Gamma-glutamyl transferase 5 overexpression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells improves brain pathology,cognition,and behavior in APP/PS1 mice

In patients with Alzheimer’s disease,gamma-glutamyl transferase 5(GGT5)expression has been observed to be downregulated in cerebrovascular endothelial cells.However,the functional role of GGT5 in the development of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the effect of GGT5 on cognitive function and brain pathology in an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease,as well as the underlying mechanism.We observed a significant reduction in GGT5 expression in two in vitro models of Alzheimer’s disease(Aβ_(1-42)-treated hCMEC/D3 and bEnd.3 cells),as well as in the APP/PS1 mouse model.Additionally,injection of APP/PS1 mice with an adeno-associated virus encoding GGT5 enhanced hippocampal synaptic plasticity and mitigated cognitive deficits.Interestingly,increasing GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells reduced levels of both soluble and insoluble amyloid-βin the brains of APP/PS1 mice.This effect may be attributable to inhibition of the expression ofβ-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,which is mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B.Our findings demonstrate that GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells is inversely associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis,and that GGT5 upregulation mitigates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice.These findings suggest that GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells is a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

Mesenchymal stromal cells modulate unfolded protein response and preserve β-cell mass in type 1 diabetes

Introduction:Transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells(MSCs)is a promising therapy for type 1 diabetes(T1D).However,whether the infused MSCs affect the endoplasmic reticulum stress or subsequent unfolded protein response inβcells remains unclear.Methods:To investigate this,we induced early-onset T1D in non-obese diabetic mice using streptozotocin.Subsequently,T1D mice were randomly assigned to receive either MSCs or phosphate-buffered saline.We observed the in vivo homing of MSCs and assessed their effectiveness by analyzing blood glucose levels,body weight,histopathology,pancreatic protein expression,and serum levels of cytokines,proinsulin,and C-peptide.Results:Infused MSCs were found in the lungs,liver,spleen,and pancreas of T1D mice.They exhibited various effects,including reducing blood glucose levels,regulating immunity,inhibiting inflammation,increasingβ-cell areas,and reducing the expression of key proteins in the unfolded protein response pathway.Fasting serum proinsulin and C-peptide levels were significantly higher in the MSCs treatment group than in the T1D model group.However,there was no significant difference in the biomarker ofβ-cell endoplasmic reticulum stress,the ratio of fasting serum proinsulin to C-peptide,between the two groups.Conclusion:Ourfindings reveal that MSCs infusion does not alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress inβcells directly but modulates the unfolded protein response pathway to preserveβ-cell mass and function in T1D mice.

Protective effect of brain and muscle arnt-like protein-1 against ethanol-induced ferroptosis by activating Nrf2 in mice liver and HepG2 cells

Alcohol abuse has recently become a serious health concern worldwide,and the incidence of alcoholic liver disease(ALD)is rapidly increasing with high morbidity and mortality.Ferroptosis is a newly recognized form of regulated cell death caused by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation.Here we showed that the circadian clock protein brain and muscle arnt-like protein-1(BMAL1)in hepatocytes is both necessary and sufficient to protect against ALD by mitigating ferroptosis.U pon exposure to alcohol(5%Lieber-DeCarli liquid alcohol diet for 10 days before binged alcohol with 5 g/kg body weight in vivo,300 mmol/L for 12 h in vitro,respectively),the content of iron,reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde(MDA)was boosted signifi cantly while glutathione(GSH)was decreased that mainly based on the downregulated protein expression of ferritin heavy chain(FTH),ferroportin(FPN),heme oxygenase1(HO-1)and anti-cystine/glutamate antiporter(SLC7A11),while these changes could be abolished by ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1[Fer-1(5 mg/kg body weight for 10 days in vivo,10μmol/L for 2 h in vitro,respectively)].Further study indicated that the alcohol could activate the protein expression of BMAL1 which exerts a protective effect against ferroptosis through promoting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)translocation into nuclear and subsequently stimulating its downstream proteins FTH,FPN,glutathione peroxidase 4 activity(GPX4),HO-1,SLC7A11,while knockdown of BMAL1 and Nrf2 by RNA interference further downregulated the expression of these protein and thus promoting ferroptosis in response to alcohol.Collectively,our results unveiled that the protective action of BMAL1 during alcohol challenge depends on its ability to activate Nrf2-ARE antiferroptosis pathway and targeting hepatic BMAL1 to dampen hepatic ferroptosis signaling may have therapeutic potential for ALD.

Treadmill exercise in combination with acousto-optic and olfactory stimulation improves cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice through the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-and Cygb-associated signaling pathways

A reduction in adult neurogenesis is associated with behavioral abnormalities in patients with Alzheimer's disease.Consequently,enhancing adult neurogenesis represents a promising therapeutic approach for mitigating disease symptoms and progression.Nonetheless,nonpharmacological interventions aimed at inducing adult neurogenesis are currently limited.Although individual non-pharmacological interventions,such as aerobic exercise,acousto-optic stimulation,and olfactory stimulation,have shown limited capacity to improve neurogenesis and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease,the therapeutic effect of a strategy that combines these interventions has not been fully explored.In this study,we observed an age-dependent decrease in adult neurogenesis and a concurrent increase in amyloid-beta accumulation in the hippocampus of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 mice aged 2-8 months.Amyloid deposition became evident at 4 months,while neurogenesis declined by 6 months,further deteriorating as the disease progressed.However,following a 4-week multifactor stimulation protocol,which encompassed treadmill running(46 min/d,10 m/min,6 days per week),40 Hz acousto-optic stimulation(1 hour/day,6 days/week),and olfactory stimulation(1 hour/day,6 days/week),we found a significant increase in the number of newborn cells(5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells),immature neurons(doublecortin-positive cells),newborn immature neurons(5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive/doublecortin-positive cells),and newborn astrocytes(5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive/glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells).Additionally,the amyloid-beta load in the hippocampus decreased.These findings suggest that multifactor stimulation can enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis and mitigate amyloid-beta neuropathology in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 mice.Furthermore,cognitive abilities were improved,and depressive symptoms were alleviated in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 mice following multifactor stimulation,as evidenced by Morris water maze,novel object recognition,forced swimming test,and tail suspension test results.Notably,the efficacy of multifactor stimulation in consolidating immature neurons persisted for at least 2weeks after treatment cessation.At the molecular level,multifactor stimulation upregulated the expression of neuron-related proteins(NeuN,doublecortin,postsynaptic density protein-95,and synaptophysin),anti-apoptosis-related proteins(Bcl-2 and PARP),and an autophagyassociated protein(LC3B),while decreasing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins(BAX and caspase-9),in the hippocampus of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 mice.These observations might be attributable to both the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated signaling pathway and antioxidant pathways.Furthermore,serum metabolomics analysis indicated that multifactor stimulation regulated differentially expressed metabolites associated with cell apoptosis,oxidative damage,and cognition.Collectively,these findings suggest that multifactor stimulation is a novel non-invasive approach for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on GRP78/ATF4 Pathway in Alzheimer s Disease Model Mice

[Objectives]To study the effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSCs)on GRP78/ATF4 pathway in APP/PS1 mice.[Methods]Twelve 6-month-old female APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model group(MOD,n=6)and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell treatment group(MSC,n=6);six 6-month-old C57BL/6N mice were used as control group(CON,n=6).The mice in each group were treated with the fourth generation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells through tail vein.Four weeks later,the mice in each group were killed.The expression of GFP78 and ATF4 in the cortex of mice in each group was detected by Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.[Results]The results of immunoblotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression of GRP78 in MOD group was lower than that in CON group and the expression of ATF4 increased.The expression of GRP78 protein in MSC group was higher than that in MOD group,but the expression of ATF4 protein was lower.The results of real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA level of GRP78 decreased and the mRNA level of ATF4 increased in MOD group compared with CON group.The mRNA level of GRP78 in MSC group was higher than that in MOD group,while the mRNA level of ATF4 in MSC group was lower than that in MOD group.[Conclusions]Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can regulate the expression of GRP78/ATF4 pathway in APP/PSI mice,which may be related to the stress level of endoplasmic reticulum in the brain of APP/PS1 mice mediated by human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

黄芪甲苷调控JAK2/STAT3/CXCL12信号通路抑制炎症细胞浸润改善小鼠胃炎的机制研究

【目的】探讨黄芪甲苷对胃炎的抑炎作用及机制。【方法】(1)体外实验:应用1、2.5、5、10、20μg·mL-1脂多糖(LPS)诱导GES-1细胞24 h,确定LPS诱导GES-1细胞炎症模型的最佳浓度。在GES-1细胞炎症模型的基础上,使用0.1、1、10μg·mL-1浓度的黄芪甲苷分别干预24 h,明确黄芪甲苷最佳的干预浓度。采用细胞计数试剂盒8(CCK-8)方法测定黄芪甲苷对细胞活性的影响;采用AutoDock软件对黄芪甲苷和信号传导和转录激活因子3(STAT3)进行分子对接,验证两者的相互作用;采用Western Blot法检测磷酸化STAT3(p-STAT3)和CXCL12蛋白表达水平。(2)体内实验:采用LPS法诱导胃炎小鼠模型,应用黄芪甲苷和p-STAT3抑制剂干预1周后,免疫组织化学法和Western Blot法检测胃黏膜p-STAT3、CXCL12蛋白表达水平,酶联免疫吸附分析(ELISA)检测血浆中CXCL12的含量。【结果】(1)体外实验结果显示:10μg·mL-1是LPS诱导GES-1细胞炎症模型的最佳浓度,选用黄芪甲苷10μg·mL-1开展后续实验。分子对接结果显示,黄芪甲苷与STAT3具有较高的亲和力。与空白对照组比较,LPS诱导组GES-1细胞p-STAT3、CXCL12蛋白表达水平显著升高(P<0.001);黄芪甲苷组和p-STAT3抑制剂组p-STAT3、CXCL12蛋白表达水平较LPS诱导组显著降低(P<0.01)。(2)体内实验结果显示:与空白对照组比较,模型组小鼠胃黏膜p-STAT3、CXCL12蛋白水平和血浆中CXCL12含量显著上调(P<0.01或P<0.001);黄芪甲苷和p-STAT3抑制剂组胃炎小鼠胃黏膜p-STAT3、CXCL12蛋白表达水平和血浆中CXCL12含量显著下调(P<0.05或P<0.01或P<0.001)。【结论】黄芪甲苷通过抑制JAK2/STAT3信号通路降低CXCL12的表达,抑制炎症细胞浸润,达到改善胃炎小鼠胃黏膜炎症的作用。

KISS-1 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of gastric carcinoma cells

AIM:To investigate the function of the KISS-1 gene in gastric carcinoma cells and to explore its potential mechanism.METHODS:A KISS-1 eukaryotic expression vector was constructed and transfected into BGC-823 cells.Resistant clones were obtained through G418 selection.reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect KISS-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)expression in transfected cells.The growth of transfected cells was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)proliferation assays,and the cells'invasive potential was analyzed by basement membrane(Matrigel)invasion assays.The anti-tumor effects of KISS-1 were tested in vivo using allografts in nude mice.RESULTS:The expression level of KISS-1 mRNA andprotein in BGC-823/KISS-1 transfected cells were significantly higher than in BGC-823/pcDNA3.1 transfected cells(P<0.05)or the parental BGC-823 cell line(P< 0.05).The expression level of MMP-9 mRNA and protein in BGC-823/KISS-1 were significantly less than in BGC-823/pcDNA3.1(P<0.05)or BGC-823 cells(P< 0.05).MTT growth assays show the proliferation of BGC-823/KISS-1 cells at 48 h(0.642±0.130)and 72 h(0.530±0.164)were significantly reduced compared to BGC-823/pcDNA3.1(0.750±0.163,0.645±0.140)(P<0.05)and BGC-823 cells(0.782±0.137,0.685± 0.111)(P<0.05).Invasion assays indicate the invasive potential of BGC-823/KISS-1 cells(16.50±14.88)is significantly reduced compared to BGC-823/pcDNA3.1(20.22±14.87)(P<0.05)and BGC-823 cells after 24 h(22.12±16.12)(P<0.05).In vivo studies demonstrate the rate of pcDNA3.1-KISS-1 tumor growth is significantly slower than pcDNA3.1 and control cell tumor growth in nude mice.Furthermore,tumor volume of pcDNA3.1-KISS-1 tumors(939.38±82.08 mm3)was significantly less than pcDNA3.1(1250.46±44.36 mm3) and control tumors(1284.36±55.26 mm3)(P<0.05).Moreover,the tumor mass of pcDNA3.1-KISS-1 tumors(0.494±0.84 g)was significantly less than pcDNA3.1(0.668±0.55 g)and control tumors(0.682±0.38 g)(P <0.05).CONCLUSION:KISS-1 may inhibit the proliferation and invasion of gastric carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo through the downregulation of MMP-9.

Cell cycle exit and neuronal differentiation 1-engineered embryonic neural stem cells enhance neuronal differentiation and neurobehavioral recovery after experimental traumatic brain injury

Our previous study showed that cell cycle exit and neuronal differentiation 1(CEND1)may participate in neural stem cell cycle exit and oriented differentiation.However,whether CEND1-transfected neural stem cells can improve the prognosis of traumatic brain injury remained unclear.In this study,we performed quantitative proteomic analysis and found that after traumatic brain injury,CEND1 expression was downregulated in mouse brain tissue.Three days after traumatic brain injury,we transplanted CEND1-transfected neural stem cells into the area surrounding the injury site.We found that at 5 weeks after traumatic brain injury,transplantation of CEND1-transfected neural stem cells markedly alleviated brain atrophy and greatly improved neurological function.In vivo and in vitro results indicate that CEND1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation of neural stem cells,but significantly promoted their neuronal differentiation.Additionally,CEND1 overexpression reduced protein levels of Notch1 and cyclin D1,but increased levels of p21 in CEND1-transfected neural stem cells.Treatment with CEND1-transfected neural stem cells was superior to similar treatment without CEND1 transfection.These findings suggest that transplantation of CEND1-transfected neural stem cells is a promising cell therapy for traumatic brain injury.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the School of Biomedical Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University,China(approval No.2016034)on November 25,2016.

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.

The Murine (C3H/He) Epidermal la^+ Dendritic Cells (la^+ DECs), Thy-1^+ Dendritic Cells (Thy-1^+DECs) and Aging

Identification and enumeration of both dendritic Ia^+ epi-dermal cells (Ia^+DECs) and dendritic Thy-1^+ epidermalcells (Thy-1^+DECa) from various parts of the body wereexamined by using epidermal sheets of C3H/He inbred miceof different age groups and indirect immunofluorescent tech-nique. A significant decline of both Ia^+DECs and Thy-1^+DECs in the mice of the aged group was demonstrated anddifferent densities and different distribution patterns betweenIa^+DECs and Thy-1^+DECs were obserged. These findingsmay imply that the decline of both Ia^+DECs and Thy-1^+DECs in the aged group may reflect the alterations of im-mune response in aging.

Re-expression of Cell Adhesion Molecule Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line PANC-1

This study examined the expression of cell adhesion molecule 1 （CADM1） in pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism. The expression of CADM 1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in tissues of pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and normal pancreas. The plasmid pcDNA3.1-Hy- gro（＋）/CADM1 was transfected into PANC-1 cells （a pancreatic cancer cell line）. The expression of CADM1 in the transfected cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell growth was measured by the MTT method and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The results showed that CADM1 was weakly expressed in tissues of pancreatic cancer in contrast to its high expression in normal pancreatic and pancreatitis tissues. The expression level of CADM in pancreatic caner was intensely correlated with the differentiation degree, lymph node metastasis and TNM stages. The growth of CADMl-transfected PANC-1 cells was significantly suppressed in vitro by a G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis occurrence. It was concluded that re-expression of CADM1 inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and induces their apoptosis in vitro. As a tumor suppressor gene, CADM1 plays an important role in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

In Vivo Animal Model Evaluation of a Powerful Oral Nanomedicine for Treating Breast Cancer in BALB/c Mice Using 4T1 Cell Lines without Chemotherapy

Nanopharmaceuticals containing quantum dot nanoparticles (Q-Dot NPs) for treating serious cancers such as breast cancer have made fantastic proposals. In this study, ZnO quantum dot NPs are formulated via ZnO@PVP nanopolymer as co-assistants coordinating with efficacious suitable wetting agents, PEG-binding compound, and W/O emulsifier for producing eco-friendly water-based nanodrug. Several characterization techniques containing SEM, TEM, FTIR, photoluminescence, zeta potential, and UV-Vis absorption were employed for ZnO Q-Dot NPs in nanodrug. This work aims to investigate the anti-tumor effects of such nanomedicine on the 4T1 breast cancer cell line in BALB/c mice, being elaborated through intraperitoneal, injection (IVP) and oral therapy. The impressive findings showed that ZnO nanodrug caused changes in blood factors, having the most effectiveness at 40 μg/ml concentration after two weeks of oral treatments. The significant increase in white blood cells (WBC) neutrophils and meaningful decreases in lymphocytes and especially cholesterol were powerful simultaneous impacts, successfully treating malignant breast cancer masses. In this significant animal model research for breast cancer, the sick mice recovered entirely and even had a safe space to mate. Histopathological results showed no evidence of breast tumor formation or metastasis in the group treated with nanodrug and their children. This nanomedicine has a therapeutic effect, and is ready to be applied for treating volunteer breast cancer patients. However, its prevention (inhibitory) effect can also be analyzed and added to current data in future studies.

CCl4诱导的肝纤维化小鼠和HSC-T6细胞miR-122水平变化及其意义探讨

目的研究微小RNA(miR)-122在肝星状细胞活化/增殖及肝纤维化发生过程中的水平变化及其可能的作用机制.方法建立CCl_(4)诱导的C57BL/6小鼠肝纤维化模型,以10 ng/ml转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)处理HSC-T6细胞,分别在小鼠体内和肝星状细胞转染miR-122激动剂和miR-122模拟物以过表达miR-122.采用RT-PCR和Western-blot法检测组织和细胞miR-122、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、I型胶原、金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子1(TIMP-1)和血小板衍生生长因子(PDGF)表达,采用CCK-8法检测HSC-T6细胞增殖.结果模型组小鼠肝组织α-SMA表达水平显著高于对照组(9.92±2.12对1.12±0.54,P<0.01),而miR-122水平显著低于对照组(0.95±0.31对2.07±0.28,P<0.01);在CCl_(4)诱导的肝纤维化小鼠,miR-122激动剂转染组肝组织miR-122水平显著高于miR-122激动剂对照组(6.27±1.73对2.78±0.21,P<0.01);miR-122激动剂转染组肝组织α-SMA、I型胶原、TIMP-1和PDGF蛋白水平显著下降;在TGF-β1处理的HST-T6细胞,随着处理时间的延长,肝星状细胞α-SMA水平逐渐升高(0h:0.61±0.02,12 h:0.69±0.05,24 h:0.75±0.01,48 h:1.01±0.03,P<0.05),而miR-122水平随TGF-β1处理时间的延长而逐渐下降(0 h:0.72±0.05,12 h:0.45±0.01,24 h:0.37±0.03,48 h:0.29±0.08,P<0.05);与miR-122阴性对照转染组比,miR-122模拟物转染组细胞miR-122水平显著增加(178.45±30.62对12.18±2.39,P<0.01);Western Blot检测发现miR-122模拟物转染组细胞α-SMA蛋白表达水平显著下调;采用TGF-β1处理HST-T6细胞,与miR-122阴性对照转染组比,miR-122模拟物转染组细胞增殖活力显著降低(P<0.05).结论肝纤维化组织细胞miR-122水平下调,而过表达miR-122可抑制肝星状细胞的活化和增殖,从而可能抑制肝纤维化的发生和发展.

Extracellular vesicles from human urine-derived stem cells delay aging through the transfer of PLAU and TIMP1

Aging increases the risks of various diseases and the vulnerability to death.Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging that contributes greatly to aging and aging-related diseases.This study demonstrates that extracellular vesicles from human urine-derived stem cells(USC-EVs)efficiently inhibit cellular senescence in vitro and in vivo.The intravenous injection of USC-EVs improves cognitive function,increases physical fitness and bone quality,and alleviates aging-related structural changes in different organs of senescence-accelerated mice and natural aging mice.The anti-aging effects of USC-EVs are not obviously affected by the USC donors’ages,genders,or health status.Proteomic analysis reveals that USC-EVs are enriched with plasminogen activator urokinase(PLAU)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1(TIMP1).These two proteins contribute importantly to the anti-senescent effects of USC-EVs associated with the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases,cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(P16INK4a),and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(P21cip1).These findings suggest a great potential of autologous USC-EVs as a promising anti-aging agent by transferring PLAU and TIMP1 proteins.

Transcription factor EGR-1 inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma cell lines

AIM: The transcription factor EGR-1 (early growth response gene-1) plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and development. It has identified that EGR-1 has significant transformation suppression activity in some neoplasms, such as fibrosarcoma, breast carcinoma. This experiment was designed to investigate the role of egr-1 in the cancerous process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and esophageal carcinoma (EC), and then to appraise the effects of EGR-1 on the growth of these tumor cells. METHODS: Firstly, the transcription and expression of egr-1 in HCC and EC, paracancerous tissues and their normal counterpart parts were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, with normal human breast and mouse brain tissues as positive controls. Egr-1 gene was then transfected into HCC (HHCC, SMMC7721) and EC (ECa109) cell lines in which no egr-1 transcription and expression were present. The cell growth speed, FCM cell cycle, plate clone formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice were observed and the controls were the cell lines transfected with vector only. RESULTS: Little or no egr-1 transcription and expression were detected in HCC, EC and normal liver tissues. The expression of egr-1 were found higher in hepatocellular paracancerous tissue (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.143, probably because fewer in number of cases) and dysplastic tissue of esophageal cancer (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.001). The growth rate of egr-1-transfected HHCC (HCC cell line) cells and ECa109 (EC cell line) cells was much slower than that of the controls. The proportion of S phase cell, clone formation and tumorigenicity were significantly lower than these of the controls' (decreased 45.5% in HHCC cells and 34.1% in ECa109 cells; 46.6% and 41.8%; 80.4% and 72.6% respectively). There were no obvious differences between SMMC7721 (HCC) egr-1-transfected cells and the controls with regard to the above items. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of egr-1 might play a role in the dysregulation of normal growth in the cancerous process of HCC and EC. Egr-1 gene of transfected HHCC and ECa109 cells showed obvious suppression of the cell growth and malignant phenotypes, but no suppression in SMMC7721 (HCC cell line) cells.

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.

Tetracycline-inducible protein expression in pancreatic cancer cells: Effects of CapG overexpression

AIM: To establish stable tetracycline-inducible pancreatic cancer cell lines. METHODS: Suit-2, MiaPaca-2, and Panc-1 cells were transfected with a second generation reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator protein (rtTA2S-M2), under the control of either a cytomegalovirus (CMV) or a chicken β-actin promoter, and the resulting clones were characterised.RESULTS: Use of the chicken (β-actin) promoter proved superior for both the production and maintenance of doxycycline-inducible cell lines. The system proved versatile, enabling transient inducible expression of a variety of genes, including GST-P, CYP2E1, S100A6, and the actin capping protein, CapG. To determine the physiological utility of this system in pancreatic cancer cells, stable inducible CapG expressors were established. Overexpressed CapG was localised to the cytoplasm and the nuclear membrane, but was not observed in the nucleus. High CapG levels were associated with enhanced motility, but not with changes to the cell cycle, or cellular proliferation. In CapG-overexpressing cells, the levels and phosphorylation status of other actin-moduating proteins (Cofilin and Ezrin/Radixin) were not altered. However, preliminary analyses suggest that the levels of other cellular proteins, such as ornithine aminotransferase and enolase, are altered upon CapG induction. CONCLUSION: We have generated pancreatic-cancer derived cell lines in which gene expression is fully controllable.

Adhesion molecule and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells following cecal ligation and puncture

INTRODUCTIONMultiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) isthought to be a frequent consequence of sepsis[1-3].Despite substantial advances in our knowledge and understanding of the basic pathophysiologic mechanisms[4-7], in critically ill patients infections and sepsis are still associated with a high mortality[8,9].

Unintended targeting of Dmp1-Cre reveals a critical role for Bmpr1a signaling in the gastrointestinal mesenchyme of adult mice

Cre/loxP technology has been widely used to study cell type-specific functions of genes. Proper interpretation of such data critically depends on a clear understanding of the tissue specificity of Cre expression. The Dmpl- Cre mouse, expressing Cre from a 14-kb DNA fragment of the mouse Dmpl gene, has become a common tool for studying gene function in osteocytes, but the presumed cell specificity is yet to be fully established. By using the Ai9 reporter line that expresses a red fluorescent protein upon Cre recombination, we find that in 2-month-old mice, Dmpl-Cre targets not only osteocytes within the bone matrix but also osteoblasts on the bone surface and preosteoblasts at the metaphyseal chondro-osseous junction. In the bone marrow, Cre activity is evident in certain stromal cells adjacent to the blood vessels, but not in adipocytes. Outside the skeleton, Dmpl-Cre marks not only the skeletal muscle fibers, certain cells in the cerebellum and the hindbrain but also gastric and intestinal mesenchymal cells that express Pdgfra. Confirming the utility of Dmpl-Cre in the gastrointestinal mesenchyme, deletion of Bmprla with Dmpl-Cre causes numerous large polyps along the gastrointestinal tract, consistent with prior work involving inhibition of BMP signaling. Thus, caution needs to be exercised when using Dmpl-Cre because it targets not only the osteoblast lineage at an earlier stage than previously appreciated, but also a number of non-skeletal cell types.