Search

Purpose: Tumor initiating cells (TICs) or cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the main culprit of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression, nevertheless the mechanism by which tumor microenvironment maintains the HCC 'stemness' is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of regulatory T cells (Tregs) on the TICs characteristics of HCC., Methods: Immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, western blot, in vitro sphere-formation, and in vivo tumorigenesis assay were used to detect HCC 'stemness'. Additionally, after forced expression or inhibition of FoxP3, β-catenin expression and HCC 'stemness' were investigated., Results: Tregs enhanced the 'stemness' of HCC cells by upregulating TIC-related markers CD133, Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, Klf4, Nanog, CD13, EpCAM, and inducting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), increasing TICs ratio, as well as promoting tumorigenic ability. Moreover, β-catenin and c-Myc were upregulated in HCC cells after co-cultured with Tregs. HCC 'stemness' was inhibited after treatment with Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor. Furthermore, forced expression of FoxP3 resulted in increased GSK3β, decreased β-catenin and TIC ratio in HCC. In contrast, FoxP3 interference reduced GSK3β, enhanced β-catenin and TIC ratio of HCC., Conclusion: This study, for the first time, demonstrated that Tregs increased the population of TICs in HCC by inhibiting FoxP3 as well as promoting β-catenin expression., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objection: To observe the change rules of quantity and species of diatoms in Hunhe River in Shenyang and to provide technology and scientific evidence for drowning identification and the location of drowning in forensic investigation., Methods: In 2011, different locations for collecting water samples were chosen in Hunhe River in Shenyang. Water samples were collected and variation of quantity and species of diatoms were observed every month. And variation of dominant species of diatoms was observed every week., Results: The quantity, species and dominant species of diatoms in Hunhe River in Shenyang varied with different time and locations. The quantity and species of diatoms were lowest from December to February and gradually increased, reaching peak in May and second peak in October, and then gradually decreased. The dominant species of diatoms varied significantly adjacent two weeks at same location from April to November, but had little changes at different locations in same week from July to August., Conclusion: The change rules of quantity and species of diatoms are complicated and affected by various factors such as environment and hydrology. The change rules of species and quantity of diatoms should be considered in forensic investigation of drowning identification and the location of drowning.