Knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Disruption in a Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Model

Zhang, Zhidong,Zou, Gangqiang,Chen, Xiaosan,Lu, Wei,Liu, Jianyang,Zhai, Shuiting,Qiao, Gang Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2019 Molecules and cells Vol.42 No.3

This study was designed to determine the effects of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption in a murine abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model. After injection of PVT1-silencing lentiviruses, AAA was induced in Apolipoprotein E-deficient ($ApoE^{-/-}$) male mice by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for four weeks. After Ang II infusion, mouse serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analysed, and aortic tissues were isolated for histological, RNA, and protein analysis. Our results also showed that PVT1 expression was significantly upregulated in abdominal aortic tissues from AAA patients compared with that in controls. Additionally, Ang II treatment significantly increased PVT1 expression, both in cultured mouse VSMCs and in AAA murine abdominal aortic tissues. Of note, the effects of Ang II in facilitating cell apoptosis, increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, reducing tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1, and promoting switching from the contractile to synthetic phenotype in cultured VSMCs were enhanced by overexpression of PVT1 but attenuated by knockdown of PVT1. Furthermore, knockdown of PVT1 reversed Ang II-induced AAA-associated alterations in mice, as evidenced by attenuation of aortic diameter dilation, marked adventitial thickening, loss of elastin in the aorta, enhanced aortic cell apoptosis, elevated MMP-2 and MMP-9, reduced TIMP-1, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 suppresses VSMC apoptosis, ECM disruption, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in a murine Ang II-induced AAA model.

Enhancing visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity of BiOI microspheres for NO removal by synchronous coupling with Bi metal and graphene

Zhu, Gangqiang,Hojamberdiev, Mirabbos,Zhang, Shaolin,Din, Syed Taj Ud,Yang, Woochul Elsevier 2019 APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE - Vol.467 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In order to further improve its photocatalytic activity, the BiOI microspheres were activated by a synchronous coupling of Bi metal and graphene under solvothermal conditions. The effects of the synthesis temperature (160–200 °C) on crystallinity, morphology, and photocatalytic activity were studied in particular. As expected, the ternary Bi-BiOI/graphene photocatalyst synthesized at 180 °C exhibited higher photocatalytic activity for NO oxidation removal under visible light irradiation than individual BiOI, and binary Bi-BiOI and BiOI/graphene composites. The photocatalytic efficiency for the NO removal of the ternary Bi-BiOI/graphene photocatalyst synthesized at 180 °C reached 51.8% within 30 min of visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the ternary Bi-BiOI/graphene photocatalyst is attributed to (I) the efficient transfer of photo-generated electrons from BiOI and Bi to graphene, leading to the effective separation of the photo-generated electron-hole pairs and (II) the surface plasmon resonance effect of Bi nanoparticles in the composite photocatalyst. Furthermore, the results of the scavenger experiments and DMPO-ESR spin-trapping measurements reveal that O<SUB>2</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> radical species play the most critical role and holes serve as a secondary active species in the oxidative removal process of NO by 180BOI/GR composite under visible light irradiation.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ternary Bi-BiOI/graphene photocatalyst was synthesized by solvothermal method. </LI> <LI> The composite photocatalyst can harness from visible to NIR spectrum. </LI> <LI> Bi-BiOI/graphene shows efficient photocatalytic activity for NO oxidation removal. </LI> <LI> O<SUB>2</SUB> <SUP>–</SUP> radical species play the most critical role in the photocatalytic process. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Disruption in a Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Model

Zhidong Zhang,Gangqiang Zou,Xiaosan Chen,Wei Lu,Jianyang Liu,Shuiting Zhai,Gang Qiao 한국분자세포생물학회 2019 Molecules and cells Vol.42 No.3

This study was designed to determine the effects of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption in a murine abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model. After injection of PVT1-silencing lentiviruses, AAA was induced in Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE?/?) male mice by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for four weeks. After Ang II infusion, mouse serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analysed, and aortic tissues were isolated for histological, RNA, and protein analysis. Our results also showed that PVT1 expression was significantly upregulated in abdominal aortic tissues from AAA patients compared with that in controls. Additionally, Ang II treatment significantly increased PVT1 expression, both in cultured mouse VSMCs and in AAA murine abdominal aortic tissues. Of note, the effects of Ang II in facilitating cell apoptosis, increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, reducing tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1, and promoting switching from the contractile to synthetic phenotype in cultured VSMCs were enhanced by overexpression of PVT1 but attenuated by knockdown of PVT1. Furthermore, knockdown of PVT1 reversed Ang II-induced AAA-associated alterations in mice, as evidenced by attenuation of aortic diameter dilation, marked adventitial thickening, loss of elastin in the aorta, enhanced aortic cell apoptosis, elevated MMP-2 and MMP-9, reduced TIMP-1, and increased proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 suppresses VSMC apoptosis, ECM disruption, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in a murine Ang II-induced AAA model.

Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption of Alginate/hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Blend Membranes with Semiinterpenetrating Network

Qianqian Wang,Gangqiang Zhang,Lin Zhang,Ping Zhu 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.7

Sodium alginate (SA) is a renewable material with broad application prospects in textiles, medicine, and otherfields. However, the disadvantage of poor strength and brittleness limited its future application. In this work, the SA wasreinforced by the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with a semi-interpenetrating network which leverages thefavourable properties. The structure and surface morphology of SA/HPMC blend membranes after Ca ion cross-linking wereexamined by FTIR, Raman, XRD and SEM. The mechanical properties and water absorbency of the blend membranes werealso studied. The results indicated that the hydrogen bond was found in SA/HPMC blend membranes, which improved theSA/HPMC blend membranes stability. Compared with calcium alginate membrane, the tensile strength and elongation atbreak of SA/HPMC blend membranes were improved to 57 % and 400 %, respectively.

In Situ Formation of Leaf-Like Ag2S/CdS Heterojunction Photocatalyst Harnessing Vis-NIR Light for Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants

Chang, Libin,Zhu, Gangqiang,Lu, Huan,Hojamberdiev, Mirabbos,Zhang, Zengping,Gao, Jianzhi,Wang, Chenghui,Yang, Woochul Springer-Verlag 2018 Catalysis letters Vol.148 No.9

Molecular and cytological analyses of A and C genomes at meiosis in synthetic allotriploid Brassica hybrids (ACC) between B.napus (AACC) and B.oleracea (CC)

Yan Yang1,Xiaochun Wei,Gongyao Shi,Fang Wei,Janeen Braynen,Jingshu Zhang,Baoming Tian,Gangqiang Cao,Xiaowei Zhang 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.2

Success of interspecific hybridization relies mostly on the adequate similarity between the implicated genomes to ensure synapsis, pairing and recombination between appropriate chromosomes during meiosis in allopolyploid species. Allotetraploid Brassica napus (AACC) is a model of natural hybridization between Brassica rapa (AA) and Brassica oleracea (CC), which are originally derived from a common ancestor, but genomic constitution of the same chromosomes probably varied among these species through time after establishment, giving rise to cytogenetic difference in the synthetic hybrids. Herein we investigated meiotic behaviors of A and C chromosomes of synthetic allotriploid Brassica hybrids (ACC) at molecular and cytological levels, which result from the interspecific cross between natural B. napus (AACC) and B.oleracea (CC), and the results showed that meiosis course was significantly aberrant in allotriploid Brassica hybrids, and chromosomes aligned chaotically at metaphase I, chromosome bridges and lags were frequently observed from later metaphase I to anaphase II during meiosis. Simultaneously, we also noticed that meiosis-related genes were abruptly down-regulated in allotriploid Brassica hybrids, which likely accounted for irregular scenario of meiosis observed in these synthetic hybrids. Therefore, these results indicated that inter-genomic exchanges of A and C chromosomes could occur frequently in synthetic Brassica hybrids, and provided an efficient approach for genetic changes of homeologous chromosomes during meiosis in polyploid B.napus breeding program.