非小细胞肺癌组织PRRX1、VASH-1与微血管密度、临床病理参数和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织配对相关同源框蛋白1（PRRX1）、血管抑制蛋白1（VASH-1）与微血管密度（MVD）、临床病理参数和预后的关系。方法：选择2018年1月至2020年1月辽宁省金秋医院行手术切除的156例NSCLC患者的癌组织及癌旁正常组织标本。应用免疫组织化学染色法检测癌组织及癌旁组织PRRX1、VASH-1的阳性表达率,并进行MVD计数。比较PRRX1阳性表达组/阴性表达组、VASH-1阳性表达组/阴性表达组MVD计数。分析PRRX1、VASH-1与NSCLC患者病理参数的关系。随访3年,应用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析PRRX1、VASH-1阳性/阴性表达与NSCLC患者预后的关系。结果：与癌旁组织相比,NSCLC患者癌组织PRRX1阳性表达率降低,VASH-1阳性表达率升高（P<0.05）。与PRRX1阴性NSCLC患者相比,PRRX1阳性NSCLC患者癌组织MVD降低,与VASH-1阴性NSCLC患者相比,VASH-1阳性NSCLC患者癌组织MVD升高（P<0.05）。与TNM I~II期、无淋巴结转移NSCLC患者的癌组织相比,TNM Ⅲ A期、淋巴结转移NSCLC患者的癌组织中PRRX1阳性表达率降低,VASH-1阳性表达率升高（P<0.05）。Kaplan-Meier法分析显示,PRRX1阳性组3年总体生存率（OS）、3年无病生存率（DFS）高于PRRX1阴性组（P<0.05）,VASH-1阴性组3年OS、3年DFS高于VASH-1阳性组（P<0.05）。结论：NSCLC患者的癌组织中PRRX1阳性表达率降低,VASH-1阳性表达率升高,与淋巴结转移、TNM分期及不良预后有关。     

非小细胞肺癌组织中NF-κB p65与PD-1、PD-L1表达的相关性以及对预后的预测价值分析

摘要 目的：研究非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织中核因子-κB（NF-κB）与程序性死亡受体1（PD-1）和程序性死亡配体1（PD-L1）表达的相关性以及对预后的预测价值。方法：回顾性收集2014年7月至2017年6月期间我院收治的NSCLC患者的临床资料和病理组织标本共80例作为研究对象,另选取同期30例癌旁正常肺组织,免疫组化法检测组织中NF-κB p65、PD-1和PD-L1的表达情况,分析PD-1和PD-L1表达的影响因素及与p65的相关性,Logistic回归分析影响患者预后的因素,分析p65、PD-1和PD-L1表达与患者预后的关系。结果：NSCLC组织中的p65、PD-1和PD-L1的阳性表达率均显著高于正常对照组织（P＜0.05）。TNM分期、分化程度、淋巴结是否转移和p65表达为影响PD-1和PD-L1表达的因素（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析结果表明,p65与PD-1、PD-L1呈正相关（P＜0.05）。TNM分期、分化程度、淋巴结转移、p65、PD-1和PD-L1的表达均为影响NSCLC患者预后的独立危险因素。p65、PD-1和PD-L1阴性表达组患者的总生存期（OS）显著长于p65、PD-1和PD-L1阳性表达患者（P＜0.05）。结论：NF-κB p65与PD-1、PD-L1的表达密切相关,p65、PD-1和PD-L1的表达情况对NSCLC患者的预后具有较高的预测价值。     

乳腺癌组织FOXP3、HMGA2、RASAL2的表达及与临床病理特征和预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨乳腺癌组织叉头框蛋白P3（FOXP3）、高迁移率族蛋白A2（HMGA2）、大鼠肉瘤蛋白活化因子2（RASAL2）的表达及其与临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：选取2014年6月至2015年6月期间我院收治的102例乳腺癌患者作为研究对象。检测乳腺癌组织以及癌旁组织中FOXP3、HMGA2、RASAL2表达,分析FOXP3、HMGA2、RASAL2表达与临床病理参数的相关性。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析不同FOXP3、HMGA2、RASAL2表达患者总生存率的差异。Cox比例风险回归模型分析乳腺癌患者预后的影响因素。结果：与癌旁组织相比,乳腺癌组织中FOXP3、HMGA2阳性表达率升高,而RASAL2阳性表达率降低（P<0.05）。FOXP3、HMGA2、RASAL2表达均与TNM分期和淋巴结转移相关（P<0.05）。FOXP3、HMGA2阳性患者的生存率明显低于FOXP3、HMGA2阴性患者,RASAL2阳性患者的生存率明显高于RASAL2阴性患者（P<0.05）。TNM分期Ⅲ期、FOXP3阳性表达、HMGA2阳性表达是影响乳腺癌患者预后的危险因素（P<0.05）,而RASAL2阳性表达是乳腺癌患者预后的保护因素（P<0.05）。结论：乳腺癌组织中FOXP3和HMGA2阳性表达率升高,而RASAL2阳性表达率降低,FOXP3和HMGA2阳性表达以及RASAL2阴性表达与乳腺癌患者TNM分期、淋巴结转移相关,并且是患者预后不良的影响因素。     

非小细胞肺癌组织PAK4、PAK5蛋白表达与上皮-间质转化、临床病理特征和预后的关系分析

摘要 目的：探讨非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织p21激活激酶（PAK）4、PAK5蛋白表达与上皮-间质转化（EMT）、临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：选取2018年1月～2019年12月我院收治的100例NSCLC患者,收集手术切除的癌组织和癌旁组织标本,采用免疫组化法检测NSCLC组织和癌旁组织中PAK4、PAK5和EMT相关蛋白[E-钙粘蛋白（E-Cad）、N-钙粘蛋白（N-Cad）和波形蛋白（VIM）]表达。分析PAK4、PAK5蛋白表达与NSCLC患者病理特征的关系和与EMT相关蛋白的相关性。根据NSCLC组织中PAK4、PAK5表达分为阳性/阴性表达组,采用K-M法绘制PAK4、PAK5阳性/阴性表达NSCLC患者的生存曲线,多因素Cox回归分析NSCLC患者死亡的影响因素。结果：与癌旁组织相比,NSCLC组织中PAK4、PAK5、N-Cad、VIM蛋白阳性表达率升高,E-Cad蛋白阳性表达率降低（P＜0.05）。二列相关性分析显示,NSCLC组织PAK4、PAK5与E-Cad蛋白阳性表达率呈负相关,与N-Cad、VIM蛋白阳性表达率呈正相关（P均＜0.001）。不同分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移NSCLC患者PAK4、PAK5蛋白阳性表达率比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。100例NSCLC患者3年总生存率为56.00%（56/100）。K-M生存曲线分析显示,PAK4、PAK5阳性表达组总生存率低于阴性表达组（P＜0.05）。多因素Cox回归分析显示,低分化、TNM分期为ⅢA期、淋巴结转移和PAK4、PAK5蛋白阳性表达为NSCLC患者死亡的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：NSCLC组织PAK4、PAK5蛋白表达升高,与EMT、分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移和预后有关,可能成为NSCLC诊治的新靶点。     

结直肠癌组织RABEX-5、LASS2、HOXB7蛋白的表达及临床意义

摘要 目的：探讨结直肠癌组织Rab鸟嘌呤核苷酸交换因子-5（RABEX-5）、人源长寿保障基因2（LASS2）、同源异型盒基因B7（HOXB7）表达与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法：选择2013年10月至2015年4月期间在我院接受治疗的105例结直肠癌患者作为研究对象。检测其结直肠癌组织以及癌旁组织中RABEX-5、LASS2、HOXB7表达,分析RABEX-5、LASS2、HOXB7表达与临床病理特征的关系,采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析不同RABEX-5、LASS2、HOXB7表达患者总生存率的差异,Cox比例风险回归分析结直肠癌患者预后的影响因素。结果：与癌旁组织相比,结直肠癌组织中RABEX-5、HOXB7表达阳性率上调,而LASS2阳性率下降（P<0.05）。LASS2表达与TNM分期、浸润深度和淋巴结转移有关（P<0.05）,而RABEX-5、HOXB7表达与TNM分期和淋巴结转移有关（P<0.05）。RABEX-5、HOXB7表达阳性患者的生存率分别低于RABEX-5、HOXB7表达阴性患者,而LASS2表达阳性患者的生存率高于LASS2表达阴性患者（P<0.05）。结直肠癌患者预后的影响因素包括TNM分期Ⅲ期、有淋巴结转移、RABEX-5阳性表达、LASS2阴性表达和HOXB7阳性表达（P<0.05）。结论：在结直肠癌组织中RABEX-5、HOXB7阳性率升高,而LASS2阳性率下降,且与TNM分期以及淋巴结转移密切相关。RABEX-5、LASS2、HOXB7表达与结直肠癌患者的生存和预后联系密切。     

血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及与病理特征的相关性

摘要 目的：探究血清脂质运载蛋白-2（Lipocalin-2）、成骨细胞特异性因子2（periostin）及长链非编码RNA NR_027032（AGAP2-AS1）表达与非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者临床特征及预后的相关性。方法：选取2015年12月-2017年12月到我院确诊的84例NSCLC患者为研究组,选取同时期在我院健康体检的健康人群为健康对照组,采用ELISA法检测血清Lipocalin-2、periostin水平、采用荧光定量PCR定量检测血清外泌体AGAP2-AS1的表达水平,并分析其表达差异性;分析血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1水平与NSCLC患者各临床病理特征及预后的相关性。结果：NSCLC组患者血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1表达水平显著高于健康对照组（P<0.05）,且与淋巴结转移、TNM分期及分化程度具有相关性（P<0.05）,血清Lipocalin-2与Periostin及AGAP2-AS1在NSCLC血液中呈正相关（P<0.01或<0.05）,血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1高表达组NSCLC患者中位OS分别显著低于低表达（P<0.05）。结论：血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1在NSCLC患者血液中的表达升高,NSCLC患者血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1表达水平与分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移及预后具有相关性;有望成为评估NSCLC患者预后的生物标志物。     

结直肠癌组织LASS2、HOXB7蛋白表达与凋亡指数及预后的关系分析

摘要 目的：探讨结直肠癌（CRC）组织人源长寿保障基因2（LASS2）、同源异型盒基因B7（HOXB7）表达与凋亡指数（AI）及预后的关系。方法：选择2013年10月至2015年4月期间在我院接受治疗的105例CRC患者作为研究对象。检测其CRC组织以及癌旁组织中LASS2、HOXB7表达以及AI,分析LASS2、HOXB7表达与临床病理特征的关系,采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析不同LASS2、HOXB7表达患者总生存率的差异,Cox比例风险回归分析CRC患者预后的影响因素。结果：CRC组织中LASS2阳性率低于癌旁正常组织,而HOXB7阳性率高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.05）,CRC组织中AI低于癌旁正常组织（P<0.05）。经Spreaman相关性分析显示CRC组织LASS2阳性率和AI呈正相关关系,而HOXB7阳性率和AI呈负相关关系（P＜0.05）。LASS2表达与临床分期、浸润深度和淋巴结转移有关（P<0.05）,而HOXB7表达与临床分期和淋巴结转移有关（P<0.05）。HOXB7表达阳性患者的生存率低于HOXB7表达阴性患者,而LASS2表达阳性患者的生存率高于LASS2表达阴性患者（P<0.05）。Cox比例风险回归分析结果显示,临床分期为Ⅲ期、有淋巴结转移、LASS2阴性表达、HOXB7阳性表达以及AI＜2.0%均是影响CRC患者预后的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：在CRC组织中HOXB7阳性率升高,而LASS2阳性率以及AI下降,且与临床分期以及淋巴结转移密切相关。LASS2、HOXB7表达及AI与CRC患者的生存和预后联系密切。     

非小细胞肺癌组织miR-1179、miR-1182表达水平与Notch信号通路、临床病理特征和预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织微小核糖核酸（miRNA）-1179、miR-1182表达与缺口(Notch)信号通路、临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：选取2018年1月～2019年12月武汉市中医医院收治的118例NSCLC患者,收集手术切除的癌组织和癌旁组织标本,采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应检测miR-1179、miR-1182和Notch信号通路相关分子表达。分析miR-1179、miR-1182表达与Notch信号通路相关分子和NSCLC患者临床病理特征的关系。根据NSCLC组织中miR-1179、miR-1182表达均值分为高、低表达组,采用K-M法绘制不同miR-1179、miR-1182表达NSCLC患者生存曲线,多因素Cox回归分析NSCLC患者预后的影响因素。结果：与癌旁组织比较,NSCLC组织中miR-1179、miR-1182表达降低,Notch受体1（Notch1） 信使核糖核酸（mRNA）、Notch2 mRNA、Notch3 mRNA、Notch4 mRNA表达升高（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,NSCLC组织中miR-1179、miR-1182表达与Notch1 mRNA、Notch2 mRNA、Notch3 mRNA、Notch4 mRNA表达均呈负相关（P＜0.05）。不同分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移NSCLC患者miR-1179、miR-1182表达比较有统计学差异（P＜0.05）。118例NSCLC患者随访3年,失访5例,3年总生存率为55.75%。K-M生存曲线分析显示,miR-1179、miR-1182高表达组总生存率高于低表达组（P＜0.05）。多因素Cox回归分析显示,低分化、TNM分期Ⅲ期、淋巴结转移为NSCLC患者预后的独立危险因素,miR-1179、miR-1182升高为其独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：NSCLC组织中miR-1179、miR-1182低表达,与Notch信号通路、分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移和预后有关,miR-1179、miR-1182表达可能通过抑制Notch信号通路发挥抑癌作用。     

膀胱癌组织CALD1 mRNA表达水平与临床病理特征和预后的关系分析

摘要 目的：探究膀胱癌组织钙调蛋白结合蛋白（CALD1）信使RNA（mRNA）表达水平与临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：选取2015年7月-2017年7月于我院收治并确诊的111例膀胱癌患者为研究对象,收集癌组织及癌旁正常组织,采用逆转录聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）法检测CALD1 mRNA在膀胱癌组织与癌旁正常组织中的表达差异,分析CALD1 mRNA相对表达量与临床病理特征的关系。对患者进行5年随访,分析CALD1 mRNA相对表达量与预后的关系。结果：CALD1 mRNA在膀胱癌组织的相对表达量显著高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.05）;CALD1mRNA相对表达量与膀胱癌患者组织分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移相关（P<0.05）;111例患者出院后随访5年,4例失访,107例患者获得随访,CALD1低表达组和高表达组的5年总生存率分别为72.34%（34/47）、50.00%（30/60）（P＜0.05）,CALD1低表达组5年总生存率高于高表达组;Cox比例风险回归模型分析显示,组织低分化程度、TNM高分期、淋巴结转移、CALD1mRNA高表达是影响膀胱癌患者预后的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：CALD1在膀胱癌组织中呈高表达,CALD1mRNA相对表达量与患者组织分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移及预后相关。     

非小细胞肺癌组织CENPF、KLF4表达与上皮-间质转化和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织中着丝粒蛋白F（CENPF）、Krüppel样因子4（KLF4）表达与上皮-间质转化（EMT）和预后的关系。方法：选取2017年1月至2019年12月期间于泰州市第四人民医院行手术切除的120例NSCLC患者的癌组织和距癌组织5cm癌旁组织标本,采用免疫组织化学法和免疫印迹法检测癌组织和癌旁组织中CENPF、KLF4及ETM相关标志物[E-钙粘蛋白（E-cadherin）、波形蛋白（Vimentin）]的阳性表达率和表达量。采用Pearson检验分析CENPF、KLF4与EMT相关标志物的相关性,并分析CENPF、KLF4表达与NSCLC患者预后的关系。结果：NSCLC癌组织中CENPF、Vimentin的阳性表达率显著高于癌旁组织（均P<0.05）,而KLF4、E-cadherin的阳性表达率均显著低于癌旁组织（均P<0.05）。NSCLC癌组织中CENPF与E-cadherin呈负相关,与Vimentin呈正相关（P<0.05）;而KLF4与E-cadherin呈正相关,与Vimentin呈负相关（P<0.05）。NSCLC癌组织中CENPF、KLF4的阳性表达率与TNM分期和淋巴结转移有关（均P<0.05）。入组患者3年无病生存率（DFS）为60.00%。CENPF阳性表达的NSCLC患者3年DFS显著低于CENPF阴性表达患者（56.25% vs 75.00%,P=0.014）,KLF4阳性表达的NSCLC患者3年DFS显著高于KLF4阴性表达患者（68.75% vs 54.17%, P=0.048）。结论：CENPF的高表达及KLF4的低表达可促进NSCLC的EMT发生、进展,并导致患者预后不良,CENPF和KLF4可辅助预测NSCLC患者的预后。     

晚期非小细胞肺癌组织中BRCA1、STMN1、RRM1的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织中DNA修复基因家族成员BRCA1、STMN1、RRM1的表达及其临床意义。方法：回顾性分析本院2009年1月至2012年1月86例经组织学或细胞学证实的IIIB／IV期非小细胞肺癌患者,以分支DNA-液相芯片法检测肿瘤标本的BRCA1、STMN1、RRM1基因mRNA表达,并对检测结果应用SPSS13．0进行统计分析。结果：BRCA1中高表达与患者的性别无明显相关性（x毫0．1003,P=0．7514）,STMN1中高表达与肿瘤的分化程度相关（卡方=18．3002,P=0．000）。分析基因mRNA的表达情况与患者的化疗有效率,提示BRCA1中高表达患者完全缓解0例、部分缓解23例、稳定17例、进展16例,低表达患者分别为0例、12例、14例、4例（P〉0．05）,而STMN1表达阳性患者与阴性患者的临床疗效分别为0例、14例、21例、16例和0例、21例、10例、4例（P〈0．05）;RRM1表达阳性患者与阴性患者的临床疗效分别为0例、17例、19例、20例和0例、18例、12例、0例（P〈0．05）。结论：通过对BRCA1、STMN1、RRM1基因mRNA表达的个体化治疗靶标检测,对患者的预后以及化疗疗效有一定的预测价值。     

Binding of Galectin-3, a β-Galactoside-binding Lectin,to MUC1 Protein Enhances Phosphorylation of Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt,Promoting Tumor Cell Malignancy

Both mucin 1 (MUC1) and galectin-3 are known to be overexpressed in various malignant tumors and associated with a poor prognosis. It has been extensively reported that MUC1 is involved in potentiation of growth factor-dependent signal transduction. Because some carbohydrate moieties carried on MUC1 change to preferable ones for binding of galectin-3 in cancer cells, we speculated that MUC1-mediated signaling may occur through direct binding of galectin-3. Immunochemical studies showed that the distribution of galectin-3 coincided with that of MUC1 in various human tumor tissues but not in human nonmalignant tissues, and the level of galectin-3 retained on the surface of various cancer cells paralleled that of MUC1. Treatment of MUC1-expressing cells with galectin-3 induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt following enhanced phosphorylation of MUC1 C-terminal domain, consistently promoting tumor cell malignancy. It is also noted that this enhanced phosphorylation occurred independently of EGF receptor-mediated signaling in both EGF receptor- and MUC1-expressing cells, and multivalency of galectin-3 was important for initiation of MUC1-mediated signaling. Expectedly, both silencing of endogenous galectin-3 and treatment with galectin-3 antagonists down-regulated cell proliferation of MUC1-expressing cells. These results suggest that the binding of galectin-3 to MUC1 plays a key role in MUC1-mediated signaling. Thus, constitutive activation of MUC1-mediated signaling in an autocrine/paracrine manner caused by ligation of galectin-3 promotes uncontrolled tumor cell malignancy. This signaling may be another MUC1-mediated pathway and function in parallel with a growth factor-dependent MUC1-mediated signaling pathway.     

Expression of iron transport proteins divalent metal transporter-1, Ferroportin-1, HFE and transferrin receptor-1 in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Iron is essential for cell survival and regulates many cell functions. In the context of the immune response, iron-related metabolism is tightly controlled in activated lymphocytes as well as in cells of the innate immunity. More precisely, for dendritic cells (DCs), which are the key cell type in the development of a specific immune response, the importance of iron absorption was recently unravelled by showing that depletion of iron inhibits the maturation of DCs. On this basis, we studied in detail the expression of iron transport proteins and HFE in DCs. We found that iron uptake in this cell type is mediated by divalent-metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and transferrin receptor-1 (TfR) whereas Ferroportin-1 is very weakly expressed. HFE that regulates TfR's activity is also detected at the mRNA level. The expression of DMT1 and HFE barely varies upon endotoxin-induced maturation but TfR is up-regulated and the iron export molecule Ferroportin-1 is down-regulated. As opposed to MHC class II molecules, the intracellular localization of TfR is not changed during maturation. Our results indicate that the uptake of iron during DCs development and maturation is mediated by a strong expression of iron-uptake molecules such as DMT1 and TfR as well as a down-regulation of iron export molecules such as Ferroportin-1.     

MCL-1ES, a novel variant of MCL-1, associates with MCL-1L and induces mitochondrial cell death

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1L) is a pro-survival member of the BCL-2 family that promotes cell survival. In this study, we identify a new splicing variant of human MCL-1 that encodes MCL-1ES (extra short). Sequence analysis indicates that this variant results from splicing within the first coding exon of MCL-1 at a non-canonical GC-AG donor-acceptor pair. The deduced sequence of MCL-1ES encodes a protein of 197 amino acids, and the PEST (proline, glutamic acid, serine, and threonine) motifs present in MCL-1L are absent. MCL-1ES interacts with MCL-1L and induces mitochondrial cell death, suggesting that alternative splicing of MCL-1 may control the fate of cells.

Structured summary

MINT-7255705, MINT-7255718, MINT-7255731, MINT-7255743:MCL1-ES (uniprotkb:Q07820-2) physically interacts (MI:0914) with MCL1-1L (uniprotkb:Q07820-1) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7255771:MCL1-ES (uniprotkb:Q07820-2) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Beta actin (uniprotkb:P60709) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7255781:MCL1-ES (uniprotkb:Q07820-2) physically interacts (MI:0914) with GAPDH (uniprotkb:P04406) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7255756:MCL1-ES (uniprotkb:Q07820-2) physically interacts (MI:0914) with COX IV (uniprotkb:P13073) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)     

Runaway cell death, but not basal disease resistance, in lsd1 is SA- and NIM1/NPR1-dependent

LSD1 was defined as a negative regulator of plant cell death and basal disease resistance based on its null mutant phenotypes. We addressed the relationship between lsd1-mediated runaway cell death and signaling components required for systemic acquired resistance (SAR), namely salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and NIM1/NPR1. We present two important findings. First, SA accumulation and NIM1/NPR1 are required for lsd1-mediated runaway cell death following pathogen infection or application of chemicals that mimic SA action. This implies that lsd1-dependent cell death occurs 'downstream' of the accumulation of SA. As SA application triggers runaway cell death in lsd1 but not wild-type plants, we infer that LSD1 negatively regulates an SA-dependent signal leading to cell death. Thus SA is both a trigger and a required mediator of lsd1 runaway cell death. Second, neither SA accumulation nor NIM1/NPR1 function is required for the basal resistance operating in lsd1. Therefore LSD1 negatively regulates a basal defense pathway that can act upstream or independently of both NIM1/NPR1 function and SA accumulation following avirulent or virulent pathogen challenge. Our data, together with results from other studies, point to the existence of an SA-dependent 'signal potentiation loop' controlling HR. Continued escalation of signaling in the absence of LSD1 leads to runaway cell death. We propose that LSD1 is a key negative regulator of this signal potentiation.     

Differential Effects of Prostaglandin E1 and Prostaglandin E2 on Growth and Differentiation of Murine Myeloid Leukemic Cell Line,M1

Effects of prostaglandins (PGs) of the E series on growth and differentiation of murine myeloid leukemic cell line M1 were studied. PGE₁, but not PGE₂, inhibited the growth of M1 cells. PGE₂ neither inhibited nor augmented the antiproliferative effect of PGE₁. PGE₁ augmented the differentiation of M1 cells into macrophage-like cells induced by interleukin 6. PGE₂, however, did not exhibit any effect on the differentiation. PGE₁ caused a marked increase in intracellular cAMP level in M1 cells, whereas PGE₂ had no effect. These results indicate that M1 cells are able to respond only to PGE₁. Radiolabeled PGE₁ binding experiments, however, revealed that there was no specific binding in M1 cells, suggesting that the cells express low numbers of receptors or very low affinity receptors specific for PGE₁. Stable agonists of PGI₂, iloprost, cicaprost or carbacyclin, also potently inhibited the growth of M1 cells. These findings suggest that PGE₁ as well as PGI₂ may play a role in the differentiation of monocyte-macrophage lineage cells.     

DDA1, a novel oncogene,promotes lung cancer progression through regulation of cell cycle

Lung cancer is globally widespread and associated with high morbidity and mortality. DDA1 (DET1 and DDB1 associated 1) was first discovered and registered in the GenBank database by our colleagues. DDA1, an evolutionarily conserved gene, might have significant functions. Recent reports have demonstrated that DDA1 is linked to the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway and facilitates the degradation of target proteins. However, the function of DDA1 in lung cancer was previously unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether DDA1 contributes to tumorigenesis and progression of lung cancer. We found that the expression of DDA1 in normal lung cells and tissue was significantly lower than that in lung cancer and was associated with poor prognosis. DDA1 overexpression promoted proliferation of lung tumour cells and facilitated cell cycle progression in vitro and subcutaneous xenograft tumour progression in vivo. Mechanistically, this was associated with the regulation of S phase and cyclins including cyclin D1/D3/E1. These results indicate that DDA1 promotes lung cancer progression, potentially through promoting cyclins and cell cycle progression. Therefore, DDA1 may be a potential novel target for lung cancer treatment, and a biomarker for tumour prognosis.     

Identification and immunocytochemical analysis of DCNP1, a dendritic cell-associated nuclear protein.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Among so-called professional APCs, only DCs can activate naive T cells to initiate immune response. To better understand molecular mechanisms underlying unique functions of DCs, we searched for genes specifically expressed in human DCs, using PCR-based cDNA subtraction in conjunction with differential screening. cDNAs generated from CD34(+) stem cell-derived CD1a(+) DC were subtracted with cDNA from monocytes and used for generation of a cDNA library. The cDNA library was differentially screened to select genes expressed in DCs more abundantly than in monocytes. We identified a gene encoding a protein composed of 244 amino acids, which we designated as DCNP1 (dendritic cell nuclear protein 1). In Northern blot analysis, DCNP1 mRNA was highly expressed in mature DCs and at a lower level in immature DCs. In contrast, monocytes and B cells do not express the gene. In multiple human tissue Northern blot analysis, expression of DCNP1 was detected in brain and skeletal muscle. To examine subcellular localization of DCNP1, we performed immunofluorescence analysis using an anti-DCNP1 polyclonal antibody and found the molecule to be localized mainly in the perinucleus. In an immunohistochemical analysis, we compared the expression of DCNP1 with CD68, a marker for DCs and macrophages, in spleen, lymph node, liver, and brain. While DCNP1-positive cells showed a similar tissue distribution to CD68-positive cells, the number of DCNP1-positive cells was much smaller than that of CD68-positive cells. Our findings are consistent with the proposal that DCNP1 is specifically expressed in DCs.