Role of zinc finger protein 36, C3H type-like 1 mediating astrocytes activation in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the role of zinc finger protein 36,C3H type-like 1 (ZFP36L1) mediating astrocytes activation in the degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods Superoxide dismutase 1 (S0D1)-G93A transgenic mice were used as animal models, the wild-type littermates as the control (13 mice were taken from mutant and wild-type mice at each time point) . The ZFP36L1 mRNA and protein levels of the spinal cord in the early, middle and late stage were detected by Real-time PGR and Western blotting. The expression and distribution of ZFP36L1 in the spinal cord were detected by immunofluorescence. Primary astrocyte model was established from 15 postnatal 1-2 day mice. The ZFP36L1 mRNA and protein levels in astrocytes were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Si-ZFP36L1 was transfected into SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes. The transfection efficiency was detected by Western blotting. Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) secreted from astrocytes after transfection were assessed by Western blotting and ELISA. After silencing ZFP36L1 in SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes, it was cocultured with SOD1-G93A mutant NSC34 cells. 5 ' -ethynyl-2' deoxyuridine (EdU) test and the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were used to determine the effect of ZFP36L1 on NSC34 cell proliferation. TUNEL test and the level of cleaved-Caspase-3 were used to determine the effect of ZFP36L1 on NSC34 cell apoptosis. Blank small interfering RNA(siRNA) was transfected as the control group. Results Compared with the wild-type mice, the mRNA and protein levels of ZFP36L1 were downregulated in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A transgenic mice. In wild type mice, ZFP36L1 positive cells were mainly [

Expression of protein tyrosine kinase 7 and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 in the brainstem of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transgenic mice with hSODl-G93A mutation / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the relationship between changes in protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 ( ROR2) expression in the brainstem and the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods Forty-four human superoxide dismutase 1( hSODl)-G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were selected, and an equal number of wild-type littermates was used as control. The brainstems were isolated at da)' 70, day 95, day 108 and da)' 122 after birth, and the morphology of frypoglossal nucleus (12N) and nucleus of facial nerve(7N) neurons in the brainstem of the model mice were observed by Nissl staining. The mRNA and protein expression of PTK7 and ROR2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively, and the cellular localization and distribution of PTK7 and ROR2 in 12N and 7N were observed by immunofluorescence double-labeling technique. Results The result of Nissl staining showed that Nissl bodies in the neurons reduced distinctly with vacuolar degeneration of neurons, cell body atrophy and nuclear volume reduction in the 12N and 7N brainstems of ALS transgenic mice. RT-PCR result indicated that ROR2 and PTK7 mRNA level in the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice were up-regulated at da)' 70, da)' 95, day 108 and day 122 compared with wild-type littermates. Western blotting result showed that PTK7 protein was up-regulated at day 70, day 95, day 108 and day 122, ROR2 protein was up-regulated at day 70, day 95, day 108, and down-regulated at day 122 in the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice compared with wild-type littermates. Immunofluorescence result showed that ROR2/neuronal nuclei (NeuN)and PTK7/NeuN double positive cells, ROR2/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and PTK7/GFAP double positive cells were observed in the 12N and 7N of the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice and wild-type mice, suggesting that ROR2 and PTK7 were expressed both in neurons and astrocytes. Conclusion PTK7 and ROR2 are abnormally expressed in the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice, which is closely related to the pathogenesis of ALS.

Relationship between DEAD-box helicase 5, transcription factor 12 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of DEAO-box helicase 5(DDX5) and transcription factor 12(TCF12) with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) hippocampal lesions by detecting the expressions and the interaction of DDX5 and TCF12 in the hippocampus of SOD1-G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice. Methods Forty- two pairs of SOD1-G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice and wild-type mice were divided into three groups at the age of 95 days (early onset stage), 108 days (middle onset stage) and 122 days (late onset stage). RT-PCR, Western blotting and double immunofluorescence labeled technique were used to detect the expressions of DDX5 and TCF12 in the hippocampus. Co-immunoprecipitation assasy was used to detect the interaction between DDX5 and TCF12. Results Compared with the wild-type mice of the same age, DDX5 and TCF12 mRNA in the hippocampus of SOD1-G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were unchanged, but DDX5 and TCF12 protein were up-regulated significantly at day 95, 108 and 122. DDX5 and TCF12 positive cells were found in both DG area and hippocampus proper, and DDX5 and TCF12 were co-localized with neurons. The immunoreactivities of DDX5 and TCF12 in the hippocampus of SOD1-G93A mutant transgenic mice were elevated compared with wild-type mice at the same time point. Co-immunoprecipitation assasys confirmed that there existed interactions between DDX5 and TCF12 protein. Conclusion DDX5 and TCF12 protein are up-regulated in the hippocampal tissues of SOD1-G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice. The abnormal expressions of DDX5 and TCF12 are involved in the hippocampal lesions of ALS.

An association study between transforming growth factor-β1 receptor 2 gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms located in the promoter of transforming growth factor-β1 receptor 2 (TGFBR2) gene and hypertension in Han Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subjects were recruited from the population of cluster sampling survey for essential hypertension (EH) in two townships of Yixing city, Jiangsu province in 2009. Overall, 2012 patients with hypertension and 2116 age (± 2 years) and sex-matched unrelated controls were selected. Epidemiological data, physical measurements results and serum glucose and lipid biomarker were collected and detected. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis were applied and two tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNP) in 5' upstream of TGFBR2 gene (rs6785358, -3779A/G; rs764522, -1444C/G) were selected for genotyping and analyzing for the association with hypertension.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of AA, AG, GG in case and control of rs6785358 were 1455 (72.3%), 517 (25.7%), 40 (2.0%) and 1582 (74.8%), 490 (23.2%), 43 (2.0%) respectively, and CC, CG, GG of rs764522 were 1524 (75.7%), 464 (23.1%), 24 (1.2%) and 1654 (78.2%), 436 (20.6%), 26 (1.2%) respectively. SNP rs764522 was significantly associated with EH and OR (95%CI) were 1.17 (1.01 - 1.36) (P < 0.05) in dominant model after adjustment for confounding factors such as age, sex, glucose, lipids, smoking and alcohol drinking. Further stratification analysis by age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking indicated that individuals carrying G allele (CG/GG genotype) of SNP rs764522 had higher susceptibility to EH than CC genotype (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.45) (P < 0.05) in ≥ 55 years group. No statistical significance was detected in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies for SNP rs6785358 between cases and controls (P > 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed that no significant frequency difference of haplotype structured by rs6785358 and rs764522 was found between cases and controls (P > 0.05), and no significant blood pressure change was found between genotype variations of rs6785358 and rs764522 (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SNP rs764522 of TGFBR2 gene is associated with increased risk of EH in elderly Han Chinese population.</p>

Construction and identification of recombinant baculovirus vector to coexpress GDNF and EGFP gene / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To construct a novel enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) recombinant baculovirus. Methods The target gene(EGFP and GDNF) was cloned into baculovirus transfer vector pFastBacDual, pFB-EGFP-GDNF was constructed and restriction enzyme analysis was conducted. pFB-EGFP-GDNF was transposited with baculovirus shuttle vector (Bacmid) into DH10Bac competent cells, and recombination baculovirus vector Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF was constructed. The plasmid was extracted and PCR was performed for identification. Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF was transfected with Sf9 insect cell package virus by liposomal transfection method. Immunofluorescent staining was employed to detect the expression of EGFP and GDNF protein in St9 cells. Results The target gene fragment was correctly cloned into pFastBaeDual vector, and recombinant Bacmid was constructed. Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF was successfully transfected, and higher virus titer was obtained. The coexpression of GDNF and EGFP protein in Sf9 cells was identified by immunofluorescent staining. Conclusion The recombinant baculovirus Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF can be successfully constructed, and the protein of EGFP and GDNF is coexpressed in St9 cells, which paves a way for the research of GDNF gene therapy.