Objective:To investigate the mechanism of tissue damage caused by neutrophil matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in Fusarium keratitis. Methods:A total of 108 male C57BL/6J SPF grade mice, 6-8 weeks old, were selected to establish a model of Fusarium keratitis (FK) in the right eyes.Corneal inflammation in mice was observed and scored under a slit lamp microscope.Based on the corneal inflammation scores, the modeling eyes were divided into 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72-hour groups post-modeling.At the corresponding time points, mice were euthanized, and corneal tissues were collected.The expressions of MMP-8, adenylate-activated protein kinase (AMPKα) and its serine 172-site phosphorylated form (p-AMPKα) proteins in corneal tissues were detected by Western blot.The neutrophil count in mice corneal tissues at each time point was determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining.The co-localization of neutrophils and MMP-8 protein in the cornea was observed by immunofluorescence staining.In the in vitro corneal collagen degradation experiment, corneal tissues were divided into MMP-8 group, buffer group, and normal saline group, which were treated with 100 μl of activated recombinant MMP-8, detection buffer, and normal saline, respectively.Hydroxyproline content in corneal tissues was determined using a hydroxyproline assay kit, and the mass fractions of hydroxyproline were compared among the groups.Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated from human blood samples, and Fusarium spores were collected for experiments.Human neutrophils were divided into four groups, negative control group (cultured neutrophils), co-culture group (neutrophils co-cultured with spores), AICAR-treated group (neutrophils co-cultured with spores and treated with p-AMPK protein kinase activator AICAR), and compound C-treated group (neutrophils co-cultured with spores and treated with the inhibitor compound C).The MMP-8 protein expression levels in each group of human neutrophils were assessed via immunofluorescence staining.The use and care of animals complied with the ARVO statement and Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals.The animal experiment protocol was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECA-2017-04-02).One healthy adult volunteer was selected and 10 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected.The clinical study protocol was approved by the Clinical Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2019[16]). Results:At 24 hours post-modeling, corneal opacification was observed in the modeling eyes, and corneal perforation occurred in 72-hour post-modeling group.The corneal inflammation scores in 24, 48, and 72-hour post-modeling groups were all higher than those in 12-hour post-modeling group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.001).The relative expression levels of MMP-8 protein in the cornea were higher in 12, 24, and 48-hour post-modeling groups compared to 0-hour group, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001).There was a moderate positive correlation between the relative expression level of MMP-8 protein in the cornea and the inflammation scores of the modeling eye ( rs=0.50, P<0.05).In the cornea, the p-AMPKα (Thr 172)/AMPKα ratio was higher in 24, 48, and 72-hour post-modeling groups than in 0-hour group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05).The p-AMPKα(Thr 172)/AMPKα ratio in the cornea was moderately positively correlated with the relative expression level of MMP-8 protein ( r=0.54, P<0.01).The number of neutrophils in the cornea was significantly higher in 24, 48, and 72-hour post-modeling groups than in 0-hour group, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001).The number of neutrophils in the cornea was strongly positively correlated with the inflammation score ( rs=0.77, P<0.001), and was moderately positively correlated with the relative expression level of MMP-8 protein ( r=0.56, P<0.05).MMP-8 protein expression in the cornea of the modeling eyes showed a high degree of co-localization with neutrophils.The hydroxyproline content in the cornea was (0.52±0.02)μg/mg, (0.51±0.03)μg/mg, and (0.27±0.02)μg/mg in buffer group, normal saline group and MMP-8 group, respectively, with a significant overall difference among them ( F=156.63, P<0.01).The corneal hydroxyproline content was lower in MMP-8 group compared to buffer and normal saline groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05).In the experiment involving the infection of cultured Fusarium spores with human neutrophils, the fluorescence intensity of MMP-8 expression was significantly higher in AICAR-treated group than in negative control group and compound C-treated group, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:The MMP-8 secreted by neutrophils in mice with fungal keratitis can degrade corneal stromal collagen fibers, leading to corneal opacification or perforation.The variations in MMP-8 protein expression levels in human neutrophils may be associated with AMPK activation.

Objective:To investigate the expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in corneal epithelial cells and the effects of fungus on AMPK phosphorylation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in corneal epithelial cells.Methods:The human immortalized corneal epithelial cell line was selected.The safe concentration range of AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) (100, 300, 500, 1 000 μmol/L) and inhibitor Compound C (10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, 20.0 μmol/L) on corneal epithelial cells was screened by multi-function real-time unlabeled cell analyzer.Corneal epithelial cells without any treatment were used as the normal control group, and those co-cultured with spores were used as the spore control group.Corneal epithelial cells co-cultured with spores were treated with AICAR and Compound C for 4 hours in the AICAR group and Compound C group, respectively.The expression of phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) and AMPK in corneal epithelial cells was detected by Western blot, and the concentration of IL-6 in the culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:After treatment with different concentrations of AICAR for different periods, there was no statistical significance in the cell index of corneal epithelial cells (all at P>0.05). The cell index of corneal epithelial cells was increased with 10.0 μmol/L and 12.5 μmol/L Compound C treatment compared with that of the normal control group.The expression levels of p-AMPK were 0.67±0.15, 2.57±0.12, 3.67±0.58 and 1.50±0.50, respectively, in the normal control group, spore control group, AICAR group and Compound C group, showing a statistically significant difference among them ( F=32.820, P<0.001). The expression level of p-AMPK was significantly higher in the spore control group compared with the normal control group ( P<0.001). The expression level of p-AMPK in the AICAR group was higher than that in the spore control group, and the expression level of p-AMPK in the Compound C group was lower than that in the spore control group, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P=0.010). There was no significant difference in the relative expression level of AMPK among the four groups ( F=0.120, P=0.950). The expression levels of IL-6 concentration in the normal control group, spore control group, AICAR group and Compound C group were (107.81±17.15), (156.32±9.94), (167.96±14.16) and (127.42±19.75)pg/ml, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference among them ( F=15.210, P<0.001). The IL-6 concentration of the spore control group was higher than that of the normal control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The IL-6 concentration of the AICAR group was higher than that of the spore control group, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.260). The IL-6 concentration of the Compound C group was lower than that of the spore control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.010). Conclusions:In corneal epithelial cells, AMPK phosphorylation is found, which is enhanced after fungal spores stimulation, and the secretion of IL-6 increases.

To explore the expression of p62 protein in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, a cross-sectional study was adopted. From December 2011 to May 2013, 60 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who were diagnosed and treated in Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai were selected for paraffin embedding and tissue chip preparation, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) technology was used to detect the expression of p62 in lung adenocarcinoma patients′ cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, and analyze the relationship between p62 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and survival prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma; at the same time, 6 cases of lung adenocarcinoma were selected by random sampling cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by Western Blot (WB) to detect p62 protein and analyzed by gray value. Preoperative examination specimens of inpatients with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed from April 2018 to early October 2019, and plasma specimens of healthy subjects were collected, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect lung adenocarcinoma patients and healthy patients. The expression of p62 in the plasma of the subjects was statistically analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. The results of IHC showed that the positive expression rate of p62 in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.593, P<0.001). Similarly, WB results showed that the expression of p62 protein in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues. It is statistically relevant ( t=2.238, P=0.049). The expression of p62 was statistically correlated with tumor size, clinicopathological stage and lymph node metastasis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (all P<0.05). The overall survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma with high p62 expression was worse than that of patients with low p62 expression (95 %CI was 0.238-0.870, P=0.028), suggesting that the high expression of p62 is related to the poor prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The level of p62 protein in the plasma of patients with lung adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group. The difference was statistically significant ( t=8.533, P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.835 (95 %CI was 0.779-0.891, P<0.001), which is significantly higher than CEA, CA125, CA153 and other single traditional indicators, and the combined detection of four indicators has the highest diagnostic efficiency. p62 was strongly expressed in cancer tissues and serum, which is related to the poor prognosis and overall survival rate of LUAD patients.

To explore the expression of p62 protein in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, a cross-sectional study was adopted. From December 2011 to May 2013, 60 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who were diagnosed and treated in Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai were selected for paraffin embedding and tissue chip preparation, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) technology was used to detect the expression of p62 in lung adenocarcinoma patients′ cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, and analyze the relationship between p62 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and survival prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma; at the same time, 6 cases of lung adenocarcinoma were selected by random sampling cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by Western Blot (WB) to detect p62 protein and analyzed by gray value. Preoperative examination specimens of inpatients with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed from April 2018 to early October 2019, and plasma specimens of healthy subjects were collected, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect lung adenocarcinoma patients and healthy patients. The expression of p62 in the plasma of the subjects was statistically analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. The results of IHC showed that the positive expression rate of p62 in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.593, P<0.001). Similarly, WB results showed that the expression of p62 protein in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues. It is statistically relevant ( t=2.238, P=0.049). The expression of p62 was statistically correlated with tumor size, clinicopathological stage and lymph node metastasis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (all P<0.05). The overall survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma with high p62 expression was worse than that of patients with low p62 expression (95 %CI was 0.238-0.870, P=0.028), suggesting that the high expression of p62 is related to the poor prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The level of p62 protein in the plasma of patients with lung adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group. The difference was statistically significant ( t=8.533, P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.835 (95 %CI was 0.779-0.891, P<0.001), which is significantly higher than CEA, CA125, CA153 and other single traditional indicators, and the combined detection of four indicators has the highest diagnostic efficiency. p62 was strongly expressed in cancer tissues and serum, which is related to the poor prognosis and overall survival rate of LUAD patients.

Objective To explore the structure and component changes of colonization bacterium in colorectal cancer (CRC) and analyze the relationship between the colonization bacteria and the development of CRC.Methods Clinical data of this retrospective study were obtained from Tongji Hospital of Tongji University (1/2016-10/2017).Forty matching tissues,including normal intestinal mucosa tissues (n=12) and CRC tissues (n=28),were collected in the present study.The V3-V4 region of bacteria 16S rRNA gene was detected using Illumina Miseq sequencing technologies.The colonized bacterium structure and composition were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results It was found that there is significant difference in structure of the colonized bacterium between the two groups.In the level of Phylum,the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were significant lower (Z=-1.964,P＜0.05),and Proteobacteria was significant higher (Z=-1.997,P＜0.001) in the tissues of CRC.In the level of genus,Bacteroides,Blautia,Prevotella,and Faecalibacterium were significant lower in the tissues of CRC (Z=-3.008,P＜0.05).Buchnera,Prevotella,and Prevotellaceae only existed in normal intestinal mucosa tissues and the abundance was top three.Catonella,Kurthia,and Brachymonas only existed in CRC tissues and the abundance was top three.Conclusions The overall structure and component were significant difference between the two groups.Some bacterium disappeared or reduced,and others new emerged or increased.The change of colonized bacterium structure and component in intestinal mucosa may play an important role in the development of CRC.Therefore,it may be an,accurate and low cost of early diagnosis marker by identifing the structure and component change of intestinal mucosa colonized bacterium for CRC,which may find a new way for prevention and treatment of CRC.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of the antibacterial peptide cathelicidin secreted by tumor associated macrophages on the growth of colorectal cancer in mice. Methods: Azoxymethane (AOM)/ dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) method was used to establish a mouse model of colitis associated colon cancer. To induce tumor formation, cathelicidin antibody, IgG antibody (positive control) or PBS (negative control) was respectively injected into mice once every 3 days and lasted one month. Then the pictures of mice colon were taken, and the numbers of tumor were counted and evaluated. Expressions of cathelicidin in tumor associated macrophages isolated from tumor and adjacent normal tissues of mice were examined by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Expressions of the tumor proliferating antigen Ki-67, macrophage marker CD68 and cathelicidin in tumor and non-tumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry analysis. Apoptosis of cells from tumor tissues was analyzed by using TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Results: In colon tumor tissues, cathlicidin strongly expressed in inflammatory cells (macrophages), but weakly expressed in tumor cells. The tumor number and size in mice injected with cathelicidin neutralizing antibody were 4.50±1.18 and (1.74±0.18) mm, respectively, significantly lower than 13.88±1.98 and (3.74±0.38) mm of mice injected with PBS (t=4.07, t=4.72; P< 0.01) and 15.25±1.82 and (3.40±0.36) mm of mice injected with IgG antibody (t=4.96, t=4.08; P<0.01). The Ki-67 positive rate of cells in tumor tissues of mice injected with cathelicidin neutralizing antibody was (28.20±3.44) %, significantly lower than (68.20±3.51) % of mice injected with PBS (t=8.135, P<0.01) and (69.20±3.41) % of mice injected with IgG antibody (t=8.461, P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry analyses showed that the expression of CD68 in tumor tissues of mice injected with cathelicidin antibody was significantly lower than that of mice injected with IgG antibody or PBS. TUNEL result showed that treatment with cathelicidin neutralizing antibody had negligible effect on the apoptosis of tumor cells. Conclusions Cathelicidin secreted by tumor associated macrophages can promote the growth of colorectal cancer in mice, and neutralizing cathelicidin activity can inhibit the growth and proliferation of colorectal cancer. Cathelicidin mediated promotion of colon cancer proliferation may mainly be exerted by recruiting inflammatory cells such as macrophages into the tumor microenvironment.

Objective: To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 secreted by stromal cells on the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Colorectal cancer cells SW480 or HCT116 were co-cultured with human macrophages using Transwell^® maxicell inserts to mimic the tumor microenvironment. The effect of macrophages on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells was detected by Bromodeoxyuridine and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BrdU-ELISA). The expression of LL-37 mRNA and protein in macrophages and colorectal cancer cells was evaluated by reverse transcription-real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. LL-37 neutralizing antibody was added to abrogate the LL-37 activation. Additionally, macrophages were transfected with LL-37 shRNA plasmids to inhibit LL-37 expression. And then, the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells was observed. Furthermore, the growth-related signaling pathways were detected by Western blot. Results: The BrdU-ELISA results showed that the absorbance of SW480 cells increased from 1.072±0.097 to 5.121±0.407 after co-culture (P<0.001), and that of HCT116 cells increased from 1.229±0.073 to 3.495±0.228 (P<0.001). RT-qPCR results showed that LL-37 mRNA expression in macrophages significantly increased from 2.682±0.191 to 6.117±0.768 after co-incubation (P<0.05), whereas that in SW480 had no significant difference. Consistently the protein expression of LL-37 in macrophages was significantly increased by Western blot, while it did not change in SW480. The proliferation rate of SW480 cells was repressed by adding LL-37 neutralizing antibody or LL-37 shRNA plasmid. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that the expression of non-phosphorylated (activated) β-catenin and its target genes cyclin D1 as well as c-myc were distinctly increased in co-cultured SW480 cells, which could be reversed by anti-LL-37 antibodies. Conclusion Macrophages promote the in vitro proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by enhancing the expression and secretion of antimicrobial peptides LL-37, and it seems that LL-37 activates colorectal cancer cells via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Objective: To isolate and identify exosomes from human serum, explore the feasibility of exosomal CEA for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Methods: Retrospective study.64 cases with colorectal cancer patients(41 cases with normal CEA results and 23cases with high CEA results), 20 cases with benign colorectal diseases patients and 40 cases with healthy people of department of physical examination from October 2015 to December 2016 in Tongji Hospital of Tongji University. Exosomes were isolated from these serum using ExoQuick, and then identified by using transmission electron microscopy, and Western Blot for morphology and molecular phenotype.The serum level of CEA and exosomal CEA was measureed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnostic efficacy of serum Exosomal CEA concentration in the colorectal cancer by using U test and the subject work characteristic curve (ROC). Results: Exosomes in human serum was successfully extracted with ExoQuick kit.Exosomal CEA concentration in 64 cases with colorectal cancer patients (1 056.36-28 637.78)pg/ml was significantly higher than in cases with benign colorectal diseases patients (394.61-2 437.83)pg/ml and healthy controls(610.89-2 076.70)pg/ml(U=124.000, U=119.000, P<0.01). Exosomal CEA concentration in 41 colorectal cancer patients with normal serum CEA concentration(1 056.36-5 832.07)pg/ml was significantly higher than in benign colorectal diseases patients and healthy controls(U=113.000, U=119.000; P<0.01). ROC analysis of exosomal CEA yielded an AUC(area under the ROC curve)of 0.954(95% CI=0.919-0.988), which was higher than the serum CEA.The area under the ROC curve of serum Exosomal CEA concentration for colorectal cancer diagnosis is 0.954(95% CI=0.919-0.988), which is superior to the serum CEA concentration[0.636 (95% CI=0.531-0.742)]. Conclusions Isolation and detection of serum Exosomal CEA concentrations have a good diagnostic efficacy in colorectal cancer. It′s possible to be a marker for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 503-508)

Objectve To evaluate the serum level of antimicrobial peptide human cationic antimicrobial protein 18 (hCAP18) in colorectal patients and it auxiliary diagnosis and prognosis value.Methods Case-control study was used.The serum level of hCAP18 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 68 cases with colorectal patients of department of gastrointestinal surgery and 40 cases healthy people of department of physical examination from January 2014 to Junc 2015 in Tongji Hosptial of Tongji University.The concentrations of hCAP18 in serum of colorectal patients before and surgery were analyzed.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect hCAP18 expression in colorectal carcinoma.The effect of hCAP18 on colon carcinoma cell proliferation was detected by BrdU-ELISA and soft agar colony formation assay.The sensitivity and specificity of serum hCAP18 for the diagnosis of eolorectal were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC).Date was analyzed by using the ttest and one-way analysis of variance.Results hCAP18 serum levels in colon cancer of stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,llⅢ and Ⅳ patients were (0.46 ± 0.18) mg/L,(0.65 ± 0.45) mg/L,(1.26 ± 0.68) mg/L and (2.35 ± 1.06)mg/L.Mean value was(1.16 ±0.88) mg/L,which was significantly higher than in normal people (0.19 ±0.07) mg/L (t =5.290,P ＜ 0.05).hCAP18 levels had significantly decreased in serum of colorectal patients after 30 d surgery compared to preoperative results [from (1.16 ± 0.88) mg/L to (0.26 ± 0.06) mg/L;t =3.971,P ＜ 0.05].Immunohistochemistry results showed hCAP18 was high expression in colon cancer tissue compared with adjacent tissues;BrdU-ELISA assay results showed HCTll6 and SW480 cell proliferation increased significantly after 0.05-1 mg/L of hCAP18 treatment;Soft agar clone formation experiment proved hCAP18 could significant enhance clone formation of HCT116 and SW480 colon cancer cell lines.The size of clonal cluster of HCT116 was increased from (145.40 ± 35.20) μm to (370.80 ± 32.65) μm (t =10.50,P ＜ 0.05) and SW480 was increased from (101.00 ± 27.10) μm to (369.00 ± 27.29) μm (t =15.58,P ＜0.05);The numbers of clonal cluster of HCT116 was increased from 8.50 ± 2.30 to 42.80 ± 6.60 (t =3.945,P ＜ 0.05) and SW480 was increased from 6.20 ± 1.70 to 46.00 ± 7.20 (t =4.775,P ＜ 0.05).ROC analysis of serum hCAP18 yielded an AUC (area under the ROC curve) of 0.93 (95％ CI =0.859-0.999)with 91.17％ sensitivity and 80.00％ specificity,which was higher than the CEA[0.78 (95％ CI =0.699-0.933)].Conclousions Detection of serum hCAP18 shows a good sensitivity and specificity for the auxiliary diagnosis of colon cancer.It is possible to be potential detection index for noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring progression of colon cancer.hCAP18 could promote the proliferation of colon cancer cells,it played an important role in the progression of colon cancer.

Objective:To investigate the mechanisms of IL-1β promoted lung cancer cells proliferation. Methods: The“Transwell? Inserts” system was used to coculture lung cancer cells A549,NCI-H520 with macrophages. BrdU ELISA used to measure the effect of macrophages promoted lung cancer cells proliferation. Expression of mRNA of IL-1β in A549 and NCI-H520 cells were analysed by Real-time PCR analysis. IL-1β was responsible for macrophage-promoted lung cancer cells growth, IL-1β neutralizing antibody was added. The autophagy marker Beclin1 protein was detected by Western blot. Results:The BrdU ELISA assay showed that after coincubation with macrophages in the proportion of 1:0. 5,the OD value of A549 increased from(0. 41±0. 06)to(1. 13±0. 10). There was statistical significance(P<0. 05). It also showed that the growth of the A549 cell was dependent on the macrophage number (P<0. 05). The OD value variability of NCI-H520 cells was as same as A549 cell upon cocultured with macrophages. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression of IL-1β mRNA in macrophages was remarkably enhanced in a time dependent manner upon coincubated with lung cancer cell,and the expression level was higher than lung cancer cells. Addition of IL-1β neutralizing antibody markedly inhibited macrophage-promoted lung cancer cells proliferation. The OD value of these two cells were decreased from ( 3. 63 ± 0. 33) to (1. 46±0. 18),from (2. 94±0. 38) to (1. 53±0. 20),respectively (P<0. 05). After treatment with IL-1β,the expression of Beclin1 was significantly inhibited in tumor cells. Conclusion:Over-expression of IL-1βfrom macrophages and lung cancer cells is re-sponsible for proliferation of tumor cells in coculture condition. Inhibition of autophagy in tumor cells may be the important mechanisms of IL-1β promotes lung cancer cells proliferation.