Role of the autophagy-related marker LC3 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background: Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), an autophagic gene, has been reported as a vital marker for many diseases and cancers. However, the role of LC3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was not still investigated. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association of LC3 with its clinicopathological and prognostic in HCC.

Diagnostic value of decoy receptor 3 combined with procalcitonin and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor for sepsis.

The levels of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and procalcitonin (PCT) are significantly increased in sepsis. We investigated the diagnostic value of DcR3 combined with suPAR and PCT in sepsis. Patients with sepsis, non-infectious systemic inflammatory response comprehensive syndrome (SIRS) and healthy controls were recruited according to the diagnostic standard.

ShDcR3 sensitizes TRAIL-resistant HCC cells by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis while suppressing NF-κB dependent cFLIPL expression.

Evidence has shown that most hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are resistant to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying TRAIL-mediated apoptosis resistance are not well understood. In this study, we reported that downregulation of Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) expression by lentiviral vectors carrying shRNA against DcR3 (LV-ShDcR3, shDcR3) in Huh7 both greatly enhanced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation capability.

Altered expression of miR-92a correlates with Th17 cell frequency in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play significant roles in numerous diseases. However, there is limited information regarding the plasma expression of miRNAs in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) as well as the potential role of miRNAs in the development of PBC. miRNA microarray analysis was performed using plasma obtaind from three patients with PBC and three healthy controls.

Branched DNA-based Alu quantitative assay for cell-free plasma DNA levels in patients with sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Cell-free circulating DNA (cf-DNA) can be detected by various of laboratory techniques. We described a branched DNA-based Alu assay for measuring cf-DNA in septic patients. Compared to healthy controls and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) patients, serum cf-DNA levels were significantly higher in septic patients (1426.

Decoy Receptor 3 Improves Survival in Experimental Sepsis by Suppressing the Inflammatory Response and Lymphocyte Apoptosis.

Purpose: Unbalanced inflammatory response and lymphocyte apoptosis is associated with high mortality in septic patients. Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic factor. Recently, DcR3 expression was found to be increased in septic patients.

Effects of hepatitis B virus X protein on human T cell cytokines.

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) plays a significant role in hepatocellular carcinoma development. To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) on inflammatory cytokines of human T cell, a eukaryotic expression vector, HBx-pEGFP-C1, was constructed and transfected into the Jurkat human T-cell line. Jurkat cells were transfected transiently using Lipofectamine 2000 and activated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA).

Pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid induces proinflammatory cytokine expression in THP-1 cells by inhibiting anti-inflammatory signaling.

Objectives: We investigated whether pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid (PAAF) could induce the expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in THP-1 cells and the mechanism(s) involved.

Methods: THP-1 cells were divided into control and PAAF groups. The PAAF group was incubated with different final concentrations of PAAF, whereas the control group was incubated with culture medium.

Serum decoy receptor 3, a potential new biomarker for sepsis.

Background: Sepsis, a common deadly systemic infection caused by a variety of pathogens, has some clinical symptoms similar to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), a whole-body non-infectious inflammatory reaction to severe insults, such as burn, trauma, hypotensive shock and so on. Treatment of sepsis depends mainly on anti-microbial, while remedy for SIRS might require steroids that could possibly enhance the spread of microbes. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to distinguish these two completely different serious conditions without blood culture, which takes days to grow and identify causative pathogens.

[The role of MAPK signal transduction pathway in killing tumor cells by Mtb-Ag activated gammadelta T cells].

Aim: To explore the role of MAPK signal transduction pathway in killing tumor cells by Mycobacteria tuberculosis antigen (Mtb-Ag) activated human gammadeltaT cells.

Methods: Normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with Mtb-Ag and expanded in rIL-2-containing medium to induce gammadeltaT cells. The highly purified gammadeltaT cells were isolated by positive selection with MACS separator.

A simple and rapid method for propagation and purification of the peripheral blood gammadeltaT cells.

The purpose of this study was to set up an approach for expansion of the peripheral blood gammadeltaT cells from normal subjects in order to explore the characteristics of gammadeltaT cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were separated from 5 - 10 ml peripheral blood and stimulated by the low molecular peptide derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb-Ag), and expanded in rIL-2-containing medium. The relative amount of gammadeltaT cells were measured by anti TCR gammadelta-PE staining and flow cytometry.

[Purification by FPLC and characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-resistant peptide antigen stimulating proliferation of human gammadelta+ T cells].

Aim: To purify Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-resistant peptide antigen(Mtb-Ag) that can stimulate gammadelta+ T cells.

Methods: Mtb-Ag was first separated by fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) with S-100 column, and then the components including low molecular weight peptide antigens (Mtb-LW-Ag) peaks were purified by FPLC with Mono Q column. Activity of the purified Mtb-LW-Ag that stimulates human gammadelta+ T cell proliferation was examined by flow cytometry.