Objective Studies show that the ERCC1 gene may be involved in secondary cisplatin resistance.This article aims to investigate the effects of shRNA targeting silencing excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1-shRNA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer A549/DDP cells treated with different concentrations of cisplatin.Methods Lung cancer A549/DDP cells were divided into a negative control, a blank control, an ERCC1-shRNA1, and an ERCC1-shRNA2 group.Human interfering RNA (RNAi) targeting the human ERCC1 gene was constructed and transfected into the A549/DDP cells using Lipofectamine 2000.The mRNA and protein expressions of ERCC1 in the A549/DDP cells were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively, the proliferation-inhibition rate was assessed by MTT, and their cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry.Results ERCC1-shRNA was successfully constructed and transfected into the A549/DDP cells.Both the mRNA and protein expressions of ERCC1 were significantly lower in the ERCC1-shRNA1 (0.20±0.04 and 0.24±0.10) and ERCC1-shRNA2 (0.47±0.28 and 0.37±0.11) than in the negative control (0.96±0.12 and 1.32±0.13) and blank control groups (0.84±0.07 and 1.45±0.23) (P<0.01).Compared with the negative and blank control groups, the ERCC1-shRNA1 group showed a significantly decreased IC50 value (16.71±2.33 and 16.69±1.69 vs 7.78±0.54, P<0.01) and an increased proportion of G0/G1 phase cells ([72.87±3.23] and [71.75±4.56] vs [82.99±4.23]%, P<0.05), with the cell cycle arrested in the G0/G1 phase.The apoptosis rate of the cells in the ERCC1-shRNA1 group was remarkably lower after treated with cisplatin at the concentrations of 6.25 and 12.5 μg/mL than at 0 μg/mL ([8.17±0.65] and [11.91±1.41] vs [29.97±3.14]%, P<0.05).Conclusion ERCC1-shRNA can inhibit the proliferation and enhance the apoptosis of A549/DDP cells by silencing the expression of the ERCC1 gene.

Objective To investigate the correlation between three gene locus polymorphisms of X-ray repair cross-complementary protein 1 (XRCC1) exon (Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods A case-control study was performed in 250 CRC patients (case group, 128 colon cancer patients and 122 rectal cancer patients) and 213 healthy individuals (control group). The three gene locus polymorphism of XRCC1 was tested by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The genotype distribution and allele frequency of each locus was analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software. Results There was no significant difference in allele frequency of XRCC1 at 194 and 399 loci (P > 0.05). However, the 280 Arg/His allele frequency of XRCC1 was higher in case group than that in control group (OR=1.66,95%CI:1.01~2.73,P=0.047). The 280Arg/His allele frequency was higher in rectal cancer group than that in control group (OR =1.82,95%CI:1.02~3.27). The frequency of 280His allele (Arg280His and His280His) was higher in case group than that in control group (OR=1.85,95%CI:1.06~3.22). However, it was a relative low risk factor of colon cancer and there was no significant difference between colon cancer group and control group (OR=1.85, 95%CI:1.06~3.22). Conclusions There was no correlation between XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln polymorpohisms and the risk of CRC. However, 280Arg/His genotype may increase the risk of CRC, and 280His allele is a risk factor of rectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the angiogenesis effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza in heterotopically grafted frozen-thawed mouse ovaries. Methods The ovaries thawed after cryopreservation were xenografted into the donated kidney capsules of 8- to 12-week adult male mice. The mice were divided into two groups, saline and Salvia miltiorrhiza groups, the mice either in the saline or in Salvia miltiorrhiza groups were administered I.p. Daily either saline(0.5ml) or Salvia miltiorrhiza(0.5g)respectively, from the day prior transplantation. The two groups were sacrificed 1 day,2 days and 7 days after transplantation respectively, the grafts from thawed,1 day,2 days,7 days were removed for follicle counting, immunohistochemical studying and detecting of the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). Results The number of follicles and survival rates in grafts after transplantation of Salvia miltiorrhiza group were more than that of saline group (P<0.05);the expression of VEGF increased after transplantation,peaked on day 7,there was no difference between the two groups (P>0.05);the apoptosis index of Salvia miltiorrhiza group was less than that of saline group (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of VEGF188 and VEGF164 of Salvia miltiorrhiza group was more than that of saline group on 48 hours after transplantation(P<0.05). Conclusion Salvia miltiorrhiza may provide benefits for folliculogensis and decreasing the apoptosis index of follicles. Nevertheless,a increase in the VEGF188 and VEGF164 isoform in the Salvia miltiorrhiza group may suggest the positive effect of exogenous Salvia miltiorrhiza therapy in the early stage of angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND:Many types of mammalian cells aggregate and display three-dimensional multicellular spheroids when they are in normal physiological conditions. In order to observe and explore cellular natural states, many researchers try to use spherical cellculture in vitro, a common three-dimensional culture pattern.
OBJECTIVE:To use three different methods for spherical culture in vitro of adipose-derived stem cells and to observe their biological features.
METHODS:Adipose-derived stem cells were confirmed by the analysis of the markers for cellphenotypes as wel as adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential assays. Three different methods of sphere cultures were used as fol ows:(1) ultra low attachment culture;(2) hanging-drop culture and (3) Eppendorf tube culture. The sphere formation was compared among above three methods. We used Imagej to calculate mean areas of these spheres. And we used Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay Kit for Animal Live&Dead cells to detect their vitality.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Adipose-derived stem cells were confirmed by the analysis of the markers for cellphenotypes, CD29, CD44, CD59 were positive, as wel as adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential assays were positive. The conventional monolayer cultures of adipose-derived stem cells showed spindle and cloning growth within three passages. (2) Ultra low attachment culture, hanging-drop culture, Eppendorf tube culture al could elicit adipose-derived stem cells spherical growth. However, spherical size, shape and uniformity differed depending on cellnumbers, culture time and spherical culture methods. The ultra low attachment culture was comparatively difficult to control spherical shape and uniformity of adipose-derived stem cells. But hanging-drop culture and Eppendorf tube culture were able to form even cellspheres. (3) Spherical formation of adipose-derived stem cells using our three methods displayed good cellvitality.

In this study, the buffering capacity of amphiphilic pH-sensitivity copolymer poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-cholesteryl methyl carbonate (PEOZ-CHMC) was evaluated. The ammonium sulfate gradient method was used to prepare doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX x HCl)-loaded liposomes (DOX-L), and then the post-insertion method was used to prepare PEOZ-CHMC and polyethylene glycol-distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) modified DOX x HCl-loaded liposomes (PEOZ-DOX-L and PEG-DOX-L). The physico-chemical properties, in vitro drugs release behavior, cellular toxicity and intracellular delivery of liposomes were evaluated, separately. The results showed that PEOZ-CHMC has a satisfactory buffering capacity. The sephadex G-50 column centrifugation method and dynamic light scattering were used to determine the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and particle size of liposomes. The EE and particle size of DOX-L were (97.3 ± 1.4) % and 120 nm, respectively, and the addition of PEOZ-CHMC or PEG-DSPE had no influence on EE and particle size. The zeta potentials of three kinds of liposomes were negative. The release behavior of various DOX liposomes in vitro was investigated by dialysis method. In phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at pH 7.4, DOX x HCl was released from PEOZ-DOX-L in a sustained manner. While in PBS at pH 5.0, the release rate of DOX x HCl from PEOZ-DOX-L increased significantly, which suggested DOX x HCl was released from PEOZ-DOX-L in a pH-dependent manner. The intracellular delivery of liposomes was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The CLSM images indicated that PEOZ-DOX-L showed efficient intracellular trafficking including endosomal escape and release DOX x HCl into nucleus, as well as the DOX-L and PEG-DOX-L had no this effect. The cytotoxicity of liposomes against MCF-7 cells was detected by using MTT assay. The results showed that antiproliferative effects of PEOZ-DOX-L enhanced with pH value decreased, whereas DOX-L and PEG-DOX-L did not have any significant difference in inhibitions at different pH conditions. Therefore, the problems of the inhibition of cellular uptake of liposomes and the failed endosomal escape of pH-sensitive liposomes by PEG chain can be overcome by the pH-sensitive liposomes constructed by PEOZ-CHMC.
Cell Nucleus ; Doxorubicin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Endosomes ; Formates ; chemistry ; Humans ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; MCF-7 Cells ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; Polyamines ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo identify genes expressed in the fetal heart that are potentially important for myocardial development and cardiomyocyte proliferation.

METHODSmRNAs from fetal (29 weeks) and adult cardiomyocytes were use for suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Both forward (fetal as tester) and reverse (adult as driver) subtractions were performed. Clones confirmed by dot-blot analysis to be differentially expressed were sequenced and analyzed.

RESULTSDifferential expressions were detected for 39 out of 96 (41%) clones on forward subtraction and 24 out of 80 (30%) clones on reverse. For fetal dominating genes, 28 clones matched to 10 known genes (COL1A2, COL3A1, endomucin, HBG1, HBG2, PCBP2, LOC51144, TGFBI, vinculin and PND), 9 clones to 5 cDNAs of unknown functions (accession AK021715, AF085867, AB040948, AB051460 and AB051512) and 2 clones had homology to hEST sequences. For the reverse subtraction, all clones showed homology to mitochondrial transcripts.

CONCLUSIONSWe successfully applied SSH to detect those genes differentially expressed in fetal cardiac myocytes, some of which have not been shown relative to myocardial development.

Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Gene Expression ; physiology ; Heart ; embryology ; growth & development ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Transcription Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Vinculin ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate expression and clinical significance of VEGF and apoptosis in frozen-thawed mouse ovaries after transplantation.

METHODSOvaries from B6C2F1 (C57BL/6j x BALB/c) 4 week old mice were cryopreservation and the thawed ovaries were xenografted into kidney capsules of 8-12 week old adult male mice. The grafted were recovered 1 d, 2 d and 7 d after transplantation respectively, the grafts and frozen-thawed were removed for follicle counting and immunohistochemically, ultrastructure, and detection of the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).

RESULTSThe follicle numbers were decreased gradually after transplantation,the cell apoptosis increased especially in 48 h after transplantation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the tissue damaged was severest 48 h after transplantation; the expression of VEGF increased after transplantation, peaked on day 7, the mRNA expression of VEGF120 and VEGF188 was more on 48 h after transplantation, decreased on day 7 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe number of follicles was decreased after transplantation, the apoptosis index was increased especially in 48 h after transplantation; the expression of VEGF increased after transplantation, an increase in the VEGF188 and VEGF164 isoform might suggest the positive effect in the early stages of angiogenesis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cryopreservation ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Organ Preservation ; adverse effects ; Ovarian Follicle ; pathology ; Ovary ; pathology ; transplantation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESet up a method to isolate and identify the small pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in vitro.

METHODSIn sterile conditions, separated the male SD rat pulmonary artery, digested by collagenase I and cultured primary PASMCs. Measured cell viability; observed by phase contrast microscope; identified by immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining as a label for smooth muscle alpha-actin.

RESULTSPASMCs were identified by morphology and immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, with the cell viability is over 96.5%. The primary culture could be subcultured after 4-7 days and successfully passaged without change in morphology and growth characteristic.

CONCLUSIONThis technique has advantage of the method is simple, short cultivate, good reproducibility, the primary cultured PASMCs quantity and the rapid growth.

Animals ; Arterioles ; cytology ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Primary Cell Culture ; methods ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To establish an in vitro model of mouse cochlear basilar membrane impairment using cisplatin, and observe the protective effect of methionine on the hair cells. Methods The cochlear basilar membrane samples of thirty two Kunming mice were harvested on the 2nd day after birth and randomly divided into four groups. Each group had 16 samples. Overnight preincubation the cochlear organ followed by appropriate treatment respectively as follows: the serum-free culture medium, the serum-free culture medium with methionine and cisplatin, the cisplatinum-containing serum-free culture medium, and the methionine-containing serum-free culture medium. The protective effect of methionine for injury of cochlea hair cells induced by cisplatin was observed by myosin-Ⅵ immunofluorescence, lightmicroscop,laser confocal scanning microscope and hair cells counting. Results The outer hair cells(OHC) and inner hair cells(IHC) of control group and methionine group were not damaged. The outer and inner hair cells of cisplatin group were damaged in various degree, and had remarkable difference compared with control group and methionine group(P ＜ 0. 05). The outer hair cells and inner hair cells of cisplatin + methionine group were damaged less than the cisplatin group with remarkable difference (tIHC = 3. 929, tOHC = 8. 582, P ＜0. 05). Conclusions Cisplatinum could damage the cochlear hair cells of the basal membrane in Kunming mice. Methionine might protect against cisplatin's damage on the cochlear hair cells.

Objective To explore the clinical value of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alphafetoprotein in the differentiation diagnosis between benign and malignant liver diseases, as well as the early warning of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Alpha-fetoprotein variants from 300 patients with liver diseases were isolated with micro-spin column equipped lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA). The AFP and AFP-L3 were detected by the electrochemical luminescence (ECL) method, and the proportions of AFP-L3 were calculated. Results The positive rates of AFP-L3 of HCC patients and chronic liver disease patients were 95% and 64% respectively, there were significant difference in two groups (x2 = 134.72, P ＜ 0. 01 ),the HCC incidence rates of AFP-L3 positive and negative chronic liver disease patients showed significant difference(x2 = 80. 158, P ＜ 0.01 ). there were no correlations between the proportion of AFP-L3 and AFP consistency(r = 0.046,P ＞0.05). Conclusions The detection of AFP-L3 by micro-spin column assay show great clinical value in the differentiation diagnosis of benign and malignant liver diseases, as well as the early warning of hepatocellular carcinoma.