Summary: In order to explore the role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the transcription of interleukin-5 (IL-5) gene regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) signal in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from asthmatic patient...Summary: In order to explore the role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the transcription of interleukin-5 (IL-5) gene regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) signal in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from asthmatic patient, T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from peripheral blood of each asthmatic patient. The T lymphocytes were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (blank control), group B (treated with PKC agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)), Group C (treated with PMA and AP-1 cis-element decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (decoy ODNs)), and group D (treated with PMA and AP-1 mutant decoy ODNs). The ODNs were transfected into the T cells of group C and D by cation liposome respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to assess IL-5 mRNA expression, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) for the activation of AP-1. The results showed that the activation of AP-1 (88 003.58±1 626.57) and the expression of IL-5 mRNA (0.8300±0.0294) in T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than these in blank control (20 888.47±1103.56 and 0.3050±0.0208, respectively, P< 0.01), while the indexes (23 219.83±1 024.86 and 0.3425±0.0171 respectively) of T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and AP-1 decoy ODNs were significantly inhibited, as compared with group B (P< 0.01). The indexes (87 107.41±1 342.92 and 0.8225±0.0222, respectively) in T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and AP-1 mutant decoy ODNs did not exhibit significant changes, as compared with group B (P>0.05). The significant positive correlation was found between the activation of AP-1 and the expression of IL-5 mRNA (P< 0.01). It was concluded that AP-1 might participate in the signal transduction of PKC-triggered transcription of IL-5 gene in asthmatic T lymphocytes. This suggests the activation of PKC/AP-1 signal transduction cascade of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.展开更多
BACKGROUND It is not uncommon to develop autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes(PNS).4 kinds of antibody-positive autoimmune paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis(PLE)have not been reported.CAS...BACKGROUND It is not uncommon to develop autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes(PNS).4 kinds of antibody-positive autoimmune paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis(PLE)have not been reported.CASE SUMMARY PNS are distant effects of cancer on the nervous system,rather than syndromes in which cancer directly invades and metastasizes to the nerves and/or muscle tissues.If the limbic lobe system of the brain is involved,this will result in PLE.The detection of patients with PNS is challenging since tumors that cause paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are often asymptomatic,obscure,and thus easily misdiagnosed or missed.Currently,single-or double-antibody-positive paraneoplastic marginal encephalitis has been reported.However,no cases of three or more-antibody-positive cases have been reported.Here,we report a case of PLE that is anti-collapsing response-mediator protein-5,anti-neuronal nuclear antibody-type 1,anti-aminobutyric acid B receptor,and anti-glutamate deglutase positive,and address relevant literature to improve our understanding of the disease.CONCLUSION This article reports on the management of a case of PLE with four positive antibodies,a review of the literature,in order to raise awareness among clinicians.展开更多
Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride has been shown to reduce cerebral vasospasm, to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis and to promote the recovery of neurological function. However, the effect of fasudil hydroc...Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride has been shown to reduce cerebral vasospasm, to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis and to promote the recovery of neurological function. However, the effect of fasudil hydrochloride on claudin-5 protein expression has not been reported after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, this study sought to explore the effects of fasudil hydrochloride on blood-brain barrier permeability, growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression, and to further understand the neuroprotective effect of fasudil hydrochloride. A focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was established using the intraluminal suture technique. Fasudil hydrochloride （15 mg/kg） was intraperitoneally injected once a day. Neurological deficit was evaluated using Longa＇s method. Changes in permeability of blood-brain barrier were measured using Evans blue. Changes in RhoA, growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results revealed that fasudil hydrochloride noticeably contributed to the recovery of neurological function, improved the function of blood-brain barrier, inhibited RhoA protein expression, and upregulated growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Results indicated that Rho kinase exhibits a certain effect on neurovascular damage following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Intervention targeted Rho kinase might be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.展开更多
Objective:Calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD)affects millions of elderly people,and there is currently no effective way to stop or slow down its progression.Therefore,exploring the pathogenesis of CAVD is very importa...Objective:Calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD)affects millions of elderly people,and there is currently no effective way to stop or slow down its progression.Therefore,exploring the pathogenesis of CAVD is very important for prevention and treatment.Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP)have important role in cell phenotype change.This study is aimed to confirm whether COMP participate in CAVD and try to find the possible mechanisms.Methods:Human aortic valve tissues from Nanjing First Hospital(CAVD group,n=20;control group,n=11)were harvested.The expression level of COMP was tested by western blot and immunohistochemistry.Dual immunofluorescence staining was used for locating COMP.Bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP2)signalling were tested by western blot.The animal model was also used to detect COMP level by immunohistochemistry.Results:The results showed that the expression level of COMP was significantly increased in the calcific valve samples when compared with that of the control valve(P<0.05);COMP was expressed near the calcific nodules and co-localized with a-smooth muscle actin(a-SMA).The protein levels of BMP2 and p-Smads 1/5/9 were markedly more highly expressed in the CAVD group than the control group(P<0.05).Furthermore,immunofluorescence detection showed that COMP and BMP2 were co-located in calcific valves.Conclusions:The above results suggested that upregulation of COMP and BMP2 may be associated with aortic valve calcification and that COMP may become a potential therapeutic target in human CAVD.展开更多
Current fire retardants are known to be toxic to humans and our environment.As environmental-friendly flame retardants(FRs),protein-based flame retardants have been studied extensively recently,even though they are no...Current fire retardants are known to be toxic to humans and our environment.As environmental-friendly flame retardants(FRs),protein-based flame retardants have been studied extensively recently,even though they are not durable.In this study,we designed,synthesized and tested a durable protein-based FR through the fusion of the adhesion domain from either mussel foot protein-5(mfp-5)or cellulose-binding domain(CBD)with flame retardant protein(SR protein and alpha casein).We first verified the expression of the recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli using Western blot.Then,we coated the fusion protein(carrying cell lysates)to cotton fabrics and wood and verified with Infrared(IR)spectroscopy.Using a vertical burning test and wood flammability test,we confirmed the flame retardancy of the materials after the protein coating.In the vertical burning test,the SR protein and alpha casein flame retardant proteins with the CBD adhesion domain showed a 50.0%and 43.3%increase in flame retardancy.The data is also consistent in the wood flame retardancy test.Confocal imaging experiments also suggested these new fire retardants can be preserved on the materials well even after washing.Overall,our results showed that flame-retardant proteins with adhesion domains are high potential candidates of green alternative flame retardants.展开更多
文摘Summary: In order to explore the role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the transcription of interleukin-5 (IL-5) gene regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) signal in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from asthmatic patient, T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from peripheral blood of each asthmatic patient. The T lymphocytes were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (blank control), group B (treated with PKC agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)), Group C (treated with PMA and AP-1 cis-element decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (decoy ODNs)), and group D (treated with PMA and AP-1 mutant decoy ODNs). The ODNs were transfected into the T cells of group C and D by cation liposome respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to assess IL-5 mRNA expression, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) for the activation of AP-1. The results showed that the activation of AP-1 (88 003.58±1 626.57) and the expression of IL-5 mRNA (0.8300±0.0294) in T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than these in blank control (20 888.47±1103.56 and 0.3050±0.0208, respectively, P< 0.01), while the indexes (23 219.83±1 024.86 and 0.3425±0.0171 respectively) of T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and AP-1 decoy ODNs were significantly inhibited, as compared with group B (P< 0.01). The indexes (87 107.41±1 342.92 and 0.8225±0.0222, respectively) in T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and AP-1 mutant decoy ODNs did not exhibit significant changes, as compared with group B (P>0.05). The significant positive correlation was found between the activation of AP-1 and the expression of IL-5 mRNA (P< 0.01). It was concluded that AP-1 might participate in the signal transduction of PKC-triggered transcription of IL-5 gene in asthmatic T lymphocytes. This suggests the activation of PKC/AP-1 signal transduction cascade of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
文摘BACKGROUND It is not uncommon to develop autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes(PNS).4 kinds of antibody-positive autoimmune paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis(PLE)have not been reported.CASE SUMMARY PNS are distant effects of cancer on the nervous system,rather than syndromes in which cancer directly invades and metastasizes to the nerves and/or muscle tissues.If the limbic lobe system of the brain is involved,this will result in PLE.The detection of patients with PNS is challenging since tumors that cause paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are often asymptomatic,obscure,and thus easily misdiagnosed or missed.Currently,single-or double-antibody-positive paraneoplastic marginal encephalitis has been reported.However,no cases of three or more-antibody-positive cases have been reported.Here,we report a case of PLE that is anti-collapsing response-mediator protein-5,anti-neuronal nuclear antibody-type 1,anti-aminobutyric acid B receptor,and anti-glutamate deglutase positive,and address relevant literature to improve our understanding of the disease.CONCLUSION This article reports on the management of a case of PLE with four positive antibodies,a review of the literature,in order to raise awareness among clinicians.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30870855the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No.7082028Beijing Municipal Health System High-Level Technician Cultivation Project,No.2009-3-07
文摘Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride has been shown to reduce cerebral vasospasm, to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis and to promote the recovery of neurological function. However, the effect of fasudil hydrochloride on claudin-5 protein expression has not been reported after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, this study sought to explore the effects of fasudil hydrochloride on blood-brain barrier permeability, growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression, and to further understand the neuroprotective effect of fasudil hydrochloride. A focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was established using the intraluminal suture technique. Fasudil hydrochloride （15 mg/kg） was intraperitoneally injected once a day. Neurological deficit was evaluated using Longa＇s method. Changes in permeability of blood-brain barrier were measured using Evans blue. Changes in RhoA, growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results revealed that fasudil hydrochloride noticeably contributed to the recovery of neurological function, improved the function of blood-brain barrier, inhibited RhoA protein expression, and upregulated growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Results indicated that Rho kinase exhibits a certain effect on neurovascular damage following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Intervention targeted Rho kinase might be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.
基金the general program of Science and Technology Development Foundation of Nanjing Medical University(No.NMUB2018314)Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline(Laboratory)(ZDXKA2016021).
文摘Objective:Calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD)affects millions of elderly people,and there is currently no effective way to stop or slow down its progression.Therefore,exploring the pathogenesis of CAVD is very important for prevention and treatment.Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP)have important role in cell phenotype change.This study is aimed to confirm whether COMP participate in CAVD and try to find the possible mechanisms.Methods:Human aortic valve tissues from Nanjing First Hospital(CAVD group,n=20;control group,n=11)were harvested.The expression level of COMP was tested by western blot and immunohistochemistry.Dual immunofluorescence staining was used for locating COMP.Bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP2)signalling were tested by western blot.The animal model was also used to detect COMP level by immunohistochemistry.Results:The results showed that the expression level of COMP was significantly increased in the calcific valve samples when compared with that of the control valve(P<0.05);COMP was expressed near the calcific nodules and co-localized with a-smooth muscle actin(a-SMA).The protein levels of BMP2 and p-Smads 1/5/9 were markedly more highly expressed in the CAVD group than the control group(P<0.05).Furthermore,immunofluorescence detection showed that COMP and BMP2 were co-located in calcific valves.Conclusions:The above results suggested that upregulation of COMP and BMP2 may be associated with aortic valve calcification and that COMP may become a potential therapeutic target in human CAVD.
基金We thank Prof.Leo Tsz On LEE Prof.Ruiyu XIE and Prof.Tzu-Ming LIU for discussions and conceptual support,Stephanie Pei Wen NG and Weng I LEI for technical support,and all other members/contributors in the PuiChing 2020 team(Ieng Chon LI,Yi Fan XIANG,Sin Mei CHEONG,Cho Cheng SHE,Weng Seong LEI,Pak Chong CHEONG,Chan In NG,Nga Chi LEONG,Teng Wai HOI,Weng Si CHIO,Lok Hang CHIU,Hou IONG,Weng In LAI,Jeremy HU,Franklin YEUNG,Hao Nian MIN,Hau Yin LEUNG and Yating MO)for helping this project.We also thank the Wynn Care,Science and Technology Development Fund(FDCT)(Grand code:0016/2020/PS),Institute for the Development and Quality(IDQ)and Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Macao for supporting this work.
文摘Current fire retardants are known to be toxic to humans and our environment.As environmental-friendly flame retardants(FRs),protein-based flame retardants have been studied extensively recently,even though they are not durable.In this study,we designed,synthesized and tested a durable protein-based FR through the fusion of the adhesion domain from either mussel foot protein-5(mfp-5)or cellulose-binding domain(CBD)with flame retardant protein(SR protein and alpha casein).We first verified the expression of the recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli using Western blot.Then,we coated the fusion protein(carrying cell lysates)to cotton fabrics and wood and verified with Infrared(IR)spectroscopy.Using a vertical burning test and wood flammability test,we confirmed the flame retardancy of the materials after the protein coating.In the vertical burning test,the SR protein and alpha casein flame retardant proteins with the CBD adhesion domain showed a 50.0%and 43.3%increase in flame retardancy.The data is also consistent in the wood flame retardancy test.Confocal imaging experiments also suggested these new fire retardants can be preserved on the materials well even after washing.Overall,our results showed that flame-retardant proteins with adhesion domains are high potential candidates of green alternative flame retardants.
