Objective To observe the effect ofpolypyramidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) towards advanced glycation end products (AGEs) induced the apoptosis of Müller cells in vitro.Methods Experimental study.Müller cells were cultured and divided into groups according to the project design,plasmid enhanced green fluorescent protein-PSF were transfected into the cells to achieve the overexpression of PSF Müller cells in vitro,then cells were exposed to AGEs and the Morphological changes were observed by HE staining and Hoechst 33258 staining while the survival rate of cells were detected by MTT assay.The effects of PSF on AGEs-induced Müller apoptosis was measured by Cell Death Detection ELISA kit.Meanwhile,2',7'-diehlorofluorescin diaeetate staining was performed to monitor the protective effects of PSF on AGEs-induced Müller cells ROS.Results The morphology of cells in normal group was full and the cytoplasm staining was uniform.In N+AGEs group and Vec+AGEs group,cell volume decreased,cytoplasm was dense and concentrated,and eosinophilic staining was enhanced.The cell morphology of PSF+AGEs group was still full,with uniform cytoplasm staining and uniform nucleus staining.The viability of N+AGEs group,Vec+AGEs group and PSF+AGEs group were 0.42±0.11,0.35±0.12 and 0.68±0.12.The apoptosis values were 1.08 ± 0.16,0.96± 0.20 and 0.44± 0.08.The intracellular ROS levels were 28 833.67± 3 550.06,28 356.67±4 854.81,186 163.00±382.54.Compared with N+AGEs group and Vec+AGEs group,the cell viability of PSF+AGEs group was significantly improved (F=20.65,P=0.000),ce11 apoptosis value (F=43.43,P=0.000) and intracellular ROS level (F=1 8.86,P=0.000).Conclusion PSF overexpression play a protective role in AGEs-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the production of ROS in Müiller cells.

Objective To explore the role of forkhead box F2 (FoxF2) in the extracellular matrix of trabecular meshwork.Methods The cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs) were divided into Scramble control group and FoxF2 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) group,then FoxF2 shRNA,the FoxF2 restructuring interference carrier was built,HTMCs were infected with FoxF2 shRNA lentivirus.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of FoxF2 protein and extracellular matrix.Furthermore,Transwell counting experiment was used to analyze the migration ability of HTMCs.Results The cultured HTMCs grew well and showed a long spindle shape.The growth status of HTMCs was well,and their morphological characteristics were consistent with the HTMCs in vivo.The relative expression level of FoxF2 protein in the FoxF2 shRNA group was lower than that in the Scramble control group,with a significant difference between them (0.72 ± 0.02 vs.1.27 ± 0.05;t =16.68,P ＜ 0.01).The relative expression level of fibronectin (FN),collagen type Ⅰ (COL Ⅰ) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were 0.43±0.03,0.53 ±0.08 and O.86±0.15 in the FoxF2 shRNA group,and 0.87±0.04,1.66±0.06 and 1.73 ±0.13 in the Scramble control group,respectively,the relative expression levels of FN,COL Ⅰ and α-SMA in the FoxF2 shRNA group were significantly lower than those in the Scramble control group (t =15.08,18.81,7.50,all at P＜0.01).The migration number of HTMCs in the FoxF2 shRNA group was significantly lower than that in the Scramble control group (117.30±11.41 vs.251.00±10.37;t =8.72,P＜0.01).Conclusions The FoxF2 shRNA lentivirus are successfully constructed,which can decrease the expression of FoxF2 in HTMCs.Low expression of FoxF2 can reduce the expression level of extracellular matrix protein in HTMCs and inhibit the migration ability of HTMCs.

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of lentiviral vector miR-191 (LV-191) on retinal neovascularization (RNV) in mice model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR).Methods Eighty healthy 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups including normal group, non-intervention group, normal saline (NS) group, LV-191 group and LV-green fluorescent protein (GFP) group, 16 mice in each group. The OIR model was established in the non-intervention group, NS group, LV-191 group and LV-GFP group. NS group, LV-191 group and LV-GFP group were given an intravitreal injection of 1 μl of NS, LV-191 and LV-GFP at the age of 12 days. No injection was performed in the non-intervention group. In normal group,newborn mouse were maintained in room air form P0 to P17, and no treatment was performed. Mice in all five groups were euthanized at P17. Retinal neovasculation (RNV) was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and analysis of non-perfusion area area by immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) to detect miR -191 and P21 expression of retinal tissue.Results In the LV-191 group, the non-perfusion area were both significantly smaller than those in non-intervention group, NS group and LV-GFP group (F=127.20,P<0.001). The number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei in retinas from LV-191 group were obviously lower than those in the retinas from non-intervention group, NS group and LV-GFP group (F=31.71,P<0.05). RT-PCR showed that the LV-191 and P21 level of LV-191 group increased significantly than other groups (F=10.95, 15.60;P<0.05).Conclusion Intravitreal injection of LV-191 inhibits RNV in mice model of OIR possibly through up-regulating p21.

Objective To investigate the regulating effects of Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) on the apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) by activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway and explore the bio-molecular mechanism of KLF6/ATF4-induced HLECs apoptosis.Methods HLECs (HLE-B3) were cultured using high glucose DMEM medium.The eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-C2-ATF4 was transfected into the cells by liposome 2000 in the ATF4-transfected group,and pEGFP-C2 was transfected in the empty plasmid group.Then the cells were exposed to 20 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet ray B (UVB) for 200 seconds,The morphological changes of the cells were observed by hematoxylin & eosin staining and Hoechst33258 fluorescein staining.Cultured cells were transfected using pEGFP-C2-KLF6 and pEGFP-C2 plasmid and pSilencer-KLF6 (siKLF6) and pSilencer plasmid,respectively,and the expression of ATF4 protein in the cells was detected by Western blot assay.Culture cells were divided into four groups.pEGFP-C2 and pSilencer plasmids were co-transfected into the cells in the empty plasmid group;pEGFP-C2-KLF6 and pSilencer empty plasmid were co-transfected into the cells of the KLF6 + pSilencer group;pEGFP-C2 empty plasmid and pSilencer-ATF4 were co-transfected in the cells of the siATF4 + pEGFP-C2 group;pEGFP-C2-KLF6 and pSilencer-ATF4 plasmids were co-transfected in the cells of the KLF6 + siATF4 group,and then the cells were exposed to UVB.The apoptosis of the cells were detected by ELISA assay.Results Cultured cells grew well in the normal control group with the uniform morphology and regular arrangement.The karyopyknosis,karyorrhexis and enlargement of intercellular space were found in the cells exposed to UVB.In the ATF4 transfected group,the number of cells was decreased.The relative expression level of the ATF4 protein in the cells was 0.99±0.06 and 0.13±0.02 in the UVB+ATF4 transfected group and UVB+pEGFP-C2 plasmid group,respectively,with a significant difference between them (t =23.13,P＜0.01).The relative expression levels of KLF6 and ATF4 proteins in the KLF6 transfected group were higher than those in the empty plasmid group,and the relative expression levels of KLF6 and ATF4 proteins in the siKLF6 group were significantly lower than those in the empty plasmid group (all at P＜0.01).ELISA assay showed that the apoptotic rate in the ATF4 transfected group was 1.37± 0.11,which was significantly higher than 0.31 ±0.11 in the normal control group (t =8.034,P =0.001);the apoptotic rate of the cells was increased in the KLF6+pSilencer group and decreased in the siATF4+pEGFP-C2 group in comparison with the empty plasmid group (P＜0.01,P=0.02).In addition,the apoptotic rate in the KLF6+ siATF4 group was remarkably lower than that in the KLF6 + pSilencer group (P＜ 0.01).Conclusions KLF6 promotes the apoptosis of HLECs induced by UVB radiation.Silence of ATF4 gene reduces the apoptotic rate of the cells.ATF4 is probably a target factor in the regulating oathwav of KLF6 to apoptosis.

Objective To observe RNA-Seq analysis ofgene expression profiling in retinal vascular endothelial cells after anti-vascular endothecial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.Methods Retinal vascular endothelial cells were cultured in vitro,and the logarithmic growth phase cells were used for experiments.The cells were divided into the control group and high glucose group.The cells of two groups were cultured for 5 hours with 5,25 mmol/L glucose,respectively.And then,whole transcriptome sequencing approach was applied to the above two groups of cells through RNA-Seq.Now with biological big data obtained as a basis,to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs).And through enrichment analysis to explain the differential functions of DEGs and their signal pathways.Results The gene expression profiles of the two groups of cells were obtained.Through analysis,449 DEGs were found,including 297 upregulated and 152 downregulated ones.The functions of DEGs were influenced by regulations over molecular biological process,cellular energy metabolism and protein synthesis,etc.Among these genes,ITGB 1BP2,NCF 1 and UNC5C were related to production of inflammation;AKR1C4,ATP 1A3,CHST5,LCTL were related to energy metabolism of cells;DAB 1 and PRSS55 were related to protein synthesis;SMAD9 and BMP4 were related to the metabolism of extracellular matrix.GO enrichment analysis showed that DEGs mainly act in three ways:regulating biological behavior,organizing cellular component and performing molecular function,which were mainly concentrated in the system generation of biological process part and regulation of multicellular organisms.Pathway enrichment analysis showed that gene expressions of the two cell groups were differentiated in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway,complement pathway and amino acid metabolism-related pathways have also been affected,such as tryptophan,serine and cyanide.Among them,leukocyte inhibitory factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 4 play a role through the TGF-β signaling pathway.Conclusions High glucose affects the function of retinal vascular endothelial cells by destroying transmembrane conduction of retinal vascular endothelial cells,metabolism of extracellular matrix,and transcription and translation of proteins.

Objective To observe the synergistic effect of metformin and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.Methods This study was composed of clinical data review and in vitro cell experiment.Ten patients (12 eyes) with diabetic macular edema treated with antiVEGF drugs were included in the study.Patients were randomly divided into the VEGF group (anti-VEGF drug therapy) and the combined treatment group (anti-VEGF drug combined with metformin).The changes of visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT) were compared between the two groups.As far as the in vitro experiment was concerned,vascular endothelial cells were divided into the control group (normal cells),the VEGF group (50 ng/ml VEGF),the anti-VEGF group (50 ng/ml VEGF+2.5 μg/ml of conbercept),and the combined group (50 ng/ml VEGF +2.5 μg/ml of conbercept +2.0 mmol/L of metforrnin).And then MTT cell viability assay,scratch assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay were performed to analyze the cell viability,cell migration and mRNA level of VEGFR2,protein kinase C (PKC)-α and PKC-β successively.Results Review of clinical trial shows that the CRT recovery rates in the combined treatment group were much higher than that in the VEGF group at 3 month after the operation,while the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.462,P＜0.05).In vitro cell experiment results showed that VEGF induction upregulated the viability and mobility of vascular endothelial cells obviously compared with control group,at the same time,the use of anti VEGF drugs can effectively reverse the trend,in contrast,combination of metformin and anti-VEGF showed a more superior effect to some extent (P＜0.05).In the VEGF group,the mRNA expression of VEGFR2,PKC-αand PKC-[β were significantly increased compared with the control group (P＜ 0.01);while the mRNA expression of VEGFR2,PKC-αand PKC-β in the combination group decreased significantly compared with the VEGF group and the control group (P＜0.05).However,in the anti-VEGF group,the mRNA expression of VEGFR2,PKC-αand PKC-β were decreased,but has failed to reach the level of statistical learn the difference.Conclusions The combination ofmetformin and anti-VEGF drugs can reduce the CRT of diabetic retinopathy patients and inhibit the proliferation and migration of retinal vascular endothelial cells which induced by VEGF.The synergistic mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of metformin on the expression of VEGFR and PKC.

Objective To observe the protective effect of dl-3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) on apoptosis of retinal Müller cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).Methods Human retinal Müller cells cultured in vitro were divided into normal control group,model group (H2O2 group) and experimental group (H2O2+NBP group).The cells in the H2O2 group and H2O2+NBP group were cultured with 200 μ mol/L H2O2 for 2 h.Then the culture solution of the H2O2 group replace with complete medium and the H2O2+NBP group replace with complete medium containing 1 tmol/L NBP.The normal control group was a conventional cultured cells.Müller cells were identified by immunofluorescence staining.Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the apoptosis morphological changes.MTT assay was used to detect the activity of of retinal Müller cells after after 24 h and 48 h of NBP intervention.Hoechst33258 staining was used to observe the apoptosis.LIVE/DEAD (R)cell activity/cytotoxicity kit was used to detect cell viability.Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) + endoplasmic reticulum (ER) red fluorescent probe (ER-Tracker Red) double staining was used to observe the expression level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ER of cells.One-way ANOVA combined with Dunnett statistical method were used for data analysis.Results HE staining showed that the number of cells in H2O2+NBP group was higher than that in H2O2 group.MTT assay showed that after 24 h and 48 h of NBP intervention,the differences in cell viability between the normal control group and the H2O2 group,the H2O2 group and the H2O2+NBP group were statistically significant (t=28.96,3.658,47.58,20.33;P＜0.001,0.022).The results of Hoechst33258 showed that the nuclear nucleus of a few cells in the H2O2+NBP group was crescent-shaped and the nuclear fragmentation was reduced,and the blue fluorescence of the remaining cells was uniform.The LIVE/DEAD ~ cell activity/cytotoxicity kit showed that the number of dead cells with red fluorescence in the H2O2 group increased significantly,and the number of viable cells with green fluorescence decreased significantly.In the H2O2+NBP group,the number of viable cells with green fluorescence increased,and the number of dead cells with red fluorescence decreased.The double staining results of DCFH-DA+ER-Tracker Red showed that the green fluorescence intensity of H2O2 group was significantly enhanced;the green fluorescence intensity of H2O2+NBP group was lower than that of H2O2 group.Conclusion NBP alleviates H2O2-induced apoptosis of human retinal Müller cells by inhibiting ROS production.

Zfyve16 (a.k.a. endofin or endosome-associated FYVE-domain protein), a member of the FYVE-domain protein family, is involved in endosomal trafficking and in TGF-β, BMP, and EGFR signaling. The FYVE protein SARA regulates the TGF-β signaling pathway by recruiting Smad2/3 and accelerating their phosphorylation, thereby altering their susceptibility to TGF-β-mediated T cell suppression. Zfyve16 binds to Smad4 and their binding affects the formation of Smad2/3-Smad4 complex in TGF-β signaling. However, the in vivo function of Zfyve16 remains unknown. In this study, we generated a Zfyve16 knockout mouse strain (Zfyve16) and examined its hematopoietic phenotypes and hematopoietic reconstruction ability. The proportion of Tcells in the peripheral blood of Zfyve16 mice increases compared with that in wild-type mice. This finding is consistent with the role of Zfyve16 in facilitating TGF-β signaling. Unpredictably, B cell proliferation is inhibited in Zfyve16 mice. The proliferation potential of Zfyve16 B-lymphoid cells also significantly decreases in vitro. These results suggest that Zfyve16 inhibits the proliferation of T cells, possibly through the TGF-β signaling, but upregulates the proliferation of B-lymphoid cells.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins, Receptor-Regulated ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

Objective To assess the patient enablement level in a general hospital and its related factors,to investigate the relationship of patient enablement with patient's overall satisfaction and doctor's empathy levels.Methods Patients attending the Family Medicine Clinic of HKU-Shenzhen Hospital in September 2014 and met the inclusion criteria were asked to complete a questionnaire survey which included general characteristics,overall satisfaction;the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) and the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure Scale (CARE) after the consultation.Results Total 2 326 questionnaires were issued and 1 818 were retrieved,of which 1 478 were qualified questionnaires.The qualified rate of PEI was 81.3％ and the qualified rate of patient overall satisfaction was 96.28％.The positive rate of patient enablement was 97.70％ (1 444/1 478),and the mean score of PEI was 8.21 ±3.33.Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the PEI scores were not influenced by gender and education level of the patients,gender of the consulting doctors and initial/follow up consultation.The PEI scores were influenced by the age of the patients,the types of clinic (general practice/chronic practice clinic) and the reasons for consulting (P ＜ 0.05).There were correlations between PEI score and overall satisfaction of patients (r =0.383,P ＜ 0.001),patient's recommendation of the clinic (r =0.595,P ＜ 0.001) and CARE scores (r =0.546,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The results show that the PEI scores of patients visiting family medicine clinic of this hospital are higher than those reported in other studies.The PEI score may be influenced by the age of the patients,the types of clinic and the reasons for consulting.Positive correlations between patient enablement and the overall satisfaction,patient's recommendation and doctor empathy were observed.

Objective To assess the empathy level of general practitioners (GPs) in the outpatient clinics of a general hospital,and to investigate the related factors.Methods Patients attending the Family Medicine Clinic of HKU-Shenzhen Hospital in September 2014 and met the inclusion criteria were asked to complete the questionnaire which included general characteristics,overall satisfaction and the Measure-Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure (CARE) Scale after the consultation.Results Of the 1 818 questionnaires retrieved,1 690 CARE scales were completed (intact rate was 92.96%).The overall satisfaction rate was 95.92% (1 621/1 690).And 97.28% (1 644/1 690) of the patients would recommend family medicine service to their friends or relatives.The total score of CARE scale was (45.47±6.26),and the scores of 4 CARE components were (4.63 ± 0.59),(4.43 ± 0.81),(4.54 ± 0.69) and (4.55 ± 0.66),which showed significant difference (P<0.01).The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the mean CARE scores were not influenced by gender and education levels of the patients,gender of the consulting doctors,initial/follow up consultation,and the location of the consultation.The mean CARE scores were influenced by age of patients and the reasons for consulting (P<0.05).There was a moderate correlation of the CARE scores with the overall satisfaction of patients (r=0.613,P<0.001) and patient's recommendation of the clinic (r=0.466,P<0.001).Conclusion Doctors who were evaluated in this study have a higher empathy level than results from other countries.There is positive correlation between doctor's empathy level and patient's overall satisfaction.The result of doctor's empathy level may be influenced by patient's age and the reasons for consulting.