Effect of siRNA targeting HER2/neu on the proliferation and viability of prostate cancer PC-3M cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) on the proliferation and viability of prostate cancer PC-3M cells. Chemically synthesized siRNA targeting HER2/neu was transfected into PC-3M cells by using liposomes, and cells transfected with empty liposomes, a negative siRNA sequence, or nothing (untransfected) were used as controls. mRNA and protein levels of HER2/neu were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. The inhibitory action of HER2/neu siRNA on the in vitro growth of PC-3M cells was assessed by the cholecystokinin 8 assay and apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Cells transfected with HER2/neu siRNA showed decreased mRNA and protein levels of HER2/neu compared to control groups (P < 0.05). The survival rate of PC-3M cells decreased significantly after transfection with HER2/neu siRNA compared to that of untransfected cells (55.39 ± 1.60 and 81.42 ± 0.80%, respectively; P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in cells transfected with HER2/neu siRNA was quite high (45.60 ± 0.70%) compared to that of blank control, empty liposome, and negative siRNA sequence groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, siRNA targeting HER2/neu inhibits HER2/neu expression in PC-3M cells, resulting in an inhibition in proliferation and an induction of apoptosis.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*02:48 and A*02:251, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic sequences of HLA-A*02:48 and A*02:251, identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*02:07:01 and A*02:10, identified by cloning and sequencing

We report the sequences of 5' promoter and 3' untranslated region (UTR) of A*02:07:01 and A*02:10 for the first time.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*03:01:01:01 and A*03:02:01 identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*03:01:01:01 and A*03:02:01, were identified in two Chinese donors.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*02:05:01 and A*02:06:01 identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*02:05:01 and A*02:06:01, were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.

A novel KIR2DL3*00110 allele identified in a southern Chinese Han individual

KIR2DL3*00110 differs from KIR2DL3*00101 by a single silent mutation at coding sequence (CDS) nt618 A>C in exon 5.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A*11 alleles, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full length sequences of HLA-A*11:01:01 and A*11:02:01 were identified by cloning and sequencing from two different Chinese donors.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*02:01:01:01 and A*02:03:01, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*02:01:01:01 and HLA-A*02:03:01 were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.

Full-length coding sequences of two MICA alleles, MICA*002:01 and MICA*012:01, identified by sequence-based typing in Chinese individuals

Full-length coding sequences of MICA*002:01 and MICA*012:01, were identified by sequence-based typing in Chinese individuals.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*01:01:01:01 and A*01:03, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*01:01:01:01 and A*01:03, were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.

Full-length sequence of a novel null allele HLA-A*11:69N identified in a Chinese individual

We describe here a novel null allele of human leukocyte antigen gene, A*11:69N, which was initially found in a blood donor from China.

Efficacy of botulinum toxin A for treatment of unilateral spasms of the eyelid and its prognosis

BACKGROUND

To this date, only a small number of studies have described the long-term use of BTX in Hemifacial spasm.

AIM

To assess the prognosis and long-term effectiveness of Botulinum toxin A (BTXA) in the treatment of unilateral spasms of the eyelid.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From September 1998 to January 2006, 245 consecutive cases of unilateral spasms of the eyelid were included in this retrospective study. Among them, 143 patients (BTXA group) underwent BTXA injection treatment, and 102 patients did not receive any intervention (control group). BTXA injections were made subcutaneously around the eye with the dose of 2.5U other than the temporal canthus of 5U. Follow-up was performed for 1-7 years after the last injection.

RESULTS

In BTXA treatment group, the complete remission rate was 78.3% (112/143), recurrence rate was 21.7% (31/143) and the incidence of hemifacial spasm (HFS) was 18.9% (27/143); complete remission rate for patients with disease duration less than 3 months was 96.6% (86/89); for patients with a 3-6 months disease history, complete remission rate was 75.8% (25/33), and patients having the disease course exceeding 6 months had a complete remission rate of 4.8% (1/21). In the control group, the complete remission rate was 12.7% (13/102), and the prevalence of HFS was 71.6% (73/102); 16.7% (9/56) of patients with the disease duration less than 3 months were remitted, but the complete remission rate was 12.9% (4/31) for patients with a 3-6 months disease history. None was in remission when the disease history exceeded 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

BTXA treatment can improve the complete remission rate and prevent further progression of unilateral spasms of the eyelid into HFS, especially in early stage.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*30:01:01 and A*30:04:01, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*30:01:01 and A*30:04:01, were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.

Efficacy of specific IgY for treatment of lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia using a mouse model

AIMS

To estimate the efficacy of specific egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) for the treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia using a mouse model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Specific IgY was obtained from the yolk of hens immunized with formaldehyde-killed Escherichia coli O111 and showed a high binding activity to LPS when subjected to an ELISA. Endotoxemia was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 20 mg kg(-1) for measuring survival rate and 10 mg kg(-1) for cytokine measurement. The survival rate of mice treated with 200 mg kg(-1) specific IgY or 5 mg kg(-1) dexamethasone was 70% while none of the mice in the normal saline-treated group survived more than 7 days. Specific IgY significantly (P < 0.05) decreased tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level and increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) level in the serum of endotoxemia mice. Specific IgY had less of an effect on TNF-α than dexamethasone, while its effect on increasing IL-10 was stronger than dexamethasone. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections indicated that IgY attenuated the damage to the lung and liver observed in mice with endotoxemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The specific IgY increased the survival rate of mice with endotoxemia induced by LPS, down-regulated TNF-α and up-regulated IL-10 in serum and attenuated the extent of damage to the lung and liver.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The specific IgY has potential for the treatment of LPS-induced endotoxemia.

Identification of a novel HLA-C*01 variant allele, C*01:46

A novel HLA-C*01 variant allele differs from the closest allele C*01:02:01 by single nucleotide change at coding sequence nt 316 C>T (codon 82 CGC>TGC) in exon 2, which causes an amino acid change Arg82Cys.

Identification of the novel HLA-B allele B*57:29 by cloning and sequencing in a Chinese individual

HLA-B plays an important role in unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

A novel HLA-C*01 variant allele, HLA-C*01:38

The novel HLA-C*01:38 variant allele differs from the closest allele C*01:02:01 by a single nucleotide change at coding sequence (CDS) nt 430 G>A (codon 120 GGC>AGC) in exon 3, which causes an amino acid change Gly120Ser.

Characterization of the novel HLA-Cw*0624 allele identified by sequence-based typing

A novel HLA-Cw*0624 variant allele differs from the closest allele Cw*06020101 by single nucleotide change at genomic nt 923 T>C (CDS nt 547 T>C, codon 159 TAC>CAC) in exon 3, which results in an amino acid change Tyr159His.

Characterization of the novel HLA-B allele, B*4621, in a Chinese individual

We report that a novel HLA-B allele, B*4603 has been identified during routine PCR-SSOP typing in a sample from a registered female donor of Chinese Marrow Donor Program.

Characterization of the genomic full-length sequence of HLA-Cw*010201, Cw*0706, and Cw*0801 in Chinese individuals

Genomic full-length sequence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw*0706, differing from its closet allele Cw*070 101 by six nucleotide exchanges, was detected in two Chinese individuals.

Genomic full-length sequence of HLA-Cw*0103 and *0108, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw*0103 and *0108 were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors. All introns, exons 4-8, 5'-promoter, and 3'-UTR were found to be identical between these two alleles.

Comparative analysis of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus responsive genes in fat body and haemocyte of B. mori resistant and susceptible strains

The infection profiles of the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) in B. mori larvae revealed that the virus invaded the fat body and haemocyte of both KN and 306 strains, which are highly resistant and susceptible, respectively, to BmNPV infection. However, viral proliferation was notably slowed in the resistant B. mori strain. Using suppression subtractive hybridization, two fat body cDNA libraries were constructed to compare BmNPV responsive gene expression levels between the two silkworm lines. In total, 96 differentially expressed genes were obtained. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis confirmed that eight genes were significantly up-regulated in the fat body and haemocyte of the KN strain following BmNPV injection. Our results suggest that these genes may have potential roles in B. mori antiviral infection mechanisms.

Characterization of specific egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) against mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus

AIMS

To evaluate the in vitro activity of egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) against mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Specific IgY was produced by immunizing hens with formaldehyde-killed Staph. aureus, using a bacterial strain known to cause mastitis. The IgY, of 94% purity, was obtained from yolks by water dilution, salt precipitations, ultrafiltration and gel filtration. ELISA indicated that the IgY produced was specific to the antigen and five Staph. aureus isolates obtained from mastitic cows. The growth of Staph. aureus was inhibited by specific IgY at concentrations from 1 to 10 mg ml(-1) in a dose-dependent manner. The phagocytosis of Staph. aureus by milk macrophages was enhanced in the presence of specific IgY with the highest phagocytic percentage being 30% higher than that without IgY (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The specific IgY against mastitis-causing Staph. aureus inhibited the growth of Staph. aureus and enhanced the phagocytosis of Staph. aureus by milk macrophages.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Specific IgY would be a potential treatment for bovine mastitis.