Eight-Electron Superatomic Cu31 Nanocluster with Chiral Kernel and NIR-II Emission.

Owing to the inherent instability caused by the low Cu(I)/Cu(0) half-cell reduction potential, Cu(0)-containing copper nanoclusters are quite uncommon in comparison to their Ag and Au congeners. Here, a novel eight-electron superatomic copper nanocluster [Cu31(4-MeO-PhC≡C)21(dppe)3](ClO4)2 (Cu31, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) is presented with total structural characterization. The structural determination reveals that Cu31 features an inherent chiral metal core arising from the helical arrangement of two sets of three Cu2 units encircling the icosahedral Cu13 core, which is further shielded by 4-MeO-PhC≡C- and dppe ligands. Cu31 is the first copper nanocluster carrying eight free electrons, which is further corroborated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Interestingly, Cu31 demonstrates the first near-infrared (750-950 nm, NIR-I) window absorption and the second near-infrared (1000-1700 nm, NIR-II) window emission, which is exceptional in the copper nanocluster family and endows it with great potential in biological applications. Of note, the 4-methoxy groups providing close contacts with neighboring clusters are crucial for the cluster formation and crystallization, while 2-methoxyphenylacetylene leads only to copper hydride clusters, Cu6H or Cu32H14. This research not only showcases a new member of copper superatoms but also exemplifies that copper nanoclusters, which are nonluminous in the visible range may emit luminescence in the deep NIR region.

Viral Etiology Relationship between Human Papillomavirus and Human Breast Cancer and Target of Gene Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the viral etiology of human breast cancer to determine whether there are novel molecular targets for gene therapy of breast cancer and provide evidence for the research of gene therapy and vaccine development for breast cancer. METHODS: PCR was used to screen HPV16 and HPV18 oncogenes E6 and E7 in the SKBR3 cell line and in 76 paraffin embedded breast cancer tissue samples. RNA interference was used to knock down the expression of HPV18 E6 and E7 in SKBR3 cells, then the changes in the expression of cell-cycle related proteins, cell viability, colony formation, metastasis, and cell cycle progression were determined. RESULTS: HPV18 oncogenes E6 and E7 were amplified and sequenced from the SKBR3 cells. Of the patient samples, 6.58% and 23.68% were tested to be positive for HPV18 E6 and HPV18 E7. In the cell culture models, the knockdown of HPV18 E6 and E7 inhibited the proliferation, metastasis, and cell cycle progression of SKBR3 cell. The knockdown also clearly affected the expression levels of cell cycle related proteins. CONCLUSION: HPV was a contributor to virus caused human breast cancer, suggesting that the oncogenes in HPV were potential targets for gene therapy of breast cancer.

[Morphologic changes of fallopian tubal epithelium in ovarian serous tumors].

OBJECTIVES: To study the morphologic changes of fallopian tubal epithelium in patients with ovarian serous epithelial tumors and to explore the relationship between the tubal epithelial changes and tumorigenesis of serous ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: The fallopian tubes in 79 cases of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, 12 cases of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, 16 cases of serous borderline ovarian tumor and 11 cases of non-ovarian benign tumors were serially examined under light microscope. Immunohistochemical study with EnVision method was used to detect the expression of p53 and bcl-2 protein in the fallopian tubal epithelium in all cases. The occurrences of secretory cell outgrowth (SCOUT), p53 signature, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) and serous invasive carcinoma were analyzed. RESULTS: SCOUT in tubal epithelium was observed in 60.8% (48/79) of the high-grade serous carcinoma group, 4/12 of the low-grade serous carcinoma group, 3/16 of the serous borderline tumor group and 2/11 of the non-ovarian benign tumor group (P = 0.001). P53 signature, STIC and serous invasive carcinoma occurred only in the fallopian tubal epithelium of patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, with the positive rates being 29.1% (23/79), 15.2% (12/79) and 44.3% (35/79), respectively. Of the 23 cases with p53 signature, 17 cases had solitary lesion and 6 cases involved more than two sites. A total of 33 p53 signature positive foci were found, with 22 foci located at fimbria and 11 at ampulla. Bcl-2 expression was demonstrated in 90.9% of those foci (30/33). Of the 12 patients with STIC, 7 cases were solitary and 5 cases involved more than two sites. A total of 18 STIC foci were found, with 16 foci located at fimbria and 2 at ampulla. All of them were positive for bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS: SCOUT is found in fallopian tubal epithelium in patients with serous ovarian epithelial tumors, especially high-grade serious carcinoma. On the other hand, p53 signature, STIC and invasive serous carcinoma of tubal epithelium are observed only in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, with a predilection of fimbrial involvement. Correlation exists between SCOUT, p53 signature, STIC and high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas. Bcl-2 and p53 immunostaining is helpful for demonstrating such lesions.

[Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of urinary system: a clinicopathologic analysis of 21 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) occurring in the urinary system. METHODS: The clinicopathologic features of 21 cases of PEComa from September 2002 to September 2010 occurring in the urinary system were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for HMB 45, S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, desmin, Melan A and Ki-67 was carried out. RESULTS: Amongst the 21 cases studied, there were 5 males and 16 females. The age of patients ranged from 16 to 76 years (median = 51.3 years). Twenty cases occurred in the kidney and 1 in the bladder. The predominant histopathologic subtype of renal PEComas was classic type (10/20), followed by epithelioid type (5/20), smooth muscle type (3/20), inflammatory type (1/20) and sclerosing type (1/20). Immunohistochemical study showed that HMB 45 and smooth muscle actin were positive in 95.2% (20/21) and 80.9% (17/21) cases, respectively. Melan A, desmin and S-100 protein were expressed in 71.4% (15/21), 61.9% (13/21) and 33.3% (7/21) cases, respectively. The mean proliferative index was 1.29% (range = 0 to 5%). HMB 45 and Melan A were expressed in all of the 5 cases of epithelioid PEComas, whereas smooth muscle actin and desmin were only expressed in one of them. There was no significant difference between epithelioid PEComas and non-epithelioid PEComas in the expression of HMB 45, Melan A, smooth muscle actin and desmin. Positive staining for HMB 45 and smooth muscle actin was demonstrated in the case of bladder PEComa. CONCLUSIONS: PEComas of the urinary system predominantly affect the kidney. Epithelioid renal PEComas and bladder PEComa are relatively rare and have unique pathologic features. It is necessary to distinguish PEComas from other malignant tumors. Immunohistochemical study for HMB 45, Melan A and smooth muscle actin is helpful for confirmation of diagnosis.

[Expression and promotor methylation of p73 gene in ovarian epithelial tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and promoter methylation status of p73 gene in ovarian epithelial tumors and their clinicopathological correlations. METHODS: Tissue microarrays (TMA) consisting of 68 ovarian cancers, 37 ovarian borderline tumors and 21 ovarian benign tumors were constructed. p73 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (EnVision method). Fresh-frozen tissue samples from 13 cases of ovarian carcinomas and 5 cases of borderline tumors were evaluated for the presence of p73 promoter methylation using bisulfite sequencing. RESULTS: Overall, 92.6% (63/68) ovarian carcinomas expressed p73, with a mean value of 32% (percentage of p73 positive cells in the tumor). The mean value of p73 expression rate (40%) in serous carcinoma (26/26) was higher than those of other cancer types (P = 0.006). The mean value of p73 expression rate (40%) in type II ovarian carcinoma was significantly higher than that in type I ovarian carcinoma (24%, P = 0.010). The expression of p73 was not associated with FIGO stage and histological grade (both P > 0.05). The mean values of p73 expression in ovarian borderline tumor (30/37) and benign tumor (12/21) were 16% and 15%, respectively. Of the two groups, the mean value of p73 expression rate in serous type was higher than that in mucous type (P = 0.003, P = 0.026). Ovarian carcinomas had a higher level of p73 expression than borderline tumors and benign tumors (both P < 0.05), while that between ovarian borderline tumors and benign tumors had no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Among serous tumors (49/53), the mean value of p73 expression in the carcinoma group (26/26) was significantly higher than those in the borderline tumor group (12/14) and benign tumor group (11/13; P = 0.024 and P = 0.002, respectively), while that between borderline tumor group and benign tumor group had no statistical difference (P = 0.428). Among mucous tumors (15/27), the mean value of p73 expression in carcinoma group (6/7) was higher than that in benign tumor group (1/8; P = 0.032). No statistical difference of p73 expression was seen between the carcinoma group and ovarian borderline tumor group (8/12) and between the borderline tumor group and benign tumor group (P = 0.234, P = 0.201, respectively). p73 promotor methylation was found in 8 of 13 cases of carcinomas but at different methylation levels with a mean value of 8.0%. Two of 5 ovarian borderline tumors showed detectable p73 promotor methylation with a mean value of 9.0%. Compared with the borderline tumors, ovarian carcinomas showed a similar p73 methylation level (P > 0.05). The p73 methylation level in ovarian carcinomas was not associated with histological type, pathogenetic type, histological grade and FIGO stage (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most of ovarian epithelial tumors express p73 protein with mean values higher in ovarian carcinomas than those in the borderline and benign tumors. Ovarian serous carcinomas have the highest expression level of p73. A simple linear correlation does not exist between the promoter methylation and protein expression of p73.

[Immunohistochemistry of p57 and p53 protein in differential diagnosis of hydropic abortion, partial and complete hydatidiform mole].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of p57 and p53 immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of hydropic abortion, partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole. METHODS: Immunohistochemical stains (EnVision method) for p57 and p53 were performed in tissue samples of normal placenta chorionic villi (n=10), abortion chorionic villi (n=12), partial hydatidiform (n=23) and complete hydatidiform moles (n=20). RESULTS: The expression of p57 was predominantly localized in the nuclei of villous cytotrophoblasts and stromal cells. The positive rates of p57 in normal placenta, hydropic abortion and partial hydatidiform mole were 10/10, 12/12, and 100% (23/23), respectively, with no significant difference among the groups (P>0.05). However, none of the complete hydatidiform moles analyzed exhibited p57 positivity in cytotrophoblasts and stromal cells. There was a significant difference between partial and complete hydatidiform moles (P<0.05). The expression of p53 was observed in the nuclei of cytotrophoblastic cells and intermediate trophoblasts. No p53 expression was seen in normal placenta and only 1 of 12 hydropic abortion showed p53 positivity. The positive rates of p53 expression in partial and complete hydatidiform mole were 60.9% (14/23) and 85.0% (17/20) respectively. It was significantly higher in partial hydatidiform mole than that in hydropic abortion. A significant difference was also found between partial and complete hydatidiform moles (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that p57 immunohistochemistry assists the differential diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole from partial hydatidiform mole. Expression of p53 may be helpful in distinguishing partial hydatidiform mole from hydropic abortion.

Discovery of perturbation gene targets via free text metadata mining in Gene Expression Omnibus.

There exists over 2.5 million publicly available gene expression samples across 101,000 data series in NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Due to the lack of the use of standardised ontology terms in GEO's free text metadata to annotate the experimental type and sample type, this database remains difficult to harness computationally without significant manual intervention. In this work, we present an interactive R/Shiny tool called GEOracle that utilises text mining and machine learning techniques to automatically identify perturbation experiments, group treatment and control samples and perform differential expression. We present applications of GEOracle to discover conserved signalling pathway target genes and identify an organ specific gene regulatory network. GEOracle is effective in discovering perturbation gene targets in GEO by harnessing its free text metadata. Its effectiveness and applicability has been demonstrated by cross validation and two real-life case studies. It opens up new avenues to unlock the gene regulatory information embedded inside large biological databases such as GEO. GEOracle is available at https://github.com/VCCRI/GEOracle.

Interleukin­10 promotes primary rat hepatic stellate cell senescence by upregulating the expression levels of p53 and p21.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a primary source of ECM. Several studies have revealed that the induction of HSC senescence may reduce liver fibrosis. The effect of interleukin­10 (IL­10) on the senescence of activated HSCs is not fully understood. Therefore, the present study examined its effects and potential mechanisms in activated primary rat HSCs. Collagenase perfusion and density gradient centrifugation methods were used to isolate rat HSCs. HSCs were identified by autofluorescence, Oil Red O staining and immunocytochemical analysis. Activated HSCs were treated with 0, 10, 20 or 40 ng/ml IL­10 for 24 h. Senescence­associated ß­galactosidase (SA­ß­Gal) staining, flow cytometry analysis and a cell counting kit­8 assay were performed to detect the senescence, apoptosis and viability of rat HSCs, respectively. Reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect the expression of senescence­associated proteins and cytokines. Freshly isolated rat HSCs exhibited a striking blue­green autofluorescence and HSC retinoid droplets were stained bright red by Oil Red O. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated the cytoplasmic expression of HSC markers desmin and α­smooth muscle actin. The number of SA­ß­Gal positive HSCs, the apoptotic rate and the expression levels of p53, p21 and tumor necrosis factor­α were significantly increased following IL­10 treatment. HSC viability and IL­6 and IL­8 expression levels were significantly decreased compared with the control group. In summary, primary rat HSCs were successfully isolated and IL­10 was demonstrated to promote the senescence of activated primary rat HSCs through the upregulation of p53 and p21 expression.

Antifibrotic effects of interleukin-10 on experimental hepatic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To study the effects of interleukin-10 on hepatic stellate cells and liver tissue in experimental rats hepatic fibrosis. METHODOLOGY: Rat hepatic fibrosis model induced by carbon tetrachloride was established. Liver tissues were harvested from the rats administered CCl4 with or without IL-10 treatment and the animals of the control group. The expression of TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in the liver tissues was measured by S-P immunohistochemistry. In addition, another model was established; HSCs in rats in each group were isolated. RT-PCR was employed to analyze TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA expression in cells and immunocytochemistry was performed to detect protein expression of alpha-SMA, NF-kappaB, TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in HSCs. RESULTS: Rat hepatic fibrosis was developed successfully. The fibrosis changes were partially reversed by simultaneous administration of IL-10. The positive signals of TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were observed more frequently (P<0.05) in the CCl4-treated group compared to those in the IL-10-treated group and the control group. HSCs were successfully isolated. TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in HSCs increased obviously during the course of hepatic fibrosis, and their levels were decreased after the treatment with IL-10 (P<0.05). The immunocytochemistry positive levels for TGF-beta1, MMP-2, TIMP-1, alpha-SMA and NF-kappaB in the fibrogenesis group were increased significantly compared to the normal group (P<0.01). The positive signals decreased significantly (P<0.05) after the treatment with IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 increased in liver or in HSC of hepatic fibrosis rats and decreased after treatment with IL-10. The IL-10 could inhibit the activation of HSCs and make an antifibrogenic process come into effect in this way.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in hepatic stellate cells during rat hepatic fibrosis and its intervention by IL-10.

AIM: To investigate the expression of matrix metallopr-oteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in hepatic fibrosis and the antifibrogenic role of exogenous interleukin-10 (IL-10). METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl(4) administration and 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (group N, 8 rats), CCl(4)-induced group (group C, 28 rats) and IL-10-treated group (group I, 24 rats). At the beginning of the 7(th) and 11(th) wk, rats in each group were routinely perfused with pronase E and type IV collagenase through portal vein catheter and the suspension was centrifuged by 11% Nycodenz density gradient to isolate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). RT-PCR was used to analyze mRNA of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 from freshly isolated cells. Densitometric data were standardized with beta-actin signals. Immunocytochemistry was performed to detect MMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression in HSC cultured for 72 h. RESULTS: Compared to group N in the 7(th) wk, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA increased in group C (P = 0.001/0.001) and group I (P = 0.001/0.009). The level of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in group I was significantly lower than that in group C (P = 0.001/0.001). In the 11(th) wk, MMP-2 mRNA in group I was still lower than that in group C (P = 0.005), but both dropped compared with that in the 7(th) week (P = 0.001/0.004). TIMP-1 mRNA in group I was still lower than that in group C (P = 0.001), and increased in group C (P = 0.001) while decreased in group I (P = 0.042) compared with that in the 7(th) wk. Same results were found by immunocytochemistry. CONCLUSION: Expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 is increased in hepatic fibrosis. IL-10 exhibits an antifibrogenic effect by suppressing MMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression.

Effect of interleukin-10 and platelet-derived growth factor on expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in rat fibrotic liver and cultured hepatic stellate cells.

AIM: To examine the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in rat fibrotic liver and in normal rat hepatic stellate cells, and to investigate the changes in their expressions in response to treatment with interleukin-10 (IL-10) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). METHODS: Rat models of CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis were established and the liver tissues were sampled from the rats with or without IL-10 treatment, and also from the control rats. The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in liver tissues were detected by S-P immunohistochemistry, and their expression intensities were evaluated in different groups. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated from normal rat and cultured in vitro prior to exposure to PDGF treatment or co-treatment with IL-10 and PDGF. MMP-2 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: CCl4- induced rat hepatic fibrosis models were successfully established. The positive expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 increased obviously with the development of hepatic fibrosis, especially in untreated model group (84.0% and 92.0%, P<0.01). The positive signals decreased significantly following IL-10 treatment (39.3% and 71.4%, P<0.01 and P<0.05) in a time-dependent manner. TIMP-1 mRNA in PDGF-treated group was significantly increased time-dependently in comparison with that of the control group, but PDGF did not obviously affect MMP-2 expression. No difference was noted in TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions in HSCs after IL-10 and PDGF treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: MMP-2 and TIMP-1 expressions increase in liver tissues with the development of fibrosis, which can be inhibited by exogenous IL-10 inhibitor. PDGF induces the up-regulation of TIMP-1 but not MMP-2 in the HSCs. IL-10 inhibits TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions in HSCs induced by PDGF.

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor and interleukin-10 on Fas/Fas-ligand and Bcl-2/Bax mRNA expression in rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro.

AIM: To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) on Fas/Fas-ligand and Bcl-2/Bax mRNA expressions in rat hepatic stellate cells. METHODS: Rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated and purified from rat liver by in situ digestion of collagenase and pronase and single-step density Nycodenz gradient. After activated by culture in vitro, HSCs were divided into 4 groups and treated with nothing (group N), PDGF (group P), IL-10 (group I) and PDGF in combination with IL-10 (group C), respectively. Semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was employed to compare the mRNA expression levels of Fas/FasL and Bcl-2/Bax in HSCs of each group. RESULTS: The expression levels of Fas between the 4 groups had no significant differences (P>0.05). FasL mRNA level in normal culture-activated HSCs (group N) was very low. It increased obviously after HSCs were treated with IL-10 (group I) (0.091+/-0.007 vs 0.385+/-0.051, P<0.01), but remained the low level after treated with PDGF alone (group P) or PDGF in combination with IL-10 (group C). Contrast to the control group, after treated with PDGF and IL-10, either alone or in combination, Bcl-2 mRNA expression was down-regulated and Bax mRNA expression was up-regulated, both following the turn from group P, group I to group C. Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in group C was significantly lower than that in group P (0.126+/-0.008 vs 0.210+/-0.024, P<0.01). But no significant difference was found between group C and group I, as well as between group I and group P (P>0.05). Similarly, the expression of Bax in group C was higher than that in group P (0.513+/-0.016 vs 0.400+/-0.022, P<0.01). No significant difference was found between group I and group P (P>0.05). But compared with group C, Bax expressions in group I tended to decrease (0.449+/-0.028 vs 0.513+/-0.016, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PDGF may promote proliferation of HSCs but is neutral with respect to HSC apoptosis. IL-10 may promote the apoptosis of HSCs by up-regulating the expressions of FasL and Bax and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2, which may be involved in its antifibrosis mechanism.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and its intervention by interleukin-10 in experimental hepatic fibrosis.

AIM: To study the expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R and its intervention by interleukin-10 in the course of experimental hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride intoxication and liver specimens were taken from the rats administered CCl4 with or without IL-10 treatment and the animals of the control group. Immunoreactivities for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1 receptor(IGF-1R) were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, and their intensities were evaluated in different animal groups. RESULTS: The positive levels for IGF-1 and IGF-1R were increased with the development of hepatic fibrosis, with the positive signals localized in cytoplasm and/or at the plasmic membrane of hepatocytes. The positive signals of IGF-1 and IGF-1R were observed more frequently (P<0.01) in the CCl4-treated group (92.0 % and 90.0 %) compared to those in the control group. The positive signals decreased significantly (P<0.05) in IL-10-treated group. The responses in IGF-1 and IGF-1R expression correlated with the time of IL-10 treatment. CONCLUSION: The expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R immunoreactivities in liver tissue seems to be up-regulated during development of hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4), and exogenic IL-10 inhibits the responses.

Overexpression of HBxAg in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with Fas/FasL system.

AIM: To study the expression and serum level of HBxAg, Fas and FasL in tissues of HCC patients, and to assess the relationship between HBxAg and Fas/FasL system. METHODS: Tissues from 50 patients with HCC were tested for the expression of HBxAg, Fas and FasL by S-P immunohistochemistry. Serum levels of sFas/sFasL and HBsAg/HBeAg were measured by ELISA assay. HBV X gene was detected by PCR in serum and confirmed by automatic sequencing. Fifty cases of liver cirrhosis and 30 normal controls were involved in serum analysis. RESULTS: The expression of HBxAg, Fas and FasL in carcinoma tissues was 96 %, 84 % and 98 %, respectively. Staining of HBxAg, Fas and FasL was observed predominately in cytoplasms, no significant difference was found in intensity between HBxAg, Fas and FasL (P>0.05). HBxAg, Fas and FasL might express in the same area of carcinoma tissues and this co-expression could be found in most patients with HCC. The mean levels of sFas in serum from HCC, cirrhosis and normal controls were 762.29 +/- 391.56 microg.L(-1), 835.36 +/- 407.33 microg.L(-1) and 238.27 +/- 135.29 microg.L(-1). The mean levels of sFasL in serum from HCC, cirrhosis and normal controls were 156.36 +/- 9.61 microg.L(-1), 173.63 +/- 18.74 microg.L(-1) and 121.96 +/- 7.83 microg.L(-1). Statistical analysis showed that both sFas and sFasL in HCC and cirrhosis patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls (P<0.01). Serum HBV X gene was found in 32% of HCC patients and 46% of cirrhotic patients. There was no significant relationship between serum level of sFas/sFasL and serum X gene detection (P>0.05). Eight percent of HCC patients with negative HBsAg and HBeAg in serum might have X gene in serum and HBxAg expression in carcinoma tissues. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that HBxAg and Fas/FasL system plays an important role in the development of human HCC. Expression of HBxAg can leads to expression of Fas/FasL system which and reverse apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by FasL.

Hydrodynamics-based transfection of rat interleukin-10 gene attenuates porcine serum-induced liver fibrosis in rats by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

Liver fibrosis is the common pathological outcome for the majority of chronic liver diseases. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that downregulates proinflammatory responses and has a modulatory effect on liver fibrogenesis. However, little is known regarding the effect of rat interleukin­10 (rIL­10) gene by hydrodynamics-based transfection (HBT) on liver fibrosis in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the rIL-10 gene by HBT on the progression of liver fibrosis induced by porcine serum (PS) in rats and explore its possible mechanism. Plasmid­expressing rIL-10 was transferred into rats by HBT and immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to detect the major organ expressing rIL-10. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of PS for 8 weeks. Plasmid pcDNA3-rIL-10 solution was administered weekly by HBT starting at the 5th week. Liver function and hepatic histology were examined. The possible molecular mechanisms of rIL-10 gene therapy were assessed in liver tissue and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) co-cultured with BRL cells (a hepatocyte line) in vitro. The results showed rIL-10 expression occurred mainly in the liver following rIL-10 gene transfer by HBT. Maintaining a stable expression of rIL-10 in serum was assessed by repeated administration. The rIL-10 gene treatment attenuated liver inflammation and fibrosis in PS-induced fibrotic rats, reduced the deposition of collagen and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibrotic rats. The in vitro experiment showed that the expression of a-SMA and procollagen type I in HSCs co-cultured with the BRL­transfected rIL-10 gene were significantly decreased. These findings indicate that rIL-10 gene therapy by HBT attenuates PS-induced liver fibrosis in rats and that its mechanism is associated with rIL-10 inhibiting the activation of HSCs and promoting the degeneration of collagen.

Clinicopathologic spectrum and EBV status of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are serious, life-threatening complications of solid-organ transplantation (SOT) and bone marrow transplantation, and are associated with high mortality. PTLDs represent a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative diseases, which show a spectrum of clinical, morphologic, and molecular genetic features ranging from reactive polyclonal lesions to frank lymphomas. We describe clinicopathologic features of 17 cases of PTLD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), which were analyzed by in situ hybridization for EBV and a panel of antibodies directed against numerous antigens, including CD20, PAX5, CD3, bcl-6, CD10, MUM-1/IRF4, CD138, Kappa, Lambda, CD30, CD15, and Ki67. The cases included 13 males and 4 females with a median age of 31 years (range 9-49 years) and the PTLDs developed 1.5-19 months post-transplant (mean 4.7 months). The histological types indicated five cases of early lesions, two of plasmacytic hyperplasia and three of infectious mononucleosis-like PTLD. Eight cases were polymorphic PTLD, and four were monomorphic PTLD, including three of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and one of plasmablastic lymphoma. Foci and sheets of necrosis were observed in five cases. The infected ratio of EBV was 88.2 %. Some cases were treated by reduction of immunosuppression, antiviral therapy, donor lymphocyte infusion, or anti-CD20 monoclonal rituximab. Eight cases died. The first half year after allo-HSCT is very important for the development of PTLD. The diagnosis of PTLD relies on morphology and immunohistochemistry, and EBV plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PTLD. The prognosis of PTLD is poor, and, notably, PTLD after allo-HSCT exhibits some features different from those of PTLD after SOT.

Interleukin-10 gene modification attenuates hepatocyte activation of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a key role in the progression of liver fibrosis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a potential anti-fibrosis cytokine, has an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile, which limits its clinical applications. A liver-targeting gene delivery system may maintain a longer-lasting concentration in hepatic tissue with fewer side­effects in non-target tissues. In the present study, when delivered by asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated liposomes, the IL-10 gene was highly expressed in BRL cells (a rat hepatocyte line) and attenuated the apoptosis of BRL cells induced by plasmid transfection. In a co-culture system, BRL cells demonstrated a marked ability to stimulate the proliferation of primary HSCs and their expression of α-SMA and procollagen type I. Following modification of the BRL cells with the IL-10 gene, this stimulation was attenuated and an accelerated apoptosis of the HSCs was induced. These results suggest that hepatocyte­targeting gene delivery may be an ideal technique for the IL-10 gene therapy of liver fibrosis, which requires further confirmation by in vivo studies.

A new cerebral hemorrhage model in cynomolgus macaques created by injection of autologous anticoagulated blood into the brain.

The aim of this study was to establish and validate a clinically relevant model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) via injection of autologous blood into the brains of cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Eight male cynomolgus macaques received 1.5 mL of fresh anticoagulated autologous femoral artery blood into the inner side of the claustrum near the right basal ganglia under stereotactic guidance. Animals were evaluated with MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning before and 24 hours after surgery and once per week thereafter. A neurological deficit scale was used to assess the animals on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after surgery. Animals showed focal neurological signs corresponding to the MRI-located hematoma. The behavioral impairment progressively ameliorated over time, but never fully resolved. The hematoma was absorbed over time but was still present 4 weeks after surgery, with persistent metabolic deficit detected using PET scanning. Histological examinations confirmed the in vivo findings. This ICH model in a non-human primate mimics human ICH in the basal ganglia and may be useful for assessing the safety and efficacy of neuroprotective agents.