Differentially Expressed miRNA in Inflammatory Mucosa of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic sinusitis (chronic rhinosinusitis, CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, pathogenesis of which is not yet completely elucidated. MicroRNA has been shown to extensively be involved in immune response. To analyze the differential expression of miRNAs in chronic sinusitis, with or without nasal polyps (nasal polyps, NP), seven miRNAs (miR- 181b, miR-26b, miR-155, miR-146a, miR-125b, miR-124 and miR-92a) that are associated with inflammation were selected to be quantifying by RT-qPCR in 40 clinical samples and 5 controls. When compared to the normal control group, results showed that, in all patients with CRS, miR- 125b, miR-155 and miR-146a were up-regulated (P < 0.05), while miR-92a, miR-26b and miR- 181b were down-regulated (P < 0.05). MiR124 expression levels were not found to have significant changes. In relation to CRS without NP, miR-125b and miR-155 were significantly up-regulated while miR-92a, miR-26b, miR-181b were down-regulated in NP patients. Furthermore, the miR-92a and miR-26b expression levels were significantly reduced while miR-146a and miR124 expression levels had no significant changes in the NP samples. The RT-qPCR results indicate that the miRNAs were differentially expressed in CRS patients and various inflammation severities could lead to this difference. The results from this study may further reveal the relationship between miRNA expressions and inflammation. These results can also provide an important mechanism (primitive data) on the occurrence of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

Implication of metastasis suppressor gene, Kiss-1 and its receptor Kiss-1R in colorectal cancer

Background

Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R have been suggested as a novel pair of metastasis suppressors for several human solid tumours, however, their role in colorectal cancer remains largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role and signal transduction of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R in colorectal cancer.

Methods

Ribozyme transgenes were used to knockdown high expression of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R in HT115 and HRT18 cells. The stabilized transfected cells were then used to deduce the influence of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R on the function of colorectal cancer cells by in vitro assays and ECIS assay. The effect of Kiss-1 on MMPs related to tumour metastasis was also deleted by zymography. The mRNA and protein expression of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R, and their correlation to the clinical outcome in human colorectal cancer were investigated using real-time PCR and IHC respectively.

Results

Knocking down Kiss-1 resulted in increased invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Kisspeptin-10 decreased cellular migration of colorectal cancer cells and required ERK signaling as shown during the ECIS based analyses. Reduction of MMP-9 was caused by Kisspeptin-10 and ERK inhibitor, shown by zymography. In human colorectal cancer tissues, the mRNA expression level of Kiss-1 had a negative correlation with Dukes staging, TNM staging, tumour size and lymph node involvement. Reduction of Kiss-1R was also linked to poor prognosis for the patients.

Conclusions

The present study has presented evidence that Kiss-1 may be a putative metastasis suppressor molecule in human colorectal cancer.

Simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy for treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective clinical study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LANSCLC).

METHODS

48 patients with LANSCLC treated with SIB-IMRT from January 2010 to April 2012 were retrospectively analysed. A radiation dose of 45-63 Gy (median dose, 51.58 Gy) was delivered to the planning target volume (1.8-2.0 Gy daily fractions) simultaneously with 55.0-74.2 Gy (median dose, 63 Gy) to the planning gross tumour volume (2.00-2.25 Gy daily fractions). 45 patients received concurrent/sequential chemotherapy. The overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment-related pneumonitis and oesophagitis were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 4.0.

RESULTS

By 1 July 2013, 29 of the 48 patients were dead. The median follow-up time for the survivors was 28 months (19-44 months). The median OS and PFS were 21 and 14 months, respectively. The median LRFS time was not reached. The 2-year LRFS, OS and PFS were 62.5%, 45.1% and 28.0%, respectively. Two patients experienced Grade 3 treatment-related pneumonitis, two patients experienced Grade 5 treatment-related pneumonitis and two patients had ≥Grade 3 oesophagitis.

CONCLUSION

SIB-IMRT appears to be an effective therapeutic option in patients with LANSCLC and warrants further evaluation with increased number of patients in prospective clinical trials.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study explores the feasibility of delivering tumoricidal doses of radiation to primary lesions in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Expression of breast cancer metastasis suppressor-1, BRMS-1, in human breast cancer and the biological impact of BRMS-1 on the migration of breast cancer cells

Breast cancer metastasis suppressor-1 (BRMS1) is a candidate metastasis-suppressing gene and has been shown to potentially inhibit tumor progression without blocking the growth of orthotopic tumors, in different tumor types including non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian, melanoma and breast cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BRMS-1 gene transcript was quantified in breast cancer sample tissues and analyzed against histological and clinical patient outcome. Human breast cancer cell lines, MDA MB-231 and MCF-7 were used to genetically-modify the expression of BRMS-1 and test for biological responses following BRMS-1 modifications. Key candidate signal pathways, influenced by BRMS-1 were also explored.

RESULTS

BRMS1 was present in MDA MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines. Using anti-BRMS1 transgenes, we knocked-down the transcripts of BRMS1 in both cells at the mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of BRMS1 gave both cells a faster cell growth rate, rapid pace of cellular migration and invasion, compared to respective wild-type and control cells (p<0.05). Blocking phospholipase-Cγ (PLCγ) had a significant influence on the BRMS-1-induced cell migration. Finally, significantly low levels of BRMS1 were observed in patients with high-grade tumors (p=0.12), in patients with distant metastasis (p=0.05) and those who died of breast cancer (p=0.0037). In addition, patients with low levels of BRMS1 had a significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.035).

CONCLUSION

BRMS-1 is aberrantly expressed in human breast cancer and is inversely-correlated with disease progression and patient survival. This is likely to be occurring via its influence on invasion and migration of breast cancer cells.

Wnt1 inducible signalling pathway protein-2 (WISP‑2/CCN5): roles and regulation in human cancers (review)

Wnt1 inducible signalling pathway protein-2 (WISP‑2), also known as CCN5, CT58, CTGF-L, CTGF-3, HICP and Cop1, is one of the 3 WNT1 inducible proteins that belongs to the CCN family. This family of members has been shown to play multiple roles in a number of pathophysiological processes, including cell proliferation, adhesion, wound healing, extracellular matrix regulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, fibrosis, skeletal development and embryo implantation. Recent results suggest that WISP-2 is relevant to tumorigenesis and malignant transformation, particularly in breast cancer, colorectal cancer and hepatocarcinoma. Notably, its roles in cancer appear to vary depending on cell/tumour type and the microenvironment. The striking difference in the structure of WISP-2 in comparison with the other 2 family members may contribute to its difference in functions, which leads to the hypothesis that WISP-2 may act as a dominant-negative regulator of other CCN family members. In the present review, we summarise the roles, regulation and underlying mechanism of WISP-2 in human cancers.

Death-associated protein-3, DAP-3, correlates with preoperative chemotherapy effectiveness and prognosis of gastric cancer patients following perioperative chemotherapy and radical gastrectomy

Background:

DAP3 is a member of the death-associated protein (DAP) family and is characterised by proapoptotic function. It is involved in both exogenous and endogenous apoptotic pathways. In our previous studies, apoptotic level was found to be correlated with the effectiveness of preoperative chemotherapy. The effectiveness of preoperative chemotherapy was also associated with the overall effectiveness of the combined therapy and prognosis. The present study aimed to investigate the role of DAP3 in the evaluation of preoperative chemotherapy effectiveness and its ability to predict prognosis in gastric cancer.

Methods:

Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry staining were performed in 87 patients who received combined therapy. Knockdown of DAP3 was conducted in gastric cancer cell lines to investigate its impact on cell growth, migration, adhesion and invasion. Tolerance to chemotherapy agents was determined by assessing apoptosis and caspase-3.

Results:

Higher DAP3 expression in gastric tumours was correlated with better prognosis. Knockdown of DAP3 expression promoted cell migration and enhanced resistance to chemotherapy by inhibiting apoptosis.

Conclusion:

DAP3 is a potential molecular marker for response to preoperative chemotherapy and for predicting prognosis in gastric cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and gastrectomy.

The Kiss-1/Kiss-1R complex as a negative regulator of cell motility and cancer metastasis (Review)

Metastasis is a complex multistep process that involves the impairment of cell-cell adhesion in the neoplastic epithelium, invasion into adjacent tissues and the dissemination of cancer cells through the lymphatic and haematogenous routes. The inhibition of the metastatic process at an early stage has become a hot topic in cancer research. The Kiss-1 gene, initially described as a suppressor of metastasis in malignant melanoma, encodes the Kiss-1 protein which can be processed to other peptides, e.g., Kisspeptin-10, Kisspeptin-13, Kisspeptin-14 and Kisspeptin-54. These peptides are endogenous ligands of the Kiss‑1 receptor (Kiss-1R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) also known as hOT7T175, AXOR12 or GPR54. The Kiss-1 gene has been suggested as a suppressor of metastasis in a various types of cancer, including gastric cancer, oesophageal carcinoma, pancreatic, ovarian, bladder and prostate cancer, through the regulation of cellular migration and invasion. In the current review, we summarise the current understanding of the role of Kiss‑1 and Kiss‑1R in cancer and cancer metastasis.

Potential implication of IL-24 in lymphangiogenesis of human breast cancer

Lymphangiogenesis is involved in the dissemination of malignant cells from solid tumours to regional lymph nodes and possibly to various distant sites. Lymphangiogenesis is regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D. Interleukin (IL)-24 is known as a cytokine with potent antitumour and tumour-suppressive activity which functions through its receptor (IL-22R). Expression of IL-24 has been shown to be reduced in breast cancer, and the reduced expression is associated with lymphatic metastases and a poor prognosis. However, the involvement of IL-24 in lymphangiogenesis during lymphatic metastasis remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between IL-24, IL-22R and lymphangiogenic factors and markers in breast cancer. Analysis of IL-24, IL-22R and lymphangiogenic factors in malignant breast tissue samples (n=127) revealed a correlation between increased expression of lymphangiogenic markers (podoplanin, Prox-1 and LYVE-1) and reduced levels of IL-24 and IL-22R. Samples stained with a high degree of positivity for lymphangiogenic factors and markers whereas staining for IL-24 was weak. In vitro assays showed that the average perimeter length of microtubules formed by endothelial cells treated with IL-24 was significantly reduced compared to the control. The growth of endothelial cells was significantly reduced when exposed to a high concentration of IL-24 (250 ng/ml). Treatment of HECV cells with IL-24 resulted in significantly reduced expression of VEGF-C (P<0.05) and VEGF-D (P<0.001). In conclusion, reduced expression of IL-24 and IL-22R in breast cancer is correlated with increased expression of specific lymphangiogenic markers. IL-24 suppressed in vitro growth and microtubule formation of endothelial cells. IL-24 may downregulate the expression of lymphangiogenic markers and factors although further research is required. This suggests that IL-24 plays a profound role in suppressing tumour lymphangiogenesis, thereby, reducing the likelihood of cancer metastasis via the lymphatic route.

A novel marine nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospira species from Dutch coastal North Sea water

Marine microorganisms are important for the global nitrogen cycle, but marine nitrifiers, especially aerobic nitrite oxidizers, remain largely unexplored. To increase the number of cultured representatives of marine nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), a bioreactor cultivation approach was adopted to first enrich nitrifiers and ultimately nitrite oxidizers from Dutch coastal North Sea water. With solely ammonia as the substrate an active nitrifying community consisting of novel marine Nitrosomonas aerobic ammonia oxidizers (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria) and Nitrospina and Nitrospira NOB was obtained which converted a maximum of 2 mmol of ammonia per liter per day. Switching the feed of the culture to nitrite as a sole substrate resulted in a Nitrospira NOB dominated community (approximately 80% of the total microbial community based on fluorescence in situ hybridization and metagenomic data) converting a maximum of 3 mmol of nitrite per liter per day. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that the Nitrospira enriched from the North Sea is a novel Nitrospira species with Nitrospira marina as the next taxonomically described relative (94% 16S rRNA sequence identity). Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed a cell plan typical for Nitrospira species. The cytoplasm contained electron light particles that might represent glycogen storage. A large periplasmic space was present which was filled with electron dense particles. Nitrospira-targeted polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated the presence of the enriched Nitrospira species in a time series of North Sea genomic DNA samples. The availability of this new Nitrospira species enrichment culture facilitates further in-depth studies such as determination of physiological constraints, and comparison to other NOB species.

Expression of signal-induced proliferation-associated gene 1 (SIPA1), a RapGTPase-activating protein, is increased in colorectal cancer and has diverse effects on functions of colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Signal-induced proliferation-associated gene 1 (SIPA1) codes for a GTPase-activating protein, known to be a negative regulator of Ras-related Protein (RAP) which belongs to the Ras superfamily. It has been implicated in certain malignancies, including leukemia, cervical cancer and breast cancer. However the role of this molecule in colorectal cancer remains unknown. The current study aimed to investigate the expression of SIPA1 in colorectal tumour tissues and its impact on the function of colorectal cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 94 colorectal cancer tissues together with 80 normal background tissues were used to examine the expression of SIPA1 transcript and protein using real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical methods, respectively. Any association with clinical and histopathological characteristics was then identified. Ribozyme transgenes targeting SIPA1 were prepared to knockdown the expression of SIPA1 in colorectal cancer cells. The impact on their functions was subsequently determined, using respective in vitro function assays.

RESULTS

An increased expression of SIPA1 was evident in colorectal cancer tissues compared with its expression in normal background tissues (p<0.001). In colorectal tumours, its expression appeared to be lower in poorly-differentiated samples and in patients who had lymphatic metastasis. Knockdown of SIPA1 in colorectal cancer cells resulted in reduced cell growth in vitro. The knockdown exhibited a contrasting effect on invasion and migration, both of which were increased in SIPA1-knockdown cells compared with the controls.

CONCLUSION

SIPA1 is up-regulated in colorectal cancer. This suggests that SIPA1 plays diverse roles during disease progression as has contrasting effects on growth and motility of colorectal cancer cells.

Periodontal tissue engineering with stem cells from the periodontal ligament of human retained deciduous teeth

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Periodontal ligament stem cells from human permanent teeth (PePDLSCs) have been investigated extensively in periodontal tissue engineering and regeneration. However, little knowledge is available on the periodontal ligament stem cells from human retained deciduous teeth (DePDLSCs). This study evaluated the potential of DePDLSCs in periodontal tissue regeneration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

DePDLSCs were isolated and purified by limited dilution. The characteristics of DePDLSCs were evaluated and compared with PePDLSCs both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

DePDLSCs presented a higher proliferation rate and colony-forming capacity than PePDLSCs in vitro. During the osteogenic induction, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralized matrix formation and expression of mineralization-related genes, including runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), ALP, collagen type I (COLI) and osteocalcin (OCN) were significantly enhanced in DePDLSCs compared with PePDLSCs. Furthermore, DePDLSC cell sheets showed a stronger synthesis of collagen type I in the extracellular matrix than did PePDLSC cell sheets. After in vivo transplantation, DePDLSC cell sheets recombined with human dentin blocks were able to generate new cementum/periodontal ligament-like tissues.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that DePDLSCs can be used as a promising candidate for periodontal tissue engineering.

Impact of Yangzheng Xiaoji on the adhesion and migration of human cancer cells: the role of the AKT signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Yangzheng Xiaoji is a traditional Chinese medical formulation that has been shown to have anticancer actions in patients with various solid tumours. The mechanisms of the potential anticancer action of Yangzheng Xiaoji are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the direct effects of Yangzheng Xiaoji on a range of human cancer cell lines and investigated the possible mechanism(s) of its action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extract of Yangzheng Xiaoji (DME25) was prepared using dimethyl sulfoxide. The influence of DME25 on in vitro growth, adhesion and migration was examined using in vitro function assays. The effects on signalling protein kinases were assessed using western blotting.

RESULTS

DME25 suppressed adhesion and migration of various cancer cell, including those of breast, prostate, lung, osteosarcoma and colorectal cancer. Further investigation showed an involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway in the inhibitory effect on the adhesion of cancer cells by DME25.

CONCLUSION

Yangzheng Xiaoji exerts its anticancer effects not only via synergistically working together with chemotherapy, but also by directly inhibiting adhesion and migration of cancer cells. The PI3K/AKT pathway is a potential signalling pathway targeted by Yangzheng Xiaoji.

Targeted therapy via oral administration of attenuated Salmonella expression plasmid-vectored Stat3-shRNA cures orthotopically transplanted mouse HCC

The development of RNA interference-based cancer gene therapies has been delayed due to the lack of effective tumor-targeting delivery systems. Attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) has a natural tropism for solid tumors. We report here the use of attenuated S. Typhimurium as a vector to deliver shRNA directly into tumor cells. Constitutively activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a key transcription factor involved in both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and metastasis. In this study, attenuated S. Typhimurium was capable of delivering shRNA-expressing vectors to the targeted cancer cells and inducing RNA interference in vivo. More importantly, a single oral dose of attenuated S. Typhimurium carrying shRNA-expressing vectors targeting Stat3 induced remarkably delayed and reduced HCC (in 70% of mice). Cancer in these cured mice did not recur over 2 years following treatment. These data demonstrated that RNA interference combined with Salmonella as a delivery system may offer a novel clinical approach for cancer gene therapy.

[Zero-stress state of renal artery in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

By observing the opening angle of the renal artery, the zero-stress state of the renal artery was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) prior to and posterior to their hypertension, and the role of endogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin (ET) on the zero-stress state was studied by giving SHR Losartan(AT1 receptor antagonist of Ang II) and BMS-182874 (an A type receptor antagonist of ET) respectively. The opening angle of the renal artery in SHR with established hypertension was much greater than that in wistar-Kyoto rats(WKY) (114.2 +/- 42.2 vs 70.2 +/- 30.4, P < 0.01). The opening angles of the renal artery in SHR treated with Losartan and BMS-182874 were much smaller than those in control SHR. The opening angles of the renal artery in Losartan-treated and BMS-182874-treated SHR were 65.9 +/- 32.7 and 66.6 +/- 41.54 respectively. The results suggest that non-unequal growth exists in the renal arterial wall in SHR with established hypertension and the residual stress and strain in SHR are greater than those in age-matched WKY. Endogenous Ang II and ET may play a role in the changes of zero-stress state in SHR with hypertension.

[Remodeling and biomechanical properties of thoracic aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

Morphometry and microstructure of thoracic aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at different periods before and after hypertension were studied quantitatively by histological method and computer image analysis. We also observed the changes of opening angle in the zero-stress state and the relationship between pressure and diameter in SHR during established hypertension. The results showed that with blood pressure chronically increasing, there was a significant increase in morphometric parameters and microstructure parameters of the thoracic aorta in SHR. The zero-stress state of opening angle in SHR during established hypertension increased significantly. These reults suggest that aortic structural remodeling in hypertension such as thickness of vascular wall and disproportional increase of collagen may lead to decrease in distensibility of the aorta in SHR. The structural remodeling and changes of mechanical properties in aorta may contribute to the important pathophysiology of hypertension-induced complications.

[Sequencing and analysis of the NS5 region of HGV/GBV-C gene]

To study the genomic organization of non structural region 5 of HGV in China, 186 nucleotides of NS5 region of HGV were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The data were analyzed with computer programs. The results indicated that the gene sequence homology between 2 HGV isolates in this study was 95.2%. The comparison of these 2 isolates and 3 foreign isolates reported previously showed that the sequence homology was in the range of 84.4% to 92.4%, and was obvious by divergent from the foreign isolates. The results make us consider that HGV may have different genotypes, after a further inspection into the gene sequence of each region of HGV. The 2 isolates were from the sera collected in 1984, therefore the existence of HGV infection in Harbin was retrospectively traced to 1980s.

Computerized case-based instructional system for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of brain tumors

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

A computerized system that applies the case-based approach to training radiologists to diagnose brain tumors was designed. The authors attempted to provide residents a tool that supports their visual memory and inducts case-based reasoning.

METHODS

A relational database with a digital image library was implemented and incorporated into a computer aided instruction environment based on case presentation. An indexing system was structured around case features (case history and radiologic findings). "If-then" type rules were used to control the search direction within the case library and to generate lists of diagnostic hypotheses. The indexing system was evaluated against cases "known" to the system.

RESULTS

The current case library consists of 122 cases with 640 digitized images (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). The accuracy of retrieval for "known" to the system cases was 80.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

A case library stored on a personal computer can be efficiently searched for a combination of radiologic findings and can offer quality images for comparison to the case in question. A case library is a source of the information that may be used by different teaching applications.