IL-5 blocks apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by Abeta25-35 peptide in PC12 cells

The primary features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are extracellular amyloid plaques consisting mainly of deposits of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Sets of evidence suggest that interleukin-5 (IL-5) is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Herein, we investigated the protective role of IL-5 in PC12 cells, to provide new insights into understanding this disease. Western blot was employed to assess the protein levels of Bax and phospho-tau as well as phospho-JAK2; MTT assay was performed to decipher cell viability. Treatment of IL-5 decreased Aβ25-35-induced tau phosphorylation and apoptosis, effects blunted by JAK2 inhibition. IL-5 prevents Aβ25-35-evoked tau protein hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis through JAK2 signaling (AU)

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IL-5 blocks apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by Aß25-35 peptide in PC12 cells.

The primary features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are extracellular amyloid plaques consisting mainly of deposits of amyloid ß (Aß) peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Sets of evidence suggest that interleukin-5 (IL-5) is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Herein, we investigated the protective role of IL-5 in PC12 cells, to provide new insights into understanding this disease. Western blot was employed to assess the protein levels of Bax and phospho-tau as well as phospho-JAK2; MTT assay was performed to decipher cell viability. Treatment of IL-5 decreased Aß25-35-induced tau phosphorylation and apoptosis, effects blunted by JAK2 inhibition. IL-5 prevents Aß25-35-evoked tau protein hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis through JAK2 signaling.

Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits hepatitis B virus via farnesoid X receptor alpha.

Plants possess various natural antiviral properties. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, inhibits a variety of viruses. However, the clinical application of EGCG is currently hindered by a scarcity of information on its molecular mechanism of action. In the present study, we examined the anti-HBV (hepatitis B virus) effects of catechins from green tea at the transcriptional and antigen-expression levels, as well as the associated molecular mechanisms, because HBV-associated liver diseases have become a key public health issue due to their serious impact on human physical and mental health. By using fluorescence quenching and affinity binding, we demonstrated that EGCG is an important transcriptional regulator of the HBV genome, which it achieves by interacting with farnesoid X receptor alpha (FXRα). Luciferase assay showed that EGCG effectively inhibited the transcription of the HBV promoter dose-dependently when expression plasmids of FXRα and retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) were co-transfected into HEK293 cells. These results indicate that the downregulation of the HBV antigen and the decrease in the transcriptional activation of the HBV EnhII/core promoter by FXRα/RXRα are mainly due to the interaction between EGCG and FXRα. Therefore, EGCG, an antagonist of FXRα in liver cells, has the potential to be employed as an effective anti-HBV agent.

Two novel carbazole dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells with open-circuit voltages up to 1 V based on Br(-)/Br(3)(-) electrolytes.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on two novel carbazole dyes (TC301 and TC306) and a Br(-)/Br(3)(-) redox mediator in dried CH(3)CN solutions as electrolytes yielded a V(oc) of 1.156 V and a eta value of 3.68% and a V(oc) of 0.939 V and a eta value of 5.22% under simulated AM 1.5, respectively. The dyes TC301 and TC306 have more positive HOMO levels (1.59 and 1.38 V vs NHE) than the redox potential of Br(-)/Br(3)(-)-based electrolytes, which have sufficient driving force to regenerate dyes. Under similar conditions with an I(-)/I(3)(-) instead of a Br(-)/Br(3)(-) redox mediator, DSCs sensitized by the dyes TC301 and TC306 produced a V(oc) of 0.696 V and a eta value of 2.36% and a V(oc) of 0.621 V and a eta value of 4.10%, respectively.

[Fast 2-dimension scanning and line-scanning of intracellular Ca2+ transients in cardiac myocytes].

AIM: Fast 2-dimension scanning and line-scanning of confocal imaging were employed for measurement of cardiac Ca2+ transients, and the advantages and disadvantages about these two scannings were discussed. METHODS: Single adult SD rat cardiac myocytes were made freshly and loaded with fluo4-AM. Intracellular Ca2+ was imaging by the LSMS10 META system. The Ca2+ transients were evoked by electrical field stimulation from an electronic stimulator which was triggered to work synchronically with the confocal imaging system. RESULTS: Fast 2-dimension scanning showed the global Ca2+ signal clearly, which would be more helpful especially in monitoring a cell of Ca2+ overload or in other pathological conditions. And the images could be packaged into a vivid animation, which showed the process of Ca2+ transients and cell contraction visually and virtually. Line-scanning showed the Ca2+ transients in good temporal and spacial resolutions along the long axis of the cell. And the dynamic shortening of the cell length could be used for indicating the contraction of the cell. Data from line-scanning would be helpful for drawing some more exact conclusions. CONCLUSION: In general, fast 2-dimension scanning and line-scanning could work reciprocally to show a more perfect picture of the intracellular Ca2+ transients in cardiac myocytes.