NAD(P)H oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species regulate angiotensin-II induced adventitial fibroblast phenotypic differentiation

Phenotypic differentiation of adventitial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is an essential feature of vascular remodeling. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in rat adventitial fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblast. Activation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) was used as a marker of myofibroblast. Angiotensin II increased intracellular ROS in adventitial fibroblasts that was completely inhibited by the free radical scavenger NAC, the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor DPI, and transfection of antisense gp91phox oligonucleotides. Myofibroblast differentiation was prevented by inhibition of ROS generation with DPI, NAC, and antisense gp91phox as shown by decreased expression of alpha-SMA. Angiotensin II rapidly induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK, both of which were inhibited by DPI, NAC, antisense gp91phox, and the selective AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan. Inhibiting p38MAPK with SB202190 or JNK with SP600125 also reduced angiotensin II-induced alpha-SMA expression. These findings demonstrate that angiotensin II induces adventitial fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblast via a pathway that involves NADPH oxidase generation of ROS and activation of p38MAPK and JNK pathways.

Antisense knockdown of cyclin E does not affect the midblastula transition in Xenopus laevis embryos

In Xenopus laevis embryos, cyclin E protein remains constitutively high throughout the first 12 cell cycles following fertilization until the onset of the midblastula transition (MBT) (after the 12(th) cell cycle) when it undergoes a dramatic reduction. The disappearance of cyclin E at the MBT occurs independently of active cell cycle progression, zygotic transcription, protein synthesis and the nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. This has suggested that cyclin E is part of an autonomous maternal timer that regulates the onset of the MBT. To determine how constitutively high levels of cyclin E are maintained prior to the MBT and to investigate if the reduction in cyclin E protein affects the timing of the MBT, we have knocked down endogenous cyclin E mRNA using an N,N-diethyl-ethylene-diamine modified antisense oligonucleotide targeted to its open reading frame. We report that maintenance of high levels of cyclin E protein before the MBT is due to a balance between ongoing translation and proteolytic degradation. In support of our antisense experiments, polysome analysis demonstrates that cyclin E mRNA is associated with the translated fraction prior to the MBT. Furthermore, knockdown of cyclin E was not associated with defects in the timing of developmental events. Our data suggests that cyclin E is not required for the later cell cycles of embryonic development and that the pathway effecting downregulation of cyclin E rather then cyclin E degradation itself may be part of a maternal timer that affects the onset of the MBT.

Rescue of dystrophin mRNA of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by inducing exon skipping

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle-wasting disease, and its victims usually succumb in their twenties. Many studies, including investigations into gene-replacement therapy, have been conducted in a search for a treatment for DMD, and the most promising treatment to date is rescue of mutant dystrophin mRNA by induction of exon skipping. On the basis of results from the molecular analysis of dystrophin Kobe, we propose a treatment for DMD in which antisense oligonucleotides induce exon skipping to edit out-of-frame dystrophin mRNA into in-frame, thereby converting severe DMD to a milder form. Here we review the progress of development of this alternative treatment, with a special focus on dystrophin Kobe.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibition as a potent strategy in plant biology: identification of SUSIBA2 as a transcriptional activator in plant sugar signalling

Sugar signalling cascades are important components of regulatory networks in cells. Compared with the situation in bacteria, yeast and animals, participants of the sugar signalling pathways in plants are poorly understood. Several genes involved in starch synthesis are known to be sugar inducible, although the signal transduction pathways remain undisclosed. We reported recently the isolation of SUSIBA2, a transcription factor involved in sugar-mediated regulation of starch synthesis. Here, we used antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) inhibition, a powerful approach in medical sciences, to block the effects of SUSIBA2 in sugar-treated barley leaves. The uptake and intracellular trafficking of an 18-mer susiba2 antisense ODN in leaves were followed by confocal microscopy. Administration of the antisense ODN to the leaves impeded susiba2 expression by RNase H activation. This dramatically diminished the ectopic expression of the iso1 and sbeIIb genes and resulted in altered starch synthesis. This study illustrates the successful exploitation of the antisense ODN technology in plant biology, e.g. as a rapid antecedent to time-consuming transgenic studies, and identifies SUSIBA2 as a transcriptional activator in plant sugar signalling. Based on our findings, we propose a model for sugar-signalling control of starch synthesis.

[Inhibitory effect of cyclin D1 antisense cDNA on human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of antisense cDNA of cyclin D1 on the cyclin D1 gene expression and cell proliferation of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro.

METHODS

Plasmids containing cyclin D1 antisense cDNA were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. Their effects on cell proliferation were examined by MTT method, RT-PCR, immunohistochemical means, and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Cyclin D1 antisense cDNA significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells. The inhibition peaked at 48 hour after transfection by MTT method. RT-PCR analysis showed that cyclin D1 antisense cDNA down-regulated cyclin D1 at the mRNA levels. Expression level of cyclin D1 protein was also decreased as shown by immunohistochemical studies. Cell-cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that transfected HepG2 cells were arrested at the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that cyclin D1 antisense cDNA could specifically inhibit the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein and regulate cell cycle and cell proliferation of HepG2 cells. Cyclin D1 antisense cDNA may serve as a potential antitumor strategy in regulating cell-cyclin treating advanced HCCs.

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo via AMP-activated protein kinase

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR) is widely used as an AMP-kinase activator, which regulates energy homeostasis and response to metabolic stress. Here, we investigated the effect of AICAR, an AMPK activator, on proliferation of various cancer cells and observed that proliferation of all the examined cell lines was significantly inhibited by AICAR treatment due to arrest in S-phase accompanied with increased expression of p21, p27, and p53 proteins and inhibition of PI3K-Akt pathway. Inhibition in in vitro growth of cancer cells was mirrored in vivo with increased expression of p21, p27, and p53 and attenuation of Akt phosphorylation. Anti-proliferative effect of AICAR is mediated through activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as iodotubericidin and dominant-negative AMPK expression vector reversed the AICAR-mediated growth arrest. Moreover, constitutive active AMPK arrested the cells in S-phase by inducing the expression of p21, p27, and p53 proteins and inhibiting Akt phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of AMPK. AICAR inhibited proliferation in both LKB and LKB knock-out mouse embryo fibroblasts to similar extent and arrested cells at S-phase when transfected with dominant negative expression vector of LKB. Altogether, these results indicate that AICAR can be utilized as a therapeutic drug to inhibit cancer, and AMPK can be a potential target for treatment of various cancers independent of the functional tumor suppressor gene, LKB.

Cooperative interaction of Angiopoietin-like proteins 1 and 2 in zebrafish vascular development

Angiopoietin-like protein (Angptl) 1 and Angptl2, which are considered orphan ligands, are highly homologous, particularly in the fibrinogen-like domain containing the putative receptor binding site. This similarity suggests potentially cooperative functions between the two proteins. In this report, the function of Angptl1 and Angptl2 is analyzed by using morpholino antisense technology in zebrafish. Knockdown of both Angptl1 and Angptl2 produced severe vascular defects due to increased apoptosis of endothelial cells at the sprouting stage. In vitro studies showed that Angptl1 and Angptl2 have antiapoptotic activities through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway, and coinjection of constitutively active Akt/protein kinase B mRNA rescued impaired vascular development seen in double knockdown embryos. These results provide a physiological demonstration of the cooperative interaction of Angptl1 and Angptl2 in endothelial cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt mediated antiapoptotic activities.

Nox4 NAD(P)H oxidase mediates hypertrophy and fibronectin expression in the diabetic kidney

Renal hypertrophy and extracellular matrix accumulation are early features of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the role of the NAD(P)H oxidase Nox4 in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypertrophy, and fibronectin expression in a rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by streptozotocin. Phosphorothioated antisense (AS) or sense oligonucleotides for Nox4 were administered for 2 weeks with an osmotic minipump 72 h after streptozotocin treatment. Nox4 protein expression was increased in diabetic kidney cortex compared with non-diabetic controls and was down-regulated in AS-treated animals. AS oligonucleotides inhibited NADPH-dependent ROS generation in renal cortical and glomerular homogenates. ROS generation by intact isolated glomeruli from diabetic animals was increased compared with glomeruli isolated from AS-treated animals. AS treatment reduced whole kidney and glomerular hypertrophy. Moreover, the increased expression of fibronectin protein was markedly reduced in renal cortex including glomeruli of AS-treated diabetic rats. Akt/protein kinase B and ERK1/2, two protein kinases critical for cell growth and hypertrophy, were activated in diabetes, and AS treatment almost abolished their activation. In cultured mesangial cells, high glucose increased NADPH oxidase activity and fibronectin expression, effects that were prevented in cells transfected with AS oligonucleotides. These data establish a role for Nox4 as the major source of ROS in the kidneys during early stages of diabetes and establish that Nox4-derived ROS mediate renal hypertrophy and increased fibronectin expression.

Induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 by herpes simplex virus type 1 confers efficient viral replication

We showed previously that infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) rapidly induced the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3), a host negative regulator of the JAK/STAT pathway, in the amnion cell line FL. Thus, HSV-1 suppresses the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway at the step of IFN-induced phosphorylation of janus kinases during an early infection stage. In the present study, we examined SOCS3 induction by HSV-1 infection in several types of human cell lines. FL cells and the T-cell line CCRF-CEM strongly induced SOCS3 during HSV-1 infection. The virus rapidly propagated in both cell lines and produced a lytic infection. On the other hand, the monocytic cell lines U937 and THP-1, and the B-cell line AKATA showed neither SOCS3 induction nor suppression of IFN-induced STAT1 phosphorylation during HSV-1 infection. These cell lines resulted in a persistent or prolonged infection, which continuously produced a low titer of infectious virus. The induction of SOCS3 by HSV-1 should occur via STAT3 activation immediately after HSV-1 infection. SOCS3 induction was inhibited by the addition of a Jak3 inhibitor WHI-P131. Treatment with WHI-P131 or transfection of antisense oligonucleotides specific for SOCS3 dramatically suppressed replication of HSV-1 in FL cells. The suppression of viral replication by WHI-P131 was released in the presence of neutralizing anti-IFN-alpha and anti-IFN-beta antibodies. In conclusion, suppression of IFN signaling by HSV-1-induced SOCS3 is required for efficient replication and lytic infection of HSV-1. The SOCS3 induction varied among cell lines, indicating that it is an important factor determining the cell type specificity of efficient HSV-1 replication.

Antisense-induced Fas mRNA degradation produces site-specific stable 3'-mRNA fragment by exonuclease cleavage at the complementary sequence

Antisense-mediated degradation of target mRNA is achieved by the enzymatic action of nuclease RNase H. The enzyme recognizes hybrid RNA-DNA duplexes and hydrolyzes the RNA strand. Here, we compared six different phosphorothioate oligonucleotides for their ability to induce target-specific mRNA degradation in cultured mouse AML12 cells. We targeted transcripts of the cell surface receptor Fas and analyzed the levels of mRNA by Northern blotting and ribonuclease protection assay (RPA). Four of the tested antisense oligonucleotides reduced the mRNA levels significantly. Cultures treated with one of the antisense molecules resulted in a shifted band on Northern blots. This band of lower molecular weight was not detected after 6 hours of transfection but appeared at 24 hours. By RPA, the product was shown to be a 3'-cleavage fragment of the full-length Fas mRNA. The RPA also mapped the stable fragment to start within the antisense complementary sequence.

[Effect of inhibiting survivin expression with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and HepG2/ADM to adriamycin]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Survivin deserves attention as a selective target for cancer therapy because it is silenced in differentiated adult tissues, but is expressed in a variety of human tumors, and is involved in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) can be used to inhibit the expression of survivin to induce apoptosis or enhance chemosensitivity of tumor cells. This study was to investigate the effect of inhibiting survivin expression with ASODN on sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and HepG2/ADM to Adriamycin (ADM).

METHODS

The expression of survivin in HepG2 and HepG2/ADM cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Sensitivities of HepG2 and HepG2/ADM cells to ASODN and ADM were detected by MTT assay. ASODN was transfected into HepG2 and HepG2/ADM cells; expression of survivin was detected by RT-PCR. Synergetic effects of low concentrations of ASODN and subtoxic concentrations of ADM on HepG2 and HepG2/ADM cells were detected by isobolography. The expression of active Caspase-3 and cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

mRNA level of survivin in HepG2/ADM cells was 15 folds as that in HepG2 cells; protein level of Survivin in HepG2/ADM cells was 18 folds as that in HepG2 cells. Both HepG2 and HepG2/ADM cells were sensitive to ASODN-mediated cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of ASODN was 317.90 nmol/L for HepG2 cells, and 480.74 nmol/L for HepG2/ADM cells. The maximal cytotoxicity was observed at 500 nmol/L of ASODN; the inhibitory rate was 71.10% in HepG2 cells, and 53.67% in HepG2/ADM cells. The IC(50) of ADM was 0.36 microg/ml for HepG2 cells, and 2.12 microg/ml for HepG2/ADM cells; the resistance index was 6. ASODN efficiently down-regulated mRNA level of survivin in both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. For HepG2 cells, with the IC(50) of 271.93 nmol/L, the maximal effect of ASODN was achieved at a concentration of 400 nmol/L, at which mRNA level of survivin was down-regulated by 69.12%; for HepG2/ADM cells, with the IC(50) of 365.72 nmol/L, its maximal effect was achieved at a concentration of 400 nmol/L, at which mRNA level of survivin was down-regulated by 60.01%. ASODN in combination with ADM synergetically enhanced sensitivity of HepG2 cells to ADM by 6 folds, and HepG2/ADM cells by 4 folds. Combination treatment of ASODN and ADM gradually enhanced activity of Caspase-3 and cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, and resulted in caspase-dependent cell death in HepG2/ADM cells.

CONCLUSION

Inhibiting survivin expression with ASODN could sensitize hepatocellular carcinoma cells to ADM, and the combination of ASODN and ADM may be a reasonable approach for clinical treatment of ADM-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.

High dose of lipoxin A4 induces apoptosis in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts

Studies have implicated that lipoxinA4 (LXA4) inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), Akt/PKB and PI 3-kinase activity and proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells. It is speculated that LXA4 might serve as pro-apoptotic factor. Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts (NRK-49F cells) were exposed to LXA4 in 5% FCS for 24 h. LXA4 at 0.1 and 1 microM induced 9.83% and 33.82% apoptosis of the cells, respectively, upregulated the expression of calpain 10 and Smac, the levels of [Ca2+]i and activity of caspase-3, and downregulated the activity of STAT3 and threonine phosphorylated Akt1. Transfection of calpain 10 or Smac antisense oligodeoxynucleotide into the cells inhibited the LXA4-induced apoptosis, activity of caspase-3. Pretreatment of the cells with calcium inhibitor SK&F96365 inhibited the LXA4-induced apoptosis, levels of [Ca2+]i, expression of calpain 10 and Smac. In conclusion, LXA4 at high concentrations induced apoptosis of renal interstitial fibroblasts via [Ca2+]i-dependent upregulation of calpain 10 and Smac expression.

Advances in the development of therapeutic nucleic acids against cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common neoplastic disease affecting women worldwide. Basic, clinical and epidemiological analyses indicate that expression of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) E6/E7 genes is the primary cause of cervical cancer and represent ideal targets for the application of therapeutic nucleic acids (TNAs). Antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (AS-ODNs) and ribozymes (RZs) are the most effective TNAs able to inhibit in vivo tumour growth by eliminating HPV-16 and HPV-18 E6/E7 transcripts. Expression of multiple RZs directed against alternative target sites by triplex expression systems may result in the abrogation of highly variable HPVs. More recently, RNA interference (RNAi) gene knockdown phenomenon, induced by small interfering RNA (siRNA), has demonstrated its potential value as an effective TNA for cervical cancer. siRNA and aptamers as TNAs will have a place in the armament for cervical cancer. TNAs against cervical cancer is in a dynamic state, and clinical trials will define the TNAs in preventive and therapeutic roles to control tumour growth, debulk tumour mass, prevent metastasis and facilitate immune interaction.

[Effects of platelet derived growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and tissue-type plasminogen activator gene transfection on inhibition of intimal proliferation]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of co-transfection of platelet derived growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (PDGF-AODN) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) gene on inhibition of intimal proliferation of auto-transplantion artery.

METHODS

One hundred male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (25 in each): Group A (control group), Group B (PDGF-AODN transfection group), Group C (tPA gene transfection group) and Group D (PDGF-AODN and tPA co-transfection group). The left and right external iliac arteries were transplanted reciprocally. The transplanted arteries were respectively soaked in PDGF-AODN, pBudCE4.1/tPA and PDGF-AODN plus pBudCE4.1/tPA solution about 15 minute before transplantation. The rabbits were sacrificed at 3d, 1w, 2w, 4w and 8w after operation. The specimens were harvested for pathologic examination, electron microscopy, chromogenic substrate test, 3H-TdR incorporation test and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULT

The scan electron microscopy showed that there were a few thrombocytes on vas-wall of Group C and D without thrombus, whereas there were abundant thrombocytes and thrombus forming on vas-wall of Group A and B. The intimal area, stenosis ratio of transplanted artery, 3H-TdR incorporation,the number of PDGF positive cell in Group D were significantly less than those in Group A (P<0.01),Group B and Group C (both P<0.05). The activity of tPA gene products in transplanted vas-wall of Group D was significantly higher than that of Group A (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Local co-transfection of PDGF-AODN and tPA gene can effectively inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, hyperplasia of intima and restenosis of transplanted artery.

NPY-induced feeding: pharmacological characterization using selective opioid antagonists and antisense probes in rats

The ability of neuropeptide Y to potently stimulate food intake is dependent in part upon the functioning of mu and kappa opioid receptors. The combined use of selective opioid antagonists directed against mu, delta or kappa receptors and antisense probes directed against specific exons of the MOR-1, DOR-1, KOR-1 and KOR-3/ORL-1 opioid receptor genes has been successful in characterizing the precise receptor subpopulations mediating feeding elicited by opioid peptides and agonists as well as homeostatic challenges. The present study examined the dose-dependent (5-80 nmol) cerebroventricular actions of general and selective mu, delta, and kappa1 opioid receptor antagonists together with antisense probes directed against each of the four exons of the MOR-1 opioid receptor gene and each of the three exons of the DOR-1, KOR-1, and KOR-3/ORL-1 opioid receptor genes upon feeding elicited by cerebroventricular NPY (0.47 nmol, 2 ug). NPY-induced feeding was dose-dependently decreased and sometimes eliminated following pretreatment with general, mu, delta, and kappa1 opioid receptor antagonists. Moreover, NPY-induced feeding was significantly and markedly reduced by antisense probes directed against exons 1, 2, and 3 of the MOR-1 gene, exons 1 and 2 of the DOR-1 gene, exons 1, 2, and 3 of the KOR-1 gene, and exon 3 of the KOR-3/ORL-1 gene. Thus, whereas the opioid peptides, beta-endorphin and dynorphin A(1-17) elicit feeding responses that are respectively more dependent upon mu and kappa opioid receptors and their genes, the opioid mediation of NPY-induced feeding appears to involve all three major opioid receptor subtypes in a manner similar to that observed for feeding responses following glucoprivation or lipoprivation.

Role of TSC-22 during early embryogenesis in Xenopus laevis

Transforming growth factor-beta1-stimulated clone 22 (TSC-22) encodes a leucine zipper-containing protein that is highly conserved. During mouse embryogenesis, TSC-22 is expressed at the site of epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. Here, we isolated Xenopus laevis TSC-22 (XTSC-22) and analyzed its function in early development. XTSC-22 mRNA was first detected in the ectoderm of late blastulae. Translational knockdown using XTSC-22 antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (XTSC-22-MO) caused a severe delay in blastopore closure in gastrulating embryos. This was not due to mesoderm induction or convergent-extension, as confirmed by whole-mount in situ hybridization and animal cap assay. Cell lineage tracing revealed that migration of ectoderm cells toward blastopore was disrupted in XTSC-22-depleted embryos, and these embryos had a marked increase in the number of dividing cells. In contrast, cell division was suppressed in XTSC-22 mRNA-injected embryos. Co-injection of XTSC-22-MO and mRNA encoding p27Xic1, which inhibits cell cycle promotion by binding cyclin/Cdk complexes, reversed aberrant cell division. This was accompanied by rescue of the delay in blastopore closure and cell migration. These results indicate that XTSC-22 is required for cell movement during gastrulation though cell cycle regulation.

TGF-beta-induced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene in chondrocytes is mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and Sp1 transcription factor

Transforming growth factor (TGF-beta1) is a potent inducer of chondrogenesis and stimulant of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) is located in ECM and is the major inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanase, the principal enzymes implicated in collagen and aggrecan degradation in arthritis. We investigated the role of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and Sp1 transcription factor in TGF-beta-induced TIMP-3 gene in chondrocytes and chondrosarcoma cells. TGF-beta time-dependently induced a sustained phosphorylation of ERK-MAPKs in primary human or bovine chondrocytes. Inhibitors of this pathway, PD98059 and U0126, downregulated TGF-beta-induced expression of TIMP-3 RNA and protein. Since the ERKs can phosphorylate Sp1, and the promoter of human TIMP-3 gene contains four Sp1-binding sites, we investigated whether Sp1 is a downstream target of this pathway. Mithramycin and WP631, the agents that prevent binding of Sp1 to its consensus site, downregulated TGF-beta-inducible TIMP-3 expression. Indeed, mithramycin blocked TGF-beta-stimulated Sp1 binding activity. Transfection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-Sp1 plasmid increased TIMP-3 promoter (-940 to +376)-driven luciferase activity. Depletion of Sp1 by transfection of an antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide suppressed TGF-beta-induced TIMP-3 protein expression, while its sense homolog had no effect. These results suggest that activation of ERK-MAPK pathway and Sp1 transcription factor play a pivotal role in the induction of TIMP-3 by TGF-beta in chondrocytes.

Treatment of Experimental Septic Shock with Microencapsulated Antisense Oligomers to NF-κB

NF-kappaB is an ideal target for inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this study was to determine if microencapsulated antisense oligomer to NF-kappaB can inhibit proinflammatory cytokine release in response to Escherichia coli endotoxin and bacteria. Microencapsulation takes advantage of the phagocytic function of the macrophage to deliver the oligomer intracellularly and enhance the effect. Albumin microcapsules 1 microm in size were prepared by a nebulization method containing antisense oligomers to NF-kappaB. E. coli endotoxin was incubated in 1 ml aliquots of whole blood. Microencapsulated antisense to NF-kappaB was given, and the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and IL-8 was compared with similar amounts of oligomer in solution. Endotoxic shock was produced in rats using E. coli endotoxin (15 mg/kg). Peritonitis was induced by injecting 10(10) CFU E. coli. Cytokines were measured after simultaneous and delayed (4 h) administration of antisense to NF-kappaB in microcapsules and solution form. TNF was suppressed by 81% in whole blood, 56% in the endotoxic shock model, 89% in the peritonitis model (simultaneous treatment), and 56% in the delayed treatment group. Survival was 70% in the endotoxic shock group, 80% in the simultaneous peritonitis group, and 70% in the delayed treatment group. Microcapsule treatment using antisense to NF-kappaB suppressed TNF and IL-1 levels and mortality significantly better than all solution treatment groups in the whole blood model, endotoxic shock model, and peritonitis model.

[The effect of recombinant adenovirus encoding antisense MAT1 on cell cycle of human pancreatic cancer cells BxPC-3]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the regulatory effect of the human MAT1 gene on the cell cycle G(1)/S transition of human pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 cells.

METHODS

To construct the replication deficient recombinant adenovirus of antisense MAT1 gene using homologous recombination by AdEasy system. Cell growth assay was carried out by counting alive cells after trypan blue exclusion. The protein expressions of MAT1, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and Rb were detected by western blotting. The cell cycle status was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The recombinant adenovirus encoding antisense MAT1 fragment Ad-MAT1AS was obtained with the titer of expression was 5 x 10(10) pfu/ml. The expression of MAT1 of BxPC-3 was significantly reduced after Ad-MAT1AS infection. In this case BxPC-3 cell cycle was arrested in G(1) phase. The estimated proportion of G(0)/G(1) phase cells in the control for blank and vector cultures ranged from 40% to 44%. In contrast, 79% of the Ad-MAT1AS cells were in G(0)/G(1) phase. Cyclin E and pRb gene expression changes were observed in the infected cells.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that MAT1 gene may play an important role in the regulation of cell cycle G(1)-->S transition of BxPC-3 cells.

Zebrafish gcmb is required for pharyngeal cartilage formation

The glial cells missing (gcm) gene in Drosophila encodes a GCM-motif transcription factor that functions as a binary switch to select between glial and neuronal cell fates. To understand the function of gcm in vertebrates, we isolated the zebrafish gcmb and analyzed the function of this gene using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides against gcmb mRNA (gcmb-MO) and transgenic overexpression. Zebrafish gcmb is expressed in the pharyngeal arch epithelium and in cells of the macrophage lineage. gcmb-MO-injected larvae show significantly reduced branchial arch cartilages. fgf3-MO-injected larvae display a similar phenotype to that of gcmb-MO-injected larvae with respect to the lack of pharyngeal cartilage formation. In addition, gcmb expression in the pharyngeal arches is down-regulated in fgf3-MO-injected larvae. The gcmb transgenic larvae show a protrusion of the lower jaw and abnormal spatial arrangement of the pharyngeal cartilage elements. These results suggest that gcmb is required for normal pharyngeal cartilage formation in zebrafish and that its expression is dependent on fgf3 activity.

[Study on the modulation of estrogen receptor isoforms alpha in endometrial carcinoma cells using antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides]

OBJECTIVE

To verify the roles of estrogen receptor alpha in the tumogenesis of endometrial cancer in relationship with estrogen and tamoxifen, and to explore an efficient way to modulate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) isoform alpha to built up a model of endometrial cancer cells expressing predominant one isoform of ERs for ultimately probing therapeutical and preventive antiestrogen for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A series of oligodeoxyribonucleotides against regions of the human ERalpha was synthesized and tested in human endometrial cancer cell line (HEC-1B cells) that expressed functional ERalpha. The expressions of ER isoforms were detected by Western blot using specific antibody. The change of HEC-1B cell proliferation in response to 17beta-estradiol(E2) and tamoxifen(TAM) under the impact of antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (AS-ODN) was studied.

RESULTS

(1) Transfection with AS-ODN directed against the human ERalpha significantly inhibited ERalpha protein expression. (2) The proliferation of endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1B could be increased by both E(2) and TAM. The cells lost the ability to proliferate in response to E(2) after being transfected with ERalpha-AS-ODN at hours 24, 48 and 72. After being transfected with ERalpha-AS-ODN, HEC-1B cells lost the ability to proliferate in response to TAM at hour 48.

CONCLUSION

(1) AS-ODNs directed against the human ERalpha can inhibit the expression of ER alpha effectively. The method can be used to built up a model of endometrial cancer cells expressing predominant one isoform of ERs. (2) ERalpha may be the primary receptor in the proliferation of HEC-1B cells in response to 17beta-estradiol and tamoxifen.

Zygotic nucleosome assembly protein-like 1 has a specific, non-cell autonomous role in hematopoiesis

Nucleosome assembly proteins (NAPs) bind core histones, facilitate chromatin remodeling, and can act as transcriptional coactivators. We previously described the isolation of a Xenopus NAP1-like (xNAP1L) cDNA, which encodes a member of this protein family. Its zygotic expression is restricted to neural cells, the outer cells of the ventral blood island (VBIs), and the ectoderm overlying the blood precursors. Here, we report that depletion of zygotic xNAP1L in embryos produces no obvious morphologic phenotype, but ablates alpha-globin mRNA expression in the VBIs. Transcript levels of the hematopoietic precursor genes SCL and Xaml (Runx-1) are also reduced in the VBIs. SCL expression can be rescued by injection of xNAP1L mRNA into the ectoderm, showing that the effect of xNAP1L can be non-cell autonomous. Fli1 and Hex, genes expressed in hemangioblasts but subsequently endothelial markers, were unaffected, suggesting that xNAP1L is required for the hematopoietic lineage specifically. Our data are consistent with a requirement for xNAP1L upstream of SCL, and injection of SCL mRNA into xNAP1L-depleted embryos rescues alpha-globin expression. Thus, xNAP1L, which belongs to a family of proteins previously believed to have general roles, has a specific function in hematopoiesis.

Different pathways mediated by CCK1 and CCK2 receptors: effect of intraperitonal mrna antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to cholecystokinin on anxiety-like and learning behaviors in rats

Cholecystokinin (CCK) and its analogs generate anxiety in humans and measurable anxiety-like behaviors in rats. CCK receptor blockers have been reported to have variable effects in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In a prior study, intracerebroventricular administration of CCK-antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) for 3 days significantly diminished anxiety-like behavior in rats. Counter to our expectations, intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CCK-ASODN significantly increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired retention performance in the Morris water maze. The aim of the present study was to manipulate CCK-mediated anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory in rats by peripheral (i.p.) administration of ASODN to preproCCK in the presence of antagonists to CCK1 and CCK2 receptor subtypes to further elucidate the roles of these two receptors and better understand the effects of i.p. CCK-ASODN. CCK-ASODN was injected i.p. to rats five times at 24-hr intervals with and without administration of CCK1R antagonist PD135158 or CCK2 antagonist benzotrip. Control groups received injections of either a scrambled oligodeoxynucleotide (ScrODN) or vehicle. On Day 6, the rats were assessed in the elevated plus maze paradigm and in the Morris water maze. The rats were sacrificed and their blood was assessed for corticosterone, ACTH, and prolactin levels. The results show that i.p. CCK-ASODN significantly increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired retention performance in the Morris water maze, compared to both control groups, accompanied by increased plasma corticosterone and plasma ACTH concentrations. In contrast, administration of CCK-ASODN together with CCK2R antagonist, but not with CCK1R antagonist, significantly decreased anxiety-like behavior in rats, but still impaired retention performance in the Morris water maze paradigm. Lower levels of plasma corticosterone and ACTH in CCK-ASODN+CCK2R antagonist-treated rats accompanied the reduced anxiety-like behavior. The present study showed an anxiolytic effect of i.p. CCK-ASODN in the presence of CCK2R, but not CCK1R.