Cd72(c) is a modifier gene that regulates Fas(lpr)-induced autoimmune disease.

Although modifier genes are extensively studied in various diseases, little is known about modifier genes that regulate autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease caused by the Fas(lpr) mutation depends on the genetic background of mouse strains, suggesting a crucial role of modifier genes. MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr) (MRL/lpr) and AKR/lpr mice develop severe and mild lupus-like autoimmune disease, respectively, whereas this mutation does not cause disease on C57BL/6 (B6) or C3H background.

[Inhibitory effect of siRNA on heparanase expression and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells: an in vitro experiment].

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of siRNA on heparanase expression and invasion ability gastric cancer cells.

Methods: A heparanase mRNA-targeting double-stranded siRNA was designed with the bioinformatics technology. Human gastric cancer cells of the line SGC7901 were cultured and transfected with the siRNA of the concentrations of 5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L respectively.

[Loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 8p21-p23 in adenocarcinoma of gastric cardia].

Chromosome 8p21-p23 harbors tumor suppressor gene(s) implicated in multiple types of cancers. To investigate the involvement of the gene(s) in the carcinogenesis of adenocarcinoma of gastric cardia, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for microsatellite markers at chromosome 8p21-p23 was examined. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to obtain homogeneous tumor cells from 19 surgical specimens.