Expression of Tumor-Associated Macrophage in Progression of Human Glioma

The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) M1, M2 phenotypic in human glioma tissues, and to explore the clinical significance and prognostic value of TAMs in glioma patients. A total of 50 glioma samples were obtained from patients diagnosed in our hospital from 2007 to 2010. Clinical follow-up was conducted via return visits and telephone interviews after discharge. Progression free survival (PFS) was calculated based on tumor progression by MRI and CT examination from the primary operation. Overall survival (OS) time was calculated from the initial surgical operation date to end date of follow-up or death. Kaplan–Meier methodology was used to evaluate the survival of patients and log-rank test for comparing differences between groups. The expression levels of CD16 and CD206 were investigated in the 4 μm serial paraffin sections by immunohistochemistry. M1-type macrophages filtrated in all the grades of glioma samples, and the lower expression level was associated with high grade glioma. A negative correlation was found between WHO pathological grades and the expression of M1-type macrophages by Spearman correlation analysis. M2-type macrophages filtrated in all the grades of glioma samples with the higher expression level associated with high grade glioma. A positive correlation was found between WHO pathological grades and the expression of M2-type macrophages by Spearman correlation analysis. The PFS and OS among patients with high levels of M1-type macrophages (CD16+++) were significantly higher than those with less expression. The PFS and OS among patients with high levels of M2-type macrophages (CD206+++) were significantly lower than those with low expression. M1-type macrophages may inhibit the tumor growth and improve the therapeutic outcome of glioma patients. M2 ratios are associated with tumor proliferation and poor prognosis. TAMs phenotypes of glioma samples are the potential biomarkers in assessing the degree of malignancy, tumor invasion, and patient prognosis in clinic.     

Simulation study of pO2 distribution in induced tumour masses and normal tissues within a microcirculation environment

The biological microenvironment is interrupted when tumour masses are introduced because of the strong competition for oxygen. During the period of avascular growth of tumours, capillaries that existed play a crucial role in supplying oxygen to both tumourous and healthy cells. Due to limitations of oxygen supply from capillaries, healthy cells have to compete for oxygen with tumourous cells. In this study, an improved Krogh's cylinder model which is more realistic than the previously reported assumption that oxygen is homogeneously distributed in a microenvironment, is proposed to describe the process of the oxygen diffusion from a capillary to its surrounding environment. The capillary wall permeability is also taken into account. The simulation study is conducted and the results show that when tumour masses are implanted at the upstream part of a capillary and followed by normal tissues, the whole normal tissues suffer from hypoxia. In contrast, when normal tissues are ahead of tumour masses, their pO₂ is sufficient. In both situations, the pO₂ in the whole normal tissues drops significantly due to the axial diffusion at the interface of normal tissues and tumourous cells. As the existence of the axial oxygen diffusion cannot supply the whole tumour masses, only these tumourous cells that are near the interface can be partially supplied, and have a small chance to survive.     

mTOR Signal Transduction Pathways Contribute to TN-C FNIII A1 Overexpression by Mechanical Stress in Osteosarcoma Cells

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor with a very poor prognosis. Treating osteosarcoma remains a challenge due to its high transitivity. Tenascin-C, with large molecular weight variants including different combinations of its alternative spliced FNIII repeats, is specifically over expressed in tumor tissues. This study examined the expression of Tenascin-C FNIIIA1 in osteosarcoma tissues, and estimated the effect of mechanical stimulation on A1 expression in MG-63 cells. Through immunohistochemical analysis, we found that the A1 protein was expressed at a higher level in osteosarcoma tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. By cell migration assay, we observed that there was a significant correlation between A1 expression and MG-63 cell migra-tion. The relation is that Tenascin-C FNIIIA1 can promote MG-63 cell migration. According to our further study into the effect of mechanical stimulation on A1 expression in MG-63 cells, the mRNA and protein levels of A1 were significantly up-regulated under mechanical stress with the mTOR molecule proving indispensable. Meanwhile, 4E-BP1 and S6K1 (downstream molecule of mTOR) are necessary for A1 normal expression in MG-63 cells whether or not mechanical stress has been encountered. We found that Tenascin-C FNIIIA1 is over-expressed in osteosar-coma tissues and can promote MG-63 cell migration. Furthermore, mechanical stress can facilitate MG-63 cell migration though facilitating A1 overexpression with the necessary molecules (mTOR, 4E-BP1 and S6K1). In con-clusion, high expression of A1 may promote the meta-stasis of osteosarcoma by facilitating MG-63 cell migration. Tenascin-C FNIIIA1 could be used as an indicator in metastatic osteosarcoma patients.     

Comparative Study of Different Latent Infections of Herpes Simplex Virus Type I in a Murine Model

This study aims to compare the different latent infections of herpes simplex virus type I in a murine model. One hundred and twenty BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into either of three groups: intravenous inoculation group, ocular abrasion group, and intranasal inoculation group. Six weeks later, the trigeminal ganglia (TG) were removed to detect the expression of HSV-I antigen. HSV DNA in TG was also detected by polymerase chain reaction to confirm latent infection. The rate of HSV DNA in TG detected in the intravenous inoculation group was 18/22 and 22/26 in the ocular abrasion group, both of which were higher than the rate detected in the intranasal inoculation group (18/30). The expression of HSV antigen in TG in these three groups was all negative. Mortality rate in the intravenous inoculation group was 8/30, which was much higher than those of the two other groups. Intranasal virus dripping, cornea abrasion, and intravenous injection can detect latent HSV-I infection in a murine model. Compared to two other groups, the cornea abrasion group showed less severe signs, a quicker recovery rate in acute infection, and higher incidence rate of latent infection. Therefore, it is an ideal method in the presence of latent HSV-I infection.     

DNA序列在悬钩子属植物分子系统学研究中的应用进展

悬钩子属植物种类繁多,类群复杂,而且多为多倍体和杂种。该文就近年来国内外有关DNA序列在悬钩子属植物分子系统学研究中的应用现状和进展进行了综述,并对中国悬钩子属植物系统发育研究进行了展望。研究认为:叶绿体DNA序列多应用非编码区,且多与ITS序列联合分析;核基因组中ITS序列应用最为广泛,主要用于研究悬钩子属空心莓组与木莓组的进化关系、栽培品种间亲缘关系及部分杂种和多倍体的起源等;在该属植物中发现了ITS个体内多态性,但未进行ITS假基因检测,其系统学应用价值需重新评价;低拷贝核基因只有GBSSI和LEAFY有相关应用。同时认为,悬钩子属植物系统学研究中应用的DNA序列及研究类群均较少,缺乏对整个悬钩子属全面而系统的研究。指出应进一步选择具有代表性的样本、筛选合适的DNA片段,并结合形态学、孢粉学和细胞学等手段对中国悬钩子属植物系统关系进行深入研究。