OBJECTIVE: To prevent the senescence of ’seed cells’ for tissue engineering, the life span of human fibroblasts is extended by reconstitution of telomerase activity, and the osteogenic potential of these fibroblasts are tested. METHODS: The pGRN145 plasmids encoding human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) were introduced into the normal human primary fibroblasts by electroporation. Telomerase activity was analyzed by TRAP-PCR assay. The beta-galactosidase stain was used to indicate the signs of cell senescence. The hTERT positive fibroblasts were then induced to form bone nodules. The bone nodules were stained by tetracycline and Alizarin Red S. RESULTS: Stable telomerase activity could be detected in the transfected fibroblasts and no signs of cell senescence were found in the fibroblasts cultured for more than 50 doublings. The hTERT positive fibroblasts could form bone nodules when they were cultured in vitro induced by bone morphogentic protein 2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSION: The fibroblasts with reconstituted telomerase activity reserve their osteogenic potential.
OBJECTIVE: To analysis the proliferation properties and telomerase activity of human embryonic tendon cells transformed by ptsA58H plasmid cultured in vitro continuously. METHODS: The 40th, 70th, and 75th passages of transformed human embryonic tendon cells (THETC) were adopted. The collagen secretion of THETC was detected by immunohistochemical methods, the growth curve of different passages of THETC was compared, and chromosome karyotype was analyzed. Total RNA of THETC were extracted to detect human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression by RT-PCR technique. RESULTS: When THETC were subcultured to 70 passages, the morphological characteristics of cells changed and began replicative senescence. THETC still could secret type I collagen normally. The chromosome of THETC was heteroploid (2n = 94). There were no hTERT mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: SV40 transfection can not make human embryonic tendon cells immortalization, on the other hand, human embryonic tendon cells transformed by ptsA58H plasmid has no tendency of malignant transformation.
Objective To investigate the variety of telomerase activity in the course of liver cancer development, and the possibility of using telomerase as a marker of HCC. Methods Human liver specimens, comprising 22 HCC and adjacent peritumoral tissues, 12 liver cirrhosistissues, 6 nodulat regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) tissues and 10 normal liver tissues, were examined for telomerase activity by TRAP assay based on PCR. Results Twenty of 22 HCC and 14 of 22 adjacent tissue specimens were positive for telomerase activity with a positive rate of 90.9% and 63.6% respectively. Ten of 12 liver cirrhosis tissues were positive with a positive rate of 83.3%. 5 of 6 NRH were positive with a positive rate of 83.3%. Telomerase activity was negative in 10 normal liver tissues. Conclusion Telomerase may occur in the progress of hepatocarcinogenesis. Telomerase can be used as a tumor marker of HCC.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions and clinical significance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and γglutamyl transpeptidase mRNA-H (GGT mRNA-H) in the peripheral blood of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MethodsThe expressions of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H were detected in the peripheral blood of thirty patients with small HCC by RT-PCR, eighteen patients with benign liver diseases, and twelve normal volunteers. ResultsThe positive rate of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H expression in patients with small HCC were 80.0% (24/30) and 46.7%(14/30), respectively. In patients with hepatitic cirrhosis the positive rate of hTERT mRNA expression was 33.3% (6/18), while the expression of GGT mRNA was not detected. Both the expressions of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H were negative in all normal volunteers. The combination analysis of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H expression achieved positive rate of 86.7% in the diagnosis of small HCC, which was significantly higher than the positive rate of AFP (26.7%)， Plt;0.05. ConclusionThe hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H are significantly expressed in small HCC patients, the combination analysis of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H seems to be useful in the early diagnosis of small HCC.
【摘要】 目的 探讨宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN）和宫颈鳞癌（SCC）组织中人类染色体端粒酶基因（hTERC）的表达和临床意义。 方法 收集2007年10月-2009年6月经病理学证实的116例宫颈脱落细胞标本，其中LSIL（CINⅠ）30例、HSIL（CINⅡ/Ⅲ）37例、SCC 16例、宫颈炎33例，用荧光原位杂交（FISH）方法检测脱落细胞hTERC基因。 结果 在宫颈炎、LSIL、HSIL和SCC组中hTERC基因的表达率分别是6.1%、16.7%、51.4%和93.8%，其中，HSIL、SCC组与宫颈炎组比较，hTERC基因阳性率差异有统计学意义（Plt;0.05），LSIL组与HSIL组比较、LSIL组与SCC组比较、HSIL组与SCC组比较，差异有统计学意义（Plt;0.05），且随着病变程度增加，hTERC基因表达率增加。 结论 hTERC基因在细胞学LSIL、HSIL和SCC中表达异常，且随病变程度增加阳性表达率也增加，可作为宫颈癌癌前病变进展的生物遗传学监测指标，并有望成为宫颈癌早期筛查方法之一。【Abstract】 Objective To explore the clinical significance and expression of the human telomerase gene (hTERC) in the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and squamous carcinoma of the cervix (SCC). Methods According to histological biopsy from October 2007 to June 2009, 116 pap smears were divided into LSIL (n=30), HSIL (n=37), SCC (n=16), and cervicitis (n=33) groups. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the expression of hTERC. Results Positive expression rate of hTERC was 6.1% in cervicitis group, 16.7% in LSIL group, 51.4% in HSIL group, and 93.8% in SCC group, respectively. Compared to cervicitis group, the expression of hTERC in HSIL and SCC groups was significantly higher (Plt;0.05). Among LSIL, HSIL, and SCC groups, there were significant differencec in hTERC expression between every two groups (Plt;0.05). From LSIL to SCC, the expression of hTERC increased obviously. Conclusion Abnormal expression of hTERC exists in LSIL, HSIL, and SCC patients, which significantly increases during malignant development. It may be a biogenetics monitor index of cervical precancerosis and will be a screening marker for cervical cancer.
【Abstract】Objective To study the difference of telomerase activity in the common thyroid lesions . Methods The telomerase activity was detected in 19 patients with thyroid carcinomas, 15 samples adjacent to thyroid carcinomas，21 specimens of thyromas, 17 cases of nodular goiters and 13 pieces of normal thyroid tissues by telomeric repeat amplification protocol（TRAP). Results Eighteen of 19 samples of thyroid carcinoma, 1 of 15 samples adjacent to the cancer and 1 of 21 adenoma of the thyroid specimens showed positive telomerase activity, all 17 cases of nodular goiters and 18 samples of normal thyroid tissues exhibited negative telomerase activity, and the rate of positive telomerase activity of thyroid carcinomas was significantly higher than that of the other tissues (P＜0.0001). Conclusion The telomerase is an important qualitative marker of thyroid carcinoma and a useful index in differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions.
ObjectiveTo build a lentiviral expression vector regulated by two targets 5 copies of HREs and hTERTp, express the target gene CDX2, and to test the activity of hTERT promoter by using LoVo cells for transfection. MethodsAfter the primer sets were designed, the hTERT promoter was cloned by PCR amplification from the genome of colon cancer. The CEA promoter was removed from the original vector pLEGFP-5HRE-CEAp by double digestion and PCR method, and then the hTERTp was introduced into the vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pLEGFP-5HRE-hTERTp. 5HRE-hTERTp was obtained by PCR, while the CMV promoter was removed from the original vector pLVX-EGFP-3FLAG by double digestion and PCR method, and then the 5HRE-hTERTp was introduced into the vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG. The CDX2 was cloned by PCR amplification from GV230-CDX2-EGFP, and the EGFP was removed from the vector pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG by double digestion, and then the CDX2 was introduced into the vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-CDX2-3FLAG. LoVo cells ex vivo was transiently transfected by pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG to evaluate the activity of hTERTp by detecting the expression of green fluorescence protein EGFP. ResultsPCR and sequencing analyzing showed that pLEGFP-5HRE-hTERTp, pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG, and pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-CDX2-3FLAG were sequenced correctly and the same as our designed. pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG was successfully transfected into LoVo cells ex vivo and expressed green fluorescence protein EGFP, which showed that hTERTp was activated and promoted the expression of downstream gene. ConclusionThe lentiviral expression vector, pLVX-5HREhTERTp-EGFP-3FLAG and pLVX-5HRE-hTERTp-CDX2-3FLAG are successfully constructed, which lays the foundation of further research. But the function of dual-target regulation needs further proof.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions of hTERT mRNA and BRCA1 protein and to analyze the correlation between these two factors in breast cancer. MethodsThe expression of hTERT mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of BRCA1 protein was examined by immunohistochemistry. ResultsThe positive rates of hTERT mRNA and BRCA1 protein were 72.1%（31/43） and 34.9%（15/43） in breast cancer tissue, were 5.0%(2/40) and 77.5%(31/40) in paracancerous breast tissue respectively. Significant difference existed between breast cancer tissue and paracancerous breast tissue (P＜0.05). Significant negative correlation existed between the expression of BRCA1 protein and expression of hTERT mRNA （r=-0.995, P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe expression of hTERT mRNA is upregulated in breast cancer, and expression of BRCA1 protein is downregulated in breast cancer. BRCA1 protein expression may be associated with expression of hTERT mRNA in breast cancer, which may be involved in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer.
In recent years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing. Researchers around the world have begun to pay more attention to the exploration of its pathogenesis, disease evolution and prognosis. Among them, research in the field of gene molecules has become a hotspot, which includes the mutations of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1 (BRAF) and the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter. However, this field is not mature, and there are many problems and challenges need to be solved. This paper explores the value of BRAF mutation in the treatment, recurrence, mortality and prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. In addition, we also explore the relationship between BRAF mutation and TERT promoter mutations and their influences in thyroid cancer. We hope this paper could help later scholars understand the current situation in this field and find a research direction in the future.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the expression of PCNA in gastric cancer and its relationship with telomerase activity of peritoneal washings and peritoneal dissemination, and to compare the efficacy of telomerase activity and cytology of peritoneal washings for prediction of peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. MethodsTelomeric repeated amplification protocol (TRAP)enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the telomerase activity of peritoneal washings collected from 60 patients with gastric cancer. Exfoliate cytologic analysis of the corresponding samples was used for comparison.Expression of PCNA was measured with immunohistochemical staining.Their relationship with clinicopathologic features were evaluated. ResultsThe positive rate of telomerase activity in peritoneal washing collected from patients with gastric cancer was 41.7%,which well related to serosal invasion, histology types, depth of infiltration and peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. The positive rate of telomerase activity increased with the increased depth of infiltration and serosal involvement areas (P＜0.05).The positive rate of exfoliative cytology was 25.0%, which was obviously high in the group with macroscopic peritoneal metastasis (the group of P1-3). The positive rate of exfoliative cytology also increased with the increased depth of infiltration and serosal involvement areas (P＜0.05). Although the positive rate of telomerase activity in peritoneal washing collected from patients with gastric cancer was not significantly higher than that of exfoliative cytology in general, it was significantly higher than that of exfoliative cytology in the group of pT4, P1-3 and undifferentiated type.The PCNA proliferation index (PI) of positive telomerase activity group was significantly higher than that of negative. The PCNA PI was significantly higher in the group of P1-3 and serosal invasion thanthat of P0 and without serosal invasion. ConclusionTo detect telomerase activity in peritoneal washings and to detect tumor cells by cytologic method are useful to predict subclinical metastasis to the peritoneum in patients with gastric cancer,but telomerase activity is more sensitive than the other one.Telomerase activity is well related to proliferating activity of gastric cancer,which was the very important reason of peritoneal metastasis and serosal invasion.