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Biomedical subjects

Tong Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Tong Wang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Lymphocyte phenotyping and NK cell activity analysis in pregnant NOD/SCID mice.

The purpose of this study was to outline the fertility features of non-obese diabetic (NOD)/LtSz-scid/scid (NOD/SCID [severe combined immunodeficiency] for short) mice, and to evaluate the effects of NK cell subsets on the pregnancy outcomes of the syngeneic NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mating combination. Firstly, lymphocyte phenotyping was performed with flow cytometry to confirm the multiple immunodeficits in NOD/SCID mice. Fertility features were assessed in NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mice and compared with non-immunodeficiency control BALB/c x BALB/c mice. Although the presence of NK cell deficit is apparent in NOD/SCID mice, a certain level of remnant NK activity could be observed in these mice. The remnant NK cell activity was stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyIC), or inhibited with anti-asialo GM1 (ASGM1) anti-serum, respectively. The effects of these factors on pregnancy outcomes were evaluated after administration. Roughly normal fertility could be observed in NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mice. However, a slightly larger sized litter was observed in polyIC-treated NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mice compared with control NOD/SCID mice. In contrast, embryo resorption was boosted after ASGM1 injection, and correlated subsequently with a smaller litter size. It indicates that the remnant NK cell activity in NOD/SCID mice may be beneficial to feto-maternal tolerance during pregnancy.

Animals↗

Acupuncture prevents cognitive deficits and oxidative stress in cerebral multi-infarction rats.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture on cognitive deficits and oxidative stress in cerebral multi-infarction rats. The results showed that acupunctural treatment attenuated memory impairment induced by cerebral multi-infarction, as evaluated by shortened escape latency and increased swimming time of rats with memory impairment in the target quadrant. The data additionally suggested that acupunctural treatment ameliorated oxidative injuries induced by cerebral multi-infarction by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hippocampus. Further investigation by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that acupunctural treatment significantly increased the expression of CuZnSOD mRNA and protein in the hippocampus of the impaired rats. The findings demonstrate that acupuncture can exert beneficial effects on spatial memory and antioxidant status of cerebral multi-infarction rats.

Acupuncture↗

Axial flow modulates proximal tubule NHE3 and H-ATPase activities by changing microvillus bending moments.

We have previously demonstrated that mouse proximal tubules in vitro respond to changes in luminal flow with proportional changes in Na+ absorption (Du Z, Duan Y, Yan Q, Weinstein AM, Weinbaum S, and Wang T. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101: 13068-13073, 2004). It was hypothesized that brush-border microvilli function as a sensor to detect and amplify luminal hydrodynamic forces and transmit them to the actin cytoskeleton. In the present study we examine whether 1) flow-dependent HCO3- transport is proportional to flow-dependent variations in microvillous torque (bending moment); 2) both luminal membrane Na(+)/H+ exchange (NHE3) and H(+)-ATPase activity are modulated by axial flow; and 3) paracellular permeabilities contribute to the flux perturbations. HCO3- absorption is examined by microperfusion of mouse S2 proximal tubules in vitro, with varying perfusion rates, and in the presence of the Na/H-exchange inhibitor EIPA, the H(+)-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin, and the actin cytoskeleton inhibitor cytochalasin D. Paracellular permeability changes are assessed with measurements of epithelial HCO3- permeability and transepithelial potential difference (PD). It is found that 1) an increase in perfusion rate enhances HCO3- absorption and microvillous torque, and the fractional changes of each are nearly identical; 2) inhibition of NHE3 by EIPA, or H(+)-ATPase by bafilomycin, produced only partial inhibition of flow-stimulated bicarbonate transport; 3) disruption of the actin cytoskeleton by cytochalasin D blocked the increment of HCO3- absorption by high flow; and 4) HCO3- permeability and transepithelial PD are not modulated by flow. We conclude that flow-dependent modulation of proximal tubule HCO3- reabsorption is due to changes in both NHE3 and H(+)-ATPase activity within the luminal cell membrane and this requires an intact actin cytoskeleton. Paracellular permeability changes do not contribute to this flow dependence. Perfusion-absorption balance in the proximal tubule is a direct effect of flow-induced torque on brush-border microvilli to regulate luminal cell membrane transporter activity.

Amiloride↗

Role of PDZK1 in membrane expression of renal brush border ion exchangers.

Na-H exchanger NHE3 and Cl-anion exchanger CFEX (SLC26A6, PAT1) play principal roles in the reabsorption of Na and Cl in the proximal tubule of the mammalian kidney. The mechanisms by which NHE3 and CFEX are localized to and maintained in the brush border of the proximal tubule are largely unknown. To investigate the possible interaction of NHE3 and CFEX with the PDZ-domain-containing scaffolding protein PDZK1, we performed a series of in vitro interaction assays with GST-fusion proteins and native brush border membrane proteins. These studies demonstrated that, not only were NHE3 and CFEX capable of directly interacting with PDZK1, but that this interaction was mediated through their C-terminal PDZ-interaction sites. To determine whether PDZK1 interaction is essential for brush border localization of NHE3 and CFEX in vivo, we examined the expression of NHE3 and CFEX in kidneys of wild-type and PDZK1-null mutant mice by both Western analysis and immunocytochemistry. These studies indicated that, although brush border expression of NHE3 was unaffected by the loss of PDZK1, the expression of CFEX was markedly reduced. Finally, we assayed CFEX functional activity as Cl-oxalate exchange in brush border membrane vesicles and oxalate-stimulated volume absorption in microperfused proximal tubules. Consistent with the observed decrease in CFEX protein expression, both measures of CFEX functional activity were dramatically reduced in PDZK1-null animals. In conclusion, the scaffolding protein PDZK1 is essential for the normal expression and function of Cl-anion exchanger CFEX in the proximal tubule of the mammalian kidney.

Animals↗

Catalytic effects of inorganic acids on the decomposition of ammonium nitrate.

In order to evaluate the catalytic effects of inorganic acids on the decomposition of ammonium nitrate (AN), the heat releases of decomposition or reaction of pure AN and its mixtures with inorganic acids were analyzed by a heat flux calorimeter C80. Through the experiments, the different reaction mechanisms of AN and its mixtures were analyzed. The chemical reaction kinetic parameters such as reaction order, activation energy and frequency factor were calculated with the C80 experimental results for different samples. Based on these parameters and the thermal runaway models (Semenov and Frank-Kamenestkii model), the self-accelerating decomposition temperatures (SADTs) of AN and its mixtures were calculated and compared. The results show that the mixtures of AN with acid are more unsteady than pure AN. The AN decomposition reaction is catalyzed by acid. The calculated SADTs of AN mixtures with acid are much lower than that of pure AN.

Calorimetry↗

Nanorheology measurement on single circularly permuted green fluorescent protein molecule.

The force measurement mode of an atomic force microscope (AFM) has enabled us to measure the mechanical properties of biological materials at the single molecular level. In a conventional quasi-static force measurement on a single circularly permuted green fluorescent protein (cpGFP), we could unfold it by unraveling several sub-domains in a distinct sawtooth pattern at a slow stretching speed. In order to elucidate more detailed conformational changes at each extension length, we further measured dynamic relax-stress response of cpGFP molecules. In this measurement, several cycles of sinusoidal movement were applied to the sample during the stretching process. We found the protein molecule showed in-phase response to the sinusoidal input in most case of measurements.

Green Fluorescent Proteins↗

Aminothiazole inhibitors of HCV RNA polymerase.

Aminothiazole-based inhibitors designed for HCV polymerase display low micromolar potencies in biochemical assays. These compounds show a stringent preference for a cyclohexyl hydrophobe at the 2-amino position. The composition of these compounds suggests that they may be interacting at a recently discovered allosteric site on the polymerase.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases↗

Six-helix bundles designed from DNA.

We present a designed cyclic DNA motif that consists of six DNA double helices that are connected to each other at two crossover sites. DNA double helices with 10.5 nucleotide pairs per turn facilitate the programming of DNA double crossover molecules to form hexagonally symmetric arrangements when the crossover points are separated by seven or fourteen nucleotide pairs. We demonstrate by atomic force microscopy well-formed arrays of hexagonal six-helix bundle motifs both in 1D and in 2D.

Base Sequence↗

Regulation of acetyl CoA carboxylase and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 in rat adipocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) is a key enzyme in energy balance. It controls the synthesis of malonyl-CoA, an allosteric inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-I). CPT-I is the gatekeeper of free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation. To test the hypothesis that both enzymes play critical roles in regulation of FFA partitioning in adipocytes, we compared enzyme mRNA expression and specific activity from fed, fasted, and diabetic rats. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Direct effects of nutritional state, insulin, and FFAs on CPT-I and ACC mRNA expression were assessed in adipocytes, liver, and cultured adipose tissue explants. We also determined FFA partitioning in adipocytes from donors exposed to different nutritional conditions. RESULTS: CPT-I mRNA and activity decreased in adipocytes but increased in liver in response to fasting. ACC mRNA and activity decreased in both adipocytes and liver during fasting. These changes were not caused directly by fasting-associated changes in plasma insulin and FFA concentrations because insulin suppressed CPT-I mRNA and did not affect ACC mRNA in vitro, whereas exogenous oleate had no effect on either. Despite the decrease in adipocyte CPT-I mRNA and specific activity, CO(2) production from endogenous FFAs increased, suggesting increased FFA transport through CPT-I for beta-oxidation. DISCUSSION: Stimulation of FFA transport through CPT-I occurs in both tissues, but CPT-I mRNA and specific activity correlate with FFA transport in liver and not in adipocytes. We conclude that the mechanism responsible for increasing FFA oxidation in adipose tissue during fasting involves mainly allosteric regulation, whereas altered gene expression may play a central role in the liver.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗

Bone marrow stromal cells transduced with human hemangiopoietin gene support hematopoiesis in vitro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to construct a eukaryotic expression vector containing human hemangiopoietin (hHAPO) gene and express it in mouse bone marrow stromal cell line HESS-5, then support hematopoiesis in vitro with gene-modified HESS-5 (hHAPO-HESS-5). DESIGN AND METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of HAPO were digested with BamHI and BgII. Then the HAPO gene segment obtained was again cloned into pIRES2-EGFP to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector HAPO-pIRES2-EGFP. The recombinant vector was identified by enzyme digestion analysis, PCR, and sequencing. HESS-5 cells were transformed by recombinant vector and positive clones were selected with G418. The expression of HAPO gene in the transformed cells was detected by studying EGFP expression, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, and Western-blotting analysis. Support of human hematopoiesis by hHAPO-HESS-5 cells was evaluated in co-culture experiments with human CD34+ cells. RESULTS: Enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing showed that the target gene had been cloned into the recombinant vector. The expression of HAPO gene in the transformed stromal cells was demonstrated by fluoro-microscopy and RT-PCR analysis. HAPO protein was also detected in the supernatant of hHAPO-HESS-5 by Western blot analysis. As expected, stably transfected hHAPO-HESS-5 cells significantly increased in both relative and absolute numbers of CD34+ cells after 14 days of culture. The PKH26 study demonstrated that cell division was faster in CD34+ cells co-cultured with hHAPO-HESS-5 cells than in cells cocultured with vector-HESS-5 cells. The hHAPO-HESS-5 cells also supported human hematopoiesis in vitro more efficiently than did control vector-HESS-5 cells. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: A recombinant eukaryotic expression vector has been constructed and expressed successfully in transformed cells. The hHAPO-HESS-5 cells support rapid generation of primitive progenitor cells and maintain reconstituting ability of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro. Therefore, it would be possible to use stromal cells expressing HAPO gene as seed cells in the bone marrow transplantation.

Angiopoietins↗

[Effect of interleukin-6 on gene expression of certain cytokines during wound healing process of mouse skin].

To examine the effect of the interlukin-6 (IL-6) in wound healing process, gene expression profiles of cytokines including interlukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), interlukin-1beta (IL-1beta), keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) during the skin wound healing on the IL-6(+/+) and IL-6(-/-) mice were detected using immunochemical staining and RT-PCR methods at different phases after wound. The results showed that these cytokines were expressed at early phage after wound, and a expressing peak were found on the third day after wound, and decreased on the sixth day after wound. Meanwhile, on the third and sixth day after wound, all the levels of the five cytokines expressed of the IL6(-/-) mice were significantly lower than those of the IL-6(+/+) mice, but on the first day after wound, only the levels of MIP-1alpha and KC of the IL-6(-/-) mice were lower. The process of skin wound healing was later in IL-6(-/-) mice than that in IL-6(+/+) mice, but it was complete in IL-6(-/-) mice. These results showed that IL-6 induce expression of the other five cytokines detected, and advance the repair of the wound on skin of mice, but in the mice of IL-6 deletion, the wound healing process was not disturbed significantly.

Animals↗

Expansion in vitro and cytotoxicity of dendritic cells from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

The study was aimed to investigate the extensive amplification and the cytotoxicity of dendritic cells (DC) derived from chronic myeloid leukemia cells. DC were cultured in two steps: firstly, extensive amplification in primary culture of CD34(+) or mononuclear cells isolated from CML patients' bone marrow and peripheral blood with rhFlt3-L and rhTPO for 7 days; secondly, inducing culture of DC with rhGM-CSF, rhTNF and rhIL-4 for 14 days. A system inducing DC directly were established for comparison. DC were identified by immunophenotype with flow cytometry, chromosome analysis by displaying G banding and electric microscopy analysis. The function of stimulating T cells proliferation and cytotoxicity of CML cells were confirmed through MTT assay. The results showed that after first extensive amplification in primary culture with rhFlt3-L and rhTPO for 7 days, CD34(+) cells had a total cell number with (77 +/- 5) fold expansion, and DC were (39 +/- 8)% of total cell respectively after induction culture of DC with rhGM-CSF, rhTNF and rhIL-4 for 14 days. Both the amplification of cell number and yield of DC were higher than the system without extensively culture (P < 0.01). Such DC could stimulate T cells to proliferate and kill leukemia cells finally. In conclusion, two-step culture method can obviously improve the cell number of DC required, that is better than inducing them directly. DC derived from CML cells induce the generation of anti-leukemia immunization.

Adolescent↗

[Development of a method for isolation, culture and proliferation of mouse NK cells].

AIM: To establish a method to isolate, purify, and culture mouse nature killer (NK)-cells in vitro. METHODS: NK-cells were isolated from splenic mononuclear cells (MNC) by a two-step adherence system and magnetic microbeads actived cell sorting (MACS), then these cells were cultivated with feeder cells and IL-2 in RPMI 1640 medium for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days. The enriched cells were counted and stained with anti-mouse CD3-FITC and anti-mouse NK1.1-PE. The purity of the NK-cells was determined by flow cytometry and the cytotoxicity to YAC-1 targets was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS: In the two-step adherence system, the enriched cells cultivated for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days were 0.5 x 10(7), 1.4 x 10(7), 2.6 x 10(7), and 3.0 x 10(7) respectively, and the percent of CD3(-) NK1.1(+) cells was 18.36%, 43.44%, 55.68%, and 60.03% respectively. The cytotoxicity to YAC-1 targets was significantly higher than that of splenic MNC(P<0.01), and increased from 41.93% up to 54.38%, 66.54%, 79.38%, and 83.86% respectively at 25:1 of effector:target ratio. After NK-cells were purified by MACS, the purity reached 93.60%ls, the enriched cells was 1.5 x 10(6), but proliferated to only 1.9 x 10(6) 20 days later. CONCLUSION: NK-cells isolated by using the two step adherence system proliferate abundantly, and the purity reaches 55%-60%. The cytotoxicity to YAC-1 targets is about 80% at 25:1 of effector:target ratio.

Animals↗

[Effect of intranasal interleukin-12 gene therapy for allergic rhinitis in murine model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the local application of IL-12 gene with EBV-plasmid vector to nasal mucosa could prevent allergic inflammation in murine allergic rhinitis model. METHODS: Thirty-six BALB/C mice were randomly divided into allergic rhinitis group gene therapy group and control group. In mice with OVA-induced allergic rhinitis, the EBV/lipoplex (a novel cationic lipid combined with EBV-plasmid vector, pGEG. mIL-12) was locally administered into nasal mucosa before OVA challenge. The expression of IL-12 mRNA and protein, the change of eosinophilia and mast cell, and Th2 cytokine production in the nasal mucosa were measured. RESULTS: The amounts of IL-12 mRNA positive cells and IL-12 positive cells in nasal mucosa of gene therapy group were significantly higher than that of allergic rhinitis group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The amount of eosinophils, mast cells, and the level of IL-5 expression in nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis group were significantly higher than those in gene therapy group and control group (P < 0.01). The level of total IgE of peripheral blood in allergic rhinitis group was significantly higher than that in gene therapy group and control group (F = 1216.21, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that IL-12 mRNA and protein were expressed effectively after the local administration of pGEG. mIL-12 in the nasal mucosa. The local application of pGEG. mIL-12 is effective in modulating nasal allergic response and may be a convenient method for future approach to allergic rhinitis.

Animals↗

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture combined with massage for treatment of knee osteoarthritis complicated by gonarthromeningitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with massage on gonarthromeningitis complicated with knee osteoarthritis of Bengalese. METHODS: Acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture was given at Heding (Ex-LE2), Nei- and Wai-Xiyan (Ex-LE4, Ex-LE5) and others. and massage was given around the knee joints to treat 51 Bengalese patients of gonarthromeningitis complicated by knee osteoarthritis for one course (10 sessions of treatment). RESULTS: Seventeen cases were markedly-effective, 25 were effective, and 9 were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 82.4%. CONCLUSION: Chinese traditional acupuncture, moxibustion and massage have satisfactory therapeutic effect on gonarthromeningitis complicated by knee osteoarthritis of Bengalese.

Acupuncture Points↗

Enhanced anti-apoptosis and gut epithelium protection function of acidic fibroblast growth factor after cancelling of its mitogenic activity.

AIM: Mitogenic and non-mitogenic activities of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) are coupled to a range of biological functions, from cell proliferation and differentiation to the onset of many diseases. Recent reports have shown that acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) has a powerful anti-apoptosis function, which may have potentially therapeutical effect on gut ischemia and reperfusion injuries. However, whether this function depends on its mitogenic or non-mitogenic activity remains unclear. In this study, we identified the source of its anti-apoptosis function with a mutant, aFGF28-154 and observed its effect on reducing gut ischemia and reperfusion injury. METHODS: aFGF28-154 was generated by amplification of appropriate DNA fragments followed by subcloning the products into pET-3c vectors, then they were expressed in BL21 (DE3) cells and purified on an M2 agarose affinity column. This mutant aFGF28-154 maintained its non-mitogenic activity and lost its mitogenic activity. With a dexamethasone (DEX)-induced mouse thymocyte apoptosis model in vitro and in vivo, we studied the anti-apoptotic function of aFGF28-154. Also, in vivo study was performed to further confirm whether aFGF28-154 could significantly reduce apoptosis in gut epithelium after gut ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Based on these studies, the possible signal transduction pathways involved were studied. RESULTS: With a dexamethasone (DEX)-induced mouse thymocyte apoptosis model in vitro and in vivo, we found that the anti-apoptotic function of aFGF28-154 was significantly enhanced when compared with the wild type aFGF. In vivo study further confirmed that aFGF28-154 significantly reduced apoptosis in gut epithelium after gut ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. The mechanisms of anti-apoptosis function of aFGF28-154 did not depend on its mitogenic activity and were mainly associated with its non-mitogenic activities, including the intracellular calcium ion balance protection, ERK1/2 activation sustaining and cell cycle balance. CONCLUSION: These findings emphasize the importance of non-mitogenic effects of aFGF, and have implications for its therapeutic use in preventing apoptosis and other injuries in tissues and internal organs triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Identification of a small molecule nonpeptide active site beta-secretase inhibitor that displays a nontraditional binding mode for aspartyl proteases.

A small molecule nonpeptide inhibitor of beta-secretase has been developed, and its binding has been defined through crystallographic determination of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. The molecule is shown to bind to the catalytic aspartate residues in an unprecedented manner in the field of aspartyl protease inhibition. Additionally, the complex reveals a heretofore unknown S(3) subpocket that is created by the inhibitor. This structure has served an important role in the design of newer beta-secretase inhibitors.

Acetamides↗