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Biomedical subjects

Lei Guo

Publications and source records attributed to Lei Guo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Determination of three compounds in Aloe vera by capillary electrophoresis.

A capillary electrophoretic assay for determining aloe-emodin (AE), methyl p-coumarate (MC), and 3,4-dihydro-6,8-dihydroxyl-[(3s)-2'-acetyl-3'-hydroxyl-5'-methoxy-benzyl]-isocoumarin (DDI) in Aloe vera has been developed. Baseline separation was achieved within 15 min using a running buffer of 20 mm borax containing 10% (v/v) acetonitrile at pH 10.5. A linear relationship between the peak area and the concentration of the analytes was found in the ranges 5-500, 10-1000 and 2-1000 micro g/mL for AE, MC and DDI, respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.9992-0.9998. The relative standard deviations of migration time and peak area were within 0.17-0.19 and 1.52-3.37%, respectively. The recoveries of AE, MC and DDI were 105, 102 and 96.4%. The contents of AE, MC and DDI in Aloe vera were measured to be 5.13, 0.768 and 1.30 mg/g, respectively.

Aloe↗

Significant enhancement by anti-ICOS antibody of suboptimal tacrolimus immunosuppression in rat liver transplantation.

A member of the costimulatory molecule family, inducible costimulator (ICOS), is expressed on activated T cells and plays a critical role in their primary activation and cytokine production. ICOS is involved in different immune phenomena, such as Th1-mediated autoimmune disease and graft rejection. Although blockade of ICOS costimulation theoretically may protect grafts from rejection, a single dose of anti-ICOS antibody did not result in the prolongation of rat liver allograft survival. However, in this article, we report that anti-rat ICOS antibody markedly enhanced the immunosuppressive activity of a suboptimal dose of tacrolimus (FK506). After fully allogenic DA to LEW liver transplantation, recipients received a single injection of tacrolimus (1 mg/kg, intramuscularly) with or without anti-ICOS antibody (1 mg/kg, intravenously). Recipient survival was significantly prolonged in rats treated with both the antibody and suboptimal tacrolimus (median survival time 44 days vs. 28 days with tacrolimus alone, P <.01). The extent of cell infiltration into the graft was closely associated with prolongation of recipient survival. Our findings thus demonstrate that anti-ICOS antibody immunotherapy combined with suboptimal tacrolimus has a synergistic effect in preventing hepatic allograft rejection and that it may induce long-term graft acceptance intimately associated with a marked reduction of intragraft T lymphocyte infiltration.

Animals↗

Improved hepatic regeneration with reduced injury by redox factor-1 in a rat small-sized liver transplant model.

Redox factor-1 (Ref-1) has been shown to function in a redox-dependent manner in the cell. This study was designed to examine the effects of Ref-1 on liver regeneration as well as protection against postischemic injury in a rat model of 20% partial liver transplantation. Adenovirus carrying the full length of Ref-1 gene was introduced into liver grafts by ex vivo perfusion via the portal vein during preservation. Liver graft weights were assessed, as well as graft histology, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/bilirubin, DNA binding activities of AP-1 and Stat3. Redox factor-1 successfully expressed in the liver graft, improved regeneration by promoting cell proliferation. Overexpression of Ref-1 protein also reduced post-transplant injury and inflammatory reactions in the grafts. The increased serum levels of ALT and bilirubin observed after transplantation were significantly reduced by Ref-1 overexpression. Furthermore, adenovirally overexpressed Ref-1 in mouse liver successfully promoted liver regeneration after simple partial hepatectomy. Interestingly, Ref-1 significantly increased DNA binding of Stat3, but not AP-1. Overexpressed Ref-1 effectively promoted graft regeneration and reduced postischemic injury in a small-sized liver transplantation model. The results of the present study may open a new avenue to clinical transplantation of disproportionately sized grafts in living-related liver transplantation.

Adenoviridae↗

[Preliminary linkage analysis on autosomal dominant microphthalmia with 12 microsatellite markers].

In this preliminary study a Chinese autosomal dominant microphthalmia family were investigated and the linkage analyses were performed with six previously reported loci (CHX10, MITF, RX, MCOP, NNO1, NNO2) and six microsatellite markers on chromosome 11 as well. The allelic polymorphisms of those microsatellite markers were identified by using polymerase chain reaction, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver-staining techniques. The LOD scores between microsatellite markers and the disease were obtained by using MLINK software. Our results showed that the linkage between the microphthalmia in this family with the 6 known loci could be excluded, indicating that the defect gene in this microphthalmia family was probably distinct from those of previously reported microphthalmia families.

Asian People↗

[Effect of the regulation of IGFs system components in retinoic acid-induced congenital clubfoot].

The fetal rat models with congenital clubfoot were constructed by treating 24 Wistar rats with all trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The MC-3T3-E1 cells were cultured with ATRA, 17 beta-estrogen (E2) or combinations of the two chemicals. The flow cytometer was used to determine the cell proliferation. The insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II ) and IGF conjugated protein-6 (IGFBP-6) mRNA level in rat calvaria bone tissue and MC-3T3-E1 cells were detected by northern blotting analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The congenital clubfoot of fetal rat was induced by ATRA in concentration of 100 approximately 140 mg/kg with dosage-dependence effect. The expression of IGF-II mRNA and cell proliferation were enhanced by E2(1 x 10(-6) mol/L) in rat calvaria bone tissue and MC-3T3-E1 cells, whereas the IGFBP-6 mRNA was increased. ATRA(1 x 10(-6) mol/L), however, inhibited the effect of E2 on regulation of IGF- II gene and IGFBP-6 gene as well as MC-3T3-E1 cell proliferation. These findings provide the evidence that ATRA can induce congenital skeleton malformation and congenital clubfoot in pregnant Wistar rats. IGF-II and IGFBP-6 are important regulative factors for skeleton development and osteoblast proliferation in rat.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Calreticulin in the heart.

Calreticulin is a Ca2+ binding/storage chaperone resident protein of the endoplasmic reticulum. This protein plays a key role in the calreticulin/calnexin cycle and the quality control pathways in the endoplasmic reticulum. Calreticulin deficiency is lethal due to impaired cardiac development. However, over-expression of the protein in developing and postnatal heart leads to bradycardia, complete heart block and sudden death. Ultrastructural evidence indicates that the deficiency associated with the absence of calreticulin in the heart may be due to a defect in the development of the contractile apparatus and/or a defect in development of the conductive system as well as a metabolic abnormality. Collectively, we postulate that calreticulin and endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in cardiac development and postnatal pathologies.

Animals↗

[Study on the phosphorylaions reaction between ethyl salicylate and DEPH].

Atherton-Todd reaction has been extensively applied to the synthesis of phosphates and phosphoroamidates. Under Atherton-Todd reaction conditions, dialkyl phosphites were probably transformed into diakyl phosphorochloridates. We have tried to use Atherton-Todd reaction to synthesize phosphate of salicylic-acid. But when the -COOH of salicylic acid was under unprotected, the yield was quite low. It was found that the -COOH possibly participated in the reaction. The competitive reaction between the -COOH and -OH of salicylic acid probably existed. In order to understand the detail mechanism, ethyl-salicylate was selected to be phosphorylated In the end, ethyl-salicylate successfully phosphorylated by modification of the classical Atherton-Todd procedure through dropping the DEPH and tetrachloromethane into the mixed solution of ethyl-salicylate, triethylamine and dioxane with good yields. The structures were elucidated by NMR and ESI/MS/MS data.

Models, Molecular↗

Identification of an N-domain histidine essential for chaperone function in calreticulin.

Calreticulin is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal Ca(2+)-binding chaperone involved in folding of newly synthesized glycoproteins via the "calreticulin-calnexin cycle." We reconstituted ER of calreticulin-deficient cells with N-terminal histidine (His25, His82, His128, and His153) calreticulin mutants and carried out a functional analysis. In crt(-/-) cells bradykinin-dependent Ca2+ release is altered, and the reestablishment of bradykinin-dependent Ca2+ release was used as a marker for calreticulin function. Bradykinin-dependent Ca2+ release from the ER was rescued by wild type calreticulin and by the His25, His82, or His128 mutant but not by the His153 mutant. Wild type calreticulin and the His25, His82, and His128 mutants all prevented in vitro thermal aggregation of malate dehydrogenase and IgY, whereas the His153 mutant did not, indicating that His153 chaperone function was impaired. Biophysical analysis of His153 mutant revealed that conformation changes in calreticulin mutant may be responsible for the loss of its chaperone activity. We conclude that mutation of a single amino acid residue in calreticulin has devastating consequences for its chaperone function, indicating that mutations in chaperones may play a significant role in protein folding disorders.

Animals↗

AdCTLA-4Ig combined with donor splenocytes, bone marrow cells and anti-ICOS antibody treatment induce tolerance in a rat heart transplantation model.

It is difficult to induce rat cardiac allograft tolerance by co-stimulator blockade of the B7-CD28 pathway with CTLA-4Ig monotherapy alone. However, combined therapies of AdCTLA-4Ig plus donor-specific spleen-cell infusion, bone marrow cell infusion, and anti-ICOS antibody have been demonstrated to effectively induce indefinite acceptance of rat cardiac allografts. In this report, we compared the tolerance of cardiac allograft tolerant recipients induced by the above three strategies. The results show that treating Lewis recipients of a DA cardiac allograft with a combination of AdCTLA4-Ig and anti-ICOS antibody, donor splenocytes or bone marrow cells produced indefinite graft survival. Second transplantation of donor type skin or heart grafts could not affect the survival of primary heart graft in anti-ICOS treated groups, but results in rejection of primary heart grafts in other two groups, and that co-stimulator blockade, CD28 and ICOS simultaneously with CTLA-4Ig and anti-ICOS antibody, facilitates the development of CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells and induces stable transplantation tolerance in the rat cardiac allograft model. This also provides an effective therapy in clinical transplantation for promoting permanent graft survival by generating regulatory T cells.

Abatacept↗

Activation of protein kinase A and clustering of cell surface receptors by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine are independent of genomic DNA damage.

Alkylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induces cellular stress leading to chromosomal aberrations, mutations and cell death. Previous reports from our laboratory have shown that low concentration of MNNG induces untargeted mutation (UTM), which occurs on intact DNA in mammalian cells through changes in gene expression profile. It also causes the activation of cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) and up-regulation of POL-beta, which is demonstrated to play a role in DNA repair system. In order to find out the possible initial signal involved in UTM, we try to investigate whether the activation of PKA-CREB signal pathway is closely related to DNA damage. Our data shows that the treatment of low concentration MNNG (0.2 microM) activates PKA-CREB pathway in a comparable level both in a nuclear and enucleated cell system. And similar to the cell response caused by UV, the clustering of cell surface receptors of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) was also observed in cells exposed to MNNG. It was further demonstrated that the clustering of the surface receptors is independent of the genomic DNA damage, as this phenomenon was also observed in enucleated cells. These observations indicate that the initiation of signal cascades induced by low concentration of MNNG might be associated with its interaction with cell surface receptors and/or direct activation of related signal proteins but not its DNA damaging property.

Animals↗

Size-exclusion chromatography of biological samples which contain extremely alkaline proteins.

An improved size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was developed to isolate extremely basic (alkaline) proteins, such as trypsin (pI=10.5), lysozyme (pI=11), and histone (pI=10.8). Develosil 300 Diol-5 (300 x 8 mm I.D., 30 nm average pore diameter) column was used with an eluent of 0.1 M sodium phosphate, 1.5 M sodium chloride, glycerol (40%, v/v), 2-propanol (10%, v/v), and Brij-58 (1%, v/v). Under these conditions, the final apparent pH becomes to 4.0, and pH adjustment is not necessary. Column temperature and flow rate were 15 degrees C and 0.2 ml/min, respectively. This elution system is stable and reliable, and applications onto human pancreatic juice, human bile, and tissue homogenates were successfully achieved. Since this system is convenient for protein analysis, it is expected to be generally applicable to clinical and biochemical research for identifying protein components in combination with microsequencing.

Alkalies↗

[Construction of a non-viral vector H1s-EGFc and a preliminary study on its function].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a non-viral vector for targeting cancer gene therapy. METHODS: The coding sequence of H1s-EGFc was inserted into the expression vectors of Pichia pastoris, and the fusion protein was expressed in secretary way. H1s-EGFc was purified by anion exchange chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. H1s-EGFc fusion protein and "killing gene" expression recombinant pKG plasmid DNA were dissolved in serum-free RPMI-1640 culture to produce H1s-EGFc/pKG complex. HeLa cells, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) highly expressing cell line, and Jurkat cells, an EGFR non-expressing cell line, were cultured and transfected with H1s-EGFc/pKG complex of different concentrations. Trypan blue staining was used to calculate the number of live cells and the killing rate of H1s-EGFc/pKG. RESULTS: H1s-EGFc fusion protein was constructed and expressed with a purity of over 90%. When the concentrations of H1s-EGFc/pKG complex were 3 microg/ml, 6 microg/ml, and 9 microg/ml respectively the killing rates were 30.6%, 36.2%, and 58.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: The fusion protein H1s-EGFc binds functional gene efficiently and targets it into specific cells. It can be used as non-viral vector in target cancer gene therapy.

ErbB Receptors↗

Fast enantioseparation of arylglycine amides by capillary electrophoresis with highly sulfated-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector.

Nine racemic arylglycine amides were synthesized and successfully enantioseparated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using highly sulfated beta-cyclodextrin (HS-beta-CD) as a chiral selector. Baseline enantioseparation of the analytes was obtained around neutral pH but not in the acidic conditions that are commonly used. HS-beta-CD content, buffer pH, type and concentration, and organic modifier concentration were studied and optimized for fast and efficient separation. A chiral CE separation system composed of 1.5% (w/v) HS-beta-CD, 0 to 10% (v/v) methanol and 20 mM 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid at pH 6.5 was shown suitable for baseline enantioseparation of the mentioned amides within 6 min, including simultaneous enantioseparation of three positional isomer series (methyl-, methoxyl or chloro-substituted). By using this system, D-enantiomers migrated ahead of the L-enantiomers and the enantiomeric resolution order of arylglycine amides was more or less parallel to the pK(a), order of the analytes.

Amides↗

Xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion using whole swine liver for liver failure in dogs.

BACKGROUND: We developed a new method of xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion of a bioartificial liver support system consisting of a leukocyte-adsorbent column, an immunoglobulin-adsorbent column, and the substitute unit for hepatic function. By this method, we performed xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion experiment using resected whole swine liver for treatment of a canine liver failure model, and compared the contribution of each adsorbent column both by blood analysis and from the histological point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Canine liver failure model was produced by portocaval shunting and ligating the entire hepatoduodenal ligament. The xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion system was constructed using a roller pump, a leukocyte-adsorbent column, an immunoglobulin-adsorbent column, a combined device of oxygenator and warmer, the resected whole swine liver accommodated in a chamber, and a dissolved oxygen meter through which canine whole blood leaving the external jugular vein circulated in this order. RESULTS: Xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion was successfully performed for 3 h without hyperacute rejection occurring. Adequate ammonia detoxification and bile juice secretion were exhibited, and no findings of hepatocyte destruction by immunological cells and proteins were detected. Blood data showed that the immunoglobulin adsorbent were more effective than the leukocyte adsorbent in avoiding hyperacute rejection. This result indicates that hyperacute rejection has a closer relation to humoral immune responses, especially regarding removal of complements than to cellular immune responses. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully performed xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion of the whole swine liver without hyperacute rejection using our method.

Adsorption↗

Polycystin-2 associates with tropomyosin-1, an actin microfilament component.

Polycystin-2 (PC2) is the product of the second cloned gene (PKD2) responsible for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and has recently been shown to be a calcium-permeable cation channel. PC2 has been shown to connect indirectly with the actin microfilament. Here, we report a direct association between PC2 and the actin microfilament. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified a specific interaction between the PC2 cytoplasmic C-terminal domain and tropomyosin-1 (TM-1), a component of the actin microfilament complex. Tropomyosins constitute a protein family of more than 20 isoforms arising mainly from alternative splicing and are present in muscle as well as non-muscle cells. We identified a new TM-1 splicing isoform in kidney and heart (TM-1a) that differs from TM-1 in the C terminus and interacted with PC2. In vitro biochemical methods, including GST pull-down, blot overlay and microtiter binding assays, confirmed the interaction between PC2 and the two TM-1 isoforms. Further experiments targeted the interacting domains to G821-R878 of PC2 and A152-E196, a common segment of TM-1 and TM-1a. Indirect double immunofluorescence experiments showed partial co-localization of PC2 and TM-1 in transfected mouse fibroblast NIH 3T3 cells. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) studies using 3T3 cells and Xenopus oocytes co-expressing PC2 and TM-1 (or TM-1a) revealed in vivo association between the protein pairs. Furthermore, the in vivo interaction between the endogenous PC2 and TM-1 was demonstrated also by reciprocal co-IP using native human embryonic kidney cells and human adult kidney. Considering previous reports that TM-1 acts as a suppressor of neoplastic growth of transformed cells, it is possible that TM-1 contributes to cyst formation/growth when the anchorage of PC2 to the actin microfilament via TM-1 is altered.

3T3 Cells↗

Arsenic speciation in the urine and hair of individuals exposed to airborne arsenic through coal-burning in Guizhou, PR China.

The extent of exposure of residents of Changqing (Guizhou, PR China) to arsenic through coal-burning was investigated. Despite the low coal-arsenic content (56.3+/-42.5 mg As kg(-1)) when compared with coals collected at different location and times from the same province, more than 30% of the study subjects have shown symptoms of arsenicosis. Coal, urine, hair, and water samples were collected in mid-September 2001 and analysed for arsenic. The average urinary and hair-arsenic concentrations in the exposed subjects were 71.4+/-37.1 microg As g(-1) creatinine (control 41.6+/-12.1) and 7.99+/-8.16 mg kg(-1), respectively. A positive correlation between the hair and urinary-arsenic concentration (R(2)=0.601) was found. There was no significant difference between females and males for both urinary and hair-arsenic concentrations. Females were found to have a higher dimethylarsinic acid but lower percentages of inorganic arsenic and monomethylarsonic acid in their urine than males.

Adult↗

Altered expression of zinc finger proteins, ADAMs, and integrin-related proteins following treatment of cultured human cells with a low concentration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

Proteomic analysis is an important approach to characterize the proteome and study protein functions. It is also a powerful screening method for detecting unexpected alterations in protein expression that may be overlooked by conventional biochemical techniques. N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is an alkylating agent that can induce nontargeted mutagenesis in treated cells, although the mechanism remains unclear. Using an efficient proteomic method, we identified several cellular proteins that are responsive to low-concentration MNNG treatment in human FL cells. After MNNG treatment, whole cellular proteins were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver staining; the digitized images then were analyzed with 2D analysis software. More than 60 proteins showed significant changes in MNNG-treated cells compared to control cells (DMSO treatment). Thirty-one proteins only detected in MNNG-treated or control cells were subjected to in-gel digestion with trypsin and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry using peptide mass fingerprinting. Eighteen of theses proteins have been identified, including several zinc finger proteins, two members of the ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain) family, and two integrins. Most of these proteins have unknown functions and their involvement in the cellular responses to alkylating agents have not been reported. Therefore, our findings may offer new insights into the mechanisms of low-concentration MNNG-induced nontargeted mutagenesis and these proteins may serve as new biomarkers for detecting exposure of human populations to environmental carcinogens.

Alkylating Agents↗