Via activating G-protein receptor transduction pathways,nitric oxide (NO),an important signal molecule,has a complex and diverse role which is closely related with activity and gene expression of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS).NO is involved in tumor related events such as cellular proliferation,migration,especially the angiogenic process,and it is closely related with the occurrence and progression of prostate cancer.NO donors and NOS inhibitors have anti-cancer and radio-chemotherapy enhancement roles.

Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-? (PPAR-?) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and participates in the regulation of various metabolic pathways as well as inflammatory responses. PPAR-? ligands significantly improve myocardial functional recovery and prevent ischemia-reperfusion induced injury. Given the increasing understanding of the cardioprotective effects of PPAR-? ligands,we know today that the therapeutic effects of PPAR-? ligands reach far beyond their use as insulin-sensitizers,as many of these agents exert beneficial effects in the conditions associated with ischemia-reperfusion and inflammation.

Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and participates in the regulation of various metabolic pathways as well as inflammatory responses. PPAR-γ ligands significantly improve myocardial functional recovery and prevent ischemia-reperfusion induced injury. Given the increasing understanding of the cardioprotective effects of PPAR-γ ligands, we know today that the therapeutic effects of PPAR-γ ligands reach far beyond their use as insulin-sensitizers, as many of these agents exert beneficial effects in the conditions associated with ischemia-reperfusion and inflammation.

Pericytes are a very important cellular constituent of the blood-brain barrier.They play a regulatory role in brain angiogenesis,endothelial cell tight junction formation,blood-brain barrier differentiation,microvascular dynamic motion and structural stability.Pericytes exhibit unique functional characteristics in some diseases,such as cerebrovascular disease,neurodegenerative disease,neuroimmune disease and traumatic brain injury.This article reviews the roles of pericytes in the blood-brain barrier.

Objective To isolate CESs by dynabeads coated with the specific antibody of CD146 from peripheral blood and its origin was identified.Methods One mL blood with or without admixed HUVECs was diluted(1∶2) in PBS-0.1% BSA.Anti-CD146-coated Dynabeads were added and incubated for 30mins at(4 ℃).Cells bound to anti-CD146-coupled beads were separated from blood in Dynal MPC and then washed and resuspended in(4 mL) buffer.After 4 additional washes with PBS-0.1% BSA using the magnet,the rosetted cells were flushed from the tube wall with (100 ?L) of PBS-BSA with acridine orange or Giemsa,and counted in a hemocytometer in a inverse phase contrast fluorescence microscope.Results The amount of CECs in healthy adult was 10.5(6～16.5)/mL(n=42).The recovery rate was 91%.Isolated CECs were confirmed by positive expression of vWF and CD31.Conclusion Isolation of CECs from blood by immunomagnetic beads coated with antibody of CD146 is characterized by its accuracy,time-saving,high recovery rate,less contaimination of blood and less damage to CECs.It can be used to quantify CECs and to analyze the functional performance of CECs from patients with vascular injury diseases.

Objective To investigate the functions of Monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.Methods MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with GFP-tagged MCPIP1 by Tet-on inducing expression system.Endogenous MCPIP1 was knocked down by stable expressing shRNA.MTT assay was performed to measure the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells after overexpression or knockdown of MCPIP1.FACS method was used to analyze cell cycle in MDA-MB-231 cells.Real-time PCR was used to test the expression of cell cycle-related mRNAs expression and their half-lives.RNA-IP experiment was conducted to detect the mRNA directly enriched by MCPIP1.Luciferase assay was performed to determine whether the mRNA decay was mediated through 3′UTR.Results MCPIP1 overexpression significantly inhibited cell proliferation(P<0.05), while knockdown MCPIP1 promoted cell proliferation with statistical significances (P<0.05).MCPIP1 induced cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 with statistical significance (P<0.01).MCPIP1 overexpression reduced the half-lives of cell cycle mRNAs (CDK2,CDK6,cyclin D1,cyclin E1,respectively) with significance (P<0.01).In addition, cell cycle-related mRNAs were able to be pulled down by GFP-MCPIP1 but not isotype IgG(P<0.05).Compared with control vector, MCPIP1 significant suppressed luciferase activities of all four 3′UTR reporters (P<0.05).Conclusions MCPIP1 functions as a tumor suppressor in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 through inducing G1 cell cycle arrest.

Objective To explore the method of primary isolation, cultivation and identification of rat brain microvessel pericytes. Methods The brain tissue of 10 3 week-old Wistar rats was separated sterilely. The brain microvessel fragments were separated using two-step enzyme digestion and one-step gradient centrifugation and were seeded in 35-mm dishes for primary culture. The cell morphology was observed by phase contrast microscopy; the immunofluorescence assay was used to identify the associated antigns, such as the α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium was used to determine the cell growth curve. Results Pericytes climbed out from the adherent brain microvascular fragments around,showing polygonal, and the cell fusion was 95％ after 12-14 days. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the molecular markers of the pericytes α-SMA and NG2 related antigens showed double positive, while the vWF and GFAP related antigens showed double negative and the cultured cells were confirmed as brain microvascular pericytes. The growth rate of primary cells was slower. The passage cells entered into logarithmic growth phase after 36 to 60 hours and entered into plateau phase after 72 to 108 hours. Conclusions This method may successfully isolate rat brain microvascular pericytes with higher purity.

Microcirculation dysfunction is involved in the onset of diabetes and its complications.The pathophysiological mechanisms behind the relationship between microcirculation and diabetes are multifactorial.Islet microcirculation dysfunction affects function of islet β cells.Impairment of microvascular vasomotion might be associated with insulin resistance.Microcirculation dysfunction of target organs mediates diabetic complications.

Objective To investigate the effect of Akt on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2).Methods The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes cultured in primary generation were treated with low concentrations of H2O2.The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was evaluated by the determination of average cell volume and protein content.The effects of Akt inhibitor on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by H2O2 was recorded.Western blot was performed to examine the phosphorylation of Akt induced by H2O2.ResultsH2O2 at 10 or 50 ?mol/L stimulated cardiomyocyte enlargement as measured by cell volume and the protein content per cell.The inhibitor of Akt inhibited the hypertrophic response of cardiomyoctes stimulated by H2O2.H2O2 increased the level of Akt phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes,while that is suppressed by the inhibitors of PI3K(phosphoinositide 3-kinase). Conclusion Akt signaling is involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by H2O2.

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of polyethylene glycol-conjugated hemoglobin (PEG-Hb) solution combined with cisplatin on the expression of erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor (EPO/EPOR) and tumor angiogenesis in cancer treatment.MethodsHeLa cells were injected subcutaneously into the right oxter of 3-4 weeks old BALB/c nude mice to establish cervical tumor xenograft model.Then animals were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=10) and treated respectively:group 1(control); group 2,cisplatin (5 mg/kg); group 3,PEG-Hb (0.6 g/kg); group 4 cisplatin (5 mg/kg) plus PEG-Hb (0.6 g/kg).The volume oftumors in each groups were measured in 4 weeks treatment period.Efficacy was measured as percent tumor growth inhibition (TGI) relative to salinetreated group.CD31 was detected by immunohistochemistry and its expression was identified as microvascular density (MVD).Expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and EPO/EPOR in tumor tissues were analyzed by irnmunohistochemistry.EPOR protein level was tested by western blot.ELISA method was used in measuring EPO concentration in serum.ResultsTumor volume was significantly decreased in group 4 compared with other groups.Immunoreactivity data demonstrated lower expression of CD31,HIF-1α and EPO/EPOR in group 4.The expression of EPOR in the endothelial cells was also significantly decreased in group 4.Western-blot data indicated lower EPOR protein level in group 4.Serum level of EPO was also decreased in group 4.ConclusionPEG-Hb plus cisplatin is benefit to tumor tissue oxygenation,therefore it can inhibit the tumor angiogenesis and down regulate the erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor system.The result can provide more evidence for the enhanced sensitivity effect of the artificial oxygen carrier in cancer therapy.