Direct conversion of human fibroblasts into dopaminergic neuron-like cells using small molecules and protein factors

Background:Generation of neurons is essential in cell replacement therapy for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease.Several studies have reported the generation of dopaminergic(DA)neurons from mouse and human fibroblasts by ectopic expression of transcription factors,in which genetic manipulation is associated with potential risks.Methods:The small molecules and protein factors were selected based on their function to directly induce human fetal lung IMR-90 fibroblasts into DA neuron-like cells.Microscopical,immunocytochemical,and RT-qPCR analyses were used to characterize the morphology,phenotype,and gene expression features of the induced cells.The wholecell patch-clamp recordings were exploited to measure the electrophysiological properties.Results:Human IMR-90 fibroblasts were rapidly converted into DA neuron-like cells after the chemical induction using small molecules and protein factors,with a yield of approximately 95%positive TUJ1-positive cells.The induced DA neuron-like cells were immunopositive for pan-neuronal markers MAP2,NEUN,and Synapsin 1 and DA markers TH,DDC,DAT,and NURR1.The chemical induction process did not involve a neural progenitor/stem cell intermediate stage.The induced neurons could fire single action potentials,which reflected partially the electrophysiological properties of neurons.Conclusions:We developed a chemical cocktail of small molecules and protein factors to convert human fibroblasts into DA neuron-like cells without passing through a neural progenitor/stem cell intermediate stage.The induced DA neuron-like cells from human fibroblasts might provide a cellular source for cell-based therapy of Parkinson’s disease in the future.

Skin care efficacy study of recombinant humanized collagen based on in vitro level

Studying the skin care efficacy of recombinant humanized collagen based on in vitro level.The stability of the recombinant humanized collagen was first analyzed by treating at different temperatures,then its skincare efficacy based on in vitro level was evaluated by detecting the inhibition rate of elastase,the inhibition rate of collagenase,the protein content of type I collagen in human fibroblasts,the inhibition of reactive oxygen species(ROS)with human keratinocytes,and the effects of the recombinant humanized collagen on the expression of hyaluronic acid(HA),filaggrin(FLG)and transglutaminase 1(TGM1)in keratinocytes.The results showed that recombinant humanized collagen was able to maintain stability at temperatures below 70℃.With regard to its skincare efficacy,recombinant humanized collagen could inhibit elastase and collagenase activities and promote the increase of type I collagen content in human fibroblasts.It also showed good inhibition of ROS in keratinocytes in vitro and could increase the expression of HA,FLG,and TGM1 in keratinocytes.In short,the recombinant humanized collagen exhibited a favourable skin care effect in vitro level.This study proved that it has potential firming,anti-wrinkle,moisturizing,and repairing efficacy,and is a valuable cosmetic raw material.

Exploring CTCF and cohesin related chromatin architecture at HOXA gene cluster in primary human fibroblasts

Spatial expression patterns of homeobox （HOX） genes delineate positional identity of primary fibroblasts from different topo- graphic sites. The molecular mechanism underlying the establishing or maintaining of HOX gene expression pattern remains an attractive developmental issue to be addressed. Our previous work suggested a critical role of CTCF/cobesin-mediated high- er-order chromatin structure in RA-induced HOXA activation in human teratocarcinoma NT2/D1 cells. This study investigated the recruitment of CTCF and cohesin, and the higher-order chromatin structure of the HOXA locus in fetal lung and adult foreskin fibroblasts, which display complementary HOXA gene expression patterns. Chromatin contacts between the CTCF-binding sites were observed with lower frequency in human foreskin fibroblasts. This observation is consistent with the lower level of cohesin recruitment and 5＇ HOXA gene expression in the same cells. We also showed that CTCF-binding site A56 （CBSA56） related chromatin structures exhibit the most notable changes in between the two types of cell, and hence may stand for one of the key CTCF-binding sites for cell-type specific chromatin structure organization. Together, these results im- ply that CTCF/cohesin coordinates HOXA cluster higher-order chromatin structure and expression during development, and provide insight into the relationship between cell-type specific chromatin organization and the spatial collinearity.

Chicken collagen hydrolysates differentially mediate anti-inflammatory activity and type I collagen synthesis on human dermal fibroblasts

Collagen is a major extracellular matrix protein.Given the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profiles of these bioactive compounds,there has been increasing interest in using collagen derived peptides and peptide-rich collagen hydrolysates for skin health,due to their immunomodulatory,antioxidant and proliferative effects on dermal fibroblasts.However,all hydrolysates are not equally effective in exerting the beneficial effects;hence,further research is needed to determine the factors that improve the therapeutic applicability of such preparations.We used different enzymatic conditions to generate a number of different collagen hydrolysates with distinct peptide profiles.We found that the use of two rather than one enzyme for hydrolysis generates a greater abundance of low molecular weight peptides with consequent improvement in bioactive properties.Testing these hydrolysates on human dermal fibroblasts showed distinct actions on inflammatory changes,oxidative stress,type I collagen synthesis and cellular proliferation.Our findings suggest that different enzymatic conditions affect the peptide profile of hydrolysates and differentially regulate their biological activities and potential protective responses on dermal fibroblasts.

Inhibitory Effect of Curcumin on Proliferation of Human Pterygium Fibroblasts

In order to investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery, HPF was incubated with 0-160 μmol/L curcumin for 24-96 h. The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin at different time points and different doses. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Admini- stration of 20-80 μmol/L curcumin for 24-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). After treatment with curcumin at different concentrations of 20, 40, 80 and 160 μmol/L for 24 h, FCM revealed there was a significant sub-G1 peak at each concentration. The number of HPF in G0/G1 phase was increased, while in S phase, it was decreased (P<0.05). At the concentration of 20-80 μmol/L, curcumin, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), could inhibit the expression of PCNA in HPF. It was suggesterd that curcumin could significantly in- hibit the proliferation of HPF, make HPF arrest in G0/G1 phase and induce the apoptosis of HPF in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Distribution of bone morphogenetic protein receptors in human scleral fibroblasts cultured in vitro and human sclera

AIM: To investigate the distribution of bone morphogenetic protein receptors (BMPRs) in human scleral fibroblsasts (HSFs) and in human sclera. METHODS: Primary HSFs were cultured in vitro. The mRNA levels of BMP-2 and BMPRs in HSFs were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein distributions of BMP-2 and BMPRs in HSFs were further detected by immunocytofluorescence and western blot. Their protein expression was also detected in frozen human posterior scleral sections by immunohistofluorescence. RESULTS: BMP-2 and BMPRs were expressed in both HSFs and human sclera not only at mRNA level but also at protein level. The expressions of BMPRIA and BMPRII were higher than that of BMPRIB in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of HSFs in vitra Western blot further verified the results of immunocytofluorescence. In human sclera, BMP2, BMPR IB and BMPR II were found to be expressed in the cytomatrix of HSF, and weak signal was detected about BMPRIA. CONCLUSION: BMP-2 and all three subtypes of BMPRs were found in HSFs and may play a role in scleral remodeling.

Mitofusion 2 Overexpression Decreased Proliferation of Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome through Inhibiting RAS-RAF-1-ERK1/2 Pathway

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide.Pulmonary fibrosis occurs early in ARDS,and its severity plays a crucial role in ARDS mortality rate.Some studies suggested that fibroproliferation is an essential mechanism in ARDS.Mitofusion2(Mfn2)overexpression plays a role in inhibiting cell proliferation.However,the role and potential mechanism of Mfn2 on the proliferation of fibroblasts is still unknown.In this study,we aimed at exploring the effect of Mfn2 on the human embryonic lung fibroblasts(HELF)and discussed its related mechanism.The HELF were treated with the Mfn2 overexpressing lentivirus(adv-Mfn2).The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.MTT,PCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the effect of Mfn2 on the proliferation of the HELF,collagen expression,the RAS-RAF-1-ERK1/2 pathway and the expression of cycle-related proteins(p21,p27,Rb,Raf-1,p-Raf-1,Erk1/2 and p-Erk1/2).The co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to explore the interaction between Mfn2 and Ras.The results showed that the overexpression of Mfn2 inhibited the proliferation of the HELF and induced the cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.Meanwhile,Mfn2 also inhibited the expression of collagen I,p-Erk and p-Raf-1.In addition,an interaction between Mfn2 and Ras existed in the HELF.This study suggests that the overexpression of Mfn2 can decrease the proliferation of HELF in ARDS,which was associated with the inhibition of the RAS-RAF-1-ERK1/2 pathway.The results may offer a potential therapeutic intervention for patients with ARDS.

Effects of 13 T Static Magnetic Fields (SMF) in the Cell Cycle Distribution and Cell Viability in Immortalized Hamster Cells and Human Primary Fibroblasts Cells

Magnetic resonance image （MRI） systems with a much higher magnetic flux density were developed and applied for potential use in medical diagnostic. Recently, much attention has been paid to the biological effects of static, strong magnetic fields （SMF）. With the 13 T SMF facility in the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the present study focused on the cellular effects of the SMF with 13 T on the cell viability and the cell cycle distribution in immortalized hamster cells, such as human-hamster hybrid （AL） cells, Chinese hamster ovary （CHO） cells, DNA double-strand break repair deficient mutant （XRS-5） cells, and human primary skin fibroblasts （AG1522） cells. It was found that the exposure of 13 T SMF had less effect on the colony formation in either nonsynchronized or synchronized AL cells. Moreover, as compared to non-exposed groups, there were slight differences in the cell cycle distribution no matter in either synchronized or nonsynchronized immortalized hamster ceils after exposure to 13 T SMF. However, it should be noted that the percentage of exposed AG1522 cells at G0/G1 phase was decreased by 10% as compared to the controls. Our data indicated that although 13 T SMF had minimal effects in immortalized hamster cells, the cell cycle distribution was slightly modified by SMF in human primary fibroblasts.

The Polypeptide in Chlamys farreri can protect human dermal fibroblasts from ultraviolet B damage

To investigate the effect of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) on NHDF in vitro, we modeled oxidative damage on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB). In this study, 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydro-genase (LDH) were tested to measure cell viability. Enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glu-tathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) were determined biochemically. Total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and anti-superoxide anion capacity (A-SAC) were also determined. Ultrastructure of fibroblasts was observed under transmission electron microscope. The results showed that: UVB (1.176×10-4 J/cm2) suppressed the growth of fibroblasts and the introduction of PCF (0.25%-l%) before UVB reduced the suppression in a concentration-dependent manner. PCF could enhance the activities of SOD, GSH-PX and T-AOC as well as A-SAC. Also PCF could inhibit XOD activity, while it did not affect CAT activity. Ultrastructure of fibroblasts were damaged after UVB irradiation, concentration-dependent PCF reduced the destructive effect of UVB on cells. These results indicated that PCF can protect human dermal fibroblasts from being harmed by UVB irradiation via its antioxidant pro-erty.

Inhibitory Effect of PPARγ Agonist on the Proliferation of Human Pterygium Fibroblasts

The effects of DK2,a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist,on cultured human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs) in virto were studied.The HPFs were incubated with 0-200 μmol/L DK2 for 12-72 h.The MTT method was used to assay the bio-activity of DK2 at different doses and time.The cytotoxic effect of DK2 was measured by LDH release assay.The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were flow cytometrically detected.The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.The results showed that administration of 1-75 μmol/L DK2 for 12-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner.DK2-treated cells did not release significant amount of LDH as compared with rosiglitazone-treated cells.After treatment with DK2 at concentrations of 15,25 μmol/L for 24 h,the number of HPFs in G 0 /G 1 phase was significantly increased while that in S phase was significantly decreased (P【0.05),leading to arrest at G 0 /G 1 phase.The apoptosis rates of HPF cells in drug-treated groups were significantly higher than the rate of control group (P【0.05).At the dosage range between 15-25 μmol/L,DK2 could inhibit the expression of PCNA mRNA and protein in HPFs in a dose-dependent fashion (P【0.05).It was concluded that PPARγ agonist can significantly inhibit HPF proliferation,resulting in the arrest at G 0 /G 1 phase,induce the apoptosis of HPFs,and suppress the synthesis of PCNA,in dose-and time-dependent manners.

Triclosan inhibits the activation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts induced by lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent,chronic,non-specific,and immunologically devastating disease of periodontal tissues,caused by microbial infection.This study aims to examine the efficacy and protective mechanism of triclosan(TCS),a bisphenolic,non-cationic component of oral care products,against periodontal inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide purified from Porphyromonas gingivalis(LPS-PG).TCS markedly downregulated interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-8,and IL-15 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts(HPDLFs)treated with LPS-PG.By using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)approach,318 differentially expressed proteins(161 upregulated and 157 downregulated)were identified in TCS-pretreated HPDLFs.TCS upregulated HSPA5 and HSP90B1 but downregulated HSPA2.Besides,TCS upregulated miR-548i in HPDLFs,which downregulated IL-15.These results indicate that TCS attenuates the activation of HPDLFs and downregulates the inflammatory cytokines through various mechanisms,thus highlighting its protective role in periodontal inflammation.

Cytotoxicity of Modified Nonequilibrium Plasma with Chlorhexidine Digluconate on Primary Cultured Human Gingival Fibroblasts

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with chlorhexidine digluconate（CHX） on human gingival fibroblasts（HGFs）, and to evaluate the biosecurity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX as a new method of root canal treatment. Tissue samples taken from human gingiva were primarily cultured and passaged. Cells from passages 3–7 were used. HGFs were treated by modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX for 0 min（control group）, 30 s, 1 min, 1.5 min, 3 min, 5 min, and 10 min, respectively, and then they were incubated for 0, 24, and 48 h. After that, cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay was applied to analyze the cytotoxicity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX on HGFs. There was no significant difference between the 0 h group treated with the modified nonequilibrium plasma for 1 min and the control group（P〉0.05）. However, there were significant differences between all the other treated groups and the control group（P〈0.05）. When treated for 1.5 min or shorter, the cell viability was obviously increased; while treated for 3 min or longer, it was obviously reduced. Moreover, when successively cultured for 0, 24, and 48 h, cell viability was decreased at first and then increased in the 3-min-treated and 5-min-treated groups. The modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX was of no influence on cell viability in 1.5 min treatment, and it could be safely used on root canal treatment.

9-Hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxydalbergiquinol suppresses hydrogen peroxide-induced senescence in human dermal fibroblasts through induction of sirtuin-1 expression

Objective:To investigate the potential anti-aging mechanism of9-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxydalbergiquinol(HDDQ)on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in human dermal fibroblasts(HDFs).Methods:The effect of HDDQ on cell viability was assessed by MTT assay,and the effects of HDDQ on senescence-like phenotypes were determined by senescence-associatedβ-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining,Western blotting analysis,and a cell proliferation assay.The expression level and activity of sirtuin-1(SIRT1)induced by HDDQ were also measured.Results:HDDQ reversed senescence-like phenotypes in the oxidant-challenged model,through reducing SA-β-gal activity and promoting cell growth.Meanwhile,decreases in ac-p53,p21Cip1/WAF1,and p16Ink4a and an increase in p Rb were observed.HDDQ induced the expression of SIRT1 in a concentration-and time-dependent manner.Moreover,HDDQ inhibited H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Akt by SIRT1 up-regulation and reduced SA-β-gal staining.Conclusions:HDDQ inhibits H2O2-induced premature senescence and upregulation of SIRT1 expression plays a vital role in the inhibition of the senescence phenotype in HDFs.

Anti-senescence and anti-wrinkle activities of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey in human dermal fibroblasts

Objective:To investigate the anti-senescence effect of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde(BDB)from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey in human dermal fibroblasts(HDF).Methods:HDF were subjected to treatment of BDB and then treated with hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)to induce premature senescence.Senescence-associatedβ-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)activity in HDF was determined using the SA-β-gal staining method.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)production was measured using the 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay.Western blotting assay was performed to assess the level of antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1(GPX1).In addition,intracellular collagen and collagenase contents were analyzed using the respective ELISA kits.Elastase activity in HDF supernatants was measured from p-nitroaniline release and normalized using total protein content.Results:Treatment of HDF with H2O2 increased the activity of SA-β-gal,but BDB pre-treatment resulted in the reduction of SA-β-gal activity.Moreover,BDB significantly reduced H2O2-induced intracellular ROS production.BDB also markedly increased the level of GPX1,which was inhibited by 400μM of H2O2.Furthermore,in in vitro study,BDB significantly increased intracellular collagen content and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-1 and elastase activities in HDF.Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that BDB shows antisenescence and anti-wrinkle activities in vitro.

Protective Effect of Space Ginseng Yeast on Human Primary Fibroblasts under Simulated Microgravity Condition

[Objectives] To study the protective effect of Space Ginseng Yeast on human primary fibroblasts. [Methods] Multiple indicators were used to simulate the microgravity effect,so as to study the protective effect of Space Ginseng Yeast on human primary fibroblasts under simulated microgravity condition. [Results]Space Ginseng Yeast could improve changes of cell morphology and decline of the survival rate caused by microgravity,restore the expression and effective arrangement of cytoskeletal protein Tubulin,extracellular matrix proteins Integrin and Fibronectin,and can inhibit the abnormal expression of MMP-1. The protective effect of Space Ginseng Yeast diluted 20-500 times is better,and the protective effect of Space Ginseng Yeast diluted 100 times is the most obvious. [Conclusions] Space Ginseng Yeast can protect damage of human primary fibroblasts caused by simulated microgravity.

Experimental study on effect of endothelin in the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts

Objective To investigate the role of endothelin(ET) in the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts and the moduktion of its antagonists such as nitric oxide(NO), tetrandrine ( Tet). Methods With the cultured fibroblasts from the scarring tissue, the cell pdiferation was determined by[3H]-TdR incorporation, while the collagen synthesis was evaluated by[3H]-proline incorporation. Results The ET-1 was significantly increasing the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts. The values of [3H]-TdR absorption in the 2.5 ng/ml,25 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml of ET-1 groups were 1.8 times,4 times and 4.9 times more than in the control group, respectively(P【0. 01),while the values of the [3H]-proline incorporation were 1.1 times,3.1 times and 3.8 times respectively(P【0.01). The fibroblasts, treated with 50 μg/ml of S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine(SNAP), were no detectable effect on the basal level of DNA synthesis,but produced decreasing effect on the

Relationship of cyclic stretching of human patellar tendon fibroblasts with abnormal increase of prostaglandins E2 and leukotriene B4

To investigate the relationship between tendinopathy and higher production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4(LTB4) induced by cyclic stretching of human patellar tendon fibroblasts.Methods We used a novel in vitro model system to mimic in vivo conditions,where human patellar tendon fibroblasts (HPTFs) were uniaxially stretched with different magnitudes of stretching (4%,8% and 12%).Non-stretched fibroblasts were used as control.The productions of PGE2 and LTB4 as well as the expression of cycloxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) were then measured every four hours of cyclic stretching.In addition,we treated the cells with inhibitors of COX or 5-LO.Results It was found that cyclic stretching of fibroblasts at 8% and 12% of stretching increased PGE2 and LTB4 levels.Blocking the COX enzyme with indomethacin (25 mol/L) decreased PGE2 levels but increased LTB4 production and vice versa.Whereas decreasing LTB4 production with MK-886 (10 μmol/L) could increase PGE2 levels compared to cells tretched without inhibitors.Conclusion Cyclic stretching of HPTFs produces high levels of PGE2 and LTB4,where a balance exists:blocking PGE2 production increases the production of LTB4,and vice versa.Therefore,this study raises the possibility that the routine use of COX inhibitors in clinical treatment of tendinopathy may exacerbate the condition by causing neutrophil-mediated inflammatory and degenerative changes in the tendon due to increased levels of LTB4,which is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils.17 refs,3 figs.

Attenuation of the Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Baicalin through Regulating the Let-7i-3p/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Signaling Axis

[Objectives]To study the effect and mechanism of baicalin on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in human fibroblast like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis(HFLS-RA).[Methods]To confirm that baicalin alleviated the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HFLS-RA,the expression of NLRP3 before and after baicalin treatment was observed by immunofluorescence.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p-PI3K,p-Akt,NF-κB p65,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 after baicalin treatment for 48 h,and the contents of IL-1 and IL-18 in the supernatents were detected by ELISA.In order to explore the mechanism of baicalin alleviating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome,the corresponding relationship between let-7i-3p and PIK3CA was verified by double luciferin and Westen blot analysis.The expression of let-7i-3p and PI3K before and after baicalin intervention was detected by RT-qPCR.let-7i-3p interference was used to verify whether baicalin mitigated the activation of enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome.[Results]Baicalin(50 and 100 mg/L)significantly reduced the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome,inhibited the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,NF-κB p65,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1,and the secretion of IL-1 and IL-18.let-7i-3p and PIK3CA had a targeted correspondence,and baicalin up-regulated the expression of let-7i-3p and down-regulated the expression of PIK3CA.Baicalin attenuated the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome enhanced by let-7i-3p interference.[Conclusions]Baicalin can up-regulate let-7i-3p expression,inhibit PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signal transduction,and thus reduce the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HFLS-RA.

Protective effects of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor on hydrogen peroxide-induced damage to cardiomyocytes in vitro

AIM： To study the protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor （FGF） on cardiac oxidative injury in vivo. METHODS： Ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from 1- to 3-d-old neonatal SD mice and cultured in Dulbecco＇s minimum essential medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum under an atmosphere of 50 mL/L CO2-95% air at 37℃, as well as assessed by immunooltochemical assay. We constructed the cardiomyoolte injury model by exposure to a certain concentration of H2O2. Cellular viability, superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, leakage of maleic dialdehyde and anti-apoptosis effect were included to evaluate the cardiac protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic FGF. RESULTS： Over 50% of the cardiomyocytes beat spontaneously on the 2nd d of culture and synchronously beat after being cultured for 3 d. Forty-eight hours after plating was completed, the purity of such cultures was 95% myocytes, assessed by an immunocytochemical assay. Cellular viability dramatically decreased with the increasing of the concentration of H2O2. Non-mitogenic human acidic FGF showed significant resistance to thetoxic effect of H2O2, significantly increased the cellular viability as well as the activity of SOD, and dramatically decreased the leakage of maleic dialdehyde as well as the cellular apoptosis rate. CONCLUSION： Hydrogen peroxide shows strong cytotoxicity to the cultured cardiac myocytes, and non-mitogenic human acidic FGF shows strong cardio-protective effect when exposed to a certain concentration of H2O2.

Sulforaphane modulates TGFβ2-induced conjunctival fibroblasts activation and fibrosis by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling

AIM:To examine the effects of sulforaphane on fibrotic changes of transforming growth factor(TGFβ2)induced human conjunctival fibroblast(HCon Fs).METHODS:HCon Fs were cultured and divided into control,TGFβ2(1 ng/m L),sulforaphane and TGFβ2+sulforaphane groups.Cell viability and apoptosis were detected using the MTT and Apo Tox-Glo Triplex assay.Cell migration was detected using scratch and Transwell assay.Real-time quantitative PCR method was used to evaluate m RNA expression of TGFβ2,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP2),myosin light chain kinase(MYLK),integrinαV,integrinα5,fibronectin 1 andα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).The protein expression ofα-SMA,p-PI3 K,PI3 K,p-Akt,and Akt were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:The proliferation of HCon Fs was significantly(P<0.05)suppressed by sulforaphane compared to control cells with the increase of the concentration and treatment time.Cell proliferation after 48 h incubation was significantly reduced with 100μmol/L sulforaphane treatment by 17.53%(P<0.05).The Transwell assay showed sulforaphane decreased cell migration by 18.73%compared with TGFβ2-induced HCon F(P<0.05).TGFβ2-induced the increasing expression of fibronectin,type I collagen andα-SMA,and the phosphorylation of PI3 K and Akt were all significantly suppressed by sulforaphane pretreatment.CONCLUSION:Sulforaphane inhibits proliferation,migration,and synthesis of the extracellular matrix in HCon Fs,and inhibiting the PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.Sulforaphane could be a potential therapeutic drug for prevention of scar formation in filtering bleb after trabeculectomy.