OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mild hypothermia on neurological function in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) based on the adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway. METHODS: Fifty 7-8 weeks old SPF male Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish rat model of SCI by Allen's method. Among them, 48 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into SCI group, mild hypothermia group (SCI+mild hypothermia treatment), and Compound C group (SCI+mild hypothermia+intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg AMPK/NLRP3 pathway inhibitor Compound C), with 16 rats in each group. Another 16 normal rats with laminectomy were selected as sham-operation group. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the motor ability of rats at 1, 3, 7, 14 days after treatment. After 14 days, the rats were sacrificed, and the spinal cord histopathological morphology was observed by HE staining, the neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord tissue was detected by TUNEL assay, and the serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, transforming growth factor β ₁ (TGF-β ₁), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by ELISA. The expressions of AMPK/NLRP3 pathway proteins in spinal cord tissue, including B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and cleaved-Caspase-9 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: At 1 day after treatment, the rats in SCI group, mild hypothermia group, and Compound C group did not recover their motor ability. With the prolongation of time, the motor function of rats in each group gradually recovered. Among them, the BBB score of SCI group was significantly lower than that of sham-operation group and mild hypothermia group ( P<0.05), and the BBB score of Compound C group was significantly lower than that of mild hypothermia group ( P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the SCI group displayed obvious pathological changes in the spinal cord tissue, with disordered tissue architecture, inflammatory infiltration, and blurred interstitial boundaries. The neuronal apoptosis rate, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved Caspase-9 expression, NLRP3 protein expression, serum IL-2, IL-6, and MDA levels were elevated, whereas serum TGF-β ₁, SOD levels, and spinal cord phosphorylation AMPK/AMPK protein expression significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with the SCI group, the above phenomena significantly improved in the mild hypothermia group ( P<0.05), while the Compound C group showed the opposite trend of change compared to the mild hypothermia group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Mild hypothermia can attenuate neurological dysfunction after SCI in rats, potentially by activating the AMPK/NLRP3 pathway.
Animals ; Spinal Cord Injuries/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord/pathology* ; Apoptosis ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Caspase 9/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression levels of EZH2 and KMT2D in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and their relationship with pathological features. METHODS: 84 patients with DLBCL treated in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the study subjects, and clinical characteristics such as sex, age and pathological classification of the patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to detecet the expression of KMT2D and EZH2 proteins in tumor tissue cells of the DLBCL patients. The differential expression of KMT2D and EZH2 in subgroups of different sexes, ages, primary sites, clinical stages, Hans subtypes, etc. were compared. The correlation between the expression of KMT2D and EZH2 protein and BCL-6, CD79A was analyzed and validated through the interaction of protein molecular structures. We followed up and recorded the survival status of the patients for 12 months, and analyzed the factors that affect the mortality of DLBCL patients. RESULTS: The positive rate of KMT2D and EZH2 was high (over 95%) in DLBCL patients. There was no significant difference in the expression of EZH2 and KMT2D among subgroups of different sexes, ages and stages (P >0.05). However, patients with different levels of BCL-6 and CD79A expression showed differences in EZH2 and KMT2D expression (P < 0.05). EZH2 and KMT2D were positively correlated with BCL-6 (r =0.391, r =0.332) and CD79A (r =0.309, r =0.258), respectively, and there were interactions in the protein molecular structures. The risk factors for mortality in DLBCL patients include male sex (OR =1.106, 95%CI : 1.082-1.130, P < 0.001), stage II (OR =1.778, 95%CI : 1.567-2.016, P < 0.001), stage IV (OR =2.233, 95%CI : 2.021-2.467, P < 0.001), EZH2 positive (OR =2.762, 95%CI : 1.304-5.850, P =0.008), BCL-6 positive (OR =7.309, 95%CI : 1.340-39.859, P =0.022), age≥74 years (OR =3.080, 95%CI : 1.658-5.723, P < 0.001), and 63-73 years old (OR =2.400, 95%CI : 1.564-3.682, P < 0.001), while KMT2D positive (OR =0.180, 95%CI : 0.054-0.608, P =0.006) and 41-51 years old (OR =0.406, 95%CI : 0.274-0.603, P < 0.001) were factors which could reduce the risk of mortality. CONCLUSION EZH2 and KMT2D are highly expressed in patients with DLBCL, and they are positively correlated with BCL-6 and CD79A, and affect the prognosis of DLBCL patients.
Humans ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/metabolism* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism* ; Aged ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/metabolism* ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules (QJZ) for inhibiting renal B cell differentiation in MRL/lpr mice and explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Thirty 8-week-old female MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into model group, QJZ group, prednisone (Pred) group, QJZ+Pred group, and AIM2 inhibitor group (n=6), with 6 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group. After treatments with normal saline, QJZ, Pred, or AIM2 inhibitor for 8 weeks, the mice were examined for urinary total protein-to-creatinine ratio (TPCR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and renal histopathology (with HE, Masson, and PAS staining) and ultrastructural changes (with electron microscopy). ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect blood levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, cytokines and chemokines, renal deposition of complement components C3 and C4, renal expressions of AIM2, CD19, CD27 and CD138, and changes in splenic B lymphocyte subsets. The effect of QJZ on the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling axis was examined using Western blotting. RESULTS: QJZ treatment significantly improved Cr, BUN, TPCR and ACR in MRL/lpr mice, ameliorated renal pathologies, reduced the expressions of ds-DNA, BAFF, IL-21, CXCL12, CXCL13, C3 and C4, and increased IL-10 levels. QJZ significantly downregulated renal expressions of the key B-cell transcription factors Blimp-1 and XBP-1, upregulated Bcl-6 and PAX5 expressions, inhibited B-cell differentiation, and lowered the expressions of AIM2, CD27, CD138 and CD69. Inhibition of AIM2 similarly reduced renal Blimp-1 and XBP-1 expressions, increased Bcl-6 and PAX5 levels, suppressed B-cell differentiation, decreased IgG production, reduced C3 and C4 deposition, and alleviated renal pathology in MRL/lpr mice. CONCLUSIONS QJZ inhibits B cell differentiation and alleviates renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus possibly by suppressing the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; B-Lymphocytes/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/metabolism* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Lupus Nephritis

To study the protective effect of Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills on ischemic stroke rats. Ninety 4-weeks-old SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups(n=15):sham operation group, model group, nimodipine group(12 mg·kg~(-1)), Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills high-dose group(400 mg·kg~(-1)), Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills medium-dose group(200 mg·kg~(-1)), Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills low-dose group(100 mg·kg~(-1)).The permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model(PMCAO) was established in the model group, nimodipine group, and Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills groups by the improved thread plug method, while the sham operation group did not insert the thread plug.Nimodipine group and Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills groups were given intragastric administration once a day for 24 days before the modeling operation, and once 1 hour before the modeling operation, while sham operation group and model group were given equal volumes of distilled water.The neuroethology of the surviving rats was measured; The volume of cerebral infarction in rats was measured by TTC method; The histopathology of rat brain was observed by HE method; The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) in serum were detected by ELISA;The mRNA expressions of Notch 1,Jagged 1,Hes 1 and Bcl-2 in rat brain were detected by RT-PCR;Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of caspase-3 protein in rat brain; the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and CD34 positive cells in rat brain were detected by immunofluorescence.The low, medium and high dose groups of Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills and nimodipine group could significantly reduce the neurobehavioral score and cerebral infarction volume of rats with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, reduce the morphological changes of nerve cells, decrease the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in rat serum, increase the activity of SOD and CAT,and reduce the level of MDA.Furthermore, the expression levels of Notch l, Jagged l, Hes l and Bcl-2 mRNA were significantly increased, and the expression level of caspase-3 protein was decreased.Meanwhile, the number of VEGF and CD34 positive cells increased in the treatment group.The differences were statistically significant. Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu Pills has a protective effect on ischemic stroke rats, and its mechanism may be related to anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, promotion of nerve cell proliferation, inhibition nerve cell apoptosis and promotion of angiogenesis.
Animals ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Male ; Nimodipine/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of SPARC gene overexpression on the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of AML-MDS cell line SKM-1 to Ara-C and to further explore its mechanism. METHODS: Subjects were divided into 6 groups: SKM-1 cells (Control), Negative control (LV-NC), SPARC overexpression (LV-SPARC), SKM-1 cells+30 ng/ml Ara-C (30 ng/ml Ara-C), LV-NC+30 ng/ml Ara-C and LV-SPARC+30 ng/ml Ara-C. Cell activity was detected by CCK-8 assay, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, mRNA expression levels of SPARC, CPBP and MLKL were detected by RT-qPCR, and the expression levels of related protein were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After co-treatment with SPARC overexpression and Ara-C, the cell viability decreased and apoptosis increased significantly, with obvious up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of BCL-2 (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the cell cycle of LV-SPARC+30 ng/ml Ara-C group was significantly arrested in S phase with obvious down-regulation of CDK2 and up-regulation of p27^KIP1 (P<0.05). Compared with LV-SPARC group and 30 ng/ml Ara-C group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CPBP and MLKL (p-MLKL) were significantly elevated in LV-SPARC+30 ng/ml Ara-C group (P<0.05). In addition, after co-treatment with SPARC overexpression and Ara-C, the protein expression level of p-AKT decreased and the protein expression level of p53 increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SPARC overexpression enhanced the sensitivity of SKM-1 cells to Ara-C and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, the mechanism of which may be related to the regulation of CPBP/MLKL pathway.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytarabine ; Humans ; Kruppel-Like Factor 6/metabolism* ; Osteonectin/pharmacology* ; Protein Kinases/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger ; Sincalide/pharmacology* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction (CHGZD) combined with capecitabine on growth and apoptosis of subcutaneous triple-negative breast cancer xenografts in nude mice and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Nude mouse models bearing subcutaneous triple-negative breast cancer xenografts were randomized into 6 groups (n=10) for treatment with distilled water (model group), low (10.62 g/kg), medium (21.23 g/kg) and high (42.46 g/kg) doses of CHGZD, capecitabine (0.2 mg/kg), or the combination of CHGZD (42.46 g/kg) and capecitabine (0.2 mg/k) once daily for 21 consecutive days. The general condition of mice was observed, and after 21-day treatments, the tumors were dissected for measurement of tumor volume and weight and histopathological examination with HE staining. Serum IL-6 levels of the mice were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of IL-6, STAT3, p-STAT3, Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 in the tumor tissues were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the tumor-bearing mice receiving treatments with CHGZD showed significantly increased food intake with good general condition, sensitive responses, increased body weight, and lower tumor mass (P < 0.01). Compared with capecitabine treatment alone, treatment with CHGZD alone at the medium and high doses and the combined treatment all resulted in significantly higher tumor inhibition rates (P < 0.01), induced obvious tumor tissue degeneration and reduced the tumor cell density. Treatments with CHGZD, both alone and in combination with capecitabine, significantly decreased serum IL-6 level, lowered the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and STAT3, the protein expressions of IL-6, STAT3 and P-STAT3 (P < 0.05), and the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 (P < 0.05), and increased the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax in the tumor tissues (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION CHGZD combined with capecitabine can significantly inhibit tumor growth in nude mice bearing triple-negative breast cancer xenografts, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and regulation of Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 expressions to suppress tumor cell proliferation and differentiation and induce cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Capecitabine/pharmacology* ; Cyclin D1/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognostic value of BCL-2, BCL-6 and MYC in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: One hundred and sixty three cases of DLBCL in our hospital from March 2012 to March 2015 were selected. The specimens of lymphoma tissue of patients were collected. The expression of BCL-2, BCL-6 and MYC was detected by immunohistochemical method. The fusion of IGH/BCL-2, the gene breakage of BCL-6 and MYC were detected by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. The correlation of the expression levels of BCL-2, BCL-6 and MYC with the clinicopathological features and prognosis in the patients with DLBCL was further analyzed. RESULTS: MYC, BCL-2 and BCL-6 showed pale brown or reddish brown positive signals, among them MYC mainly positively expressed on the cell membrane, and BCL-2 mainly expressed on the cytoplasm and local cell membrane, and BCL-6 mainly expressed in the nucleus. The expression level of BCL-2 in ECOG physical status score 2 was higher than that in patients with ＜2 scores, and the expression level of BCL-2 in CD5 and germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) was significantly higher than that in patients with non-GCB (P＜0.05), and the international prognostic index (IPI) for 3-5 scores at the MYC expression level was significantly higher than that of the 0-2 score (P＜0.05); the expression level of BCL-6 in immune subtype CD5 and GCB was significantly lower than that in non-GCB (P＜0.05). The results of Cox multivariate analysis showed that the expression level of BCL-2, BCL-6 and MYC significant correlate with the overall survival and progression-free survival (P＜0.05) of the patients with DLBCL. CONCLUSION BCL-2, BCL-6 and MYC as important molecular markers are of high value for evaluating the prognosis of patients with DLBCL.
Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the the effects of ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) on BCL6 protein level，proliferation and apoptosis of cell imatinib（IM）-resistant K562/G01 cells. METHODS: Western blot was used to detect the expression of BCL6 in K562/G01 cells before and after treatment with protease inhibitor MG-132.The RT-PCR and Western blot respectively were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of BCL6 and USP2 in K562/G01 cells treated with or without ML364 (a ubiquitin-specific protease USP2 inhibitor). The effects of IM alone or in combination with ML364 on proliferation and apoptosis of K562/G01 were analysed by CCK-8 method and flow cytometry. RESULTS: After treatment with protease inhibitor MG132, the BCL6 protein level of K562/G01 significantly increased (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression level of ubiquitin-specific protease USP2 in K562/G01 cell line was higher than that in K562 cell line (P<0.05). After treatment of K562/G01 with USP2 protease inhibitor ML364, the expression levels of USP2 and BCL6 proteins were down-regulated simultaneously (P<0.05) . After combination of ML364 and IM, both the proliferation inhibitory rate and the apoptosis rate of K562/G01 cells significantly increased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION ML364 decreases the BCL6 protein stability in K562/G01 by inhibiting the USP2-mediated deubiquitination, and down-regulate the BCL6 protein experssion, thereby increases the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to IM.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism ; Ubiquitination

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of HGAL and LMO2 expression and compare with CD10 and bcl-6 in follicular lymphoma (FL).

METHODS63 cases of FL were collected from Guangdong General Hospital. The expression of HGAL, LMO2, CD10 and bcl-6 was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe expression rates of HGAL, LMO2, CD10 and bcl-6 were 98.4% (62/63), 82.5% (52/63), 82.5% (52/63) and 87.3% (55/63), respectively. The expression rate of HGAL was higher than those of LMO2, CD10 and bcl-6, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in HGAL, LMO2 and bcl-6 expression among FL1, FL2 and FL3 cases. The CD10 expression rate of FL1-3A cases was significantly higher than that of FL3B cases(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHGAL and LMO2, especially HGAL, can be used in FL particularly high grade FL as useful germinal center marker.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Germinal Center ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; LIM Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and significance of aberrant CD56 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic profiles of 10 cases of DLBCL with aberrant expression of CD56 were investigated. Immunohistochemical staining, in-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA and gene rearrangement for IgH and Igκ were carried out.

RESULTSThere were 6 male and 4 female patients. The medium age of patients was 46 years. All of them presented with extranodal lymphoma involvement, with gastrointestinal tract being the commonest site (5/10). Histologic examination showed that most of the atypical lymphoid cells were centroblast-like and demonstrated a diffuse growth pattern. Apoptosis and necrosis were identified in some cases. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD20 or CD79α and aberrantly expressed CD56. Five cases had the GCB phenotype while the remaining cases had the non-GCB phenotype, according to Hans classification. Bcl-6 was positive in most cases (9/10). All cases showed a high proliferation index by Ki-67. The tumor cells were negative for CD3ε, CD138 and granzyme B. In-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA was performed in 7 cases and none of them showed positive signals. IgH gene rearranged bands were detected in 4 cases (4/6) and Igκ was detected in 3 cases (3/6). Follow-up data were available in 8 patients. Two patients died of disease progression within 5 to 13 months after diagnosis and the other 6 patients were alive 8 to 60 months after therapy.

CONCLUSIONSDLBCL with aberrant expression of CD56 is rare. Most of them present with extranodal involvement, show high frequency of bcl-6 expression and high proliferation index. The patients often have good response to chemotherapy.

Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD79 Antigens ; metabolism ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Phenotype ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism ; RNA, Viral ; analysis