Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men and posing a serious threat to men's health. Detection methods such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate biopsy, and magnetic resonance imaging are widely used for prostate cancer screening, but they have low specificity, high cost, and significant risks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop highly specific, low-cost, easily obtained, stable, and reliable biomarkers, and use them as the basis to establish non-invasive screening and diagnostic methods for prostate cancer. This paper reviewed the recent advances in the use of prostate cancer biomarkers and combined detection methods for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment and provides an in-depth analysis and comparison of different biomarkers and combined detection methods, as well as points out the directions and challenges for future research. The paper emphasizes the importance of developing efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-implement biomarkers to increase the early diagnosis rate of prostate cancer, improve patient prognosis, and reduce the waste of healthcare resources. This paper provides an important theoretical basis and technical guidance for early diagnosis, precise treatment and prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer, and has important reference value for promoting clinical research and practice of prostate cancer.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood* ; Early Detection of Cancer/methods* ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II/metabolism* ; Antigens, Neoplasm/blood* ; Antigens, Surface ; Serine Endopeptidases

Bacteremia induced by periodontal infection is an important factor for periodontitis to threaten general health. P. gingivalis DNA/virulence factors have been found in the brain tissues from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is essential for keeping toxic substances from entering brain tissues. However, the effect of P. gingivalis bacteremia on BBB permeability and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, rats were injected by tail vein with P. gingivalis three times a week for eight weeks to induce bacteremia. An in vitro BBB model infected with P. gingivalis was also established. We found that the infiltration of Evans blue dye and Albumin protein deposition in the rat brain tissues were increased in the rat brain tissues with P. gingivalis bacteremia and P. gingivalis could pass through the in vitro BBB model. Caveolae were detected after P. gingivalis infection in BMECs both in vivo and in vitro. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression was enhanced after P. gingivalis infection. Downregulation of Cav-1 rescued P. gingivalis-enhanced BMECs permeability. We further found P. gingivalis-gingipain could be colocalized with Cav-1 and the strong hydrogen bonding between Cav-1 and arg-specific-gingipain (RgpA) were detected. Moreover, P. gingivalis significantly inhibited the major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2a (Mfsd2a) expression. Mfsd2a overexpression reversed P. gingivalis-increased BMECs permeability and Cav-1 expression. These results revealed that Mfsd2a/Cav-1 mediated transcytosis is a key pathway governing BBB BMECs permeability induced by P. gingivalis, which may contribute to P. gingivalis/virulence factors entrance and the subsequent neurological impairments.
Animals ; Rats ; Bacteremia/metabolism* ; Blood-Brain Barrier/microbiology* ; Caveolin 1/metabolism* ; Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases/metabolism* ; Permeability ; Porphyromonas gingivalis/pathogenicity* ; Transcytosis ; Virulence Factors/metabolism*

PURPOSE: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and promotes degradation of the LDLR. Inhibition of PCSK9 either by reducing its expression or by blocking its activity results in the upregulation of the LDLR and subsequently lowers the plasma concentration of LDL-cholesterol. As a modality to inhibit PCSK9 action, we searched the chemical library for small molecules that block the binding of PCSK9 to the LDLR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 100 chemicals that bind to PCSK9 where the EGF-AB fragment of the LDLR binds via in silico screening of the ChemBridge chemical library, using the computational GOLD algorithm analysis. Effects of chemicals were evaluated using the PCSK9-LDLR binding assay, immunoblot analysis, and the LDL-cholesterol uptake assay in vitro, as well as the fast performance liquid chromatography assay for plasma lipoproteins in vivo. RESULTS: A set of chemicals were found that decreased the binding of PCSK9 to the EGF-AB fragment of the LDLR in a dose-dependent manner. They also increased the amount of the LDLR significantly and subsequently increased the uptake of fluorescence-labeled LDL in HepG2 cells. Additionally, one particular molecule lowered the plasma concentration of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly in wild-type mice, while such an effect was not observed in Pcsk9 knockout mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings strongly suggest that in silico screening of small molecules that inhibit the protein-protein interaction between PCSK9 and the LDLR is a potential modality for developing hypercholesterolemia therapeutics.
Animals ; Cholesterol/*blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Proprotein Convertases/*metabolism ; Receptors, LDL/*metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases/*metabolism ; *Small Molecule Libraries

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in serum protease and cytokine in patients with silicosis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.

METHODSSerum samples of patients with silicosis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer were collected. The variation trends of the expression of granzyme A, cathepsin G, apolipoprotein A, and interferon-β (IFN-β) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe concentration of apolipoprotein A of the silicosis group was 200 µg/ml, significantly higher than those of the tuberculosis and lung cancer groups (P < 0.05), and the lung cancer group had a significantly higher concentration of apolipoprotein A compared with the tuberculosis group (P < 0.05). The silicosis group had significantly higher expression of cathepsin G compared with the tuberculosis and lung cancer groups (P < 0.05), and the tuberculosis group and lung cancer group showed no significant difference in the concentration of cathepsin G (P > 0.05). The tuberculosis group had a significantly higher concentration of granzyme A than the silicosis and lung cancer groups (P < 0.05), and the silicosis group and lung cancer group had similar protein concentration trends (P > 0.05). The tuberculosis group and lung cancer group had significantly higher concentration of IFN-β compared with the silicosis group (P < 0.05), and the tuberculosis group and lung cancer group showed no significant difference in IFN-β concentration (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study may offer diagnostic markers for the clinical diagnosis of silicosis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer, and could provide a basis for the research, as well as potential molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

Biomarkers ; Cathepsin G ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; blood ; Endopeptidases ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Silicosis ; enzymology ; Tuberculosis ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of different doses of 8-hydroxy dihydroberberine (Hdber) for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats.

METHODSA rat model of hyperlipidemia was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet for 4 weeks in 70 rats of 80 animals, and 10 rats were randomly selected as control group. The hyperlipidemic rats were then randomly divided into the following groups: a model group (MOD); a berberine group [BBR, 156 mg/(kg day)]; Hdber groups, which were treated with different doses of Hdber [78, 39 and 19.5 mg/(kg day)]; and a simvastatin group [SIM, 4 mg/(kg day)]. The corresponding therapy was administered to the rats of each treatment via gastric tubes. Normal animals were used as a control group. The blood levels of various lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acid (FFA), apolipoprotein AI(Apo-AI) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) were examined. The protein expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) in liver tissues were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the control group of rats, the model group demonstrated a deteriorated blood lipid profile and exhibited increased expression levels of PCSK-9 protein in their liver tissues (P<0.01). In addition, the high-fat diet decreased the expression levels of LDL-R, SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in murine liver tissues. However, the addition of berberine or Hdber reversed the blood lipid profile changes (P<0.05 or P<0.01), decreased the expression levels of PCSK-9 proteins (P<0.01), and increased the expression levels of LDL-R proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats (P<0.01). These compounds did not significantly influence the expression levels of SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats.

CONCLUSIONSHdber is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats. The therapeutic mechanisms of Hdber may be associated with increasing the expression of LDL-R protein and decreasing the expression of PCSK-9 protein in liver tissues.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; blood ; Apolipoproteins B ; blood ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Proprotein Convertase 9 ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, LDL ; metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of formaldehyde inhalation on the allergic rhinitis mice model. METHOD: Forty-eight male BALB/C mice in six experimental group were exposure to (A) saline control; (B) Der p1; (C) formaldehyde (3.0 mg/m3); (D) Derp1 + formaldehyde (1.5 mg/m3); (E) Der p1 + formaldehyde (3.0 mg/M3); (F) Der p1+ formaldehyde (6.0 mg/m3). The concentrations of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the peripheral serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Nasal mucosal inflammation was evaluated by HE staining. Result: Formaldehyde exposure could increase the number of allergic rhinitis mice with sneezing and rubbing nose. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in group B, D, E and F were higher than that ingroup A (P < 0.05). Compared with the group C, the group D, E and F could effectively increase serum IL-4 and IL-10. The concentration of IL-4 in group E and F was higher than that of group B, while the group C was lower (P < 0.05). The concentration of IL-10 in group D, E and F was higher than that in group B (P < 0.05). The expression of IFN-γ in group B, D, E and F was lower than that in group A. While, the IFN-γ expression in group B was lower than that of group C and higher than that in group F (P < 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of IFN-γ in group D, E and F was lower compared with group C (P < 0.05). The nasal mucosa HE staining showed that the density of EOS increased simultaneously in formaldehyde exposure allergic rhinitis groups. CONCLUSION The study showed that formaldehyde exposure can promote Th2 cytokines and eosinophil infiltration and then aggravate the allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; Arthropod Proteins ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Formaldehyde ; adverse effects ; Inflammation ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nasal Mucosa ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo report the clinical data of a case of iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA), so as to improve the understanding of IRIDA.

METHODSThe IRIDA patient's hematological characteristics were summarized and analyzed. The hepcidin levels were tested by ELISA kit. The TMPRSS6 gene was amplified by PCR reaction and its mutation was analyzed by sequencing. The effect of TMPRSS6 gene mutation on TMPRSS6 protein tertiary structure was predicted by Swiss-Model.

RESULTSThe patient was characterized by typical microcytic hypochromic anemia, low transferrin saturation, more reduction of intracellular iron than exocellular iron. The plasma hepcidin level was 213.77 μg/L which was significantly higher than that of IDA patients [5.19(3.31-12.02) μg/L]. The patient also carried a homozygous missense mutation of K253E in exon 7 of TMPRSS6.

CONCLUSIONIn children and younger IDA patients with no reason for iron deficiency but unresponsiveness to routine iron treatment, the diagnosis of IRIDA needs to be considered. Serum hepcidin level and TMPRSS6 gene mutation should be detected.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Hepcidins ; blood ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1 in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats. Ninty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control (n = 24), MCT (n = 35) and shRNA (n = 35). Four-week survival rate in the shRNA group was significantly increased compared to that in the MCT group. The shRNA group showed a significant improvement of right ventricular (RV) pressure compared with the MCT group. The MCT and shRNA groups also showed an increase in RV/(left ventricle + septum) ratio and lung/body weight. Plasma endothelin (ET)-1 concentrations in the shRNA group were lower than those in the MCT group. Medial wall thickness of pulmonary arterioles were increased after MCT injection and was significantly decreased in the shRNA group. The number of intra-acinar muscular pulmonary arteries was decreased in the shRNA group. The mRNA expressions of ET-1 and ET receptor A (ETA) were significantly decreased in the shRNA group in week 4. The protein levels of ETA were decreased in the shRNA group in week 2. The protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor were decreased in the shRNA group in week 4. In conclusion, the gene silencing with lentiviral vector targeting ECE-1 could be effective against hemodynamic, histopathological and gene expression changes in pulmonary hypertension.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/*antagonists & inhibitors/blood/genetics ; Body Weight ; Heart Ventricles/physiopathology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/chemically induced/*enzymology/mortality ; Lentivirus/genetics ; Lung/anatomy & histology/metabolism/pathology ; Male ; Metalloendopeptidases/*antagonists & inhibitors/blood/genetics ; Monocrotaline/toxicity ; Pulmonary Artery/drug effects/physiopathology ; RNA, Small Interfering/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Endothelin A/genetics/metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism

BACKGROUNDHaikou locates in tropical island with unique mite propagation. The aim of this stuy is to determine mite allergens levels in Haikou, and to investigate the prevalence of mite specific IgE-sensitization and IgE cross-reactivity between house dust mites.

METHODSAllergen and antigen concentrations against six mite species were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgE concentrations and cross-inhibitions were measured with ADVIA Centaur(®).

RESULTSAllergen or antigen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1), Blomia tropicalis (Blo t) and Tyrophagus putrescentia (Tyr p) were detected in dust samples. Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1), Lepidoglyphus destructor (Lep d 2), and Acarus siro (Aca s) were found in very few samples. Specific IgE tests showed high prevalence of sensitizations against all tested mites with high IgE levels to Der p, Der f, and Blo t. Storage mites, Blo t, Tyr p, Lep d, and Aca s, could inhibit Der p from 0 to 50%. Storage mites could inhibit Der f between 30% and 100%. Der p IgE could be inhibited by Der f with up to 90%, and vice versa. Der p could inhibit Blo t from 40% to 80%. Blo t was able to fully inhibit IgE binding to Lep d, Tyr p, and Aca s compared to partial inhibition by Der p.

CONCLUSIONSDer p is the dominating mite and has the highest specific IgE prevalence among asthmatic children. Blo t represents an important source of storage mite sensitization and some patients may be independently sensitized to both Der p and Blo t. High prevalence of sensitization to Der f may be due to IgE-mediated cross-reactivity with Der p and Blo t.

Adolescent ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; Arthropod Proteins ; analysis ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross Reactions ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; analysis ; Dust ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; immunology ; Mites ; immunology

This study was aimed to set up and evaluate a quantitative method for detecting lumbrokinase level in plasma. The lumbrokinase was used to immunize rabbit and BALB/c mouse for preparation of rabbit or mouse-derived polyclonal antibodies, and then the standard curves were drawn up by detecting the lumbrokinase diluted in PBS using the double antibody sandwich ELISA. This method further was analyzed for its specificity, precision and recovery rate. This established double antibody sandwich ELISA was used to assay the lumbrokinase in human plasma, and the assayed results were assessed. The results showed that a double antibody sandwich ELISA for the detection of lumbrokinase has been established. And the standard curve fitting R value > 0.99, the precision assessment showed that the measured values of coefficient of variation (CV) in 3 batches were all < 15%; recovery assessment in 3 batches showed that all the measured recovery rates were > 80%; the quantitative low limit was assessed as 5 ng/ml (precision CV < 15%, recovery rate > 85%). It is concluded that this method is consistent with the criteria stipulated by the Pharmacopeia, which provides a reliable measurement method for quantitative detection of plasma lumbrokinase in clinical trials.
Animals ; Endopeptidases ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasma ; Rabbits