Activation of β-catenin signaling in aggrecan-expressing cells in temporomandibular joint causes osteoarthritis-like defects / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

β-Catenin plays a critical role in cartilage formation and development. To further understand the role of β-catenin in osteoarthritis (OA) development in temporomandibular joint (TMJ), we have generated β-catenin conditional activation mice (β-cat(ex3) ) by breeding Agc1-CreER mice with β-catenin mice. Results of histologic analysis showed the progressive TMJ defects in 3- and 6-month-old β-cat(ex3) mice (tamoxifen induction was performed at 2 weeks of age), including decreased chondrocyte numbers in the superficial layer associated with less Alcian blue staining, increased numbers of hypertrophic chondrocytes in deep layers, and rough articular surface. Compared to the TMJ phenotype of β-cat(ex3) mice, β-cat(ex3) mice showed much severe morphological defects in the superficial layer of TMJ. This may reflect that Agc1-CreER mice could efficiently target cells in the superficial layer of TMJ. Results of immunostaining showed significantly increased expression of MMP13, Col-X, Adamts4, and Adamts5 in TMJ of β-cat(ex3) mice. Results of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, and terminal deoxinucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-fluorescein nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining further demonstrated that cell proliferation was decreased and cell apoptosis was increased in condylar cartilage of β-cat(ex3) mice. Our findings indicate that abnormal upregulation of β-catenin in TMJ leads to defects assembling to OA-like phenotype, further demonstrating that β-catenin plays a critical role in TMJ pathogenesis.

Gap junction blockage promotes cadmium-induced apoptosis in BRL 3A derived from Buffalo rat liver cells

Gap junctions mediate direct communication between cells; however, toxicological cascade triggered by nonessential metals can abrogate cellular signaling mediated by gap junctions. Although cadmium (Cd) is known to induce apoptosis in organs and tissues, the mechanisms that underlie gap junction activity in Cd-induced apoptosis in BRL 3A rat liver cells has yet to be established. In this study, we showed that Cd treatment decreased the cell index (a measure of cellular electrical impedance) in BRL 3A cells. Mechanistically, we found that Cd exposure decreased expression of connexin 43 (Cx43), increased expression of p-Cx43 and elevated intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, corresponding to a decrease in gap junctional intercellular communication. Gap junction blockage pretreatment with 18β-glycyrrhizic acid (GA) promoted Cd-induced apoptosis, involving changes in expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and the mitochondrial transmembrane electrical potential (Δψm). Additionally, GA was found to enhance ERK and p38 activation during Cd-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, but had no significant effect on JNK activation. Our results indicated the apoptosis-related proteins and the ERK and p38 signaling pathways may participate in gap junction blockage promoting Cd-induced apoptosis in BRL 3A cells.

Involvement of the Ca2+ signaling pathway in osteoprotegerin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and maturation

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Ca2+ signaling pathway is involved in the ability of osteoprotegerin (OPG) to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and maturation. RAW264.7 cells were incubated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) + receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) to stimulate osteoclastogenesis and then treated with different concentrations of OPG, an inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i and phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the different treatment groups were measured by flow cytometry and Western blotting, respectively. The results confirmed that M-CSF + RANKL significantly increased [Ca2+]i and CaMKII phosphorylation in osteoclasts (p < 0.01), and that these effects were subsequently decreased by OPG treatment. Exposure to specific inhibitors of the Ca2+ signaling pathway revealed that these changes varied between the different OPG treatment groups. Findings from the present study indicated that the Ca2+ signaling pathway is involved in both the regulation of osteoclastogenesis as well as inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and activation by OPG.

Cadmium induces apoptosis in primary rat osteoblasts through caspase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) induces apoptosis in osteoblasts (OBs); however, little information is available regarding the specific mechanisms of Cd-induced primary rat OB apoptosis. In this study, Cd reduced cell viability, damaged cell membranes and induced apoptosis in OBs. We observed decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potentials, ultrastructure collapse, enhanced caspase-3 activity, and increased concentrations of cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 following Cd treatment. Cd also increased the phosphorylation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in OBs. Pretreatment with the caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126), p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) abrogated Cd-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Cd-treated OBs exhibited signs of oxidative stress protection, including increased antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase levels and decreased formation of reactive oxygen species. Taken together, the results of our study clarified that Cd has direct cytotoxic effects on OBs, which are mediated by caspase- and MAPK pathways in Cd-induced apoptosis of OBs.

Portable pneumatic automatic tourniquet for war injury of limbs / 医疗卫生装备

Utilizing micro-pump and under the control of SCM,the tourniquet can automatically control antimemorrhagic pressure,antimemorrhagic time and loosing time.It is suitable for the automatic hemostasis of limbs.There are two working modes for medical service staff to select including air automatic inflation & releasing mode and manual air releasing mode.A new design of the sleeve bandage enable the wounded arms and legs use the same tourniquet.It is easy and convenient to release and repressurizing,which is suitable for the wounded to self operated.

EFFECTS OF 1?,25(OH)_2D_3 ON THE EXPRESSION OF RECEPTOR ACTIVATOR OF NF-?B LIGAND AND OSTEOPROTEGERIN IN RAT OSTEOBLASTS IN VITRO / 营养学报

Objective To investigate the effect of 1?,25-dihy-droxyvitamin D3 (1?,25(OH)2D3) on the expression of receptor activator of NF-?B ligand (RANKL),osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL mRNA,OPG mRNA,of rat osteobalsts (OB). Method The expression of RANKL and OPG was detected by the method of Immunohistochemistry and ELISA. RANKL mRNA and OPG mRNA were determined through FQ-PCR. Results Compared with the control group and the group with 1 nmol/L 1?,25(OH)2D3,10 and 100 nmol/L 1?,25(OH)2D3 can significantly induce the expression of RANKL and RANKL mRNA. 1,10 nmol/L 1?,25(OH)2D3 can stimulate the expression of OPG and OPG mRNA significantly,while 100 nmol/L 1?,25(OH)2D3 can inhibit the expression of OPG mRNA significantly. There were no difference in the rate of RANKL/OPG and RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA between the control group and the group with 1 nmol/L 1?,25(OH)2D3,however the rate of RANKL/OPG and RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA in the group with 10,100 nmol/L were higher than the control group and the group with 1 nmol/L 1?,25(OH)2D3. Conclusion Lower dosage of 1?,25(OH)2D3 (1 nmol/L) had no significant effect on bone turnover,but higher dosage of 1?,25(OH)2D3 (10,100 nmol/L) can enhance bone turnover through facilitating the formation and activity of osteoclasts via enhancing RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA and RANKL/OPG..

EFFECT OF 1?,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D_3 ON CYTOSKELETON,GAP JUNCTION INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATION AND [Ca~(2+)]_i OF OSTEOBLASTS / 营养学报

Objective To study the effect of 1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25-(OH)2D3] on cytoskeleton,gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in osteoblasts (OB) in vitro. Method OB were isolated from calvaria bone. After 20 min and after 24 h treated by 1,25-(OH)2 VD3 (0,10-9,10-8,10-7 mol/L),[Ca2+]i was evaluated. F-actin and GJIC were observed after 24 and 48 h incubation later. Results Compared with the control group,[Ca2+]i in all 1,25-(OH)2 D3 groups was increased significantly at 20 min. [Ca2+]i in 10-9 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 group was the lowest at 24 h after treatment. OB in 10-8 and 10-7 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 groups were flat,and stress fibers were formed. The expression of F-actin in control group and 10-9 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 group was reduced at 48 h after treatment. Compared with the control group,GJIC was weakened very significantly after treated with 10-9 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 48 h,but enhanced very significantly in the group with 10-8 and 10-7 mol/L. Conclusion Higher dosage of 1,25-(OH)2D3 can maintain the morphology of OB and stimulate the communication among OB,but lower dosage can inhibit it.