Forskolin induced remodeling of lipid droplets in rat adipocytes / 生理学报

Adipose tissue is the main energy reserve of the body. When energy is required, adipocyte triglycerides stored in lipid droplets (LDs) are broken down by lipase, and free fatty acids are released to supply the physiological need. Intracellular LDs are active metabolic organelles in mammalian cells, particularly in adipocytes. The present study was aimed to investigate the morphological changes of LDs and the alternation of LD-associated perilipin family proteins during long-term lipolysis stimulated by forskolin. Primary differentiated adipocytes derived from epididymal fat pads of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were incubated in the presence or absence of 1 μmol/L forskolin for 24 h. Content of glycerol released to the culture medium was determined by a colorimetric assay and served as an index of lipolysis. Morphological changes of LDs were observed by Nile red staining. The mRNA level of perilipin family genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The protein level and subcellular localization were examined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The results showed that forskolin induced sustained lipolysis in differentiated adipocytes. The morphology of LDs changed in a time-dependent manner. Large clustered LDs became gradually smaller in size and eventually disappeared; in contrast, peripheral micro-LDs increased gradually in number until the cytoplasm was filled with numerous micro-LDs. The protein level of the perilipin family proteins showed obvious alternation. Mature adipocytes physiologically expressed a very low level of Plin2 protein, whereas in adipocytes stimulated with lipolytic forskolin, the protein and mRNA levels of Plin2 were significantly increased, and the increased Plin2 was specifically bound to the surface of LDs. During chronic stimulation of forskolin, the mRNA level of Plin3 was unchanged, but the mRNA levels of Plin1, Plin4 and Plin5 were significantly decreased. These results suggest that the morphology of LDs and perilipin family proteins on the surface of LDs are significantly altered during long-term lipolysis stimulated by forskolin, representing a dynamic process of the remodeling of LDs.

Anti-inflammatory effect of triptolide on LPS-induced uveitis / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe the anti-inflammatory effect of triptolide (TP) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-in-duced uveitis (LIU). METHODS:BALB/c mice (n=24) were randomly divided into 3 groups:blank control group (treated with normal saline), model group (treated with normal saline) and triptolide treatment group (treated with 0.05% triptolide eye drops),with 8 mice in each group. The mice in model group and triptolide treatment group were in-travitreally injected with LPS after 30 d of drug treatment. The anterior chamber was assessed by slit-lamp examination at different time points after modeling. Ocular tissues were collected for histological examination. The protein levels of inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1),interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in iridial and retinal samples were tested by ELISA. RESULTS:Compared with model group,the inflammatory reaction and clinical score were obviously decreased in triptolide treatment group at 24 h after modeling (P<0.01). The histopathological ob-servation indicated that infiltrating inflammatory cells were dramatically reduced in the anterior and posterior segments by triptolide eye drops. In addition, the expression levels of ICAM-1, IL-1β and MCP-1 were significantly decreased in the ocular tissues by treatment with triptolide (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Triptolide prevents the injury of LIU by down-regulating inflammatory cytokines,and may be a new immune therapy for uveitis.

Diagnosis of hematolymphoid malignancy by using effusion fluid cytology specimens: a study of 33 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the diagnostic accuracy of hematolymphoid malignancy by using effusion fluid cytology specimens and to evaluate the values of immunocytochemistry for this assay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cytospin preparations/smears and cell block sections of effusion cytology specimens from 33 cases of hematolymphoid malignancy were retrospectively reviewed. Immunocytochemical study was performed. In selected cases, in-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA and immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement study were carried out as indicated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 33 cases of hematolymphoid malignancy, including 12 cases of T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, 16 cases of mature B cell neoplasm (including 9 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 2 cases of Burkitt lymphoma, 2 cases of plasmacytoma/multiple myeloma, 2 cases of B-small lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma and 1 case of mantle cell lymphoma), 3 cases of mature T or NK-cell neoplasm (including 1 case of extranodal nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, 1 case of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and 1 case of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia), 1 case of myeloid sarcoma and 1 case of mast cell sarcoma. Amongst the 33 cases studied, 16 represented disease relapses, including 8 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 2 cases of plasmacytoma/multiple myeloma, 2 cases of B-small lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma, 1 case of T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, 1 case of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, 1 case of mantle cell lymphoma and 1 case of mast cell sarcoma. The remaining 17 cases showed serous effusion as the primary manifestation, with the diagnosis primarily made upon cytologic examination. The cytologic findings seen in all the 33 cases studied were in agreement with the corresponding histologic diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Diagnosis of hematolymphoid malignancy by effusion fluid cytology specimens is possible, especially when coupled with the clinical history, immunophenotype, in-situ hybridization and gene rearrangement study findings. This is especially so for cases with disease relapses.</p>