Transforming growth factor-b 1 (TGF-β1), a multi-function polypeptide, is a double-edged sword in cancer. For some tumor cells, TGF-β1 is a potent growth inhibitor and apoptosis inducer. More commonly, TGF-β1 loses...Transforming growth factor-b 1 (TGF-β1), a multi-function polypeptide, is a double-edged sword in cancer. For some tumor cells, TGF-β1 is a potent growth inhibitor and apoptosis inducer. More commonly, TGF-β1 loses its growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects, but stimulates the metastatic capacity of tumor cells. It is currently little known about TGF-β1-promoted cell migration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, let alone its mechanism. In this study, we found that TGF-β1 lost its tumor-suppressive effects, but significantly stimulated cell migration in SMMC-7721 human HCC cells. By FACS and Western blot analysis, we observed that TGF-β1 enhanced the expression of α5β1 integrin obviously, and subsequently stimulated cell adhesion onto fibronectin (Fn). Furthermore, we observed that TGF-β1 could also promote SMMC-7721 cells adhesion onto laminin (Ln). Our data also provided evidences that TGF-β1 induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in SMMC-7721 cells. First, SMMC-7721 cells clearly switched to the spindle shape morphology after TGF-β1 treatment. Furthermore, TGF-β1 induced the down-regulation of E-cadherin and the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. These results indicated that TGF-β1-promoted cell adhesion and TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation might be both responsible for TGF-β1-enhanced cell migration.展开更多
The changes in retinal thickness and visual function in type 2 diabetic patients without clinical evidence of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated. A total of 141 diabetic subjects without retinopathy and 158 healthy s...The changes in retinal thickness and visual function in type 2 diabetic patients without clinical evidence of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated. A total of 141 diabetic subjects without retinopathy and 158 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Superior macular ganglion cell complex thicknesses were significantly decreased in diabetic cases, and no significant peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes were observed. The contrast sensitivities at all space frequencies were significantly different between diabetic patients and controls. The mean P50 amplitude from pattern electroretinogram results was reduced significantly in the diabetic group. In the diabetic group, average superior ganglion cell complex thicknesses positively correlated with both contrast sensitivities at high spatial frequencies and P50 amplitudes. The results indicated that ganglion cell complex thickness and visual function changes could be observed in diabetic subjects before the onset of any significant diabetic retinopathy. Macular ganglion cell complex reduction occurred much earlier than peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in diabetic patients without retinopathy.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To observe the impact of xinfeng xapsule(XFC) on pulmonary function in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis(AA) and to investigate the mechanism of action.METHODS:Forty rats were randomly divided into four grou...OBJECTIVE:To observe the impact of xinfeng xapsule(XFC) on pulmonary function in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis(AA) and to investigate the mechanism of action.METHODS:Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten:normal control(NC);model control(MC);tripterygium glycosides tablet(TPT);and xinfeng capsule(XFC).Except for the NC group,AA was induced in all rats by intracutaneous injection of 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant in the right paw on the 19th day.NC and MC groups were given(0.9%) physiological saline.The TPT and XFC groups were given TPT(10 mg/kg) and XFC(1.2 g/kg),respectively.Thirty days after administration,changes in paw edema(E),the arthritis index(AI),pulmonary function,levels of regulatory T-cells(Treg),ultrastructure of lung tissue,and expression of Notch receptors and ligands in lung tissue were observed.RESULTS:In the MC group,E and the AI were increased and pulmonary function significantly decreased;the structure of alveolar type-II cells was damaged;ratios of Treg in peripheral blood were reduced;and expression of Notch receptors such as Notch3 and Notch4 and ligands such as Delta1 in lung tissue were significantly increased whereas expression of Notch1,Jagged1 and Jagged2 were significantly decreased.After intervention with XFC,E and the AI were decreased;pulmonary function was enhanced;the structure of alveolar type-II cells was improved;and expression of Treg,Notch1,Jagged1,Jagged2 was elevated,whereas that of Notch3,Notch4 and Delta1 was reduced.CONCLUSION:XFC can not only inhibit E and the AI and improve joint symptoms,it can also improve pulmonary function and reduce inflammation in lung tissue.These actions could be carried out through increases in the expression of Treg,Notch receptors(Notch1) and ligands(Jagged1,Jagged2),and reductions in the expression of Notch3,Notch4 and Delta1.These phenomena would reduce the deposition of immune complexes and the inflammatory response in lung tissue,thereby improving joint symptoms and pulmonary function.展开更多
TGF-β and Foxp3 expressions are crucial for the induction and functional activity of CD4＋Foxp3＋ regulatory T （iTreg） cells. Here, we demonstrate that although TGF-β-primed CD8＋ cells display much lower Foxp3 ex...TGF-β and Foxp3 expressions are crucial for the induction and functional activity of CD4＋Foxp3＋ regulatory T （iTreg） cells. Here, we demonstrate that although TGF-β-primed CD8＋ cells display much lower Foxp3 expression, their suppressive capacity is equivalent to that of CD4＋ iTreg cells, and both Foxp3- and Foxp3＋ CD8＋ subsets have suppressive activities in vitro and in vivo. CD8＋Foxp3- iTreg cells produce little IFN-γ but almost no IL-2, and display a typical anergic phenotype. Among phenotypic markers expressed in CD8＋Foxp3- cells, we identify CD103 expression particularly crucial for the generation and function of this subset. Moreover, IL-IO and TGF-β signals rather than cytotoxicity mediate the suppressive effect of this novel Treg population. Therefore, TGF-β can induce both CD8＋Foxp3- and CD8＋Foxp3＋ iTreg subsets, which may represent the unique immunoregulatory means to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.展开更多
Energy homeostasis is essential for maintaining cell survival and regular functions, and the loss of energy homeostasis may result in a variety of diseases. In this review, we focus on the roles and regulatory mechani...Energy homeostasis is essential for maintaining cell survival and regular functions, and the loss of energy homeostasis may result in a variety of diseases. In this review, we focus on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of T lymphocytes energy metabolism in its activation, differentiation and physiological function. We also discuss the significance of T cell energy metabolism for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.展开更多
基金supported by grants from National Nature Science Foundation of China(No.30000083)Science and Technology Bureau of Shanghai Municipal Govemment(No.00JC 14042).
文摘Transforming growth factor-b 1 (TGF-β1), a multi-function polypeptide, is a double-edged sword in cancer. For some tumor cells, TGF-β1 is a potent growth inhibitor and apoptosis inducer. More commonly, TGF-β1 loses its growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects, but stimulates the metastatic capacity of tumor cells. It is currently little known about TGF-β1-promoted cell migration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, let alone its mechanism. In this study, we found that TGF-β1 lost its tumor-suppressive effects, but significantly stimulated cell migration in SMMC-7721 human HCC cells. By FACS and Western blot analysis, we observed that TGF-β1 enhanced the expression of α5β1 integrin obviously, and subsequently stimulated cell adhesion onto fibronectin (Fn). Furthermore, we observed that TGF-β1 could also promote SMMC-7721 cells adhesion onto laminin (Ln). Our data also provided evidences that TGF-β1 induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in SMMC-7721 cells. First, SMMC-7721 cells clearly switched to the spindle shape morphology after TGF-β1 treatment. Furthermore, TGF-β1 induced the down-regulation of E-cadherin and the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. These results indicated that TGF-β1-promoted cell adhesion and TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation might be both responsible for TGF-β1-enhanced cell migration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81341029)
文摘The changes in retinal thickness and visual function in type 2 diabetic patients without clinical evidence of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated. A total of 141 diabetic subjects without retinopathy and 158 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Superior macular ganglion cell complex thicknesses were significantly decreased in diabetic cases, and no significant peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes were observed. The contrast sensitivities at all space frequencies were significantly different between diabetic patients and controls. The mean P50 amplitude from pattern electroretinogram results was reduced significantly in the diabetic group. In the diabetic group, average superior ganglion cell complex thicknesses positively correlated with both contrast sensitivities at high spatial frequencies and P50 amplitudes. The results indicated that ganglion cell complex thickness and visual function changes could be observed in diabetic subjects before the onset of any significant diabetic retinopathy. Macular ganglion cell complex reduction occurred much earlier than peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in diabetic patients without retinopathy.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation Project(grant number 81173211)National Administration of Traditional Scientific Research Special Foundation of China(2004-2005LP27)+3 种基金Eleventh Five-Year key Program of Anhui Province(07010300204)Anhui Science and Technology Key Research Program(NO.06023068)Anhui Traditional Chinese Medicine Applied Basic Research and Development of Provincial Experimental Room Program([2008]150)Anhui Education Department Natural Science Key Research Program(KJ2008A165)
文摘OBJECTIVE:To observe the impact of xinfeng xapsule(XFC) on pulmonary function in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis(AA) and to investigate the mechanism of action.METHODS:Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten:normal control(NC);model control(MC);tripterygium glycosides tablet(TPT);and xinfeng capsule(XFC).Except for the NC group,AA was induced in all rats by intracutaneous injection of 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant in the right paw on the 19th day.NC and MC groups were given(0.9%) physiological saline.The TPT and XFC groups were given TPT(10 mg/kg) and XFC(1.2 g/kg),respectively.Thirty days after administration,changes in paw edema(E),the arthritis index(AI),pulmonary function,levels of regulatory T-cells(Treg),ultrastructure of lung tissue,and expression of Notch receptors and ligands in lung tissue were observed.RESULTS:In the MC group,E and the AI were increased and pulmonary function significantly decreased;the structure of alveolar type-II cells was damaged;ratios of Treg in peripheral blood were reduced;and expression of Notch receptors such as Notch3 and Notch4 and ligands such as Delta1 in lung tissue were significantly increased whereas expression of Notch1,Jagged1 and Jagged2 were significantly decreased.After intervention with XFC,E and the AI were decreased;pulmonary function was enhanced;the structure of alveolar type-II cells was improved;and expression of Treg,Notch1,Jagged1,Jagged2 was elevated,whereas that of Notch3,Notch4 and Delta1 was reduced.CONCLUSION:XFC can not only inhibit E and the AI and improve joint symptoms,it can also improve pulmonary function and reduce inflammation in lung tissue.These actions could be carried out through increases in the expression of Treg,Notch receptors(Notch1) and ligands(Jagged1,Jagged2),and reductions in the expression of Notch3,Notch4 and Delta1.These phenomena would reduce the deposition of immune complexes and the inflammatory response in lung tissue,thereby improving joint symptoms and pulmonary function.
文摘TGF-β and Foxp3 expressions are crucial for the induction and functional activity of CD4＋Foxp3＋ regulatory T （iTreg） cells. Here, we demonstrate that although TGF-β-primed CD8＋ cells display much lower Foxp3 expression, their suppressive capacity is equivalent to that of CD4＋ iTreg cells, and both Foxp3- and Foxp3＋ CD8＋ subsets have suppressive activities in vitro and in vivo. CD8＋Foxp3- iTreg cells produce little IFN-γ but almost no IL-2, and display a typical anergic phenotype. Among phenotypic markers expressed in CD8＋Foxp3- cells, we identify CD103 expression particularly crucial for the generation and function of this subset. Moreover, IL-IO and TGF-β signals rather than cytotoxicity mediate the suppressive effect of this novel Treg population. Therefore, TGF-β can induce both CD8＋Foxp3- and CD8＋Foxp3＋ iTreg subsets, which may represent the unique immunoregulatory means to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91439206,31230035,81370006)
文摘Energy homeostasis is essential for maintaining cell survival and regular functions, and the loss of energy homeostasis may result in a variety of diseases. In this review, we focus on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of T lymphocytes energy metabolism in its activation, differentiation and physiological function. We also discuss the significance of T cell energy metabolism for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
