CD44hiCD24lo mammosphere-forming cells from primary breast cancer display resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs.

It has been widely suggested that mammosphere-forming cells from tumor cell lines or primary tumors represent the population of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which is supposed to lead to the failure of routine chemotherapy and the recurrence of the disease. However, it is still difficult to obtain CSCs from primary breast cancer for further investigation. We performed a modified culture system to generate mammosphere-forming cells derived from freshly isolated human breast cancer samples and the breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Enhanced performance of photonic crystal GaN light-emitting diodes with graphene transparent electrodes.

Unlabelled: The two-dimensional (2D) triangle lattice air hole photonic crystal (PC) GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LED) with double-layer graphene transparent electrodes (DGTE) have been produced. The current spreading effect of the double-layer graphene (GR) on the surface of the PC structure of the LED has been researched. Specially, we found that the part of the graphene suspending over the air hole of the PC structure was of much higher conductivity, which reduced the average sheet resistance of the graphene transparent conducting electrode and improved the current spreading of the PC LED.

[Effect of Naringin on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in vitro].

Purpose: To investigate the differentiation and osteogenic activity of Naringin-induced bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in dogs.

Methods: BMSCs were separated and cultured in vitro and identified by FCM. Then different concentration of Naringin (1×10⁻⁵, 1×10⁻⁶, 1×10⁻⁷, 1×10⁻⁸ and 1×10⁻⁹ mol/L) were added to cell culture media to induce BMSCs.

Erg11 mutations associated with azole resistance in clinical isolates of Candida albicans.

The widespread use of azoles has led to increasing azole resistance among Candida albicans strains. One mechanism of azole resistance involves point mutations in the ERG11 gene, which encodes the target enzyme (cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14α-demethylase). In the present study, we amplified and sequenced the ERG11 gene of 23 C.

Elevated expression of Foxp3 in tumor-infiltrating Treg cells suppresses T-cell proliferation and contributes to gastric cancer progression in a COX-2-dependent manner.

The transcription factor Foxp3 plays a key role in CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cell function. A correlation has been shown between survival and the frequency of tumor-infiltrating Foxp3-positive Treg cells in cancer patients. However, few studies have characterized the regulation of Foxp3 expression and function in Treg cells, which are known to comprise distinct subsets, with different roles in the complex tumor microenvironment.

The immunologic aspects in advanced ovarian cancer patients treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy.

Till now, little is known about the effects of chemotherapy on the immunity of cancer patients and the ideal timing ("window" period) for immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. In this study, we addressed the immunogenicity of apoptotic ovarian cancer cells induced by paclitaxel and carboplatin, the immunologic aspects in ovarian cancer patients under chemotherapy, and the CTL response when CD8(+) T cells were stimulated with tumor antigen in the "window" period. The immunogenicity of apoptotic ovarian cancer cells was detected first.

CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) regulatory T cells express Foxp3 and suppress effector T cell proliferation and contribute to gastric cancers progression.

Increased populations of regulatory T cells (Tregs) impair anti-tumor immunity. Recently, the transcription factor Foxp3 has been reported to play a key role in CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cell function and represents a specific marker for these cells. However, Foxp3 is a nuclear protein and is of limited value in the isolation of Tregs, which is a major reason that many functionally relevant aspects of Treg cells are still unknown.

MR molecular imaging of thrombus: development and application of a Gd-based novel contrast agent targeting to P-selectin.

Molecular imaging of thrombus formation at initial stage requires a robust thrombus-specific contrast agent with high sensitivity. In this study, we report a novel P-selectin-targeted paramagnetic molecular imaging agent and the agent's potential to sensitively detect occult microthrombi on the intimal surface of endothelium. Platelet clots and blood clots targeted in vitro with paramagnetic nanoparticles presented a highly detectable, homogeneous T1-weighted contrast enhancement that was improved with increasing gadolinium level.

[Effect of apoptotic ovarian cancer cells induced by paclitaxel-cisplatin on antigen presentation function of DC].

Aim: To explore wheather apoptotic ovarian cancer cells induced by paclitaxel-cisplatin could be cross-presented by antigen presenting cells and promote immune responses.

Methods: DCs were generated from peripheral blood monocytes in RPMI1640 supplemented with GM-CSF and IL-4. After 6 days' incubation, DCs were further co-cultured with either apoptotic HO8910 cell lines induced by paclitaxel-cisplatin or control cells for four hours.

Humoral immune responses against tumor-associated antigen OVA66 originally defined by serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries and its potentiality in cellular immunity.

Immunotherapy for cancer relies on the identification of tumor antigens and efficacy of antitumor immune responses. Serological analysis of recombinant cDNA libraries (SEREX), which is based on the spontaneous humoral responses against potential tumor antigens, has provided a novel strategy for searching novel tumor-associated candidates. Through SEREX analysis, we have identified 24 distinct gene clones by immunoscreening of a cDNA library derived from an ovarian cancer patient.

Fas Ligand gene transfer enhances the survival of tissue-engineered chondrocyte allografts in mini-pigs.

Background And Purpose: Since the Fas/Fas Ligand (FasL) interaction has been recognized as an apoptotic pathway, it eliminates the activated T cells and promotes the survival of grafts. In this study, the effect of FasL transfection of pig chondrocytes on allogeneic transplantation was examined in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Chondrocytes were isolated from articular and aural cartilages of anesthetized Guizhou Xiang (Gz) pig.

[Influence of traditional Chinese compound recipes with different efficacy on body weight, tumor weight and immune function in H22 cancer-bearing mice].

Objective: To compare the influence of traditional Chinese compound recipes (TCCRs) with different efficacy on body weight, tumor weight and immune function in H22 cancer-bearing mice.

Methods: H(22) cancer-bearing mice were chosen to observe the effects of TCCRs with different efficacy on tumor growth inhibition and detect the proliferation function of T lymphocytes, the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, the changes of T lymphocytes and the content of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)and interleukin-4 (IL-4).

Results: Tumor weight of H(22) cancer-bearing mice in Yidu Gongdu Recipe (YDGDR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine using poison as an antidote for poison)-treated group was obviously lighter than that in the other TCCR-treated groups and the tumor inhibition rate in YDGDR-treated group was 65.

[Tumor inhibiting and immunoloregulation effects of Mylabris Mixture on H22 cancer-bearing mice].

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of tumor inhibiting and immunoloregulation of Mylabris Mixture on H22 cancer-bearing mice.

Methods: H22 cancer-bearing mice were chosen to observe the effects of tumor inhibiting and detect the proliferation function of T lymphocytes, the toxicity function of NK cells, the changes of T lymphocytes and the contents of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4.

Results: Mylabris Mixture could obviously inhibit the growth of H22 cancer in mice, and the tumor inhibition rat was 65.

[The effects of tumor antigen gene OVA66 on biological characteristics of tumor cells].

Aim: To explore the effects of tumor antigen gene OVA66 on the biological characteristics of tumor cells.

Methods: The eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-mock and recombined vector pcDNA3.

Identification of melanoma-specific peptide epitopes by HLA-A2.1-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

HLA-A2.1-associated peptides, extracted from human melanoma cells, were used to study epitopes for melanoma-specific HLA-A2.1-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by epitope reconstitution, active peptide sequence characterization and synthetic peptide verification.

[Identification of a novel HLA-A2-restrictive CTL epitope of an ovary cancer-associated antigen OVA66].

Aim: To identify a novel HLA-A2-restrictive CTL epitope of an ovary cancer-associated antigen OVA66.

Methods: Dendritic cells (DCs), induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) by cytokines, were confirmed by morphological observation and FACS. Mature DCs were pulsed with each of the two synthesized peptides which were selected as possible CTL epitopes by software analysis.

[Expression of FasL gene in porcine chondrocytes].

Aim: To express the Fas ligand(FasL) gene in porcine chondrocytes.

Methods: The porcine FasL gene fragment was amplified by RT-PCR and then inserted into the pGCEN retroviral vector. The recombinant vector was transfected into packaging cells PA317 which were then screened with G418.

[Cloning, prokaryotic expression of CML66 and preparation of its polyclonal antibody].

Aim: To clone and express CML66 cDNA and to prepare rabbit anti-CML66 antibody.

Methods: cDNA isolated from the testis using RT-PCR was cloned into pGEMT. After sequencing, the cDNA was inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pET32b(+).

[Immunological up-regulation of cyclophosphamide-treated mice by turtle blood extract].

Aim: To explore the effect of turtle blood extract on murine immune system.

Methods: We compared the ratio of CD4(+) helper T cells and CD8(+) T cells, NK cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by mitogen and capability of cytokine secretion of cyclosphophamide-treated mice with or without treatment of turtle blood extract.

Results: Turtle blood extract-treated mice displayed increased CD4(+) helper T cell population, stronger cytotoxicity of NK cells and enhanced of ConA-induced lymphocyte proliferation.

[Study of HLA molecules and its associated genes expression in human ovarian cancer cells].

Aim: To explore the correlation between the expressions of HLA gene and its related gene, and expression of class II transactivator (CIITA) gene induced by IFN-gamma in human ovarian cells.

Methods: The expression of HLA molecule in the tumor cells was detected by Western blot, immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry. The expressions of transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP), low molecular weight peptides (LMP), and CIITA genes were analyzed by RT-PCR.