Targeted resequencing showing novel common and rare genetic variants increases the risk of asthma in the Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have identified hundreds of genetic variants associated with asthma risk, a large fraction of heritability remains unexplained, especially in Chinese individuals. METHODS: To identify genetic risk factors for asthma in a Han Chinese population, 211 asthma-related genes were first selected based on database searches. The genes were then sequenced for subjects in a Discovery Cohort (284 asthma patients and 205 older healthy controls) using targeted next-generation sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis and statistical association analyses were performed to reveal the associations between rare/common variants and asthma, respectively. The identified common risk variants underwent a validation analysis using a Replication Cohort (664 patients and 650 controls). RESULTS: First, we identified 18 potentially functional rare loss-of-function (LOF) variants in 21/284 (7.4%) of the asthma cases. Second, using burden tests, we found that the asthma group had nominally significant (p < 0.05) burdens of rare nonsynonymous variants in 10 genes. Third, 23 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with the risk of asthma, 7/23 (30.4%) and 9/23 (39.1%) of which were modestly significant (p < 9.1 × 10-4 ) in the Replication Cohort and Combined Cohort, respectively. According to our cumulative risk model involving the modestly associated alleles, middle- and high-risk subjects had a 2.0-fold (95% CI: 1.621-2.423, p = 2.624 × 10-11 ) and 6.0-fold (95% CI: 3.623-10.156, p = 7.086 × 10-12 ) increased risk of asthma, respectively, compared with low-risk subjects. CONCLUSION: This study revealed novel rare and common genetic risk factors for asthma, and provided a cumulative risk model for asthma risk prediction and stratification in Han Chinese individuals.

A nonsynonymous polymorphism (rs117179004, T392M) of hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1) is associated with increased risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Southern Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a genetic heterogeneous disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. Hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1) was found to be upregulated in fibroblasts from IPF patients, and overexpression of HYAL1 could prevent human fetal lung fibroblast proliferation. However, the genetic correlation between the HYAL1 and IPF or connective tissue diseases related interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) has not been determined. METHODS: A two-stage study was conducted in Southern Han Chinese population. We sequenced the coding regions and flanking regulatory regions of HYAL1 in stage one (253 IPF cases and 125 controls). A statistically significant variant was further genotyped in stage two (162 IPF cases, 182 CTD-ILD cases, and 225 controls). RESULTS: We identified a nonsynonymous polymorphism (rs117179004, T392M) significantly associated with increased IPF risk (dominant model: OR = 2.239, 95% CI = 1.212-4.137, p = 0.010 in stage one; OR = 2.383, 95% CI = 1.376-4.128, p = 0.002 in stage two). However, we did not observe this association in CTD-ILD (OR = 1.401, 95% CI = 0.790-2.485, p = 0.248). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the nonsynonymous polymorphism (rs117179004, T392M) may confer susceptibility to IPF in Southern Han Chinese, but is not associated with susceptibility to CTD-ILD.

Targeted resequencing reveals genetic risks in patients with sporadic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a genetic heterogeneous disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. However, a large fraction of genetic cause remains unexplained, especially in sporadic IPF (∼80% IPF). By systemically reviewing related literature and potential pathogenic pathways, 92 potentially IPF-related genes were selected and sequenced in genomic DNAs from 253 sporadic IPF patients and 125 matched health controls using targeted massively parallel next-generation sequencing. The identified risk variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. We identified two pathogenic and 10 loss-of-function (LOF) candidate variants, accounting for 4.74% (12 out of 253) of all the IPF cases. In burden tests, rare missense variants in three genes (CSF3R, DSP, and LAMA3) were identified that have a statistically significant relationship with IPF. Four common SNPs (rs3737002, rs2296160, rs1800470, and rs35705950) were observed to be statistically associated with increased risk of IPF. In the cumulative risk model, high risk subjects had 3.47-fold (95%CI: 2.07-5.81, P = 2.34 × 10-6 ) risk of developing IPF compared with low risk subjects. We drafted a comprehensive map of genetic risks (including both rare and common candidate variants) in patients with IPF, which could provide insights to help in understanding mechanisms, providing genetic diagnosis, and predicting risk for IPF.

E4BP4 facilitates glucocorticoid sensitivity of human bronchial epithelial cells via down-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor-beta.

It has recently been recognized that a subset of asthma patients suffer from glucocorticoid (GC) insensitivity, and glucocorticoid receptor-ß (GR-ß) is associated with corticosteroid resistance, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here we demonstrated that Interleukin-17A induced glucocorticoid sensitivity in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) is enhanced, which is depend on E4 promoter-binding protein 4 (E4BP4) mediated GR-ß expression. Our data show that the expression of E4BP4 is significantly up-regulated in 16HBE cells, and the depletion of E4BP4 dramatically decreased glucocorticoid sensitivity in IL-17A induced 16HBE cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that E4BP4 plays a crucial role in Interleukin-17A induced glucocorticoid sensitivity in 16HBE cells via down-regulating GR-ß, which is probably mediated by PI3K/Akt activation. Collectively, we can draw the conclusion that E4BP4 contribute to enhance the GCs sensitivity, which may offer a new strategy for therapeutic intervention for GC-insensitive asthma.

[Serum levels of ANP signaling in different degree of allergic asthmatics and its role in the pathogenesis ofallergic asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the severity of allergic asthma and the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and to analyze the potential role of ANP signaling in the pathogenesis of asthma.
 METHODS: We recruited 96 subjects, including 23 healthy volunteers, 25 stable allergic asthmatics, 21 mild allergic asthmatics and 27 moderate allergic asthmatics, from the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University. ANP, IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA and protein expressions of natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA), transcription factor T-bet and GATA3 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot.
 RESULTS: The levels of ANP in serum and the expressions of NPRA mRNA and protein in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from the mild asthma group or the moderate group were elevated compared with those in the stable asthma group or the mild group, respectively (P<0.05). Consistently, expressions of GATA3 and levels of IL-4 showed the same tendency (P<0.05). In addition, levels of ANP in serum were positively correlated with the severity of asthma, whereas negatively correlated with the ratio of T-bet/GATA3 and IFN-γ/IL-4 (r=-0.85, P<0.05; r=-0.88, P<0.05, respectively).
 CONCLUSION: Levels of ANP signaling in serum were significantly increased with the severity of allergic asthma, suggesting a close relation with the pathogenesis of asthma; ANP signaling may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma through inducing the Th2-type immune response.

[The role of SDF-1/CXCR4 on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in a rat asthma model].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the roles of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in rat asthma models. METHODS: Eighteen female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6): control group, asthmatic 4 weeks group and asthmatic 8 weeks group. The rats were sensitized and inhaled ovalbumin (OVA). After the asthma model was successfully established, the airway pressure was measured. The methods of HE staining and Image-Pro Plus image analysis software were used to detect the changes of eosinophils (EOS), the perimeter of inner bronchial lumen, the wall area, the area of bronchial smooth muscle and the number of smooth muscle cells of airway walls. RT-PCR and Western-blot were used to detect the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in lung tissues among the 3 groups.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of SDF-1 in airway walls. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the airway responsiveness, the count of EOS, the area of bronchial wall, the area of bronchial smooth muscle, the number of smooth muscle cells of airway walls in the asthmatic 4 weeks and asthmatic 8 weeks were significantly increased, and significant difference between the 2 asthmatic groups was also observed in the above indexes (P < 0.01) .RT-PCR showed that compared with the control group (SDF-1 was 0.146 ± 0.003 and CXCR4 was 0.281 ± 0.002) , the expression of SDF-1 (0.583 ± 0.004 and 0.724 ± 0.008) and CXCR4 (0.467 ± 0.003 and 0.655 ± 0.002) in lung tissues in the asthmatic 4 weeks and asthmatic 8 weeks were significantly increased (P < 0.01) . In addition, compared with the asthmatic 4 weeks group, the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in lung tissues in the 8 weeks asthmatic group were significantly increased (P < 0.01) . Compared with the control group (0.180 ± 0.009) , the expression of SDF-1 in airway walls in the asthmatic 4 weeks and asthmatic 8 weeks groups (0.270 ± 0.006 and 0.350 ± 0.009) were significantly increased (P < 0.01) . In addition, compared with the asthmatic 4 weeks group, the expression of SDF-1 in airway walls in the 8 weeks asthmatic group was significantly increased (P < 0.01) . The expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 was correlated positively with the airway responsiveness, the number of EOS, the area of bronchial wall, the area of bronchial smooth muscle and the number of smooth muscle cells of airway walls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SDF-1/CXCR4 axis may play a key role in airway inflammation and airway remodeling of asthma.

Clinical significance of serum levels of 14-3-3ß protein in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nowadays, the diagnosis and treatment of COPD are often based on the results of lung function tests. Certain individuals, however, are not candidates for lung function testing due to pulmonary bullae, cardiac failure, low lung function, and other factors. Therefore, we evaluated whether serum tyrosine3-monooxygenase/tryptophan5-monooxygenase activation protein ß (14-3-3ß) could be a biomarker for the diagnosis of stable COPD patients. The expression of serum 14-3-3ß protein was evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between its concentrations and clinical parameters of stable COPD patients were analyzed by correlation analysis and ROC curve. The results before propensity score matching (PSM) showed that serum 14-3-3ß protein concentrations (ng/ml) in stable COPD patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, serum 14-3-3ß protein concentrations were higher in GOLD 3&4 COPD patients compared with healthy participants, GOLD 1 and GOLD 2 COPD patients (P < 0.05), which shows that the concentration of 14-3-3ß protein correlates with disease severity in stable COPD patients. After 1:1 PSM, there was also a statistically significant rise in 14-3-3 protein levels in stable COPD patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.01). Serum 14-3-3ß protein levels were positively correlated with blood neutrophil levels (P < 0.05), and negatively related to lung function parameters in stable COPD patients (P < 0.01). When the cutoff value was set at 29.53 ng/ml, the ROC curve yielded a sensitivity of 84.9% and a specificity of 68.3% for diagnosing stable COPD. The 14-3-3ß protein may be a potential serum biomarker for the diagnosis of stable COPD patients, which is associated with disease severity, systemic inflammation, and small airway obstruction.

Osthole Attenuates Macrophage Activation in Experimental Asthma by Inhibitingthe NF-ĸB/MIF Signaling Pathway.

Inhibition of activated macrophages is an alternative therapeutic strategy for asthma. We investigated whether a coumarin compound, osthole, isolated from Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss, alleviated macrophage activation in vivo and in vitro. Osthole could reduce expression of a marker of activated macrophages, cluster of differentiation (CD)206, in an ovalbumin-challenge model of asthma in mice. Osthole could also inhibit infiltration of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition and production of proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-ɑ, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)] in asthmatic mice. In vitro, expression of phosphorylated-IĸBɑ, MIF and M2 cytokines (Ym-1, Fizz-1, arginase-1) in IL-4-induced macrophages decreased upon exposure to the NF-ĸB inhibitor MG-132. In our short hairpin (sh)RNA-MIF-knockdown model, reduced expression of M2 cytokines was detected in the IL-4 + shRNA-MIF group. Osthole could attenuate the proliferation and migration of an IL-4-induced rat alveolar macrophages line (NR8383). Osthole could reduce IL-4-induced translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB) in NR8383 cells. Collectively, our results suggest that osthole ameliorates macrophage activation in asthma by suppressing the NF-ĸB/MIF signaling pathway, and might be a potential agent for treating asthma.

Smoking Status Modifies the Relationship between Th2 Biomarkers and Small Airway Obstruction in Asthma.

Background: Cigarette smoking and Th2-inflammation are both crucial in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, it is unknown whether smoking can affect the association between Th2-inflammation and small airway obstruction in adults with asthma. Methods: Adults diagnosed with asthma by a pulmonologist according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were recruited from September 2016 to April 2018 to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two groups, the small airway obstruction group (those with FEF25-75% predicted value ≤ 65%) and the normal small airway function group (those with FEF25-75% predicted value > 65%). Final data analysis included 385 and 93 people in the Obstructive Group and the Normal Group, respectively. Total serum IgE level and blood eosinophil count were used as biomarkers of the Th2 phenotype. Results: The Obstructive Group had a larger fraction of smokers, higher blood eosinophil count, and lower lung function than the Normal Group. Current-smoking status was associated with an increased risk of small airway obstruction (adjusted odds ratio = 4.677, 95% confidence interval [1.593-13.730]); and log-IgE level was associated with a decreased risk of small airway obstruction (0.403 [0.216-0.754]). Smoking status stratified analysis showed an association between log-IgE level and a decreased risk of small airway obstruction only in never-smoker asthmatics (0.487 [0.249-0.954]). Conclusions: Current-smoking status and total serum IgE are, respectively, associated with small airway obstruction. Smoking status modifies the relationship between Th2 biomarkers and small airway function. These findings contribute to the understanding of risk factors associated with asthma endotyping.

The Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in Asthmatic Airway Remodeling.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have demonstrated that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is of importance in asthmatic inflammation. The role of MIF in modulating airway remodeling has not yet been thoroughly elucidated to date. In the present study, we hypothesized that MIF promoted airway remodeling by intensifying airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) autophagy and explored the specific mechanisms. METHODS: MIF knockdown in the lung tissues of C57BL/6 mice was conducted by instilling intratracheally adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (MIF-mutant AAV9) into mouse lung tissues. Mice genetically deficient in the autophagy marker ATG5 (ATG5+/-) was used to detect the role of autophagy in ovalbumin (OVA)-asthmatic murine models. Moreover, to block the expression of MIF and CD74 in vitro models, inhibitors, antibodies and lentivirus transfection techniques were employed. RESULTS: First, MIF knockdown in the lung tissues of mice showed markedly reduced airway remodeling in OVA murine mice models. Secondly, ASMC autophagy was increased in the OVA-challenged models. Mice genetically deficient in the autophagy marker ATG5 (ATG5+/-) that were primed and challenged with OVA showed lower airway remodeling than genetically wild-type asthmatic mice. Thirdly, MIF can induce ASMC autophagy in vitro. Moreover, the cellular source of MIF which promoted ASMC autophagy was macrophages. Finally, MIF promoted ASMC autophagy in a CD74-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: MIF can increase asthmatic airway remodeling by enhancing ASMC autophagy. Macrophage-derived MIF can promote ASMC autophagy by targeting CD74.

IL-24 deficiency protects mice against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by repressing IL-4-induced M2 program in macrophages.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and has one of the poorest prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying IPF progression remain largely unknown. In this study, we determined that IL-24, an IL-20 subfamily cytokine member, was increased both in the serum of IPF patients and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice following bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. As a result, IL-24 deficiency protected mice from BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Specifically, loss of IL-24 significantly attenuated transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) production and reduced M2 macrophage infiltration in the lung of BLM-induced mice. Mechanistically, IL-24 alone did not show a perceptible impact on the induction of M2 macrophages, but it synergized with IL-4 to promote M2 program in macrophages. IL-24 suppressed IL-4-induced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and SOCS3, through which it enhanced signal transducer and activator of transcription 6/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (STAT6/PPARγ) signaling, thereby promoting IL-4-induced production of M2 macrophages. Collectively, our data support that IL-24 synergizes with IL-4 to promote macrophage M2 program contributing to the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

MicroRNA-16 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of human lung cancer cells by modulating the expression of YAP1.

PURPOSE: Accounting for significant human morbidity and mortality across the globe, lung cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer as far as incidence and mortality is concerned. MicroRNAs (miRs) have shown an amazing potential to act as therapeutic agents for the management of several human diseases. This study investigated the function of miR-16 in lung cancer. METHODS: The normal lung cancer cell line MRC3 and lung cancer cell lines SK-MES-1, A549, MS-53 and SK-LU-1 were used in the present study. The qRT-PCR was used for expression profiling of miR-16 and yes associated protein 1 (YAP1). WST-1 assay was used to monitor the proliferation rate. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis. Apoptosis was examined by DAPI and annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. TargetScan analysis was performed to identify the potential target of miR-16 and western blot analysis was done to estimate the protein expression. RESULTS: The gene expression analysis showed miR-16 to be suppressed in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-16 inhibited the growth and metastasis of the DMS-53 lung cancer cells via induction of the apoptotic cell death. Bioinformatic approaches revealed miR-16 exerts its effects by targeting YAP1. YAPI expression was found elevated in lung cancer tissues and its silencing halted the growth of the DMS-53 lung cancer cells. Nonetheless, YAP1 overexpression could reverse the growth inhibitory effects of miR-16. CONCLUSION: Taken together, miR-16 may serve as novel therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancer.

Fixed Ratio Versus Lower Limit of Normal: Health Status and Risk Factors for COPD Overdiagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The threshold of the lower limit of the normal range of lung function has been suggested to be more accurate than the 0.7 fixed ratio (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) for a diagnosis of COPD. We aimed to explore the health status and risk factors of patients overdiagnosed with COPD when using the lower limit of the normal range as a diagnostic reference. METHODS: Subjects with COPD diagnosed by a pulmonologist according to guidelines of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease were recruited from October 2016 to April 2018. Overdiagnosed COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC that meets the criterion of the 0.7 fixed ratio but not the the lower limit of the normal range criterion. Spirometry and questionnaires were performed by eligible subjects. RESULTS: Of the 513 subjects included in the final analysis, 20 (3.9%) were overdiagnosed when using the lower limit of the normal range as the diagnostic reference. The subjects who were overdiagnosed were older, weighed more, had better lung function, lower modified Medical British Research Council scores, and higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and 36-item Short Form Survey scores than the subjects who were correctly diagnosed. Older age, heavier weight, exposure to cooking oil fumes, or a new-built or newly renovated home were associated with an increased risk of overdiagnosis of COPD (age adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.26; weight adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13; exposure to cooking oil fumes adjusted OR 3.00, 95% CI, 1.04-8.68; exposure to new-built or newly renovated home adjusted OR 10.88, 95% CI 1.46-80.87. CONCLUSIONS: The subjects with overdiagnosed COPD had a better health status and lung function than the subjects who were correctly diagnosed. Older age, heavier weight, and exposure to cooking oil fumes or a new-built or newly renovated home were factors associated with the overdiagnosis of COPD. These findings may help reduce overdiagnosis of COPD.

Airway reversibility in asthma and phenotypes of Th2-biomarkers, lung function and disease control.

BACKGROUND: High bronchodilator reversibility in adult asthma is associated with distinct clinical characteristics. In this study, we aim to make a comparison with T-helper 2 (Th2)-related biomarkers, lung function and asthma control between asthmatic patients with high airway reversibility (HR) and low airway reversibility (LR). METHODS: Patients with asthma diagnosed by pulmonologist according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were recruited from the outpatient department of our hospital from August 2014 to July 2017. Patients were divided into HR and LR subgroups based on their response to bronchodilators of lung function (HR = Δforced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) postbronchodilator ≥ 20%). Blood eosinophil count and serum IgE level, which are biomarkers of T-helper (Th)-2 phenotypes, were detected for patients. Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to assess asthma control after the first-month initial treatment. RESULTS: A total of 265 patients with asthma were followed 1 month after initial treatment. HR group shows a higher level of Th2-high biomarkers (blood eosinophil count (10^9/L): 0.49 ± 0.28 vs 0.36 ± 0.19, P < 0.01; IgE (ng/ml): 1306 ± 842 vs 413 ± 261, P < 0.01), lower baseline lung function (FEV1%pred: 51.91 ± 19.34% vs 60.42 ± 19.22%, P < 0.01; forced expiratory flow (FEF)25-75: 0.76 ± 0.37 vs 1.00 ± 0.67, P < 0.01; FEF25-75%pred: 21.15 ± 10.09% vs 29.06 ± 16.50%, P < 0.01), and better asthma control (ACT score: 22 ± 4 vs 20 ± 4, P = 0.01) than LR group. HR was associated with a decreased risk of uncontrolled asthma after the first-month initial treatment (adjusted OR: 0.12 [95% confidence intervals: 0.03-0.50]). CONCLUSIONS: HR is a physiologic indicator of lower lung function and severer small airway obstruction, and is more related with an increased level of Th2-biomarkers than LR. Moreover, HR may indicate controlled asthma after the first-month initial treatment. This finding may contribute to identification of asthma endotype.

Fast Constrained Spectral Clustering and Cluster Ensemble with Random Projection.

Constrained spectral clustering (CSC) method can greatly improve the clustering accuracy with the incorporation of constraint information into spectral clustering and thus has been paid academic attention widely. In this paper, we propose a fast CSC algorithm via encoding landmark-based graph construction into a new CSC model and applying random sampling to decrease the data size after spectral embedding. Compared with the original model, the new algorithm has the similar results with the increase of its model size asymptotically; compared with the most efficient CSC algorithm known, the new algorithm runs faster and has a wider range of suitable data sets. Meanwhile, a scalable semisupervised cluster ensemble algorithm is also proposed via the combination of our fast CSC algorithm and dimensionality reduction with random projection in the process of spectral ensemble clustering. We demonstrate by presenting theoretical analysis and empirical results that the new cluster ensemble algorithm has advantages in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, the approximate preservation of random projection in clustering accuracy proved in the stage of consensus clustering is also suitable for the weighted k-means clustering and thus gives the theoretical guarantee to this special kind of k-means clustering where each point has its corresponding weight.

Expression and clinical significance of SALL4 and LGR5 in patients with lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer worldwide, in terms of incidence and mortality. Due to challenges in the diagnosis of the disease, the 5-year overall survival rate is only ~16%. Previous studies have suggested that malignant transformations originate from adult stem cells, and malignant lesions may therefore express stem-cell-associated markers. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression and clinical significance of the stem cell-associated markers Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) and leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) in lung cancer, and to provide novel diagnostic markers and targets for the treatment of lung cancer. The expression of the stem cell-associated markers SALL4 and LGR5 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry performed on 135 human lung cancer tissue specimens and 10 non-cancer lung tissue specimens. The clinical significance of the expression of these markers and correlation between their expression and clinical parameters was also assessed. SALL4 expression was highly upregulated in lung cancer tissues, but was not present in non-cancerous lung tissues, and the sensitivity and specificity of SALL4 reached 88% and 100%, respectively. By contrast, LGR5 demonstrated 97% sensitivity, but the specificity was poor. Therefore, SALL4 may be an extremely useful diagnostic marker for lung cancer, but LGR5 is not as useful.

[Effects of TOLL-like receptor 4 on passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells proliferation and synthesis and secretion function of TGF-beta1].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activation of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) on passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) proliferation and the synthesis and secretion function. METHODS: Through the cultivation of primary HASMCs, we studied TLR4 expression on cell surface, cell proliferation and transformation of parturient factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in asthma under the condition of synthesis and secretion level by passively sensitized HASMCs with asthma serum. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in passive sensitized group and TNF-alpha group TLR4 expression were significantly increased (P < 0.01), significantly enhanced proliferation (P < 0.01), total protein concentration, IgE secretion and TGF-beta1 were significantly higher (P < 0.01); and all the above parameters were increased more significantly in TNF group compared with those in the target effect of passively group; and those parameters were significantly reduced in anti-TLR4 antibody group compared with those in the target effect both of passively sensitized group and TNF-alpha group. CONCLUSION: TLR4 on passively sensitized HASMCs activated can induce the excessive proliferation of HASMCs and a large number of synthesis and secretion of TGF-beta1, resulting in changing airway micro-environment, which involved in airway remodeling in asthma.

Expression of seven stem-cell-associated markers in human airway biopsy specimens obtained via fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have suggested that malignant transformations originate from adult stem cells, and may thus express the stem-cell-associated markers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differential expression and clinical significance of seven stem-cell-associated markers (Bmi1, CD133, CD44, Sox2, Nanog, OCT4 and Msi2) in lung cancer, providing new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the differential expression of mRNA levels seven stem-cell-associated markers by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from 112 human lung cancer and 18 non-cancer tissues obtained by bronchoscopy. We further verified the differential expression of these markers by immunohistochemistry in 50 lung cancer specimens, 30 benign inflammatory lesion tissues and 20 non-tumor adjacent lung tissues. RESULTS: With the exception of OCT4, other markers Bmi1, CD133, CD44, Sox2, Nanog and Msi2 mRNA and protein were abundantly expressed in lung cancer. Additionally, Nanog expression was highly upregulated in lung cancer tissues and rarely presented in non-cancerous lung tissues, the sensitivity and specificity of Nanog mRNA reached 63.4% and 66.7%, respectively. Nanog therefore possessed high diagnostic value, however, CD44, Bmi1 and CD133 showed poor diagnostic value in lung cancer. CONCLUSION: Nanog may serve as a promising diagnostic marker of lung cancer and potential therapeutic target in lung cancer.

[The effect of LPS on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and TLR4 expression in asthmatic rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA in asthmatic rats. METHODS: Twenty-four SPF level SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, low dose of LPS group, high dose of LPS group and asthma group. Using ovalbumin (OVA) to sensitize and challenge to establish asthmatic rat model. Observed pathological changes of lung tissue by HE staining, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by airway wall eosinophils (EOS) counts; airway resistance was determined; image analysis software was used to determine the thickness of airway wall, detected airway smooth muscle TLR4 expression levels by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The rat airway resistance and the EOS number of airway wall and the thickness of airway wall in asthma group, low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of high dose of LPS group showed significantly lower than those in asthma group and low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). The expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in asthma group (P < 0.01). And the expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in high dose of LPS group was significantly higher than that in low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TLR4 plays an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling, LPS may play double-sided regulation in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling by activated TLR4.