Donor denervation and elimination of Kupffer cells affect expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 in liver graft

BACKGROUND: The non-function and dysfunction of primary liver graft likely involves dependence on Kupffer cells and hepatic innervation. The present experiment was designed to study the expression of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA in liver graft and to elucidate the role of Kupffer cells and the sympathetic nerve of the liver in down-regulating this expression. METHODS: Donor rats were given hexamethonium, a sympathetic ganglionic blocking agent, and/or gadolinium chloride, an inhibitor of Kupffer cells. Then the changes of graft P-selectin and ICAM-1 mRNA expression were measured after liver transplantation. RESULTS: The expressions of P-selectin and ICAM-1 mRNA were increased after liver transplantation, and down-regulated by liver denervation and elimination of Kupffer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Live donor denervation and elimination of Kupffer cells down-regulated the expressions of P-selectin and ICAM-1 mRNA in grafts. This may decrease graft ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Expression pattern of mda-7/IL-24 receptors in liver cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND: The mda-7/IL-24 receptor belongs to the type 11 cytokine receptor family, and its two heterodimeric receptors are IL-22R1/IL-20R2 and IL-20R1/IL-20R2. Mda-7/IL-24 receptor expression in liver cancer cell lines has not yet been described. This information may be helpful for further clinical gene therapy. METHODS: With normal skin total RNA as template, the cDNA sequences of IL-20R1, IL-20R2 and IL-22R were amplified by RT-PCR. Total RNA was extracted from cultured liver cancer cell lines and a normal liver cell line, then detected by northern blotting, and the expression of mda-7/IL-24 receptors was analyzed. RESULTS: PLC/PRF/5 and SMMC-7721 expressed IL-20R1; BEL-7402, Hep3B, HepG2, and PLC/PRF/5 expressed IL20R2; and HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 expressed IL-22R. Only HepG2 expressed the IL-22R/IL-20R2 receptor complex. PLC/PRF/5 completely expressed both heterodimeric receptors. Huh-7, QGY-7701 and WRL-68 did not express the IL-24 receptor. CONCLUSION: Complete mda-7/IL-24 receptors are seldom expressed in liver cancer cell lines.

THE EFFECT OF BLENDING SEQUENCE ON PHASE MORPHOLOGY OF NYLON 6/ABS/SMA BLENDS

The preparation process-dependent phase morphology of blends composed of nylon 6 and acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene(ABS)over a composition range of 30-70 wt% using a styrene-maleic anhydride(SMA)copolymer as the compatibilizing agent with a constant content(5phr)was investigated.The results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM)observation revealed that compared with the binary blends of nylon 6 and ABS,the existence of SMA caused a composition shift of phase inversion to a higher weight fraction of ny...