[Buyang Huanwu Decoction promotes arteriogenesis after hindlimb ischemia in mice by activating PDGF signaling pathway]

This study aims to investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on blood flow recovery and arteriogenesis after hindlimb ischemia in mice via the platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) signaling pathway. Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into model(clean water, 10 mL·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), beraprost sodium(positive control, 18 μg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and low-, medium-, and high-dose(10, 20, and 40 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1), respectively) Buyang Huanwu Decoction groups(n=8). The hindlimb ischemia model was established by femoral artery ligation. The mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage daily for 14 days after ligation. For laser Doppler perfusion imaging, the mice were anesthetized and measured under a Periscan PSI imager. The density of capillary and arterio-le in the ischemic gastrocnemius was measured using immunofluorescence staining of the frozen tissue sections. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of PDGF subunit B(PDGFB), phosphorylated mitogen extracellular kinase(p-MEK), MEK, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK), and ERK. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA level of PDGFB. The Buyang Huanwu Decoction-containing serum was used to treat the vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) in hypoxia at doses of 10% and 20%. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was assessed in vitro. The results showed that compared with the model group, beraprost sodium and Buyang Huanwu Decoction enhanced the blood flow recovery, increased the capillary and arteriole density, and up-regulated the protein levels of PDGFB, p-MEK, p-ERK, and mRNA levels of PDGFB, with the medium-dose Buyang Huanwu Decoction demonstrating the most significant effect. The 10% Buyang Huanwu Decoction-containing serum enhanced the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Our findings demonstrate that Buyang Huanwu Decoction up-regulates PDGFB transcription and activates PDGF signaling pathway to promote arteriogenesis and blood flow recovery in ischemic gastrocnemius.

Assessing serum levels of SM22α as a new biomarker for patients with aortic aneurysm/dissection

Background

Aortic aneurysm/dissection (AAD) is now encountered more often because of the increasing prevalence of atherosclerosis and hypertension in the population. Despite many therapeutic improvements, in particular timely and successful surgery, in-hospital mortality rates are still higher. Timely identification of patients at high risk will help improve the overall prognosis of AAD. Since early clinical and radiological signs are nonspecific, there is an urgent need for accurate biomarkers. Smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) is a potential marker for AAD because of its abundant expression in vascular smooth muscle, which is involved in development of AAD.

Methods

We prepared three different mouse models, including abdominal aortic aneurysm, neointimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis. SM22α levels were assessed in serum and vascular tissue of the mice. Next, the relationships between serum SM22α level and vascular lesion were studied in mice. Finally, serum from 41 patients with AAD, 107 carotid artery stenosis (CAS) patients and 40 healthy volunteers were tested for SM22α. Serum levels of SM22α were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Compared with the controls, serum SM22α levels were reduced in the models of aortic aneurysm, neointimal formation and atherosclerosis, and elevated in mice with ruptured aneurysm. Serum SM22α level was negatively correlated with apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), ratio of intima/ media (I/M) area and plaque size. Patients with AAD had significantly higher serum SM22α levels than patients with only CAS, or normal controls.

Conclusion

Serum SM22α could be a potential predictive marker for AAD, and regulation of VSMC is a possible mechanism for the effects of SM22α.

circYap inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma by arresting cell cycle

OBJECTIVE

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) involve in the development and progression of tumour. The mechanism of circRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of circular Yes-associated protein (circYap) in OSCC.

METHODS

Quantification reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to measure circYap expression in patients with OSCC tissues and cells. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate cell cycle. circYap interaction with CDK4 was detected by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down. The interaction of Cyclin D1 and CDK4 was determined using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP).

RESULTS

We showed that circYap expression was downregulated in OSCC tissues. Using small interfering circular (Si-circYap) and overexpression plasmid, we found that circYap overexpression inhibited proliferation and arrested cell cycle in OSCC cells, while, circYap knockdown yielded the opposite result. Cyclin D1/CDK4 complexes and nuclear translocation is essential for cell cycle progression. We found that CDK4 interacted with circYap was increased when circYap overexpression, meanwhile, Cyclin D1/CDK4 complexes and of nuclear distribution were decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that circYap impedes progression of OSCC. Overexpression of circYap suppresses proliferation and cell cycle through binding to CDK4 to block formation and nuclear translocation of Cyclin D1/CDK4 complexes. Thus, circYap may serves as a valuable therapeutic target for OSCC.

circ-Sirt1 Decelerates Senescence by Inhibiting p53 Activation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Ameliorating Neointima Formation

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence is a major driver of neointimal formation. We have demonstrated that circ-Sirt1 derived from the SIRT1 gene suppressed VSMC inflammation and neointimal formation. However, the effect of circ-Sirt1 inhibiting inflammation on VSMC senescence during neointimal hyperplasia remains to be elucidated. Here, we showed that circ-Sirt1 was highly expressed in young and healthy arteries, which was decreased in aged arteries and neointima of humans and mice. Overexpression of circ-Sirt1 delayed Ang II-induced VSMC senescence in vitro and ameliorated neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. Mechanically, circ-Sirt1 inhibited p53 activity at the levels of transcription and post-translation modulation. In detail, circ-Sirt1, on the one hand, interacted with and held p53 to block its nuclear translocation, and on the other hand, promoted SIRT1-mediated p53 deacetylation and inactivation. In conclusion, our data suggest that circ-Sirt1 is a novel p53 repressor in response senescence-inducing stimuli, and targeting circ-Sirt1 may be a promising approach to ameliorating aging-related vascular disease.

[Levels of human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk of mothers delivering preterm infants of different gestational ages and their effects on early growth and development]

Objective: To investigate the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) levels in breast milk of mothers delivering preterm infants and their effects on the early growth and development of infants. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, full-term and preterm newborns whose parents decided to breastfeed were recruited from Peking University Third Hospital between December 1, 2017 and November 30, 2018. The preterm infants were divided based on their gestational ages into extremely preterm (<28 weeks), very preterm (28-31⁺⁶ weeks) and moderate to late preterm (32-36⁺⁶ weeks) groups. Breast milk was collected from mothers at 7, 14, 28 and 120d postpartum. 368 breast milk samples were collected from 125 mothers in this study, including 54 mothers of full-term infants, 23 mothers of moderate to late preterm infants, 39 mothers of very preterm infants, and 9 mothers of extremely preterm infants. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to determine the concentration of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3FL), 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL), A-tetrasaccharide (P1), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose Ⅱ (LNFP-Ⅱ) and lacto-N-fucopentaose Ⅴ (LNFP-Ⅴ). Secretor status of mothers was defined as 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) concentration in colostrum and transitional milk greater than 200 μg/mL. Weight gain and the occurrence of allergic diseases of infants were collected at 120 d(4 months) postpartum. The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for the comparison of categorical data between groups; Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for comparison of continuous data between groups. Nemenyi test was used for multiple comparison. Results: 79.2% (99/125) of the mothers were secretor. There were no statistical differences between groups in the secretor status of mothers (χ²=1.31,P>0.05). The total concentration of HMOs peaked at 1-2 weeks postpartum. Compared to the preterm milk, the HMOs from the term milk was trending downwards at an earlier time. In the breast milk of secretor mothers on 28 d, total concentration of HMOs significant differed among the three groups of preterm milk and the term milk, with the median value of 4 587.09,4 615.25,5 277.44,5 476.03 μg/mL, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis χ²=8.1234,P=0.044). When analyzed by the median weight gain of the infants (low vs high weight gain) at 4 months postpartum, 2'FL was significantly lower in the high weight gain group at 7 d (1 818.04 μg/mL vs 2 181.67 μg/mL, W=1 386,P=0.018), while LNT & LNnT were significantly higher (1 182.36 μg/mL vs 1 053.62 μg/mL, W=816,P=0.044). The level of 3FL at 120 d was significantly affected by presence of allergic disease in infants, breast milk from mothers of infants with allergic disease had lower 3FL than those from mothers of infants without allergic disease (256.17 μg/mL vs 286.18 μg/mL, W=564,P=0.026). Conclusions: The overall profiles of HMOs in breast milk of mothers delivering preterm infants was basically the same as that of mothers delivering term infants; individual HMOs play a role in weight gain and the development of allergic diseases in preterm infants, but the mechanism is unclear and needs further study.

[Roles of smooth muscle 22α in vascular homeostasis and vascular remodeling]

The research on the molecular mechanism of vascular injury has been a hot topic in recent years since the mechanism can be targeted for the treatment of vascular injury diseases. A large number of studies have found that vascular injury, repair and pathological remodeling are closely related to phenotype switching, abnormal proliferation and migration, and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) is a shape change and transformation sensitive F-actin-binding protein. SM22α decorates the contractile filament bundles within cultured VSMCs exhibiting differentiated phenotypes. In addition, SM22α is involved in regulation of cell signaling pathways related to vascular homeostasis and vascular remodeling. Here, we reviewed the recent research progress of SM22α in vascular homeostasis and remodeling.

Smooth muscle SIRT1 reprograms endothelial cells to suppress angiogenesis after ischemia

Objective: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo the phenotypic changes from contractile to synthetic state during vascular remodeling after ischemia. SIRT1 protects against stress-induced vascular remodeling via maintaining VSMC differentiated phenotype. However, the effect of smooth muscle SIRT1 on the functions of endothelial cells (ECs) has not been well clarified. Here, we explored the role of smooth muscle SIRT1 in endothelial angiogenesis after ischemia and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We performed a femoral artery ligation model using VSMC specific human SIRT1 transgenic (SIRT1-Tg) and knockout (KO) mice. Angiogenesis was assessed in in vivo by quantification of the total number of capillaries, wound healing and matrigel plug assays, and in vitro ECs by tube formation, proliferation and migration assays. The interaction of HIF1α with circRNA was examined by using RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down and in situ hybridization assays.

Results: The blood flow recovery was significantly attenuated in SIRT1-Tg mice, and markedly improved in SIRT1-Tg mice treated with SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 and in SIRT1-KO mice. The density of capillaries significantly decreased in the ischemic gastrocnemius of SIRT1-Tg mice compared with SIRT1-KO and WT mice, with reduced expression of VEGFA, which resulted in decreased number of arterioles. We identified that the phenotypic switching of SIRT1-Tg VSMCs was attenuated in response to hypoxia, with high levels of contractile proteins and reduced expression of the synthetic markers and NG2, compared with SIRT1-KO and WT VSMCs. Mechanistically, SIRT1-Tg VSMCs inhibited endothelial angiogenic activity induced by hypoxia via the exosome cZFP609. The cZFP609 was delivered into ECs, and detained HIF1α in the cytoplasm via its interaction with HIF1α, thereby inhibiting VEGFA expression and endothelial angiogenic functions. Meantime, the high cZFP609 expression was observed in the plasma of the patients with atherosclerotic or diabetic lower extremity peripheral artery disease, associated with reduced ankle-brachial index. Knockdown of cZFP609 improved blood flow recovery after hindlimb ischemia in SIRT1-Tg mice.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that SIRT1 may impair the plasticity of VSMCs. cZFP609 mediates VSMCs to reprogram endothelial functions, and serves as a valuable indicator to assess the prognosis and clinical outcomes of ischemic diseases.

circ-Sirt1 controls NF-κB activation via sequence-specific interaction and enhancement of SIRT1 expression by binding to miR-132/212 in vascular smooth muscle cells

NF-κB-mediated inflammatory phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a central role in atherosclerosis and neointimal formation. However, little is known about the roles of circRNAs in the regulation of NF-κB signaling. Here, we identify the involvement of circ-Sirt1 that was one of transcripts of SIRT1 host gene in VSMC inflammatory response and neointimal hyperplasia. First, in the cytoplasm, circ-Sirt1 directly interacts with and sequesters NF-κB p65 from nuclear translocation induced by TNF-α in a sequence-dependent manner. The inhibitory complex of circ-Sirt1-NF-κB p65 is not dependent on IκBα. Second, circ-Sirt1 binds to miR-132/212 that interferes with SIRT1 mRNA, and facilitates the expression of host gene SIRT1. Increased SIRT1 results in deacetylation and inactivation of the nuclear NF-κB p65. These findings illustrate that circ-Sirt1 is a novel non-coding RNA regulator of VSMC phenotype.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic EST-SSR and genomic SSR markers in spotted mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri Steindachne)

Spotted mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri Steindachne) feed solely on live fry of other fish species once the fry start feeding in the wild. In the present study, 26 polymorphic transcriptome-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 14 genomic SSR markers were developed and characterized in S. scherzeri Steindachne by combining a biotin-enrichment protocol and transcriptome of F1 interspecies hybrids between S. chuatsi (♀) and S. scherzeri (♂). These 40 polymorphic SSRs amplified 168 alleles (mean 4.2). The number of alleles, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and polymorphic information content per locus were in the range of 2 to 7 (mean 4.3), 0.1111 to 1.000 (mean 0.6718), 0.3118 to 0.8276 (mean 0.6901), and 0.2735 to 0.7902 (mean 0.6298), respectively. Ten of these microsatellite loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.00125) after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests and no significant linkage disequilibrium (P < 0.00006) was observed. The microsatellite markers characterized from S. scherzeri could be a valuable tool in genetic evaluation for conservation and for assessment of the mechanism associated with unique food preference of S. scherzeri from a genetic point of view.

Microsatellite DNA markers and their correlation with growth traits in mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

The mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) is a traditionally cultured freshwater fish with high commercial value in China. To facilitate marker-assisted selection in genetic improvement of this species, 120 microsatellite markers from the literature were characterized in the 25 largest and 25 smallest individuals. Eighteen polymorphic loci were then used to genotype 200 individuals, and the associations between their genotypes and growth traits were examined. We found that eight genotypes of six loci (AP 37-06, AP 37-11, AP 37-16, AP 37-48, AP 38-32, and AP 39-05) were positively correlated with growth traits (body weight, length, and height) in the mandarin fish population. The average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.68 and 0.59, respectively, and the average PIC value was 0.50, indicating a population with high genetic diversity. Therefore, these markers could be useful for assisted selection in genetic breeding of this species and its related species.

Development and characterization of novel SSR markers in Siniperca kneri Garman

In this study, 37 transcriptome-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 18 genomic SSR markers were developed and characterized in the Chinese perch, Siniperca kneri Garman. The average allele number per locus was 5.1 (range: 2-8) for transcriptome-derived SSRs and 3.8 (range: 2-5) for genomic SSRs. The average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.666 (range: 0.000-1.000) and 0.692 (range: 0.230-0.857) for transcriptome-derived SSRs, respectively. These values were 0.380 (range: 0.000-1.000) and 0.527 (range: 0.201-0.799) for genomic SSRs, respectively. The average polymorphic information content was 0.638 (range: 0.215-0.824) for transcriptome-derived SSRs and 0.477 (range: 0.183-0.752) for genomic SSRs. Seven of these loci exhibited departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after sequential Bonferroni's correction for multiple tests, and no significant deviation was observed for the linkage disequilibrium. These developed and characterized markers are anticipated to be useful for studies on population genetics, conservation genetics, and the fishery management of this species.

[FAK-related non-kinase plasmid transfection inhibited hepatic stellate cells proliferation]

AIM

To observe the effect of FAK-related non-Kinase (FRNK) plasmid on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) proliferation stimulated by fibronectin (FN).

METHODS

FRNK plasmid was transfected into HSC with transient liposomal transfection. The proteins of FRNK, FAK and p-FAK(Tyr397) were assayed by Western blotting analysis. The proliferation of HSC was evaluated by improved MTT assay, and cell cycle pattern was determined by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTS

(1) The expression of FRNK protein increased after FRNK transfected HSC, and it was at 48 h that the expression of FRNK protein was the highest (P < 0.01). The protein level of FAK was no significant difference between before FRNK plasmid transfection and after transfection (P > 0.05). The expression of p-FAK(Tyr397) protein was down-regulated after FRNK had been transfected in HSC, (P < 0.01). (2) The HSC proliferation inhibition rates at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after FRNK transfection were 20.07%, 26.16%, 29.77%, respectively (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with the non-FRNK plasmid group, the FRNK-transfected HSCs almost arrested in G0/G1 phase (71.4 +/- 2.81 vs 48.9 +/- 1.66, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

After FRNK were transfected successfully in HSCs using lipofectamine, the phosphorylation of FAK was inhibited. The HSC proliferation was restrained in a time-dependent manner and the HSC was arrested in G0/G1 phase.

[Clinical features and prognosis of decompensated hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical features and prognosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis after the first occurrence of complications.

METHODS

The clinical data of 89 decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis patients were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the factors influencing the clinical decompensation were conducted.

RESULTS

Ascites was the most frequent first decompensation (44.9%), followed by upper gastrointestinal bleeding (23.6%), and self-originated peritonitis (20.2%), and hepatic encephalopathy (11.2%). During the follow-up of 62 months (60-66 months) ascites was the most frequent first decompensation (47. 2%), followed by self-originated peritonitis (18.0%), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (15.7%), and hepatic encephalopathy (7.9%). The 5-year survival rates after of the patients with hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and self-originated peritonitis as the first decompensated complications were 64.5%, 85.0%, 75.0%, and 83.3% respectively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that esophageal and gastro varices and bilirubin were independently correlated with survival.

CONCLUSION

Hepatitis C is a slowly progressing disease. Decompensation occurring in hepatitis C is significantly correlated with survival.

[Study on anti-endotoxin of baicalin]

OBJECTIVE

To study the anti-endotoxin of different concentration baicalin.

METHODS

6.250 microg/mL, 3.125 microLg/mL, 1.562 microg/mL and 0.781 microg/mL baicalin solutions were mixed with I EU/mL endotoxin, respectively. The mixtures were put into water of (37+/-1) degrees C for 15 min, 30 min and 60 min. The degrading effects were determined by using limulus amebocyte lysate test (LAL test).

RESULTS

1) The degrading effect of 6.250 microg/mL, 3.125 microg/mL and 1.562 microg/mL baicalin solution on I EU/mL endotoxin was degraded completely in 15 min, 30 min and 60 min, respectively. 2)The degrading effect of 3.125 microg/mL, 1.562 microg/mL and 0.781 microg/mL baicalin solution on 1 EU/mL endotoxin after these mixtures had been incubated for 15 min. Endotoxin values were (0.155 5 +/- 0.002 8) EU/mL, (0.212 1+/-0.004 9) EU/mL, (0.355 9+/-0.013 9) EU/mL, respectively. These differences among them were statistically significant (P<0.01). 3) The degrading effect of 1.562 microg/mL and 0.781 microg/mL baicalin solution on 1 EU/mL endotoxin after these mixtures had been incubated for 30 min. Endotoxin values were (0.1640+/-0.0025) EU/mL and (0.2094+/-0.004 4) EU/mL, respectively. These differences between them were statistically significant (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The action of anti-endotoxin of baicalin is dose-dependent and time-dependent. The results show that baicalin has the stronger anti-endotoxin effect.