AIM： To explore the role of transforming growth factorbeta1 （TGF-β1）-smad signal transduction pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS： Thirty-six hepatocellular carcinoma specimens were obtaine...AIM： To explore the role of transforming growth factorbeta1 （TGF-β1）-smad signal transduction pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS： Thirty-six hepatocellular carcinoma specimens were obtained from Qidong Liver Cancer Institute and Department of Pathology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. All primary antibodies （polyclonal antibodies） to TGF-β1, type H Transforming growth factor-beta receptor （TβR-Ⅱ）, nuclear factor-kappaB （NF-KB）, CD34, smad4 and smad7, secondary antibodies and immunohistochemical kit were purchased from Zhongshan Biotechnology Limited Company （Beijing, China）. The expressions of TGF-β1, TβR-Ⅱ, NF- KB, smad4 and smad7 proteins in 36 specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and its adjacent tissue were separately detected by immunohistochemistry to observe the relationship between TGF-β1 and TβR-Ⅱ, between NF-KB and TGF-β1, between smad4 and smad7 and between TGF-β1 or TβR-Ⅱ and microvessel density （MVD）. MVD was determined by labelling the vessel endothelial cells with CD34. RESULTS： The expression of TGF-β1, smad7 and MVD was higher in HCC tissue than in adjacent HCC tissue （P〈0.01, P〈0.05,P〈0.01 respectively）. The expression of TβR-Ⅱ and smad4 was lower in HCC tissue than in its adjacent tissue （P〈0.01, P〈0.05 respectively）. The expression of TGF-β1 protein and NF-KB protein was consistent in HCC tissue. The expression of TGF-β1 and MVD was also consistent in HCC tissue. The expression of TIER- Ⅱ was negatively correlated with that of MVD in HCC tissue. CONCLUSION： The expressions of TGF-IB1, TβR- Ⅱ, NF-KB, smad4 and smad7 in HCC tissue, which are major up and down stream factors of TGF-β1-smad signal transduction pathway, are abnormal. These factors are closely related with NVD and may play an important role in HCC angiogenesis. The inhibitory action of TGF-β1 is weakened in hepatic carcinoma cells because of abnormality of TGF-β1 receptors （such as TI展开更多
Objective To investigate the role of transforming growth factor-131 （TGF-β1）/Smad4 pathway in development of renal fibrosis in streptozotocin （STZ）-induced diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats and explore its possibl...Objective To investigate the role of transforming growth factor-131 （TGF-β1）/Smad4 pathway in development of renal fibrosis in streptozotocin （STZ）-induced diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods Male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were divided into 5 groups： group A （ normal control）, group B [ diabetes mellitus （DM） 2 weeks ], group C （ DM 4 weeks）, group D （ DM 8 weeks）, and group E （ DM 16 weeks）. Except for the normal control group, other groups were induced DM by single injection of STZ （55 mg/kg） respectively. Blood glucose level, serum creatinine, and 24-hour urine protein were examined. Expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad4 protein and mRNA in kidney were detected using immunohistochemical technique, Western blot, and real-time PCR. mRNA expressions of stromelysin-1 （ MMP-3 ）, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （ TIMP-1 ）, and collagen Ⅲ in kidney were also detected by real-time PCR. Results The levels of blood glucose, serum creatinine, and 24-hour urine protein in rats of group B, C, D, and E were higher than those of the control group. With the progression of renal fibrosis, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad4 protein and mRNA in kidney of diabetic rats elevated. In addition, the renal MMP-3 mRNA expression diminished in diabetic rats, while TIMP-1 and collagen Ⅲ mRNA increased. Conclusions In STZ-induced diabetic rats, the TGF-β1/Smad4 appears to play an important role in renal fibrosis of DN. The increased expression of TGF-β1 and Smad4 might result in the transcriptional regulation of downstream target genes of TGF-β1/Smad4 pathway, which contributes to the progression of renal fibrosis in diabetic rats.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the role of emodin in protecting the liver against fibrogenesis caused by carbon tetrachloride （CCh） in rats and to further explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS： Rat models of experimenta...AIM： To investigate the role of emodin in protecting the liver against fibrogenesis caused by carbon tetrachloride （CCh） in rats and to further explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS： Rat models of experimental hepatic fibrosis were established by injection with CCh; the treated rats received emodin via oral administration at a dosage of 20 mg/kg twice a week at the same time. Rats injected with olive oil served as a normal group. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum and hepatic hydroxyproline content were assayed by biochemical analyses. The mRNA and protein relevant to hepatic stellate cell （HSC） activation in the liver were assessed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, immunohistochernistry, western blotting and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS： The degree of hepatic fibrosis increased markedly in the CCh group compared to the normal group （P 〈 0.01）, and decreased markedly in the emodin group compared to the CCI4 group according to METAVIR scale （P 〈 0.01） compared with those in the normal control group （51.02 ± 10.64 IU/L and 132.28 ± 18.14 IU/L）. The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in rats injected with CCh （289.25 ± 68.84 IU/L and 423.89 ± 35.67 IU/L, both P 〈 0.05）. The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly reduced by administration of emodin （176.34 ± 47.29 IU/L and 226.1 ± 44.52 IU/L, both P 〈 0.05）. Compared with the normal controls （54.53 ± 13.46 mg/g）, hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in rats injected with CCI4 （120.27 ± 28.47 mg/g, P 〈 0.05）. Hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly reduced in the rats treated with emodin at 20 mg/kg （71.25 ± 17.02 mg/g, P 〈 0.05）. Emodin significantly protected the liver from injury by reducing serum AST and ALT activities and reducing hepa展开更多
目的:观察荔枝核总黄酮(total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn,TFL)对二甲基亚硝胺(dimethylnitrosamine,DMN)诱导的肝纤维化大鼠肝脏组Smads信号通路中关键信号传导分子Smad3、Smad4及基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(tissue inhibitor of...目的:观察荔枝核总黄酮(total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn,TFL)对二甲基亚硝胺(dimethylnitrosamine,DMN)诱导的肝纤维化大鼠肝脏组Smads信号通路中关键信号传导分子Smad3、Smad4及基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1TIMP-1)表达水平的变化,探讨TFL抗肝纤维化的作用机制.方法:90只S D大鼠随机平均分成正常对照组、模型组、秋水仙碱组不同浓度的TFL[200、100、50 mg/(kg·d)].用DMN腹腔注射诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,造模同时灌胃给药.1次/d,共给6 wk,于实验第6周后处死大鼠,取血清测定谷丙转氨酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、谷草转氨酶(aspartate transaminase,AST)的含量.取留取肝脏同一部位行Masson染色观察大鼠病理改变及肝纤维化程度;免疫组织化学法检测Smad3、Smad4、TIMP-1表达量,实时荧光定量PCR检测(real-time quantitative PCR,qRT-PCR)检测Smad3、Smad4、TIMP-1m RNA表达量.结果:与模型组比较,TFL能降低血清ALT、AST含量,Masson染色病理显示TFL能显著减轻大鼠肝纤维化程度;与空白对照组比较,模型组大鼠的肝纤维化程度明显增加,肝组织Smad3、Smad4及TIMP-1的表达明显增强(P<0.05);与模型组比较,TFL各剂量组和秋水仙碱组肝组织Smad3、Smad4、TIMP-1的表达不同程度的降低(P<0.05).结论:T F L可减轻实验性大鼠肝损伤及改善肝纤维化程度,其机制与降低S m a d3、Smad4及TIMP-1的表达有密切关系,可能与改善肝功能、抑制肝细胞变性坏死,从而抑制胶原蛋白的合成和沉积减少细胞外基质有关.展开更多
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, No. BK2001168 Natural Science Foundation of Department of Education of Jiangsu Province, No. 02KJD320023 Science and Technology Innovation Foundation of Nanjing Medical University, No. CX2004004.
文摘AIM： To explore the role of transforming growth factorbeta1 （TGF-β1）-smad signal transduction pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS： Thirty-six hepatocellular carcinoma specimens were obtained from Qidong Liver Cancer Institute and Department of Pathology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. All primary antibodies （polyclonal antibodies） to TGF-β1, type H Transforming growth factor-beta receptor （TβR-Ⅱ）, nuclear factor-kappaB （NF-KB）, CD34, smad4 and smad7, secondary antibodies and immunohistochemical kit were purchased from Zhongshan Biotechnology Limited Company （Beijing, China）. The expressions of TGF-β1, TβR-Ⅱ, NF- KB, smad4 and smad7 proteins in 36 specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and its adjacent tissue were separately detected by immunohistochemistry to observe the relationship between TGF-β1 and TβR-Ⅱ, between NF-KB and TGF-β1, between smad4 and smad7 and between TGF-β1 or TβR-Ⅱ and microvessel density （MVD）. MVD was determined by labelling the vessel endothelial cells with CD34. RESULTS： The expression of TGF-β1, smad7 and MVD was higher in HCC tissue than in adjacent HCC tissue （P〈0.01, P〈0.05,P〈0.01 respectively）. The expression of TβR-Ⅱ and smad4 was lower in HCC tissue than in its adjacent tissue （P〈0.01, P〈0.05 respectively）. The expression of TGF-β1 protein and NF-KB protein was consistent in HCC tissue. The expression of TGF-β1 and MVD was also consistent in HCC tissue. The expression of TIER- Ⅱ was negatively correlated with that of MVD in HCC tissue. CONCLUSION： The expressions of TGF-IB1, TβR- Ⅱ, NF-KB, smad4 and smad7 in HCC tissue, which are major up and down stream factors of TGF-β1-smad signal transduction pathway, are abnormal. These factors are closely related with NVD and may play an important role in HCC angiogenesis. The inhibitory action of TGF-β1 is weakened in hepatic carcinoma cells because of abnormality of TGF-β1 receptors （such as TI
文摘Objective To investigate the role of transforming growth factor-131 （TGF-β1）/Smad4 pathway in development of renal fibrosis in streptozotocin （STZ）-induced diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods Male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were divided into 5 groups： group A （ normal control）, group B [ diabetes mellitus （DM） 2 weeks ], group C （ DM 4 weeks）, group D （ DM 8 weeks）, and group E （ DM 16 weeks）. Except for the normal control group, other groups were induced DM by single injection of STZ （55 mg/kg） respectively. Blood glucose level, serum creatinine, and 24-hour urine protein were examined. Expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad4 protein and mRNA in kidney were detected using immunohistochemical technique, Western blot, and real-time PCR. mRNA expressions of stromelysin-1 （ MMP-3 ）, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （ TIMP-1 ）, and collagen Ⅲ in kidney were also detected by real-time PCR. Results The levels of blood glucose, serum creatinine, and 24-hour urine protein in rats of group B, C, D, and E were higher than those of the control group. With the progression of renal fibrosis, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad4 protein and mRNA in kidney of diabetic rats elevated. In addition, the renal MMP-3 mRNA expression diminished in diabetic rats, while TIMP-1 and collagen Ⅲ mRNA increased. Conclusions In STZ-induced diabetic rats, the TGF-β1/Smad4 appears to play an important role in renal fibrosis of DN. The increased expression of TGF-β1 and Smad4 might result in the transcriptional regulation of downstream target genes of TGF-β1/Smad4 pathway, which contributes to the progression of renal fibrosis in diabetic rats.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30873396National Science Foundation for Post-doctoral Scientists of China,No.20080430140Qiqihar Foundation for Development of Science and Technology,China,No.05090
文摘AIM： To investigate the role of emodin in protecting the liver against fibrogenesis caused by carbon tetrachloride （CCh） in rats and to further explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS： Rat models of experimental hepatic fibrosis were established by injection with CCh; the treated rats received emodin via oral administration at a dosage of 20 mg/kg twice a week at the same time. Rats injected with olive oil served as a normal group. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum and hepatic hydroxyproline content were assayed by biochemical analyses. The mRNA and protein relevant to hepatic stellate cell （HSC） activation in the liver were assessed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, immunohistochernistry, western blotting and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS： The degree of hepatic fibrosis increased markedly in the CCh group compared to the normal group （P 〈 0.01）, and decreased markedly in the emodin group compared to the CCI4 group according to METAVIR scale （P 〈 0.01） compared with those in the normal control group （51.02 ± 10.64 IU/L and 132.28 ± 18.14 IU/L）. The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in rats injected with CCh （289.25 ± 68.84 IU/L and 423.89 ± 35.67 IU/L, both P 〈 0.05）. The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly reduced by administration of emodin （176.34 ± 47.29 IU/L and 226.1 ± 44.52 IU/L, both P 〈 0.05）. Compared with the normal controls （54.53 ± 13.46 mg/g）, hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in rats injected with CCI4 （120.27 ± 28.47 mg/g, P 〈 0.05）. Hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly reduced in the rats treated with emodin at 20 mg/kg （71.25 ± 17.02 mg/g, P 〈 0.05）. Emodin significantly protected the liver from injury by reducing serum AST and ALT activities and reducing hepa
文摘目的:观察荔枝核总黄酮(total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn,TFL)对二甲基亚硝胺(dimethylnitrosamine,DMN)诱导的肝纤维化大鼠肝脏组Smads信号通路中关键信号传导分子Smad3、Smad4及基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1TIMP-1)表达水平的变化,探讨TFL抗肝纤维化的作用机制.方法:90只S D大鼠随机平均分成正常对照组、模型组、秋水仙碱组不同浓度的TFL[200、100、50 mg/(kg·d)].用DMN腹腔注射诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,造模同时灌胃给药.1次/d,共给6 wk,于实验第6周后处死大鼠,取血清测定谷丙转氨酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、谷草转氨酶(aspartate transaminase,AST)的含量.取留取肝脏同一部位行Masson染色观察大鼠病理改变及肝纤维化程度;免疫组织化学法检测Smad3、Smad4、TIMP-1表达量,实时荧光定量PCR检测(real-time quantitative PCR,qRT-PCR)检测Smad3、Smad4、TIMP-1m RNA表达量.结果:与模型组比较,TFL能降低血清ALT、AST含量,Masson染色病理显示TFL能显著减轻大鼠肝纤维化程度;与空白对照组比较,模型组大鼠的肝纤维化程度明显增加,肝组织Smad3、Smad4及TIMP-1的表达明显增强(P<0.05);与模型组比较,TFL各剂量组和秋水仙碱组肝组织Smad3、Smad4、TIMP-1的表达不同程度的降低(P<0.05).结论:T F L可减轻实验性大鼠肝损伤及改善肝纤维化程度,其机制与降低S m a d3、Smad4及TIMP-1的表达有密切关系,可能与改善肝功能、抑制肝细胞变性坏死,从而抑制胶原蛋白的合成和沉积减少细胞外基质有关.
