Effects of transforming growth factor β2 and connective tissue growth factor on induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix synthesis in human lens epithelial cells

AIM:To Investigate the effects of transforming growth factorβ2(TGF-β2)and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)on transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs)cultured in vitro and synthesis of extracellular matrix(ECM).METHODS:HLECs were treated with TGF-β2(0,0.5,1.0,5,10μg/L)and CTGF(0,15,30,60,100μg/L)for different times(0,24,48,72h)in vitro and the expression ofα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),the main component of the extracellular matrix typeⅠcollagen(Col-1)and fibronectin(Fn)were measured by using real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and western-blot.RESULTS:TGF-β2 and CTGF significantly increased expression ofα-SMA mRNA and protein(P【0.05,P【0.001),Fn mRNA and protein(P【0.001),Col-1 mRNA and protein(P【0.001).TGF-β2 could induce HLECs expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in dosedependent manner(P【0.05,P【0.001).TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs to expressα-SMA,Fn and Col-1 in time-dependent manner.Each time of TGF-β2and CTGF induced HELCs expression ofα-SMA,Fn,Col-1 mRNA and protein was significant increase compared with control(P【0.05,P【0.001).CONCLUSION:TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs epithelial mesenchymal transition and ECM synthesis.

Extracellular Polysaccharides Matrix—An Often Forgotten Virulence Factor in Oral Biofilm Research

Oral diseases related to dental biofilms continue to afflict the majority of the world＇s population. Among them, dental caries continues to be the single most prevalent and costly oral infectious disease （Marsh, 2003; Dye et al., 2007）. Dental caries results from the interaction of specific bacteria with constituents of the diet within a dental biofilm known as plaque （Bowen, 2002）. Sucrose is considered to be the ＂arch criminal＂ from the dietary aspect because it serves as a substrate for synthesis of extracellular （EPS） and intracellular （IPS） polysaccharides in dental biofilm and is also fermentable （Bowen, 2002）.

Matrix bound vesicles and miRNA cargoes are bioactive factors within extracellular matrix bioscaffolds

Injury to central nervous system （CNS） tissues in adult mam- mals often leads to neuronal loss, scarring, and permanently lost neurologic functions, and this default healing response is increasingly linked to a pro-inflammatory innate immune response. Extracellular matrix （ECM） technology can reduce inflammation, while increasing functional tissue remodeling in various tissues and organs, including the CNS.

Effects of Heparin on Transforming Growth Factor-β_1 and Extracellular Matrix Components in the Glomeruli of Diabetic Rats

The effects of heparin on the expression of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1) and two extracellular matrix components laminin (LN) and fibronectin (FN) in diabetic rat glomeruli were investigated. Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into control group (C, n=8), diabetic group (D, n=9), and diabetes+heparin group (DH, n=9). After 8-week therapy of heparin (200 U once daily by abdominal injection), TGF-β 1, LN and FN expression in glomeruli was detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β 1, LN and FN were higher in group D than in group C. It was found that heparin could reduce 24-h urinary albumin excretion and inhibit overexpression of TGF-β 1, LN and FN in glomeruli of diabetic rats. It suggested that the inhibitory effect of heparin on diabetic glomerular sclerosis was at least partly related with the inhibition of TGF-β 1 expression.

Extracellular matrix components in peripheral nerve repair:how to affect neural cellular response and nerve regeneration?

Peripheral nerve injury is a serious problem affecting signiifcantly patients’ life. Autografts are the“gold standard” used to repair the injury gap, however, only 50% of patients fully recover from the trauma. Artiifcial conduits are a valid alternative to repairing peripheral nerve. They aim at conifning the nerve environment throughout the regeneration process, and providing guidance to axon outgrowth. Biocompatible materials have been carefully designed to reduce inlfamma-tion and scar tissue formation, but modiifcations of the inner lumen are still required in order to optimise the scaffolds. Biomicking the native neural tissue with extracellular matrix ifllers or coatings showed great promises in repairing longer gaps and extending cell survival. In addition, extracellular matrix molecules provide a platform to further bind growth factors that can be released in the system over time. Alternatively, conduit ifllers can be used for cell transplantation at the injury site, reducing the lag time required for endogenous Schwann cells to proliferate and take part in the regeneration process. This review provides an overview on the importance of ex-tracellular matrix molecules in peripheral nerve repair.

Biochemical composition of the glomerular extracellular matrix in patients with diabetic kidney disease

In the glomeruli,mesangial cells produce mesangial matrix while podocytes wrap glomerular capillaries with cellular extensions named foot processes and tether the glomerular basement membrane(GBM).The turnover of the mature GBM and the ability of adult podocytes to repair injured GBM are unclear.The actin cytoskeleton is a major cytoplasmic component of podocyte foot processes and links the cell to the GBM.Predominant components of the normal glomerular extracellular matrix(ECM)include glycosaminoglycans,proteoglycans,laminins,fibronectin-1,and several types of collagen.In patients with diabetes,multiorgan composition of extracellular tissues is anomalous,including the kidney,so that the constitution and arrangement of glomerular ECM is profoundly altered.In patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD),the global quantity of glomerular ECM is increased.The level of sulfated proteoglycans is reduced while hyaluronic acid is augmented,compared to control subjects.The concentration of mesangial fibronectin-1 varies depending on the stage of DKD.Mesangial type III collagen is abundant in patients with DKD,unlike normal kidneys.The amount of type V and type VI collagens is higher in DKD and increases with the progression of the disease.The GBM contains lower amount of type IV collagen in DKD compared to normal tissue.Further,genetic variants in theα3 chain of type IV collagen may modulate susceptibility to DKD and end-stage kidney disease.Human cellular models of glomerular cells,analyses of human glomerular proteome,and improved microscopy procedures have been developed to investigate the molecular composition and organization of the human glomerular ECM.

肝细胞癌患者血清ECM1、MMP-9和VEGF水平的变化及其意义

目的 探究肝细胞癌患者血清细胞外基质蛋白-1(ECM1)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平的变化及其意义。方法 对60例肝细胞癌患者进行回顾性分析,患者主要使用甲磺酸阿帕替尼进行治疗,必要时也可联合GEMOX方案肝动脉化疗栓塞术进行治疗。采用酶联免疫吸附法测定患者治疗前后的血清ECM1、VEGF、MMP-9水平。比较患者治疗前后ECM1、MMP-9和VEGF水平;比较不同临床病理特征(年龄、性别、血管侵犯、淋巴结转移、TNM分期、Edmondson分期和肿瘤直径)患者ECM1、MMP-9和VEGF水平。结果 治疗后,患者ECM1、MMP-9以及VEGF水平分别为(135.23±44.58)pg/ml、(421.25±87.56)μg/L和(657.56±54.56)pg/ml,均低于治疗前的(215.56±30.80)pg/ml、(499.56±30.56)μg/L、(798.02±50.79)pg/ml(P<0.05)。不同年龄、性别患者ECM1、MMP-9、VEGF水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);不同血管侵犯、淋巴结转移、TNM分期、Edmondson分期和肿瘤直径患者ECM1、MMP-9、VEGF水平比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 ECM1、MMP-9、VEGF三者相互作用可促进肝癌细胞的转移,可根据其水平情况,了解患者肝细胞、肝功能健康状况。

三项血清指标在非小细胞肺癌患者中的表达及其临床意义

目的分析血清谷胱甘肽S转移酶P1(GSTP1)、纤维母细胞生长因子受体1(FGFR1)、细胞外基质金属蛋白酶诱导因子(CD147)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者中的表达及其临床意义。方法我院收治的96例NSCLC患者(NSCLC组)和同期体检健康者60例(对照组),比较两组血清GSTP1、FGFR1、CD147水平以及不同临床病理特征患者上述血清指标水平,分析3项指标对NSCLC的诊断效能。结果NSCLC组血清GSTP1、FGFR1、CD147高于对照组(P<0.05);不同TNM分期、淋巴结转移情况的NSCLC患者血清GSTP1、FGFR1 DNA、CD147水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);3项指标联合诊断NSCLC的AUC、特异度、灵敏度分别为0.908、91.70%、90.00%,均高于单一指标检测(P<0.05)。结论血清GSTP1、FGFR1、CD147在NSCLC患者中显著上调,且能影响疾病的发生、进展及预后,联合检测在NSCLC临床诊疗中发挥重要价值。

Decellularized extracellular matrix-based composite scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Despite the considerable advancements in fabricating polymeric-based scaffolds for tissue engineering,the clinical transformation of these scaffolds remained a big challenge because of the difficulty of simulating native organs/tissues'microenvironment.As a kind of natural tissue-derived biomaterials,decellularized extracellular matrix(dECM)-based scaffolds have gained attention due to their unique biomimetic properties,providing a specific microenvironment suitable for promoting cell proliferation,migration,attachment and regulating differentiation.The medical applications of dECM-based scaffolds have addressed critical challenges,including poor mechanical strength and insufficient stability.For promoting the reconstruction of damaged tissues or organs,dif-ferent types of dECM-based composite platforms have been designed to mimic tissue microenvironment,including by integrating with natural polymer or/and syntenic polymer or adding bioactive factors.In this review,we summarized the research progress of dECM-based composite scaffolds in regenerative medicine,highlighting the critical challenges and future perspectives related to the medical application of these composite materials。

穿心莲内酯介导c-SKI抑制心肌成纤维细胞转分化和心肌纤维化

目的:探讨c-SKI(cellular Sloan-Kettering Institute)蛋白表达变化对穿心莲内酯(andrgrapholide,Andr)治疗小鼠心肌纤维化的影响。方法:将18只C57雄性小鼠随机分为control组、模型组[异丙肾上腺素(isoprenaline,ISO)组]和ISO+Andr组,每组6只。ISO组和ISO+Andr组小鼠皮下注射ISO,control组注射生理盐水;ISO+Andr组小鼠给予Andr灌胃,ISO组和control组给予等体积生理盐水灌胃。给药8周,取心脏组织进行HE和Masson染色检测病理特征;免疫组化或Western blot实验检测c-SKI和细胞外基质(extracellular matrix,ECM)相关蛋白水平;qPCR检测c-SKI mRNA水平。用不同浓度Andr干预人心脏成纤维细胞(human cardiac fibroblasts,HCFBs)48 h,CCK-8实验检测细胞活力,Western blot实验检测c-SKI和ECM相关蛋白水平。用Andr最低有效剂量处理转分化细胞模型,显微镜观察细胞形态,Western blot实验检测c-SKI和ECM相关蛋白水平,qPCR检测c-SKI mRNA水平。敲减c-SKI和Andr联合处理转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)诱导的HCFBs,CCK-8实验检测细胞增殖活力,Western blot实验检测c-SKI和ECM相关蛋白水平。结果:与ISO组相比,Andr干预后小鼠心肌纤维排列整齐,心肌细胞形态基本正常,细胞膜完整,胶原容积分数显著减少(P<0.01),c-SKI的mRNA和蛋白水平显著上调(P<0.05或P<0.01),纤连蛋白1(fibronectin 1,FN1)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA)、波形蛋白(vimentin)和I型胶原(collagen type I,Col I)蛋白水平显著下调(P<0.01)。HCFBs经50μmol/L Andr处理48 h,细胞活力显著降低(P<0.01),FN1、α-SMA、vimentin和Col I蛋白水平显著下调(P<0.01),c-SKI表达显著上调(P<0.01)。与PBS组相比,TGF-β1组细胞数量增多,胞核固缩,细胞形态改变,细胞中FN1、α-SMA、vimentin和Col I蛋白表达显著上调(P<0.01),c-SKI表达显著下调(P<0.01);Andr干预逆转了TGF-β1对HCFBs的诱导作用。敲减c-SKI和Andr联合处理显著下调HCFBs中c-SKI表达(P<0.01),显著上调FN1、α-SMA、vimentin和Col I蛋白表达水平(P<0.05),显著增强细胞活力(P<0.05)。结论:Andr可能通过调控c-SKI表达影响TGF-β1信号通路,抑制心肌成纤维细胞增殖和ECM沉积,从而抑制心肌纤维化。

转化生长因子β亚家族调控骨关节炎中的作用

背景:骨关节炎作为中国最常见的老年慢性退行性疾病之一,因其复杂的发病机制及细胞分子交流途径,目前尚未有行之有效的方法去延缓骨关节炎的进展。而转化生长因子β在早期关节的形成、骨和软骨的发育以及关节重塑各阶段发挥重要作用,是维持与调节关节稳态的关键因子之一。目的:综述近年来国内外关于转化生长因子β亚家族在骨关节炎的发生发展中所起到的调控作用,分析其在骨关节炎不同阶段所产生的影响,探究转化生长因子β在临床治疗骨关节炎上的应用前景,以期能为临床治疗方案提供参考。方法:应用计算机检索中国知网和PubMed数据库收录的相关文献,中文检索词为“骨关节炎,转化生长因子,信号通路,骨重塑,软骨退变,血管生成,治疗”,英文检索词为“Osteoarthritis,Transforming Growth Factor,Signaling Pathway,Bone Remodeling,Cartilage Degeneration,Angiogenesis,Treatment”,最终纳入57篇文献进行综述分析。结果与结论:(1)目前,关于骨关节炎复杂的发病机制尚未有统一定论,大量研究表明骨关节炎与细胞因子和信号通路关系密切,以转化生长因子β超家族作为其发病机制和治疗突破口的相关研究也是当前的热点。(2)转化生长因子β在早期关节软骨形成与稳态维持上起到关键作用,并对于软骨损伤修复有促进作用;而在关节成型后,转化生长因子β的保护作用会减弱甚至造成破坏效应,其双重调节作用也是目前转化为临床治疗手段的重点,需后续研究明确适用范围以制定标准。(3)高水平活性转化生长因子β在机械应力的介导下参与骨细胞、成骨细胞与破骨细胞的调控,并干预随后骨微观结构的重塑,特异性抑制剂可作为治疗疾病的靶向药物,但其作用的安全性与有效性仍需临床进一步完善。(4)血管增生可能在转化生长因子β介导软骨退变及软骨下骨重塑中提供潜在的串扰途径,异常的交流途径会进一步破坏骨软骨单元微环境的稳态从而加速骨关节炎中关键的病理学进展。(5)关于转化生长因子β在骨关节炎中的研究已经较为全面,临床应用前景广泛,目前已有相关药物处于临床试验阶段,但如何控制对其他组织的潜在影响和精准控制靶向递送等关键问题亟需解决,随着研究的深入,未来有望在延缓骨关节炎治疗方式上作出新的突破。

卵巢纤维化发病机制的研究进展

卵巢纤维化可导致卵巢功能下降,对女性生育力及生活质量有严重影响。卵巢早衰、多囊卵巢综合征、子宫内膜异位症及卵巢手术均可能导致卵巢纤维化。目前发现,多种细胞因子[如转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)、结缔组织生长因子、基质金属蛋白酶]参与卵巢纤维化的发病机制。同时,炎症反应、氧化应激、线粒体功能障碍、铁死亡均与卵巢纤维化的发生密切相关。此外,TGF-β/Smad、Wnt/β联蛋白、核因子κB等信号通路也参与卵巢纤维化的发生发展。深入研究卵巢纤维化的发生机制可为其临床治疗提供新思路。

补肾祛瘀法对中重度宫腔粘连的抗纤维化作用及经血中细胞外基质降解相关因子的影响

【目的】探究补肾祛瘀法对中、重度宫腔粘连的抗纤维化作用及经血中细胞外基质降解相关因子的影响。【方法】将124例肾虚血瘀证中、重度宫腔粘连并拟行宫腔镜宫腔粘连分离术(TCRA)的患者随机分为研究组和对照组,每组各62例。2组患者均给予TCRA治疗,对照组术后给予黄体酮+戊酸雌二醇片治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上联合补肾祛瘀方(以归肾汤加减)治疗,共治疗3个月经周期。观察2组患者治疗前后月经情况、阴道彩色多普勒超声检查指标、肾虚血瘀证评分和宫腔粘连评分的变化情况,检测2组患者治疗前后的血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、血小板源性生长因子(PDGF)、结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)以及基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)m RNA、基质金属蛋白酶抑制因子1(TIMP-1)mRNA、磷脂酰肌醇-3-羟激酶(PI3K)m RNA、Ⅰ型胶原A1蛋白(COL1A1)mRNA的表达水平,并评估2组患者的临床疗效和安全性。【结果】(1)疗效方面:治疗3个月经周期后,研究组患者的总有效率为93.55%(58/62),对照组为80.65%(50/62),组间比较,研究组的疗效明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(2)月经情况方面,治疗后,2组患者的月经经量、周期、经期均较治疗前明显改善(P<0.05),且研究组患者治疗后的月经经量、周期、经期的恢复情况均明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(3)阴道彩色多普勒超声检查方面,治疗后,2组患者的子宫血流指数(FI)、搏动指数(PI)、阻力指数(RI)、宫腔容积、子宫内膜厚度等均较治疗前明显改善(P<0.05),其中,研究组患者治疗后的FI、宫腔容积、子宫内膜厚度均明显高于对照组,PI、RI均明显低于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。(4)宫腔粘连评分和肾虚血瘀证评分方面,治疗后,2组患者的宫腔粘连评分和肾虚血瘀证评分均较治疗前明显下降(P<0.05),且研究组患者治疗后的宫腔粘连评分和肾虚血瘀证评分均明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。(5)相关因子表达方面,治疗后,2组患者的VEGF、TGF-β1、PDGF、CTGF水平均较治疗前明显下降(P<0.05),且研究组患者治疗后的VEGF、TGF-β1、PDGF、CTGF水平均明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。(6)相关蛋白基因表达方面,治疗后,2组患者经血中MMP-9、PI3K m RNA相对表达量均较治疗前明显上升(P<0.05),COL1A1 mRNA相对表达量均较治疗前明显下降(P<0.05),其中研究组患者治疗后经血中MMP-9、PI3K mRNA相对表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。(7)安全性方面,对照组的不良反应总发生率为25.81%(16/62),研究组为16.13%(10/62);组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),且经对症处理后,2组患者的不良反应症状均消失,同时研究过程中未见与服用中药相关的不良反应。【结论】补肾祛瘀方联合西药治疗宫腔粘连TCRA术后患者较单用西药治疗效果更佳,加用补肾祛瘀方可进一步促进患者月经恢复,改善子宫内膜血流循环,增加子宫内膜厚度,调节患者体内纤维化因子表达,并可上调PI3K、MMP-9 mRNA表达,恢复患者细胞外基质(ECM)平衡,预防宫腔再粘连,且临床使用安全。

糖胺聚糖在骨组织工程中的应用进展

骨组织缺损是目前最常见的医疗疾病之一。自体骨移植和同种异体骨移植等存在供体不足、移植物免疫反应及移植部位感染等不足,而骨组织工程(BTE)可通过合适的骨替代支架克服目前骨组织重建方法的局限性。骨支架材料应具有生物相容性、生物可再生性和仿生性。天然来源的糖胺聚糖(GAG)可模拟哺乳动物细胞外基质成分,具有稳定和持续释放生长因子、可调的孔隙率、磷酸钙成核位点、一定的黏弹性和保水性。因此,GAG具有调节生物矿化、稳定生长因子、促进细胞黏附及细胞信号转导等功能,可作为一种独特的生物材料广泛用于BTE。

骨髓增殖性肿瘤患者血清金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9、血管内皮生长因子与骨髓纤维化程度的相关性

目的探讨骨髓增殖性肿瘤(MPN)患者血清血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)与骨髓纤维化(MF)分级的关系。方法选择90例费城染色体阴性(Ph-)MPN初诊患者为MPN组。根据世界卫生组织(WHO)2016年骨髓纤维化分级标准将MPN患者分为纤维化前期或早期组54例和明显纤维化期组36例;另选取健康志愿者50例作为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附实验检测血清VEGF、MMP-9、TIMP-1水平并计算TIMP-1与MMP-9比值(TIMP-1/MMP-9)。采用Spearman秩相关检验分析VEGF、MMP-9、TIMP-1、TIMP-1/MMP-9与MF分级的相关性。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析各指标单独或联合诊断MPN或区分MF分级的预测价值。结果与对照组相比,MPN组血清VEGF、MMP-9和TIMP-1均升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0,05)。VEGF、MMP-9、TIMP-1、TIMP-1/MMP-9诊断MPN的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.834、0.745、0.923、0.618;VEGF、MMP-9和TIMP-1联合诊断MPN的AUC为0.960;当最佳截断值为0.627时,敏感度为85.56%,特异度为92.00%。与纤维化前期或早期组相比,明显纤维化期组患者血清VEGF、TIMP-1、TIMP-1/MMP-9均升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Spearman相关性分析结果显示,VEGF(r=0.378,P=0.001)、TIMP-1(r=0.512,P<0.001)、TIMP-1/MMP-9(r=0.353,P=0.001)与MPN患者MF分级呈正相关(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,VEGF、MMP-9、TIMP-1、TIMP-1/MMP-9区分纤维化前期或早期患者和明显纤维化期患者的AUC分别为0.723、0.523、0.802、0.708;VEGF、TIMP-1和TIMP-1/MMP-9联合区分纤维化前期或早期患者和明显纤维化期患者的AUC为0.838;当最佳截断值为0.530时,敏感度为72.22%,特异度为85.19%。结论血清VEGF、TIMP-1和TIMP-1/MMP-9均可反映MPN患者MF进展,各指标联合检测可预测MPN患者MF程度。

组织工程技术修复颞下颌关节:问题与挑战

背景:颞下颌关节疾病的传统疗法受限于疾病严重程度和个体差异。相比之下,组织工程作为一种新兴治疗方法,可以根据患者具体情况定制个性化治疗方案,减少手术过程中的不确定性,提高治疗效果。目的:综述组织工程修复颞下颌关节的最新研究成果和进展。方法:以“颞下颌关节,组织工程,种子细胞,支架,生长因子,动物模型”为中文检索词,以“temporomandibular joint,tissue engineering,seed cell,scaffold,growth factor,animal model”为英文检索词,分别在PubMed数据库和中国知网进行文献检索,检索时限为各数据库建库时间至2024年3月。通过分析和阅读文献进行筛选,按照排除筛选标准纳入文献,最终纳入57篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:(1)随着生物学、材料学与工程学等技术的发展,颞下颌关节组织工程己取得较大进展,例如种子细胞的筛选、新型支架的开发、生长因子作用机制的探索、多种动物模型的构建等,目前大多数研究尚处于体外实验阶段,动物实验等体内研究尚未大规模开展,组织工程修复颞下颌关节的临床应用还需更多证据支持。(2)尽管颞下颌关节组织工程研究仍存在许多问题和挑战等待解决,依然展现出广阔的临床应用前景,有望在将来成为颞下颌关节疾病出色高效的治疗方式。

脓毒症患者血清NLRC3、ECM1表达与急性呼吸窘迫综合征的相关性研究

目的探讨脓毒症患者血清NOD样受体家族含CARD结构域蛋白3(NLRC3)、细胞外基质蛋白1(ECM1)表达与急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)的相关性。方法选取脓毒症患者133例纳入脓毒症组,并选取同时间段体检健康者80例纳入对照组。根据是否并发ARDS分为ARDS组(52例)和非ARDS组(81例),采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清NLRC3、ECM1表达。通过多因素Logistic回归分析筛选脓毒症患者并发ARDS的因素。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清NLRC3、ECM1表达对脓毒症患者并发ARDS的预测价值。结果与对照组比较,脓毒症组血清NLRC3表达降低,ECM1表达升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。133例脓毒症患者ARDS发生率为39.10%(52/133)。与非ARDS组比较,ARDS组血清NLRC3表达降低,ECM1表达升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。脓毒症患者并发ARDS的独立危险因素为序贯器官衰竭评估评分增加、血乳酸升高、ECM1升高,独立保护因素为NLRC3升高(P<0.05)。血清NLRC3、ECM1表达联合预测脓毒症患者并发ARDS的曲线下面积为0.887,大于血清NLRC3、ECM1表达单独预测的0.811、0.792(P<0.05)。结论脓毒症患者血清NLRC3表达降低和ECM1表达升高与并发ARDS密切相关。血清NLRC3、ECM1表达联用对脓毒症患者并发ARDS有较高的预测价值。

Interaction between insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 and transforming growth factor beta 1 in primary hepatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBPrP1) is a novel mediator in liver fibrosis. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) is known as the strongest effector of liver fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the detailed interaction between IGFBPrP1 and TGF beta 1 in primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: We overexpressed TGF beta 1 or IGFBPrP1 and inhibited TGF beta 1 expression in primary HSCs for 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours to investigate their interaction and observe the accompanying expressions of a-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin, and phosphorylated-mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3 (p-Smad2/3). RESULTS: We found that the adenovirus vector encoding the TGF beta 1 gene (AdTGF beta 1) induced IGFBPrP1 expression while that of alpha-SMA, collagen I, fibronectin, and TGF beta 1 increased gradually. Concomitantly, AdIGFBPrP1 upregulated TGF beta 1, alpha-SMA, collagen I, fibronectin, and p-Smad2/3 in a time-dependent manner while IGFBPrP1 expression was decreased at 96 hours. Inhibition of TGF beta 1 expression reduced the IGFBPrP1-stimulated expression of alpha-SMA, collagen I, fibronectin, and p-Smad2/3. CONCLUSIONS: These findings for the first time suggest the existence of a possible mutually regulation between IGFBPrP1 and TGF beta 1, which likely accelerates liver fibrosis progression. Furthermore, IGFBPrP1 likely participates in liver fibrosis in a TGF beta 1-depedent manner, and may act as an upstream regulatory factor of TGF beta 1 in the Smad pathway.

Factors influencing the spinal motoneurons in development

The development of the spinal cord needs a concerted interaction of transcription factors activating diverse genes and signals from outside acting on the specification of the different cells. Signals have to act on the segments of the embryo as well as on the cranial-caudal axis and the dorso-ventral axis. Additionally the axons of the motoneurons have to cross the central nervous system barrier to connect to the periphery. Intensive anatomical studies have been followed by molecular characterization of the different subsets of transcription factors that are expressed by cells of the developing spinal cord. Here, intensive studies for the most important appearing cells, the motoneurons, have resulted in a good knowledge on the expression patterns of these proteins. Nonetheless motoneurons are by far not the only important cells and the concert activity of all cells besides them is necessary for the correct function and integrity of motoneurons within the spinal cord. This article will briefly summarize the different aspects on spinal cord development and focuses on the differentiation as well as the functionalization of motoneurons.

Improvement of transfection with reprogramming factors in urine-derived cells

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)are an accessible source of adult-derived,patient-specific pluripotent stem cells for use in basic research,drug discovery,disease modeling,and stem cell therapy.Improving the accessibility of methods to obtain iPSCs regardless of the cell source can enhance their clinical application.Therefore,our purpose is to report a simple protocol to obtain iPS-like cells from urine-derived renal epithelial cells(RECs)using different extracellular matrices and transfection reagents.In this study,we began by culturing urine-derived cells from healthy donors to establish a primary culture of renal epithelial cells,followed by their characterization.Subsequently,we generated iPS-like cells by transfecting renal epithelial cells(RECs)with vectors expressing Oct4,Sox2,L-Myc,Lin-28,and Klf4,and we compared the efficacy of different extracellular matrices and transfection reagents.The resultant iPS-like cells showed a human embryonic stem cell-like morphology and expressed the specific pluripotency markers Oct3/4,Nanog,Lin28,and Klf4.We concluded that Lipofectamine Stem Cell transfection reagent is more effective than FuGENE in obtaining iPS-like cells under the conditions tested.Moreover,the three matrices are similar in their efficiency of obtaining iPS-like cells.This report provides an experimental protocol for obtaining and generating iPS-like cells from urine samples for further cell therapy research on different human diseases.