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Qing-He Nie

Publications and source records attributed to Qing-He Nie.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Correlation between TIMP-1 expression and liver fibrosis in two rat liver fibrosis models.

AIM: To evaluate serum TIMP-1 level and the correlation between TIMP-1 expression and liver fibrosis in immune-induced and CCL4-induced liver fibrosis models in rats. METHODS: Immune-induced and CCL4-induced liver fibrosis models were established by dexamethasone (0.01 mg) and CCL4 respectively. Serum TIMP-1 level was detected with ELISA, while histopathological grade of liver biopsy was evaluated. Spearman rank-correlation test was used to analyse the difference of the correlation between the TIMP-1 expression and hepatic fibrosis in the two fibrosis models. Furthermore, in situ hybridization was used to determine the expression difference of TIMP-1 mRNA in the two models. RESULTS: Positive correlation existed between serum TIMP-1 level of immune induced group and the histopathological stages of fibrosis liver of corresponding rats (Spearman rank-correlation test, r(s) = 0.812, P < 0.05), and the positive in situ hybridization signal of TIMP-1 mRNA was strong. In CCL4-induced liver fibrosis model, the correlation between the serum TIMP-1 level and the severity of hepatic fibrosis was not statistically significant(Spearman rank-correlation test, r(s) = 0.229, P > 0.05). And compared with immune-induced model, the positive in situ hybridization signal of TIMP-1 mRNA was weaker, while the expression variation was higher in hepatic fibrosis of the same severity. CONCLUSION: The correlations between TIMP-1 expression and liver fibrosis in two rat liver fibrosis models are different. In immune-induced model, serum TIMP-1 level could reflect the severity of liver fibrosis, while in CCL4-induced model, the correlation between the serum TIMP-1 level and the severity of hepatic fibrosis was not statistically significant.

Animals↗

Expression of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 grabbing nonintegrin on dendritic cells generated from human peripheral blood monocytes.

AIM: To generate dendritic cells (DCs) from human peripheral blood and to detect the expression of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN; CD209) for the further study of DC-SIGN in hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. METHODS: Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from blood of healthy individuals by Ficoll-Hypaque sedimentation and cultured in complete medium containing rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4. Cells were cultured for seven days, with cytokine addition every two days to obtain immature DCs. Characteristics of the cultured cells were observed under light and scanning microscope, and the expression of DC-SIGN was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: After seven-day culture, a large number of cells with typical characteristics of DCs appeared. Their characteristics were observed under light and scanning electron microscope. These cells had a variety of cell shapes such as those of bipolar elongate cells, elaborate stellate cells and DCs. DC-SIGN was detected by immunofluorescence staining and its expression level on cultivated dendritic cells was high. CONCLUSION: DCs with a high expression of DC-SIGN can be generated from human peripheral blood monocytes in complete medium containing rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4.

Animals↗

Induction of hepatitis C virus-specific cytotoxic T and B cell responses by dendritic cells expressing a modified antigen targeting receptor.

AIM: To find a novel antigen (Ag) presentation strategy to improve the immune responses induced by dendritic cell (DC) vaccine expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) in Balb/c mice (H-2d). METHODS: pcDNA3HCV C-Fc plasmid and eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3 were injected into mice sc. Immune responses to pcDNA3HCV C-Fc were studied. Meanwhile the effect of pcDNA3HCV C-Fc on anti-translated subcutaneous tumor of SP2/0 cells stably expressing HCV C Ag (SP2/0-HCV C-FC) was also studied. Anti-HCV C in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA) and HCV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was measured by LDH release assay. After 3 wk of DNA immunization, the cells of SP2/0-HCV C-FC were inoculated into mice subcutaneously and tumor growth was measured every 5 d. The survival rate and living time of mice were also calculated. RESULTS: After 4 wk of DC immunization, the A(450 nm) values of sera in mice immunized with pcDNA3HCV C-Fc-DC and pcDNA3-DC were 0.56+/-0.17 and 0.12+/-0.03 respectively. The antibody titres in mice codeliveried with pcDNA3HCV C-Fc with DC were significantly higher than those of mice injected with pcDNA3-DC. The HCV specific CTL activities in mice coinjected with DC and pcDNA3HCV C-Fc or empty expression vectors were (73.2+/-3.1)% and (24.4+/-8.8)%, which were significantly higher than those of mice injected with water. The DC vaccine could evidently inhibit tumor growth, prolong the survival time of mice and improve the survival rate of mice and these effects could be improved by HCV C-Fc (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) gene codelivered. CONCLUSION: DC vaccine has a strong antigenicity in humoral and cellular immunities, which can be promoted by transduced pcDNA3HCV C-Fc expressing HCV C or Fc. Thus, pcDNA3HCV C-Fc-transduced DCs may be a promising candidate for a CTL-based vaccine against HCV.

Animals↗

DC-SIGN: binding receptor for HCV?

DC-SIGN, a dendritic Cell-specific adhesion receptor and a type II transmembrane mannose-binding C-type lectin, is very important in the function of DC, both in mediating naive T cell interactions through ICAM-3 and as a rolling receptor that mediates the DC-specific ICAM-2-dependent migration processes. It can be used by viral and bacterial pathogens including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), HCV, Ebola Virus, CMV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to facilitate infection. Both DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR can act either in cis, by concentrating virus on target cells, or in trans, by transmission of bound virus to a target cell expressing appropriate entry receptors. Recent work showed that DC-SIGN are high-affinity binding receptors for HCV. Besides playing a role in entry into DC, HCV E2 interaction with DC-SIGN might also be detrimental for the interaction of DC with T cells during antigen presentation. The clinical strategies that target DC-SIGN may be successful in restricting HCV dissemination and pathogenesis as well as directing the migration of DCs to manipulate appropriate immune responses in autoimmunity and tumorigenic situations.

Animals↗

Expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in rats with hepatic fibrosis.

AIM: To investigate the location and expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the liver of normal and experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: The rat models of experimental immunity hepatic fibrosis (n=20) were prepared by the means of immunologic attacking with human serum albumin (HSA), and normal rats (n=10) served as control group. Both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods were respectively used to detect the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA and related antigens in liver. The liver tissue was detected to find out the gene expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 with RT-PCR. RESULTS: The TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 related antigens in livers of experimental group were expressed in myofibroblasts and fibroblasts (TIMP-1: 482+/-65 vs 60+/-20; TIMP-2: 336+/-48 vs 50+/-19, P<0.001). This was the most obvious in portal area and fibrous septum. The positive signals were located in cytoplasm, not in nucleus. Such distribution and location were confirmed by situ hybridization (TIMP-1/beta-actin: 1.86+/-0.47 vs 0.36+/-0.08; TIMP-2/beta-actin: 1.06+/-0.22 vs 0.36+/-0.08, P<0.001). The expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was seen in the liver of normal rats, but the expression level was very low. However, the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the liver of experimental group was obviously high. CONCLUSION: In the process of hepatic fibrosis, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the major cells that express TIMPs. The more serious the hepatic fibrosis is in the injured liver, the higher the level of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 gene expression.

Animals↗

DC-SIGN: binding receptors for hepatitis C virus.

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent developments in and research into binding receptors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and especially the role of dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN) in HCV. DATA SOURCES: Both Chinese- and English-language literature was searched using MEDLINE (2000 - 2003) and the databank of Chinese-language literature (2000 - 2003). STUDY SELECTION: Relevant articles on DC-SIGN and HCV binding receptors in recent domestic and foreign literature were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were mainly extracted from 40 articles which are listed in the references section of this review. RESULTS: DC-SIGN, a dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor and a type II transmembrane mannose-binding C-type lectin, is very important in the function of dendritic cells (DC), both in mediating naïve T cell interactions through ICAM-3 and as a rolling receptor that mediates the DC-specific ICAM-2-dependent migration processes. It can be used by HCV and other viral and bacterial pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola virus, CMV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to facilitate infection. Both DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR can act either in cis, by concentrating virus on target cells, or in trans, by transmission of bound virus to a target cell expressing appropriate entry receptors. Recent report showed that DC-SIGN not only plays a role in entry into DC, HCV E2 interaction with DC-SIGN might also be detrimental to the interaction of DC with T cells during antigen presentation. CONCLUSIONS: DC-SIGNs are high-affinity binding receptors for HCV. The clinical strategies that target DC-SIGN may be successful in restricting HCV dissemination and pathogenesis as well as directing the migration of DCs to manipulate appropriate immune responses in autoimmunity and tumorigenic situations.

Animals↗

[The relationship between cellular infection by Hantaan virus and expression of beta3 integrin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between cellular entry of Hantaan virus (HTNV) and expression of beta3 integrin in beta3-integrin-deficient and HTNV-insusceptible China hamster ovary (CHO) cells. METHODS: Eukaryotic expression vector encoding human integrin beta3 and eukaryotic expression vector harboring human integrin alphav or alphaIIb subunit cDNA were transfected into HTNV non-permissive CHO cells individually or collectively. Screening for stable transfectant clones was performed using G418 selective (culture medium. The exogenous gene expression was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and flow cytometry (FCM). Various modified CHO cells and untransfected CHO cells were infected using HTNV A9. At various time points after infection, HTNV antigens in infected cells were detected qualitatively and quantitatively by IFA, FCM. RESULTS: Highly-effective surface expression of beta3 integrin was measured in CHO/alphavbeta3 and CHO/alphaIIbbeta3, while weaker surface expression was detected in CHO/beta3 (P < 0.05). Expression of alphav or alphaIIb integrin in the individually transfected group was significantly lower than in the cotransfected group (P < 0.01) and the sites of localization changed. In contrast, effective surface expression was not seen when pcDNA3 was transfected alone. The infection rate of CHO/alphavbeta3 (60.1%) and CHO/alphaIIbbeta3 (55. 9%) cells were significantly higher than that of CHO/beta3 (38.7%) cells, while the infection rate of CHO/beta3 was significantly higher than that of CHO/alphav, CHO/pcDNA3 and CHO cells respectively. There was a close relationship between the positive percentage of HTNV A9-infected cells and expression of beta3 integrin. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that cellular entry of HTNV was related to the expression of beta3 integrin.

Animals↗

A small yeast RNA inhibits HCV IRES mediated translation and inhibits replication of poliovirus in vivo.

AIM: To investigate the anti-virus infection activity of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) specific inhibitor RNA (IRNA). METHODS: IRNA eukaryotic vector pcRz-IRNA or mIRNA eukaryotic vector pcRz-mIRNA was transfected into human hepatocarcinoma cells (HHCC), then selected with neomycin G418 for 4 to 8 weeks, and then infected with polio virus vaccines line. The cytopethogenesis effect was investigated and the cell extract was collected. At last the polio virus titer of different cells was determined by plaque assay. RESULTS: Constructive expression of IRNA was not detrimental to cell growth. HCV IRES-mediated cap-independent translation was markedly inhibited in cells constructively expressing IRNA compared to control hepatoma cells. However, cap-dependent translation was not significantly affected in these cell line. Additionally, HHCC cells constitutively expressing IRNA became refractory to infection of polio virus. CONCLUSION: IRES specific IRNA can inhibit HCV IRES mediated translation and poliovirus replication.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

It has been proved that severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by SARS-associated coronavirus, a novel coronavirus. SARS originated in Guangdong Province, the People's Republic of China at the end of 2002. At present, it has spread to more than 33 countries or regions all over the world and affected 8 360 people and killed 764 by May 31,2003. Identification of the SARS causative agent and development of a diagnostic test are important. Detecting disease in its early stage, understanding its pathways of transmission and implementing specific prevention measures for the disease are dependent upon swift progress. Due to the efforts of the WHO-led network of laboratories testing for SARS, tests for the novel coronavirus have been developed with unprecedented speed. The genome sequence reveals that this coronavirus is only moderately related to other known coronaviruses. WHO established the definitions of suspected and confirmed and probable cases. But the laboratory tests and definitions are limited. Until now, the primary measures included isolation, ribavirin and corticosteroid therapy, mechanical ventilation, etc. Other therapies such as convalescent plasma are being explored. It is necessary to find more effective therapy. There still are many problems to be solved in the course of conquering SARS.

Antiviral Agents↗

Current status of severe acute respiratory syndrome in China.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), also called infectious atypical pneumonia, is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel variant of coronavirus (SARS-associated coronavirus, SARS-CoV). It is mainly characterized by pulmonary infection with a high infectivity and fatality. SARS is swept across almost all the continents of the globe, and has currently involved 33 countries and regions, including the mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America and Europe. On June 30, 2003, an accumulative total reached 8450 cases with 810 deaths. SARS epidemic was very rampant in March, April and May 2003 in the mainland of China and Hong Kong. Chinese scientists and healthcare workers cooperated closely with other scientists from all over the world to fight the disease. On April 16, 2003, World Health Organization (WHO) formally declared that SARS-CoV was an etiological agent of SARS. Currently, there is no specific and effective therapy and prevention method for SARS. The main treatments include corticosteroid therapy, anti-viral agents, anti-infection, mechanical ventilation and isolation. This disease can be prevented and controlled, and it is also curable. Under the endeavor of the Chinese Government, medical staffs and other related professionals, SARS has been under control in China, and Chinese scientists have also made a great contribution to SARS research. Other studies in developing new detection assays and therapies, and discovering new drugs and vaccines are in progress. In this paper, we briefly review the current status of SARS in China.

China↗

RNA interference: antiviral weapon and beyond.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a remarkable type of gene regulation based on sequence-specific targeting and degradation of RNA. The term encompasses related pathways found in a broad range of eukaryotic organisms, including fungi, plants, and animals. RNA interference is part of a sophisticated network of interconnected pathways for cellular defense, RNA surveillance, and development and it may become a powerful tool to manipulate gene expression experimentally. RNAi technology is currently being evaluated not only as an extremely powerful instrument for functional genomic analyses, but also as a potentially useful method to develop specific dsRNA based gene-silencing therapeutics. Several laboratories have been interested in using RNAi to control viral infection and many reports in Nature and in Cell show that short interfering (si) RNAs can inhibit infection by HIV-1, polio and hepatitis C viruses in a sequence-specific manner. RNA-based strategies for gene inhibition in mammalian cells have recently been described, which offer the promise of antiviral therapy.

Animals↗

Methodologic research on TIMP-1, TIMP-2 detection as a new diagnostic index for hepatic fibrosis and its significance.

AIM: To set up a new method to detect tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2(TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in sera of patients with hepatic cirrhosis, and to investigate the expression and location of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in liver tissue of patients with hepatic cirrhosis, and the correlation between TIMPs in liver and those in sera so as to discuss whether TIMPs can be used as a diagnosis index of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: The monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were used to sensitize erythrocytes, and solid-phase absorption to sensitized erythrocytes (SPASE) was used to detect TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the sera of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Meanwhile, with the method of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we studied the mRNA expression and antigen location of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the livers of 40 hepatic cirrhosis patients with pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: With SPASE, they were 16.4% higher in the acute hepatitis group, 33.3% higher in the chronic hepatitis group, and the positive rates were 73.6% and 61.2% respectively in sera of hepatic cirrhosis patients, which were remarkably higher than those in chronic hepatitis and acute hepatitis group (P<0.001). In 40 samples of hepatic cirrhosis tissues, all of them showed positive expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA detected with immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization (positive rate was 100%). Expression of TIMPs in different degrees could be found in liver tissue with cirrhosis. TIMPs were located in cytoplasm of liver cells of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. There was a significant correlation between serum TIMPs level and liver TIMPs level. CONCLUSION: SPASE is a useful method to detect the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in sera of patients with hepatic cirrhosis, and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 can be considered as a useful diagnostic index of hepatic fibrosis, especially TIMP-1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Experimental study of bioartificial liver with cultured human liver cells.

AIM:To establish an extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS) using cultured human liver cells and to study its support effect for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).METHODS:The liver support experiment of EBLSS consisting of aggregates cultured human liver cells, hollow fiber bioreactor, and circulation unit was carried out in dizhepatic dogs.RESULTS:The viability of isolated hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells reached 96%. These cells were successfully cultured as multicellular spheroids with synthetic technique. The typical morphological appearance was retained up to the end of the artificial liver experiment. Compared with the control dogs treated with EBLSS without liver cells, the survival time of artificial liver support dogs was significantly prolonged. The changes of blood pressure, heart rate and ECG were slow. Both serum ammonia and lactate levels were significantly lowered at the 3rd h and 5th h. In addition, a good viability of human liver cells was noted after 5h experiment.CONCLUSION:EBLSS playing a metabolic role of cultured human hepatocytes,is capable of compensating the function of the liver, and could provide effective artificial liver support and therapy for patients with FHF.

Journal Article↗

Simplified isolation and spheroidal aggregate culture of rat hepatocytes.

AIM:To explore a simplified method for isolation of hepatocytes and establish a method of primary hepatocyte culture with more aggregates and longer persisence.METHODS: Wistar rat hepatocytes were isolated by a single extracorporeal two-step perfusion method, and the cells were seeded on poly-HEMA coated flasks and cultured with hormonally defined medium and gentle shaking at regular intervals.RESULTS: The total yield of isolating hepatocytes amounted to 10(8) cells for each rat liver with the viability of more than 90% in all isolations. Under the nonadherent environments, the cells were found to attach to each other and form multicellular aggregates rapidly, and the aggregates became spheroidal shape after two days in culture. The morphologic characteristics and albumin synthetic unction of the multicellular spheroidal aggregates can be maintained for one month.CONCLUSION: The simple and reliable isolation as well as large scale and longer time culture of hepatocytes can be used for experiments in liver cell transplantation and bioartificial liver support system.

Journal Article↗