Dynamic changes in cytoskeletal elements following acute cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the dynamic time-course changes in neuronal cytoskeleton after acute ischemia and reperfusion in rats. Methods Reperfusion was performedin rats by blocking the middle cerebralarteryfor 90 min, then therats wereobserved and collected at different time points. The brain damage wasobserved by Nissl staining,and neurobehavioural function was evaluated with neurological deficit score and forelimb placement test. The cellular changes in the alternations of cytoskeletal elements including microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) and neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) were observed by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. Impaired axons, dendrites and cytoskeletal alternations were detected by electron microscope. Results Brain damage and neurobehavioural function were gradually aggravated with the prolongation of reperfusion. Brain damage appeared earlier and more severe in striatum than in cortex. Moreover, decreased MAP2-related and increased NF-H-related immunoreactive intensities were found in the ischemic areas. Impaired cytoskeletal arrangement and reduced dense were indicated. Damaged cytoskeletal components such as microtubules and neurofilament arrangement, decreased axonal filament density, and swelled dendrites were observed after cerebral ischemia reperfusion by ultrastructural observations. Conclusions Different brain regions have diverse tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Major elements of neuronal cytoskeleton show dynamic responses to ischemia and reperfusion, which may further contribute to brain damage and neurological impairment following MCAO and reperfusion.

Advances in cell nuclear mechanobiology and its regulation mechanisms / 生物医学工程学杂志

As an important intracellular genetic and regulatory center, the nucleus is not only a terminal effector of intracellular biochemical signals, but also has a significant impact on cell function and phenotype through direct or indirect regulation of nuclear mechanistic cues after the cell senses and responds to mechanical stimuli. The nucleus relies on chromatin-nuclear membrane-cytoskeleton infrastructure to couple signal transduction, and responds to these mechanical stimuli in the intracellular and extracellular physical microenvironments. Changes in the morphological structure of the nucleus are the most intuitive manifestation of this mechanical response cascades and are the basis for the direct response of the nucleus to mechanical stimuli. Based on such relationships of the nucleus with cell behavior and phenotype, abnormal nuclear morphological changes are widely used in clinical practice as disease diagnostic tools. This review article highlights the latest advances in how nuclear morphology responds and adapts to mechanical stimuli. Additionally, this article will shed light on the factors that mechanically regulate nuclear morphology as well as the tumor physio-pathological processes involved in nuclear morphology and the underlying mechanobiological mechanisms. It provides new insights into the mechanisms that nuclear mechanics regulates disease development and its use as a potential target for diagnosis and treatment.

Effect of transfer RNA-derived molecule fragment 770 on proliferation of breast cancer cells by targeting cytoskeletal-associated protein 2 / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To explore the effect of transfer RNA-derived small molecule fragment 770(tRF-770) on proliferation of breast cancer cells through regulating cytoskeletal-associated protein 2 (CKAP2).Methods:Chromosome localization of tRF-770 was identified using the MINTbase database v2.0 sequence alignment with mature tRNA in the genome. TA cloning assay was used to identify tRF-770; TargetScan and miRBase database were used to analyze and predict the target genes of tRF-770. The expression of CKAP2 in breast cancer was analyzed by using the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Breast cancer cell lines MDB-MA-231 and MCF7 were selected and divided into three groups: blank control group (without any treatment), tRF-770 overexpression group (transfected with tRF-770 overexpression sequence) and negative control group (transfected with negative control sequence). In addition, tRF-770 overexpression+CKAP2-HA group was established (co-transfected with tRF-770 overexpression sequence and CKAP2 overexpression sequence). Real-time quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expression of tRF-770 in breast cancer cells. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of breast cancer cells and perform rescue experiment. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the target genes of tRF-770. The protein expression of CKAP2-ERK2 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.Results:tRF-770 completely matched 5' UTR spliced and modified by 9 kinds of tRNA. TA clone sequencing verification results showed that the product size and bases were consistent with the expected tRF-770 sequences. CKAP2 was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues based on analysis of the data from TCGA database ( t = 7.21, P < 0.05). qRT-PCR showed that the relative expressions of tRF-770 in MDA-MB-231 cells of blank control group, negative control group and tRF-770 overexpression group were 1.00±0.00, 2.42±0.11 and 3.75±0.01, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F = 1 395.00, P < 0.001). The relative expressions of tRF-770 in MCF7 cells of 3 groups were 1.00±0.00, 2.45±0.21 and 3.26±0.16, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F = 169.30, P < 0.001). Compared with blank control group and negative control group, the relative expression of tRF-770 in tRF-770 overexpression group in 2 cell lines was increased (all P < 0.05). Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that tRF-770 bound to CKAP2 mRNA 3'UTR. CCK-8 assay showed that in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells, the cell proliferation ability of tRF-770 overexpression group on the 3rd and 4th day was lower than that of blank control group and negative control group (both P < 0.05); there were significant differences in cell proliferation ability between the negative control group and tRF-770 overexpression group on the 3rd and 4th day (all P < 0.05). CCK-8 assay showed that in 2 breast cancer cell lines, the cell proliferation ability of tRF-770 overexpression+ CKAP2-HA group was higher than that of tRF-770 overexpression group since the second day after transfection (all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that the expressions of CKAP2, p-ERK2 and PCNA proteins in tRF-770 overexpression group were decreased compared with the negative control group (all P < 0.05). The change of ERK2 protein expression was small in MDA-MB-231 cells, but the expression of protein in tRF-770 overexpression group in MCF7 cells was decreased. Conclusions:tRF-770 may inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells through CKAP2-ERK2 signaling pathway.

The p21-activated kinases in neural cytoskeletal remodeling and related neurological disorders

The serine/threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs), as main effectors of the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, represent a group of important molecular switches linking the complex cytoskeletal networks to broad neural activity. PAKs show wide expression in the brain, but they differ in specific cell types, brain regions, and developmental stages. PAKs play an essential and differential role in controlling neural cytoskeletal remodeling and are related to the development and fate of neurons as well as the structural and functional plasticity of dendritic spines. PAK-mediated actin signaling and interacting functional networks represent a common pathway frequently affected in multiple neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Considering specific small-molecule agonists and inhibitors for PAKs have been developed in cancer treatment, comprehensive knowledge about the role of PAKs in neural cytoskeletal remodeling will promote our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying neurological diseases, which may also represent potential therapeutic targets of these diseases.

The mechanism of enriched environment repairing the learning and memory impairment in offspring of prenatal stress by regulating the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated and insulin-like growth factor-2 in hippocampus

BACKGROUND@#Prenatal stress can cause neurobiological and behavioral defects in offspring; environmental factors play a crucial role in regulating the development of brain and behavioral; this study was designed to test and verify whether an enriched environment can repair learning and memory impairment in offspring rats induced by prenatal stress and to explore its mechanism involving the expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) and activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in the hippocampus of the offspring.@*METHODS@#Rats were selected to establish a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy. Offspring were weaned on 21st day and housed under either standard or an enriched environment. The learning and memory ability were tested using Morris water maze and Y-maze. The expression of IGF-2 and Arc mRNA and protein were respectively measured by using RT-PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#There was an elevation in the plasma corticosterone level of rat model of maternal chronic stress during pregnancy. Maternal stress's offspring exposed to an enriched environment could decrease their plasma corticosterone level and improve their weight. The offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy exhibited abnormalities in Morris water maze and Y-maze, which were improved in an enriched environment. The expression of IGF-2, Arc mRNA, and protein in offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy was boosted and some relationships existed between these parameters after being exposed enriched environment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The learning and memory impairment in offspring of prenatal stress can be rectified by the enriched environment, the mechanism of which is related to the decreasing plasma corticosterone and increasing hippocampal IGF-2 and Arc of offspring rats following maternal chronic stress during pregnancy.

Silicate-Cu/Mg bioactive ceramics promote the osteogenesis of osteoblasts / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The use of silicate bioceramics as a tissue-engineered bone scaffold has poor ability to promote osteogenesis. Studies have shown that copper, magnesium, and other essential trace elements have obvious effects on the induction and stimulation of osteoblasts and hemangioblasts. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of silicate bioactive ceramics with Cu and Mg on osteoblast proliferation and osteogenesis. METHODS: Cu-silicate bioceramics, Mg-silicate bioceramics, and Cu-Mg-silicate bioactive ceramics were prepared by the sol-gel method (molar ratio of both Cu and Mg in ceramics was 5%). Three experimental groups were CS-5Cu, CS-5Mg, CS-5Cu/5Mg groups. The silicate bioactive ceramics served as the control group (denoted as CS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the samples. The surface crystallization of bioceramics was detected. Osteoblasts were co-cultured with four groups of ceramics for 24 hours. Osteoblast proliferation index, alkaline phosphatase secretion, osteopontin and osteocalcin gene expression, vinculin and actin protein expression were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The crystallization ability of different silicate bioceramic samples followed the order of CS-5Cu>CS>CS-5Cu/5Mg>CS-5Mg. (2) Osteoblast proliferation index followed the rule of CS-5Cu/5Mg>CS-5Cu≈CS-5Mg>CS. (3) Alkaline phosphatase secretion was in the order of CS-5Cu/5Mg>CS-5Cu≈CS-5Mg>CS. (4) Osteopontin and osteocalcin gene expression followed the rule of CS-5Cu/5Mg>CS-5Cu≈CS-5Mg>CS. (5) Vinculin and actin protein expression was in the order of CS-5Cu/5Mg>CS-5Cu≈CS-5Mg>CS. (6) These results suggest that Cu- or Mg-silicate, in particular Cu-Mg-silicate bioactive ceramics can promote the proliferation of osteoblasts and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes as well as cell adhesion and spreading.

Mechanism of wangzaozin A, an ent-kaurane diterpene, on cytoskeletal rearrangement and migration inhibition of A549 cells / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of cytoskeletal recombination and migration inhibition induced by wangzaozin A, ent-kaurane diterpenoid, in A549 cells. Methods: The effects of wangzaozin A on cytotoxicity, cell morphology, cytoskeleton and protein expression as well as cell migration were detected in A549 cells by using MTT, microscope observation, Western blotting, immunofluorescence assay and scratch assay. Results: Wangzaozin A induced significant changes in cell morphology at 24, 48 and 72 h, including increased pseudopods, stretched pseudopods and flattened nucleus in A549 cells. Moreover, microtubules and keratin fibers networks in A549 cells also showed obvious rearrangement, which indicated the cytoskeleton had gone through a continuous recombination process. Further, wangzaozin A significantly increased the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4), keratin 8 (K8) (P < 0.05, 0.01), while wangzaozin A-induced phosphorylation of MAP4 and K8 were suppressed in A549 cells treated with ERK inhibitors U0126 (P < 0.05, 0.01); Wangzaozin A inhibited the migration of A549 cells with a correlation between concentration and time. Conclusion: Wangzaozin A can upregulate the phosphorylation of MAP4 and K8 by activating ERK signaling pathway, which can significantly increase the dynamics of MTs and KFs, disturb the dynamic balance of the cytoskeleton, and inhibit the migration of A549 cells.

Warm acupuncture improves arthritic injury by down-regulating expression of skeleton proteins in rats with knee osteoarthritis / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of warm acupuncture on chondrocyte cytoskeleton protein Rho associa-ted protein kinase (ROCK)/ monopherine domain kinase 1 (LIMK1)/Cofilin signaling of synovial tissue of the knee-joint in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of KOA. METHODS: One hundred-twenty SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control, model, acupuncture, moxibustion and warm acupuncture, with 24 rats in each group. The KOA model was established by injection of 4% Papain (0.25 mL/kg) into the right knee cavity on day 1, 3 and 7. Rats in the acupuncture, moxibustion and warm acupuncture groups were treated with manual acupuncture, moxibustion and warm acupuncture stimulation of "Neixiyan"(EX-LE4), "Waixiyan"(EX-LE5) and "Zusanli"(ST36), respectively for 20 min, once a day for 21 days. The volume of the right knee-joint was measured by using drainage method and its width measured using a vernier caliper. The histopathological changes of the right knee cartilage were observed after H．E. stain, and scored (0 to 14 points) with reference to Markin's methods. The expression levels of ROCK, Cofilin, phospho-Cofilin, LIMK1 and phospho-LIMK1 proteins of the right knee synovial tissue were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the width and the volume since day 6 of the right knee-joint and Markin score of the cartilage, as well as the expression levels of ROCK, phospho-Cofilin, and phospho-LIMK1 proteins were significantly increased in the model group in contrast to the normal control group (P0.05)．. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture, moxibustion and warm acupuncture can reduce arthritic injury in KOA rats, which is closely associated with their effects in down-regulating the expression of chondrocyte cytoskeletal proteins ROCK, phospho-Cofilin and phospho-LIMK1. The efficacy of warm acupuncture is evidently superior to that of simple acupuncture and simple moxibustion.

Characterisation of the in vitro activity of a Nitazoxanide-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole hybrid molecule against albendazole and nitazoxanide susceptible and resistant strains of Giardia intestinalis and its in vivo giardicidal activity

BACKGROUND It was previously demonstrated that CMC-20, a nitazoxanide and N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole hybrid molecule, had higher in vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis WB strain than metronidazole and albendazole and similar to nitazoxanide. OBJETIVES To evaluate the in vitro activity of CMC-20 against G. intestinalis strains with different susceptibility/resistance to albendazole and nitazoxanide and evaluate its effect on the distribution of parasite cytoskeletal proteins and its in vivo giardicidal activity. METHODS CMC-20 activity was tested against two isolates from patients with chronic and acute giardiasis, an experimentally induced albendazole resistant strain and a nitazoxanide resistant clinical isolate. CMC-20 effect on the distribution of parasite cytoskeletal proteins was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence and its activity was evaluated in a murine model of giardiasis. FINDINGS CMC-20 showed broad activity against susceptible and resistant strains to albendazole and nitaxozanide. It affected the parasite microtubule reservoir and triggered the parasite encystation. In this process, alpha-7.2 giardin co-localised with CWP-1 protein. CMC-20 reduced the infection time and cyst load in feces of G. muris infected mice similar to albendazole. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The in vitro and in vivo giardicidal activity of CMC-20 suggests its potential use in the treatment of giardiasis.

Characterisation of the in vitro activity of a Nitazoxanide-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole hybrid molecule against albendazole and nitazoxanide susceptible and resistant strains of Giardia intestinalis and its in vivo giardicidal activity

BACKGROUND It was previously demonstrated that CMC-20, a nitazoxanide and N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole hybrid molecule, had higher in vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis WB strain than metronidazole and albendazole and similar to nitazoxanide. OBJETIVES To evaluate the in vitro activity of CMC-20 against G. intestinalis strains with different susceptibility/resistance to albendazole and nitazoxanide and evaluate its effect on the distribution of parasite cytoskeletal proteins and its in vivo giardicidal activity. METHODS CMC-20 activity was tested against two isolates from patients with chronic and acute giardiasis, an experimentally induced albendazole resistant strain and a nitazoxanide resistant clinical isolate. CMC-20 effect on the distribution of parasite cytoskeletal proteins was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence and its activity was evaluated in a murine model of giardiasis. FINDINGS CMC-20 showed broad activity against susceptible and resistant strains to albendazole and nitaxozanide. It affected the parasite microtubule reservoir and triggered the parasite encystation. In this process, alpha-7.2 giardin co-localised with CWP-1 protein. CMC-20 reduced the infection time and cyst load in feces of G. muris infected mice similar to albendazole. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The in vitro and in vivo giardicidal activity of CMC-20 suggests its potential use in the treatment of giardiasis.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Spermatogenesis in Rats with Oligozoospermia of Insufficiency of Shen (Kidney) Essence Syndrome / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of cytoskeletal proteins from Sertoli cells (SCs) and spermatogenesis in rats with oligozoospermia of insufficiency of Shen (Kidney) essence syndrome (OIKES).@*METHODS@#Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table: control, tripterygium glycosides (TG) treatment, sham and EA groups (n=5 in each group). A rat model of OIKES was established by oral gavage with TG. The EA group was treated with TG and received EA at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints for 20 min, once daily for 30 days, while the sham group received EA at identical acupoints with skin penetration without stimulation. After 30 days, the final body weight and coefficients for the testis and epididymis were calculated and sperm parameters were measured. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity in germ cells. Apoptosis in germ cells was quantified by the transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assay.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the final body weight and testis/epididymis coefficients of rats in the TG-treated group were not significantly different, but the sperm count and motility were lower (P<0.05). Expressions of vimentin and α-tubulin were also significantly weaker (P<0.01). The PCNA immunoreactivity of germ cells was decreased (P=0.059), whereas the apoptotic index of germ cells was increased significantly (P<0.01). In contrast, EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints significantly improved the final body weight as well as the sperm count, concentration and motility (P<0.01 or P<0.05). EA increased expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs markedly, and significantly enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity with decreased apoptosis in germ cells (P<0.01 or P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints has protective effects on spermatogenesis in rats with OIKES. This effect seems to be achieved by attenuating TG-induced disruption of cytoskeletal protein in SCs.

Advances in biological functions of Ezrin and its effects on tumor metastasis / 中国药理学通报

As a member of the ERM (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) protein family, Ezrin is widely distributed in the body. Ezrin acts as a "scaffold" participating in anchorage and interacting between plasma membrane and cytoskeleton. Its special subcel-lular localization is critical for many complex cell processes. Increasing evidence suggests that the abnormal expression, phosphorylation and localization of Ezrin would affect tumor progression. The influence of Ezrin on the morphology of tumor cells during metastasis has gradually attracted the attention of researchers. Further investigations that focus on the mechanism of Ezrin' s influence on different stages of tumor metastasis will be gradually elucidated. In this article, we review the biological functions of Ezrin and its research progress in tumor metastasis, and explain the mechanism of Ezrin-mediated tumor metastasis. It is proposed that strategies targeting Ezrin for tumor metastasis treatment are a promising way to achieve great success in clinic.

Synthesized flavanoid-derived ligand reduced dengue virus type-2 replication in vitro

Objective: To investigate the antiviral property of a lead ligand, YK51 that was syn-thesized based on the flavanoid of a natural product toward dengue virus type-2 (DENV2) replication. Methods: cRNA was isolated from HepG2 cells inoculated with 1000 median tissue culture infective dose of DENV2 and treated with different doses of the ligand followed by RT-PCR to quantify the virus gene copies. Confocal microscopy of actin and tubulin redistribution was also performed. Results: The quantitative RT-PCR result showed reduction of the DENV2 gene copies as the ligand concentration was increased. The confocal microscopy result showed increase in the tubulin intensity (79.6%) of infected BHK21 cells treated with the ligand, compared with the non-treated cells (54.8%). The 1.5-fold increase in the intensity of tubulin suggested that the ligand inhibitory effect stabilized the cellular microtubule structure. Conclusions: The synthesized ligand YK51 reduced DENV2 viral load by inhibiting virus replication thus is highly potential to be developed as antiviral agent.

The clinical value of Homer expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with ischemic stroke / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate clinical significance of Homer expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with ischemic stroke (IS).Methods It was a retrospecive study.The gene expression levels of Homer were measured by RT-qPCR.266 patientscollected in Zhongnan Hospital from September 2015 to June 2016were divided into 5 groups:large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA,100 cases),cardioembolism (CE,42 cases),small vessel occlusion (SVO,68 cases),stroke of other demonstrated etiology (SOE,23 cases) and stroke of undemonstrated etiology (SUE,33 cases).Meanwhile,age and sex matched 126 healthy controls were also collected.IS diagnostic criteria for cerebral infarctionwas in accordance with the guideline for acute ischemic stroke in China in 2010.The levels of Homers in subgroups were compared by Oneway ANOVA.The area under curve (AUC) and 95％ confidence interval (CI) were calculated using ROC analyses.The odds ratio (OR) and 95％ CI were calculated using the multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results The levels of Homer1 [2.01 ± 0.15] and Homer2 [1.81 ± 0.31] in LAA patients were significantly higher than othergroups [Homer1 CE:2.40 ± 0.34;SVO:2.38 ± 0.35;SOE:2.36 + 0.33;SUE:2.40 ± 0.30;control group:2.35 ± 0.28;Homer2 CE:2.09 ± 0.38;SVO:2.08 ± 0.30;SOE:2.09 ± 0.41;SUE:2.10 ± 0.34;control group:2.12 ± 0.31] (Homer1 CE:t =9.353,P＜0.001;SVO:t =9.258,P＜0.001;SOE:t =5.396,P＜0.001;SUE:t=9.644,P＜0.001;control group:t =11.882,P＜0.001;Homer2 CE:t =4.725,P＜0.001;SVO:t =5.545,P＜0.001;SOE:t=3.640,P ＜ 0.001;SUE:t =4.669,P ＜ 0.001);There was no significant difference in the expression of Homer1 (F =0.940,P =0.441) and Homer2 (F =0.336,P =0.854) between non-LAA groupsand healthy controls.There was no significant difference in the expression of Homer3among the groups (F =0.641,P =0.669).Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed that,higher Homerl (adjusted OR =8.62,95％ CI:4.13-18.00,P＜0.001) and Homer2 (adjusted OR=2.42,95％ CI:1.75-3.36,P ＜ 0.001) levels showed significant associations with increased odds of having LAA stroke,compared with the controls.ROC curves showed that the AUC of the combination of Homer1 and Homer2 for differentiating LAA and controls was 0.896 (95％ CI:0.862-0.929,P ＜0.001) and the AUCfor differentiating LAAand non-LAA was 0.847 (95％ CI:0.800-0.894,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The expression of Homer1 and Homer2 in peripheral blood leukocytes could be used as novel biomarkers for LAA stroke.

Effects of wild-type PTEN overexpression and its mutation on F-actin in activated hepatic stellate cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of overexpression of wild-type phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) deleted on chromosome 10 and its mutant G129E (exhibiting the activity of protein phosphatase and losing the activity of lipid phosphatase) on F-actin in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) cultured in vitro.@*Methods@#The activated hepatic stellate cell-T6 (HSC-T6) cells were cultured in vitro, and activated HSCs were transfected with adenovirus that carried wild-type PTEN gene and G129E gene using transient transfection. The HSCs were divided into the following groups: control group, which was transfected with DMEM medium instead of virus solution; Ad-GFP group, which was transfected with the empty adenovirus vector with the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP); Ad-PTEN group, which was transfected with the recombinant adenovirus with wild-type PTEN gene and GFP expression; Ad-G129E group, which was transfected with the recombinant adenovirus with G129E gene and GFP expression. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were used to measure the protein and mRNA expression of PTEN in activated HSCs; under a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), phalloidine labeled with the fluorescein tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) was used to observe the morphology of HSCs, distribution and fluorescence intensity of F-actin, and changes in pseudopodia and stress fibers, and a calcium fluorescence probe (Rhod-2/AM) was used to measure the changes in Ca2+ concentration in HSCs. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference test was used for comparison between two groups.@*Results@#Wild-type PTEN and G129E genes were highly expressed in activated HSCs. In the control group and the Ad-GFP group, HSCs had a starlike or polygonal shape, F-actin was reconfigured and formed a large number of stress fibers which stretched across the whole cell, and layered pseudopodia were seen around the cell. In the Ad-PTEN group and the Ad-G129E group, the HSCs had a fusiform shape, F-actin was mainly seen around the cell, a small number of stress fibers were seen inside the cell, and layered pseudopodia around the cell disappeared. The Ad-PTEN group and the Ad-G129E group had significant reductions in the fluorescence intensity of F-actin compared with the control group and the Ad-GFP group (357.67±13.39/377.25±14.55 vs 961.87±27.33/954.68±20.71, F = 1783.486, P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences between the Ad-PTEN group and the Ad-G129E group, as well as between the control group and the Ad-GFP group (P > 0.05). The Ad-PTEN group and the Ad-G129E group had significant reductions in the relative concentration of Ca2+ compared with the control group and the Ad-GFP group (251.60±90.88/352.18±146.01 vs 1953.95±132.99/1937.57±115.17, F = 834.988, P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences between the Ad-PTEN group and the Ad-G129E group, as well as between the control group and the Ad-GFP group (P > 0.05).@*Conclusion@#The overexpressed wild-type PTEN and its mutant G129E can significantly inhibit the formation and reconfiguration of cytoskeletal protein F-actin and reduce the concentration of Ca2+ in activated HSCs in vitro. In addition, there are no significant differences in the above effects between wild-type PTEN and G129E.

Synthesized flavanoid-derived ligand reduced dengue virus type-2 replication in vitro

Objective To investigate the antiviral property of a lead ligand, YK51 that was synthesized based on the flavanoid of a natural product toward dengue virus type-2 (DENV2) replication. Methods cRNA was isolated from HepG2 cells inoculated with 1 000 median tissue culture infective dose of DENV2 and treated with different doses of the ligand followed by RT-PCR to quantify the virus gene copies. Confocal microscopy of actin and tubulin redistribution was also performed. Results The quantitative RT-PCR result showed reduction of the DENV2 gene copies as the ligand concentration was increased. The confocal microscopy result showed increase in the tubulin intensity (79.6%) of infected BHK21 cells treated with the ligand, compared with the non-treated cells (54.8%). The 1.5-fold increase in the intensity of tubulin suggested that the ligand inhibitory effect stabilized the cellular microtubule structure. Conclusions The synthesized ligand YK51 reduced DENV2 viral load by inhibiting virus replication thus is highly potential to be developed as antiviral agent.

Expression of Ezrin and AnnexinⅡin gallbladder carcinoma / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression levels of Ezrin and AnnexinⅡ in gallbladder carci-noma and their association with clinicopathologic parameters and metastasis potential. Methods The tissue mi-croarray consisted of 59 gallbladder carcinoma tissues and 6 normal gallbladder tissues were examined for the ex-pression of Ezrin and AnnexinⅡusing immunohistochemistry technique. The expression of Ezrin and AnnexinⅡin 20 cases of fresh gallbladder carcinoma and 6 cases of normal gallbladder were measured with western blot. Results The expression of Ezrin and AnnexinⅡ were higher in the gallbladder cancer than those in the normal gallbladder tissue. The positive rate of Ezrin and AnnexinⅡ were 47.5% and 50.8% respectively. The expression of Ezrin was significantly correlated with live metastasis , lymph node metastasis and Nevin stages. The expression of AnnexinⅡwas significantly correlated with live metastasis , differentiation levels and Nevin stages. The expres-sion of Ezrin was correlated with AnnexinⅡ. Results of western blot suggested that Ezrin and Annexin II were highly expressed in gallbladder carcinoma tissues. The high expression of Ezrin and Annexin is closely related with liver invasion. Conclusion Measurement of the expression of Annexin and Ezrin II have important clinical significances to evaluate the malignant biological behavior of gallbladder carcinoma.

Cytoskeletal proteins in the follicular wall of normal andcystic ovaries of sows

The expression of cytoskeletal proteins was evaluated immunohistochemically in 36 normal ovaries sampled from 18 sows and 44 cystic ovaries sampled from of 22 sows, was evaluated. All sows had history of reproductive problems, such as infertility or subfertility. The immunohistochemically stained area (IHCSA) was quantified through image analysis to evaluate the expression of these proteins in the follicular wall of secondary, tertiary, and cystic follicles. Cytokeratins (CK) immunoreactivity was strong in the granulosa cell layer (GC) and mild in the theca interna (TI) and externa (TE) of the normal follicles. There was severe reduction of the reaction to CK in the GC in the cystic follicles, mainly in the luteinized cysts. The immunoreactivity for vimentin was higher in the GC from normal and cystic follicles in contrast with the other follicular structures. In the luteinized cysts, the IHCSA for vimentin was significantly higher in TI and in both observed cysts, the labeling was more accentuated in TE. Immunohistochemical detection of desmin and -SMA was restricted to the TE, without differences between the normal and cystic follicles. The results of the current study show that the development of ovarian cysts in sows is associated to changes in the expression of the cytoskeletal proteins CK and vimentin.

A expressão de proteínas do citoesqueleto foi avaliada por imuno-histoquímica em ovários normais e císticos de porcas matrizes. Amostras de 36 ovários normais (18 porcas) e de 44 císticos (22 porcas) foram avaliadas. Todas as matrizes apresentaram histórico de problemas reprodutivos, como infertilidade ou subfertilidade. As áreas coradas por imuno-histoquímica (IHCSA) foram quantificadas por avaliação de imagens avaliando a expressão dessas proteínas na parede folicular de folículos secundários, terciários e císticos. A imuno-reatividade para citoqueratina (CK) foi forte na camada de células da granulosa (GC) e discreta nas tecas interna (TI) e externa (TE) dos folículos normais. Houve redução acentuada da reação de CK na CG dos folículos císticos, principalmente nos cistos luteinizados. A reação para vimentina foi mais intensa na CG dos folículos normais e císticos em comparação com outras estruturas foliculares. Nos cistos luteinizados, a IHCSA para vimentina foi significativamente maior na TI e, em ambos os cistos observados, a marcação foi mais acentuada na TE. A marcação de desmina e actina alfa de músculo liso foi restrita a TE, sem diferenças entre os folículos normais e císticos. Os resultados do presente estudo mostram que o desenvolvimento de cistos ovarianos em porcas matrizes está associado a alterações na expressão das proteínas do citoesqueleto CK e vimentina.

Effects of oridonin on cytoskeletal protein F-actin in human pancreatic carcinoma cells / 中国癌症杂志

Background and purpose:Traditional Chinese medicine with notable effect and little adverse reaction is increasingly concerned about the medical profession because of its great potential and advantage in treating pancreatic carcinoma. In this experiment, we studied the effects of oridonin on apoptosis and cytoskeletal protein F-actin in human pancreatic carcinoma SW1990 cells. Methods:SW1990 cells in culture medium were treated with different concentrations of oridonin. The inhibitory rate of the cells was measured by MTT assay. Morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by DAPI stain and cell apoptotic rate was detected by lfow cytometry (FCM). The morphological changes of F-actin were observed by laser confocal microscopy. Results:The growth of human pancreatic carcinoma SW1990 cells was signiifcantly inhibited by oridonin. Apoptosis morphological changes including condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentation were observed clearly by DAPI stain. The early apoptotic rate of SW1990 cells treated with 25, 50μmol/L oridonin was signiifcantly higher than that of the control group (3.78±0.46, 9.51±0.63 vs 0.73±0.06, P<0.05), and the late apoptotic rate and cell necrosis rate were also signiifcantly higher than that of the control group (14.40±1.78, 20.53±2.54 vs 4.16±0.31, P<0.05). F-actin was showed from polymerization to depolymerization after oridonin treatment. Conclusion:Oridonin can obviously inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of SW1990 cells. The mechanisms may involve the depolymerization of F-actin after treatment with oridonin.

Inhibitory effect of radixin shRNA on retinal neovascularization induced by hyperoxia in mice / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Retinal neovascularization is pathological basis of a variety of fundus diseases,but its pathogenesis is unclear.Studies showed that the expression level of radixin in retina is remarkably increased in retinal neovascularization-related diseases.It is presumed that silencing or down-regulating the abnormal expression of radixin is helpful for curing retinal neovascularization-related diseases.Objective This study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of radixin short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid on expression of radixin gene in retina of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice.Methods Sixty-four 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, radixin shRNA plasmid group and shRNA plasmid group by random number table.There were 16 mice in every group.OIR models were established by exposing the mice in an environment of (75±2) ％ oxygen for 5 days and then returned to the normal air in the model control group,radixin shRNA plasmid group and shRNA plasmid group,while the mice of the normal control group were fed in the normal air environment.Radixin shRNA plasmid or control shRNA plasmid at the dose of 1 μg was intravitreally injected in 12-day-old mice of the radixin shRNA plasmid group or shRNA plasmid group, respectively.Five days later, FD-2000S angiography was performed on the mice of each group and then retinal flatmounts were prepared for the observation of retinal vessels.The mice from various groups were sacrificed and retinal sections were prepared.The vascular endothelial nucleus and new blood vessels extending inner limiting membrane (ILM) were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining;the expression of radixin in the retinas was detected using immunochemistry;the relative expression levels of radixin mRNA and protein were quantitative assayed by real-time quantitative RCR and Western blot, respectively.The use and care of the animals adhered to the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research.Results The distribution of retinal vessels was normal in the normal control group.Non-perfusion zone at the posterior pole of retina, circuity of blood vessels,leakage of vessel wall and new blood vessels were found in the mice of the model control group.Non-perfusion zone and microaneurysms were also exhibited in the shRNA plasmid group.However,these findings were slight in the radixin shRNA plasmid group.The surface of ILM was in discontinuity in the model mice and shRNA-injected mice with more vascular endothelial cell nucleus and more tubes extending ILM than that in the radixin shRNA plasmid group.The immunochemistry results showed that the expressions of radixin in the normal control group and radixin shRNA plasmid group were weaker than those in the model control group and control shRNA plasmid group.The relative expression levels of radixin mRNA were 1.002±0.043,2.236-±0.093,0.556±0.015 and 2.272±0.096 in the normal control group, model control group,radixin shRNA plasmid group and control shRNA plasmid group,and those in the radixin shRNA plasmid group were significantly reduced in comparison with the normal control group, model control group and the shRNA plasmid group (all at P＜0.01).The relative expression levels were 1.000±0.082,1.193±0.021,0.263± 0.016 and 1.235±0.005 in the normal control group,model control group,radixin shRNA plasmid group and shRNA plasmid,with the lowest expression level in the radixin shRNA plasmid group (all at P＜0.01).Conclusions Radixin shRNA can downregulate the expression of radixin gene in the retinas of OIR mice and further inhibit pathological retinal neovascularization.