OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression, localization and regulatory effect on mitochondrial calcium signaling of Rictor in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESC-CMs). METHODS: Classical embryonic stem cell cardiomyogenesis model was used for differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The location of Rictor in ESC-CMs was investigated by immunofluorescence and Western blot. The expression of Rictor in mouse embryonic stem cells was interfered with lentiviral technology, then the superposition of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in ESC-CMs was detected with immunofluorescence method; the cellular ultrastructure of ESC-CMs was observed by transmission electron microscope; the mitochondrial calcium transients of ESC-CMs was detected by living cell workstation;immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction between 1,5,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3 receptor, IP3R), glucose-regulated protein 75 (Grp75) and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) in mitochondrial outer membrane; the expression of mitochondrial fusion protein (mitonusin-2, Mfn2) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Rictor was mainly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) in ESC-CMs. Immunofluorescence results showed that Rictor was highly overlapped with ER and mitochondria in ESC-CMs. After mitochondrial and ER were labeled with Mito-Tracker Red and ER-Tracker Green, it was demonstrated that the mitochondria of the myocardial cells in the Rictor group were scattered, and the superimposition rate of mitochondria and ER was lower than that of the negative control group (<0.01). The MAM structures were decreased in ESC-CMs after knockdown of Rictor. The results of the living cell workstation showed that the amplitude of mitochondrial calcium transients by ATP stimulation in ESC-CMs was decreased after knockdown of Rictor (<0.01). The results of co-immunoprecipitation showed that the interaction between IP3R, Grp75 and VDAC1 in the MAM structure of the cardiomyocytes in the Rictor group was significantly attenuated (<0.01); the results of Western blot showed that the expression of Mfn2 protein was significantly decreased (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Using lentiviral technology to interfere Rictor expression in mouse embryonic stem cells, the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria in ESC-CMs decreases, which may be affected by reducing the interaction of IP3R, Grp75, VDAC1 and decreasing the expression of Mfn2, leading to the damage of MAM structure.
Animals ; Calcium Signaling ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Protein Transport ; Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate if the positive postnatal environment could modify the schizo-phrenia-related behaviors caused by early maternal immune activation,and the interaction of this two pre-and postnatal factors.Methods The pregnant mice were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.The experimental groups were injected with polynosinic-polycytidylic acid(Poly I : C)(5mg/kg),via intra-venous route,at gestational day 9.The control groups were injected with the same volume of normal saline (NS)at the same gestational day.All offspring were housed in groups of littermates until postnatal day (PND)21 when they were weaned.Between PND22-PND60,offspring were divided into dull or enriched en-vironment(DE or EE)groups by sex and treatment.Different toys were put into the cages of enriched envi-ronment group every week,such as running wheels,climbing materials,swings and rollers.The dull environ-ment(DE)groups were kept the normal housing environment only with sawdust.At PND60,behavioral tests were conducted,such as prepulse inhibition(PPI),open field test,novel object/location recognition,social interaction test,as well as water maze test,were conducted to evaluate the performance of all offspring.After behavioral tests,all offspring were killed and the hippocampus were dissected.The western blot was used to analyze the expression of myelin basic protein in the hippocampus.Results (1)The percentage of PPI with early maternal immune activation of Poly I : C were significantly reduced when compared with control groups (female offspring:F=28.12,P<0.001;male offspring:F=14.76,P<0.01),suggesting the schizophrenia-like behavioral deficit in the offspring induced by early prenatal Poly I : C challenge.(2)In open field test,early maternal immune activation increased the moved distance and speed of the offspring compared with the con-trol groups(female offspring:distances,F=5.10,P<0.05,speed:F=5.19,P<0.05;male offspring:distances:F=6.76,P<0.05,velocity:F=6.85,P<0.05,vs each corresponding control).(3)Enriched environment in-creased the social interaction time of offspring with strange mouse in the social interaction test(female off-spring:EE group(101.30±6.83)s,DE group(76.50±5.59)s,F=9.41,P<0.01;male offspring:EE group(98. 52±6.82)s,DE group(75.82±3.95)s,F=7.95,P<0.01).(4)Enriched environment decreased the time for offspring to find the platform in water maze test(P<0.05).(5)The expression of myelin basic protein in hip-pocampus in offspring which received early maternal immune activation by Poly I : C was lower than that in the control groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The postnatal enriched environment increased the social interac-tion and the learning abilities of the offspring with early maternal immune activation by Poly I : C in water maze,and even more improved the perseveration behavior of the offspring induced by the early maternal im-mune activation.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in the treatment of idiopathic pulmo-nary fibrosis (IPF),and provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment. METHODS:Retrieved from Cochrane Library, PubMed,EMBase,CJFD,CBM,VIP Database and Wanfang Database,randomized controlled trials (RCT) about the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone (test group) versus placebo (control group) in the treatment of IPF were collected,and Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.1.7 software after data extracting and quality evaluating by modified Jadad. RESULTS:Totally 4 RCTs were enrolled,involving 1 153 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed the decrease value of lung capacity [WMD=0.39,95%CI(0.16,0.61), P<0.001] and decrease value of the percentage of forced vital capacity to expected value [RR=0.68, 95%CI(0.53,0.87),P=0.002] in test group were lower than control group,there was significant difference between 2 groups;there was no significant difference in the lowest oxygen saturation [WMD=0.53,95%CI(-0.78,1.84),P=0.43] between 2 groups,however,the results of subgroup analysis showed the remission degree of 1 200 mg/d PFD for the decrease of lowest oxy-gen saturation was superior to placebo group,there was significant difference between 2 groups [WMD=1.72,95%CI(1.33,2.10), P<0.001],but therewas no significant difference between the remission degree of 1800 mg/d and placebo;and there was no signifi-cant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between 2 groups [RR=1.70,95%CI(0.46,6.31),P=0.43],but the incidence of photosensitivity veactions in test group was significantly higher than that of control group,there was significant difference [RR=9.35,95%CI(4.23,20.67),P<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS:The efficacy of pirfenidone in the treatment of IPF is good,but the inci-dence of photosensitivity reactions should be noticed.

Objective To preliminarily investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of Senecio cannabifolius Less.Ⅱ(FHC-Ⅱ) on perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) inhalation-induced acute lung injury. Methods Totally 156 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group, the PFIB group and the FHC-Ⅱ prevention group, with 32, 62 and 62 rats in each group respectively. The FHC-Ⅱprevention group were given FHC-Ⅱthree times per day at the dosage of 340 mg/kg before PFIB exposure. 1 h after the last time of FHC-Ⅱ administration, the FHC-Ⅱ prevention group were exposured to gaseous PFIB (0.2 mg/L) for 10 minutes in a static whole-body exposure inhalation system. The survival rate of the rats were recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h post PFIB exposure;the lung index and total protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h and 24 h; IL-1β and IL-8 in sera were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 h post PFIB exposure and the histopathological examination of the lung tissue was performed at 8 h post PFIB exposure. Results FHC-II significantly reduced the content of the total protein in BALF, lung index and the levels of IL-1β and IL-8 in aera as well, and dramatically alleviated the histopathological changes in the lung tissue. Conclusion FHC-Ⅱ demonstrates some preventive effect on PFIB inhalation-induced acute lung injury in rats.

Objective By investigating the effects of AT1 and ERK2 signaling pathway in CHF,to study the effect of Guanxin-Shutong capsule on AT1,ERK2 expression in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods The CHF rat models were setup by coronary artery ligation,exhausting swimming and reducing feeding.Divided CHF rat methods into a model group,a lisinopril group,Qi-benefiting with Chinese medicine group,blood activating with Chinese medicine group,Qi benefiting and blood activating with Chinese medicine group(QBBA group) and Guanxin-Shutong capsule group.Rats without left coronary artery ligation were set for sham operated group.Real-time quantitative PCR technique and immunohistochemical method were adopted to detect AT1,ERK2 changes of CHF rats.Results AT1,ERK2 expression increased obviously in the model group compared with the sham operated group,and differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01).After treatment,AT1,ERK2 expression reduced significantly in QBBA group and Guanxin-Shutong capsule group than the lisinopril group.(P＞0.05).And therapeutic effect of Guanxin-Shutong capsule group was much better than other Chinese medicine treated group (P＜0.01).Conclusion Guanxin-Shutong capsule would achieve the goal of treating chronic heart failure By inhibiting the expression of AT1 and ERK2 in organizations,and inhibiting or reversing ventricular remodeling process.