MicroRNAs in osteosarcoma: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules, which can interfere with the expression of several genes and act as gene regulator. miRNAs have been proved as a successful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in several cancers. In this review, the differential expression of miRNAs in osteosarcoma and their possibility to be used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools have been discussed. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor that mainly affects children and adolescents. The current treatment of osteosarcoma remains difficult, and osteosarcoma causes many deaths because of its complex pathogenesis and resistance to conventional treatments. Several studies demonstrated that the differential expression patterns of miRNAs are a promising tool for the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma. Although some aspect of the mechanism of action of miRNAs in controlling osteosarcoma has been identified (e.g., targeting the Notch signaling pathway), it is far beyond to the clear understanding of miRNA targets in osteosarcoma. Identification of the specific target of miRNAs may aid molecular targets for drug development and future relief of osteosarcoma.

Gastrodin ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors and inhibits IL-1beta level and p38 MAPK phosphorylation of hippocampus in the rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder

Gastrodin, a main constituent of a Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown to be effective in treating various mood disorders. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether gastrodin could ameliorate stress-associated behavior in a rat model of enhanced single prolonged stress (ESPS)-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Following ESPS, rats were administered orally with gastrodin (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg daily) or vehicle for 2 weeks. Animals were then tested in the open field and elevated plus-maze, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-1beta, the expression of iNOS, p38 and phospho-p38 (p-p38) in hippocampus were also tested. ESPS exposure resulted in pronounced anxiety-like behavior, elevated IL-6 and IL-1beta levels, and the higher expression of iNOS and p-p38 in hippocampus. However, repeated treatment with gastrodin, particularly at higher doses, reversed the aforementioned changes, including anxiety-like behavior, levels of IL-6 and IL-1beta, and the expression of iNOS and the p38 MAPK phosphorylation. These results indicate that gastrodin possesses anxiolytic effect and may be an effective herbal preparation for the treatment of PTSD.

Regulation different network analysis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA)

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic synovitis that progresses to destruction of cartilage and bone.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to employ microarray analysis combined with bioinformatics techniques to evaluate differential gene expression in BM-derived mononuclear cells obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) to study the pathogenesis of this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gene expression profiles in BM-derived mononuclear cells from 9 RA and 10 OA patients were obtained from GEO.

RESULTS

The bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells showed 2581 up-regulated and 649 down-regulated genes in RA patients relative to the OA group: Our analysis indicated that several differentially expressed genes might play crucial roles in RA development, including SP1, RARA, ETS1, ETS2, FOS and ESR1.

CONCLUSIONS

Further analysis predicted these genes might be involved in RA through cancer related pathways and immunity related pathways. Furthermore, these genes may serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of RA.

Genotyping of clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates based on eight loci of MIRU-VNTR

Genotyping that differentiates between strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on variations in the genome of the organism is a useful tool for molecular epidemiological studies of tuberculosis. In the present study, we identified a combination of five mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU) loci and three variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) loci of M. tuberculosis that showed a discriminatory power comparable to that of the 15 to 24 loci-based typing proposed for international standardisation in analysing 210 paediatric isolates obtained from Chongqing, China.

Effects of Enterococcus faecalis lipoteichoic acid on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and osteoprotegerin expression in periodontal ligament fibroblasts

AIM

To investigate the influence of Enterococcus faecalis lipoteichoic acid (LTA) on the key bone resorption-regulating proteins, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL cells).

METHODOLOGY

Periodontal ligament cells were subjected to various concentrations of LTA. Cell viability was then determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, whilst the expression levels of RANKL and OPG were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. The effect of the inhibitors [IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-1/4, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (SB203580)] on LTA-stimulated RANKL/OPG activation was examined. Cell viability and RANKL/OPG ratio in PDL cells were also analysed by MTT assay and Western blotting. Data were analysed using one-way anova or t-test at a significance level of P = 0.05.

RESULT

Cell viability was reduced significantly in the LTA group in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.05). In addition, LTA was found to upregulate the protein expression of RANKL, OPG and their relative ratio in PDL cells (P < 0.05). The optimal concentration of LTA used in PDL cells was determined to be 10 μg mL(-1) . Following IRAK1/4 and p38MAPK inhibition, LTA-stimulated increases of RANKL/OPG ratio were significantly reduced (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Enterococcus faecalis LTA could upregulate the expression of RANKL and OPG at different rates, suggesting a potential role for LTA in the bone resorption process of refractory apical periodontitis through the regulation of RANKL and OPG. In addition, IRAK1/4 and p38MAPK signalling involving RANKL/OPG may contribute to inflammatory responses from PDL cells.

Association between GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The association between glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) Ile105Val polymorphism and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy has been investigated in a number of published studies. However, most of these studies were based on small sample sizes and the results remained inconsistent. To assess the relationship between GSTP1 gene Ile105Val polymorphism and its susceptibility to oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, a meta-analysis of previous studies was conducted.

METHODS

Two investigators independently searched studies published up to December 2012 from the databases of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library. The pooled effect was calculated as odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) using fixed-effect or random-effect model.

RESULTS

Twelve prospective trials and two retrospective clinical trials involving 2,191 participants met the inclusion criteria. Combined analyses of these studies showed no significant associations between GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, yielding OR of 1.08 (95 %CI 0.67-1.74, P = 0.754) in dominant model. Similar results were also obtained in recessive model (OR = 1.67, 95 %CI 0.56-4.93, P = 0.357) and allelic analysis (OR = 1.22, 95 %CI 0.67-2.24, P = 0.513). Since significant heterogeneity across studies, the pooled effects were calculated by random-effect model. No evidence of publication biases was identified in this meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis did not support the hypothesis that GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism was related to the occurrence of neurotoxicity in oxaliplatin-treated patients. Given the limited number of studies and potential bias, large-scale and well-designed clinical trials should be needed to confirm these hypotheses.

Syntheses and Properties of New Double-tail Trisiloxane Surfactants with Both Hydrolysis Resistance and High Spreading Ability

New double-tail trisiloxane surfactants of the general formula R1NR2CH2CH(OH)CH2O(CH2CH2O)xCH3 (R1 = Me3SiOSiMe(CH2)3 · OSiMe3; R2 = Me3SiOSiMe((CH2)3OCH2CH(OH)CH2)OSiMe3; x = 8.4, 12.9, 17.5, 22) have been synthesized. The spreading ability (SA) values of the double-tail trisiloxane surfactants solutions (1.0 × 10−3 mol/L) with average ethoxy units of 8.4, 12.9 and 17.5 on ficus microcarpa leave surface are more than 9 within 3 minutes, and their SA values on the parafilm surface are over 15 within 10 minutes at a concentration of 5.0 × 10−3 mol/L. In alkaline environment (pH = 10.0) the hydrolysis resistant ability (HRA) of the double-tail trisiloxane surfactant containing average ethoxy units of 8.4 with the surface tension of aqueous solution (1.0 × 10−3 mol/L) of less than 23 mN/m over 170 days, is far better than the others’. It is suggested that a more flexible spacer between hydrophobic groups and hydrophilic groups in double-tail trisiloxane surfactants molecules, not only can improve their SA on low-energy solid surfaces, but also improve their HRA.

Targeting IL-23 by employing a p40 peptide-based vaccine ameliorates murine allergic skin and airway inflammation

BACKGROUND

Studies have found that the IL-23/Th17 pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and severe and steroid-resistant asthma. Targeting IL-23/Th17 pathway with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) has been successful in the reduction of skin and airway inflammation in animal models. However, the mAb has a short half-life, requiring repeated administrations. For the long-term suppression of IL-23/Th17 pathway, we have previously developed an IL-23p40 peptide-based virus-like particle vaccine, which induces long-lasting autoantibodies to IL-23.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the effects of this IL-23p40 peptide-based vaccine on the down-regulation of allergic skin and airway inflammation in mice.

METHODS

Mice were subcutaneously injected three times with the IL-23p40 vaccine, or the vaccine carrier protein or saline as controls. Two weeks later, mice were epicutaneously sensitized with ovalbumin four times at a 2-week interval. One week after the final sensitization, mice were nasally administrated with ovalbumin daily for 3 days. One day later, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), sera, lung and skin tissues were obtained and analysed.

RESULTS

Mice immunized with the vaccine produced high levels of IgG antibodies to IL-23, p40 and IL-12 that in vitro inhibited IL-23-dependent IL-17 production. The numbers of total cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils in BALF were significantly reduced in the vaccine group, compared with controls. The levels of IL-13, IL-5, IL-23 and, IL-17 in BALF and levels of serum ovalbumin-specific IgE, IgG1, and total IgE were also significantly decreased. Histological analysis showed less inflammation of the lung and skin tissues in the vaccine group, compared with controls.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Administration of an IL-23p40 peptide-based vaccine down-regulates allergic skin and airway inflammation, suggesting that this strategy may be a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of AD and asthma.

[Characteristics and treatment of traumatic cervical disc herniation]

OBJECTIVE

To explore clinical presentations and the operational opportunity of traumatic cervical disc herniation.

METHODS

From June 2002 to June 2009,40 patients with traumatic cervical disc herniation were treated. There were 24 males and 16 females, with an average age of 43.2 years old ranging from 30 to 56 years. There were 36 patients with single intervertebral disc herniation and 4 patients with double. The injury level of those patients were at C3,4 in 16 cases, C4,5 in 10 cases, C5,6 in 12 cases and C6,7 in 6 cases. Among them, 18 patients showed spinal cord signal changes by MRI, 5 patients suffered from nothing but neck and shoulder pain, 8 patients with nerve root stimulation; 10 patients with spinal cord compression, and 17 patients had both nerve root stimulation and spinal cord compression symptoms. Conservative treatment were applied to 13 patients with neck and shoulder pain and nerve root stimulation, 5 cases of which were transferred to operation in case of poor effects, and Odom criteria were used to assess operational effects. Twenty-seven patients with spinal cord compression accepted operation from 1 to 27days after their trauma, 16 of which were operated in 5 days (early operational group with an JOA score of 11.3 +/- 2.8), other 11 cases were operated from 5 to 27 days (delayed operational group with an JOA score of 11.4 +/- 2.9 ), then functional assessment of spinal cord were assessed according to JOA criteria.

RESULTS

Three patients who were transferred from conservative treatment recovered excellently according to Odom criteria and the other 2 were good at final followed-up. JOA score of early operational group increased from (11.3 +/- 2.8) to (15.3 +/- 1.8) one week after operation (P < 0.01), and (15.9 +/- 1.4) at final followed-up (P < 0.01). JOA score of delayed operational group increased from (11.4 +/- 2.9) to (14.0 +/- 2.6) one week after operation (P < 0.01), and (15.3 +/- 1.5) at final followed-up (P < 0.01). The recovery ratio of JOA score of early operational group were (74.6 +/- 16.8)% 1 week after operation,and increased to (85.6 +/- 13.6)% at final followed-up; while that of delayed operational group were (50.9 +/- 17.5)% and (68.2 +/- 21.5)%, and there were significant difference between early operational group and delayed operational group both at 1 week postoperation and final followup (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There are some difference in pathological segment and imaging manifestation between traumatic cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis. Early operation is favorable to the recovery of neurological function in patients with spinal cord compression.

From cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV-infected patients: genes involved in tumor progression

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Understanding molecular changes in hepatocellular carcinoma should improve identification of risk factors in molecular subtypes and provide potential targets for early detection and therapy.

AIM

The present study aimed to analyze the molecular mechanism of the transition from hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced cirrhosis to HCV induced HCC using microarray analysis combined with bioinformatics techniques. METHODS, To accomplish this, we performed the differential coexpression analysis of hepatic gene expression in samples of HCV-cirrhotic patients with and without HCC. Total 465 genes were identified and some of them were used to construct a regulatory network.

RESULTS

Our analysis indicated that several differentially co-express genes might play crucial roles in HCC development, including NA3C2, AHR, MYC, FOXO1 and FOSB. Further analysis predicted these genes might be involved in HCC through pathways of "ribosome", "steroid biosynthesis", "spliceosome" and so on. Moreover, these genes may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our findings confirm the presence of multiple molecular alterations during HCV-infected HCC hepatocarcinogenesis and indicate the possibility for identifying prognostic factors associated with HCC progression.

Comparison of methods for staining microvessels in bone

Detection of microvessels is critical for studying bone tissue. We developed an intravascular ink-based method coupled with Van Gieson (VG) staining and compared it with other commonly used methods for capillary visualization. The ink perfusate was formulated as 10% ink, 10% formaldehyde and 20% mannitol. The ink solution was perfused into a healthy goat and the tibia was subjected to decalcification, dehydration, paraffin embedding, de-waxing and staining to observe microvessels. Angiogenesis was assessed by vascular area image analysis and the hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson, and VG staining techniques were compared to determine the reliability of these methods for counting microvessels. We found that HE, Masson, and VG staining produced poor contrast between the microvessels and surrounding tissues. By contrast, ink coupled with VG staining permitted clear discrimination between the microvessels and surrounding tissues. Our results indicate that ink-VG staining could be more useful than other methods for detecting tissue microvessels.

Candida albicans survival and biofilm formation under starvation conditions

AIM

To investigate the survival and biofilm formation capacity of Candida albicans in starvation and under anaerobic conditions.

METHODOLOGY

Candida albicans growth and survival were monitored in vitro for up to 8 months. Fungal suspensions from late exponential, stationary and starvation phases were incubated on human dentine, polystyrene and glass slides. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the process of biofilm formation. 2,3-bis(2-Methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide inner salt (XTT) reduction assay was performed to quantify the biofilm formation capability, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to study and make semi-quantitative comparisons of the ultrastructure of biofilms formed on human dentine. 'XTT bioactivity' and 'COMSTAT results' were analysed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way ANOVA, respectively.

RESULTS

Candida albicans survived for over six months. SEM demonstrated that starving C. albicans produced mature biofilms on different substrata. C. albicans of the same growth phase incubated on human dentine displayed significantly higher biofilm formation capability than on polystyrene or glass slides (P < 0.05). Biofilm formation capability by starving cells was significantly lower than that in exponential or stationary phases (P < 0.05). CLSM revealed that biofilms formed by starvation-phase cells were less complex, had a higher roughness coefficient and surface/volume ratio (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Candida albicans cells can survive and form biofilms in anaerobic and nutrient-limited conditions and may pose a treatment challenge.

Dynamic mechanical relaxation and loss in the incommensurate phase of quartz

The dynamic mechanical properties of quartz have been studied as a function of temperature across the α-β phase transition and in the vicinity of the incommensurate (IC) phase on cooling from the β phase. The mechanical response of the IC phase shows strong anelasticity for measurement of Young's modulus (closely related to C(11) in our geometry) with modulated stress driven at 1 Hz. The dynamic shear modulus does not show similar strong effects in its imaginary component, although a very weak anomaly is barely detectable in the real part of the modulus. Our results indicate that the incommensurate microstructures within the quartz transition interval are susceptible to dilatational stress with relaxation times around 1 s.

Targeting BCR tyrosine177 site with novel SH2-DED causes selective leukemia cell death in vitro and in vivo

Emergence of resistance to imatinib mesylate complicates the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors are capable to overcome resistance mediated by most mutations except T315I. As this mutation is causative for 20% of clinically observed resistances, the need for novel treatment strategies becomes obvious and urgent. The autophosphorylated BCR/ABL Tyr177 recruits Grb2 via its SH2 domain, which is required for efficient induction of the myeloproliferative disease by BCR/ABL. The death effector domain (DED) is the critical factor for activation of caspase-8 induced apoptosis signal. We thus speculated that transduction of an exogenous SH2-DED (SD) fragment into the CML cells may inhibit the binding of BCR/ABL Tyr177 and Grb2, activate caspase-8 induced apoptosis and serve as a novel CML treatment strategy. The infection of the recombinant adenovirus Ad5/F35-SD was verified to show both cell proliferation-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect. Further exploration into the underlying mechanisms revealed that Ad5/F35-SD exerted its function by binding to the phospho-BCR/ABL Tyr177 site, reducing Ras, MAPK and AKT kinase activities, and activating caspase-8 induced apoptosis signal by DED protein binding to DED domain of precursor caspase-8. Moreover, high anti-proliferative activity of Ad5/F35-SD was observed in nude mice and its leukemia-protective effect was evident in chronic myeloid leukemia model mice injected with BCR/ABL(+) BaF3 cells. In conclusion, Ad5/F35-SD exhibits anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity on BCR/ABL positive leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo through disruption of Grb2 SH2-phospho-BCR/ABL Tyr177 complex formation and induction of caspase-8 activation.