To obtain the NPC-associated antigens, a powerful new method, SEREX (serological identification of antigen by recombinant cDNA expression library), was used for identifying the antigens eliciting humoral immune response. Before performing serological analysis, a high quality cDNA library derived from human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissue was constructed. The primary library consisted of 3.64 x 10(6) recombinants and the recombinant rate was 94%. For better preserving the cDNA library, it was amplified. As a result, the titer of the amplified cDNA library was 3.8 x 10(9) pfu/mL. With SEREX method, immunoscreening for the detection of reactive clones in the human NPC tissue cDNA library was performed with autologous serum. As a result, 23 positive clones encoding antigenic genes were obtained after immunoscreening, and the nucleotide sequences of cDNA inserts were determined and analyzed with BLAST software in GenBank. Results showed that the 23 reactive clones were derived from 16 different genes. 10 of 16 genes had high homologous to the genes known in GenBank, such as RPL31, S100 A2, MT2A, etc. However, there were also 6 genes with low homology to the genes known in GenBank. Furthermore, 3 of 6 genes may be novel genes. The associations of these genes to NPC and the roles that they played in the occurrence and development of NPC should be revealed by further research.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology

In this study we investigate the expression pattern of mucin genes in the human testis and evaluate the relationship between the expression of mucin genes and impaired spermatogenesis in the human testis. Thirty human testis tissues were collected from patients undergoing diagnostic testicular biopsy to investigate the cause of infertility. One part of the tissue underwent histological observation, and the other part of the tissue was subjected to semiquantitative RT-PCR of mucin genes, that is, mucin1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. The relative amount of mucin mRNAs was calculated by densitometry using glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an internal control. The samples were histologically diagnosed as either obstructive azoospermia with normal spermatogenesis (n = 13) or non-obstructive azoospermia with impaired spermatogenesis (n = 17). In the human testis with normal spermatogenesis, mRNA expression of mucin1, 9, 13 and GAPDH were found, but RT-PCR products of mucin 2, 3 and 4 were not detected. In the testis with impaired spermatogenesis, however, RT-PCR product of mucin1 was not found. There was no difference in the other mucin mRNA expression patterns between the testis with either normal or impaired spermatogenesis. To our knowledge, this study is the first that has detected the mRNA of mucin9 and 13 in human testis. This study also shows that mucin1 expression might be closely related to spermatogenesis. Our findings should be substantiated by more direct evidence, such as mucin protein expression and localization.
Testis/*metabolism ; *Spermatogenesis ; Mucins/*genetics ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Glycoproteins/genetics ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Antigens/genetics ; Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using the mRNA of the MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 genes as specific tumor markers.

METHODSPeripheral blood was obtained from 25 HCC patients and 20 healthy volunteers. The mRNA of the MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected by nested RT-PCR. The MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 transcripts in the tumor tissues of these HCC patients were also detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSOf the 25 HCC patients, MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 mRNA were positive in 44% (11/25) and 36% (9/25) of PBMCs respectively, and in 68% (17/25) and 56% (14/25) of HCC tissues respectively. In the PBMCs of the 25 HCC patients, 16 (64%) samples were detected to express at least one type of MAGE mRNA. MAGE mRNA were not detected in the PBMCs from the patients whose tumors did not express the MAGE genes, nor in the PBMCs from the 20 healthy donors. The positive rate of MAGE mRNA in the PBMCs was closely correlated with the TNM stages and the diameter of tumors, but there was no correlation between the positive rate of MAGE mRNA in PBMCs and tumor differentiation degree or serum alpha-FP level. Of 9 HCC patients whose serum alpha-FP was normal or slightly elevated (< 50 ng/ml), 6 were MAGE-1 and/or MAGE-3 mRNA positive in their PBMCs.

CONCLUSIONMAGE-1 and MAGE-3 mRNA could be specifically detected with high percentage in the PBMCs of HCC patients by our method. They can be used as specific tumor markers for the detection of the circulating HCC cells, and the detection results may be helpful to evaluate the prognosis of HCC patients.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of MAGE-B genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in order to find new targets for immunotherapy.

METHODSThe expression of MAGE-B1, B2, A1 and A3 mRNA was detected using RT-PCR in HCC tissues and the corresponding adjacent non-HCC tissues from 47 HCC patients, 30 samples of cirrhosis and normal liver tissues. Four samples selected randomly from MAGE-B1 or B2 with positive RT-PCR results were sequenced to confirm the results of RT-PCR. The relationship between the expression of MAGE-B and some clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.

RESULTSMAGE-B1 mRNA and MAGE-B2 mRNA were detected in 44.7% (21/47) and 61.7% (29/47) of HCC samples, respectively, while neither MAGE-B1 nor MAGE-B2 could be detected in the corresponding adjacent non-HCC liver tissues. In addition, none of 30 samples of cirrhosis and normal liver tissues was shown to express both MAGE-B genes. The DNA sequence confirmed that the RT-PCR products were truly target cDNA. The frequency of the expression of MAGE-A1 and A3 was 74.5% (35/47) and 44.7% (21/47), respectively. There was significant correlation between the expression of MAGE-B and MAGE-A (P < 0.05). However, the positive expression of MAGE-B was observed in 5 out of 12 HCC tissues without expression of MAGE-A1 and/or A3. When all four MAGE genes were examined, the positive rate of expression of one, two, three and four genes was 83.0% (39/47), 55.3% (26/47), 48.9% (23/47), and 38.3% (18/47) of 47 HCC tissues, respectively. No correlation was found between the expression of MAGE-B and clinical parameters such as age, sex, tumor size, degree of tumor differentiation, serum alpha-fetoprotein level and hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMAGE-B genes are expressed with relatively high frequency and specificity in HCC. Most HCC patients with positive expression of at least one member of MAGE-B or MAGE-A gene family are adequate candidates to receive specific immunotherapy. Frequent co-expression of multiple members of MAGE-B and MAGE-A subfamilies provides the possibility of using polyvalent vaccines to achieve more effective immunotherapeutic results.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this review was to assess RNA interference (RNAi) and its possibility as a potential and powerful tool to develop highly specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) based gene-silencing therapeutics.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were obtained from the current RNAi-related research reports.

STUDY SELECTIONdsRNA-mediated RNAi has recently emerged as a powerful reverse genetic tool to silence gene expression in multiple organisms. The discovery that synthetic duplexes of 21 nucleotides siRNAs trigger gene-specific silencing in mammalian cells has further expanded the utility of RNAi in to the mammalian system.

DATA EXTRACTIONThe currently published papers reporting the discovery and mechanism of RNAi phenomena and application of RNAi on gene function in mammalian cells were included.

DATA SYNTHESISSince the recent development of RNAi technology in the mammalian system, investigators have used RNAi to elucidate gene function, and to develop gene-based therapeutics by delivery exogenous siRNA or siRNA expressing vector. The general and sequence-specific inhibitory effects of RNAi that will be selective, long-term, and systemic to modulate gene targets mentioned in similar reports have caused much concern about its effectiveness in mammals and its eventual use as a therapeutic mordality.

CONCLUSIONSIt is certain that the ability of RNAi in mammals to silence specific genes, either when transfected directly as siRNAs or when generated from DNA vectors, will undoubtedly accelerate the study of gene function and might also be used as a potentially useful method to develop highly gene-specific therapeutic methods. It is also expected that RNAi might one day be used to treat human diseases.

Animals ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Gene Silencing ; Genes, abl ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA Interference

OBJECTIVETo determine at the mRNA level whether the MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes are expressed in cancer cell lines from salivary glands and relevant clinical carcinomas, and thus to distinguish cancerous tissues from normal tissues and benign tumors in salivary glands.

METHODSThe expression of the MEGE-A1 and MEGE-A3 genes at the mRNA level was determined by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 2 cell lines of human adenoid cyst carcinomas (ACC-2 and ACC-M), in 18 malignant tumors and 9 benign salivary gland tumors, and in 10 samples of normal salivary gland tissues.

RESULTSBoth MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes were expressed in ACC-2 and ACC-M cell lines. None of the 9 benign tumors or the 10 normal tissue samples of salivary glands expressed the genes. The MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes were expressed in 9 (50%) and 11 (61%) of 18 salivary gland carcinomas, respectively, and at least 1 of the 2 genes was expressed in 14 (78%) of them. Of the 18 salivary gland carcinomas, 6 low-differentiated carcinomas (33%) expressed both genes, whereas 4 high-differentiated carcinomas (22%) expressed neither gene.

CONCLUSIONSThe MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes can be expressed in cancer cell lines of salivary glands and relevant clinical carcinomas in addition to other malignant tumors of various histological origins. The results suggest the possibility of immunotherapy against salivary gland carcinomas by using MAGE-gene-encoded products as target antigens for tumor-rejection.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of MAGE-4 gene encoding protein used as a target for immunotherapy in HCC patients.

METHODSThe expression of MAGE-4 gene in tumor tissues and tumor adjacent non-HCC liver tissues was examined by the RT-PCR method. The relationship between positive expression rate of MAGE-4 gene and other clinical and lab data including AFP, AFU, anti-HCV, HBsAg, AFP mRNA, and the diameter of the tumors in HCC patients was also determined.

RESULTSThe positive expression rate of MAGE-4 gene was significantly higher in the tumor than in tumor surrounding tissues (38.7% vs 0%, P<0.01), while the positive expression rate of MAGE-4 gene had no relationship with the clinical and lab data (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe high frequency of MAGE-4 gene expression in HCC suggests the possibility of MAGE-4 gene encoding protein as a target for immunotherapy in HCC patients, but the expression has no relationship with the tumor metastasis and the recurrence of HCC.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo screen out effective lung cancer associated antigens for early diagnosis in order to improve the level of early diagnosis.

METHODSA T7 phage display cDNA library of human early lung cancer was developed. And then differential phage clones were picked out to be sequenced and bioinformatically analyzed. With the 8 screened differential phage clones a lung cancer associated antigen microarray was established to evaluate the single or combined roles of all the selected antigens in the diagnosis of lung cancer by the reaction of the antigens plus serum from normal subjects and patients with lung cancer, respectively.

RESULTSThe titer of the constructed cDNA library was 3.71×10 (6); pfu/ml and the number of phage was 1.11×10 (6); pfu, with a recombination rate of cDNA library over 90%. Nine differential phage clones were initially screened out, but the genes of two antigens (A42 and A83) were found the same. Bioinformatics analyses showed that the genes of the 8 antigens were known before and they were all proven to be related with tumor except A64. The positive reaction rates of the 8 antigens with serum from lung cancer patients were significantly higher than that with serum from normal subjects (Ps<0.05). When keeping specificity no less than 60%, the sensitivity of each antigen in predicting lung cancer alone was under 70% and the areas under curve (AUC) of the antigens were all under 0.8. However, when all the antigens were combined to detect lung cancer, the sensitivity and specificity was 90.8% and 94.1%, respectively, and AUC reached up to 0.969.

CONCLUSIONA T7 phage display cDNA library with a good quality of capacity, recombination rate and representativeness of human early lung cancer was successfully developed, and 8 lung cancer associated antigens were screened out. A combination of the 8 antigens can greatly improve their value to diagnose lung cancer with a higher sensitivity and specificity (both above 90%)．

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Early Detection of Cancer ; methods ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity

This study was aimed to establish the reliable genotyping method of human platelet antigens of HPA-15 system by PCR-SSP and to use this assay in the further HPA genotyping of volunteer platelet donors. 3 sequence-specific primers recommended by the 11th Platelet Genotyping and Serology Workshop on behalf of International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) were synthesized. The concentration of each primer pair, the concentration of Mg(2+) and the PCR conditions were adjusted to optimize the conditions so that HPA-15 system could be specific amplified. The accuracy and reliability of the developed assay was evaluated and confirmed by typing the coded DNA samples provided by the 11th Platelet Genotyping and Serology Workshop. As a parallel control, a total of 50 volunteer platelet donors in Shenzhen were genotyped by both our assay and the G&T commercial kit at HPA-15 system. 10 coded samples distributed by the 11th Platelet Genotyping and Serology Workshop were genotyped by established PCR-SSP method. The results showed that a concordance rate of 100% was observed between the results obtained by established PCR-SSP method and the results provided by ISBT report. The HPA gene frequencies observed in 50 randomly-selected platelet donors in Shenzhen were 0.5100 and 0.4900 for HPA-15a and HPA-15b respectively. In conclusion, PCR-SSP assay established in our study provides a simple, rapid and accurate method for HPA-15 system genotyping, which assay is suitable for routine clinical HPA genotyping and shows a broad prospect in its further applications.
Antigens, CD ; genetics ; immunology ; Antigens, Human Platelet ; genetics ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; Genotype ; Humans ; Isoantigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) at protein and mRNA levels in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast (IMPC) and to analyze the relationship between PSCA expression and clinicopathologic features.

METHODSThe expression of PSCA protein was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (LSAB) in 66 cases of IMPC and 67 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS). The association between PSCA expression and clinicopathologic features was also analyzed in IMPC. Furthermore, RT-PCR was used to detect PSCA mRNA in 10 cases of primary IMPC and 10 cases of primary IDC-NOS with paired normal breast tissues, each from the same subject.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical analysis revealed the overexpression of PSCA in 47 of 66 (71.2%) cases of IMPC and 35 of 67 (52.2%) IDC-NOS. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference of PSCA expression between IMPC and IDC-NOS (P = 0.024). In IMPC, the expression of PSCA was correlated with lymph nodes metastasis (P = 0.039). RT-PCR showed the mRNA level of PSCA was significantly higher in primary IMPC and IDC-NOS tissue than that in paired normal breast tissue (7/10 and 5/10, respectively), and it was also significantly higher in primary IMPC tissue than that in IDC-NOS tissue.

CONCLUSIONPSCA might play an important role in lymph node metastasis in IMPC.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism