Cardiomyocyte apoptosis in autoimmune cardiomyopathy: mediated via endoplasmic reticulum stress and exaggerated by norepinephrine

Evidence suggests that the autoimmune cardiomyopathy produced by a peptide corresponding to the sequence of the second extracellular loop of the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor (beta(1)-EC(II)) is mediated via a biologically active anti-beta(1)-EC(II) antibody, but the mechanism linking the antibody to myocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction has not been well elucidated. Since the beta(1)-EC(II) autoantibody is a partial beta(1)-agonist, we speculate that the cardiomyopathy is produced by the beta(1)-receptor-mediated stimulation of the CaMKII-p38 MAPK-ATF6 signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and that excess norepinephrine (NE) exaggerates the cardiomyopathy. Rabbits were randomized to receive beta(1)-EC(II) immunization, sham immunization, NE pellet, or beta(1)-EC(II) immunization plus NE pellet for 6 mo. Heart function was measured by echocardiography and catheterization. Myocyte apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxytransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and caspase-3 activity, whereas CaMKII, MAPK family (JNK, p38, ERK), and ER stress signals (ATF6, GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12) were measured by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and kinase activity assay. beta(1)-EC(II) immunization produced progressive LV dilation, systolic dysfunction, and myocyte apoptosis. These changes were associated with activation of GRP78 and CHOP and increased cleavage of caspase-12, as well as increased CaMKII activity, increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and nucleus translocation of cleaved ATF6. NE pellet produced additive effects. In addition, KN-93 and SB 203580 abolished the induction of ER stress and cell apoptosis produced by the beta(1)-EC(II) antibody in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes. Thus ER stress occurs in autoimmune cardiomyopathy induced by beta(1)-EC(II) peptide, and this is enhanced by increased NE and caused by activation of the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor-coupled CaMKII, p38 MAPK, and ATF6 pathway.     

大鼠蓝斑组胺受体在应激导致颈动脉窦反射重调定中的作用

目的：揭示蓝斑（LC）的H1和H2受体在足底电击应激对颈动脉窦反射（CBR）重调定中的作用。方法：足底电击应激1周的SD大鼠,麻醉后孤离双侧颈动脉窦区,将不同窦内压（ISP）与其对应的平均动脉压（MAP）值进行Logistic五参数曲线拟合,求得ISP-MAP、ISP-增益（Gain）关系曲线及反射特征参数,观察Lc微量注射选择性H1或H2,受体拮抗剂氯苯吡胺（CHL）或西咪替丁（CIM）对应激状态下CBR的影响。结果：应激导致ISP-MAP关系曲线显著全面上移（P〈0.05）,ISP-Gain关系曲线中部明显下移（P〈0.05）,反射参数中闪压、饱和压、调定点和最大增益时的ISP值增大（P〈0.05）,而MAP反射变动范围及反射最大增益减小（P〈0.05）;LC内注射CHL（0.5μg/μl）或CIM（1.5μg/μl）20min内均可明显减弱应激对CBR的上述改变（P〈0.05）,CIM的减弱效应不如CHL的显著（P〈0.05）;LC注射上述相同剂量的CHL或CIM对非应激大鼠的CBR无明显影响（P〉0.05）;LC内注射CHL或CIM均不能使应激的CBR水平完全恢复到相应的非应激对照水平。结论：应激引起CBR重调定,反射敏感性下降;部分机制可能是激活中枢纽胺能系统,LC的H1和H2受体尤为H1受体在应激对CBR的重调定机制中发挥重要作用,下丘脑-LC的组胺能通路可能是应激所致CBR重调定的下行通路之一;除此之外,应激作用中尚有其他因素的参与。     

Mitotic phosphorylation of PRC1 at Thr470 is required for PRC1 oligomerization and proper central spindle organization

During cell division, chromosome segregation is orchestrated by the interaction of spindle microtubules with thecentromere. A dramatic remodeling of interpolar microtubules into an organized central spindle between the separatingchromatids is required for the initiation and execution of cytokinesis. Central spindle organization requires mitotic kine-sins, the chromosomal passenger protein complex, and microtubule bundling protein PRC1. PRC1 is phosphorylated byCdc2 at Thr470 and Thr481 during mitosis. However, the functional relevance of PRC1 phosphorylation at Thr470 hasremained elusive. Here we show that expression of the non-phosphorylatable mutant PRC1~(T470A) but not the phospho-mimi-cking mutant PRC1~(T470E) causes aberrant organization of the central spindle. Immunoprecipitation experiment indicatesthat both PRC1~(T470A) and PRC1~(T470E) mutant proteins associate with wild-type PRC1, suggesting that phosphorylationof Thr470 does not alter PRC1 self-association. In addition, in vitro co-sedimentation experiment showed that PRC1binds to microtubule independent of the phosphorylation state of Thr470. Gel-filtration experiment suggested that phos-phorylation of Thr470 promotes oligomerization of PRC1. Given the fact that prevention of the Thr470 phosphorylationinhibits PRC1 oligomerization in vitro and causes an aberrant organization of central spindle in vivo, we propose thatthis phosphorylation-dependent PRC1 oligomerization ensures that central spindle assembly occurs at the appropriatetime in the cell cycle.     

乳酸菌用作口服疫苗传递载体的研究

乳酸菌是食品级安全菌,利用乳酸菌为表达载体制成的口服疫苗安全无毒,能诱导机体产生有效的免疫应答和免疫耐受。乳酸菌口服疫苗通过胃肠粘膜进行抗原呈递,使用方便,而且较传统注射途径的免疫效果和依从性好,是理想的疫苗,有广阔的发展前景。     

Discovery and optimization of a series of quinazolinone-derived antagonists of CXCR3

A series of quinazolinone-derived inhibitors of the CXCR3 receptor have been synthesized and their affinity for the receptor evaluated. Compounds were evaluated in a (125)I-IP10 displacement assay and in in vitro cell migration assays to IP10, ITAC, and MIG using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.     

Structure-based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of peptidomimetic SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors

Structure-based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of peptidomimetic severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus chymotrypsin-like protease inhibitors are described. These inhibitors were designed and synthesized based upon our X-ray crystal structure of inhibitor 1 bound to SARS-CoV 3CLpro. Incorporation of Boc-Ser as the P(4)-ligand resulted in enhanced SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitory activity. Structural analysis of the inhibitor-bound X-ray structure revealed high binding affinity toward the enzyme.     

Design and synthesis of a novel class of furan-based molecules as potential 20S proteasome inhibitors

A novel class of furan-based compounds as potential 20S proteasome inhibitors have been designed and synthesized, among which nine compounds are peptide derivatives and six molecules are statine peptidomimetics. The C-terminal furanyl moiety was introduced to target molecules as furan-based amino acids. All the compounds were obtained steadily with moderate to high yield. Compound 12 was a selective moderate potent proteasome peptidomimetic inhibitor. It inhibited HepG2 and HL-60 proliferation effectively.     

Design and synthesis of novel bis(L-amino acid) ester prodrugs of 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA) with improved anti-HBV activity

A series of novel bis(L-amino acid) ester prodrugs of 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl] adenine (PMEA) was synthesized and their anti-HBV activity was evaluated in HepG 2 2.2.15 cells. Compounds 11, 12, 21, 22, 26, and 27 demonstrated more potent anti-HBV activity and higher selective index (SI) than adefovir dipivoxil, which was used as a positive control. Compound 11, which was found to be the most potent one, was five times more potent than adefovir dipivoxil with EC50 value of 0.095 microM and CC50 value of 6636 microM. The SI value (>69,000) of compound 11 was 60 times and 24 times higher than those of adefovir dipivoxil and lamivudine, respectively. In vitro stability studies showed that compound 11 was relatively more stable than adefovir dipivoxil with t1/2 of 270 min. These findings suggested that compound 11 could be considered as a promising candidate for further in vivo studies.     

SPF级金黄地鼠的主要生物学特性

目的测定SPF级金黄地鼠的生物学特性数据,为生物制品的生产、检定及科学研究提供标准化的SPF级金黄地鼠。方法在5周龄、10周龄和30周龄群体中随机抽样20只地鼠,雌雄各半。测定生长发育、繁殖性能、淘汰种鼠干物质及粗脂肪含量、解剖学特性以及血液生理生化指标等生物学特性指标。结果从SPF级金黄地鼠的生长和繁殖特性来看,通过严格的选择和淘汰,SPF级金黄地鼠的生长、繁殖等特性已保留下来,同比原种群得到进一步提高。其体重和主要脏器重量、脏器系数的数据在5、10和30这三个日龄段基本稳定一致,呈现正常的生长规律;该鼠群的血常规、血液生化指标和免疫指标也比较稳定一致,个体间的差异很小。结论本实验测定的SPF级金黄地鼠的主要生物学特性,将为SPF级金黄地鼠进一步标准化提供极其重要的依据。     

Lead sulfide near-infrared quantum dot bioconjugates for targeted molecular imaging

In this paper, we report the use of lead sulfide quantum dot (PbS QD) bioconjugates as near infrared (NIR) contrast agents for targeted molecular imaging with expanded emission wavelengths beyond 1000 nm. The red-shifted emission band, coupled with the small particle size, which will facilitate clearance, both afford PbS QDs unique properties for noninvasive, high resolution in vivo NIR imaging applications. We have performed imaging experiments at the molecular level using surface-modified PbS NIR QDs, together with our lab-built NIR imaging system. This novel instrumentation and fluorescent contrast agent have enabled us to study the relatively unexplored NIR biomedical imaging spectral region of 900-1200 nm. Preliminary experimental results indicate that PbS-QD/antibody bioconjugates are promising candidates for targeted NIR molecular imaging and future in vivo NIR tissue imaging applications.