BID is a critical factor controlling cell viability regulated by IFN-α.

Clinical applications of human interferon (IFN)-α have met with varying degrees of success. Nevertheless, key molecules in cell viability regulated by IFN-α have not been clearly identified. Our previous study indicated that IFN (α, β, and ω) receptor (IFNAR) 1/2- and IFN regulatory factor 9-RNA interference (RNAi) completely restored cell viability after IFN-α treatment in human ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR3 cells sensitive to IFN-α.

Identification of alpha interferon-induced genes associated with antiviral activity in Daudi cells and characterization of IFIT3 as a novel antiviral gene.

A novel assay was developed for Daudi cells in which the antiviral (AV) and antiproliferative (AP) activities of interferon (IFN) can be measured simultaneously. Using this novel assay, conditions allowing IFN AV protection but no growth inhibition were identified and selected. Daudi cells were treated under these conditions, and gene expression microarray analyses were performed.

IRF9 is a key factor for eliciting the antiproliferative activity of IFN-alpha.

A number of tumors are still resistant to the antiproliferative activity of human interferon (IFN)-alpha. The Janus kinases/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway plays an important role in initial IFN signaling. To enhance the antiproliferative activity of IFN-alpha, it is important to elucidate which factors in the JAK-STAT pathway play a key role in eliciting this activity.

Analysis of the quality of contact-pin fabricated oligonucleotide microarrays.

As the quality of microarrays is critical to successful experiments for data consistency and validity, a reliable and convenient quality control method is needed. We describe a systematic quality control method for large-scale genome oligonucleotide arrays. This method is comprised of three steps to assess the quality of printed arrays.

Comparison of the gene expression profile of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell lines and differentiating embryoid bodies.

Background: The identification of molecular pathways of differentiation of embryonic stem cells (hESC) is critical for the development of stem cell based medical therapies. In order to identify biomarkers and potential regulators of the process of differentiation, a high quality microarray containing 16,659 seventy base pair oligonucleotides was used to compare gene expression profiles of undifferentiated hESC lines and differentiating embryoid bodies.

Results: Previously identified "stemness" genes in undifferentiated hESC lines showed down modulation in differentiated cells while expression of several genes was induced as cells differentiated.