Leukotriene production profiles and actions in the bovine endometrium during the oestrous cycle

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna J. Korzekwa ◽  
Robert Milewski ◽  
Martyna Łupicka ◽  
Dariusz J. Skarzynski

We have previously shown the influence of leukotrienes (LTs) on reproductive functions in vivo: LTB4 is luteotrophic and supports corpus luteum function inducing PGE2 and progesterone (P4) secretion, whereas LTC4 is luteolytic and stimulates PGF2α secretion in cattle. The aim of this study was to examine expression and production profiles of LTs and their actions in the endometrium. LT receptors (LTB4R for LTB4 and CysLTR2 for LTC4), 5-lipoxygenase (LO), 12-LO synthase (LTCS) and LTA4 hydrolase (LTAH) mRNA and protein expression, as well as LT production were measured in bovine endometrial tissue during the luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. The action of LTs on uterine function was studied by measuring the level of PGs after stimulating uterine slices with LTs on Days 8–10 of the cycle. Expression of 5-LO and LTB4R mRNA and protein were highest on Days 2–4 of the cycle, while CysLTR2 and LTCS were highest on Days 16–18 (P < 0.05). LTB4 concentration was highest on Days 2–4 of the cycle, whereas the greatest LTC4 level was on Days 16–18 (P < 0.05). Both LTB4 and C4 increased the content of PGE2 and F2α in endometrial slices at a dose of 10–7 M (P < 0.05). In summary, mRNA expression and activation of receptors for LTB4 and production occur in the first part of the cycle, whereas LTC4 and its receptors predominate at the end of the cycle. The 12-LO and 5-LO pathways are complementary routes of LT production in the bovine uterus.

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 096368972097873
Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Youming Zhu ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Tao Wu ◽  
Xianyu Zheng ◽  
...  

The lack of vasculogenesis often hampers the survivability and integration of newly engineered tissue grafts within the host. Autologous endothelial cells (ECs) are an ideal cell source for neovascularization, but they are limited by their scarcity, lack of proliferative capacity, and donor site morbidity upon isolation. The objective of this study was to determine whether differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) into the endothelial lineage can be enhanced by recombinant ETV2 overexpression. DPSCs were extracted from fresh dental pulp tissues. ETV2 overexpression in DPSCs was achieved by lentiviral infection and cellular morphological changes were evaluated. The mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial-specific markers were assessed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. The tube formation assay and Matrigel plug assay were also performed to evaluate the angiogenic potential of the ETV2-transduced cells in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Additionally, proteomic analysis was performed to analyze global changes in protein expression following ETV2 overexpression. After lentiviral infection, ETV2-overexpressing DPSCs showed endothelial-like morphology. Compared with control DPSCs, significantly higher mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial-specific genes, including CD31, VE-Cadherin, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2, were detected in ETV2-overexpressing DPSCs. Moreover, ETV2 overexpression enhanced capillary-like tube formation on Matrigel in vitro, as well as neovascularization in vivo. In addition, comparative proteomic profiling showed that ETV2 overexpression upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, which was indicative of increased VEGF signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that ETV2 overexpression significantly enhanced the endothelial differentiation of DPSCs. Thus, this study shows that DPSCs can be a promising candidate cell source for tissue engineering applications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Shang ◽  
Xiang Yu ◽  
Hui Ren ◽  
Gengyang Shen ◽  
Wenhua Zhao ◽  
...  

Extracts from plastrum testudinis (PTE) are active compounds that have been used to treat bone diseases in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In previous studies, we demonstrated their effects on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which PTE regulates the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in vitro remain poorly understood. In this study, rBMSCs were treated with medium (CON), PTE, osteogenic induction (OI), and a combination of PTE and OI (PTE+OI) over a 21-day period. We found that PTE significantly promoted rBMSCs osteogenic differentiation and mineralisation after 21 days of culturing. Moreover, PTE+OI further enhanced the differentiation and mineralisation process. PTE upregulated STE20, IGF1R, and p38 MAPK mRNA expression and downregulated TRAF6 mRNA expression. The extracts inhibited TRAF6 protein expression and promoted STE20, IGF1R, and phosphorylated p38 MAPK protein expression. Our results imply that PTE promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs by upregulating p38 MAPK, STE20, and IGF1R and downregulating TRAF6 expression, which may provide experimental evidence of the potential of PTE in the treatment of osteoporosis.


Rheumatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 2258-2263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Carvalheiro ◽  
Beatriz Malvar Fernández ◽  
Andrea Ottria ◽  
Barbara Giovannone ◽  
Wioleta Marut ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives SSc is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, vascular injury and excessive fibrosis in multiple organs. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular glycoprotein that regulates processes involved in SSc pathology, such as inflammation and fibrosis. In vivo and in vitro studies have implicated SPARC in SSc, but it is unclear if the pro-fibrotic effects of SPARC on fibroblasts are a result of intracellular signalling or fibroblast interactions with extracellular SPARC hampering further development of SPARC as a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to analyse the potential role of exogenous SPARC as a regulator of fibrosis in SSc. Methods Dermal fibroblasts from both healthy controls and SSc patients were stimulated with SPARC alone or in combination with TGF-β1, in the absence or presence of a TGF receptor 1 inhibitor. mRNA and protein expression of extracellular matrix components and other fibrosis-related mediators were measured by quantitative PCR and western blot. Results Exogenous SPARC induced mRNA and protein expression of collagen I, collagen IV, fibronectin 1, TGF-β and SPARC by dermal fibroblasts from SSc patients, but not from healthy controls. Importantly, exogenous SPARC induced the activation of the tyrosine kinase SMAD2 and pro-fibrotic gene expression induced by SPARC in SSc fibroblasts was abrogated by inhibition of TGF-β signalling. Conclusion These results indicate that exogenous SPARC is an important pro-fibrotic mediator contributing to the pathology driving SSc but in a TGF-β dependent manner. Therefore, SPARC could be a promising therapeutic target for reducing fibrosis in SSc patients, even in late states of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 64-71
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
Yu‐qing Xiong ◽  
Chun‐hua Xia ◽  
Xiao Hu

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Yuan Wu ◽  
Yu-Shih Lin ◽  
Yao-Hsu Yang ◽  
Li-Hsin Shu ◽  
Yu-Ching Cheng ◽  
...  

Outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 occurred in Wuhan and has rapidly spread to almost all parts of world. GB-1, the herbal formula from Tian Shang Sheng Mu of Chiayi Puzi Peitian Temple, is used for the prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 in Taiwan. In this study, we investigated that the effect of GB-1 and the index compounds of GB-1 on the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression through in vitro and in vivo study. In our result, GB-1 can inhibit ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein expression in HepG2 cells, 293T cells, and Caco-2 cells without cytotoxicity. For the mouse model, GB-1 treatment could decrease ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression levels of the lung and kidney tissue without adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. In the compositions of GB-1, 0.5–1 mg/ml of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. extract could not inhibit ACE2 mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells. In addition, theaflavin-3-gallate could inhibit protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 without significant cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that GB-1 and theaflavin-3-gallate could act as potential candidates for prophylaxis or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection through inhibiting protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 for the further study.


2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (4) ◽  
pp. H985-H994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanrui Zhang ◽  
Brandon Morgan ◽  
Barry J. Potter ◽  
Lixin Ma ◽  
Kevin C. Dellsperger ◽  
...  

Resveratrol is a natural phytophenol that exhibits cardioprotective effects. This study was designed to elucidate the mechanisms by which resveratrol protects against diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction. Normal control ( m-Lepr db) mice and type 2 diabetic ( Lepr db) mice were treated with resveratrol orally for 4 wk. In vivo MRI showed that resveratrol improved cardiac function by increasing the left ventricular diastolic peak filling rate in Lepr db mice. This protective role is partially explained by resveratrol's effects in improving nitric oxide (NO) production and inhibiting oxidative/nitrative stress in cardiac tissue. Resveratrol increased NO production by enhancing endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression and reduced O2·− production by inhibiting NAD(P)H oxidase activity and gp91phox mRNA and protein expression. The increased nitrotyrosine (N-Tyr) protein expression in Lepr db mice was prevented by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W. Resveratrol reduced both N-Tyr and iNOS expression in Lepr db mice. Furthermore, TNF-α mRNA and protein expression, as well as NF-κB activation, were reduced in resveratrol-treated Lepr db mice. Both Lepr db mice null for TNF-α ( dbTNF−/ dbTNF− mice) and Lepr db mice treated with the NF-κB inhibitor MG-132 showed decreased NAD(P)H oxidase activity and iNOS expression as well as elevated eNOS expression, whereas m-Lepr db mice treated with TNF-α showed the opposite effects. Thus, resveratrol protects against cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative/nitrative stress and improving NO availability. This improvement is due to the role of resveratrol in inhibiting TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation, therefore subsequently inhibiting the expression and activation of NAD(P)H oxidase and iNOS as well as increasing eNOS expression in type 2 diabetes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Taquet ◽  
Serge Dumont ◽  
Jean-Luc Vonesch ◽  
Didier Hentsch ◽  
Jean-Marie Reimund ◽  
...  

Crohn's disease (CD) is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause. The aim of the present study was to explore if mRNA over-expression of SSTR5 and CCR7 found in CD patients could be correlated to respective protein expression. When compared to healthy donors, SSTR5 was over-expressed 417±71 times in CD peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Flow cytometry experiments showed no correlation between mRNA and protein expression for SSTR5 in PBMCs. In an attempt to find a reason of such a high mRNA expression, SSTR5 present on CD PBMCs were tested and found as biologically active as on healthy cells. In biopsies of CD intestinal tissue, SSTR5 was not over-expressed but CCR7, unchanged in PBMCs, was over-expressed by 10±3 times in the lamina propria. Confocal microscopy showed a good correlation of CCR7 mRNA and protein expression in CD intestinal biopsies. Our data emphasize flow and image cytometry as impossible to circumvent in complement to molecular biology so to avoid false interpretation on receptor expressions. Once confirmed by further large-scale studies, our preliminary results suggest a role for SSTR5 and CCR7 in CD pathogenesis.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. F1215-F1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Rashid ◽  
Jacques Bernheim ◽  
Janice Green ◽  
Sydney Benchetrit

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the major systemic calcium-regulating hormone, has been linked to uremic vascular changes. Considering the possible deleterious action of PTH on vascular structures, it seemed logical to evaluate the impact of PTH on the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA and protein expression, taking into account that such parameters might be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification, atherosclerosis, and/or arteriolosclerosis. Human umbilical vein cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated for 24 h with 10−12–10−10 mol/l PTH. The mRNA expression of RAGE and IL-6 was established by reverse transcriptase/PCR techniques. RAGE protein levels were determined by Western blot and IL-6 secretion was measured by ELISA. The pathways by which PTH may have an effect on HUVEC functions were evaluated. PTH (10−11–10−10mol/l) significantly increased RAGE mRNA and protein expression. PTH also significantly increased IL-6 mRNA expression without changes at protein levels. The addition of protein kinase (PKC or PKA) inhibitors or nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors significantly reduced the RAGE and IL-6 mRNA expression and the RAGE protein expression. PTH stimulates the mRNA expressions of RAGE and IL-6 and the protein expression of RAGE. These stimulatory effects are probably through PKC and PKA pathways and are also NO dependent. Such data may explain the possible impact of PTH on the atherosclerotic and arteriosclerotic progression.


1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Mann ◽  
A. S. McNeilly ◽  
D. T. Baird

ABSTRACT The source of inhibin secretion by the ovary in the sheep at different stages of the oestrous cycle was investigated by in-vivo cannulation of the ovarian veins. Twenty-four Scottish Blackface ewes were allocated to four groups of six ewes, i.e. those operated on during the luteal phase (day 10), and those operated on during the follicular phase 24–30, 36 and 60 h following an injection of 125 μg cloprostenol on day 10 of the luteal phase. Samples of jugular and timed ovarian venous blood were collected under anaesthesia before and after enucleation of the corpus luteum. Ovaries were then removed and follicles dissected out. Following injection of cloprostenol, luteal regression occurred as indicated by a fall in the secretion of progesterone. The concentration of inhibin in jugular venous plasma and its ovarian secretion rate were similar at all stages of the follicular phase and during the luteal phase. In contrast, the secretion rate of oestradiol rose from 2·68 ±0·73 pmol/min during the luteal phase to 8·70± 2·24 pmol/min 24 h after injection of cloprostenol (P<0·05). Following enucleation of the corpus luteum the secretion rate of progesterone fell from 809 ± 270 pmol/min to 86 ± 30 pmol/min (P<0·001). There was also a smaller, artifactual fall in the secretion rate of oestradiol following enucleation of the corpus luteum, which was of similar size to a fall seen in the secretion rate of inhibin. This resulted in a significant (P<0·001) fall in the ratio of progesterone to inhibin, while the oestradiol to inhibin ratio remained unchanged. The secretion rate of inhibin from ovaries containing luteal tissue was similar to that from the contralateral side without luteal tissue (1·41±0·30 compared with 1·32±0·30 ng/min), while ovaries with large antral follicles secreted significantly (P< 0·001) more inhibin than those with no follicles ≥3 mm (2·28 ± 0·36 compared with 0·25 ±0·06 ng/min). From these results we conclude that, in the sheep, large antral follicles are responsible for most, if not all, the secretion of inhibin by the ovary at all stages of the oestrous cycle, and that the corpus luteum secretes little or no immunoactive or bioactive inhibin. Due to the fact that, unlike inhibin, the secretion rate of oestradiol rises during the follicular phase of the cycle, when the concentration of FSH is suppressed, it seems likely that oestradiol rather than inhibin is the major ovarian factor modulating the change in FSH secretion seen at this stage of the oestrous cycle. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 181–188


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