ABSTRACT
Aim To observe the effect of thioesterase superfamily member 4 ( THEM4 ) expression on extra-cellular matrix ( ECM ) accumulation in the kidney of diabetic mice .Methods For in vivo vector delivery experiment , male CD1 mice were randomly divided in-to four groups: normal control mice ( Control group ) , diabetic mice ( DM group ) , diabetic mice receiving pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector ( DM+THEM4 vector ) and diabetic mice receiving pYr-adshuttle-4 vector ( DM+V vector ) .pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector or pYr-adshuttle-4 vector ( 1 mg · kg -1 ) were mixed with TransIT-EE Hydrodynamic Delivery Solution from Mirus Co .and injected into tail vein once a week for four weeks after STZ injection.Four weeks later, mice were sacrificed and Western blot , immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of phospho-Akt(Ser 473), THEM4, TGF-β1, α-SMA, Col Ⅲ, FN proteins and THEM4 mRNA in kidneys respectively . Results THEM4 decreased in kidney of diabetes mel-litus accompanied with increased phospho-Akt ( Ser 473), TGF-β1, α-SMA and ECM.The delivery of pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector increased THEM4 expression and decreased phospho-Akt (Ser 473), TGF-β1, α-SMA and ECM deposit in kidneys of diabetic mice . Conclusion The up-regulation of THEM4 may pre-vent ECM deposit by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt and down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1 andα-SMA in kidneys of diabetic mice .
ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of kallistatin in protection against oxidative stress-induced hepatic stellate cell damage. The effects of kallistatin on the viability, the intracellular superoxide level and Akt, eNOS molecules were investigated in human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 and the incompletely activated primary rat hepatic stellate cells. Two different oxidative-stress related models, the hydrogen peroxide model and the iron-overload model were used in the experiments. The results show that kallistatin protected the hepatic stellate cells from oxidative damage and repaired the cell damage by oxidative stress. The main mechanism is antioxidant activity of kallistatin, which can remove the oxidized substances inside the cells. On the other way, kallistatin activates Akt and eNOS molecules to generate the antioxidant effect. Our results help to explore new anti-fibrotic targets.
ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effect of thioester-ase superfamily member 4(THEM4)expression on col-lagen secretion in human renal proximal tubular epithe-lial cells (HKC)treated with high glucose. Methods In order to examine the direct effect of THEM4 ex-pression vector on PI3K/ Akt pathway and collagen se-cretion,pYr-ads-4-THEM4 expression vector was con-structed and transfected into the HKC with lipo-fectamine 2000 in vitro. HKC cells were randomly di-vided into four groups:normal glucose group (Con-trol),high glucose group (HG),high glucose plus pYr-ads-4-THEM4 vector group (HG + THEM4 vec-tor) and high glucose plus pYr-adshuttle-4 vector group (HG + V vector). After 48 h with HG stimula-tion,the cells were collected for extraction of protein and phospho-Akt (Ser 473),THEM4,TGF-β1 andα-SMA protein expression were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining respectively. Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ were detected using the competitive sandwich ELISA kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results High glucose inhibited THEM4 expression,and induced increased phospho-Akt (Ser 473),TGF-β1,α-SMA and secreted ColⅠand secre-ted Col Ⅲ in HKC cells. Up-regulation of THEM4 re-versed high glucose-induced decreased THEM4,in-creased phospho-Akt (Ser 473),TGF-β1,α-SMA, secreted Col Ⅰ and secreted Col Ⅲ in HKC cells. Conclusion The up-regulation of THEM4 may de-crease Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ secretion by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt and down-regulating the expres-sion of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in high glucose-induced HKC cells.
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of recombinant human kallistatin (Kal) on ulcerative colitis (UC) in the mouse model. Acute colitis was induced by administration of 4% dextran sodium suffate (DSS) to KM mice for 7 days. The mice were then randomized into 5 groups:model control, Kal 0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1, 1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 and 2.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 group, salazosulfapyridine (SASP) group. Ten age-matched normal KM mouse were administered with saline in the normal control. The weight, colon length, inflammation factor (MPO/SOD/MDA) and TNF-α/IL-10 levels among the five groups of mice were determined. The results showed that histological index score and MPO/MDA/TNF-α levels of high-dose Kal treatment group and SASP group were significantly lower compared with the model group (PPα/IL-10 levels and has some antioxidant activity.
ABSTRACT
Aptamers are capable of binding a wide range of biomolecular targets with high affinity and specificity. It has been widely developed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Because of unique three dimensional structures and cell-membrane penetration, aptamers inhibit virus infection not only through binding specific target, such as the viral envelope, genomic site, enzyme, or other viral components, but also can be connected to each other or with siRNA jointly achieve antiviral activity. Taking human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus as examples, this paper reviewed the effects and mechanisms of aptamers on disturbing viral infection and replication steps. It may provide an insight to the development of aptamer-based new antiviral drugs.