卵转铁蛋白对树突状细胞功能成熟的影响

目的：探究卵转铁蛋白（ovotransferrin,OVT）对树突状细胞（dendritic cells,DCs）功能成熟的影响。方法：通过混合淋巴反应检测OVT对DCs刺激T淋巴细胞增殖能力的影响,酶联免疫吸附分析（enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay,ELISA）检测DCs上清液中肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）、白介素12p70（interleukin-12p70,IL-12p70）和IL-10细胞因子含量,Western blotting检测胞外信号调节激酶（extracellular signalregulated kinase,ERK）、p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p38 mitogen activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK）和c-Jun氨基末端激酶（c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK）信号蛋白表达量。结果：OVT可以提高DCs刺激T淋巴细胞增殖的能力,并诱导DCs分泌TNF-α以及IL-12p70,且呈一定的剂量依赖关系。OVT可能是通过激活JNK和p38 MAPK信号通路以及抑制ERK信号通路上调细胞因子TNF-α、IL-12p70表达,从而促进DCs成熟。结论：OVT能促进DCs功能成熟,对机体的免疫具有调节作用。     

Induction of PLXNA4 Gene during Neural Differentiation in Human Umbilical-Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Low-Intensity Sub-Sonic Vibration

Human umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) are a type of mesenchymal stem cells and are more primitive than other MSCs. In this study, we identify novel genes and signal-activating proteins involved in the neural differentiation of hUC-MSCs induced by Low-Intensity Sub-Sonic Vibration (LISSV). RNA sequencing was used to find genes involved in the differentiation process by LISSV. The changes in hUC-MSCs caused by LISSV were confirmed by PLXNA4 overexpression and gene knockdown through small interfering RNA experiments. The six genes were increased among genes related to neurons and the nervous system. One of them, the PLXNA4 gene, is known to play a role as a guide for axons in the development of the nervous system. When the PLXNA4 recombinant protein was added, neuron-related genes were increased. In the PLXNA4 gene knockdown experiment, the expression of neuron-related genes was not changed by LISSV exposure. The PLXNA4 gene is activated by sema family ligands. The expression of SEMA3A was increased by LISSV, and its downstream signaling molecule, FYN, was also activated. We suggest that the PLXNA4 gene plays an important role in hUC-MSC neuronal differentiation through exposure to LISSV. The differentiation process depends on SEMA3A-PLXNA4-dependent FYN activation in hUC-MSCs.     

Neurotropic RNA Virus Modulation of Immune Responses within the Central Nervous System

The central nervous system (CNS) necessitates intricately coordinated immune responses to prevent neurological disease. However, the emergence of viruses capable of entering the CNS and infecting neurons threatens this delicate balance. Our CNS is protected from foreign invaders and excess solutes by a semipermeable barrier of endothelial cells called the blood–brain barrier. Thereby, viruses have implemented several strategies to bypass this protective layer and modulate immune responses within the CNS. In this review, we outline these immune regulatory mechanisms and provide perspectives on future questions in this rapidly expanding field.     

Fetuin-A Promotes 3-Dimensional Growth in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells by Sequestering Extracellular Vesicles to Their Surfaces to Act as Signaling Platforms

The present studies were conducted to evaluate key serum proteins and other components that mediate anchorage-independent growth (3-D growth) of LNCaP prostate cancer cells as spheroids. The cells were cultured on ultra-low attachment plates in the absence and presence of fetuin-A and with or without extracellular vesicles. The data show that fetuin-A (alpha 2HS glycoprotein) is the serum protein that mediates 3-D growth in these cells. It does so by sequestering extracellular vesicles of various sizes on the surfaces of rounded cells that grow as spheroids. These vesicles in turn transmit growth signals such as the activation of AKT and MAP kinases in a pattern that differs from the activation of these key growth signaling pathways in adherent and spread cells growing in 2-D. In the process of orchestrating the movement and disposition of extracellular vesicles on these cells, fetuin-A is readily internalized in adhered and spread cells but remains on the surfaces of non-adherent cells. Taken together, our studies suggest the presence of distinct signaling domains or scaffolding platforms on the surfaces of prostate tumor cells growing in 3-D compared to 2-D.     

Activation of TRPV4 Induces Exocytosis and Ferroptosis in Human Melanoma Cells

TRPV4 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 4), a calcium permeable TRP ion channel, is known to play a key role in endocytosis. However, whether it contributes to exocytosis remains unclear. Here, we report that activation of TRPV4 induced massive exocytosis in both melanoma A375 cell and heterologous expression systems. We show here that, upon application of TRPV4-specific agonists, prominent vesicle priming from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was observed, followed by morphological changes of mitochondrial crista may lead to cell ferroptosis. We further identified interactions between TRPV4 and folding/vesicle trafficking proteins, which were triggered by calcium entry through activated TRPV4. This interplay, in turn, enhanced TRPV4-mediated activation of folding and vesicle trafficking proteins to promote exocytosis. Our study revealed a signaling mechanism underlying stimulus-triggered exocytosis in melanoma and highlighted the role of cellular sensor TRPV4 ion channel in mediating ferroptosis.     

Pharmacological Inhibition of Spermine Oxidase Suppresses Excitotoxicity Induced Neuroinflammation in Mouse Retina

Polyamine oxidation plays a major role in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that spermine oxidase (SMOX, a member of the polyamine oxidase family) inhibition using MDL 72527 reduced neurodegeneration in models of retinal excitotoxicity and diabetic retinopathy. However, the mechanisms behind the neuroprotection offered by SMOX inhibition are not completely studied. Utilizing the experimental model of retinal excitotoxicity, the present study determined the impact of SMOX blockade in retinal neuroinflammation. Our results demonstrated upregulation in the number of cells positive for Iba-1 (ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1), CD (Cluster Differentiation) 68, and CD16/32 in excitotoxicity-induced retinas, while MDL 72527 treatment reduced these changes, along with increases in the number of cells positive for Arginase1 and CD206. When retinal excitotoxicity upregulated several pro-inflammatory genes, MDL 72527 treatment reduced many of them and increased anti-inflammatory genes. Furthermore, SMOX inhibition upregulated antioxidant signaling (indicated by elevated Nrf2 and HO-1 levels) and reduced protein-conjugated acrolein in excitotoxic retinas. In vitro studies using C8-B4 cells showed changes in cellular morphology and increased reactive oxygen species formation in response to acrolein (a product of SMOX activity) treatment. Overall, our findings indicate that the inhibition SMOX pathway reduced neuroinflammation and upregulated antioxidant signaling in the retina.     

壳寡糖通过调控SOCS3/STAT3信号通路改善LPS诱导的小鼠神经炎症

目的 探讨壳寡糖(Chitosan oligosaccharide ,COS)对脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide ,LPS)诱导小鼠神经炎症的改善作用及机制。方法 通过对10周龄C57BL/6N小鼠腹腔注射LPS建立神经炎症模型。动物随机分为5组,分别是：对照(CON)组、LPS组、LPS+COS低剂量(LPS+COS 50 mg/kg)组、LPS+COS中剂量(LPS+COS 100 mg/kg)组、LPS+COS高剂量(LPS+COS 200 mg/kg)组。LPS注射完毕后进行旷场实验、新物体识别、Morris水迷宫等行为学实验。处死动物后,收集脑组织,ELISA分析脑内促炎因子白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、IL-6、IL-1β、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)和抗炎因子IL-4、IL-10的表达;Western blot分析脑内信号传导及转录激活蛋白(STAT3)、细胞因子信号抑制物(SOCS3)蛋白的表达水平。结果 行为学实验结果表明,COS可以改善LPS诱发的小鼠认知障碍下降等表现。ELISA结果表明,LPS组小鼠的促炎细胞因子的释放量显著增加,抗炎细胞因子的释放量显著降低;而COS灌胃可逆转这一变化趋势。Western blot结果提示,与CON组相比,LPS的STAT3磷酸化水平显著升高,同时也促进SOCS3的蛋白表达升高;而COS则显著下调这两个蛋白的表达。结论 COS可能通过抑制SOCS3/STAT3信号通路改善LPS引起的小鼠神经炎症。