An unusual case of lateral vaginal wall leiomyoma: case report

Twenty to thirty percent of women in the reproductive age group are affected with leiomyomas, the most frequent benign tumor of the uterus. Only 300 occurrences of vaginal leiomyomas have been documented, hence they are still a rare condition. Because of their low incidence and wide range of nonspecific clinical symptoms, tumors are assumed to originate from Mullerian smooth muscle cells in the sub-epithelium of the vagina. However, these cells can easily be misdiagnosed. Usually located in the anterior vaginal wall are vaginal leiomyomas. Here, we describe a case of left upper lateral vaginal wall leiomyoma in a 40-year-old multigravida. She presented with pelvic fullness. Cervical fibroid was diagnosed based on physical examination and MRI. Under anesthesia, the tumor was removed vaginally, and histology revealed a vaginal leiomyoma. Vaginal leiomyomas are uncommon tumors; however, they can present with a range of clinical symptoms and be mistakenly classified as cervical fibroid before surgery. The most effective therapy approach seems to be vaginal tumor excision followed by a histological investigation. To raise awareness of the disease and lower the possibility of a misdiagnosis and improper treatment, the current instance was disclosed.

LncRNA SENCR targeted miR-206 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells of aortic dissection tissues / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of lncRNA SENCR in aortic dissection(AD)tissues of AD patients and its effect on and mechanism in the proliferation apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells(HVSMCs).Methods HE staining was done to detect the pathological changes of AD tissues.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)and RT-qPCR were used to determine the expression of SENCR in the AD tissue and HVSMCs and the expression of SENCR and miR-206 in the tissues,respectively.HVSMCs were cultured and trans-fected with pcDNA3.1-SENCR overexpression plasmids,or pcDNA3.1 blank plasmid.Then cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 method and Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry assay,respectively.Double luciferase report verified the targeting relationship between SENCR and miR-206.Results SENCR was mainly located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HVSMCs.Compared with the normal tissue,the expression of SENCR in the AD tissues was down-regulated(P＜0.01),but the expression of miR-206 was up-regulated(P＜0.01).Overexpressed SENCR decreased the cell proliferation of HVSMCs(P＜0.01),but significantly increased the cell apoptosis of HVSMCs(P＜0.01).SENCR could target and negatively regulate miR-206.Conclusion The expression of SENCR is down-regulated in AD tissues,and overexpressed SENCR may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of HVSMCs by targeting down-regulated miR-206.

Effects of Lumbricus Protein on Phenotypic Transformation of Corporal Cavernous Smooth Muscle Cells and Erectile Dysfunction in Rats with Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To investigate the effect of Lumbricus protein on the phenotypic transformation of corporal cavernosum smooth muscle cells(CCSMC)and erectile function in diabetic erectile dysfunction(DMED)rats.Methods Sixty male SD rats with normal erectile function were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a Sildelafil group(5 mg·kg-1),and a Lumbricus protein low-,medium-,and high-dose group(45,90,and 180 mg·kg-1),with 10 rats in each group.The diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin(STZ,50 mg·kg-1)combined with high-fat feed feeding;after 8 weeks,the DMED rat model was prepared by neck injection of Apomorphine(APO,100 μg·kg-1).After successful modeling,the rats were administered with a dose of Apomorphine by gavage once a day for 4 weeks.The blood glucose levels and body mass of rats in each group were measured before modeling,on the third day of modeling,and after 4 weeks of drug administration.The intracavernous pressure(ICP)and carotid artery pressure(MAP)were measured by multi-channel physiological recorder,and the ICP/MAP ratio was calculated.The expressions of contractile markers α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),smooth muscle myosin heavy chain(SMMHC)and synthetic markers Collagen I and osteopontin(OPN)in corpus cavernosum were detected by immunohistochemistry.The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA,SMMHC and Collagen I in corpus cavernosum were detected by RT-PCR.The protein expression levels of α-SMA,Desmin,Collagen I and OPN in corpus cavernosum were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the blood glucose levels of the rats in the model group were significantly increased on the third day of modeling and after 4 weeks of administration(P＜0.01),and the body mass was significantly decreased after 4 weeks of administration(P＜0.01).ICP and ICP/MAP ratio were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The protein expression levels of α-SMA,SMMHC and Desmin in penile corpus cavernosum were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the protein expression levels of Collagen I and OPN were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and SMMHC in corpus cavernosum were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the mRNA expression level of Collagen I was significantly increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in blood glucose and body mass of rats in the administration group(P＞0.05).ICP and ICP/MAP ratio were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The expression levels of α-SMA,SMMHC and Desmin in corpus cavernosum were significantly increased(P＜0.01),while the expression levels of Collagen I and OPN were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and SMMHC in corpus cavernosum were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the mRNA expression level of Collagen I was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Lumbricus protein can improve the erectile function of DMED rats,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CCSMC from'contractile'to'synthetic(proliferative)'transformation.

Effect of menthol on hypobaric hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in mice and its mechanism / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of menthol on hypobaric hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and explore the underlying mechanism in mice. Methods 10 to 12 weeks old wild type (WT) mice and TRPM8 gene knockout (TRPM8

Mechanism of Piezo1 channel activation promoting increase in intracellu-lar calcium concentration of rat coronary smooth muscle cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of Piezo1 channel activation promoting the increase in intra-cellular Ca2+ concentration([Ca2+]i)of rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells(CASMCs).METHODS:The primary CASMCs of SD rats were cultured,and the expression and subcellular localization of Piezo1 in the cells were observed by immunofluorescence staining.The Piezo1 and stromal interaction molecule 1(STIM1)in CASMCs were knocked down by siRNA transfection,and the expression levels of the proteins were detected by Western blot.Utilizing laser confocal mi-croscopy,the change of[Ca2+]i in CASMCs was detected by Fluo-4 AM fluorescent probes.RESULTS:It was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining that the expression of Piezo1 existed in primary rat CASMCs.Immunofluorescence staining also showed that Piezo1 was co-located with sarco-/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2(SERCA2),mitochondrial outer membrane protein TOM20 and nuclear membrane protein lamin B1.Western blot results showed that the protein expres-sion levels of STIM1 and Piezo1 were significantly down-regulated by siRNA transfection(P<0.05).Compared with con-trol group,Yoda1,the agonist of Piezo1,could increase the extracellular Ca2+ influx of CASMCs(P<0.01).However,the Ca2+ influx mediated by Yoda1 was not affected by the inhibition of L-type calcium channels.Treatment with Yoda1 in-creased the intracellular Ca2+ release of CASMCs(P<0.01).However,inhibition of calcium channels on endoplasmic re-ticulum,ryanodine receptor and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor,did not affect intracellular Ca2+ release mediated by Yoda1.After the Ca2+ in endoplasmic reticulum was emptied using thapsigargin(TG),Yoda1 also mediated the Ca2+ re-lease of other organelles in CASMCs(P<0.01).After inhibition of L-type calcium channels,treatment with store-operated calcium channel(SOCC)inhibitor BTP2 or knockdown of STIM1 led to the decrease in extracellular Ca2+ influx of CASMCs mediated by Yoda1(P<0.01).Treatment with TG increased the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum of CASMCs after knockdown of Piezo1(P<0.05),but the extracellular Ca2+ influx mediated by TG was not affected.After inhibition of L-type calcium channels and SOCC,knockdown of Piezo1 led to the decreases in intracellular Ca2+ release and extracellular Ca2+ influx induced by Yoda1(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The Piezo1 agonist orchestrates the influx of extracellular Ca2+ by activating Piezo1 channels on the cell membrane and inducing the indirect activation of SOCC.More-over,it facilitates the release of Ca2+ from organelles.Consequently,these pathways synergistically elevate the[Ca2+]i of rat CASMCs.

Mechanism of rhynchophylline solid lipid nanoparticles inhibiting the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells in asthmatic model mice / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the inhibitory effect mechanism of rhynchophylline solid lipid nanoparticles （Rhy-SLN） on the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells （ASMCs） in asthmatic model mice. METHODS Asthma model was prepared by ovalbumin+calmogastrin sensitization. The primary isolation and culture of ASMCs were performed， and morphological observation and identification were also conducted [when α -smooth muscle actin （α -SMA） appeared red and Desmin appeared green in ASMCs， indicating successful cultivation of ASMCs]. The cells were divided into blank group （ASMCs of normal mice）， model group （ASMCs of asthma model mice）， Rhy-SLN group （ASMCs of asthma model mice）， recombinant suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 （SOCS1） overexpression group （ASMCs of asthma model mice transfected with SOCS1 vector）， SOCS1-RNAi group （ASMCs of asthma model mice transfected with SOCS1-RNAi vector） and SB203580 group [p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） inhibitor， ASMCs of asthma model mice]. The cells of each group were added into the corresponding culture medium containing drug （10 μmol/L） or not containing drug for 24 hours. MTT method was used to detect the proliferation of ASMCs in asthmatic mice； Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of α-SMA， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， SOCS1， p38 MAPK and phosphorylated p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK） in ASMCs. RESULTS The primary ASMCs of mice varied in shape and size， presenting irregular， spindle and triangular shapes；α-SMA appeared red and Desmin appeared green， indicating successful cultivation of ASMCs. Compared with model group， ASMCs absorbance values and protein expressions of α -SMA， p38 MAPK， and p-p38 MAPK were reduced significantly in Rhy- SLN group， SOCS1 overexpression group and SB203580 E-mail：wangmeng106@163.com group， while protein expression of SOCS1 （except for group） was increased significantly （P＜0.05）； protein expressions of IL-1β was reduced significantly in ASMCs （P＜ 0.05）. ASMCs absorbance values and protein expressions of α-SMA， SOCS1， p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were increased significantly in SOCS1-RNAi group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Rhy-SLN can inhibit the proliferation of ASMCs， the mechanism of which may be associated with overexpression of SOCS1 and inhibiting the protein expressions of IL-1β and p38 MAPK.

Pathologically Elevated-Cyclic Stretch Suppressed Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Mitochondrial Biogenesis by Down-regulating PGC1α Expression / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the effect of pathologically elevated-cyclic stretch induced by hypertension on mitochondrial biogenesis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the role of PGC1α in this process. Methods The Flexcell-5000T stretch loading system in vitro was applied to VSMCs with a frequency of 1. 25 Hz and an amplitude of 5% or 15% to simulate the mechanical environment under normal physiological or hypertensive pathological conditions respectively. Western blotting and qPCR were used to detect the expression of PGC1α, citrate synthase and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in VSMCs under normal physiological or hypertensive pathological conditions. VSMCs were treated with PGC1α specific activator ZLN005 to promote PGC1α expression or specific interfering fragment siRNA to inhibit PGC1α expression in order to detect the effect on citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number. Results Compared with 5% physiological cyclic stretch, 15% pathologically elevated-cyclic stretch significantly suppressed the expression of PGC1α, citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number in VSMCs. Compared with control group, the protein expression of PGC1α was significantly decreased and increased respectively. When VSMCs transfected with PGC1α siRNA or incubated PGC1α activator ZLN005, the expression of citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number were also significantly down regulated and up-regulated in VSMCs accordingly. Under physiological cyclic stretch conditions, the protein level of PGC1α was significantly down-regulated by PGC1α siRNA, which also significantly down-regulated citrate synthase expression and mtDNA copy number. The protein expression of PGC1α was significantly up-regulated by ZLN005, which also enhanced the expression of citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number. Conclusions The pathological cyclic stretch induced by hypertension significantly down-regulated the expression of citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number via suppressing the expression of PGC1α, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction of VSMCs. PGC1α may be a potential therapeutic target molecule to alleviate the progression of hypertension.

Inhibitory Effect of Paeonol on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence by Reducing SIRT6/PARP1-mediated DNA Damage / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the effects of paeonol （Pae） on angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）-induced senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） were related to angiotensinogen of silencing regulatory information factor 6 （SIRT6）/adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase 1 （PARP1） signaling pathway in VSMCs. MethodThe model of VSMC-stress aging induced by AngⅡ （100 nmol·L-1） was established. The rats were divided into normal group， model group， low， medium， and high-concentration Pae groups （30， 60， 120 μmol·L-1）. The positive rate of cell senescence was detected by SA-β-Gal staining， the ability of cell proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method， the expression of SIRT6， PARP1， p16， p21， p53， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， deoxyribonucleic acid （DNA）-damaged protein γ-H2AX was detected by Western blot， and VSMC proliferation was detected by EdU staining. The silenced VSMCs were prepared by siRNA-SIRT6 transfection， and the protein expressions of SIRT6， PARP1， p16， and γ-H2AX in VSMCs silenced by SIRT6 were observed. ResultThe results of SA-β-Gal staining showed that the senescence positive rate of SA-β-Gal staining in the model group was higher than that in the normal group （P<0.01）， and the positive rate of SA-β-Gal staining in the Pae group was significantly lower than that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that as compared with the normal group， the expression of PCNA， SIRT6， and PARP1 in the model group was down-regulated， and the expression of aging-related proteins p16， p21， p53， and γ-H2AX was up-regulated in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Pae promoted the protein expression of PCNA， SIRT6， and PARP1 and inhibited the protein expression of p16， p21， p53， and γ-H2AX in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of EdU staining showed that the number of EdU positive cells in the model group was lower than that in the normal group （P<0.01）， and the number of EdU positive cells in Pae groups was significantly higher than that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After SIRT6 silencing， the effects of Pae on promoting SIRT6 and PARP1 and inhibiting P16 were reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the addition of SIRT6 inhibitor （IN-1） promoted the occurrence of cell senescence induced by AngⅡ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionPae can effectively inhibit the aging of VSMCs， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of SIRT6/PARP1 signal pathway.

Protective mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on cardiovascular system / 中国中药杂志

Tetramethylpyrazine is the main component of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Studies have found that tetramethylpyrazine has a good protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. In the heart, tetramethylpyrazine can reduce myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating autophagy, and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Tetramethylpyrazine can also reduce the damage of cardiomyocytes caused by inflammation, relieve the fibrosis and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in infarcted myocardium, and inhibit the expansion of the cardiac cavity after myocardial infarction. In addition, tetramethylpyrazine also has a protective effect on the improvement of familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Besides, the mechanisms of tetramethylpyrazine on blood vessels are more abundant. It can inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress, maintain vascular endothelial function and homeostasis by inhibiting inflammation and glycocalyx degradation, and protect vascular endothelial cells by reducing iron overload. Tetramethylpyrazine also has a certain inhibitory effect on thrombosis. It can play an anti-thrombotic effect by reducing inflammatory factors and adhesion molecules, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and suppressing the expression of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. In addition, tetramethylpyrazine can also reduce the level of blood lipid in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, inhibit the subcutaneous deposition of lipids, inhibit the transformation of macrophages into foam cells, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby reducing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. In combination with network pharmacology, the protective mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on the cardiovascular system may be mainly achieved through the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) pathways. Tetramethylpyrazine hydrochloride and sodium chloride injection has been approved for clinical application, but some adverse reactions have been found in clinical application, which need to be paid attention to.

Terpinen-4-ol inhibits proliferation of VSMCs exposed to high glucose via regulating KLF4/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to observe the effect of terpinen-4-ol(T4O) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) exposed to high glucose(HG) and reveal the mechanism via the Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4)/nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. The VSMCs were first incubated with T4O for 2 h and then cultured with HG for 48 h to establish the model of inflammatory injury. The proliferation, cell cycle, and migration rate of VSMCs were examined by MTT method, flow cytometry, and wound healing assay, respectively. The content of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in the supernatant of VSMCs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), Cyclin D1, KLF4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and IL-18. The KLF4 expression in VSMCs was silenced by the siRNA technology, and then the effects of T4O on the cell cycle and protein expression of the HG-induced VSMCs were observed. The results showed that different doses of T4O inhibited the HG-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, increased the percentage of cells in G_1 phase, and decreased the percentage of cells in S phase, and down-regulated the protein levels of PCNA and Cyclin D1. In addition, T4O reduced the HG-induced secretion and release of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and down-regulated the expression of KLF4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and IL-18. Compared with si-NC+HG, siKLF4+HG increased the percentage of cells in G_1 phase, decreased the percentage of cells in S phase, down-regulated the expression of PCNA, Cyclin D1, and KLF4, and inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Notably, the combination of silencing KLF4 with T4O treatment further promoted the changes in the above indicators. The results indicate that T4O may inhibit the HG-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs by down-regulating the level of KLF4 and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Research progress on the mechanism of phenotypic transformation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells induced by hypoxia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Phenotypic transformation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is a key factor in pulmonary vascular remodeling. Inhibiting or reversing phenotypic transformation can inhibit pulmonary vascular remodeling and control the progression of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Recent studies have shown that hypoxia causes intracellular peroxide metabolism to induce oxidative stress, induces multi-pathway signal transduction, including those related to autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and also induces non-coding RNA regulation of cell marker protein expression, resulting in PASMCs phenotypic transformation. This article reviews recent research progress on mechanisms of hypoxia-induced phenotypic transformation of PASMCs, which may be helpful for finding targets to inhibit phenotypic transformation and to improve pulmonary vascular remodeling diseases such as hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.

To Explore the Mechanism of Xintongtai Medicated Serum on Inhibiting Apoptosis of Rabbit Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell by Interfering PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α Signaling Pathway / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective Bioinformatics analysis combined with cell experiment to explore the effect of Xintongtai medicated serum on apoptosis of rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells by down-regulating PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α.Methods ox-LDL was used to induce the apoptosis of VSMC so as to establish the atherosclerotic cell model.The CCK8 method was used to select the optimal concentration of Xintongtai medicated serum.The main chemical components of Xintongtai were collected by TCMSP,the information of active compounds was collected by PubChem,the targets of active compounds were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction,the targets of"atherosclerosis"and"apoptosis"were collected by genecards and disgenet,and the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed by string platform.David online analysis gene ontology(GO)enrichment analysis function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.VSMC was divided into blank serum group,model group,Xintongtai medicated serum group and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)inhibitor(LY294002)group,and Xintongtai medicated serum+ LY294002 group.The apoptosis of VSMC was detected by TUNEL and flow cytometry,and the apoptosis rate was calculated.The mRNA expression of PI3K,Akt,HIF-1α,caspase-3,caspase-9 were determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,HIF-1α,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved caspase-9 were determined by Western blot.α-SMA(Contractive VSMC specific marker)Fluorescence quantification of VSMC was determined by cellular immunofluorescence.Results The optimal concentration selected by CCK-8 was 20%middle dose Xintongtai medicated serum.Compared with the blank group,the VSMC early apoptosis rate,late apoptosis rate and total apoptosis rate in model group were increased(P<0.01),the mRNA expression of PI3K,Akt,HIF-1α,caspase-3,caspase-9 of the model group were up-regulated(P<0.01),the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,HIF-1α,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved caspase-9 of the model group were up-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the VSMC early apoptosis rate,late apoptosis rate and total apoptosis rate in Xintongtai medicated serum group,LY294002 group,and Xintongtai medicated serum+LY294002 group decreased(P<0.01 or P<0.05),and the mRNA expression of PI3K,Akt,HIF-1α,caspase-3,caspase-9 of Xintongtai medicated serum group,LY294002 group,and Xintongtai medicated serum+LY294002 group were down regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05),the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,HIF-1α,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved caspase-9 of Xintongtai medicated serum group,LY294002 group,and Xintongtai medicated serum+LY294002 group were down regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05),the α-SMA increased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the Xintongtai medicated serum group,the VSMC early apoptosis rate,late apoptosis rate and total apoptosis rate were no difference(P>0.05),the mRNA expression of PI3K,Akt,HIF-1α,caspase-3,caspase-9 were no difference(P>0.05),the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,HIF-1α,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved caspase-9 were no difference(P>0.05),the α-SMA was no difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Xintongtai medicated serum may down regulate PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α Signal pathway and downstream apoptosis related factors to alleviate the ox-LDL induced VSMC apoptosis,so as to stabilize vulnerable arterial plaque.

Study on the Jianpi Huatan Formula Regulating VSMC Proliferation-related miRNA in ApoE-/-AS mice Based on High-throughput Sequencing Technology / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective This study used high-throughput sequencing technology to detect the regulation of JianPiHuaTan Prescription(JPHT)on the ApoE-/-mouse miRNA related to vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration,verify the expression of related proteins,and explore the therapeutic effect of JPHT on atherosclerosis.Methods Ten of C57BL/6J mice were used as control group,and 30 ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into model group,western medicine group and JPHT group.Sequencing technology was performed on aortic sample to select the differentially expressed miRNA.We screened out the tagetted miRNA related to VSMCs proliferation and migration.RT-qPCR and Western blot technology were used to test the differentially expressed miRNA and tagetted protein.Results Compared with model group,a total of 9 miRNAs were changed in JPHT group,among which 7 were up-regulated and 2 were down-regulated.The expression of miRNA-34a was up-regulated in JPHT group.The miRNA-34a and α-SMA protein expression in aorta of JPHT group were significantly different with model group by RT-qPCR and Western blot experiment(P<0.01).Conclusion Jianpi Huatan Prescription may improve ApoE-/-mice atherosclerosis through inhibitting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating miRNA-34a.

2-hydroxybenzylamine(2-HOBA)curbs the pathogenesis of aging-associated atherosclerosis / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of different concentrations of 2-hydroxybenzylamine(2-HOBA)on atherosclerosis and vascular smooth muscle cell senescence and the underlying mechanisms.Methods:Fourteen apolipoprotein E-deficient(ApoE-/-)mice were used to establish an atherosclerosis model and were divided into two groups(n=7)using the random number method: a high-fat diet(HD)group and a high-fat diet plus 2-HOBA(1 mg/ml)(HD+ HOBA)group.Pulse wave velocity was used to assess vascular stiffness and a treadmill was used to assess exercise endurance.Oil Red O staining was used to detect the size and number of atherosclerotic plaques.Masson staining was used to detect the morphology of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in the plaque, the size of the necrotic core area of the plaque, and the thickness of the fibrous cap.Mouse smooth muscle cells were treated with different concentrations of 2-HOBA(100 μmol/L, 250 μmol/L and 500 μmol/L)to establish an H 2O 2-induced senescence model.Senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining was used to detect cell senescence.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of senescence-related secretory phenotype factors, and Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of senescence-related signaling proteins. Results:Compared with the HD group, the HD+ HOBA group showed that the area and number of aortic atherosclerotic plaques were decreased, and the atherosclerotic plaques were stabilized.In addition, compared with the HD group, vascular stiffness in the HD+ 2-HOBA group decreased by 26%(2.59±0.32 mm/ms vs.3.50±0.28 mm/ms), with a statistically significant difference( P<0.01), and exercise endurance increased by 62%[(143.74±24.25)m vs.(233.50±30.21)m, P<0.01], suggesting that 2-HOBA was able to improve aortic vascular stiffness and exercise endurance in mice.2-HOBA ameliorated H 2O 2-induced vascular smooth muscle cell senescence and decreased the mRNA levels of H 2O 2-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.Meanwhile, 2-HOBA also inhibited the expression of p53 and p21, the key signaling factors of senescence. Conclusions:2-HOBA suppresses the development and progression of atherosclerosis through inhibiting oxidative stress-related p53/p21 signaling activation and ameliorating vascular smooth muscle cell senescence and the aging-related inflammatory phenotype.

Effect of LINC00707 on proliferation, migration and inflammatory factors of human vascular smooth muscle cells induced by ox-LDL by targeting miR-30c-5p / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of LINC00707 on the proliferation, migration and inflammatory factors of human vascular smooth muscle cells induced by oixidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and its possible mechanism. Methods ox-LDL was used to induce human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) to establish an atherosclerotic cell model. si-NC, siLINC00707, miR-NC, miR-30c-5p mimic were trans-fected into HVSMCs, and then 100 mg • L~ ox-LDL was added to the cells. si-LINC00707 and anti-miRNC, or si-LINC00707 and miR-30c-5p Inhibitor were co-transfected into HVSMCs and then treated with 100 mg • L ox-LDL. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of LINC00707 and miR-30c-5p. CCK-8 and Transwell test were used to detect cell proliferation and migration. ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-6, TNF-a, and IL-10. The dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to detect the targeting relationship between LINC00707 and miR-30c-5p. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Results The expression of LINC00707 in HVSMCs induced by ox-LDL increased (P <0. 05), while the expression of miR-30c-5p decreased (P < 0. 05). After transfection with siLINC00707 or miR-30c-5p mimic, cell viability, the protein level of N-cadherin, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-a decreased (P < 0. 05), and the number of im grating cells decreased (P<0. 05), while the protein level of E-coadherin and the level of IL-10 increased (P <0. 05). LINC00707 could target miR-30c-5p. After co-transfection with si-LINC00707 and miR-30c-5p inhibitor, cell survival rate, the protein level of N-cadherin, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α increased (P < 0.05), and the number of migrating cells increased (P <0. 05), while the protein level of E-cadherin and the level of IL-10 decreased (P < 0. 05). Conclusion Down-regulation of the expression of LINC00707 could inhibit the proliferation, migration and inflammation of human vascular smooth muscle cells induced by ox-LDL by promoting the expression of miR-30c-5p.

The protective effect of terpinen-4-ol on inflammatory injury of VSMCs induced by high glucose through improving autophagic flux disorder / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of terpinen-4-ol (T40) on inflammatory injury of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by high glucose based on the improvement of autophagic flow disorder and involved molecular signals. Methods The scratch test was used to analyze the migration ability of VSMCs, the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in cell culture supernatant were measured by ELISA, the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins NF-κb p65, p-NF-κb p65, IL-1β, IL-18 and autophagy-related proteins p62, LC3-HYLC3-I, Beclinl, p-Beclinl were de-tected by Western blot. Results T40 inhibited migration of VSMCs induced by high glucose, reduced the secretion and release of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6, inhibited the expression of p-NF-κb p65/ NF-κb p65, IL-1β, IL-18, downregulated the expression of p62, LC3-TJ/LC3- I and p-Beclinl at same time. After interfering the autophagic flux of VSMCs with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) , T40 pre-treatment significantly inhibited the protein expression levels of the above inflammatory factors and autophagy-related signals which mediated by CQ. Conclusion T40 inhibits the inflammatory injury of VSMCs induced by high glucose through improving the autophagic flow disorder.

Research progress in the regulation of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare and severe progressive disease. It results from hypertrophic remodeling of distal pulmonary arterioles that increases pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance in the absence of left heart, pulmonary parenchymal, or thromboembolic disease. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) regulates a large number of genes related to the occurrence and development of PH, and induces pulmonary angiogenesis, cell proliferation and migration, cellular energy metabolism and utilization. HIF-1 is an important component of the pathogenesis of hypoxic PH and plays an important role in driving the pathological process of pulmonary vascular and right ventricular remodeling. This article systematically elucidated the role and regulation of HIF-1 in hypoxic PH and its potential in targeted therapy of PH.

Alleviating experimental pulmonary hypertension via co-delivering FoxO1 stimulus and apoptosis activator to hyperproliferating pulmonary arteries

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an insidious pulmonary vasculopathy with high mortality and morbidity and its underlying pathogenesis is still poorly delineated. The hyperproliferation and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) contributes to pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension, which is closely linked to the downregulation of fork-head box transcriptional factor O1 (FoxO1) and apoptotic protein caspase 3 (Cas-3). Here, PA-targeted co-delivery of a FoxO1 stimulus (paclitaxel, PTX) and Cas-3 was exploited to alleviate monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. The co-delivery system is prepared by loading the active protein on paclitaxel-crystal nanoparticles, followed by a glucuronic acid coating to target the glucose transporter-1 on the PASMCs. The co-loaded system (170 nm) circulates in the blood over time, accumulates in the lung, effectively targets the PAs, and profoundly regresses the remodeling of pulmonary arteries and improves hemodynamics, leading to a decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure and Fulton's index. Our mechanistic studies suggest that the targeted co-delivery system alleviates experimental pulmonary hypertension primarily via the regression of PASMC proliferation by inhibiting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis. Taken together, this targeted co-delivery approach offers a promising avenue to target PAs and cure the intractable vasculopathy in pulmonary hypertension.

Effects of extract of pinellia on proliferation and apoptosis of airway smooth muscle cells in asthmatic rats through AMPK/FOXO3a signaling pathway / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate effects of extract of pinellia(EP)on proliferation and apoptosis of airway smooth muscle cells(ASMCs)in asthmatic rats and its mechanism.Methods:Asthma rat model was constructed by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin and rat ASMCs were isolated and cultured.Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify α-actin in ASMCs.After iden-tifying as meeting characteristics of ASMCs,ASMCs were divided into control group,model group,EP group,Compound C group and EP+Compound C group.MTT was used to detect cell proliferation activity;flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis;ELISA was used to detect levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in cell supernatant;Western blot was used to detect expressions of CyclinD1,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),Caspase-3,Cleaved-Caspase-3,adenylate activated protein kinase(AMPK),p-AMPK,forkhead box protein O3a(FOXO3a),p-FOXO3a proteins.Results:Immunofluores-cence staining showed that 98%of cells showed green fluorescent filaments in cytoplasm,and α-actin was positively expressed,which proved that cultured cells were ASMCs.Compared with control group,cell OD490,CyclinD1,PCNA protein expressions and IL-6 and TNF-α levels in supernatant of model group were significantly increased,apoptosis rate,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved-Caspase-3 protein expressions and p-AMPK/AMPK,p-FOXO3a/FOXO3a levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05);compared with model group,cell OD490,CyclinD1,PCNA protein expressions and IL-6,TNF-α levels in supernatant of EP group were significantly reduced,apoptosis rate,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved-Caspase-3 protein expressions,and p-AMPK/AMPK,p-FOXO3a/FOXO3a levels were significantly increased(P<0.05),the above corresponding indicators of Compound C group showed opposite trend(P<0.05);compared with EP group,cell OD490,CyclinD1,PCNA protein expressions and IL-6,TNF-α levels in supernatant of EP+Compound C group were signifi-cantly increased,apoptosis rate,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved-Caspase-3 protein expressions,and p-AMPK/AMPK,p-FOXO3a/FOXO3a levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion:EP may inhibit proliferation of ASMCs and promote cell apoptosis in asthmatic rats by activating AMPK/FOXO3a pathway.

Transcriptomics Provides Novel Insights into the Regulatory Mechanism of IncRNA HIF1 A-AS1 on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

ABSTRACT Introduction: Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially fatal disease with a strong genetic contribution. The dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to the formation of this aneurysm. Although previous studies suggested that long non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA) hypoxia inducible factor 1 α-antisense RNA 1 (HIF1A-AS1) exerted a vital role in the progression and pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm, we managed to find a new regulatory mechanism of HIF1A-AS1 in VSMCs via transcriptomics. Methods: Cell viability was detected by the cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining. Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay were performed to check the migration ability of HIF1A-AS1 on VSMCs. The NextSeq XTen system (Illumina) was used to collect RNA sequencing data. Lastly, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed the veracity and reliability of RNA-sequencing results. Results: We observed that overexpressing HIF1A-AS1 successfully promoted apoptosis, significantly altered cell cycle distribution, and greatly attenuated migration in VSMCs, further highlighting the robust promoting effects of HIF1A-AS1 to thoracic aortic aneurysm. Moreover, transcriptomics was implemented to uncover its underlying mechanism. A total of 175 differently expressed genes were identified, with some of them enriched in apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle-related pathways. Intriguingly, some differently expressed genes were noted in vascular development or coagulation function pathways. Conclusion: We suggest that HIF1A-AS1 mediated the progression of thoracic aortic aneurysm by not only regulating the function of VSMCs, but also altering vascular development or coagulation function.