To study the function and potential application of nkx2.5, a critical gene for heart development, we constructed a recombinant adenovirus overexpressing nkx2.5 gene (Ad-Nkx2.5) with the AdEasy system. To evaluate the effect and mechanism of Ad-Nkx2.5 against oxidative injury, the H9c2 myocardial cells were infected with the recombinant adenoviruses Ad-Nkx2.5 or Ad-EGFP, and subsequently exposed to H2O2 to induce apoptosis. The anti-apoptotic potential of Ad-Nkx2.5 was validated by MTT assay for cell viability, Hoechst33342 staining for cellular morphology, and immunoblotting for caspase-3 activity. Ad-Nkx2.5 infection led to an increased survival rate of H9c2 cells and decreased the amount of caspase-3 in an active form. Additionally, overexpression of Nkx2.5 inhibited the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria into the cytosol. Mechanismic studies showed that Nkx2.5 upregulated bcl-2 gene expression and significantly repressed H2O2-induced expression of bax detected by Real-time PCR. Additionally, H2O2 treatment did not affect the nuclear localization of Nkx2.5. These findings indicate that adenovirus-mediated nkx2.5 gene transfer exerted a protective effect on H9c2 cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway, and the Nkx2.5-mediated expression modulation of apoptosis-associated genes could be involved in this event.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 ; Homeodomain Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

The localization of estrogen (E2) has been clearly shown in hippocampus, called local hippocampal E2. It enhanced neuronal synaptic plasticity and protected neuron form cerebral ischemia, similar to those effects of exogenous E2. However, the interactive function of hippocampal and exogenous E2 on synaptic plasticity activation and neuroprotection is still elusive. By using hippocampal H19-7 cells, we demonstrated the local hippocampal E2 that totally suppressed by aromatase inhibitor anastrozole. Anastrozole also suppressed estrogen receptor (ER)beta, but not ERalpha, expression. Specific agonist of ERalpha (PPT) and ERbeta (DPN) restored ERbeta expression in anastrozole-treated cells. In combinatorial treatment with anastrozole and phosphoinositide kinase-3 (PI-3K) signaling inhibitor wortmannin, PPT could not improve hippocampal ERbeta expression. On the other hand, DPN induced basal ERbeta translocalization into nucleus of anastrozole-treated cells. Exogenous E2 increased synaptic plasticity markers expression in H19-7 cells. However, exogenous E2 could not enhance synaptic plasticity in anastrozole-treated group. Exogenous E2 also increased cell viability and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) expression in H2O2-treated cells. In combined treatment of anastrozole and H2O2, exogenous E2 failed to enhance cell viability and Bcl2 expression in hippocampal H19-7 cells. Our results provided the evidence of the priming role of local hippocampal E2 on exogenous E2-enhanced synaptic plasticity and viability of hippocampal neurons.
Androstadienes/pharmacology ; Animals ; Aromatase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Estrogen Receptor alpha/agonists/metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta/agonists/metabolism ; Estrogens/*metabolism/pharmacology ; Hippocampus/cytology/*metabolism ; Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology ; Nervous System/*drug effects ; Neuronal Plasticity/*drug effects ; *Neuroprotective Agents ; Nitriles/pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/antagonists & inhibitors ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis ; Rats ; Triazoles/pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of pGCsi-H1-APRIL on the growth of human colorectal cancer cells in transplated tumor in nude mice and to improve the effect of APRIL on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODSHuman CRC model was established in nude mice, and the nude mice were treated with APRIL siRNA twice per week for 2 weeks. APRIL mRNA expression was surveyed by PCR and APRIL protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of PCNA protein was detected by ELISA. The expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xl was assessed by immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTSThe expression of APRIL mRNA in the APRIL siRNA group was (0.13 ± 0.05) × 10(-3), significantly lower than that in the vector group (0.95 ± 0.04) × 10(-3) and the PBS group (0.96 ± 0.05) × 10(-3). The expression of APRIL protein in the APRIL siRNA group was (87.5 ± 5.0)% lower than that in the vector and PBS groups (P < 0.05). APRIL siRNA significantly suppressed the growth of SW480 tumor: the IR (inhibitory rate) of APRIL siRNA group was (60.7 ± 1.5)% (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA in APRIL siRNA group was (176.8 ± 18.1) ng/ml, was (56.5 ± 2.0)% lower than that of PBS group (328.4 ± 22.8) ng/ml. Furthermore, the expressions of anti-apoptosis proteins bcl-2 and bcl-xl of APRIL siRNA group were (82.6 ± 4.5)% and (79.2 ± 3.5)% lower than those of the PBS group. The apoptotic rate of the APRIL siRNA group was 40.1% ± 2.5%, significantly higher than that in the vector group (2.5 ± 0.1)% and PBS group (2.5 ± 0.2)% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAPRIL siRNA may significantly suppress the growth and promote apoptosis in transplanted tumor of human colorectal cancer in nude mice. APRIL may become a candidate gene of gene therapy of human colorectal cancer.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Ligands ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism

Bcel-2 family proteins (Bcl-x(L), Bcl-2, Mel-1 etc.) are key regulators of some life processes, including apoptosis and autophagy. They are currently considered as promising targets for developing new anti-tumor therapies. In our study, the human Bcl-2/Bcl-x(L) chimeric gene and the human/mouse Mel-1 chimeric gene were designed and cloned, and the prokaryotic expression vectors for expressing glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins and histidine tag fusion proteins were constructed respectively. These two proteins as well as the GST-Bcl-x(L) fusion protein were all successfully expressed in E. coli and subsequently purified. In addition, we measured the binding of these Bcl-2 family proteins to the Bid BH3 peptide by fluorescence polarization-based assay. The dissociation constants (Kd) obtained by us were in general agreement with the data reported in literature. The Kd values of all three proteins with or without the GST tag were almost identical. All these results validate the biological functions of these Bcl-2 family proteins obtained by us. These proteins can be used in the experimental screening of small-molecule regulators of Bcl-2 family proteins in vitro.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fluorescence Polarization ; methods ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; bcl-X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of knocking down microRNA(miR)-221 and miR-222 on human glioma cell growth and its possible mechanism.

METHODSmiRNA-221/222 antisense oligonucleotides (antisense miR221/222) were transfected into human glioma U251 cells by lipofectamine. Northern blot analysis was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of miR-221/222 in the control and transfected cell groups. The proliferation activity of cells was determined by MTT assay. Cell invasion ability was examined by transwell assay, and cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry. The expression of relevant proteins was analyzed by Western blotting. The therapeutic efficacy of antisense miR221/222 on the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice were also observed.

RESULTSIn the antisense miR-221/222-transfected cells, the expression of miR-221/222 was significantly reduced; the cell invasion ability was suppressed, cell cycle was blocked at G(0)/G(1) phase, and apoptotic cells were increased. The growth of xenograft tumors treated with antisense miR-221/222 was also inhibited. In antisense miR-221/222 treated tumor cells, the expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated while connexin43, p27, PUMA, caspase-3, PTEN, TIMP3 and Bax up-regulated, and p53 expression not changed.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant inhibitory effect of antisense miR-221/222 on the growth of human glioma U251 cells. miR-221/222 may be considered as a candidate target for gene therapy of human gliomas.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; MicroRNAs ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 ; metabolism ; Transfection

To study the inhibitory effect of a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human IL-24 gene on SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell. We infected the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells with Ad blank adenovirus at various multiplicity of infection (MOIs) to find the optimal infective dose. The SGC-7901 tumor cells were infected with Ad-IL-24 at the optimal MOI in the following experiments. Adenovirus-mediated IL-24 transcription expression in SGC-7901 cells was examined by RT-PCR. The growth-suppressing effect of Ad-IL-24 on SGC-7901 tumor cells was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle of SGC-7901 tumor cells infected with Ad-IL-24 was evaluated by flow cytometer (FCM), respectively. The karyomorphology of apoptotic SGC-7901 tumor cells was examined using Hoechst33258 staining under fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was future determined by semi-quantification RT-PCR; We demonstrated that the MOI of 100 was the optimal infective dose in the study on adenovirus-mediated IL-24 gene transfer into SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell; IL-24 gene mediated by adenovirus could successfully transcribe in SGC-7901 tumor cells; Ad-IL-24 could significantly inhibit SGC-7901 tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis, it also can up-regulate the express of bax, caspase-3 and p53 whilst down-regulate the bcl-2 expression. Thus, adenovirus-mediated IL-24 expression had marked anti-tumor effect in suppressing SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, which may be closely associated with its up-regulation of bax/bcl-2, caspase-3 and p53.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Interleukins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

To study the inhibitory effect and anti-cancer mechanisms of interleukin 24 (IL-24) on human osteosarcoma cell MG-63, we delivered IL-24 into MG-63 cells in vitro and in vivo by adenovirus. The expression level of IL-24 was detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope; the growth inhibition, apoptosis rate and apoptosis body were measured by MTT, Flow cytometry and Hoechst staining respectively. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of bcl-2, bax, caspase3 genes by RT-PCR after overexpression of IL-24. For in vivo study, we first established the MG-63 tumor model by grafting MG-63 cells in athymic nude mice; and then injected Ad-IL-24 into the tumors. Two weeks after injection, we sacrificed the mice, removed the tumors, weighed and calculated the ratios of tumor-suppression. We also detected the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and CD34 with immumohistochemistry. Our in vitro results indicated that Ad-IL-24 was transcribed and translated in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. More interestingly, IL-24 inhibited the growth of MG-63 cells and induced apoptosis by up-regulation of bax, caspase-3 and down-regulation of bcl-2. The in vivo data showed that IL-24 suppressed the tumor growth conspicuously through down-regulating the expression of bcl-2, and up-regulating the expression of bax, caspase-3. This study would provide evidence for the gene therapy of IL-24 on osteosarcoma.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Interleukins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of resvertrol on the intestinal mucosal cells in rats with severe acute pancreatitis and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation (SO) group, severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group and resveratrol-treated (RES) group. In the SO group, the pancreases were slightly flipped only. In the SAP and RES groups, SAP model was established by retrograde injection of 40 g/L sodium chrolate (1 ml/kg) through the pancreatic duct, and in the latter group, resveratrol (10 mg/kg) was given intravenously. Specimens were obtained 6 h after SAP model establishment and the endotoxin levels in the portal vein was determined with turbidimetry to evaluate the effect of resversatrol on the intestinal endotoxin translocation in SAP rats. Apoptosis of the mucosal cells was detected by TUNEL methods, and the expression of bax and bcl-2 mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. The mitochondrial membrane potential of the intestinal mucosal cells was measured by confocal microscopy.

RESULTSThe endotoxin levels in the portal vein were significantly lower in RES group than in SAP group (P<0.01). TUNEL assay demonstrated significantly higher apoptotic index of the mucosal cells in SAP group than that in RES group (P<0.01). The expression of Bax mRNA in the intestinal mucosal cell was significantly higher in SAP group than in RES group (P<0.01), whereas the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was significantly lower in SAP group (P<0.01). The mitochondrial membrane potential of the intestinal mucosal cell was significantly lower in SAP group than in RES group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONResvertrol can inhibit the apoptosis of the intestinal mucosa cells and maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier to prevent the bacterial and endotoxin translocation in SAP.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sodium Chloride ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo construct a lentiviral vector carrying human bcl-2 gene and investigate its expression in human ovarian granulosa cells (GCs).

METHODSHuman bcl-2 gene was amplified from the plasmid pCMV-SPORT6 using PCR and subcloned into the lentiviral vector pGC-FU to construct the lentiviral expression vector pGC-FU- bcl-2. The bcl-2 gene insert was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The recombinant lentiviruses generated by 293T cells co-transfected with pGC-FU-bcl-2 and the packaging plasmids pHelper1.0 and pHelper2.0. The resulting recombinant lentivirus GC-FU-bcl-2 carrying bcl-2 and EGFP genes were then used to infect human ovarian granulosa cells. EGFP and bcl-2 protein expressions in 293T and human ovarian GCs were detected by fluorescent microscope and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe plasmid pGC-FU-bcl-2 carrying the correct bcl-2 gene sequence could be expressed in human ovarian GC cells, and the recombinant lentivirus GC-FU-bcl-2 was generated by the packaging 293T cells. Stable expression of EGFP and bcl-2 proteins were detected by fluorescent microscope and Western blotting in 293T and human ovarian GCs after the infection. The recombinant lentivirus efficiently delivered bcl-2 gene into human ovarian GCs, in which bcl-2 expression was expressed efficiently and stably.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant lentivirus GC-FU-bcl-2 has been successfully constructed, which is capable of delivering the target gene bcl-2 into human ovarian GCs for its stable expression.

Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Genes, bcl-2 ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differential expression of apoptosis associated gene Bcl-2 and Bax through cell cycle and its possible clinical meaning.

METHODSThe prostate cancer cell line PC-3 was synchronized in M, G1, S and G2 phase using modified thymine deoxyriboside blockage and high pressure N2O technique. The efficiency of synchronization was detected by flow-cytometry. RT-PCR and Western blot methods were used to examine the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in mRNA and protein level.

RESULTSThe synchronized rate of M, G1, S and G2 phase were 92.1%, 87.0%, 80.2% and 75.9% respectively. Bcl-2 was constitutively expressed through the cell cycle, but both the mRNA and protein expression level of Bcl-2 were very high in the G1 phase, dramatically decreased in M, S and G2 phase. The expression level of Bax had no change through the cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONSCell cycle could influence the expression level of Bcl-2 significantly but not Bax, these might have some clinical relevance.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics