Folate deficiency promotes cervical squamous carcinoma SiHa cells progression by targeting miR-375/FZD4/ß-catenin signaling.

Epidemiological studies suggest an association between folate deficiency (FD) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) progression. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Our study showed that FD-driven downregulation of miR-375 promoted proliferation of SCC SiHa cells and progression of xenograft tumors developed from SiHa; however, the exact mechanism of this process remained unclear. The current study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which FD promotes the progression of SiHa cells by downregulating miR-375 expression. The results showed that miR-375 acted as a suppressor of SCC and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SiHa cells. The FZD4 gene was identified as a target gene of miR-375, which can reverse the anti-onco effect of miR-375 and promote the proliferation and migration of SiHa cells. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of miR-375 and FZD4 on SiHa cells may be achieved by activating the ß-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, FD may regulate the expression of miR-375 by regulating its DNA methylation level in the promoter region. In conclusion, our study reveals that FD regulates the miR-375/FZD4 axis by increasing the methylation of the miR-375 promoter, thereby activating ß-catenin signaling to promote SiHa cells progression. This study may provide new insights into the role of folic acid in the prevention and treatment of SCC.

Screening of the Repellent Activity of 12 Essential Oils Against Adult German Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae): Preparation of a Sustained Release Repellent Agent of Binary Oil-γ-CD and its Repellency in a Small Container.

Cockroaches are important sanitary pests and very difficult to control worldwide. With public concern about traditional insecticides, cockroach control agents should be environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and economical. In this article, 12 essential oils were screened to test their repellent effect against Blattella germanica. To develop essential oils as repellent agents, the oils were further examined in binary synergistic combinations. Ilex chinensis Sims (Sapindales: Aquifoliaceae) oil, Lavandula spp (Tubiflorae: Labiatae) oil, and Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyland (Tubiflorae: Labiatae) oil showed excellent repellent activities with lower RD50 (repellency dose for 50% of treated adults) values of 218.634, 154.590, and 223.989 µg/cm2, respectively, compared to those of other oils and the positive control. The I. chinensis oil and E. ciliata oil (weight ratio of 1:1.41) combination also displayed a remarkable synergistic effect against B. germanica. Their cotoxicity coefficient was 214.4. The major chemical constituents in E. ciliata and I. chinensis oils were respectively 3,7-dimethyl-1, 6-octadien-3-ol and methyl salicylate. The binary oil mixtures were formulated as a sustained release agent with γ-CD. The optimal preparation should be an 8:1 ratio of γ-CD to oils, with a 1 h stirring time, 50°C stirring temperature, and 1:12 ratio of γ-CD to ddH2O. The results of this study suggest that sustained release of binary oil-γ-CD exhibited a prolonged repellent activity (10 h) against B. germanica. This sustained-release agent could be further investigated and developed as a novel repellent preparation.

Effects of Horseradish Oil and Eight Isothiocyanates Vapour Treatment on Postharvest Disease Control and Their Efficacy as Preservatives of Mature Green Tomato.

This study evaluated the potential of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) oil (ARO) and eight isothiocyanates (propyl ITC [ProITC], isopropyl ITC [IsoproITC], n-butyl ITC [n-BuITC], 3-butenyl ITC [3-BeITC], phenyl ITC [PhITC], benzyl ITC [BzITC], 2-phenylethyl ITC [PhEITC], and allyl ITC [AITC]) as preservatives and antifungal agents for postharvest tomato disease control. Results showed that ARO and eight ITCs demonstrated antifungal activities against Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Geotrichum candidum, which can cause the decay of mature green tomato during storage. Allyl-ITC (AITC) had the lowest EC50 values of mycelia growth suppression, with 0.18, 0.44, 0.29, and 0.43 µg/ml air for B. cinerea, A. alternata, R. stolonifer, and G. candidum, respectively. ARO, 2-PhEITC, BzITC, and AITC exhibited better efficacy as preservatives of mature green tomato than other ITCs on the basis of some parameters, such as low decay rate, slow reduction in weight loss, slight change in hardness, slow decrease in acidity, and total soluble solid content of treated tomatoes. GC-MS revealed that 2-PhEITC (77.78%) and AITC (15.87%) were the major components of ARO. These results can be used as a basis to develop preservative products composed of ITCs.

MicroRNA-144 represses gliomas progression and elevates susceptibility to Temozolomide by targeting CAV2 and FGF7.

Malignant gliomas are the most common tumor in central nervous system with poor prognosis. Due to the limitation of histological classification in earlier diagnosis and individualized medicine, it is necessary to combine the molecular signatures and the pathological characteristics of gliomas. Lots of microRNAs presented abnormal expression in gliomas and modulated gliomas development. Exploration the miRNAs profile is helpful for the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of gliomas. It has been demonstrated that miR-144 plays important roles in solid tumors. However, the detail mechanisms remained unrevealed. In this study, we have demonstrated the level of miR-144 decreased in glioma tissues from patients, especially in gliomas with higher grades. MiR-144 was also validated have lower expression in glioma cell lines compared with cortical neuron cell by using qRT-PCR. The in vitro functional experiment indicated miR-144 improved gliomas progression through repressing proliferation, sensitizing to chemotherapeutics and inhibiting metastasis. We further identified fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and Caveolin 2 (CAV2) were target genes of miR-144 by luciferase reporter assay and western blotting. The mechanisms study suggested forced FGF7 expression elevated Akt activation and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The MTT and cell cycle assay indicated miR-144 suppressed glioma cells proliferation through modulating FGF mediated Akt signaling pathway. Meanwhile, miR-144 promoted Temozolomide (TMZ) induced apoptosis in glioma cells via increasing ROS production by using FACS. On the other hand, CAV2, as another target of miR-144, accelerated glioma cells migration and invasion via promoting glioma cells EMT progress. Retrieved expression of FGF7 or CAV2 rescued the proliferation and migration function mediated by miR-144. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments in PDX models displayed the anti-tumor function of miR-144, which could be retrieved by overexpression of FGF7 and CAV2. Taken together, these findings indicated miR-144 acted as a potential target against gliomas progression and uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism, which may provide a new therapeutic strategy and prognostic indicator for gliomas.

Actin filaments regulate the adhesion between the plasma membrane and the cell wall of tobacco guard cells.

During the opening and closing of stomata, guard cells undergo rapid and reversible changes in their volume and shape, which affects the adhesion of the plasma membrane (PM) to the cell wall (CW). The dynamics of actin filaments in guard cells are involved in stomatal movement by regulating structural changes and intracellular signaling. However, it is unclear whether actin dynamics regulate the adhesion of the PM to the CW. In this study, we investigated the relationship between actin dynamics and PM-CW adhesion by the hyperosmotic-induced plasmolysis of tobacco guard cells. We found that actin filaments in guard cells were depolymerized during mannitol-induced plasmolysis. The inhibition of actin dynamics by treatment with latrunculin B or jasplakinolide and the disruption of the adhesion between the PM and the CW by treatment with RGDS peptide (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) enhanced guard cell plasmolysis. However, treatment with latrunculin B alleviated the RGDS peptide-induced plasmolysis and endocytosis. Our results reveal that the actin depolymerization is involved in the regulation of the PW-CW adhesion during hyperosmotic-induced plasmolysis in tobacco guard cells.

Associations between serum HBX quasispecies and their integration in hepatocellular carcinoma.

HBV quasispecies are closely related to the course and outcome of liver disease. However, whether the complexity and diversity of HBX quasispecies affects its integration in the liver cell and thereby enhances the resultant carcinogenesis is still not clear. 15 HCC patients were recruited; genomic DNA and HBV DNA were extracted from liver cancer tissue and serum respectively. The integrated HBX fragment in liver cancer tissue was amplified by Alu repeat sequence-polymerase chain reaction (Alu-PCR) and sequenced. The serum HBX gene was amplified by nested PCR and sequenced. Quasispecies complexity and diversity, phylogenetic characteristics, lymphocyte count and survival time between HBX-integrated and HBX-unintegrated patients were evaluated. Results showed that the integrated HBX fragment was detected in the tumor tissue of nine patients, and the integration rate was 60.00% (9/15). Compared with the HBX-unintegrated patients, the HBX-integrated patients had a higher quasispecies complexity (P=0.028 and 0.004, at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively). The HBX-integrated patients had a tendency of higher quasispecies diversity, lower lymphocyte count and the survival time. A total of 12 mutation sites were revealed in the HBX-integrated fragment after alignment with the reference sequence. In these, the HBX-integrated groups had significantly higher mutation frequencies at C1497T, A1630G, G1721A, A1762T/G1764A and A1774G. This study revealed influence factors of HBX integration both in virus and the host. The increased complexity and diversity of HBX quasispecies might destroy the host immune balance, and lead to HBX integration ultimately.

[Mechanisms of sorafenib induced NB4 cell apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sorafenib on human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell NB4 and its mechanism. METHODS: The human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell NB4 was treated with different concentrations (0, 1.5, 3, 6 and 12 µmol/L) of sorafenib, the proliferation inhibitory rate of NB4 cells was assayed by MTT, the apoptosis of NB4 was determined with flow-cytomatry after treatment; after extraction of total protein, the Western blot was performed to determine the expressions of apoptosis-relatived molecules Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and MCL-1. The mRNA expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and MCL-1 were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: As compared with the control group, the proliferation of NB4 significantly decreased after treatment with different concentrations of sorafenib. The sorafenib significantly induced the apopotosis of NB4 cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. Furthermore, sorafenib treatment resulted in the obvious increase of the Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 protein and mRNA expressions, and down-regulated the MCL-1 protein and mRNA expressions in NB4 cells. CONCLUSION: Sorafenib can inhibit proliferation and induce apopotosis of human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell NB4 through the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8, and down-regulation of the expression of MCL-1.

Effect of mouse cumulus cells on the in vitro maturation and developmental potential of bovine denuded germinal vesicle oocytes.

We investigated the effect mouse cumulus cells (mCCs) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental potential of bovine denuded germinal vesicle oocytes (DOs). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), DOs and DOs cocultured with either mCCs (DOs + mCCs) or bovine cumulus cells (bCCs; DOs + bCCs) were subjected to IVM. The meiosis II (MII) rates of DOs, glutathione (GSH) contents, zona pellucida (ZP) hardening and parthenogenetic blastocyst rates of MII oocytes were determined. The relative expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) in MII oocytes were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). mCCs significantly increased the MII rate of DOs from 53.5 ± 3.58% to 69.67 ± 4.72% (p < 0.05) but had no effect on the GSH content (2.17 ± 0.31 pmol/oocyte with mCCs, 2.14 ± 0.53 pmol/oocyte without mCCs). For the DOs + mCCs group, the BMP-15 and GDF-9 expression levels were significantly higher and the ZP dissolution time was significantly lower (162.49 ± 12.51 s) than that of the DOs group (213.95 ± 18.87 s; p < 0.05). The blastocyst rate of the DOs + mCCs group (32.56 ± 4.94%) was similar to that of the DOs group (31.75 ± 3.65%) but was significantly lower than that of the COCs group (43.52 ± 5.37%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, mCCs increased the MII rate of DOs and expression of certain genes in MII oocytes, and decreased the ZP hardening of MII oocytes, but could not improve their GSH content or developmental potential.

[Study on the quality of life and its related factors on patients with multiple myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life and influencing factors on patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: 227 MM cases were selected at 5 hospitals in Xi'an from August, 2010 to March, 2013. QLQ-C30 was used to evaluate the quality of life of MM patients, and their norms were as control. Factors which influencing the quality of life were investigated and analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS: The total score of quality of life in MM patients was 49.0±21.7 which was lower than the norms (60.7±23.4). The scores on fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, short of breath, disturbance on sleeping, losing appetite, constipation, other symptoms and financial difficulty were significantly higher than data of the norms (P < 0.05). Factors as being elderly (especially those older than 70), under higher proportion of medical costs on their own expense or financial difficulty etc., had major influences on the quality of life (P < 0.05) of MM patients who in particular having worse quality of life when in worsening clinical ISS stage (P < 0.05). Low level of hemoglobin, high level of serum calcium and globulin all significantly reduced the quality of life of the MM patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The quality of life of MM patients was significantly lower than the normal people or patients with other tumors. Fatigue, pain, and financial difficulty were main influencing factors on the quality of life of MM patients. The assessment on the effects of treatment should relate to the improvement of hemoglobin, serum calcium and globulin, which could all improve the quality of life of MM patients.

Effectiveness of HBV vaccination in infants and prediction of HBV prevalence trend under new vaccination plan: findings of a large-scale investigation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a severe public health problem. Investigating its prevalence and trends is essential to prevention. METHODS: To evaluate the effectiveness of HBV vaccination under the 1992 Intervention Program for infants and predicted HBV prevalence trends under the 2011 Program for all ages. We conducted a community-based investigation of 761,544 residents of 12 counties in Zhejiang Province selected according to their location, population density, and economic development. The HBV prevalence trends were predicted by a time-shifting approach. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were determined. RESULTS: Of the 761,544 persons screened for HBsAg, 54,132 were positive (adjusted carrier rate 6.13%); 9,455 had both elevated ALT and a positive HBsAg test (standardized rate 1.18%). The standardized HBsAg carrier rate for persons aged ≤20 years was 1.51%. Key factors influencing HBV infection were sex, age, family history, drinking, smoking, employment as a migrant worker, and occupation. With the vaccination program implemented in 2011, we predict that by 2020, the HBsAg carrier rate will be 5.27% and that for individuals aged ≤34 years will reach the 2% upper limit of low prevalence according to the WHO criteria, with a standardized rate of 1.86%. CONCLUSIONS: The national HBV vaccination program for infants implemented in 1992 has greatly reduced the prevalence of HBV infection. The 2011 program is likely to reduce HBV infection in Zhejiang Province to a low moderate prevalence, and perinatal transmission is expected to be controlled by 2020.

[Caspase-independent apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide in human multiple myeloma cell RPMI8226].

This study was purposed to explore the caspase-independent apoptosis pathway in human multiple myeloma cell RPMI8226 induced by arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)). MTT method was used to analyze the proliferation inhibition rate; flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate; Western blot was used to determine the expressions of BCL-2 and Caspase-3 in RPMI8226 cells. The results showed that As(2)O(3) (0.1 - 20 µmol/L) significantly inhibited the proliferation of RPMI8226 (P < 0.05) in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Compared with the group treated with As(2)O(3) (10 µmol/L) alone, the apoptosis rate of zVAD-fmk (20 µmol/L) and As(2)O(3) combined treated group did not change. Compared with the group treated with As(2)O(3) (10 µmol/L) alone, zVAD-fmk (20 µmol/L) combined with As(2)O(3) (10 µmol/L) treatment group showed significant increase of expressions of Caspase-3 and BCL-2. It is concluded that As(2)O(3) can inhibit the proliferation of RPMI8226 cells. As(2)O(3) can induce apoptosis of RPMI8226 cells, and a caspase-independent process probably exist in As2O3-inducing RPMI8266 cells apoptosis.

[Construction of eukaryotic expression plasmid for a novel zinc finger protein gene Zfp637 and its effect on breast carcinoma cell EMT6].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid and establish stably transfected cell line, which contained the code gene of zinc finger protein637 (Zfp637), and to observe the effect of Zfp637 gene to the proliferation of tumor cells. METHODS: The Zfp637 DNA was amplified from the template of normal spleen tissue cDNA and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C3. The recombinant plasmid, named as pEGFP-Zfp637, was determined by restriction enzyme and sequencing analyses. Next the pEGFP-Zfp637 recombinant plasmid was transferred into mouse breast carcinoma EMT6 cells with lipofectamine 2000, and the stably transfected cells were selected by G418 (named Zfp637-EMT6). The growth condition of cells was observed, and subcellular localization of Zfp637 gene was located by fluorescence microscope at the same time. The Zfp637 mRNA expression in the transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR, and the proliferation of such cells was measured by MTT. RESULTS: The analysis confirmed that the recombinant pEGFP-Zfp637 contained the Zfp637 full-length cDNA. The Zfp637 mRNA was over-expressed stably in Zfp637-EMT6. The growth of Zfp637-EMT6 was increased obviously when compared with the negative control group and blank group. CONCLUSION: The recombinant pEGFP-Zfp637 has been constructed successfully, and the expression of the Zfp637 gene can promote the proliferation of cells. This recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid can be used in advanced studies in the biological effects of Zfp637 and anti-tumor gene therapy.

[Synergic effect of Na(+)-K(+) ATPaseB1 and adriamycin on inhibition of cell proliferation and reversal of drug resistance in breast cancer MCF-7 cells].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Na(+)-K(+)ATPase (Na(+)-K(+) pump) is an important cell energy conversion system which is probably associated with tumor metastasis. Expression of its B1 subunit gene-ATP1B1 is high in well differentiated and low in poorly differentiated tumor cells. This study was to investigate the synergic effect of Na(+)-K(+) ATPaseB1 and adriamycin (ADM) on inhibition of cell proliferation and reversal of drug resistance in MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADM cells. METHODS: Growth of MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADM cells transfected with PEGFP-ATP1B1 and shATP1B1 were measured by MTT. Intracellular fluorescence intensity of ADM was analyzed by inverted fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. ATP enzyme activity was measured by ultramicro-ATP enzyme, and mRNA expression of multi-drug resistance gene MDR1 was detected by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. The expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was analyzed by western blot. RESULTS: The sensitivity of MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADM cells transfected with pEGFP-ATP1B1 to ADM was higher in comparing to the negative control ADM-C3 (transfected with vector pEGFP-C3) and the control ADM-RPMI-1640 (cultured with RPMI-1640), and the differences between ADM-ATP1B1 and ADM-RPMI-1640 groups were statistically significant at different concentrations of adriamycin (P<0.05). After the B1 subunit was silenced, the sensitivity of cells to ADM in the ADM-shNC group was higher than that in the shATP and ADM-RPMI-1640 groups. The mean fluorescence intensity of ADM in the ADM-ATP1B1 group was higher than that in the ADM-C3 and ADM-RPMI-1640 groups (P<0.05). ATP enzyme activity was significantly higher in ADM-ATP1B1 group comparing to the ADM-RPMI-1640 group (P<0.05). mRNA expression of MDR1 gene and protein expression of P-gp were not significantly different among the ADM-ATP1B1 group and two control groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Na(+)-K(+) ATPase B1 can synergize with ADM and reverse drug resistance to ADM in the MCF-7/ADM cell line. This may be related to ATP enzyme activity, but not to influencing the expression of MDR1 gene.

[Interference of human Na/K-ATPase B1 subunit on proliferation and migration of gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC-7901].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Na+/K+ ATPase B1 (ATP1B1) subunit gene is highly expressed in well-differentiated tumor cells, while it is hypoexpressed in poorly differentiated tumor cells. The expression of ATP1B1 is closely related to cell tight junction and polarity of epithelial cells. This study was to investigate the effect of specific interference of human Na+/K+ ATP1B1 using shRNA on cell proliferation and migration of gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC-7901. METHODS: Four shRNA plasmids specifically targeting different fragments of ATP1B1, sh150, sh295, sh562, sh765, were constructed and transiently transfected into SGC-7901 cells. Stable positive clones, shATP1B1-7901 cells, were sorted out by G418. The expression of ATP1B1 mRNA was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real-time PCR. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT, cell cycle distribution was assessed by flow cytometry, and clone forming was analyzed by the colony formation assay. Cellular migration was observed using the Transwell experiment. RESULTS: At 24 h after transfection, the inhibition ratios of sh150, sh295, sh562, sh765 on ATP1B1 mRNA were (60.87+/-4.38)%, (44.93+/-2.24)%, (52.17+/-2.60)% and (52.17+/-2.60)% respectively in SGC-7901 cells, which were significantly higher than that of shNC control (3.00+/-0.15)%(p<0.05). Among the four ATP1B1 shRNAs, sh150 exerted the strongest effect (p<0.05) and was used in the following study. Assessed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, the expression of ATP1B1 mRNA was inhibited by (85.72+/-5.22)% and (87.53+/-3.23)% in the shATP1B1-7901 group, in comparison with (3.3+/-0.22)% and (4.17+/-0.33)% in the shNC-7901 group (p<0.05). The proliferation ratio was higher in the shATP1B1-7901 group than in the shNC-7901 and SGC-7901 groups 3 days after transfection (p<0.05). Cells at S and G2/M phases in the shATP1B1-7901 group were significantly increased compared with those in the shNC-7901 and SGC-7901 groups (p<0.05). The clone formation rate of the shATP1B1-7901 group (68.50+/-2.65)% was higher than that of the shNC-7901 group (50.00+/-2.53)% and of the SGC-7901 group (52.50+/-2.11)% (p<0.05). Moreover, the migration ratio of the shATP1B1-7901 group(2.80+/-0.02)% was significantly enhanced comparing to the shNC-7901 (1.15+/-0.05)% and the shNC-7901 groups (1.25+/-0.02)% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Silencing of ATP1B1 gene can enhance the proliferation and migration capability of SGC-7901 cells.

[Construction of eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-ATP1B1 and its effect on gastric adenocarcinoma cell SGC-7901].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing the code gene of Na+, K+-ATPase beta1-subunit (ATP1B1) and the basis of ATP1B1 applied to antitumor gene therapy. METHODS: The ATP1B1 cDNA was amplified from leukocyte gene library and then cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C3. The recombinant plasmid, named as pEGFP-ATP1B1, was determined with restriction enzyme and sequencing analyses. Next pEGFP-ATP1B1 was transferred into gastric adenocarcinoma SGC-7901 cells by lipofectamine, then ATP1B1 mRNA expression in transfected cells was detected by real-time PCR, and also ATPase was detected after cell transfection, as well as the proliferation of such cells was measured by MTT. RESULTS: The analysis confirmed that the recombinant pEGFP-ATP1B1 contained the ATP1B1 cDNA. After cell transfection, the expression of ATP1B1 mRNA(129.2%) and the activity of ATPase [(2.95+/-0.210)%] were higher, and the growth of the SGC-7901 cells transfected with ATP1B1 was inhibited obviously when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The recombinant pEGFP-ATP1B1 is constructed successfully, and this recombinant eukaryotic expression vector could be used in additional studies on the biological effect of ATP1B1 and its use in anti-tumor gene therapy.

Partial biological characterization of cancer stem-like cell line (WJ(2)) of human glioblastoma multiforme.

To provide suitable models for human GBM cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo, and investigate their biological characteristics, a new human GBM cancer stem-like cell line, WJ2, was established in this experiment through serial passages from adherent monolayer culture to nonadherent tumor sphere culture in turns; Its partial biological characteristics were studied through cell proliferation and tumor sphere assay; cell cycle distribution, side population, and CD133 phenotype were analyzed with FCM. The expressions of CD133, Nestin, and GFAP of cancer stem-like cells and xenograft tumor cells were detected with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Biological characterization, side population, CD133 phenotype and CD133 Nestin, BCRP-1, Wnt-1 gene expression revealed the stemness of this cancer stem-like cell line. Tumorigenicity heterotransplanted in nude mice; histopathological characteristics of xenograft tumor, and expressions of CD133, Nestin, and GFAP of xenograft tumor cells indicated that xenograft tumors recapitulated the phenotype and biological characterization of human primary GBM. All findings of this experimental study suggested that WJ(2) cancer stem-like cell line could accurately mimic human GBM cancer stem cell in vitro and in vivo; it would be useful in the cellular and molecular studies as well as in testing novel therapies of CSC-based anti-cancer therapies for human GBM.

[Interaction between member LIGHT of TNF superfamily and SOCS3, which respond to induce the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cell].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the relation between the member LIGHT of TNF superfamily and the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), and to investigate the effect of SOCS3 on dendritic cell (DC) maturation induced by LIGHT. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived DC (BMDC) was generated from mouse bone marrow monocyte by culturing with rmGM-CSF, rmIL-4 in vitro. SOCS3 mRNA in BMDC was analyzed by RT-PCR, and the protein of SOCS3 was measured by Western blot. After blocking the SOCS3 expression with the specific anti-sense oligonucleotide, we applied the flow cytometry to measure the expression of CD86 and CD40 on DC for making clear whether the silence of SOCS3 would regulate the LIGHT-stimulated DC maturation. RESULTS: With the effect of LIGHT, the level of SOCS3 mRNA and protein in BMDC sharply increased. The specific antisense oligonucleotide could effectively block SOCS3 mRNA expressing in BMDC with the ratio of 49% and block SOCS3 protein expression with the ratio of 45%. Compared with SOCS3-unblocked DC, the SOCS3-blocked BMDC with stimulation of LIGHT showed higher CD40 and CD86 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LIGHT enhances the expression of SOCS3 during stimulating BMDC maturation. As more sensitive to LIGHT, the SOCS3-blocked BMDC is driven to more mature. SOCS3 presents a negative regulation mechanism in BMDC maturation induced

Establishment of a new human glioblastoma multiforme cell line (WJ1) and its partial characterization.

(1) A new human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell line, WJ1, was established from the tissue derived from a 29-year-old patient diagnosed with a grade IV GBM. (2) The WJ1 cell line has been subcultured for more than 80 passages in standard culture media without feeder layer or collagen coatings. (3) GBM cells grow in vitro with distinct morphological appearance. Ultrastructural examination revealed large irregular nuclei and pseudo-inclusion bodies in nuclei. The cytoplasm contained numerous immature organelles and a few glia filaments. Growth kinetic studies demonstrated an approximate population doubling time of 60 h and a colony forming efficiency of 4.04%. The karyotype of the cells was hyperdiploid, with a large subpopulation of polyploid cells. Drug sensitivities of DDP, VP-16, tanshinone IIA of this cell line were assayed. They showed a dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition effect on the cells. (4) Orthotopic transplantation of GBM cells into athymic nude mice induced the formation of solid tumor masses about 6 weeks. The cells obtained from mouse tumor masses when cultivated in vitro had the same morphology and ultrastructure as those of the initial cultures. (5) This cell line may provide a useful model in vitro and in vivo in the cellular and molecular studies as well as in testing novel therapies for human glioblastoma multiforme.

[Growth inhibition and multidrug resistance-reversing effect of tanshinone I A on human breast cancer cell with estrogen receptor negative].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the growth inhibition and multidrug resistance (MDR) reversing effect of tanshinone I A on human breast cancer cells with estrogen receptor (ER) negative, and to elucidate its mechanism of activity. METHODS: Human ER negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity and colony formation inhibition. Brdu incorporation and cell cycle distribution were also checked through flow cytometry (FCM). With RT-PCR, the expressions of ADP-ribosyltransferase CNAD+; poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase)-like 1 (ADPRTL1), cytochrome P450 subfamily I (CYP1A1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) mRNA were detected for testing the response to tanshinone 1 A treatment. RESULTS: After tanshinone I A treatment, the proliferation, colony formation and Brdu labeling indices of cancer cells decreased (P<0. 05). By FCM analysis, the increase of subG, and G0/G1 phase cell populations and decrease of S and G2/M phase cells were observed (P