To study the expression of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) in endometrium of pregnant mice during the peri-implantation period and the role of DKK-1 during the embryo implantation in mice. Immunohistochemical technique was employed to determine the location of DKK-1 protein in endometrium, and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was utilized to determine the levels of DKK-1 mRNA. Our results showed that the expressions of DKK1 mRNA and protein were higher in experimental groups than in control group (P<0.01) and it increased significantly on day 3 and reached its peak on day 4, and then decreased gradually on day 5-7. The levels of DKK-1 mRNA and protein on day 4 was significantly higher than those of other groups (P<0.01). It is concluded that DKK-1 probably plays an important role in signal transudation of embryo implantation and its high expression indicates the opening of implantation window.
Embryo Implantation/*genetics ; Endometrium/*metabolism ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*biosynthesis ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

Objective To investigate the expression of Cripto-1 in pancreatic cancer and to analyze its clinical significance. Methods Cripto-1 expression in normal pancreas,pancreatic cancer and adjacent non-tumor tissues,chronic pancreatitis tissues and other related tissues was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.The association of Cripto-1 expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognostic value of Cripto-1 in patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed. Results The expression of Cripto-1 was higher in chronic pancreatitis tissues,pancreatic cancer and its metastases than in normal pancreas(P=0.019,P=0.025,and P=0.018,respectively).Cripto-1 overexpression was correlated with poorly differentiated pancreatic cancer.The patients with Cripto-1 upregulation had shorter median survival time(8 months vs.16 months,χ
Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Prognosis

This study was aimed to investigated the mRNA expression levels of Notch ligands- Delta-like-1 and Jagged-1 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and to explore their relation with onset of MDS. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of 38 patients with MDS and 16 normal subjects as control were collected to detect mRNA expression of Delta-like-1 and Jagged-1 by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the expression levels of Delta-like-1 and Jagged-1 in mesenchymal stem cells of MDS patients were significantly higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.05). According to WHO criteria, the mRNA expression of Delta-like-1 in RA/RAS, RCMD and RAEB groups were significantly higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.05), the mRNA expression of Jagged-1 in RAEB group was also significantly higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Delta-like-1 was significantly correlated with the proportion of blasts in the bone marrow of MDS patients (r = 0.502, P < 0.05). The expression levels of Delta-like-1 and Jagged-1 in MDS patients with abnormal karyotypes were significantly higher than those in MDS patients with normal karyotypes (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Delta-like-1 in higher risk group according to International Prognostic Scoring System was significantly higher than that in lower risk group (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference in Jagged-1 expression levels between higher risk group and lower risk group (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the changes of Delta-like-1 and Jagged-1 expression level in MSC may play a role in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome.
Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Jagged-1 Protein ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Serrate-Jagged Proteins

To investigate the methylation status of CpG islands of the secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) gene promoter region in malignant hematopoietic cell lines, and to explore the possible relationship of CpG abnormal methylation status with pathogenic mechanism of hematologic malignancies. Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect the status of SFRP gene promoter region in nine malignant hematopoietic cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy people. The results indicated that hypermethylation of 2 genes coding for SFRP1 and 2 were present in nine malignant hematopoietic cell lines, however, methylation and unmethylation of SFRP4 were both detected in CA46, HL60 and U937 cell lines, and SFRP5 in U266 as well. None of the normal mononuclear cells showed methylation of SFRP 1-5 genes. It is concluded that the hypermethylation of SFRP genes is related to the evolution of malignant hematopoiesis. Methylation of SFRP genes may serve as potential independent biomarkers for early detection of hematologic malignancies.
Cell Line, Tumor ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; genetics ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics

Arabidopsis ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Arabidopsis Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Conformation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of chemically synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

METHODSChemically synthetic siRNA targeting CTGF was transfected into HSC T6 (an active HSC line in rats) by oligofectamine package, and untreated HSC T6 were used as control. Total RNA and protein of the cells, after their incubation with siRNA for 24, 48 and 72 hours, were extracted, and the supernatants were collected. The expressions of CTGF and type I and III collagen genes were detected by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or Western blot. Contents of hyaluronic acid and type III pro-collagen in the supernatants were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe expression of CTGF at mRNA and protein level and type I and III collagen at mRNA levels were markedly down-regulated in siRNA-transfected HSCs. The contents of hyaluronic acid and type III pro-collagen in the supernatants decreased by 46%+/-7%, 52%+/-7%, 53%+/-7% and 29%+/-18%, 29%+/-7%, 27%+/-5%, compared with those of the blank control at 24, 48 and 72 hours.

CONCLUSIONSChemically synthetic anti-CTGF siRNA can significantly inhibit CTGF gene expression in HSC, and markedly reduce the synthesis and secretion of ECM including type I and III collagen and hyaluronic acid. The siRNA-directed suppression of CTGF gene in HSC was maintained for 72 hours. This suggests that chemically synthetic siRNA may be a potential in preventing and treating liver fibrosis and may have a promising future for development

Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Gene Targeting ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Pref-1+ adipocyte progenitor cells to mobilize into mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and the dynamic expression of related chemokines during the development of rat MLNs.

METHODSImmunohistochemical analyses were used to detect the expression of Pref-1 and related chemokines. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the changes in ultrastructure of MLNs.

RESULTSCells containing lipid droplets were found in all rat MLNs at embryonic day (E) 18.5, 2 and 6 weeks (w) after birth, and they were similar to fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) or follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) under TEM. Pref-1+ adipocyte progenitor cells were found in all MLNs. The expression level of Pref-1 was significantly increased at 2 w after birth and decreased at 6 w after birth. The tendency of Cxcl12 expression was consistent with that of Pref-1 and was positively correlated with the expression of Pref-1 (P < 0.01; r = 0.897). At E18.5, Cxcl13, and Ccr7 were significantly expressed in the MLN anlage, but the expression level of Ccl21 was low. The expression level of Cxcl13, Ccr7, and Ccl21 in MLN were significantly increased at 2 w after birth (P < 0.05), while the expression of Ccr7 and Ccl21 were significantly decreased at 6 w after birth (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdipocyte progenitor cells are involved in the rat MLNs development through differentiation into FRC and FDC. The expression of the relevant chemokines during the development of MLNs is dynamic and may be related to the maintenance of lymph nodes self-balance state.

Animals ; Chemokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; physiology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lymph Nodes ; embryology ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mesentery ; embryology ; Pregnancy ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of tazarotene induced gene-2 (TIG2) in psoriasis vulgaris.

METHODSTIG2 protein and mRNA expressions in normal tissues, psoriatic lesions and uninvolved skin tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively.

RESULTSTIG2 protein and mRNA were expressed in all the layers of normal and uninvolved epidermis. TIG2 expression was detected in the upper layers of the stratum spinosum of the marginal region of the psoriatic lesions, but not in the central area of the lesions. TIG2 expression was significantly lower in the basal layers of the central area of the paoriasis than that in the normal skin and uninvolved tissues (P < 0.01), and also lower in the marginal regions of the lesions (P < 0.01).The suprabasal layers of the marginal region in the lesion showed significantly lower TIG2 expression than the central area of the lesion (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTIG2 may maintain the normal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes and implicate in the pathogenesis and development of psoriasis vulgaris.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chemokines ; Chemotactic Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Keratinocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Mer is one member of Axl receptor tyrosine kinase family, and its ligand Gas6 can stimulate activity of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase after binding it, and then activate the downstream signal transduction pathway, Mer participates in cell inflammation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, thrombosis and hemostasis. Rencet advances of study on Mer function were reviewed, and its potential prospects of antithrombosis and antitumor were discussed in this article.
Animals ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase

Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; K562 Cells ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxides ; pharmacology