【Abstract】Objective To investigate the apoptosis induced by TGF-β1 in human hepatic carcinoma cell lines and its relationship with p53 gene and Smad. Methods Three human hepatic carcinoma cell lines which involving in various status of the p53 gene were used in this study. TGF-β1-induced apoptosis in hepatic carcinoma cell lines was measured by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. To study the mechanism of TGF-β1-induced apoptosis, these cell lines were transfected with a TGF-β1-inducible luciferase reporter plasmid containing Smad 4 binding elements (SBE) and luciferase gene using Lipofectamine 2000, then treated with TGF-β1, relative luciferase activity was assayed. Results Of three cell lines studied with TUNEL assay, TGF-β1 induced apoptosis was observed in HepG2 cells (wild type p53). Huh-7 (mutant p53) and Hep3B (deleted p53) cell lines showed less apoptosis. Luciferase activity assay indicated that the response to TGF-β1 induction in HepG2 cells was increased dramatically but was not significant in Huh-7 and Hep3B cell lines. Conclusion HepG2 cells seem to be highly susceptible to TGF-β1-induced apoptosis compared with Hep3B and Huh7 cell lines. Smad 4 is a central mediator of the TGF-β1 signal transduction pathway.
ObjectiveTo observe the regulation of PTB-associated splicing factor (PSF) exerts on phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway in cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. MethodsARPE-19 RPE cells were divided into five groups including PSF overexpression (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 μg of pEGFP-C2-PSF plasmid DNA), PSF overexpression control (pEGFP-C2 empty vector DNA), PSF inhibition (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 μg of pGenesil-PSF-RNAi plasmid DNA), PSF inhibition control (pGenesil-scramble-siRNA empty vector) and sham transfected group (treated with lipofactamine 2000 reagent, but without adding plasmid DNA) groups. After transfecting with plasmid DNA, the cells were stimulated with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1-stimulated ARPE-19 cells were also treated with Wortmannin and /or PSF over-expression. WST-1 assay was used to detect the proliferation rates, the VEGF mRNA levels were analyzed using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the levels of phosphorylation Akt and total Akt expression were measured by western blotting. ResultsAfter IGF-1 stimulation, the difference of the cell proliferation rates between PSF overexpression group, PSF overexpression control group and sham transfected group was statistically significant (F=29.728, P<0.05). The difference of the cell proliferation rates between PSF inhibition group, PSF inhibition control group and sham transfected was also statistically significant (F=14.121, P<0.05). Compared with control group, the VEGF mRNA levels was decreased in PSF overexpression group (P=0.000 3), but increased in PSF low expression group (P=0.030 9). Furthermore, overexpression of PSF could down-regulate the activation of pAkt after IGF-1 stimulation. When combined with Wortmannin treatment, the VEGF mRNA levels in PSF overexpression group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionsAfter IGF-1 treatment, PSF plays a role in suppressing the proliferation and VEGF expression in RPE cells by inactivating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Objective To investigate the activation and role of signal transduction pathway of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Human RPE cells were stimulated with 0.1%，10% foetal calfserum (FCS) and EGF(0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml)in 0.1% FCS Dulbeco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) and in 10% FCS DMEM for 3 days, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization were used to observe the expressions of EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA，respectively. Activation of MAPK was detected by immunohistochemical method with specific anti-phosphorylated ERK 1/2 antibody. Results The optimal concentrations of EGF were 10 ng/ml in 0.1% FCS DMEM and 1 ng/ml in 10% FCS DMEM. After 3 days of stimulation with EGF, phosphorylated ERK 1/2 staining was detectable in nucleus of RPE cells, whereas cells presented immunostaining for phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in the cytoplasm before stimulation. Conclusions EGF may improve the expression of EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA of RPE cells, and induced MAPK nuclear translocation in a concentration-dependent manner. EGF-EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway may play a key role in RPE cells proliferation, and serum exerts an important acceclerating function in the process. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：67-132)
ObjectiveTo summarize the therapeutic targets of pancreatic cancer (PC). MethodsThe related literatures about the therapeutic targets of PC were reviewed. ResultsPC was one of the most challenging tumor in worldwide, and was characterized as a highly aggressive disease with poor overall prognosis and a high mortality rate. The hallmark of PC was its poor response to radio-and chemo-therapy. Current chemotherapeutic regimens could not provide substantial survival benefit with a clear increase in overall survival. Recently, several new approaches which could significantly improve the clinical outcome of PC had been described, involving signal-transduction pathways, immune response, stroma reaction, and epigenetic changes. ConclusionsMany therapeutic targets are involved in the treatment of PC. As current therapies failed to significantly improve the progression and the survival of PC, new therapeutic approaches and clinical studies are strongly required.
Objective To review the current researches about tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors in gastric carcinoma. Methods Relevant articles of researches on TRAIL and its receptors in gastric carcinoma were searched in electronic databases of PUB-MEDLINE and Chinese Journal Fulltext Database. Results The reported TRAIL expression level of gastric carcinoma was diverse, which was highly correlated to the histological differentiation degree, serosa invasion and lymph node metastasis. Its receptors DR4 and DR5 were both positive in gastric carcinoma tissue, while some researches reported DcR1 and DcR2 were also positive expressed. caspase-3, -8 and survivin were the important factors for regulation of TRAIL signal pathway. 5-Aza-CdR, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, α-TOS and X-ray irradiation might enhance the TRAIL-induced apoptosis of gastric carcinoma cells. Conclusion Gastric carcinoma may be potentially sensitive to TRAIL targeting therapy, but the mechanism of TRAIL-induced apoptosis is quite complex and is regulated by multi-factors. Up to now, there are still many issues to research further, such as how to efficiently enhance and regulate the TRAIL-induced apoptosis of gastric carcinoma, whether any potential toxicities existing, etc.
Objective To study the effect of knockdown of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 in vitro . Methods Specific shRNA plasmids to STAT3 were constructed, and then transfected into MKN-45 cells by lipofectamine methods. Cells were divided into three groups: control group, psiRNA-H1 transfected group as negative group and psiRNA-H1/STAT3 transfected group. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of STAT3 mRNA and protein, respectively. Proliferation and apoptosis of the transfected cells were observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. The invasion of the transfected MKN-45 cells was measured by Boyden chamber. Results Compared with the negative control cells, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expressions of STAT3 mRNA and protein were down-regulated in the psiRNA-H1/STAT3 transfected group ( P ＜ 0.05) . The subcloned recombinant plasmid expressing shRNA effectively inhibited MKN-45 cell growth and proliferation while empty plasmid had no such specific effect. Cell apoptosis rate increased significantly in psiRNA-H1/STAT3 transfected group （ P ＜ 0.01）, and the invasion of MKN-45 cells was efficiently inhabited in psiRNA-H1/STAT3 transfected group as compared with control group and psiRNA-H1 transfected group( P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Recombinant plasmid psiRNA-H1/STAT3 shRNA significantly inhibits the proliferation and invasion of MKN-45 cells and promotes their apoptosis.
The brain-computer interface (BCI) based on motor imagery electroencephalography (EEG) shows great potential in neurorehabilitation due to its non-invasive nature and ease of use. However, motor imagery EEG signals have low signal-to-noise ratios and spatiotemporal resolutions, leading to low decoding recognition rates with traditional neural networks. To address this, this paper proposed a three-dimensional (3D) convolutional neural network (CNN) method that learns spatial-frequency feature maps, using Welch method to calculate the power spectrum of EEG frequency bands, converted time-series EEG into a brain topographical map with spatial-frequency information. A 3D network with one-dimensional and two-dimensional convolutional layers was designed to effectively learn these features. Comparative experiments demonstrated that the average decoding recognition rate reached 86.89%, outperforming traditional methods and validating the effectiveness of this approach in motor imagery EEG decoding.
The effect of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) on promoting intravascular microthrombi formation and exacerbating the severity of sepsis in patients has gained extensive attention. However, in sepsis, the mechanisms and key signaling molecules mediating NET formation during direct interactions of endothelial cells and neutrophils still need further explored. Herein, we utilized lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a component shared by Gram-positive bacteria, to induce NET extrusion from neutrophils firmly adhered to the glass slides coated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1). We also used Sytox green to label NET-DNA and Flou-4 AM as the intracellular Ca2+ signaling indicator to observe the NET formation and fluctuation of Ca2+ signaling. Our results illustrated that LTA was able to induce NET release from neutrophils firmly attached to ICAM-1-coated glass slides, and the process was time-dependent. In addition, our study indicated that LTA-induced NET release by neutrophils stably adhered to ICAM-1 depended on Ca2+ signaling but not intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study reveals NET formation mediated by direct interactions between endothelial ICAM-1 and neutrophils under LTA stimulation and key signaling molecules involved, providing the theoretical basis for medicine development and clinical treatment for related diseases.
Objective To summarize the relationship between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6） and apoptosis. Methods Domestic and international researches on progress of TRAF6 and apoptotic signaling pathway， especially focused on the functional features of TRAF6 in different system diseases were searched and reviewed. Results TRAF6 took part in several signaling pathways， which had been implicated in regulating apoptosis， and its roles differed in different system diseases and in different conditions. TRAF6 promoted tumorigenesis by inhibiting apoptosis， while it played a proapoptotic or prosurvival role in nervous system and inflammatory diseases. Conclusion TRAF6 plays an important role in apoptosis and involves in the development of tumor， nervous system disease， and inflammatory diseases.
ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (STAT6) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in western Chinese Han population.MethodsA total of 900 tuberculosis patients and 1 534 healthy controls of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled from January 2014 to February 2016. Improved multiplex ligation detection reaction method was used to detect four polymorphisms (rs1059513, rs73118432, rs841718, and rs10783813) of STAT6 gene. The allelic frequencies, genetic types, and different genetic models were analyzed using the chi-square test and unconditional logistic regression models to evaluate the associations of STAT6 gene with tuberculosis risk.ResultsEventually, a total of 856 cases and 1 511 health controls were recruited in our study. No significant differences were observed in allele frequencies, genotype distributions, or genetic models (additive model, dominant model and recessive model) at rs1059513, rs73118432, rs841718, and rs10783813 in STAT6 gene (P>0.05). We found a strong linkage disequilibrium among rs73118432, rs841718, and rs10783813, but there was no statistical difference in haplotype frequencies between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsSTAT6 gene rs73118432, rs841718, rs10783813, and rs1059513 polymorphisms might have no associations with tuberculosis susceptibility in western Chinese Han population. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to comfirm these results.