Inhibition of autophagy enhances apoptosis induced by bortezomib in AML cells

Bortezomib is a novel proteasome inhibitor, which has been successfully used to treat mantle cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. However, the direct effects of bortezomib on acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) have not been fully investigated. In the present study, the WST-8 assay, western blotting, flow cytometry, monodansylcadaverine staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed. It was demonstrated that bortezomib treatment induced a time- and dose-dependent decrease in the viability of NB4 cells. Bortezomib treatment induced cell apoptosis in NB4 cells, as assessed by Annexin V/propidium iodide analysis, and the detection of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, Bax and Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, bortezomib treatment induced autophagy in NB4 cells, as indicated by autophagosome formation, p62 degradation, LC3-I to LC3-II conversion and formation of acidic autophagic vacuoles. Notably, autophagy induced by bortezomib was initiated prior to apoptosis. Inhibition of autophagy by knocking down Beclin-1 expression increased bortezomib-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells. Therefore, the present study revealed that the combination of bortezomib and autophagy inhibition may be a potential treatment strategy for APL.     

Pharmacological doses of melatonin impede cognitive decline in tau‐related Alzheimer models,once tauopathy is initiated,by restoring the autophagic flux

Alterations in autophagy are increasingly being recognized in the pathogenesis of proteinopathies like Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study was conducted to evaluate whether melatonin treatment could provide beneficial effects in an Alzheimer model related to tauopathy by improving the autophagic flux and, thereby, prevent cognitive decline. The injection of AAV‐hTau^P301L viral vectors and treatment/injection with okadaic acid were used to achieve mouse and human ex vivo, and in vivo tau‐related models. Melatonin (10 μmol/L) impeded oxidative stress, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cell death by restoring autophagy flux in the ex vivo models. In the in vivo studies, intracerebroventricular injection of AAV‐hTau^P301L increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus 7 days after the injection, without inducing cognitive impairment; however, when animals were maintained for 28 days, cognitive decline was apparent. Interestingly, late melatonin treatment (10 mg/kg), starting once the alterations mentioned above were established (from day 7 to day 28), reduced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and caspase‐3 activation; these observations correlated with restoration of the autophagy flux and memory improvement. This study highlights the importance of autophagic dysregulation in tauopathy and how administration of pharmacological doses of melatonin, once tauopathy is initiated, can restore the autophagy flux, reduce proteinopathy, and prevent cognitive decline. We therefore propose exogenous melatonin supplementation or the development of melatonin derivatives to improve autophagy flux for the treatment of proteinopathies like AD.     

基于“通肾络、益脾肾”治法研究足细胞凋亡及自噬

[目的]基于中医"通肾络、益脾肾"治法,探讨通络益肾方对体外高糖培养的小鼠肾小球足细胞自噬和凋亡蛋白SIRT1、BNIP3、P62、Bax表达的调控影响。[方法]成熟无特定病原体(SPF)级SD雄性大鼠40只,随机分为正常组、中药高、中、低剂量组各10只。按照人与大鼠体表面积折算方法计算出大鼠所需中药灌胃浓度:高剂量浓度4.76 g/mL、中剂量浓度2.38 g/mL、低剂量浓度1.19 g/m L,灌胃10 d取含药血清备用。足细胞分6组,正常组5.6 mmol/L葡萄糖+10%正常大鼠血清、高糖组30mmol/L葡萄糖+10%正常大鼠血清、通络益肾方含药血清高、中、低干预组30 mmol/L葡萄糖+10%高、中、低剂量大鼠血清、高渗组甘露醇24.5 mmol/L+10%正常大鼠血清。细胞培养48 h后收集,Hoechst33342荧光染色,观察各组足细胞凋亡状况及形态变化;流式细胞仪检测足细胞凋亡率;Western Blot检测细胞内自噬标志蛋白SIRT1、P62及促凋亡蛋白BNIP3、Bax表达水平。[结果]流式细胞仪检测结果显示通络益肾方中、低剂量组可降低高糖诱导的足细胞凋亡率(P0.01或P0.05),高剂量组不能改善凋亡情况(P0.05);Hoechst33342荧光染色观察结果也证实通络益肾方中、低剂量组可降低高糖诱导的足细胞凋亡率;蛋白印迹结果显示,与高糖组相比,通络益肾方中、低剂量组自噬标志蛋白SIRT1表达升高,自噬标志蛋白P62及促凋亡蛋白BNIP3、Bax蛋白表达下降(P0.05或P0.01),高剂量组SIRT1、BNIP3、P62、Bax蛋白表达未见明显改变(P0.05)。[结论]中剂量、低剂量通络益肾方能够启动细胞自噬减少高糖刺激下体外培养足细胞凋亡,降低细胞凋亡率及凋亡蛋白的表达。     

Survivin-shRNA对视网膜母细胞瘤HXO-RB44细胞自噬及凋亡的影响

目的:研究Survivin-shRNA对视网膜母细胞瘤HXO-RB44细胞自噬及凋亡的影响。方法:培养视网膜母细胞瘤HXO-RB44细胞，构建Survivin-shRNA载体。按照处理不同分为Survivin-shRNA组、GFP组和CON组。分别采用流式细胞术检测Survivin-shRNA对HXO-RB44细胞凋亡和细胞周期的影响，应用MTT法检测Survivin-shRNA对HXO-RB44细胞活性的影响，Western blot法检测Survivin-shRNA对HXO-RB44 细胞自噬相关蛋白LC3、p62 与mTOR 表达的影响。结果:流式细胞术结果表明，与Control组和GFP组相比，Survivin-shRNA组细胞凋亡率增加，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；随着作用时间的延长，S期出现阻滞，48 h阻滞最强，显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。MTT结果发现Survivin-shRNA可抑制HXO-RB44细胞增殖活性，与Control组和GFP组相比，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；Western blot结果发现，与对照组相比，LC3表达量显著增加（P＜0.01）；而mTOR表达量降低（P＜0.01）。结论:Survivin-shRNA可促进视网膜母细胞瘤HXO-RB44细胞的凋亡和自噬水平，进而特异性杀伤肿瘤细胞。     

丹蛭降糖胶囊通过mTOR/S6K1信号通路对糖尿病肾病大鼠的干预作用研究

目的研究丹蛭降糖胶囊对糖尿病肾病大鼠的肾脏病理改变和足细胞自噬水平的影响,初步探讨其相应的作用机制。方法选取GK大鼠40只,采用醋酸脱氧皮质酮-盐皮下注射联合高脂饲料喂养诱导糖尿病肾病模型。造模成功后随机分为模型组、丹蛭降糖胶囊低剂量组[0.54 g/(kg·d)]、高剂量组[1.08 g/(kg·d)]、缬沙坦组[10 mg/(kg·d)],每组10只。另选取10只同周龄正常Wistar大鼠作为正常组。模型组和正常组给予等容积生理盐水。连续灌胃10周后检测空腹血糖(FBG)、血肌酐(SCr)、尿素氮(BUN)和尿微量蛋白(U-mAlb)。Western Blot检测肾小球p-mTOR、p-S6K1、Beclin-1、LC3和Nephrin蛋白的表达,HE染色和PAS染色后于光镜下观察肾脏病理变化,电镜下观察各组亚细胞形态结构变化。结果与正常组比较,模型组FBG、SCr、BUN、U-mAlb水平升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,丹蛭降糖胶囊低、高剂量组和缬沙坦组U-mAlb水平降低(P<0.01)。模型组可见肾小球基底膜增厚,系膜基质沉积,足细胞损伤,各用药组均有不同程度改善,丹蛭降糖胶囊高剂量组足细胞内有较多自噬体形成。与正常组比较,模型组p-mTOR、p-S6K1的表达增高,Nephrin、Beclin-1和LC3的表达水平降低(P<0.01);与模型组比较,各用药组p-mTOR、p-S6K1的表达下降,Nephrin、Beclin-1和LC3的表达增高(P<0.01)。丹蛭降糖胶囊高剂量组和缬沙坦组Beclin1、LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ水平较丹蛭降糖胶囊低剂量组升高(P<0.05)。结论丹蛭降糖胶囊具有减轻糖尿病肾病大鼠U-mAIb、足细胞损伤及相关肾脏病理改变的作用,其机制可能与抑制mTOR/S6K1信号通路进而提高足细胞的自噬活性有关。     

Addressing risk management difficulties in children with food allergies

Risk is a concept inherent in every medical procedure. It can be defined as the probability of an adverse event in a defined population over a specified period of time. In the frame of food allergy management, it might be related to a diagnostic procedure, a treatment, or the consumption of foods. The risk of an adverse event can also be augmented by individual factors. This rostrum article discusses various aspects faced by children with food allergies in the light of risk, and their practical implications. Identifying personal risks for severe reaction, such as unstable asthma, and correcting them whenever possible also contribute to a reduction of the risk inherent to food allergy. Among the facets discussed, oral food challenges (OFC) are the most common diagnostic procedures implying an inherent risk. The risk of OFCs can be minimized by correct indication and timing of the test, a safe setting, as well as by ensuring that the patient is otherwise well without potential stressor potentially increasing the risk of a more severe reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been studied as a potential treatment for increasing the threshold dose for reaction, and thus reducing the risk of accidental reaction. Nevertheless, the procedure is not devoid of risk as the patients may and do often react during the course of the procedure. Ingestion of trace amounts in processed foods, mainly in community settings such as restaurants, schools, or day care, represents a potential risk of reactions, although for a minority of patients. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is a widespread strategy to reduce the potential risk of reactions due to traces. However, PAL is currently inefficient due to inconsistent labeling, also not indicating a clear maximum amount possibly present in the manufactured food. Finally, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered in risk management, as many risk reduction procedures are clearly not cost-effective.     

Prostaglandin E1, E2 and oxytocin in labor induction

The risks of induction must be carefully weighed against the risks of allowing the pregnancy to continue and not inducing labor. The aim of the study was to show labor and neonatal outcome of 335 deliveries inducted in 2004 at Institute of gynecology and obstetrics Clinical Center of Serbia. Inductions were performed with PGE2, PGE1 and Oxytocin. The best ripening effect was noted in PGE2 group. The average duration of labor was 8.6h in PGE1group, 5.9h in PGE2 group and 10.4h in OT group. Sixty eight labors finished with cesarean section (20%). Comparing duration of labor, percentage of emergency cesarean sections, incidence of fetal distress during the labor we suggest Dinoprostone, placed intracervically, as an agent of choice for induction of labor.     

Effect of Induction Therapy Protocols on Transplant Outcomes in Crossmatch Positive Renal Allograft Recipients Desensitized with IVIG

Here we retrospectively examine the efficacy of two antibody induction regimens using Zenapax or Thymoglobulin in patients with positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches (CDC-CMXs) desensitized with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). Between January 1999 and March 2005, 97 patients with (+) CDC-CMXs received kidney transplants (43 deceased donors/54 living donors). All patients received at least 2 g/kg IVIG (maximum four doses) until an acceptable CMX was obtained. Patients were divided into two groups: 1. IVIG + Zenapax (n = 58), 2. IVIG + Thymoglobulin (n = 39). A total of 94% of patients in Group 1 and 84% in G2 have at least 2 years of follow up. Patient and graft survival was 96%/84% in Group 1 and 100%/90% in Group 2, p = NS. The number and severity of AR episodes were similar (36% Group 1 vs. 31% Group 2, p = NS) as was the incidence of C4d (+) antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (Banff Grade II/III) (22% Group 1 vs. 21% Group 2). Mean serum creatinines (SCrs) at 24 months were similar (Group 1: 1.4 +/- 0.7 vs. G2: 1.5 +/- 0.7 mg/dL). Induction therapy with Zenapax or Thymoglobulin results in excellent patient, graft survival and graft function at 2 years. There was no increased risk of viral infections or malignancies with either agent. Neither agent was effective in reducing the incidence of AMR.