Inhibitor of apoptosis protein-like protein-2 (ILP-2) has only been detected in the testis and in lymphoblastoid cells. Although previous studies have not reported the presence of ILP-2 in breast cancer tissues, this study indicates the presence of ILP-2 in breast cancer serum samples. To validate whether ILP-2 is a novel serological biomarker for breast cancer, we conducted two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis on 400 breast cancer serum samples and 40 non-cancer serum samples (i.e., healthy controls). We then performed a Western blot analysis of 10 breast cancer serum samples and 10 non-cancer serum samples. Finally, we analyzed 35 serum samples from healthy controls or subjects with breast cancer, other types of cancer, galactophore hyperplasia or breast cancer post-surgery by using 2DE and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that ILP-2 is a novel breast cancer biomarker in the peripheral blood.
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. Although a number of homeobox (HOX) genes are known to serve an important role in breast cancer, the role of HOXD8 in breast cancer remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of HOXD8 in the physiological behaviors of breast cancer cells. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database was used to analyze the expression of HOXD8 in patients with breast cancer and in healthy subjects. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of HOXD8 in several breast cancer cell lines; subsequently, HOXD8 expression was knocked down and overexpressed in MCF-7 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effects of HOXD8 on breast cancer cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to identify the binding sites between HOXD8 and inhibitor of apoptosis-like protein-2 (ILP2). In addition, ILP2 expression levels were knocked down in MCF-7 cells. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of HOXD8 were significantly downregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, and that the overexpression of HOXD8 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of cancer cells. HOXD8 was shown to bind to the ILP2 promoter to regulate the expression of ILP2. Furthermore, ILP2 knockdown reversed the effects of HOXD8 knockdown on breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that HOXD8 may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by downregulating ILP2 expression.
Currently, thalassemia is commonly detected using gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) reverse dot blot, which have high requirements of space, instruments, and personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new method for thalassemia detection with high sensitivity, low cost, and simple and fast operation. In this study, we aimed to design and evaluate a new method for detecting three α-thalassemia genes including-Southeast Asian (SEA),-α3.7, and-α4.2 and five β-thalassemia genes including 654M, 41/42M, −28M, 17M, and 27/28M based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Methods: Primer sequences were designed using Primer Explorer V4 software. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from all participants in EDTA. DNA was extracted using Chelex 100 and was subjected to LAMP. LAMP products were detected by fluorescence development in ultraviolet light. Results: We found that LAMP assays for positive samples of thalassemia reached a plateau before 60 minutes, whereas the negative control samples entered the plateau after 70 minutes or showed no amplification. The concentration range of positive reactions was between 20-60 pg/μL and 20-60 ng/μL. Additionally, there were no cross-reactivities among 8 thalassemia subtypes. For clinical samples, the positive sample tube showed strong green fluorescence, whereas the negative tube showed light green fluorescence. According to these results, the LAMP method has high sensitivity for detecting thalassemia (252/254). However, 43 false-positive results were obtained in the LAMP test. The LAMP assay was also of low cost and with simple and fast operation. Conclusion: The novel LAMP assay can be completed within 60 min using a heating block or a water bath, and the result can be read visually based on color change to detect thalassemia. The LAMP assay fulfills the requirements of field application and resourcelimited areas, especially those with primary hospitals and rural areas.
Context Kirenol possesses anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and anti-arthritic effects. However, its reno-protective effects against diabetic nephropathy (DN) have not been evaluated. Objective This study explores the reno-protective effects of kirenol against DN and clarifies the potential mechanisms. Materials and methods The mesangial cells were treated with 20 µM kirenol and 10 ng/mL human recombinant TGF-β1 or 30 mM glucose for 24 h. Then the cells were harvested to assay the expression of the target genes or proteins. Thirty C57BL/6J male mice were given high-fat diet with streptozotocin injection to induce diabetes and then were randomized into three groups ( n = 10): vehicle administration (DM group), 2 mg/kg kirenol (DM + kirenol group) and 200 mg/kg metformin (Met group) for 3 months, orally. A healthy group (Con, n = 10) was included as the control. Results Compared to the DM group, kirenol treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and NF-κB (0.64- and 0.43-fold) as well as the accumulation of FN and Col IV (0.58- and 0.35-fold); moreover, the expression of IκBα was restored to normal level by kirenol treatment both in vivo and in vitro . After kirenol treatment, IL-6 expression was decreased 0.35- and 0.57-fold, and TNF-α expression was decreased 0.34- and 0.46-fold, in vitro and in vivo , respectively. Furthermore, kirenol alleviated the glomerular basement membrane thickness and foot process fusion. Discussion and conclusions Kirenol could alleviate DN by downregulating the TGF-β/Smads and the NF-κB signal pathway. Our study provides a potential mechanism for the treatment of DN with kirenol.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.