ObjectiveTo build a lentiviral expression vector regulated by two targets 5 copies of HREs and hTERTp, express the target gene CDX2, and to test the activity of hTERT promoter by using LoVo cells for transfection. MethodsAfter the primer sets were designed, the hTERT promoter was cloned by PCR amplification from the genome of colon cancer. The CEA promoter was removed from the original vector pLEGFP-5HRE-CEAp by double digestion and PCR method, and then the hTERTp was introduced into the vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pLEGFP-5HRE-hTERTp. 5HRE-hTERTp was obtained by PCR, while the CMV promoter was removed from the original vector pLVX-EGFP-3FLAG by double digestion and PCR method, and then the 5HRE-hTERTp was introduced into the vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG. The CDX2 was cloned by PCR amplification from GV230-CDX2-EGFP, and the EGFP was removed from the vector pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG by double digestion, and then the CDX2 was introduced into the vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-CDX2-3FLAG. LoVo cells ex vivo was transiently transfected by pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG to evaluate the activity of hTERTp by detecting the expression of green fluorescence protein EGFP. ResultsPCR and sequencing analyzing showed that pLEGFP-5HRE-hTERTp, pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG, and pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-CDX2-3FLAG were sequenced correctly and the same as our designed. pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG was successfully transfected into LoVo cells ex vivo and expressed green fluorescence protein EGFP, which showed that hTERTp was activated and promoted the expression of downstream gene. ConclusionThe lentiviral expression vector, pLVX-5HREhTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG and pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-CDX2-3FLAG are successfully constructed, which lays the foundation of further research. But the function of dual-target regulation needs further proof.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole (YC-1), a hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor, on hypoxia induced rat pulmonary arterial adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) proliferation and collagen synthesis, and explore the molecular mechanism.MethodsUnder hypoxic condition, rat AFs were cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum in vitro. The cells were divided into five groups, ie. a normoxia group, a hypoxia group and three hypoxia+YC-1 groups (treated with YC-1 at concentration of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/L, respectively). The cells proliferation was determined by MTT method. Collagen synthesis of AFs was measured by 3H-proline incorporation assay. The expression of HIF-1α in AFs in different conditions was measured by Western blot, and the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe proliferation rate and the incorporation data of 3H-proline in the hypoxia group were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (both P<0.01). YC-1 significantly reduced the proliferation rate and incorporation data of3H-proline induced by hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner. YC-1 could also down-regulate the expressions of HIF-1α and TGF-β1 mRNA significantly (both P<0.01). Compared with the hypoxia group, the expressions of HIF-1α and TGF-β1 mRNA decreased respectively by 65% and 61% in the hypoxia+YC-1 (0.1 mmol/L) group (bothP<0.01).ConclusionsYC-1 can inhibit hypoxia-induced AFs proliferation and collagen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism may relate to YC-1’s inhibitory effect on expressions of HIF-1α and TGF-β1 mRNA.
Objective To investigate the dynamic expression of small ubiquitin-related modifiers-1 ( SUMO-1) in lung tissue in different phases of rat model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension( HPH) .Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, and exposed to normoxia or to normobaric intermittent hypoxia for 3, 7, 14 or 21 days, respectively. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure( mPAP) , right ventricle hypertrophy index ( RVHI) , and the ratio of the vessel wall area to the total area( WA% ) weremeasured. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization were used to determine the mRNA expression of SUMO-1.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to determine the protein expression of SUMO-1. Results The hypoxic rats developed pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterioles after 7 days of hypoxia,with WA% and mPAP significantly higher than those in the normal control. Pulmonary vascular remodeling aggravated with much higherWA% and mPAP afer 14 days of hypoxia, and reached the peak afer 21 days of hypoxia. SUMO-1 mRNA and protein expression markedly increased after 3 days of hypoxia, and reached peak after 14 days. After 21 days of hypoxia, SUMO-1 mRNA expression weakened but still higher than that in the normal control ( P lt; 0. 05) , and SUMO-1 protein expression remained stable. SUMO-1 mRNA and protein expression were positively correlated with mPAP, WA% and RVHI( all P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusion SUMO-1 is transcriptionally induced in lung tissue under chronic hypoxia, and thus involves in the pathogenesis of HPH.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether desferrioxamine (DFO) can enhance the homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and improve neovascularization in random flaps of rats.MethodsBMSCs and fibroblasts (FB) of luciferase transgenic Lewis rats were isolated and cultured. Forty 4-week-old Lewis male rats were used to form a 10 cm×3 cm rectangular flap on their back. The experimental animals were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group: in group A, 200 μL PBS were injected through retrobulbar venous plexus; in group B, 200 μL FB with a concentration of 1×106 cells/mL were injected; in group C, 200 μL BMSCs with a concentration of 1×106 cells/mL were injected; in group D, cells transplantation was the same as that in group C, after cells transplantation, DFO [100 mg/(kg·d)] were injected intraperitoneally for 7 days. On the 7th day after operation, the survival rate of flaps in each group was observed and calculated; the blood perfusion was observed by laser speckle imaging. Bioluminescence imaging was used to detect the distribution of transplanted cells in rats at 30 minutes and 1, 4, 7, and 14 days after operation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed at 7 days after operation to observe CD31 staining and count capillary density under 200-fold visual field and to detect the expressions of stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and Ki67. Transplanted BMSCs were labeled with luciferase antibody and observed by immunofluorescence staining whether they participated in the repair of injured tissues.ResultsThe necrosis boundary of ischemic flaps in each group was clear at 7 days after operation. The survival rate of flaps in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C (P<0.05). Laser speckle imaging showed that the blood perfusion units of flaps in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C (P<0.05). Bioluminescence imaging showed that BMSCs gradually migrated to the ischemia and hypoxia area and eventually distributed to the ischemic tissues. The photon signal of group D was significantly stronger than that of other groups at 14 days after operation (P<0.05). CD31 immunofluorescence staining showed that capillary density in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C (P<0.05). The expressions of SDF-1, EGF, FGF, and Ki67 in groups C and D were significantly stronger than those in groups A and B, and in group D than in group C. Luciferase-labeled BMSCs were expressed in the elastic layer of arteries, capillaries, and hair follicles at 7 days after transplantation.ConclusionDFO can enhance the migration and homing of BMSCs to the hypoxic area of random flap, accelerate the differentiation of BMSCs in ischemic tissue, and improve the neovascularization of ischemic tissue.
Objective To elucidate whether glucose transporters-4 （GLUT-4） takes part in glucose uptake of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） and whether Akt gene improves translocation and expression of GLUT-4 in MSCs under hypoxic environment ex vivo. Methods MSCs, transfected by Akt gene and no, were cultured with normoxia (5% CO2) or hypoxia (94%N2, 1%O2 and 5% CO2) at 37 ℃ for 8 h. Glucose uptake was assayed by using radiation isotope 2-［3H］-deoxy-Dglucose (3H-G) and the expression of GLUT-4 protein and mRNA was assayed by immunocytochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Results ①3 H-G intake of MSCs was significantly increased in hypoxiatransfection group than that in hypoxia-non-transfection 〔（1.39±0.13） fold, P＜0.05〕, but which was lower than that in normoxia-non-transfection group, P＜0.05. ②GLUT-4 was expressed by MSCs under any conditions. Compared with normoxia-non-transfection group, hypoxia decreased the expressions of GLUT-4 mRNA and protein significantly (P＜0.05). ③Compared with hypoxianontransfection group, the expression of GLUT-4 〔mRNA（1.756±0.152） fold, total protein in cell （1.653±0.312） fold, protein in plasma membrane （2.041±0.258） fold〕 was increased in hypoxia-transfection group significantly (P＜0.05), but which was lower than that in normoxianontransfection group (P＜0.05). ④There was significantly positive relation between 3H-G intake and GLUT-4 protein expression in plasma membrane (r=0.415, P=0.001).Conclusion GLUT-4 may take part in glucose uptake of MSCs, and the capability of Akt gene to improve MSCs anti-hypoxia may be finished by its role in increasing the expression and translocation of GLUT-4.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α ) in isolated rat heart at different time points after myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation. MethodsThe isolated langendorff perfused rat heart model was established. Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a sham group, hypoxia/reoxygenation groups including a H/R 0.5 h group, a 1 h group and a 2 h group. The heart rate(HR), the 1eft ventricular development pressure(LVDP), maximal rates of increase/decrease of the left ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax) were continuously recorded. The concentrations of TNF-α and creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB) in myocardium, mRNA expression of TNF-α in myocardium were tested. Ultra structure of myocardium was observed under electron microscope. ResultsThe levels of LVDP, ±dp/dtmax, and HR of hypoxia/reoxygenation group were significantly lower than those in the sham group(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-α and CK-MB and the expressions of TNF-α at mRNA level in the hypoxia/reoxygenation group were higher than those in the sham group(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the above parameters among the H/R 0.5 h group, the 1 h group, the 2 h group(P<0.05).The concentrations of TNF-α and CK-MB, the mRNA expression of TNF-α were higher in the I/R 2 h group than those in the other two groups. ConclusionThe high expression of TNF-α in myocardium after myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation in rats is related to the degree of myocardium damage and may lead to myocardial injury.
Objective To observe the inhibition of LipofectamineTM2000 (LF2000)mediated pSUPER recombinant plasmid expressing small interference RNA targeting hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1alpha;(pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha;) on retinal neovascularization in mice. Methods pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha; recombinant plasmid was created. Forty-eight (seven-day-old) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, the control group, empty vector group and gene therapy group with 12 mice in each group. Mice in the normal group were kept in normal room air, while the other three groups retinal neovascularization was induced by hypoxia. The mice in control group were not treated. The mice in the vector group received intravitreous injection of pSUPER and LF2000 (1 mu;l), and the gene therapy group received pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha; and LF2000 (1 mu;l)one day before being returned to normal room air．Fluorescent angiography was used to assess the vascular pattern. The proliferative neovascular response was quantified by counting the nuclei of new vessels extending from the retina into the vitreous in cross-sections．HIF-lalpha;and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in retinas were measured by immune histochemical staining method and reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Fluorescent angiography showed radial branching pattern vessels in the normal group and distorted large vessels, obstructed capillaries, many neovascular tuffs, fluorescence leakage in the peripheral retina in the control group and vector group. The gene therapy group demonstrated a significant reduction in neovascular tufts and fluorescence leakage compared with the control group and the vector group. The number of vascular cell nuclei extending breaking through the internal limiting membrane(ILM) of control group and vector group increased significantly compared with normal group (F=5850.016,P＜0.05), while obviously decreasing in the gene therapy group compared with control group (F=3012.469,P＜0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed the expression of HIF-1alpha; protein in nucleus and VEGF protein in cytoplasm. The expression of HIF-1alpha; protein in retina was negative, while VEGF protein was weakly positive in normal group. The expression of HIF-1alpha; and VEGF protein were both positive in control group and vector group, while weakly positive in gene therapy group. The Results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha; mRNA in retina was increased significantly in control group and vector group as compared with normal group (F=3102.326,P＜0.05), while decreasing significantly in gene therapy group as compared with control group (F=3336.425,P＜0.05). Conclusion Retinal neovascularization in the mice is significantly inhibited by intravitreal injection of LF2000-mediated recombinant plasmid pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha;.
Objective To investigate the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cell apoptosis in neonatal rats with hypoxia ischemia brain damage (HIBD). Methods A total of 42 7-day-old SD rats (12-18 g, male or female) were randomly allocated into sham-operation group (n=6) and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) group (n=36). In HI group, the rats were anesthetized with ethylether. The right common carotid artery (CCA) was exposed and permanently l igated with a 7-0silk suture through a midl ine cervical incision. A duration of 2.5 hours of hypoxia (8%O2 / 92%N2) was used to produce HIBD model. For sham-operation group, the CCA was exposed without l igation or hypoxia. The brain tissues were harvested at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after completion of an HI insult. The expressions of TERT and CC3 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis cells were detected with TUNEL staining method. Results The expression of TERT was increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24-48 hours and then decreased at 72 hours. The expression of CC3 was increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24 hours and still maintained high expression at 48 hours and 72 hours. However, in the sham-operation group, both the expressions of TERT and CC3 were extremely low. The expression of TERT and CC3 were higher in the HI group than in the sham-operation group at different time points, and the differences were significant (P lt; 0.05). The TUNEL staining showed that the positive cells in hippocampus and cortical areas were increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24-48 hours and maintained a high level at 72 hours. However, there was few positive cells in the sham-operation group. There were significant differences between the HI group and the sham-operation group at different time points (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion TERT could be induced by HI in neonatal rats, and might have a protective role in regulating the cell apoptosis in the neonatal HIBD.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of p22phox and NOX5 in autophagy and apoptosis of osteoblasts induced by hypoxia.MethodsThe skull tissue of newborn rats was cut into small pieces, and the osteoblasts were separated and purified by the tissue block adherent method and the differential adherent method. The first generation cells were harvested and identified by HE staining, Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, and flow cytometry. A three-gas incubator was used to prepare a hypoxia model of osteoblasts. At 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours of hypoxia, the expressions of p22phox, NOX5, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were detected by Western blot, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry. And the time point of the highest level of ROS was selected as the hypoxia time point for subsequent experiments. The first generation osteoblasts were divided into normal group, si-p22phox hypoxia group, and si-NOX5 hypoxia group and subjected to corresponding transfection and hypoxia treatment. The inhibition efficiency of si-p22phox and si-NOX5 were detected by RT-PCR. Then the osteoblasts were divided into normal group, si-NC hypoxia group, si-p22phox hypoxia group, and si-NOX5 hypoxia group. After transfection and hypoxia treatment, Western blot was used to detect the expressions of p22phox, NOX5, autophagy-related proteins (LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin), and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax), and flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis rate and level of ROS. The first generation osteoblasts were divided into a hypoxia group for 12 hours (hypoxia group) and a group that simultaneously inhibited si-p22phox and si-NOX5 and hypoxia for 12 hours (inhibition+hypoxia group). The expressions of Beclin and Bax were observed by immunofluorescence staining after the corresponding treatment.ResultsAfter identification, the isolated cells were osteoblasts. After hypoxia treatment, the relative expressions of p22phox, NOX5, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ proteins and the apoptosis rate of osteoblasts gradually increased (P<0.05), and the level of ROS also significantly increased (P<0.05) and reached the peak value at 12 hours. The 12-hour hypoxia model was selected for subsequent experiments. Silencing the p22phox gene did not affect the expression of NOX5, and silencing the NOX5 gene did not affect the expression of p22phox. Compared with hypoxia treatment, the relative expressions of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin, and Bax proteins after inhibiting the expression of p22phox or NOX5 gene significantly decreased (P<0.05), the relative expression of Bcl-2 protein significantly increased (P<0.05), the cell apoptosis rate and level of ROS also significantly decreased (P<0.05). After silencing the expressions of p22phox and NOX5 genes at the same time, the immunofluorescence staining showed that the fluorescence of Beclin and Bax were weak.ConclusionInhibiting the expressions of p22phox and NOX5 genes can reduce the level of ROS in osteoblasts under hypoxia-induced conditions, and at the same time reduce autophagy and apoptosis, especially attenuate the excessive apoptosis of cells in the early to late stages, and strengthen the hypoxic osteoblasts proliferation.
Autophagy is a lysosome dependent, conservative material degradation process, which exists in all eukaryotic cells and plays import roles in many pathophysiology process. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male disease with multiple etiology. In recent years, more and more evidences have demonstrated that autophagy has a close relation to ED, therefore, we combine previous study to classify ED by hypoxia, aging, diabetes and other causes, and review the advances of autophagy in ED.