Fiber-type distribution and expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in newborn heterozygous myostatin-knockout pigs.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of heterozygous myostatin-knockout (MSNT+/-) on muscle characteristics, specifically fiber-type distribution and expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in pigs. RESULTS: The fiber cross-sectional area of the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles were much larger in MSTN+/- pigs at birth than in wild-type (WT) pigs. MSTN+/- pigs had a higher proportion of fast-type fibers and lower succinate dehydrogenase activity in muscles than WT pigs. The myosin heavy chain IIB mRNA level in both two muscles was ~ threefold higher in MSTN+/- pigs compared with WT pigs. CONCLUSION: MSTN+/- pigs exhibit a disproportionate increase in muscle mass and can have a higher body weight due to fiber hypertrophy, a change in the fiber-type distribution, and alteration of myosin heavy chain isoforms levels, leading to more fast glycolytic fibers.

The developmental competence of oocytes parthenogenetically activated by an electric pulse and anisomycin treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental competence of oocytes parthenogenetically activated by an electric pulse (EP) and treated with anisomycin and to determine whether this method is applicable to somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). RESULTS: Embryos derived from porcine oocytes parthenogenetically activated by an EP and treatment with 0.01 µg/mL anisomycin had a significantly improved in vitro developmental capacity. Furthermore, 66.6% of blastocysts derived from these embryos had a diploid karyotype. The blastocyst formation rate of cloned embryos was similar between oocytes activated by an EP and treated with 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 4 h and those activated by an EP and treated with 0.01 µg/mL anisomycin for 4 h. The level of maturation-promoting factor was significantly decreased in oocytes activated by an EP and treated with anisomycin. Finally, the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-2) and pluripotency-related genes (Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2) were checked by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that porcine oocyte activation via an EP in combination with anisomycin treatment can lead to a high blastocyst formation rate in parthenogenetic activation and SCNT experiments.

RepSox improves viability and regulates gene expression in rhesus monkey-pig interspecies cloned embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the small molecule, RepSox, on the expression of developmentally important genes and the pre-implantation development of rhesus monkey-pig interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) embryos. RESULTS: Rhesus monkey cells expressing the monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 which have a normal (42) chromosome complement, were used as donor cells to generate iSCNT embryos. RepSox increased the expression levels of the pluripotency-related genes, Oct4 and Nanog (p < 0.05), but not of Sox2 compared with untreated embryos at the 2-4-cell stage. Expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl2, and the pro-apoptotic gene Bax was also affected at the 2-4-cell stage. RepSox treatment also increased the immunostaining intensity of Oct4 at the blastocyst stage (p < 0.05). Although the blastocyst developmental rate was higher in the group treated with 25 µM RepSox for 24 h than in the untreated control group (2.4 vs. 1.2%, p > 0.05), this was not significant. CONCLUSION: RepSox can improve the developmental potential of rhesus monkey-pig iSCNT embryos by regulating the expression of pluripotency-related genes.

Parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer of porcine oocytes activated by an electric pulse and AZD5438 treatment.

We examined the in vitro developmental competence of parthenogenetic activation (PA) oocytes activated by an electric pulse (EP) and treated with various concentrations of AZD5438 for 4 h. Treatment with 10 µM AZD5438 for 4 h significantly improved the blastocyst formation rate of PA oocytes in comparison with 0, 20, or 50 µM AZD5438 treatment (46.4% vs. 34.5%, 32.3%, and 24.0%, respectively; P 0.05). Furthermore, 66.67% of blastocysts derived from these AZD5438-treated PA oocytes had a diploid karyotype. The blastocyst formation rate of PA and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos was similar between oocytes activated by an EP and treated with 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 4 h and those activated by an EP and treated with 10 µM AZD5438 for 4 h (11.11% vs. 13.40%, P > 0.05). In addition, the level of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) was significantly decreased in oocytes activated by an EP and treated with 10 µM AZD5438 for 4 h. Finally, the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-2) and pluripotency-related genes (Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2) were checked by RT-PCR; however, there were no differences between the AZD5438-treated and non-treated control groups. Our results demonstrate that porcine oocyte activation via an EP in combination with AZD5438 treatment can lead to a high blastocyst formation rate in PA and SCNT experiments.

Clinicopathological implications of EpCAM expression in adenocarcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression was investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and human tissues, and its clinicopathological significance in adenocarcinoma of the lung was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EpCAM expression was analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry in human NSCLC cells. EpCAM protein expression was evaluated in 234 adenocarcinoma tissues using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A high expression level of EpCAM was observed in human NSCLC cells by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. EpCAM overexpression was detected in 120/234 (51.3%) surgically resected adenocarcinoma tissues. EpCAM overexpression occurred significantly more frequently in adenocarcinoma than in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (p=0.02). The overall survival did not differ significantly between EpCAM-overexpressing and EpCAM-negative patients (p=0.40). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest EpCAM plays a role in the carcinogenesis of adenocarcinoma of the lung and might provide a promising molecule for targeted therapy in NSCLC.

Nanoparticulate carrier containing water-insoluble iodinated oil as a multifunctional contrast agent for computed tomography imaging.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging is a valuable and routine strategy for the clinical diagnosis of various diseases. However, all current CT contrast agents are liquids, so they flow through the blood vessels and disappear very quickly by extravasation. If it were possible to make a blood-compatible particulate contrast agent, we could highlight a particular tissue by either passive or active targeting. In this work, Pluronic F127 and a naturally iodinated compound, Lipiodol, were used to form radiopaque nanoreservoir structures. The resultant nanoparticles have a stable structure at high concentrations, sufficient X-ray absorption, a safety profile similar to or better than that of Iopromide, and a longer circulation time than commercial iodinated preparations. The utility of the resultant radiopaque nanoparticles as a contrast agent was tested using micro-SPECT/CT imaging in vivo. Together with the very good solubility of hydrophobic drugs (e.g., Taxol) in Lipiodol, these results suggest the possibility that these particulate structures and their bioconjugates could become functional CT contrast agents that could deliver therapeutic agents to a particular tissue.

Effect of histone acetylation modification with MGCD0103, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on nuclear reprogramming and the developmental competence of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos.

Cloning remains as an important technique to enhance the reconstitution and distribution of animal population with high-genetic merit. One of the major detrimental factors of this technique is the abnormal epigenetic modifications. MGCD0103 is known as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. In this study, we investigated the effect of MGCD0103 on the in vitro blastocyst formation rate in porcine somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) embryos and expression in acetylation of the histone H3 lysine 9 and histone H4 lysine 12. We compared the in vitro embryonic development of SCNT embryos treated with different concentrations of MGCD0103 for 24 hours. Our results reported that treating with 0.2-µM MGCD0103 for 24 hours effectively improved the development of SCNT embryos, in comparison to the control group (blastocyst formation rate, 25.5 vs. 10.7%, P < 0.05). Then we tested the in vitro development of SCNT embryos treated with 0.2-µM MGCD0103 for various intervals after activation. Treatment for 6 hours significantly improved the development of pig SCNT embryos, compared with the control group (blastocyst formation rate, 21.2 vs. 10.5%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, MGCD0103 supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increases the average fluorescence intensity of AcH3K9 and AcH4K12 in embryos at the pseudo-pronuclear stage. To examine the in vivo development, MGCD0103-treated SCNT embryos were transferred into two surrogate sows, one of whom became pregnant and three fetuses developed. These results suggest that MGCD0103 can enhance the nuclear reprogramming and improve in vitro developmental potential of porcine SCNT embryos.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid secreted from islet beta-cells modulates exocrine secretion in rat pancreas.

AIM: To investigate the role of endogenous gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) in pancreatic exocrine secretion. METHODS: The isolated, vascularly perfused rat pancreas was employed in this study to eliminate the possible influences of extrinsic nerves and hormones. Cholecystokinin (CCK; 10 pmol/L) was intra-arterially given to stimulate exocrine secretion of the pancreas. RESULTS: Glutamine, a major precursor of GABA, which was given intra-arterially at concentrations of 1, 4 and 10 mmol/L, dose-dependently elevated the CCK-stimulated secretions of fluid and amylase in the normal pancreas. Bicuculline (10 micromol/L), a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, blocked the enhancing effect of glutamine (4 mmol/L) on the CCK-stimulated exocrine secretions. Glutamine, at concentrations of 1, 4 and 10 mmol/L, dose-dependently increased the GABA concentration in portal effluent of the normal pancreas. The effects of glutamine on the CCK-stimulated exocrine secretion as well as the GABA secretion were markedly reduced in the streptozotocin-treated pancreas. CONCLUSION: GABA could be secreted from beta-cells into the islet-acinar portal system after administration of glutainine, and could enhance the CCK-stimulated exocrine secretion through GABA(A) receptors. Thus, GABA in islet beta-cells is a hormone modulating pancreatic exocrine secretion.

Endogenous somatostatin inhibits interaction of insulin and cholecystokinin on exocrine secretion of isolated, perfused rat pancreas.

INTRODUCTION: Although somatostatin inhibits pancreatic exocrine secretion, the inhibitory mechanism of endogenous somatostatin is not clearly understood. AIM: To investigate the effect of endogenous somatostatin on the interaction between endogenous insulin and exogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in exocrine secretion of the totally isolated, perfused rat pancreas. METHODOLOGY: Endogenous releases of somatostatin and insulin were induced by 18 mM glucose. Streptozotocin (75 mg/kg) or cysteamine (300 mg/kg) was injected into rats 24 hours before the experiment to deplete insulin or somatostatin in the pancreas. RESULTS: Glucose (18 mM) enhanced CCK (10 pM)-stimulated secretions of fluid and amylase in the normal pancreas, which was further elevated by a somatostatin antagonist. Exogenous insulin (100 nM) also enhanced CCK-stimulated secretions in the streptozotocin-treated pancreas, which was also markedly increased by the somatostatin antagonist. The glucose (18 mM)-enhanced CCK-stimulated secretions were much higher in the cysteamine-treated pancreas than in the normal pancreas, which was dose-dependently reduced by exogenous somatostatin (30, 100 pM). However, endogenous or exogenous somatostatin did not modify the pancreatic responses to CCK alone. CONCLUSION: Endogenous somatostatin inhibits the interaction of endogenous insulin and CCK on pancreatic exocrine secretion in the rat rather than reducing the action of CCK alone or endogenous release of insulin.

Influence of nano-carrier architecture on in vitro siRNA delivery performance and in vivo biodistribution: polyplexes vs micelleplexes.

Micelle-based siRNA carriers ("micelleplexes") were prepared from the A-B-C triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PEG-PnBA-PDMAEMA), and their in vitro performance and in vivo biodistribution properties were compared with the benchmark PEGylated and basic polycation systems PEG-PDMAEMA and PDMAEMA, respectively. The micelle architecture, incorporating increased PEG shielding and a larger particle size (∼50 nm) than polycation-based complexes (polyplexes; ∼10 nm), enhances siRNA delivery performance in two important aspects: in vitro gene silencing efficiency and in vivo tumor accumulation. The in vitro gene silencing efficiency of the micelleplexes (24% in HeLa cells) was significantly better than the statistically insignificant levels observed for PDMAEMA and PEG-PDMAEMA polyplexes under identical conditions. This enhancement is linked to the different mechanisms by which micelleplexes are internalized (i.e., caveolar, etc.) compared to PDMAEMA and PEG-PDMAEMA polyplexes. Folate-functionalization significantly improved micelleplex uptake but had negligible influence on gene-silencing efficiency, suggesting that this parameter is not limited by cellular internalization. In vivo biodistribution analysis revealed that siRNA delivered by micelleplexes was more effectively accumulated and retained in tumor tissues than that delivered by PEGylated polyplexes. Overall, the micelle particle size and architecture appear to improve in vitro and in vivo delivery characteristics without significantly changing other properties, such as cytotoxicity and resistance to enzymes and dissociation. The self-assembled nature of micelleplexes is expected to enable incorporation of imaging modalities inside the hydrophobic micelle core, thus combining therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. The findings from the present study suggest that the micelleplex-type carrier architecture is a useful platform for potential theranostic and tumor-targeting applications.

Modest anti-cancer activity of a bile acid acylated heparin derivative in a PC14PE6 induced orthotopic lung cancer model.

PURPOSE: A novel chemically modified heparin derivative, heparin-deoxycholic acid nano-particles, has lower anticoagulant activity, and was recently reported to have significant anti-tumor effects on squamous head and neck cancer cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of heparin-deoxycholic acid nano-particles in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An orthotopic lung cancer model in 16 mice was developed using intra-thoracic injections of 0.5x10(6) PC14PE6 cells. Ten days after inoculation, the mice were divided into two groups. PBS and Heparin-DOCA particles were injected once a day every 3 days in the tail vein, for a total of 5 injections. The body weight and survival of each mouse were monitored and the tumor size in the lung was measured by SPECT-CT before and after heparin-DOCA nano-particle treatment. RESULTS: IThe HD particles had no significant cytotoxicity when the PC9 cells were treated in vitro. There was no statistical difference in tumor size, body weight and survival between the HD treated and control groups in vivo. Furthermore, there was no difference in the amount of CD31 between tumor tissues in the two study groups. CONCLUSION: HD synthesized with unfractionated heparin had no apparent inhibitory effects on tumor growth in a PC14PE6 cell induced orthotopic lung cancer mouse model. The HD particles did not significantly inhibit tumor-induced angiogenesis at the tumor sites.

L1 cell adhesion molecule as a predictor for recurrence in pulmonary carcinoids and large-cell neuroendocrine tumors.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors are a distinct subset of neoplasms with indolent to aggressive behavior. This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic role of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. We retrospectively analyzed L1 expression in 55 cases of completely resected carcinoids and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, by the immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody A10-A3 against human L1. L1 immunoreactivity was detected in 34 (61.8%) of 55 specimens. There was a significant correlation between L1 expression and the World Health Organization classification of this tumor (Spearman rank correlation, rho=0.60, p<0.001). With median follow-up of 52.0 months, the 5-year survival rate for patients with low expression of L1 (<20% of tumor cells stained) was significantly better compared with those with high expression of L1 (82.6% vs. 43.7%, p=0.005). L1 was also a significant independent predictor of disease-free survival, and patients with high L1 expression have a higher risk for recurrence compared with those with low L1 expression (hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-8.3; p=0.034). L1 expression is significantly associated with aggressiveness and further studies with larger samples are needed to validate potential prognostic value for pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors.

Mouse orthotopic lung cancer model induced by PC14PE6.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate in detail the xenograft mouse orthotopic lung cancer model induced by PC14PE6 adenocarcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three cell doses (0.5x10(6); 1x10(6); 2x10(6)) of PC14PE6 cells were injected into the lungs of male BALB/c nude mice by the intrathoracic injection method. The lung and other organs, including brain, liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, adrenal gland, and lymph node on knee, were removed and stained with H/E to detect the presence of tumor cells. RESULTS: The reliable tumorigenicity time in the PC14PE6 adenocarcinoma cell-inoculated BALB/c nude mouse was 10 days after intrathoracic injection. The average life span of the three groups after inoculation was 14 days in the 2x10(6) cells inoculum group; 25 days in the 1x10(6) cells inoculum group; and 32 days in the 0.5x10(6) cells inoculum group. The PC14PE6 adenocarcinoma cells induced orthotopic lung cancer limited within the thorax. CONCLUSIONS: This orthotopic lung cancer model is an efficient cancer model with easy inoculation methods, rapid and high tumorigenicity, and simple monitoring methods for metastasis.

Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid on action of gastrin-releasing peptidergic neurons in exocrine secretion of isolated, perfused rat pancreas.

INTRODUCTION: gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been reported to enhance exocrine secretion evoked by intrinsic neuronal excitation in the pancreas. AIM: To see the effect of GABA on the action of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)ergic neurons in exocrine secretion of the pancreas. METHODOLOGY: Pancreatic neurons were excited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the isolated, perfused rat pancreas. GRP in the pancreatic circulation was neutralized by an anti-GRP antiserum to block GRPergic neuronal action on pancreatic exocrine secretion. RESULTS: GABA (3, 10, 30 microM), given intra-arterially, elevated the EFS-evoked pancreatic secretions of fluid and amylase dose-dependently. An anti-GRP antiserum (10 microL/mL: titer of 1:66,000) reduced the GABA (10 microM)-enhanced EFS-evoked pancreatic secretions. Synthetic porcine GRP-27 (30, 100, 300 p ) increased the pancreatic secretions dose-dependently, and these were further elevated by GABA (10 microM). The anti-GRP antiserum also reduced the GABA-enhanced GRP (100 p )-induced pancreatic secretions. Bicuculline (10 microM) reduced the enhancing effect of GABA on pancreatic secretions evoked by EFS as well as GRP. CONCLUSION: GABA enhances pancreatic secretions evoked by EFS as well as GRP, which is reduced by the anti-GRP antiserum. The enhancing effects of GABA on the EFS- and GRP-induced pancreatic secretions are diminished by bicuculline. The results indicate that GABA enhances intrinsic GRPergic neuronal action on exocrine secretion via the GABA(A) receptors in the rat pancreas.