To screen different combinations of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) promoter/enhancer with the strongest transcriptional activity in prostate-specific cells, we used PSMA regulatory elements to control specific expression of the target gene in gene therapy of prostate adenocarcinoma. PSMA promoter and enhancer DNA sequences were amplified from the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line by polymerase chain reaction, then recombinant plasmids of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP: pEGFP-PSMAPro, pEGFP-PSMAE-P, pEGFP-PSMAE(r)-P, pEGFPPSMA E(d)-P, and pEGFP-PSMAE(t)-P) were constructed with molecular clonal techniques. At the same time, all experimental cell lines were analyzed for the expression of PSMA with the use of PSMA monoclonal antibody and the ABC immunohistochemical assay kit. After plasmids were transfected via liposome, we observed the expression of the reporter gene (EGFP) under a fluorescent microscope and compared the different levels of EGFP expression with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry so that we could choose the one with the highest transcriptional activity. Only the LNCaP cell line expressed PSMA positively with immunohistochemical stain. The PSMA promoter/enhancer had transcriptional activity in PSMA(1) cell lines and no activity in PSMA(2) cell lines. PSMAE-P achieved the strongest activity in different PSMA promoter/ enhancer combinations. We confirmed the specific expression of PSMA in prostate cells again. Similarly, transcriptional activity of the PSMA promoter/enhancer was prostate specific. PSMAE-P achieved the strongest transcriptional activity among PSMA promoter/ enhancer combinations, which could be used in advanced research for tissue-specific treatment.

Aim. Serum cystatin C (SCysC) has been proposed as a better marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than serum creatinine (Scr). However, few data are available in renal transplant patients, especially, during the early postoperative phase. Methods. Thirty-nine renal transplant patients (22 men/17 women) were recruited for determination of SCysC and Scr before operation, at 1 week and at 4 weeks after operation. SCysC was determined by particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Results. SCysC and Scr levels significantly decreased with the recovery of allograft function. SCysC showed a significant correlation with Scr and Ccr. The relationship between SCysC and Scr showed a positive correlation (r=.849 preoperation, and r=.940 postoperation). The relationship between SCysC and Ccr revealed a negative correlation (r=.857 preoperation, and r=.876 postoperation). At the Ccr level of 50 to 80mL/min/1.73m2, the correlation between SCysC and Ccr (r=.778) was significantly better than that between Scr and Ccr (r=.553; P=.032). The concentration of SCysC was not affected by age, gender, height, body weight, hemoglobin, serum protein, glucose, or mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine dosage. However, corticosteroids slightly increased the level of SCysC and cyclosporine (CsA) decreased it. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve for SCysC and Scr are 0.964 and 0.915, respectively (P<.05). Conclusion. Although the concentration may be slightly influenced by prednisolone and CsA, SCysC is more sensitive than Scr to detect early and moderate deterioration of GFR in adult renal transplant recipients.

Introduction. We sought to investigate whether there was a difference between cyclosporine (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to affect the expression of Fractalkine/ CX3CR1 in chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Methods. The Sprague-Dawley Wistar rat accelerated kidney sclerosis model was performed as modified from the procedure of Kamada. Recipients were divided into three oral treatment groups (each group n=8): group A was CsA 10mg/kg•d for 10 days followed by vehicle; group B was CsA 10mg/kg•d for 10 days followed by CsA 6mg/kg•d; group C was CsA 10mg/kg•d for 10 days followed by MMF 20mg/kg•d. Pathological changes graded according to Banff 97 Standards were observed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks posttransplantation. The immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to assess the distribution and expression of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 in the grafted kidney. Results. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 were mostly expressed in the tubulointerstitium and tubular epithelial cell basolateral membrane. A proportion of the vessel showed positive staining for Fractalkine/CX3CR1, occasionally in glomerular parietal wall cells. The expression of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 in grafted kidneys at all the time points was significantly less in the MMF than in the CsA group or the control group (P<.05). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR revealed similar outcomes as immunohistochemistry. The expression of Fractalkine coincided with CX3CR1. Conclusion. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 may play an important role in the development of interstitial fibrosis in CAN. Different immunosuppresants have various effects on expression of the Fractalkine/CX3CR1.

Aims. Cytoprotective genes have shown to display potent anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic functions in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. We investigated whether cytoprotective genes, especially A20, were involved in mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)’s ability to ameliorate transplant arteriosclerosis in an experimental chronic rejection model. Methods. Sprague-Dawley rat renal grafts were orthotopically transplanted into Wistar rats following the procedure of Kamada with our modification. The recipients were divided into three oral treatment groups: (1) vehicle group (cyclosporine [CsA] 10mg/kg•d×10d followed by vehicle), (2) CsA group (CsA 10mg/kg•d×10dd followed by CsA 6mg/kg • d), (3) MMF group (converted from CsA 10mg/kg•d×10d toMMF20mg/kg•d on day 11). At the same time points after transplantation, the rats were sacrificed to harvest the renal allografts. The expression of four cytoprotective genes, A20, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-XL, was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results. The four-cytoprotective genes were all detected in rat kidney allografts undergoing chronic allograft nephropathy. The expression of A20 in grafted kidneys was significantly higher in the MMF than in the CsA or the vehicle group (P<.01). There was no significant difference between the CsA and the MMF groups in the expression of HO-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-XL. Conclusions. We demonstrated that MMF improved the expression of A20 in rat kidney allografts undergoing chronic allograft nephropathy. The correlation between MMF and A20 provide an explanation for the mechanism by which MMF ameliorates transplant arteriosclerosis in an experimental animal model of chronic rejection.

Aim. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 system may contribute to the pathogenesis of renal allograft chronic rejection (CR). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial mitogen, which shows increased expression in inflammation and vasculopathy. This study sought describe the expression and distribution of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 and VEGF, and their relationship to human renal allograft CR. Methods. Renal tissue from 10 patients with CR was examined for Fractalkine/CX3CR1 and VEGF protein by immunohistochemistry for comparison with patients displaying hyperacute rejection (n=10), acute rejection (n=10), and normal kidneys (n=10). All patients were selected based upon histologically proven diagnoses between 1992 and 2003. Results. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Fractalkine/CX3CR1 were mostly expressed in the tubulointerstitium and tubular epithelial cell basolateral membrane. Some vessels showed positive staining for Fractalkine/CX3CR1 as well as occasionally glomerular parietal wall cells. Among the CR group, VEGF was mostly expressed in tubular epithelium and the tubulointerstitium. A proportion of glomeruli and vessels had positive staining for VEGF, which was up-regulated most strikingly in the interstitial compartment in CR. There was markedly increased expression of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 and VEGF protein in the interstitium of the CR compared with other groups (P<.05). VEGF colocalized with the expression of Fractalkine/CX3CR1. Conclusion. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 and VEGF may play an important role in the development of interstitial fibrosis via mononuclear cell-induced cytokine production and myofibroblast stimulation in CR. Further studies are necessary to identify the role in the pathogenesis of CR.