Blocking effects of extracellular Cd2+ on the inward rectifier potassium channel

AIM:To study the blocking effects of extracellular Cd²⁺ on the inward rectifier potassium channel (IRK1) expressed in the Xenopus oocytes. METHODS:Two-microelectrode voltage clamp (TEV) method was used. RESULTS:Cd²⁺ can concentration-, time- and voltage dependently block IRK1 instantaneous currents ( 1.5 ms after voltage applied ) when external Cd²⁺ concentration is 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 or 5.4 mmol/L with K⁺ concentration fixed to 90 mmol/L. Cd²⁺ almost has no effect on the gating property and outward currents of IRK1. Cd²⁺ can concentration-dependently increase the normalized conductance of IRK1. IRK1 can not permeate Cd²⁺ because reverse potential did not change. Three exponential fitting analyze indicates that time constant is not changed with the change in Cd²⁺ concentration. This shows that the inhibitory effects of Cd²⁺ may be caused by surface potential or the blocking site of Cd²⁺ is at the surface of the channel. Because external Cd²⁺ can not inhibit IRK1 macroscopic currents more powerfully when external Cd²⁺ concentration is lower. These mean that external Cd²⁺ does not work through surface potential mechanism.CONCLUSION:Cd²⁺ is considered as one of the fast open channel blockers of IRK1 and its blocking site is at the surface of the channel.     

Nuclear calcium oscillation in cultured neonatal rat myocytes

AIM: To determine whether nuclear Ca²⁺ is independently regulated from the cytosolic Ca²⁺ and nuclear Ca²⁺ oscillation induced by many modulating factors in cultured rat neonatal myocytes and its mechanism. METHODS: Rat neonatal cardiac myocytes were cultured, and fluo-4/AM was loaded as calcium probe. The changes of cytosolic and nuclear Ca²⁺ were observed by confocal laser microscopy. RESULTS: Calcium fluorescent intensity oscillated slightly in myocardiocytes and the average intensity was much higher in the nucleus than that in the cytosole. Ca²⁺ oscillation in nucleus and cytosole induced by norepinephrine, isoproperenol, ATP were completely blocked by Ca²⁺-ATPase antagonist thapsigargin (10^-6 mol/L),L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker verapermil (500 μmol/L) and KCl (20 mmol/L). Ca²⁺-ATPase antagonist thapsigargin completely blocked the propagation of Ca²⁺ waves and simutaneouly induced a temporary Ca²⁺ increase followed by a magnificient drop and loss of response to norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that generation and maintenance of calcium oscillation both in cytosole and nucleus depended on extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, membrane potential, Ca²⁺ release and uptake of cytosolic and nuclear calcium stores. The difference between cytosolic calcium and nuclear calcium indicated that calcium regulating system relatively independent of cytosole may exist in nucleus.     

Effect of Ba2+ concentration on L-type Ca2+ channel in hypothalamic neurons

AIM:To investigate the effect of Ba²⁺ concentration on L-type of Ca²⁺ channel in hypothalamic neurons.METHODS:The cell acute isolation technique and cell-attached patch-clamp technique were used.RESULTS:The slope conductance of L-type Ca²⁺ channel were 28.6 pS (110 mmol/L) and 19.1 pS (10 mmol/L), and the open probability (NP₀) obviously different with different Ba²⁺ concentration as carrier. CONCLUSION:Ba²⁺ concentration had the obvious effect on the L-type Ca²⁺ channel.     

Interleukin-2 altered the frequency -dependent relationship of intracellular calcium in rat ventricular myocytes

AIM:We examined the effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on calcium handling of rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS:The effects of steady state and transient changes in stimulus frequency on the intracellular calcium transient were investigated in the isolated ventricular myocytes with spectrofluorometry technique. RESULTS: Under the steady state (0.2 Hz), IL-2 at 2×10⁵U/L decreased the peak [Ca²⁺] i and amplitude of the [Ca²⁺]i transient, increased the diastolic calcium level, and prolonged the decay of the calcium transient. At 1.25 mmol/L of extracellular [Ca²⁺], when increasing the stimulus frequency from 0.2 to 1.0 Hz, diastolic calcium level and peak [Ca²⁺] i as well as the amplitude of the transient were increased. The positive frequency relationship was blunted in the IL-2-treated myocytes and this was not normalized by increasing extracellular [Ca²⁺] to 2.5 mmol/L. The caffeine induced Ca²⁺ release was increased with increase in stimulus frequency. IL-2 inhibited the frequency relationship of caffeine induced Ca²⁺ release. The restitution was not different between control and IL-2 groups at the 1.25 mmol/L of extracellular [Ca²⁺], which was slowed in IL-2-treated myocytes when the extracellular [Ca²⁺] was increased to 2.5 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS:It is concluded that the blunted frequency response of IL-2-treated myocytes was resulted from the decrease in SR Ca²⁺ release, which was related to depression of SR function. Despite the evidence of depressed SR Ca²⁺ uptake, the restitution of calcium transient at 1.25 mmol/L of extracellular remains unchanged, which maybe due to the increase in the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger activity.     

Changes of myocardial nuclear membrane Ca2+-ATPase function in ischemia/reperfusion injury

AIM: The changes of myocardial nuclear membrane Ca²⁺ -ATPase function was investigated in ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: The model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was established in rats. Myocardial nuclei were purified with sucrose density centrifugation, the activity of Ca²⁺ -ATPase was measured and calcium uptake was assayed with [⁴⁵ Ca²⁺ ] . RESULTS: Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and free fatty acid (FFA) in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury increased significantly( P<0.01 vs control). Ca²⁺ -ATPase activity and [⁴⁵ Ca²⁺ ] uptake was lower than normal at below 10 μmol/L, while higher at 50 μmol/L. CONCLUSION:These data indicate dysfunction of nuclear menbrane calcium pump and [⁴⁵ Ca²⁺ ] uptake function in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of potassium channels in the regulation of intracellular free calcium concentration ( [Ca²⁺]_i) of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in rats. METHODS: The fluorescence Ca²⁺ indicator Fura-2/AM was used to observe [Ca²⁺]_i of rat PASMCs in normal and chronic hypoxic condition. The influences of potassium channels on PASMCs proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. RESULTS: 1. In normoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (156.91±8.60) nmol/L, and in hypoxic condition, [Ca²⁺]_i was (294.01±16.81) nmol/L. 2. In normoxic condition, the voltage-dependent K⁺-channel antagonist 4-aminopyridine (4AP), but not the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺-channel antagonist tetraethylammonium (TEA) and the ATP-sensitive K⁺-channel antagonist glibenclamide (Glib) increased [Ca²⁺]_i. 3. In hypoxic condition, 4AP and TEA caused the rise in [Ca²⁺]_i , but Glib had no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. 4. MTT assay showed that 4AP increased the value of absorbing light degree (A value) in normoxic and hypoxic condition (0.582±0.062,0.873±0.043,respectively, P＜0.01), TEA increased A value only in hypoxic condition, and Glib had no effect on the proliferation of PASMCs. CONCLUSIONS: K_V plays an important role in the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs. K_Ca serves as distinct responsive roles in the regulation of proliferation of PASMCs in hypoxic condition. K_ATP has no effect on [Ca²⁺]_i and proliferation of PASMCs in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.     

Metallothionein protects rat hepatic nuclear nucleoside triphosphatase from hydroxyl radical-induced suppression

AIM:Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins that exert cytoprotection during metal exposure and oxidative stress. The present study was designed to investigate whether MT can directly protect NTPase on nuclear envelope from damage induced by hydroxyl radical.METHODS:Isolated hepatic nuclei from rat liver were exposed to Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ with or without MT, and the NTPase activity on nuclei was assayed using ATP and GTP as substrate, respectively.RESULTS:Incubation of rat hepatic nuclei with the Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ (in μmol·L^-1/μmol·L^-1 : 0.1/0.5, 0.5/2.5, 1/5, 5/25) resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in nuclear NTPase activities (P＜0.01). Incubation of hepatic nuclei with different concentrations of MT (10^-9-10^-4mol·L^-1)and Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ (1 μmol·L^-1/5 μmol·L^-1) for 10 min, nuclear NTPase activities were increased in a MT concentration-dependent fashion as compared with that of incubation with Fe²⁺/H₂O₂(1 μmol·L^-1/5 μmol·L^-1) alone. When MT was at 10^-4 mol·L^-1, TNPase activities reversed to (102±10) nmol·mg^-1 protein·min^-1(for ATP as substrated) and (131±12) μmol·g^-1 protein·min^-1(for GTP as substrate), which had no significant defferences from that of the controls (112±8 and 142±10 μmol·g^-1 protein·min^-1, respectively) (P＞0.05). In addition, incubation of hepatic nuclei with only MT had no effect on nuclear NTPase activity. CONCLUSION:These data demonstrate that hydroxyl radical generated from Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ might attack nuclear NTPase. MT antagonistically reduces toxicity of Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ system to the NTPase.     

LPS induced macrophage priming effect on O2- production and its signal mechanisms

AIM:To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) priming on macrophage(MΦ).METHODS:Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 were pretreated with or without LPS for 1 h, then challenged with PMA, or LPS, muramyl dipeptide(MDP), Zymosan, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine(FMLP) for 1 h. O₂^- production in supernatants and intracellular free calcium([Ca²⁺]i) were measured, and changes in [Ca²⁺]i and LPS induced O₂^- production were compared.RESULTS:LPS pretreatment significantly increased O₂^- production in RAW264.7 cells challenged with the stimuli, and in a certain extent, both O₂^- production and increase of resting intracellular [Ca²⁺]i were dose- and time-dependent on LPS pretreatment.Furthermore, the peak [Ca²⁺]i was significantly higher in LPS pretreated groups than that of LPS unpretreated groups when challenged with PMA. Pretreatment with Ca²⁺ inophore A23187 mimicked the LPS priming effects on O₂^- production, but pretreatment with Ca²⁺ chelator BAPTA and EGTA blocked this priming effect.CONCLUSION:LPS-induced MΦ priming effect on O₂^- production is dependent on elevation of resting intracellular [Ca²⁺]i.     

Effect of NCA on excitation-contraction coupling of cardiac muscle from phospholamban knockout mice

AIM: Nitroxyl(HNO) increases myofilament Ca²⁺ responsiveness relative to increases in intracellular Ca²⁺ in cardiac muscle. In this study, we further investigated this effect of HNO on trabecular muscles from phospholamban knockout(PLB-KO) and wide-type(WT) mice using a novel HNO donor, 1-nitrosocyclohexyl acetate(NCA). METHODS: Trabecular muscles were dissected from the right ventricles of the rat hearts and mounted between a force transducer and a motor arm. The muscles were superfused with K-H solution(pH 7.4) at room temperature. Fura-2 was loaded into the trabecular muscles via electrophoresis. The length of the sarcomere was set to 2.2~2.3μm. During steady-state activations, the maximal Ca²⁺-activated force and Ca²⁺ required for 50% activation were measured. RESULTS: The intracellular Ca²⁺ transients and force of the PLB-KO muscles at baseline were higher than those of the WT muscles and exhibited a negative force-frequency relationship(FFR). NCA(2.5μmol/L) increased systolic force in both PLB-KO group and WT group at any given[Ca²⁺]_o. However, there was more dramatic increase in the force development due to moderate increases in the intracellular Ca²⁺ transients in the WT muscles when external Ca²⁺ increased from 1.5 to 4.5 mmol/L under NCA. NCA did not affect the negative FFR in PLB-KO muscle. Steady-state force-Ca²⁺ relations obtained from skinned muscles were not different between the 2 groups, while NCA increased Ca²⁺ responsiveness in skinned muscles from both PLB-KO and WT mice.CONCLUSION: HNO increases force development in both PLB-KO and WT muscles as a result of increases in myofilament Ca²⁺ responsiveness. The increased intracellular Ca²⁺ transients are accompanied by greater force development in WT mice, suggesting that HNO improves Ca²⁺ activation and establishes HNO as a positive inotropic agent with novel mechanisms.     

Effects of Ca2+on the releases of ET-1, NO and PGI2 from bovine coronary artery endothelial cells during hypoxia

AIM: To explore the mechanism of ET-1, NO and PGI² release from coronary artery endothelial cells(CAEC) induced by acute hypoxia. METHODS: Bovine coronary artery endothelial cells were cultured and [⁴⁵ Ca²⁺] was used to investigate the difference of calcium uptake between normoxia group and hypoxia group(3% O₂). The contents of ET-1, NO and PGI² in media of normoxia group, hypoxia group and hypoxia + verapamil group were measured 24 h after hypoxia. RESULTS: [ ⁴⁵ Ca²⁺] uptake by CAEC in hypoxia group was 1.9 times more than normoxia group(P< 0.01). Hypoxia + verapamil group released more PGI², ET-1 and less NO than hypoxia group(P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Changes of ET-1, NO and PGI² releases during hypoxia may be caused by the inflow of Ca²⁺ into coronary artery endothelial cells.     

Foam cell formation and intracellular Ca2+ alteration

AIM:These studies aimed at exploring the alteration of intracellular Ca²⁺ level in the course of macrophage-derived foam cell formation as well as its mechanism.METHODS:Foam-like cell was generated by peritoneal macrophage of C57BL/6J mouse, which is susceptible to atherosclerosis, incubated in 10 mg·L^-1 oxidized low density lipoprotein for 96 hours. With the technique of Ca²⁺ fluorescent indicator and the assay of NADH-oxidizing coupling spectrum-alteration, the intracellular Ca²⁺ level and membranous Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of the above foam-like cell were determined.RESULTS:The foam-like macrophage Ca²⁺ level was 2.7 times higher than the control macrophage, and the former Ca²⁺-ATPase activity was 24% of the later.CONCLUSION:The results suggested that macrophage-derived foam cell formation was connected with slow Ca²⁺ entry or release, which possibly derived from long-lasting opening of membranous Ca²⁺ channels at the early stage and irreversible inactivating of membranous Ca²⁺ pump at the late stage.     

氮素形态配比对莴笋品质和养分含量的影响

采用营养液培养方法研究氮素形态配比对莴笋产量和品质及养分含量的影响。结果表明:不同处理降低莴笋产量4.5%～13.2%,降低莴笋根重29.8%～48.2%,处理6除外;处理2和处理3莴笋VC含量提高15.6%～16.2%,,处理2增加莴笋可溶性糖含量14.0%,处理4降低莴笋氨基酸含量24.0%;不同氮素形态配比处理均降低莴笋硝酸盐含量达7.5%～42.0%,降低营养中硝态氮比例,增加铵态氮或者酰胺态氮比例提高莴笋全氮含量,对全磷和全钾含量影响不一致。综合分析表明,处理2（NH₄⁺:NO₃^-=2（Cl）:8）为最佳处理。     

Association between development of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and thymus CD4-CD25+ cells

AIM: To explore the correlation between development of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr) and thymus CD4^-CD25⁺ cells. METHODS: The ratios of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells to CD4+ T cells in thymus, spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood of mice from birth to mature and also the ratios of CD4^-CD25⁺ cells to CD4^- T cells in thymus were measured by flow cytometry. Purified CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells and CD4⁺CD25^- T cells were labeled with CFDA-SE, and then stimulated with various kinds of stimulators. RESULTS: The percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr in mouse spleen, lymph nodes and peripheral blood increased gradually, but not in thymus, from day one to week 10 of the age with rapid rising from day one to week 1. The percentages of CD4^-CD25⁺ cells in mouse thymus were quite high on day one after birth, and decreased rapidly from day one to week 1. Both CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr and CD4⁺CD25^- T cells showed no proliferation in response to ConA, while CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr showed a transient enlargement of cell size. Both CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr and CD4⁺CD25^- T cells underwent proliferation in response to PDB plus ionomycin. CD4⁺CD25^- T cells, but not CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr, showed a proliferative response to the stimulation of coated anti-CD3 plus soluble anti-CD28 antibody, however, CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr showed significant proliferation and CD4⁺CD25^- T cells showed a stronger response in addition of high dose of IL-2. CONCLUSION: The thymus CD4^-CD25⁺ cells are probably the precursor of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tr during cell development.     

Role of calcium ion in the cyotoxicity and DNA fragment induction in HL-60 cells by 6F isolated from Pteris semipinnata L.

AIM: To investigate the changes of cytosolic free calcium concentration([Ca²⁺]_i) and expression of Bcl-2 in HL-60 cells treated by 6F isolated from Pteris semipinnata L.(PSL), and to discuss the relations between calcium ion and cytotoxicity and DNA fragment induction effects of 6F. METHODS: HL-60 cells were used as in vitro model. [Ca²⁺]_i was measured on fluorescent spectrophotometry using Fura-2/AM as Ca²⁺ indicator. Bcl-2 expressing level was measured by flow cytometry. Tetrazolium salt(MTT) and diphenylamine staining methods were applied for cytotoxicity assay and DNA fragmentation detection, respectively. RESULTS: [Ca²⁺]_i increased obviously in a dose and time dependent manner after treated HL-60 cells with 6F. 6F decreased the expressing level of Bcl-2. Adding 2 mmol/L Ca²⁺ to the medium, or 1 mmol/L EDTA to chelate Ca²⁺, or 4 μmol/L calcium ionophore A 23187 to increase the concentration of cytosolic Ca²⁺, the DNA fragment induction by 6F was not affected, whereas the cytotoxicity of 6F was enhanced. 250 μmol/L Zn²⁺ attenuated the DNA fragment induction, and the cytotoxicity of 6F against HL-60 cells was enhanced significantly. CONCLUSION: It was speculated that the decreased expressing of Bcl-2 by compound 6F was related to increased [Ca²⁺]_i in HL-60 cells, and DNA fragment induction was possibly catalyzed by Ca²⁺ - independent DNase.     

Calcium-sensing receptor modulates pulmonary artery tension through G-protein-PLC-IP3 pathways

AIM: To observe the role of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the regulation of pulmonary artery tension. METHODS: The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was detected by laser-scanning confocal microscopy, and the pulmonary artery tension was determined by the pulmonary arterial ring technique. RESULTS: Increased levels of [Ca²⁺]_o or Gd³⁺ (an agonist of CaSR) induced the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i and pulmonary artery constriction in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, the effects of Ca²⁺ and Gd³⁺ were inhibited by U73122 and D609 (specific inhibitor of PLC), and 2-APB and heparin (specific antagonist of IP₃ receptor). However, U73343 (U73122 inactive analogue) did not take effect. CONCLUSION: CaSR may be involved in the regulation of pulmonary artery tension by increasing [Ca²⁺]_i through G-protein-PLC-IP₃ pathway.     

Establishment of method for PD-1 immunophenotype detection in TCR Vβ repertoire of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets

AIM:To establish the method for detecting the immunophenotype of immunosuppressive receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ repertoire of CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell subsets, therefore to evaluate the distribution of PD-1 in T-cell repertoire from human peripheral blood (PB). METHODS:The PB samples from 10 cases of healthy individuals (HI) were collected. Using multi-colored fluorescence flow cytometry, the distribution frequency of PD-1 in TCR Vβ repertoire was detected with a wide panel of anti-CD45, anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-PD-1 and 24 anti-TCR Vβ repertoire (IOTest^® Beta Mark TCR Vβ Repertoire Kit, containing 8 tubes which labeled A~H, each tube is a composite antibody of FITC and PE coupling, each cocktail contains antibodies direc-ted to 3 different Vβ subfamilies) monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS:The total number of the 24 TCR Vβ repertoire detected in CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells from 10 cases of HI was consistent with the Quick Reference Card data provided by the kit. The preliminary results showed that the frequency of Vβ usage in CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells was different. High usage of Vβ2, Vβ3, Vβ8, Vβ9, Vβ5.1, Vβ13.1 and Vβ13.2 was found in CD3⁺ T cells, while high usage of Vβ2, Vβ3, Vβ8, Vβ5.1, Vβ9 and Vβ13.1 in CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells, and high usage of Vβ1, Vβ2, Vβ3, Vβ9, Vβ13.1 and Vβ13.2 in CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells were also observed. Further analysis showed that the expression of PD-1 was detected in all 24 TCR Vβ subfamilies of CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells. The higher frequency of PD-1⁺ T cells was CD4⁺Vβ5.2⁺ T cells, whereas the higher frequency of PD1⁺ T cells in CD8⁺Vβ11⁺ and CD8⁺Vβ13.6⁺ T cells was detected. CONCLUSION:The method for detection of the immunosuppressive receptor PD-1 in TCR Vβ repertoire of T-cell subsets is successfully established, which provides a new method for further analysis of immunosuppressive characteristics of TCR Vβ repertoire in the patients with leukemia.     

Antagonistic effects of cyproheptadine and anisodamine on [Ca2+]i elevation induced by TNFα in endothelial cell strains

AIM: To study the effects of cyproheptadine (Cyp) and anisodamine (Ani) on the changes of intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) in single endothelial cells, and to explore the mechanisms of TNFα mediated shock and antishock actions of Cyp and Ani. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cell strains (ECV304) were seed in 35 mm tissue culture dish with 2 mL DMEM culture medium. The cultured cells were loaded by Fluo-3/AM. The spatial distribution and the dynamic changes of [Ca²⁺]_i in single endothelial cell was determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). RESULTS: [Ca²⁺]_i in single endothelial cell after stimulation of TNFα rapidly increased in a dose-dependent manner and approached the peak value within 60 seconds, afterwards, decreased and kept above the basal level. The confocal scanning image showed that [Ca²⁺]_i elevation was more obvious in nuclear than in cytoplasma, and decreased slowly. Cyp (3×10^-5, 6×10^-5 mol/L) and Ani (2×10^-5, 4×10^-5 mol·L^-1) markedly inhibited TNFα (1.2×10^-9 mol·L^-1)-induced [Ca²⁺]_i elevation. CONCLUSIONS: TNFα markedly induces elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i in single endothelial cell, it may be an important mechanism of TNFα-induced shock and tissue injury. Cyp and Ani obviously suppress TNFα-induced [Ca²⁺]_i elevation, which probably is one of the mechanisms of their antishock effects.     

Overexpression of integrin-linked kinase improves survival and proliferation of cardiac c-Kit+ cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) overexpression on survival and proliferation of cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells, and the role of ILK-overexpressing c-Kit⁺ cell transplantation in cardiac function in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model.METHODS: Cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells were isolated from the hearts of neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and cultured to prepare the ILK-c-Kit⁺ cells by infected with recombinant adenoviral vector harboring human wild-type ILK cDNA. The survival and proliferation of cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells were detected by cell counting and CCK-8 assay at 48 h after infection, respectively. The protein levels of cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells were examined by Western blot. MI was induced by coronary artery ligation in 40 adult rats. After 15 min, ILK-c-Kit⁺ cells were transplanted into the hearts by myocardial injection at 3 different sites in the infracted zone and border zone. All rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham group, MI plus saline injection group (MI group), MI plus null vector-infected cardiac c-Kit⁺ cell injection group (Ad-null-c-Kit⁺ cell group), and MI plus ILK-overexpressing cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells injection group (ILK-c-Kit⁺ cell group), with 10 rats in each group. At 2 weeks after MI, the protein levels of c-Kit in MI hearts were investigated by immunohistochemical assay. At 4 weeks, left ventricular function was examined by hemodynamic measurement.RESULTS: The survival and proliferation of cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells and the protein levels of cyclin D1 and PCNA were enhanced by ILK overexpression compared with Ad-null group. In MI rat model, the number of c-Kit⁺ cells was increased by ILK-c-Kit⁺ cell injection compared with Ad-null-c-Kit⁺ cell group at 2 weeks after MI. Cardiac function was significantly improved in ILK-c-Kit⁺ cell-transplanted rats.CONCLUSION: ILK overexpression improves survival and proliferation of cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells by increasing the protein levels of cyclin D1 and PCNA. ILK-c-Kit⁺ cell transplantation enhances the therapeutic efficiency of cardiac c-Kit⁺ cells in the post-MI hearts of rats.     

Intracellular calcium alterations induced by endotoxin and IL-1β in rabbit hypothalamic neurons

AIM: To investigate intracellular free calcium ( [Ca²⁺]i ) alterations in hypothalamus of febrile rabbits induced by endotoxin (ET), and compare with the effect of ET and IL-1β on i in hypothalamic neurocytes from normothermia rabbits. METHOD: The concentration of [Ca²⁺]i was determined by using spectrofluorometer and fluorescent Ca²⁺ probe fura-2 /Am. RESULTS: 1. A minute dose of ET (2 ng/mL) induced a significant rise in [Ca²⁺]i in hypothalamic neurocytes from normothermia rabbits. The rise in [Ca²⁺]i in hypothalamic neurocytes from febrile rabbits induced by intravenous injection of ET was also observed. 2. In hypothalamic neurocytes from normotheria rabbits, IL-1β failed to affect [Ca²⁺]i at concentrations of 100, 500, 1 000ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION:The action site of low concentration of calcium that plays a regulatory role during fever seems unlikely to be in cytosolic compartment of hypothalamic neurons. The change of [Ca²⁺]i in hypothalamic neurocytes by ET can not be considered the direct effect of IL-1β.