Effects of baicalin on CA46 cell xenografts in nude mice

AIM: To study the effects of baicalin on CA46 cell xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: The nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts were treated with drugs via intraperitoneal injection daily, and were divided into 5 groups: negative control group, 15 mg/kg baicalin group, 30 mg/kg baicalin group, 60 mg/kg baicalin group and 4 mg/kg etoposide (VP-16) positive control group. After 12-day treatment, the weight of CA46 cell xenografts stripped from some nude mice in the 5 groups was used to evaluate the effect of baicalin on xenograft growth in the nude mice. The apoptosis, necrosis and pathological changes of the xenograft cells were examined under light microscope and transmission electronic microscope respectively. The expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway-related proteins extracted from xenografts were determined by Western blotting. The other nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts in the 5 groups continued to be treated with the drugs until death in order to evaluate the effect of balcalin on survival time of the nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts. RESULTS: Baicalin remarkably inhibited the growth of CA46 cell xenografts, induced apoptosis and necrosis of xenograft cells, and reduced the protein expression of phospho-Akt (p-Akt), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phospho-mTOR (p-mTOR) in the xenografts after 12-day treatment. Furthermore, baicalin prolonged the survival time of the nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Baicalin inhibits the growth and induces apoptosis of CA46 cell xenografts in the nude mice, and prolongs the survival time of the nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts through the mechanism of down-regulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathways.     

Effect of metronomic cyclophosphamide combined with recombinant human endostatin on a nude mouse xenograft model of non-small-cell lung cancer

AIM：To investigate the effects of combination of metronomic (MET) cyclophosphamide (CPA) with recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) as maintenance therapy on treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS：The lung adenocarcinoma model of BALB/c nude mice was established by subcutaneous inoculation of A549 cells. Following 4 circles of CPA chemotherapy at maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 4 groups：the mice in control group were treated with saline, the mice in MET CPA group were treated with CPA, the mice in Endo group were treated with Endostar, and the mice in MET CPA+Endo group were treated with CPA+Endostar. The volume of xenograft tumors and the survival rate of the mice were recorded. The circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and viable CECs in peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice were detected by flow cytometry. The microvessel density (MVD) and pericyte coverage were observed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS： At the 6th week of maintenance therapy, the tumor volume in both MET CPA group and Endo group was significantly smaller than that in control group, and the highest inhibitory effect was observed in MET CPA+Endo group. The survival time of the mice in both MET CPA group and Endo group was significantly longer than that in control group, and the mice in MET CPA+Endo group showed the longest survival time. Compared with control group, MET CPA or Endostar significantly reduced the total number and viable CECs in peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice and the MVD in the xenograft tumors. Endostar also considerably reduced pericyte coverage in xenograft tumors. MET CPA combined with Endostar even more greatly inhibited the angiogenesis-related indicators mentioned above. CONCLUSION：Combination of MET CPA with Endostar shows effective anti-tumor activity and leads to improved survival in a xenograft model of lung adenocarcinoma, which might be partly attributed to the enhanced anti-angiogenic effect of the combination therapy.     

Inhibition of 17-DMAG on VEGF expression in transplanted human gastric cancer in nude mice

AIM: To observe the anti-tumor effects of heat shock protein 90(HSP90) inhibitor 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17 demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) on the tumor growth and angiogenesis in implanted gastric cancer nude mouse model. METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell HGC-27 was subcutaneous inoculation into the nude mice to develop a tumor model. Ten days later, 24 mice with implanted tumor were randomly divided into 3 groups: 17-DMAG group (receiving 17-DMAG at dose of 25 mg/kg), control group (treated with NS at dose of 10 mL/kg) and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) group (treated with 5-FU at dose of 20 mg/kg). Four weeks after treatment, the tumor volume and weight, and the inhibitory rates of tumor growth were evaluated. In the meantime, the expression of CD31 was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The size of xenografts in 17-DMAG treatment group was (288.10±23.32)mm³, and that in 5-FU treatment group was (366.37±26.42)mm³, both were significantly smaller than that in control group (957.66±117.51)mm³. The tumor weight in 17-DMAG treatment group was (0.41±0.02)g, significantly less than that in control group (1.12±0.08)g. The inhibitory rate of 17-DMAG was 63%. A significant decease of MVD in 17-DMAG group (21.72±1.24) was observed as compared to 5-FU group (36.70±1.51) and control group (37.78±1.68). The expression of VEGF in 17-DMAG group (15.39±4.37) was significantly lower than that in 5-FU group (26.11±6.26) and control group (36.45±7.45). CONCLUSION: HSP90 inhibitor 17-DMAG suppresses the expression of VEGF and the angiogenesis of the gastric cancer to inhibit the tumor growth.     

Inhibitory effect of survivin-siRNA on prostatic subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of survivin-siRNA recombinant plasmid on prostate cancer xenografts. METHODS: Prostatic cancer DU145 cells were cultured and subcutaneously injected into nude mice. When the tumor grew to 8 mm in diameter, it was aseptically removed and divided into about 2 mm blocks through surgery and subcutaneously implanted into another nude mice. After the prostatic cancer xenograft model was reconstructed, the mice were treated with survivin-siRNA plasmid and control scrambled siRNA plasmid using electric transfection method. The tumor growth curve was plotted and the inhibitory rate was calculated. HE staining, immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL assay were applied to observe the effect of survivin-siRNA on the xenografts. RESULTS: The prostatic cancer xenograft model was successfully constructed in vivo. Compared with mock and scrambled siRNA groups, transfection of survivin-siRNA recombinant plasmid obviously inhibited the tumor growth with the inhibitory rates of 61.81% and 62.87%, respectively. Compared with both controls, survivin-siRNA depressed the protein expression of survivin and promoted the cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Survivin-siRNA recombinant plasmid significantly inhibits the growth of prostatic tumor xenografts by inhibiting the protein expression of endogenous survivin and promoting cell apoptosis.     

Attenuated Salmonella carrying pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid inhibits growth of prostate cancer subcutaneous xenografts in vivo

AIM：To explore the effects of pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid carried by human attenuated Salmonella on prostate cancer subcutaneous xenograft growth in nude mice. METHODS：Prostate cancer xenograft model was established in nude mice. Co-expression plasmids carried by attenuated Salmonella were introduced by intraperitoneal injection. The xenograft volumes were monitored timely. Immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR and TUNEL assay were applied to investigate the related mechanisms that pGRIM-19-si-survivin inhibited tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS：Compared with psi-survivin and pGRIM-19 carried by attenuated Salmonella (control groups), the tumor volumes were reduced markedly in pGRIM-19-si-survivin plasmid group. The mean shrinkage rates were 2.36 and 3.02 times. pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid carried by attenuated Salmonella inhibited survivin expression but strengthened GRIM-19 expression obviously (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-xL, Stat3, cyclin D1 and c-Myc was inhibited, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and Ki67 protein were also inhibited, but the caspase-3 mRNA expression was up-regulated (P<0.05) with significant cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION： pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid carried by human attenuated Salmonella inhibits the growth of prostate cancer subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice by promoting cell apoptosis and inhibiting prostatic cancer proliferation.     

Effect of andrographolide on oral squamous cell carcinogenesis

AIM：To study the effect of andrographolide (Andro) on oral squamous cell carcinogenesis. METHODS：Chemical-induced hamster buccal pouch cancer model was used. The tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis and microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS：Compared with control group, the tumor volume, MVD and tumor cell proliferation in Andro group were significantly decreased. The cell apoptotic cell number in Andro group was higher than that in control group. Caspase-3 was also activated in Andro group. CONCLUSION:Andro inhibits tumor growth by suppressing proliferation, decreasing MVD and promoting apoptosis in the hamster buccal pouch. Furthermore, Andro promotes tumor cell apoptosis through caspase-3 pathway.     

Response of human triple-negative breast cancer to paclitaxel after vascular normalization in nude mice

AIM: To explore whether there is synergistic effect of recombinant human endostatin (rh-Endo) and paclitaxel (Pac) in the time window of vascular normalization and the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early assessment of chemotherapy by observing the response of human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to Pac after vascular normalization in nude mice. METHODS: The human TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells were planted in the subcutaneous region of right lower abdomen of BALB/c-nu female nude mice. These nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=7). rh-Endo was given for 17 consecutive days in rh-Endo group and rh-Endo+Pac group. Pac was given on the 6th and 12th days in Pac group and rh-Endo+Pac group. The dosage of both drugs was 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 (ip). On the day before the treatment and the 5th, 11th and 17th days after treatment, all the transplanted tumors were examined by MRI. All the mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their transplanted tumors were taken down for examinations after the last MRI on the 17th day. The changes of pathology, immunohistochemisty, microvessel density (MVD) and Ki67 expression were measured. RESULTS: On the 17th day, the volume of transplanted tumor in rh-Endo+Pac group was smaller than that in model group and rh-Endo group (P<0.05), and no difference between rh-Endo+Pac group and Pac group was found. On the 17th day, the tumor inhibitory rates in rh-Endo group, Pac group and rh-Endo+Pac group were 14.61%, 39.08% and 54.79%, respectively. The slow diffusion coefficient in Pac group was increased compared with model group, while it was decreased compared with rh-Endo+Pac group (P<0.05). No distant metastatic lesion in the tumor-bearing mice was observed. The necrotic rates in rh-Endo+Pac group and Pac group were higher than those in model group and rh-Endo group. The MVD in model group was higher than that in the other 3 groups. The MVD in rh-Endo+Pac group was decreased compared with Pac group and rh-Endo group. The Ki67 level in rh-Endo+Pac group was decreased compared with rh-Endo group, and no difference between rh-Endo+Pac group and Pac group was detected.CONCLUSION: In the time window of vascular normalization, the combination of Pac and rh-Endo has a significant antitumor effect on TNBC, but this study did not observe a significant synergistic effect of the 2 drugs. The change of slow diffusion coefficient can predict the therapeutic effect in advance.     

Effect of specific hTERT RNA interference on biological characteristics of colon carcinoma in vivo and in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effect of specific hTERT RNA interference on biological characteristics of colon carcinoma in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: A small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting to hTERT mRNA (pU6-hTERT-siRNA) was constructed. The siRNA was transfected into LoVo colon cancer cells in vivo and in vitro with Lipofectamine^TM2000. The groups of non-specific siRNA (pU6-hTERT) and non-treatment were designed as negative control and blank control,respectively. The cell growth in vitro was detected by MTT method. The effect of pU6-hTERT-siRNA on xenografts in nude mice was observed by determining the tumor size. The mRNA expression of hTERT in vitro and in vivo was detected by FQ-PCR quantitatively. The protein level of hTERT was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The inhibition rate of cell growth in vitro 72 h after transfection with recombinant plasmids containing hTERT-target sequences was 42.1%, significantly higher than that in control group (3.2%, P<0.01). The size of xenografts in pU6-hTERT-siRNA group was (85.9±18.7)mm³, significantly smaller than that in control group and blank group , P<0.01. The mRNA expression and the protein level of hTERT were both specifically inhibited by pU6-hTERT-siRNAs in LoVo colon cancer cells and xenografts (P<0.01). No difference between control group and blank group was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: hTERT expression in LoVo colon cancer cells is inhibited significantly in vivo and in vitro by using plasmid-based siRNA. Down-regulation of hTERT expression distinctly inhibits the growth of LoVo colon cancer cells in vitro or subcutaneously transplanted in athymic mice.     

siRNA inhibits HPV16-DNA replication,tumor volume and expression of P16 and P53 in SCID mice with SiHa cell cervical carcinoma in vivo

AIM: To investigate the effect of targeting gene therapy on mouse SiHa cell cervical carcinoma by transfecting siRNA into the tumor with solid-phase method in vivo. METHODS: A sense strand siRNA (21 nt) for human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV16) was designed. siRNA-Lipo2000-carbomer gum was prepared. Forty SCID mice with SiHa cell cervical carcinoma were divided into experimental group (n=32) and control group (n=8). The diameter and volume of the tumors were measured before treatment. The mice in experimental group were treated with siRNA-Lipo 2000-carbomer gum for 7 d. The control mice were treated with Lipo 2000-carbomer gum for 7 d. The mice in experimental group and control group were sacrificed at the time points of 4 d, 8 d, 12 d and 16 d after treatment. The diameter and volume of the tumors were measured again. The HPV16-DNA in the tumor tissues was measured by PCR. The protein levels of P16 and P53 in the tumors were determined by the method of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the titer of HPV16-DNA decreased significantly at the time points of 8 d and 12 d after transfection in experimental group (P<0.05). The protein expression of P16 in experimental group showed decreased tendency 8 d and 12 d after transfection, but without statistical difference. The protein expression of P53 significantly decreased 8 d and 12 d after transfection. The tumor volume in experimental group was significantly decreased as compared to that in control group at the time point of 12 d (P<0.05). Transfection of siRNA for 12 d resulted in attenuating dyskaryosis and karyoplasmic ratio of the tumor cells.CONCLUSION: Solid-phase transfaction of siRNA in vivo inhibits HPV-DNA replication and growth of SiHa cell cervical carcinoma.     

Anti-angiogenesis effects of IFN-α on cultured HUVECs and human HCC bearing nude mouse

AIM:To evaluate the anti-angiogenesis effect of interferon-α (IFN-α) on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) bearing nude mouse.METHODS:Anti-proliferation test,MTT test，tube-formation test,migration test on cultured HUVECs were employed and the tumor volume and microvascular desity (MVD) of IFN-α treated human hepatoma cell line (HuH7) were meassured. RESULTS:IFN-α displayed apparent inhibitory effects on cultured HUVECs in anti-proliferation test,MTT test,tube-formation test,migration test,and the tumor diameter and MVD in IFN-α treated HuH7 inoculated nude mouse group were significantly less than those in PBS treated HuH7 inoculated nude mouse group.CONCLUSION: IFN-α inhibits tumor growth through anti-angiogenesis.     

Effect of captopril on AGS nude mouse model of gastric cancer

AIM: To observe the effect of captopril on the genesis and development of gastric cancer, and to explore its clinical treatment feasibility for gastric cancer. METHODS: The human gastric cancer cell line AGS was used to establish a tumor model in nude mice, and the model mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: positive control (5-fluorouracil) group, normal control (saline) group and experimental (captopril) group. After intraperitoneal injection or intragastric administration of the drugs, the tumor growth curve was determined, and the tumor tissues were also sampled to detect the expression of Ki-67, STAT3, Bax and Bcl-2 by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis was detected by TUNEL+DAPI staining. RESULTS: The tumor growth curve showed that the tumor model in the nude mice was successfully established. The tumor volumes among groups showed significantly different after 14 d growth. The increase in the tumor volume in normal control group was significantly faster than that in the other two groups, and that in positive control group was the slowest. The expression of Bax in captopril group increased, and the expression of STAT3, Ki-67 and Bcl-2 was reduced as compared with normal control group and positive control group. Compared with normal control group, the apoptotic rate increased significantly, and the protein expression of p-STAT3 and STAT3 decreased obviously in positive control group and captopril group. CONCLUSION: With better feasibility, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril has a significant effect on treating gastric cancer in the AGS nude mouse model by regulating the expression of STAT3, Bax, Bcl-2 and Ki-67 to accelerate the apoptosis of cancer cells, thus inhibiting tumor growth.     

Effects of RNA interference of FABP5 on subcutaneous tumor of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG 2 transplanted in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of recombinant lentiviral vector for RNA interference (RNAi) on the expression of fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and tumor formation in nude mice.METHODS: RNAi lentiviral vector was used in the experiment. Human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were divided into 3 groups:the HepG2 cells in experimental group were transfected with the recombinant lentivirirus vector LV-shRNA-FABP5, the cells in negative control group were transfected with a control lentiviral vector LV-shRNA-NC, and the cells in normal control group were without any treatment. The nude mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. The growth of the transplanted tumor cells in the nude mice was observed. The tumor growth curve, volume and weight were determined 4 weeks after the cell inoculation. The expression of FABP5 was detected by real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: Transfection of the lentiviral vector FABP5-shRNA obviously reduced FABP5 expression in the HepG2 cells. Tumor formation was all positive in the 3 groups of the nude mice inoculated with the tumor cells. Compared with normal control group and negative control group, the tumor growth slowed significantly in experimental group with smaller volume and weight. FABP5 expression in the transplanted tumor tissues was significantly down-regulated at mRNA and protein levels in experimental group as compared with normal control group and negative control group.CONCLUSION: RNAi-induced down-regulation of FABP5 effectively inhibits the growth of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that FABP5 gene may be an effective target for gene therapy in treating liver cancer.     

14-3-3σ negatively regulates Akt and inhibits Rat1-Akt cell xenografts

AIM:The present study was designed to investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated 14-3-3σ on Rat1-Akt cell xenografts and to explore whether the effect was mediated through negative regulation of Akt. METHODS:The effect of Ad-14-3-3σ on Rat1-Akt cells xenografts was observed in nude mice ex vivo and in vivo. Western blotting was used to detect 14-3-3σ protein,phospho-Akt (Thr 308), phospho-Akt (Ser 473), and phospho-(Ser/Thr) Akt substrate in tumor tissue after transfection of 14-3-3σ gene. RESULTS:The tumor volume was dramatically decreased and its emergence was delayed, regardless of using Ad-14-3-3σ-treated Rat1-Akt cells (ex vivo) or injected Ad-14-3-3σ in vivo, of which the effect of the continuously injected group was the best. Levels of Akt protein, phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated Akt substrates in tumors obtained from Ad-14-3-3σ-treated mice were markedly less than those in PBS or Ad-β-gal-treated mice. CONCLUSION:14-3-3σ suppressed Akt overexpession in cells of Rat1-Akt xenografts by negatively regulating Akt.     

Inhibitory effect of liposomes survivin antisense oligonucleotide on human hepatic carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice

AIM: To explore the effects of liposomes survivin antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) on growth of human hepatic carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice. METHODS: Nude mouse model of human hepatic cancer was established by transplantation of hepatic cancer cell line SMMC-7721/ADM subcutaneously. Models were divided randomly into six groups: control group, liposome group, sense oligonucleotide (SODN) group, 200 μg/L, 400 μg/L and 600 μg/L ASODN groups. Different treatments were given respectively. Weight and volume of subcutaneous tumors were measured, and tumor growth inhibitory rate was calculated. Morphological changes of transplanted tumor cells were observed under light microscope. The expression of Survivin was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The growth of tumors was significantly inhibits in all ASODN groups compared with control, liposome and SODN groups (P<0.05). Volume of subcutaneous tumors decreased in a time-dependent and dosage-dependent manner (P<0.5). CONCLUSION: Survivin ASODN inhibits the growth of human hepatic carcinoma in nude mice.     

Effect of specific hTERT-siRNA on growth of human tongue cancer cells in vivo and in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effect and mechanisms of siRNA-hTERT-induced inhibition of Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: A small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting to hTERT mRNA (siRNA-hTERT1) was constructed. The siRNA was transfected into Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vivo and in vitro with cationic liposome. A non-specific siRNA (siRNA-hTERT2) and non-treatment were used as negative control group and blank group. The cell growth in vitro was detected by MTT method. The cell apoptosis in vitro was analyzed by flow cytometry. The effect of siRNA-hTERT1 on xenografts in nude mice was observed by determining the tumor size. The cell apoptosis in xenografts was analyzed by Hoechst staining. The expressions of hTERT mRNA in vitro and in vivo were detected by RT- PCR. RESULTS: The inhibition rates of cell growth in vitro 72 h after siRNA-hTERT1 treatment was 47.2％, significantly higher than that in siRNA-hTERT2 treatment group (2.6％, P<0.01). The cell apoptosis rate was 27.30%±0.18% in vitro, significantly increased at 48 h after transfection of siRNA-hTERT1, compared to negative control group and blank group (P<0.01). The size of xenografts in siRNA-hTERT1 treatment group was (298.8±138.7)mm3, significantly smaller than that in siRNA-hTERT2 treatment group and blank group (495.1±151.6)mm3 and (506.8±207.4)mm3, the inhibition rate was 40.0% (P<0.01). The numbers of apoptotic cells in xenografts significantly increased after transfection of siRNA-hTERT1, compared to negative control group and blank group (P<0.01). Compared to negative control group and blank group, the expression of hTERT mRNA in Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vitro and in vivo was inhibited by siRNA-hTERT1. CONCLUSION: siRNA-hTERT1 powerfully inhibits the growth of Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The specific inhibition of hTERT mRNA expression and cell apoptosis may be its main mechanisms.     

Effect of exogenous HGF gene transfection on pulmonary perfusion and pressure in pulmonary artery hypertension in rabbits

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of exogenous hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene transfection to promote pulmonary collateral angiogenesis, improve pulmonary perfusion and reduce pulmonary artery pressure in the rabbit model of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). METHODS: The model rabbits of PAH were randomly divided into control group, empty vector group and HGF gene transfection group. The rabbits in HGF gene transfection group were transfected with Ad-HGF via intratracheal instillation. Pulmonary hemodynamic indicators were monitored in the 4th week after HGF gene transfection. Density of pulmonary vessels was examined with double-labeling immunofluorescence (endothelial cells were labeled with anti-FⅧ and vascular smooth muscle cells were marked with anti-α-SMA). Double-labeling immunofluorescence of FITC-lectin and anti-α-SMA was also performed to evaluate the pulmonary blood perfusion. RESULTS: Four weeks after transfection, the density of pulmonary arterioles of the rabbits in HGF gene transfection group was higher than that in control group and empty vector group (P<0.05), which was confirmed by double-labeling immunofluorescence. Pulmonary blood perfusion in HGF group was significantly increased compared with that in the other two groups, in which pulmonary arterial stenosis and occlusion were observed. The mean pulmonary artery pressure in HGF transfection group was much lower than that in control group and empty vector group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Four weeks after intratracheal adenoviral-mediated HGF gene transfection, pulmonary collateral vessels and pulmonary perfusion increase, and the pulmonary artery pressure is effectively reduced.     

Effects of IL-6 and AG490 on growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma transplanted into nude mice

AIM: To observe the effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and AG490 on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL) transplanted into nude mice, and to explore the effects of STAT3 activation on growth of these kinds of lymphoma in nude mice and its related mechanisms. METHODS: The nude mouse models with DLBCL and BL were established by transplantation with OCI-LY8 cells and Raji cells, respectively, and were divided into 3 groups:control group, IL-6 group and AG490 group. The body weight of mice and tumor size were measured. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the protein levels of p-STAT3, survivin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of survivin and VEGF. RESULTS: The tumorigenic rate of 2 kinds of tumor cell lines in nude mice was 83.3% (25/30) totally. The tumorigenicity of OCI-LY8 cells (66.7%, 10/15) was significantly lower than that of Raji cells (100%, 15/15) (P<0.05). The tumor size and body weight on days 9 and 10 in IL-6 group increased as compared with the control group, and the total difference value of tumor size between day 1 and day 10 in IL-6 group was obviously larger than that in control group (P<0.05). The positive protein of p-STAT3 was found in the nucleus, while the positive expression of survivin and VEGF was found in the cytoplasm. As compared with control group, the expression of survivin and VEGF was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the protein level of p-STAT3 was not significantly increased in IL-6 group of DLBCL. The protein levels of p-STAT3 and VEGF were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the expression of survivin did not significantly decreased in AG490 group of DLBCL. The p-STAT3 and VEGF levels significantly increased (P<0.05) in IL-6 group of BL, while the levels of 3 kinds of proteins significantly deceased (P<0.05) in AG490 group of BL, as compared with control group. No statistical difference of mRNA expression of survivin and VEGF among IL-6, AG490 and control groups was observed. CONCLUSION: IL-6 and AG490 affect the growth of DLBCL and BL through activation of STAT3 pathway. The activated STAT3 participates in pathogenesis and progress of DLBCL and BL by up-regulating the expression of survivin and VEGF.     

Effect of adriamycin combined with sensitized dendritic cells on cervical tumor-bearing mice

AIM：To explore the immunotherapeutic effect of adriamycin (ADM) combined with frozen-thawed antigen-sensitized dendritic cells (DCs) on cervical tumor-bearing mice. METHODS：The U14 cervical cancer model of Kunming mice was established by subcutaneous implantion of U14 cells in axillary fossa. DCs vaccine was prepared by U14 cervical cancer cell frozen-thawed antigen-sensitized mouse bone marrow-derived DCs. Mature phenotype of sensitized DCs was identified by flow cytometry. Tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated for 3 cycles with PBS (control), DCs vaccine, ADM and ADM combined with DCs vaccine, respectively. The tumor volume was evaluated. The tumor weight and the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-12 and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the serum were determined by ELISA on the 21st day. RESULTS：Cancer cell frozen-thawed antigen-sensitized DCs had higher expression levels of CD11C, CD80 and CD86. The volume and weight of the tumor in ADM combined with DCs vaccine group were less than those in ADM group, DCs vaccine group and control group. The tumor inhibitory rate in combination group was higher than that in the other 3 groups. Compared with the other 3 groups, the serum levels of IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ in combination group significantly increased. CONCLUSION：ADM combined with tumor antigen-sensitized DCs vaccine can strengthen the animal antitumor immune response and effectively inhibit the growth of tumor in cervical tumor-bearing mice.     

Lentivirus mediated CCN1 gene on growth and migration of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

AIM：To investigate the role of cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61/CNN1) in proliferation and migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS：The lentiviral vector carrying CCN1 (Lenti-GFP-CCN1) was constructed and then transfected into the rat BMSCs. The cells were divided into non-transfection group, transfection group (transfected with Lenti-GFP-CCN1) and negative control group (Lenti-GFP). The fluorescence intensity of the transfected BMSCs was observed under inverted fluorescence microscope. The effects of CCN1 on the proliferation and migration of BMSCs were detected by MTT assay and scratch wound healing assay. RESULTS：The proliferation of BMSCs transfected with Lenti-GFP CCN1 had no significant difference compared with negative control group and control group. The width/thickness ratio of migrated BMSCs in wound healing was significantly higher in Lenti-GFP-CCN1 group than that in negative control group and control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION：Exogenous CCN1 promotes the migration of BMSCs.