端粒及端粒酶研究的新进展

端粒是染色体末端高度保守的重复核苷酸序列，对染色体具有保护作用，随着细胞分裂的不断进行，端粒逐渐缩短，减少到一定程度，细胞就趋向衰亡，被认为是细胞有丝分裂的“生物钟”。端粒酶是影响端粒长度的主要因素，以其ＲＮＡ为模板，向端粒末端添加（ＴＴＡＧＧＧ）ｎ序列，使端粒延长，从而延长细胞的寿命甚至使其永生。端粒酶的功能区主要在ｈＴＲ的４４－２０３核苷酸区，３ｐ和１０ｐ上存在着编码调整端粒酶的基因，Ｅｓｔｌ可能是端粒末端结合蛋白，是端粒酶的识别位点。正常情况下，此酶活性较低或无活性，但在干细胞、永生型细胞或肿瘤细胞此酶活性较强。端粒酶的活性主要与细胞分裂速度、细胞周期因素及细胞分化程度有关，细胞分化程度低、细胞增生活跃及肿瘤细胞在Ｓ期时活性较高。在恶性肿瘤中端粒酶活性较高，但在良性肿瘤和非肿瘤中活性较低，因而可利用ＴＲＡＰ技术对端粒酶活性进行检测来进行肿瘤诊断及良恶性鉴别。同时可利用端粒酶抑制剂能抑制端粒酶的活性，缩短端粒，使恶化细胞良转，达到治疗肿瘤的作用，而且还可利用检测端粒酶作为治疗效果好坏的指标。     

原发性胃癌组织中的端粒及端粒酶表达

目的观察端粒（ＴＲＦ）及端粒酶在胃癌形成及发展中的作用。方法采用ＤＮＡ琼脂糖凝胶杂交技术及端粒重复扩增ＰＣＲ方法检测１７例早期胃癌、８９例进展期胃癌组织及邻近正常组织中的平均ＴＲＦ长度及端粒酶活性。结果早期、进展期胃癌的ＴＲＦ长度及端粒酶活性表达均显著短于或高于邻近胃组织（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．０１），且端粒酶活性的表达主要表现在ＴＲＦ缩短或延长的胃癌组织中，而ＴＲＦ缩短与胃癌的分化程度相一致。结论端粒及端粒酶的异常状态可能与胃癌的发生发展密切相关，端粒酶活性及端粒缩短可以作为胃癌的诊断标志     

端粒酶与细胞增殖及炎性疾病的关系

人端粒酶由RNA亚基、催化亚基和端粒酶调节蛋白组成 ,端粒酶对端粒结构的稳定起着重要作用。端粒酶与肿瘤细胞增殖、分化密切相关 ,近年还发现在许多良性炎性疾病、非肿瘤衍生原代细胞中表达一定程度端粒酶活性 ,了解端粒酶在炎性疾病中的表达情况有助于更深入认识端粒酶本质及端粒酶在相关疾病中的作用。本文介绍风湿性疾病、甲状腺疾病及肝病的端粒酶活性表达情况。     

hTERT基因反义核酸对Raji细胞端粒酶活性的影响

目的:观察人端粒酶逆转录酶(hTERT)基因的全硫代修饰反义寡核苷酸(ASODN)对Raji细胞端粒酶活性的影响。方法: 端粒酶聚合酶链反应-酶联免疫测定法检测Raji细胞的端粒酶活性；采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应方法检测hTERT基因mRNA的表达水平；以间接免疫荧光标记法通过流式细胞仪检测hTERT蛋白表达含量的变化。结果:hTERTASODN作用于Raji细胞后，hTERTmRNA表达水平明显降低，ASODN与Raji细胞共同孵育48h，hTERT蛋白表达阳性率降为50.15%±3.49%，72hhTERT蛋白表达阳性率降为33.35%±2.75%。而hTERT正义核酸作用24、48、72h对hTERT蛋白表达阳性率(65%)无显著影响(P＞0.05)。hTERT基因ASODN作用于Raji细胞48h，其端粒酶活性明显降低，作用72h，端粒酶活性明显受到抑制，分别与正义寡核苷酸组、空白对照组相比有显著差异(P＜0.05)。结论:hTERT基因反义寡核苷酸特异性地抑制Raji细胞的端粒酶活性。     

6A8α-甘露糖苷酶表达对人鼻咽癌细胞CNE-2L2端粒酶活性和端粒长度的影响

探讨端粒长度与端粒酶活性在人鼻咽癌细胞CNE-2L2恶性行为改变前后的变化，建立研究恶性行为改变与端粒长度与端粒酶活性间关系的细胞模型。与6A8α-甘露糖苷酶表达正常的CNE-2L2细胞(野生型细胞W，转导空载体的细胞M及转导无关DNA片段的细胞S)相比，6A8α-甘露糖苷酶表达低下的细胞(AS)接种裸鼠皮下后的肿瘤性生长受抑。用Telo TAGGG Telomere Length Assay Kit及Telomerase PCR ELISA Kit分别测定端粒长度及端粒酶活性，用RT-PCR方法分析端粒重复序列结合因子(TRF)的转录水平。见AS细胞的端粒明显缩短(6．78Kb，W细胞为8．40Kb，M细胞为8．34kb，S细胞为9．56kb)，但端粒酶活性及端粒重复序列结合因子l和2(TRFl和2)的转录水平未见改变。实验表明，恶性行为降低的CNE-2L2细胞的端粒变短，但与端粒酶活性及TRF1／2无关，提示在CNE-2L2细胞中可能存在着端粒酶及TRF1／2以外的调节端粒长度的机制。这为研究肿瘤细胞恶性行为改变与端粒长度与端粒酶活性间关系提供了一个模型。     

核酶抑制端粒酶活性的实验研究

目的为有效切割肿瘤细胞端粒酶ＲＮＡ组分使端粒酶活性降低,从而使细胞不能维持端粒长度而在有限分裂后进入凋亡。方法设计并合成了针对端粒酶ＲＮＡ组分的锤头状核酶基因,构建了该核酶基因的体外转录和真核表达质粒,检测了核酶对端粒酶ＲＮＡ组分的体外切割效力和对ＨｅＬａ细胞端粒酶活性的抑制效力。结果该核酶对端粒酶ＲＮＡ组分的体外切割效率达到６０％左右。导入ＨｅＬａ细胞后使端粒酶活性降至原来的１／８～１／１０,细胞生长速度明显变慢,传至１９～２０代时出现９５％凋亡。结论该核酶可望成为有效的端粒酶抑制剂,在肿瘤基因治疗中发挥作用。     

端粒酶与细胞增殖及炎性疾病的关系

人端粒酶由RNA亚基、催化亚基和端粒酶调节蛋白组成，端粒酶对端粒结构的稳定起着重要作用。端粒酶与肿瘤细胞增殖、分化密切相关，近年还发现在许多良性炎性疾病、非肿瘤衍生原代细胞中表达一定程度端粒酶活性，了解端粒酶在炎性疾病中的表达情况有助于更深入认识端粒酶本质及端粒酶在相关疾病中的作用。本文介绍风湿性疾病、甲状腺疾病及肝病的端粒酶活性表达情况。     

hTR-siRNA腺病毒的构建及其体外抗肿瘤的初步研究

目的:构建RNA干扰(RNAi)腺病毒,通过体外实验观察其抑制肿瘤细胞中人端粒酶RNA(hTR)基因表达、降低瘤细胞中的端粒酶活性、以及促进肿瘤细胞凋亡等作用.方法:首先用一种新的体外连接法构建腺病毒Ad-hTR-siR-NA,表达靶向hTR的小干扰RNA分子(siRNA),用100 MOI的重组腺病毒感染不同的肿瘤细胞系,再用TRAP-ELISA法测定细胞端粒酶活性、Real-time PCR测定hTR的mRNA水平、流式细胞术(FCM)测定肿瘤细胞凋亡率及人端粒酶反转录酶(hTERT)的蛋白变化.结果:感染了Ad-hTR-siRNA的肿瘤细胞的端粒酶活性明显降低,其中以HeLa细胞降低最明显,其端粒酶活性抑制率达到58.87%,hTR的mRNA表达下调70.21%,细胞凋亡率为29.7%,但hTERT的蛋白表达并不被阻断.结论:Ad-hTR-siRNA可以有效、特异地抑制hTR基因表达,诱导体外培养的肿瘤细胞凋亡,具有抗肿瘤活性;此结果提示Ad-hTR-siRNA在肿瘤基因治疗方面具有潜在的应用价值.     

人端粒酶反转录酶启动子调控的microRNA-21海绵抑制剂慢病毒载体的构建及功能分析

目的 构建由人端粒酶反转录酶（hTERT）启动子调控的microRNA-21(miR-21)海绵抑制剂慢病毒载体,探讨该重组慢病毒载体对端粒酶阳性肿瘤的特异性抑瘤作用及其机制。 方法 将hTERT启动子核心序列取代慢病毒载体RFP上游的CMV启动子;将重组成功的慢病毒载体Lenti-hTERT-miR-21-sp感染端粒酶阴性细胞HBE及端粒酶阳性肿瘤细胞A549、H1299,观察RFP的表达情况;同时在肿瘤细胞中检测抑制miR-21表达后对细胞生长、凋亡的影响;并应用含人类全长基因的cDNA表达谱芯片,对抑制miR-21表达后人肺癌细胞株A549中差异表达基因进行分析。 结果 经酶切及测序法鉴定慢病毒载体构建成功;将包装后获得的高滴度病毒颗粒感染目的细胞后,发现重组病毒只能在端粒酶阳性肿瘤细胞中特异性高表达,且下调miR-21基因表达后,肿瘤细胞的生长能力受到抑制,凋亡率明显上升（P<0.05）;与对照相比,抑制miR-21表达的A549细胞中差异表达的基因共有64条,其中20条上调,44条下调。 结论 hTERT启动子能够严格地引导病毒载体在端粒酶阳性肿瘤细胞中特异性的封闭miR-21的表达,实现抑制肿瘤细胞生长的作用;芯片结果提示,miR-21引发肺癌可能是多因素多基因共同作用的结果。     

Competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassays for the measurement of human IgG, IgA and IgM

Competitive-inhibition enzyme immunoassays for the measurement of human IgG, IgA and IgM are described. These assays can be readily performed with commercial antisera and a recently developed method for purifying human IgA and IgM with high yield. The assays described are specific, with undetectable (<0.5%) cross-reactivity between the immunoglobulin classes in all systems, except with purified IgM, which cross-reacted to 1.9% with the IgG enzyme immunoassay.Minimal detectable concentrations of 2.5±0.8 ng/ml for IgG 4.2±0.9 ng/ml for IgA and 7.2±1.4 ng/ml for IgM were recorded, indicating that these assays are particularly sensitive. There is little within-assay variation (mean coefficient of variation = 3.9%), although the between-assay variation was substantially greater (mean coefficient of variation = 23.5%). These assay systems appear to be particularly suited to the measurement of immunoglobulin production by lymphocytes in culture. In such studies the assay must be specific, sensitive and be capable of discriminating between levels of immunoglobulin produced in response to various experimental treatments.     

Utilization of the biotin/avidin system to amplify the sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Competitive-inhibition enzyme immunoassays for the measurement of human IgG, IgA and IgM are described. These assays can be readily performed with commercial antisera and a recently developed method for purifying human IgA and IgM with high yield. The assays described are specific, with undetectable (<0.5%) cross-reactivity between the immunoglobulin classes in all systems, except with purified IgM, which cross-reacted to 1.9% with the IgG enzyme immunoassay.

Minimal detectable concentrations of 2.5±0.8 ng/ml for IgG 4.2±0.9 ng/ml for IgA and 7.2±1.4 ng/ml for IgM were recorded, indicating that these assays are particularly sensitive. There is little within-assay variation (mean coefficient of variation = 3.9%), although the between-assay variation was substantially greater (mean coefficient of variation = 23.5%). These assay systems appear to be particularly suited to the measurement of immunoglobulin production by lymphocytes in culture. In such studies the assay must be specific, sensitive and be capable of discriminating between levels of immunoglobulin produced in response to various experimental treatments.     

Human prolactin release induced by follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotrophin

Plasma prolactin levels rise in stimulated cycles. To clarifythe effects of gonadotrophin on the lactotrophs, three studieswere performed. First, plasma concentrations of prolactin duringclomiphene citrate (CC)-human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG)-humanchononic gonadotrophin (HCG) treatment of women enrolled forin-vitro fertilization (IYF) were compared with those duringHMG-HCG administration while under pituitary suppression witha gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue (buserelin).Women suppressed with buserelin had higher basal levels of PRLin plasma (14.4 ± 4.3 nglml versus 6.9 ± 1.4 ng/ml,P<0.001). Only buserelin-suppressed women showed a significantrise in plasma prolactin before HCG administration, while bothpatient groups had marked prolactin peaks after HCG injection.This peak was higher in the buserelin group (71.9 ± 50.7ng/ml versus 52.6 ± 29.7 ng/ml). The second study showedthat plasma levels of prolactin of 6 post- menopausal womenwere significantly increased 48 h after an injection of 5000IU HCG, i.m. (24.9 ± 17.4 ng/ml versus 12.4 ±6.2 ng/ml P<0.05). Third, plasma prolactin was studied in5 women over 30 days after surgical castration. An upward trendwas observed similar to that of endogenous gonadotrophin, withthe change in prolactin values closely correlating with thechange in concentrations of follicule stimulating hormone (P<0.005).All these findings suggest that human gonadotrophins stimulatelactotrophs.     

Cryopreservation of human embryos and oocytes

The success rate of human embryo cryopreservatlon depends ontechnical and embryonic parameters. First of all, the cryoprotectantcan affect embryo survival as we found by comparing two freeze-thawprocedures using propanediol (PROH) (1.5 mol) alone or withsucrose (0.1 mol). Embryo survival was significantly enhancedwith sucrose (62 versus 32%). Embryo quality is another majorparameter involved in the success of freezing; the rates ofpositive survival were found to be 67% for morphologically normalembryos versus 49% for embryos with fragments (P < 0.001).The efficiency of embryo cryopreservatlon in an IVF programmecould be estimated in 1986: a woman with extra embryos, storedafter transfer of 3–4 fresh embryos (16% of all cydes),can expect a 22% pregnancy rate per transfer of fresh embryosand a 32% pregnancy rate per collection after transfer of thestored eggs. A comparative study of the cryopreservability ofimmature or mature oocytes was performed in humans. Human oocyteshave a low survival rate (36%) whatever the cryopreservationprotocol or the initial maturation stage. Immature human oocytescould survive freezing and thawing, mature and be fertilizedin vitro, but with a very low efficiency.     

Are clinical and biological IVF parameters correlated with chromosomal disorders in early Life: a multicentric study

A multicentric study was carried out to analyse in a large series:(i) the chromosomal status of unfertilized oocytes, (ii) errorsat fertilization and (iii) the chromosomal complement of cleavedembryos. Parameters such as type of sterility, maternal age,stimulation treatment, doses of gonadotrophins administeredand oocyte preincubation time before insemination were studiedin relation to the incidence of chromosome abnormalities. Twenty-sixper cent of the unfertilized oocytes and 29.2% of the embryoshad chromosome anomalies. Maternal age significantly increasedthe rate of aneuploidy in oocytes: 38% in patients over 35 years(versus 24% in younger patients). Fertilization-related abnormalitieswere significant, i.e. 1.6% parthenogenesis and 6.4% polyploidy.Unexplained infertility was correlated with an increase in therate of parthenogenesis (4.2%) when compared with tubal infertility(1.2%). Triploidy was found to be correlated with three parameters.A lower rate of triploidy was observed in the group of couplesreferred because of male sterility (1.9% versus 6.3% for tuba1sterility), in HMG-treated patients (2.4% versus 7% with analoguesof LHRH/HMG) and with a short 2-h preincubation time beforeinsemination (3% versus 7.2% for > 2 h). A general modelfor natural selection against embryos carrying a chromosomeimbalance was proposed.     

Description of novel class I alleles encountered during routine registry typing in 2007

Twenty-six novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles are described: 3 HLA-A alleles, 19 HLA-B alleles and 4 HLA-C alleles. Only one of the novel alleles (HLA-B*0753) was found in multiple individuals and likely is not uncommon in the population. Nineteen (∼70%) of the 26 novel alleles are single nucleotide substitution variants when compared with their most homologous allele. Four of these single nucleotide variants are silent substitutions, and one creates a null allele. The remaining novel alleles differ from their most similar allele by two to six nucleotide substitutions. Some of the new alleles encode novel codons and unique amino acid changes at polymorphic positions in the HLA-B lows (codons 30, 67 and 72), while HLA-Cw*0347 encodes an amino acid change at a position not previously reported to be polymorphic for this locus.     

Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus in women living with HIV/AIDS in an area of Northeast Brazil

Women infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are more likely to manifest oncogenic viral infections including human papillomavirus (HPV). It was investigated the HPV prevalence, genotype distribution and HPV relationship with cervical lesions among women living with HIV in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. A prevalence survey was conducted including 270 HIV-infected women who attended the reference center for HIV in Sergipe from August 2014 to November 2017. Cervical samples were processed by the polymerase chain reaction for HPV-DNA detection. Among the 270 HIV-infected women, 190 (70.4%) were between 26 and 49 years old and 159 (55.6%) were coinfected with HPV. Among the coinfected women, 24 viral types were identified; 113 (72%) subjects had high-risk HPV types, and the most prevalent was HPV 16 (53/35.3%). Positive HPV status was statistically associated with having 0 to 8 years of schooling compared with ≥9 years of schooling; and have been diagnosed with HIV infection less than 5 years ago compared with more than 10 years. Cytological abnormalities were found in 13.4% (31/231) of women, most with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (16/51.6%). However, of women who had no cytological lesions or malignancy (200/86.6%), almost half were HPV DNA-positive (99/49.5%). In conclusion, the prevalence of HPV among women living with HIV in Sergipe was high. There was a high frequency of high-risk HPV infection, and a wide diversity of genotypes were detected, with HPV 16 being the most frequent.     

医用生物力学参数的数字化与数字医学

目的了解医用生物力学研究中,各种科技参数进行数字化处理的必要性、可行性和迫切性;阐明国内外数字人和数字医学研究的发展过程;展望数字医学今后的发展前景。方法收集了数字人和数字医学各阶段发展资料;分析了这一领域的科研工作优点和存在的问题。结果整理了国内外数字人研究发展简要资料,提出了数字医学今后发展的主要方向和应重视的事项。结论数字化可以提高医用生物力学科研的质量和效率,数字医学有重大发展前景。     

Isolation and culturing of hepatocytes from human livers

Summary Using a modified collagenase digestion procedure, we were successful in the isolation of viable hepatocytes from human liver surgical wastes, unused transplantable livers, and diseased livers from transplant recipients. The modified procedures for isolation involved collagenase perfusion of a sample of limited size (<50 g) with only one cut surface, perfusion via only one blood vessel, the use of an appropriate amount of collagenase, as well as manual massaging of the liver sample during critical stages of the collagenase perfusion. Using this modified procedures, we had close to 100% success rate in the isolation of viable hepatocytes from the human liver samples.     

The interactions between human dendritic cells and microbes; possible clinical applications of dendritic cells

The dendritic cells comprise several subsets that induce and regulate the immune responses against foreign and self-antigens, and that can therefore function as initiators of protective immunity and inducers of central or peripheral tolerance. The different subpopulations of dendritic cells interact with and also influence other cell populations of the immune system, such as T and B lymphocytes and natural killer cells. The factors that determine the given dendritic cell functions depend on the state of maturation and the local microenvironment. The interactions between dendritic cells and microorganisms are rather complex, but progress in the past few years has shed light on several aspects of these interactions. This review lays emphasis on the interactions between human dendritic cells, important components of the intima of arterial specimens at areas predisposed to atherosclerotic lesions, and Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus, the human pathogens most strongly implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, several examples of the potential clinical applications of dendritic cells are described.Received 13 January 2004; accepted by A. Falus 22 March 2004