Antitumor activity of miR-188-3p in gastric cancer is achieved by targeting CBL expression and inactivating the AKT/mTOR signaling.

BACKGROUND: Altered miR-188-3p expression has been observed in various human cancers. AIM: To investigate the miR-188-3p expression, its roles, and underlying molecular events in gastric cancer. METHODS: Fifty gastric cancer and paired normal tissues were collected to analyze miR-188-3p and CBL expression. Normal and gastric cancer cells were used to manipulate miR-188-3p and CBL expression through different assays. The relationship between miR-188-3p and CBL was predicted bioinformatically and confirmed using a luciferase gene reporter assay. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to associate miR-188-3p or CBL expression with patient survival. A nude mouse tumor cell xenograft assay was used to confirm the in vitro data. RESULTS: MiR-188-3p was found to be lower in the plasma of gastric cancer patients, tissues, and cell lines compared to their healthy counterparts. It was associated with overall survival of gastric cancer patients (P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.033), tumor node metastasis stage (I/II vs III/IV, P = 0.024), and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (I/II vs III/IV, P = 0.03). Transfection with miR-188-3p mimics reduced tumor cell growth and invasion while inducing apoptosis and autophagy. CBL was identified as a direct target of miR-188-3p, with its expression antagonizing the effects of miR-188-3p on gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy through the inactivation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The in vivo data confirmed antitumor activity via CBL downregulation in gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: The current data provides ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo evidence that miR-188-3p acts as a tumor suppressor gene or possesses antitumor activity in GC.

Human hepatocellular adenoma as a promising cell source for bioartificial liver systems.

The present study assessed human hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) as a potential source of biological material for bioartificial liver (BAL) systems. The histological characteristics of HCA tissues from 8 patients were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The glycogen synthesis capacity of HCA cells was assessed using Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and the expression of genes involved in liver function were examined using immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Primary cells from HCA tissues were subsequently isolated and cultured in vitro. Cells within HCA tissues from 8 patients exhibited a polygonal shape, similar to that of cells in adjacent normal liver tissues. PAS staining of HCA tissues indicated the capacity of these cells to synthesize and store glycogen. Furthermore, IHC and PCR analyses revealed that the expression of liver function genes in HCA tissues were similar to those observed within normal adjacent liver tissues. Primary cells isolated from HCA tissues exhibited an irregular polygonal shape and positive in vitro growth. The current study demonstrated that HCA tissues exhibit histological and functional characteristics matching those of normal human liver tissue and may therefore be a promising alternative to hepatocytes as a source of biological material for BAL systems.

Effect of Osteoking on blood physiological parameters and organ indexes in female tree shrews with osteoporotic fracture / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of Osteoking on blood physiological parameters and organ indexes in the ovariectomized tree shrew model of osteoporotic fracture(OPF). Methods A total of 30 4-month-old female tree shrews(Tupaia belangeri)were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group, with 10 in each group. Bilateral ovaries of the tree shrews in the treatment group and model group were removed and osteoporosis was confirmed 6 months later. Then tibial fractures were generated. From the next day of fracture,tree shrews in the treatment group were gavaged with Osteoking once every two days,and tree shrews in the model group and control group were gavaged with equal volume of sterile saline. After gavaging for 3 months,16 blood physiological parameters and 6 organ indexes of the tree shrews in each group were measured. Results Among all of the 16 blood physiological parameters,the number of white blood cells,the absolute value and percentage of lymphocytes(P < 0.01)and monocytes(P < 0.05)in the model group were significantly lower than those in the control group after 3 months. Compared with the model group, the absolute value and percentage of monocytes(P < 0.01)and lymphocytes,the number of white blood cells(P < 0.05) and the spleen coefficient were significantly increased(P < 0.05)in the treatment group. Conclusions Osteoking can improve the immunity of tree shrews with osteoporotic fracture.