双转基因小鼠模型中microRNA-153对RTN4的表达调控

目的探讨mir-153在阿尔茨海默病发病机制中的作用。方法通过microRNA芯片及Real-timePCR检测APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠脑内mir-153的表达;构建高表达mir-153的稳转细胞系,通过western-blot检测稳转细胞系内RTN4的蛋白表达;构建野生型及突变型RTN4的3’UTR荧光素酶报告载体,分别将其与mir-153表达载体或microRNA阴性对照载体共转染入293T细胞内,检测海肾荧光素酶的相对活性以验证mir-153对RTN4 mRNA的作用靶点。结果 microRNA芯片及Real-time PCR检测均证实3月龄APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠脑内mir-153的表达较同龄野生对照显著降低;在高表达mir-153的稳转细胞系内RTN4的蛋白水平明显降低;共转染野生型RTN4的3’UTR/mir-153表达载体可使海肾荧光素酶相对活性较共转染野生型RTN4的3’UTR/miRNA阴性对照质粒组显著降低（P〈0.05）,而共转染突变型RTN4的3’UTR/mir-153表达载体组则较之无明显差异。结论在3月龄APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠脑内存在mir-153的异常表达;mir-153可调控RTN4的蛋白表达;mir-153对RTN4的表达调控是通过结合RTN4 3’UTR 839-845碱基处的作用位点而实现的。     

不同接种量荧光素酶标记小鼠乳腺癌细胞4T1在小鼠体内生长及肺转移的比较

目的 采用活体成像技术比较四种剂量荧光素酶标记肿瘤细胞在小鼠体内生长及肺转移情况,为光学标记肿瘤模型的药物筛选或机制研究提供参考资料.方法 以荧光素酶作为报告基因导人小鼠乳腺癌细胞4T1中,经G418筛选获得稳定表达荧光素酶的细胞克隆并扩大培养.标记细胞稀释成1×107细胞/mL,2×107细胞/mL,5×107细胞/mL和1×108细胞/mL四种剂量,取0.1 mL接种子BALB/c小鼠右侧第二对乳腺脂肪垫内,制作小鼠原位乳腺癌模型,比较肿瘤细胞在小鼠体内生长及肺转移情况.结果获得稳定表达荧光素酶基因的细胞克隆,在致瘤性方面和亲代细胞无明显差别,四种剂量细胞接种BALB/c小鼠后,均有肿瘤生长,接种第28天时,四种剂量接种的原位移植瘤大小没有明显差别,但接种两个高剂量肿瘤细胞的小鼠组各有2只小鼠死亡;接种后31 d,发现四种剂量接种的原位移植瘤均发生不同程度的转移,随着观察天数的增加,转移程度逐渐严重,接种后42 d,小鼠陆续发生死亡.结论 根据转移和死亡情况,确定接种1×106个细胞/只不仅肺转移明显,而且存活时间一般超过45 d,比高剂量接种存活时间长,为最佳肺转移剂量.     

miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖及迁移能力的影响

目的：通过敲低微小RNA （microRNA,miRNA）-449a的方法研究miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的增殖和迁移能力的影响。方法：采用miRNA芯片在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和人正常乳腺细胞MCF-10A筛选具有表达差异的miRNA;化学合成法制备miR-449a的抑制剂（inhibitor）,转染后经real-time PCR验证表达的变化;细胞增殖CCK-8实验对转染后细胞增殖能力进行检测;划痕实验检测细胞转移能力,transwell小室实验检测细胞侵袭的改变;蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）实验对MCF-7细胞增殖和迁移相关的β-catenin和E-cadherin蛋白进行检测;通过生物信息学软件预测miR-449a潜在靶基因为Notch 1,荧光素酶实验检测Notch 1是miR-449a的靶基因。结果：分别收集MCF-7和MCF-10A细胞,芯片结果显示miR-449a在MCF-7细胞的表达水平显著高于MCF-10A;本研究将细胞分为未处理组（Mock组）,阴性对照组（negative control组,NC组）和处理组,通过收集不同组MCF-7细胞进行试验,CCK-8结果显示miR-449a下调后MCF-7细胞增殖能力显著降低;划痕实验结果显示miR-449a表达降低导致MCF-7细胞转移能力降低;transwell实验结果显示MCF-7细胞侵袭受到抑制;Western blot结果发现miR-449a敲低后β-catenin表达降低,E-cadherin表达增加;荧光素酶试验结果显示,miR-449a能够显著降低Notch 1-3'-UTR质粒的荧光素活性（P<0.01）。结论：在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中敲低miR-449a能够显著抑制癌细胞增殖和迁移,而这一变化可能通过降低Notch 1蛋白表达实现的。     

Mir-106b对阿尔茨海默病昼夜节律调控的初步研究

目的探讨mir-106b在阿尔茨海默病发病中的作用。方法取6月龄APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠脑组织,进行microRNA芯片的检测;利用real-time PCR对芯片检测结果进行验证;构建mir-106b表达载体,将其转染至SH-SY5Y细胞中构建mir-106b稳定转染的稳转细胞系。用Targetsan、Pictar、miRanda等靶基因预测软件,对mir-106b的靶基因进行预测,根据靶基因的功能选择可能与AD发病相关的靶基因,并用Western blot对所选择的靶基因在稳转细胞中的表达进行验证。用双荧光素酶报告检测系统检测mir-106b与其靶基因的结合位点。结果芯片结果显示,与野生型小鼠相比,6月龄APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠脑组织中mir-106b的表达下降,经real-time PCR验证,mir-106b的表达在APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠脑组织中的表达较野生型小鼠升高,差别具有统计学意义（P=0.03）。mir-106b稳转细胞系较对照mir-106b的表达升高2～5倍。神经PAS结构域蛋白2（neuronal PAS domain protein2,NPAS2）在mir-106b稳转细胞中的表达明显下降。双荧光素酶报告实验证实：与对照相比,带有NPAS2的3＇UTR的荧光素酶报告载体与mir-106b表达载体共转染,海肾荧光素酶/萤火虫荧光素酶的相对活性降低;荧光素酶报告载体的NPAS2-3＇UTR突变后与mir-106b表达载体共转染,海肾荧光素酶/萤火虫荧光素酶的相对活性升高。结论mir-106b可能通过调节机体生物钟基因NPAS2的表达,影响阿尔茨海默病人的生活节律,参与阿尔茨海默病的发生。     

MicroRNA-153对靶基因下游信号分子GSK-3β表达水平及细胞抗损伤能力的影响

目的 mir-153可负调控阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer’s disease,AD）主要致病基因APP及APLP2的蛋白表达,降低其胞内降解片段（intracellular domains,ICDs）的生成。因ICDs具有转录活化及促凋亡活性,本研究旨在探讨mir-153对这两个靶基因下游信号分子GSK-3β表达水平及细胞抗损伤能力的影响,以期进一步阐明mir-153在阿尔茨海默病发病机制中的作用。方法构建mir-153稳转细胞系及mir-153转基因小鼠,Western blot检测该细胞系及小鼠脑内磷酸化GSK-3β、Tau及其总蛋白的表达;Aβ42肽和H2O2分别处理mir-153稳转细胞系,MTS法检测细胞增殖活性的改变,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡水平的改变。结果 mir-153稳转细胞系中磷酸化GSK-3β及其总蛋白的表达下调,Tau磷酸化水平降低。mir-153转基因小鼠脑内,磷酸化GSK-3β及其总蛋白的表达降低,磷酸化Tau及其总蛋白水平均无明显变化。Aβ42肽和H2O2损伤作用下,mir-153稳转细胞系的增殖活性显著降低,凋亡水平增加。结论 mir-153可负调控靶基因下游信号分子GSK-3β的表达;高表达mir-153可降低细胞抗损伤的能力。     

miR-449a在乳腺癌组织中的表达及生物信息学分析

探讨miR-449a在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其在乳腺癌发生发展过程中的作用。利用实时荧光定量PCR检测83例乳腺癌和癌旁组织中miR-449a的相对表达量,发现miR-449a在乳腺癌组织中的表达水平高于癌旁组织,并与肿瘤组织学级别、大小、雌激素受体状态和孕激素受体状态有关(P＜0.05)。miR-449a在三阴性乳腺癌中的表达水平显著低于管腔型。使用Kaplan-Meier Plotter数据库进行生存分析,结果显示在三阴性乳腺癌中miR-449a低表达组总生存率显著低于高表达组,而在管腔B型乳腺癌中miR-449a高表达组总生存率显著降低(P＜0.05)。利用ENCORI数据库预测得到靶基因186个,通过metascape数据库进行富集分析,发现其功能涉及间充质细胞分化、细胞迁移、内分泌抵抗、粘附连接、肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节以及NOTCH、TGF-β、Wnt、PI3K-Akt等介导的信号通路。通过string数据库进行蛋白互作网络分析,并使用Cytoscape软件筛选出由NOTCH1、JAG1和cyclin D1等蛋白构成的关键子网络。应用ENCORI数据库分析miR-449a与NOTCH途径靶基因的相关性,发现miR-449a与NOTCH1在乳腺癌组织中的表达呈负相关。本研究结果表明miR-449a在乳腺癌组织中的表达具有明显的异质性,可通过影响多种信号通路参与肿瘤发展过程,调控NOTCH信号通路可能是其在乳腺癌中的重要机制。     

重组FN多肽CH50抑制黑色素瘤B16细胞体内转移的研究

目的研究重组纤黏连蛋白（FN）多肽CH50对小鼠黑色素瘤B16细胞体内转移的影响,以探讨CH50多肽抑制肿瘤转移的可能分子机制。方法体外培养黑色素瘤B16细胞,用荧光染料CFSE标记,接种脾脏后24h取脾、肝、肺做冰冻切片,观察肿瘤细胞在3种组织中的侵袭情况。从脾脏接种B16细胞,建立体内肿瘤转移动物模型,采用基于流体动力学的体内基因转染方法于小鼠体内表达CH50多肽,RT-PCR检测CH50mRNA在肝组织的表达,Western印迹检测CH50多肽的表达。通过比较原位肿瘤结节及转移结节在数量、大小、分布上的差异及检测原位肿瘤组织中MMP-2、MMP-9表达差异,观察CH50多肽的治疗效果。结果注射24h后即可在脾脏形成荧光结节。pCH510质粒通过尾静脉注射后,可在肝组织中检测到CH50mRNA及CH50多肽的表达。从脾脏接种B16细胞后第14天可在脾脏形成原发肿瘤,至第35天肝脏表面已形成转移瘤结节,成功建立了体内器官问（脾转肝）肿瘤转移动物模型。体内转染表达CH50多肽能抑制肿瘤生长、侵袭和转移,抑制原位肿瘤结节中MMP-2、MMP-9的表达。结论CH50多肽可以通过对MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达的抑制作用来抑制黑色素瘤B16细胞的成瘤能力和体内侵袭、转移能力。     

在子宫内膜癌ECC-1中他莫西芬通过mir-585调节PAX2蛋白表达

目的研究在子宫内膜癌ECC-1细胞中他莫西芬（tamoxifen,TAM）对PAX2（pairedbox2）蛋白表达的调节作用,寻找在这-过程中起调节作用的microRNA。方法用他莫西芬刺激ECC-1细胞,Western印迹检测PAX2蛋白表达的变化。利用MicrocosmTargets（miRBaseSequencedatabase）预测了PAX2相关的microRNA。用实时定量的方法检测他莫西芬刺激后ECC-1中PAX2相关microRNA表达的变化,找出差异变化明显的microRNA,合成这些microRNA的mimics,转染人ECC-1细胞中,用Western印迹检测其对PAX2蛋白表达的影响。结果他莫西芬刺激ECC-1细胞系后,Western印迹显示PAX2蛋白表达水平较对照组中等程度上调。实时定量PCR结果显示他莫西芬刺激ECC-1细胞后mir-135b＊,mir-604,mir-585,mir-181c＊表达较对照组明显下调。合成mir-135b＊,mir-604,mir-585,mir-181c＊的mimics并转染人ECC-1细胞后,Western印迹结果显示转入mir-585mimics的ECC-1细胞中PAX2蛋白表达较对照组下调。结论他莫西芬刺激可以引起ECC—1细胞中PAX2蛋白表达水平中等程度上调,通过抑制mir-585的表达减少其对PAX2mRNA翻译的抑制可能是这-调节作用中的部分机制。     

阿尔茨海默病中mir-34a作用机制的探讨

目的探讨mir-34a在阿尔茨海默病发病机制中的作用。方法取3月龄和6月龄APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠脑组织,进行microRNA芯片的检测;利用real-time RT-PCR对芯片结果进行验证;采用western blot的方法检测APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠和对照小鼠脑组织中bcl2蛋白的表达情况;通过构建mir-34a稳定转染细胞系和mir-34aknockdown研究mir-34a与bcl2之间的关系;通过构建bcl23’UTR-荧光素酶报告载体,验证bcl23’UTR序列中包含mir-34a的结合位点。结果mir-34a在模型小鼠中表达水平明显升高,并且其表达水平与bcl2蛋白水平呈负相关;通过体外实验,我们发现mir-34a过表达可以明显降低bcl2蛋白水平,反之,当我们抑制mir-34a的表达以后则可以增加bcl2蛋白水平;荧光素酶报告载体实验表明bcl23’UTR序列中包含mir-34a的结合位点。结论bcl2可能是mir-34a重要的功能靶点,mir-34a的过表达可能通过下调bcl2的蛋白水平,从而参与AD的发生。     

阿尔茨海默病中mir-222作用机制的初步研究

目的探讨mir-222在阿尔茨海默病发病机制中的作用。方法取6月龄APPswe／PSAE9小鼠脑组织,进行microRNA芯片的检测;利用real—timePCR对芯片检测结果进行验证;构建mir-222表达载体,将其转染至SH-SY5Y细胞中,转染后48小时提取蛋白检测p27kipl的表达情况。结果芯片结果显示,与野生型C57BL／6J小鼠相比,6月龄APPswe／PSAE9小鼠脑组织中mir-222表达明显下降,经real-timePCR验证,差别具有统计学意义（P=O．012）;将mir-222表达载体转染至SH—SY5Y细胞后,p27kipl表达减少。结论mir-222可能通过调节细胞周期抑制因子p27kipl的表达参与阿尔茨海默病的发生。     

Schisandrin B attenuates cancer invasion and metastasis via inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background

Metastasis is the major cause of cancer related death and targeting the process of metastasis has been proposed as a strategy to combat cancer. Therefore, to develop candidate drugs that target the process of metastasis is very important. In the preliminary studies, we found that schisandrin B (Sch B), a naturally-occurring dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan with very low toxicity, could suppress cancer metastasis.

Methodology

BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously or injected via tail vein with murine breast cancer 4T1 cells. Mice were divided into Sch B-treated and control groups. The primary tumor growth, local invasion, lung and bone metastasis, and survival time were monitored. Tumor biopsies were examined immuno- and histo-pathologically. The inhibitory activity of Sch B on TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of 4T1 and primary human breast cancer cells was assayed.

Principal Findings

Sch B significantly suppressed the spontaneous lung and bone metastasis of 4T1 cells inoculated s.c. without significant effect on primary tumor growth and significantly extended the survival time of these mice. Sch B did not inhibit lung metastasis of 4T1 cells that were injected via tail vein. Delayed start of treatment with Sch B in mice with pre-existing tumors did not reduce lung metastasis. These results suggested that Sch B acted at the step of local invasion. Histopathological evidences demonstrated that the primary tumors in Sch B group were significantly less locally invasive than control tumors. In vitro assays demonstrated that Sch B could inhibit TGF-β induced EMT of 4T1 cells and of primary human breast cancer cells.

Conclusions

Sch B significantly suppresses the lung and bone metastasis of 4T1 cells via inhibiting EMT, suggesting its potential application in targeting the process of cancer metastasis.     

肺癌转移瘤动物模型的建立

目的通过尾静脉注射,建立一种符合临床特征的肺腺癌转移瘤动物模型,为下一步的肺腺癌转移机制的研究提供可靠的实验造模方法。方法取对数生长期的A549细胞,11只SPF级、4~6周龄BALB/c裸鼠,分别以1×106个细胞/只注射入裸鼠尾静脉。接种后每天观察小鼠状态。分别于接种肿瘤细胞后第4、5、6、7周随机处死2只,余3只小鼠处于濒死状态时处死。解剖小鼠,观察肺部有无转移、转移结节的数目及全身其他器官的转移情况,并做病理取材,HE染色观察。结果注射过程中小鼠均存活。未处死的3只分别于第11、13、14周出现恶液质。第4周肺部未见转移结节;第5周出现镜下肺部转移结节;第6周肉眼可见肺部转移结节;第7周转移结节数增多;第11周出现纵隔淋巴结转移。第11、13、14周出现肺部结构大量破坏,弥漫性的肿瘤细胞浸润,出现淋巴结浸润,病理证实为腺癌。结论通过尾静脉注射A549细胞可以成功建立人肺腺癌转移瘤模型。     

三株荧光素酶标记的小鼠乳腺癌细胞在小鼠体内生长及转移的比较

目的采用活体成像技术比较三株荧光素酶标记的小鼠乳腺癌细胞在小鼠体内生长及转移情况,为研究肿瘤转移提供理想的动物模型以及活体分析方法。方法以荧光素酶（luciferase,Luc）作为报告基因导入小鼠乳腺癌细胞4T1、66c14和4TO7中,经G418筛选获得稳定表达荧光素酶的细胞克隆并扩大培养。标记细胞稀释成1×107cells/mL,取0.1 mL进行乳腺原位及尾静脉接种BALB/c小鼠,制作小鼠乳腺原位和尾静脉移植瘤模型,比较三株细胞在小鼠体内生长及转移情况。结果获得稳定表达荧光素酶基因的细胞克隆,将Luc标记的4T1、66c14、4TO7细胞对BALB/c小鼠乳腺原位接种后7 d,均有肿瘤生长,接种后28 d,4T1细胞乳腺原位移植瘤最大,66c14细胞瘤体次之,4TO7细胞瘤体最小;接种后35 d,三株细胞乳腺原位移植瘤大小较一致,但4T1和66c14原位移植瘤均发生转移,其中4T1细胞较66c14细胞转移严重,而4TO7细胞未见转移;接种后42 d,三株细胞乳腺原位移植瘤大小无明显差别,而4T1和66c14细胞随天数的增加,移植瘤转移程度逐渐严重,4T1较66c14细胞转移更严重,呈广泛性转移,4TO7细胞仍未见转移。将Luc标记的4T1、66c14、4TO7细胞对BALB/c小鼠尾静脉接种后7 d,小动物活体成像发现小鼠肺部均能检测到荧光,其中4T1细胞接种的小鼠肺部荧光信号最强,且小鼠陆续死亡;4TO7细胞接种小鼠肺部荧光信号次之;66c14细胞接种小鼠肺部荧光信号最弱。尾静脉接种后14 d,4TO7和66c14细胞随着观察天数的增加,转移程度逐渐严重,4TO7细胞接种小鼠肺部荧光信号较66c14细胞强且小鼠陆续死亡。结论乳腺原位自发转移模型较尾静脉转移模型更真实反应了肿瘤细胞在体的转移特性,且能完整地呈现肿瘤转移的全过程,可作为研究肿瘤转移的最理想模型。     

Suppression of type 1 Insulin-like growth factor receptor expression by small interfering RNA inhibits A549 human lung cancer cell invasion in vitro and metastasis in xenograft nude mice

Cancer invasion and metastasis, involving a variety of pathological processes andcytophysiological changes,contribute to the high mortality of lung cancer.The type 1 insulin-like growthfactor receptor (IGF-1R),associated with cancer progression and invasion,is a potential anti-invasion andanti-metastasis target in lung cancer.To inhibit the invasive properties of lung cancer cells,we successfullydown-regulated IGF-1R gene expression in A549 human lung cancer cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA)technology,and evaluated its effects on invasion-related gene expression,tumor cell in vitro invasion,andmetastasis in xenograft nude mice.A549 cells transfected with a plasmid expressing hairpin siRNA forIGF-1R showed a significantly decreased IGF-1R expression at the mRNA level as well as the proteinlevel.In biological assays,transfected A549 cells showed a significant reduction of cell-matrix adhesion,migration and invasion.Consistent with these results,we found that down-regulation of IGR-1Rconcomitantly accompanied by a large reduction in invasion-related gene expressions,including MMP-2,MMP-9,u-PA,and IGF-1R specific downstream p-Akt.Direct tail vein injections of plasmid expressinghairpin siRNA for IGF- 1R significantly inhibited the formation of lung metastases in nude mice.Our resultsshowed the therapeutic potential of siRNA as a method for gene therapy in inhibiting lung cancer invasionand metastasis.     

Tumor-targeting amino acid auxotrophic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella typhimurium</Emphasis>

We have developed an effective bacterial cancer therapy strategy by targeting viable tumor tissue using Salmonella typhimurium auxotrophs that we have generated which grow in viable as well as necrotic areas of tumors. However, the auxotrophy severely restricts growth of these bacteria in normal tissue. The S. typhimurium A1-R mutant, which is auxotrophic for leu-arg and has high anti-tumor virulence, was developed in our laboratory. In vitro, A1-R infects tumor cells and causes nuclear destruction. A1-R was initially used to treat metastatic human prostate and breast tumors that had been orthotopically implanted in nude mice. Forty percent of treated mice were cured completely and survived as long as non-tumor-bearing mice. A1-R administered i.v. to nude mice with primary osteosarcoma and lung metastasis was highly effective, especially against metastasis. A1-R was also targeted to both axillary lymph and popliteal lymph node metastasis of human pancreatic cancer and fibrosarcoma, respectively, as well as lung metastasis of the fibrosarcoma in nude mice. The bacteria were delivered via a lymphatic channel to target the lymph node metastases and systemically via the tail vein to target the lung metastasis. The metastases were cured without the need of chemotherapy or any other treatment. A1-R was administered intratumorally to nude mice with an orthotopically transplanted human pancreatic tumor. The primary pancreatic cancer regressed without additional chemotherapy or any other treatment. A1-R was also effective against pancreatic cancer liver metastasis when administered intrasplenically to nude mice. The approach described here, where bacterial monotherapy effectively treats primary and metastatic tumors, is a significant improvement over previous bacterial tumor-therapy strategies that require combination with toxic chemotherapy. Three promoter clones engineered in S. enterica typhimurium were identified to have enhanced expression in bacteria growing in tumors relative to those growing in the spleen. The expression of therapeutics in Salmonella under the regulation of one or more promoters that are activated preferentially in tumors has the potential to improve the efficacy of Salmonella tumor therapy. Exploitation of the tumor-killing capability of Salmonella has great promise for a new paradigm of cancer therapy.     

Cancer metastasis directly eradicated by targeted therapy with a modified Salmonella typhimurium

Cancer metastasis is the life‐threatening aspect of cancer and is usually resistant to standard treatment. We report here a targeted therapy strategy for cancer metastasis using a genetically‐modified strain of Salmonella typhimurium. The genetically‐modified strain of S. typhimurium is auxotrophic for the amino acids arginine and leucine. These mutations preclude growth in normal tissue but do not reduce bacterial virulence in cancer cells. The tumor‐targeting strain of S. typhimurium, termed A1‐R, and expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), was administered to both axillary lymph and popliteal lymph node metastasis of human pancreatic cancer and fibrosarcoma, respectively, as well as lung metastasis of the fibrosarcoma in nude mice. The bacteria were delivered via a lymphatic channel to target the lymph node metastases and systemically via the tail vein to target the lung metastasis. The cancer cells expressed red fluorescent protein (RFP) in the cytoplasm and GFP in the nucleus linked to histone H2B, enabling color‐coded real‐time imaging of the bacteria targeting the metastatic tumors. After 7–21 days of treatment, the metastases were eradicated without the need of chemotherapy or any other treatment. No adverse effects were observed. This new strategy demonstrates the clinical potential of targeting and curing cancer metastasis with engineered bacteria without the need of toxic chemotherapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 992–998, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

GFP标记的肿瘤生长和转移的整体荧光成像

Fugene 6脂质体介导pEGFP-C1转染人源肺癌细胞(SPC-A1),经G418抗性筛选和96孔板有限稀释获得稳定高表达GFP的单克隆细胞株SPC-A1-EGFP。裸鼠腹腔注射SPC-A1-EGFP细胞建立自发转移模型;裸鼠尾静脉注射SPC-A1-EGFP细胞建立实验转移模型。利用整体光学成像系统(wllole-body optical imaging system)对荷瘤鼠整体荧光成像。结果表明,整体光学成像系统可实时非侵入监测腹腔肿瘤生长和扩散过程,通过胸腔皮瓣窗chest—wall skin-flap window)可低侵入检测肺转移。该研究为在体监测原位移植瘤的自发转移和发现抗肿瘤新药物提供了良好实验平台。     

MicroRNA93 regulates proliferation and differentiation of normal and malignant breast stem cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in normal cellular differentiation and oncogenesis. microRNA93 (mir-93), a member of the mir106b-25 cluster, located in intron 13 of the MCM7 gene, although frequently overexpressed in human malignancies may also function as a tumor suppressor gene. Using a series of breast cancer cell lines representing different stages of differentiation and mouse xenograft models, we demonstrate that mir-93 modulates the fate of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) by regulating their proliferation and differentiation states. In "claudin(low)" SUM159 cells, expression of mir-93 induces Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition (MET) associated with downregulation of TGFβ signaling and downregulates multiple stem cell regulatory genes, including JAK1, STAT3, AKT3, SOX4, EZH1, and HMGA2, resulting in cancer stem cell (CSC) depletion. Enforced expression of mir-93 completely blocks tumor development in mammary fat pads and development of metastases following intracardiac injection in mouse xenografts. The effect of mir-93 on the CSC population is dependent on the cellular differentiation state, with mir-93 expression increasing the CSC population in MCF7 cells that display a more differentiated "luminal" phenotype. mir-93 also regulates the proliferation and differentiation of normal breast stem cells isolated from reduction mammoplasties. These studies demonstrate that miRNAs can regulate the states and fates of normal and malignant mammary stem cells, findings which have important biological and clinical implications.