Interactions of clinical and environmental Aeromonas isolates with Caco-2 and HT29 intestinal epithelial cells

AIM: Evaluation of adherence and invasion of Aeromonas spp. to human colon carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 and HT29 and assessment of cytotoxic activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: A number of 27 strains of Aeromonas caviae and 23 strains of Aeromonas hydrophila was analysed. All strains were capable to adhere to sub-confluent monolayers of Caco-2 and HT29 cell types, presenting aggregative and diffuse adherence patterns cells, respectively. In the cytotoxic assays all strains showed cytopathic and/or cytotoxic activities to Vero cells. The evaluation of the tetrazolium salt (MTT test) reduction capability was carried out in Vero, Caco-2, and HT29 cells. MTT test showed that Vero cell line was the most sensitive cell type. In the invasion test, 13 strains were analysed on Caco-2 and HT29 monolayers. Only two (15%) of the 13 strains, A. hydrophila and A. caviae species, both isolated from vegetables were invasive to Caco-2 cells. No strains were able to invade the HT29 cells. CONCLUSIONS: A. hydrophila and A. caviae isolated from human diarrhoeic faeces, vegetables, and water, were able to adhere to and produce cytotoxic/cytopathic effects in intestinal epithelial cell lines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of Aeromonas spp. in food and water samples expressing virulence factors suggest that these sources may act as dissemination vehicles of human pathogen with implication in the public health.     

Evaluation of a reversed passive latex agglutination test for the detection of Verocytotoxin (VT) expressed by strains of VT-producing Escherichia coli

AIMS: To compare an experimental Reversed-Passive Latex Agglutination (RPLA) with Vero cells for the detection of Verocytotoxin expressed by VT-producing strains of Escherichia coli (VTEC). METHODS AND RESULTS: The RPLA was used alongside a Vero cell tissue culture assay for the detection of VT in bacterial culture supernatant fluids and patients' faecal extracts. CONCLUSION: The RPLA was comparable with the Vero cell assay, although slightly less sensitive. Significance and Impact of the Study: The RPLA test proved to be a simple, rapid and convenient method of detecting VT in bacterial culture supernatant fluids and in the faeces of patients infected with VTEC.     

二甲双胍联合放射线照射对鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖的影响

目的:探讨二甲双胍联合放射线照射对鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖的影响。方法:分别给予鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1二甲双胍(5m M)、2Gy放射线照射、二甲双胍(5 m M)联合2Gy放射线照射处理后,采用MTT实验、克隆形成实验检测和比较其细胞增殖抑制率和克隆形成抑制率。结果:MTT实验结果显示:与二甲双胍组或2Gy放射线照射组相比,二甲双胍联合放射线照射组细胞增殖抑制率显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);克隆形成实验结果显示,与二甲双胍组或2Gy放射线照射组相比,二甲双胍联合放射线照射组细胞克隆形成抑制率显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:二甲双胍联合放射线照射能够有效的抑制鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1的增殖。     

氯化锂对KT-1/A3细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：研究氯化锂(LiCl)在体外对KT—1／A3白血病细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。方法：采用液体培养实验,MTT实验,集落培养实验为指标观察LiCl对KT—1／A3细胞增殖的影响,采用DNA片段凝胶电泳及流式细胞检测为指标检测细胞凋亡。结果：①不同浓度的LiCl(5mM—25mM)对KT—1／A3细胞具有抑制增殖的作用,这种增殖抑制作用呈剂量依赖关系。②在LiCl(20mM)作用72h的DNA凝胶电泳谱可见DNA Ladder及流式细胞仪检测可见凋亡特有的AP峰,提示LiCl可诱导KT—1／A3细胞凋亡。绪论：LiCl能抑制KT—1／A3白血病细胞增殖和诱导凋亡。     

Potent induction of apoptosis by beta-lapachone in human multiple myeloma cell lines and patient cells

BACKGROUND: Human multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematological malignancy. We have reported that beta-lapachone, a pure compound derived from a plant, can induce cell death in a variety of human carcinoma cells, including ovary, colon, lung, prostate, pancreas, and breast, suggesting a wide spectrum of anticancer activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first studied antisurvival effects of beta-lapachone in human MM cells by colony formation assay. To determine whether the differential inhibition of colony formation occurs through antiproliferative activity, we performed MTT assays. The cytotoxicity of beta-lapachone on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was also measured by MTT assay. To determine whether the cell death induced by beta-lapachone occurs through necrosis or apoptosis, we used the propidium iodide staining procedure to determine the sub-GI fraction, Annexin-V staining for externalization of phosphatidylserine, and fragmentation of cellular genomic DNA subjected to gel electrophoresis. To investigate the mechanism of anti-MM activity, we examined Bcl-2 expression, cytochrome C release, and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase cleavage by Western blot assay. RESULTS: We found that beta-lapachone (less than 4 microM) inhibits cell survival and proliferation by triggering cell death with characteristics of apoptosis in ARH-77, HS Sultan, and MM.1S cell lines, in freshly derived patient MM cells (MM.As), MM cell lines resistant to dexamethasone (MM.1R), doxorubicin (DOX.40), mitoxantrone (MR.20), and mephalan (LR5). Importantly, after treatment with beta-lapachone, we observed no apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in either quiescent or proliferative states, freshly isolated from healthy donors. In beta-lapachone treated ARH-77, cytochrome C was released from mitochondria to cytosol, and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase was cleaved, signature events of apoptosis. Finally, the apoptosis induced by beta-lapachone in MM cells was not blocked by either interleukin-6 or Bcl-2, which confer multidrug resistance in MM. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest potential therapeutic application of beta-lapachone against MM, particularly to overcome drug resistance in relapsed patients.     

Expression and characteristic of synthetic human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in transgenic tobacco plants

To improve the accumulation of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in transgenic tobacco, a highly effective vector was constructed and transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The hEGF content in transgenic tobacco was up to 0.3% of the total soluble protein. Using the Vero E6 cell expansion assay and the MTT method for cell proliferation, hEGF produced by transgenic tobacco significantly stimulated Vero E6 cell expansion and proliferation, the same as commercial hEGF products.     

Antibacterial activity of plasma from crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) against pathogenic bacteria

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a critically endangered species of freshwater crocodiles. Crocodilians live with opportunistic bacterial infection but normally suffer no adverse effects. They are not totally immune to microbial infection, but their resistance thereto is remarkably effective. In this study, crude and purified plasma extracted from the Siamese crocodile were examined for antibacterial activity against clinically isolated, human pathogenic bacterial strains and the related reference strains. METHODS: Crude plasma was prepared from whole blood of the Siamese crocodile by differential sedimentation. The crude plasma was examined for antibacterial activity by the liquid growth inhibition assay. The scanning electron microscopy was performed to confirm the effect of crude crocodile plasma on the cells of Salmonella typhi ATCC 11778. Effect of crude crocodile plasma on cell viability was tested by MTT assay. In addition, the plasma was purified by anion exchange column chromatography with DEAE-Toyopearl 650M and the purified plasma was tested for antibacterial activity. RESULTS: Crude plasma was prepared from whole blood of the Siamese crocodile and exhibited substantial antibacterial activities of more than 40% growth inhibition against the six reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and the four clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Vibrio cholerae. Especially, more than 80% growth inhibition was found in the reference strains of Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus epidermidis and in the clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae. The effect of the crude plasma on bacterial cells of Salmonella typhi, a certain antibacterial material probably penetrates progressively into the cytoplasmic space, perturbing and damaging bacterial membranes. The effect of the crude plasma was not toxic by the yellow tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using a macrophage-like cell, RAW 264.7. The pooled four fractions, designated as fractions D1-D4, were obtained by column chromatography, and only fraction D1 showed growth inhibition in the reference strains and the clinical, human pathogenic isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The crude and purified plasma from the Siamese crocodile significantly showed antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria and reference strains by damage cell membrane of target bacterial cells. From the MTT assay, the Siamese crocodile plasma was not cytotoxic to the cells.     

Cytotoxicity and potential antiviral evaluation of violacein produced by Chromobacterium violaceum

Natural products are an inexhaustible source of compounds with promising pharmacological activities including antiviral action. Violacein, the major pigment produced by Chromobacterium violaceum, has been shown to have antibiotic, antitumoral and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activities. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of violacein and also its potential antiviral properties.The cytotoxicity of violacein was investigated by three methods: cell morphology evaluation by inverted light microscopy and cell viability tests using the Trypan blue dye exclusion method and the MTT assay. The cytotoxic concentration values which cause destruction in 50% of the monolayer cells (CC50) were different depending on the sensitivity of the method. CC50 values were > or =2.07 +/- 0.08 microM for FRhK-4 cells: > or =2.23 +/- 0.11 microM for Vero cells; > or =2.54 +/- 0.18 microM for MA104 cells; and > or =2.70 +/- 0.20 microM for HEp-2 cells. Violacein showed no cytopathic inhibition of the following viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain 29-R/acyclovir resistant, hepatitis A virus (strains HM175 and HAF-203) and adenovirus type 5 nor did it show any antiviral activity in the MTT assay. However violacein did show a weak inhibition of viral replication: 1.42 +/- 0.68%, 14.48 +/- 5.06% and 21.47 +/- 3.74% for HSV-1 (strain KOS); 5.96 +/- 2.51%, 8.75 +/- 3.08% and 17.75 +/- 5.19% for HSV-1 (strain ATCC/VR-733); 5.13 +/- 2.38 %, 8.18 +/- 1.11% and 8.51 +/- 1.94% for poliovirus type 2; 8.30 +/- 4.24%; 13.33 +/- 4.66% and 24.27 +/- 2.18% for simian rotavirus SA11, at 0.312, 0.625 and 1.250 mM, respectively, when measured by the MTT assay.     

刺参酸性粘多糖对人宫颈癌Hela细胞株增殖的影响

目的:研究刺参酸性粘多糖(SJAMP)对人宫颈癌Hela细胞株增殖的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制.方法:体外培养Hela细胞;采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝比色法(MTT法)测定SJAMP对Hela细胞的增殖抑制率;免疫细胞化学法检测SJAMP对Hela细胞内突变型P53、细胞周期抑制蛋白P21表达的影响.结果:SJAMP在体外抑制Hela细胞生长呈时效和量效关系;与对照组比,各SJAMP浓度组均能影响细胞周期调控因子p53、p21蛋白的表达:降低p53蛋白的表达(p＜0.05),刺激p21蛋白的表达(p＜0.05).结论:SJAMP可能通过调整细胞周期调节蛋白而在体外对宫颈癌Hela细胞起到生长抑制作用.     

The establishment of human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG and its inhibition function on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation

On the basis of anti-TROP2 Fab antibody, this study seek to construct a eukaryotic expression system of human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG, and to analyse the inhibition function of human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG in the cell proliferation of pancreatic cancer. The heavy and light chain genes of anti-TROP2 antibody were amplified respectively to establish the recombinant expression vector of human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG, named pWS-anti-TROP2. The human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG was obtained through transfecting the plasmids into the CHO dhfr^- cell line, selecting the monoclonal cell strains with high amounts of antibody expression by MTX screening and applying Protein G affinity in purification. The identification and immunologic activity of human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG were researched by Western Blot,SDS-PAGE, ELISA, immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry method (FCM). MTT assay was conducted to analyse the inhibition effect of human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG on BxPC3 cell proliferation. The human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG eukaryotic expression system was established successfully to express human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG, in which the molecular weight of heavy chain and light chain were consistent with expectation, and it could specifically combine with TROP2 protein, the antibody titer reached 1:6,400. The MTT assay results indicated that human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG had a significant effect on inhibiting the proliferation of BxPC3 cell, and the inhibition function can be gradually increased with improved antibody dose and prolonged time. In the study, the human anti-TROP2 antibody IgG eukaryotic expression system was constructed successfully, the antibody could specifically bind to TROP2 protein on the surface of pancreatic cancer cells, and it is shown to have a significant inhibitory action in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation.     

非洲马铃果4种吲哚类生物碱的体外抗肿瘤效果

为比较非洲马铃果Voacanga africana中长春胺、冠狗牙花定碱、老刺木胺、伏康京碱等4种吲哚类生物碱的体外抗肿瘤活性,采用MTT法分析其对SKOV3、BEL7402、SMMC7721、Changliver四株细胞株增殖的抑制作用,并通过AO/EB双染观察细胞凋亡的形态变化。结果显示,4种吲哚生物碱对四株细胞株的增殖抑制现象存在剂量依赖关系。50 μg·mL-1老刺木胺对四株细胞株的生长抑制率均达95%以上;相同浓度下,伏康京碱仅对BEL7402、Changliver的抑制率超过78%;冠狗牙花定碱仅对Changliver有超过50%的增殖抑制率;长春胺对四株细胞株的增殖抑制效果不明显。经AO/EB法染色后,四株细胞株在12.5 μg·mL-1老刺木胺的作用下呈现细胞核皱缩、浓聚和偏移的现象,说明老刺木胺具有明显诱导细胞凋亡的作用;50 μg·mL-1伏康京碱仅对BEL7402和Changliver具有一样的效果,另两种生物碱作用的细胞株并未见有明显的细胞凋亡现象。MTT法和AO/EB双染法表现结果一致。老刺木胺和伏康京碱两种生物碱能够诱导卵巢癌细胞和人肝细胞凋亡从而发挥抗肿瘤作用,长春胺和冠狗牙花定碱作用效果相对较弱。     

Intracellular vacuolation induced by culture filtrates of Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from environmental sources

AIMS: Potential virulence factors produced by culture filtrates of Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from water were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Culture filtrates of P. shigelloides strains were assayed for cytotoxic activity in CHO (Chinese hamster ovary), Vero (African green monkey kidney), HeLa (human cervix), HT29 (human epithelial intestinal) and SK6 (swine epithelial kidney) cells. Microscopic analyses revealed intensive cytoplasmic vacuolation including cell rounding and swelling, with gradual destruction of the monolayer in filtrate-treated cells. Neutral red assays showed that CHO, HeLa and Vero cells were the most sensitive to the vacuolating activity, which was evident within 30 min of culture filtrate exposure. This activity was inactived by heating at 56 degrees C for 15 min and partially neutralized by antiserum to the cytotoxin of Aeromonas hydrophila. All P. shigelloides strains had a cell-associated haemolysin in the agar plate assay. Three isolates were found to produce a cell-free haemolytic activity at 37 degrees C. In the suckling mouse test, two P. shigelloides culture supernatants were positive for enterotoxic activity. CONCLUSIONS: P. shigelloides culture filtrates isolated from aquatic environment cause intracellular vacuolation on mammalian cells, and produce haemolytic and enterotoxic activities. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work revealed the presence of putative virulence factors that could be associated with human infections involving Plesiomonas strains.     

茶色素对人肺鳞癌细胞株SK-MES-1 细胞生长及凋亡的影响

目的:探讨茶色素对人肺鳞癌细胞株SK-MES-1细胞生长及凋亡的影响。方法:以超声细胞破碎法提取茶色素并计算得率。常规培养SK-MES-1细胞株,采用噻唑蓝溴化四唑(MTT)比色法观察不同浓度(5、2.5、1.25、0.625、0.3125 mg/m L)茶色素作用24、48 h对SK-MES-1细胞株生长的抑制作用,计算生长抑制率及IC_(50);以流式细胞术(FCM)荧光双染法(Annexin V/PI)观察茶色素对SK-MES-1细胞株凋亡的影响。结果:茶色素提取得率为7.35%。MTT实验结果显示随茶色素浓度增高和培养时间延长,其对细胞的生长抑制率也相应升高,即呈现剂量-时间依赖性,24 h和48 h处理的IC_(50)分别为2.353 mg/m L和1.494 mg/m L。流式细胞术检测作用24 h细胞凋亡,空白对照、0.625 mg/m L和1.25 mg/m L剂量组的SK-MES-1细胞凋亡率分别为7.7%、20.37%和25.25%。结论:茶色素可促进SK-MES-1细胞凋亡并抑制其增殖。     

Adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to cell monolayers

Adherence of four strains of Staphylococcus aureus to eukaryotic cell monolayers was assayed with [3H]-thymidine labelled bacterial cells and the results were analysed by non-parametric statistical tests. Adherence to primary (human mesothelial) and semi-continuous (human embryonic lung) cell monolayers was significantly better than to continuous cell lines (HEp2, HeLa and Vero). HEp2 cell monolayers provided the most reliable assay substrate of the continuous cell lines tested. Variation occurred between bacterial culture batches but the assay measured significant differences between adhesion levels of the strains and distinguished between high level (RN92, 8325-4) and low level (Wood46, ISP458) adhering strains. Adherence to different batches of cell monolayers also varied but relative adherence values for strains were similar and the ranking of strains according to adhesion values was unchanged. Potential adhesion mediators have been monitored for their effect on adhesion of a highly adherent strain (RN92) to HEp2 monolayers. Fibronectin, protein A and anti-protein A did not significantly affect adhesion. Lipoteichoic acid caused a significant inhibition of adhesion. With critical statistical analysis to accommodate inherent variations, this assay provides a useful model to study factors involved in adherence of Staph. aureus to eukaryotic cells.     

Forms of Selenium Affect its Transport, Uptake and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in the Caco-2 Cell Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible time- and dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of cobalt chloride on Vero cells. The cultured cells were incubated with different concentrations of cobalt chloride ranging from 0.5 to 1,000 μM, and cytotoxicity was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and resazurin assays. Possible protective effects of vitamin E, coenzyme Q(10), and zinc chloride were also tested in this system. A gradual decrease in cell proliferation was observed at concentrations ~≥ 200 μM in incubation periods of 24, 48, 72, and 96 h with MTT assay. Exposure of cells to 500 and 1,000 μM cobalt chloride caused significant decrease in cell survival. A biphasic survival profile of cells was observed at 1-25 μM concentration range following 96 h of incubation. With resazurin assay, cytotoxicity profile of CoCl(2) was found comparable to the results of MTT assay, particularly at high concentrations and long incubation periods. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity was noted following exposure of cells to ≥ 250 μM of CoCl(2) for 24 h and ≥ 100 μM concentrations of CoCl(2) for 48-96 h. Pretreatment of cells with ZnCl(2) for 4 or 24 h provided significant protection against cobalt chloride-induced cytotoxicity when measured with MTT assay. However, vitamin E or coenzyme Q(10) was not protective. CoCl(2) had dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects in Vero cells. Preventive effect of ZnCl(2) against CoCl(2)-induced cytotoxicity should be considered in detail to define exact mechanism of toxicity in Vero cells.     

双歧杆菌对食管癌细胞增殖的抑制作用及细胞周期的影响

目的探讨青春双歧杆菌对食管癌EC109细胞的增殖抑制作用及对细胞周期的影响。方法用MTT比色法测定EC109细胞活性,用流式细胞仪测定EC109细胞周期。结果青春双歧杆菌对EC109细胞具有显著的增殖抑制作用,并呈剂量和时间依赖性;经青春双歧杆菌处理后,EC109细胞周期发生变化：细胞分裂阻滞于G1期。结论青春双歧杆菌可通过影响细胞周期抑制食管癌EC109细胞的生长。     

Lactate dehydrogenase release assay from Vero cells to distinguish verotoxin producing Escherichia coli from non-verotoxin producing strains

The Vero cell assay presently used for virulence testing of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) requires at least 48-96 h where cytotoxicity effects are examined under a microscope. Here, a complimentary rapid assay was developed that measures endogenous lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from Vero or HEp-2 cells as an indicator of cytotoxicity. Toxin preparations from 24 VTEC strains induced 36-89% LDH from Vero cells and 15-62% LDH from HEp-2 cells in 12-16 h. A verotoxin-positive but enterohemolysin negative strain also showed a similar cytotoxicity effect. In contrast, three VT-negative strains caused only 13-16% LDH from Vero cells and 1-7% LDH from HEp-2 cells. Five presumptive E. coli isolates from naturally contaminated food and clinical sources did not induce significant LDH release from either cell lines. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of vt1 or vt2 genes in E. coli showing positive LDH values. Similarly, RiboPrinter analysis confirmed and identified the test strains as E. coli except for two meat isolates, which were identified as Hafnia alvei. Cytopathic effects of toxin preparations from VTEC revealed severe lysis, vacuole formation and death in Vero cells and multiple vacuoles and cell elongation in HEp-2 cells. The colorimetric cytotoxicity assay described here can provide quantitative data for determining the virulence potential of verotoxigenic E. coli in 12-16 h.     

不同灵芝菌株菌丝体乙醇提取物体外抑瘤活性的比较和机理

以人急性早幼粒白血病细胞HL-60细胞株作为模型,用MTT法测定生长抑制率,流式细胞Annexin Ⅴ实验和DNA含量法研究抑瘤机制,比较了8个灵芝Ganoderma lucidum菌株发酵菌丝体乙醇提取物的体外抗肿瘤活性和抑瘤机制。筛选结果得到了能产生高抑瘤活性乙醇提取物的灵芝菌株L5。其对HL-60细胞的抑制率为91.4±0.9%(72小时,125μg/mL); 作用48小时后,13.3%的细胞发生早期凋亡,G0/G1期细胞比例比对照组增加15.9%,而S期细胞比例则下降了8.4%,G2/M期细胞数减少7.6%。本研究证明了灵芝菌丝体乙醇提取物能有效抑制HL-60肿瘤细胞的体外生长,抑制率与菌株相关,其抑瘤机制与细胞G0/G1期阻滞和诱导凋亡有关。