Objective To discuss the antitumor mechanism preliminarily by observing effects of Celastrus orbiculatus extracts (COE) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein expression in hepatoma (Hepal-6) cells of mice.Methods Hepa1-6 cells were treated with COE at different nontoxic concentration (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μg/mL) for 16 h. The mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF were detected by reverse transcription-PCR and Western Blotting,respectively. Results COE significantly inhibited VEGF expression at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion COE can inhibit VEGF expression in Hepa1-6 cells, therefore suggest that VEGF could be chosen as an therapeutic target for COE in the context of cancer chemoprevention and anticancer therapy.

Objective To explore the effect of let-7c-1 on the learning and memory of PTZ-induced epileptic rats and its relevant mechanism.Methods A model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was induced via PTZ kindling in SD male rats.The epileptic rats were divided into epilepsy group,agomir-control group,let-7c-1 agomir group (12 rats for each).Twelve rats were served as a negative control group.The behavior and the expression levesl of let-7c-1,Bcl-2 protein and Caspase3 were evaluated at 28 days following PTZ.Results Compared to the negative group,the escape latency of epilepsy group was prolonged and the crossing times as well as the quadrant total distance in the target were reduced (P＜0.05).However,those parameters were not significantly different between the epilepsy group and the agmoir-control group (P＞0.05).Compared to the agmoir-control group,the escape latency of let-7c-1 agomir group was prolonged and the crossing times as well as the quadrant total distance in the target were reduced (P＜ 0.05).The expression levels of let-7c-1 and let-7c-1 were 1.35±0.32 in agmoir-control group and 62.53±21.01 in agomir group (F=50.97,P＜0.05).The expression levels of let-7c-1 were higher in let-7c-1 agomir group than in other groups (P＜0.05).Compared to the negative group,the expressions of Bcl-2 protein in other groups were decreased (P＜0.05) and the Caspase3 protein were increased (P＜0.05).Compared to the agomir-control group,the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased and the expression of Caspase3 protein was significantly increased in let-7c-1 agomir group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The present study shows that let-7c-1 may impair the learning and memory of PTZ-induced epileptic rats through decreasing the Bcl-2 protein and increasing Caspase3 protein in the hippocampus.

Objective:To analyze the frequencies of HLA-A*0201 restricted CEA-specific CD8+T cells, HLA-A*0201/FLUmp tetramer and HLA-A*0201/CAP-1 tetramer were applied in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods: Lymphocytes from peripheral blood and lymph node,1×106 cells/ml,were incubated with 1μg HLA-A*0201/peptide tetramers and anti-CD8 for 1 h at 25 coseperately.The cells were then washed in PBS.Next,the cells were illuminated by detecting frequencies of FLUmp-specific CD8+T cells and CAP-1-specific CD8+T cells with flow cytometry.Results: HLA-A*0201/peptide were used to detect CAP-1 or FLUmp-specific CD8+T cells,which were analyzed either healthy individuals or patients with colorectal cancer.We did not find differences in average frequencies of FLUmp-specific CD8+T cells between 11 HLA-A*0201+patients with colorectal cancer and 14 HLA-A*0201+healthy individuals [ ( 0.671 ±0.421 )%, ( 0.564 ±0.408 )%].But the frequencies of CAP-1-specific CD8+T cells of HLA-A*0201+patients with colorectal cancer showed higher than HLA-A*0201+healthy individuals [ ( 2.409 ± 2.385 )%, ( 0.020 ± 0.021)%respectively],which was statistically significant(P=0.008).Conclusion:The frequencies of CAP-1-specific CD8+T cells in PBMC from peripheral blood and lymph node of HLA-A*0201+patients were increased,showed CEA-specific CTs has a vital role in colorectal cancer.

Objective To explore the significance of gene mutations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) C677T,cystathionine ?-synthase(CBS)844ins68,T27796C and methionine synthase (MS A2756G) in the development of brain stroke. Methods There were no obvious differences in age and sex among the four groups. The plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels of 78 patients with cerebral infarction, 26 patients with cerebral hemorrhage, 29 patients with other neurological diseases and 50 healthy control elders were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Moreover,the genotypes of MTHFRC677T, CBS844ins68, CBST27796C and MSA2756G were detected by PCR-RFLP in four groups. Results The mean plasma Hcy levels in cerebral infarction or in cerebral hemorrhage was significantly higher than those in other neurological diseases or in healthy control elders. The prevalences of CBS 844ins68 and MS A2756G in the cohort studies were obviously lower than those in Caucasian populations. The plasma Hcy level in C677T homozygote mutation was higher than that in wild type or heterozygote. However,heterozygote mutation of CBS T27796C gene reduced Hcy concentration. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of MTHFR,CBS and MS mutations among four groups. Conclusions Hcy might be associated with brain stroke. Moreover,the prevalences of gene mutations of CBS 844ins68 and MS A2756G might vary with different ethnic groups or geographic regions. The homozygosity of MTHFR C677T might contribute to the increase of total plasma Hcy, and CBS T27796C gene heterozygote mutation might lower the raised total Hcy. In addition, four gene mutations are consistent with the law of heredity balance.

Objective To examine the immunoregulation of Celastrus orbiculatus extracts(COE),a traditional Chinese medicine,on maturation and function of dendritic cells(DCs)in vitro and in vivo.Methods In vitro,after treated with COE indifferent nontoxic concentrations(0,10,20,40,80,and 160 μg/mL)for 5 d,the surface immunological molecules andcytokine secretion of mice bone marrow-derived DCs in response to COE were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis(FACS)and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),respectively.In vivo,mouse hepatoma cells(Hepal-6,1 ×106)were injected sc and were treated with different dosages of COE(10,20 or 40 mg/kg/d).Effects on tumor growth were determined by tumor volume and histology analysis after 28 d administration of COE.The relative proportions ofmature DCs and CD8+ T cells were measured in mononuclear cells that had been isolated from spleen by FACS.Results COE stimulated IL-2 and IFN-γ secretion of DCs,simultaneously enhanced the maturation of DCs byenhancing immunological molecule(CD40,CDS0,CD86,H-2Kb,and I-Ab)expression in a dose-dependent manner.Furthermore,the chcmotactic responses of DCs were significantly higher in COE-treated than untreated DCs,in association with higher chcmokine receptor 7 expression.Furthermore,COE increased DCs produce IFN-γ and IL-2 ina dose-dependent manner when the concentration of COE less than 40 μg/mL,decreased DCs produce IL-10 and IL-4also in a dose-dependent manner.In in vivo studies,COE can not only suppress growth of malignant hepatocellularcarcinomas but also stimulate maturation of DCs,associated with strongly enhanced CD8+ CTL responses.ConclusionThese data provide new insight into the mechanism of action of COE and indicate that the stimulation of maturation andfunction of DCs by COE contributes to its immunoregulatory effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the imbalance between regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 17 cells (Th17) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.MethodsThe serum concentration of Treg/Th17 differentiation-related cytokines in 34 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB),20 patients with HBV related acute on chronic liver failure (ACHBLF),and 20 healthy controls (NC) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and proportion of peripheral Th17 and Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Numeration data was analyzed by Fisher's exact propability method and measurement data was tested by one-factor analysis of variance or Turkey multiple comparison.Results The levels of Th17 differentiation-related cytokines,II-1β (3.97±2.85) pg/mL,IL-6 (12.75±-8.87) pg/mL,and IL-21 (360.0±335.7) pg/ mL in patients with ACHBLF were significantly increased than those in NC,which were (1.87 ±0.94) pg/mL(q=4.559,P＜0.01),(5.28±0.72) pg/mL(q=7.309,P＜0.01) and (46.68±20.17) pg/mL(q=6.946,P＜0.01 ),respectively.The proportion of Th17 increased markedly in patients with ACHBLF than that in NC(q=3.972,P＜0.05).However,compared to NC and patients with ACHBLF,the Treg differentiation-related cytokine,TGF-β,in patients with CHB,increased significantly (q=4.536 and 5.323,respectively; both P＜0.01).And the population of Treg also increased markedly in CHB patients.The level of IL-17A which was the characteristic effector cytokine of Th17 was the highest in patients with ACHBLF.The peripheral Th17 cell proportion was positively correlated with the level of serum total bilirubin in patients with ACHBLF (γ=0.74,P＜0.01).Conclusions Th17 and Treg imbalance including cytokine profiles and cell numbers exists in patients with chronic HBV infection.The Th17 are active in patients with ACHBLF and Treg are active in patients with CHB.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disabling and neurodegenerative disease.As the disease progresses,the patient's respiratory system will be affected.PD leads to obstructive and restrictive airway diseases,and PD medications may produce pulmonary side effects,such as pleuropulmonary fibrosis related to dopamine agonists.Finally,motor fluctuations in advanced PD may trigger respiratory symptoms.Abnormal central control of ventilation,obstructive sleep apnea,emotional disorders will influence respiratory system.Recognizing these pulmonary complications will assist the clinician in appropriately managing the disease and potentially reducing the impact of the abnormal respiratory system on overall PD patient health.

This study aimed at investigating the effects of the extract of Chinese herb,Nansheteng (C.orbiculatus Thunb.),on human HepG2 cells through the overexpression of mTOR.The GV238-mTOR recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2 cells using molecular biological technology.The expression level of mTOR was evaluated by means of relative activity of luciferase and western blot.Human hepatic carcinoma HepG2/mTOR++ cells were treated with C.orbiculatus extract in different concentrations (20,40,80,160 and 320 tg·mL-1) for 24 h.The mTOR protein expression was detected by western blot.It was found that the protein expression of mTOR in transfected HepG2 cells was significantly enhanced.C.orbiculatus extract significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2/mTOR++ cells.Simultaneously,C.orbiculatus extract inhibited mTOR at its protein level in a dose-dependent manner.In conclusion,we successfully constructed recombinant mTOR cloning vectors,and established the stable HepG2 cell line with the overexpression of mTOR.Besides,C.orbiculatus extract significantly inhibited mTOR protein expression in human hepatic carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Cross-talk of intracellular signaling pathways that share common components (hubs) is organized in form of a bow-tie network topology.Signaling cross-talk is functionally pleiotropic for target genes regulation, resulting in functional redundancy, synergism and antagonism, which should be precisely controlled to prevent signaling 'leaking' or 'spillover'.Thus, the biological system has evolved multiple insulating mechanisms to achieve stimulus-specific response that maintains intracellular homeostasis.The insulation mechanism of signaling cross-talk suggests: (1) the functional duality of cross-talk molecules that determine cell fate requires selectively targeting dysregulated cross-talk molecules while protecting the normal ones from off-target or unintended effects, and we propose them as the targetable cross-talk molecules;(2) cross-talk molecules are usually carried on the macromolecular complex as their functional platforms, thus the structural plasticity of conformational changes at the interaction surface of cross-talk molecules asks for intensive work on the relationship study between drug binding and biological activity, which we propose as the accessible cross-talk molecules.Therefore, signaling cross-talk and its insulation mechanism play instructive leading roles in resolving the bottlenecks of current drug R&D and improve the clinical outcome.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of different optimal therapy strategies for hepatits B e antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with suboptimal response to peginterferon-α-2a (peg-IFN-α-2a) at 24 weeks.Methods This open-label,single-center and prospective clinical observational study was conducted in Department of Infectious Diseases at Shanghai Changhai Hospital between January 2009 and December 2011.The cases of HBeAg-positive CHB with suboptimal response to peg-IFN-α-2a at week 24 were enrolled.Based on virological markers and patient preference,patients were treated with either peg-IFN-α-2a add-on adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) or switch-to telbivudine (LdT).Hepatitis B virus (HBV) virological and serological data were collected at week 12,24 and 48 after the initiation of optimal therapy.Adverse reactions were also monitored.Therapeutic efficacy was compared between two groups of patients before and after treatment by x2 test.Kruskall Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test were used for analysis of continuous variables.Results Among 193 HBeAg positive CHB patients treated with interferon,67 had suboptimal response and were enrolled.Forty five cases received peg IFN-α-2a add-on ADV treatment and 22 cases received switch-to LdT treatment.After 48 weeks of optimized therapy,the total tBeAg seroconversion rate was 25.3 ％.The rates of HBeAg loss,HBV DNA negative and alanine aminotransferase normalization were 26.8％,73.1％ and 83.5％,respectively.The peg-IFN-α-2a switch-to LdT strategy had better HBV DNA inhibition efficiency compared with the peg-IFN-α-2a add-on ADV strategy at week 12,24 and 48 (P=0.00,0.00 and 0.01,respectively).However,there was no significant difference of HBV DNA negative rate between two groups at week 48 (x2 =0.01,P=0.89).The obviously intolerable adverse reaction was not reported in two optimized strategy groups.Conclusions The 48-week optimized treatment for HBeAg positive CHB with suboptimal response to peg-IFN-α-2a at week 24 could achieve a higher HBeAg seroconversion rate.The switch-to LdT strategy may have better HBV DNA inhibition efficiency.Both strategies show satisfactory safety and tolerance.