Cadmium regulates von Willebrand factor and occludin expression in glomerular endothelial cells of mice in a TNF-α-dependent manner

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that leads to nephrotoxicity. However, the mechanisms of Cd-induced glomerular injury have not been fully clarified. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) and occludin are important endothelial cell markers in renal vasculature. In this study, the effects of Cd on the vWF and occludin expression in mouse glomeruli was investigated. Objectives: The goal of this study was to analyze the expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin in glomerular endothelial cells of tumor necrosis factor-α−/− (TNF-α−/−) mice after treatment with Cd. Material and methods: C57BL6/J wild-type (WT) mice and TNF-α−/− mice (n = 6) were treated with Cd, and the kidney tissues were collected. The expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin was detected by using quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to examine the regulatory role of TNF-α on expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin. Results: We found that Cd significantly increases mRNA and protein expressions of von Willebrand factor and occludin in TNF-α−/− mice, but not in WT mice. In vitro, Cd significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin in HUVECs with TNF-α small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Conclusions: These results suggest that TNF-α acts to balance homeostasis of glomerular endothelium after Cd treatments

Ascorbic acid promotes 3T3-L1 cells adipogenesis by attenuating ERK signaling to upregulate the collagen VI

Abstract Background Type VI collagen is supposed to be a regulation factor in adipogenesis. This study aimed to assess the promoting effect of vitamin C (VC) on adipogenic differentiation of preadipocytes as well as its mechanism. Methods Five sets of different combinations of chemicals were used to inhibit synthesis of type I to VI collagens, blocking ERK1/2 phosphorylation during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, to explore whether collagen VI plays a critical role during adipogenesis, specific knockdown of collagen VI was performed by using RNA interference. The morphology and expression patterns of several target factors involved in adipogenesis were assessed at various time points. Results A reduction in ERK1/2 phosphorylation and an increase in collagen VI and adipogenic-specific factors, such as C/EBPβ, PPARγ and C/EBPα, were observed after treating adipogenic 3T3-L1 cells with AA2P, a stable derivative of VC. Inhibition of collagen synthesis by ethyl-3, 4-dihydroxybenzoate (EDHB) or by specific knockdown of collagen VI by RNAi could promote ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The ERK1/2 phosphorylation in both cases could be attenuated by AA2P treatment. In addition, the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by U0126, a highly selective inhibitor of both MEK1 and MEK2 and a type of MAPK/ERK kinase, up-regulated the expression of collagen VI, while it down-regulated the adipogenic-specific factors. Conclusion AA2P could up-regulate the expression of collagen VI by attenuating ERK1/2 phosphorylation, further up-regulating adipocyte-specific factors, thus finally promoting the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Additional file 2: of Ascorbic acid promotes 3T3-L1 cells adipogenesis by attenuating ERK signaling to upregulate the collagen VI

The effect of AA2P on adipogenesis is dose-dependent: a 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were seeded on 12-well plate with growth medium (DMEM, 10% new-born calf serum, penicillin (100 U/ml), streptomycin (100 mg/mL) and 2 mM L-glutamine) to let the cells reached 100% confluent. Two days later, the cells were induced for mature adipocytes with cocktail adipogenic induction medium (growth medium supplemented with 1.7 μM insulin) for an additional 2 days. The medium was finally replaced with growth medium for 10 more days. AA2P was added from the D0 to D14 at final concentrations of 0, 100, 250 and 500 μM, respectively; b On day 14, the cells were stained with Oil red O; The lipid the staining was quantified by extracting the dye with 100% isopropanol and measuring the absorbance at 520 nm. Values are expressed as the mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05 versus the control group (n = 3). (PDF 1599 kb

Additional file 1: of Ascorbic acid promotes 3T3-L1 cells adipogenesis by attenuating ERK signaling to upregulate the collagen VI

Screened the MOI value of the lentivirus and detected the knockdown efficiency of Col VI: a 5 × 104 3T3-L1 preadipocytes/ml were plated in 12-well plates overnight and infected with Lenti-ColVI-GFP lentivirus by addition of lentivirus diluted into 0.5 ml of Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) containing 5% NBCS and polybrene at the MOI of 0, 20, 50 and 100 for 12 h at 37 °C. The medium was then replaced with growth medium until it reached 100% confluence. Adipogenic induction was initiated after 48 h of confluence. The controls were infected with NC lentivirus (I + Lenti-GFP); b After screening out the optimal MOI value of the lentivirus, we detected the knockdown efficiency of Col VI using real-time quantitative reverse transcription. Values are expressed as the mean ± SEM. **P < 0.01 versus the control group (n = 3). (PDF 234 kb

The status and causes of alien species invasion in China

Data of classification, origin, pathway and environmental impacts of invasive alien micro-organisms, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, weeds, trees, and marine organisms in terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of China, were analyzed, based on literature retrieval, field survey and consultation. Some 283 invasive alien species were recorded in China, including 19 invasive alien micro-organisms, 18 aquatic plants, 170 terrestrial plants, 25 aquatic invertebrates, 33 terrestrial invertebrates, 3 amphibians and reptiles, 10 fish, and 5 mammals. Of the invasive alien species, 55.1% originated from North and South America, 21.7% from Europe, 9.9% from Asia, 8.1% from Africa and 0.6% from Oceania. Many institutions and individuals in China lack adequate knowledge of ecological and environmental consequences caused by invasive alien species, with some ignorance of the dangerous invasion in the introduction of alien species. For instance, 50.0% of invasive alien plants were intentionally introduced as pasture, feedingstuff, ornamental plants, textile plants, medicinal plants, vegetables, or lawn plants, 25% of alien invasive animals were intentionally introduced for cultivation, ornament, or biological control, In addition, more efforts are being made in the introduction of alien species, and little attention is paid on the management of introduced alien species, which may cause their escape into natural environment and potential threats to the environment. There were also gaps in quarantine system in China. All microorganisms were unintentionally introduced, through timber, seedling, flowerpot, or soil; 76.3% of alien invasive animals invaded through commodity or transportation facility because of the failure of quarantine. Therefore, quarantine measures should be strictly implemented; and meanwhile the intentional introduction of alien species should be strictly managed and a system of risk assessment should be implemented.Data of classification, origin, pathway and environmental impacts of invasive alien micro-organisms, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, weeds, trees, and marine organisms in terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of China, were analyzed, based on literature retrieval, field survey and consultation. Some 283 invasive alien species were recorded in China, including 19 invasive alien micro-organisms, 18 aquatic plants, 170 terrestrial plants, 25 aquatic invertebrates, 33 terrestrial invertebrates, 3 amphibians and reptiles, 10 fish, and 5 mammals. Of the invasive alien species, 55.1% originated from North and South America, 21.7% from Europe, 9.9% from Asia, 8.1% from Africa and 0.6% from Oceania. Many institutions and individuals in China lack adequate knowledge of ecological and environmental consequences caused by invasive alien species, with some ignorance of the dangerous invasion in the introduction of alien species. For instance, 50.0% of invasive alien plants were intentionally introduced as pasture, feedingstuff, ornamental plants, textile plants, medicinal plants, vegetables, or lawn plants, 25% of alien invasive animals were intentionally introduced for cultivation, ornament, or biological control, In addition, more efforts are being made in the introduction of alien species, and little attention is paid on the management of introduced alien species, which may cause their escape into natural environment and potential threats to the environment. There were also gaps in quarantine system in China. All microorganisms were unintentionally introduced, through timber, seedling, flowerpot, or soil; 76.3% of alien invasive animals invaded through commodity or transportation facility because of the failure of quarantine. Therefore, quarantine measures should be strictly implemented; and meanwhile the intentional introduction of alien species should be strictly managed and a system of risk assessment should be implemented

Serum Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (sGDNF) Is a Novel Biomarker in Predicting Cirrhosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.

ObjectivesWe assessed the potential of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) as a useful biomarker to predict cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsA total of 735 patients from two medical centers (385 CHB patients and 350 healthy controls) were included to determine the association of serum and tissue GDNF levels with biopsy-proven cirrhosis. The diagnostic accuracy of serum GDNF (sGDNF) was estimated and compared with other indices of cirrhosis.ResultsWe showed significantly higher levels of sGDNF in CHB patients with fibrosis (28.4 pg/ml vs. 11.6 pg/ml in patients without) and patients with cirrhosis (33.8 pg/ml vs. 23.5 pg/ml in patients without). The areas under receiver operating curve (AUROCs) of sGDNF were 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-0.87) for predicting liver fibrosis and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.79-0.89) for cirrhosis. Findings from the serum protein level and hepatic mRNA expression were consistent. Using the best cutoff to predict cirrhosis, we categorized the patients into sGDNF-high and sGDNF-low groups. The sGDNF-high group had significantly larger Masson's trichrome and reticulin staining-positive area, higher Scheuer score, and METAVIR fibrosis stage (all p &lt; 0.001) but not steatosis. On multivariable regression, sGDNF was independently associated with cirrhosis with an odds ratio of 6.98 (95% CI: 1.10-17.94). Finally, we demonstrated that sGDNF outperformed AST to platelet ratio index, FIB-4, fibroscore, forn index, and fibrometer in differentiating F4 vs. F3.ConclusionUsing serum, tissue mRNA, and biopsy data, our study revealed a significant potential of sGDNF as a novel noninvasive biomarker for cirrhosis in CHB patients

The distribution and economic losses of alien species invasion to China

Invasive alien species have become one of the most serious environmental issues in the world. Data of taxon, origin, pathway, and environmental impacts of invasive alien microorganisms, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, herbs, trees, and, marine organisms in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems of China were analyzed during 2001 and 2003, based on literature retrieval and field survey. There were 283 invasive alien species in China, and the number of species of invasive alien microorganisms, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants, aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, and mammals were 19, 18, 170, 25, 33, 3, 10, and 5, respectively. The proportion of invasive alien species originated from America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania were 55.1, 21.7, 9.9, 8.1, and 0.6%, respectively. Methods for estimation of direct economic losses to agriculture, forestry, stockbreeding, fishery, road and water transportation, storage, water conservancy, environment and public facilities, and human health were established. Methods for estimation of indirect economic losses caused by invasive alien species to service functions of forest ecosystems, agricultural ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, and wetland ecosystems were also established. The total economic losses caused by invasive alien species to China were to the time of USD 14.45 billion, with direct and indirect economic losses accounting for 16.59% and 83.41% of total economic losses, respectively.Invasive alien species have become one of the most serious environmental issues in the world. Data of taxon, origin, pathway, and environmental impacts of invasive alien microorganisms, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, herbs, trees, and, marine organisms in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems of China were analyzed during 2001 and 2003, based on literature retrieval and field survey. There were 283 invasive alien species in China, and the number of species of invasive alien microorganisms, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants, aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, and mammals were 19, 18, 170, 25, 33, 3, 10, and 5, respectively. The proportion of invasive alien species originated from America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania were 55.1, 21.7, 9.9, 8.1, and 0.6%, respectively. Methods for estimation of direct economic losses to agriculture, forestry, stockbreeding, fishery, road and water transportation, storage, water conservancy, environment and public facilities, and human health were established. Methods for estimation of indirect economic losses caused by invasive alien species to service functions of forest ecosystems, agricultural ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, and wetland ecosystems were also established. The total economic losses caused by invasive alien species to China were to the time of USD 14.45 billion, with direct and indirect economic losses accounting for 16.59% and 83.41% of total economic losses, respectively