[The Effect of Interference of NLRP3 with shRNA on AGEs-induced Inflammatory Response in Myocardial Cell].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the effect of silence of NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced myocardial injury. METHODS: The myocardial injury model was indued by AGEs. NLRP3 was silenced by shRNA. H9c2 cells were divided into four groups: H9c2 (control group); AGEs group; AGEs+sh-Ctrl group; AGEs+sh-NLRP3 group. The latter two groups of cells will first shRNA control (sh-Ctrl) and shRNA-NLRP3 (sh-NLRP3) plasmids were transfected into H9c2 cells, the last 3 cells were then treated for 24 h with 100 mg/L AGEs, establishment of H9c2 damage model, control cells were treated with solvent for 24 h; Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst33258 staining. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 and IL-1ß were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), Caspase-3, Caspase-9, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65 and p-P65 were tested by Western blot. The nuclear NF-κB P65 levels were detected by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: The expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in AGEs group and AGEs+sh-Ctrl group was higher than control group ( P<0.05). Compared with AGEs group, the expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in AGEs+sh-NLRP3 group was decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with control group, the apoptosis and the levels of IL-6, IL-18 and IL-1ß in AGEs group and AGEs+sh-Ctrl group were elevated ( P<0.05). The apoptosis and the levels of IL-6, IL-18 and IL-1ß in AGEs+sh-NLRP3 group were lower than those of AGEs group ( P<0.05). The phosphorylation of NF-κB P65 and nuclear NF-κB P65 in AGEs group and AGEs+sh-Ctrl group were higher than control group ( P<0.05). Compared with AGEs group, the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65 and nuclear NF-κB P65 in AGEs+sh-NLRP3 group were reduced ( P<0.05). Conlusion Silencing of NLRP3 inflammasome alleviates AGEs-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response in myocardial cell via inhibiting NF-κB P65 activation.

Mitochondrial tRNAMet mutation is associated with clinical and biochemical characteristics in primary hypertension.

Mitochondrial DNA mutations have been increasingly associated with various diseases. An association between the mitochondrial tRNA gene mutation, tRNAMet, and primary hypertension has been suggested. In the present study, the association between the tRNAMet mutation and the development of primary hypertension was investigated by assessing clinical and biological indicators in 800 patients with primary hypertension. General [gender, age, age of onset, body mass index (BMI) and family history] and clinical data (routine blood counts, blood biochemistry profiles and color Doppler echocardiography) were obtained. Venous blood samples were drawn from all the subjects for the separation of white blood cells (WBCs) and DNA extraction. Mitochondrial tRNAMet was amplified using PCR, purified and sequenced; samples identified to have a mutation were sequenced in triplicate for validation. Comparisons were made between 7 hypertensive patients with mutations (0.875%) and 10 age-, gender- and medication­matched hypertensive patients without mutations (controls). A maternal history of hypertension was present in 57.1% of patients with tRNAMet mutations and only 20.0% of patients without mutations. Notably, tRNAMet mutations were associated with a significantly earlier age of hypertension onset, decreased red blood cell (RBC) counts and hemoglobin (Hb) levels and increased total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high­density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose levels (all P<0.05). Heart structure and function differences were also assessed between the two groups. In conclusion, mitochondrial tRNAMet mutations may induce changes in tRNA structure and function, which contributes to the pathogenesis of primary hypertension by disturbing blood lipid metabolism, the steady state of blood cells and cardiac structure and function.

[Significance of miR-155, miR-34a and miR-30a expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expressions of miR-155, miR-34a and miR-30a in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and to explore their potential correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: The expression level of miR-155, miR-34a and miR-30a in 46 DLBCL samples were determined with TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH) was performed to detect MYC and p53 genes' status, and immunohistochemistry (Envision method) was used to evaluate the expression of CD3, CD10, CD20, BCL-6 and MUM-1 in DLBCL. The DLBCLs were classified into germinal center B cell-like (GCB) and non germinal center B cell-like (non-GCB) subtypes according to Hans' criteria. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, miR-155 expression level was significantly higher in DLBCL. The expression level of miR-155 in non-GCB type was higher than that in GCB type. It was shown that the patients with MYC rearrangement had lower expression level of miR-155 than the negative controls. Compared with p53 normal group, the expression level of miR-34a was significantly lower in p53 deletion group. It was also shown that the patients with BCL-6 protein expression had lower expression of miR-30a compared with the negative group. CONCLUSION: miR-155 expression level is different in normal controls, DLBCL and patients with subtype DLBCL. It therefore has a diagnosis value for DLBCL. miR-34a is of great prognostic significance. miR-155, miR-34a and miR-30a may be potential therapy targets for DLBCL.

Correlation of von Willebrand factor gene polymorphism and coronary heart disease.

To characterize von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene polymorphisms at site A1381T and the correlation of plasma vWF levels with coronary heart disease, the vWF genotypes at site A1381T were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease and normal controls (n=110 per group), and plasma vWF levels were measured by enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that the plasma vWF levels were higher in the experimental group than in the control group and had no association with gender (t=11.69, p<0.05). In the experimental group, the plasma vWF levels were higher in the patients with the AG genotype than in those with the GG genotype (p<0.05). In the control group, the plasma vWF levels of the subjects with blood type O were significantly lower than those of the individuals with other blood types (p<0.05). In the experimental group, all blood types had significantly higher plasma vWF levels than the control group and the difference was significant among different blood types (p<0.05). In summary, vWF gene polymorphisms at site A1381T were not associated with coronary heart disease, but plasma vWF levels were influenced by vWF gene polymorphisms at site A1381T, blood type and coronary heart disease.

Association study of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 gene polymorphisms and coronary heart disease.

While a number of genetic and environmental risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) have been identified, the list of potential risk factors remains long. One candidate is dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH2), which is known to be polymorphic in humans. The gene product indirectly increases the endogenous production of nitric oxide, an anti-atherogenic molecule. Therefore, alterations in DDAH2 activity may indirectly result in an increased risk of CHD. We studied allele and genotype distributions for two polymorphic loci of DDAH2, rs805305 and rs2272592, in 180 patients with CHD and 180 healthy controls. Disease history and other clinical data were recorded. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the genotype at rs805305, and ligase detection reaction (LDR) was used to determine the genotype at rs2272592. Systolic blood pressure and blood triglyceride and glucose levels were higher, and history of hypertension, diabetes, smoking and alcohol use was more common in the patients with CHD (P<0.05). However, the genotype and allele frequencies at the two polymorphic loci of DDAH2 were not statistically different between the two groups. Therefore, no association was observed between the DDAH2 polymorphisms at rs805305 and rs2272592 and CHD.

[Effect of Astragalus mongholicus on inducing differentiations of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neurocyte-like cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differentiations of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neurocyte-like cells induced by Astragalus mongholicus. METHODS: We isolated the nucleated cells from rat bone marrows through gradient centrifugation, and cultured and purified the MSCs. The non-serum-L-DMEM containing Astragalus mongholicus was used to induce the differentiations of the MSCs into neurcyte-like cells. The morphologic changes of the differentiated cells were observed. The expressions of the nestin, neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immuncytochemistrical staining. The expressions of the Wnt-1 gene and neurogenin-1 (Ngn-1)gene were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The subculturing cells were fibroblast-like, with higher reproductive activities than the primary cells. The Astragalus mongholicus induced morphology changes of the MSCs. The immunocytochemistrical staining of Nestin, NSE and GFAP were positive. The MSCs became neuron-like and gliocyte-like cells. The Astragalus mongholicus also enhanced the expression of Wnt-1 gene and Ngn-1 gene. CONCLUSION: The MS(s can be isolated and cultured in vitro. and can differentiate into neurocyte-like and gliocyte-like cells. Wnt-1 gene and Ngn-1 gene play important regulatory roles during the differentiation of the rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to neurocyte-like cells.

[The expression of transforming growth factor beta1 and its I, II receptors in the development of rat embryo and embryonic lung].

AIM: To investigate the expression of TGFbeta1, TbetaRI, TbetaRII in the development of rat embryo and embryonic lung and discuss the interrelationship and function mechanisms between them. METHODS: Half-quantity RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were performed in studying these changes. RESULTS: Half-quantity RT-PCR demonstrated that the expressions of these three factors increased in the 13th-15th days and decreased in the 16th-17th days of the embryonic development. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TGFbeta1 was mainly expressed in the developing bronchus epithelial cells.Its receptors were obviously expressed in primitive pulmonary alveolus. CONCLUSION: TGFbeta1 and its receptors play an important regulatory role in the development of rat embryo and embryonic lung, especially in organic morphodifferentiation.

[Rosai-Dorfman disease: clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical and etiologic study of 16 cases].

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinicopathologic features of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), expression of various antigens, human herpes virus type 8 (HHV8), human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-mRNA, and compare the findings with those in the literature. METHODS: The clinicopathologic findings of 16 Rosai-Dorfman disease cases were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for S-100 protein, CD68 (PG-M1), CD163, CD21, CD1a, CD20, CD45RO, CD4, CD8, M-CSF and HHV8 was carried out in 9 of the 16 cases. In-situ hybridization for EBV-mRNA and HPV-DNA was also performed. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio of the patients was 4.33:1. Amongst the 16 cases studied, 62.5% (10/16) presented nodal RDD, with cervical lymph node predominantly involved. Half of these cases had affected lymph nodes in more than one anatomic site. Extranodal RDD represented 37.5% (6/16) of the cases. The relapse rate of extranodal RDD was higher than that of nodal RDD. Histologically, nodal RDD was characterized by dilated sinuses filled with large polygonal histiocytes which contained lymphocytes and plasma cells. For extranodal lesions, various degrees of stromal fibrosis were seen in association with mixed inflammatory cells (especially plasma cells). The large polygonal histiocytes varied in number and were distributed in clusters or patches. Immunohistochemical study showed that the abnormal histiocytes were strongly positive for S-100 protein. They also expressed CD68, CD163 and M-CSF, but were negative for CD1a, CD21 and HHV8. The lymphocytes in cytoplasm of these histiocytes were positive for both T and B cell markers (with T cell predominance, including a mixture of CD4- and CD8-positive cells). HPV-DNA and EBV-mRNA were not detected by in-situ hybridization. To date, 62 cases of RDD have been reported in mainland China, including 34 cases of nodal RDD and 18 cases of extranodal RDD. The remaining 10 cases involved both lymph nodes and extranodal sites. Compared with overseas reports, RDD occurring in China tended to affect older patients and with slight male predilection. CONCLUSIONS: Rosai-Dorfman disease is relatively rare in China. Pathologic diagnosis of extranodal RDD may be difficult. The demographic data of RDD in China, including age and sex of patients, are different from those in the literature.