Dorsal root ganglia P2X4 and P2X7 receptors contribute to diabetes-induced hyperalgesia and the downregulation of electroacupuncture on P2X4 and P2X7

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is highly common in diabetes patients. P2X receptors play critical roles in pain sensitization. We previously showed that elevated P2X3 expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contributes to DNP. However, the role of other P2X receptors in DNP is unclear. Here, we established the DNP model using a single high-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection and investigated the expression of P2X genes in the DRG. Our data revealed elevated P2X2, P2X4, and P2X7 mRNA levels in DRG of DNP rats. The protein levels of P2X4 and P2X7 in DNP rats increased, but the P2X2 did not change significantly. To study the role of P2X4 and P2X7 in diabetes-induced hyperalgesia, we treated the DNP rats with TNP-ATP (2’,3’-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-adenosine 5’-triphosphate), a nonspecific P2X1–7 antagonist, and found that TNP-ATP alleviated thermal hyperalgesia in DNP rats. 2 Hz electroacupuncture is analgesic against DNP and could downregulate P2X4 and P2X7 expression in DRG. Our findings indicate that P2X4 and P2X7 in L4–L6 DRGs contribute to diabetes-induced hyperalgesia, and that EA reduces thermal hyperalgesia and the expression of P2X4 and P2X7.     

脂肪组织源性干细胞研究进展

增加具有完整功能的种子细胞数目是细胞移植的首要环节。近来研究发现,成体动物脂肪组织中含有大量的具有多向分化潜能的间充质干细胞,在特定条件下可分化为多种组织细胞,如脂肪细胞、成骨细胞、软骨细胞、肌细胞及神经星状细胞等,且具有极强的自我复制能力,有望成为组织工程理想的种子细胞。本文综述了脂肪组织源性干细胞（ADSCs）的发现、生物学特性、多向分化潜能、应用前景及存在的问题。     

薰衣草叶片对低温胁迫的生理与分子响应机制

薰衣草(Lavandula angustifolia)作为名贵的芳香植物,其生长、繁育、品质和产量均受低温影响。前期研究已获得1个耐低温薰衣草品种。该研究将对其处理的温度从20℃降至0℃,揭示薰衣草响应冷胁迫的生理及分子调控机制,同时结合薰衣草的细胞质膜透性、可溶性糖和蛋白质含量及抗氧化酶活性等生理变化。采用转录组学和生物信息学方法挖掘分析相关耐寒基因,并探讨外施水杨酸缓解–10℃冻胁迫的可行性。研究发现7个编码脂肪酸去饱和酶和转移酶的基因(LaFADs)、3个参与合成可溶性糖的基因(LaBAM1和LaSS2)、19个编码胚胎晚期丰富蛋白的基因(LaLEAs)及7个编码过氧化物酶的基因(LaPODs),这些基因在低温胁迫下均上调表达,指导薰衣草合成并积累保护物质,维持膜稳定性以应对胁迫。此外, 150 mg·L^-1水杨酸预处理能有效缓解植株冻害,可作为低温保护剂。该研究丰富了薰衣草重要抗逆基因家族的遗传背景,为后续分子遗传学功能分析和定向品种改良奠定基础。     

Exosomal miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p promote CXCL12/CXCR7-induced metastasis of colorectal cancer by crosstalk with cancer-associated fibroblasts

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) is a newly discovered atypical chemokine receptor that binds to C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) with higher affinity than CXCR4 and is associated with the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been known to promote tumor progression. However, whether CAFs are involved in CXCR7-mediated metastasis of CRC remains elusive. We found a significant positive correlation between CXCR7 expression and CAF activation markers in colonic tissues from clinical specimens and in villin-CXCR7 transgenic mice. RNA sequencing revealed a coordinated increase in the levels of miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p in CXCR7-overexpressing CRC cells and their exosomes. Importantly, these CRC cell-derived miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p could be uptaken by CAFs via exosomes and promote the activation of CAFs through JAK2–STAT3/NF-κB signaling by targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and zinc finger and BTB domain containing 2 (ZBTB2). Reciprocally, activated CAFs further potently enhanced the invasive capacity of CRC cells. Mechanistically, CAFs transfected with miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p exhibited a robust increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β, and CXCL12, which trigger the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and pro-metastatic switch of CRC cells. More importantly, the activation of CAFs by miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p facilitated tumor formation and lung metastasis of CRC in vivo using tumor xenograft models. Our work provides novel insights into CXCR7-mediated CRC metastasis from tumor–stroma interaction and serum exosomal miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p could serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for inhibiting CRC metastasis.Subject terms: Cancer microenvironment, Colon cancer     

Caveolin-1 identified as a key mediator of acute lung injury using bioinformatics and functional research

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a potentially life-threatening, devastating disease with an extremely high rate of mortality. The underlying mechanism of ALI is currently unclear. In this study, we aimed to confirm the hub genes associated with ALI and explore their functions and molecular mechanisms using bioinformatics methods. Five microarray datasets available in GEO were used to perform Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the key genes were identified via the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Lipopolysaccharide intraperitoneal injection was administered to establish an ALI model. Overall, 40 robust DEGs, which are mainly involved in the inflammatory response, protein catabolic process, and NF-κB signaling pathway were identified. Among these DEGs, we identified two genes associated with ALI, of which the CAV-1/NF-κB axis was significantly upregulated in ALI, and was identified as one of the most effective targets for ALI prevention. Subsequently, the expression of CAV-1 was knocked down using AAV-shCAV-1 or CAV-1-siRNA to study its effect on the pathogenesis of ALI in vivo and in vitro. The results of this study indicated that CAV-1/NF-κB axis levels were elevated in vivo and in vitro, accompanied by an increase in lung inflammation and autophagy. The knockdown of CAV-1 may improve ALI. Mechanistically, inflammation was reduced mainly by decreasing the expression levels of CD3 and F4/80, and activating autophagy by inhibiting AKT/mTOR and promoting the AMPK signaling pathway. Taken together, this study provides crucial evidence that CAV-1 knockdown inhibits the occurrence of ALI, suggesting that the CAV-1/NF-κB axis may be a promising therapeutic target for ALI treatment.Subject terms: Cell signalling, Respiratory tract diseases     

Automics: an integrated platform for NMR-based metabonomics spectral processing and data analysis

Background  

Spectral processing and post-experimental data analysis are the major tasks in NMR-based metabonomics studies. While there are commercial and free licensed software tools available to assist these tasks, researchers usually have to use multiple software packages for their studies because software packages generally focus on specific tasks. It would be beneficial to have a highly integrated platform, in which these tasks can be completed within one package. Moreover, with open source architecture, newly proposed algorithms or methods for spectral processing and data analysis can be implemented much more easily and accessed freely by the public.     

9-Phenanthrol,a TRPM4 Inhibitor,Protects Isolated Rat Hearts from Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury

Despite efforts to elucidate its pathophysiology, ischemia–reperfusion injury lacks an effective preventative intervention. Because transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 4 (TRPM4) is functionally expressed by many cell types in the cardiovascular system and is involved in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases, we decided to assess its suitability as a target of therapy. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the possible cardioprotective effect of 9-phenanthrol, a specific inhibitor of TRPM4. Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were pretreated with Krebs–Henseleit (K–H) solution (control), 9-phenanthrol, or 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, a blocker of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel) and then subjected to global ischemia followed by reperfusion with the K–H solution. To evaluate the extent of heart damage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the effluent solution was measured, and the size of infarcted area of the heart was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. In controls, cardiac contractility decreased, and LDH activity and the infarcted area size increased. In contrast, in hearts pretreated with 9-phenanthrol, contractile function recovered dramatically, and the infarcted area size significantly decreased. The cardioprotective effects of 9-phenanthrol was not completely blocked by 5-HD. These findings show that 9-phenanthrol exerts a cardioprotective effect against ischemia in the isolated rat heart and suggest that its mechanism of action is largely independent of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.     

Application of hydroelastic waves of the Chinese traditional medicine solution to the traumatotherapy

We have used hydroelastic waves to treat the closed trauma of the soft tissue. The Shu Huo Jiu (S. H. J.) which is the Chinese traditional medicine alcohol, was used as the fluid medium for generating the pressure waves. The biomechanical model was established and analysed. Both animal and human tests have been made. A practical system was designed, constructed and clinically tested to treat the closed trauma, such as the bruise, contusion, sprain etc.. This system was found to be effective.     

一株高含玫红品的红树林海洋紫色硫细菌分离鉴定及特性

摘要:【目的】挖掘我国海洋紫色硫细菌物种资源、深入理解紫色硫细菌在红树林生态系统中的作用。【方法】采用琼脂振荡稀释法、显微技术、紫外可见吸收光谱法、TLC、HPLC 和MS 法。【结果】从福建泉州洛阳桥红树林潮间带泥水样分离获得一株细胞内含多个硫粒的细菌菌株,光合内膜呈囊状、含细菌叶绿素a 和螺菌黄质系类胡萝卜素,结合16S rRNA 基因序列分析和系统发育分析,表明该菌株属于海洋着色菌属(Marichromatium)。该菌株细胞球杆状;最适pH 范围5.7－6.7;最适盐度范围2%－3.5%;温度范围20℃ －35℃;能耐受3.6 mmol/L 硫化物;主要积累玫红品类胡萝卜素,而不是螺菌黄质;3 种细菌叶绿素组分中,一种为BChl aP,另2 种未见报道;不需要生长因子;可光同化固定CO2、能很好利用多种有机酸盐、多价态氮化物和硫化物,尤其能利用柠檬酸、葡萄糖、蔗糖、果糖和丙醇;对氯霉素、头孢唑林、苯、对羟基联苯、恩诺沙星、啶虫脒、HgCl2 和CdCl2的IC50 值分别为70、100、20、20、3、170、5 mg /L和25 mg/L。【结论】该菌株是一株轻度耐酸、高含玫红品类胡萝卜素的紫色硫细菌,被鉴定为Marichromatium gracile 新菌株,编号YL28。该菌株具有广泛利用多种碳源、氮源和硫源物质的能力,对抗生素氯霉素和头孢唑啉、农药啶虫脒、重金属汞和镉具有较强耐受性,对抗生素恩诺沙星较敏感。     

真菌组蛋白赖氨酸甲基转移酶的研究进展

甲基化修饰是蛋白翻译后修饰的主要方式之一。真菌中,多种赖氨酸甲基转移酶能够执行组蛋白特定位点上赖氨酸的甲基化。组蛋白上赖氨酸的甲基化与真菌DNA的复制、转录以及异染色质的形成相关。甲基化参与了多种生物学过程,如真菌发育、昼夜节律调节、次级代谢基因簇表达、水解酶合成、致病真菌毒力形成。本文结合笔者工作,对目前真菌中已经发现的组蛋白赖氨酸甲基转移酶的命名、分类、结构域特征、催化域的三维结构以及它们所执行的甲基化在各种真菌中的作用进行了总结,提出了目前研究的不足并对未来的研究方向和内容进行了展望。