[Effect and mechanism of 1, 25(OH)2D3 on myocardial inflammation induced by Coxsackie virus B3 in mice]

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of 1, 25(OH)2D3 on myocardial inflammation induced by Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) in mice. Methods: Wild type (WT) and 1α-hydroxylase knockout [1(OH)ase-/-] male mice were divided into four groups: WT group, WT+CVB3 group, 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3 group and 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3+VD3 group, with 8 mice in each group. The indicators for evaluating myocardial cell injury were examined by different methods. The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interlenkin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the myocardial histopathological changes. The apoptosis of myocardial cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry. Fluo-4/AM fluorescence probe was used to detect intracellular calcium ion content. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) protein as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins like glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in the myocardial tissues were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with WT group, the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory factors increased in the cardiomyocytes of mice in WT+CVB3 group, including IL-1β (14.88±3.32 vs 1.03±0.02, P=0.009), IL-6 (7.00±1.09 vs 1.81±0.18, P=0.005), IFN-γ (4.70±1.11 vs 1.34±0.34, P=0.006) and TNF-α (17.20±3.22 vs 1.02±0.12, P<0.001). Similarly, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes elevated (16.66%±1.09% vs 7.85%±1.12%, P=0.012). The level of calcium ions in myocardial cytoplasm was significantly higher in WT+CVB3 group than that in the WT group (2.98±1.05 vs 0.96±0.10, P=0.006). Likewise, the expression levels of pCaMKⅡ(1.97±0.34 vs 1.00±0, P<0.001), GRP78 (1.78±0.19 vs 1.00±0, P=0.005) and CHOP (1.62±0.09 vs 1.00±0, P=0.002) in WT+CVB3 group up-regulated. The above myocardial cell injury markers were more significant in the 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3 group. In the 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3+VD3 group, 1, 25(OH)2D3 supplementation significantly improved myocardial cell injury indicators. Meanwhile, the specific inhibitors of CaMKⅡ can also reduce the myocardial injury and apoptosis rate of CVB3-infected mice. Conclusion: 1, 25(OH)2D3 deficiency can aggravate myocardial inflammation through over activation of CaMKⅡ.

[Clinical significance and mechanism of TBX5 gene in colorectal cancer]

Objective: To examine the expression of T-box5 (TBX5) in colorectal cancer tissues and its clinical significance, and explore the effects of TBX5 on the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells and its mechanism. Methods: The expressions of TBX5 in cancer and adjacent normal tissues were tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the relationship between TBX5 and clinicopathological features and prognosis of colorectal cancer was analyzed. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot were used to detect the expressions of TBX5 in different colorectal cancer cell lines. TBX5 overexpression plasmid was constructed and transfected into human colorectal cancer cell line HT-29, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the activities of transfection HT-29 cells. Cell scratch test and Transwell assay were used to detect the migration and invasion abilities of cells, while RT-qPCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of PCNA, p21, p16, p27, MMP-2, MMP-7 and TIMP-1. Results: The positive rate of TBX5 protein in colorectal cancer tissues was 24.44% (22/90), significantly lower than 65.56% of adjacent normal tissues (P<0.001). The expression of TBX5 was significantly related to lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion and nerve invasion (P<0.05). The survival period of 22 patients with positive TBX5 expression was (60.2±2.4) months, better than (44.3±2.8) months of 68 patients with negative TBX5 expression (P<0.05). Among human colon cancer cell lines of HT29, SW620, SW480, LOVO and HCT116, the expression of TBX5 in HT29 cells was the weakest. After transfection, the expression of TBX5 in transfection group was significantly higher than those in control group and blank group (P=0.043 and P<0.001). Cell viability in transfection group was significantly lower than those in control group and blank group (both P<0.001). The ratio of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase was increased (P=0.009), while in G(2)/M phase was decreased (P<0.001). Cells' abilities of migration and invasion in transfection group were also significantly decreased (both P<0.001). Overexpression of TBX5 downregulated the expressions of PCNA, MMP-2 and MMP-7, while upregulated the expressions of p21, p16, p27 (P<0.05 for all). TBX5 had marginal effect on the expression of TIMP-1 (P>0.05). Conclusions: Downregulation of TBX5 is a marker of poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. TBX5 may inhibit the progression of colorectal cancer by inhibiting proliferation, invasion and metastasis related genes.

Correlation between the disc status in MRI and the different types of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the correlation between the disc status in MRI and the different types of traumatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis.

METHODS

51 consecutive patients (69 joints), diagnosed with traumatic TMJ ankylosis with a residual condyle (Types A2 and A3), were included in this study. All patients had pre-operative MRI, which was reviewed to determine the disc shape, length and position. The results were compared using the Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

There were 37 joints of Type A2 ankylosis and 32 joints of Type A3. All joints of Type A2 and 27 joints of Type A3 (84.4%) definitely had a discernible disc, while 5 joints of Type A3 had no discernible discs. Among the discernible discs, the lateral disc of Type A2 and the whole disc of Type A3 had severe deformity, while the medial disc of Type A2 had mild deformity. The mean (standard deviation) disc length was 10.88 (1.19) mm in Type A2, but 7.50 (0.82) mm in Type A3. There was a significant difference between Types A2 and A3 (p < 0.05). As for the disc position, the intermediate position was found in all joints.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a correlation between the disc status and the different types of traumatic TMJ ankylosis. Therefore, MRI examination is needed to help treatment planning and predict post-operative TMJ function.

Estrogen receptor beta variants mRNA expressions in gastric cancer tissues and association with clinicopathologic parameters

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

The aim of this study is to examine the expression of estrogen receptor beta-1, 2 ,5 in gastric cancer tissues and evaluate their correlation with clinicopathological features.

METHODOLOGY

Real-time quantitative PCR assay was applied to detect the expression of estrogen receptor beta-1, 2, 5 mRNAs in 44 gastric cancer tissues and their paired normal tissues and correlate their mRNA levels with the clinicopathological properties of the tumors. 2(deltaCT) method was used to obtain the relative quantity of target mRNA expression.

RESULTS

In almost all patients, estrogen receptor beta-1, 2, 5 mRNAs were expressed in gastric cancers and their matched normal tissues; however estrogen receptor beta-5 mRNA was not found in 8 normal gastric tissues. Estrogen receptor beta-5 had a much higher expression than estrogen receptor beta-1, 2 in gastric cancer tissues. Higher estrogen receptor beta-5 mRNAlevel was observed in gastric cancers than matched normal tissues (p = 0.001) and its increased expression was correlated with pTNM stage of the tumor (p = 0.032) and the lymph node metastasis (p = 0.026). Decreased mRNA level of estrogen receptor beta-1 was observed in gastric cancers compared to their matched normal tissues (p = 0.008). Estrogen receptor beta-1, 2 were not correlated with lymph node metastasis, gender, age, tumor size, tumor grade and pTNM stage (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study investigating the clinicopathologic role of estrogen receptor beta variants in gastric cancer. Our study shows that estrogen receptor beta-5 is the most important factor for gastric cancer development and progression among the three estrogen receptor beta variants.