AIMTo investigate the alterations of taurine transport, and taurine transporter (TAUT) mRNA by hyperglycemia in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

METHODS3H-taurine measured the amount of taurine uptake. TAUT mRNA consents were measured using quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe cellular uptake amounts of taurine in seven groups increased with incubation time, and near to be saturated after 5 min. The uptake amount of 10, 20, and 30 mmol/L glucose groups was obviously lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In 30 mmmol/L glucose, taurine release obviously was decreased, as compared with that of the control. Exposure of cells to 10, 20, and 30 mmmol/L glucose decreased taurine uptake in a concentration-dependent fashion. Exposure to hyperglycemia did not affect the Km of the TAUT, but the apparent Vmax were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In 20 and 30 mmmol/L groups, TAUT mRNA contents of myocardial cells were significantly reduced, as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe data suggests that there are dysfunction of taurine uptake and downregulation of TAUT gene expression by glucose in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Hyperglycemia ; metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Taurine ; metabolism

TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) expressions were studied in primary human brain astrocytes in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. When astrocytes were treated with IL-1beta TNF-alphaor IFN-gamma TRAIL was induced in cultured fetal astrocytes. In particular, IFN-gammainduced the highest levels of TRAIL in cultured astrocytes. When astrocytes were pre-reated with IFN-gamma they induced apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive Peer cells. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma modulates the expression of TRAIL in astrocytes, which may enhance cytotoxic sensitivity of infiltrating immune cells or brain cells other than astrocytes during inflammation of brain.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/*metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Interferon Type II/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Cells, Cultured ; Astrocytes/*cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects/physiology ; Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology

TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) expressions were studied in primary human brain astrocytes in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. When astrocytes were treated with IL-1beta TNF-alphaor IFN-gamma TRAIL was induced in cultured fetal astrocytes. In particular, IFN-gammainduced the highest levels of TRAIL in cultured astrocytes. When astrocytes were pre-reated with IFN-gamma they induced apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive Peer cells. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma modulates the expression of TRAIL in astrocytes, which may enhance cytotoxic sensitivity of infiltrating immune cells or brain cells other than astrocytes during inflammation of brain.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/*metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Interferon Type II/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Cells, Cultured ; Astrocytes/*cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects/physiology ; Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of paired immunoglobin-like receptor B (PIR-B) on dendritic cells (DCs) and its relationship with tolerogenic DCs (T-DCs) in mouse.

METHODSDC2.4 cells, an immature dendritic cell line derived from C57BL/6 mouse, were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 48 h to induce the mature dendritic cells (mDC) and cultured respectively with the recombined mouse interleukin-10 (rmIL-10) or recombined human transforming growth factor beta1 (rhTGF-beta1) to develop the tolerogenic dendritic cells (T-DC). Special small interference RNA (siRNA) molecular of PIR-B was chemically synthesized and transfected into DC2.4 cells (si-DC) by lip2000. The expression of PIR-B on DC2.4 cells was measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The allogeneic lymphocyte proliferative capacity of DCs was measured by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) using 3H-thymidine incorporation test. The concentration of IFN-gamma in supernatants of MLR was analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTSSemi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot showed that PIR-B mRNA and protein were expressed on DC2.4 cells. RmIL-10 and rhTGF-beta1 induced the higher PIR-B mRNA and protein level on T-DCs (Relative values were 0.51 +/- 0.08 and 0.58 +/- 0.23; 0.85 +/- 0.07 and 0.87 +/- 0.14; 0.79 +/- 0.10 and 0.85 +/- 0.34, respectively) (P < 0.05). LPS down-regulated the PIR-B expression on mDC (0.35 +/- 0.10 and 0.32 +/- 0.04) (P < 0.05). The PIR-B mRNA and protein expression were inhibited by siRNA transfection (decreased by 78.9% and 74.2% respectively after 48 h interference) (P < 0.05). DC2.4 cells stimulated the proliferation of BALB/c mouse allo-genetic spleen cell. The mDC enhanced alloreactivity in MLR and the IFN-gamma secretion in supernatants. The T-DCs alleviated the allo-genetic spleen cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and IFN-gamma secretion in MLR (P < 0.05). Silence of the PIR-B expression (si-DC) also promoted of alloreactivity and enhanced the IFN-gamma secretion in MLR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh expression of immune inhibition receptor PIR-B is one of the general features and molecular mechanism of dendritic cells to acquire immune tolerance in mouse.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immune Tolerance ; Interleukin-10 ; pharmacology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Immunologic ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

To assess the value of CD34+ cells transferred exogenous Fas ligand (FasL) in inducing apoptosis of human leukemic cells, the CD34+ cells transfected with FasL or without, pretreated with mitomycin C, was mixed with leukemic cell line U937 cells in presence or absence of daunorubicin (DNR) or cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). After 18 h, apoptosis of cells was detected by FCM and TUNEL. Induced for 18 h by CD34+ cells transfected with FasL or without, the ratio of apoptosis of U937 cells was (5.0 +/- 1.3)%, (10.8 +/- 0.6)% (P < 0.01), respectively. Induced by FasL+ CD34+ + DNR, FasL+ CD34+ + Ara-C, the ratio was (13.4 +/- 1.0)% (P < 0.05), (17.9 +/- 1.3)% (P < 0.01), respectively. The result demonstrated that CD34+ cells transfected with exogenous FasL could induce apoptosis of human leukemic cells and showed a cytotoxic synergistic effect when used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, suggesting that it was possible to develop a new method in treatment of leukemia.
Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Communication ; physiology ; Cytarabine ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Mitomycin ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; U937 Cells ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the pathological and clinical characteristics of a patient with spontaneous platelet aggregation of his giant and morphologically abnormal platelets.

METHODSPlatelet size and structure were observed under light microscope and electron microscope. Platelet aggregation was measured turbidometrically. Platelet glycoproteins (GP) were analyzed using flow cytometry. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to identify the gene abnormality.

RESULTSThe patient had spontaneous platelet aggregation of giant platelets with thickened plasma membrane and increased number of granules in various shapes. Aspirin and ticlopidine did not affect the spontaneous aggregation. The expression of GP I b, GP II b, GP III a and P-selectin in the platelet membrane were in normal range. Results of gene analyses for GP I balpha, GP I bbeta and GPIX were also normal.

CONCLUSIONBoth morphological and functional abnormalities of the platelets from the patient were clearly distinguishable from that of other hereditary giant platelet disorders. It would probably represent a novel platelet disorder which had not been reported to date.

Aspirin ; pharmacology ; Bernard-Soulier Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; Blood Platelet Disorders ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Size ; physiology ; Child ; Cytoplasmic Granules ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ticlopidine ; pharmacology

Consistent non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) resistant HIV-1 strains occurred due to the clinical use for more than ten years of efavirenz (EFV), nevirapine (NVP), and delavirdine (DLV). In this study, we established nine cell-based pharmacological models according to most NNRTIs-resistant clinical tested strains, Resistant mutations were introduced into vector, pNL4-3.Luc.R-E-, by overlapping PCR. Then, pseudovirions were produced by co-transfection of VSV-G plasmid and pNL4-3.Luc.R-E- -mut. All nine recombinant VSVG/HIV-mut pseudovirions (VSVG/HIV-wt, VSVG/HIV(-K103N), VSVG/HIV(-Y181C), VSVG/HIV(-L100I,K103N), VSVG/HIV(-Y188L), VSVG/HIV(-K103N,Y181C), VSVG/HIV(-K103N,P225H), VSVG/HIV(-K103N,Y188L), VSVG/HIV(-K103N,G109A) and VSVG/HIV(-K103N,V108I)) had high efficient infectivity. Furthermore, they all showed resistant characteristics to EFV and NVP with IC50 changes consisting with clinical reports, not to nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (AZT and d4T). This series safe cell-based model, which could be carried out in BSL-2 laboratory, can be used for evaluating NNRTIs candidates.
Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzoxazines ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Delavirdine ; pharmacology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Genetic Vectors ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Nevirapine ; pharmacology ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Stavudine ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; Virion ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virus Replication ; Zidovudine ; pharmacology

The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter can be used for the tumor-specific expression of transgenes in order to induce selective cancer cell death. The hTERT core promoter is active in cancer cells but not in normal cells. To examine whether the combination of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) treatment and cancer cell-selective expression of the TRAIL-death receptor could induce cell death in TRAIL-resistant cancer cells, we generated a death receptor-4 (DR4)-expressing adenovirus (Ad-hTERT-DR4), in which the expression of DR4 is driven by the hTERT promoter. Upon infection, DR4 expression was slightly increased in cancer cell lines, and cell death was observed in TRAIL-resistant cancer cell lines but not in normal human cells when DR4 infection was combined with TRAIL treatment. We also generated an adenovirus that expresses a secretable isoleucine zipper (ILZ)-fused, extracellular portion of TRAIL (Ad-ILZ-TRAIL). In cells infected with Ad-ILZ-TRAIL, TRAIL was expressed, secreted, oligomerized and biologically active in the induction of apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive cancer cells. When Ad-hTERT-DR4 infected TRAIL-resistant HCE4 cells and Ad-ILZ-TRAIL infected TRAIL-resistant HCE7 cells were co-cultured, cell deaths were evident 24 h after co-culture. Taken together, our results reveal that the combination of TRAIL and cancer cell-specific expression of DR4 has the potential to overcome the resistance of cancer cells to TRAIL without inducing significant cell death in normal cells.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/*pharmacology/secretion ; Telomerase/genetics ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics/*metabolism ; Promoter Regions (Genetics) ; Neoplasms/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics/*pharmacology/secretion ; Humans ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; Cell Line ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics/*pharmacology/secretion ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Adenoviridae/genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the novel proteasome subunit Adrm1 knockdown by RNA interference on proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.

METHODSThe shRNA eukaryotic expression vector against Adrm1 was constructed and transfected into colon cancer RKO cells. The Adrm1-shRNA stable transfected clones were selected. Experimental cells were divided into 3 groups: the experimental group containing stable Adrm1-shRNA transfected cells, the control group containing only RKO colon cancer cells and stable empty vector transfected control group. The Adrm1 protein expression level was analyzed by Western blot. The colony-forming ability of the three groups was assessed by soft agar assay. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method and in situ end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cell cycle changes were assayed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSAdrm1-shRNA effectively suppressed Adrm1 expression in the experimental group. Silencing of Adrm1 in RKO cells significantly inhibited their anchorage-independent growth, only occasional individual colonies were formed. The apoptosis rate of experimental group was (12.4 +/- 1.1)%, significantly higher than that of the stable empty vector transfected control group. The proportion of G(0)/G(1) and S/G(2) phase cells in the experimental group was (41.2 +/- 1.1)% and (58.8 +/- 1.1)%, respectively. The cells were arrested at G(1) phase. In addition, Adrm1 RNA interference combined with 5-Fu treatment significantly suppressed colorectal cancer cell growth in vitro.

CONCLUSIONSilencing of Adrm1 by RNA interference can significantly suppress proliferation of RKO cells through inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle. The combined application of Adrm1 RNA interference and chemotherapy may become as a novel therapeutic strategy for Adrm1 overexpressed colorectal cancer.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Animals ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Interleukin-10 ; pharmacology ; Liver ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; genetics