Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.     

Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Antibodies against Donor HLA Class II

The immunologic risk associated with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) against Class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of KTx when DSA was detected only against HLA Class II. To isolate the impact of anti-Class II DSA, we retrospectively analyzed 12 KTx recipients who at baseline had a positive B-cell flow cytometric crossmatch (FXM) and a negative T-cell FXM. Using alloantibody specification analysis, 58.3% (7/12) had DSA against donor Class II and 41.7% had no demonstrable DSA. Biopsy-proven AMR occurred in 57% (4/7) in the Class II(+) group and 0% in the Class II(-) group (p > 0.05). Peritubular capillaries stained positive for C4d in 86% (6/7) of the Class II(+) patients and in 40% (2/5) of the Class II(-) patients (p > 0.05). One patient in the Class II(+) group lost their graft at 3 months to accelerated transplant glomerulopathy, while all other grafts were functioning 3-37 months posttransplant despite the persistence of anti-Class II DSA. We conclude that KTx recipients with clearly defined anti-Class II DSA are at risk for humoral rejection suggesting that desensitization and/or close posttransplant monitoring may be needed to prevent AMR.     

Genetic immunization with GPI-anchored anthrax protective antigen raises combined CD1d- and MHC II-restricted antibody responses by natural killer T cell-mediated help

Studies have demonstrated that lipid rafts ultimately regulate the endocytosis of anthrax toxin via clathrin dependent pathway. Interestingly, GPI-anchored protein rich rafts have also been shown to be transported down to the endocytic pathway to reducing late endosomes. Taking advantage of this parallelism, we tried translating the anthrax toxin natural intoxication mechanism by administering a DNA chimera that encoded protective antigen attached to a mammalian GPI-anchor sequence at its C-terminus (pGPI-PA63). We also designed a chimera that had an additional N-terminal TPA leader sequence (pTPA.GPI-PA63) with an aim to target GPI-PA63 to ER where new CD1 molecules are synthesized. Analysis of antibody titers demonstrated successful priming and potential IgG titers after the first boost. In vitro cell proliferation studies in the presence of GPI-attached PA63 peptides revealed that there was a clonal expansion of CD4⁺ NK1.1⁺ helper T cell population which rapidly produced IL-4 in response to T cell receptor ligation. These cells provided direct B cell help that aided IgG formation. Effector responses generated by NKT cells were found to be MHC II-independent and CD1d-restricted. In addition, the group pTPA.GPI-PA63 also displayed low magnitude MHC-II restricted (CD1d-independent) NKT cell and CD4⁺ T cell helper responses in response to non-GPI attached PA63 peptides which overall resulted in the heightened responses seen for this group. Importantly, DNA vaccination mediated the generation of high avidity neutralizing antibodies that mediated protection against lethal toxin challenge.     

CD14+单核细胞人类白细胞抗原DR表达率与脓毒症关系的研究

目的了解烧伤延迟复苏时CDl4^＋单核细胞人类白细胞抗原DR（HLA—DR）表达率的变化，分析其与脓毒症的关系。方法选择烧伤面积大于30％TBSA的25例烧伤延迟复苏患者，于伤后1、3、7、14、28d取外周血，其中7例患者住院期间并发脓毒症，于脓毒症发生后连续2d亦取其外周血。另取20例健康体检者外周血作为对照。流式细胞仪检测CD14^＋单核细胞HLA．DR表达率，酶联免疫吸附测定法检测血浆中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF—α）、白细胞介素10（IL-10）的浓度。结果非脓毒症患者伤后1、3、7、14、28dCD14^＋单核细胞HLA—DR表达率分别为（15±6）％、（74±5）％、（264±17）％、（284-16）％、（474-16）％，明显低于健康体检者[（924±10）％，P〈0．01]；脓毒症患者发生脓毒症后1、2d，该指标亦明显低于健康体检者及非脓毒症患者伤后1、7、14、28d（P〈0．01）。脓毒症患者TNF—d检出率及TNF—α、IL-10浓度，均高于非脓毒症患者和健康体检者（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。伤后1、7、28d，外周血CD14^＋单核细胞HLA—DR表达率与IL—10浓度呈显著负相关（r分别为-0．9963、-0．7459、-0．8474，P〈0．01）。结论烧伤延迟复苏患者免疫功能低下，促炎性介质释放量增加，并发脓毒症时则更为严重。外周血CD14^＋单核细胞HLA—DR表达率可作为动态检测患者免疫功能状态的有效指标。     

凋亡调控基因Fas/APO-1、bcl-2在胆囊癌中的表达及与生物学特性的关系

目的　研究肿瘤凋亡调控基因Fas/APO 1、bcl 2在胆囊癌发生发展中的作用。方法　应用免疫组化法对 2 8例胆囊癌及其癌旁组织、2 0例胆囊息肉和腺瘤组织检测基因Fas/APO 1、bc1 2的表达 ,并分析它们与胆囊癌生物学特性的关系。结果　胆囊癌组织中bc1 2表达率与癌旁组织、息肉和腺瘤组织相比显著增高 ,而Fas/APO 1表达明显降低 (均P <0 .0 5 ) ;与肿瘤生物学特性的关系 ,bc1 2蛋白表达率在高、中分化组中明显低于低、未分化组 ,NevinⅠ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期低于Ⅳ、Ⅴ期 ,而Fas/APO 1蛋白表达则相反 (均P <0 .0 5 )。结论　bc1 2为胆囊癌细胞凋亡抑制基因 ,而Fas/APO 1则为促进基因 ,两者在胆囊癌的发生发展中起重要作用     

FasL基因表达对缺氧状态下直肠癌细胞增殖凋亡的影响

Objective To elucidate the effect of FasL gene expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of hypoxic rectal carcinoma cells. Methods The normoxic expression level of FasL in HR-8348 subtype cells (HR-8348B, HR-8348L, HR-8348F and HR-8348As) with different invasive power were verified by Western blot. Hypoxia models for HR-8348B, HR-8348L, HR-8348F and HR-8348As were constructed with chemical modeling, then the FasL levels in all groups at 12 h after hypoxia were quantitated by Western blot. Distribution of different cell life cycles was determined with flow cytometry. Cell reproductive activities were detected with MTT method, and cell apoptesis was assessed with TUNEL. Results FasL protein was pigmentized at the position of 40 000 by Western blot, and the expression level of FasL was significantly higher in HR-8348F cells than those in HR-8348B, HR-8348L and HR-8348As cells(F=361.149, P<0.01) in normoxia. At 12 h after hypoxia, the FasL level was also significantly higher in HR-8348F cells than those in other groups (F=278.766, P<0.01), but was not markedly different as compared to themselves in normoxia (t=1.762, P>0.05). The proliferation index was significantly higher in HR-8348F (60.43±3.72) than those in HR-8348B (40.01±3.30), HR-8348L (41.30±4.06) and HR-8348As cells (35.87±4.39), respectively (F=39.477, P<0.01). However, both inhibition rate of proliferation and apoptotic index were remarkably lower in HR-8348F (17.30±1.98 and 13.10±1.04) than those in HR-834B (33.70±4.33 and 21.60±1.31), HR-8348L (34.20±3.92 and 20.10±1.15), and HR-8348As (38.00±4.55 and 23.90±1.23), respectively (F=28.811 and 76.462, respectively, P<0.01). Conclusion The expression enhancement of intracellular FasL in rectal carcinoma in hypoxia can lead to accelerated proliferation and reduced apeptosis of cells, which will promote tumor cells to adapt microenvironmental hypoxia.     

Permanent prostate brachytherapy for Japanese men: Results from initial 100 patients with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial results of brachytherapy for prostate cancer with permanent iodine-125 implant in Japan. METHODS: The results obtained with brachytherapy in the initial 100 Japanese patients treated at Nagano Municipal Hospital were reviewed. Patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of less than 10 ng/mL and a Gleason's scores of 5, 6, 3 + 4 were classified as having a low risk of recurrence. Patients with a PSA level of 10-20 ng/mL and/or a Gleason's score of 4 + 3 were classified as having an intermediate risk for recurrence. Seventy-eight of the low-risk patients and 19 of the intermediate-risk patients were treated by seed implants alone, or seed implants combined with preceding external radiation, respectively. A total of 53 patients received neoadjuvant hormone therapy. The efficacy and morbidity of brachytherapy were investigated using the serum PSA, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and uroflowmetry data. RESULTS: The average V100 and D90 obtained by post-implant dosimetry was 94.3 and 113.7%, respectively. Serum PSA decreased gradually after treatment, although it had still not reached a nadir after 1 year. There was little difference of the PSA level between the patients with and without neoadjuvant hormone therapy even at 1 year after seed implantation. There were no PSA biochemical failure or clinical recurrence during the follow-up period. Voiding symptoms worsened until 3 months after treatment, and then gradually improved. Acute urinary retention occurred transiently in one patient (1%). Rectal bleeding and severe diarrhea did not occur. CONCLUSION: Brachytherapy is a feasible and effective option for the treatment of prostate cancer in Japanese men. Brachytherapy may have a different effect in Japanese patients with respect to voiding symptoms. Urinary retention was rare, but voiding symptoms were persistent in Japanese patients. Neoadjuvant hormone therapy deserves investigation to determine whether it can achieve better results, especially in patients with an intermediate risk.     

Fas系统参与介导烧伤后心肌细胞凋亡及牛磺酸的影响

目的观察Fas系统在烧伤后心肌细胞凋亡中的作用及牛磺酸的影响。方法选健康Wistar大鼠,随机分成对照组(Sham)、烧伤组(造成40%TBSAⅢ度烧伤)和牛磺酸保护组(烫伤后即刻腹腔注射牛磺酸400 mg/kg)。用原位末端标记(TUNEL)法检测凋亡细胞,RT-PCR检测Fas mRNA表达,免疫组化检测Fas/FasL和Caspase-8/3蛋白表达和荧光法分析Caspase-3活性。结果烧伤组大鼠伤后6 h和24 h心肌细胞凋亡指数分别为8.96±2.10和18.67±2.48,较对照组(0.92±0.34)有显著性升高,Fas蛋白阳性表达指数分别为13.51±1.56和14.55±1.89,也显著性高于对照组(2.46±0.75);Caspase-3活性分别为1.38±0.16和1.96±0.71,较对照组(0.35±0.06)有显著性差异。烧伤组凋亡指数与Fas表达之间有良好的相关性(r=0.86)。牛磺酸保护组细胞凋亡指数为2.14±0.68,Fas蛋白表达为3.71±0.82,Fas mRNA表达为0.17±0.03,Caspase-3活性为0.88±0.16,较烧伤组均有显著性降低。结论Fas系统参与了介导烧伤后心肌细胞凋亡,牛磺酸对烧伤后心肌细胞Fas表达及其信号转导有较好的拮抗作用。     

As_2O_3诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡及对Fas表达和钙含量的影响

化疗在原发性肝癌的综合治疗中占重要地位.为寻找肝癌治疗新的有效药物,我们观察了As2O3对人肝癌细胞株BEL7402的生物学效应,以期为As2O3临床治疗肝癌提供实验依据.     

Validation of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions for evaluation of invasive character of urinary bladder carcinoma in rats and mice

A series of 8 rat and 16 mouse invasive bladder carcinomas were investigated for the presence of silverstained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) to clarify whether this parameter is applicable to the estimation of their invasive character. With regard to number of AgNORs per cell, neither rat nor mouse carcinomas showed any difference between invasive and noninvasive sites within the same tumor. However, the frequency of cancer cells bearing bizarre dots, irregular in size and shape, was significantly higher at sites of actual invasion. Quantitative data generated using an image analyzer revealed significantly lower values for NOR roundness and significantly larger NOR size in invasive sites than in noninvasive sites in all groups. Double staining for the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and AgNORs was performed on eight rat carcinomas and a close correlation between the two was confirmed. Thus the number of AgNORs in PCNA-positive cells was significantly greater than in PCNA-negative cells. Furthermore, a particularly strong correlation was observed for incidences of PCNA-positive cells and bizarre dots (P<0.01). The quantitative data also demonstrated significant differences in size and shape of dots. It is concluded that AgNORs have diagnostic value for the invasive character of bladder carcinomas.