We wished to screen the cell line that stably expresses the HPV18E5 protein, and to ascertain the influence of HPV18E5 protein on cell proliferation and the cell cycle. The HPV18E5 gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Then, the His-tag pSecTag-HPV18E5 eukaryotic expression vector was constructed by digestion ligation and connection. The recombinant plasmid was transfected into Balb/c3T3 cells with lipofectamine, and positive cell lines were screened by a culture medium containing bleomycin. HPV18E5 expression in cells was confirmed by western blotting and immuno-enzymatic methods. The influence of HPV18E5 on cell proliferation and the cell cycle were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. The pSecTag-HPV18E5 eukaryotic expression vector was constructed. After 21-day selection in a culture medium containing 400 μg/mL bleomycin, stably expressing HPV18E5 protein cells were harvested. Compared with control groups, cell proliferation in HPV18E5 stably expressed cells was obviously increased, as was the S phase in the cell cycle. Our results suggested that HPV18E5 influences cell proliferation and the cell cycle. Our study has laid the foundation of the biologic properties of HPV18E5 protein, which will aid further studies on the mechanism of action of carcinogenesis.
Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Papillomavirus Infections ; physiopathology ; virology ; Transfection

Objective To assess the growth of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins discordant for birth weight during their first 24 months of life.Methods Clinical data and growth parameters from birth to 24 months of age of 31 pairs(62 cases) of birth weight-discordant MCDA twins (≥ 25％ difference in birth weight) who were born alive in the First Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat-sen University between January 1,2010 and June 30,2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Each pair of twins was divided into the large birth weight group (31 cases) and the small birth weight group (31 cases).All datas were statistically analyzed with Chisquare test,paired t test,analysis of variance or LSD-t test.Results (1) The incidence of birth defects and hypoproteinemia in the small birth weight group were higher than that in the large birth weight group [29.0％ (9/31) vs 0.0％ (0/31),54.8％ (17/31) vs 25.8％ (8/31);x2=8.319 and 5.429;both P ＜ 0.05].(2) The standard deviation scores (SDS) of weight,length and head circumference at birth and 1,6,12,18 and 24 months of age of the small birth weight group were lower than those of the large birth weight group [birth:(-2.00 ± 0.66) vs (-0.04±0.60),(-1.83±1.13) vs (-0.37±0.83),(-1.42±1.03) vs (0.17±0.84),t=17.214,8.390 and 7.759;1 month:(-1.77±0.81) vs (-0.60±0.65),(-2.36±1.20) vs (-0.94±0.74),(-1.71±1.26) vs (-0.44± 1.09),t=9.424,9.059 and 7.197;6 months (-1.00±0.84) vs (-0.09±0.56),(-1.31 ± 1.22) vs (-0.04±0.80),(0.30±1.51) vs (1.11 ± 1.20),t=-7.578,7.988 and 6.091;12 months:(-0.34±1.06) vs (0.47±0.79),(-1.00±0.92) vs (-0.14±0.73),(-0.16±0.76) vs (0.49±0.58),t=5.747,7.155 and 5.664;18 months:(-0.06±0.95) vs (0.74±0.66),(-0.92± 1.07) vs (-0.24±0.92),(-0.32±0.72) vs (0.29±0.66),t=6.153,4.496 and 3.877;24 months:(0.20±0.79) vs (0.88±0.62),(-0.66±0.59) vs (0.01 ±0.67),(-0.37±0.60) vs (0.34±0.68),t=5.317,4.800 and 4.905;all P ＜ 0.001].However,the changes in SDS (△ SDS) of weight,length and head circumference from birth to 24 months of age and the incidence of △ SDS ＞ 0.67 were significantly higher in the small birth weight group than those in the large birth weight group [△SDS:(2.20± 1.10) vs (0.92±0.91),(1.17± 1.21) vs (0.37± 1.14),(1.05± 1.07) vs (0.16±0.89),t=8.422,3.918 and 3.547,all P ＜ 0.001;△SDS ＞ 0.67:93.5％ (29/31) vs 61.3％ (19/31),61.3％ (19/31) vs 35.5％ (11/31),61.3％ (19/31) vs 29.0％ (9/31),x2=9.226,4.133 and 6.53 1,all P ＜ 0.05].(3) The difference in SDS for weight,length and head circumference between the large and small birth weight twins at 24 months of age were significantly lower than those at birth [(0.68 ± 0.71) vs (1.95 ± 0.63),(0.67 ± 0.77) vs (1.46± 0.97),(0.71 ± 0.80) vs (1.60±1.15);all P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions Growth differences are found between birth weight-discordant MCDA twins all the way to 24 months of age from birth at a reduced trend.

Objective:To investigate the expression of Macrophage migration-inhibitory factors (MIF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its interaction with ERK1/2 signaling pathway, so as to establish a theoretical basis for further studying the molecular mechanism of MIF promoting HCC.Methods:From February 2020 to August 2021, 52 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues based on hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBV-LC) and 52 cases of adjacent tissues in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA were collected as the experimental group, including 39 males and 13 females, aged 35-65 years. And 20 cases of normal liver tissue were selected as the control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MIF, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins in liver tissues of the two groups, and in situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of ERK1/2 nucleic acid in liver tissues of the two groups.HepG2 HCC cells and L-02 normal hepatocytes were co-cultured with different concentrations of rMIF, the expression and phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK1 proteins in the two kinds of liver cells were detected by Western-blot, and the expression levels of ERK1/2 nucleic acids in the two kinds of liver cells were detected by RT-PCR. One-way ANOVA was used for measurement data and χ 2 test was used for counting data. Results:The expressions of MIF, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 mRNA were significantly increased in HCC and para-cancer tissues (the expression of MIF in HCC group was 78.8%, and that in adjacent group was 75.0%; ERK1/2 80.8% in HCC group and ERK1/2 71.8% in paracancerous group. The expression of p-ERK1/2 75.0 % in HCC group and 46.2% in paracancerous group were respectively detected. ERK1/2 mRNA was expressed in HCC group 76.9%, ERK1/2 mRNA expression in paracancerous group 78.8%), and the differences were statistically significant compared with normal liver tissues ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between HCC and para-cancer tissues ( P>0.05). The expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 mRNA in HepG2 HCC cells were significantly increased with the increase of rMIF concentration, and the increase was most obvious when rMIF concentration was 200 ng/ml, and the difference was statistically significant compared with L-02 normal hepatocytes ( P<0.05). Conclusion:MIF, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 are highly expressed in HCC tissues and HepG2 HCC cells, suggesting that MIF promotes the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma through ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for the majority of cases. Patients with NSCLC have achieved great survival benefits from immunotherapies targeting immune checkpoints. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are frequently used for palliation of cancer-associated symptoms, as supportive care for non-cancer-associated symptoms, and for management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The aim of this study was to clarify the safety and prognostic significance of glucocorticoid use in advanced patients with NSCLC treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: The study searched publications from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database up to March 1st, 2022, and conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effects of glucocorticoid use on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs through the available data. The study calculated the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: This study included data from 25 literatures that were mainly retrospective, with 8713 patients included. Patients taking GCs had a higher risk for tumor progression and death compared with those not taking GCs (PFS: HR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.33-1.86, P <0.001; OS: HR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.41-1.88, P <0.001). GCs used for cancer-associated symptoms caused an obviously negative effect on both PFS and OS (PFS: HR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.32-2.29, P <0.001; OS: HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.52-2.04, P <0.001). However, GCs used for irAEs management did not negatively affect prognosis (PFS: HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46-1.00, P = 0.050; OS: HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.83, P = 0.005), and GCs used for non-cancer-associated indications had no effect on prognosis (PFS: HR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.63-1.32, P = 0.640; OS: HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.59-1.41, P = 0.680). CONCLUSIONS In advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs, the use of GCs for palliation of cancer-associated symptoms may result in a worse PFS and OS, indicating that they increase the risk of tumor progression and death. But, in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs, the use of GCs for the management of irAEs may be safe, and the use of GCs for the treatment of non-cancer-associated symptoms may not affect the ICIs' survival benefits. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful and evaluate indications rationally before administering GCs in individualized clinical management.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies

Autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） is a type of chronic hepatitis caused by the autoimmune system attacking hepatocytes， and its chronic progression may lead to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently， pharmacotherapy and liver transplantation are the main treatment methods for AIH， but both methods have their own limitations， which limits the clinical benefits of patients. Therefore， it is a critical issue to search for new therapeutic agents and methods. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells （MSC） and their exosomes can improve the symptoms of patients with AIH by suppressing inflammatory response， enhancing the regeneration of hepatocytes， and regulating the immune system and thus have wide application prospects in the treatment of AIH. By summarizing related articles， this article reviews the possible mechanisms and application of MSC and their exosomes in the treatment of AIH， in order to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of AIH.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） has become the most common chronic liver disease in the world， and it is also one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma， so it is particularly important to curb the development and progression of NAFLD in a timely manner. However， due to its complex pathogeneses， there are currently no effective methods for radical treatment. As a new generation of probiotics， Akkermansia muciniphila （Akk bacteria） can improve metabolic disorders of the body， and more and more studies have shown that Akk bacteria have a potential therapeutic effect on metabolic diseases， especially NAFLD. Therefore， this article briefly reviews the mechanism of action of Akk bacteria in NAFLD， in order to provide new ideas for improving the treatment of NAFLD and creating new therapies.

Objective To investigate the expression of Sema4D in peripheral blood T cells and serum of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and its correlation with clinical indicators. Methods A total of 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 68 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, and 20 healthy controls who attended The 940 th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army from October 2020 to November 2021 were enrolled. According to Child-Pugh class, the patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were divided into Child-Pugh class A group with 24 patients, Child-Pugh class B group with 24 patients, and Child-Pugh class C group with 20 patients. After peripheral blood samples were collected to isolate serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of membrane-bound Sema4D (mSema4D) + CD4 + T cells and mSema4D + CD8 + T cells in PBMCs, and ELISA was used to measure the expression of soluble Sema4D (sSema4D) in serum; their correlation with viral replication and liver inflammation markers was analyzed. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for further comparison between two groups; a Spearman correlation analysis was also performed. Results There were significant differences in the expression of mSema4D + CD4 + T cells and mSema4D + CD8 + T cells between the CHB group, the hepatitis B cirrhosis group, and the control group ( F =43.092 and 13.344, both P < 0.001), while there were significant differences between any two groups ( P < 0.05). The expression levels of mSema4D + CD4 + T cells and mSema4D + CD8 + T cells gradually decreased with increasing Child-Pugh class ( F =14.093 and 17.154, both P < 0.05), and there were significant differences between any two groups ( P < 0.05). The content of sSema4D was 1.54(1.42-1.71) ng/mL in the control group, 1.08(1.07-1.38) ng/mL in the CHB group, and 4.87(2.13-14.97) ng/mL in the hepatitis B cirrhosis group, with a significant difference between the three groups ( H =32.366, P < 0.001) and between any two groups ( P < 0.05). The content of sSema4D was 2.42(0.59-5.65) ng/mL in the Child-Pugh class A group, 4.92(2.75-12.73) ng/mL in the Child-Pugh class B group, and 14.18(4.59-18.43) ng/mL in the Child-Pugh class C group, with a significant difference between the three groups ( H =11.889, P =0.003) and between any two groups ( P < 0.05). In patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, the level of sSema4D was positively correlated with the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBV DNA quantification ( r =0.294 and 0.430, both P < 0.05). Conclusion Sema4D is lowly expressed on T cell membrane and highly expressed in serum of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, and sSema4D may be involved in the development and progression of hepatitis B cirrhosis by affecting the levels of ALT and HBV DNA.

Liver transplantation, as one of the radical treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma, has a good clinical effect in patients meeting the Milan criteria; however, the high recurrence rate and metastasis rate after surgery bring great challenges to the long-term survival of such patients. Therefore, how to improve long-term survival rate and reduce postoperative tumor metastasis has become a key problem that needs to be solved urgently. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), with their good safety and objective reactivity, have provided a new opportunity for the treatment of patients with advanced liver cancer and have become potential candidates for improving the therapeutic effect of liver transplantation. At present, early clinical studies have reported the unique advantages of ICIs used alone or in combination in downstaging or bridging therapy before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma and adjuvant therapy after liver transplantation. Therefore, this article reviews the clinical trials of ICIs in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma and the advances in the application of ICIs in recent years and discuss its safety and efficacy, in order to provide a certain reference for clinical medication.

Autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） is a type of chronic hepatitis caused by the attack of hepatocytes by the autoimmune system， and with the prolongation of disease course， it may gradually progress to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Although great achievements have been made in the understanding and treatment of AIH， its etiology and pathogenesis still remain unclear. T cells play a crucial role in the development and progression of AIH， and by focusing on follicular helper T cells， this article elaborates on the research advances in follicular helper T cells in AIH， in order to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of AIH.