Presence of Antibodies to Heat Stress Proteins and its Possible Significance in Workers Exposed to High Temperature and Carbon Monoxide

Antibodies to the ubiquitous group of stress proteins known as heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been found to be associated with a number of diseases in humans. Hsps are known to be induced by certain xenobiotics, some of which are common in the working environment. The biological significance of the presence of such autoantibodies is presently unclear. In the present study, we used immunoblotting to investigate the presence of antibodies against the different stress proteins, Hsp27, Hsp60, Hsp71, Hse (heat shock cognate ) 73 and Hsp89a and D in groups of workers exposed to high temperature or carbon monoxide. These data were related to a detailed clinical evaluation and to various laboratory measurements including electrocardiogram (ECG), B echogram, white blood cell counts and typing, the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lymphocyte DNA damage. Antibodies to Hsp27 and Hsp71 were found more frequently in the high temperature and carbon monoxide-exposed groups than in controls (P (0.05 ). The carbon monoxide-exposed group showed the highest incidence of anti-Hsp antibodies. Anti-Hsp60 antibodies were only detected in workers exposed to high temperature or carbon monoxide. The percentage of workers with abnormal ECG, B echogram changes and displaying hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg ) was higher in the carbon monoxide group than in the control group (P＜0.05 ).There was a significant inerease in the activity of ALT in the high temperature and carbon monoxide groups and in the activities of ACP and ALP in the carbon monoxide group (P＜0.05 ). The extent of DNA damage measured in lymphoeytes was higher in workers from the high temperature and carbon monoxide-cxposed groups. We suggest that the increased frequeney of antibodies to Hsps is the result of these damages, of the release of denatured Hsps and of a decrease in the phagocytic ability of macrophages in these workers. The data gathered in the present study show a statistical relation between the occurrence of antibodies against Hsps and the frequency of health problems in workers and suggest a potential role for the antibodies as useful biomarkers to assess whether workers are experieneing environmental stress

Chronic neuroprotective effects of low concentration lithium on SH-SY5Y cells:possible involvement of stress proteins and gene expression

To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of lithium on cells, in this study, we exposed SH-SY5Y cells to 0.5 mmol/L lithium carbonate （Li2CO2） for 25-50 weeks and then detected the expression levels of some neurobiology related genes and post-translational modifications of stress proteins in SH-SYSY cells, cDNA arrays showed that pyruvate kinase 2 （PKM2） and calmodulin 3 （CaM 3） expression levels were significantly down-regulated, phosphatase protein PP2A expression was lightly down-regulated, and casein kinase II （CK2）, threonine/tyrosine phosphatase 7 （PYST2）, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase （DBH） expression levels were significantly up-regulated. Besides, western blot analysis of stress proteins （HSP27, HSP70, GRP78 and GRP94） showed an over-expression of two proteins： a 105 kDa protein which is a hyper-phosphorylated isoform of GRP94, and a 108 kDa protein which is a phosphorylated tetramer of HSP27. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of lithium are likely related to gene expressions and post-translational modifications of proteins cited above.

Preliminary Studies on the Relationship betweenAutoantibodies to Heat Stress Proteins and Heat Injury of Pilots during Acute Heat Stress

Comparison in the heart rate, oral temperature and lymphocyte DNAdamage during heat stress was made in pilots with negative antibodies to heatstress proteins (HSPs) and those with positive antibodies in the man-made climate room with Western blot and comet assay. Our results showed that the increase in oral temperature, heart rate and lymphocyte DNA damage in pilots with the posi-tive antibodies to HSPs were higher than those in pilots with the negative antibod-ies during heat stress. These results indicated that the presence of autoantibodies in plasma of pilots might reflect heat damage and high sensitivity to heat.

Effects of realgar on stress proteins, inflammatory mediators, and complement in brain tissue and serum of rats with inflammatory brain injury

BACKGROUND：The Chinese herbal compound realgar exerts detoxification effects as an adjuvant. It is suggested that realgar exerts detoxification via the following pathways： in the pathological state, realgar corrects the oxidative stress state by increasing stress levels, activating some endogenous protective factors and antagonizing the excessive release of inflammatory factors, as well as inhibiting complement activation. OBJECTIVE： To observe the changes in stress proteins, inflammatory mediators, and complement in the brain tissue and serum of rats with inflammatory brain injury, which have been treated with the Chinese herbal compound Angong Niuhuang, and to compare the efficacy of Angong Niuhuang with that of realgar, to verify the mechanism of action of realgar. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, cytological experiment, performed in the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in March 2006. MATERIALS： Thirty-six healthy, male, Sprague Dawley rats received 250 U/kg Bordetella pertussis via the common carotid artery within 15 seconds to induce inflammatory brain injury. Reagents and kits were as follows： Realgar and Angong Niuhuang powder （Foshan Second Pharmaceutical Factory, China）, Bordetella pertussis diagnostic antigen （National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products, China）, heat shock protein 70 （HSP70） enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit （Stressgen, USA）, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） ELISA kit （Biosource, USA）, nitric oxide synthase （NOS） kit, Coomassie brilliant blue protein kit （Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Co.,Ltd., China）, and complements C3 and C4 （Shanghai Kehua Dongling Diagnositic Products Co.,Ltd., China）. METHODS： Thirty-six rats were randomly and evenly divided into the following six groups： normal control, model, high-, middle-, and low-dose realgar-treated, and Angong Niuhuang-treated groups. At one hour prior to establishing the model, rats in the high-, middle-, and low-dose realgar-treated groups were administered 300, 150, and 75 mg/kg realgar, respectively; while rats in the Angong Niuhuang group received 1.5 g/kg Angong Niuhuang powder; In the model group, rats were administered Bordetalla pertussis only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Two hours after the administration of Bordetalla pertussis, the HSP70 level in the brain tissue and serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）, interleukin-6 （IL-6）, and TNF-α were determined by ELISA tests, hemooxygenase-1 （HO-1） activity in the brain tissue and serum was determined by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, NOS and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） activities in the brain tissue were measured by the Bradford assay method, and serum levels of complement C3 and C4 were determined by immunoturbidimetry. RESULTS： In the high-dose realgar and Angong Niuhuang groups, the HSP70 level in the brain tissue of rats with inflammatory brain injury was increased significantly （P 〈 0.01）. In the realgar-treated groups, HO-1 activity in the brain tissue and serum was dose-dependently enhanced with increasing realgar doses. However, no significant difference existed between the realgar groups and the model group （P 〉 0.05）. In the Angong Niuhuang group, HO-1 activity in the brain tissue and serum was increased （P 〈 0.05）. In the realgar and Angong Niuhuang groups, serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly decreased; the serum IL-1β level recovered to the normal level and serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α dose-dependently decreased in the realgar groups. NOS activity in the brain tissue was lower in the high-dose realgar group than in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. iNOS activity was significantly lower in the middle- and high-dose realgar groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.01）. NOS and iNOS activities were significantly lower in the Angong Niuhuang group than in the model group （P 〈 0.01）. The serum C3 level was significantly decreased in the middle-dose realgar and Angong Niuhuang groups （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： At certain doses, realgar is able to correct the oxidative stress state, by inducing and activating endogenous protective factors, such as HSP70, and inhibiting the excessive release of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. However, it remains unclear whether realgarinhibits the activation of C3 and C4.

Comparative proteomic analysis of hippocampal proteins from chronic stressed rats

Chronic stress can induce hippocampus injury such as neuron loss and dendrite atrophy,but its mechanism and molecular basis remain unclear up to now.To understand the molecular mechanism on protein level and find the crucial proteins which correlated with chronic

The Combined Effects of High Temperature and Carbon Monoxide on Heat Stress Response

In this study,we have examined the effects of exposure to high temperature, carbon inonoxideor a combination of both conditions in a model system,the rat and in industrial workers.In the rat liver, HSP70 mRNA and HSP70 synthesis were measured by dot hybridization and western blot. The results showed that after a heat stress HSP70 mRNA and its product, HSP70 increased significantly and there was a synergism in the combined effects of high temperature and carbon monoxide exposure on the induction of HSP70 mRNA and HSP70 synthesis. Heat played a major role in this induction. The presence of antibodies to human HSP27, HSP60, HSP70,HSC73, HSP89 αand β in workers exposed to heat, carbon monoxide was also measured by western blot using purified HSPs as antigens. Plasma free amino acids were measured in the saine group of workers. The incidence of antibodies to HSP27 and HSP70 Was significantly higher in the workers working in an environment with extreme heat, and high carbon monoxide ernission than in a control group. The carbon monoxide exposed group showed the highest incidence of antibodies to HSPs. Although our previous results indicated that workers had an insufficient protein intake,plasma free amino acids tended to increase, especially in methionine and tryptophan two kinds of amino acids which are absent from the main stress protein, HSP70.These results suggest that the major problems that these workers may face are how to facilitate the use of plasma free amino acids and reduce the inhibition of synthesis of normal proteins when they are exposed to occupational harmful factors.These resultsalso add new information on the measurement of HSPs as a potential biomonitor to assess whether organisms are experiencing metabolic stress within their environment.

Expression of Heat Stress Protein 70 mRNA in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Its Significance

The effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the expression of heat stress protein 70 (Hsp70) in human bronchi smooth muscle cells were investigated in vitro, and the changes in Hsp70 mRNA in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their significance were explored. Human bronchi smooth muscle cells were cultured with CSE at the different concentrations. The expression of Hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 was detected by reverse translation-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. Levels of Hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 in lymphocytes from 20 patients with COPD and 20 healthy smoking control subjects were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed the expression of both Hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 was decreased conformably in human bronchi smooth muscle cells treated with CSE at certain concentration in vitro. The A values of the Hsp70 mRNA expression were 0.24±0.11 and 0.42±0.13 respectively in COPD patients and healthy smoking controls with the difference being significant (P<0.01). There was also significant difference in the A values of the Hsp70 expression between COPD patients and healthy smoking controls (20.9±9.9 vs 44.8±15.3, P<0.01). The levels of Hsp70 mRNA had strongly positive correlation with Hsp70 protein (r = 0.85, P<0 01). It was suggested that the expression of Hsp70 mRNA was in concordance with the expression of Hsp70, which could provide a basis on the study of Hsp70 gene regulation and Hsp70 gene in the development of COPD.

Detection and Its Implication of Heat Stress Protein 27 and P21 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

To study the expression of heat stress protein 27 (HSP27) and P21 in nasopharyngeal car- cinoma (NPC) tissue, and to evaluate the significance of both HSP27 and P21 in the pathogenesis, development and prognosis of NPC. Indirect immunofluorescence method combined with SABC was applied. Our results showed that (1) the positive rates of HSP27 and P21 expressed in NPC tissue in 36 cases were 88. 9 % and 94. 4%; (2) while in 10 hyperplastic nasopharyngitis tissues, the positive rate of HSP27 and P21 were both 5; (3) all the 5 normal tissues were negatively stained. It is obvi- ous that a co-expressing tendency of HSP27 and P21 could be identified, and it was associated with the degree of malignancy and the clinical stage of NPC. It is concluded that the positive expression of HSP27 and P21 may have clinical significance in the evaluation of the occurring, development and prognosis of NPC, and in NPC treatment.

Electroacupuncture pretreatment exhibits antidepressive effects by regulating hippocampal proteomics in rats with chronic restraint stress

The clinical effect of electroacupuncture on depression is widely recognized. However, the signal transduction pathways and target proteins involved remain unclear. In the present study, rat models of chronic restraint stress were used to explore the mechanism by which electroacupuncture alleviates depression. Rats were randomly divided into control, model, and electroacupuncture groups. Chronic restraint stress was induced in the model and electroacupuncture groups by restraining rats for 28 days. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture pretreatment at Baihui（GV20） and Yintang（GV29） acupoints was performed daily（1 m A, 2 Hz, discontinuous wave, 20 minutes） prior to restraint for 28 days. Open field tests and body weight measurements were carried out to evaluate the depressive symptoms at specific time points. On day 28, the crossing number, rearing number, and body weights of the model group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Behavior test results indicated that rat models of depressive-like symptoms were successfully established by chronic restraint stress combined with solitary raising. On day 28, an isobaric tag for a relative and absolute quantitation-based quantitative proteomic approach was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins in hippocampal samples obtained from the model and electroacupuncture groups. The potential function of these differential proteins was predicted through the use of the Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins（COG） database. Twenty-seven differential proteins（uncharacteristic proteins expected） were selected from the model and electroacupuncture groups. In addition to unknown protein functions, COG are mainly concentrated in general prediction function, mechanism of signal transduction, amino acid transport and metabolism groups. This suggests that electroacupuncture improved depressive-like symptoms by regulating differential proteins, and most of these related proteins exist in nerve cells.

Association between heat stress and oxidative stress in poultry;mitochondrial dysfunction and dietary interventions with phytochemicals

Heat as a stressor of poultry has been studied extensively for many decades; it affects poultry production on a worldwide basis and has significant impact on well-being and production. More recently, the involvement of heat stress in inducing oxidative stress has received much interest. Oxidative stress is defined as the presence of reactive species in excess of the available antioxidant capacity of animal cells. Reactive species can modify several biologically cellular macromolecules and can interfere with cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, during the last decade, there has been an ever-increasing interest in the use of a wide array of natural feed-delivered phytochemicals that have potential antioxidant properties for poultry. In light of this, the current review aims to（1） summarize the mechanisms through which heat stress triggers excessive superoxide radical production in the mitochondrion and progresses into oxidative stress,（2） illustrate that this pathophysiology is dependent on the intensity and duration of heat stress,（3） present different nutritional strategies for mitigation of mitochondrial dysfunction, with particular focus on antioxidant phytochemicals.Oxidative stress that occurs with heat exposure can be manifest in all parts of the body; however, mitochondrial dysfunction underlies oxidative stress. In the initial phase of acute heat stress, mitochondrial substrate oxidation and electron transport chain activity are increased resulting in excessive superoxide production. During the later stage of acute heat stress, down-regulation of avian uncoupling protein worsens the oxidative stress situation causing mitochondrial dysfunction and tissue damage. Typically, antioxidant enzyme activities are upregulated. Chronic heat stress, however, leads to downsizing of mitochondrial metabolic oxidative capacity, up-regulation of avian uncoupling protein, a clear alteration in the pattern of antioxidant enzyme activities, and depletion of antioxidant reserves.Some phytochemicals, such as various types of flavonoids and related compounds, were shown to be beneficial in chronic heat-stressed poultry, but were less or not effective in non-heat-stressed counterparts. This supports the contention that antioxidant phytochemicals have potential under challenging conditions. Though substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the association between heat stress and oxidative stress, the means by which phytochemicals can alleviate oxidative stress have been sparsely explored.

Stress-induced intestinal necrosis resulting from severe trauma of an earthquake

AIM:To investigate the possible reasons and suggest therapeutic plan of stress-induced intestinal necrosis resulting from the severe trauma.METHODS:Three patients in our study were trapped inside collapsed structures for 22,21 and 37 h,respectively,The patients underwent 3-4 operations after sustaining their injuries,Mechanical ventilation,intermittent hemodialysis and other treatments were also provided.The patients showed signs of peritoneal irritation on postoperative days 10-38.Small intestinal necrosis was confirmed by emergency laparotomy,and for each patient,part of the small bowel was removed.RESULTS:Two patients who all performed 3 operations died of respiratory complications on the first and second postoperative days respectively.The third patient who performed 4 operations was discharged and made a full recovery.Three patients had the following common characteristics:(1) Multiple severe trauma events with no direct penetrating gastrointestinal injury;(2) Multiple surgeries with impaired renal function and intermittent hemodialysis treatment;(3) Progressive abdominal pain and tenderness,and peritoneal irritation was present on post-traumatic days 10-38;(4) Abdominal operations confirmed segment ulcer,necrosis of the small intestine,hyperplasia and stiffness of the intestinal wall;and(5) Pathological examinations suggested submucosal hemorrhage,necrosis,fibrosis and hyalinization of the vascular wall.Pathological examinations of all 3 patients suggested intestinal necrosis with fistulas.CONCLUSION:Intestinal necrosis is strongly associated with stress from trauma and post-traumatic complications;timely exploratory laparotomy maybe an effective method for preventing and treating stressinduced intestinal necrosis.

Study on Amino Acid Composition of HSP70 and the Level of Plasma Free Amino Acids of Workers with Long-term Exposure to Harmful factors

In order to know the practical value of heat stress protein 70 (HSP70) and to know the changes of plasma free amino acids of workers with the induction of HSP70 by harmful factors, the amino acid composition of major HSP, HSP70 purified from the heated cultured human leukemia cancer cell line K562, rabbit liver, rat liver and heart, and mouse liver with two-step procedures of DE52-cel-lulose ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on ATP-agarose was examined. The level of plasma free amino acids of workers with long-term exposure to heat, carbon monoxide and the combined effect of both heat and carbon monoxide was also investigated. The results showed that the three richest amino acids in HSP70 of all origins were Gly, Glu and Asp, except that of rat heart which was rich in Gly, Phe and Glu. Additionally, Lys, Val, Leu and Ala were also found very rich in HSP70 of all origins. Compared with controls, the most of plasma free amino acids tended to increase and free methionine and trypto-phan were increased significantly (P<0. 05) after a long-term exposure to heat, carbon monoxide, and both. These findings suggested that further studies need to be done to find the substances or drugs which induce the synthesis of HSP70 and reduce the inhibition of synthesis of normal proteins for the purpose of protecting people with exposure to harmful factors against the damage of the factors.

Artificial rearing influences the morphology,permeability and redox state of the gastrointestinal tract of low and normal birth weight piglets

Background： In this study the physiological implications of artificial rearing were investigated. Low（LBW） and normal birth weight（NBW） piglets were compared as they might react differently to stressors caused by artificial rearing. In total, 42 pairs of LBW and NBW piglets from 16 litters suckled the sow until d19 of age or were artificially reared starting at d3 until d19 of age. Blood and tissue samples that were collected after euthanasia at 0, 3, 5, 8 and 19 d of age. Histology, ELISA, and Ussing chamber analysis were used to study proximal and distal small intestine histomorphology, proliferation, apoptosis, tight junction protein expression, and permeability. Furthermore, small intestine,liver and systemic redox parameters（GSH, GSSG, GSH-Px and MDA） were investigated using HPLC.Results： LBW and NBW artificially reared piglets weighed respectively 40 and 33% more than LBW and NBW sowreared piglets at d19（P 〈 0.01）. Transferring piglets to a nursery at d3 resulted in villus atrophy, increased intestinal FD-4 and HRP permeability and elevated GSSG/GSH ratio in the distal small intestine at d5（P 〈 0.05）. GSH concentrations in the proximal small intestine remained stable, while they decreased in the liver（P 〈 0.05）. From d5 until d19, villus width and crypt depth increased, whereas PCNA, caspase-3, occludin and claudin-3 protein expressions were reduced. GSH,GSSG and permeability recovered in artificially reared piglets（P 〈 0.05）.Conclusion： The results suggest that artificial rearing altered the morphology, permeability and redox state without compromising piglet performance. The observed effects were not depending on birth weight.

Silencing the gene encoding C/EBP homologous protein lessens acute brain injury following ischemia/reperfusion

C/EBP homologous protein, an important transcription factor during endoplasmic reticulum stress, participates in cell apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress. Previous studies have shown that C/EBP homologous protein mediates nerve injury during Alzheimer＇s disease, subarachnoid hemorrhage and spinal cord trauma. In this study, we introduced C/EBP homologous protein short hairpin RNA into the brains of ischemia/reperfusion rat models via injection of lentiviral vector through the left lateral ventricle. Silencing C/EBP homologous protein gene expression significantly reduced cerebral infarction volume, decreased water content and tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β mRNA expression in brain tissues following infarction, diminished the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the infarct region, decreased caspase-3 protein content and increased Bcl-2 protein content. These results suggest that silencing C/EBP homologous protein lessens cell apoptosis and inflammatory reactions, thereby protecting nerves.

Variation in Heat-shock Proteins and Photosynthetic Thermotolerance among Natural Populations of Chenopodium album L.from Contrasting Thermal Environments:Implications for Plant Responses to Global Warming

Production of heat-shock proteins （Hsps） is a key adaptation to acute heat stress and will be important in determining plant responses to climate change. Further, intraspecifc variation in Hsps, which will influence species-level response to global warming, has rarely been examined in naturally occurring plants. To understand intraspecific variation in plant Hsps and its relevance to global warming, we examined Hsp content and thermotolerance in five naturally occurring populations of Chenopodium album L. from contrasting thermal environments grown at low and high temperatures. As expected, Hsp accumulation varied between populations, but this was related more to habitat variability than to mean temperature. Unexpectedly, Hsp accumulation decreased with increasing variability of habitat temperatures. Hsp accumulation also decreased with increased experimental growth temperatures. Physiological thermotolerance was partitioned into basal and induced components. As with Hsps, induced thermotolerance decreased with increasing temperature variability. Thus, populations native to the more stressful habitats, or grown at higher temperatures, had lower Hsp levels and induced thermotolerance, suggesting a greater reliance on basal mechanisms for thermotolerance. These results suggest that future global climate change will differentially impact ecotypes within species, possibly by selecting for increased basal versus inducible thermotolerance.

Redox-Dependent Regulation of the Stress-Induced Zinc-Finger Protein SAP12 in Arabidopsis thaliana

The stress-associated protein SAP12 belongs to the stress-associated protein （SAP） family with 14 members in Arabidopsis thaliana. SAP12 contains two AN1 zinc fingers and was identified in diagonal 2D redox SDS-PAGE as a protein undergoing major redox-dependent conformational changes. Its transcript was strongly induced under cold and salt stress in a time-dependent manner similar to SAP10, with high levels after 6 h and decreasing levels after 24 and 48 h. The tran- script regulation resembled those of the stress marker peroxiredoxin PrxllD at 24 and 48 h. Recombinant SAP12 protein showed redox-dependent changes in quaternary structure as visualized by altered electrophoretic mobility in non-reducing SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The oxidized oligomer was reduced by high dithiothreitol concentrations, and also by E. coli thioredoxin TrxA with low dithiothreitol （DTF） concentrations or NADPH plus NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase. From Western blots, the SAP12 protein amount was estimated to be in the range of 0.5 ngμg^-1 leaf protein. SAP12 protein decreased under salt and cold stress. These data suggest a redox state-linked function of SAP12 in plant cells particularly under cold and salt stress.

Maize ZmVPP5 is a truncated Vacuole H^＋-PPase that confers hypersensitivity to salt stress

In plants, Vacuole H^＋-PPases（VPPs） are important Aproton pumps and encoded by multiple genes. In addition to full-length VPPs, several truncated forms are expressed, but their biological functions are unknown. In this study, we functionally characterized maize vacuole H^＋-PPase 5（ZmVPP5）, a truncated VPP in the maize genome. Although ZmVPP5 shares high sequence similarity with ZmVPP1 ZmVPP5 lacks the complete structure of the conserved proton transport and the inorganic pyrophosphatase-related domain. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that ZmVPP5 might be derived from an incomplete gene duplication event. ZmVPP5 is expressed in multiple tissues, and ZmVPP5 was detected in the plasma membrane, vacuole membrane and nuclei of maize cells. The overexpression of ZmVPP5 in yeast cells caused a hypersensitivity to salt stress. Transgenic maize lines with overexpressed ZmVPP5 also exhibited the salt hypersensitivity phenotype. A yeast two-hybrid analysis identified the ZmBag6 like protein as a putative ZmVPP5-interacting protein. The results of bimolecular luminescence complementation（Bi LC）assay suggest an interaction between ZmBag6-like protein and ZmVPP5 in vivo. Overall, this study suggests that ZmVPP5 might act as a VPP antagonist and participate in the cellular response to salt stress. Our study of ZmVPP5 has expanded the understanding of the origin and functions of truncated forms of plant VPPs.

Different Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2Be Mutations Lead to Various Degrees of Intolerance to the Stress of Endoplasmic Reticulum in Oligodendrocytes

Vanishing white matter disease （VWM）, a human atitosomal recessive inherited leukoencephalopathy, is due to mutations in eukaryotic initiation factor 2B （elF2B）. elF2B is responsible for tile initiation of protein synthesis by its guanine nucleotide exchange lhctor （GEF） activity. Mutations ofelF2B impair GEF activity at different degree. Previous studies implied improperly activated unlblded protein response （UPR） and endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS） participated in the pathogenesis ofVWM. Autophagy relieves endoplasmic reticulum load by eliminating the unfolded protein. It is still unknown the effects of genotypes on the pathogenesis. In this work, UPR and autophagy flux were analyzed with different mutational types. Methods： ERS tolerance, reflected by apoptosis and cell viability, was detected in human oligodendrocyte cell line transfected with the wild type, or different mutations of p. Argl 13 His, p. Arg269＊ or p. Ser610-Asp613del in el F2 Be. A representative U PR-PERK component of activating transcription lhctor 4 （ATF4） was measured under the basal condition and ERS induction. Autophagy was analyzed the flux in the presence of lysosomal inhibitors. Results： The degree of ERS tolerance varied in different genotypes. The truncated or deletion mutant showed prominent apoptosis cell viability declination after ERS induction. The most seriously damaged GEF activity ofp. Arg269＊ group underwent spontaneous apoptosis. The truncated or deletion mutant showed elevated ATF4 under basal as well as ERS condition. Decreased expression of LC3-1 and LC3-11 in the mutants reflected an impaired autophagy flux, which was more obvious in the truncated or deletion mutants alter ERS induction. Conclusions： GEF activities in dilt;erent genotypes could influence the cell ERS tolerance as well as compensatory pathways of UPR and autophagy. Oligodendrocytes with truncated or deletion inutants showed less tolerable to ERS.

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress protein C / EBP homologous protein-10 in ischemia and hypoxia induced human aortic endothelial cells injury

Objective To investigate the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ESR)marker C/EBP homologous protein-10(CHOP-10)in the human aortic endothelial cells(HAEC)under the ischemia and hypoxia stress and to study the effects of atorvastatin on the process.Methods The cultured HAEC were divided into normal control group,ischemia/hypoxia model group。

Yishen Jiangzhuo Granules(益肾降浊冲剂) Affect Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis via A Mitochondrion-Mediated Apoptotic Pathway

Objective： To investigate the effect of Yishen Jiangzhuo Granules （益肾降浊冲剂 , YSJZG） on mitochondrial injury and regeneration and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in chronic renal failure （CRF） rats and explore its mechanism from molecular pathology, gene, protein levels, and relative pathway. Methods： The CRF rat model was established using 5/6 nephrectomy. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups： sham-operation group, model （CRF） group, Niaoduqing Granules （尿毒清颗粒）-treated group [5 g/（kg.day）], low-, moderate-, and high-dose [L-YSJZG, M-YSJZG, H-YSJZG at 3, 6, and 9 g/（kg-day）] YSJZG-treated group （n=10 each）. The levels of serum creatinine （Scr）, blood urea nitrogen （BUN）, and 24-h urine protein were assessed after 10 weeks of treatment. The tubulointerstitial injury and collagen deposition were evaluated using periodic acid-schiff stain and Masson staining. Renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, mitochondrial injury was observed using an electron microscope, and superoxide dismutase （SOD）, glutathione （GSH） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels were assessed using chromometry. Transforming growth factor- 1 β（TGF-β 1） expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 α （PGC-1α）, mitochondrial transcription factor A （Tfam）, mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPK） phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blot. Results： YSJZG decreased the 24-h urine protein, BUN, Scr, remnant kidney weight-to-body weight ratio, renal tubular injury, deposition of collagen, and the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. YSJZG dose-dependently restored the number and structure of mitochondria and the expression of Tfam and PCG-1 α, up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, and inhibited the expression of Bax. YSJZG also dose-dependently inhibited TGF- 13 1 expression, increased SOD and GSH activity, decreased the MDA level, and inhibited p38MAPK and pERK1/2 phosphorylation （all P〈0.01）. Conclusion： YSJZG improved the renal function in rats with CRF and inhibited the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis by dose-dependently alleviating mitochondrial injury, restoring the expression of Tfam and PCG-1α , and inhibiting renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis through inhibiting activation of reactive oxygen species-MAPK signaling.