OBJECTIVE: To analysis the proliferation properties and telomerase activity of human embryonic tendon cells transformed by ptsA58H plasmid cultured in vitro continuously. METHODS: The 40th, 70th, and 75th passages of transformed human embryonic tendon cells (THETC) were adopted. The collagen secretion of THETC was detected by immunohistochemical methods, the growth curve of different passages of THETC was compared, and chromosome karyotype was analyzed. Total RNA of THETC were extracted to detect human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression by RT-PCR technique. RESULTS: When THETC were subcultured to 70 passages, the morphological characteristics of cells changed and began replicative senescence. THETC still could secret type I collagen normally. The chromosome of THETC was heteroploid (2n = 94). There were no hTERT mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: SV40 transfection can not make human embryonic tendon cells immortalization, on the other hand, human embryonic tendon cells transformed by ptsA58H plasmid has no tendency of malignant transformation.
OBJECTIVE: To analysis the biological characteristics of human fibroblasts transfected by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) eucaryotic expression plasmid pGRN145. METHODS: Fibroblasts from children’s foreskin were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the fibroblasts were transfected by pGRN145 with Lipofec-tAMINE PLUS Reagent. After strict screening of hygromycin B, the positive clones were subcultured. The telomerase activity was detected by RT-PCR and TRAP-PCR technique. The cell generation cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry to investigate the proliferative characteristics after transfection, and the chromosome karyotype of transformed cells was analyzed. The collagen secreted by transformed cells was detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The morphological properties of fibroblasts did not change obviously after transfection. There were telomerase activity in transfected fibroblasts, while it could not be detected in pre-transfection fibroblasts. The cell generation cycle had no obvious changes between pre-transfection and post-transfection. However, the apoptosis rate of transfected fibroblasts were decreased compared with that of pre-transfection. The fibroblasts transfected by pGRN145 maintained the normal diploid karyotype, as well as the cells could normally secret type I and III collagen. CONCLUSION: The human fibroblasts transfected by pGRN145 has telomerase activity with prolonged life span of culture, which preliminarily proves the availability of establishing standard seeding cell lines of tissue engineering by hTERT plasmid transfection techniques.
Objective To explore the values of telomerase in the diagnosis, therapy and prognostic parameter of colorectal cancer. Methods Telomerase activity in colorectal cancer, peri-cancerous and normal mucosa was detected by PCRTRAP-ELISA assay. Results The positive rates of telomerase in colorectal cancer, peri-cancerous and normal mucosa were 84.8%, 20.0% and 0% respectively. 66.7% of the early stage colorectal cancer expressed telomerase. Telomerase activity was reversely correlated with tumor differentiation.Conclusion Telomerase may be an earlier event of malignant progression in colorectal cancer. It might be a parameter for diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions and clinical significance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and γglutamyl transpeptidase mRNA-H (GGT mRNA-H) in the peripheral blood of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MethodsThe expressions of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H were detected in the peripheral blood of thirty patients with small HCC by RT-PCR, eighteen patients with benign liver diseases, and twelve normal volunteers. ResultsThe positive rate of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H expression in patients with small HCC were 80.0% (24/30) and 46.7%(14/30), respectively. In patients with hepatitic cirrhosis the positive rate of hTERT mRNA expression was 33.3% (6/18), while the expression of GGT mRNA was not detected. Both the expressions of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H were negative in all normal volunteers. The combination analysis of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H expression achieved positive rate of 86.7% in the diagnosis of small HCC, which was significantly higher than the positive rate of AFP (26.7%)， Plt;0.05. ConclusionThe hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H are significantly expressed in small HCC patients, the combination analysis of hTERT mRNA and GGT mRNA-H seems to be useful in the early diagnosis of small HCC.
Objective To investigate the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cell apoptosis in neonatal rats with hypoxia ischemia brain damage (HIBD). Methods A total of 42 7-day-old SD rats (12-18 g, male or female) were randomly allocated into sham-operation group (n=6) and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) group (n=36). In HI group, the rats were anesthetized with ethylether. The right common carotid artery (CCA) was exposed and permanently l igated with a 7-0silk suture through a midl ine cervical incision. A duration of 2.5 hours of hypoxia (8%O2 / 92%N2) was used to produce HIBD model. For sham-operation group, the CCA was exposed without l igation or hypoxia. The brain tissues were harvested at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after completion of an HI insult. The expressions of TERT and CC3 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis cells were detected with TUNEL staining method. Results The expression of TERT was increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24-48 hours and then decreased at 72 hours. The expression of CC3 was increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24 hours and still maintained high expression at 48 hours and 72 hours. However, in the sham-operation group, both the expressions of TERT and CC3 were extremely low. The expression of TERT and CC3 were higher in the HI group than in the sham-operation group at different time points, and the differences were significant (P lt; 0.05). The TUNEL staining showed that the positive cells in hippocampus and cortical areas were increased at 4 hours after HI injury, significantly increased at 24-48 hours and maintained a high level at 72 hours. However, there was few positive cells in the sham-operation group. There were significant differences between the HI group and the sham-operation group at different time points (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion TERT could be induced by HI in neonatal rats, and might have a protective role in regulating the cell apoptosis in the neonatal HIBD.
Objective To introduce telomeres, telomerase and their expression in gastric carcinoma.MethodsThe related literatures were collected and reviewed.Rsults In summary, telomerase activity could be detected in 85%-90% of gastric cancer. Moreover, the patient with telomerase-positive tumors showed poorer prognosis than those with telomerase-negative tumours, indicating that telomerase-positive gastric cancer might have more malignant potential. ConclusionKnowledge of telomerase activity in gastric cancer may be useful in cancer diagnosis, as well as a prognostic indicator of clinical outcome. Future development of drugs aimed at telomerase inhibition may potentially provide a therapy with relatively less side effects.
Objective To evaluated the role of wt-P53 protein in telomerase regulation in keloid fibroblasts(KFBs). Methods The fibroblasts were derived from humankeloid tissue which was proved by pathological diagnosis. KFBs were divided into 2 groups, the transfection group and the untransfection group. wt-p53 gene was transfected into the fibroblasts by adenovirus vectors in the transfection group. The KFBs untransfected with wt-p53 gene served as control (untransfection group). After 48 hours of transfection, the expression of wt-P53 protein was analyzed by both Western blotting and immunofluorescence method, respectively. The telomerase activity was evaluated by TRAP-ELISA after 1-7 days of transfection. Results All the KFBs from 2 groups expressed wt-P53 protein. But the expression level of wt-P53 protein in the transfection group was significantly higher than that in the untransfection group.At the same time of high expression of wt-P53 protein, the telomeraseactivity of KFBs in transfection group was significantly lower than that in theuntransfection group(P＜0.05). Conclusion High level expression of wt-P53 protein can transiently inhibit the telomerase activity of KFBs.
Objective To investigate the variety of telomerase activity in the course of liver cancer development, and the possibility of using telomerase as a marker of HCC. Methods Human liver specimens, comprising 22 HCC and adjacent peritumoral tissues, 12 liver cirrhosistissues, 6 nodulat regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) tissues and 10 normal liver tissues, were examined for telomerase activity by TRAP assay based on PCR. Results Twenty of 22 HCC and 14 of 22 adjacent tissue specimens were positive for telomerase activity with a positive rate of 90.9% and 63.6% respectively. Ten of 12 liver cirrhosis tissues were positive with a positive rate of 83.3%. 5 of 6 NRH were positive with a positive rate of 83.3%. Telomerase activity was negative in 10 normal liver tissues. Conclusion Telomerase may occur in the progress of hepatocarcinogenesis. Telomerase can be used as a tumor marker of HCC.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the SV40-mediated immortalization, the related factors and their roles in cell immortalization. METHODS: The original articles about cell immortalization and replicative senescence in recent decade were reviewed. RESULTS: Cell immortalization was a multifaceted phenomenon, it was involved in viral DNA integration, activation of telomerase, inactivation of growth suppressors, and so on, and their roles were closely related. CONCLUSION: The research on cell immortalization may be expected to provide important insights into a broad range of cellular biological phenomenon, and the immortalized cells can play important roles in the research of cell engineering and tissue engineering as standard cells.
【Abstract】Objective To study the difference of telomerase activity in the common thyroid lesions . Methods The telomerase activity was detected in 19 patients with thyroid carcinomas, 15 samples adjacent to thyroid carcinomas，21 specimens of thyromas, 17 cases of nodular goiters and 13 pieces of normal thyroid tissues by telomeric repeat amplification protocol（TRAP). Results Eighteen of 19 samples of thyroid carcinoma, 1 of 15 samples adjacent to the cancer and 1 of 21 adenoma of the thyroid specimens showed positive telomerase activity, all 17 cases of nodular goiters and 18 samples of normal thyroid tissues exhibited negative telomerase activity, and the rate of positive telomerase activity of thyroid carcinomas was significantly higher than that of the other tissues (P＜0.0001). Conclusion The telomerase is an important qualitative marker of thyroid carcinoma and a useful index in differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions.