Silencing salusin β ameliorates heart failure in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats by ROS-relative MAPK/NF-κB pathways in the paraventricular nucleus.

Objective: Sustained hypertension is a major cause of heart failure in aging hypertensive patients. Salusin β, a novel bioactive peptide of 20 amino acids, has been reported to participate in various cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. We therefore hypothesized that central knockdown of salusin β might be effective for hypertension-induced heart failure treatment.

The Antitumor Mechanism of Paeonol on CXCL4/CXCR3-B Signals in Breast Cancer Through Induction of Tumor Cell Apoptosis.

Background: Paeonol, a phenolic component from the root bark of Paeonia moutan, has been identified to possess antitumor effects. However, the effect of paeonol and the mechanism of CXCL4/CXCR3-B signals in paeonol-induced breast cancer cell remain unknown.

Materials And Methods: After MDA-MB-231 cells were pretreated with paeonol or DMSO, the proliferation activity was detected by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), Hoechst, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining flow cytometry.

Blockade of TLR4 Within the Paraventricular Nucleus Attenuates Blood Pressure by Regulating ROS and Inflammatory Cytokines in Prehypertensive Rats.

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been implicated in the progression of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. However, the role of TLR4 in the development of prehypertension is uncertain.

Methods: Prehypertensive rats were treated with 8% salt for 12 weeks to induce prehypertension.

Central blockade of NLRP3 reduces blood pressure via regulating inflammation microenvironment and neurohormonal excitation in salt-induced prehypertensive rats.

Background: Inflammation has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. We determined whether nod-like receptor with pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) involved in the process of prehypertension, central blockade of NLRP3 decreased inflammation reaction, regulated neurohormonal excitation, and delayed the progression of prehypertension.

Methods: Prehypertensive rats were induced by 8% salt diet.

Overexpression of CXCL3 can enhance the oncogenic potential of prostate cancer.

Purpose: CXCL3 and its receptor CXCR2 were considered to play particularly important roles in the progression of malignancies. However, the investigations about CXCL3/CXCR2 axis in prostate cancer have been poorly involved. Herein we firstly reported our studies on the expression and biological roles of CXCL3 and CXCR2 in prostate cancer.

Paraventricular Nucleus Infusion of Epigallocatechin-3-O-Gallate Improves Renovascular Hypertension.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenol present in green tea and is known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we hypothesize that EGCG attenuates oxidative stress in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN), thereby decreasing the blood pressure and sympathetic activity in renovascular hypertensive rats.

ER-α variant ER-α36 mediates antiestrogen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer stem/progenitor cells.

Accumulating evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSC) play important roles in breast cancer occurrence, recurrence and metastasis as well as resistance to therapy. However, the roles of breast cancer stem cells in antiestrogen resistance and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well established. Previously, we identified and cloned a novel variant of estrogen receptor α, ER-α36, with a molecular weight of 36kDa.

ER-α36-mediated rapid estrogen signaling positively regulates ER-positive breast cancer stem/progenitor cells.

The breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) play important roles in breast cancer occurrence, recurrence and metastasis. However, the role of estrogen signaling, a signaling pathway important in development and progression of breast cancer, in regulation of BCSC has not been well established. Previously, we identified and cloned a variant of estrogen receptor α, ER-α36, with a molecular weight of 36 kDa.

A novel anticancer agent Broussoflavonol B downregulates estrogen receptor (ER)-α36 expression and inhibits growth of ER-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers are aggressive and unresponsive to antiestrogens, and current therapeutic modalities for ER-negative breast cancer patients are usually associated with strong toxicity and side effects. Less toxic and more effective targeted therapies are urgently needed to treat this type of breast cancer. Here, we report that Broussoflavonol B, a chemical purified from the bark of the Paper Mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera) exhibited potent growth inhibitory activity in ER-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells at sub-micromolar concentrations.

Construction of an allogenic chimeric mouse model for the study of the behaviors of donor stem cells in vivo.

Background: It is essential to establish an animal model for the elucidation of the biological behaviors of stem cells in vivo. We constructed a chimeric animal model by in utero transplantation for investigation of stem cell transplantation.

Methods: This chimerism was achieved by injecting the stem cells derived from the bone marrow of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-transgenic mice into fetal mice at 13.

[Stem cells and prenatal therapy].

The special biological properties of stem cells bring us new hope for the research and application of prenatal therapy. The basic research of prenatal therapy utilizing stem cells developed quickly,providing reference and direction for clinical therapy. This review is mainly related to the progress in this field in recent years.

A chimeric mouse model established by allogenic in utero transplantation.

In utero stem cells transplantation is a promising approach to the prenatal treatment of diseases. In order to investigate the fate of the stem cells after in utero transplantation, we have established a chimeric mouse model with the method of in utero transplantation. Mononuclear cells (including stem cells/progenitor cells) derived from male mouse bone marrow were injected into fetal mouse peritoneal cavity during the pre-immune period.