Objective To investigate the effects of lncRNA/Hedgehog signaling pathway-mediated autophagy on chondrocyte function in osteoarthritis(OA).Methods Established an LPS-induced inflammatory chondrocyte model in OA chondrocytes(SW1353),and identified it through collagen Ⅱ immunofluorescence staining and toluidine blue staining,dividing the groups into Normal,LPS,LPS/lncRNA HHIP-AS1 inhibitor,and LPS/Scr groups.RT-qPCR was used to detect lncRNA HHIP-AS1 and HHIP expression in chondrocytes,Western blot was used to assess HHIP,Gli1,Gli2,LC3B-Ⅰ/Ⅱ,and p62 protein expression,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry(FC)were used to detect cell apoptosis,and immunofluorescence assay(IFA)was used to detect autophagy LC3B expression.Results When SW1 cells were treated with LPS,compared with normal chondrocytes,after LPS induction,the volume of chondrocytes increased,the number of vacuoli in the cytoplasm increased,the volume of the nucleus increased,the morphology of some cells was irregular,and the number relatively decreased.Toluidine blue staining and type Ⅱ collagen immunohistochemical staining decreased.LPS stimulation would induce cell death and autophagy.lncRNA HIP-AS1 and HHIP were upregulated(P<0.05),the key molecules of the Hedgehog signaling pathway HHIP,Gli1 and Gli2 were continuously upregulated(P<0.05),chondrocytes treated with LPS showed obvious apoptosis(P<0.05),and LC3B(green)accumulated.The biosynthesis and processing of LC3B increased(the levels of LC3B Ⅰ and Ⅱ increased),the degradation of p62 increased(P<0.05),and the lncRNA HIP-AS1 inhibitor reduced LPS-induced apoptosis of OA chondrocytes(decreased apoptosis rate)and autophagy(decreased autophagy rate of chondrocytes treated with LPS).The biosynthesis and processing of LC3B decreased(the levels of LC3B Ⅰ and Ⅱ decreased),and the degradation of p62 weakened),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The lncRNA HHIP-AS1 may inhibit LPS-induced OA chondrocyte apoptosis and autophagy by regulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate natural foci of tsutsugamushi disease whose incidence has increased in the Nan Peng Lie Islands in China, an area where this disease has not been previously recorded.

METHODSWe recorded the natural foci and isolated Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi) organism. We also studied prevention measures.

RESULTSThese islands had the natural foci of a south subtropical zone. The main host and vector were Rattus norvegicus and Leptotrombidium deliens (L. deliens), respectively. The seasonal quantity trends of Rattus norvegicus and Leptotrombidium deliens were consistent with the incidence of human infection. Thirty-five strains of O. tsutsugamushi were isolated from Rattus norvegicus and L. deliense. The identification of 7 strains showed that most strains were Karp. Seroepidemiology showed a high prevalence of antibody against O. tsatsugamushi among local people. After prevention measures were used, the incidence was decreased.

CONCLUSIONThis was the first successful confirmation that the Nan Peng Lie Islands were natural foci of tsutsugamushi disease.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Cattle ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Geography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Rats ; Scrub Typhus ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Seasons ; Sheep ; Species Specificity ; Tropical Climate

OBJECTIVETo identify genotype of eight strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi) isolated from Nan Peng Lie Islands in China and establish tsutsugamushi disease nature foci for this region.

METHODSThe nested polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were used. Three primers were selected from the DNA sequence of the gene encoding type-specific 56-kDa protein of the Karp strain. The positive products were digested by Hine II and Pst I, meanwhile profiles specific to each strain were analyzed.

RESULTSThree genotypes of O. tsutsugamushi including Karp, Kato and a new strain existed on Nan Peng Lie Islands.

CONCLUSIONNan Peng Lie Islands is tsutsugamushi disease nature foci.

Animals ; China ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Genotype ; Mice ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Rats