AIM: To compare the methods of two currently employed isolation methods for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs): from total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and from enriched CD133~+ cells, by defining the cell morphology, phenotype, reproductive activities and function in vitro, providing a reference for clinic application. METHODS: PBMCs from the healthy subjects were used for CD133~+ sorting or not. The two groups of isolated cells were suspended in complete medium M199 for 7 d to 14 d. EPCs phenotype were characterized by FACS. The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay, and VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit. Matrigel experiment and migration assay were imitated vascularization in vivo. RESULTS: PBMCs produced more colony-forming units (CFU) than CD133~+ cells from the same volume of blood (P<0.01). From 7 d to 14 d, the two groups show decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers, but CD144~+ cells in CD133~+ group were lower than those in PBMCs groups (P<0.01). Cells in PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than that in CD133~+ group on 7 d (P<0.01). Compared to CD133~+ group, PBMCs group showed more potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro. CONCLUSION: CD133~+ sorted cells show a lower capacity of differentiation, secretion, proliferation and vascularization in vitro, which is unable to differentiate to mature endothelial cells, indicating that it's not a preferential way to obtain EPCs for clinic therapy.

Two isolation methods for sorting of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs): from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD133(+) enriched cells were compared, by defining the cell morphology, phenotype, reproductive activities and function in vitro, to provide a reference for clinical application of EPCs. PBMCs from healthy subjects were used either directly for cell culture or for CD133(+) sorting. The two groups of cells were cultured in complete medium 199 (M199) for 7 to 14 days and the phenotypes of EPCs were analyzed by FACS. The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay, and the VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit. ECM gel experiment and migration assay were performed in vivo. The results showed that PBMCs produced more colony-forming units (CFU) than CD133(+) enriched cells from the same volume of blood (P<0.01). From day 7 to 14, the two groups showed decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers, but CD144(+) cells in CD133(+) group were less than in PBMCs group (P<0.01). PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than CD133(+) group on the day 7 (P<0.01). As compared with CD133(+) group, PBMCs group had more potent potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro. It was concluded that CD133(+) sorted cells showed a lower capacity of differentiation, secretion, proliferation and vascularization in vitro, suggesting that CD133-negative cells may be a preferential way to get EPCs for clinical therapy.

This study investigated the "homing" phenomenon in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The "homing" specificity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) by establishing an orthotopic implantation model in nude mice. EPCs harvested from the marrow cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation. Fluorescence microscope, flow cytometry (FCM) and double fluorescence staining with FITC-UEA-I and DiI-ac-LDL, were employed to identify the cells. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) labelling and real-time PCR were used for detecting the expression of CD133 and chemokines to trace and observe the distribution of EPCs. Our results showed that the distribution rate of EPCs was obviously higher than that in other important organs and the negative control group. Detection of CD133 and chemokines yielded similar results in difference tissues. Our experiment confirmed that the chemotaxis of EPCs does exist in HCC. Moreover, HIF-1α, SDF-1 and VEGF might play important roles in the "homing" of EPCs in HCC. EPCs might be a potential candidate for targeting vector of HCC for gene therapy.

Objective To compare the efficacy of CO2 laser and conventional laryngeal microsurgery in the treatment of benign lesions of vocal cord (polyp of vocal cord) and precancerous lesions (leukoplakia of vocal cord) of patients. Methods A total of 60 patients with vocal cord polyps were selected, and randomly divided into two groups, each with 30 patients. Thirty patients with vocal cord leukoplakia were selected and randomly divided into two groups, each with 15 patients. One group was performed by cold instruments for lesion resection (conventional group), the other by CO2 laser for removal of diseased tissue or mucosal ablative surgery (laser group). Two groups of patients were examined by laryngostroboscope, electronic laryngoscopy, GRABS, VHI subjective ratings and objective voice analysis before operation and one week, one month and three months after operation. ResuIts The outcomes of those with vocal cord polyps in early recovery (1 week) laser group were slightly worse than the conventional group. In later recovery (1~3 months), with electronic laryngoscopy inspection, laryngostroboscope mucosal wave observation, the analysis of subjective and objective data from the two groups showed no significantly differences. For patients with vocal cord leukoplakia in early recovery (1 week), laser group slightly worse than the conventional group, in later recovery (1~3 months), there were no obvious difference between the two groups in electronic laryngoscopy inspection, laryngostroboscope mucosal wave observation, the analysis of subjective and ob_jective data. Follow -up operations, the recurrence rates in laser group was significantly lower than conventional group. ConcIusion The treatment by CO2 laser can significantly improve their pronunciation quality for vocal cord polyps and vocal cord leukoplakia patients, it has a good therapeutic effect, especially the long-term effective of vo_cal cord leukoplakia is better than conventional operation.

The clinical significance of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) protein expression and the correlation between the expression of PTEN and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated.The expression of PTEN and phospho-AKT was detected by SP immunohistochemical technique and Western blotting in 35 cases of HCC, 15 cases of liver cirrhosis and 8 cases of normal tissues. The correlation between the expression of PTEN and PKB/AKT in HCC was analyzed. The results showed that the positive expression of PTEN in HCC (62.9 %, 0. 085±0. 021) was significantly lower than that in liver cirrhosis and normal tissues (P＜0.01). The expression level of PTEN was related to the differentiation degree of HCC and the status of metastasis (P＜0. 05). Western blotting revealed a significant inverse correlation between PTEN and phospho-AKT (r=-0. 818, P＜0.01). These results demonstrated that down-regulation or loss of PTEN, which may not be able to effectively inhibit the hyper-phosphorylation of PKB/AKT, might play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression of HCC.

In order to investigate the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression in residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), the expression levels of VEGF and bFGF expression in specimens surgically removed from 48 HCC patients were detected by immunohistochemical methods, and staining intensity of VEGF and bFGF was assessed by a computer-assisted image-analyzer. Among the 48 patients, 25 underwent partial hepatectomy alone (single operating group), and 23 were subjected to second stage surgical resection after TACE (TACE group). The results showed that the average absorbance value (A) of VEGF was higher in TACE group than that in single operating group (0.152 +/- 0.021 vs 0.131 +/- 0.012, P < 0.01). The Average A of bF-GF in TACE group was 0.127 +/- 0.023, higher than in single operating group (0.111 +/- 0.016, P < 0.05). These results suggested that TACE of HCC can up-regulate the expression of VEGF and bFGF in HCC tissues possibly due to anoxia and ischemia.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemistry ; pathology ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cycloleucine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin ; administration & dosage ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

This study investigated the "homing" phenomenon in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The "homing" specificity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) by establishing an orthotopic implantation model in nude mice. EPCs harvested from the marrow cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation. Fluorescence microscope, flow cytometry (FCM) and double fluorescence staining with FITC-UEA-I and DiI-ac-LDL, were employed to identify the cells. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) labelling and real-time PCR were used for detecting the expression of CD133 and chemokines to trace and observe the distribution of EPCs. Our results showed that the distribution rate of EPCs was obviously higher than that in other important organs and the negative control group. Detection of CD133 and chemokines yielded similar results in difference tissues. Our experiment confirmed that the chemotaxis of EPCs does exist in HCC. Moreover, HIF-1α, SDF-1 and VEGF might play important roles in the "homing" of EPCs in HCC. EPCs might be a potential candidate for targeting vector of HCC for gene therapy.
Animals ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude ; Stem Cells ; pathology

Summary: To investigate the difference in expression of hTERT gene between HbsAg-positive human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HbsAg-negative HCC and to explore the relationship between HBV infection and hTERT gene expression in HCC. The expression of hTERT protein in 30 cases of HbsAg positive HCC and 17 cases of HbsAg negative HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry (SP method), and the expression of hTERT mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). t-test, Chi-squared test and cochran- armitage trend test were used to see whether there was an interrelation between HBsAg and hTERT gene in HCC. The expression of hTERT protein was mostly located in plasm and occasionally in the nucleus of liver cancer cells. The positive rate of hTERT protein and hTERT mRNA in HbsAg positive HCC- 93.33 % (28/30) and 83.33 % (25/30) respectively which were much higher than those in HbsAg negative HCC- 52.94 % (9/17), 47.06 % (8/17) (P<0.01) respectively. HbsAg is related to hTERT gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. The hTERT gene activated by the efficacious ingredient of HBV may play an important role in hepatocellular transformation and carcinogenesis.

Two isolation methods for sorting of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs): from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)and CD133+ enriched cells were compared,by defining the cell morphology,phenotype,reproductive activities and function in vitro,to provide a reference for clinical application of EPCs.PBMCs from healthy subjects were used either directly for cell culture or for CD133+ sorting.The two groups of cells were cultured in complete medium 199(M199)for 7 to 14 days and the phenotypes of EPCs were analyzed by FACS.The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay,and the VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit.ECM gel experiment and migration assay were performed in vivo.The results showed that PBMCs produced more colony-forming units(CFU)than CD133+enriched cells from the same volume of blood(P<0.01).From day 7 to 14,the two groups showed decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers,but CD144+cells in CD133+ group were less than in PBMCs group(P<0.01).PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than CD133+group on the day 7(P<0.01).As compared with CD133+ group,PBMCs group had more potent potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro.It was concluded that CD133+sorted cells showed a lower capacity of differentiation,secretion,proliferation and vascularization in vitro,suggesting that CD133-negative cells may be a preferential way to get EPCs for clinical therapy.

Objective This paper introduces the research progress on the pathogenesis of depression related to gut microbiota and provides the resources for the subsequent development of antidepressant drugs targeting gut microbiota. Methods 33 literatures on gut microbiota and depression in recent years were reviewed. The changes of gut microbiota diversity under depression were discussed from the perspectives of phylum, family and genus. The relationship between gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of depression was expounded at the molecular level, and the existing relevant studies were summarized. The feasibility of drug development targeting gut microbiota was explored. Results There is a relationship between gut microbiota disorder and depression. Existing biological agents such as probiotics can alleviate depression by adjusting the disorder of gut microbiota. Conclusion The imbalance of gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence of depression, and the development of drugs targeting gut microbiota may become a new way to treat depression.