Objective To explore the feasibility of recently developed nucleofection method in delivering plamid DNA directly into the nucleus for the introduction of a plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) of rabbit. Methods Rabbit BMSCs were harvested by means of density gradient centrifugation following a thighbone puncture. The primary BMSCs were cultured and either transfected with pEGFP-C2 by nucleofector technology (as EGFP group) or uninfected (as control) in vitro. Compared with the control, the cellular viability, adhesive rates and the growth curves of the labeled cells were respectively analyzed. Transfection efficiencies were evaluated through the detection of EGFP expression. Results EGFP were successfully expressed 24 h after nucleofection. Similar morphological development, adhesive rates and growth curves were found in the 2 groups. The positive EGFP expression was enhanced gradually alone with the prolonged culture time, and showed the strongest 6 d after marked, with about 47.8% of EGFP-positive cells in the total BMSCs. The EGFP did not attenuate even 1 month after the marking. Conclusion Neuclofection of pEGFP-C2 shows no significant effect on the proliferation of rabbit BMSCs. EGFP plays an important role in stable gene marking of rabbit BMSCs. Nucleofection is an efficient nonviral gene transfer method for the introduction of genes into primary rabbit BMSCs.

Objective To explore the effect of edaravone (ED) on the neurological functionaldeficits, apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 protein following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)injury in rats. Methods A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated intothe sham-operation group, cerebral I/R group, normal saline treatment group and ED treatment group, 6rats in each group. Rat models with focal cerebral I/R injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) were established using a modified suture method. ED (3mg/kg) or equal volume of normalsaline was injected intraperitoneally immediately after cerebral ischemia and 12 h after reperfusion in thetreatment groups;the rats in sham-operation group underwent the same modeling procedure withoutischemia by nylon suture. The neurological behavioral deficits were evaluated 24 h after I/R injury;,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assay were applied to detect the change in the expressionof caspase-3 protein; in situ TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used tostudy the change in neuronal apoptosis. Results The scores of neurological behavioral deficit scale,the positive cells and expression of caspase-3 protein, and the apoptotic cells in the ED treatment groupwere significantly decreased, compared with that of the I/R group and normal saline treatment group(P<0.05 for each comparison). Conclusion ED may effectively reduce neuronal apuptosis andneurological functional deficits after cerebral I/R injury, which might be related with the inhibition of thecaspase-3 protein expression.

Objective To offered some prophase works by preparing Neurocan protein, antiserum, and assaying their characteristics, in order to construct the isopropy-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG)-participated DNA vaccine, which can neutralize the inhibitors in the injured CNS following the immune administration and then promote the nerve regeneration. Methods Neurocan gene was syntbetized with HisTag label in beginning and enzyme-cut sites at amphi- of the sequence. The prokaryotic expression plasmid, PET30a-Neurocan, was constructed as usual, converted into the Escherichia coli, and induced by IPTG to express positively. The interest protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot respectively. The preimmune serum was as the negative control during the ELISA assay of antiserum valency. The immune serum was as the first antibody, and the goat-anti-rabbit labeling with alkaline phosphatase (AP) was employed as the second one. Coloration was with NBT/BCIP method. Results The correct sequence of the synthetic Neurocan gene was clearly showed by identification with enzyme-cut, PCR and sequencing. The Neurocan protein expressed by prokaryotic showed its molecular weigh as 55 000 following the SDS-PAGE identification, and it could specifically bind with anti-HisTag, which implied the interesting protein just as the expression product of Neurocan gene. The valency of antiserum was shown by ELISA as 1:1 000 000, the purpose strap of which was confirmed by Western blot. Conclusions Neurocan protein could be successfully expressed in prokaryotic, the antibody of which could be specifically obtained by immune administration to the rabbit. The Neuroncan antibody could bind with the Neurocan protein specifically.

Objective To explore the effect of chondroitin sulfate enzyme ABC (chABC) on glial scar in rat models of brain traumatic injury (TBI). Methods Thirty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including normal control group (n=2), model group (rat models of TBI,n=9), 1.0 U/mL chABC treatment group (n=9), 2.5 U/ml chABC treatment group (n=9) and 5.0 U/ml chABC treatment group (n=9). After performing TBI by free falling in the later 4 groups, rats of the model group were given no treatment, while those of the other 3 groups were administrated with different concentrations of chABC by local injection respectively. One, 2 and 4 w after TBI, HE staining was performed on the brain tissues of these rat models;and immunohistochemical assay and Western blotting were employed to evaluate the secreting of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and the therapeutic effect of chABC on glial scar. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test. Results Pathological test revealed the scars in the treatment groups were significantly fewer than those in the model group 2 w after TBI, with 5.0 U/mL chABC treatment group enjoying the fewest level (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical assay showed that the secreting of CSPGs in the treatment groups and model group was significantly increased than that in normal control group 2 w after TBI (P<0.05);the 5.0 U/ml chABC treatment group showed an obvious reduction of CSPGs secreting as compared with the model group (P<0.05). Western blotting indicated that the treatment groups showed an obvious reduction of CSPGs secreting as compared with the model group 1, 2 and 4 w after TBI (P<0.05);an obvious gradual reduction of CSPGs secreting in the model group, 2.5 and 5.0 U/ml chABC treatment groups was noted 1, 2 and 4 w after TBI (P<0.05). Conclusion ChABC could degrade the glial scar by degrading the CSPGs molecules and improve the microenvironment of local axonal regeneration after TBI;In this experiment, the highest concentration of chABC (5U/ml) shows the best effect on removing the glial scar.

Objective To analyze the gene expression profiles in relation to the migration ability of adult human bone marrow-derived neural stem cells (Md-NSCs), and identify the genetic basis of the high migration potential of Md-NSCs in the central nervous system (CNS). Methods Adult human bone marrow stromal celIs(BMSCs) obtained from adult healthy volunteers were induced to differentiate into Md-NSCs in vitro, and the expressions of the genes related to cell invasiveness and metastasis were investigated by microarray analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to verify the microarray results. Results The results of microarray analysis revealed significant overexpressions of the genes MMP1, MMP2, MMP17, ITGA3, RhoB, RhoC and RhoD in the Md-NSCs as compared with the expressions in fresh normal human adult bone marrow cells depleted of red blood cells. Quantitative RT-PCR verified the overexpression ofMMP2 gene by 2.84×100 folds, ITGA3 gene by 2.22×102folds, and RhoC gene by 4.92×100 folds. Conclusion The high migration potential of the Md-NSCs in the CNS is probably associated with the overexpression of the genes that promote cell invasiveness and metastasis. These overexpressed genes are also important oncogenes, and therefore the tumorigenicity of the Md-NSCs warrants further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and depakine (DP) on the changes of membrane potential and peroxidate in rat cortex neurons exposed to ferrous chloride (FeCl(2)).

METHODSCultured cortex neurons of newly born SD rats were randomly divided into control group (PBS group), model group (FeCl(2) group), NAC pretreatment group (NAC group), DP pretreatment group (DP group) and NAC+DP pretreatment group (NAC+DP group). In the latter three groups, NAC (0.08 mg/ml) and DP (0.1 mg/ml) were added in the cell culture 2 and 3 h before FeCl(2) (1 mmol/L) exposure, respectively. After exposure to FeCl(2), the membrane potential of the neurons was detected with fluorescent dye DiBAC4(3) (bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol), and the peroxidate level with 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (H(2)DCF) by laser confocal scanning microscope (LCSM) and nuclear factor-KappaB (NF-KappaB) level with immunocytochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with FeCl(2) group, the expression of NF-KappaB and peroxidate level in the neurons were decreased significantly in NAC and NAC+DP groups (P<0.01), but not in DP group (P>0.05). FeCl(2) depolarized the membrane potential and increased the expression of NF-KappaB in the neurons. Compared with FeCl(2) group, significant changes in the membrane potential were observed in DP and NAC+DP groups (P<0.01) but not in NAC or PBS group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth NAC and DP can protect the neurons from FeCl(2)-induced damage but through different pathways, and their combined use can significantly alleviate neuronal damages due to FeCl(2) exposure. Antioxidants such as NAC in combination with antiepileptic drugs may produce favorable effect in prevention and treatment of posttraumatic epilepsy.

Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Ferrous Compounds ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Peroxides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo express and purify the fusion protein of extracellular domain of human Ig domain-containing, neurite outgrowth inhibitor (Nogo) receptor-interacting protein-1 (LINGO-1(aa76-319)) in prokaryotic cells and prepare the rabbit anti-LINGO-1 polyclonal antibody (pAb).

METHODSThe 732 bp DNA sequence of hLINGO-1(aa76-319) was obtained from pCMV-SPORT6 by PCR and inserted into pET30a(+) plasmid to construct the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET30a(+)-hLINGO-1(aa76-319), which was subsequently transformed into E.coli. The target fusion protein was expressed with IPTG induction and purified by Ni(2+)-NTA affinity chromatography column. The antiserum against hLINGO-1(aa76-319) was obtained from the rabbits immunized with hLINGO-1(aa76-319), and the titer of the pAb was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and its specificity identified using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe prokaryotic expression plasmid pET30a(+)-hLINGO-1(aa76-319) was constructed successfully. Efficient expression of the target fusion protein was achieved with IPTG induction at the optimal concentration of 0.4 mmol/L and culture temperature at 37 degrees celsius; for 2.5 h. The hLINGO-1(aa76-319) fusion protein was effectively expressed in E.coli as inclusion bodies, and the soluble protein was obtained through denaturation and refolding procedures, and the purified fusion protein showed a purity above 90%. The titer of the anti-hLINGO-1(aa76-319) pAb obtained by immunizing the rabbits with the purified protein reached 1:1.6x10(6), and Western blotting confirmed its good specificity.

CONCLUSIONThe fusion protein hLINGO-1(aa76-319) with high purity has been obtained and the anti-hLINGO-1(aa76-319) pAb obtained shows a high titer and good specificity, which provide important experimental basis for further functional investigation of LINGO-1.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Specificity ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of superparamgnetic iron oxides (ferumoxides) on the survival and proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and determine the optimal ferumoxides concentration for labeling.

METHODSBone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were obtained from rat femoral marrow and cultured in vitro to induce their differentiation into NSCs. Ferumoxides labeling of the NSCs was performed with different final concentrations of ferumoxides, and the labeling efficiency and viability of the labeled NSCs were evaluated by Prussian blue staining, MTT assay, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe NSCs could be effectively labeled with ferumoxides with a labeling efficiency of around 90%. Prussian blue staining showed numerous fine granules with blue staining in the cytoplasm of the labeled NSCs, and the intensity of the blue staining was in positive correlation with the ferumoxide concentration for labeling. Transmission electron microscopy of the labeled NSCs revealed the presence of numerous vesicles spreading in the cytoplasm and filled with electron-dense magnetic iron particles. The ferumoxides vesicles increased with the labeling concentration of ferumoxides, and at the final concentration exceeding 25 microg/ml, ferumoxides vesicles in the NSCs gave rise to conglomeration which hampered observation of the cellular ultrastructure by transmission electron microscope. The results of flow cytometry and MTT assay demonstrated that the cell viability, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of the labeled cells were affected by ferumoxides at the concentration above 25 microg/ml, but such effects could be minimal at lower concentrations.

CONCLUSIONFerumoxides might be feasible for in vitro labeling of the NSCs with the optimal concentration of 25 microg/ml.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dextrans ; Ferrosoferric Oxide ; Iron ; pharmacology ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Neurons ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; ultrastructure

Objective To analyze the feasibility of local LINGO-1 polyclonal antibody administration for treatment of spinal cord injury in adult rats. Methods Twenty-four adult female SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, rabbit IgG group and LINGO-1 antibody group. In the latter two groups, partial transaction of the T9 segment of the spinal cord was performed to completely sever the dorsal eorticospinal tract, followed immediately by administration of rabbit IgG and anti-LINGO polyclonal antibody via a mini-osmotic pump, respectively. At 3 and 28 days after the operation, the T8～10 segments of the spinal cord were harvested to prepare cryosections, and immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the penetration of LINGO-1 polyclonal antibody into the spinal cord tissue and its specific binding to LINGO-1 molecules. Results In LINGO-1 antibody group, the presence of rabbit antibodies was detected at the injured sites of the spinal cord at 3 and 28 days after the operation. The mean immunofluorescence density was significantly lower in L1NGO-1 antibody group than in rabbit IgG group at 3 days after the operation (P<0.05). In rabbit IgG group, the mean immunofluorescence density for LINGO-1 in the crysections pre-treated with LINGO-1 polyclonal antibody was significantly lower than that in sections pre-treated with rabbit IgG(P<0.05). Conclusion Locally administered LINGO-1 polyclonal antibody can penetrate into the injured sites in the spinal cord in a wide time window and recognizes LINGO-1 molecule specifically, suggesting the feasibility of passive immunotherapy for spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the effect of nimesulide (NIM), a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on angiopoietins (Ang) gene expression of human glioma xenografts in nude mice and its significance. Methods Human SHG44 glioma cells were inoculated subcutaneously in 16 nude mice to establish xenograft models, and then these mouse models were randomly divided into NIM treatment group and control group. NIM (6 mg/kg) and saline were poured into the stomachs of the mice in each group, respectively, once daily for 35 d. The mRNA expressions of Ang-1 gene and Ang-2 gene in the xenografts were determined by RT-PCR. Microvessel density (MVD) in the xenografts was assessed by immunohistochemical technique. The tumor growth curve was drawn and the inhibition ratio of tumor growth was calculated. Results NIM could significantly inhibit the glioma xenografts growth with its inhibition rate reaching 42.03%. The mRNA expression of Ang-2 gene in NIM treatment group (0.2032±0.0185) was significantly lower than that in control group (0.6024±0.0289, P＜0.05), but that of Ang-1 gene showed no significant changes; therefore, the mRNA ratio of Ang-2/Ang-1 genes was decreased (0.5825±0.0621 vs. 1.5847±0.1948, P＜0.05). MVD in the xenografts of the NIM treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion NIM, by down-regulating the mRNA expression ofA ng-2 gene and changing the mRNA ratio of Ang-2/Ang-1 genes, can inhibit the tumor growth