[Expression of B7-H1 protein in human pancreatic carcinoma tissues and its clinical significance].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: B7-H1, a member of B7 family, is expressed in tumor cells and has emerged as an important immune modulator capable of suppressing host immunity by inhibiting T cells function. This study was to probe into the correlation between the expression level of B7-H1 protein in pancreatic carcinoma tissues and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. METHODS: The expression of B7-H1 was measured in 40 cases of pancreatic carcinoma tissues and 10 cases of normal corresponding paracarcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the expression level of B7-H1 and clinicopathological characteristics and survival was analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rate of B7-H1 was significantly higher in the tumor tissues [45.00% (18/40)] than in the normal corresponding paracarcinoma tissues [0(0/10)] (P<0.05); moreover, B7-H1 expression was significantly associated with the staging of tumor and preoperative serum CA19-9 level (P<0.05). The multivariate cox proportional hazards regression analysis of prognostic factors for overall survival and relapse-free survival showed that the expression of B7-H1 was an independent factor for poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: B7-H1 protein was expressed in human pancreatic carcinoma tissues, and was associated with the prognosis.

[Expression and significance of membrane skeleton protein 4.1 family in non-small cell lung cancer].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Protein 4.1, a component of cell membrane skeleton, plays a role in maintaining the shape and mechanical stability of erythrocytes. Recent researches showed that protein 4.1 may be associated with the development of tumors. This study was to investigate the expression and significance of membrane skeleton protein 4.1 family members (4.1B, 4.1R, 4.1N and 4.1G) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The expression of proteins 4.1B, 4.1R, 4.1N and 4.1G in 147 specimens of NSCLC was detected by EnVision plus immunohistochemistry. The correlations of 4.1B, 4.1R, 4.1N and 4.1G expression to clinicopathologic features of NSCLC were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman rank correlation analysis. RESULTS: The protein levels of 4.1B, 4.1R and 4.1N were significantly lower in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues than in adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01). The protein levels of 4.1B, 4.1R, 4.1N and 4.1G were significantly lower in lung adenocarcinoma tissues than in adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). The protein levels of 4.1B and 4.1G were significantly lower in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues than in lung adenocarcinoma tissues (P<0.05). Protein 4.1G expression in squamous cell carcinoma was positively correlated to tumor cell differentiation (rs=0.386,P<0.01). In adenocarcinoma, the expression of proteins 4.1B, 4.1N and 4.1G were positively correlated to tumor cell differentiation (rs=0.276, P<0.05; rs=0.248,P<0.05; rs=0.268, P <0.05). The expression of protein 4.1s in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were not related to lymph node metastasis, tumor size, patients'age and sex (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Protein 4.1s are weakly expressed in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. The expression of proteins 4.1B, 4.1N and 4.1G are related to tumor cell differentiation.

Identification of a new broad-spectrum CD8+ T cell epitope from over-expressed antigen COX-2 in esophageal carcinoma.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been found to be over-expressed in esophageal carcinoma (EC) and it could be considered as a potential tumor-associated antigen (TAA). In the present study, six candidate peptides from COX-2 were firstly predicted and synthesized. Among them, P(479) had the highest affinity and stability toward both HLA-A *0201 and HLA-A *03 molecules and it could significantly promote the IFN-gamma release. The cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced by P(479) could specifically lyse COX-2-expressed EC cell lines, EC-1 (HLA-A3 supertype) and EC-9706 (HLA-A2 supertype). These results suggested that P(479) as a novel broad-spectrum T cell epitope would be very useful in immunotherapy against esophageal carcinoma.

[Effects of Momordica saponins on endocrine function in senile mice].

AIM: To study the regulation effects of Momordica saponins on endocrine function in senile mice. METHODS: 15-month Kunming mice (female), were divided into senile control group (SC), experimental group 1 and 2 (E1 and E2). 10 4-month mice were as young control group (YC). All mice were fed with general foodstuff, SC and YC drank tap water, while two experimental groups drank tap water supplied to 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L Momordica saponins respectively. Serum was assayed after 5 weeks. At the same time, levels of estrogen receptor and its mRNA were assayed in cultured thymocyte from 12-month rat. RESULTS: Serum ACTH and estradiol levels declined markedly in senile mice compared with young mice. ACTH levels increased in some extent in two experimental groups, while there had significant difference only in E2. Serum estradiol increased obviously, but there was no significant distinct between E1 and E2. The most important was that ER levels increased obviously, and there was no any change of ER mRNA levels in rat thymocyte cultured in medium contained different content of Momordica saponins. CONCLUSION: Momordica saponins could improve endocrine function in senile mice by increasing ACTH level and expression of ER.