Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Juice Suppresses A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells via Inhibiting AKT/Nuclear Factor-κ B Signaling Pathway.

Objective: To study the mechanism of the anti-tumor effect of Morinda citrifolia (noni).

Methods: The influences of noni juice on cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration and the activity of AKT/nuclear factor- κ B (NF- κ B) signaling pathway in A549 human lung cancer cells were detected by MTT, cell counting kit-8, colony formation, Annexin V/PI double labeling, transwell, scratch test and immunoblotting assay, respectively. A549 cells were inoculated into the right axilla of nude mice, followed by noni juice treatment.

[Effects of matrine on the expression of NKG2D ligands in leukemia cells].

This study was aimed to analyze the expression of NKG2D ligands in human leukemic cells and to investigate the effects of matrine on NKG2D ligand expression. The expressions of NKG2D ligand MICA/B, ULBP1-3 in several human leukemia cell lines (K562, OUN-1, U937 and K562/AO2), as well as primary leukemic cells isolated from malignant leukemia patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. After treatment with different doses of matrine, the expression level of NKG2D ligands in these leukemic cells was detected by FCM.

[Roles of NKG2D in cytokine-induced killer (CIK) against hematological malignant cells lines].

This study was purposed to investigate the CIK cell cytotoxicity to hematological malignant cell lines by interaction NKG2D receptors and corresponding ligands. The CIK cells was expanded from healthy individual with interferon (IFN)γ, CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The subset of lymphocyte and the expression of NK cell receptors on CIK cells was detected by flow cytometry; NKG2D ligand expression on hematological malignant cell lines was also analyzed by flow cytometry, the calcein acetoxymethyl ester (CAM) was used for labeling target cells, then the cytotoxicity of CIK cells to hematological malignant cell lines was detected by flow cytometry.

[Enhanced cytotoxicity against leukemia cells of natural Killer cells from cord blood after expansion in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the enhanced cytotoxicity against leukemia cells of natural Killer (NK) cells from cord blood (CB) after expansion in vitro.

Methods: NK cells was expanded on a layer of trophoblast cells with irradiated K562-mb15-41BBL cell line for 21 days. The levels of receptors on NK cells were detected by flow cytometry.

[NKG2D-mediated natural killer cell cytotoxicity against myeloid leukemia cells OUN-1].

Objective: To investigate NK cell cytotoxicity to leukemic cell by NKG2D receptors and NKG2D ligands interaction upregulated by hydroxyurea (HU).

Methods: Leukemic cell lines OUN-1 and primary leukemic cells were cultured for 24 hours in the presence of HU, then the NKG2D ligands expressions were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Isolated NK cells from healthy individual cultured for 72 hours in presence of IL-2 were used as effect cell, and leukemic cell line OUN-1 treated with HU was used as target cell, NK cell cytotoxicity against leukemic cell line was assessed using chromium-51 release assay.

Rapid mycoplasma culture for the early diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Early diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) plays a pivotal role in its management. We evaluated the role of rapid culture method in early diagnosis of Mp infection and discussed the potential impact factors. A total of 2,600 patients with acute respiratory infection were included, and their pharyngeal swab samples were prepared for Mp rapid culture based on selective Mp fluid culture medium.

Effects of STAT3 silencing on fate of chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcription factor, is constitutively activated in various types of cancers. Previous investigations have demonstrated that this overexpression of STAT3 in human malignancies plays important roles in maintaining the characteristics of malignant tumors by having an effect on proliferation, differentiation, and/or immortalization. Thus, inhibition of STAT3 expression could be a potent therapeutic approach in cancer treatment.

[Enhancing effect of matrine on the tumor-inhibition by TIM2 gene-modified hepatocarcinoma H22 cells in mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of matrine on the anti-tumor efficiency of TIM2 gene-modified murine hepatocarcinoma H22 cells.

Methods: A combined eukaryotic expression vector pIRES2-EGFP-TIM2 was constructed and transfected into H22 cells by lipofectamin. The monoclone of positive H22-TIM2 cells and negative control H22-EGFP cells transfected with pIRES2-EGFP vector were selected by G418 pressure and limited dilution method in turn and were inoculated to establish the tumor-bearing mouse model.

[Effects of matrine on oncogenicity of H22 cells modified by TIM2 gene in vivo].

Objective: To investigate the effects of matrine on the anti-tumor efficiency of H22 murine hepatocarcinoma cell-based vaccine modified by TIM2 gene in vivo.

Method: The combinant eukaryotic expression vector pIRES2-EGFP-TIM2 was constructed and transfected into H22 cells by lipofectamin. The monoclone of the positive H22-TIM2 cells and negative control H22-EGFP cells were selected by G418 pressure and limited dilution method in turn.

[Inhibition of tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice treated with matrine].

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of matrine on tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice and explore its possible mechanisms of anti-tumor action in vivo.

Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma cells H(22) were subcutaneously injected into BALB/c mice and matrine was administered to the tumor-bearing mice. The kinetics of tumor formation and tumor growth were measured, tumor growth inhibition rate (IR) was calculated, and tumor tissue samples were taken and examined by light and electron microscopy to assess the inhibitory effects of matrine on tumor growth in the mice.

[Construction of eukaryotic expression vector of unknown KH gene and its effect on cell proliferation].

Objective: To construct an eukaryotic expression vector of open reading frame of unknown KH gene (KH-ORF), and investigate its effect on cell proliferation.

Methods: The pCI-neo-KH-ORF expression vector was constructed by DNA recombinant technique and was introduced into COS-7 cells and K562 cells by lipofectactin-mediated DNA transfection. Expression of KH-ORF mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

[Gene expression profile in early differentiation of K562 cells induced by matrine].

Objective: To compare gene expression profile in K562 cells induced by matrine, so as to screen for differentiation related genes.

Methods: K562 cells were exposed to 0.1 mg/ml matrine for 3 hours, and gene expression profiles in matrine-treated and non-treated cells were studied by cDNA microarray.