Biomedical subjects

Donghui Li

Publications and source records attributed to Donghui Li.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Overexpression of oncogenic STK15/BTAK/Aurora A kinase in human pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: Multiple chromosome abnormalities, including gain of chromosome20q, have been detected frequently in human pancreatic cancers. Overexpression of the STK15/BTAK/Aurora A gene located on chromosome 20q13, which encodes a centrosome-associated serine/threonine kinase, has been shown to induce chromosomal instability, leading to aneuploidy and cell transformation in multiple in vitro experimental systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and copy number alteration of STK15 in pancreatic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: STK15 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels together with the copy number of STK15 gene was measured in nine pancreatic carcinoma cell lines: (a) HPAF-II; (b) Aspc-1; (c) Panc-1; (d) Panc-3; (e) Panc-28; (f) Panc-48; (g) HS766T; (h) MIAPaCa-2; and (i) BxPc3. STK15 protein expression was also examined in normal pancreatic tissues and tumors by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: STK15 was overexpressed in all of the nine cell lines examined, but gene amplification was infrequent. Western Blot analysis of primary tumor tissues revealed 2-10 times overexpression of STK15 protein compared with normal adjacent tissues from pancreatic cancer patients. Concurrent overexpression of cdc20, an STK15-associated protein, and reduced expression of cdc25, a mitosis-activating protein phosphatase, were detected in the same tumor samples. Elevated STK15 protein expression was detected in 22 of 38 tumor sections (58%) from pancreatic cancer patients. The extent of STK15 expression was not significantly correlated with the size, degree of differentiation, and metastasis status of the tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that STK15 is overexpressed in pancreatic tumors and carcinoma cell lines and suggest that overexpression of STK15 may play a role in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Detection of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine-DNA adducts in normal breast tissues and risk of breast cancer.

2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), the most abundant heterocyclic amine (HCA) in cooked food, is a mammary carcinogen in female rats. In humans, consumption of well-done meat and PhIP intake have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but PhIP-DNA adducts have not been analyzed in breast tissues from women having unknown exposure to HCAs. Using an immunohistochemistry (IHC) method, we measured PhIP-DNA adducts in normal breast tissues of 106 women having newly diagnosed breast cancer in comparison with those of 49 women undergoing reduction mammoplasty. The IHC method was first validated in MCF-7 cells treated with different doses of N-hydroxy-PhIP. We detected significant dose-response relationship and correlation (r=0.94) between the levels of PhIP-DNA adducts detected by IHC and 32P-postlabeling. Using IHC, PhIP-DNA adducts were detected in 82 and 71% of the normal breast tissue sections from the cancer and control patients respectively. The median (range) absorbance was 0.18 (0-0.57) and 0.08 (0-0.38) in the cancer and control patients, respectively (P<0.001). Using the median in the controls as a cutoff point, 71% of the cancer patients and 47% of the controls were distributed in the higher range (chi2=8.17; P=0.004). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an OR of 4.03 (95% CI, 1.41-11.53) after adjusting for age and ethnicity (P=0.009). Stratified analyses did not find any significant effect of age, ethnicity, smoking, well-done meat consumption, dietary intake of PhIP, or polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, NAT2, and GSTM1 genes on the level of PhIP-DNA adducts. However, a potential interactive effect of well-done meat consumption and NAT2 genotype on the level of PhIP-DNA adducts was observed (P=0.047). This is the first study of detection of PhIP-DNA adducts in breast tissue samples obtained from women having unknown exposure to HCAs. These data strongly support the hypothesis that HCA exposure contributes to human breast cancer among genetically susceptible individuals.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Cloning and expression studies during vegetative growth and sexual development of Psp2, a serine protease gene from Pyrenopeziza brassicae.

A serine protease gene designated Pyrenopeziza brassicae serine protease 2 (Psp2) was cloned from the plant pathogenic fungus Pyrenopeziza brassicae and its expression analysed. Psp2 was transcribed in equal levels during both vegetative growth and sexual development and showed no differential expression in the presence of exogenous protein or during starvation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Genetic and environmental determinants on tissue response to in vitro carcinogen exposure and risk of breast cancer.

To test the hypothesis that individual susceptibility to carcinogen exposure is a risk factor for breast cancer, we measured DNA adduct formation in normal breast tissues treated in vitro with 4 micro M benzo(a)pyrene in 76 cancer cases and 60 noncancer controls. We found a significantly higher level of adducts (134.6 +/- 21.2/10(9)) among cases compared with controls (66.9 +/- 7.5; P = 0.007). The level of adducts was significantly associated with the risk of breast cancer (odds ratio, 4.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 18.50; P = 0.044) after adjusting for confounders. Stratified analysis and regression analysis demonstrated that race, pack-years of smoking, family history of breast cancer, and CYP1B1 genotype were significant predictors of the level of benzo(a)pyrene-induced adducts in the breast tissues. These observations suggest that genetic susceptibility to carcinogen exposure may play an important role in breast carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

DNA adducts, genetic polymorphisms, and K-ras mutation in human pancreatic cancer.

To test the hypothesis that carcinogen exposure and oxidative stress are involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis in susceptible individuals, aromatic DNA adducts and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) were measured by (32)P-postlabeling and HPLC-EC, respectively, in 31 pancreatic tumors and 13 normal tissues adjacent to the tumor from patients with pancreatic cancer. Normal pancreatic tissues from 24 organ donors, from six patients with non-pancreatic cancers, and from five patients with chronic pancreatitis served as controls. It was found that tissue samples from patients with pancreatic cancer had significantly higher levels of both aromatic DNA adducts and 8-OH-dG compared with control samples. The mean (+/-S.D.) levels of aromatic DNA adducts were 101.8+/-74.6, 26.9+/-26.6, and 11.2+/-6.6 per 10(9) nucleotides in adjacent tissues, tumors, and controls, respectively. The mean (+/-S.D.) levels of 8-OH-dG were 11.9+/-9.6, 10.8+/-10.6, and 6.7+/-4.6 per 10(5) nucleotides in adjacent tissues, tumors, and controls, respectively. Polymorphisms of the CYP1A1, CYP2E1, NAT1, NAT2, GSTM1, MnSOD, and hOGG1 genes were determined in these patients. The level of aromatic DNA adducts was significantly associated with polymorphism of the CYP1A1 gene. No significant correlation was found between the level of 8-OH-dG and the MnSOD, GSTM1, and hOGG1 polymorphisms. However, one novel polymorphism/mutation of the hOGG1 gene was found in a pancreatic tumor. Mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras gene was found in 25 (81%) of 31 pancreatic tumors, including three G-to-A transitions and 22 G-to-T transversions. Patients with the G-to-T mutation had a significantly higher level of aromatic DNA adducts than those with G-to-A or wild-type codon (P=0.02). On the other hand, the K-ras mutation profile was not related to the level of 8-OH-dG. Given the limitation of sample size, these preliminary data lend further support the hypothesis that carcinogen exposure and oxidative stress are involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Characterization of a major aromatic DNA adduct detected in human breast tissues.

A bulky DNA adduct (Spot 1) was previously detected in normal adjacent breast tissues of 41% (36/87) of women with breast cancer and in none (0/29) of the noncancer controls by (32)P-postlabeling. To characterize this adduct, it was chromatographically compared with DNA adduct profiles generated in several in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. First, MCF-7 cells were exposed to a number of chemical carcinogens, that is, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), 4-OH-B[a]P, 9-OH-B[a]P, 11-OH-B[a]P, B[a]P-trans-4,5-dihydrodiol, 1-nitropyrene, 6-nitrochrysene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, 3-methylcholanthrene, and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. Spot 1 was detected as a minor adduct in cells treated with B[a]P but not other compounds. Second, to determine whether Spot 1 is derived from lipid peroxidation products or estrogen metabolites, it was compared with adduct profiles of cells or DNAs exposed to 17beta-estradiol, 4-hydroxy estradiol, 4-hydroxynonenal, or oxidized oat oil. Spot 1 was not detectable in these samples. In addition, Spot 1 did not comigrate with the 1,N(2)-ethenodeoxyguanosine adduct standard. Third, to explore the mechanism of Spot 1 formation, it was compared with adduct profiles detected in DNA or mononucleotides reacted with BPDE, 1-OH-7,8-dihydrodiol of B[a]P, and 3-OH-7,8-dihydrodiol of B[a]P as well as in rats orally treated with B[a]P. Spot 1 comigrated with a minor adduct in BPDE-treated DNA during anion exchange rechromatography but these two adducts were separated by partition chromatography. Spot 1 also behaved in a manner that was very similar to that of the polar B[a]P adducts detected in rat liver, but the two adducts were separated by HPLC. Fourth, Spot 1 was compared with CD1 mice exposed to 7H-benzo[c]fluorene (B[c]F). Spot 1 from some patients comigrated with a major adduct induced by B[c]F. Finally, we found that the presence of Spot 1 in human breast tissues was not related to smoking status but, rather, with CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism. The CYP1A1 mutant carriers had a significantly higher frequency of this adduct than did the wild-type genotypes. Furthermore, individuals with Spot 1 had a significantly higher staining intensity for BPDE-PAH adducts in their tissue sections than those without it. These results demonstrate that this major bulky DNA adduct detected in human breast tissues is related to PAH exposure.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Elevated luteinizing hormone in serum, breast cancer tissue, and normal breast tissue from breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Hormones are known to be important in breast cancer, but studies have focused on steroid hormones and their cognate receptors. We report here an analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration in serum and breast tissue samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied serum and breast tissue samples from 353 women, 231 with breast cancer and 122 controls. Four breast tissue sites were sampled in every case. Tumor samples were also available from 48 patients and serum from 101 subjects. LH was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: LH concentration in breast tissue was significantly higher in samples from patients with breast cancer than in samples from control subjects. In breast cancer patients, there was a decreasing gradiant from the cancer to the normal breast tissue, near and far from the tumor. Serum LH levels could not distinguish between breast cancer and control cases in most cases; but tissue LH could. CONCLUSIONS: LH concentrations were higher in breast tumors than in normal tissue near to or far from the tumor in women with breast cancer, and these concentrations were higher in women with breast cancer than in control cases. The different LH concentrations in breast tissue might be used to detect small or hidden carcinomas. In addition, the identification of luteinizing hormone in breast tissue offers a different explanation for the mechanism of action of LHRH agonists and might identify patients that respond to this treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma: synergism of alcohol with viral hepatitis and diabetes mellitus.

Risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are well documented, but the synergisms between these risk factors are not well examined. We conducted a hospital-based, case-control study among 115 HCC patients and 230 non-liver cancer controls. Cases and controls were pathologically diagnosed at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and were matched by 5-year age groups, sex, and year of diagnosis. Information on risk factors was collected by personal interview and medical records review. Blood samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus antigen (anti-HCV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Conditional logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) by the maximum likelihood method. Multivariate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 15.3 (4.3-54.4), 12.6 (2.5-63.1), 4.5 (1.4-14.8), and 4.3 (1.9-9.9) for anti-HCV, HBsAg, heavy alcohol consumption (>/=80 mL ethanol/d), and diabetes mellitus, respectively. Synergistic interactions on the additive model were observed between heavy alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis virus infection (OR, 53.9; 95% CI, 7.0-415.7) and diabetes mellitus (OR, 9.9; 95% CI, 2.5-39.3). Independent of the effect of HCV, HBV, and diabetes mellitus, heavy alcohol consumption contributes to the majority of HCC cases (32%), whereas 22%, 16%, and 20% were explained by HCV, HBV, and diabetes mellitus, respectively. In conclusion, the significant synergy between heavy alcohol consumption, hepatitis virus infection, and diabetes mellitus may suggest a common pathway for hepatocarcinogenesis. Exploring the underlying mechanisms for such synergisms may indicate new HCC prevention strategies in high-risk individuals.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Aromatic DNA adducts and polymorphisms of CYP1A1, NAT2, and GSTM1 in breast cancer.

Previous studies by us and others have shown a significantly higher level of aromatic DNA adducts in normal adjacent breast tissue samples obtained from breast cancer patients than in those obtained from non-cancerous controls. The increased amount of DNA damage could be related to excess environmental carcinogen exposure and/or genetic susceptibility to such exposure. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between the levels of aromatic DNA adducts in breast tissues and polymorphisms of the drug-metabolizing genes cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2), and glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), in 166 women having breast cancer. DNA adducts were measured using (32)P-postlabeling and information on smoking status was obtained from medical records. When pooled data of smokers and non-smokers were analyzed by multiple regression analyses, no significant correlation was found between the level of total DNA adducts and age, race, or polymorphisms of CYP1A1, GSTM1, and NAT2. The only significant predictor of the level of DNA adducts in breast tissues was smoking (P = 0.008). When data were analyzed separately in smokers and non-smokers, however, a significant gene-environment interaction was observed. Smokers with CYP1A1*1/*2 or *2/*2 genotypes had a significantly higher level of DNA adducts than those with the CYP1A1*1/*1 genotype. This effect was not seen among non-smokers. There was also a gene-gene interaction, as smokers with combined CYP1A1*1/*2 or CYP1A1*2/*2 genotypes and GSTM1 null had a much higher level of adducts than those with either CYP1A1 or GSTM1 polymorphism. Genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and NAT2 were also significantly correlated with the frequency of certain types of DNA adducts. For example, a bulky benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-like adduct was detected in 26% of the samples, the presence of which was not related to age, race, smoking status, or GSTM1 and NAT2 genotype. However, a significantly higher frequency of the B[a[P-like adduct was found in individuals having CYP1A1*1/*2 or *2/*2 genotypes than in those having the *1/*1 genotype (P = 0.04). In addition, individuals having slow NAT2 alleles had a significantly higher frequency of the typical smoking-related DNA adduct pattern, i.e. a diagonal radioactive zone (DRZ), than others did (P = 0.008). These findings suggest that polymorphisms of CYP1A1, GSTM1, and NAT2 significantly affect either the frequency or the level of DNA adducts in normal breast tissues of women having breast cancer, especially in smokers. Further large-scale studies are required to determine the exact role of these polymorphisms and types of DNA damage in breast cancer susceptibility.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Discovery of an ectopic activation site on the M(1) muscarinic receptor.

Receptors have well-conserved regions that are recognized and activated by hormones and neurotransmitters. Most drugs bind to these sites and mimic or block the action of the native ligands. Using a high-throughput functional screen, we identified a potent and selective M(1) muscarinic receptor agonist from a novel structural class. Using a series of chimeric receptors, we demonstrated that this ligand activates the receptor through a region that is not conserved among receptor subtypes, explaining its unprecedented selectivity. This region of the receptor is distinct from the conserved region that is recognized by traditional ligands. The finding that receptors for small-molecule transmitters can have multiple, structurally distinct activation sites has broad implications for the study of receptor structure/function and the potential for the discovery of novel ligands with high selectivity.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2002

[Extraocular muscle surgery for thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the indication, method and therapeutic results of extraocular muscle surgery for thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). METHODS: The results of extraocular muscle surgery in 11 patients with TAO were analyzed. The main purpose of the surgery was to release the restriction induced by fibrotic extra-ocular muscles. Recession was used in most of the patients. RESULTS: Different degrees of realignments were gained, and restricted ocular movements were improved in 11 patients postoperatively. Nine (9/11) patients restored binocular vision in functional positions of gaze. Better alignment was gained in 2-month-follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Diplopia and restricted ocular movements are the main indications of extra-ocular muscle surgery in TAO. Timing of surgery is crucial, and it is better to be carried out when the disease has been stationary for 4 - 6 months. Under local anesthesia, the doctor can adjust the position of muscle to insure an excellent result. The extra-ocular muscular surgery for TAO is a good functional rehabilitative measure.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Direct tandem mass spectrometry reveals limitations in protein profiling experiments for plasma biomarker discovery.

The low molecular weight plasma proteome and its biological relevance are not well defined; therefore, experiments were conducted to directly sequence and identify peptides observed in plasma and serum protein profiles. Protein fractionation, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) profiling, and liquid-chromatography coupled to MALDI tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) sequencing were used to analyze the low molecular weight proteome of heparinized plasma. Four fractionation techniques using functionally derivatized 96-well plates were used to extract peptides from plasma. Tandem TOF was successful for identifying peptides up to m/z 5500 with no prior knowledge of the sequence and was also used to verify the sequence assignments for larger ion signals. The peptides (n>250) sequenced in these profiles came from a surprisingly small number of proteins (n approximately 20), which were all common to plasma, including fibrinogen, complement components, antiproteases, and carrier proteins. The cleavage patterns were consistent with those of known plasma proteases, including initial cleavages by thrombin, plasmin and complement proteins, followed by aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase activity. On the basis of these data, we discuss limitations in biomarker discovery in the low molecular weight plasma or serum proteome using crude fractionation coupled to MALDI-MS profiling.

Biomarkers↗