) by P. aeruginosa AB93066. Strain AB93066 tolerated up to 400 mg/L of Cr(VI) in nutrient broth medium compared to only 150 mg/L of Cr(VI) in nutrient agar. This bacteria exhibited different levels of resistance against Pb(II) (200 mg/L), Cd(II) (100 mg/L), Ni(II) (100 mg/L), Cu(II) (100 mg/L), Co(II) (50 mg/L) and Hg(II) (5 mg/L). Cr(VI) reduction was significantly promoted by the addition of glucose and glycerine but was strongly inhibited by the presence of methanol and phenol. The rate of Cr(VI) reduction increased with increasing concentrations of Cr(VI) and then decreased at higher concentrations. The presence of Ni(II) stimulated Cr(VI) reduction, while Pb(II), Co(II) and Cd(II) had adverse impact on reduction ability of this strain. Cr(VI) reduction was also inhibited by high levels of NaCl, various concentrations of sodium azide and 20 mM of SO₄ ^2?, MoO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, PO₄ ^3?. No significant relationship was observed between Cr(VI) reduction and redox potential of the culture medium. Scanning electron microscopy showed visible morphological changes in the cells due to chromate stress. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed chromium species was likely to form complexes with certain functional groups such as carboxyl and amino groups on the surface of P. aeruginosa AB93066. Overall, above results are beneficial to the bioremediation of chromate-polluted industrial wastewaters.     

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) prevents apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in basilar artery smooth muscle cells

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) acts as a cAMP-dependent chloride channel, has been studied in various types of cells. CFTR is abundantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and closely linked to vascular tone regulation. However, the functional significance of CFTR in basilar vascular smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) remains elusive. Accumulating evidence has shown the direct role of CFTR in cell apoptosis that contributes to several main pathological events in CF, such as inflammation, lung injury and pancreatic insufficiency. We therefore investigated the role of CFTR in BASMC apoptotic process induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). We found that H₂O₂-induced cell apoptosis was parallel to a significant decrease in endogenous CFTR protein expression. Silencing CFTR with adenovirus-mediated CFTR specific siRNA further enhanced H₂O₂-induced BASMC injury, mitochondrial cytochrome c release into cytoplasm, cleaved caspase-3 and -9 protein expression and oxidized glutathione levels; while decreased cell viability, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, mitochondrial membrane potential, total glutathione levels, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The pharmacological activation of CFTR with forskolin produced the opposite effects. These results strongly suggest that CFTR may modulate oxidative stress-related BASMC apoptosis through the cAMP- and mitochondria-dependent pathway and regulating endogenous antioxidant defense system.     

Comparative Effects of Hispidulin,Genistein, and Icariin with Estrogen on Bone Tissue in Ovariectomized Rats

Icariin, Genistein, and Hispidulin have been proven to have estrogen-like and antiosteoporotic activity and can be potentially used for the treatment of osteoporosis. The present study found that Icariin, Genistein, and Hispidulin treatments, emulating estrogen, significantly contributed to bone density. Comparative effects of Icariin, Genistein, and Hispidulin with estrogen on in ovariectomized rats were investigated. Our results showed that genistein was found to have superior bone protective effects against osteoporosis among genistein, Icariin, and Hispidulin.