OBJECTIVEA comparative proteomic approach was used to identify and analyze proteins relevant to metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSProteins extracted from 12 liver tumor tissue specimens (6 with metastases and 6 without) were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Comparative analyses of 2-DE protein patterns between the two groups were done using computerized image analysis. Selected proteins exhibiting statistically significant alternations were identified by mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR were performed to examine the expressions of the candidate proteins.

RESULTS16 proteins including HSP27, S100A11, CK18 were identified using mass spectrometry, which were related to cell mobility, signal transduction, and energy metabolism respectively. Of these, HSP27 was found to be uniquely over-expressed in 2-DE maps of all metastatic HCCs when compared to the non-metastatic HCC tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of HCC tissues confirmed this difference while RT-PCR did not.

CONCLUSIONThere are different proteins working together that affect the metastasis of HCCs. The overexpression of HSP27 may serve as a biomarker for early detection and therapeutic targets to the metastatic phenotype of HCC. The role of HSP27 in HCC metastasis warrants further investigation.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemistry ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Proteome ; analysis ; S100 Proteins ; analysis

This study was aimed to explore the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) in 3 different lymphoblastic cell lines with relation to their glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity. The 11β-HSD2 expressions in acute lymphoblastic leukemia Jurkat cells, lymphoma Daudi and Raji cells, and peripheral blood T cells of a healthy volunteer were analyzed by real time PCR and Western blot. Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced apoptosis in 3 different cell lines was detected by flow cytometry. Cell growth in Jurkat cells treated with cortisol was analyzed by trypan blue dye exclusion. Flow cytometry was performed to observe GC-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells treated by combination of GC with 11β-HSD2 inhibition 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA). The results demonstrated that 11β-HSD2 highly expressed in Jurkat cells, but not in Daudi, Raji cells and normal blood T cells. Compared to Daudi and Raji cells, Jurkat cells were more resistant to GC-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the inhibition of 11β-HSD2 by 18β-GA resulted in increased cellular sensitivity to GC as shown by elevated induction of apoptosis. it is concluded that 11β-HSD2 is at least partly responsible for GC resistance in Jurkat cells. 11β-HSD2 may be a potential target for reduction of GC-resistance in therapeutic applications.
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Yaotu Granules have been proved to protect human nucleus pulposus cells and delay their degeneration. Notably, Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc herniation has achieved good clinical results.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the herbal compound formula Yaotu Granules on the Fas/FasL expression in a rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration, and further elucidate the underling mechanism of preventing and treating lumbar disc degeneration.METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were enrolled and the models of lumbar disc degeneration were established by minimally invasive puncture and rotation cutting, followed by randomized into normal saline, low-, middle-,and high-dose groups (n=5 per group). 10 mL of normal saline, 10, 20, and 40 mL of water decoction of Yaotu Granules were administered intragastrically into the normal saline, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups for 21 days, twice daily, respectively. Subsequently, the expression level of Fas/FasL in the rabbit nucleus pulposus cells in each group was detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The signal intensity of the rabbit lumbar disc on MRI was decreased, and ruptured annulus and posterior herniated disc were visible at 12 weeks after modeling. Masson staining showed that the nucleus pulposus cells arranged in disorder, and even ruptured. Additionally, safranin O staining found that the number of nucleus pulposus cells was decreased obviously. The order of the relative expression levels of Fas and FasL mRNA in the nucleus pulposus cells was as follows: normal saline group > low-dose drug group > middle-dose drug group > high-dose drug group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that Yaotu Granules delay the rabbit lumbar disc degeneration by downregulating the expression level of Fas/FasL.

OBJECTIVESTo compare expressions of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in different hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with different metastasis potential and to screen key molecules associated with HCC metastasis and recurrence.

METHODSUsing two-dimensional electrophoresis, Western blotting and MALDI-TOF-MS/MS, we analyzed tyrosine-phosphorylated protein profiles of Hep3B, MHCC97L and MHCC97H, HCC cell lines with different metastasis potentials.

RESULTS10 spots were detected in Hep3B, 19 in MHCC97L and 17 in MHCC97H. Seventeen significantly different phosphotyrosine proteins in gel were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS, including Annexin I.

CONCLUSIONThe changed expression of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins is associated with HCC metastasis and recurrence.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Phosphotyrosine ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the role of cerebrovascular hemodynamic indexes (CVHI) changing in stroke and to provide reference for stroke prevention and risk factor study.

METHODSFrom 2003 to 2004, participants aged 40 years and above in two communities in Fengxian district were recruited by cluster sampling. Risk factors of stroke and CVHI were investigated and checked during baseline investigation. A total of 10 565 individuals completed the survey and met the inclusion criterion. After baseline investigation, the cohort was followed up for stroke occurrence. Relative risk (RR) of CVHI and common risk factors were estimated by cohort study design.

RESULTSAge of the cohort was (56.2 ± 11.4) years. 4444 (42.1%) were males and 6121 (57.9%) were females. Total follow-up duration was 67 885.7 person-years. A total of 195 stroke cases occurred and incidence density of stroke was 287.2 per 100 000 person-years. Stroke incidence in exposure groups of hypertension, heart disease and alcohol drinking was 3.47% (108/3118), 2.96% (21/710) and 2.50% (47/1882), respectively. The incidence in corresponding non-exposure group was 1.17% (87/7448), 1.77% (174/9855) and 1.70% (148/8683) respectively. There was significant difference between 2 groups (χ(2) value was 62.72, 4.56 and 4.94, respectively, P < 0.05). Stroke incidence in CVHI score < 25, 25 - 49, 50 - 74 and ≥ 75 groups was 9.12% (59/647), 5.68% (44/775), 2.52% (39/1545) and 0.72% (53/7403)(χ(2)trend = 273.57, P < 0.05), respectively. Incidence of stroke in 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, ≥ 70 years age group was 0.22% (8/3565), 1.28% (43/3357), 2.71% (50/1848) and 5.88% (94/1600) (χ(2)trend = 181.48, P < 0.05), respectively. Multiple Cox regression analysis indicated that RR (95%CI) value of hypertension and cigarette smoking was 1.40(1.02 - 1.92) and 1.59(1.19 - 2.12), respectively when comparing with non-exposure group. RR (95%CI) value in CVHI score < 25, 25 - 49 and 50 - 74 points group were 6.15 (4.08 - 9.26), 4.55 (2.98 - 6.96) and 2.68 (1.75 - 4.09), respectively when comparing with the score ≥ 75 points group. RR (95%CI) value in age 50 - 59, 60 - 69 and ≥ 70 years group was 4.61 (2.16 - 9.82), 7.81 (3.67 - 16.60) and 13.49(6.44 - 28.24), respectively when comparing with below 40 years group.

CONCLUSIONCVHI score is the strong independent predictive factor and hypertension, cigarette smoking and age are the independent risk factors of stroke.

Aged ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study and improve the tissue culture technology of Panax notoginseng.

METHODUsing the callus of leaf blade and leafstalk of P. notogingseng as explants, MS + 2, 4-D 1.5 mg x L(-1) as basal medium, the formation of asexual embryos was induced by added LFS, BA, KT or ZT 0.5 mg x L(-1), and cultured in dark. It cultured then in 2000 lx of illumination for 10-12 h x d(-1) to induce the asexual embryos germinating and developing to be the regenerated-plantlet.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONOnly the medium added with LFS could induce the formation of asexual embryos, and made it developed to be regenerated-plantlet. The inducing ratio of asexual embryos reached about 85%, and 30% of asexual embryos could grow and develop as robust regenerated-plantlets.

Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Panax notoginseng ; embryology ; physiology ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; embryology ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; embryology ; physiology ; Regeneration ; drug effects ; physiology ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo screen hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) autoantibodies as diagnostic biomarkers or therapy targets by serologic proteome analysis (SERPA).

METHODSTotal proteins extracted from human HCC cell line HCCLM3 were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and then transferred onto PVDF membranes, which were subsequently incubated with sera from HCC, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients or healthy volunteers. All immuno-reactive protein spots on blot films were matched to those on 2-DE gel maps by image analysis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS).

RESULTS2-DE gel maps of HCCLM3 and corresponding blot films of good quality and reproducibility were established. The number of spots on HCCLM3 2-DE reference gel totaled 603 and those on HCC, HBV and healthy sera blotted films were 70.75+/-24.25, 68.5+/-23.44 and 41.38+/-15.05, respectively. Blot films of HCC and HBV groups had more spots than those of the healthy group (P < 0.05) while no significance was found between films of HCC and HBV groups. By identification, those HCC autoantibodies could be classified as nuclear proteins, cytoskeleton proteins, heat shock proteins and metabolic enzymes.

CONCLUSIONSerological proteome analysis is a high throughput technique for screening tumor autoantibodies. Those newly identified HCC associated tumor antigens and corresponding autoantibodies can be used in the early diagnosis or immuno-therapy of HCC.

Antibodies, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Autoantibodies ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cryopreservation ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Male ; Mitochondria, Liver ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation Conditioning ; methods

OBJECTIVETo examine serum adiponectin level in preterm infants and to evaluate the relationship between serum adiponectin and bone mineral density in preterm infants.

METHODSSeventy-two appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates were classified into three groups according to their gestational ages: early preterm (31-33(+6) weeks, 13 cases), late preterm (34-36(+6) weeks, 16 cases), and full-term (37-42 weeks, 43 cases). Venous blood was collected at one week of their life to measure serum adiponectin concentration. During the period, omnisense ultrasound bone sonometer was applied to measure speed of sound (SOS) of the left tibia.

RESULTSThe median of tibia SOS in the early preterm group was significantly lower than in the late preterm and full term groups (P<0.05), and the median of tibia SOS in the late preterm group was lower than in the full-term group (P<0.05). Serum adiponectin level was lowest in the early preterm group, and the full-term group had the highest serum adiponectin level. Serum adiponectin level was positively correlated with tibia SOS in preterm infants (r=0.664, P<0.05). According to the result of multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis, serum adiponectin and birth weight were independent predictor of tibia SOS in preterm infants.

CONCLUSIONSSerum adiponectin level is lower in preterm infants than that in full-term infants. There is a positive correlation between serum adiponectin and bone mineral density in preterm infants.

Adiponectin ; blood ; Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Linear Models ; Male

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