Effect of Shortening Day Length on Immune Function in Siberian Hamsters

In order to understand the effect of gradual changes in photoperiod on immune function, adult female Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were randomly divided into the control group (12L:12D, Con, n = 11) and the shortening day length group (SD, n = 11), in which day length was reduced from 12:12 h to 8:16 h light-dark cycle at the pace of half an hour every week. Meanwhile the winter immunoenhancement hypothesis, which holds that animals’ immune function would be enhanced in winter or winter-like conditions, was tested. Gradual shortening day length had no effect on body mass and body composition including wet carcass mass, the subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, mesenteric and total body fat masses in Siberian hamsters. The masses of liver and small intestine with contents were higher in the SD group than in the Con group, however other organ masses such as brain, heart, kidney and so on did not differ between the two groups. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response after 24 h of PHA injection was enhanced by the shortening photoperiod, which supported the winter immunoenhancement hypothesis. The masses of spleen and thymus, white blood cells, bacteria killing capacity indicative of innate immunity were not affected, which did not support this hypothesis. In summary, gradually decrease in day length increased cellular immunity, but had no effect on other immunological parameters in Siberian hamsters.

Comparative studies between humans and golden Syrian hamsters via thromboelastography

Background:Thromboelastography(TEG)is a widely utilized clinical testing method for real-time monitoring of platelet function and the thrombosis process.Lipid metab-olism disorders are crucial risk factors for thrombosis.The lipid metabolism charac-teristics of hamsters resemble those of humans more closely than mice and rats,and their relatively large blood volume makes them suitable for studying the mechanisms of thrombosis related to plasma lipid mechanisms.Whole blood samples from golden Syrian hamsters and healthy humans were obtained following standard clinical pro-cedures.TEG was employed to evaluate coagulation factor function,fibrinogen(Fib)function,platelet function,and the fibrinolytic system.Methods:The whole blood from hamster or healthy human was isolated following the clinical procedure,and TEG was employed to evaluate the coagulation factor func-tion,Fib function,platelet function,and fibrinolytic system.Coagulation analysis used ACLTOP750 automatic coagulation analysis pipeline.Blood routine testing used XN-2000 automatic blood analyzer.Results:TEG parameters revealed that hamsters exhibited stronger coagulation fac-tor function than humans(reaction time[R],p=0.0117),with stronger Fib function(alpha angle,p<0.0001;K-time[K],p<0.0001).Platelet function did not differ signifi-cantly(maximum amplitude[MA],p=0.077).Hamsters displayed higher coagulation status than humans(coagulation index[CI],p=0.0023),and the rate of blood clot dissolution in hamsters differed from that in humans(percentage lysis 30 min after MA,p=0.02).Coagulation analysis parameters indicated that prothrombin time(PT)and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)were faster in hamsters than in hu-mans(PT,p=0.0014;APTT,p=0.03),whereas the Fib content was significantly lower in hamsters than in humans(p<0.0001).No significant difference was observed in thrombin time(p=0.1949).Conclusions:In summary,TEG could be used to evaluate thrombosis and bleeding parameters in whole blood samples from hamsters.The platelet function of hamsters closely resembled that of humans,whereas their coagulation function was signifi-cantly stronger.

Expression of hepatitis B virus genes in early embryonic cells originated from hamster ova and human spermatozoa transfected with the complete viral genome

Aim： To detect the expression of hepatitis B virus （HBV） genes （HB S and C genes） in early embryonic cells after introducing motile human sperm carrying HBV DNA into zona-free hamster oocytes via the in vitro fertilization （IVF） technique. Methods： Human sperm-mediated HBV genes were delivered into zona-free hamster oocytes by the IVF method. Polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to detect HB S and pre-Core/Core （pre-C/C） coding genes both in one- and two-cell embryos. Reverse transcription-PCR （RT-PCR） analysis was used to study the expression of the two genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） analysis using the full-length HBV DNA as the hybridization probe was performed to confirm the integration of viral DNA in the host embryonic genome. Results： Both HB S and pre-C/C coding genes are present and transcribed in one- and two-cell embryos originated from hamster ova IVF with human spermatozoa carrying HBV DNA sequences. Conclusion： Sperm-mediated HBV genes are able to replicate and express themselves in early embryonic cells. These results provide direct evidence that HBV DNA could transmit vertically to the next generation via the male germ line.

Modulating Effects of Chlorogenic Acid on Lipids and Glucose Metabolism and Expression of Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-α in Golden Hamsters Fed on High Fat Diet

Objective To examine the effects of chlorogenic acid （CGA） on lipid and glucose metabolism under a high dietary fat burden and to explore the possible role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α （PPAR-α） in these effects. Methods Twenty male golden hamsters were randomly divided into CGA treatment group （n=10, given peritoneal injection of CGA solution prepared with PBS, 80 mg CGA/kg body weight daily）, and control group （n=10, given PBS i.p. at the average volume of the treatment group）. Animals in both groups were given 15% high fat diet. Eight weeks after treatment with CGA, the level of biochemical parameters in fasting serum and tissues and the expression of hepatic mRNA and protein PPAR-α were determined. Results Eight weeks after treatment with CGA, the levels of fasting serum triglyceride （TG）, free fatty acid （FFA）, total cholesterol （TC）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, glucose （FSG）, and insulin （FSI） were significantly lower in the GGA treatment group than in the control group. CGA also led to higher activity of hepatic lipase （HL） lower contents of TG and FFA in liver, and lower activity of lipoprotein lipase （LPL） in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, CGA significantly elevated significantly elevated the expression level of mRNA and protein expression in hepatic PPAR-α. Conclusion CGA can modify lipids and glucose metabolism, which may be attributed to PPAR-α facilitated lipid clearance in liver and improved insulin sensitivity.

Role of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Xianhuayin on the Reversal of Premalignant Mucosal Lesions in the Golden Hamster Buccal Pouch

Aim To investigate the role of the Chinese herbal medicine Xianhuayin on the reversal of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene （DMBA）-induced premalignant mucosal lesions in the oral buccal pouch of golden hamsters. Methodology The animals were randomly divided into a non-diseased control group （n=5） and an experimental group including 50 animals in which the buccal mucosa had been painted with DMBA （0.5% in acetone） to generate an oral mucosa premalignant lesion. Animals in the experi- mental group were further divided into Xianhuayin-treated group （n=30）, untreated prem＇alignant lesion group （n=10） and normal saline （NS）-treated group （n=10）. The cheek （buccal） pouch mucosa of the golden hamsters in each group was observed with light and electron microscopy eight weeks after intragastric administration with NS or Xianhuayin. Results In the non-diseased control group, the buccal mucosa was keratinized and stratified squamous epithelium under a light microscope. In the untreated premalignant lesion group, variable degrees of epithelial dysplasia was observed. The irregular epithelial mucosa gradually became distinct in the Xianhuayin-treated group. Scanning electronic microscopic （SEM） analysis showed that surface of the cells exhibited honeycomb structures in the hamster of untreated- group. The cells were morphologically irregular, overlapped and loosened in the untreated premalignant lesion group. Most of the cell surface exhibited honeycomb structure in the Xianhuayin-treated group. Transmission electronic micro- scopic （TEM） analysis showed that buccal mucosal epithelial cells were morphologically regular in the non-diseased control group. Desmosomes and tonofibrils were reduced and the nucleus was morphologically irregular in the untreated premalignant lesion group. In the Xianhuayin-treated group, the widening intercellular gap was gradually reduced, desmosomes and the cells becoming morphologically regular. No significant difference was observed between the hamsters in NS-treated group and those in the untreated premalignant lesion group. Significant therapeutic efficacy was observed in the group receiving Xianhuayin. Conclusion Xianhuayin is effective in the reversal of DMBA-induced premalignant lesions in the buccal pouch of golden hamsters.

Glucose-regulated protein precursor （GRP78） and tumor rejection antigen （GP96） are unique to hamster caput epididymal spermatozoa

The immotile testicular mammalian spermatozoon gets transformed into a motile spermatozoon during ＇epididymal maturation＇. During this process, the spermatozoa transit from the caput to the cauda epididymis and undergo a number of distinct morphological, biophysical and biochemical changes, including changes in protein composition and protein modifications, which may be relevant to the acquisition of motility potential. The present proteome-based study of the hamster epididymal spermatozoa of caput and cauda led to the identification of 113 proteins spots using Matrix- assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry （MALDI-MS/MS） analysis. Comparison of these 113 protein spots indicated that 30 protein spots （corresponding to 20 proteins） were significantly changed in intensity. Five proteins were increased and eleven were decreased in intensity in the cauda epididymal spermatozoa. In addition, two proteins, glucose-regulated protein precursor （GRP78） and tumor rejection antigen （GP96）, were unique to the caput epididymal spermatozoa, while one protein, fibrinogen-like protein 1, was unique to cauda epididymal spermatozoa. A few of the five proteins, which increased in intensity, were related to sperm metabolism and ATP production during epididymal maturation. The changes in intensity of a few proteins such as ERp57, GRP78, GP96, Hsp60, Hsp70, and dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase were validated by immunoblotting. The present study provides a global picture of the changes in protein composition occurring during hamster sperm epididymal maturation, besides being the first ever report on the proteome of hamster spermatozoa.

Pravastatin activates PPARα/PPARγexpression in the liver and gallbladder epithelium of hamsters

BACKGROUND:Our earlier study with cultured gallbladder epithelial cells demonstrated that statins(HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)activate the expression of PPARαand PPARγ, consequently blocking the production of pro-inflmmatory cytokines.The present study used hamsters to investigate the effects of pavastatin on PPARα/PPARγexpression in the liver and gallbladder epithelium,and to determine whether pravastatin suppresses cholesterol crystal formation in the gallbladder. METHODS:A total of 40 Golden Syrian male hamsters(4 weeks old)were randomly assigned to four groups(basal diet control; basal diet+pavastatin;high cholesterol diet;high cholesterol diet+pravastatin).All hamsters were 11 weeks old at the end of the experiment.The liver,gallbladder and bile were harvested. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting for PPARαand PPARγwere performed in the liver and gallbladder. A drop of fresh bile was examined for cholesterol crystals under a microscope. RESULTS:In the gallbladder and liver of the hamsters, pravastatin activated the PPARαand PPARγexpression of gallbladder epithelial cells and hepatocytes,and particularly the response of PPARγwas much stronger than that of PPARα. Pravastatin suppressed the formation of cholesterol gallstones or crystals in the gallbladder. CONCLUSION:Pravastatin is an effective medication to activate PPARs(especially PPARγ)in the liver and the gallbladder epithelium of hamsters,and contributes to the prevention of gallstone formation.

Protective effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on chenodeoxycholic acid-induced liver injury in hamsters

AIM： TO investigate the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid （UDCA） on chenodeoxycholic acid （CDCA）-induced liver injury in hamsters, and to elucidate a correlation between liver injury and bile acid profiles in the liver.METHODS： Liver injury was induced in hamsters by administration of 0.5% （w/w） CDCA in their feed for 7 d. UDCA （50 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg） was administered for the last 3 d of the experiment.RESULTS： At the end of the experiment, serum alanine aminotransferase （ALl） increased more than 10 times and the presence of liver injury was confirmed histologically. Marked increase in bile acids was observed in the liver. The amount of total bile acids increased approximately three-fold and was accompanied by the increase in hydrophobic bile acids, CDCA and lithocholic acid （LCA）. UDCA （50 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg） improved liver histology, with a significant decrease （679.3 ±77.5 U/L vs 333.6 ± 50.4 U/L and 254.3 ±35.5 U/ L, respectively, P 〈 0.01） in serum ALT level. UDCA decreased the concentrations of the hydrophobic bile acids, and as a result, a decrease in the total bile acid level in the liver was achieved.CONCLUSION： The results show that UDCA improves oral CDCA-induced liver damage in hamsters. The protective effects of UDCA appear to result from a decrease in the concentration of hydrophobic bile acids, CDCA and LCA, which accumulate and show the cytotoxicity in the liver.

Effects of 13 T Static Magnetic Fields (SMF) in the Cell Cycle Distribution and Cell Viability in Immortalized Hamster Cells and Human Primary Fibroblasts Cells

Magnetic resonance image （MRI） systems with a much higher magnetic flux density were developed and applied for potential use in medical diagnostic. Recently, much attention has been paid to the biological effects of static, strong magnetic fields （SMF）. With the 13 T SMF facility in the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the present study focused on the cellular effects of the SMF with 13 T on the cell viability and the cell cycle distribution in immortalized hamster cells, such as human-hamster hybrid （AL） cells, Chinese hamster ovary （CHO） cells, DNA double-strand break repair deficient mutant （XRS-5） cells, and human primary skin fibroblasts （AG1522） cells. It was found that the exposure of 13 T SMF had less effect on the colony formation in either nonsynchronized or synchronized AL cells. Moreover, as compared to non-exposed groups, there were slight differences in the cell cycle distribution no matter in either synchronized or nonsynchronized immortalized hamster ceils after exposure to 13 T SMF. However, it should be noted that the percentage of exposed AG1522 cells at G0/G1 phase was decreased by 10% as compared to the controls. Our data indicated that although 13 T SMF had minimal effects in immortalized hamster cells, the cell cycle distribution was slightly modified by SMF in human primary fibroblasts.

TELOMERASE ACTIVITY DURING 7,12-DIMETHYLBENZ [a] ANTHRACENE-INDUCED HAMSTER BUCCAL POUCH CARCINOGENESIS

Objective: To investigate the roles of telomerase activity (TA) in relation to hamster buccal pouch tumor progression. Methods: male hamster were treated three times weekly with 0.5% of 7, 12-dimethyl-benzanthracene (DMBA) over a IS weeks experimental period. Hamsters were sacrificed at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks after treatment. Telomerase activity of hamster buccal pouch tissue were measured along with the analyses of the formation of DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch tumors. Results: DMBA-induced squamous cell carcinomas were found at the 6th week after dosing. Telomerase activity elevation began at the 3rd week and was increasing to a plateau at the 12th week. Conclusion: Our results show that telomerase activity in the target tissue may be detected at the early stage of the DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch tumor formation and suggests that telomerase activity may be used as a biomarker for an early clinical detection of buccal pouch cancer.

The role of leptin in striped hamsters subjected to food restriction and refeeding

Food restriction （FR） and refeeding （Re） have been suggested to impair body mass regulation and thereby making it easier to regain the lost weight and develop over-weight when FR ends. However, it is unclear if this is the case in small mammals showing seasonal forging behaviors. In the present study, energy budget, body fat and serum leptin level were measured in striped hamsters that were exposed to FR-Re. The effects of leptin on food intake, body fat and genes expressions of several hypothalamus neuropeptides were determined. Body mass, fat content and serum leptin level decreased during FR and then increased during Re. Leptin supplement significantly attenuated the increase in food intake during Re, decreased genes expressions of neuropepetide Y （NPY） and agouti-related protein （AgRP） of hypothalamus and leptin of white adipose tissue （WAT）. Hormone-sensitive lipase （HSL） gene expression of WAT increased in leptin-treated hamsters that were fed ad libitum, but decreased in FR-Re hamsters. This indicates that the adaptive regulation of WAT HSL gene expression may be involved in the mobilization of fat storage during Re, which partly contributes to the resistance to FR-Re-induced overweight. Leptin may be involved in the down regulations of hypothalamus orexigenic peptides gene expression and consequently plays a crucial role in controlling food intake when FR ends.

Glycoproteomics analysis of plasma proteins associated with Opisthorchis viverrini infection-induced cholangiocarcinoma in hamster model

Objective: To apply lectin affinity chromatography and glycoproteomics-based LC-MS/MS to preliminarily investigate the possible potential plasma biomarkers of Opisthorchis viverrini(OV)-associated CCA in OV/dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-induced CCA hamster model. Methods: Nine Syrian hamsters were divided into 3 groups as follows(n=3 each): normal(healthy control group); OV group; and OV/DMN group(CCA group). Pooled plasma samples collected from animals in each group at the 6th month post-infection with OV metacercarae were subjected to glycoproteomics analysis. Glycoproteins in the pooled sample from each group were initially isolated by concanavilin A(Con A)-based affinity chromatography. The expression of glycoproteins isolated by both enrichment methods were determined using LCMS/MS. Results: Among the 24 Con A-binding glycoproteins isolated, two proteins, N-myc downstream regulated gene 1(NDRG1) and fetuin-B(FETUB) were found up-regulated only in the samples from the OV and control groups, but not in the OV/DMN(CCA) groups. On the other hand, one protein, i.e., NSFL1 cofactor p47 isoform x3(NSFL1C) was found only in the samples from OV/DMN(CCA) and control groups, but not in the OV group. The remaining 21 proteins were upregulated in the samples from all groups. Conclusions: NDRG1, FETUB and NSFL1 C glycoproteins isolated by Con A-based affinity chromatography could be potential biomarkers for CCA. Plasma samples with negative for NDRG1 and FETUB proteins but positive for NSFL1 C are likely to be OV-associated CCA. Nevertheless, this conclusion remains to be confirmed whether this battery test can discriminate OV-associated CCA from other risk factors.

Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Prion Proteins With Full-length Hamster PrP

To prepare the PrP specific monoclonal antibodies （mAbs） that can be used for the detection of mammalian prions and study of pathogenesis of prion diseases. Methods Several BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant hamster prion protein （HaPrP）. Three hybridoma cell lines designated as B7, B9, and B10, secreting monoclonal antibodies against HaPrP, were established by hybridoma technique. The mAbs reactivities were evaluated with ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Results The mAbs produced by these cell lines reacted well with different recombinant hamster PrP proteins. Western blot analyses showed that mAbs B7 and B9 reacted with PrP^Sc from the scrapie-infected animals after proteinase K digestion with three glycosylated forms. The mAbs exhibited cross-reactivity with various PrPc from several other mammalian species, including humans and cattles, lmmunohistochemistry assays confirmed that mAbs B7 and B9 could recognize not only extracellular but also intracellular PrPso. Conclusion The mAbs of prion protein are successfully generated by hybridoma technique and can be applied for the diagnosis of prion associated diseases.

Postnatal development of NADPH-diaphorase expression in the visual cortex of the golden hamster

Nitric oxide is an important neuromodulator in the brain and is involved in the development of visual system. But it is not clear how nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase （NOS） are involved in the developing visual cortex of rodents. Thus we examined the expression of NOS activity in the postnatal developing visual cortex of the golden hamster by using histochemical technique for NADPH-diaphorase （NADPH-d）. A heavily stained NADPH-d band was observed in the neuropil of the visual cortex. This NADPH-d band initially appeared in the cortical plate from the day of birth （P0） to postnatal day 4 （P4）. From P7 to P21, this band was confined to area 17 and migrated to the deeper layers Ill IV and V VI before it eventually disappeared at P28. Such developmental trends of the band correlated well with the process of formation and establishment of the geniculo-cortical projection patterns. Thus, the areal specific development of the band suggests that NOS is closely related to the cortical differentiation and synaptic formation of the primary visual cortex. On the other hand, monocular eye enucleation on P1 could not alter the appearance of this NADPH-d positive band, indicating a non-activity dependant role of NOS. In addition, differences in the laminar distributions and developmental sequence between the heavily and lightly stained NADPH-d positive neurons during development suggest that they play different roles in the development.

Anticancer Effects of Fusion Protein CAtin on DMBA-induced Carcinogenesis in Buccal Pouch of Chinese Hamster

Aberrant expression of carcinoembryonic antigen（CEA） is a common feature for multiple types of cancer,which makes it an attractive target for anticancer therapy.CAtin is a novel dual cancer-specific fusion protein,composed of an anti-CEA single-chain disulfide-stabilized Fv antibody（scdsFv） and Apoptin,a tumor-specific apoptosis-inducing protein.Oral squamous cell carcinoma（OSCC） is an important healthcare problem in the clinic.To evaluate the anticancer effects of CAtin on OSCC,7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene（DMBA） was used to induce oral carcinogenesis and premalignant lesions in the buccal pouch of Chinese hamster,and the antitumor effects of CAtin were determined in pre-cancer,cancer and post-operatative cancer models,respectively.The results show that the administration of CAtin delayed the malignant transformation of early stage cancerous lesions,inhibited the growth of established solid oral tumors and reduced the post-operatative relapse of lesions,with no significant systemic toxicity.This study demonstrates that CAtin may have potential for the treatment of OSCC,and the development of preventive strategies based on CAtin may offer a practical approach for the treatment of human oral tumors.

Evaluation of transfection methods for transient gene expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Three transfection reagents, Lipofectamine&reg 2000, TransIT-PRO&reg and linear 25 kDa polyethylenimine were evaluated for transient expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells. TransIT-PRO&reg was found to be more efficient under the examined conditions, but comes at an increased cost compared to the widely used PEI.

Identification of optimal reference genes in golden Syrian hamster with ethanol-and palmitoleic acid-induced acute pancreatitis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

Background:Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a severe disorder that leads to high morbidity and mortality.Appropriate reference genes are important for gene analysis in AP.This study sought to study the expression stability of several reference genes in the golden Syrian hamster,a model of AP.Methods:AP was induced in golden Syrian hamster by intraperitoneal injection of ethanol(1.35 g/kg)and palmitoleic acid(2 mg/kg).The expression of candidate genes,including Actb,Gapdh,Eef2,Ywhaz,Rps18,Hprt1,Tubb,Rpl13a,Nono,and B2m,in hamster pancreas at different time points(1,3,6,9,and 24 h)posttreatment was analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The expression stability of these genes was calculated using Best Keeper,Comprehensive Delta CT,Norm Finder,and ge Norm algorithms and Ref Finder software.Results:Our results show that the expression of these reference genes fluctuated during AP,of which Ywhaz and Gapdh were the most stable genes,whereas Tubb,Eef2,and Actb were the least stable genes.Furthermore,these genes were used to normalize the expression of TNF-αmessenger ribonucleic acid in inflamed pancreas.Conclusions:In conclusion,Ywhaz and Gapdh were suitable reference genes for gene expression analysis in AP induced in Syrian hamster.

ONCOGENIC TRANSFORMATION OF SYRIAN HAMSTER EMBRYO CELLS BY 5．3－MeV α PARTICLES AND A TUMOR PROMOTER PHORBOL ESTER

The primary Syrian hamster embryo(SHE) cells were used to study the oncogenic transformation by ￣(238)pu α particles or X-rays alone or in combination with a chemical promoter phorbol ester.Survival curves of SHE cells following exposure to α-particles or X-rays were fitted to single-or multi-target models,respectively. Model parameters were: Do = 0. 55 Gy. n = 1 for α particles 4 Do = 1.44 Gy. Dq = 3.0 Gy. n=7.7 for X-rays.Incidence of α particles or X-rays induced cell transformation was dose-dependant.α particles were more efficient in inducing cell transformation than that of X-rays. The enhancement of SHE cell transformation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) following exposure to α particles of 0. 25-1. 00 Gy was observed.

Characterization of SHARPIN knockout Syrian hamsters developed using CRISPR/Cas9 system

Background : SHARPIN (SHANK- associated RH domain interactor) is a component ofthe linear ubiquitination complex that regulates the NF- κB signaling pathway. To betterunderstand the function of SHARPIN, we sought to establish a novel geneticallyengineered Syrian hamster with SHARPIN disruption using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.Methods : A single- guide ribonucleic acid targeting exon 1 of SHARPIN gene was designedand constructed. The zygotes generated by cytoplasmic injection of the Cas9/gRNA ribonucleoprotein were transferred into pseudopregnant hamsters. Neonatalmutants were identified by genotyping. SHARPIN protein expression was detectedusing Western blotting assay. Splenic, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and thymicweights were measured, and organ coefficients were calculated. Histopathologicalexamination of the spleen, liver, lung, small intestine, and esophagus was performedindependently by a pathologist. The expression of lymphocytic markers and cytokineswas evaluated using reverse transcriptase- quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results : All the offspring harbored germline- transmitted SHARPIN mutations.Compared with wild- type hamsters, SHARPIN protein was undetectable in SHARPIN −/−hamsters. Spleen enlargement and splenic coefficient elevation were spotted inSHARPIN −/− hamsters, with the descent of MLNs and thymuses. Further, eosinophilinfiltration and structural alteration in spleens, livers, lungs, small intestines, and esophagiwere obvious after the deletion of SHARPIN. Notably, the expression of CD94 and CD22 was downregulated in the spleens of knockout (KO) animals. Nonetheless,the expression of CCR3, CCL11, Il4 , and Il13 was upregulated in the esophagi. Theexpression of NF- κB and phosphorylation of NF- κB and IκB protein significantly diminishedin SHARPIN −/− animals.Conclusions : A novel SHARPIN KO hamster was successfully established using theCRISPR/Cas9 system. Abnormal development of secondary lymphoid organs andeosinophil infiltration in multiple organs reveal its potential in delineating SHARPINfunction and chronic inflammation.

Inflammatory cytokines promote inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated DNA damage in hamster gallbladder epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the link between chronic biliary inflammation and carcinogenesis using hamster gallbladder epithelial cells. METHODS: Gallbladder epithelial cells were isolated from hamsters and cultured with a mixture of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β,interferon-γ,and tumor necrosis factor-α. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression,nitric oxide (NO) generation,and DNA damage were evaluated. RESULTS: NO generation was increased significantly following cytokine stimulation,and suppressed by an iNOS inhibitor. iNOS mRNA expression was demonstrated in the gallbladder epithelial cells during exposure to inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore,NO-dependent DNA damage,estimated by the comet assay,was significantly increased by cytokines,and decreased to control levels by an iNOS inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Cytokine stimulation induced iNOS expression and NO generation in normal hamster gallbladder epithelial cells,which was sufficient to cause DNA damage. These results indicate that NO-mediated genotoxicity induced by inflammatory cytokines through activation of iNOS may be involved in the process of biliary carcinogenesis in response to chronic inflammation of the biliary tree.