PURGING OF BONE MARROWS CONTAMINATED WITH MYELOID LEUKEMIC CELLS BY INTERLEUKIN-2 AND LYMPHOKINE-ACTIVATED KILLER CELLS

The capability of recombinant human interleukin-2 ( rhIL-2) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells in the purging of normal human bone marrows contaminated with human myeloid leukemic cell lines was evaluated. Mixtures of normal human bone marrow mononuclear cells ( BMC) and K562 cells or HL-60 cells (at the BMCK562 ratio of 200:1, 100:1 or 20:1) were incubated with IL-2 with or without LAK cells at the BMC:LAK ratio of 1:1 for one or three days. The nubmers of residual K562 cells, BFU-E and CFU-GM were examined by clonogenic assays. In 200:1 mixture groups without LAK cells, the number of K562 colonies reduced by 50% with no loss of BFU-E and CFU-GM in one-day cultures, and no K562 colonies formed in three-day cultures with about 20% loss of BFU-E and CFU-GM. If the BMC.K562 ratios were 100:1 or 20:1 in the mktures, the leukemic cells could not be eliminated. When the mixtures were incubated with IL-2 and LAK cells, no leukemic cell colonies were detected in the 20:1 group following one-day

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid promotes gastric cancer cell autophagy and inhibits proliferation by regulating miR-328-3p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common cancer types worldwide,and its prevention and treatment methods have garnered much attention.As the active ingredient of licorice,18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GRA)has a variety of pharmacological effects.The aim of this study was to explore the effective target of 18β-GRA in the treatment of GC,in order to provide effective ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of GC.AIM To investigate the mechanism of 18β-GRA in inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting autophagy flux in GC cells.METHODS Whole transcriptomic analyses were used to analyze and screen differentially expressed microRNAs(miRNAs)in GC cells after 18β-GRA intervention.Lentivirus-transfected GC cells and the Cell Counting Kit-8 were used to detect cell proliferation ability,cell colony formation ability was detected by the clone formation assay,and flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis.A nude mouse transplantation tumor model of GC cells was constructed to verify the effect of miR-328-3p overexpression on the tumorigenicity of GC cells.Tumor tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining,and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.TransmiR,STRING,and miRWalk databases were used to predict the relationship between miR-328-3p and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)-related information.Expression of STAT3 mRNA and miR-328-3p was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and the expression levels of STAT3,phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3),and LC3 were detected by western blot analysis.The targeted relationship between miR-328-3p and STAT3 was detected using the dual-luciferase reporter gene system.AGS cells were infected with monomeric red fluorescent protein-green fluorescent protein-LC3 adenovirus double label.LC3 was labeled and autophagy flow was observed under a confocal laser microscope.RESULTS The expression of miR-328-3p was significantly upregulated after 18β-GRA intervention in AGS cells(P=4.51E-06).Overexpression of miR-328-3p inhibited GC cell proliferation and colony formation ability,arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase,promoted cell apoptosis,and inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors in BALB/c nude mice(P<0.01).No obvious necrosis was observed in the tumor tissue in the negative control group(no drug intervention or lentivirus transfection)and vector group(the blank vector for lentivirus transfection),and more cells were loose and necrotic in the miR-328-3p group.Bioinformatics tools predicted that miR-328-3p has a targeting relationship with STAT3,and STAT3 was closely related to autophagy markers such as p62.After overexpressing miR-328-3p,the expression level of STAT3 mRNA was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and p-STAT3 was downregulated(P<0.05).The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the luciferase activity of miR-328-3p and STAT33’untranslated regions of the wild-type reporter vector group was significantly decreased(P<0.001).Overexpressed miR-328-3p combined with bafilomycin A1(Baf A1)was used to detect the expression of LC3 II.Compared with the vector group,the expression level of LC3 II in the overexpressed miR-328-3p group was downregulated(P<0.05),and compared with the Baf A1 group,the expression level of LC3 II in the overexpressed miR-328-3p+Baf A1 group was upregulated(P<0.01).The expression of LC3 II was detected after intervention of 18β-GRA in GC cells,and the results were consistent with the results of miR-328-3p overexpression(P<0.05).Additional studies showed that 18β-GRA promoted autophagy flow by promoting autophagosome synthesis(P<0.001).qPCR showed that the expression of STAT3 mRNA was downregulated after drug intervention(P<0.05).Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were significantly downregulated after drug intervention(P<0.05).CONCLUSION 18β-GRA promotes the synthesis of autophagosomes and inhibits GC cell proliferation by regulating the miR-328-3p/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Clinical significance of telomerase activity in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with gastric cancer and its relationship with cellular proliferation

AIM： To evaluate the efficacy of telomerase activity assay and peritoneal lavage cytology （PLC） examination in peritoneal lavage fluid for the prediction of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer patients, and to explore the relationship between telomerase activity and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression.METHODS： Telomeric repeated amplification protocol （TRAP）-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the telomerase activity in 60 patients with gastric cancer and 50 with peptic ulcer. PLC analysis of the 60 patients with gastric cancer was used for comparison. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in gastric carcinoma was immunohistochemically examined.RESULTS： The telomerase activity and PLC positive rate in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with gastric cancer was 41.7% （25/60）, and 25.0% （15/60）, respectively. The positive rate of telomerase activity was significantly higher than that Qf PLC in the group of pT, （15/16 vs 9/16, P 〈 0.05）, P1-3 （13/13 vs 9/13, P 〈 0.05） and diffuse type （22/42 vs 13/42, P 〈 0.05）. The patients with positive telomerase activity, peritoneal metastasis, and serosal invasion had significantly higher levels of average PCNA proliferation index （PI）, （55.00 ± 6.59 vs 27.43 ± 7.72, 57.26 ±10.18 vs 29.15 ±8.31, and 49.82 ± 6.74 vs 24.65 ±7.33, respectively, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： The TRAP assay for telomerase activity is a useful adjunct for cytologic method in the diagnosis of peritoneal micrometastasis and well related to higher proliferating activity of gastric cancer. The results of this study also suggest a promising future therapeutic strategy for treating peritoneal dissemination based on telomerase inhibition.

Research on stress-induced apoptosis of natural killer cells and the alteration of their killing activity in mouse liver

AIM:To investigate the stress-induced apoptosis of natural killer(NK)cells and the changes in their killing activity in mouse livers.METHODS:A restraint stress model was established in mice.Flow cytometry was employed to measure the percentage of NK cells and the changes in their absolute number in mouse liver.The cytotoxicity of hepatic and splenic NK cells was assessed against YAC-1 target cells via a 4 h 51Cr-release assay.RESULTS:The restraint stress stimulation induced the apoptosis of NK cells in the liver and the spleen,which decreased the cell number.The number and percentage of NK cells in the spleen decreased.However,the number of NK cells in the liver decreased,whereas the percentage of NK cells was significantly increased.The apoptosis of NK cells increased gradually with prolonged stress time,and the macrophage-1(Mac-1)+NK cells were more susceptible to apoptosis than Mac-1-NK cells.Large numbers of Mac-1-NK cells in the liver,which are more resistant to stress-induced apoptosis,were observed than the Mac-1-NK cells in the spleen.The stress stimulation diminished the killing activity of NK cells in the spleen was significantly decreased,but the retention of numerous Mac-1-NK cells in the liver maintained the killing ability.CONCLUSION:Significant stress-induced apoptosis was observed among Mac-1+NK cells,but not Mac-1-NK cells in the mouse liver.Stress stimulation markedly decreased the killing activity of NK cells in the spleen but remained unchanged in the liver.

Inositol hexaphosphate-induced enhancement of natural killer cell activity correlates with suppression of colon carcinogenesis in rats

AIM： To investigate the anti-neoplastic effect of inositol hexaphosphate （InsP6 or phytic acid） on dimethylhydrazine （DMH）-induced colon tumor in rats and its effect on blood natural killer （NK） cell activity. METHODS： Healthy Wistar rats, 4 wk old, were divided into control group （fed with common food） and InsP6 group （fed with common food＋2% sodium inositol hexaphosphate in the drinking water）, 15 rats in each group. Both groups were injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine subcutaneously （20 mg/kg body weight） once a week for 20 wk. Rats were killed after 21 wk. The whole large intestine was isolated to determine the general condition of tumors and to test blood NK cell activity by lactate-dehydrogenase-release assay. RESULTS： Administration of InsP6 significantly increased blood NK cell activity in DMH-induced colorectal tumor in rats. InsP6 group had a smaller tumor size on average and a smaller number of tumors than the control group. Its mortality was also higher than that in control. However, the variables of body weight and tumor incidence were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION： InsP6 can increase blood NK cell activity in DMH-induced colon tumor in rats and inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in rats.

Effect of anti-asthma Chinese medicine Chuankezhi on the anti-tumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells

Chuankezhi(CKZ),a new Chinese medicine,plays an important role in immunoregulation.Cytokineinduced killer(CIK)cells have been commonly used for immunotherapy in recent years.In this study,we aimed to investigate the immunoregulatory effect of CKZ on CIK cells.Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from healthy donors,and CIK cells were generated by culturing monocytes with interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)and interleukin 2.Different concentrations of CKZ were added on day 2.After incubation for 14days in culture,the antitumor effects of CIK cells were measured by cytotoxicity assay.Flow cytometry was used to explore the effect of CKZ on CIK cell immunophenotype,intracellular cytokine production,and apoptosis.The effect of CKZ on the antitumor activity of CIK cells in nude mice was also investigated.CKZ increased the percentage of CD3+CD56+CIK cells but did not significantly change the percentage of CD4+,CD8+,or CD4+CD25+CIK cells.CKZ-conditioned CIK cells showed a greater ability to kill tumor cells,as well as a higher frequency of IFN-γand TNF-αproduction,compared with the CIK cells in the control group.CKZ also suppressed the apoptosis of CIK cells in vitro.Furthermore,CKZ combined with CIK cells had a stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth in vivo than the CIK,CKZ,or normal saline control groups.Our results indicate that CKZ enhances the antitumor activity of CIK cells and is a potential medicine for tumor immunotherapy.

BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HUMAN T-ACTIVATED KILLER CELLS

Objective: To investigate the immunobiological essence of T-activated killer (T-AK) cells induced by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (CD3McAb) and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) co-stimulation. Methods: The cytomorphology, phenotype and cytotoxicity of T-AK cells generated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined. Results: T-AK cells were similar to activated lymphoblasts in morphology, more than 90% of T-AK cells expressed the phenotypes of T-lymphocytes (CD3 +, CD8 +, and 20%～50% of the cells were NK-like phenotype (CD16 +, CD56 +, some of them expressed IL-2 receptor (CD25 +), CD38 antigen (CD38 +) and MHC-II antigen (HLA-DR+) characteristic marks for the activated T lymphocytes. T-AK cells attacking targets were morphologically large volumes with granules and mainly contained CD8 + and CD56 + cells. T-AK cells possessed high tumoricidal activities against NK-sensitive K562 cells and NK-resistant Raji cells, the cytotoxicity was composed of mainly CD3McAb-activated CD3AK activity (～50%), IL-2 induced LAK activity (～30%), NK activity (～10%) and the activities of inhibitory factors in T-AK supernatant (～10%). Conclusion: T-AK cells are a heterogeneous cell population consisting of mainly activated T lymphocytes and NK-like cells, the main part of T-AK cytotoxicity is the common activities of CD3AK cells and LAK cells.

Effects of calcium-activated chloride channels on proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats under chronic hypoxic condition

Objective：To investigate the effects of calcium-activated chloride （ClCa） channels on proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells（PASMCs） in rats under chronic hypoxic condition. Methods：The cultured PASMCs were placed under normoxic and chronic hypoxic conditions：The cells were observed by light and electron microscope; The cell cycles were observed by flow-cytometry; Immunocytochemistry staining was used to detect the expressions of PCNA, c-fos and c-jun of PASMCs; Cytoplasmic free Ca^2＋ concentration （[Ca^2＋]i） in PASMCs was investigated by fluorescent quantitation using fluorospectrophotometer. Results：The PASMCs were contractile phenotype under normoxic conditions. Observation by transmission electron microscope： In kytoplasm of contractile phenotype cells, myofilament bundles were abundant and the content of cell organs such as Golgi＇s bodies were rare. The PASMCs were synthetic phenotype under chronic hypoxic condition. There were increased free ribosomes, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulums, highly developed Golgi complexes, decreased or disappeared thick filaments and dense body in kytoplasm of synthetic phenotype cells. After NFA and IAA-94, the situations were reversed The number of S ＋G2M PASMCs were significantly increased in chronic hypoxic condition; The NFA and IAA-94 were shown to significantly decrease them from （28.6±1.0）% to （16.0±1.6）% and the number of G0G1 PASMCs significantly increased from （71.4± 1.9）% to （83.9 ± 1.6）% （P〈 0.01）. In chronic hypoxic conditions, the expression of proliferating cell nucleus antigen was significantly increased; The NFA and IAA-94 were shown to significantly decrease it from （81 ± 6）% to （27 ± 7）%（P 〈 0.01）. The expression of c-fos and c-jun were significantly increased in＇chronic hypoxic conditions; The NFA and IAA-94 were shown to significantly decrease them from 0.15 ±0.02, 0.32 ± 0.05 to 0.05 ± 0.01, 0.12 ± 0.05, respectively （P〈 0.01）; Under chronic hypoxic conditions, [Ca^2＋]i was increased; The NFA and IAA-94 decreased it from （281.8±16,5）nmol/L to （117.7 ± 15.4）nmol/L（P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion：Hypoxia initiated the change of PASMCs from contractile to synthetic phenotype and increased proliferation of PASMCs. NFA and IAA-94 depressed cell proliferation by blocking ClCa channels in hypoxic condition. These may play an important role in proliferation of PASMCs under chronic hypoxic conditions.

Clinical Detection of Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cell Activity

Natural Killer (NK) cells are specific immune cells in human immune system. They have a quick effect and can exert a cytotoxic function without prior sensitization, and they show great application potential in cell-based immunotherapy, anti-infection in vivo. NK cell activity in peripheral blood can be used as one of the biomarkers of immune function response. It has a great positive guiding significance for the clinical prognosis of tumor patients, the prevention of cancer and anti-aging. The clinical detection strategies of NK cell activity in circulation mainly grouped into five types: methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric, lactate dehydrogenase release, radionuclide labeling, flow cytometry and NK Vue cytokine release method. It has played an important role in different stages of clinical application development. This paper will make a comparative review of the above-mentioned detection strategies for the NK cell activity.

Changes of Ca^2+ activated potassium channels and cellular proliferation in autogenous vein grafts

Objective: To investigate changes of Ca2+ activated potassium channels (KCa) in autogenous vein grafts. Methods: Contraction of venous ring was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The intimal rabbits proliferation of vascular and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells(vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs)were observed by the means of computerised image analysis and MTT method respectively. Furthermore, whole cell mode of patch clamp was used to record KCa of VSMCs isolated from autogenous vein grafts. Results: One week after transplantation there were no significant differences of contraction and intimal relative thickness between autogenous vein grafts and control. Contraction and intimal relative thickness of autogenous vein graft were significantly increased 2 weeks after transplantation (P<0.05, n=8 vs control), and they was more enhanced 4 weeks after vein transplantation (P<0.01, n=8 vs control).TEA(blocker of Ca2+ activated potassium channels)increased MTT A490 nm value of VSMCs from femoral vein in a dose dependent manner(P<0.05, n=8). KCa current density was significantly attenuated in VSMCs from autogenous vein grafts (1-4) week after transplantation(P<0.05, n=5).Conclusion: KCa is inhibited in autogenous vein graft, which account for vasospasm and intimal proliferation.

REGULATORY EFFECTS OF HUMAN RECOMBINANT IL-6 ON NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN FETAL SPLEENS

In the present study it was proved first that human recombinant interleukin-6(HrIL-6) significantly augmented natural killer(NK) cell activity derived from human fetal spleens against K562 target cells in a 4 hours 51Cr release assay. The enhancement of NK activity with 24 hours preincubation in HrlL-6 was dose-dependent, and significantly higher than that of fresh NK cells and controls cultured with RPMI-1640 medium alone (P<0.001). We also found that IL-6 was able to augment NK activity from different fetal spleens at 20 to 40 weeks of gestation (up to 2.24 to 2.78 times), and no difference of NK activity of fetal splenocytes treated by HrIL-6 was observed between different fetal age (32.3% to 45.4%, P>0.05). Furthermore, IL-6-augmented NK activity of fetal splenocytes was very similar to adult levels (P>0.05). These finding strongly indicated that IL-6 plays an important role in the development of NK cell function during the gestational period, suggesting that IL-6 may be of importance in the regulation of host defense mechanisms against malignancies and viral diseases.

High-level expression of human calmodulin in E.coli and its effects on cell proliferation

Calmodulin (CaM), widely distributed in almost all eukaryotic cells, is a major intracellular calcium receptor responsible for mediating the Ca2 + signal to a multitude of different enzyme systems and is thought to play a vital role in the regulation of cell proliferative cycle[1，2]. Recently, many studies showed that CaM is also present in extracellular fluid such as cell culture media and normal body fluid and has been reported to stimulate proliferation in a range of normal and neoplastic cells, apparently acting as an autocrine growth factor[3-11]. In 1988, Crocker et al reported for the first time that addition of extracellular pure pig brain CaM could promote DNA synthesis and cell [7]proliferation in K562 human leukaemic lymphocytes[7].After that, more and more research was done on extracellular CaM and evidences demonstrated that extracellular CaM could also stimulate cell proliferation in normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells[5], keratinocytes[4], suspension-cultured cells of Angelica Dahurica, etc[6]. CaM is a monomeric protein of 148 amino acids that contains four homologous Ca2 + -binding domains. CaM has been highly conserved throughout the evolution. Only 1 out of 148 amino acids of human CaM is different from that of fish CaM. Complementary DNAs encoding rat, eel, chicken, human, and trypanosome CaM have been cloned.

Modulating effect of mitomycin or cisplatin on lymphokine-activated killer cell proliferation and antitumor activity to bladder cancer cell lines in vitro

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Senegenin promotes in vitro proliferation of human neural progenitor cells

Senegenin, an effective component of Polygala tenuifolia root extract, promotes proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus. However, the effects of senegenin on mesencephalon-derived neural progenitor cells remain poorly understood. Cells from a ventral mesencephalon neural progenitor cell line （ReNcell VM） were utilized as models for pharmaceutical screening. The effects of various senegenin concentrations on cell proliferation were analyzed, demonstrating that high senegenin concentrations （5, 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L）, particularly 50 μmol/L, significantly promoted proliferation of ReNcell VM cells. In the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway, senegenin significantly increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Moreover, cell proliferation was suppressed by extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors. Results suggested that senegenin contributed to in vitro proliferation of human neural progenitor cells by upregulating phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Research on the biological activity and anti-tumor effect against lymphoma cells of DC-CIK cells

Objective： To investigate the proliferation capabilities, immunophenotype changes, level of secreted cytokines and activities against lymphoma cells under the condition that cytokine-induced killer （CIK） cells co-cultured with dendritic cells （DC） in vitro. Methods： DC and CIK cells were induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers. They were co-cultured meanwhile CIK cells were cultured alone as controls. Increased number of cells were counted by tapan-blue staining, killing activities were detected by MTT assay, immunophenotype changes were analyzed by flow cytometry, the IL-12 and INF-y levels of the cultured supernatants were detected by ELISA kits. Results： The proliferation capabilities of DC-CIK cells were significantly higher than that of CIK cells （P 〈 0.05）. Under the same condition, the ratio of double positive cells such as CD3^＋ CD8^＋, CD3^＋ CD56^＋ in CIK cells was significantly enhanced by co-cultured with DC cells （P 〈 0.05）. The level of IL-12 and INF-y secreted in supernatants was increased noticeably by co-cultured DC-CIK cells on day 3 compared to CIK cells which were cultured alone （P 〈 0.01 and P 〈 0.05）. Within the effector-target ratio range between 5：1 to 40：1, the activities against lymphoma cells of DC-CIK cells were much higher than that of CIK cells （P 〈 0.05）, and this effect was showed a positive correlation with the effector-target ratio. Conclusion： The proliferation capabilities, the level of secreted cytokines and the activities against lymphoma cells of DC-CIK cells were significantly higher than those of CIK cells. The research might provides theoretical and experimental basis for clinical immunotherapy of DC-CIK cells.

Effects of MIF on proliferation,migration,and STAT1 pathway of colon cancer cells

Objective This study aimed to investigate how macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)regulates the interaction of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1(STAT1)with CD74,and affects colon cancer proliferation and invasion.Methods After transfecting MIF small interfering RNA into the SW480 cell line,the expression of STAT1 and CD74 mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting.Transwell and MTT assays were performed to detect the colon cancer cell invasion and proliferation ability.Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction between CD74 and STAT1 proteins in the treated and control groups.Results The cellular biological assays(MTT and Transwell)showed that the proliferation and invasion ability of colon cancer cells decreased after MIF knockdown;the results showed significant statistical difference(P<0.05).The results of the co-immunoprecipitation assay suggested that MIF knockdown in colon cancer cells could inhibit the binding of CD74 and STAT1 proteins;statistical difference was observed between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion MIF can increase the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cells by promoting the combination of CD74 and STAT1.

Vaccinia-related kinase 2 variants differentially affect breast cancer growth by regulating kinase activity

Genetic information is transcribed from genomic DNA to mRNA,which is then translated into threedimensional proteins.mRNAs can undergo various post-transcriptional modifications,including RNA editing that alters mRNA sequences,ultimately affecting protein function.In this study,RNA editing was identified at the 499th base(c.499)of human vaccinia-related kinase 2(VRK2).This RNA editing changes the amino acid in the catalytic domain of VRK2 from isoleucine(with adenine base)to valine(with guanine base).Isoleucine-containing VRK2 has higher kinase activity than the valine-containing VRK2,which leads to an increase in tumor cell proliferation.Earlier we reported that VRK2 directly interacts with dystrobrevin-binding protein(dysbindin)and results in reducing its stability.Herein,we demonstrate that isoleucine-containing VRK2 decreases the level of dysbindin than valinecontaining VRK2.Dysbindin interacts with cyclin D and thereby regulates its expression and function.The reduction in the level of dysbindin by isoleucine-containing VRK2 further enhances the cyclin D expression,resulting in increased tumor growth and reduction in survival rates.It has also been observed that in patient samples,VRK2 level was elevated in breast cancer tissue compared to normal breast tissue.Additionally,the isoleucine form of VRK2 exhibited a greater increase in breast cancer tissue.Therefore,it is concluded that VRK2,especially dependent on the 167th variant amino acid,can be one of the indexes of tumor progression and proliferation.

Double potentialities of tumoricide and hematopoiesis of human bone marrow cells activated by IL-2 and IL-3

The biomodulative and hematopoietic potentialities of IL-2 and IL-3 activatedbone marrow(ABM)cells from patients with lung adenocarcinoma were studied in vitro.Human bone marrow(BM)cells could be activated by IL-2 in culture for 7d.TheseIL-2 ABM cells had higher cytolytic activities against cells of H 7402 cell line and freshautologous adenocarcinoma cells and maintained the cytotoxicities longer than IL-2 acti-vated peripheral blood lymphocytes(APBLs),a point of possible importance in adoptiveimmunotherapy for cancer patients.The IL-2 ABM cells also had similar number ofBFU-E and CFU-GM to that had fresh BM cells if 1L-3 was added 48h alter IL-2 inculture.The IL-2 and IL-3 ABM cells might be used to eliminate tumor cells and tosupply reconstitutive elements of BM for autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Pharmacological Investigation on the Qi-Invigorating Action of Schisandrin B: Effects on Mitochondrial ATP Generation in Multiple Tissues and Innate/Adaptive Immunity in Mice

Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.