Role of autophagy and mitophagy of group 2 innate lymphoid cells in allergic and local allergic rhinitis.

Background: Roles of ILC2s in allergic rhinitis (AR) and local allergic rhinitis (LAR) are unclear. In this study, we are determined to find the levels of autophagy and mitophagy of ILC2s in allergic nasal inflammation. Methods: ELISA was used to detect type 2 inflammatory cytokines. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were used to compare the eosinophil (EOS) infiltration of nasal tissue specimens. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of ILC2s and Th2 cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the levels of Beclin1, LC3, p62, PINK1, Parkin, FUNDC1, and BNIP3 in nasal mucosa. The levels of autophagy related proteins and mitophagy related proteins of the ILC2s were detected by WB. The number of autophagosomes of ILC2s was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The co-localization levels of GFP-LC3 and Mito tracker in ILC2s were observed by confocal microscopy using immunofluorescence. Results: We found that the level of type 2 inflammation in AR and LAR mice was significantly increased. The levels of autophagy and mitophagy of AR and LAR mice in nasal mucosa and ILC2s were both increased. Conclusions: ILC2s may be associated with the occurrence and development of nasal allergic inflammation. The abnormal increase of autophagy and mitophagy levels in the nose may be associated with the incidence of AR and LAR. Abnormal autophagy and mitophagy levels of ILC2s cells may be one of the causes of allergic nasal inflammation.

The Roles of Autophagy, Mitophagy, and the Akt/mTOR Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

The pathogenesis of CRSwNP is complex and unclear. CRSwNP is subdivided into two types based on the infiltration of EOSs: eCRSwNP and noeCRSwNP. This study was designed to seek the role of autophagy, mitophagy, and Akt/mTOR pathway in these two subtypes of CRSwNP. This study included 29 patients with CRSwNP and 9 controls. The levels of autophagy, mitophagy, and Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in nasal tissues were quantified using western blot analysis. Levels of eosinophilic inflammation-related cytokines in nasal tissues were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemistry was also used to evaluate autophagy, mitophagy, and Akt/mTOR pathway-related protein expression and distribution in nasal polyps and control tissues. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect the formation of autophagosomes and mitochondrial autophagosomes. Masson's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff Alcian blue staining were used to evaluate the severity of tissue remodeling. The expression of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR was upregulated in patients with eCRSwNP or noeCRSwNP. Beclin 1, PINK1, BNIP3, and FUNDC1 levels were significantly reduced in the nasal polyps of patients with eCRSwNP or noeCRSwNP. Autophagosomes and mitochondrial autophagosomes formed less frequently in the nasal polyps of patients with eCRSwNP or noeCRSwNP. Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and ECP and the eotaxins CCL11, CCL24, and CCL26 were elevated in the nasal polyps of patients with eCRSwNP or noeCRSwNP. Tissue remodeling is enhanced in patients with eCRSwNP or noeCRSwNP. The Akt/mTOR pathway, eosinophilic inflammation, and tissue remodeling are activated in the nasal polyps of patients with eCRSwNP or noeCRSwNP. The downregulation of autophagy and mitophagy is also observed in eosinophilic and noneosinophilic nasal polyps. The targeting of mitophagy may provide new therapeutic options for different endotypes of CRSwNP.

Roles Played by the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α Pathway and IL-17A in the Chinese Subtype of Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

BACKGROUND: The Chinese subtype of CRSwNP may have a unique pathogenesis. This study was designed to seek the role of the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway and IL-17A in CRSwNP. METHODS: The total IgE, ECP, and IL-17A levels were determined by UniCAP100 and ELISA. The activity of MPO was detected by the biochemical techniques. The protein expressions of HIF-1α, p-Akt, and PI3K were detected by the WB method. HIF-1α and IL-17A mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The CRSwNP group showed significantly elevated MPO activity, PI3K, p-AKT protein, HIF-1α, and IL-17A mRNA levels in nasal polyps. Stimulated by the TNF-α, the PI3K, p-AKT, HIF-1α, and IL-17A levels significantly elevated in the fibroblasts. Inhibited by the Wortmannin, those indicators significantly declined in the fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: The PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway played a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. The elevated IL-17A level might be responsible for the neutrophilic inflammation in CRSwNP. The PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway might regulate the IL-17A-related inflammation in CRSwNP.

The Role of CD40 in Allergic Rhinitis and Airway Remodelling.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects millions of people and is lack of effective treatment. CD40 is an important costimulatory molecule in immunity. However, few studies have focused on the role of CD40 in AR. METHODS: In this study, we built mouse model of chronic AR. The mice were divided into the AR, control, intravenous CD40 siRNA, and nasal CD40 siRNA groups (n = 6 each). We detected OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TGF-ß levels in serum and supernatant by ELISA, CD40+ splenic DCs, and Foxp3+ Tregs by flow cytometry and CD40 mRNA by RT2-PCR. We also used PAS and MT stains to assess tissue remodelling. RESULTS: (1) The OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in the serum or supernatant of nasal septal membrane of AR mice were significantly higher than control. After treated with CD40 siRNA, those indicators were significantly decreased. The IFN-γ, IL-10, and TGF-ß levels in AR mice were significantly lower than that in control and were increased by administration of CD40 siRNA. (2) AR mice had significantly fewer Foxp3+ Tregs in the spleen than control mice. After treated with CD40 siRNA, AR mice had significantly more Foxp3+ Tregs. (3) AR mice exhibited a significantly higher CD40 mRNA levels than control. Administration of CD40 siRNA significantly reduced the CD40 mRNA level. (4) The AR mice showed significantly greater collagen deposition than the control in MT staining. Applications of CD40 siRNA significantly reduced the collagen deposition in AR mice. CONCLUSION: CD40 siRNA therapy shows promise for chronic AR as it significantly attenuated allergic symptoms and Th2-related inflammation and upregulated Foxp3+ Tregs. CD40 plays a role in tissue remodelling in AR, which can be inhibited by CD40 siRNA application.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis accompanied by allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are extremely rare, with no more than 20 cases reported in the English literature. CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old female patient complained of right-sided nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, epistaxis, and hyposmia for a period of around 5 mo. Nasal examination detected paleness and edema of the nasal mucous membrane and a polyp in the right middle meatus. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the sinuses revealed a ground-glass opacity filling the right maxillary and ethmoid sinuses, along with bone absorption in the medial wall of the right maxillary sinus. Magnetic resonance images were obtained with T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sequences. A well-defined mass, located in the right maxillary and ethmoid sinuses and displaying obvious hypointense features, was observed on both T1- and T2-weighted images, with peripheral enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. The patient also has a 20-year history of cough and dyspnea. Chest CT revealed columned and cystiform bronchiectasis in the bilateral bronchus, surrounded by a large number of spotted and funicular high-density lesions. The level of serum total IgE was > 5000 kU/L. Serum IgE levels related to house dust and aspergillus showed a positive result, with the values being 3.5 kU/L and 1.2 kU/L. We performed functional endoscopic sinus surgery under local anesthesia. After surgery, topical glucocorticoids and saline irrigation were applied in the nasal cavity until the present time. An oral glucocorticoid (methylprednisolone 16 mg/d) and antifungal agent (itraconazole 200 mg/d) were also used for a period of 4 wk. Montelukast was prescribed at 10 mg/d until the present time. An endoscopic examination showed that the patient was recovering well at 3 mo after surgery. CONCLUSION: Since different specialists treat ABPA and AFRS, their coexistence may be overlooked. AFRS accompanied by ABPA requires surgical therapy combined with medical control to improve the symptoms.

Successful treatment of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis caused by Cunninghamella: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFR) caused by Cunninghamella is very rare but has an extremely high fatality rate. There have been only seven cases of IFR caused by Cunninghamella reported in English and, of these, only three patients survived. In this article, we present another case of IFR caused by Cunninghamella, in which the patient was initially treated successfully but then deteriorated due to a relapse of leukemia 2 mo later. CASE SUMMARY: A 50-year-old woman presented with a 2-mo history of right ocular proptosis, blurred vision, rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopic examination showed that the middle turbinate had become necrotic and fragile. Endoscopic sinus surgery and enucleation of the right orbital contents were performed successively. Additionally, the patient was treated with amphotericin B both systematically and topically. Secretion cultivation of the right eye canthus showed infection with Cunninghamella, while postoperative pathology also revealed fungal infection. The patient's condition gradually stabilized after surgery. However, the patient underwent chemotherapy again due to a relapse of leukemia 2 mo later. Unfortunately, her leukocyte count decreased dramatically, leading to a fatal lung infection and hemoptysis. CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical debridements, followed by antifungal drug treatment both systematically and topically, are the most important fundamental treatments for IFR.

The role of local allergy in the nasal inflammation.

Local allergic inflammation (LAI) is recognized recently. 'entopy' was used to define LAI, which was positively correlated with allergen provocation testing, local sIgE up-regulation, inflammatory mediator secretion, and a lack of systemic allergy. The study of LAI is in its infancy and focuses mainly on the respiratory system. It is closely related to nasal inflammation and plays important roles in patients with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), nonallergic chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and nonallergic fungal rhinosinusitis (NAFRS). Based on studies using nasal allergen provocation testing, 40-57% of patients with NAR exhibited positive results and could be diagnosed as local allergic rhinitis. Total IgE and common airborne allergen-sIgE were up-regulated in eosinophilic CRSwNP patients compared to noneosinophilic CRSwNP patients and healthy controls, possibly due to local allergic inflammation. Some researchers also found that the level of local sIgE was increased in patients with NAFRS; they suggested that local allergic inflammation occurs in NAFRS. Studies of LAI will increase our understanding of nasal inflammation and help to establish novel treatments. However, the diagnosis of local allergic inflammation is complex due to the lack of convenient detection methods. The relationship between local allergic inflammation and systemic allergic inflammation is unclear, and an appropriate treatment for local allergic inflammation is required.

Different roles of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin in different subtypes of nasal polyps.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a multifactorial disease. The pathogenesis of CRSwNP remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the role of inflammation and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin (SE) in this disease. The study included a total of 74 patients with CRSwNP and 6 controls. A serum Phadiatop assay was conducted to detect atopy status, and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and total immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels were determined using ELISA. SEA, SEB, total IgE, ECP and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in nasal tissue supernatant were measured using ELISA. The results indicated that 15 (22.1%) patients had systemic allergies. On the basis of the ECP/MPO ratio, the patients were divided into an eosinophilic CRSwNP group (n=18) and a non-eosinophilic CRSwNP group (n=56). The total ECP/MPO ratio was 0.572, with a notable bias toward neutrophilic inflammation. The supernatant ECP and MPO levels were elevated in the CRSwNP group compared with the control group, but no significant difference in the serum total IgE and ECP levels were observed between the CRSwNP and control groups. In addition, the non-eosinophilic and eosinophilic CRSwNP groups showed significant elevations in supernatant total IgE, SEA and SEB levels compared with the control group. Thus, it may be concluded that allergy is a common pathogenesis of CRSwNP, and neutrophilic inflammation is present in most Chinese CRSwNP patients. Additionally, local indicators reflect the inflammatory status more accurately than do serum indicators. SEs may act as an infection factor rather than as a superantigen in Chinese non-eosinophilic CRSwNP patients. Thus, long-term antibiotic therapy may be an option for Chinese non-eosinophilic CRSwNP patients.

A case report of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the neck: A focus on the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of the neck are rare, with only a few patients reported in the literature. The present study discusses the clinical manifestations, radiographic characteristics and management of these tumors, with a focus on imaging modalities. A case of IMT of the neck is presented and the associated literature is reviewed. In total, seven patients in seven English-language studies, including the present case, and one patient in one Chinese-language study were found. On CT scans, all tumors appeared as soft-tissue densities. Upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), all tumors displayed a heterogeneous hypointense-isointense signal on T1-weighted sequences and an isointense-hyperintense signal on T2-weighted sequences. All tumors showed enhancement on enhanced CT and MR images. The imaging features of the neck IMTs can be summarized as follows: i) When enhanced, the tumor displays enhancement on CT and MR images; ii) MRI is superior to CT scans in the differential diagnosis of this disease; iii) in general, the lesion displays a hypointense-isointense signal on T1-weighted sequences and an isointense-hyperintense signal on T2-weighted sequences; iv) due to the fibrous tissue in the tumor, delayed enhancement may be observed on gadolinium-enhanced MR images; and v) due to its benign or intermediate features, the tumor is usually a well-defined mass.

Objective assessment of persistent rhinitis in Chinese and its relationship with serum indicators.

Persistent rhinitis (PR) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people. However, it lacks of a useful method, which can indicate the actual severity of the inflammation in PR patients. This study was designed to seek an examination which could reflect the actual severity of PR disease. The serum Phadiatop test, ECP level, four-phase rhinomanometry, and acoustic rhinometry were assessed in 91 adult patients with PR and 10 healthy controls. The serum total IgE was determined in some of the patients and all of the controls. The patients were divided into four groups: ARWO, ARWTO, NARWO and NARWTO. 40% (22/55) of AR and 33.3% (13/36) of NAR patients never complained of persistent nasal obstruction. Serum ECP levels were increased in the ARWO group. Serum total IgE was significantly elevated in the AR groups. MCA(1-Min) and MCA(1-T) were significantly reduced in the ARWO, ARWTO, and NARWO groups. NV(6-Min) and NV(6-T) were decreased in all PR groups, but only some of these differences were significant. In the ARWO group, MCA(2-Min) (r = -0.252), MCA(2-T) (r = -0.377), NV(6-Min) (r = -0.32), and NV(6-T) (r = -0.311) had significant relationships with serum ECP. We recommend acoustic rhinometry as a useful routine tool for the diagnosis of PR, even among patients without persistent subjective nasal obstruction. This technique might reveal the actual status of nasal congestion. An elevated serum ECP level might indicate severe AR and is negatively correlated with the results of acoustic rhinometry.

Effect of the vascular endothelial growth factor expression level on angiopoietin-2-mediated nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth.

BACKGROUND: The overexpression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) has both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects. However, the mechanisms of this protein's dual effects are poorly understood, and it remains unclear how Ang-2 cooperates with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the current study, we investigated the effects of Ang-2 overexpression on nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth in the presence of different levels of VEGF. METHODS: Ang-2 was introduced into the CNE2 cell line by liposome transfection, and the expression of endogenous VEGF was inhibited by microRNA-mediated RNA interference. CNE2 cells expressing varying levels of Ang-2 and VEGF were injected subcutaneously into the flanks of nude mice. Tumor growth was measured, and vessels from the harvested tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: The overexpression of Ang-2 had no obvious effect on CNE2 tumor growth in the presence of endogenous VEGF but significantly inhibited CNE2 tumor growth when the expression of endogenous VEGF was silenced, and the Ang-2/VEGF ratio is negatively correlated with tumor growth. Ang-2 overexpression decreased the percentage of α-SMA-positive cells around the tumor vessels but reduced the microvessel density only in the absence of VEGF. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the effects of Ang-2 on nasopharyngeal carcinoma are highly dependent on the level of VEGF expression, Ang-2/VEGF ratio may offer a novel therapeutic approach for treating human cancer.

Differentiating laryngeal carcinomas from precursor lesions by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has been introduced in head and neck cancers. Due to limitations in the performance of laryngeal DWI, including the complex anatomical structure of the larynx leading to susceptibility effects, the value of DWI in differentiating benign from malignant laryngeal lesions has largely been ignored. We assessed whether a threshold for the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was useful in differentiating preoperative laryngeal carcinomas from precursor lesions by turbo spin-echo (TSE) DWI and 3.0-T magnetic resonance. METHODS: We evaluated DWI and the ADC value in 33 pathologically proven laryngeal carcinomas and 17 precancerous lesions. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 81.8%, 64.7%, 76.0% by laryngostroboscopy, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of conventional magnetic resonance imaging were 90.9%, 76.5%, 86.0%, respectively. Qualitative DWI analysis produced sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values of 100.0, 88.2, and 96.0%, respectively. The ADC values were lower for patients with laryngeal carcinoma (mean 1.195±0.32×10(-3) mm(2)/s) versus those with laryngeal precancerous lesions (mean 1.780±0.32×10(-3) mm(2)/s; P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.956 and the optimum threshold for the ADC was 1.455×10(-3) mm(2)/s, resulting in a sensitivity of 94.1%, a specificity of 90.9%, and an accuracy of 92.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, including the small number of laryngeal carcinomas included, DWI may detect changes in tumor size and shape before they are visible by laryngostroboscopy. The ADC values were lower for patients with laryngeal carcinoma than for those with laryngeal precancerous lesions. The proposed cutoff for the ADC may help distinguish laryngeal carcinomas from laryngeal precancerous lesions.

Giant osteomas of the ethmoid and frontal sinuses: Clinical characteristics and review of the literature.

Giant osteomas of the ethmoid and frontal sinuses ary very rare, with only a few dozen cases reported in the literature. Given their rarity, the clinical characteristics and treatment of this disease remain controversial. In this study, the clinical presentation and surgical methods used to treat three patients with giant osteomas of the ethmoid and frontal sinuses are described, combined with a review of the literature from 1975 to 2011. In total, 45 patients with giant osteomas arising from the ethmoid and frontal sinuses (including the present cases) have been reported in 41 articles. Headache and ocular signs are the most common symptoms. This disease often leads to intracranial or intraorbital complications. The main treatment for giant osteoma is surgery via an external approach. The outcome of surgery for giant osteoma is good, with rare recurrence, no malignant transformation and few persistent symptoms.

Serum eosinophil cationic protein level in Chinese subjects with nonallergic and local allergic rhinitis and its relation to the severity of disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is a common disease, and local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is a newly described entity that is called "entopy" in recent years. However, the etiology and incidence of NAR and LAR are uncertain. This study evaluates the incidence of LAR in Chinese subjects and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in patients with NAR and LAR and its relationship with symptom scores. METHODS: Positive skin-prick tests (SPT), nasal allergen provocation testing (NAPT) to Dermatophagoides farinae (DF), serum Phadiatop tests, and symptom score evaluations were performed in 147 patients with nonatopic persistent rhinitis. LAR was diagnosed by positive NAPT to DF results. The serum ECP level was measured using the UniCAP100 automated system by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden). RESULTS: Twelve patients were diagnosed with LAR, and 135 patients were diagnosed with NAR. There was no statistical difference of the visual analog scale scores between the two groups. Serum ECP was significantly increased in the patients with NAR. Serum ECP in the LAR group showed no difference compared with the NAR group or the controls. In the NAR group, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and total scores had close and statistically significant relationships with serum ECP level. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the first evidence that LAR exists in Chinese subjects. This study also suggests that eosinophils and ECP take part in the pathogenesis of NAR. A local examination for ECP and specific IgE in nasal lavage fluid or secretions in patients with LAR should be performed in a future study.

Computed tomography and pathological findings of five nasal neurilemmomas.

OBJECTIVES: Neurilemmomas are benign tumors deriving from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. They occur in all parts of the body. The highest incidence of neurilemmoma is in the head and neck region (38-45%), but involvement of the nose and paranasal sinus is quite rare, with only sporadic cases having been reported in the world literature. Fewer than 4% of these tumors involve the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. We describe the clinical, pathologic, and computed tomography (CT) features of five nasal neurilemmomas. METHODOLOGY: CT features of five patients with nasal schwannoma proved by operation and pathology were investigated. RESULTS: Schwannomas tend to be solitary and are usually well-circumscribed tumors with an oval, round or fusiform shape in the unilateral nasal cavity. The lesions usually have a mottled central lucency with peripheral intensification on contrast-enhanced CT scans. The heterogeneous appearance is related to areas of increased vascularity with adjacent non-enhancing cystic or necrotic regions. CONCLUSIONS: Schwannoma should be considered in the differential of unusual nasal masses. Certain clinical and CT patterns may be of use in the differential diagnosis.

Expression of Glut-1, HIF-1α, PI3K and p-Akt in a case of ceruminous adenoma.

OBJECTIVES: Ceruminous adenoma of the external auditory canal (EAC) is a rare type of tumour that is diagnosed histologically. However, the clinical behaviour of these tumours remains controversial. Here, we report a case of ceruminous adenoma of the EAC and expression of a hypoxia marker. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of recurrent otorrhoea in the right ear. Surgery was performed by the transmeatal approach with total removal of the mass. Histopathology revealed a ceruminous adenoma. Tumour cells were positive for CK, S-100 protein, Glut-1, HIF-1α, PI3K and p-Akt. There was no evidence of recurrence at last follow-up 27 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Ceruminous adenoma of the EAC is a rare tumour. The treatment of choice is wide local excision with clear margins. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Glut-1 expression and the PI3K/Akt pathway in ceruminous adenoma of the EAC.

Inhibition of cell proliferation and glucose uptake in human laryngeal carcinoma cells by antisense oligonucleotides against glucose transporter-1.

BACKGROUND: Malignant cells show increased glucose uptake in vitro and in vivo, which is thought to be mediated by glucose transporters. In this study, we investigated the effect of plasmid-derived antisense RNA against the Glut-l gene on proliferation and glucose uptake in laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells. METHODS: The expression plasmids pcDNA3.1(+)-Glut-1 and pcDNA3.1(+)-anti Glut-1 were constructed. The MTT method was used to assess cell growth inhibition. The expression of Glut-1 mRNA and protein was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: After transfection, Glut-1 AS clearly inhibited glucose uptake and cell growth in Hep-2 cells, and we observed a decrease in the expression of Glut-1 mRNA and protein in Hep-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Glut-1 AS decreases glucose uptake and inhibits the proliferation of Hep-2 cells.