MicroRNA-203 inhibits the malignant progression of neuroblastoma by targeting Sam68.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid extracranial tumor in children. However, the molecular mechanism of NB remains to be elucidated. In the present study, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction data demonstrated that the expression of Sam68 was significantly upregulated in NB tissues compared with their matched adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, it was revealed that reduced expression of miR­203 and increased expression of Sam68 co­existed in NB tissues. Knockdown of Sam68 reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of human SK­N­SH and SH­SY5Y NB cells. Similarly, overexpression of miR­203 also inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of these two cell lines. It was further demonstrated that the protein expression level of Sam68 was negatively mediated by miR­203 in the SK­N­SH and SH­SY5Y NB cells. Additionally, data from a dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR­203 directly targeted Sam68 by binding to its 3'­untranslated region. In conclusion, the present study suggested for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the aberrant downregulation of miR­203 may contribute to the aberrant upregulation of Sam68 in NB and that miR­203 has an inhibitory role in malignant progression of NB by targeting Sam68. The present study provided evidence to support miR-203/Sam68 as a novel diagnostic or therapeutic targets for NB.

[Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth factor binding protein-3 in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To study serum levels and clinical significance of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 36 children with ALL before treatment and 6 months after complete remission. Thirty children with surgical diseases severed as the control group. Serum IGF-1 levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum IGFBP-3 levels were measured using immunoradioassays (IRMA). RESULTS: Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the ALL group were 19±4 ng/mL and 1216±132 ng/mL, respectively before treatment, which were lower than those in the control group (32±3 ng/mL and 2104±191 ng/mL respectively) (P<0.01). Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the ALL group increased to 30±3 ng/mL and 1941±164 ng/mL respectively 6 months after complete remission, which were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.01) and were similar to the levels of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are reduced in children with ALL, but increase significantly after complete remission, suggesting that IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 might serve as useful markers for the diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic effects of childhood ALL.

[Expression of human growth hormone gene in mice and its effect on concentration of murine serum cytokines].

AIM: To explore the effects of high level human growth hormone(GH) on immune function. METHODS: The eukarytic expression plasmid containing hGH gene was constructed and then was injected into musculi quadriceps femoris of mice. 5th, 15th and 25th day after injection, the murine sera were collected and the levels of hGH, IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: hGH cDNA was correctly cloned into pcDNA3. COS-1 cells transfected with the recombinant plasmid secreted high level of active hGH. The concentration of hGH in the sera of mice receiving the plasmid was obviously higher than that of control group. However, the concentrations of IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha had no significant variation in comparison with those of control group. CONCLUSION: High level GH has no marked effect on secretion of IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.

[Association of p53, PCNA expression and trace element content in esophageal mucosa].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There were abnormal changes of trace element in esophageal cancer patient's hair and serum in the high risk area. But it was still unknown that the relationship between p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) expression and the trace element content in varied esophageal mucosa. This study was designed to probe the relationship of trace element content and p53 mutation, PCNA expression in esophgeal mucosa. METHODS: Esophageal biopsy specimen of 151 cases were divided into four groups (normal, esophagitis, dysplasia, and early carcinoma). The quantitative determination of trace element was performed was performed by using X-ray energy spectrometry and the detection of PCNA expression and p53 mutation was performed by using S-P immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: The contents of Zn, Se, Mo, were 1.74 +/- 0.32, 1.53 +/- 0.64, 0.58 +/- 0.21, 0.20 +/- 0.08; 0.15 +/- 0.06, 0.10 +/- 0.03, 0.04 +/- 0.02, 0; 4.73 +/- 1.31, 3.45 +/- 1.19, 3.51 +/- 1.32, 2.51 +/- 1.04; respectively in four groups. There was a significant difference in varied histological typies(P < 0.05). The contents of Cu/Zn, Ni were 0.57 +/- 0.17, 0.89 +/- 0.18, 2.45 +/- 0.48, 2.92 +/- 1.08; 0.45 +/- 0.05, 1.27 +/- 0.11, 2.46 +/- 0.24, 2.58 +/- 0.33; respectively, which increased gradually in pace with upgrade of esophageal lesions, with significant difference (P < 0.05). The postive rates of p53 and PCNA were 0, 46.15%, 100%; 31.19%, 84.62%, 100% respectively in normal esophageal epithelium, dysplasia, and early carcinoma, with significant difference (P < 0.01), and had significant correlation to trace element. CONCLUSION: The content variation of Zn, Se, Mo, Cu, Ni could be possessed of certain effect on p53 mutation and PCNA overexpression of esophageal epithelium in the high risk area.