An oligosaccharide marker for rapid authentication of edible bird's nest.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a popular and expensive food material. The limited supply and great demand result in the use of adulterants. The authenticity concern is raised due to the lack of appropriate quality markers. Herein, this study aims to provide a specific oligosaccharide marker for rapid EBN authentication. Comparing the benzocaine (ABEE)-labeled saccharide profiles of multiple batches of EBN and adulterants indicates seven unique EBN oligosaccharides. The most abundant one, named BNM001, was selected as a marker and characterized to be Neu5Ac (2-3) Gal by MS and NMR spectra. This new oligosaccharide marker enables a rapid authentication of EBN within 10 min. ABEE labelling of this marker further upgraded the accuracy and sensitivity of the LC-qTOF-MS quantitative analysis. The relative marker content was associated with the quality of EBN products. These results suggest a specific and efficient quality marker for rapid authentication of EBN and related products.

M cells of mouse and human Peyer's patches mediate the lymphatic absorption of an Astragalus hyperbranched heteroglycan.

The gut cell wall is considered an impenetrable barrier to orally administrated polysaccharides. We recently reported a selective lymphatic route for Radix Astragali polysaccharide RAP to enter Peyer's patches (PPs) to trigger immune responses. However, how RAP enters PPs is unclear. Herein, we screened the intestinal epithelial cells of mice and found that the follicle-associated epithelium cells were specifically bound with FITC-RAP. Further studies in vitro and in vivo revealed that RAP was efficiently transported by microfold (M) cells. We also confirmed that M cell-transported RAP directly contacted dendritic cells. More importantly, for the first time, we verified this interesting M cell-mediated transcytosis of RAP in the human distal ileum. Mechanistically, we identified M cells to be the transporter cells that independently deliver RAP into the lymphatic system to trigger immune responses. This interesting transcytosis mechanism might apply to many other immunomodulatory polysaccharides orally dosed to human body.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Ejiao-Related Animal Gelatins through Peptide Markers Using LC-QTOF-MS/MS and Scheduled Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) by LC-QQQ-MS/MS.

Donkey-hide gelatin, also called Ejiao (colla corii asini), is commonly used as a food health supplement and valuable Chinese medicine. Its growing popular demand and short supply make it a target for fraud, and many other animal gelatins can be found as adulterants. Authentication remains a quality concern. Peptide markers were developed by searching the protein database. However, donkeys and horses share the same database, and there is no specific marker for donkeys. Here, solutions are sought following a database-independent strategy. The peptide profiles of authentic samples of different animal gelatins were compared using LC-QTOF-MS/MS. Fourteen specific markers, including four donkey-specific, one horse-specific, three cattle-specific, and six pig-specific peptides, were successfully found. As these donkey-specific peptides are not included in the current proteomics database, their sequences were determined by de novo sequencing. A quantitative LC-QQQ multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was further developed to achieve highly sensitive and selective analysis. The specificity and applicability of these markers were confirmed by testing multiple authentic samples and 110 batches of commercial Ejiao products, 57 of which were found to be unqualified. These results suggest that these markers are specific and accurate for authentication purposes.

A lymphatic route for a hyperbranched heteroglycan from Radix Astragali to trigger immune responses after oral dosing.

Gut barrier makes a huge research gap between in vivo and in vitro studies of orally bioactive polysaccharides: whether/how they contact the related cells in vivo. A hyperbranched heteroglycan RAP from Radix Astragali, exerting antitumor and immunomodulatory effects in vitro and in vivo, is right an example. Here, we determined first that RAP's antitumor activity is immune-dependent. Being undegraded and non-absorbing, RAP quickly entered Peyer's patches (PPs) in 1 h where it directly targeted follicle dendritic cells and initiated antitumor immune responses. RAP was further delivered to mesenteric lymph node, bone marrow, and tumor. By contrast, the control Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide did not enter PPs. These findings revealed a blood/microbiota-independent and selective lymphatic route for orally administrated RAP to directly contact immune cells and trigger antitumor immune responses. This route bridges the research gap between the in vitro and in vivo studies and might apply to many other bioactive polysaccharides.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Edible Bird's Nest Based on Peptide Markers by LC-QTOF-MS/MS.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is an expensive health food. There are many adulterants in the market. It remains challenging to discriminate EBN from its adulterants due to a lack of high-specificity markers. Besides, the current markers are confined to soluble fraction of EBN. Here, both soluble and insoluble fractions were analyzed by LC-QTOF-MS/MS. A total of 26 high-specificity peptides that were specific to EBN were selected as qualitative authentication markers. Among them, 10 markers can discriminate EBN from common adulterants, 13 markers discriminate white EBN from grass EBN/common adulterants, and 3 markers discriminate grass EBN from white EBN/common adulterants. Three of them, which showed high signal abundance (Peak area ≥ 106) and satisfactory linearity (R2 ≥ 0.995) with EBN references, were selected as the assay marker; and their peptide sequences were confidently identified by searching database/de novo sequencing. Based on these markers, a qualitative and quantitative analytical method was successfully developed and well-validated in terms of linearity, precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The method was subsequently applied to detect EBN products on the market. The results indicated that more than half of EBN products were not consistent with what the merchants claimed.

Cordyceps polysaccharide marker CCP modulates immune responses via highly selective TLR4/MyD88/p38 axis.

Cordyceps, one of the most expensive natural health supplements, is popularly used to modulate immune function. However, little is known regarding the underlying mechanism of its immunomodulatory activity. We newly reported a Cordyceps quality marker CCP (Mw 433.778 kDa) which was characterized as a 1,4-α glucan by chemical and spectral analysis and is able to induce significant immune responses of macrophages. Herein, we further investigated the molecular mechanism of CCP's immunomodulatory effects. The results indicate that CCP modulates the TLR4/MyD88/p38 signaling pathway of macrophages, where TLR4 plays a crucial role as verified on TLR4-deficient (TLR4-/-) bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and TLR4-/- mice. These findings provide a precise understanding of the molecular mechanism of Cordyceps' immunomodulatory benefits.

Radix Astragali polysaccharide RAP directly protects hematopoietic stem cells from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression by increasing FOS expression.

Radix Astragali polysaccharide RAP has been reported to play a crucial role in hematopoiesis without a clear mechanism. In this study, RAP's effects to enhance the recovery of cyclophosphamide (Cy)-suppressed bone marrow and blood cells is confirmed in vivo first. Confocal micrographs demonstrated the interesting direct binding of FITC-RAP to hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in bone marrow. RAP protects both mice and human HSC in terms of cell morphology, proliferation, and apoptosis. RNA-sequencing and shRNA approaches revealed FOS to be a key regulator in RAP's protection. These evidences provide an unreported mechanism that RAP directly protects hematopoietic stem cells from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression by increasing FOS expression.

An oligosaccharide-marker approach to quantify specific polysaccharides in herbal formula by LC-qTOF-MS: Danggui Buxue Tang, a case study.

Polysaccharides have broad bioactivities and are major components of water decoction of herb formulae. However, the quality control of polysaccharides remains a challenge. Oligosaccharide-fragment approach has been considered in elucidating chemical structures of polysaccharides, but never been used for quantitation. Using reference chemicals and a real sample Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) in this study, an oligosaccharide-marker approach was established to quantify specific polysaccharides. Firstly, linear relationships between parent polysaccharides and hydrolysis-produced daughter oligosaccharides were verified using reference polysaccharides. Then in case of DBT, two fluorescence-labeled oligosaccharides with high specificity to individual parent polysaccharides were selected as markers. They were easily isolated and identified. Their potential in quantification of parent polysaccharides were satisfactorily validated in terms of linearity (r≥0.99), repeatability (RSD ≤ 8.4 %), and spike recovery (≥80 %). This method could be a promising approach for quality assessment of polysaccharides in herbal formulae.

Interference of Quercetin on Astragalus Polysaccharide-Induced Macrophage Activation.

Polysaccharides, which exert immunoregulatory effects, are becoming more and more popular as food supplements; however, certain components of ordinary foods could be reducing the polysaccharides beneficial effects. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in common fruits and vegetables, is one such component. This study investigated the effects of quercetin on Astragalus polysaccharide RAP induced-macrophage activation. The results show quercetin decreases the NO production and iNOS gene expression in RAW264.7 cells, and it inhibits the production of cytokines in RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Western blot analysis results suggest that quercetin inhibits the phosphorylation of Akt/mTORC1, MAPKs, and TBK1, but has no effect on NF-κB in RAP-induced RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, the results show that quercetin partly inhibits macrophage activation by the Astragalus polysaccharide RAP. This study demonstrates that quercetin-containing foods may interfere with the immune-enhancing effects of Astragalus polysaccharide RAP to a certain extent.

Astragalus Polysaccharide RAP Selectively Attenuates Paclitaxel-Induced Cytotoxicity Toward RAW 264.7 Cells by Reversing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if an Astragalus polysaccharide (RAP) can protect immune cells from the toxic side effects of paclitaxel (Taxol), a powerful anti-tumor drug whose equally powerful side effects limit its clinical use. Methods: We hypothesized that RAP can reduce the toxic effects induced by Taxol. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a series of studies in vivo and in vitro. First, we confirmed RAP's effects in vivo utilizing BALB/c mice inoculated with 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells as the tumor model. Mice were treated with RAP and/or Taxol, and the differences in the life spans were recorded. Second, a co-culture cell model was used to study the protective effect of RAP on cells vis-a-vis Taxol. The cell cycle and apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells that were treated with RAP with/without Taxol were checked by flow cytometry and Hoechst staining. Proteins involved in the cell cycle and apoptosis were also tested by Western blot to reveal the probable mechanism. Results: RAP prolonged the life span of tumor-bearing mice treated with Taxol. The in vitro experiments showed that Taxol suppressed the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells while RAP protected the RAW 264.7 cells from Taxol-induced suppression. The protection is selective because RAP had no effect on 4T1 cells. Furthermore, Taxol clearly led to cell cycle arrest mainly at the G2/M phase and generated cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells, while RAP blocked cell cycle arrest and protected cells from apoptosis. Taxol up-regulated the protein levels of P-H2A, PARP, Chk1, p53, and p21 and down-regulated Bcl-Xl and Mcl-1, and RAP reversed the expression of all these proteins. Conclusion: These results suggested that RAP can protect immune cells from Taxol-induced toxicity, by changing the cell cycle and apoptosis.

Chemical Structure and Immunomodulating Activities of an α-Glucan Purified from Lobelia chinensis Lour.

A neutral α-glucan, named BP1, with a molecular mass of approximately 9.45 kDa, was isolated from Lobelia chinensis by hot-water extraction, a Q-Sepharose Fast Flow column and Superdex-75 column chromatography. Its chemical structure was characterized by monosaccharide analysis, methylation analysis and analysis of its FT-IR, high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) and 1D/2D-NMR spectra data. The backbone of BP1 consists of →6α-d-Glcp¹â†’6,3α-d-Glcp¹â†’(6α-d-Glcp¹)x-6,3α-d-Glcp¹-(6α-d-Glcp¹)y→. The side chains were terminal α-d-Glcp¹â†’ and α-d-Glcp¹â†’ (6α-d-Glcp¹)z→4α-d-Glcp¹â†’3α-d-Glcp¹â†’4α-d-Glcp¹â†’ (x + y + z = 5), which are attached to the backbone at O-3 of 3,6α-d-Glcp¹. The results of the effect of BP1 on mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 indicate that BP1 enhances the cell proliferation, phagocytosis, nitric oxide production and cytokine secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Because the inhibitor of Toll-like receptor 4 blocks the BP1-induced secretion of TNF-α and IL-6, we hypothesize that α-glucan BP1 activates TLR4, which mediates the above-mentioned immunomodulating effects.

Structure Characterization and Immunomodulating Effects of Polysaccharides Isolated from Dendrobium officinale.

A crude polysaccharide fraction (cDOP) has been determined to be the characteristic marker of Dendrobium officinale, an expensive tea material in Asia, but its chemistry and bioactivity have not been studied. In work reported here, cDOP was destarched (DOP, 90% yield) and separated into two subfraction polysaccharides, DOPa and DOPb, which were characterized by monosaccharide composition and methylation analyses and spectral analyses (FT-IR and (1)H and (13)C NMR). Both are composed of mannose and glucose at similar ratios and have a similar structure with a backbone of 1,4-linked ß-D-mannopyranosyl and ß-D-glucopyranosyl residues. Significant differences were observed only in their molecular weights. Bioassay using mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 indicated that DOP and its two subfractions enhance cell proliferation, TNF-α secretion, and phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner. They also induced the proliferation of lymphocytes alone and with mitogens. DOPa and DOPb are thus proven to be major, active polysaccharide markers of D. officinale.

TLR-4 may mediate signaling pathways of Astragalus polysaccharide RAP induced cytokine expression of RAW264.7 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polysaccharides of Radix Astragali (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge.; Huangqi) are able to induce cytokine production of macrophages and are considered the main active ingredient for the immune-enhancing effect of this commonly used medicinal herb. AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the molecular mechanism of immunomodulating activities of a reported Astragalus polysaccharide, RAP, which is a hyperbranched heteroglycan with average molecular weight of 1334kDa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytokine production of RAW264.7 cells were analyzed by using ELISA assays while cell viability was assessed by MTT method. Western blot analysis was used for determining protein contents of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In addition, the level of IL-6, iNOS, and TNF-α mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: It has been found that RAP itself did not have any cytotoxic effect on mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells, but it significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of the supernatant of RAW264.7cells on 4T1 cells. Furthermore, RAP enhanced the production of NO and cytokines in RAW264.7 cells, and significantly up-regulated gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS. All these bioactivities were blocked by the inhibitor of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4), suggesting that TLR4 is a receptor of RAP and mediates its immunomodulating activity. Further analyses demonstrated that RAP rapidly activated TLR4-related MAPKs, including phosphorylated ERK, phosphorylated JNK, and phosphorylated p38, and induced translocation of NF-κB as well as degradation of IκB-α. These results are helpful to better understand the immunomodulating effects of Radix Astragali. CONCLUSIONS: RAP may induce cytokine production of RAW264.7 cells through TLR4-mediated activation of MAPKs and NF-κB.

Immunological activity difference between native calreticulin monomers and oligomers.

We have recently demonstrated that the greatly increased immunological activities of recombinant murine calreticulin (rCRT) are largely attributed to its self-oligomerization. Although native CRT (nCRT) can also oligomerize under stress conditions in vitro, whether this phenomenon could occur inside cells and the immunological activity difference between nCRT monomers and oligomers remained unclear. In this study, we illustrated the formation of CRT oligomers in tranfectant cells under "heat & low pH" (42°C/pH 6.5) condition. The mixture of nCRT oligomers and monomers (OnCRT) was obtained after 3 hr treatment of murine monomeric nCRT (MnCRT) under similar condition (42°C/pH 5.0) in vitro. The OnCRT thus obtained was better recognized by 2 monoclonal Abs from mice that had been immunized with oligomeric rCRT. Unlike MnCRT, OnCRT was able to elicit CRT-specific IgG production in mice. OnCRT also stimulated bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) to secrete significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12p40 than did MnCRT in vitro. We postulate that oligomerization of soluble CRT may occur under certain pathophysiological conditions (e.g. ultrahyperpyrexia) and the resultant oligomers may exhibit exaggerated immunostimulating activities, thereby affiliating the inflammatory responses in vivo.

CD1d(hi)CD5⁺ B cells differentiate into antibody-secreting cells under the stimulation with calreticulin fragment.

Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifunctional molecule in both intracellular and extracellular environment. We have previously found that a recombinant CRT fragment (rCRT/39-272) could modulate T cell-mediated immunity in mice via activation and expansion of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺ B cells as well as induction of CRT-specific regulatory antibodies. Antibody secreting cells (ASCs) are terminally differentiated B cells responsible for producing antibodies to participate in positive immune response as well as immune regulation. In this study, we demonstrate that rCRT/39-272 differentiates murine CD1d(hi)CD5⁺ B cells into ASCs marked by increased expression of plasma cell-associated transcription factors and production of polyreactive antibodies against DNA and CRT in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of rCRT/39-272 augmented differentiation of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺ B cells into ASCs in naïve mice or mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Thus, we propose that ASC differentiation and subsequent antibody production of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺ B cells are key steps in CRT-mediated immunoregulation on inflammatory T cell responses.

Modulation of cellular immunity by antibodies against calreticulin.

Although caltreticulin (CRT) is mainly a residential ER protein, it is also expressed on the membrane surface of various types of cells exhibiting multiple functions. We report here that intraperitoneal administration of a soluble recombinant CRT fragment (rCRT/39-272) led to a substantial decrease in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in BALB/c mice and EAE in C57BL/6 mice. In the recall response against keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in vitro, draining lymph node cells from the rCRT/39-272-treated mice produced less IFN-γ but more IL-4 as compared with the cells from the control group. The immunomodulating effect of intraperitoneally administered rCRT/39-272 was attributed to anti-CRT Abs thereby induced, because, in passive transfer experiments, the CRT-specific antiserum could suppress DTH in BALB/c mice. B-cell-deficient µMT mice were not susceptible to rCRT/39-272-mediated DTH suppression. Furthermore, CRT appears on the surface of murine T cells soon after activation and remains detectable (at relatively low level) by flow cytometry for approximately 5 days in vitro. Anti-CRT Abs were able to inhibit AKT phosphorylation, proliferation, and cytokine production by activated murine T cells. We propose that cell surface CRT could play a role in the function of effector T cells and may be considered a target for immunological manipulation.

Calreticulin as a hydrophilic chimeric molecular adjuvant enhances IgG responses to the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

Fragment 450-650 of the spike (S) protein (S450-650) of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) contains epitopes capable of being recognized by convalescent sera of SARS patients. Vaccination of mice with recombinant S450-650 (rS450-650) can induce Abs against SARS-CoV, although the titer is relatively low. In the present study, a fusion protein linking a fragment (residues 39-272) of murine calreticulin (CRT) to S450-650 in a prokaryotic expression system was created. Compared with target antigen alone, the recombinant fusion product (rS450-650-CRT) has much improved hydrophilicity and immunogenicity. The S450-650-specific IgG Abs of BALB/c mice subcutaneously immunized with rS450-650-CRT were in substantially higher titer (approximately fivefold more). Furthermore, the fusion protein, but not rS450-650 alone, was able to elicit S450-650-specific IgG responses in T cell deficient nude mice. Given that rCRT/39-272 can drive the maturation of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells, directly activate macrophages and B cells, and also elicit helper T cell responses in vivo, we propose that fragment 39-272 of CRT is an effective molecular adjuvant capable of enhancing target Ag-specific humoral responses in both a T cell-dependent and independent manner. Fusion protein rS450-650-CRT is a potential candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV infection.

[The effect of transgenic cell strains expressing recombinant adenovirus vector of hOSM gene on the proliferation and homing ability of umbilical cord blood CD34(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells].

AIM: To establish the transgenic cell strains expressing recombinant adenovirus vector of human Oncostain M(hOSM)gene which is supposed to be used as feeder layer cells for the proliferation of umbilical cord blood CD34(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) and compare its migration capacity before and after amplification in vitro. METHODS: Establish the transgenic cell strains expressing recombinant adenovirus vector of hOSM gene, and the objective gene was detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. The purity of umbilical cord blood CD34(+) HSPC separated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) was detected by the FCM. After culturing with feeder layer cells, detect the rate of proliferation by flow cytometry (FCM). To compare the homing ability of HSPC after amplification in vitro, detect the spontaneous migration rate and migration rate induced by SDF-1 using transmembrane migration assay (Transwell experiment). RESULTS: The green fluorescence was observed by fluorescence microscope in the transgenic cell strains, and the objective gene was confirmed by RT-PCR and ELISA.The purity of umbilical cord blood CD34(+) HSPC separated by MACS could reach(96.8 ± 2.28)%. After culturing with feeder layer cells for 7 days, the CD34(+) cells were 15.73 times in group containing hOSM more than in group without hOSM. The expression rate of adhension molecules on the surface of CD34(+) cells were also higher in the group containing hOSM than without hOSM. After using Transwell assys to detect the homing ability of culturing cells, the induction migration rate of stem cells clturing on transgenic cell strains was (40.68 ± 1.35)%, significantly higher than the control, which reveals a better homing ability. CONCLUSION: Recombinant adenovirus vector of hOSM gene as feeder layer cells can effectively proliferate umbilical cord blood CD34(+) HSPC in vitro and delay it differentiate, what's more, the stem cells retain a high homing ability after culturing on transgenic cell strains in vitro.

[Interleukin 24 inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells MG-63 in vitro and in vivo].

To study the inhibitory effect and anti-cancer mechanisms of interleukin 24 (IL-24) on human osteosarcoma cell MG-63, we delivered IL-24 into MG-63 cells in vitro and in vivo by adenovirus. The expression level of IL-24 was detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope; the growth inhibition, apoptosis rate and apoptosis body were measured by MTT, Flow cytometry and Hoechst staining respectively. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of bcl-2, bax, caspase3 genes by RT-PCR after overexpression of IL-24. For in vivo study, we first established the MG-63 tumor model by grafting MG-63 cells in athymic nude mice; and then injected Ad-IL-24 into the tumors. Two weeks after injection, we sacrificed the mice, removed the tumors, weighed and calculated the ratios of tumor-suppression. We also detected the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and CD34 with immumohistochemistry. Our in vitro results indicated that Ad-IL-24 was transcribed and translated in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. More interestingly, IL-24 inhibited the growth of MG-63 cells and induced apoptosis by up-regulation of bax, caspase-3 and down-regulation of bcl-2. The in vivo data showed that IL-24 suppressed the tumor growth conspicuously through down-regulating the expression of bcl-2, and up-regulating the expression of bax, caspase-3. This study would provide evidence for the gene therapy of IL-24 on osteosarcoma.

[Adenovirus mediated IL-24 gene expression suppresses gastric cancer cell growth in vitro].

To study the inhibitory effect of a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human IL-24 gene on SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell. We infected the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells with Ad blank adenovirus at various multiplicity of infection (MOIs) to find the optimal infective dose. The SGC-7901 tumor cells were infected with Ad-IL-24 at the optimal MOI in the following experiments. Adenovirus-mediated IL-24 transcription expression in SGC-7901 cells was examined by RT-PCR. The growth-suppressing effect of Ad-IL-24 on SGC-7901 tumor cells was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle of SGC-7901 tumor cells infected with Ad-IL-24 was evaluated by flow cytometer (FCM), respectively. The karyomorphology of apoptotic SGC-7901 tumor cells was examined using Hoechst33258 staining under fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was future determined by semi-quantification RT-PCR; We demonstrated that the MOI of 100 was the optimal infective dose in the study on adenovirus-mediated IL-24 gene transfer into SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell; IL-24 gene mediated by adenovirus could successfully transcribe in SGC-7901 tumor cells; Ad-IL-24 could significantly inhibit SGC-7901 tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis, it also can up-regulate the express of bax, caspase-3 and p53 whilst down-regulate the bcl-2 expression. Thus, adenovirus-mediated IL-24 expression had marked anti-tumor effect in suppressing SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, which may be closely associated with its up-regulation of bax/bcl-2, caspase-3 and p53.