Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067010037
X G Li, S Gao, W S Yang, S Sun
{"title":"Investigation of the Inhibitory Effect of Platycodin D in Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma Cell Line 5637.","authors":"X G Li, S Gao, W S Yang, S Sun","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067010037","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067010037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Platycodin D is an active component isolated from Chinese herb Platycodonis radix with various pharmacological activities, such as antitussive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Interestingly, platycodin D also exerts anticancer effects against several types of cancer. However, few studies on the anti-tumour effects of platycodin against urinary bladder cancer have been reported. In this study, we explored the anti-tumour effect of platycodin D against human bladder cancer and its mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. We found that platycodin D had significant anti-proliferative effects on four types of cancer cells, especially the 5637 bladder cancer cell line, and exerted these effects by preventing cell cycle progression from G0/G1 to S phase, down-regulating Ki-67 and cyclin D1 protein expression and up-regulating P21 protein expression. Furthermore, platycodin D inhibited 5637 cell migration by decreasing twist-related protein 1 (Twist1) and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) expression and exerted significant tumour-suppressive effects in tumour-bearing nude mice. Platycodin D also increased caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and p53 expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression in tumour tissues. Taken together, our results provide a theoretical basis for application of platycodin D in treating urinary bladder cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 1","pages":"37-47"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39193405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067010001
A B Demir, S Aktas, Z Altun, P Ercetin, T C Aktas, N Olgun
{"title":"Questioning How to Define the \"Ultra-High-Risk\" Subgroup of Neuroblastoma Patients.","authors":"A B Demir, S Aktas, Z Altun, P Ercetin, T C Aktas, N Olgun","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067010001","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067010001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neuroblastic tumours exhibit heterogeneity, which results in different therapeutic outcomes. Neuroblastoma is categorized into three major risk groups (low, intermediate, high risk). Recent identification of new genes raised the possibility of new biomarkers to identify sub-risk groups. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess new biomarkers defining the ultra-high-risk subgroup within the high-risk group that differ in clinical situation with very bad prognosis. Twenty-five low- and 29 high-risk groups of patients were analysed for their expression of ALK, ATRX, HIF1a, HIF2a (EPAS), H2AFX, and ETV5 genes at the RNA level. Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm the protein expression level of ALK. The risk group of patients was determined according to the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Stratification System. Spearman correlation analysis and Mann-Whitney-U nonparametric test were used to assess the importance of expression levels among the groups. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Sensitivity of the results was checked by ROC curve analysis. All analysed genes were found to be highly expressed in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group, except for ETV5. When the ultra-high-risk and highrisk groups were compared, ALK was found to be highly expressed in the ultra-high-risk group. Our results show that ALK may be a candidate gene whose mRNA expression levels can distinguish the ultrahigh- risk subgroup of patients in the high-risk group of patients with non-familial neuroblastoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 1","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39193401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A G Kovalčíková, N Ivašková, J Hodosy, L Podracká, P Celec, L Tóthová
{"title":"Measurement of Urea in the Saliva of Healthy Mice - a Pilot Study.","authors":"A G Kovalčíková, N Ivašková, J Hodosy, L Podracká, P Celec, L Tóthová","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Salivary urea is studied as a non-invasive alternative for screening and monitoring of renal diseases. Its high variability prevents a wider clinical use. Animal experiments are needed to identify factors affecting this marker. The aim of this study was to describe the inter-individual variability of salivary urea in healthy mice, establish reference intervals, and analyse the effects of sex, age and body weight. Plasma and saliva samples were obtained from 37 male and 41 female healthy adult CD1 mice aged 13-69 weeks (body weight 22-51 g). The reference interval for salivary urea in heathy mice based on our results is 2.7-8.4 mmol/l (CV = 23 %). Multivariate analysis did not show any significant effect of age, sex, or body weight. In addition, salivary urea did not correlate with its plasma concentrations. The high variability of the promising salivary marker of kidney function in healthy mice requires further research before its use to diagnose or monitor renal failure in animal models of kidney diseases. Other potential confounders should be analysed, including intra-individual and pre-analytical variability. In addition, a normalization factor such as total salivary proteins or salivation rate is likely needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 4","pages":"158-162"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39774092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Y X Zhu, L Zhu, Y F Chen, J M Xu, Z L Shne, R J Liu, J Zou, M Q Yuan, F Ye, Q Q Zeng
{"title":"Luteoloside Ameliorates Palmitic Acid-Induced in Vitro Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Activating STAT3-Triggered Hepatocyte Regeneration.","authors":"Y X Zhu, L Zhu, Y F Chen, J M Xu, Z L Shne, R J Liu, J Zou, M Q Yuan, F Ye, Q Q Zeng","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Luteoloside (Lute), a bioactive natural ingredient, widely exists in nature and possesses hepatoprotective and hepatocyte proliferation-promoting properties. This study aimed to investigate whether Lute could counteract non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-caused hepatocyte damage via its stimulation of hepatocyte regeneration efficacy and to explore the involved mechanism. LO2 cells and primary hepatocytes were used to examine the hepatocyte proliferation effects of Lute under physiological conditions and in the palmitic acid (PA)- induced in vitro model of NAFLD. STAT3 and cell cycle-related proteins (cyclin D1, c-myc and p21) were evaluated by Western blot. Under physiological conditions, LO2 cells and primary hepatocytes treated with various concentration of Lute for 12 and 24 h showed increased hepatocyte proliferation, especially with 20 μM treatment for 24 h. More notably, under the model conditions, co-incubation with 20 μM of Lute also markedly reversed PA-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and viability in primary hepatocytes. Mechanistically, Lute could activate STAT3 and subsequently increase cyclin D1 and cmyc expression, which positively regulates cell cycle progression, and decrease expression of p21, an inhibitor of cell cycle progression. Furthermore, Luteinduced hepatocyte proliferation-promoting efficacy was abolished by STAT3 inhibitor stattic. Collectively, Lute can alleviate PA-induced hepatocyte damage via activating STAT3-mediated hepatocyte regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 3","pages":"126-133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39788809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067030091
R Guo, B Yang
{"title":"Hypoxia-Induced LXRα Contributes to the Migration and Invasion of Gastric Cancer Cells.","authors":"R Guo, B Yang","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067030091","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067030091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastric cancer is characterized by the presence of high invasion ability, hypoxia and chemoresistance. Previous studies reported that liver X receptor α (LXRα) was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer cells. However, hypoxia-mediated EMT and the role of LXRα in gastric cancer remained elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that LXRa mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated by hypoxia treatment and LXRα played an important role in HIF-1 dimer induced-EMT. The putative HIF-1α binding site was identified in the LXRa promoter. Expression of LXRα and HIF-1α was significantly up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues. More importantly, we noticed that the expression of LXRα and HIF-1α was significantly correlated. Taken together, these data suggested that LXRα is regulated by the activity and accumulation of HIF-1α and contributes to EMT of gastric cancer cells. This suggests that targeting LXRα might be a potential approach for improving survival of gastric cancer patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 3","pages":"91-101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39774093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067030118
Z M Zhang, L Min, D L Jiang, Z Y Han, L H Wang
{"title":"Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5: an Important Regulator of Early Osteogenic Differentiation of hMSCs.","authors":"Z M Zhang, L Min, D L Jiang, Z Y Han, L H Wang","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067030118","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067030118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) is broadly bioactive, but its role in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) remains to be clarified. Here, we demonstrated that IGFBP5 expression was markedly increased during the early osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. We then over-expressed and knocked down this gene in hMSCs and evaluated the impact of manipulation of IGFBP5 expression on osteogenic differentiation based upon functional assays, ALP staining, and expression of osteogenic markers. Together, these analyses revealed that IGFBP5 over-expression enhanced early osteogenic differentiation, as evidenced by increased ALP staining and osteogenic marker induction, whereas knocking down this gene impaired the osteogenic process. Over-expression of IGFBP5 also markedly bolstered the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation level, while IGFBP5 knockdown suppressed this signalling activity. We additionally compared the impact of simultaneous IGFBP5 overexpression and ERK1/2 inhibitor treatment to the effect of IGFBP5 over-expression alone in these hMSCs, revealing that small molecule-mediated EKR1/2 inhibition was sufficient to impair osteogenic differentiation in the context of elevated IGFBP5 levels. These findings indicated that IGFBP5 drives the early osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs via the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. Our results offer value as a foundation for future efforts to study and treat serious bone-related diseases including osteoporosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 3","pages":"118-125"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39788808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"YBX1 Protects against Apoptosis Induced by Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation in PC12 Cells via Activation of the AKT/GSK3β Pathway.","authors":"T Tuerxun, X Li, F Lou, X Wang, L Ma","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reperfusion therapies for ischaemic stroke can induce secondary injury accompanied by neuronal death. The Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1), an oncoprotein, is critical for regulating tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis. Thus, we wanted to know whether YBX1 could regulate neuronal cell apoptosis caused by cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). We established a model of cerebral I/R-induced injury in vitro by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment and determined YBX1 expression using Western blot. Next, the effect of YBX1 on the apoptosis and viability of OGD/R-treated PC12 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry, MTT assay, and Western blot. Besides, the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected to evaluate oxidative stress of PC12 cells induced by OGD/R. The regulatory roles of YBX1 in the AKT/GSK3β pathway were examined by Western blot. As a result, OGD/R treatment down-regulated YBX1 expression in PC12 cells. YBX1 over-expression attenuated the growth inhibition and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by OGD/R. Besides, the increase of LDH release and the decrease of SOD and CAT activities caused by OGD/R were reversed by YBX1 over-expression. Moreover, YBX1 over-expression could activate the AKT/GSK3β pathway in OGD/ R-treated PC12 cells. Therefore, YBX1 could protect against OGD/R-induced injury in PC12 cells through activating the AKT/GSK3β signalling pathway, and thus YBX1 has the potential to become a therapeutic target for cerebral I/R-induced injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 4","pages":"150-157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39774091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067010010
M Safarikova, A A Kubena, V Frankova, T Zima, M Kalousova
{"title":"The Effects of Different Storage Conditions and Repeated Freeze/Thaw Cycles on the Concentration, Purity and Integrity of Genomic DNA.","authors":"M Safarikova, A A Kubena, V Frankova, T Zima, M Kalousova","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067010010","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067010010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The crucial requirement of molecular genetic methods is high-quality input material. The key question is \"how to preserve DNA during long-term storage.\" Biobanks are recommended to aliquot isolated DNA into provided volumes. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of repeated freezing and thawing on the genomic DNA integrity, quality and concentration. The aliquoted DNA isolated from blood cells using the automatic MagNA system and manual salting out method underwent freeze/thaw cycles at different storage conditions (-20 °C, -80 °C and liquid nitrogen). The average initial concentrations were 270.6 ng/μl (salting out method) and 125.0 ng/μl (MagNA). All concentration deviations relative to the concentration after the first freeze/ thaw cycle were less than 5 % for -20 °C and -80 °C cycling with both isolation methods. The average percentage differences of liquid nitrogen samples were higher, and the MagNA isolation method showed significant differences. There were no significant changes in the DNA purity or quality. The repeating freeze/ thaw up to 100 cycles (through -20 °C and -80 °C, respectively) did not significantly influence the integrity, concentration, or purity of genomic DNA, suggesting that storage of samples in high-volume pools without multiple aliquoting is possible. Storage in a freezer seems to be the most suitable way of long-term DNA preservation, because liquid nitrogen storage leads to formation of DNA clumps.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 1","pages":"10-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39193402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067010028
F Cai, Y Zhao, Q Chen, Y Hu, S Su, Y Lu
{"title":"Serum Cytokine Analysis Reveals Predictors of Progression from Chronic Hepatitis B to Liver Cirrhosis.","authors":"F Cai, Y Zhao, Q Chen, Y Hu, S Su, Y Lu","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067010028","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067010028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is more likely to develop into chronic and persistent infection in China, which is the main cause of chronic liver disease. We examined the cytokine profiles of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and CHB-caused liver cirrhosis (LC) to look for the predictor of progression from CHB to LC. Serum samples of 15 healthy controls (HC), 15 CHB patients and 15 LC patients were collected to detect the profiles of 48 cytokines by multiplex biometric ELISA-based immunoassay. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forest were used to analyse significant cytokines, which were further validated by ELISA using an independent cohort of 60 CHB patients, 60 LC patients and 35 HC samples. There were 18 differentially expressed cytokines of CHB and LC. Three cytokines were identified by PLS-DA and random forest, including interleukin (IL)-9, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-2 receptor subunit α (IL-2Rα), which displayed significant changes in serum levels. Differentially expressed cytokine networks between HC, CHB and LC also indicated particular cytokine co-expression network patterns of CHB and LC. The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that IL-9, GM-CSF, IL-2Rα and their logistic regression panel are potential predictors that significantly differentiate CHB from LC (P < 0.001) and CHB from Child class A LC (P < 0.001). The three cytokines and the panel showed significant correlation with the Child-Pugh score. IL-9, GM-CSF, IL-2Rα and their logistic panel may be predictors for monitoring the progression of CHB to LC.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 1","pages":"28-36"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39193404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Folia BiologicaPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.14712/fb2021067040136
V Merglova, A Nemeckova, L Hauler, R Koberova-Ivancakova
{"title":"Scanning Electron Microscopy and Macroscopic Examination of Prematurely Erupted Teeth in Preterm Infants.","authors":"V Merglova, A Nemeckova, L Hauler, R Koberova-Ivancakova","doi":"10.14712/fb2021067040136","DOIUrl":"10.14712/fb2021067040136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prematurely erupted teeth are rare in fullterm neonates and extremely rare in prematurely delivered infants. The aim of this study was to present macroscopic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations of prematurely erupted primary teeth of preterm very low birthweight (VLBW) and extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants. Three preterm VLBW and ELBW infants with prematurely erupted lower incisors were examined. The dental examination assessed the type, location, clinical appearance, and degree of mobility of the prematurely erupted teeth. The structural appearance of enamel and dentin of three extracted and longitudinally sectioned prematurely erupted teeth was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lower incisors were rootless with hypermobility. The surface of enamel of the prematurely erupted primary teeth was hypoplastic and hypomineralized and had a typical \"honeycomb\" appearance in SEM. The aprismatic type of enamel was visible in some regions. The neonatal line separating the layer of prenatal enamel from postnatal enamel was observed. The enamel prisms were interconnected by interprismatic substances, and cross-striations of prisms were visible. Dentin presented a typical tubular character. The dentinal layer near the enamel dentin junction had Y-shaped branching of dentinal tubules. On the pulpal side, dentin had a globular character. The macroscopic and SEM investigations particularly revealed alterations in enamel, while the dentin of neonatal teeth had a nearly normal appearance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12281,"journal":{"name":"Folia Biologica","volume":"67 4","pages":"136-142"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39774089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}