Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM - 1) is a member of immunoglobulin superfamily. The principal ligand for VCAM - 1 is integrin ?4|?1/VLA - 4(very late antigen 4). In recent years, VCAM - 1 was found to be expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells, but little is known about its identity on these professional antigen presenting cells (APC). In the present study we analyzed VCAM - 1 expression on macrophages by fluorescence - activated cell sorting (FACS) and found that VCAM- 1 was constitutively expressed on macrophages and its expression level was up-regulated by soluble tumor associated antigen (TAA: freeze - thaw lysates of FBL - 3 tumor cells) and TNF - a. In macrophages and allogenic T cells mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays, we observed that blocking VCAM - 1/VLA - 4 interaction with anti - VCAM - 1 or anti - VLA - 4 mAbs caused significant inhibition of the proliferative response and inhibition of IL - 2 production. These findings suggest that VCAM - 1 on macrophages not only allows for increased cell-to-cell contact through adhesive interaction but also plays a role in the costimulation of T cells via its interaction with VLA-4.

In the present study, the expression of MHC class I molecule and ICAM - 1 on the surface of B16 melanoma cells were observed, and their roles in the induction of CTL were investigated. The results showed that both MHC class I and ICAM - 1 expression increased after IL-2, IL-4, or IL-6 gene transfection. The splenocyte CTL activity was enhanced significantly after in vivo immunization with cytokine gene - transfected B16 melanoma cells. The CTL induction was partly inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 mAb and was completely abolished by anti-MHC class I mAb. These results suggested the increased immunogenicity of IL-2,IL-4 or IL-6 gene-transfected B16 melanoma cells may be related to the upregula-tion of ICAM-1 or MHC class I molecules after cytokine gene transfection.

Objective To investigate the effect of PEP-1-heme oxygenase-1 (PEP-1-HO-1) fusion protein transduction on hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury in rat H9c2 cells. Methods After construction of the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET15b-PEP-1-hHO-1 containing the human heme oxygenase-1 gene, it was then transformed to make PEP-1-HO-1 fusion protein express. The H9c2 cells were cultured in high-glucose Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 4 each): control group (group C), H/R group, low-concentration fusion protein group (group L-HO), and high-concentration fusion protein group (group H-HO). The cells were exposed to 22 h of hypoxia followed by 8 h of reoxygenation. PEP-1-HO-1 fusion protein was added to the culture medium with a final concentration of 1.0 μ mol/L (group L-HO) or 2.0 μmol/L (group H-HO) before hypoxia. The cells and supernatant of the culture medium were collected after reoxygenation to determine the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cells. Results The SOD activity was significantly lower, while the MDA content and LDH activity were significantly higher in group H/R, L-HO and H-HO than in group C (P ＜0.05). The SOD activity was significantly higher, while MDA content and LDH activity were significantly lower in group L-HO and H-HO than in group H/R, and in group H-HO than in group L-HO ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion PEP-1-HO-1 fusion protein transdution can protect H9c2 cells against H/R injury in rats.

Objectives To explore different factors (clinical presentations and laboratory investigations ) between the severe and mild Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in southeast China ,and to find the predictors of severe GBS. Meth?ods Retrospective analysis was conducted on 101 cases of patients with GBS admitted to our Hospital from Jan. 2006 to Nov. 2015, who were divided into mild and severe groups according to Hughes scale. The different factors were compared between these two groups such as age, sex, precursor infection factors, the initial symptoms, bulbar dysfunction, cranial nerves involvement, autonomic nervous dysfunction, peripheral nerve axonal damage to find the predictors for the severe GBS. Results Severe GBS more frequently presented with non-paresthesia as initial symptom (P<0.001) , bulbar dysfunc?tion (P<0.001), cranial nerves involvement (P=0.025), autonomic nervous dysfunction (P=0.018), motion system involve?ment (P = 0.004) and peripheral nerve axonal damage (P<0.001). After multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found that the axon damage(P=0.008, OR=4.632), bulbar dysfunction(P=0.010, OR=10.420), and cranial nerves in?volvement(P=0.047, OR=0.076)were the independent risk factors for sever GBS. Conclusion Axon damage, bulbar dys?function, and cranial nerves involvement might be significant predictors of sever GBS.

Objective To evaluate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mediated by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on liverinjury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 7-9 weeks,weighing 210-260 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =8 each):sham operation group (group S),intestinal I/R group (group I/R) and PEP-1/HO-1 group (group HO).To establish a model of intestinal I/R,intestines were exteriorized and the superior mesenteric artery was exposed and occluded for 45 min ischemia,and then the clamp was removed for 120 min reperfusion.The PEP-1/HO-1 fusion protein 0.5 mg was injectedvia ihe left iliac vein 30 min prior to ischemia in group HO.The superior mesenteric artery was only exposed but not occluded in group S.At the end of reperfusion,blood samples were collected from the right common carotid artery for measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities.The rats were then sacrificed and livers were removed for microscopic examination and for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in livertissues.Results Compared with group S,serum AST and ALT activities and MDA content in liver tissues were significantly increased,while SOD activity in liver tissues was decreased in groups I/R and HO (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,serum AST and ALT activities and MDA content in liver tissues were significantly decreased,while SOD activity in liver tissues was increased in group HO (P ＜0.05).Liver injury induced by intestinal I/R was significantly attenuated in group HO compared with group I/R (P ＜ 0.05).Conciusioon HO-1 protein mediated by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 can attenuate liver injury induced by intestinalI/R in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) transduced by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 7-9 weeks,weighing 210-260 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =6 each):sham operation group (group S),renal I/R injury group (group I/R) and fusion protein PEP-1/HO-I + I/R group (group HO).I/R injury was produced by occluding bilateral renal arteries for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 6 h.The fusion protein PEP-1/HO-1 was injected via the left iliac vein 30 min prior to ischemia in group HO.Bilateral renal arteries were only exposed but not occluded in group C.Blood samples were collected from the right common carotid artery at 6 h of reperfusion for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.The malondialdehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and HO-1 expression in renal tissues were measured.Results Compared with group S,the levels of MDA,serum BUN and Cr were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and HO-1 expression was up-regulated in groups I/R and HO (P ＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the levels of MDA,serum BUN and Cr were significantly decreased,the SOD activity was increased,and HO-1 expression was up-regulated in group HO (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion HO-1 protein can be successfully transduced into renal tissues by PEP-1 and transduced HO-1 protein reduces renal I/R injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation response.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mediated by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated rat hearts. Methods Healthy male SD rats weighing 220-280 g were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital. Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus with K-H solution saturated with 95%O2-5% CO2 at 37 ℃. Eighteen isolated rat hearts were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 6 each): Ⅰ group sham operation (group S);Ⅱ group IR and Ⅲ group PEP-1/HO-1 + IR (group HO-1). The isolated rat hearts were perfused with an oxygena-ted (95% O2-5% CO2 ) K-H solution at 37 ℃ in a Langendorff apparatus and were subjected to 40 min of global ischemia followed by 50 min of reperfusion after 30 min of stabilization. In group Ⅲ (group HO- 1 ) the isolated hearts were perfused with 50 μmol/L PEP-1/HO-1 for 15 min before ischemia. After 50 min of reperfusion, HO-1expression, MDA content and SOD activity in myocardial tissues were determined. The activities of creatine kinase (CK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in coronary effluent fluid were measured. Results The HO- 1 expression was significanfly higher in HO-1 group than in group IR. IR induced significant increase in MDA content and decrease in SOD activity in myocardium and CK and LDH activities in coronary effluent in group Ⅱ compared with group S. PEP-1/HO-1 significantly attenuated IR-induced changes. Conciusion HO-1 mediated by PEP-1 has protective effects on myocardium ngainst IR injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of different culture conditions on the isolation and expansion of stem cells from second-trimester amniotic fluids.Methods Amniotic fluids were obtained from 15 pregnant women undergone amniocenteses for medical indications between 16-24 gestation weeks by transabdominal amniocenteses from September 2007 to June 2008.Amniotic fluids(10-20 ml)samples were collected and each WaS cultured under different conditions or groups.(1)Low-glucose DMEM(LD) medium supplemented with 10%of fetal bovine serum(group of 10% FBS);(2)LD medium with 20%of FBS(group of 20%FBS);(3)LD medium with 15%of FBS and 4 ng/ml of basic fibroblast growth factor (group of bFGF);(4)LD medium with 10%of FBS as well ag the culture plate coated with gelatin(group of gelatin).The effects of different conditions were evaluated by comparing the number of primary colonies,the cell morphology and the ability of expansion.The isolated stem cells were identified by flow cytometry,RT-PCR and differentiation ability to edipocyte.Resuits (1)The success rates of primary culture of the group of 10%FBS,20%FBS,bFGF and gelatin were 60%,73%,73%and 60% respectively(P>0.05).The numbers of colonies were 0.9±0.5,2.6±1.5,2.9±1.5,1.1±0.8(P<0.01 when group of 10%FBS and gelatin compared with group of 20%FBS and bFGF);among the primary colonies,fibroblast-like colonies accounted for 46%,49%,64%.44%respectively(P>0.05).(2)The second passage cells obtained from all of these four groups could difierentiate into adipocyte after induction.(3)In the group of bFGF,stem cells were isolated from 5 samples and expanded to nearly 107 cells after 5 passages(P<0.01 compared with other groups).(4)Karyotype were normal in all samples.(5)Stem cells from bFGF group showed positive expression of SSEA-4.Oct-4 and Nanog gene detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR.Conclusion Stem cells can be isolated from second-trimester amniotic fluids;moderate serum concentration and supplementation of bFGF can improve the efficiency of isolation and expansion of amniotic fluid of stem cells.

Tissue engineering technology provides a new method to repair ill tissue and worn-out organs. In tissue engineering, scaffolds play an important role in supporting cell growth, inducing tissue regeneration, controlling tissue structure and releasing active factor. In the last decade, electrospinning technology developed rapidly and opened vast application fields for scaffolds. In this review, we summarized the technological conditions of electrospinning for scaffolds, the study of electrospun fiber scaffolds applied in tissue cell cultivation, and some new directions of electrospinning technology for scaffolds. We also addressed development directions of electrospinning research for scaffolds.
Absorbable Implants ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; methods ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

Objective:To evaluate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the relationship with autophagy in rats.Methods:Thirty-six healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), myocardial I/R group (IR group), and endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-PBA group (PBA group). Myocardial I/R was produced by occlusion of left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min.Sham group only underwent thoracotomy without block of left anterior descending branch of coronary artery.Endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-PBA 500 mg·kg -1·d -1 was given intragastrically for 3 consecutive days before the I/R model was developed in PBA group, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in Sham and IR groups.The blood samples from the iliac vein were collected at 120 min of reperfusion for determination of the plasma creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The rats were then sacrificed, and myocardial tissues were removed for detection of myocardial glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ (LC3 Ⅱ) and autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) expression (by Western blot). Result:Compared with Sham group, the concentrations of CK-MB and cTnI in plasma were significantly increased in IR and PBA groups, the expression of GRP78, ATG5 and LC3Ⅱ was up-regulated, and the pathological damage was aggravated in IR group ( P<0.05). Compared with IR group, the concentrations of CK-MB and cTnI in plasma were significantly decreased, the expression of GRP78, ATG5 and LC3Ⅱ was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes were significantly attenuated in PBA group. Conclusion:Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in the process of myocardial I/R injury, and the mechanism may be related to promotion of autophagy in rats.