Role of matrix metalloproteinase,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase and tumor necrosis factor-α single nucleotide gene polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To study the (functional) relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1,-2,-3,-9,tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1,-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD),that may enhance susceptibility and/or disease severity. METHODS:Genomic DNA from 134 Crohn's disease (CD),111 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 248 control subjects was isolated from resected intestinal tissue or blood. Allelic composition at SNP loci was determined by PCR-RFLP or tetra primer ARMS PCR. RESULTS:The TIMP-1 genotype TT in women and T in men at SNP +372 T/C was found to increase CD susceptibility (39% vs 23.8%,P=0.018 and 67.9% vs 51.6%,P=0.055,respectively),while women with this genotype were less prone to development of fistulae during follow-up (41.4% vs 68.3%,P=0.025). Male IBD or CD patients carrying the TIMP-1 +372 T-allele expressed lower levels of TIMP-1 in surgically resected macroscopically inflamed tissue (0.065 < P < 0.01). The 5T5T genotype at MMP-3 SNP -1613 5T/6T increased the chance of stenotic complications in CD during follow-up (91.2% vs 71.8%,P = 0.022) but seemed to protect against colonic involvement of this disease at first endoscopic/radiologic examination (35.3% vs 59.5%,P=0.017). CONCLUSION:Allelic composition at the examinedSNPs in genes coding for TIMP-1 and MMP-3 affect CD susceptibility and/or phenotype,i.e.,fistulizing disease,stricture pathogenesis and first disease localisation. These findings reinforce the important role of these proteins in IBD.

Bowman-Birk inhibitors from legumes as colorectal chemopreventive agents

Aberrant functioning of serine proteases in inflammatory and carcinogenic processes within the gastrointestinal tract(GIT)has prompted scientists to investigate the potential of serine protease inhibitors,both natural and synthetic,as modulators of their proteolytic activities.Protease inhibitors of the Bowman-Birk type,a major protease inhibitor family in legume seeds,which inhibit potently and specifically trypsin-and chymotrypsin-like proteases,are currently being investigated as colorectal chemopreventive agents.Physiologically relevant amounts of Bowman-Birk inhibitors(BBI)can reach the large intestine in active form due to their extraordinary resistance to extreme conditions within the GIT.Studies in animal models have proven that dietary BBI from several legume sources,including soybean,pea,lentil and chickpea,can prevent or suppress carcinogenic and inflammatory processes within the GIT.Although the therapeutic targets and the action mechanism of BBI have not yet been elucidated,the emerging evidence suggests that BBI exert their preventive properties via protease inhibition;in this sense,serine proteases should be considered as primary targets in early stages of carcinogenesis.The validation of candidate serine proteases as therapeutic targets together with the identification,within the wide array of natural BBI variants,of the most potent and specific protease inhibitors,are necessary to better understand the potential of this protein family as colorectal chemopreventive agents.

Adeno-associated virus mediated endostatin gene therapy in combination with topoisomerase inhibitor effectively controls liver tumor in mouse model

AIM:rAAV mediated endostatin gene therapy has been examined as a new method for treating cancer.However, a sustained and high protein delivery is required to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.We evaluated the impact of topoisomerase inhibitors in rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in a liver tumor model. METHODS:rAAV containing endostatin expression cassettes were transduced into hepatoma cell lines.To test whether the topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment increased the expression of endostatin,Western blotting and ELISA were performed.The biologic activity of endostatin was confirmed by endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation assays. The anti-tumor effects of the rAAV-endostatin vector combined with a topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide,were evaluated in a mouse liver tumor model. RESULTS:Topoisomerase inhibitors,including camptothecin and etoposide,were found to increase the endostatin exPression level in vitro.The over-expressed endostatin, as a result of pretreatment with a topoisomerase inhibitor, was also biologically active.In animal experiments,the combined therapy of topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide with the rAAV-endostatin vector had the best tumor- suppressive effect and tumor foci were barely observed in livers of the treated mice.Pretreatment with an etoposide increased the level of endostatin in the liver and serum of rAAV-endostatin treated mice.Finally,the mice treated With rAAV-endostatin in combination with etoposide showed the longest survival among the experimental models. CONCLUSION:rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in combination with a topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment is an effective modality for anticancer gene therapy.

Role of angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms in angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-mediated antiproteinuric action in type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients

AIM To investigate the role of genetic variants of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) and angiotensinogen(AGT) genes in the antiproteinuric efficacy of ACE inhibitor therapy in diabetic nephropathy(DN) patients.METHODS In the present study, 270 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with nephropathy were enrolled and treated with ACE inhibitor(ramipril) and followed at 6 mo for renal function and albumin excretion by estimating serum creatinine, end stage renal disease, and albumin/creatinine ratio(ACR) in urine. Genotyping of ACE I/D and AGT M235 T polymorphisms were performed by using primer specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and PCR-RFLP techniques, respectively. RESULTS Forty-eight percent of DN patients(responders) benefited with respect to proteinuria from ACE inhibitor therapy at 6 mo follow-up. A significant reduction in ACR was observed after 6 mo treatment with ACE inhibitor irrespective of whether DN patients were micro-albuminuric(≥ 30 and < 300 mg/g creatinine) or macro-albuminuric(≥ 300 mg/g creatinine) at the time of enrollment. However, macro-albuminuric patients(55%) showed better response to therapy. A reduction in urinary ACR was found independent of genotypes of ACE I/D and AGT M235 T polymorphisms although macro-albuminuric patients having TT genotype showed statistically insignificant increased response(72%). CONCLUSION ACE inhibitor therapy reduced urinary ACR by ≥ 30% in 50% of DN patients and the response is independent of ACE I/D and AGT M235 T polymorphisms.

The cancer-testis gene,MEIOB,sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to PARP1 inhibitors by inducing homologous recombination deficiency

Objective:The newly defined cancer-testis(CT)gene,MEIOB,was previously found to play key roles in DNA double-strand break(DSB)repair.In this study,we aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of MEIOB in the carcinogenesis of triple-negative breast cancers(TNBCs).Methods:The Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to quantify the expression of MEIOB.Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between MEIOB expression and the prognosis of human TNBC.The effects of MEIOB on cell proliferation and migration in TNBCs were also assessed in vitro.Patient-derived xenograft(PDX)models were used to assess the sensitivity of breast cancers with active MEIOB to PARP1 inhibitors.Results:We confirmed MEIOB as a CT gene whose expression was restricted to the testes and breast tumors,especially TNBCs.Its activation was significantly associated with poor survival in breast cancer patients[overall,hazard ratio(HR)=1.90(1.16–2.06);TNBCs:HR=7.05(1.16–41.80)].In addition,we found that MEIOB was oncogenic and significantly promoted the proliferation of TNBC cells.Further analysis showed that MEIOB participated in DSB repair in TNBCs.However,in contrast to its function in meiosis,it mediated homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)through the activation of poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP)1 by interacting with YBX1.Furthermore,activated MEIOB was shown to confer sensitivity to PARP inhibitors,which was confirmed in PDX models.Conclusions:MEIOB played an oncogenic role in TNBC through its involvement in HRD.In addition,dysregulation of MEIOB sensitized TNBC cells to PARP inhibitors,so MEIOB may be a therapeutic target of PARP1 inhibitors in TNBC.

Molecular Cloning of a Thiol Proteinase Inhibitor Gene and Its Expression in E.coli

A cDNA library was constructed with 1.5×10~6 pfu from rice immature seeds,fromwhich a cDNA clone for rice thiol proteinase inhibitor,oryzacystatin(OC),was isolated byscreening with synthesized oligodeoxynucleotide probe,which contained a 309bp open read-ing frame,84bp 5′-end noncoding region and a poly(A)signal AATAAA at the 3′-end fol-lowed by 31Nt poly(A).Then the coding region of OC was amplified and inserted into thedownstream of λP_RP_L promoter for thermal-inducible expression in E.coli.Shifting the cul-ture temperature from 30℃ to 42℃ led to a high level expression of OC,which exhibited adistinct band of 12.0 kDa and accounted for at least 10% of the total soluble proteins fromSDS-PAGE.The papain-inhibitory activity of the expressed OC was further confirmed.

Studies on Introduction of Arrowhead Proteinase Inhibitor Gene into N． tobacco Protoplasts

The Arrowhead Proteinase Inhibitor(API)gene was introduced into the protoplasts or mesophyll cells of N.tobacco by PEG-mediated.The transformed protoplasts undergoing dirrerentiation of callus and regeneration of plantlet have been growing into transgenic plants. Restriction endonuclease analysis of products amplificated by PCR indicates the existence of the API gene in the transformed plantlet.The extract of the leaves from the transformed plants shows trypsin inhibitory activity,which indicates the expression of the introduced API gene and the transformed plants can accumulate the inhibitor. However, the variation of the inhlbitory activity of the transformed plants reveals the importance of the integration site of the API gene in the genome.

Synergy of DNA methylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors in the re-expression of RASSF1A and P16 genes silenced in QBC cells

Objective: To investigate the effects of DNA methylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors in the re-expression of P16 and RASSIF1A of QBC939. Methods: The QBC939 cells were treated with hydralazine and valproate either alone or combined, and the control group was added with RPIM-1640 culture medium. After 48 h, the expression of P16 and RASSF1A genes were evaluated by reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot, and the methylation status of the two genes were detected with MSP (methylation specific PCR). Results: Hydralazine and valproate could induce demethylation of the promoter region of the two genes, and could make them re-active. The expressions of P16 and RASSF1A of cells treated with both drugs were higher than that of the cells treated with either hydralazine or valproate (P < 0.01). There was no RASSF1A gene, and few P16 gene expressing in the control group. The demethylation effect could be found in the groups treated with hydralazine or both drugs, whereas no demethylation effect happened in the valproate group. Conclusion: The two drugs could synergistically re-express P16 and RASSF1A genes silenced in QBC939, and they exerted a great anti-tumour effect on QBC cells.

Hypersensitive Inhibition of the Proliferation of Cells with Mutated DNA Repair-Related Genes by the Catalytic Topoisomerase II Inhibitor 20-O-IngenolEZ

We previously reported that many ingenol compounds derived from Euphoria kansui exhibit topoisomerase inhibitory activity. 20-O-ingenolEZ in these compounds exerted inhibitory effects on both topoisomerase II (topo II) activity and cell proliferative activity. Topoisomerase II inhibitors can be divided into the poison and catalytic inhibitor types and 20-O-ingenolEZ is a catalytic inhibitor and inhibits topo IIα through inhibition of ATPase activity, but induces topo II-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis in BLM-/- DT40 cells through the induction of the DNA damage checkpoint, similar to the poison type inhibitor adriamycin. The ATPase inhibitor of topo II ICRF-193 also showed poison-like characteristics in the same cell line. However, the inhibitory effects of ICRF-193 on the proliferation of BLM-/- DT40 cells differed from those of 20-O-ingenolEZ, as did the specificity of its inhibition of the proliferation of other cell lines. 20-O-ingenolEZ showed hypersensitive inhibition of the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and BLM-/- DT40 cells with mutated DNA repair-related genes.

Neurologic orphan diseases:Emerging innovations and role for genetic treatments

Orphan diseases are rare diseases that affect less than 200000 individuals within the United States.Most orphan diseases are of neurologic and genetic origin.With the current advances in technology,more funding has been devoted to developing therapeutic agents for patients with these conditions.In our review,we highlight emerging options for patients with neurologic orphan diseases,specifically including diseases resulting in muscular deterioration,epilepsy,seizures,neurodegenerative movement disorders,inhibited cognitive development,neuron deterioration,and tumors.After extensive literature review,gene therapy offers a promising route for the treatment of neurologic orphan diseases.The use of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/Cas9 has demonstrated positive results in experiments investigating its role in several diseases.Additionally,the use of adeno-associated viral vectors has shown improvement in survival,motor function,and developmental milestones,while also demonstrating reversal of sensory ataxia and cardiomyopathy in Friedreich ataxia patients.Antisense oligonucleotides have also been used in some neurologic orphan diseases with positive outcomes.Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors are currently being investigated and have reduced abnormal cell growth,proliferation,and angiogenesis.Emerging innovations and the role of genetic treatments open a new window of opportunity for the treatment of neurologic orphan diseases.

EFFECTS OF p53 GENE THERAPY COMBINED WITH CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 INHIBITOR ON CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 GENE EXPRESSION AND GROWTH INHIBITION OF HUMAN LUNG CANCER CELLS

Background Gene therapy by adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfer has been shown to inhibit lung cancer growth in vitro,in animal models,and in human clinical trials.The antitumor effect of selective cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 inhibitors has been demonstrated in preclinical studies.However,no information is available on the effects of p53 gene therapy combined with selective COX-2 inhibitor on COX-2 gene expression and growth inhibition of human lung cancer cells.Methods We evaluated the effects of recombinant adenovirus-p53(Ad-p53) gene therapy combined with selective COX-2 inhibitor on the proliferation,apoptosis,cell cycle arrest of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line,and the effects of tumor suppressor exogenous wild type p53 on COX-2 gene expression.ResultsAd-p53 gene therapy combined with selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib shows significant synergistic inhibition effects on the growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. Exogenous p53 gene can suppress COX-2 gene expression.ConclusionsSignificant synergistic inhibition effects of A549 cell line by the combined Ad-p53 and selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib may be achieved by enhancement of growth inhibition,apoptosis induction and suppression of COX-2 gene expression.This study provides first evidence that the administration of p53 gene therapy in combination with COX-2 inhibitors might be a new clinical strategy for the treatment or prevention of NSCLC.

靶向MYC基因抗肿瘤研究进展

MYC是研究最为广泛的原癌基因之一,属于碱性螺旋-环-螺旋亮氨酸拉链(bHLH-Zip)DNA结合蛋白超家族,通过与MAX形成MYC-MAX异二聚体发挥功能。MYC影响蛋白质合成、细胞黏附、增殖、分化、细胞周期、代谢、细胞凋亡和血管形成等多种生物学过程。因其结构与位置的特殊性,难以直接靶向,针对MYC的治疗策略是研究的热点,本文将系统回顾MYC基因的结构、功能和其抑制剂的研究进展,为靶向MYC治疗肿瘤提供新思路。

Cotton Plants Transformed with the Activated Chimeric Cry1Ac and API-B Genes

A chimeric gene, Bt29K, composed of coding sequences of activated Cry1Ac insecticidal protein and an endoplasm reticulum-retarding signal peptide, was synthesized. A plant expression vector containing two expression cassettes for the Bt29K and API-B genes was constructed. These two insect-resistant genes were transferred into two cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties ( or lines) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and nine homozygous transgenic cotton lines showing a mortality of 90.0% - 99.7% to cotton ballworm (Heliothis armigera) larvae and good agronomic traits were selected through six generations. Molecular biology analysis revealed that one or two copies of the insecticidal protein genes were integrated into the transgenic cotton genome and activated Cry1Ac and API-B protein expression was at a level of 0.17% and 0.09% of the total soluble protein in the transgenic cotton leaves, respectively. Comparison of the insect-resistance of the homozygous lines expressing the activated chimeric Cry1Ac and API-B with that expressing Cry1Ac only revealed that the insect-resistance of the former is apparently higher than the latter. These results also indicate that the strategy to construct a plant expression vector expressing two different insect-resistant genes reported here is reasonable.

PD-1抑制剂联合一线化疗方案对晚期驱动基因阴性肺腺癌的效果及安全性分析

目的探讨程序性细胞死亡蛋白-1(PD-1)抑制剂联合一线化疗方案治疗晚期驱动基因阴性肺腺癌的效果及安全性。方法回顾性收集2019年1月至2021年12月收治的60例晚期驱动基因阴性的肺腺癌患者病历资料,依据治疗方式不同分组,将30例接受培美曲塞、顺铂联合PD-1抑制剂(信迪利单抗)治疗的病历资料纳入观察组另30例接受培美曲塞联合顺铂治疗的病历资料纳入对照组。对比2组患者治疗前、治疗30 d时2组临床疗效[客观缓解率(ORR)、疾病控制率(DCR)]、免疫功能[CD_(4)^(+)、CD_(8)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)]、肿瘤标志物[癌胚抗原(CEA)、细胞角蛋白19片段(CYFRA21-1)]、不良反应[恶心、粒细胞减少、肝功能异常、甲状腺功能异常、肺炎、皮疹、血小板降低]。结果观察组ORR显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组DCR比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后,观察组CD_(4)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)水平高于治疗前,且高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后,2组CYFRA21-1、CEA水平均下降,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组甲状腺功能异常、肺炎、皮疹等发生例数显著多于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论PD-1抑制剂联合化疗一线治疗可有效改善晚期驱动基因阴性肺腺癌患者免疫功能,并降低肿瘤标志物水平,疗效确切。

ASI基因家族结构及表达分析

为研究编码α-淀粉酶/枯草杆菌蛋白酶抑制剂(α-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor, ASI)的基因结构特征及功能,本研究利用NCBI、Phytozome等平台工具鉴定到来源于23种植物的33个ASI基因家族成员,分析其进化特点及其编码蛋白的理化性质和保守基序等信息.同时结合RT-qPCR技术分析水稻ASI在干旱和盐胁迫条件下的表达模式.结果表明,ASI基因家族具有较高的保守性,但其编码蛋白上下游区域的保守性强弱不一,同时顺式作用元件预测结果提示ASI基因可能参与植物生长发育调控、响应生物及非生物胁迫等生理过程. RT-qPCR分析发现,较未胁迫条件下,幼苗期水稻的根、叶鞘和叶片等组织中RASI基因发生了不同的表达变化,提示ASI基因可能具有多样性的生物学功能.

1型神经纤维瘤病发病机制及治疗进展

1型神经纤维瘤病(neurofibromatosis type 1,NF1)是一种常见的遗传性神经皮肤综合征,发病率为1/3500,主要表现为皮肤、神经、骨骼等多个系统的肿瘤形成。NF1基因突变导致神经纤维蛋白功能丧失,受神经纤维蛋白负调控的Ras信号失去抑制,导致MAPK信号通路组成型激活,该信号通路的异常激活与肿瘤微环境等机制促使NF1肿瘤发生。目前,主流的治疗方式包括针对Raf/MEK/ERK通路和/或mTOR通路的靶向抑制剂。近年来,对NF1的遗传学、临床特征、肿瘤起源、异常信号通路以及相关靶向抑制剂的疗效等方面的研究日益增多。深入了解NF1的病理生物学和分子机制将为开发更有效的靶向治疗方法提供坚实的基础。

花斑裸鲤MSTN-1基因克隆及表达特性分析

花斑裸鲤是黄河上游重要的冷水性土著鱼类,其生长、发育缓慢,性成熟又较晚,故多年来其种群一直呈下降趋势。MSTN(肌肉生长抑制素)是一种对肌肉生长具有负调控作用的因子,通过克隆花斑裸鲤MSTN-1基因并检测其表达特性,为花斑裸鲤生长缓慢的分子调控机理提供基础资料。采用PCR、5′-RACE和3′-RACE法获得花斑裸鲤MSTN-1基因全长cDNA序列,采用qPCR检测MSTN-1基因在花斑裸鲤不同组织的表达特征和在不同鲤科鱼类肌肉组织中的差异性表达。花斑裸鲤MSTN-1基因的cDNA序列全长为2190 bp,其中ORF长1128 bp,5′UTR长96 bp,3′UTR长966 bp,共编码375个氨基酸。该蛋白是带有一个信号肽、无跨膜结构的不稳定亲水性分泌蛋白,主要分布在细胞核、线粒体和细胞质中。MSTN-1蛋白质二级结构以无规卷曲为主,存在2个TGF-β结构域:即TGF-β前肽区域(37—268 aa)和TGF-β功能区域(281—375 aa),有1个蛋白酶水解位点RIRR和9个位于TGF-β功能区域保守的半胱氨酸残基。氨基酸序列同源性分析表明,花斑裸鲤MSTN-1氨基酸序列与其他鲤科鱼类MSTN-1具有较高的相似性,而与禽类和哺乳动物的相似性较低。系统发育分析显示,花斑裸鲤MSTN-1与其他鲤科鱼类聚于同一进化支。qPCR检测结果表明,MSTN-1在花斑裸鲤的脑、肌肉、鳃、心、肝脏和肾脏组织中均有表达,但在脑和肌肉组织中表达量较高。该基因在不同鲤科鱼类肌肉组织中均有表达,在青海湖裸鲤肌肉组织中的表达量最高,其次在花斑裸鲤和黄河鲤鱼肌肉组织中。通过克隆获得花斑裸鲤MSTN-1基因cDNA序列,进行生物信息学分析和qPCR检测,MSTN-1在这几种土著鱼类肌肉组织中的特征性表达差异有助于进一步了解高原鱼类生长缓慢的分子机理。

基质金属蛋白酶13在靶向治疗骨关节炎的研究进展

骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)是一类常见的慢性退行性疾病,可导致关节软骨、滑膜、软骨下骨等多组织损伤。目前,该疾病的发病机制尚未完全阐明。研究发现基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinase,MMPs)与该疾病的发病过程相关,特别是MMP13,其在机体内的表达水平与OA关系密切。近年来,针对MMP13在该疾病发生发展中的作用,靶向MMP13治疗OA具有诸多进展,选择性MMP13抑制剂较广谱MMPs抑制剂具有选择性强、毒副作用低、效能高等优点,但需要频繁给药以维持药物在体内的有效浓度;将与MMP13 mRNA具有选择性互补的小干扰RNA注射入关节腔可有效降低体内MMP13蛋白产生并抑制多种炎症因子表达,且单次注射可较长时间维持药物效果;利用CRISPR⁃Cas9基因编辑技术靶向消融MMP13基因以减弱软骨细胞外基质蛋白的降解从而治疗OA的方式在动物体内外模型中均具有较好效果,但该技术在人体内长期应用的安全性也引发人们的思考。靶向MMP13治疗OA是医学界及科研领域的重要研究方向,未来结合更前沿的生物医学技术将为探索治疗OA提供新的策略。

Niemann-Pick C1蛋白在埃博拉病毒感染中的作用及其靶向药物研究进展

埃博拉病毒属丝状病毒科,具有高传染性,能引起人类和灵长类动物出现严重出血热等症状,病死率高达90%。Niemann-Pick C1(NPC1)蛋白是埃博拉病毒感染过程中表达于宿主细胞内体膜上的一个重要受体,其与埃博拉病毒被组织蛋白酶裂解的糖蛋白(GP)的相互作用是病毒感染宿主的关键环节,介导病毒囊膜与内体膜的融合,进而将病毒基因组释放到宿主细胞。近年来,将NPC1蛋白作为广谱抗丝状病毒药物靶点研发的小分子抑制剂、单克隆抗体和基因治疗药物均有突破性进展。本文介绍了NPC1的结构及其在埃博拉病毒感染中的作用,并对靶向NPC1的小分子抑制剂、单克隆抗体药物和基因治疗药物的研究现状进行总结。