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dUTP Nick-end Labelling (dutp + nick-end_labelling)
Selected AbstractsApoptotic activity in gestational trophoblastic disease correlates with clinical outcome: assessment by the caspase-related M30 CytoDeath antibodyHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2001P M Chiu The objective of this study was to assess apoptotic activity in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and its prognostic value in hydatidiform mole (HM). Expression of the specific caspase cleavage site within cytokeratin 18 was assessed immunohistochemically using the monoclonal antibody M30 CytoDeath in 12 spontaneous abortions, 22 partial and 57 complete HM, eight choriocarcinoma (CCA) and 28 normal placentas. The M30 immunoreactivity occurred predominantly in the syncytiotrophoblasts. A significantly higher M30 index in HM and CCA was found when compared with normal placentas and spontaneous abortions (P < 0.001). The M30 index of those HM which spontaneously regressed was significantly higher than those HM which developed persistent disease requiring chemotherapy (P < 0.001). The M30 index correlated with another apoptotic index previously detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) (P = 0.007) and the proliferation index assessed by the Ki67 antigen (P = 0.034). We conclude that apoptosis is important in the pathogenesis of GTD. Assessment of apoptotic activity in HM by the M30 index may be considered as an alternative prognostic indicator for predicting the clinical behaviour. [source] Heme oxygenase-1 gene transfer inhibits angiotensin II-mediated rat cardiac myocyte apoptosis but not hypertrophy,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Roger S.Y. Foo Cardiac myocyte apoptosis underlies the pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy, and plays a critical role in the transition from myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure. Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy which contribute to heart failure possibly through enhanced oxidative stress; however, the mechanisms underlying the activation of both pathways and their interactions remain unclear. In the present study, we have investigated whether overexpression of the antioxidant protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects against apoptosis and hypertrophy in cultured rat cardiac myocytes treated with Ang II. Our findings demonstrate that Ang II (100 nM, 24 h) alone upregulates HO-1 expression and induces both myocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, assessed by measuring terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial membrane potential. Ang II elicited apoptosis was augmented in the presence of tin protoporphyrin, an inhibitor of HO activity, while HO-1 gene transfer to myocytes attenuated Ang II-mediated apoptosis but not hypertrophy. Adenoviral overexpression of HO-1 was accompanied by a significant increase in Ang II induced phosphorylation of Akt, however, Ang II-mediated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was attenuated. Inhibition of phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase enhanced myocyte apoptosis elicited by Ang II, however, p38MAPK inhibition had no effect, suggesting that overexpression of HO-1 protects myocytes via augmented Akt activation and not through modulation of p38MAPK activation. Our findings identify the signalling pathways by which HO-1 gene transfer protects against apoptosis and suggest that overexpression of HO-1 in cardiomyopathies may delay the transition from myocyte hypertrophy to heart failure. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 1,7, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of Ethanol on Mouse Embryonic Stem CellsALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2009Alla Arzumanyan Background:, Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) reflects a constellation of congenital abnormalities caused by excess maternal consumption of alcohol. It is likely that interference with embryonic development plays a role in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Ethanol-induced apoptosis has been suggested as a causal factor in the genesis of FAS. Mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells are pluripotent cells that differentiate in vitro to cell aggregates termed embryoid bodies (EBs), wherein differentiation capacity and gene expression profile are similar to those of the early embryo. Methods:, To investigate the effects of ethanol during differentiation, mES cells were cultured on a gelatin surface in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor which maintains adherent undifferentiated cells or in suspension to promote formation of EBs. All cells were treated (1,6 days) with 80 mM ethanol. The pluripotency and differentiation of mES cells were evaluated by western blotting of stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1), transcription factors Oct-3/4, Sox-2, and Nanog, using alkaline phosphatase staining. Apoptosis (early to late stages) was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting using TdT-mediated biotin,dUTP nick-end labelling assay and fluorescein isothiocyanate-Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Results:, Ethanol increased apoptosis during in vitro differentiation of mES cells to EBs, whereas undifferentiated cells were not affected. Ethanol exposure also interfered with pluripotency marker patterns causing an upregulation of SSEA-1 under self-renewal conditions. In EBs, ethanol delayed the downregulation of SSEA-1 and affected the regulation of transcription factors during differentiation. Conclusion:, Our findings suggest that ethanol may contribute to the pathogenesis of FAS by triggering apoptotic pathways during differentiation of embryonic stem cells and deregulating early stages of embryogenesis. [source] Detection of DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa: correlation with semen parametersANDROLOGIA, Issue 6 2009M. Mehdi Summary To determine the prevalence of high levels of sperm DNA damage among infertile men with normal and abnormal semen parameters, 90 patients were subdivided into the following three groups. Group A (n = 30): men with normal semen parameters who acted as the controls. Group B (n = 30): asthenozoospermic men and group C (n = 30): teratozoospermic men, suffering from male infertility. DNA damage was evaluated by the rate of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) as assessed by the terminal desoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling assay. It was found that the difference was not significant between the percentage of DFI in patients with asthenozoospermia and the normospermic men (9.46% ± 8.68 and 8.19 ± 6.84 respectively, P- value not significant). The patients with teratozoospermia showed a significantly higher percentage of DNA fragmentation compared with the controls (respectively 21.37 ± 17.26% and 8.19 ± 6.84%, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between abnormal sperm morphology and the DFI (r = 0.44, P < 0.01) in group C. It is concluded that the impairments of sperm parameters were associated with an increase of DNA fragmentation; this association was strictly related to atypical forms. [source] Human lactoferrin stimulates skin keratinocyte function and wound re-epithelializationBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010L. Tang Summary Background, Human lactoferrin (hLF), a member of the transferrin family, is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies on various nonskin cell lines indicate that hLF may have a stimulatory effect on cell proliferation. Objectives, To study the potential role of hLF in wound re-epithelialization. Materials and methods, The effects of hLF on cell growth, migration, attachment and survival were assessed, with a rice-derived recombinant hLF (holo-rhLF), using proliferation analysis, scratch migration assay, calcein-AM/propidium iodide staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method, respectively. The mechanisms of hLF on cell proliferation and migration were explored using specific pathway inhibitors. The involvement of lactoferrin receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) was examined with RNA interference technique. An in vivo swine second-degree burn wound model was also used to assess wound re-epithelialization. Results, Studies revealed that holo-rhLF significantly stimulated keratinocyte proliferation which could be blocked by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 1 inhibitor. Holo-rhLF also showed strong promoting effects on keratinocyte migration, which could be blocked by either inhibition of the MAPK, Src and Rho/ROCK pathways, or downregulation of the LRP1 receptor. With cells under starving or 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate exposure, the addition of holo-rhLF was found greatly to increase cell viability and inhibit cell apoptosis. Additionally, holo-rhLF significantly increased the rate of wound re-epithelialization in swine second-degree burn wounds. Conclusions, Our studies demonstrate the direct effects of holo-rhLF on wound re-epithelialization including the enhancement of keratinocyte proliferation and migration as well as the protection of cells from apoptosis. The data strongly indicate its potential therapeutic applications in wound healing. [source] EARLY STRUCTURAL CHANGES OF AORTIC WALL IN SINOAORTIC-DENERVATED RATSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Fu-Ming Shen SUMMARY 1The present work was designed to observe the early structural changes in the aortic wall in Sprague-Dawley rats 1, 2 and 4 weeks after sinoaortic denervation (SAD). 2Rats were examined 1, 2 and 4 weeks after SAD. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded in the conscious state. The thoracic aortas were taken for investigations, including: light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL). 3Blood pressure variability (BPV) was significantly increased in the SAD groups 1, 2 and 4 after the operation when compared with the sham-operated ones. 4Two weeks after SAD the percentage proportion of smooth muscle cell density (SMC%) was obviously increased. 5Four weeks after SAD: the SMC%, percentage proportion of collagen density (CD%) and aortic wall thickness (WT) were obviously increased with vascular smooth muscle cells blebbing concomitantly. Endothelial cells showed degenerative changes and swelling with blebbing of the cell membrane and increased condensation of peripheral nuclear chromatin and cytoplasmic vacuolization. It was also found that the number of apoptotic endothelial cells was increased and expression of eNOS was reduced. 6This is the first study that shows the time-course of aortic wall and endothelial cell changes induced by SAD. Increased BPV might be the priming factor in the development of organ damage induced by SAD. [source] Effects Of The Na+/H+ Exchange Inhibitor Cariporide (HOE 642) On Cardiac Function And Cardiomyocyte Cell Death In Rat Ischaemic,Reperfused HeartCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5-6 2000Hajime Otani SUMMARY 1. Na+/H+ exchange has been implicated in the mechanism of reperfusion injury. We examined the effects of the cardiac-specific Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor cariporide (HOE 642) on postischaemic recovery of cardiac function and cardiomyocyte cell death (i.e. necrosis and apoptosis). 2. Rat isolated and buffer-perfused hearts were subjected to 25 min normothermic global ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. Cariporide (10 ,mol/L) or its vehicle (0.01% dimethylsulphoxide) was administered for 15 min before ischaemia and for the first 30 min after reperfusion. 3. Cariporide significantly improved the recovery of isovolumic left ventricular function (heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) and coronary flow throughout reperfusion. Creatine kinase release during reperfusion was significantly less in the cariporide-treated heart. In situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL)- positive cardiomyocytes were also significantly less in the cariporide-treated heart after 120 min reperfusion. Electron microscopy showed necrotic changes without typical apoptotic features in cardiomyocytes after reperfusion. Such necrotic changes were mitigated by cariporide. Simultaneous detection of necrotic and apoptotic cardiomyocytes using propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin V revealed that cardiomyocytes in the infarct area were stained with only PI or both PI and Annexin V. Cariporide did not alter the pattern of cardiomyocyte staining with PI and Annexin V, although the number of cardiomyocytes stained with PI or PI plus Annexin V was less than that in vehicle-treated hearts. 4. These results suggest that apoptosis is not a major manifestation of cardiomyocyte cell death in the ischaemic, reperfused myocardium and a cariporide-sensitive mechanism of reperfusion injury promotes both necrotic and apoptotic processes of cell death. [source] | ||||||||||