Microsatellite instability and expression of DNA mismatch repair genes in malignant astrocytic tumors from adult and pediatric patients

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is used as a molecular marker for defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes.We report here alterations of MSI in 15 malignant astrocytomas (WHO grade Ⅲ) and glioblastomas (GBM; WHO grade Ⅳ) of pediatric patients (2-21 years) and 12 GBM from adults (44-68 years) by comparative analysis of BAT25/BAT26 loci and 10 other microsatellite markers. High-level microsatellite instability (MSI-H) occurred in 4 of the 15 pediatric cases (26.7%) and in 1 of the 12 adult GBM cases (8.3%). Low-level mi-

Gene expression and cellular localizations of tumor necrosis factor-α at the site of implanted bovine cancellous bone in mice

The objective of this study was to determine if mRNA encoding for tumor necrosls factor-α(TNFα) was present at the site of implanted bovine cancellous bone and to observe the cellular localizations. The particles of bovine cancellous bone treated by special chemical reagents were implanted in the mouse’s muscle pouch. removed 5.10 and 20 days after implantation, and the specimens were processed for determining the expression and cellular localizations of TNFα mRNA, which was performed by a nonradioactive in situ hybridization technique. The results showed that (1) 5, 10 and 20 days after transplantation, the TNFα mRNA expressions were positive, andthe positive rate of expression was the highest by 10 days (P<0. 05 ). (2)There was strong hybridization signal localization to the nuclei of morphologically ldentifiable monocytes and multinucleated giant cells. (3)Similar activity was detected in the cytoplasm and (or) nuclei of partial adjacent mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts as well as striated muscle fibers. This finding tended to indicate that mRNA encoding for TNFα was intensely expressed in several kinds of cells and that TNFα seemed to be of importance for the modulation of local cellular immunity in the region of implanted xenogeneic bone.

Gene Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Etanercept-Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Fifty-one rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were enrolled to assess the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in etanercept-treated RA patients, with some emphasis on clinical and biological markers of disease. The results revealed that the ΔCt mean range in total, male and female RA patients and controls was 1.286 ± 1.226 - 4.023 ± 0.856 and the differences were not. Laboratory and clinical findings in subgroups of patients also showed no significant variations in the distribution of 2-ΔΔCt means, with the exception of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) antibodies. The lowest expression was observed in moderate positive patients (1.566 ± 1.104) compared to low and high positive patients (4.061 ± 1.366 and 9.668 ± 3.518, respectively) for ACCP antibodies, and the difference was significant (p = 0.043). Inspecting the 2-ΔΔCt means in duration of disease and gender revealed that male patients recorded a lower mean than female patients (0.827 ± 0.550 vs. 4.143 ± 1.317) at 10 years duration of disease, female patients showed a lower mean than male patients (1.242 ± 0.372 vs. 5.607 ± 3.334). However, both differences were not significant. It is concluded that etanercept was effective in normalizing the TNF gene expression, but variations that were related to gender, duration of disease and some biological markers of disease, were observed.

Prokaryotic expression, purification of a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene FUS1 and characterization of its polyclonal antibodies

FUS1 is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene identified in human chromosome 3p21.3. Its expression showed significantly reduction or even loss in lung cancer and other types of cancers. In order to further investigate the biological function of FUS1 protein, FUS1 cDNA from MRC-5 cells was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pQE-30. The recombinant expression plasmids were transformed into M15 strain and grown at 20℃ or 37℃. SDS–PAGE analysis revealed that the accumulation of the recombinant protein FUS1 (rFUS1) in inclusion body forms reached maxium amount when induced with 0.5 mM IPTG for 5 h at 37℃. The inclusion bodies were solubilized in 2M urea and purified by a 6 &#215;His tagged affinity column under denaturing condition. The purified rFUS1 was identified by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tested for purity by HPLC chromatography. The purified rFUS1 proteins were then used to immunize rabbits to obtain anti-human FUS1 polyclonal antibodies, which were suitable to detect both the recombinant exogenous FUS1 and the endogenous FUS1 from tissues and cells by western blot and immunohistochemistry, Available purified rFUS1 proteins and self-prepared polyclonal antibodies against FUS1 may provide effective tools for further studies on biological function and application of FUS1.

SYNTHESIS AND EXPRESSION OF A GENE FOR HUMAN TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA (TNF-α)

TNF-α was found originally In sera of Bacillus Calmette Guerln infected mice as a macrophage derived factor. It Is cytotoxlc for tumor cell and less or not toxic to normal cells in vitor. The gene for human TNF-α with E. coli-preferred codons has been designed according to the amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA. The gene with 504 bp was divided into 27 oligonucleotide fragments having 30. to 40 nucleotides each. The solid phase phosphotriester method was used for the synthesis of these oligonucleotides. The 27 fragments were annealed to three segments and then linked by T4 DNA ligase. The entire gene was incorporated into plasmld PDR540 with Tac promoter which was used to transform E. coli 7118. The expressed protein was estimated by SDSPAGE with a molecular weight of 1. 7×104Da. The cytotoxlc activity of the product against L-929 cell was 1. 0×107units/ml culture.

Alteration of tumor suppressor gene p16 and Rb in gastric cancinogesis

IM To study the alterations of tumor suppressor gene p16 and Rb in the carcinogenesis of the stomach. METHODS Different mucosal biopsies were endoscopically obtained, all samples were immediately fixed with 10% buffered formalin, embedded with paraffin and sectioned serielly. Alterations of p16 and Rb protein in 12 cases of superficial gastritis, 15 atrophic gastritis, 20 atypical hyperplasia and 40 cancerous tissues were detected by the immunohistochemical method (ABC). RESULTS Different degrees of nuclear immunostaining of p16 and Rb occurred on gastric epithelium in different stages of lesions. With the lesions progressing, the positive immunostaining rate of p16 protein had a decreasing tendency (833%→733%→300%→275%), and on the other hand, that of Rb protein had an increasing tendency (250%→467%→600%→675%). A negative correlationship was found between these two parameters in the gastric cancer. Of 40 cases of gastric cancer, a negative relationship was observed in 20 cases. In comparison with both positive (9 cases) and both negative tissues (11 cases), there was a significant difference (500%,225%,275%) (P<005).CONCLUSION Abnormal expression of p16 and Rb plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis.

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].

Promising key genes associated with tumor microenvironments and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Despite significant advances in multimodality treatments,hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remains one of the most common malignant tumors.Identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and molecular targets is urgently needed.AIM To identify potential key genes associated with tumor microenvironments and the prognosis of HCC.METHODS The infiltration levels of immune cells and stromal cells were calculated and quantified based on the ESTIMATE algorithm.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between high and low groups according to immune or stromal scores were screened using the gene expression profile of HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas and were further linked to the prognosis of HCC.These genes were validated in four independent HCC cohorts.Survival-related key genes were identified by a LASSO Cox regression model.RESULTS HCC patients with a high immune/stromal score had better survival benefits than patients with a low score.A total of 899 DEGs were identified and found to be involved in immune responses and extracellular matrices,147 of which were associated with overall survival.Subsequently,52 of 147 survival-related DEGs were validated in additional cohorts.Finally,ten key genes(STSL2,TMC5,DOK5,RASGRP2,NLRC3,KLRB1,CD5L,CFHR3,ADH1C,and UGT2B15)were selected and used to construct a prognostic gene signature,which presented a good performance in predicting overall survival.CONCLUSION This study extracted a list of genes associated with tumor microenvironments and the prognosis of HCC,thereby providing several valuable directions for the prognostic prediction and molecular targeted therapy of HCC in the future.

Inactivation of the tumor suppressor Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) by mutation or decreased expression in hepatocellular carcinomas

Background and aim： The Krueppel-like transcription factor KLF6 is a novel tumor-suppressor gene. It was inactivated in human prostate cancer and other tumors tissue, as the result of frequent mutation and loss of heterozygosity （LOH）. However, there is no data reporting the levels of KLF6 both mRNA and protein in hepatocellular carcinomas （HCCs）. We therefore detected mutations and expression of KLF6 in HCC tissues and further observed the effect of it on cell growth in HCC cell lines. Methods： We analyzed the exon-2 ofKLF6 gene by direct DNA sequencing, and detected the expression of KLF6 by RT-PCR and Western blot in 23 HCC tissues and corresponding nontumorous tissues. Loss of growth suppressive effect of the HCC-derived KLF6 mutant was characterized by in vitro growth curves plotted, flow cytometry and Western blotting. Results： KLF6 mutations were found in 2 of 23 HCC tissues and one of mutations was missense. Expression ofKLF6 mRNA or protein was down-regulated in 8 （34.7%） or 9 （39.1%） of 23 HCC tissues. Wild-type KLF6 （wtKLF6） inhibited cellular proliferation and prolonged G1 -S transition by inducing the expression of p21WAF 1 following stable transfection into cultured HepG2 cells, but tumor-derived KLF6 mutant （mKLF6） had no effects. Conclusion： Our findings suggest that KLF6 may be involved in pathogenesis of HCC.

Gene expression and MR diffusion-weighted imaging after chemoembolization in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model

AIM: To investigate the dynamic characteristics and the correlation between PCNA, Bax, nm23, E-cadherin expression and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after chemoembolization in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model. METHODS: Forty New Zealand rabbit liver VX-2 tumor models were included in the study. DWI was carried out periodically after chemoembolization. All VX-2 tumor samples in each group were examined by histopathology and Strept Avidin-Biotin Complex (SABC) immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The PCNA expression index in VX-2 tumors was higher than in the normal parenchyma around the tumor (P < 0.001). Nm23, Bax or E-caderin expression index in VX-2 tumors were lower than in the normal parenchyma around the tumor (all P < 0.001). PCNAand nm23 expression in the VX-2 tumor periphery first increased and then decreased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively), while the expression of Bax and E-cadherin before and after chemoembolization was insignificant. When b-value was 100 s/mm2, there was a linear correlation between PCNA expression and ADC in the area of VX-2 tumor periphery (P < 0.001), and PCNA expression in VX-2 tumor periphery influenced the ADC. CONCLUSION: The potential of VX-2 tumor infiltrating and metastasizing decreases, while its ability to proliferate increases for a short time after chemoembolization. To some degree, the ADC value indirectly reflects the proliferation of VX-2 tumor cells.

Reduction of tumorigenicity of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells by vascular endothelial growth factor antisense gene therapy

AIM: To test the hypothesis to block VEGF expression of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells may inhibit tumor growth using the rat hepatoma model. METHODS: Amplify the 200 VEGF cDNA fragment and insert it into human U6 gene cassette in the reverse orientation transcribing small antisense RNA which could specifically interact with VEGF165, and VEGF121 mRNA. Construct the retroviral vector containing this antisense VEGF U6 cassette and package the replication-deficient recombinant retrovirus. SMMC-7721 cells were transduced with these virus and positive clones were selected with G418. PCR and Southern blot analysis were performed to determine if U6 cassette integrated into the genomic DNA of positive clone. Transfected tumor cells were evaluated for RNA expression by ribonuclease protection assays. The VEGF protein in the supernatant of parental tumor cells and genetically modified tumor cells was determined with ELISA. In vitro and in vivo growth properties of antisense VEGF cell clone in nude mice were analyzed. RESULTS: Restriction enzyme digestion and PCR sequencing verified that the antisense VEGF RNA retroviral vector was successfully constructed.After G418 selection, resistant SMMC-7721 cell clone was picked up. PCR and Southern blot analysis suggested that U6 cassette was integrated into the cell genomic DNA. Stable SMMC-7721 cell clone transduced with U6 antisense RNA cassette could express 200 bp small antisense VEGF RNA and secrete reduced levels of VEGF in culture condition. Production of VEGF by antisense transgene-expressing cells was 65+/-10 ng/L per 10(6) cells, 42045 ng/L per 10(6) cells in sense group and 485+/-30 ng/L per 10(6) cells in the negative control group, (P【 0.05). The antisense-VEGF cell clone appeared phenotypically indistinguishable from SMMC-7721 cells and SMMC-7721 cells transfected sense VEGF. The growth rate of the antisense-VEGF cell clone was the same as the control cells. When S.C. was implanted into nude mice, growth of antisense-VEGF cell lines was greatly inhibited compared with control cells. CONCLUSION: Expression of antisense VEGF RNA in SMMC-7721 cells could decrease the tumorigenicity, and antisense-VEGF gene therapy may be an adjuvant treatment for hepatoma.

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.

N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 inhibition of tumor progression in Caco2 cells

BACKGROUND Invasion and migration are the irreversible stages of colorectal cancer(CRC).The key is to find a sensitive,reliable molecular marker that can predict the migration of CRC at an early stage.N-myc downstream regulated gene 1(NDRG1)is a multifunctional gene that has been tentatively reported to have a strong relationship with tumor invasion and migration,however the current molecular role of NDRG1 in CRC remains unknown.AIM To explore the role of NDRG1 in the development of CRC.METHODS NDRG1 stably over-expressed Caco2 cell line was established by lentiviral infection and NDRG1 knock-out Caco2 cell line was established by CRISPR/Cas9.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein levels of NDRG1 in Caco2 cells after NDRG1 over-expression and knockout were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot.The cell proliferation rate was measured by the cell counting kit-8 method;cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry;invasion and migration ability were detected by the 24-transwell method.RESULTS NDRG1 over-expression inhibited Caco2 proliferation and the cell cycle could be arrested at the G1/S phase when NDRG1 was over-expressed,while the number of cells in the G2 phase was significantly increased when NDRG1 was knocked out.This suggests that NDRG1 inhibited the proliferation of Caco2 cells by arresting the cell cycle in the G1/S phase.Our data also demonstrated that NDRG1 promotes early cell apoptosis.Invasion and migration of cells were extensively inhibited when NDRG1 was over-expressed.CONCLUSION NDRG1 inhibits tumor progression in Caco2 cells which may represent a potential novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CRC.

Identifi cation of the differential expressive tumor associated genes in rectal cancers by cDNA microarray

AIM： To identify tumor associated genes of rectal cancer and to probe the application possibility of gene expression profiles for the classification of tumors.METHODS： Rectal cancer tissues and their paired normal mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection of rectal cancer. Total RNA was extracted using Trizol reagents. First strand cDNA synthesis was indirectly labeled with aminoallyl-dUTP and coupled with Cy3 or Cy5 dye NHS mono-functional ester. After normalization to total spots, the genes which background subtracted intensity did not exceed 2 SD above the mean blank were excluded. The data were then sorted to obtain genes differentially expressed by ≥ 2 fold up or down in at least 5 of the 21 patients.RESULTS： In the 21 rectal cancer patients, 23 genes were up-regulated in at least 5 samples and 15 genes were down-regulated in at least 5 patients. Hierachical cluster analysis classified the patients into two groups according to the clinicopathological stage, with one group being all above stage Ⅱ and one group all below stage Ⅱ.CONCLUSION： The up-regulated genes and downregulated genes may be molecular markers of rectal cancer. The expression profiles can be used for classification of rectal cancer.

Experimental Study on the Antitumor Effect of Mouse B7-1 Gene

Summary: Mouse B7 1 cDNA was cloned by RT PCR from BALB/C mouse splenic cells and inserted into pcDNA3 to construct an eukaryotic expression vector. This constructor was named pCD mB7 1, in which the B7 1 cDNA was identified to be consistent with the data from other researchers. pCD mB7 1 plasmid was transfected into B16(F0) cells, and effective expression of mB7 1 in these tumor cells could be detected till the 6th month by RT PCR and RNA hybridization. Specific cytotoxity assay of lymphocytes was conducted after culturing with tumor cells and the results demonstrated that B16 cells transfected with B7 1 gene were more effective than B16 wt and B16 neo in inducing specific cytotoxity of lymphocytes against B16 wt cells. It is suggested that expression of B7 1 gene in tumor cells could enhance the immunogenicity and induce the effective antitumor immunity.

THE CORRELATIONS OF RETINOIC ACID RECEPTOR-α AND ESTROGEN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELL LINES AND TUMORS

Retinoic acid receptor-α (RAR α) plays a major role in the growth inhibitory effect of retinoic acid on human breast cancer cells, may be it could serve as an indicator to guide the treatment and prevent of breast cancer with retinoic acid in clinic. All previous researchs were based on observing the changes of RAR α mRAN expression. In this study, the expression of RAR α in human breast cell lines was studied by Northern Blot, Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry in mRNA level and protein level. Results showed that RAR α protein expression was correlated with RAR α mRNA expression. RAR α mRNA ex- pression was higher in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer cell lines than in ER-negative ones. So was RAR a protein expression. Both RAR α mRNA amd RAR α protein expression were associ- ated with ER status. The expression of RAR α and the relationship between RAR a and ER status were al- so determined by immunohistochemistry in 58 human primary breast cancer tumors. 37 (63. 8% ) tumors were ER-positive and of these 28 (75. 7% ) were also RAR α -positive. The coexpression of ER and RAR a was statistically significant (P＜0. 01, by X^2 contingency analysis). It was reported that RAR α expres- sion in cultured breast cancer cells was regulated by estrogen acting via the ER. Our study demonstrated that RAR α expression may be modulated in breast cancer in vivo by estrogen via ER.

Cloning of differentially expressed genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and nontumor liver

INTRODUCTIONThe mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is still unclear,although some genes have been found to play a role in the transformation of liver cells,and a variety of studies have described differences in gene expression which distinguished tumor from nontumor[1-6].The new genes,especially the functional genes directly related with tumor are still worth being found.The purpose of our study is to find the different genes between human liver tumor and normal tissues using suppression subtractive hybridization.

MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE AND THEIR INHIBITORS: MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF THEIR ROLES IN THE TUMOR METASTASIS

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes, whose physiological functions include tissue remo-delling and embryogenesis. The importance of this group of proteins in the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis is now widely acknowledged, and has led to the search for MMP inhibitors for use as anticancer treatments in a clinical setting. The review aims to introduce current research relating to MMPs as well as their native and synthetic inhibitor, with particular emphasis on the molecular aspects of their roles in tumor metastasis.

Adeno-associated virus mediated endostatin gene therapy in combination with topoisomerase inhibitor effectively controls liver tumor in mouse model

AIM:rAAV mediated endostatin gene therapy has been examined as a new method for treating cancer.However, a sustained and high protein delivery is required to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.We evaluated the impact of topoisomerase inhibitors in rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in a liver tumor model. METHODS:rAAV containing endostatin expression cassettes were transduced into hepatoma cell lines.To test whether the topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment increased the expression of endostatin,Western blotting and ELISA were performed.The biologic activity of endostatin was confirmed by endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation assays. The anti-tumor effects of the rAAV-endostatin vector combined with a topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide,were evaluated in a mouse liver tumor model. RESULTS:Topoisomerase inhibitors,including camptothecin and etoposide,were found to increase the endostatin exPression level in vitro.The over-expressed endostatin, as a result of pretreatment with a topoisomerase inhibitor, was also biologically active.In animal experiments,the combined therapy of topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide with the rAAV-endostatin vector had the best tumor- suppressive effect and tumor foci were barely observed in livers of the treated mice.Pretreatment with an etoposide increased the level of endostatin in the liver and serum of rAAV-endostatin treated mice.Finally,the mice treated With rAAV-endostatin in combination with etoposide showed the longest survival among the experimental models. CONCLUSION:rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in combination with a topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment is an effective modality for anticancer gene therapy.

dC14 CAN INHIBIT THE INCIDENCE AND GROWTH OF MOUSE SRS ASCITIC TUMOR

The antiretroviral action of dC14 in vitro has been proven in previous experiments. This paper deals with the effect of dC14 in vivo.Intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells into mice without dC14 treatment induced ascitic tumors after a latency of 6 days and death of the mice after 11 days. Both incidence and mortality of disease were 100%. In animals receiving dC14 treatment, the incidence and mortality were less, latency and survival periods were longer. Viral sequences could be detected in tumor cells and in spleens of tumor cell inoculated animals, receiving dC14 treatment or not but could not be detected in normal animals. Studied suggest that the suppressive action of dC14 on the development of mouse SRS ascitic tumor may be through blocking gene expression of virus.