Biomedical subjects

Hong-Nerng Ho

Publications and source records attributed to Hong-Nerng Ho.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Altered apoptosis and proliferation in endometrial stromal cells of women with adenomyosis.

BACKGROUND: The eutopic endometrium in a woman suffering from adenomyosis is known to be biologically different from that of healthy women. The aim of this study was to examine the apoptosis and proliferation of eutopic endometrium from women with adenomyosis. METHODS: We enrolled 23 women with adenomyosis (study group) and 21 without (control group). Eutopic endometrium was obtained and separated into single endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). ESCs were treated in vitro with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) to examine their apoptosis using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Cells were also treated with estradiol (E(2)), medroxyprogesterone acetate, interleukin (IL)-6, lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to test their proliferation using a non-radioactive cell proliferation assay. RESULTS: The percentage of annexin V ( + )/7-amino-actinomycin D ( + ) ESCs was much lower in women with adenomyosis after 24 h culture with and without H(2)O(2) treatment when compared with the control group. ESCs of adenomyosis proliferated more rapidly than those of the control group, whether they were cultured alone or were treated with E(2), MPA, IL-6 or IFN-gamma. The immunocytochemical Ki-67 labelling index was much more prominent in adenomyotic ESCs than that of the control group (7.7% versus 1.1%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Altered apoptosis and proliferation of eutopic endometrium possibly elucidate some aspects of the pathophysiology of adenomyosis. A high Ki-67 labelling index in immunocytochemistry might be a potential indicator in predicting the occurrence of adenomyosis.

Annexin A5↗

PubMed2006

Decreased expression of CD25 on decidual activated T lymphocytes is not mediated by reduced CD25 messenger ribonucleic acid.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether the down-regulation of CD25 on decidual T cells occurred at the activated T cells and was governed through reduced CD25 messenger RNA (mRNA) production. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis and prospective study. SETTING: University hospital and medical college. PATIENT(S): A total of 12 women receiving hysterectomies and 20 pregnant women having elective abortions were included. INTERVENTION(S): The amount of CD25 mRNA in isolated T cells from peripheral blood, endometrium, and decidua was analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction and was compared after coculture with autologous cytotrophoblast cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression levels of CD25 and CD25 mRNA before and after coculture. RESULT(S): The percentage of activated T cells expressing CD25 is lower in decidua than in peripheral blood but the opposite in regulatory T cells. Nevertheless, the amount of CD25 mRNA in decidual T cells did not decrease, instead of approaching that in corresponding fully activated T cells. In the coculture model, we found that the cytotrophoblast cells could induce the decreased expression of CD25 on T lymphocytes. However, there was no change in the amount of CD25 mRNA in T cells after coculture. CONCLUSION(S): This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the coculture model to study fetomaternal interactions and provides evidence that fetal cells may contribute to the control of maternal local immunity and that the decreased expression of CD25 on decidual T lymphocytes is not through the reduced CD25 mRNA level.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Decreased suppression of interleukin-6 after treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate and danazol in endometrial stromal cells of women with adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in local cytokine production in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis after treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and danazol. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENT(S): Twenty-four women with adenomyosis (study group) and 22 women without adenomyosis (control group). INTERVENTION(S): Eutopic endometrium was separated into single endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and was cultured in vitro alone, with MPA (10(-7) M), or with danazol (10(-7) M) for 8 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Messenger RNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in ESCs, and their concentrations in the supernatants of ESCs. RESULT(S): A significant decrease of IL-6 concentration in the supernatant, measured by ELISA, was found with time of ESCs cultured with MPA and danazol in the control group, but not in adenomyosis. The IL-6 mRNA in ESCs determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain, as well as its concentration in the supernatant, was much higher in adenomyosis than that in the control group after treatment with MPA and danazol for 8 days. CONCLUSION(S): Medroxyprogesterone acetate and danazol appeared to have a decreased effect on the suppression of IL-6 liberated by ESCs in adenomyosis. This aberrant secretion of IL-6 might play a role in the formation of ectopic endometrial implants in adenomyosis.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2006

Association of a single dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist with nitric oxide and embryo quality in in vitro fertilization cycles.

The patients undertaking a single-dose protocol for GnRH antagonist were associated with elevated serum and follicular levels of nitric oxide (NO) and decreased embryo quality scores compared with those who underwent the long protocol for GnRH agonist. The relatively poor embryo quality may be NO related instead of Fas related.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

PubMed2006

Low sex hormone-binding globulin is associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS.

BACKGROUND: Decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, and the metabolic syndrome, are all closely associated with a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We investigated the association between HDL-C, SHBG and the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 106 young Taiwanese women (mean age +/- SD, 24.9 +/- 4.8 years) with PCOS, 69 (65.1%) women had an HDL-C level <50 mg dl(-1). The level of HDL-C was highly correlated with that of serum SHBG (gamma = 0.6034, P < 0.0001). The SHBG level was significantly lower in subjects with an HDL-C <50 mg dl(-1) than that in subjects with an HDL-C > or =50 mg dl(-1). Using multiple linear regression models with adjustment for age, BMI and other anthropometric, metabolic, liver function and hormonal variables, we showed serum SHBG to be independently correlated with HDL-C. Based on logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, the SHBG level was significantly lower in women with PCOS with the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 0.92, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of SHBG in women with PCOS were associated with low levels of HDL-C, independent of insulin resistance and obesity. The SHBG level was inversely related to the occurrence of metabolic syndrome, further strengthening the potential link between SHBG levels and cardiovascular disease in women with PCOS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Embryo quality is more important for younger women whereas age is more important for older women with regard to in vitro fertilization outcome and multiple pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficiency of embryo scoring systems for multiple pregnancy in women undergoing IVF procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective record analysis. SETTING: University hospital, tertiary medical center. PATIENT(S): Three hundred one patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation, IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and day 3 embryo transfer. INTERVENTION(S): IVF/ICSI and embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Rate of pregnancy and rate of multiple pregnancy. RESULT(S): The score of the best three embryos (Top3) was more correlated with IVF outcome than were the number of good embryos (P=.009) or the cumulative embryo score (P=.038). In the logistic regression model, Top3 was more relevant to IVF outcome and multiple pregnancy for younger patients than was age (P<.05). For older patients, age was more correlated with IVF outcome and multiple pregnancy than was embryo morphology (P<.05). CONCLUSION(S): The embryo morphology criteria can help reduce the number of embryos transferred into younger patients. We could use the age of patients as an indicator to determine the number of embryos transferred into older patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Increased interleukin-6 messenger RNA expression in macrophage-cocultured endometrial stromal cells in adenomyosis.

PROBLEM: To determine the effects of macrophage on endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in women with adenomyosis. METHOD OF STUDY: Eutopic endometrium was obtained and separated into single ESC in 10 women with adenomyosis (study group) and 11 without adenomyosis (control group). ESCs were then cultured alone or with macrophage for 24 hr. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry identified the presence of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 in ESCs. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the IL-6 mRNA was significantly expressed in macrophage-cocultured ESCs in adenomyosis than that in the controls, but was not different in ESCs cultured alone between the two groups. The levels of IL-8 and IL-10 mRNA were similar in ESCs either cultured alone or with macrophage between women with and without adenomyosis. CONCLUSION: IL-6 mRNA was significantly expressed in ESCs after in vitro coculture with macrophage in adenomyosis. This aberrant behavior of ESCs might play a role in the formation of ectopic endometrial implants in adenomyosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Up-regulation of inhibitory natural killer receptors CD94/NKG2A with suppressed intracellular perforin expression of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes in human cervical carcinoma.

Inhibitory signals that govern the cytolytic functions of CD8(+) T lymphocytes have been linked to the expression of natural killer cell receptors (NKRs) on CTLs. There is limited knowledge about the induction of inhibitory NKR (iNKR) expression in vivo. Up-regulation of iNKRs has been linked to the modulation of the virus- and/or tumor-specific immune responses in animal models. In the present study, we directly examined the expression of various NKRs on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) derived from human cervical cancer. We found that in human cervical cancer, the percentage expression of immunoglobulin-like NKR(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes were similar in gated CD8(+)-autologous TILs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. On the contrary, cervical cancer-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes expressed up-regulated C-type lectin NKRs CD94/NKG2A compared with either peripheral blood CD8(+) T cells or normal cervix-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Dual NKR coexpression analyses showed that CD94 and NKG2A were mainly expressed on CD56(-)CD161(-)CD8(+) TILs within the cancer milieu. Immunohistochemical study showed that cervical cancer cells expressed abundant interleukin 15 (IL-15) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). In kinetic coculture assay, cervical cancer cells can promote the expression of CD94/NKG2A on CD8(+) T lymphocytes. The cancer-derived effects can be reversed by addition of rIL-15Ralpha/Fc and anti-TGF-beta antibody. Functional analyses illustrated that intracellular perforin expression of CD8(+) T cells was minimal upon up-regulation of CD94/NKG2A. Kinetic cytotoxicity assays showed that up-regulated expressions of CD94/NKG2A restrain CD8(+) T lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Our study strongly indicated that cervical cancer cells could promote the expression of iNKRs via an IL-15- and possibly TGF-beta-mediated mechanism and abrogate the antitumor cytotoxicity of TILs.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2005

Multiple negative feedbacks on CD152 expression in allograft tolerance.

BACKGROUND: CD152 has been implicated in tolerance induction. This study investigated how CD80 and CD86 regulated CD152 expression in a low-responding cardiac transplant model with CD152-mediated long-term graft acceptance. METHODS: A low-responding cardiac transplant model from BALB/c to B10.A was used. Donor-specific stimulation and multiple antibody blockade of the CD80/CD86:CD28/CD152 co-stimulatory pathway was applied to the splenic T cells from B10.A recipients with 100-day grafts (B10.A-100). Proliferation assays, quantitative (Q) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometric analyses, and fluorescence microscopy were conducted to examine the roles of CD80 and CD86 in CD152 expression. RESULTS: B10.A-100 splenic T cells were hyporesponsive to donor-specific stimulation, and anti-CD80, anti-CD86, or anti-CD152 treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation response of the B10.A-100 splenic T cells. Proliferation assays and Q-PCR revealed that CD152 inhibited T-cell proliferation and, at the same time, decreased CD152 expression by secluding CD80 and CD86 from CD28 engagement. Flow cytometric analyses and fluorescence microscopy showed that CD28 engagement facilitated intracellular accumulation of CD152. Besides, CD152 engagement by CD80 decreased CD152 mRNA transcription, and CD152 engagement by CD86 inhibited surface expression of CD152. CONCLUSIONS: CD80 and CD86 controlled CD152-mediated allograft tolerance by multiple negative feedbacks on CD152 mRNA and surface expression.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Successful pregnancy achieved by intracytoplasmic sperm injection using cryopreserved electroejaculate sperm in a couple both with spinal cord injury: a case report.

Anejaculation and poor semen quality are 2 major causes of infertility in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). The low motility of retrieved sperm often results in use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve fertilization. Pregnancy is a challenging event for women with SCI. Herein we report a pregnancy after ICSI with cryopreserved electroejaculate sperm for a couple both with SCI. The husband had T10 paraplegia with a neurogenic bladder. He underwent 2 electroejaculations. The concentration of sperm was 0.1 x 10(6)/mL to 0.3 x 10(6)/mL, with a motility of 5% to 20%. ICSI was considered the best choice for the couple. His wife had L2 paraplegia with cauda equina syndrome. She underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, and 10 oocytes were retrieved. Eight mature oocytes were injected using thawed sperm, which resulted in 5 normal zygotes. Conception was achieved by the transfer of 4 embryos into the uterus. A healthy female baby was delivered vaginally at 39 weeks of gestation. This woman had never undergone any other assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. With the advancement of ART and prenatal care, this couple achieved a successful pregnancy. The use of cryopreserved electroejaculated sperm for ICSI can avoid the inconvenience or cost to the patient of repeated electroejaculations.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Integration of high-risk human papillomavirus DNA correlates with HLA genotype aberration and reduced HLA class I molecule expression in human cervical carcinoma.

In human cervical cancer (CC), local immunity against this human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated neoplasia has been signified. To stratify the possibility of HPV integration on HLA mutations, we measured the genotypic and phenotypic integrity of all available HLA class I loci in 30 cases of CC. Paired normal and cancer genomic DNA was analyzed with DNA typing trays, including 57 subtypes of HLA-A, 120 subtypes of HLA-B, and 60 subtypes of HLA-C. We demonstrated significant mutations of HLA genotype with reduced HLA molecule expression in CC. HPV coincide in > 70% cases of aberrant HLA genes. Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of HPV DNA within the mutated HLA foci. Our study reveals a plausible role of HPV integration in the contexts of aberrant HLA genotypes in CC cells. Disruptions of the HLA genes can be possible tactics of HPV to attain the potential carcinogenetic purposes, and thus the cancer immune escape.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Successful pregnancy in a gonadectomized woman with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis and gonadoblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of successful pregnancy after conservative bilateral gonadectomy without adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a 46,XY gonadal dysgenetic woman with gonadoblastoma and malignant germ cell tumor. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Infertility center in university hospital. PATIENT(S): An 18-year-old female with 46,XY karyotype underwent bilateral gonadectomy, and the pathology revealed gonadoblastoma with malignant mixed germ cell tumor. INTERVENTION(S): Chromosomal analysis, bilateral gonadectomy, donor oocyte, and IVF program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Tumor markers and pregnancy result. RESULT(S): The patient was free from tumor recurrence after 13 years' follow-up. A successful twin pregnancy was achieved after oocyte donation and IVF. CONCLUSION(S): Gonadectomy without adjuvant therapies could be done in 46,XY gonadal dysgenetic women with gonadoblastoma in view of preservation of future fertility.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Ovarian response and follicular development for single-dose and multiple-dose protocols for gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficiency of a single-dose and a multiple-dose protocol for GnRH antagonist administration. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: University hospital, tertiary medical center. PATIENT(S): Sixty-one patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and IVF/ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): COS with either a multiple-dose (MD) or a single-dose (SD) protocol for GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix) administration, or with a long protocol (LP) for GnRH agonist (buserelin) administration, followed by oocyte retrieval, IVF/ICSI, and embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Follicular development and serum levels of E2 and LH. RESULT(S): The SD protocol for cetrorelix was associated with a more reduced level of follicular development, lower levels of serum estradiol on the day of HCG administration, and a more reduced number of zygotes than the LP for buserelin. The pregnancy and implantation rates did not differ significantly for the three study groups. CONCLUSION(S): The MD and SD GnRH antagonist protocols were effective for preventing LH surge and appear to elicit an equivalent pregnancy rate to that corresponding to a LP GnRH agonist. In terms of follicular development, the SD protocol requires further modification, including flexible scheduling or possibly a small reduction of the dosage of the administered cetrorelix.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Increased frequency of genital human papillomavirus infection in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive Taiwanese women.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with increased incidence and severity of HPV-related cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This study examined the incidence of genital HPV infection in HIV-infected Taiwanese women and its relationship with cervical neoplasia. METHODS: This hospital-based, case-control study enrolled 31 consecutive HIV-seropositive women and 124 age-matched women who were free from HIV infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to distinguish high-risk (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 52 and 58) and low-risk HPV (types 6 and 11). The occurrence of genital HPV infection was compared between women with and without HIV infection. In addition, CD4 lymphocyte counts were determined by flow cytometry and Papanicolaou test was done in women with HIV infection. RESULTS: HPV and Papanicolaou test were done soon after the diagnosis of HIV infection. HIV seropositive women had a significantly greater high-risk HPV infection rate (48.4%; 15/31) than women without HIV infection (20.2%; 25/124; odds ratio, 3.71; p = 0.001). However, the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was similar between women with and without HIV infection. The CD4 lymphocyte counts in HIV-seropositive women were similar between those with and without genital HPV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of genital HPV infection was significantly increased in HIV-infected women. Due to the association between high-risk HPV infection and the development of cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer, regular follow-up of Papanicolaou test is necessary in these women.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Decreased expression of killer cell inhibitory receptors on natural killer cells in eutopic endometrium in women with adenomyosis.

BACKGROUND: Increased expression of killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) has been found on natural killer (NK) cells in peritoneal fluid in women with endometriosis. In this study, we tried to measure the expression of KIRs on NK and T cells in women with adenomyosis, in an attempt to find the possible role of KIRs in the development of adenomyosis. METHODS: A total of 10 women with adenomyosis (study group) and 12 women with uterine myoma (control group) were included in this study. The expression of KIRs, including NKB1, GL183, EB6 and CD94, on NK and T cells in myometrium and endometrium was examined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: There was a decreased expression of NKB1 and GL183 on NK cells in the endometrium, but not in the myometrium, in women with adenomyosis. However, the expression of KIRs on T cells, either CD4+ or CD8+, was not different in either myometrium or endometrium between women with and without adenomyosis. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of KIRs on NK cells was decreased in eutopic endometrium in women with adenomyosis. It may be a compensatory effect in which the NK cytotoxicity is activated in order to eradicate the abnormal endometrial cells that might exit of the eutopic site of the endometrium.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Expression of leukemia inhibitory factor and its receptor is not altered in the decidua and chorionic villi of human anembryonic pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Uterine expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is absolutely essential for mouse, and critical for human, embryo implantation. However LIF is not required for post-implantation development of mouse embryo. The objective of this study was to examine the role of LIF system in post-implantation stage of human pregnancy. METHODS: Tissues from 25 patients with anembryonic pregnancy (AP; blighted ovum) and 25 matched patients with normal pregnancy (NP) were collected. LIF and its receptor beta (LIF-Rbeta) expression in the decidua and chorionic villi were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: LIF mRNA levels were not different either between different tissues (decidua vs chorionic villi) or between different patients (NP vs AP). LIF-Rbeta mRNA levels were significantly higher in chorionic villi than in decidua but were not different between NP and AP. Immunohistochemical staining supported these findings and showed a predominate expression of LIF-Rbeta in the trophoblast cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that at early human post-implantation stage, LIF is produced from both decidua and chorionic villi and may exert its major action on trophoblasts. A baseline expression of LIF and LIF-Rbeta is probably needed for early pregnancy, but AP cannot be accounted for by the defective expression of either LIF or LIF-Rbeta in most circumstances.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Identification of a novel protein 3a from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

The open reading frame 3 of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) genome encodes a predicted protein 3a, consisting of 274 amino acids, that lacks any significant similarities to any known protein. We generated specific antibodies against SARS protein 3a by using a synthetic peptide (P2) corresponding to amino acids 261-274 of the putative protein. Anti-P2 antibodies and the sera from SARS patients could specifically detect the recombinant SARS protein 3a expressed in Escherichia coli and in Vero E6 cells. Expression of SARS protein 3a was detected at 8-12 h after infection and reached a higher level after approximately 24 h in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. Protein 3a was also detected in the alveolar lining pneumocytes and some intra-alveolar cells of a SARS-CoV-infected patient's lung specimen. Recombinant protein 3a expressed in Vero E6 cells and protein 3a in the SARS-CoV-infected cells was distributed over the cytoplasm in a fine punctate pattern with partly concentrated staining in the Golgi apparatus. Our study demonstrates that SARS-CoV indeed expresses a novel protein 3a, which is present only in SARS-CoV and not in other known CoVs.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Microtubular spindle dynamics and chromosome complements from somatic cell nuclei haploidization in mature mouse oocytes and developmental potential of the derived embryos.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate haploidization of somatic cell nuclei in non-enucleated mature oocytes regarding spindle formation, chromosomes and developmental potential. METHODS: Mouse cumulus cells were injected into metaphase II oocytes. Some injected oocytes were examined for morphological changes of chromosomes and the spindle immediately, and at 30 min, 1 h or 2 h after the injections. The remaining oocytes were activated by Sr(2+) after various incubation periods and observed for formation of a second polar body and pseudo-polar body. Cytogenetic analysis was performed for some of the resulting zygotes. The progress to blastocysts in vitro and the possibility of conception in vivo were assessed. RESULTS: Immediately after injection, the cumulus cell nucleus was still in interphase without spindle formation. The occurrence of premature chromosome condensation (PCC) and spindle formation increased as the incubation time increased. The percentages of activated oocytes increased with the incubation time after nuclear transfer, but the difference was not significant between 1 (58%) and 2 h (62%). The incidence of chromosomal aberrations was high for the derived embryos. Development in vitro was poor, and no procreation of pups occurred after transfer of the 324 embryos. CONCLUSIONS: The PCC and spindle formation induced by cumulus cell nuclei in mature oocytes was time dependent, as was the chance for successful activation. The chromosomal abnormalities from segregation errors presented one obvious cause, apart from the potential epigenetic defects, of developmental failure of the semi-cloned embryos.

Animals↗