A Computerized Evaluation of Sensory Memory and Short-term Memory Impairment After Rapid Ascent to 4280 m.

To evaluate the effect of acute high-altitude exposure on sensory and short-term memory using interactive software, we transported 30 volunteers in a sport utility vehicle to a 4280 m plateau within 3 h. We measured their memory performance on the plain (initial arrival) and 3 h after arrival on the plateau using six measures. Memory performance was significantly poorer on the plateau by four of the six measures. Furthermore, memory performance was significantly poorer in the acute mountain sickness (AMS) group than in the non-AMS group by five of the six measures. These findings indicate that rapid ascent to 4280 m and remaining at this altitude for 3 h resulted in decreased sensory and short-term memory, particularly among participants who developed AMS.

Hydrogen Therapy Reduces Oxidative Stress-associated Risks Following Acute and Chronic Exposure to High-altitude Environment.

Low pressure, low oxygen concentration, and intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation in high-altitude environments, can cause oxidative stress which can trigger mountain sickness. A recent study demonstrated that hydrogen gas with a good permeability in biological membranes can treat various disorders by exerting its selective anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects, indicating that hydrogen therapy plays a role in scavenging free radicals and in balancing oxidation and anti-oxidation systems of cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that inhaling low-dose hydrogen or drinking hydrogen-saturated water is a novel and simple method to prevent and treat oxidative stress injury caused by low pressure, low oxygen concentration and intense UV radiation in plateaus, thus reducing the risk of mountain sickness.

Involvement of activation of C-met signaling pathway in CD151-induced HUVECs angiogenesis.

CD151 is a member of the tetraspanin family that is implicated as a promoter of pathological or physiological angiogenesis. C-Met is expressed on a variety of cells including vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and up-regulated during angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether CD151 regulated migration, proliferation, tube formation and angiogenesis of human umbilical VECs (HUVECs) with activation of C-Met. Moreover, we studied whether CD151 could affect the angiogenic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The expression of CD151 was determined by Western blotting. The cell proliferation assay was performed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method and cell migration was assessed in microchemotaxis chambers by using fetal bovine serum (FBS) as the chemotactic stimulus. The angiogenic molecules were evaluated using ELISA. The NO level was detected using NO detection kit. The potential involvement of various signaling pathways was explored using relevant antibodies. We found that proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs were promoted by CD151 with activation of C-Met, FAK and CDC42, while they were suppressed with CD151 knockdown by RNAi. Similarly, the levels of NO, VCAM-1 and VEGF in HUVECs were increased by CD151, but they were inhibited with CD151 knockdown by RNAi. These data suggested that CD151 could promote migration, proliferation, tube formation and angiogenesis of HUVECs, which was possibly related to the C-Met signaling pathways.

Molecular detection of Bartonella species in wild small mammals in western Yunnan Province, China.

Background: Small mammals serve as the main reservoir for Bartonella and as a proxy indicator of the potential risk of Bartonella transmission from nature to humans. They offer a valuable early warning for human infection. Nevertheless, geographical variations in the impact of the host on the occurrence of Bartonella infection are underestimated. This study was designed to investigate the infection characteristics of Bartonella and explore its species diversity in wild small mammals in western Yunnan Province, China. Methods: Wild small mammals were captured from Yulong, Jianchuan, and Lianghe counties in western Yunnan Province between 2015 and 2016. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect Bartonella infection, and the Bartonella species were identified by phylogenetic analysis. The factors associated with Bartonella infection in small mammals were analyzed by the Chi-square Test. Results: The prevalence of Bartonella in small mammals was 47.85% (768/1605). Lianghe County had the highest Bartonella infection rate, with 56.27% of the samples tested positive, followed by a rate of 50.91% was tested in Yulong County, and 39.97% in Jianchuan County (p < 0.001). Bartonella was detected positive in a total 25 small mammal species, with infection rates ranging from 2.17% to 100%. Niviventer fulvescens had the highest Bartonella infection rate. In comparison with the dominant small mammal species, Eothenomys mileyus had the lowest Bartonella infection rate than that in Apodemus chevrieri, Rattus tanezumi, and Apodemus draco (p < 0.001). Male small mammals had a higher infection rate than females (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Bartonella in small mammals during the summer season was higher compared to the other three seasons (p < 0.001). Woodland landscape had the highest Bartonella infection rate (p < 0.001). Bartonella rochalimae, B. japonica, B. tribocorum, B. washoensis, B. sylvatica, and B. rattimassiliensis were obtained from infected small mammals. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of Bartonella was detected with various Bartonella species in small mammals in Yulong, Jianchuan, and Lianghe counties of western Yunnan Province. These findings hold significant scientific clues, providing valuable reference points for further research of Bartonella natural foci in Yunnan or other analogues environments.

Adeno associated viral vector-delivered and hypoxia response element-regulated CD151 expression in ischemic rat heart.

AIM: The aim of this study was to improve the delivery efficacy and target specificity of the pro-angiogenic gene CD151 to the ischemic heart. METHODS: To achieve the inducible expression of adeno-associated viral (AAV)-delivered CD151 gene in only the ischemic myocardium, we generated an AAV construct in which CD151 expression can be controlled by the hypoxia response element (HRE) sequence from the human Enolase gene. The function of this vector was examined in rat H9C2 cardiac myoblasts and in ischemic rat myocardium. The expression of CD151 in the areas of ischemic myocardium was confirmed at the mRNA level by real-time PCR and on the protein level by Western blot, whereas the CD151 expression in the microvessels within the areas of ischemic myocardium was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: HRE significantly enhances the expression of CD151 under hypoxic conditions or in the ischemic myocardium, and forced CD151 expression increases the number of microvessels in the ischemic myocardium. CONCLUSION: The AAV-mediated, HRE regulated delivery of the CD151 gene shows higher expression in the ischemic myocardium and more efficiently targets CD151 to the hypoxic regions after myocardial infarction.

Activation of the ERK signaling pathway is involved in CD151-induced angiogenic effects on the formation of CD151-integrin complexes.

AIM: To assess the roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and CD151-integrin complexes on proliferation, migration, and tube formation activities of CD151-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: CD151, anti-CD151 and CD151-AAA mutant were inserted into recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors and used to transfect HUVECs. After transfection, the expression of CD151 was measured. Proliferation was assessed using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell migration was evaluated in Boyden transwell chambers using FBS as the chemotactic stimulus. The tube formation assay was performed on matrigel. The potential involvement of various signaling pathways was explored using selective inhibitors. RESULTS: CD151 gene delivery increased the expression of CD151 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Overexpression of CD151 promoted cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in vitro, and phosphorylation of ERK was also increased. Further, CD151-induced cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation were attenuated by the ERK inhibitor PD98059 (20 micromol/L) but not by a p38 inhibitor (SB203580, 20 micromol/L). Moreover, there was no significant difference in CD151 protein expression between the CD151 group and the CD151-AAA group, but the CD151-AAA mutant abrogated cellular proliferation, migration, and tube formation and decreased the phosphorylation of ERK. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that activation of the ERK signaling pathway may be involved in the angiogenic effects of CD151. Activation of ERK was dependent on the formation of CD151-integrin complexes. Therefore modulation of CD151 may be as a novel therapeutic strategy for regulating angiogenesis.

Key Role of CD151-integrin Complex in Lung Cancer Metastasis and Mechanisms Involved.

Tetraspanin CD151 was found to be upregulated in malignant cell types and has been identified as a tumor metastasis promoter. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of the CD151-integrin complex in lung cancer metastasis and the underlying mechanisms. CD151 QRD194-196 →AAA194-196 mutant was generated and used to transfect A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. We found that there was no significant difference in CD151 protein expression between CD151 and CD151-AAA mutant groups. In vitro, CD151-AAA mutant delivery abrogated the migration and invasion of A549 cells, which was promoted by CD151 gene transfer. Furthermore, CD151-AAA delivery failed to activate FAK and p130Cas signaling pathways. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining showed strong CD151 expression in lung cancerous tissues but not in adjacent normal tissues. Increased level of CD151 protein was observed in 20 of the patients and the positive rate of CD151 protein in specimens was 62.5% (20/32). In addition, CD151 was co-localized with α3 integrin at the cell-cell contact site in carcinoma tissues. These results suggested that the disruption of the CD151-α3 integrin complex may impair the metastasis-promoting effects and signaling events induced by CD151 in lung cancer. Our findings identified a key role for CD151-α3 integrin complex as a promoter in the lung cancer.

The relationship between fleas and small mammals in households of the Western Yunnan Province, China.

The Yunnan province has one of the most serious outbreaks of the plague epidemic in China. Small mammals and fleas are risk factors for the occurrence of plague in commensal plague foci. Understanding the relationship between fleas and small mammals will help control fleas and prevent the onset of the plague. Four hundred and twenty-one small mammals, belonging to 9 species, were captured. Of these, 170 small mammals (40.4%) were found infested with fleas. A total of 992 parasitic fleas (including 5 species) were collected. The number of Leptopsylla segnis and Xenopsylla cheopis accounted for 91.03% (903/992). The final multiple hurdle negative binomial regression model showed that when compared with Rattus tanezumi, the probability of flea infestation with Mus musculus as well as other host species decreased by 58% and 99%, respectively, while the number of flea infestations of the other host species increased by 4.71 folds. The probability of flea prevalence in adult hosts increased by 74%, while the number of fleas decreased by 76%. The number of flea infestations in small male mammals increased by 62%. The number of fleas in small mammals weighing more than 59 g has been multiplied by about 4. R. tanezumi is the predominant species in households in the west Yunnan province, while L.segnis and X. cheopis were dominant parasitic fleas. There is a strong relationship between the abundance of fleas and the characteristics of small mammals (e.g. Species, age, sex, and body weight).

Assessment of myocardial blood perfusion improved by CD151 in a pig myocardial infarction model.

AIM: To appraise the efficacy of CD151-induced myocardial therapeutic angiogenesis in a pig myocardial infarction model. METHODS: CD151 and anti-CD151 were constructed into the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. All 26 pigs were subjected to coronary artery ligation or no surgery. Eight weeks after coronary artery ligation, the expression of CD151 was measured by Western blot and immunostaining. Capillary density was evaluated using immunostaining for von Willebrand factor (vWF). 13N-labeled NH3 positron emission computed tomography ([13N]NH3PET) was measured to assess regional myocardial perfusion and the defect area. RESULTS: CD151 gene delivery could increase the expression of CD151 at protein level. Over-expression of CD151 increased the density of total capillaries in the ischemic myocardium, significantly improved the blood perfusion and reduced the defect area percentage. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the rAAV-mediated CD151 gene delivery promoted efficient neovascularization and increased the blood perfusion after myocardial infarction in pigs.

[Arteriogenesis induced by intramyocardial recombinant adeno-associated virus vector encoding human CD151 cDNA gene transfer in swines with coronary artery occlusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of CD151 gene delivery in promoting blood perfusion in swines after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Swines received coronary artery ligation and intramyocardial injection with rAAV-CD151, rAAV-anti-CD151 or rAAV-GFP. Eight weeks after vector injection, Western blot, immunostaining and 13N-labeled NH3 PET were performed to detect gene expression and biological effects of various treatments. RESULTS: High level of CD151 protein expression was detected in the rAAV-CD151 group. The capillary density in the rAAV-CD151 group [(83.8 +/- 6.7) n/mm2] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(33.2 +/- 4.5) n/mm2] and rAAV-GFP group [(41.6 +/- 5.6) n/mm2] (all P<0.05); the arteriole density in the rAAV-CD151 group [(16.4 +/- 2.5) n/mm2] was also higher than that in the control group [(6.6 +/- 2.3) n/mm2] and the rAAV-GFP group [(8.4 +/- 1.6) n/mm2] (all P<0.05). However, the lowest capillary density and arteriole density were evidenced in rAAV-anti-CD151 group. Myocardial blood perfusion was significantly increased in rAAV-CD151 group and significantly reduced in rAAV-anti-CD151 group (all P<0.05 vs. control). CONCLUSION: Intramyocardial injection of rAAV-CD151 could enhance the myocardial express of CD151 protein, increase capillary and arteriole densities and improve blood perfusion in swine with myocardial infarction.

[Community structure and distribution pattern of small mammals in agricultural area of Yunnan Province, China.] / äº‘å—çœå†œè€•åŒºå°åž‹å ½ç±»ç¾¤è½ç»“æž„åŠåˆ†å¸ƒæ ¼å±€.

To understand the characteristics of community structure and spatial distribution of small mammals in agricultural area of Yunnan Province, a systematic investigation was carried out in 104 quadrats of 25 regions in Yunnan Province from August 2010 to April 2018 by rat trap night method. The spatial variation of community characteristics along environmental gradients was analyzed by community ecological indicators. The results showed that a total of 3240 small mammals were captured and cold be classified into 42 species in 21 genera, 9 families, and 4 orders. The largest number of small mammal was rodents, dominated by Apodemus chevrieri and Rattus tanezumi. The 25 regions were clustered into three classes. The altitudinal distribution of small mammals was similar to the latitudinal distribution in agricultural areas. The number of species was relatively less in the low latitude and altitude range, with Rattus spp. and Mus spp. as the dominant species. In the high latitude and altitude region, the dominant species changed into Apodemus, Niviventer and Eothenomys. With the increases of altitude, the diversity index showed unimodal distribution, with the highe-st species diversity occurred in the mid-altitude area. The diversity index of small mammal showed the "V" type pattern in longitude, being the highest in the 98°-99° E gra-dient zone. At the latitude level, it showed an overall upward trend from south to north. Results from the GAM analysis showed that the degree of influence on the small animals in the agricultural area was in order of longitude, altitude and latitude. The similarity analysis in the composition of small mammals showed that the moderate similarity occurred in the adjacent gradient zone, and the highest similarity occurred in middle altitude zone, middle latitude zone, and low longitude zone. The farther the distance between different gradient zones, the lower the similarity of community structure. There was high spatial heterogeneity in different dimensions of small mammals' community structure in Yunnan Province. The geographical distribution trend of species diversity showed different distribution patterns across environmental gradients.

Ezetimibe Protects Endothelial Cells against Oxidative Stress through Akt/GSK-3ß Pathway.

Ezetimibe was reported to pharmacologically defend against oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate whether ezetimibe can protect against the oxidative stress induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in vitro and the underlying mechanism. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with ezetimibe and then exposed to oxLDL for 24 h. TUNEL assay and detectionfor the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 were employed to assess the oxLDL-induced endothelial apoptosis. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated by measuring dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence. The activities of endothelial antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase] were tested via an enzymatic assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was monitored by flow cytometry using JC-1 staining. Phosphorylation levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3p (p-GSK-3P) and Akt (p-Akt), as well as total GSK-3p and Akt were determined by Western blotting. The results showed that ezetimibe treatment inhibited HUVECs apoptosis, intracellular ROS production, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities elicited by oxLDL. HUVECs exposed to oxLDL alone had reduced mitochondrial function, while ezetimibe pre-intervention could significantly rescue the MMP. Furthermore, the protein levels of p-GSK-3p and p-Akt in ezetimibe-pretreated HUVECs were markedly increased as compared with those in oxLDL-induced HUVECs. However, no significant effect on total GSK- 3P and Akt was found in ezetimibe-pretreated HUVECs. Taken together, it was concluded that ezetimibe protects against oxLDL-induced oxidative stress through restoring the MMP, which may be mediated by Akt-dependent GSK-3P phosphorylation.

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase Akt pathway mediates CD151-induced endothelial cell proliferation and cell migration.

We previously reported that CD151 promotes neovascularization and improves blood perfusion in rat hind-limb ischemia model, but the precise mechanism is still unclear. Endothelial cell proliferation and cell migration play critical roles in angiogenesis. Many growth factors and hormones have been shown to regulate cell proliferation, cell migration and angiogenesis, including the activation of eNOS activity, via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Whether CD151 induces cell proliferation and cell migration via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is not known. Here we showed that CD151 promotes human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration and tube formation in vitro, accompanied by increased phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, leading to increased eNOS activity and nitric oxide (NO) levels after rAAV-CD151 infection, whereas infection with rAAV-anti-CD151 attenuated the effects of CD151, which suggested that CD151 can activate PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) and eNOS (l-NAME) can attenuate CD151-induced cell proliferation and cell migration. The results suggested that activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway mediates CD151-induced cell proliferation and migration.

Wide Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Babesia microti in Small Mammals from Yunnan Province, Southwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Babesia, usually found in wild and domestic mammals worldwide, have recently been responsible for emerging malaria-like zoonosis in infected patients. Human B. microti infection has been identified in China, primarily in the Southwest along the Myanmar border but little direct surveillance of B. microti infection in rodents has been carried out here (Yunnan province). In this region, a diverse topographic range combined with tropical moisture sustains a high biodiversity of small mammals, which might play important role on Babesia transmission. METHODS: Small mammals were captured in 141 sample locations from 18 counties located Yunnan Province, and screened for B. microti-like parasites infection by a nested PCR to target 18S rRNA gene of Babesia, plus directly sequencing for positive samples. Univariate and multivariate forward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to access the association between infections and some related risk factors. RESULTS: Infection with Babesia microti was confirmed in 2.4% (53/ 2204) of small mammals. Significant differences in prevalence rates of B. microti were observed based on variations in forest, agricultural, and residential landscapes. Furthermore, adult small mammals had higher prevalence rates than younger, pubertal mammals. The near full-length 18S rRNA gene revealed that there were two types of B. microti, Kobe and Otsu, which demonstrate the genetic diversity and regional distribution. CONCLUSIONS: There exists a wide distribution and genetic diversity of endemic B. microti in Southwestern China, warranting further investigations and monitoring of clinical disease in individuals presenting with Babesia like symptoms in these areas.

[Gene transfer of CD151 enhanced myocardial angiogenesis and improved cardiac function in rats with experimental myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of in vivo CD151 gene transfer on angiogenesis and heart function in rats with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. The surviving rats randomly received myocardial injection of saline (MI control), pAAV-CD151 and pAAV-GFP (n = 12/group). Sham-operated rats without myocardial injection (n = 12) were taken as normal control. Four weeks later, heart function and the expression of CD151 were measured. Micro vessels density (MVD) in infarct myocardium was observed by factor VIII related antigen immunochemical staining. RESULTS: The expression of CD151 (1.98 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.91 +/- 0.09, P < 0.01) and MVD counting [(385.4 +/- 79.9) vs. (252.5 +/- 43.0) n/mm(2), P < 0.01] in pAAV-CD151 treated MI rats were significantly higher than that in MI control group, similarly, EF (64.0 +/- 8.7)% vs. (41.5 +/- 5.0)%, P < 0.01] and dp/dt(max) (6620.2 +/- 884.6 vs. 5545.5 +/- 693.0, P < 0.01) were also significantly increased post pAAV-CD151 treatment. These parameters were not affected by pAAV-GFP treatment. CONCLUSION: CD151 in vivo gene transfer for rats with acute myocardial infarction enhanced myocardial angiogenesis and improved left ventricular function.

Role of tetraspanin CD151-α3/α6 integrin complex: Implication in angiogenesis CD151-integrin complex in angiogenesis.

Tetraspanin CD151 mainly associates with laminin-binding integrins and forms CD151-integrin complex. We previously reported that CD151 could be a potential target for angiogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are still unclear. This study investigated the role of CD151-integrin complex in angiogenesis and the signaling mechanisms involved. Here we showed that CD151 and CD151-AAA mutant were both well expressed at the protein level. CD151 gene transfer promoted angiogenesis and improved skin temperature of the lateral ischemic hindlimb, whereas CD151-AAA mutant abrogated the increase in capillary density and skin temperature. Further, CD151-AAA mutant failed to activate the FAK, ERK, PI3K/Akt/eNOS, and Rac1/Cdc42 signaling pathways. Moreover, CD151-AAA mutant was unavailable to promote bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) proliferation and migration, in contrast to the effects of CD151. The results suggested that formation of CD151-integrin complex was likely to be a prerequisite for CD151-induced angiogenesis and signaling pathways.

CD151 gene delivery increases eNOS activity and induces ECV304 migration, proliferation and tube formation.

AIM: To investigate the effects of CD151 on the activity of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and ECV304 migration, proliferation and tube formation. METHODS: pAAV-CD151 and pAAV-anti-CD151 were constructed and used to transiently transfect ECV304 mediated with Lipofectamine 2000. After transfection, the expression of CD151 was measured by Western blotting. Cell migration assay was performed using Boyden transwell; proliferation assay was evaluated using the 3- [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5, diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and tube formation test was examined on matrigel. eNOS activity was assayed by L- [3H]citrulline production from L-[3H]arginine. The involvement of eNOS was explored using an eNOS inhibitor (L-NAME) and the effects in the process were observed. RESULTS: CD151 promotes cell migration, proliferation and tube formation. In addition, CD151 increases eNOS activity. Moreover, cell migration, proliferation and tube formation induced by CD151 are inhibited when L-NAME is used, which indicates that there is an involvement of eNOS in CD151-induced cell migration, cell proliferation and tube formation. CONCLUSION: CD151 promotes ECV304 migration, proliferation and tube formation. The mechanism is that CD151 increases eNOS activity. This result also suggests that eNOS is involved in the angiogenic effects of CD151.

[Purification and functional analysis of Helicobacter pylori UreB protein fragment].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an effective method for purification of Helicobacter pylori UreB fragment and conduct functional analysis of the purified protein. METHODS: The protein fragment expression was induced by IPTG and the expressed protein was purified through affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. The purity of the fragment was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the specific biological activity of the purified fragment was assayed by urease activity inhibition test. RESULTS: The protein fragment was highly expressed in E. coli with a purity over 91%. The protein fragment showed highly specific biological activity and the specific antibody induced by this fragment in rabbits could inhibit the activity of urease in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The UreB fragment with high purity and biological activity can be applied for further studies.

FAK-related nonkinase attenuates hypertrophy induced by angiotensin-II in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

AIM: To examine the inhibitory effect of FAK-related nonkinase (FRNK) in cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and investigate the possible mechanisms. METHODS: A functional fragment of FRNK cDNA was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the vector pcDNA3.1. Hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes was established with angiotensin-II stimulation. The pcDNA3.1-FRNK or pcDNA3.1 was respectively transfected into cardiomyocytes by Lipofectamine 2000. The surface area and mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) of myocytes were employed to detect cardiac hypertrophy. NF-kappaB p65 protein in nuclear extracts, phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and AKT (p-AKT), as well as total ERK1/2, and AKT in variant treated cardiomyocytes were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Under the stimulation of angiotensin II, the surface area of myocytes and levels of ANP mRNA were significantly increased. But transient transfection with pcDNA3.1-FRNK in advance may reduce the surface area and expression of ANP mRNA of hypertrophic myocytes. The protein levels of NF-kappaB p65 in nuclear extracts and p-ERK1/2, p-AKT in FRNK treated cardiomyocytes were significantly decreased compared with that in angiotensin-II induced cardiomyocytes, while different treatments had little effect on total ERK1/2 and AKT. CONCLUSION: FRNK may inhibit angiotensin-II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via decreasing phosphorylation levels at ERK1/2 and AKT, consequently downregulating nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65.

[FAK related non-kinase (FRNK) inhibits migration of a human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Over-expression or over-activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) correlates with cancer migration. FAK related non-kinase (FRNK) acts as an endogenous inhibitor of FAK, which can compete with FAK for focal adhesion binding sites. This study was designed to determine the inhibitory effects of FRNK gene on migration of a human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435 and explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: The functional fragment of FRNK cDNA was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cloned into pcDNA3.1 vector. The recombinant pcDNA3.1-FRNK was transfected into MDA-MB-435 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The stably transfected cells were selected in a medium containing geneticin (G418). Expression of FRNK in stably transfected MDA-MB-435 cells and MMP-9 in both wild-type and transfected MDA-MB-435 cells was detected by Western blot. The effect of FRNK on cell migration was determined using cell wound healing and Boyden chamber assays, respectively, in vitro. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-FRNK was successfully constructed and MDA-MB-435 cells stably transfected with pcDNA3.1-FRNK were obtained. MMP-9 protein expression was inhibited by 73.1% in MDA-MB-435 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-FRNK compared to wild-type cells. In wound healing study, migrated cell count was significantly lower in MDA-MB-435/FRNK cells (0.35+/-0.02) than that in wild type cells (0.58+/-0.06, P<0.05). In Boyden chamber assay, the number of migrated MDA-MB-435/FRNK cells was (65.15+/-8.56), which was 66.57% of migrated wild type cells (97.86+/-5.44). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that FRNK may inhibit the migration of the human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435. And the suppressive effect may be due to the down-regulation of MMP-9 in MDA-MB-435 cells.