Effect and mechanism of gomisin D on the isoproterenol induced myocardial injury in H9C2 cells and mice.

We established myocardial injury models in vivo and in vitro to investigate the cardioprotective effect of gomisin D obtained from Schisandra chinensis. Gomisin D significantly inhibited isoproterenol-induced apoptosis and hypertrophy in H9C2 cells. Gomisin D decreased serum BNP, ANP, CK-MB, cTn-T levels and histopathological alterations, and inhibited myocardial hypertrophy in mice. In mechanisms research, gomisin D reversed ISO-induced accumulation of intracellular ROS and Ca2+. Gomisin D further improved mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders by regulating the TCA cycle. These results demonstrated that gomisin D had a significant effect on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, calcium overload and improving mitochondrial energy metabolism.

SAF-248, a novel PI3Kδ-selective inhibitor, potently suppresses the growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PI3Kδ is expressed predominately in leukocytes and overexpressed in B-cell-related malignances. PI3Kδ has been validated as a promising target for cancer therapy, and specific PI3Kδ inhibitors were approved for clinical practice. However, the substantial toxicity and relatively low efficacy as a monotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) limit their clinical use. In this study, we described a novel PI3Kδ inhibitor SAF-248, which exhibited high selectivity for PI3Kδ (IC50 = 30.6 nM) over other PI3K isoforms at both molecular and cellular levels, while sparing most of the other human protein kinases in the kinome profiling. SAF-248 exhibited superior antiproliferative activity against 27 human lymphoma and leukemia cell lines compared with the approved PI3Kδ inhibitor idelalisib. In particular, SAF-248 potently inhibited the proliferation of a panel of seven DLBCL cell lines (with GI50 values < 1 µM in 5 DLBCL cell lines). We demonstrated that SAF-248 concentration-dependently blocked PI3K signaling followed by inducing G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in DLBCL KARPAS-422, Pfeiffer and TMD8 cells. Its activity against the DLBCL cells was negatively correlated to the protein level of PI3Kα. Oral administration of SAF-248 dose-dependently inhibited the growth of xenografts derived from Pfeiffer and TMD8 cells. Activation of mTORC1, MYC and JAK/STAT signaling was observed upon prolonged treatment and co-targeting these pathways would potentiate the activity of SAF-248. Taken together, SAF-248 is a promising selective PI3Kδ inhibitor for the treatment of DLBCL and rational drug combination would further improve its efficacy.

Gas permeation rates of ultrathin graphite sealed SiO2 cavities.

Despite the proven impermeability of graphene toward most standard gases, graphene/graphite sealed SiO2 cavities always exhibit a nonzero leak rate, and the physical leakage mechanism is still unclear. By measuring leak rates of different gases for the same cavities sealed by ultrathin graphite under identical conditions, we find that the leak rates generally depend on the kinetic diameter of the gas molecules, which implies that the leakage is caused by a molecular sieving mechanism. By comparing different samples, we find that the leak rate of any gas in a particular sample is well predicted by the leak rate of N2 in that sample. In addition, we observe enhanced leak rates of water-soluble molecules. We infer that the leakage path (i.e., the graphene/graphite-SiO2 interface) favors hydrophilic species.

[Community-based Home Hospice Care Model under the Guidance of Tertiary Hospitals].

Community-based home hospice care provided by community service centers and family physician teams aims to alleviate the suffering of terminally ill patients and help them to receive end-of-life care and pass away at home.The Puhuangyu Community Health Service Center established the home hospice care model of PUMCH-Puhuangyu Coordination at the end of 2019.The model has been practiced and improved to date.This paper introduces this model of home hospice care.

[Experience of Community-based Home Hospice Care Practice for 24 Patients in Beijing Puhuangyu Community].

Objective To investigate the feasibility of home hospice care based on the practical experience in Puhuangyu community of Beijing.Methods We selected the patients assessed by hospice care team and receiving home hospice care from Puhuangyu Community Health Service Center of Beijing from January 1,2020 to December 31,2021.The clinical manifestations,hospice services received,and place of death of the patients were analyzed. Results A total of 24 patients were included in this study.They mainly suffered from malignant tumors(18 patients,75.0%),with pain as the most common symptom(12 patients,50.0%).The patients received a variety of hospice services through a combination of outpatient visits,home visits,and WeChat follow-up.The service time of each patient was(2.8±1.7) h each week on average and 57.9%(11/19) of the patients passed away at home. Conclusions The home hospice care in Puhuangyu community has a stable source of patients.The members of this hospice team can provide a variety of home hospice services.With this model,the wish to pass away at home can be achievable for most patients.Therefore,this model of community-based home hospice care is feasible.

Manipulating PML SUMOylation via Silencing UBC9 and RNF4 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis.

The promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is essential in the assembly of dynamic subnuclear structures called PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which are involved in regulating diverse cellular functions. However, the possibility of PML being involved in cardiac disease has not been examined. In mice undergoing transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) injection, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) was upregulated along with dynamic alteration of PML SUMOylation. In cultured neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts (NMCFs), ATO, angiotensin II (Ang II), and fetal bovine serum (FBS) significantly triggered PML SUMOylation and the assembly of PML-NBs. Inhibition of SUMOylated PML by silencing UBC9, the unique SUMO E2-conjugating enzyme, reduced the development of cardiac fibrosis and partially improved cardiac function in TAC mice. In contrast, enhancing SUMOylated PML accumulation, by silencing RNF4, a poly-SUMO-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, accelerated the induction of cardiac fibrosis and promoted cardiac function injury. PML colocalized with Pin1 (a positive regulator for TGF-ß1 mRNA expression in PML-NBs) and increased TGF-ß1 activity. These findings suggest that the UBC9/PML/RNF4 axis plays a critical role as an important SUMO pathway in cardiac fibrosis. Modulating the protein levels of the pathway provides an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.

Isolation and Screening of High-Yielding α-Amylase Mutants of Bacillus subtilis by Heavy Ion Mutagenesis.

To improve fermentative production of α-amylase, heavy-ion mutagenesis technology was used to irradiate Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) to obtain the high yielding mutants in this study. After continuous cultivation for 12 generations, eight mutants exhibited positive mutation rate with greater H/C. The α-amylase production was stable and obviously exceeded that by the parent strain, which shows that the mutants have a good genetic stability. Among the mutants, the α-amylase activity of B. subtilis KC-180-2 was 72.26 U·mL-1, which was 82.34% higher than that of the original strain. After optimization of fermentation conditions and media, the α-amylase activity of B. subtilis KC-180-2 reached a maximum of 156.83 U·mL-1 at 36 h in a bioreactor. In addition, the optimized fermentation temperature of B. subtilis KC-180-2 was increased to 49℃, indicating B. subtilis KC-180-2 possesses high-temperature resistance, which has great application prospects for industrial fermentation for α-amylase production.

Sustained Improvement of Appropriateness in Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis with the Application of Quality Control Circle.

Purpose: Quality control circle (QCC) has acquired success in many fields in healthcare industry as a process management tool, whereas its efficacy in surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) remains unknown. This study aimed to implement QCC interventions to improve the appropriateness of SAP. Methods: A QCC activity team was established to grasp the current situation of SAP in clean surgery procedure, set target, formulate corresponding countermeasures and implement and review them in stages. The plan-do-check-act (PDCA) method was cyclically applied. Results: The appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis before (January to December 2020) and after (January to December 2021) the implementation of QCC activities were evaluated based on relevant international and Chinese SAP guidelines. The overall SAP appropriateness was significantly improved from 68.72% before QCC to 93.7% post QCC implementation (P<0.01). A significant improvement (P<0.05) was also determined for each category: selection (from 78.82% to 96.06%), duration (from 90.15% to 96.46%), indication (from 94.09% to 97.64%), timing of first dose (from 96.55% to 99.21%), antimicrobial usage (from 96.8% to 99.41%), re-dosing of antimicrobial (from 96.55% to 99.21%). Conclusion: Implementation of a QCC program can optimize the use of antibiotics and improve the appropriateness of SAP and is of practical importance to their standardization.

Predicting ventilator-associated pneumonia in elderly patients requiring mechanical ventilation through the detection in tracheal aspirates.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the clinical utility of tracheal aspirates α-amylase (AM), pepsin, and lipid-laden macrophage index (LLMI) in the early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in elderly patients on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Within 96 hours of tracheal intubation, tracheal aspirate specimens were collected from elderly patients on mechanical ventilation; AM, pepsin, and LLMI were detected, and we analyzed the potential of each index individually and in combination in diagnosing VAP. RESULTS: Patients with VAP had significantly higher levels of AM, pepsin, and LLMI compared to those without VAP (P < 0.001), and there was a positive correlation between the number of pre-intubation risk factors of aspiration and the detection value of each index in patients with VAP (P < 0.001). The area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of AM, pepsin, and LLMI in diagnosis of VAP were 0.821 (95% CI:0.713-0.904), 0.802 (95% CI:0.693-0.892), and 0.621 (95% CI:0.583-0.824), the sensitivities were 0.8815, 0.7632, and 0.6973, the specificities were 0.8495, 0.8602, and 0.6291, and the cutoff values were 4,321.5 U/L, 126.61 ng/ml, and 173.5, respectively. The AUC for the combination of indexes in diagnosing VAP was 0.905 (95% CI:0.812-0.934), and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.9211 and 0.9332, respectively. In the tracheal aspirate specimens, the detection rate of AM ≥ cutoff was the highest, while it was the lowest for LLMI (P < 0.001). The detection rates of AM ≥ cutoff and pepsin ≥ cutoff were higher within 48 hours after intubation than within 48-96 hours after intubation (P < 0.001). In contrast, the detection rate of LLMI ≥ cutoff was higher within 48-96 hours after intubation than within 48 hours after intubation (P < 0.001). The risk factors for VAP identified using logistic multivariate analysis included pre-intubation aspiration risk factors (≥3), MDR bacteria growth in tracheal aspirates, and tracheal aspirate AM ≥ 4,321.5 U/L, pepsin ≥ 126.61 ng/ml, and LLMI ≥ 173.5. CONCLUSION: The detection of AM, pepsin, and LLMI in tracheal aspirates has promising clinical utility as an early warning biomarker of VAP in elderly patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

[Molecular mechanism of hydroxyurea enhances K562 cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism via which the chemotherapeutic drug hydroxyurea (HU) enhances K562 cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). METHODS: Chronic myelogenous leukemia-derived K562 and SVT-35 cells were treated with recombinant soluble TRAIL (rsTRAIL) alone or combined with HU for a time course, and the cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-4-sulfophenyl-2H-tetrazolium-phenazine methosulphate assay. Western blot was performed to analyze the activation of apoptosis-related protein kinases and the expression of apoptosis inhibitor molecules. RESULTS: The survival rates of SVT-35 and K562 cells treated with 1 µg/ml rsTRAIL for 24 hours were 32% and 93%, respectively. HU significantly increased the sensitivity of K562 cells to rsTRAIL cytotoxicity. Combination of rsTRAIL and HU resulted in the phosphorylation of rat sarcoma (RAS), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase and in the significant reduction of apoptosis-inhibited molecule Fas associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1 beta-convening enzyme inhibitory protein and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 in K562 cells. CONCLUSIONS: HU enhanced K562 cell sensitivity to rsTRAIL is mediated by Ras-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Expression of antiapoptotic proteins cellular Fas associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1 beta-convening enzyme inhibitory protein and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 is also down-regulated during this process. These results may through light on the therapeutic study of human chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and in vitro biological evaluation of N-arylethyl isoquinoline derivatives as Coxsackievirus B3 inhibitors.

Currently, there is no approved antiviral drug for the infection caused by enteroviruses. A series of novel N-arylethyl isoquinoline derivatives defined with substituents on the ring A and C were designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their activities against Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). The primary structure-activity relationship revealed that substituents on the ring A were not beneficial for the activity. Among these analogs synthesized, compound 7f bearing a methylenedioxy at the R(4) and R(5) positions afforded an anti-CVB3 activity and a reasonable selectivity index (SI=26.8); furthermore, 7f exhibited a moderate activity against enterovirus 71 (EV71) with SI value of 9.0. Thus it has been selected as an anti-enteroviral lead compound for further investigation.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and biological evaluation of novel N-substituted matrinic acid derivatives as host heat-stress cognate 70 (Hsc70) down-regulators.

Oxymatrine (1) is a natural anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug that down-regulates host heat-stress cognate 70 (Hsc70) expression through a mechanism different from that of nucleosides. Taking Hsc70 as a target against HBV, 26 novel N-substituted matrinic acid analogs were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their regulation of Hsc70 mRNA expression with 1 as the lead. The SAR analysis revealed that (i) the carboxyl group at the 11-position was required for activity; (ii) introducing of a substituent on the nitrogen atom at the 12-position of 3, especially substituted benzyl, might significantly improve the activity. Among these analogs, compound 9p possessing N-p-methoxylbenzyl afforded an increased anti-HBV effect in comparison with 1. We consider 9p a promising anti-HBV candidate.

Synthesis and in vitro antitubercular evaluation of novel sansanmycin derivatives.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem worldwide. A series of novel sansanmycin derivatives were designed, semi-synthesized and evaluated for their activity against drug-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H(37)Rv with sansanmycin A (SSA) as the lead. Among these analogs tested, compound 1d possessing an isopropyl group at the amino terminal afforded an increased antimycobacterial activity with a MIC value of 8 µg/mL in comparison with SSA. Importantly, it was active for rifampicin- and isoniazid-resistant M. tuberculosis strain isolated from patients in China. These promising results offer an opportunity for further exploration of this novel class of analogs as antitubercular agents.

[Expression and tumoricidal activity of a human-mouse chimeric anti-DR5 antibody through a Furin/2A peptide].

OBJECTIVE: To express a full-length human-mouse chimeric anti-DR5 antibody from a single open reading frame with tumoricidal activity to various cancer cells. METHODS: The heavy and light chains of chimeric antibody were joined by the Furin and 2A (F/2A) self-cleavage peptide and cloned into a lentiviral vector of pWPXL. Then the HEK293 cells were infected with the constructed expression vector pWPXL-HF2AL. Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and MTS assay were used to detect the chimeric antibody expression, cleavage, binding affinity to the antigen and tumoricidal activity to various tumor cells. RESULTS: The recombinant chimeric antibody was successfully expressed from a single open reading frame in pWPXL-HF2AL construct. And it possessed a similar binding affinity to the parental murine counterpoint and strong tumoricidal activity to various cancer cells. For example, on the concentration of 3 µg/ml, it made the relative cells viability of HCT116, SMMC7721, A549 and U251 down to 20.6% ± 2.6%, 35.1% ± 2.7%, 76.1% ± 6.1% and 15.6% ± 2.0% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The human-mouse chimeric anti-DR5 antibody of F/2A peptide is successfully expressed. Possessing a strong tumoricidal activity in various cancer cells, it may provide a novel strategy for cancer biotherapy.

[Killing effects of controllable expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand from mesenchymal stem cells on hepatocellular carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the controllable expression of soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in mesenchymal stem cells and evaluate its potential tumoricidal effects in cancer therapy. METHODS: The controllable TRAIL expression vector of Ad-Tet-TRE-TRAIL was established in an adenovirus vector for transfection into murine mesenchymal stem cells. The controllable expression and secretion of TRAIL were detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells was determined by MTT assay. The tumoricidal activity of TRAIL was determined by Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The murine expression model of TRAIL was successfully established in the presence of doxycycline. The secreted TRAIL in cell culture medium could efficaciously suppress the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7402 by induced apoptosis. The cell viability of SMMC-7402 was 66.5% ± 4.8% and 42.9% ± 6.5% at post-treatment versus 97.3% ± 2.2% and 99.4% ± 4.7% in the control group at 24 h and 48 h. CONCLUSION: The controllable TRAIL expression mediated by mesenchymal stem cells kills human hepatocellular carcinoma cells effectively. And it may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Combination of AD5-10 and epirubicin in treating rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of anti-death receptor 5-10 (AD5-10) combined with epirubicin in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We detected the cell viability of the fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients with MTT. The expression level of apoptosis signaling pathways protein, p53, and p21 were evaluated with Western blot. RESULTS: We found that epirubicin, at different doses, could enhance the effect of AD5-10 on FLS, promoting the apoptosis of FLS. The expression levels of caspase-3, -8, -9, c-FLIP, Bcl-2, p53, and p21 in the FLS changed after epirubicin treatment. CONCLUSION: Epirubicin may coordinate with AD5-10 in inducing FLS apoptosis through affecting the levels of p53, p21, c-FLIP, and Bcl-2.

[Relationships of three microsatellite loci with GSH-Px, SOD and Na+/K+-ATP enzyme activities and daily milk yield in different seasons in Holstein cows].

Genetic variation of three microsatellite loci BMS2258, SOD1, and BM723, which were closely correlated with GSH-Px, SOD, and Na+/K+-ATPase genes, was analyzed in 130 Holstein cows by PCR and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis. Polymorphic information content, effective number of alleles and heterozygosity of these microsatellite loci were determined. Relationships of the three microsatellite loci with enzyme activities and daily milk yields in Holstein cows were analyzed by least squares linear model. The results showed significant correlations of the three microsatellite loci with their corresponding enzyme activities and daily milk yield in summer and fall (Plt;0.05). The least square means of GSH-Px activities and daily milk yields for BMS2258 (182 bp/164 bp), SOD activities for SOD1 (148 bp/148 bp), and daily milk yields for SOD1 (148 bp/146 bp), Na+/K+-ATPase activities and daily milk yields for BM723 (161 bp/111 bp) were relatively higher. These genotypes were the most favorable genotypes for enzyme activity and daily milk yields in summer and fall, which could be references for marker assisted selection in heat resistance traits in dairy cattle.

[Analysis of HSP70 mRNA level and association between linked microsatellite loci and heat tolerance traits in dairy cows].

The objective of this study was to investigate the variation of HSP70 mRNA level in dairy cows and relationships of its closely linked microsatellite loci with heat tolerance traits. Blood samples were collected from ten healthy Holstein cows with the same age and milking stage at different temperatures-humid-index (THI) (86.2, high temperature; 70.9, critical high temperature, and 56.8, optimum temperature). The mRNA levels of HSP70 of lymphocytes in peripheral blood were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. The mRNA level of HSP70 was increased with the THI; the mRNA level of HSP70 at high temperature was higher than others (P<0.01). This indicated that the bovine HSP70 gene may act as a potential can-didate gene for response to heat shock. Genetic variation of three microsatellite loci BMS468, BM1258, and BM1815, which were closely linked to HSP70 gene on chromosome 23, was analyzed in 160 Holstein cows with non-denaturing poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The association between these microsatellite loci and heat tolerance traits were analyzed by least square linear model. The results showed that 134 bp/128 bp at BMS468 and 186 bp/148 bp at BM1815 were the most favorable genotypes for HTC, red cell potassium, and decrement rate of milk yield in high temperature (P<0.05); 101 bp/99 bp at BM1258 was the most favorable genotype for decrement rate of milk yield in high temperature (P<0.05).

Postischemic administration of Z-Ligustilide ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and brain damage induced by permanent forebrain ischemia in rats.

Previous studies have demonstrated that Z-Ligustilide (LIG), a characterized phthalide constituent present in numerous medical Umbelliferae plants, has significant neuroprotective effects in transient forebrain ischemia and permanent cerebral focal ischemia. The present study further investigated the effect of LIG on chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Male Wistar rats were subjected to permanent ligation of both common carotid arteries (2VO). On Days 8-12 postsurgery, rat cognition was assessed in the Morris water maze. Rats with significantly impaired acquisition of spatial information were randomly allocated to three groups and orally administered LIG (10 or 40 mg/kg/day) or volume-matched vehicle on Days 13-40 post-2VO surgery. The sham-operated group served as controls. After long-term treatment with LIG, the impaired animals' behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological features were examined. Compared to the sham-operated group, significant cognitive impairment was observed in the vehicle-treated group 40 days after 2VO. Shortened mean escape latency was detected in the Morris water maze in rats treated with LIG (p<0.01 vs. vehicle-treated group) during the same trial days. Chronic 2VO-induced pathological changes included neuronal loss and an increase of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocytes in the hippocampus. These effects were prevented with LIG treatment (p<0.01 vs. vehicle-treated group). LIG also significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and increased superoxide dismutase activity in ischemic brain tissue (p<0.05 and p<0.01 vs. vehicle-treated group). In addition, LIG significantly increased choline acetyltransferase activity and inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in ischemic brain tissues (p<0.05 and p<0.01 vs. vehicle-treated group). The present data demonstrate that LIG significantly prevented chronically hypoperfused cognitive deficits and brain damage at least partly through an antioxidant effect and improved cholinergic activity. The present findings suggest that LIG may have therapeutic potential in treating vascular dementia and cerebrovascular insufficiency.

[Effects of human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter and survivin promoter in targeted tumor gene therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter and survivin promoter in tumor-specific gene therapy. METHODS: hTERT promoter and survivin promoter were obtained by PCR using Jurkat genomic DNA. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing exogenous TRAIL gene and hTERT promoter or survivin promoter were constructed and designated as rAAV-hTERT-TRAIL (h/TRAIL) or rAAV-survivin-TRAIL (s/TRAIL). rAAV particles were obtained after packing and purification and the virus titer was calculated by real-time PCR. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells of the lines SMMC-7721, BEL-7402, HepG2, and Hep3B, and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) were transfected with h/TRAIL or s/TRAIL. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of the reporter gene enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), so as to examine the activity of the two promoters. MTT method was used to detect the activity of the cells. Fifteen BalB/C mice underwent subcutaneous injection of SMMC-7721 cells so as to establish tumor models and then were randomly divided into 3 groups to undergo intra-tumor injection of h/TRAIL, s/TRAIL, or PBS. The growth of tumor was observed for 5 weeks, and then peripheral blood samples were collected to examine the serum AST and ALT levels. TUNEL was used to detect the apoptosis if the tumor cells. RESULTS: All the SMMC-7721, BEL-7402, HepG2, and Hep3B cells driven by both h/TRAIL and s/TRAIL showed EGFP expression, however, no fluorescence could be seen in the PHHs transfected with h/TRAIL and s/ TRAIL. MTT method showed that 72 hours after the transfection of h/TRAIL and s/TRAIL the survival rates of the SMMC-7721, BEL-7402, and HepG2 cells all decreased, however, the survival rate of the Hep3B cells and PHHs did not changed significantly. The size of the subcutaneous tumor of the mice of the h/ TRAIL group was 625 mm3, significantly smaller than that of the PBS group (1500 mm3, P <0.05), however, the tumor size of the s/TRAIL group was 1117 mm3, not significantly different from that of the PBS group (P >0.05). The AST and ALT levels of all mice did not change significantly 5 weeks after the intratumor injection. CONCLUSION: Tumor-specific promoters are promising candidates in targeted tumor gene therapy.