ObjectiveTo establisht a gut microbiota mice model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and its evaluation.MethodsThe mice received FMT from healthy individuals, COPD Ⅰ-Ⅱ subjects, or COPD Ⅲ–Ⅳ subjects. After microbiota depletion, the FMT was performed by a single oral administration of 100 μL per mouse every other day, for a total of 14 times in 28 days. On the 29th day, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed, the gut microbiota of mice before and after FMT was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the mice model were evaluated.ResultsThe operational taxonomic units, Chao 1 and Shannon indexes of mice all decreased significantly after antibiotic treatment (P<0.001), but increased significantly after FMT from healthy individuals, COPD Ⅰ-Ⅱ subjects, or COPD Ⅲ–Ⅳ subjects (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in the guts of the mice in the healthy human FMT group, COPD Ⅰ-Ⅱ FMT group and COPD Ⅲ-Ⅳ FMT group were significantly different from those of the control group who only received phosphate buffer saline instead of FMT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The auxiliary T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were higher, but B lymphocytes decreased in the peripheral blood of the mice in the COPD Ⅰ-Ⅱ FMT group and COPD Ⅲ-Ⅳ FMT group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).ConclusionFMT can successfully establish a COPD gut microbiota research model.
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) in induction of murine skin allograft tolerance. Methods At the age of 8-12 weeks, inbred female BALB/C (H-2d) mice (n=45) and CBA/N (H-2k)mice (n=15) were used as transplantation donors and C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice (n=60) as recipients. Recipients C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were randomized into 4 groups (n=15). In group A, 1 cm × 1 cm Wolfe-Krause skin graft was excised from the back of BALB/C (H-2d) mice and hypoderma was scraped off aseptically, and then transplanted to the back of C57BL/6 (H-2b)mice. The method of skin transplantation in the other 3 groups was the same as to group A. In group B, C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were treated with imcompleted Freund’s adjuvant (IFA) administration into the back 2 weeks before transplantation of BALB/C (H-2d) mice skin. In group C, C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were administered HSP60 emulsified in IFA into the back 2 weeks before transplantation of BALB/C (H-2d) mice skin. In group D, C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were treated with HSP60 emulsified in IFA into the back and followed by skin transplantation of CBA/N (H-2k) mice 2 weeks later. The delayed type hypersensitivity was determined 7 days after transplantation. One-way mixed lymphocyte reaction, the concentration of cytokines in the mixed lymphocyte reaction culture supernatant was determined 7 days and 25 days after transplantation. The survival time of skin allograft was observed. Results The survival time of skin allograft in groups A, B, C and D was 12.4 ± 0.5, 11.6 ± 0.8, 29.3 ± 2.6 and 27.6 ± 2.1 days, respectively. There was significant difference between groups A, B and groups C, D (P﹤0.05), while there was no significant difference between group A and group B as well as between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). The counts of per minute impulse (cpm) of mixed lymphocyte reaction 7 days after transplantation in groups A, B, C and D was 12 836 ± 1 357, 11 876 ±1 265, 6 581 ± 573 and 6 843 ± 612, respectively. There was significant difference between groups A, B and group C and group D (P lt; 0.05), while there was no significant difference between group A and group B as well as between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). The cpm of mixed lymphocyte reaction at 25 days after transplantation in group A, B, C and D was 13 286 ±1 498, 12 960 ± 1 376, 11 936 ± 1 265 and 12 374 ± 1269, respectively. There was no significant difference among 4 groups (P gt;0.05).The concentration of IL-10 in the mixed lymphocyte reaction culture supernatant in groups C, D were higher than that in groups A, B, and IL-2 and IFN-γ were lower than that in groups A, B 7 days after transplantation (P lt; 0.05), while there was no significant difference between group A and group B as well as between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in cytokines among the 4 groups 25 days after transplantation (P gt; 0.05). The delayed type hypersensitivity in groups A, B, C and D 7 days after transplantation was 0.84 ± 0.09, 0.81 ± 0.07, 0.43 ± 0.05 and 0.46 ± 0.03 mm, respectively. There was significant differences between groups A, B and groups C, D (P lt; 0.05). While there was no significant difference between group A and group B as well as between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion HSP60 may play a role in induction and maintenance of murine skin allograft tolerance.
Objective Isoflurane has an acute preconditioning effectiveness against ischemia in kidney, but this beneficial effectiveness can only last for 2-3 hours. To investigate whether isoflurane produces delayed preconditioningagainst renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and whether this process is mediated by hypoxia inducible factor 1α(HIF- 1α). Methods A total of 52 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=13 in each group): the controlgroup (group A), PBS/isoflurane treated group (group B), scrambled small interference RNA (siRNA)/isoflurane treated group (group C), and HIF-1α siRNA/isoflurane treated group (group D). In groups C and D, 1 mL RNase-free PBS containing 50 μg scrambled siRNA or HIF-1α siRNA was administered via tail vein 24 hours before gas exposure, respectively. Equivalent RNasefree PBS was given in groups A and B. Then the mice in groups B, C, and D were exposed to 1.5% isoflurne and 25%O2 for 2 hours; while the mice in group A received 25%O2 for 2 hours. After 24 hours, 5 mice in each group were sacrificed to assesse the expressions of HIF-1α and erythropoietin (EPO) in renal cortex by Western blot. Renal I/R injury was induced with bilateral renal pedicle occlusion for 25 minutes followed by 24 hours reperfusion on the other 8 mice. At the end of reperfusion, the serum creatinine (SCr), the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the histological grading were measured. Results The expressions of HIF-1α and EPO in groups B and C were significantly higher than those in group A (P lt; 0.01). The concentrations of SCr and BUN in groups B and C were significantly lower than those in group A, as well as the scores of tubules (P lt; 0.01), and the injury of kidney was amel iorated noticeably in groups B and C. The expressions of HIF-1α and the concentrations of SCr and BUN in group D were significantly lower than those in group A (P lt; 0.01). Compared with groups B and C, the expression of HIF- 1α and EPO in group D decreased markedly (P lt; 0.01), the concentrations of SCr and BUN were increased obviously, as well asthe scores of tubules (P lt; 0.01), and the renal injury was aggratived significantly. Conclusion Isoflurane produces delayed preconditioning against renal I/R injury, and this beneficial effectiveness may be mediated by HIF-1α.
ObjectiveTo observe the anticancer efficacy of ginsenoside Rg3 on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. MethodsMice colorectal cell line (CT26) was incubated in 96-well plates (3×103-4×103 per well) with various concentrations of ginsenoside Rg3 (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 μg/mL) for 24 hours and 48 hours. 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-dipheny 1-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay was used to detect the inhibitory rate of cells. Xenograft models were established by subcutaneous implantation of CT26 cells into BABL/c mice. Each mouse was injected with 1×107 cells suspended in serum-free medium. Xenograft mice were randomized into four groups: physiological saline group, ginsenoside Rg3 5 mg/kg group, ginsenoside Rg3 10 mg/kg group, and ginsenoside Rg3 20 mg/kg group. Ginsenoside Rg3 was administrated to mice by intragastric gavage. All animals were observed for activity, body weight, tumor size, survival time, mental state and adverse effect of ginsenoside Rg3. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was used for comparing necrosis rate among groups. ResultsThe inhibitory rates of cells were increasing following the elevating concentrations of ginsenoside Rg3. The anti-proliferation effect of ginsenoside Rg3 for 48 hours was weaker than the anti-proliferation effect for 24 hours. The decrease of mice body weight was slower than physiological saline group after administration of ginsenoside Rg3, and the number of mice with worse physiological state, lack of activity and loss of appetite in physiological saline group were more than that in ginsenoside Rg3 groups. However, these results among four groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). There were no obvious adverse effects of ginsenoside Rg3 found during the whole study. The necrosis rate of physiological saline group, Rg3 10 mg/kg group and Rg3 20 mg/kg group was 20%, 60% and 80% respectively. ConclusionGinsenoside Rg3, as a single agent, still has anticancer activity. The anticancer efficacy is increasing following the elevating concentrations of ginsenoside Rg3. Ginsenoside Rg3 is a dose dependent agent.
ObjectiveTo determine the signal pathway of specifically expressed oncostatin M(OSM) in lens inducing retinal degeneration in transgenic mice.MethodsA sequence-truncated OSM cDNA (661 bp) of mice was linked to αA-crytallin promoter, and was micro-injected into unicellular embryo to set up the model of transgenic mice. Reversal transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of gp130/OSMRβ receptor in the retinae of OSM transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Rabbit anti-phosphorylated STAT-3 antibody was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated STAT-3，and mouse anti-cytochrome C antibody was used to detect the distributing of cytochrome C in retinae. ResultsExpression of gp130/OSMRβmRNA was found in retina of non-transgenic mice. At the 17.5th day in the embryonic stage, significant accumulation of the phosphorylated STAT-3 was detected in the retinal nucleolus in OSM transgenic retina. At the first day after birth, intensive staining of cytochrome C in OSM transgenic retina was found. Conclusionsspecifically expressed OSM in lens may act on gp130/OSMRβ receptor in retinae, activate STAT-3, and cause the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, which eventually induces widespread retinal degeneration.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:167-169)
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in C57BL/6J mice with status epilepticus by observing the changes of hippocampal subtle neuron pathology and apoptosis.MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were used to prepare epileptic status models of lithium-pilocarpine mice, and then 7-day electroacupuncture stimulation (Baihui, Fengfu) were given to the mice model. Open field experiment and new object recognition experiment were performed to observe the changes of cognitive abilities. The pathological changes of hippocampal neurons were detected by HE staining. Hippocampal apoptosis protein (Caspase-3) and microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Effect of electroacupuncture on apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in C57BL/6J mice with status epilepticus were recorded.Results① Compared with the control group, the vertical movement, modification times, and number of crossings of the model group all decreased significantly (P<0.000 1,P<0.000 1,P<0.000 1), and their cognitive ability decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, vertical movements, modification times, and number of crossings were increased in the electroacupuncture (EA) group (P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05), and the cognitive ability of new objects was increased (P<0.01). ② HE staining showed that the model group had significant damage to the hippocampal neurons of mice, and the cells swelled, nuclear collapsed and vacuoles appeared. In the EA group, the injury of hippocampal neurons was alleviated, and cell edema and vacuolization were alleviated. ③ Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the control group, the IOD of the Caspase-3 positive cells in the hippocampus of the model group increased significantly (P<0.000 1), and the IOD of the MAP-2 positive cells decreased significantly (P<0.01); Compared with the electroacupuncture, the IOD of the Caspase-3 positive cells in the hippocampus of the mice decreased (P<0.05), and the IOD of the MAP-2 positive cells increased (P<0.05).ConclusionsElectroacupuncture can improve the pathological changes of hippocampal neurons in C57BL/6J mice with status epilepticus, promote cytoskeletal repair, reduce neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus, and antagonize the damage of hippocampal neurons induced by status epilepticus.
Objective To evaluate the effects and the molecular mechanism of Liuwei dihuang pills in preventing steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) so as to provide an expremental basis for preventing ONFH cl inically. Methods Thirty-six adult Kunming mice (weighing 40-50 g, 46 g on average) were randomly divided into three groups (n=12): group A (control group), group B (model group) and group C (prevention group). In groups B and C, ONFHmice models were produced by intraperitoneal injection of horse serum at first (10 mL/kg) and a second injection of horse serum intraperitoneally (5 mL/kg) and prednisolone intramuscularly [45 mL/(kg•day), for 5 days] 2 weeks later. At the same time, the mice in group C were given Liuwei dihuang pills intragastrically [2 g/(kg•day)] and were given normal sal ine [10 mL/(kg•day)] in group B. In group A, mice were given normal sal ine intramuscularly and intragastrically as controls. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, and 8 weeks after first treatment with prednisone, and femoral heads and l ivers were harvested to do histopathology analysis and apoptosis assay. Results Other mice survived throughout the experiment period except two death at 7 and 11 days after second injection of horse serum intraperitoneally in group B and one death at 24 hours after second injection of horse serum intraperitoneally in group C. The appearance and shape of the femoral head and the surface of cartilages were all normal. The histological observation showed: normal structures of l iver and femoral head were seen in group A at each time point; swell ing l iver cells with small fat vacuole, unclear structure of hepatic cords and narrower sinus hepaticus were seen, the bone trabeculae of femoral head was thin, sparse and collapsed in some regions and the changes became more obvious with time in group B; group C had similar results to group A. The percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae was significantly higher in group B than in groups A and C (P lt; 0.01). The osteoprotegrin expression significantly decreased and the osteoprotegrin l igand expressionsignificantly increased in group B when compared with groups A and C (P lt; 0.01). Apoptosis analysis showed that the apoptosis index in group B was significantly higher than that in groups A and C (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Liuwei dihuang pills can prevent steroid-induced ONFH by improving l ipid metabol ism, releiving bone lesion, and protecting against cell death.
Objective The biological effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) may be different under different intensities and durations. To investigate the impact of sustained increasing FGF signal upon the development of epiphyseal plate. Methods Epiphyseal plates cultured in vitro were obtained from embryonic C57BL/6J mice, and were divided into control group (0.1% DMSO), basic FGF (bFGF) group (100 μg/L bFGF and 0.1% DMSO), and PD98059 group (100 μg/L bFGF and 50 μmol/L PD98059 with 0.1% DMSO). The total length (TL) and ossified tissue length (OSL) of the cultured bones weremeasured with Calcein staining 6 days after culture. The expressions of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), collagen type II (Col II), and Col X genes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantative PCR 7 days after culture. Results The embryonic bones cultured in vitro continued growth. At 6 days after culture, there was no significant difference in increased percentage of TL between bFGF group and control group (P gt; 0.05), the increased percentage of OSL in bFGF group was significantly less than that in control group (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the increased percentage of TL and OSL between PD98059 group and control group (P gt; 0.05), but they were significantly higher than those of bFGF group (P lt; 0.05). At 7 days after culture, the gene expressions of Ihh, Col II, and Col X in bFGF group significantly decreased when compared with those in control group (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the gene expressions of Col II and Col X between PD98059 group and control group (P gt; 0.05), but the gene expressions were significantly higher than those of bFGF group (P lt; 0.05); the expression of Ihh in PD98059 group was significantly higher than that in control group and bFGF group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Sustained increasing FGF signal may affect the Col II and Col X expressions by down-regulating Ihh, which may lead to the development retardation of epiphyseal plate cultured in vitro. The external signal regulated kinase pathway may play an important role in the process.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) differentiating into corneal epithelium-like cells after transfection with Pax6 gene. MethodsThe adipose tissue from bilateral inguinal of healthy C57BL/6 mice (5-6 weeks old) was used to isolate and culture ADMSCs.The 3rd passage ADMSCs were subjected to treatments of non-transfection (group A),pcDNA3.1 empty vector transfection (group B),and recombinant plasmid of pcDNA3.1-Pax6 transfection (group C),respectively.At 48 hours after transfection,the cells in groups B and C were selected with G418.The cell morphology changes were observed under the inverted microscope.Pax6 protein and level of corneal epithelial cells specific molecular-cytokeratin 12 (CK-12) were measured by Western blot.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was applied to measure the mRNA expression of CK-12. ResultsNo morphology change was observed in groups A and B.Two different cell clones were found in group C.No.1 selected clone showed a flagstone-like appearance that was similar to that of corneal epithelial cells;No.2 selected clone showed a net-like appearance,with 3-7 cell processes.The Western blot results showed the Pax6 protein expression in 2 clones of group C,but no expression in groups A and B; and CK-12 protein expression was only observed in No.1 selected clone of group C,and no expression in the others.The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the CK-12 mRNA expression level of No.1 selected clone of group C was 8.64±0.73,which was significantly higher than that of No.2 selected clone of group C (0.55±0.42),group B (1.36±0.40),and group A (1.00±0.00) (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among groups A,B and No.2 selected clone of group C (P>0.05). ConclusionPax6 gene transfection could induce differentiation of ADMSCs into corneal epithelium-like cells which express CK-12 at both the mRNA and protein levels.This result provides a promising strategy of generating corneal epithelilcm-like cells for construction of tissue engineered cornea.
Objective To induce embryonic stem cell (ESC) to differentiate into endothel ioid cells using a simple adhesive culture method, and to provide a new cells seed source for vascular tissue engineering or cell therapy. Methods SV129-derived ESC were seeded at 2 × 104/cm2 and maintained undifferentiated on ESC culture medium in the presence of 1 000 U/mL leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Embryoid body (EB) formatted when ESC cultured in suspension in the lack of LIF. At 4 days, EB was transferred to 0.1% gelatin coated dish and cultured with medium supplementary of VEGFto be induced differentiation. The characteristics of differentiated cells were determined by immunohistochemistry staining, flow cytometry (FCM), 1, 1-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3, 3-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine-labeled acetylated low density l ipoprotein (DiIAc- LDL) takeup test, and TEM detection. Results Differentiated cells were morphologically characterized as endothel ial cells. They could takeup DiI-Ac-LDL, be stained positive by Flk-1 and CD31. The CD31 positive cells reached above 90% when measured by FCM. Furthermore, Weibel-Palade bodies were detected and tight junctions were found when differentiated cells were examined by TEM. Conclusion Using a simple adhesive culture method and by suppl ied with VEGF alone, ESCs can be induced to differentiate into endothel ioid cells. The differentiation method is simple and economic, and can provide seed cells for vascular tissue engineering or cell-therapy.