Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by an accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is unclear whether genetic background could have an etiological impact on MM or influence the course of the disease. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been implicated in the growth and differentiation of normal B cells, and has also been shown to enhance the proliferation of MM cells. To address the putative involvement of IL-10 genetic variation in MM, we analyzed previously defined loci for bi-allelic polymorphism at position -1082 and two microsatellite loci (IL10.G and IL10.R) in the IL-10 promoter region. Seventy-three patients with MM, 27 with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and 109 ethnically matched individuals as controls were included in the study. Significantly increased frequencies of the IL10.G genotype 136/136 and the IL10.R genotype 112/114, in addition to a decreased frequency of the IL10.R genotype 114/116, were found among the MM patients. Increased production of IL-10 was detected in the supernatants of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MM patients who were homozygotes (136/136) and heterozygotes (136/non-136) for the IL10.G allele 136, as compared with the other IL10.G genotype carriers (non-136/non-136). These results suggest that the genetic variation in the IL-10 promoter region may play a role in the development of MM.

[Effects of cigarette smoke extract on the expression of beta-catenin and tyrosine phosphorylation in airway epithelial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possible mechanism of injury by smoking and its repairing, the effects of cigarette smoke extract on the expression of beta-catenin (beta-cat), c-Src and level of phosphoric tyrosine in airway epithelial cells (AEC).

METHODS

Pig AECs were cultured in vitro. After CSE and tyrphostin 25 exposure, (1) the expression of beta-cat was determined by immunocytochemical stain in 300 randomly selected AECs of each group, (2) the level of phosphoric tyrosine, content of c-Src and beta-cat mRNA in AECs were evaluated by immunocytochemical stain, in situ hybridization and image analysis in 30 randomly selected AECs of each group.

RESULTS

After exposure to CSE for 4 hours and 24 hours, the levels of phosphoric tyrosine were 1.51 and 3.44 times of that of the control groups of the same time (P < 0.0001) respectively; the ratio of positive stain of beta-cat on membrane was markedly lower than that in the control groups (78.3% vs 83.3%, 77.7% vs 81.3%, P < 0.0001), and the cytoplasmic content of c-Src decreased 47.9% and 51.4% (P < 0.0001) compared with the control groups of the same time, respectively. While dealt with CSE and tyrphostin 25 together, the level of phosphoric tyrosine, the expression of beta-cat and c-Src resembled those in normal control. Contends of beta-cat mRNA decreased in the both two situations (P < 0.0010).

CONCLUSION

CSE decreased the membranous expression of beta-cat and increased the level of tyrosine phosporylation of AECs. The change of beta-cat expression might mediate the airway epithelial injuries caused by smoking, and tyrphostin 25 might prevent such injuries through inhibiting the tyrosine kinase.

[Effects of mifepristone on expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor in cultured human eutopic and ectopic endometria]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of mifepristone on expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in cultured human eutopic and ectopic endometria.

METHODS

Endometrial (n = 22) and endometriotic (n = 12) tissues, obtained from patients with endometriosis, were cultured with and without mifepristone (1 x 10(-6) mol/L, 1 x 10(-4) mol/L) for 7-10 days. The expressions of ER, PR were determined by semi-quantitative immunocytochemistry method. Thirteen normal endometrial samples served as controls.

RESULTS

The expressions of ER and PR in normal and eutopic endometrial cells showed the same cyclic pattern. The only difference was the significantly higher PR glandular content in eutopic endometria of endometriosis patients, as compared with normal controls [histochemistry score (H-score) 2.77 +/- 0.32 Vs 2.20 +/- 0.26 P < 0.05]. On the contrary, the ER, PR expressions in ectopic endometrial cells were significantly lower only during the proliferative phase (ER: gland 0.65-2.17 Vs 1.50-3.23, stroma 0.45-1.03 Vs 0.80-1.96; PR: gland 0.55-1.77 Vs 1.55-3.34, stroma 0.40-1.27 Vs 0.98-2.50; P < 0.05-0.01); significantly higher only during the late secretory phase (ER: gland 3.27 +/- 0.31 Vs 0.28 +/- 0.11, stroma 1.87 +/- 0.31 Vs 0.26 +/- 0.15; PR: gland 3.33 +/- 0.23 Vs 0.36 +/- 0.23) as compared with those of eutopic endometria. 10(-6)-10(-4) mol/L of mifepristone significantly suppressed the expressions of ER, PR in both eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells of endometriosis patients (P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of ER, PR of endometriotic cells differed significantly from that of endometrial cells of patients with or without endometriosis. The down-regulatory effect on ER and PR may be one of the therapeutic mechanism of mifepristone on endometriosis.

The POU gene Brn-5 is induced by neuregulin and is restricted to myelinating Schwann cells

The POU family of transcription factors plays a vital role in controlling cell-fate determination and the timing of cellular events in a number of tissues, including the nervous system. One such POU protein, SCIP, is expressed by Schwann cells in a tightly delimited developmental window termed promyelination. In the PNS, promyelination is functionally defined as the period following Schwann cell exit from the cell-cycle, but prior to the onset of myelination. Previous transgenic and gene ablation studies have shown that SCIP is a myelin-competence factor in the Schwann cell, where it is required for entry into, and the subsequent maintenance of promyelination. To further understand the molecular biology of the promyelination-to-myelination transition in the Schwann cell, we have undertaken a series of DDRTPCR studies to identify genes that are expressed during this phenotypic flux. Through these studies we have identified another POU gene, Brn-5, the expression of which has not previously been appreciated in the Schwann cell. Here we show that the developmental expression patterns of Brn-5 and SCIP are inverse, with Brn-5 stably expressed in the adult myelinating Schwann cell, but virtually absent during promyelination. Further, we show that the induction of the two genes is independent, with SCIP induction requiring activation of adenyl cyclase, whereas Brn-5 induction requires only GGF2. In addition, the induction of Brn-5 is exquisitely sensitive to neuregulin concentration, with higher levels inhibiting its expression. Following nerve injury, when GGF2 levels are elevated in the distal nerve, Brn-5 expression disappears, and SCIP is reexpressed.

Arginine decarboxylase transgene expression and analysis of environmental stress tolerance in transgenic rice

Arginine decarboxylase (ADC) cDNA from oat (Avena sativa L.) was introduced into rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome by an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. Expression of the ADC transgene under the control of an ABA-inducible promoter led to stress-induced upregulation of ADC activity and polyamine accumulation in transgenic rice plants. Second-generation (Rl) transgenic rice plants showed an increase in biomass under salinity-stress conditions, as compared to the non-transformed control plants.

Enhanced superoxide anion formation in vascular tissues from spontaneously hypertensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the basal and NADH-stimulated superoxide (.O2-) production and inactivation by Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) in aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and from desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive (DOCA-HT) rats.

METHODS

Tissue .O2- levels were estimated with the lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence method in aorta and cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from SHR and in aorta from DOCA-HT rats treated for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The basal aortic .O2- generation was increased by 135 and 100%, and the NADH stimulated .O2- production was also increased 37 and 22% in SHR and in DOCA-HT rats compared to their normotensive controls, respectively. Although no difference existed in blood pressure as well as in basal and in NADH stimulated .O2- production between Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR rats at age of 6 weeks, O2- production and blood pressure increased concomitantly in SHR aged 9 and 12 weeks. Basal and NADH-stimulated .O2- production, in cultured SMCs, was also 80 and 64% higher, respectively, in SHR compared to WKY rats. The NADH oxidase activity was found to be increased in aorta from both SHR and DOCA-HT rats but SOD activity was reduced only in aorta from DOCA-HT rats.

CONCLUSIONS

An enhanced .O2- formation resulting from an increased NADH oxidase activity was found in aorta from SHR and DOCA-HT rats. Cultured arterial SMCs from SHR also generated excessive .O2- formation under basal and stimulated conditions. The age-related increase in vascular .O2- formation in association with the rise in blood pressure in SHR suggests that the oxidative stress might contribute to the development of hypertension. NADH oxidase activity was greater in aorta of both hypertension models, but a decrease of Cu/Zn SOD activity could also contribute to the high level of aortic .O2- in DOCA-HT rats.

Long-term changes in off-lesion endocochlear potential after induction of localized lesions in the lateral wall

Localized lesions were produced in various turns of the guinea pig cochlea by means of a photochemical reaction between systemically administered rose bengal dye and green light illumination. The endocochlear potential (EP) was measured at various off-lesion sites, and a morphological examination was performed. In a previous study, this same investigation was done at 3 days, at which time all sites apical to the lesion showed significant EP depression, and damage to the stria vascularis at the lesion was ongoing. In the present 2-week study, the apical EP values were not different from the basal values, and all experimental values were essentially the same as the EP values found in control animals. Morphological examination revealed that the previously damaged structures were greatly repaired. Localized damage and early apical EP depression followed by damage repair and eventual EP recovery could account for the clinical course of certain cases of idiopathic sudden hearing loss involving low-tone deafness.

[Research on fibrotic effect of Ni-Ti and 317L alloys in esophagus]

This study was conducted to examiune the fibrotic effect of Ni-Ti and 317L alloys in esophagus. The extract fluid from Ni-Ti, 317L alloys was made according to the ASTM standards of U.S.A. The Fb of esophageal scar was cultured primarily, then incubated with alloy abstract fluid. The proliferating activity of Fb was measured by MTT at 4, 24, 48, 72 hours in the course of culturing. The esophagus embedding test of Ni-Ti, 317L alloys was made according to ASTM standards of U.S.A. The tissue around the alloys was taken at weeks 2 and 12, and the pathologic changes were analysed. The results showed that Ni-Ti, 317L extract could depress the proliferating function of Fb gently, and the depressing action increased gradually with the culturing time. The result of embedding test was in accord with the ASTM standards of U.S.A. completely; the fibrotic membrane around the NiTi, 317L alloys became thinner with embedding time. These findings suggested that the scattering composition of Ni-Ti, 317L in body fluid might not activate the proliferating and secreting function of Fb, and the two alloys could not lead to fibrosis of esophagus aroun them.

Separation of basic, acidic and neutral compounds by capillary electrochromatography using uncharged monolithic capillary columns modified with anionic and cationic surfactants

A mode of capillary electrochromatography (CEC), based on the dynamical adsorption of surfactants on the uncharged monolithic stationary phases has been developed. The monolithic stationary phase, obtained by the in situ polymerization of butyl methacrylate with ethylene dimethacrylate, was dynamically modified with an ionic surfactant such as the long-chain quaternary ammonium salt of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and long-chain sodium sulfate of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The ionic surfactant was adsorbed on the surface of polymeric monolith by hydrophobic interaction, and the ionic groups used to generate the electroosmotic flow (EOF). The electroosmotic mobility through these capillary columns increased with increasing the content of ionic surfactants in the mobile phase. In this way, the synthesis of the monolithic stationary phase with binary monomers can be controlled more easily than that with ternary monomers, one of which should be an ionic monomer to generate EOF. Furthermore, it is more convenient to change the direction and magnitude of EOF by changing the concentration of cationic or anionic surfactants in this system. An efficiency of monolithic capillary columns with more than 140000 plates per meter for neutral compounds has been obtained, and the relative standard deviations observed for to and retention factors of neutral solutes were about 0.22% and less than 0.56% for ten consecutive runs, respectively. Effects of mobile phase composition on the EOF of the column and the retention values of the neutral solutes were investigated. Simultaneous separation of basic, neutral and acidic compounds has been achieved.

Mechanism of repression of squamous differentiation marker, SPRR1B, in malignant bronchial epithelial cells: role of critical TRE-sites and its transacting factors

The overexpression of SPRR1B in bronchial epithelium is a marker for early metaplastic changes and the loss of its expression is associated with an irreversible malignant transformation. In the present study, we have used a model system consisting of normal and malignant bronchial epithelial (BE) cells to elucidate the differential transcriptional control of SPRR1B. SPRR1B expression is either detectable or PMA (phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate) -inducible in several malignant BE cells including squamous, adeno, small and large cell carcinomas. Loss of SPRR1B expression is correlated well with the lack of strong in vivo protein-DNA interactions at the -152 bp promoter, which contains two functional TRE sites. Even though the basal level AP-1 protein DNA binding pattern is different between normal and malignant cells, PMA significantly enhances Jun and Fos binding to the consensus TRE site in both cell types. Intriguingly, the composition of AP-1 protein binding to the -152 to -86 bp SPRR1B promoter is quite different. In untreated cells, SPRR1B promoter is predominantly occupied by JunD and Fra2. PMA significantly induced binding of JunB and Fra1 in normal cells, while JunB and Fra2 bound to TREs in the malignant cells. Overexpression of fra1 in malignant cells significantly enhanced SPRR1B promoter activity. In contrast, overexpression of fra2, but not fra1, strongly reduced both basal and PMA-inducible promoter activities in normal cells. Together, these results indicate that either temporal expression and/or differential activation of AP-1 proteins, especially Fra1 and Fra2, might contribute to the dysregulation of terminal differentiation marker, SPRR1B, expression in various BE cells.

Enantiomer separation by strong anion-exchange capillary electrochromatography with dynamically modified sulfated beta-cyclodextrin

A novel mode of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) based on a dynamically modified stationary phase was presented for chiral separation. The capillary column was packed with strong anion-exchange (SAX) stationary phase packing; the sulfated beta-cyclodextrin (S-CD), which was added to the mobile phase, was dynamically adsorbed to the packing surface. Separation of enantiomers was achieved by their different abilities to form an inclusion complex with the adsorbed S-CD. The enantiomers of tryptophan, praziquantel, atropine, metoprolol, and verapamil were successfully separated in this system with a column efficiency of 36000-412000 plates/m. The resolution value obtained for atropine was as high as 11.23. The superiority of CEC with a dynamically modified stationary phase over that with a physically adsorbed stationary phase was demonstrated. The influence of ionic strength, S-CD concentration, and methanol content on separation was also studied.

[Study on intramolecular energy transfer and relaxation processes of rare earth complexes by photoacoustic and fluorescence spectroscopy]

The excitation-relaxation processes of the solid Tb(III) complexes (Tb(AA)3.2H2O, Tb(AA)3 bpy and Tb(AA)3 phen) have been studied by photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) with the conjunction of fluorescence spectroscopy. The relaxation processes are studied from two aspects: nonradiative process and radiative process. The photoacoustic amplitude spectra and luminescence spectra of the complexes have been measured. Combined with the luminescence spectra, the PA amplitude spectra reflect the variation of the luminescence efficiency. According to the variation of the luminescence efficiency, the intramolecular energy transfer and relaxation processes of the complexes were studied. The suitability of the energy gap between the lowest triplet level of ligand and resonance energy level of rare earth ion is critical for efficient energy transfer.

Mild and moderate asthma is associated with airway goblet cell hyperplasia and abnormalities in mucin gene expression

Excessive airway mucus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in asthma, but the relationship between accumulation of mucus and goblet cell size, number, and function is incompletely understood. To address these questions, stored mucin in the epithelium and goblet cell size and number were measured morphometrically, and mucin gene expression was measured by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in endobronchial biopsies from 13 subjects with mild and moderate asthma and from 12 healthy control subjects. Secreted mucin was measured in induced sputum. We found that stored mucin in the airway epithelium was three times higher than normal in the subjects with asthma (p < 0.005). Goblet cell size was similar in both groups, but goblet cell number was significantly higher in the subjects with asthma (93,043 +/- 15,824 versus 41,959 +/- 9,230/mm3, p < 0.05). In mild asthma (FEV1 > or = 80% pred, n = 7), the level of stored mucin was as high as in moderate asthma (FEV1 < 80% pred, n = 6), but the level of secreted mucin was significantly lower (28.4 +/- 6.3 versus 73.5 +/- 47.5 microg/ml, p < 0.05). Secreted mucin was inversely correlated with stored mucin for the whole asthma group (rs = -0.78, p = 0.007). MUC5AC was the predominant mucin gene expressed in healthy subjects and subjects with asthma, and MUC5AC protein was increased in the subjects with asthma. We conclude that even mild asthma is associated with goblet cell hyperplasia and increased stored mucin in the airway epithelium, whereas moderate asthma is associated with increased stored mucin and secreted mucin. These findings suggest that acute degranulation of hyperplastic goblet cells may represent a mechanism for asthma exacerbations in mild and moderate asthma and that chronic degranulation of goblet cells may contribute to chronic airway narrowing in moderate asthma.

Joint linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping in natural populations

A new strategy for studying the genome structure and organization of natural populations is proposed on the basis of a combined analysis of linkage and linkage disequilibrium using known polymorphic markers. This strategy exploits a random sample drawn from a panmictic natural population and the open-pollinated progeny of the sample. It is established on the principle of gene transmission from the parental to progeny generation during which the linkage between different markers is broken down due to meiotic recombination. The strategy has power to simultaneously capture the information about the linkage of the markers (as measured by recombination fraction) and the degree of their linkage disequilibrium created at a historic time. Simulation studies indicate that the statistical method implemented by the Fisher-scoring algorithm can provide accurate and precise estimates for the allele frequencies, recombination fractions, and linkage disequilibria between different markers. The strategy has great implications for constructing a dense linkage disequilibrium map that can facilitate the identification and positional cloning of the genes underlying both simple and complex traits.

[The synthesis and characters of the 4,5-dihydroxy-o-benzoquino(bis-hydrazone) and their metal complexes]

The complexes of the 4,5-dihydroxy-o-benzoquinones with the metal ion (metal = Mn, Ni, Cu) were synthesized. The structure characterization of these compounds were processed by the IR spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. The experiments of the plant growth of the 4,5-dihydroxy-o-benzoquinones indicated that it is a high-effect plant growth regulator.

[Ultrastructural change of rabbit lens epithelial cells induced by low power level microwave radiation]

OBJECTIVE

To study the ultrastructural change of rabbit lens epithelial cells with transmission electron microscope and to observe whether low power level microwave can induce the injury of rabbit lens.

METHODS

Eight rabbit eyes were exposed to 10 mW/cm(2) low power level microwave radiation for 30 hours. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of the lens epithelial cells. The other eye was served as self-control.

RESULTS

The ultrastructure of exposed lens epithelial cells changed apparently. The characteristic apoptosis cell morphological changes, such as small cell size, the decreased number of mitochondria, balloon-shaped mitochondria, etc can be seen. No obvious changes can be found in the protected self-control eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The low power level microwave (10 mW/cm(2)) can induce the ultrastructural changes of rabbit lens epithelial cells, this may be the appearance of early irreversible microwave radiation injury. In regard to the pathogenic mechanism, it is necessary to perform further investigations.

Mechanism of dexamethasone-mediated interleukin-8 gene suppression in cultured airway epithelial cells

The effects of dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid analog, on interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene expression were studied in cultures of primary human tracheobronchial epithelial cells and an immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line, HBE1 cells. Dexamethasone inhibited IL-8 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The inhibition did not occur at the transcriptional level since both nuclear run-on activity and IL-8 promoter-reporter gene expression assay revealed no significant effect. Instead, there was a change in IL-8 mRNA stability in dexamethasone-treated cultures. Under actinomycin D treatment, IL-8 mRNA was quite stable in dexamethasone-depleted cultures, while in dexamethasone-pretreated cultures, IL-8 message was rapidly degraded within the first hour, then leveled off. When dexamethasone and actinomycin D were added simultaneously to dexamethasone-depleted cultures, IL-8 mRNA remained rather stable. When cycloheximide was used to inhibit new protein synthesis, dexamethasone-dependent inhibition was not observed. These results suggest that a posttranscriptional mechanism, which requires dexamethasone-dependent new protein synthesis, is involved in the regulation of IL-8 mRNA by dexamethasone in airway epithelial cells.

Selective expression of Nkx-2.2 transcription factor in chicken oligodendrocyte progenitors and implications for the embryonic origin of oligodendrocytes

Recent studies have demonstrated that oligodendrocytes originate from the ventral region of the developing spinal cord. However, the precise neuroepithelial origin of oligodendrocytes remains controversial, and the transcriptional control of oligodendrocyte lineage specification is largely unknown. Here we present evidence that oligodendrocytes in the embryonic chicken spinal cord can be generated from neuroepithelial cells that express the Nkx-2.2 homeodomain transcription factor. Nkx-2.2 expression is initially confined to a narrow stripe of neuroepithelium flanking the floor plate. Later, Nkx-2.2+ cells migrate ventrally and dorsolaterally into the surrounding gray and white matter regions where they undergo rapid proliferation. Double labeling experiments revealed that Nkx-2.2+ cells coexpress markers specific for oligodendrocyte progenitors, e.g., PDGFRalpha+, O4, and R-mAb antigens. In the brain, the Nkx-2.2 cells are also highly migratory and can generate oligodendrocytes. The persistent expression of the Nkx-2.2 homeodomain transcription factor in the oligodendrocyte lineage suggests its important role in the control of oligodendrocyte development.

[Study on neodymium complexes by broad wavelength range photoacoustic spectroscopy]

Neodymium complexes were studied by photoacoustic(PA) spectroscopy from UV-Vis to mid-IR. According to the PA spectra, low excited energy levels, relaxation processes and fluorescence properties were discussed. Then the influence of interaction between Nd(III) and ligands in solid complexes was investigated on the basis of band shifts and intensity change.

A quantitative genetic model for analyzing species differences in outcrossing species

A genetic model based on a two-level intra- and interspecific mating design is proposed to estimate the genetic architecture of species differences and heterosis for outcrossing species. The underlying genetic analyses make use of classical quantitative genetic theories and recent results from molecular genetic studies. Gene effects across different quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be approximated by a geometric series. Under natural selection, gene effects are often associated with allele frequencies in a particular way, which can be approximated by the gamma distribution. By incorporating these approximations into family structural analyses in the mating design, we are able to estimate a number of genetic parameters that contribute to quantitative genetic variation based on a nonlinear optimization approach. These parameters include the number of QTL, their gene effects, and their allele frequencies in the parental populations. We perform simulation studies and illustrate an example to demonstrate the statistical property and procedure of the method.

Role of the calcium-independent transient outward current I(to1) in shaping action potential morphology and duration

The Kv4.3-encoded current (I:(Kv4.3)) has been identified as the major component of the voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-independent transient outward current (I:(to1)) in human and canine ventricular cells. Experimental evidence supports a correlation between I:(to1) density and prominence of the phase 1 notch; however, the role of I:(to1) in modulating action potential duration (APD) remains unclear. To help resolve this role, Markov state models of the human and canine Kv4.3- and Kv1.4-encoded currents at 35 degrees C are developed on the basis of experimental measurements. A model of canine I:(to1) is formulated as the combination of these Kv4.3 and Kv1.4 currents and is incorporated into an existing canine ventricular myocyte model. Simulations demonstrate strong coupling between L-type Ca(2+) current and I:(Kv4.3) and predict a bimodal relationship between I:(Kv4.3) density and APD whereby perturbations in I:(Kv4.3) density may produce either prolongation or shortening of APD, depending on baseline I:(to1) current level.