Background and purpose: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) may be a precursor lesion of inifltrating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The mutation of the phenotypic impact of K-ras G12D alone, silencing of p53 and p16 could promote this process. The role of Smad4 in this progression was poorly understood. In our previous studies, we investigated that RNA interference silence of Smad4 to promote the PanIN cell malignant transformation. In the present study, we investigate. The further explores the siRNA interference of Smad4 expression on PanIN cells could lead to proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Methods:Smad4 knock-down PanIN cells (PanIN-S) were established by stable transfection with lentiviral-mediated Smad4 RNA interference. In vitro,silence of Smad4 enhanced the proliferation of PanIN cells as determined by cell counting. A soft agar assay was used to assess the anchorage-independent growth ability of cells. Cell migration and invasion assays were performed using transwell chambers with or without Matrigel. In xenograft model experiments, PCNA, VEGF and MMP-9 staining was separately used to evaluate cell proliferation and angiogenesis and migration (VEGF and MMP-9). Results:Effect of siRNA of Smad4 gene in PanIN cells was conifrmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blot. In vitro, silence of Smad4 enhanced the proliferation of PanIN cells as determined by cell counting. Soft agar assay showed that there were more colony cell numbers in PanIN-S cells compared with PanIN cells (P<0.05). Using the transwell assay, we observed that PanIN-S cells migrated faster than PanIN cells and similar results were obtained by Matrigel assay (P<0.05). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of the harvested tumors suggested that Smad4 silencing was associated with cell proliferation (PCNA reactivity) and angiogenesis and migration (VEGF and MMP-9), and the expressions of PCNA, VEGF and MMP-9 in PanIN-S group were signiifcantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Silence of Smad4 in PanIN cells enhanced progression to invasive adenocarcinoma of the pancreas by promoting cell growth, migration and invasion. Smad4 might be a new diagnostic marker in pancreatic cancer and prove to be a feasible and novel target for therapeutic intervention.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents in roots of Caragana sinica.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by silica gel column chromatography, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTSeven compounds were identified as (+) - stenophyllol B (1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), odoratin (3), resveratrol (4), cararosinol A (5), leachinol C (6), carasinaurone (7) respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 was a new compound which was the enantiomer of stenophyllol B. Compounds 2-6 were obtained from the plant for the first time.

Caragana ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Gel ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Parabens ; analysis ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Stilbenes ; analysis ; chemistry

Scar, either hypertrophic scar or keloid, is one of the most common complications due to proliferative disorder of fibrosis in the process of wound healing after burn injuries, trauma, and surgical operations. To repair the cosmetic and functional impairments caused by scars poses a great challenge to all the burn surgery workers. With the advances in both basic research and clinical treatment, the understanding of scar formation and the therapeutic strategies of scar have been improved significantly. However, the remaining problems are still outstanding. In this discussion, the advances and problems in the scientific research in this field, including genetic predisposition, candidate gene, dysfunction of fibroblasts, interaction between fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as animal models for hypertrophic scar and keloid were summarized. In addition, the progresses in the clinical therapies are also discussed, including pressure treatment, silicone gel sheeting, corticosteroids, laser, and other emerging treatment strategies. The understanding and treatment of scar will improve in the future with further deepening basic research and clinical trials with stricter standard of assessment.
Burns ; pathology ; Cicatrix ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology

Cations ; Genetic Vectors ; Polymers

Undifferentiated and differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 100 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?),and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-?2 (PPAR-?2) mRNA expression and adiponectin secretion in cultured cells were measured.The results showed that TNF-?suppressed PPAR-?2 mRNA expression and adiponeetin secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (P

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of cationic polymers polyethylenimine-β-cyclodextrin (PEI-CyD), polyethylenimine-poly-(3-hydroxypropyl)-aspartamide (PEI-PHPA), N,N-Dimethyldipropylenetriamine-Bis(3-aminopropyl)amine-aspartamide (PEE-PHPA) in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSPEI-PHPA, PEI-CyD and PEE-PHPA were synthesized and the chemistry structure of PEI-PHPA, PEI-CyD and PEE-PHPA was confirmed by (1)H-NMR. The particle size and zeta potential of these polymers were measured, and capacity of plasmid DNA condensation was tested. The inhibition of COS-7, A549, HEK293 and C6 cells was measured by MTT assay. The transfection efficiency was determined in HEK293 cell lines. The toxicity, tissue distribution and transfection efficiency of cationic polymers were tested in vivo.

RESULTSWhen the N/P of polymers/DNA at 30, the particle sizes were close 250 nm and the zeta-potential were near 35 mv. They were able to condense DNA at N/P ratio < 5. The MTT assay showed that the IC(50) of PEE-PHPA was 21.5, 20.2, 7.30 and 37.1 μg/ml, and that of PEI25kD was 15.8, 18.3, 11.4 and 36.7 μg/ml in C6, COS-7, A549 and HEK293cell lines, respectively. The cell viability of PEI-CyD and PEI-PHPA in above cell lines was over 60%. They had high transfection efficiency in HEK293 cell lines. The LD(50) of PEI25Kd, PEI-CyD, PEI-PHPA and PEE-PHPA in vivo was 19.50, 100.4, 521.2 and 630.0, respectively by intraperitoneal (ip) injection. The contractions of these polymers were higher in kidney than in other organs and tissues.PEE-PHPA had slight effect on kidney and liver function.

CONCLUSIONPEE and PEI25kD have higher transfection efficiency and higher toxicity; while PC and PHPA-PEI have lower toxicity and higher transfection efficiency to be used as non-viral gene vector.

Cations ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Polyethyleneimine ; Polymers ; Transfection ; beta-Cyclodextrins

OBJECTIVETo develop polyethylenimine-Doxorubicin-montmorillonite (PEI-Dox-MTT) as a novel multifunction delivery system.

METHODSDox was intercalated into montmorillonite, PEI covered to the surface of Dox/MMT to make the nano-particle. XRD, FT-IR and TGA were used to confirm chemical property of the nano-particle. SEM was used to observe the morphology. The capability of drug release was investigated by PBS buffer solution (pH 7.4). The DNA binding ability of nano-particle was detected by gel electrophoresis retardation assay. The cell viability in COS-7 and SKOV3 cell lines was tested using MTT assay. The gastric mucosa protection was evaluated in vitro.

RESULTSXRD image showed that Dox was intercalated into montmorillonite, inter space of which increased to 31.3Å; the FT-IR spectra showed the vibration bands of PEI at 1 560 cm(-1) and 2 850 cm(-1), the vibration band of Dox at 1 350 cm(-1). Size analysis and SEM revealed that the size of nano-particle was 600 nm, and the zeta-potential was 30 mV. Drug release experiment explored that the nano-particle stably released drug in range of 6 X10(-4) ≊ 8 X10(-4) mg/ml within 72 h. MTT assay showed that the cell viability was over 80% in experiment condition in COS-7 and SKOV3 cell lines. 0.3 mg PEI-MMT nano-particle was able to protect gastric mucosa from alcohol.

CONCLUSIONMultifunction system of PEI/Dox/MMT has been prepared successfully.

Bentonite ; Cell Line ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Polyethyleneimine

OBJECTIVETo synthesize a (2-Hydroxypropyl)-γ-cyclodextrin-polyethylenimine/adamantane-conjugated doxorubicin (γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox) based supramolecular nanoparticle with host-guest interaction and to identify its physicochemical characterizations and antitumor effect.

METHODSA novel non-viral gene delivery vector γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox was synthesized based on host-guest interaction. 1H-NMR, NOESY, UV-Vis, XRD and TGA were used to confirm the structure of the vector. The DNA condensing ability of complexes was investigated by particle size, zeta potential and gel retardation assay. Cytotoxicity of complexes was determined by MTT assay in BEL-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells. Cell wound healing assay was performed in HEK293 and BEL-7404 cells. The transfection efficiency was investigated in HEK293 cells. H/E staining and cell uptake assay was performed in BEL-7402 cells.

RESULTSThe structure of γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox was characterized by 1H-NMR, NOESY, UV-Vis, XRD, TGA. The drug loading was 0.5% and 5.5%. Gel retardation assay showed that γ-hy-PC was able to completely condense DNA at N/P ratio of 2; 0.5% and 5.5% γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox was able to completely condense DNA at N/P ratio of 3 and 4,respectively. The cytotoxicity of polymers was lower than that of PEI25KDa. The transfection efficiency of γ-hy-PC was higher than that of γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox at N/P ratio of 30 in HEK293 cells; and the transfection efficiency was decreasing when Ada-Dox loading was increasing. Cell uptake assay showed that γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox was able to carry drug and FAM-siRNA into cells.

CONCLUSIONThe novel vector γ-hy-PC/Ada-Dox has been developed successfully, which has certain transfection efficiency and antitumor activity.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin ; Adamantane ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Polyethyleneimine ; Transfection ; beta-Cyclodextrins

OBJECTIVETo develop a drug delivery system triptolide-polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin and to evaluate its anticancer activity in vitro.

METHODSTriptolide was conjugated to polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin by N, N'-carbonyldiimidazole to form triptolide-polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin. (1)H-NMR, FT-IR and XRD were used to confirm its structure. The anticancer effect of the polymer was assessed by MTT assay, erasion trace test and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The potential to condense siRNA and to delivery siRNA into cytoplasm was demonstrated by gel retardation assay, zeta-potential determination and fluorescence staining.

RESULTSTriptolide was successfully conjugated to polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin and the conjugation rate of triptolide was 10% (w/w). siRNA was effectively condensed by the polymer at the N/P ratio of 5, and its particle size was 300 ±15 nm and zeta potential was 8 ±2.5 mV. MTT assay, erasion trace test and hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that triptolide-polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin had anticancer effect and low cytotoxicity to normal cells. The polymer was able to deliver siRNA to the cytoplasm effectively as demonstrated by fluorescence staining.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide-polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin is able to inhibit the growth and migration of cancer cells in vitro and to carry siRNA into cells effectively. It is potential to be used as a novel prodrug for co-delivery of gene and drug in cancer treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclodextrins ; Diterpenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Epoxy Compounds ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Phenanthrenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Polyethyleneimine ; Polymers

This study was aimed to explore the effects of expressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (eEF1A1) on proliferation and apoptosis in human acute T lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line Jurkat with knocked down eEF1A1 gene and its mechanisms. eEF1A1-expressing lentivirus (LV) was constructed and used to transfect the Jurkat cells with knocked down eEF1A1 gene. Then, the expressions of eEF1A1 mRNA and protein were detected by real time PCR(RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively.Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle were detected by MTT method, Annexin V-APC labeling and DNA ploidy analysis respectively. The related protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. The results indicated that eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expressions of Jurkat cells with knocked down eEF1A1 gene were re-established by constructing eEF1A1-expression LV. Compared with negative control group (transfected with negative control LV and eEF1A1-shRNA LV), cell proliferation in eEF1A1 expression group was significantly enhanced, cell apoptosis was remarkably inhibited, percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was significantly reduced alone with increased percentage of cells in S and G2/M phase, and the expression levels of p-Akt (Ser 473), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), p-NF-κB (Ser 468), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR (Ser 2448) protein significantly increased. It is concluded that eEF1A1 may have a carcinogenic effect in T-ALL cells. eEF1A1 expression has noticeable effects on the proliferation enhancement and apoptosis inhibition of Jurkat cells, which may be mediated by the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Peptide Elongation Factor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Signal Transduction