PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Bing Hu

Publications and source records attributed to Bing Hu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of functional urotensin II receptors in human skeletal muscle myoblasts: comparison with angiotensin II receptors.

The properties of urotensin II (U-II) receptor (UT receptor) and angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor (AT receptor) in primary human skeletal myoblasts (HSMM) and differentiated skeletal myotubes (HSMMT) were characterized. Radiolabeled U-II and ANG II bound specifically to HSMM with Kd's of 0.31 nM (2311 receptors/cell) and 0.61 nM (18,257 receptors/cell), respectively. The cyclic segment of U-II peptide, CFWKYC, was the minimal sequence required for binding, with the WKY residues essential. Inhibitor studies suggested AT1 is the predominant ANG II receptor. After radioligand binding, under conditions designed to minimize receptor internalization, half the bound U-II was resistant to acid washing suggesting that U-II binds tightly to its receptor in a quasi-irreversible fashion. The AT1 receptor-bound radioligand was completely removed under the same conditions. RT-PCR detected the expression of mRNAs for UT and AT1 receptors. Western blotting showed that U-II and ANG II signaled via ERK1/2 kinase. UT receptor was not lost upon differentiation into myotubes since both mRNA for UT receptor and U-II binding were still present. ANG II receptors were also present as shown by ANG II-induced calcium mobilization.

Angiotensin II↗

Dental epithelial histo-morphogenesis in the mouse: positional information versus cell history.

Reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions control odontogenesis and the cap stage tooth germ mesenchyme specifies crown morphogenesis. The aim of this work was to determine whether this mesenchyme could also control epithelial histogenesis. Dental mesenchyme and enamel organ were dissociated from mouse first lower molars at E14. At this early cap stage, the enamel organ consists of four cell types forming the inner dental epithelium (IDE), primary enamel knot (PEK), outer dental epithelium (ODE) and the stellate reticulum (SR). Pelleted trypsin-dissociated single dental epithelial cells, which had lost all positional information, were reassociated to either dental mesenchyme or dissociated mesenchymal cells and cultured in vitro. Although with different timings, teeth developed in both types of experiments showing a characteristic dental epithelial histogenesis, cusp formation, and the differentiation of functional odontoblasts and ameloblasts. The rapid progression of the initial steps of histogenesis suggested that the cell history was not memorized. The dental mesenchyme, as well as dissociated mesenchymal cells, induced the formation of a PEK indicating that no specific organisation in the mesenchyme is required for this step. However, the proportion of well-formed multicusped teeth was much higher when intact mesenchyme was used instead of dissociated mesenchymal cells. The mesenchymal cell dissociation had consequences for the functionality of the newly-formed PEK.

Animals↗

Endoscopic suturing without extracorporeal knots: a laboratory study.

BACKGROUND: To eliminate cumbersome extracorporeal knotting, we designed a new endoscopic suturing device, the Eagle Claw V. The efficacy of the new device was tested on the Erlangen model and was compared with the initial extracorporeal knotting version (Eagle Claw II). METHODS: Segments of porcine splenic arteries were placed on the mucosal surface of the anterior wall of a pig stomach. The two ends of the artery were brought out through the gastric wall and were connected to a two-channel manometer. The Eagle Claw V has a curved needle with a detachable tip. After puncturing the tissue, the needle tip was engaged into a catching cartridge, where the suture had been embedded in a tightening mechanism. The suture could be tightened by simply pulling the end. The Eagle Claw V was used to plicate the splenic arteries mounted on the stomach. Suturing was considered secure if the suture could withstand endoluminal pressure greater than 200 mm Hg that lasted at least 10 seconds. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 stitches (73.3%) gained secure plication of the vessels. The suturing time (mean +/- standard deviation 2.93 +/- 0.80 minutes) was significantly faster than that of the Eagle Claw II (9.38 +/- 1.51 minutes). The device consistently achieved penetration of the muscular layer, and 4 of 15 sutures included the serosa. The 4 failures were because of suture breakage in two, thread entanglement in one, and cartridge dislodgement in one. CONCLUSIONS: The present prototype represents significant improvements in the ease of operation and the security of the suture, bringing the technique closer to clinical use for a variety of applications.

Animals↗

Eagle Claw II: A novel endosuture device that uses a curved needle for major arterial bleeding: a bench study.

BACKGROUND: Control of bleeding from major arteries in the upper-GI tract remains difficult with currently available endoscopic devices. We designed an endosuture device that uses a curved needle and extracorporeal knotting, and assessed the device in stopping arterial bleeding in a bench model. METHODS: Harvested porcine splenic arteries (2-mm diameter) were tunneled submucosally in pig stomach with the open end protruding into an artificially created mucosal defect. The outer end of the vessel was connected to a pulsatile pump, and red ink was infused at a pressure of about 100 mm Hg. The stomach was installed on an Erlangen endo-training model. The suturing device (Eagle Claw II), mounted outside an endoscope, has an eyed, curved needle that carries a 3-0 nylon thread. After puncture, the thread was retrieved by using a hook. Three-throw square knots were tied at the thread extracorporeally and were pushed into place by using a knotting cap. The criteria of successful plication was defined as hemostasis after knotting, no leakage at pressures of >200 mm Hg, and the vessel was completely encircled by the suture. RESULTS: A total of 25 sutures were made with the mean time of 9.38 minutes (standard deviation 1.51). Control of the bleeding was obtained with 17 sutures (68%). The causes for failure were the following: a suture was too shallow (4), a loose knot (2), incorrect suture position (1), and stomach-wall edema (1). CONCLUSIONS: Control of bleeding from large arteries by using endoscopic suturing is possible. Continued refinements of the device are required.

Animals↗

Synergistic anti-tumor effect of recombinant human endostatin adenovirus combined with gemcitabine.

Endostatin is an important endogenous inhibitor of neovascularization, which has been widely used in anti-angiogenesis therapy for cancer. To fully explore the potential of endostatin, we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of the combination of recombinant human endostatin adenovirus and low-dose gemcitabine in nude mice. We injected recombinant human endostatin adenovirus intratumorally plus a low dose of gemcitabine i.p. routinely. The combination treatment produced no side-effects, and resulted in marked suppression in tumor formation and growth of established human lung carcinoma xenografts in nude mice, with decreased microvessel density and increased apoptosis percentage. Our data support the idea of synergistic anti-tumor properties of endostatin plus low-dose chemotherapy against human lung cancer in vivo.

Adenoviridae↗

Toll-like receptor-4 is required for intestinal response to epithelial injury and limiting bacterial translocation in a murine model of acute colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) arises from a dysregulated mucosal immune response to luminal bacteria. Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 recognizes LPS and transduces a proinflammatory signal through the adapter molecule myeloid differentiation marker 88 (MyD88). We hypothesized that TLR4 participates in the innate immune response to luminal bacteria and the development of colitis. TLR4-/- and MyD88-/- mice and littermate controls were given 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 5 or 7 days followed by a 7-day recovery. Colitis was assessed by weight loss, rectal bleeding, and histopathology. Immunostaining was performed for macrophage markers, chemokine expression, and cell proliferation markers. DSS treatment of TLR4-/- mice was associated with striking reduction in acute inflammatory cells compared with wild-type mice despite similar degrees of epithelial injury. TLR4-/- mice experienced earlier and more severe bleeding than control mice. Similar results were seen with MyD88-/- mice, suggesting that this is the dominant downstream pathway. Mesenteric lymph nodes from TLR4-/- and MyD88-/- mice more frequently grew gram-negative bacteria. Altered neutrophil recruitment was due to diminished macrophage inflammatory protein-2 expression by lamina propria macrophages in TLR4-/- and MyD88-/- mice. The similarity in crypt epithelial damage between TLR4-/- or MyD88-/- and wild-type mice was seen despite decreased epithelial proliferation in knockout mice. TLR4 through the adapter molecule MyD88 is important in intestinal response to injury and in limiting bacterial translocation. Despite the diversity of luminal bacteria, other TLRs do not substitute for the role of TLR4 in this acute colitis model. A defective innate immune response may result in diminished bacterial clearance and ultimately dysregulated response to normal flora.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Liver fibrosis identification based on ultrasound images captured under varied imaging protocols.

Diagnostic ultrasound is a useful and noninvasive method in clinical medicine. Although due to its qualitative, subjective and experience-based nature, ultrasound image interpretation can be influenced by image conditions such as scanning frequency and machine settings. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to extract the liver features using the joint features of fractal dimension and the entropies of texture edge co-occurrence matrix based on ultrasound images, which is not sensitive to changes in emission frequency and gain. Then, Fisher linear classifier and support vector machine are employed to test a group of 99 in-vivo liver fibrosis images from 18 patients, as well as other 273 liver images from 18 normal human volunteers.

Algorithms↗

[Receptor selection and B cell immune tolerance].

The immune system of mammalian has developed sophisticated mechanism to deal with diverse unknown antigens by random rearrangement of V, D and J antigen gene fragments. The immune self-tolerance is the mechanism to avoid self-destruction by the gene rearrangement generated autoreactive lymphocytes. Until recently it was believed that autoreactive lymphocytes are either deleted or rendered unable to respond by the supposed cell or clone selection mechanism. However, recent findings from a number of laboratories suggest instead of cell selection but receptor selection plays an essential role in immune self-tolerance. Receptor selection is carried out by secondary or nested rearrangement of antigen receptor gene fragments, and can occur at different stages of lymphocyte differentiation. Furthermore, secondary rearrangement of receptor gene also plays an important role in shaping immune response after the interaction of receptor with antigen by altering its specificity.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

[Tooth tissue engineering: from cells to organ, an odyssey far from finished].

Tooth tissue engineering is an emerging biotechnique that will provide replacemental teeth for patients suffering from different diseases causing tooth loss. Although some attempts have been tried to generate whole tooth both in vivo and in vitro, the lack of the knowledge for tooth initiation and development, as well as for tooth shape controlling mechanisms greatly impede the progress of this technique. This article reviewed and discussed some recent findings in tooth tissue engineering related to the cell resource, the concept of reconstruction and regeneration, the application of artificial scaffolds, together with the methods of organ culture and implantation.

Humans↗

[Prokaryotic expression, purification and identification of recombinant Xenopus laevis and mouse vascular endothelial growth factors].

OBJECTIVE: To perform prokaryotic expression, purification and identification of Xenopus laevis and mouse vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). METHODS: The prokaryotic expression vectors were constructed by restriction endonuclease digestion and ligation, then the recombinant vector pET-xVEGF and the control vector pET-mVEGF were identified by restriction enzymatic digestion and DNA sequencing. The confirmed vectors were transformed into Escherichia coli. BL21 (DE3) and recombinant protein expression was induced by Isopropy-beta-D-thiogalactoside. The recombinant xVEGF and mVEGF were obtained and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography under denature conditions and enterokinase specific digestion, respectively. Finally, the purified proteins' molecular weights and specificity were detected by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Two new recombinant expression vectors, pET-xVEGF and pET-mVEGF, were constructed successfully. The xVEGF and mVEGF fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli. BL21 (DE3) stably, and the molecular weights of the purified xVEGF and mVEGF were identical to the expected values. The purity of final products reached a level higher than 95%. In addition, these two purified proteins could react with a specific antibody against mouse VEGF as expected. CONCLUSION: Recombinant Xenopus laevis VEGF and its control mouse VEGF protein may provide tools for further study of anti-tumor active immunity with this xenogeneic protein vaccine in mouse tumor models.

Animals↗

[Antitumor effect of recombinant Xenopus laevis vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a vaccine combined with adriamycin on EL4 lymphoma in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the antitumor effect of immunotherapy with recombinant Xenopus laevis vascular endothelial growth factor (xVEGF) as a vaccine combined with adriamycin on lymphoma model in mice. METHODS: EL4 lymphoma model was established in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were randomized into four groups: combination therapy, adriamycin alone, xVEGF alone and normal saline (NS) groups, and then were given relevant treatments. The growth of tumor, the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice, and the potential toxicity of regimens above were observed. Anti-VEGF antibody-producing B cells (APBCs) were detected by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. In addition, microvessel density (MVD) of tumor was detected by immunohistochemistry, and tumor cell apoptosis was also detected by TUNEL staining. RESULTS: The tumor volumes of mice were significantly smaller in combination group than those in other three groups (P < 0.05). Complete regression of tumor was observed in 3 of 10 mice in combination group. Forty-eight days after inoculation of tumor cells, the survival rate of mice was significantly higher in combination group than in NS group (P < 0.01). The anti-VEGF APBC count in combination group or xVEGF group was significantly higher, compared with that in adriamycin group or NS group (P < 0.01). MVD in tumor tissues was significantly lower in combination group than those in other three groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, tumor cell apoptosis was significantly higher in combination group than those in other three groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this experimental study, the use of xVEGF vaccine and adriamycin as a combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy has sucessfully produced synergistic antitumor effect on lymphoma in mice.

Animals↗

Intravitreal transplants of Schwann cells and fibroblasts promote the survival of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in rats.

Schwann cells (SCs) are considered one of the major cellular components to maintain the integrity of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons after injury. Intravitreal transplant of peripheral nerves or Schwann cells has been shown to enhance the regenerative ability of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In the present study, we compared the effects of intravitreal transplants of Schwann cells and fibroblasts, two major components of peripheral nerves, on the survival of retinal ganglion cells in adult rats after optic nerve (ON) transection. Purified Schwann cells and fibroblasts from neonatal sciatic nerves were injected into the vitreous body of adult rats. Three days after the injection, the optic nerves were transected intraorbitally. After 1 week or 1 month, surviving retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labelled with Fluoro-Gold (FG) and the number of surviving retinal ganglion cells was counted. The retinas were further processed for 200-kDa neurofilament RT-97 immunohistochemistry. It was found that intravitreally injected- Schwann cells and -fibroblasts delayed the death of axotomized retinal ganglion cells for 1 week. In addition, in the animal group with 1 month survival time after optic nerve transection, those received a larger number of Schwann cells had more surviving retinal ganglion cells and more profusely ramified axonal processes near the optic disc. These findings reveal that both Schwann cells and fibroblasts isolated from the peripheral nerve can promote retinal ganglion cell survival after optic nerve transection, presumably by secreting neurotrophic factors. In addition, the data also demonstrate that Schwann cells could promote intraretinal axonal sprouting. Our findings demonstrate a remarkable glial source of neurotrophic factors with potential clinical applications, as autologous Schwann cells and fibroblasts can be feasibly obtained from peripheral nerves.

Analysis of Variance↗

Primary herpetic peritonitis causing intestinal perforation: case report and review of the literature.

Peritonitis of viral etiology is rarely reported in the literature; a prior report described a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis who had the disease. We report a case of primary herpetic peritonitis (the agent of which was typed by polymerase chain reaction as herpes simplex virus biotype 1), which caused intestinal perforation, and we review the current literature and provide possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Female↗

An Hsp27-related, dominant-negative-acting intracellular estradiol-binding protein.

New World primates (NWPs) exhibit a compensated form of resistance to gonadal steroid hormones. We demonstrated recently that estrogen resistance in NWP cells was associated with the overexpression of two proteins, a nonreceptor-related, dominant-negative-acting estrogen response element (ERE)-binding protein (ERE-BP) and an intracellular estradiol-binding protein (IEBP). Based on the N-terminal sequences of tryptic fragments of IEBP isolated from a 17beta-estradiol (E2) affinity column we cloned a full-length cDNA for IEBP from the estrogen-resistant NWP cell line, B95-8. Subsequent sequence analysis revealed 87% sequence identity between the deduced peptide for IEBP and human Hsp27. When hormone-responsive, wild-type Old World primate (OWP) cells were transiently transfected with IEBP cDNA, E2-directed ERE reporter luciferase activity was reduced by 50% compared with vector only-transfected OWP cells (p < 0.0018). When IEBP and ERE-BP were cotransfected, ERE promoter-reporter activity was reduced by a further 60% (p < 0.0001). Electrophoresis mobility shift analyses showed that IEBP neither bound to ERE nor competed with the estrogen receptor (ER) for binding to ERE. However, there was evidence of protein-protein interaction of IEBP and ERalpha; IEBP was coimmunoprecipitated with anti-ERalpha antibody in wild-type cells stably transfected with IEBP. A specific interaction between ERalpha and IEBP was confirmed in glutathione S-transferase pull-down and yeast two-hybrid assays. Data indicate that the Hsp27-related IEBP interacts with the ligand binding domain of the ERalpha. In summary, by inhibiting the ERalpha-E2 interaction, IEBP acts to squelch ERalpha-directed ERE-regulated transactivation and promote estrogen resistance in NWP cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Prokaryotic expression, purification and refolding of extracellular ligand binding domains of chick Tie-2 and its immunogenicity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prokaryotic expression of extracellular ligand binding domains of chick Tie-2, the purification and refolding conditions of the recombinant protein, and to observe its immunogenicity in mouse. METHODS: A DNA fragment encoding extracellular ligand binding domains of chick Tie-2 was obtained by PCR from a previous constructed plasmid as a template. The amplified fragment was then inserted into prokaryotic expression vector PQE30, and was expressed in E. coli XL-1 blue by adding isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside(IPTG). The recombinant protein in inclusion bodies was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity chromatography under denatured conditions. Then the refolding of the purified protein was performed with gradient dialysis. The target protein was injected into mouse subcutaneously, and the antiserum of the mouse was analyzed by ELISA and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The recombinant protein was highly expressed in E. coli XL-1 blue, and in mouse it produced the antibody which could specifically recognize the recombinant protein. CONCLUSION: The protein of extracellular ligand binding domains of chick Tie-2 can be highly expressed in prokaryotic expression system, and the expressed protein can induce immune response in mouse. These findings are very important for the further study of this protein in anti-angiogenesis and immunotherapy research.

Animals↗

[Tumor biotherapy based on epidermal growth factor receptor as a target].

High expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been frequently observed in many malignancies; and it is implicated in aggressive biological behaviors of tumor cells and poorer prognosis of tumor patients. Evaluation of EGFR as therapeutic target for cancer is highly warranted. The EGFR-targeted antitumor approaches have been extensively studied over the past decades, including passive immunization with monoclonal antibody and small molecular weight kinase inhibitor of EGFR. These approaches showed promising antitumor potential at pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. A number of mechanisms were thought to play a role in the induced tumoricidal responses, including:(1)arrest of cell cycle; (2)up-regulation of pro-apoptotic molecules; (3)anti-angiogenesis; (4)inhibition of invasion and metastasis of tumor; (5)sensitization of tumor cell to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition, we have proposed a model to break immune tolerance against self-EGFR by immunization with an altered immunogen based on xenogeneic homologous molecule. We found that human EGFR as an immunogen could induce specific immune responses in mice, which also cross-reacts with mouse EGFR and results in antitumor immunity against EGFR-positive malignancies. In general, no marked EGFR-related side effects were found in all EGFR targeted therapeutics. This would be partly explained by significant down-regulation of EGFR and limited dependence on EGFR signal transduction in normal cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis via local administration of recombinant human endostatin adenovirus].

OBJECTIVE: The growth and metastasis of solid tumors are dependent on angiogenesis. Endostatin, the C-terminal proteolytic fragment of collagen XVIII, is a potent endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor. The authors designed a topical antiangiogenic gene therapy with recombinant human endostatin adenovirus (Ad-hEndo) and assessed its effects on the inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro, and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. METHODS: Malignant cells (A549) were infected with Ad-hEndo. The expression of recombinant protein and the inhibition of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial were investigated. Immunodeficient A549 nude mice were treated with intratumoral injection of Ad-hEndo, the empty vector Ad-control or saline (NS). The dose-response, side effects, and serum concentration of endostatin were observed. RESULTS: Recombinant endostatin protein was detected in the infected tumor cells with different MOI Ad-hEndo and its inhibitory effect on endothelial cells growth was shown. In animal study, the volume of tumor and the number of pulmonary metastatic lesions in the Ad-hEndo treatment group were significantly smaller than those in the control groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings provide evidence of the anti-tumor effects of the endostatin and may be important for the further use of it in topical antiangiogenic gene therapy of cancer.

Adenoviridae↗