Levels of components of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator system are related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease parenchymal destruction and airway remodelling

OBJECTIVE

Retrospective study to investigate levels of components of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

Peripheral lung tissue was obtained from patients who underwent surgical resection for benign lung diseases: 16 patients with COPD, 10 controls without lung function impairment who were smokers, and 10 controls without lung function impairment who were nonsmokers. Immunohistochemical staining for uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) was quantified. Airway remodelling (collagen; detected by Sirius red staining), lung function (determined by spirometry) and emphysema (alveolar destruction; percentage of low attenuation areas on computed tomography scan) were evaluated.

RESULTS

uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 were significantly different in structural lung cells and pulmonary macrophages from patients with COPD compared with controls. There were significant positive correlations between collagen levels and uPA and PAI-1, and between uPA and degree of emphysema. There were significant inverse correlations between lung function and uPA, uPAR and PAI-1.

CONCLUSION

Correlations between components of the uPA system and lung function, small airway fibrosis and emphysema indicate a role for the uPA system in COPD.

Production and characterization of recombinant 9 and 15 kDa granulysin by fed-batch fermentation in Pichia pastoris

Granulysin is a cytolytic, proinflammatory protein produced by human cytolytic T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Granulysin has two stable isoforms with molecular weight of 9 and 15 kDa; the 9-kDa form is a result of proteolytic maturation of the 15-kDa precursor. Recombinant 9-kDa granulysin exhibits cytolytic activity against a variety of microbes, such as bacteria, parasites, fungi, yeast and a variety of tumor cell lines. However, it is difficult to produce granulysin in large quantities by traditional methods. In this study, we developed a simple and robust fed-batch fermentation process for production and purification of recombinant 9- and 15-kDa granulysin using Pichia pastoris in a basal salt medium at high cell density. The granulysin yield reaches at least 100 mg/l in fermentation, and over 95 % purity was achieved with common His-select affinity and ion exchange chromatography. Functional analysis revealed that the yeast-expressed granulysin displayed dose-dependent target cytotoxicity. These results suggest that fermentation in P. pastoris provides a sound strategy for large-scale recombinant granulysin production that may be used in clinical applications and basic research.

Gene expression dynamics during diabetic periodontitis

Diabetes impairs the resolution of periodontal inflammation. We explored pathways altered by inflammation in the diabetic periodontium by using ligatures to induce periodontitis in type-2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Ligatures were removed after 7 days, and rats were then treated with TNF inhibitor (pegsunercept) or vehicle alone and euthanized 4 days later. RNA was extracted from periodontal tissue, examined by mRNA profiling, and further analyzed by functional criteria. We found that 1,754 genes were significantly up-regulated and 1,243 were down-regulated by pegsunercept (p < 0.05). Functional analysis revealed up-regulation of neuron-associated and retina-associated gene clusters as well as those related to cell activity and signaling. Others were down-regulated by TNF inhibition and included genes associated with host defense, apoptosis, cell signaling and activity, and coagulation/hemostasis/complement. For selected genes, findings with microarray and rt-PCR agreed. PPAR-α was investigated further by immunohistochemistry due to its anti-inflammatory function and was found to be up-regulated in the gingiva during the resolution of periodontal inflammation and suppressed by diabetes. The results indicate that diabetes-enhanced inflammation both up- and down-regulates genes involved in cellular activity and cell signaling, while it predominantly up-regulates genes involved in the host response, apoptosis, and coagulation/homeostasis/complement and down-regulates mRNA levels of neuron, retina, and energy/metabolism-associated genes.

Synergistic cytotoxicity of ex vivo expanded natural killer cells in combination with monoclonal antibody drugs against cancer cells

The adoptive transfer of highly cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells is an emerging tool for cancer immunotherapy. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) has recently been identified as one of the critical factors for the clinical efficacy of anticancer antibodies, in which NK cells are the major effectors of ADCC. NK cells were expanded from PBMC by a feeder-cell-free expansion method. NK cell expansion efficiency was evaluated within a period of 21 days. The kinetics of NK cell expansion and the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors on NK cells were monitored. NK cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α were detected by intracellular cytokine staining. The cytotoxicity of expanded NK cells against various cancer cells was compared with that of freshly isolated NK cells. The ADCC functions of expanded NK cells in combination with rituximab against CD20+ lymphoma cell lines were evaluated. Our method efficiently expanded NK cells ex vivo, which showed a much higher activity to induce the expression of activating receptors and to produce IFN-γ and TNF-α as well as cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines including CD133+ primary cancer cells than freshly isolated NK cells. We observed a synergistic cytotoxicity of our expanded NK cells against CD20+ B lymphoma cell lines as well as higher IFN-γ and TNF-α production when combined with rituximab. Our results suggest that the adoptive transfer of a large number of ex vivo expanded NK cells, particularly in combination with monoclonal antibody drugs, is a useful tool for cancer immunotherapy.

Clinical and pathological analysis of malignancies arising from alimentary tract duplications

BACKGROUND

Malignant change is a rare complication of alimentary tract duplications.

METHODS

Articles concerning malignancies arising from alimentary tract duplications published from 1955 to 2012 on PubMed were extensively reviewed. These cases were reclassified and analyzed according to sites of clinical manifestations, diagnostic examinations, methods of management, pathological findings, clinical staging and prognosis.

RESULTS

There were 64 citations in the literature that provided adequate descriptions of 67 cases of malignancies arising from alimentary tract duplications near the oesophagus (n = 6), stomach (n = 10), small intestine (n = 19), appendix (n = 1) and large intestine (n = 31). Among the cases described above, 57 underwent surgical treatment. In 43 patients with known prognosis, 7 died of tumour progression. In another 5 cases, the tumours recurred and metastasized recurred and metastasised after surgery at an average of 11.4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

For relieving symptoms and preventing malignant change, all duplications should be considered for surgery. Unfortunately, prognosis is generally poor once malignancy has occurred in the duplications.

Effects of intravitreal injection of KH902, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor decoy, on the retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AIMS

KH902 is a fusion protein that can bind vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) through its binding ligand taken from the domains of VEGF receptor 1 and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). This study was to investigate the effects of intravitreal injection of KH902 on the retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Two weeks after induction of diabetes, the left eyes of diabetic rats in each group received an intravitreal injection of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), Avastin or KH902 solution, respectively. Four weeks after intravitreal injection, retinal electrophysiological function and the integrity of inner blood retinal barrier (iBRB) were measured by electroretinogram and Evans blue perfusion. The protein levels of VEGF signal pathway were assayed by western blot. The expression and distribution of claudin-5 and occludin were analysed by double immunofluorescent staining under confocal microscope. The expression of VEGFR2 and PlGF was measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Four weeks after intravitreal injection, KH902-treated rats had better retinal electrophysiological function, less retinal vessel leakage and lower levels of VEGFR2, PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, p-ERK and p-SRC than PBS or Avastin-treated rats. The distribution of claudin-5 and occludin in the retinal vessels of diabetic rats treated by KH902 was smoother and more uniform than those of diabetic rats treated by PBS or Avastin. The expression of PlGF and VEGFR2 in KH902-treated rats was decreased compared with those in PBS or Avastin-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

KH902 could improve retinal electrophysiological function and inhibit the breakdown of iBRB by inhibiting the expression of VEGFR2, PlGF and PI3K, and the activation of SRC, AKT and ERK.

Effects of semen processing on the generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential of human spermatozoa

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of semen processing on the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in spermatozoa, and to develop reliable indexes for the evaluation of sperm quality during sperm preparation. Swim-up and density gradient centrifugation methods were used to separate semen in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), leucocytospermia (LC) and normozoospermia groups. Levels of ROS and MMP were measured by flow cytometry. Before preparation, the patients with abnormal semen parameters had a lower MMP and higher ROS, and there was a negative correlation between MMP and ROS. The levels of MMP and ROS increased significantly, especially ROS produced by swim-up. A significant difference was found between the correlation of MMP and total normal motile sperm count after preparation in the OAT group. The level of ROS was associated with the amount of white blood cells in the LC group. The MMP can be used as an objective index to evaluate the sperm quality of OAT patients, and the combination of MMP and ROS can be used to assess the efficiency of sperm preparation in LC patients. These findings can guide selection of the ideal sperm separation technique for different sperm samples.

Effects of overtraining on skeletal muscle growth and gene expression

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of overtraining on skeletal muscle growth and growth-related gene expression. The rats of overtraining group (OT) and overtraining recovery group (OTR) were subject to 11 experimental weeks of overtraining protocol. It was found that the absolute gastrocnemius muscle wet weight of the OT group was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group (23.6%, P<0.01). Serum creatine kinase was significantly higher in the OT and OTR groups than the sedentary group. CD68, CD163, MyoD, myogenin, IL-1β, TNF-α, IGF-I and MGF mRNA did not change in the OT group as compared with the sedentary group. IL-6 and TGF-β1 mRNA in the OT group increased significantly as compared with the sedentary group (2.17 fold and 1.78 fold, respectively; P<0.01). IL-10 mRNA decreased significantly in the OT group (63%, P<0.01) and the OTR group (77%, P<0.01) compared to the sedentary group. COX-2 mRNA decreased significantly in the OT group (60%, P<0.01) and the OTR group (69%, P<0.01) from the sedentary group. uPA mRNA in the OT group was significantly lower than that in the sedentary group (32%, P<0.01). These data suggest that inflammatory cytokines, COX-2 and uPA may play roles in the inhibition of skeletal muscle growth induced by overtraining.

Transcription factor E2F1 suppresses dendritic cell maturation. (167.3)

Recent studies report that transcription factor E2F1 regulates a number of genes in macrophage in response to immune stimulus, and involves in regulating T cell proliferation and differentiation. These studies indicate that E2F1 has impacts on the immune regulation additionally to its roles of regulating cell cycle and apoptosis. Our work shows that during the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced dendritic cell (DC) maturation, the level of E2F1 expression was transiently down regulated. The further study showed that knockdown of E2F1 induced both phenotypic and functional maturation in DCs. Conversely, DCs maintained in immature state when E2F1 was ectopically overexpressed. Moreover, E2F1 induced activation of multiple signaling pathways including PI3K, Erk1/2, NF-kappaB, which are generally thought to be involved in DC maturation. Overall, our study demonstrated that E2F1 served as a negative feedback factor to prevent overreaction in DC maturation.

Purification and characterization of human IL-10/Fc fusion protein expressed in Pichia pastoris

Interleukin (IL)-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that could be potentially applied for clinical therapy. However, its short circulating half-life in the serum limits its clinical applications. In this study, we designed a fusion protein containing human IL-10 and an IgG Fc fragment (hIL-10/Fc), and expressed it in Pichia pastoris. This hIL-10/Fc fusion protein was purified from the culture supernatant using MabSelect affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography. The hIL-10/Fc yield was about 5mg/L in shake flasks, with purity exceeding 95%. In addition, the hIL-10/Fc fusion protein suppressed the phytohemagglutinin-induced IFN-γ production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Pharmacokinetic study also revealed that hIL-10/Fc has a prolonged circulating half-life of about 30h in rats. More importantly, the hIL-10/Fc fusion protein displayed highly specific biological activity, which was slightly higher than that of the commercial recombinant human IL-10 (rhIL-10). Therefore, P. pastoris is useful in the large-scale production of hIL-10/Fc fusion protein for both research and therapeutic applications.

Clinicopathological significance of cyclooxygenase-2 and cell cycle-regulatory proteins expression in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to examine the expression of the molecular markers cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Ki-67, cyclin A, and p27 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), to ascertain the relationship of these makers with the clinicopathological significance of the patients, and to assess the additional prognostic value of the expression profile of these proteins for ESCC patients. The expression levels of COX-2, Ki-67, cyclin A, and p27 proteins of a series of primarily resected ESCC samples were determined by immunohistochemistry method. Clinicopathological and molecular factors affecting survival were analyzed by multivariate analysis. A total of 78 specimens were included in this study. Expression of COX-2 was observed in 43 (55.1%) cases, and high levels of expression of Ki-67, p27, and cyclin A were observed in 57 (73.0%), 33 (42.3%), 43 (55.1%) cases, respectively. The results of univariate survival analysis indicated that more advanced tumor stage, lymph node involvement, systemic dissemination, the levels of expression of COX-2, Ki-67, cyclin A, and p27 were associated with survival (all P-value < 0.05). Multifactorial survival analysis revealed that only lymph node involvement, over-expression of cyclin A, and low p27 expression were associated with the survival of the patients (hazard ratios = 2.83, 4.7, 2.9, respectively; P= 0.025, 0.042, 0.005, respectively). Among the molecular markers assessed, the expression of cell proliferation markers cyclin A and p27 are independent prognostic factors in patients with ESCC, whereas neither COX-2 nor Ki-67 is of independent prognostic value.

Defining the critical hurdles in cancer immunotherapy

Scientific discoveries that provide strong evidence of antitumor effects in preclinical models often encounter significant delays before being tested in patients with cancer. While some of these delays have a scientific basis, others do not. We need to do better. Innovative strategies need to move into early stage clinical trials as quickly as it is safe, and if successful, these therapies should efficiently obtain regulatory approval and widespread clinical application. In late 2009 and 2010 the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), convened an "Immunotherapy Summit" with representatives from immunotherapy organizations representing Europe, Japan, China and North America to discuss collaborations to improve development and delivery of cancer immunotherapy. One of the concepts raised by SITC and defined as critical by all parties was the need to identify hurdles that impede effective translation of cancer immunotherapy. With consensus on these hurdles, international working groups could be developed to make recommendations vetted by the participating organizations. These recommendations could then be considered by regulatory bodies, governmental and private funding agencies, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions to facilitate changes necessary to accelerate clinical translation of novel immune-based cancer therapies. The critical hurdles identified by representatives of the collaborating organizations, now organized as the World Immunotherapy Council, are presented and discussed in this report. Some of the identified hurdles impede all investigators; others hinder investigators only in certain regions or institutions or are more relevant to specific types of immunotherapy or first-in-humans studies. Each of these hurdles can significantly delay clinical translation of promising advances in immunotherapy yet if overcome, have the potential to improve outcomes of patients with cancer.

Induction of IGF-1R expression by EGR-1 facilitates the growth of prostate cancer cells

The transcription factor Early Growth Response-1 (EGR-1) is overexpressed in human prostate tumors and contributes to prostate cancer progression through an unknown mechanism. Here we report that EGR-1 transcriptionally regulates the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is highly expressed in primary prostate cancer. We find that ectopic expression of EGR-1 causes increase in IGF-1R expression, while knockdown of EGR-1 leads to dramatically decrease in IGF-1R expression. Results from chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and reporter assay show that the EGR-1 directly binds to the human IGF-1R gene and triggers the target gene expression. EGR-1 activates Erk and Akt pathway through regulation of IGF-1R, and thus promote prostate cancer cell growth. Taken together, these results suggest that EGR-1 may stimulate prostate cancer cell growth through up-regulation of IGF-1R and indicate that down-regulation of EGR-1 could be an effective therapeutic approach against prostate cancer.

NADPH oxidase: a target for the modulation of the excessive oxidase damage induced by overtraining in rat neutrophils

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that NADPH oxidase mediating the ROS production is the major pathway for ROS generation in neutrophils during exercise. NADPH oxidase, as a target can modulate oxidative damage induced by overtraining, which can be value to the prevention of exercise-induced immunosuppression.

METHODS

Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a negative control group (C, n = 10), an overtraining group (E, n = 10) and an overtraining + DPI intervention group (D, n =10). Groups E and D were trained on a standard treadmill with progressive load for 11 weeks. After 36-40 h from the last training, eight rats were randomly selected from each group, and blood was sampled from the orbital vein. ELISAs were used to measure serum cytokine levels and lipid peroxidation in blood plasma. Flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining was used to measure neutrophil apoptosis and necrosis. DNA damage in lymphocytes was tested using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). The co-localization between gp91(phox) and p47(phox) of the NADPH-oxidase was detected using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

1) Compared with group C, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly increased and MCP-1, and CINC were significantly decreased in blood plasma from group E (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Concentrations of IL-1β and MCP-1 were decreased (P < 0.05), and IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly increased (P <0.05) in blood plasma from group D. MDA and MPO were elevated in plasma from groups E and D (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). 2) Compared with group C, the percentage of neutrophils apoptosis were significantly elevated (P < 0.01) in both groups E and D, and the percentage of cell death was raised in group E (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in group D. 3) Compared with group C, the number of comet cells, an indicator of DNA damage, was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the width and tail length of comet cells were notably increased in group E, while no significant increase was observed in group D. 4) The p47(phox )protein translocated to the cell membrane and co-localized with the gp91(phox) subunit of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils activated by overtraining.

CONCLUSION

1) Excessive exercise led to an increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in peripheral blood, and it may have induced tissue inflammation 2) Overtraining can activate the NADPH oxidase-mediated overproduction of ROS, leading to increased lipid peroxidation. 3) NADPHoxidase in neutrophils as a target, was responsible for ROS, oxidative damage to phagocytes and lymphocytes and changes to inflammatory cytokines and immune regulatory factors all affect cellular immune functions and may be causative factors for exercise-induced immunosuppression.

Reduced expression of ΔΝp63α in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

As a member of the p53 family, p63 is considered to be an important differentiation regulation transcriptional factor, but the roles of p63 in many epithelial tumourigenesis and metastasis processes are still not clear. This study was designed to investigate the expression of p63 and its isoform in normal tissues and squamous cell cancer tissues of uterine cervix, and its significance in cancer cell differentiation.

METHODS

The expression of p63 was assessed in cervical tissue and cell lines by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western Blotting. The relationships between p63 protein, various clinico-pathological features, and the differentiation marker involucrin were analyzed.

RESULTS

ΔΝp63α is the predominant isoform expressed in cervical epithelial tissues, and it is decreased in moderately or poorly differentiated cervical squamous carcinoma, as well as in the HeLa, SiHa and C33A cervical cancer cell lines. The expression level of ΔΝp63α was positively correlated with that of involucrin in cervical squamous cancer tissue, and the expression of ΔΝp63α is decreased with the degree of tumour invasion.

CONCLUSION

The decrease of ΔΝp63α in cervical squamous cell cancer appears to be associated with the tumour progression, and ΔΝp63α may be a sensitive marker for cervical squamous cancer differentiation.