Recombinant human zona pellucida proteins ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 co-expressed in a human cell line

Aim: To produce biologically active recombinant human (rh) ZP proteins in a human cell for use in sperm function tests. Methods: The human embryonic kidney cell line 293T was employed to produce rhZP1, rhZP2 and rhZP3 proteins individually and together by co-expression. Presence of these proteins in the culture medium and cell lysate was assessed by Western blotting analysis. The effect of the recombinant proteins on the human AR was assessed. Results: RhZP2 and rhZP3 were secreted into the culture medium, whereas rhZPl was found only in the cell lysate. Interestingly, when all zona pellucida proteins were co-expressed in the same cells, rhZPl was also secreted into the culture medium. However, despite the presence of all three ZP proteins in sufficient concentration and evidence of heavy glycosylation on gel electrophoresis, biological activity to induce the AR was not observed. Conclusion: RhZP1, rhZP2 and rhZP3 were successfully expressed in the human embryonic kidney cell line 293T. It appears that an interaction amongst these proteins may be required for release of rhZPl from the cell. Although this approach is not satisfactory for producing active human ZP proteins, it makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the structural and functional characteristics of the ZP proteins.

Melatonin and Doxorubicin synergistically induce cell apoptosis in human hepatoma cell lines

AIM:To investigate whether Melatonin has synergistic effects with Doxorubicin in the growth-inhibition and apoptosis-induction of human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Bel-7402.METHODS:The synergism of Melatonin and Doxorubicin inhibited the cell growth and induced cell apoptosis in human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Bel-7402.Cell viability was analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay.Cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL method and flow cytometry.Apoptosis-related protein Bax,Bcl-2 and caspase-3 expressions were measured by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS:Treatment with Melatonin(10 -8 -10 -5 mol/L) alone had a dose-related inhibitory effect on cell proliferation but no cytotoxic effect on hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Bel-7402.Interestingly,when combined with Doxorubicin,Melatonin significantly increased the effects of cell growth inhibition and cell apoptosis.Furthermore,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry revealed that cooperative apoptosis induction was associated with decreased expression of Bcl-2 as well as increased expression of Bax and Caspase3.CONCLUSION:The synergism of Melatonin and Doxorubicin inhibits hepatoma cell growth and induces cell apoptosis.

Protein profile of human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721:Identification and functional analysis

AIM: To investigate the protein profile of human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, to analyze the specific functions of abundant expressed proteins in the processes of hepatocarcinoma genesis, growth and metastasis, to identify the hepatocarcinoma-specific biomarkers for the early prediction in diagnosis, and to explore the new drug targets for liver cancer therapy. METHODS: Total proteins from human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). The silver-stained gel was analyzed by 2DE software Image Master 2D Elite. Interesting protein spots were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and database searching. RESULTS: We obtained protein profile of human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. Among the twenty-one successfully identified proteins, mitofilin, endoplasmic reticulum protein ERp29, ubiquinol- cytochrome C reductase complex core proteinⅠ, peroxisomal enoyl CoA hydratase, peroxiredoxin-4 and probable 3-oxoacid CoA transferase 1 precursor were the six novel proteins identified in human hepatocarcinoma cells or tissues. Specific functions of the identified heat-shock proteins were analyzed in detail, and the results suggested that these proteins might promote tumorigenesis via inhibiting cell death induced by several cancer-related stresses or via inhibiting apoptosis at multiple points in the apoptotic signal pathway. Other identified chaperones and cancer-related proteins were also analyzed.CONCLUSION: Based on the protein profile of SMMC-7721 cells, functional analysis suggests that the identified chaperones and cancer-related proteins have their own pathways to contribute to the tumorigenesis, tumor growth and metastasis of liver cancer. Furthermore, proteomic analysis is indicated to be feasible in the cancer study.

Epigenetic modification regulates both expression of tumor-associated genes and cell cycle progressing in human colon cancer cell lines: Colo-320 and SW1116

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of DNA methylation and histone acetylation, alone or in combination, on the expression of several tumor-associated genes and cell cycle progression in two established human colon cancer cell lines: Colo-320 and SW1116. Treatments with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) and trichostatin A, alone or in combination, were applied respectively. The methylation status of the CDKN2A promoter was determined by methylation-specific PCR, and the acetylated status of the histones associated with the p21wAF1 and CDKN2A genes was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation. The expression of the CDKN2A, p21WAF1, p53, p73, APC, c-myc, c-Ki-ras and survivin genes was detected by real-time RT-PCR and RT-PCR. The cell cycle profile was established by flow cytometry.We found that along with the demethylation of the CDKN2A gene promoter in both cell lines induced by 5-aza-dC alone or in combination with TSA, the expression of both CDKN2A and APC genes increased. The treatment of TSA or sodium butyrate up-regulated the transcription of p21 WAF1 significantly by inducing the acetylation of histones H4 and H3, but failed to alter the acetylation level of CDKN2A-associated histones. No changes in transcription of p53, p73,c-myc, c-Ki-ras and survivin genes were observed. In addition, TSA or sodium butyrate was shown to arrest cells at the G1 phase. However, 5-aza-dC was not able to affect the cell cycle progression. In conclusion, regulation by epigenetic modification of the transcription of tumor-associated genes and the cell cycle progression in both human colon cancer cell lines Colo-320 and SW1116 is gene-specific.

Apoptosis mechanisms of human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 infected with human mutant p27

AIM: To explore the inducing effect of human mutant p27 gene on the apoptosis of the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 and its associated mechanisms. METHODS: The recombinant adenovirus Ad-p27mt was constructed to infect the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45. Using flow cytometry, TUNEL assay and DNA fragment analysis, we measured the apoptotic effect of Ad-p27mt on the human gastric cancer cells. RESULTS: Ad-p27mt was successfully constructed and the infection efficiency reached 100%. After 18 h of infection, we observed an apoptotic hypodiploid peak on the flow cytometer before G1-S and apoptotic characteristic bands in the DNA electrophoresis. The apoptotic rate detected by TUNEL method was significantly higher in the Ad-p27mt group (89.4±3.12%)compared to the control group (3.12±0.13%, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Human mutant p27 can induce apoptosis of the human gastric cancer cells in vitro.

Establishment of an untransfected human corneal epithelial cell line and its biocompatibility with denuded amniotic membrane

AIM: To establish an untransfected human corneal epithelial (HCEP) cell line and characterize its biocompatibility with denuded amniotic membrane (dAM). METHODS: The torn HCEP pieces were primarily cultured in DMEM/F12 media (pH 7.2) supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum and other necessary factors, yielding an HCEP cell line which was its growth performance, chromosome morphology, tumorigenicity and expression of marker proteins analyzed. In addition, the biocompatibility of HCEP cells with dAM was evaluated through histological and immunocytochemistry analyses and with light, electron and slit-lamp microscopies. RESULTS: HCEP cells proliferated to confluence in 3 weeks, which have been subcultured to passage 160. A continuous untransfected HCEP cell line, designated as utHCEPC01, was established with a population doubling time of 45.42 hours as was determined at passage 100. The cells retained HCEP cell properties as were approved by chromosomal morphology and the expression of keratin 3. They, with no tumorigenicity, formed a multilayer epithelium-like structure on dAMs through proliferation and differentiation during air-liquid interface culture, maintained expression of marker proteins including keratin 3 and integrin p 1 and attached tightly to dAMs. The reconstructed HCEP was highly transparent and morphologically and structurally similar to the original. CONCLUSION: An untransfected and non-tumorigenic HCEP cell line was established in this study. The cells maintained expression of marker proteins. The cell line was biocompatible with dAM. It holds the potential of being used for in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered HCEP, promising for the treatment of diseases caused by corneal epithelial disorders.

Establishment of a Human Malignant T Lymphoma Cell Line Carrying a Retrovirus-like Particles with RT Activity

We have established an IL-2 independent malignant lymphoma line (CM-1) from peripheral T lymphocytes donated by a femalc patient with nervous systcm disease, the binlogical characteristics of CM-1 cells was studied in this paper. Another T lymphocytes,such as peripheral T lymphocytes donated by a maIe patient with multiple sclerosis, could be transformed into a malignant lymphoma line by using filtered supernatant of the CM-1 cultured medium, thus the CM-2 cell line u'as estabIished. The CM-1 and CM-2 cells were transplanted by subcutaneous inoculation into nude mice, and could cause the occurrenceof typical maIignant lymphoma. The observation of eIectron micrographs suggested the existence of virions in the CM-1 and CM-2 cells, and these virions were similar toretrovirus in the ultra-structure characteristics. lt was found that this virus possesses reverse transcriptase activity. ResuIts obtained from serological assay, molecular hybridization and PCR excluded the existence of other human viruses, which were commonly usedin our laboratory. The unknown virus possesses strong transformation activity, and probably is a new retro virus. Meanwhile, the work on the clone and sequence analysis ofthis virus are being carried out.

Inhibitory effect of a new gossypol derivative apogossypolone (ApoG2) on xenograft of human prostate cancer cell line PC-3

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of apogossypolone (ApoG2) on prostate cancer cell line PC-3 in vivo, and explore its mechanism. Methods: The models of transplantation tumors in Balb/c nu/nu mice were established via subcutaneous injection of PC-3 cells and the tumor-transplanted mice were divided into 4 groups: control group and three ApoG2 treatment groups, with 10 mice in each group. Volumes of the tumor were estimated every 2 d and the morphology of tumor tissues was observed. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of Bcl-2, PCNA, CD31, caspase-3 and caspase-8 in tumor tissues. Results: ApoG2 (2.5 mg/kg-10 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally once a day can obviously inhibit the growth of subcutaneous prostatic carcinoma implant. The tumor volume decreased obviously when the treatment dosage was bigger than 5.0 mg/kg (P<0.01). Meanwhile, ApoG2 decreased the expression of PCNA and CD31, and enhanced the expression of caspases-3, caspase-8 in tumor tissues. Conclusion: ApoG2 exert an inhibitory effect on prostatic carcinoma possibly by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

THE DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN GASTRIC ADENOCAR-CINOMA CELL LINE MGc80-3 INDUCED BY DIBUTYRYL cAMP IN VITRO

For providing some experimental basis in establishing malignant phenotypic reversed indexes of gastric carcinoma cells, human gastric adenocar-cinoma cell line MGc80-3 was induced by dBcAMP in vitro to appraise the effect of gastric carcinoma cell differentiation by chemical inducers.Under light microscope, MGc80-3 cells, after treated with 1 mM dBcAMP, tended to be flat and disperse, and their volume gradually enlarged, with their uncleus relatively smaller and their shape rather regular. Morphological changes, like norma differentiated epithelial cells, were observed. The cells attached firmly, grew slowly, their growth curve showed inhibitory rate amounted to 52.87%, and cellular division exponent displayed their peak value 1.5 times less than that of MGc80-3 cells. It was clear that dBcAMP could effectively inhibit the multiplication activity of MGc80-3 cells. After dBcAMP treatment, remarkable changes of cell surface charges was indicated by cell electrophoresis, the ratio dropped to 3.043 from 3.988, and their re-tardant ratio reached up to 31.2%. cAMP content in cells after this treatment, detected by cAMP and cGMP radioimmunoassay, was enhanced by 2.42 times, and cAMP/cGMP ratio, by 1.73 times. Thus, cAMP level within MGc80-3 cells was raised obviously by dBcAMP. Heterotransplantation experiments showed that tuntorigenic rate of MGc80-5 cells (transplanted subcutaneously to BALB/c mice) amounted to 100%, and that of the cells after this treatment was only 5.6%. Their tumorigenic ability was extremely reduced.These results confirmed that dBcAMP was able to change malignant phenotypic characteristics of MGc80-3 cells and produce a reversed alteration: Thus, it has a remarkable inductive effect in differentiating gastric carcinoma cells. All these characteristics were also considered as the reference indexes in appraising reversed effect for the homologous cancer cells.

Human embryonic stem cell lines derived from the Chinese population

Six human embryonic stem cell lines were established from surplus blastocysts. The cell lines expressed alkaline phosphatase and molecules typical of primate embryonic stem cells, including Oct-4, Nanog, TDGF1, Sox2, EBAF, Thy-1, FGF4, Rex-1, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. Five of the six lines formed embryoid bodies that expressed markers of a variety of cell types; four of them formed teratomas with tissue types representative of all three embryonic germ layers. These human embryonic stem cells are capable of producing clones of undifferentiated morphology, and one of them was propagated to become a subline. Human embryonic stem cell lines from the Chinese population should facilitate stem cell research and may be valuable in studies of population genetics and ecology.

REARRANGEMENT AND EXPRESSION OF T CELL RECEPTOR β GENE IN HUMAN HEMOPOIETIC CELL LINES AND PRIMARY CELLS FROM ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIAS

Using Southern blot, Northern blot and Quick blot methods, we examined the rearrangement and expression of TCR βgene in four early differentiation stage cell lines from human hemopoietic system, namely HL-60, Jurkat, Daudi and Raji cells as well as lymphocytes from 17 acute lymphocytic leukemia （ALL） patients. The results showed. Ⅰ) Rearrangement of TCR βgene was seen in Jurkat cells. A germline pattern was observed in HL-60, Daudi and Raji cells. 2) Eight of 9 patients with T-ALL had cells with rearranged TCR βgene. But two of 3 patients with B-ALL and three of 5 patients with nonT, nonB-ALL also had cells with rearranged TCR βgene. 3) A 1.3 kb full-length transcript and a 1.0 kb truncated transcript were detected in Jurkat cells by probing with 32P-TCR βcDNA. But some leukemic B cells also expressed an incompleted transcript. 4) TCR βmRNA was detected in six of 8 patients with T-ALL, four of 5 patients with nonT, nonB-ALL and one of 3 patients with B-ALL. But the level of expression was quite differ ent. The dual-rearrangement and the abnormal expression may give us a new clue for researching leukemogenesis.

Inhibitory effect of parvovirus H-1 on the formation of colonies of human hepatoma cell line in vitro and its tumors in nude mice

The inhibitory effect of parvovirus H-1 on the colonyforming ability in vitro of QGY-7703, a cultured human hepatoma cell line, and on the formation and growth of its tumors in nude mice was studied. With higher multiplicity of infection (MOI) of H-1 given, survival of the QGY-7703 cells was found to be decreased. H-1 DNA amplification level at 30 h postinfection(p.i.) was detected to be 7.4 times higher than that at 2 h by dispersed cells assay, while the cells were delayed to enter into S phase.Plaques were formed in the indicator cells (new-born human kidney cell line, NBK) by progeny H-1 virus particles released from the infected QGY-7703 cells by infectious cell center assay. The formation of tumors in nude mice by QGY-7703 cells which were injected s c at 2 h postinfection was observed to be prevented in 2 groups with given MOI 25 and 50. The tumor growth of MOI 10 group occurred at a lower exponential rate than that of control,after a 20 d latent period. It was evident that parvovirus H-1 exhibited a direct inhibitory effect on the formation and growth of human hepatoma cells in vivo as well as in vitro.

Establishment of an untransfected human corneal stromal cell line and its biocompatibility to acellular porcine corneal stroma

AIM: To establish an untransfected human corneal stromal (HCS) cell line and characterize its biocompatibility to acellular porcine corneal stoma (aPCS). METHODS: Primary culture was initiated with a pure population of HCS cells in DMEM/F12 media (pH 7.2) containing 20% fetal bovine serum and various necessary growth factors. The established cell line was characterized by growth property, chromosome analysis, tumorigenicity assay, expression of marker proteins and functional proteins. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of HCS cells with aPCS was examined through histological and immunocytochemistry analyses and with light, electron microscopies. RESULTS: HCS cells proliferated to confluence 2 weeks later in primary culture and have been subcultured to passage 140 so far. A continuous untransfected HCS cell line with a population doubling time of 41.44 hours at passage 80 has been determined. Results of chromosome analysis, morphology, combined with the results of expression of marker protein and functional proteins suggested that the cells retained HCS cell properties. Furthermore, HCS cells have no tumorigenicity, and with excellent biocompatibility to aPCS. CONCLUSION: An untransfected and non-tumorigenic HCS cell line has been established, and the cells maintained positive expression of marker proteins and functional proteins. The cell line, with excellent biocompatibility to aPCS, might be used for in vitroreconstruction of tissue-engineered HCS.

Up-Regulation of the Gap Junction Intercellular Communication by Tea Polyphenol in the Human Metastatie Lung Carcinoma Cell Line

Our previous study has proven that tea polyphenol has a role in lung neoplasms. The present communication was to investage the anti-proliferation effect of tea polyphenol on the PG cells, which was a high metastatic human lung carcinoma cell line, by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) cell viability assay, and to study the change of intracellular calcium concentration, connexin43 (Cx43) expression, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and cell cycle distribution after the tea polyphenol treatment by laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The results showed that 1) tea polyphenol could kill the PG cells in a dose-depent manner via inhibiting the PG cell proliferation and blocking the PG cell cycle progression staying in G0/G1 phase and not transfering in S and G2/M phases to reduce the PG cell proliferation index;2) the increases of intracellular calcium concentration, GJIC and Cx43 expression were related with the tea polyphenol doses. The data suggested that tea polyphenol could inhibit the growth of PG cells, which mechanism was associated with the up-regulation of GJIC.

Effect of 80.55 MeV//u^(12)C^(6+) Ions on Radiosensitivity and Cell Cycle of Human Hepatoma Cell Lines

In this paper, the relationship between radiosensitivity, cell cycle alteration and the change of apoptosis in different human hepatoma cell lines irradiated by heavy ions were studied with the aim of building up the base data for clinical therapy. Exponentially growing hepatoma cell lines were irradiated by 80.55 MeV/u12C6＋ ions at a dose of 0 Gy, 0.5 Gy, 1 Gy, 2 Gy, 4 Gy and 8 Gy. The radiosensitivity was assessed by means of the colony-forming assay. The DNA content, the percentage of each cell-cycle phase and the apoptosis rate were obtained with flow cytometry methods. After the irradiation, the SF2 （survival fraction at 2 gray） of SMMC-7721 cells were evidently lower than that of HepG2 cells. The S phase arrest, G2/M phase arrest delay and the apoptosis in the two hepatoma cell lines varied with the increase of the dose and repair time. The heavy ions could obviously kill the human hepatoma cell lines. Compared to HepG2 cells, SMMC-7721 cells were more radiosensitive to 12C^6＋ ions.

EXPRESSION OF ONCOGENES DURING INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN HEPATOCARCINOMA CELL LINE

There was no detectable expression of c-fos,but a little c-myc,high c-fms and mederate high IGF-ⅡmRNA in the untreated human hepatocarcinoma cell SMMC- 7721.After treatment with 10 μmol/L retinoic acid or 0.5 mmol/L dibutyryl cyclic-3',5'adenosine monophosphate(db-cAMP),the c-fos was transiently expressed within 20- 60mins.If the treatment of RA or db-cAMP prolonged to 1-5 days, the transcriptions of c- myc were increased,reaching the highest level on the 2nd and 4th day.Simultaneously the transcriptions of c- fms and IGF- Ⅱwere gradually decreased.On the 5th day of the treatment,c-fms and IGF-ⅡmRNA were decreased to 32% and 14%respectively of the control (untreated cell) value by RA,and 35% and 22%respectively by db-cAMP.The biological significance of the above mentioned results was discussed.

DAPT suppresses the proliferation of human glioma cell line SHG-44

Objective:To explore the suppressing effect ofγ-secretase inhibitor DAPT on proliferation of human glioma cell line SHG-44 in vitro and its mechanism.Methods:The SHG-44 cell was treated by DAPT with different concentration.The proliferation of cells was detected by MTT assay;cell cycle and TSC of CD133^+were determined by flow cytometry analysis technique;the key factor in Notch signaling pathway(Notch-1,Delta-1,Hes-1)was measured by reverse transcrip tase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.Results:DAPT inhibited the growth and proliferation of SHG-44 cells significantly(P<0.05).And the inhibiting effect on SHG-44 cells produced by DAPT showed a dose-dependent manner.DAPT increased the rate of cells in G_0/G_1 phase of SHG-44 cells,while it decreased the rate of cells in S phase.TSC of CD133^+was significantly reduced after DAPT treated SHC-44 cells.The expression of protein and mRNA of Notch-1,Delta-1 and Hes-1 were gradually downregulated with the increase of DAPT doses.Conclusions:DAPT can downregulate these key factor in Notch signaling pathway,reduce the TSC of CD133+and inhibit the proliferation of SHC-44 cells.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUMAN B CELL LINE THAT RESPONDS SPECIFICALLY TO B CELL GROWTH FACTOR

A human B cell line （3D5） that responds specifically to B cell growth factor （BCGF） hasbeen developed by a sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Cowen I activation,EB virus im-mortalization,and cloning.Proliferative response to PHA-stimulated T cell supernatant（PHA-T-Sup） and nonresponsiveness to rIL-2 stimulation were factors used to screen positivecells.Phenotype analysis with a flow cytometer indicated that:1) 3D5 is a B cell line:100% of the cells were positive for B1 marker and 59% were positive for sIg,while T3and Mo 1 were negative:2) 3D5 is an activated B cell line:both Tac and 4F2 markersof activated （but not of resting） B cells were 100% positive:3) 3D5 expresses high molecularweight BCGF （HMW-BCGF） receptor-associated epitope BA5.3D5 cells proliferated inresponse to cpBCGF stimulation in a dose-dependent manner.HMW-BCGF also induced3D5 cells to proliferate.Interestingly.no proliferation could be detected in the presenceof rIL-2,rIL-4,or rIFN-r.The data show that 3D5 cells are specifically BCGF-responsiveB cells.Using 3D5 cells as target,BCGF activity was detected in crude BCGF preparationsedimented by 85% （NH4）2SO4 and chromatographed in a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column fromPHA-T-Sup.T24 cell supernatant with B cell differentiation factor （BCDF） activity couldnot induce 3D5 cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin-secreting cells.