An integrated microfluidics platform with high-throughput single-cell cloning array and concentration gradient generator for efficient cancer drug effect screening

BACKGROUND

Tumor cell heterogeneity mediated drug resistance has been recognized as the stumbling block of cancer treatment. Elucidating the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs at single-cell level in a high-throughput way is thus of great value for developing precision therapy. However, current techniques suffer from limitations in dynamically characterizing the responses of thousands of single cells or cell clones presented to multiple drug conditions.

METHODS

We developed a new microfluidics-based "SMART" platform that is Simple to operate, able to generate a Massive single-cell array and Multiplex drug concentrations, capable of keeping cells Alive, Retainable and Trackable in the microchambers. These features are achieved by integrating a Microfluidic chamber Array (4320 units) and a six-Concentration gradient generator (MAC), which enables highly efficient analysis of leukemia drug effects on single cells and cell clones in a high-throughput way.

RESULTS

A simple procedure produces 6 on-chip drug gradients to treat more than 3000 single cells or single-cell derived clones and thus allows an efficient and precise analysis of cell heterogeneity. The statistic results reveal that Imatinib (Ima) and Resveratrol (Res) combination treatment on single cells or clones is much more efficient than Ima or Res single drug treatment, indicated by the markedly reduced half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀). Additionally, single-cell derived clones demonstrate a higher IC₅₀ in each drug treatment compared to single cells. Moreover, primary cells isolated from two leukemia patients are also found with apparent heterogeneity upon drug treatment on MAC.

CONCLUSION

This microfluidics-based "SMART" platform allows high-throughput single-cell capture and culture, dynamic drug-gradient treatment and cell response monitoring, which represents a new approach to efficiently investigate anticancer drug effects and should benefit drug discovery for leukemia and other cancers.

Analysis of the Primary and Post-Treatment Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori in the Nanjing Area

BACKGROUND

Resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to antibiotics is increasing worldwide. The study was aimed to understand the current situation of antibiotic resistance in Nanjing and to provide a reasonable basis for clinical selection of antibiotics to cure H. pylori.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the current status of H. pylori antibiotics resistance in the Nanjing area, and analyze the primary and post-treatment antibiotic resistance of H. pylori in this area.

METHODS

During the period from July 2017 to December 2019, 1533 gastric mucosal specimens from patients with positive H. pylori confirmed by a breath test or rapid urease test were collected for isolation and identification of H. pylori. The agar dilution method was used for the antibiotic resistance test.

RESULTS

The result showed that the resistance rates of H. pylori to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, furazolidone, tetracycline and metronidazole were 2.74%, 47.03%, 33.59%, 0.91%, 0.52% and 80.76%, respectively in the period of July 2017 to December 2019. The resistance rates of H. pylori (primary vs. post-treatment) to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, furazolidone, tetracycline and metronidazole were 1.83% vs. 6.08%, 38.62% vs. 77.81%, 27.41% vs. 56.23%, 0.58% vs. 2.13%, 0.33% vs. 1.22%, 78.57% vs. 88.75%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic resistance of H. pylori remained a problem for the effective eradication of this pathogen and its associated diseases in the Nanjing area. For post-treatment eradication patients, clinicians should take into account regional antibiotic resistance rate, personal antibiotic exposure history, economic benefit ratio, adverse antibiotic reactions, antibiotic availability and other aspects.

MiR-142-3p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting RAC1/PAK1 pathway in breast cancer

MicroRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p) was previously investigated in various cancers, whereas, it's role in breast cancer (BC) remains far from understood. In this study, we found that miR-142-3p was markedly decreased both in cell lines and BC tumor tissues. Elevated miR-142-3p expression suppressed growth and metastasis of BC cell lines via gain-of-function assay in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-142-3p could regulate the ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) expression in protein level, which simultaneously suppressed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition related protein levels and the activity of PAK1 phosphorylation, respectively. In addition, rescue experiments revealed RAC1 overexpression could reverse tumor-suppressive role of miR-142-3p. Our results showed miR-142-3p could function as a tumor suppressor via targeting RAC1/PAK1 pathway in BC, suggesting a potent therapeutic target for BC treatment.

Identification of critically carcinogenesis-related genes in basal cell carcinoma

Background

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a frequent malignant tumor of skin cancers with high morbidity. The objective of this study was to identify critical genes and pathways related to the carcinogenesis of BCC and gain more insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of BCC.

Materials and methods

The gene expression profiles of GSE7553 and GSE103439 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database with 19 tumors and 6 normal skin tissues. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between BCC samples and normal tissues, followed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. Subsequently, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for these DEGs, and module analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 313 DEGs were obtained. Among them, 222 genes were upregulated and 91 genes were downregulated. Enrichment analysis indicated that the upregulated genes were significantly enriched in cell cycle and mitosis, while the downregulated genes were mainly associated with unsaturated fatty acid metabolic process and cell differentiation. In addition, TOP2A, CDK1, and CCNB1 were identified as the top three hub genes ranked by degrees in the PPI network. Meanwhile, three subnetworks were derived, which indicated that these DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways, including “cell cycle”, “extracellular matrix–receptor interaction”, “basal cell carcinoma”, and “hedgehog signaling pathway”.

Conclusions

The novel critical DEGs and pathways identified in this study may serve pivotal roles in the carcinogenesis of BCC and indicate more molecular targets for the treatment of BCC.

microRNA-485-5p Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Targeting CD147

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a prevalent malignancy in the world. There is growing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) as crucial modulator are in connection with many tumor-related diseases including CRC. Though miR-485-5p has been reported as an anti-oncogene in certain cancers, it remains unclear in CRC. In this research, we found that miR-485-5p was at lower level expression in CRC tissues and cell lines compared to the paired paracancerous tissues and the normal colon epithelial cell line FHC, correspondingly. Furthermore, Experimental up-regulation miR-485-5p in DLD-1 and SW480 cells with mimic could inhibit the ability of proliferation, migration, invasion of CRC cell lines and facilitate cells apoptosis. Also, we confirmed that CD147 existed typically negative regulation by miR-485-5p through binding a conserved sequence specifically within the CD147 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) and reintroduction of CD147 could rescue the phenotypic changes caused by miR-485-5p. The findings provide evidence to demonstrate the role of miR-485-5p/CD147 interaction in CRC and indicate that miR-485-5p might be exploited therapeutically in CRC.

Methylation of Tcf712 promoter by high-fat diet impairs β-cell function in mouse pancreatic islets

BACKGROUND

The TCF7L2 (transcription factor 7 like 2) gene is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes risk. However, many people without the TCF7L2 at-risk allele develop T2D. The aim of this study was to investigate altered Tcf7l2 DNA methylation and gene expression caused by high-fat diets (HFDs).

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were fed either an HFD or normal diet for 8 weeks, and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed. Pancreatic islets were sorted for bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction to determine DNA methylation status. We cloned the Tcf7l2 promoter, methylated it with methyltransferase, and transfected this construct into MIN-6 cells to confirm the effects of promoter methylation on Tcf7l2 expression.

RESULTS

Aberrant methylation at position -165 bp relative to the transcriptional start site of Tcf7l2 was present in mice fed an HFD. Accordingly, expression of Tcf7l2 mRNA and its corresponding protein was lower in the HFD group (P < .05). Methylation of the Tcf7l2 promoter suppressed gene expression in MIN-6 cells.

CONCLUSION

An HFD was shown to induce aberrant methylation of the Tcf7l2 promoter in mouse islets, which resulted in diminished gene expression. This study provides an evidence of the association between nutrient consumption and gene expression.

MiR-608, pre-miR-124-1 and pre-miR26a-1 polymorphisms modify susceptibility and recurrence-free survival in surgically resected CRC individuals

Genetic variation within microRNA (miRNA) may result in its abnormal folding or aberrant expression, contributing to colorectal turmorigenesis and metastasis. However, the association of six polymorphisms (miR-608 rs4919510, miR-499a rs3746444, miR-146a rs2910164, pre-miR-143 rs41291957, pre-miR-124-1 rs531564 and pre-miR-26a-1 rs7372209) with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, therapeutic response and survival remains unclear. A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the association in 1358 0-III stage resected CRC patients and 1079 healthy controls using Sequenom's MassARRAY platform. The results showed that rs4919510 was significantly associated with a decreased susceptibility to CRC in co-dominant, allele and recessive genetic models, and the protective role of rs4919510 allele G and genotype GG was more pronounced among stage 0-II cases; significant association between rs531564 and poor RFS was observed in cases undergoing adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in co-dominant, allele and dominant models; moreover, there was a positive association between rs7372209 and recurrence-free survival in stage II cases in co-dominant and over-dominant models; additionally, a cumulative effect of rs531564 and rs7372209 at-risk genotypes with hazard ratio at 1.30 and 1.95 for one and two at-risk genotypes was examined in stage II cases, respectively. Our findings indicated that rs4919510 allele G and genotype GG were protective factors for 0-II stage CRC, rs7372209 and rs531564 could decrease RFS in II stage individuals and resected CRC patients receiving adjuvant chemo-radiology.

Nucleotide excision repair pathway gene polymorphisms are linked to breast cancer risk in a Chinese population

Polymorphisms in nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway genes are associated with the risk of breast cancer, but the relevance of these associations appeared to vary according to the ethnicity of the subjects. To systemically evaluate the potential associations between NER polymorphisms and breast cancer risk in a Chinese population, we carried out a case-control study on 450 breast cancer patients and 430 healthy controls. Sequenom MassARRAY was used for genotyping, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression in tumor tissue. Our results showed that ERCC1 rs11615 (additive model: OR_adjusted: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.71, p = 0.009), XPC rs2228000 (additive model: OR_adjusted: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.13-1.72, p = 0.002) and ERCC2/XPD rs50872 (additive model: OR_adjusted: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04-1.67, p = 0.021) were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Stratified analysis revealed three polymorphisms (rs11615, rs1800975, and rs50872) to be associated with breast cancer in menopausal females. Three polymorphisms were associated with specific breast cancer grades (rs11615 with grade 3, rs2228000 and rs50872 with grade 1-2). Two polymorphisms (rs2228001 and rs50872) were associated with the risk of breast cancer with negative lymph node involvement. rs1800975 and rs50872 were associated with the risk of ER⁻ and PR⁻ breast cancer, whereas rs11615 was associated with the risk of ER⁺ and PR⁺ breast cancer. We found that carriers of the T allele of ERCC1 rs11615, XPC rs2228000 and rs50872, particularly in postmenopausal females, have an increased risk of breast cancer.

The Predictive and Prognostic Role of Stromal Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes in HER2-positive Breast Cancer with Trastuzumab-based Treatment: a Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Background Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are white blood cells that have left the bloodstream and migrated into a tumor, involving in the prognosis of breast cancer (BC) patients. Published studies reported the value of TILs in patients with HER2-positive receiving trastuzumab-based treatment. However, the results obtained remain controversial. Here, we conducted this study to explore the predictive and prognostic role of TILs for HER2-positive BC patients receiving trastuzumab therapies.

Method To identify the related published studies, a comprehensive literature search dating up to July 2017 was performed in the databases of PubMed, PMC, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) according to predefined selection criteria. The pathologic complete response (pCR) and survival outcome of patients were measured by odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI), respectively. The association between TILs and trastuzumab benefit was analyzed by using STATA version 11.0.

Result Eleven eligible studies comprising 3228 patients were identified in the present study. The pooled results showed that high level of TILs was associated with a significantly improved pCR rate (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.10-1.60) and longer survival (HR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.96-0.99), particularly in the subgroups of retrospective study design and 10% INC cut-off value. Moreover, stratified analysis revealed that elevated TILs was a predictor of higher pCR rate in the Asian population and improved survival in the subgroups of Caucasian population and multivariate analysis.

Conclusion This meta-analysis indicated that the level of stromal TILs was an independent predictive and prognostic marker for better outcome in HER2-positive BC patients receiving trastuzumab-based treatment. High level of TILs was significantly associated with trastuzumab benefit.

Association between SNPs in Long Non-coding RNAs and the Risk of Female Breast Cancer in a Chinese Population

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the lncRNAs also play a vital role in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between the four selected tagSNPs (rs944289, rs3787016, rs1456315, rs7463708) in the lncRNAs and the risk of female breast cancer in a Chinese population. A case-control study was carried out involving in a total of 439 breast cancer patients and 439 age-matched healthy controls. The genotyping was performed with Sequenom MassARRAY and the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) in tumor tissues was measured by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. We found that rs3787016 TT genotype (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-2.41, P = 0.018) was associated with an increased risk of female breast cancer, especially among the patients with premenopausal status (adjusted OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.30-4.97, P = 0.006). Moreover, a statistically significant increased risk of the rs3787016 TT genotype was observed among the patients with advanced tumor stage (Ⅲ and Ⅳ), poor histological grade (G3-G4), positive lymph node involvement, positive expression of ER and PR and negative expression of HER-2; rs7463708 GT and GT/GG genotype were associated with decreased risk of breast cancer in the subgroup of patients with postmenopausal status (GT versus (vs.) TT: adjusted OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.46-0.99, P = 0.043; GT/GG vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.47-0.98, P = 0.041) and tumor late-stage (GT vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.43-0.97, P = 0.037; GT/GG vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44-0.96, P = 0.029). In short, rs3787016 TT genotype was associated with increased breast cancer risk and clinicopathologic features of the tumor, especially among premenopausal women.

Enhanced SOCS3 in osteoarthiritis may limit both proliferation and inflammation

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is characterized by localized inflammatory and secondary proliferative changes. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is elevated during OA development. We investigated the effects of this protein on human chondrocyte survival in OA and the inflammatory response together with the mechanisms of these effects. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down the expression of SOCS3 in interleukin(IL)-1β-induced primary human osteoarthritic chondrocytes. We found that siRNA-mediated SOCS3 knock-down in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes increased production of IL-1β-induced prostaglandin E₂, cell growth, transcript level and nuclear translocation of cyclin D1. Silencing of SOCS3 resulted in altered expression of nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase (COX2). Our findings indicate that enhanced SOCS3 could have contradictory influences on OA development. SOCS3 might protect damaged joints by its anti-inflammatory effect and by inhibition of over-augmented cartilage tissue repair, which could exhibit inhibitory properties for joint inflammation, abnormal chondrocyte clustering and osteophyte formation in OA. On the other hand, SOCS3 might reduce chondrocyte growth response, which would delay repair of subchondral cancellous bone damage in OA owing to its anti-proliferation effect. The anti-inflammation and growth inhibition effects exhibited by enhanced SOCS3 in OA appear to be related to its capacity to down-regulate expression levels of NF-κB and COX2.

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms in the LncRNAs with Gastric Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified that polymorphisms in 8q24 confer susceptibility to gastric cancer. Polymorphisms in the lncRNA PRNCR1, PCAT1, and CCAT2 transcribed from the 8q24 locus have a potential risk for gastric cancer.

Methods: To evaluate whether there is such an association in Chinese population, a case-control study enrolled 494 patients and 494 healthy controls was carried out. Sequenom MassARRAY platform was used for genotyping.

Results: This study showed that rs16901946 G allele was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (AG: adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI =1.02-1.73, p=0.033; GG: adjusted OR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.11-3.86, p=0.023, AG/GG: adjusted OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.08-1.1.79, p=0.011; additive model: adjusted OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.10-1.70, p=0.004). Stratified analysis revealed that the increased risk was more evident in the cohort of younger subjects (adjusted OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.18-2.87, p=0.007), males (adjusted OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.15-2.08, p=0.004), positive Helicobacter pylori infection (adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.02-2.03, p=0.041), gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (adjusted OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.10-2.35, p=0.014), and tumor stage T1-T2 (adjusted OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.10-2.28, p=0.013).

Conclusions: Our study suggested that rs16901946 G allele carriers have an increased risk of gastric cancer, and the risk could be enhanced by the interactions between the polymorphism and age, sex, Helicobacter pylori infection.

Combination of preoperative NLR, PLR and CEA could increase the diagnostic efficacy for I-III stage CRC

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of CRC. The members of inflammatory biomarkers, preoperative NLR and PLR, have been proved by numerous studies to be promising prognostic biomarkers for CRC. However, the diagnostic value of the two biomarkers in CRC remains unknown, and no study reported the combined diagnostic efficacy of NLR, PLR and CEA.

METHODS

Five hundred and fifty-nine patients with I-III stage CRC undergoing surgical resection and 559 gender- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this retrospective study. NLR and PLR were calculated from preoperative peripheral blood cell count detected using white blood cell five classification by Sysmex XT-1800i Automated Hematology System and serum CEA were measured by electrochemiluminescence by ELECSYS 2010. The diagnostic performance of NLR, PLR and CEA for CRC was evaluated by ROC curve.

RESULTS

Levels of NLR and PLR in the cases were significantly higher than them in the healthy controls. ROC curves comparison analyses showed that the diagnostic efficacy of NLR (AUC=.755, 95%CI=.728-.780) alone for CRC was significantly higher than PLR (AUC=.723, 95%CI=.696-.749, P=.037) and CEA (AUC=.690, 95%CI=.662-.717, P=.002) alone. In addition, the diagnostic efficacy of the combination of NLR, PLR and CEA(AUC=.831, 95%CI=.807-.852)for CRC was not only significantly higher than NLR alone but also higher than any combinations of the two of these three biomarkers (P<.05). Moreover, the NLR and PLR in the patients with TNM stage I/II was higher than that in the healthy controls, and patients with stage III had a higher NLR and PLR than those with stage I/II, but no significant difference was observed.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that preoperative NLR could be a CRC diagnostic biomarker, even for early stage CRC, and the combination of NLR, PLR and CEA could significantly improve the diagnostic efficacy.

MicroRNA expression profiles predict progression and clinical outcome in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Accumulating evidence has indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) can be proposed as promising diagnostic and prognostic markers for various cancers. The current study analyzed the miRNA expression profiles of 418 lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cases obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, with the aim to investigate the relationship of miRNAs with progression and prognosis of LUAD. A total of 185 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between LUAD tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Among them, 13, 10, 0, and 10 miRNAs were discovered to be associated with pathologic T, N, M, and Stage, respectively. Interestingly, mir-200 family (mir-200a, mir-200b, and mir-429) was shown to play a critical role in the progression of LUAD. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, mir-1468 (P=0.009), mir-212 (P=0.026), mir-3653 (P=0.012), and mir-31 (P=0.002) were significantly correlated with recurrence-free survival. With regard to overall survival, mir-551b (P=0.011), mir-3653 (P=0.016), and mir-31 (P=0.001) were proven as independent prognostic markers. In summary, this study identified the cancer-specific miRNAs that may predict the progression and prognosis of LUAD.

FCGR2A, FCGR3A polymorphisms and therapeutic efficacy of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody in metastatic colorectal cancer

Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (mAb) such as cetuximab, panitumumab are one kind of efficacious targeted drugs in treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, only a small proportion of patients harbored wild-KRAS genotype can benefit from it. We hypothesized that personal genetic heterogeneity might be the main cause leading to obvious difference in its clinical efficacy. A retrospective study including 82 mCRC patients treated with chemotherapy plus cetuximab and a comprehensive meta-analysis containing 2831 cases within sixteen eligible studies were conducted to investigate the possible association between FCGR2A H131R and FCGR3A V158F and clinical outcome of mCRC patients treated with anti-EGFR mAb based therapy. Results of the retrospective study showed that H131R within FCGR2A or V158F within FCGR3A were not associated with clinical outcome in 82 KRAS wild chemorefractory mCRC patients in co-dominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, allele genetic models. However, the comprehensive meta-analysis with the largest of sample size obtained the significant result between FCGR3A V158F and PFS (FV/VV vs. FF: P_h = 0.027, MSR = 0.680, 95%CI = 0.549−0.842 in overall population; P_h = 0.12, MSR = 0.728, 95%CI = 0.648–0.818 in KRAS wild population) and OS (VV vs. FF: P_h < 0.001, MSR = 0.733, 95%CI = 0.578−0.930 in overall population). These findings indicate that KRAS wild chemorefractory mCRC individual harbored genotype FF of V158Fcan benefit from anti-EGFR mAb adjuvant therapy in terms of PFS and OS, and it may be useful genetic biomarker to predict clinical survival of mCRC individuals with anti-EGFR mAb based therapy.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio could be a promising prognostic biomarker for survival of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Inflammation is one of the most important causes leading to colorectal carcinogenesis, and inflammatory biomarkers such as the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) might predict survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prognostic value of PLR in CRC patients remains controversial. The prognostic value of PLR was comprehensively analyzed in 12 articles including 3541 CRC patients (10 for overall survival (OS), seven for disease-free survival (DFS), three for recurrence-free survival (RFS), and three for cancer-specific survival (CSS)) in this study. The overall pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of PLR for OS, DFS, and CSS were significant at 1.29 (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.13-1.47, P H = 0.149), 1.43 (95% CI = 1.03-1.97, P H = 0.025), and 1.26 (95% CI = 1.04-1.52, P H = 0.223), respectively. However, there was no evidence of significance for RFS (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.98-1.70, P H = 0.231) in our study. Stratified analyses indicated elevated PLR was a predictor of poor OS (metastatic patients) and DFS (Caucasian population) and was also significantly associated with OS in univariate analysis (HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.14-1.60, P H = 0.532) and those only treated surgically (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.10-1.70, P H = 1.080). However, our findings indicated that elevated PLR is a promising prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer, especially in metastatic Caucasian CRC patients.

Prognostic performance of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: an updated meta-analysis of eleven reports

Purpose

The findings on the prognostic value of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted to more precisely evaluate the prognostic significance of LMR in DLBCL.

Methods

This analysis combined eleven studies with 4,578 patients aiming to assess the association of LMR with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in DLBCL. Data from studies directly reporting a hazard ratio (HR) with 95% corresponding confidence interval (CI) in multivariate analysis were pooled to estimate the effect.

Results

Our results suggested that patients with decreased LMR had shorter OS (HR =1.79, 95% CI =1.54–2.08, P<0.001) and PFS (HR =2.21, 95% CI =1.80–2.72, P<0.001) in DLBCL. Stratified analyses indicated that each confounder showed consistent prognostic value in DLBCL. There was no significant heterogeneity for PFS (P_H=0.192) and OS (P_H=0.212) among the enrolled studies.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis indicated that decreased LMR might be a marker in the prediction of poor prognosis for patients with DLBCL.

Analysis of Diagnostic Value of YKL-40 in Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is crucial in clinical practice but is difficult. Accumulating studies have investigated the utility of YKL-40 in early detection of ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall accuracy of YKL-40 in diagnosis of ovarian cancer through a meta-analysis of published studies.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of related literature was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Meta-DiSc 1.4 and STATA 11.0 were selected for data analysis, and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool version 2 was used to assess the quality of included studies. Data from selected studies were pooled to yield summary sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies dating up to May 2015 with 1623 individuals were enrolled in the present study. The pooled characteristics of these studies were as follows: sensitivity 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.75), specificity 0.90 (95% CI, 0.88-0.92), positive likelihood ratio 7.24 (95% CI, 4.22-12.43), negative likelihood ratio 0.34 (95% CI, 0.27-0.42), and diagnostic odds ratio 24.93 (95% CI, 12.61-49.27), respectively. The area under the curve was 0.8471.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that YKL-40 could be regarded as an effective biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

The effect of BIM deletion polymorphism on intrinsic resistance and clinical outcome of cancer patient with kinase inhibitor therapy

A common deletion polymorphism within B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia-lymphoma like 11 gene (BIM) was deemed to be a genetic cause leading to compromised kinase inhibitor therapeutic efficacy in cancer individuals. However, the results reported were not consistent. Thus, a comprehensive meta-analysis containing 12 eligible studies including 1,532 Asian patients was conducted to investigate a steady and reliable conclusion. The results showed that BIM deletion polymorphism was significantly associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) clinical efficacy in term of response rate (P_h = 0.349, HR = 0.438, 95%CI = 0.274–0.699) and disease control rate (P_h = 0.941, HR = 0.370, 95%CI = 0.202–0.678) in EGFR-mutated NSCLC population, not in CML and HCC subgroups. Additionally, EGFR-mutated NSCLC patient harbored BIM deletion polymorphism was associated with a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than those with BIM wild polymorphism (P_h = 0.580, adjusted HR = 2.194, 95%CI = 1.710–2.814). However, no significant association was examined between BIM deletion polymorphism and overall survival (OS) and toxic adverse events in EGFR-mutated NSCLC population and it was not associated with PFS and OS in HCC subgroup. These findings revealed that BIM deletion polymorphism might be a genetic cause of intrinsic resistance to TKI therapy and it could be emerged as an independent predictor to identify patients who would benefit from TKI targeted therapy in EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

The molecular mechanism underlying the induction of hepatic MRP3 expression and function by omeprazole

Previous work has indicated that there is increased protein expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) in the liver samples of patients treated with omeprazole compared with those who were not. However, evidence is still lacking to show the mechanisms underlying that induction. This study aimed to assess changes in the fold-induction of MRP3 mRNA and protein expression over controls in omeprazole-treated HepG2 cells after transient transfection of human MRP3 siRNA, or after pretreatment with actinomycin D (Act-D). Furthermore, MRP3 siRNA knock-down or MRP-specific inhibition (indomethacin) was used to determine whether the MRP3 protein induced by omeprazole possessed an enhanced efflux transport. The results demonstrated that omeprazole induced MRP3 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, that induction was almost completely abolished by the addition of human MRP3 siRNA and also by pretreatment with Act-D, respectively. In addition, the decay rate of MRP3 mRNA in vehicle- and omeprazole-treated cells was similar in the presence of Act-D, suggesting transcriptional up-regulation of MRP3 mRNA expression by omeprazole. Most importantly, omeprazole induced MRP3 efflux transport activity, as measured by the 5-carboxyfluorescein assay in the absence and presence of human MRP3 siRNA or indomethacin. It is concluded that omeprazole can induce MRP3 mRNA and protein expression and enhance MRP3 efflux transport activity through transcriptional up-regulation, and that omeprazole can also induce other MRP transporters.

Circulating vitamin D binding protein, total, free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of colorectal cancer

Epidemiological investigation have suggested that there is a significantly inverse association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC) in humans. However, little is known about the role of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) in colorectal carcinogenesis. Blood samples were collected from 212 CRC patients and 212 controls matched with age, gender and blood collection time. We used logistic regression to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for further estimation of the association of the quartiles of VDBP, total, free and bioavailable 25(OH)D with CRC risk. The results revealed that there was no significant association between circulating VDBP concentrations and CRC in the present study, and that a negative association existed between total 25(OH)D and the risk of CRC, which was unchanged after adjustment for VDBP. Higher levels of free and bioavailable 25(OH)D were significantly associated with decreased risk of CRC. After stratifying by VDBP, high levels of total, free and bioavailable 25(OH)D were associated significantly with decreased CRC risk among participants with circulating VDBP below the median. These findings indicate that VDBP is not directly associated with the risk of CRC, but it modulates circulating free and bioavailable 25(OH)D concentration.

[Expression of MiRNA-21 in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and its significance]

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is considered to play a key role in many cellular processes, affecting tumorigenesis by inhibiting target gene expression. However, its role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is still unclear, and there are no in depth studies on relationship between miR-21 and cellular phenotype. This study was aimed to investigated the expression and role of miR-21 in the regulation of cell biological behavior in DLBCL. The expressions of miR-21 in three DLBCL cell lines were detected by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The possible roles of miR-21 in the biological and behavioral properties of DLBCL were explored by transfection of anti-miR-21 for miR-21 knockdown. In addition, PDCD4 and PTEN were assessed by luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot. The results revealed that miR-21 expression was significantly upregulated in activated B-cell-like DLBCL cells as compared to germinal centre-like DLBCL cells. The inhibition of miR-21 could induce suppression of proliferation and invasion, as well as increase apoptosis in DLBCL. Moreover, knockdown of miR-21 increased the expressions of PDCD4 and PTEN at the protein level but not at the mRNA level. It is concluded the miR-21 can regulate proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis, so it has a potential therapeutic application in DLBCL.

[Polymorphisms of DNA methyltransferases and the risk of prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and the risk and pathologic characteristics of prostate cancer (PCa) in Chinese men.

METHODS

This case-control study included 155 PCa patients and 155 healthy male controls. Using Sequenom MassARRAY, we detected the genotypes of the DNMT1 polymorphisms rs16999593 and rs2228611 and the DNMT3B polymorphism rs2424908, followed by analysis of their association with the risk and pathologic characteristics of prostate cancer by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in the frequency of the rs16999593 genotypes (P = 0.041) and that of the rs2424908 genotypes (P = 0.025) between the case and control groups. The frequencies of the genotypes rs16999593CT (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.99, P = 0.043) and rs16999593CT/CC (OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.92, P = 0.017) were obviously higher in the control than in the case group, and so were those of rs2424908CT (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.91, P = 0.007) and rs2424908CT/CC (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.36-0.94, P = 0.023). The frequencies of rs16999593CT/CC (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.85, P = 0.008) and rs2424908CT/CC (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.28-0.85, P = 0.009) were evidently lower in the cases with Gleason score < 7 than in the controls. However, none of the three polymorphisms ex hibited any significant differences in the frequencies of their genotypes between the patients with Gleason score > 7 and the healthy con trols (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The rs16999593CT/CC genotype of DNMT1 and the rs2424908CT/CC genotype of DNMT3B are as sociated with decreased risk of prostate cancer and lower Gleason score in C.

The prognostic value of preoperative NLR, d-NLR, PLR and LMR for predicting clinical outcome in surgical colorectal cancer patients

Accumulating evidences indicate cancer-triggered inflammation plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Systematic inflammatory response biomarkers are considered as potential prognostic factors for improving predictive accuracy in colorectal cancer (CRC). Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (d-NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte- to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were investigated and compared in 205 surgical CRC patients. ROC curve was applied to determine thresholds for four biomarkers, and their prognostic values were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, univariate and multivariate COX regression models. Moreover, a number of risk factors were used to form nomograms for evaluating risk of survival, and Harrell's concordance index (c-index) was used to evaluate predictive accuracy. Results showed that elevated NLR was significantly associated with diminished recurrent-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in surgical CRC patients. Moreover, multivariate COX analysis identified elevated NLR as an independent factor for poor RFS (P < 0.001, HR 2.52, 95% CI 1.65-3.83), OS (P < 0.001, HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.74-4.29) and CSS (P < 0.001, HR 2.77, 95% CI 1.72-4.46). Additionally, predictive nomograms including NLR for RFS, OS and CSS could be more effective in predicting RFS (c-index: 0.810 vs. 0.656), OS (c-index: 0.809 vs. 0.690) and CSS (c-index: 0.802 vs. 0.688) in surgical CRC patients, respectively. These findings indicate that preoperative elevated NLR can be considered as an independent prognostic biomarker for RFS, OS and CSS. Nomograms containing NLR provide improved accuracy for predicting clinical outcomes in surgical CRC patients under surgery resection.

The involvement of Kras gene 3'-UTR polymorphisms in risk of cancer and influence on patient response to anti-EGFR therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Genetic variation of the Kras oncogene is a candidate factor for increasing susceptibility to carcinoma and modulating response of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (anti-EGFR). However, results from an increasing number of studies concerning the association of Kras gene rs712 and rs61764370 polymorphisms with risk of cancer and treatment of mCRC using anti-EGFR remain equivocal.

METHODS

Risk associations were evaluated in 1,661 cases and 2,139 controls from six studies concerning rs712 and 14,796 cases and 14,985 controls from 29 studies concerning rs61764370. Response association was also examined in a subset of four studies pertaining to rs61764370 and anti-EGFR treatment in mCRC.

RESULTS

Results of a meta-analysis showed that allele T (P-value of heterogeneity test [P H] =0.08, odds ratio [OR] =1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.64) and genotype GT/TT (P H=0.14, OR =1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.55) in rs712 were strongly associated with cancer in Chinese subjects. No evidence of association was observed between rs712 and risk of cancer in the overall population or between rs61764370 and ovarian, breast, colorectal, or non-small-cell lung cancer risk in the Caucasian population. No significant association was found between rs61764370 and patient response to anti-EGFR therapy in mCRC.

CONCLUSION

The findings not only provide further evidence that allele T of rs712 increases genetic predisposition to cancer in Chinese population, but also no significant association between rs61764370 and cancer risk in Caucasian population, and suggest that genotype GT/TT of rs61764370 may not be a biomarker for predicting clinical outcome of anti-EGFR therapy in mCRC.

Increased endoplasmic reticulum stress response is involved in clopidogrel-induced apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells

Background

The widespread use of clopidogrel alone or in combination with aspirin may result in gastrointestinal mucosal injury, clinically represented as recurrent ulceration and bleeding complications. Our recent work suggested that clopidogrel significantly induced human gastric epithelial cell (GES-1) apoptosis and disrupted gastric mucosal barrier, and that a p38 MAPK inhibitor could attenuate such injury. However, their exact mechanisms are largely unknown.

Methods

The GES-1 cells were used as a model system, the effects of clopidogrel on the whole gene expression profile were evaluated by human gene expression microarray and gene ontology analysis, changes of the mRNA and protein expression were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, and cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively.

Results

Gene microarray analysis identified 79 genes that were differentially expressed (P<0.05 and fold-change >3) when cells were treated with or without clopidogrel. Gene ontology analysis revealed that response to stress and cell apoptosis dysfunction were ranked in the top 10 cellular events being affected, and that the major components of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis pathway – CHOP and TRIB3– were up-regulated in a concentration- and time-dependent manner when cells were treated with clopidogrel. Pathway analysis demonstrated that multiple MAPK kinases were phosphorylated in clopidogrel-treated GES-1 cells, but that only SB-203580 (a p38-specific MAPK inhibitor) attenuated cell apoptosis and CHOP over-expression, both of which were induced by clopidogrel.

Conclusions

Increased endoplasmic reticulum stress response is involved in clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury, acting through p38 MAPK activation.

[Effect of Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide on expression of Gli and Ptch-1 proteins in sonic hedgehog signaling pathway of gastric mucosa GES-1 cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Helicobacter Pylori lipopolysaccharide (Hp-LPS) on expression of Gli and Ptch-1 proteins in sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway of gastric mucosa GES-1 cells.

METHODS

The LPS was extracted from Hp by hot phenol water method, and then the concentration of LPS was detected by the kinetic turbidimetric assay. GES-1 cells were stimulated by different concentrations of Hp-LPS (0, 1, 10, 20, 30 and 40 μg/ml). The inhibition rates of cell growth were measured by MTT assay after treated with Hp-LPS for 24 h. The expression of Gli and Ptch-1 proteins were determined by Western Blot.

RESULTS

MTT assay showed that the inhibition rates of GES-1 cell growth after treatment by different concentrations of Hp-LPS (1, 10, 20, 30 and 40μg/ml) were 25.8% ± 2.7%, 34.2% ± 3.1 %, 46.3% 3.4%, 60.8% ± 2.1% and 82.9% ± 2.8% respectively (r=0.985, P<0.001). Western blot showed that the expressions of Gli and Ptch-1 proteins were decreased after Hp-LPS treatment (0, 1, 10, 20, 30 and 40 μg/ml): the relative expression values of Gli were 1.286 ± 0.180, 0.963 ± 0.067, 0.850 ± 0.085, 0.566 ± 0.058, 0.549 ± 0.056 and 0.377 ± 0.047, respectively (r=-0.945, P<0.001); those of Ptch-1 were 1.688 ± 0.088, 1.466 ± 0.061, 1.170 ± 0.065, 1.042 ± 0.064, 0.648 ± 0.057 and 0.482 ± 0.074, respectively (r=-0.985, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Hp-LPS can decrease the related protein expression of Shh signaling pathway, which indicates that Hp may interfere with the function of Shh signaling pathway in gastric mucosa via the effect of its LPS.

Analysis of long non-coding RNA expression profiles in gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in gastric cancer.

METHODS: Two publicly available human exon arrays for gastric cancer and data for the corresponding normal tissue were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We re-annotated the probes of the human exon arrays and retained the probes uniquely mapping to lncRNAs at the gene level. LncRNA expression profiles were generated by using robust multi-array average method in affymetrix power tools. The normalized data were then analyzed with a Bioconductor package linear models for microarray data and genes with adjusted P-values below 0.01 were considered differentially expressed. An independent data set was used to validate the results.

RESULTS: With the computational pipeline established to re-annotate over 6.5 million probes of the Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0 ST array, we identified 136053 probes uniquely mapping to lncRNAs at the gene level. These probes correspond to 9294 lncRNAs, covering nearly 76% of the GENCODE lncRNA data set. By analyzing GSE27342 consisting of 80 paired gastric cancer and normal adjacent tissue samples, we identified 88 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed in gastric cancer, some of which have been reported to play a role in cancer, such as LINC00152, taurine upregulated 1, urothelial cancer associated 1, Pvt1 oncogene, small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 and LINC00261. In the validation data set GSE33335, 59% of these differentially expressed lncRNAs showed significant expression changes (adjusted P-value < 0.01) with the same direction.

CONCLUSION: We identified a set of lncRNAs differentially expressed in gastric cancer, providing useful information for discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets in gastric cancer.

Regulatory T cells and Th1/Th2 in peripheral blood and their roles in asthmatic children

OBJECTIVE

To determine the changes in CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and the Th1/Th2 ratio in peripheral blood of children with asthma, in order to investigate its association with asthma.

METHODS

A total of 150 children with asthma were allocated into the acute phase group (n=94) and remission phase group (n=56) based on clinical manifestations. The acute phase group was subdivided into the mild group (n=54) and severe group (n=40). Flow cytometry was applied to determine CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg, CD4(+)IFN-γ(+) Th1 and CD4(+)IL-4(+) Th2 levels in peripheral blood of different groups, and the results were compared with normal children (control group, n=50).

RESULTS

The Treg level was significantly lower in the asthma group than the control group (P<0.01): the Treg level was significantly lower in the acute phase group than the remission phase group and control group (P<0.01) and also significantly lower in the severe group than the mild group (P<0.01). The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly lower in the asthma group than the control group (P<0.01) and also significantly lower in the acute phase group than the remission phase group and control group (P<0.01). The Treg level in peripheral blood of asthmatic children was negatively correlated with the severity of asthma (r=-0.737, P<0.01) and the Th1/Th2 ratio was also negatively correlated with the severity of asthma (r=-0.615, P<0.01), but the Treg level was positively correlated with the Th1/Th2 ratio (r=0.856, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The significantly decreased level of Treg in peripheral blood and Th subset imbalance in asthmatic children suggest the important roles of Treg and Th immunity in pathogenesis of asthma. The Treg level and Th1/Th2 ratio in peripheral blood can be used to evaluate the severity asthma.

Attenuated expression of the tight junction proteins is involved in clopidogrel-induced gastric injury through p38 MAPK activation

Bleeding complications and delayed healing of gastric ulcer associated with use of clopidogrel is a common clinical concern; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. This study aimed to clarify whether clopidogrel could cause the damage of the human gastric epithelial cells and to further elucidate the mechanisms involved. After human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 had been treated with clopidogrel (0.5-2.5 mM), the cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay, apoptosis was measured with DAPI staining and flow cytometry analysis, and the barrier function of the tight junctions (TJ) was evaluated by permeability measurement and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, expression of the TJ proteins occludin and ZO-1 and the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) p38, ERK, and JNK were examined by western blot. In addition, three MAPK inhibitors specific to p38, ERK and JNK were used, respectively, to verify the signaling pathways responsible for regulating the expression of the TJ proteins being tested. Results showed that clopidogrel significantly increased dextran permeability, induced apoptosis, suppressed GES-1 cell viability, and reduced the expression of the TJ proteins (occludin and ZO-1), acting through p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Furthermore, these observed effects were partially abolished by SB-203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor), rather than by either U-0126 (an ERK inhibitor) or SP-600125 (a JNK inhibitor), suggesting that clopidogrel-induced disruption in the gastric epithelial cells is mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway. It is concluded that attenuated expression of the TJ proteins occludin and ZO-1 in human gastric epithelial cells could be involved in clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury through activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.

Paraoxonase-1 Q192R polymorphism is not associated with clopidogrel response in Chinese stroke patients

It is well known that CYP2C19*2/*2 is associated with attenuated response to clopidogrel, but recent findings indicated that in white patients, paraoxonase-1 (PON1) 192Q/Q was a major determinant of clopidogrel efficacy. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of PON1 Q192R polymorphism on the maximum platelet aggregation (MPA) and the anti-platelet effect of clopidogrel in clopidogrel-treated Chinese stroke patients. The study recruited 183 eligible Chinese stroke patients treated with a loading dose of 300-mg clopidogrel and a 75-mg daily maintenance dose. CYP2C19*2 and PON1 Q192R were genotyped, a subcohort of 13 patients with CYP2C19 *2/*2 genotype was excluded. Finally 170 patients with CYP2C19*1/*1 (wild-type homozygotes, n = 87) or CYP2C19*1/*2 (mutant heterozygotes, n = 83) were enrolled in the study population. These patients were divided into three groups according to their PON1 Q192R genotype: wild-type homozygotes, PON1 192QQ, n = 17; mutant heterozygotes, PON1 192QR, n = 81; mutant homozygotes, PON1 192RR, n = 72. MPA was measured by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) to assess platelet function after seven 75-mg maintenance doses of clopidogrel before discharge. In those patients who were carriers of 1 mutant allele (PON1 Q/R192), ADP-induced MPA were not significantly different compared with wild-type homozygous patients [30.5% (IQR, 17.5 to 49.1%) versus 25.0% (IQR, 10.0 to 52.5%), respectively; P = 0.910]. In addition, in the patients who were carriers of the 2 mutant allele (PON1 R/R192), MPA were also not significantly different from wild-type homozygous patients [29.2% (IQR, 15.0 to 43.4%) versus 25.0% (IQR, 10.0 to 52.5%), respectively; P = 0.717]. Results of a multivariable linear regression model demonstrated that PON1 192R allele carriage was not independently associated with ADP-induced MPA measurements (P = 0.408). PON1 Q192R polymorphism does not seem to exhibit any impact on MPA and clopidogrel response at all.

Gene therapy for colorectal cancer by an oncolytic adenovirus that targets loss of the insulin-like growth factor 2 imprinting system

Background

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Loss of imprinting (LOI) of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene is an epigenetic abnormality observed in human colorectal neoplasms. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of using the IGF2 imprinting system for targeted gene therapy of colorectal cancer.

Results

We constructed a novel oncolytic adenovirus, Ad315-E1A, and a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus, Ad315-EGFP, driven by the IGF2 imprinting system by inserting the H19 promoter, CCCTC binding factor, enhancer, human adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene into a pDC-315 shuttle plasmid. Cell lines with IGF2 LOI (HCT-8 and HT-29), which were infected with Ad315-EGFP, produced EGFP. However, no EGFP was produced in cell lines with maintenance of imprinting (HCT116 and GES-1). We found that Ad315-E1A significantly decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis only in LOI cell lines in vitro. In addition, mice bearing HCT-8-xenografted tumors, which received intratumoral administration of the oncolytic adenovirus, showed significantly reduced tumor growth and enhanced survival.

Conclusions

Our recombinant oncolytic virus targeting the IGF2 LOI system inhibits LOI cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and provides a novel approach for targeted gene therapy.

CYP2C19 681G > A polymorphism and pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel in Chinese healthy volunteers

The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of the most frequent single nucleotide polymorphism of CYP2C19 681G>A to the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel in 20 healthy Chinese volunteers after administration of a single dose of clopidogrel 75mg. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was higher in the 681GA+681AA group than that in the 681GG group (1.93 +/- 1.77 vs. 1.65 +/- 1.56ng/mL, P=0.613). The area under the curve to the last measurable concentration (AUC(0-36)) and area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) of clopidogrel were lower in the 681GG group than that in the 681GA+ 681AA group (2.25 +/- 1.64 vs. 2.64 +/- 1.69 ng h/mL, P = 0.465; 2.26 +/- 1.65 vs. 2.67 +/- 1.71 ng h/mL, P = 0.455) respectively. The oral clearance (CI/F) was lower in the 681GA+681AA group than that in the 681GG group (51.96 +/- 36.13 vs. 54.47 +/- 35.21 x 10(3) L/h, P=0.829). The genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 681G > A does not cause significant alterations in the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel at a clinically relevant therapeutic dose in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Function of regulatory T-cells improved by dexamethasone in Graves' disease

OBJECTIVE

Intrathyroid injection of dexamethasone (DEX) has been used to treat Graves' disease (GD); however, the mechanism of this treatment remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of DEX on the function of regulatory T (Treg) cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)T cells) in patients with GD.

METHODS

Peripheral blood was obtained from 20 patients with GD, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient separation. CD4(+)CD25(-)/CD4(+)CD25(+)T cells were isolated by immunomagnetic selection and DEX was co-cultured with PBMCs or isolated T-cells for 72 h. Treg cell function was analyzed using the proliferation rate of CD4(+)CD25(-)T cells.

RESULTS

The proportion of Treg cells and the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mRNA expression in PBMCs decreased in GD patients compared with healthy subjects, and Treg cell function was impaired in patients with GD. Although the proportion of Treg cells and FOXP3 mRNA expression in PBMCs did not increase, the function of Treg cells improved after the treatment with DEX. Moreover, the proportion of T-helper 2 (Th2) cells was decreased by the DEX treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX could effectively improve the function of Treg cells and set up a new balance of Th1/Th2 in GD patients. This study might help to further understand the immune mechanism of the intrathyroid injection of DEX in the treatment of GD and facilitate the potential use of this therapy.

Association of OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), a key protein involved in the base excision repair pathway, can recognize and excise several lesions from oligodeoxynucleotides with single DNA damage. A C/G polymorphism at 1,245 bp (C1245G) in exon 7 of the OGG1 (Ser326Cys, rs1052133) is found to have a lower enzymatic activity. A variety of case-control studies have been published evaluating the association between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CRC), though their conclusions were always contradictory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This meta-analysis enrolled 12 studies to estimate the overall risk of OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism associated with CRC. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) were performed for codominant model (Cys/Cys versus Ser/Ser; Ser/Cys versus Ser/Ser), dominant model (Ser/Cys + Cys/Cys versus Ser/Ser) and recessive model (Cys/Cys versus Ser/Cys + Ser/Ser).

RESULTS

No significant associations were found for Cys/Cys versus Ser/Ser (OR = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.53), Ser/Cys versus Ser/Ser (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.95-1.13), Ser/Cys + Cys/Cys versus Ser/Ser (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.98-1.16) and Cys/Cys versus Ser/Cys + Ser/Ser (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.90-1.38); moreover, in the stratified analyses, no significantly increased risk was found for all genetic models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis suggests that the OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism is not associated with CRC risk.

[Changes of regulatory T cells and T helper cells in peripheral blood and their roles in the severity evaluation in children with asthma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper cells (Th1/Th2) in peripheral blood and their roles in the severity evaluation in children with asthma.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty children with asthma were classified into acute attack (94 cases) and remission (56 cases) groups according to their clinical features, and the acute attack children were subdivided into mild asthma (54 cases) and severe asthma (40 cases) groups. Fifty healthy children were enrolled as a control group. The levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg, CD4+IFN-γ+ Th1 and CD4+IL-4+ Th2 in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometer.

RESULTS

The mean levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg and the ratio of Th1/Th2 in asthmatic children were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The Treg levels and the ratio of Th1/Th2 in the acute attack group were lower than those in the remission group and in the control group (P<0.01). The Treg levels in the severe asthma group were lower than those in the mild asthma group (P<0.01). There was a remarkably negative correlation between Treg levels and the asthma severity (r=-0.737, P<0.01), and the Th1/Th2 ratio was also negatively correlated with the asthma severity (r=-0.615, P<0.01). The Treg levels were positively correlated with the Th1/Th2 ratio (r=0.856, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The Treg levels decrease remarkably and Th subsets imbalance occurs in children with asthma. This suggests that Treg and Th immunity play important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma. The Treg levels and the ratio of Th1/Th2 in peripheral blood may be useful in the evaluation of severity in children with asthma.

RNAi-mediated silencing of CD147 inhibits tumor cell proliferation, invasion and increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin in SGC7901 cells in vitro

Background

CD147 is a widely distributed cell surface glycoprotein that belongs to the Ig superfamily. CD147 has been implicated in numerous physiological and pathological activities. Enriched on the surface of many tumor cells, CD147 promotes tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis and confers resistance to some chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we investigated the possible role of CD147 in the progression of gastric cancer.

Methods

Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing vectors targeting CD147 were constructed and transfected into human gastric cancer cells SGC7901 and CD147 expression was monitored by quantitative realtime RT-PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation, the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, the invasive potential and chemosensitivity to cisplatin of SGC7901 cells were determined by MTT, gelatin zymography, Transwell invasion assay and MTT, respectively.

Results

Down-regulation of CD147 by RNAi approach led to decreased cell proliferation, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and invasive potential of SGC7901 cells as well as increased chemosensitivity to cisplatin.

Conclusion

CD147 involves in proliferation, invasion and chemosensitivity of human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901, indicating that CD147 may be a promising therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Clopidogrel suppresses the proliferation of human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of clopidogrel on the proliferation of human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells.

METHODS: GES-1 cells were cultured in vitro. After GES-1 cells were incubated with clopidogrel at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mmol/L for 24, 48 and 72 h, the reduced proliferation rates of GES-1 cells were examined using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. A dose-response curve was established by plotting the reduced cell proliferation rates against the concentrations of clopidogrel. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀₎ and safe concentration (IC₉₀, concentration that achieves 90% inhibition) of clopidogrel were calculated using the Bliss method. The morphology changes of GES-1 cells treated with clopidogrel were observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis after GES-1 cells were incubated with clopidogrel for 24 h.

RESULTS: Clopidogrel induced GES-1 cell injury in a concentration-dependent manner (F = 11.546, P = 0.002), but not in an obvious time-dependent manner (F = 13.455, P = 0.003). The IC50 and IC90 of clopidogrel at 24, 48 and 72 h were 0.36 and 0.51, 0.35 and 0.08, and 0.16 and 0.08 mmol/L, respectively. After clopidogrel treatment, the number of adherent cells was reduced, cells became round and suspended, and some cells showed nuclear condensation. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the apoptosis rates of cells treated with clopidogrel at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mmol/L were 4.7%, 5.3%, 14.7%, 51.0% and 60.5%, respectively. The apoptosis rate of GES-1 cells rose with the increase in drug concentration.

CONCLUSION: Clopidogrel can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of GES-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

[Influence of SNCG transfection on the effectiveness of anti-tumor drugs in PC-3 cell lines]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the sensitivity of the PC-3 cell lines transfected with the PCI-NEO-SNCG plasmid to Cisplatin (DDP), 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Adriamycin (ADM), Vincristine (VCR) and Paclitaxel (TAX), and to explore the influence of the SNCG expression on the effectiveness of anti-tumor drugs.

METHODS

The plasmids PCI-NEO and PCI-NEO-SNCG were transfected into the hormone-independent prostate cancer cell lines PC-3. RT-PCR was adopted to examine the expression of SNCG in the PC-3 cell lines. The MTT method was employed to detect the suppressive effects of different anti-tumor drugs (DDP, ADM, 5-FU, VCR and TAX) on the cell lines transfected with PCI-NEO and PCI-NEO-SNCG. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycles and apoptosis of the transfected cells treated with TAX.

RESULTS

The 5 anti-tumor drugs suppressed the growth of the cell lines transfected with the plasmids PCI-NEO and PCI-NEO-SNCG in a time-dependant manner. The comparison between the growth-suppressing effects of different anti-tumor drugs on the PC-3 cell lines showed no significant differences between the group transfected with PCI-NEO and that with PCI-NEO-SNCG in DDP, 5-FU, ADM and VCR (P > 0.05), while the rate of suppression of TAX on the latter cell lines was significantly lower than that on the former (P < 0.01). Compared with the PCI-NEO-SNCG plasmid transfected cell lines, after treated with TAX for 48 hours, those transfected with the PCI-NEO plasmid exhibited a significantly larger proportion of cells remaining in the G2-M stage (P < 0.01), a smaller proportion in the G0-G1 and S stages (P < 0.01) and a significantly higher expression of Caspase-3 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The significant reduction of the growth-suppressing effect of TAX in the SNCG-transfected PC-3 cell lines suggests that the expression of SNCG may restrain the effect of TAX. These findings have provided evidence and guide to the individual chemotherapy of prostate cancer.

[Epidermal growth factor up-regulates the mRNA expression of endothelin-1 and its receptors in prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of the epidermal growth factor on the mRNA expression of endothelin-1 and its receptors (ET(A)R, ET(B)R) in hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) PC-3 cell lines.

METHODS

PC-3 cells were cultured in vitro. After the treatment with EGF, the mRNA expressions of endothelin-1, ET(A)R and ET(B)R were detected by RT-PCR in PC-3 cell lines. The levels of the mRNA expression of endothelin-1 and its receptors were examined at different time points by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The expressions of endothelin-1 and ET(A)R mRNA but not the mRNA expression of ET(B)R was observed in PC-3 cell lines. After 24 hours of treatment with EGF, the expressions of endothelin-1 and ET(A)R in PC-3 cell lines were both up-regulated and there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the experimental and control groups. Different expression levels of endothelin-1 and ET(A)R mRNA were noted at different time points of EGF intervention, up-regulated with the increase of treatment time, and with significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

EGF can up-regulate the mRNA expressions of endothelin-1 and ET(A)R in PC-3 cell lines and play a great role in prostate cancer progression, which may offer a substructure of molecular biology for the treatment of HRPC.

CagA+ H pylori infection is associated with polarization of T helper cell immune responses in gastric carcinogenesis

AIM: To characterize the immune responses including local and systemic immunity induced by infection with H pylori, especially with CagA+ H pylori strains and the underlying immunopathogenesis.

METHODS: A total of 711 patients with different gastric lesions were recruited to determine the presence of H pylori infection and cytotoxin associated protein A (CagA), the presence of T helper (Th) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), expression of plasma cytokines, and RNA and protein expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in gastric biopsies and PBMCs were determined by rapid urease test, urea [¹⁴C] breath test, immunoblotting test, flow cytometry , real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Of the patients, 629 (88.47%) were infected with H pylori; 506 (71.16%) with CagA+ and 123 (17.30%) with CagA- strains. Among patients infected with CagA+ H pylori strains, Th1-mediated cellular immunity was associated with earlier stages of gastric carcinogenesis, while Th2-mediated humoral immunity dominated the advanced stages and was negatively associated with an abundance of Treg cells. However, there was no such tendency in Th1/Th2 polarization in patients infected with CagA- H pylori strains and those without H pylori infection.

CONCLUSION: Polarization of Th cell immune responses occurs in patients with CagA+ H pylori infection, which is associated with the stage and severity of gastric pathology during the progression of gastric carcinogenesis. This finding provides further evidence for a causal role of CagA+ H pylori infection in the immunopathogenesis of gastric cancer.