Effect of Xiaoyu Zhixue Tablet (消瘀止血片) on Expression ofPlatelet Membrane Glycoproteins in Patients withHemorrhagic Thrombopathy

Objective: To observe the effect of Xiaoyu Zhixue tablet (消瘀止血片,XYZXT) on the expression of platelet membrane glycoproteins in patients with hemorrhagic thrombopathy, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: The total of 148 patients with hemorrhagic thrombopathy were randomly divided into two groups, the traditional Chinese medicicne (TCM) group (n=98) treated with XYZXT and the Western medicine (WM) group (n=50) treated with adrenosin, vitamins C, K and P, both for 6 months. The therapeutic effect and the recovery rate of platelet aggregation in the two groups were observed. And platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ⅰb/Ⅸ, GPⅡb/Ⅲa complexes, GPⅠb, GPⅡb, GP Ⅲa and P-selectin were analyzed by flow cytometry in both groups before and after treatment and also in 34 normal healthy subjects. Results: The total effective rate of hemostasis was 89. 8% in TCM group and 54. 0% in the WM group (x2=45.83, P<0.01), and the recovery rate of platelet aggregation was 72.4% and 4.0% respectively (x2=62.06, P<0.01). The fluorescence intensity of GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ, GPⅡb/Ⅲa complexes, GPⅠb, GPⅢa and P-selectin were lower in both groups before treatment than those in the healthy subjects. Expression of above-mentioned marks was elevated in TCM group after 6 months' therapy, which was insignificantly different as compared with the healthy subjects (P>0.05) and higher than those in the WM group (P<0.05). Conclusion: One of the mechanisms in treating hemorrhagic thrombopathy with XYZXT is that it could regulate the expression of GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ, GPⅡ b/Ⅲa complexes, GPⅠb, GPⅢa and P-selectin at the level of receptor protein.

Expression of Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ Complex,a Receptor of Thrombin,in Patients with Hemorrhagic Thrombopathy

To investigate the role of platelet membrane glycoprotein （GP） Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and its subunit GP Ibα in patients with hemorrhagic thrombopathy （HT）, the expressions of GP Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GP Ibα,defined as mean fluorescence intensity （MFI）, were assessed by flow cytometry. The maximum aggregation of platelet was determined by turbidity method. These indicators were compared among 68 HT patients with the presenting complaint of hemorrhage, 33 well-controlled HT patients and 32 normal healthy subjects. The results showed that the MFI of GP Ib/Ⅸ /Ⅴ complex and GP Ibα was markedly lower in HT patients with current hemorrhage than that in the healthy subjects, with difference being statistically significant （P〈0.05）. There was no significant difference in the expressions of GP Ib/ Ⅸ/ Ⅴ complex and GP Ibα between well-controlled HT patients and normal healthy subjects （P〉0.05）. It was concluded that the expression of GP Ib/Ⅸ /Ⅴ complex, the receptor of thrombin and von Willebrand factor, was down-regulated in HT patients with current hemorrhage, which might result in the dysfunction of platelet aggregation and recurrence of HT.

Association of the Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Ⅰa C807T Gene Polymorphism with Aspirin Resistance

To explore the correlation between the C807T polymorphism of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ⅰa （GP Ⅰa） gene and aspirin resistance in Chinese people, 200 patients with high-risk of atherosclerosis took aspirin （100 mg/d） for 7 days. Platelet aggregation function was detected using adenosine diphosphate （ADP） and arachidonic acid （AA） before and after the administration of aspirin. Then the subjects were divided into three groups according to the results of platelet aggregation function： an aspirin resistant （AR） group, an aspirin semi-responder （ASR） group and an aspirin-sensitive （AS） group. Platelet GP Ⅰa gene 807CT polymorphism was examined by means of polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers （PCR-SSP）. The results showed that T allelic frequency in AR group and ASR group were higher that of AS group （P〈0.005）, and the prevalence of genotypes （TT＋TC） of these two groups was significantly higher than that in AS group （P〈0.05）. Platelet GP Ⅰa T allele was significantly associated with aspirin resistance as revealed by multiple logistic regression （OR=3.76, 95% CI： 2.87-9.58）. The results suggest that inherited platelet GP Ⅰa variations may have an important impact on aspirin resistance and the presence of GP Ⅰa T allele may be a marker of genetic susceptibility to aspirin resistance.

Membrane glycoprotein M6A promotes μ-opioid receptor endocytosis and facilitates receptor sorting into the recycling pathway

The interaction of p-opioid receptor （MOPr） with the neuronal membrane glycoprotein M6a is known to facilitate MOPr endocytosis in human embryonic kidney 293 （HEK293） cells. To further study the role of M6a in the post-endocytotic sorting of MOPr, we investigated the agonist-induced co-internalization of MOPr and M6a and protein targeting after internalization in HEK293 cells that co-expressed HA-tagged MOPr and Myc-tagged M6a. ,We found that M6a, MOPr, and Rab 11, a marker for recycling endosomes, co-localized in endocytotic vesicles, indicating that MOPr and M6a are primarily targeted to recycling endosomes after endocytosis. Furthermore, co-expression of M6a augmented the post-endocytotic sorting of 6-opioid receptors into the recycling pathway, indicating that M6a might have a more general role in opioid receptor post-endocytotic sorting. The enhanced post-endocytotic sorting of MOPr into the recycling pathway was accompanied by a decrease in agonist-induced receptor down-regulation of M6a in co-expressing cells. We tested the physiological relevance of these findings in primary cultures of cortical neurons and found that co-expression of M6a markedly increased the translocation of MOPrsfrom the plasma membrane to intracellular vesicles at steady state and significantly enhanced both constitutive and agonist-induced receptor endocytosis. In conclusion, our results strongly indicate that M6a modulates MOPr endocytosis and post-endocytotic sorting and has an important role in receptor regulation.

SARS-CoV-2 membrane glycoprotein M antagonizes the MAVS-mediated innate antiviral response

A novel SARS-related coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2)has recently emerged as a serious pathogen that causes high morbidity and substantial mortality.However,the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 evades host immunity remain poorly understood.Here,we identified SARS-CoV-2 membrane glycoprotein M as a negative regulator of the innate immune response.We found that the M protein interacted with the central adaptor protein MAVS in the innate immune response pathways.This interaction impaired MAVS aggregation and its recruitment of downstream TRAF3,TBK1,and IRF3,leading to attenuation of the innate antiviral response.Our findings reveal a mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 evades the innate immune response and suggest that the M protein of SARSCoV-2 is a potential target for the development of SARS-CoV-2 interventions.

Effect of Xiaoyu Zhixue Tablet(消瘀止血片) on the Expression of Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Ⅰb/Ⅸ/Ⅴ Complex in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Objective： To investigate the effect of Xiaoyu Zhixue Tablet （消瘀止血片, XYZXT） on the expression of platelet membrane glycoprotein （GP） Ⅰ b/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GP Ⅰ b α in patients with chronic renal failure （CRF） in early metaphase. Methods： Fifty-one patients with CRF in early metaphase （treated group） were treated with XYZXT, 3 months as the course of treatment for 2 courses. The previous therapies remained unchanged. Flow cytometry was used to assess the expression of platelet GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GP Ⅰb α in patients with CRF, and turbidity method was used to determine the platelet maximum aggregation rate （MAR）, meanwhile the renal function was measured. The final data were compared with those before the treatment, and with those in the normal control group （31 healthy subjects）. Results： Compared with the normal control group, expressions of GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GPⅠb α, and platelet MAR in CRF patients were significantly lower （P=0.007,P=0.001,P=0.009） before the treatment; after the treatment with XYZXT, the above indexes in CRF patients were remarkably increased （P=0.033,P=0.026, P=0.045）, but still lower than those in the normal control group, however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion： （1） The expression of GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex in CRF patients of early metaphase was decreased, which lead to platelet aggregation dysfunction. This might be one of the reasons for the hemorrhagic trend in CRF. （2） XYZXT was able to upgrade expressions of GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GPⅠb α in CRF patients, improve platelet function and clown-regulate platelet activation in patients with CRF.

In situ tumor vaccination with adenovirus vectors encoding measles virus fusogenic membrane proteins and cytokines

AIM： To evaluate whether intratumoral expression of measles virus fusogenic membrane glycoproteins H and F （MV-FMG）, encoded by an adenovirus vector Ad.MV-HI F, alone or in combination with local coexpression of cytokines （IL-2, IL-12, IL-18, IL-21 or GM-CSF）, can serve as a platform for inducing tumor-specific immune responses in colon cancer.METHODS： We used confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry to analyze cell-cell fusion after expression of MV-FMG by dye colocalization. In a syngeneic bilateral subcutaneous MC38 and Colon26 colon cancer model in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, we assessed the effect on both the directly vector-treated tumor as well as the contralateral, not directly vector- treated tumor. We assessed the induction of a tumorspecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte （CTL） response with a lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release assay.RESULTS： We demonstrated in vitro that transduction of MC38 and Colon26 cells with Ad.MV-H/F resulted in dye colocalization, indicative of cell-cell fusion, in addition, in the syngeneic bilateral tumor model we demonstrated a significant regression of the directly vector-inoculated tumor upon intratumoral expression of MV-FMG alone or in combination with the tested cytokines. We observed the highest anti-neoplastic efficacy with MV-FMG and lL-21 coexpression. The degree of tumor regression of the not directly vector-treated tumor correlated with the anti-neoplastic response of the directly vector-treated tumor. This regression was mediated by a tumor-specific CTL response.CONCLUSION： Our data indicate that intratumoral expression of measles virus fusogenic membrane glycoproteins is a promising tool both for direct tumor treatment as well as for tumor vaccination approaches that can be further enhanced by cytokine coexpression.

Clinical Observation on Shu Xin Yi Mai Capsules for Prevention of Recurrent Stricture after Coronary Artery Introducing Treatment

Shu Xin Yi Mai Capsules (舒心益脉胶囊) combined with western medicine was used in the routine treatment of 22 cases who successfully received coronary artery introducing therapy (Chinese-western medicine group),and the results was compared with the 26 cases treated routinely with simple western medicine in the control group (western medicine group).It was found that both the recurrence rate of angina pectoris and the incidence rate of recurrent stricture in the Chinese-western medicine group were significantly lower than that in the control group (both P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in expression of platelet activating molecules CD62P (a-granular membrane protein),CD63 (lysosome intact membrane protein) and CD41 (glucoprotein IIb) before the treatment,but with a significant difference after the treatment (P<0.05).

Molecular mechanism about lymphogenous metastasis of hepatocarcinoma cells in mice

AIM: To investigate the correlation between lymphogenous metastasis and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity and the expression of Fas ligand of tumor cells in lymph nodes. METHODS: Fifty-six inbred 615-mice were equally divided into 2 groups and inoculated with Hca-F and Hca-P cells. Their lymph node metastatic rates were examined. Growth fraction of lymphocytes in host lymph nodes was detected by flow cytometry. The Hca-F and Hca-P cells were cultured with extract of lymph node, liver or spleen. The quantity of MMPs in these supernatants was examined by zymographic analysis. The expression of Fas ligand, PCNA, Bcl-2 protein of Hca-F and Hca-P cells in the mice were examined by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis signals of macro-phages in lymph nodes were observed with in situ DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: On the 28th day post-inoculation, the lymph node metastatic rate of HcaF was 80%(16/20), whereas that of Hca-P was 25%(5/20). The growth fraction of lymphocytes was as follows: in the Hca-F cells, the proliferating peak of lymphocytes appeared on the 14th day post inoculation and then decreased rapidly, while in HcaP cells, the peak appeared on the 7th day post inoculation and then kept at a high level. With the extract of lymph node, the quantity of the MMP-9 activity increased (P【0.01) and active MMP-9 and MMP-2 were produced by both Hca-F and Hca-P tumor cells, which did not produce MMPs without the extract of lymph node or with the extracts of the liver and spleen. The expression of Fas Ligand of Hca-F cells was stronger than that of Hca-P cells (P 【0.01). The expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 protein of Hca-F cells in the tumors of inoculated area were the same as that of Hca-P cells. In situ DNA fragmentation showed that the positive signals of macrophages were around Hca-F cells. CONCLUSION: Secretion of MMPs which was associated with metastatic ability of Hca-F and Hca-P tumor cells depends on the environment of lymph nodes. The increased expression of Fas ligand protein of Hca-F tumor cells with high lymphogenous metastatic potential in lymph nodes may help tumor cells escape from being killed by host lymphocytes.

Effect of a cancer vaccine prepared by fusions of hepatocarcinoma cells with dendritic cells

AIM: To prepare a cancer vaccine (H(22)-DC) expressing high levels of costimulatory molecules based on fusions of hepatocarcinoma cells (H(22)) with dendritic cells (DC) of mice and to analyze the biological characteristics and induction of specific CTL activity of H(22)-DC. METHODS: DCs were isolated from murine spleen by metrizamide density gradient centrifugation, purified based on its characteristics of semi-adhesion to culture plates and FcR-,and were cultured in the medium containing GM-CSF and IL-4. A large number of DC were harvested. DCs were then fused with H(22) cells by PEG and the fusion cells were marked with CD11c MicroBeads. The H(22)-DC was sorted with Mimi MACS sorter. The techniques of cell culture, immunocytochemistry and light microscopy were also used to test the characteristics of growth and morphology of H(22)-DC in vitro. As the immunogen, H(22)-DC was inoculated subcutaneously into the right armpit of BALB/C mice, and their tumorigenicity in vivo was observed. MTT was used to test the CTL activity of murine spleen in vivo. RESULTS: DC cells isolated and generated were CD11c+ cells with irregular shape, and highly expressed CD80, CD86 and CD54 molecules. H22 cells were CD11c- cells with spherical shape and bigger volume, and did not express CD80, CD86 and CD54 molecules.H(22)-DC was CD11c+ cells with bigger volume, being spherical, flat or irregular in shape, and highly expressed CD80, CD86 and CD54 molecules, too. H(22)-DC was able to divide and proliferate in vitro, but its activity of proliferation was significantly decreased as compared with H(22) cells and its growth curve was flatter than H(22) cells. After subcutaneous inoculation over 60 days, H(22)-DC showed no tumorigenecity in mice, which was significantly different from control groups (P【0.01). The spleen CTL activity against H(22) cells in mice implanted with fresh H(22)-DC was significantly higher than control groups (P 【 0.01). CONCLUSION: H(22)-DC could significantly stimulate the specific CTL activity of murine spleen, which suggests that the fusion cells have already obtained the function of antigen presenting of parental DC and could present H(22)specific antigen which has not been identified yet, and H(22)-DC could induce antitumor immune response; although simply mixed H(22) cells with DC could stimulate the specific CTL activity which could inhibit the growth of tumor in some degree, it could not prevent the generation of tumor. It shows that the DC vaccine is likely to become a helpful approach in immunotherapy of hepatocarcinoma.

Bcl-2 over-expression and activation of protein kinase C suppress the Trail-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells

Trail, a tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, is a novel potent endogenous activator of the cell death pathway through the activation of cell surface death receptors Trail-R1 and Trail-R2. Its role, like FasL in activation-induced cell death (AICD), has been demonstrated in immune system. However the mechanism of Trail induced apoptosis remains unclear. In this report, the recombinant Trail protein was expressed and purified. The apoptosis-inducing activity and the regulation mechanism of recombinant Trail on Jurkat T cells were explored in vitro. Trypan blue exclusion assay demonstrated that the recombinant Trail protein actively killed Jurkat T cells in a dose-dependent manner. Trail-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells were remarkably reduced by Bcl-2 over expression in Bcl-2 gene transfected cells. Treatment with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), a PKC activator, suppressed Trail-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells. The inhibition of apoptosis by PMA was abolished by pretreatment with Bis, a PKC inhibitor. Taken together, it was suggested that Bcl-2 over-expression and PMA activated PKC actively down-regulated the Trail-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T cell.

Expression of lipopolysaccharide binding protein and its receptor CD14 in experimental alcoholic liver disease

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the expression of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) binding protein (LBP) and CD14 mRNA and the severity of liver injury in alcohol-fed rats. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups:ethanol-fed group (group E) and control group (group C). Group E was fed with ethanol(5-12 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and group C received dextrose instead of ethanol. Rats of the two groups were sacrificed at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Levels of endotoxin and alanine transaminase (ALT) in blood were measured, and liver pathology was observed under light and electronic microscopy. Expressions of LBP and CD14 mRNA in liver tissues were determined by RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Plasma endotoxin levels were increased more significantly in group E(129+/-21) ng x L(-1) and (187+/-35) ng x L(-1) at 4 and 8 wk than in control rats(48+/-9) ng x L(-1) and (53+/-11) ng x L(-1), respectively (P【0.05). Mean values of plasma ALT levels were (1867+/-250) nkat x L(-1) and (2450+/-367) nkat x L(-1) in Group E. The values were increased more dramatically in ethanol-fed rats than in Group C after 4 and 8 weeks. In liver section from ethanol-fed rats, there were marked pathological changes (steatosis, cell infiltration and necrosis). In ethanol-fed rats, ethanol administration led to a significant increase in LBP and CD14 mRNA levels compared with the control group (P【0.05). CONCLUSION: Ethanol administration led to a significant increase in endotoxin levels in serum and LBP and CD14 mRNA expressions in liver tissues. The increase of LBP and CD14 mRNA expression might wake the liver more sensitive to endotoxin and liver injury.

Relationship between Fas/ FasL expression and apoptosis of colon adenocarcinoma cell lines

INTRODUCTIONFas/ FasL system has been identified as a keymediator of apoptosis in tumor cells[1-4]. Theoccurrence and development of neoplasm are closelyrelated to apoptosis[5-7] Most chemotherapeuticdrugs kill cancer cells mainly by inducingapoptosis[8-14].'

Killing effect of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand regulated by tetracycline on gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87

AIM: To clone the cDNA fragment of human TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) into a tetracycline-regulated gene expression system, the RevTet-On system, transduce expression vectors into a gastric carcinoma cell line-NCI-N87 and examine the effects of controlled expression of TRAIL in vitro on the gastric carcinoma cells. METHODS: The full-length cDNA of TRAIL was inserted into a vector under the control of the tetracycline-responsive element (TRE) to obtain the plasmid pRevTRE-TRAIL, which was transfected into a packaging cell line PT67. In addition, vector pRev-Tet On and pRevTRE were also transfected into PT67 separately. After hygromycin and G418 selection, the viral titer was determined. The medium containing retroviral vectors was collected and used to transduce a gastric carcinoma cell line NCI-N87. The resulting cell line NCI-N87-Tet On TRE-TRAIL and a control cell line, NCI-N87 Tet On-TRE, were established. TRAIL expression in the cell line was induced by incubating cells with doxycycline (Dox), which is a tetracycline analogue. The killing effect on gastric carcinoma cells was analyzed after induction. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid pRev-TRE-TRAIL was constructed. After hygromycin or G418 selection, the producer cell lines PT67-TRE, PT67-TRE-TRAIL and PT67-Tet On were obtained,with titers of about 10(8)CFU.L(-1). By transducing NCI-N87 cells with retroviral vectors from these cell lines, stable cell lines NCI-N87-Tet-On TRE-TRAIL (NN3T) and control cell line NCI-N87-Tet-On-TRE (NN2T) were established. The growth curves of the selected cell lines were the same with the wild type NCI-N87. When Dox was added, cell death was obvious in the test groups (29%-77%), whereas no difference was observed in control and wild type cell lines. With the addition of a medium from the test group, human leukemia cell line Jurkat was activated till death (83%), indicating the secretion of active TRAIL proteins from the test cells to the medium. CONCLUSION: With the use of the RevTet-On system, a regulated expression system for TRAIL was constructed. Using this system, the selected killing effect of TRAIL on gastric carcinoma cell line NCI-N87 could be observed.

Fas counterattack in cholangiocarcinoma:a mechanism for immune evasion in human hilar cholangiocarcinomas

AIM: To investigate FasL expression in hilar cholangiocarcinoma tissues and cultured cholangiocarcinoma cells, and to assess its ability to induce apoptosis. METHODS: We studied the expression of FasL by human hilar cholangiocaroinomas tissues by immunohistochemistry, and the QBC939 cholangiocarcinoma cell line by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western Blot. TUNEL and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptotic cells. RESULTS: Prevalent expression of FasL was detected in 39 resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma tissues. TUNEL staining disclosed a high level of cell death among lymphocytes infiltrating FasL positive areas of tumor. FasL mRNA and protein expressions in cholangiocarcinoma cells could induce Jurkat cells. CONCLUSION: Hilar cholangiocarcinomas may elude immunological surveillance by inducing, via Fas/FasL system, the apoptosis of activated lymphocytes.

Transretinoic acid inhibits rats gastric epithelial dysplasia induced by N-methyi-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine:influences on cell apoptosis and expression of its regulatory genes

INTRODUCTIONGastric epithelial dysplasia (GED) hypothetically is a straight-forward concept: dysplastic epithelium replacing the normal gastric epithelium of the stomach [1].In the stomach ,like any other segment of the gut ,it is defined as an unequivocal non-invasive epithelial change[2,3].The observation of gastric dysplasia as a cancerous lesion was recognized over a century ago ,but it is only after the advent of gastroscopy that its clinical significance has been stressed[4-7].

Serum concentration of sFas and sFasL in healthy HBsAg carriers,chronic viral hepatitis B and C patients

AIM:To estimate the amount of apoptosis among healthy HBsAg carriers,patients with chronic HBV infection treated wibh lamivudine and patients with chronic HCV infection treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin.Activity of apoptosis was evaluated by serum sFas/sFasL concentration measurement. Moreover dependence between apoptosis and HBV-DNA or HCV-RNA levels was studied. METHODS:Eighty-six persons were included into study:34 healthy HBsAg carders,33 patients with chronic HBV infecl^on and 19 patients with chronic HCV infection.Serum levels of sFas/sFasL were measured by ELISA assay.HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA were measured by RT-PCR assay.Levels of sFas/sFasL were determined before and 2 and 12 wk after therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infection. HBV-DNA or HCV-RNA was detected before treatment and 6 mo after treatment. RESULTS:Twenty-four (71%) healthy HBsAg carders showed HBV-DNA over 10~5/mL,which was comparable to the patients with chronic hepatitis B.independently from HBV-DNA levels, the concentration of sFas among healthy HBsAg carders was comparable to healthy persons.Among patients with chronic hepatitis B and C,the concentration of sFas was significantly higher in comparison to healthy HBsAg carriers and healthy persons.In chronic hepatitis B patients the concentration of sFas was decreased during lamivudine treatment.Among chronic hepatitis C patients the concentration of sFas was increased during IFN alpha and ribavirin treatment,sFasL was not detected in control group.Furbhermore sFasL occurred more frequently in chronic hepatitis C patients in comparison to chronic hepatitis B patients. CONCLUSION:There are no correlations between apoptosis and HBV-DNA levels.However ther is an association between apoptosis and activity of inflammation in patients with chronic HBV infection.Apoptosis can be increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C by effective treatment which may be a result of apoptosis stimulation by IFN-α.

ENPP1/PC-1 Gene K121Q Polymorphism Is Associated with Obesity in European Adult Populations: Evidence from A Meta-Analysis Involving 24 324 Subjects

Objective Findings from the previous studies have suggested a relationship between ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase /phosphodiesterase 1 （ENPP‐1） or plasma cell membrane glycoprotein 1 （PC‐1） gene single nucleotide polymorphism （K121Q, rs1044498） and genetic susceptibility to obesity. However, such relationship is not reproduced by some currently available studies. In this context, the present study is aimed to quantitatively analyze the association of K121Q variant with obesity in all published case‐control studies in European adult populations. Methods Published literature from PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI web of science databases were retrieved. The studies evaluating the association of ENPP1/PC1 gene K121Q polymorphism with obesity were included, in which sufficient data were presented to calculate the odds ratio （OR） with 95% confidence intervals （CIs）. Results Ten case‐control studies meeting the inclusion criteria identified a total of 24,324 subjects including 11,372 obese and 12,952 control subjects. The meta‐analysis results showed a statistically significant association of K121Q with obesity [OR （95%CI）： 1.25 （1.04‐1.52） P=0.021] under a recessive model of inheritance （QQ vs. KK＋KQ） without heterogeneity or publication bias. Conclusions The results from the present study have indicated that ENPP1/PC1 Q121 variant may increase the risk of obesity and that more well‐designed studies based on a larger population will be required to further evaluate the role of ENPP1/PC1 gene K121Q polymorphism in obesity and other related metabolic syndromes.

Adenovirus-mediated expression of pig α(1,3) galactosyltransferase reconstructs Gal α(1,3) Gal epitope on the surface of human tumor cells

Gal alpha(1, 3) Gal (gal epitope) is a carbohydrate epitope and synthesized in large amount by alpha(1, 3) galactosyltransferase [alpha(1, 3) GT] enzyme on the cells of lower mammalian animals such as pigs and mice. Human has no gal epitope due to the inactivation of alpha(1, 3) GT gene but produces a large amount of antibodies (anti-Gal) which recognize Gal alpha(1, 3) Gal structures specifically. In this study, a replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vector Ad5sGT containing pig alpha(1, 3) GT cDNA was constructed and characterized. Adenoviral vector-mediated transfer of pig alpha(1, 3) GT gene into human tumor cells such as malignant melanoma A375, stomach cancer SGC-7901, and lung cancer SPC-A-1 was reported for the first time. Results showed that Gal epitope did not increase the sensitivity of human tumor cells to human complement-mediated lysis, although human complement activation and the binding of human IgG and IgM natural antibodies to human tumor cells were enhanced significantly after Ad5sGT transduction. Appearance of gal epitope on the human tumor cells changed the expression of cell surface carbohydrates reacting with Ulex europaeus I (UEA I) lectins, Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA), Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA), and Glycine max agglutinin (SBA) to different degrees. In addition, no effect of gal epitope on the growth in vitro of human tumor cells was observed in MTT assay.

Platelet activation and the protective effect of aprotinin in hepatolithiasis patients

OBJECTIVE: To explore platelet activation and the protective effect of aprotinin in patients with hepatolithiasis. METHODS: The count of plaletets and levels of CD_(62P) and CD_(63) were measured by flow cytometry in 38 patients with hepatolithiasis. Several measurements were carried out after treatment with aprotinin. RESULTS: The levels of CD_(62P), CD_(63) in patients with hepalolithiasis were higher than those in patients with cholecystolithiasis (P<0.05), but the count of platelets was lower (P<0.05). After operation, the levels of CD_(62P), CD_(63) were significantly increased in patients with hepatolithiasis, but the count of platelets was lower (P<0.05). Postoperative levels of CD_(62P), CD_(63) were significantly lower in patients treated with aprotinin than in normal controls (P<0.05); but there was no significant change in the count of platelets in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Platelet activation occurs in patients with hepatolithiasis, and may be inhibited by aprotinin.