Anti-Inflammatory and antiosteoclastogenic activities of parthenolide on human periodontal ligament cellsIn vitro

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes osteolysis and tooth loss. It is known that the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway plays a key role in the progression of inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in periodontitis. Parthenolide (PTL), a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from the shoots of Tanacetum parthenium, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in various diseases. In the study reported herein, we investigated the effects of PTL on the inflammatory and osteoclastogenic response of human periodontal ligament-derived cells (hPDLCs) and revealed the signalling pathways in this process. Our results showed that PTL decreased NF-κB activation, I-κB degradation, and ERK activation in hPDLCs. PTL significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and osteoclastogenic (RANKL, OPG, and M-CSF) genes in LPS-stimulated hPDLCs. In addition, PTL attenuated hPDLC-induced osteoclastogenic differentiation of macrophages (RAW264.7 cells), as well as reducing gene expression of osteoclast-related markers in RAW264.7 cells in an hPDLC-macrophage coculture model. Taken together, these results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and antiosteoclastogenic activities of PTL in hPDLCs in vitro. These data offer fundamental evidence supporting the potential use of PTL in periodontitis treatment.

Osteoclast formation from circulating precursors in osteoporosis

Objective: An imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption is thought to underlie the pathogenesis of reduced bone mass in osteoporosis. Bone resorption is carried out by osteoclasts, which are formed from marrow-derived cells that circulate in the monocyte fraction. Ihe aim of this study was to determine the role of osteoclast formation in the pathogenesis of bone loss in osteoporosis. Methods: The proportion of circulating osteoclast precursors and their relative sensitivity to the osteoclastogenic effects of M-CSF, 1,25(OH)2D3 and RANKL were assessed in primary osteoporosis patients and normal controls. Results: Although there was no difference in the number of circulating osteoclast precursors in osteoporosis patients and normal controls, osteoclasts formed from osteoporosis patients exhibited substantially increased resorptive activity relative to normal controls. Although no increased sensitivity to the osteoclastogenic effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 or M-CSF was noted, increased bone resorption was found in osteoporosis peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures to which these factors were added. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that osteoclast functional activity rather than formation is increased in primary involutional osteoporosis and that dexamethasone acts to increase osteoclast formation.

Ascorbate Protects Neurons against Oxidative Stress: A Raman Microspectroscopic Study

Oxidative stress due to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species in the brain as seen in certain neurodegenerative diseases can have deleterious effects on neurons. Hydrogen peroxide, endogenously generated in neurons under normal physiological conditions, can produce an excess of hydroxyl radical via a Fenton mediated mechanism. This may induce acute oxidative injury if not scavenged or removed effectively by antioxidants. There are several biochemical assay methods to estimate oxidative injury in cells; however, they do not provide information on the biochemical changes as the cells get damaged progressively under oxidative stress. Raman microspectroscopy offers the possibility of real time monitoring of the chemical composition of live cells undergoing oxidative stress under physiological conditions. In the present study, a hippocampal neuron coculture was used to observe the acute impact of hydroxyl radicals generated by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of Fe2+ (Fenton reaction). Raman peaks related to nucleic acids (725, 782, 1092, 1320, 1340, 1420, and 1576 cm(-1)) showed time-dependent changes over the experimental period (60 mm), indicating the breakdown of the phosphodiester backbone as well as nuclear bases. Interestingly, ascorbic acid (a potent antioxidant) when cotreated with Fenton reactants showed protection of cells as inferred from the Raman spectra, presumably by scavenging hydroxyl radicals. Little or no change in the Raman spectra was observed for untreated control cells and for cells exposed to Fe2+ only, H2O2 only, and ascorbate only. A live dead assay study also supported the current observations. Hence, Raman microspectroscopy has the potential to be an excellent noninvasive tool for early detection of oxidative stress that is seen in neurodegenerative diseases.

甘薯体细胞胚胎发生和原生质体培养及转化的研究

甘薯[Ipomoea batatm L.]胚性愈伤组织的诱导、生长及分化，受遗传背景、外植体来源、激素配比等多种因素的影响。以徐薯l8叶片为外植体，在Ms附加2mg／l2.4-D的培养基上，诱导、筛选出三种类型的愈伤组织（I型、Ⅱ型、IV型），虽然其来源和培养条件相同，但在外部形态、内部结构、分化途径、分化能力、同工酶酶谱、可溶性蛋白质组成以及DNA分子结构方面，都有显著差异。I型愈伤组织在Ms无激素培养基上分化出体细胞胚，其过氧化物酶及脂酶同工酶与Ⅱ型愈伤组织和lV型愈伤组织相比，酶带的数目、深浅不同，而与胚状体相类似，可以作为不回类型愈伤组织及其分化途径的生理指标。SDS-PAGE电泳分析表明：三种愈伤组织的总蛋白组成也有显著差异。I型愈伤组织与Ⅱ型愈伤组织相比，无论是酶带的数目，还是酶带的扫描高度，都占绝对优势，表明其具有相对较高的蛋白质合成代谢水平。RAPD分析表明，三种类型愈伤组织的遗传基础具有一定差异。在所用的10个随机引物中，引物G3(GAGCCCTCCA)扩增出了显著的多态性，在I型愈伤组织与胚状体中发现两个特异片段，有可能与体细胞胚胎发生过程特异相关。 以I型愈伤组织进行悬浮培养，建立了具有再生能力的胚性悬浮细胞系，并对其鲜重、干重、PCV体积、PH值等生长特性进行了测定，研究了在悬浮培养条件下，2.4-D浓度对体细胞胚胎发生的影响。在MS附加Img/12.4-D的培养基中，细胞呈园球型，细胞质浓厚，细胞核显著，分裂旺盛，转入不含2.4-D的分化培养基中，即可得到大量的游离胚状体：浓度过高（4-8mg／l）或过低（0.5mg/l），都不利于细胞的生长和分化。胞外同工酶研究发现：胞外过氧化物酶水平，随着2.4-D浓度升高、培养时间的延长、细胞生长速度的减缓而降低，随着体胚分化的开始而升高。这种变化趋势表明：2.4-D浓度、过氧化物酶及细胞的生长、分化之间，存在密切联系。蛋白质分析发现，2.4-D的浓度与细胞内可溶性蛋白质组成及含量也密切相关：在无激素培养基中的培养物，其蛋白质电泳图谱与在含有不同浓度2.4-D的培养基中的培养物相比，无论是谱带的数目还是谱带的峰值，都有深刻差异，表明在体胚分化和发育过程中，细胞内进行着旺盛的蛋白质合成代谢。 以胚性悬浮细胞为材料，进行原生质体培养。通过对游离条件的比较研究，发现采用PH值为6.0的E3酶液酶解2小时，可以得到大量具有旺盛活力的原生质体。采用液体浅层一固体平板双层培养方式进行培养，原生质体分裂旺盛，20天后形成肉眼可见的微型愈伤组织，在附加0.5mg/1 2.4-D的继代培养基中，出现根的分化，转入附加0.5mg/12.4-D和Img/16-BA的分化培养基中，有少量不定芽发生，并形成小苗，但无胚状体产生。 以来源于胚性悬浮细胞的原生质体为受体，通过与农杆菌共培养，将苏云金杆菌毒蛋白(Bt)基因导入甘薯细胞，经卡那霉素筛选，得到抗性愈伤组织，并有根的分化。经过PCR检测，证明了Bt基因在甘薯细胞染色体组中的整合。

微藻光合放氢的生理生化调控及生物技术研究

氢能将是主宰未来世界的主要能源之一，氢能的研究开发已经成为世界各国能源研究的重要方向。微藻光合制氢，因其无污染、可再生，成为生物制氢领域最有应用前景的研究方向之一。 本论文选取模式植物莱茵衣藻、经济藻种钝顶螺旋藻作为实验材料，对微藻光合放氢的生理生化过程调控及相关生物技术进行综合研究。获得的主要成果如下： （1）建立起微藻两步法放氢的技术平台和批次培养的回馈监控模式;同时，运用离子色谱追踪整个放氢过程中的离子变化，我们的实验结果证明对于衣藻两步法放氢而言，乙酸的存在是必要条件之一。这个结果与文献报道不尽相同，值得进一步深入地研究。 （2）筛选出一株联合固氮菌，摸索出藻菌共培养的培养基合适配置和活性控制条件;在两步法放氢的基础上，充分利用藻菌之间的优势互补，设计构建藻菌共培养放氢体系，与两步法放氢比较，该体系能提前12小时进入放氢状态，提高单位叶绿素放氢效率1倍左右，延长体系稳定时间近20小时。 （3）利用固定化技术获得高产氢效率，去固定化后持续产氢是我们设计出微藻连续放氢的一个特点。同时，摸索出衣藻放氢过程中的间歇进料进流程序，使连续放氢时间可达3周左右。 （4）实验证明两步法放氢技术，并不适用于螺旋藻;同时，在摸索建立螺旋藻的藻菌共培养放氢体系过程中，发现非致病性肺炎克雷伯氏杆菌培养液可以破碎螺旋藻细胞，这种全新的提取藻蓝蛋白的方法，具有节约成本，便于操作，温和均匀的独特优势。 （5）在连续放氢体系中加入适量蔗糖做底物和引物，剩余存活的菌可以继续利用提取藻蓝蛋白后剩余螺旋藻藻渣和放氢后死亡的衣藻进行发酵放氢，可获得更高产率的氢气，之后继续利用光合细菌进一步放氢，形成连续放氢网络，这一步还在探索之中。 作为一项应用基础研究，从三角瓶里的实验到工厂化生产还有很长的路，希望本实验的工作能为以后同类研究提供一些有用的信息和启发。

Allelopathic effects of the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton malaianus on Scenedesmus obliquus

Allelopathic effects of the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton malaianus on Scenedesmus obliquus were assessed using a twophase approach under controlled laboratory conditions. In the co- culture experiment ( phase I), the growth of S. obliquus at two different initial cell densities was significantly inhibited by P. malaianus. Moreover, the growth inhibition was dependent on the biomass density of P. malaianus. Antioxidant enzymes ( SOD, CAT and POD), MDA, APA, total soluble protein, protein electrophoretic pattern and morphology of S. obliquus were determined after the coculture experiment was terminated. The activities of SOD, CAT, POD and APA at the low initial cell density were stimulated, the contents of MDA and total soluble protein were increased, and some special protein bands disappeared in P. malaianus treatments. The macrophyte had no effect on the activities of SOD and APA at the high initial cell density, but significantly influenced other physiological parameters of S. obliquus with the increase of biomass density. The morphology of S. obliquus showed no difference in the macrophyte treatments and the controls, and the cultures were dominated by 4- celled coenobia. The results indicated P. malaianus had significant allelopathic effects on the growth and physiological processes of S. obliquus. Moreover, the allelopathic effects depended on initial algal cell density, biomass density of the macrophyte, and their interaction. In the experiment of P. malaianus culture filtrates ( phase II), filtrates from combined culture of plant and S. obliquus at the low initial cell density exhibited no apparent growth inhibitory effect on S. obliquus. The result showed that initial addition of growth- inhibiting plant filtrates had no allelopathic effect on S. obliquus. We concluded that the allelopathic effects on S. obliquus were found in the presence of P. malaianus, but not in P. malaianus filtrates. However, the absence of allelopathic effect on S. obliquus might be due to the very low concentrations of allelochemicals in the filtrates.

鞑靼荞麦（Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.）离体再生与遗传转化研究

鞑靼荞麦是我国特有的农业产品，具有抗寒耐旱特性和较高的营养保健功能。荞麦的开花习性及遗传特点导致其人工杂交授粉难以成功，这成为荞麦杂交育种难以获得突破的重要原因。因此利用转基因技术导入有益基因有可能成为荞麦遗传改良的新途径，而再生及转化体系的建立是开展转基因研究的基础。 本文研究了苗龄、外植体、几种激素配比对鞑靼荞麦（Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.）离体培养的影响，初步建立了鞑靼荞麦离体再生体系。结果表明，鞑靼荞麦离体再生的最佳取材时间为苗龄6-8d；诱导愈伤组织的最适培养基为MS＋2.0 mg/L 2,4-D＋1.5 mg/L 6-BA，子叶诱愈率达75％左右，下胚轴的可高达86.62％；愈伤组织分化的最适培养基为MS 0.1mg/L IAA＋2.0mg/L 6-BA＋1.0 mg/L KT＋0.5mg/L TDZ，下胚轴的分化率可达9.52%。下胚轴的诱愈率与分化率均高于子叶，更适于离体再生培养。培养基中加入AgNO3后，能有效降低褐化率。生根最适培养基为含有0.5mg/L NAA的1/2MS培养基，生根率在50％左右。TDZ在诱导鞑靼荞麦的愈伤组织分化出芽的过程中起到明显的促进作用，可提高分化率约20%。 在上述研究基础上，本文还对鞑靼荞麦的遗传转化体系进行了探索性研究。分别利用根癌农杆菌（Agrobacterium tumefaciens）介导法和微粒轰击法（基因枪法）对黑水苦荞下胚轴进行遗传转化。 在农杆菌介导的方法中，携带有质粒pCAMBIA2301的农杆菌菌株EHA105用于转化。载体质粒pCAMBIA2301包含有gus和npt-II 基因, 并受35s启动子驱动。研究结果表明，在侵染方式选择上，浸泡方式比吸打方式更有效，根癌农杆菌侵染的较适浓度为OD600＝0.5，共培养3天，恢复培养7天，能检测到gus基因的表达。 基因枪法使用质粒pBI121，同样包含有gus和npt-II基因, 并受CaMV35s 启动子驱动。轰击距离为9cm较合适，甘露醇前处理在本研究中未表现出明显优势。 两种转化方法比较，基因枪法比农杆菌介导法更快速有效。 本研究为进一步的遗传操作研究打下基础。 Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.), the traditional and unique agricultural product of China, is a kind of crop with strong drought and cold tolerance, abundant nutrition and high medical value. Artificial hybridization is hard in buckwheat because of its flowering habits and genetic characteristics, which leads to no breakthrough in tartary buckwheat breeding. However, biotechnological approaches, especially genetic transformation for the direct introduction of good genes into tartary buckwheat for quality improvement, hold great promise. In this study, we established tartary buckwheat regeneration system in vitro. It is the foundation for genetic manipulation of this crop. The effects of seedling age, hypocotyl and cotyledon as explants, and proportions of several growth regulators were tested in tissue culture of tartary buckwheat for establishing its in vitro regeneration system. The results showed that the best seedling age for callus induction was 6 to 8 days. On the MS medium containing 2.0mg/L 2, 4-D and 1.5mg/L 6-BA, the induction rate of callus from hypocotyls was up to 86.62%, while from cotyledons was about 75％. The suitable shooting medium was the MS medium+0.1mg/L IAA+2.0mg/L 6-BA+1.0 mg/L KT+0.5mg/L TDZ, and the shooting rate from hypocotyls was 9.52%. The callus induction and shooting rates were higher from hypocotyls than from cotyledons. Browning reduced when the medium mixed with AgNO3. Half strength MS supplemented with 0.5mg/L NAA was the best for rooting, the rate was around 50% after 30 days culture. TDZ can accelerate the shoot differentiation distinctively, and it could improve the shooting rate nearly 20%. On the base of above, the explorative research of the genetic transformation in tartary buckwheat was done. In the study, hypocotyls from Heishui tartary buckwheat were transformed by Agrobacterium-mediated method and microprojectile bombardment method (gene-gun), comparatively. In Agrobacterium-mediated method, a disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring plasmid pCAMBIA2301 was used. The vector pCAMBIA2301 contains gus and npt-II genes, driven by CaMV35s promoter. The results showed that the appropriate concentration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens for infecting was OD600＝0.5, and co-culture time was 3d. Seven days later after coculture, GUS expression could be tested. In particle bombardment transformation, plasmid pBI121 was used. pBI121 also contains gus and npt-II genes, driven by 35s promoter. Hypocotyls pretreated with mannitol, no effect was observed, and the suitable distance of bombardment is 9cm. Comparing with Agrobacterium-mediated method, gene-gun method is more convenient and effective. All above results could be a basic work for further study in tartary buckwheat transformation.

Porcine endothelial cells cocultured with smooth muscle cells became procoagulant in vitro.

Endothelial cell (EC) seeding represents a promising approach to provide a nonthrombogenic surface on vascular grafts. In this study, we used a porcine EC/smooth muscle cell (SMC) coculture model that was previously developed to examine the efficacy of EC seeding. Expression of tissue factor (TF), a primary initiator in the coagulation cascade, and TF activity were used as indicators of thrombogenicity. Using immunostaining, primary cultures of porcine EC showed a low level of TF expression, but a highly heterogeneous distribution pattern with 14% of ECs expressing TF. Quiescent primary cultures of porcine SMCs displayed a high level of TF expression and a uniform pattern of staining. When we used a two-stage amidolytic assay, TF activity of ECs cultured alone was very low, whereas that of SMCs was high. ECs cocultured with SMCs initially showed low TF activity, but TF activity of cocultures increased significantly 7-8 days after EC seeding. The increased TF activity was not due to the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B on ECs and SMCs, as immunostaining for p65 indicated that nuclear factor kappa-B was localized in the cytoplasm in an inactive form in both ECs and SMCs. Rather, increased TF activity appeared to be due to the elevated reactive oxygen species levels and contraction of the coculture, thereby compromising the integrity of EC monolayer and exposing TF on SMCs. The incubation of cocultures with N-acetyl-cysteine (2 mM), an antioxidant, inhibited contraction, suggesting involvement of reactive oxygen species in regulating the contraction. The results obtained from this study provide useful information for understanding thrombosis in tissue-engineered vascular grafts.

Calcium dependent CAMTA1 in adult stem cell commitment to a myocardial lineage.

The phenotype of somatic cells has recently been found to be reversible. Direct reprogramming of one cell type into another has been achieved with transduction and over expression of exogenous defined transcription factors emphasizing their role in specifying cell fate. To discover early and novel endogenous transcription factors that may have a role in adult-derived stem cell acquisition of a cardiomyocyte phenotype, mesenchymal stem cells from human and mouse bone marrow and rat liver were co-cultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes as an in vitro cardiogenic microenvironment. Cell-cell communications develop between the two cell types as early as 24 hrs in co-culture and are required for elaboration of a myocardial phenotype in the stem cells 8-16 days later. These intercellular communications are associated with novel Ca(2+) oscillations in the stem cells that are synchronous with the Ca(2+) transients in adjacent cardiomyocytes and are detected in the stem cells as early as 24-48 hrs in co-culture. Early and significant up-regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent effectors, CAMTA1 and RCAN1 ensues before a myocardial program is activated. CAMTA1 loss-of-function minimizes the activation of the cardiac gene program in the stem cells. While the expression of RCAN1 suggests involvement of the well-characterized calcineurin-NFAT pathway as a response to a Ca(2+) signal, the CAMTA1 up-regulated expression as a response to such a signal in the stem cells was unknown. Cell-cell communications between the stem cells and adjacent cardiomyocytes induce Ca(2+) signals that activate a myocardial gene program in the stem cells via a novel and early Ca(2+)-dependent intermediate, up-regulation of CAMTA1.

Neuroepithelial circuit formed by innervation of sensory enteroendocrine cells.

Satiety and other core physiological functions are modulated by sensory signals arising from the surface of the gut. Luminal nutrients and bacteria stimulate epithelial biosensors called enteroendocrine cells. Despite being electrically excitable, enteroendocrine cells are generally thought to communicate indirectly with nerves through hormone secretion and not through direct cell-nerve contact. However, we recently uncovered in intestinal enteroendocrine cells a cytoplasmic process that we named neuropod. Here, we determined that neuropods provide a direct connection between enteroendocrine cells and neurons innervating the small intestine and colon. Using cell-specific transgenic mice to study neural circuits, we found that enteroendocrine cells have the necessary elements for neurotransmission, including expression of genes that encode pre-, post-, and transsynaptic proteins. This neuroepithelial circuit was reconstituted in vitro by coculturing single enteroendocrine cells with sensory neurons. We used a monosynaptic rabies virus to define the circuit's functional connectivity in vivo and determined that delivery of this neurotropic virus into the colon lumen resulted in the infection of mucosal nerves through enteroendocrine cells. This neuroepithelial circuit can serve as both a sensory conduit for food and gut microbes to interact with the nervous system and a portal for viruses to enter the enteric and central nervous systems.

A Tissue-Engineered Microvascular System to Evaluate Vascular Progenitor Cells for Angiogenic Therapies

The ability of tissue engineered constructs to replace diseased or damaged organs is limited without the incorporation of a functional vascular system. To design microvasculature that recapitulates the vascular niche functions for each tissue in the body, we investigated the following hypotheses: (1) cocultures of human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (hCB-EPCs) with mural cells can produce the microenvironmental cues necessary to support physiological microvessel formation in vitro; (2) poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel systems can support 3D microvessel formation by hCB-EPCs in coculture with mural cells; (3) mesenchymal cells, derived from either umbilical cord blood (MPCs) or bone marrow (MSCs), can serve as mural cells upon coculture with hCB-EPCs. Coculture ratios between 0.2 (16,000 cells/cm2) and 0.6 (48,000 cells/cm2) of hCB-EPCs plated upon 3.3 µg/ml of fibronectin-coated tissue culture plastic with (80,000 cells/cm2) of human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), results in robust microvessel structures observable for several weeks in vitro. Endothelial basal media (EBM-2, Lonza) with 9% v/v fetal bovine serum (FBS) could support viability of both hCB-EPCs and SMCs. Coculture spatial arrangement of hCB-EPCs and SMCs significantly affected network formation with mixed systems showing greater connectivity and increased solution levels of angiogenic cytokines than lamellar systems. We extended this model into a 3D system by encapsulation of a 1 to 1 ratio of hCB-EPC and SMCs (30,000 cells/µl) within hydrogels of PEG-conjugated RGDS adhesive peptide (3.5 mM) and PEG-conjugated protease sensitive peptide (6 mM). Robust hCB-EPC microvessels formed within the gel with invasion up to 150 µm depths and parameters of total tubule length (12 mm/mm2), branch points (127/mm2), and average tubule thickness (27 µm). 3D hCB-EPC microvessels showed quiescence of hCB-EPCs (<1% proliferating cells), lumen formation, expression of EC proteins connexin 32 and VE-cadherin, eNOS, basement membrane formation by collagen IV and laminin, and perivascular investment of PDGFR-β+/α-SMA+ cells. MPCs present in <15% of isolations displayed >98% expression for mural markers PDGFR-β, α-SMA, NG2 and supported hCB-EPC by day 14 of coculture with total tubule lengths near 12 mm/mm2. hCB-EPCs cocultured with MSCs underwent cell loss by day 10 with a 4-fold reduction in CD31/PECAM+ cells, in comparison to controls of hCB-EPCs in SMC coculture. Changing the coculture media to endothelial growth media (EBM-2 + 2% v/v FBS + EGM-2 supplement containing VEGF, FGF-2, EGF, hydrocortisone, IGF-1, ascorbic acid, and heparin), promoted stable hCB-EPC network formation in MSC cocultures over 2 weeks in vitro, with total segment length per image area of 9 mm/mm2. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a tissue engineered system that can be utilized to evaluate vascular progenitor cells for angiogenic therapies.

CD45+ Cells Present Within Mesenchymal Stem Cell Populations Affect Network Formation of Blood-Derived Endothelial Outgrowth Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) represent promising cell sources for angiogenic therapies. There are, however, conflicting reports regarding the ability of MSCs to support network formation of endothelial cells. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of human bone marrow-derived MSCs to support network formation of endothelial outgrowth cells (EOCs) derived from umbilical cord blood EPCs. We hypothesized that upon in vitro coculture, MSCs and EOCs promote a microenvironment conducive for EOC network formation without the addition of angiogenic growth supplements. EOC networks formed by coculture with MSCs underwent regression and cell loss by day 10 with a near 4-fold and 2-fold reduction in branch points and mean segment length, respectively, in comparison with networks formed by coculture vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) cocultures. EOC network regression in MSC cocultures was not caused by lack of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A or changes in TGF-β1 or Ang-2 supernatant concentrations in comparison with SMC cocultures. Removal of CD45+ cells from MSCs improved EOC network formation through a 2-fold increase in total segment length and number of branch points in comparison to unsorted MSCs by day 6. These improvements, however, were not sustained by day 10. CD45 expression in MSC cocultures correlated with EOC network regression with a 5-fold increase between day 6 and day 10 of culture. The addition of supplemental growth factors VEGF, fibroblastic growth factor-2, EGF, hydrocortisone, insulin growth factor-1, ascorbic acid, and heparin to MSC cocultures promoted stable EOC network formation over 2 weeks in vitro, without affecting CD45 expression, as evidenced by a lack of significant differences in total segment length (p=0.96). These findings demonstrate the ability of MSCs to support EOC network formation correlates with removal of CD45+ cells and improves upon the addition of soluble growth factors.

Targeted cytoplasmic irradiation induces bystander responses.

The observation of radiation-induced bystander responses, in which cells respond to their neighbors being irradiated, has important implications for understanding mechanisms of radiation action particularly after low-dose exposure. Much of this questions the current dogma of direct DNA damage driving response in irradiated systems. In this study, we have used a charged-particle microbeam to target individual helium ions ((3)He(2+)) to individual cells within a population of radioresistant glioma cells cultured alone or in coculture with primary human fibroblasts. We found that even when a single cell within the glioma population was precisely traversed through its cytoplasm with one (3)He(2+) ion, bystander responses were induced in the neighboring nonirradiated glioma or fibroblasts so that the yield of micronuclei was increased by 36% for the glioma population and 78% for the bystander fibroblast population. Importantly, the yield of bystander-induced micronuclei was independent of whether the cytoplasm or nucleus of a cell was targeted. The bystander responses were fully eliminated when the populations were treated with 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide or filipin, which scavenge nitric oxide (NO) and disrupt membrane rafts, respectively. By using the probe 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein, it was found that the NO level in the glioma population was increased by 15% after 1 or 10 cytoplasmic traversals, and this NO production was inhibited by filipin. This finding shows that direct DNA damage is not required for switching on of important cell-signaling mechanisms after low-dose irradiation and that, under these conditions, the whole cell should be considered a sensor of radiation exposure.

Attenuation of urokinase activity during experimental ischaemia protects the cerebral barrier from damage through regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and NAD(P)H oxidase

Ischaemic injury impairs the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we investigated the molecular causes of this defect with regard to the putative correlations among NAD(P)H oxidase, plasminogen-plasmin system components, and matrix metalloproteinases. Hence, the activities of NAD(P)H oxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-2, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and superoxide anion levels, were assessed in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) alone or OGD followed by reperfusion (OGD + R). The integrity of an in vitro model of BBB comprising HBMECs and astrocytes was studied by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance and the paracellular flux of albumin. OGD with or without reperfusion (OGD ± R) radically perturbed barrier function while concurrently enhancing uPA, tPA and NAD(P)H oxidase activities and superoxide anion release in HBMECs. Pharmacological inactivation of NAD(P)H oxidase attenuated OGD ± R-mediated BBB damage through modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tPA, but not uPA activity. Overactivation of NAD(P)H oxidase in HBMECs via cDNA electroporation of its p22-phox subunit confirmed the involvement of tPA in oxidase-mediated BBB disruption. Interestingly, blockade of uPA or uPA receptor preserved normal BBB function by neutralizing both NAD(P)H oxidase and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activities. Hence, selective targeting of uPA after ischaemic strokes may protect cerebral barrier integrity and function by concomitantly attenuating basement membrane degradation and oxidative stress.