using-en-face-immunofluorescence-staining-to-observe-vascular

Using En Face Immunofluorescence Staining to Observe Vascular Endothelial Cells Directly

Aberrant changes in endothelial phenotype and morphology are considered to be initial events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Direct observation of ...

Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Apigenin is a flavonoid belonging to the flavone structural class. It has been implicated as a chemopreventive agent against prostate and breast cancers. However, to the best of our knowledge, no published data are available regarding apigenin in colorectal cancer (CRC). The effects and mechanisms of apigenin on CRC may vary significantly. This study aimed to analyze the effects of apigenin on the growth of CRC xenografts in nude mice derived from SW480, as well as to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Whole-body fluorescence imaging is an inexpensive optical system used to visualize gene expression in small mammals using reporter genes, such as eGFP as a reporter. In our study, the expression of eGFP may reflect the size of the tumor. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay showed that apigenin promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells. Furthermore, the expression of five genes related to the proliferation and apoptosis of CRC, i.e., cyclin D1, BAG-1, Bcl-2, yrdC and Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Among these genes, the up-regulated expression of FADD was noted in CRC xenograft tumors treated with apigenin. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting confirmed the results at the protein level. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that apigenin induced the phosphorylation of FADD. Our findings suggest that apigenin enhances the expression of FADD and induces its phosphorylation, which may cause apoptosis of CRC cells and inhibition of tumor growth.

Apigenin suppresses the growth of colorectal cancer xenografts via phosphorylation and up-regulated FADD expression.

Saikosaponin a (SSa), a main constituent of the Chinese herb Bupleurum chinense DC., has been demonstrated to have antiepileptic activity. Recent studies have shown that SSa could inhibit NMDA receptor current and persistent sodium current. However, the effects of SSa on potassium (K(+)) currents remain unclear. In this study, we tested the effect of SSa on 4AP-induced epileptiform discharges and K(+) currents in CA1 neurons of rat hippocampal slices. We found that SSa significantly inhibited epileptiform discharges frequency and duration in hippocampal CA1 neurons in the 4AP seizure model in a dose-dependent manner with an IC 50 of 0.7  μ M. SSa effectively increased the amplitude of I Total and I A , significantly negative-shifted the activation curve, and positive-shifted steady-state curve of I A . However, SSa induced no significant changes in the amplitude and activation curve of I K . In addition, SSa significantly increased the amplitude of 4AP-sensitive K(+) current, while there was no significant change in the amplitude of TEA-sensitive K(+) current. Together, our data indicate that SSa inhibits epileptiform discharges induced by 4AP in a dose-dependent manner and that SSa exerts selectively enhancing effects on I A . These increases in I A may contribute to the anticonvulsant mechanisms of SSa.

Saikosaponin a Enhances Transient Inactivating Potassium Current in Rat Hippocampal CA1 Neurons.

The relationship between age at onset (AAO) and major depression (MD) has been studied in US, European and Chinese populations. However, larger sample studies are needed to replicate and extend earlier findings.

Age at onset of recurrent major depression in Han Chinese women - a replication study.

Phobic fears are common in the general population and among individuals with major depression (MD). We know little about the prevalence, clinical correlates, and structure of phobic fears in Chinese women with MD.

The prevalence, clinical correlates and structure of phobic fears in Han Chinese women with recurrent major depression.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the major complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Valproic acid (VPA) was described as a histone deacetylase inhibitor that had anti-inflammatory effects and reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines in experimental autoimmune disease models. Using well-characterized mouse models of MHC-mismatched transplantation, we studied the effects of VPA on GVHD severity and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) activity. Administration of VPA significantly attenuated the clinical severity of GVHD, the histopathology of GVHD-involved organs, and the overall mortality from GVHD. VPA downregulated Th1 and Th17 cell responses and cytokine production in vitro and in vivo, whereas its effect on GVHD was regulatory T cell independent. The effect of VPA was related to its ability to directly reduce the activity of Akt, an important regulator of T cell immune responses. Importantly, when mice received lethal doses of host-type acute leukemia cells, administration of VPA did not impair GVL activity and resulted in significantly improved leukemia-free survival. These findings reveal a unique role for VPA as a histone deacetylase inhibitor in reducing the donor CD4(+) T cells that contribute to GVHD, which may provide a strategy to reduce GVHD while preserving the GVL effect. 

Valproic Acid Ameliorates Graft-versus-Host Disease by Downregulating Th1 and Th17 Cells.

Endothelial hyper-permeability is a major determinant factor that contributes to the accelerated development of atherosclerotic lesions at hemodynamically disturbed sites. Previously, we showed that C1q/TNF related protein (CTRP) 1 promotes endothelium-leukocyte interactions and inflammatory responses in vascular cells. Here, we sought to investigate the role of CTRP1 in modulation of endothelial permeability under disturbed flow condition. By using en face staining of mouse aorta, we found CTRP1 expression was significantly increased in vascular endothelial cells under disturbed flow as compared to steady laminar flow. Vascular permeability to Evans blue dye was notably enhanced in CTRP1 knockin mice as compared to wild type animals, whereas aortic hyper-permeability at disturbed sites was remarkably restored after deletion of CTRP1. In cultured endothelial cells, treatment of CTRP1 led to increased permeability to fluorescent-labelled dextran and apparent formation of paracellular holes as observed after disturbed flow exposure, which was evidently reduced in the presence of a CTRP1-specific neutralizing antibody. Mechanistically, we found activation of VEGFR2 by CTRP1 might be involved in vascular hyper-permeability under disturbed flow condition. Taken together, this study suggests that CTRP1 is a mechano-sensitive proinflammatory factor that mediates disturbed flow-induced vascular barrier dysfunction. Inhibition of CTRP1 may inhibit the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis at early stage.

C1q/TNF-related protein 1 promotes endothelial barrier dysfunction under disturbed flow.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a major limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention despite improvements in stent design and pharmacological agents, whereas the mechanism of ISR has not been fully clarified. In the present study, we sought to investigate the potential association of serum soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) levels with the incidence of ISR. The role of TREM-1 was evaluated in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Increased serum TREM-1 level is associated with in-stent restenosis, and activation of TREM-1 promotes inflammation, proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Increased serum TREM-1 level is associated with in-stent restenosis, and activation of TREM-1 promotes inflammation, proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells" (Wang et al., 2017) [1], which demonstrated that TREM-1 is expressed on vascular smooth cells (VSMCs) and promotes inflammation, proliferation and migration in cultured VSMCs. In this dataset, the expression of TREM-1 in leukocytes and endothelial cells of carotid artery after ligation was evaluated. The effect of TREM-1 on stenosis was analyzed in cultured human saphenous veins (HSVs) that spontaneously undergo remodeling which involves VSMC proliferation and migration.

Data on the expression and role of TREM-1 in the development of in-stent restenosis.

Increased transcytosis of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) across the endothelium and oxidation of LDL deposited within the subendothelial space are crucial early events in atherogenesis. C1q/TNF-related protein (CTRP) 5 is a novel secreted glycoprotein and its biological functions are largely undefined.

CTRP5 promotes transcytosis and oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein and the development of atherosclerosis.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) confers protection against cardiovascular disease partly attributable to its robust anti-oxidant activities, which is largely impaired in diabetic conditions. In this study, we analyzed the anti-oxidant activity of HDL, as represented by the arylesterase activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in HDL particles, in 216 consecutive HF patients with (n = 79) or without (n = 137) type 2 diabetes, and age- and gender-matched 112 diabetic and 189 non-diabetic non-HF controls. We found arylesterase activity was significantly decreased in patients with than without HF, and was further decreased when comorbid with diabetes. After adjusting for conventional risk factors and apolipoprotein A-I levels, arylesterase activity remained correlated positively with left ventricular ejection fraction in diabetic (r = 0.325, P = 0.020) but not non-diabetic patients (r = 0.089, P = 0.415), and negatively with NT-proBNP and NYHA functional class in both subgroups. In regression analyses, a higher risk of HF was observed in diabetic than non-diabetic patients when having low arylesterase activities. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that impaired serum arylesterase activity in patients with HF is further reduced when comorbid with diabetes. The relationship of impaired arylesterase activity to HF is especially enhanced in diabetic patients.

Relationship of High-Density Lipoprotein-Associated Arylesterase Activity to Systolic Heart Failure in Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes.

Individuals with risk-loving attitudes may be more likely to participate in high-risk sex and gambling. We investigated whether a lottery-based financial incentive to have a negative syphilis test may attract Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) who practised risky sexual behaviours.

Risk attitudes, risky sexual behaviours and willingness to test negative for syphilis using lottery-based financial incentives among Chinese men who have sex with men.

This study was designed to probe into the improvement of rehabilitation training combined with Jiaji electroacupuncture intervention on patients with upper limb peripheral nerve injury. A total of 114 patients with peripheral nerve injury of upper limbs in our hospital from August 2017 to November 2019 were collected as the research participants. Among them, 59 in the control group (CG) received rehabilitation training alone, while 65 in the observation group (OG) received rehabilitation training combined with Jiaji electroacupuncture intervention. The therapeutic efficacy, Barthel index, and Fugl-Meyer assessment score, motor nerve conduction velocity, sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, and quality of life (score SF-36) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The total effective rate of the OG was markedly higher than that of the CG. After treatment, the Barthel index, Fugl-Meyer assessment score, motor nerve conduction velocity, and sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude of the OG were obviously higher than those of the CG, and the SF-36 scores of the OG were higher than those of the CG in 8 dimensions. Rehabilitation training combined with Jiaji electroacupuncture intervention can dramatically promote the recovery of muscle group function and improve the quality of life of patients with upper limb peripheral nerve injury.

Rehabilitation Training Combined with Jiaji Electroacupuncture Can Promote the Recovery of Muscle Group Function and Improve the Quality of Life in Patients with Upper Limb Peripheral Nerve Injury.

Article	Year
Apigenin suppresses the growth of colorectal cancer xenografts via phosphorylation and up-regulated FADD expression. Oncology letters\| PubMed ID: 22870126	2011
Saikosaponin a Enhances Transient Inactivating Potassium Current in Rat Hippocampal CA1 Neurons. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM\| PubMed ID: 23554830	2013
Age at onset of recurrent major depression in Han Chinese women - a replication study. Journal of affective disorders\| PubMed ID: 24581831	2014
The prevalence, clinical correlates and structure of phobic fears in Han Chinese women with recurrent major depression. Journal of affective disorders\| PubMed ID: 24581834	2014
Valproic Acid Ameliorates Graft-versus-Host Disease by Downregulating Th1 and Th17 Cells. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)\| PubMed ID: 26179902	2015
C1q/TNF-related protein 1 promotes endothelial barrier dysfunction under disturbed flow. Biochemical and biophysical research communications\| PubMed ID: 28625919	2017
Increased serum TREM-1 level is associated with in-stent restenosis, and activation of TREM-1 promotes inflammation, proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis\| PubMed ID: 29080545	2017
Data on the expression and role of TREM-1 in the development of in-stent restenosis. Data in brief\| PubMed ID: 29264376	2018
CTRP5 promotes transcytosis and oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein and the development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis\| PubMed ID: 30300788	2018
Relationship of High-Density Lipoprotein-Associated Arylesterase Activity to Systolic Heart Failure in Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes. Scientific reports\| PubMed ID: 30979955	2019
Risk attitudes, risky sexual behaviours and willingness to test negative for syphilis using lottery-based financial incentives among Chinese men who have sex with men. Sexually transmitted infections\| PubMed ID: 31653680	2020
Rehabilitation Training Combined with Jiaji Electroacupuncture Can Promote the Recovery of Muscle Group Function and Improve the Quality of Life in Patients with Upper Limb Peripheral Nerve ... Journal of healthcare engineering\| PubMed ID: 34966521	2021

Chang Li

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