Molecular mechanism of FGF8b regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer cells / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the molecular mechanism of fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF8b) in promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer DU145 cells.@*METHODS@#Cells were selected in three groups as follows: a block control group (DU145 cells), a negative control group [DU145 cells transfected with empty plasmid (pcDNA3.1/DU145)], and an experimental group [DU145 cells transfected with FGF8b (FGF8b/DU145)]. The activity of extracellular regulated protein kinases1/2( ERK1/2) pathway was detected by western-blot in the three groups. The FGF8b-DU145 cells and DU145 cells were cultured with PD98059 (an ERK kinase inhibitor) to observe microscopically the morphology changes within the cells. The experimental samples were also divided into four groups: FGF8b/DU145 cells cultured with 2% FBS (Group A); FGF8b/DU145 cells cultured with 2% FBS+PD98059 (50 μmol/L) (Group B); DU145 cells cultured with 2% FBS (Group C); DU145 cells cultured with FBS+PD98059 (50 μmol/L) (Group D). The expression of epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, vimentin) were detected by western-blot analysis and the cell's mobility were detected by the Transwell chamber.@*RESULTS@#The activity of ERK1/2 in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the other two control groups; when ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 was added to FGF8b/ DU145 cells, the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin protein was significantly increased in group B compared with that in the group A (P<0.05). The expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin protein was significantly reduced in group B compared with that in group A (P<0.05). The cell migration assay suggested that cell migration was markedly decreased in group B (P<0.05) compared with that in group A.@*CONCLUSION@#EMT in prostate cancer induced by FGF8b can be mediated by ERK kinase pathway, in which mitogen-activated/extraceluer signal regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) may be a key factor. MEK1 could be an effective target in regulating the invasion and migration of prostate cancer.

Positioning diagnosis of magnetic resonance urography in ectopic ureter of children / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance urography (MRU) in ectopic ureters.@*METHODS@#Seventeen female children with ectopic ureter were examined by sonography, intravenous urography (IVU), computer tomography (CT), MRU and so on. The mean age of the female children was 4.5 years (7 months approximately 12 years).@*RESULTS@#Seventeen patients were examined by sonography, including 3 dysplasia little kidneys, 1 kidney absence, 12 duplex kidneys with hydroureter, 1 normal.Seven patients were examined by IVV, including 3 hydronephrosis and 4 no image or not clear. Fourteen patients were examined by CT, including 3 dysplasia little kidneys, 11 duplex kidneys with hydronephrosis. Five were determined by cystoscope, including 2 ecto-pic urethral orifices which angiography could only display the expansion of ureter. All children were diagnosed by MRU and an accurate anatomical picture of the entire urinary tract was obtained.@*CONCLUSION@#To accurately and noninvasively depict the urinary tract and the independence of renal function, MRU may be used for patients with ectopic ureter undiagnosed with sonography and IVU.