Retinoic acid induces discrete Wnt-signaling-dependent differentiation in F9 cells

Retinoic acid (RA) induces F9 cells, the mouse teratocarcinoma cells, to differentiate into primitive endoderm and further into visceral and parietal endoderm depending on the culture conditions. To elucidate the instructive mechanisms involved in the differentiation steps we investigated the effects of Wnt-signaling members, Wnt3a and β-catenin, on the differentiation of F9 cells and β-catenin-deficient F9 cells (βT cells). RA up-regulated the expression of differentiation markers for primitive, visceral and parietal endoderm in F9 cells but not for visceral endoderm in βT cells. Wnt3a or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) inhibited the RA-induced differentiation in F9 cells. LIF but not Wnt3a could inhibit differentiation in βT cells. RA evoked ZO-1α+ signals at cell-to-cell contacts in F9 cells in a Wnt3a sensitive manner. The results suggest that Wnt3a inhibits differentiation into endoderm through a pathway involving β-catenin, and β-catenin might be necessary in the process leading from primitive to visceral endoderm in F9 cells.     

The role of LMNA in adipose: a novel mouse model of lipodystrophy based on the Dunnigan-type familial partial lipodystrophy mutation

We investigated the role of LMNA in adipose tissue by developing a novel mouse model of lipodystrophy. Transgenic mice were generated that express the LMNA mutation that causes familial partial lipodystrophy of the Dunnigan type (FPLD2). The phenotype observed in FPLD-transgenic mice resembles many of the features of human FPLD2, including lack of fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and enlarged, fatty liver. Similar to the human disease, FPLD-transgenic mice appear to develop normally, but after several weeks they are unable to accumulate fat to the same extent as their wild-type littermates. One poorly understood aspect of lipodystrophies is the mechanism of fat loss. To this end, we have examined the effects of the FPLD2 mutation on fat cell function. Contrary to the current literature, which suggests FPLD2 results in a loss of fat, we found that the key mechanism contributing to the lack of fat accumulation involves not a loss, but an apparent inability of the adipose tissue to renew itself. Specifically, preadipocytes are unable to differentiate into mature and fully functional adipocytes. These findings provide insights not only for the treatment of lipodystrophies, but also for the study of adipogenesis, obesity, and insulin resistance.     

A genome scan for loci affecting adipocyte size and number in abdominal fat in a White Duroc × Erhualian F2 resource population

Adipocyte size and number are correlated with fat deposition, which is of major concern to human health and pork producers. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for adipocyte size and number in pigs, a total of 341 F2 animals at 240 days in a White Duroc × Erhualian cross were measured for the area, perimeters, volume and number of adipocyte in abdominal fat. A genome scan was performed on these animals and their parents and grandparents with 183 microsatellite markers spanning the pig genome. Five chromosomal regions showed effects on the traits measured, predominantly on adipocyte size, on pig chromosome (SSC) 1, 4, 7 and 9. Neither of these QTL has been reported before this study. The QTL for adipocyte size detected in this study perfectly correspond to the previously reported QTL for fatness traits on SSC1, 4 and 7. The most significant association was evidenced at 58 cM on SSC7. At the locus, the favorable allele decreasing adipocyte size was unusually originated from the obese Erhualian breed. Only a suggestive QTL was detected for adipocyte number on SSC9. The results shed new lights on the understanding of the genetic basis of fatness traits in pigs.     

慢性应激致肠易激综合征大鼠模型的建立与评价

目的建立一种模拟肠易激综合征临床症状的动物模型,为相关药物的研究提供实验基础。方法采用孤养附加慢性不可预见性刺激建立IBS模型,每只大鼠受到的刺激因子包括:24h禁水、24h禁食、昼夜颠倒、4℃冰水游泳15min、45℃高温5min、钳尾致痛1min、束缚制动5～8h、高速震荡15min等共8种,每种刺激因子出现5次,共40d。用腹部回撤反射压力阈值(AWR)和排便粒数检测动物的内脏感觉和胃肠运动功能变化;用敞箱行为评分和蔗糖水偏嗜度评价动物神经精神活动变化。结果造模2～3周腹部回撤反射压力阈值明显降低,排便粒数明显增加;造模3～4周模型组动物敞箱实验行为评分和蔗糖水偏嗜度明显降低。造模40d时,上述变化趋势仍存在。结论慢性应激加孤养可诱导动物胃肠运动亢进、内脏感觉致敏和神经精神活动的改变,模拟IBS患者的临床特征,可作为一种有效的IBS动物模型,用于评价相关药物。     

骨髓间充质干细胞成肌和成脂分化的调控

骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)是来源于骨髓基质的一类具有高度自我更新能力和多向分化潜能的成体干细胞.因其具有容易获取、体外扩增方便迅速、移植排斥反应较弱等优点而成为临床应用的理想细胞模型.骨髓间充质干细胞向成肌和成脂的分化对动物机体内肌肉和脂肪的组成具有直接影响,因而与肉品质及人类健康息息相关.本文综述了骨髓间充质干细胞定向分化为骨骼肌细胞和脂肪细胞的过程及其调控机制,并重点分析了关键调控因子PRDM16(PR domain-containing16)和骨形态发生蛋白(bone morphogenetic proteins,BMPs)在骨髓间充质干细胞成肌和成脂分化中的作用.     

Effects of starvation and parasitism on foregut contraction in larval Manduca sexta

Larvae of Manduca sexta are parasitised by the braconid wasp, Cotesia congregata. In this study we examined whether contraction activity of the semi-isolated foregut was affected by parasitism. Parasitised larvae fed significantly less compared with unparasitised control larvae, therefore starved unparasitised animals were used as controls. Rate and force of foregut contraction in control caterpillars significantly increased with days of starvation. However, only contraction force in foreguts of parasitised larvae increased over time following infection. The presence of food in the foregut of caterpillars starved 7 days suggested that food moved anteriorly from the midgut and that contraction became antiperistaltic, but only normal peristalsis occurred in parasitised caterpillars. Rate and force of gut contractions may be controlled independently and starvation did not truly mimic the effects of the parasitoids. Dissection of caterpillars with emerged wasps indicated that 47% had a single wasp larva wedged between the brain and foregut. Removal of this wasp caused an increased rate of foregut contraction of the caterpillar. Brain removal resulted in an increased rate of foregut contraction only for unparasitised insects. Sectioning of the recurrent nerve temporarily eliminated foregut contraction, but the contraction began again in 250 s in parasitised caterpillars prior to wasp emergence, compared with over 500 s for unparasitised controls and parasitised caterpillars following wasp emergence.     

高龄患者腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术围手术期对机体应激及内脏蛋白的影响

目的:研究高龄病人(75岁以上)腹腔镜与开腹结直肠癌根治术围手术期白介素6(IL-6)、IL-10和C反应蛋白(CRP)及内脏蛋白的差异.方法:将41例行结直肠癌根治术的高龄患者按患者意愿分为腹腔镜组(n=20)和开腹组(n=21),两组患者的一般资料如年龄、性别、体重指数(BMI)等有可比性,检测两组患者术前、术后的应激指标:血清IL-6、IL-10和CRP及营养蛋白:前白蛋白(prealbumin,PRE)、转铁蛋白(transferrin,TRF)、视黄醇结合蛋(retinal-binding protein,RbP)的变化.结果:两组患者CRP在术后1、2、3d均较术前明显升高(P<0.01),术后2d达到峰值,腹腔镜组术后CRP明显低于开腹组(P<0.01);两组患者血清IL-6、IL-10术后也明显升高,腹腔镜组明显低于开腹组(P<0.01),但IL-10升高持续时间短.PRE、TRF、RbP术后两组均较术前有明显下降(P<0.01),术后1 d、2 d两组各指标无显著性差异(P>0.05),术后3 d腹腔镜组4种蛋白指标均明显高于开腹组(P<0.01).结论:对高龄病人两种不同手术方式应激水平及内脏蛋白指标的研究提示,腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术较开腹手术创伤小,应激水平低,有利于机体内脏蛋白的恢复,这对微创外科的实施是一个有力支持.