采用sPD-1协同4-1BBL进行肿瘤免疫基因治疗的研究

目的探讨采用sPD-1协同4-1BBL进行肿瘤免疫基因治疗的效果及相关的免疫学机制。方法以不同剂量的H22肝癌细胞接种于BALB/c小鼠右后腿肌肉内,建立小鼠肿瘤模型;采用可溶性PD-1 (sPD-1)和4-1BBL真核表达质粒体内转染进行基因治疗;观察接种不同剂量肿瘤细胞、不同治疗时间小鼠的成瘤率及肿瘤治疗效果;RT-PCR检测肿瘤微环境中免疫调控相关基因的表达;组织切片检测肿瘤细胞浸润肌肉组织的组织学变化;流式细胞仪检测脾脏细胞毒性T细胞(CTLs)的杀瘤效率。结果转染4- 1BBL/sPD-1基因治疗后,接种低剂量(1×10~4个/ml)H22肿瘤细胞的小鼠肿瘤生长完全受到抑制;接种高剂量(1×10~5个/ml)H22肿瘤细胞的小鼠肿瘤也受到显著抑制。通过延长基因治疗,荷瘤小鼠的成瘤率随着治疗时间的延长逐渐递减,至8周时成瘤率为0;基因治疗不仅促进IFN-γ和IL-2基因表达上调,而且也使TGF-β、IL-10的表达下调;瘤组织中CD8~ T淋巴细胞数量增多和脾淋巴细胞的杀瘤效率显著增加。结论利用体内存在的少量肿瘤可作为抗原刺激淋巴细胞的激活;基因治疗适用于对手术、化疗、放疗后体内残存的少量肿增细胞的清除;当体内存在大量肿瘤细胞时,适当延长基因治疗时间可获得较好的治疗效果。     

真核表达4-1BBL调节淋巴细胞功能活性及抗肿瘤效应的研究

目的：在非免疫非肿瘤细胞中转染表达4-1BBL，并研究4-1BBL在调节淋巴细胞功能活性及抗肿瘤方面的作用和机制。方法：构建含有4-1BBL全长eDNA序列的表达质粒p4-1BBL，脂质体介导体外转染BHK细胞，G418筛选出阳性克隆，RT-PCR、免疫细胞化学染色及免疫印迹检测4-1BBL的表达，检测BHK细胞表达的4-1BBL对脾淋巴细胞增殖和杀伤活性的影响；建立小鼠H22肝细胞癌移植瘤模型，裸DNA肌肉注射法体内转染表达4-1BBL进行肿瘤治疗，检测肿瘤生长速度；另外，利用免疫组化染色法分析瘤周组织中CD8^＋T淋巴细胞。结果：BHK细胞转染表达的4-1BBL能够显著增强肿瘤抗原肽激活的脾淋巴细胞增殖和杀瘤活性（P〈0．01），并显著提高IL-2和IFN-γ表达水平（P〈0．01），同时增强非特异性免疫杀伤活性。肿瘤接种部位转染表达4-1BBL，瘤周组织中CD8^＋T淋巴细胞数量显著增加（P〈0．01），肿瘤生长速率显著低于生理盐水对照组和空载体对照组（P〈0．01）。结论：在肿瘤微环境中的正常细胞转染表达4-1BBL，能够有效促进T细胞增殖及杀伤等功能活性，可望成为肿瘤免疫生物治疗的一种新的手段。     

分泌型重组多肽sPD-1-CellⅠ(P/C-1)调节免疫细胞功能活性及抗肿瘤效应的研究

目的构建双结构域重组多肽sPD-1-Cell Ⅰ（P/C-1）分泌型真核表达载体，并研究体内外表达重组多肽在调节免疫细胞功能活性及抗肿瘤方面的作用和机制。方法用PCR方法分别扩增出编码PD-1胞外结构域的cDNA与编码CH50 CellⅠ结构域的cDNA，3片段连接法插入分泌型真核表达载体pSecTagA中，获得真核表达载体pP／C-1；脂质体介导体外转染BHK细胞，G418筛选出阳性克隆，RT-PCR及免疫印迹检测重组多肽P／C-1的表达，MTT法检测表达产物对脾淋巴细胞和腹腔巨噬细胞杀伤活性的影响，建立小鼠H22肝细胞癌移植瘤模型，裸DNA肌肉注射法分别于体内转染sPD-1、CH50和P／C-1基因，观察并比较各处理因素对小鼠的肿瘤生长的抑制作用。结果酶切及测序鉴定结果表明重组多肽P／C-1真核表达载体构建成功，在BHK细胞培养上清中检测到重组多肽P/C-1的表达，后者能显著增强脾淋巴细胞和腹腔巨噬细胞对H22细胞的杀伤作用，体内实验表明，P/C-1转染对肿瘤生长的抑制作用强烈而持久，显著优于sPD-1和CH50治疗组。结论重组多肽P／C-1真核表达载体构建成功，表达产物P／C-1兼有sPD-1和CH50的生物学功能，能够激活巨噬细胞和脾淋巴细胞，发挥二者协同抗肿瘤作用，从而将非特异性和特异性抗肿瘤免疫有机地结合起来，为肿瘤基因治疗提供新的思路。     

B7-1/B7-H1相对比例变化对Hsp70-肽复合物抗肿瘤免疫效应的影响

目的：探讨Hsp7肽复合物对B7-1／B7-H1相对比例的影响及真核表达可溶性PD-1(sPD-1)对Hsp70-肽复合物抗肿瘤作用的影响。方法：通过RT-PCR和半定量PCR技术检测Hsp70-肽复合物体外刺激和体内免疫对小鼠脾细胞正调控共刺激分子B7-1和抑制性共刺激分子B7-H1及其受体PD-1表达的影响；体内转染表达sPD-1后，观察Hsp70-肽复合物免疫小鼠的肿瘤生长以及脾淋巴细胞毒性的变化。结果：基因表达检测表明．Hsp70-肽复合物体外刺激的小鼠脾细胞B7-1 mRNA和B7-H1 mRNA的水平随时问而变化，B7-1／B7-H1比值随刺激时间而增高；Hsp70-肽复合物体内免疫小鼠后期脾细胞B7-1表达下降，B7-H1及其受体PD-1表达上调，B7-1／B7-H1比值逆转；体内表达sPD-1可显著增强和延长Hsp70-肽复合物的抑瘤效果；体内表达sPD-1可提高Hsp70-肽复合物免疫的荷瘤小鼠脾细胞的杀伤率。结论：Hsp70-肽复合物的刺激引起共刺激分子B7-1和B7-H1表达的变化，B7-1／B7-H1的比例与激活效应相关，sPD-1通过阻抑B7-H1／PD-1途径、上调B7-1／B7-H1比例，可增强免疫应答，提高Hsp70-肽复合物特异性免疫治疗肿瘤的效应。     

sPD-1封闭PD-L促进抗瘤免疫的机制研究

目的研究本室构建的可溶性PD-1（sPD-1）真核表达质粒pPD-1A的抑瘤机理.方法用转染了pPD-1A的BHK细胞分泌产物去封闭树突状细胞上的PD-1配体（PD-L）,并用MTT法检测树突状细胞（DC）对小鼠脾细胞的增殖激活作用.BALB/c小鼠接种H22肝癌细胞后次日开始接受质粒pPD-1A的注射.用RT-PCR法分析小鼠脾细胞的细胞因子和共刺激分子的mRNA表达水平,用流式细胞术测定肿瘤内T淋巴细胞的数量.结果在淋巴细胞活化的早期sPD-1对IL-10-DC激活淋巴细胞的作用有一定的促进,但作用并不十分显著（P＞0.05）.注射了质粒pPD-1A的小鼠产生了较强的抗瘤免疫反应,H22肝癌细胞的生长明显受到抑制（P＜0.01）.脾脏淋巴细胞的4-1BB、B7.1、IFN-γ和TNF-α表达均上调,以IFN-γ的增加最明显;OX40、IL-10表达下调.肿瘤内TIL数量明显增多（75.86%）.结论sPD-1通过对PD-L的封闭,不仅增加了肿瘤内部CD3＋T细胞的数量,而且可以调节细胞因子和共刺激分子的表达,从而促进抗瘤免疫.     

膜型Tim-3分子促进荷瘤小鼠抗肿瘤免疫应答的研究

目的研究膜型Tim-3分子对H22肝癌细胞生长的抑制效应,探讨膜型Tim-3分子对荷瘤小鼠免疫系统的影响。方法以H22肝癌细胞接种于BALB/c小鼠大腿肌肉建立小鼠实体瘤模型,采用原位注射裸DNA的方法在小鼠体内表达膜型Tim-3进行基因治疗,观察Tim-3对肿瘤生长的抑制作用;采用RT- PCR技术在肿瘤生长不同时期检测Tim-3对4-1BB、IFN-γ、galectin-9等免疫相关基因表达的影响;流式细胞术检测膜型Tim-3对脾细胞增殖活性及细胞毒活性的影响;观察Tim-3 4-1BBL协同抗肿瘤作用。结果体内转染表达Tim-3对肿瘤的生长有明显的抑制作用。流式细胞术结果显示,在小鼠荷瘤早期,Tim-3可提高脾细胞在特异性抗原刺激下的增殖反应和对H22肿瘤细胞的细胞毒作用;Tim-3与4-1BBL协同作用时抗肿瘤作用更加明显。结论膜型Tim-3可在免疫启动阶段作为正向免疫调节因子增强抗肿瘤免疫应答,并可与4-1BBL协同产生更强的抑瘤效应。     

小鼠自身免疫性心肌炎发病过程中4-1BB/4-1BBL和IL-15的表达及意义

目的： 探讨在小鼠自身免疫性心肌炎发病过程中4-1BB/4-1BBL、IL-15的表达和变化,及其免疫学活性对心肌炎的影响。方法：将提纯的猪心肌肌球蛋白和完全弗氏佐剂等体积混合成乳浊液在1 d、8 d及30 d免疫具有遗传易感性的BALB/c小鼠,建立实验性自身免疫性心肌炎（EAM）模型。对照组小鼠仅用完全弗氏佐剂皮下注射。分别于初次免疫后21 d、80 d进行心肌炎症评分及血清肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)测定,免疫组化检测心肌淋巴细胞活化诱导受体配体（4-1BBL）的表达,ELISA法检测血清白细胞介素-15(IL-15)的浓度,RT-PCR技术检测4-1BB/4-1BBL和IL-15 mRNA在小鼠心肌组织中的表达。结果：在急性期21 d,EAM组小鼠心肌组织见不同程度的炎性细胞浸润和心肌细胞变性坏死、血清cTnI水平升高（P<0.05）;80 d EAM组小鼠心肌组织炎症减弱伴有纤维化出现、cTnI较前期降低;心肌4-1BBL和血清IL-15在EAM组中表达明显,在对照组中少量表达（P<0.05）;21 d EAM组小鼠心肌组织中4-1BB/4-1BBL和IL-15基因表达水平均高于对照组(P<0.01),且与心肌炎症呈明显的正相关,80 d时表达仍然升高(P<0.05)。结论：4-1BB/4-1BBL和IL-15在EAM小鼠发病过程中的表达上调,4-1BB/4-1BBL共刺激通路和IL-15可能协同参与了自身免疫性心肌炎的发生发展过程。     

人4-1BB配体基因真核表达载体的构建、表达及其体外抗肿瘤效应

目的： 构建人4-1BB配体（h4-1BBL）全长基因的真核表达载体, 并在肿瘤细胞HT-29中转染表达; 探讨人4-1BBL基因转染的肿瘤细胞体外诱导的抗肿瘤活性.方法： 用RT-PCR从Raji细胞中克隆h4-1BBL全长基因, 测序后, 构建重组真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（-）-h4-1BBL.通过脂质体法以重组载体转染HT-29细胞, 用RT-PCR检测转染细胞中h4-1BBL mRNA的表达; 用流式细胞术检测转染细胞表面h4-1BBL分子的表达.分离外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）, 用抗CD3 mAb扩增T细胞, 并与h4-1BBL基因转染及未转染的HT-29细胞混合培养.用MTT比色法检测CTL的增殖及杀伤活性; 用流式细胞术检测分泌IFN-γ的T细胞.结果： 从Raji细胞中克隆到h4-1BBL全长cDNA, 测序完全正确.构建的h4-1BBL基因真核表达载体在HT-29中获得稳定表达.与未转染的细胞相比较, h4-1BBL基因转染的肿瘤细胞HT-29能更有效地刺激T细胞活化、增殖, 促进IFN-γ分泌, 并能有效地诱导CTL产生针对野生型HT-29细胞的特异性杀伤.结论： 成功地构建pcDNA3.1（-）h4-1BBL重组真核表达载体.4-1BBL基因转染的肿瘤细胞介导的协同刺激信号, 能增强野生型肿瘤细胞的免疫原性, 诱导T细胞产生有效的抗肿瘤免疫应答.     

共刺激分子4-1BBL基因免疫对HBsAg核酸疫苗诱导小鼠特异性免疫应答的影响

目的 研究共刺激分子4-1BBL基因免疫对HBsAg核酸疫苗诱导小鼠特异性体液和细胞免疫应答的影响.方法 将HBV表面抗原核酸疫苗pcDS2单独或联合共刺激分子4-1BBL质粒肌肉注射免疫C57BL/6小鼠;ELISA法检测小鼠血清抗-HBs IgG及亚型IgG1和IgG2a;迟发型超敏反应(DTH)反应检测体内细胞反应;流式细胞仪检测CD4+ T淋巴细胞分泌IL-4和IFN-γ及CD8+T淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ水平;流式细胞仪检测小鼠脾细胞HBsAg特异性体外细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤作用(CTL).结果 与单纯免疫核酸疫苗pcDS2组比较,pcDS2和4-1BBL联合免疫组小鼠的抗-HBs水平显著提高,抗-HBs IgG亚类以IgG2a占优;免疫小鼠经HBsAg脚掌皮下刺激后,联合免疫组小鼠脚掌的厚度显著高于pcDS2组;联合免疫组CD4+T淋巴细胞的IL-4和IFN-γ表达水平及CD8+T淋巴细胞的IFN-γ表达水平显著升高;DNA疫苗免疫的各组小鼠,HBsAg特异性体外CIL杀伤作用高于对照组,其中联合免疫组小鼠的体外CTL杀伤作用最强.结论共刺激分子4-1BBL不仅能增强HBV DNA疫苗诱导特异性体液免疫应答,还能增强特异性型细胞免疫反应,尤其增强体内CIL的杀伤活性.     

小鼠4-1BBL cDNA的克隆和表达及其抗肝癌的免疫作用

目的 :克隆小鼠 4 1BBL基因 ,构建其真核表达载体 ,并观察其在抗肝癌免疫中的作用。方法 :取C5 7BL/6小鼠脾细胞 ,经PHA诱导后 ,以RT PCR克隆 4 1BBLcDNA ,测序 ,构建真核表达质粒 pcDNA3.1( ) m4 1BBL。以重组体转染小鼠肝癌细胞Hepa1 6 ,经G4 18筛选后 ,以RT PCR、间接免疫荧光及流式细胞仪 ,检测m4 1BBL以获得稳定高表达克隆。然后将其制成肿瘤细胞疫苗与同源小鼠脾淋巴细胞混合培养 ,采用MTT比色法测定淋巴细胞的特异性杀伤活性。结果 :从小鼠脾细胞中克隆到m4 1BBLcDNA ,经测序完全正确。所构建的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1( ) m4 1BBL ,在小鼠肝癌细胞Hepa1 6中获得稳定高效表达。与野生型Hepa1 6细胞相比较 ,m4 1BBL基因转染的Hepa1 6细胞疫苗能较有效地诱导淋巴细胞产生针对野生型Hepa1 6细胞的特异性杀伤活性 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :将m4 1BBL基因导入肝癌细胞中表达 ,能提高其免疫原性 ,诱导有效地抗肝癌免疫应答     

HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1 and -DPB1 genes in Japanese multiple sclerosis patients

Japanese MS patients and controls were examined for the distribution of HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1 and -DPB1 alleles using in vitro amplification of genomic DNA and probing with sequence-specific oligonucleotides. No significant difference in frequency of the examined alleles was observed among the two groups. This is in contrast to Norwegian MS patients, where an association to a combination of certain DQA1 and DQB1 alleles has previously been demonstrated.     

韩国人CYP450 1A1、CYP450 2E1和GSTM1、GSTT1、GSTP1基因座遗传多态性分析

目的 调查代谢相关的CYP4501A1、CYP4502E1和GSTM1、GSIT1、GSTP1基因座在韩国人群中的遗传多态性分布状况。方法 采用多重聚合酶链式反应、聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术，分析300名韩国健康大学生的CYP1A1基因3′端限制性内切酶Msp Ⅰ位点、CYP2E1基因5′端转录调节区Pst Ⅰ位点和GSTM1、GSTT1缺失与存在、GSTP1基因第5外显子BsmA Ⅰ位点的基因型，计算基因型和基因频率。结果 CYP1A1基因型频率为ml／ml型39．7％、ml／m2型49．7％、m2／m2型10．7％，基因频率为ml 0．645、m2 0．355。CYP2E1基因型频率为cl／cl型66．7％、cl／c2型30％、c2／c2型3．3％，基因频率为C1 0．818、C2 0．182。GSTM1基因缺失型频率为53．3％。GSTT1基因缺失型频率为54．7％。GSTP1基因型频率为Ile／Ile型62％、Ile／Val型34．3％、VaL／Val型3．7％，基因频率为Ile 0．792、Val 0．208。基因分布符合Hardy-Weirtberg平衡定律。结论 韩国人CYP1A1、CYP2E1、GSTM1、GSTT1基因分布与我国人群较为相近，半数以上人缺乏GSTM1和GSTT1基因，纯合缺失型频率超过印度人的3倍。     

Maternal genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the risk of hypospadias

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies. Increased exposure to environmental factors (endocrine-disrupting chemicals and smoking) or maternal endogenous estrogen may cause hypospadias because male sexual differentiation is dependent on normal androgen homeostasis. Moreover, interactions between genetic factors and cigarette smoking and other chemicals have been suggested. It has been demonstrated that the CYP1A1 metabolizes not only environmental chemicals but also estrogens, and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are detoxification enzymes that protect cells from toxicants by conjugation with glutathione. In this study, to investigate the association of CYP1A1 (MspI), GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with hypospadias, a case-control study of 31 case mothers who had boys with hypospadias and 64 control mothers was performed in Japan. These polymorphisms were investigated by PCR-based methods using DNA from peripheral lymphocytes. We found that the heterozygous CYP1A1 and heterozygous and homozygous CYP1A1 were less frequent in the case mothers than in the control mothers [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.04-0.74, OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.08-0.97, respectively]. We found no effect of maternal smoking on the hypospadias risks among the gene polymorphisms. The results suggest that mothers with the CYP1A1 MspI variant allele may have a decreased risk for hypospadias.     

神经系统RNA结合蛋白Musashi1 RRM1的初步结晶

目的 对Musashi1发挥功能的 RRM1结构域进行结晶,得到可用来衍射的蛋白晶体,为之后的结构解析打基础。方法 通过构建Musashi1RRM1的原核表达载体,并在BL21中表达、纯化高纯度的蛋白质,通过筛选结晶体条件得到蛋白晶体。结果 通过系统筛选和优化晶体生长条件得到了蛋白晶体。结论 Musashi1 RRM1的蛋白晶体质量较好,满足蛋白晶体衍射和数据收集的要求。     

NDE1 and NDEL1: Multimerisation,alternate splicing and DISC1 interaction

Nuclear Distribution Factor E Homolog 1 (NDE1) and NDE-Like 1 (NDEL1) are highly homologous mammalian proteins. However, whereas NDEL1 is well studied, there is remarkably little known about NDE1. We demonstrate the presence of multiple isoforms of both NDE1 and NDEL1 in the brain, showing that NDE1 binds directly to multiple isoforms of Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), and to itself. We also show that NDE1 can complex with NDEL1. Together these results predict a high degree of complexity of DISC1-mediated regulation of neuronal activity.     

FoxO1在小鼠感染流感病毒H1N1中的作用及机制

目的探讨叉头盒转录因子O1（forkhead box O1,FoxO1）在小鼠抵抗流感病毒H1N1感染中发挥的作用及机制。方法用琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定小鼠的基因型后,将小鼠分为2组:条件性敲除NKp46⁺细胞中FoxO1基因的Foxo1^△NK组小鼠,以及对照组WT小鼠;2组小鼠使用滴鼻法同1天感染流感病毒H1N1,每天记录小鼠体质量及2组小鼠的死亡情况;在2组小鼠体质量及状态差异明显的第10天取样,HE染色法观察肺组织病理;Luminex液相芯片技术检测肺组织匀浆上清中36种细胞因子的表达情况;流式细胞术检测肺组织免疫细胞的比例变化。结果与WT组相比,感染流感病毒后Foxo1^△NK组小鼠死亡率增加,体质量下降更加严重;肺组织病理显示炎症反应减弱;肺组织匀浆上清中的细胞因子表达水平下降,ENA-78、IFN-α、IL-4、IL-5显著降低;肺组织免疫细胞中CD3⁺NKp46⁺NKT细胞比例显著下降。结论 FoxO1基因的缺失加重了小鼠流感感染进程,可能是通过抑制依赖FoxO1基因调控...     

Rb1cc1 is critical for myoblast differentiation through Rb1 regulation

Rb1-inducible coiled-coil 1 (Rb1cc1) expressed at high levels is associated with the maturation of human embryonic musculoskeletal cells. To clarify the molecular role of Rb1cc1 in muscular differentiation, we investigated the expression of Rb1cc1 and other genes that regulate differentiation in murine embryonic tissues and in C2C12 myoblasts. We also evaluated the effects of RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated Rb1cc1 knockdown on C2C12 myoblast differentiation. After Rb1cc1, Rb1 and myosin heavy chain (Myhc) were expressed in mouse embryonic muscles. The synchronous expression of Rb1cc1 and Rb1 predicted Myhc expression during C2C12 myoblast differentiation. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Rb1cc1 led to Rb1 suppression, and C2C12 myoblasts failed to differentiate. These results indicated that Rb1cc1 is a potent regulator of the Rb1 pathway and a novel mediator that plays a crucial role in muscular differentiation. Rb1cc1 expression is, thus, a prerequisite for myogenic differentiation.     

Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms are not involved in the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss

The etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) remains unclear, but it may be related to a possible genetic predisposition together with involvement of environmental factors. We examined the relation between RPL and polymorphisms in four genes, human aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, which are involved in the metabolism of a wide range of environmental toxins and carcinogens. All cases and controls were women resident in Sapporo, Japan and the surrounding area. The Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 genotypes were assessed in 113 Japanese women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and 203 ethnically matched women experiencing at least one live birth and no spontaneous abortion (control). No significant differences in Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 genotype frequencies were found between the women with RPL and the controls [Ah receptor: Arg/Arg (reference); Arg/Lys and Lys/Lys, odds ratio (OR)=0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.40-1.11, CYP1A1: m1m1 (reference); m1m2 and m2m2, OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.53-1.40, CYP1A2: C/C and C/A (reference); A/A, OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.71-1.88, CYP1B1: Leu/Leu (reference); Leu/Val and Val/Val, OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.68-2.02]. The present study suggests that the Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms are not major genetic regulators in RPL.     

Circulatinglong non-coding RNA FEZF1-AS1 and AFAP1-AS1 serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer

BackgroundGrowing evidence indicates that two long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), FEZ family zinc finger 1 antisense RNA 1 (FEZF1-AS1) and Actin filament associated protein 1 antisenseRNA1 (AFAP1-AS1), are highly expressed in different cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the expression pattern and clinical utility of these two lncRNAs are still unknown.MethodsSerum expression levels of FEZF1-AS1 andAFAP1-AS1 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). CEA and CA19-9 were detected by ARCHITET I2000 SR. Analyses were all performed using SPSS software version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsDetection of serum FEZF1-AS1 and AFAP1-AS1 showed both of them were up-regulated in GC patients compared with the normal controls (p < 0.0001), and high serum expression levels were correlated with tumor size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis. Besides, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) demonstrated the two lncRNAs had higher diagnostic utility than CEA and CA19-9. Furthermore, when combined the two lncRNAs as a model, it yielded an AUC of 0.866, and the combination of the model, CEA and CA19-9 could observably improve diagnostic sensitivity to 95.5 %. What’s more, circulating FEZF1-AS1 and AFAP1-AS1 were significantly decreased after the GC patients underwent the operation (both p < 0.001).ConclusionOur study indicated that serum FEZF1-AS1 and AFAP1-AS1 had better sensitivity and efficiency for the diagnosis of GC and the combination of the two lncRNAs might be used as a potential prognostic indicator in GC.