Paclitaxel Inhibits Proliferation by Negatively Regulating Cdk1-Cell Cycle Axis in Rat Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

OBJECTIVE

Paclitaxel exhibits outstanding biological activities in inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis. But the effects of paclitaxel on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) have not been reported yet. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of paclitaxel on the proliferation and apoptosis of ASMCs.

METHODS

Rat primary ASMCs were isolated and used in all the experiments. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Edu assay were used to analyse the cell viability and proliferation respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and immunostaining were used to detect the expression of Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1).

RESULTS

Our study showed that paclitaxel inhibits the proliferation of ASMCs in a dose and time gradient dependent manner. Further study displayed that cell cycle is arrested at G2/M phase. And Cdk1 was dramatically down-regulated by paclitaxel treatment. Cell morphological analysis showed that ASMCs are elliptical with a larger surface area after paclitaxel treatment. Nucleus morphological analysis showed that the nuclei are in a diffuse state after paclitaxel treatment. But paclitaxel did not induce the apoptosis of ASMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that paclitaxel inhibits the proliferation of ASMCs at least partly by negatively regulating Cdk1-cell cycle axis.

Trehalose improves the movement ability of AβarcDrosophila by restoring the damaged mitochondria

Background

The deposition of Aβ42 has been regarded as one of the important pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, drug development for Aβ42 toxicity has been progressed slowly.

Objective

Our aim was to introduce the effect and related mechanism of trehalose on an Aβarc (arctic mutant Aβ42) Drosophila AD model.

Methods

The human Aβarc was expressed in Drosophila to construct the AD model. Trehalose was added to the culture vial. The movement ability was determined by detecting climbing ability and flight ability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of Aβarc, ATP, and lactate. Electron microscopy assay, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and mitochondrial respiration assay were used to assess the mitochondrial structure and function.

Results

Trehalose strongly improved the movement ability of Aβarc Drosophila in a concentration gradient-dependent manner. Furthermore, trehalose increased the content of ATP and decreased the content of Aβarc and lactate both in the brain and thorax of Aβarc Drosophila. More importantly, the mitochondrial structure and function were greatly improved by trehalose treatment in Aβarc Drosophila.

Conclusion

Trehalose improves movement ability at least partly by reducing the Aβarc level and restoring the mitochondrial structure and function in Aβarc Drosophila.

An unusual case of abdominal pain: psychogenic vomiting complicated by spontaneous pneumomediastinum

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) was defined by the appearance of free air in the mediastinum that was not preceded by trauma, surgery, or other medical procedures. Among the numerous manifestations of SPM, abdominal pain had seldom been described.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 25-year-old man presented to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain for 7 days. The presenting clinical features and the radiological results were suggestive of psychogenic vomiting with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a patient who suffered from abdominal pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The special feature of this case was the elucidation of a rare cause of abdominal pain, which should be differentiated in patients with vomiting combined with abdominal pain. The importance of this case was that its recognition may prevent unnecessary procedures to rule out or treat other causes of abdominal pain.

Noncoding RNAs in asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells

Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous airway disease caused by genetic, environmental and epigenetic factors treated with hormones and biologics. Irreversible pathological changes to airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy can occur in asthmatic patients. Determining the mechanisms responsible is vital for preventing such changes. In recent years, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs, have been found to be associated with abnormalities of the ASMCs. This review highlights recent ncRNA research into ASMC pathologies. We present a schematic that illustrates the role of ncRNAs in pathophysiological changes to ASMCs that may be useful in future research in diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with asthma.

Clinical significance of serum levels of 14-3-3β protein in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Nowadays, the diagnosis and treatment of COPD are often based on the results of lung function tests. Certain individuals, however, are not candidates for lung function testing due to pulmonary bullae, cardiac failure, low lung function, and other factors. Therefore, we evaluated whether serum tyrosine3-monooxygenase/tryptophan5-monooxygenase activation protein β (14-3-3β) could be a biomarker for the diagnosis of stable COPD patients. The expression of serum 14-3-3β protein was evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between its concentrations and clinical parameters of stable COPD patients were analyzed by correlation analysis and ROC curve. The results before propensity score matching (PSM) showed that serum 14-3-3β protein concentrations (ng/ml) in stable COPD patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, serum 14-3-3β protein concentrations were higher in GOLD 3&4 COPD patients compared with healthy participants, GOLD 1 and GOLD 2 COPD patients (P < 0.05), which shows that the concentration of 14-3-3β protein correlates with disease severity in stable COPD patients. After 1:1 PSM, there was also a statistically significant rise in 14-3-3 protein levels in stable COPD patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.01). Serum 14-3-3β protein levels were positively correlated with blood neutrophil levels (P < 0.05), and negatively related to lung function parameters in stable COPD patients (P < 0.01). When the cutoff value was set at 29.53 ng/ml, the ROC curve yielded a sensitivity of 84.9% and a specificity of 68.3% for diagnosing stable COPD. The 14-3-3β protein may be a potential serum biomarker for the diagnosis of stable COPD patients, which is associated with disease severity, systemic inflammation, and small airway obstruction.

Monocytes subtypes from pleural effusion reveal biomarker candidates for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and malignancy

Background

Pleural effusion is a common clinical condition caused by several respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis and malignancy. However, rapid and accurate diagnoses of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE) remain challenging. Although monocytes have been confirmed as an important immune cell in tuberculosis and malignancy, little is known about the role of monocytes subpopulations in the diagnosis of pleural effusion.

Methods

Pleural effusion samples and peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 TPE patients, 40 MPE patients, and 24 transudate pleural effusion patients, respectively. Chemokines (CCL2, CCL7, and CX3CL1) and cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐17, IL‐27, and IFN‐γ) were measured by ELISA. The monocytes phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The chemokines receptors (CCR2 and CX3CR1) and cytokines above in different monocytes subsets were analyzed by real‐time PCR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for displaying differentiating power of intermediate and nonclassical subsets between tuberculous and malignant pleural effusions.

Results

CCL7 and CX3CL1 levels in TPE were significantly elevated in TPE compared with MPE and transudate pleural effusion. Cytokines, such as IL‐1β, IL‐17, IL‐27, and IFN‐γ, in TPE were much higher than in other pleural effusions. Moreover, CD14⁺CD16⁺⁺ nonclassical subset frequency in TPE was remarkably higher than that in MPE, while CD14⁺⁺CD16⁺ intermediate subset proportion in MPE was found elevated. Furthermore, CX3CL1‐CX3CR1 axis‐mediated infiltration of nonclassical monocytes in TPE was related to CX3CL1 and IFN‐γ expression in TPE. Higher expression of cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐17, IL‐27, and IFN‐γ) were found in nonclassical monocytes compared with other subsets. Additionally, the proportions of intermediate and nonclassical monocytes in pleural effusion have the power in discriminating tuberculosis from malignant pleural effusion.

Conclusions

CD14 and CD16 markers on monocytes could be potentially used as novel diagnostic markers for diagnosing TPE and MPE.

Trehalose inhibits proliferation while activates apoptosis and autophagy in rat airway smooth muscle cells

Trehalose is a disaccharide with multiple important biological activities. In many cell types, Trehalose regulates the physiological behaviors of proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy. But the effects of trehalose on ASMCs have never been reported. Here, we showed that trehalose activated autophagy of ASMCs at low dose, inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of ASMCs at high dose. Further study, we found the cell cycle was arrested in S and G2\M phases, the expression of CyclinA1 and CyclinB1 decreased. Then, we investigated the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was drastically reduced. Next, we detected an important transcription factor TFEB, which is closely related to autophagy. We found TFEB was highly activated with trehalose treatment. And many downstream autophagy-related genes of TFEB were also up-regulated. In summary, trehalose plays an important role on the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of ASMCs.

Serum 14-3-3β protein: a new biomarker in asthmatic patients with acute exacerbation in an observational study

Background

The determination of systemic inflammatory markers is one of the important directions to study the pathogenesis of asthma and improve the diagnosis of asthma. Current studies have found that the 14-3-3 protein family subtypes interact with target proteins to participate in the pathogenesis of a variety of immune inflammatory diseases. However, studies on serum tyrosine3-monooxygenase/tryptophan5-monooxygenase activation protein β (14-3-3β) in asthma are scarce. This study aimed to assess the clinical significance of 14-3-3β in asthmatic patients.

Methods

We recruited 54 asthmatic patients with acute exacerbation and 50 asthmatic patients with chronic persistent. The normal control group included 54 healthy individuals. Clinical characteristics, clinical indicators [fractional expiratory nitric oxide (FeNO), eosinophil count, forced vital capacity (FVC), percent of predicted FVC (FVC% predicted), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percent of predicted FEV1 (FEV1% predicted), the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and serum 14-3-3β levels were measured to compare among each group. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between 14-3-3β and clinical indicators. Finally, Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of 14-3-3β.

Results

Our results showed that median (interquartile range) of serum 14-3-3β concentration (ng/mL) in acute exacerbation group of asthma (41.18 [33.06–51.76]) was much higher than that in normal control group (24.99 [17.43–29.91]; P < 0.001) and chronic persistent group of asthma (25.88 [21.03–34.55]; P < 0.001). Spearman’s correlation coefficient shows that the serum 14-3-3β level was positively correlated with FeNO (r = − 0.292, P = 0.032) and peripheral blood eosinophil count (r = 0.328, P = 0.016), and was negatively related to FEV1/FVC (r = − 0.293, P = 0.031) in the acute exacerbation group of asthma. At the same time, the serum 14-3-3β level was also negatively associated with FEV1 (r = − 0.297, P = 0.036) in the chronic persistent group of asthma. ROC curve analysis comparing acute exacerbation group of asthma with normal control group demonstrated a significant (P < 0.001) AUC of 0.90 (95% CI 0.85–0.96).

Conclusion

The serum 14-3-3β protein may become a potential biomarker in asthmatic patients with acute exacerbation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13223-021-00608-4.

Targeted resequencing showing novel common and rare genetic variants increases the risk of asthma in the Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Although studies have identified hundreds of genetic variants associated with asthma risk, a large fraction of heritability remains unexplained, especially in Chinese individuals.

METHODS

To identify genetic risk factors for asthma in a Han Chinese population, 211 asthma-related genes were first selected based on database searches. The genes were then sequenced for subjects in a Discovery Cohort (284 asthma patients and 205 older healthy controls) using targeted next-generation sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis and statistical association analyses were performed to reveal the associations between rare/common variants and asthma, respectively. The identified common risk variants underwent a validation analysis using a Replication Cohort (664 patients and 650 controls).

RESULTS

First, we identified 18 potentially functional rare loss-of-function (LOF) variants in 21/284 (7.4%) of the asthma cases. Second, using burden tests, we found that the asthma group had nominally significant (p < 0.05) burdens of rare nonsynonymous variants in 10 genes. Third, 23 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with the risk of asthma, 7/23 (30.4%) and 9/23 (39.1%) of which were modestly significant (p < 9.1 × 10^-4 ) in the Replication Cohort and Combined Cohort, respectively. According to our cumulative risk model involving the modestly associated alleles, middle- and high-risk subjects had a 2.0-fold (95% CI: 1.621-2.423, p = 2.624 × 10^-11 ) and 6.0-fold (95% CI: 3.623-10.156, p = 7.086 × 10^-12 ) increased risk of asthma, respectively, compared with low-risk subjects.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed novel rare and common genetic risk factors for asthma, and provided a cumulative risk model for asthma risk prediction and stratification in Han Chinese individuals.

A nonsynonymous polymorphism (rs117179004, T392M) of hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1) is associated with increased risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Southern Han Chinese

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a genetic heterogeneous disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. Hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1) was found to be upregulated in fibroblasts from IPF patients, and overexpression of HYAL1 could prevent human fetal lung fibroblast proliferation. However, the genetic correlation between the HYAL1 and IPF or connective tissue diseases related interstitial lung disease (CTD‐ILD) has not been determined.

Methods

A two‐stage study was conducted in Southern Han Chinese population. We sequenced the coding regions and flanking regulatory regions of HYAL1 in stage one (253 IPF cases and 125 controls). A statistically significant variant was further genotyped in stage two (162 IPF cases, 182 CTD‐ILD cases, and 225 controls).

Results

We identified a nonsynonymous polymorphism (rs117179004, T392M) significantly associated with increased IPF risk (dominant model: OR = 2.239, 95% CI = 1.212–4.137, p = 0.010 in stage one; OR = 2.383, 95% CI = 1.376–4.128, p = 0.002 in stage two). However, we did not observe this association in CTD‐ILD (OR = 1.401, 95% CI = 0.790–2.485, p = 0.248).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the nonsynonymous polymorphism (rs117179004, T392M) may confer susceptibility to IPF in Southern Han Chinese, but is not associated with susceptibility to CTD‐ILD.

Osthole Attenuates Macrophage Activation in Experimental Asthma by Inhibitingthe NF-ĸB/MIF Signaling Pathway

Inhibition of activated macrophages is an alternative therapeutic strategy for asthma. We investigated whether a coumarin compound, osthole, isolated from Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss, alleviated macrophage activation in vivo and in vitro. Osthole could reduce expression of a marker of activated macrophages, cluster of differentiation (CD)206, in an ovalbumin-challenge model of asthma in mice. Osthole could also inhibit infiltration of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition and production of proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-ɑ, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)] in asthmatic mice. In vitro, expression of phosphorylated-IĸBɑ, MIF and M2 cytokines (Ym-1, Fizz-1, arginase-1) in IL-4-induced macrophages decreased upon exposure to the NF-ĸB inhibitor MG-132. In our short hairpin (sh)RNA-MIF-knockdown model, reduced expression of M2 cytokines was detected in the IL-4 + shRNA-MIF group. Osthole could attenuate the proliferation and migration of an IL-4-induced rat alveolar macrophages line (NR8383). Osthole could reduce IL-4-induced translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB) in NR8383 cells. Collectively, our results suggest that osthole ameliorates macrophage activation in asthma by suppressing the NF-ĸB/MIF signaling pathway, and might be a potential agent for treating asthma.

The Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in Asthmatic Airway Remodeling

Purpose

Recent studies have demonstrated that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is of importance in asthmatic inflammation. The role of MIF in modulating airway remodeling has not yet been thoroughly elucidated to date. In the present study, we hypothesized that MIF promoted airway remodeling by intensifying airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) autophagy and explored the specific mechanisms.

Methods

MIF knockdown in the lung tissues of C57BL/6 mice was conducted by instilling intratracheally adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (MIF-mutant AAV9) into mouse lung tissues. Mice genetically deficient in the autophagy marker ATG5 (ATG5^+/−) was used to detect the role of autophagy in ovalbumin (OVA)-asthmatic murine models. Moreover, to block the expression of MIF and CD74 in vitro models, inhibitors, antibodies and lentivirus transfection techniques were employed.

Results

First, MIF knockdown in the lung tissues of mice showed markedly reduced airway remodeling in OVA murine mice models. Secondly, ASMC autophagy was increased in the OVA-challenged models. Mice genetically deficient in the autophagy marker ATG5 (ATG5^+/−) that were primed and challenged with OVA showed lower airway remodeling than genetically wild-type asthmatic mice. Thirdly, MIF can induce ASMC autophagy in vitro. Moreover, the cellular source of MIF which promoted ASMC autophagy was macrophages. Finally, MIF promoted ASMC autophagy in a CD74-dependent manner.

Conclusions

MIF can increase asthmatic airway remodeling by enhancing ASMC autophagy. Macrophage-derived MIF can promote ASMC autophagy by targeting CD74.

MBD2 serves as a viable target against pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting macrophage M2 program

Despite past extensive studies, the mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis (PF) still remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that lungs originating from different types of patients with PF, including coronavirus disease 2019, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, and idiopathic PF, and from mice following bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF are characterized by the altered methyl-CpG-binding domain 2 (MBD2) expression in macrophages. Depletion of Mbd2 in macrophages protected mice against BLM-induced PF. Mbd2 deficiency significantly attenuated transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production and reduced M2 macrophage accumulation in the lung following BLM induction. Mechanistically, Mbd2 selectively bound to the Ship promoter in macrophages, by which it repressed Ship expression and enhanced PI3K/Akt signaling to promote the macrophage M2 program. Therefore, intratracheal administration of liposomes loaded with Mbd2 siRNA protected mice from BLM-induced lung injuries and fibrosis. Together, our data support the possibility that MBD2 could be a viable target against PF in clinical settings.

Chrysophanol protects human bronchial epithelial cells from cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease characterized by the persistent airflow obstruction. Chrysophanol, an anthraquinone derivative isolated from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatum, has been reported to be protective for some inflammatory diseases. The present report aimed to dissect its effect on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced apoptosis in 16HBECs, a human bronchial epithelial cell line.

METHODS

CCK8 cell viability assay was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of chrysophanol on 16HBECs after CSE induction. Western blot analysis, Annexin V/PI staining and TUNEL assay were conducted to test the effect of chrysophanol on 16HBECs apoptosis induced by CSE. Then the western blot assay measured associated molecular pathways to dissect the mechanisms underlying protective effect of chrysophanol on 16HBECs.

RESULTS

Chrysophanol protects 16HBECs against CSE-induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Specifically, pre-treatment of 16HBECs with 20 mmol/l of chrysophanol, reduced CSE-induced apoptosis by almost 10%. Mechanistically, chrysophanol manifested high potency to attenuate CSE-induced expression of apoptotic markers, Bax and cleaved caspase 3. In particular, chrysophanol not only represses CSE-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting CYP1A1 expression, but also suppresses CSE-induced ER stress by inhibiting pPERK, ATF4 and ATF6 expression.

CONCLUSION

Chrysophanol showed protective effect on CSE-induced epithelial injuries in cell line 16HBECs. And our data support that chrysophanol could be employed to reduce the toxicity of cigarette smoke in bronchial epithelial cells, which may have the potential to decrease the risk for developing COPD in smoking subjects.

Diagnostic accuracy of 14-3-3 η protein in rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis

AIM

To evaluate the overall diagnostic performance of 14-3-3 η protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched to acquire eligible studies. Articles published in English before 20 February 2020 were included. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 was used to evaluate the risk of bias and application concern of the included articles. Pooled analysis of diagnostic indicators of 14-3-3 η protein for RA was conducted by using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis was used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry test was used to evaluate for the presence of publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies (1554 positive and 1934 negative participants) were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.73 (95% CI 0.71-0.75) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.87-0.90), respectively. The pooled positive/negative likelihood were 5.98 (95% CI 4.39-8.14) and 0.28 (95% CI 0.21-0.37), respectively. In addition, the pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 23.48 (95% CI 13.76-40.08) and the area under curve was 0.9245. The results of subgroup analysis indicated that ethnicity and control group might be the source of heterogeneity. The results of sensitivity analysis were stable. No significant publication bias was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence indicated that 14-3-3 η protein has moderate accuracy for the diagnosis of RA.

Fixed Ratio Versus Lower Limit of Normal: Health Status and Risk Factors for COPD Overdiagnosis

BACKGROUND

The threshold of the lower limit of the normal range of lung function has been suggested to be more accurate than the 0.7 fixed ratio (FEV₁/FVC < 0.7) for a diagnosis of COPD. We aimed to explore the health status and risk factors of patients overdiagnosed with COPD when using the lower limit of the normal range as a diagnostic reference.

METHODS

Subjects with COPD diagnosed by a pulmonologist according to guidelines of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease were recruited from October 2016 to April 2018. Overdiagnosed COPD was defined as FEV₁/FVC that meets the criterion of the 0.7 fixed ratio but not the the lower limit of the normal range criterion. Spirometry and questionnaires were performed by eligible subjects.

RESULTS

Of the 513 subjects included in the final analysis, 20 (3.9%) were overdiagnosed when using the lower limit of the normal range as the diagnostic reference. The subjects who were overdiagnosed were older, weighed more, had better lung function, lower modified Medical British Research Council scores, and higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and 36-item Short Form Survey scores than the subjects who were correctly diagnosed. Older age, heavier weight, exposure to cooking oil fumes, or a new-built or newly renovated home were associated with an increased risk of overdiagnosis of COPD (age adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.26; weight adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13; exposure to cooking oil fumes adjusted OR 3.00, 95% CI, 1.04-8.68; exposure to new-built or newly renovated home adjusted OR 10.88, 95% CI 1.46-80.87.

CONCLUSIONS

The subjects with overdiagnosed COPD had a better health status and lung function than the subjects who were correctly diagnosed. Older age, heavier weight, and exposure to cooking oil fumes or a new-built or newly renovated home were factors associated with the overdiagnosis of COPD. These findings may help reduce overdiagnosis of COPD.

Bioactive molecule Icariin inhibited proliferation while enhanced apoptosis and autophagy of rat airway smooth muscle cells in vitro

Icariin is the main active compound extracted from epimedium Flavonoids (EFs) and involved in regulation of cell behaviors (proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy etc.) for many cell types, but the effect of Icariin on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is still unknown. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of Icariin on rat ASMCs proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy. CKK8 assay showed that Icariin inhibited rat ASMCs growth in dose-time-dependent manner, and the flow cytometry assay showed that the Icariin interfered with ASMCs cell cycle, when treated with Icariin, S phase shortened while G2 phase extended, cyclin E1 and cyclinA1 gene and protein expression decreased. Next apoptosis was detected, Flow cytometry and TdTmediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay showed that Icariin promoted ASMCs apoptosis, and enhanced apoptosis protein cleaved-caspase-3 expression. Finally, it was found Icariin induced rat ASMCs autophagy, with enhancement expression of autophagy marker LC3 II. In conclusion, Icariin inhibited ASMCs proliferation while promoted apoptosis and autophagy, revealing its potential role in treatment of airway remodeling in asthma.

Nur77 promotes cigarette smoke‑induced autophagic cell death by increasing the dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin-1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by partially reversible airflow limitation and persistent alveolar destruction, and autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke (CS)‑induced COPD. Nuclear receptor 77 (Nur77) participates in a number of biological processes, including apoptosis, autophagy and in disease pathogenesis; however, the role of Nur77 in COPD remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of Nur77 in COPD. We report that CS promotes Nur77 expression and nuclear export in vivo and in vitro, which increases cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‑induced autophagy. In addition, we found that lung tissues, human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and A549 cells exposed to CS or CSE expressed lower levels of LC3 and Beclin‑1 and contained fewer autophagosomes following Nur77 knockdown with siRNA‑Nur77. Moreover, a co‑immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that CSE promoted autophagy, partly by accelerating the interaction between Nur77 and Bcl2, in turn leading to the increased dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin‑1; by contrast, leptomycin B (LMB) suppressed the dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin‑1. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that Nur77 is involved in the CSE‑induced autophagic death of lung cells, and that this process is partially dependent on the increased interaction between Nur77 and Bcl2, and on the dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin‑1. This study illustrates the role of Nur77 in bronchial and alveolar destruction following exposure to CS.

Airway reversibility in asthma and phenotypes of Th2-biomarkers, lung function and disease control

Background

High bronchodilator reversibility in adult asthma is associated with distinct clinical characteristics. In this study, we aim to make a comparison with T-helper 2 (Th2)-related biomarkers, lung function and asthma control between asthmatic patients with high airway reversibility (HR) and low airway reversibility (LR).

Methods

Patients with asthma diagnosed by pulmonologist according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were recruited from the outpatient department of our hospital from August 2014 to July 2017. Patients were divided into HR and LR subgroups based on their response to bronchodilators of lung function (HR = Δforced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) postbronchodilator ≥ 20%). Blood eosinophil count and serum IgE level, which are biomarkers of T-helper (Th)-2 phenotypes, were detected for patients. Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to assess asthma control after the first-month initial treatment.

Results

A total of 265 patients with asthma were followed 1 month after initial treatment. HR group shows a higher level of Th2-high biomarkers (blood eosinophil count (10^9/L): 0.49 ± 0.28 vs 0.36 ± 0.19, P < 0.01; IgE (ng/ml): 1306 ± 842 vs 413 ± 261, P < 0.01), lower baseline lung function (FEV1%pred: 51.91 ± 19.34% vs 60.42 ± 19.22%, P < 0.01; forced expiratory flow (FEF)25–75: 0.76 ± 0.37 vs 1.00 ± 0.67, P < 0.01; FEF25–75%pred: 21.15 ± 10.09% vs 29.06 ± 16.50%, P < 0.01), and better asthma control (ACT score: 22 ± 4 vs 20 ± 4, P = 0.01) than LR group. HR was associated with a decreased risk of uncontrolled asthma after the first-month initial treatment (adjusted OR: 0.12 [95% confidence intervals: 0.03–0.50]).

Conclusions

HR is a physiologic indicator of lower lung function and severer small airway obstruction, and is more related with an increased level of Th2-biomarkers than LR. Moreover, HR may indicate controlled asthma after the first-month initial treatment. This finding may contribute to identification of asthma endotype.

E4BP4 facilitates glucocorticoid sensitivity of human bronchial epithelial cells via down-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor-beta

It has recently been recognized that a subset of asthma patients suffer from glucocorticoid (GC) insensitivity, and glucocorticoid receptor-β (GR-β) is associated with corticosteroid resistance, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here we demonstrated that Interleukin-17A induced glucocorticoid sensitivity in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) is enhanced, which is depend on E4 promoter-binding protein 4 (E4BP4) mediated GR-β expression. Our data show that the expression of E4BP4 is significantly up-regulated in 16HBE cells, and the depletion of E4BP4 dramatically decreased glucocorticoid sensitivity in IL-17A induced 16HBE cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that E4BP4 plays a crucial role in Interleukin-17A induced glucocorticoid sensitivity in 16HBE cells via down-regulating GR-β, which is probably mediated by PI3K/Akt activation. Collectively, we can draw the conclusion that E4BP4 contribute to enhance the GCs sensitivity, which may offer a new strategy for therapeutic intervention for GC-insensitive asthma.

Targeted resequencing reveals genetic risks in patients with sporadic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a genetic heterogeneous disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. However, a large fraction of genetic cause remains unexplained, especially in sporadic IPF (∼80% IPF). By systemically reviewing related literature and potential pathogenic pathways, 92 potentially IPF-related genes were selected and sequenced in genomic DNAs from 253 sporadic IPF patients and 125 matched health controls using targeted massively parallel next-generation sequencing. The identified risk variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. We identified two pathogenic and 10 loss-of-function (LOF) candidate variants, accounting for 4.74% (12 out of 253) of all the IPF cases. In burden tests, rare missense variants in three genes (CSF3R, DSP, and LAMA3) were identified that have a statistically significant relationship with IPF. Four common SNPs (rs3737002, rs2296160, rs1800470, and rs35705950) were observed to be statistically associated with increased risk of IPF. In the cumulative risk model, high risk subjects had 3.47-fold (95%CI: 2.07-5.81, P = 2.34 × 10^-6 ) risk of developing IPF compared with low risk subjects. We drafted a comprehensive map of genetic risks (including both rare and common candidate variants) in patients with IPF, which could provide insights to help in understanding mechanisms, providing genetic diagnosis, and predicting risk for IPF.

Elongation factor-2 kinase acts downstream of p38 MAPK to regulate proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy in human lung fibroblasts

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, fatal and progressive fibro-proliferative lung disease, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation is a crucial process in the development of IPF. Elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF2K) has been reported to play an important role in various disease types, but the role of eEF2K in IPF is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of eEF2K in normal lung fibroblast (NHLF) proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and autophagy as well as the interaction between eEF2K and p38 MAPK signaling through in vitro experiments. We found that the inhibition of eEF2K markedly augmented cell proliferation and differentiation, suppressed apoptosis and autophagy, and reversed the anti-fibrotic effects of a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Together, our results indicate that eEF2K might inhibit TGF-β1-induced NHLF proliferation and differentiation and activate NHLF cell apoptosis and autophagy through p38 MAPK signaling, which might ameliorate lung fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation.

Total alkaloids of Corydalis saxicola bunting inhibits migration of A549 cells by suppressing Cdc42 or Vav1

Cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) is a critical regulator, which functions in cancer metastasis. Numerous previous studies have demonstrated that vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (Vav1) is ectopically expressed in numerous types of human malignancies and have suggested that Vav1 may efficiently promote the formation of invadopodia and matrix degradation by regulating the activation of Cdc42. Total alkaloids of Corydalis saxicola bunting (TAOCSB), a type of alkaloid compound extracted from the root of C. saxicola bunting, has been revealed to have anticancer properties. However, there is no available information to address the effects of TAOCSB on the metastasis of human lung cancer. In the present study, the anticancer effect on A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells induced by TAOCSB was investigated, as well as its underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that a low dose of TAOCSB exhibited anti-metastatic potential in suppressing the invasion and migration of A549 cells, and this action may be involved in TAOCSB-mediated inhibition of Cdc42 expression at the level of mRNA and protein in parallel with TAOCSB-mediated inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 protein expression levels. Although the present study did not reveal the expression level of Vav1 protein in A549 cells, the expression level of Vav1 mRNA was investigated. The effect of Vav1 expression in A549 cells requires further study. Overall, the results of the present study revealed that TAOCSB may provide more information regarding lung cancer treatment.

LPS enhances TLR4 expression and IFN‑γ production via the TLR4/IRAK/NF‑κB signaling pathway in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signaling pathway in cellular response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats were established with passive inhaling cigarette smoke plus injection of LPS. The TLR4 protein in lung tissues was determined with immunohistochemical staining and protein levels of the components of the TLR4 pathway in PASMCs were analyzed with western blotting. The production of interferon (IFN)-γ upon LPS stimulation in PASMCs was measured with ELISA. TLR4 expression in lung tissue from COPD rats was increased obviously compared with that in normal group. LPS enhances TLR4 expression in rat PASMCs and induced production of IFN-γ dramatically. LPS treatment resulted in increased phosphor-interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK), IκB and IκB kinase, as well as the total protein of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65. TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242, IRAK1/4 inhibitor and NF-κB inhibitor Bay 117082 were capable of suppressing the effects of LPS. TLR4 signaling pathway is functional in PASMCs, and may be involved in the inflammatory response during the pathogenesis of COPD.

Artesunate ameliorates lung fibrosis via inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway

The present study aimed to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of the antifibrotic effect of artesunate in pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Primary lung fibroblasts were isolated from the lung tissues of rats, and treated with artesunate (8 µg/ml) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (5 ng/ml). For in vivo experiments, the rats were administered bleomycin intratracheally, followed by daily intraperitoneal artesunate injections for 27 days. Western blotting, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining were used to assess the expression of key components of the Notch signaling pathway, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type IV collagen. Artesunate (8 µg/ml) was identified to inhibit TGF-β1-induced α-SMA and collagen protein expression, and repress the Notch signaling pathway, in primary lung fibroblasts. Downregulation of α-SMA and collagen by artesunate was associated with inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway. The daily intraperitoneal injection of artesunate (1 mg/kg) in rats was determined to inhibit bleomycin-induced overexpression of α-SMA and type IV collagen proteins, and inhibit the Notch signaling pathway, in lung tissues. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that artesunate inhibits the TGF-β1-induced differentiation of rat primary lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and ameliorates bleomycin-induced PF. In addition, the results of the present study suggest that the underlying molecular mechanism for these effects of artesunate is repression of the Notch signaling pathway.

Artesunate modulates expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors as well as collagen-IV to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of artesunate on extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and the expression of collagen-IV, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) to understand the pharmacological role of artesunate in pulmonary fibrosis. Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups that were administered saline alone, bleomycin (BLM) alone, BLM + artesunate, or artesunate alone for 28 days. Lung tissues from 10 rats in each group were used to obtain lung fibroblast (LF) primary cells, and the rest were used to analyze protein expression. The mRNA expression of collagen-IV, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in lung fibroblasts was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of collagen-IV, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 protein in lung tissues were analyzed by western blotting. Artesunate treatment alleviated alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats, as indicated by a decreased lung coefficient and improvement of lung tissue morphology. Artesunate treatment also led to decreased collagen-IV protein levels, which might be a result of its downregulated expression and increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA levels. Increased TIMP-1 and TIMP- 2 protein and mRNA levels were detected after artesunate treatment in lung tissues and primary lung fibroblast cells and may contribute to enhanced activity of MMP-2 and -9. These findings suggested that artesunate attenuates alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis by regulating expression of collagen-IV, TIMP-1 and 2, as well as MMP-2 and -9, to reduce ECM accumulation.

High mobility group box 1: a novel mediator of Th2-type response-induced airway inflammation of acute allergic asthma

BACKGROUND

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an inflammatory mediator involved into the advanced stage of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and is over-expressed in bacterial sepsis and hemorrhagic shock. Recently, it has been found that the HMGB1 was abnormally expressed in induced sputum and plasma of asthmatic patients. However, the precise role of HMGB1 in the acute allergic asthma is unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate the role HMGB1 in regulating airway inflammation of acute allergic asthma and its possible mechanism in this study.

METHODS

Forty-eight BALB/c female mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group (Control), asthma group (Asthma), HMGB1 group (HMGB1) and anti-HMGB1 (HMGB1 monoclonal antibody of mice) group (Anti-HMGB1). Acute allergic asthma mice models were established by ovalbumin (OVA)-challenge. Then, we measured the levels of HMGB1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue of mice. Finally, after exogenous HMGB1 and/or anti-HMGB1 administration, pulmonary function test, histological analysis, Western blot, cytological analysis and ELISA assay were performed to explore the effect of HMGB1 in acute allergic asthma.

RESULTS

The levels of HMGB1 in BALF and lung tissue and the expression of HMGB1 protein in the lung tissue of asthma group were significantly higher than those in control group, respectively (P<0.01). Moreover, the HMGB1 group was showed an increased mucus secretion and infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airway of asthma mice, and a decrease of pulmonary function, compared to control group (P<0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, exogenous HMGB1 could increase the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17, whereas could reduce the IFN-γ in the BALF and lung tissue (P<0.05, respectively). Exogenous HMGB1 could enhance GATA3 expression of Th2 cells and attenuate the T-bet expression of Th1 cells (P<0.05, respectively), which could be abrogated after inhibiting HMGB1.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1 could aggravate eosinophilic inflammation in the airway of acute allergic asthma through inducing a dominance of Th2-type response and promoting the neutrophilic inflammation.

Expression and clinical significance of SALL4 and LGR5 in patients with lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer worldwide, in terms of incidence and mortality. Due to challenges in the diagnosis of the disease, the 5-year overall survival rate is only ~16%. Previous studies have suggested that malignant transformations originate from adult stem cells, and malignant lesions may therefore express stem-cell-associated markers. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression and clinical significance of the stem cell-associated markers Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) and leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) in lung cancer, and to provide novel diagnostic markers and targets for the treatment of lung cancer. The expression of the stem cell-associated markers SALL4 and LGR5 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry performed on 135 human lung cancer tissue specimens and 10 non-cancer lung tissue specimens. The clinical significance of the expression of these markers and correlation between their expression and clinical parameters was also assessed. SALL4 expression was highly upregulated in lung cancer tissues, but was not present in non-cancerous lung tissues, and the sensitivity and specificity of SALL4 reached 88% and 100%, respectively. By contrast, LGR5 demonstrated 97% sensitivity, but the specificity was poor. Therefore, SALL4 may be an extremely useful diagnostic marker for lung cancer, but LGR5 is not as useful.

ANP/NPRA signaling preferentially mediates Th2 responses in favor of pathological processes during the course of acute allergic asthma

Although atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been well recognized for its role in the regulation of volume-pressure homeostasis in cardiovascular system, its impact on respiratory system, particularly on the pathogenesis of acute allergic asthma, is yet to be elucidated. In the present report, we induced mice with OVA for onset of acute allergic asthma along with the administration of recombinant ANP or A71915 (an antagonist for ANP/natriuretic peptide receptor A, NPRA). It was noted that treatment of mice with ANP significantly promoted inflammatory infiltration in the airway and the production of inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung homogenates, and the number of inflammatory cells in the BALF was significantly higher as compared with that of PBS treated asthmatic mice. Moreover, blockade of ANP/NPRA signaling by A71915 almost completely attenuated the effect of ANP administration. Mechanistic studies revealed that ANP repressed the expression of Th1 transcription factor T-bet, but enhanced Th2 transcription GATA3 expression. Together, our data provided feasible evidence suggesting that ANP/NPRA signaling predominantly induces a Th2-type response in favor of pathological processes during the course of acute allergic asthma.

[The role of SDF-1/CXCR4 on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in a rat asthma model]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the roles of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in rat asthma models.

METHODS

Eighteen female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6): control group, asthmatic 4 weeks group and asthmatic 8 weeks group. The rats were sensitized and inhaled ovalbumin (OVA). After the asthma model was successfully established, the airway pressure was measured. The methods of HE staining and Image-Pro Plus image analysis software were used to detect the changes of eosinophils (EOS), the perimeter of inner bronchial lumen, the wall area, the area of bronchial smooth muscle and the number of smooth muscle cells of airway walls. RT-PCR and Western-blot were used to detect the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in lung tissues among the 3 groups.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of SDF-1 in airway walls.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the airway responsiveness, the count of EOS, the area of bronchial wall, the area of bronchial smooth muscle, the number of smooth muscle cells of airway walls in the asthmatic 4 weeks and asthmatic 8 weeks were significantly increased, and significant difference between the 2 asthmatic groups was also observed in the above indexes (P < 0.01) .RT-PCR showed that compared with the control group (SDF-1 was 0.146 ± 0.003 and CXCR4 was 0.281 ± 0.002) , the expression of SDF-1 (0.583 ± 0.004 and 0.724 ± 0.008) and CXCR4 (0.467 ± 0.003 and 0.655 ± 0.002) in lung tissues in the asthmatic 4 weeks and asthmatic 8 weeks were significantly increased (P < 0.01) . In addition, compared with the asthmatic 4 weeks group, the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in lung tissues in the 8 weeks asthmatic group were significantly increased (P < 0.01) . Compared with the control group (0.180 ± 0.009) , the expression of SDF-1 in airway walls in the asthmatic 4 weeks and asthmatic 8 weeks groups (0.270 ± 0.006 and 0.350 ± 0.009) were significantly increased (P < 0.01) . In addition, compared with the asthmatic 4 weeks group, the expression of SDF-1 in airway walls in the 8 weeks asthmatic group was significantly increased (P < 0.01) . The expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 was correlated positively with the airway responsiveness, the number of EOS, the area of bronchial wall, the area of bronchial smooth muscle and the number of smooth muscle cells of airway walls (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

SDF-1/CXCR4 axis may play a key role in airway inflammation and airway remodeling of asthma.

Musashi1 as a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic marker for lung cancer

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. One approach to improving survival is the identification of biomarkers to detect early stage disease. In this study, we investigated the potential of the stem cell and progenitor cell marker, Musashi1 (Msi1), as a diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target for lung cancer. Functional studies in A549 bronchioalveolar carcinoma and NCI-H520 squamous cell carcinoma cells revealed that Msi1 was enriched in spheroid cultures of tumor cells and in the CD133+ cell population. Downregulation of Msi1 by lentivirus-mediated expression of an Msi1 shRNA reduced spheroid colony proliferation. Growth inhibition was associated with reduced nuclear localization of β-catenin and inhibition of the processing of intracellular Notch. In primary lung cancer, Msi1 protein expression was elevated in 86% of 202 tissue microarray specimens, and Msi1 mRNA was increased in 80% of 118 bronchoscopic biopsies, including metastatic disease, but was rarely detected in adjacent normal lung tissue and in non-malignant diseased tissue. Msi1 was expressed in a diffuse pattern in most tumor subtypes, except in squamous cell carcinomas, where it appeared in a focal pattern in 50% of specimens. Thus, Msi1 is a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for all lung cancer subtypes.

Expression of seven stem-cell-associated markers in human airway biopsy specimens obtained via fiberoptic bronchoscopy

Background

Previous reports have suggested that malignant transformations originate from adult stem cells, and may thus express the stem-cell-associated markers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differential expression and clinical significance of seven stem-cell-associated markers (Bmi1, CD133, CD44, Sox2, Nanog, OCT4 and Msi2) in lung cancer, providing new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the differential expression of mRNA levels seven stem-cell-associated markers by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from 112 human lung cancer and 18 non-cancer tissues obtained by bronchoscopy. We further verified the differential expression of these markers by immunohistochemistry in 50 lung cancer specimens, 30 benign inflammatory lesion tissues and 20 non-tumor adjacent lung tissues.

Results

With the exception of OCT4, other markers Bmi1, CD133, CD44, Sox2, Nanog and Msi2 mRNA and protein were abundantly expressed in lung cancer. Additionally, Nanog expression was highly upregulated in lung cancer tissues and rarely presented in non-cancerous lung tissues, the sensitivity and specificity of Nanog mRNA reached 63.4% and 66.7%, respectively. Nanog therefore possessed high diagnostic value, however, CD44, Bmi1 and CD133 showed poor diagnostic value in lung cancer.

Conclusion

Nanog may serve as a promising diagnostic marker of lung cancer and potential therapeutic target in lung cancer.

Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asthmatic patients

To explore the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its relationship with pulmonary ventilation function in asthmatic patients, 18 asthmatic patients and 18 healthy subjects were selected. HO-1 protein and mRNA levels in PBMCs were measured by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Blood carbon monoxide Hb (COHb), serum total IgE and pulmonary ventilatory function were observed. Our results showed that the percentage of cells positive for immunohistochemical staining of HO-1 were significantly higher in asthmatic patients (41.72 +/- 7.44) % than that in with healthy subjects (10.45 +/- 4.36) % (P < 0.001) and the optical density of PBMC HO-1 mRNA was higher in asthmatic patients (26.05 +/- 4.14) than that in healthy subjects (10. 82 +/- 4.26) (P < 0.001). The relation analysis showed that PBMC HO-1 protein and mRNA levels had significantly negative relation with FEV1%, PEFR, MEFR50%, respectively (r = -0.51-0.89, P < 0.05-0.001, respectively) and a positive relation with COHb and serum total IgE (r = 0.48-0. 85, 0.05-0.001, respectively). It is concluded that the expression of PBMC HO-1 protein and mRNA increased significantly in asthmatic patients, and HO-1 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The expression of HO-1 may bear a relation with severity of asthma.

Nuclear factor-kappa B in signal conduction of protein kinase C in T lymphocytes from an asthmatic guinea pig model

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) in the signal conduction of protein kinase C (PKC) regulated proliferation, apoptosis and expression of Th2 cytokines -- interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) of T lymphocytes in the bronchial alveolus lavage fluid (BALF).

METHODS

T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from BALF of asthmatic guinea pigs in normal and asthmatic groups, and were stimulated with PKC agitator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and NF-kappa B inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), respectively. The expressions of NF-kappa B, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA and protein, the proliferation and apoptosis of T lymphocytes were observed by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, ELISA, MTT and TUNEL, respectively.

RESULTS

The activation of NF-kappa B, proliferation response, and expression of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA and protein in T lymphocytes stimulated by PMA were significantly higher than those of their blank control (P < 0.01), while those indexes of T lymphocytes stimulated by PMA and PDTC simultaneously were significantly lower than those stimulated by PMA alone (P < 0.01). The apoptotic index of T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly lower than that of their blank control (P < 0.01), and the apoptotic index of asthmatic guinea pig T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and PDTC simultaneously were significantly higher than that stimulated by PMA alone (P < 0.01). The significant positive correlations were found between the activation of NF-kappa B and the proliferation (r = 0.64, P < 0.001), and the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA and protein of T lymphocytes, respectively (r = 0.55 - 0.68, P < 0.001). There was also significant negative correlation between the activation of NF-kappa B and apoptosis of T lymphocytes (r = 0.62, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

NF-kappa B may participate in the signal conduction of PKC regulated proliferation, apoptosis and expression of IL-4 and IL-5 of T lymphocytes in asthma. The activation of NF-kappa B in PKC signal conduction pathway of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

[The role of beta3-adrenergic receptor Trp/Arg mutation in childhood obesity]

OBJECTIVE

To understand with greater clearness the role of beta3- adrenergic receptor Trp/Arg mutation in childhood obesity.

METHODS

One hundred and seventy-seven children, aged 6-12 years, were selected. The genotype was detected by restricted fragment length polymorphism, the children's dietaries were surveyed by a 3-day recalling and recording method. Their height, weight were measured, and the data on their living habits were collected from their parents.

RESULTS

The intake of total amount of food and energy of obese children were higher in children with Trp/Trp genotype, but there was no difference between the obese and non-obese children with Trp/Arg genotype. Among children with the Trp/Arg genotype, obese children were less active and did less exercise, they slept more, but there was no difference among children with Trp/Trp genotype.

CONCLUSION

The children with beta3-AR Trp/Arg mutation may become obese because of the low energy metabolism; less active and exercise may increase the risk of obesity.

An experimental study on the regulation of expression of Th2 cytokines from T lymphocytes by protein kinase C in asthma

To explore the regulatory role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the expression of Th2 cytokines, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) by T lymphocytes in asthma. T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from blood and bronchial alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) of each guinea pig of normal control group and asthmatic group and from peripheral blood of the asthmatic patients and normal controls, and were stimulated with PKC accelerant phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and inhibitor Ro31-8220. The expression of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA and protein was detected by using in situ hybridization staining and ELISA respectively. The expression of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA and protein of asthmatic T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA was significantly higher than that of asthmatic T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA respectively (P < 0.01) and that of normal T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA respectively (P < 0.01). The expression of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA and protein of asthmatic T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and Ro31-8220 was significantly lower than that of asthmatic T lymphocytes stimulated only with PMA respectively (P < 0.01). It was concluded that PKC might participate in regulating the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 in asthmatic T lymphocytes, and the activation of PKC in T lymphocytes might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

[Effect of lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphism on plasma lipid levels,BMI and subcutaneous fat distribution in simple obesity children]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of Hind III DNA polymorphism in the lipoprotein lipase(LPL) gene on plasma lipid levels, body mass index(BMI) and subcutaneous fat distribution in simple obesity children.

METHODS

The polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) techniques were used to detect the Hind III-LPL genotypes in 92 children with simple obesity. The levels of the plasma lipid, plasma lipoproteins, BMI and skinfold thickness at three measuring points(biceps, subscapular and abdominal wall) were also measured.

RESULTS

The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, Apo B, BMI, biceps and subscapular skinfold thickness with the average value of three measuring points in the obesity children with H(+) H(+)-LPL genotype were significantly higher than those in the obesity children with H(+) H(-)-LPL genotype.

CONCLUSION

LPL-Hind III polymorphism may modify the levels of plasma lipid. plasma lipoproteins and BMI in children with simple obesity, and in the mean while it may affect the distribution of subcutaneous fat.

[The application of Apo-1/Fas to evaluate apoptosis of myocardial cells in patients with congestive heart failure]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of serum level of Apo-1/Fas in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and evaluate apoptosis of failing myocardial cells.

METHODS

Strepavidin-Biotin ELISA was used to determine serum level of Apo-1/Fas, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) in 60 patients with CHF. Cardiac ejection fraction (EF) of the patients were measured by acusson 128XP/10 echocardiograph.

RESULTS

Serum levels of Apo-1/Fas and TNF alpha in class III and IV patients with CHF were significantly higher than those in class I and II (P < 0.01). Serum levels of IL-6 in all the patients were obviously higher than those in controls (P < 0.05 and 0.01) and the levels in class III and IV patients were significantly higher than those in class I and II (P < 0.05). Serum levels of Apo-1/Fas in patients with EF < 55 percent were higher than in those with EF > 55 percent (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Serum level of Apo-1/Fas in patients with CHF reflects a state of apoptosis in failing myocardial cells. IL-6 and TNF alpha have important effects on immune regulation of myocardial cell apoptosis.

Chemical carboxy-terminal sequence analysis of peptides using acetyl isothiocyanate

A new derivatizing reagent, acetyl isothiocyanate (AITC), is applied for C-terminal peptide sequencing. It has been successfully used to sequence six C-terminal residues of a synthetic peptide at low nanomole levels. According to the mechanism study of the derivatization of C-terminal amino acid with various reagents, the derivatizing reagents (R-N=C=S or SCN-) were classified into three types: type I, the ionic compound (e.g., HSCN, NH4SCN, KSCN); type II, R is a good leaving group (e.g., TMS-ITC, TBSn-ITC); type III, R is reactive (e.g., AITC, BITC, DPP-ITC). Type III reagents are superior to other reagents because their double-function of activation and derivatization. Unlike type I and type II reagents, type III reagent chemistry does not require oxazolinone formation which can cause racemization. Compared with benzoyl isothiocyanate, diphenyl phosphoroisothiocyanatidate, trimethylsilyl isothiocyanate, and ammonium thiocyanate, AITC is the most effective derivatizing reagent. As a type III reagent, AITC possesses some features such as no need for oxazolinone formation, no requirement for separate activation step, high reactivity, easy preparation, and low absorption at 260-270 nm. Different reaction conditions were investigated for optimization and the chemical mechanism of AITC chemistry is illustrated. A convenient and efficient approach for synthesis of amino acid thiohydantoins as reference standards has also been developed.

A method for preparation of amino acid thiohydantoins from free amino acids activated by acetyl chloride for development of protein C-terminal sequencing

A novel and efficient method to prepare amino acid thiohydantoins, which are required as reference standards for development of C-terminal protein sequencing, is reported. Amino acid thiohydantoins were prepared using a straightforward method involving reaction of 20 free amino acids with acetyl chloride as activating reagent and trimethylsilyl isothiocyanate (TMS-ITC) as derivatizing reagent. The products were characterized by HPLC, uv spectra, amino acid analysis, MS, and NMR. Different reaction conditions were investigated and the chemical mechanism of the formation of amino acid thiohydantoins was illustrated.

Modesty, sexuality, and breast health in Chinese-American women

Although breast cancer rates among Chinese women are lower than among white women, breast cancers and other breast diseases often go undetected and untreated in Chinese women. Cultural values with respect to modesty and sexuality, especially in unmarried women, partly account for a Chinese lack of attention to breast health. In addition, institutional barriers, such as an unavailability of information in Chinese languages, few female physicians, and an absence of educational campaigns, contribute to Chinese women's neglect of breast health.

Black magic and illness in a Malaysian Chinese community

Ah Yuk Je is a successful Hakka Chinese spirit medium practicing in a small Chinese community in Malaysia. Her clientele consists largely of young children suffering from a culturally specific condition called haak geng or 'soul loss' and women concerned about infertility, prenatal problems and errant spouses. While in a trance state, assisted by her tutelary spirits, she diagnoses, prescribes and treats illnesses. Her treatment includes naturalistic and magico-religious elements such as 'cooling' herbal teas, tonics to strengthen the body, rituals and amulets. Because Ah Yuk Je is a wife and mother, women find her sympathetic and astute at solving family problems. When faced with an illness herself, which she suspects to be the result of kong tao (black magic) instigated by someone in her own village, she seeks assistance from a healer outside her own ethnic group as well as outside her community. Four important factors influence Ah Yuk Je's decision to seek out this healer. The first two, recommendation from a trusted friend and a positive previous experience, are obvious, and require no further discussion. The remaining factors are the special nature of the illness, which requires treatment from a specialist, and her practice as a spirit medium. Successful spirit mediums are perceived to have a certain immunity to and control over supernatural forces. Thus the need for secrecy when a spirit medium becomes the victim of evil forces. She is able to preserve her professional reputation by consulting someone outside her ethnic group of potential clients as well as outside her physical community.

Cardiovascular effects of oxytocin

Oxytocin, 5 to 10 units, is frequently given as a bolus injection following term delivery or elective termination of pregnancy. It is not general knowledge that this has any untoward effects. In the present study in young, healthy women undergoing elective termination of pregnancy, mean arterial blood pressure decreased approximately 30% and the total peripheral resistence 50%, 40 seconds after injection. However, heart rate increased 30% and stroke volume 25%, so that the cardiac output was elevated more than 50% above control. Oxytocin given as a dilute solution produced no circulatory change; hence, we suggest that this drug be administered in such fashion rather than by bolus injection.