ObjectiveTo study the expression of lipid associated with neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in nude mice orthotopic pancreatic cancer tissues and the relationship between the occurred and development of pancreatic cancer. MethodsThe expressions of NGAL mRNA and protein of pancreatic cancer tissues and their adjacent tissues, and normal pancreatic tissues in nude mice were detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical methods. ResultsThe expressions of NGAL mRNA in pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissues (P < 0.05), and the expression of NGAL mRNA in pancreatic carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in para carcinoma tissues (P < 0.05). The strong positive expression rate of NGAL protein in pancreatic carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than thoes in para carcinoma tissues and normal pancreatic tissues (P < 0.05). ConclusionsNGAL is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues, and NGAL may be an important regulatory factor in the development of pancreatic cancer.
Objective The human amniotic epithel ial cells (hAECs) are a recently identified new type of stem cells.It has previously been shown that hAECs express hepatocyte-related gene and possess intracellular features and functional properties of hepatocytes. The hAECs may be a candidate seed cell for l iver regeneration. To research the survival and migrationin vivo of hAECs via adeno-associated virus-mediated the green fluorescent protein gene (AAV-GFP) transfection, and toexplore the expression of hepatocyte-l ike function. Methods Thirty nude mice (aging 6-8 weeks, half males and females, and weighing 20-22 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups (groups A, B, and C, n=10). The mice of groups A and C were made the 2/3 partial hepatectomy model, and the mice of group B underwent open abdominal operation without hepatectomy. The hAECs transfected by AAV-GFP were transplanted into the inferior end of the spleen in groups A and B with a cell density of 5 × 106/mL and a volume of 0.2 mL; the same volume of normal sal ine was injected in group C. At 4 hours, the nude mice were sacrificed and the samples of l iver, spleen, heart, lung, brain, and kidney were harvested and the general observation, histological observation, and immunofluorescence detection were performed for the hAECs survival, migration, and the functional properties of hepatocytes. Results No tumor tissue was found in l iver and spleen of 3 groups, and HE staining showed no tumor cells. There were a lot of roundl ike and deeply-stained cells with less cytoplasm and large nucleus in the spleen and the l iver of group A; no abnormal cells were found in l iver and spleen of groups B and C and in kidney, heart, bung, and brain of groups A, B, and C. The GFP+ cells were detected in the spleen and l iver of group A with expressing human albumin, but no GFP+ cells was found in l iver and spleen of groups B and C and in heart, kidney, lung, and brain of groups A, B, and C. Conclusion AAV-GFP infected hAECs transplanted into SCID nude mice with hepatectomy can keep the hepatocyte-l ike function. It will be beneficial to further identify their biological characteristics.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effects of coix seed extract injection on rate of tumor of C57 mice liver cancer model, tumor size, and serum IL-6. MethodsUsing chemical carcinogens diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) to establish the mice model of liver cancer, liver cancer mouse model to coix seed extract was given observation of C57 mice liver cancer model come tumor formation rate, tumor growth, and the change of serum IL-6. ResultsC57 mice after intraperitoneal injection of coix seed extract injection model of liver cancer tumor rate (55.6%) significantly lower than the DEN group (87.5%), P < 0.01; tumor diameter[(0.3±0.05) cm] was lower than that in group DEN[(0.8±0.06) cm], P < 0.01. The serum level of IL-6 in C57 mice after treated with coix seed extract significantly lower than that in group DEN (P < 0.01). ConclusionCoix seed extract can effectively inhibit the tumor rate and the growth of tumor in hepatocellular carcinoma model of C57 mice, and decrease the level of serum IL-6.
Objective To study effect of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive targeted lymphocytes on gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Methods The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. The recombinant vector anti-CEA-scFv-CD3ζ-pcDNA3.0 was transfected into the PBMCs by lipofectamine 2000, by this means, the CEA special lymphocytes were obtained. Meanwhile, the PBMCs transfected with empty plasmid pcDNA3.0 were used as control (empty vector lymphocytes). The different lymphocytes and gastric cancer cells (CEA positive KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells and CEA negative BGC-823 gastric cancer cells) were co-cultured, then the ability to identify the gastric cancer cells and it’s effect on apoptosis of gastric cancer cells were observed at 24 h or 36 h later respectively. The CEA special lymphocytes and empty vector lymphocytes were injected by the tail vein of nude mice bearing gastric cancer cells, then it’s effect on the tumor was observed. Results ① The CEA special lymphocytes could strongly identify the KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells (identification rate was 72.3%), which could weakly identify the BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (identification rate was 7.8%). ② The apoptosis rate of the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells was significantly higher than that of the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells (P=0.032), which had no significant difference between the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells and the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (P=0.118). ③ The tumor volume of the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells was significantly smaller than that of the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells (F=5.010, P<0.01) or the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (F=4.982, P<0.01), which had no significant difference between the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells and the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (F=1.210, P>0.05). Conclusion CEA special lymphocytes can promote cell apoptosis and inhabit tumor reproduction of CEA positive gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
ObjectiveTo explore the dynamic changes of immune cell populations in Panc02 pancreatic cancer bearing immunocompetent mice. MethodsThe C57BL6/J mice syngeneic pancreatic cancer cell line Panc02 were subcutaneously implanted to establish the immunocompetent murine pancreatic cancer bearing model.According to the tumor size, the tumor was classified into 4 stages, named T1-T4, respectively.The flow cytometry was performed to identify the dynamic changes of different cell populations, such as inflammatory cells (CD45+), T helper (Th) lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), B lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), natural killer (NK) cells, and natural killer T (NKT) cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue. ResultsThree dynamic types of immune cells with the tumor progression were identified:consistent increase, consistent decrease, increase and then decrease.①In peripheral blood:The proportion of the Th lymphocytes, CTL, and B lymphocytes consistently decreased; The proportion of granulocytes consistently increased; The proportion of the DC, macrophages, NK cells, and NKT cells increased from T1 to T3 stage but sharply decreased at T4 stage.②In tumor tissue:The intratumoral CD45+ cells consis-tently increased; The proportion of the granucolyte, macrophages, and DC consistently increased; The proportion of the Th lymphocytes and the CTL consistently decreased; The proportion of the B lymphocytes did not change significantly; The proportion of the NK cells or NKT cells increased from T1 to T3 stage but sharply decreased at T4 stage. ConclusionWith pancreatic cancer progression, the immune cell populations show different dynamic change models, which imply their important roles in predicting the prognosis and the integrated treatments of pancreatic cancer.
Objective The immunogenicity of tissue engineered skins is still vague, though it has been appl ied cl inically for several years. To observe the evidence of immunologic rejection of tissue engineered skins transplanted to severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, which are implanted human splenic lymphocytes to construct human immunesystem. Methods Tissue engineered skins and acellular dermic matrix were constructed in vitro. Twenty SCID mice, aging4-6 weeks and weighing 16-17 g, were randomly divided into four groups equally (n=5). The tissue engineered skins, human foreskins from circumcision and acellular dermic matrix were transplanted to groups A, B, and C, respectively; group D was used as a control. After 2 weeks of transplanting, 3 × 107 human splenic lymphocytes were injected into every SCID mouse intraperitoneally. After 4 weeks, the morphology, histology, immunohistochemistry and human IgG immunofluorescence were used to observe immunologic rejection. Results Group A showed that transplanted tissue engineered skins had the bilayer structure of dermis and epidermis, which was similar to the normal human skin structure. Group B showed that the transplanted human foreskins still retained normal structure of human skin. Group C showed that acellular dermic matrix were located in situ and had no sign of degradation. After injecting human splenic lymphocytes into the SCID mice, no inflammatory cells infil itration were observed basically in groups A, C, and D; the inflammatory cells infil itration of group B were significantly higher than that of other 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). The results of anti human keratin 14 monoclonal antibody (mAb) staining and anti human type IV collagen mAb staining were positive in group A; no positive cells for CD3, CD4, and CD8 were observed in groups A, C, and D; and many positive cells for CD3, CD4, and CD8 were observed in group B. The results of IgG immunofluorescence staining was negative in group A, C, and D, and positive in the great vessel wells of group B. Conclusion The immunogenicity of tissue engineered skins is very weak, and tissue engineered skins would not be rejected by host immune system after transplantation.
ObjectiveTo investigate MUC1 over-expression on chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin for esophageal cancer cells. MethodsMUC1 over-expression and stable silencing of MUC1 expression esophageal cancer cell lines were constructed. Xenograft model of esophageal cancer was established in nude mice. Cisplatin (8 mg/kg, day 1 and day 7)and 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg, day 1 to 6)were injected intraperitoneally. Tumor volume and body weight of nude mice were measured. Tumor growth curve and body weight curve were drawn, and tumor inhibitory rate was calculated. ResultsBoth cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil suppressed tumor growth of MUC1 over-expression esophageal cancer nude mice. Body weight and tumor volume of nude mice of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil groups were significantly smaller than those of the control group (P < 0.05), and the inhibitory effects of cisplatin were significantly greater than those of 5-fluorouracil (P < 0.05). There was no significant inhibitory effect in stable silencing of MUC1 expression esophageal cancer nude mice. ConclusionBoth cisplatin and paclitaxel can suppress the growth of MUC1 over-expression esophageal cancer, and cisplatin has greater inhibitory effects than 5-fluorouracil in tumor volume and body weight of nude mice.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in the development and progression of tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, studies on AMPK and tumorigenesis were largely based on experiments in vitro or tumor xenografts model. Here, we introduce a liver-specific AMPKα1 knockout mice model, which is achieved by Alb-Cre recombinase system. The expression of AMPKα1 in the liver of AMPKα1-/--Alb-Cre mice is absent. AMPKα1 knockout in the liver does not affect the growth and histological structure of mouse liver. This model provides a favorable tool to the study of the roles of AMPKα1 in liver metabolism or tumorigenesis.
Objective To establish a stable colorectal cancer model in liver specific insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 deficient (LID) mice and examine the potential relationship between IGF-1 level and risk of mice constitutional colorectal cancer. Methods ①Establishment of a colorectal cancer model: The LID mice, in which IGF-1 level in circulation was 25% of BALB/c mice. Induction of colorectal cancer was achieved by using the 1,1 Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) with hypodermic injection at transverse part. ②Eighty fresh samples of cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were obtained from LID mice (experimental group) and BALB/c mice (control group). The expression of IGF-1 was studied by immunohistochemical assay (SP method). Results ①Weight loss occurred in both experimental group and control group after injection. Compared with the body weight before injection on 18 weeks and 24 weeks in each group, there were significant differences after injection at the same phase in each group (P＜0.05). ②The results of IGF-1 expression in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues: IGF-1 got a diffuse distribution in cancer cell cytoplasm. The positive expressions of IGF-1 in the cancer tissues and their adjacent cancer tissues were 6/7, 2/7 and 13/16, 7/16 respectively in experimental group and control group. There were significant differences between the cancer tissues and adjacent tissues inside both groups (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences inside both of cancer tissues and adjacent tissues respectively between experimental group and control group (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion In the established colorectal cancer model by DMH, IGF-1 plays an important role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer.
Objective To investigate the effect of hepatocyte-l ike cells induced by CD34+ cells in vitro on the repair of the injured hepatic tissues of mice in vivo. Methods Mononuclear cells were isolated from umbil ical blood by density gradient centrifugation and enriched CD34+ cells were obtained. The cells were (1 × 105 cells/mL) cultured in serumfreemedium containing stem cell factor (SCF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), EGF, oncostatin M (OSM), bFGF (the concentration were 50, 20, 20, 10, 10 ng/mL respectively) in vitro for 10 days. Forty-eight 6-week-old female ICR mice werechosen to prepare l iver injury model by injecting carbon tetrachloride and 2-acetylamionoflu-orene. The mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=24 per group): the experimental group, the cultured cells were injected into the mice through the tail vein; the control group, the equivalent serum-free medium was injected. Six mice from each group were killed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after operation to receive HE staining, PCR gel electrophoresis, immunohistochemistry staining, and hepatic function detection. Results HE staining: the morphology of injured hepatic tissues in the control group recovered to normal 28 days after operation, while in the experimental group, it recovered to normal 14 days after operation. PCR gel electrophoresis and immunohistochemistry staining: the cells expressing human serum albumin were detected in the hepatic tissue of the experimental group at each time point after operation; while in the control group, no such cells were detected within 28 days after operation. Hepatic function detection: the activity of alanine aminitransperase in the control group recovered to normal 14 days after operation; the mean activity of aspartate aminotransferase of two groups failed to recover within 28 days. Conclusion The hepatocyte-l ike cells induced by CD34+ cells in vitro can promote the morphological and functional recovery of the injured hepatic tissue in mice. Moreover, it can be transformed into human-derived hepatic cells in l iver-injured mice.