Baicalin inhibits PDGF-BB-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through suppressing PDGFRβ-ERK signaling and increase in p27 accumulation and prevents injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia

The increased proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） are key events in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Baicalin, an herb-derived flavonoid compound, has been previously shown to induce apoptosis and growth inhibition in cancer cells through multiple pathways. However, the potential role of baicalin in regulation of VSMC proliferation and prevention of cardiovascular diseases remains unexplored. In this study, we show that pretreatment with baicalin has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMC pro- liferation, accompanied with the reduction of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） expression. We also show that baicalin-induced growth inhibition is associated with a decrease in cyclin E-CDK2 activation and increase in p27 level in PDGF-stimulated VSMCs, which appears to be at least partly mediated by blockade of PDGF recep- tor [~ （PDGFR~）-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2） signaling. In addition, baicalin was also found to inhibit adhesion molecule expression and cell migration induced by PDGF-BB in VSMCs. Furthermore, using an animal carotid arterial balloon-injury model, we found that baicalin significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia. Taken together, our results reveal a novel function of baicalin in inducing growth arrest of PDGF-stimulated VSMCs and suppressing neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury, and suggest that the underlying mechanism involves the inhibition of cyclin E-CDK2 activation and the increase in p27 accumulation via blockade of the PDGFR^-ERK1/2 signaling cascade.

The incidence rate and histological characteristics of intimal hyperplasia in elastase-induced experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms in mice

Intimal hyperplasia(IH)is a negative vascular remodeling after arterial injury.IH occasionally occurs in elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)mouse models.This study aims to clarify the incidence and histological characteristics of IH in aneurysmal mice.A retrospective study was conducted by including 42 male elastaseinduced mouse AAA models.The IH incidence,aortic diameters with or without IH,and hyperplasia lesional features of mice were analyzed.Among 42 elastase-induced AAA mouse models,10 mice developed mild IH(24%)and severe IH was found in only 2 mice(5%).The outer diameters of the AAA segments in mice with and without IH did not show significant difference.Both mild and severe IH lesions show strong smooth muscle cell positive staining,but endothelial cells were occasionally observed in severe IH lesions.There was obvious macrophage infiltration in the IH lesions of the AAA mouse models,especially in mice with severe IH.However,only a lower numbers of T cells and B cells were found in the IH lesion.Local cell-secreted matrix metalloproteinases(MMP)2 was highly expressed in all IH lesions,but MMP9 was only overexpressed in severe lesions.In conclusion,this study is the first to demonstrate the occurrence of aneurysmal IH and its histological characteristics in an elastaseinduced mouse AAA model.This will help researchers better understand this model,and optimize it for use in AAA-related research.

Effects of extravascular trestle model coated phosphorus radioisotope on intimal hyperplasia in autologous vein grafts

Objective: To design an extravascular trestle model coated phosphorus-32, an isotope radiating beta rays, and investigate its effects on intimal hyperplasia of autologous vein grafts. Methods: ETA cDNA was used as a gene probe specific to vascular SMCs on the basis of in situ hybridization. The femoral veins were transplanted reversely into colateral femoral arteries in rabbits, and the animals were divided into control, chemical agents and phosphorus-32 groups. The morphometry was applied to calculate the ETA cDNA expression and intimal thickness. Spearman correlation method was utilized to investigate their relationship. Results: Intimal thickness in grafts of phosphorus-32 group was markedly reduced. Additionally, intimal ETA gene expression was also decreased in beta rays group. The values increased at a slower rate significantly different from that of control and aspirin groups (P<0.01). The correlation of ETA cDNA expression and intimal thickness exhibited a strongly positive relation. Conclusion: Beta rays in extravascular model could remarkably inhibit intimal thickening and SMC proliferation. The correlation is an indirect evidence indicating that intimal hyperplasia composed of SMCs proliferation. It suggests that ETA cDNA expression could be a quantitative estimation of vascular SMC because of its specifics.

A bio-instructive parylene-based conformal coating suppresses thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia of implantable vascular devices

Implantable vascular devices are widely used in clinical treatments for various vascular diseases. However, current approved clinical implantable vascular devices generally have high failure rates primarily due to their surface lacking inherent functional endothelium. Here, inspired by the pathological mechanisms of vascular device failure and physiological functions of native endothelium, we developed a new generation of bioactive parylene (poly(p-xylylene))-based conformal coating to address these challenges of the vascular devices. This coating used a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker to introduce an endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) specific binding ligand LXW7 (cGRGDdvc) onto the vascular devices for preventing platelet adhesion and selectively capturing endogenous EPCs. Also, we confirmed the long-term stability and function of this coating in human serum. Using two vascular disease-related large animal models, a porcine carotid artery interposition model and a porcine carotid artery-jugular vein arteriovenous graft model, we demonstrated that this coating enabled rapid generation of self-renewable “living” endothelium on the blood contacting surface of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts after implantation. We expect this easy-to-apply conformal coating will present a promising avenue to engineer surface properties of “off-the-shelf” implantable vascular devices for long-lasting performance in the clinical settings.

Reducing intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts harvested by a no-touch harvesting technique

Objective To investigate the effect of no-touch harvesting technique in reducing vein graft intimal hyperplasia. Methods This longitudinal trial compared graft angiostenosis of two groups undergoing jugular vein to carotid artery interposition grafting in rabbit model. Conventional group:12 rabbits had their veins stripped,distended,and stored in heparinized saline solution. No-touch group:12 rabbits had veins removed with surrounding tissues,but were not distended,and stored in heparinized blood. The grafts were removed 4 weeks following grafting,and morphometry and immunohistochemistry assessment were performed. Results The intimal thickness,degree of angiostenosis and proliferation index of vascular smooth muscle cells of no-touch group were significantly reduced (P<0.01) compared with those of the conventional group. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive-staining cells were significantly increased (P<0.01) in the conventional group compared with whose in the no-touch group. Conclusion Harvesting the vein graft with no-touch harvesting technique could significantly reduce intimal hyperplasia of the vein graft.

Heparin-derived oligosaccharide inhibits vascular intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured carotid artery

The aims of the present study were to determine the effects of heparin-derived oligosaccharides(HDOs) on vascular intimal hyperplasia(IH) in balloon-injured carotid artery and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. An animal model was established by rubbing the endothelia within the common carotid artery(CCA) in male rabbits. The rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet. Arterial IH was determined by histopathological changes to the CCA. Serum lipids were detected using an automated biochemical analysis. Expressions of mR NAs for vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor(bF GF), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), scavenger receptor class B type I(SR-BI), and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA-1) were analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Expressions of VEGF, VCAM-1, MCP-1, SR-BI and ABCA-1 proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify expression levels of VEGF and b FGF. Our results showed that administration of HDO significantly inhibited CCA histopathology and restenosis induced by balloon injury. The treatment with HDOs significantly decreased the m RNA and protein expression levels of VEGF, b FGF, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and SR-BI in the arterial wall; however, ABCA-1 expression level was elevated. HDO treatment led to a reduction in serum lipids(total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density and low-density lipoproteins). Our results from the rabbit model indicated that HDOs could ameliorate IH and underlying mechanism might involve VEGF, b FGF, VCAM-1, MCP-1, SR-BI, and ABCA-1.

Programmable dual responsive system reconstructing nerve interaction with small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts and inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in diabetes

Small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts(sdTEVGs)with hyperglycemia resistance have not been constructed.The intimal hyperplasia caused by hyperglycemia remains problem to hinder the patency of sdTEVGs.Here,inspired by bionic regulation of nerve on vascular,we found the released neural exosomes could inhibit the abnormal phenotype transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).The transformation was a prime culprit causing the intimal hyperplasia of sdTEVGs.To address this concern,sdTEVGs were modified with an on-demand programmable dual-responsive system of ultrathin hydrogels.An external primary Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS)-responsive Netrin-1 system was initially triggered by local inflammation to induce nerve remolding of the sdTEVGs overcoming the difficulty of nerve regeneration under hyperglycemia.Then,the internal secondary ATP-responsive DENND1A(guanine nucleotide exchange factor)system was turned on by the neurotransmitter ATP from the immigrated nerve fibers to stimulate effective release of neural exosomes.The results showed nerve fibers grow into the sdTEVGs in diabetic rats 30 days after transplantation.At day 90,the abnormal VSMCs phenotype was not detected in the sdTEVGs,which maintained long-time patency without intima hyperplasia.Our study provides new insights to construct vascular grafts resisting hyperglycemia damage.

Iododeoxyuridine uptake in proliferating smooth musc le cells:an in vitro model to assess drug effects on intimal hyperplasia

Purpose To assess the maximum uptake of Iododeo xyur idine (IUdR) by proliferating smooth muscle cells in vitro to determine the opti mal concentration to be administrated in an in vivo experiment. The long-term g oal is to utilize radioactive IUdR to inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation a nd restenosis of arteries after balloon angioplasty in vivo. Methods Porcine smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were cultured in 5% FBS medium and stim ulated to proliferate by the addition of medium containing 10% FBS and insulin. IUdR was added at 5 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM, 30 μM, 40 μM, respectively, in prolif erating SMCs with control for 1, 3, 5, 7 day incubation. Fluorescence Activated Cell Scanning (FACS) was performed after the SMCs were harvested and double-sta ined with FITC-conjugated anti-IUdR antibody (B44) and propidium iodide (PI). The ratio of IUdR-labeled cells to total cell population for each IUdR concentr ation and duration was determined by FACS. All data were repeated three times at each time point. The doubling times, growth curve and cell density of the proli ferating SMCs were investigated using Beckman Coulter Particle Counter and digit al microscopy. Results The percentage of proliferating SMCs uptaking IUdR incr eased from 1 to 5 days incubation with all concentrations of IUdR; In day 5, the uptake rate reached the peak value, then decreased by 7 days. IUdR uptake on d ay 5 was higher with concentrations of 10 μM and 20 μM. The doubling times of the SMCs were prolonged with IUdR concentration increasing, while the proliferat ing cell number and density compared with control decreased obviously by day 5 ( P<0.05).Conclusion The peak time to uptake IUdR was 5 days and optimal concentration of IUdR was between10 μM to 20 μM for proliferating SMCs to upta ke in vitro. IUdR itself could inhibit the SMCs’ proliferation and the inhibito ry effect was related to the concentration.[

Experimental study on autogenous vein cuff alleviating arterial intimal hyperplasia

Objective: To explore the alleviation of arterial intimal hyperplasia and improvement of outflow by inserting an autogenous vein cuff between poly tetraflu oroethylene (PTFE) graft and arteri al an astomosis. Methods: Twenty-four hindlimbs of 12 mongrel dogs were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. Sole PTFE bypasses were made in the control group, an autologous vein cuff was inserted in the distal anastomosis in the experimental group. Eight weeks after operation, angiography was made and specimens were harvested, histomorphological studies under microscope and picture analysis with computer were carried out, scanning electromicroscopy on the vein cuff was made. Results: Angiography demonstrated the patency of control and experimental group was 16. 7% and 66. 7%, respectively; Computer gave the intimal thickness: (483. 5 ± 67. 3) μm and (147. 4 ± 38. 6) μm, respectively; no obvious change was seen in medial thickness; area of intimal hyperplasia was (5217 ± 1 123) (pixel) and (31 17 ± 890) (pixel), respectively, accounting (80. 9 ± 17. 2)% and (47. 7 ± 13. 7)% of the sectional area of vessel lumen. The interpositional vein was arteriolization. Conclusion: The interpositional autologous vein cuff can obviously mitigate the arterial intimal hyperplasia after PTFE bypasses, improving postoperative patency of vascular surgery.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Benign and Malignant Tissues of Breast

Objective： To detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and microvessel density （MVD） count in breast benign affection, breast atypical hyperplasia and breast carcinoma in situ, and to clarify the relationship between VEGF expression, MVD and the clinicopathological features of these diseases. Methods： The expression of VEGF and MVD count in 115 cases breast benign diseases （including 40 breast fibroid tumor, 40 breast cystic hyperplasia and 35 intraductal papilloma, 19 breast atypical hyperplasias and 32 breast carcinomas in situ were examined by immunohistochemistry staining （SP-method）. Results： The positive rate of VEGF in breast benign diseases, breast atypical hyperplasia and breast carcinoma in situ were 21.74%（25/115）, 31.58.% （6/19）and 53.13%（17/32） respectively. It was the lowest in breast benign affection group, and was the highest breast carcinoma in situ group. The expression of VEGF increased gradually in the three groups （P〈0.05）. The MVD count of the three groups were 14.41 ± 2.59, 18.89± 4.47 and 21.13 ± 4.12 respectively, It was the lowest in breast benign affection group, and was the highest breast carcinoma in situ group. The MVD count of the three groups increased gradually （P〈0.05）. In VEGF positive group, MVD count was 19.41 ±4.78; In VEGF negative group, MVD count was 14.91±3.15. The MVD count was higher in VEGF positive group than that in VEGF negative group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The results of this study suggested that VEGF could promote microvessel growth in breast tumors. The occurrence and progression of breast cancer might be related with the expression of VEGF.

Rutaecarpine Inhibits Intimal Hyperplasia in A Balloon-Injured Rat Artery Model

Objective： To investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of rutaecarpine （Rut） in a rat artery balloon-injury model. Methods： The intimal hyperplasia model was established by rubbing the endothelia with a balloon catheter in the common carotid artery （CCA） of rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. sham, model, Rut （25, 50 and 75 mg/kg） with 10 rats of each group. The rats were treated with or without Rut （25, 50, 75 mg/kg） by intragastric administration for 14 consecutive days following injury. The morphological changes of the intima were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and smooth muscle （SM） oL-actin in the ateries were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expressions of c-myc, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 （ERK2）, MAPK phosphatase-1 （MKP-1） and endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） were determined by real-time reverse chain reaction. The protein expressions of MKP-1 and phosphorylated ERK2 （p-ERK2） were examined by Western blotting. The plasma contents of nitric oxide （NO） and cyclic guanosine 3＇,5＇-monophosphate （cGMP） were also determined. Results： Compared with the model group, Rut treatment significantly decreased intimal thickening and ameliorated endothelial injury （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The positive expression rate of PCNA was decreased, while the expression rate of SM α -actin obviously increased in the vascular wall after Rut （50 and 75 mg/kg） administration （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of c-myc, ERK2 and PCNA were downregulated while the expressions of eNOS and MKP-1 were upregulated （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The protein expressions of MKP-1 and the phosphorylation of ERK2 were upregulated and downragulated after Rut （50 and 75 mg/kg） administration （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, respectively. In addition, Rut dramatically reversed balloon injury-induced decrease of NO and cGMP in the plasma （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Rut could inhibit the balloon injury-induced carotid intimal hyperplasia in rats, possibly mediated by promotion of NO production and inhibiting ERK2 signal transduction pathways.

Mithramycin inhibits intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts after transplantation of the jugular vein to the abdomainal aorta in rats

Objective: The intimal hyperplasia caused by migration and proliferation of the smooth muscle cells play a most important role in the stenosis of the vein grafts. This study is to explore how the C myc oncogene and its protein contribute to the intimal hyperplasia after the jugular vein is transplanted to the abdominal aorta and to assess the effect of Mithramycin on the intimal hyperplasia. Methods: In 60 Wistar rats, a 0.8 cm segment of the right jugular vein graft was interposed at the level of the abdominal aorta. The experiment group received Mithramycin (150 μg/kg IP) 1 h before and after the operation. The control group received normal saline, specimens of vein graft at 2 and 6 h postoperatively were subjected respectively to in situ hybridization. The vein grafts 4 weeks after operation were perfusion fixed. The specimens were stained with hemotoxylin eosin and the computer morphologic analysis system was used to evaluate the degree of intimal thickening. Immunohistochemistry studies of muscle specific α actin, C myc protein and 5 Bromodeoxyuridine were performed. Results: The areas of neointimal and the ratios of neointimal to medial area were significantly smaller and lower in the Mithramycin treated than in the control rats (P< 0.05 ). The 5 Brdu labeling rate between the two groups were also different significantly (P< 0.05 ). Muscle specific α actin showed that the smooth muscle cells formed the most area of myointimal hyperplasia. Steady state C myc mRNA level was increased from 2 h to 6 h postoperatively. The positive rate of the placebo treated group was higher significantly than that of the Mithramycin treated group (P< 0.05 ). Conclusions: Mithramycin may effectively inhibits transcription of C myc in proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells and could be useful in the prevention of restenosis after vascularization. These results support the hypothesis that systemic administration of Mithramycin might immediately prevent intimal proliferation.

A biomimetic tri-phasic scaffold with spatiotemporal patterns of gastrodin to regulate hierarchical tissue-based vascular regeneration

Clinical use of small-diameter vascular grafts remains a challenging issue in neovessel regeneration in view of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia.Developing a vascular graft with structure and function similar to those of the native vessels necessitates a major direction of vascular tissue regeneration.Thus,this study sought to design and fabricate a range of tri-phasic scaffolds(0,2,and 5 wt%gastrodin-polyurethane(PU))with spatiotemporally defined structure and gastrodin-release for regulating the highly coordinated processes in growth of the intima and media.While the small pores of inner layer guided infiltration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs),the bigger pores of medial layer could offer smooth muscle cell(SMC)-friendly habitat,and external fibers conferred adequate mechanical properties.Correspondingly,spatial distribution and differential regulation of key proteins in HUVECs and SMCs were mediated by hierarchical release of gastrodin,of which rapid release in inner layer elicited enhanced HUVEC proliferation and migration against those of the SMC via activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and heat shock protein 70(HSP70)signal.Of note,superior anti-coagulation was reflected in 2 wt%gastrodin-PU ex vivo extracorporeal blood circulation experiment.After in vivo implantation for 12 weeks,there was no formation of obvious thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia in 2 wt%gastrodin-PU.The scaffold maintained high patency and improved vascular remodeling,including the formation of thin endothelialization in lumen and dense extracellular matrix deposition in medial layer.Taken together,the results demonstrate the positive function of hierarchical releasing system that responded to tri-phasic structure,which not only suppressed intimal thickening but also tightly controlled tissue regeneration.

Challenges and strategies for in situ endothelialization and long-term lumen patency of vascular grafts

Vascular diseases are the most prevalent cause of ischemic necrosis of tissue and organ,which even result in dysfunction and death.Vascular regeneration or artificial vascular graft,as the conventional treatment modality,has received keen attentions.However,small-diameter(diameter<4 mm)vascular grafts have a high risk of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia(IH),which makes long-term lumen patency challengeable.Endothelial cells(ECs)form the inner endothelium layer,and are crucial for anti-coagulation and thrombogenesis.Thus,promoting in situ endothelialization in vascular graft remodeling takes top priority,which requires recruitment of endothelia progenitor cells(EPCs),migration,adhesion,proliferation and activation of EPCs and ECs.Chemotaxis aimed at ligands on EPC surface can be utilized for EPC homing,while nanofibrous structure,biocompatible surface and cell-capturing molecules on graft surface can be applied for cell adhesion.Moreover,cell orientation can be regulated by topography of scaffold,and cell bioactivity can be modulated by growth factors and therapeutic genes.Additionally,surface modification can also reduce thrombogenesis,and some drug release can inhibit IH.Considering the influence of macrophages on ECs and smooth muscle cells(SMCs),scaffolds loaded with drugs that can promote M2 polarization are alternative strategies.In conclusion,the advanced strategies for enhanced long-term lumen patency of vascular grafts are summarized in this review.Strategies for recruitment of EPCs,adhesion,proliferation and activation of EPCs and ECs,anti-thrombogenesis,anti-IH,and immunomodulation are discussed.Ideal vascular grafts with appropriate surface modification,loading and fabrication strategies are required in further studies.

内皮祖细胞与间充质干细胞治疗血管支架相关疾病

背景:随着干细胞研究的发展,成体干细胞如内皮祖细胞和间充质干细胞在动脉粥样硬化、血管支架植入损伤并发症中的治疗效能逐渐被发现,由于静脉输注成体干细胞治疗疾病存在靶向性差、治疗效率低等问题,近年来对血管支架表面改性以实现内皮祖细胞或间充质干细胞的局部聚集与功能调节一直是研究的焦点。目的:论述内皮祖细胞、间充质干细胞在血管支架相关疾病中的治疗进展,以及基于内皮祖细胞、间充质干细胞的血管支架设计方面的研究现状。方法:在CNKI、万方、PubMed、Web of Science数据库检索建库以来发表的相关文献。中文检索词“内皮损伤,支架植入术,血栓,内膜增生,动脉粥样硬化,内皮修复,内皮祖细胞,间充质干细胞,血管支架”;英文检索词“endothelial injury,stenting,thrombosis,intimal hyperplasia,atherosclerosis,endothelial repair,endothelial regeneration,endothelial progenitor cell,mesenchymal stem cell,vascular stent,vascular scaffold”。根据纳入和排除标准,最终对127篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:内皮祖细胞、间充质干细胞能够通过分化以及旁分泌作用治疗动脉粥样硬化及支架植入损伤并发症,其作用机制主要包括保护内皮细胞、调节炎症细胞与炎症因子表达、调节平滑肌细胞增殖和表型等。间充质干细胞在治疗应用中可能伴有血栓、血管钙化等不良反应,使用细胞外囊泡、联合使用肝素进行表面设计是解决这一问题的可行方案。目前基于内皮祖细胞的支架研究较多,主要从内皮祖细胞的募集、捕获、增殖、分化与活性等方面进行支架表面改性;血管领域基于间充质干细胞捕获的支架研究较少,但间充质干细胞来源外泌体洗脱支架被发现具有极高的治疗效能。此外一些基础疾病如糖尿病可能会对成体干细胞活性造成影响,导致基于干细胞设计的支架失去效能,因而未来在设计相应的支架时,应注意考虑这方面的影响因素。

Antrodia Cinnamomea ameliorates neointimal formation by inhibiting infl ammatory cell infi ltration through downregulation of adhesion molecule expression in vitro and in vivo

The increased vascular infl ammation is a key event in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.Antrodia cinnamomea has been shown to promote anticancerogenic activity through decreasing infl ammation.However,the potential role of A.cinnamomea in cardiovascular diseases remains unexplored.Herein,using carotid arterial ligation models,we found that ethanol extract from A.cinnamomea(EEAC)signifi cantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia in a dose-dependent manner,accompanied with the reduced expression of activated p65 and infl ammatory cytokines.We also show that EEAC ameliorated TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of p65 and pro-infl ammatory cytokine expression in both vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)and macrophages in vitro.Mechanistically,EEAC suppressed expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)and vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM-1)in VSMCs,which attenuates the ability of monocytes/macrophages adhesion to VSMCs.Furthermore,the expression level of these adhesion molecules and infi ltration of monocytes/macrophages were also decreased in neointimal VSMCs of arteries pretreated with EEAC.Altogether,our results reveal a novel function of A.cinnamomea in suppressing vascular infl ammation upon ligation injury during neointimal formation,likely through inhibition of infl ammatory cell infi ltration via downregulating the adhesion molecules in VSMCs.Thus,A.cinnamomea may offer a pharmacological therapy to slow down disease progression in patients with vascular injury.

Evaluation of the tumor angiogenesis in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostatic cancer with MR perfusion-weighted imaging

Objective： To explore the application of MR perfusion-weighted imaging （PWI） in the benign and malignant prostate diseases, and evaluate the correlations of PWl features with vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and microvessel density （MVD）. Methods： Seventy-four consecutive patients who were diagnosed clinically for the prostate diseases, including forty-four cases with benign prostate hyperplasia and thirty cases with prostatic cancer proved pathologically, were examined by PWI. MVD and VEGF were stained with immunohistochemical methods. Some parameters of PWl, including the steepest slope of signal intensity-time curve （SSmax） and the change in relaxation rate （ΔR2^＊ peak） at lesions, were analyzed. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the results of PWl and immunohistochemistry. Results： （1） In the benign prostate hyperplasia （BPH）, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak of perfusion curve were 34.2 ± 2.9 and 1.49 ± 0.11, respectively; however, in the prostatic cancer （Pca）, they were 58.6± 4.8 and 3.18 ±0.49 respectively; there were statistical differences （t = 2.16 and 2.31, P 〈 0.05）. （2） The VEGF and MVD expressions of thirty Pca patients were significantly higher than those of forty-four BPH patients （x2 = 28.64, P 〈 0.01; t = 21.2, P 〈 0.01）. MVD expressions of Pca and BPH groups showed positive associations with VEGF expressions （P 〈 0.01）. On MR perfusion-weighted imaging, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak showed associations with MVD and VEGF expressions （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： On MR perfusion-weighted imaging, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak can reflect MVD and VEGF expression levels in the benign and malignant prostate diseases and might be implied the tumor angiogenesis so as to distinguish benign from malignant and provide the important information for the surgeon to diagnose and treat the prostatic diseases.

炎症因子在支架内再狭窄发生发展中的作用

介入治疗术后支架内再狭窄(ISR)是影响远期预后的重要原因之一,而炎症反应在ISR的发生发展中具有重要作用。不同于传统动脉粥样硬化的慢性炎症刺激进程,ISR在数月甚至数年内即可出现急性冠状动脉事件,且ISR的炎症机制更为复杂。炎症因子通过调控经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后单核巨噬细胞增殖分化、内皮细胞损伤修复、泡沫细胞形成、平滑肌细胞增殖迁移等众多机制参与ISR的发生发展。文章简述了ISR的分型及影响因素,着重阐述了不同炎症因子在ISR中的作用,以期为ISR的炎症机制研究及临床干预提供新思路。

Takeda G蛋白偶联受体5在血管平滑肌细胞增殖和迁移中的作用

目的探讨Takeda G蛋白偶联受体5(Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5,TGR5)在小鼠血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)增殖和迁移中的作用及机制。方法用血小板衍生生长因子(platelet-derived growth factor,PDGF-BB)诱导VSMCs增殖、迁移,以INT-777特异性激活TGR5,CCK-8试剂盒及增殖细胞核抗原(Ki-67)免疫荧光染色用于检测细胞增殖能力,划痕试验用于检测细胞迁移能力。Western blot检测TGR5蛋白水平变化。为探究TGR5在血管内膜增生中的作用,将40只雄性野生型C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为假手术组、内膜损伤组、假手术+UDCA(熊去氧胆酸,TGR5激动剂)组及内膜损伤+UDCA组,每组10只。造模完成后按组分别予以口服普通维持饲料及含0.5%UDCA的普通维持饲料,持续21 d后分别取材,HE染色观察颈动脉内膜增生程度,Ki-67免疫荧光染色观察颈动脉内膜血管平滑肌增殖变化。结果特异性激活TGR5明显降低VSMCs增殖活力及Ki-67阳性细胞率,同时使VSMCs划痕愈合速度减慢。特异性激活TGR5使细胞内UCP2表达增加、活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平降低。过氧化氢恢复细胞内ROS水平后,TGR5抑制VSMCs增殖迁移的作用被削弱。激活TGR5能减轻颈动脉损伤后内膜增生。结论TGR5可能通过UCP2改善细胞内氧化应激,从而抑制小鼠VSMCs的增殖和迁移。

服用非那雄胺的前列腺增生患者前列腺转录组景观特征分析

目的通过转录组分析从基因表达方面探讨非那雄胺对良性前列腺增生(BPH)患者的影响。方法收集2020年10月—2021年10月于北京大学第三医院接受前列腺电切术的患者,根据患者术前是否长期(>6个月)服用非那雄胺分为用药组和非用药组,两组各8例。对两组患者的前列腺组织标本进行转录组测序分析,定量聚合酶链式反应(qPCR)及免疫组化分析验证其结果。结果用药组与非用药组相比,上调基因857个,下调基因806个。通路富集分析显示,非那雄胺导致焦点粘附通路中血管内皮生长因子D型(VEGFD)表达下调;组间网络分析提示钙信号通路为整个过程的关键通路;进一步对其进行基因集富集分析(GSEA)发现分化簇38(CD38)基因表达上调。qPCR及免疫组化验证支持上述转录组结果,同时发现雄激素受体表达升高。结论非那雄胺通过下调焦点粘附通路中VEGFD的表达减少前列腺微血管生成,进而降低BPH手术出血的风险,长期服用非那雄胺导致钙信号通路中CD38表达上调,可能与非那雄胺抵抗有关。