A Prognostic Model Based on Colony Stimulating Factors-related Genes in Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Objective Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)is the breast cancer subtype with the worst prognosis,and lacks effective therapeutic targets.Colony stimulating factors(CSFs)are cytokines that can regulate the production of blood cells and stimulate the growth and development of immune cells,playing an important role in the malignant progression of TNBC.This article aims to construct a novel prognostic model based on the expression of colony stimulating factors-related genes(CRGs),and analyze the sensitivity of TNBC patients to immunotherapy and drug therapy.Methods We downloaded CRGs from public databases and screened for differentially expressed CRGs between normal and TNBC tissues in the TCGA-BRCA database.Through LASSO Cox regression analysis,we constructed a prognostic model and stratified TNBC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the colony stimulating factors-related genes risk score(CRRS).We further analyzed the correlation between CRRS and patient prognosis,clinical features,tumor microenvironment(TME)in both high-risk and low-risk groups,and evaluated the relationship between CRRS and sensitivity to immunotherapy and drug therapy.Results We identified 842 differentially expressed CRGs in breast cancer tissues of TNBC patients and selected 13 CRGs for constructing the prognostic model.Kaplan-Meier survival curves,time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves,and other analyses confirmed that TNBC patients with high CRRS had shorter overall survival,and the predictive ability of CRRS prognostic model was further validated using the GEO dataset.Nomogram combining clinical features confirmed that CRRS was an independent factor for the prognosis of TNBC patients.Moreover,patients in the high-risk group had lower levels of immune infiltration in the TME and were sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil,ipatasertib,and paclitaxel.Conclusion We have developed a CRRS-based prognostic model composed of 13 differentially expressed CRGs,which may serve as a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of TNBC patients and guiding clinical treatment.Moreover,the key genes within this model may represent potential molecular targets for future therapies of TNBC.

Intermittent fasting boosts antitumor immunity by restricting CD11b^(+)Ly6C^(low)Ly6G^(low) cell viability through glucose metabolism in murine breast tumor model

Intermittent fasting can benefit breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy.However,it is still uncertain how to select immunotherapy drugs to combine with intermittent fasting.Herein we observed that two cycles of fasting treatment significantly inhibited breast tumor growth and lung tissue metastasis,as well as prolonged overall survival in mice bearing 4T1 and 4T07 breast cancer.During this process,both the immunosuppressive monocytic-(M-)and granulocytic-(G-)myeloid-derived suppressor cell(MDSC)decreased,accompanied by an increase in interleukin(IL)7R^(+)and granzyme B^(+)T cells in the tumor microenvironment.Interestingly,we observed that Ly6G^(low)G-MDSC sharply decreased after fasting treatment,and the cell surface markers and protein mass spectrometry data showed potential therapeutic targets.Mechanistic investigation revealed that glucose metabolism restriction suppressed the splenic granulocytemonocyte progenitor and the generation of colony-stimulating factors and IL-6,which both contributed to the accumulation of G-MDSC.On the other hand,glucose metabolism restriction can directly induce the apoptosis of Ly6G^(low)G-MDSC,but not Ly6G^(high)subsets.In summary,these results suggest that glucose metabolism restriction induced by fasting treatment attenuates the immune-suppressive milieu and enhances the activation of CD3^(+)T cells,providing potential solutions for enhancing immune-based cancer interventions.

Soluble factors secreted by human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal/stem cells exhibit therapeutic radioprotection: A mechanistic study with integrating network biology

BACKGROUND Human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells(hWJ-MSCs)have gained considerable attention in their applications in cell-based therapy due to several advantages offered by them.Recently,we reported that hWJ-MSCs and their conditioned medium have significant therapeutic radioprotective potential.This finding raised an obvious question to identify unique features of hWJ-MSCs over other sources of stem cells for a better understanding of its radioprotective mechanism.AIM To understand the radioprotective mechanism of soluble factors secreted by hWJMSCs and identification of their unique genes.METHODS Propidium iodide staining,endogenous spleen colony-forming assay,and survival study were carried out for radioprotection studies.Homeostasis-driven proliferation assay was performed for in vivo lymphocyte proliferation.Analysis of RNAseq data was performed to find the unique genes of WJ-MSCs by comparing them with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,embryonic stem cells,and human fibroblasts.Gene enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network were used for pathway analysis.RESULTS Co-culture of irradiated murine splenic lymphocytes with WJ-MSCs offered significant radioprotection to lymphocytes.WJ-MSC transplantation increased the homeostasis-driven proliferation of the lymphocytes.Neutralization of WJ-MSC conditioned medium with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor antibody abolished therapeutic radioprotection.Transcriptome analysis showed that WJ-MSCs share several common genes with bone marrow MSCs and embryonic stem cells and express high levels of unique genes such as interleukin(IL)1-α,IL1-β,IL-6,CXCL3,CXCL5,CXCL8,CXCL2,CCL2,FLT-1,and IL-33.It was also observed that WJ-MSCs preferentially modulate several cellular pathways and processes that handle the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues compared to stem cells from other sources.Cytokine-based network analysis showed that most of the radiosensitive tissues have a more complex network for the elevated cytokines.CONCLUSION Systemic infusion of WJ-MSC conditioned media will have significant potential for treating accidental radiation exposed victims。

Protective Effect of phytolacca Acinosa Polysaccharides Ⅰ(PAP-Ⅰ)on Hematopoiesis in Cyclophosphamide-treated and 60￣Co-irradiated Mice

The protective effect of a kind of purified polysaccharides extracted from Radix of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb,with a molecular weight of 10 KDa,on hematopoiesis was investigated.Average survival time of mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY) 300 mg/kg once alone was 13.3 ± 7.2d(n=7) however,average survival time of mice treated with CY 300 mg/kg in com-bination with PAP-1 10 mg/kg,3 times/wk was 36.7± 16.4d(n=7,P<0.01).PAP-1,ip had benefi-cial effect on the recovery of the CY induced decrease of peripheral leukocyte number,and the nu-cleated bone marrow cell(BMC)number and[3￣H]TdR uptaken by BMC induced by rmGM-CSF in S180 bearing mice treated with CY,In mice,after the first ip treatment with CY 100 mg/kg on d7,the peripheral leukocyte number decreased on d9 and recovered to normal level about d13 to d15. Such recovery was accelerated by administrating PAP-1,10mg/kg, 3 times/wk.A significant in-crease of the activity to form colony in spleen(colony-forming unit in spleen, CFU-S_8, CUF-S12) in mice irradiated with 550 rad 6O￣Co γ-rays and an enhancement of proliferative response of BMC to rmGM-CSF treated with PAP-1,10mg/kg,3 times/wk, ip were observed.After PAP-1,10 mg/kg,ip once,a significant increase in the number of peripheral blood leukocytes and a rise in the serum of colony stimulating factor(CSF) were also confirmed.The types of CSF in serum were M-CSF and other hematopoietic growth factors,which were confirmed by using McAb of IL-3, GM-CSF and PcAb of M-CSF. These beneficial effects of PAP-1 on hematopoiesis may be related to its activityinducing CSFs and other hematopoietic growth factors and warrant further evaluation of its use-fulness.

Current management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in adults:key points and new challenges

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia(CIN)is a potentially fatal and common complication in myelosuppressive chemotherapy.The timing and grade of CIN may play prognostic and predictive roles in cancer therapy.CIN is associated with older age,poor functional and nutritional status,the presence of significant comorbidities,the type of cancer,previous chemotherapy cycles,the stage of the disease,specific chemotherapy regimens,and combined therapies.There are many key points and new challenges in the management of CIN in adults including:(1)Genetic risk factors to evaluate the patient’s risk for CIN remain unclear.However,these risk factors urgently need to be identified.(2)Febrile neutropenia(FN)remains one of the most common reasons for oncological emergency.No consensus nomogram for FN risk assessment has been established.(3)Different assessment tools[e.g.,Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer(MASCC),the Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia(CISNE)score model,and other tools]have been suggested to help stratify the risk of complications in patients with FN.However,current tools have limitations.The CISNE score model is useful to support decision-making,especially for patients with stable FN.(4)There are still some challenges,including the benefits of granulocyte colony stimulating factor treatment and the optimal antibiotic regimen in emergency management of FN.In view of the current reports,our group discusses the key points,new challenges,and management of CIN.

Dynamic changes in growth factor levels over a 7-day period predict the functional outcomes of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury（TBI） can result in poor functional outcomes and death, and overall outcomes are varied. Growth factors, such as angiopoietin-1（Ang-1）, vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor（G-CSF）, play important roles in the neurological functions. This study investigated the relationship between serum growth factor levels and long-term outcomes after TBI. Blood samples from 55 patients were collected at 1, 3 and 7 days after TBI. Blood samples from 39 healthy controls were collected as a control group. Serum Ang-1, G-CSF, and VEGF levels were measured using ELISA. Patients were monitored for 3 months using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended（GOSE）. Patients having a GOSE score of 〉 5 at 3 months were categorized as a good outcome, and patients with a GOSE score of 1-5 were categorized as a bad outcome. Our data demonstrated that TBI patients showed significantly increased growth factor levels within 7 days compared with healthy controls. Serum levels of Ang-1 at 1 and 7 days and G-CSF levels at 7 days were significantly higher in patients with good outcomes than in patients with poor outcomes. VEGF levels at 7 days were remarkably higher in patients with poor outcomes than in patients with good outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the best cut-off points of serum growth factor levels at 7 days to predict functional outcome were 1,333 pg/mL for VEGF, 447.2 pg/mL for G-CSF, and 90.6 ng/mL for Ang-1. These data suggest that patients with elevated levels of serum Ang-1, G-CSF, and decreased VEGF levels had a better prognosis in the acute phase of TBI（within 7 days）. This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry（registration number： ChiCTR1800018251） on September 7, 2018.

Effect of intrauterine perfusion of granular leukocyte-colony stimulating factor on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer

BACKGROUND Treatment of thin endometrium with granular leukocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF)remains controversial.AIM To investigate the effect of G-CSF on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium.METHODS A retrospective propensity score matching(PSM)study was performed to assess patients administered frozen embryo transfer at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School,in 2012-2018.The patients were divided into G-CSF intrauterine perfusion(G-CSF)and non-G-CSF groups,and clinical pregnancy,implantation,ectopic pregnancy,and early abortion rates between the two groups were compared.RESULTS Before PSM,372 cycles were enrolled,including 242 and 130 cycles in the G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups,respectively.Age(34.23±5.76 vs 32.99±5.59 years;P=0.047)and the blastula/cleavage stage embryo ratio(0.68 vs 0.37;P=0.011)were significantly elevated in the G-CSF group compared with the non-G-CSF group;however,clinical pregnancy(46.28%vs 51.54%;P=0.371)and embryo implantation(35.21%vs 35.65%;P=0.910)rates were similar in both groups.After PSM by age and blastula/cleavage stage embryo ratio,244 cycles were included(122 cases each in the G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups).The clinical pregnancy(50.82%vs 48.36%;P=0.701)and embryo implantation(37.38%vs 34.11%;P=0.480)remained similar in both groups.CONCLUSION Intrauterine infusion of G-CSF does not improve the clinical outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium.

ANTIGEN ASSOCIATION OF J6-1 CELL MEMBRANE ASSOCIATEDFACTOR RECEPTOR WITH MACROPHAGE COLONYSTIMULATING FACTOR RECEPTOR

Objective: To verify the antigen association of MAF-J6-1 receptor with M-CSFR and to further study the role of M-CSF and its receptor mediated juxtacrine in promoting leukemic cell proliferation. Methods: Monoclonal antibody (McAb) of MAF-J6-1R RE2 and polyclonal antibody (PolyAb) of rhM-CSFR were prepared. The specificity of McAb RE2 to M-CSFR was confirmed by indirect ELISA, cross-neutralizing assay with J6-1 cell colony formation and neutralization test by ELISA. Results: the reactive activity of purified RE2 to M-CSFR was over 1: 16000. The inhibitory activity of M-CSFR and MAF-J6-1R could be blocked by RE2 and anti-M-CSFR antibody. The reactivity of RE2 to M-CSFR could be reduced by M-CSFR. Conclusion: The specificity of RE2 to M-CSFR was confirmed and the antigen association of MAF-J6-1R with M-CSFR was proved. It suggests that M-CSF and its receptor mediated auto-juxtacrine stimulation could be an operative mechanism in either leukemia or nonhematological malignancies.

Enhanced anti-tumor immunity ex vivo induced by GM-CSF gene transducted dendritic cell vaccine

Objective： The aim of the study was to investigate whether dendritic cell （DC） precursors, recruited by injection of chemokine ligand 3 （CCL3）, induce enhanced anti-tumor immunity after granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor （GM-CSF） transfection in mice ex vivo. Methods： The 615 mice were injected with CCL3 via the tail vein. Freshly isolated B220–CD11c＋ cells were cultured with cytokines. For adenoviral （Ad）-mediated gene transduction, DCs were transferred AdGM-CSF gene at different ratios of multiplicity of infection （MOI） to determine the optimal gene transfection conditions, and detecting the expression of GM-CSF after transfection. The variation of GM-CSF gene-modified DCs were analyzed by morphological observation, phenotype analysis, and mixed lymphocyte reaction （MLR）. DCs were loaded with gastric cancer antigen obtained by frozen and thawed method. The stimulated DCs vaccination induced T lymphocytes, and the killing effect of T cells to gastric cancer cells was assayed by MTT. INF-γ production was determined with the INF-γ ELISA kit. Results： B220–CD11c＋ cells numbers increased after CCL3 injection. ELISA results showed that after GM-CSF gene modification, DC could produce high level of GM-CSF. When DCs were transferred AdGM-CSF gene at MOI equal to 1：100, GM-CSF level in culture supernatants reached saturation [（130.00 ± 12.61） pg/mL]. After GM-CSF gene-modification, DCs tended to more maturated through morphological observation and were phenotypically identical to typical DC and gained the capacity to stimulate allogeneic T cells. T lymphocytes stimulated with DC transduced with GM-CSF gene showed the specific killing effect on gastric carcinoma cells and produced high level of INF-γ [（1245.00 ± 13.75） pg/mL]. Conclusion： CCL3-recruited DCs modified by adenovirus-transducted GM-CSF could produce high level of GM-CSF, which tended to more maturated, and the capacity of activating allogeneic T lymphocytes proliferation was enhanced greatly. Moreover, they could stimulate specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte （CTL） to gastric cancer ex vivo.

Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Investigation of Interactions between Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor and Dextran Sulfate/Carrageenan Oligosaccharide

The interactions between granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and dextran sulfate / κ-carrageenan oligosaccharide were studied by capillary zone electrophoresis. Dextran sulfate could strongly interact with G-CSF and the complex was detected. The binding constant and stoichiometry were determined to be 1.2×106 (mol/L)-1 and 3:1, respectively. However, the interaction between κ-carrageenan oligosaccharide and G-CSF was not found.

Effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on peritoneal defense mechanisms and bacterial translocation after administration of systemic chemotherapy in rats

AIM： To investigate the effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor （G-CSF） on peritoneal defense mechanisms and bacterial translocation after systemic 5-Fluorouracil （5-FU） administration. METHODS： Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups; the control, 5-FU and 5-FU ＋ G-CSF groups. We measured bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid, phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid, total peritoneal cell counts and cell types of peritoneal washing fluid. Bacterial translocation was quantified by mesenteric lymph node, liver and spleen tissue cultures. RESULTS： Systemic 5-FU reduced total peritoneal cell counts, neutrophUs and macrophage numbers. It also altered bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid. 5-FU also caused significant increase in frequencies of bacterial translocation at the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. G-CSF decreased bacterial translocation, it significantly enhanced bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid. It also increased total peritoneal cell counts, neutrophils and macrophage numbers. CONCLUSION： Systemic 5-FU administration caused bacterial translocation, decreased the bactericidal activity of peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid. G-CSF increased both bactericidal activity of the peritoneal fluid and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the peritoneal fluid, and prevented the bacterial translocation. We conclude that intraperitoneal GCSF administration protects the effects of systemic 5-FU on peritoneal defense mechanisms.

Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Enhancement Factor Improvement in a 11.6-GHz-Linewidth 1.5-kW Yb-Doped Fiber Amplifier

The stimulated Brillouin scattering （SBS） threshold enhancement factor in a pure white noise linewidth broad- ening Yb-doped fiber amplifier （YDFA） with a short large mode area fiber is theoretically and experimentally studied. We demonstrate a 1064.08nm, 11.6 GHz finewidth, 1.5 k W output power YDFA with an SBS threshold enhancement of -57 （26 W SBS threshold with single frequency seed）. The output beam is near-diffraction lim- ited with a beam quality factor elM2 = 1.15 and a slope efficiency of up to 87%. No SBS or stimulated Raman scattering effects are observed in the whole power range. Further power sealing is limited by the available pump power in our system.

G-CSF in Peg-IFN induced neutropenia in liver transplanted patients with HCV recurrence

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of granulocyte colony stimulating factors(G-CSF)in liver transplanted patients with hepatitis C(HCV)recurrence and Pegylated-IFN α-2b induced neutropenia,and to evaluate the impact of G-CSF administration on virological response. METHODS:Sixty-eight patients undergoing antiviral treatment for post-liver transplantation(OLT)HCV recurrence were enrolled.All patients developing neutropenia received G-CSF. RESULTS:Twenty three(34%)received G-CSF.Mean neutrophil count at the onset of neutropenia was 700/mmc(range 400-750/mmc);after 1 mo of G-CSF it increased to 1210/mmc(range 300-5590/mmc) (P<0.0001).Three patients did not respond to G-CSF. Treatment duration was similar in neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients.No differences in the rate of discontinuation,infections or virological response were observed between the two groups.G-CSF was protective for the onset of de novo autoimmune hepatitis(P<0.003). CONCLUSION:G-CSF administration is effective in the case of Peg-IFN induced neutropenia increasingneutrophil count,prolonging treatment and leading to sustained virological response(SVR)rates comparable to non-neutropenic patients.It prevents the occurrence of de novo autoimmune hepatitis.

EXPRESSION OF RHGM-CSF GENE IN EUKARYOCYTE BY LIPOFECTION

Objective: To recombinant the nearly natural human granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for supplying more safe and steady expressed cytokine in clinic. Method: The eukaryotic recombinant pcDNA3.1-GM-CSF plasmid which was controlled by the CMV promoter was transferred into CHO cell by lipofectamine, selected by G418 and the positive clones was got. The recombinant vector which was rejoined into the groups of DNA of CHO was identified by PCR. Results: The results showed that the protein of rhGM-CSF was about 28 KD by using ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Conclusion: rhGM-CSF was expressed steadily and highly. The rhGM-CSF will be of more use value.

Immune Responses of Dendritic Cells Loaded with Antigens from Apoptotic Cholangiocarcinoma Cells Caused by Y-Irradation

Objective To investigate the induction cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) with antitumor activity and therapeutic efficacy after dendritic cells(DCs) acquired antigen from apoptotic cholangiocarcinoma cells caused by y-irradiation.Methods DCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that maintain the antigen capturing and processing capacity charateristicof immature cells have been established in vitro, using granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Then, in cholangiocarcinoma cells apoptosis was induced by J-irradiation. The experimental groups were as follows: (1) coculture ofDCs and apoptotic cancer cells and T cells; (2) coculture of DCs and necrotic cancer cells and T cells; (3) coculture of DCs, culturedcancer cell and T cells. They are cocultured for 7 days. DCs and T cells were riched, isolated and their antitumor response was tested.Results The cells had typical dendritic morphology, expressed high levels of GDI a and B7, acquired antigen from apoptotic cells causedby y-irradiation and induced an increased T cell stimulatory capacity in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) .Conclusion DCs obtained from PBMCs using GM-CSF and IL-4 can efficiently present antigen derived from apoptotic cells caused by y-irradiation and efficiently induce T cells. This strategy, therefore, may present an effective approach to transduce DCs with antigen.

The progress in optic nerve regeneration, where are we?

Optic nerve regeneration is an important area of research. It can be used to treat patients suffering from optic neuropathy and provides insights into the treatment of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. There are many hurdles impeding optic regeneration in mammals. The mammalian central nervous system is non-permissive to regeneration and intrinsically lacks the capacity for axonal regrowth. Any axonal injury also triggers a vicious cycle of apoptosis. Understanding these hurdles provides us with a rough framework to appreciate the essential steps to bring about optic nerve regeneration： enhancing neuronal survival, axon regeneration, remyelination and establishing functional synapses to the original neuronal targets. In this review article, we will go through current potential treatments for optic nerve regeneration, which includes neurotrophic factor provision, inflammatory stimulation, growth inhibition suppression, intracellular signaling modification and modeling of bridging substrates.

Beneficial effect of refined red palm oil on lipid peroxidation and monocyte tissue factor in HCV-related liver disease： a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND： A large amount of endotoxin can be detected in the peripheral venous blood of patients with liver cirrhosis, contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity because of its role in oxidative stress. The present study aimed to test the effect of the supplementation with red palm oil（RPO）, which is a natural oil obtained from oil palm fruit（Elaeis guineensis） rich in natural fat-soluble tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids, on lipid peroxidation and endotoxemia with plasma endotoxin-inactivating capacity, proinflammatory cytokines profile, and monocyte tissue factor in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS： The study group consisted of sixty patients（34 males and 26 females; mean age 62 years, range 54-75） with Child A/B, genotype 1 HCV-related cirrhosis without a history of ethanol consumption, randomly enrolled into an 8-week oral daily treatment with either vitamin E or RPO. All patients had undergone an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy 8 months before, and 13 out of them showed esophageal varices.RESULTS： Both treatments significantly decreased erythrocyte malondialdehyde and urinary isoprostane output, only RPO significantly affected macrophage-colony stimulating factor and monocyte tissue factor. Liver ultrasound imaging did not show any change. CONCLUSIONS： RPO beneficially modulates oxidative stress and, not least, downregulates macrophage/monocyte inflammatory parameters. RPO can be safely advised as a valuable nutritional implementation tool in the management of chronic liver diseases.

Recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and differential expression of cerebral cortical proteins in the subacute stage of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor （hG-CSF） has been shown to protect the nervous system after brain ischemia. However, the neuroprotective mechanism of hG-CSF remains unclear. The present study established a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and subcutaneously injected recombinant hG-CSF after reperfusion for 2 hours. Cerebral cortical protein was extracted following 14 days of reperfusion and subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis. In brain ischemic rats, 56 different protein spots were screened, including 17 that were upregulated and 17 that were downregulated, compared with the sham-surgery group. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry was used to determine peptide mass fingerprinting. Following a National Center for Biotechnology Information database search and confirmation with the Swiss-Prot database, 19 spots were identified as known proteins. Following hG-CSF treatment, 35 different protein spots were found, including 16 that were downregulated and 19 that were upregulated. Six were known proteins, including dihydropyrimidinase-associated protein 2, glial fibrillary acidic protein, endomucin, Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor, Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor and guanine-nucleotide-binding protein. Results indicate that hG-CSF is involved in neuroprotection after brain ischemia, possibly by regulating the expression of various neural regeneration-associated proteins at the subacute stage.

ANTITUMOR EFFECT OF INTRATUMORAL INJECTION OF LIPOSOME-ENCAPSULATED G-CSF GENE AND IN SITU BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TREATED TUMOR CELLS

This word was supported by grant from Military Medical Research Foundation of china (96z032). ** To whom correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed. This is one of papers of the special issue on gene therapy research (Chin J Cancer Res Vol. 9 No. 4 December, 1997). In order to investigate the antitumor effects of the in vivo G CSF gene therapy mediated by liposome and its mechanisms, human G CSF gene was encapsulated into liposome and was directly injected into tumor mass of C 26 colon adenocarcinoma bearing mice. After direct intratumoral injection of liposome encapsulated G CSF DNA, the subcutaneous tumor growth was dramatically inhibited and the survival time was prolonged signifi cantly. Tumor regression could be observed in about 30% of C 26 bearing mice. By the analysis of the antitumor mechanisms, we found that anti G 418 (600ug/ml) clone could be selected from the tumor cells freshly separated from the treated C 26 tumor mass, and secretion of G CSF in the supernatant could be detected. Northern blot also confirmed the expression of hG CSF by the tumor cells. Higher expressions of MHC class I(H 2k d) molecule and ICAM 1 on the tumor cells could be observed. The results demonstrated that liposome can effectively transfect G CSF gene into tumor cells in situ , and then increase the immunogenicity of the tumor cells which may contribute to the activation of the local antitumor immune responses effectively.

ENHANCEMENT OF NIH3T3 CELL PROLIFERATION BY EXPRESSING MACROPHAGE COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR IN NUCLEI

Objective: To explore the effects of nuclear M-CSF on the process of tumorigenesis. Methods: Functional part of M-CSF cDNA was inserted into an eukaryotic expression plasmid pCMV/myc/nuc, which can add three NLS to the C-terminal of the expressed protein and direct the protein into the cell nuclei. The constructed plasmid was transferred into NIH3T3 cells and the cell clones were selected by G-418 selection. Cell clones stable expressing target protein were identified by RT-PCR, ABC immunohistochemistry assayand Western blot. Cell growth kinetics analyses throughgrowth curves, cell doubling time, MTT test and anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) inhibiting cell growth testwere performed to identify cells proliferation potential.Results: The transfected cells showed elevated proliferation potential over the control cells. Conclusion: Abnormalappearance of M-CSF in nucleus could enhance cellproliferation, which suggests that cytokine isoforms within cell nucleus might play transcription factor-like role.