ATM-CHK2-Beclin 1 axis promotes autophagy to maintain ROS homeostasis under oxidative stress.

The homeostatic link between oxidative stress and autophagy plays an important role in cellular responses to a wide variety of physiological and pathological conditions. However, the regulatory pathway and outcomes remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as signaling molecules that regulate autophagy through ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and cell cycle checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), a DNA damage response (DDR) pathway activated during metabolic and hypoxic stress. We report that CHK2 binds to and phosphorylates Beclin 1 at Ser90/Ser93, thereby impairing Beclin 1-Bcl-2 autophagy-regulatory complex formation in a ROS-dependent fashion. We further demonstrate that CHK2-mediated autophagy has an unexpected role in reducing ROS levels via the removal of damaged mitochondria, which is required for cell survival under stress conditions. Finally, CHK2-/- mice display aggravated infarct phenotypes and reduced Beclin 1 p-Ser90/Ser93 in a cerebral stroke model, suggesting an in vivo role of CHK2-induced autophagy in cell survival. Taken together, these results indicate that the ROS-ATM-CHK2-Beclin 1-autophagy axis serves as a physiological adaptation pathway that protects cells exposed to pathological conditions from stress-induced tissue damage.

[Expert survey for Chinese medicine syndrome characteristics of different clinical types of coronary artery disease based on the Delphi method].

OBJECTIVE: To carry out expert survey for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome characteristics of different clinical types of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: By using Delphi method, we carried out two rounds of nationwide expert surveys for modern TCM characteristics of syndrome elements and syndrome types of CAD. RESULTS: Based on expert consensus, qi deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, qi deficiency blood stasis, and intermingled phlegm and blood stasis are common TCM syndromes for different clinical types of CAD. Of them, qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, heat accumulation, cold coagulation, yang deficiency, deficiency of both qi and yang were more often seen in patients with unstable angina than in those with stable angina. Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, and deficiency of both qi and yin were less seen. We could see more excess syndrome and less deficiency syndrome (such as qi deficiency, yin deficiency, etc.) in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) than acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Qi deficiency, blood stasis, water retention, yang deficiency, phlegm turbidity, yin deficiency, Xin-qi deficiency, and qi deficiency blood stasis induced water retention are the most common TCM syndrome types of CAD heart failure (HF). Blood deficiency, yin deficiency, heat accumulation, deficiency of both Xin and Pi, deficiency of both qi and blood, deficiency of both qi and yin, yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity were more often seen in CAD arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: TCM syndrome distributions of different clinical types of CAD have common laws and individual characteristics. Results based on the expert consensus supplied evidence and support for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CAD.

[Expression of endogenous leukemia inhibitory factor in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of endogenous leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). METHODS: A PVL model of 3-day-old Wistar rats was prepared by left carotid artery ligation followed by 6% oxygen for 4 hours. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days of hypoxia ischemia (HI), and the brain tissues were sampled. Real-Time PCR and Western blot methods were applied to analyze the expression of LIF mRNA and protein. Double staining immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of LIF and GFAP. RESULTS: At 1, 3 and 7 days of HI, LIF protein level in the PVL group was higher than in the control group (P<0.01). In the PVL group, the LIF protein level on the third day after HI reached a peak and was higher than the other time points (P<0.01). The change of LIF mRNA expression showed the same tendency with LIF protein. The double staining immunofluorescence showed a co-expression of LIF and GFAP. CONCLUSIONS: LIF mRNA and LIF protein expression in astrocytes show a trend of initial increase followed by steady decline in neonatal rats with PVL, suggesting that endogenous LIF may participate in the repair of PVL.

The role of CD44-hyaluronic acid interaction in exogenous mesenchymal stem cells homing to rat remnant kidney.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of our study was to reveal the role of CD44-Hyaluronic acid (HA) in the homing and improving renal function of systemically transplanted MSCs in chronic renal failure. METHODS: First, a remnant kidney model was established in rats and the expression of HA was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting. Next, chemotaxis assay using flow cytometry, and cell migration assay of MSCs were performed in vitro. Then, MSCs were transplanted into rats, thus, sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) group, MSC group and MSC/Anti-CD44 group (n = 8 for all groups). Migration of MSCs to the kidney in these rats was assessed by using cell tracking experiments, and tissue damage was evaluated by morphological analysis using Masson's trichrome staining and periodic acid Schiff staining. RESULTS: HA was significantly observed in 5/6 Nx group, but not in sham group. Meanwhile, HA was discovered induced MSCs migration remarkably (p < 0.05) and anti-CD44 antibody inhibited the migration significantly (p < 0.05) in vitro. In vivo, the GFP-MSCs were observed in MSC group and the cells reduced in MSC/Anti-CD44 groups, especially, in the tubulointerstitium. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal that CD44-HA has the potential to induce MSCs homing to injured tissue, while its effect on the ability of MSCs, improving tissue function, is not significant.

[Effects of the proliferation state of the endothelial progenitor cells preconditioned with salvianolic acid B and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplanted in acute myocardial infarction rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the proliferation state of transplanted cells in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats, and the endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) preconditioned by salvianolic acid B in different ratios with the bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: The cultivation and purification of EPCs were performed by density-gradient centrifugation and plastic adherence method. Two types of cells were identified by immunocytochemical method (CD34, CD133, and CD44). The rat model of AMI was prepared by ligation of left anterior descending artery. The EPCs were pre-treated with the optimal concentration of salvianolic acid B (8 microg/ mL). They were mixed with BMSCs in different proportions (EPCs/BMSCs in the ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1, respectively). BMSCs and EPCs were injected into the myocardial infarction area. The infarcted area was determined by the N-BT staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of Ki-67 was detected by immunohistochemical assay. RESULTS: Compared with the model group (19.60% +/- 3.23%), the myocardial infarction area of each implanted group obviously decreased (P < 0.05). Of them, the decrease was most obvious in the 4:1 group (11.37% +/- 2.18%) and the 8:1 group (9.23% +/- 2.35%, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group (cell/high magnification, 5.17 +/- 2.31), the Ki-67 positive cell number of each implanted groups significantly increased (P < 0.05). Of them, the Ki-67 positive cell number was obviously higher in the 8:1 group (15.00 +/- 3.16, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EPCs pretreated by salvianolic acid B combined with BMSCs could reduce the myocardial infarcted area, improve the proliferation of BMSCs in the peripheral infarction and local ischemia. Besides, along with the increase of the implant proportion of EPCs, the infarct area was gradually reduced, and the proliferative expression was gradually enhanced.

Summary of 32 patients with cardiac syndrome X treated by TCM therapy of regulating qi relieving chest stuffiness and promoting blood circulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of Liqi Kuanxiong Huoxue method LKH, traditional Chinese medicine, TCM therapeutic method for regulating qi, relieving chest stuffiness and promoting blood circulation) in treating patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). METHODS: The prospective, non-randomized controlled study was conducted on 51 selected patients with CSX, who were non-randomly assigned to 2 groups, the treated group treated with LKH in addition to the conventional treatment (32 patients), and the control group treated with conventional treatment (19 patients) like nitrate, diltiazem hydrochloride, etc. The treatment course was 14 days. The changes of such symptoms as angina pectoris, TCM syndrome and indexes of treadmill exercise test before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, such symptoms as chest pain and stuffy feeling and palpitation in the treated group were improved more than those in the control group (P<0.05); the total effective rate on angina pectoris and TCM syndrome in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). The treadmill exercise test showed that the maximal metabolic equivalent (Max MET), the time of angina onset and ST segment depression by 0.1 mV were obviously improved after treatment in both groups, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the control group respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The LKH method could reduce the frequency of angina attacks and improve the clinical condition of patients with CSX.

The suppressing effects of BTG3 expression on aggressive behaviors and phenotypes of colorectal cancer: An in vitro and vivo study.

Here, we found that down-regulated expression of BTG3 might be positively correlated with colorectal carcinogenesis and its overexpression suppressed proliferation, glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion, and induced apoptosis, senescence and differentiation in SW480 and SW620 cells. After treated with cisplatin, MG132, paclitaxel and SAHA, BTG3 transfectants exhibited lower viability and higher apoptosis than the control in both time- and dose-dependent manners. BTG3 overexpression up- regulated the protein expression of Cyclin E, p16, p27, NF-κB, p38α/ß, XIAP, Bcl-2, ATG14 and p53, but down-regulated the mRNA expression of MRP1, BCRP, and mTOR in SW480 and SW620 cells. BTG3 overexpression inhibited tumor growth of SW620 cells by suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. It was suggested that down-regulated BTG3 expression might be considered as a marker for colorectal carcinogenesis. BTG3 overexpression might reverse the aggressive phenotypes and be employed as a potential target for gene therapy of colorectal cancer.

The nucleocytoplasmic translocation and up-regulation of ING5 protein in breast cancer: a potential target for gene therapy.

Here, we found that ING5 overexpression resulted in a lower proliferation, reduced glucose metabolism, S arrest, decreased migration and invasion, apoptotic induction, fat accumulation, autophagy, senescence and mesenchymal-epithelial-transition of breast cancer cells. It also suppressed the tumor growth of breast cancer cells by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy. ING5-mediated chemoresistance was positively linked to Akt and NF-κB activation, MRP1 and GST-π overexpression, and FBXW7 hypoexpression. ING5 expression was higher in breast cancer than normal tissue at both mRNA and protein levels. ING5 mRNA expression was positively correlated with relapse- and distant metastasis-free survival rates. Nuclear ING5 expression showed gradual decrease from breast normal tissue, fibroadenoma, adenomatosis, primary to metastatic cancers, while versa for cytoplasmic ING5. Nuclear ING5 expression was negatively correlated with distant metastasis and p53 hypoexpression, while cytoplasmic ING5 expression was positively correlated with tumor size and ER expression. These data suggested that up-regulated expression and nucleocytoplasmic translocation of ING5 protein were observed in breast cancer. The higher expression of nuclear ING5 was inversely linked to worse clinicopathological behaviors of breast cancer by in vivo and vitro reversing aggressive phenotypes. Therefore, it should be employed as a biomarker to indicate the tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of breast cancer, and as a potential target for gene therapy.

The in vitro and vivo effects of nuclear and cytosolic parafibromin expression on the aggressive phenotypes of colorectal cancer cells: a search of potential gene therapy target.

Down-regulated parafibromin is positively linked to the pathogenesis of parathyroid, lung, breast, ovarian, gastric and colorectal cancers. Here, we found that wild-type (WT) parafibromin overexpression suppressed proliferation, tumor growth, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells (p<0.05), but it was the converse for mutant-type (MT, mutation in nucleus localization sequence) parafibromin (p<0.05). Both WT and MT transfectants inhibited migration and invasion, and caused better differentiation (p<0.05) of cancer cells. WT parafibromin transfectants showed the overexpression of Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, p38, p53, and AIF in HCT-15 and HCT-116 cells, while MT parafibromin only up-regulated p38 expression. There was lower mRNA expression of bcl-2 in parafibromin transfectants than the control and mock, while higher expression of c-myc, Cyclin D1, mTOR, and Raptor. According to transcriptomic analysis, WT parafibromin suppressed PI3K-Akt and FoxO signaling pathways, while MT one promoted PI3K-Akt pathway, focal adhesion, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. Parafibromin was less expressed in colorectal cancer than paired mucosa (p<0.05), and inversely correlated with its differentiation at both mRNA and protein levels (p<0.05). These findings indicated that WT parafibromin might reverse the aggressive phenotypes of colorectal cancer cells and be employed as a target for gene therapy. Down-regulated parafibromin expression might be closely linked to colorectal carcinogenesis and cancer differentiation.

Cytokeratin 19 promoter directs the expression of Cre recombinase in various epithelia of transgenic mice.

Cytokeratin 19 (K19) is expressed in various differentiated cells, including gastric, intestinal and bronchial epithelial cells, and liver duct cells. Here, we generated a transgenic mouse line, K19-Cre, in which the expression of Cre recombinase was controlled by the promoter of K19. To test the tissue distribution and excision activity of Cre recombinase, K19-Cre transgenic mice were bred with Rosa26 reporter strain and a mouse strain that carries PTEN conditional alleles (PTENLoxp/Loxp). At mRNA level, Cre was strongly expressed in the stomach, lung and intestine, while in stomach, lung, and liver at protein level. The immunoreactivity to Cre was strongly observed the cytoplasm of gastric, bronchial and intestinal epithelial cells. Cre activity was detectable in gastric, bronchial and intestinal epithelial cells, according to LacZ staining. In K19-Cre/PTEN Loxp/Loxp mice, PTEN was abrogated in stomach, intestine, lung, liver and breast, the former two of which were verified by in situ PCR. There appeared breast cancer with PTEN loss. These data suggest that K19 promoter may be a useful tool to study the pathophysiological functions of cytokeratin 19-positive cells, especially gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Cell specificity of neoplasia is not completely attributable to the cell-specific expression of oncogenes and cell-specific loss of tumor suppressor genes.

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoints for treatment of simple obesity of heart and spleen deficiency type].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the interventional effect of electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoints for treatment of simple obesity of heart and spleen deficiency type. METHODS: Sixty five cases were randomly divided into an observation group (33 cases) and a control group (32 cases). The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoint therapy, the electroacupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), ect. and catgut implantation was given at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The control group was treated with electroacupuncture only. The body weight, body mass index (BMI), waistline, waist hip ratio (WHR), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD, 17 items) were evaluated before and after treatment, and these were also compared with those of 35 nomal cases. RESULTS: The total effective rate of 93.9% in the observation group was higher than that of 84.4% in the control group (P < 0.05); the body weight, BMI, waistline, WHR, PSQI, HAMD and HAMA of simple obesity cases were obviously higher than those of normal cases (all P < 0.05). The scores of above indexes were all obviously decreased in both groups after treatment (all P < 0.05), and the improvement was more significant in observation group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The sleep quality reduction and mental and psychology disorder exist in simple obesity patients, and electroacupuncture combined with catgut implantation at acupoints can reduce weight effectively, and at the same time improve the sleep quality and regulate psychological state.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of dog-day acupuncture and moxibustion combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of dog-day acupuncture and tortoise-shell moxibustion combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: Seventy one cases were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty six cases in the observation group were treated with acupuncture on Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Chize (LU 5) etc. and tortoise-shell moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8) combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises; while thirty five cases in the control group were treated with only pelvic floor muscle exercises. The scores of the International Consultation Committee on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the scores of SF-36 were also compared with 35 cases in normal group. RESULTS: The total effective rate of 91.7% in the observation group was higher than that of 77.1% in the control group (P < 0.05). The dimensions of SF-36 of stress urinary incontinence patients were remarkably lower than those of normal group (all P < 0.05). The scores of ICI-Q-SF were decreased while the scores of SF-36 were increased obviously after treatment in both the observation group and the control group, there were pronounced improvements on physiological function, pain, physical activity, social function and affection function in the observation group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The quality of life for female stress urinary incontinence patients may be poor, however the dog-day acupuncture and tortoise-shell moxibustion combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises can improve the symptoms of urinary incontinence and increase the quality of life of patients.