Renji Hospital

About: Renji Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Medicine & Biology. The organization has 1112 authors who have published 714 publications receiving 15442 citations. The organization is also known as: Rénjì Yīyuàn.

[Effects of anti-PML-RAR alpha antisense on cell morphology and expression of PML-RAR alpha mRNA and protein of NB4 cells].

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of anti-PML-RAR alpha antisense (FUAS) on cell morphology, expression of PML-RAR alpha mRNA and PML-RAR alpha/PML protein localization of NB4 cells. METHODS PML-RAR alpha mRNA expression was assayed by RT-PCR and PML-RAR alpha/PML protein localization by immuno-fluorescence. RESULTS NB4 cells were partially differentiated after 5 days of FUAS treatment and typical apoptosis was found after 7 days incubation with FUAS. The expression of PML-RAR alpha mRNA at 24 h was already down regulated in FUAS-treated cells. After 24 h, 72 h and 120 h incubation with FUAS, PML-RAR alpha mRNA showed 52.0%, 68.7% and 23.4% reductions, respectively, as compared with that of control. Immuno-fluorescence analysis with anti-PML monoclonal antibody showed disappearance of microgranules, residual granules becoming larger discrete dots at 24 h of FUAS treatment and almost disappearence of dots at 120 h. CONCLUSION FUAS specifically blocks the expression and translation of PML-RAR alpha gene, makes the production of PML-RAR alpha fusion protein decrease or disappear and prompts cell differentiation.

Molecular mechanism and therapeutic strategy for resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in targeted treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the GI tract. Aberrant activation of tyrosine kinase through mutated KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRA) is the key pathogenic factor in most cases. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as imatinib and sunitinib can suppress activation of tyrosine kinase receptor and has gained wide recognition as the first-line adjuvant therapy for advanced or high-risk GIST after surgery. It has become the classic model of treatment for solid tumor with molecular targeted therapy. However, the emergence of drug-resistance limits the long-term benefit of these drugs in most patients and has been a challenging clinical concern. Many factors are related to the resistance of TKI, of which KIT/PDGFRA mutation is the most important one. Genetic amplification of KIT, loss of heterozygosity, activation of an alternative downstream signaling pathways, and drug concentration are all possible factors. Therefore, reasonable individual treatment strategy and early resistance evaluation for imatinib- and sunitinib-resistant GISTs are important to patients with drug resistance in order to improve therapeutic efficacy and quality of life.

Screening for Y chromosomal microdeletions in AZF region with modified multiplex PCR

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Screening for Y chromosomal microdeletions in azoospermia factor (AZF) region with modified multiplex PCR. METHODS 160 cases with spermatogenetic failure were recruited in the experimental group, while 90 cases of donors in controls. According to the laboratory guidelines supported by European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN), Y chromosomal microdeletions in AZFa, b, c regions were screened with multiplex PCR. The primers of sequence targeted sites (STSs) and conditions of PCR were modified. RESULTS Using modified multiplex PCR, 14 (8.75%) cases with Y chromosomal microdeletions were found in the experimental group, while no case in controls. There were 12 cases in AZFc, 1 case in AZFa + b + c, 1 case in AZFb + c. According to statistics, the difference between two groups was significant (P <0.001). Reaction products could be clearly separated with agarose gel and finished in 1 h. CONCLUSION Modified multiplex PCR protocols supported by EAA and EMQN proved to be very accurate, sensitive and quick, which could be put into screening practice for Y chromosomal microdeletions in AZF region.

An experiment study on repair of peripheral nerve defects by GDNF gene modified Schwann cells

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate an effective treatment of peripheral nerve injuries by means of gene transference. METHODS 48 adult Wister rats were divided evenly into 3 groups. A 10 mm sciatic nerve gap was created and bridged with a silicone chamber. The silicone chamber was filled with glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) gene modified Schwann cells(SCs) (group 1), the normal SCs(group 2) and nothing(the control). At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after the operation, the general and histological observations, the electromyographic and immunohistochemical examinations were performed to the regenerated nerves. RESULTS The GDNF-SCs group was significantly better than the SCs and the control groups in nerve conduction velocity, the number and density of reinnervation, the area of regenerated nerve and the thickness of myelin sheath of the regenerated nerves. CONCLUSION GDNF gene modified SCs secrete higher levels of neurotrophic factors for a prolonged time, which are more effective in peripheral nerve repair than the normal SCs.

Effects of combined immune therapy on survival and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in rat orthotopic liver transplantation.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The induction of immune tolerance and suppression of allograft rejection has become the focus in the study of liver transplantation. The effect of immune therapy with anti-CD40L mAb alone or in combination with cyclosporine A (CsA) on the recipient survival and Th1/Th2 cytokine profile was studied to elucidate its immunological mechanism and role in rat orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS The model of rat orthotopic liver transplantation was established by modified Kamada's technique. Recipients were divided into group A (control group): SD-->SD; group B (group of rejection): SD-->Wistar without any treatment; group C: SD-->Wistar with CsA monotherapy from day 1 to day 5; and group D: SD-->Wistar with CsA from day 1 to day 5 and anti-CD40L mAb on day 0 and day 2. The survival of the recipients in all groups was observed and ELISA technique was used to detect the level of cytokines in peripheral blood on post-transplant day 7. RESULTS The survival period of recipients in groups A (> 60 days) and D (> 60 days) was significantly longer than that in group B (13.8 +/- 2.4 days). The serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma in group B were significantly higher than those in other groups; the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha was higher but not statistically significant. In contrast, the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in group D were elevated more significantly than those in group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Combined immune therapy can prolong the survival of allografts. Increased expression of Th2 cytokines, which is closely related to the induction of tolerance and suppression of rejection, is beneficial to the long-term survival of recipients and allografts.