Association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of colorectal cancer or colorectal adenoma: an updated meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background and aims: In recent years, the relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) or colorectal adenoma (CRA) has gained widespread attention. Previous meta-analyses on this subject either incorporated numerous cross-sectional studies, which were susceptible to bias, or concentrated solely on a restricted number of cohort studies. Moreover, with the release of a substantial number of high-quality cohort studies on this subject in the past two years, the findings continue to be debated and contradictory. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to quantitatively evaluate the magnitude of the association between them. Methods: Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were conducted without language restrictions from the time of their creation up to December, 2023. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated by the generic inverse variance based on the random-effects model. Moreover, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: A total of 15 cohort studies were analyzed in this meta-analysis, which included 9,958,412 participants. The meta-analysis of 13 cohort studies showed that MASLD was linked to a higher risk of CRC (HR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.15-1.36, P < 0.00001). Additionally, further subgroup analysis indicated that the combined HR remained consistent regardless of the study location, nomenclature of fatty liver disease (FLD), confirmation methods for FLD, sample size, follow-up time, and study quality. Furthermore, the meta-analysis of four cohort studies demonstrated that MASLD was correlated with an increased risk of CRA (HR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.17-1.64, P = 0.0002). The sensitivity analysis results further validated the robustness of the aboved findings. Conclusion: The results of our meta-analysis indicated that MASLD was associated with an increased risk of incident CRC/CRA. In the future, it is necessary to conduct more prospective cohort studies to thoroughly assess potential confounding factors, particularly in individuals from Europe and North America. Furthermore, related mechanism studies should be conducted to enhance our understanding of the link between MASLD and CRC/CRA. Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework registries (https://osf.io/m3p9k).

A new technique for Asian nasal tip shaping: "twin tower" folding ear cartilage transplantation.

Rhinoplasty focuses on the establishment of the structural support of nasal cartilage and the shaping of the nasal tip. The purpose of this study was to explore the application of "double tower" folding ear cartilage transplantation for nasal tip shaping in rhinoplasty.

KRT19 and CEACAM5 mRNA-marked circulated tumor cells indicate unfavorable prognosis of breast cancer patients.

AIM: To investigate the clinical and prognostic significance of circulated tumor cells (CTC) marked by cytokeratin 19 coding gene KRT19 mRNA and carcinoembryonic antigen coding gene CEACAM5 mRNA in preoperative peripheral blood of breast cancer patients and provide molecular markers for breast cancer metastasis risk. METHODS: The mRNA levels of KRT19 and CEACAM5 in preoperative peripheral blood of breast cancer patients without (n = 603) and with (n = 76) distant metastases at the time of initial diagnosis were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The relationship between CTCKRT19, CTCCEACAM5 and clinicopathological features, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), or overall survival (OS) was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In different pathological stages of breast cancer, the rates of CTCKRT19-pos and CTCCEACAM5-pos increased with the increase of the stages (P = 0.077 and P = 0.004). Preoperative CTCKRT19-pos in breast cancer patients was closely related to the lymph node metastasis statues (P < 0.0001), and had no significant correlation with other clinicopathological features. There was no significant correlation between CTCCEACAM5 and the clinicopathological features. Patients with high levels of CTC double-marked by KRT19 and CEACAM5 mRNA had shorter DMFS (P < 0.0001) and OS (P = 0.016) for patients with breast cancer. The 7-year DMFS rates for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 90.7%, 67.5%, and 59.1%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The prognosis of patients with decreased KRT19 and CEACAM5 mRNA after treatment is better than that of patients who have not decreased, and the combination of the two indicators is better than the single one for predicting PFS (P = 0.002 compare with P = 0.036 or P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Double-marked CTC by KRT19 and CEACAM5 mRNA is a prognostic index of breast cancer patients before surgery and after chemotherapy. Single-marked CTC by KRT19 mRNA indicates lymph node statues of preoperative patients. Therefore, the RT-qPCR-based molecular diagnosis of CTC could be used for prognostic prediction of breast cancer patients and guiding clinical treatment.

Attenuating Hypoxia-Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: the Potential of Sitagliptin in Stem Cell-Based Therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular protection beyond the antidiabetic property. However, it remains unknown that the impact of one DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin on the survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hypoxia and serum deprivation (H/SD) environment. METHODS: The apoptosis and autophagy of MSCs were analyzed in different concentrations of sitagliptin under H/SD condition. For later studies, we tested the relationship between anti-apoptotic and anti-autophagic effects of sitagliptin. The level of cell apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, western blot of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. Autophagy flux was assessed by multiple autophagy related proteins and substrates. Cell autophagy was identified by acridine orange staining, western blot of Beclin 1 and light chain 3 protein, and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: We demonstrated that sitagliptin attenuated hypoxia-induced apoptosis and autophagy of MSCs. Furthermore, sitagliptin regulated cell autophagy by Bcl-2/ Beclin 1 pathway in H/SD condition. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the utility of the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin for MSCs transplantation in the ischemic microenvironment that extends its antidiabetic property.

The physiological effects of human immunoglobulin on severe bronchiolitis patients before and after treatment.

The goal of the present study is to explore the physiological effects of injected human immunoglobulin on patients with severe bronchiolitis before and after treatment. 86 young children with severe bronchiolitis were randomly divided into the observation group (43 cases) and the treatment group (43 cases). On the basis of conventional therapy, the children in the treatment group were given human immunoglobulin (400 mg/kg, 1-3 times) via intravenous injection. 60 healthy young children, as determined by a physical examination given at the Zhumadian Central Hospital, were enrolled as the control group. The T lymphocytes, cytokines, IgA, IgG, and IgM immunoglobulins in the peripheral blood of all 3 groups were measured. The clinical efficacy of the immunoglobulins to mitigate the effects of bronchiolitis and the amount of time for the reduction of symptoms to occur were observed. The serum Ca, Fe, and Zn levels of children with severe bronchiolitis were significantly lower than those of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). As such, the CD8, IgA, IgG, IgM and IFN-γ levels were also significantly lower in the children with severe bronchiolitis than in the children in the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the CD4, IgE, IL-4, and IL-4/IFN-γ levels and CD4/CD8 ratio were dramatically higher than in the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of the aforementioned indicators either increased or decreased after IVIG treatment. The amount of time required for coughing, wheezing, and pulmonary rales to seize, and the duration of illness for the children with the severe bronchiolitis children was significantly shorter for those in the treatment group than for those in the observation group. Human immunoglobulin via intravenous injection showed active therapeutical effects on trace elements, T lymphocytes, and cytokines in patients with severe bronchiolitis.

Antioxidant effect of salvianolic acid B on hippocampal CA1 neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.

OBJETIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza on hippocampal CA1 neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. METHODS: Forty male National Institute of Health (NIH) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 animals each, including the sham group, the model group, the SalB group (SalB 22.5 mg/kg) and the nimodipine (Nim) group (Nim 1 mg/kg). A mouse model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury was established by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 30 min followed by 24-h reperfusion. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) of the pallium were determined by biochemistry methods. The morphologic changes and Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in hippocampal CA1 neurons were observed by using hematoxylineosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively. RESULTS: In the SalB group, the MDA content and the NOS activity of the pallium in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice significantly decreased and the SOD activity and the T-AOC significantly increased, as compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The SalB treatment also rescued neuronal loss (P<0.01) in the hippocampal CA1 region, strongly promoted Bcl-2 protein expression (P<0.01) and inhibited Bax protein expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SalB increases the level of antioxidant substances and decreases free radicals production. Moreover, it also improves Bcl-2 expression and reduces Bax expression. SalB may exert the neuroprotective effect through mitochondria-dependent pathway on hippocampal CA1 neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury and suggested that SalB represents a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Atorvastatin treatment improves the effects of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on acute myocardial infarction: the role of the RhoA/ROCK/ERK pathway.

BACKGROUND: Statins protect mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) against the harsh microenvironment and improve the efficacy of MSC transplantation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, the mechanism remains uncertain. Furthermore, the transdifferentiation potential of MSCs in the post-infarct heart remains highly controversial. The RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming kinase (ROCK) pathway participates in many aspects of the damaged heart after AMI and related to the "pleiotropic" effects of statins. This study aimed to explore whether atorvastatin (ATV) facilitates the survival and therapeutic efficacy of MSCs via the inhibition of RhoA/ROCK pathway and subsequently its downstream molecular extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), and to investigate the transdifferentiation potential of MSCs in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: Female rats received myocardial injections of male rat MSCs 30 min after AMI. Four weeks after AMI, ATV combined with MSC treatment resulted in improved cardiac function and reduced infarct area. ATV facilitated the MSC survival, as revealed by the increased expression of Y chromosomal genes and the increased number of Y chromosome-positive cells; however, no transdifferentiation markers were observed. ATV inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines both in vitro and vivo, accompanied by suppression of ROCK and ERK activities. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) abrogated the effects of ATV in the H9c2 cells under hypoxia/serum deprivation (H/SD), while the ROCK inhibitor fasudil mimicked the benefits of ATV after AMI. CONCLUSIONS: ATV improves the post-infarct microenvironment via RhoA/ROCK/ERK inhibition and thus facilitates the survival and efficacy of implanted MSCs. Transdifferentiation may be not responsible for the cardiac benefits that follow MSC transplantation.

Reconstruction of singular eyelid defects in aging individuals based on facial aesthetic subunits.

BACKGROUND: In consideration of the distinctive structural characteristics of the eyelid, the optimally matching donor site to the original recipient site skin should be selected when a full-thickness skin graft is anticipated in a small-sized or medium-sized eyelid defect in middle-aged or elderly patients. METHODS: Eight patients ranging in age from 47 to 71 years suffered singular eyelid defects of different causes. Based on the location, shape, and degree of the defects, we removed the redundant skin as a skin graft from the same side in the contralateral eyelid in a routine blepharoplasty procedure and transferred the graft to repair the defect. RESULTS: The skin grafts survived in all cases, and the incisions healed primarily. The eyelid laxity improved, and no complications occurred. All cases were followed up for 3 months to 2 years, the quality of skin grafts was similar to that of the surrounding skin, and the activity was ideal. CONCLUSIONS: When an eyelid defect is not amenable to direct closure and skin grafting is selected, the proper donor site is vital to the final outcome. The same facial aesthetic subunits, such as sufficient laxity in the contralateral eyelid skin in middle-aged and elderly patients, can provide the best match with the recipient skin and represent the best donor site for defect reconstruction.

The emerging role of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in cardiovascular protection: current position and perspectives.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4 or CD26) inhibitors, a new class of oral anti-hyperglycemic agents that prolong the bioavailability of the endogenously secreted incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are effective in the treatment of diabetes. Accumulating data have indicated that DPP-4 inhibitors play important protective roles in the cardiovascular system. DPP-4 inhibitors act to decrease myocardial infarct size, stabilize the cardiac electrophysiological state during myocardial ischemia, reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury, and prevent left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. Moreover, DPP-4 inhibitors can mobilize stem/progenitor cells to move to sites of cardiovascular injury, thus further promoting tissue repair. In addition, DPP-4 inhibitors not only improve myocardial metabolism but also regulate cardioactive peptides. DPP-4 inhibitors can also protect the vasculature through their anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects and through the ability of the inhibitors to promote vascular relaxation. Finally, the potential effects of DPP-4 inhibitors on blood pressure and lipid metabolism have also been investigated. However, some reports on the cardioprotective activities of DPP-4 inhibitors are controversial. Herein, we summarize the available data on cardiovascular protection by DPP-4 inhibitors that have emerged in recent years and discuss current position and future perspectives concerning the use of DPP-4 inhibitors in cardiovascular medicine.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism and risk of preeclampsia: an updated meta-analysis based on 51 studies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism has been considered to be associated with preeclampsia (PE), but the results from previous studies were conflicting. The present study aimed at investigating the frequency of preeclampsia according to the distribution polymorphism using a meta-analysis on the published studies. METHODS: The English and Chinese databases were searched to identify eligible studies published in English before August 2012. Data were extracted using standardized methods. The association was assessed by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Begg's test was used to measure publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 51 case-control studies containing 6,403 patients and 11,346 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Significant associations were detected between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of PE in the overall population for TT vs. CC (OR = 1.280, 95% CI: 1.074-1.525), recessive model (OR = 1.264, 95% CI: 1.067-1.303), and dominant genetic model (OR = 1.174, 95% CI: 1.057-1.303); in Caucasian population for dominant model (OR = 1.136, 95% CI: 1.022-1.263), and in East Asia population for TT vs. CC (OR = 2.199, 95% CI: 1.366-3.924) CT vs. CC (OR = 1.453, 95% CI: 1.001-2.109), recessive model (OR = 1.742, 95% CI: 1.202-2.525), and dominant model (OR = 1.783, 95% CI: 1.271-2.501). Conversely, no associations were detected in Latin America, South Asia, and Africa populations. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the meta-analysis suggest that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with risk of PE in overall, Caucasian, and East Asia populations. Nevertheless, the results for Latino, East Asians, South Asians and Africans should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size.

[B7-H4 expression of salivary gland and sera in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of B7-H4 in salivary gland and sera in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: A total of 40 pSS patients were referred to our department from June 2009 to January 2011. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of B7-H4 in salivary gland from pSS patients and disease controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect soluble B7-H4 of serum from pSS patients and healthy donors. RESULTS: Immunohistological staining revealed that B7-H4 antigen was restricted to tubular epithelium. The B7-H4 positive expression of tubules in salivary gland biopsies from pSS patients (18 ± 14)% were lower than that of controls (85 ± 13)% (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry revealed that the B7-H4 expression of cell suspensions from salivary gland from pSS patients (42 ± 21)% were lower than that of controls (48 ± 22)% (P < 0.01). And the serum level of soluble B7-H4 detected in pSS patients (49 ± 31)µg/L significantly decreased than that in healthy donors (71 ± 27) µg/L (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with saliva and tear flow rates (P < 0.01) respectively. CONCLUSION: The expression of B7-H4 molecule may play some roles in the progression of pSS. And a further understanding of its mechanism helps to elucidate the pathogenesis of pSS.

[Effect of buxu huayu qutan decoction on anti-oxidative capacity in aged patients with stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acting mechanism of Buxu Huayu Qutan Decoction (BHQD) for impacting the anti-oxidative capacity in aged patients with stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease (AP-CHD). METHODS: Forty patients of AP-CHD, Chinese medicine diagnosed as Xiong-bi, were equally assigned to the treatment group and the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxide (LPO) contents in blood, and mRNA expression of manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in peripheral mononuclear cells were determined before and after treatment by biochemical and molecular biologic techniques. RESULTS: No significant change of plasma SOD and LPO was found in the control group after treatment (P >0.05), while the plasma SOD activity increased and LPO content lowered in the treatment group significantly (P<0.01). Moreover, mRNA expression of MnSOD in the treatment group after treatment was obviously higher than that in the control group (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The acting mechanism of BHQD for AP-CHD treatment might partially due to its effects in inducing gene expression of MnSOD in mononuclear cells, enhancing SOD activity, decreasing LPO content, maintaining oxidation/antioxidation equilibrium in myocardial cells, blocking the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation, intervening the production and enhancing the scavenging of oxygen free radicals.

ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction happening 1 month post stent implantation: late thrombosis in-stents or new lesions?

BACKGROUND: ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) happening in the first month post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is almost related to acute thrombosis or subacute thrombosis in-stents. This study aimed to investigate the possible causes of myocardial infarction one month later. METHODS: Patients who had a history of successful PCI, and received coronary angiography or re-PCI due to STEAMI were included in this study. The AMI-related lesions and previous angiographic findings such as the number of lesions, the degree of the stenosis, the type of stents and acute results of last PCI were recorded. If the AMI-related lesion was localized in-stents or at the edge of stents (distance apart from the edge < or = 5 mm), it was defined to be late thrombosis; otherwise as a new-lesion induced AMI. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two patients aged 40 - 79 years were included in this study. New lesions, as the cause of STEAMI, were found in 144 patients (Group A, 75%), and late thrombosis in 48 patients (Group B, 25%). Almost all newly built thromboses were found at the sites of previous insignificant lesions (diameter stenosis < 50%). There was a significant difference in the average time from previous PCI to AMI ((30.1 +/- 12.4) vs (20.3 +/- 11.9) months) between the two groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and drug-eluting stent (DES) utilization were associated with markedly higher morbidity of late thrombosis in adjusted Logistic regression (hazard ratio (HR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 - 10.9 and 5.3, 95% CI 1.1 - 26.5). CONCLUSIONS: STEAMIs happening 1 month after PCI are more likely to develop from previous insignificant lesion rupture than from late thrombosis in-stents. Moreover, DM and DES are associated with the high incidence of late thrombosis, which may indicate that intensive antiplatelet therapy should be considered in patients with diabetes.

Expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 contributes to invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 in gastric carcinoma and explore its role in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 in 48 samples of primary gastric carcinoma, its corresponding non-neoplastic mucosa, and matched regional lymph node metastasis was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 increased gradually in non-neoplastic mucosa, primary gastric carcinoma and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of semaphorin 5A was closely correlated with that of plexin B3. CONCLUSION: Semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

[Analysis of acute myocardial infarction one month after stent implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible causes of ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) occurring one month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: One hundred and ninety two patients aged from 40 - 79 years who had a successful previous PCI and also received primary PCI due to STEAMI in this hospitalization were included in this study. The AMI-related lesions and previous angiographic findings such as the number of lesions, the degree of the stenosis, the type of stents and the acute results of last PCI, etc. were recorded in detail. If the AMI-related lesion was localized in-stents or at the edge of stents (distance from the edge < or = 5 mm), it was defined as late thrombosis, otherwise it was regarded as an AMI induced by new-lesion. RESULTS: New lesions, as the cause of STEAMI, were found in 144 cases (Group A, 75%), and late thrombosis in 48 patients (Group B, 25%). There was a significant difference in the average time from previous PCI to AMI (30.1 +/- 12.4 vs. 20.3 +/- 11.9 months) between the two groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and drug-eluting stents (DES) utilization were associated with markedly higher morbidity of late thrombosis in adjusted logistic regression analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 3.387, 95% CI 1.053 - 10.898 and HR 5.311, 95%CI 1.066 - 26.464]. CONCLUSIONS: STEAMI occurred 1 month after PCI are more likely to be developed from previous insignificant lesions than from late thrombosis in stents. Moreover, DM and DES are associated with a high incidence of late thrombosis, which may indicate that intensive antiplatelet therapy should be considered in diabetic patients receiving PCI.

[Long-term clinical outcome of patients with diabetes and chronic total occlusion underwent drug-eluting stents implantation].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical outcome of patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic total occlusion (CTO) underwent drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation. METHODS: Data of 143 consecutive eligible patients from January, 2006 to May, 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. The endpoint of the study was the major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization. The patients were divided into two groups, event group and non-event group, according to the result of follow-up. RESULTS: Long-term follow-up was finished in 139 (97.2%) patients. Mean follow-up duration was (19.8 + or - 5.1) months. MACE rate was 10.5% during follow-up: 3 deaths, 1 myocardial infarction and 11 repeated target lesion revascularization with PCI. Compared with the non-event group, the percentage of residual lesion [(17.7 + or - 1.8)% vs. (15.4 + or - 5.0)%, P = 0.001] was significantly higher in the event group, however, the final minimal luminal diameter [(2.14 + or - 0.22)% vs. (2.89 + or - 0.37)%, P = 0.004] was lower. Cox regression analysis showed that final luminal diameter (OR: 0.097, 95%CI: 0.013 - 0.694, P = 0.020) was the only dependent predictor at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Final minimal luminal diameter is an independent predictor of MACE during follow-up for patients with diabetes and CTO underwent DES implantation.

[Enhanced expression of CD40L cDNA on ovarian cancer cell line OVHM induces the secretion of Th1 cytokines from dendritic cells].

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the enhanced expression of CD40L cDNA on murine ovarian cancer (OVHM) cells could induce the secretion of Th1 cytokines from dendritic cells (DC). METHODS: OVHM cells were transfected with the full-length mouse CD40L cDNA by lipofectamine 2000 and then G418 resistant cells as positive cells were selected. They were examined for their expression of CD40L with flow cytometry. Bone marrow cells were firstly depleted of erythrocytes, macrophages, T and B cells with PE-conjugated magnetic beads, and then cultured in 10% FCS RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with recombinant mouse GM-CSF and IL-4 for 10 days. PKH67-labeled tumor cells were cultured with DC, and then the stained cells were analyzed for the expression of MHC-I, MHC-II, CD80, CD86, CCR7 in DC with flow cytometry. The expression of p40, p19, p35, p28, EBI3 subunits, IL-18, IFN-gamma, Mig gene in cocultured DC-tumor cells were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The CD40L cDNA was successfully transfected into OVHM cells. Bone marrow-derived DCs, when cultured with CD40L/OVHM, formed clusters with the tumors and showed an upregulated expression of MHC- I, MHC-II, CD80, CD86, CCR7. Expression of the IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-18, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and Mig (monokine induced by IFN-gamma) genes was induced in the DCs that were cultured with CD40L/OVHM but not with OVHM cells. CONCLUSION: These data directly showed that the expression of CD40L on ovarian cancer cells facilitates the interaction between DCs and tumors, enhances the maturation of DCs, induces secretion of Th1 cytokines, especially for IL-12, IL-23 and IL-27, which maybe one of the possible antitumor mechanism for CD40L-transfected ovarian cancer cell line.