MicroRNA-137-3p Protects PC12 Cells Against Oxidative Stress by Downregulation of Calpain-2 and nNOS

The imbalance between excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and insufficient antioxidant defenses contribute to a range of neurodegenerative diseases. High ROS levels damage cellular macromolecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids, leading to neuron vulnerability and eventual death. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the ROS regulation is not fully elucidated. Recently, an increasing number of studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as the targets in regulating oxidative stress. We recently reported the neuroprotective effect of miR-137-3p for brachial plexus avulsion-induced motoneuron death. The present study is sought to investigate whether miR-137-3p also could protect PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induced neurotoxicity. By using cell viability assay, ROS assay, gene and protein expression assay, we found that PC-12 cells exposed to H₂O₂ exhibited decreased cell viability, increased expression levels of calpain-2 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), whereas a decreased miR-137-3p expression. Importantly, restoring the miR-137-3p levels in H₂O₂ exposure robustly inhibited the elevated nNOS, calpain-2 and ROS expression levels, which subsequently improved the cell viability. Furthermore, the suppressive effect of miR-137-3p on the elevated ROS level under oxidative stress was considerably blunted when we mutated the binding site of calpain-2 targted by miR-137-3p, suggesting the critical role of calpain-2 involving the neuroprotective effect of miR-137-3p. Collectively, these findings highlight the neuroprotective role of miR-137-3p through down-regulating calpain and NOS activity, suggesting its potential role for combating oxidative stress insults in the neurodegenerative diseases.

     

不同硝化抑制剂对红壤氮素硝化作用及玉米产量和氮素利用率的影响

本研究分析添加不同种硝化抑制剂及其组合的高效稳定性氯化铵氮肥对红壤硝化作用、玉米产量和氮肥利用率的影响,旨在筛选出适合酸性红壤的高效稳定性氯化铵态氮肥。在氯化铵中分别添加硝化抑制剂2-氯-6-三甲基吡啶(CP)、3,4-二甲基吡唑磷酸盐(DMPP)和双氰胺(DCD)及其组合,制成6种高效稳定性氯化铵态氮肥,以不施氮肥(CK)和施氯化铵(N)为对照,进行等氮量玉米盆栽试验。结果表明: 与N处理相比,CP+DMPP和DMPP+DCD处理红壤中铵态氮含量提高56%～62%,显著高于CP、DMPP和DCD处理;土壤表观硝化率显著降低33%～34%。添加硝化抑制剂及其组合的6个处理均显著提高了玉米生物量和氮肥吸收利用率。与N处理相比,单独添加硝化抑制剂处理生物量均显著高于硝化抑制剂组合处理,平均提高1.3倍;添加DCD处理效果最显著,玉米籽粒产量、吸氮量和氮肥吸收利用率分别显著提高4.1、6.3和4.4倍。为了达到既能低成本又能提高产量和氮肥利用率的效果,在红壤上添加硝化抑制剂DCD是最佳选择。     

Crumbs proteins stabilize the cone mosaics of photoreceptors and improve vision in zebrafish

Although the unique organization of vertebrate cone mosaics was first described long ago,both their underlying molecular basis and physiological significance are largely unknown.Here,we demonstrate that Crumbs proteins,the key regulators of epithelial apical polarity,establish the planar cellular polarity of photoreceptors in zebrafish.Via heterophilic Crb2a-Crb2b interactions,the apicobasal polarity protein Crb2b restricts the asymmetric planar distribution of Crb2a in photoreceptors.The planar polarized Crumbs proteins thus balance intercellular adhesions and tension between photoreceptors,thereby stabilizing the geometric organization of cone mosaics.Notably,loss of Crb2b in zebrafish induces a nearsightedness-like phenotype in zebrafish accompanied by an elongated eye axis and impairs zebrafish visual perception for predation.These data reveal a detailed mechanism for cone mosaic homeostasis via previously undiscovered apical-planar polarity coordination and propose a pathogenic mechanism for nearsightedness.     

Sustainability of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Humoral Immune Responses in COVID-19 Patients from Hospitalization to Convalescence Over Six Months

Virologica Sinica - Understanding the persistence of antibody in convalescent COVID-19 patients may help to answer the current major concerns such as the risk of reinfection, the protection period...     

PML Suppresses Influenza Virus Replication by Promoting FBXW7 Expression

Virologica Sinica - Influenza A viruses (IAV) are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics, which can lead to high morbidity and mortality each year. Like other viruses, influenza virus can hijack...     

Congestive heart failure in COX2 deficient rats

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit prostaglandin (PG) formation by targeting cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2.Long-term use of NSAIDs that selectively inhibit COX2 increases the risk for thrombotic events,cardiac failure,and hypertension.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.In this study,COX1- and COX2-deficient rats were created via Cas9/RNA-mediated gene targeting.DNA genotyping and Western blot analysis confirmed successful generation of COX1~(-/-)and COX2~(-/-)rats.Adult COX1~(-/-)rats grew normally,while more than 70%of COX2~(-/-)rats after wean died within 2 months.Echocardiography showed markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in adult COX2~(-/-)rats compared to those in wildtype (WT) controls.Histological analysis revealed accumulation of inflammatory cells and severe interstitial and perivascular fibrosis in COX2~(-/-)cardiac tissues.Moreover,cardiac ATP and acetyl-Co A production was dramatically decreased in COX2~(-/-)rats.Consistently,the expression of genes related to mitochondrial oxidation,such as those that encode for subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and acyl Co A dehydrogenases,were downregulated,while glycolytic hexokinase 1 (HK1) was upregulated in COX2~(-/-)heart tissues.These observations indicate that COX2-deficient rats developed spontaneously heart failure,likely as a result of dysregulated cardiac energy metabolism.     

Th2 polarization in target organs is involved in the alleviation of pathological damage mediated by transplanting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-primed donor T cells

Acute graft-versus-host disease(a GVHD) is caused by allo-activated donor T cells infiltrating target organs. As a regulator of immune function, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF) has been demonstrated to relieve the a GVHD reaction.However, the role of G-CSF-primed donor Tcells in specific target organs is still unknown. In this study, we employed a classical MHC-mismatched transplantation mouse model(C57BL/6 into BALB/c) and found that recipient mice transplanted with GCSF-primed T cells exhibited prolonged survival compared with that of the PBS-treated group. This protective function against GVHD mediated by G-CSF-primed donor T cells was further confirmed by decreased clinical and pathological scores in this a GVHD mouse model, especially in the lung and gut. Moreover, we found that Tcells polarized towards Th2 cells and regulatory T cells were increased in specific target organs. In addition, G-CSF treatment inhibited inducible co-stimulator(ICOS) expression and increased the expression of tolerance-related genes in recipient mice. Our study provides new insight into the immune regulatory effects of G-CSF on T cell-mediated a GVHD, especially for its precise regulation in GVHD target organs.     

腺苷脱氨酶抑制巨噬细胞增殖迁移的作用研究

目的:探讨腺苷脱氨酶对鼠源巨噬细胞RAW264.7增殖、迁移、细胞周期、细胞凋亡的影响。方法:用不同浓度(0、0.25、1.25、2.5、5U/m L)的腺苷脱氨酶处理RAW264.7细胞后,用实时细胞分析系统检测细胞增殖能力,用流式细胞术检测腺苷脱氨酶对细胞凋亡和周期的影响,划痕修复实验检测RAW264.7细胞迁移能力。结果:与对照组相比,高浓度腺苷脱氨酶(2.5 U/m L、5 U/m L)处理可以显著抑制RAW264.7细胞的增殖能力,且抑制效果随腺苷脱氨酶浓度升高而增强(P<0.05)。流式细胞术检测结果显示,相较于对照组,高浓度腺苷脱氨酶(2.5 U/m L)处理可以诱导RAW264.7细胞凋亡,并导致细胞周期G2/M期阻滞(P<0.05)。此外,细胞划痕实验表明,高浓度腺苷脱氨酶(2.5 U/m L)处理可以显著抑制RAW264.7巨噬细胞的迁移能力(P<0.05)。结论:高浓度腺苷脱氨酶对巨噬细胞增殖和迁移具有抑制作用,并可诱导细胞凋亡和细胞周期阻滞。