ABSTRACT
For studying the expression and distribution of angiotensinogen (AGT), the C-teminus of rat AGT gene was expressed in E.coli. Rabbits were immunized with expressed AGT protein and sera from different rabbits were raised. ELISA showed a high titre (1:25600) of the antiserum. With the antiserum, Western blotting recognized not only the prokaryotic expressed AGT, but also the endogenous AGT protein in liver tissue of both rats and humans. Using this antiserum, immunohistochemistry showed the expression of AGT protein in islet cells of human pancreas as well as in epithelium of human bile duct. These results suggest that the prokaryotic expressed AGT protein is an effective immunogen for the preparation of anti-AGT antiserum. Our present work provides an important tool for study of the pathophysiological role of AGT as well as local renin-angiotensin system.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Rabbits , Rats , Angiotensinogen , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Escherichia coli , Genetics , Metabolism , Immune Sera , Allergy and Immunology , Immunization , Recombinant Proteins , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Renin-Angiotensin System , PhysiologyABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of daily 4-h head up tilt (HUT) in preventing the structural changes in arteries from rats induced by tail-suspension (TS). TS rat model was used to simulate the physiological effects of microgravity. Daily 4-h HUT was used to simulate the effect of intermittent artificial gravity (IAG). The results showed that TS alone induced an increase in the vessel media layer cross-sectional area (CSA), media wall thickness (T), mean number of smooth muscle cell layers (NCL) in basilar artery, and a decrease in these parameters in anterior tibial artery. Both the hypertrophic and atrophic changes in these arteries that might occur due to TS alone can be prevented by a 4h/d HUT treatment.
