Publications (2)4.07 Total impact
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Article: Overexpression of glucose-regulated protein 94 after spinal cord injury in rats.
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ABSTRACT: Glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 94 is a member of the stress protein family, which is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Spinal cord injury (SCI) induced ER stress that results in apoptosis. However, the role of GRP94 in injury of the central nervous system remains unknown. In this study, we performed SCI in adult rats and investigated acutely the protein expression and cellular localization of GRP94 in the spinal cord. Western blot analysis revealed that GRP94 was low in normal spinal cord. It rose at 6h after SCI, peaked at 1 day, remained for another 3 days, then declined to basal levels at 5 days after injury. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed that GRP94 immunoactivity was expressed at low levels in gray matter and white matter in normal condition and increased after SCI. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that GRP94 was co-expressed with NeuN (neuronal marker), and GFAP (astroglial marker). In addition, caspase-12, caspase-3 and phospho-c-Jun NH2-kinase (p-JNK) levels increased at 6h, peaked at 1day, and then gradually reduced to normal levels for 2 weeks after SCI by western blot analysis. Co-localization of GRP94/caspase-12 and GRP94/p-JNK was detected in neurons and glial cells. Taken together, these data suggest GRP94 involvement in the injury response of the adult spinal cord of the rats.Journal of the neurological sciences 07/2011; 309(1-2):141-7. · 2.32 Impact Factor -
Article: Elevated expression of β1,4-galactosyltransferase-I in cartilage and synovial tissue of patients with osteoarthritis.
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ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered a complex illness, characterized by cartilage degeneration, secondary synovial membrane inflammation, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Previous studies have shown β1,4-galactosylransferase-I (β1,4-GalT-I) to be a key inflammatory mediator that participates in the initiation and maintenance of inflammatory reaction in diseases. In the present study, we investigated the expression and possible biological function of β1,4-GalT-I in the cartilage and synovial tissue of OA patients. Cartilage and synovial tissue samples from OA patients and healthy controls were stained for β1,4-GalT-I. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to observe the expression of β1,4-GalT-I, and western blot was carried out for E-selectin. The interaction between β1,4-GalT-I and E-selectin was analyzed by double labeling immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation. The expression of β1,4-GalT-I increased in the cartilage and synovial tissue of OA patients compared with healthy controls. E-selectin was overexpressed and was correlated with β1,4-GalT-I in OA cartilage and synovial tissue. These data suggest that β1,4-GalT-I may play an important role in the inflammatory processes in cartilage and synovial tissue of patients with OA.Inflammation 07/2011; 35(2):647-55. · 1.75 Impact Factor