Enhancement of keratinocyte growth factor potential in inducing adipose‐derived stem cells differentiation into keratinocytes by collagen‐targeting

Different growth factors can regulate stem cell differentiation. We used keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) to direct adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) differentiation into keratinocytes. To enhance KGF bioavailability, we targeted KGF for collagen by fusing it to collagen‐binding domain from Vibrio mimicus metalloprotease (vibrioCBD‐KGF). KGF and vibrioCBD‐KGF were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Both proteins displayed comparable activities in stimulating proliferation of HEK‐293 and MCF‐7 cells. vibrioCBD‐KGF demonstrated enhanced collagen‐binding affinity in immunofluorescence and ELISA. KGF and vibrioCBD‐KGF at different concentrations (2, 10, and 20 ng/ml) were applied for 21 days on ASCs cultured on collagen‐coated plates. Keratinocyte differentiation was assessed based on morphological changes, the expression of keratinocyte markers (Keratin‐10 and Involucrin), and stem cell markers (Collagen‐I and Vimentin) by real‐time PCR or immunofluorescence. Our results indicated that the expression of keratinocyte markers was substantially increased at all concentrations of vibrioCBD‐KGF, while it was observed for KGF only at 20 ng/ml. Immunofluorescence staining approved this finding. Moreover, down‐regulation of Collagen‐I, an indicator of differentiation commitment, was more significant in samples treated with vibrioCBD‐KGF. The present study showed that vibrioCBD‐KGF is more potent in inducing the ASCs differentiation into keratinocytes compared to KGF. Our results have important implications for effective skin regeneration using collagen‐based biomaterials.     

Comparative Evaluation of Cardiac Markers in Differentiated Cells from Menstrual Blood and Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells In Vitro

In recent years, menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) have been introduced as easily accessible and refreshing stem cell source without ethical considerations in the field of regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro cardiac differentiation capacity of MenSCs compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) under two protocols using 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Our data revealed that differentiated MenSCs and BMSCs acquired some features of cardiomyocytes; however, degree of differentiation was dependent on the protocol. In a similar manner with BMSCs, differentiated MenSCs showed upper levels of mRNA/protein of late-stage cardiac markers under 5-aza stimulation and continuous treatment with bFGF (protocol 2) compared to those induced by 5-aza alone (protocol 1) evidencing the key role of bFGF in cardiac development of stem cells. Compared to corresponding undifferentiated cells differentiated MenSCs under protocol 2 showed remarkable expression of connexin-43 and TNNT2 at both gene and protein levels, whereas developed BMSCs under the same condition only expressed connextin-43 at the higher level. Superiority of protocol 2 over protocol 1 was confirmed by assessment of LDH and cTnI production by differentiated cells. Based on the accumulative data, our study provided convincing evidence that MenSCs have relatively higher capability to be differentiated toward cardiomyocyte compared with BMSCs. Furthermore, usage of bFGF and 5-aza to induce in vitro cardiac differentiation of MenSCs is highly recommended.     

DNA damage in the early primordial anther is closely correlated with stamen arrest in the female flower of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.)

To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of sex expression in cucumber, morphological observations and biochemical analyses were carried out on inappropriate stamen development of female flowers of cucumber. It was found that developmental arrest of the inappropriate stamen mainly occurs at the anther primordium. This arrest is closely correlated with DNA damage, as detected by TUNEL assay, and might result from anther-specific DNase activation. It was also found that the DNA damage does not lead to cell degeneration, although chromatin condensation is observed in the anther primordia.Abbreviations DAPI 4,6-diamidine-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride - MTT 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide - PCD programmed cell death - TUNEL TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling     

非洲菊花瓣总RNA提取方法的改进

利用异硫氰酸胍一步法和植物总RNA提取试剂盒（RNeasy Plant Mini Kit）提取非洲菊（Gerbera hybrida）花瓣中总RNA时存在多糖的干扰。实验中利用异硫氰酸胍一步法提取总RNA,在RNA沉淀后,再次加入适量变性液,冻融2次,再加热至45 ℃使RNA完全溶解;试剂盒提取时,适当延长各提取步骤的离心时间,并增加DEPC H2O溶解RNA的时间。通过以上操作方法的改进可排除多糖的干扰,得到高质量的总RNA。为进一步利用Northern杂交技术研究非洲菊中花色素苷基因的表达,进行花色改良提供了方便、有效的实验手段。     

抗人B7-H1单克隆抗体的制备和鉴定

目的:采用杂交瘤技术制备抗人B7-H1单克隆抗体,并对其进行鉴定。方法:经抗原免疫的小鼠脾细胞与小鼠骨髓瘤细胞以常规方法融合;用间接ELISA法筛选分泌抗体的杂交瘤细胞株;阳性克隆用有限稀释法获得稳定分泌抗人B7-H1单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株;扩增杂交瘤细胞注射进小鼠腹腔后制备腹水;纯化腹水中的单克隆抗体并对其亚型进行鉴定;用间接ELISA法测抗体效价;将肺癌组织制成石蜡切片,用抗人B7-H1抗体进行免疫组化染色。结果:获得1株稳定分泌抗人B7-H1单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,所分泌的单抗类型为IgG1;抗体效价为1×108,纯化后的抗体含量为6.76g/L;免疫组化实验中,单抗可与肺癌组织表面的B7-H1蛋白特异地结合。结论:制备了人B7-H1单克隆抗体,为B7-H1检测试剂盒的研制奠定了基础。     

The prevalence of factor V Leiden,prothrombin G20210A and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism C677T among G6PD deficient individuals from Western Iran

It has been suggested that the allele frequency of thrombophilic mutations is affected by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The prevalence of thrombophilic mutations were studied in sixty G6PD deficient individuals including 57 males and three females with the mean age of 15 ± 3.08 and 110 age and sex matched healthy individuals consisted of 95 males and 15 females with the mean age of 16.19 ± 2.17 from the Kermanshah Province of Iran. Using a combination of PCR-RFLP technique, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing polymorphic G6PD mutations were identified. The factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T were detected by PCR-RFLP method using MnlI, HindIII and HinfI restriction enzymes, respectively. Three mutations, G6PD Mediterranean, G6PD Chatham and G6PD Cosenza were identified in 60 G6PD deficient individuals with highest prevalence of G6PD Mediterranean (91.6%). In G6PD deficient individuals the prevalence of factor V Leiden tended to be higher (5%) compared to healthy individuals (2.7%). The prevalence of prothrombin G20210A mutation in G6PD deficient individuals was 1.7%. However, in normal subjects the prevalence of this mutation was 2.7%. The frequency of T allele in G6PD deficient individuals were insignificantly higher (29.16%) than those in healthy individuals (26.8%). Our finding indicates that the prevalence of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A and MTHFR C677T in G6PD deficient individuals is not statistically different compared to normal subjects and G6PD deficiency is not associated with these thrombophilic mutations in Western Iran.     

Implications of the genetic epidemiology of globin haplotypes linked to the sickle cell gene in southern Iran

To determine the origin of sickle cell mutation in different ethnic groups living in southern Iran, we studied the haplotype background of the betaS and betaA genes in subjects from the provinces of Fars, Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Kerman and from the islands of Khark and Qeshm. beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes were determined using the PCR-RFLP technique. Detection of -alpha 3.7 deletion and beta-thalassemia mutations were defined by PCR and reverse dot blot techniques, respectively. The framework of the beta-globin gene was determined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. We found that the betaS mutation in southern Iran is associated with multiple mutational events. Most of the patients were from two ethnic groups: Farsi speakers (presumably Persian in origin) from Fars province and patients of Arab origin from Khuzestan province. In both ethnic groups the Arab-Indian haplotype was the most prevalent. The frequencies of the Arab-Indian and African haplotypes in sickle cell anemia patients from the provinces of Fars and Khuzestan were similar. Among betaA chromosomes the Bantu A2 haplotype was the most prevalent. The decrease in alpha-globin production in SS patients and AS individuals appeared to be related to the reduction in mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin. The Arab-Indian haplotype gene flow into this region of Iran can be traced to the Sassanian Empire. It is likely that the influx of betaS genes linked to the Benin and Bantu haplotypes, of African origin, must have occurred during the Arab slave trade.     

Suicide-peroxide inactivation of microperoxidase-11: a kinetic study

The kinetics of microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) in the oxidation reaction of guaiacol (AH) by hydrogen peroxide was studied, taking into account the inactivation of enzyme during reaction by its suicide substrate, H2O2. Concentrations of substrates were so selected that: 1) the reaction was first-order in relation to benign substrate, AH and 2) high ratio of suicide substrate to the benign substrate, [H2O2] > [AH]. Validation and reliability of the obtained kinetic equations were evaluated in various nonlinear and linear forms. Fitting of experimental data into the obtained integrated equation showed a close match between the kinetic model and the experimental results. Indeed, a similar mechanism to horseradish peroxidase was found for the suicide-peroxide inactivation of MP-11. Kinetic parameters of inactivation including the intact activity of MP-11, alphai, and the apparent inactivation rate constant, ki, were obtained as 0.282 +/- 0.006 min(-1) and 0.497 +/- 0.013(-1) min at [H2O2] = 1.0 mM, 27 degrees C, phosphate buffer 5.0 mM, pH = 7.0. Results showed that inactivation of microperoxidase as a peroxidase model enzyme can occur even at low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.4 mM).     

Hepatocyte differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells is modulated by stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 activity

Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) plays important roles in organ development, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and cancer. Here, we examined the role of SCD1 for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells to liver cells by using drug inhibition and biochemical experiments. hiPS cells cultured in a pro‐hepatic medium were exposed to an SCD1 inhibitor at various stages throughout differentiation. Liver‐specific markers, specifically α‐fetoprotein, albumin and urea in conditioned medium, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1) gene expressions and triglyceride in cellular extracts were analyzed at various development stages. Measures of hepatocyte‐specific function and triglyceride accumulation in later stages were strongly inhibited a minimum of −29% (P < 0.05) by SCD1 inhibitor in the early stage of hepatic differentiation and effectively reversed (>30%, P < 0.01) by the addition of oleate. The results were also reproducible with human primary mononuclear cells (hPMN). SCD1 inhibitor had no significant effect on liver‐specific markers when it was added in the hepatic maturation stage. However, it strikingly led to higher albumin (1.6‐fold, P = 0.03) and urea (1.9‐fold, P = 0.02) production, and HNF4α (1.9‐fold, P = 0.02) and CYP7A1 (1.3‐fold, P = 0.03) expression upon incubation during the lineage‐commitment stage. Hepatic differentiation from cultured hiPS cells is sensitive to SCD1 inhibition and this sensitivity is affected by the stage of cellular differentiation. Notably, findings also indicate that this notion can be extended to hPMN. The requirement for SCD1 activity in functional differentiation of hepatocytes may have relevance for human liver disease and metabolic dysregulation.     

基于Sentinel-2数据的草地植物功能多样性遥感反演及其与生产力的关系

生物多样性与生态系统功能的关系是当前生态学研究的焦点和难点。植物功能多样性是影响生态系统功能的重要指标, 开展植物功能多样性的研究对了解生物多样性与生态系统功能之间的关系有着重要意义。传统的草地植物功能多样性研究多以实地调查为主, 不仅费时费力, 而且由于受到时空的限制, 很难拓展到大尺度的研究中。遥感技术的发展为评估草地功能多样性提供了一种经济、有效的手段。该研究选取内蒙古自治区锡林郭勒盟乌拉盖管理区草甸草原为研究区, 利用Sentinel-2卫星影像和野外实测数据, 选取了波段及植被指数等46个特征变量, 探讨了逐步回归、偏最小二乘法(PLSR)和随机森林(RFR)等3种不同方法对草地植物功能丰富度(FRic)、功能均匀度(FEve)和功能离散度(FDiv)的反演精度, 并基于PLSR反演草地地上生物量, 进一步分析了研究区功能多样性与生产力的关系。研究结果表明: (1)波段B11、优化型土壤调节植被指数(OSAVI)、水波段指数(WBI)对FRic解释度最高; 波段B6、B10、B12、类胡萝卜素反射指数1 (CRI1)、双峰光学指数(D)、归一化差值指数45 (NDI45)等6个特征变量对FEve解释度最高; 波段B5、B9、B10、B11、加权差分植被指数(WDVI)、凸包面积等对FDiv解释度最高; (2)基于十折重复交叉验证, 利用逐步回归估算的FRic和FEve反演精度远高于其他两种回归方法, R²分别为0.52和0.44; 而利用PLSR方法估算的FDiv反演精度最高(R² = 0.61); (3)群落地上生物量反演精度为R² = 0.61; FRic与地上生产力的关系最好(R² = 0.40), 其次为FDiv (R² = 0.28)和FEve (R² = 0.27)。研究发现, 基于Sentinel-2卫星影像能较好地反演草地功能多样性和生产力, 为下一步能在大尺度上进行草地功能多样性估算及其与生产力关系研究提供了参考和依据。