-Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal event in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. We have previously reported that methotrexate (MTX)-induced alveolar epithelial cell injury followed by pulmonary fibrosis as a result of the recruitment and proliferation of myofibroblasts. However, there is no data concerning whether EMT occurs in MTX-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the expression of EMT markers such as E-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin by immunofluorescence analysis in mouse lung tissues after administration of MTX. We found that vimentin and α-SMA-positive cells of the MTX-induced pulmonary fibrosis were increased; on the other hand, E-cadherin was decreased, indicating that epithelial cells act as the main source of mesenchymal expansion. These results exhibited the down-regulation of E-cadherin expression and the up-regulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in primary mouse alveolar epithelial cells (MAECs) and A549 cell lines. Additionally, MTX-induced A549 cells exhibited an EMT-like phenotype accompanied by the elevation of the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, as well as an enhancement of migration. All of these findings suggest that MTX-induced pulmonary fibrosis occurs via EMT.
Use of the ERAS protocol for the perioperative management of open AAA surgery shortened the time before recommencing oral consumption, the postoperative hospital stay, and reduced the medical costs compared to the conventional approach.
17b-Estradiol (E 2 ) serves as an anti-obesity steroid; however, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been fully clarified. The effect of E 2 on adipocytes opposes that of glucocorticoids, which potentiate adipogenesis and anabolic lipid metabolism. The key to the intracellular activation of glucocorticoid in adipocytes is 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b-HSD1), which catalyses the production of active glucocorticoids (cortisol in humans and corticosterone in rodents) from inactive 11-keto steroids (cortisone in humans and 11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents). Using differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we showed that E 2 inhibited 11b-HSD1 activity. Estrogen receptor (ER) antagonists, ICI-182 780 and tamoxifen, failed to reverse this inhibition. A significant inhibitory effect of E 2 on 11b-HSD1 activity was observed within 5-10 min. Furthermore, acetylation or a-epimerization of 17-hydroxy group of E 2 attenuated the inhibitory effect on 11b-HSD1. These results indicate that the inhibition of 11b-HSD1 by E 2 depends on neither an ER-dependent route, transcriptional pathway nor nonspecific fashion. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which provides the cofactor NADPH for full activation of 11b-HSD1, was unaffected by E 2 . A kinetic study revealed that E 2 acted as a non-competitive inhibitor of 11b-HSD1. The inhibitory effect of E 2 on 11b-HSD1 was reproduced in adipocytes isolated from rat mesenteric fat depots. This is the first demonstration that E 2 inhibits 11b-HSD1, thereby providing a novel insight into the anti-obesity mechanism of estrogen.
Percutaneous trans-catheter ASD closure was safely performed under the support of a surgical team. The cosmetic outcome of surgical closure is improving after initiation of partial sternotomy via limited skin incision for the pediatric population and young adult females. Prior to the treatment, the physicians must thoroughly inform patients and families of the advantages and disadvantages of both treatment options.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.