AIM： To study the immuno-modulatory effect of resveratrol （RES） on allograft rejection after liver transplantation in rats. METHODS： Male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were selected as donors and male Wistar rats as ...AIM： To study the immuno-modulatory effect of resveratrol （RES） on allograft rejection after liver transplantation in rats. METHODS： Male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were selected as donors and male Wistar rats as recipients for a rejection model. The recipients were divided into four groups after orthotopic liver transplantation （OLTx）. In the RES A, B, and C groups, RES was given intra-peritoneally once a day （25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively） after OLTx, whereas in the control group, vehicle buffer was given intra-peritoneally once a day. The survival time, serum chemistry, production of cytokines, activation of transcription factor NF-kB, and histopathologic findings were then compared among these groups. RESULTS： The mean survival time after OLTx in the RES C group was significantly longer than that in the control group （16.7＋-1.2 d ,vs9.3＋-0.6 d, P〈0.01）. On the 7th posttransplant day the serum albumin level significantly improved in the RES C group, the serum total bile acid and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） levels were significantly lower in the RES C group, the serum IL-2 and INF-y levels were significantly lower in the RES C group, and the activation of transcription factor NF-kB in peripheral blood T lymphocytes was significantly suppressed in the RES A, B, and C groups in comparison to those in the control group. On the 7^th post-transplant day, a histological examination revealed apparent difference in the severity of rejection between the RES C group and control group. CONCLUSION： RES has an immuno-suppressive property as well as protective effect on hepatocytes under allograft rejection. It might serve as a novel agent for reducing the severity of hepatic allograft rejection in rats.展开更多
AIM: To develop a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft model for studying hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in a mice, and antiviral treatment.METHODS: We developed a stable S3-green fluorescence protein (GFP) c...AIM: To develop a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft model for studying hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in a mice, and antiviral treatment.METHODS: We developed a stable S3-green fluorescence protein (GFP) cell line that replicated the GFP-tagged HCV sub-genomic RNA derived from a highly efficient JFH1 virus. S3-GFP replicon cell line was injected subcutaneously into γ-irradiated SCID mice. We showed that the S3-GFP replicon cell line formed human HCC xenografts in SCID mice. Cells were isolated from subcutaneous tumors and then serially passaged multiple times in SCID mice by culturing in growth medium supplemented with G-418. The mouse-adapted S3-GFP replicon cells were implanted subcutaneously and also into the liver of SCID mice via intrasplenic infusion to study the replication of HCV in the HCC xenografts. The tumor model was validated for antiviral testing after intraperitoneal injection of interferon-α (IFN-α). RESULTS: A highly tumorigenic S3-GFP replicon cell line was developed that formed subcutaneous tumors within 2 wk and diffuse liver metastasis within 4 wk in SCID mice. Replication of HCV in the subcutaneous and liver tumors was confirmed by cell colony assay, detection of the viral RNA by ribonuclease protection assay and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. High-level replication of HCV sub-genomic RNA in the tumor could be visualized by GFP expression using fluorescence microscopy. IFN-α cleared HCV RNA replication in the subcutaneous tumors within 2 wk and 4 wk in the liver tumor model. CONCLUSION: A non-infectious mouse model allows us to study replication of HCV in subcutaneous and metastatic liver tumors. Clearance of HCV by IFN-α supports use of this model to test other anti-HCV drugs.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of Mirtazapine on tumor growth, food intake, body weight, and nutritional status in gemcitabine-induced mild cachexia. METHODS: Fourteen mice with subcutaneous xenografts of a pancreatic...AIM: To investigate the effect of Mirtazapine on tumor growth, food intake, body weight, and nutritional status in gemcitabine-induced mild cachexia. METHODS: Fourteen mice with subcutaneous xenografts of a pancreatic cancer cell line (SW1990) were randomly divided into Mirtazapine and control groups. Either Mirtazapine (10 mg/kg) or saline solution was orally fed to the mice every day after tumor implantation. A model of mild cachexia was then established in both groups by intraperitoneal injection of Gemcitabine (50 mg/kg) 10 d, 13 d, and 16 d after tumor implanta- tion. Tumor size, food intake, body weight, and nutritional status were measured during the experiment. All mice were sacrificed at day 28. RESULTS: (1) After 7 d of gemcitabine administration, body-weight losses of 5%-7% which suggested mild cachexia were measured; (2) No significant difference in tumor size was detected between the Mirtazapine and control groups (P > 0.05); and (3) During the entire experimental period, food intake and body weight were slightly greater for the Mirtazapine group compared with controls (although these differences were not statistically significant). After 21 d, mice in the Mirtazapine group consumed significantly more food than control mice (3.95 ± 0.14 g vs 3.54 ± 0.10 g, P = 0.004). After 25 d, mice in the Mirtazapine group were also significantly heavier than control mice (17.24 ± 0.53 g vs 18.05 ± 0.68 g, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Mild cachexia model was successfully established by gemcitabine in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice. Mirtazapine can improve gemcitabine-induced mild cachexia in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice. It was believed to provide a potential therapeutic perspective for further studies on cachexia.展开更多
Functional human hepatocytes xenografted into the liver of mice can be used as a model system to study pharmacokinetics,infection of hepatitis viruses,and the efficacy of hepatitis vaccines.Significant levels of liver...Functional human hepatocytes xenografted into the liver of mice can be used as a model system to study pharmacokinetics,infection of hepatitis viruses,and the efficacy of hepatitis vaccines.Significant levels of liver xeno-repopulation have been reported in Fah-/-Rag2-/-Il2rg-/-mice.However,the high mortality and low breeding rate of this model may hinder its application.A new model,termed Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice,which combines the advantages of liver repopulation in Fah-/-mice with the ease of xenotransplantation in Nod/Scid mice was obtained by gradual cross-breeding.Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice were easily maintained in breeding colonies and in adult animal care facilities.FK506 treatment combined with gradual withdrawal of NTBC before cell transplantation ensured that Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice were susceptible to liver xeno-repopulation by human hepatocytes;the proportion of engrafted human hepatocytes reached 33.6%.The function of the expanded human hepatocytes within the chimeric liver was confirmed by weight curve analysis,the expression of characteristic proteins,and the biochemical analysis of liver function.These results show that Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice are an ideal humanized liver mouse model with many useful applications.展开更多
文摘AIM： To study the immuno-modulatory effect of resveratrol （RES） on allograft rejection after liver transplantation in rats. METHODS： Male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were selected as donors and male Wistar rats as recipients for a rejection model. The recipients were divided into four groups after orthotopic liver transplantation （OLTx）. In the RES A, B, and C groups, RES was given intra-peritoneally once a day （25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively） after OLTx, whereas in the control group, vehicle buffer was given intra-peritoneally once a day. The survival time, serum chemistry, production of cytokines, activation of transcription factor NF-kB, and histopathologic findings were then compared among these groups. RESULTS： The mean survival time after OLTx in the RES C group was significantly longer than that in the control group （16.7＋-1.2 d ,vs9.3＋-0.6 d, P〈0.01）. On the 7th posttransplant day the serum albumin level significantly improved in the RES C group, the serum total bile acid and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） levels were significantly lower in the RES C group, the serum IL-2 and INF-y levels were significantly lower in the RES C group, and the activation of transcription factor NF-kB in peripheral blood T lymphocytes was significantly suppressed in the RES A, B, and C groups in comparison to those in the control group. On the 7^th post-transplant day, a histological examination revealed apparent difference in the severity of rejection between the RES C group and control group. CONCLUSION： RES has an immuno-suppressive property as well as protective effect on hepatocytes under allograft rejection. It might serve as a novel agent for reducing the severity of hepatic allograft rejection in rats.
基金Supported by Funds received from the National Cancer Institute (CA127481,CA129776)Geyer Foundation,New York,Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium and Tulane Cancer Center
文摘AIM: To develop a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft model for studying hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in a mice, and antiviral treatment.METHODS: We developed a stable S3-green fluorescence protein (GFP) cell line that replicated the GFP-tagged HCV sub-genomic RNA derived from a highly efficient JFH1 virus. S3-GFP replicon cell line was injected subcutaneously into γ-irradiated SCID mice. We showed that the S3-GFP replicon cell line formed human HCC xenografts in SCID mice. Cells were isolated from subcutaneous tumors and then serially passaged multiple times in SCID mice by culturing in growth medium supplemented with G-418. The mouse-adapted S3-GFP replicon cells were implanted subcutaneously and also into the liver of SCID mice via intrasplenic infusion to study the replication of HCV in the HCC xenografts. The tumor model was validated for antiviral testing after intraperitoneal injection of interferon-α (IFN-α). RESULTS: A highly tumorigenic S3-GFP replicon cell line was developed that formed subcutaneous tumors within 2 wk and diffuse liver metastasis within 4 wk in SCID mice. Replication of HCV in the subcutaneous and liver tumors was confirmed by cell colony assay, detection of the viral RNA by ribonuclease protection assay and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. High-level replication of HCV sub-genomic RNA in the tumor could be visualized by GFP expression using fluorescence microscopy. IFN-α cleared HCV RNA replication in the subcutaneous tumors within 2 wk and 4 wk in the liver tumor model. CONCLUSION: A non-infectious mouse model allows us to study replication of HCV in subcutaneous and metastatic liver tumors. Clearance of HCV by IFN-α supports use of this model to test other anti-HCV drugs.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of Mirtazapine on tumor growth, food intake, body weight, and nutritional status in gemcitabine-induced mild cachexia. METHODS: Fourteen mice with subcutaneous xenografts of a pancreatic cancer cell line (SW1990) were randomly divided into Mirtazapine and control groups. Either Mirtazapine (10 mg/kg) or saline solution was orally fed to the mice every day after tumor implantation. A model of mild cachexia was then established in both groups by intraperitoneal injection of Gemcitabine (50 mg/kg) 10 d, 13 d, and 16 d after tumor implanta- tion. Tumor size, food intake, body weight, and nutritional status were measured during the experiment. All mice were sacrificed at day 28. RESULTS: (1) After 7 d of gemcitabine administration, body-weight losses of 5%-7% which suggested mild cachexia were measured; (2) No significant difference in tumor size was detected between the Mirtazapine and control groups (P > 0.05); and (3) During the entire experimental period, food intake and body weight were slightly greater for the Mirtazapine group compared with controls (although these differences were not statistically significant). After 21 d, mice in the Mirtazapine group consumed significantly more food than control mice (3.95 ± 0.14 g vs 3.54 ± 0.10 g, P = 0.004). After 25 d, mice in the Mirtazapine group were also significantly heavier than control mice (17.24 ± 0.53 g vs 18.05 ± 0.68 g, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Mild cachexia model was successfully established by gemcitabine in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice. Mirtazapine can improve gemcitabine-induced mild cachexia in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice. It was believed to provide a potential therapeutic perspective for further studies on cachexia.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(Grant No. 2006AA02Z474)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No. 30801115)+1 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No. 20070410743)the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No. 2010CB945600)
文摘Functional human hepatocytes xenografted into the liver of mice can be used as a model system to study pharmacokinetics,infection of hepatitis viruses,and the efficacy of hepatitis vaccines.Significant levels of liver xeno-repopulation have been reported in Fah-/-Rag2-/-Il2rg-/-mice.However,the high mortality and low breeding rate of this model may hinder its application.A new model,termed Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice,which combines the advantages of liver repopulation in Fah-/-mice with the ease of xenotransplantation in Nod/Scid mice was obtained by gradual cross-breeding.Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice were easily maintained in breeding colonies and in adult animal care facilities.FK506 treatment combined with gradual withdrawal of NTBC before cell transplantation ensured that Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice were susceptible to liver xeno-repopulation by human hepatocytes;the proportion of engrafted human hepatocytes reached 33.6%.The function of the expanded human hepatocytes within the chimeric liver was confirmed by weight curve analysis,the expression of characteristic proteins,and the biochemical analysis of liver function.These results show that Fah-/-Nod/Scid mice are an ideal humanized liver mouse model with many useful applications.
