ObjectiveTo explore apoptosis of acinar cells during pancreatic allograft rejection in rats.MethodsGroups of Wistar rats underwent heterotopic pancreaticoduodenal transplantation from syngenic Wistar of allogenic SD rats. The grafts were harvested on postoperative day 3, 5 and 7. All graft samples were subjected to histological examination and apoptotic cells of graft acinar cells using in situ terminal deoxynucleotidy1 transferasemediated dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL). Histopathological rejection score and apoptotic index (AI) were analyzed. ResultsThe incidence of apoptotic cells was increased steadily over time in allografts, in contrast with syngenic grafts. The apoptotic cells in allografts were mainly acinar cells and few infiltrating lymphocytes. A significant correlation between apoptotic index and histopathological rejection score was noted.ConclusionTUNEL can display apoptosis of single cell in situ. Apoptosis is an important mechanism of tissue injury in acute pancreatic allograft rejection in rats. Acinar cell apoptosis can be used as a valuble index to estimate the injury of grafts and to monitor the acute rejection.
Objective To detect the cell density, apoptotic rate, and the expressions of BNIP3 in nucleus pulposus of degenerative intervertebral disc of rabbits, so as to further understand the mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits, aging 3 months and weighing (2.3 ± 0.2) kg, were divided into sham operation group (control group, n=10) and intervertebral disc degeneration model group (experimental group, n=20). Interbertebral disc degeneration models were establ ished by puncture of L3,4, L4,5, and L5,6 intervertebral discs in the experimental group; intervertebral discs were exposed only and then sutured in the control group. The degree of intervertebral disc degeneration was evaluated according to Pfirrmann classification by MRI at 4 and 8 weeks after establ ishing models. Apototic cells were determined by TUNEL and histological methods, and the immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expressions of BNIP3 in nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc. Results MRI examination showed that the signal intensity decreased gradually at 4 and 8 weeks in the experimental group. There wassignificant difference in the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration between at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks in the experimental group (P lt; 0.05). The histological observation and TUNEL test showed that high density of nucleus pulposus cells and only a few apoptotic cells were observed in the control group; at 4 and 8 weeks, the density of nucleus pulposus cells decreased gradually with more apoptotic cells in the experimental group. There were significant differences in the nucleus pulposus cell density and positive rate of TUNEL staining between 2 groups, and between at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks in the experimental group (P lt; 0.05). The expression of BNIP3 of nucleus pulposus was negative in the control group; however, in the experimental group, the positive expression rates of BNIP3 of nucleus pulposus (the gray values) were 13.45% ± 1.16% and 32.00% ± 1.82% (194.32 ± 4.65 and 117.54 ± 2.11) at 4 and 8 weeks respectively, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The decrease of cell density in nucleus pulposus is involved in the development of intervertebral disc degeneration. Cell apoptosis is one of reasons in the decrease of nucleus pulposus cell; BNIP3 is involved in nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis in the degenerative intervertebral disc.
Objective To observe the effects of δ-opioid receptor agonists D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephali （DADLE） on hepatocyte apoptosis and expressions of bcl-2 and caspase-3 in septic rat, and to investigate the possible mechanism by which DADLE protects the liver in sepsis. Methods Sepsis was reproduced in rats by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Fifty-four SD rats (either male or female) were randomly divided into CLP group (n=18), DADLE group (n=18) and sham operation (SO) group (n=18). The rats were respectively killed at different time (2 h, 4 h and 6 h after operation). Hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL). The expressions of bcl-2 and caspase-3 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. And the changes of pathology in hepatic tissue were detected by light microscope. Results The hepatic pathological lesion of rats in CLP group was obviously serious compared with SO group, while it was obviously improved in DADLE group. The apoptosis index of rat hepatocytes in CLP group significantly increased compared with SO group, and further it was prominent at 4 h （P＜0.01). The apoptosis index of rat hepatocytes at each time of DADLE group was significantly decreased compared with CLP group （P＜0.01）. Expression of caspase-3 protein in liver tissues of CLP group significantly increased compared with SO group （P＜0.01）, while the expression of bcl-2 protein significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Expression of caspase-3 protein in liver tissues of DADLE group significantly decreased compared with the CLP group （P＜0.01）, while the expression of bcl-2 protein significantly increased （P＜0.05）. There was positive correlation between expression of caspase-3 in liver tissues and apoptosis index of hepatocyte (r=0.83, P＜0.01) and negative correlation between expression of bcl-2 in liver tissues and apoptosis index of hepatocyte (r=-0.65, P＜0.01). Conclusions The findings indicate that δ-opioid receptor agonists DADLE can obviously improve hepatic pathological changes of septic rats. And its protective mechanism contains down regulation of caspase-3 expression, upregulation of bcl-2 expression and thus the apoptosis of hepatocyte is repressed.
Objective To explore whether microRNA-203 (miR-203) targets and regulates the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) to protect alveolar epithelial cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis and inflammation injury. Methods The alveolar epithelial A549 cells were used as the research objects and divided into: Control group (normal culture), LPS group (LPS treatment), LPS+miR-NC mimics group (LPS treatment after transfection of miR-NC mimics), LPS+ miR-203 mimics group (LPS treatment after transfection of miR-203 mimics), LPS+miR-203 mimics+pcDNA group (LPS treatment after transfection of miR-203 mimics and pcDNA), LPS+miR-203 mimics+pcDNA-TLR4 group (LPS treatment after transfection of miR-203 mimics and pcDNA-TLR4). Dual luciferase reporter gene was used to detect the targeting relationship between miR-203 and TLR4; Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the relative expression levels of miR-203 and TLR4 mRNA; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6; flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of A549 cells; Western blot was used to detect the expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 gene (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), TLR4, NF-κB and NLRP3 proteins in A549 cells. Results There was a targeted regulation relationship between miR-203 and TLR4. Compared with the Control group, the expression of miR-203, TLR4 mRNA and protein, Bax, NF-κB, and NLRP3 proteins in A549 cells in the LPS group increased, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the cell supernatant increased, the apoptosis rate increased, the level of Bcl-2 protein in cells decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS+miR-NC mimics group, the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein, Bax, NF-κB, and NLRP3 proteins in A549 cells in the LPS+miR-203 mimics group decreased, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the cell supernatant decreased, the apoptosis rate decreased, the expression level of miR-203 and the level of Bcl-2 protein in cells increased (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS+miR-203 mimics+pcDNA group, the expression of miR-203, TLR4 mRNA and protein, Bax, NF-κB, and NLRP3 proteins in A549 cells in the LPS+miR-203 mimics+pcDNA-TLR4 group increased, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the cell supernatant increased, the apoptosis rate increased, the expression level of miR-203 and the level of Bcl-2 protein in cells decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion MiR-203 can target TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 to protect alveolar epithelial cells from apoptosis and inflammation induced by LPS.
Objective To investigate the expressions of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL） and its receptors (DR4, DcR1) in human rectal cancer tissues and normal rectal tissues. MethodsThe expressions of TRAIL and its receptors (DR4, DcR1) in 31 cases of human rectal cancer tissues and 20 cases of normal rectal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. ResultsThe positive expression rates of TRAIL, DR4 and DcR1 （32.26%， 29.03%， 0） were lower than those of normal rectal tissues （55.00%， 70.00%， 65.00%）, the difference was statistically significant(P=0.015， P=0.000， P=0.000). There were no relation between the expressions of TRAIL, DR4 and DcR1 and clinicopathologic characteristics (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionThe expressions of TRAIL and its receptors (DR4, DcR1) in human rectal cancer tissues were lower than those of normal rectal tissues, which may suggest that the apoptotic effect induced by the interaction between TRAIL and its receptors has attenuated in human rectal cancer.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo construct the eukaryotic expressing plasmid of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosisinducing ligand（TRAIL），and study its inhibitory effect on hepatic tumor which implanted subcutaneously in nude BALB/c mice.MethodsTotal RNA of U937 cell was extracted, and its extracellular domain (114-281aa) was amplified by RTPCR, then signal peptide was ligated. The recombinant secreting plasmid for TRAIL was constructed successfully which was confirmed by enzyme cleavage identification and sequencing identification. Liver cancer cell (strain No.7402) was implanted subcutaneously in 32 nude BALB/c mice. These mice were randomly divided into two groups: study group and control group. The mice in study group received muscular injection of plasmids for transfection, and the mice in control group received the injection of normal saline at the same time. The size of implanted tumors were measured continuously till the day of sacrificing, tumor cell apoptosis effect was examined by TUNEL method. ResultsIn study group，tumor volume was smaller than that in control group and the bluepurple apoptosis cells were observed under microscope. ConclusionTRAIL plasmid can induce apoptosis of liver cancer cell and can inhibit the growth of liver tumor.
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical manifestations. Currently, there is no specific treatment plan. Programmed cell death is an active and orderly way of cell death controlled by genes in the body, which maintains the homeostasis of the body and the development of organs and tissues by participating in various molecular signaling pathways. In recent years, programmed cell death has played an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of IgAN, involving complex signaling pathways. Under pathological conditions, it may relieve kidney damage through various pathways such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, and improving energy metabolism. This article provides a review of the research progress of IgAN in apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis,and cuproptosis in order to provide new therapeutic targets for IgAN.
ObjectiveTo explore the influence of different radiation doses of 125Ⅰseed on human poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells (BGC823). MethodsSixty four male nude mice of BLAB nu/nu inoculated with human poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells (BGC823) were took as animal models. When tumors of nude mice grew to 0.7-1.2 cm, the nude mice were randomly divided into blank control group, low dose group, middle dose group, and high dose group (n=16). The tumors of nude mice in blank control group were implanted with blank seed, but tumors of nude mice in low dose group, middle dose group, and high dose group were implanted with 125Ⅰseed (the radiation doses of 3 groups were 1.48×10-7 Bq, 2.22×10-7 Bq, and 2.96×10-7 Bq respectively). Four nude mice of 4 groups were randomly collected to measure the tumor volume and weight before implantation, and on 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after implantation, but apoptosis rates and expression levels of cyclinE mRNA were measured on 14 days and 28 days after implantation, by using flow cytometer and semi quantitative RT-PCR method respectively. Results①Except for the blank control group, the tumor volume and weight decreased over time in low dose group, middle dose group, and high dose group. The tumor volume and weight in blank control group were higher than those of other 3 groups on 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after implantation (P < 0.05);in addition, on 28 days after implantation, tumor volume and weight in low dose group were lower than those of middle dose group and high dose group (P < 0.05).②On 14 days and 28 days after implantation, the apoptosis rates of blank control group were lower than those of other 3 groups (P < 0.05), but expression levels of cyclinE mRNA were all higher than those of other 3 groups (P < 0.05). In addition, on 28 days after implantation, apoptosis rate of low dose group was higher than both of middle dose group and high dose group (P < 0.05), but expression level of cyclinE mRNA was lower (P < 0.05). Compared with 14 days in the same group, except for the blank control group (P > 0.05), the apoptosis rates in other 3 groups on 28 days were higher (P < 0.05), with the lower expression levels of cyclinE mRNA (P < 0.05). Conclusions125Ⅰseed in organizational implantation can effectively inhibit the expression of cyclinE mRNA and the growth of human poorly differentiated gastric cancer tissue. Compared with doses of 2.22×10-7 Bq and 2.96×10-7 Bq of 125Ⅰ, low dose (1.48×10-7 Bq) contributes to the apoptosis of human poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells (BGC823).
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-apoptotic effect of ginsenoside Rg1 in neonatal rats with hypoxia ischemia brain damage (HIBD), and to explore the possible signaling pathway involved in anti-apoptosis. MethodsForty-eight 10-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (weighing 17-21 g, male or female) were randomly allocated into 4 groups (12 rats in each group): sham-operation group (sham group), HIBD group (HI group), HIBD+ginsenoside Rg1 group (HI+Rg1 group), and HIBD+ginsenoside Rg1+U0126 group (HI+Rg1+U0126 group). SD rats in HI group, HI+Rg1 group, and HI+Rg1+U0126 group underwent ligation of the right common carotid artery (CCA) and hypoxic ventilation (8%O2+92%N2) for 2.5 hours to prepare the HIBD model, and rats in sham group underwent only separation of the right CCA. SD rats in HI+Rg1+U0126 group received intraventricular injection of 5 μL phosphate buffer saline (PBS) containing U0126 (25 μg/kg) at 1 hour before HIBD, and rats in the other three groups received intraventricular injection of PBS at the same time. The rats in HI+Rg1 group and HI+Rg1+U0126 group received intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mL normal saline (NS) containing Rg1 (40 mg/kg) at immediate after HIBD, while rats in HI group and sham group received intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mL NS at immediate after HIBD. At 4 and 24 hours after HIBD, the right hemisphere and hippocampus were collected to detect the protein expression and distribution of extracellular signal-related protein kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), phospho-Erk1/2 (p-Erk1/2), hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and cleaved Caspase-3 (CC3) by Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining. TUNEL staining was used to evaluate neural apoptosis in situ. ResultsWestern blot results showed that there were expressions of Erk1/2, p-ERK1/2, HIF-1α, and CC3 proteins at 4 and 24 hours after HIBD in each group. The expressions of HIF-1α and CC3 protein at 4 and 24 hours, and expression of p-Erk1/2 protein at 4 hours were significantly increased in HI group when compared with sham group (P < 0.05). When compared with HI group, the expressions of p-Erk1/2 and HIF-1α protein in HI+Rg1 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the expression of CC3 protein was significantly decreased at 4 and 24 hours (P < 0.05). When compared with HI+Rg1 group, the expressions of p-Erk1/2 and HIF-1α proteins in HI+Rg1+U0126 group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while expression of CC3 protein was significantly increased at 4 and 24 hours (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Erk1/2 protein expression between groups at different time points (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining displayed that HIF-1α and CC3 proteins mainly distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasma, while Erk1/2 and p-Erk1/2 proteins mainly distributed in the cytoplasma. The expression levels of protein by immunohistochemistry results were similar to the results by Western blot. TUNEL staining showed that the apoptotic neurons were characterized by yellow or brown particle in the nucleus. The apoptotic index (AI) of neurons at 4 and 24 hours was significantly increased in HI group when compared with sham group (P < 0.05), and the AI of neurons was significantly decreased in HI+Rg1 group when compared with HI group and HI+Rg1+U0126 group at 24 hours (P < 0.05). ConclusionRg1 could enhance HIBD induced HIF-1α expression and inhibit activation of Caspase-3 by Erk1/2 signaling pathway, and play an anti-apoptotic role in neonatal rats with HIBD.
Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of somatostatin analogue (SMS201995,SMS) on proliferation and apoptosis in human cholangiocarcinoma cell line in vitro. MethodsProliferation curve, flow cytometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, Annexin VFITC and flow cytometric immunofluorescent technique were performed to identify the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis of human cholangiocarcinoma cells (SKChA1). ResultsSMS significantly reduced the SKChA1 cell growth by serum in long experiments and transiently accumulated it in G0/G1 phase. Dotplot analysis of cells duallabeled with Annexin VFITC and PI confirmed the induction of apoptosis by SMS in SKChA1 cells.AnnexinVFITC labeling was markedly enhanced following treatment with SMS for 24 h. DNA of treated SKChA1 cells appeared a ladder pattern characteristic of apoptosis. Besides, timedependent increase in bax and decrease in bcl2 occured during SMS treatment. Conclusion SMS could inhibit the proliferation activity and induce apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cell line SKChA1. The mechanisms of apoptosis might be correlated with the expression of apoptosisregulatory gene bax and bcl2.