Antitumor effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand combined with mevastatin on a human glioma cell line SWO-38

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have reported that statins are less toxic to the human body and have greater antitumor activity; however, few studies have addressed the antitumor effect of statins combined with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL）. OBJECTIVE： To explore the effect of TRAIL combined with mevastatin on the proliferation and apoptotic cell death of a human glioma cell line SWO-38, and to study its mechanism of action. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An in vitro control experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of the Third Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, between January and April 2009. MATERIALS： The human SWO-38 cell line was provided by Cell Research, Department of Animal Experimental Center of Sun Yat-sen University; human recombinant soluble TRAIL by R＆D, USA; and mevastatin by Sigma, USA. METHODS： SWO-38 cells were separately incubated in TRAIL （100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 tJg/L） and mevastatin （5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 pmol/L） for 72 hours. In addition, SWO-38 cells were incubated in TRAIL （300 μg/L）, mevastatin （30 μmol/L）, and a solution containing both TRAIL and mevastatin for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Cell proliferation was detected using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay; cell apoptosis was observed using Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescence microscopy and was measured using Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry; TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 protein expressions levels were measured using indirect immunofluorescence staining combined with flow cytometry in the recombinant soluble TRAIL （rsTRAIL, 300 tJg/L）, mevastatin （30 IJmol/L） and combination groups; TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 mRNA expression was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： rsTRAIL, mevastatin and their combination inhibited tumor proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The proliferation inhibitory rate and apoptosis rate of human SWO-38 cells in the combined group were significantly greater than the rsTRAIL or mevastatin alone group （P 〈 0.01）. TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 protein and mRNA expressions were increased in the combination group compared with mevastatin or rsTRAIL alone after 72 hours （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Both rsTRAIL and mevastatin inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of the human glioma cell line SWO-38, while their combination enhances the anti-tumor effect. The mechanism of action possibly correlates to the upregulation of TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 mRNA expression by mevastatin, thereby enhancing the cell sensitivity to rsTRAIL.

Expression of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand receptor in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND： Receptors for tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL） include death receptor 4, death receptor 5, decoy receptor 1, and decoy receptor 2. Activation of death receptor 4 and 5 selectively kills tumor cells. OBJECTIVE： To detect TRAIL receptor expression in glioblastoma by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and to compare this expression to that in normal brain tissue. DESIGN： Observational analysis. SETTING： Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University; Henan Tumor Pathology Key Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS： Twenty-five patients （17 males and 8 females） who received glioblastoma resection were selected from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, between September 2003 to June 2004. All glioblastoma samples were diagnosed pathologically. Twenty patients （12 males and 8 females） with craniocerebral injury who received normal brain tissue resection were selected in the same time period. There were no significant differences in sex and age between glioblastoma patients or between craniocerebral injury patients （P 〉 0.05）. All patients and appropriate relatives provided informed consent, and this study was approved by the local research ethics committee. METHODS： Polyclonal antibody against TRAIL receptors and an immunohistochemical kit （batch number： 200502） were purchased from Boster Company, Wuhan. Immunohistochemistry： Expression of death receptor 4, death receptor 5, decoy receptor l, and decoy receptor 2 were observed in both glioblastoma and normal brain tissue. The experiment was performed according to the kit instructions, and positive staining was brown-yellow. Assessment： There were no positive signals （-）; weakly positive signals, positive cells 〈 25% （＋）; weakly positive signals, positive cells 25%-50% （＋＋）; strongly positive signals, positive cells 50%-75% （＋＋＋）; strongly positive signals, positive cells 〉 75% （＋＋＋＋）. Evaluation： Expression levels of TRAIL receptors were estimated in both normal brain tissue and glioblastoma. Expression of decoy receptor 1 and decoy receptor 2 mRNA in glioblastoma were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and expression of decoy receptor in glioblastoma was estimated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Comparison of death receptor and decoy receptor protein expression between glioblastoma and normal brain tissue; decoy receptor mRNA expression in glioblastoma. RESULTS： Death receptor protein expression was strongly positive （＋＋＋） in glioblastoma, while it was weakly positive （＋, ＋＋） in normal brain tissue. Therefore, expression rate of death receptor protein in the glioblastoma was significantly higher than that in the normal brain tissue （.~ 2 = 18.48, 23.03, P 〈 0.01）. Decoy receptor protein expression in the glioblastoma was significantly lower than that in the normal brain tissue （ x2 = 6.65, 18.76, P 〈 0.01）. The level of decoy receptor mRNA expression in glioblastoma was significantly higher than those of protein expression （ x 2 = 9.82, 10.09, P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： High expression of death receptor and low expression of decoy receptor are frequently observed in glioblastoma, suggesting that TRAIL receptor genes show an anti-tumor and expressive response during the initiation and development of the tumor. There are significant differences in decoy receptor expression between normal brain tissue and glioblastoma, suggesting that the restricted expression of decoy receptor in glioblastoma is regulated at the post-transcriptional level.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis in glioma U87 cells

Studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand（TRAIL）exhibits strong induction of apoptosis in human glioma cells.It remains unclear whether the mitochondrion pathway,an important apoptosis signaling pathway,is involved in TRAIL-induced glioma cell apoptosis.In the present study,in vitro cultured human glioma U87 cells were treated with human recombinant soluble TRAIL.Apoptosis of glioma U87 cells,mitochondrial transmembrane potential（Δψm）,cytoplasmic cytochrome c concentration and changes in caspase-3,-8 and-9 activity following human recombinant soluble TRAIL treatment were investigated to determine the mechanism of glioma U87 cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL.Additionally,blocking caspase-8resulted in TRAIL-induced mitochondrion pathway activation,suggesting that TRAIL,through activating caspase-8,initiated a series of mitochondrial events and resulted in apoptosis of glioma U87 cells.

Brain edema and tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND： Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis （TWEAK） participates in brain edema. However, it is unclear whether blood-brain barrier （BBB） disruption is associated with TWEAK during the process of brain edema OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of TWEAK on BBB permeability in brain edema. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An immunohistochemical observation, randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Neurosurgical Anatomy, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University ＆ Central Laboratory, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 2006 and December 2007. MATERIALS： A total of 48 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： normal control （n = 8）, sham-operated （n = 8）, and ischemia/reperfusion （n = 32）. Rats from the ischemia/reperfusion group were randomly assigned to four subgroups according to different time points, i.e., 2 hours of ischemia followed by 6 hours （n = 8）, 12 hours （n = 8）, 1 day （n = 8）, or 12 days （n = 8） of reperfusion. METHODS： Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） using the suture method in rats from the ischemia/reperfusion group. Thread was introduced at a depth of 17-19 mm. Rats in the sham-operated group were subjected to experimental procedures similar to the ischemia/reperfusion group; however, the introducing depth of thread was 10 mm. The normal control group was not given any intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： TWEAK expression was examined by immunohistochemistry; brain water content on the ischemic side was calculated as the ratio of dry to wet tissue weight; BBB permeability was measured by Evans blue extravasation. RESULTS： A total of eight rats died prior to and after surgery and an additional eight rats were randomly entered into the study. Thus 48 rats were included in the final analysis. In the ischemia/reperfusion group, TWEAK-positive cells were present in the ischemic penumbra surrounding the lamellar necrotic region in the fight cerebral hemisphere at 6 hours reperfusion and increased thereafter; by 2 days reperfusion they had reached a peak level, which was significantly higher than the sham-operated and normal control groups （P 〈 0.05）. At 6 hours reperfusion, both brain water content and Evans blue extravasation showed the same tendency for change as TWEAK expression. Pearson correlation analysis results revealed that the degree of TWEAK expression was positively correlated with brain water content （r = 0.892, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The present results confirmed that TWEAK was involved in BBB disruption and participated in brain edema following cerebral ischemia.

Helicobacter pylori tumor necrosis factor-α inducing protein promotes cytokine expression via nuclear factor-κB

AIM:To study the effects of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori)tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF)inducing protein (Tip-α)on cytokine expression and its mechanism. METHODS:We cloned Tip-αfrom the H.pylori strain 26695,transformed Escherichia coli with an expression plasmid,and then confirmed the expression product by Western blotting.Using different concentrations of Tip-αthat affected SGC7901 and GES-1 cells at different times,we assessed cytokine levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.We blocked SGC7901 cells with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC),a specific inhibitor of nuclear factorκB(NF-κB).We then detected interleukin(IL)-1βand TNF-αlevels in SGC7901 cells. RESULTS:Western blot analysis using an anti-Tip-α antibody revealed a 23-kDa protein,which indicated that recombinant Tip-αprotein was recombined successfully.The levels of IL-1β,IL-8 and TNF-αwere sig-nificantly higher following Tip-αinterference,whether GES-1 cells or SGC-7901 cells were used(P<0.05).However,the levels of cytokines(including IL-1β,IL-8 and TNF-α)secreted by SGC-7901 cells were greater than those secreted by GES-1 cells following treatment with Tip-αat the same concentration and for the same duration(P<0.05).After blocking NF-κB with PDTC, the cells(GES-1 cells and SGC-7901 cells)underwent interference with Tip-α.We found that IL-1βand TNF-αlevels were significantly decreased compared to cells that only underwent Tip-αinterference(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Tip-αplays an important role in cyto-kine expression through NF-κB.

Autoimmune hepatitis and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy:A single center report of 8 cases

This article describes cases of anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α-induced autoimmune hepatitis and evaluates the outcome of these patients in relation to their immunosuppressive strategy. A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in our center, in order to detect cases of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH) associated with anti-TNF biologic agents. We describe and analyze eight cases of AIH following anti-TNF therapy, 7 with infliximab and 1 with adalimumab. A distinction should be made between induction of autoimmunity and clinically evident autoimmune disease. Liver biopsy is useful in detecting the role of the TNF-α antagonist in the development of AIH. The lack of relapse after discontinuing immunosuppressive therapy favors, as in this case series, an immune-mediated drug reaction as most patients with AIH have a relapse after treatment is suspended. Although AIH related to anti-TNF therapy is rare, a baseline immunological panel along with liver function tests should be performed in all patients with autoimmune disease before starting biologics.

TNF related apoptosis-inducing ligand and its receptors in ocular tumors

Most of the ocular tumors have poor prognosis, and they remain a difficult problem in the area of ophthalmology. With the rapid development of molecular biology and immunologic techniques and the deep research on ocular tumor related genes, it becomes possible to diagnose and treat malignant tumors from the molecular level. The tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) super family, is a promising candidate, either alone or in combination with established cancer therapies, since it can initiate apoptosis through the activation of their death receptors. The ability of TRAIL to selectively induce apoptosis of transformed, virus-infected or tumor cells but not normal cells promotes the development of TRAIL-based cancer therapy. Here, we will review TRAIL and its receptors' structure, function, mechanism of action and application in ocular tumors therapy.

Induction of apoptosis in osteogenic sarcoma cells by combination of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand and chemotherapeutic agents

Background Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignant tumors of bone with poor prognosis. TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL） is a member of the tumor necrosis factor （TNF） cytokine family. TRAIL induces apoptosis in various tumor cell lines but is not found to be cytotoxic to many normal cell types in vitro. We investigated the cytotoxic activity of TRAIL and chemotherapeutic agents, including methotrexate （MTX）, doxorubicin （DOX） and cisplatin （CDDP）, on established osteosarcoma cell line-OS-732. Methods OS-732 cells were incubated with chemotherapeutic agents MTX,DOX and CDDP at various peak plasma concentrations（PPC）, 0.1PPC,1PPC and 10PPC, alone or with 100 ng/ml of TRAIL for 24 hours or 48 hours. MTT was used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of different agents on OS-732. The apoptosis proportion was assayed by flow cytometry. Cellular morphologic changes were observed by phase contrast microscope, scan electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Results The inhibitory rate was （24.438±3.414）% with TRAIL of 100 ng/ml for 24 hours. The cells were responsive to DOX and CDDP with a dose-effect relationship （P〈0.05）. In OS-732 cells, DOX and CDDP cooperated synergistically with TRAIL when incubated the cells with them for 24 hours （the combined inhibitory rate is （58.360±2.146）% and （54.101±-2.721）%, respectively）. TRAIL alone or drugs alone induced the apoptosis rate was less than 25% （P〈0.05）. However, the combination of TRAIL and MTX did not present synergistic effects on OS-732 cells （P〉0.05, compared with TRAIL alone）. Conclusions Osteosarcoma OS-732 cells were not responsive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. DOX and CDDP sensitize osteosarcoma OS-732 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The combination of TRAIL and MTX presented no synergistic effects on killing OS-732 cells.

Salvianic acid A inhibits induction of inflammatory mediators by blocking Nuclear Factor-κB activation in macrophages

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammation effect and possible mechanism of Salvianic acid A(SAA)in mouse peritoneal macrophages.Methods Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from BALB/c mice.LPS induced nitric oxide(NO),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in supernatant,protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)in the extract were measured.Results SAA strongly inhibited the excessive production of NO,TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-induced peritoneal macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner and blocked the expression of iNOS and MMP-9.Treatment with LPS alone increased the translocation of NF-κB(p65)from cytosol to the nucleus,but the SAA inhibited the translocation of NF-κB(p65).Conclusions The results showed that SAA had strong anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages.The important mechanism is due to its inhibition of NF-κB activation.

COMBINATION OF γ-INTERFERON WITH TRAIL AND CISPLATIN OR ETOPOSIDE INDUCES APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA CELL LINE SH-SY5Y

Objective To study the effect of γ-interferon （IFNγ）, tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL）, and cisplatin or etoposide induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and its possible molecular mechanisms. Methods The expressions of Caspase 8 mRNA and protein were detected with RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The effects of IFNγ, TRAIL, IFNγ ＋ TRAIL, IFNγ ＋ Caspase 8 inhibitor ＋ TRAIL, IFNγ ＋ cisplatin ＋ TRAIL, and IFNγ ＋ etoposide ＋ TRAIL on the growth and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells were detected with the methods of MTT and flow cytometry. The relative Caspase 8 activity was measured with colorimetric assay. Results Caspase 8 was undetectable in SH-SY5Y cells but an increased expression of Caspase 8 mRNA and protein was found after treatment with IFNγ. SH-SY5Y ceils themselves were not sensitive to TRAIL, but those expressing Caspase 8 after treatment with IFNγ were. The killing effect of TRAIL on SH-SY5Y cells expressing Caspase 8 was depressed by Caspase 8 inhibitor. Cisplatin and etoposide could enhance the sensitivity of TRAIL on SH-SY5Y cells. The relative Caspase 8 activity of SH-SY5Y cells in IFNγ ＋ TRAIL group was significantly higher than those of control group, IFNγ group, TRAIL group, and inhibitor group （ P 〈 0. 01 ）. There was no significant difference among IFNγ ＋ TRAIL group, IFNγ ＋ cisplatin ＋ TRAIL group, and IFNγ ＋ etoposide ＋ TRAIL group. Conclusions IFNγ could sensitize SH-SY5Y cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis and this may be realized by the up-regulation of Caspase 8. Cisplatin and etoposide could enhance the killing effect of TRAIL on SH-SY5Y cells.

Apoptosis and Expression of Protein TRAIL in Granulosa Cells of Rats with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The relationship between apoptosis of granulosa cells and follicle development arrest in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rats, and the contribution of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in apoptosis of granulosa cells were explored. By using sodium prasterone sulfate rat PCOS model was induced. The apoptosis of granulosa cells in ovaries of rats was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL), and the expression of TRAIL protein and mRNA in granulosa cells was detected by using immunhistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. The apoptotic rate and the expression of protein TRAIL in granulosa cells were significantly higher in antral follicles from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in apoptotic rate and the expression of TRAIL protein in granulosa cells of preantral follicles between the PCOS rats and the control rats (P>0.05). No apoptosis and the expression of TRAIL protein in granulosa cells of primordial follicles were found in the two groups. The expression of TRAIL mRNA was significantly stronger in granulosa cells from the PCOS rats than in those from the con- trol rats (P<0.01). It was suggested that the apoptotic rate in granulosa cells was significantly higher in antral follicle from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats. TRAIL played a role in regu- lating the apoptosis of granulosa cells in PCOS rats.

Variants of tumor necrosis factor-induced protein 3 gene are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients

Background Tumor necrosis factor-induced protein 3 （TNFAIP3） gene has been shown important in cardiac remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the variants of TNFAIP3 gene are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy （LVH） in hypertensive patients.Methods Four representatives of all the other single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in TNFAIP3 gene were tested for association with hypertrophy in two independent hypertensive populations （n=2120 and n=324）.Results We found that only the tag SNP （rs5029939） was consistently lower in the hypertensives with cardiac hypertrophy than in those without cardiac hypertrophy in the two study populations, indicating a protective effect on LVH （odds ratio （OR） （95% confidence interval （CI））0.58 （0.358-0.863）, P=0.035; OR （95% CI）=0.477 （0.225-0.815）, P〈0.05,respectively）. Multiple regression analyses confirmed that the patients with G allele of rs5029939 had less thickness in inter-ventricular septum, left ventricular posterior wall, relative wall thickness and left ventricular mass index than did those with CC allele in the hypertensive patients in both study populations （all P〈0.01）.Conclusion These findings indicate that the SNP （rs5029939） in the TNFAIP3 gene may serve as a novel protective genetic marker for the development of LVH in patients with hypertension

EGFR inhibitors sensitize non-small cell lung cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) can be regulated by the epidermal growth factor(EGF) signaling pathway.In this study,recombinant adenoviral vectors that encode TRAIL gene from the hTERT/RGD promoter(AdTRAIL) was combined with drugs including gefitinib,elotinib,and cetuximab that inhibit EGFR and the EGF signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) cell lines to investigate their antitumor activity.In vitro,compared to single reagent,AdTRAIL combined with EGFR inhibitors reduced proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in H460,A549,and SW1573 cell lines.Western blot results suggested that these effects were relative to up-regulation of pro-apoptosis protein BAX and down-regulation of p-AKT.In vivo,AdTRAIL combined with cetuximab resulted in a significant growth reduction in H460 xenografts without damage to the main organs of nude mice.Histological examination and TUNEL analyses of xenografts showed that cetuximab enhanced cell apoptosis induced by AdTRAIL.These results indicate that EGFR inhibitors enhanced AdTRAIL anti-tumor activity in NSCLC cell lines and that inhibiting the AKT pathway played an important role in this enhancement.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Induced Protein 3 Interacting Protein I Gene Polymorphisms and Pustular Psoriasis in Chinese Han Population

Background： Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated inflammatory dermatosis. Generalized pustular psoriasis （GPP） is the severe and rare type of psoriasis. The association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced protein 3 interacting protein 1 （TNIP1） gene and psoriasis was confirmed in people with multiple ethnicities. This study was to investigate the association between TNIP1 gene polymorphisms and pustular psoriasis in Chinese Hart population. Methods： Seventy-three patients with GPP, 67 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis （PPP）, and 476 healthy controls were collected from Chinese Hart population. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） of the TNIP1 gene, namely rs3805435, rs3792798, rs3792797, rs869976, rs 17728338, and rs999011 were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction. Statistical analyses were performed using the PLINK 1.07 package. Allele frequencies and genotyping frequencies for six SNPs were compared by using Chi-square test, odd ratio （OR） （including 95% confidence interval） were calculated. The haplotype analysis was conducted by Haploview software. Results： The frequencies of alleles of five SNPs were significantly different between the GPP group and the control group （P ≤ 7.22 × 10^-3）, especially in the GPP patients without psoriasis vulgaris （PsV）. In the haplotype analysis, the most significantly different haplotype was H4： ACGAAC, with 13.1% frequency in the GPP group but only 3.4% in the control group （OR = 4.16, P = 4.459 × 10^-7）. However, no significant difference in the allele frequencies was found between the PPP group and control group for each of the six SNPs （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusions： Polymorphisms in TNIP1 are associated with GPP in Chinese Han population. However, no association with PPP was found. These findings suggest that TNIPI might be a susceptibility gene for GPE

EGCG Enhances TRAIL-mediated Apoptosis in Human Melanoma A375 Cell Line

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL） is a promising anti-cancer agent. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate （EGCG） is a polyphenolic constituent of green tea. In this study, inhibitory effect of combined use of EGCG and TRAIL on human melanoma A375 cells was examined and the possible mechanism investigated. The cells were divided into 4 groups： control group, EGCG group （EGCG： 10, 20 μg/mL）, TRAIL group （TRAIL： 25 ng/mL） and EGCG＋TRAIL group （combined group）. The growth inhibition was measured in the A375 cells treated with different concentrations of TRAIL （（25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 ng/mL） by MTT assay. The apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The expressions of DR4 and DR5 were detected by flow cytometry and western blotting. The activities of caspase-8 and caspase-3 were determined by colorimetric assay. The results showed that TRAIL could dose-dependently inhibit the growth of A375 cells and the IC50 of TRAIL was 150 ng/mL. The apoptosis rate was 11.8% in the TRAIL group, 5%–7% in the EGCG group and 48.9%–59.1% in the combined group. Significant difference was found in the apoptosis rate between the combined group and the EGCG or TRAIL group （P〈0.05 for each）. The expression of DR4 instead of DR5 was significantly increased in the EGCG group. The activity of caspase-3 rather than caspase-8 was substantially enhanced in the EGCG group. These results suggest that EGCG is useful for the TRAIL-based treatment for melanoma.

Effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe(温化蠲痹方) on Expression of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B Ligand,Osteoprotegerin,and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily Member 14 in Rats with Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Objective： To study the effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe（温化蠲痹方, WJR） on expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand（RANKL）, osteoprotegerin（OPG）, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14（TNFRSF14, also known as LIGHT） in rats with collagen-induced arthritis（CIA）. Methods： CIA rats were generated by subcutaneous injection of bovine collagen type-Ⅱ at the tail base. Sixty CIA rats were randomly assigned（10 animals/group） to： model, methotrexate（MTX）-treated（0.78 mg/kg body weight）, and WJR-treated（22.9 g/kg） groups. Healthy normal rats（n=10） were used as the normal control. Treatments or saline were administered once daily by oral gavage. Rats were sacrificed at day 28 post-treatment and knee synovium and peripheral blood serum were collected. Toe swelling degree and expression of RANKL, OPG, and LIGHT were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results： Compared with the normal group, toe swelling degree was significantly increased in the model group（P〈0.01）. After treatment, toe swelling degree decreased significantly in the WJR and MTX groups compared with the model group（P〈0.01）. Compared with the normal group, expression of RANKL and LIGHT were significantly increased and OPG significantly decreased in peripheral blood and synovium of the model group（P〈0.01）. Conversely, RANKL and LIGHT expression were significantly reduced and OPG increased in the WJR and MTX groups compared with the model group（P〈0.01）. No statistically significant difference existed between WJR and MTX groups. Conclusion： WJR likely acts by reducing RANKL expression and increasing OPG expression, thus inhibiting RANKL/RANK interaction and reducing LIGHT expression, thereby inhibiting osteoclast formation/activation to block bone erosion.

Antitumor and radiosensitization effect of 12C6+heavy-ion irradiation mediated by radiation-inducible gene therapy

Radio genetic therapy which combines gene therapy with radiotherapy has shown promising results in cancer treatment. In this study, an oncolytic adenovirusbased gene therapy system regulated by radiation was constructed to improve the cancer curative effect. This gene therapy system incorporated the radiation-inducible early growth response gene(Egr-1) promoter and the anticancer gene tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL). To confirm the antitumor effect of Ad-ET combined with^12C^(6+)tion irradiation, the survival and apoptosis fraction of tumor cells HT1080 and normal cells MRC-5 in combination treatment were detected by CCK-8 assay and FACS analysis. Then the expression levels of TRAIL gene and protein were tested by real-time PCR and western blotting. The results show that^12C^(6+)tion irradiation could induce cell growth inhibition and apoptosis by activating the TRAIL gene expression in tumor cells, while exhibiting no obvious toxicity to the normal lung cell line MRC-5. Theresults also demonstrate that use of an oncolytic adenovirusbased radiation-inducible gene therapy system together with^12C^(6+)tion irradiation could cause synergistic antitumor effect specifically in tumor cells but not in normal cells. The results indicate that the novel radio genetic therapy could potentiate radiation treatment by improving the safety and efficiency of monotherapy, and provide theoretical support for clinical application of combination treatment.

血清sTWEAK、Netrin-1联合APACHEⅡ评分对重型颅脑损伤患者术后预后不良的预测价值

目的探讨血清可溶性肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡弱诱导因子(sTWEAK)、神经轴突导向因子-1(Netrin-1)联合急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分对重型颅脑损伤患者术后预后不良的预测价值。方法选取2020年6月至2022年6月该院收治的120例重型颅脑损伤患者,根据术后30 d预后情况分为预后良好组和预后不良组。对比两组血清sTWEAK、Netrin-1水平及APACHEⅡ评分。采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析重型颅脑损伤患者术后预后不良的影响因素,并据以构建血清sTWEAK、Netrin-1及APACHEⅡ评分联合应用的预测模型,受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清sTWEAK、Netrin-1水平及APACHEⅡ评分对重型颅脑损伤患者术后预后不良的预测价值。结果预后不良组的重症监护室居住时间长于预后良好组,白蛋白水平、入院时格拉斯哥昏迷评分法评分和血清Netrin-1水平低于预后良好组,多发脑挫裂伤占比、机械通气占比、入院时APACHEⅡ评分和血清sTWEAK、血清肌酐、血尿素氮水平均高于预后良好组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,多发脑挫裂伤、Netrin-1水平降低、入院时APACHEⅡ评分升高、sTWEAK水平升高为重型颅脑损伤患者术后预后不良的危险因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清sTWEAK、Netrin-1及APACHEⅡ评分3个指标单独及联合应用时曲线下面积及其95%CI分别为0.742(0.552~0.925)、0.731(0.488~0.963)、0.714(0.502~0.911)、0.882(0.795~0.947)。结论血清sTWEAK、Netrin-1联合APACHEⅡ评分对重型颅脑损伤患者术后预后不良具有较好的预测价值,可为临床治疗方案的制订提供参考。

可溶性肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡弱诱导因子在斑秃病人血清及皮损中的表达及临床意义

目的检测可溶性肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡弱诱导因子(sTWEAK)在斑秃病人血清及皮损中的表达水平,并探讨其在斑秃发病过程中的作用及临床意义。方法以2017年10月至2018年11月在首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院确诊并治疗的斑秃病人70例为斑秃组,依据病情分为轻症组(44例)、重症组(26例)。同期该院因色素痣或皮肤良性肿瘤进行头皮手术的人群65例作为对照组。比较各组sTWEAK及相关细胞因子白细胞介素(IL)-4、IL-12、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)蛋白及mRNA表达水平;采用Pearson法分析两指标间相关性。多元线性回归分析各指标与sTWEAK或脱发严重度工具(SALT)评分的关系。结果斑秃组血清及皮损中sTWEAK表达水平[(196.73±32.48)ng/L,(2.35±0.62)ng/L]高于对照组[(121.75±19.62)ng/L,(1.49±0.45)ng/L](P<0.05)。斑秃组血清及皮损中细胞因子IL-12、IFN-γ表达水平高于对照组(P<0.05),IL-4表达水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。斑秃病人血清及皮损中sTWEAK表达水平与IL-12及IFN-γ呈正相关,与IL-4表达水平无明显相关性。轻症组血清及皮损中sTWEAK[(173.25±26.84)ng/L,(2.04±0.57)ng/L]、IL-12及IFN-γ表达水平低于重症组[(236.47±42.02)ng/L,(2.87±0.70)ng/L](P<0.05);轻症组、重症组血清及皮损中IL-4表达水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);斑秃病人血清、皮损处sTWEAK、IL-12、IFN-γ与SALT评分均呈正相关(P<0.05)。多元线性回归分析显示,IL-12、IFN-γ与血清和皮损处sTWEAK呈显著正相关;血清及皮损处sTWEAK、IL-12、IFN-γ与SALT评分存在正相关性(P<0.05)。结论斑秃病人血清及皮损中sTWEAK表达水平增加,与IL-12及IFN-γ呈正相关,sTWEAK、IL-12及IFN-γ均与斑秃病情严重程度密切相关,sTWEAK可能参与斑秃炎症反应过程。

补肾活血汤调控宫腔粘连大鼠内膜纤维化进程的作用机制研究

目的:探究微RNA-655(miR-665)/冷诱导核糖核酸结合蛋白(CIRBP)在宫腔粘连(IUA)子宫内膜纤维化中的作用以及补肾活血汤对其的调控作用。方法:使用miRNA靶基因数据库(TargetScan)分析miR-665和CIRBP的结合情况;通过实时定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)和蛋白免疫印迹技术检测细胞和动物模型中miR-665和CIRBP的转录和表达水平;借助双荧光素酶报告系统和构建过表达载体验证miR-665和CIRBP之间相互调控的作用,以及补肾活血汤对miR-665/CIRBP的调控作用;利用酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)和苏木精-伊红(HE)染色检测大鼠宫腔粘连模型中相关因子水平和组织病变程度。结果:在宫腔粘连模型大鼠组织中,CIRBP转录水平显著上升,而miR-665转录水平显著下降。体外实验显示,miR-665模拟物可降低子宫内膜基质细胞中CIRBP的表达水平。此外,补肾活血汤能够降低宫腔粘连的大鼠模型血清中转化生长因子β_(1)(TGF-β_(1))、雌二醇(E_(2))和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的水平。补肾活血汤可以提高miR-665的转录水平并降低CIRBP的表达水平,并减轻大鼠子宫内膜组织的病变程度。结论:补肾活血汤通过调控miR-665/CIRBP途径来减轻宫腔粘连大鼠子宫内膜纤维化程度,为宫腔粘连的治疗提供了新的策略和方向。