Lysoglycerophospholipids in chronic inflammatory disorders: The PLA2/LPC and ATX/LPA axes

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the most prominent lysoglycerophospholipids, are emerging as a novel class of inflammatory lipids, joining thromboxanes, leukotrienes and prostaglandins with which they share metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms. Enzymes that participate in LPC and LPA metabolism, such as the phospholipase A₂ superfamily (PLA₂) and autotaxin (ATX, ENPP2), play central roles in regulating LPC and LPA levels and consequently their actions. LPC/LPA biosynthetic pathways will be briefly presented and LPC/LPA signaling properties and their possible functions in the regulation of the immune system and chronic inflammation will be reviewed. Furthermore, implications of exacerbated LPC and/or LPA signaling in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases, namely rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis and hepatitis, will be discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Advances in Lysophospholipid Research.     

SNV and haplotype analysis reveals new CSRP1 variants associated with growth and carcass traits

The cysteine and glycine-rich protein 1 and 2 genes (CSRP1 and CSRP2) are an effective growth factor in promoting skeletal muscle growth in vitro and vivo. However, in cattle, the information on the CSRP1 and CSRP2 genes is very limited. The aim of this study was to examine the association of the CSRP1 and CSRP2 variants with growth and carcass traits in cattle breeds. Three single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified within the bovine CSRP1 gene, whereas CSRP2 gene has not detected any SNVs, using DNA pooled sequencing, PCR-RFLP, and forced PCR-RFLP methods. These SNVs include g. 801T>C (Intron 2), g. 46T>C (Exon 3) and g. 99C>G (Intron 3). Besides, we also investigated haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium (LD) coefficients for three SNVs in all study populations. LD and haplotype structure of CSRP1 were different between breeds. The result of haplotype analysis demonstrated eight haplotype present in QC (Qinchuan) and one haplotype in CH (Chinese Holstein). Only haplotype 1 (TTC), shared by all two populations, comprised 10.74% and 100.00%, of all haplotypes observed in QC and CH, respectively. Haplotype 5 (CTC) had the highest haplotype frequencies in QC (30.98%) and haplotype 1 had the highest haplotype frequencies in CH (100.00%). The statistical analyses indicated that one single SNV and 19 combined haplotypes were significantly or highly significantly associated with growth and carcass traits in the QC cattle population (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses showed that the bovine CSRP1 and CSRP2 genes were widely expressed in many tissues. The results of this study suggest that the CSRP1 gene possibly is a strong candidate gene that affects growth and carcass traits in the Chinese beef cattle breeding.     

Quantifying division of aortal smooth muscle cells in culture stimulated by 1,25(OH)2D3

Inhibitory effect of 1α,25dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25D₃ = calcitriol) in different cell type is well recognized but its promoting effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is poor established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine stimulatory effect of calcitriol on aortal SMCs proliferation in culture. We used the cell division analysis procedure based on the quantitative sequential halving of the stably incorporating fluorescent dye carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE). This technique allowed the visualization of cycles of SMCs division by flow cytometry. Rat aortal SMCs were labeled with CFSE and cultured for up to 10 days with defined concentration of calcitriol in medium. Proliferative activity as the percentage of SMCs in different phases of the cell cycle using propidium iodide was determined. Apoptosis was assessed using Annexin-V/CFDA method. The results suggest that low concentrations of an active form of vitamin D—1α,25dihydroxycholecalciferol applied in supraphysiological concentration of 10 nmol/l is a mitogenic factor for aortal SMCs. None of the applied concentrations of calcitriol caused apoptosis. The findings well support our morphological (LM) and ultrastructural (TEM and SEM) observations.     

采用SM 22启动子调节荧光蛋白的策略分选和鉴定人前列腺平滑肌细胞与成纤维细胞

 平滑肌细胞的数量、表型以及在间质细胞中所占的比例在前列腺间质增生的发生和发展中占有重要的地位.获得纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞,研究它们基因表达的差异,有助于进一步揭示前列腺增生的分子病因学.构建不同长度的 SM 22启动子,测定荧光素酶活性.采用了基于启动子特异性激活红绿色荧光蛋白表达结合流式细胞分选的策略,体外分离纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞.启动子活性实验结果表明,1 396 bp的人SM22启动子具有平滑肌细胞特异性和较高的相对活性.构建了红绿荧光蛋白的表达载体pDual-color,在此载体中,RFP的表达受1 396bp的SM22启动子调控,GFP的组成型表达受CMV启动子控制.用流式细胞仪分选GFP+/RFP+和GFP+/RFP-细胞,提取总RNA,进行实时定量RT-PCR.结果显示,在分选获得的GFP+/RFP+细胞比GFP+/RFP-细胞的SM22和SMMHC表达水平高10倍以上.提示,基于启动子特异性可以在体外分离纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞.     

LRP1B is a negative modulator of increased migration activity of intimal smooth muscle cells from rabbit aortic plaques

The migration of cultured cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is regulated by the time-specific expression of members of the LDL receptor family (LRs). LRP1B, a member of LRs, modulates the catabolism of PDGF beta-receptor, affecting the migration of SMCs. An involvement of PDGF beta-receptor in atherosclerosis is focused because of its abundant expression in intimal SMCs. Here, in order to know a functional significance of LRP1B in the increased migration of intimal SMCs, the functions of three groups of cultured SMCs with different origins in atherosclerotic arteries were studied. Each group of SMCs (central, marginal or medial SMCs) was isolated from explanted pieces of central or marginal area of thickened intima, or media prepared from rabbit aortic plaques. The LRP1B expression levels were significantly decreased in intimal SMCs, particularly in marginal SMCs, compared to medial SMCs. The expression levels of LRP1B in SMCs were negatively correlated with those of PDGF beta-receptor. The level of PDGF beta-receptor-mediated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in central SMCs was increased to 5.2-fold with the functional inhibition of LRP1B using anti-LRP1B IgY. The antibody increased the PDGF-BB-stimulated migration and invasion activities in SMCs. The increase in the PDGF beta-receptor-mediated outgrowth activity of SMCs from the explants was also inhibited by the functional inhibition of LRP1B. These results indicate that LRP1B regulated the migration activity of SMCs through the modulation of PDGF beta-receptor-mediated pathway. The regulation of LRP1B expression is possibly involved in the activated migration of intimal SMCs in the course of atherosclerosis.     

Cigarette smoke extract induced rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation via PKCα-mediated cyclin D1 expression

Cigarette smoke could induce pulmonary smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation. Although our previous study had implied the involvement of protein kinase Cα (PKCα), the molecular mechanism underlying PKCα pathway in this process is still unknown. In this study, rat PASMCs were stimulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or PMA (a special activator to PKCα). Two percent CSE and PMA significantly enhanced cyclin D1 expression and cells proliferation. But cyclin D1-specific siRNA successfully inhibited DNA synthesis in CSE-treated or PMA-treated cells. On the other hand, PKCα-specific siRNA significantly suppressed cyclin D1 expression in CSE-treated cells. Moreover, PKCα-specific siRNA resulted in a cell-cycle arrest in G0/G1 and decreased cells number significantly. We conclude that CSE induced rat PASMCs proliferation at least partly via PKCα-mediated cyclin D1 expression.     

Angiogenic factors as potential drug target: Efficacy and limitations of anti-angiogenic therapy

Formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) has been demonstrated to be a basic prerequisite for sustainable growth and proliferation of tumor. Several growth factors, cytokines, small peptides and enzymes support tumor growth either independently or in synergy. Decoding the crucial mechanisms of angiogenesis in physiological and pathological state has remained a subject of intense interest during the past three decades. Currently, the most widely preferred approach for arresting tumor angiogenesis is the blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway; however, the clinical usage of this modality is still limited by several factors such as adverse effects, toxicity, acquired drug resistance, and non-availability of valid biomarkers. Nevertheless, angiogenesis, being a normal physiological process imposes limitations in maneuvering it as therapeutic target for tumor angiogenesis. The present review offers an updated relevant literature describing the role of well-characterized angiogenic factors, such as VEGF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placenta growth factor (PLGF), hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and angiopoetins (ANGs) in regulating tumor angiogenesis. We have also attempted to discuss tumor angiogenesis with a perspective of ‘an attractive target with emerging challenges’, along with the limitations and present status of anti-angiogenic therapy in the current state-of-the-art.