[Follow-up study on autogenous osteochondral transplantation for cartilage defect of knee joint].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical effect of autologous osteochondral transplantation in treating localized knee cartilage defects. METHODS: Fifteen patients with knee cartilage defects were treated by autologous osteochondral transplantation from January 2007 to January 2008, including 8 females and 7 males, aged from 23 to 45 years old. Preoperative and postoperative KSS score at 10 years were compared. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 10.0 to 10.7 years, with an average of(10.2±0.3) years. Clinical score of KSS was improved from 38.86±4.09 to 85.07±2.19 at 10 years after operation(P<0.05), functional score increased from 3.33±4.88 to 82.67±4.58 at 10 years after operation(P<0.05), KSS score was improved form 42.20±7.84 befor operation to 167.73±6.29 at 10 years after operation, and had statistical differences before and after operation. While there was no statistical difference in stability of knee joint(P>0.05). All patients had no other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Through long-term follow-up of patients with cartilage defect in knee treated by autologous bone cartilage transplantation showed that this method could effectively improve function of knee joint and alleviate pain. So it is an effective method for repair of osteochondral defect.

[Role of 8-allyl Garcinol in the Chemoprevention of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma].

Objective To evaluate the chemopreventive effects of 8-allyl garcinol on oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Methods OSCC cell line CAL27 were cultured and treated with different concentrations of garcinol or 8-allyl garcinol. Their effects on the biological behaviors of OSCC cell line CAL27 were measured by MTT assay,clony formation assay,scratch migration assay,and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. We established DMBA-induced hamster cheek pouch models of dysplasia. While the negative control group was not treated,the positive group was treated with 0.5% DMBA solution tropically to the left cheek pouch three times per week for three consecutive weeks. The other four groups received 0.5 mmol/L or 1.0 mmol/L garcinol or 8-allyl garcinol respectively three times within the following two weeks after DMBA treatment. Hamsters were sacrificed at the fifth week to obtain tissue samples of the left cheek pouch. The samples were examined by histopathology and BrdU immunohistochemisty.Results MTT assay showed that both garcinol and 8-allyl garcinol inhibited the proliferation of CAL27 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. The half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 8-allyl garcinol[(13.13±2.55)µmol/L] was significantly lower than garcinol[(32.20±3.24)µmol/L;t=8.008,P=0.001]. Comparing the two grougs of medicine in the same concentration,the inhibiting proliferation effects 8-allyl garcinol had significantly stronger effect in inhibiting proliferation than garcinol when the same dose was applied,and the difference was largest at the concentrations of 10(24 h:t=8.012,P=0.001;48 h:t=5.939,P=0.001;72 h:t=12.551,P=0.001)and 20 µmol/L(24 h:t=8.887,P=0.001;48 h:t=9.324,P=0.002;72 h:t=5.361,P=0.002). The clone formation assay showed the clone formation rates after the treatment with 20 µmol/L garcinol and 20 µmol/L 8-allyl garcinol were(44.1±0.4)% and(23.6±0.6)%,respectively,which were significantly lower than those after treatment with 10 µmol/L garcinol[(55.6±2.8)%;t=6.894,P=0.019] and 10 µmol/L 8-allyl garcinol[(31.0±0.6)%;t=15.556,P=0.001]. The inhibiting effects of 8-allyl garcinol at the concentrations of 10 µmol/L(t=14.682,P=0.003)and 20 µmol/L(t=51.514,P=0.001)were significantly stronger than garcinol.Scratch test showed the relative cell migration rates after treatment with 10 and 20 µmol/L garcinol for 12 hours were(16.00±4.55)%(t=3.139,P=0.026)and(3.00±3.16)%(t=6.608,P=0.001),respectively,which were lower than negative control [(30.33±7.64)%]. The relative cell migration rates after treatment with 10 and 20 µmol/L 8-allyl garcinol for 12 hours were(16.25±3.86)%(t=3.245,P=0.023)and(6.00±2.65)%(t=5.214,P=0.006),respectively,which were also lower than negative control[(30.33±7.64)%]. In addition,the relative cell migration rates after treatment with 10 and 20 µmol/L garcinol for 24 hours were(23.75±4.57)%(t=4.718,P=0.005)and(5.75±1.50)%(t=10.432,P=0.001),respectively,which were lower than negative control[(45.33±7.64)%]. The relative cell migration rates after treatment with 10 and 20 µmol/L 8-allyl garcinol for 24 hours were(23.50±2.38)%(t=5.529,P=0.003)and(11.67±2.31)%(t=7.308,P=0.002),respectively,which were also lower than negative control[(45.33±7.64)%]. Furthermore,the relative cell migration rate after treatment with 20 µmol/L garcinol for 24 hours was significantly lower than after treatment with 8-allyl garcinol(t=4.151,P=0.009). The apoptosis experiments showed that the early apoptosis rate of CAL27 cells was(5.00±0.10)% after treatment with 10 µmol/L garcinol,which was significantly higher than negative control[(1.57±0.21)%;F=70.950,P=0.001]. The early and late apoptosis rates of CAL27 cells were(5.90±0.78)%(t=39.384,P=0.001)and(9.73±1.67)%(t=10.101,P=0.001),respectively,after treatment with 20 µmol/L garcinol,which were also significantly higher than negative control. The early apoptosis rate of CAL27 cells was(4.63±1.16)% after treatment with 8-allyl garcinol,which was significantly higher than negative control(t=4.511,P=0.041). The effects of 8-allyl garcinol in promoting cell apoptosis were weaker than garcinol(10 µmol/L:t=5.982,P=0.004;20 µmol/L:t=8.578,P=0.001). The histopathological test also showed that the hyperplastic areas of oral mucosal epithelium in hamsters after treatment with 0.5 mmol/L garcinol(t=2.546,P=0.031),0.5 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=3.485,P=0.008),1.0 mmol/L garcinol(t=4.556,P=0.001),and 1.0 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=5.393,P=0.001)were significantly smaller than positive control. The dysplasia areas of oral mucosal epithelium in hamsters after treatment with 0.5 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=2.130,P=0.046),1.0 mmol/L garcinol(t=3.434,P=0.010),and 1.0 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=4.518,P=0.004)were also smaller than positive control;1.0 mmol/L garcinol group(t=2.793,P=0.023)and 1.0 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol group(t=4.997,P=0.001)were smaller than 0.5 mmol/L garcinol treatment group. Immunohistochemical staining of BrdU showed that the BrdU-labeled indicators were significantly lower in negative control group(t=7.563,P=0.001),0.5 mmol/L garcinol(t=2.862,P=0.029),0.5 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=4.693,P=0.002),1.0 mmol/L garcinol(t=5.071,P=0.002),and 1.0 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=5.133,P=0.001)when compared with the positive control. The BrdU-labeled indicators in 0.5 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=3.724,P=0.007),1.0 mmol/L garcinol(t=7.000,P=0.001),and 1.0 mmol/L 8-allyl garcinol(t=4.413,P=0.003)were also significantly lower than in 0.5 mmol/L garcinol group.Conclusions 8-allyl garcinol could inhibit the proliferation and migration of OSCC cell line CAL27 and promotes apoptosis. It also has prominent inhibitory effects on DMBA-induced hamster cheek pouch dysplasia. However,the specific effects are slightly different from garcinol.

[Reconstruction of complex proximal tibial defects using the long-stem tibial component combined with metallic wedge].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate results of total knee arthroplasty using the long-stem tibial component combined with metallic wedge of knee prosthesis for the treatment of proximal defects. METHODS: From January 2011 to May 2013, 10 patients (11 knees) were treated with total knee arthroplasties using the long-stem tibial component with metallic tibial wedge of knee prosthesis. All the patients were female and the average age was 67 years old (ranged, 60 to 77 years old). All the patients were osteoarthritis. All the patients were classified as T2A style. The patients were evaluated according to knee score system (KSS). RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 12 months on average (ranged 3 to 29 months). The clinical outcome was assessed using KSS score, including knee pain score, knee stability score, knee range of motion score and knee walking score, knee stairs score. There were significantly differences at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months between pre-and postoperative KSS score. CONCLUSION: The mechanical stability of tibial fixation in primary TKA is significantly increased by using the long-stem tibial component with metallic wedge of knee prosthesis, even in the presence of poor proximal bone.

Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus for Erosive Oral Lichen Planus: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus for erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP). METHODS: Literatures published up to December 2013 were searched from PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), and System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe (SIGLE). All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of topical tacrolimus for EOLP which compared with other interventions or a placebo were considered in this Meta-analysis. Two researchers collected data independently. The assessment of methodological quality was based on Cochrane Handbook and the materials were analyzed with the software Revman 5.2.5. The primary outcome measures were the symptoms (e.g. pain, discomfort) complained by patients. The secondary outcome measures included the improvement rate of clinical signs assessed by the investigators and the incidence of adverse effects (e.g. clinical candidiasis). RESULTS: A total of 9 RCTs involving 476 patients were finally included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of clinical improvement for topical tacrolimus vs. topical corticosteroids was 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-2.22, I2: 44%]. Regarding to 0.1% tacrolimus and 0.03% tacrolimus, the pooled OR were 1.87 (95% CI: 0.60-5.82) and 1.47 (95% CI: 0.14-16.04) respectively in subgroup analysis. No serious adverse events were reported in topical tacrolimus group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence to support that topical tacrolimus for EOLP was more effective and safer than topical corticosteroids in this Meta-analysis. Clinical assessment criteria should be established and accepted by clinicians and researchers before further RCTs are undertaken.

A Gaijin-like miniature inverted repeat transposable element is mobilized in rice during cell differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Miniature inverted repeat transposable element (MITE) is one type of transposable element (TE), which is largely found in eukaryotic genomes and involved in a wide variety of biological events. However, only few MITEs were proved to be currently active and their physiological function remains largely unknown. RESULTS: We found that the amplicon discrepancy of a gene locus LOC_Os01g0420 in different rice cultivar genomes was resulted from the existence of a member of Gaijin-like MITEs (mGing). This result indicated that mGing transposition was occurred at this gene locus. By using a modified transposon display (TD) analysis, the active transpositions of mGing were detected in rice Jiahua No. 1 genome under three conditions: in seedlings germinated from the seeds received a high dose γ-ray irradiation, in plantlets regenerated from anther-derived calli and from scutellum-derived calli, and were confirmed by PCR validation and sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or short additional DNA sequences at transposition sites post mGing transposition. It suggested that sequence modification was possibly taken place during mGing transposition. Furthermore, cell re-differentiation experiment showed that active transpositions of both mGing and mPing (another well studied MITE) were identified only in regenerated plantlets. CONCLUSIONS: It is for the first time that mGing active transposition was demonstrated under γ-ray irradiation or in cell re-differentiation process in rice. This newly identified active MITE will provide a foundation for further analysis of the roles of MITEs in biological process.

Cyclic fluid shear stress promotes osteoblastic cells proliferation through ERK5 signaling pathway.

Fluid shear stress plays an important role in bone remodeling, however, the mechanism of mechanotransduction in bone tissue remains unclear. Recently, ERK5 has been found to be involved in multiple cellular processes. This study was designed to investigate the potential involvement of ERK5 in the proliferative response of osteoblastic cells to cyclic fluid shear stress. We reported here that cyclic fluid shear stress promoted ERK5 phosphorylation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Inhibition of ERK5 phosphorylation attenuated the increased expression of AP-1 and cyclin D1 and cell proliferation induced by cyclic fluid flow, but promoted p-16 expression. Further more, we found that cyclic fluid shear stress was a better stimuli for ERK5 activation and cyclin D1 expression compared with continuous fluid shear stress. Moreover, the pharmacological ERK5 inhibitor, BIX02189, which inhibited ERK5 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner and the suppression lasted for at least 4 h. Taken together, we demonstrate that ERK5/AP-1/cyclin D1 pathway is involved in the mechanism of osteoblasts proliferation induced by cyclic fluid shear stress, which is superior in promoting cellular proliferation compared with continuous fluid shear stress.

The panorama of physiological responses and gene expression of whole plant of maize inbred line YQ7-96 at the three-leaf stage under water deficit and re-watering.

Changes in water potential, growth elongation, photosynthesis of three-leaf-old seedlings of maize inbred line YQ7-96 under water deficit (WD) for 0.5, 1 and 2 h and re-watering (RW) for 24 h were characterized. Gene expression was analyzed using cDNA microarray covering 11,855 maize unigenes. As for whole maize plant, the expression of WD-regulated genes was characterized by up-regulation. The expression of WD-regulated genes was categorized into eight different patterns, respectively, in leaves and roots. Newly found and WD-affected cellular processes were metabolic process, amino acid and derivative metabolic process and cell death. A great number of the analyzed genes were found to be regulated specifically by RW and commonly by both WD and RW, respectively, in leaves. It is therefore concluded that (1) whole maize plant tolerance to WD, as well as growth recovery from WD, depends at least in part on transcriptional coordination between leaves and roots; (2) WD exerts effects on the maize, especially on basal metabolism; (3) WD could probably affect CO(2) uptake and partitioning, and transport of fixed carbons; (4) WD could likely influence nuclear activity and genome stability; and (5) maize growth recovery from WD is likely involved in some specific signaling pathways related to RW-specific responsive genes.

New gene groups associated with dissimilar osteoblastic differentiation are linked to osteosarcomagenesis.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma has been recently redefined as a differentiation disease and its investigation is hampered by broad and complex genetic alterations. Gene expression analysis of two human osteosarcoma cell lines that are dissimilar in tumour differentiation status and osteogenic property would advance our understanding of osteo-sarcomagenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gene ontology classification, hierarchical clustering, functional annotation analysis and inspection of transcription factors and their targets were used to examine differences between Saos-2 and U-2 OS cells. Microarray data were verified with real-time quantitative PCR and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Genes from cell binding, cell adhesion and nervous system, as well as some well-known factors of bone formation and osteoblast characterization were identified as being differentially altered in this study. CONCLUSION: The osteogenicity of osteosarcoma or the disrupted osteoblast differentiation is correlated to cell binding, cell adhesion and the nervous system, as well as the osteogenic signalling system.

Feasibility of diagnosing renal allograft dysfunction by oligonucleotide array: Gene expression profile correlates with histopathology.

BACKGROUND: Effective non-invasive monitoring method to tell histopathology is a big challenge in renal transplantation. METHODS: We used 70-mer long oligonucleotide array with 449 immune related genes to determine gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) under different immune status including stable renal function (TX), acute tubular necrosis (ATN), biopsy conformed acute rejection (AR), clinical rejection with pathology of borderline changes (BL), clinical rejection without biopsy proven/presumed rejection (PR) and renal dysfunction without rejection (NR). RESULTS: Distinct molecular expression signatures in each group were found to correlate with histopathology. And we concluded that B cell chemokine CXCL13 and mast cell may play a role in renal allograft rejection through significant difference analysis and functional pathway analysis. CONCLUSIONS: It provides a potential non-invasive method for monitoring renal allograft function and immune status of renal transplant recipients.

An ordered EST catalogue and gene expression profiles of cassava (Manihot esculenta) at key growth stages.

A cDNA library was constructed from the root tissues of cassava variety Huanan 124 at the root bulking stage. A total of 9,600 cDNA clones from the library were sequenced with single-pass from the 5'-terminus to establish a catalogue of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Assembly of the resulting EST sequences resulted in 2,878 putative unigenes. Blastn analysis showed that 62.6% of the unigenes matched with known cassava ESTs and the rest had no 'hits' against the cassava database in the integrative PlantGDB database. Blastx analysis showed that 1,715 (59.59%) of the unigenes matched with one or more GenBank protein entries and 1,163 (40.41%) had no 'hits'. A cDNA microarray with 2,878 unigenes was developed and used to analyze gene expression profiling of Huanan 124 at key growth stages including seedling, formation of root system, root bulking, and starch maturity. Array data analysis revealed that (1) the higher ratio of up-regulated ribosome-related genes was accompanied by a high ratio of up-regulated ubiquitin, proteasome-related and protease genes in cassava roots; (2) starch formation and degradation simultaneously occur at the early stages of root development but starch degradation is declined partially due to decrease in UDP-glucose dehydrogenase activity with root maturity; (3) starch may also be synthesized in situ in roots; (4) starch synthesis, translocation, and accumulation are also associated probably with signaling pathways that parallel Wnt, LAM, TCS and ErbB signaling pathways in animals; (5) constitutive expression of stress-responsive genes may be due to the adaptation of cassava to harsh environments during long-term evolution.

Comparative profiles of gene expression in leaves and roots of maize seedlings under conditions of salt stress and the removal of salt stress.

We studied the transcriptional profiles of leaves and roots of three-leaf stage seedlings of the maize inbred line YQ7-96 under conditions of salt stress (100 mM NaCl) and removal of salt stress (RSS). A total of 296 genes were regulated specifically by the stress, of which 206 were specific to leaves and 90 were specific to roots. Stress-regulated genes were classified into eight and seven expression patterns for leaves and roots, respectively. There were 60 genes which were regulated specifically by RSS, 27 of which were specific to leaves and 33 specific to roots. No genes were found to be co-regulated in tissues and to be regulated commonly by the stress and RSS. It can be concluded that (i) at the early stage of the stress, transcriptional responses are directed at water deficit in maize leaves but at both water deficit and Na+ accumulation in roots; (ii) at the later stage, the responses in leaves and roots result from dual effects of both water deficit and Na+ accumulation; (iii) the polyamine metabolic pathway is an important linker for the co-ordination between leaves and roots to accomplish the tolerance of the whole maize plant to the stress; (iv) the stress can lead to genomic restructuring and nuclear transport in maize; (v) maize leaves are distinct from roots in terms of molecular mechanisms for responses to and growth recovery from the stress; and (vi) mechanisms for the maize responses to the stress differ from those for their growth recovery during RSS.

Application of cDNA array for studying the gene expression profile of mature appressoria of Magnaporthe grisea.

Appressorium is an infection structure of the phytopathogenic fungus Magnaporthe grisea. Analysis of gene expression profiles of appressorium development provides insight into the molecular basis of pathogenicity and control of this fungal plant disease. A cDNA array representing 2927 unique genes based on a large EST (expressed sequence tag) database of M. grisea strain Y34 was constructed and used to profile the gene expression patterns at mycelium and appressorium maturation stages. Compared with mycelia, 55 up-regulated and 22 down-regulated genes were identified in mature appressoria. Among 77 genes, 16 genes showed no similarity to the genome sequences of M. grisea. A novel homologue of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase was found to be expressed at low-level in mature appressoria of M. grisea. The results indicated that the genes such as pyruvate carboxylase, phospholipid metabolism-related protein and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase involved in gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism and glycolysis, showed differential expression in mature appressoria. Furthermore, genes such as PTH11, beta subunit of G protein and SGT1 involved in cell signalling, were expressed differentially in mature appressoria. Northern blot analysis was used to confirm the cDNA array results.

A novel gene of beta chain of the IFN-gamma receptor of Huiyang chicken: cloning, distribution, and CD assay.

The beta chain of the interferon-gamma receptor (IFNGR-2) plays a critical role in signal transmission to the nucleus by IFN-gamma. Here, we cloned the full-length cDNA of IFNGR-2 of Huiyang chicken using RACE. mRNA transcripts of IFNGR-2 were detected in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and various organs using Northern blot analysis. The extracellular region of IFNGR-2 (IFNGR-2EC) was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and its secondary structure was investigated by circular dichroism (CD). The Huiyang chicken IFNGR-2 gene is 2221 bp with a polyA+ tail, and it encodes 334 amino acids sharing 30%-33% identity with that of rat, mouse, and human IFNGR-2. IFNGR-2 is localized on chromosome 1 of chicken in tandem with IFNAR-1, interleukin- 10 receptor (IL-10R-2), and IFNAR-2. IFNGR-2 was highly expressed in PBL, muscle, spleen, thymus, and cecal tonsil, whereas its expression in cardiac muscle, cloacal bursa, liver, and kidney was comparatively low. Recombinant protein of IFNGR-2EC expressed in P. pastoris formed the secondary structure including 19.8% alpha-helix, 29.6% beta-sheet, 19.7% turn, and 30.9% random. The data show that Huiyang chicken IFNGR-2 shares properties of the IFN receptor family in gene structure and distribution in multiple tissues and PBL. CD analysis indicated that the recombinant protein of IFNGR-2EC resembles the known structure of human IFN receptors.

[Alterations of expression of G protein-inositol phosphates pathway-related genes in essential hypertension: experiment with spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of G protein-inositol phosphates pathway-related genes and evaluate the role of such changes in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. METHODS: The pressures of the caudal arteries and body weights of 30 spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs), 7 two-week-old, 7 4-week-old, 6 six-week-old, 6 eight-week-old, 6 ten-week-old, and 6 twelve-week-old, and 38 normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, 6 two-week-old, 6 four-week-old, 6 six-week-old, 6 six-week-old, 6 eight-week-old, 7 ten-week-old, and 7 twelve-week-old, were measured. Then the rats were killed and their hearts, aortas, livers, and kidneys were taken out. 294 specimens of total RNA were obtained from the tissues of ventricle of heart, aortic smooth muscle, liver and kidney. RNA array was used to determine the mRNA levels of G proteins G11 and Gq, and phospholipase C-beta (PLCbeta). RESULTS: The systolic blood pressures of the 6, 8, 10, and 12-week-old SHRs were 158 mm Hg +/- 8 mm Hg, 174 mm Hg +/- 4 mm Hg, 198 mm Hg +/- 13 mm Hg, and 217 mm Hg +/- 9 mm Hg respectively, all significantly higher than those of the age-matched WKY rats (109 mm Hg +/- 6 mm Hg, 128 mm Hg +/- 5 mm Hg,142 mm Hg +/- 4 mm Hg, and 141 mm Hg +/- 5 mm Hg respectively, all P <0.01). The cardiosomatic ratios of the 10- and 12-week-old SHRs were both significantly higher than those of the age-matched WKY rats (both P < 0.01). The G11 mRNA levels in the heart tissue of the 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-week-old SHRs were 1.42 +/- 0.35, 1.87 +/- 0.40, 1.96 +/- 0.24, 2.09 +/- 0.38, and 2.34 +/- 0.45, all significantly higher than those of the age-matched WKY rats (1.05 +/- 0.18, 1.25 +/- 0.37, 1.26 +/- 0.35, 1.45 +/- 0.30, and 1.51 +/- 0.42 respectively, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The Gq mRNA levels of the 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-week-old SHRs were 1.12 +/- 0.21, 1.30 +/- 0.26, 1.45 +/- 0.35, 1.77 +/- 0.42, and 2.05 +/- 0.46, respectively, all significantly higher than those of the age-matched WKY rats (0.88 +/- 0.09, 0.96 +/- 0.10, 1.03 +/- 0.10, 1.21 +/- 0.38, and 1.29 +/- 0.39 respectively, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Similar results were found in the G11 and Gq mRNA levels of the aorta and kidney tissues. The levels of PLCbeta expression in the heart and kidney tissues of the 4, 6, 6, 8, 10, and 12-week-old SHRs were all significantly increased (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Galpha, Gq, and PLCbeta were not significantly expressed in the liver. PLCbeta was hardly found in the aorta. CONCLUSION: Increase of the expression of G protein-inositol phosphates pathway-related genes is an important molecular biological mechanism in the pathogenesis and development of essential hypertension.

[Expression of NOS III mRNA in different tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats using RNA array].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of nitric oxide synthase III (NOS III) mRNA in the heart, aorta, kidney and liver of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-four total RNA samples were obtained from the tissues of ventricle, aortic smooth muscle, kidney and liver of SHR and normotensive rats (Wistar-Kyoto rats, WKY). RNA array was used to determine the mRNA levels of NOS III of the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with WKY, the systolic blood pressure increased significantly in SHR at 6-week-old, 8-week-old, 10-week-old and 12-week-old [(158.50 +/-7.69 vs 108.67 +/-5.89) mmHg, (174.33 +/-4.46 vs 128.50 +/-4.97) mmHg, (198.00 +/-13.45 vs 142.00 +/-3.58) mmHg, (216.67 +/-8.91 vs 141.17 +/-4.92) mmHg, P<0.01], and the ventricle/body weight ratio was significant higher at 10-week-old and 12-week-old [(4.08 +/-0.17 vs 3.59 +/-0.11, 4.05 +/-0.18 vs 3.40 +/-0.19)mg/g, P<0.01]. In the heart tissue and the kidney, the mRNA levels of NOS III were significantly increased at 6-week-old, 8-week-old, 10-week-old and 12-week-old (1.12 +/-0.18 vs 0.90 +/- 0.15, 1.46 +/- 0.34 vs 1.06 +/-0.18, 1.66 +/- 0.31 vs 1.21 +/- 0.30, 1.98 +/- 0.40 vs 1.31 +/-0.38, P <0.05) and at 4-week-old, 6-week-old, 8-week-old, 10-week-old and 12-week-old (1.10 +/- 0.21 vs 0.81 +/-0.11, 1.28 +/-0.18 vs 0.95 +/-0.13,1.31 +/-0.23 vs 0.99 +/-0.23, 1.70 +/-0.30 vs 1.08 +/-0.25, 1.83 +/-0.33 vs 1.15 +/-0.20, P<0.05 or P<0.01), respectively. There was no significant difference of the NOS III expression in the liver and no significant signals were detected in the aortic smooth muscle. CONCLUSION: The results provide the evidence of the increased expression of NOS III in different tissues in SHR and suggests the progressive nature of essential hypertension.

[Analysis of gene expression profiles during host-Magnaporthe grisea interactions in a pair of near isogenic lines of rice].

A pair of near isogenic lines G205 and G71 were selected from recombinant inbred lines (RIL) of Zhong156 x Gumei2. On the resistance locus Pi-25(t), G205 had the resistant allele that was from Gumei 2 while G71 had the susceptible allele that was from Zhong156. For the genetic background, different alleles were detected on only 24 loci out of the 672 RFLP or SSLP loci surveyed. The expression profiles of G205 and G71 in response to Magnaporthe grisea were investigated using cDNA microarray containing 2200 Expression Sequence Tags (ESTs). The leaves were inoculated with the pathogen for 12 hours at 4-leaf stage and 998 genes were identified in total. Three genes were up-regulated significantly by the fungus in G205 only. The functions of two genes were known but that of the third gene were unknown. The two genes encoded casein kinase II alpha subunit and retrotransponson TOS17 insertion element respectively. Other thirty-five genes had similar expression patterns between NILs. Among them, 17 genes were up-regulated while 18 genes were down-regulated by the inoculation. The functions of 33 out of the 35 genes were known. BLAST analysis showed that all thirty-five. BLAST analysis showed that all thirty-five genes with known functions were relative to defense reactions, signal transduction, stress response, photosynthesis and sugar metabolism. Northern blot confirmed that four of five differentially displayed genes randomly selected had the same expression patterns as those detected in cDNA microarray. Two of them were up-regulated genes encoding casein kinase II alpha subunit and glycine-rich protein (Grp), and the other two down-regulated genes encoding nitrilase-associated protein and 18S small subnit ribosomal RNA gene respectively. Northern blot also revealed that the expression of Grp was consistently up-regulated from 0 to 36 h after the inoculation of the fungus. These results showed that cDNA microarray was a useful tool to study the molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in plants.