Analysis of the expression and association of retinoblastoma binding protein 6 with the JNK signaling pathway in prostate cancers.

This study aims to investigate the expression of retinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) in prostate cancer (PCa) and its association with the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect RBBP6 and JNK1/2 expression in PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues. RBBP6 expression in PCa cells (LNCap, PC3, and DU145) and noncancerous prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. PC3 and DU145 cells were transfected with RBBP6 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to examine the biological characteristics. Anisomycin (a JNK activator) with/without RBBP6 siRNA was used to treat PC3 cells for further investigating the ramification of the RBBP6-mediated JNK pathway in PCa. PCa tissues and cells showed higher RBBP6 and JNK1/2 expression. RBBP6 was positively correlated with JNK1/2 in PCa tissues. Besides, RBBP6 expression was correlated to clinical tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, Gleason grade, preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, as well as prognosis of PCa. RBBP6 siRNA reduced cell proliferation, arrested cells at G2/M, and promoted cell apoptosis, and suppressed JNK pathway. In addition, migration and invasion decreased after the RBBP6 siRNA transfection with downregulated matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. Anisomycin promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PC3 cells and inhibited PC3 cell apoptosis, which could be reversed by RBBP6 siRNA. RBBP6 expression was upregulated in PCa tissues and positively correlated with expression level of JNK1/2. With inhibition of RBBP6 expression, the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PCa cells decreased dramatically, while PC3 cell apoptosis increased appreciably, accompanied by the suppression of the JNK pathway.

Impact of co-blocking the costimulatory signals on immune-related genes after high-risk rabbit corneal allograft using 2nd-generation DNA sequencing technology.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact and mechanism of co-blocking of costimulatory signals CD28-B7-CD40-CD40L during immune allograft rejection. Forty-eight recipient rabbits were prepared as a high-risk corneal allograft model. After surgery, the animals were randomly divided into: control group, MR1 group, anti-B7 group, and co-blocking group (n=12, each group). Subconjunctival injection was first performed on the allograft surgery day until post-surgery day five. Four weeks later, or when immune rejection occurred, the cornea was sampled to detect and analyze the gene spectrum. The survival time in the co-blocking group was significantly longer than that in the other three groups (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed that the expression of genes associated with immune rejection, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1ß, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, and IL-2 was down-regulated in the co-blocking group, while IL-10 was up-regulated, but the changes in nuclear factor-κB and interferon-γ were not significant. In conclusion, the co-blocking of costimulatory signals can significantly reduce genes that promote corneal allograft rejection. The inhibition of corneal allograft rejection gene expression was significantly enhanced. These gene expression results can explain the conclusion of previous work at the genetic level.

Influence of transient intraocular pressure elevation during laser in situ keratomileusis on rabbit retina thickness.

AIM: To utilize tissue micro measurement to study the effect of transient high intraocular pressure (IOP) induced by different durations of suction during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on rabbit retina thickness. METHODS: Sixty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, and 3 negative-pressure suction groups (20s group, 45s group, and 3min group) and each group was comprised of 15 rabbits (30 eyes); the latter 3 groups were the transient high IOP models. The retinal tissue around the papilledema was separated. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was carried out to generate slices for light microscopy. The changes in the retina thickness values of each layer were measured for all animals in each group at different postoperative recovery periods and compared with the values recorded for the animals in the control group. The thickness of the retinal tissue showed a normal distribution. The ANOVA was performed by using SPSS13.0 statistic software. RESULTS: In the comparison between the 20s and 45s negative-pressure suction groups and the control group, no significant differences were observed, except at 14d. Significant difference was observed between the 3min negative-pressure suction group and the control group, and the retina thickness value of each layer reached a peak at 14d after repair. CONCLUSION: Conventional negative suction during LASIK may not lead to significant changes in retinal tissue thickness; however, if the suction duration is increased to 3min, it will cause significant changes in retinal tissue thickness.

Difference in normal corneal thickness and curvature between Mongolian and Han nationalities.

AIM: To investigate the differences in central corneal thickness (CCT) and curvature in myopic patients with different genders between Mongolian and Han nationalities in the Inner Mongolia region. METHODS: Patients with myopia, among whom 122 cases (244 eyes) were Mongolian and 150 cases (300 eyes) were Han, were selected. Pentacam was used to measure the corneal curvature, whereas CCT was determined by Pentacam, Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry. RESULTS: Comparisons of the curvature of men and women in Mongolia showed a significant difference (P<0.05) by comparing of the CCT values measured by three methods in Han and Mongolian in Inner Mongolia, we can draw a conclusion that the CCT values measured by Pentacam are less than the values by Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry, and there are statistically significant difference in CCT measurement among the instruments except between the Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry. The CCT values of Mongolians are more than Han people, and the analysis exhibited statistical significance. The CCT values measured by Orbscan in Mongolia of women are more than men, the difference showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Corneal curvature in Mongolian females was significantly higher than that in males. However, no significant difference was observed among Han males and females. The CCT values of Mongolian females were higher than those of males. The normal CCT values measured by Pentacam in Mongolian myopic patients were smaller than those obtained by Orbscan or ultrasound. The normal CCT values of Mongolian patients with myopia were higher than those reported for domestic people.

[Study on gene expression profiles of rabbit retina transient IOP during LASIK].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the changes of gene expression profiles of retina by way of gene chip technology, and to investigate possible molecular pathogenesis of RGCs apoptosis caused by transient high IOP. METHODS: Twenty-two new Zealand white rabbits were randomized to experimental control and negative pressure suction 3 min groups. The rabbit were executed at different time points of post-LASIK, such as postoperative instant, 7 d, 10 d, then the total RNA of retinal tissue was extracted to detect gene expression profiles by the way of Agilent rabbit one-way gene chip. RESULTS: Instant after negative pressure suction, the genes differential expressed had 704 genes. Of these, the expression of 485 genes were unregulated and 219 genes down regulated. The higher expression of apoptosis genes were CRYAA, CRYAB, TLR3 and KRT18. 7 d after negative pressure suction, the genes differential expressed had 482 genes. Of these, the expression of 178 genes were unregulated and 304 genes down regulated. The higher expression of apoptosis genes were CRYAB, IL1-BETA and IL1R1. 10 d after negative pressure suction, the genes differential expressed had 402 genes. Of these, the expression of 213 genes were unregulated and 189 genes down regulated. The higher expression of apoptosis genes were CRYAB, CRYBA3, CRYBB2, IL1-BETA and IL1R1. CONCLUSION: The gene expression had changed after negative pressure suction. The genes with higher fold change protected RGCs from apoptosis.