Host response to intravenous injection of epsilon toxin in mouse model: A proteomic view

Epsilon toxin (ETX) is an extremely potent pore‐forming toxin and a category B biological agent. ETX is a major virulence determinant of Clostridium perfringens toxinotypes B and D, and is implicated in pathogenesis of rapidly fatal economically important pulpy kidney disease in lambs caused by toxinotype D. Despite being a toxin, ETX can be utilized as a tool to target glutamatergic neurons and for drug delivery into the CNS. 2DE‐MS approach was employed to elucidate the host response to ETX following intravenous injection in mouse model. In total, 136 proteins were identified either differentially expressed in brain (18) and kidney (33); showing specific interaction with ETX from lysates of brain (4), kidney (21), or from plasma (42); and urine markers (18) of intoxication. Differentially expressed proteins in kidney included those involved in calcium homeostasis and cytoskeletal organization. Proteins involved in ER and oxidative stress and energy metabolism also showed differential levels in the target tissue after ETX treatment. The known functions of the proteins differentially expressed and those interacting with ETX indicate involvement of interlinked pathways. This study provides first proteomic account of host response to ETX exposure providing clues to mechanism of toxicity and potential therapeutic targets.     

腹腔一次注射法构建百草枯致小鼠肺间质纤维化模型

目的建立一种简便易行的百草枯(PQ)致肺间质纤维化动物模型。方法 33只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为实验组(30只)和对照组(3只)。实验组腹腔一次性注射PQ 10 mg/kg,并于染毒后第2、5、7、14、28天处死小鼠,对照组腹腔注射生理盐水并于第28天处死。观察两组小鼠的一般情况、肺组织大体结构和肺组织病理学改变。结果实验组小鼠在染毒后2 h即出现中毒性改变,肺组织在第28天出现了明显的纤维化改变。结论腹腔一次性注射PQ能简便、可靠的构建出肺纤维化动物模型,可用于进一步研究PQ中毒所致的肺间质纤维化发病机制和治疗方法。     

甲基苯丙胺中毒mG1uR5 的表达

目的:研究代谢性谷氨酸受体5(mG1uR5)在甲基苯丙胺中毒的损伤机制中的作用。方法:设立实验组,对照组。实验组分别给予20 mg/kg,10 mg/kg腹腔注射MA;对照组分别给予同剂量的生理盐水。末次注射后24 h内腹腔注射戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠后用4%多聚甲醛灌注、取脑后行代谢性谷氨酸受体5的免疫组织化学染色,观察并计数mG1uR5在不同脑区的表达。结果:实验组mG1uR5在大脑纹状体、海马的表达较对照组显著增强,差异有显著性(P<0.05),并呈剂量依赖性。结论:mG1uR5参与了甲基苯丙胺中毒的损伤机制。     

New structural scaffolds for centrally acting oxime reactivators of phosphylated cholinesterases

We describe here the synthesis and activity of a new series of oxime reactivators of cholinesterases (ChEs) that contain tertiary amine or imidazole protonatable functional groups. Equilibration between the neutral and protonated species at physiological pH enables the reactivators to cross the blood-brain barrier and distribute in the CNS aqueous space as dictated by interstitial and cellular pH values. Our structure-activity analysis of 134 novel compounds considers primarily imidazole aldoximes and N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamides. Reactivation capacities of novel oximes are rank ordered by their relative reactivation rate constants at 0.67 mm compared with 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide for reactivation of four organophosphate (sarin, cyclosarin, VX, and paraoxon) conjugates of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE). Rank order of the rates differs for reactivation of human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) conjugates. The 10 best reactivating oximes, predominantly hydroxyimino acetamide derivatives (for hAChE) and imidazole-containing aldoximes (for hBChE) also exhibited reasonable activity in the reactivation of tabun conjugates. Reactivation kinetics of the lead hydroxyimino acetamide reactivator of hAChE, when analyzed in terms of apparent affinity (1/K(ox)) and maximum reactivation rate (k(2)), is superior to the reference uncharged reactivators monoisonitrosoacetone and 2,3-butanedione monoxime and shows potential for further refinement. The disparate pH dependences for reactivation of ChE and the general base-catalyzed oximolysis of acetylthiocholine reveal that distinct reactivator ionization states are involved in the reactivation of ChE conjugates and in conferring nucleophilic reactivity of the oxime group.     

Refinement of structural leads for centrally acting oxime reactivators of phosphylated cholinesterases

We present a systematic structural optimization of uncharged but ionizable N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamido alkylamine reactivators of phosphylated human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) intended to catalyze the hydrolysis of organophosphate (OP)-inhibited hAChE in the CNS. Starting with the initial lead oxime RS41A identified in our earlier study and extending to the azepine analog RS194B, reactivation rates for OP-hAChE conjugates formed by sarin, cyclosarin, VX, paraoxon, and tabun are enhanced severalfold in vitro. To analyze the mechanism of intrinsic reactivation of the OP-AChE conjugate and penetration of the blood-brain barrier, the pH dependence of the oxime and amine ionizing groups of the compounds and their nucleophilic potential were examined by UV-visible spectroscopy, (1)H NMR, and oximolysis rates for acetylthiocholine and phosphoester hydrolysis. Oximolysis rates were compared in solution and on AChE conjugates and analyzed in terms of the ionization states for reactivation of the OP-conjugated AChE. In addition, toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies in mice show significantly improved CNS penetration and retention for RS194B when compared with RS41A. The enhanced intrinsic reactivity against the OP-AChE target combined with favorable pharmacokinetic properties resulted in great improvement of antidotal properties of RS194B compared with RS41A and the standard peripherally active oxime, 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide. Improvement was particularly noticeable when pretreatment of mice with RS194B before OP exposure was combined with RS194B reactivation therapy after the OP insult.     

Substrate Profile and Metal-ion Selectivity of Human Divalent Metal-ion Transporter-1

Divalent metal-ion transporter-1 (DMT1) is a H⁺-coupled metal-ion transporter that plays essential roles in iron homeostasis. DMT1 exhibits reactivity (based on evoked currents) with a broad range of metal ions; however, direct measurement of transport is lacking for many of its potential substrates. We performed a comprehensive substrate-profile analysis for human DMT1 expressed in RNA-injected Xenopus oocytes by using radiotracer assays and the continuous measurement of transport by fluorescence with the metal-sensitive PhenGreen SK fluorophore. We provide validation for the use of PhenGreen SK fluorescence quenching as a reporter of cellular metal-ion uptake. We determined metal-ion selectivity under fixed conditions using the voltage clamp. Radiotracer and continuous measurement of transport by fluorescence assays revealed that DMT1 mediates the transport of several metal ions that were ranked in selectivity by using the ratio I_max/K_0.5 (determined from evoked currents at −70 mV): Cd²⁺ > Fe²⁺ > Co²⁺, Mn²⁺ ≫ Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, VO²⁺. DMT1 expression did not stimulate the transport of Cr²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ga³⁺, Hg²⁺, or VO⁺. ⁵⁵Fe²⁺ transport was competitively inhibited by Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺. Zn²⁺ only weakly inhibited ⁵⁵Fe²⁺ transport. Our data reveal that DMT1 selects Fe²⁺ over its other physiological substrates and provides a basis for predicting the contribution of DMT1 to intestinal, nasal, and pulmonary absorption of metal ions and their cellular uptake in other tissues. Whereas DMT1 is a likely route of entry for the toxic heavy metal cadmium, and may serve the metabolism of cobalt, manganese, and vanadium, we predict that DMT1 should contribute little if at all to the absorption or uptake of zinc. The conclusion in previous reports that copper is a substrate of DMT1 is not supported.     

不同剂量甲泼尼龙对急性百草枯中毒大鼠早期肺损伤干预研究

目的:探讨不同剂量的甲泼尼龙(Methylprednisolone,MPS)对急性百草枯(paraquat,PQ)中毒大鼠早期肺损伤的疗效。方法:采用腹腔注射20%的PQ溶液制作大鼠急性PQ中毒的模型,随机均分为五组,正常对照组(A组)、染毒组(B组)、5mg/kg甲泼尼龙干预组(C组)、15mg/kg甲泼尼龙干预组(D组)、30mg/kg甲泼尼龙干预组(E组)。分三个不同时间点(24、72、168h)处死大鼠(每组每时间点6只)。观察各时间点大体标本,组织病理、肺系数和氧合指数。结果:光镜下肺组织病理学观察,与B组比较C、D、E组大鼠肺的病理学改变,肺泡腔内出血、渗出,炎性细胞浸润、肺泡隔炎性细胞浸润相对较轻,其中以C、E组减轻最为明显。在各组相同时间点肺系数:在三个时间点的值均比B组低(P<0.05),其中E组在24h、72h时间点上与C、D组有显著差异(P<0.05)。C、D、E组与B组的氧合指数的比较各个时间点上均与B组有差异(P<0.05),三组之间相互无明显差异。结论:本实验结果显示甲泼尼龙对急性百草枯中毒大鼠的肺损伤具有保护作用,且30mg/kg甲泼尼龙组要优于5mg/kg、15mg/kg甲泼尼龙组。     

甲基苯丙胺中毒mG1uR5的表达（英文）

目的：研究代谢性谷氨酸受体5（mG1uR5）在甲基苯丙胺中毒的损伤机制中的作用。方法：设立实验组,对照组。实验组分别给予20 mg/kg,10 mg/kg腹腔注射MA;对照组分别给予同剂量的生理盐水。末次注射后24 h内腹腔注射戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠后用4%多聚甲醛灌注、取脑后行代谢性谷氨酸受体5的免疫组织化学染色,观察并计数mG1uR5在不同脑区的表达。结果：实验组mG1uR5在大脑纹状体、海马的表达较对照组显著增强,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,并呈剂量依赖性。结论：mG1uR5参与了甲基苯丙胺中毒的损伤机制。     

百草枯致小鼠肺间质纤维化过程中Smad3蛋白的表达

目的 使用免疫组织化学的方法观察百草枯(paraquat,PQ)致小鼠肺间质纤维化过程中Smad3蛋白的表达.方法 58只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分组.实验组48只,通过腹腔注射10 mg/kg PQ建立小鼠肺间质纤维化模型,对照组10只,腹腔注射等量生理盐水.小鼠在实验组染毒后第2、5、7、14天和对照组第7天时分别被安乐死,留取肺组织标本.标本进一步进行HE染色和Smad3蛋白的免疫组化研究.结果 光镜观察小鼠染毒后第2～5天肺组织出现水肿、出血、炎症细胞浸润等改变,第7天有少量胶原沉积及斑片状的纤维化表现,第14天表现更加明显.免疫组化观察染毒小鼠肺组织Smad3蛋白表达,第2～7天肺中巨噬细胞和部分Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞的细胞核中见到阳性表达.Smad3阳性表达和巨噬细胞数量呈正相关.第14天,在成纤维细胞灶增生的成纤维细胞核中,也可见到Smad3弱阳性表达.结论 在PQ致肺间质纤维化过程中,Smad3蛋白异常表达并对肺纤维化的发生发展具有重要的作用.     

Oxime-assisted acetylcholinesterase catalytic scavengers of organophosphates that resist aging

The cholinesterases, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase, are primary targets of organophosphates (OPs). Exposure to OPs can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, respiratory compromise, and death. Current therapy to combat OP poisoning involves an oxime reactivator (2-PAM, obidoxime, TMB4, or HI-6) combined with atropine and on occasion an anticonvulsant. Butyrylcholinesterase, administered in the plasma compartment as a bio-scavenger, has also shown efficacy but is limited by its strict stoichiometric scavenging, slow reactivation, and a propensity for aging. Here, we characterize 10 human (h) AChE mutants that, when coupled with an oxime, give rise to catalytic reactivation and aging resistance of the soman conjugate. With the most efficient human AChE mutant Y337A/F338A, we show enhanced reactivation rates for several OP-hAChE conjugates compared with wild-type hAChE when reactivated with HI-6 (1-(2'-hydroxyiminomethyl-1'-pyridinium)-3-(4'-carbamoyl-1-pyridinium)). In addition, we interrogated an 840-member novel oxime library for reactivation of Y337A/F338A hAChE-OP conjugates to delineate the most efficient oxime-mutant enzyme pairs for catalytic bio-scavenging. Combining the increased accessibility of the Y337A mutation to oximes within the space-impacted active center gorge with the aging resistance of the F338A mutation provides increased substrate diversity in scavenging potential for aging-prone alkyl phosphate inhibitors.