[Expression of nucleostemin mRNA and protein in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of nucleostemin (NS) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The mRNA and protein expression of NS were detected in 31 mucosal atypical hyperplasia specimens, 62 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens and the matched normal esophageal mucosa samples by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry method, respectively. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of NS protein in normal esophageal mucosa, atypical hyperplasia and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 17.7% (11/62), 41.9% (13/31) and 69.4% (43/62), respectively. There was a significant difference among the above three groups (chi2 = 33.676, P < 0.01). The expression levels of NS mRNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (0.971 +/- 0.121) was significantly higher than that in the atypical hyperplasia (0.913 +/- 0.085) and also in the normal esophageal mucosa (0.866 +/- 0.103; F = 14.829, P < 0.01). The expression level of both NS protein and mRNA was positively correlated with histological grade, infiltration depth, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), but not with age, gender or pathological type (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that nucleostemin mRNA and protein are over-expressed in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and it may be related with its oncogenesis.

[mRNA expression level of nucleostemin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mRNA expression levels of nucleostemin (NS) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue. METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to quantify the mRNA expression of NS in the samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and their matched normal esophageal mucosa tissue from 62 patients, 36 males and 26 females, aged (61 +/- 10) (38-75). The relationship between NS mRNA expression level and clinical pathological features was analyzed. RESULTS: The NS mRNA expression level of the 62 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue was(4.5 +/- 2.1), significantly higher than that of the matched normal esophageal mucosa tissue [(2.1 +/- 1.3), t = -5.045, P = 0.000]. The mRNA expression level of NS was associated with tumor grade, depth of infiltration, and lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05), but not with gender, age, and pathological type (all P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that clinical and pathological features influenced the NS mRNA expression level (P = 0. 000), and the depth of infiltration and lymph node metastasis were important influencing factors for NS mRNA expression level(both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NS may play an important role in the progression and proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

[Detection of methylation of hMSH2 gene promoter region of esophageal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To detect methylation in promoter region of hMSH2 gene in esophageal cancer. METHODS: Specimens of cancer and normal tissues freshly removed from 32 cases of esophageal cancer patients without previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatment were preserved at -80 degrees C within 30 min. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect methylation of mismatch repair gene (MMR) hMSH2 in promoter region in esophageal cancer and normal esophageal tissues. RESULTS: The frequencies of methylation of hMSH2 gene in promoter region of cancer and normal esophageal tissues were 32.4% (11/32) and 0/30 (0%), respectively, and significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.01). The frequency of methylation in elder patients (> or = 70 years old) was significantly higher than that in younger patients (< 70 years old) (P < 0.05). Methylation was less frequently found in grade I-II (18.2%) than in grade III-IV (70.0%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Methylation of hMSH2 gene in promoter region is related to patients' age and histopathological grade of the esophageal cancer.

Trichinella spiralis: low vaccine potential of glutathione S-transferase against infections in mice.

We have previously reported that Trichinella spiralis glutathione-S-transferase (TsGST) gene is an up-regulated gene in intestinal infective larvae (IIL) compared to muscle larvae (ML). In this study, the TsGST gene was cloned, and recombinant TsGST (rTsGST) was produced. Anti-rTsGST serum recognized the native TsGST by Western blotting in crude antigens of ML, adult worm (AW) and newborn larvae (NBL) of T. spiralis, but not in ML excretory-secretory (ES) antigens. Expression of TsGST was observed in all different developmental stages (IIL, AW, NBL and ML). An immunolocalization analysis identified TsGST in the cuticle, stichosome and genital primordium of the parasite. The rTsGST had GST enzymatic activity. After a challenge infection with T. spiralis larvae, mice immunized with rTsGST displayed a 35.71% reduction in adult worms and a 38.55% reduction in muscle larvae. The vaccination of mice with rTsGST induced the Th1/Th2-mixed type of immune response with Th2 predominant (high levels of IgG1) and partial protective immunity against T. spiralis infection.

[Expression of hMSH2 gene in esophageal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of DNA mismatch repair gene hMSH2 mRNA in esophageal cancer tissues. METHODS: This study included 32 esophageal cancer patients who received no previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatments. Within 30 min following surgical removal of the tumor tissues, specimens of the tumor, the tissue adjacent to the tumor and normal tissue at the esophageal stump (1 cmx1 cmx1 cm in size for each specimen) were obtained for examining hMSH2 expression with hMSH2 ISH detection kit. RESULTS: The positivity rate of hMSH2 was 46.88% in the esophageal cancer tissues, 53.12% in the adjacent tissues, and 84.38% in normal tissues at the esophageal stump, showing significant difference of the former two tissues from the normal tissue (P<0.05). No significant correlation was noted between the positivity rate of hMSH2 and such factors as the patients' age, sex, tumor size, tumor location, pathological type, histological grade, lymphatic metastasis or degree of tumor invasion (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The deletion of hMSH2 is an early event in the development of esophageal cancer.

[Construction and identification of a eukaryotic expression vector for the small interfering RNA targeting nucleostemin gene].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector for the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting nucleostemin (NS) gene. METHODS: The siRNA targeting NS gene was designed according to the sequence of NS mRNA available in GenBank. Three siRNA sequences were obtained, and the corresponding cDNAs were synthesized and inserted into plasmid pRNAT-U6.1 for constructing the recombinant plasmids, which were transformed into E.coli DH5alpha strain. The plasmids, after identification by PCR and DNA sequencing, were transfected into EC9706 cell line via liposome, and the mRNA and protein expressions of NS gene in the cells were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Three recombinant plasmids were identified by PCR and sequence analysis, the results of which showed correct insertion of the designed sequences in the plasmids. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed substantially decreased mRNA and protein expressions of NS gene in the transfected cells. CONCLUSION: The recombinant plasmid expressing the siRNA targeting NS gene has been successfully constructed, which provides the basis for studying RNA interference of the NS gene.