Objective To observe the inhibition of LipofectamineTM2000 (LF2000)mediated pSUPER recombinant plasmid expressing small interference RNA targeting hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1alpha;(pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha;) on retinal neovascularization in mice. Methods pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha; recombinant plasmid was created. Forty-eight (seven-day-old) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, the control group, empty vector group and gene therapy group with 12 mice in each group. Mice in the normal group were kept in normal room air, while the other three groups retinal neovascularization was induced by hypoxia. The mice in control group were not treated. The mice in the vector group received intravitreous injection of pSUPER and LF2000 (1 mu;l), and the gene therapy group received pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha; and LF2000 (1 mu;l)one day before being returned to normal room air．Fluorescent angiography was used to assess the vascular pattern. The proliferative neovascular response was quantified by counting the nuclei of new vessels extending from the retina into the vitreous in cross-sections．HIF-lalpha;and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in retinas were measured by immune histochemical staining method and reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Fluorescent angiography showed radial branching pattern vessels in the normal group and distorted large vessels, obstructed capillaries, many neovascular tuffs, fluorescence leakage in the peripheral retina in the control group and vector group. The gene therapy group demonstrated a significant reduction in neovascular tufts and fluorescence leakage compared with the control group and the vector group. The number of vascular cell nuclei extending breaking through the internal limiting membrane(ILM) of control group and vector group increased significantly compared with normal group (F=5850.016,P＜0.05), while obviously decreasing in the gene therapy group compared with control group (F=3012.469,P＜0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed the expression of HIF-1alpha; protein in nucleus and VEGF protein in cytoplasm. The expression of HIF-1alpha; protein in retina was negative, while VEGF protein was weakly positive in normal group. The expression of HIF-1alpha; and VEGF protein were both positive in control group and vector group, while weakly positive in gene therapy group. The Results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha; mRNA in retina was increased significantly in control group and vector group as compared with normal group (F=3102.326,P＜0.05), while decreasing significantly in gene therapy group as compared with control group (F=3336.425,P＜0.05). Conclusion Retinal neovascularization in the mice is significantly inhibited by intravitreal injection of LF2000-mediated recombinant plasmid pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha;.
Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of 17β-estradiol on the retinal neovasularization in rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). MethodsA total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into control group A, control group B, experimental group A and experimental group B with 12 rats in each group. The rats in control group A and experimental group A received a hypodermic injection of 0.1 ml PBS, and the rats in control group B and experimental group B group received an a hypodermic injection of 0.1 ml 17β-estradiol. At postnatal day 7 (P7) and P14, the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) -1α in the retina were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). At P14, endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the internal limiting membrane were counted after staining with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and the protein expression of VEGF was measured after immunohistochemical staining. The changes of retinal ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ResultsAt P14, the difference of the number of endothelial cell nuclei among four groups was statistically significant(F=10.7, P＜0.05). The number of endothelial cell nuclei in experimental group A was increased greater than that in control group A (P＜0.05) and experimental group B(q=5.16，P＜0.05). But there was no difference between control group A and experimental group B (q=0.25，P＞0.05). The difference of VEGF protein expression among the four groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Comparing experimental group A with control group A, B and experimental group B, the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). In experimental group A there was ganglion cell swelling, pale staining cytoplasm and mitochondria vacuolizationin, while these were normal in other three groups. At P7 and P14, the differences of VEGF and HIF-1 mRNA expression among four groups were statistically significant(F=14.7,16.1, 13.4, 17.5; P=0.001, 0.005, 0.003, 0.009). At P7, the VEGF mRNA expression in control group B was more than that in control group A (q=5.22, P＜0.05). The VEGF mRNA expression in experimental group B was more than that in experimental group A (q=4.32, P＜0.05). At P14, the VEGF mRNA expression in control group B was more than that in control group A (q=3.72, P＜0.05), but there was no difference of HIF-1 mRNA expression between two groups. The VEGF and HIF-1 mRNA expression in experimental group B were both decreased more than those in experimental group A (q=5.12, 4.08;P＜0.05). Conclusions 17β-estradiol has the effect of two way regulation in VEGF mRNA, which increases VEGF expression in retina under hyperoxic conditions so as to develop the vascular system; which reduces VEGF and HIF-1α expression so as to prevent pathologic neovascularization under hypoxic conditions. It provides some protection from the damage of retinal neovascularization.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of conditional knocking out (KO) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene on the mouse model of oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR).MethodsThe conditional VEGF KO mice were generated using Cre-Loxp technology, resulting in the deletion of VEGF in a portion of Müller cells permanently in mouse retina. Cre positive was CKO mice, Cre negative was NKO mice. OIR was induced by keeping mice in 75% oxygen at postnatal 7 days (P7) to P12 and in room air from P12 to P17 (each 20 mice for CKO and NKO, respectively). The mice mortality was analyzed. At day P17, the percentage of retinal avascular area was calculated using retinal flat-mounting with fluorescence angiography, the number of vascular endothelial cell nucleus breaking through retinal inner limiting membrane was counted with hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining of retinal sections, and the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was detected by immunofluorescence analysis. ResultsDuring the development of OIR, the mortality rate of CKO mice (65.00%) was higher than that of NKO mice (30.00%) with the significant difference (x2=4.912, P=0.027). At day P17, all the mice retinas were harvested. The retinal fluorescence angiography displayed that the normal retinal vascularization of CKO mice was delayed, and large avascular areas were observed. Meanwhile, rare new vascular plexus was found in CKO mice and the thickness of whole retina decreased dramatically. In contrast, NKO mice developed larger area of normal retinal vascular network structure with higher blood vessel density and more new vascular plexus with obvious fluorescein leakage. The percentage of avascular area in CKO mice [(28.31±11.15)%] was higher than NKO mice [(16.82±7.23)%] with the significant difference (t=2.734, P=0.014). The HE staining of retinal sections indicated smaller counts of vascular endothelial cell nucleus breaking through retinal inner limiting membrane in CKO mice (26.10±6.37) when compared to NKO mice (28.80±7.59) , the difference was significant (t=2.437, P=0.016). The immunofluorescence analysis showed stronger expression of HIF-1α in CKO mice than NKO mice, which was mainly located in the retinal ganglion cell layer.ConclusionsThe local VEGF gene knockout partially inhibits retinal neovascularization in OIR mice. However, it also suppresses the normal retinal blood vascular development with a decrease of OIR mice survival ability.
Objective To observe the influence of the expression of CD18 on the neutrophile and the leukocyte adhesion to retinal vascular endothelium by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha;) in early diabetic retinopathy rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce diabetes model. 18 diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups randomly after 2 months of diabetes induction, including diabetic group (group B), HIF-1alpha; anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASODN) injection group (group C) and HIF-1alpha; sense oligonucleotides (SODN) injection group (group D), the age and weigh matched health rats were chosen as control group (group A), with 6 rats in each group. Then group A and B rats received 5% glucose solution caudalis veins injection, group C and group D rats received HIF-1alpha; ASODN and HIF-1alpha; SODN caudalis veins injection, respectively(025 mg/kg).The level of CD18 on the neutrophil isolated from the peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry. Retinal leukostasis was quantified with acridine orange leukocyte fluorography. Results The percentage of CD18 positive neutrophil cell was（44.93plusmn;3.60）% in group B，（18.66plusmn;1.52）% in group A，（31.66plusmn;4.72）% in group C，（51.00plusmn;5.66）% in group D. Compared with each other groups，the differences are statistically significant （F=42.46, Plt;0.001）. The number of positive staining cells of retinal leukocyte was （46.16plusmn;10.68）in group A，（133.83plusmn;20.43）in group B,（99.83plusmn;9.28）in group C，（121.33plusmn;10.23） in group C. Compared group B with group C，the number of positive staining cells raised about 2.89 times；compared group B with group C and D，the differences are statistically significant （P=0.12，95% confidence interval -3.69~28.69）. Conclusions In vivo, HIF-1alpha; can decreased the expression of CD18 on neutrophils from diabetic ratsprime; peripheral blood and the collection of retinal leukostasis in the diabetic animals. HIF-1alpha; may serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment and/or prevention of early diabetic retinopathy. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：268-271）
Objective To study the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) onhypermetabolism of skeletal muscle protein in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a COPD group and a COPD + TNF-α group, with 15 rats in each group. COPD model was established by passive cigarette smoking in COPD group and COPD + TNF-αgroup. Then the extensor digitorium longus muscles ( EDL) were dissected and incubated in vitro muscle incubation system with adequate oxygen supply. The EDL were either cultured with or without recombinant rat TNF-α( 10 μg/L) . The mRNA and protein expressions of proteasome subunit C2 in EDL were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of proteasome subunit C2 were both significant higher in the COPD group and COPD + TNF-αgroup than those in the normal control group( P lt;0. 01 or 0. 05) . The COPD+TNF-αgroup had higher expression of proteasome subunit C2 mRNA than that in the COPD group( P lt; 0. 01) , whereas the protein expression was not significantly different( P gt; 0. 05) . Conclusion Incresed proteolytic metabolism in skeletal muscle in COPD might be regulated by TNF-αactivated ubiquitin-dependent pathway.
ObjectiveThis study aims to study the effects and mechanism of resveratrol on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) axis.MethodsHepG2 cells at logarithmic growth stage were treated with different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μmol/L) of resveratrol, respectively. Then the proliferation of HepG2 cells was detected by the CCK8 method and real time cell anaIysis (RTCA) system, the expressions of signal molecules associated with PI3K/Akt axis was detected by the Western blot method, including PI3K p58, phosphorylation protein kinase B (p-Akt), total protein kinase B (t-Akt), and CyclinA2 protein.ResultsResveratrol had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of HepG2 cells in a time and dosage dependent manner. After 48 h treatment of resveratrol to HepG2 cells, 50.0 μmol/L resveratrol inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells most significantly. Further, the RTCA system studies also found that resveratrol had a time and concentration dependent effect on the reduction of normalized cell index (NCI) in HepG2 cells. Flow cytometry results showed that, apoptosis rates of 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μmol/L group were higher than that of 0 μmol/L group. Compard with 0 μmol/L group, the expressions of PI3K p85, p-Akt, and CyclinA2 protein in HepG2 cells of 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μmol/L resveratrol group was significantly higher (P<0.05), although there was no significant effect of resveratrol on the expression of t-Akt in HepG2 cells (P>0.05).ConclusionsResveratrol might have anti-proliferation effects on HepG2 cells through PI3K p85/Akt signaling axis. This study could provide a novel idea for the treatment to HCC.
Objective To investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1(HIF1alpha;) in ratsprime; retinae during the embryonic and earlier postnatal period. Methods The retinal expression patterns of HIF-1alpha; protein and mRNA of embryonic day 12 (E12), E16, E20, and postnatal day 1(P1) and P5 rats were determined by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results HIF-1alpha; protein was detected in the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer at all those 5 timepoints, with higher expression in the ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer, and seems limited to the ganglion cell layer when re tina became more mature. Embryonic rat retina had higher expression of HIF-1alpha; protein and mRNA than postnatal retina, the difference was significant (P＜0.01）. Conclusion The expression of HIF1alpha; in ratsprime;retina e differs from embryonic to earlier postnatal stages.
ObjectiveTo observe the expression and mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and p53 protein at the altitude of 5000 meter plateau hypoxia environment in rats, as well as the effect of Astragalus injection. MethodsSixty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the Astragalus injection intervention group and normal saline control group, 30 rats in each group. Astragalus injection group rats were intraperitoneal injected of Astragalus injection (15 ml/kg) before 30 minutes into the plateau environment simulation cabin, normal saline group rats were intraperitoneal injected with the same volume of saline. 30 minutes after injection, rats in each group were reared in the plateau experiment cabin which simulated altitude of 5000 m (oxygen partial pressure 11.3 kPa) for 2, 6, 8, 12, 24 hours, each time period of 6 rats. When get out, the rats were executed immediately and eyes were harvested. Retinal sections were studied by hematoxylin eosin stain, and immunohistochemical method for HIF-1α and p53 expression. ResultsFor control rats, after 2 hours in the cabin, there was edema in retinal layers. HIF-1α and p53 were expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of retinal layers. When the periods in cabin extended, there was atrophy of retinal nerve fiber layer, swelling and degeneration of ganglion cells. The expression of HIF-1α and p53 was increased. Compared with the control group, the intervention group rat had similar but less severe retinal changes, and the expression of HIF-1α and p53 was significantly decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionAstragalus injection can reduce pathological retinal damage in rats at high altitude environment, and its mechanism may be associated with reduced HIF-1α, p53 expression.