Inhibitory Effect of Angiogenesis Inhibitor TNP—470 on Human ACHN Renal Cell Carcinoma

Angiogenesis,the formation of new bloodvessels,is necessary for the growth of tumors andtheir metastasis.TNP- 470 is a synthetic analogueof fumagillin and has stronger antiangiogenic　 ac-tivity and less side- effects than fumagillin.Thiscompound has been reported to suppress the prolif-eration and metastasis of various kinds of tu-mors[1] . Using nude mice xenografts of ACHN hu-man renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) ,the presentstudyattempted to examine the action of TNP- 470 ongrowth,metastasi…     

Identification of differentially expressed genes in omental adipose tissues of obese patients by suppression subtractive hybridization

To identify differentially expressed genes between obese individuals and normal control, we have undertaken suppression subtractive hybridization （SSH）. Omental adipose tissues were obtained via abdominal surgery for appendicitis in both 13 obese subjects[BMI （body mass index） 〉 30 kg/m（2）] and 13 normal subjects （BMI 〉 18 and 〈 25 kg/m（2））.     

In vivo anti-melanoma activities of the Melan-A/MART-1101–115 T CD4+ cell peptide

Malignant melanoma causes significant health problems. The identification of tumour-associated antigens has led to novel approaches to increase T cell mediated anti-tumour immune response. Melan-A/MART-1 has been use as target antigen for several T cell based immunotherapeutic treatments. More recently, the critical role of CD4+ T cells in inducing and maintaining anti-tumour immunity has been increasingly recognized. In order to optimize tumour immunotherapy, greater efforts have been concentrated on the identification of tumour antigens presented by MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells. In a publication, Tiwari et al. (2004) [1] have identified by a computational approach the 15-mer amino-acid sequence 101–115 (PPAYEKLSAEQSPPP) of the Melan-A/MART-1 as a good target for a vigorous and safe immunotherapy. Therefore, we have investigated the in vivo anti-tumour activity of this peptide in a murine melanoma model. For the prophylactic treatment, 20 μg or 50 μg peptide was subcutaneously injected in mice once a week during 3 weeks before tumour induction. Treatment with 50 μg peptide significantly affected tumour development. Thus, our preliminary data demonstrate potential in vivo prophylactic activity of the 101–115 peptide-based vaccine to control melanoma growth.     

The Cellular Lesion of Humoral Rejection: Predominant Recruitment of Monocytes to Peritubular and Glomerular Capillaries

Accumulation of inflammatory cells within capillaries is a common morphologic feature of humoral renal allograft rejection and is most easily appreciated if it occurs in glomeruli. The aim of our study was to determine the amount and composition of immune cells within glomeruli and peritubular capillaries (PTC) in cellular and humoral allograft rejection. Immunofluorescent double-labeling for CD31 and CD3 or CD68 was used for phenotyping and enumerating immune cells within glomeruli and PTC. The major findings are: (1) accumulation of immune cells in PTC is far more common than it would be anticipated based on the assessment by conventional histology; (2) it is not the absolute number of immune cells accumulating within capillaries, but rather the composition of the intracapillary cell population that distinguishes humoral rejection from cellular rejection and (3) in C4d positive biopsies a predominantly monocytic cell population accumulates not only within glomeruli but also within PTC. The median value of monocyte/T-cell ratio within PTC was 2.3 in C4d positive biopsies but only 1 (p = 0.0008) in C4d negative biopsies. Given their prominent presence within capillaries and their extensive biological versatility monocytes might contribute to the capillary damage observed in acute and chronic allograft rejection.     

Blockade of LTB4-induced chemotaxis by bioactive molecules interfering with the BLT2-Gαi interaction

BLT2, a low-affinity leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) receptor, is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family and is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Despite its clinical implications, however, no pharmacological inhibitors are available. In the present study, we screened for small molecules that interfere with the interaction between the third intracellular loop region of BLT2 (BLT2_iL3) and the Gα_i3 protein subunit (Gα_i3), using a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay with a library of 1040 FDA-approved drugs and bioactive compounds. We identified two small molecules—purpurin [1,2,4-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone; IC₅₀ = 1.6 μM for BLT2] and chloranil [tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone; IC₅₀ = 0.42 μM for BLT2]—as specific BLT2-blocking agents. We found that blockade of the BLT2_iL3-Gα_i3 interaction by these small molecules inhibited the BLT2-downstream signaling cascade. For example, BLT2-signaling to phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt phosphorylation was completely abolished by these molecules. Furthermore, we observed that these small molecules blocked LTB₄-induced chemotaxis by inhibiting the BLT2-PI3K/Akt-downstream, Rac1-reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway. Taken together, our results show that purpurin and chloranil interfere with the interaction between BLT2_iL3 and Gα_i3 and thus block the biological functions of BLT2 (e.g., chemotaxis). The present findings suggest a potential application of purpurin and chloranil as pharmacological therapeutic agents against BLT2-associated inflammatory human diseases.     

INK4A基因及P16蛋白在辐射诱导小鼠白血病模型中的变化

目的 研究INK4A基因及编码的P16蛋白在辐射诱导的小鼠白血病模型中的改变。方法 7.0 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ射线分4次照射BALB/c小鼠建立辐射诱导的小鼠白血病模型; PCR扩增INK4A 基因第1、第2 外显子,检测等位基因纯合性缺失,甲基化敏感酶切PCR 法检测INK4A基因的甲基化发生情况,并应用PCR单链构象多态性分析方法检测碱基突变的发生;Western blot检测P16蛋白含量改变。结果 在21例白血病模型组织中,外显子2缺失5例,4例发生甲基化,有11例蛋白表达明显下降。结论 辐射诱导的小鼠白血病模型发生过程中伴有P16蛋白表达下降, INK4A基因改变以纯合性缺失和甲基化为主。     

Human CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells Suppress Anti-Porcine Xenogeneic Responses

Due to the shortage of human organs, xenotransplantation is being explored as an alternative to allotransplantation, but immune rejection remains a major hurdle to its implementation. We tested the ability of human CD4+CD25+ T cells (Treg cells) to suppress CD4+ T cell-mediated anti-porcine xenoresponses usingin vitroassays. Human Treg cells were hyporesponsive to porcine cell stimulation and suppressed the proliferative response of CD4+CD25- T cells in a dose-dependent manner, and comparison of the allo- and xenoresponses indicated that more Treg cells might be required to suppress the xenogeneic response than the allogeneic response. Stimulation of CD4+CD25- T cells with porcine cells resulted in secretion of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-2, and Treg cells suppressed the secretion of these cytokines, as well as the CD4+CD25- T-cell cytolytic response against porcine cells. These results suggest a potential role for Treg cells in promoting xenograft survival.     

C4d in Acute Rejection After Liver Transplantation—A Valuable Tool in Differential Diagnosis to Hepatitis C Recurrence

Hepatitis C is the most common indication for liver transplantation. Recurrence of HCV is universal leading to graft failure in up to 40% of all patients. The differentiation between acute rejection and recurrent hepatitis C is crucial as rejection treatments are likely to aggravate HCV recurrence. Histological examination of liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of acute rejection but has failed in the past to distinguish between acute rejection and recurrent hepatitis C. We have recently reported that C4d as a marker of the activated complement cascade is detectable in hepatic specimen in acute rejection after liver transplantation. In this study, we investigate whether C4d may serve as a specific marker for differential diagnosis in hepatitis C reinfection cases. Immunohistochemical analysis of 97 patients was performed. A total of 67.7% of patients with acute cellular rejection displayed C4d-positive staining in liver biopsy whereas 11.8% of patients with hepatitis C reinfection tested positive for C4d. In the control group, 6.9% showed C4d positivity. For the first time we were able to clearly demonstrate that humoral components, represented by C4d deposition, play a role in acute cellular rejection after LTX. Consequently C4d may be helpful to distinguish between acute rejection and reinfection after LTX for HCV.     

Activation of peripheral 5-HT4 receptors attenuates colonic sensitivity to intraluminal distension

Tegaserod is a 5-HT(4) receptor partial agonist approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in women with constipation and in both men and women with chronic constipation. The efficacy of tegaserod is based on the importance of 5-HT(4) receptors regulating intestinal peristalsis and secretion, and possibly visceral sensory pathways. Our aim was to investigate the effect of tegaserod on colorectal sensitivity using models of normal and exaggerated responsiveness to colorectal distension (CRD). The visceromotor responses (VMR) to CRD at graded pressures (0-60 mmHg) were measured by the number of reflex abdominal contractions. Acute colorectal hypersensitivity was induced by intracolonic infusion of dilute acetic acid. Chronic hypersensitivity was observed in rats following spontaneous resolution of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis. Rats with normosensitive colons served as controls. Tegaserod (0.1-10 mg kg(-1)) caused dose-dependent reduction of the VMR to CRD in control rats and in those with colonic hypersensitivity. 5-HT(4) antagonists reversed the effects of tegaserod in rats with normosensitive colons, and partially inhibited effects in rats with colonic hypersensitivity. Central administration of tegaserod had no inhibitory effect. These results support the assumption that colonic hypersensitivity could be normalized by tegaserod acting, at least in part, through peripheral 5-HT(4) receptors.     

转移相关基因nm23和P53及S100A4在晚期胃癌中的表达及与侵袭转移的相关性研究

目的探讨转移相关蛋白（nm23和P53及S100A4）在晚期胃癌转移发展过程中的意义。方法应用组织芯片和免疫组织化学方法研究nm23、P53和S100A4在74例胃癌患者的癌、癌旁、淋巴结转移、远处转移（肝脏、胰腺、卵巢等）组织中的表达。结果同癌旁组织相比，癌组织中P53和S100A4表达明显升高（P〈0．01），而nm23的表达明显降低（P〈0．05）；同癌组织相比，淋巴结中nm23的表达明显降低（P〈0．05）。远处转移组织S100A4表达明显升高（P〈0．01）。3者的阳性表达与胃癌的部分恶性生物学行为有关。癌组织中nm23^＋／P53^＋、P53^＋／S100A4^＋和nm23^＋／S100A4^＋的基因表型比例分别为48例（64．9％）、50例（67．6％）和39例（52．7％），其中P53^＋／S100A4^＋、nm23^＋／S100A4^＋和nm23^＋／P53^＋／S100A4^＋均与胃癌的高转移潜能相关。结论nm23和S100A4在肿瘤转移中发挥了重要作用；联合检测nm23、P53和S100A4的表达可用于评定胃癌的转移潜能。