Muscle infarction involving muscles of abdominal and thoracic walls in diabetes

AIMS

This paper presents two cases of muscle infarction involving four major muscles of the anterior abdominal wall (case 1) and pectoralis major (case 2) in individuals with diabetes.

METHODS

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured and Doppler ultrasound, an open muscle biopsy (case 1) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (case 2) were performed.

RESULT

The diagnosis of muscle infarction was made by histological findings and MRI images with hyper-intensive signals on a gadolinium-enhanced T2-weighted sequence, respectively. Both patients were treated with bed rest, immobilization of the involved extremities, analgesia and intensive insulin therapy. In addition, anticoagulant drugs such as low molecular weight heparin sodium and cilostazol, and some traditional Chinese medicines such as ligustrazine and salvia miltiorrhiza were administered. The symptoms of both patients resolved gradually after 3 weeks. However, muscle infarction reoccurred in case 1 on the opposite side of the abdomen and recovered after 40 days.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of muscle infarction involving the muscles of anterior abdominal walls and pectoralis major in diabetes. MRI is the best non-invasive technique and T2-weighted imaging is the most valuable method for the diagnosis. In addition to supportive therapy, administration of anticoagulant agents and some Chinese traditional medicine may be useful in symptom relief.

Porcine endogenus retrovirus transmission from pig cell line to mouse tissues but not human cells in nude mice

The continuous shortage of human donor organs for transplantation has led to new interest in the application of pig organs. However, reports of pig endogenous retroviruses (PERV), which are able to infect human cells in vitro, have raised concerns about the transmission of PERV to the recipients or even to other community members. In this study, PK15 and human 7721 cell lines were implanted into each flank of nude mice and tumors appeared several weeks postimplantation. PERV infection was detected by PCR, using cytochrome oxidase B sequences as the specific marker for pig DNA. The results showed that PERV gag sequence were positive in mice livers, kidneys, hearts, and lungs, but no cytochrome oxidase B sequences detected, which indicates the absence of pig-mouse microchimerism. The results also showed that PERV did not infect human 7721 tumors in mice. This study confirmed the presence of PERV transmission from pig-to-mouse tissue and strengthened the concern of the risk of transmitting PERV through pig cells xenotransplantation.

Long-term effects on HEK-293 cell line after co-culture with porcine endogenous retrovirus

Xenotransplantation of pig organs, tissues, and cells bears the risk of interspecies transmission of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV). To evaluate the long-term effect of PERV infection on human cells, human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293 cells were co-cultured with PERV produced by the porcine kidney PK15 cell line for 24 hours and the infected HEK-293 cells were continually cultured for 6 months. PERV-gag, pol gene and gag protein were detected in infected HEK-293 cells by PCR and immunofluorescent staining. PERV from the supernatant of infected HEK-293 cells was same as that from PK15 in morphology. The concentration of reverse transcriptase in the supernatant of infected HEK-293 cells was almost 200 times lower than that of PK15 cells. Except that infected HEK-293 cells doubled a little earlier than the control and infected cells grew in serum-free medium poorly, further study for cell morphology and growth showed no significant difference between infected HEK-293 cells and uninfected control. These results suggested although PERV from PK15 could infect human cells in vitro, there was no significant acute effect attributable to PERV infection on the growth of HEK-293 cells by 6 months culture.

The characteristics of tolerogenic plasmacytoid dendritic cells stimulated with interleukin-3

This study focused on whether bone marrow would differentiate tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) by comparing interleukin-3 (IL-3) DCs (induced by IL-3+IL-4) with GM-CSF DCs (induced by GM-CSF+IL-4, generating myeloid DCs). Mouse bone marrow progenitors were induced in vitro to differentiate into DCs by exposure to IL-3. The morphology and yields of IL-3 DCs and GM-CSF DCs were compared by scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometer (FCM) were used to identify immune phenotypes. The results showed that IL-3 DCs and GM-CSF DCs both expressed the specific marker DEC-205 with about 80% and 70% purity, respectively. IL-3 DCs had similar morphology as plasma cells, but a different immune phenotype, namely, CD80(-), CD86(-), CD14(-), and MHC class II(+). IL-3 DCs remained in the costimulatory molecule-deficient state when TNF-alpha was supplemented into the culture. We therefore propose that IL-3 induces a high purity and yield of DCs from bone marrow. Since IL-3 DCs possess a tolerogenic phenotype (MHC class II(+), B7(-)), they may induce alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in vitro.

Phylogenetic analysis of porcine endogenous retrovirus variation in three Chinese pigs

PCR amplification was performed on genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes of three species of Chinese pigs (Banna minipig inbreed [BMI], Wu-Zhi-Shan pig [WZSP], and Nei jiang pig [NJP]), using primers corresponding to the highly conserved regions of polymerase (pol) gene. Extracted PCR products were then cloned in a pGEM-T vector. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of BMI-PERV, NJJP-PERV, and WZSP-PERV revealed them to be a novel category of PERV. In comparison to other type C retrovirus and lentivirus, their amino acid sequenced show about 30% to 57.7% identities. Our previous research demonstrated that PERV in the three pigs was highly expressed. It appears likely that functional loci encoding these novel PERV sequences exist, but this remains to be established. The novel sequences described in this report will allow such investigations to be actively pursued.

Screening and analysis of porcine endogenous retrovirus in Chinese Banna minipig inbred line

Pigs have been the most likely animal as the source of cells, tissues, and organs for xenotransplantation. But the use of pigs in xenotransplantation is associated with the risk of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) transmission. Previous studies have identified that the proviruses are integrated into the genome of normal pigs and that virus particles released from the porcine cells can infect human cells in vitro. As a unique inbred pig, Banna minipig inbred (BMI) has a huge potential value for xenotransplantation and medical research. It has been the focal experimental animal for pig-to-human xenotransplantation in China, due to its clear genetic background and tiny individual differences. To evaluate whether the potential risk of PERV exists in inbred pigs, a series of screening experiments were performed herein. The results of PCR with primers specific for gag, pol, and env showed that proviruses existed in the genome of BMI, and the PERV subtypes were PERV-A and PERV-B. PERV mRNA was expressed functionally in BMI. Positive results of an RT assay identified that PERV in BMI had potential infectivity, but the concentration of PERV reverse transcriptase in BMI was almost 20 times lower than that of HIV. These results suggested that gag, pol and env genes of PERV were not lost during inbreeding, which created favorable conditions to produce viral particles that could possibly infect human cells in xenotransplantation.

[Clinical significance of molecular diagnosis of micrometastasis in lymph nodes, peripheral blood and bone marrow in the surgical treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To explore the clinical significance of detecting micrometastasis in lymph node, peripheral blood and bone marrow from patients with lung cancer for selection of surgical indication and the correlation among them.

METHODS

The CK19 mRNA expression was detected in lymph nodes, peripheral blood and bone marrow from 29 lung cancer patients and 11 benign pulmonary lesion patients by nested RY-PCR.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of RT-PCR technique was 10(-6) in this study. The positive rate of CK19 mRNA were 54. 5% ( 55/ 101) , 34. 5% ( 10/ 29) and 20. 7% ( 6/ 29) in lymph node, peripheral blood and bone marrow from lung cancer patients respectively, and a highly positive correlation existed among the three groups ( P < 0. 05) . The micrometastasis in peripheral blood and bone marrow were closely related to the pathological classification, cell differentiation of the cancer and P-TNM stage of the disease ( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01) .

CONCLUSIONS

RT-PCR technique is a specific and sensitive method to detect micrometastasis in patients with lung cancer. The detection of CK19 mRNA might have important clinical significance in molecular diagnosis and surgical indication in patients with lung cancer.

[Biocompatibility of HA/TCP biphasic ceramics with co-cultured human osteoblasts in vitro]

The biocompatibility of HA/TCP ceramic was evaluated by investigation of attachment and growth of osteoblasts on biomaterial, as well as monitoring the effects of biomaterial on expression of functional phenotypes of co-cultured osteoblasts in vitro. When co-cultured with HA/TCP ceramics, osteoblasts firstly attached to the surface of HA/TCP disk, then attached to notches and grew into the micropores of biomaterial during further culture period. At last, the ceramics were almost packed with osteoblasts. Additionally, osteoblasts co-cultured with HA/TCP were similar to osteoblasts cultured under normal condition in osteoblastic phenotypes; the secreted lots of collagen type I, possess strong activity of Alkaline Phosphatase and mineralized extracellular matrix. The fact that osteoblasts could grow well on HA/TCP ceramics and the biomaterial did not affect their physiological function suggest that HA/TCP ceramic is biocompatible with human osteoblasts.

[Studies of intercellular communication in human rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines of different metastatic potential]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between intercellular communication and three human rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell lines of different metastatic potential.

METHODS

Indirect immunofluorescent staining and laser scanning confocal microscope (ISCM) were used to detect connexin 43 (CX43), a molecule related with gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) was used to detect function of GJIC.

RESULTS

A high level of CX43 protein expression was revealed in normal human myoblasts. CX43 protein was mainly localized on the surface of cells and sometimes in cytoplasm. CX43 expression was decreased in RMS cells. Both the detection rates and fluorescent intensity of CX43 decreased when the metastatic potential of RMS increased (P < 0.05). In contrast to normal, the fluorescence recovery rates of the RMS cells decreased and there was a negative correlation between the function of GJIC and malignancy of RMS cell lines (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Varying degrees of GJIC inhibition may correlate with different metastatic potential of RMS. This may help to determine the malignant behavior of RMS and be used as a prognostic index of RMS.

[Detection of methylation status of p16 tumor suppressor gene in soft tissue leiomyosarcoma]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the methylation status of p16 tumor suppressor gene in human soft tissue leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and its relationship with p16 protein expression.

METHODS

Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) assay was used to analyze the methylation status of 5' CpG island promoter/exon I region of p16 tumor suppressor gene in 38 LMS, 10 leiomyomas and 5 normal smooth muscle tissues. p16 expression in these tissues were examined by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTS

Hypermethylation of p16 was observed in 23.7% (9/38) of cases, of which 7 with negative pl6 staining and 2 with faint positive staining. In the cases without protein expression, hypermethylation rate of p16 was 50% (7/14).

CONCLUSIONS

Epigenetic change due to 5' CpG methylation is the main cause of inactivation of p16 (INK4) gene which may be involved in tumor pathogenesis.

[The RYR1 genotype of Chinese inbred pigs]

OBJECTIVE

Porcine stress syndrome (PSS) is one kind of molecular genetics defect diseases of pig which will cause malignant hyperthermia syndrome (MHS) and is the first index should be excluded in screening of a pig species for xenotransplantation. It was reported that mutation of pig rynodine receptor(RYR1) gene is the main reason for PSS. In this study, RYR1 genotypes of the Chinese Banna mini pig inbred line and inbreeding closed colony Wuzhishan pig were investigated with polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

METHODS

Antevenocaval whole blood samples were collected from 50 Banna mini-pig inbred-line(BMI), 15 inbreeding Wuzhishan pig (WZSP) and 25 Neijiang pigs (NJP) as negative control, the primer were designed and synthesized, PCR reaction was conducted following the sequence of 94 degrees C (1 min), 58 degrees C (1 min) and 72 degrees C (1 min) for 30 cycles. The PCR products were digested with restriction endonuclease HhaI and then electrophoresis check.

RESULTS

A 659 bp DNA fragment was amplified with these two primers, the HALNN sample fragment was cut into fragments as 493 bp and 166 bp individually after the digestion, indicates no point mutation at site 1,843 in RYR1 gene in all tested BMI pig and WZSP. Namely, the RYR1 genotype of 50 cases of BMI and 15 cases of WZSP were HALNN, therefore their phenotype is PSS negative.

CONCLUSION

It indicates that the genotype of Banna mini pig inbred line and inbreeding Wuzhishan pig are HALNN therefore PSS absolutely negative, the group penetrance is 0. This is consistent with experimental observation. It suggests that Banna mini pig inbred line and inbreeding Wuzhishan pig may be the alternative donor for xenotransplantation.

[Immune reconstitution in immunosuppressed pigs with human immune competent cells]

To reconstitute the immune system of the pig with human immune cells after destroying or suppressing it, so that the transplant immunoreactivity between human and pig could be monitored in vivo. Fifteen Chinese Neijiang pigs were divided into 3 groups. Group A (n = 5) received immunosuppression through intravenous infusion of methotrexate (MTX), myleran and cyclophosphamide (CTX). Group B received intraperitoneal injection of human bone marrow and spleen cells (HBSC) after the same treatment as group A. Group C (n = 5) received intravenous infusion of HBSC after the same treatment as group A. Blood routines and biochemical analysis were monitored. The chimerisms of human cells were supervised through immunohistochemistry of cytospin of peripheral blood from recipient pigs and flow cytometry of the same specimen and immunohistochemistry of frozen tissue sections and paraffin sections. All pigs in group A survived definitely. Group B and C survived 3 days to 54 days and 15 hours to 60 days respectively. The peripheral white blood cell count (WBCC) of group A, B and C decreased to the bottom 7 days after drug administration, about 1%-10% of the normal level. After transplantation, the WBCC of group B and C recovered more slowly than those of group A. Human cells were found in the recipient pigs of group B and C after transplantation through immunohistochemistry of peripheral blood cytospin and flow cytometry. Infiltration of human cells was found in the spleens and lungs of group C and D through immunohistochemistry. The chimerism of human cells in recipient pigs could be established by transplanting human bone marrow and spleen cells into immunosuppressed pigs. It is possible that XGVHD occurs in the recipient, which offers a novel animal model for studies on immunoreactivity of pig-to-human xenotransplantation. The proportions of human cells in peripheral blood of recipient pigs are low long after transplantation through both intraperitoneal injection and intravenous infusion.

[The xenoantigenicity of Chinese inbred-line pigs]

OBJECTIVE

The major obstacle in pig to human transplantation is acute and hyperacute rejection (HAR) triggered mainly by alpha-galactosyl residues(alpha-Gal) in donor. Since the inbred-line Banna pig(IBNP) and Wuzhishan pig (IWZSP) are highly inbred and may be the potential donor for xenotransplantation, it is important to investigate the reaction between human serum and inbred-line pig tissues as well as the distribution of alpha-Gal in these tissues.

METHODS

Samples from heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, pancreas, small intestine, thymus, skin, lymph node and blood vessels at all levels were collected from four 8 to 11-month-old male IBNPs and one IWZSP. Affinity-immunohistochemistry assays were conducted following routine procedures on paraffin sections with normal human sera of blood type A, B, O, AB and BSI-B4(alpha-Gal specific binding lectin) as the primary antibodies or affinity reagents. Sections digested by alpha-galactosidase were also examined as control.

RESULTS

Parallel results were obtained from these pig tissues stained against human sera and BSI-B4. There was no significant difference both in the antigens recognized by sera of different blood types or BSI-B4 and in the distribution of alpha-Gal. The strongest alpha-Gal positive staining was appeared in vascular endothelial cells at all levels and partial parenchyma cells. However, tissues of cartilage, peripheral nerve and muscle were negative. After digested by alpha-Galactosidase, all samples were negative against BSI-B4 and human sera except few positions that showed different staining.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of target antigen is similar in various tissues of the two kinds of pigs. Though alpha-Gal is the major xenoantigen in IBNP and IWZSP, there may be some unknown antigens related to pig to human transplantation. Possibly the level and distribution of antigen expression in pig tissues are not the first affair to be considered, and these pigs should be genetically modified in order to eliminate rejection in pig to human xenotransplantation.

[Study on the xenoantigens of pancreatic tissues of Chinese Neijiang pig]

The expression and distribution of xenoantigens in pancreatic tissue of Neijiang pig were investigated with immunohistochemistry technique. BSIB4, normal human serum and anti-human A, B, H monoclonal antibodies were used as the primary antibody to examine the expression of xenoantigens in the pancreatic tissues from 10 Neijiang pigs. The results demonstrate that compared with the negative results of human blood B and H type antigens, the alpha-Gal antigen was highly expressed on the pancreatic vascular endothelial cells and the duct epithelium. The human blood A type antigen was highly expressed on some islet cells, some exocrine secretory cells and all the duct epithelium. Since there are pre-exited xenoantibodies against pig pancreas cells in human serum, cross-matching test and graft pre-treatment are needed before clinical transplantation of pancreas. The expression of xenoantigens in Neijiang pig is different from other pig strains reported by others, which suggests that looking for a pig strain that contains less xenoantigens is possible.

[The significance of p16, cyclin D1 and pRb expression in soft tissue leiomyosarcoma]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the significance of p16, cyclin D1 and pRb expression in human soft tissue leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and the relationship among these three proteins.

METHODS

42 cases of LMS were studied for p16, cyclin D1 and pRb expression with immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS

The total abnormality percentage of p16, cyclin D1 and pRb expression in all 42 cases of LMS was 97.6%. The negative rate of p16 and pRb protein expression was 35.7% and 47.6% respectively, and the overexpression rate of cyclin D1 was 57.1%. Overexpression of cyclin D1 was also noticed in 55% leiomyomas. In the 20 cases of LMS which were pRb negative, 19 cases were moderately or strongly positive and one faintly positive for p16. Contrastly, in the 15 cases of LMS negative to p16, 12 cases were moderately or strongly positive and 3 cases faintly positive for pRb. Higher rates of loss of pRb protein were observed in the low-differentiated group than in the high-differentiated one.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) The abnormality of p16-cyclin-pRb pathway is highly related to the pathogenesis of LMS. (2) Loss of p16 or pRb and/or overexpression of cyclin D1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of LMS. (3) There is a negative reciprocity between p16 and pRb protein expression in LMS. (4) Overexpression of cyclin D1 is a common molecular alteration that may occur in the early stage. (5) Expression of pRb is inversely related to the differentiation degree of LMS. (6) The expression of the 3 proteins studied has no relation to tumor location, recurrence, invasion or metastasis.

[Changes of F-actin in neutrophils under fluid shear stress]

Neutrophils are the main defender in the body, and their physiological characters are associated with functions. Because the environments of neutrophils maturation and storage are different from their function environment, they have to adapt thess changes. Filamentous actin (F-actin), as one of the important cytoskeleton components of neutrophils, has different quantity and distribution under different physiological conditions. Previous researches are all focused on static activation of neutrophils using various stimulants such as formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP) and tumor necrosis factor(TNF). In our study, Low-Shear 30 and NXE-1 rheometers were used to provide steady or sinusoidaloscillatory fluid shear stress on separated neutrophils. Fluorescent agent Tritc-Phalloidin was added to label F-actin and the mean fluorescent intensity tested by flow cytometry was used as the indication of F-actin quantity and confocal laser scan microscope was used to detect the distribution of F-actin in neutrophils. We found that F-actin polymerization was significantly decreased under both steady and sinusoidal-oscillatory shear stress when the shear stress was below certain level. The density of the cortex F-actin near cell membrane in cells sheared became thinner than in that without shear stress. f-MLP and TNF both could increase actin polymerization in neutophils due to activation. When neutorphils were activated with f-MLP or TNF under shear stress, the quantity of F-actin in the cells was also decreased, but it was still higher than that in the cells absent of f-MLP or TNF. We concluded that neutrophils had different mechanical properties in different fluid environments. F-actin content and distribution would change according to the shear stress values to play their determinant role in neutrophils mechanical adaptation. The mechanism of actin polymerization in neutrophils for mechanical action is probably different from that for chemoattractants and cytokine activation.

[The RYR1 genotype of the pigs from Neijiang of China]

The aim of this study was to test the RYR1 genotype of 25 Neijiang pigs ao as to provide data for the selective breeding of medical experimental pig strains. PCR-RFLP technique was used. The results showed that the RYR1 genotype of all the 25 porcine cases was HALNN and all of the 25 porcine cases were Halothane Negative. These suggested that Neijiang pig could be one of the porcine strains selectively bred for medical experiments and clinically for pig-to-human xenotransplantation. PCR-RFLP technique is a reliable and simple method for RYR1 gene testing.

[Expression and distribution of human blood type antigens in Chinese Neijiang pig tissues]

OBJECTIVE

The expression and distribution of human blood type A, B, O antigens in Chinese Neijiang porcine were investigated.

METHODS

The anti-human blood type A, B, H monoclonal antibodies were used as the primary antibody, and the immunohistochemistry EnVision technique was used to detect the expression of A, B, H antigens in tissues from 10 pigs.

RESULTS

The B and H antigens were not found in all 10 pigs' tissues investigated. While the A antigen was found in all above tissues except vascular endothelial cells.

CONCLUSION

The A antigen did not exist on vascular endothelial cells, so it did not play a role as a hyperactive antigens in pig to human xenotransplantation. However, in other tissues it might play roles in acute cellular rejection or chronic rejection. The future study on its role in pig to human xenotransplantation was needed. The expression of human blood type antigens in Neijiang pigs was different from other pig strains reported, it was suggested that it was possible to find a pig strain that contained less xenoantigen.

[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in brain astrocytoma and its clinical evaluation]

Angiogenesis is often involved in tumor growth. Neovascularization plays an important role in the prognosis of patients with brain astrocytoma. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been known as the potent angiogenetic factor and mitogen. To gain a deep insight into the possible relation between expression of VEGF and pathological characterization/prognosis in brain astrocytoma, the authors investigated 107 cases of brain astrocytoma and 25 cases of normal brain, tissue via a combination of immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded tissue and follow-up survey. The results showed that the positive staining rate and PU (positive unit) were obviously higher in astrocytoma than that in normal brain (86.92% vs 16.00%, P < 0.05), that the value of the positive staining rate and PU in astrocytoma corresponded closely with its pathological grade and stage (P < 0.01), and that the survival rates (6, 12, 24 months) for the patients suffering from astrocytoma gradually decreased when the VEGF positive rate increased. These suggest that the expression of VEGF may have close relationship with brain astrocytoma and the measurement of the VEGF expression may provide another potential standard for judgement about pathological grade/stage and clinical prognosis in brain astrocytoma.

[Surface phenotype on dendritic cells and their immunological significance]

Dendritic cells (DC) are very important antigen presenting cells(APC) in immune response. DC gradually gets mature while it migrates in vivo. Compared with mature DC, immature DC plays a different role in immune response. In this review, the recent advances in researches on specific cell surface marker and costimulatory molecules on DC as well as their immunological significance and methodology of propagation in vitro are discussed. It may be beneficial for further study of DC.