三种鳞翅目夜蛾科昆虫α-微管蛋白基因的克隆与mRNA表达水平

根据昆虫微管蛋白的分子特征筛选对昆虫微管有效的抑制剂来控制昆虫的生长发育或不同器官的有效功能的表达来达到控制害虫的目的，在未来的害虫综合治理中具有广泛的应用前景。以预蛹期甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua、小地老虎Agrotis ypsilon和八字地老虎Agrotis c-nigrum为材料提取总RNA，利用RT-PCR和cDNA末端快速扩增技术（RACE），分别扩增得到以上3种夜蛾科昆虫的α-微管蛋白基因的cDNA序列，3种昆虫的该基因序列均包括1个1353个碱基的开放阅读框。这3个cDNA序列均编码1个含450个氨基酸的蛋白，分子量约为50kDa。氨基酸的142～148位存在1个微管蛋白信号片段GGGTGSG，在氨基酸序列的C-端都有1个酪氨酸残基，N-端存在1个对转录后调控非常重要的保守区MRECI序列，以上特点与其他昆虫α-微管蛋白氨基酸序列保守区序列相同。序列比对表明，克隆得到的α-微管蛋白基因的核苷酸序列是高度保守的，同源性为94．4％～97．0％，而氨基酸的序列同源性达到100％。利用RT—PCR技术在3种昆虫4龄、5龄、6龄幼虫、蛹期4个不同发育阶段和6龄期的肠道、体壁、脂肪体3种不同组织中都检测到了α-微管蛋白基因在mRNA水平的表达。

MTA1、nm23H_1 mRNA表达及突变与卵巢癌淋巴结转移的关系

目的 研究MAT1、nm2 3H1mRNA表达及突变与卵巢癌淋巴结转移的关系。 方法 应用逆转录 PCR(RT PCR)和逆转录 PCR 单链构像多态性分析 (RT PCR SSCP)技术 ,对 8例正常卵巢、2 0例卵巢癌及其相应的 2 0例淋巴结组织 ,进行MTA1和nm2 3H1mRNA表达及突变的检测。 结果 转移卵巢癌原发灶MTA1mRNA高表达率为 10 0 % (7/ 7) ,无转移为 38 5 % (5 / 13) ,P =0 0 10 3;有癌转移淋巴结高表达率为 87 5 % (6 / 7) ,无癌转移为 2 3 % (3/ 13) ,P =0 0 118。有转移卵巢癌原发灶nm2 3H1mRNA低表达率为 10 0 % (7/ 7) ,无转移为 30 % (4 / 13) ,P =0 0 0 43;有癌转移淋巴结低表达率为 10 0 %(7/ 7) ,无癌转移为 38 5 % (5 / 13) ,P =0 0 10 2。MTA1/nm2 3H1mRNA表达的相对吸光度值 (A值 ,曾称光密度OD值 )的比值随转移而增加。单链构像多态性分析 (SSCP)未发现突变。 结论 MTA1、nm2 3H1基因的转录表达与卵巢癌淋巴结转移呈正负相关关系 ,起着正负调控的重要作用。这两个基因的异常表达是卵巢癌转移中的频发事件而与基因突变无关。

Gene Expression Profile of IGF-Ⅰ mRNA and Its Correlation with Body Weight in Different Goose Breeds

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the expression of IGF-I mRNA in breast and leg muscles of goose at the embryonic period and early growth stage, as well as the correlations between IGF-I mRNA expression and goose body weight. [Method] The expression of IGF-I mRNA in breast and leg muscles of 23, 25, 27, 29-embryo days and 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 week old geese of Taihu and Wanxi breeds was analyzed with multiplex competitive fluorescent-PCR method. [Result] Goose IGF-I mRNA was detected in breast and leg muscles of 23-embryo days of the both goose breeds. There were some differences in the IGF-I mRNA expression profiles between the two goose breeds during development stage. The body weight of Taihu goose was positively related with the IGF-I mRNA expression in leg muscle, and the body weight of Wanxi goose was positively related with IGF-I mRNA level in breast muscle. [Conclusion] IGF-I mRNA in the muscle of goose might play an important role in early development stage.

Expression and Mutation of MAGE-A3 mRNA in Lung Cancer Tissues

Objective： To inwvetigate the expression of MAGE-A3 mRNA in tissue samples derived from lung cancers and to discuss the possibility of using MAGE-A3 antigens as a new peptide vaccine for inunotherapy for lung cancers. Methods： Tumor tissue samples of lung cancers and paired non-tumor tissues of the lung were obtaimed from 31 lung cancer patients. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Nested polymernse chain reaction amplification using MAGE-A3 specific primer was performed to detect the expression of MAGE-A3. The 10 clones of 5 samples of MAGE-A3 mRNA positive PCR products were DNA sequenced by using DNAs sequencer （PE-377）. Results： Of 31 lung cancers, 26 （83.9%） expressed MACE-A3 mRNA. The expression of MAGE-A3 gene was not detectable in the adjacent lung tissues. The DNA sequencing confirmed that the target gene fragment in all 5 samples of PCR products was MACE-A3 cDNA. Point nmtations occurred in 4 samples （8 clones） detected （C^2773→T^2773; G^2807→A^2807） resulting in alternation of amino acid residue in one position （E^143→K）. Conclusion： （1） The MAGE-A3 gene was expressed exclusively in tumor tissues of the patients with lung cancer in China. This tumor rejection antigen may have potential to be used as a new peptide vaccine for immunotherapy for lung eancers. （2） There are two point mutations of MAGE-A3 gene sequence in some Chinese lung cancer patients.

The Effect of Thoracic Operation on Glucose Transporter-4 mRNA Expression by Preoperative Infusion of Glucose

Objective: To investigate the changes in glucose transporter-4(Glut-4) mRNA expression in skeletal muscle before and after the thoracic operation and to observe the changes in Glut-4 mRNA expression by preoperative infusion of glucose. Methods: Twelve cases of elective thoracic operation were randomly divided into two groups, namely ordinary group Ⅰ and glucose infusion group Ⅱ. One gram of intercostal muscle was taken while thorax being opened and closed from patients under general anesthesia. Total RNA of the muscle cells was extracted by TRIzol one-step assay. Reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the Glut-4 mRNA amplification products with β-actin mRNA as an internal control. The Glut-4 mRNA expression was expressed by targeted gene /β-actin ×100%. The plasma glucose and insulin levels were determined at the same time.Results: Glut-4 mRNA expression was significantly reduced(P<0.05) and plasma glucose level increased (P<0.05), while thorax was being closed as compared with those while being opened. However, Glut-4 mRNA expression in glucose infusion group Ⅱ was significantly higher than ordinary group Ⅰ (P<0.01) and plasma glucose level in group Ⅱ was lower than group Ⅰ(P<0.05) when thorax was being closed. Conclusion: The results indicate that the synthesis of Glut-4 is suppressed by the surgical stress of thoracic operation under general anesthesia. We found that preoperative infusion glucose can increase Glut-4 mRNA expression at the same surgical stress and relieve postoperative insulin resistance.

Promoter methylation and mRNA expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the promoter methylation status and mRNA expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:DKK-3 and WIF-1 acted as Wnt-antagonists and tumor suppressors,but hypermethylation of the gene promoter and low mRNA expression activated Wnt signaling aberrantly and induced the development of HCC.Methylation status of the DKK-3 and WIF-1 gene promoter was investigated using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in tumor and adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 33 HCC patients and 20 normal liver tissues served as control.The expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 mRNA was also determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.The relationship between methylation,mRNA expression,and clinical data,as well as methylation and mRNA expression of the two genes were analyzed.RESULTS:The methylation of DKK-3 and WIF-1 genes in HCC increased significantly compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal control tissues(χ2 =7.79,P < 0.05;χ2 = 4.89,P < 0.05),and no significant difference in methylation between adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal control tissues was observed.In HCC tissues,significant differences in the DKK-3 promoter methylation were observed in age and cirrhosis,and significant differences of the WIF-1 promoter methylation were observed in HBsAg and cirrhosis.The average expression of DKK-3 mRNA in HCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues was increased significantly compared with normal control tissues.The average expression of WIF-1 mRNA showed no significant difference among the three tissues.The mRNA expression of DKK-3 gene in HCC was decreased as the pathological grade increased.CONCLUSION:The aberrant promoter methylation and decreased expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 may be an important mechanism in HCC,and may be a far-reaching significance in early diagnosis and therapy of HCC.

Expression and significance of CD44s, CD44v6, and nm23 mRNA in human cancer

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the expression levels of nm23 mRNA, CD44s, and CD44v6,and oncogenesis, development and metastasis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma,intraductal carcinoma of breast, and lung cancer.METHODS: Using tissue microarray by immuhistochemical (IHC) staining and in situ hybri-dization (ISH), we examined the expression levels of nm23mRNA, CD44s, and CD44v6 in 62 specimens of human gastric adenocarcinoma and 62 specimens of colorectal adenocarcinoma; the expression of CD44s and CD44v6in 120 specimens of intraductal carcinoma of breast and 20 specimens of normal breast tissue; the expression of nm23 mRNA in 72 specimens of human lung cancer and 23 specimens of normal tissue adjacent to cancer.RESULTS: The expression of nm23 mRNA in the tissues of gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma was not significantly different from that in the normal tissues adjacent to cancer (P＞0.05), and was not associated with the invasion of tumor and the pathology grade of adenocarcinoma (P＞0.05). However, the expression of nm23 mRNA was correlated negatively to the lymph node metastasis of gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma (r = -0.49, P＜0.01; r = -4.93, P＜0.01). The expression of CD44s in the tissues of gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma was significantly different from that in the normal tissues adjacent to cancer (P＜0.05;P＜0.01). CD44v6 was expressed in the tissues of gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma only, the expression of CD44v6 was significantly associated with the lymph node metastasis, invasion and pathological grade of the tumor (r = 0.47, P＜0.01; r = 5.04, P＜0.01). CD44sand CD44v6 were expressed in intraductal carcinoma of breast, the expression of CD44s and CD44v6 was significantly associated with lymph node metastases and invasion (P＜0.01). However, neither of them was expressed in the normal breast tissue. In addition, the expression of CD44v6 was closely related to the degree of cell differentiation of intraductal carcinoma of breast (x2= 5.68, P＜0.05). The expressional level of nm23mRNA was closely related to the degree of cell differentiation (P＜0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P＜0.01), but the expression of nm23 gene was not related to sex, age, and type of histological classification (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: Patients with overexpression of CD44s and CD44v6 and low expression of nm23 mRNA have a higher lymph node metastatic rate and invasion. In addition, overexpression of CD44v6 is closely related to the degree of cell differentiation. Detection of the three genes is able to provide a reliable index to evaluate the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.

Prognostic relevance of circulating CK19 mRNA in advanced malignant biliary tract diseases

AIM: To determine the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in prediction of the overall survival of patients with advanced malignant biliary tract obstruction. METHODS: We investigated the prognostic value of CTCs by examining two markers, cytokeratin (CK) 19 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA, in 40 patients diagnosed with advanced malig- nant biliary tract diseases. Quantitative real-time re- verse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CK19 and hTERT mRNA in the peripheral blood of these patients. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression modeling.RESULTS: Positive CK19 and hTERT mRNA expression was detected in 45% and 60%, respectively, of the 40 patients. Univariable analysis indicated that positive CK19 mRNA expression was significantly associated with worse overall survival (P = 0.009). Multivariable analysis determined that positive CK19 mRNA expres- sion, patient's age and serum bilirubin were each inde- pendently associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: CK19 mRNA expression levels in pe- ripheral blood appear to provide a valuable marker to predict the overall survival of patients with advanced malignant biliary tract obstruction.

Expression of Endogenous Beta Retroviruses and Hyal-2 mRNA in Immune Organs of Fetuses and Lambs

Endogenous beta retroviruses (enJSRV) are highly homologous with Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (exJSRV),this exogenous retrovirus is the aetiological agent of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). The aim of this study was to clarify the function of enJSRV and the immunological mechanisms of its corresponding antibody, that is undetectable in JSRV-infected ovine serum. The expression of enJSRV envelope protein and Hyal-2 mRNA in immune organs and lungs of ovine fetuses and lambs were analyzed by Real-Time reverse transcription PCR and In Situ Hybridization using specific probes. In Situ Hybridization results indicated that the enJSRV envelope protein and Hyal-2 mRNA were expressed in thymus, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and lungs at different times, while no positive signals were detected in the negative controls. On the other hand, results from Real-Time reverse transcription PCR analysis showed that in 130d fetuses and 3d newborn lambs the enJSRV mRNA levels were much higher in organs associated with the immune system than that in lungs, especially in the thymus and spleen, but levels of Hyal-2 mRNA expression was not significantly different in all collected tissue. These results provided evidence from an immunology point of view to understand why the circulating antibodies against exJSRV are undetectable in JSRV-infected ovine, and will help to unravel the pathogenesis of JSRV-infected ovine.

Clusterin mRNA expression in apoptotic and activated rat thymocytes

Clusterin is a 75-80 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein, that is produced in most tissues but which exactbiological role is still not clear. Particularly, its role in protection or promotion of apoptosis is heavilydisputed, since data supporting both views have been reported in several independent studies. To clarify thisissue, and also to determine whether clusterin expression itself might be affected by apoptosis, in the presentstudy, rat thymocytes were treated with dexamethasone, -a synthetic glucocorticoid that elicits apoptosis inthymocytes-, and clusterin mRNA expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR before and afterinduction of apoptosis. Interestingly, neither the treatment with dexamethasone in vitro nor triggering ofapoptosis in vivo up- regulated clusterin expression, opposing the view that clusterin is involved in apoptoticprocesses. On the other hand, a new clusterin mRNA isoform was detected and isolated, whose expressionwas restricted to freshly isolated thymocytes. This novel isoform lacks the post-translational proteolyticcleavage site and is therefore predicted to encode a monomeric protein. The biological function undernormal circumstances, however, will need further investigations for clarification. While apoptosis could notmodulate clusterin expression, activation of thymocytes with concanavalin A and interleukin-2 resulted inup-regulation of clusterin mRNA level, indicating that clusterin expression is rather under the control ofcell activation-mediated rather than apoptosis- induced signals.

mRNA expression and DNA methylation in three key genes involved in caste differentiation in female honeybees(Apis mellifera)

In honeybee （Apis mellifera） colonies, queens and workers are altemative forms of the adult female honeybee that develop from genetically identical zygotes but that depend on differential nourishment. Queens and workers display distinct morphologies, anatomies and behavior, better known as caste differentiation. Despite some basic insights, the exact mechanism responsible for this phenomenon, especially at the molecular level, remains unclear although some progress has been achieved. In this study, we examined mRNA levels of the TOR （target of rapamycin） and Dnmt3 （DNA methyltransferase 3） genes, closely related to caste differentiation in honeybees. We also investigated mRNA expression of the S6K （similar to RPS6-p70-protein kinase） gene linked closely to organismal growth and development in queen and worker larvae （1-day and 3-day old）. Last, we investigated the methylation status of these three genes in corresponding castes. We found no difference in mRNA expression for the three genes between 1st instar queen and worker larvae; however, 3rd instar queen larvae had a higher level of TOR mRNA than worker larvae. Methylation levels of all three genes were lower in queen larvae than worker larvae but the differences were not statistically significant. These findings provide basic data for broadening our understanding of caste differentiation in female honeybees.

Molecular cloning and mRNA expression analysis of myosin heavy chain(MyHC)from fast skeletal muscle of grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

The myosin heavy chain(MyHC)is one of the major structural and contracting proteins of muscle.We have isolated the cDNA clone encoding MyHC of the grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella. The sequence comprises 5 934 bp,including a 5 814 bp open reading frame encoding an amino acid sequence of 1 937 residues.The deduced amino acid sequence showed 69%homology to rabbit fast skeletal MyHC and 73%–76%homology to the MyHCs from the mandarin fish,walleye pollack,white croaker,chum salmon,and carp.The putative sequences of subfragment-1 and the light meromyosin region showed 61.4%–80%homology to the corresponding regions of other fish MyHCs.The tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific expressions of the MyHC gene were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.The MyHC gene showed the highest expression in the muscles compared with the kidney,spleen and intestine.Developmentally,there was a gradual increase in MyHC mRNA expression from the neural formation stage to the tail bud stage.The highest expression was detected in hatching larva.Our work on the MyHC gene from the grass carp has provided useful information for fish molecular biology and fish genomics.

Expression characteristics of neutrophil and mononuclear-phagocyte related genes mRNA in the stable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction stages of coronary artery disease

Objective To investigate expression differences of neutrophil and mononuclear phagocyte related gene mRNAs among acute myocardial infarction （AMI）, stable angina （SA） and control groups, and then discuss their expression characteristics in the stable angina pectoris （SAP） and AMI stages of coronary artery disease （CAD）. Methods Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarrays were applied to assess the differential expression characteristics of neutrophil and mononuclear phagocyte related mRNAs in patients with AMI （n = 20）, SA （n = 20） and controls （n = 20）. Results （1） Almost all colony-stimulating factors （CSF） and their receptors related mRNAs was up-regulated in AMI and SA groups compared with the control group, and the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor （GM-CSFR） and granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptor （G-CSFR） mRNAs in the AMI group was significantly up-regulated compared with the other two groups （P 〈 0.01）. （2） The expression of mRNAs related to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）, CCR2 （MCP-1 receptor） and CXCR2 （IL-8 receptor） was significantly up-regulated （P 〈 0.01） in AMI group compared with SA and control groups IL-8 mRNA expression in the AMI group was clearly higher than the controls （P 〈 0.05）. （3） All mRNAs expression related to opsonic re- ceptors （IgG FoR and C3bR/C4bR） was significantly up-regulated in AMI group compared with SA and control group （P 〈 0.01）, and the SA group showed an upward trend compared with controls. （4） Most pattern recognition receptor （PRR）-related mRNAs expression was up-regulated in AMI group compared with SA and control groups. Most toll-like receptor （TLR） mRNAs expression was significantly up-regulated （P 〈 0.01） than the SA and control groups, macrophage scavenger receptor （MSR） mRNA was significantly up-regulated in AMI group compared with the control group （P 〈 0.01）, and the SA group showed an upward trend compared with the controls. Conclusions The expression of most neutrophil and mononuclear-macrophage function related genes mRNAs was significantly up-regulated by stages during the progression of CAD, suggesting that the adhesive, chemotactic and phagocytic functions of neutrophil and mononudear-macrophage were strengthened in the occurrence and development of coronary atherosclerosis and AMI. This also showed a stepped up- ward trend as the disease progressed.

Role of AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood as a predictor for postsurgical recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM:To identify the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA expression in peripheral blood one week after surgery as a predictor for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Published studies fulfilling the selection criteria were identified by searching several databases online. After a methodology assessment using a quality scale designed by European Lung Cancer Working Party, data in each research were aggregated by means of meta-analysis. RESULTS: Altogether 368 cases were included in the 9 selected studies, which fulfilled the selection criteria. The quality scores ranged from 35% to 84% with a median score of 55%. The 'design' subscore had the lowest median value (38%). By aggregating the data, a high x2 value (77.576) was presented. The fail-safe number was 136 and 64 for P= 0.05 and 0.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood 1 wk after surgery correlated with the recurrence of HCC and was a good predictor for tumor recurrence.

Cloning of the cDNA encoding adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase 1 and its mRNA expression in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

AMP deaminase catalyzes the conversion of AMP into IMP and ammonia. In the present study, a full-length cDNA of AMPD1 from skeletal muscle of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was cloned and characterized. The 2 526 bp cDNA contains a 5'-UTR of 78 bp, a 3'-UTR of 237 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 2 211 bp, which encodes a protein of 736 amino acids. The predicted protein contains a highly conserved AMP deaminase motif (SLSTDDP) and an ATP-binding site sequence (EPLMEEYAIAAQVFK). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the AMPD1 and AMPD3 genes originate from the same branch, but are evolutionarily distant from the AMPD2 gene. RT-PCR showed that the flounder AMPD1 gene was expressed only in skeletal muscle. QRT-PCR analysis revealed a statistically significant 2.54 fold higher level of AMPD1 mRNA in adult muscle (750±40 g) compared with juvenile muscle (7.5±2 g) (P<0.05). HPLC analysis showed that the IMP content in adult muscle (3.35±0.21 mg/g) was also statistically significantly higher than in juvenile muscle (1.08±0.04 mg/g) (P<0.05). There is a direct relationship between the AMPD1 gene expression level and IMP content in the skeletal muscle of juvenile and adult flounders. These results may provide useful information for quality improvement and molecular breeding of aquatic animals.

Expression of cytokine mRNA during immuno-modulation of murine suppressor macrophages

In order to analyze the mechanism of immunomodulation by LPS on murine peritoneal suppressor macrophages, we have, using RNase protection assay,checked the changes of mRNA expression pattern of several cytokine genes during the immuno-modulation.It has been found that, after treating peritoneal suppressor macrophages with LPS, mRNAs of IL-12 p35, IL-12 p40,IL-6 and IFN-γ are newly appeared, while those of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-1Ra are increased and those of other cytokines, like TGF-β1 and MIF are not changed at all.It seems certain that those cytokines, whose expression is increased by LPS stimulation, may be responsible for the functional changes of suppressor macrophages during immuno-modulation. Among these changes, the appearance of IL-12 mRNA may play a critical role, and, in this regard, the synergetic effect between IFN-γ and LPS on the increase of IL-12 p35 and IL-12 p40 mRNA expression is an interesting finding.

Fas mRNA expression and calcium influx change in H_2O_2-induced apoptotic hepatocytes in vitro

AIM: To investigate the relationship between Fas gene expression and calcium influx change in peroxide-induced apoptotic hepatocytes and the possible molecular mechanism of Rxa in protecting hepatocytes.METHODS: Single-cell Fas mRNA expression in H2O2-exposed L02 hepatocytes with or without treatment of Rxa,an extract from an anti-peroxidant, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae,was determined by all-cell patch clamp and single-cell reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transient calcium influx change ([Ca2+]i) in the cells was evaluated with all-cell patch clamp micro-fluorescence single-cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration technique. Fas protein expression, early apoptotic index (annexin-V+) and cell membrane change inthe cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry (FCM) and scan electron microscopy respectively.RESULTS: In cells exposed to H2O2 for 2 h, the specific lane for Fas mRNA was vivid on electrophoresis, with increased Fas protein expression, [Ca2+]i (from 143.66±34.21 to 1115.28±227.16), annexin-V+ index (from 4.00±0.79 to 16.18±0.72) and membrane vesicle formation. However, in cells exposed to H2O2 but pre-treated with Rxa, there was no increase in Fas mRNA or protein expression and [Ca2+]i (103.56±28.92). Annexin-V+ index (8.92±1.44) was lower than the controls (P＜0.01), and the cell membrane was intact.CONCLUSION: H2O2 induces apoptosis of L02 cells by increasing cytosolic [Ca2+]i, and inducing Fas mRNA and protein expression. Rxa protects the L02 cells from apoptosis through anti-peroxidation, inhibition of calcium overloading and prevention of the activation of cytosolic Fas signal pathway.

Upreguiation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression by in vitro transfection of hepatitis B virus X gene into human hepatocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma cells

AIM： To study the changes of human telomerase reverse transcriptase （hTERT） mRNA expression in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines （HepG2） and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines （QBC939） after HBx gene transfection and to illustrate the significance of transcriptional regulation of hTERT gene by HBx gene in the carcinogenesis. METHODS： HepG2 and QBC939 cell lines were cultured and co-transfected with eukaryotic expression vector containing the HBx coding region and cloning vector containing enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） coding sequence using lipid-mediated gene transduction technique. Thirty-six hours after transfection, EGFP expression in cells was used as the indicator of successful transfection. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the transfection efficiency. Cells were harvested and total RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent. The expression of hTERT mRNA in HepG2 and QBC939 cell lines was assayed by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction. The expression of HBx protein in both cell lines was detected by immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS： Flow cytometry showed that the transfection efficiency was 46.4% in HepG2 cells and 29.6% in QBC939 cells for both HBx gene expression vector and blank vector. The expression of hTERT mRNA was meaningfully increased in HepG2 and QBC939 cell lines when transfected with HBx gene expression vector compared to those transfected with OPTI-MEM medium and blank vector. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting revealed HBx protein expression in HepG2 and QBC939 cells only when transfected with HBx gene. CONCLUSION： HBx gene transfection can upregulate the transcriptional expression of hTERT mRNA. The transactivation of hTERT gene by HBx gene is a newfound mechanism for pathogenesis of hepatocarcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas after HBV infection. 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Expression of heparanase mRNA in anti-sense oligonucleotide-transfected human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells

AIM： To investigate the effed3 of anti-sense oligonucleotides （ASODNs） on mRNA expression of heparanase in human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells. METHODS： One non-sense oligonucleotide （N-ODN） and five ASODNs against different heparanase mRNA sites were transfected into EC9706 cells, then the expression of heparanase mRNA in EC9706 cells was studied by in situ hybridization. RESULTS： The expression of heparanase mRNA could be inhibited by ASODNs.There was no significant difference among five ASODNs （P〉0.05）, but there was a significant difference between ASODNs and N-ODN or non-transfected group （ASODNI： 2.25±0.25, ASODN2： 2.21±0.23, ASODN3： 2.23±0.23, ASODN4：2.25±0.24 vs N-ODN： 3.47±2.80 or non- transfected group： 3.51±2.93 respectively, P〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： The expression of heparanase mRNA in EC9706 cells can be inhibited by ASODNs in vivo, and heparanase ASODNs can inhibit metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or other tumors by inhibiting the expression of heparanase.

mRNA Expression of Chemokine Receptors on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Correlation with Clinical Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Objective To investigate the expressions of chemokine receptors and interleukin （IL） receptors on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） from systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） patients and their correlations with clinical features as well as SLE disease activity index （SLEDAI）. Methods The mRNA expressions of chemokine receptors and IL receptors on PBMCs of 93 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, including CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR8, CXCR3, CXCR5, CX3CR1, XCR1, IL-4R, and IL-10R. The clinical features of SLE patients were recorded. The correlations of chemokine receptors and IL receptors mRNA expressions with clinical features as well as SLEDAI were assayed using linear regression analysis. Results The level of CCR5 mRNA in SLE patients （including active and inactive SLE） was signifi- cantly higher than that in healthy controls （P〈0.05）, and there was no significant difference between active and inactive patients in this respect （P〉0.05）. CX3CR1 mRNA expression significantly increased from healthy control to inactive SLE to active SLE in sequence. The others （except for CCR8, CXCR3, and IL-1 OR） in active SLE patients weresignificantly higher than those in both inactive SLE patients and healthy controls （all P〈0.05）. There were positive correlations between SLEDAI and CCR2 （r=0.424, t=4.313, P〈0.001）, CCR3 （r=0.518, t=5.410, P〈0.001）, CCR4 （r=0.376, t=3.851, P〈0.001）, CCR6 （r=0.457, t=4.513,P〈0.001）, CXCR5 （r=0.455, t=4.629, P〈0.001）, CX3CR1 （r=0.44-5, t=4.523, P〈0.001）, as well as XCRI （r=0.540, t=5.445, P〈0.001）. And CCR5 mRNA expression level was positively correlated with IL-4R mRNA （r=0.313, t=2.353, P〈0.05）. The patients with myositis and cutaneous vasculitis simultaneously showed lower levels of CCR5 and CX3CRI, and CCR5 expression was negatively correlated with the scores of SLEDAI in SLE cases accompanied by photosensitivity （r=0.426, t=- 2.155, P〈0.05）. Conclusion Increased expressions of CCR5 and CX3CRI on PBMCs may be indicators in clinical survey for SLE.