Autodisplay of active sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) yields a whole cell biocatalyst for the synthesis of rare sugars

Whole cell biocatalysts are attractive technological tools for the regio- and enantioselective synthesis of products, especially from substrates with several identical reactive groups. In the present study, a whole cell biocatalyst for the synthesis of rare sugars from polyalcohols was constructed. For this purpose, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family, was expressed on the surface of Escherichia coli using Autodisplay. Autodisplay is an efficient surface display system for Gram-negative bacteria and is based on the autotransporter secretion pathway. Transport of SDH to the outer membrane was monitored by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting of different cell fractions. The surface exposure of the enzyme could be verified by immunofluorescence microscopy and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). The activity of whole cells displaying SDH at the surface was determined in an optical test. Specific activities were found to be 12 mU per 3.3 x 10(8) cells for the conversion of D-glucitol (sorbitol) to D-fructose, 7 mU for the conversion D-galactitol to D-tagatose, and 17 mU for the conversion of L-arabitol to L-ribulose. The whole cell biocatalyst obtained by surface display of SDH could also produce D-glucitol from D-fructose (29 mU per 3.3 x 10(8) cells).     

MiR-30b Is Involved in the Homocysteine-Induced Apoptosis in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells by Regulating the Expression of Caspase 3

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, etc. There is a close relationship between the vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and these diseases. Recent studies have shown homocysteine can induce apoptosis in endothelial cells, which may be an important mechanism for the development of theses cardiovascular diseases. Although there are several reports about how the Hcy induces apoptosis in endothelial cells, the exact mechanism is not fully understood. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA. Previous studies have shown that there is a close relationship between several microRNAs and cell apoptosis. However, there are no studies about the role of microRNAs in Hcy-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells so far. In this study, we constructed the model of homocysteine-induced apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and found miR-30b was significantly down-regulated by 1 mmol/L Hcy. In addition, overexpression of miR-30b can improve the Hcy-induced apoptosis in HCAECs by downregulating caspase-3 expression. Therefore, miR-30b may play an important role in Hcy-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells.     

Suppression of hepatocyte fatty acid synthesis by albumin-bound linoleate involves depolymerization of acetyl-CoA carboxylase filaments

Digitonin treatment of chick liver cells in monolayer culture results in plasma membrane perforations due to digitonin removal of membrane cholesterol. The amount and rate of acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity that escapes from the hepatocyte during digitonin treatment is positively related to the amount of protomeric carboxylase in the cells. Incubation of chick liver cells in culture with albuminbound linoleate (60 min) caused a 3-fold increase in the amount of carboxylase activity released during exposure of cells to digitonin. Concomitant with the enhanced release of carboxylase activity was an 85% reduction in fatty acid synthesis induced by linoleate. Apparently, acute suppression of hepatocyte fatty acid synthesis by media free fatty acids resulted, in part, from a change in carboxylase conformation from the active polymeric state to the inactive protomeric form.     

Cx43 Promotes Endothelial Cell Migration and Angiogenesis via the Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-2

The gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) is associated with increased cell migration and to related changes of the actin cytoskeleton, which is mediated via its C-terminal cytoplasmic tail and is independent of its channel function. Cx43 has been shown to possess an angiogenic potential, however, the role of Cx43 in endothelial cell migration has not yet been investigated. Here, we found that the knock-down of Cx43 by siRNA in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) reduces migration, as assessed by a wound assay in vitro and impaired aortic vessel sprouting ex vivo. Immunoprecipitation of Cx43 revealed an interaction with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, which enhanced its phosphatase activity, as observed in Cx43 expressing HeLa cells compared to cells treated with an empty vector. Interestingly, the expression of a dominant negative substrate trapping mutant SHP-2 (CS) in HMEC, via lentiviral transduction, also impaired endothelial migration to a similar extent as Cx43 siRNA compared to SHP-2 WT. Moreover, the reduction in endothelial migration upon Cx43 siRNA could not be rescued by the introduction of a constitutively active SHP-2 construct (EA). Our data demonstrate that Cx43 and SHP-2 mediate endothelial cell migration, revealing a novel interaction between Cx43 and SHP-2, which is essential for this process.     

Targeting HGF/c-MET Axis in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC/PC)) has been an aggressive disease that is associated with early metastases. It is characterized by dense and collagenous desmoplasia/stroma, predominantly produced by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). PSCs interact with cancer cells as well as other stromal cells, facilitating disease progression. A candidate growth factor pathway that may mediate this interaction is the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET pathway. HGF is produced by PSCs and its receptor c-MET is expressed on pancreatic cancer cells and endothelial cells. The current review discusses the role of the MET/HGF axis in tumour progression and dissemination of pancreatic cancer. Therapeutic approaches that were developed targeting either the ligand (HGF) or the receptor (c-MET) have not been shown to translate well into clinical settings. We discuss a two-pronged approach of targeting both the components of this pathway to interrupt the stromal–tumour interactions, which may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in PC.     

Polyurethane films modified by antithrombin–heparin complex to enhance endothelialization: An original impedimetric analysis

In this paper, polyurethane (PU) was deposited as a thin layer onto the surface of ITO (indium tin oxide) and was then modified with an antithrombin–heparin complex (ATH). The resulting films were characterized by ATR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Physicochemical characterization confirmed the surface modifications.The obtained films were used as substrates for endothelial cell attachment and growth. These processes were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We observed that the addition of a small amount of heparin and AT additives onto the polymer surface resulted in a considerable change in the surface characteristics, and we found that PU films that were modified by the ATH complex were able to greatly enhance adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs).     

Pleiotropic,Unique and Shared Responses Elicited by IL-6 Family Cytokines in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Vascular endothelial cells express glycoprotein 130 (gp130), which is utilized as a signaling receptor by cytokines in the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family. Several IL-6 family cytokines can be found in the circulatory system during physiological or pathological conditions, and may influence endothelial function and response. This study evaluated and compared the cellular and molecular responses induced by IL-6 family cytokines in human endothelial cells. A proteomic analysis showed that IL-6 family cytokines induce the release of a range of proteins from endothelial cells, such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 23, hepatocyte growth factor, and IL-6. Pathway analysis indicated that gp130-signaling in endothelial cells regulates several functions related to angiogenesis and immune cell recruitment. The present investigation also disclosed differences and similarities between different IL-6 family cytokines in their ability to induce protein release and regulate gene expression and intracellular signaling, in regards to which oncostatin M showed the most pronounced effect. Further, this study showed that soluble gp130 preferentially blocks trans-signaling-induced responses, but does not affect responses induced by classic signaling. In conclusion, IL-6 family cytokines induce both specific and overlapping molecular responses in endothelial cells, and regulate genes and proteins involved in angiogenesis and immune cell recruitment.     

Dynamics of Endothelial Engagement and Filopodia Formation in Complex 3D Microscaffolds

The understanding of endothelium–extracellular matrix interactions during the initiation of new blood vessels is of great medical importance; however, the mechanobiological principles governing endothelial protrusive behaviours in 3D microtopographies remain imperfectly understood. In blood capillaries submitted to angiogenic factors (such as vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF), endothelial cells can transiently transdifferentiate in filopodia-rich cells, named tip cells, from which angiogenesis processes are locally initiated. This protrusive state based on filopodia dynamics contrasts with the lamellipodia-based endothelial cell migration on 2D substrates. Using two-photon polymerization, we generated 3D microstructures triggering endothelial phenotypes evocative of tip cell behaviour. Hexagonal lattices on pillars (“open”), but not “closed” hexagonal lattices, induced engagement from the endothelial monolayer with the generation of numerous filopodia. The development of image analysis tools for filopodia tracking allowed to probe the influence of the microtopography (pore size, regular vs. elongated structures, role of the pillars) on orientations, engagement and filopodia dynamics, and to identify MLCK (myosin light-chain kinase) as a key player for filopodia-based protrusive mode. Importantly, these events occurred independently of VEGF treatment, suggesting that the observed phenotype was induced through microtopography. These microstructures are proposed as a model research tool for understanding endothelial cell behaviour in 3D fibrillary networks.     

hepaCAM基因重组腺病毒质粒的构建及鉴定

目的构建表达肝细胞黏附分子(Hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule,hepaCAM)基因的重组腺病毒质粒,并进行鉴定。方法以质粒pEGFP-N2-hepaCAM为模板,PCR扩增hepaCAM基因,克隆至腺病毒穿梭质粒pAdtrack-CMV上,经酶切、PCR及测序鉴定正确后,将重组腺病毒穿梭质粒pAdtrack-CMV-hepaCAM经PmeⅠ线性化,转化至含腺病毒骨架质粒pAdEasy-1的感受态大肠杆菌BJ5183中进行同源重组。重组腺病毒质粒pAdEasy-1-hepaCAM经PmeⅠ线性化后,转染HEK-293细胞,包装重组腺病毒AdI-hepaCAM,经大量扩增后,检测病毒滴度。RT-qPCR及Westernblot检测感染的BIU-87细胞内hepaCAM的表达。结果酶切鉴定证实重组腺病毒质粒pAdEasy-1-hepaCAM构建正确,重组腺病毒AdI-hepaCAM滴度可达1.6×1012pfu/ml,与空载体腺病毒组比较,经重组腺病毒感染的BIU-87细胞中hepaCAM mRNA及蛋白的表达均明显升高(P<0.05)。结论已成功构建携带hepaCAM的重组腺病毒载体AdI-hepaCAM,为研究hepaCAM基因对膀胱癌细胞增殖的调控提供依据。     

Critical Role of LSEC in Post-Hepatectomy Liver Regeneration and Failure

Liver sinusoids are lined by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), which represent approximately 15 to 20% of the liver cells, but only 3% of the total liver volume. LSEC have unique functions, such as fluid filtration, blood vessel tone modulation, blood clotting, inflammatory cell recruitment, and metabolite and hormone trafficking. Different subtypes of liver endothelial cells are also known to control liver zonation and hepatocyte function. Here, we have reviewed the origin of LSEC, the different subtypes identified in the liver, as well as their renewal during homeostasis. The liver has the exceptional ability to regenerate from small remnants. The past decades have seen increasing awareness in the role of non-parenchymal cells in liver regeneration despite not being the most represented population. While a lot of knowledge has emerged, clarification is needed regarding the role of LSEC in sensing shear stress and on their participation in the inductive phase of regeneration by priming the hepatocytes and delivering mitogenic factors. It is also unclear if bone marrow-derived LSEC participate in the proliferative phase of liver regeneration. Similarly, data are scarce as to LSEC having a role in the termination phase of the regeneration process. Here, we review what is known about the interaction between LSEC and other liver cells during the different phases of liver regeneration. We next explain extended hepatectomy and small liver transplantation, which lead to “small for size syndrome” (SFSS), a lethal liver failure. SFSS is linked to endothelial denudation, necrosis, and lobular disturbance. Using the knowledge learned from partial hepatectomy studies on LSEC, we expose several techniques that are, or could be, used to avoid the “small for size syndrome” after extended hepatectomy or small liver transplantation.     

人血管抑制因子Vasostatin(120～180aa)的真核表达、纯化及活性鉴定

目的利用毕赤酵母表达系统表达人血管抑制因子Vasostatin(120～180aa),经纯化后,观察其抑制血管内皮细胞增殖的活性。方法采用PCR技术扩增出人血管抑制因子Vasostatin(120～180aa)的全长cDNA序列,将其克隆至真核表达载体pPIC9K中,转化毕赤酵母KM71,以甲醇诱导表达,并进行Western blot检测及金属螯合层析纯化。采用MTT法检测纯化的血管抑制因子对血管内皮细胞增殖的抑制作用。结果重组表达质粒pPIC9K-Vasostatin(120～180aa)经菌落PCR、酶切和测序鉴定,证明构建正确。经Western blot检测可见一条特异条带,纯化后的蛋白纯度达88.76%,浓度为300μg/ml,在体外可抑制人脐静脉血管内皮细胞ECV304的增殖。结论人血管抑制因子Vasostatin(120～180aa)可在毕赤酵母中以分泌形式表达,并具有抑制血管内皮细胞增殖的活性。     

Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/gelatin porous scaffolds with predefined internal microstructures

The fabrication process for a novel three-dimensional (3D) chitosan/gelatin scaffold with predefined multilevel internal architectures and highly porous structures is presented combining solid freeform fabrication (SFF), microreplication and lyophilization techniques. The computer model of the scaffold is designed with biological data such as branching angle in liver vascular cast incorporated. Stereolithography (SL), known as a SFF technique, is utilized to build the resin mould, based on which poly-dimethylsilicone (PDMS) mould is produced by microreplication. The chitosan/gelatin hybrid solution is then cast onto the PDMS mould for pre-freeze and the monolayer porous structures with organized internal morphology are produced upon lyophilization. The 3D scaffold can be constructed via stacking these monolayer structures. The properties of porous structure, such as porosity, pore size and micromorphology as well as wall thickness, were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the scaffold possesses multilevel organized internal morphologies including vascular systems (portal vein, artery and hepatic vein) and parenchymal component (hepatocyte chamber). These organized structures enable orderly arrangement of hepatocyte and hepatic nonparenchymal cells and co-culture in the same 3D scaffold to guide liver regeneration in a controlled manner. Cell culture experiment in vitro showed that hepatocytes perform better in the well-defined chitosan/gelatin scaffold than in porous scaffold. This approach makes it flexible to investigate the relationship between internal scaffold microstructure and hepatocyte behavior in vitro. It also provides a new way to fabricate complex 3D scaffold using various natural biomaterials for vital organ engineering.     

Preparation and Characterization of Superconducting B1-Type Mo1-xNbxN Thin Films

Solid-solution thin films, Mo_1−xNb_xN, with B1 (NaCl) structure have been deposited on substrates at 450°C by reactive sputtering of composite targets with Mo and Nb metals in an equimolar Ar and N₂ gas mixture. The lattice parameter of the solid solution increased linearly with an increase of Nb content, x . The superconducting transition temperature, T _c, of the Mo-rich films ( x ≦ 0.12) was around 6 K, which was lower than that expected from theoretical prediction. The residual resistivity ratio, r =ρ(300 K)/ρ(20 K), of the films varied with x , and a minimum value of r was observed in the vicinity of x = 0.5.     

Influence of Deposition Parameters and Substrate on the Quality of Pulsed-Laser-Deposited Pb1-xCaxTiO3 Ferroelectric Films

Pb_{1- x} Ca _x TiO₃ (PCaT) thin films have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/(100)Si, (100)MgO, and Pt/(100)MgO substrates. A Pb deficiency with regard to the target composition occurs in films prepared on heated substrates, while the Ca concentration in the film remains congruent with the target composition. The onset temperature for the Pb loss changes from 250°C using nonsintered targets to 450°C if sintered targets are used; moreover, the sintered targets also produce a low particle density on the film surface (0.4 µm⁻²). Increasing the laser fluence to about 10 J/cm² improves the crystalline quality of the films. PCaT ( x = 0.24) films obtained by PLD on Si-based substrates have a lattice tetragonality c / a = 1.014, lower than the value obtained in films prepared by other methods. The film tetragonality can be slightly increased to c / a = 1.022 by using MgO substrates and much more efficiently by reducing the Ca concentration, up to reach c / a = 1.048 in Ca free films. The increase of the film tetragonality induces an enhancement of the film orientation with the [001] axis perpendicular to the substrate surface; moreover, the typical values of the spontaneous and remanent polarizations increase up to P _r similar/congruent 34 µCcm⁻².     

TLR4 Endogenous Ligand S100A8/A9 Levels in Adult-Onset Still’s Disease and Their Association with Disease Activity and Clinical Manifestations

S100A8/A9 has been suggested as a marker of disease activity in patients with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). We evaluated the clinical significance of S100A8/A9 as a biomarker and its pathogenic role in AOSD. Blood samples were collected prospectively from 20 AOSD patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, skin and lymph node biopsy specimens of AOSD patients were investigated for S100A8/A9 expression levels via immunohistochemistry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of active AOSD patients and HCs were investigated for S100A8/A9 cell signals. S100A8/A9, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in active AOSD patients were higher than those of HCs. S100A8/A9 levels correlated positively with IL-1β, TNF-α and C-reactive protein. The inflammatory cells expressing S100A8/A9 were graded from one to three in skin and lymph node biopsies of AOSD patients. The grading for S100A8/A9 was more intense in the skin lesions with karyorrhexis, mucin deposition, and neutrophil infiltration. Like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), S100A8/A9 induced phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) in PBMCs, suggesting that S100A8/A9 activates Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathways. These findings suggest that S100A8/A9 may be involved in the inflammatory response with induction of proinflammatory cytokines and may serve as a clinicopathological marker for disease activity in AOSD.     

Fine Patterning and Characterization of Gel Films Derived from Methyltriethoxysilane and Tetraethoxysilane

Pregrooves of 1.6 µm pitch for optical data storage have been embossed successfully by pressing a stamper against x CH₃Si(OC₂H₅)₃(100 - x )Si(OC₂H₅)₄-derived gel films (60 ≤ x ≤ 100 mol%) on glass-disk substrates of 130 mm diameter. When x is <40 mol%, the resultant films are too hard to emboss patterns uniformly. The shrinkage of the patterns is ∼4% for all the films when 60 lessthan equal to x lessthan equal to 100 mol%, even after heat treatment at 350°C, so that the nearly net negative shape of the stamper is preserved. The methyl groups in the films decompose at temperatures from 500° to 600°C.     

Effects of Microvesicles Derived from NK Cells Stimulated with IL-1β on the Phenotype and Functional Activity of Endothelial Cells

Microvesicles (MVs) are plasma extracellular vesicles ranging from 100 (150) to 1000 nm in diameter. These are generally produced by different cells through their vital activity and are a source of various protein and non-protein molecules. It is assumed that MVs can mediate intercellular communication and modulate cell functions. The interaction between natural killer cells (NK cells) and endothelial cells underlies multiple pathological conditions. The ability of MVs derived from NK cells to influence the functional state of endothelial cells in inflammatory conditions has yet to be studied well. In this regard, we aimed to study the effects of MVs derived from NK cells of the NK-92 cell line stimulated with IL-1β on the phenotype, caspase activity, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells of the EA.hy926 cell line. Endothelial cells were cultured with MVs derived from cells of the NK-92 cell line after their stimulation with IL-1β. Using flow cytometry, we evaluated changes in the expression of endothelial cell surface molecules and endothelial cell death. We evaluated the effect of MVs derived from stimulated NK cells on the proliferative and migratory activity of endothelial cells, as well as the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 therein. It was established that the incubation of endothelial cells with MVs derived from cells of the NK-92 cell line stimulated with IL-1β and with MVs derived from unstimulated NK cells, leads to the decrease in the proliferative activity of endothelial cells, appearance of the pan leukocyte marker CD45 on them, caspase-3 activation and partial endothelial cell death, and reduced CD105 expression. However, compared with MVs derived from unstimulated NK cells, a more pronounced effect of MVs derived from cells of the NK-92 cell line stimulated with IL-1β was found in relation to the decrease in the endothelial cell migratory activity and the intensity of the CD54 molecule expression on them. The functional activity of MVs is therefore mediated by the conditions they are produced under, as well as their internal contents.     

血管内皮生长因子反义基因真核表达载体的构建及其对乳腺癌细胞的生长抑制作用

目的构建反义血管内皮生长因子(VEGF165)基因真核表达载体,分析该基因对乳腺癌细胞的生长抑制作用。方法将人VEGF165cDNA反向克隆至pcDNA3真核表达载体中,构建VEGF165反义基因的真核表达载体,转染人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,观察转染前后MCF-7细胞的VEGF165表达及细胞生长周期。结果所构建的VEGF165反义基因真核表达载体转染MCF-7细胞后,VEGF165表达下降,细胞生存率下降,G1期细胞数量增加,S期细胞数量减少,细胞增殖能力降低。结论成功构建了VEGF165反义基因表达载体,该基因对乳腺癌细胞的生长具有明显的抑制作用。     

Role of A20 in cIAP-2 Protection against Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α)-Mediated Apoptosis in Endothelial Cells

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) influences endothelial cell viability by altering the regulatory molecules involved in induction or suppression of apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that A20 (also known as TNFAIP3, tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 3, and an anti-apoptotic protein) regulates the inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (cIAP-2) expression upon TNF-α induction in endothelial cells. Inhibition of A20 expression by its siRNA resulted in attenuating expression of TNF-α-induced cIAP-2, yet not cIAP-1 or XIAP. A20-induced cIAP-2 expression can be blocked by the inhibition of phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3-K), but not nuclear factor (NF)-κB, while concomitantly increasing the number of endothelial apoptotic cells and caspase 3 activation. Moreover, TNF-α-mediated induction of apoptosis was enhanced by A20 inhibition, which could be rescued by cIAP-2. Taken together, these results identify A20 as a cytoprotective factor involved in cIAP-2 inhibitory pathway of TNF-α-induced apoptosis. This is consistent with the idea that endothelial cell viability is dependent on interactions between inducers and suppressors of apoptosis, susceptible to modulation by TNF-α.     

Rapid Internalization and Nuclear Translocation of CCL5 and CXCL4 in Endothelial Cells

The chemokines CCL5 and CXCL4 are deposited by platelets onto endothelial cells, inducing monocyte arrest. Here, the fate of CCL5 and CXCL4 after endothelial deposition was investigated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and EA.hy926 cells were incubated with CCL5 or CXCL4 for up to 120 min, and chemokine uptake was analyzed by microscopy and by ELISA. Intracellular calcium signaling was visualized upon chemokine treatment, and monocyte arrest was evaluated under laminar flow. Whereas CXCL4 remained partly on the cell surface, all of the CCL5 was internalized into endothelial cells. Endocytosis of CCL5 and CXCL4 was shown as a rapid and active process that primarily depended on dynamin, clathrin, and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), but not on surface proteoglycans. Intracellular calcium signals were increased after chemokine treatment. Confocal microscopy and ELISA measurements in cell organelle fractions indicated that both chemokines accumulated in the nucleus. Internalization did not affect leukocyte arrest, as pretreatment of chemokines and subsequent washing did not alter monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Endothelial cells rapidly and actively internalize CCL5 and CXCL4 by clathrin and dynamin-dependent endocytosis, where the chemokines appear to be directed to the nucleus. These findings expand our knowledge of how chemokines attract leukocytes to sites of inflammation.