Autocrine growth factors and cancer

The ability of cancer cells to produce and to respond to their own growth factors (autocrine secretion) has become a central concept linking oncogene and growth factor research. Oncogenes confer growth factor autonomy on cells not only by coding directly for autocrine peptide growth factors or their receptors, but also by amplifying the mitogenic signals generated by a growth factor at its receptor. Antagonists of positive autocrine growth factors can inhibit growth of cancer cells in experimental animals. Recently identified negative autocrine growth factors might themselves control aberrant cell growth.     

Regulation of PDGF signalling and vascular remodelling by peroxiredoxin II

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent mitogenic and migratory factor that regulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of a variety of signalling proteins via intracellular production of H2O2 (refs 1, 2-3). Mammalian 2-Cys peroxiredoxin type II (Prx II; gene symbol Prdx2) is a cellular peroxidase that eliminates endogenous H2O2 produced in response to growth factors such as PDGF and epidermal growth factor; however, its involvement in growth factor signalling is largely unknown. Here we show that Prx II is a negative regulator of PDGF signalling. Prx II deficiency results in increased production of H2O2, enhanced activation of PDGF receptor (PDGFR) and phospholipase Cgamma1, and subsequently increased cell proliferation and migration in response to PDGF. These responses are suppressed by expression of wild-type Prx II, but not an inactive mutant. Notably, Prx II is recruited to PDGFR upon PDGF stimulation, and suppresses protein tyrosine phosphatase inactivation. Prx II also leads to the suppression of PDGFR activation in primary culture and a murine restenosis model, including PDGF-dependent neointimal thickening of vascular smooth muscle cells. These results demonstrate a localized role for endogenous H2O2 in PDGF signalling, and indicate a biological function of Prx II in cardiovascular disease.     

50Hz极低频电磁场对酵母细胞生长和氧化应激的影响初探

探讨50 Hz极低频电磁场(extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields,ELF-EMF)暴露对酵母细胞的生长、细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平,以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)两种抗氧化酶活性的影响。测定酵母细胞在50 Hz 6 m T ELF-EMF暴露下的菌落形成数目和生长曲线,及ELF-EMF短期暴露(0.5、1、2 h)和长期暴露(6、12、24、96 h)对细胞内ROS水平,以及SOD和CAT活性的影响。实验结果表明,磁感应强度高达6 m T的ELF-EMF暴露下,酵母细胞的菌落形成数目和生长曲线没有发生显著变化(p0.05)。在暴露2 h内,ELF-EMF可显著提高细胞内ROS水平(p0.01);并显著影响酵母细胞内SOD或CAT活性(p0.05)。但暴露时间超过6 h后,酵母细胞内ROS水平、及SOD和CAT活性与对照组大致相同,没有发生显著变化。实验条件下ELF-EMF暴露对酵母的生长没有显著影响,在短期暴露(2 h内)中,可引起酵母细胞内氧化应激反应;但在长期暴露(6 h后)后,对氧化应激反应没有显著影响。     

慢病毒介导的HTRA1突变基因感染对人脑血管平滑肌细胞内氧化应激反应的影响

检测HTRA1及HTRA1-Mut基因慢病毒载体转染HBVSMC后,HBVSMC内氧化应激水平的变化。以HTRA1及HTRA1-Mut基因慢病毒载体转染HBVSMC后,在特定的时间点收集NC、OE-WT HTRA1及OE-MU HTRA1三组细胞的总RNA及总蛋白,分别用RT-PCR和Western Blot的方法检测三组细胞的NOX4 mRNA及蛋白水平的表达情况;用DCFH-DA法检测三组细胞内的活性氧水平。从定量PCR结果可以看出,人脑血管平滑肌细胞中,OE-MU组NOX4基因表达丰度是NC组的2.015倍。从Western blot结果可以看出,在正常的人脑血管平滑肌细胞中NOX4蛋白水平表达较低,而在慢病毒LV-HRTA1及LV-HRTA1-MUT感染后NOX4蛋白表达水平增高。在正常的人脑血管平滑肌细胞中ROS水平表达较低,而在慢病毒LVHRTA1及LV-HRTA1-MUT感染后ROS蛋白表达水平增高,在突变型病毒感染细胞组表现更为明显。说明:1HTRA1突变型基因感染人脑血管平滑肌细胞后,细胞内活性氧产量增加,NOX4 mRNA水平的表达正常细胞升高,但较HTRA1野生型基因无明显差别;NOX4在蛋白水平表达较其他两组均升高;2HTRA1突变型基因感染的人脑血管平滑肌细胞出现增殖减少、迁移活力降低以及凋亡增加可能与细胞内的氧化应激有关,为进一步研究CARASIL发病机制奠定基础。     

秀丽线虫sod-3基因RNA干扰及早衰模型的建立

利用RNAi技术, 通过干扰秀丽线虫中的sod-3基因表达, 建立了因超氧化物歧化酶3（SOD3）表达缺失引起快速衰老的线虫模型,为sod-3 基因功能的研究以及相关疾病的基因治疗等提供动物模型.     

PinX1基因真核表达载体的构建及其对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖的抑制作用

探讨了PinX1 基因在乳腺癌MCF-7 细胞生长和细胞周期中的作用, 初步探讨了该基因用于乳腺癌临床治疗的可行性. 采用RT-PCR 技术从293-T 细胞中扩增PinX1 基因, 将其克隆入真核表达载体pEGFP-C1 中, 再将重组质粒转染MCF-7 细胞. 通过real-time PCR 检测PinX1 基因的mRNA 表达, 用MTT 法检测转染前后细胞生长曲线的变化, 用流式细胞仪检测转染目的基因后细胞生长周期的改变. 检测结果表明, PinX1 基因已经在转染后MCF-7 细胞的细胞核内稳定表达, 乳腺癌细胞生长明显减缓(P <0.05), 增殖变慢(P <0.05), 细胞生长阻滞于G0/G1 期, 说明PinX1 基因可抑制乳腺癌MCF-7 细胞的生长和增殖.     

Nicotine-induced upregulation of antioxidant protein Prx 1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Nicotine is a source of exogenous oxidative stress, which is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous diseases including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), whereas an antioxidant protein, peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx 1), plays an important role in the modulation of this condition. This study was to investigate the association between Prx 1 and tobacco-induced oxidative stress. The expression of Prx 1 and GST in OSCC Tca8113 cells, which were pre-treated with nicotine, was determined. In the present study, MTT assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively, were conducted to assess cell viability, ROS level, and expression level of Prx 1 and GST in nicotine-treated Tca8113 cells. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF- B) expression was detected by immuno-fluorescence. Our results showed the growth of Tca8113 cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner when cells were treated with nicotine at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mol/L, but the proliferation of the cells decreased at 100 mol/L. ROS levels increased in all groups treated with nicotine at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 mol/L for 24h. Prx 1 and GST mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated in cells treated with nicotine for the same time at different concentrations or at the same concentration for different times (P<0.05). NF-B was translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus, the expression of NF- B was increased in nucleus. These results suggest that up-regulation of Prx1 expression appears to be associated with tobacco-induced oxidative stress, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OSCC.     

盐胁迫对鲁氏酵母菌生理特性的影响

研究了盐胁迫对鲁氏酵母菌(Zygosaccharomyces rouxii CGMCC 3791)细胞生理特性的影响,结果表明,盐胁迫使细胞生长受到抑制,单位(每克)菌体乙醇含量从11.64mg增加到19.20mg(120g/L NaCl)。分析细胞胞内pH值和胞内活性氧(ROS)水平,结果表明:盐胁迫使细胞胞内pH值水平降低,胞内活性氧(ROS)水平增加,同时胞内抗氧化酶系(过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶,以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶)的活力提高,从而抵御由盐胁迫引起的氧胁迫。研究了盐胁迫对鲁氏酵母菌胞内谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量的影响,结果表明,随着盐质量浓度增加,胞内GSH含量增加,在120g/L盐质量浓度下,GSH含量显著增加了73.4%。考察了外源添加GSH对细胞生长的影响,发现添加0.5g/L GSH的鲁氏酵母菌,在120g/L盐质量浓度下生物量提高了15%。本研究可对深入认识鲁氏酵母菌耐盐生理机制及进一步提高其耐盐性能提供理论支持。     

乳铁蛋白对口腔癌细胞中VEGF和bFGF表达的影响

目的探讨乳铁蛋白对口腔癌细胞中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(b FGF)表达的影响.方法选用人口腔鳞癌细胞系CAL-27,分为0.006,0.013,0.025,0.050 g/L重组人乳铁蛋白实验组和空白对照组.应用RT-PCR法检测VEGF和b FGF mRNA表达水平;应用Western Blot法检测VEGF和b FGF蛋白表达水平.结果 CAL-27口腔癌细胞VEGF和b FGF mRNA均随着乳铁蛋白浓度增加表达量逐渐减少;0.050 g/L乳铁蛋白实验组VEGF和b FGF mRNA表达量明显低于空白对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).CAL-27口腔癌细胞VEGF和b FGF蛋白产物随着乳铁蛋白浓度增加表达量逐渐减少;0.050 g/L乳铁蛋白实验组VEGF,b FGF蛋白表达量明显低于空白对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).结论乳铁蛋白可有效抑制口腔癌细胞系CAL-27细胞中VEGF,b FGF的转录和表达,进而抑制血管生成,可作为乳铁蛋白抗口腔癌的机制之一.     

miR-143-3p通过调节TGIF2的表达在甲状腺癌中的作用研究

目的 探究过表达miR-143-3p对甲状腺癌(thyroid cancer,TC)细胞的影响及其作用机制.方法 Real-time PCR分析正常甲状腺上皮细胞和不同TC细胞中miR-143-3p的表达.Targetscan网站和双荧光素酶报告系统验证miR-143-3p和TGIF23′UTR的靶向关系;Real-t...     

白桦脂酸体外抗肿瘤的活性和机制

研究白桦脂醇（Betulin）和白桦脂酸（Betulinic Acid, BA）对3种癌细胞株的增殖抑制作用以及白桦脂酸诱导MCF 7细胞毒的分子机制. 应用结晶紫染色方法对白桦脂醇和白桦脂酸对肿瘤细胞的生长抑制作用进行筛选； 应用RT-PCR技术检测MCF 7细胞p21 mRNA, p53 mRNA, Bcl 2 mRNA和Bax mRNA的表达. 结果表明, 白桦脂醇和白桦脂酸有显著抑制肿瘤细胞生长的作用, 且有浓度依赖性; 白桦脂酸能够诱导MCF 7细胞凋亡, 并诱导其p21 mRNA和p53 mRNA表达增高, 但对其Bcl 2 mRNA和Bax mRNA 的表达无影响.     

SO_2诱导拟南芥保卫细胞凋亡

以拟南芥叶片下表皮为材料,研究了SO_2体内衍生物-亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠混合液(3:1,mmol·L~(-1)/mmol·L~(-1))对气孔保卫细胞的致死效应.结果表明,浓度1.0～5.0 mmol·L~(-1)的SO_2衍生物处理表皮3 h可引起保卫细胞死亡,死细胞出现核固缩、核断裂、凋亡小体等典型的核凋亡特征,且胁迫组细胞内活性氧和钙离子水平升高.蛋白酶抑制剂Z-Asp-CH_2-DCB和TLCK能减少SO_2衍生物诱导的细胞凋亡;过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸(AsA),及Ca~(2+)螯合剂乙二醇双四乙酸(EGTA)和Ca~(2+)通道抑制剂LaCl_3均可使SO_2衍生物诱发的细胞死亡率降低.0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的AsA或EGTA能降低胁迫组胞内的活性氧和Ca~(2+)水平,与死亡率降低相伴发生.以上结果表明,一定浓度的SO_2可诱导拟南芥保卫细胞凋亡,胁迫可能通过诱导活性氧产生、胞外钙内流,造成胞内Ca~(2+)浓度升高,引发细胞程序性死亡.     

Structure, expression and function of a schwannoma-derived growth factor

During the development of the nervous system, cells require growth factors that regulate their division and survival. To identify new growth factors, serum-free growth-conditioned media from many clonal cell lines were screened for the presence of mitogens for central nervous system glial cells. A cell line secreting a potent glial mitogen was established from a tumour (or 'schwannoma') derived from the sheath of the sciatic nerve. The cells of the tumour, named JS1 cells, were adapted to clonal culture and identified as Schwann cells. Schwann cells secrete an autocrine mitogen and human schwannoma extracts have mitogenic activity on glial cells. Until now, neither mitogen has been purified. Here we report the purification and characterization of a mitogenic molecule, designated schwannoma-derived growth factor (SDGF), from the growth-conditioned medium of the JS1 Schwann cell line. SDGF belongs to the epidermal growth factor family, and is an autocrine growth factor as well as a mitogen for astrocytes, Schwann cells and fibroblasts.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a potential tumour angiogenesis factor in human gliomas in vivo.

Clinical and experimental studies suggest that angiogenesis is a prerequisite for solid tumour growth. Several growth factors with mitogenic or chemotactic activity for endothelial cells in vitro have been described, but it is not known whether these mediate tumour vascularization in vivo. Glioblastoma, the most common and most malignant brain tumour in humans, is distinguished from astrocytoma by the presence of necroses and vascular proliferations. Here we show that expression of an endothelial cell-specific mitogen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is induced in astrocytoma cells but is dramatically upregulated in two apparently different subsets of glioblastoma cells. The high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor for VEGF, flt, although not expressed in normal brain endothelium, is upregulated in tumour endothelial cells in vivo. These observations strongly support the concept that tumour angiogenesis is regulated by paracrine mechanisms and identify VEGF as a potential tumour angiogenesis factor in vivo.     

心肌肽素在心肌细胞氧化应激中的作用

研究心肌肽素对过氧化氢所致心肌细胞氧应激模型中所起的作用。采用原代培养乳鼠心肌细胞,以200μmol/L过氧化氢作用2 h诱导心肌细胞造成氧化应激模型,细胞损伤前分别给予不同浓度的心肌肽素进行干预。使用RT-PCR检测Caspase-3表达变化,MTT比色法检测原代乳鼠心肌细胞的活力,黄嘌呤/黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定超氧化物歧化酶活性。过氧化氢组心肌细胞活力低于对照组,超氧化物歧化酶活性下降(P<0.05),caspase-3 mRNA表达升高;心肌肽素组细胞活力、超氧化物歧化酶活性高于过氧化氢组,而caspase-3 mRNA表达水平较过氧化氢组降低(P<0.05),不同浓度心肌肽素之间无明显差别(P>0.05)。心肌肽素对过氧化氢造成的心肌细胞损伤作用有抵抗作用且这种抵抗作用与其抑制凋亡作用有关。     

Effects of Genistein on Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Two Murine Melanoma Cell Lines

The effects of genistein on several tumor cell lines were investigated to study the effects of gen- istein on cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis of two murine melanoma cell lines, B16 and K1735M2. These two closely related murine melanoma cell lines, however, have different responses to the genistein treat- ment. Genistein inhibits the growth of both the B16 and K1735M2 cell lines and arrests the growth at the G2/M phase. After treatment with 60 μmol/L genistein for 72 h, apoptosis and caspase activities were de- tected in B16 cells, while such effects were not found in K1735M2. Further tests showed that after genistein treatment the protein content and mRNA levels of p53 increased in B16, but remained the same in K1735M2. The protein content and mRNA levels of p21WAF1/CIP1 increased in both cell lines after treatment. The results show that genistein might induce apoptosis in B16 cells by damaging the DNA, inhibiting topoi- somerase II, increasing p53 expression, releasing cytochrome c from the mitochondria, and activating the caspases which will lead to apoptosis.     

Anti-angiogenesis effect of generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on breast cancer in vitro

Objective: To study the effects of the generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN) compound on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its mRNA of breast cancer cells and on the inhibition of vascular endothelial cells. Methods: We examined the morphology of G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN compound and its pH stability, in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity, and the expressions of VEGF and its mRNA. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect the inhibitory function of the compound on vascular endothelial cells. Results: The compound was about 10 nm in diameter and was homogeneously netlike. From pH 5 to 10, it showed quite a buffered ability. The 48-h transfection rate in the charge ratio of 1:40 was 98.76%, significantly higher than that of the liposome group (P<0.05). None of the transfection products showed obvious toxicity on the cells. The expressions of both VEGF protein and its mRNA after G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN transfection decreased markedly. Conclusion: With a low toxicity, high safety, and high transfection rate, G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN could be a promising gene vector. Specifically, it inhibits VEGF gene expression efficiently, laying a basis for further in vivo animal studies.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor induced by hypoxia may mediate hypoxia-initiated angiogenesis.

Inefficient vascular supply and the resultant reduction in tissue oxygen tension often lead to neovascularization in order to satisfy the needs of the tissue. Examples include the compensatory development of collateral blood vessels in ischaemic tissues that are otherwise quiescent for angiogenesis and angiogenesis associated with the healing of hypoxic wounds. But the presumptive hypoxia-induced angiogenic factors that mediate this feedback response have not been identified. Here we show that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; also known as vascular permeability factor) probably functions as a hypoxia-inducible angiogenic factor. VEGF messenger RNA levels are dramatically increased within a few hours of exposing different cell cultures to hypoxia and return to background when normal oxygen supply is resumed. In situ analysis of tumour specimens undergoing neovascularization show that the production of VEGF is specifically induced in a subset of glioblastoma cells distinguished by their immediate proximity to necrotic foci (presumably hypoxic regions) and the clustering of capillaries alongside VEGF-producing cells.