BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global metabolism-associated liver disease.Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a newly discovered secreted protein that is involved in...BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global metabolism-associated liver disease.Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a newly discovered secreted protein that is involved in metabolic homeostasis.However,much remains to be discovered about its function in hepatic lipid metabolism;thus,we assessed whether MANF could regulate hepatic metabolism.AIM To establish in vivo and in vitro NAFLD models to explore the role of MANF in hepatic lipid metabolism.METHODS HepG2 cells treated with free fatty acids (FFAs) and ob/ob mice were used as NAFLD models.Liver tissues collected from wild type and ob/ob mice were used to detect MANF expression.Cells were treated with FFAs for different durations.Moreover,we used lentiviral constructs to establish overexpression and knockdown cell models in order to interfere with MANF expression levels and observe whether MANF influences hepatic steatosis.Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect protein and gene expression,and oil red O staining was used to visualize intracellular lipid droplets.RESULTS Hepatic MANF protein and mRNA expression in wild type mice were 10-fold and 2-fold higher,respectively,than those in ob/ob mice.The MANF protein was temporarily increased by 1.3-fold after stimulation with FFAs for 24 h and gradually decreased to 0.66-fold that of the control at the 72 h time point in HepG2 cells.MANF deficiency upregulated the expression of genes involved infatty acid synthesis,cholesterol synthesis,and fatty acid uptake and aggravated HepG2 cell steatosis,while MANF overexpression inhibited fatty acid synthesis and uptake and cholesterol synthesis,and rescued HepG2 cells from FFAsinduced steatosis.Furthermore,a significant decrease in triglyceride levels was observed in the MANF overexpression group compared with the control group(0.4288±0.0081 mmol/g vs 0.3746±0.0121 mmol/g,P <0.05) upon FF As treatment.There was also a 17%decrease in intracellular total cholesterol levels between the MANF overexpression group and the control group (0.1301±0.0059mmol/g vs 0.1088±0.0009 mmol/g,P <0.05) upon FF As treatment.Moreover,MANF suppressed lipid deposition in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that MANF improves the phenotype of liver cell steatosis and may be a potential therapeutic target in hepatic steatosis processes.展开更多
Several studies have suggested that exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor may pro-tect neurons from cerebral ischemic injury. However, the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotec-tive effects of endogeno...Several studies have suggested that exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor may pro-tect neurons from cerebral ischemic injury. However, the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotec-tive effects of endogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor remain unclear. The present experiments sought to elucidate the influence of various conditioned media on neuronal apoptosis, using a normal culture medium for astrocytes, an astrocyte medium highly expressing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and an astrocyte medium in which glial cell line-derived neurotro-phic factor expression was silenced using RNAi technology. The results confirmed that the use of RNAi silencing to target pretreated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression promoted neuronal apoptosis. In addition, oxygen and glucose deprivation preconditioning was found to upregulate glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression, and significantly reduce neuronal apoptosis.展开更多
Astrocytes can release increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor during cerebral ischemia, but it is unclear whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor affects y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function i...Astrocytes can release increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor during cerebral ischemia, but it is unclear whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor affects y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function in normal neurons. Results from this study demonstrated that y-aminobutyric acid at 100 pmol/L concentration raised the intracellular calcium level in neurons treated with medium from cultured hypoxic astrocytes, and the rise in calcium level could be inhibited by y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist bicuculline or brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor antagonist k252a, y-aminobutyric acid type A-gated current induced by 100 IJmol/L y-aminobutyric acid was in an inward direction in physiological conditions, but shifted to the outward direction in neurons when treated with the medium from cultured hypoxic astrocytes, and this effect could be inhibited by k252a. The reverse potential was shifted leftward to -93 mV, which could be inhibited by k252a and Na＋-K＋-CI cotransporter inhibitor bumetanide. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was released from hypoxic astrocytes at a high level. It shifted the reverse potential of y-aminobutyric acid type A-gated currents leftward in normal neurons by enhancing the function of Na＋-K＋-CI- cotransporter, and caused y-aminobutyric acid to exert an excitatory effect by activating y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor.展开更多
Gadolinium (Gd3+) complexes are important contrast agents in medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and of great potential value in brain research. In order to better understand the mechanisms of the action of Gd3+ ...Gadolinium (Gd3+) complexes are important contrast agents in medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and of great potential value in brain research. In order to better understand the mechanisms of the action of Gd3+ on neurons in the complex central nervous system (CNS), the neurotoxic actions of GdCl3 have been investigated in both neuron monoculture and astrocyte-neuron co-culture systems. Measurements of lactate dehydrogenase release showed that GdCl3 causes significant cell death of monocultured neurons as a result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, GdCl3 does not affect the viability and BDNF expression of astrocytes. Both co-culturing of neurons with astrocytes and addition of BDNF ameliorated GdCl3-induced neurotoxicity by decreasing ROS generation and facilitating recovery of BDNF levels. The results obtained suggest that astrocytes in the CNS may protect neurons from GdCl3-induced impairment through secreting BDNF and thus up-regulating BDNF expression and interfering with Gd3+-induced cell signaling in neurons. A possible molecular mechanism is suggested which should be helpful in understand- ing the neurotoxic actions of gadolinium probes .展开更多
BACKGROUND： Numerous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） is closely correlated with spinal cord injury （SCI）, but the mechanisms of TNF-α and therapeutic treatments for SCI are still poorly...BACKGROUND： Numerous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） is closely correlated with spinal cord injury （SCI）, but the mechanisms of TNF-α and therapeutic treatments for SCI are still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To determine the role of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of SCI. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An in vivo experiment based on genetically engineered animals was performed at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA, between June 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS： TNF-α transgenic rats （Xenogen Biosciences in Cranbury, New Jersey, USA） were utilized in this study. METHODS： TNF-α transgenic （tg） and wild-type （WT） rats underwent a complete single-level laminectomy at the 10^th thoracic vertebra （T10）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Motor function of rat hindlimb was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan hindlimb locomotor rating scale. Histological evaluation of spinal cord tissue loss was conducted. Immunohistochemistry for astrocytes, microglia/macrophages, and TNF receptors （TNFRs） was performed on spinal cord tissue sections. TNF-α mRNA expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The concentrations of nerve growth factor （NGF） and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in the supernatant were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for rat NGF or BDNF, respectively. The rats were injected subcutaneously with etanercept to verify that TNF-α was the direct effect of the modulation of behavioral and neurodegenerative outcomes in the TNF-α tg rats. RESULTS： TNF-α tg rats showed higher expression of TNF-α mRNA in the spinal cord prior to SCI. TNF-α tg rats showed worse motor deficits than WT rats in the acute period （〈 3 days） after SCI （P 〈 0.01）, while in the chronic period, TNF-α tg rats exhibited persistent elevated baseline levels of TNF-α mRNA and improved recovery in motor function and tissue healing compared to WT rats （P 〈 0.01 ）. Following SCI, the number of microglia/macrophages in TNF-α tg rat was always greater than in WT rat （P 〈 0.01）. There were no significant differences in NGF and BDNF levels in the supernatant of spinal cord homogenates. TNFR1 expression was significantly greater in the TNF-α tg rats compared to the WT rats （P 〈 0.01）. However, TNFR2 expression did not reveal a significant increase in the TNF-α tg rats compared to the WT rats. Finally, treatment with etanercept reduced injury acutely, but exacerbated the injury chronically. CONCLUSION： Overexpression of TNF-α is deleterious in the acute phase, but beneficial in the chronic phase in the response to SCI. The role of TNF-α post-injury may depend on TNF-α expression in the spinal cord and its differential binding to TNFRI. Our observations may have clinical relevance that antagonists or inhibitors of TNF-α could be administered within the early time window post-injury, and appropriate amounts of TNF-α could be administered during the chronic stage, in order to improve the final neurological recovery in patients with SCI.展开更多
目的 观察脑卒中后抑郁(PSD)大鼠海马星形胶质细胞脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)及其受体原肌球蛋白受体激酶B(TrkB)的表达情况。方法 用大脑中动脉栓塞法建立脑卒中模型,结合孤养法与慢性不可预测的中等应激刺激建立PSD模型,将大鼠分为正...目的 观察脑卒中后抑郁(PSD)大鼠海马星形胶质细胞脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)及其受体原肌球蛋白受体激酶B(TrkB)的表达情况。方法 用大脑中动脉栓塞法建立脑卒中模型,结合孤养法与慢性不可预测的中等应激刺激建立PSD模型,将大鼠分为正常组、脑卒中组、抑郁组、PSD组,每组10只;造模4周后用免疫荧光双标组织化学染色法检测海马星形胶质细胞中BDNF和TrkB表达。结果 正常组第1、2、3、4周体质量明显高于PSD组,且第3、4周末体质量明显高于抑郁组(P<0.05)。PSD组和抑郁组第1、2、3、4周末蔗糖消耗、旷野实验(水平运动穿越格子数及垂直运动次数)明显低于正常组和脑卒中组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。正常组和脑卒中组BDNF和TrkB表达明显高于PSD组(22.32±1.01和19.56±0.89 vs 15.77±2.66;22.56±6.07和14.21±1.96 vs 12.46±5.05,P<0.05);脑卒中组TrkB表达明显低于正常组,差异有统计学意义(14.21±1.96 vs 22.56±6.07,P<0.05)。结论 海马星形胶质细胞表达的BDNF和TrkB与PSD的发病相关。展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81300702 and No.81501199Natural Science Foundation Project of Chongqing CSTC,No.cstc2018jcyj AX0210 and No.cstc2017jcyj AX0016the Kuanren Talents Program of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
文摘BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global metabolism-associated liver disease.Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a newly discovered secreted protein that is involved in metabolic homeostasis.However,much remains to be discovered about its function in hepatic lipid metabolism;thus,we assessed whether MANF could regulate hepatic metabolism.AIM To establish in vivo and in vitro NAFLD models to explore the role of MANF in hepatic lipid metabolism.METHODS HepG2 cells treated with free fatty acids (FFAs) and ob/ob mice were used as NAFLD models.Liver tissues collected from wild type and ob/ob mice were used to detect MANF expression.Cells were treated with FFAs for different durations.Moreover,we used lentiviral constructs to establish overexpression and knockdown cell models in order to interfere with MANF expression levels and observe whether MANF influences hepatic steatosis.Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect protein and gene expression,and oil red O staining was used to visualize intracellular lipid droplets.RESULTS Hepatic MANF protein and mRNA expression in wild type mice were 10-fold and 2-fold higher,respectively,than those in ob/ob mice.The MANF protein was temporarily increased by 1.3-fold after stimulation with FFAs for 24 h and gradually decreased to 0.66-fold that of the control at the 72 h time point in HepG2 cells.MANF deficiency upregulated the expression of genes involved infatty acid synthesis,cholesterol synthesis,and fatty acid uptake and aggravated HepG2 cell steatosis,while MANF overexpression inhibited fatty acid synthesis and uptake and cholesterol synthesis,and rescued HepG2 cells from FFAsinduced steatosis.Furthermore,a significant decrease in triglyceride levels was observed in the MANF overexpression group compared with the control group(0.4288±0.0081 mmol/g vs 0.3746±0.0121 mmol/g,P <0.05) upon FF As treatment.There was also a 17%decrease in intracellular total cholesterol levels between the MANF overexpression group and the control group (0.1301±0.0059mmol/g vs 0.1088±0.0009 mmol/g,P <0.05) upon FF As treatment.Moreover,MANF suppressed lipid deposition in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that MANF improves the phenotype of liver cell steatosis and may be a potential therapeutic target in hepatic steatosis processes.
基金Specialized Research Fund for the Doc-toral Program of Higher Education, No. 20060183053
文摘Several studies have suggested that exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor may pro-tect neurons from cerebral ischemic injury. However, the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotec-tive effects of endogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor remain unclear. The present experiments sought to elucidate the influence of various conditioned media on neuronal apoptosis, using a normal culture medium for astrocytes, an astrocyte medium highly expressing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and an astrocyte medium in which glial cell line-derived neurotro-phic factor expression was silenced using RNAi technology. The results confirmed that the use of RNAi silencing to target pretreated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression promoted neuronal apoptosis. In addition, oxygen and glucose deprivation preconditioning was found to upregulate glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression, and significantly reduce neuronal apoptosis.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30471657
文摘Astrocytes can release increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor during cerebral ischemia, but it is unclear whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor affects y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function in normal neurons. Results from this study demonstrated that y-aminobutyric acid at 100 pmol/L concentration raised the intracellular calcium level in neurons treated with medium from cultured hypoxic astrocytes, and the rise in calcium level could be inhibited by y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist bicuculline or brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor antagonist k252a, y-aminobutyric acid type A-gated current induced by 100 IJmol/L y-aminobutyric acid was in an inward direction in physiological conditions, but shifted to the outward direction in neurons when treated with the medium from cultured hypoxic astrocytes, and this effect could be inhibited by k252a. The reverse potential was shifted leftward to -93 mV, which could be inhibited by k252a and Na＋-K＋-CI cotransporter inhibitor bumetanide. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was released from hypoxic astrocytes at a high level. It shifted the reverse potential of y-aminobutyric acid type A-gated currents leftward in normal neurons by enhancing the function of Na＋-K＋-CI- cotransporter, and caused y-aminobutyric acid to exert an excitatory effect by activating y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20901005 and 20637010)the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (200800011056)
文摘Gadolinium (Gd3+) complexes are important contrast agents in medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and of great potential value in brain research. In order to better understand the mechanisms of the action of Gd3+ on neurons in the complex central nervous system (CNS), the neurotoxic actions of GdCl3 have been investigated in both neuron monoculture and astrocyte-neuron co-culture systems. Measurements of lactate dehydrogenase release showed that GdCl3 causes significant cell death of monocultured neurons as a result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, GdCl3 does not affect the viability and BDNF expression of astrocytes. Both co-culturing of neurons with astrocytes and addition of BDNF ameliorated GdCl3-induced neurotoxicity by decreasing ROS generation and facilitating recovery of BDNF levels. The results obtained suggest that astrocytes in the CNS may protect neurons from GdCl3-induced impairment through secreting BDNF and thus up-regulating BDNF expression and interfering with Gd3+-induced cell signaling in neurons. A possible molecular mechanism is suggested which should be helpful in understand- ing the neurotoxic actions of gadolinium probes .
基金the ES016774-01A1VA Merit Award and National Science Foundation EPSCoR grant, No. EPS-0132573+1 种基金EPS-0447660 (MSK)NS050452-05 (JJH)
文摘BACKGROUND： Numerous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） is closely correlated with spinal cord injury （SCI）, but the mechanisms of TNF-α and therapeutic treatments for SCI are still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To determine the role of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of SCI. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An in vivo experiment based on genetically engineered animals was performed at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA, between June 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS： TNF-α transgenic rats （Xenogen Biosciences in Cranbury, New Jersey, USA） were utilized in this study. METHODS： TNF-α transgenic （tg） and wild-type （WT） rats underwent a complete single-level laminectomy at the 10^th thoracic vertebra （T10）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Motor function of rat hindlimb was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan hindlimb locomotor rating scale. Histological evaluation of spinal cord tissue loss was conducted. Immunohistochemistry for astrocytes, microglia/macrophages, and TNF receptors （TNFRs） was performed on spinal cord tissue sections. TNF-α mRNA expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The concentrations of nerve growth factor （NGF） and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in the supernatant were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for rat NGF or BDNF, respectively. The rats were injected subcutaneously with etanercept to verify that TNF-α was the direct effect of the modulation of behavioral and neurodegenerative outcomes in the TNF-α tg rats. RESULTS： TNF-α tg rats showed higher expression of TNF-α mRNA in the spinal cord prior to SCI. TNF-α tg rats showed worse motor deficits than WT rats in the acute period （〈 3 days） after SCI （P 〈 0.01）, while in the chronic period, TNF-α tg rats exhibited persistent elevated baseline levels of TNF-α mRNA and improved recovery in motor function and tissue healing compared to WT rats （P 〈 0.01 ）. Following SCI, the number of microglia/macrophages in TNF-α tg rat was always greater than in WT rat （P 〈 0.01）. There were no significant differences in NGF and BDNF levels in the supernatant of spinal cord homogenates. TNFR1 expression was significantly greater in the TNF-α tg rats compared to the WT rats （P 〈 0.01）. However, TNFR2 expression did not reveal a significant increase in the TNF-α tg rats compared to the WT rats. Finally, treatment with etanercept reduced injury acutely, but exacerbated the injury chronically. CONCLUSION： Overexpression of TNF-α is deleterious in the acute phase, but beneficial in the chronic phase in the response to SCI. The role of TNF-α post-injury may depend on TNF-α expression in the spinal cord and its differential binding to TNFRI. Our observations may have clinical relevance that antagonists or inhibitors of TNF-α could be administered within the early time window post-injury, and appropriate amounts of TNF-α could be administered during the chronic stage, in order to improve the final neurological recovery in patients with SCI.
文摘目的 观察脑卒中后抑郁(PSD)大鼠海马星形胶质细胞脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)及其受体原肌球蛋白受体激酶B(TrkB)的表达情况。方法 用大脑中动脉栓塞法建立脑卒中模型,结合孤养法与慢性不可预测的中等应激刺激建立PSD模型,将大鼠分为正常组、脑卒中组、抑郁组、PSD组,每组10只;造模4周后用免疫荧光双标组织化学染色法检测海马星形胶质细胞中BDNF和TrkB表达。结果 正常组第1、2、3、4周体质量明显高于PSD组,且第3、4周末体质量明显高于抑郁组(P<0.05)。PSD组和抑郁组第1、2、3、4周末蔗糖消耗、旷野实验(水平运动穿越格子数及垂直运动次数)明显低于正常组和脑卒中组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。正常组和脑卒中组BDNF和TrkB表达明显高于PSD组(22.32±1.01和19.56±0.89 vs 15.77±2.66;22.56±6.07和14.21±1.96 vs 12.46±5.05,P<0.05);脑卒中组TrkB表达明显低于正常组,差异有统计学意义(14.21±1.96 vs 22.56±6.07,P<0.05)。结论 海马星形胶质细胞表达的BDNF和TrkB与PSD的发病相关。
