【Abstract】Objective To explore the relation between the expression of telomerase and DNA ploidy with biliarypancreatic system cancer, so as to find a better way to diagnose and distinguish jaundice between malignance and benign disease.Methods Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were performed before operation in patients with obstructive jaundice. The bile and pancreatice juice were collected before ERCP. Biopsy specimens from part of patients were obtained during ERCP. All cancer specimens were possessed once again during operation and were assessed by the activity of telomerase and DNA ploidy. Results ① Telomerase positive rate 〔87.50%(56/64)〕 of tissue specimens in malignant obstructive jaundice were higher than that in benign obstructive jaundice 〔3.33%(2/60)〕，P=0.000. ② Telomerase positive rate〔71.88%(46/64)〕of Bile and pancreatice juice in malignant obstructive jaundice were higher than that in benign obstructive jaundice 〔3.33%(2/60)〕， P=0.000, tissue specimens obtained by endoscopy with malignant obstructive jaundice had detectable telomerase activity, positive rate was 83.33%（20/24）. ③ The rate of DNA heteroploid with malignant obstructive jaundice was 62.50%（40/64）, that of diploid can be seen in all patients with benign obstructive jaundice, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000). ④ The rate of telomerase positive and DNA heteroploid in high differentiation tumor were significantly lower than in middlelow differentiation tumor （P=0.028，P=0.001）.Conclusion Applying the duodenoscope we collected the bile and pancreatic fluid before operation and obtain biopsy specimens whose telomerase activity and DNA ploid were detected. This is simple, safe, quick method which can identify the malignant and benign obstructive jaundice.
OBJECTIVE: To construct a plasmid which has a reporter gene for exploring the role of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTRT) in in-vitro cell cultivation. METHODS: hTRT was cut by restricted enzyme from plasmid pGRN145 and inserted to plasmid pEGFP-C1 (enhanced green fluorescent protein). RESULTS: Restricted enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing showed that the sequence of the pEGFP -hTRT transgenic plasmid was correct. CONCLUSION: The recombinant vector pEGFP-hTRT has been successfully constructed, and it can be used as a transgenic plasmid in generating immortalized cell lines.
OBJECTIVE: To analysis the biological characteristics of human fibroblasts transfected by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) eucaryotic expression plasmid pGRN145. METHODS: Fibroblasts from children’s foreskin were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the fibroblasts were transfected by pGRN145 with Lipofec-tAMINE PLUS Reagent. After strict screening of hygromycin B, the positive clones were subcultured. The telomerase activity was detected by RT-PCR and TRAP-PCR technique. The cell generation cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry to investigate the proliferative characteristics after transfection, and the chromosome karyotype of transformed cells was analyzed. The collagen secreted by transformed cells was detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The morphological properties of fibroblasts did not change obviously after transfection. There were telomerase activity in transfected fibroblasts, while it could not be detected in pre-transfection fibroblasts. The cell generation cycle had no obvious changes between pre-transfection and post-transfection. However, the apoptosis rate of transfected fibroblasts were decreased compared with that of pre-transfection. The fibroblasts transfected by pGRN145 maintained the normal diploid karyotype, as well as the cells could normally secret type I and III collagen. CONCLUSION: The human fibroblasts transfected by pGRN145 has telomerase activity with prolonged life span of culture, which preliminarily proves the availability of establishing standard seeding cell lines of tissue engineering by hTERT plasmid transfection techniques.
ObjectiveTo construct tumor specific tubercle bacillus antigen Ag85A gene lentiviral vector driven by murine telomerase catalytic subunit promoter (PmTERT), paving the way for further research in tumor targeting immuno-gene therapy. MethodsPmTERT was amplified by PCR method, with murine genomic DNA as template. Then, transcriptional activities of PmTERT in various murine and human cell strains were studied by luciferase assay. Ag85A expression lentiviral vectors driven by cytomegalo virus (CMV) promoter and PmTERT respectively (pLVX-Ag85ACMV and pLVX-Ag85A-PmTERT) were constructed with nucleic acid cloning approach. And above recombinants were verified with DNA sequencing and Western blot. ResultsLucifease assay revealed that 331 bp PmTERT cloned in present research had transcriptional activity in murine Lewis lung cancer cells, human lung adenocarcinoma cells A549, and human esophageal cancer cells EC-109, while no transcriptional activity in murine fibroblasts NIH3T3 and human embryo fibroblasts MRC-5. Western blot revealed expression of Ag85A in pLVX-Ag85A-CMV transfected Lewis and NIH3T3 cells, pLVX-Ag85A-PmTERT transfected Lewis cells, no expression in pLVX-Ag85A-PmTERT transfected NIH3T3 cells. ConclusionPmTERT has tumor specific transcriptional activity. Ag85A gene can express selectively in tumor cells, driven by PmTERT.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions and clinical significance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and γglutamyl transpeptidase mRNA-H (GGT mRNA-H) in the peripheral blood of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MethodsThe expressions of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H were detected in the peripheral blood of thirty patients with small HCC by RT-PCR, eighteen patients with benign liver diseases, and twelve normal volunteers. ResultsThe positive rate of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H expression in patients with small HCC were 80.0% (24/30) and 46.7%(14/30), respectively. In patients with hepatitic cirrhosis the positive rate of hTERT mRNA expression was 33.3% (6/18), while the expression of GGT mRNA was not detected. Both the expressions of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H were negative in all normal volunteers. The combination analysis of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H expression achieved positive rate of 86.7% in the diagnosis of small HCC, which was significantly higher than the positive rate of AFP (26.7%)， Plt;0.05. ConclusionThe hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H are significantly expressed in small HCC patients, the combination analysis of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H seems to be useful in the early diagnosis of small HCC.
ObjectiveTo comprehensively analyze the recent advancements in the field of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) aging,and summary its achievements and its difficulty at the present. MethodsThe literature about MSCs aging was reviewed and analyzed. ResultsInducible telomerase reactivation of MSCs is successful to extend the life span of senescent cells,but it also has potential safety hazard.The age range presented in the research of age-related cell senescence is inconsistent,resulting in different outcomes.Many ways to improve cell in vitro culture conditions will help delay aging.Recent research indicates that oxidative stress theory is seemed to not completely explain cell aging. ConclusionFurther research of MSCs aging mechanism will help the tissue engineering transform to clinical application.
Objective To investigate the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cell apoptosis in neonatal rats with hypoxia ischemia brain damage (HIBD). Methods A total of 42 7-day-old SD rats (12-18 g, male or female) were randomly allocated into sham-operation group (n=6) and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) group (n=36). In HI group, the rats were anesthetized with ethylether. The right common carotid artery (CCA) was exposed and permanently l igated with a 7-0silk suture through a midl ine cervical incision. A duration of 2.5 hours of hypoxia (8%O2 / 92%N2) was used to produce HIBD model. For sham-operation group, the CCA was exposed without l igation or hypoxia. The brain tissues were harvested at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after completion of an HI insult. The expressions of TERT and CC3 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis cells were detected with TUNEL staining method. Results The expression of TERT was increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24-48 hours and then decreased at 72 hours. The expression of CC3 was increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24 hours and still maintained high expression at 48 hours and 72 hours. However, in the sham-operation group, both the expressions of TERT and CC3 were extremely low. The expression of TERT and CC3 were higher in the HI group than in the sham-operation group at different time points, and the differences were significant (P lt; 0.05). The TUNEL staining showed that the positive cells in hippocampus and cortical areas were increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24-48 hours and maintained a high level at 72 hours. However, there was few positive cells in the sham-operation group. There were significant differences between the HI group and the sham-operation group at different time points (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion TERT could be induced by HI in neonatal rats, and might have a protective role in regulating the cell apoptosis in the neonatal HIBD.
OBJECTIVE: To elongate the proliferation life-span of human umbilicus vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). METHODS: We synthesized the human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA (hTERT mRNA) by in vitro transcription, then transferred the hTERT mRNA into HUVEC in quicent stage by lipofect introduction. RESULTS: Telomerase expressed transiently in HUVEC, and the cell life-span was elongated for 7 population doublings. CONCLUSION: Telomerase can be reconstructed controllably and transiently in HUVEC by hTERT mRNA introduction, this method has the potential to be used to elongate the lifespan of cells cultured in vitro.
Telomeres play an important role in maintaining genomic stability and cell life. Accumulating studies show that telomeres are closely related to human aging, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. There are a series of researches about telomeres and atherosclerosis across the world, including studies on the relationship between atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and telomere length, and on telomere-targeted treatments for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Telomeres may be a risk predictor or a new therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the relationship between telomeres and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, introduces the research progress of telomere length and cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and the possible mechanisms of their association, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for exploring new therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: To prevent the senescence of ’seed cells’ for tissue engineering, the life span of human fibroblasts is extended by reconstitution of telomerase activity, and the osteogenic potential of these fibroblasts are tested. METHODS: The pGRN145 plasmids encoding human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) were introduced into the normal human primary fibroblasts by electroporation. Telomerase activity was analyzed by TRAP-PCR assay. The beta-galactosidase stain was used to indicate the signs of cell senescence. The hTERT positive fibroblasts were then induced to form bone nodules. The bone nodules were stained by tetracycline and Alizarin Red S. RESULTS: Stable telomerase activity could be detected in the transfected fibroblasts and no signs of cell senescence were found in the fibroblasts cultured for more than 50 doublings. The hTERT positive fibroblasts could form bone nodules when they were cultured in vitro induced by bone morphogentic protein 2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSION: The fibroblasts with reconstituted telomerase activity reserve their osteogenic potential.