Polyoma Virus Mutants as Probes of Variety Among Mouse Embryonal Carcinoma Cell Lines

The tumor promoter 12–0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) dramatically modifies the differentiative program of myotubes, developed in culture from chick embryo skeletal myogenic cells. In fact TPA selectively decreases the expression of differentiative parameters with a lag of 8–10 h from its administration to the cultures. We have tested whether the reported effect of TPA depends on the synthesis of specific products during the lag phase of TPA action. The data presented indicate that inhibition of protein synthesis by the use of cycloheximide prevents the appearance of TPA induced inhibition of the expression of differentiative products, such as creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and acetylcholine receptors (AChR). Following removal of cycloheximide and reinitiation of normal protein synthesis, the TPA induced inhibitory effect on CPK and AChR appears after a delay of about the same length as the time lag of TPA action. Our results indicate that inhibition of protein synthesis during the lag phase of TPA action prevents the effect of this tumor promoter on myotube differentiative parameters, and suggest that the expression of differentiative traits in cultured myotubes is affected by TPA via a regulatory step implying protein synthesis.     

Rapid Differentiation of Human Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells (NT2) into Neurons for Neurite Outgrowth Analysis

Human neurons derived from stem cells can be employed as in vitro models to predict the potential of neurochemicals affecting neurodevelopmental cellular processes including proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Here, we developed a model of differentiating human neurons from well characterized human embryonal carcinoma stem cells (NT2). NT2 cells were induced to differentiate into neuronal phenotypes after 2 weeks of treatment with retinoic acid in aggregate culture. Nestin positive progenitor cells migrate out of NT2 aggregates and differentiate into βIII-tubulin expressing neuronal cells. Culturing the NT2 cells for an additional 7–14 days resulted in increased percentage of βIII-tubulin expressing cells, elaborating a long neurite that positively stained for axonal marker (Tau) and presynaptic protein (synapsin). We then asked whether neurite outgrowth from NT2 cells is modulated by bioactive chemicals. Since the cAMP/PKA pathway has been widely investigated as a regulator of neurite outgrowth/regeneration in several experimental systems, we used chemical activators and inhibitors of cAMP/PKA pathway in the culture. The adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin, and cell-permeable analog of cAMP, 8-Br-cAMP increased the percentage of neurite bearing cells and neurite extension. Application of the protein kinase A inhibitors, H-89 and Rp-cAMP, blocked neurite formation. Taken together, NT2 aggregates undergo migration, differentiation, and neurite elaboration and can be used as a model of differentiating human neurons to screen neurochemicals and to understand cellular mechanisms of human nerve cell development.     

Rab23 在鳞癌细胞系中的表达及其对鳞癌细胞侵袭的影响*

目的:观察Rab23在鳞癌细胞系中的表达及其对鳞癌细胞侵袭的影响。方法:western blot检测Rab23在四个头颈部鳞癌细胞系中的表达,对鳞癌细胞系HSQ-89用脂质体转染小干扰RNA,对Sa3用脂质体转染Rab23质粒,分别干涉或过表达Rab23,用铺有基质胶的transwell小室检测细胞侵袭能力,细胞划痕试验检测迁移能力。结果:Rab23在四个鳞癌细胞系中均有表达,在Hacat中不表达,HSQ-89细胞经Rab23干涉后细胞侵袭能力减弱,而Sa-3细胞过表达Rab23后细胞侵袭能力增强。干涉或过表达Rab23后,鳞癌细胞的迁移能力无差异。结论:Rab23可促进鳞癌细胞侵袭。     

Analysis of the Factors Involved in the Retinoic Acid-Induced Differentiation of a Retinoid-Hypersensitive Embryonal Carcinoma Cell Mutant

Retinoic acid (RA) has been known to play an important role in cellular growth and differentiation as well as in vertebrate development. Many in vitro cell cultures also respond to RA by differentiating. Perhaps the most widely studied of these cultures are embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. We have used an RA-hypersensitive EC cell mutant, created by retroviral insertion, to analyze the activity of the identifiable components in the RA response pathway. We have analyzed the mRNA expression patterns of the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) α, β, and γ, the retinoid X receptors (RXRs) α, β, and γ, and the cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABPs) I and II. Our results indicate that CRABP I, RAR β, and RAR γ mRNAs are expressed differentially between parent and RA-hypersensitive mutant cells. All three messages are present at higher basal levels and at earlier times after RA addition in the mutant relative to parental cells. All other elements examined are equivalently expressed. Therefore analyses of the expression patterns of CRABPs, RARs, and RXRs in these RA-hypersensitive cells point to the probable importance of CRABP I, RAR β, and RAR γ in the RA induction pathway and also indicate that CRABP II and RXR γ are not likely to be critical elements in the early differentiative response of cells to RA.     

Embryonal Carcinoma Cell Lines Stably Transfected with mRARβ2-lacZ: Sensitive System for Measuring Levels of Active Retinoids

Embryonal carcinoma cell lines (F9 EC and P19 EC) were stably transfected with 1.8 kb promoter sequence of RARβ2 coupled to the lacZ gene as a system for measuring active retinoids. These stable transfectants, designated F9-1.8 and P19-1.8, were used as reporter cell lines to investigate different retinoids for their ability to activate the reporter gene. F9-1.8 cells showed similar EC₅₀ values for the acidic retinoids all-trans retinoic acid (RA), 4-oxo RA, 9-cis RA, and 13-cis RA, in the range of 1–7 nM, while P19-1.8 cells were less sensitive. Retinal showed decreased activity compared to the RA isomers in both lines. However, P19-1.8 cells hardly showed β-gal activity after treatment with retinol, while the lacZ reporter in F9-1.8 cells was still inducible by this retinoid. In addition, the reporter system was used to investigate RA metabolism and its inhibition by P450 inhibitors. A combination of RA and liarozole showed a 10 times greater induction of the RARβ2-lacZ reporter in P19-1.8 cells, but not in F9-1.8 cells. The EC₅₀ value for 4-oxo RA, however, was not altered, indicating that metabolic conversion of RA to 4-oxo RA is the target for inhibition by liarozole in P19-1.8 cells. HPLC analysis revealed nearly complete inhibition of RA metabolism after liarozole treatment in P19-1.8 cells, resulting in higher levels of RA. Finally, the F9-1.8 cells were used to detect active retinoids during different stages of chick limb bud development, demonstrating that it is the limb bud mesenchyme which generates RA and not the epidermis, with a twofold higher level of RA in the posterior half than in the anterior half.     

Induction of a Hyaluronan Receptor,CD44, during Embryonal Carcinoma and Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

This paper describes the expression profile of the CD44 glycoprotein during differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) and embryonic stem (ES) cells. We have recently shown that CD44 is expressed in discrete embryonic structures and, in view of this, we sought an in vitro differentiation model of development in which we could study more readily the structure and function of the CD44 molecule. The P19 EC and CGR8 ES cells were chosen as they have the capacity to develop down the cardiac muscle pathway and we have previously demonstrated that CD44 is expressed abundantly in the embryonic myocardium. The differentiation process in both cell types is accompanied by an induction of CD44 mRNA and protein. However, in differentiated cultures CD44 is not expressed in contractile cells, indicating that these P19 cells do not represent CD44-positive embryonic cardiomyocytes. Expression of CD44 is observed on fibroblast-like cells which appear to migrate over and out from the plated aggregates. Hyaluronan, the major ligand for CD44, is also associated with these CD44-positive fibroblast-like cells. It is suggested that expression of both receptor and ligand by the fibroblastic cells is required for cell:matrix adhesion and cell motility. As CD44 is up-regulated in these cultures, P19 cells are now established as a useful model system to study the factors regulating expression of the CD44 gene.     

喉癌的流行病学病因学动态分析

目的:调查我省喉癌流行病学特征及影响喉癌预后的相关因素。为我省喉癌防治工作提供理论依据。方法:对1995年-2005年哈尔滨医科大学附属第二医院耳鼻咽喉-头颈外科收治的1172例喉癌患者进行回顾性调查研究。结果:喉癌发病男女比例为2．48:1,女性喉癌发病率较其他地区高。在年龄分布中,50-69岁患者占68．9％。城市居民比农村居民发明率偏高,是农民的1.35倍,在职业方面以工人最多。吸烟量越大、吸烟时间越长,患喉癌的例数越多。正常人与喉癌患者ABO血型构成比之间无显著差异。声门上型喉癌占喉癌总数的54．43%,声门型喉癌占喉癌总数的36．60％,声门下型喉癌占喉癌总数的1．96％。病理分型中鳞状细胞癌占95．6％。声门上型及喉咽癌颈淋巴结转移明显偏高。结论:我省喉癌发病女性患者较其他地区多,且以声门上型最显著、50-69岁年龄段发病最高。吸烟与喉癌的发生有一定关系。城市居民比农村居民发病率高。喉癌发病与ABO血型无明显关系。     

肝癌细胞系中SP及CD133+细胞的特性分析

近年的研究表明体外培养的肝癌细胞系中存在着少量具有肝癌干细胞功能的细胞群。有研究指出肝癌干细胞存在于侧群细胞(sidepopulation,SP)中,另有研究则发现CD133+细胞是肝癌干细胞的特征。本研究以三种肝癌细胞系(Hep3B、Huh-7和PLC/PRF/5)为对象,利用流式细胞术对其中的SP细胞与CD133+细胞进行了分析,并进一步检测了它们的增殖能力、表型及耐药性等特性。结果显示,肝癌细胞系中存在不同比例的SP细胞和CD133+细胞,且大部分SP细胞呈CD133阳性表达。表型特征分析显示SP细胞表达CK7和CK19,不表达AFP,而CD133+细胞则表达AFP和CK19,却不表达CK7。SP与CD133+细胞都具有较强的增殖能力。另外,相比于其它细胞,SP细胞具有最强的化疗药物抗性。结果表明,肝癌细胞系中SP细胞与CD133+细胞整体特征有一定的区别,提示了它们不同的分化途径。     

Dissociation of Cell Growth and DNA Synthesis and Alteration of the Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Ratio in Growing Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

The relationship between the two subcycles 'the cell-growth cycle' (CGC) and the 'DNA-division cycle' (DDC) were examined in the pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line PCC3 N/I. This line shows intraclonal bimodal-like heterogeneity in growth rate. A combined protein (mass) and DNA staining method was used to evaluate the relationship between DDC and CGC at various stages in the cell cycle. The results revealed dissociation of the two subcycles and the mass distributions at certain points in the cell cycle reflected the bimodality reported by us for intermitotic time (IDT) distribution. The results were applied to a model called 'The Two-subcycles Cell Cycle Model' (TSCM). This model predicts that the period of DDC (Pre-S+S-G₂-M) is fairly constant, while the CGC varies, being the main cause of the growth heterogeneity observed in this line. A point of growth rate regulation (PGRR) in G₁ was thought to coincide with the start of CGC. These results reveal a mechanism by which the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio of the cells can change from one cell cycle to the next.     

Role of Chemokines in Renal Cell Carcinoma

With new frontiers of pharmaceutical therapies focusing on tumor growth and angiogenesis, understanding the interaction between immune system and tumor microenvironment has become ever more important. Chemokines and chemokine receptors appear to play an integral role in tumor characteristics. Evidence suggests CXCR4, CXCL5, CXCR7, and stromal derived factor-1 appear to be crucial in survival, growth, and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. As the role of chemokines in renal cancer is becoming more evident, further research will lead to a better understanding of tumor biology and the development of new therapeutic targets to help improve survival.Key words: Chemokine, Cytokines, Renal cell carcinoma, OncocytomaRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the seventh most common malignant condition among men and twelfth among women, representing 2% to 3% of all cancers.¹ Thirty to 40% of affected patients present with stage III or stage IV disease. It has an estimated incidence of 57,760 per year, which has increased 2% to 3% per year with no significant decrease in mortality rates.² Median survival of patients with metastatic disease is merely 13 months.¹ Studies have established that tumor and stroma interact through a variety of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors.³ Recent evidence suggests chemokines may facilitate tumor growth, survival, and metastatic potential of various cancers including RCC. Chemokines have a potential to be utilized as tumor markers and novel targets of antiangiogenic therapy. Investigating the role of various chemokines in the development and metastasis of cancer has become a major focus of contemporary research. We examined the relevant literature and present a review of selected chemokines and their roles in renal cell cancers.     

Role of IL13RA2 in Sunitinib Resistance in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mammalian target of rapamycin are well-known therapeutic targets for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Sunitinib is an agent that targets VEGF receptors and is considered to be a standard treatment for metastatic or unresectable clear cell RCC (ccRCC). However, ccRCC eventually develops resistance to sunitinib in most cases, and the mechanisms underlying this resistance are not fully elucidated. In the present study, we established unique primary xenograft models, KURC1 (Kyoto University Renal Cancer 1) and KURC2, from freshly isolated ccRCC specimens. The KURC1 xenograft initially responded to sunitinib treatment, however finally acquired resistance. KURC2 retained sensitivity to sunitinib for over 6 months. Comparing gene expression profiles between the two xenograft models with different sensitivity to sunitinib, we identified interleukin 13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13RA2) as a candidate molecule associated with the acquired sunitinib-resistance in ccRCC. And patients with high IL13RA2 expression in immunohistochemistry in primary ccRCC tumor tends to have sunitinib-resistant metastatic site. Next, we showed that sunitinib-sensitive 786-O cells acquired resistance in vivo when IL13RA2 was overexpressed. Conversely, shRNA-mediated knockdown of IL13RA2 successfully overcame the sunitinib-resistance in Caki-1 cells. Histopathological analyses revealed that IL13RA2 repressed sunitinib-induced apoptosis without increasing tumor vasculature in vivo. To our knowledge, this is a novel mechanism of developing resistance to sunitinib in a certain population of ccRCC, and these results indicate that IL13RA2 could be one of potential target to overcome sunitinib resistance.     

5-Aza-CdR对人胃癌细胞株生物学行为及RASSFlA mRNA表达的影响

观察不同浓度的5-氮-2′-脱氧胞苷(5-Aza-CdR)对人胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28生长及RASSF1A mRNA表达的影响。方法:分别以0．4μmol/L、1．6μmol/L、6．4μmol/L、25．6μmol/L、102．4μmol/L浓度的5-Aza-CdR处理人胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28,MTT比色法测定72h时间段的吸光度值、计算抑制率,流式细胞仪检测5-Aza-CdR对胃癌细胞株生长周期及凋亡的影响,RT-PCR检测5-Aza-CdR处理前、后抑癌基因RASSF1A mRNA的表达。结果:5-Aza-CdR抑制体外培养人胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28生长,呈浓度依赖性;5-Aza-CdR能有效诱导BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28细胞凋亡;RT-PCR检测人胃癌细胞株SGC-7901、MKN-28无RASSF1A mRNA表达,经5-Aza-CdR处理后基因重新表达, BGC-823处理前后RASSF1A mRNA均有表达。结论:新型抑癌基因RASSF1A与胃癌的发生相关,5-Aza-CdR能抑制胃癌细胞株的增殖,并促进凋亡,其机制可能与RASSF1A基因的重新表达有关。     

The Role of Hypoxia in the Differentiation of P19 Embryonal Carcinoma Cells into Dopaminergic Neurons

Nervous system development at early stage is in hypoxic environment. Very little is known about the role of hypoxia in neuronal development. P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells are a widely used model for studying early neuronal development. In this study we investigated the roles of hypoxia in differentiation of dopaminergic neurons derived from P19 EC cells. Results demonstrate that hypoxia increases the percentage of differentiated neurons, especially neurons of dopaminergic phenotype. To investigate the potential mechanism involved in hypoxia promoted differentiation of dopaminergic neurons, we measured the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), based on its characteristic response to hypoxia. The result shows that HIF-1α mRNA level in P19 EC cells increases after hypoxia treatment. It is known that HIF-1α regulates the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene through binding to its promoter. Therefore, we propose that the underlying mechanism for hypoxia promoted differentiation of dopaminergic neurons was mediated by HIF-1α up-regulation under hypoxia. Yue Wang—Co-first author. Special Issue in honor of Dr. Ji-Sheng Han.     

Chromosome 3q26 Gain Is an Early Event Driving Coordinated Overexpression of the PRKCI,SOX2, and ECT2 Oncogenes in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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