CO-EXPRESSION OF MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR WITH ITS RECEPTOR IN HUMAN HEPATOMA CELLS AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLES

Objective: To investigate the potential role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSF-R) on the growth of human hepatoma cells. Methods: Specimens of different origin, including tissues of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), human fetal liver (FL) and normal liver (NL), the hepatoma cell lines, as well as the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with HCC or liver metastatic tumor (LMT), were used to detect the expression levels of M-CSF and M-CSF-R by ABC immunohistochemistry staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction methods the expression levels of M-CSF and M-CSF-R. Influence of monoclonal antibody against M-CSF (B5) or M-CSF-R (RE2) on proliferation ability of hepatoma cell linesin vitro was also studied. Results: The results showed that hepatoma tissues produced elevated levels of both M-CSF and M-CSF-R compared with those of fetal liver (P<0.001). The M-CSF/M-CSF-R expression levels of PBMC from hepatoma patients were higher than those of LMT patients (P<0.01,P<0.05) and the normal people (P<0.001). The hepatoma cell lines showed strong positive for M-CSF and M-CSF-R production. Both B5 and RE2 displayed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation of hepatoma cells. Conclusion: The study indicates a co-expression model for M-CSF-R in hepatoma cells, suggesting an involvement of M-CSF/M-CSF-R in growth signaling of those malignant cells. The M-CSF/M-CSF-R seems to function through an autonomy mechanism in human hepatoma.

DETERMINATION OF SERUM SOLUBLE MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR RECEPTOR LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGICAL DISEASES

Objective: To investigate the serum levels of soluble macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFsR) in normal subjects and patients with hematological diseases and its clinical implications in hematological diseases. Methods: The concentration of M-CSFsR was determined by ELISA. The serum M-CSFsR was identified and characterized by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Results: The mean serum level of M-CSFsR of 123 normal individuals was 0.48 ng/ml ± 0.41 ng/ml. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting assay revealed a ～ 90kD band of serum M-CSFsR. The mean serum M-CSFsR level of 60 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 36 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), 13 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and 42 patients with aplastic anemia (AA) .were 0.22 ng/ml±0.23 ng/ml, 0.17 ng/ml±0.16 ng/ml, 0.19 ng/ml±0.16 ng/ml and 0.23 ng/ml±0.21 ng/ml, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of normal subjects (P=0.002 ,P<0.0001,P<0.0001 andP<0.0001). The mean serum M-CSFsR level of 51 idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients was significantly higher than that of normal subjects (2.05 ng/ml±2.75 ng/ml,P<0.0001). Conclusion: The serum M-CSFsR levels of patients with ALL, AML, MDS and AA were significantly lower, while the level of patients with ITP was significantly higher than that of normal individuals. Patients with severe ITP (platelet count<30×l09/L) had the highest M-CSFsR level. It suggested that the abnormal levels of serum M-CSFsR may associate with some hematological diseases and may contribute to the pathological process.

Antiviral Activity of Silkworm Expressed Recombinant Human Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Vitro and Its Mechanism

Cells, pretreated with the recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhM-CSF) expressed in silkworm larvae, were inoculated with several viruses to observe the effect of rhM-CSF on viral replication. The results showed that in cultures of fibroblast derived from human fetal skin-muslce tissues infected with the viruses (including VSV, rhinovirus, influenza virus type A3, HSV-1, HSV-2, adenovirus type 6 and type 11), rhM-CSF inhibited the virus-induced cytopathy, which defered or relieved the cytophathy and that in the cells derived from breast feeding rabbit kidney infected with HSV-1, rhM-CSF reduced titer of the virus in a rhM-CSF dose-dependent pattern,in which rhM-CSF with the dose of 1×106 U/L made the viral titer drop dwon over 200 times. This antiviral activity of rhM-CSF could be partially neutralized by anti-IFN-βMcAb, but not by antiTNF-α, anti-IFN-α, or anti-IFA-γ McAb, indicating the mechanism of the antiviral activity of MCSF is related to the induction of IFN-β.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL OBSERVATION OF MACROPHAGE COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR AND ITS RECEPTOR IN BREAST CANCER AND HEPATOMA TISSUES

Objective: To study the potential role of cellular macrophage colony-stimulating factor (cM-CSF) and cellular macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (cM-CSF-R) with breast cancer and hepatoma and search the way for clinical application. Methods: Frozen surgical specimens from 48 breast cancer patients, including 29 cases of histological grade II and 19 eases of grade III, and 16 hepatoma patients were investigated by Avidin Biotin Complex (ABC) immunohistochemical assay with anti-M-CSF monoclonal antibody (Mab) and anti-M-CSF-R Mab. Pathohistological examination was performed as well. Results: cM-CSF and cM-CSF-R were detected in tested specimens. The expression levels of cM-CSF and cM-CSF-R in grade III group were higher than in grade II group and more higher than control group hyperplasia of breast. Hepatoma tissues also showed higher expression level of cM-CSF and cM-CSF-R than normal adult and fetal liver. Conclusion: Breast cancer and hepatoma tissues presented higher expression levels of cM-CSF and cM-CSF-R than control and expression level might be related with tumor’s process.

ENHANCEMENT OF NIH3T3 CELL PROLIFERATION BY EXPRESSING MACROPHAGE COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR IN NUCLEI

Objective: To explore the effects of nuclear M-CSF on the process of tumorigenesis. Methods: Functional part of M-CSF cDNA was inserted into an eukaryotic expression plasmid pCMV/myc/nuc, which can add three NLS to the C-terminal of the expressed protein and direct the protein into the cell nuclei. The constructed plasmid was transferred into NIH3T3 cells and the cell clones were selected by G-418 selection. Cell clones stable expressing target protein were identified by RT-PCR, ABC immunohistochemistry assayand Western blot. Cell growth kinetics analyses throughgrowth curves, cell doubling time, MTT test and anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) inhibiting cell growth testwere performed to identify cells proliferation potential.Results: The transfected cells showed elevated proliferation potential over the control cells. Conclusion: Abnormalappearance of M-CSF in nucleus could enhance cellproliferation, which suggests that cytokine isoforms within cell nucleus might play transcription factor-like role.

Internalization and half-life of membrane-bound macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The binding of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) soluble receptor (rh-M-CSF-sR) to membrane-bound macrophage colony stimulating factor (m-M-CSF) and the internalization and recycling of rh-M-CSF-sR/m-M-CSF complexes mediated by m-M-CSF were studied with a model of J6-1 cell line. The results indicated that m-M-CSF bound rh-M-CSF-sR with high affinity (Kd= 1.78×10 12 mol/L) and mediated a temperature- and energy-dependent internalization of rh-M-CSF-sR, and that internalized rh-M-CSF-sR could return to the cell surface in an m-M-CSF-bound state, suggesting that m-M-CSF may have a capability to mediate the internalization and recycling of rh-M-CSF-sR/m-M-CSF complexes. In addition, the half-lives of cell-associated M-CSF and its receptor of stimulated normal human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and 4 leukemic cell lines were measured by indirect immunoflu-orescence and flow cytometry. The results showed that the half-lives of the various kinds of M-CSF isoforms and

Receptor role of membrane bound macrophage colony-stimulating factor

According to the definition of cytokine, the direction of signaling should be from cytokine to receptor. The counter receptor was presented. Membrane bound macrophage colony-stimulating factor (m-M-CSF) and its receptor (M-CSF-R) were shown in human leukemic cell line J6-1 as autojuxtacrine mechanism. Soluble M-CSF receptor (sM-CSF-R), which was isolated from J6-1 cells membrane, was added into J6-1 cell culture. It was observed inhibition of J6-1 cell proliferation, decreasing of mitosis index and ratio of multinuclear cells, enlargement of cell diameter and volume, down regulation of numerous surface antigens. Dramatic change of intracellular pH was shown between several min to 20 min after treatment of sM-CSF-R. It suggested that some information was transmitted via m-M-CSF from sM-CSF-R. This counter signaling was not influenced by saccharification of m-M-CSF.

Bioactive materials from berberine-treated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote alveolar bone regeneration by regulating macrophage polarization

Alveolar bone regeneration has been strongly linked to macrophage polarization.M1 macrophages aggravate alveolar bone loss,whereas M2 macrophages reverse this process.Berberine(BBR),a natural alkaloid isolated and refined from Chinese medicinal plants,has shown therapeutic effects in treating metabolic disorders.In this study,we first discovered that culture supernatant(CS)collected from BBR-treated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(HBMSCs)ameliorated periodontal alveolar bone loss.CS from the BBR-treated HBMSCs contained bioactive materials that suppressed the M1 polarization and induced the M2 polarization of macrophages in vivo and in vitro.To clarify the underlying mechanism,the bioactive materials were applied to different animal models.We discovered macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF),which regulates macrophage polarization and promotes bone formation,a key macromolecule in the CS.Injection of pure M-CSF attenuated experimental periodontal alveolar bone loss in rats.Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor(CSF1R)inhibitor or anti-human M-CSF(M-CSF neutralizing antibody,Nab)abolished the therapeutic effects of the CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs.Moreover,AKT phosphorylation in macrophages was activated by the CS,and the AKT activator reversed the negative effect of the CSF1R inhibitor or Nab.These results suggest that the CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs modulates macrophage polarization via the M-CSF/AKT axis.Further studies also showed that CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs accelerated bone formation and M2 polarization in rat teeth extraction sockets.Overall,our findings established an essential role of BBR-treated HBMSCs CS and this might be the first report to show that the products of BBR-treated HBMSCs have active effects on alveolar bone regeneration.

Molecular cloning, pathologically-correlated expression and functional characterization of the colony- stimulating factor 1 receptor （CSF-1R） gene from a teleost, Plecoglossus altivelis

Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor （CSF-1R） is an important regulator of monocytes/macrophages （MO/MФ）. Although several CSF-1R genes have been identified in teleosts, the precise role of CSF- 1R in ayu （Plecoglossus altivelis） remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the CSF-1R homologue from P. altivelis, and named it PaCSF-1R. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that PaCSF-1R was most closely related to that of Japanese ricefish （Oryzias latipes）. Tissue distribution and expression analysis showed that the PaCSF-1R transcript was mainly expressed in the head kidney-derived MO/MФ, spleen, and head kidney, and its expression was significantly altered in various tissues upon Vibrio anguillarum infection. After PaCSF-1R neutralization for 48 h, the phagocytic activity of MO/MФ was significantly decreased, suggesting that PaCSF-1R plays a role in regulating the phagocytic function of ayu MO/M（P.

M-CSF TARGETING INTO LCL NUCLEUS BEHAVES AS A MALIGNANCY PROMOTOR

Objective: To investigate the functions of nM-CSF in malignant cells. Methods: recombinant M-CSF was targeted into cell nucleus by employing a eukaryotic expression plasmid vector pCMV/myc/nuc. The constructed plasmid was transfected into cells of EBV transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL). RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescent staining showed that recombinant M-CSF was localized into LCL cell nucleus. The transgenic cells showed elevated proliferation potential, enhanced resistance to apoptosis and increased ability of in vitro migration. Conclusion: Nucleus presenting M-CSF might act as a promoting factor in the processes of cell malignancy.

Genetic vaccination with Flt3-L and GM-CSF as adjuvants: Enhancement of cellular and humoral mmune responses that results in protective immunity in a murine model of hepatitis C virus infection

AIM： To investigate whether transfection of plasmid DNA encoding these cytokines enhances both humoral and cellular immune responses to hepatitis C virus （HCV） in a murine model. METHODS： We established a tumor model of HCV infection using syngenic mouse myeloma cells stably transfected with NS5. Co-vaccination of DNA encoding granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM- CSF） and Flt-3 ligand together with a plasmid encoding for the HCV NS5 protein was carried out. Mice were sacrificed 14 d after the last immunization event with collection of spleen cells and serum to determine humoral and cellular immune responses. RESULTS： Co-vaccination of DNA encoding GM-CSF and Fit-3 ligand together with a plasmid encoding for the HCV NS5 protein induced increased antibody responses and CD4＋ T cell proliferation to this protein, Vaccination with DNA encoding GM-CSF and FIt-3L promoted protection against tumor formation and/or reduction in mice co- immunized with cytokine-encoding DNA constructs, This suggests this strategy is capable of generating cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in vivo, Following inoculation with plasmid DNA encoding Flt-3L, no increase in spleen size or in dendritic cell （DC） and natural killer cell numbers was observed. This was in contrast to a dramatic increase of both cell types after administration of recombinant Flt3-L in vivo. This suggests that vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding cytokines that regulate DC generation and mobilization may not promote unwanted side effects, such as autoimmunity, splenic fibrosis or hematopoietic malignancies that may occur with administration of recombinant forms of these proteins. CONCLUSION： Our data support the view that plasmid DNA vaccination is a promising approach for HCV immunization, and may provide a general adjuvant vaccination strategy against malignancies and other pathogens.

Circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND： Myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs） are heterogeneous cell types that suppress T-cell responses in cancer patients and animal models, some MDSC subpopulations are increased in patients with pancreatic cancer. The present study was to investigate a specific subset of MDSCs in patients with pancreatic cancer and the mechanism of MDSCs increase in these patients. METHODS： Myeloid cells from whole blood were collected from 37 patients with pancreatic cancer, 17 with cholangiocarcinoma, and 47 healthy controls. Four pancreatic cancer cell lines were co- cultured with normal peripheral blood mononudear cells （PBMCs） to test the effect of tumor cells on the conversion of PBMCs to MDSCs. Levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM-CSF） and arginase activity in the plasma of cancer patients were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS： CD14＋/CD11b＋/HLA-DR MDSCs were increased in patients with pancreatic or bile duct cancer compared with those in healthy controls, and this increase was correlated with clinical cancer stage. Pancreatic cancer cell lines induced PBMCs to MDSCs in a dose-dependent manner. GM-CSF and arginase activity levels were significantly increased in the se rum of patients with pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS： MDSCs were tumor related： tumor cells induced PBMCs to MDSCs in a dose-dependent manner and circulating CD14＋/CD11b＋/HLA-DR- MDSCs in pancreatic cancer patients were positively correlated with tumor burden. MDSCs might be useful markers for pancreatic cancer detection and progression.

Methylation status of c-fms oncogene in HCC and its relationship with clinical pathology

INTRODUCTIONThe mechanism that DNA hypomethylation leads toactivation of oncogene and occurrence of malignantneoplasm is being increasingly recognized byresearchers. Normal DNA methylation playsimportant role in stabilizing the phenotype of cell.DNA methylation status reduction and/or patternalteration are related to activation and abnormallyhigh expression of some oncogenes and cellularmalignancy[1-6]. c-fms oncogene encodes for colonystimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R)[7], c-fms/CSF-1R was highly expressed in hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) tissue, but the mechanismremained obscure[8,9].

The molecular mechanisms of Yang Wei Kang Liu powder on anticancer and reducing chemotherapy side-effect in combination with chemotherapy

Objective:We studied the molecular mechanisms of Yang Wei Kang Liu Power(YWKL,traditional Chinese medicine for nourishing stomach and anticancer) on anticancer and reducing chemotherapy side-effect in combination with chemotherapy.Methods:615 pre-cancer mouse model of YWKL for 10 days and CTX 1 time,semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) to detect bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) gene and cancer proto-oncogene Bcl-2,c-myc expression.Results:YWKL in combination with chemotherapy could obviously promoted the expression of GM-CSF gene and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 and c-myc oncogenes of FC 615 mice.Conclusion:The molecular mechanisms of anticancer and reducing chemotherapy side-effect of YWKL in combination with chemotherapy are to promote the expression of GM-CSF gene and inhibit the expression of Bcl-2 and c-myc oncogenes.

On bio-diversity, complexity of M-CSF and its receptor

With the development of science, the methods and the views or scientitic researcn changed from analyses to syntheses. Recently, more attention has been paid to bio-diversity and complexity. According to the study on M-CSF and its receptor for years, the author suggests that, the multi-level of bio-diversity also appears at the bio-macromolecular level. Probability of bio-diversity is one of the bases for bio-complexity. Cellular sociology and topobiology are important aspects in bio-complexity, and should be developed. If taking Chinese traditional medicine together with the advantage from Reductionism, joining the study on complexity, Chinese scientist would make a chair in the international scientific society.

IP10, KC and M-CSF Are Remarkably Increased in the Brains from the Various Strains of Experimental Mice Infected with Different Scrapie Agents

Activation of inflammatory cells and upregulations of a number of cytokines in the central nervous system(CNS)of patients with prion diseases are frequently observed.To evaluate the potential changes of some brain cytokines that were rarely addressed during prion infection,the levels of 17 different cytokines in the brain homogenates of mice infected with different scrapie mouse-adapted agents were firstly screened with Luminex assay.Significant upregulations of interferon gamma-induced protein 10(IP10),keratinocyte chemoattractant(KC)and macrophage colony stimulating factor(M-CSF)were frequently detected in the brain lysates of many strains of scrapie infected mice.The upregulations of those three cytokines in the brains of scrapie infected mice were further validated by the individual specific ELISA and immunohistochemical assay.Increased specific mRNAs of IP10,M-CSF and KC in the brains of scrapie infected mice were also detected by the individual specific qRT-PCRs and IP10-specific digital PCR.Dynamic analyses of the brain samples collected at different time points post infection revealed the time-dependent increases of those three cytokines,particularly IP10 during the incubation period of scrapie infection.In addition,we also found that the levels of IP10 in cerebral spinalfluid(CSF)of 45 sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease(sCJD)patients were slightly but significantly higher than those of the cases who were excluded the diagnosis of prion diseases.These data give us a better understanding of inflammatory reaction during prion infection and progression of prion disease.

Effect and Mechanism of Cantharides Vesiculation Moxibustion on Hematopoietic Function in Mice Treated with Cyclophosphamide

Objective： To observe the effects of Cantharides vesiculation moxibustion on hematopoietic function and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM-CSF） secreted by peritoneal macrophages in mice treated with chemotherapy. Methods： The mice treated with Cyclophosphamide （CTX） were randomly divided into 6 groups. Ten mice in the control group were not treated. The mice in the vesiculation I-IV groups received moxibustion at Dazhui （GV 14）, Shenshu （BL 23） and Zusanli （ST 36） with different concentrations of Cantharides tincture. The mice in the grain moxibustion group were treated with moxa cone of wheat-grain size at these points. The other 10 normal mice were adopted as control. The peripheral blood leukocytes count, bone marrow nucleated cells count, spleen index and the ability of peritoneal-macrophages-induced GM-CSF were detected at different stages. Results： CTX could cause significant bone marrow suppression, significant decrease of bone marrow nucleated cell counts, peripheral blood leukocytes and spleen index, and reduction of peritoneal macrophages induced GM-CSF in the mice. Vesiculation moxibustion at Dazhui （GV 14）, Shenshu （BL 23） and Zusanli （ST 36）, not only reduced the bone marrow suppression, promoted bone marrow hyperplasia, increased bone marrow nucleated cell count, enhanced the number of the peripheral blood white blood cell （WBC） and shorted low sustained period of WBC chemotherapy-induced, but also enhanced the ability of macrophage induced GM-CSF. Conclusion： Cantharides vesiculation moxibustion has good resistance to the bone marrow suppression in mice treated with chemotherapy, and enhance the ability of the mouse peritoneal macrophages induced GM-CSF.