miR-124 increases the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma cells through targeting STAT3 / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of miR-124 in glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines LN229 and LN229R,as well as the regulatory mechanism of miR-124 on radiosensitivity of LN229R cells.Methods miR-124 mimic (miR-124) and negative control (miR-NC),STAT3 overexpression plasmid (STAT3) and pcDNA3.1 vector (pcDNA) were transfected or co-transfected into radioresistant glioma cells LN229R.qRT-PCR was employed to analyze the expression of miR-124 in LN229 and LN229R cells.The survival rate and sensitivity-related parameters of LN229R cells at different doses were analyzed by cloning formation assay.Cell apoptosis of LN229R was evaluated by flow cytometry.Targeting gene of miR-124 was predicted using Targetscan software and verified by the double-luciferase reporter assay.Western blot assay was performed to detect STAT3 protein expression.Results The expression of miR-124 in LN229R cells (0.32 ± 0.03) was significantly lower than that in LN229 cells (1.02 ± 0.09) (t =12.780,P＜0.05).Transfection of miR-124 mimics promoted the expression of miR-124 in LN229R cells (4.02±0.39) compared with miR-NC group (0.95±0.06) (t=13.476,P＜0.05).After 8 Gy irradiation,the survival rate of LN229R cells transfected with miR-124 mimics (0.003 ± 0.000 4) was significantly lower than that in miR-NC group (0.033±0.005 0) (t=5.655,P＜0.05),and the apoptosis rate (22.34±2.42) ％ was significantly higher than that in miR-NC group (4.69 ± 0.51) ％ (t =12.361,P＜0.05).STAT3 was identified to be a target gene of miR-124.Exogenous restoration of STAT3 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-124 on LN229R cell survival.Conclusion miR-124 increases the radiosensitivity of LN229R cells by targeting STAT3.

Assessment of the physical status of elderly patients with prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the primary malignancy threatening men's health in the United States and its incidence is increasing in China year by year. Many PCa cases are found in the advanced stage or in the old age, treated with unstandardized options, with negligence of comprehensive assessment of the patient's physical status, which may frequently add to the physical, psychological and economic burdens of the patient and even result in death. On the other hand, some excessively conservative therapeutic options may cause the loss of the best time of management or lead to deterioration of the disease. Therefore, sufficient importance should be attached to the comprehensive assessment of the physical status of the elderly PCa patient before treatment and the choice of the best therapeutic protocol.

Construction and identification of immortalized rat astrocyte cell line expressing enkephalin / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide a sound cell source for further ex-vivo gene therapy for chronic pain, we attempt to develop an immortalized rat astrocyte cell line that expresses enkephalin regulated by doxycycline.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrovirus infection method was employed to develop an immortalized rat astrocyte cell line that could express enkephalin regulated by doxycycline. The hPPE gene expression level of immoralized astroyte cells (IAC)/ hPPE was detected by RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence staining and radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IAC carrying Tet-on system transfected with preproenkephalin gene could secrete enkephalin that was regulated by doxycycline in a dose-dependent manner and hPPE gene activation could be repeated in on-off-on cycles through administration or removal of doxycycline.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An immortalized rat astrocyte cell line that secrete enkephalin under the control of doxycycline is established successfully, which provides a research basis for transgenic cell transplantation for analgesia.</p>

Evaluation of NR2B peptide as subunit vaccines against experimental neuropathic pain / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>NR2B containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays an important role in the facilitation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. The discrete distribution of NR2B subunit in the central nervous system (CNS) may support reduced side effects of agents that act selectively at this site. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that a humoral autoimmune response targeting the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor relieves pain like behaviours produced by peripheral injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were immunized subcutaneously with NR2B-Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (NR2B-KLH) three times at two-week intervals. NR2B specific IgG titres in sera and cerebrospinal fluid were determined by indirect ELISA. Seven days after the third immunization, 2 of the 3 terminal branches of the sciatic nerve (tibial and common peroneal nerves) were tightly ligated. Behavioural testing was carried out on every other day after surgery, until 7 days after surgery. The lumbar spinal cord (L4-6) was removed on day 7 after ligation. The expression of NR2B protein in the lumbar spinal cord was determined using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the second vaccination, NR2B specific IgG in sera was detected to be > 0.5 microg/ml in six of nine rats. After the third vaccination, all the immunized rats had > 2.2 microg/ml. Titres of NR2B specific IgG in sera peaked 42 days post initial immunization and persisted for over 70 days. No NR2B specific IgG was detected in sera from PBS or KLH group. The behavioural thresholds in NR2B group were significantly higher than those in PBS and KLH groups on day 7 after ligation. NR2B specific IgG in CSF in NR2B group could not be detected on day 1 before spinal dissection; but could be detected on day 7 after surgery. The expression of NR2B protein in group NR2B was significantly lower than in PBS and KLH groups on day 7 after surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The NR2B peptide could be used as a vaccine against neuropathic pain, which could be associated with reduction of NR2B protein in the lumbar spinal cord.</p>

Construction of an immortalized rat astrocyte strain with inducible enkephalin expression / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To construct an immortalized rat astrocyte strain expressing enkephalin which can be regulated by doxycycline.Methods pRevTet-On and recombinant plasmid pRevTRE/hPPE were transfected into packaging cell PT67 respectively by standard lipofectamine methods.The supernatant containing RevTet-On virus was used to infect immortalized rat astrocyte strain(IAST)and RevTRE/hPPE virus was used to infect the IAST/Tet-On cell.Immortalized rat astrocyte strain that stably expressed Tet-regulated enkephalin was established. hPPE gene expression level of IAST/Tet-On/hPPE cell strain was detected by real time-PCR,immuno- cytochemistry and radio-immunoassay.Results Real time-PCR,immuno-cytochemistry and radio-immunoassay confirmed the level of enkephalin expression was regulated by doxycycline in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion An immortalized rat astrocyte strain which secrets enkephalin as controlled by doxycycline has been constructed successfully.