血红素加氧酶-1对肝癌细胞细胞周期调控因子的影响

目的 观察血红素加氧酶-1(heme oxygenase 1,HO-1)对人肝癌细胞HepG2细胞周期调控因子的影响.方法 构建含有野生型和突变型HO-1基因的重组载体pcDNA3.1(+)-wtHO-1和pcDNA3.1(+)-mHO-1G143H.利用脂质体介导的方法将构建好的重组载体转染肝癌细胞系HepG2,以空载体转染作为对照组.通过G418筛选建立稳定表达野生型和突变型HO-1的HepG2肝癌细胞系.经半定量RT-PCR、Western印迹检测转染细胞系中HO-1 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平.在HO-1表达改变的稳转细胞系中,利用Western 印迹检测转染细胞系中P21、P27蛋白表达水平.结果 成功实现了野生型和突变型HO-1在HepG2细胞中的过表达;野生型和突变型HO-1过表达均能诱导抑癌基因p21和p27的表达.结论 HO-1过表达诱导抑癌基因p21和p27的表达与血红素分解产物无关.HO-1可能通过其它机制调节p21和p27的表达.     

抑制plk1表达导致胃癌细胞cyclinB/cdc2复合体活性升高

目的观察抑制polo样激酶基因1(plkl)表达对胃癌细胞株MKN45的cyclinB／cde2复合体(MPF)及细胞周期的影响。方法化学合成小片断干扰RNA(siRNA)阻断MKN45细胞plkl基因的表达;实时定量PCR及Western印迹检测干扰前后plkl mRNA及蛋白质表达的变化;倒置显微镜观察细胞形态的变化;流式细胞仪检测MKN45细胞周期分布的变化;Western印迹检测cyclinB与cdc2表达水平的变化,激酶活性分析检测cdc2激酶活性变化。结果经靶向plkl的siRNA作用后,plkl siRNA mRNA及蛋白质表达明显下降;较多MKN45细胞变圆及呈现G_2期细胞DNA含量(P<0．05);cyclinB平均表达水平在48及72h,较对照siRNA组升高了82．38％和32．89％(P<0．05),cdc2表达水平无明显变化,但其平均活性在48及72h较对照siRNA组升高了29．34％和80．33％(P<0．05)。结论 PLKl与其下游的cyclinB／cdc2复合体活性之间在MKN45细胞有丝分裂的前后期可能存在着不同的调控机制,PLKl在MKN45细胞有丝分裂的启动及退出方面均发挥关键作用。     

Single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis of GH, GHR,and IGF-1 genes in minipigs

Tibetan (TB) and Bama (BM) miniature pigs are two popular pig breeds that are used as experimental animals in China due to their small body size. Here, we analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene fragments that are closely related to growth traits [growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1)] in these pig breeds and a large white (LW) control pig breed. On the basis of the analysis of 100 BMs, 108 TBs, and 50 LWs, the polymorphic distribution levels of GH, GHR, and IGF-1 were significantly different among these three pig breeds. According to correlation analyses between SNPs and five growth traits - body weight (BW), body length (BL), withers height (WH), chest circumference (CC), and abdomen circumference (AC) - three SNP loci in BMs and four SNP loci in TBs significantly affected growth traits. Three SNP sites in BMs and four SNP sites in TBs significantly affected growth traits. SNPs located in the GH gene fragment significantly affected BL and CC at locus 12 and BL at locus 45 in BMs, and also BW, WH, CC, and AC at locus 45 and WH and CC at locus 93 in TBs. One SNP at locus 85 in the BM GHR gene fragment significantly affected all growth traits. All indices were significantly reduced with a mixture of alleles at locus 85. These results provide more information regarding the genetic background of these minipig species and indicate useful selection markers for pig breeding programs.     

Upregulation of Immune Checkpoint Molecules,PD-1 and LAG-3, on CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells after Gastric Cancer Surgery

Background

Surgery has been reported to suppress cell-mediated immunity; however, the detailed mechanisms responsible for this remain unclear. This study determined the expression of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) in lymphocytes following surgery for gastric cancer.

Methods

LAG-3 and PD-1 expression on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells obtained pre- and post-operatively from gastric cancer patients were evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry.

Results

The total lymphocyte count decreased rapidly from preoperative levels, reaching a minimum on postoperative day 1 and remaining significantly decreased on days 3 and 7. PD-1⁺CD4⁺ T cells significantly increased, reaching a maximum on postoperative day 1 and remaining significantly elevated on day 3. PD-1⁺CD8⁺ T cells significantly increased and reached a maximum on day 7 before returning to the preoperative level on day 30. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of LAG-3⁺CD4⁺ or LAG-3⁺CD8⁺ T cells after surgery. There were significant positive correlations between PD-1 and LAG-3 expression on both CD4⁺ andCD8⁺ T cells.

Conclusion

PD-1 and LAG-3 expression on both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells was up-regulated and might be related to impaired cell-mediated immunity after surgery for gastric cancer.     

Cell cycle synchronization and BrdU incorporation as a tool to study the possible selective elimination of ErbB1 gene in the micronuclei in A549 cells

Lung cancer often exhibits molecular changes, such as the overexpression of the ErbB1 gene that encodes epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). ErbB1 amplification and mutation are associated with tumor aggressiveness and low response to therapy. The aim of the present study was to design a schedule to synchronize the cell cycle of A549 cell line (a non-small cell lung cancer) and to analyze the possible association between the micronuclei (MNs) and the extrusion of ErbB1 gene extra-copies. After double blocking, by the process of fetal bovine serum deprivation and vincristine treatment, MNs formation was monitored with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, which is an S-phase marker. Statistical analyses allowed us to infer that MNs may arise both in mitosis as well as in interphase. The MNs were able to replicate their DNA and this process seemed to be non-synchronous with the main cell nuclei. The presence of ErbB1 gene in the MNs was evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). ErbB1 sequences were detected in the MNs, but a relation between the MNs formation and extrusion of amplified ErbB1could not be established. The present study sought to elucidate the meaning of MNs formation and its association with the elimination of oncogenes or other amplified sequences from the tumor cells.     

Cytokine TGF-β1, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL‐6 Gene Polymorphisms and Localization of Premalignant Gastric Lesions in Immunohistochemically H. pylori-negative Patients

Background: Cytokines and their gene variants are proven to play a role in pathogenic gastritis and carcinogenesis. The study assesses associations of the cytokine gene polymorphisms with extension of atrophic gastritis/intestinal metaplasia (AGIM) in patients without Helicobacter pylori infection on immunohistochemistry study.Methods: 224 adult consecutive patients undergoing an upper digestive endoscopy were included and grouped according to localization of AGIM: 37 patients with antrum-limited AGIM, 21 corpus-limited AGIM, 15 extended-AGIM (antrum and corpus) and 151 patients had no AGIM. Medical records of the patients were checked and a structured direct interview was applied in order to collect clinical data, including digestive symptoms. In all cases, IFN-γ +874T>A, TGF-β1 +869T>C, TNF‐α-308G>A and -238G>A, and IL-6 -174C>G polymorphisms were genotyped.Results: The mean age was significantly higher in the AGIM group, while the comorbidies were similar among patients with different localization of lesions or in patients without AGIM. There were no significant differences in digestive symptoms, nor in the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or proton pump inhibitor with the different extensions of AGIM. There was a significant association between oral anticoagulant consumption and localization of AGIM (P = 0.042), frequency being higher among patients with corpus-limited AGIM than those with no AGIM (P = 0.007, adjusted P = 0.041). TGF-β1 +869T>C was less frequent among patients with corpus-limited AGIM (n=7, 33.3%) and extended AGIM (n=5, 33.3%) than in antrum-limited AGIM (n=25, 67.6%). There were no other significant differences regarding variant and wild genotype frequencies of IFN-γ +874T>A (86.5%, 81.0%, 86.7%, p=0.814), TNF‐α-308G>A (35.1%, 28.6%, 53.3%, p=0.48) and IL-6 -174C>G (70.3%. 61.9%, 73.3% p=0.656) among patients with antrum-limited, corpus-limited or extended AGIM. TGF-β1 +869T>C was associated with a decreased risk for corpus-affected AGIM (adjusted odds ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.93, P = 0.032). The dominant inheritance models no revealed significant association for IFN-γ +874T>A, TNF‐α-308G>A and IL-6 -174C>G gene polymorphism and the risk of localization of AGIM.Conclusion: TGF-β1 +869T>C gene polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk for corporeal localization of premalignant lesions, while IFN-γ +874T>A, TNF-α-308G>A and IL-6 -174C>G are not associated with the risk for AGIM in immunohistochemically H. pylori negative patients.     

Status of allele frequency and diversity of Plasmodium falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp before implementation of an artemisinin-based combined therapy in Northwestern Colombia.

Introduction:

The status of msp1, msp2 and glurp allele frequency and the diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in Northwestern Colombia before the implementation of an artemisinin-combined therapy have been explored only by a few authors and in a relatively small number of samples from this highly endemic region.

Objective:

To evaluate the frequency of msp1, msp2, and glurp alleles and the diversity of P. falciparum in two Colombian regions before the use of an artemisinin-combined therapy.

Methods:

This study was part of a major anti-malarial efficacy trial designed as a random, clinically-controlled study for which 224 subjects were recruited. Region 2 of msp1 and msp2 (central region) were amplified by a nested PCR; glurp (region R2) was amplified by a semi-nested PCR.

Results:

For msp1, five genotypes were observed, representing the K1, MAD20, and RO33 allelic families. All samples corresponded to a MAD20 150 bp allele. For msp2 (IC family), two alleles were detected and for glurp, eight were observed. A total 33 haplotypes were detected.

Conclusions:

Analysis of glurpcan be used to successfully genotype parasite populations in the new studies in Colombia aimed at exploring Plasmodium spp population dynamics. In addition, analysis of msp1 and msp2 can also be of value for comparisons with past studies, but not when the objective is to study parasites obtained from the same patient in a reduced period of time; for instance, during treatment efficacy studies.     

TcR-α/β CD4CD8 T Cells in Humans with the Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome Express a Novel CD45 Isoform That Is Analogous to Murine B220 and Represents a Marker of Altered O-Glycan Biosynthesis

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), caused by inherited defects in apoptosis secondary to mutations in genes encoding Fas/CD95/APO-1 and Fas ligand (Fasl)/CD95L, is characterized by nonmalignant lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, increased T cell receptor α/β⁺ CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells (α/β⁺ double-negative T cells [α/β⁺-DNT cells]), autoimmunity, hypergammaglobulinemia, and cytokine abnormalities. The α/β⁺-DNT cells are immunophenotypically and functionally similar to α/β⁺-DNT cells that accumulate in lpr and gld mice, which bear genetic mutations in Fas and FasL. In these mice, α/β⁺-DNT cells express the B-cell-specific CD45R isoform B220. We show that α/β⁺-DNT cells of ALPS patients, with either Fas or FasL mutations, also express B220. In addition, also similar to LPR/gLD mice, they have an unusual population of B220-positive CD4⁺ T cells. B220 expression, together with our finding of characteristic lectin binding profiles, demonstrates that cell surface O-linked glycoproteins have undergone specific modifications, which may have consequences for lymphocyte trafficking, cell–cell interactions, and access to alternative apoptosis pathways.     

Protection against malaria is conferred by passive transferring rabbit F(ab)(2)' antibody fragments, induced by Plasmodium falciparum MSP-1 site-directed designed pseudopeptide-BSA conjugates assessed in a rodent model

F(ab)₂′-immunoglobulin (Ig) fragments induced by site-directed designed immunogens are emerging as novel tools of potential utility in the treatment of clinical episodes of transmissible diseases such as malaria. Immunogens based on reduced amide pseudopeptides based on site-directed molecular modifications represent structural probes that could be considered as novel vaccine candidates, as we have previously demonstrated.We have obtained F(ab)₂′-Ig rabbit antibodies induced against the N-terminal sequence of the native Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium falciparum and a set of five MSP-1-derived reduced amide pseudopeptides. Pseudopeptides were designed for inducing functional neutralizing mono-specific polyclonal antibodies with potential applications in the control of malaria. Following a classical enzyme immunoglobulin fractionation, F(ab)₂′-Ig fragments were tested for their ability to suppress blood-stage parasitemia by passive immunization in malaria-infected mice. Some of these fragments proved totally effective in suppressing a lethal blood-stage challenge infection and others reduced malarial parasitemia.These data suggest that protection against Plasmodium yoelii malaria following passive transfer of structurally well-defined β-strand F(ab)₂′-Ig fragments can be associated with specific immunoglobulins induced by site-directed designed MSP-1 reduced amide pseudopeptides.