Proliferative phenotype of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells plays a critical role in the overexpression of CTGF in the bleomycin-injured rat.

The pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is not very clear, with evidence for the involvement of both inflammation and aberrant vascular remodeling (associated with angiogenesis). Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs), which play a major role in inflammation, secrete cytokines that promote the transformation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts. Moreover, angiogenesis is characterized by PMVEC proliferation.

Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells from bleomycin-induced rats promote the transformation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts.

Accumulation and activation of myofibroblasts are the hallmark of progressive pulmonary fibrosis, and the resident fibroblasts are the major source of myofibroblasts. However, the key factors involved in the transformation of fibroblasts are unknown. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs), major effector cells against pathogenesis in early stages of the disease, can secrete cytokines to induce the differentiation of mesenchymal cells.

Promoter cloning and characterization of the rabbit BK channel beta1 subunit gene.

The beta1 subunit of the voltage-dependent and Ca(2+)-activated large-conductance K(+) channel (BK) in mammalian smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays an important role in regulating smooth muscle tone and is closely linked with a series of smooth muscle tone associated diseases. However, knowledge of the transcriptional regulation of the BK beta1 is still largely unclear. For the first time, we cloned and characterized the full-length genomic sequence of the rabbit BK beta1 containing a 5'-flanking region of 2021 bp.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Background And Objectives: The mechanisms that trigger gallbladder evacuation dysfunction, the key risk factor for gallstone formation, have not yet been fully elucidated. The sphincter of Oddi (SO) plays important roles in the regulation of gallbladder evacuation and maintenance of normal hydraulic pressure of the biliary tract. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of hypercholesterolemia on the motility function of SO and the underlying mechanisms of SO dysfunction (SOD).

Molecular cloning, tissue distribution and bioinformatics analyses of the rabbit BK channel beta1 subunit gene.

Large-conductance, voltage-dependent and Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) (BK) channels are composed of pore-forming alpha subunits and the modulatory beta subunits. In smooth muscle, the modulatory beta1 subunits are vital in rendering BK channels function as an important regulator of smooth muscle tone and excitability. In this study, we cloned and characterized the BK beta1 subunit gene from rabbits (New Zealand white) and observed its tissue distribution pattern.

Down regulated expression of the beta1 subunit of the big-conductance Ca2+ sensitive K+ channel in sphincter of Oddi cells from rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet.

Hypercholesterolemia, which is closely related to gallbladder bile stasis, can cause sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) by increasing the tension of sphincter of Oddi (SO). Intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) could influence the tension of SO. The beta1 subunit of the big-conductance Ca(2+) sensitive K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) can enhance the sensitivity of the BK(Ca) channel to [Ca(2+)](i).

[The influence on the BK channel beta1 subunit expression of SO caused by high cholesterol in rabbits].

Aim: To investigate the effects on protein expression of big-conductance Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) channel (BKca) beta1 subunit caused by high cholesterol in Rabbit Oddi's sphincter (SO) cells.

Methods: The rat-anti-rabbit polyclonal antiserum against beta1 subunits of BKca channel of SO cell was prepared. And the protein expression of BKca channel beta1 subunit of SO tissue was detected by semi-quantitative immunohistochemical staining.

[Effects of sense vascular endothelial growth factor cDNA transfection on mononuclear chemotaxis protein-1 expression in rat pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells].

Objective: To study the transformation characteristics of tight junction of microvessel endothelial cells in bleomycin (BLM) induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on mononuclear chemotaxis protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression in pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells (EC).

Methods: Forty healthy rats were equally divided into a control and an experimental group in random. In the experimental group, PF were induced by BLM application.

[Changes of tight junction and Cx43 expression in microvessel endothelial cells of mouse lung induced by bleomycin].

Objective: To investigate the changes of expression of connexin-43 (Cx43) and the tight junction of microvessel endothelial cells (EC) to approach the effects in bleomycin (BLM) induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

Methods: Forty healthy rats were equally and randomizedly divided into the control group and the experiment group. In both group, vWf in blood serum was measured with ELISA method on 3rd, 7th, 14th, 28th day after BLM treatment.

[Preparation of polyclonal antiserum against beta subunit of rabbit BK channel].

Aim: To prepare polyclonal antiserum against beta subunit of rabbit BK channel in mice.

Methods: Gene encoding the intracellular fragment of rabbit BK channel's beta subunit was amplified by RT-PCR. The GST-beta fusion protein was expressed in E.

[Relationship between bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and vascular endothelial cell injury].

Objective: To explore the relationship between the injury of vascular endothelial cells and formation of lung fibrosis by bleomycin (BLM) in rats.

Methods: The rats of experimental groups were treated with bleomycin intratracheally to induce pulmonary fibrosis. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pulmonary tissues were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by immunohistochemistry and image analysis system.

Effects of cholesterol on proliferation and functional protein expression in rabbit bile duct fibroblasts.

Aim: To investigate the effect of cholesterol (Ch) on the growth and functional protein expression of rabbit bile duct fibroblasts.

Methods: The cultured bile duct fibroblasts were divided randomly into two groups: the control group and the experiment group (fibroblasts were incubated respectively with 0.6 g/L Ch for 12, 24, 36 and 48 h).

The study between the dynamics and the X-ray anatomy and regularizing effect of gallbladder on bile duct sphincter of the dog.

Aim: To study the relationship between the radiological anatomy and the dynamics on bile duct sphincter in bile draining and regularizing effect of gallbladder.

Methods: Sixteen healthy dogs weighing 18 kg to 25 kg were divided randomly into control group and experimental group (cholecystectomy group). Cineradiography, manometry with perfusion, to effect of endogenous cholecystokinin and change of ultrastructure were employed.

Effects of cholesterol on the phenotype of rabbit bile duct fibroblasts.

Aim: To investigate how cholesterol (Ch) can affect the phenotype of bile duct fibroblasts of New Zealand rabbits.

Methods: 16 rabbits were divided randomly into two groups: the control group and the experiment group. The rabbits in experiment group were fed with hypercholesterol diet for 8 weeks.

Effect of cholesterol liposomes on calcium mobilization in muscle cells from the rabbit sphincter of Oddi.

Aim: To analyze the influence of cholesterol liposome on the Ca2+ mobilization of cultured muscle cells in the rabbit sphincter of Oddi's.

Methods: New Zealand rabbit was sacrificed and the sphincter of Oddi (SO) segment was obtained aseptically. The SO segment was cut into pieces and cultured in DMEM solution.

Dynamic and ultrastructural study of sphincter of Oddi in early-stage cholelithiasis in rabbits with hypercholesterolemia.

AIM:To study the relationship between pre-formation of gallstone and the kinetics and ultra-structure of sphincter of Oddi.METHODS:Adult female rabbits were used and divided into 3 groups,and fed with either normal or high cholesterol diet for four or eight weeks.Each group contained eight rabbits.