Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) is a proinflammatory lipid mediator that is synthesized by a number of inflammatory cells. Binding of LTB₄ to its receptor leukotriene B₄ receptor 1 (BLT1) can migrate neutrophils and macrophages to inflammatory sites through chemotaxis and up-regulation of adhesion molecules. Many researches have shown that LTB₄-BLT1 axis is related to the occurrence of autoimmune disorders and other inflammatory diseases. Receptor antagonists of LTB₄ are thus expected to be useful therapeutics for these diseases. In this review, we briefly describe the biological function of LTB₄ and summarize the preclinical and clinical developments of LTB₄ receptor antagonists.

Objective To observe the effect of atorvastatin on mixed dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods 39 patients of type 2 diabetic with mixed dyslipidemia were taken with atorvastatin for 6 months,and the change of total cholesterel(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-debsity-lipoprotein-cholesteral(LDL-C),high-debsity-lipopro- tein-cholesteral(HDL-C)were observed.The incidence of side-effect was recorded.Results TC,TG,LDL-C were obviously reduced and their extent of reduction were 26.17 %,54.97 %,38.92 %.HDL-C was obviously increased and it's extent of increase was 14.81%(P

To investigate primary metabolites of alpha-tocopherol in human urine, the urine samples of five healthy volunteers after oral administration of 250 mg vitamin E once a day for seven days were collected within 0 -6 h in the seventh day. The samples were purified through C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. alpha-Tocopheronic acid, 2,5,7, 8-tetramethyl-2-(2'-carboxyethyl) -6-suphate-chroman (alpha-CEHC-sulphate), gamma-tocopheronolactone, and 2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethyl-2-(4', 8', 12'-trimethyl-12'-carboxy dodecanyl) -6-suphate-chroman were found in urine of volunteers as four primary metabolites of alpha-tocopherol. The method has shown to be promising for alpha-tocopherol detection with many desirable properties including high sensitivity and selectivity, thus providing a reliable pathway for further study in metabolism of alpha-tocopherol.
Administration, Oral ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Humans ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Vitamin E ; pharmacokinetics ; alpha-Tocopherol ; metabolism ; urine

BACKGROUNDThe B7/CD28 pathway provides critical costimulatory signals for complete T cell activation, and members of this pathway have served as useful targets for immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the RNA interference (RNAi) effect induced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CD28 mRNA on human lymphocytes and its specificity.

METHODSAccording to CD28 gene sequence, we designed and synthysized three different siRNAs (siRNA-1, siRNA-2, siRNA-3) containing 21 bases using Silencertrade mark siRNA construction kit. These siRNAs were transfected into freshly isolated human lymphocytes with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. At 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour post transfection, these cells were collected and analyzed. The changes of surface expression of CD28 gene were detected by flow cytometry, and the changes of CD28 mRNA levels were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cell viability of transfected lymphocytes was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay.

RESULTSThree siRNAs (siRNA-1, siRNA-2, siRNA-3) specifically targeting CD28 mRNA were successfully designed and constructed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that a decrease in CD28 expression was detectable at 24-hour post transfection. Different siRNA showed different inhibition effects on CD28 expression. At 48-hour post transfection, the degrees of reduction with siRNA-1, siRNA-2 and siRNA-3 were 22.10% +/- 1.63%, 73.50% +/- 1.02% and 42.90% +/- 0.89% respectively compared with the control (P < 0.001). Neither of the groups transfected only with siRNA or lipo showed marked reduction in CD28 expression (3.15% +/- 0.75% and 4.55% +/- 0.80%) (P > 0.05). Moreover, lymphocytes treated with siRNA-co showed no marked reduction in CD28 expression (5.07% +/- 0.96%) (P > 0.05). The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay indicated CD28 mRNA level was inhibited after transfection of specific siRNAs. At least 4-fold of reduction in siRNA-2 group occurred at 48-hour post transfection compared with the control (P < 0.001). MTT assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay demonstrated that the viable cell rations of transfected lymphocytes were significantly reduced in siRNA-1, siRNA-2 and siRNA-3 groups at 48-hour post transfection (P < 0.01). The control groups showed no marked reduction in cell viability (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThree different siRNAs were synthesized and transfected into lymphocytes. They could reduce the expression of CD28 and the CD28 mRNA level. siRNA-2 was the most efficient. The cell viability reduced correspondingly. Therefore, the silencing effect on CD28 mRNA induced by siRNA may contribute to costimulatory blockade. This result show that siRNA may be useful for further study on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT).

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD28 Antigens ; genetics ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant lentiviral vector (pXZ208-BDDhFVIII) mediating B-domain-deleted human coagulation factor VIII (BDDhFVIII) gene and investigate its expression in HLF, Chang-Liver and MSC cells.

METHODSBDDhFVIII gene fragment was separated by endonuclease digestion and was cloned into the multiple cloning sites of pXZ208 to construct a recombinant lentiviral vector pXZ208-BDDhFVIII. Viral particles were prepared by means of three-plasmid cotransfection of 293T package cells by calcium phosphate precipitation. After infection, the coagulant activity of human FVIII in the culture medium of 293T, HLF, Chang-Liver and MSC cells was assayed by one-stage method. The gene transduction efficiency was assayed by flow cytometry (FCM). Furthermore, PCR was performed to test the integration of BDDhFVIII.

RESULTSThe infection rates of HLF, Chang-Liver and MSC were (74.52 +/- 7.57)%, (27.24 +/- 6.53)% and (42.34 +/- 5.84)% respectively. The activities of FVIII in supernatants of HLF, Chang-Liver and MSC were (54.1 +/- 5.6)%, (22.5 +/- 2.9)% and (12.5 +/- 2.7)% respectively. BDDhFVIII gene integration was detected in all the infected cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant lentiviral vector pXZ208-BDDhFVIII was successfully constructed and efficiently integrated into target cells to express human FVIII activity in vitro.

Cell Line ; Factor VIII ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Plasmids ; Transfection

To further explore the mechanism of congenital pyrimidine 5'-nuleotidase I (P5'N-I) deficiency, on the basis of purification of the protein, the molecular weight and amino acid composition were analysed by mass-spectrograph and amino-acid analyzer, microsequencing and bioinformation analysis of P5'N-I were performed after it was hydrolysed by trypsin. The results showed that three fractions were found in the purified P5'N-I and their molecular weights were 26,952.9, 55,476 and 110,938, respectively. The sequence from one of the peptide fragments was I-E-G-P-T-I-R-Q-I-E. The homologous sequence was not found after comparision with the ten-amino-acid sequence in GenBank by blast procedure. Amino acid analysis indicated that P5'N-I was composed of 18 amino acids at least, and 243 amino acid residues. In conclusion, the enzyme might be an allosteric enzyme, there might be homologous dimer or tetramer in physiological status of normal human erythrocyte, the microsequence could be designed as the probe for fishing the genes of interest. The composition of amino acid might be an important information in determination of its protein primary structure.
5'-Nucleotidase ; blood ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Amino Acids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Erythrocytes ; enzymology ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Weight ; Peptide Fragments ; chemistry ; Sequence Analysis, Protein

AIM:To investigate the clinical significance of stathmin 1 (STMN1) expression in cervical cancer and the influence of its expression on the viability and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. METHODS:Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of STMN1 in cervical cancer tissues, and the relationship between the expression and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer was analyzed. STMN1-siRNA was transfected into cervical squamous-cell carcino-ma SiHa cells. The protein levels of STMN1, STAT3, p-STAT3 and survivin were determined by Western blot after trans-fection for 48 h. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. DCFH-DA probe was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RESULTS:The protein expression of STMN1 in cer-vical cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (P<0.01). The STMN1 protein expression level was not correlated with age and histological types of cervical cancer patients, but was related to clinical stage, histo-logical differentiation and lymph node metastasis ( P<0.01). Transfection with STMN1-siRNA significantly reduced the expression of STMN1 in SiHa cells. Compared with control group, the cell viability in STMN1-siRNA group was significant-ly decreased, the apoptotic rate and ROS content were increased, and the protein levels of p-STAT3 and survivin were down-regulated (P<0.01). However, no significant difference of the STAT3 protein level was observed between STMN1- siRNA group and control group. CONCLUSION:STMN1 is highly expressed in cervical cancer, and its expression is re-lated to clinical stage, histological differentiation and lymph node metastasis. Inhibition of STMN1 expression reduces the viability and promotes apoptosis of cancer cells by down-regulating STAT3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo explore the killing effect of the mutant herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-sr39tk) and its wild-type (HSV-tk) mediated by lentiviral vector on T lymphocytes in vitro and compare T cell survival rate after GCV or ACV treatment.

METHODSThe three-plasmid lentiviral vector system including packaging plasmid DeltaNRF, envelope plasmid VSV-G and vector plasmid (pTK151 + HSV-sr39tk or pTK151 + HSV-tk) were cotransfected into human embryonic kidney 293T cells using modified calcium phosphate precipitation methods. The packaged virus was harvested 72 h later. The survival of T cells expressing HSV-sr39tk or HSV-tk was measured by MTT assay after 4 day-culture against a gradient of GCV or ACV concentrations.

RESULTSThe three plasmids were effectively cotransfected and a high titre of lentivirus was obtained (2 x 10(6) IU/ml). 39tk(+) T cell survival rates declined promptly when the prodrug GCV/ACV concentrations increased from 0 micromol/L to 10 micromol/L. The T cell survival rates in GCV group declined from (96.04 +/- 3.23)% to (36.76 +/- 4.38)% while in ACV group from (97.31 +/- 4.61)% to (43.75 +/- 8.99)%. However, when GCV/ACV concentrations were more than 10 micromol/L, further decline of 39tk(+) T cell survival rates became unobvious. The growth rate of 39tk(+) T cell exposed to GCV or ACV was obviously lower than that in un-transfected T cells (P < 0.05). Tk(+) T cells were sensitive to GCV (P < 0.05), but not to ACV (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in killing effects between 39tk(+) T cell + GCV group and tk(+) T cell + GCV group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lentiviral vectors containing HSV-sr39tk gene could infect T lymphocytes effectively and stably without affecting the proliferation of the transduced cell. In contrast to HSV-tk gene, T cells infected HSV-sr39tk were more sensitive not only to GCV but also to ACV.

Acyclovir ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; genetics ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo establish strategies for preventing graft versus host disease (GVHD) and reducing treatment associated morbidity while preserving graft versus leukemia (GVL) effect in nonmyeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT), with or without donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) after BMT.

METHODS3 x 10(7) bone marrow cells mixed with 1 x 10(7) spleen cells from the same BALB/c mouse were transplanted into the nonablative irradiated inbred 615 mouse which received a single subcutaneous injection of 1 x 10(6) L615 leukemia cells three days before. The experiments were designed as follows (ten mice in each group): myeloablative BMT control group (group A), nonmyeloablative conditioning without BMT group (group B), nonmyeloablative BMT group (group C), and nonmyeloablative BMT + DLI group (group D). GVL effects were assessed by survival time, white blood cell count and L615 cells in peripheral blood and histologic changes. GVHD was assessed by signs of weight loss, ruffled fur, diarrhea and histologic changes of skin, liver and small intestines. Chimerism was detected by cytogenetic analysis and PCR technique.

RESULTSThe survival time of group A, B, C and D was (20.3 +/- 13.4), (15.9 +/- 1.1), (21.6 +/- 1.7) and (37.8 +/- 2.0) days, respectively, being no significant difference between group A and group C (P > 0.05). The survival time of group C was longer than that of group B (P < 0.01). And among group B, C and D, group D had the longest survival time (P < 0.01). GVHD signs and histologic changes were observed in 60% of control group mice at + 14 day, but none of group C and group D. 40% of mice in group A died of treatment associated morbidity within two weeks, but none in group C and group D. Allogeneic chimerism was kept in group A, but excluded gradually in group C.

CONCLUSIONGVL effect seems preserved in nonmyeloablative BMT mice, but weaker than that in myeloablative BMT mice. GVL effect seems to be enhanced by DLI after nonmyeloablative BMT. GVHD and transplantation associated morbidity seems to be reduced in nonmyeloablative BMT.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; immunology ; methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Graft vs Leukemia Effect ; Leukemia, Experimental ; therapy ; Leukemia, Lymphoid ; therapy ; Lymphocyte Transfusion ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Transplantation Conditioning ; methods ; Transplantation, Heterologous

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Topotecan ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects