Objective To investgate role of TLR2 in the activation, the innate immune and inflammation of human platelets. Methods Human washed platelets were separated from healthy people(n=5) and were stimulated with different concentrations(1μg/ml, 5μg/ml, 10μg/ml) of TLR2 agonistPam3CSK4(a synthetic bacterial lipoproteins). Then the platelet aggregation rate, the expression of CD62p and TLR2 on the platelet surface were measured. Results The platelet aggregation rate were (28.32±5.67)%, (52.56±8.54)% and (76.24±11.23)%, respectively, at concentration of 1μg/ml, 5μg/mland 10μg/ml of Pam3CSK4, more than (12.83±2.43)% at 0μg/ml of it. In addition, the expression of CD62p were (18.45±2.66)%, (22.45±2.04)%, (29.53±4.08)%, respectively at above concentration of Pam3 CSK4, more than (11.20±1.67)% of CD62p at control group(P<0.01). The expression of TLR2 was not significantly increased at a lower concentration of Pam3CSK4(1μg/ml) with (16.85±6.10)% compared with(10.81±3.99)% at the control group. However, it were (21.15±9.90)% and (22.52±9.26)%, respectively, at a higher concentration(5μg/ml, 10μg/ml)more than(10.81±3.99)% at the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion Pam3CSK4 induce aggregation, activation and the up-regulation of TLR2 of platelet by stimulating TLR2 receptor of it. Thereafter, TLR2 play an important role in the innate immune of platelet.

AIM:To investigate the specific anti-tumor effects of mature dendritic cells ( DCs) transfected with amplified mucin 1 ( MUC1) mRNA in vitro.METHODS:DCs separated and purified from the peripheral blood mononu-clear cells were induced in vitro and then identified by flow cytometry .pcDNA3.1(+)-MUC1 plasmid was constructed and was able to transcribe MUC1 mRNA in vitro.The MUC1 mRNA was transfected into DCs by electroporation .MUC1-trans-fected DCs were used to induce T cells to be cytotoxic T-lymphocytes .Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess MUC1 mRNA expression in transfected DCs .The proliferation of T cells was examined by MTT assay .The proportion of CD8 +cells in the T cells was determined by flow cytometry and the specific cytotoxicity was measured by LDH assay .The secretion of IFN-γwas detected by ELISA .RESULTS: The marker gene expression in the DCs transfected with MUC 1 mRNA was significantly increased compared with control group , peaking at 24 h.The transfection group showed the higher capacity to stimulate the proliferation of T cells compared with control group when the ratio of DCs to T cells was 1∶10.The proportion of CD8 +cells in transfection group was higher than that in control group .The lethal effect of special cytotoxic T-lymphocytes on target cells in transfection group was stronger than that in control group .The level of IFN-γin the cell su-pernatant of transfection group was higher than that in control group .CONCLUSION:DCs plus MUC1 mRNA by electri-cal transfection induces specific anti-tumor effects , which provides an experiment evidence of using MUC 1 as a target for immunotherapeutic strategy against non-small cell lung cancer .

Objective:To evaluate the role of natural killer T cells in renal fibrosis in mice with acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 20-30 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), AKI group (group A), control plus CD1d antibody group (group C-MA), and AKI plus CD1d antibody group (group A-MA). The model of renal fibrosis in mice with AKI was established by intraperitoneal injection of folic acid 250 mg/kg.In group C, homotypic control antibody 20 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein.In group AKI, homotypic control antibody 20 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein at 24 h before establishing the model. In group C-MA, anti-CD1d monoclonal antibody 20 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein.In group A-MA, anti-CD1d monoclonal antibody 20 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein at 24 h before establishing the model.On the 14th day after folic acid injection, blood samples were taken from eyeballs to determine the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) in serum.Then the mice were sacrificed, and the renal tissues were taken for Sirius red staining and HE staining to determine the area of renal fibrosis, and renal injury was scored.The expression of fibronectin (FN), type I collagen (Col-Ⅰ) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in renal tissues was detected by immunofluorescence method.The expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, arginase-1 (Arg-1) and found in inflammatory zone 1 (FIZZ1) mRNA in renal tissues was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with group C, the concentrations of BUN and Cr in serum, renal injury score, and area of renal fibrosis were significantly increased, the expression of FN, Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA and IL-4, IL-13, Arg-1 and FIZZ1 mRNA was up-regulated in A and A-MA groups ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the above indexes in group C-MA ( P>0.05). Compared with group A, the concentrations of BUN and Cr in serum, renal injury score, and area of renal fibrosis were significantly decreased, the expression of FN, Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA and IL-4, IL-13, Arg-1 and FIZZ1 mRNA was down-regulated in group A-MA ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Activation of natural killer T cells is involved in the process of renal fibrosis in mice with AKI, and the mechanism may be related to promoting the release of Th2 cytokines and M2 polarization of macrophages.

Objective To study influencing factor of mechanical ventilation (MV) time in patients withchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method Totally 128 patients with COPD and respiratory failurerequiting ventilation support were retrespectively investigated. The clinical characteristics of patients before and af-ter intuhation during the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) stay were recorded and analyzed, t- test, X2 testand stepwise logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results In the 128 patients, 61%,20%, and 9% of the patients required MV longer than 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. There were no significantdifferences in the history of COPD, smoking, lung function, and complications between patients with MV>7 d, 14d, 21 d and patients with MV<7 d, 14 d, 21 d. Multiple regression analysis showed APACHE Ⅱ score (OR:2.3; 95% Ca: 1.2-5.7, P = 0.02) was an independent factor for MV > 7 days, while shock (OR: 0.7;95% CI: 1.0-1.9, P = 0.04) and decreased serum albumin (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8, P = 0.003)were an independent factors for MV > 21 days. The ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was the most impor-rant risk factor for the time of MV. Conclusions APACHE Ⅱ score, serum albumin levels, hock and VAP arethe main factors affecting MV time in patients with COPD.

AIM:Panton-Valentine leukocidin(PVL)is a pore-forming toxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus epidemiologieally associated with the often-lethal necrotizing pneumonia.Until now,the mechanisms of pathogene-sis of PVL leading to the fatal pulmonia remains undefined and also acquired plenty of the toxins is difficult.In the present study，we obtain recombinant staphylococcal F and S components of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin by gene engineering and evaluate its biological activity in vitro,which provides an experimental basis for the further studies of its biological func-tion and its toxicity in pneumonia.METHODS:The full-length of F and S components of PVL gene amplified from the strain of Staphylococcus aureus DNA by hiSh-fidelity PCR was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET22b(+),and the vector was transformed into BL21(DE3)plysS to construct a prokaryotie expression system.The integrity of the opening-reading frame of each construct was verified by DNA sequencing.The recombinant PVL(rPVL)was induced by1.0 mmol/L IPTG.The expressed products were identified by SDS-PAGE and the fusion proteins(6His-LukS-PV and 6His-LukF-PV)were purified from lysates of transfeeted E.coli cells by affinity chromatography on nitrilotriacetic acid columns.The eytolytie activity was tested by incubation of rPVL with human polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs)in vitro.RESULTS:The nueleotide sequence of the cloned PVL gene was the same as that of reported in GenBank.E coli BL21(DE3)plysS containing recombinant vectors grow at 37℃causes some proteins to accumulate as inclusion bodies.while incubation at 30℃led to a significant amount of soluble active proteins which accounted for about 31.7％ of the total bacterial protein.The relative molecular weight showed on SDS-PAGE profile was consistent with the expected value which the LukS-PV protein was about 34 kD.and the LukF-PV protein was about 35 kD.The purified rPVL was obtained and its cytolytic activity to PMNs was demonstrated.CONCLUSION:The genes of 1ukS-PV and lukF-PV are successfully cloned into plasmid pET22b(+)and expressed in E coli respectively.which provide a basis for analyzing the toxicity related to the diseases and further studies about the pathogenesis of PVL.

Objective To investigate the lipoteichoic acid(LTA) induced apoptosis and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human alveolar macrophage (AM) and the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflamatory effect of moxifloxacin (MXF).Methods Obtained human AM from bronchoalveolar lavage and used MTT assay to observe the effects of LTA and MXF on cell activity,optical microscope to investigate the change of the cell morphology,flow cytometry to assess cell apoptosis,RT-PCR to detect the mRNA levels of TLR2,IL-1 β,IL-8 and TNF-α,ELISA for the production of IL-8 to exam RT-PCR.Results LTA showed cytotoxicity on AM in a dose-dependent manner ( P＜0.05 ) ; MXF inhibited the effect of LTA without cytotoxicicy ( P＜0.05 ).LTA promoted apoptosis ( P＜0.05 ) and the mRNA expressions of TRL2,IL-1 β,IL-8 and TNF-α significantly in AM (P＜0.05),the peaks and peak time ofthe above factors were (3.56±0.03) at 12 h,(46.63±7.06) at 6 h,(28.07±1.24) at 12 h and (2.34 ±0.50) at 3 h respectively and increased the release of IL-8 protein level at 24 h (P＜0.05).MXF inhibited the cell apoptosis and the above mRNA expression at 12h ( P＜0.05 ),and inhibited the IL-8 protein level at 24 h( P＜0.05 ).Conclusion LTA showed cytotoxicity on AM,induced AM apoptosis and increased the expression of TLR2,IL-I β,IL-8 and TNF-α of AM ; MXF could protect AM through inhibiting of the above effects and may play a key role beside bactericidal effect in gram-positive bacteria pneumonia.

[Objective] To reduce misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis rate of pulmonary embolism,the prediction of the revised Geneva score and Wells score for pulmonary embolism were compared and analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves.[Methods] Sixty-five cases with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) were collected in the Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN Yat-sen University from January 1998 to October 2008.Of which 44 cases with PE were clinically confirmed.Relevant clinical data were recorded,summarized and the analysis variables were input to SPSS11.0 for statistical analysis.ROC curves was used to evaluate the probability of PE predicted by the Wells and the revised Geneva scores.[Results] Twenty-four patients had a low clinical probability of PE (Wells score ＜ 2 points ),of which 8 (33.3%) had proven PE.The prevalence of PE was 87.2% in the 39 patients with intermediate probability (2-6 points) and 100% in the 2 patients with high probability (＞ 6 points) (P ＝ 0.000).The confirmed PE was 22.2% in the 18 patients with a low probability (Geneva score 0-3 points),82.1% (32/39) in intermediate probability (4-10 points),100% (8/8) in high probability (score ≥11 points) (P ＝ 0.000).The area under curve (AUC) of the ROC curve in the Wells and Geneva scores was 0.785 ± 0.060 and 0.900 ± 0.038,respectively (P ＝ 0.000).The optimal cutoff value was 2 points in the Wells score and 6.5 points in the Geneva score.The Wells score more than 2 points predicted PE with a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 76.2%.The Geneva score more than 6 points predicted PE with a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 100%.The comparison of the area under curve between the Wells and the Geneva score had a significant difference statistically (P ＜ 0.05).[Conclusion] The Wells score and the revised Geneva score are beneficial to predict pulmonary embolism.The revised Geneva score is roughly superior to the Wells score both in sensitivity and specificity.

OBJECTIVE:To establish an RP-HPLC method for the content determination of glycyrrhizic acid in gly-cyrrhizin liposome.METHODS:The separation was performed on Shim-pack VP-ODS column with methanol-buffer phosphate(pH=2.6,68∶32)as the mobile phase,the detection wavelength was254nm and the flow rate was1ml/min.RE-SULTS:Glycyrrhizic acid was well-separated with peaks of the adjuvants and the solvent.The linear range for glycyrrhizic acid was1～100?g/ml(r=0.9999,n=5).The average recovery was97.56%(RSD=1.03%).CONCLUSION:This method is accurate and sensitive,and suitable for the content determination of glycyrrhizic acid in glycyrrhizin liposome.

Objective To investigate the efficiency of Trichostatin A (TSA) in inducing cell apoptosis and altering the Notch pathway genes expression in PANC-1 cells line.Methods The survival rate and apoptosis of PANC-1 cells were measured by MTT assay and Hoechst 33258 staining,respectively.mRNA expression levels of the genes,numb,gcn512,dll3,hes6,eaf2,cytohesins,in PANC-1 cells were assessed by real-time quantitive PCR.Western blot was used to measure the expression of bcl-2,bax,actived caspase-3 and NICD protein which was the biologically active form of Notch-1.Results After culturing with 0.1,0.2,and 0.4 μmol/L TSA for 24 hours,the cellular survival rate of PANC-1 cells significantly decreased to 72％,58％ and 39％,respectively.The survival rate of PANC-1 was negatively correlated to time length of culture with TSA.Increased apoptosis of PANC-1 cells after 12,24 and 36 h culture with TSA was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining.Western blotting showed that the expression of bax,actived caspase-3 and NICD protein increased while the bcl-2 protein decreased after culture with TSA.In real time quantitive PCR assessment,the mRNA expression of numb and hes6 in PANC-1 cells were upregulated by TSA (P ＜ 0.05),while the mRNA expression of gcn512 and dll3 were down-regulated by TSA (P ＜ 0.05).While mRNA expressions of eaf2 and cytohesin1,2,3,4 were not affected by TSA.Conclusions TSA induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1.The Notch signal pathway may be involved in inducing cellular apoptosis of PANC-1 when cultured with TSA.

Objective To evaluate the effect of ganglioside ( GM-1) preconditioning on endoplas-mic reticulum stress ( ERS)-dependent apoptosis during spinal cord injury induced by bupivacaine in rats. Methods One hundred and eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=36 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), bupivacaine group (group B) and GM-1 pretreatment group (group G). In group B, 5％bupivacaine 0. 12 μl/g was intrathecally injected at 1. 5 h intervals, 3 times intotal. In group G, GM-120μl ( 30 mg/kg) was intrathecally injected, and 24 h later bupivacaine was intrathecally injected according to the method previously described in group B. Immediately after intrathecal injection and at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after intrathecal injection, the maximum percentage of anti-nociceptive effects (％MPE) was detected, the hindlimb motor function score ( BBB score) was evaluated, and spinal cord tissues were har-vested for determination of cell apoptosis ( using TUNEL) and expression of caspase-12 and CCAAT/enhan-cer-binding protein homologous protein ( CHOP ) protein and mRNA ( by Western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) . The apoptosis rate was calculated. Results Compared with group C, the％MPE and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, the BBB score was decreased, and the expression of CHOP and caspase-12 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in group B ( P＜0. 05) . Compared with group B, the ％MPE and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, the BBB score was increased, and the ex-pression of CHOP and caspase-12 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in group G ( P＜0. 05) . Conclu-sion GM-1 preconditioning reduces bupivacaine-induced spinal cord injury possibly through inhibiting ERS-dependent apoptosis in rats.