Correlation between DNA methylation and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells

Yan‑Li Li,Xi‑Qian Xing,Yi Xiao,Yan‑Hong Liu,Yu‑Shan Zhou,Min Zhuang,Chao‑Qian Li 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.12

Background: The overexpression of TSLP and DNA methylation in asthma were both risk factors the relationship was not clear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylation status of TSLP promoter and mRNA/protein expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into: Control group, treated with PBS, model group, sensitized with LPS (10 μg/mL) for 12 h (37 °C, 5% CO2). Other groups were cultured with the pCMV3 plasmid (M + NC/pCMV), pGPH1 plasmid (M + NC/pGPH), DNMT1/pCMV3 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pCMV), and DNMT1/pGPH1 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pGPH) for 48 h. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 and TSLP were measured using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, TSLP mRNA (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1, P < 0.001) and protein (1.07 ± 0.04 vs. 1.46 ± 0.11, P < 0.01) were significantly greater, and the methylation of promoter was lower (92.75 ± 1.26 vs. 58.57 ± 3.34, P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, TSLP mRNA (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1.17 ± 0.10, P < 0.001) decreased, but TSLP promoter methylation increased (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 92.58 ± 7.30, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pCMV. TSLP mRNA and protein were higher (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 5.32 ± 0.21, P < 0.001; 1.46 ± 0.11 vs. 1.94 ± 0.11, respectively, P < 0.01), TSLP promoter methylation was lower (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 33.57 ± 4.29, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pGPH. Conclusions: Overexpression of TSLP in asthmatic airway epithelial cells may be regulated by DNA demethylation.

15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase inactivation as a mechanism of resistance to celecoxib chemoprevention of colon tumors.

Yan, Min,Myung, Seung-Jae,Fink, Stephen P,Lawrence, Earl,Lutterbaugh, James,Yang, Peiying,Zhou, Xiaohua,Liu, Danielle,Rerko, Ronald M,Willis, Joseph,Dawson, Dawn,Tai, Hsin-Hsiung,Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill National Academy of Sciences 2009 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.106 No.23

<P>Pharmacologic inhibitors of the prostaglandin-synthesizing COX-2 oncogene prevent the development of premalignant human colon adenomas. However, resistance to treatment is common. In this study, we show that the adenoma prevention activity of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib requires the concomitant presence of the 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) tumor suppressor gene, and that loss of 15-PGDH expression imparts resistance to celecoxib's anti-tumor effects. We first demonstrate that the adenoma-preventive activity of celecoxib is abrogated in mice genetically lacking 15-PGDH. In FVB mice, celecoxib prevents 85% of azoxymethane-induced tumors >1 mm in size, but is essentially inactive in preventing tumor induction in 15-PGDH-null animals. Indeed, celecoxib treated 15-PGDH null animals develop more tumors than do celecoxib naive WT mice. In parallel with the loss of tumor prevention activity, celecoxib-mediated suppression of colonic PGE(2) levels is also markedly attenuated in 15-PGDH-null versus WT mice. Finally, as predicted by the murine models, humans with low colonic 15-PGDH levels also exhibit celecoxib resistance. Specifically, in a colon adenoma prevention trial, in all cases tested, individuals who developed new adenomas while receiving celecoxib treatment were also found as having low colonic 15-PGDH levels.</P>

Clonal Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Amnion

Min Wang,Yan Zhou,Wen-Song Tan 한국생물공학회 2010 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.15 No.6

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human amnion have both self-renewal capability and multipotency and are an attractive cell source for cell-based therapy. However, these cells have been shown to be heterogeneous, and as of yet no single-cell-derived MSCs clone has been established from human amnion. This study was carried out to isolate MSCs clones by limiting dilution method and compare their characteristics in vitro. Three clones (namely, 8B, 11D, and 11F) were established from a heterogeneous population of human amnion-derived cells (h-hAMCs). The clones and h-hAMCs successfully proliferated while demonstrating different cumulative population doublings (CPD) during an 80-day culture. In addition, the colony-forming efficiency (CFE) of h-hAMCs was significantly lower than those of 8B and 11F and higher than that of 11D. Clones 8B and 11F were tripotent,whereas 11D did not undergo chondrogenic differentiation. All cells expressed surface markers including CD29,CD44, and CD105 and notably, the clones expressed higher levels of CD105 than h-hAMCs (95.96, 97.05, 98.14% and 72.81% for 8B, 11D, 11F and h-hAMCs, respectively). In addition, the expression of stem cell gene Nanog-3 was associated with the differential differentiation potential of 11D from 8B, 11F, and h-hAMCs. These results suggested that significant differences existed between individual hAMCs. Further studies for developing novel methods to select sub-populations of hAMSCs are warranted for their clinical applications, in which CD105 and stem cell gene Nanog-3 are possible candidate markers.

Tanshinone II-A Inhibits Angiogenesis through Down Regulation of COX-2 in Human Colorectal Cancer

Zhou, Li-Hong,Hu, Qiang,Sui, Hua,Ci, Shu-Jun,Wang, Yan,Liu, Xuan,Liu, Ning-Ning,Yin, Pei-Hao,Qin, Jian-Min,Li, Qi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) appears to be involved with multiple aspects of CRC angiogenesis. Our aim was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Tan II-A (Tanshinone II-A, Tan II-A) on tumor growth in mice, as well as alteration of expression of COX-2 and VEGF in CRC. We established the mice xenograft model of C26 CRC cell line, and injected 0.5, 1, 2mg/kg of Tan II-A and 1mg/kg of 5-FU in respectively in vivo. Then, we assayed tumor weight and volume, and evaluated microvascular density and expression of VEGF. COX-2 promoter and COX-2 plasmids were transfected into HCT-116 cells, followed by detection of COX-2 promoter activity by chemiluminescence, and detection of COX-2 mRNA expression by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Taken together, the results showed Tan II-A could inhibit tumor growth and suppress the VEGF level in vivo. HCT-116 cell experiments showed marked inhibitory effects of Tan II-A on COX-2 and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that Tan II-A can effectively inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis of human colorectal cancer via inhibiting the expression level of COX-2 and VEGF.

Analytical solutions to piezoelectric bimorphs based on improved FSDT beam model

Zhou, Yan-Guo,Chen, Yun-Min,Ding, Hao-Jiang Techno-Press 2005 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.1 No.3

This paper presents an efficient and accurate coupled beam model for piezoelectric bimorphs based on improved first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The model combines the equivalent single layer approach for the mechanical displacements and a layerwise modeling for the electric potential. General electric field function is proposed to reasonably approximate the through-the-thickness distribution of the applied and induced electric potentials. Layerwise defined shear correction factor (k) accounting for nonlinear shear strain distribution is introduced into both the shear stress resultant and the electric displacement integration. Analytical solutions for free vibrations and forced response under electromechanical loads are obtained for the simply supported piezoelectric bimorphs with series or parallel arrangement, and the numerical results for various length-to-thickness ratios are compared with the exact two-dimensional piezoelasticity solution. Excellent predictions with low error estimates of local and global responses as well as the modal frequencies are observed.

Analytical solutions to piezoelectric bimorphs based on improved FSDT beam model

Yan-guo Zhou,Yun-min Chen,Hao-jiang Ding 국제구조공학회 2005 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.1 No.3

This paper presents an efficient and accurate coupled beam model for piezoelectric bimorphs based on improved first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The model combines the equivalent single layer approach for the mechanical displacements and a layerwise modeling for the electric potential. General electric field function is proposed to reasonably approximate the through-the-thickness distribution of the applied and induced electric potentials. Layerwise defined shear correction factor (k) accounting for nonlinear shear strain distribution is introduced into both the shear stress resultant and the electric displacement integration. Analytical solutions for free vibrations and forced response under electromechanical loads are obtained for the simply supported piezoelectric bimorphs with series or parallel arrangement, and the numerical results for various length-to-thickness ratios are compared with the exact two-dimensional piezoelasticity solution. Excellent predictions with low error estimates of local and global responses as well as the modal frequencies are observed.

Overexpression of a Lotus corniculatus AP2/ERF transcription factor gene, LcERF080, enhances tolerance to salt stress in transgenic Arabidopsis

Zhan-Min Sun,Yan-Min Wu,Mei-Liang Zhou,Xing-Guo Xiao,Yi-Xiong Tang 한국식물생명공학회 2014 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.8 No.4

The APETALA2/ethylene-responsive elementbinding factors (AP2/ERF) play central roles in the stressresponse in plants. In this study, we identified and isolateda novel salt stress-related gene, LcERF080, that encodes anAP2/ERF protein in Lotus corniculatus cultivar Leo. LcERF080 was classified into the B-4 group of the ERFsubfamily based on multiple sequence alignment andphylogenetic characterization. Expression of LcERF080was strongly induced by salt, abscisic acid, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and salicylicacid stresses. Subcellular localization assay confirmedthat LcERF080 is a nuclear protein. LcERF080 overexpressionin Arabidopsis resulted in pleiotropic phenotypeswith a higher seed germination rate and transgenic plantswith enhanced tolerance to salt stress. Further, under stressconditions, the transgenic lines exhibited elevated levels ofsoluble sugars and proline as well as relative moisturecontents but a lower malondialdehyde content than incontrol plants. The expression levels of hyperosmoticsalinity response genes COR15A, RD22, and P5CS1 werefound to be elevated in the LcERF080-overexpressingArabidopsis plants compared to the wild-type plants. Theseresults reveal that LcERF080 is involved in the responsesof plants to salt stress.

Genetic Variation in PDCD6 and Susceptibility to Lung Cancer

He, Yan-Qi,Zhou, Bin,Shi, Shao-Qing,Zhang, Lin,Li, Wei-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer and one of the leading causes of death in the world. Genetic factors play an important role in its development. PDCD6, the encoding gene for programmed cell death protein 6, may function as a tumor suppressor gene. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) contributes about 80% to newly histologically diagnosed lung cancer patients. To explore the relationship between PDCD6 and NSCLC, we examined two single nucleotide polymorphisms(rs3756712 G/T andrs4957014 G/T, both in the intron region) of the PDCD6gene.A hospital-based case-control study was carried out including 302 unrelated NSCLC patients and 306 healthy unrelated subjects. Significantly increased NSCLC risk was found to be associated with the T allele of rs4957014 (P=0.027, OR=0.760, 95%CI=0.596-0.970). The genotype and allele frequencies of rs3756712 did not shown any significant difference between NSCLC group and controls (P=0.327, OR=0.879, 95%CI=0.679-1.137). In conclusion, we firstly demonstrated the association between the PDCD6 gene and risk of NSCLC in a Chinese Han population.

Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome Caused by Herbal Medicine: CT and MRI Features

Hua Zhou,Yi-Xiang J. Wang,Hai-yan Lou,Xiao-jun Xu,Min-ming Zhang 대한영상의학회 2014 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.15 No.2

Objective: To describe the CT and MRI features of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) caused by herbal medicine Gynura segetum. Materials and Methods: The CT and MRI features of 16 consecutive Gynura segetum induced HSOS cases (12 men, 4 women) were analyzed. Eight patients had CT; three patients had MRI, and the remaining five patients had both CT and MRI examinations. Based on their clinical presentations and outcomes, the patients were classified into three categories:mild, moderate, and severe. The severity of the disease was also evaluated radiologically based on the abnormal hepatic patchy enhancement in post-contrast CT or MRI images. Results: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and main right hepatic vein narrowing or occlusion were present in all 16 cases. Hepatomegaly and gallbladder wall thickening were present in 14 cases (87.5%, 14/16). Periportal high intensity on T2-weighted images was present in 6 cases (75%, 6/8). Normal liver parenchymal enhancement surrounding the mainhepatic vein forming a clover-like sign was observed in 4 cases (25%, 4/16). The extent of patchy liver enhancement was statistically associated with clinical severity classification (kappa = 0.565). Conclusion: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and the main hepatic veins narrowing were the most frequent signs of herbal medicine induced HSOS. The grade of abnormal patchy liver enhancement was associated with the clinical severity.

Protective effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus in vivo

Xin-yan Qu,Qing-jun Li,Hui-min Zhang,Xiao-juan Zhang,Peng-hui Shi,Xiu-juan Zhang,Jing Yang,Zhe Zhou,Sheng-qi Wang 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.7

Influenza A virus infection represents a great threat to public health. However, owing to side effects and the emergence of resistant virus strains, the use of currently available anti-influenza drugs may be limited. In order to identify novel anti-influenza drugs, we investigated the antiviral effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus infection in vivo. The mean survival time, lung index, viral titers, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein and serum cytokines levels, and histopathological changes in lung tissue were examined. Administration of phillyrin at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 3 days significantly prolonged the mean survival time, reduced the lung index, decreased the virus titers and interleukin-6 levels, reduced the expression of HA, and attenuated lung tissue damage in mice infected with influenza A virus. Taken together, these data showed that phillyrin had potential protective effects against infection caused by influenza A virus.