Objective To observe the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells after 30% total burn surface area (TBSA) of deep partial thickness scald, and the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on angiogenesis during wound healing.Methods A total of 133 male Wistar ratswere divided randomly into normal control (n=7), injured control group (n=42), bFGF group (n=42) andanti-c-fos group (n=42). The apoptosis expression of fibroblasts was determinedwith in situ hybridization and the changes of proliferation cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), focal adhesion rinase(FAK), c-fos and extracellular signalregulated kinase(ERK) proteins expression were detected with immunohistochemistry staining technique after 3 hours, 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days and 21 days of scald.Results In injured control group and bFGF group, theproliferation rate of the vascular endothelial had evident changes 7 days and14 days after scald； the expression of FAK was increased 14 days after scald. ERK proteins expression was different between injury control group and bFGF group at initial stage after scald. Stimulation of ERKs by bFGF led to up-regulation of c-fos and b expression of FAK. Conclusion Exogenous bFGF extended the influence on wound healing process by ERK signaling pathway, affecting migration cascade of vascular endothelial cell. The oncogene proteins play an important role on accelerating angiogenesis duringwound healing.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) on the mitochondrial function and biological behavior in retinal vascular endothelial cells. MethodsThe experimental study was divided into two parts: in vivo animal experiment and in vitro cell experiment. In vivo animal experiments: 12 healthy C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetes group, with 6 mice in each group. Diabetes mice were induced by streptozotocin to establish diabetes model. Eight weeks after modeling, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to detect the expression of PAK4 in diabetic retinas. In vitro cell experiments: the human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) were divided into three groups: conventional cultured cells group (N group), empty vector transfected (Vector group); pcDNA-PAK4 eukaryotic expression plasmid transfected group (PAK4 group). WB and qPCR were used to detect transfection efficiency, while scratching assay, cell scratch test was used to detect cell migration in hRMEC of each group. In vitro white blood cell adhesion experiment combined with 4 ', 6-diamino-2-phenylindole staining was used to detect the number of white blood cells adhering to hRMEC in each group. The Seahorse XFe96 cell energy metabolism analyzer measures intracellular mitochondrial basal respiration, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, maximum respiration, and reserve respiration capacity. The t-test was used for comparison between the two groups. Single factor analysis of variance was used for comparison among the three groups. ResultsIn vivo animal experiments: compared with normal control group, the relative expression levels of PAK4 mRNA and protein in retina of diabetic mice were significantly increased, with statistical significance (t=25.372, 22.419, 25.372; P＜0.05). In vitro cell experiment: compared with the N group and Vector group, the PAK4 protein, mRNA relative expression and cell mobility in the hRMEC of PAK4 group were significantly increased, with statistical significance (F=36.821, 38.692, 29.421; P＜0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the adhesion number of leukocytes on hRMEC in PAK4 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (F=39.649, P＜0.01). Mitochondrial pressure measurement results showed that the capacity of mitochondrial basic respiration, ATP production, maximum respiration and reserve respiration in hRMEC in PAK4 group was significantly decreased, with statistical significance (F=27.472, 22.315, 31.147, 27.472; P＜0.05). ConclusionOver-expression of PAK4 impairs mitochondrial function and significantly promotes leukocyte adhesion and migration in retinal vascular endothelial cells.
Objective To observe the protective effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on high-mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) induced increased permeability of endothelial cells, and investigate the protective mechanism of UFH on HMGB1 induced defective expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Methods Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were culturedin vitro and divided into 4 groups (n=5), namely a control group, a HMGB1 group (100 ng/ml), a heparin group (UFH 10 U/ml), a HMGB1/heparin group (100 ng/ml HMGB1 + UFH 10 U/ml). Endothelial cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric method. Endothelial permeability was determination by Transwell chamber method. Immunofluorescence and laser confocal microscopy were used to assess the distribution of ZO-1. The protein expressions of tight junction protein ZO-1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were detected by Western blot. Results HMGB1 (100 ng/ml) had no inhibitory effect on endothelial cell viability (P＞0.05). UFH pretreatment could reduce the permeability increment of endothelial cells induced by HMGB1. UFH pretreatment could reduce the close loop reduction and damage of ZO-1 induced by HMGB1, enhance the fluorescence intensity and expression of ZO-1, and decrease the NF-κB translocation. Conclusions UFH can protect HMGB1-mediated defect of ZO-1 expression and increased permeability of the endothelial cells. The mechanism may be related to the decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of pipecolic acid oxidase (PIPOX) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of primary liver cancer cells. MethodsImmunohistochemical staining and analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to examine the PIPOX expression levels in liver cancer tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues, and studied their relationship with patient prognosis. Liver cancer cell lines stably overexpressing or knocking out PIPOX were constructed to explore PIPOX’s impact on liver cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion by conducting in vitro functional experiments such as CCK-8, EdU, apoptosis detection, and Transwell assays. In vivo, nude mice subcutaneous tumor models and lung metastasis models were used to verify PIPOX’s effect on liver cancer growth and metastasis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot were both employed to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in liver cancer cells. ResultsImmunohistochemical staining and TCGA database analysis revealed that PIPOX expression was significantly lower in liver cancer tissues compared to paired adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). Prognostic analysis indicated shorter overall survival and disease-free survival in PIPOX low expression group (P<0.05). In vitro gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that PIPOX significantly inhibited liver cancer cell migration and invasion (P<0.05), while having no significant effects on their proliferation and apoptosis (P>0.05). Animal experiments also confirmed that PIPOX significantly inhibited liver cancer lung metastasis (P<0.05), but had no significant effects on tumor growth (P>0.05). Finally, RT-qPCR and western blot results revealed that PIPOX promoted the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin (P<0.05) and inhibited the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail) (P<0.05). ConclusionsPIPOX significantly inhibits liver cancer cell migration and invasion, potentially via suppressing the EMT process. However, PIPOX does not significantly affect liver cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
To isolate and culture adi pose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), and to study the effects of the conditioned medium of ADSCs (ADSC-CM) treated with insul in on HaCaT cells. Methods ADSCs were isolated from adipose tissue donated by the patient receiving abdominal surgery and were cultured. The concentration of ADSCs at passage 3 was adjusted to 5 × 104 cells/mL. The cells were divided into 2 groups: group A in which the cells were incubated in 1 × 10-7 mol/ Linsul in for 3 days, and group B in which the cells were not treated with insul in. ADSC-CM in each group was collected 3 days after culture, then levels of VEGF and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). HaCaT cells were cultured and the cells at passage 4 were divided into 4 groups: group A1, 0.5 mL 2% FBS and 0.5 mL ADSC-CM from group A; group B1, 0.5 mL 2% FBS and 0.5 mL ADSC-CM from group B; group C1, 1 mL 2% FBS of 1 × 10-7 mol/ L insul in; group D1, 1 mL 2%FBS. Prol iferation of HaCaT cells was detected by MTT method 3 days after culture, apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells was measured by Annexin V-FITC double staining 12 hours after culture, and the migration abil ity was measured by in vitro wound-heal ing assay 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after culture. Results The level of VEGF in groups A and B was (643.28 ± 63.57) and (286.52 ± 46.68) pg/mL, respectively, and the level of HGF in groups A and B was (929.95 ± 67.52) and (576.61 ± 84.29) pg/mL, respectively, suggesting differences were significant between two groups (Plt; 0.05). Cell prol iferation detection showed the absorbance value of HaCaT cells in group A1, B1, C1 and D1 was 0.881 ± 0.039, 0.804 ± 0.041, 0.663 ± 0.027 and 0.652 ± 0.042, respectively, suggesting there was significant difference between groups A1 and B1 and groups C1 and D1 (P lt; 0.01), group A1 was significantly higher than group B1 (P lt; 0.05). The apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells in groups A1, B1, C1 and D1 was 5.23% ± 1.98%, 8.82% ± 2.59%, 31.70% ± 8.85% and 29.60% ± 8.41%, respectively, indicating there was significant difference between groups A1 and B1 and groups C1 and D1 (P lt; 0.05), group B1 was significantly higher than group A1 (P lt; 0.05). The migration distance of HaCaT cells in groups A1, B1,C1 and D1 at 36 hours was (0.184 6 ± 0.019 2), (0.159 8 ± 0.029 4), (0.059 2 ± 0.017 6) and (0.058 2 ± 0.012 3) mm, respectively, whereas at 48 hours, it was (0.231 8 ± 0.174 0), (0.205 1 ± 0.012 1), (0.079 2 ± 0.008 1) and (0.078 4 ± 0.011 7) mm, respectively, suggesting there were significant differences between groups A1 and B1 and groups C1 and D1 at 36 and 48 hours (P lt; 0.01), group A1 was significantly higher than group B1 (P lt; 0.05) at 36 and 48 hours, no significant difference was evident at other time points(P gt; 0.05). Conclusion ADSCs treated with insul in can significantly promote the prol iferation and the migration of HaCaT cells and inhibit their apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of thrombospondin-1 active fragment (TSP-1) synthetical peptide VR-10 on proliferation and migration of rhesus choroidal-retinal endothelial (RF/6A) cell and the expressions of apoptosis relative genes in RF/6A cell. MethodsThe survival rate of RF/6A cell were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium, and migration ability was measured by transwell chamber after exposure to 1.0 μg/ml TSP-1 and synthetic peptide VR-10 (0.1, 1.0, 10.0 μg/ml) for different times (6, 12, 24, 48 hours). Caspase-3 and factor associated suicide (FAS) protein levels were measured by Western blot. The mRNA level of bcl-2 and FAS ligand (FASL) were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ResultsThe survival rate of RF/6A cells was determined by the treatment time and concentration of TSP-1(1.0 μg/ml) and the synthetic peptide VR-10 (0.1, 1.0, 10.0 μg/ml). The lowest survival ratio of RF/6A was 78% (P < 0.001) when cells were treated by 10 μg/ml synthetic peptide VR-10 after 48 hours. TSP-1 and synthetic peptide VR-10 could inhibit migration of RF/6A cells in transwell chamber (P < 0.001). 10.0 μg/ml synthetic peptide VR-10 had the strongest effect, 1.0 μg/ml TSP-1 was the next. Migration inhibition rate was increase with the increase of the concentration of VR-10 (P < 0.001). There was no significant differences between 0.1 μg/ml and 1.0 μg/ml VR-10 (P=0.114). Western bolt showed that RF/6A cell in control group mainly expressed the 32×103 procaspase-3 forms. To 10.0 μg/ml VR-10 treated group, it showed decreased expression of procaspase-3 (32×103) and concomitant increased expression of its shorter proapoptotic forms (20×103). Compared with control group, expression of FAS peptides were significantly increased in 10.0 μg/ml VR-10 treated group. Compared with control group, expression of FasL mRNA was significantly increased in 10.0 μg/ml VR-10 treated group(t=39.365, P=0.001), but the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was decreased(t=-67.419, P=0.000). ConclusionTSP-1 and synthetic peptide VR-10 had the ability to inhibit proliferation and migration of endothelial cell, and also induce apoptosis by increasing FAS/FASL expression and repressing bcl-2 expression.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) on the proliferation and migration of endothelial progenitor-endothelial progenitor cells (EPC).MethodsBone marrow cells of AQP1 wild-type (WT) (n=6) and knockout-type (KO) mice (n=6) were isolated and differentiated into EPC in vitro. Immunofluorescence was used to detect cell surface antigens to identify EPC. Live cell kinetic imaging and quantification technology, transwell migration assays, as well as scratch test were used to compare the function of EPC between AQP1 WT and KO mice.ResultsEPC culture showed that cells were initially suspended and gradually adhered to typical mesenchymal stem cells within 7 days. After cultured on special medium for endothelial cells they were adhered and differentiated, and fusiform or polygonal, paving stone-like EPC were observed around 14 days. When cultured by special medium of EPC, CD133 and CD31 were positively detected after 7 days, and CD34 and Flk-1 were positively detected after 14 days. Positive expression of AQP1 was only detected in EPC of AQP1 WT mice. Functional studies of EPC revealed there was no significant difference in the proliferation of EPC between AQP1 WT and KO group mice. Transwell assay showed that EPC migration ability of AQP1 KO mice was significantly weaker than that of WT mice. The scratch healing ability of EPC in AQP1 KO mice was significantly lower than that of WT mice.ConclusionsEPC initially shows the characteristics of stem cells and with the prolongation of culture time, EPC gradually shows the characteristics of endothelial cells. AQP1 affects the EPC migration rather than proliferation.
ObjectiveTo explore the potential role of WNT6 in the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). MethodsMouse BMSCs were cultured to the cell fusion of 30%-50%, and divided into different groups. WNT6 knockdown included 3 experiment groups:cells transfected with WNT6 specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) (group A1), cells transfected with control shRNA group (group B1), and nontransfected cells (group C1). WNT6 over-expression included 3 groups:cells transfected with WNT6 recombinant plasmid (group A2), cells transfected with blank vector (group B2), and non-transfected cells (group C2). After transfection, the stably transfected cells were cultured for 48 hours. Cell morphology was observed under inverted microscope; real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to analyze WNT6 mRNA levels; Western blot was used to detect WNT6 and Ki67 protein expressions; cell proliferation was assayed by MTT method, and cell migration was detected by Transwell assay. After cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium for 12 days, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposits were detected by biochemical determination. ResultsThe inverted microscope observation showed that the cell morphology were similar among groups A1, B1, C1, and A2, B2, C2. The WNT6 mRNA and protein levels, Ki67 protein level, cell proliferation, cell migration, ALP activity, and calcium deposition in group A1 were all significantly lower than those in groups B1 and C1 (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups B1 and C1 (P>0.05). On the contrary, the above indexes in group A2 were all significantly higher than those in groups B2 and C2 (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown between groups B2 and C2 (P>0.05). ConclusionWNT6 can promote the proliferation and migration, as well as can enhance osteogenic differentiation ability in mouse BMSCs.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Wnt5a derived from tumor-associated fibroblasts （CAFs） on the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. MethodsThe differentially expressed genes Wnt5a between CAFs and normal gastric fibroblasts (NGFs) in gastric cancer tissues and their corresponding normal gastric tissues using the GEO database GSE194261 dataset were screened. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Wnt5a protein in tissue samples of clinical gastric cancer patients, and the relationship between Wnt5a protein expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer was analyzed. CAFs and NGFs were extracted from fresh surgical specimens of gastric cancer patients, and the expression of Wnt5a in CAFs was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot experiment. Transwell invasion and migration experiment was used to observe the effects of CAFs, inhibition of Wnt5a expression in CAFs and different concentrations of recombinant Wnt5a protein on the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer MGC-803 and MKN-28 cell lines in vitro. ResultsThrough the screening of GEO database GSE194261 data set, it was found that Wnt5a was more expressed in CAFs than NGFs (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of Wnt5a protein in gastric cancer tissues was significantly stronger than that in normal gastric tissues (P<0.05), and the expression of Wnt5a protein was related to T stage of tumor (χ2=5.035, P<0.05), but not related to gender, age, degree of tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion and nerve invasion (P>0.05). Inhibiting Wnt5a derived from CAFs could inhibit the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. By stimulating gastric cancer cells with different concentrations of human recombinant Wnt5a protein, it was found that when the concentration of human recombinant Wnt5a protein was greater than 100 ng/mL, the invasion and migration abilities of MGC-803 and MKN-28 gastric cancer cells were significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionWnt5a is highly expressed in CAFs derived from the interstitial tissue of gastric cancer, which is related to the invasion depth of gastric cancer and can promote the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells.