AIM:To explore the influence of ethyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphinate(TPOL)on cell apoptosis and its potential mechanism.METHODS:HEK293T cells sensitive to TPOL were treated with different concentrations of TPOL with or without exposure to light radiation,before treatment with various inhibitors,N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC),pifithrin-α and Z-DVED-FMK.Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.Annexin V/propidium io-dide staining was used to count the number of apoptotic cells.DCFH-DA staining was used to detect reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS)levels,and JC-1 staining was used to assess mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometry.The expres-sion of apoptosis-related proteins and cell cycle-regulated molecules was measured by Western blot.RESULTS:TPOL enhanced the apoptosis of HEK293T cells in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05),with a decrease in Bcl-2 and increases in Bax and cytochrome C(Cyto C),followed by up-regulation of activated caspase-9 and caspase-3,and the cleavage of PARP(P<0.05).The TPOL-enhanced cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP was rescued by Z-DVED-FMK(P<0.01).TPOL also led to a rapid increase in ROS,a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential,and the release of Cyto C(P<0.01),all of which could be reversed by the ROS scavenger NAC.Moreover,the TPOL-caused alterations in p21,p27,Rb,and CDK2 were also recovered by the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α(P<0.05).The TPOL-induced changes in Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved caspase-9,activated caspase-3,and cleaved PARP were subsequently rescued by pretreatment with pifithrin-α(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:TPOL can induce cellular apoptosis with ROS-mediated mitochondrial membrane damage through the activation of a ROS-dependent p53/p21/p27/Rb/Bax/Cyto C/caspase-mediated signal axis.

Objective: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with pachyonychia congenita (PC). Methods: With informed consent obtained, peripheral blood samples were taken from the pedigree. Genomic DNA was extracted with a phenol/chloroform method. Based on the clinical manifestation of the patients, candidate genes for PC were selected. Potential mutation was screened by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Suspected mutation was verified in other family members by PCR-high resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Haplotype analysis using microsatellite markers was also carried out to determine the founder of the mutation. Results: A heterozygous c. 275A>G (Asn92Ser) mutation was discovered in exon 1 of the KRT17 gene in the proband. PCR-HRM analysis showed that all affected members were heterozygous carriers of the mutation. The same mutation was found in none of the unaffected members. Haplotype analysis and sequencing indicated the mother of the proband to be the founder. Conclusion The c. 275A>G (Asn92Ser) mutation of the KRT17 gene probably underlies the disease in this pedigree. Above finding has facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this pedigree.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with pachyonychia congenita (PC). METHODS: With informed consent obtained, peripheral blood samples were taken from the pedigree. Genomic DNA was extracted with a phenol/chloroform method. Based on the clinical manifestation of the patients, candidate genes for PC were selected. Potential mutation was screened by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Suspected mutation was verified in other family members by PCR-high resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Haplotype analysis using microsatellite markers was also carried out to determine the founder of the mutation. RESULTS: A heterozygous c.275A>G (Asn92Ser) mutation was discovered in exon 1 of the KRT17 gene in the proband. PCR-HRM analysis showed that all affected members were heterozygous carriers of the mutation. The same mutation was found in none of the unaffected members. Haplotype analysis and sequencing indicated the mother of the proband to be the founder. CONCLUSION The c.275A>G (Asn92Ser) mutation of the KRT17 gene probably underlies the disease in this pedigree. Above finding has facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this pedigree.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Keratin-17 ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pachyonychia Congenita ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Whether and how garlic-derived -allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unknown. In the current study, the role of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related protein 6 (LRP6) in HCC progression and the anti-HCC mechanism of SAMC was examined in clinical sample, cell model and xenograft/orthotopic mouse models. We demonstrated that SAMC inhibited cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, while induced apoptosis of human HCC cells without influencing normal hepatocytes. SAMC directly interacted with Wnt-pathway co-receptor LRP6 on the cell membrane. LRP6 was frequently over-expressed in the tumor tissue of human HCC patients (66.7% of 48 patients) and its over-expression only correlated with the over-expression of -catenin, but not with age, gender, tumor size, stage and metastasis. Deficiency or over-expression of LRP6 in hepatoma cells could partly mimic or counteract the anti-tumor properties of SAMC, respectively. administration of SAMC significantly suppressed the growth of Huh-7 xenograft/orthotopic HCC tumor without causing undesirable side effects. In addition, stable down-regulation of LRP6 in Huh-7 facilitated the anti-HCC effects of SAMC. In conclusion, LRP6 can be a potential therapeutic target of HCC. SAMC is a promising specific anti-tumor agent for treating HCC subtypes with Wnt activation at the hepatoma cell surface.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase3 (ERK3) is distinguished from other ERK family members especially in its molecular biological characteristics including the big intron between exons in its gene structure, the serine189 mono-phosphorylated site and C-terminal extention of its kinase structure. The specially activating phosphorylation site of serine189 indicates that all MEKs, which phosphorylate serine/threonine double phosphorylation sites of MAPKs, are unable to activate ERK3. The C-terminal extension involves both subcellular localization of ERK3 and binding to intact cyclin D3, which can profoundly affect cell cycle regulation. According to update reports, ERK3 signal pathway in the regulation of cell cycle might be as follows: Ras→B-Raf→ERK3kinase→ERK3→decrease of CDK compounds of G1-phase→increase of the inhibiting factor (retinoblastoma protein) of S-phase→blockage of S-phase of cell cycle→cell differentiation entry while cell proliferation arrest. Moreover, the activation of ERK3 signaling pathway is also associated with cell differentiation, embryonic development, insulin secretion and cancer diseases.

AIM: To study the effect of oligonucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motif (CpG ODN) on mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in anti-HcaF cytotoxicity. METHODS: BMDCs were stimulated by CpG ODN in combination with tumor antigen (TAg). The expression of CD80 on BMDC surface was analyzed by FCAS. Level of IL-12 (p70) in supernatants of BMDC culture was detected by ELISA. The proliferation of T cells was examined by MTT assay. Cytotoxicity of CTL induced by CpG ODN combining with TAg was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS: CpG ODN combining or not combining with TAg up-regulated the expression of CD80 on BMDC surface and stimulated BMDCs to produce a high level of IL-12. CpG ODN-activated BMDC promoted the proliferation of T cells. CTL induced by CpG ODN in combination with TAg appeared strong specific cytotoxicity on Hca-F cells. CONCLUSION: CpG ODN may effectively induce the functional maturation of mouse BMDC in vitro. CpG ODN in combination with TAg can enhance the anti-HcaF cytotoxicity of CTL. [

Oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated cytosine phosphate-guanosine motif(CpG ODN) may induce high expression of CD80, CD86, CD83, HLA I and HLAⅡ molecules on dendritic cells(DC) and stimulate DC to produce high level of IL-6, IL-12, TNF-? and IFN-?. CpG ODN is demonstrated in vivo to be a very potent adjuvant for Th1 cells, regulating Th0 cells to develop toward Th1 cells. Its role for DC is characteristics of CpG ODN sequence specificity and species specificity. CpG ODN is, at present, considered as a pathogen associated molecular pattern which binds its specific receptor,Toll-like receptor 9,then functions through TLR/IL-1R signaling pathway. It may represent a new therapeutic drug for broad applications in infectious disease, autoimmune disease, allergy and cancer therapy.

AIM: To study the effects of ultraviolet (UV) on mitochondrial functions and apoptosis in HaCaT cells.METHODS: After irradiation by UV at low dose(UVA 2 J/cm~2,UVB 10 mJ/cm~2) and high dose(UVA 6 J/cm~2,UVB(30 mJ/cm~2),) HaCaT cells were cultured for 15 hours.Flow cytometry was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential,mitochondrial mass and apoptotic rate.Annexin V-FITC/PI staining of apoptotic cells was analyzed by laser confocal microscopy.RESULTS: After UV irradiation,cell proportion with low mitochondrial membrane potential increased with irradiation doses.The proportion of control group,low dose group and high dose group were 7.94%?1.02%,25.87%?4.55% and 39.27%?5.32%,respectively.Cells proportion with low mitochondrial mass increased with irradiation doses.The proportion of control group,low dose group and high dose group were 15.19%?1.58%,40.36%?4.41% and 68.79%?5.46%,respectively.The hypodiploid peaks of DNA content analysis represented the apoptotic rate of HaCaT cells.The apoptotic rate of control group,low dose group and high dose group were 1.82%?0.51%,30.16%?5.47% and 58.49%?5.98%,respectively.To analyze the cells apoptosis by staining with annexin V-FITC and PI,the results were consistent with those of DNA content analysis.Cells in control group showed almost no positive staining cells.Single annexin V-FITC positive cells in low dose group and double positive cells in high dose group were predominant,respectively.CONCLUSION: UV irradiation induces HaCaT cell mitochondrial depolarization,as well as mitochondrial mass loss.These changes are related to cell apoptosis.

AIM: To study the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential(△?m) and mitochondrial mass in apoptosis of Jurkat cells induced by camptothecin(CPT).METHODS: Jurkat cells were treated with CPT.Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodine(PI) double stainig was used to detected early stage of apoptosis and PI staining for analyzing the cell cycle.Jurkat cells were stained by annexin V-PE/DiOC_6(3) to detect changes of △?m.The mitochondrial mass was measured by cytometry with NAO staining.RESULTS: 6 h after treated with 10 ?mol/L CPT,the rate of early apoptotic cells(22.59?1.04)% had significantly difference compared with control group(3.93?0.73)%(P0.05).Apoptotic peak appeared obviously after treated with CPT,the percentage of late apoptotic cells(13.58?0.97)% had distinctly difference compared with control group(3.18?0.51)%(P

NF-?B is thought of as a genetic switch to control expressions of many target genes and directly participates in pathogenesis of infection, inflammation, stress, immunoresponse, cellular apoptosis, toxic shock and tumor as well as cell-cycle regulation and cell differentiation. The overactivation of NF-?B is intimately involved in many human diseases. Various therapeutic strategies against NF-?B, to date, include anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidants, immunosuppressive agents, inhibitors of protease and proteasome, prostaglandings, nitric oxide, IL-10, microbial products, synthetic inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides and decoy deoxyoligonucleotides. Studies are underway to develop NF-?B member-specific and cell type-specific drugs that can inhibit the activation of NF-?B only in target cells and that may become a novel way to treat the human diseases.