HOXC10 Promotes the Metastasis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma and Indicates Poor Survival Outcome.

Background: As master regulator of embryonic morphogenesis, homeodomain-containing gene 10 (HOXC10) has been found to promote progression of human cancers and indicates poor survival outcome. However, the role of HOXC10 in lung adenocarcinoma still unclear. Methods: HOXC10 expression was evaluated in 63 primary lung adenocarcinoma tissues from our local hospital, and further systematically confirmed in lung cancer tissues from six GEO datasets (GSE19188, GSE31210, GSE10072, GSE7670, GSE32863, GSE30219), and Kaplan-Meier plotter database. The role of HOXC10 in lung cancer metastasis was further validated by cellular and molecular studies. Results: The expression of HOXC10 was significantly increased in human lung adenocarcinoma samples from Wuhu No.2 People's Hospital, about 4.219 times compared with normal tissues, and significantly correlated with TNM stage, lymph node, and distal metastasis. Upregulation of HOXC10 indicated a poor overall/relapse free survival of lung cancer patients from Wuhu No.2 People's Hospital, GEO datasets, and Kaplan-Meier plotter database, especially in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Knockdown or ectopic expression assays confirmed that HOXC10 enhanced the phosphorylation of PI3K, regulated the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers: MMP2/9, VCAM-1, vimentin and E-cadherin. Cellular study further confirmed that HOXC10 was required for migration, invasion and adhesion of lung cancer cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HOXC10 plays a pivotal role in the metastasis of human lung cancer and highlight its usefulness as a potential prognostic marker or therapeutic target in human lung adenocarcinoma.

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibody against human IL-37b.

IL-37 has been described as a natural inhibitor of immune responses. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human IL-37b with high affinity and specificity can serve as a molecular probe to detect IL-37 and study IL-37 functions, mechanisms and related signal pathways in inflammatory diseases. However, there are very few such mAbs against human IL-37 commercially available so far. In the current study, monoclonal antibodies against human IL-37b were developed by fusing splenocytes from immunized mouse with SP2/0 myeloma cells and polyethylene glycol. Then the antibodies were screened with prokaryotic expressed human IL-37b protein and eukaryotic expressed human IL-37b protein subsequently. Western blot and flow cytometry analysis revealed that selected mAb clons were able to recognize human IL-37 with high specificity. And more importantly, the IL-37b mAbs were fluorescently labeled and can be directly used in flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, the current study developed new mAbs against human IL-37b, which are applicable in flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

[Effect of the ethanol extracts of starfish Asterias amurensis on the levels of serum IL-4 and IFN-γ in mice].

AIM: To investigate the effect of the ethanol extracts of the starfish Asterias amurensis on the levels of serum IL-4 and IFN-γ in mice. METHODS: The whole bodies of the starfish were chopped and extracted with ethanol. The ethanol extracts were chromatographed on silica gel column. The separating fractions of the ethanol extracts were intraperitoneally injected into mice, respectively. The levels of serum IL-4 and IFN-γ in mice were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The ethanol extracts from the starfish were separated through silica gel column chromatography to obtain 8 fractions (I-VIII). The high levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were produced in serum of the mice injected with fractions III and VIII of the ethanol extracts from the starfish Asterias amurensis. CONCLUSION: The fractions III and VIIII separated from the ethanol extracts of the starfish Asterias amurensis can stimulate the mice to produce high lelves of IL-4 and IFN-γ, which has the characteristic of natural kill T (NKT) cells activator. It is suggests that there is the active substance that can activate NKT cells in the starfish Asterias amurensis.

[Preparation of rabbit anti-recombinant human calreticulin antibody and its characterization].

AIM: To prepare the rabbit anti-recombinant human calreticulin (hCRT) antibody and its characterization. METHODS: The gene coding for hCRT was amplified by PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET32a. Then the recombinant plasmid pET32a/hCRT was transformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3) and expressed under IPTG induction. The recombinant hCRT was purified through Ni(2+) -NT agarose gel column and the purified hCRT used as immunogen to immunize the rabbit.The titer and specificity of the rabbit anti-hCRT antibody were analyzed by ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant hCRT was successfully expressed and purified, and the polyclonal anit-hCRT antibody was successfully prepared. The titer of the antiserum was 1:51 200 by ELISA. Western blot analysis showed that the antibody reacted specifically to hCRT. Immunohistochemical staining detection manifested the antibody could recognize the native hCRT. CONCLUSION: The rabbit anti-hCRT antibody with high titer and specificity has been successfully prepared, which lays the foundation for further research on detection of hCRT and its clinical application.

[Prokaryotic expression of the extracellular region of human CD1d and preparation of its polyclonal antibody].

AIM: To explore the prokaryotic expression of the extracellular region of human CD1d (hCD1d) and prepare its polyclonal antibody. METHODS: The gene encoding the extracellular region of hCD1d was amplified by PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28, then expressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3) with IPTG induction. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni2+-NTA agarose column and then used as immunogen to immunize the mouse. The generated polyclonal antibody was evaluated by ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining (IHC), respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant extracellular region of hCD1d was successfully expressed and purified. The polyclonal antibody with high titer and high specificity was obtained, which could recognize the native hCD1d in the human small intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: The recombinant extracellular region of hCD1d has been obtained. The antibody with high titer and high specificity against the extracellular region of hCD1d from the mouse has been successfully prepared, which lays a foundation for further research into the detection and functional study of CD1d.

[Preparation and characterization of the rabbit polyclonal antibody against the alpha3 domain of human CD1d].

AIM: To prepare the rabbit antibody against the alpha3 domain of the human CD1d (hCD1d-alpha3). METHODS: The gene fragment coding for hCD1d-alpha3 was amplified by PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28, then expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant protein hCD1d-alpha3 was purified with Ni(2+)-NTA agarose column and used as immunogen to immunize the rabbit. The titer and specificity of the anti-hCD1d-alpha3 antibody from the rabbit were analyzed by ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant hCD1d-alpha3 was successfully expressed and purified, and the polyclonal anit-hCD1d-alpha3 antibody was successfully prepared. The titer of the antiserum was 1:6 400 by ELISA. Western blot analysis showed this antiboday reacted specifically with hCD1d. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the antibody could recognize the native hCD1d in the human intestinal tissue. CONCLUSION: The anti-CD1d-alpha3 antibody from the rabbit with high titer and specificity has been prepared with purified recombinant hCD1d-alpha3 as immunogen, which lays a foundation for further research into detection and functional study of CD1d.

[Prokaryotic expression of human mast cell chymase gene and preparation of its polyclonal antibody].

AIM: To express the human mast cell chymase cDNA in E.coli and prepare the antibody against human mast cell chymase with recombinant chymase. METHODS: The human mast cell chymase cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR. The recombinant chymase was expressed in E.coli with L-Arabinose induction and purified by Ni-NTA agarose column. Then the purified chymase was used as immunogen to immunize the rabbit. The titer and specificity of the anti-chymase antibody from the rabbit were analyzed by indirect ELISA and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant chymase was successfully expressed in E.coli, and the polyclonal anit-chymase antibody was prepared by immunizing the rabbit with the purified recombinant chymase. The titer of the generated antiserum was detected to be 1:12 800 by ELISA. Western blot analysis showed this antibody bound specifically with chymase. CONCLUSION: The anti-chymase antibody from the rabbit with high titer and specificity has been prepared with purified recombinant chymase as immunogen, which lays a foundation for further research into detection and function of chymase.

[Preparation and characterization of rabbit antibody against human mast cell carboxypeptidase].

AIM: To prepare antibody against human mast cell carboxypeptidase (hMC-CP) by using recombinant hMC-CP expressed in E.coli, and to characterize the antibody. METHODS: hMC-CP was expressed in E.coli with L-Arabinose induction and purified through Ni-NTA column. The purified hMC-CP as immunogen was used to immunize rabbit. The titer and the specificity of the rabbit anti-hMC-CP antibody was analyzed by indirect ELISA and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: The hMC-CP was successfully expressed and purified. The polyconal anit-hMC-CP antibody was prepared by immunizing rabbit using the purified recombinant protein, The titer of the generated antiserum was 1:6 400 by ELISA. Western blot analysis showed that this antibody could bind with hMC-CP specifically. CONCLUSION: The rabbit anti-hMC-CP antibody with high titer and high specificity has been prepared by using purified recombinant hMC-CP as immunogen, which lays the foundation for further research on detection and function of hMC-CP.

[Cloning full-length homologous cDNAs of pollen allergens in Humulus Scandens(Lour.) Merr by degenerate primer].

AIM: To establish a stable and reliable method for fast cloning homologous genes of pollen allergens in allergen-containing plants. METHODS: Degenerate primers were designed based on the bioinformatic analysis of numerous allergens available from the database. Subsequent amplification of the allergen genes was conducted in the weed pollen cDNA pool by a selective PCR profile. Following the truncated gene cloning, RACE method was used to isolate full-length cDNA. Gene function was deduced by sequence alignment in GenBank database. The degenerate ability of the primer was compared with the full-length cDNA sequences. RESULTS: Three full-length cDNAs were obtained. Sequence analysis showed that these new genes shared as high as 79%-85% homology with a large amount of known allergen profilins and were hence regarded as members of panallergen profilin family. Comparing these genes with the degenerate primers that were initially used in truncated gene cloning revealed that alternative nucleotide degeneracy occurred beyond the degenerate site predesigned, suggesting that further degeneracy was expanded by Touchdown-gradient PCR. CONCLUSION: Cloning of homologous genes or allergen genes can be efficiently achieved by using the combination of degenerate primer with Touchdown-gradient RT-PCR in the species such as Humulus scandens that has not yet been investigated.

Cloning and expression of human colon mast cell carboxypeptidase.

AIM: To clone and express the human colon mast cell carboxypeptidase (MC-CP) gene. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from colon tissue, and the cDNA encoding human colon mast cell carboxypeptidase was amplified by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The product cDNA was subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-c2x and eukaryotic expression vector pPIC9K to construct prokaryotic expression vector pMAL/human MC-CP (hMC-CP) and eukaryotic pPIC9K/hMC-CP. The recombinant fusion protein expressed in E. coli was induced with IPTG and purified by amylose affinity chromatography. After digestion with factor Xa, recombinant hMC-CP was purified by heparin agarose chromatography. The recombinant hMC-CP expressed in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) was induced with methanol and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and enzyme assay. RESULTS: The cDNA encoding the human colon mast cell carboxypeptidase was cloned, which had five nucleotide variations compared with skin MC-CP cDNA. The recombinant hMC-CP protein expressed in E. coli was purified with amylose affinity chromatography and heparin agarose chromatography. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein expressed by E. coli had a molecular weight of 36 kDa and reacted to the anti-native hMC-CP monoclonal antibody (CA5). The N-terminal amino acid sequence confirmed further the product was hMC-CP. E. coli generated hMC-CP showed a very low level of enzymatic activity, but P. pastoris produced hMC-CP had a relatively high enzymatic activity towards a synthetic substrate hippuryl-L-phenylalanine. CONCLUSION: The cDNA encoding human colon mast cell carboxypeptidase can be successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli and P. pastoris, which will contribute greatly to the functional study on hMC-CP.