[Hennekam syndrome: a case report and review of literature].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of Hennekam syndrome.

Methods: We described a case of long-term iron deficiency anemia, characteristic facial anomalies, growth retardation, and intestinal lymphangiectasia. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Hennekam syndrome reported in China.

[The role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in induction of apoptosis with salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 in hepatic stellate cells].

Objective: To explore the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 on apoptosis in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: HSCs were cultured in medium with different IH764-3 doses (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 40 mg/L) and without IH764-3. Direct cell count, 3H-thymidine incorporation, Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide double-labeled flow cytometry, TUNEL and transmission electron microscopy were employed to estimate the influence of IH764-3 on proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs.

Down-regulation of focal adhesion kinase by short hairpin RNA increased apoptosis of rat hepatic stellate cells.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays an essential role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The role of FAK on proliferation and apoptosis of fibronectin (FN)-stimulated HSC was investigated using short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing technology. FAK shRNA decreased the expressions of FAK, p-FAK (Tyr(397)), ERK(1), and p-ERK(1).

Specific shRNA targeting of FAK influenced collagen metabolism in rat hepatic stellate cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects and mechanism of disruption of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression on collagen metabolism in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

Methods: The plasmids expressing FAK short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were transfected into HSC-T6 cells, and the level of FAK expression was determined by both real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and Western blotting analysis. The production of type I collagen and type III collagen in FAK-disrupted cells was analyzed by real-time Q-PCR.

[The influence of down-regulation of focal adhesion kinase by RNA interference on the adhesion and migration of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in adhesion and migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

Methods: Two recombinant plasmids expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting FAK were constructed and one plasmid substantially suppressing FAK expression in HSC was selected. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the knockdown effects of FAK gene.

[The effects of FRNK on expressions of MMP-2 mRNA and TIMP-2 mRNA in hepatic stellate cells].

Objectives: To investigate the effects of FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) on expressions of type I collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) mRNA in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

Methods: Using in vitro cell culture technique, FRNK plasmids were transfected into HSC mediated by cationic liposome. Type I collagen synthesis capability in HSC was examined by 3H-Pro incorporation assay.