Research advances in the role of MAPK cascade in regulation of cell growth, immunity, inflammation, and cancer / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade system is one of the highly conserved signal systems in eukaryotic cells, which participates in the regulation of many biological processes. Under the stimulation of different signals (such as cytokines, neurotransmitters, and hormones), MAPK cascade activates downstream targets and controls a variety of cellular processes, including growth, immunity, inflammation, and stress response. In different cells, the effects of MAPK cascade on cells vary with the stimuli and the duration of stimulation. MAPK cascade induces Th differentiation and participates in T cell receptor signal pathway and B cell receptor signal pathway. MAPK cascades regulate various cellular activities related to the occurrence and development of cancer. A thorough and systematic understanding of the specific regulatory effects of MAPK cascade on various cellular processes will provide theoretical guidance for treating various diseases.

Chaperone-mediated Autophagy Regulates Cell Growth by Targeting SMAD3 in Glioma / 神经科学通报·英文版

Previous studies suggest that the reduction of SMAD3 (mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3) has a great impact on tumor development, but its exact pathological function remains unclear. In this study, we found that the protein level of SMAD3 was greatly reduced in human-grade IV glioblastoma tissues, in which LAMP2A (lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A) was significantly up-regulated. LAMP2A is a key rate-limiting protein of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), a lysosome pathway of protein degradation that is activated in glioma. We carefully analyzed the amino-acid sequence of SMAD3 and found that it contained a pentapeptide motif biochemically related to KFERQ, which has been proposed to be a targeting sequence for CMA. In vitro, we confirmed that SMAD3 was degraded in either serum-free or KFERQ motif deleted condition, which was regulated by LAMP2A and interacted with HSC70 (heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein). Using isolated lysosomes, amino-acid residues 75 and 128 of SMAD3 were found to be of importance for this process, which affected the CMA pathway in which SMAD3 was involved. Similarly, down-regulating SMAD3 or up-regulating LAMP2A in cultured glioma cells enhanced their proliferation and invasion. Taken together, these results suggest that excessive activation of CMA regulates glioma cell growth by promoting the degradation of SMAD3. Therefore, targeting the SMAD3-LAMP2A-mediated CMA-lysosome pathway may be a promising approach in anti-cancer therapy.

Inhibitory effect of vorinostat encapsulated hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin eye drops on corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burns in mouse / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To prepare vorinostat encapsulated hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (SAHA-CD) eye drops and investigate its inhibitory effect on corneal neovascularization (CNV) induced by alkali burns in mouse.Methods:The SAHA-CD eye drops at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%and 0.4%were prepared by inclusion technology with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and the content was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography.Seventy-five SPF mice with alkali burn-induced CNV were randomized into 0.1%SAHA-CD group, 0.2%SAHA-CD group, 0.4%SAHA-CD group, dexamethasone group and normal control group according to a random number table, 15 for each group, among which the SAHA-CD groups and dexamethasone group were treated with corresponding drugs, and model control group was treated with normal saline immediately after modeling, four times a day and five microliters each time, lasting for six days.The healing of corneal epithelium was examined with a slit lamp microscope after fluorescein sodium staining, and the areas of cornea epithelial defects were calculated using Eyestudio software.The corneal flat mount was prepared, and the length and areas of CNV were calculated with ImageJ software.The histology of mouse corneas was observed through hematoxylin and eosin staining.The expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in cornea were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.The use and care of animals complied with the ARVO statement and this study protocol was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Institute (No.HNEECA-2020-01).Results:The actual drug contents of the 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%SAHA-CD eye drops were 97.62%, 98.33%and 98.14%of the labeled amount.The cornea showed edema and opacification after modeling.On the sixth day after treatment, significant differences were found in the length and areas of CNV among various groups ( F=7.655, 8.802; both at P<0.01).The areas of CNV in 0.2%SAHA-CD, 0.4%SAHA-CD and dexamethasone groups were significantly smaller than model control group, and the length of CNV in 0.1%SAHA-CD, 0.2%SAHA-CD and dexamethasone groups were significantly smaller than model control group (all at P<0.05).On the third and sixth day following modeling, significant differences in the expression levels of VEGF, bFGF and MMP-9 were found among the five groups (third day: F=6.345, 7.149, 18.650; all at P<0.01; sixth day: F=6.749, 5.105, 5.023; all at P<0.01), and the expression levels of VEGF, bFGF and MMP-9 in 0.2%SAHA-CD group were significantly lower than those in 0.1%SAHA-CD group, 0.4%SAHA-CD group and model control group (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:SAHA-CD eye drops can inhibit alkali burn-induced CNV in mouse.

JAG1 promotes migration, invasion, and adhesion of triple-negative breast cancer cells by promoting angiogenesis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of JAG1 on the malignant phenotype of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its role in angiogenesis in breast cancer microenvironment.@*METHODS@#The expressions of Notch molecules were detected in human TNBC 231 and 231B cells using RT-qPCR. Five female nude mice were inoculated with 231 cells and another 5 with 231B cells into the mammary fat pads, and 4-6 weeks later, the tumors were collected for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence tests. 231 cells and 231B cells were treated with recombinant JAG (rJAG) protein and DAPT, respectively, and changes in their malignant phenotypes were assessed using CCK-8 assay, Hoechst 33258 staining, wound healing assay, Transwell chamber assay and endothelial cell adhesion assay. Western blotting was used to detect the changes in the expressions of proteins related with the malignant phenotypes of 231 and 231B cells. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) derived from untreated 231 and 231 B cells, rJAG1-treated 231 cells and DAPT-treated 231B cells on proliferation and tube formation ability of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated using CCK-8 assay and tube-forming assay.@*RESULTS@#The expression of JAG1 was higher in 231B cells than in 231 cells (P < 0.05). Tumor 231B showed higher expression of VEGFA and CD31. Compared with 231-Blank group, the migration, invasion and adhesion of 231 cells in 231-rJAG1 were significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). Protein levels of Twist1 and Snail increased (P < 0.01), anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 increased (P < 0.05), while DAPT inhibited the related phenomena and indicators of 231B. The 231-rJAG1-CM increased the cell number and tubule number of HUVEC (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#JAG1 may affect the malignant phenotype of TNBC and promote angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment.

Producción de astaxantina bajo factores de estrés utilizando un biorreactor a escala de laboratorio de 5 L / Astaxanthin production under stress factors using a 5L laboratory scale bioreactor / Astaxanthin production under stress factors using a 5L laboratory scale bioreactor

Resumen Introducción. Haematococcus pluvialis es una microalga que produce astaxantina, un beta-caroteno y antioxidante muy usado en la industria. Para obtener una mayor producción de astaxantina se planteó como objetivo utilizar diferentes factores de estrés, en un biorreactor a escala de laboratorio de 5 litros. Metodología. Se cultivó la microalga en el medio RM, pH 6,8, temperatura 20±2°C, aire filtrado, iluminación con lámparas blancas 20h luz/4h oscuridad, irradianza 70 μE m-2s-1, diferentes concentraciones de acetato de sodio y cloruro de sodio. Se determinó crecimiento celular, cambios morfológicos y cuantificación de astaxantina y clorofila por espectrofotometría. Se realizó un análisis estadístico utilizando ANOVA (95%). Resultados. Utilizando 0,299 mg/L de acetato de sodio se obtuvo un crecimiento celular de 2,0 x 104 Cel/mL y una concentración de astaxantina de 2,530 μg/mL, mientras que con 1,6 mg/L de acetato de sodio el crecimiento celular fue de 3,5 x 104 Cel/mL y una concentración de astaxantina de 1,9 μg/ml. El tratamiento al cual se le adicionó 1,6 g/L de acetato de sodio y 6,4 g/L de cloruro de sodio presentó la mayor producción astaxantina 7,3 μg/ml. El tratamiento con acetato de sodio 0,320 g/L + cloruro de sodio 1,28 g/L presentó el mayor crecimiento celular con 1,64x105 células/ml. Conclusión. Esta investigación destaca la importancia de cultivar inicialmente la microalga utilizando el biorreactor Tecferm de 5 litros y después de su fase exponencial someterla a factores de estrés con acetato de sodio y cloruro de sodio lográndose así la mayor producción de astaxantina 7,325 μg/ml.

Abstract Introduction. Haematococcuspluvialis is a microalgae that produces astaxanthin, a beta-carotene and antioxidant widely used in industry. In order to obtain a higher production of astaxanthin, the objective was to use different stress factors, in a 5-liter laboratory-scale bioreactor. Methodology. The microalgae was cultivated in the RM medium, pH 6.8, temperature 20 ± 2°C, filtered air, illumination with white lamps 20h light/4h darkness, irradiance 70 μE m-2s-1, different concentrations of sodium acetate and chloride of sodium. Cell growth, morphological changes and quantification of astaxanthin and chlorophyll were determined by spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA (95%). Results. Using 0.299 mg/L of sodium acetate a cell growth of 2.0 x 104 Cel/mL and an astaxanthin concentration of 2.530 μg/mL were obtained, while with 1.6 mg/L of sodium acetate the cell growth It was 3.5 x 104 Cel/mL and an astaxanthin concentration of 1.9 μg/mL. The treatment to which 1.6 g L of sodium acetate and 6.4 g/L of sodium chloride were added showed the highest astaxanthin production, 7.3 μg/ml. Treatment with 0.320 g/L sodium acetate + 1.28 g/L sodium chloride showed the highest cell growth with 1.64x105 cells/ml. Conclusion. This research highlights the importance of initially cultivating the microalgae using the 5-liter Tecferm bioreactor and, after its exponential phase, subjecting it to stress factors with sodium acetate and sodium chloride, thus achieving the highest production of 7.325 μg/ml astaxanthin.

Influences of Cell-ECM Adhesion on Migration of Tumor Cells Regulated by ECM Stiffness: A Model Study / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the influence of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion on migration of tumor cells regulated by ECM stiffness. Methods The cellular Potts model (CPM) was established to simulate tumor cell growth and cellular immune feedback system. The effects from mechanical behavior of cells on cell-ECM adhesion were observed, and the migration of tumor cells under different ECM was analyzed. Results The ECM stiffness could influence the migration rate of tumor cells. The change of ECM stiffness regulated the adhesion force between cells and ECM, and the change of adhesion force would influence the migration rate of cells. Conclusions The migration and distribution patterns of cells are closely related to the adhesion and stiffness of ECM. The increase in ECM stiffness can effectively promote the migration rate of tumor cells, and the further increase in ECM stiffness inhibits the migration of tumor cells. These findings may further reveal dynamic changes of ECM, adhesion and mechanical performance of tumor cell migration.

Construction of the hit-deficient mutant strain of Streptococcus mutans ATCC25175 / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To construct a hit-deficient mutant strain of S. mutans ATCC25175 and verify its cell cycle regulatory function.@*Method @# Genomic DNA was extracted from S. mutans ATCC25175 strains, and then the upstream and downstream DNA fragments of the hit gene were cloned into the pFW5 vector (spectinomycin resistant) to construct recombinant plasmids using PCR amplification. Third, employed by natural genetic transformation in S. mutans ATCC25175 strains, the linearized recombinant plasmids were transformed into their genetic competence, induced by the synthesized competence-stimulating peptide (CSP), and then, homologous recombination was utilized to produce crossover and noncrossover products. Fourth, the hit-deficient mutant strains of S. mutans ATCC25175 were screened through the spectinomycin-resistance marker and identified by the electrophoresis of PCR products and PCR Sanger sequencing. Finally, its growth rate in vegetative BHI medium was also investigated.@* Results @# The upstream (856 bp) and downstream (519 bp) DNA fragments of the hit gene from the genomic DNA materials of S. mutans ATCC25175 were cloned into two multiple cloning sites (MCS-I and MCS-II) of the pFW5 vector, respectively, and the recombinant plasmid pFW5_hit_Up_Down was constructed and identified by double-emzyme digestion and PCR Sanger sequencing. The linearized recombinant plasmids were transformed into their genetic competence, induced by the synthetic CSP, and then, homologous recombination was utilized to produce various products. The hit-deficient mutant strains of S. mutans ATCC25175 were screened through the spectinomycin resistance marker and identified by the electrophoresis of PCR products and Sanger sequencing. The growth rate of the hit-deficient mutant strains versus their parental S. mutans ATCC25175 strains was increased greatly (P<0.001).@* Conclusion@# The hit-deficient mutant strains of S. mutans ATCC25175, having heritable traits, were successfully constructed, and the encoding Hit protein is growth-phase regulated in the cell cycle.

Long non-coding RNA CASC2 targeting miR-18a suppresses glioblastoma cell growth, metastasis and EMT in vitro and in vivo

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) has been characterized as atumor suppressor in glioma. Although CASC2 may predict the prognosis of glioma patients, the role andmechanism of CASC2 in human glioblastoma remain to be fully illuminated. Expression of CASC2 and miR18a was detected using RT-qPCR. Cell growth was evaluated by MTT assay, colony formation assay, and flowcytometry; metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were determined with transwell assay andWestern blot, respectively. The target binding between CASC2 and miR-18a was predicted on Starbasesoftware, and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Xenograft experimentmeasured tumor growth. As a result, CASC2 was downregulated and miR-18a was upregulated in glioblastomatumor tissues and cells (T98 and A172). Overexpression of CASC2 promoted apoptosis rate and E-cadherinexpression, but suppressed cell viability, colony-forming ability, migration, invasion, and expression ofN-cadherin and Vimentin in T98 and A172 cells, accompanied with tumor growth inhibition in vivo; whereas,silencing of CASC2 exerted the opposite effect on cell growth, metastasis and EMT of T98 and A172 cellsin vitro. However, reintroduction of miR-18a could reverse CASC2 upregulation-mediated suppression onabove cell behaviors in vitro. More importantly, miR-18a was a downstream target for CASC2, and wasnegatively regulated by CASC2. Collectively, this study demonstrated that CASC2 served as tumor suppressorin glioblastoma by inhibiting cell growth, metastasis and EMT both in vitro and in vivo partially via CASC2-miR-18a axis.

Promotion effect of erythropoietin on immediate revascularization of replanted teeth in rats / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in the immediate replantation of pulp healing in the rats, and to clarify the effect and its mechanism of erythropoietin (EPO) on immediate pulp reconstruction in the rats. Methods: Eighty 4-week-old healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into non-tooth extraction group, negative control (normal saline) group, positive control (gentamicin) group and EPO group; there were twenty rats in each group. The teeth in each group were immersed in its corresponding solution for 4 min before replantation. Four rats were killed on the days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively, and the specimens were made in the operation area. HE staining was used to observe the pulp revascularization in different time periods. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the protein expression levels of VEGF in odontal tissue of the rats in each group in different time periods. Results: The HE staining results showed that compared with non-tooth extraction group, the pulp tissue of replanted teeth of the rats in normal saline group had more inflammation, less root development, less restorative dentin and cementum deposition, and wider apical pores; the inflammation of pulp tissue of replanted teeth of the rats in gentamicin group and EPO group was mild, and the root development was relatively good; there were more deposits of restorative dentin and cementum, and the apical pores were narrowed. The immunohistochemical results showed that compared with non-tooth extraction group, the positive expressions of VEGF in odontal tissue of the rats at the days 3, 7 and 14 in the other groups were strong. Afterwards, the positive expression levels of VEGF were decreased gradually with the prolongation of time. The average optical density (AOD) of VEGF positive area indicated that EPO group > gentamycin group > normal saline group > non-tooth extraction group. Compared with non-tooth extraction group, the protein expression levels of VEGF in odontal tissue of the rats in normal saline group, gentamicin group and EPO group at 3, 7, 14 and 21 d after operation were significanty increased (P0.05). Compared with normal saline group, the protein expression levels of VEGF in odontal tissue of the rats in gentamicin group and EPO group at 3, 7, 14 and 21 d after operation were significantly increased (P0.05). Compared with gentamicin group, the protein expression levels of VEGF in odontal tissue of the rats in EPO group at every time points had no significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion: EPO can increase the expression of VEGF, induce angiogenesis in pulp tissue, and provide the rich vascular bed for replantated teeth, so as to exert the potential of dental pulp defense and repair, and promote the healing of replanted teeth.

Determining the Efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanisms on the uppP Gene of Klebsiella pneumonia using Lysozyme Assay

@#Introduction: Multidrug resistance bacteria is alarming worldwide. A lot of research were done and are ongoing to search for the best, convenient and economically affordable ways to fight them. With the latest genome editing tool; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology, this research was performed to develop a novel strategy to genetically modify the genome and inhibit the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae (UPM ESBLKP1), an Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL) organism. Methods: A CRISPR-Cas9 vector was constructed together with guide RNAs designed specifically for the targeted uppP gene, a gene responsible for bacterial cell growth and protection. Results: The growth and cell wall integrity of the modified Klebsiella pneumoniae (ΔUPM ESBLKP1) were significantly inhibited and reduced, respectively. Interestingly, wild type Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a normal growth curve while modified strains showed a faster doubling rate when supplemented with Luria-Bertani media. In contrast, slower growth rate of modified strain was observed in the M9 minimal media. This explained the higher doubling rate of mutants on nutrient rich medium earlier is being related to gene recovery. They grew slowly in the minimal media as they were adapting to a new environment while recovering the uppP gene and surviving, proving the success of its gene modification. Conclusion: The developed CRISPR-gRNA system was able to modify the targeted Klebsiella pneumoniae gene hence providing an opportunity to develop a new drug for Klebsiella pneumoniae infection as an alternative to antibiotics.

Qilin pills prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome of patients after IVF-ET by regulating plasma-related indicators / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To study the preventive effect of Qilin pill on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and its effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in plasma. METHODS: Sixty-four patients undergoing IVF-ET treated in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2019 were selected. On the day of ovulation induction injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), 32 patients with high risk factors of OHSS were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received western medicine therapy, while the observation group received extra Qilin pill. The incidence of mild to moderate OHSS, fresh cycle transplant cancellation rate, plasma VEGF, TF, TFPI levels, and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing IVF-ET (HCG positive rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate) were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:There was no severe OHSS occurred in the two groups, the incidence of OHSS in the observation group (12.50%) and the cancellation rate of fresh cycle transplantation (15.63%) were lower than those in the control group (50.00%, 43.75%)(χ2=6.063,P=0.014); The levels of VEGF and TF in the observation group on the day of egg retrieval and embryo transfer were [(368±103) pg/mL, (392±91) pg/mL],[(24±4)pg/ mL,(29±4) pg/mL], which were lower than the control group [(436±117) pg/mL, (448±108) pg/mL],[(26±4) pg/mL, (31±4) pg/mL] (t=2.450,2.237,4.093,5.204,P=0.017,0.029,<0.001,<0.001); The plasma TFPI levels in the observation group on the day of egg retrieval and embryo transfer were [(73±18) ng/mL,(66±12) ng/mL], higher than the control group [(62±16)ng/mL, (58±10) ng/mL](t=2.550,3.032,P=0.014,0.004); The biochemical pregnancy rate in the observation group (8.70%) was lower than that in the control group (42.86%) (χ2=4.147, P=0.042),the clinical pregnancy rate (91.30%) was higher than that of the control group (57.14%) (χ2=4.147,P=0.042).CONCLUSION:Qilin pill can prevent the occurrence of severe OHSS after IVF-ET, reduce the occurrence of mild to moderate OHSS, decrease the cancellation rate of fresh cycle transplantation and improve the pregnancy outcome after IVF-ET; Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of VEGF, TF and TFPI.

Antiproliferative effect of mifepristone (RU486) on human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH): in vitro and in vivo studies

RU486 (mifepristone), a glucocorticoid and progesterone receptor antagonist, has been reported to exert antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. Experiments were performed to analyze the effects of RU486 on the proliferation of the human neuroblastoma, both in vitro and in vivo, using the human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell line. The exposure in vitro of SK-N-SH cells to RU486 revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation due to a rapid but persistent inhibition of MAPKinase activity and ERK phosphorylation. A significant decrease of SK-N-SH cell number was evident after 3, 6, and 9 days of treatment (up to 40% inhibition), without evident cell death. The inhibitory effect exerted by RU486 was not reversed by the treatment of the cells with dexamethasone or progesterone. Moreover, RU486 induced a shift in SK-N-SH cell phenotypes, with an almost complete disappearance of the neuronal-like and a prevalence of the epithelial-like cell subtypes. Finally, the treatment with RU486 of nude mice carrying a SK-N-SH cell xenograft induced a strong inhibition (up to 80%) of tumor growth. These results indicated a clear effect of RU486 on the growth of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells that does not seem to be mediated through the classical steroid receptors. RU486 acted mainly on the more aggressive component of the SK-N-SH cell line and its effect in vivo was achieved at a concentration already used to inhibit oocyte implantation.

LncRNA SNHG7/miR-34a-5p/SYVN1 axis plays a vital role in proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy in osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases of which clinical symptoms includes swelling, synovitis and inflammatory pain, affect patients' daily life. It was reported that non-coding RNAs play vital roles in OA. However, the regulation mechanism of ncRNA in OA pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: The expression of SNHG7, miR-34a-5p and SYVN1 was detected using qRT-PCR in tissues, serum and cells. The protein expression of SYVN1, PCNA, cleavage-caspase 3, beclinl and LC3 were measured using western blot. The RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pulldown, and luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the relationship between SNHG7, miR-34a-5p and SYVN1. The MTT and flow cytometry assay was performed to detected cell proliferation and cell apoptosis respectively. RESULTS: In this study, SNHG7 and SYVN1 expression were down-regulated, but miR-34a-5p was up-regulated in OA tissues and IL-1P treated cells compared with normal tissues and chondrocyte. Functional investigation revealed that up-regulated SNHG7 or down-regulated miR-34a-5p could promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis and autophagy in OA cells. More than that, RIP, pulldown and luciferase reporter assay was applied to determine that miR-34a-5p was a target miRNA of SNHG7 and SYVN1 was a target mRNA of miR-34-5p. Rescue experiments showed that overexpression of miR-34a reversed high expression of SNHG7-mediated suppression of apoptosis and autophagy as well as promotion of proliferation, while its knockdown inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy and promoted cell proliferation which could be impaired by silencing SYVN1. In addition, SNHG7 regulated SYVN1 through sponging miR-34a-5p. CONCLUSION: SNHG7 sponged miR-34a-5p to affect cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy through targeting SYVN1 which provides a novel sight into the pathogenesis of OA.

The role and mechanism of TRAF2 in the biological behavior of gastric cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To clarify the effect of TRAF2 in the biological behavior of gastric cancer and explore the mechanism.@*Methods@#TRAF2 stably depleted AGS cell was established. Cell growth was monitored by x-CELLigence system. Cell proliferation was detected using cell viability assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The difference of migration and invasion abilities were measured by real-time xCELLigence system and Transwell. The expression and activity of NF-κB signaling pathway were measured by western blot and TransAM assay. The expression of TRAF2 in gastric cancer tissue and its clinical significance were detected by immunohistochemistry.@*Results@#The cell index of AGS-siTRAF2 cells was significantly lower than that of AGS-sictrl cells at 8 h. In the cell viability assay, the A values of AGS-siTRAF2 cells were 51 296.00±2 631.06, 68 389.25±6 703.21 and 65 559.50±6 339.22 at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The values of the viability of AGS-siTRAF2 cells were significantly lower than those of AGS-sictrl cells (P<0.001). The results of flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rates of AGS-siTRAF2 cells were (1.42±0.07)%, (2.98±0.11)% and (1.56±0.03)% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of AGS-sictrl cells (all P<0.05). The distribution of S phase in AGS-siTRAF2 cells was (23.57±1.12)%, while that in the AGS-sictrl cells was (19.49±1.19)%. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.012). AGS-siTRAF2 cells migrated much slower than AGS-sictrl cells from 3 h and the number of migrated AGS-sictrl cells was 121.7±6.7 while that of AGS-siTRAF2 cells was 84.0±6.6 (P=0.002). The cell index of AGS-siTRAF2 cells was less than that of AGS-sictrl cells from 3 h. In Transwell assay, the number of invaded AGS-sictrl cells was 109.3±3.1 after 24 h of culture, significantly higher than 79.0±6.2 of AGS-siTRAF2 cells (P=0.002). Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of RelA, RelB, p50 and p52 in AGS-siTRAF2 cells were significantly lower than those in AGS-sictrl cells. The activities of RelA, RelB, p50 and p52 in AGS-siTRAF2 cells were 0.01±0.00, 0.01±0.01, 0.92±0.01 and 0.53±0.03, respectively, significantly lower than those of AGS-sictrl cells (all P<0.001). High TRAF2 expression (TRAF2-high) was found in 53.0% of GC samples, while TRAF2-high was only observed in 38.0% of the paired adjacent tissues (P=0.033). The expression of TRAF2 was significantly higher in the tubular adenocarcinoma, poor differentiation advanced T, advanced N, and clinical staging (P<0.05). The median survival time were 17 months and 78 months in the TRAF2 high-expression and low-expression groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.010).@*Conclusions@#Depletion of TRAF2 inhibits the AGS cell growth, migration and invasion. The expression of TRAF2 is increased in gastric tumor tissue. The expression of TRAF2 is associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Extract of Emblica officinalis enhances the growth of human keratinocytes in culture / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Keratinocytes are the predominant cell type in the epidermis and play key roles in epidermal function. Thus, identification of the compounds that regulate the growth of keratinocytes is of importance. Here we searched for such compounds from the herbs used in traditional medicine Ayurveda.@*METHODS@#Human keratinocytes were cultured in the presence or absence of the herbal extracts for 2 weeks; the effect of the extracts on cell growth was determined by staining the cells with Coomassie brilliant blue. To detect the compounds that regulate the growth of keratinocytes, the herbal extracts were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).@*RESULTS@#We found that the extract of Emblica officinalis enhanced the growth of keratinocytes in culture. Further, we fractionated the extract of E. officinalis using HPLC and identified the fractions responsible for the enhanced growth of keratinocytes.@*CONCLUSION@#The extract of E. officinalis enhanced the growth of human keratinocytes in culture. E. officinalis contains the compounds that would be beneficial for human skin health because enhanced growth of keratinocytes would promote wound healing.

Optimization of the theoretical model for growth rate of mesenchymal stem cells on three-dimensional scaffold under fluid shear stress / 生物医学工程学杂志

Bone tissue engineering is considered as one of the most promising way to treat large segmental bone defect. When constructing bone tissue engineering graft , suitable bioreactor is usually used to incubate cell-scaffold complex under perfusion to obtain bone tissue engineering graft with good repair efficiency. However, the theoretical model for growth rate of single cell (especially for stem cell) during this process still has many defects. The difference between stem cells and terminally differentiated cells is always ignored. Based on our previous studies, this study used self-made perfusion apparatus to apply different modes and strengths of fluid shear stress (FSS) to the cells seeded on scaffolds. The effects of FSS on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were investigated. The regression analysis model of the effect of FSS on the single-cell growth rate of MSCs was further established. The results showed that 0.022 5 Pa oscillatory shear stress had stronger ability to promote proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, and the growth rate of a single MSC cell under FSS was modified. This study is expected to provide theoretical guidance for optimizing the perfusion culture condition of bone tissue engineering grafts .

Interferon-γ regulates cell malignant growth via the c-Abl/HDAC2 signaling pathway in mammary epithelial cells / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has been used to control cancers in clinical treatment. However, an increasing number of reports have suggested that in some cases effectiveness declines after a long treatment period, the reason being unclear. We have reported previously that long-term IFN-γ treatment induces malignant transformation of healthy lactating bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) in vitro. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the malignant proliferation of BMECs under IFN-γ treatment. The primary BMECs used in this study were stimulated by IFN-γ (10 ng/mL) for a long term to promote malignancy. We observed that IFN-γ could promote malignant cell proliferation, increase the expression of cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), decrease the expression of p21, and upregulate the expression of cellular-abelsongene (c-Abl) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). The HDAC2 inhibitor, valproate (VPA) and the c-Abl inhibitor, imatinib, lowered the expression level of cyclin D1/CDK4, and increased the expression level of p21, leading to an inhibitory effect on IFN-γ-induced malignant cell growth. When c-Abl was downregulated, the HDAC2 level was also decreased by promoted proteasome degradation. These data suggest that IFN-γ promotes the growth of malignant BMECs through the c-Abl/HDAC2 signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that long-term application of IFN-γ may be closely associated with the promotion of cell growth and even the carcinogenesis of breast cancer.

Role of Ectodermal-neural cortex 1 protein in human glioma progression, identification of a peptide internalized by human glioblastoma cells and development of an alternative method to generate growth curves of adherent cultures / Papel da proteína Ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1) na progressão de glioma humano, identificação de um peptídeo internalizado por células de glioblastoma humano e desenvolvimento de um método alternativo para gerar curvas de crescimento celular

Gliomas are the most common form of primary intracranial malignancy, among which astrocytomas are the most frequent. Ectodermal-cortex protein 1 (ENC 1), also known as Nuclear Restricted Protein/Brain (NRP/B), was first characterized as a protein which interacts with the cytoskeleton by binding to actin through Kelch-like domains, being related to neural fate specification during development of the nervous system. The first chapter of this thesis confirms ENC1 as a tumor suppression properties by a genomic edition approach, analyses ENC1 expression in a set of patient glioma samples and describes the correlation these data with patients survival and progression-free survival, concluding that ENC1 expression may constitute a biomarker for glioma aggressiveness. The second chapter refers to the identification and in vitro characterization of the LHTNELQ peptide, which was selected by the Phage Display method using human glioblastoma cells. This new peptide is able to be internalized by these cells and features as a new tool for the development of glioma therapeutics. The third chapter report an alternative method to generate growth curves of adherent cell cultures, which is based on the CFSE fluorescence decay over time. It is an alternative method to determine growth curves of cultured cells, with smaller variation among technical replicates than that of counting-based methods

Gliomas são a forma mais comum de malignidades primárias intracranianas, dentre os quais os astrocitomas são os mais frequentes. A proteína Ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1), também conhecida como Nuclear Restricted Protein/Brain (NRP/B), foi primeiramente caracterizada como uma proteína que interage com o citoesqueleto por meio de ligação à actina através de domínios Kelch-like, sendo relacionada com diferenciação neuronal durante o desenvolvimento do sistema nervoso. O primeiro capítulo desta tese descreve confirmação da capacidade supressora tumoral de ENC1 por abordagem de edição genômica, analisa a expressão de ENC1 em um conjunto de amostras de pacientes com gliomas e correlaciona esses dados com tempo de sobrevida geral e sobrevida livre de progressão tumoral nos pacientes, concluindo que a expressão de ENC1 pode ser utilizada como um biomarcador da agressividade do glioma. O segundo capítulo apresenta a identificação e caracterização in vitro do peptídeo LHTNELQ, que foi selecionado pela metodologia de Phage display utilizandose de células de glioblastoma humano. Este novo peptídeo é capaz de internalizar-se nestas células e figura como uma nova ferramenta para o desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas para glioblastomas. No terceiro capítulo propõe-se um método alternativo para gerar curvas de crescimento celular de cultura aderente, o qual é baseado no decaimento da fluorescência do reagente CFSE ao longo do tempo. Tratase de um método alternativo para a determinação de curvas de crescimento de culturas aderentes, com menor variação entre as réplicas técnicas do que os métodos baseados em contagem das células

Mechanism of CCT2, a new downstream substrate of PDGFRα, on proliferation of tumor cells / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To study the molecular mechanism of chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 2(CCT2), a new downstream substrate of platelet derived growth factor receptor α(PDGFRα), in tumorigenesis. Methods: Non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1703 was used. Western blotting was used to measure the phosphorylation of CCT2 upon PDGFRα inhibitor Gleevec treatment and PDGF stimulation. H1703 cells were divided into siCon group, siPDGFRα group and siCCT2 group; 48 h later, cell number counting was used to test the effect of CCT2 on cell growth after siRNA transfection. H1703 cells were divided into siCon group, siPDGFRα group, siAKT group and siCCT2 group; Western blotting was used to measure the protein level of PDGFRα and PARP. Cell fractionation was used to detect the cellular localization of CCT2 and co-immunoprecipitation was used to test the interaction between CCT2 and PDGFRα. Results: CCT2 phosphorylation was inhibited by Gleevec and induced by PDGF. Compared to the control group, the number of cells transfected by siCCT2 reduced by 30% (P=0.006). The protein level of PDGFRα was also decreased in siCCT2 transfected cells, whereas the cleavage of PARP was increased. CCT2 was localized in both cytoplasmic and membrane fractions and interacted with PDGFRα directly. Conclusion: CCT2 is a new downstream substrate of PDGFRα. CCT2 can promote tumor cells growth by interacting and stabilizing PDGFRα.

Antioxidant and growth inhibitory activities of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. in HCT116 human colon cancer cells / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the antioxidant and cancer cell growth inhibitory activities of an ethanol extract and different solvent fractions of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (ice plant). METHODS: The ice plant was freeze-dried, extracted with 99.9% ethanol, and then fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The total polyphenol content (TPC), total carotenoid content (TCC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity (RSA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured. Assays using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide were performed to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell growth, respectively. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and cell cycle analysis were performed for the detection of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. RESULTS: TPC, TCC, RSA, and FRAP of the ethanol extract (EE) were 3.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 13.2 µg/g, 21.0% (at a concentration of 5 mg/mL), and 21.0% (at a concentration of 5 mg/mL), respectively. Among the different solvent fractions, the butanol fraction (BF) showed the highest TPC (5.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), TCC (86.6 µg/g), RSA (34.9% at 5 mg/mL), and FRAP (80.8% at 5 mg/mL). Treatment of HCT116 human colon cancer cells with EE and BF at concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL reduced the levels of intracellular ROS. Concomitantly, EE and BF resulted in the dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth (at the concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL for 24 ~ 48 h) and the induction of apoptosis (at the concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL for 48 h) in HCT116 cells. An increased G2/M cell population was also found in the BF-treated cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ice plant possesses antioxidant and growth inhibitory activities in colon cancer cells.