脂联素对巨噬细胞ATP结合盒转运子A1表达及其功能的影响

目的探讨脂联素对巨噬细胞ATP结合盒转运子A1(ATP binding cassette transporter A1,ABCA1)及其上游调控因子肝脏X受体α(Liver X receptorα,LXRα)表达的影响及其在胆固醇逆转运(Reverse cholesterol transport,RCT)和抗动脉粥样硬化(Atherosclerosis,AS)中可能的作用机制。方法以不同浓度的脂联素(0、1、5、10μg/ml)体外培养巨噬细胞RAW264.7 24 h,RT-PCR法检测细胞中ABCA1和LXRα基因mRNA的转录水平,Western blot法检测细胞中ABCA1和LXRα蛋白的表达水平,闪烁计数法检测细胞内胆固醇的流出情况。结果脂联素能显著上调RAW264.7细胞中ABCA1和LXRα基因mRNA的转录水平及蛋白的表达水平(P<0.05),且呈浓度依赖性;脂联素能浓度依赖性地增加细胞内胆固醇的流出(P<0.05)。结论脂联素可通过LXRα途径上调巨噬细胞ABCA1基因的转录和翻译水平,促进胆固醇逆转运,延缓AS的发生、发展。     

hCAP-18/LL-37基因转染对RAW264.7细胞活化功能的影响

目的探讨抗菌肽hCAP-18/LL-37基因转染对巨噬细胞RAW264.7活化功能的影响。方法将重组质粒pcD-NA4/Myc-His-hCAP-18/LL-37瞬时转染RAW264.7细胞,MTT法检测细胞的增殖活性;中性红吞噬试验检测细胞的吞噬能力;RT-PCR法分析细胞活化相关分子CD80、CD86、TLR4及细胞因子IL-1β、TNF-αmRNA的转录。结果 hCAP-18/LL-37基因转染可促进经脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)处理的RAW264.7细胞的增殖活性与吞噬能力(P<0.05);可上调RAW264.7细胞CD80、CD86、TLR4、IL-1β、TNF-α基因mRNA的转录水平。结论 hCAP-18/LL-37基因转染可通过促进RAW264.7细胞增殖活性、吞噬能力及活化相关分子表达,调控巨噬细胞的活化功能。     

TGF-β1/Smad7信号通路在白藜芦醇增强胆固醇酯水解酶表达中的作用

目的探讨TGF-β1/Smad-7信号通路在白藜芦醇增强胆固醇酯水解酶(cholesteryl ester hydrolase,CEH)表达中的作用。方法用氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low density lipoprotein,oxLDL)诱导小鼠单核巨噬细胞株RAW 264.7转化为泡沫细胞,将经泡沫化处理的巨噬细胞进行2次分组,第1次分为正常对照组、白藜芦醇组、LY2157299组和白藜芦醇+LY2157299组,第2次分为正常对照组、白藜芦醇组、Ad-Smad-7组和白藜芦醇+Ad-Smad-7组,均处理48 h,通过胆固醇流出试验检测各组巨噬细胞内胆固醇流出率,油红O染色检测细胞泡沫化情况,RT-PCR法和Western blot法检测细胞中p-Smad-7和CEH基因mRNA的转录水平及蛋白的表达水平。结果与正常对照组比较,白藜芦醇组巨噬细胞内胆固醇流出率明显升高(P0.05),白藜芦醇+LY2157299组、LY2157299组、白藜芦醇+Ad-Smad-7组和Ad-Smad-7组胆固醇流出率均明显降低(P0.05);白藜芦醇组巨噬细胞泡沫化程度明显下降(P0.05),白藜芦醇+LY2157299组、LY2157299组、白藜芦醇+Ad-Smad-7组和Ad-Smad-7组巨噬细胞泡沫化程度明显增强(P0.05);白藜芦醇组巨噬细胞中CEH基因mRNA的转录水平及蛋白的表达水平明显增强(P0.05),p-Smad-7基因mRNA的转录水平及蛋白的表达水平明显下降(P0.05),而白藜芦醇+LY2157299组、LY2157299组、白藜芦醇+Ad-Smad-7组和Ad-Smad-7组CEH基因mRNA的转录及蛋白的表达均明显被抑制(P0.05),p-Smad-7基因mRNA的转录及蛋白的表达均明显增强(P0.05)。结论白藜芦醇可能是通过TGF-β1/Smad-7信号通路来增强CEH的表达。     

凋亡细胞对巨噬细胞中白细胞介素-27表达的影响

目的探讨凋亡细胞对巨噬细胞中白细胞介素-27(Interleukin-27,IL-27)表达的影响。方法分别将小鼠巨噬细胞系RAW264.7(RAW细胞)和小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞分为6组:空白对照组、LPS刺激组、凋亡细胞刺激组、LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组、IFNγ+LPS刺激组及IFNγ+LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组。用IL-27 p28启动子荧光素酶报告基因瞬时转染RAW细胞,检测各组细胞中IL-27 p28启动子荧光素酶活性;RT-PCR法检测各组RAW细胞中IL-27 p28基因mRNA的转录水平,实时定量PCR法检测各组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞中IL-27 p28基因mRNA的转录水平;Western blot法检测各组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞中IL-27的表达水平。结果瞬时转染的RAW细胞中,IFNγ+LPS刺激组中IL-27 p28启动子荧光素酶活性明显高于空白对照组及IFNγ+LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组(P<0.05);RAW细胞与腹腔巨噬细胞中,LPS刺激组和IFNγ+LPS刺激组中IL-27 p28基因mRNA的转录水平明显高于空白对照组、LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组和IFNγ+LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组(P<0.05);LPS刺激组和IFNγ+LPS刺激组细胞中IL-27的表达水平明显高于LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组和IFNγ+LPS+凋亡细胞刺激组。结论巨噬细胞在摄取凋亡细胞后,IL-27 p28亚基的表达水平下降,从而导致IL-27的表达水平下降,为进一步研究其机制及临床应用奠定了理论基础。     

激活素A抑制脂多糖活化巨噬细胞的作用机制

目的探讨激活素A(Activin A)抑制脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharides,LPS)活化巨噬细胞的作用机制。方法取小鼠巨噬细胞系RAW264.7细胞,分别添加Activin A(5 ng/ml)、LPS(1μg/ml)和Activin A(5 ng/ml)+LPS(1μg/ml),同时设以含单纯2.5%胎牛血清的DMEM培养液培养的细胞作为对照孔,培养24 h后,采用还原酶法检测细胞分泌一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)的水平,流式细胞术分析TLR2和TLR4蛋白的表达水平,RT-PCR分析细胞ActRⅡA和ActRⅡB基因mRNA的转录水平。结果 Activin A和LPS单独作用均促进RAW264.7细胞分泌NO,但二者联合使用时,Activin A可抑制LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞的NO分泌;Activin A能抑制LPS上调RAW264.7细胞TLR4蛋白的表达,但对TLR2蛋白的表达无影响;LPS可促进RAW264.7细胞ActRⅡA基因mRNA的转录水平,但对ActRⅡB基因mRNA的转录水平无影响。结论 Activin A通过调控TLR4途径抑制LPS的作用,LPS可能通过促进ActRⅡA的表达进一步增强Activin A的负反馈调节作用。     

FTY720对聚乙烯颗粒诱导的破骨细胞前体细胞RAW264.7分化的影响

目的观察FTY720对聚乙烯颗粒诱导的破骨细胞前体细胞RAW264.7分化的影响,探讨其防治人工关节无菌性松动的可能性。方法构建破骨细胞-成骨细胞(RAW264.7-MC3T3)小室共培养体系及破骨细胞-骨片体系,用FTY720干预受聚乙烯磨损颗粒刺激的RAW264.7细胞的分化,倒置显微镜观察分化细胞的形态;抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatas,TRAP)染色法对破骨细胞进行计数;扫描电镜观察破骨细胞的一般形态及骨吸收效应;ELISA法检测共培养体系中肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)和白细胞介素-6(Lnterleuk-in-6,IL-6)的分泌水平;RT-PCR检测破骨细胞表面核因子κB受体活化子(Receptor activator of NFκB,RANK)和TRAP基因mRNA的转录水平。结果聚乙烯颗粒组RAW264.7细胞体积增大,胞质丰富,胞体边缘不齐呈云雾状,细胞核较多;FTY720组TRAP(+)细胞数明显低于聚乙烯颗粒组(P<0.01);破骨细胞呈圆形,细胞间可通过纤维样足突连接,骨片上有破骨细胞附着生长,FTY720组骨吸收陷窝和骨吸收面积均明显低于聚乙烯颗粒组(P<0.01);聚乙烯颗粒组TNF-α和IL-6的分泌水平均明显增加(P<0.01),FTY720组TNF-α和IL-6的分泌受到抑制;FTY720组破骨细胞表面TRAP和RANK基因mRNA的转录水平均明显低于颗粒组(P<0.01)。结论 FTY720能有效抑制破骨细胞前体细胞RAW264.7分化成熟,减少破骨细胞的形成及对骨片的溶解吸收,减少TNF-α、IL-6等炎性因子的分泌,下调RANK、TRAP等破骨细胞特异细胞表型和功能基因mRNA的转录水平,有望成为防治人工关节无菌性松动的药物。     

补充生物活性肽QRPR对巨噬细胞RAW264.7抵御脂多糖刺激的作用

目的研究补充生物活性肽QRPR(Gln-Arg-Pro-AH)对巨噬细胞RAW264.7抵御脂多糖(lipopolysaccharides,LPS)刺激的作用。方法用不同浓度的LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞不同时间,ELISA法测定细胞培养上清中细胞因子白介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-alpha,TNF-α)的浓度,确定LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞的最适浓度和时间,建立RAW264.7细胞抵御LPS刺激模型。采用ELISA法测定QRPR肽对RAW264.7细胞抵御LPS刺激时IL-6和TNF-α表达量的影响。MTS法检测QRPR肽对RAW264.7细胞的毒性作用。结果100 ng/m L LPS诱导16 h为刺激RAW264.7细胞验证QRPR肽调节作用的最佳浓度和时间。QRPR肽可以抑制RAW264.7细胞受LPS刺激后IL-6和TNF-α的产生,QRPR肽浓度为250μmol/L时,其降低LPS刺激产生IL-6和TNF-α的能力最强。QRPR肽本身对RAW264.7细胞的生长既无促进作用,也无毒性和抑制作用。结论补充活性肽QRPR对巨噬细胞RAW264.7抵御LPS刺激具有积极的调节作用。     

激活素A对巨噬细胞系RAW264.7细胞吞饮活性及TLR4表达的双向调节作用

目的探讨激活素A(ActivinA)对巨噬细胞系RAW264.7细胞活性的调节作用及其可能的机制。方法取对数生长期的小鼠巨噬细胞系RAW264.7细胞,加入1μg/ml脂多糖(LPS),继续培养8h,采用ELISA法检测细胞分泌ActivinA水平;分别加入ActivinA、LPS和ActivinA+LPS,中性红染料法检测细胞吞饮活性;流式细胞术分析细胞表面分子MHCⅠ、MHCⅡ及Toll样受体4(TLR4)的表达水平。结果LPS呈时间依赖性刺激RAW264.7细胞分泌ActivinA;ActivinA可明显促进静息RAW264.7细胞的吞饮活性,而对MHCⅠ、MHCⅡ及TLR4的表达水平无明显影响;ActivinA和LPS共同作用,ActivinA明显抑制了LPS活化的RAW264.7细胞的吞饮活性,并下调TLR4的表达。结论ActivinA可能以自分泌/旁分泌形式参与巨噬细胞活性调节,其抑制LPS作用与TLR4表达有关。     

脂多糖对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞体外生长及细胞内固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1、肝脏X受体基因mRNA转录水平的时序性影响

目的分析脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(bovine mammary epithelial cells,BMECs)体外生长及细胞内固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1(sterol regulatory elementbinding protein 1,SREBP-1)和肝脏X受体(liver X receptor,LXR)基因mRNA转录水平的时序性影响。方法原代培养BMECs,用LPS(终浓度为10μg/m L)分别刺激BMECs 0、1、3、6、12、24和48 h后,显微镜下观察细胞状态,采用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)法检测BMECs中SREBP-1及LXR基因mRNA的时序性表达水平。结果 LPS刺激BMECs 0、1、3 h后的生长状态良好,细胞形态饱满,胞浆丰富,无任何肉眼可见变化;LPS刺激6 h后,BMECs开始出现明显收缩、变圆,细胞间隙增大,细胞突起减少。与LPS刺激0 h比较,LPS刺激BMECs 1 h后可显著下调LXR基因mRNA转录水平(P0.05),刺激3 h后可显著下调SREBP-1基因mRNA转录水平(P0.05),且均随时间的延长呈逐渐降低趋势(P0.05),均于LPS刺激12 h时达最低,刺激24及48 h后LXR及SREBP-1基因mRNA转录水平均明显高于12 h,24和48 h间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 LPS可对BMECs产生严重损伤,能有效抑制BMECs中SREBP-1及LXR基因mRNA转录水平,且具有一定的时间依赖性。     

PPE68/Ipr1真核共表达质粒的构建及鉴定

目的构建结核分枝杆菌PPE68基因和小鼠胞内病原体抗性基因1(Intracellular pathogen resistance 1,Ipr1)的真核共表达质粒,并在小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7中表达。方法将结核分枝杆菌PPE68基因和小鼠Ipr1基因分别亚克隆至含多启动子的共表达载体pBudCE4.1中,构建真核共表达质粒pBud68-Ipr1,转染RAW264.7细胞,通过RT-PCR及Western blot法检测PPE68和Ipr1基因的转录和表达。结果重组表达质粒pBud68-Ipr1经PCR、双酶切及测序证实,插入的PPE68和Ipr1基因片段序列正确;质粒转染RAW264.7细胞后,PPE68和Ipr1基因进行了转录和表达,基因编码产物相对分子质量分别为37 000和50 000。结论已成功构建了真核共表达质粒pBud68-Ipr1,并在RAW264.7细胞中获得表达,为PPE68/Ipr1重组BCG的构建及其免疫保护作用的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

Danshensu Promotes Cholesterol Efflux in RAW264.7 Macrophages

Contemporary research suggests that macrophage foam cell and cholesterol efflux defect play pivotal role in atherogenesis. We reported on the heretofore unknown therapeutic effect of Danshensu (DSS) in reducing intracellular cholesterol level and unraveled the mechanism of DSS promotes cholesterol efflux. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein stimulation of Raw264.7 cells into foam cells, which were treated with DSS and co‐treated with Simvastatin and Rosiglitazone. PPARγ, ABCA1, ABCG1, SR‐BI, CD36, and LXR‐α mRNA were quantified by Real‐Time PCR. Western blotting was used to determine protein expression of PPARγ, ABCA1 and CD36. Cellular cholesterol handling was studied by measurement of intracellular lipid droplets concentration and cholesterol efflux. DSS significantly reduced scavenger receptor CD36 and its orthologue SR‐BI. In addition, DSS stimulated the upregulation of cellular cholesterol exporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 to reduce intracellular lipid accumulation. DSS can reduce lipid deposition in Raw264.7 foam cells by balancing CD36 and ABCA1 protein expression.     

Development of Tetrachlorophthalimides as Liver X Receptor β (LXRβ)‐Selective Agonists

Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists are candidates for the treatment of atherosclerosis via induction of ABCA1 (ATP‐binding cassette A1) gene expression, which contributes to reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and to cholesterol efflux from the liver and intestine. However, LXR agonists also induce genes involved in lipogenesis, such as SREBP‐1c (sterol regulatory binding element protein 1c) and FAS (fatty acid synthase), thereby causing an undesirable increase in plasma and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels. Recent studies indicate that LXRα contributes to lipogenesis in liver, and selective LXRβ activation improves RCT in mice. Therefore, LXRβ‐selective agonists are promising candidates to improve atherosclerosis without increasing plasma or hepatic TG levels. However, the ligand‐binding domains in the two LXR isoforms α/β share high sequence identity, and few LXR ligands show subtype selectivity. In this study we identified a tetrachlorophthalimide analogue as an LXRβ‐selective agonist. Structural development led to (E)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrachloro‐2‐(2‐styrylphenyl)isoindoline‐1,3‐dione ( 24 a ), which shows potent and selective LXRβ agonistic activity in reporter gene assays. In binding assays, compound 24 a bound to LXRβ preferentially over LXRα. It also induced the expression of ABCA1 mRNA but not SREBP‐1c mRNA in cells. Compound 24 a appears to be a promising lead compound for therapeutic agents to treat atherosclerosis without the side effects induced by LXRα/β dual agonists.     

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Modulation of Cholesterol Homeostasis in THP-1 Macrophage-Derived Foam Cells

Transformation of macrophages to foam cells is determined by the rates of cholesterol uptake and efflux. This study uses a real time RT-PCR technique to investigate the role of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), α-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the regulation of the ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) and liver X receptor α (LXR) genes, which are involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Accordingly, these fatty acids significantly reduced the total, free and esterified cholesterols within the foam cells. While the expression of the ABCA1 and LXRα genes was increased in the presence of the pharmacological LXRα ligand, T0901317, their mRNA expression was not significantly affected by CLA, ALA and EPA. These results suggest that although polyunsaturated fatty acids have an effect on cholesterol homeostasis, they cannot change the expression of the ABCA1 and LXRα genes. Alternatively, several other genes and proteins may be involved.     

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers Reduce Cholesterol Accumulation in Acetylated LDL-Induced Mouse RAW264.7 Macrophage-Derived Foam Cells

Synthetic activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-alpha and -gamma are capable of reducing macrophage foam cell cholesterol accumulation through the activation of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Since conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) were also demonstrated to activate PPARalpha and PPARgamma in vivo and in vitro, we tested the hypothesis that CLA are also capable of reducing macrophage foam cell cholesterol accumulation. Thus, mouse RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells were treated with CLA isomers, c9t11-CLA and t10c12-CLA, and linoleic acid (LA), as reference fatty acid, and analyzed for the concentrations of free and esterified cholesterol, cholesterol efflux and expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis (CD36, ABCA1, LXRalpha, NPC-1, and NPC-2). Treatment with c9t11-CLA and t10c12-CLA, but not LA, lowered cholesterol accumulation, stimulated acceptor-dependent cholesterol efflux, and increased relative mRNA concentrations of CD36, ABCA1, LXRalpha, NPC-1, and NPC-2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed that CLA isomers reduce cholesterol accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells presumably by enhancing lipid acceptor-dependent cholesterol efflux.     

肺炎链球菌dnaJ基因缺陷对小鼠肺炎感染模型天然免疫应答的影响

目的探讨肺炎链球菌(Streptococcus pneumonia,S.pn)dnaJ基因缺陷对肺炎感染模型小鼠天然免疫应答的影响。方法将BALB/c小鼠随机分为空白对照组、D39感染组和△dnaJ感染组,分别经鼻腔滴注30μl无菌PBS、30μl含2×107cfu的S.pn D39和△dnaJ(dnaJ基因缺陷株)菌液,复制小鼠肺炎感染模型。于感染后6、12、24、36和48 h处死小鼠,取肺组织,匀浆后分离上清,ELISA检测促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6和IFNγ的表达水平,HE染色观察感染12 h的小鼠肺组织炎症反应变化;将小鼠巨噬细胞株RAW264.7体外感染S.pn D39和△dnaJ,细菌与细胞的比例为100∶1,感染1、2、3 h后分离细胞培养上清液,ELISA检测TNF-α和IL-6的表达水平。实时定量PCR和Western blot分别检测感染12 h的小鼠肺组织中模式识别受体TLRs基因mRNA的转录水平和炎症相关信号p38MAPK的磷酸化水平。结果与D39感染组相比,△dnaJ感染组小鼠肺组织炎症反应强度下降,TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β等促炎因子水平达峰时间延迟,且峰值降低,RAW264.7细胞感染3 h分泌TNF-α和IL-6显著减少(P<0.01或P<0.05);小鼠肺组织Tlr2和Tlr13基因mRNA转录水平显著降低(P<0.05),p38MAPK的磷酸化水平也明显下降。结论肺炎链球菌dnaJ基因缺陷可下调肺炎感染模型小鼠的炎症反应、促炎因子分泌及胞内信号分子的激活,也可影响小鼠感染后肺组织中Trl2和Tlr13基因mRNA的表达,为进一步研究机体对肺炎链球菌DnaJ蛋白的天然免疫应答分子机制奠定了基础。     

Regulation of ABCA1 by AMD-Associated Genetic Variants and Hypoxia in iPSC-RPE

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease of the macula characterized by atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor degeneration, leading to severe vision loss at advanced stages in the elderly population. Impaired reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) as well as intracellular lipid accumulation in the RPE are implicated in AMD pathogenesis. Here, we focus on ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), a major cholesterol transport protein in the RPE, and analyze conditions that lead to ABCA1 dysregulation in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RPE cells (iRPEs). Our results indicate that the risk-conferring alleles rs1883025 (C) and rs2740488 (A) in ABCA1 are associated with increased ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels and reduced efficiency of cholesterol efflux from the RPE. Hypoxia, an environmental risk factor for AMD, reduced expression of ABCA1 and increased intracellular lipid accumulation. Treatment with a liver X receptor (LXR) agonist led to an increase in ABCA1 expression and reduced lipid accumulation. Our data strengthen the homeostatic role of cholesterol efflux in the RPE and suggest that increasing cellular cholesterol export by stimulating ABCA1 expression might lessen lipid load, improving RPE survival and reducing the risk of developing AMD.     

Cigarette Smoke Affects ABCAl Expression via Liver X Receptor Nuclear Translocation in Human Keratinocytes

Cutaneous tissue is the first barrier against outdoor insults. The outer most layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), is formed by corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix (cholesterol, ceramide and fatty acids). Therefore, the regulation of lipids and, in particular, of cholesterol homeostasis in the skin is of great importance. ABCA1 is a membrane transporter responsible for cholesterol efflux and plays a key role in maintaining cellular cholesterol levels. Among the many factors that have been associated with skin diseases, the environmental stressor cigarette smoke has been recently studied. In the present study, we demonstrate that ABCA1 expression in human cells (HaCaT) was increased (both mRNA and protein levels) after CS exposure. This effect was mediated by the inhibition of NFkB (aldehydes adducts formation) that allows the translocation of liver X receptor (LXR). These findings suggest that passive smoking may play a role in skin cholesterol levels and thus affect cutaneous tissues functions.