Effect of siRNA-mediated knockdown of eIF3c gene on survival of colon cancer cells

Eukaryotic initiation factor subunit c(eIF3c) has been identified as an oncogene that is over-expressed in tumor cells and,therefore,is a potential therapeutic target for gene-based cancer treatment.This study was focused on investigating the effect of small interfering RNA(siRNA)-mediated eIF3c gene knockdown on colon cancer cell survival.The eIF3c gene was observed to be highly expressed in colon cancer cell models.The expression levels of the gene in eIF3c siRNA infected and control siRNA infected cells were compared via real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and western blotting analysis.Cell proliferation levels were analyzed employing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) and colony formation assays.Furthermore,the effects of eIF3c gene knockdown on the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry.The results showed that suppression of eIF3c expression significantly(P<0.001) reduced cell proliferation and colony formation of RKO colon cancer cells.The cell cycle was arrested by decreasing the number of cells entering S phase.Further,apoptosis was induced as a result of eIF3c knockdown.Collectively,eIF3c deletion effectively reduced the survival of colon cancer cells and could be used as a therapeutic tool for colon cancer therapy.     

Inhibition of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell by TNP-470 in combination with gemcitabine

Angiogenesis is required for solid tumor growth and facilitates tumor progression and metastasis. The inhibition effects of O-（chloroacetyl-carbamoyl） fumagillol （TNP-470）, an angiogenesis inhibitor, and gemcitabine, a chemotherapeutic agent, on expression of growth factors were investigated using human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line, A549. The A549 cells were divided into four groups： control group, 10^-6 mg/ml gemcitabine treated group, 10^-4 mg/ml TNP-470 treated group and gemcitabine＋TNP-470 treated group. The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and its receptors, FMS-like tyrosine kinase-l （FLT-1） and kinase insert domain-containing receptor （KDR）, in different groups were measured. The growth of A549 cell cultured with gemcitabine or TNP-470 was inhibited in an almost dose-dependent manner. Although gemcitabine （10^-6 mg/ml） alone and TNP-470 （10^-4 mg/ml） alone had no effect on the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and its receptors （FLT-1, KDR） in A549 cells compared to the control （P〉0.05）, 10^-6 mg/ml gemcitabine in combination with 10^-4 mg/ml TNP-470 had significant effect （P〈0.01）. Moreover, combination of the two drugs significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR compared to either drug alone （P〈0.05）. This study suggests that combined treatment with TNP-470 plus gemcitabine may augment the antiangiogenic and antineoplastic effects in lung cancer cells in vitro.     

Green Fluorescent Protein Recombinant Nisin as a Probe for Detection of Gram-Positive Bacteria

A great amount of foodborne pathogens were Gram-positive(G+) bacteria, a threat to public health. In this study, considering the binding ability of nisin towards G+ bacteria and the stable fluorescent ability of EGFP protein, a fluorescent nisin–EGFP protein probe was constructed by a gene engineering method. Nisin and EGFP were used as the receptor and fluorophore, respectively, to detect G+ bacteria. The nisin and egfp gene were amplified separately according to the sequence published in Gen Bank using unique primers. The two genes were cloned into a pET-28b(+) vector resulting in apET-28b(+)–nisin–egfp vector. The vector was transferred into Escherichia coli(E. coli) BL21(DE3) for expression. The expressed protein was extracted, purified by a Ni–NTA column, and then tested by the SDS-PAGE method to confirm its molecular weight. Listeria monocytogenes(L.monocytogenes), Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus), and Micrococcus luteus(M. luteus) were used as the representations of G+ bacteria. E. coli O157, representing the gram-negative(G-) bacteria, was used as a negative control. The binding specificity of the recombinant protein was performed on two types of bacteria and then detected through fluorescent microscopy. The results indicated that the nisin–EGFP probe could detect G+ bacteria at 10~8CFU/mL.     

Immortalization of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with telomerase reverse transcriptase and simian virus 40 large T antigen

Objective: To establish normally conditionally-immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by ectopic expression of the human telomerase catalytic enzyme (hTERT) and simian virus 40 large T (SV40 LT) antigen. Methods: Primary HUVECs were transfected with recombinant retrovirus containing hTERT or SV40 LT respectively. Subsequently drug resistant cell clones were screened and expanded for further studies. Endothelial cell biomarkers were confirmed by examination. Results: The morphological phenotype of the transfected cells was similar to the non-transfected cells. Von Willebrand factor, hTERT and SV40 LT could be detected in transfected HUVECs. Moreover, higher telomerase activity in transfected cells was maintained for over 50 population doublings compared with only low level of endogenous telomerase transiently at early population doublings in primary HUVECs. When exposed to TNF-α(tumor necrosis factor-α), the expression of E-selectin in transfected cells was significantly up-regulated, but no alteration of endothelial lipase was found. Conclusion: Ectopic coexpression of hTERT and SV40 LT can effectively immortalize HUVECs without tumorigenicity in vitro. Immortalized HUVECs may be an ideal target of further molecular function studies.     

Antitumor activities of D-glucosamine and its derivatives

The growth inhibitory effects of D-glucosamine hydrochloride （GlcNH2-HCl）, D-glucosamine （GlcNH2） and N-acetyl glucosamine （NAG） on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro were investigated. The results showed that GlcNH2.HCl and GlcNH2 resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in hepatoma cell growth as measured by MTT （3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide） assay. This effect was accompanied by a marked increase in the proportion of S cells as analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells treated with GlcNH2-HCl resulted in the induction of apoptosis as assayed qualitatively by agarose gel electrophoresis. NAG could not inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. GlcNH2-HCl exhibited antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180 in Kunming mice at dosage of 125-500 mg/kg, dose of 250 mg/kg being the best. GlcNH2-HCl at dose of 250 mg/kg could enhance significantly the thymus index, and spleen index and could promote T lymphocyte proliferation induced by ConA. The antitumor effect of GlcNH2-HCl is probably host-mediated and cytocidal.     

Ex vivo expansion and pluripotential differentiation of cryopreserved human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

This study is aimed at investigating the potentials of ex vivo expansion and pluri-differentiation of cryopreservation of adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （hMSCs） into chondrocytes, adipocytes and neurocytes. Cryopreserved hMSCs were resuscitated and cultured for 15 passages, and then induced into chondrocytes, adipocytes and neurocytes with corresponding induction medium. The induced cells were observed for morphological properties and detected for expressions of type II collagen, triglyceride or neuron-specific enolase and nestin. The result showed that the resuscitated cells could differentiate into chondrocytes after exposure to transforming growth factor 61 （TGF-~0, insulin-like growth factor I （IGF-I） and vitamin C （Vc）, and uniformly changed morphologically from a spindle-like fibroblastic appearance to a polygonal shape in three weeks. The induced cells were heterochromatic to safranin O and expressed cartilage matrix-procollagenal （If） mRNA. The resuscitated cells cultured in induction medium consisting of dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine, indomethacin and IGF-I showed adipogenesis, and lipid vacuoles accumulation was detectable after 21 d. The resuscitated hMSCs were also induced into neurocytes and expressed nestin and neuron specific endolase （NSE） that were special surface markers associated with neural cells at different stage. This study suggested that the resuscitated hMSCs should be still a population ofpluripotential cells and that it could be used for establishing an abundant bMSC reservoir for further experiment and treatment of various clinical discases.     

Contaminations removal from static lake water by compound

Urban wastewater treatment techniques could not be applied to improve the pollutant removal efficiency,due to its characteristics of closed and quiescent conditions of the static lake water.In this study,natural zeolite and coal cinder were chosen as filler compounds of the ecological filter.Static and dynamic experiments were carried out to study the remediation efficiency.Experimental data show that removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen （NH ＋ 4 -N） reaches 85% in both static and dynamic patterns and its removal efficiency reaches 97% when the recycling period is 1 h in dynamic condition.The maximum removal efficiency of nitrite nitrogen （NO-2 -N） reached 98%,and the removal efficiency of total nitrogen （TN） is a maximum of 84%.The final effluent concentration of total phosphorus （TP） is 0.079 mg/L.Effluent recycling could improve the nutrient （N,P） removal efficiently.Dissolved oxygen （DO） concentration could remain high with the water cycling.The filter works efficiently on regulating pH to the standard level of healthy water.     

Tissue-engineered graft constructed by self-derived cells and heterogeneous acellular matrix

Background： Endothelial and smooth muscle cells were used as seeding cells and heterogeneous acellularized matrix was used as scaffold to construct the tissue-engineered graft. Methods： A 2 weeks piglet was selected as a donor of seeding cells. Two-centimetre length of common carotid artery was dissected. Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were harvested by trypsin and collagenase digestion respectively. The isolated cells were cultured and expanded using routine cell culture technique. An adult sheep was used as a donor of acellularized matrix. The thoracic aorta was harvested and processed by a multi-step decellularizing technique to remove the original cells and preserve the elastic and collagen fibers. The cultured smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were then seeded to the acellularized matrix and incubated in vitro for another 2 weeks. The cell seeded graft was then transplanted to the cell-donated piglet to substitute part of the native pulmonary artery. Results： The cultured cells from piglet were characterized as endothelial cells by the presence of specific antigens vWF and CD31, and smooth muscle cells by the presence of specific antigen a-actin on the cell surface respectively with immunohistochemical technique. After decellularizing processing for the thoracic aorta from sheep, all the cellular components were extracted and elastic and collagen fibers kept their original morphology and structure. The maximal load of acellular matrix was decreased and 20% lower than that of untreated thoracic aorta, but the maximal tensions between them were not different statistically and they had similar load-tension curves. Three months after transplantation, the animal was sacrificed and the graft was removed for observation. The results showed that the inner surfaces of the graft were smooth, without thrombosis and calcification. Under microscopy, a great number of growing cells could be seen and elastic and collagen fibers were abundant. Conclusion： Cultured self-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells could be used as seeding cells and heterogeneous acellularized matrix could be used as scaffold in constructing tissue-engineered graft.     

Arachnoid cell involvement in the mechanism of coagulation-initiated inflammation in the subarachnoid space after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objective: To assess if arachnoid cells have the capability to present antigen and activate T-lymphocytes after stimulation by bloody cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and to illuminate the mechanism of coagulation-initiated inflammation in the subarachnoid space after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: Arachnoid cells were cultured, characterized, and examined by immunofluorescence for the basal expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR). Expression of HLA-DR, after co-culturing arachnoid cells in vitro with bloody CSF, was investigated by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry (FCM). The variation of arachnoid cells' ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Arachnoid cells were co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The content of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2r) in culture medium was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: (1) Arachnoid cells were successfully cultured for many passages. The immunofluorescent staining was positive for HLA-DR in over 95% of the human arachnoid cells. The punctate HLA-DR was distributed in cytoplasm and not in the karyon. (2) After co-culturing arachnoid cells in vitro with bloody CSF, numerous particles with strong fluorescence appeared in the cytoplasm on Day 6. On Day 8, the quantity of particles and fluorescent intensity were maximal. FCM showed that the percentage of HLA-DR expressing cells was (2.5±0.4)% at the first 5 d, increasing to (60.8±3.6)% on Day 7. (3) After co-culturing arachnoid cells in vitro with bloody CSF, many lysosome and secondary lysosome particles were present in the cytoplasm. Hyperplasia of rough endoplasmic reticulum and enlarged cysts were observed, with numerous phagocytizing vesicles also observed at the edge of the arachnoid cells. (4) Arachnoid cells stimulated by bloody CSF were co-cultured in vitro with PBMCs. The content of sIL-2r in the culture medium, having been maintained at around 1.30 ng/ml during the first 3 d, had increased by Day 4. The content of sIL-2r peaked 7.53 ng/ml on Day 7 and then reduced gradually. Conclusions: (1) Basic HLA-DR expression is present in arachnoid cells. (2) After stimulation by bloody CSF, arachnoid cells have the potential to serve as antigen presenting cells (APCs) and the ability to activate T-lymphocytes, indicating that arachnoid cells are involved in the mechanism of coagulation-initiated inflammation in the subarachnoid space after SAH.     

Targeting of human aFGF gene into silkworm, Bombyx mori L.Through homologous recombination

The long-arm and short-arm genes of fibroin light chain (L-chain) of silkworm, Bombyx Mori L., and the gene of human acidic fibroblast growth factor were cloned respectively and subsequently inserted into a transfer vector pVL1392 used as a tool to target the L-chain region of the silkworm genome. Genomic DNA from their offsprings was extracted and the expected targeting was detected using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, as well as protein analysis. The results showed that positive events occurred and that the FGF gene was integrated into the L-chain locus through homologous recombination.     

Targeting of human aFGF gene into silkworm,Bombyx mori L. through homologous recombination

INTRODUCTION Transgenic technology developed over the 20years, has become a common tool widely applied tolivestock species because it is technically quitesimple, requiring only the injection of ‘naked’DNA into the nucleus of a fertilized eggs (Hammeret al., 1985; Suraokar and Bradley, 2000). Howeverthis technique has limitations in that the injectedDNA integrates randomly into the genome and thuscould not be expressed in the desired tissue or at theappropriate level. More impor…     

Anti-angiogenesis effect of generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on breast cancer in vitro

Objective: To study the effects of the generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (G4PAMAMNEGFASODN) compound on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its mRNA of breast cancer cells and on the inhibition of vascular endothelial cells. Methods: We examined the morphology of G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN compound and its pH stability, in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity, and the expressions of VEGF and its mRNA. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect the inhibitory function of the compound on vascular endothelial cells. Results: The compound was about 10 nm in diameter and was homogeneously netlike. From pH 5 to 10, it showed quite a buffered ability. The 48-h transfection rate in the charge ratio of 1:40 was 98.76%, significantly higher than that of the liposome group (P<0.05). None of the transfection products showed obvious toxicity on the cells. The expressions of both VEGF protein and its mRNA after G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN transfection decreased markedly. Conclusion: With a low toxicity, high safety, and high transfection rate, G4PAMAMNEGFASODN could be a promising gene vector. Specifically, it inhibits VEGF gene expression efficiently, laying a basis for further in vivo animal studies.     

Targeting of human aFGF gene into silkworm,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombyx mori</Emphasis> L. through homologous recombination

The long-arm and short-arm genes of fibroin light chain (L-chain) of silkworm,Bombyx Mori L., and the gene of human acidic fibroblast growth factor were cloned respectively and subsequently inserted into a transfer vector pVL 1392 used as a tool to target the L-chain region of the silkworm genome. Genomic DNA from their offsprings was extracted and the expected targeting was detected using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, as well as protein analysis. The results showed that positive events occurred and that the FGF gene was integrated into the L-chain locus through homologous recombination. Project supported by the Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, Education Ministry of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (No. 301306), China     

Polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin-tegafur conjugate shows anti-cancer activity and a potential for gene delivery

Polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin-tegafur (PEI-CyD-tegafur) conjugate was synthesized as a novel multifunctional prodrug of tegafur for co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agent tegafur and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter plasmid DNA. Conjugation of tegafur to PEI-CyD via chemical linkage was characterized by ¹H NMR spectrometry and ultraviolet (UV) spectrometry. PEI-CyD-tegafur was able to condense plasmid DNA into complexes of around 150 nm with positive charge at the N/P ratio of 25, in accordance with electron microscopy observation of compact and monodisperse nanoparticles. The results of in vitro experiments showed enhanced cytotoxicity and considerable transfection efficiency in B16F10 cell line. Therefore, PEI-CyD-tegafur may have great potential as a co-delivery system with anti-cancer activity and potential for gene delivery.     

A facile approach to construct hybrid multi-shell calcium phosphate gene particles

The calcium phosphate (CaP) particles have attracted much attention in gene therapy. How to construct stable gene particles was the determining factor. In this study,hybrid multi-shell CaP gene particles were successfully constructed. First,CaP nanoparticles served as a core and were coated with DNA for colloidal stabilization. The ξ-potential of DNA-coated CaP nanoparticles was -15 mV. Then polyethylenimine (PEI) was added and adsorbed outside of the DNA layer due to the electrostatic attraction. The ξ-pot...     

Transfection and expression of exogenous gene in laying hens oviduct in vitro and in vivo

To examine whether or not the regulatory sequence of chicken ovalbumin gene can drive transgene expression specifically in hen oviduct, the authors constructed an oviduct-specific expression vector (pOV), containing 3.0 kilobases (kb) of the 5'-flanking sequence and 3.0 kb of the 3'-flanking sequence of the chicken     

EGFP基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞的实验研究

目的:探讨外源性EGFP基因转染修饰兔骨髓间充质干细胞(m esenchymal stem cells,MSCs)的可行性。方法:用增强型荧光绿色蛋白(enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP)作为报告基因,以脂质体法转染骨髓间充质干细胞,观察转染结果、表达情况及对靶细胞活力的影响。结果:经荧光显微镜下观察证实:成功地对骨髓间充质干细胞实现了基因转染。结论:兔骨髓间充质干细胞能够在体外适宜的条件下进行长期培养;骨髓间充质干细胞可直接作为基因靶细胞,建立稳定表达EGFP的骨髓间充质干细胞系具有可行性,为进一步做标记的MSCs细胞的移植研究奠定基础。     

人α-防御素-1在单核细胞内的表达及其基因克隆

目的:探测细胞氧化低密度脂蛋白(LDL)过程中人α-防御素-1(HNP-1)基因的表达水平并构建人HNP-1的克隆载体。方法:提取人单核细胞系(THP-1)的总RNA,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法获得cDNA,采用pBS-T克隆HNP-1。结果:用RT-PCR在THP-1细胞总RNA中扩增出一条285 bp的DNA片段,与HNP-1 cD-NA片段大小一致。重组质粒经PCR和测序鉴定获HNP-1基因克隆。另外,LDL可诱导THP-1细胞HNP-1的mR-NA表达增加。结论:HNP-1可能参与LDL的细胞氧化过程,成功构建HNP-1克隆载体将为进一步亚克隆到原核及真核的表达载体提供了基础。     

Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells promoted by overexpression of connective tissue growth factor

Objective: Large segmental bone defect repair remains a clinical and scientific challenge with increasing interest focusing on combining gene transfection with tissue engineering techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: A CTGF-expressing plasmid (pCTGF) was constructed and transfected into MSCs. Then expressions of bone morphogenesis-related genes, proliferation rate, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization were examined to evaluate the osteogenic potential of the CTGF gene-modified MSCs. Results: Overexpression of CTGF was confirmed in pCTGF-MSCs. pCTGF transfection significantly enhanced the proliferation rates of pCTGF-MSCs (P<0.05). CTGF induced a 7.5-fold increase in cell migration over control (P<0.05). pCTGF transfection enhanced the expression of bone matrix proteins, such as bone sialo-protein, osteocalcin, and collagen type I in MSCs. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities of pCTGF-MSCs at the 1st and 2nd weeks were 4.0- and 3.0-fold higher than those of MSCs cultured in OS-medium, significantly higher than those of mock-MSCs and normal control MSCs (P<0.05). Overexpression of CTGF in MSCs enhanced the capability to form mineralized nodules. Conclusion: Overexpression of CTGF could improve the osteogenic differentiation ability of MSCs, and the CTGF gene-modified MSCs are potential as novel cell resources of bone tissue engineering.