RON and MET Co-overexpression Are Significant Pathological Characteristics of Poor Survival and Therapeutic Targets of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly malignant and has poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. The lack of effective therapy has spurred our investigation of new targets for treating this malignant cancer. Here, we identified RON (macrophage-stimulating 1 receptor) and MET (MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase) as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets for potential TNBC treatment. @*Materials and Methods@#We analyzed RON and MET expression in 187 primary TNBC clinical samples with immunohistochemistry. We validated the targeted therapeutic effects of RON and MET in TNBC using three tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): BMS-777607, INCB28060, and tivantinib. The preclinical therapeutic efficacy of the TKIs was mainly estimated using a TNBC xenograft model. @*Results@#Patients with TNBC had widespread, abnormal expression of RON and MET. There was RON overexpression, MET overexpression, and RON and MET co-overexpression in 63 (33.7%), 63 (33.7%), and 43 cases (23.0%), respectively, which had poor prognosis and short survival. In vivo, the TKI targeting RON ant MET inhibited the activation of the downstream signaling molecules, inhibited TNBC cell migration and proliferation, and increased TNBC cell apoptosis; in the xenograft model, they significantly inhibited tumor growth and shrank tumor volumes. The TKI targeting RON and Met, such as BMS-777607 and tivantinib, yielded stronger anti-tumor effects than INCB28060. @*Conclusion@#RON and MET co-overexpression can be significant pathological characteristics in TNBC for poor prognosis. TKIs targeting RON and MET have stronger drug development potential for treating TNBC.

Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates the expression of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted induced by lipopolysaccharide in human retinal endothelial cells / 生理学报

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of inflammatory chemokine regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) and to explore the underlying regulatory mechanism. HRECs were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of EGCG at various concentrations (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 μmol/L). The optimum concentration of drug was determined by a real-time cell-electronic sensing (RT-CES) system, and MTS chromatometry was used to detect the toxicity of LPS and EGCG on HRECs. RANTES production in the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA. The expression levels of Akt and phosphorylated Akt were examined by Western blot assay. The result showed that LPS markedly stimulated RANTES secretion from HRECs. EGCG treatment significantly suppressed LPS-induced RANTES secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGCG exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt. Taken together, our data suggest that EGCG suppresses LPS-induced RANTES secretion, possibly via inhibiting Akt phosphorylation in HRECs.

Study of RON mediated invasion of Raji cell line and drug-target effects / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the proto-oncogene RON mediated aggression of Raji cells and the inhibitory effects by monoclonal antibody Zt/f2 (2f2).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of RON ligand macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) (2.0 nmol/L) and inhibitory Zt/f2 (2F2) (2.0 nmol/L) antibody on proliferation of RON positive Raji cells after treatment for 24 and72 hours were detected by MTT method, colony formation units (CFU) of Raji cells by methylcellulose semi solid culture, Raji cells apoptosis and cell cycle analysis by AnnexinV/PI double staining, expression of RON, apoptosis-related proteins, and cyclins by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1)Compared with the cell viability (1.0) and counts of CFU (103.6±7.0) in control group, Raji cells after MSP treatment had better viability (1.35±0.20) and CFU counts (133.7±10.4) (P<0.05), but worse viability (0.68±0.11) and CFU counts (66.3±6.1) after Zt/f2 (2F2) treatment (P<0.05). (2)Percentage of Raji cells apoptosis after Zt/f2 (2F2) antibody treatment (12.16±2.33)% was significantly increased than the control (2.89±1.03)% (P<0.05). The percentage of Raji cells arrested in G0/G1 phase was increased after Zt/f2 (2F2) antibody treatment as compared to the control [ (54.96 ±3.70)% vs (39.10±2.30)%, (P<0.05) ]. (3) High-level of RON phosphorylation and β-catenin expression activated by MSP could be inhibited significantly by Zt/f2 (2F2), which also up-regulated the expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and PARP and down-regulated anti-apoptotic MCL-1 gene and inhibitor of apoptosis protein XIAP expression, accompanied with G1 phase protein changes accordingly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSP could aggravate Raji cells proliferation. Inversely, Zt/f2 (2F2) could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis by inhibition of RON phosphorylation and up-regulation of apoptosis related proteins.</p>

Preparation of anti-B7-H4 monoclonal antibody to investigate B7-H4 expression in pancreatic cancer / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against extracellular domain of B7-H4 and to investigate the expression of B7-H4 in pancreatic cancer tissue with the prepared mAb.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Balb/c mice were immunized with 3T3-B7-H4 cells and the splenic cells of the immunized mice were fused with Sp2/0 myeloma cells by conventional hybridoma techniques. An indirect ELISA method using 3T3-B7-H4 lysate as antigen was established to screen antibody-producing hybridoma cell lines. Western blott, immunoprecipitation (IP), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were applied to characterize the mAb. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of B7-H4 in human pancreatic cancer tissue. The correlation of B3-H4 expressions and pathological features of pancreatic cancer was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A hybridoma cell line secreting mAb against B7-H4 was obtained. The subclass of this mAb was IgM, and the light chain was Kappa. Western blot and IP showed that the mAb specifically recognized B7-H4. IHC staining revealed that the mAb stained in a predominantly diffuse plasmalemmal or cytoplasmic pattern when applied to certain tumor tissues. The B7-H4 was diffusely expressed in the cytoplasma and/or membrane of pancreatic cancer tissue, which was much higher than that expressed in normal pancreatic tissue (4.00 ± 1.44 compared with 1.12 ± 0.78, P ± 0.01). The expression of B7-H4 was higher in pancreatic cancer tissues with higher pathological grade or with lymph node metastasis as compared with that in pancreatic cancer tissues with lower grade or with no lymph mode metastasis (6.10 ± 0.72 compared with 3.55 ± 1.12,P<0.01: 6.14 ± 0.66 compared with 3.70 ± 1.25,P<0.01). The expression level of B7-H4 was not related to patients'age and gender.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Monoclonal antibody against B7-H4 with high activity and specificity has been prepared successfully. The expression of B7-H4 in pancreatic cancer tissue is up-regulated,which is closely related to the tumor grade and lymph node metastasis in pancreatic cancer.</p>

Serum IL-18 levels in mice with collagen-induced arthritis treated by recombinant adenovirus containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fusion gene / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate serum IL-18 levels in mice with collagen-induced arthritis treated by recombinant adenoviral vector containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fusion gene (AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Arthritis was induced by injection of collagen in male DBA-1/BOM mice. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were intra-articularly injected with 10(7)pfu/6μL of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4; and in mice of control groups AdLacZ or PBS were used. The animals were sacrificed at week 1, 2 and 4 after treatment. Serum IL-18 levels were determined by ELISA at the different time points.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The mean serum levels of IL-18 at weeks 1, 2, and 4 after injection of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 were (36.5±5.4)ng/L, (32.5 ± 3.2) ng/L and (28.7 ±2.9)ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those at the same time point of AdLacZ group [(66.2 ±5.1)ng/L, (69.2 ±4.2)ng/L and (77.7 ±3.9)ng/L] and PBS group [(67.3 ±7.1)ng/L, (71.9 ±1.8)ng/L and (78.7±4.1)ng/L] (P<0.01 at all time points). In the therapy group, there were no significant differences in the mean serum concentrations of IL-18 at all time points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The serum IL-18 levels in CIA mice are down-regulated by treatment of recombinant adenovirus containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fuse gene, which might be a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.</p>

Expression of B7-H4 in prostate cancer and its clinical significance / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of B7-H4 in prostate cancer tissue and the relationship between the expression and the clinicopathological features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of B7-H4 in prostate cancer tissue. And the relationship between the expressions and pathology was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The B7-H4 was diffusely expressed in cytoplasm and/or membrane of the prostate cancer tissue; the expression was much higher than that in normal prostate tissue (P<0.05). The expression of B7-H4 in the prostate cancer tissue was higher in patients with higher tumor grade.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>B7-H4 may be used as an new indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer and a novel target for immunotherapy.</p>

Construction and evaluation of recombinant plasmid containing human triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 gene / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a eukaryotic expression plasmid containing human triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1(TREM-1) gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The entire gene coding region of human TREM-1 was amplified from total RNA of human peripheral blood by means of RT-PCR. The fragment of TREM-1 was cloned to vector pUCm-T. After digestion by restriction endonuclease BamH I and Pst I, the fragment was subcloned into the eukaryotic expressing vector pEGFP-C3. This recombinant vector was transfected into 293 cells using liposome. The expression level of TREM-1 was determined by fluorescence microscope and Western blot assay. The recombinant TREM-1 vector was transfected into THP-1 cells. After stimulation with 100 ng/ml LPS for 24 h, the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured using RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The expression vector was constructed, and the result of the DNA sequencing showed that the constructed plasmid containing the TREM-1 gene. Fluorescence microscope and Western blot analysis showed that TREM-1 protein was expressed in 293 cells successfully. After transfection into THP-1 cells, recombinant TREM-1 could upregulate the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-TREM-1 is successfully constructed and showed biological activity.</p>

Identification of the active material of anti-hepatic fibrosis from Amydae Carapax / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the active material of anti-hepatic fibrosis from Amydae Carapax.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Membrane separation technology was adopted to screen active fraction in Amydae Carapax, and the active components were isolated from the active fraction using gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The purified active components in Amydae Carapax were further analyzed using 4700 series time-of-flight mass spectrometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Proteins and peptides of Amydae Carapax with molecular weight less than 6000 were proved to have biological activity. 8 components (Bj1-Bj8) were isolated from the active fraction. Bj4, Bj6 and Bj7 were screened as active components. Bj7 was further purified, resulting in 7 components (Bj701-Bj707). Bj704 and Bj707 showed significant biological activity. Mass spectrometry showed three molecular ion peaks with highest abundance, i.e. m/e 526, 542 and 572, i.e. m/e 526, 542 and 572, in Bj707 -A The amino acid sequences of above three peptide compounds were NDDY (Asn-Asp-Asp-Tyr), NPNPT (Asn-Pro-Asn-Pro-Thr), and HGRFG (His-Gly-Arg-Phe-Gly), respectively. And M572 was the most abandunt components.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Three active peptide compounds of anti-hepatic fibrosis of Amydae Carapax were identified.</p>

Expression and identification of recombinant mouse gene B7-H4 / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a eukaryotic expression vector encoding the gene of extracellular region of mouse B7-H4, to express it in yeast cell line and to determine its biological activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The extracellular region of the mouse B7-H4 gene was amplified with Xho I and EcoR I by PCR from a mouse B7-H4 chimeric plasmid. Digested with Xho I and EcoR I, the mB7-H4 gene was inserted into the yeast expression plasmid Ppic9. The DNA sequence was confirmed by double digestion and the Ppic9-mB7-H4 plasmid was transfected into the yeast cells. The expression of mB7-H4 was confirmed by PCR, Western Blot and ELISA analysis, and its biological function was determined.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ppic9-mB7-H4 transfectants expressed mB7-H4 in yeast cells, and mB7-H4 effectively inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes with a fractional inhibition rate of 28.3 % and inhibited IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma production with fractional inhibition rates of 68.8%, 78.8%, 67.6% and 77.7%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The eukaryotic expression plasmid mouse B7-H4 has been successfully constructed and the expressed products of B7-H4 possess biological activity.</p>

Different plasma levels of interleukins and chemokines: comparison between children and adults with AIDS in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The immunological differences between children and adults with AIDS in China are not well documented. Th1/Th2 cytokines and chemokines are two types of immune factors intimately involved in disease progression of HIV-1 infection. This study aimed to identify changes in plasma levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines inerleukin (IL)-18, IL-16, IL-10 and chemokines regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in HIV-1-infected children and adults in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-five children with AIDS and 35 adult AIDS patients were recruited and clinical data were collected. CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts were measured by flow cytometery and plasma HIV RNA levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Plasma levels of IL-18, IL-10, IL-16, RANTES, MCP-1, SDF-1alpha and SDF-1beta were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) and soluble Fas (sFas) were measured to validate the level of humoral and cellular immune activation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean levels of all cytokines in pediatric and adult AIDS patients were significantly higher than in their healthy controls (P < 0.01). The mean levels of these cytokines were higher in pediatric patients than in adult patients (P < 0.05, except for SDF-1alpha and beta2-MG). Some of the cytokine levels in patients younger than 6 years old was higher than in older children and adults with AIDS (IL-10, IL-18, SDF-1alpha, MCP, RANTES and sFas, P < 0.05). Levels of IL-18, IL-10, RANTES and beta2-MG of pediatric patients increased as the levels of viral load increased (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Abnormal immune activation can be measured in Chinese pediatric and adult patients with AIDS, and is higher in children than in adult patients. The cytokines levels coincide with disease progression of AIDS, but have no direct relationship with total CD4(+) T cell count.</p>

beta-elemene enhances aclarubicin-induced apoptotic effect in HL-60 cells and its mechanism / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of beta-elemene combined with aclarubicin on the induction of HL-60 cell apoptosis and its mechanisms in antileukemia therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL-60 cells were treated for 20 hours with different dose of aclarubicin (0.05, 0.10, 0.25 microg/ml) or with different concentrations of beta-elemene (10, 20, 40 microg/ml) in the presence or absence of aclarubicin (0.10 microg/m). The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM), the productions of PGE2 in culture supernatants was detected by competitive ELISA and the expressions of COX-2 and NF-kappaB activity in HL-60 cells by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Lower concentration of aclarubicin (0.05, 0.10 microg/ml) didn't affect apoptotic rate, and COX-2, NF-kappa B and PGE2 expression on HL-60 cells. Combined treatment of beta-elemene and aclarubicin (0.10 microg/ml) enhanced the apoptotic effect and down-regulated COX-2, NF-kappaB and PGE2 expressions. There was a positive correlation between the effects and beta-elemene concentrations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>beta-elemene enhances aclarubicin-mediated apoptotic effect, down-regulation of COX-2 and their inducing products PGE2 in HL-60 cells by suppressing activitation of NF-kappaB.</p>

Construction and identification of recombinant adenoviral vector encoding B7-H4 gene / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the recombinant adenovirus containing B7-H4 gene with AdEasy XL system and to identify its biological activities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The full-length mouse B7-H4 gene was amplified by RT-PCR from C57 mouse lung and put into T vector, then verified by sequencing. Digested with Xhol I and EcoR V the B7-H4 gene was inserted into pshuttle-CMW(PSC). Pme I linearized shuttle plasmid was transformed into E.coli BJ5183-AD-1 to obtain the recombinant adenoviral plasmid pAd-mB7-H4 by efficient homologous recombination. Then the recombinant adenovirus-mB7-H4/Ad was obtained by packaging Pac I linearized in D-293 cells. The mRNA and protein expression of B7-H4 in mB7-H4/Ad infected AD-293 cells were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. mB7-H4/Ad was used to infect L929 cells, the bioactivity of expressed B7-H4 in stimulation of T lymphocytes proliferation and cytokine production were tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The full-length of mB7-H4 was cloned from mouse lung tissue cDNA and verified by sequencing. The recombinant plasmid pAd-m B7-H4 was successfully generated by homologous recombination, and the primary mB7-H4/Ad was obtained by packaging pAd-B7-H4 in AD-293 cells. Compared with the negative control, L929 cells infected with mB7-H4/Ad effectively inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes and cytokines production.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The bioactive recombinant adenovirus mB7-H4/Ad has been successfully constructed.</p>

Study of Fufang Haishe capsule against cell apoptosis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study mechanismt of Fufang Haishe capsule for dementia by observing the effect of it on PC-12 cell apoptosis, which was induced by beta-amyloid protein (Abl-42).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Nerve growth factor (NGF) was used to cultivate the PC-12 cells. Fufang Haishe capsule at different concentrations was added into the culture medium so as to identify the nontoxic concentrations with MTT. To analyze the PC-12 cell apoptosis respectively by MTT assay, Flow cytometry (FCM technique) with different concentrations of Fufang Haishe capsule (0.01, 0.1, 1, 5 mg x mL(-1)), adding Ab or not Western blot was used to detect apoptosis which was measured on the implementation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fufang Haishe capsule could significantly inhibit the apoptosis of PC-12 cells induced by Abeta with increased colorimetric MTT asay ( compare among the control group and concentration 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 5 mg x mL(-1) group, which is the same below: 1.75 +/- 0.12, 0.73 +/- 0.35, 0.79 +/- 0.11, 0.83 +/- 0.07, 1.31 +/- 0.07, 1.80 +/- 0.38, P < 0.01) and the decreased apoptosis rate of the cells which was analysed by flow cytometry (1.93 +/- 0.41)%, (46.17 +/- 4.08)%, (35.35 +/- 4.63)%, (28.62 +/- 3.81)%, (15.13 +/- 3.15)%, (7.84 +/- 1.76)%, P < 0.01. In addition, Fufang Haishe capsule inhibited the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3 of PC-12 cells which was induced by Abeta.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fufang Haishe capsule significantly inhibite apoptosis of PC-12 cells induced by Abeta. The mechanism might be that Fufang Haishe capsule decrease the activity of the apoptosis implementing protein,caspase-9 and caspase-3.</p>

The serum levels and roles of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infected patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To study the roles of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted(RANTES) and monocyte cbemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human immunodeficien- cy virus-1(HIV 1) infected patients.Methods RANTES and MCP-1 in HIV-1 infected patients, including treated and untreated groups,and healthy control group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The recombinant plasmids,hMCP-pcDNA3.1,bRANTES- peDNA3.1 and hMCP/bRANTES-pcDNA3.1,were constructed and transfected into CHO cells to overexpress the corresponding recombinant proteins,whose chemoattract function was then studied. Results The level of RANTES was (164.3?21.3) pg/mL in healthy control group,(1 224.1?62.0) pg/mL in untreated group and (475.3?36.2) pg/mL in treated group.The level of MCP-1 was (90.6?28.5) pg/mL in healthy control group,(335.0?30.3) pg/mL in untreated group and (807.2?62.6) pg/mL in treated group.In HIV-1 infected patients,the levels of RANTES and MCP-1 were significantly increased.After highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART),the level of RANTES declined,but MCP-1 increased further.Western blot assay revealed that the three recombinant proteins could be recognized by monoclonal antibodies respectively.All of them could chemoattract human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).And the chemoattractant potency of MCP/RANTES fusion protein was stronger.When the recombinant proteins were used with con- centrations as 50,200,400 and 800 pg/mL,respectively,the number of PBMCs chemoattracted by MCP/RANTES fusion protein was 52?10~4/mL,102?10~4/mL,132?10~4/mL and 184?10~4/mL; the number of PBMCs chemoattracted by RANTES was 27?10~4/mL,51?10~4/mL,65?10~4/mL and 96?10~4/mL;the number of PBMCs chemoattracted by MCP-1 was 18?10~4/mL,44?10~4/mL, 54?10~4/mL and 74?10~4/mL.Conclusion RANTES and MCP-1 may both be involved in the HIV infection process and host immunological reaction against HIV.

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on plasma MCP-1 and MSP in AIDS patients / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 in AIDS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Chinese AIDS patients were treated with HAART for 3 months and 84 German AIDS patients with HAART for 3 to 6 years. The pre-treatment and post-treatment plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their correlations with CD4+ cell counts and viral loads were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The mean levels of MCP-1 were significantly higher and MSP were significantly lower in HIV-infected patients compared with the HIV-negative controls (P <0.01). After HAART for three months, there were no significant changes in the levels of these cytokines. But after long-term HAART (for 3 to 6 y), the level of MCP-1 was increased and that of MSP decreased significantly (P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between MSP and MCP-1 levels, and the same for MSP level and CD4+ cell counts; while there was a positive correlation between MCP-1 levels and CD4+ cell counts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The changed plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 are associated with HIV-1 infection and HAART may reverse the levels of these two cytokines.</p>

Expression of cyclin D1 and p27kip1 in renal cell carcinoma and its significance / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of cyclin D1 and p27(kip1) in the occurrence and development of conventional renal cell carcinoma(CRCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR and Western-blot were used to detect mRNA and protein contents of cyclin D1 and p27(kip1) in 25 CRCCs and 10 normal renal tissue distant to tumor. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of cyclin D1 and p27(kip1) in pathological tissue sections of 76 CRCCs. The relationship between those index and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed statistically.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In CRCC, the expression of cyclin D1 was higher than that of the control group. The higher cyclin D1 content was related to big tumor size (P<0.05); The expression of p27(kip1) was lower than that of the control group, and the lower p27(kip1) was related to higher nuclear grade and TNM stage (P<0.01). The 5-year cumulative survival rate of the p27(kip1) high expression group is longer than that of the low group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The excessive expression of cyclin D1 and lower expression of p27(kip1) play an important role in the carcinogenesis of CRCC. The lower expression of p27(kip1) may affect the progression of the tumors. The detection of p27(kip1) may be as a reference marker in the prognosis of CRCC.</p>

Comparison of immunological profiles between pediatric and adult patients with AIDS in China / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the immunological profiles of pediatric and adult patients with AIDS in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 103 pediatric AIDS patients, 38 adult patients, 88 healthy children, and 72 healthy adults were enrolled. CD4 + T lymphocyte counts were determined by four-color flow cytometer and HIV-RNA levels were measured in EDTA plasma by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-16, IL-18, regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), stromal cell-derived factor-(SDF-1) alpha, SDF-1 beta, and macrophage stimulate protein (MSP) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) and soluble Fas (sFas) were measured to indicate the activation of immune system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean CD4 + T cell count in pediatric patients with AIDS was significantly lower than in healthy children (P < 0.01), as between the adult AIDS patients and healthy adults (P < 0.01). The mean levels of these cytokines in pediatric patients were significantly higher than in healthy children (P < 0.01). The level of MSP in adult patients was significantly lower than in healthy adults and other cytokines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The mean levels of these cytokines, except SDF1 alpha and beta 2-MG, were significantly higher in pediatric patients than in adult patients (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abnormal immune activation is induced in both pediatric and adult patients with HIV-1 infection. The level of immune activation is higher in pediatric patients than in adult patients.</p>

Inhibitory effects of mizolastine on substance P-induced production of leukotriene B4 and interleukin 5 in mouse skin / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the inhibitory effect of mizolastine on substance P(SP)-induced production of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and interleukin 5 (IL-5) in mouse skin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were fed with different doses of mizolastine or other control drugs, 30 min after administration animals were injected intradermally with SP on the back. The treated skin samples were taken and competitive enzyme-link immunoassay (ELISA) method was applied to detect LTB (4) and IL-5 in the skin samples.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The LTB(4) and IL-5 levels in 10 mg/kg mizolastine group were (1.23 +/-0.29)pg/ml and (34.28 +/-11.00)pg/ml, respectively, which were lower than those in saline control group [(5.52+/-1.88)pg/ml and (179.62 +/-46.25)pg/ml respectively] or loratadine group [(3.89+/-1.27)pg/ml and (127.74 +/-43.27)pg/ml respectively]. No significant difference was found between 10 mg/kg mizolastine group and dexamethasone group (P=0.161 and P=0.508).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mizolastine might inhibit the production of LTB(4) and IL-5 induced by substance P in mouse skin, suggesting that anti-inflammatory effect and the blockade of histamine H1 receptors might be involved in its anti-pruritic mechanisms.</p>

Expression of VEGF165 and VEGF121 genes in MC3T3-E1 cell line and biological function of their products / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct vectors stably expressing bioactive VEGF165 and VEGF121 in MC3T3-E1 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VEGF165 and VEGF121 genes were obtained by RT-PCR from HL-60 cells and inserted into eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(+). The constructed plasmids containing right sequence of target genes were transfected into MC3T3-E1 cells by lipofectin. The cells were limitedly diluted twice and selected by G418, the expression of VEGF was tested by ELISA, Western-blot and immunofluorescence essay. The bioactivity of expressed products was proved by MTT method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>DNA sequencing indicated the sequences of the obtained VEGF165 and VEGF121 were identical to the those reported in Genebank, and the newly-constructed plasmids were VEGF165/pcDNA3.1(+) and VEGF121/pcDNA3.1(+). The results of ELISA, Western-blot and immunofluorescence showed that the transfected cells could express VEGF165 and VEGF121 proteins. And MTT proved the proteins were bioactive.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The transfected MC3T3-E1 cells could stably express high levels of bioactive VEGF165 and VEGF121.</p>

Construction of expression vector of hTERT/hIL-18 fusion gene in eukaryotic cells and its function / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct expression vector of hTERT-hIL-18 fusion gene in eukaryotic cells and to study its biological function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>hIL-18 gene was amplified by RT-PCR, then T-A cloned and inserted into PCDNA3.1(+)/hTERT vector. The sequence of fusion gene was examined by enzyme incision and DNA sequencing. The vector with fusion gene was transformed into 3T3 cells by the method of lipofecting, and proved by Western blot. The secretion gamma-interferon was measured with ELISA and cell apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Expression vector PCDNA3.1(+) of hTERT/hIL-18 fusion gene was constructed successfully. The correct sequence was proved by enzyme incision and sequencing and there was a correct open reading frame. Fusion protein of hTERT/hIL-18 was effectively expressed in eukaryotic cells and was proved by Western blot and immunofluorescence stain. The fusion protein stimulated KG-1 cells to secrete gamma-interferon and had anti-apoptosis effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fusion protein hTERT-hIL-18 is highly effectively expressed in eukaryotic cells and is biologically active.</p>