Expression and clinicopathological characteristics of PDX1, PTF1A, and SALL4 in large and small ducts of ectopic pancreas located in gastro-duodenum and jejunum.

An ectopic pancreas is defined as pancreatic tissue outside its normal location, anatomically separated from the pancreas. The transcription factor pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (PDX1) is involved in maintaining the pancreas and functions in early pancreatic development, beta cell differentiation, and endocrine non beta cells. Pancreatic transcription factor 1 subunit alpha (PTF1A) affects exocrine cell formation and regulation of acinar cell identity, and is expressed in exocrine cells as a transcription factor. The depletion of SALL4 disrupts self-renewal and induces differentiation. To clarify which of PDX1, PTF1A, or SALL4 determines the difference in Heinrich's classification, we examined the localization and number of positive cells. We analyzed the differential expression of PDX1, PTF1A, and SALL4 in large and small ducts in ectopic pancreas by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that the number of PTF1A-positive cells in large ducts was more widespread in type I than in type II in the gastro-duodenum, and more SALL4-positive cells were noticed in large ducts than in small ducts in the gastro-duodenum of type II. Our results revealed that PTF1A might promote exocrine differentiation in developing the pancreatic tissues, and that those with widespread expression differentiate into exocrine cells.

Microsatellite Instability Analysis and Its Prognostic Value in Invasive Nonampullary Duodenal Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Nonampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma (NADA) is a rare disease. Although several prognostic factors have been reported for this disease, they remain controversial due to their rarity. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 54 cases of invasive NADA, focusing on the microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype, programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, and prognostic factors. METHODS: Expression of the PD-L1 protein and cell differentiation markers in tumors was detected by immunohistochemistry. Microsatellite markers (NR-21, NR-22, NR-24, BAT-25, and BAT-26) were amplified for MSI assessment by PCR. RESULTS: The incidence of MSI in invasive NADA was 35.2%. No significant correlation between the MSI phenotype and clinicopathological factors was observed. Positive expression of PD-L1 by immune cells was common in advanced-stage disease (p = 0.054), and positive expression of PD-L1 in cancer cells correlated significantly with the histologically undifferentiated type (p = 0.016). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a significantly better overall survival (OS) in patients with MSI (p = 0.013) and at early-stage disease (p = 0.000) than in those with microsatellite-stable or at late tumor stages. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that MSI (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.282, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.106-0.751, p = 0.011) and early tumor stage (stage I-II) (HR: 8.81, 95% CI: 2.545-30.500, p = 0.001) were independent better prognostic factors of OS. CONCLUSIONS: MSI and early tumor stage (stage I-II) were independent better prognostic factors of OS. A high proportion of MSI phenotypes and positive PD-L1 expression may be helpful for identifying immune checkpoint inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy.

Clinical characteristics and responses to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment for microsatellite instability gastric cancer.

During the process of DNA replication, insertions or deletions of repeat sequences easily occur in microsatellites due to DNA polymerase slippage in instances of defective mismatch repair; this phenomenon is known as microsatellite instability. Based on genetic profiling, microsatellite instability gastric cancer is regarded as a separate subtype of gastric cancer that is associated with old age, the female sex, a distal gastric location, and a lower number of lymph node metastases. According to numerous retrospective studies, microsatellite instability is a favourable predictive marker for prognosis. However, during the perioperative period, gastric cancer patients with microsatellite instability after chemotherapy often exhibit a poor and unfavourable prognosis. This result still remains controversial. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in microsatellite instability-high tumours ranges from detrimental to beneficial effects. Due to the widespread expression of immune checkpoint molecules (such as programmed death-1 and programmed death-ligand 1) in tumours with microsatellite instability, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been utilized to treat microsatellite instability gastric cancer and tremendously improve the efficacy of treatment and survival of microsatellite instability patients. In this review, we attempt to outline the definitions of microsatellites and microsatellite instability, the methods used to screen for microsatellite instability, the clinical characteristics of microsatellite instability gastric cancer, and its responses to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Overall, determining the status of microsatellites is essential before developing a tailored treatment strategy for patients with microsatellite instability gastric cancer.

Bioluminescence reporter for monitoring G2-phase cell cycle arrest in vivo.

The bioengineered luciferase reporter has been widely used for monitoring of a variety of molecular events in living cells because of their ability to provide highly sensitive quantitation with broad linearity. In the present study, we made a cyclin A2-luciferase (CYCA-Luc) fusion protein and examined the utility of this optical reporter for monitoring G2-phase cell cycle arrest in living animals. In vitro luciferase assay and in vivo bioluminescence imaging assay showed that the lithium chloride (LiCl), G2-phase-specific drug, induced G2-phase arrest of cell cycle and increased the activity of this reporter under in vitro or in vivo conditions, and this reporter can also be potentially used in high-throughput screening efforts aimed at discovering novel anti-cancer drugs that will cause cell cycle arrest at the G2-phase in cultivated cell lines and animal models.

Correlations between microsatellite instability and the biological behaviour of tumours.

PURPOSE: Microsatellites are widely distributed repetitive DNA motifs, accounting for approximately 3% of the genome. Due to mismatch repair system deficiency, insertion or deletion of repetitive units often occurs, leading to microsatellite instability. In this review, we aimed to explore the relationship between MSI and biological behaviour of colorectal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, lymphoma/leukaemia and endometrial carcinoma, as well as the application of frameshift peptide vaccines in cancer therapy. METHODS: The relevant literature from PubMed and Baidu Xueshu were reviewed in this article. The ClinicalTrials.gov database was searched for clinical trials related to the specific topic. RESULTS: Microsatellite instability is divided into three subtypes: high-level, low-level microsatellite instability, and stable microsatellites. The majority of tumour patients with high-level microsatellite instability often show a better efficacy and prognosis than those with low-level microsatellite instability or stable microsatellites. In coding regions, especially for genes involved in tumourigenesis, microsatellite instability often results in inactivation of proteins and contributes to tumourigenesis. Moreover, the occurrence of microsatellite instability in coding regions can also cause the generation of frameshift peptides that are thought to be unknown and novel to the individual immune system. Thus, these frameshift peptides have the potential to be biomarkers to raise tumour-specific immune responses. CONCLUSION: MSI has the potential to become a key predictor for evaluating the degree of malignancy, efficacy and prognosis of tumours. Clinically, MSI patterns will provide more valuable information for clinicians to create optimal individualized treatment strategies based on frameshift peptides vaccines.

Application of a double-colour upconversion nanofluorescent probe for targeted imaging of mantle cell lymphoma.

Upconversion nanoparticles are a new type of fluorescent marker in biomedical imaging that can convert a longer wavelength (such as near-infrared fluorescence) into a shorter wavelength (such as visible light). Mantle cell lymphoma, which is derived from B-cell lymphoma, is a subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the immune phenotype is a mature B-cell phenotype (CD20+, CD5+). To develop the use of nanomaterials as specific markers for the medical imaging of mantle cell lymphoma, we modified the surface of UCNPs by oxidation so that the CD20 or CD5 antibody could covalently attach to the upconversion nanoparticles to form antibody-UCNP conjugates. These antibody-UCNP conjugates were used as fluorescent probes to detect the CD20 or CD5 antigen. Due to the excessive expression of these antigens on the surface of MCL cells and successful strong connection between the antibody and UCNPs, the latter could specifically combine with mantle cell lymphoma cells. Upon near-infrared excitation at 980 nm, cells labelled with UCNPs emitted bright upconversion fluorescence.

MicroRNA-34a induces transdifferentiation of glioma stem cells into vascular endothelial cells by targeting Notch pathway.

The function of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in transdifferentiation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) into vascular endothelial cells (VECs) was explored by focusing on Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (Dll1). MiR-34a mimics was transfected into CD133 + glioma cell U251. The angiogenesis feature of miR-34a transfected U251 cells was investigated and the expressions of CD31, CD34, Vwf, Notch 1, and Dll1 were quantified. Length of branching vessel-like structures in the miR-34a transfected U251 cells was significantly higher than control cells. The VEC feature of miR-34a overexpressed U251 cells was further confirmed by the expressions of CD31, CD34, and vWF. Transfection of miR-34a decreased the expression of Notch 1 and Dll1. Furthermore, the miR-34a overexpression-enhanced tube formation of GSCs was suppressed when the decreased expression of Dll1 was restored. The current study highlighted the potential of miR-34a as an inducer in GSCs' transdifferentiation into VECs by targeting Dll1.

KLF7-transfected Schwann cell graft transplantation promotes sciatic nerve regeneration.

Our former study demonstrated that Krüppel-like Factor 7 (KLF7) is a transcription factor that stimulates axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. Currently, we used a gene therapy approach to overexpress KLF7 in Schwann cells (SCs) and assessed whether KLF7-transfected SCs graft could promote sciatic nerve regeneration. SCs were transfected by adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2)-KLF7 in vitro. Mice were allografted by an acellular nerve (ANA) with either an injection of DMEM (ANA group), SCs (ANA+SCs group) or AAV2-KLF7-transfected SCs (ANA+KLF7-SCs group) to assess repair of a sciatic nerve gap. The results indicate that KLF7 overexpression promoted the proliferation of both transfected SCs and native SCs. The neurite length of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explants was enhanced. Several beneficial effects were detected in the ANA+KLF7-SCs group including an increase in the compound action potential amplitude, sciatic function index score, enhanced expression of PKH26-labeling transplant SCs, peripheral myelin protein 0, neurofilaments, S-100, and myelinated regeneration nerve. Additionally, HRP-labeled motoneurons in the spinal cord, CTB-labeled sensory neurons in the DRG, motor endplate density and the weight ratios of target muscles were increased by the treatment while thermal hyperalgesia was diminished. Finally, expression of KLF7, NGF, GAP43, TrkA and TrkB were enhanced in the grafted SCs, which may indicate that several signal pathways may be involved in conferring the beneficial effects from KLF7 overexpression. We concluded that KLF7-overexpressing SCs promoted axonal regeneration of the peripheral nerve and enhanced myelination, which collectively proved KLF-SCs as a novel therapeutic strategy for injured nerves.

Baicalin ameliorates experimental inflammatory bowel disease through polarization of macrophages to an M2 phenotype.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestinal tract. Baicalin, originally isolated from the root of the Chinese herb Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) and its main active ingredient, has a protective effect against inflammatory responses in several diseases. The present study investigated the effects of baicalin on macrophage polarization and its therapeutic role in IBD. Murine peritoneal macrophages and mice with colitis were treated with baicalin. Macrophage subset distribution, M1 and M2 macrophage-associated mRNA expression, and interferon regulatory factor 4 and 5 (IRF4 and IRF5) expression were analyzed. siRNA transfection into mouse peritoneal macrophages was utilized to suppress IRF4. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, western blot, and real-time PCR analyses were performed. Baicalin (50µM) limited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced M1 macrophage polarization; decreased LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-23, and IRF5 expression; and increased IL-10, arginase-1 (Arg-1), and IRF4 expression. siRNA-mediated IRF4 silencing significantly impaired baicalin activity. Furthermore, pretreatment with baicalin (100mg/kg) in mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis ameliorated the severity of colitis and significantly decreased the disease activity index (baicalin group, 3.33±0.52 vs. DSS group, 5.67±1.03). Baicalin (100mg/kg) also repressed IRF5 protein expression and promoted IRF4 protein expression in the lamina propria mononuclear cells, and induced macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype. In summary, our results showed that baicalin upregulates IRF4 protein expression and reverses LPS-induced macrophage subset redistribution. Thus, baicalin alleviates DSS-induced colitis by modulating macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype.

Sciatic nerve regeneration in KLF7-transfected acellular nerve allografts.

OBJECTIVE: Krüppel-like Factor 7 (KLF7) is a transcription factor that promotes axon regeneration in the central nervous system. Here, we assessed whether KLF7 stimulates regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice received an acellular nerve allograft (ANA) injected with either adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) vector or AAV2-KLF7 for sciatic nerve gap repair. After 4 weeks, KLF7 was detected by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry in regenerated nerves. Axonal regeneration and functional recovery were examined by immunohistochemistry, Fluorogold (FG) and cholera toxin B (CTB) retrograde neural tracing, sciatic function index (SFI), angle of ankle, Hargreaves test and electrophysiological analysis. RESULTS: With AAV2-KLF7 injection, KLF7 expression increased in regenerated nerves, and amplitude, score of SFI, angle of ankle and FG-labelled spinal cord neurons were increased. We observed elevated CTB-labelled neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), neurofilaments, P0 (peripheral myelin) and S100 and decreased latency period and withdrawal latencies in the Hargreaves test. The SFI was significantly correlated with amplitude and regenerated axon number. Tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and B (TrkB) receptors were also increased in the DRG. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that KLF7 promoted peripheral nerve axonal regeneration, further supporting a role for KLF7 as a growth-promoting transcription factor in the injured nervous system.

microRNA-128 plays a critical role in human non-small cell lung cancer tumourigenesis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by directly targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-C.

Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene regulators that play critical roles in biological processes and function as either tumour suppressors or oncogenes. Therefore, the expression levels of miRNAs can be important and reliable biomarkers for cancer detection and prognostic prediction, and potentially serve as targets for cancer therapy. In this study, we showed that the expression level of miR-128 was significantly downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cancer cells, and was significantly correlated with NSCLC differentiation, pathological stage and lymph node metastasis. Ectopic miR-128 overexpression significantly suppressed in vitro proliferation, colony formation, immigration and invasion, and induced G1 arrest and apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Interestingly, ectopic miR-128 overexpression could significantly inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C expression and reduce the activity of a luciferase reporter containing the VEGF-C 3'-untranslated region. In addition, overexpression of miR-128 in NSCLC cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cells led to decreased expression of VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3, critical factors responsible for cancer angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and subsequently decreased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (AKT) and p38 signalling pathways. Furthermore, in vivo restoration of miR-128 significantly suppressed tumourigenicity of A549 cells in nude mice and inhibited both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of tumour xenografts. These findings suggest that miR-128 could play a role in NSCLC tumourigenesis at least in part by modulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through targeting VEGF-C, and could simultaneously block ERK, AKT and p38 signalling pathways. Therapeutic strategies to restore miR-128 in NSCLC could be useful to inhibit tumour progression.

Association between the eNOS gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis risk in a northern Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Several genetic polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the two SNPs (T-786C and G894T) of the eNOS gene are associated with rheumatoid arthritis risk in a northern Chinese population. METHODS: In this study, the eNOS genes T-786C and G894T were studied in 196 cases with rheumatoid arthritis and 201 healthy controls with gender, age and ethnicity matched. The two SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The analyses of association were statistically compared using the chi-square test with SPSS software for Windows. RESULTS: The frequency of the -786C allele was significantly higher in the rheumatoid arthritis patients than in the healthy controls (19.64% vs. 14.18%, P < 0.05). However, the 894T allele of the eNOS gene was not increased in the rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with the -786CC genotype have an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Further study with an increased sample size is necessary for the study of the role of this SNP in rheumatoid arthritis.

Single-base extension and ELISA-based approach for single-nucleotide polymorphisms genotyping.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) emerge as a fundamental tool in personalized medicine due to their association with drug responses or disease predisposition. Single-base extension (SBE) is a common method for characterizing known SNPs, but involves complicated procedures or requires costly analytical instruments. Here, we describe a novel SNP genotyping based on SBE and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). During the SBE, the 5' end fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled allele-specific primer will extend with biotinylated dideoxynucleotides which are complementary to the SNP sites. The extension product will then be captured by streptavidin-coated nanoparticle and develop blue color in the ELISA assay. We validated this method by detecting SNPs for TP53 gene codon 273 from 68 individuals and the data were 100% in concordant with DNA sequencing. Thus, SBE and ELISA-based SNPs assay is a simple and accurate method for SNP genotyping.

Thymidylate synthase was associated with patient prognosis and the response to adjuvant therapy in bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of thymidylate synthase (TS), a key enzyme in DNA synthesis that is over-expressed in several cancer cells, in bladder cancer and its association with patient prognosis and the response to adjuvant therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 67 bladder tissue specimens were obtained from patients who had undergone transurethral resection (TUR). TS expression in bladder cancer and normal bladder tissue was analysed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Of the 67 bladder tissue specimens, 47 (70%) and 10 (15%) had positive expression for TS in cancer and normal tissues, respectively. TS expression was greater in patients with Grade 3 (16/17, 94%) than in Grade 1 and 2 (31/50, 64%; P = 0.002). It was also greater in Stage T1 (14/14) than in Stage Ta (33/53, 62%; P = 0.001). Furthermore, patients with negative TS expression had a longer postoperative recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those with positive expression during the 5 year follow-up (P = 0.028). In the patients with positive TS-expressing tumours, adjuvant therapy significantly improved RFS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High TS expression might be a marker of poor prognosis for patients with bladder cancer. In addition, patients with high TS expression might also be benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Transduction of beta3 integrin subunit cDNA confers on human keratinocytes the ability to adhere to gelatin.

alphavbeta3 is a multiligand integrin receptor that interacts with fibrinogen (FG), fibrin (FB), fibronectin (FN), vitronectin (VN), and denatured collagen. We previously reported that cultured normal human keratinocytes, like in vivo keratinocytes, do not express alphavbeta3 on the cell surface, and do not adhere to and migrate on FG and FB. Furthermore, we reported that human keratinocytes transduced with beta3 integrin subunit cDNA by a retrovirus-mediated transduction method express alphavbeta3 on the cell surface and adhere to FG, FB, FN, and VN significantly compared with beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) cDNA-transduced keratinocytes (control). In this study, we determined whether these beta3 integrin subunit cDNA-transduced keratinocytes or normal human keratinocytes adhere to denatured collagen (gelatin) using a 1 h cell adhesion assay. beta3 cDNA-transduced keratinocytes adhered to gelatin, whereas no significant adhesion was observed with the control cells (beta-gal cDNA-transduced keratinocytes and normal human keratinocytes). The adhesion to gelatin was inhibited by LM609, a monoclonal antibody to alphavbeta3, and RGD peptides but not by normal mouse IgG1 nor RGE peptides. Thus, transduction of beta3 integrin subunit cDNA confers on human keratinocytes the ability to adhere to denatured collagen (gelatin) as well as to FG, FB, VN, and FN. Otherwise, normal human keratinocytes do not adhere to gelatin. These data support the idea that beta3 cDNA-transduced human keratinocytes can be a good material for cultured epithelium to achieve better take rate with acute or chronic wounds, in which FG, FB, and denatured collagen are abundantly present.

Analysis of genomic homology of murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV)-72 to MHV-68 and impact of MHV-72 on the survival and tumorigenesis in the MHV-72-infected CB17 scid/scid and CB17+/+ mice.

Murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV)-68-infected mice are well-known as models for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoproliferative diseases. MHV-72 may be a relative of MHV-68, but any genetic comparison between the two (except for the M7 gene) has never been reported. The genetic compositions of MHV-72 and MHV-68 were compared and the pathology of MHV-72 infection studied in CB-17 severe combined immunodeficiency (scid/scid; SCID) and CB17 wild-type (CB17+/+) mice. The MHV-72 DNA sequence was almost identical to MHV-68 except for approximately 7000 bp corresponding to the MHV-68 M1-M3 genes. Twenty-seven of 30 MHV-72-infected SCID mice (90%) died from generalized infection with intranuclear viral inclusions for approximately 1 month, while MHV-72-infected CB17+/+ mice recovered from acute infection. Long observation and pathological study of 68 MHV-72-infected mice for up to 24 months revealed that the survival rate (29.4%) and survival time (21.3 months) of MHV-72-infected CB17+/+ mice were significantly lower (P = 0.0127) and shorter (P = 0.0065) than those of the controls (61.1% and 22.9 months), respectively. The malignancy development rate (60.3%) of the infected CB17+/+ mice was also significantly higher (P = 0.004) than those of the controls (22.2%). However, no MHV-72 DNA was detected in the tumors of infected mice. MHV-72 may have some tumor-promoting effects but the tumorigenesis in infected CB17+/+ mice is different from EBV-associated tumors.

Induction and prevention of virus-associated malignant lymphoma by serial transmission of EBV-related virus from cynomolgus by blood transfusion in rabbits.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related herpesvirus (Si-IIA-EBV) was serially transmitted for 3 passages from rabbit to rabbit of the opposite sex by blood transfusion, which subsequently induced virus-associated rabbit lymphomas. The virus could be transmitted by transfusion with 15-20 ml of whole blood (7/7) or irradiated blood (1/6) from the EBV-related virus-infected rabbits, but there was no transmission with transfusion of cell-free plasma (0/6) from the infected rabbits. Passive anti-EBV-VCA IgG (x 20 approximately x 10) titers decreased during the first 1-2 weeks in the transfused rabbits. The virus-transmitted rabbits showed a gradual increase in antibody titers ranging from peak titers of x 640 to x 2560 after 3 weeks of transfusion. The recipient origin of malignant lymphoma that developed in the first rabbit transfused by infected blood was confirmed by chromosomal analysis. This rabbit model thus shows that EBV-related herpesvirus is serially transmissible by blood transfusion and that transmission can not be completely prevented by irradiation of blood, but removal of blood cells is the best way to prevent transmission of EBV-related virus. Therefore, this animal model provides a convenient in vivo system for studies of the prevention and therapy of transfusion-related transmission of EBV and EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases in immunocompromised human beings.

CD40 ligand stimulation inhibits the proliferation of mantle cell lymphoma lines.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a CD5+ non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma characterized by the infiltration of intermediate sized B-cells into the mantle zones. Interaction between CD40L and CD40 is important for B cell proliferation and differentiation. CD40L stimulation can induce both growth arrest and proliferation of B cell lines according to their differentiation state. Previous reports examining the effect of stimulation via the CD40 cascade on ex vivo MCL cells have provided conflicting results. In this study, two MCL lines, SP49 and SP53, were examined for response to CD40L and/or IL-10. Co-cultivation with CD40L-expressing mouse L cells reduced the BrdU incorporation of SP49 and SP53 cells by half to one-third, while BrdU incorporation of control cell lines, including Ramos, BJAB and BALL-1, was not affected or increased. Anti-CD40L antibody blocked the CD40L inhibition of SP49 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in the range from 0 to 20 ng/ml. IL-10 did not affect MCL cell proliferation in the presence or absence of CD40L-expressing cells, while Ramos proliferation was promoted by CD40L and IL-10. These results suggested the possibility that CD40L may also inhibit MCL proliferation in vivo.

Annexin V assay-proven anti-apoptotic effect of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside after cold ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation.

Controversy exists over whether the predominant cell death of hepatocytes is due to apoptosis or necrosis after ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study we investigated the predominant cell death of hepatocytes after cold ischemia/reperfusion injury using the Annexin V-based assay, and evaluated the anti-apoptotic effect of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G) added to the University of Wisconsin solution (UW solution) in rat liver transplantation. The retrieved liver was preserved in 4 UW solution for 24 h, and then transplanted orthotopically to the syngeneic Wistar recipient. The animals were divided into 2 groups, a control group (n=10), in which liver grafts were preserved in UW solution (4), and an AA-2G group (n=10), in which liver grafts were preserved in UW solution (4) with AA-2G (100 ug/ml). The serum AST level 4 h after reperfusion in the control group was significantly suppressed in the AA-2G group, and the bile production of the liver graft in the AA-2G group was well recovered. The mean survival time in the AA-2G group was significantly improved compared with that in the control group. Annexin-V and Propidium iodide staining 4 h after reperfusion showed a significantly higher percentage of viable hepatocytes in the AA-2G group compared with the control group (93.4 +/- 2.0 vs. 80.3 +- 2.1%, P<0.05). In the control group, the main cell death of hepatocytes was apoptosis (early apoptosis: 10.0 +- 4.7%, late apoptosis: 6.4 +/- 1.7%). The addition of AA-2G to the UW solution significantly inhibited both early and late apoptotic cell death 4 h after reperfusion (early apoptosis: 0.98 +/- 0.88%, late apoptosis: 2.2 +/- 1.1%). The expression of caspase 9 in the immunostaining of the liver graft was suppressed in the AA-2G group compared with in the control group. Our study using the Annexin V-based assay provided evidence that the predominant cell death of hepatocytes was apoptosis after 24 h cold ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation. The addition of AA-2G to the UW solution attenuated 24 h cold ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the apoptosis of hepatocytes.

Rabbit model for human EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS): sequential autopsy analysis and characterization of IL-2-dependent cell lines established from herpesvirus papio-induced fatal rabbit lymphoproliferative diseases with HPS.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) is often associated with fatal infectious mononucleosis or T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD). To elucidate the true nature of fatal LPD observed in Herpesvirus papio (HVP)-induced rabbit hemophagocytosis, reactive or neoplastic, we analyzed sequential development of HVP-induced rabbit LPD and their cell lines. All of the seven Japanese White rabbits inoculated intravenously with HVP died of fatal LPD 18 to 27 days after inoculation. LPD was also accompanied by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) in five of these seven rabbits. Sequential autopsy revealed splenomegaly and swollen lymph nodes, often accompanied by bleeding, which developed in the last week. Atypical lymphoid cells infiltrated many organs with a "starry sky" pattern, frequently involving the spleen, lymph nodes, and liver. HVP-small RNA-1 expression in these lymphoid cells was clearly demonstrated by a newly developed in situ hybridization (ISH) system. HVP-ISH of immunomagnetically purified lymphoid cells from spleen or lymph nodes revealed HVP-EBER1+ cells in each CD4+, CD8+, or CD79a+ fraction. Hemophagocytic histiocytosis was observed in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. HVP-DNA was detected in the tissues and peripheral blood from the infected rabbits by PCR or Southern blot analysis. Clonality analysis of HVP-induced LPD by Southern blotting with TCR gene probe revealed polyclonal bands, suggesting polyclonal proliferation. Six IL-2-dependent rabbit T-cell lines were established from transplanted scid mouse tumors from LPD. These showed latency type I/II HVP infection and had normal karyotypes except for one line, and three of them showed tumorigenicity in nude mice. These data suggest that HVP-induced fatal LPD in rabbits is reactive polyclonally in nature.