Background:Esophageal cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer with poor prognosis,and effective chemotherapy is lacking currently. Studies have shown that cardiac glycosides can inhibit tumor cells growth,but its mechanism has not been fully clarified. Aims:To investigate the effect and mechanism of ouabain in regulating proliferation of human esophageal carcinoma cells. Methods:OE19 human esophageal carcinoma cells were treated with ouabain,and cells in control group were treated with DMSO. Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting method. mRNA expressions of Sox2,Sox4,Sox7,Sox9 and Sox10 were determined by real-time PCR. Protein expression of Sox4 was determined by Western blotting. Gene expressions of phospho-histone3( ph3),a cell proliferation marker and Sox4 were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Results:Ouabain( ≥ 40 nmol/ L)could significantly inhibit OE19 cells proliferation. mRNA and protein expressions of Sox4 were significantly decreased in OE19 cells in ouabain(40 nmol/ L)group than those in control group(P < 0. 05). No significant differences in mRNA expressions of Sox2,Sox7,Sox9 and Sox10 were found between the two groups(P > 0. 05). Gene expressions of ph3 and Sox4 in nucleus of OE19 cells were decreased in ouabain (40 nmol/ L)group than those in control group. Conclusions:Ouabain is effective in inhibiting human esophageal carcinoma cells proliferation,the underlying mechanism might be related with down-regulation of Sox4 expression and the subsequent cell cycle modulation.

The cancer stem cells (CSCs) from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified. The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by trypsin to prepare a single-cell suspension, and mixed homogeneously into 1.2% alginate gel. Single-cell alginate gel was cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium. Epirubicin (0.8 mug/mL) was added to the medium to enrich CSCs. After cultured conventionally for 7 to 10 days, most of cells suspended in alginate gel were killed by epirubicin. But few cells survived and some single-cell cloning spheres formed. Immunofluorescent staining for Oct3/4 and Nanog was implemented to find cells with properties of self-renewal and multi-potential differentiation. Cells from cloning spheres were transplanted into BALB/c mice to detect the tumorigenicity in vivo. The results showed that some cells positive for Oct3/4 (TRITC) and Nanog (TRITC) were found in single-cell cloning spheres, and most of positive cells were concentrated in the core of sphere. Cells from spheres could form osteosarcoma in the body of mice. It was concluded that cells from single-cell cloning spheres had the properties of the expression of parts of stem cell genes (Oct3/4 and Nanog), resisting anti-cancer drugs, and tumorigenicity in vivo. To sum up, it is believed that cells obtained from osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs are cancer stem cells.

The formation of osteolytic bone lesions is a key process for osteolytic cancer to metastasize to the bone and is under the control of a set of transcription factors. Recently, the inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) has been linked with angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, metastasis and bone formation. However, the function of Id1 during the process of bone destruction caused by cancer in vivo has not yet been elucidated. We, therefore, examined whether and how Id1 affects the ability of cancer to form osteolytic lesion in vivo. The study used a lentiviral vector overexpressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Id1 gene. PC3 cells, a prostate cancer cell line, were transduced with Id1 shRNA or negative control (NC) shRNA before implantation in BALB/c mice. Cells were implanted in a tibial injection model. Tumor formation in bone was monitored by X-ray. The relationship between parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), an osteolytic factor, and Id1 was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry in tissue sections from osteolytic lesion of the BALB/c mice. Our results showed that Id1 shRNA delivery to PC3 cells by lentivirus caused efficient and stable Id1 gene silencing. In the intratibial model, PC3 cells produced primarily osteolytic lesions in the bone. Eleven of 14 mice in Id1 shRNA group but only 4 of 14 mice in the NC shRNA group developed osteolytic lesions with cortical destruction at 4th week. Mice treated with Id1 shRNA had larger tumor volume in the bone and larger cortical destruction. The expression of PTHrP protein in PC3 cells was not affected by Id1 knockdown in vivo. These results indicate that Id1 may down-regulate the ability of PC3 cells to form osteolytic lesions in vivo and the signal pathway needs to be further investigated.

Objective To observe the effect of early rehabilitation therapy on recovery from reoperation for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH).Methods Sixty-five cases who received surgery for RLDH between 2007 and 2009 were randomly divided into a rehabilitation group and control group.Both groups were treated with the same surgical approach and routine treatment.Early and comprehensive rehabilitation therapy was provided in the rehabilitation group during the perioperative period,including preoperative and postoperative muscle strength training,postoperative sitting and standing balance training,and acupuncture.The control group was instructed only in general exercise.Before the operation and 2 weeks and 3,6,12 and 24 months afterward,the surgical outcomes of all cases were assessed using the JOA score and the improvement rate in the JOA score.Any postoperative complications and intervertebral fusion were also observed.Results The average postoperative JOA scores of both groups were significantly higher than their preoperative scores.At all of the time points after the operation,the average JOA scores and all improvement rates in the rehabilitation group were significantly higher than those in the control group.Postoperative complications such as deep venous thrombosis,urinary retention and constipation were significantly less among the rehabilitation group than among the controls.All the intervertebral bone implants were well fused on time.Conclusion Early rehabilitation can significantly improve the effectiveness of RLDH reoperation and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.It is recommended for clinical application.

The formation of osteolytic bone lesions is a key process for osteolytic cancer to metastasize to the bone and is under the control of a set of transcription factors. Recently, the inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) has been linked with angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, metastasis and bone formation. However, the function of Id1 during the process of bone destruction caused by cancer in vivo has not yet been elucidated. We, therefore, examined whether and how Id1 affects the ability of cancer to form osteolytic lesion in vivo. The study used a lentiviral vector overexpressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Id1 gene. PC3 cells, a prostate cancer cell line, were transduced with Id1 shRNA or negative control (NC) shRNA before implantation in BALB/c mice. Cells were implanted in a tibial injection model. Tumor formation in bone was monitored by X-ray. The relationship between parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), an osteolytic factor, and Id1 was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry in tissue sections from osteolytic lesion of the BALB/c mice. Our results showed that Id1 shRNA delivery to PC3 cells by lentivirus caused efficient and stable Id1 gene silencing. In the intratibial model, PC3 cells produced primarily osteolytic lesions in the bone. Eleven of 14 mice in Id1 shRNA group but only 4 of 14 mice in the NC shRNA group developed osteolytic lesions with cortical destruction at 4th week. Mice treated with Id1 shRNA had larger tumor volume in the bone and larger cortical destruction. The expression of PTHrP protein in PC3 cells was not affected by Id1 knockdown in vivo. These results indicate that Id1 may down-regulate the ability of PC3 cells to form osteolytic lesions in vivo and the signal pathway needs to be further investigated.
Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteolysis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

The cancer stem cells(CSCs)from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified.The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by trypsin to prepare a single-cell suspension,and mixed homogeneously into 1.2% alginate gel.Single-cell alginate gel was cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium.Epirubicin(0.8 μg/mL)was added to the medium to enrich CSCs.After cultured conventionally for 7 to 10 days,most of cells suspended in alginate gel were killed by epirubicin.But few cells survived and some single-cell cloning spheres formed.Immunofluorescent staining for Oct3/4 and Nanog was implemented to find cells with properties of self-renewal and multi-potential differentiation.Cells from cloning spheres were transplanted into BALB/c mice to detect the tumorigenicity in vivo.The results showed that some cells positive for Oct3/4(TRITC)and Nanog(TRITC)were found in single-cell cloning spheres,and most of positive cells were concentrated in the core of sphere.Cells from spheres could form osteosarcoma in the body of mice.It was concluded that cells from single-cell cloning spheres had the properties of the expression of parts of stem cell genes(Oct3/4 and Nanog),resisting anti-cancer drugs,and tumorigenicity in vivo.To sum up,it is believed that cells obtained from osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs are cancer stem cells.