ObjectiveTo establish a better immunofluorescence protocol to detect co-localization of p53 and mitochondria which may benefit studies aiming to detect mitochondrial expression of proteins.MethodsHeLa cells were treated with hypoxia and the expression of p53 was detected by immunoblotting. HeLa cells were fixed with methanol, methanol: acetone (1: 1, v/v) mixture, and 4% paraformaldehyde, respectively; the former two groups were not permeable, while the latter was penetrated with 0.1% Triton-X 100 and stained with p53 and mitochondria at the same time. After HeLa cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, the concentration of Triton-X 100 was reduced to 0.05%, 0.025%, 0.01%, and 0.005%. After the HeLa cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, the concentration of Triton-X 100 decreased to 0.01% and 0.005% for the first time, then, after staining with p53, the mitochondria were stained with 0.1% Triton-X 100 for the second time.ResultsThe expression of p53 was up-regulated (P<0.01) after hypoxia, which could be used in the following immunofluorescence experiment. The co-localization of p53 and mitochondria was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm in both the methanol group and the mixed solution group. The co-localization of p53 was the most obvious in the mixed solution group. After using 0.1% Triton-X 100, the p53 signal was mainly in the nucleus, but no co-localization was observed. After fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde, to some extent, the reduced concentration of 0.05% and 0.025% Triton-X 100 weakened the p53 signal in nucleus and enhanced the co-localization signal. However, the signal in nucleus was still stronger than that in cytoplasm. When it was reduced to 0.01% and 0.005%, p53 signal was detected in cytoplasm but not in nucleus, suggesting that the nuclear membrane was not penetrated under this condition, but it also failed to penetrate the mitochondrial membrane, leading to the failure of mitochondrial labeling. The second permeability completely avoided the p53 signal in nucleus, and successfully labeled mitochondria, and the co-localization of p53 and mitochondria was detected.ConclusionsCo-localization of p53 and mitochondria is detectable in cells fixed by methanol or methanol and acetone mixture which brings out better results. Penetrating twice with Triton X-100 of different concentrations following paraformaldehyde fixation help avoid signals in nuclei and falicitate co-localization detection.
Objective Tolerogenic DCs (Tol-DCs), a group of cells with imDC phenotype, can stably induce T cells low-reactivity and immune tolerance. We systematically reviewed the adoptive transfusion of Tol-DCs induced by different ways to prolong cardiac allograft survival and its possible mechanism. Method MEDLINE (1966 to March 2011), EMbase (1980 to March 2011), and ISI (inception to March 2011) were searched for identification of relevant studies. We used allogeneic heart graft survival time as endpoint outcome to analyze the effect of adoptive transfusion of Tol-DC on cardiac allograft. By integrating studies’ information, we summarized the mechanisms of Tol-DC in prolonging cardiac grafts. Results Four methods were used to induce Tol-DC in all of the 44 included studies including gene-modified, drug-intervened, cytokine-induced, and other-derived (liver-derived amp; spleen-derived) DCs. The results showed that all types of Tol-DC can effectively prolong graft survival, and the average extension of graft survival time for each group was as follows: 22.02 ± 21.9 days (3.2 folds to control group) in the gene modified group, 25.94 ± 16.9 days (4.3 folds) in the drug-intervened groups, 9.00 ± 8.13 days (1.9 folds) in the cytokine-induced group, and 10.69 ± 9.94 days (2.1 folds) in the other-derived group. The main mechanisms of Tol-DCs to prolong graft survival were as follows: a) induceT-cell hyporeactivity (detected by MLR); b) reduce the effect of cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL); c) promote Th2 differentiation; d) induce Treg; e) induce chimerism. Conclusion For fully MHC mismatched allogeneic heart transplant recipients of inbred mouse, adoptive transfusion of Tol-DC, which can be gene-modified, drug-intervened, cytokine-induced, spleen-derived or liver-derived, can clearly prolong the survival of cardiac allograft or induce immune tolerance. Gene-modified and drug-induced Tol-DC can prolong graft survival most obviously. Having better reliability and stability than drug-induction, gene-modification is the best way to induce Tol-DCs at present. One-time intravenous infusion of 2 × 106 Tol-DC is a simple and feasible way to induce long-term graft survival. Multiple infusions will prolong it but increase the risk and cost. Adoptive transfusion of Tol-DC in conjunction with immunosuppressive agents may also prolong the graft survival time.
Objective To review research progress of pancreas stellate cells in pancreas fibrosis and understand characteristics and activation of pancreas stellate cells and its mechanism on pancreas fibrosis. Method The relevant literatures about pancreas stellate cells and its studies in pancreas fibrosis were reviewed. Results The activation of pancreatic stellate cell is associated with fibrosis of pancreatitis and end stage of pancreas transplantation, but its effect and regulation mechanisms for the extracelluar and intracellular molecular network need to be further investigated. Conclusion Elucidation of activation of pancreas stellate cells will facilitate understanding of pancreas fibrosis and searching new target in treatment of pancreas fibrosis.