[Revelation of the list of occupational diseases and diagnostic criteria for occupational diseases]

The list of occupational diseases reflecting the latest advances in the identification and recognition of occupational diseases, and providing guidance on the protection of workers' health rights and interests and the prevention, recording, notification and compensation of related occupational diseases. Diagnostic criteria for occupational diseases are an important basis for making diagnoses attributable to occupational diseases, and provide a theoretical basis for health monitoring of occupational groups and occupational hygiene supervision. This thesis starts with the definition of the occupational disease elaborates in detail the development history of list of occupational diseases in International Labour Organization (ILO) , compares the list of occupational diseases in China (2013 version) with the list of occupational diseases in international (2010 version) , and then introduces in detail the latest diagnostic standards of the major occupational diseases. And finally, it puts forward relevant suggestions on the list and diagnostic level of China's occupational diseases, so as to provide certain insights for the further improvement of the list and diagnostic standards of occupational diseases.

[Establishment of hysteroscopic scoring system of chronic endometritis and correlative analysis with pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in infertile patients]

Objective: To establish a hysteroscopic chronic endometritis (hCE) scoring system for patients with chronic endometritis, and observe the correlation of hCE score with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) pregnancy outcomes in infertile women. Methods: The study retrospectively investigated the correlation of morphologic features and hCE score with pregnancy outcomes during IVF-ET in infertile women with CE (n=429) at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between January 2017 and September 2018. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate with different score levels (1-3,4-7 and 8-14) after IVF-ET treatment were analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding factors. The correlation and regression between hCE score and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed by curve fitting. Results: The age of 429 patients [M(Q₁, Q₃)] was 31 (29, 35) years. There were 50.6% (217 cases), 35.4% (152 cases), and 14.0% (60 cases) of patients with hCE score of 1-3, 4-7, and 8-14, respectively. The pregnancy rates of the three groups were 60.8% (132 cases), 44.7% (68 cases) and 16.7% (10 cases), P<0.001; The live birth rates were 51.2% (111 cases), 36.8% (56 cases) and 13.3% (8 cases), respectively (P<0.001). Compared with patients with hCE of 1-3, pregnancy rates in those with hCE of 4-7 and 8-14 were lower, and the OR values were 0.521 (0.342-0.793) and 0.129 (0.062-0.268). The live birth rates in patients with hCE of 4-7 and 8-14 were lower than that in patients with hCE of 1-3, and the OR values were 0.570 (0.372-0.873) and 0.162 (0.073-0.360), all P<0.05. Quadratic curve fitting results showed that clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate decreased with the increase of hCE score. Conclusions: With the increase of hCE score, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of patients gradually decrease. hCE 4 is an important cut-off threshold significantly affecting the pregnancy outcome.

Investigation of the Relationship between Chronic Endometritis Manifestations under Hysteroscope and CD138 Expression

Methods

This study was performed to retrospectively analyze clinical cases of 523 CE patients from January 2018 to June 2020 that were confirmed by hysteroscopy before in vitro fertilization. Based on manifestations of CE under hysteroscopy, the cases were divided into three cohorts, i.e., hyperemia cohort where the patients had diffuse endometrium hyperemia; endometrial micropolyp cohort, and endometrial stroma edema and hyperplasia cohort. Small amount of endometrial tissue was collected from the patients, and CD138 IHC examination was performed. According to the results of CD138 IHC, positive patients were given antibiotic treatment (doxycycline 100 mg BID orally for 14 days), and hysteroscopy was performed again after treatment to check the efficacy of antibiotics.

Results

In the comparison of overall status for all patient cohorts, infertility type, BMI, bFSH, bLH, bP, bT, PRL, AMH, and CA125 were varied markedly across all cohorts (P < 0.05), with predominant incidences of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) peaking within hyperemia cohort. Incidence/diagnostic rate for CD138 within hyperemia cohort was 10.06%, which was lower than the 63.16% in micropolyp cohort and 74% in edema and hyperplasia cohort (P < 0.05). No major variation existed within CD138 across micropolyp cohort/edema and hyperplasia cohort (P > 0.05). After CD138-positive CE patients were treated with antibiotics, the effective rate (0/16) within hyperemia cohort was lower than micropolyp cohort (73.61%, 53/72) and edema and hyperplasia cohort (83.24%, 154/185) (P < 0.05). The effective rate across micropolyp cohort/edema and hyperplasia cohort was not significantly different (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Cases of diffuse endometrial hyperemia under hysteroscope had the lowest positive rate of CD138, and the effect of antibiotic treatment on these patients was poor. The positive rate of CD138 in patients with endometrial micropolyps and endometrial stroma edema and hyperplasia under hysteroscope was high, and the effect of antibiotic treatment was better.

Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes improve pregnancy outcome through inducing maternal tolerance to the allogeneic fetus in abortion-prone mating mouse

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is three or more times of consecutive spontaneous loss of pregnancy. The underlying cause is complicated and the etiology of over 50% of RPL patients is unclear. In the present study, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from CBA/J female mice and exosomes were isolated from cell culture medium by ultracentrifugation. CBA/J female mice were paired with male DBA/2 to generate abortion prone mouse model, and CBA/J females paired with male BALB/c mice were used as control. Exosomes were injected through uterine horns into pregnant CBA/J mice on day 4.5 of gestation in abortion-prone matting. On day 13.5 of pregnancy, abortion rates were calculated and the level of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interferon g (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) in CD4+ T cells and macrophages in deciduas were evaluated by flow cytometry. Exosomes injection improved the pregnancy outcomes in abortion prone mice. The IL-4 and IL-10 levels on CD4+ T cells were upregulated in the maternal-fetal interface; meanwhile, the TNF-α and IFN-γ levels on CD4+ T cells were reduced. The IL-10 level was increased and IL-12 was reduced on the monocytes that separated from deciduas. miR-101 level was increased in the CD4+ T cells in the deciduas. In conclusion, the treatment of ESCs-derived exosomes modulates T cells' function and macrophages activities in the maternal-fetal interface that resulted in a decreased embryo resorption rate, and provides a therapeutic potential to treat RPL.

Regulation of follicular development and differentiation by intra-ovarian factors and endocrine hormones

Primordial germ cell migration and homing within the gonadal ridge during early embryo development requires oocyte-secreted polypeptide, growth factors, growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), bone morphogenetic proteins, stem cell factor (SCF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). During embryogenesis, the germ cells migrate into developing gonads and undergo intra-ovarian development which involves the contact of primordial germ cells with other cells. Further follicular development and differentiation is tightly regulated by hormones and by intraovarian regulators. Maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes and ovulation are directly controlled by FSH and LH and requires activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in granulosa cells. The selection of dominant follicles is driven by a series of proliferation and apoptotic events. Together, the available data suggests that follicular development is regulated both by systemic and local factors.

Recent advances in the regulation of testicular germ cell tumors by microRNAs

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are generally rare but represent the most common solid tumors in young men. They are classified broadly into seminoma, which resemble primordial germ cells (PGCs), and non-seminoma, which are either undifferentiated (embryonic carcinoma) or differentiated (teratoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinomas) patterning. A widespread role for microRNAs (miRNAs), in diverse molecular processes driving initiation and progression of various types of TGCTs has been recently studied. We discuss the involvement of different miRNAs in the development and progression of different types of TGCTs. Moreover, we highlight the aberrant expression of miRNAs in TGCTs and several targets, which may define miRNAs as oncomiRs or tumor suppressors. A better understanding of miRNA biology may ultimately yield further insight into the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and new therapeutic strategies against TGCTs.

[Impact of multiple morphological anomalies of the flagella on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection for males with infertility]

Objective: To evalute the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) for infertility male with severe asthenospermia induced by multiple morphological anomalies of the flagella (MMAF). Methods: The clinical data of 15 patient with MMAF were retrospectively analyzed, who underwent ICSI treatment using hyponotic swelling test the "live" sperm in the Department of Reproductive Medicine of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from January 2011 to December 2016. Another 30 obstructive azoospermia (OA)patients are matched strictly who also accepted ICSI in the same treatment time. The two groups were compared in the couples'age, the body mass index(BMI), the duration of infertility, the retrieved oocytes, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, cleavage, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregncncy, early abortion, singleton and twins. Results: After 27 cycles of ICSI, all of the MMAF patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 11 cases of live birth, 2 cases of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. There were no significant difference between MMAF and OA groups in the couples'age and BMI, or the numbers of retrieved oocytes and ICSI oocytes(P>0.05), but the differences in the infertility duration had statistical meaning(P<0.001). No statistical differences were observed among groups in ICSI fertility rate(92.0% vs 91.6%), clesvage rate(95.4% vs 96.5%), high-quality embryonic rate(56.5% vs 57.5%), good blastocyst rate(23/61 vs 35/94), embryo implantation rate(20/48 vs 35/75), early abortion rate(4/19 vs 8/36), clinical pregncncy rate(15/27 vs 28/50), singleton rate (10/13 vs 20/25)and twinning rate(3/13 vs 5/25)(P>0.05). Conclusions: MMAF may not affect ICSI treatment outcomes, but genetic defects can be transmitted through ICSI. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Effect of Acupuncture and Clomiphene in Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Acupuncture is used to induce ovulation in some women with polycystic ovary syndrome, without supporting clinical evidence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether active acupuncture, either alone or combined with clomiphene, increases the likelihood of live births among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A double-blind (clomiphene vs placebo), single-blind (active vs control acupuncture) factorial trial was conducted at 21 sites (27 hospitals) in mainland China between July 6, 2012, and November 18, 2014, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until October 7, 2015. Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to 4 groups.

INTERVENTIONS

Active or control acupuncture administered twice a week for 30 minutes per treatment and clomiphene or placebo administered for 5 days per cycle, for up to 4 cycles. The active acupuncture group received deep needle insertion with combined manual and low-frequency electrical stimulation; the control acupuncture group received superficial needle insertion, no manual stimulation, and mock electricity.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was live birth. Secondary outcomes included adverse events.

RESULTS

Among the 1000 randomized women (mean [SD] age, 27.9 [3.3] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 24.2 [4.3]), 250 were randomized to each group; a total of 926 women (92.6%) completed the trial. Live births occurred in 69 of 235 women (29.4%) in the active acupuncture plus clomiphene group, 66 of 236 (28.0%) in the control acupuncture plus clomiphene group, 31 of 223 (13.9%) in the active acupuncture plus placebo group, and 39 of 232 (16.8%) in the control acupuncture plus placebo group. There was no significant interaction between active acupuncture and clomiphene (P = .39), so main effects were evaluated. The live birth rate was significantly higher in the women treated with clomiphene than with placebo (135 of 471 [28.7%] vs 70 of 455 [15.4%], respectively; difference, 13.3%; 95% CI, 8.0% to 18.5%) and not significantly different between women treated with active vs control acupuncture (100 of 458 [21.8%] vs 105 of 468 [22.4%], respectively; difference, -0.6%; 95% CI, -5.9% to 4.7%). Diarrhea and bruising were more common in patients receiving active acupuncture than control acupuncture (diarrhea: 25 of 500 [5.0%] vs 8 of 500 [1.6%], respectively; difference, 3.4%; 95% CI, 1.2% to 5.6%; bruising: 37 of 500 [7.4%] vs 9 of 500 [1.8%], respectively; difference, 5.6%; 95% CI, 3.0% to 8.2%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, the use of acupuncture with or without clomiphene, compared with control acupuncture and placebo, did not increase live births. This finding does not support acupuncture as an infertility treatment in such women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01573858.

Effect of PDGF-Rb antagonist imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in mouse model

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in the mouse model.

METHODS

The cultured MSCs cells from male mice were marked with BrdU in vitro, and then transplanted to the female mice which suffered from radiation injury through tail vein, PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib was injected through abdominal cavity. Four groups were arranged, which were radiation transplantation group, normal control group, imatinib intervention group and radiation control group. BrdU incorporation, SRY expression and MVD status were detected in uterus of mice.

RESULTS

SRY gene was negative expressed in normal control group and radiation control group. SRY gene presented positive in radiation transplantation group and imatinib intervention group; BrdU incorporation showed negative in radiation control group and normal control group which died in the early stage in mice; the incorporation of BrdU was higher in radiation transplantation group compared with imatinib intervention group; CD34 was positive on the uterus of all the four groups, which showed highest in radiation control group and lowest in radiation control group; The MVD in imatinib intervention group was lower than radiation control group; the difference of MVD was significantly compared with normal control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib could inhibit the repairing function of MSCs in the endometrial lesions in mice.

Clinical application of operative hysteroscopy in treatment of complex hydrosalpinx prior to IVF

BACKGROUND

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is the best option for patients with hydrosalpinx. However, if hydrosalpinges is not pre-treated, the therapeutic outcomes of IVF-ET would be compromised.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the safety and effects of operative hysteroscopy in the treatment of patients with hydrosalpinx prior to IVF-ET, who were not indicated for laparotomy due to extensive pelvic adhesion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study analyses retrospectively data from 10 women with hydrosalpinx, who were unable to undergo laparotomy due to extensive pelvic adhesion and treated by operative hysteroscopy prior to IVF-ET, and was assessed the effects and safety of the procedure.

RESULTS

Postoperative Hystero-salpingography demonstrated complete tubal occlusion of the diseased side in all cases. Being applied with IVF-ET for fertility after their hysteroscopy operation, 5 out of 10 patients acquired clinical pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Hysteroscopic tubal occlusion of the proximal part of the hydrosalpinx can effectively prevent the hydrops backflow to endometrial cavity and benefit subsequent implantation in the course of assisted reproduction without significant complications.

Adoptive transfer of pregnancy-induced CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells reverses the increase in abortion rate caused by interleukin 17 in the CBA/JxBALB/c mouse model

STUDY QUESTION

Could adoptive transfer of pregnancy-induced CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) reverse the increase in abortion rate caused by interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the CBA/J × BALB/c mouse model?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The effects of exogenous IL-17 on increased abortion rate, as well as decreased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and IL-10 expression, are reversed by a pre-mating transfusion of Tregs in a mouse model of pregnancy.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

IL-17 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine mainly expressed by T helper 17 cells, and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, miscarriage, preterm labor and pre-eclampsia. The activity of Th17 cells is attenuated by the anti-inflammatory action of Tregs.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Fifty microliters of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (Group 1,) or recombinant IL-17 (rIL) (10 µg/mouse) supernatant (Group 2) was administered in the vaginal vaults of anesthetized pregnant CBA/J mice on Day 1 of pregnancy. Tregs (2 × 10(5) cells) purified from pregnant CBA/J × BALB/c mice were given i.v. via the tail vein 2 days before mating (Group 3) or on Day 7 of pregnancy (Group 4).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Mice (n = 40) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups. The numbers of surviving and reabsorbed fetuses in each group were counted on Day 14 of pregnancy, and the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4, TGF-β and IL-10 in the decidual tissue was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Normal pregnant CBA/J mice mated with BALB/c males which received transvaginal rIL-17 presented with a significantly increased abortion rate compared with the group which received PBS (27.7 versus 9.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). The transfusion of pregnancy-induced Tregs from 14-day normal pregnant mice 2 days before mating reduced the abortion rate caused by IL-17 (12.5 versus 27.7%, respectively; P < 0.05), while transfusion of Tregs on Day 7 of pregnancy had no effect. Transfusion of Tregs did not affect IFN-γ or IL-4 expression in the decidual tissue at either the mRNA or protein level. Administration of rIL-17 resulted in a decrease in production of TGF-β and IL-10 at both mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05). Transfusion of Tregs before mating increased TGF-β and IL-10 mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05), while Tregs transfusion at Day 7 of pregnancy had no effect on TGF-β or IL-10 expression.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

These data derive from only a small number of mice. It is unclear whether the same effects would be seen in humans.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Abnormally elevated expression of IL-17 in the feto-maternal interface may result in miscarriage. Transfer of antigen-specific Tregs before mating takes place may have potential applications in the prevention of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81370013, 81000277 and 81300533) and Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China (ZR2013HQ002). There were no conflicts of interest.

Dysregulation of macrophage activation by decidual regulatory T cells in unexplained recurrent miscarriage patients

CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells (Treg cells) and macrophages play roles in the maintenance of maternal-fetal immunological tolerance. Treg cells suppress the function of macrophages via mechanisms mediated by cell-cell contact and production of soluble factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate regulation of macrophages by Treg cells within decidua from patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM) and normal control women during early pregnancy. Treg cells and macrophages were isolated from deciduas of unexplained RM (n=15) and control women (n=15) by magnetic cell separation and co-cultured for six days. Regulation of macrophages by Treg cells was assessed in the presence and absence of neutralizing anti-TGFβ antibodies and in transwell experiments. Expression of CD80, CD86, IL10, and IFNγ by macrophages was measured by flow cytometry or ELISA. Macrophage expression of CD80 and CD86 was higher in deciduas of unexplained RM patients compared with controls whereas the expression of IL10 was lower. There was no difference in the expression of IFNγ by macrophages between the two groups. Treg cells inhibited macrophage expression of CD80, CD86 and IFNγ and increased the expression of IL10. The regulatory effects of Treg cells were abrogated in the presence of neutralizing anti-TGFβ antibodies or by transwell culture. The phenotype of macrophages therefore differed in unexplained RM patients compared with normal early pregnant subjects. Macrophage regulation by Treg cells was shown to be mediated by cell-cell contact and TGFβ and this capacity was decreased in unexplained RM patients.

Evaluation of association between the CYP11alpha promoter pentannucleotide (TTTTA)n polymorphism and polycystic ovarian syndrome among Han Chinese women

Evidence indicates that CYP11alpha is a positional and functional candidate for genetic study in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In the present study, we have evaluated the association between the CYP11alpha promoter pentannucleotide (tttta)n polymorphism and PCOS among Han Chinese women. Subjects include 125 patients with PCOS and 121 healthy controls, and all were Han Chinese women. Clinical characteristics of patients with PCOS and control subjects were examined according to the Rotterdam consensus criteria. The CYP11alpha promoter pentannucleotide (tttta)n polymorphism was genotyped with PCR and fluorescent capillary electrophoresis protocol. Results indicate that common alleles of the CYP11alpha promoter pentannucleotide (tttta)n polymorphism in this population of Han Chinese women were P4, P6 and P8, and allele P6 was the most common one. Frequencies of those three common alleles between PCOS cases and controls (24.8, 65.6, 6.8% and 23.6, 65.7, 9.9%, respectively) were similar. No significant allelic association of this polymorphism with PCOS was found. However, the carriers with allele P6 among patients with PCOS had increased WHR (0.85+/-0.05 vs 0.82+/-0.08, P=0.039) and decreased AUCG (9.5+/-2.1 vs 11.4+/-2.8, P=0.021) compared to the patients carrying other alleles. Therefore, the most common allele of the CYP11alpha promoter pentannucleotide (tttta)n polymorphism in the population of Han Chinese women is P6, while the most common allele in European Caucasians, as previously reported, is P4. This polymorphism is an ethnic and racial variant, and may have the risk susceptibility in abnormal metabolism of patients with PCOS in Han Chinese women.

Association of +45G15G(T/G) and +276(G/T) polymorphisms in the ADIPOQ gene with polycystic ovary syndrome among Han Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with insulin resistance (IR) and consequently with increased risk of metabolic disorders. Adiponectin is the most abundant adipocytokine and may play a role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and IR in PCOS. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genetic influence of the adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene polymorphisms in the development of PCOS among Han Chinese women.

METHODS

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs),+45G15G(T/G) and +276(G/T), in the ADIPOQ gene were genotyped in 120 patients with PCOS and 120 healthy control subjects. All of them were Han Chinese women.

RESULTS

Both SNPs were found to be significantly associated with PCOS (P=0.021, odds ratios=1.629, 95% confidence intervals: 1.074-2.469 and P=0.015, 1.576, 1.091-2.279 respectively). In SNP +276(G/T), the allele G was found to be significantly associated with increased fasting insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment to assess IR index, and area under the curve glucose levels, but decreased glucose and insulin ratio in the PCOS patients. Furthermore, the patients carrying genotypes G/G and G/T had significantly decreased levels of serum adiponectin (6.16+/-3.18 plus 5.93+/-3.23 vs 8.96+/-3.21 microg/ml, P=0.030) compared with the patients with genotype T/T.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides evidence that SNPs +45G15G(T/G) and +276(G/T) in the ADIPOQ gene are associated with PCOS in Han Chinese women. SNP +276(G/T) may contribute to an impact of insulin levels and IR, which are implicated in the susceptibility for PCOS.

The measurement of AgNORs in human glioma cells

Sixty gliomas obtained by neurosurgical resections were examined. Paraffin blocks were retrieved from pathological files of the Second Affiliated Hospital in Guangzhou Medical College. The methods of argyrophilic technique for AgNORs staining, and Image Analysis System for measurement of AgNORs were used. Six parameters, which included hcount, count, narea, agnrea, agpern and agperc were used to correlated well with histopathological grades (compared grade 2 & 3, grade 3 & 4, and grade 2 & 4, respectively). We concluded that AgNORs is useful in evaluating proliferative activity and assessing the malignancy of human gliomas. It may also be used as a target for anti-neoplastic drugs in the treatment of gliomas.

Expression of bcl-2 and Bax in EGFR-antisense transfected and untransfected glioblastoma cells

Glioblastomas are the most frequent and most malignant astrocytic gliomas. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is the most frequently amplified and overexpressed in glioblastomas. The expression of bcl-2 and Bax in EGFR-antisense transfected and un-transfected glioblastoma cell line, U87E and U87V was studied by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Our results show that the expression of Bax was stronger and bcl-2 was weaker in EGFR-antisense transfected cell line than the untransfected control. Bcl-2 and Bax genes are probably involved in the reduction of malignancy of glioblastoma cell caused by the introduction of EGFR-antisense into these tumor cells.

Functional analysis of human Smad1: role of the amino-terminal domain

The signals originating from transforming growth factor beta/activin/bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are transduced by a set of evolutionarily conserved family of Smad proteins which, upon activation, directly translocate to the nucleus where they may activate transcription. Smad proteins of different species contain conserved amino- (N) and carboxy- (C) terminal domains separated by a proline-rich linker. Human, Drosophila, and Xenopus Smad1 all have been shown to mediate the biological effects of BMP-4 in Xenopus embryos. We have investigated the functional domains of human Smad1 (hSmad1) using the Xenopus embryo system. Dorsal injection of hSmad1 RNA into the 4-cell-stage embryos results in embryonic ventralization. Since the C-terminus of Smads has been shown to mediate the transcriptional activity, whereas this activity is masked by the presence of the N-terminus, we tested the effect of a hSmad1 construct lacking the C-terminal domain [hSmad1(N)] in the Xenopus embryo system. Surprisingly, we found that hSmad1(N) not only synergizes with hSmad1 in embryonic ventralization, but induces ventralization by itself. Ectopic expression of a dominant negative BMP receptor (DN-BR) as well as neural inducers noggin and chordin induce neurogenesis in the animal cap, which is inhibited by co-expression of either hSmad1 or hSmad1(N). Ventral expression of DN-BR induces formation of a second body axis at tailbud stage, which is also prevented by hSmad1 and hSmad1(N). It has recently been reported that calmodulin interacts with the N-terminal domain of Smad proteins. We demonstrate that the ventralizing activity of hSmad1 and hSmad1(N) is markedly inhibited by calmodulin. Thus, calmodulin acts as a Smad1 inhibitor. A model is proposed to accomodate these findings.