The changes in the levels of serum interleukin-13 (IL-13) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical significance were investigated. Sandwich ELISA was used to determine the levels of serum IL-13 and NGF in 35 SLE patients and 15 normal controls. The results showed that the levels of serum IL-13 (92.69+/-9.87 pg/ml) and NGF (339.69+/-25.60 pg/ml) in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in inactive SLE patients (IL-13, 54.22+/-9.31 pg/ml; NGF, 300.89+/-33.51 pg/ml) (P<0.01). The inactive patients also had significantly increased serum levels of IL-13 and NGF as compared with normal controls (IL-13, 35.20+/-12.70 pg/ml; NGF, 111.40+/-32.54 pg/ml; P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the serum IL-13 levels were correlated with disease activity index of SLE (SLEDAI), ESR and serum levels of C3 (r= 0. 813, 0.504, -0.605, respectively). The serum NGF levels were also correlated with above markers (r=0.442, 0.338, -0.463, respectively). The serum levels of IL-13 and NGF had a positive correlation (r=0.506, P<0.01). It was suggested that IL-13 and NGF might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and closely correlated with disease activity.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods ; Interleukin-13/*blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/etiology ; Nerve Growth Factors/*blood

Objectives To investigate the serum levels of IL-13 and n erve growth factor (NGF) and their clinical significance in patients with system ic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The serum levels of IL-13 and NGF were m easured by ELISA in 35 SLE patients and 15 normal controls. Results The serum levels of IL-13 and NGF in patients with active SLE were both significantly high er than those in patients with inactive SLE (IL-13: 92.69 ? 9.87 pg/mL versus 5 4.22 ? 9.31 pg/mL, P

BACKGROUND:It has been shown thatChuanglingye has good anti-inflammatory effects, inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombus and improve wound healing. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects ofChuanglingye-loaded colagen on regulating inflammation and healing process of chronic wounds. METHODS: Forty rats were selected to make chronic wound models and randomly divided into four groups at 3 days after modeling: control group, colagen group,Chuanglingye group,Chuanglingye-loading colagen group, 10 rats in each group, respectively treated with 0.2 mL normal saline, 0.2 mL Chuanglingye, colagen and Chuanglingye-loaded colagen. The size of wounds was measured when modeling and at 3, 7 and 15 days after modeling. Amount of white blood cels, interleukin-6 level and tumor necrosis factor-α level in wound exudates were detected. The levels of hydroxyproline and matrix mentaloproteases (MMPs), including MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, in the granulation tissue, were also detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 3, 7, 15 days after modeling, the amount of white blood cels and levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 were significantly lower in the Chuanglingye-loaded colagen group andChuanglingye group compared to the control group and colagen group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference betweenChuanglingye-loaded colagen group and
Chuanglingye group. The level of hydroxyproline in the granulation tissue was significantly higher in the Chuanglingye-loaded colagen group than the other three groups at 3, 7, 15 days after modeling (P < 0.05), and the size of wound in theChuanglingye-loaded colagen group was significantly lower than that in the other three groups at 15 days after modeling (P < 0.01). In addition, no significant difference was found among the four groups at 15 days after modeling. These findings indicate thatChuanglingye-loaded colagen can significantly depress proliferation and infiltration of inflammatory cels on the wound surface, decrease levels of inflammatory factors and MMPs in wound exudates, and thus promote the healing of chronic wounds.

Objective To investigate the effect of 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) on proliferation and expression of RASSF1 A gene in human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 and 3AO.Methods SKOV3 and 3AO cells were treated with different concentrations (0.5,5,50 μmol/L) of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-CdR.RT-PCR and Western Blot were adopted to detect expression of mRNA and protein of RASSF1A gene before and after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR respectively.Results Compared with control group,when the 5-Aza-CdR concentration was 0.5,5,50 μmol/L after drug treatment,human ovarian cancer cells could significantly inhibit tumor cell growth; SKOV3 and 3AO cells in control group were observed weaker expression of RASSF1A mRNA.After treated with 5-Aza-CdR,the expressions of RASSF1A mRNA were observed increased with the increase of the drug concentration.After treated with different concentration of 5-Aza-CdR,the expressions of RASSF1A mRNA treated with 0.5 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR was lower than those treated with 5 and 50 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR (t =-8.866,P =0.01 ; t =-12.256,P =0.000).However,expressions of RASSF1A mRNA treated with 5 and 50 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR respectively showed no statistical significance (t =0.431,P =0.689).Expressions of RASSF1A protein treated with 0.5 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR and 5 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR didn't show statistically significant (t =-1.586,P =0.188).Conclusion Expressions of RASSF1A mRNA and protein in SKOV3 and 3AO cells were evidently enhanced.As one kind of methyltransferases inhibitors,5-Aza-CdR can inhibit ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3,3AO growth through the RASSF1A promoter methylation,and thus promote their apoptosis.

This article was aimed to explore the effect ofSan-Huang (SH) decoction on improving chemosensitivity of MCF-7 cells to epirubicin and inhibition of Aurora kinase A, in order to discuss its underlying mechanism. The inhibition of MCF-7 cells proliferation on breast cancer by SH decoction was determined by CCK-8 assay. RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the Aurora A, p53 mRNA and protein expression level of MCF-7 cells by SH decoction. The siRNA silenced Aurora A of MCF-7 cells. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the inhibition of MCF-7 cells proliferation. CCK-8 assay and AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining were used to detect the inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of MCF-7 cells treated by the combination of SH decoction and epirubicin. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The results showed that SH decoction inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P< 0.05). The effect of 48 h medication was better than 24 h (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference with medication for 72 h (P > 0.05). SH decoction can regulate the Aurora A, p53 protein and mRNA expression of MCF-7 cells. siRNA silenced Aurora A, which downregulated the inhibition rate of MCF-7 cells by SH decoction for 50.0% (from 49.2% to 24.8%). The combination of SH decoction and epirubicin enhanced the effect of epirubicin on inhibiting the proliferation rate and apoptosis rate of MCF-7 cell, regulated the expression levels of apoptosis-related protein such as c-PARP, c-Caspase 3, Bcl-2, Bax, as well as the protein level of Aurora A. It was concluded that SH decoction can increase the chemosensitivity of MCF-7 cells to epirubicin, which may be related to the inhibition of Aurora Kinase A by SH decoction.

BACKGROUND:Studies have found that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)/collagen complexes can promote the ADSCs differentiation and maturation into mature adipocytes and promote angiogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological properties of the ADSCs/collagen sponge composite material and to detect its effect on angiogenesis.METHODS:(1) ADSCs were cultured on collagen sponge (experimental group) or cultured alone (control group).After 24 hours of culture,cell adhesive rate of ADSCs was determined with flow cytometry.After 2,4,6 days of culture,cell proliferation and level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the culture medium were detected.(2) Chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes were exposed and incubated for 7 days and then divided into four groups:0.2 mL of sterile PBS was added in the blank group,0.2 mL of 2× 108/L passage 3 ADSCs suspension was added in the ADSCs group,collagen sponge was added in the collagen sponge group,and collagen sponge with 0.2 mL of 2× 108/L passage 3 ADSCs suspension was added in the composite group.After 7 days of incubation,the microvessel count around the chorioallantoic membrane was measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The cell adhesive rate of ADSCs to collagen sponge reached to (93.04±0.67)％.(2)The absorbance value (at 6 days of culture) and level of VEGF (at 4 and 6 days of culture) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05).(3) Compared with the blank group,the number of microvessels was significantly higher in the ADSCs,collagen sponge and composite groups (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,higher amount of microvessels were found in the composite group than the ADSCs and collagen sponge groups (P ＜ 0.05).To conclude,ADSCs can adhere well to the collagen sponge with good biocompatibility and their combined use can improve angiogenesis further by enhancing cell proliferation and VEGF secretion of ADSCs.

Summary: The changes in the levels of serum interleukin-13 (IL-13) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical significance were investigated. Sandwich ELISA was used to determine the levels of serum IL-13 and NGF in 35 SLE patients and 15 normal controls. The results showed that the levels of serum IL-13 (92.69±9.87 pg/ml) and NGF (339.69±25.60 pg/ml) in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in inactive SLE patients (IL-13, 54.22±9.31 pg/ml; NGF, 300.89±33.51 pg/ml)(P<0.01). The inactive patients also had significantly increased serum levels of IL-13 and NGF as compared with normal controls (IL-13, 35.20±12.70 pg/ml; NGF, 111.40±32.54 pg/ml; P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the serum IL-13 levels were correlated with disease activity index of SLE (SLEDAI), ESR and serum levels of C3 (r= 0.813, 0.504, -0.605, respectively). The serum NGF levels were also correlated with above markers (r=0.442, 0.338, -0.463, respectively). The serum levels of IL-13 and NGF had a positive correlation (r=0.506, P<0.01). It was suggested that IL-13 and NGF might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and closely correlated with disease activity.

Since there is a clinical need for the tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG), fabricating the vascular scaffold individually appears to be necessary. In this work, we have developed the traditional tubular scaffold and branch vascular scaffold utilizing low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM) technology. Then different tubular scaffolds were fabricated by changing the processing parameters, and the morphological properties of the scaffolds were assessed. The scaffolds reproduced the structure of 3D vascular model accurately. Wall thickness of the scaffold increased with the increase of velocity ratio (V(L)/V(s)) and nozzle temperature, and both the micropore size and wall roughness were positively correlated with the nozzle temperature. However, the porosity was barely affected by the nozzle temperature. This approach, fabricating vascular scaffold with special structure and appearance features via LDM technology, is potential for the individual fabrication of vascular scaffold.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Cold Temperature ; Computer-Aided Design ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

Three-dimensionally controlled cell-assembly technique makes fabricating tissues and organs in vitro to be possible. However, for real tissues and organs with complex structure and various cells, fabricating tissues and organs in vitro need a technique that could assemble and locate multi cells and materials precisely in the space. Facing the needs of multi-cell assembly, we designed a mixer nozzle and the matching pulse switching circuit which based on the single-nozzle cell assembly system, and developed a multi-cell-assembly system. We also carried out some assembly experiments with this system using materials that were similar to the multi-component extracellular matrix materials. The results demonstrated that the system could assemble various cells and materials into three-dimensional inhomogeneous structures precisely.
Bioartificial Organs ; Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; Cell Physiological Phenomena ; Equipment Design ; methods ; Extracellular Matrix ; chemistry ; Humans ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) in lung squamous cell carcino-ma (LSCC) and to examine the effect of EMT on the invasive and migration abilities of LSCC. Methods:Immunohistochemical stain-ing was performed to determine the expression of E-cadherin, Vimentin, and TGF-β1 in 79 LSCC patients, and the clinical significance was explored. SK-MES-1 lung squamous carcinoma cells were cultured in conditioned medium containing various concentrations of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) for 5 and 10 days. The expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin were detected via West-ern blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). With different concentrations and induction times, invasion and wound healing assays were performed to evaluate the invasion and migration abilities. Results:E-cadherin expression was significantly lower, whereas Vimentin expression was significantly higher in LSCC with lymph node metastasis than in that without noda metastasis (P<0.05). In the tissues of 79 LSCC patients, TGF-β1 expression was significantly related to lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Western blot showed that Vimentin expression was higher, whereas E-cadherin expression was lower in TGF-β1 inducing medium with 10 ng/mL SK-MES-1 cells than in the other media. RT-PCR showed similar results. Scratch test and invasion assay both showed that treat-ment of cells with cytokines markedly enhanced the migration and invasion of the cells. Conclusion:Lymph node metastasis of LSCC correlates with EMT. SK-MES-1 cells undergo EMT via TGF-β1 induction, which enhances invasion and migration.