Purpose To investigate mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) mutations in optic neuritis of unknow reason (ONUR) and to assess the pathogenic and differential diagnostic values of screening for mt-DNA mutations in ONUR. Method Thirty patients with ONUR were screened for mt-DNA mutations by using SSCP,mutation-specific primer PCR and sequencing. Results mt-DNA mutations were found in 12 out of the thirty patients.All of the mutations were at 11778 position,but no one at 3460 and 15257. Conclusions Quite a number of patients (12/30,40%) with ONUR were caused actually by mt-DNA mutation．Screening for mt-DNA mutation in these patients has a pathogenic and differential diagnostic significance. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:78-79)
ObjectiveTo explore the composition of intestinal microbiota between patients with fixed airflow obstruction asthma, reversible airflow obstruction asthma, and healthy control, and analyze the correlation between key differential bacterial distribution and clinical characteristics. MethodsFifteen patients with fixed airflow obstruction asthma (FAO) and 13 patients with reversible airflow obstruction asthma (RAO) were included, along with 11 matched healthy control subjects. Clinical data were collected, and lung function tests and induced sputum examination were performed. Blood and stool samples were tested to compare the gut microbiota status among the groups, and analyze the relationship between gut microbiota abundance and patients' blood routine, IgE levels, lung function, and induced sputum. Results The dominant bacterial compositions were similar in the three groups, but there were differences in the abundance of some species. Compared to the RAO group, the FAO group showed a significant increase in the genera of Bacteroides and Escherichia coli, while Pseudomonas was significantly decreased. The phylum Firmicutes was negatively correlated with the course of asthma, while the phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Bacteroides were positively correlated with the asthma course. Bacteroidetes was negatively correlated with Pre-BD FEV1/FVC, Pseudomonas was positively correlated with Pre-BD FEV1, Escherichia coli was negatively correlated with Post-BD FEV1/FVC, and Bacteroides was negatively correlated with Post-BD MMEF. The class Actinobacteria and the order Actinomycetales were negatively correlated with peripheral blood EOS%, while the order Enterobacteriales and the family Enterobacteriaceae were positively correlated with peripheral blood IgE levels. Furthermore, Actinobacteria and Actinomycetales were negatively correlated with induced sputum EOS%. Conclusions There are differences in the gut microbiota among patients with fixed airflow obstruction asthma, reversible airflow obstruction asthma, and healthy individuals. Bacteroides and Escherichia coli are enriched in the fixed airflow obstruction asthma group, while the Firmicutes are increased in the reversible airflow obstruction asthma group. These three microbiota may act together on Th2 cell-mediated inflammatory responses, influencing the process of airway remodeling, and thereby interfering with the occurrence of fixed airflow obstruction in asthma.
ObjectiveTo compare the function and action pathways of VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC in VEGF family of mouse eye.MethodsUsing the BXD mouse gene data in Genenetwork database as template to compare and study the similarities and differences of VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC molecular pathways or potential functions in the whole genome expression spectrum of BXD recombinant mouse inbred line population, with multiple analytical methods and statistical strategies were used, such as gene expression level, target genes comparison, top genes comparison associated to target genes, expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL).ResultsMatrix comparison showed strong positive correlation between two probes of VEGFC (r=0.732, P＜0.01), weak correlation between VEGFA 1420909 and VEGFC 1440739, VEGFA 1451959 and VEGFC 1451803, VEGFC 1419417959 and VEGFC 1439766, VEGFC 1451803 and VEGFC 1439766 (P＜0.05); there was no correlation between VEGFA 1420909 and four other genes except VEGFC 1440739, VEGFA 1451959 and VEGFC 1440739, VEGFB 1451803 and VEGFA 1420909/VEGFC 1419417/VEGFC 1440739 (P ＞0.05). In the comparative analysis of the relevant Top50 genes of each VEGF gene, most of the genes in BXD mouse were not significantly correlated with VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC except for the weak association of individual related genes. The results of eQTL analysis showed that each probe of VEGF gene was located on different chromosomes.ConclusionsThe expression levels and positive and negative correlations of VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC were different in the VEGF family of mouse eye, suggesting that these genes may play their role through different pathways.
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a blinding disease caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA. It is a classic disease model for studying mitochondrial abnormalities. Its main mutation sites are m11778G.A, m.3460G.A and m.14484T.C. LHON cell models are mainly produced by lymphoblasts, fibroblasts, cell hybrids and induced pluripotent stem cells, while LHON animal models are mainly mice, which are produced by rotenone and ND4 mutants. Although the research on the LHON model has achieved good results, there are still many difficulties in constructing an ideal experimental model, which severely limit the exploring to the pathogenesis and therapeutic drugs of LHON. A detailed understanding of the application and characteristics of existing models in LHON will help improve experimental design and construct new models.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo study the effect of transfection with antisense DNMT3b gene eukaryotic expression vector on the expression of DNMT3b gene in human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939. MethodsThe constructed antisense DNMT3b gene eukaryotic expression vector was transfected into the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939 by using lipofectamine transfection reagents, and positive cell clones were obtained by using G418 selection after transfection. Whether the constructed recombinant vector was transfected into QBC-939 cells successfully was confirmed by amplifying the exogenous neoR gene with PCR method. The expression of DNMT3b gene mRNA and protein were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and FCM methods respectively. ResultsFollowing the transfection of antisense DNMT3b gene eukaryotic expression vector, the mRNA level of DNMT3b gene in QBC-939 cells of human cholangiocarcinoma decreased from 0.956±0.053 to 0.209±0.023, and the protein level of DNMT3b gene also decreased from (75.38±3.22)% to (29.87±3.46)%. There were very significant differences on the expression levels of DNMT3b gene between non-tranfections group and the antisense DNMT3b gene eukaryotic expression vector transfection group (P＜0.01). ConclusionTransfection with antisense DNMT3b gene eukaryotic expression vector significantly reduces the expression level of DNMT3b gene in human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939, and this study may provide a valid tool and method to investigate the function of DNMT3b gene and its role in cholangiocarcinoma.
In this study, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay in conjunction with calcein for visualized detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was established. Firstly, four LAMP primers were designed according to the region of 16S rDNA sequences of MTB. Secondly, clinical sputum samples were collected, decontaminated and their DNA was extracted. Thirdly, standard MTB strains were used to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of LAMP. At the same time, electrophoresis was used for products detection and calcein was used for visualized verification. At last, Chi-squared test function in SPSS 17.0 software was used for consistency evaluation of LAMP assay as compared with the gold standard (culture method). Results showed that there was no nonspecific amplification appeared in the specificity assay and the detection limit was 10 copies/tube in the sensitivity assay. In addition, visualized method by calcein had a comparable sensitivity with that of electrophoresis method. After evaluation of clinical practicability, the sensitivity of LAMP was calculated as 94.74% and the specificity was 90%, respectively. And Chi-squared test showed that LAMP and culture method had no statistic difference, and the two methods were in good consistency (P>0.05). In conclusion, LAMP assay introduced in our study has the characteristics of high efficiency and visualized detection so that this technique has great application prospects in the resource-limited environment, such as work field and primary care hospitals.
ObjectiveTo observe the transthyretin (TTR) gene mutation, protein and mRNA expression in patients with familial vitreous amyloidosis. MethodsSubjects were divided into three groups: (1) illness group: seven patients with familial vitreous amyloidosis. (2) No-illness group: 9 unaffected family members. (3) Control group: 9 healthy individuals in same area. Subjects' peripheral venous blood were collected and DNA were extracted, 4 exons of TTR gene were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), the gene fragments were sequencing by the fluorescence labelling method. Serum TTR protein expression was detected by Western blot, and TTR mRNA in leukocyte was assayed by RT-PCR. Results4 exons of TTR gene of all samples were amplified, and DNA sequencing data showed that 7 patients and 3 subjects DNA from unaffected family members had mutated in the 3rd exon of 107th base, changing from G to C. Heterozygous mutation occurred in codon of the 83th amino acid in exon 3, namely, Gly83Arg, resulted in the change of GGC to CGC. The protein and mRNA expression of TTR was lower in illness group than no-illness group and control groups(P < 0.05). Compared with control group, TTR mRNA expression in unaffected family members groups was significant decreased(P < 0.05). ConclusionHeterozygous mutation occurred in codon of the 83th amino acid in exon 3, namely Gly83Arg, and suggested that Gly83Arg is connected with the change of TTR mRNA and protein expression.
Purpose To investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation and clinical characteristics of patients with Laber is hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON). Methods PCR RFLPs (MaeⅢ) and mutation specific primer PCR(MSP-PCR) were used simultaneously to detect mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation. Results Among 10 subjects who habored 11778 mutation,one was a carrier and nine were patients with LHON.Of the nine patients,six were males and three were females.The age of onset ranged from 12 to 25 years old and the onset interval of the two eyed varied between 0 to 6 months. The visual acuity was CF/10cm-0.1 except one who lost her vision after delivery but recovered gradually.The results of visual field,VEP and color vision were abnormal but ERG and systemic status were all normal. Conclusion Molecular biological detection of the ten subjects showed that they all habored mtDNA 11778 mutation.The existence of carrier and visual recovery imlied that mtDNA mutation was a primary cause of LHON,but other factors such as endocrine disorder might influence the pathogenesis of LHON. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:156-158)
Objective To analyze the pathogenesy and mutation of X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) 1 gene in XLRS families, and to provide the theory basis in directing gene diagnosis. Methods The mutation of XLRS1 gene code in two XLRS families were detected and screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA direct sequence determination. Results Pro193Ser mutation was detected in family 1. Conclusion Pro193Ser mutation could be found in XLRS families, which can be used for genetic consultation and prenatal gene diagnosis. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：149-151)
Objective To observe the gene mutation and clinical phenotype of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and cone rod dystrophy (CORD). Methods Thirty-seven patients with RP and 6 patients with CORD and 95 family members were enrolled in the study. The patient’s medical history and family history were collected. All the patients and family members received complete ophthalmic examinations to determine the phenotype, including best corrected visual acuity, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, full-field electroretinogram, and fluorescein fundus angiography. DNA was abstracted from patients and family members. Using target region capture sequencing combined with next-generation sequencing to screen the 232 candidate pathogenic mutations. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used to confirm the pathogenic pathogenic mutations and Co-segregation is performed among members in the family to determine pathogenic mutation sites. The relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype of RP and CORD was analyzed. Results Of the 37 patients with RP, 13 were from 6 families, including 4 families with autosomal dominant inheritance, 2 families with autosomal recessive inheritance, and 3 in 6 families were detected pathogenic gene mutations. 24 cases were scattered RP. Six patients with CORD were from four families, all of which were autosomal recessive. Of the 43 patients, 21 patients were detected the pathogenic gene mutation, and the positive rate was 48.8%. Among them, 15 patients with RP were detected 10 pathogenic gene mutations including USH2A, RP1, MYO7A, C8orf37, RPGR, SNRNP200, CRX, PRPF31, C2orf71, IMPDH1, and the clinical phenotype included 10 typical RP, 2 cases of RPSP, 3 cases of Usher syndrome type 2 and 6 cases of CORD patients were all detected pathogenic gene mutations, including 2 cases of ABCA4, 2 mutations of RIMS1 gene, 1 case of CLN3 gene mutation, and 1 case of CRB1 and RPGR double gene mutation. Conclusions RP and CORD are clinically diverse in genotype and clinically phenotypically similar. For patients with early RP and CORD, clinical phenotype combined with genetic analysis is required to determine the diagnosis of RP and CORD.