Kidney samples were obtained from db/db mice and their db/m littermates at the age of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks. The expression of ANGPTL2 was assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and then correlated with biochemical and histological indices of kidney injury. No significant difference of ANGPTL2 expression was found in the kidney of db/db mice and the control db/m mice at the age of 4 weeks, a time when all biochemical and histological indices indicated that the db/db mice were in pre-diabetic condition. However, with the development of obesity, hyperglycemia and proteinuria, the expression of ANGPTL2 in the kidney of db/db mice increased, which indicated that the increased expression of ANGPTL2 associated with diabetic nephropathy. ANGPTL2 protein was found distributed mainly in the glomerulus. It is along the capillary loop, located just outside the basement membrane, and in the same location as podocytes, which suggested that podocytes are the main origin of ANGPTL2 in the kidney. Besides, increased expression of ANGPTL2 was found in older db/m mice though it has not reached to a significant level, which may suggest that ANGPTL2 might have some thing to do with the kidney injury caused by ageing.

Objective The key points in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) procedure include the downregula-tion of epithelial protein (E cadherin) and the upregulation of cell activity and cell matrix generation .The aim of this study was to es-tablish a method for primary culture and identification of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells and to explore whether the activation of C3aR can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mouse primary renal epithelial cells . Methods Murine renal tubular seg-ments were used for primary cell culture .Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify the renal tubular epithelial cells.The experiment groups included control group , five different concentrations of C3aR agonist groups (0.1, 1, 100, 500, and 2000 ng/mL), and three different time-point groups.The mRNA levels of E-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and colla-gen I in renal tubular epithelial cells were detected by Real-time PCR; the protein of E-cadherin, α-SMA were detected by Western blot.The cytoskeleton of epithelial cells was observed by phalloidin staining . Results Compared with the control group , the protein expression of E-cadherin deceased (0.950±0.901 vs 0.650±0.221) and the expression of α-SMA (1.380±0.062 vs 1.600±0.103) and collagen I increased in C3aR agonist group (500 ng/mL, after 48 hours) (P<0.05).In addition, the association between these changes and C3aR agonists was presented in a dose-and time-dependent man-ner, respectively.The cytoskeleton staining showed that treatment of renal tubular epithelial cells with C 3aR agonists induced the formation of actin stress fibers in a time-dependent manner . Conclusion The method for primary culture and identification of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells were successfully established .The activation of C3aR could induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mouse primary renal epithelial cells , which plays an essential role in the de-velopment of renal fibrosis .Moreover , this study indicated that C 3aR may become a new therapeutic target in kidney diseases .

Objective: To construct an angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2) expression vector and obtain ANGPTL2 over-expression endothelial cell strains.Methods: Plasmid phrGFP-C was used to amplify hrGFP protein coding sequence by polymerase chain reaction.The amplified sequence was cloned into the A multiple cloning sites of pIRES to construct plasmid pIRES-hrGFP.Complementary oligonucleotides containing the recognition sequence of BamH I,Sal I,Xba I and SSe8387 I were synthesized,annealed and cloned into a BamH I site on the backbone of plasmid pIRES-hrGFP to obtain vector pIRES-hrGFP-MS.ANGPTL2 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR while human renal RNA was used as the templet and then inserted into the B multiple cloning sites of the vector pIRES-hrGFP-MS.The newly constructed ANGPTL2 expression vector pIRES-hrGFP-MS-ANGPTL2 was linearized by Xba I and introduced into human umbilical vein endothelial cells.ANGPTL2 over-expressed endothelial clones were screened out by G418 selection and identified by the expression levels of both hrGFP and ANGPTL2 genes in these cell clones.Results: The ANGPTL2 expression vector pIRES-hrGFP-MS-ANGPTL2 was constructed successfully and two ANGPTL2 over-expression endothelial strains were obtained.The cells displayed a significantly extended appearance quite different from that of the control cells.Conclusion: The successful construction of the ANGPTL2 expression vector pIRES-hrGFP-MS-ANGPTL2 and the obtainment of two ANGPTL2 over-expression HUVEC strains have paved the way for further investigation into the function of ANGPTL2 and its possible role in diabetic nephropathy.

[Abstract ] Objective Evidence from previous studies indicated that over-activation of C3a/C3aR axis existed in the renal tubular epithelial cells of patients with renal diseases including diabetic nephropathy .However , the pathological significance of over-ac-tivating C3a/C3aR axis still remains to be elucidated .In this study, we constructed a renal tubular epithelial cell line over-expressing C3a in a secretory manner in order to provide a cell model to investigate the pathological significance of over -activating C3a/C3aR axis under various pathological scenes . Methods We designed a synthesized C3a secretory expression unit and cloned it into the multi-clonal site of lentivirus expression vector pLenti 6.3-MCS-IRES2-EGFP.After identification by sequencing , recombinant lentivirus was packaged by using pLenti 6.3-C3a-IRES2-EGFP and packaging plas-mid in 293T cells.Then, the recombinant lentivirus was used to in-fect HK2, a cell line of human renal tubular epithelial cells .After screening in medium with blasticidin , blasticidin resistant cell clones were obtained .Real-time PCR and ELISA method were applied to analyze the expression and secretion of stable transfected cells cloned C3a and identify renal tubular epithelial cell lines with stable over-activating C3a. Results ①C3a secretory expression unit was suc-cessfully synthesized and correctly cloned into the multi-clonal site of pLenti6.3-IRES2-EGFP; ②C3a secrectory expression recombi-nant lentivirus LV-C3a was successfully packaged with a high titer of 5 ×108/mL;③HK2 Cell clones resistant for blasticidin were ob-tained;according to the analysis of Real-time PCR and ELISA, the C3a mRNA level in HK2-C3a cell lines was significantly higher than that of HK2 cells(1.0 ±0.5 vs 1321.0 ±18.0, P<0.01) and the secreted C3a level increased significantly ([0.3 ±0.2]ng/mL vs [249.0 ±37.0] ng/mL, P<0.01). Conclusion The present study successfully constructed C 3a secretory expression vector pLenti6.3-C3a-IRES2-EGFP and C3a over-expression renal tubular epithelial cell line HK 2-C3a, which is very useful in further study of the function and significance of C 3a/C3aR axis not only in renal tubular epithelial cells but also in other cell types .

Objective Increased renal mast cells have been found in significant correlation with clinicopathological features of diabetic nephropathy ( DN) .However, the exact pathological significance of mast cells still remained to be elucidated.As one of the most abundant serine proteases, tryptase is specifically expressed by mast cells.The study was to observe the expression of tryptase in the urine of patients with diabetic nephropathy and realize the pathological significance of urinary tryptase and renal mast cells in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Methods Urine samples from 103 patients with diabetic nephropathy who were hospitalized at the clinical unit of the nephrology centre of Jingling Hospital from January 2012 to June 2013 were collected.According to concentra-tion of urinary albumin excretion rate, the patients were conducted to early-stage DN group (microalbuminuria,n=10), middle-stage DN group (proteinuria stage, n=31) and end-stage DN group (renal insufficiency stage,n=62).Meanwhile, urine samples from 20 normal persons were taken as the normal control group.Tryptase level in each urine sample was measured by using an ELISA kit.The average tryptase levels were compared among different groups and the correlation between urinary tryptase level and clinical indices was analyzed. Results ①In most cases, tryptase was not detected in the urine samples from normal persons(0.7 ±1.4 ng/mg creati-nine).However, the urinary trypatse level increased significantly with the development of diabetic nephropathy (11.6 ±10.5 ng/mg creatinine for early stage, 29.7 ±19.2 ng/mg creatinine for middle stage, and 44.6 ±43.4 ng/mg creatinine for late stage group).②The urinary tryptase level was found in significant correlation with ser-um creatinine (r=0.325, P<0.01), serum cystatin C (r=0.391, P<0.01), serum urea nitrogen (r=0.27, P<0.01), 24 hour uri-nary protein (r=0.389, P<0.01), urine C3 (r=0.276, P<0.05), urine retinol-binding protein (r=0.365, P<0.01), urine lysozyme (r=0.461, P<0.01), urine N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase level (r=0.568, P<0.01), urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (r=0.434, P<0.05) and interleukin-18 level (r=0.375, P<0.05).No significant correlation was found between urinary tryptase level and age, gender, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, HbA1c, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein or low density lipo-protein. Conclusion Mast cells play an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy and might be a novel and effective target for the treatment of DN.

Objective Our previous study showed that the expression of C 3aR was increased in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC).However, the role of C3aR in diabetic nephropathy remains unknown, and so does the exact physiological and pathological signifi-cance of C3aR in relevant renal tissues.In the present study, we investigated the physiological and pathological significance of C3aR in RTECs using a lentivirus expression vector and anRTEC strain overexpressing C3aR. Methods Based on the sequence of C3aR mRNA, the human C3aR gene was synthesized and cloned into the multi-clonal site of the lentivirus expression vector pLenti6.3-MCS-IRES2-EGFP to construct a C3aR expression vector pLenti6.3-C3aR-IRES2-EGFP.After identification by sequencing, the recombinant lentivirus expressing C3aR was packaged by cotransfecting293T cellswith the recombinant lentivirusexpression vector and packaged plasmid .Then,the recombinant lentivirus was used to infect the human RTECline HK 2.After screening in the medium with blasticidin, blasticidinr-esistant cell clones were obtained, followed by identification ofthe human RTECline stably overexpressing C 3aR by real-time PCR and immunochemical staining. Results TheC3aR expression vector pLenti6.3-C3aR-IRES2-EGFP was successfully constructed and the sequence was proved to be correct. C3aR expression recombinant lentivirus was successfully packaged with a titer of 5×108/mL.Blasticidin-resistant HK2 cell clones were ob-tained and the expression of HK2-C3aR mRNA was significantly higherin the HK2-C3aR cells than in the non-transfected HK2 cells (2.33± 0.45 sv 1.00±0.09, P<0.05). Conclusion We successfully constructed a C3aR expression lentivirus vector pLenti6.3-C3aR-IRES 2-EGFP and a C3aR overexpression renal tubular epithelial cell strain HK2-C3aR, which is very contributive to further studies of the roles of C3aR in renal tubular epithelial cells and other types of cells.

Objective:To prepare human angiopoietin like protein 2(ANGPTL2) monoclonal antibody.Methods:The purified recombinant human ANGPTL2 was used to immunize BALB/c mice.Then,the mouse spleen cells were isolated and fused with mouse myeloma cells.After selecting with HAT medium and analyzing with ELISA assay,the hybridoma cell clones stably secreting human ANGPTL2 antibody were screened out.The monoclonal antibody against humain ANGPTL2 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation method from the supernatant liquid of hybridoma cell culture.Western blotting,Cell immunostaining,and immunohistochemisty staining were used to characterize the antibody.Results:A strain of hybridoma cell clones stably secreting human ANGPTL2 antibody was screened out.The ANGPTL2 monoclonal antibody prepared was proven useful. Conclusion:A monoclonal antibody against human ANGPTL2 was successfully prepared,which provide a basis for basic study of ANGPLTL2.

Objective: ANGPTL2 is a newly found angiogenesis-associated protein.In the previous studies,we found that the renal expression of ANGPTL2 is involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy,but failed to reveal the exact distribution and synthesis of renal ANGPTL2.This study aimed to analyze the expression of the ANGPTL2 gene in the glomerulus and tubules in the kidney of db/db mice with diabetic nephropathy and to determine the cells responsible for the synthesis of renal ANGPTL2.Methods: Glomerulus and tubules were microdissected from the renal tissue of diabetic db/db mice and the expression of ANGPTL2 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR.The distribution and synthesis of ANGPTL2 in the kidney of the db/db mice were determined by immunohistochemistry,dual-labeling immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy.Results: Significantly increased expression of ANGPTL2 mRNA was found in the glomeruli but not in the tubules of the diabetic db/db mice,as compared with the controls.Immunohistochemistry revealed that the ANGPTL2 protein was distributed in a podocyte-like pattern;dual-labeling immunofluorescence analysis showed colocalization of ANGPTL2 with WT1(Wilms' tumor 1,a marker of podocyte) staining,suggesting that renal ANGPTL2 was expressed specifically by podocytes,which was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy.Conclusion: ANGPTL2 is specifically expressed by podocytes in diabetic nephropathy mice.

Objective: To study the construction and application of a vector with Cre recombinase recognition site lox66 for mouse HPRT gene targeting in embryonic stem(ES) cells. Methods: Using the HPRT genomic DNA fragment and synthesized oligonucleotides, pSP HPRT lox66 Neo was designed and constructed as a replacement vector by common molecular cloning techniques. After the linearized pSP HPRT lox66 Neo DNA was electroporated into ES cells, and transfected cells were cultured in G418/6 TG drug selection medium. The recombination efficiency of this vector was tested. Results: The main components of pSP HPRT lox66 Neo were a positive selection gene Neo, lox66, long and short homologous fragments of mouse HPRT gene and plasmid backbone. Twenty ES cell clones with HPRT gene inactivated were obtained. Conclusion: An effective replacement vector with Cre recombinase recognition site lox66 is constructed and applied to HPRT gene targeting in ES cells.

Based on thorough analysis of the present healthcare big data,and present problems found in precision medicine,the paper proposed the implementation approach of precision medicine driven by healthcare big data.Citing the practice of the hospital as an example,the authors centered on clinical data to build a precision medicine knowledge system,and leveraged in-depth data mining to develop integrated analysis technology for precision medicine.These efforts aim at application development of precision medicine series upon a panoramic medicine knowledge display,so as to enhance medical quality and diagnosis efficiency and translated use of healthcare big data in precision medicine.