BACKGROUND:As the regulators of cytokines, suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) play an important role in the inflammation reaction. Some studies found that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 were involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease. But the expressions of SOCS in coronary heart disease have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD).METHODS:Myocardial autopsy specimens were collected from 24 patients at the Forensic Medicine Department of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China between 2005 and 2006. Of them, 9 patients had autopsy findings consistent with coronary atherosclerosis (non-myocardial infarction) leading to SCD (non-MI group), 7 died of acute myocardial infaction (MI group), and 8 died from traffic accidents and trauma (control group). The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the myocardium of the non-MI, MI and control groups were detected using RT-PCR. The levels of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13.0 software and the data were analyzed by ANOVA.RESULTS:The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the control group[(0.788±0.101), (0.741±0.111) vs. (0.436±0.044), (P<0.01); (0.841±0.092), (0.776±0.070) vs. (0.454±0.076), (P<0.01)] respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-1 protein in the myocardium of the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the myocardium of the control group[(320.00±48.48), (347.14±70.88) vs. (42.50±10.35), (P<0.01)] respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-3 protein in the myocardium of the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the myocardium of the control group[(381.11±59.25) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P<0.01)] and[(332.86±111.91) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P=0.001)].CONCLUSION:The expressions of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with SCD from coronary heart disease are significantly increased and contribute to the pathogenesis of SCD.

Human glutamate decarboxylase 65(hGAD65) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transformation of L-glutamic acid into ?-aminobutyric acid.It has been found that Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)is an autoimmune disease,in which pancreatic islet ?-cells are destroyed due to immune response mediated by autoantigen.hGAD65 is considered as a key autoantigen of the autoimmune response,so anti-hGAD65 antibody(hGAD65-Ab) is the most effective and specific immune marker for T1DM diagnosis,and hGAD65 can be used to detect hGAD65-Ab in serum of T1DM patients.The hGAD65 gene was cloned into pET32a(+),then the recombinant plasmid with hGAD65 was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) and expressed by IPTG induction.The fusion protein containing thioredox,hexahistidine and hGAD65(Trx-hGAD65) was mostly insoluble,but the band of soluble Trx-hGAD65 could also be detected by SDS-PAGE,and it was a great improvement compared with the results reported.Trx-hGAD65 was isolated from lysate and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography(IMAC).After enterokinase digestion and IMAC purification,hGAD65 with high purity was obtained.Detection of thin-layer chromatography(TLC) showed that both Trx-hGAD65 and hGAD65 had enzymatic activity,whereas Trx-hGAD65 had better stability.Furthermore,it was confirmed that Trx-hGAD65 was able to conjugate with hGAD65-Ab in the serum of T1DM patients by ELISA assay.In conclusion,Trx-hGAD65 instead of hGAD65 can be used for T1DM diagnosis,and its application in prophylaxis and therapy of T1DM is expectable.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in vitro effect of bortezomib (BTZ) alone and in combination with pirarubicin (THP) on the growth inhibition of human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell line Hut-78.

METHODSHut-78 cells were cultured with different concentrations of BTZ or THP alone and the two drugs combination for 48 h. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated. The cell cycle inhibitor P21 was determined by Western blot.

RESULTSBTZ or THP alone significantly inhibited the growth of Hut-78 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In the combination groups, the inhibitory effect of BTZ followed by THP was the highest (P < 0.01). When the inhibition rate was more than 50%, the combination index analysis showed significant synergistic if treated with BTZ followed by THP or the two at the same time, but antagonistic if treated with THP followed by BTZ. With the inhibition rate increasing, only the synergistic effect of BTZ followed by THP was further increased. The apoptosis rate of BTZ followed by THP was higher than that of single agent each (P < 0.01). BTZ alone significantly increased the proportion of cells in G(2)/M phase (P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression level of P21. Sequential THP notably enhanced BTZ-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSBTZ alone effectively induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of Hut-78 cells in vitro. BTZ followed by THP can synergistically enhance this cytotoxic effect. The mechanism may be that THP enhances BTZ-induced G(2)/M arrest and P21 up-regulation.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; pathology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sex chromosomes and the expression of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) on activated human unfertilized oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) with calcium ionophore A23187 and puromycin.

METHODSAll 95 discarded oocyes that showed no evidence of fertilization at 16-18 h after in vitro maturation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (IVM-ICSI)/conventional ICSI were exposed to calcium ionophore A23187 (5 micromol/L) for 5 min and then were incubated with puromycin (10 microg/mL) for 4 h. After activation, the oocytes were cultured in vitro for 3-5 days. The sex chromosome analysis was performed by dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of IGF-II on the activated embryos, normal embryos, and parthenotes was examined.

RESULTSThe combination of calcium ionophore A23187 with puromycin could activate the unfertilized oocytes 22 h after ICSI. The activated rate, cleavage rate, and quality of activated embryos of the IVM-ICSI group were similar to those of ICSI group, respectively. Sex chromosome analysis indicated that 8 male and 5 female embryos had been derived from two pronucleus and a second polar body. The expression of IGF-II on activated embryos and normal embryos was high and similar, which was much stronger than that of parthenotes.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of calcium ionophore A23187 with puromycin could effectively activate unfertilized oocytes 22 h after ICSI. Moreover, the unfertilized oocytes activated by calcium ionophore A23187 and puromycin had normal sex chromosomes and expression of IGF-II like the normal embryos. These suggest that oocyte activation may be considered as a remedial measure in the presence of total or nearly total fertilization failure in ICSI.

Calcimycin ; pharmacology ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; metabolism ; Ionophores ; pharmacology ; Oocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Puromycin ; pharmacology ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods

OBJECTIVETo screen for potential mutations in an ethnic Han Chinese family from Shanxi with hereditary multiple exostoses.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to screen potential mutations in EXT1 and EXT2 genes.

RESULTSFor EXT1 gene, two synonymous mutations (P477P and E587E), three intronic mutations (c.1537 -48A>G, c.1721 +203A>G and c.1722 -103C>G) were detected. For EXT2 gene, five intronic mutations (c.-29 -148A>T, c.1080 -18T>A, c.1336 -93C>T, c.1526 -166C>T, and c.1526 -195C>T) were identified. Among these, EXT1 P477P, EXT1 E587E and EXT2 c.1080 -18T>A are polymorphisms listed by Multiple Osteochondroma Mutation Database, whilst the other 7 sites have not been reported.

CONCLUSIONNo mutations have been found among all exons of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes in this family. Linkage analysis is necessary for identifying the cause of this disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Exons ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases ; genetics ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree

AIMTo investigate whether early apoptotic changes in spermatozoa can be significant markers for sperm quality.

METHODSTwo early apoptotic changes in the semen of 56 men were assessed using Annexin V (AN)/propidium iodide (PI) staining for phosphatidylserine externalization and JC-1 staining for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results were compared with conventional semen parameters and DNA fragmentation identified using the TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe different labeling patterns in the bivariate Annexin V/PI analysis identified four distinctive spermatozoa populations. The percentage of AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa positively correlated with conventional semen parameters and MMP, but negatively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa. As for the AN(-)/PI(+) fraction, we found an opposite result in comparison to AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa. The level of early apoptotic AN(+)/PI(+) spermatozoa negatively correlated with MMP and sperm motility. The level of late apoptotic AN+/PI+ spermatozoa negatively correlated with conventional semen parameters and MMP, and positively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa. MMP positively correlated with conventional semen parameters, but negatively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa.

CONCLUSIONAlthough early apoptotic AN+/PI(-) spermatozoa only negatively correlates with sperm motility, the differences in proportion of each subpopulation of spermatozoa (especially, the percentage of AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa), and decreased MMP might be significant markers for diagnosing male infertility. They possibly bring additional information to predict the outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; DNA ; physiology ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; physiology

Objective Lipid metabolism disorders caused by cell foam plays an important role in atherosclerosis,but wheth-er it is involved in the development and progression of silicosis has not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of free silica(SiO2) in inducing foam cell formation of NR8383 alveolar macrophages in rats. Methods NR8383 cells were cultured in vitro by the routine method (the control group) or in 50 μg/mL SiO2 (the SiO2group), 50 μg/mL ox-LDL (the ox-LDL group), or 50 μg/ml SiO2and ox-LDL (the model group), all for 36 hours. The survival rate of the cells was calculated with the cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assay (MTS),the lipid deposition observed by oil red O staining,the levels of total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC) and cholesterol esters(CE) measured by ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ and CD36 in the cells determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results Compared with the control group,the cells treated with ox-LDL showed a significantly increased survival rate, which reached the peak at 50 μg/mL ([1.501±0.201]%) (P<0.05). Foam cells were observed in the SiO2,ox-LDL and model groups,but most significantly in the model group. In comparison with the ox-LDL group,the model group exhibited remarkable increases in TC([14.195±2.260] vs[35.764±4. 226] μg/mg,P<0.05),FC([7.722±0.690] vs[10.049±0.698] μg/mg,P<0.05),CE([6.473±1.707] vs[25.715±4.243] μg/mg,P<0.05),and CE/TC (45.057% vs 71.642%, P<0.05). Conclusion Free SiO2promotes the lipid metabolism disorder in macrophages and enhances the foaming of the cells,in which PPARγ and CD36 may play an important role of regulation.

OBJECTIVETo identify zebrafish mutants with myelopoiesis defects by ENU mutagenesis and large-scale forward genetic screening.

METHODSMale zebrafish were mutagenized with N-ethyl N-nitrosourea to induce mutations in the spermatogonial cells to generate the founders, which were outcrossed with AB to raise F1 fish. The F1 fish from different founders were mated to generate the F2 families. The F3 embryos from F2 sibling crosses were screened by Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining.

RESULTSA total of 350 F2 families from F1 sibling crosses were screened, and 1424 F2 crosses were analyzed. Six mutations were identified resulting in abnormal Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining, indicating the involvement of neutrophil deficiency or macrophage abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONIt is simple and cheap to induce and screen myelopoiesis deficiency in zebrafish by ENU chemical mutagenesis and Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining. These mutants shed light on the identification of the genes important to myelopoiesis in zebrafish.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Male ; Mutagenesis ; Mutation ; Myeloid Progenitor Cells ; physiology ; Myelopoiesis ; genetics ; Zebrafish ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify zebrafish mutants with erythropoiesis defects by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis and large-scale forward genetic screening using beta e 1 as the marker.

METHODSThe chemical mutagen ENU was used to treat healthy wild-type male fish (AB strain, F0). The surviving ENU-treated fish were mated with wild-type female fish to generate F1, and further F2 family was generated by F1 family intercross. The adult F2 fish were intercrossed within each F2 family and the resulting F3 embryos from each crossing were subjected to whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) with the beta e 1 probe. Mutagenesis was performed by treating the male zebrafish with ENU to induce mutations in pre-meiotic germ cells to generate the founders, which were outcrossed to obtained the F1 fish. The F1 fish from different founders were mated to generate the F2 families. F3 embryos from the sibling cross in the F2 family were examined by whole mount in situ hybridization using beta e 1-globin probe. The putative mutants were then characterized with different hematopoiesis markers.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONWe identified 4 beta e 1-deficient mutants with erythropoiesis defects, including two with specific erythiod lineage defects and two with concurrent lymphopoiesis defects.

Animals ; Erythropoiesis ; genetics ; Ethylnitrosourea ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Mutation ; Zebrafish ; genetics