Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A 16,tumour protein 53 and epidermal growth factor receptor in salivary gland carcinomas is not associated with oncogenic virus infection

It is known that human papillomavirus （HPV） infection can cause squamous cell neoplasms at several sites, such as cervix uteri carcinoma and oral squamous carcinoma. There is little information on the expression of HPV and its predictive markers in tumours of the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck. We therefore assessed oral salivary gland neoplasms to identify associations between HPV and infection-related epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A （CDKN2A/p16） and tumour protein p53 （TP53）. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from oral salivary gland carcinomas （n=51） and benign tumours （n=26） were analysed by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） analysis for several HPV species, including high-risk types 16 and 18. Evaluation of EGFR, CDKN2A, TP53 and cytomegalovirus （CMV） was performed by immunohistochemistry. Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） was evaluated by EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridisation. We demonstrated that salivary gland tumours are not associated with HPV infection. The expression of EGFR, CDKN2A and TP53 may be associated with tumour pathology but is not induced by HPV. CMV and EBV were not detectable. In contrast to oral squamous cell carcinomas, HPV, CMV and EBV infections are not associated with malignant or benign neoplastic lesions of the salivary glands.

Molecular mechanism underlying the functional loss of cyclindependent kinase inhibitors p16 and p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is one of the most common human cancers, and its incidence is still increasing in many countries. The prognosis of HCC patients remains poor, and identification of useful molecular prognostic markers is required. Many recent studies have shown that functional alterations of cellcycle regulators can be observed in HCC. Among the various types of cell-cycle regulators, p16 and p27 are frequently inactivated in HCC and are considered to be potent tumor suppressors, p16, a G1-specific cell-cycle inhibitor that prevents the association of cyclindependent kinase （CDK） 4 and CDK6 with cyclin DI, is frequently inactivated in HCC via CpG methylation of its promoter region, p16 may be involved in the early steps of hepatocarcinogenesis, since p16 gene methylation has been detected in subsets of pre-neoplastic liver cirrhosis patients, p27, a negative regulator of the G1-S phase transition through inhibition of the kinase activities of Cdk2/cyclin A and Cdk2/cyclin E complexes, is now considered to be an adverse prognostic factor in HCC. In some cases of HCC with increased cell proliferation, p27 is overexpressed but inactivated by sequestration into cyclin D1-CDK4-containing complexes. Since loss of p16 is closely related to functional inactivation of p27 in HCC, investigating both p16 and p27 may be useful for precise prognostic predictions in individuals with HCC.

RKIP、MMP-2与非小细胞肺癌侵袭转移的关系

目的检测非小细胞肺癌组织中Raf激酶抑制蛋白(raf kinase inhibitor protein,RKIP)和基质金属蛋白酶-2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)的表达及其与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学方法(SP法)检测83例非小细胞肺癌及其癌旁正常肺组织中RKIP与MMP-2蛋白的表达情况。结果 83例非小细胞肺癌中,RKIP及MMP-2蛋白的表达率分别为20.5%(17/83)和69.9%(58/83),其表达水平与非小细胞肺癌的分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结或远处转移及术后生存时间有明显关系;RKIP蛋白的表达水平与MMP-2呈负相关(P<0.05);RKIP蛋白低表达与MMP-2蛋白高表达的病例2年生存率明显降低(P<0.05)。结论 RKIP低表达与非小细胞肺癌的侵袭、转移密切相关,RKIP可能是非小细胞肺癌的一个转移抑制蛋白,RKIP表达下调导致MMP-2的过表达从而促进非小细胞肺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。

Promoter methylation status of hMLH1,MGMT,and CDKN2A/p16 in colorectal adenomas

AIM:To investigate aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands and subsequent low-or high-level DNA microsatellite instability(MSI)which is assumed to drive colon carcinogenesis. METHODS:DNA of healthy individuals,adenoma(tu-bular or villous/tubulovillous)patients,and colorectal carcinoma patients who underwent colonoscopy was used for assessing the prevalence of aberrant DNA methylation of human DNA mismatch repair gene mutator L homologue 1(hMLH1),Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(CDKN2A/p16),and O-6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase(MGMT),as well as their rela- tion to MSI. RESULTS:The frequency of promoter methylation for each locus increased in the sequence healthy tissue/adenoma/carcinoma.MGMT showed the highest frequency in each group.MGMT and CDKN2A/p16 presented a statistically significant increase in promoter methylation between the less and more tumorigenic forms of colorectal adenomas(tubular vs tubullovillous and villous adenomas).All patients with tubulovillous/villous adenomas,as well as all colorectal cancer patients,showed promoter methylation in at least one of the examined loci.These findings suggest a potentially crucial role for methylation in the polyp/adenoma to cancer progres- sion in colorectal carcinogenesis.MSI and methylation seem to be interdependent,as simultaneous hMLH1, CDKN2A/p16,and MGMT promoter methylation was present in 8/9 colorectal cancer patients showing the MSI phenotype. CONCLUSION:Methylation analysis of hMLH1,CD- KN2A/p16,and MGMT revealed specific methylation profiles for tubular adenomas,tubulovillous/villous adenomas,and colorectal cancers,supporting the use of these alterations in assessment of colorectal tumorigenesis.

MiR-451 inhibits proliferation of esophageal carcinoma cellline EC9706 by targeting CDKN2D and MAP3K1

AIM To investigate the underlying molecularmechanisms of miR-451 to inhibit proliferation ofesophageal carcinoma cell line EC9706.METHODS： Assays for cell growth, apoptosis andinvasion were used to evaluate the effects of miR-451expression on EC cells. Luciferase reporter and Westernblot assays were used to test whether cyclin-dependentkinase inhibitor 2D （CDKN2D） and MAP3K1 act as majortargets of miR-451.RESULTS： The results showed that CDKN2D andMAP3K1 are direct targets of miR-451. CDKN2D andMAP3K1 overexpression reversed the effect of miR-451.MiR-451 inhibited the proliferation of EC9706 bytargeting CDKN2D and MAP3K1.CONCLUSION： These findings suggest that miR-451might be a novel prognostic biomarker and a potentialtarget for the treatment of esophageal squamous cellcarcinoma in the future.

Effects of histone acetylation and DNA methylation on p21^(WAF1)regulation

Cell cycle progression is regulated by interactions between cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). p21(WAF1) is one of the CIP/KIP family which inhibits CDKs activity. Increased expression of p21(WAF1) may play an important role in the growth arrest induced in transformed cells. Although the stability of the p21( WAF1) mRNA could be altered by different signals, cell differentiation and numerous influencing factors. However, recent studies suggest that two known mechanisms of epigenesis, i.e.gene inactivation by methylation in promoter region and changes to an inactive chromatin by histone deacetylation, seem to be the best candidate mechanisms for inactivation of p21( WAF1). To date, almost no coding region p21(WAF1) mutations have been found in tumor cells, despite extensive screening of hundreds of various tumors. Hypermethylation of the p21(WAF1) promoter region may represent an alternative mechanism by which the p21(WAF1/CIP1) gene can be inactivated. The reduction of cellular DNMT protein levels also induces a corresponding rapid increase in the cell cycle regulator p21(WAF1) protein demonstrating a regulatory link between DNMT and p21(WAF1) which is independent of methylation of DNA. Both histone hyperacetylation and hypoacetylation appear to be important in the carcinoma process, and induction of the p21(WAF1) gene by histone hyperacetylation may be a mechanism by which dietary fiber prevents carcinogenesis. Here, we review the influence of histone acetylation and DNA methylation on p21(WAF1) transcription, and affection of pathways or factors associated such as p 53, E2A, Sp1 as well as several histone deacetylation inhibitors.

Effect of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine on the P16 tumor suppressor gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2

INTRODUCTIONHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the mostcommon human malignancies worldwide[1,2], and isclosely associated with infection of HBV and HCVand contamination of aflatoxin B1[3-6]. Althoughthe molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesisremain poorly understood, an increasing number ofgenetic abnormalities have been recognized[7-10],for example, the p16 gene[11,12] the p53gene[13-18], the E-cadherin gene[19], and the c-mycgene[20].

p21 and p27 immunoexpression in gastric well differentiated endocrine tumors(ECL-cell carcinoids)

AIM： To investigate the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in gastric well differentiated endocrine tumors （GWDET） （ECLocell carcinoids）.METHODS： The expressions of p21 and p27 were examined immunhistochemically in endoscopic biopsy specimens from 16 patients matching the diagnostic criteria of GWDET. Percentage of positive nuclear staining either weak or strong was noted. The association of immunoexpressions with age, gender, tumor localization, multifocality and accompanying chronic atrophic gastritis, neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia （NEH）, neuroendocrine dysplasia （NED）, intestinal metaplasia （IM）, Ki-67 proliferation index and clinical outcome were also evaluated.RESULTS： All cases expressed p27 with a mean expression score of 43.6%, while 31.3% of the cases showed any p21 expression, p21 and p27 immunoexpressions were significantly correlated with each other （P 〈 0.01）, and the p21-expressing group had higher p27 expression scores （68% vs 22%）. p21 and p27 expressions were lower in women, in non-atrophic mucosa and cases whose tumors were located somewhere other than fundus without submucosal extension. On contrary, p21 and p27 expressions were higher in males and the patients with submucosal extension and atrophic gastritis. Cases presenting lower p27 scores had solitary tumors showing neither NEH-NED nor IM. Despite, cases with lower p21 expression presented multifocal tumors accompanied by NEH-NED. However, no correlation of p21 and p27 expressions was found with age and Ki-67 expression.CONCLUSION： p27 is widely expressed in GWDETs, while p21 expression is sparse and observed in two thirds of the cases. Loss of p21 and p27 expressions may be correlated with different carcinoid tumor subtypes; however,more studies are needed to assess the role of these prospective markers in gastrointestinal endocrine tumors.

Comprehensive proteomic signature and identification of CDKN2A as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND The carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer(CRC)involves many different molecules and multiple pathways,and the specific mechanism has not been elucidated until now.Existing studies on the proteomic signature profiles of CRC are relatively limited.Therefore,we herein aimed to provide a more comprehensive proteomic signature profile and discover new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets by performing proteomic analysis of CRC and paired normal tissues.AIM To investigate the proteomic signature and identify novel protein prognostic biomarkers of CRC.METHODS Cancer tissues and paired normal tissues were collected from 48 patients who underwent surgical removal at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2020 to June 2021.Data independent acquisition(DIA)quantitative proteomic analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry(nano-UHPLC–MS/MS)to identify differen tially expressed proteins,among which those with a P adj value(t test,BH correction)<0.05 and an absolute fold change(|log2FC|)>2 were identified as potential markers.Differentially expressed proteins were selected by bioinformatics analysis and validated by immunohistochemical tissue microarrays,and their association with prognosis was further analyzed with the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database to identify prognostic protein biomarkers of CRC.RESULTS Significantly differential protein expression was observed between cancer tissues and normal tissues.Compared with normal tissues,1115 proteins were upregulated and 705 proteins were downregulated in CRC based on P adj<0.05 and|log2FC|>2,and bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were involved in multiple biological processes associated with tumorigenesis,including ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes,focal adhesion,extracellular matrix-receptor interactions and other tumor metabolism processes.Moreover,cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(CDKN2A)expression was markedly upregulated in CRC,as validated by immunohistochemistry(0.228 vs 0.364,P=0.0044),and was significantly enriched in tumor proliferation and signal transduction pathways such as the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways.High CDKN2A expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis(P=0.021).These results demonstrated that CDKN2A functions as a driver of CRC.CONCLUSION Our study provides a comprehensive proteomic signature of CRC and highlights CDKN2A as a potential powerful prognostic marker and precision therapeutic target.

Axonal growth inhibitors and their receptors in spinal cord injury:from biology to clinical translation

Axonal growth inhibitors are released during traumatic injuries to the adult mammalian central nervous system, including after spinal cord injury. These molecules accumulate at the injury site and form a highly inhibitory environment for axonal regeneration. Among these inhibitory molecules, myelinassociated inhibitors, including neurite outgrowth inhibitor A, oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and repulsive guidance molecule A are of particular importance. Due to their inhibitory nature, they represent exciting molecular targets to study axonal inhibition and regeneration after central injuries. These molecules are mainly produced by neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes within the scar and in its immediate vicinity. They exert their effects by binding to specific receptors, localized in the membranes of neurons. Receptors for these inhibitory cues include Nogo receptor 1, leucine-rich repeat, and Ig domain containing 1 and p75 neurotrophin receptor/tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 19(that form a receptor complex that binds all myelin-associated inhibitors), and also paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and repulsive guidance molecule A bind to Nogo receptor 1, Nogo receptor 3, receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase σ and leucocyte common antigen related phosphatase, and neogenin, respectively. Once activated, these receptors initiate downstream signaling pathways, the most common amongst them being the Rho A/ROCK signaling pathway. These signaling cascades result in actin depolymerization, neurite outgrowth inhibition, and failure to regenerate after spinal cord injury. Currently, there are no approved pharmacological treatments to overcome spinal cord injuries other than physical rehabilitation and management of the array of symptoms brought on by spinal cord injuries. However, several novel therapies aiming to modulate these inhibitory proteins and/or their receptors are under investigation in ongoing clinical trials. Investigation has also been demonstrating that combinatorial therapies of growth inhibitors with other therapies, such as growth factors or stem-cell therapies, produce stronger results and their potential application in the clinics opens new venues in spinal cord injury treatment.

Expressions of cyclin E, cyclin dependent kinase 2 and p57^(KIP2) in human gastric cancer

Objective To investigate the expressions of cyclin E, cyclin dependent kinase 2(CDK-2)and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57 KIP2 in human gastric cancer, and to evaluate the relationships between protein levels and clinicopathological parameters. Methods Western blot was used to measure the expressions of cyclin E, CDK-2 and p57 KIP2 proteins in the surgically resected gastric carcinoma, adjacent normal mucosa and metastatic lymph nodes from 36 patients. Results Cyclin E and CDK-2 protein levels were higher in gastric cancer tissues in comparison with normal tissues (P<0.05). Overexpression of cyclin E was correlated with lymph node involvement, poor histological grade and serosa invasion (P<0.05). Overexpression of CDK-2 was correlated with lymph nodes involvement (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference between cyclin E and CDK-2 expression was found when samples were stratified according to tumor size (P>0.05). Expression of cyclin E and CDK-2 showed a positive linear correlation (r=0.451, P=0.01). Protein levels of p57 KIP2 were lower in gastric cancer tissues than in the normal mucosa (P<0.05). Decreased expression of p57 KIP2 was correlated with lymph node involvement (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference in p57 KIP2 expression was found when sample were stratified according to tumor size, histological grade or serosa invasion (P>0.05). In metastatic lymph nodes, expression of cyclin E was increased and the expression of p57 KIP2 decreased. Conclusion Overexpressions of cyclin E, CDK-2 and downregulated expression of p57 KIP2 may play important roles in tumorigenesis and metastatic potential of gastric cancer.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 influences pancreatic cancer cell growth

AIM： To investigate the functional significance of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 （IGFBP-5） overexpression in pancreatic cancer （PaC）.METHODS： The effects of IGFBP-5 on cell growth were assessed by stable transfection of BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cell lines and measuring cell number and DNA synthesis. Alterations in the cell cycle were assessed by flow cytometry and immunoblot analyses. Changes in cell survival and signal transduction were evaluated after mitogen and phosphatidylinositol activated protein kinase 3-kinase （PI3K） inhibitor treatment.RESULTS： After serum deprivation, IGFBP-5 expression increased both cell number and DNA synthesis in BxPC-3 cells, but reduced cell number in PANC-1 cells. Consistent with this observation, cell cycle analysis of IGFBP-5-expressing cells revealed accelerated cell cycle progression in BxPC-3 and G2/M arrest of PANC-1 cells. Signal transduction analysis revealed that Akt activation was increased in BxPC-3, but reduced in PANC-1 cells that express IGFBP-5. Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 suppressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 （ERK1/2） activation in BxPC-3, but enhanced ERK1/2 activation in PANC-1 cells that express IGFBP-5. When MEK1/2 was blocked, Akt activation remained elevated in IGFBP-5 expressing PaC cells; however, inhibition of PI3K or MEK1/2 abrogated IGFBP-5-mediated cell survival.CONCLUSION： These results indicate that IGFBP-5 expression affects the cell cycle and survival signal pathways and thus it may be an important mediator of PaC cell growth.

Effects of an Engineered Anti-HER2 Antibody chA21 on Invasion of Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cell In Vitro

Objective： HER-2 plays an important role in the development and progression of ovarian carcinoma. A number of monoclonal antibodies （MAbs） and engineered antibody fragments （such as scFvs） against the subdomain II or IV of HER-2 extracellular domain （ECD） have been developed. We investigated the effect of chA21, an engineered anti-HER-2 antibody that bind primarily to subdomain I, on ovarian carcinoma cell invasion in vitro, and explored its possible mechanisms. Methods： Growth inhibition of SK-OV-3 cells was assessed using a Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. The invasion ability of SK-OV-3 was determined by a Transwell invasion assay. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） and its tissue inhibitors （TIMP-2） was detected by immunocytochemical staining, and the expression of p38 and the phosphorylation of p38 were assayed by both immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results： After treatment with chA21, the invasion of human ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells was inhibited in dose- and time-dependent manners. Simultaneously the expression of p38, phospho-p38, MMP-2 and the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio decreased, while TIMP-2 expression increased. Additionally, the decrease in phospho-p38 was much greater than that of p38. Conclusion： chA21 may inhibit SK-OV-3 cell invasion via the signal transduction pathway involving MMP-2, TIMP-2, p38 and the activation of p38MAPK.

Effect of cis-9,trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid on cell cycle of gastric adenocarcinoma cell line(SGC-7901)

AIM: To determine the effect of cis -9, trans -11-conjugated linoleic acid (c9, t11-CLA) on the cell cycle of gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) and its possible mechanism in inhibition cancer growth. METHODS: Using cell culture and immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the cell growth, DNA synthesis, expression of PCNA, cyclin A, B(1), D(1), p16(ink4a) and p21(cip/waf1) of SGC-7901 cells which were treated with various c9, t11-CLA concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 micromol.L(-1))of c 9, t 11-CLA for 24 and 48h, with a negative control (0.1% ethane). RESULTS: The cell growth and DNA synthesis of SGC-7901 cells were inhibited by c9, t11-CLA.SGC-7901 cells. Eight day after treatment with various concentrations of c9, t11-CLA mentioned above, the inhibition rates were 5.92%, 20.15%, 75.61% and 82.44%, respectively and inhibitory effect of c9, t11-CLA on DNA synthesis (except for 25 micromol.L, 24h) showed significantly less (3)H-TdR incorporation than that in the negative controls (P【0.05 and P【0.01). Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that SGC-7901 cells preincubated in media supplemented with different c9, t11-CLA concentrations at various times significantly decreased the expressions of PCNA (the expression rates were 7.2-3.0%, 24h and 9.1-0.9% at 48h, respectively), Cyclin A (11.0-2.3%, 24h and 8.5-0.5%,48h), B(1) (4.8-1.8% at 24h and 5.5-0.6% at 48h)and D(1) (3.6-1.4% at 24h and 3.7%-0 at 48h) as compared with those in the negative controls(the expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A, B(1) and D(1) were 6.5% at 24h and 9.0% at 48h, 4.2% at 24h and 5.1% at 48h, 9.5% at 24h and 6.0% at 48h,respectively)(P【0.01), whereas the expressions of P16(ink4a) and P21(cip/waf1), cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors(CDKI), were increased. CONCLUSION: The cell growth and proliferation of SGC-7901 cell is inhibited by c9, t11-CLA via blocking the cell cycle, with reduced expressions of cyclin A,B(1) and D(1) and enhanced expressions of CDKI(P16(ink4a) and p21(cip/waf1)).

Effect of Yanggan Jiedu Sanjie formula on human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Yanggan Jiedu Sanjie(YGJDSJ) formula on human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells.METHODS: Bel-7402 cells were treated with YGJDSJ. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was identified by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometric analysis. Cell cycle distribution was quantified by flow cytometric analysis. Caspase activities were measured by commercial kit. Cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining. Protein expression and phosphorylation were identified by Western blot. Protein expression was knocked-down by siRNA.RESULTS: YGJDSJ inhibited proliferation of Bel-7402 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.YGJDSJ induced apoptosis and activated caspase-3, 8, and 9 in Bel-7402 cells. YGJDSJ-induced apoptosis was completely abrogated by a pan caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK. YGJDSJ also induced cell senescence, up-regulated cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 a(CDKN1 a) and CDKN2 a expression and down-regulated retinoblastoma protein(RB) phosphorylation in Bel-7402 cells. Specific knockdown of CDKN1 a and CDKN2 a significantly reduced YGJDSJ-induce cell senescence in Bel-7402 cells.CONCLUSION: YGJDSJ inhibited cell proliferation,induced caspase-dependent apoptosis and CDKN1 a/CDKN2 a-RB signalling mediated cell senescence in Bel-7402 cells. Our findings suggest that YGJDSJ might be potential for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Expression of positive and negative regulators of cell cycle during wound healing

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of cell cycle positive regulators cyclin D(1), cyclin E, CDK(2), CDK(4) and negative regulators p21(cip1), p27(kip1), p16(ink4a) and p15(ink4b) during wound healing in rats. METHODS: Open wounds of full-thickness skin, diameter 1.8 cm, on rat backs were used as the wound model. Wound tissues were harvested on postwounding days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 21 and 30. Ki67 expression in granulation tissue was detected by immunohistochemical assay. The patterns of the expression of cyclin D(1), cyclin E, CDK(2), CDK(4) and p21(cip1), p27(kip1), p16(ink4a), p15(ink4b) were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Cell proliferation in granulation tissue took place predominantly within the first week after injury, with the proliferation peak occurring at postwounding day 5. There were no dramatic variations in the expression of cyclin D(1), CDK(2) and CDK(4) during wound healing. Up-regulated cyclin E was maintained from day 3 to 11 after injury, and then was down-regulated. No expression of p16(ink4a) and p15(ink4b) was found. p21(cip1) was expressed only from day 7 to 14, with peak expression observed on day 9. Constitutive p27(kip1) was expressed throughout wound healing with low levels in the proliferating period of day 3 to 5 and with increased levels in the post-mitotic and remodeling stage. The expression of p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) showed an inverse gradient to that of Ki67. CONCLUSION: p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) play a supervising role in preventing the hyperproliferative tendency in tissue repair.

Epstein-Barr virus induces human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells to escape from the replicative senescence

OBJECTIVE: To observe the biological changes of primary human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells in the early stage of immortalization. METHODS: The morphological changes of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells were observed by phase contrast microscopy, and the activity profile of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) was detected by SA-beta-Gal staining. The expression of p16(INK4a) protein was tested by immunochemical assay, and the life span in vitro of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells was calculated as population doublings. In addition, the expression of Epstein-Barr (EB) virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) was also detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Morphologically, cells treated with EB virus and 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) formed multi-layer foci, and their cellular life span in vitro was extended (about 155 days of culture). A low percentage of cells (about 4.8%) expressed SA-beta-Gal activity at late primary culture, and did not always express p16(INK4a) protein in the progression of culture. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal epithelial cells treated with EB virus in cooperation with TPA can pass through the stage of senescence and enter the early stage of immortalization. Some changes of phenotype occur in these cells.Our results provide data for further studying the mechanism of immortalization and the establishment of a human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line.

Jab1与头颈肿瘤

p27Kip1是一种细胞周期抑制剂,其低表达与肿瘤的不良预后密切相关,被认为是一种抑癌基因.而c-Jun活化区结合蛋白1(c-jun-activation-domain binding protein,Jab1)是新近发现的一种多功能蛋白,其在头颈肿瘤中的表达有助于了解肿瘤的发生、发展和预后,对肿瘤的治疗提供生物学依据.本文就Jab1与头颈肿瘤的关系做一综述.