Volume 118  ·   Issue 07  ·  2005

Allergic asthma is currently considered a chronic airway inflammatory disorder associated with the presence of activated CD4+ Th2-type lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells. Interestingly, therapeutic strategies based on immune deviation and suppression have been shown to successfully attenuate the development of the asthma phenotype。

Abstract：Background Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells play an important role in the occurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a positive regulatory growth factor is produced by the RPE in an autocrine or paracrine manner, promoting CNV development. Duplexes of 21 nt RNAs, known as short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), efficiently inhibit gene expression by RNA interference when introduced into mammalian cells. We searched for an efficient siRNA to interfere with VEGF expression in RPE cells and shed light on the treatment of CNV.Methods Human primary RPE (hRPE) cells were cultured and identified. Three pairs of siRNAs were designed according to the sequence of VEGF 1-5 extrons and synthesized by T7 RNA polymerase transcription in vitro. To evaluate the inhibitory activity of T7-siRNAs, hRPE cells were transfected via siPORT Amine. The interfering effect of T7-siRNAs in hRPE cells was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. Results Three pairs of T7-siRNAs synthesized by in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase suppressed VEGF gene expression with efficiency from 65% to 90%. T7-siRNA (B), targeted region at 207 nt to 228 nt and double stranded for 21 nt with 2 nt UU 3' overhangs, was the most effective sequence tested for inhibition of VEGF expression in hRPE cells. Compared with nontransfected cells, the mean fluorescence in hRPE cells transfected with T7-sRNAs was significantly less (P<0.01). siRNA with a single-base mismatch and ssRNA(+) did not show suppressing effect. Furthermore, it was found that siRNAs had a dose dependent inhibitory effect (5 to 10 pmol).Conclusion T7-siRNA can effectively and specifically suppress VEGF expression in hRPE cells and may be a new way to treat CNV。

Abstract：Background Nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine, was believed to inhibit myopic progression. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy, through topical administration, of the M1-selective muscarinic antagonist pirenzepine in preventing experimentally induced form-deprivation myopia in guinea pigs.Methods Fifty-three guinea pigs, which underwent monocular deprivation with their eyelids sutured, were divided into 6 groups. Three groups were treated with 1%, 2% or 4% pirenzepine ophthalmic solutions; the fourth group with atropine; the fifth with saline and the last group left untreated. Ocular refraction, in vivo biometric measurements and wet eye weight were collected before and after the experiment. All the eyes were finally enucleated for histopathological examination to evaluate the possible toxic effects on ocular structures.Results Animals untreated or treated with saline produced (-2.31±1.47) D and (-2.25±0.88) D of axial myopia respectively. Those treated with 1% pirenzepine ophthalmic solution produced relative myopia of (-1.63±0.48) D, and those under the treatment of 2% and 4% pirenzepine ophthalmic solution only developed a relative myopia of (-0.89±0.42) D and (-0.70±0.41) D (F=9.56, P<0.05). The significant reduction in myopia in 2% and 4% pirenzepine treated animals was caused by significantly less vitreous chamber elongation and axial elongation of the deprived eyes [2% group: (0.009±0.052) mm, 4% group: (0.006±0.078) mm] when compared with untreated, saline treated or 1% pirenzepine treated guinea pigs [(0.057±0.056) mm, (0.064±0.053) mm and (0.033±0.035) mm, respectively]. Histological examinations revealed no obviously toxic effects on the eyes treated with pirenzepine.Conclusion Topical administration of the M1-selective muscarinic antagonist, pirenzepine, can prevent induced form-deprivation myopia in guinea pigs by inhibiting axial elongation without obvious damage to ocular tissues。

Abstract：Background Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a renal disease characterized by thrombus-like lipoproteins in the glomerular capillaries and its abnormal lipoprotein profiles with marked elevation of apolipoprotein E (apoE). In this study, 15 Chinese patients with LPG were involed in exploring the association of the genetic variation and its plasma level in the pathogenesis of LPG.Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological features was made in 15 patients with LPG. Plasma concentrations of apoE were measured with radial immunodiffusion assay. Genetic variations of apoE gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Glomerular deposition of apoA, apoB and apoE in these patients were detected by immunofluorescence staining using monoclonal antibodies. Results Biochemical profiles of lipids and lipoproteins revealed markedly elevated levels of triglyceride, apoB and apoE, but approximately normal levels of total cholesterol, apoA1 and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], which resembled familial hypertriglyceridemia. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the genotype distribution of apoE were 7 cases with ε3/ε 4, 4 cases with ε3/ε 3 and 2 cases with ε2/ε 3. The other 2 cases (a mother and her son) showed a same distinct band. The band pattern of later 2 cases was quite similar to the apoE variant of Tokyo type. The calculated allele frequency of ε 4 was relatively high in cases with LPG in comparison with that in the normal controls. We further divided the 13 patients into three groups according to their genotypes of apoE. Patients with the genotype of apoE ε2/ε3 showed a lower level of plasma apoE as compared to those with apoE ε3/ε4 (P<0.05). The serum level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was the lowest in patients with the genotype of apoE ε3/ε4. No difference was found among the patients with different apoE genotype in the other clinical and pathological characteristics. Conclusions The genotype of apoE ε3/ε4 is the predominant one in Chinese patients with LPG. Patients with this genotype tend to have a higher plasma level of apoE and more severe lipid dysmetabolism. No correlation was found between the genotype of apoE and the clinical features in patients with LPG.

Abstract：Background The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family is involved in the suppression of apoptotic cell death as well as an increasing number of seemingly unrelated cellular functions. It is not known, however, whether IAP expression in malignant hematopoietic cells is affected by chemotherapeutic agents such as homoharringtonine (HHT). In this study, we investigated mRNA expression levels of IAPs, especially survivin, in various hematopoietic cell lines in relation with apoptosis induced by HHT. Methods Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to determine survivin mRNA levels. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Cell viability and proliferation assay was evaluated by MTT. The experiments were performed on the malignant hematopoietic cell lines MUTZ-1, K562, Jurkat, RMPI and HL60, with or without survivin antisense-oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) and HHT.Results The expression levels of survivin mRNA were variable in the cell lines and negatively correlated to HHT induced cell apoptosis. Survivin AS-ODN significantly decreased mRNA level of survivin, but not those of bax and bcl-2. Survivin also inhibited MUTZ-1 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. AS-ODN and HHT showed synergistic effect on MUTZ-1 cell growth.Conclusion The apoptotic effect of HHT on the hematopoietic cell lines is associated with decreased level of survivin expression. Survivin could be a new marker for drug sensitivity and a new target for cancer treatment。

Abstract：Background Genetic factors are believed to play a role in the individual susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has been reported but inconsistent results may arise from different populations and phenotypes of COPD. There are only a few published studies of interleukin-13 (IL-13) SNPs on COPD. The SNPs of TNF-α and IL-13 have not been studied in the Chinese population. This research was conducted to study the frequencies of IL-13 gene promoter 1055 (IL-13-1055) and TNF-α gene-308 polymorphisms in the patients with COPD and to investigate the effect of those genetic polymorphisms on COPD in the Chinese population.Methods A cohort of COPD patients and age matched controls were recruited from an inpatient hospital service in Beijing. Venous blood was obtained and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood monocytes using standard method. Genomic DNA was used as a template for amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the polymorphism at -1055 in the IL-13 gene promoter region. PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to determine polymorphisms in the TNF-α gene-308 position. The products were investigated by sequence analysis also. Results One hundred and eleven COPD patients and 97 controls were studied. Seventy-five cases were current smokers in COPD patients and 36 were current smokers in controls. The frequencies of TT genotype in the IL-13 gene promoter region were 11.7% (13/111) in the COPD group and 13.4% (13/97) in the controls (P=0.713). However, the OR value of TT genotype was significantly increased to 6.4 (95% CI 1.62-25.39) in the smokers with COPD. TT genotype was also positively related to family history of COPD, OR=7.7 (95% CI 1.37-43.80). The frequencies of A allele in the TNF-α gene were 5.9% in COPD and 3.1% in controls (P=0.131). The OR value of A allele was 5.0 (95% CI 1.011 to 25.059) in smokers with COPD. Conclusions There is no significant difference in the frequencies of the TT genotype of IL-13-1055 or the A allele of the TNF-α between Han Chinese patients with COPD versus control. Thus, it does not appear that these SNPs are independent factors in COPD for Han nationality in Beijing. However, these SNPs may increase the risk of COPD among smokers.

Abstract：Background DNA immunization is a promising novel type of immunotherapy against allergy. An estimated 79.2% patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis suffer from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus group 2 (Der p 2) allegen. The aim of the present study was to determine whether DNA vaccine encoding Der p 2 could generate immunologic protection in recombinant Der p 2 (rDer p 2) allergen-induced allergic airway inflammation mice model and to understand the role of DNA vaccination in specific-allergen immunotherapy for asthma. Methods After DNA vaccination, BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection (i.p) and challenged by intranasal instillation of rDer p 2. The lung tissues were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin. Mucus-producing goblet cells were identifed using periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)/alcian blue. The total cell number and composition of bronchoalveolar lavage samples were determined. The levels of the cytokines IL-4 and IFN-γ, as well as IgE and IgG2a in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Allergen-specific IL-4 and IFN-γ production by spleen cells were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) in splenocytes were determined by Western blot. Results DNA vaccine encoding Der p 2 allergen inhibited extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells and production of mucin induced by allergen. The influx of eosinophils into the lung interstitium was significantly reduced after administration of DNA vaccine. Significant reductions of IL-4 and increase in levels of IFN-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were observed. The allergen-specific IgE was markedly decreased in mice receiving DNA vaccination. Allergen could induce higher IFN-γ, weaker IL-4 in cultured spleen cells from mice receiving DNA vaccine. DNA vaccination inhibited STAT6 expression of spleen cells induced by allergen. Conclusion These results indicated that DNA vaccine encoding Der p 2 allergen generates immunologic protection in recombinant Der p 2 allergen-induced allergic airway inflammation mice model with regulating the immune response towards a Th1-type reaction。

Our knowledge of the physiology of ion channels has increased tremendously during the past 20 years because of the advances of the single-channel recording and molecular cloning techniques. More than 50 different identified potassium channels have already been found。

Abstract：Objective The purpose of this article is to review the developments of studies of Coltivirus in ChinaData sources The data used in this review was obtained mainly from the studies of Coltivirus reported from 1990 to 2003 in China.Study selection Relevant articles on studies of Coltivirus in domestic and foreign literature were selected.Data extraction Data were maily extracted from the articles which are listed in the reference section of this review.Results Many Coltiviruses have been isolated not only from blood samples of patients with unknown fever or from cerebrospinal fluid of patients with encephalitis in Xishuangbanna area in Yunnan province, but also from mosquitoes collected in many areas in China. In some patients diagnosed as Japanese encephalitis or unknown fever, an increase of Coltivirus IgG antibody of fourfold, or more, has been detected using ELISA. Similarly, Coltivirus IgM antibody was positive in some patients with Japanese encephalitis or viral encephalitis. From most Chinese patients, except the northeastern, the isolates of Coltiviruses belong to subgroup B2, according to RT-PCR amplification of the ninth and twelfth segments of the isolates and sequence analysis of their amplicons. Some biological properties of Chinese Coltiviruses isolates are different from that of North American Coltiviruses.Conclusions The isolates of Coltiviruses from Chinese patients are one of the common agents causing viral encephalitis and unknown fever in summer-autumn season. It might be an important public health problem due to its high isolation rate and wide distribution in China. Mosquito is the main transmission vector of the virus。

Antiretroviral therapy is a key determinant in the treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Initial treatment for patients with HIV infection generally includes two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and a protease inhibitor (PI) or a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). The combination antiretroviral therapy (refers to highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART) showed a significant effect upon reducing morbidity and mortality of HIV disease. Cao and colleagues1 began the clinical application of HAART in 1999 and completed the first clinical trial in China using a combination of two NRTIs and one PI. The result in using combivir (AZT+3TC) and indinavir (2 NRTIs+1 PI) are consistent with those reported in the literature.2 In this study, we report the first virological and immunological outcomes in HIV infected Chinese patients treated with a combination of didanosine, stavudine and nevirapine (2 NRTIs+1 NNRTI) for 52 weeks.

Cardiomyopeptidin (CMP), a small molecular polypeptide, is a new drug extracted from pig myocardium. Recently, evidence of its protective effect on myocardium injured by ischemia or anoxia has appeared.1,2 Neurons are also vulnerable to ischemia/anoxia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotection of CMP in an anoxic model, which was the cultured hippocampal neurons in vitro, and to determine the relationship between CMP and expression of Bcl-2。

Some basic experiments in vivo have confirmed that propofol is capable of providing neuroprotection.1,2 Using cultured neurons, interference produced by multiple factors under in vivo situations could be eliminated, and the direct effects of propofol on neurons under anoxia/reoxygenation conditions could be observed. Evenso, there are not many in vitro experiments about propofol's neuroprotection and only two are about anoxia of hippocampal slices and cultured hippocampal neurons.3,4 However, the concentrations of propofol used in those studies (20 μg/ml, 50 μmol/L and 500 μmol/L) significantly exceeded the concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid under the clinically relevant concentrations in blood.

Recent studies suggest that treatment with angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers and lipid lowering agents, namely the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins may have beneficial effects on renal function independent of lowering actions on blood pressure and cholesterol。

Dendritic cells (DCs), as the most potent antigen presenting cells in vivo, are central to generating specific immune responses and can be used as important vectors in antitumour immunity。

Airway remodeling with inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial shedding, basement membrane thickening and increased mass of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is an important determinant of bronchial obstruction and hyperresponsiveness in asthma.1,2 Increased ASM mass is by far the most important abnormality responsible for excessive airway narrowing and compliance of the airway wall in asthma.1-3 ASM growth and proliferation in asthma is a complex phenomenon of which the underlying mechanisms are difficult to investigate in vivo. The increased amount of ASM in asthmatics is an indication of abnormal cell proliferation and growth, but little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms and factors that regulate ASM cell proliferation and growth in asthma。

It has been found that the potassium channel dysfunction of the membrane of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is closely associated with proliferation of ASMCs.1 Preliminary research has demonstrated that pinacidil, an ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP) opener, could play a remarkable role in the prevention and treatment of antigen induced bronchial asthma in guinea pigs.2 This study was designed to investigate further the role and molecular mechanism of the proliferation of ASMCs: a chief pathological change of the nonacute phase of bronchial asthmatic episodes.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is considered as a more complete means of revascularization than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can still occur after CABG. The culprit vessel can be the graft vessel or the native vessel. Many questions remain unanswered in the Chinese literature regarding this topic: what are the short- and long-term pathological changes that induce ACS? Is there any difference between arterial and venous grafts with respect to the frequency of restenosis? Are there any patterns of ACS-related vessels in different periods after CABG? We aim to answer these fundamental questions by analyzing coronary angiographies of patients with recurrent ACS following CABG and provide evidence for reducing post-CABG restenosis.

Transcatheter occlusion of ventricular septal defect (VSD) was first reported in 1987.1 Because of short recovery time and little distress, the method has been widely accepted. The most common approach of the procedure is via femoral vein. However, when the inferior vein cava is interrupted or obstructed, it is unfeasible to carry out the procedure via femoral vein. So an alternative approach such as internal jugular vein or subclavian vein needs to be considered. …… References： ［1］Lock JE, Block PC, McKay RG, et al. Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects. Circulation 1988;78:361-368。