Overexpression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 inhibits inflammatory response of atherosclerotic plaques in hypercholesterolemic rabbits / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) efficiently hydrolyses the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II to vasodilative angiotensin (1-7). We hypothesized that ACE2 overexpression may inhibit inflammation response in atherosclerotic plaque by degrading Ang II into Ang-(1-7).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Atherosclerosis (AS) plaques were induced in the abdominal aorta of 38 rabbits by endothelial injury and atherogenic diet for 3 months. Rabbits were then underwent injection of a recombinant adenovirus (2.5 x 10(9) pfu/ml) carrying a murine ACE2 gene (Ad-ACE2) through a catheter into the abdominal aortic segments rich in plaques (n = 19) or injection of a control vector Ad-EGFP (n = 19). One month later, all rabbits were sacrificed and plaques from aortic segments were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ACE2 expression in aortic tissues of the Ad-ACE2 group were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Macrophage infiltration (13.6% +/- 4.2% vs. 23.6% +/- 6.9%, P < 0.01) and MCP-1 expression (13.2% +/- 0.4% vs. 25.0% +/- 7.4%, P < 0.01) were significantly reduced in Ad-ACE2 group compared to Ad-EGFP group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Overexpression of ACE2 inhibited atherosclerotic plaque inflammation response in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.</p>

Transfection of rat bone marrow stromal cells with human bone morphogenetic protein-7 recombinant adenovirus and its expression / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of human bone morphogenetic protein-7(hBMP-7)in rat bone malTOW stromal cells(BMSC)with a recombinant adenovirai vector carrying the hBMP-7 gene(Ad-hBMP-7) and study the effecta of Ad-hBMP-7 transfection on BMSC difierentiation.in order to explore the possibility for hBMP-7 gene therpy.Methods The rat BMSC cultured in vitro.They were divided into 3 groups:untreated group,Ad-hBMP-7 and Ad-GFP transduced treated group.The rat BMSC were transfected by Ad-hBMP-7 and Ad-GFP. The expression of hBMP-7 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.and the alkaline phosphatage (ALP)activity of the BMSC was observed.ResulIs In the Ad-hBMP-7 transduced treated group.hBMP-7 mRNA expression wag manifested detected by RT-PCR(470 bp),Westem blot analysis demonstrated that these cells indeed produced the hBMP-7 protein(Mr.15×103);10 days after transduction treatment,most of the BMSC were had brown black particles stained positively by ALP activity.But in Ad-GFP transduced treated group and untreated group they did not.Conclusions Ad-hBMP-7 could efficiently transfect BMSC and promote the conversion to osteoblast.The expression of hBMP-7 in rat BMSC provides a basis for hBMP-7 gene therapv.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor inhibits hippocampal synaptic reorganization in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine modulations caused by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors on altered microenvironments and overbalanced neurotransmitters in pilocarpine-induced epileptic status rats and to investigate possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Celecoxib (a COX-2 inhibitor) was administered 45 min prior to pilocarpine administration. The effects of COX-2 inhibitors on mIPSCs (miniature GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents) of CA3 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus were recorded. Expressions of COX-2, c-Fos, newly generated neurons, and activated microgliosis were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and expressions of alpha-subunit of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA(A)) receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) activity were detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pretreatment with celecoxib showed protection against pilocarpine-induced seizures. Celecoxib prevented microglia activation in the hilus and inhibited the abnormal neurogenesis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus by inhibiting MAPK/ERK activity and c-Fos transcription. Celecoxib also up-regulated the expression of GABA(A) receptors. NS-398 (N-2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl-methanesulfonamide), another COX-2 inhibitor, enhanced the frequency and decay time of mIPSCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib decreased neuronal excitability and prevented epileptogenesis in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats. Celecoxib regulates synaptic reorganization by inhibiting astrogliosis and ectopic neurogenesis by attenuating MAPK/ERK signal activity, mediated by a GABAergic mechanism.</p>

PPARgamma1 overexpression on caveolin-1 expression of Raw264.7 cells / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of PPARgamma1 gene overexpression on caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expressions in a murine macrophage cell line Raw264.7.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus expression vector of PPARgamma1 was constructed using the AdEasy system. Raw264.7 cells were randomly treated as follows: P group (PPARgamma1 gene overexpression), T group (Troglitazone 40 micromol/L in DMSO), PT group (PPARgamma1 gene overexpression and Troglitazone) and control group. Changes of PPARgamma1 and caveolin-1 at mRNA and protein levels were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Caveolin-1 expression can be detected by RT-PCR in Raw264.7, by immunocytochemistry method in cell and nuclear membrane but not by immunoblotting at protein level. Caveolin-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels in Raw264.7 were significantly higher in P, T and PT groups compared to control group and the expression was also significantly higher in PT group than that in P group and T group (P < 0.05). PPARgamma expression was significantly increased in PT group and P group where remained unchanged in T group compared to control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PPARgamma1 overexpression can upregulate caveolin-1 expression in macrophages. Troglitazone upregulated caveolin-1 expression in the absence of increased PPARgamma1 expressions at mRNA and protein levels.</p>