Dorsal root ganglion progenitors differentiate to gamma-aminobutyric acid-and choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons

This study examined the isolation and differentiation of dorsal root ganglion progenitor cells for therapeutic use in neurodegenerative diseases. Rat embryonic dorsal root ganglia progenitors were isolated and purified using the differential adhesion method combined with cytosine arabinoside treatment. After culture in serum-free medium supplemented with B27, basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor, these cells remained viable and survived for more than 18 months in vitro. Most cells differentiated to neurons that were immunoreactive for gamma-aminobutyric acid and choline acetyltransferase as detected by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, nerve growth factor and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor expression were also observed in dorsal root ganglion progenitors and differentiated cells. K252a, an inhibitor that blocks nerve growth factor-induced signaling, inhibited cell survival, suggesting the possible existence of a nerve growth factor autocrine loop in these proliferating cells.

Caveolin-1对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7增殖和存活的影响

该文研究窖蛋白(Caveolin-1)对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7细胞增殖与存活的影响。运用蛋白质印迹方法(Western blot)检测发现,caveolin-1在5株不同细胞系均只有低表达。运用电穿孔转染方法在乳腺癌细胞系中高表达Caveolin-1,运用Western blot检测转染后Caveolin-1表达情况发现,转染后细胞内Caveolin-1表达上升,并具有生物活性。运用单核细胞直接细胞毒性测定法(MTT)检测发现,转染后乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7增殖速度降低。运用Western blot方法和免疫荧光(immunofluorescence)方法检测转染后细胞凋亡途径的变化,磷酸化的P38蛋白含量上升,Bax表达量明显上升。据此推测Caveolin-1抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖和存活,并诱导基于Bax途径的细胞凋亡。