Jing Yang - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Jing Yang
Zhonghua gan zang bing za zhi = Zhonghua ganzangbing zazhi = Chinese journal of hepatology, 2009
Zhongguo wei zhong bing ji jiu yi xue = Chinese critical care medicine = Zhongguo weizhongbing jijiuyixue, 2007
To explore the influence of semi-hepatectomy on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis fa... more To explore the influence of semi-hepatectomy on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), insulin growth factor (IGF), thyroxin (TT(3), TT(4)) and insulin (INS) in serum. Sixty healthy male rabbits were randomized into two groups: semi-hepatectomy group and control group, and the latter group received sham operation. Levels of serum IL-2, TNF, IGF, TT(3), TT(4) and INS were determined 1 day before operation and 24 hours, 1 week and 4 weeks after operation. The IL-2 level in semi-hepatectomy group was elevated significantly at 24 hours after operation (P<0.01), then dropped to the level lower than that before the operation 1 week after operation, and then increased gradually to preoperative level 4 weeks later. The levels of TNF lowered 24 hours after operation (P<0.05), then began to rise, and became significantly higher than control group 4 weeks after operation (P<0.01). The levels of TT(3) and TT(4) significantly lowered 24 hours after operation and recovered gradually 1 week after operation (both P<0.01) until to the preoperative levels 4 weeks later. TT(3) recovered especially significantly. The level of INS and IGF elevated significantly 24 hours after operation and reached its peak level 1 week after operation (both P<0.01), then recovered to the preoperative level 4 weeks later. The various mediators showed no changes in control group. Sick hypothyroid syndrome and hyperinsulinism appeared after semi-hepatectomy. Decrease in IL-2 level contributes to lowered immunity after operative trauma, and elevation of TNF level contributes to apoptosis of hepatocytes, necrosis and inflammation. An elevation of IGF level contributes to regeneration of liver cells.
Molecular and cellular neurosciences, 2007
The Drosophila genes ninaB and ninaD, encoding a β-carotene oxygenase and a type B scavenger rece... more The Drosophila genes ninaB and ninaD, encoding a β-carotene oxygenase and a type B scavenger receptor respectively, are essential for the biosynthesis of the 3-hydroxyretinal chromophore of rhodopsin. We analyzed transgenic reporter strains and performed in situ hybridization to show that both ninaB and ninaD are expressed in the adult brain but not retinal tissues. Developmental RT-PCR and tissue expression studies showed that ninaB is only expressed in the adult brain, while ninaD is expressed in the adult brain, the adult body, and many larval tissues. The data support a model in which NinaD is required for uptake and storage of dietary carotenoids throughout the larval and adult stages of development. β-Carotene is transported to the adult brain, where cellular uptake by NinaD allows cleavage by the NinaB enzyme to produce retinal. Retinal is then transported to the retina for rhodopsin biogenesis.
Development (Cambridge, England), 2003
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, Jan 31, 2015
Enhancement of insulin secretion is a major therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Activ... more Enhancement of insulin secretion is a major therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Activation of P2Y purinergic receptor (P2YR) causes potentiation of insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, making it a promising therapeutic target for T2D. Here we show that activation of P2YR to potentiate insulin secretion is mediated by adenylyl cyclase/cyclic AMP (cAMP) and the downstream effector, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), leading to inhibition of voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channel. P2YR-mediated Kv channel inhibition results in prolongation of action potential duration, and in turn elevates intracellular Ca(2+) level and insulin secretion. Taken together, the data indicate that cAMP/Epac/Kv channel pathway mediates P2YR-regulated insulin secretion, which may have important therapeutic implications for T2D.
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015
Objective. To investigate the Th17/Treg immune balance in the ulcerative colitis (UC) patients wi... more Objective. To investigate the Th17/Treg immune balance in the ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with two Chinese syndrome: dampness-heat in large intestine (DHLI) and spleen and kidney Yang deficiency (SKYD). Methods. Ninety UC patients (45 were diagnosed with DHLI and 45 with SKYD syndrome) and 23 healthy people were recruited. The serumIL-17 and TGF-1 levels of these participants were measured with ELISA; the expression of IL-17 and TGF-1 in colonic mucosa tissue was determined with immunohistochemistry and the percentage of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood with flow cytometry. Results. The levels of IL-17 and Th17 were significantly higher in both DHLI and SKYD groups than in healthy control group and higher in DHLI than in SKYD group ( < 0.05). The levels of TGF-1 and Treg were significantly lower in the two UC patients groups than in healthy control group; and lower in SKYD group than in DHLI group ( < 0.05). Conclusions. UC with DHLI syndrome could be characterized by the elevation of Th17 and IL-17 levels, which indicated an accentuation of inflammatory reaction; UC with SKYD syndrome could be characterized by the reduction of serum Treg and TGF-1 levels, which represented a depression of immune tolerance.
Zhongguo shi yan xue ye xue za zhi / Zhongguo bing li sheng li xue hui = Journal of experimental hematology / Chinese Association of Pathophysiology, 2010
This study was to evaluate the role of reticulated platelets (RP) assay in the distinguishing the... more This study was to evaluate the role of reticulated platelets (RP) assay in the distinguishing the different causes of thrombocytopenia. The RP and immature platelet fraction (IPF) were stained by a nucleic acid-specific dye oxazine, and assayed by XE-2100 blood cell counter with an upgraded software in the reticulocyte/optical platelet channel. RP and IPF were measured in 137 thrombocytopenic patients and 187 normal controls. The results showed that the mean IPF was 1.07% in normal controls, and 10.28% in 109 patients with immune thrombocytopenia (p<0.01), RP absolute value in ITP group was higher than that in control group, there was significant difference between them (p=0.036). The mean IPF was 10.47% in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (PITP), and 9.45% in patients with secondary ITP (SITP). There was no significant difference of IPF between PITP and SITP group (p=0.635), but IPF in these 2 groups both were significantly higher than the normal controls. The mean IPF in 28 thrombocytopenic patients with hypocellular marrow was 2.37%. There was no difference of IPF between thrombocytopenic patients with hypocellular marrow and the normal controls (p=0.252), but the absolute counts of RP in the former was significantly lower than in the latter (p<0.05). The IPF cut-off for a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia with hypercellular marrow was 2.45%, the sensitivity was 92.7% and specificity 94.1%. It is concluded that the whole-blood IPF measurement by XE-2100 blood cell counter is an useful screening test to differentiate patients with thrombocytopenia of different causes. An IPF above 2.45% has both a high sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia with a hypercellular marrow.
Molecular vision, 2010
To study the relationship of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression with the express... more To study the relationship of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression with the expression of vimentin and αB-crystallin by lens epithelial cells. Methods: Lens epithelial cells adhering to anterior capsules taken from young donor eyes aged from 20 to 35 years were cultured and passaged. We designed small interfering RNA (siRNA) constructs to specifically downregulate the expression of PEDF by these primary lens epithelial cells. Quantitative PCR was used to confirm the downregulation of PEDF RNA expression following infection of lens epithelial cells. To determine whether altering the expression of PEDF would effect the expression of vimentin or αB-crystallin, we performed western blotting 48 h after expression of the PEDF-directed siRNA. Results: PEDF RNA expression in the human lens epithelial cells was strongly downregulated by the three separate siRNA constructs. Western blotting revealed that the downregulation of PEDF expression resulted in a concomitant decrease in expression of vimentin and an increase in αB-crystallin protein.
Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation, 2005
This experiment was designed to study the therapeutic mechanisms of Angelica on the focal cerebra... more This experiment was designed to study the therapeutic mechanisms of Angelica on the focal cerebral ischemia injury of the rat. The ischemic area was determined by TTC stain. And terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT) mediated DUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was applied to detect neuronal apoptosis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were observed by immunohistochemical staining methods. Results show that the treatment with angelica reduced the volume of cerebral infarction (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05), and that the number of neuronal apoptosis cells decreased significantly (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01). Also the expression level of Bax protein decreased (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01). These results suggest that Angelica can reduce the number of apoptosis cells by decreasing the expression of Bax protein. This is maybe one of the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of Angelica on focal cerebral ischemia injury.
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2014
Carcinogenesis, 2015
Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is preferentially concentrated at tight junctions and infl... more Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is preferentially concentrated at tight junctions and influences epithelial cell morphology and migration. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the conversion process of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, and it plays an important role in the invasiveness and metastasis of various cancers. However, the role of JAM-A in regulating the invasive behaviours of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unknown. In this study, we found that JAM-A upregulation induced EMT, whereas silencing of endogenous JAM-A expression reversed EMT. Furthermore, upregulation of JAM-A led to EMT via activation phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. PI3K inhibitors blocked JAM-A-induced EMT, suggesting that the kinase acts downstream of JAM-A. Finally, results from 172 human patients with NPC showed that high expression levels of JAM-A correlated with metastasis and poor prognosis in NPC. Taken together, these results suggest that high JAM-A expression positively correlates with poor prognosis in patients with NPC, and induces EMT of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo via the PI3K/Akt pathway. These data indicate novel functions in the JAM-A repertoire, and have clinical implications for the treatment of patients with NPC.
Neuron, Jan 4, 2013
Axon degeneration is widespread both in neurodegenerative disease and in normal neural developmen... more Axon degeneration is widespread both in neurodegenerative disease and in normal neural development, but the molecular pathways regulating these degenerative processes and the extent to which they are distinct or overlapping remain incompletely understood. We report that calpastatin, an inhibitor of calcium-activated proteases of the calpain family, functions as a key endogenous regulator of axon degeneration. Calpastatin depletion was observed in degenerating axons after physical injury, and maintaining calpastatin inhibited degeneration of transected axons in vitro and in the optic nerve in vivo. Calpastatin depletion also occurred in a caspase-dependent manner in trophic factor-deprived sensory axons and was required for this in vitro model of developmental degeneration. In vivo, calpastatin regulated the normal pruning of retinal ganglion cell axons in their target field. These findings identify calpastatin as a key checkpoint for axonal survival after injury and during development, and demonstrate downstream convergence of these distinct pathways of axon degeneration.
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2008
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (... more The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (HPCD) complexation on the transdermal penetration and photostability of a model ultraviolet A (UVA) absorber, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), and to determine the influence of complexation on in vivo photoprotection. Avobenzone-HPCD complexation was demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry. Formulations containing 0.12 mg/ml avobenzone and up to 30% (w/w) HPCD were prepared. Transdermal penetration was conducted using a modified Franz diffusion cell apparatus. As the concentration of HPCD was increased from 0% to 20%, transdermal permeation increased. Maximum flux occurred at 20% HPCD, where sufficient cyclodextrin was present to completely solubilize all avobenzone. When the concentration of HPCD was increased to 30%, transdermal penetration decreased, suggesting the formation of an avobenzone reservoir on the skin surface. Photostability of avobenzone was investigated under 100, 250, and 500 kJ/m 2 UVA irradiation. The 30% HPCD formulation was the most photostable, followed by 20%, 10%, and 0% formulations. In vivo, the 30% HPCD formulation afforded the best photoprotection, as evidenced by the lowest extent of sunburn cell formation and edema induction. This work indicates that inclusion of HPCD in sunscreen formulations may enhance photoprotection by reducing both skin penetration and photodecomposition of UV absorbers.
PloS one, 2014
Tetrandrine (TET) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Stephania tetrandra Moore. R... more Tetrandrine (TET) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Stephania tetrandra Moore. Recent studies have suggested that TET can reduce the inflammatory response in microglia, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether TET can inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation and clarify its possible mechanisms. Cell viability assays and cell apoptosis assays were used to determine the working concentrations of TET. Then, BV2 cells were seeded and pretreated with TET for 2 h. LPS was then added and incubated for an additional 24 hours. qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to measure the mRNA or protein levels of IL1β and TNFα. Western blotting was utilized to quantify the expression of CD11b and cell signaling proteins. TET at optimal concentrations (0.1 µM, 0.5 µM or 1 µM) did not affect the cell viability. After TET pretreatment, the levels of IL1β and TNFα (both in transcription and translation) were significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies indicated that phospho-p65, phospho-IKK, and phospho-ERK 1/2 expression were also suppressed by TET. Our results indicate that TET can effectively suppress microglial activation and inhibit the production of IL1β and TNFα by regulating the NF-kB and ERK signaling pathways. Together with our previous studies, we suggest that TET would be a promising candidate to effectively suppress overactivated microglia and alleviate neurodegeneration in glaucoma.
Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy, 2011
In an attempt to make nanofibres based upon cobalt oxides, a novel compound a hydrated cobalt hyd... more In an attempt to make nanofibres based upon cobalt oxides, a novel compound a hydrated cobalt hydroxy carbonate was formed. This compound is related to the minerals of the rosasite mineral group. X-ray diffraction showed that the formed compound was a cobalt hydroxy carbonate and SEM displayed bundles of fibres on the micron scale in length and nanoscale in width. The morphology was compared with that of the rosasite mineral group.
Applied spectroscopy, 2011
Cubic indium hydroxide nanomaterials were obtained by a low temperature soft-chemical method with... more Cubic indium hydroxide nanomaterials were obtained by a low temperature soft-chemical method without any surfactants. The transition of nano-cubic indium hydroxide to cubic indium oxide during dehydroxylation has been studied by infrared emission spectroscopy.
Experimental and molecular pathology, 2014
Tissue engineering. Part A, 2010
Chondrocytes rapidly dedifferentiate into a more fibroblastic phenotype on a two-dimensional poly... more Chondrocytes rapidly dedifferentiate into a more fibroblastic phenotype on a two-dimensional polystyrene substratum. This impedes fundamental research on these cells as well as their clinical application. This study investigated the redifferentiation behavior of dedifferentiated chondrocytes on a hydrogel substratum. Dedifferentiated normal human articular chondrocyte-knee (NHAC-kn) cells were released from the sixth-passage monolayer cultured on a polystyrene surface. These cells were then subcultured on a chemically crosslinked copolymer hydrogel, that is, poly(NaAMPS-co-DMAAm), and the cells thus obtained were used as the seventhpassage cultivation. Copolymer gels were synthesized from a negatively charged monomer, the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS), and a neutral monomer, N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm). These gels were of different compositions because the molar fraction (F) of NaAMPS was varied (F ¼ 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0). The dedifferentiated NHAC-kn cells spontaneously redifferentiated to normal NHAC-kn cells on neutral (F ¼ 0) and poly(NaAMPS-co-DMAAm) hydrogels of low charge density (F ¼ 0.2). This was deduced from the cell morphology and expression of cartilage-specific genes and proteins. These results should enable us to establish a simple and efficient method for preparing large amounts of chondrocytes by cultivation on the surfaces of neutral and low-charge-density hydrogels.
Atherosclerosis, 2015
Diosgenin (Dgn), a structural analogue of cholesterol, has been reported to have the hypolipidemi... more Diosgenin (Dgn), a structural analogue of cholesterol, has been reported to have the hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic properties, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Given the key roles of macrophages in cholesterol metabolism and atherogenesis, it is critical to investigate macrophage cholesterol efflux and development of atherosclerotic lesion after Dgn treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the potential effects of Dgn on macrophage cholesterol metabolism and the development of aortic atherosclerosis, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Dgn significantly up-regulated the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) protein, but didn&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;t affect liver X receptor α levels in foam cells derived from human THP-1 macrophages and mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) as determined by western blotting. The miR-19b levels were markedly down-regulated in Dgn-treated THP-1 macrophages/MPM-derived foam cells. Cholesterol transport assays revealed that treatment with Dgn alone or together with miR-19b inhibitor notably enhanced ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux, resulting in the reduced levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The fecal (3)H-sterol originating from cholesterol-laden MPMs was increased in apolipoprotein E knockout mice treated with Dgn or both Dgn and antagomiR-19b. Treatment with Dgn alone or together with antagomiR-19b elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein levels, but reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein levels. Accordingly, aortic lipid deposition and plaque area were reduced, and collagen content and ABCA1 expression were increased in mice treated with Dgn alone or together with antagomiR-19b. However, miR-19b overexpression abrogated the lipid-lowering and atheroprotective effects induced by Dgn. The present study demonstrates that Dgn enhances ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux and inhibits aortic atherosclerosis progression by suppressing macrophage miR-19b expression.
Cellular immunology
and sharing with colleagues.
Zhonghua gan zang bing za zhi = Zhonghua ganzangbing zazhi = Chinese journal of hepatology, 2009
Zhongguo wei zhong bing ji jiu yi xue = Chinese critical care medicine = Zhongguo weizhongbing jijiuyixue, 2007
To explore the influence of semi-hepatectomy on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis fa... more To explore the influence of semi-hepatectomy on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), insulin growth factor (IGF), thyroxin (TT(3), TT(4)) and insulin (INS) in serum. Sixty healthy male rabbits were randomized into two groups: semi-hepatectomy group and control group, and the latter group received sham operation. Levels of serum IL-2, TNF, IGF, TT(3), TT(4) and INS were determined 1 day before operation and 24 hours, 1 week and 4 weeks after operation. The IL-2 level in semi-hepatectomy group was elevated significantly at 24 hours after operation (P<0.01), then dropped to the level lower than that before the operation 1 week after operation, and then increased gradually to preoperative level 4 weeks later. The levels of TNF lowered 24 hours after operation (P<0.05), then began to rise, and became significantly higher than control group 4 weeks after operation (P<0.01). The levels of TT(3) and TT(4) significantly lowered 24 hours after operation and recovered gradually 1 week after operation (both P<0.01) until to the preoperative levels 4 weeks later. TT(3) recovered especially significantly. The level of INS and IGF elevated significantly 24 hours after operation and reached its peak level 1 week after operation (both P<0.01), then recovered to the preoperative level 4 weeks later. The various mediators showed no changes in control group. Sick hypothyroid syndrome and hyperinsulinism appeared after semi-hepatectomy. Decrease in IL-2 level contributes to lowered immunity after operative trauma, and elevation of TNF level contributes to apoptosis of hepatocytes, necrosis and inflammation. An elevation of IGF level contributes to regeneration of liver cells.
Molecular and cellular neurosciences, 2007
The Drosophila genes ninaB and ninaD, encoding a β-carotene oxygenase and a type B scavenger rece... more The Drosophila genes ninaB and ninaD, encoding a β-carotene oxygenase and a type B scavenger receptor respectively, are essential for the biosynthesis of the 3-hydroxyretinal chromophore of rhodopsin. We analyzed transgenic reporter strains and performed in situ hybridization to show that both ninaB and ninaD are expressed in the adult brain but not retinal tissues. Developmental RT-PCR and tissue expression studies showed that ninaB is only expressed in the adult brain, while ninaD is expressed in the adult brain, the adult body, and many larval tissues. The data support a model in which NinaD is required for uptake and storage of dietary carotenoids throughout the larval and adult stages of development. β-Carotene is transported to the adult brain, where cellular uptake by NinaD allows cleavage by the NinaB enzyme to produce retinal. Retinal is then transported to the retina for rhodopsin biogenesis.
Development (Cambridge, England), 2003
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, Jan 31, 2015
Enhancement of insulin secretion is a major therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Activ... more Enhancement of insulin secretion is a major therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Activation of P2Y purinergic receptor (P2YR) causes potentiation of insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, making it a promising therapeutic target for T2D. Here we show that activation of P2YR to potentiate insulin secretion is mediated by adenylyl cyclase/cyclic AMP (cAMP) and the downstream effector, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), leading to inhibition of voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channel. P2YR-mediated Kv channel inhibition results in prolongation of action potential duration, and in turn elevates intracellular Ca(2+) level and insulin secretion. Taken together, the data indicate that cAMP/Epac/Kv channel pathway mediates P2YR-regulated insulin secretion, which may have important therapeutic implications for T2D.
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015
Objective. To investigate the Th17/Treg immune balance in the ulcerative colitis (UC) patients wi... more Objective. To investigate the Th17/Treg immune balance in the ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with two Chinese syndrome: dampness-heat in large intestine (DHLI) and spleen and kidney Yang deficiency (SKYD). Methods. Ninety UC patients (45 were diagnosed with DHLI and 45 with SKYD syndrome) and 23 healthy people were recruited. The serumIL-17 and TGF-1 levels of these participants were measured with ELISA; the expression of IL-17 and TGF-1 in colonic mucosa tissue was determined with immunohistochemistry and the percentage of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood with flow cytometry. Results. The levels of IL-17 and Th17 were significantly higher in both DHLI and SKYD groups than in healthy control group and higher in DHLI than in SKYD group ( < 0.05). The levels of TGF-1 and Treg were significantly lower in the two UC patients groups than in healthy control group; and lower in SKYD group than in DHLI group ( < 0.05). Conclusions. UC with DHLI syndrome could be characterized by the elevation of Th17 and IL-17 levels, which indicated an accentuation of inflammatory reaction; UC with SKYD syndrome could be characterized by the reduction of serum Treg and TGF-1 levels, which represented a depression of immune tolerance.
Zhongguo shi yan xue ye xue za zhi / Zhongguo bing li sheng li xue hui = Journal of experimental hematology / Chinese Association of Pathophysiology, 2010
This study was to evaluate the role of reticulated platelets (RP) assay in the distinguishing the... more This study was to evaluate the role of reticulated platelets (RP) assay in the distinguishing the different causes of thrombocytopenia. The RP and immature platelet fraction (IPF) were stained by a nucleic acid-specific dye oxazine, and assayed by XE-2100 blood cell counter with an upgraded software in the reticulocyte/optical platelet channel. RP and IPF were measured in 137 thrombocytopenic patients and 187 normal controls. The results showed that the mean IPF was 1.07% in normal controls, and 10.28% in 109 patients with immune thrombocytopenia (p<0.01), RP absolute value in ITP group was higher than that in control group, there was significant difference between them (p=0.036). The mean IPF was 10.47% in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (PITP), and 9.45% in patients with secondary ITP (SITP). There was no significant difference of IPF between PITP and SITP group (p=0.635), but IPF in these 2 groups both were significantly higher than the normal controls. The mean IPF in 28 thrombocytopenic patients with hypocellular marrow was 2.37%. There was no difference of IPF between thrombocytopenic patients with hypocellular marrow and the normal controls (p=0.252), but the absolute counts of RP in the former was significantly lower than in the latter (p<0.05). The IPF cut-off for a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia with hypercellular marrow was 2.45%, the sensitivity was 92.7% and specificity 94.1%. It is concluded that the whole-blood IPF measurement by XE-2100 blood cell counter is an useful screening test to differentiate patients with thrombocytopenia of different causes. An IPF above 2.45% has both a high sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia with a hypercellular marrow.
Molecular vision, 2010
To study the relationship of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression with the express... more To study the relationship of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression with the expression of vimentin and αB-crystallin by lens epithelial cells. Methods: Lens epithelial cells adhering to anterior capsules taken from young donor eyes aged from 20 to 35 years were cultured and passaged. We designed small interfering RNA (siRNA) constructs to specifically downregulate the expression of PEDF by these primary lens epithelial cells. Quantitative PCR was used to confirm the downregulation of PEDF RNA expression following infection of lens epithelial cells. To determine whether altering the expression of PEDF would effect the expression of vimentin or αB-crystallin, we performed western blotting 48 h after expression of the PEDF-directed siRNA. Results: PEDF RNA expression in the human lens epithelial cells was strongly downregulated by the three separate siRNA constructs. Western blotting revealed that the downregulation of PEDF expression resulted in a concomitant decrease in expression of vimentin and an increase in αB-crystallin protein.
Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation, 2005
This experiment was designed to study the therapeutic mechanisms of Angelica on the focal cerebra... more This experiment was designed to study the therapeutic mechanisms of Angelica on the focal cerebral ischemia injury of the rat. The ischemic area was determined by TTC stain. And terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT) mediated DUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was applied to detect neuronal apoptosis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were observed by immunohistochemical staining methods. Results show that the treatment with angelica reduced the volume of cerebral infarction (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05), and that the number of neuronal apoptosis cells decreased significantly (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01). Also the expression level of Bax protein decreased (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01). These results suggest that Angelica can reduce the number of apoptosis cells by decreasing the expression of Bax protein. This is maybe one of the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of Angelica on focal cerebral ischemia injury.
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2014
Carcinogenesis, 2015
Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is preferentially concentrated at tight junctions and infl... more Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is preferentially concentrated at tight junctions and influences epithelial cell morphology and migration. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the conversion process of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, and it plays an important role in the invasiveness and metastasis of various cancers. However, the role of JAM-A in regulating the invasive behaviours of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unknown. In this study, we found that JAM-A upregulation induced EMT, whereas silencing of endogenous JAM-A expression reversed EMT. Furthermore, upregulation of JAM-A led to EMT via activation phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. PI3K inhibitors blocked JAM-A-induced EMT, suggesting that the kinase acts downstream of JAM-A. Finally, results from 172 human patients with NPC showed that high expression levels of JAM-A correlated with metastasis and poor prognosis in NPC. Taken together, these results suggest that high JAM-A expression positively correlates with poor prognosis in patients with NPC, and induces EMT of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo via the PI3K/Akt pathway. These data indicate novel functions in the JAM-A repertoire, and have clinical implications for the treatment of patients with NPC.
Neuron, Jan 4, 2013
Axon degeneration is widespread both in neurodegenerative disease and in normal neural developmen... more Axon degeneration is widespread both in neurodegenerative disease and in normal neural development, but the molecular pathways regulating these degenerative processes and the extent to which they are distinct or overlapping remain incompletely understood. We report that calpastatin, an inhibitor of calcium-activated proteases of the calpain family, functions as a key endogenous regulator of axon degeneration. Calpastatin depletion was observed in degenerating axons after physical injury, and maintaining calpastatin inhibited degeneration of transected axons in vitro and in the optic nerve in vivo. Calpastatin depletion also occurred in a caspase-dependent manner in trophic factor-deprived sensory axons and was required for this in vitro model of developmental degeneration. In vivo, calpastatin regulated the normal pruning of retinal ganglion cell axons in their target field. These findings identify calpastatin as a key checkpoint for axonal survival after injury and during development, and demonstrate downstream convergence of these distinct pathways of axon degeneration.
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2008
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (... more The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (HPCD) complexation on the transdermal penetration and photostability of a model ultraviolet A (UVA) absorber, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), and to determine the influence of complexation on in vivo photoprotection. Avobenzone-HPCD complexation was demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry. Formulations containing 0.12 mg/ml avobenzone and up to 30% (w/w) HPCD were prepared. Transdermal penetration was conducted using a modified Franz diffusion cell apparatus. As the concentration of HPCD was increased from 0% to 20%, transdermal permeation increased. Maximum flux occurred at 20% HPCD, where sufficient cyclodextrin was present to completely solubilize all avobenzone. When the concentration of HPCD was increased to 30%, transdermal penetration decreased, suggesting the formation of an avobenzone reservoir on the skin surface. Photostability of avobenzone was investigated under 100, 250, and 500 kJ/m 2 UVA irradiation. The 30% HPCD formulation was the most photostable, followed by 20%, 10%, and 0% formulations. In vivo, the 30% HPCD formulation afforded the best photoprotection, as evidenced by the lowest extent of sunburn cell formation and edema induction. This work indicates that inclusion of HPCD in sunscreen formulations may enhance photoprotection by reducing both skin penetration and photodecomposition of UV absorbers.
PloS one, 2014
Tetrandrine (TET) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Stephania tetrandra Moore. R... more Tetrandrine (TET) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Stephania tetrandra Moore. Recent studies have suggested that TET can reduce the inflammatory response in microglia, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether TET can inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation and clarify its possible mechanisms. Cell viability assays and cell apoptosis assays were used to determine the working concentrations of TET. Then, BV2 cells were seeded and pretreated with TET for 2 h. LPS was then added and incubated for an additional 24 hours. qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to measure the mRNA or protein levels of IL1β and TNFα. Western blotting was utilized to quantify the expression of CD11b and cell signaling proteins. TET at optimal concentrations (0.1 µM, 0.5 µM or 1 µM) did not affect the cell viability. After TET pretreatment, the levels of IL1β and TNFα (both in transcription and translation) were significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies indicated that phospho-p65, phospho-IKK, and phospho-ERK 1/2 expression were also suppressed by TET. Our results indicate that TET can effectively suppress microglial activation and inhibit the production of IL1β and TNFα by regulating the NF-kB and ERK signaling pathways. Together with our previous studies, we suggest that TET would be a promising candidate to effectively suppress overactivated microglia and alleviate neurodegeneration in glaucoma.
Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy, 2011
In an attempt to make nanofibres based upon cobalt oxides, a novel compound a hydrated cobalt hyd... more In an attempt to make nanofibres based upon cobalt oxides, a novel compound a hydrated cobalt hydroxy carbonate was formed. This compound is related to the minerals of the rosasite mineral group. X-ray diffraction showed that the formed compound was a cobalt hydroxy carbonate and SEM displayed bundles of fibres on the micron scale in length and nanoscale in width. The morphology was compared with that of the rosasite mineral group.
Applied spectroscopy, 2011
Cubic indium hydroxide nanomaterials were obtained by a low temperature soft-chemical method with... more Cubic indium hydroxide nanomaterials were obtained by a low temperature soft-chemical method without any surfactants. The transition of nano-cubic indium hydroxide to cubic indium oxide during dehydroxylation has been studied by infrared emission spectroscopy.
Experimental and molecular pathology, 2014
Tissue engineering. Part A, 2010
Chondrocytes rapidly dedifferentiate into a more fibroblastic phenotype on a two-dimensional poly... more Chondrocytes rapidly dedifferentiate into a more fibroblastic phenotype on a two-dimensional polystyrene substratum. This impedes fundamental research on these cells as well as their clinical application. This study investigated the redifferentiation behavior of dedifferentiated chondrocytes on a hydrogel substratum. Dedifferentiated normal human articular chondrocyte-knee (NHAC-kn) cells were released from the sixth-passage monolayer cultured on a polystyrene surface. These cells were then subcultured on a chemically crosslinked copolymer hydrogel, that is, poly(NaAMPS-co-DMAAm), and the cells thus obtained were used as the seventhpassage cultivation. Copolymer gels were synthesized from a negatively charged monomer, the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS), and a neutral monomer, N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm). These gels were of different compositions because the molar fraction (F) of NaAMPS was varied (F ¼ 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0). The dedifferentiated NHAC-kn cells spontaneously redifferentiated to normal NHAC-kn cells on neutral (F ¼ 0) and poly(NaAMPS-co-DMAAm) hydrogels of low charge density (F ¼ 0.2). This was deduced from the cell morphology and expression of cartilage-specific genes and proteins. These results should enable us to establish a simple and efficient method for preparing large amounts of chondrocytes by cultivation on the surfaces of neutral and low-charge-density hydrogels.
Atherosclerosis, 2015
Diosgenin (Dgn), a structural analogue of cholesterol, has been reported to have the hypolipidemi... more Diosgenin (Dgn), a structural analogue of cholesterol, has been reported to have the hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic properties, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Given the key roles of macrophages in cholesterol metabolism and atherogenesis, it is critical to investigate macrophage cholesterol efflux and development of atherosclerotic lesion after Dgn treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the potential effects of Dgn on macrophage cholesterol metabolism and the development of aortic atherosclerosis, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Dgn significantly up-regulated the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) protein, but didn&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;t affect liver X receptor α levels in foam cells derived from human THP-1 macrophages and mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) as determined by western blotting. The miR-19b levels were markedly down-regulated in Dgn-treated THP-1 macrophages/MPM-derived foam cells. Cholesterol transport assays revealed that treatment with Dgn alone or together with miR-19b inhibitor notably enhanced ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux, resulting in the reduced levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The fecal (3)H-sterol originating from cholesterol-laden MPMs was increased in apolipoprotein E knockout mice treated with Dgn or both Dgn and antagomiR-19b. Treatment with Dgn alone or together with antagomiR-19b elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein levels, but reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein levels. Accordingly, aortic lipid deposition and plaque area were reduced, and collagen content and ABCA1 expression were increased in mice treated with Dgn alone or together with antagomiR-19b. However, miR-19b overexpression abrogated the lipid-lowering and atheroprotective effects induced by Dgn. The present study demonstrates that Dgn enhances ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux and inhibits aortic atherosclerosis progression by suppressing macrophage miR-19b expression.
Cellular immunology
and sharing with colleagues.