含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶(caspase-1)对猪伪狂犬病毒复制的影响

猪伪狂犬病是伪狂犬病毒(Pseudorabies virus,PRV)感染引起的一种烈性接触性传染病,其感染宿主会触发机体先天免疫应答,引起I型干扰素(Type I interferon,IFN-1)和炎性细胞因子等细胞因子的产生,为研究可诱导产生炎性细胞因子的含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶(Cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1,caspase-1)的基因敲除对PRV复制的影响,本试验利用近年来发展迅速的一项规律性短重复回文序列簇/Cas9核酸酶(Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR associated system 9,CRISPR/Cas9)基因定点修饰技术构建猪肾上皮细胞(Porcine kidney epithelial cells,PK15)caspase-1基因稳定敲除细胞系,并通过T7核酸酶检测敲除效率;细胞毒性(Cell counting kit-8,CCK-8)试剂盒检测PK15敲除caspase-1增殖影响;采用流式细胞术检测PRV-GFP感染PK15以及PK15-caspase-1^-/-的增殖差异;实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time quantitative PCR,RT-PCR)检测PRV-gB、TK及白细胞介素1β(Interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、IFN-β、干扰素刺激基因(Interferon-stimulated genes 20,ISG20)mRNA的表达;Western Blot检测PRV-gB蛋白表达;滴度测定检测子代病毒滴度。结果表明,2对特异性单链引导RNA(Single guide RNA,sgRNA)均能对caspase-1进行基因编辑,但经T7核酸酶酶切进行基因编辑效率分析结果表明sgRNA2的基因编辑效率较高;CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞活力结果表明caspase-1基因敲除对PK15以及PK15-caspase-1^-/-细胞活力无影响(P>0.05);流式细胞仪检测结果表明PRV-GFP在PK15-caspase-1^-/-中的增殖显著低于PK15细胞(P<0.05);定量RT-PCR结果表明PRV-gB、TK基因在PK15-caspase-1^-/-的mRNA表达显著低于PK15细胞(gB:P<0.05,TK:P<0.05),而IFN-β、ISG20基因在PK15-caspase-1^-/-的mRNA表达显著高于PK15细胞(gB:P<0.05,TK:P<0.05);Western Blot结果表明,PRV的gB蛋白在PK15-caspase-1^-/-的表达显著低于PK15细胞(P<0.05);滴度测定结果表明,敲除caspase-1能够抑制PRV子代病毒的增殖。以上结果均表明caspase-1基因敲除可抑制PRV在PK15细胞中复制。     

脓毒症患者血清H2S、GDF-15、PTX-3水平与凝血功能、炎症指标及病情评分的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨脓毒症患者血清硫化氢（H₂S）、生长分化因子-15（GDF-15）、穿透素-3（PTX-3）水平与其凝血功能、炎症指标及病情评分的相关性。方法：随机选取我院2018年2月～2020年2月收治的脓毒症患者52例作为脓毒症组,另选取我院同期收治的脓毒症休克患者46例作为休克组以及同期于我院进行体检的健康者50例作为对照组。检测三组血清H₂S、GDF-15、PTX-3水平以及凝血功能、炎症指标,其中凝血功能指标包括血小板计数（PLT）、部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、凝血酶原时间（PT）、纤维蛋白原（FIB）。炎症指标包括降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）。采用急性生理学和慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ（APACHEⅡ）、快速序贯器官功能（qSOFA）评分对脓毒症组、休克组患者病情进行评分。分析血清H2S、GDF-15、PTX-3与患者凝血功能、炎症指标及病情评分的相关性。结果：脓毒症组、休克组的血清H₂S、PLT均低于对照组,且休克组低于脓毒症组（P＜0.05）。脓毒症组、休克组的血清GDF-15、PTX-3、APTT、PT、FIB、PCT、CRP均高于对照组,且休克组高于脓毒症组（P＜0.05）。脓毒症组APACHEⅡ、qSOFA评分均显著低于休克组（P＜0.05）。血清H2S与PLT呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与APTT、PT、FIB、PCT、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、qSOFA评分呈负相关（P＜0.05）。血清GDF-15、PTX-3与PLT呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与APTT、PT、FIB、PCT、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、qSOFA评分呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：脓毒症患者的血清H₂S明显下降,而血清GDF-15、PTX-3增高,三者与凝血功能、炎症以及病情评分均存在密切关联,这可能是影响脓毒症进展的重要原因之一。     

Tbc1d15–17 regulates synaptic development at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction

Members of the Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16 (TBC) family of proteins are believed to function as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for Rab GTPases, which play pivotal roles in intracellular membrane trafficking. Although membrane trafficking is fundamental to neuronal morphogenesis and function, the roles of TBC-family Rab GAPs have been poorly characterized in the nervous system. In this paper, we provide genetic evidence that Tbc1d15–17, the Drosophila homolog of mammalian Rab7-GAP TBC1d15, is required for normal presynaptic growth and postsynaptic organization at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). A loss-of-function mutation in Tbc1d15–17 or its presynaptic knockdown leads to an increase in synaptic bouton number and NMJ length. Tbc1d15–17 mutants are also defective in the distribution of the postsynaptic scaffold Discs-large (Dlg) and in the level of the postsynaptic glutamate subunit GluRIIA. These postsynaptic phenotypes are recapitulated by postsynaptic knockdown of Tbc1d15–17. We also show that presynaptic overexpression of a constitutively active Rab7 mutant in a wild-type background causes a synaptic overgrowth phenotype resembling that of Tbc1d15–17 mutants, while a dominant-negative form of Rab7 has the opposite effect. Together, our findings establish a novel role for Tbc1d15–17 and its potential substrate Rab7 in regulating synaptic development.     

Cellular mechanisms and intracellular signaling pathways for the modulation of eNOS in pulmonary arteries by 15-HETE

The 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a lipid metabolite and vasoconstrictor, plays an important role in hypoxic contraction of pulmonary arteries (PAs) through working on smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Previous studies have shown that vascular endothelium is also involved in PAs tone regulation. However, little is known as to how the pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) are related to the 15-HETE-induced vasoconstriction and that which intracellular signaling systems are critical. To test this hypothesis, we examined PAs constriction in isolated rat PAs rings, the expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with western blot, and nitric oxide (NO) production using the DAF-FM DA fluorescent indicator. The results showed that the 15-HETE-induced PAs constriction was diminished in endothelium-intact rings. In the presence of the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, vasoconstrictor responses to KCl were greater than the control. The activation of eNOS was activated by Ca²⁺ released from intracellular stores and the PI3K/Akt pathway. Phosphorylations of the eNOS at Ser-1177 and Akt at Ser-473 were necessary for their activity. A prolonged 15-HETE treatment (30?min) led to a decrease in NO production by phosphorylation of eNOS at Thr-495, leading to augmentation of PAs constriction. Therefore, 15-HETE initially inhibited the PAs constriction through the endothelial NO system, and both Ca²⁺ and the PI3K/Akt signaling systems are required for the effects of 15-HETE on PAs tone regulation.     

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 is associated with cognitive impairment and predicts cognitive decline – the Sydney Memory and Aging Study

Higher levels of macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1, also known as growth differentiation factor 15 (MIC‐1/GDF15), are associated with adverse health outcomes and all‐cause mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between MIC‐1/GDF15 serum levels and global cognition, five cognitive domains, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), at baseline (Wave 1) and prospectively at 2 years (Wave 2), in nondemented participants aged 70–90 years. Analyses were controlled for age, sex, education, Framingham risk score, history of cerebrovascular accident, acute myocardial infarction, angina, cancer, depression, C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukins 6 and 12, and apolipoprotein ε4 genotype. Higher MIC‐1/GDF15 levels were significantly associated with lower global cognition at both waves. Cross‐sectional associations were found between MIC‐1/GDF15 and all cognitive domains in Wave 1 (all P < 0.001) and between processing speed, memory, and executive function in Wave 2 (all P < 0.001). Only a trend was found for the prospective analyses, individuals with high MIC‐1/GDF15 at baseline declined in global cognition, executive function, memory, and processing speed. However, when categorizing MIC‐1/GDF15 by tertiles, prospective analyses revealed statistically significant lower memory and executive function in Wave 2 in those in the upper tertile compared with the lower tertile. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to determine MIC‐1/GDF15 cutoff values associated with cognitive decline and showed that a MIC‐1/GDF15 level exceeding 2764 pg/ml was associated with a 20% chance of decline from normal to MCI or dementia. In summary, MIC‐1/GDF15 levels are associated with cognitive performance and cognitive decline. Further research is required to determine the pathophysiology of this relationship.     

Increased dosage of Ink4/Arf protects against glucose intolerance and insulin resistance associated with aging

Recent genome‐wide association studies have linked type‐2 diabetes mellitus to a genomic region in chromosome 9p21 near the Ink4/Arf locus, which encodes tumor suppressors that are up‐regulated in a variety of mammalian organs during aging. However, it is unclear whether the susceptibility to type‐2 diabetes is associated with altered expression of the Ink4/Arf locus. In the present study, we investigated the role of Ink4/Arf in age‐dependent alterations of insulin and glucose homeostasis using Super‐Ink4/Arf mice which bear an extra copy of the entire Ink4/Arf locus. We find that, in contrast to age‐matched wild‐type controls, Super‐Ink4/Arf mice do not develop glucose intolerance with aging. Insulin tolerance tests demonstrated increased insulin sensitivity in Super‐Ink4/Arf compared with wild‐type mice, which was accompanied by higher activation of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)‐PI3K‐AKT pathway in liver, skeletal muscle and heart. Glucose uptake studies in Super‐Ink4/Arf mice showed a tendency toward increased ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in skeletal muscle compared with wild‐type mice (P = 0.079). Furthermore, a positive correlation between glucose uptake and baseline glucose levels was observed in Super‐Ink4/Arf mice (P < 0.008) but not in wild‐type mice. Our studies reveal a protective role of the Ink4/Arf locus against the development of age‐dependent insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.     

A PPAR-γ ligand, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2, inhibited gastric mucosal injury induced by ischemia–reperfusion in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory action of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J₂ (15d-PGJ₂), a derivative of the PGD₂ metabolic pathway. Acute inflammation, including neutrophil activation, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of ischemia–reperfusion (I/R). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 15d-PGJ₂ on I/R-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

Methods: Gastric mucosal damage was induced in male Wistar rats by clamping the celiac artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion. 15d-PGJ₂ (0.01–1.0 mg/kg) was given to the rats intraperitoneally 1 h before the vascular clamping. The area of gastric mucosal erosions (erosion index) was measured. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and tissue-associated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured in the gastric mucosa as indices of lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in gastric mucosa was measured by ELISA. In addition, to elucidate whether the protective effects of 15d-PGJ₂ are related to the activation of the PPAR-γ receptor, we also investigated the effects of a PPAR-γ antagonist, GW9662.

Results: After 60 min of reperfusion, the area of gastric erosion index had significantly increased from the mean basal levels. The increase in the erosion index was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with 15d-PGJ₂ in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, GW9662 reversed the protective effect of 15d-PGJ₂. The concentration of TBARS and MPO activity in the gastric mucosa were both significantly increased after I/R, and pretreatment with 15d-PGJ₂ significantly reduced these increases. The TNF-α content was significantly higher in the I/R group than in the sham-operated group. However, the increase in TNF-α was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with 15d-PGJ₂.

Conclusions: 15d-PGJ₂ significantly inhibited the severity of acute gastric mucosal injury induced by I/R in rats through PPAR-γ-dependent mechanisms. This effect may be due, in part, to a reduction in the infiltration of neutrophils into the gastric mucosa, possibly via the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine.     

Apparent superoxide dismutase-like activity of immunoglobulin

Summary

Using various superoxide generating systems and nitroblue tetrazolium or cytochrome c as superoxide detector molecules it is possible to assess the superoxide dismutase activity of proteins. Intact antibodies raised to different antigens, the Fab’ fragment of anti-TNF [M632] and well-characterized recombinant Fv fragments of the murine antibody NQ11.7.22 appear to possess superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity.

Kinetic characteristics of the SOD-like activity of NQ11.7.22-Fv fragments suggest an enzymatic property and these fragments behave in an analogous manner to human erythrocyte Cu-Zn SOD. Furthermore, the SOD-like activity of the NQ11.7.22-Fv fragment is affected by certain single-point mutations in the amino acid composition and has a pH optimum of 6.2–6.6 which is unlike Cu-Zn SOD (pH 7.8–8.2). A change in tyrosine at the 32 position in the heavy chain and histidine at position 27 of the light chain of the NQ11.7.22-Fv fragment results in a profound reduction in SOD-like activity. Tyrosine at the 32 position in the heavy chain is known to play a significant role in antigen binding suggesting that the SOD-like activity occurs at the antigen-binding site itself. Single-point mutations at the periphery of the antigen combining site on the NQ11.7.22-Fv fragment had little or no effect on SOD-like activity.

Further studies show that immunoglobin (lgG-1), a commercially available murine monoclonal antibody, can also enhance the generation of hydrogen peroxide, the product of superoxide dismutation, when present in superoxide producing systems. The generation of hydrogen peroxide was increased by low pH (pH 6.25) with lgG-1 but reduced with Cu-Zn SOD.