Effects of glucocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors on stress-induced neurogenesis suppression

Studies have shown that cerebral ischemia activates neurogenesis and that stress inhibits neurogenesis.However,the role of stress hormone levels on neurogenesis following cerebral ischemia remains poorly understood.The present study explored the possible regulatory mechanisms of adult neurogenesis under pathological conditions by examining changes and regulation of glucocorticoid receptors in adult rats subjected to transient unilateral middle cerebral artery suture occlusion.Corticosterone levels gradually increased following middle cerebral artery occlusion,and the number of glucocorticoid receptor-positive cells decreased.The number of5-bromodeoxyuridine-and nestin-positive cells significantly increased at 1 and 2 weeks after ischemia.A large number of doublecortin-positive cells migrated from the hippocampus to the cortex.At 3 weeks post-surgery,the number of 5-bromodeoxyuridine-and nestin-positive cells significantly reduced in the subventricular zone.Increased corticosterone levels decreased vascular endothelial cell proliferation and neurogenesis,and the number of glucocorticoid receptor-positive cells decreased.In the sham surgery group,vascular endothelial cell proliferation related to post-ischemic cerebral rehabilitation was not detected.Corticosterone levels increased,but the number and distribution of glucocorticoid receptor-positive cells were not changed.However,normal neuregenesis and migration of neural stem cells existed in the adult rat brain in the sham surgery group.Results suggested that glucocorticoid receptors influenced neurogenesis and were negatively regulated by glucocorticoid levels following focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.

New perspectives in prognostication of hepatocellular carcinoma:The role and clinical implications of transient receptor potential family genes

The study titled“Transient receptor potential-related risk model predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients”is a significant contribution to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)research,highlighting the role of transient receptor potential(TRP)family genes in the disease’s progression and prognosis.Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database,it establishes a new risk assessment model,emphasizing the interaction of TRP genes with tumor proliferation pathways,key metabolic reactions like retinol metabolism,and the tumor immune microenvironment.Notably,the overexpression of the TRPC1 gene in HCC correlates with poorer patient survival outcomes,suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and a target for personalized therapy,particularly in strategies combining immunotherapy and anti-TRP agents.

The role of tazarotene-induced gene 1 in carcinogenesis:is it a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene?

Tazarotene-induced gene 1(TIG1)is induced by a derivative of vitamin A and is known to regulate many important biological processes and control the development of cancer.TIG1 is widely expressed in various tissues;yet in many cancer tissues,it is not expressed because of the methylation of its promoter.Additionally,the expression of TIG1 in cancer cells inhibits their growth and invasion,suggesting that TIG1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene.However,in some cancers,poor prognosis is associated with TIG1 expression,indicating its protumor growth characteristics,especially in promoting the invasion of inflammatory breast cancer cells.This review comprehensively summarizes the roles of the TIG1 gene in cancer development and details the mechanisms through which TIG1 regulates cancer development,with the aim of understanding its various roles in cancer development.

Novel Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes with EBV-infectious Diseases in Children

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors （KIRs） which are mainly expressed on natural killer （NK） cells are implicated in many virus infections. However, it is unclear whether or not KIRs are associated with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） infection related diseases. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate possible correlation between polymorphisms of KIR genes and infectious mononucleosis （IM）/EBV-associated hemophagocytic Iymphohistiocytosis （EBV-HLH）. The polymorphisms of KIR genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers （PCR-SSP）. The results would contribute to clarify the association of KIRs with EBV induced diseases, and provide new insights into the role of NK cells and innate immune response against viral infections and/or subsequent progression.

SIMULTANEOUS OVER-EXPRESSION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR- Ⅱ (IGF- Ⅱ ) AND IGF- Ⅱ RECEPTOR(IGF- Ⅱ R) GENES IN HUMAN PRIMARY CANCER-IMPLICATION OF AUTOCRINE AND PARACRINE MECHANISM IN AUTONOMOUS GROWTH OF HEPATIC CANCER

This is first report about the simultaneous over-expression of both Insulin-like growth factor (IGF- I ) and its receptor (IGF- I R) at mRNA level in human primary hepatic Cancer (PHC). In 10 PHC samples from China, IGF-I and IGF- I R were both over-expressed, whereas only a background signal was detected in normal liver. In 5 pairs of PHC and its non- tumorous adjacent liver tissues from South Africa, IGF- I and IGF- I R were also over-expressed in PHC. mRNA expression of IGF- I in all 5 cases and IGF- I R in 4 of 5 cases were higher in cancer than non- tumorous adjacent liver tissues. These results strongly implicate that an autocrine and/ or paracrine mechanism might be Involved in formation and progression of PHC.

STUDY ON CLONAL EVOLUTION OF ANTIGEN RECEPTORGENES IN CHILDREN WITH LYMPHOID MALIGNANCIES

objective To study the clonal evolution of domestic children with lymphoid malignancies inorder to choose the optimal method for the detection of the minimal residual disease. methods To use the PCRwhich employs 22primers and SSCP, investigating the matched samples obtained at diagnosis and at relapse of 13children with lymphoid malignancies. Results The clonal evolution occurred in 54%, 23%, 38%, 46%, 54%, 62%and 54% of 13 cases by PCR employing IgH, TCRγ, TCRVδ2, - Dδ3, TCRPVJ1, TCRPVJ2, TCRPD1,J2, TCRβD2J2primers respectively. NO change occurred only in one of those cases. Clonal evolution at relapse occurred at 50% ofsamples which had only one band PCR product at diagnosis and 78% of those had multiple bands PCR product atdiagnosis. No differences had been detected between diagnosis and relapse by SSCP analyzing those samples inwhich no band change occurred between that at diagnosis and at relapse in PAGE. Conclusion It should beoptimal that the one band rearranged gene at diagnosis acts as main monitoring marker, simultaneously referringto the main band in multiple bands rearranged gene in order to avoid false negative.

Study on PRRSV Receptor Genes Differential Expression in Lung Tissues in Different Breeds of Pigs after Infecting with HP-PRRSV

[ Objective] In order to study the susceptibility molecular mechanism of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （ HP- PRRSV） JXA1 isolate on Tibetan pig, Zangmei pig and Yorkshire pig. [ Method ] In the study, real-time quantitative RT-PCR method was established to compare and analyze the differential expression of five porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （PRRSV） receptor genes （HSPG2, SIGLEC1, CD163, VIM and NMMHC-H A） in lung tissues in Tibetan pig, Zangmei pig and Yorkshire pig before the challenge and at the 4th ,7th and 14th days after the challenge with JXAI isolate. [ Results ] HSPG2 expression in Tibetan pig lung tissues increased significantly at the 4th and 14th days after the challenge with JXAI （ P 〈 0.05 ）, while decreased significantly at the 7th day after the challenge （P 〈 0.05 ）, HSPG2 expression in Zangmei pig lung tissues increased significantly at the 14th day after the challenge （P〈0.05）. SIGLECl expression in Tibetan pig lung tissues increased significantly at the 4th and 14th days after the infection（P 〈 0.05 ）, while SIGLEC 1 expression in Yorkshire pig decreased significantly at the 4th, 7th and 14th days after the challenge （P 〈0. 05 ）. CD163 expression in lung tissues of Tibetan pig and Zangmei pig both increased significantly at the 14th day after the challenge （P 〈 0.05 ）, while CD163 expression in lung tissues of Yorkshire pig decreased significantly at the 7th and 14th days after the challenge （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. VIM expression in lung tissues of Tibetan pig increased significantly at the 7th day after the challenge （ P 〈 0. 05 ）, while which of Yorkshire pig at the 7th day after the challenge decreased significantly （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. NMMHC-II A expression in lung tissues of Zangmei pig increased significantly at the 4th day after the challenge （ P 〈 0. 05 ）, and which of Yorkshire pig increased significantly at the 4th and 14th days after the challenge （P 〈 0. 05 ）. [ Conclusion] SIGLEC1 and VIM genes might be the potential key genes affecting the susceptibility of JXA1 isolate on Tibetan pig, Zangrnei pig and Yorkshire pig. Key words JXA1 isolate; Tibetan pig; Zangmei pig; Yorkshire pig; Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus receptor genes; Differential expression

百子莲体细胞发育受体激酶APSERK1(Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase1)基因全长克隆及表达分析

根据前期百子莲(Agapanthus praecox ssp.orientalis)转录组测序分析的结果,获得了1个与胚性能力相关的关键基因Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase1(SERK1)同源性较高的核心片段。采用cDNA末端快速扩增(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)方法得到了百子莲SERK基因cDNA全长序列,命名为ApSERK1。序列分析表明,百子莲ApSERK1基因开放阅读框(ORF)为1800bp,编码1个含有600个氨基酸的蛋白质。氨基酸同源性比对发现,百子莲ApSERK1蛋白序列与水稻、小兰屿蝴蝶兰、铁皮石斛、椰子树和菠萝等植物蛋白序列的相似性可达到90%以上。实时荧光定量qRT-PCR结果表明,ApSERK1基因有一定时空表达差异,在百子莲的种子、小花梗中表达含量最高,且随着外源生长素浓度的增加,胚性愈伤组织的胚性能力呈现下降趋势。推测ApSERK1基因是衡量植物细胞胚性能力的重要指标。

Rapamycin Sensitizes Glucocorticoid Resistant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia CEM-C1 Cells to Dexamethasone Induced Apoptosis through both mTOR Suppression and Up-Regulation and Activation of Glucocorticoid Receptor

Objective To explore the role of glucocorticoid （GC） receptor （GR） in rapamycin＇s reversion of GC resistance in humanGC-resistant T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia （ALL） CEM-C1 cells. Methods CEM-C1 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with rapamycin at different concentrations with or without 1 μmol/L dexamethasone （Dex）. 3-（4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） test was performed to assess cell proliferation. The cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of GRα mRNA was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of GR, p-70S6K, Mcl-1, and Bim proteins was detected by Western blot. Results When incubated with rapamycin at different concentrations, CEM-C1 cells showed significant growth inhibition in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The growth inhibition was synergistically increased when CEM-C1 cells were treated with rapamycin plus 1 μmol/L Dex. CEM-C1 cells treated with rapamycin alone showed no apparent apoptosis, and were arrested at G0/G1 phase. After the treatment with Dex plus rapamycin, CEM-C1 cells demonstrated apparent apoptosis and increased the cell cycle arrested at G0/G1 phase. Rapamycin combined with Dex up-regulated GRα, phosphorylated GR（p-GR）, and pro-apoptotic protein Bim-EL in CEM-C1 cells, but inhibited the expression of p-p70S6K, a downstream target protein ofmTOR （mammalian target of rapamycin）. Conclusion After the treatment with rapamycin plus Dex, Dex resistant CEM-C1 cells induce growth inhibition and apoptosis. The underlying mechanism may involve inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway and also be associated with up-regulation of GR expression and activation of GC-GR signaling pathway.

Association of Polymorphisms in Angiotensin-converting Enzyme and Type 1 Angiotensin Ⅱ Receptor Genes with Coronary Heart Disease and the Severity of Coronary Artery Stenosis

To explore the relation of angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE） and angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R） gene polymorphism with coronary heart disease （CHD） and the severity of coronary artery stenosis, 130 CHD patients who underwent coronary angiography were examined for the number of affected coronary vessels （≥75% stenosis） and coronary Jeopardy score. The insertion/deletion of ACE gene polymorphism and AT1R gene polymorphism （an A→C transversion at nucleotide position 1166） were detected by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） in CHD patients and 90 healthy serving as controls. The resuits showed that DD genotype and of ACE were more frequent in CHD patients than that in control group （38.5% vs 14.4%, P〈0.001）. The frequency of the ATIR A/C genotypes did not differ between the patients and the controls （10% vs 13.1%, P〉0.05）. The relative risk associated with the ACE-DD was increased by AT1R-AC genotype. Neither the number of affected coronary vessels nor the coronary score differed among the ACE I/D genotypes （P〉0.05）. But the number of affected coronary vessels and the coronary score were significantly greater in the patients with the AT1R-AC genotype than in those with the AA genotype （P〈0.05）. In conclusion, DD genotype may be risk factor for CHD and MI in Chinese people, and is not responsible for the development of the coronary artery stenosis. The AT1R-C allele may increase the relative risk associated with the ACE-DD genotype, and may be involved in the development of the stenosis of coronary artery.

Expression of androgen receptor target genes in skeletal muscle

We aimed to determine the mechanisms of the anabolic actions of androgens in skeletal muscle by investigating potential androgen receptor （AR）-regulated genes in in vitro and in vivo models. The expression of the myogenic regulatory factor myogenin was significantly decreased in skeletal muscle from testosterone-treated orchidectomized male mice compared to control orchidectomized males, and was increased in muscle from male AR knockout mice that lacked DNA binding activity （AR△ZF2） versus wildtype mice, demonstrating that myogenin is repressed by the androgen/AR pathway. The ubiquitin ligase Fbxo32 was repressed by 12 h dihydrotestosterone treatment in human skeletal muscle cell myoblasts, and c-Myc expression was decreased in testosterone-treated orchidectomized male muscle compared to control orchidectomized male muscle, and increased in AR△ZF2 muscle. The expression of a group of genes that regulate the transition from myoblast proliferation to differentiation, Tceal7, p57Kip2, IEf2 and calcineurin Aa, was increased in AR△ZF2 muscle, and the expression of all but p57kip2 was also decreased in testosterone-treated orchidectomized male muscle compared to control orchidectomized male muscle. We conclude that in males, androgens act via the AR in part to promote peak muscle mass by maintaining myoblasts in the proliferative state and delaying the transition to differentiation during muscle growth and development, and by suppressing ubiquitin ligase-mediated atrophy pathways to preserve muscle mass in adult muscle.

Effects of glucocorticoids on the growth and chemosensitivity of carcinoma cells are heterogeneous and require high concentration of functional glucocorticoid receptors

AIM： To determine how glucocorticoids （GCs） may affect the growth and chemosensitivity of common carcinoma cells. METHODS： The effect of dexamethasone （DEX） on growth and chemosensitivity was assessed in 14 carcinoma cell lines. The function of GC receptors （GR） was assessed by MMTV reporter assay. Overexpression of GR was done by in vitro transfection and expression of a GR-expressing vector. Immunohistochemical stain of tissues and ceils were done by PA1-511A, an anti-GR monodonal antibody. RESULTS： DEX inhibited cell growth of four （MCF-7, MCF- 7/MXR1, MCF-7/TPT300, and HeLa）, increased cisplatin cytoxicity of one （SiHa）, and decreased dsplatin cytotoxicity of two （H460 and Hep3B） cell lines. The GR content of the seven cell lines affected by DEX was significantly higher than those of the seven cell lines unaffected by DEX （5.2±2.5×10^4 sites/cell vs1.3±1.4×10^4 sites/cell, P= 0.005）. Only two DEX-unresponsive cell lines {NPC-TW01 and NPC- TW04） oontained high GR amounts in the range （1.9-8.1×10^4 sites/cell） of the seven DEX-responsive cell lines. The GR function of NPC-TW01 and NPC-TW04, however, was foundto be impaired. The importance of high cellular amount of GR in mediating DEX susceptibility of the cells was further exemplified by GR dose-dependent drug resistance to cisplatin of AGS, a cell line with low GR content and was unaffected by DEX before transfection of GR-expressing vector. Immunohistochemical studies of human cancer tissues showed that 5 of the 45 （11.1%） breast cancer and 43 of the 85 （50.6%） non-small cell lung cancer had high GR contents at the ranges of the GC-responsive carcinoma cell lines. CONCLUSION： The growth and chemosensitivity of human carcinomas with high GR contents may be affected by GC. However, in light of the heterogeneous and even contradictive effects of GC on these cells, routine examination of GR contents of human carcinoma tissues may not be clinically useful until other markers that help predict the ultimate effect of GC on individual patients are identified.

Toll-like receptor 9 polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori influence gene expression and risk of gastric carcinogenesis in the Brazilian population

BACKGROUND Toll-like receptors(TLRs)are the first line of host defense,and are involved in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)recognition and activation of both inflammatory and carcinogenic processes.The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in genes that activate the immune response may modulate the risk of precancerous lesions and gastric cancer(GC).Among them,Toll-like receptor 9(TLR9)polymorphisms have emerged with a risk factor of infectious diseases and cancer,however the studies are still inconclusive.AIM To evaluate whether TLR9 rs5743836 and rs187084 SNPs contribute to the risk of gastric carcinogenesis,and its influence on mRNA expression.METHODS A case-control study was conducted to evaluate two TLR9 SNPs(TLR9-1237 TCrs5743836 and TLR9-1486 CT-rs187084)in chronic gastritis(CG)and GC patients.A total of 609 DNA samples of peripheral blood[248 CG,161 GC,and 200 samples from healthy individuals(C)]were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.All samples were tested for the H.pylori infection using Hpx1 and Hpx2 primers.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction by TaqMan?assay was used to quantify TLR9 mRNA from fresh gastric tissues(48 GC,26 CG,and 14 C).RESULTS For TLR9-1237,the TC+CC or CC genotypes were associated with a higher risk of GC than C[recessive model odds ratio(OR)=5.01,95%confidence interval(CI):2.52-9.94,P<0.0001],and the CG(recessive model OR=4.63;95%CI:2.44-8.79,P<0.0001)groups.For TLR9-1486,an association between the CT+TT genotypes and increased risk of both GC(dominant model OR=2.72,95%CI:1.57-4.72,P<0.0001)and CG(dominant model OR=1.79,95%CI:1.15-2.79,P=0.0094)was observed when compared to the C group.Moreover,the presence of TLR9-1237 TC/CC+TLR9-1486 CC genotypes potentiate the risk for this neoplasm(OR=18.57;95%CI:5.06-68.15,P<0.0001).The TLR9 mRNA level was significantly higher in the GC group(RQ=9.24,P<0.0001)in relation to the CG group(RQ=1.55,P=0.0010)and normal mucosa(RQ=1.0).When the samples were grouped according to the polymorphic genotypes and the presence of H.pylori infection,an influence of TLR9-1237 TC+CC polymorphic genotypes(P=0.0083)and H.pylori infection(P<0.0001)was observed on the upregulation of mRNA expression.CONCLUSION Our findings show that TLR9 rs5743836 and rs187084 polymorphisms are associated with a higher risk of carcinogenesis gastric,and that TLR9 mRNA levels can be modulated by TLR9-1237 TC+CC variant genotypes and H.pylori infection.

Polymorphisms of Exon 17 of Insulin-Receptor Gene in Pathogenesis of Human Disorders With Insulin Resistance

Objective To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of insulin-receptor (INSR) gene and insulin resistance in a population-based study in China. Methods Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to the amplify Exon 17 of INSR gene and all amplified products were analyzed by direct sequencing. Results Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found at the following loci: T to TC at the locus of 10699 (Tyr984), G to GC at the locus of 10731 (Glu994), Deletion G at the locus of 10798 (Asp1017), C to T/TC at the locus of 10923 (His1058), C to CA at the locus of 10954 (Leu1069), and T to TA at the locus of 10961 (Phe1071), which might not change the amino acid sequence. The data were in agreement with the test of Hardy-Weinberg balance (P>0.05). Among the 345 cases, all clinical indices were higher in males than in females except for HDL cholesterol (P<0.05). The proportion of insulin resistance in males (64.4%) was higher than that in females (35.6%, OR=1.83). It implied that the relative risk of developing insulin resistance in males was 1.83 times as high as that in females. The biochemical indices in different loci on Exon 17 showed that the individuals with deletion G on the locus of 10798 had lower TG (P=0.052) and higher HDL (P=0.027) than those without deletion G on the same site. Homa-Index was lower in those with deletion G than in those without deletion G (P>0.05). After sex stratification in analysis, all allele frequencies on the six loci of SNPs of Exon 17 had different distributions between the insulin resistant group and the control group, but P>0.05. Conclusion SNPs of Exon 17 of INSR gene are unlikely to play a direct role in the pathogenesis of human disorders with insulin resistance.

Nicotinic cholinergic receptors in esophagus:Early alteration during carcinogenesis and prognostic value

AIM: To compare expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors(CHRNs) in healthy and squamous cell carcinoma-affected esophagus and determine the prognostic value.METHODS: We performed RT-q PCR to measure the expression of CHRNs in 44 esophageal samples from healthy individuals and in matched normal surrounding mucosa, and in tumors from 28 patientsdiagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Next, we performed correlation analysis for the detected expression of these receptors with the habits and clinico-pathological characteristics of all study participants. In order to investigate the possible correlations between the expression of the different CHRN subunits in both healthy esophagus and tissues from ESCC patients, correlation matrices were generated. Subsequently, we evaluated whether the detected alterations in expression of the various CHRNs could precede histopathological modifications during the esophageal carcinogenic processes by using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Finally, we evaluated the impact of CHRNA5 and CHRNA7 expression on overall survival by using multivariate analysis.RESULTS: CHRNA3, CHRNA5, CHRNA7 and CHRNB4, but not CHRNA1, CHRNA4, CHRNA9 or CHRNA10, were found to be expressed in normal(healthy) esophageal mucosa. In ESCC, CHRNA5 and CHRNA7 were overexpressed as compared with patient-matched surrounding non-tumor mucosa(ESCC-adjacent mucosa; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0091, respectively). Positive correlations were observed between CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 expression in all samples analyzed. Additionally, CHRNB4 was found to be differentially expressed in the healthy esophagus and the normalappearing ESCC-adjacent mucosa, allowing for distinguishment between these tissues with a sensitivity of 75.86% and a specificity of 78.95%(P = 0.0002). Finally, CHRNA5 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor in ESCC; patients with high CHRNA5 expression showed an increased overall survival, in comparison with those with low expression. The corresponding age- and tumor stage-adjusted hazard ratio was 0.2684(95%CI: 0.075-0.97, P = 0.0448).CONCLUSION: Expression of CHRNs is homogeneous along healthy esophagus and deregulated in ESCC, suggesting a pathogenic role for these receptors in ESCC development and progression.

Association analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the <i>leptin</i>and <i>leptin receptor</i>genes on milk and morphological traits in Holstein cows

To date, only a few SNP in the leptin receptor gene have been detected and analyzed while the leptin gene has been extensively characterized and several polymorphisms were detected and associated to functional and productive traits in cattle. In this work, for the first time, the bovine leptin receptor gene was fully characterized by sequencing the whole coding region and part of the 5’ flanking region. A group of 95 Holstein cows was genotyped in order to search for SNP at both the LEPR and LEP genes, and to associate them with milk and morphological traits. Nine novel SNP in the leptin receptor gene and one novel SNP in the leptin gene were detected. Four SNP of the leptin receptor gene and one SNP of leptin gene showed a significant effect on one or more analyzed traits, and, in all cases, the greatest effect was observed on fat content. This study provided knowledge of the existence of further polymorphisms in the leptin receptor and leptin genes that have an influence on some important economic traits.

Intrahepatic expression of genes related to metabotropic receptors in chronic hepatitis

AIM： To screen for genes related to metabotropic re- ceptors that might be involved in the development of chronic hepatitis. METHODS： Assessment of 20 genes associated with metabotropic receptors was performed in liver speci- mens obtained by punch biopsy from 12 patients with autoimmune and chronic hepatitis type B and C. For this purpose, a microarray with low integrity grade and with oligonucleotide DNA probes complementary to target transcripts was used. Evaluation of gene expression was performed in relation to transcript level, correlation between samples and grouping of clinical parameters used in chronic hepatitis assessment. Clini- cal markers of chronic hepatitis included alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, ~,-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase activity, levels of iron ions, total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, glucose, hemoglobin, platelets, histological analysis of inflammatory and necrotic status, fibrosis according to METAVIR score, steatosis, as well as anthropometric body mass index, waist/hip index, percentage of adi- pose tissue and liver size in ultrasound examination. Gender, age, concomitant diseases and drugs were also taken into account. Validation of oligonucleotide microarray gene expression results was done with the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR）. RESULTS： The highest （0.002 〈 P 〈 0.046） expres- sion among genes encoding main components of metabotropic receptor pathways, such as the a subunit of G-coupled protein, phosphoinositol-dependent pro- tein kinase or arrestin was comparable to that of an- giotensinogen synthesized in the liver. Carcinogenesis suppressor genes, such as chemokine ligand 4, tran- scription factor early growth response protein 1 and lysophosphatidic acid receptor, were characterized by the lowest expression （0.002 〈 P 〈 0.046）, while the factor potentially triggering hepatic cancer, transcrip- tion factor JUN-B, had a 20-fold higher expression. The correlation between expression of genes of protein kinases PDPK1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein kinase A （Spearman＇s coefficient range： 0.762-0.769） confirmed a functional link between these enzymes. Gender （P = 0.0046） and inflammation severity, mea- sured by alanine aminotransferase activity （P = 0.035）, were characterized by diverse metabotropic receptor gene expression patterns. The Pearson＇s coefficient ranging from -0.35 to 0.99 from the results of qRT-PCR and microarray indicated that qRT-PCR had certainlimitations as a validation tool for oligonucleotide mi- croarray studies. CONCLUSION： A microarray-based analysis of hepa- tocyte metabotropic G-protein-related gene expression can reveal the molecular basis of chronic hepatitis.

Effect of Calpain inhibitor I on glucocorticoid receptor-dependent degradation and its transactivation ability

Objective: To investigate the effect of Calpain inhibitor I on glucocorticoid receptor-dependent proteasomal degradation and its transcriptional activity. Methods: After Raw-264.7 cells were treated with Calpain inhibitor I, dexamethasone, or both for about 12 h, the change of glucocorticoid receptor was detected by western blot analysis. COS-7 cells were transfected with PRsh-GRα expression vector and glucocorticoid-responsive receptor pMAMneo-CAT, then the effect of Calpain inhibitor I on glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activation ability was determined by CAT activity. Results: The glucocorticoid receptor levels decreased after RAW-264.7 cells were treated with dexamethasone for 12 hours, which effect can be inhibited by Calpain inhibitor I to some extent. CAT activity assay showed that Calpain inhibitor I enhance glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activity. Conclusion: Calpain inhibitor I can inhibit the down-regulation of dexamethasone on glucocorticoid receptor, and enhances glucocorticoid receptor transactivation ability.

Clinical relevance of the glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms in glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension and primary open angle glaucoma

AIM: To avoid the side effects of ocular hypertension of glucocorticoid(GC) usage in eye, we must identify susceptible individuals, which exists in about one-third of all population. Further, the majority of all primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) patients show this phenotype.Glucocorticoid receptor(GR) regulates C responsiveness in trabecular meshwork(TM) cells. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) genotyping was used to determine whether there are differences in the Bcl I(rs41423247) and N363S(rs6195) polymorphisms of the GR gene in healthy and POAG patients, and glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension(GIOH)populations.METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-seven unrelated Chinese adults, including 111 normal controls, 117 GIOH subjects and 99 POAG patients, were recruited. DNA samples were prepared and the Bcl I and N363 S polymorphisms were screened using real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) analysis. Frequencies of the Bcl I and N363 S polymorphisms were determined and compared using Fisher’s exact test and the Chi-squared test.RESULTS: Only the Bcl I polymorphism was identified in the Chinese Han population. The frequency of the G allele was 21.6 % in normal controls, 18.3% in GIOH patients, and 13.64% in the POAG patients. There was no significant difference in polymorphism or allele frequency in the 3 groups. Furthermore, no N363 S polymorphism was found in the study subjects.CONCLUSION: The Bcl I polymorphisms in GR gene had no association with GIOH and POAG patients, and N363 S polymorphism might not exist in the Chinese Han population. Therefore, the Bcl I polymorphism might not be responsible for the development of GC-induced ocular hypertension or POAG.

A facile,branched DNA assay to quantitatively measure glucocorticoid receptor auto-regulation in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Glucocorticoid(GC) steroid hormones are used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) because of their pro-apoptotic effects in hematopoietic cells.However,not all leukemia cells are sensitive to GC,and no assay to stratify patients is available.In the GC-sensitive T-cell ALL cell line CEM-C7,auto-up-regulation of RNA transcripts for the glucocorticoid receptor(GR) correlates with increased apoptotic response.This study aimed to determine if a facile assay of GR transcript levels might be promising for stratifying ALL patients into hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant populations.The GR transcript profiles of various lymphoid cell lines and 4 bone marrow samples from patients with T-cell ALL were analyzed using both an optimized branched DNA(bDNA) assay and a real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.There were significant correlations between both assay platforms when measuring total GR(exon 5/6) transcripts in various cell lines and patient samples,but not for a probe set that detects a specific,low abundance GR transcript(exon 1A3).Our results suggest that the bDNA platform is reproducible and precise when measuring total GR transcripts and,with further development,may ultimately offer a simple clinical assay to aid in the prediction of GC-sensitivity in ALL patients.