Downregulation of LINC00515 in high-grade serous ovarian cancer and its relationship with platinum resistance.

Aim: To investigate the expression of long intergenic noncoding RNA 00515 (LINC00515) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and its potential correlation with platinum resistance. Patients & methods: Expression of LINC00515 in HGSOC (n = 115) and normal (n = 19) tissues was detected via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We further explored the statistical significance of the relationship between LINC00515 expression and platinum resistance in HGSOC. Results: LINC00515 was gradually downregulated in the order of normal > platinum-sensitive > platinum-resistant tissue (p < 0.05). Results demonstrated that LINC00515 downregulation was correlated with platinum resistance and relapse-free survival (RFS) of HGSOC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: LINC00515 downregulation is correlated with HGSOC development, platinum resistance and RFS, supporting its utility as a potential biomarker to predict platinum resistance and prognosis of RFS.

Simultaneous determination of six tyrosine kinase inhibitors in human plasma using HPLC-Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

AIM: Gefitinib, erlotinib, icotinib, crizotinib, lapatinib and apatinib are targeted cancer therapy agents acting through inhibition of tyrosine kinase. Method for quantifying these six drugs in human plasma of patients was required. MATERIALS & METHODS: An HPLC-Q-Orbitrap method (based on HPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of six tyrosine kinase inhibitors in human plasma. Sample was extracted by liquid-liquid extraction (ethyl acetate: tert-Butyl methyl ether, 1:1 v/v). The method shows a high level of accuracy and reproducibility. The lower limit of quantification was 0.02 ng/ml for apatinib, 0.1 ng/ml for crizotinib, 2.0 ng/ml for lapatinib and 0.05 ng/ml for erlotinib, gefitinib and icotinib. This method was successfully used for apatinib monitoring in plasma of patients with NSCLC. CONCLUSION: This simple and reproducible method has potential for monitoring of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients' plasma.

Immune recovery after fluid resuscitation in rats with severe hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of resuscitation with normal saline (NS), hypertonic saline (HTS), and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on regulatory T cells (Tregs), helper T 1 (Th1)/Th2 and cytotoxic T 1 (Tc1)/Tc2 profiles in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Rats subjected to severe hemorrhagic shock were resuscitated for 30 min with NS (n=8), HTS (n=8), or HES (n=8); sham (n=8) and naive control (n=8) groups were used for comparison. Following fluid resuscitation, the whole shed blood was reinfused for 30 min, and the rats were observed with continuous hemodynamic monitoring for 120 min. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg proportions, Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 profiles in spleen were analyzed by three-color flow cytometry. RESULTS: The proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and ratios of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 did not differ among control, sham, and HTS groups, but were significantly lower in NS and HES groups (both P<0.05 vs. sham); NS and HES levels were similar. The level of Tc1 was significantly increased in HTS (P<0.05 vs. sham), and levels of Tc2 were increased in NS, HES, and HTS groups compared to sham (all P<0.05), but did not differ from each other. CONCLUSIONS: HTS resuscitation has a greater impact on immune system recovery than NS or HES by preserving the proportion of Tregs and maintaining the balance between Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 cells in the spleen. Thus, HTS resuscitation provides potential immunomodulatory activity in the early stage after hemorrhagic shock.

Modified filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) method increases peptide and protein identifications for shotgun proteomics.

RATIONALE: Mass spectrometry (MS)-based protein identification depends mainly on protein extraction and digestion. Although sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) can preclude enzymatic digestion and interfere with MS analysis, it is still the most widely used surfactant in these steps. To overcome these disadvantages, a SDS-compatible proteomic technique for SDS removal prior to MS-based analyses was developed, namely filter-aided sample preparation (FASP). METHODS: Herein, based on the effectiveness of sodium deoxycholate and a detergent removal spin column, we developed a modified FASP (mFASP) method and compared its overall performance, total number of peptides and proteins identified for shotgun proteomic experiments with that of the FASP method. RESULTS: Identification of 4570 ± 392 and 9139 ± 317 peptides and description of 862 ± 46 and 1377 ± 33 protein groups with two or more peptides from the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 was accomplished by FASP and mFASP methods, respectively. The mFASP method (21.2 ± 0.2%) had higher average peptide to protein coverage than FASP method (13.2 ± 0.5%). More hydrophobic peptides were identified by mFASP than by FASP, as indicated by the GRAVY score distribution. CONCLUSIONS: The reported method enables reliable and efficient identification of proteins and peptides in whole-cell extracts containing SDS. The new approach allows for higher throughput (the simultaneous identification of more proteins), a more comprehensive investigation of proteins, and potentially the discovery of new biomarkers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of hypertonic versus isotonic saline resuscitation on heme oxygenase-1 expression in visceral organs following hemorrhagic shock in rats.

To compare the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline resuscitation on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in organs of rats with hemorrhagic shock. Rats were randomly divided into hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS), normal saline resuscitation (NS) and sham groups. HO-1 mRNA, protein expression and apoptosis were evaluated in organs. In the HTS group, significant difference was noted in HO-1 protein in small intestinal mucosa and liver compared with the NS and sham groups, and in HO-1 mRNA in liver and kidney compared with the sham group. The apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa, liver, heart, and lung was significantly lower in the HTS group than that in the NS group. In this study, small volume resuscitation with HTS can efficiently up-regulate the expression level of HO-1 in small intestinal mucosa and liver, which may be one of the mechanisms alleviating organ damage.

Hypertonic saline resuscitation contributes to early accumulation of circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic shock is usually associated with complicated immune and inflammatory responses, which are sometimes crucial for the prognosis. As regulators of the immune and inflammatory system; proliferation, migration, distribution and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are intimately linked to the inflammation cascade. METHODS: In a model of severe hemorrhagic shock, thirty-five rats were randomly divided into control, sham, normal saline resuscitation (NS), hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS), and hydroxyethyl starch resuscitation (HES), with seven in each group. MDSCs were analyzed by flow cytometric staining of CD11b/c(+)Gra(+) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), spleen cell suspensions, and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC). Simultaneously, the expressions of arginase-1 (ARG-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in MDSCs were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: In the early stage after hemorrhagic shock, fluid resuscitation and emergency treatment, the MDSCs in the PBMC of NS, HTS and HES groups markedly increased, and MDSCs in BMNC of these groups decreased accordingly, significantly different to the control group. In hemorrhagic shock rats infused with HTS at the early resuscitation stage, MDSCs in PBMC increased about 2 and 4 folds, and MDSCs in BMNC decreased about 1.3 and 1.6 folds, as compared to the sham group respectively, with statistically significant difference. Furthermore, compared to the NS and HES groups, the MDSCs in PBMC of HTS group increased 1.6 and 1.8 folds with statistically significant differences; the MDSCs decrease in BMNC was not significant. However, there was no statistically significant difference in MDSCs of spleen among the five groups. In addition, compared to the control, sham, NS and HES groups, the ARG-1 and iNOS mRNA of MDSCs in PBMC, spleen and BMNC in the HTS group had the highest level of expression, but no statistically significant differences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of rat with severe and controlled hemorrhagic shock, small volume resuscitation with HTS contributes to dramatically early migration and redistribution of MDSCs from bone marrow to peripheral circulation, compared to resuscitation with NS or HES.

Early changes of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells and Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 profiles in the peripheral blood of rats with controlled hemorrhagic shock and no fluid resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic shock induces immune dysfunction. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), T-helper (Th) cells, and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) can execute many crucial actions in immune and inflammatory responses. This study was conducted to investigate the early pathophysiological changes of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg and Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 profiles in the peripheral blood of rats with controlled hemorrhagic shock and no fluid resuscitation. METHODS: A rat model of controlled hemorrhagic shock with no fluid resuscitation was established. Peripheral blood samples were taken before and four hours after hemorrhagic shock with no fluid resuscitation. Three color flow cytometry was used to detect Tregs, Th1, Th2, Tc1 and Tc2 cells in the samples. RESULTS: In the peripheral blood of rats, the percentage of Tregs four hours after hemorrhagic shock was significantly lower than before hemorrhagic shock (P = 0.001). The ratios of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 were changed from (23.08 ± 8.98)% to (23.91 ± 15.36)%, and from (40.40 ± 21.56)% to (65.48 ± 23.88)%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At an early stage, the advent of hemorrhagic shock is related to an early decrease of Tregs, and a mild shift in the Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 balance toward Th1 and Tc1 dominance. These changes are part of a hyper-inflammatory state of the host, and will deteriorate the maintenance of immune balance. Further influences and detailed mechanisms need to be investigated.

Comprehensive profiling of the low molecular weight proteins and peptides in weak cation exchange beads human serum retentate.

Mass spectrometric profiling using ProteinChip and magnetic beads has rapidly grown over the past years, particularly to generate serum profiles for cancer diagnosis. The molecular weights of these distinguishing peaks are usually under 30 kDa. To identify those low molecular weight proteins and peptides is important for specific assays to be developed and increases biological insight. In this study, low molecular weight proteins and peptides from serum were purified by a combination of weak cation exchange magnetic beads and high performance liquid chromatography. The purified proteins and peptides were analyzed by 1D SDS PAGE, SELDI and LC-MS/MS. 246 proteins were identified from the HPLC fractions by LC-MS/MS. 95(38.62%) proteins were first identified in serum compare with Sys-BodyFluid database. 11(11/96) proteins were documented cancer associated proteins. We also observed about 109 proteins/peptides in SELDI mass spectrum, and 13 of the SELDI features were identified.

Effect of hypertonic saline resuscitation on heme oxygenase-1 mRNA expression and apoptosis of the intestinal mucosa in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Massive blood loss due to trauma is the leading cause of death in trauma patients and military combatants. The fluid category of resuscitation for hypotensive trauma patients is open to debate. This study was conducted to investigate the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline solutions on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA expression and apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa of rats with hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: A model of severe hemorrhagic shock was established in 21 Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly divided into sham, normal saline resuscitation (NS), and hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS) groups, with 7 in each group. We assessed and compared the HO-1 mRNA expression and apoptosis in the small intestinal mucosa of rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation using the SYBR Green I fluorescence quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, fluorescein-iso-thiocyanate-annexin V/propidium iodide double staining, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In the early stage of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, marked apoptosis occurred in the small intestinal mucosa from both the NS and HTS groups. The apoptotic rate in the NS group was higher than that in the HTS group (P < 0.01). Among the three groups, HO-1 mRNA mucosa from the HTS group had the highest level of expression; however, the differences were not significant. There was a significant negative correlation between HO-1 mRNA expression and apoptosis in the small intestinal mucosa from the NS and HTS groups after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: In this rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock, HTS resuscitation with a small volume is more effective than NS resuscitation in reducing apoptosis of the intestinal mucosa. Further, HO-1 mRNA over-expression in the intestinal mucosa may be one of the molecular mechanisms of HTS in the resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock.

[Study of the metastasis-associated genes and its copy numbers variation in highly metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of the metastasis-associated genes and its copy numbers variation in the highly metastatic human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910PM. METHODS: The differentially expressed genes and its copy number variation between HO-8910PM cell line and normal ovarian tissues was detected by human genome U133A 2.0 gene chip and human mapping 10K array 2.0 gene chip, and the data was analyzed by bioinformatics. Some of metastasis-associated genes were validated the results of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and cDNA chips by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Integrate analysis of two gene chips data showed that there were 385 differentially expressed genes in the same and 379 SNP positional point (6 of them, included 2 genes) between HO-8910PM cell line and normal ovarian tissues, these copy number amplification of 379 SNP positional point of chromosome were > or = 3, which had 240, deletion < or = 1 had 139. Chromosome location analysis showed that there were 385 differentially expressed genes located at all chromosomes, and 261 of them (67.8%, 261/385) located at 10 chromosomes, included that 34 (8.8%), 33 (8.6%), 28 (7.3%), 27 (7.0%), 25 (6.5%), 24 (6.2%) of them located at chromosome 3, 2, 9, 10, 1 and 11 respectively, and 23 (6.0%) of them at chromosome 6 and 12 each, 22 (5.7%) of them at chromosome 4 and 5 each. For the function of differentially expressed genes, the results showed that 99 (25.7%) genes belonged to the family of enzymes and their regulators, 54 (14.0%) genes associated with signal transduction, 50 (13.0%) genes associated with nucleic acid binding, and 36 (9.4%) genes associated with protein binding. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that there are 4 kinds of differentially expressed genes related to metastasis of ovarian cancer, which belonged to the families enzyme and its regulator, nucleic acid binding, signal transduction and protein binding, and located at chromosome 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Hypertonic saline resuscitation reduces apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline solutions on apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in rats with hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: A model of rat with severe hemorrhagic shock was established in 21 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were randomly divided into the sham group, normal saline resuscitation (NS) group, and hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS) group, with 7 in each group. We detected and compared the apoptosis in small intestinal mucosa of rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), FITC (fluorescein-iso-thiocyanate)-Annexin V/PI (propidium iodide) double staining method, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In the early stage of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, marked apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa in the rats of both NS and HTS groups was observed. The numbers of apoptotic cells in these two groups were significantly greater than that in the sham group (P<0.01). In the HTS group, the apoptic cells significantly decreased, compared with the NS group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In this rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock, the HTS resuscitation of small volume is more effective than the NS resuscitation in reducing apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in rats, which may improve the prognosis of trauma.

[Application of SELDI-TOF serum proteome profiling in cervical squamous cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Up to now, there is no valid biomarker in early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) is a new technique used to identify biomarkers for cancers. This study was to screen new biomarkers and build diagnostic models for early diagnosis of cervical cancer by SELDI-TOF-MS. METHODS: SELDI-TOF-MS was used to detect the serum proteomic patterns of 91 patients with early stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma, 15 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CIN III), and 55 healthy women (control). The serum proteomic spectra were generated on weak cation exchange (WCX2) chips. Differences in protein peaks were analyzed using Biomarker Wizard software. The diagnostic model was built by Biomarker Patterns software and further valuated by a large-scale blind test. RESULTS: A total of 122 protein peaks were detected at the molecular range of 1.5 to 20 ku, among which 19 ones were significantly different between invasive cervical squamous cell carcinomas and controls (P<0.001). A diagnostic model consisting of 2 protein peaks at 3,977 m/z and 5,807 m/z was established. Its specificity was 83.78% (31/37) and its sensitivity was 97.29% (36/37). A sensitivity of 94.44% (51/54) and a specificity of 94.44% (17/18) in a large-scale blind test were obtained. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic model consisting of 2 protein peaks at 3,977 m/z and 5,807 m/z can discriminate cervical cancer patients from healthy women.

[Screening of carcinogenesis associated genes in gastric carcinoma by gene chip].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the carcinogenesis associated genes in gastric carcinoma by gene chip. METHODS: U133A (Affymetrix Santa Clara, CA) gene chip was used to detect differentially expressed genes in tumor tissues, paratumor mucosa and normal mucosa. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the screened results. RESULTS: A total of 150 genes were detected with a difference of expression levels more than 3 times in paratumor mucosa compared with normal gastric mucosa, 130 of which were up-regulated and 20 down-regulated. According to the function classifications of the differentially expressed genes, the most common ones were enzyme and enzyme regulon activity associated genes(28, 18.7% ). The frequencies of nuclei acid binding activity associated genes,signal transduction associated genes and protein binding associated genes were 11.3%, 10%, and 8.7% respectively. Seventy-one differentially expressed genes were detected both in tumor tissues and paratumor mucosa compared with normal mucosa, 61 of which were up-regulated and 10 down-regulated. Among these 71 genes,e leven genes were localized on chromosome 19, 6 on chromosome 1, 2, 16, 17 respectively. No abnormal differentially expressed gene were detected on chromosome 5, 14, 22 and Y. CONCLUSIONS: These 71 genes differentially expressed both in tumor tissues and paratumor mucosa may be associated with carcinogenesis of gastric carcinoma. The four kinds of genes associated with enzyme and enzyme regulon activity, nuclei acid binding activity, signal transduction, and protein binding should be the main genes for the study of carcinogenesis in gastric carcinoma.

[Study on gene expression profile difference in gastric cancer, pericancerous mucosa and normal gastric mucosa from the distant cutting margin by oligonucleotide microarray].

OBJECTIVE: To study the difference of gene expression profiles in gastric cancer (T), pericancerous mucosa (P) and the gastric mucosa from distant cutting margin (C), and to screen an associated novel gene in early gastric carcinogenesis by oligonucleotide microarray. METHODS: U133A (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) gene chip was used to detect the gene expression profile difference in T, P and C, respectively. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the detected results. RESULTS: When gastric cancer was compared with normal gastric mucosa, 766 genes were found,with a difference of more than four times in expression levels, including 530 up-regulated [Signal Log Ratio (SLR) > 2], and 236 down-regulated (SLR< -2). When P was compared with C, 64 genes were found, with a difference of more than four times in expression levels, including 50 up-regulated (SLR > 2), and 14 down-regulated (SLR< -2). Compared with C, a total of 143 genes with a difference of more than four times in expression levels both in T and P tissues. Of the 143 genes, 108 were up-regulated (SLR > 2), and 35 were down-regulated (SLR< -2). CONCLUSIONS: Gene chip can reveal 143 same genes both in pericancerous mucosa and gastric mucosa. These genes may be related to the carcinogenesis and development of early gastric cancer.

Difference of gene expression profiles between esophageal carcinoma and its pericancerous epithelium by gene chip.

AIM: To study the difference of gene expression between esophageal carcinoma and its pericancerous epithelium and to screen novel associated genes in the early stage of esophageal carcinogenesis by cDNA microarray. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted with the original single step way from esophageal carcinoma, its pericancerous epithelial tissue and normal esophageal epithelium far from the tumor. The cDNA retro-transcribed from equal quantity of mRNA was labeled with Cy5 and Cy3 fluorescence functioning as probes. The mixed probes were hybridized with two pieces of BioDoor 4 096 double dot human whole gene chip. Fluorescence signals were scanned by ScanArray 3 000 laser scanner and farther analyzed by ImaGene 3.0 software with the digital computer. RESULTS: (1) A total of 135 genes were screened out, in which 85 and 50 genes whose the gene expression levels (fluorescence intensity) in esophageal carcinoma were more than 2 times and less than 0.5 times respectively compared with the normal esophageal epithelium. (2) There were also total 31 genes, among then 27 and 4 whose expressions in pericancerous tissue were 2-fold up-regulated and 0.5-fold down-regulated respectively compared with normal esophageal epithelium. (3) There were 13 genes appeared simultaneously in both pericancerous epithelium and esophageal carcinoma, while another 18 genes existed in pericancerous epithelium only. CONCLUSION: With the parallel comparison among these three gene profiles, it was shown that (1). A total of 135 genes, Whose expression difference manifested as fluorescence intensity were more than 2 times between esophageal carcinoma and normal esophageal epithelium, were probably related to the occurrence and development of the esophageal carcinoma. (2). The 31 genes showing expression difference more than 2 times between pericancerous and normal esophageal epithelium might be relate to the promotion of esophageal pericancerosis and its progress. The present study illustrated that by using the gene chip to detect the difference of gene expression profiles might be of benefit to the gene diagnosis, treatment and prevention of esophageal carcinoma.