Objective To study the molecular pathway of osteoblastic differentiation induced by substance P (SP), a neurotransmitter. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured, and treated with SP or its receptor (NK1) antagonist to induce osteoblastic cell differentiation, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase activity was determined; Osterix gene expression was detected by RT-PCR after 1-2 weeks for three times. The data of each culture condition were analyzed using SPSS12.0 statistical software to determine whether the differences between conditions were significant. Results After 4-5 days' culture, bone marrow stromal cells became spindle-shaped, triangular or polygonic. They covered the plate surface, formed extensive cell sheets in each group after 11-12 days of culture, and then induced differentiation to osteoblast. SP up-regulated the important transcription factor Osterix gene expression significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion The up-regulation of Osterix gene expression by SP may stimulate osteoblastic cell differentiation. SP's regulation depends on its receptor NK1.

Objective To study the effect of transfection of antisense MBD1 gene eukaryotic expression vector on the expression of MBD1 gene in human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939.Methods The(constructed) antisense MBD1 gene eukaryotic expression vector was transfected into the human(cholangiocarcinoma) cell line QBC-939 using lipofectamine transfection reagents,and positive cell clones were obtained using G418 selection after transfection.The constructed recombinant vector was transfected into(QBC-939) cells successfully and was confirmed by amplifying the exogenous neo~R gene with PCR method.The expression level of MBD1 gene mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and FCM methods respectively.Results Following the transfection,the MBD1 gene mRNA level in human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939 decreased from 0.912?0.022 to 0.215?0.017,and the MBD1 gene protein level also(decreased) from(80.19?5.05)% to(35.11?4.05)%.There were very significant differences on the expression both at the transcription and post-transcription levels of MBD1 gene between non-tranfection group and the antisense MBD1 gene eukaryotic expression vector transfection group(P

Objective To investigate the effects of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN in growing inhibition and down-regulating mTOR in cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells in vitro.Methods QBC939 cells were transfected with plasmids wild-type PTEN and C124S-PTEN in vitro.After transfection,the expression of the PTEN and phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR was detected by Western blot.Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle of the transfected cells.Results Compared with the control,the expression of phosphorylation AKT was decreased and mTOR were down-regulated respectively when transfected with the wild-type PTEN.However,after transfection with mutation-type PTEN,the level of PTEN in the cells by increased,but phosphorylation AKT level and mTOR expression had no significant change.Conclusions PTEN can be actived by phosphorylated AKT.Actived AKT decreased the mTOR which led to tumor cells apoptosis and regulation of the tumor cell cycle.In the pathway of signal transmission of PI3K/AKT/PTEN/mTOR,PTEN and mTOR are closely related through phosphorylation of AKT.

Objective To investigate the effects on rat hearts induced by three kinds of band electromagnetic radiation (X-band, S-band and Electromagnetic pulse (EMP))and the differences of injury grade. Methods 180 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group (n = 36) and three experimental groups (n = 48) treated with X-band, S-band high power microwave and EMP, respectively. At different time-points (6 hours,1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days,6 months and 12 months) after irradiation, the rats were killed and the pathological changes of the heart tissues were observed. Results The rat hearts of three experimental groups were differently injured, but the change character was similar. The injury was more and more serious at 6 hours -7 days:deranged cardiomyofilaments, decreased glycogen, Pyknosis;lysed Purkinje cells;swelling matrix and serous exudates. The injured hearts showed convalesecence at 14-28 days, and returned to normal progressively at 6-12 months.compared with the injured hearts irradiated by the three different band wave electromagnetic at the same time: the hearts were injured most seriously irradiated by X-band high power microwave(HPM), and slighter for those by S-band HPM, most slightest for those by EMP. Those in control group were normal. Conclusions Three kinds of band wave electromagnetic radiation injure the rat hearts differently. The injury grades are X > S > EMP. The research indicates that the shorter wave length or higher frequency make rat hearts injure more seriously, and need the longer time to resume.

Objective:This study aimed to establish a mouse model of breast cancer by inoculating human breast cancer cells into mice with normal immune function. Methods:Forty female BALB/C mice were randomized into four groups, with 10 mice in each group. The four groups were established according to the dosage of cyclophosphamide and prednisone, namely, the control group, low dose group, medium dose group, and high dose group. The mouse models of breast cancer were established by injecting human breast cancer cells into the fat pad of the right second breast of mice in the groups. Mice in the four groups were observed based on the time of tumorigenesis, rate of tumor formation, tumor imaging and pathological features, and metastasis of vital internal organs. Results:In the high dose group, the time of tumor formation was lower than that of the other groups, but the rate of tumor formation was high. Some visceral metastases occurred in the mice. By contrast, the medium dose group revealed completely opposite results. No death and tumor formation in both the control and low dose groups were reported. Conclusion:A human breast carcinoma model in mice was successfully established. Using this model, the onset and development of breast cancer could be much better imitated in the normal immune system of mice.

Objective To investigate the application value of time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (T-SLIP) in renal corticomedullary differentiaton and the best black blood inversion time (BBTI) value.Methods Totally 60 volunteers were included,who underwent abdominal MR scan with noncontrast-enhanced SSFP sequence combined with T-SLIP.All subjects were scanned with different BBTI (800,1 000,1 200,1 400,1 600,1 800 ms) using coronary T-SLIP SSFP sequence.The images quality was evaluated using a four-point scale method.The region of renal cortex and medulla was devised automatically based on the image training algorithm.The signal intensity ratio with the different BBTI was calculated through measuring the signal intensity of the renal cortex and medulla.And the best BBTI values were analyzed.Results When BBTI was 1 200 ms,the image score was the highest.The signal intensity ratio (SIR) had statistical difference among different BBTI groups (all P＜0.05),when BBTI was 1 200 ms,the SIR was the highest,and the contrast between the renal cortex and medulla was obvious.Conclusion T-SLIP technology can improve the visibility of renal corticomedullary without contrast agents.The optimal BBTI for the best corticomedullary differentiation is 1 200 ms.

Hypermethylation of the promoter region is one of the major mechanism of tumor suppressor gene inactivation. In order to provide a research tool for the study on the function of MBD1 gene in DNA methylation and tumorigenesis, antisense MBD1 gene eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into human biliary tract carcinoma cell line QBC-939 to observe its effect on the expression of MBD1 mRNA and protein by using RT-PCR and FCM respectively. Following the transfection, the mRNA level of MBD1 gene decreased from 0. 912 +/- 0.022 to 0.215 +/- 0. 017, and the protein level of MBD1 gene also decreased from (80.19 +/- 5.05) % to (35.11 +/- 4.05) %. There were very significant differences in the expression both at the transcription and post-transcription levels of MBD1 gene between non-tranfection group and the antisense MBD1 gene eukaryotic expression plasmid transfection group (P < 0.01). It was suggested that transfection with the antisense MBD1 gene eukaryotic expression plasmid can significantly reduce the expression level of MBD1 gene in QBC-939, and this study may provide a valid tool for the investigation of the function of MBD1 gene and its role in biliary tract carcinoma.
Biliary Tract Neoplasms/*metabolism ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms/pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; DNA-Binding Proteins/*biosynthesis ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense/*genetics ; Plasmids/genetics ; Transcription Factors/*biosynthesis ; Transcription Factors/genetics ; Transfection

Hypermethylation in the promoter region is an important epigenetic mechanism for the transcriptional repression of a number of cancer-associated genes, and over-expression and/or increased activity of DNA methyltransferases are considered to be the main cause of promoter hypermethylation. In order to explore the roles of two methyltransferase members (DNMT1 and DNMT3b) in the cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenesis, antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT1 and DNMT3b gene was constructed respectively, and were co-transfected into the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939 to observe their biological effects on the cell growth and proliferation ability, apoptosis, cell cycle alteration, and the tumorigenesis ability in the subcutaneous tissue of nude mouse. The results demonstrated that co-transfection with antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT1 and DNMT3b gene and single transfection with antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT1 gene can suppress the growth and proliferation of QBC-939, block the cell cycle at G1 phase, increase the apoptosis rate, minimize the tumor size in the subcutaneous tissue of nude mouse. The suppressing biological effect of co-transfection is stronger than single transfection with antisense DNMT1. Meanwhile, single transfection with antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT3b gene has no effects on the biological characteristics of QBC-939. This study suggests that DNMT1 gene plays a key role in DNA methylation and DNMT3b gene may act as an accessory to support its function in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Combination DNMT1 and DNMT3b will increase their biological effects and have the synergistic effect on suppressing the growth of human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939.
Apoptosis ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cholangiocarcinoma/*metabolism ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase/*biosynthesis ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase/genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo screen differentially expressed genes and identify potential signaling pathway in Asian people with breast cancer.

METHODSFive gene microarray datasets of Asian people with breast cancer, GSE6367, GSE9309, GSE15852, GSE33447 and GSE45255, were downloaded from GEO. Microarrays with 318 breast cancer and 60 normal breast tissues were used for analysis of differentially expressed genes and pathway. 32 pairs of breast cancer patients' specimens were used to validate the differentially expressed genes by real-time PCR.

RESULTSAnalysis of the large sample of microarray data identified 436 differentially expressed genes in breast cancer tissues, while 259 of these genes were up-regulated and the other 177 down-regulated. Pathway analysis showed that metabolism-related signaling pathway may be involved in the development of breast cancer in Asian people. The expressions of KRT19, ADIPOQ, CFD, RBP4, LPL, ABCA8 and CD36 genes were confirmed by real-time PCR.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows differential gene expression profile and potential signaling pathway in Asian people with breast cancer. CD36 gene may be closely related to the Asian breast cancer. ABCA8 gene may be a new disease gene in Asian breast cancer.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of mTOR signal transduction pathway and down-regulating anti-oncogene PTEN on the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

METHODSMCF-7 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-mTOR and non-loaded plasmid, and the expression of mTOR in the cells was detected using Western blotting. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle of the transfected cells, and the expression of PTEN was detected after transfection.

RESULTSThe cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-mTOR showed a increased growth rate than those transfected with the non-loaded plasmid and those without transfection. The expression of the protein PTEN decreased obviously in the cells after mTOR trasnfection.

CONCLUSIONmTOR can regulate the expression of PTEN via PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathways through a negative feedback mechanism. Increased mTOR expression promotes MCF-7 cell growth, suggesting the potential value of mTOR specific inhibitor in the treatment of breast cancer.

Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Transfection