Knockdown of CD146 reduces the migration and proliferation of human endothelial cells

Our previous study has demonstrated that CD 146 molecule is a biomarker on vascular endothelium, which is involved in angiogenesis and tumor growth. However the mechanism behind is not clear. Here we have for the first time developed a novel CD146 blockade system using CD146 siRNA to study its function on endothelial cells. Our data showed that CD146 siRNA specifically blocked the expression of CD146 on both mRNA and protein levels, leading to the significant suppression of HUVEC proliferation, adhesion and migration. These results demonstrate that CD146 plays a key role in vascular endothelial cell activity and angiogenesis, and CD146 siRNA can be used as a new inhibitor for anti-angiogenesis therapy.

Usefulness of liver infiltrating CD86-positive mononuclear cells for diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis

AIM： Although the pathogenic mechanism underlying autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） remains unclear, the immune system is thought to be critical for the progression of the disease. Cellular immune responses may be linked to the hepatocellular damage in AIH. Recently, much attention has been focused on the critical functions of costimulatory molecules expressed on mononuclear cells in the generation of effective T cell-mediated immune responses. Analysis of costimulatory molecule expressed on mononuclear cells from the patients with AIH may give us insight into the pathogenic mechanism of hepatocellular damage in AIH. METHODS： Peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） were taken from the patients with AIH （34 cases） and healthy controls （25 cases）. Uver infiltrating mononuclear cells （LIMCs） were taken from the patients with AIH （18 cases）, the patient with chronic hepatitis C （CH-C） （13 cases） and the patients with fatty liver （2 cases）. Using flow cytometry, the cells were analyzed for the expression of costimulatory molecules, such as CD80, CD86, and CD152 （CTLA-4）. The results were compared with clinical data such as the level of gammaglobulin, histological grade, presence or absence of corticosteroids administration and the response to corticosteroids. RESULTS： The levels of CD80＋, CD86＋ and CD152＋ PBMC were significantly reduced in the patients with AIH as compared with healthy controls. By contrast, those cells were significantly higher in LIMC than in PBMC of the patients with AIH. Especially, the level of CD86＋ LIMC showed a marked increase irrespective of the degree of disease activity in the patients with AIH,although CD86＋ cells were rarely present in PBMC. The levels of CD86＋ cells were present in significantly higher frequency in patients with AIH than in the patients with CH-C. Furthermore, the patients with AIH with high levels of CD86＋ LIMC showed good responses to corticosteroids, whereas 2 cases of AIH with low levels of CD86＋ LIMC did not respond well. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that LIMC overexpressing costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86 appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of AIH. Especially, CD86 molecule expressed on the LIMC may be useful for the diagnosis of AIH and for the prediction of the therapeutic effects of corticosteroids on AIH.

Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase－2, －9, tissue inhibitor－1 of matrix metalloproteinase and CD44 variant 6 in head and neck cancer metastasis

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism in tumor invasion and metastasis. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2, 9 (MMP 2, MMP 9), tissue inhibitor 1 of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP 1), cell adhesion molecule 44 variant 6 (CD44v6), HER2/neu and p53 was investigated in 154 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by ABC and ImmunoMax immunohistochemical method. Their clinical relevance and correlation were analysed. The expression of MMP 2, MMP 9, TIMP 1, CD44v6, HER2/neu and p53 was found in cancer cells in 87.01%, 85.71%, 68.18%, 98.05%, 55.19% and 50.65% cases respectively. Linear regression and correlation analysis revealed that there was close positive relationship ( P <0.05) between the expression of MMP 2 and MMP 9, TIMP 1 and CD44v6, HER2/neu and MMP 9, MMP 2 and p53. Up regulation of MMP 2 was accompanied by advanced T stage ( P <0.01) . There was also a trend of MMP 2 expression being related with tumor metastasis. Increased expression of HER2/neu was found in patients with tumor recurrence( P <0.05). The expression of TIMP 1 was higher in laryngeal cancer than that in pharyngeal cancer, and higher in keratinizing and non keratinizing SCC than that in basaloid SCC( P <0.05). These findings suggested that MMP 2 and MMP 9, HER2/neu and MMP 9, MMP 2 and p53 had a coordinate function in aggression of tumor; that MMP 2 had a more important function than MMP 9 in tumor invasion and metastasis; and that HER2/neu might serve as a biomarker for poor prognosis in HNSCC.

Anti-Proliferative Effects Induced by Anti-CD4 Human/Murine Chimeric Antibody and Murine Anti-CD4 Monoclonal Antibody

Summary: The effects of chimeric anti CD4 human/murine chimeric antibody and murine anti CD4 monoclonal antibody (McAb) on the proliferation induced by anti CD3 McAb, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), IL 2, and allogeneic cells were studied. The results showed that chimeric anti CD4 antibody and murine anti CD4 McAb could inhibit the proliferation induced by the above inducers and the inhibitory effects were related to the dosage of the antibodies.

Electronic Structure of the Nanodiatomic Compounds CdS

The potential energy curves of the molecule CdS have been calculated for 245 internuclear distances in the range 2.15 A 〈 r ≤6.471 A for 17 states in the representation 2S＋lA（±）via CASSCF method. Multireference CI calculations （single and double excitations with Davidson corrections） were performed by using Gaussian basis sets for the two considered atoms. The potential energy curves, the harmonic frequency ωe, the internuclear distance re, the rotational constant Be, the electronic energy with respect to the ground state Te and the static dipole moment have been calculated. The comparison of these values to the available data in the literature shows a good agreement. To the best of our knowledge, eleven electronic states have been investigated here for the first time.

The human leucocyte differentiation antigens (HLDA) workshops: the evolv-ing role of antibodies in research, diagnosis and therapy

The 8^th International Workshop on Human Leucocyte Differentiation Antigens （chaired by HZ and managed by BS） was run over a 4-year period and culminated in a conference in December 2004. Here we review the achievements of the HLDA Workshops and provide links to information on CD molecules and antibodies against them, including the 93 new CDs assigned in the 8^th Workshop. We consider what remains to be achieved （including an estimate of the number of leucocyte surface molecules still to be discovered）, and how the field can best move forward.

Inhibiting the expression of CD28 costimulatory molecule on human lymphocytes by special siRNA

Background The B7/CD28 pathway provides critical costimulatory signals for complete T cell activation, and members of this pathway have served as useful targets for immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the RNA interference (RNAi) effect induced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CD28 mRNA on human lymphocytes and its specificity.Methods According to CD28 gene sequence, we designed and synthysized three different siRNAs ( siRNA-1,siRNA-2, siRNA-3 ) containing 21 bases using SilencerTM siRNA construction kit. These siRNAs were transfected into freshly isolated human lymphocytes with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. At 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour post transfection, these cells were collected and analyzed. The changes of surface expression of CD28 gene were detected by flow cytometry, and the changes of CD28 mRNA levels were determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cell viability of transfected lymphocytes was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay.Results Three siRNAs (siRNA-1, siRNA-2, siRNA-3) specifically targeting CD28 mRNA were successfully designed and constructed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that a decrease in CD28 expression was detectable at 24-hour post transfection. Different siRNA showed different inhibition effects on CD28 expression. At 48-hour post transfection, the degrees of reduction with siRNA-1, siRNA-2 and siRNA-3 were 22. 10% ± 1.63% ,73.50% ± 1.02% and 42.90% ± 0.89% respectively compared with the control ( P < 0. 001 ). Neither of the groups transfected only with siRNA or lipo showed marked reduction in CD28 expression (3.15% ± 0.75% and 4. 55% ±0. 80% ) (P >0. 05). Moreover, lymphocytes treated with siRNA-co showed no marked reduction in CD28 expression (5.07% ± 0. 96% ) (P > 0. 05 ). The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay indicated CD28 mRNA level was inhibited after transfection of specific siRNAs. At least 4-fold of reduction in siRNA-2 group occurred at 48-hour post transfection compared with the control (P < 0. 001 ). MTT assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay demonstrated that the viable cell rations of transfected lymphocytes were significantly reduced in siRNA-1, siRNA-2 and siRNA-3 groups at 48-hour post transfection (P <0.01 ). The control groups showed no marked reduction in cell viability ( P > 0.05 ).Conclusions Three different siRNAs were synthesized and transfected into lymphocytes. They could reduce the expression of CD28 and the CD28 mRNA level, siRNA-2 was the most efficient. The cell viability reduced correspondingly. Therefore, the silencing effect on CD28 mRNA induced by siRNA may contribute to costimulatory blockade. This result show that siRNA may be useful for further study on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT).

Expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules CD11b, L-selectin and CD45 during hemodialysis

ObjectiveTo examine the gene and protein expression of CD11b, L selectin and CD45, and the relationship between their expression and leukocytopenia during a hemodialysis session Methods Ten maintenance hemodialysis patients, 20 uremic non dialysis patients and 10 healthy volunteers were included in this study The mRNA expression of CD11b, L selectin and CD45 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by RT PCR, while cell surface expression of these molecules on monocytes was detected by flow cytometry and leukocyte number was counted manually Results After the start of dialysis, both mRNA expression and cell surface expression of CD11b increased rapidly, while those of L selectin and leukocyte number fell The mRNA expression of CD45 first decreased and the cell surface expression increased, followed by a return to pre dialysis levels, by the end of dialysis Conclusions Hemodialysis using a cuprophane membrane can induce rapid upregulation of CD11b and down regulation of L selectin, which might influence the normal adhesion and anti inflammatory response of leukocytes In this process CD45 may play a role in regulating and/or transducing activation signal

A Correlative Study between CT Perfusion Parameters and Angiogenesis in Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumors

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between CT perfusion parameters and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular en-dothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and microvessel density (MVD) marked by CD34 molecular of rabbit VX2 liver tumors and to investigate the value of CT perfusion imaging in evaluating tumor angiogenesis. Material and methods: Twenty-four cases of rabbit VX2 liver tumor were performed by CT perfusion scanning. Hepatic artery perfusion (HAP), portal vein perfusion (PVP), total hepatic blood flow (THBF) and hepatic perfusion index (HPI) were measured by perfusion software. HIF-1α, VEGF and MMP-2 expression and MVD were detected in the 24 rabbit VX2 liver tumor tissue samples using immunohistochemical method. The correlation between the HIF-1α, VEGF, MMP-2 expression and MVD and CT perfusion parameters were analyzed. Results: Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of HIF-1α, MMP-2, MVD were positively related to the HAP, THBF, HPI (p < 0.01), but no relations with PVP (p > 0.05);and correlation analysis revealed that the expression of VEGF was positively related to the HAP, HPI (p 0.05). There was a positive relationship between the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, MMP-2 and MVD (p < 0.01). Conclusions: CT perfusion imaging can reflect the blood perfusion of the rabbit VX2 liver tumors and evaluate the information of angiogenesis about tumors.

Bioinformatics research of CD44 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule related genes and pathways in colorectal cancer

Objective To investigate genes and involved biological processes closely associated with stem cell markers of colorectal cancer-epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)+and CD44+.Methods By the bioinformatics method,with microarray data of colorectal cancer from gene expression omnibus(GEO)database and R2 platform,the genes significantly related with CD44 and Ep-

Protective Effect of Tanshinone Ⅱ A on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Lung Injury in Rats

Objective To explore the protective effect of tanshinone Ⅱ A on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced lung injury in rats, and possible mechanism. Methods： LPS （O111： B4） was used to produce a rat model of acute lung injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups （8 in each group）： the control group, the model group （ALl group）, and the tanshinone Ⅱ A treatment group. Expression of adhesion molecule CD18 on the surface of polymorphonuclear neutrophil （PMNCD18） in venous white blood cells （WBC）, and changes in coagulation-anticoagulant indexes were measured 6 h after injection of LPS or normal saline. Changes in malondialdehyde （MDA） content, wet and dry weight （W/D） ratio and morphometry of pulmonary tissue as well as PMN sequestration in the lung were also measured. Results： （1） When compared with the control group, expression of PMNCD18 and MDA content were enhanced in the ALl group with a hypercoagulable state （all P〈0.01） and an increased W/D ratio （P〈0.05）. Histopathological morphometry in the lung tissue showed higher PMN sequestration, wider alveolar septa; and lower alveolar volume density （Vv） and alveolar surface density （Sv）, showing significant difference （P〈0.01）. （2） When compared with the ALl group, the expression of PMN-CD18, MDA content, and W/D ratio were all lower in Tanshinone Ⅱ A treatment group （P〈0.05） with ameliorated coagulation abnormality （P〈0.01）. Histopathological morphometry in the lung tissue showed a decrease in the PMN sequestration and the width of alveolar septa （both P〈0.01）, and an increase in the Vv and Sv （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Tan Ⅱ A plays a protective role in LPS-induced lung injury in rats through improving hypercoagulating state, decreasing PMN-CD18 expression and alleviating migration, reducing lipid peroxidation and alleviating pathological changes.