Tumour necrosis factor stimulated gene 6 intrinsically regulates PD-L1 expressions in breast cancer cells,leading to modulation of tumour microenvironment

Recent studies have shown that tumour cells express tumour necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6) and its protein, which is known to play a key role in regulating excessive immune responses and proliferation and growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It has not been confirmed whether the inhibition of TSG-6 for tumour cells can suppress tumour cell growth and regulate the activation of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME). TSG-6-specific small interfering RNA was transfected into canine and human breast cancer cells (CIPp, CIPm and BT-20). TSG-6-down-regulated (siTSG-6) cells showed decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Decreased mRNA expressions of NF-κB, STAT3 and Sox2, confirming that TSG-6 is an upper factor governing tumour growth and metastasis. Notably, siTSG-6 cells showed significantly decreased expression levels of CD44 and PD-L1. Direct and indirect co-culture of canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) and the siTSG-6 cells showed significant activation in M1 type macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. They also showed a tendency to decrease in the expression of CTLA-4 and increase in the expression of PD-1. In conclusion, this study suggests that the down-regulation of TSG-6 in breast cancer cells could not only suppress tumour growth and metastasis, and but also regulate TME. Since modulation of immune checkpoint proteins occurs in both tumour cells and immune cells, inhibiting TSG-6 and its protein within the TME could be novel therapeutic target for anticancer treatment.     

Bilateral neuroepithelial choristomas of the optic disc in a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis): a case report

A 6-year-old intact male cynomolgus monkey of Chinese origin was received at the Sierra Biomedical Facility. While physical examination revealed good body condition with no abnormalities, routine ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral proliferative optic neuropathy involving the dorsal aspect of the optic disc. No changes were noted in the appearance of the lesions over 8 months, and fluoroescein angiography revealed no abnormalities other than obstruction of the view of the retinal vessels by the lesions. Histopathologic studies revealed characteristics consistent with a diagnosis of bilateral neuroepithelial choristoma.     

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular density in mammary adenomas and adenocarcinomas in bitches

Background

The study aimed at examining hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)1α expression in adenocarcinomas and adenomas in bitches in regard to tumour malignancy grade, proliferation, apoptosis and vascularisation. Therefore, paraffin sections of 15 adenomas and 64 adenocarcinomas sampled from 79 dogs aged 6 to 16 years were analysed.

Results

A significantly higher HIF-1α expression was noted in adenocarcinomas in comparison to adenomas (P < 0.0004). Moreover, HIF-1α expression in adenocarcinomas correlated positively with tumour malignancy grade (r = 0.59, P < 0.05), Ki-67 antigen expression (r = 0.43; P < 0.0005), TUNEL-positive cells (r = 0.62, P < 0001) and tumour vascularity measured by quantification of vessels characterized by the expression of von Willebrand Factor (r = 0.57, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Results of this study indicate a similar biological role of HIF-1α in dogs and in humans, which may confirm suitability of the animal model in investigations on progression of tumours in humans.     

秋季中华蜜蜂（Apis cerana cerana）工蜂有分泌活性的舌腺和无分泌活性的舌腺的超微结构比较

对秋季中华蜜蜂工蜂有分泌活性舌腺（９日龄）和无分泌活性的舌腺（采集蜂）的超微结构进行了观察和比较，发现二者的舌腺细胞的超微结构存在着差异。９日龄工蜂舌腺处在分泌活性状态。细胞核发达，多突起；粗面内质网发达，成平行状排列；胞内管、胞外管中都充满电子致密度均匀的物质，即王浆物质；有大量的分泌块；线粒体内嵴排列紧密，呈板层状。而采集蜂舌腺处在无分泌活性状态。核周边异染色质增多；粗面内质网不太发达，多呈泡状；胞内管中物质为一些不均匀的电子致密度大的粗颗粒物质；胞外管中只有少量水样物质；线粒体内嵴间隙相对变大，多发现内嵴间隙呈管泡状。     

昌潍白猪内分泌腺的生长发育规律

系统研究了1～8月龄昌潍白猪(192头)内分泌腺的性状指标,并由此得出了其内分泌腺的生长发育规律及其与体重变化的回归方程.结果表明,肾上腺在1～3、5～6月龄生长速度最快(P＜0.01);甲状腺在1～8月龄有2个生长高峰期,即4月龄和6月龄;胸腺的生长高峰期集中于3～4月龄(P＜0.01),颈部胸腺在1～3月龄生长速度显著快于胸部胸腺,胸部胸腺左侧生长发育明显快于右侧;脑垂体在2～6月龄生长速度较快.肾上腺、甲状腺、胸腺、脑垂体随体重变化的回归方程分别是y=0.019 9x+0.801 6(r=0.975 9,P＜0.01);y=0.163 4x+1.286 8(r=0.976 1,P＜0.01);y=1.760 8x+26.995 0(r=0.946 2,P＜0.01);y=0.002 4x+0.062 0(r=0.908 3,P＜0.01).     

转基因动物研究进展

转基因动物是现代生物技术中一个极其重要的研究领域，目前已经有转基因小鼠、兔、绵羊、山羊、猪、牛、鸡和鱼等多种转基因动物问世。本文综述了转基因动物的制作方法、转基因动物的应用研究以及所取得的重要成就，并指出了转基因动物存在的主要问题，展望了其发展前景。     

蛋氨酸对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞亚细胞蛋白质组的影响研究

为寻找奶牛乳腺上皮细胞亚细胞结构中与泌乳相关的重要蛋白质、从蛋白质水平揭示乳蛋白合成的调控机制,应用双向凝胶电泳技术分离体外培养的蛋氨酸处理组与正常组奶牛乳腺上皮细胞蛋白质,利用Image Maser 2D软件对图谱进行对比分析,基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)和数据库检索鉴定,并采用实时荧光定量PCR技术在mRNA水平上验证2-DE结果。质谱鉴定出8个表达上调的差异蛋白质,大多数差异蛋白质的功能涉及细胞骨架构成、能量代谢等过程。这些差异点的发现为研究奶牛泌乳机理提供了有益的线索。     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC QUANTIFICATION OF CANINE ADRENAL GLAND VOLUME AND ATTENUATION

We conducted a retrospective study in presumed normal dogs to determine the adrenal gland attenuation and volume values. Multidetector computer tomography (MDCT 16) analysis of the gland was carried out in 48 adult dogs without evidence of adrenal gland disease that underwent CT examination for acute spinal injuries. The mean nonenhanced attenuation value +/- SD of the left adrenal gland was 36.0 +/- 5.3 HU (range: 22.0-42.0 HU). The mean nonenhanced attenuation value +/- SD of the right gland was 34.3 +/- 7.0 HU (range: 20.4-48.6HU). The mean enhanced attenuation value +/- SD were: left gland 101.5 +/- 10.6HU (range: 86.8-128.0 HU), and right gland 97.4 +/- 12.4 HU (range: 58.9-123.6 HU). The mean CT volume +/- SD were: left gland was 0.60 cm3 (range: 0.20-0.95; SD 0.17), and right gland (0.55cm3, range: 0.22-1.01; SD 0.19). Attenuation values and volume data were related to age, weight, and gender, using ANOVA. There was no statistically significant difference between the left and right side or in adrenal measurements, because of body weight class effects. The animal effect was the most important source of variation for all adrenal measurements. Based on our study, CT is an effective method for assessing adrenal characteristics in the dog. Normative CT data are provided to allow estimation of normal adrenal gland size and volume.     

动物外激素的研究进展

外激素是生物体向环境释放的一种或多种化学物质的混合物,在环境中起着同种个体间传递信息、引起对方产生特殊反应的一类生物活性物质。在动物中,外激素是应用最广和最古老的通信方式,它们表现的是一种精练过的社会行为和繁殖策略的工具。对外激素在化学特性、产生器官、接受器官、作用及其作用途径方面取得的研究进展作一概述,以亟为该领域的研究提供参考。     

乳腺中脂肪细胞的转化和更迭

雌性动物的乳腺组织是由胚胎时期的外胚层发育而来,出生时只有少量导管和皮下基质结构,而后在性成熟、妊娠和泌乳期乳腺发育达到峰值,这一特点使乳腺成为出生后唯一可以重复再生的器官。在乳腺发育到退化的循环中,乳腺的上皮细胞、基质白色脂肪细胞、棕色脂肪细胞和肌上皮细胞经历了一系列转化和更迭,脂肪细胞的动态转化反映了乳腺的功能变化。研究乳腺细胞的转化和更迭与母畜的泌乳直接相关,对延续母畜的生产效率有重要意义。本文就乳腺中脂肪细胞转化方面的最新研究进展进行综述,为深度揭示乳腺发育过程中细胞更迭的机制提供前沿研究信息。