Drug response biomarkers of Pien Tze Huang treatment for hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride.

OBJECTIVE: To explore biomarkers of Pien Tze Huang that ameliorated the symptoms of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Two groups of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis (HF) mice model were constructed in our study: one group received PZH treatment and another group received no treatment. We performed this study to investigate the role of PZH in the regulation process of hepatic fibrosis. RESULTS: We identified 31 down-regulated and 39 up-regulated miRNAs using small RNA-seq analysis. Combining RNA-Seq data analysis, our study revealed 7 significant target genes (Sp4, Slc2a6, Tln2, Hmga2, Ank3, Pax9, Fgf9). The results of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis suggested that the expression level of 6 genes (Sp4, Tln2, Hmga2, Ank3, Pax9, Fgf9) were down-regulated compared to control group. On the other hand, the expression level of Slc2a6 appeared to be up-regulated. The protein mass spectrometry showed that PZH group had lower protein expression of Tln2 compared to control group. CONCLUSION: We identified 7 genes that were significantly related to PZH response in HF mice using multiple conjoint analysis methods. These genes could participate in underlying regulation mechanism of hepatic fibrosis during PZH treatment.

Generation of Transgenic Energy Cane Plants with Integration of Minimal Transgene Expression Cassette.

Lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to serve as feedstock and direct replacement for petrochemicals in the fuel, chemical, pharmaceutical and material industries. Energy cane has been identified by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as prime lignocellulosic feedstock as it produces record biomass yields and is able to grow on low-value land with reduced inputs. Molecular improvement of energy cane is an essential step toward the development of a high-value crop and may contribute to improved biomass conversion to value added products. Such improvements require a development of an efficient regeneration and transformation system for the vegetatively propagated energy cane varieties. In this report, an efficient biolistic gene delivery protocol for energy canes (genotype L 79-1002 and Ho 00-961) has been established with immature leaf rolls as explants. Embryonic calli, developed approximately 6 weeks after culture initiation and was used as target for biolistic transfer of a minimum expression cassette of P-ubi::nptII::35S polyA derived from plasmid pJFNPTII. Putative transgenic clones of callus were obtained after selection on callus induction medium supplemented with 30 mg l-1 geneticin. Regeneration was carried out on NB medium, which is modified from MS supplemented with 1.86 mg l-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.1mg l-1, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 20mg l-1 paromomycin. Shoots growing on selection media were transferred to hormone free medium with 20 mg l-1 paromomycin. Putative transgenic lines were first analyzed by PCR. Transgene integration was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and Immunochromathography assays confirmed transgene expression.