Oxytocin-induced phasic and tonic contractions are modulated by the contractile machinery rather than the quantity of oxytocin receptor

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. E992-E999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Kawamata ◽  
Yutaka Tonomura ◽  
Tadashi Kimura ◽  
Yukihiko Sugimoto ◽  
Teruyuki Yanagisawa ◽  
...  

To investigate the relationship between the oxytocin (OT) receptor (OTR) quantity and the contractile features systematically, we measured the mRNA expression levels of OTR and L-type Ca2+ channel α1C-subunit ( α 1C) and examined the regulatory mechanisms of OT-induced phasic or tonic contractions of the longitudinal smooth muscles in mouse uteri. The mRNA expression of OTR in 19.0 G (19.0 days of gestation) was greater than those in nonpregnant phases, and that of α 1C in estrus and 19.0 G was higher than in diestrus. OT-induced contractions sparsely occurred in diestrus. The OT-induced all-or-none-type phasic contractions at low concentrations were abolished by verapamil in both estrus and 19.0 G. OT-induced tonic contractions had similar pD2 values in both estrus and 19.0 G. However, the magnitude in 19.0 G was much greater than that in estrus. The large tonic contractions also occurred in PGF2α receptor (FP) knockout mice in 19.0 G despite a small amount of OTR. Verapamil and Y-27632 partially inhibited the tonic contractions in 19.0 G. Cyclopiazonic acid-induced tonic contractions were reciprocally decreased with the increase in the OT-induced ones in 19.0 G. These results indicate that the phasic contractions are dependent on α1C. The tonic contractions in 19.0 G are dependent on both Ca2+ influxes via L-type Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ channels, and the force is augmented by the Rho signal pathway, which increases the Ca2+ sensitivity. Thus the uterine contractions are mainly controlled by the modification of contractile signal machinery rather than simply by the OTR quantity.

Acta Naturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Gelena V. Kakurina ◽  
Elena S. Kolegova ◽  
Elena E. Shashova ◽  
Olga V. Cheremisina ◽  
Evgeniy L. Choynzonov ◽  
...  

Remodeling of the cytoskeleton underlies various cellular processes, including those associated with metastasis. The role of the proteases and proteins involved in cytoskeletal reorganization is being actively studied. However, there are no published data on the relationship between the mRNA expression levels of calpains 1/2 (CAPN 1/2) and the proteins associated with cytoskeleton remodeling. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to establish the relationship between the mRNA expression levels of CAPN 1/2 and the proteins involved in cytoskeletal reorganization, such as cell motility markers (SNAI1, VIM, and RND3) and actin-binding proteins (CFN1, PFN1, EZR, FSCN1, and CAP1) using the model of laryngeal/laryngopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LC). The gene expression level was determined by reverse transcriptase real-time PCR and calculated using the 2-Ct method in paired tissue samples of 44 patients with LC (T1-4N0-2M0). The patients were divided into two groups: those with low and those with high CAPN 1/2 expression levels. It was found that metastasis in LC patients was associated with decreased expression levels of VIM and CAP1, and increased levels of CAPN1. A high level of CAPN2 was accompanied by a high expression level of EZR, indicating the activation of invasion processes. The results obtained need to be confirmed in further studies using a larger sample of patients and target genes. Our study is important in elucidating the mechanisms that underlie cancer progression and metastasis, a development that could subsequently open the way to a search for new prognostic and predictive markers of laryngeal/laryngopharyngeal cancer progression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuanmao Guo

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IFN-a, TNF-a and TRPC6 in the disc tissue of patients with cervical disc degeneration. Methods: The expression levels of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IFN-a, TNF-a and TRPC6 were analyzed by RT-PCR, and the correlation between inflammatory factors and Pfirrmann grade and inflammatory factors was analyzed. Results: The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, TNF - a and TRPC6 were significantly higher in Pfirrmann grade IV-V than in Pfirrmann grade II-III (P< 0.05), and IFN-a expression level in IV-V intervertebral disc samples was significantly lower than that in II-III discs (P<0.05); The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, TNF - a and TRPC6 were positively correlated with pfirmann grading (P<0.05), IFN - a was negatively correlated with pfirmann grading (P<0.05), IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, TNF - a and TRPC6 were positively correlated with each other(P<0.05), IFN - a was negatively correlated with IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, TNF-a and TRPC6(P<0.05). Conclusion: IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IFN-a, TNF- a and TRPC6 are closely related to the degree of cervical disc degeneration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4347
Author(s):  
Yuki Yamamoto ◽  
Hiroshi Nakase ◽  
Minoru Matsuura ◽  
Shihoko Maruyama ◽  
Satohiro Masuda

Tacrolimus has been used to induce remission in patients with steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. It poses a problem of large individual differences in dosage necessary to attain target blood concentration and, often, this leads to drug inefficacy. We examined the difference in mRNA expression levels of ATP binding cassette transporter B1 (ABCB1) between inflamed and non-inflamed tissues, and the influence of CYP3A5 genotype on tacrolimus therapy. The mRNA expression of CYP3A4 in colonic mucosa and that of cytochrome p450 3A5 (CYP3A5) and ABCB1 in inflamed and non-inflamed areas were examined in 14 subjects. The mRNA expression levels of CYP3A5 were higher than that of CYP3A4. The mRNA expression of ABCB1 was lower in the inflamed than in the non-inflamed mucosa, despite that of CYP3A5 mRNA level being not significantly changed. Hence, the deterioration of the disease is related to the reduction of the barrier in the inflamed mucosa. The relationship between CYP3A5 genotype and blood concentration, dose, and concentration/dose (C/D) ratio of tacrolimus in 15 subjects was studied. The tacrolimus dose to maintain equivalent blood concentrations was lower in CYP3A5*3/*3 than in CYP3A5*1 carriers, and the C/D ratio was significantly higher in the latter. Thus, CYP3A5 polymorphism information played a role in determining the initial dose of tacrolimus. Furthermore, since the effect of tacrolimus appears earlier in CYP3A5*3/*3 than in CYP3A5*1/*1 and *1/*3, it seems necessary to change the evaluation time of therapeutic effect by CYP3A5 genotype. Additionally, the relationship between CYP3A5 genotype and C/D ratio of tacrolimus in colonic mucosa was investigated in 10 subjects. Tacrolimus concentration in the mucosa was two-fold higher in CYP3A5*3/*3 than in CYP3A5*1 carriers, although no significant difference in tacrolimus-blood levels was observed. Therefore, the local concentration of tacrolimus affected by CYP3A5 polymorphism might be related to its therapeutic effect.


2013 ◽  
Vol 219 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichiro Watanabe ◽  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Shigeo Akira ◽  
Toshiyuki Takeshita ◽  
Tamotsu Shibasaki

Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) is a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor peptide family and is expressed by various tissues, including reproductive tissues such as the uterus, ovary, and placenta. However, the regulatory mechanisms of Ucn2 expression and the physiological significance of Ucn2 in these tissues remain unclear. We previously showed that passive immunization of immature female rats by i.p. injection of anti-Ucn2 IgG induces earlier onset of puberty. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify the site and regulatory mechanisms of Ucn2 expression in the uterus. Expression levels of Ucn2 mRNA in the uterus were higher in immature (2- and 4-week-old) and aged (17-month-old) rats than in mature (9-week-old) rats in the proestrus phase. In 9-week-old rats, mRNA expression levels and contents in the uterus were lower in the proestrus phase than in the diestrus phase, while plasma Ucn2 concentrations did not differ between the two phases. Ucn2-like immunoreactivitiy was detected in the endometrial gland epithelial cells of the uterus. S.c. injection of estradiol benzoate or an estrogen receptor α (ERα) agonist significantly reduced mRNA expression levels and contents of Ucn2 in the uterus when compared with vehicle-injected ovariectomized rats. By contrast, estradiol benzoate increased Ucn2 mRNA expression levels in the lung. Thus, estrogens downregulate Ucn2 expression in the uterus in a tissue-specific manner, and Ucn2 may play a role in the regulatory mechanisms of maturation of the uterus through ERα and estrous cycle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Zhifu Fei ◽  
Song Luo ◽  
Hai Wang

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as senile dementia, is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and personality changes. Numerous evidences have suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis and development of AD. However, the exact role of miR-335-5p in the progression of AD is still not clearly clarified. Methods: The protein and mRNA levels were measured by western blot and RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. The relationship between miR-335-5p and c-jun-N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with APP mutant gene to establish the in vitro AD cell model. Flow cytometry and western blot were performed to evaluate cell apoptosis. The APP/PS1 transgenic mice were used as an in vivo AD model. Morris water maze test was performed to assess the effect of miR- 335-5p on the cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Results: The JNK3 mRNA expression and protein levels of JNK3 and β-Amyloid (Aβ) were significantly up-regulated, and the mRNA expression of miR-335-5p was down-regulated in the brain tissues of AD patients. The expression levels of miR-335-5p and JNK3 were significantly inversely correlated. Further, the dual Luciferase assay verified the relationship between miR-335- 5p and JNK3. Overexpression of miR-335-5p significantly decreased the protein levels of JNK3 and Aβ and inhibited apoptosis in SH-SY5Y/APPswe cells, whereas the inhibition of miR-335-5p obtained the opposite results. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-335-5p remarkably improved the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1 mice. Conclusion: The results revealed that the increased JNK3 expression, negatively regulated by miR-335-5p, may be a potential mechanism that contributes to Aβ accumulation and AD progression, indicating a novel approach for AD treatment.


Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
W Batista Cicarini ◽  
R C Figueiredo Duarte ◽  
K Silvestre Ferreira ◽  
C de Mello Gomes Loures ◽  
R Vargas Consoli ◽  
...  

We have explored the relationship between possible hemostatic changes and clinical manifestation of the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as a function of greater or lesser disease activity according to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K) criteria. Endothelial injury and hypercoagulability were investigated in patients with SLE by measuring thrombomodulin (TM), D-dimer (DDi) and thrombin generation (TG) potential. A total of 90 participants were distributed into three groups: 1) women with SLE presenting with low disease activity (laSLE) (SLEDAI-2K ≤ 4), 2) women with SLE presenting with moderate to high disease activity (mhaSLE) (SLEDAI-2K > 4), and 3) a control group comprising healthy women. Levels of TM and DDi were higher both in the laSLE and mhaSLE groups compared to controls and in mhaSLE compared to the laSLE group. With respect to TG assay, lagtime and endogen thrombin potential, low concentrations of tissue factor provided the best results for discrimination among groups. Analysis of these data allow us to conclude that TM, DDi and TG are potentially useful markers for discriminating patients with very active from those with lower active disease. Higher SLE activity may cause endothelial injury, resulting in higher TG and consequently a hypercoagulability state underlying the picture of thrombosis common in this inflammatory disease.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 595
Author(s):  
Ji Young Park ◽  
Sung-Bae Park ◽  
Heechul Park ◽  
Jungho Kim ◽  
Ye Na Kim ◽  
...  

There have been few reports on the kinetics of hemodialyzed (HD) patients’ immune responses in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Therefore, in the present study, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of nine immune markers were analyzed to discriminate between HD patients with LTBI and healthy individuals. Nine cytokines and chemokines were screened through relative mRNA expression levels in whole blood samples after stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific antigens from HD patients with LTBI (HD/LTBI), HD patients without LTBI, and healthy individuals, and results were compared with the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test. We confirmed that the C-C motif chemokine 11 (CCL11) mRNA expression level of the HD/LTBI group was significantly higher than the other two groups. Especially, the CCL11 mRNA expression level of the >0.7 IU/mL group in the QFT-GIT test was significantly higher than the <0.2 IU/mL group in the QFT-GIT test and the 0.2–0.7 IU/mL group in the QFT-GIT test (p = 0.0043). The present study reveals that the relative mRNA expression of CCL11 was statistically different in LTBI based on the current cut-off value (i.e., ≥0.35 IU/mL) and in the >0.7 IU/mL group. These results suggest that CCL11 mRNA expression might be an alternative biomarker for LTBI diagnosis in HD patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Hu ◽  
Xiaoqian Shang ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Jiahui Fan ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim Brucellar spondylitis (BS) is one of the most serious complications of brucellosis. CXCR3 is closely related to the severity of disease infection. This research aimed to study the degree of BS inflammatory damage through analyzing the expression levels of CXCR3 and its ligands (CXCL9 and CXCL10) in patients with BS. Methods A total of 29 BS patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. Real-Time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3, CXCL9 and CXCL10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of BS patients and healthy controls. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was used to show the pathological changes in BS lesion tissues. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to show the protein expression levels of Brucella-Ab, IFN-γ, CXCR3, CXCL9 and CXCL10 in BS lesion tissues. At the same time, ELISA was used to detect the serum levels of IFN-γ, CXCL9 CXCL10 and autoantibodies against CXCR3 in patients with BS. Results In lesion tissue of BS patients, it showed necrosis of cartilage, acute or chronic inflammatory infiltration. Brucella-Ab protein was abundantly expressed in close lesion tissue. And the protein expression levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3 and CXCL10 were highly expressed in close lesion tissue and serum of BS patients. At the same time, the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3 and CXCL10 in PBMCs of BS patients were significantly higher than those in controls. Conclusion In our research, the expression levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3 and its ligands were significantly higher than those in controls. It suggested that high expression levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3 and its ligands indicated a serious inflammatory damage in patients with BS.


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