Objective To investigate the relationship between the methylation of CpG island of RUNX3 gene promoter and its expression in a human cutaneous malignant melanoma cell line A375, and to assess the role of RUNX3 gene methylation in the pathogenesis of human cutaneous malignant melanoma. Methods Cultured A375 cells were treated with various concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 μmol/l) of 5-azacyti-dine for 24 or 72 hours followed by another 5 days of culture. Then, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to evaluate the methylation status of RUNX3 promoter region, and Western-blot analysis to detect the protein expression of RUNX3 in A375 cells. Results The RUNX3 gene promoter region was hypermethylated in untreated A375 cells, along with the absence of protein expression of RUNX3. However, after the treatment with 5-azacytidine, the promoter region of RUNX3 gene was demethylated partly, and the expression of RUNX3 protein was restored in A375 cells. Further, the expression intensity was directly correlated with the concentration of 5-azacytidine. Conclusions The promoter hypermethylation of RUNX3 gene may be related to the silencing of RUNX3 gene expression in A375 cells, whereas 5-azacytidine can cause the demethylation of RUNX3 gene, reactivate the gene which has been inactivated by the promoter hypermethylation, and finally induce the re-expression of RUNX3 protein.

Objective:To explore influence of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP)on maximal oxygen uptake (V · O2 max )etc.in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF)complicated moderate-to-severe ob-structive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)and explore its significance.Methods:A total of 83 CHF com-plicated moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients were selected and randomly divided into routine treatment group (n=40)and nCPAP group (n = 43).Both groups were treated for six months.Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),apnea hyponea index (AHI)and V · O2 max were measured and compared between two groups before and af-ter treatment.Results:Compared with routine treatment group after six-month treatment,there was significant re-duction in AHI [(27.5±6.2)vs.(6.8±1.2)],and significant rise in LVEF [(0.45±0.07)vs.(0.48±0.05)]and · V O2 max [(16.5±3.5)ml·kg-1 ·min-1 vs.(19.2±3.4)ml·kg-1 ·min-1 ]in nCPAP group,P <0.05 all.Con-· clusion:The nCPAP can improve ventilation function,heart function and V O2 max in patients with CHF complicated moderate-to-severe OSAHS,who have received basic medication.

BACKGROUND: Corneal disease is second only to cataract considered as the leading cause of blindness in the world, with high morbidity. Construction of corneal substitutes In Vitro by tissue engineering technology to achieve corneal regeneration has become a research hotspot in recent years. We conducted in-depth research on the biocompatibility, physicochemical and mechanical properties of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs)-seeded gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) as a bioengineered cornea. METHODS: Four kinds of GelMA with different concentrations (7, 10, 15 and 30%) were prepared, and their physicchemical, optical properties, and biocompatibility with rBM-MSCs were characterized. MTT, live/dead staining, cell morphology, immunofluorescence staining and gene expression of keratocyte markers were performed. RESULTS: 7%GelMA hydrogel had higher equilibrium water content and porosity, better optical properties and hydrophilicity. In addition, it is more beneficial to the growth and proliferation of rBM-MSCs. However, the 30%GelMA hydrogel had the best mechanical properties, and could be more conducive to promote the differentiation of rBM-MSCs into keratocyte-like cells. CONCLUSION As a natural biological scaffold, GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility. And it has the ability to promote the differentiation of rBM-MSCs into keratocyte-like cells, which laid a theoretical and experimental foundation for further tissue-engineered corneal stromal transplantation, and provided a new idea for the source of seeded cells in corneal tissue engineering.

Objective:To identify the pathogenic gene of a pedigree with symphalangism and to prove the pathogenicity of this locus in vitro.Methods:The clinical data of patients’families were collected at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, peripheral blood was collected and genomic DNA was extracted and NOG, FGF9, GDF5 exon regions were amplified by PCR, and the exon gene mutations were detected by first-generation sequencing technique. The structure of noggin-GDF5 protein complex was simulated in silicon. COS-7 cells were transfected with 5 μg empty plasmid, wild type plasmid and V202G mutant plasmid in vitro. Each group of plasmids was transfected into 3 well cells. The experiment was repeated for 3 times, and the expression of noggin protein was detected by Western blotting. C2C12 cells were also transfected with the above plasmids in vitro for osteogenic differentiation. By applying alkaline phosphatase staining and quantitative assay. Relative expression level of osteoblast-related genes Col1α1, ALP and Runx2 were detected by qRT-PCR. Each group of plasmids was transfected into 3 well cells, and the experiment was repeated for 3 times. All statistical analysis were performed by Prism 6 software. The result were shown as mean±standard deviation, and the comparison between groups was done by unpaired t-test. Data were considered statistically significant when P value is less than 0.05. Results:Both the proband and his mother suffered from symphalangism. The result of Sanger sequencing showed that there was a heterozygous missense mutation of NOG gene (p.V202G) in all patients in this pedigree. No disease-related mutations were detected in FGF9 and GDF5. Computer three-dimensional mechanism simulation showed that the site was located at the α helix. The result of Western blotting showed that the expression of mutant protein was significantly lower than that of wild type. Osteogenic differentiation in vitro showed that the inhibitory effect of V202G mutant protein on osteogenic differentiation decreased. The quantitative result of alkaline phosphatase staining showed that the alkaline phosphatase activity in the vector group was (12.3±0.8) U/L, and the alkaline phosphatase activity in the wild type plasmid group was (2.6±0.3) U/L, which was significantly lower than that in the vector group ( t=11.550, P<0.001). The alkaline phosphatase activity in the mutant plasmid group was (10.8±0.3) U/L. There was no significant difference between the mutant group and the vector group ( t=1.830, P=0.141). The mRNA expression level of osteogenesis-related genes was consistent with the above result . Compared with vector group, the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in wild-type noggin group decreased significantly ALP、 Col1α1 and Runx2 ( t=5.987, 4.498, 4.170; P=0.004, 0.011, 0.014). There was no significant difference between mutant plasmid group and blank vector group in ALP、 Col1α1 and Runx2 ( t=0.433, 0.177, 1.159; P=0.688, 0.868, 0.311). Conclusions:NOG gene c. 605T < G p. V202G is a novel mutation in symphalangism, which is located in the α helix of noggin protein, leading to the decrease of the expression of noggin protein and the manifestation of ankylosis.

Objective:To identify the pathogenic gene of a pedigree with symphalangism and to prove the pathogenicity of this locus in vitro.Methods:The clinical data of patients’families were collected at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, peripheral blood was collected and genomic DNA was extracted and NOG, FGF9, GDF5 exon regions were amplified by PCR, and the exon gene mutations were detected by first-generation sequencing technique. The structure of noggin-GDF5 protein complex was simulated in silicon. COS-7 cells were transfected with 5 μg empty plasmid, wild type plasmid and V202G mutant plasmid in vitro. Each group of plasmids was transfected into 3 well cells. The experiment was repeated for 3 times, and the expression of noggin protein was detected by Western blotting. C2C12 cells were also transfected with the above plasmids in vitro for osteogenic differentiation. By applying alkaline phosphatase staining and quantitative assay. Relative expression level of osteoblast-related genes Col1α1, ALP and Runx2 were detected by qRT-PCR. Each group of plasmids was transfected into 3 well cells, and the experiment was repeated for 3 times. All statistical analysis were performed by Prism 6 software. The result were shown as mean±standard deviation, and the comparison between groups was done by unpaired t-test. Data were considered statistically significant when P value is less than 0.05. Results:Both the proband and his mother suffered from symphalangism. The result of Sanger sequencing showed that there was a heterozygous missense mutation of NOG gene (p.V202G) in all patients in this pedigree. No disease-related mutations were detected in FGF9 and GDF5. Computer three-dimensional mechanism simulation showed that the site was located at the α helix. The result of Western blotting showed that the expression of mutant protein was significantly lower than that of wild type. Osteogenic differentiation in vitro showed that the inhibitory effect of V202G mutant protein on osteogenic differentiation decreased. The quantitative result of alkaline phosphatase staining showed that the alkaline phosphatase activity in the vector group was (12.3±0.8) U/L, and the alkaline phosphatase activity in the wild type plasmid group was (2.6±0.3) U/L, which was significantly lower than that in the vector group ( t=11.550, P<0.001). The alkaline phosphatase activity in the mutant plasmid group was (10.8±0.3) U/L. There was no significant difference between the mutant group and the vector group ( t=1.830, P=0.141). The mRNA expression level of osteogenesis-related genes was consistent with the above result . Compared with vector group, the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in wild-type noggin group decreased significantly ALP、 Col1α1 and Runx2 ( t=5.987, 4.498, 4.170; P=0.004, 0.011, 0.014). There was no significant difference between mutant plasmid group and blank vector group in ALP、 Col1α1 and Runx2 ( t=0.433, 0.177, 1.159; P=0.688, 0.868, 0.311). Conclusions:NOG gene c. 605T < G p. V202G is a novel mutation in symphalangism, which is located in the α helix of noggin protein, leading to the decrease of the expression of noggin protein and the manifestation of ankylosis.

In order to prepare monoclonal antibodies with blocking activity against feline TNF-α,this study successfully constructed,expressed and purified the recombinant plasmid pET-28a-sTNFα based on the soluble feline TNF-α(sTNFα)gene,and further investigated the induced ex-pression.The conditions were explored and optimized to identify its biological activity;secondly,the feline TNF-α recombinant protein was used as an immunogen for mouse immunization,after cell fusion,screening of blocking active hybridoma cells and ascites preparation,the obtained mon-oclonal antibodies were tested.The results showed that the pET-28a-sTNFα plasmid was success-fully constructed and the bioactive feline TNF-α recombinant protein was expressed in E.coli sys-tem.The molecular weight was 34 kDa and the 50％inhibitory concentration was 1.22 pg/L.Three monoclonal antibodies(A6-B7-9,H5-E2-94 and C8-A10-100)with blocking activity were success-fully screened out.The results of Western blot showed that all the three mAbs could specifically bind to TNF-α with a titer of 1:512 000.When the concentration of the three mAbs was 100 mg/L,the inhibitory effect on TNF-α was the strongest.In this study,we screened antibodies that can block the activity of cat TNF-α,in order to provide novel,safe and effective candidate drugs for the treatment of TNF-α mediated diseases in cats.