Detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral venous blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

Objective: To detect circulating hepatocellular carcino-ma by demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma cells orhepatocyte-associated mRNA in the nuclear cell com-ponent of peripheral blood (PBL).Methods: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were ob-tained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cir-rhosis after hepatitis B,14 with chronic hepatitis B,10with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells inperipheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetopro-tein (AFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA ex-tracted from whole blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results: AFPmRNA was detected in 50 blood samplesfrom the HCC patients (50/93, 53.8%). In contrast,there were no clinical control patients whose samplesshowed detectable AFPmRNA in PBL. The presence ofAFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with thestage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFPvalue, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis,portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distantmetastasis. In addition, AFPmRNA was detected in theblood of 21 patients with metastasis at extrahepaticorgans (100%) in contrast to 29 (40.3%)of 72 pa-tients without metastasis.Conclusion: The presence of AFPmRNA in peripheralblood may be an indicator of malignant hepatocytes,which might predict hematogenous spreading metasta-sis of tumor cells in patients with HCC.

Exogenous reference gene normalization for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis under dynamic endogenous transcription

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2ct normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxJn selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference 13-111 tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.

Positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay results in patients recovered from COVID-19: Report of two cases

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread around the globe.On February 28,2020,the World Health Organization adjusted the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 to“very high”at the global level.Studies have mainly focused on the etiology,epidemiology,and treatment of COVID-19 to limit further spread and the negative impact of the disease,while less attention has been devoted to the follow-up and reexamination of patients who recovered from COVID-19 or were released from quarantine.CASE SUMMARY This study reports two cases where patients who had negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)test results and met the criteria for discharge subsequently had positive RT-PCR test results.The clinical manifestations and computed tomography(CT)findings of these patients were examined.The conversion of RT-PCR test results in these two patients may be related to false-negative and false-positive outcomes of the test.CT images helped track improvement of pulmonary lesions.CONCLUSION The timing of discharge of COVID-19 patients should be determined by comprehensive analysis of CT images and RT-PCR test results.

Quantification of Porcine Follicle-stimulating Hormone Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid by Reverse Transcription competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction

An easy and reliable method was developed for construction and quantification of competitive templates, which shared the same sequence as the amplified target DNA except for a 20 bp insertion in the middle by recombinant polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the advantages of competitive PCR is that any predictable or unpredictable variable that affects amplification has the same effect on both target and competitor species and that the final ratio of amplified products reflects exactly the initial targets. The utilization of a thermostable reverse transcriptase in the RT step was proposed to overcome the problem of the efficiency of target cDNA synthesis. In addition, to obtain reliable measurements, it was recommended to perform four PCR with amounts of competitive template flanking the concentration of the target mRNA.

Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood with reverse--transcription polymerase chain reaction

In order to detect circulating cells of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the peripheral blood with reverse transcripition polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP ) mRNA was tested in the blood samples of 113 cases of HCC and 69 controls (including 30 cases of liver cirrhosis, 9 cases of metastatic liver cancer and 30 normal subjects). 20/43 (46. 5% ) cases of HCC and 2/30 (6. 7% ) cases of liver cirrhosis are positive and the cases of nletastatic liver cancer and normal controls were negative for human AFP(hAFP) rnRNA. The presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral blood seems to be correlated with intrahepatic and distant nletastasls of HCC and portal vein thrombosis. It is concluded that the presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral hloocl is an indicator of circulating HCC cells and can be used to diagnose the rnetastasisof HCC through henlatogenous route and RT-PCR amplification of hAFP mRNA is a sensitive and specificprocedure for detecting circulating cells of HCC.

Selection and Evaluation of Optimal Reference Genes for Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Analyses of Gene Expression in Human Spermatozoa

Objective:Optimal reference genes are critical for accurate normalization and reliable interpretation of gene expression quantification data.Recently,several strategies have been utilized for validating reference genes in different human tissues.However,no universal reference genes have been described that accurately summarize transcriptional activity in human spermatozoa.Methods:Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),we evaluated ten commonly used candidate reference genes between two groups of human cryopreserved donor sperm with different pregnancy rates.We assessed the stability of reference genes using three different algorithms,namely geNorm,NormFinder,and BestKeeper.We then identified the most stable reference genes.Results:Male-enhanced antigen 1(MEA1)was identified as the most stably expressed reference gene,followed by testis-enhanced gene transcript(TEGT).Conclusions:We comprehensively identified MEA1 and TEGT as the most stably expressed reference genes for the normalization of gene expression data in human spermatozoa.

Diagnosis of West Nile virus infections:Evaluation of different laboratory methods

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of West Nile virus(WNV)is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia,flavivirus cross-reactivity,and long immunoglobulin M(IgM)persistence.AIM To evaluate different methods for WNV detection[reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),IgM/IgG antibodies,IgG avidity]in serum,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),and urine samples of patients with confirmed WNV infection.METHODS The study included patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive infection(n=62),asymptomatic WNV seropositive individuals(n=22),and individuals with false-positive WNV IgM antibodies(n=30).WNV RNA was detected using RT-PCR.A commercial ELISA was used to detect WNV IgM/IgG antibodies with confirmation of cross-reactive samples using a virus neutralization test(VNT).IgG-positive samples were tested for IgG avidity.RESULTS The WNV-RNA detection rates were significantly higher in the urine(54.5%)/serum(46.4%)than in CSF(32.2%).According to the sampling time,the WNV-RNA detection rates in urine collected within 7 days/8-14/≥15 days were 29.4/66.6/62.5%(P=0.042).However,these differences were not observed in the CSF.The median RT-PCR cycle threshold values were significantly lower in urine(32.5,IQR=28-34)than in CSF(34.5,IQR=33-36).The frequency of positive WNV IgM and IgG significantly differed according to the sampling time in serum but not in CSF.Positive IgM/IgG antibodies were detected in 84.3/9.3%of serum samples collected within 7 days,100/71.1%of samples collected 8-14,and 100%samples collected after≥15 days.Recent WNV infection was confirmed by low/borderline avidity index(AI)in 13.6%of asymptomatic individuals.A correlation between ELISA and AI was strong negative for IgM and strong positive for IgG.No significant correlation between ELISA IgG and VNT was found.CONCLUSION The frequency of WNV RNA and antibody detection depends on the sampling time and type of clinical samples.IgG avidity could differentiate recent WNV infections from long-persisting IgM antibodies.

NB4细胞系诱导分化过程中WT1基因表达的变化

为了研究WT1基因的表达与NB4细胞诱导分化的关系 ,应用基因重组技术建立了竞争性RT PCR定量检测WT1基因表达的方法 ,并用间接免疫荧光标记法检测NB4细胞表面抗原CD11b的变化。结果发现 ,随着NB4细胞向粒系终末分化WT1基因表达迅速下降 ,全反式维甲酸(ATRA)作用 0 ,12 ,2 4小时后每 μg总RNA中WT1基因的分子数分别为 4× 10 6,1.5 6× 10 6和0 .4× 10 6,与CD11b的变化情况相一致。结论提示 ,WT1基因高表达与NB4白血病细胞分化阻滞有关 。

银杏内酯对大鼠肝细胞色素P450基因表达的影响

目的:观察银杏内酯对大鼠肝细胞色素P-450基因表达的影响。方法:银杏内酯100mg·kg-1,大鼠灌胃给药,1日1次,连续4d,取肝组织,用竞争法反转录-聚合酶链式反应(competitiveRT-PCR)检测给药后细胞色素P-450基因表达的变化。结果:反转录反应体系不含目的RNA时,用参考模板竞争RNA反转录后用CYP和看家基因Cyclophilin引物进行PCR,CYP1A1,CYP1A2,CYP281/B2,CYP2C11,CYP2E1,CYP3A1,CYP4A1,Cyclophilin均出现了其预期的特异性片段,无其他非特异性带出现,表明参考模板竞争RNA对CYP和看家基因Cyclophilin引物具有特异性竞争能力。给银杏内酯后,对照组和给药组大鼠肝组织的CYP1A1mRNA均检测不到。CYP2C11和CYP2E1的基因表达水平没有变化;CYP1A2和CYP2B1/B2的基因表达水平下降;CYP3A1和CYP4A1的基因表达水平则明显增加。结论:银杏内酯对大鼠肝组织的细胞色素P-450基因表达水平的影响表现出特异性,对不同的细胞色素P-450成员的作用不同。

竞争性RT-PCR检测铜对Ctr1 mRNA表达的影响

为了应用竞争 RT- PCR法检测铜对猪传代肾细胞 (PK15 )中特异性铜转运蛋白 Ctr1基因 m RNA表达水平的影响 ,经 2次克隆 ,将筛选出一段 4 0 0 bp的核苷酸序列 ,插入 RT- PCR扩增出的 5 30 bp Ctr1目的片段中 ,构建了插入突变型 Ctr1- c DNA竞争模板。再将竞争模板与各试验组 c DNA同时进行 PCR扩增。结果 ,猪肾 PK15细胞 Ctr1基因m RNA表达量在 7.8～ 31.2 μmol/ L Cu范围内随铜添加浓度的升高减少 ,当铜添加浓度达到 6 2 .5 μmol/ L 时 ,其表达量又有所回升 ,呈双相反应。

粒酶B和穿孔素mRNA竞争模板的构建

目的 :为测定肾移植术后患者尿中粒酶B和穿孔素mRNA水平构建其相应的竞争模板 .方法 :取肾移植术后患者尿样 ,通过RT PCR反应 ,获得含特定酶切位点的粒酶B和穿孔素片段 ,酶切粒酶B和穿孔素片段 ,分别在其间插入 4 4bp和 36bp外源性DNA片段 ,连接入PGEM4载体 .结果 :经酶切鉴定及DNA测序证实 ,外源性DNA正确插入粒酶B及穿孔素片段 ,竞争模板引物结合区域与靶序列一致 ,所构建粒酶B竞争模板与粒酶B片段相差 2 9bp ,所构建粒酶B竞争模板与粒酶B片段相差 36bp .所构建新载体适合作为定量PCR的竞争模板 .结论 :基因重组方法可成功构建用于定量PCR的竞争模板 ,方法简便可行 .

阿托伐他汀对内皮细胞增殖和内皮脂酶mRNA表达的影响

目的探讨阿托伐他汀对人脐静脉内皮细胞增殖和内皮脂酶mRNA表达的影响。方法不同浓度阿托伐他汀(2、4、6、8及10μmol/L)与人脐静脉内皮细胞分别孵育2、4、8、12及24 h后,用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测人脐静脉内皮细胞内皮脂酶mRNA的表达,用嗜银蛋白分析法观察人脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖情况。结果阿托伐他汀抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞内皮脂酶mRNA表达,该作用呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性。阿托伐他汀作用下,人脐静脉内皮细胞内嗜银蛋白颗粒随浓度的增加和作用时间的延长减少趋势越明显。两因素直线相关分析显示,内皮脂酶mRNA表达与嗜银蛋白颗粒数呈正相关关系(r=0.963,P<0.01)。结论阿托伐他汀抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖,抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞内皮脂酶mRNA的表达,且呈时间—剂量依赖性。人脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖与人脐静脉内皮细胞内皮脂酶mRNA的表达呈正相关。

Msi1基因沉默对人肝癌HepG2细胞的影响

目的:探讨siRNA沉默Msi1基因表达后,人肝癌HepG2细胞的增殖与凋亡的情况。方法:设计合成针对Msi1 mRNA序列的siRNA多条序列,分别转染人肝癌HepG2细胞。使用RT–PCR方法检测各组细胞Msi1基因表达情况;Western blot法检测survivin蛋白、caspase3蛋白表达情况;MTT法、平皿克隆实验检测HepG2细胞增殖情况;流式细胞术检测各组HepG2细胞凋亡情况。结果:(1)RT-PCR结果:转染后24 h后,序列a,b,c转染效率分别为65%,64%及62%。其抑制率分别是Msi1 siRNAa(68%)、Msi1 siRNAb(56%)、Msi1 siRNAc(35%)。(2)流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡:空白组、阴性组、脂质体组、Msi1 siRNAa组凋亡率分别为(4.14±0.26)%、(4.51±0.78)%、(4.19±1.21)%,(16.8±0.26)%,Msi1 siRNAa组与空白对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(3)Msi1 siRNAa最能有效抑制肝癌HepG2细胞中Msi1表达,与空白对照组比较,Msi1 siRNAa组HepG2细胞生长、增殖速度明显减缓(P<0.05);survivin蛋白表达水平显著下调(P<0.05),而caspase3蛋白表达水平上调(P<0.05);Msi1 siRNAa组凋亡率增高(P<0.05)。结论:沉默Msi1可抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞的增殖,诱导其凋亡。

Role of microRNAs in gastric cancer

Although gastric cancer(GC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death,major therapeutic advances have not been made,and patients with GC still face poor outcomes.The prognosis of GC also remains poor because the molecular mechanisms of GC progression are incompletely understood.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are noncoding RNAs that are associated with gastric carcinogenesis.Studies investigating the regulation of gene expression by miRNAs have made considerable progress in recent years,and abnormalities in miRNA expression have been shown to be associated with the occurrence and progression of GC.miRNAs contribute to gastric carcinogenesis by altering the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors,affecting cell proliferation,apoptosis,motility,and invasion.Moreover,a number of miRNAs have been shown to be associated with tumor type,tumor stage,and patient survival and therefore may be developed as novel diagnostic or prognostic markers.In this review,we discuss the involvement of miRNAs in GC and the mechanisms through which they regulate gene expression and biological functions.Then,we review recent research on the involvement of miRNAs in GC prognosis,their potential use in chemotherapy,and their effects on Helicobacter pylori infections in GC.A greater understanding of the roles of miRNAs in gastric carcinogenesis could provide insights into the mechanisms of tumor development and could help to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Correlation between MMP-2 and NF-κ B expression of intracranial aneurysm

Objective:To investigate the correlation between expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall,and explore their role in the mechanism of the occurrence,growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms.Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and NF-κB mRNA of 30 cases of intracranial aneurysm tissue and 10 cases of normal intracranial arterial tissue:Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and NF-κB protein.Results:the semi-quantitative analysis of MMP-2 and NF-κB in aneurysms tissues and normal tissues were statistically significant different from each other(P【0 05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed NF-κB was expressed in different layers.The expression of them were positive in intimal and medial,and the expression sites were located in the nucleus.MMP-2 were expressed in different layers of the aneurysm wall,and the expressions were positive in media and extima.The MMP-2 and NF-κB-positive expression of aneurysm wall were significantly higher than in normal cerebral arteries(P【0.05).MMP-2 and NF-κB mRNA expression showed positive correlation in the aneurysm wall tissue(r = 0.689,P = 0.005). Conclusions:The expressions of MMP-2 and NF-κB in the intracranial aneurysm wall tissue were significantly higher than in the normal intracranial arterial tissues.They have a synergistic effect on the formation of intracranial aneurysms.

Overexpression of polo-like kinase1 predicts a poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

AIM： To elucidate the role of overexpressed polo-like kinasel （PLK1）in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： We prospectively collected clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） data from 135 HCC patients undergoing successful hepatectomy. The correlations between PLK1 mRNA expression and clinicopathologic variables were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS： Immunohistochemical results showed overexpression of PLK1 was mainly found in tumor tissues compared with tumor-free tissue. A similar mRNA result was obtained by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A total of 111 samples were positive for PLK1 mRNA expression. The positive expression was correlated with venous invasion, tumor nodules and Edmondson grade. Furthermore, 1, 3, 5-year survival rates in the positive expression group were significantly lower than the negative control group. Multivariate analysis showed that positive PLK1 expression was an independent risk factor for HCC. CONCLUSION： PLK1 could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and therapy for HCC.

Analysis of Survivin Expression in the Subtypes of Lymphoma

Objective： To detect the expression of survivin in subtypes of lymphoma and its value in classifying subtypes of lymphoma. Methods： Paraffin-embedded samples collected from 219 cases of lymphoma and 13 cases of lymph node reactive proliferation from affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University during 2001-2003 were examined for the expression of survivin by using immunohistochemical staining. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of survivin in K562, HL60, Raji, and Jurkat cell lines. Semi-quantitative assay was used to evaluate the quantity of survivin protein and mRNA expression in subtypes of lymphoma. Results： Protein expression of survivin was high and strong in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma （DLBL） （88.6%, 70/79）, Burkitt lymphoma （BL） （100%, 2/2）, and lymphoblastic lymphoma （LBL） （92.3%, 12/13）, while their expression was always lower and weaker in follicular lymphoma （FL） （18.2%）, extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue （MALT lymphoma） （40.9%） and marginal zone lymphoma （MZL） （33.3%）. There was a significant difference between the higher expression group （DLBL, BL and LBL） and lower one （FL, MZL, and MALT） in the expression of survivin （Chi-square test, X^2=24.77, P〈0.01）. Almost all of Reed-Sternberg cells （R-S cells） in Hodgkin lymphoma （HL） strongly expressed survivin. The protein expression of survivin was positively correlated with mRNA （r=0.6270, P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The expression level of survivin mRNA and protein shows significant difference in subtypes of lymphoma. The expression of survivin mRNA might act as a biomarker to classify the subtypes of lymphoma.

Diagnosis of nervous necrosis virus in orange-spotted grouper,Epinephelus coioides, by a rapid and convenient RT-PCR method

Viral nervous necrosis （VNN） causes high mortality in marine fish, especially in the grouper, worldwide and in China. Since there is no effective vaccine or drug to deal with VNN, early detection and prevention is important to block its outbreak. In this study, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was developed for the rapid, convenient, and sensitive detection of the VNN pathogen, nervous necro- sis virus （NNV）, in the grouper. The whole process was completed within 3.5 h from the RNA extraction to PCR product visualization. The detection limit of this method was 200 copies of NNV RNA standard, which corresponded to 200 copies of virus particles. This RT-PCR method was specific to the NNV detection with no cross-reactivity to other fish viral disease pathogens, such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus （IPNV）, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus （IHNV）, spring viraemia of carp virus （SVCV）, epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus （EHNV）, and large yellow croaker iridovirus （LYC1V）. With this method, the orange-spotted grouper （Epinephelus coioides） fry from hatcheries with or without incidence of the VN- N epidemic in Fujian Province were detected. The results showed that all or 93% of the fry from the two hatcheries with incidence of the epidemic were diagnosed as positive, while 40% or 25% of fry from the t- wo hatcheries without the VNN epidemic were also detected as NNV positive, indicating that this RT-PCR method can be used for rapid, sensitive detection of NNV infection and applied in the VNN epidemic alert.

Expression and functional characterization of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like gene

AIM:To investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like gene(PDGFRL)in the anti-cancer therapy for colorectal cancers(CRC).METHODS:PDGFRL mRNA and protein levels were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and immunohistochemistry in CRC and colorectal normal tissues.PDGFRL prokaryotic expression vector was carried out in Escherichia coli(E.coli),and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography.The effect of PDGFRL protein on CRC HCT-116 cells was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT),clone counting,cell cycle,and wound healing assay.RESULTS:Both RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of PDGFRL in colorectal normal tissues was higher than in cancer tissues.Recombinant pET22b-PDGFRL prokaryotic expression vector was successfully expressed in E.coli,and the target protein was expressed in the form of inclusion bodies.After purification and refolding,recombinant human PDGFRL(rhPDGFRL)could efficiently inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CRC HCT-116 cells detected by MTT,clone counting and wound healing assay.Moreover,rhPDGFRL arrested HCT-116 cell cycling at the G0/G1 phase.CONCLUSION:PDGFRL is a potential gene for application in the anti-cancer therapy for CRC.

Insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 overexpression is associated with poor response of rectal cancers to radiotherapy

AIM: To explore the potential correlation between insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF-1R) expression and rectal cancer radiosensitivity.