Qiu Fazu

An antisense plasmid targeting survivin expression induces apoptosis and sensitizes hepatocarcinoma cells to chemotherapy

SummaryTo explore the change of sensitivity to chemotherapy of antisense RNA targeting survivin on hepatocarcinoma carcinoma cellsin vitro. Survivin mRNA structure region was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted inversely into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. The antisense expression plasmid pcDNA3/survivin was transfected into HepG2 with lipofectAMINETM, 2000 (FL2000), with low concentration of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) added. Survivin protein was detected by westernblot, the growth activity was measured by MTT, and apoptosis was detected by Flow cytometry 12 h, 24 h, 48 h after transfection. The activity of caspase-3 was found by quantitative assay 48 h after transfection. The construction of antisense RNA vector pcDNA3/survivin was verified by restricted endonuclease digestion and nucleotide sequencing. Compared with normal group, 5-Fu and antisense survivin group, the cells growth inhibition, apoptosis index, and caspase-3 activity were increased in antisense survivin transfected + 5-Fu group. The threshold of apoptosis was decreased after survivin was silenced, and the sensitivity to chemotherapy was increased. These findings suggest the existence of a potential new target for gene therapy.

KLF6mRNA expression in primary hepatocellular carcinoma

SummaryTo investigate the expression of KLF6mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), nomal liver tissues and the tissues adjacent to the cancers, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to investigate the expression of the KLF6 gene in HCC, the corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal liver tissue. Our results showed that an amplified fragment of 127 bp DNA was detected in 18 of 19 (94.7%) adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal liver tissue, and in 12 (85.7%) of 11 HCC. There were no significant differences in the levels of KLF6 mRNA between normal liver and liver tumors (P>0.05). It is concluded that KLF6 mRNA is generally expressed in HCC.

The protective effects of in vitro cultivated calculus bovis on the cerebral and myocardial cells in hypoxic mice

SummaryThe protective effects of in vitro cultivated calculus bovis (ICCB) on the cerebral and myocardial cells in hypoxic mice and the mechanism were examined. In one group, mice were intragastrically (i.g.) given ICCB for 15 days and then they were subjected to acute cerebral ischemia by decapitation, and then the panting time was recorded. In the other group, 12 min after exposure to hypoxia, mice was administered the ICCB i.g. for 5 days, and then the blood serum and tissues of brain, heart, liver were harvested and examined for SOD, GSH-px and T-AOC activity and content of MDA. The tissues of brain and heart were observed electron-microscopically for ultrastructural changes. The corpus striatum and hippocampus of brain were collected and examined for content of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). The ultrastrural examination showed that the pathological change in brain and heart in the ICCB group was very slight, while abnormal changes in the control group were obviously more serious. ICCB significantly prolonged the panting time of the hypoxic mice (P<0.001), increased the activity of SOD, GSH-px, T-AOC in serum and tissues of brain, liver, heart and elevated the content of DA and NE. ICCB also pronouncedly reduced content of MDA in serum and tissues of brain, heart and liver. Significant differences in these parameters were noted between ICCB group and controls. It is concluded that ICCB can exert protective effect on the cells of brain and myocardium by enhancing the tolerance of the tissues to hypoxia and the body’s ability to remove free radicals and regulating the neurotransmitters.The protective effects of in vitro cultivated calculus bovis (ICCB) on the cerebral and myocardial cells in hypoxic mice and the mechanism were examined. In one group, mice were intragastrically (i.g.) given ICCB for 15 days and then they were subjected to acute cerebral ischemia by decapitation, and then the panting time was recorded. In the other group, 12 min after exposure to hypoxia, mice was administered the ICCB i.g. for 5 days, and then the blood serum and tissues of brain, heart, liver were harvested and examined for SOD, GSH-px and T-AOC activity and content of MDA. The tissues of brain and heart were observed electron-microscopically for ultrastructural changes. The corpus striatum and hippocampus of brain were collected and examined for content of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). The ultrastrural examination showed that the pathological change in brain and heart in the ICCB group was very slight, while abnormal changes in the control group were obviously more serious. ICCB significantly prolonged the panting time of the hypoxic mice (P<0.001), increased the activity of SOD, GSH-px, T-AOC in serum and tissues of brain, liver, heart and elevated the content of DA and NE. ICCB also pronouncedly reduced content of MDA in serum and tissues of brain, heart and liver. Significant differences in these parameters were noted between ICCB group and controls. It is concluded that ICCB can exert protective effect on the cells of brain and myocardium by enhancing the tolerance of the tissues to hypoxia and the body’s ability to remove free radicals and regulating the neurotransmitters.

Effects of 2-APB on store-operated Ca2+ channel currents of hepatocytes after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

SummaryThe effects of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries on hepatocellular viability and store-operated calcium current (Isoc) in isolated rat hepatocytes and the effects of 2-APB on store-operated calcium current (Isoc) in isolated rat hepatocytes after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injuries were studied. Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury model was establised and whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used to investigate the effects of 2-APB on Isoc. The results showed that ischemia/reperfusion injuries could significantly reduce hepatocellular viability and further increase Isoc in hepatocyte and 2-APB (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 μmol/L) produced a concentration-dependent decrease of Isoc with IC50 value of 64.63±10.56 μmol/L (n=8). It was concluded that ischemia/ reperfusion injuries could reduce hepatocellular viability, probably through increased Isoc in hepatocytes and 2-APB had a protective effect on ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury, probably though inhibiting Isoc.

Effects of Dendritic Cells Transfected with Full Length Wild Type P53 and Modified by Gastric Cancer Lysate on Immune Response

SummaryTo investigate the effects of dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with full length wild type p53 and modified by gastric cancer lysates on immune response, the wild type P53 was transducted to DCs with adenovirus, and the DCs were modified by gastric cancer lysates (Lywt-P53DC). The concentration of the surface molecules (B7-1, B7-2, MHC-I, MHC-II) of all DCs was determined by FACS, and the ability of the DCs to induce efficient and specific immunological response in anti-51Cr-labeled target cells studied. BALB/c mice model infected with DCs and Mk28 was established. CTL response in mice immunized with Lywt-p53DC and the effectiveness of Lywt-p53DC in the treatment of tumor-bearing mice was assayed. FACS revealed that the surface molecules of Lywt-P53 DC had a high expression: for B7-1 86.70%±0.07%, B7-2 18.77%±0.08%, MHC-I 87.20%±0.05%, MHC-II 56.70%±0.07%; The T lymphocytes had a specific CTL lysing ability induced by Lywt-P53DC with the CTL lysis rate being 81%. The immune protective effect of Lywt-p53DC group was more obvious than any other groups (P<0.05). The tumor diameter in Lywt-p53DC group was 3.10±0.31 mm, 2.73±0.23 mm, 3.70±0.07 mm on the day 13, 16 and 19, smaller than DC, wtp53DC and LyDC groups (P<0.05). On the other hand, the growth rate of tumor in Lywt-p53DC group was slower than any other groups (P<0.05). It was suggested that DCs transfected with wild type P53 and modified by gastric cancer lysates had specific CTL killing capability.

Frequency of Loss Expression of DPC4 Protein in Various Locations of Biliary Tract Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo clarify the relationship between loss of expression of DPC4 proteins and pathogenesis of biliary tract carcinoma.Methods71 primary biliary tract carcinomas (BTCa), including 38 common bile duct (CBD) carcinomas, 18 gallbladder carcinomas, and 15 hilar bile ducts (HBD) carcinomas were examined by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, the CBD carcinomas were divided into two groups, a tumor group with metastasis (M+ group, 27 cases) and a tumor group without metastasis (M− group, 11 cases).ResultsThe frequency of loss expression of DPC4 protein was 32.8% in BTCa, 47.3% in CBD carcinoma, 11% in gallbladder carcinoma and 13% in HBD carcinoma. A comparison of the frequency of loss expression of DPC4 showed significantly statistical difference in the CBD carcinoma versus gallbladder carcinoma and HBD carcinoma (P<0.01). The frequency of loss expression of DPC4 was 48.1% in the M+ group and 45.4% in the M− group. There was no significantly statistical difference between them (P>0.05).ConclusionThere is a close relationship between the pathogenesis of BTCa and inactivation of DPC4 with different frequencies of DPC4 gene alteration in various locations of the biliary tract, but inactivation of DPC4 is not related with tumor metastasis in BTCa.