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Biomedical subjects

Jin Xie

Publications and source records attributed to Jin Xie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Identifying JAK2 and ANXA5 as Key Genes Linking Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Oxidative Stress via Machine Learning and Multilayer Transcriptomic Integration With Functional Validation.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and severe sleep disorder closely associated with oxidative stress (OS). This study aims to identify and validate potential OS-related genes associated with OSA through bioinformatics methods. We successfully identified OS-related differentially expressed genes (OS-DEGs) by combining the limma test, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and OS-related genes from the GeneCards database. Key genes and potential biological roles were further identified using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, Lasso regression analysis, random forest algorithm, and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) method. Evaluate and validate the accuracy of key genes through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The human single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset is used for cell classification annotation, analysis of key gene single-cell expression profiles, and virtual gene knockout experiments based on the scTenifoldKnk algorithm. Integrating scRNA-seq sequencing, pseudotime trajectory inference, cell-cell communication analysis, and bulk immune infiltration deconvolution reveals monocyte subtype remodeling in OSA. Finally, the expression levels of key genes in clinical samples were validated using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. A total of 57 common DEGs, indicating significant enrichment in OS, inflammation, and tumor pathways, particularly prominent in the immunometabolism pathway. By integrating DEGs, WGCNA, PPI results, and machine learning methods, key genes Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and ANXA5 were screened out. JAK2 was significantly upregulated under disease conditions, while ANXA5 was significantly downregulated. ROC curve exhibited high accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] > 0.85). Human scRNA-seq analysis revealed that key genes were predominantly highly expressed in monocytes. Virtual knockout experiments demonstrated that these key genes play a crucial role in regulating immune responses and inflammatory reactions. PPI networks and enrichment analysis verified that downstream genes S100P, ALOX5AP, PROK2, and PADI4 may collaboratively participate in immune response and inflammation regulation. Finally, clinical sample experiment further validated the results of bioinformatics analysis. This study provides new research insights for the diagnosis, mechanism research, and treatment development of OSA in the future by integrating multilayer transcriptomic and machine learning techniques.

Humans↗

Synthesis and stabilization of monodisperse Fe nanoparticles.

Monodisperse Fe nanoparticles are synthesized via a simple one-pot thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5 in the presence of oleylamine. Controlled oxidation of the iron surface leads to crystalline Fe3O4 shell and results in dramatic increase of chemical and dispersion stability of the nanoparticles. Surface ligand exchange is readily applied to transfer the core/shell nanoparticles from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, and a stable aqueous nanoparticle dispersion in PBS is formed. The functionalized nanoparticles are suitable for biomolecule attachment and biomedical applications.

Journal Article↗

Increase in the growth inhibition of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by an O-hexanoyl low-molecular-weight heparin derivative.

Proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) appears to play a significant role in chronic pulmonary hypertension. The proliferation of PASMCs is strongly inhibited by some commercial heparin preparations. Heparin fragments were prepared by periodate treatment, followed by sodium borohydride reduction, to enhance potency. The tributylammonium salt of this fragmented heparin was O-acylated with hexanoic anhydride. Gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the major heparin fragment contained eight disaccharide units. NMR analysis showed that approximately one hexanoyl group per disaccharide residue was present. The O-hexanoyl heparin fragments were assayed for growth inhibitory effect on bovine PASMCs in culture. This derivative was found to be more effective in growth inhibition of bovine PASMCs in culture than the heparin from which it was derived. In the future, it is envisioned that this or similar derivatives may be an effective treatment for pulmonary hypertension.

Animals↗

One-pot synthesis of metal primary phosphine complexes from O=PCl2R or PCl2R. Isolation and characterization of primary alkylphosphine complexes of a metalloporphyrin.

Treatment of [Ru(II)(Por)(CO)] [Por = porphyrinato(2-)] and O=PCl(2)R [R = Ad (adamantyl), Bu(t), Bu(sec)] or PCl2Mes (Mes = mesityl) with LiAlH4 afforded primary alkyl- and arylphosphine complexes [Ru(II)(Por)(PH2R)2], which have been isolated in pure form and characterized by 1H NMR, 31P NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The structures of [Ru(II)(TTP)(PH2Ad)2] and [Ru(II)(F20-TPP)(PH2Mes)2] were determined by X-ray crystallography.

Chlorine↗

Isolation and characterization of heparan sulfate from various murine tissues.

Heparan sulfate (HS), is a proteoglycan (PG) found both in the extracellular matrix and on cell surface. It may represent one of the most biologically important glycoconjugates, playing an essential role in a variety of different events at molecular level. The publication of the mouse genome, and the intensive investigations aimed at understanding the proteome it encodes, has motivated us to initiate studies in mouse glycomics focused on HS. The current study is aimed at determining the quantitative and qualitative organ distribution of HS in mice. HS from brain, eyes, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, intestine and skin was purified from 6-8 week old male and female mice. The recovered yield of HS from these organs is compared with the recovered whole body yield of HS. Structural characterization of the resulting HS relied on disaccharide analysis and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. Different organs revealed a characteristic HS structure. These data begin to provide a structural understanding of the role of HS in cell-cell interactions, cell signaling and sub-cellular protein trafficking as well as a fundamental understanding of certain aspects of protein-carbohydrate interactions.

Animals↗

[The combined treatment of juvenile outset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective treatment of juvenile outset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JO-RRP). METHOD: Thirty six patients of JO-RRP from 1993 to 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty seven patients were underwent laser excision by laryngoscope and nine patients were underwent laser excision through laryngostomy. Twenty eight patients who recurrenced more than two times in one year or involved extent of disease more than two anatomical subregion were give interferon after operation one week in addition. RESULT: All patients had normal deglutition, 28 cases (77.8%) had been succeed in decannulation. The complications included hoarseness in 8 cases, laryngeal stenosis in 6 cases and pulmonary infection in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: The laser surgery by larynoscope and laryngostomy are two kinds of effective treatments for JO-RRP. The interferon therapy after the operation can restrain the recrudescence effectively.

Adolescent↗

Targeting heat shock proteins for immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: generation of myeloma-specific CTLs using dendritic cells pulsed with tumor-derived gp96.

PURPOSE: To develop effective immunotherapies for patients with multiple myeloma, it is important to use novel tumor antigens. Recent studies in solid tumors show that tumor-derived heat shock proteins (Hsp) can be used as immunogen; however, no such study has yet been reported in multiple myeloma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined whether myeloma-derived Hsp gp96 can be used as a myeloma antigen. Specific CTL lines were obtained after repeatedly stimulating T cells with autologous, HLA-A*0201+ dendritic cells pulsed with gp96 derived from HLA-A*0201+ human myeloma cell line (HMCL) U266 or primary myeloma cells. RESULTS: These T cells lysed not only gp96-pulsed dendritic cells, U266, and other HLA-A*0201+ HMCLs IM-9 and XG1 but also effectively killed HLA-A*0201+ primary myeloma cells from patients. No killing was observed against unpulsed dendritic cells, dendritic cells pulsed with control gp96, HLA-A*0201- HMCLs, and primary myeloma cells, or HLA-A*0201+ nonmyeloma cells. Cytotoxicity was mainly MHC class I/HLA-A*0201 restricted, suggesting that the CTLs recognized gp96-chaperoned peptides on HLA-A*0201 that were derived from shared myeloma antigens and that myeloma cells naturally present these peptides in the context of their surface MHC molecules. Upon antigen stimulation, these T cells secreted IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, indicating that they belong to type 1 T-cell subsets. CONCLUSION: These results show that these T cells are potent CTLs that are able to effectively lyse myeloma cells but not normal blood cells and also suggest that Hsps from allogeneic tumor cells may be used as vaccines to immunize patients.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Inhibition of atherogenesis in LDLR knockout mice by systemic delivery of adeno-associated virus type 2-hIL-10.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arteries. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known to be an anti-inflammatory cytokine which might be useful for counteracting the development of atherosclerosis. As long-term systemic cytokine delivery is prohibitively expensive, gene therapy might be a suitable approach. To test this idea, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) knockout mice were injected with recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV)/interleukin-10 virus or AAV/granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) virus and then put on a high-cholesterol diet. Upon harvesting the animals at 18 weeks, elevated blood lipids could be documented and AAV/IL-10 and AAV/GM-CSF DNA and mRNA could be found in various mouse organs. The mice receiving the AAV/IL-10 virus had significantly lower levels of atherogenesis (Sudan IV-staining and histology) than the untreated or the AAV/GM-CSF-treated animals, dropping from 53% to 17% (p < 0.05). The aortas of the AAV/IL-10-treated animals displayed higher IL-10 expression and lower CD68 and nitrotyrosine expression. These data are similar to those of Yoshioka et al. [Yoshioka, T, Okada, T, Maeda, Y, et al. Adeno-associatedvirus vector-mediated interleukin-10 gene transfer inhibits atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Gene Ther 2004;11:1772-9] in which AAV/IL-10 was delivered into the tibial muscle of ApoE-deficient mice, instead of tail vein injection used here. These data indicate that systemic AAV/IL-10 gene delivery, with resulting inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, was able to limit atherogenesis, and suggest that this approach is worthy of further study.

Animals↗

Adhesion molecule expression in fibroblasts: alteration in fibroblast biology after transfection with LOX-1 plasmids.

The endothelial lectinlike, oxidatively (ox-) modified LDL receptor LOX-1 is a critical player in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia. Ox-LDL binding of LOX-1 results in the expression of various adhesion molecules, which attract monocytes to endothelial cells, an initial step in atherogenesis. We wished to examine the role of the ox-LDL/LOX-1 signaling pathway in fibroblasts, which naturally express low levels of LOX-1. Rat cardiac fibroblasts were transfected with either cytomegalovirus (CMV)-LOX-1wt (amino acids [aa] 1 to 273) or CMV-LOX-1(1-261) (an ox-LDL-binding negative mutant, aa 1 to 261) plasmid. Western blots showed that LOX-1 protein expression was increased significantly in cells transfected with CMV-LOX-1wt or CMV-LOX-1(1-261) plasmid (P<0.01 vs control). Fibroblasts transfected with CMV-LOX-1wt showed ox-LDL binding, whereas fibroblasts without transfection and those transfected with CMV-LOX-1(1-261) did not bind ox-LDL. Compared with untransfected cells, ox-LDL treatment (50 microg/mL, 24 hours) markedly induced the expression of the leukocyte adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM)-1 as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 in cells transfected with CMV-LOX-1wt (P<0.05) but not in cells transfected with CMV-LOX-1(1-261). Concurrently, ox-LDL treatment enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (P<0.05 vs control) in CMV-LOX-1wt-transfected cells. These data suggest that in cardiac fibroblasts, ox-LDL binds to LOX-1 and activates p38 MAPK, followed by the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MMP-1. Thus, fibroblasts transform into an endothelial phenotype on transfection with CMV-LOX-1wt and subsequent exposure to ox-LDL. This study provides a useful model system (plasmid-transfected fibroblasts) to study the molecular biology of LOX-1.

Animals↗

Primary and secondary phosphane complexes of metalloporphyrins: isolation, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystal structures of ruthenium and osmium porphyrins binding phenyl- or diphenylphosphane.

[Ru(II)(por)(PH(n)Ph(3-n))2], [Os(II)(por)(CO)(PH(n)Ph(3-n))] (n=1, 2), and [Os(II)(F20-tpp){P(OH)Ph2}(PHPh2)] (F20-tpp=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion) were prepared from the reaction of [M(II)(por)(CO)] (M=Ru, Os) or [Os(VI)(por)O2] with the respective primary/secondary phosphane and characterized by 1H NMR, 31P NMR, UV/Vis, and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The reaction of [Os(VI)(por)O2] with PHPh2 also gave minor amounts of [Os(II)(por){P(OH)Ph2}2]. [Ru(II)(F20-tpp)(PH2Ph)2] exhibits a remarkable stability toward air and shows a reversible metal-centered oxidation couple at E(1/2)=0.39 V versus [Cp2Fe](+/0) in the cyclic voltammogram. The structures of [Ru(II)(F20-tpp)(PH2Ph)2] x 2CH2Cl2, [Ru(II)(4-Cl-tpp)(PHPh2)2] x 2CH2Cl2 (4-Cl-tpp=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion), [Ru(II)(F20-tpp)(PHPh2)2], and [Os(II)(F20-tpp){P(OH)Ph2}2] were determined by X-ray crystallography and feature Ru-P distances of 2.3397(11)-2.3609(9) A and an Os-P distance of 2.369(2) A.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Novel SLA-DQ alleles and their recombinant molecules in xenogeneic stimulation of human T cells.

MHC class II antigens DR and DQ are essential for graft rejection both in allo- and xeno-transplantation. The antigens, especially the DQA and DQB gene-coencoded DQ molecules, are also involved in transplantation tolerance induced by activation of regulatory T cells. Here we report six novel DQ alleles from three properly inbred Chinese pig strains Gz, Bm and Yn. In our study, cDNA of swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-DQA and -DQB were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced for each strain. The ORF-containing SLA-DQA and -DQB genes are composed of 768 (or 765) and 786 nucleotides, encoding antigen molecules of 255 (or 254) and 261 amino acid residues, respectively. Sequences of both SLA-DQA and -DQB alleles showed disparities when compared either among the three pig strains or with available SLA data, which allows our novel alleles receiving their accession numbers from GenBank. The sequence analysis further revealed a phylogenic connection of our SLA-DQ alleles with SLA-DQ(c) haplotype. In addition, the homologies of MHC DQ or DQ-like molecules between Chinese pigs (SLA) and human (HLA) are higher than those between pigs and mice (H-2). By co-transfection of Bm pig DQA and DQB genes into L929 cells, the Bm-DQ heterodimer-expressed cells could effectively stimulate the human lymphoproliferation in presence of human APCs with a mean stimulation index (SI) 9.9+/-1.4. This functional assay indicated that our recombinant DQ antigens are capable of initiating human lymphoproliferation in a xeno-MLR.

Animals↗

Critical roles of Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling and inactivation of p38 MAP kinase in the differentiation and survival of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the signaling pathways and their roles in the differentiation of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). METHODS: MoDCs were generated from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) using the standard protocols. Various kinase inhibitors, including SB203580, PD98059, and LY294002 and Wortmannin, or p38 activator were added at the beginning of the cultures. After 7 days of culture, immature MoDCs were harvested and analyzed for their surface expression of relevant molecules and the fraction of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Western blots were used to analyze mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), NF-kappaB, Raf, mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK), and AKT expression by cultured cells. NF-kappaB was also analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Allogeneic MLR was used to examine the capacity of MoDCs to activate allogeneic T cells. RESULTS: The present study shows that the differentiation of immature MoDCs was accompanied by phosphorylation of AKT, Raf, MEK, extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and NF-kappaB activity. Inhibiting PI3K or MEK retarded the differentiation of immature MoDCs and induced apoptosis in 10 to 30% of the cultured cells, while inhibiting both PI3K and MEK resulted in apoptosis in 70% of the cells. Surprisingly, inhibiting p38 enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK and NF-kappaB activity and led to an enhanced upregulation, compared with control cells, of expression of dendritic cell (DC)-related adhesion and costimulatory molecules and antigen presentation capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways play critical roles in the differentiation and survival of immature MoDCs. Moreover, this study also demonstrates that activated p38 is detrimental to the differentiation of immature MoDCs.

Anisomycin↗

Neural network approach for modification and fitting of digitized data in reverse engineering.

Reverse engineering in the manufacturing field is a process in which the digitized data are obtained from an existing object model or a part of it, and then the CAD model is reconstructed. This paper presents an RBF neural network approach to modify and fit the digitized data. The centers for the RBF are selected by using the orthogonal least squares learning algorithm. A mathematically known surface is used for generating a number of samples for training the networks. The trained networks then generated a number of new points which were compared with the calculating points from the equations. Moreover, a series of practice digitizing curves are used to test the approach. The results showed that this approach is effective in modifying and fitting digitized data and generating data points to reconstruct the surface model.

Algorithms↗

Novel SLA-DR alleles of three Chinese pig strains and the related function in human T cell response.

To elucidate the structures of SLA-DR (swine leukocyte antigen DR) genes of three Chinese pig strains (Gz, Bm and Yn), the SLA-DRA and SLA-DRB cDNA were amplified by RT-PCR and subjected to determine the sequences. The whole structures of SLA-DRA alleles are identical among three strains, consisting of 759 nucleotides including an open reading frame (ORF), and are shared with those reported from NIH minipigs SLA-DRA(c) and SLA-DRA(d). The same length of the ORF-containing SLA-DRB genes of three Chinese pig strains was also identified. They are composed of 801 nucleotides encoding a xenogeneic antigen molecule of 266 amino acid residues. The nucleotide sequences of the SLA-DRB genes, however, are different when compared either among the three strains or with the published data of SLA-DRB sequences, which allowed our novel SLA-DRB alleles receiving their accession numbers AY102479, AY102480 and AY102481 from the GenBank. This study further reveals that the phylogenic homologies of MHC DR or DR-like genes in structures of nucleotides and deduced amino acids between Chinese pigs (SLA) and human (HLA-DRB1*0901) are better than those between pigs and mice (H-2(b)Ebeta). High similarities were also found for DRalpha-DRbeta heterodimers between Chinese pigs and human in terms of amino acids sequences critical for binding with human CD4 coreceptor molecule, which are better than those between SLA-DR and H-2 I-E molecules. A functional test indicated that, by cotransfection with Bm-DRA and Bm-DRB genes, the Bm-DR molecule-expressed L929 cells could stimulate human T cells quite well in a xenogeneic reaction in presence of human APCs.

Alleles↗

Novel and detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide on in vitro generation of immature dendritic cells: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are recognized as major players in the regulation of immune responses to a variety of Ags, including bacterial agents. LPS, a Gram-negative bacterial cell wall component, has been shown to fully activate DCs both in vitro and in vivo. LPS-induced DC maturation involves activation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinases, and NF-kappaB. Blocking p38 inhibits LPS-induced maturation of DCs. In this study we investigated the role of LPS in the in vitro generation of immature DCs. We report here that in contrast to the observed beneficial effects on DCs, the presence of LPS in monocyte culture retarded the generation of immature DCs. LPS not only impaired the morphology and reduced the yields of the cultured cells, but also inhibited the up-regulation of surface expression of CD1a, costimulatory and adhesion molecules. Furthermore, LPS up-regulated the secretion of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha; reduced Ag presentation capacity; and inhibited phosphorylation of ERK, but activated p38, leading to a reduced NF-kappaB activity in treated cells. Neutralizing Ab against IL-10, but not other cytokines, partially blocked the effects of LPS. Inhibiting p38 (by inhibitor SB203580) restored the morphology, phenotype, and Ag presentation capacity of LPS-treated cells. SB203580 also inhibited LPS-induced production of IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha; enhanced IL-12 production; and recovered the activity of ERK and NF-kappaB. Thus, our study reveals that LPS has dual effects on DCs that are biologically important: activating existing DCs to initiate an immune response, and inhibiting the generation of new DCs to limit such a response.

Cell Differentiation↗

A new approach to phosphoserine and phosphothreonine analysis in peptides and proteins: chemical modification, enrichment via solid-phase reversible binding, and analysis by mass spectrometry.

beta-Elimination of the phosphate group on phosphoserine and phosphothreonine residues and addition of an alkyldithiol is a useful tool for analysis of the phosphorylation states of proteins and peptides. We have explored the influence of several conditions on the efficiency of this PO(4)(3-) elimination reaction upon addition of propanedithiol. In addition to the described influence of different bases, the solvent composition was also found to have a major effect on the yield of the reaction. In particular, an increase in the percentage of DMSO enhances the conversion rate, whereas a higher amount of protic polar solvents, such as water or isopropanol, induces the opposite effect. We have also developed a protocol for enrichment of the modified peptides, which is based on solid-phase covalent capture/release with a dithiopyridino-resin. The procedure for beta-elimination and isolation of phosphorylated peptides by solid-phase capture/release was developed with commercially available alpha-casein. Enriched peptide fragments were characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis before and after alkylation with iodoacetamide, which allowed rapid confirmation of the purposely introduced thiol moiety. Sensitivity studies, carried out in order to determine the detection limit, demonstrated that samples could be detected even in the low picomolar range by mass spectrometry. The developed solid-phase enrichment procedure based on reversible covalent binding of the modified peptides is more effective and significantly simpler than methods based on the interaction between biotin and avidin, which require additional steps such as tagging the modified peptides and work-up of the samples prior to the affinity capture step.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Beta 2-microglobulin as a negative regulator of the immune system: high concentrations of the protein inhibit in vitro generation of functional dendritic cells.

Two common features in human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and hematologic malignancies including multiple myeloma are elevated serum levels of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) and activation or inhibition of the immune system. We hypothesized that beta(2)M at high concentrations may have a negative impact on the immune system. In this study, we examined the effects of beta(2)M on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). The addition of beta(2)M (more than 10 microg/mL) to the cultures reduced cell yield, inhibited the up-regulation of surface expression of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC, CD1a, and CD80, diminished their ability to activate T cells, and compromised generation of the type-1 T-cell response induced in allogeneic mixed-lymphocyte reaction. Compared with control MoDCs, beta(2)M-treated cells produced more interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10. beta(2)M-treated cells expressed significantly fewer surface CD83, HLA-ABC, costimulatory molecules, and adhesion molecules and were less potent at stimulating allospecific T cells after an additional 48-hour culture in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1beta. During cell culture, beta(2)M down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK), inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and activated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in treated cells, all of which are involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. Thus, our study demonstrates that beta(2)M at high concentrations retards the generation of MoDCs, which may involve down-regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, inactivation of Raf/MEK/ERK cascade and NF-kappaB, and activation of STAT3, and it merits further study to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Antigens, CD↗