Aggravated inflammation and increased expression of cysteinyl leukotriene receptors in the brain after focal cerebral ischemia in AQP4-deficient mice.

Objective: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the main water channel protein in the brain, plays a critical role in water homeostasis and brain edema. Here, we investigated its role in the inflammatory responses after focal cerebral ischemia.

Methods: In AQP4-knockout (KO) and wild-type mice, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 30 min of middle cerebral arterial occlusion (MCAO).

Aquaporin-4 deficiency attenuates acute lesions but aggravates delayed lesions and microgliosis after cryoinjury to mouse brain.

Objective: To determine whether aquaporin-4 (AQP4) regulates acute lesions, delayed lesions, and the associated microglial activation after cryoinjury to the brain.

Methods: Brain cryoinjury was applied to AQP4 knockout (KO) and wild-type mice. At 24 h and on days 7 and 14 after cryoinjury, lesion volume, neuronal loss, and densities of microglia and astrocytes were determined, and their changes were compared between AQP4 KO and wild-type mice.

[Deficiency of water channel AQP4 aggravates NMDA-induced brain injury in mice].

Objective: To evaluate the role of water channel AQP4 in NMDA-induced brain injury in mice.

Methods: In AQP4 gene knockout (AQP4(-/-)) mice, brain injury was induced by microinjection of NMDA into the cortex. The injured area was determined by toluidine blue staining, degenerated neurons were detected by Fluro-Jade B staining, and increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was evaluated by IgG immunostaining.

[Rotenone-induced changes of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 expression in BV2 microglial cells].

Objective: To prepare and identify a polyclonal antibody (pAb) against (mouse) cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT(1)) and to investigate the changes of CysLT(1) receptor expression in BV2 microglial cells after rotenone treatment.

Methods: Rabbits were immunized with KLH-coupled CysLT(1) peptide to prepare the pAb. The titer of the pAb in rabbit plasma was detected by ELISA method, and the specificity of the pAb was tested by antigen blockade.

Involvement of type II pneumocytes in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. Type II pneumocytes are identified as the synthesizing cells of the alveolar surfactant, which has important properties in maintaining alveolar and airway stability. Lung surfactant can reduce the surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse and the airway walls collapse.

[Preparation and identification of polyclonal antibody against cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2].

Objective: To prepare and identify a polyclonal antibody against cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLT(2)receptor).

Methods: Rabbits were immunized with KLH-coupled CysLT(2) receptor peptide to prepare the polyclonal antibody (pAb). The titer of the pAb in rabbit plasma was detected by indirect ELISA, and the specificity of the pAb was tested by antigen blockade.

Zl-n-91, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, suppresses inflammatory response in a COPD-like rat model.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as a disease state characterized by poorly reversible airflow limitation induced by cigarette smoking and/or other noxious particle and gases. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors are known to elevated cAMP concentrations in inflammatory cells, leading to inhibition of inflammatory response, relaxation of smooth muscle in the airway, and modulation of sensory nerves in the lung as well. To investigate whether Zl-n-91, a new selective PDE4 inhibitor, could decrease inflammation and improve lung function in a COPD-like rat model, male Sprague-Dawley rats are used to challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoking (CS) exposure to induce COPD-like animal model.

[Preparation and identification of a polyclonal antibody against novel cysteinyl leukotriene receptor GPR17].

Objective: To prepare and identify a polyclonal antibody (pAb) against GPR17, a novel cysteinyl leukotriene receptor.

Methods: Rabbits were immunized with KLH-coupled GPR17 peptide to prepare the pAb. The titer of the pAb in rabbit plasma was detected by indirect ELISA, and the specificity of the pAb was tested by antigen blockade.

[Effect of Spearmint oil on inflammation, oxidative alteration and Nrf2 expression in lung tissue of COPD rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Spearmint oil on inflammation, oxidative alteration and Nrf2 expression in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).

Methods: COPD model was induced by intratracheal instillation of Klebsiella pneumonia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 weeks in rats, and COPD rats were treated with Spearmint oil for 3 weeks. After COPD was induced, the pathological changes, changes in leucocyte number in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), MDA in lung homogenate and Nrf2 expression were observed.

[Effect of QTY06 on lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic airway inflammation and MUC5ac secretion in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of synthetic drug QTY06 on chronic airway inflammation and mucoprotein expression induced by intratracheal (i.t) instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods: Chronic airway inflammation was induced by i.