Bmi-1 determines the proliferative capacity of normal and leukaemic stem cells

An emerging concept in the field of cancer biology is that a rare population of 'tumour stem cells' exists among the heterogeneous group of cells that constitute a tumour. This concept, best described with human leukaemia, indicates that stem cell function (whether normal or neoplastic) might be defined by a common set of critical genes. Here we show that the Polycomb group gene Bmi-1 has a key role in regulating the proliferative activity of normal stem and progenitor cells. Most importantly, we provide evidence that the proliferative potential of leukaemic stem and progenitor cells lacking Bmi-1 is compromised because they eventually undergo proliferation arrest and show signs of differentiation and apoptosis, leading to transplant failure of the leukaemia. Complementation studies showed that Bmi-1 completely rescues these proliferative defects. These studies therefore indicate that Bmi-1 has an essential role in regulating the proliferative activity of both normal and leukaemic stem cells.     

Identification of stem cells in small intestine and colon by marker gene Lgr5

The intestinal epithelium is the most rapidly self-renewing tissue in adult mammals. It is currently believed that four to six crypt stem cells reside at the +4 position immediately above the Paneth cells in the small intestine; colon stem cells remain undefined. Lgr5 (leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5, also known as Gpr49) was selected from a panel of intestinal Wnt target genes for its restricted crypt expression. Here, using two knock-in alleles, we reveal exclusive expression of Lgr5 in cycling columnar cells at the crypt base. In addition, Lgr5 was expressed in rare cells in several other tissues. Using an inducible Cre knock-in allele and the Rosa26-lacZ reporter strain, lineage-tracing experiments were performed in adult mice. The Lgr5-positive crypt base columnar cell generated all epithelial lineages over a 60-day period, suggesting that it represents the stem cell of the small intestine and colon. The expression pattern of Lgr5 suggests that it marks stem cells in multiple adult tissues and cancers.     

超顺磁氧化铁标记对干细胞转铁蛋白受体基因和蛋白表达的影响

目的:探讨超顺磁氧化铁(SPIO)标记对大鼠脂肪干细胞(ADSCs)内转铁蛋白受体(TfR)基因和蛋白表达的影响,及SPIO标记与TfR表达的剂量-效应关系.方法:从3周龄雄性SD大鼠脂肪组织中提取干细胞,用多聚赖胺酸(PLL)介导SPIO(质量浓度分别为12.5～、25～、50～、75～、100～μg/mL,PLL/SPIO为1:0.03)标记大鼠ADSCs 12 h后,用普鲁士蓝染色、台盼蓝及噻唑蓝法(MTr)试验检测SPIO标记率、细胞活力及增殖力,并用逆转录聚合酶链反应( RT - PCR)、Western blot技术检测各质量浓度SPIO标记细胞内TfR表达情况.结果:PLL介导SPIO可以简单、高效地标记大鼠ADSCs.当SPIO终质量浓度为25～100 μg/mL时,SPIO标记率达到近100％;各质量浓度SPIO标记可抑制细胞增殖,但对细胞活力没有明显影响.SPIO标记大鼠ADSCs内TfR表达水平下调,其中rfR mRNA表达量以标记后24h时最低,TfR蛋白表达量以标记后7d时最低.随着SPIO标记质量浓度的增加,TfR表达水平越低,持续时间越长,但当SPIO标记质量浓度达25μg/mL及以上时,TfR mRNA表达维持在一定的水平.结论:PLL介导SPIO可以简单、高效的标记大鼠ADSCs.PLL介导SPIO标记可引起大鼠ADSCs内TfR表达水平暂时性降低以减少对细胞外铁的摄取,且随着SPIO标记质量浓度的增加,TfR表达水平越低,低水平表达持续时间越长.     

Postnatal loss of Dlk1 imprinting in stem cells and niche astrocytes regulates neurogenesis

The gene for the atypical NOTCH ligand delta-like homologue 1 (Dlk1) encodes membrane-bound and secreted isoforms that function in several developmental processes in vitro and in vivo. Dlk1, a member of a cluster of imprinted genes, is expressed from the paternally inherited chromosome. Here we show that mice that are deficient in Dlk1 have defects in postnatal neurogenesis in the subventricular zone: a developmental continuum that results in depletion of mature neurons in the olfactory bulb. We show that DLK1 is secreted by niche astrocytes, whereas its membrane-bound isoform is present in neural stem cells (NSCs) and is required for the inductive effect of secreted DLK1 on self-renewal. Notably, we find that there is a requirement for Dlk1 to be expressed from both maternally and paternally inherited chromosomes. Selective absence of Dlk1 imprinting in both NSCs and niche astrocytes is associated with postnatal acquisition of DNA methylation at the germ-line-derived imprinting control region. The results emphasize molecular relationships between NSCs and the niche astrocyte cells of the microenvironment, identifying a signalling system encoded by a single gene that functions coordinately in both cell types. The modulation of genomic imprinting in a stem-cell environment adds a new level of epigenetic regulation to the establishment and maintenance of the niche, raising wider questions about the adaptability, function and evolution of imprinting in specific developmental contexts.     

Transduction and rearrangement of the myc gene by feline leukaemia virus in naturally occurring T-cell leukaemias

Evidence of myc gene transduction by feline leukaemia virus in several spontaneous lymphoid tumours of cats suggests that recombinant viruses carrying oncogenes may be much more involved in oncogenesis in natural conditions than previously recognized.     

三七总皂苷对新生大鼠海马神经干细胞活性影响及促分化作用

目的研究三七总皂苷对海马神经干细胞活性的影响和分化作用。方法体外培养海马神经干细胞,分别接种于96孔板和12孔板,96孔板细胞按三七总皂苷不同浓度梯度和同一浓度的不同时间点进行干预,应用MTT法检测海马神经干细胞的OD值,观察三七总皂苷对海马神经干细胞活性的影响;12细胞孔板分为对照组和给药组,应用免疫荧光染色方法检测神经元新生特异抗原（Tuj-1）和胶质细胞新生抗原（Vimentin）的表达,以观察三七总皂苷对海马神经干细胞分化的影响。结果（1）一定浓度范围内三七总皂苷能增强海马神经干细胞活性;（2）三七总皂苷能促进海马神经干细胞向神经元和胶质细胞方向分化。结论三七总皂苷能增强海马神经干细胞的活性并能促进海马神经干细胞分化。     

Consecutive inactivation of both alleles of the pim-1 proto-oncogene by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells

Specific genes can be inactivated or mutated in the mouse germ line. The phenotypic consequences of the mutation can provide pivotal information on the function of the gene in development and maintenance of the mammalian organism. The procedure entails homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, which, on fusion to recipient blastocysts, give rise to chimaeric mice that can transmit the mutant gene to their offspring. Inbreeding can then yield mice carrying the mutation in both alleles allowing the phenotypic analysis of recessive mutations. In addition to mice lacking a particular gene function, cell lines carrying null alleles of normally expressed genes can be instrumental in assessing the function of the gene. These cell lines can either be obtained from homozygous animals or, should the mutation be lethal early in embryonic development, be generated by consecutive inactivation of both alleles by homologous recombination in cultured cells. Here we illustrate the feasibility of this latter approach by the efficient consecutive inactivation of both alleles of the pim-1 proto-oncogene in embryonic stem cells.     

全反式维甲酸对HL—60细胞hTERT基因表达和端粒酶活性的影响

目的：探讨全反式维甲酸（ATRA）诱导HL－60细胞分化过程中人类端粒酶逆转录酶（hTERT)蛋白表达和端粒酶活性的改变,方法：应用间接免疫荧光标记法通过流式细胞仪检测hTERT蛋白含量的变化;采用多聚酶链反应－酶联免疫反应（PCR－ELISA）方法检测ATRA处理HL－60细胞前后端粒酶活性的改变,用碘化丙锭染色经流式细胞仪检测细胞周期的变化,结果：ATRA作用于HL－60细胞后,细胞内hTERT蛋白含量逐渐降低,细胞的端粒酶活性相应受到抑制。结论：在IL－60细胞分化过程中,可以通过hTERT基因的表达下调而抑制端粒酶的活性。     

新生小鼠神经干细胞的分离、培养和鉴定

目的：探讨新生小鼠神经干细胞(NSCs)分离、培养以及鉴定的方法。方法：分离新生昆明种小鼠(出生24h内)的大脑组织,经胰酶消化加机械吹打后,利用无血清培养基悬浮培养细胞,获得具有自我增殖能力的细胞克隆,并将细胞克隆贴壁培养测其分化能力。应用抗Ncstin、Musashi、SSEA-1、NSE免疫细胞化学方法及BrdU标记方法鉴定细胞克隆。结果：从新生昆明种小鼠大脑组织分离的细胞悬液,经悬浮培养,生成大量具有增殖能力的细胞,可形成神经球(neurosphercs),抗Nestin、Musashi、SSEA-1阳性,BrdU标记也呈阳性。细胞克隆贴壁培养后神经球分化为神经细胞,抗NSE阳性。结论：上述方法分离的细胞具有自我更新、自我复制及分化为神经细胞的能力,属于中枢神经系统干细胞。     

去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA对间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2增殖和成脂分化的影响

采用MTT和流式细胞术分别检测不同浓度的TSA对C3H10T1/2细胞活性和细胞周期分布的影响;油红O染色检测TSA对其成脂分化的影响,实时定量PCR检测TSA对成脂分化的关键转录因子PPAR-γ,以及成脂分化标志物Fabp4和Adipoq mRNA转录的影响.研究去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA对间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2增殖和成脂分化的影响及其可能的作用机制.结果显示TSA浓度为1、10和30 nmol/L呈浓度依赖性地抑制C3H10T1/2细胞活性,改变细胞形态,并将其细胞周期抑制在G0/G1期;TSA浓度为10nmol/L明显抑制C3H10T1/2细胞的成脂分化作用,并呈浓度依赖性地抑制PPAR-γ、Fabp4和Adipoq mRNA的转录.表明TSA呈剂量依赖性地抑制间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2的增殖和成脂分化,除转录水平调控外,非组蛋白如细胞骨架相关蛋白可能也参与TSA的抑制作用.     

Expression of rabbit defensin NP-1 gene in transgenic tobacco plants and its activity against bacterial wilt

A cDNA-derived 200 bp fragment encoding a rabbit defensin NP-1 mature peptide was ligated into the GUS-less pBH21 to yield pBIC-35NP1. Tobacco leaf discs were genetically transformed with anAgrobacterium tumefaclens strain harbouring pBIC-3SNP1. Northern blot analysis showed that the defensin NP-1 expression cassette was normally transcribed in transgenic plants. Resistance tests demonstrated that expression of native defensin NP-1 can confer partial resistance to the bacterial wilt pathogen,Ralstonia solanacearum.