Targeting the Shift from M1 to M2 Macrophages in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice Treated with Fasudil

We observed the therapeutic effect of Fasudil and explored its mechanisms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fasudil, a selective Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, was injected intraperitoneally at 40 mg/kg/d in early and late stages of EAE induction. Fasudil ameliorated the clinical severity of EAE at different stages, and decreased the expression of ROCK-II in spleen, accompanied by an improvement in demyelination and inhibition of inflammatory cells. Fasudil mainly inhibited CD4⁺IL-17⁺ T cells in early treatment, but also elevated CD4⁺IL-10⁺ regulatory T cells and IL-10 production in late treatment. The treatment of Fasudil shifted inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in both early and late treatment, being shown by inhibiting CD16/32, iNOS, IL-12, TLR4 and CD40 and increasing CD206, Arg-1, IL-10 and CD14 in spleen. By using Western blot and immunohistochemistry, iNOS and Arg-1, as two most specific markers for M1 and M2, was inhibited or induced in splenic macrophages and spinal cords of EAE mice treated with Fasudil. In vitro experiments also indicate that Fasudil shifts M1 to M2 phenotype, which does not require the participation or auxiliary of other cells. The polarization of M2 macrophages was associated with the decrease of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1. These results demonstrate that Fasudil has therapeutic potential in EAE possibly through inducing the polarization of M2 macrophages and inhibiting inflammatory responses.     

Genetic Diversity of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) Evaluated by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)

Understanding genetic diversity is very useful for scientific utilization for breeding. In this study, we estimated the genetic distances in a panel of 84 kenaf accessions collected from 26 countries and regions using ISSR markers. The results of UPGMA analysis showed that kenaf germplasm had abundant genetic variation, with genetic dissimilarity coefficients ranging from 0.01 to 0.62. The in-group dissimilarity coefficient (0.29) was observed in 84 kenaf accessions, and all the accessions could be divided into three groups: cultivars (L_1–1), relatively wild species (L_1–2 and L_1–3), and wild species (the others). Further in-group analysis in group L_1–1 (0.19) revealed that the kenaf cultivars could be divided into five subgroups with distinct regional characteristics. It is imperative that genes be exchanged among all kinds of tested varieties from different origins. The results provide a useful basis for kenaf germplasm research and breeding.     

Effect of Panax ginseng combined with Angelica sinensis on the dissolution of ginsenosides and in chemotherapy mice hematopoietic function

ObjectiveTo study the changes of ginsenoside content in different proportion of Panax ginseng-Angelica sinensis (GA) co-decoction, and to explore the amelioration of hematopoietic function in mice after combined use of the two drugs. The active ingredient profiles in P. ginseng single decoction and co-decoction of GA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental pharmacology method was used to explore the effect of GA co-decoction on the hematopoietic function of chemotherapy mice.ResultsThe active ingredient profiles of the co-decoction of GA significantly changed compared with those of the single decoction. Compared with GA1:0 (single decoction of Panax ginseng), the routine ginsenosides of all proportions of GA decreased significantly, but the proportion of rare ginsenosides increased significantly. The changes of contents of rare ginsenosides of GA were basically consistent with the trends of effects on the myelosuppression induced by CY. Compared with the model group, GA significantly increased the number of bone marrow nucleated cells, thymus index, peripheral blood leukocytes and platelets, and significantly reduced the spleen index. Moreover, GA could promote G1 phase bone marrow cells to enter the cell cycle, increase the proportion of S phase cells and G2/M phase cells, and increase the cell proliferation index.ConclusionGA can ameliorate the hematopoietic function of mice after chemotherapy, and GA2:3, GA3:2 were the best, which may be due to the changes of the pharmacodynamic material basis of GA after compatibility. All these results implied that GA may be an ideal drug and food supplement for the treatment of toxic and side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs.     

山东东营和烟台潮间带海草床食物网结构特征

为了探明海草床内主要生物类群间的营养关系以及食物网结构, 作者于2018年8月分别在东营黄河口潮间带和烟台西海岸潮间带海草床采集大型底栖生物样品, 采用δ ¹³C和δ ¹⁵N稳定同位素方法, 对生物样品的碳、氮同位素组成进行了测定和分析。结果表明: 东营海草床内生物的δ ¹³C、δ ¹⁵N值范围分别为-21.99‰至-12.13‰和5.23‰-11.05‰, 烟台海草床内生物的δ ¹³C、δ ¹⁵N值范围分别为-18.11‰至-14.06‰和6.60‰-10.22‰。东营海草床主要生物的营养级范围为2.00-3.85, 烟台海草床主要生物的营养级范围为2.00-3.15。根据δ ¹⁵N值计算所得的营养级图分析可知两区域海草床内初级消费者主要为滤食性双壳类和多毛类, 次级消费者为植食性或杂食性甲壳类,肉食性鱼类和腹足类。与近海海域大型底栖生物食物网相比, 海草床内底栖生物的营养级均值普遍较低。     

外源基因直接转移技术之评价

外源基因直接转移技术有ＰＥＧ法、电击法、基因枪法、微注射法、脂质体法、生殖细胞转化法等．本文对它们进行了比较分析,指出它们各自的优缺点,并提出生殖细胞转化法是一种值得探索和应用的转化方法     

Cloning of TTG1 gene and PCR identification of genomes A,B and C in Brassica species

Arabidopsis Transparent Testa Glabra 1 (TTG1) genes were cloned from three diploid Brassica species (B. rapa, B. nigra and B. oleracea) and two amphidiploids species (B. juncea and B. carinata) by homology cloning. TTG1 homologues identified in all the accessions of the investigated species had a coding sequence of 1,014 bp. One copy was obtained from each diploid species and two copies from each amphidiploid species. Combined analysis of the TTG1 sequences cloned in this study with those obtained from public databases demonstrated that three, forty-five and seven nucleotides were specific variations in TTG1 genes from genomes A, B and C, respectively. Primers designed with genome-specific nucleotide variations were able to distinguish among TTG1 genes originating from genomes A, B and C in Brassica. Therefore, the TTG1 gene could serve as a candidate marker gene to detect the pollen flow of Brassica and provide an alternative method for the detection of pollen drift and risk assessment of gene flow in Brassica species.     

Rapid detection of Chattonella marina by PCR combined with dot lateral flow strip

Journal of Applied Phycology - In this study a novel technique referred to as PCR combined with dot lateral flow strip (PCDS) is proposed and its application to the detection of harmful microalgae...     

Simultaneous silencing of FAD2 and FAE1 genes affects both oleic acid and erucic acid contents in Brassica napus seeds

The fatty acid composition in the seed oil was significantly modified following the introduction of transgenes. To further enhance the desirable characteristics of rapeseed oil, it would be beneficial to develop a new approach for the simultaneous silencing of two or more target genes. Our goals in the current study were to (1) increase oleic acid to more than 75%, (2) reduce polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to about 10% and erucic acid to zero, and (3) accomplish these changes in a single-transformation event. In a single transformation, two fragments amplified from the fatty acid ^Δ12-desaturase 2 (BnaFAD2) and fatty acid elongase 1 (BnaFAE1) genes of Brassica napus were linked together to form a fusion fragment. The fusion fragment was then used to assemble unique intron-spliced hairpin interfering constructs. In the transgenic plant FFRP4-4, the expression of BnaFAD2 and BnaFAE1 genes was completely inhibited. The composition of oleic acid in FFRP4-4 rose to 85%, PUFA dropped to 10% and erucic acid was undetectable. All hybrid F₁ seeds obtained from the reciprocal crossing of FFRP4-4 and GX-parents (with different genetic backgrounds) contained more than 80% oleic acid, about 10% PUFA and very low, or undetectable, erucic acid. The results confirmed that the fusion fragment silencing construct can simultaneously and effectively silence the target genes on a consistent basis. The strategy provides a useful tool for detecting gene function and advancing genetic engineering techniques for the improvement of agricultural crops.     

ASK1 physically interacts with COI1 and is required for male fertility inArabidopsis

Jasmonates are a new class of plant hormones that play important roles in plant development and plant defense. TheCOI1 gene was previously shown to be required for jasmonate-regulated plant fertility and defense. We demonstrated for the first time that COI1 interacts with theArabidopsis SKP1-LIKE1 (ASK1) to form a complex that is required for jasmonate action inplanta. Functional analysis by antisense strategy showed thatASK1 is involved in male fertility.