Isolation of human epidermal stem cells by adherence and the reconstruction of skin equivalents

The isolation of human epidermal stem cells is critical for their clinical applications. In the present study, we isolated three populations of epidermal keratinocytes according to their ability to adhere to collagen type IV: i.e., rapidly adhering (RA), slowly adhering (SA), and non-adhering (NA) cells. The aim of this study was to characterize RA cells and to investigate the possibility of using these cells for epidermis reconstruction. To identify RA cells, flow cytometric analysis was performed using anti-₆ integrin and anti-CD71 antibodies. RA cells express high levels of ₆ integrin and low levels of CD71, which are considered as markers of an epidermal stem cell nature. Furthermore, electron microscopy showed that RA cells are small and have a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, whereas SA and NA cells have well-developed cellular organelles and abundant tonofilaments. Western blot analysis showed that RA cells are slow cycling and express p63, a putative epidermal stem cell marker, whereas SA and NA cells express c-Myc, which is known to regulate stem cell fate. To compare epidermal regenerative abilities, skin equivalents (SEs) were made using RA, SA, and NA cells. The epidermis constructed from RA cells was well formed compared to those formed from SA or NA cells. In addition, only SEs with RA cells expressed ₆ integrin and ₁ integrin at the basal layer. These results indicate that RA cells represent epidermal stem cells and are predominately comprised of stem cells. Therefore, the isolation of RA cells using a simple technique offers a potential route to their clinical application, because they are easily isolated and provide a high yield of epidermal stem cells.Received 2 July 2004; received after revision 20 August 2004; accepted 10 September 2004     

Acylphosphatase overexpression triggers SH-SY5Y differentiation towards neuronal phenotype

An acylphosphatase (AcPase) overexpression study was carried out on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, using a green fluorescent fusion protein (AcP-GFP), with GFP acting as a reporter protein. The cellular proliferation rate was significantly reduced by overexpression of AcPase by a factor of ten. In contrast, clones transfected with two inactive AcPase mutants showed a growth rate comparable to control cells. This suggests that AcPase catalyzes the proliferative down-regulation. AcPase-overexpressing clones showed a physiological mortality rate as assessed by an MTT reduction test and by evaluation of necrotic markers. DNA fragmentation analysis and assays of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-active fragments showed no evidence of any apoptotic pattern. AcPase overexpression led to a marked increase in PARP activity as well as Bcl-2 content; these are commonly up-regulated during differentiative processes in neuronal cells. In fact, the typical differentiation marker, growth-associated-protein 43, was significantly up-regulated. Microscopic observations also showed a clear increase in the differentiative phenotype in AcPase-overexpressing cells. Our results clearly show that AcPase plays a primary causative role in neuronal differentiation.Received 3 May 2004; accepted 25 May 2004     

Differential effects of monastrol in two human cell lines

The kinesin-related protein HsEg5 plays essential roles in mitotic spindle dynamics. Although inhibition of HsEg5 has been suggested as an aid in cancer treatment, the effects of such inhibition on human cells have not been characterized. Here we studied the effects of monastrol, an allosteric HsEg5 inhibitor, on AGS and HT29 cell lines and compared them to those of taxol. While both cell lines were similarly sensitive to taxol, AGS cells were more sensitive to monastrol. The differences in sensitivity were determined by the degree of inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, reversibility of monastrol-induced G2/M arrest, intracellular phenotypes and induction of apoptosis. In both cell lines, monastrol-induced apoptosis was accompanied by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 cleavage. In AGS, but not HT29 cells, monastrol-induced apoptosis involved a prominent cleavage of procaspases 8 and 3. While in AGS cells, monastrol induced the formation of symmetric microtubule asters only, in HT29 cells, asymmetric asters were also formed, which may be related to specific HsEg5 functions in HT29 cells.Received 18 February 2004; received after revision 30 May 2004; accepted 16 June 2004     

Enzymes and receptors in the leukotriene cascade

Leukotrienes are a family of paracrine hormones derived from the oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid. These lipid mediators are recognized as important signal molecules in a variety of inflammatory and allergic conditions affecting the skin, joints, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, in particular asthma. Such conditions are typified by local pain, tissue edema, hyperemia and functional losses. In the tissues, immunocompetent cells accumulate at the site of injury which contribute to tissue damage and perpetuation of the disease process. Leukotrienes can elicit most, if not all, of these signs and symptoms. Thus, leukotriene B₄ is one of the most powerful chemotactic agents known to date and participates in the recruitment of leukocytes. The cysteinyl leukotrienes, on the other hand, contract smooth muscles, particularly in the peripheral airways and microcirculation. Recently, drugs which block the formation and action of leukotrienes have been introduced as novel antiasthmatic medications. This chapter reviews the biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology of the key enzymes and cognate receptors in the leukotriene cascade.     

Induced recovery of defective membrane expression of a CC chemokine receptor 5 mutant by phytohemagglutinin

CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. It plays an important role in macrophage tropic human immunodeficiency virus-1 entry and in some inflammatory reactions. CCR5-893(–) is a single-nucleotide deletion that results in complete truncation of the C tail of the gene product. We detected CCR5-893(–) in a sample of patients infected with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and found that it was maintained heterozygously with a frequency of 2%. There is no association between this mutation and any immunodeficiency. Membrane expression of CCR5-893(–) was substantially reduced compared to the wild type, but this defective surface presentation recovered greatly recovered in the presence of 2 mg l-1 phytohemagglutinin (PHA). However, PHA inducement did not affect the total intracellular expression of CCR5-893(–) or wild-type CCR5. Thus we suggest there exist some PHA-induced factor(s) that could mediate the presentation of truncated CCR5.Received 23 July 2003; accepted 18 August 2003     

Construction of ice nucleation active <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter cloacae</Emphasis> for control of insect pests

Ice nucleation active(INA)bacteria are the most potent heterogeneous ice nuclei in nature,which have become an important biological resource for diverse applications.Many researches have proved that INA bacteria can raise the supercooling points(SCPs)of insect pests,then reduce their cold hardiness.However,INA bacteria‘s inefficient colonization on the surface or in the guts of insects,and the high incidence of frost injury induced by their release hampered the application of INA bacteria in controlling insect pests in agricultural fields.In this study,we constructed a recombinant plasmid mob-Tn5-iceA with the ability of broad-host-range conjugal mobilization and integration of the ina gene of icaA into chromosomal DNA of many gram-negative bacteria by Tn5 transposition.In addition,Ent.cloacae strains stably carrying iceA and expressing high ice nucleation activity(INA),even in the absence of antibiotic pressure,were constructed through conjugal mobilization and Tn5 transposition.Ent,cloacae strains have benn reported to be able to efficently colonize in the guts of insects,but have weak plant epiphytic ability.Therefore,these transgenic Ent.Cloacae may be promising candidates for control of insect pests in agricultural fields.     

NMR study on self-assembled cage complex of hexamethylenetetramine and cucurbit[n]urils

Self-assembled complexes between cage com-pounds cucurbit[n = 5—8]urils and hexamethylenetetramine were studied by using NMR techniques. Experimental results reveal that hexamethylenetetramine can lid cucurbit[5]uril to forming self-assembled capsules in which nothing is encap-sulated yet; the cavity of the cucurbit[7]uril can accommo-date a hexamethylenetetramine molecule to form a self- assembled host-guest inclusion. Moreover, both the cavity interaction of the cucurbit[7]uril with hexamethylenetetra-mine稨Cl and the portal interaction of the dipole carbonyl of the cucurbit[7]uril with hexamethylenetetramine稨Cl lead to form self-assembled capsules in which the hexamethylene-tetramine稨Cl are encapsulated in the hexamethylenetetra-mine稨Cl lidded cucurbit[7]uril. Although the structures of the portal and cavity to cucurbit[5]uril are similar, there is no obvious interaction between decamethylcucurbit[5]uril and hexamethylenetetramine, and also between cucurbit [6]uril or cucurbit[8]uril and hexamethylenetetramine.     

Mo/HZSM-5催化剂上甲烷脱氢芳构化反应——催化剂蒸汽处理的影响

对机械混合法制备的Mo/HZSM-5催化剂进行蒸汽后处理,利用XRD、XPS等表征催化剂的晶相结构、Mo物种的分散度,在关联催化剂活性评价基础上,研究了催化剂的蒸气处理过程对Mo物种的分散度及其芳构化反应性能的影响.结果表明,机械混合法制备的催化剂上,Mo物种主要以微晶的形式分布在分子筛的外表面,由于缺少分子筛孔道择形保护,便于积炭副反应的发生.经高温蒸气处理后,催化剂上Mo物种的分散度显著提高,有较多的Mo物种迁移至分子筛的孔道内,并与B酸发生强相互作用生成钼氧二聚体,有效地增强了催化剂的抗积炭能力.因此,蒸气处理的Mo/HZSM-5催化剂的芳烃选择性和催化稳定性较传统机械混合法制备的催化剂有明显提高.     

3-甲基-6-氨基-5-氰基-4-（4-对甲氧基）苯基-1-苯基-1，4-二氢吡喃并[2，3-c]吡唑与牛血清白蛋白相互作用的研究

采用荧光光谱法研究了人体生理pH值条件下,3-甲基-6-氨基-5-氰基-4-(4-对甲氧基)苯基-1-苯基-1,4-二氢吡喃并[2,3-c]吡唑(Ⅰ)与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)分子间的相互结合反应;获得了不同温度下Ⅰ与BSA作用的结合常数K和结合位点数n;并根据Forster非辐射能量转移机理,计算出其与BSA相互作用时给体-受体间距离r为5.01 nm及能量转移效率E为0.280.证实了Ⅰ与BSA的相互结合作用为单一的静态猝灭过程,确定了其与BSA分子间有较强的结合作用,且结合力以疏水作用力为主.