Changes of IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in rats with severe pneumonia

AIM:To study the variety of cytokines in severe bacterial pneumonia of Sprague Dawleg (SD) rats. METHODS:A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: model Ⅰ group (n=24), model Ⅱ group (n=24), and control group (n=12). Rats in the model Ⅰ group and the model Ⅱ group were intratracheally instilled with suspension of klebsiella pneumoniae at different doses. Rats in the control group were intratracheally injected with 1 mL saline. On the 2nd, 4th and 6th day after intratracheal instillation, 1/3 rats in each group were killed to determine the concentration of IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α in blood. RESULTS:The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in model groups were higher than those in control group, while the level of IFN-γ was lower. The change of cytokines was more significant in the model Ⅱ group (severe pneumonia) than those in the model Ⅰ group. CONCLUSION:The cytokines we studied may play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe pneumonia. The change of cytokines is more significant in severe pneumonia than those in common pneumonia.     

Increased expression and possible roles of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in pancreatic islets of STZ-induced diabetic monkeys

AIM: To verify and localize the expression of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in pancreas of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic monkeys and understand its important role in β-cell destruction in the pathogenesis of diabetes. METHODS: Through an olig-microarray gene chip, NNMT was identified as the most obviously up-regulated genes in pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic monkeys versus controls. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to verify the differential expression at mRNA and protein level respectively. Then the cellular localization of NNMT expression within pancreas was identified by immunohistochemical(IHC) staining.RESULTS: An obvious high expression of NNMT at both mRNA and protein levels was shown in pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic monkeys compared to that of controls. Further localization of the protein by IHC staining in pancreas specimens showed that its altered expression was restricted to central islets, most of which were β cells.CONCLUSION: Expression of NNMT is increased in islets of STZ- induced diabetic monkeys, which infers that NNMT might participate in the process of β cell damage in diabetes probably through the mechanism of energy metabolism disturbance.     

Lethal effect of VEGFR2shRNA on HL60 cells in vitro using lentiviral vector

AIM: To look for harmfulless anti-leukemia drug with selective high performance, lethal effect of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) on VEGFR₂ gene expression of tumor cell line HL60 in vitro.METHODS: The most effective VEGFR₂ siRNA was designed and screened. The shRNA oligo was designed and pU6/VEGFR₂ entry clone was constructed. HL60 was transfected transiently and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR₂) expression was tested with MTT assay, RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expression clone was constructed and cotransfected with ViraPowerTM Packaging Mix into 293FTTM cells to produce Lentiviral vectors harboring Lenti6/shVEGFR₂. The virion supernatant was added into HL60 cells and VEGFR₂ gene inhibitory effect was determined. RESULTS: The inhibitory rates of VEGFR₂ siRNA c were high. VEGFR₂ expression in HL60 was inhibited by using pU6/VEGFR₂ entry clone constructed with shRNA and pENTRTM/U6. For HL60 cells, the inhibitory rate was 84.9%. The expression of VEGFR₂ mRNA and protein decreased significantly. 48 hours after transfection of pU6/shVEGFR₂ entry clone and transduction of Lenti6/shVEGFR₂ expression clone, the cell inhibitory rates were similar. Cell growth inhibitory rate of entry clone descended rapidly after this time point, the expression clone changed slowly, reaching the peak at 96 hours, dropped slightly, having no significance deviation. CONCLUSION: in vitro, VEGFR₂ shRNA using lentiviral vector blocks VEGF/VEGFR₂ self-secretion in HL60 cells, which inhibits leukemia development.     

Pretreatment of hypertonic saline attenuates the hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury induced by neutrophils

AIM: To explore the effect of the pretreatment of hypertonic saline (HTS) in hepatic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury.METHODS: The rats were divided into sham group (sham group), ischemia reperfusion group (IR group) and pretreatment of hypertonic saline group (HTS group). Partial hepatic ischemia reperfusion model was used. The rats were sacrificed at the time of 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after reperfusion in each group, respectively. Blood samples were obtained to examine ALT. The expression of the CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) on the neutrophils was analyzed by flow cytometry. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in livers and chromatometry was performed to detect the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in livers. The morphology of hepatocytes and the structure of sinusoid were observed by histological examinations. RESULTS: ① HTS pretreatment decreased the level of ALT at the time points of 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after reperfusion (P<0.05). ② Mac-1 expression in HTS group was lower at 6 h and 12 h after reperfusion compared with IR group (P<0.05). ③ MPO activity in HTS group was lower at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h compared with IR group (P<0.05). ④ RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis indicated that the pretreatment of HTS inhibited the expression of ICAM-1 in livers after reperfusion. ⑤ Moderate hepatocyte swelling and few neutrophil infiltration were observed in HTS group.CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with HTS has the effect on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting the expression of Mac-1 on circulating neutrophils and the expression of ICAM-1 in the liver.     

Estradiol stimulated proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells through regulation of BPH-1 paracrine

AIM: To characterize the effect of estradiol on proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in stromal cells through regulation of BPH-1 paracrine. METHODS: BPH-1 cells were stimulated with different concentrations of estradiol. Conditioned media (CM) were harvested and their effects on stromal cell cultures were tested. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. mRNA of smoothelin, fibronectin, collagen Ⅳ and transforming growth factor β₁(TGF-β₁) were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Western blotting was used to determine smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC). ELISA and radioimmunoassay were respectively used to measure fibronectin, TGF-β₁ and collagen Ⅳ protein expressions.RESULTS: Estrodiol stimulated the expression and secretion of TGF-β₁ in BPH-1 cells. The proliferation of stromal cells increased when they were cultured with CM harvested from estrogen treated BPH-1 cells. The mRNA levels of collagen Ⅳ and smoothelin increased in stromal cells treated with CM from BPH-1 cells. The results of radioimmunoassay also showed that the collagen Ⅳ protein level up-regulated in the supernatants and cell extracts of CM-treated stromal cells. A neutralizing antibody to TGF-β₁ inhibited the stimulation of collagen Ⅳ and SMMHC by BPH-1 CM. The expression of fibronectin was only marginally changed in stromal cells cultured in the presence of BPH-1 CM. CONCLUSION: The BPH-1 cells increase ECM accumulation and differentiation of stromal cells through TGF-β₁. Estradiol stimulate differentiation of stromal cells by induction of TGF-β₁ expression. Estradiol stimulate proliferation by influencing the factors secreted from prostatic epithelial cells.     

Protective effect of deferoxamine on hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in neonatal rat

AIM:To investigate the possible mechanism of deferoxamine on angiogenesis in rat hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). METHODS:SD rats (7 days of age) were used to make HIE model. Model group and treatment group were injected with deferoxamine or normal saline alone 24 hours before hypoxic-ischemic insult. Rats were sacrificed at 1,3,7 or 14 days after hypoxic-ischemic insult. Brain capillary density index (BCDI),the number of proliferating capillary,brain water content and extent of brain atrophy were determined. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) mRNA was measured. RESULTS:Early water content and late atrophic ratio of the left brain were significantly improved in the treatment group compared to model group (P<0.01). The number of proliferating capillary in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the model group ［(2.01±0.31)/HPF vs　(0.90±0.25)/HPF,P<0.01］. Deferoxamine markedly up-regulated the expression of VEGF and HIF-1α mRNA in the brain ［VEGF at 12 h: (1.41±0.07) vs (1.10±.15),P<0.05; HIF-1α at 12 h: (1.49±0.12) vs (1.11±0.16),P<0.05］.CONCLUSION:Deferoxamine may promote angiogenesis and attenuate hypoxic-ischemic induced brain injury via up-regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF expression.     

Antiproliferation effects of 188Re labeled monoclonal antibody on prostate cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effect of 188Re labeled monoclonal antibody on prostatic specific membrane antigen 7E11C5.3,radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in vitro.METHODS: 188Re-7E11C5.3 was prepared by direct 2-mercaptoethanol reduction method.Labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity was measured by paper chromatography.Immunoreactive fraction was determined by linear extrapolation.Cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was determined by MTT assay.RESULTS: The labeling yield of 188Re-7E11C5.3 was (93.16±2.18)%,the radiochemical purity was (95.62±0.48)%,and the immunoreactive fraction was (74.86±1.86)%.The inhibitory effect of 188Re-7E11C5.3 on cell proliferation of LNCaP cells was significantly higher than that of 188Re-mIgG or 188ReO-4.The 50% inhibitory doses (IC50) of 188Re-7E11C5.3,188Re-mIgG,and 188ReO-4 were (23.38±3.73)×107 Bq/L,(59.21±8.02)×107 Bq/L and (68.89±10.91)×107 Bq/L,respectively.CONCLUSION: 188Re-7E11C5.3 can effectively inhibit the growth of in vitro cultured prostate cancer cells and shows much potential for prostate cancer radioimmunotherapy.