Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to silence the HIF1alpha gene in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) under hypoxia in order to observe the effect of gene silencing on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1 (TIMP1). By using chemical hypoxic inducer CoCl2, to mimic RPE hypoxic environment, shRNA against the targeting region of HIF1alpha mRNA sequence was synthesized by a method of in vitro transcription, and the HIF1alpha was interfered in RPE cultured under hypoxia (induced by 150 micromol/L CoCl2). RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of HIF1alpha and TIMP1. The expression levels of HIF1alpha and TIMP1 were measured by using Western blotting. The results showed that after the RPE were transfected with specific shRNA against HIF1alpha mRNA, RT-PCR revealed that under hypoxia, the efficacy of HIF1alpha gene silencing in RPE was 83.4%. Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of HIF1alpha protein was dramatically dropped. In addition. RT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression of TIMP1 mRNA was decreased by 28.9%, and the expression levels of TIMP1 protein were also significantly reduced by Western blotting. It was suggested that shRNA targeted against HIF1alpha mRNA could effectively silence the HIF1alpha gene, subsequently effectively inhibit the hypoxia-induced up-regulation of TIMP1.
Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Silencing ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/*genetics ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/cytology ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/*metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering/*pharmacology ; Retina/cytology ; Retina/*metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/*biosynthesis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/genetics

OBJECTIVE:To compare home-made mu'an-eye-gel(acyclovir plus honey) with commercial aciclovir(ACV)-eye-gel in releasing drug characteristics in vitro.METHODS:The in vitro drug release test was conducted by the third method of dissolution determination stated in Chinese Pharmacopeia together with bag filler method.The cumulative drug-releasing percentage and the acyclovir amount in mu'an-eye-gel versus ACV-eye-gel were determined by UV spec-trophotometry,and the accumulative releasing drug percentages of the two preparations were computed and their drug release behaviors w ere compared.RESULTS:The in vitro releasing behaviors of mu'an-eye-gel followed the Weibull kinetic equa-tion,however the vitro releasing behavior of commercial ACV-eye-gel followed the zero order kinetic equation,and the T80%and Q8 h had statistical significances between(mu'an-eye-gel:T80%=3.156?0.013(h),Q8 h=93.28?0.010(%);ACV-eye-gel:T80%=10.16?0.009(h),Q8 h=67.85?0.025(%)) 2 kinds of preparation.CONCLUSION:Mu'an-eye-gel is superior to the commercial ACV ophthalmic gel in both releasing velocity and accumulative drug release percentage.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of small hairpin loop RNA (shRNA) silencing hypoxia-induced factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) gene on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells under hypoxic condition. Two target sites of HIF-1alpha mRNA were chosen and two kinds of shRNA were designed and synthesized against the target sites. Then the two kinds of shRNA were transfected into human RPE cells in vitro, respectively. These cells were cultured under hypoxic condition that was simulated by using 150 mumol/L CoCl(2). The mRNA expressions of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and PEDF were tested by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The protein levels of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and PEDF were analyzed by Western blotting. After the two kinds of HIF-1alpha-specific shRNA were transfected into RPE cells respectively, the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and the levels of HIF-1alpha protein were decreased significantly in RPE cells under hypoxic condition. The expression of VEGF mRNA and the levels of protein significantly were also decreased. However, the levels of PEDF protein was significantly increased, but the expression of PEDF mRNA showed no significant changes. In conclusion, HIF-1alpha-specific shRNA can effectively silence the HIF-1alpha gene, and consequently down-regulate VEGF and up-regulate PEDF expression against hypoxia. These results reveal that HIF-1 is associated with posttranslational mechanism for down-regulating PEDF under hypoxia and provide an explanation for hypoxia-provoked increases in VEGF/PEDF ratios. These results also suggest that HIF-1 is one of the key cytokines to retinal neovascularization.

In order to explore the effect of high glucose concentration and high glucose concentration with hypoxia on the production of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human RPE cells were cultured in 5.56 mmol/L glucose (control group), 5.56 mmol/L glucose with 150 micro mol/L CoCl2 (hypoxic group), 25 mmol/L glucose (high glucose group) and 25 mmol/L glucose with 150 micro mol/L CoCl2 (combination group). RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF mRNAs. Western blot analysis was used to measure the levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF proteins. Although the small amount of HIF-1alpha protein was able to be detected in high glucose group but not in control group, there was no significant difference between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA of RPE cells in high glucose group and that of RPE cells in control group. As compared with RPE cells in control group, the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of VEGF in high glucose group were up-regulated. As compared with RPE cells in hypoxic group, the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA of RPE cells in combination group was not different, but the protein synthesis of HIF-1alpha, the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of VEGF were more obviously up-regulated. In conclusion, high concentration glucose mainly influence the protein synthesis of HIF-1alpha of RPE cell, and HIF-1alpha protein is able to be accumulated in high concentration glucose. Under hypoxia, the HIF-1alpha protein induced by high concentration glucose is more stable, and the expression of VEGF is obviously increased. It is suggested that high concentration glucose may play a role in retinal neovascularization, especially at ischemia stage of diabetic retinopathy.

Background Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR):no blood vessels,fibrous membrane cell proliferation occurs retinal surface.The development of specific mechanisms has not been completely clarified,but the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) and platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) for the past few years are the research hotspot.Objective To explore the effects of hypoxia on the production of PDGF-BB and proliferation in cultured human RPE (hRPE) cells.Methods In the experimental group,10,15,20,30,40 μmol/L CoCl2 were used to mimic hypoxia environment of hRPE cells,the control group did not add CoCl2 on cultured hRPE cells.By using reverse transcriptive PCR (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),the expression of PDGF-BB mRNA and protein was detected,and detected proliferation of hRPE cells by MTT.The cells were divided into 6 groups,different siRNAs were transfected into PDGF-BB siRNA1 group,PDGF-BB siRNA2 group,PDGF-BB siRNA3 group (because PDGF-BB has three different siRNAs,one of which is a valid siRNA),β-actin siRNA group,unrelated sequence siRNA group,only Lip2000 was plused in the blank control group.After transfection of 4-6 hours,except for blank control group,the other five groups were added to PDGF-BB mRNA and protein and its effect on the proliferation of hRPE cells obviously CoCl2 concentrations (15 μmol/L) simulated hypoxia environment of 24 hours,the detection of PDGF-BB mRNA and protein and hRPE cell proliferation rate.Results Neither PDGF-BB mRNA or protein was found in the blank control group.The production of PDGF-BB mRNA and protein in hRPE cells cultured by different concentrations were different,with significant differences among them (F=43.737,P＜0.01;F=54.612,P＜0.05),and the expressions of PDGF-BB mRNA and protein of 15 μmol/L CoCl2 group were more than other groups,with significant differences between the two groups (all at P＜0.05).MTT showed that PDGF-BB protein and hRPE cell proliferation rate in different concentions of CoCl2 groups were different,with significant differences among them(F=95.379,P＜0.01 ; F =63.375,P＜0.05),the expression of PDGF-BB protein was more and hRPE cell proliferation rate was higher in 15 μmol/L CoCl2group than other groups,with significant differences between the two groups (all at P＜0.05),postive correlation was found between PDGF-BB protein and hRPE cell proliferation rate (r =0.994,P＜0.05).The production of PDGF-BB mRNA and protein in the different siRNA transfected groups were different,with significant differences among them (F =156.330,125.650,both at P＜0.01),and the expressions of PDGF-BB mRNA and protein of PDGF-BB siRNA2 group were more than other groups,with significant differences between them(all at P＜0.05).MTT showed that PDGF-BB protein and hRPE cell proliferation rate in different siRNA transfectedgroups were different,with significant differences among them (F =73.131,98.564,both at P＜ 0.01).The expression of PDGF-BB protein was less and hRPE cell proliferation rate was lower in PDGF-BB siRNA2 group than other groups,with significant differences between them (all at P ＜ 0.05),postive correlation was found between PDGF-BB protein and hRPE cell proliferation rate (r =0.996,P＜0.05).Conclusions Proper hypoxia can induce the expression of PDGF-BB,PDGF-BB expression can significantly promote the proliferation of hRPE cells.In the transfection targeting PDGF-BB siRNA,PDGF-BB expression is suppressed,can effectively reduce the value of hRPE cell hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVETo develop a convenient, practical low-cost and efficient Ganoderma spore collector.

METHODThe spore collector was made from common materials such as white cardboard and oil-lustrous paper, temperature and humidity were used as indexes to study the effect of the collector on the growth environment of Ganoderma and spore collection.

RESULTThe spore collector developed could effectively separate Ganoderma fruit bodies from the outside to form an independent closed space and stop free flow of spores. The use of the collector had few effects on temperature and humidity that influenced the growth of G. spp. and development of the fruit bodies. In addition, the fluctuation of the relative humidity inside the collector tended to be small.

CONCLUSIONThis collector could efficiently collect quality spores and the yield of spores accounted for 38.3% of the total yield of spores and fruit bodies when this collector was applied on a large scale.

Agriculture ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Equipment and Supplies ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal ; growth & development ; Ganoderma ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Spores, Fungal ; growth & development

Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to silence the HIF1α gene in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) under hypoxia in order to observe the effect of gene silencing on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1 (TIMP1). By using chemical hypoxic inducer CoCl2 to mimic RPE hypoxic environment, shRNA against the targeting region of HIF1α mRNA sequence was synthesized by a method of in vitro transcription, and the HIF1α was interfered in RPE cultured under hypoxia (induced by 150 μmol/L CoCl2 ). RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of HIF1α and TIMP1. The expression levels of HIF1α and TIMP1 were measured by using Western blotting. The results showed that after the RPE were transfected with specific shRNA against HIF1α mRNA, RT-PCR revealed that under hypoxia, the efficacy of HIF1α gene silencing in RPE was 83. 4 %. Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of HIF1α protein was dramatically dropped. In addition, RT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression of TIMP1 mRNA was decreased by 28.9 %, and the expression levels of TIMP1 protein were also significantly reduced by Western blotting. It was suggested that shRNA targeted against HIF1α mRNA could effectively silence the HIF1α gene, subsequently effectively inhibit the hypoxia-induced up-regulation of TIMP1.

In order to explore the effect of high glucose concentration and high glucose concentration with hypoxia on the production of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human RPE cells were cultured in 5.56 mmol/L glucose (control group), 5.56 mmol/L glucose with 150 μ mol/L CoCl2 (hypoxic group), 25 mmol/L glucose (high glucose group)and 25 mmol/L glucose with 150 μ mol/L CoCl2 (combination group). RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNAs. Western blot analysis was used to measure the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins. Although the small amount of HIF-1α protein was able to be detected in high glucose group but not in control group, there was no significant difference between the expression of HIF-1α mRNA of RPE cells in high glucose group and that of RPE cells in control group.As compared with RPE cells in control group, the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of VEGF in high glucose group were up-regulated. As compared with RPE cells in hypoxic group, the expression of HIF-1α mRNA of RPE cells in combination group was not different, but the protein synthesis of HIF-1 α, the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of VEGF were more obviously up-regulated. In conclusion, high concentration glucose mainly influence the protein synthesis of HIF-1α of RPE cell, and HIF-1α protein is able to be accumulated in high concentration glucose.Under hypoxia, the HIF-1α protein induced by high concentration glucose is more stable, and the expression of VEGF is obviously increased. It is suggested that high concentration glucose may play a role in retinal neovascularization, especially at ischemia stage of diabetic retinopathy.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of small hairpin loop RNA (shRNA) silencing hypoxia-induced factor 1α (HIF-1α) gene on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) in human retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells under hypoxic condition. Two target sites of HIF-1α mRNA were chosen and two kinds of shRNA were designed and synthesized against the target sites. Then the two kinds of shRNA were transfected into human RPE cells in vitro, respectively. These cells were cultured under hypoxic condition that was simulated by using 150 μmol/L CoCl2. The mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, VEGF and PEDF were tested by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The protein levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and PEDF were analyzed by Western blotting. After the two kinds of HIF-1α-specific shRNA were transfected into RPE cells respectively, the expression of HIF-1α mRNA and the levels of HIF-1α protein were decreased significantly in RPE cells under hypoxic condition. The expression of VEGF mRNA and the levels of protein significantly were also decreased. However, the levels of PEDF protein was significantly increased, but the expression of PEDF mRNA showed no significant changes. In conclusion, HIF-1α-specific shRNA can effectively silence the HIF-1α gene, and consequently down-regulate VEGF and up-regulate PEDF expression against hypoxia. These results reveal that HIF-1 is associated with posttranslational mechanism for down-regulating PEDF under hypoxia and provide an explanation for hypoxia-provoked increases in VEGF/PEDF ratios. These results also suggest that HIF-1 is one of the key cytokines to retinal neovascularization.