BACKGROUND: Autophagy of alveolar macrophages is a crucial process in ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are multipotent cells with the potential for repairing injured sites and regulating autophagy. This study was to investigate the influence of BM-MSCs on autophagy of macrophages in the oxygen-glucose deprivation/restoration (OGD/R) microenvironment and to explore the potential mechanism. METHODS: We established a co-culture system of macrophages (RAW264.7) with BM-MSCs under OGD/R conditions in vitro. RAW264.7 cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus (Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B) and autophagic status of RAW264.7 cells was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Autophagy-related proteins light chain 3 (LC3)-I, LC3-II, and p62 in RAW264.7 cells were detected by Western blotting. We used microarray expression analysis to identify the differently expressed genes between OGD/R treated macrophages and macrophages co-culture with BM-MSCs. We investigated the gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is downstream of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. RESULTS: The ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I of OGD/R treated RAW264.7 cells was increased (1.27 ± 0.20 vs. 0.44 ± 0.08, t = 6.67, P  < 0.05), while the expression of p62 was decreased (0.77 ± 0.04 vs. 0.95 ± 0.10, t = 2.90, P  < 0.05), and PI3K (0.40 ± 0.06 vs. 0.63 ± 0.10, t = 3.42, P  < 0.05) and p-Akt/Akt ratio was also decreased (0.39 ± 0.02 vs. 0.58 ± 0.03, t = 9.13, P  < 0.05). BM-MSCs reduced the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio of OGD/R treated RAW264.7 cells (0.68 ± 0.14 vs. 1.27 ± 0.20, t = 4.12, P  < 0.05), up-regulated p62 expression (1.10 ± 0.20 vs. 0.77 ± 0.04, t = 2.80, P  < 0.05), and up-regulated PI3K (0.54 ± 0.05 vs. 0.40 ± 0.06, t = 3.11, P  < 0.05) and p-Akt/Akt ratios (0.52 ± 0.05 vs. 0.39 ± 0.02, t = 9.13, P  < 0.05). A whole-genome microarray assay screened the differentially expressed gene HO-1, which is downstream of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and the alteration of HO-1 mRNA and protein expression was consistent with the data on PI3K/Akt pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest the existence of the PI3K/Akt/HO-1 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells under OGD/R circumstances in vitro, revealing the mechanism underlying BM-MSC-mediated regulation of autophagy and enriching the understanding of potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ALI.
Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Bone Marrow ; Glucose ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Oxygen ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

The composition of intestinal microflora is closely related to the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Among them, Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been proved directly related to the recurrence, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance of CRC. Therefore, it is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer by the exploration potential anti-Fn drug targets and discovery small molecule drugs. However, no selective anti-Fn small molecule inhibitors have been reported so far as well as their anti-Fn thereby "anti-Fn further anticancer" mechanisms are unclear. Herein, this article reviews the potential therapeutic targets and small molecule ligands of Fn in order to provide a reference for the development of anti-Fn and anti-CRC small molecule drugs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate changes in biologic properties of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells whose EGF receptor (EGFR) expression was suppressed by short interference RNA (siRNA).

METHODSA549 cells were transfected with synthetic EGFR sequence-specific siRNA by Lipofectamine. EGFR expression was examined by Western blot and flow cytometry. The biological features of the transfected A549 cells were assessed by cell cycle analysis, colony formation and chemosensitivity assay.

RESULTSSequence-specific siRNAs targeting EGFR significantly down-regulated its expression in A549 cells. Cell growth and colony formation were inhibited by 85.0% and 63.3%, respectively, as compared to the non-sequence-specific siRNA treated cells. Decreased EGFR expression was accompanied by 12.7% increase in A549 cells in G(0)-G(1) phase and 6.6% decrease in S-phase. The EGFR sequence-specific siRNA transfected A549 cells were much more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin with a 77.2% decrease in IC(50) compared to the non-sequence-specific iRNA transfected A540 cells.

CONCLUSIONDown regulation of EGFR expression of NSCLC by sequence-specific siRNA may be considered as an additional option in the treatment of EGFR over-expressing cancers, including NSCLC.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pancreatic cancer and its influence on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells.

METHODSThe expression of CTGF in pancreatic cell line PANC-1 cells was analyzed by real-time PCR and in pancreatic carcinoma (50 cases) tissues by immunohistochemistry. The ability of proliferation and migration in vitro of PANC-1 cells was tested by MTT assay, scratch test and Boyden chamber test after the CTGF gene was overexpressed by Ad5-CTGF or silenced with Ad5-siCTGF transfection.

RESULTSCTGF was overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. Overxpression of CTGF leads to increased proliferation and migration of PANC-1 cells. The CTGF-transfected PANC-1 cells showed apparent stronger proliferation ability and scratch-repair ability than that of empty vector controls. The results of Boyden chamber test showed that there were 34 cells/field (200× magnificantion) of the CTGF-transfected overexpressing cells, much more than the 11 cells/field of the empty vector control cells; and 6 cells/microscopic field of the Ad5-siCTGF-transfected silenced cells, much less than the 15 cells/field of the control cells.

CONCLUSIONSCTGF is overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it may play an important role in the cell proliferation and migration in pancreatic cancer.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

Animals ; Coculture Techniques ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Immunophenotyping ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lung Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibition of COX-2 gene expression and its effects on malignant proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells after interfering at different target sites in vitro.

METHODSThe 3rd, 7th and 10th exon of COX-2 were selected as the targets and three COX-2 siRNA expression vectors with human U6 promoter were constructed. Three siRNA expression vectors and two vacant vectors were transfected into A549 cells expressing COX-2 with lipofectamine, respectively. The transfected cell strains were constructed and the change of COX-2 expression levels was examined by Western blot and RT-PCR. The effects on the proliferation of A549 cells after interfering at different target sites were studied by cell growth curve and colony formation assay in vitro.

RESULTSThe three siRNAs and U6 promoter were validated by PCR, restriction endonuclease digestion, DNA sequencing and BLAST alignment, and cloned into the pEGFP vector. The cell strains transfected were named as A549-3, A549-7, A549-10, A549-p and A549-pU6, respectively. A549-p cells showed expression of GFP and A549-3, A549-7, A549-10, A549-p and A549-pU6 cells did not show at 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection. The results of RT-PCR and Western blot showed an inhibition of COX-2 expression after interfering at three target sites (3rd, 7th and 10th exons). In contrast to A549 cells, the levels of COX-2 mRNA of A549-3, A549-7 and A549-10 cells were reduced by 10.6%, 33.4% and 61.2%, respectively. The levels of COX-2 protein of A549-3, A549-7 and A549-10 cells were reduced by 26.7%, 44.7% and 56.2%, respectively. The results of cell growth curve and colony formation assay showed a slowing down of the growth of A549-10 cells and reduction of their colony formation rate. The other two targets had no apparent effect on the growth of A549 cells.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant inhibiting effect of RNA interference on the malignant proliferation of A549 cells in vitro, and the most striking effect can be seen when the 10th exon of COX-2 is taken as the interference target.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Exons ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

The development of cancer biomarkers has brought the treatment of cancer from the tumor type-based to molecular target-based,and the latter marks the introduction of personalized cancer medicine (PCM). However,each individual tumor has unique molecular information,and the real PCM should be focused on single individuals and their specific molecular identities.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Precision Medicine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for beta-thalassemia major.

METHODSFifteen beta-thalassemia major patients with a median age of 3. 5 years (range 1 - 10 years) received allogeneic HSCT. According to the Pesaro's classification for thalassemia, 12 patients were grade I - II, and 3 grade III. The bone marrow transplantation (BMT) plus peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplant mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was used when donor is low body-weight.

RESULTOf the fifteen patients, nine were disease-free survival (DFS) at a median follow-up of 2.5 years (range 6 - 54 months). Of eight grade I - II patients received HLA identical sibling BMT, seven were DFS, and of two received HLA mismatched marrow from their mother, one DFS, another not engrafted. Two patients received unrelated cord blood HSCT were both not engrafted. Two patients received PBSC transplantation alone were not engrafted, but one of them soon received BMT from the same donor and was DFS. The incidences of grade I - II and grade III acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) were 20% (3/15) and 6.7% (1/15), respectively. Interstitial pneumonia occurred in 4/15 (26.7%) patients. There were no long-term complications in the survivors.

CONCLUSIONGrade I - II beta-thalassemia major patients received HLA identical sibling BMT had higher DFS. It was propitious for engraftment to use BMT plus PBSC, but with a higher incidence of acute and chronic GVHD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; methods ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether chemically synthesized double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can induce gene silencing in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in vivo.

METHODSThe NSCLC cell line SPC-A1 was transfected with EGFR sequence-specific dsRNA formulated with Lipofectamine 2000. SPC-A1 cells (1 x 10(7)/ml) in 200 microl were injected s.c. into the left flank area of the athymic nude mice to establish a tumor-bearing nude mouse model. To calculate the tumor growth inhibition rate by measuring the diameter and the weight of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to monitor the reduction of EGFR protein production. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the silencing of the EGFR mRNA level.

RESULTSThe EGFR sequence specific dsRNA (dsRNA-EGFR) significantly inhibited the tumor growth in vivo. The tumor growth inhibition rate was 75.0%. The dsRNA-EGFR sequence specifically silenced EGFR with 53.6% of down-regulation of EGFR protein production and 32.3% of silencing of EGFR mRNA level.

CONCLUSIONdsRNA-EGFR show a blockbuster effect in down-regulation of EGFR mRNA level and protein production, and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of mind-refreshing and balance-restoring needling method combined with Frenkel exercises in treating ataxia after cerebral stroke. Methods: The recruited 120 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by mind-refreshing and balance-restoring needling method, while the observation group was given additional lower-limb Frenkel exercises. Before and after treatment and at the follow-up, the ataxic lower-limb function was scored using Berg balance scale (BBS) and international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS), and Barthel index (BI) was adopted to score the activities of daily living (ADL). Results: After treatment, the markedly effective rate was 70.2％ and the total effective rate was 96.5％ in the observation group, versus 39.7％ and 87.9％ in the control group, and the differences in the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate were statistically significant (P<0.01, P<0.05). The intra-group comparisons showed that the BBS, ICARS and BI scores after treatment and at the follow-up were significantly different from those before treatment in both groups (all P<0.01).There were significant differences in the BBS score between the two groups after treatment and at the follow-up (P<0.05, P<0.01); the between-group differences in the ICARS and BI scores were statistically insignificant after treatment (both P>0.05), while the between-group differences in the ICARS and BI scores were statistically significant at the follow-up (both P<0.05). The interaction effects between the scoring time of BBS and BI and the group factor were statistically significant (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: Mind-refreshing and balance-restoring needling can effectively improve the lower-limb ataxic symptoms and ADL after stroke; when combined with Fenkel exercises, this needling method can produce more significant efficacy.