Molecular cloning, characterization and gene expression analysis of twelve interleukins in obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus

Interleukins (ILs) are a subgroup of secreted cytokines, which are molecules involved in the intercellular regulation of the immune system. In this study, 12 IL homologs were cloned and functionally identified from obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus, and they were termed as ToIL-1β, ToIL-1, ToIL-6, ToIL-10, ToIL-11, ToIL-12, ToIL-17, ToIL-18, ToIL-20, ToIL-24, ToIL-27, and ToIL-34. Multiple alignment results showed that except for ToIL-24 and ToIL-27, other deduced ToIL proteins shared typical characteristics and structure with other known fish ILs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 12 ToILs were evolutionarily closely related to their counterparts in other selected vertebrates. Tissue distribution assay demonstrated that the mRNA transcripts of most ToIL genes were constitutively expressed in all tissues examined, with relatively high expression in immune tissues. Following Vibrio harveyi and Staphylococcus aureus infection, the expression levels of 12 ToILs in the spleen and liver were significantly upregulated, and their response over time varied. Taken together, these data were discussed accordingly with the ToIL expression and the immune response under the different situations tested. The results suggest that the 12 ToIL genes are involved in the antibacterial immune response in T. obscurus.

Gene therapy for human hepatocellular carcinoma with cytosine deaminase gene and prodrug flucytosine

AIM

To investigate the antitumor effects of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene in combination with prodrug flucytosine (Flu, 5-fluorocytosine) on human hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

CD gene was transduced into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC7721 with retroviral method and the cytotoxicity of Flu on the tumor cells was assayed in vitro with clonogenic techniques. The xenograft tumor model in nude mice was used to study in vivo therapeutic effects of CD gene/Flu system against human hepatocellular carcinoma.

RESULTS

CD gene/Flu system had significant antitumor activities on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in nude mice. The antitumor activities of Flu 500 mg.kg-1 on hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice were more potent than those of 5-fluouracil 10 mg.kg-1. CD gene/Flu system possessed bystander killing effects on hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

The experiment demonstrates the potential value of the CD gene/Flu system in the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Relation of donor age and preexisting coronary artery disease on angiography and intracoronary ultrasound to later development of accelerated allograft coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the influence of donor age and preexisting donor coronary disease on the later development of allograft coronary artery disease, ischemic events and overall survival.

BACKGROUND

The increasing demand for heart donors has led to a tendency to liberalize age criteria for donor acceptability.

METHODS

A total of 233 consecutive heart transplant recipients who had baseline, early postoperative and follow-up coronary angiograms, as well as a subset of 47 patients with baseline intracoronary ultrasound imaging recordings, were analyzed (mean 3.8 years of follow-up). Patients were subclassified according to the presence of donor coronary artery disease on the baseline angiogram and stratified at age 40 years.

RESULTS

patients without evidence of preexisting coronary artery disease on a baseline angiogram (n = 219) were significantly less likely to develop new disease than the 14 patients with preexisting coronary artery disease (p = 0.002). Although older donors exhibited earlier coronary artery disease than younger donors at 3 years of follow-up, there was no difference by 5 years (p = 0.25). There was no difference in survival or probability of developing ischemic events between the groups. Baseline ultrasound imaging revealed substantial disease in 7 of 9 older donated hearts, and in only 7 of 38 younger donated hearts (p = 0.002). Preexisting coronary artery disease, nonuse of calcium channel blocking agents, older donor age, posttransplantation cytomegalovirus infection, elevated very low density lipoprotein levels and previous ischemic heart disease in the recipient were significant predictors of allograft coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart donors with angiographic evidence of preexisting coronary artery disease and older donors are more likely to develop new allograft coronary artery disease by 3 years. However, there is no difference in survival or freedom from ischemic events between younger and older donors at a mean follow-up of 3.8 years.

[Comparison of colloidal bismuth subcitrate with ranitidine in healing and relapse of Campylobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcers]

Eighty patients with Campylobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcer disease were randomly allocated to receive colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS)tablet 120 mg four times a day or ranitidine 150 mg twice daily in a trial comparing the effects of these drugs in short-term healing and post-healing relapse rates of duodenal ulceration. At 8 weeks 88.1% (37/42) of those on CBS and 92.1% (35/38) of those on ranitidine had ulcers healed. The difference is not significant. After ulcer healing, the cumulative rates of relapse, as determined endoscopically, for symptomatic and asymptomatic ulcers were 19.4% (6/31) for CBS and 46.7% (14/30) for ranitidine at 6 months (P less than 0.05) and 41.9% (13/31) for CBS and 73.3% (22/30) for ranitidine at 12 months (P less than 0.05). As campylobacter pylori was cleared in 35 of the 42 patients (83.3%) in the CBS group, while only one of the 38 patients (2.63%) in the ranitidine group (P less than 0.005), it is possible that the clearance of Campylobacter pylori by CBS is instrumental to the reduction of the rate of reulceration.