β-细辛醚对PC12细胞、血管平滑肌细胞、人静脉内皮细胞缺氧损伤的影响

目的:探讨缺氧对脑神经细胞、血管内皮细胞和血管平滑肌细胞的损伤顺序及β-细辛醚干预后对上述损伤的影响。方法:观察β-细辛醚对PC12细胞、血管内皮细胞和血管平滑肌细胞缺氧损伤形态变化,配合以MTT法和流式细胞分析法对各种细胞缺氧损伤后的存活和凋亡时间及状况进行分析。结果:在缺氧0.5 h时神经细胞凋亡率达到40%,在缺氧1.5 h时血管内皮细胞和血管平滑肌细胞凋亡率达到40%。β-细辛醚0.015 mg/ml组,0.03 mg/ml和0.06 mg/ml组对PC12细胞、血管平滑肌细胞均有保护作用,且呈剂量依赖性;β-细辛醚0.015 mg/ml组对血管内皮细胞无保护作用;0.06 mg/ml和0.03 mg/ml组均有保护作用。结论:一定剂量的β-细辛醚具有保护脑神经细胞、血管内皮细胞和血管平滑肌细胞免受缺氧损伤,提高细胞存活率的作用。

山奈酚通过调控AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1信号通路缓解ox-LDL介导的内皮细胞损伤

目的:探讨山奈酚(Kaempferol)对氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导的人静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)损伤的影响及其分子机制。方法:将HUVECs随机分为6组:对照(control)组、ox-LDL组、Kaempferol+ox-LDL组、Kaempferol+ox-LDL+Compound C组、Kaempferol+ox-LDL+si-Nrf2组和Kaempferol+ox-LDL+si-HO-1组。MTT方法检测细胞活力,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡和ROS水平,Western blot检测蛋白表达水平。结果:与对照组相比,ox-LDL处理组的细胞活力下降;凋亡率增加,cleaved-caspase-3蛋白水平上调而Bcl-2下调;TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、血管细胞黏附分子(VCAM1)、细胞间黏附分子(ICAM1)和选择素E(E-selectin)的表达升高;活性氧簇(ROS)水平提高而超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平下降;p-AMPK、Nrf2和HO-1的蛋白水平也减少。与ox-LDL组相比,山奈酚处理能够缓解以上细胞活力、凋亡及氧化应激等方面的损伤反应,上调p-AMPK、Nrf2和HO-1的蛋白水平。Compound C、si-Nrf2和si-HO-1处理能够抑制AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1信号通路,提高ROS的生成,抑制山奈酚对ox-LDL诱导HUVECs损伤的拮抗作用。结论:山奈酚能够缓解ox-LDL诱导的内皮损伤,这与山奈酚促进AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1信号通路的激活有关。

葛根素6″-O-木糖苷对ox-LDL诱导HUVECs细胞损伤的影响

目的 探讨葛根素6″-O-木糖苷对氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导人静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)损伤的影响。方法 将HUVECs随机分为对照组、ox-LDL组及葛根素6″-O-木糖苷10、20、40μmol/L组,MTT法检测细胞活性,ELISA法检测白介素(IL)-1β和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α水平,试剂盒检测caspase-3活性,Western blot检测细胞间黏附分子(ICAM1)、血管细胞黏附分子(VCAM1)、cleaved caspase-3、p-p65、p-IκB-α表达。结果 与对照组比较,ox-LDL处理使HUVECs细胞活性降低(P<0.05),caspase-3活性及IL-1β、TNF-α水平升高(P<0.05),cleaved caspase-3、ICAM1、VCAM1、p-p65、p-IκB-α蛋白表达升高(P<0.05);与ox-LDL组比较,葛根素6″-O-木糖苷能改善以上指标(P<0.05),并呈剂量依赖性。结论 葛根素6″-O-木糖苷能抵抗ox-LDL诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤,包括提高细胞活性、抑制细胞凋亡和炎症,其机制可能与抑制NF-κB信号通路有关。

Protective effects of icariin on human umbilical vein endothelial cell injured by angiotensin Ⅱ

To investigate the effects of icariin （ICA） on angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells line （ECV-304）. The ECV-304 cells were cultured in vitro. After 24 h incubating with icariin, the model of AngⅡ-induced injury in ECV-304 was established. The cell viability （MTT method）, Lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release and Nitric oxide （NO） production in the medium, the capacity of scavenging superoxide anion radicals （O2^-） and hydroxyl radicals （.OH） were measured. The activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, total nitric oxide synthase （T-NOS）, inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and constitutive nitric oxide synthase （cNOS） in the cells were determined. Compared with the Ang Ⅱ-treated group, ICA can significantly raise the viability of EC, increase the activities of SOD, T-NOS and cNOS, increase the production of NO, enhance the capacity of scavenging superoxide anion radicals （ O2^- ） and hydroxyl radicals（.OH）, and lower LDH leakage and iNOS activity. The results suggest that ICA can protect endothelial cells （ECV-304） from Ang II-induced injury.

Baicalin and geniposide inhibit the development of atherosclerosis by increasing Wntl and inhibiting dickkopf-related protein-1 expression

Background Our previous study showed that the combined Chinese herbs containing scutellaria baicalensis georgi and gardenia jasminoids ellis inhibited atherosclerosis. In this study, we sought to determine if baicalin and geniposide could inhibit atherosclerosis through Wntl and dickkopf-related protein-1 （DKK1）. Methods The wild-type and ApoE-/- mice were treated with baicalin, geniposide, and baicalin plus geniposide daily by gavage for 12 weeks. Blood lipid levels were measured with an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Aortic atherosclerotic lesion areas were analyzed with Image-ProPlus software. The mRNA and protein expression of DKK1, Wntt and nuclear factor-r,B （NF-κB） were measured with RT-PCR and Westem Blot. Serum levels of interleukin-12 （IL-12） were quantified with ELISA. Results The baicalin or geniposide monotherapy as well as combination therapy inhibited the development of atherosclerotic lesions, increased Wntl and decreased DKKI expression and elevated the ratio of Wntl/DKK1 compared with high-lipid diet group. However, only baicalin or geniposide monotherapy decreased NF-κB expression. Moreover, baicalin and geniposide monoor combination therapy lowered IL-12 levels. Geniposide reduced both serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels, while baicalin either alone or in combination with geniposide did not affect serum lipid levels. In human, umbilical vein endothelial ceils stimulated by oxidized low density lipoprotein, baicalin and geniposide also increased Wntl and decreased DKK1 expression and elevated the ratio of Wntl/DKK1. Condusions Baicalin and geniposide exert inflammation-regulatory effects and may prevent atherosclerotic lesions through enhancing Wntl and inhibit- ing DKK1 expression.

The Inhibitory Effects of Arresten Protein on Tumor Formation

Objective To examine the inhibitory effects of recombinant purified arresten on tumor formation. Methods Purified arresten protein was incubated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and HeLa cells in vitro. The effect on proliferation of HUVECs and HeLa cells was examined using 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide assay, and apoptosis of these cells monitored by flow cytometry. The effect on migration of HUVECs and HeLa cells was examined by Boyden chamber. Twenty colon carcinoma-bearing C67BL/6 mice were used to investigate the antitumor effects of arresten protein. The mice were randomly divided into arresten treatment group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The microvessel densities of the tumors were measured by immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody. Results Arresten inhibited the proliferation and migration of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner while promoting apoptosis. However, arresten had no significant effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells. The migration of HeLa cells was modestly inhibited by arresten. The arresten treatment group of mice showed no weight loss or unusual behavior during the course of treatment, and the tumor growth was significantly decreased; in contrast, the control group of mice exhibited rapidly growing tumors and cachexia. A dramatically decreased microvessel density in tumor tissues was found in arresten-treated mice compared with that in the control mice. Conclusion Arresten can inhibit tumor growth through inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Fascaplysin sensitizes cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through upregulating DR5 expression

This study investigated the molecular mechanism of anti-tumor effect of fascaplysin, a nitrogenous red pigment firstly isolated from a marine sponge. Microarray analysis show that the TNF and TNF receptor superfamily in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human hepatocarcinoma cells (BEL-7402) were significantly regulated by fascaplysin. Western Blot results reveal that fascaplysin increased the expression of cleaved caspase-9, active caspase-3, and decreased the level of procaspase-8 and Bid. Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity tests indicate that fascaplysin sensitized cells to tumor necrosis-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-(TRAIL) induced apoptosis, which was markedly blocked by TRAIL R2/Fc chimera, a dominant negative form of TRAIL receptor DR5. Therefore, our results demonstrate that fascaplysin promotes apoptosis through the activation of TRAIL signaling pathway by upregulating DR5 expression.

Extract of Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus induces angiogenesis in vitro and activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus has long been used as traditional Chinese medicine in oriental medicine.The angiogentic activity of the extract of M.meretrix was investigated in this study,using human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).Extract of M.meretrix Linnaeus(AFG-25) was prepared with acetone and ethanol precipitation,and further separated by Sephadex G-25 column.The results show that AFG-25 promoted proliferation,migration,and capillary-like tube formation in HUVECs,and in the presence of eNOS inhibitor NMA,the tube formation induced by AFG-25 is inhibited significantly.Moreover,AFG25 could also promote the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) and the resultant elevation of nitric oxide(NO) production.The results suggested that M.meretrix contains active ingredients with angiogentic activity and eNOS/NO signal pathway is in part involved in the proangiogenesis effect induced by AFG-25.

Mechanism Study of Endothelial Protection and Inhibits Platelet Activation of Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan from Laminaria japonica

Several studies have indicated that fucoidan fractions with low molecular weight and different sulfate content from Laminaria japonica could inhibit the activation of platelets directly by reducing the platelet aggregation. To explore the direct effect of LMW fucoidan on the platelet system furthermore and examine the possible mechanism, the endothelial protection and inhibits platelet activation effects of two LMW fucoidan were investigated. In the present study, Endothelial injury model of rats was made by injection of adrenaline(0.4 mg kg-1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured. v WF level was be investigated in vivo and in vitro as an important index of endothelial injury. LMW fucoidan could significantly reduce v WF level in vascular endothelial injury rats and also significantly reduce v WF level in vitro. The number of EMPs was be detected as another important index of endothelial injury. The results showed that LMW fucoidan reduced EMPs stimulated by tumor necrosis factor. In this study, it was found that by inhibiting platelet adhesion, LMW fucoidan played a role in anti-thrombosis and the specific mechanism of action is to inhibit the flow of extracellular Ca2+. All in a word, LMW fucoidan could inhibit the activation of platelets indirectly by reducing the concentration of EMPs and v WF, at the same time; LMW fucoidan inhibited the activation of platelets directly by inhibiting the flow of extracellular Ca2+.

Growth-inhibitory effects of MOB2 on human hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721

AIM:To investigate the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing effects of the gene MOB2 on human hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.METHODS:The full-length cDNA of the MOB2 gene was amplified from human umbilical vein endothelial cells.The correct full-length MOB2 cDNA was subcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C1.After lipofection of the MOB2 gene into cancer cells,the levels of MOB2 protein in the cancer cells were detected by immunoblotting.To transfect the recombined plasmid vector pEGFP-CI-MOB2 into SMMC-7721 cells,the cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle'sMedium with 10% fetal calf serum and glutamine,and then mixed with liposomes,Lipofectamine 2000 and the plasmid vector pEGFP-CI-MOB2.RESULTS:We observed the growth and proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells containing pEGFP-CI-MOB2 and analyzed their apoptosis and growth cycle phases by flow cytometry.We successfully transfected the recombined plasmid vector pEGFP-CI-MOB2 into SMMC-7721 cells and screened for a single clone cell containing MOB2.After transfection,MOB2 enhanced growth suppression,induced apoptosis,increased the ratio of G0/G1,significantly inhibited the advance of cell cycle phase,and arrested cells in G0/G1 phase.CONCLUSION:MOB2 overexpression induces apoptosis and inhibits the growth of human hepatic cancer cells,which may be useful in gene therapy for hepatic carcinoma.

Anti-angiogenesis effect of Demethyl bryoanthrathiophene(DBT) in vitro

Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Demethyl bryoanthrathiophene(DBT) on proliferations of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549,and antiangiogenic effect of DBT on HUVECs in vitro.Methods:MTT assay was used to observe the effect of DBT on proliferations of HUVECs and A549 cells,flat plate scarification assay and tube formation in vitro test were used to observe the impact of DBT on migration and vaso-formed ability of HUVECs.The effects of DBT on apoptosis and cell cycle of HUVECs were calculated by flow cytometry.Results:MTT assay showed that treatment with DBT resulted in strong inhibition to the growth of HUVECs and A549 cells.The inhibition effects of DBT on HUVECs and A549 cells were related to dosage and times of dependency.In different doses of DBT(0.16,0.32 and 0.48 μmol/L) of flat plate scarification for 24 h,inhibition rates of DBT to migration of HUVECs were 14.70%,38.23% and 58.82%,respectively.In dose of DBT from 0.04,0.20 to 0.40 μmol/L for 24 h in tube formation,there were significance differences(P < 0.01) in the decreasing number of angiogenesis and incomplete blood vessel compared with control groups.All results showed that DBT promoted the apoptosis rate of HUVECs,and the increase of concentration of DBT accompanied the acceleration of apoptosis rate.Conclusion:DBT could inhibit the proliferations of HUVECs and A549 cells,and effectively suppress angiogenesis in vitro.

Effect of Electrical Stimulation on the Growth of Endothelial Cell

Exogenous electrical stimulation plays an important role on endothelial cells and vessels. Study on the effect of electrical stimulation on endothelial cells might be helpful to regulate cell metabolism on a certain extent, or provide new ideas for vascular tissue engineering. A bioreactor that can apply electrical stimulation was designed on the basis of parallel-plate chamber. To investigate the possible effect of electrical stimulation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）, the different levels and duration＇s electrical stimulations were applied to HUVECs in culture. The cell morphology was observed by microscopy and the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） gene were measured by RT-PCR. Different levels and durations of electrical stimulation produce different effects on eNOS gene expression. The eNOS gene expressions of the experimental group ceils under the voltage of 50 mV, 100 mV, 150 mV and 200 mV were significantly lower than that of the control group after 3-hour electrical stimulation, while the eNOS gene levels of the experimental group cells in 6-hour electrical stimulation were higher than those of the control group under all tested voltages. After 12-hour stimulation, the eNOS gene levels of HUVECs decreased under 50 mV, and then gradually increased until 200 inV. The low voltage of 6-hour electrical stimulation is more appropriate for HUVECs growth.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF MAGNOLIAE FARGESII VOLATILE OIL

Objective To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of magnoliae fargesii volatile oil.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated by TNF-α to express the adhesion molecules. Then the anti-adhesion effects of magnoliae fargesii volatile oil between HUVECs and human peripheral neutrophils were observed. The ischemia-reperfusion animal models were established by 60min renal ischemia followed by 1, 3, 6 and 24h reperfusion. Rats were randomly divided into the following groups: the sham-operation controls, ischemic group only treated with normal saline, and treated group infused magnoliae fargesii volatile oil before reperfusion. Then the renal injury of rats was detected. Results High rate of cell adhesion between HUVECs and neutrophils was observed. Magnoliae fargesii volatile oil could inhibit the adhesion process at the concentration of 0.5μL/mL (191.6±8.6), 1.0μL/mL (158.2±9.0) and 2.0μL/mL (155.2±9.7) (P<0.05). The anti-adhesion effects were strengthened with the increase of volatile oil concentration. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels of the animal models were significantly increased after 24h reperfusion while the increase was remarkably attenuated by the treatment with magnoliae fargesii volatile oil. The renal injury was severe after 1h reperfusion, which was significantly attenuated by the treatment of magnoliae fargesii volatile oil. Conclusion Magnoliae fargesii volatile oil has anti-inflammatory effects.

木豆叶与鲜地黄提取物对ox-LDL诱导损伤HUVEC的影响(Ⅰ)

目的研究地黄木豆叶提取物(DMT)对氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)损伤的影响及可能机制,为临床应用和中药新药研发提供实验依据。方法应用血清药理学方法制备辛伐他汀、地黄木豆叶及正常空白血清,以供细胞实验使用。采用ox-LDL损伤HUVEC,与各组药物共培养,即空白组、模型组、辛伐他汀组(1.8 mg·kg^(-1),15%含药血清),DMT低剂量组(5%含药血清)、中剂量组(10%含药血清)、高剂量组(15%含药血清),收集细胞,Annexin V-FITC法检测细胞凋亡;酶法检测上清液乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量;ELISA法检测上清液P-选择素(P-selectin)、E-选择素(E-selectin)、白细胞介素1β(Interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、白细胞介素6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子α(Tumor necrosis factorα,TNF-α)含量;Western Blot法检测Bax、Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果与模型组比较,辛伐他汀组、DMT低、中、高剂量组细胞凋亡率显著降低(P<0.01),辛伐他汀组细胞LDH漏出率、P-选择素、E-选择素、IL-1β、IL-6含量显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);DMT低剂量组细胞LDH漏出率、TNF-α、IL-6含量显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);DMT中剂量组细胞LDH漏出率、E-选择素、IL-1β、IL-6含量显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);DMT高剂量组细胞LDH漏出率、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6含量显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01)。在蛋白表达上,与模型组比较,辛伐他汀组、DMT低、中、高剂量组Bax含量显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);DMT中剂量组Bcl-2含量显著升高(P<0.05)。结论DMT对ox-LDL诱导的HUVEC凋亡有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制炎症有关。

Inhibition of angiogenesis by DADAG in vivo and in vitro

1,2,5,6-Dianhydro-3,4-diacetyl-galactitol （DADAG）, an alkylating sugar alcohol derivative, has been shown effective against tumor growth. In this research, we explored the effect of DADAG on angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane （CAM） model and on the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）. We also studied the possible mechanism of the anti-angiogenesis effect of DADAG. The results showed that DADAG （100, 500 and 1000μnol/L） inhibited angiogenesis in CAM model dose-dependently. Sulforhodamine B （SRB） assay indicated that DADAG （45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 μmol/L） suppressed HUVECs proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. High Content Screening （HCS, Cellomics） assay, in which the influence of cell proliferation on migration could be excluded, indicated that DADAG （45, 135 and 225 ~xmol/L） directly inhibited the motility ofHUVECs. Immunofiuorescence assay suggested that DADAG inhibited angiogenesis possibly by decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression in HUVECs. Our findings reveal that DADAG show anti-angiogenic activity in vivo and in vitro, which is related to the downregulation of VEGF expression in endothelial cells.

Gadolinium-promoted angiogenesis involves the activation of PKCα/β_2 and MAPKs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Gadolinium has been widely used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging in clinical practice. Recently, it was reported that gadolinium is involved in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, although the exact mechanism by which gadolinium triggers nephrogenic systemic fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, we show that gadolinium chloride （GdC13） induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） to migrate in Matrigel and tubulogenesis during wound healing. Chick chorioallantoic membrane assay confirmed that GdC13 stimulates angiogenesis. Under the optimal angiogenic concentration of GdC13 （1 0 ~tM）, intracellular calcium concentration and reactive oxygen species generation were elevated. Moreover, western blotting results indicate that in cells treated with GdC13, Ca2＋-dependent PKCa/132 was phosphorylated, and MAPKs pathways were also activated. Taken together, GdC13 has a potential effect on angiogenesis in HUVECs, and the possible mechanisms may involve oxidative stress and calcium-related signalin~ pathways.

A comparison study of the targeting properties of NGR-liposomes and RGD-liposomes towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Endothelial cells in the angiogenic vessels of solid tumors over-express several proteins, which could be recognized by some peptide ligands. In this study, the targeting properties of two peptides, RGD （arginine-glycine-aspartic acid） and NGR （asparagine-glycine-arginine）, towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVEC） were compared in vitro using doxorubicin entrapped liposomes as vehicles. The doxorubicin-loaded sterically stabilized liposomes （SSL-DOX） and RGD or NGR modified liposomes （RGD-SSL-DOX or NGR-SSL-DOX） were prepared and characterized. The studied properties included particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release rate. Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and SRB assay were used on HUVEC to assess the targeting effect of the two peptides towards endothelial cells of tumor vasculature. All of the liposomes prepared in this study were obtained with encapsulation efficiencies of above 98%, particle sizes of about 65-75 nm and slight negative surface charges. The in vitro release results demonstrated that the modification of RGD or NGR did not alter the release behaviors of liposomes. It was observed in flow cytometry that the uptake of doxorubicin by HUVEC from SSL-DOX, NGR-SSL-DOX, RGD-SSL-DOX and doxorubicin solution followed the order of doxorubicin solution〉RGD-SSL-DOX 〉NGR-SSL-DOX〉SSL-DOX, and the intemalized doxorubicin distributed in both nuclei and cytoplasm for ligand modified SSL and only in nuclei for non-targeted SSL. The order of cytotoxicity in SRB assay was the same as that of the uptake study. The characterization study indicated that modifications did not significantly change the properties of the sterically stabilized liposomes. HUVEC treated with both modified liposomes showed higher uptake of doxorubicin as compared to those with SSL-DOX as a result of the receptor-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, RGD-SSL-DOX exhibited better targeting effect than NGR-SSL-DOX.

SIRT1 suppresses PMA and ionomycin-induced ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） plays an important role in the recruitment of leukocytes to the endothelium, which causes inflammation and initiation of atherosclerosis. We have previously shown that endothelium-specific over-expression of class III deacetylase SIRT1 decreases atherosclerosis. We therefore addressed the hypothesis that SIRT1 suppresses ICAM-1 expression in the endothelial cells. Here, we found that expression of SIRT1 and ICAM-1 was significantly induced by PMA and ionomycin （PMA/Io） in human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）. Adenovirus-mediated over-expression of SIRT1 significantly inhibited PMA/Io-induced ICAM-1 expression （RNAi） resulted in increased expression of ICAM-1 in HUVECs in HUVECs. Knockdown of SIRT1 by RNA interference Luciferase report assay showed that over-expression of SIRT1 suppressed ICAM-1 promoter activity both in basic and in PMA/Io-induced conditions. We further found that SIRT1 was involved in transcription complex binding on the ICAM-1 promoter by chromatin immunoprecipitation （CHIP） assays. Furthermore, SIRT1 RNAi increased NF-~：B p65 binding ability to the ICAM-1 promoter by ChIP assays. Overall, these data suggests that SIRT1 inhibits ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells, which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerosis effect.

Hsa-miR-1246, hsa-miR-320a and hsa-miR-196b-5p inhibitors can reduce the cytotoxicity of Ebola virus glycoprotein in vitro

Ebola virus （EBOV） causes a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever syndrome in humans and has been associated with mortality rates of up to 91% in Zaire, the most lethal strain. Though the viral envelope glycoprotein （GP） mediates widespread inflammation and cellular damage, these changes have mainly focused on alterations at the protein level, the role of microRNAs （miRNAs） in the molecular pathogenesis underlying this lethal disease is not fully understood. Here, we report that the miRNAs hsa-miR-1246, hsa-miR-320a and hsa-miR-196b-5p were induced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） following expression of EBOV GP. Among the proteins encoded by predicted targets of these miRNAs, the adhesion-related molecules tissue factor pathway inhibitor （TFPI）, dystroglycan! （DAG1） and the caspase 8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator （CFLAR） were significantly downregulated in EBOV GP-expressing HUVECs. Moreover, inhibition of hsa-miR-1246, hsa-miR-320a and hsa-miR-196b-5p, or overexpression of TFPI, DAG1 and CFLAR rescued the cell viability that was induced by EBOV GP. Our results provide a novel molecular basis for EBOV pathogenesis and may contribute to the development of strategies to protect against future EBOV pandemics.

Transcriptome analysis of blood stasis syndrome in subjects with hypertension

OBJECTIVE:To screen for m RNAs associated with blood stasis syndrome and to explore the genetic mechanisms of blood stasis syndrome in hypertension.METHODS:This study involved groups of patients with hypertension and blood stasis,including those with Qi deficiency,Qi stagnation,cold retention and heat retention;as well as hypertensive patients without blood stasis and healthy individuals.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were co-cultured with the sera of these healthy individuals and patients with blood stasis syndrome.Total RNA was extracted from these cells and assessed by a high-throughput sequencing method(Solexa)and digital gene expression.Differentially expressed genes among these six groups were compared using whole genome sequences,and m RNAs associated with blood stasis syndrome identified.Differences in gene use and gene ontology function were an-alyzed.Genes enriched significantly and their pathways were determined,as were network interactions,and encoded proteins.Gene identities were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reactions.RESULTS:Compared with cells cultured in sera of the blood stasis groups,those culture in sera of healthy individuals and of the non-blood stasis group showed 11 and 301 differences,respectively in stasis-related genes.Genes identified as differing between the blood stasis and healthy groups included activating transcription factor 4,activating transcription factor 3,DNA-damage inducible transcription factor 3,Tribbles homolog 3,CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β,and Jun proto-oncogene(JUN).Pathway and protein interaction network analyses showed that these genes were associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress.Cells cultured in sera of patients with blood stasis and Qi deficiency,Qi stagnation,heat retention,and cold retention were compared with cells cultured in sera of patients with the other types blood stasis syndrome.The comparison showed differences in expression of 28,28,34,and 32 specific genes,respectively.CONCLUSION:The pathogenesis of blood stasis syndrome in hypertension is related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and involves the differential expression of the activating transcription factor 4,activating transcription factor 3,DNA-damage inducible transcription factor 3,Tribbles homolog 3,CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β,and JUN genes.