Protection of tight junction between RPE cells with tissue factor targeting peptide.

AIM: To investigate the effect of tissue factor targeting peptide (TF-TP) on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells tight junctions. METHODS: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells. Expression of tight junction, ZO-1 in ARPE-19 cells was measured by Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. Western blot was also used to detect the expression of tissue factor (TF). CEC Transmigration Assay was used to measure the migration of ARPE-19 cells. The transport of fluorescent markers [fluorescein isothiocyanate dextrans of 4, 10, 20 (FD4, FD10, FD20)] and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were used to measure in ARPE-19 cell. RESULTS: CCK-8 assay showed that 5 µmol/L TF-TP can inhibit ARPE-19 cells abnormally proliferation stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; P<0.05). LPS increased the transport of fluorescent markers (FD4, FD10, FD20) and decreased TEER levels in ARPE-19 cells, respectively, which were prevented by 5 µmol/L TF-TP pretreatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, LPS significantly up-regulated the expression of TF and downregulated the expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) in ARPE-19 cell which was inhibited by the TF-TP (P<0.05). In addition, TF-TP inhibited the abnormal migration induced by LPS in ARPE-19 cell (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that TF-TP suppressed proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells induced by LPS, and maintained the RPE tight junctions through inhibition of TF expression and increased expression of ZO-1.

Serum S100A12 levels are associated with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in male patients.

PURPOSE: Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). S100A12 is a newly identified inflammatory biomarker. This study aims to investigate whether serum S100A12 levels are associated with the presence and severity of OSAS in male patients. METHODS: A total of 126 male patients with OSAS and 74 controls were enrolled in this study. The presence and severity of OSAS was assessed by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Serum S100A12 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum S100A12 levels were significantly higher in the OSAS group than in the control group (132.17 (range 101.86 to 174.49) ng/ml vs. 78.40 (range 58.35 to 129.44) ng/ml, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that S100A12 was the only significant and independent predictor of OSAS (odds ratio 1.012, 95% confidence interval 1.006 to 1.017; P < 0.01). Serum S100A12 levels elevated with the increase in the severity of OSAS (S100A12 levels of 106.04 (range 83.92 to 135.13) ng/ml in mild OSAS group, 133.51 (range 109.64 to 208.95) ng/ml in moderate OSAS group, and 173.04 (range 131.88 to 275.77) ng/ml in severe OSAS group; P < 0.001). Serum S100A12 levels were independently correlated with AHI scores (r = 0.324, P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Serum S100A12 levels were independently associated with the presence and severity of OSAS. These findings suggest that serum S100A12 level could be a potential biomarker for reflecting the presence and severity of OSAS.

[Research progress of tumor microenvironment and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas].

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells including lymphoma stem cells reside in a specific microenvironment in which a series of nonmalignant bystander cells and cytokines play a crucial role in the genesis and development of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In addition, tumor microenvironment has important prognostic significance in Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Blocking the cross-talk between the tumor microenvironment and lymphoma cells may thus represent a promising new strategy for treating Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This review summarizes the current advance in studies of the tumor microenvironment and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including cells in tumor microenvironment, role of mesenchymal stem cells and stromal cells, auxiliary role of T cell subsets, macrcphage and dentritic cells, cytokines, immune surveillance and so on.