Establishment of a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with unique metastatic characteristics through in vivo selection and screening for metastasis-related genes through cDNA microarray

PURPOSE

To establish a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line from lung metastatic lesions of human HCC in nude mice so as to provide a suitable model for the study of lung-metastasis-related molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

HCC clone cells MHCC97-H were inoculated into BALB/c nude mice, and the pulmonary metastatic lesions were harvested and re-implanted into nude mice for the second round of in vivo selection. The same procedure was repeated twice. A new cell line from the third round of lung metastases was established.

RESULTS

A human HCC cell line with unique metastatic characteristics was established by in vivo selection. This cell line, designated as HCCLM3, was polygonal epithelial cell with hypotriploid karyotype and population doubling time of 34.9 h. The cells were positive for alpha fetoprotein (AFP), albumin, cytokeratin 8 (CK8), and negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by immunocytochemistry. Fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed HBV DNA integration in the cellular genome. When 5 x 10(6) cells were injected subcutaneously into nude mice, tumorigenicity was 100%, with a latency period of 11+/-1 days. Five weeks after s.c. injection, the pulmonary metastatic rate was 100%, the median number of lung metastases being 121 per mouse. After orthotopic implantation of tumor tissue into nude mouse liver for 35 days, widespread loco-regional and distant metastases occurred, with 100% abdominal wall metastases, 80% intra-abdominal cavity metastases, 100% intrahepatic metastases, 70% diaphragm metastases, and 100% pulmonary metastases. The median number of lung metastatic lesions was 268 per mouse. Gene expression profile of HCCLM3 was compared by cDNA microarray with MHCC97-L, a clonal cell strain from the same parental cell line but with low metastatic potential; 25 differentially expressed genes were identified, 18 of which showed decreased expression and seven increased expression in HCCLM3, including the decreased expression of cell cycle control gene Rb2, mismatch repair gene hMSH2, and signal transduction gene protein kinase C beta2, and increased expression of signal transduction gene MAP kinase, kinase 6.

CONCLUSIONS

A new HCC cell line characterized by high pulmonary metastases via s.c. and orthotopic inoculation was established, which provides a new model for the study of liver cancer metastasis. Its gene expression profile could help in the understanding of the mechanism of metastasis and provide potential targets for anti-metastasis intervention.

Scaling laws for wall shear stress through stenoses under steady and pulsatile flow conditions

Most patients with atherosclerosis exhibit isolated stenoses of one or more epicardial coronary arteries. The wall shear stresses produced in high-grade stenosis are important in the understanding of atheromatous plaque rupture and thrombosis. This study is designed to establish a method which can be used to scale the different wall shear stresses obtained under different flow conditions to be normalized and subsequently collapsed on to a single general curve. The simulations include both steady and pulsatile flow. The reduced area percentages of the stenoses studied are 50, 75 and 90 per cent. Scaling laws for steady and pulsatile flow conditions are proposed and presented. It can be found from the results that the scaling analysis for pulsatile flow conditions is more complicated than for steady flow conditions and is restricted to, and only valid at, certain time intervals.

Cognitive arithmetic across cultures

Canadian university students either of Chinese origin (CC) or non-Asian origin (NAC) and Chinese university students educated in Asia (AC) solved simple-arithmetic problems in the 4 basic operations (e.g., 3 + 4, 7 - 3, 3 x 4, 12 divided by 3) and reported their solution strategies. They also completed a standardized test of more complex multistep arithmetic. For complex arithmetic, ACs outperformed both CCs and NACs. For simple arithmetic, however, ACs and CCs were equal and both performed better than NACs. The superior simple-arithmetic skills of CCs relative to NACs implies that extracurricular culture-specific factors rather than differences in formal education explain the simple-arithmetic advantage for Chinese relative to non-Asian North American adults. NAC's relatively poor simple-arithmetic performance resulted both from less efficient retrieval skills and greater use of procedural strategies. Nonetheless, all 3 groups reported using procedures for the larger simple subtraction and division problems, confirming the importance of procedural knowledge in skilled adults' performance of elementary mathematics.

Role of beta-adrenoceptor at different stages of bronchial asthma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) in peripheral lymphocytes and beta 2AR mRNA levels at different stages of bronchial asthma.

METHODS

beta 2AR density and beta 2AR mRNA level in peripheral lymphocytes, cAMP and cGMP levels in blood plasma were estimated by radioligand binding assay, radioimmunoassay and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

(1) Maximum bound volume (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of beta 2AR of lymphocyte in asthma patients at remission stage were markedly higher than that in normal subjects, while cAMP levels in blood plasma showed no difference. Bmax of beta 2AR and cAMP levels in asthma patients at acute exacerbation stage were significantly lower than that in normal subjects, and Kds between these two groups were not much different. (2) Expression of beta 2ARmRNA in peripheral lymphocytes of asthmatics at remission stage was not significantly different compared with that in normals.

CONCLUSIONS

Amount and function of beta AR and beta 2ARmRNA levels are related to asthmatic conditions. Changes of beta AR and beta 2ARmRNA in asthma might rather be a pathological change accompanied by the course of the disease than a primary defect.

Metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma models in nude mice and cell line with metastatic potential

Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and interven tion of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like metastatic model of hu man HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) and a low metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D35) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metasta sis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding. Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-1 increased gradually following tumor progression in LCI-D20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level. Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesio nmolecule-1 in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including anti-angiogenesis, antisense approach, metallopro teinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establ ishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vivo and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.

Establishment of cell clones with different metastatic potential from the metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97

AIM: To establish clone cells with different metastatic potential for the study of metastasis-related mechanisms.

METHODS: Cloning procedure was performed on parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97, and biological characteristics of the target clones selected by in vivo screening were studied.

RESULTS: Two clones with high (MHCC97-H) and low (MHCC97-L) metastatic potential were isolated from the parent cell line. Compared with MHCC97-L, MHCC97-H had smaller cell size (average cell diameter 43 μm vs 50 μm) and faster in vitro and in vivo growth rate (tumor cell doubling time was 34.2 h vs 60.0 h). The main ranges of chromosomes were 55-58 in MHCC97-H and 57-62 in MHCC97-L. Boyden chamber in vitro invasion assay demonstrated that the number of penetrating cells through the artificial basement membrane was (37.5 ± 11.0) cells/field for MHCC97-H vs (17.7 ± 6.3)/field for MHCC97-L. The proportions of cells in G0-G1 phase, S phase, and G2-M phase for MHCC97-H/MHCC97-L were 0.56/0.65, 0.28/0.25 and 0.16/0.10, respectively, as measured by flow cytometry. The serum AFP levels in nude mice 5 wk after orthotopic implantation of tumor tissue were (246 ± 66) μg•L¯¹ for MHCC97-H and (91 ± 66) μg•L¯¹ for MHCC97-L. The pulmonary metastatic rate was 100% (10/10) vs 40% (4/10).

CONCLUSION: Two clones of the same genetic background but with different biological behaviors were established, which could be valuable models for investigation on HCC metastasis.

Multiplexed enzyme assays in capillary electrophoretic single-use microfluidic devices

We describe a method of performing multiple enzyme assays in a single reaction vessel. The resolving power of capillary electrophoresis enables several enzyme assays to be analyzed at high speed in microfluidic arrays. Multiplexed measurement can increase throughput significantly without requiring highly dense microfluidic arrays. Enzyme assays in a multiplexed format for selected kinases in this work show essentially identical performance to assays performed individually. This establishes an approach for screening one compound against multiple enzyme targets simultaneously. Another potential application for performing multiplexed enzyme assay is to study protein-protein (especially enzyme-enzyme) interaction by monitoring the enzymatic activity changes.

Bacterial DNA and lipopolysaccharide induce synergistic production of TNF-alpha through a post-transcriptional mechanism

LPS is well recognized for its potent capacity to activate mouse macrophages to produce TNF-alpha, an important inflammatory mediator in bacterial infection-related diseases such as septic shock. We demonstrate here that while inducing only low levels of TNF-alpha alone, DNA from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria synergizes with subthreshold concentrations of LPS (0.3 ng/ml) to induce TNF-alpha in the RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cell line. The bacterial DNA effects are mimicked by synthetic CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides, but not non-CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides. Pretreatment of macrophages with either DNA for 2-8 h inhibits macrophage TNF-alpha production in responses to DNA/LPS. However, when pretreatment was extended to 24 h, DNA/LPS synergy on TNF-alpha is further enhanced. RT-PCR analysis indicates that mRNA levels of the TNF-alpha gene, however, are not synergistically induced by bacterial DNA and LPS. Analyses of the half-life of TNF-alpha mRNA indicate that TNF-alpha message has a longer half-life in bacterial DNA- and LPS-treated macrophages than that in bacterial DNA- or LPS-treated macrophages. These findings indicate that the temporally controlled, synergistic induction of TNF-alpha by bacterial DNA and LPS is not mediated at the transcriptional level. Instead, this synergy may occur via a post-transcriptional mechanism.

[Study on the photoluminescence spectrum of nickel passivation treatment of porous silicon]

A new method for electrolysis passivation treatment of porous silicom (PS) in NiCl2 is reported in this paper. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of PS treated in different time is observed, the spectra show that peak intensity is 2.5 times stronger than that without treatment, peak wavelength is 33 nm blue shift when PS is treated properly. The phenomenon caused is that the results of the SiHx change into SiNix when replaced H by Ni on surface of PS.

The genomic organization of the gene encoding the vanilloid receptor: evidence for multiple splice variants

Vanilloid receptor subtype-1 (VR1) is a nonselective cation channel that is expressed in sensory neurons and is activated by multiple noxious stimuli. Rat Vr1, stretch-inactivated channel (SIC), and vanilloid receptor 5' splice variant (VR.5'sv) have been hypothesized to be derived from a common VR gene. Characterization of the genomic structure encoding the 5' portion of rat Vr1 confirmed that VR.5'sv is derived from the VR gene; however, SIC seemed to be derived from two related but independent genes. We also deduced the genomic organization of the human gene VR1. Comparative studies of rat and human VR genes showed substantial conservation in genomic organization. The splice site flanking exon-intron 7 in rat and human VR1 diverged from the expected consensus sequence; this may help to explain the skipping of exon 7 within VR.5'sv and other VR splice variants.

Acoustical diffraction tomography in a finite form and its computer simulations

Until now, all acoustical diffraction reconstruction algorithms are in infinite forms. All of these algorithms have disadvantages: severe limitations on scatterers or tedious calculations. In this paper, we present a new reconstruction algorithm in a finite form using the method of formal parameter, which is very simple. This new algorithm gives an exact reconstruction when the amplitude of the scattered wave is smaller than that of the incident wave everywhere. This assumption is much less restrictive than that for the first- and second-order Born approximations. Although this new algorithm is in a finite form, it is still an approximate one when the amplitude of the scattered wave is not smaller than that of the incident wave everywhere. However, it still gives a good reconstruction when the amplitude of the scattered wave is a little greater than that of the incident wave in some area. Some numerical examples have confirmed these conclusions.

Effects of dietary galactose and fructose on rats fed diets marginal or adequate in copper for 9-21 months

This study was designed to monitor the metabolic differences after feeding starch, galactose and fructose diets with adequate or marginal copper levels to normal male rats over a period of 9-21 months. Two hundred and forty-five weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 50-60 g were randomly divided into one of the eight dietary groups. All diets were either Cu marginal (1.5 &mgr;g/g diet) or adequate (5-6 &mgr;g/g) with 627 carbohydrate (g/kg diet) as starch; 500 galactose and 127 starch; 500 fructose and 127 starch; or 400 galactose and 227 fructose. Glycated hemoglobin, ceruloplasmin oxidase activity, hematocrit, and plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured in 72 rats after nine months. Galactose-fed rats had the lowest (P < 0.0001) body weights. Severe mortality rates were found in galactose-fructose-marginal Cu-fed rats. Marginal Cu deficiency significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced hepatic copper and increased hepatic Fe in all carbohydrate groups. Ceruloplasmin activity of the rats fed the marginal Cu and fructose-containing diets declined to undetectable levels and plasma cholesterol levels increased. Glycated hemoglobin was significantly (P < 0.001) increased in the galactose-fed rats compared to fructose or starch-fed rats regardless of dietary copper concentration. The data suggest that dietary galactose and fructose exacerbate effects of long term marginal Cu intake including hypertrophy of liver, heart and kidney, hyperlipidemia, and increased mortality.

[Effects of interferon-alpha on recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection in nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on the recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice, and to clarify if there is synergistic effect treated by combination of IFN-alpha and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA).

METHODS

The effect of IFN-alpha and/or ATRA on the proliferation of HCC cell lines was measured in vitro. The metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice LCI-D20 was used in present study. Curative resection was performed at 10th day after implantation in 44 nude mice. Drugs were given at the next day after resection. IFN-alpha was administered subcutaneously at doses of 3+/-10(5) U/day, 6+/-10(5) U/day, respectively. ATRA was administered p.o. at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day, and IFN-alpha 6+/-10(5)U/day combined with ATRA 20 mg/kg/day. The mice were sacrificed 35 days after treatment. The recurrent tumor size was measured and the presence of intrahepatic dissemination and lung metastases were recorded.

RESULTS

The effect of IFN-alpha and/or ATRA on the proliferation of HCC cells SMMC7721, BEL-7402, BEL-7405, and MHCC97 was not obvious. The combination of IFN-alpha and ATRA had no synergistic effect in vitro. The lung metastatic rate, the liver recurrent rate, the size of main recurrent lesions, the number of intrahepatic disseminating nodules and the largest disseminating nodule of the controlled group was 100%(12/12), 100%(12/12), (1346.3+/-4.2 ) mm(3), 8.2+/-4.4, 864 mm(3), respectively; whereas it was 0, 87.5%(7/8), (8.7+/-2.9) mm(3), 2.3+/-0.6, and 7.8mm(3), respectively in the IFN-alpha 3+/-10(5) U/day treated group(P<0.05); 0, 12.5%(1/8), 0.5mm(3), 2, 0.5 mm(3) in the IFN-alpha 6+/-10(5)U/day treated group(P<0.05); 0, 12.5%(1/8), 1 mm(3), 2.5+/-0.7, 8 mm(3) in the IFN-alpha 3+/-10(5) U/day and ATRA treated group(P<0.05); 87.5%, 100%, (1472.6+/-5.6) mm(3), 7.3+/-3.8, 768.5 mm(3) in the ATRA treated group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IFN-alpha has an inhibitory effect on intrahepatic recurrence and lung metastasis of human HCC after curative resection in nude mice, and the effect is enhanced with increasing dose. IFN-alpha and ATRA have no synergistic effect according to in vivo and in vitro test. ATRA has no effect on recurrence and metastasis of HCC.

Cognitive arithmetic across cultures

Canadian university students either of Chinese origin (CC) or non-Asian origin (NAC) and Chinese university students educated in Asia (AC) solved simple-arithmetic problems in the 4 basic operations (e.g., 3 + 4, 7 - 3, 3 x 4, 12 divided by 3) and reported their solution strategies. They also completed a standardized test of more complex multistep arithmetic. For complex arithmetic, ACs outperformed both CCs and NACs. For simple arithmetic, however, ACs and CCs were equal and both performed better than NACs. The superior simple-arithmetic skills of CCs relative to NACs implies that extracurricular culture-specific factors rather than differences in formal education explain the simple-arithmetic advantage for Chinese relative to non-Asian North American adults. NAC's relatively poor simple-arithmetic performance resulted both from less efficient retrieval skills and greater use of procedural strategies. Nonetheless, all 3 groups reported using procedures for the larger simple subtraction and division problems, confirming the importance of procedural knowledge in skilled adults' performance of elementary mathematics.

Automated discrimination between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in the resting 12-lead electrocardiogram

Computerized time-domain analysis of the QRST-subtracted 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been used successfully to determine several atrial activity patterns. These time-domain methods are particularly useful for low-frequency signals such as those originating at the sinus node. However, high frequency atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and atrial flutter (AFL) waves can be better estimated by using spectral methods. In this study, we investigated the use of spectral entropy (SE) and spectral peak detection to distinguish fibrillatory from flutter activity in the QRST-subtracted ECG. In a set of 4,172 cardiologist-overread ECGs, a computerized ECG analysis program (12SL MAC-Rhythm, GE-Marquette Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) detected 270 AFIB rhythms and 100 AFL rhythms. Compared to the cardiologist's reading, the AFIB versus AFL miss-classification error was 5.6%. The Fourier Transform was used to estimate the power spectral density of the QRST-subtracted ECG data. Individual lead spectra were then averaged and SE was computed for each of the ECGs originally called AFIB or AFL by the computer program. Additional criteria that included SE, spectral peak frequencies, and time-domain measures of atrial activity were then applied to discriminate between the 2 rhythms. Employing these criteria resulted in a decrease of miss-classification error to 2.5%.

Monoclonal antibodies to European flat oyster Ostrea edulis hemocytes: characterization and tissue distribution of granulocytes in adult and developing animals

Monoclonal antibodies specific for hemocyte sub-populations of the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, were prepared using separated granulocytes and hyalinocytes as antigen sources. Six monoclonal antibodies specific for hemocytes were selected. Five of them showed a specificity for more than one hemocyte type and one hybridoma produced a monoclonal antibody reacting specifically with granulocytes. At the ultrastructural level, this monoclonal antibody demonstrated epitopes principally in dense cytoplasmic granules of granulocytes. Western blotting analysis indicated that a peptide of 50kDa was recognized by this antibody. It was therefore used to investigate granulocyte distribution and ontogenesis in European flat oysters using immunohistochemistry. Granulocytes were mostly observed in connective tissues in different organs. Their distribution pattern in digestive gland, mantle, gills and gonad may indicate different functional status. Moreover, the absence of granulocytes in early larval stages can partly correspond to an immature immune system in oyster larvae.

Aberrant expression of pRb, p16, p14ARF, MDM2, p21 and p53 in squamous cell carcinomas of lung

Expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in both the RB and p53 pathways was investigated in 50 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung using immunohistochemical techniques. Abnormality of pRb and p16 expression was seen at the frequencies of 16% and 78%, respectively, and appeared to be in a reciprocal relationship. On the other hand, strong and diffuse p53 immunoreactivity was seen in 60% of SCCs. MDM2 and p14ARF expressions were each observed in about half of the cases of SCC and were not significantly associated with strong p53 immunoreactivity. Statistical analysis revealed that p14ARF expression was significantly correlated with both p16 and MDM2 expression. Moreover, strong p53 expression was not correlated with the expression of p21. In comparing clinicopathological status with the immunohistochemical results, lack of p16 immunoreactivity was observed in the elderly group (over 65 years) as compared with the younger group (less than 65 years). Strong p53 expression was frequently observed in higher stages of SCC, with the developing tumor located in the central field of the lung. Similarly, the frequency of p14ARF expression was high in centrally developed SCC, but low in SCC developed in the periphery. These results suggest that disruption of the RB and p53 pathways is a frequent event in SCC, and that abnormal expression of p16 and p53 plays a more critical role than that of pRB, p14ARF and MDM2 in the development of SCC of the lung.

Commercial preparations of lipoteichoic acid contain endotoxin that contributes to activation of mouse macrophages in vitro

Lipoteichoic acids (LTA), cell wall components of gram-positive bacteria, have been reported to induce various inflammatory mediators and to play a key role in gram-positive-microbe-mediated septic shock. In a large number of these studies, investigators used commercially available LTA purified from a variety of gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus sanguis. We report here that, although these commercially available LTA could be readily shown to stimulate production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages, the activity was dramatically inhibited by polymyxin B, a relatively specific inhibitor of endotoxin biological activity. One-step purification of the commercially available S. aureus LTA using hydrophobic interaction chromatography resulted in two well-separated peak fractions, one highly enriched for LTA and a second highly enriched for endotoxin. The LTA-enriched fractions did not induce production of NO in RAW 264.7 macrophages, although they caused a dose-dependent induction of NO in the presence of low concentrations of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) (which by itself induced little NO), regardless of the presence of polymyxin B. In contrast, the endotoxin-enriched fractions by themselves inhibited in high levels of NO in RAW 264.7 macrophages but activity was almost completely inhibited in the presence of polymyxin B. Consistent with these findings, our data also indicate that commercial LTA preparations from S. aureus, B. subtilis, and S. sanguis were not able to induce NO from lipopolysaccharide-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mouse peritoneal macrophages, but in the presence of IFN-gamma, these LTA preparations were able to induce relatively high levels of NO from C3H/HeJ macrophages. These results indicate that commercially available LTA can contain contaminating and potentially significant levels of endotoxin that can be expected to contribute to the putative macrophage-stimulating effects of LTA as assessed by NO production. The fact that the purified LTA, by itself, was not able to induce significant levels of NO secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophages supports the conclusion that caution in attributing high-level biological activity to this microbial cell wall constituent should be exercised.

Clinicopathologic study of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the salivary gland

OBJECTIVE

To study the histopathologic features and pathogenesis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT-oma) of salivary glands.

METHODS

Clinical data, paraffin-embedded sections, immunohistochemical slides (SP method) and electron microscopic features of surgical specimens of 32 cases of salivary gland MALT-oma were studied.

RESULTS

The patients were 27 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 54.76 years. The lesions were located in the parotid area in 17 cases, and in the submandibular gland in the remaining 15 cases. Much of the MALT-oma was replaced by infiltration of a great amount of centrocyte-like cells (CCL) as background and occasional large cells (centroblast- or immunoblast-like). In MALT-omas "lymphoepithelial lesions" were present. Immunohistochemically, CD20 expression was found to be positive and CD45RO expression was negative in all MALT-omas.

CONCLUSION

Most of the MALT-omas are low grade malignant tumors and have a "homing back" phenomenon. The cases were managed by surgery and chemotherapy. In a few MALT-omas which turned into high grade malignant tumors, the prognosis was poor. Acquired MALT may develop as a reaction to autoimmune disease and infection. Hyper-immune reaction and MALT hyperplasia under stimulation may result in myoepithelial sialadenitis and lead to MALT-oma of the salivary gland.

[The study of TNF-alpha destructive action to the bone in human middle cholesteatoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of TNF-alpha in the cholesteatoma and elucidate the role of TNF-alpha in the destruction of bone.

METHOD

All samples (5 microns paraffin sections) from 25 cholesteatoma cases and 10 normal cases were examined by immunohistochemical SABC method and analysed by computer image.

RESULT

In 25 cholesteatoma cases, TNF-alpha expressed in the cytoplasm of the full epithelial tissue cells, subcutaneous inflammatory cells and fibroblast. In contrast, the normal cases, there were 6 cases week positive, 4 cases negative. The results of the computer image quantitative analysis system showed that the mean optical density of TNF-alpha was 0.1326 +/- 0.0022 in the cholesteatoma epithelial tissue and 0.0868 +/- 0.0014 in normal skin epithelial tissue respectively, both of which had significantly differentiation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TNF-alpha may be a factor of the destruction of bone of cholesteatoma.

[Infrared study on molecular structure and orientation in Langmuir-Blodgett films of chiral LCs M1]

The LB films of chiral LCs M1 were investigated by FTIR transmission and reflection absorption spectra. CaF2 and vacuum deposition gold plate were used as solid substrate. The LB films can be transferred onto the solid substrate successfully. The orientation of LB films was analysis by comparing the FTIR transmission and reflection absorbance spectroscopy. The aromatic cores part which including the C-O bond was almost perpendicular the substrate surface, the alkyl chain and C=O part has a certain angle titled onto the substrate.

[Antitumor activities in vivo of interleukin-12 gene modified dendritic cells in murine models]

OBJECTIVE

To study the antitumor activities of the mIL-12 transfected and acid-eluted peptide sensitized dendritic cells (DC) in murine H22 liver cancer model.

METHODS

The murine bone marrow derived DC were transfected with the recombinant adenovirus (Ad mIL-12) containing the mIL-12 gene and control virus AdBGFP. The peptides on the surface of the murine H22 cell line were eluted with mild acid buffer and then sensitized the transfected DC. The experimental animals were immunized with the differently disposed DC and the state of tumorgenesis and tumor growth was observed.

RESULTS

The tumor growth and weight in the group immunized with mIL-12 transfected and acid-eluted peptide sensitized DC were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The mIL-12 transfected and acid-eluted peptide sensitized DC can induce obvious antitumor activities in the murine liver cancer models and may suggest new strategies for constructing new type of DC vaccine for liver cancer.

Invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in relation to urokinase-type plasminogen activator, its receptor and inhibitor

This study was designed to investigate the relationship of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor (uPAR), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) to invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 in HCC was determined by immunohistochemistry, Northern blot, and an LCI-D20 nude mouse metastatic model of HCC. The overexpression of uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 was found in HCC, especially in the patients with portal cancer embolus, tumor invasion, and metastasis. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the rate of positive staining of uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 were higher in HCC than those in the control groups consisting of cancer-adjacent tissue and normal liver tissue. In the case of HCC invasion, positive uPA and uPAR were seen in 16 and 19 out of 22 patients, respectively (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively, as compared with the patients without invasion). In those with portal cancer embolus and tumor metastasis, positive uPAR was eight out of eight and six out of six patients. In those with tumor recurrence, positive uPAR was 15 out of 17 patients (P<0.01 vs. no recurrence). In patients who died within 2 years after surgery, positive uPAR was 12 out of 12 patients (P<0.01 vs. survival), and positive PAI-1 was nine out of 12 patients (P<0.05 vs. survival). In those in which uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 were all positive staining, stronger cancer invasiveness and higher mortality were found (P<0.05 vs. patients with all negative staining). In 30 patients tested with Northern blot analysis, the results were similar to those tested with immunohistochemistry. Higher expression of uPA mRNA and PAI-1 mRNA were detected in tumor tissues and embolus. In the patients with positive signals of uPA mRNA and PAI-1 mRNA, invasive cases were found in seven out of 19 and eight out of 18 patients, respectively, which were significantly higher than those showing negative signals (P<0.05). In the LCI-D20 nude mouse metastatic model of HCC (MMHCC), PAI-1 activity in plasma and tumor tissue increased with tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. At an advanced stage of MMHCC, PAI-1 activity rose to 15.4+/-0.7 Au/ml in plasma and 0.8+/-0.3 Au/mg in tumor extracts, which was significantly higher than 6.2+/-1.8 Au/ml in plasma and 0.4+/-0.1 Au/mg in extracts at an early stage (P<0.05). PAI-1 activity related to the changes of serum AFP and tumor progress were r = 0.9544 and r = 0.9648, respectively (P<0.05). The data suggest that the expression of uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 is increased in HCC, and related to the invasiveness, metastasis, and prognosis of HCC.

Enzymatic activities in European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, and pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, hemolymph

Enzymatic activities in the hemolymph of healthy and Bonamia-infected Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas were studied with a commercial kit for the detection of 19 enzymes: 15 and 16 enzymes, respectively, were detected in the hemolymph of O. edulis and C. gigas and 10 of them showed relatively high activity levels. Most of them existed in both the cell-free fraction of the hemolymph and in the hemocytes. The cell-free hemolymph fraction of Bonamia ostreae-infected European flat oysters showed an elevated enzymatic activity level compared with that of healthy individuals. C. gigas hemocytes possessed higher enzymatic activity levels than O. edulis hemocytes. Differences in enzymatic activities existed in granulocytes and hyalinocytes in both oyster species. The enzyme release from oyster hemocytes seemed to be selective. The infection by B. ostreae induced enzymatic activity variations in European flat oysters. Higher enzyme levels within hemocytes may contribute partly to the natural resistance of C. gigas to the infection by B. ostreae.

The added diagnostic value of automated QT-dispersion measurements and automated ST-segment deviations in the electrocardiographic diagnosis of acute cardiac ischemia

The purpose of this study was to determine the added value of automated QT dispersion and ST-segment measurements to physician interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) in patients with chest pain. To date, poor reproducibility of manual measurements and lack of shown added value have limited the clinical use of QT dispersion. Twelve-lead ECGs (n = 1,161) from the Milwaukee Prehospital Chest Pain Database were independently classified by 2 physicians into 3 groups (acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute cardiac ischemia (ACI), or nonischemic), and their consensus was obtained. QT-end and QT-peak dispersions were measured by a computerized system. The computer also identified ST-segment deviations. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPV) for AMI and ACI were evaluated independently and in combinations. For AMI, physicians' consensus classification was remarkably good (sensitivity, 48%, specificity, 99%). Independent classification by QT-end and QT-peak dispersions or ST deviations was not superior to the physicians' consensus. Optimal classification occurred by combining automated QT-end dispersion and ST deviations with physicians' consensus. This combination increased sensitivity for the diagnoses of AMI by 35% (65% vs 48%, P < .001) and ACI by 55% (62% vs 40%, P < .001) compared with physicians' consensus, while maintaining comparable specificity. This study supports a potential clinical role for automated QT dispersion when combined with other diagnostic methods for detecting AMI and ACI.

Immunohistochemical inactivation of p14ARF concomitant with MDM2 overexpression inversely correlates with p53 overexpression in oral squamous cell carcinoma

The CDKN2 gene encodes two structurally different proteins: a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor called p16, which regulates retinoblastoma protein (pRb)-dependent G1 arrest, and a cell cycle inhibitor designated p14ARF, which arrests cell growth in G1-S and also in G2-M. Whereas inactivation of p16 has been described as a frequent event in various cancers, including oral cancer, the current function of p14ARF is still poorly understood. A physical association between p14ARF and MDM2 blocks MDM2-induced p53 degradation, resulting in increased levels of p53, which in turn leads to cell cycle arrest. The present study immunohistochemically examined the expression of p16 and p14ARF together with pRb, MDM2 and p53 status in a series of oral cancers. The results showed that p14ARF was frequently absent in the oral cancers (15/37, 41%) as was p16 immunostaining. Concomitant immunopositivity for p14ARF and MDM2 overexpression was frequently observed in a subset of the cancers, whereas an inverse correlation between p14ARF and MDM2 expression and the diffuse staining of p53 was clearly detected. Moreover, the results showed that in most cases of oral cancer (35/37, 95%) at least one protein was altered, and lymph node metastasis was more frequent in the tumors with alterations in both the p16/pRb and p14ARF/p53 pathway (8/16, 50%) than in the tumors with one or no alteration of these two major pathways.

Development of multichannel devices with an array of electrospray tips for high-throughput mass spectrometry

The basic principles of multichannel devices with an array of electrospray tips for high-throughput infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) have been developed. The prototype plastic devices were fabricated by casting from a solvent-resistant resin. The sample wells on the device were arranged in the format of the standard 96-microtiter well plate, with each sample well connected to an independent electrospray exit port via a microchannel with imbedded electrode. A second plastic plate with distribution microchannels was employed as a cover plate and pressure distributor. Nitrogen gas was used to pressurize individual wells for transport of sample into the electrospray exit port. The design of independent microchannels and electrospray exit ports allowed very high throughput and duty cycle, as well as elimination of any potential sample carryover. The device was placed on a computer-controlled translation stage for precise positioning of the electrospray exit ports in front of the mass spectrometer sampling orifice. High-throughput ESI-MS was demonstrated by analyzing 96 peptide samples in 480 s, corresponding to a potential throughput of 720 samples/h. As a model application, the device was used for the MS determination of inhibition constants of several inhibitors of HIV-1 protease.

High-dose and long-term therapy with interferon-alfa inhibits tumor growth and recurrence in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts with high metastatic potential

Postoperative recurrence of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major issue that must be addressed to further improve prognosis. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of interferon-alfa-1b (IFN-alpha-1b) on recurrent tumor and metastasis after curative resection in nude mice bearing an HCC xenograft with high metastatic potential. Tumor tissues from LCI-D20, a metastatic model of HCC in nude mice, were orthotopically implanted in 105 nude mice. Eleven days later, 64 mice underwent curative resection of liver tumors. IFN-alpha at different doses was administered subcutaneously to mice with or without resection. In mice without resection, when comparison was made among control, IFN 7.5 x 10(6) U/kg/day, 1.5 x 10(7) U/kg/day for treated groups, and 3 x 10(7) U/kg/day; tumor volume was 8,475 mm(3) +/- 2,636 mm(3), 7,963 mm(3) +/- 3,214 mm(3), 769 mm(3) +/- 287 mm(3), and 13 mm(3) +/- 9 mm(3); incidence of lung metastasis being 100%, 80%, 40%, and 0%; life span was 45 +/- 4 days, 53 +/- 8 days, 81 +/- 6 days, and 105 +/- 24 days, respectively. In mice with curative resection, when comparison was made among control, IFN 5 x 10(5) U/kg/day, 1 x 10(6) U/kg/day, 4 x 10(6) U/kg/day, 7.5 x 10(6) U/kg/day, 1.5 x 10(7) U/kg/day, and 3 x 10(7) U/kg/day for treated groups; incidence of recurrent tumor was 100%, 100%, 87.5%, 100%, 87.5%, 62.5%, and 12.5%; lung metastasis being 100%, 75%, 87.5%, 50%, 62.5%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. IFN-alpha inhibited neovascularization induced by LCI-D20 tumor specimens implanted into the micropocket of nude mice corneas. In conclusion, high-dose and long-term therapy with IFN-alpha dose-dependently inhibits tumor growth and recurrence after resection of HCC. The effect of IFN-alpha may be attributed to antiangiogenesis in this experiment. These results provide potential clinical implication, particularly for the prevention of recurrence after curative resection of HCC.

A compound sensor for biomechanical analyses of buttock soft tissue in vivo

A sensor for in vivo biomechanical characterization of buttock soft tissue has been developed and evaluated. The sensor measures interface pressure, applied force, tilt, and rotation angle of the sensor head, and the thicknesses of multiple soft tissue layers. A composite ultrasonic transducer using a 1-3 ceramic-polymer structure was developed for the sensor. The sensor can identify subcutaneous soft tissue interfaces 5 to 65 mm below the skin surface with a 0.26-mm axial resolution, pressure over the range of 0 to 68 kPa, and force over the range of 0 to 3.6 kg. Our purpose for developing the sensor was to study the biomechanical characteristics of buttock soft tissues. Successful identification of distinguishing characteristics in persons with a susceptibility to pressure ulcers may result in the development of a risk assessment tool based on tissue characterization.

Cloning, characterization and heterologous expression of a polyketide synthase and P-450 oxidase involved in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic oleandomycin

The gene cluster encoding the deoxyoleandolide polyketide synthase (OlePKS) was isolated from the oleandomycin producing strain Streptomnyces antibioticus. Sequencing of the first two genes encoding OlePKS, together with the previously identified third gene revealed an overall genetic and protein architecture similar to that of the erythromycin gene cluster encoding the 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) from Saccharopolyspora erythraea. When the entire OlePKS (10,487 amino acids) was expressed in the heterologous host Streptomyces lividans, it produced 8,8a-deoxyoleandolide, an aglycone precursor of oleandomycin. The role of the P-450 monooxygenase, OleP, in oleandomycin biosynthesis was also examined in vivo by co-expression with DEBS in S. lividans. The production of 8,8a-dihydroxy-6-deoxyerythronolide B and other derivatives indicates that OleP is involved in the epoxidation pathway of oleandomycin biosynthesis. Since there are currently no genetic systems available for manipulation of the natural oleandomycin producing strain, the heterologous expression system reported here provides a useful tool for studying this important macrolide antibiotic.

Differential host inflammatory responses to viable versus antibiotic-killed bacteria in experimental microbial sepsis

Staphylococcus aureus killed during imipenem or ceftazidime chemotherapy in mice elicited an early release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) into the systemic circulation. This response was coincident in time with an increase in leukocyte-endothelium adhesive interactions in the microvasculature. Equivalent responses were not observed without the antibiotic treatment (imipenem or ceftazidime). Protective efficacy of the same antibiotic treatment was markedly diminished in D-galactosamine-treated mice compared to controls; e.g., it dropped from 2,000-fold to 70-fold with 4 mg of imipenem per kg given at the time of challenge. Nevertheless, protection was quantitatively restored upon concurrent administration of neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha antibody or 4 mg of dexamethasone per kg to these TNF-alpha-hypersensitive mice. Importantly, protection afforded by dexamethasone was not seen when the animals were challenged with viable organisms but without the concurrent administration of antibiotic. An early TNF-alpha response could also be demonstrated upon challenge with Escherichia coli, but in this instance, neither the timing nor the magnitude of that response was influenced by treatment with these antibiotics. We conclude from these studies that the inflammatory response to viable versus killed bacteria may differ markedly depending on the particular bacterium, host sensitivity to TNF-alpha, and possibly the Gram stain classification.

Review of methods to predict and detect atrial fibrillation in post-cardiac surgery patients

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. Postoperative AF is known to substantially lengthen hospital stay and affect patient recovery. Identification of those at risk of developing AF after surgery and early detection of AF during recovery would be extremely helpful in effective management of these patients, including targeting prophylactic therapy to prevent AF in high-risk patients. In this communication, diagnostic methods to identify those at risk of developing AF after surgery and early identification of AF before, during, and after surgery have been reviewed. Signal-averaged P wave analysis, done before surgery, identifies patients who are likely to develop AF during recovery. When combined with low ejection fraction, signal-averaged P wave can discriminate those who develop AF from those who do not. During recovery, AF can be detected early either from a detailed analysis of atrial activity in a 10-second electrocardiogram or an analysis of R-to-R intervals from an extended rhythm strip (1 minute or longer). Analysis of the 10-second electrocardiogram includes median QRST subtraction from rhythm data and detection and analysis of atrial signals in the resulting residual. AF is detected from extended rhythm strips by using a statistical model to identify the presence of characteristic irregular patterns of R-to-R intervals.

Separation of European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, haemocytes by density gradient centrifugation and SDS-PAGE characterisation of separated haemocyte sub-populations

A two-step gradient centrifugation with Percoll and Ficoll successively as density medium was developed to separate European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, haemocytes into three sub-populations representing granulocytes, large hyalinocytes and small hyalinocytes, respectively. After a Percoll gradient centrifugation, granulocytes and agranulocytes were separated and a pure fraction of granulocytes was obtained. The agranulocytes were further separated by centrifugation through a Ficoll gradient, and two haemocyte subpopulations representing large hyalinocytes and small hyalinocytes were obtained. No significant impact on the haemocyte viability was detected after separation with this two-step density gradient centrifugation. The three haemocyte sub-populations showed different protein patterns in SDS-PAGE.

[Effects of oxidized LDL, hypoxia, and 5-hydroxytryptamine on 5-HT2A receptor and intracellular free Ca2+ in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanisms of this hyperreactivity, the effects of oxLDL, hypoxia, and 5-HT (the relative factors inducing arteriosclerosis) on 5-HT2A receptor, receptor gene expression and intracellular free Ca2+ were observed in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC).

METHODS

ASMC underwent 50 micrograms/ml oxLDL 8 hours, 2% hypoxia 24 and 48 hours, 10 mumol/L 5-HT 30 min. 5-HT2A receptor, 5-HT2A receptor mRNA and [Ca2+]i of ASMC were estimated by radiobinding assay, RT-PCR and Southern blot method, and confocal laser scanning mode separately.

RESULTS

After oxLDL, hypoxia, 5-HT pretreatment, 5-HT2A receptor of ASMC showed significant up-regulation. Both 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression and 5-HT-induced [Ca2+]i of ASMC increased markedly after oxLDL, hypoxia pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

5-HT2A receptor up-regulation and cell [Ca2+]i increase of ASMC induced by oxLDL, hypoxia, and 5-HT may play a role in vascular hyperreactivity induced by 5-HT in atherosclerosis arteries.

Optimization of composite transducer designing in high frequency applications

The main obstacle to constructing a wide bandwidth and high frequency composite transducer comes from its internal vibration field fluctuation, which is aggravated as frequency increases. We found an optimized structure of 2-2 composite in which the vibration field in both phases remains nearly uniform over a wide frequency range and the piezoelectric coupling coefficient reaches its maximum value simultaneously. This article also proposes a modified representation to calculate more precisely the effective piezoelectric coupling coefficient when the vibration fluctuation has been taken into account.

New human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with highly metastatic potential (MHCC97) and its expressions of the factors associated with metastasis

A new human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with a highly metastatic potential was established from subcutaneous xenograft of a metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) by means of alternating cell culture in vitro and growth in nude mice. The line, designated MHCC97, has been cultivated for 18 months and subcultured for more than 90 passages. The line was showed to be of human origin by karyotype analysis. The cells were either grown as compact colonies (in clusters) or as a monolayered sheet with about 31 h of population-doubling time, exhibited typical malignant epithelial in morphology and were positive for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Flow cytometric analysis of the cell DNA content showed an aneuploid pattern, and its index was 1.5 as compared to that of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Karyotypic analyses of G- and C-banding techniques revealed that all cells presented chromosome abnormalities in number and structure. The number of cell line MHCC97 chromosome ranged from 59 to 65 with a modal number of 60 and 61. At least two common chromosome markers, i(1q) and der(4)t(4;?)(4pter-->q35::?), were present in all cells, and deletion of Y chromosome also occurred in all cells. The subcutaneous and intrahepatic xenografts were formed and metastatic lesions in lungs were found after the cells were inoculated into nude mice. The rate of metastasis to lungs was 100% using orthotopic inoculation. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction products revealed positive expressions of integrin alpha5 and beta1, urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), vascular endothelial growth factor and nm23-H1 mRNAs of cell line MHCC97. Immunostaining of c-Met, uPAR showed strongly positive in both subcutaneous xenografts and lung metastatic lesions; while positive in xenografts and negative in metastatic lesions for integrin alpha5, beta1. E-cadherin and P53 was not expressed either in xenograft or in the metastatic lesions. PCR products of HBsAg and HBxAg were both positive. The cell line MHCC97 still retained some characteristic features of original tumour. Establishment of cell line MHCC97 should be beneficial to the studies of HCC metastatic mechanisms.

Cutting edge: bacterial DNA and LPS act in synergy in inducing nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages

LPS is well recognized for its potent capacity to activate mouse macrophages to produce NO, an important inflammatory mediator in innate host defense. We demonstrate here that, although inducing little NO alone, DNA from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria synergizes with subthreshold concentrations of LPS (0.3 ng/ml) to induce NO in cultures of RAW 264.7 macrophages. The effects of the DNA are mimicked by synthetic CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides but not by non-CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides. This synergistic activity is not inhibited by neutralizing Abs against IFN. Preincubation of macrophages with DNA for 8-24 h suppresses subsequent synergistic macrophage responses to DNA/LPS, whereas prolonged pretreatment with LPS enhances synergy. RT-PCR analysis indicates that the mRNA levels of the inducible NO synthase gene are also coordinately suppressed or induced. These findings indicate that temporally controlled, synergistic interactions exist between microbial DNA and LPS in the induction of macrophage NO via enhanced inducible NO synthase gene expression.

A multiplasmid approach to preparing large libraries of polyketides

A three-plasmid system for heterologous expression of 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) has been developed to facilitate combinatorial biosynthesis of polyketides made by type I modular polyketide synthases (PKSs). The eryA PKS genes encoding the three DEBS subunits were individually cloned into three compatible Streptomyces vectors carrying mutually selectable antibiotic resistance markers. A strain of Streptomyces lividans transformed with all three plasmids produced 6-deoxyerythronolide B at a level similar to that of a strain transformed with a single plasmid containing all three genes. The utility of this system in combinatorial biosynthesis was demonstrated through production of a library of modified polyketide macrolactones by using versions of each plasmid constructed to contain defined mutations. Combinations of these vector sets were introduced into S. lividans, resulting in strains producing a wide range of 6-deoxyerythronolide B analogs. This method can be extended to any modular PKS and has the potential to produce thousands of novel natural products, including ones derived from further modification of the PKS products by tailoring enzymes.

Injured primary sensory neurons switch phenotype for brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat

Peripheral nerve injury results in plastic changes in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord, and is often complicated with neuropathic pain. The mechanisms underlying these changes are not known. We have now investigated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the dorsal root ganglia with histochemical and biochemical methods following sciatic nerve lesion in the rat. The percentage of neurons immunoreactive for brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia was significantly increased as early as 24 h after the nerve lesion and the increase lasted for at least two weeks. The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA was also significantly increased in the ipsibut not contralateral dorsal root ganglia. Both neurons and satellite cells in the lesioned dorsal root ganglia synthesized brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA after the nerve lesion. There was a dramatic shift in size distribution of positive neurons towards large sizes seven days after sciatic nerve lesion. Morphometric analysis and retrograde tracing studies showed that no injured neurons smaller than 600 microm2 were immunoreactive for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, whereas the majority of large injured neurons were immunoreactive in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia seven days postlesion. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor-immunoreactive nerve terminals in the ipsilateral spinal cord were reduced in the central region of lamina II, but increased in more medial regions or deeper into laminae III/IV. These studies indicate that sciatic nerve injury results in a differential regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in different subpopulations of sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia. Small neurons switched off their normal synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, whereas larger ones switched to a brain-derived neurotrophic factor phenotype. The phenotypic switch may have functional implications in neuronal plasticity and generation of neuropathic pain after nerve injury.

[Expressions of the metastasis-associated factors of a new human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with highly metastatic potential]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expressions of some metastasis-related factors in a new human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with a highly metastatic potential by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.

METHODS

A human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line (MHCC97) was established derived from subcutaneous xenograft of a metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) by means of alternating cell culture in vitro and grown in nude mice. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed on this line and its intrahepatic xenografts and metastatic lesions to explore the expressions of metastasis-related factors.

RESULTS

The tumorigenicity and metastatic rate to lungs of MHCC97 cell line was 100% by orthotopic inoculation. RT-PCR products for integrin alpha 5 and beta 1, uPAR, VEGF and nm23-H1 mRNA from MHCC97 cell line were positive. Immunostaining showed strongly positive for c-Met, uPAR in both of xenografts and lung metastatic lesions, and also positive in xenografts, but negative in lung metastatic lesions for integrin alpha 5 and beta 1. E-cadherin was not expressed either in xenografts or in the metastatic lesions. The PCR productions for HBsAg and HBxAg were positive, and negative for HBcAg.

CONCLUSIONS

MHCC97 cell line has a ability to express some metastasis-associated factors. DNA for virus hepatitis B may be integrated into the genome of MHCC97 cells.

Satellite-cell-derived nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 are involved in noradrenergic sprouting in the dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injury in the rat

Injury to a peripheral nerve induces in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sprouting of sympathetic and peptidergic terminals around large-diameter sensory neurons that project in the damaged nerve. This pathological change may be implicated in the chronic pain syndromes seen in some patients with peripheral nerve injury. The mechanisms underlying the sprouting are not known. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques, we have now found that nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT3) synthesis is upregulated in satellite cells surrounding neurons in lesioned DRG as early as 48 h after nerve injury. This response lasts for at least 2 months. Quantitative analysis showed that the levels of mRNAs for NT3 and NGF increased in ipsilateral but not contralateral DRG after nerve injury. Noradrenergic sprouting around the axotomized neurons was associated with p75-immunoreactive satellite cells. Further, antibodies specific to NGF or NT3, delivered by an osmotic mini-pump to the DRG via the lesioned L5 spinal nerve, significantly reduced noradrenergic sprouting. These results implicate satellite cell-derived neurotrophins in the induction of sympathetic sprouting following peripheral nerve injury.

Invasion and metastasis of liver cancer: expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1

PURPOSE

To study the relationship between intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and liver cancer metastasis and to find predicting factors that could indicate the growth and metastasis of liver cancer.

METHODS

ICAM-1 expression in fresh tissue of normal liver and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) was examined by immunoperoxidase staining. Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) from patients with a benign HCC tumor, and the expression of ICAM-1 in the orthotopically transplanted LCI-D20 tumor of a nude mouse liver cancer metastasis model, and in human hepatoma, the tumor surrounding tissue and normal liver, was analyzed semiquantitatively by the immuno-dot blot method. Tissue ICAM-1 expression (mRNA level) was detected by Northern blotting.

RESULTS

ICAM-1 expression in LD1-20 D metastatic liver cancer had a positive correlation with tumor size and the time after implantation. It increased suddenly as metastasis occurred being 3.03+/-0.51 before metastasis and 8.24+/-0.95 after metastasis, P < 0.01, then remained high, appending on the number of sites involved (monosite metastasis 5.48+/-0.49, multisite metastasis 10.05+/-1.17, P < 0.05). All six cases of normal liver samples were negative in anti-ICAM-1 immunohistochemical staining, 80.0% (36/45) of the HCC showed some ICAM-1 expression. The rate of positive cells was a little higher in large tumors, tumors with an intact capsule and tumors with metastasis, but there was no significant difference. It was noticed that two cancer emboli also had high ICAM-1 expression. The ICAM-1 concentration in HCC (13.43+/-0.09) was higher than that in tumor surrounding the liver (5.89+/-0.17, P < 0.01) and that in normal liver (4.27+/-0.21, P < 0.01). sICAM-1, like tissue ICAM-1, was higher in HCC patients than in patients (with benign liver tumor and normal controls. Both tissue ICAM-1 and sICAM-1 were higher in the metastasis group than in the group without metastasis (tissue ICAM-1 20.24+/-0.30 vs 10.23+/-0.12 P < 0.05; sICAM-1 12.18+/-0.25 vs 9.77+/-0.54 P < 0.05). Northern blot analysis revealed that ICAM-1 expression, as indicated by mRNA level, was also higher in HCC and in cancer emboli than in tumor surrounding liver and normal liver.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissue ICAM-1 and serum sICAM-1 could indicate the stage of HCC, and the potential of hepatoma cells for invasion and metastasis. They may play an important role in the metastasis cascade.

[Changes of PAI-1 and biological behaviour of human hepatocellular carcinoma in metastatic model of nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and biological behaviour of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHOD

40 nude mice with LCI-D20 metastatic modes of human HCC (MMHCC) were established. The change of PAI-1 was determined by PAI-1 kit and immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody against PAI-1 in MMHCC progression.

RESULT

Following MMHCC progression from early to advanced stage, PAI-1 increased from 6.2 +/- 1.8 Au/ml to 15.4 +/- 0.7 Au/ml in plasma (P < 0.05), from 0.4 +/- 0.1 Au/mg to 0.8 +/- 0.3 Au/mg in extract (P < 0.05). The correlation between PAI-1 and tumor size and AFP level was strong (r = 0.9648 and r = 0.9544, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PAI-1 was increased gradually following tumor progression in MMHCC. PAI-1 correlated with tumor size and AFP level. PAI-1 related well with the invasiveness and prognosis of HCC.

The late-expressed region of the temperate coliphage 186 genome

The late-lytic region of the genome of bacteriophage 186 encodes the phage proteins that synthesize the complex viral particle and lyse the bacterial host. We report the completion of the DNA sequence of the late region and the assignment of 18 previously identified genes to open reading frames in the sequence. The 186 late region is similar to the late region of phage P2, sharing 26 genes of known function: the single gene for activation of late gene transcription, 6 genes for construction of DNA-containing heads, 16 for tail morphogenesis, and 3 for cell lysis. We identified two 186 late genes with unknown function; one is homologous to previously unrecognised genes in P2, HP1, and phiCTX, and the other may modulate DNA packaging. The 186 late region, like the rest of the genome, lacks the lysogenic conversion genes that are carried by P2, allowing the 186 late region to be transcribed from only three late promoters rather than four. The relative absence of lysogenic conversion genes in 186 suggests that the two phages have evolved to use the lytic and lysogenic reproductive modes to different extents.

Effects of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB-94 on liver cancer growth and metastasis in a patient-like orthotopic model LCI-D20

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to try to understand the effects of the synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor Batimastat (BB-94) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODOLOGY

An orthotopic metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice model (LCI-D20) was used to study primary tumor growth, local invasion and metastasis of HCC. MTT assay was used to study the effects of BB-94 on cytotoxin and proliferation of HCC cell line SMMC-7721 in vitro. A gelatine zymograph was used to study the expression of MMPs in the LCI-D20 tumor tissue.

RESULTS

BB-94 can inhibit primary tumor growth, local invasion, intrahepatic and lung metastasis, as well as prolong survival. BB-94 did not affect the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro. LCI-D20 tumor tissue expresses MMP-2 and MMP-9.

CONCLUSIONS

BB-94 has a cytostatic therapeutic effect on HCC.

Dynamic stability of glenohumeral joint during scapular plane elevation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the muscle-controlled dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint through X-ray fluoroscopy in active and passive shoulder elevation in scapular plane.

METHODS

Sixty healthy volunteers were collected in this study, including 23 men and 37 women, with an average age of 28.4 years. Passive and active shoulder elevation in scapular plane were observed under X-ray imaging. In 18 subjects, X-ray films were taken when the shoulder elevated in scapular plane from 0 degree to 150 degrees with a 30 degrees interval at each stage in both active and passive movements. The angles between the pivot of the humerus and the glenoid surface (GHA) during the active and passive motion were calculated and analyzed. Manual examination was also applied in the same manner.

RESULTS

The pivot of the humerus had a tendency to be vertically closer to the glenoid surface in the active elevation than in the passive elevation. The differences of GHA between the active and passive motion at 0 degree, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees and 150 degrees elevation were 4.55 degrees +/- 0.37 degree, 5.44 degrees +/- 1.16 degrees, 6.50 degrees +/- 1.50 degrees, 4.94 degrees +/- 0.82 degree, 4.50 degrees +/- 0.40 degree and 1.44 degrees +/- 0.68 degree, respectively. Manual examination found the angle between the scapula and the humerus tended to be larger in the active motion than in the passive motion.

CONCLUSION

The active coordination of the muscles around the shoulder is beneficial to the dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint.