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BACKGROUND@#Circular RNA ciRS-7 has been reported to be involved in the progression of various cancers. However, ciRS-7 expression and its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) progression remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ciRS-7 expression on ccRCC and the related signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#ciRS-7 expression was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 87 pairs of ccRCC and matched adjacent normal tissues. The role of ciRS-7 in ccRCC cell proliferation and invasion was determined using the cell counting kit-8 and invasion assays, respectively. Potential mechanisms underlying the role of ciRS-7 in promoting ccRCC progression were explored by Western blotting. The relationship between the expression of ciRS-7 and features of ccRCC was analyzed by the Chi-square test and progression-free survival was determined using a Kaplan-Meier plot.@*RESULTS@#ciRS-7 was overexpressed in ccRCC tissues compared with that in matched adjacent normal tissues. In addition, ciRS-7 up-regulation was closely associated with tumor diameter (P = 0.050), clinical stage (P = 0.009), and distant metastasis (P = 0.007). ciRS-7 knockdown in 786O and 769P cells markedly inhibited their proliferative and invasive abilities. In addition, ciRS-7 inhibition reduced phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR) and phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase (p-Akt) levels.@*CONCLUSIONS@#ciRS-7 up-regulation could promote ccRCC cell proliferation and invasion, which may be related with the EGFR/Akt signaling pathway. ciRS-7 might be a potential ccRCC therapeutic target.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To explore the feasibility of culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVEC ) on acellular corneal stroma and performing the posterior lamellar endothelial keratoplasty ( PLEK ) treating corneal endothelial decompensation. METHODS: Thirty New-Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups randomly, 10 rabbits for experimental group, 10 for stroma group and 10 for control group. Corneal endothelial cells were removed to establish animal model of corneal endothelial failure. PLEK was performed on the rabbits of experimental group and stroma group, and nothing was transplantated onto the rabbits of control group with the deep layer excised only. Postoperative observation was taken for 3mo. The degree of corneal edema and central corneal thickness were recorded for statistical analysis. RESULTS:Corneas in experimental group were relieved in edema obviously compared with that in stroma group and the control group, and showed increased transparency 7d after the operation. The average density of endothelial cells was 2 026. 4±129. 3cells/mm2 , and average central corneal thickness was 505. 2±25. 4μm in experimental group, while 1 535. 6±114. 5μm in stroma group and 1 493. 5±70. 2μm in control group 3mo after operation. CONCLUSION:We achieved preliminary success in our study that culturing HUVEC on acellular corneal stroma and performing PLEK for corneal endothelial decompensation. HUVEC transplanted could survive in vivo, and have normal biological function of keeping cornea transparent. This study provides a new idea and a new way clinically for the treatment of corneal endothelial diseases.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the expression of genes from chromosomal region 22q11.2 and assess the association between mutation(s) of particular gene(s) from this region and malformations of the urinary system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of rat homologs of 33 genes from above region was determined in kidney tissues derived from rats of different fetal development ages (E13, E15, E19) and adulthood with reverse transcriptase-PCR. Potential mutation(s) in candidate gene SNAP29, whose expression pattern appeared to be unique, was screened in 44 patients and 220 normal controls with PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Suspected positive regions were sequenced to verify the mutations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine genes showed no expression throughout the whole development process; 18 genes with various expression levels showed continuous expression from the beginning of development; 6 genes only expressed for a short time, among which SNAP29 was selected for mutation screening. Upon sequencing, three mutations were identified from the 44 patients, including a G to A transition (GAG to AAG) in exon 2, and two A to G transitions (AGC to GGC) in exon 3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Through systematic analysis of the expression of genes from chromosomal region 22q11.2, the SNAP29 gene was found to have a potential role in the development of genitourinary system. Two missense mutations were identified in three patients. These included one in exon 2 (featuring cryptorchidism), and the other in exon 3 (featuring cryptorchidism and hypospadia). Neither of the mutations was found in the normal controls. The results suggested that mutation(s) of gene(s) from chromosomal region 22q11.2 may play an important role in the genesis of genitourinary malformations.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , DNA Mutational Analysis , Methods , Exons , Genetics , Membrane Glycoproteins , Membrane Proteins , Genetics , Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Qb-SNARE Proteins , Genetics , Qc-SNARE Proteins , Genetics , Urogenital Abnormalities , GeneticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically explore the occurrence of a novel type of chromosome translocation in human sperm samples.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Specific translocation junction fragments were quantified using nested and/or multi-nested PCR in sperm DNA derived from 28 oligospermic patients and 32 normal controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>t(11;22) was detected in 49 samples. At least 4 samples were found to have t(1;22) (p21.2;q11.2), t(17;22) (q11;q11) or t(X;22) (q27;q11). The mutation rate seemed to be associated not with age or semen volume, but with sperm concentration (r = -0.389, P < 0.05) and motility (r = -0.397, P < 0.05). Correlation was not found between homology of palindromic sequences and mutation rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Palindromic sequence mediated chromosome translocation is common in human sperm, and associated with sperm concentration and motility. Measurement of such mutations may provide a molecular-level reference for assessing sperm quality.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , AT Rich Sequence , Base Sequence , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 , Chromosomes, Human, X , Mutation , Oligospermia , Genetics , Spermatozoa , Metabolism , Translocation, GeneticABSTRACT
Theoretically, microduplication of chromosomal region 22q11.2, which is rich in segmental duplications, should be as frequent as microdeletions of the same region. Preliminary analysis on the rarity of reports for 22q11.2 microduplication in the literature has suggested that, for the discovery of 22q11.2 microduplication, there has been a lack of sensitivity for routine diagnostic techniques such as karyotyping, PCR and FISH. On the other hand, the diverse anomalies and extremely variable phenotypes of carriers also implied great difficulties one has to face upon clinical consultation. Genetics as well as clinical problems in connection with 22q11.2 microduplication has vividly illustrated the great challenge for the interpretation of genotype-phenotype correlation, and thereby posed yet another gray zone for clinical genetics research.