Objective To construct a mammalian expression vector ofbasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and to investigate the expression of bFGFin vitro and in vivo. Methods A mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1/myc-His(-)C-bFGF was constructed with gene cloning technique. The mammalian expression system was prepared and purified. The expression of bFGF cDNAin cultured transfected cells was examined by RT-PCR and cell immunohistochemistry. The recombinant plasmids, pcDNA3.1/myc-His(-)C-bFGF and pCD2-VEGF121, were transferred into rabbit cervical muscle by direct injection of plasmid following electric pulses in vivo. The transferred gene expression and the biological effect were measured by use of histochemistry and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results The eukaryon expression system pcDNA3.1/myc-His(-)C-bFGF could express the target protein bFGF in vitro. The recombinant plasmids, pcDNA3.1/myc-His(-)C-bFGF and pCD2-VEGF121 were transferred into muscles flap in vivo successfully. The active proteins bFGF and VEGF121were expressed at high levels. Blood vessels increased significantly in the muscles, and blood circulation was improved by local angiogenesis. Conclusion Theeukaryon expression vector of bFGF is constructed and can be expressed successfully in vitro and in vivo. That is a primary preparation for the research on tissue transplantation and tissue engineering with bFGF gene therapy.
ObjectiveTo investigate relationship between ultrastructural changes and expression of basic fibroblast growth factor of diabetic retinopathy in rats.MethodsDiabetes was induced in rats with a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into normal control group and 1- , 3- and 5- month diabetes group. The paraffin slide was observed by in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and retinal ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy.ResultsNo change of retinal ultrastructure was found in the control group. Different degrees of ultrastructure lesion were found in 1-month diabetic rats with fragmental increase of thickness of basement membrane, swelling of endothelial cells and obvions fingerlike processes in the capillary cavity, disconcentration of heterochromatin both in endothelium and pericyte, and swelling and degeneration of mitochondrion. The edema of endothelial cells of 3-month diabetic rats was more serious than that of 1month ones, and the capillary cavity was nearly occluded. In 5-month diabetic rats, the basement membrane was unevenly thickened, or obviously split. The positive rate of in-situ hybridization in 3-month diabetic rats was 77.8% while the positive rate of immunohistochemical stain was 55.6%, which increased to 88.9% in 5-month diabetic rats.ConclusionsThe occurrence of the ultrastructural changes in STZ rats with diabetic retinopathy is earlier than that of the expression of bFGF.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2003,19:348-351)
OBJECTIVE To study the early protective effects of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) on the experimental acute spinal cord injury. METHODS Thirty-four SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, and were subjected to contusion of thoracolumbar spinal cord. A thin plastic tube was placed in subarachnoid space below the injury level for perfusion. The bFGF-treated rats were received 20 microliters bFGF(containing bFGF 100 U) at once, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after injury, and an equal volume of normal saline was given to the control group at the same time. The injured spinal cord was detected by morphological observation and biochemical index after injury. RESULTS The degree of ionic disorder in bFGF-treated rats was significantly ameliorated and the contents of H2O were also markedly decreased. The morphological finding showed that the damages of gray and white matter in bFGF-treated rats were slighter than those of saline-treated rats. CONCLUSION bFGF has some protective effects on the secondary lesion of early spinal cord injury in rats.
This study is aimed to investigate the effects of mechanical stretch on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and the signaling pathway in human bronchial epithelioid (16HBE) cells under mechanical stretch. Using loading device with flexible substrate (FX-4000T) to stretch 16HBE cells, we found that the stretching elongation was 15%, at frequency of 1 Hz, stretching for 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h and 2 h. Choosing the higher expression of TGF-β1, FGF-2 and Ca2+ group to carry out intervention experiments, we used the cells pretreated with canonical transient receptor potential 1 (TRPC1) channel antagonist SKF96365, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor HA-100, and thereafter mechanical stretch to interpose. Compared with those in the blank control group, TGF-β1 and FGF-2' protein and mRNA, intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity were higher, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) at the 4 time points, 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h and 2 h. At 0.5 h, the increasing rate was the highest. TGF-β1 protein and mRNA, FGF-2 protein and mRNA, intracellular Ca2+ luorescence intensity in the stretch+SKF96365 and stretch+HA-100 intervented group were decreased, the differences were statistically significant than those in 0.5 h stretch group (P < 0.05) without intervention. The expression of TGF-β1, FGF-2 was up-regulated in 16HBE cells under mechanical stretch, PKC, TRPC1, and Ca2+ may participate in the signal path.
Porpose To investigate the optimal concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on DNA synthesis and their synergism indensity arrested human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Growth factor effects in cultured human RPE of the 6th generation were assessed by [3 H]-thymidine incorporation and radioautography. Results EGF and bFGF were potent stimulators when used alone,and their optimal concentrations were 10ng/ml in DMEM and 1ng/ml in 2% serum DMEM.When used in combination (10ng/ml EGF and 10ng/ml bFGF),they caused a significant enhancement of [3 H]-thymidine incorporation about 2.96 times. Conclusion EGF and bFGF were potent stimulators in RPE cells,and demonstrated synergism in their action. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:98-100)
Objective To observe the effect of exogenous basic fibrob last growth factor (bFGF) on apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells exposed to visible light,and determine the role of bFGF, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1),bcl-2 and caspase-3. Methods 2000±500) lx cold white light was used. Exogenous bFGF was utilized during culture. Annexin annexin V-fluoresce in isothiocyanate/propidium iodium (V-FITC/PI) labeling,flow cytometry, Immunocytochemical staining, enzyme associated absorb examing and reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to determine the apoptosis, the expression levels of bFGF, FGFR1, bcl-2, as well as the activity of caspase-3. Results No protective effect of bFGF was observed under the concentration 5 ng/ml.A significant inhibition of apoptosis was found in 10 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml groups （P＜0.05）. The upregulation of bcl-2 was observed in bFGF (10 ng/ml, 20 ng/ml) protreated groups（P＜0.01）.Compared to no light exposure group,all light exposure groups (including bFGF pro-treated) had higher endogenous bFGF and FGFR1 levels （P ＜0.05）, and the increase was concentration dependent.The bFGF and FGFR1 levels were higher in exogenous bFGF applied (gt;5 ng/ml) groups than light exposure groups（P＜0.05）. The caspase-3 activity was significantly inhibited in bFGF (10 ng/ml) pro-treated groups. Conclusions Human RPE cells exposed to visible light were rescued by application of exogenous bFGF in vitro.The probable protective mechanism of bFGF partly is directly binding to FGFR1 or potentiating endogenous bFGF autocrine loop,to upregulate bcl-2 and to inhibit caspase-3 activation. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：24-28)
Objective To evaluate the ability of inductive osteogenesis of allgraft demineralized bone containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/ALB) in repairing bone defect. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (groups A,B,C and D, n=8). A segmental bone defect of15 mm inlength was made on the bilateral radius respectively and the defects filled with ALB/bFGF in group A, with ALB in group B, with bFGF in group C and without any materials in group D serving as blank control. At 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after operation, all restored bones were evaluated by roentgenography, histological observation and Ca2+detection of osteotylus. Results The X-ray films showed that groups A and B had a little shadow of bone formation at 2 weeks, while groups C and D had transparent shadow; that group A had denser shadow and new bone formation at 4 weeks and 6 weeks, groups B and C had a little increase of shadow and group D had little shadow at fractured ends; and that group A had formation of bone bridge at 8 weeks, the new formed bone in fractured ends of group B closed with each other, the gap still existed in group C, and the defects filled with the soft tissue in group D. The Ca2+content of group A was higher than that of groups B, C and D at 4 weeks (Plt;0.05) and 8 weeks (Plt;0.01). The histological observaton showed that the degree of bone restoration of group A was superior to that of groups B, C and D. Conclusion bFGF/ALB is a good material to improve bone restoration.
OBJECTIVE: To study the stimulating effects of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) on fibroblast function and its ability to expression of c-fos gene. Furthermore, to explore the possible network action between bFGF and oncogene in modulating wound healing. METHODS: Cultured rat fibroblasts were divided into bFGF stimulating group and control group. Fibroblasts in bFGF stimulating group were treated with bFGF in a dosage of 40 ng/culture hole, while the control fibroblasts were treated with the same vehicle without bFGF. The morphology, cell vitality and their ability to express c-fos gene in the fibroblasts in both groups were studied with MTT and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: All fibroblasts in bFGF treated groups were enlarged and showed increased vitality with MTT method. C-fos gene expression in bFGF stimulating group was increased, especially in nucleus when compared with those in control group. CONCLUSION: The results show that the function and the ability to express c-fos gene in bFGF treated fibroblasts are enhanced. Combined with our previous studies, it may make a conclusion that there is a network regulation mechanism between growth factors and some oncogenes.
Objective To investigate the value of serum angiopoietin like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) in evaluating the condition and predicting the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods The clinical data of 147 patients with ARDS admitted in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were collected. The levels of serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 in the ARDS patients on the day of admission were detected. According to the oxygenation index(OI), the ARDS patients were divided into a mild group with 38 cases (200 mm Hg <OI≤300 mm Hg), a moderate group with 63 cases (100 mm Hg <OI≤200 mm Hg) and a severe group with 46 cases (OI≤100 mm Hg). According to the survival within 28 days after entering the intensive care unit, the ARDS patients were divided into a survival group with 90 cases and a death group with 57 cases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of death in the patients with ARDS. Receiver operator characteristic curve were drawn to analyze the value of serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 levels in predicting the prognosis of ARDS patients. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 levels. Results The levels of serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group (all P<0.001). The levels of serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild group and the moderate group (all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of OI (OR=2.416, 95%CI 1.615 - 5.470), APACHEⅡ score (OR=2.795, 95%CI 1.973 - 6.874), SOFA score (OR=1.692, 95%CI 1.170 - 3.105), ANGPTL-4 (OR=1.951, 95%CI 1.360 - 4.208), GDF-15 (OR=2.583, 95%CI 1.804 - 6.195) and FGF-21 (OR=3.116, 95%CI 2.513 - 9.307) were the risk factors of death in patients with ARDS (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of combination of ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 was the highest (0.953, 95%CI 0.892 - 0.998) for prediction the death of ARDS patients, with a sensitivity of 98.0% and specificity of 87.3%. Correlation analysis showed that serum ANGPTL-4 level was positively correlated with GDF-15 and FGF-21 in the ARDS patients (P<0.001). Conclusions The elevated levels of serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 are related to the severity and death of ARDS patients. The combined detection of serum ANGPTL-4, GDF-15 and FGF-21 is helpful to predict the prognosis of ARDS patients.
Objective To explore the effects of the basic fibroblast growth factor（bFGF） gene transfection on the meniscal fibrochondrocytes with the reconstructed lentivirus and to observe the response of the meniscal fibrochondrocytes to the bFGF gene transfection. Methods The cultured meniscal fibrochondrocytes were isolated from the same 3-monthold New Zealand rabbit. The cultured first-generation meniscal fibrochondrocytes were divided into 3 groups:Group A (experimental group), Group B (control group), and Group C (blank group). Each group comprised the cells in a 24hole flask in which each hole contained 2×104 cells. At the confluence of 60%, the fibrochondrocytes in Group A were cultured with the reconstructed lentivirus carrying the bFGF gene. The fibrochondrocytes in Group B were cultured with the lentivirus carrying no bFGF gene. The fibrochondrocytes in Group C were cultured without any intervention. After 48 h, the cell cycle, the collagen synthesis ability, the expression of bFGF, and the cell proliferation ability in each group were investigated. Results In Group A, the bFGF expression of 870±60 pg/ml was detected in the cells 48 h afterthe co-culture; however, in Group B and Group C, no expression of bFGF was found. After the co-culture for 6 days, the results of the MTT colorimetry revealed that the cells in Group A had an absorbtance of 0.427±0.037, which had a significant difference when compared with that in Group B and Group C (0.320±0.042,0.308±0.034,Plt;0.01). The cell cycle was significantly shorter in GroupA than in Group B and Group C (Plt;0.05); The durations of G1, S and G2M of the cells in Group A were 16.28, 12.60 and 11.04 h, but those in Group B and Group C were 23.61, 16.90, 21.33 h and 21.56, 19.80, 21.41 h, respectively. The disintegration per minute of the cells was significantly greater in Group A than in Group B and Group C (7281.69±805.50 vs 5916.40±698.11 and 5883.57±922.63，Plt;0.05). Conclusion The lentivirus vector can transfer the bFGF gene into the meniscal fibrochondrocytes, resulting in an increase of the cell proliferation and the collagen synthesis.