Hypoxia occurs in chronic and acute vascular diseases and tumor formation. The ability of tumor cells to maintain a balance between an adaptation to hypoxia and cell death is regulated by a family of transcription factors called hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Tumor hypoxia mediated by HIF-1 would facilitate the likelihood of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, proliferation, metastasis and the invasive potential; all of which culminate in a decrease in patient survival. And HIF-1 alpha subunit decides the activity of HIF-1, which is regulated by oxygen. So understanding the role of HIF in signal pathway, drug resistance mechanism and its feature is crucial for developing novel anticancer therapies. In recent years, more attentions have focused on HIF-1 alpha inhibitors. It is expected that development of more potent and selective HIF inhibitors will provide an effective treatment of cancer and other HIF-related diseases. So we will focus on the biological characteristics and mechanism of HIF-1 to review currently studied HIF-1 inhibitors.
Cell Death ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a key transcription factor on hypoxia responses in mammalian tissues. HIF-1 plays as a positive factor in solid tumor and leads to hypoxia-driven responses that enhance its downstream gene expression for tumor growth and survival. LXY6099 was obtained by the structural modification and optimization of manassantin A (MA) as a high potent HIF-1 inhibitor. Antitumor activity of LXY6099 was observed in this study. LXY6099 with an IC50 value of 2.46 x 10(-10) mol x L(-1) showed more sensitive inhibition activity to HIF-1 than that of MA detected by reporter gene assay (> 100 folds). It showed strong inhibition on the growth of human solid tumor cell lines. Furthermore, LXY6099 exhibited significant antitumor activity against established human tumor xenografts in nu/nu mice with treatment of MX-1 breast cancer. Thus, LXY6099 as a novel HIF-1 inhibitor could be further developed into anti-cancer agents.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; metabolism ; Lignans ; pharmacology ; Mice, Nude

Hypoxia is a general characteristic of most solid malignancies and intimately related to cancer progression. Homeostatic response to hypoxia is primarily mediated by hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) that elicits transcriptional activity through recruitment P300 coactivator. Targeting the interaction of HIF- alpha and P300 would thus constitute a novel approach for cancer treatment by suppressing tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Here, a screening assay was developed for inhibitors targeting the interaction between HIF-1alpha and P300. The nucleotide sequence of human HIF-1alpha and P300 were cloned into pBIND and pACT vectors, named pBIND-HIF1alpha and pACT-P300. The interaction of HIF-1alpha and P300 was identified in HEK293 cell using mammalian two-hybrid system. And compound chetomin decreased their interaction in this mammalian two-hybrid system. We further verified HIF-1 inhibition effect of chetomin in U251-HRE cells. Therefore, we established a screening assay combined HIF-1alpha and P300 mammalian two-hybrid system and U251-HRE reporter assay for HIF-1 selective inhibitors.
Cell Hypoxia ; Disulfides ; pharmacology ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; E1A-Associated p300 Protein ; antagonists & inhibitors ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Indole Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVETo measure the stability of Evans procedure and Chrisman-Snook technique in the treatment of II degree lateral collateral ligament of ankle joint, and provide basis for treatment and prognosis.

METHODSFrom July 2008 to June 2009,18 frozen corpes were collected, including 10 males and 8 females, with an average age of fresh 39.3 +/- 11.2 years. The frozen corpes were randomly divided into three group, including normal controls(group A), Evans procedure (group B) and Chrisman-Snook technique ( group C), 6 specimens in each group. Anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament were cut off to cause II degree lateral collateral ligament in group B and C. Evans procedure or Chrisman-Snook technique were applied to restore lateral collateral ligament, and measure biomechnics. The displacement of tibiotalar joint and subtalar joint were observed.

RESULTS(1) The lateral stress results of tibiotalar joint showed the displacement by Evans procedure (group B) was greater than other groups (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between group A and C (P > 0.05). (2) The lateral stress results of subtalar joint showed the displacement by Evans procedure (group B) was greater than other groups (P< 0.0001). There were no significant differences between group A and C (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnkle instability is caused by ankle joint lateral collateral ligament injury. Chrisman-Snook technique is better than Evans procedure in stability on the early stage of ankle joint restoration, and conform to principle of biomechanics.

Adult ; Ankle Joint ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Prognosis ; Radiography ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

Objective: To study the effects of Xanthnotoxol on contractility of isolated rabbit ileum and its relationship with Ca2+. Method: Routime experimental methods for isolated ileum were adopted. Result: Xanthnotoxol (XT) and Verapamil (Ver) inhibited the contraction of iso lated rabbit ileum smoth muscle induced by submaximal concentrations of acetylcholine　(ACh)　and serotonim　(5-TH), with a IC50 value (μmol*L-1) of 10.495±1.521,0.428±0.001and 18.132±1.627,0.249±0.003,respectively. XT and Ver inhibited the contraction induced by Ca2+after high K+ depolorization and for noncompetitively antagonist CaCl2 cumulative dose-response curve, the pD'2 value was 4.69±0.03 and 6.35±0.10, respectively. XT (10μmol*L-1)and Ver(0.06μmol*L-1)inhibited the contraction induced by ACh in Ca2+-free medium, while XT (100μmol*L-1)but not Ver(0.6μmol*L-1) inhibited the extracellar Ca2+-dependent contraction induced by ACh. Conclusion: XT has a calcium-antagonistic effect which was not similar to that of Ver.

BACKGROUNDCytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a significant clinical problem among immunosuppressed renal transplant patients. Quantitative PCR assays have become the most common methods in the determination of CMV infections in transplant patients. This study was to determine the relationship between CMV infection and the acute rejection of the transplanted kidney.

METHODSPlasma samples from 77 renal transplant patients that were pre-transplant negative for CMV infection were tested using real-time quantitative PCR and CMV gene-specific primers. The detected viral loads were retrospectively compared with the acute rejection rate and the chronic or mild rejection rates of the renal transplant.

RESULTSCMV-DNA was detected in 29 of 77 recipients, yielding a positive rate of detection of 37.7% for this procedure. Twelve of the 21 recipients (57.1%) who suffered acute rejection had positive CMV-DNA. Among the 56 recipients suffered from chronic or mild rejection, 17 (30.4%) had positive CMV-DNA plasma. Moreover, of the 29 recipients who had detectable CMV-DNA after transplant, 12 (41.4%) suffered from acute rejection; of the 48 recipients with undetectable CMV-DNA, only nine (18.8%) developed acute rejection. Post-transplant patients with acute rejection had a higher rate (57.1% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.03) of post-transplant CMV infection than those with chronic or mild rejection.

CONCLUSIONCMV infection is a risk factor of acute renal transplant rejection and CMV infection should be prevented and treated in renal transplant recipients.

Adult ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the association of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha gene polymorphism and environment factors with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) in Han nationality.

METHODSData related to infection, drug intake and folic acid supplement during pregnancy were gained through investigation of mothers. Polymerase chain reaction combined with restrict enzyme digestion was used to detect the target gene variation in 199 patients with NSCL/P and 203 healthy controls. Analysis was carried on the genotype and infection,drug intake and folic acid supplement.

RESULTSThe C2 allele frequency in patients with NSCL/P was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. There was a significant increase of patients with NSCL/P in pregnant women exposed to infection, drug intake and folic acid deficiency. There was an interaction between C1C2 genetype and infection, drug intake and folic acid supplement.

CONCLUSIONTGF-alpha gene polymorphism is associated with NSCL/P. Infection, drug intake and folic acid supplement during pregnancy were associated with the occurrence of NSCL/P. Individuals containing C2 allele were more sensitive to infection, drug intake and folic acid deficiency.

Alleles ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Transforming Growth Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of stem cell mobilization on regeneration of partially grafted livers.

METHODSRats models with cross-sex 50% PLTx (partial liver transplantation) were established. The rats were divided into three groups: PLTx, WLTx (whole liver transplantation) and sham operation groups. Bone marrow and liver samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5, 7 postoperatively (each n = 6). The quantitative variations of the cells with stem cell markers in the bone marrow, including beta2m-/Thy-1.1+, CD45+/CD34+, Flt2/3+ and c-kit+ markers, were detected using flow cytometry. Sry gene positive cells in donor livers were detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and the expressions of CD34, c-kit and Thy-1.1 were detected by immunohistochemistry technique.

RESULTSCompared with the WLTx and sham operation groups, beta2m-/Thy-1.1+, CD45+/CD34+ cells in bone marrows in the PLTx group increased on the first postoperative day and decreased on the following days. The CD34, c-kit and Thy-1.1 positive cells detected in portal tract areas peaked during the 3-5 postoperative days. CD34+/CD45+ positive cells could be detected. The expressions of CD34, c-kit and Thy-1.1 positive cells were rare in the WLTx and sham operation groups. Sry+ cells could be detected in portal tract areas and few Sry+/CD34+ and Sry+/Thy-1.1+cells were detected.

CONCLUSIONIn the PLTx group, the stem cells in the bone marrow were mobilized and stem cells in the liver were activated.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; immunology ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Thy-1 Antigens ; immunology

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the correlation between MAGE-A1 mRNA expression and genic demethylation in hepatoma cell lines.

METHODSTotal RNA and genomic DNA were prepared from 10 human hepatoma cell lines. MAGE-1 mRNA expression was determined with RT-PCR and the level of genome-wide demethylation was evaluated by enzyme digestion and Southern blot assay. The genomic DNA was digested by HpaII, then the promoter of MAGE-A1 gene was amplified with primers CDS21, EDP4 and CDS20. EDP4 and the PCR products were further hybridized with a probe to detect the methylation in the promoter of the MAGE-A1 gene. HLA-A locus was typed using SSP kit.

RESULTSIn cell lines QGY-7703, SMMC-7721, HLE, BEL-7402, BEL-7404 and BEL-7405, MAGE-A1 mRNA expression was positive and cell differentiation was moderate or low. In cell lines of HepG2 2.2.15, HepG2, QGY-7701 and Huh7, MAGE-A1 mRNA expression was negative and cell differentiation was well or moderate. The level of genomic demethylation in MAGE-A1 mRNA positive cell lines was much higher than that in MAGE-A1 mRNA negative cell lines (t = 2.896, P = 0.02). The methylation analysis showed that methylation in the promoters of MAGE-A1 gene of HepG2 2.2.15, HepG2, QGY-7701 and Huh7 was high, and that methylation in those of SMMC-7721, HLE, BEL-7402, BEL-7404, and BEL-7405 was low.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that MAGE-A1 mRNA expression in the human hepatoma cell lines is associated with genic hypomethylation.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of application of mandibular outer cortex as bone graft by comparing its bone absorption with cranial outer cortex.

METHODS8 minitype grown-up pigs at the age of 8 - 12 months underwent surgery of taking out the same size (2.5 cm x 1.0 cm) of outer cortex from mandible and craninium. The volume of the outer cortex was measured by volume-displacement method. Then the outer cortex of mandible and cranium were onlay grafted to the each side of the pig snout, respectively. 12 weeks later, 2 pigs were randomly selected for histological examination. The other 6 pigs were killed 24 weeks after surgery for measurement of the bone graft volume and histologic examination.

RESULTSThe bone graft absorption rate was (41 +/- 5)% for mandibular outer cortex and (46 +/- 12)% for cranial outer cortex, showing no significant difference between them (P = 0.51). The histologic examination results also had no marked difference in the bony healing and reforming between the two graft.

CONCLUSIONSMandibular outer cortex is a good donor site for onlay bone graft in craniofacial region.

Animals ; Bone Plates ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Male ; Mandible ; transplantation ; Skull ; transplantation ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature