O desenvolvimento do câncer cervical depende da exposição ao HPV, fator necessário, mas não suficiente. Outras bactérias, tais como ureaplasmas, têm sido associadas como cofatores. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de ureaplasmas em mulheres com lesão cervical, e observar alterações em PHK causadas pela infecção por ureaplasmas. 140 swabs vaginais foram coletados. O material foi submetido a PCR para a detecção de HPV, Mollicutes, U. urealyticum, U. parvum e seus sorotipos, e outras bactérias de importância ginecológica; e qPCR para U. urealyticum e U. parvum. Também foi realizada a infecção de ureaplasmas em PHK transformados com HPV. As células foram contadas e realizou-se a dosagem das citocinas IL1-β, IL-6 e TNF-α. HPV, Mollicutes, U. parvum, sorotipos 1 e 6 de U. parvum, T. vaginalis e G. vaginalis, além de alguns fatores socioeconômicos, foram associados com lesão cervical. Verificou-se maior carga de U. parvum entre mulheres com lesão. Houve diminuição do número de células e maior liberação de IL-6 e TNF-α nos grupos infectados. Com os resultados obtidos neste estudo, foi possível verificar uma associação entre os ureaplasmas e HPV no início das lesões cervicais, contudo mais estudos precisam ser realizados para aprimorar essa hipótese. / The development of cervical cancer depends on the exposure to HPV, necessary factor, but not enough. Other bacteria, such as ureaplasmas, have been associated as cofactors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of ureaplasmas in women with cervical injury, and observe changes in PHK infected by ureaplasmas. 140 vaginal swabs were collected. The material was subjected to PCR for detection of HPV, Mollicutes, Ureaplasma urealyticum, U. parvum (and serotypes) and other bacteria gynecological importance; qPCR for U. urealyticum and U. parvum was made. PHK transformed by HPV was infected by ureaplasma. Cells were counted and it was done titration of IL1-β, IL-6 and TNF-α. HPV, Mollicutes, U. parvum, serotypes 1 and 6 U. parvum, T. vaginalis and G. vaginalis, and some socioeconomic factors were associated with cervical injury. Besides this, it was detected higher load U. parvum among women with injury. There was decrease in cell number and increased release of IL-6 and TNF-α in infected groups. With the results of this study, we found an association among HPV and ureaplasmas at the beginning of cervical lesions, but more studies are needed to enhance this hypothesis.

In this work, the influence of the second messenger cAMP on the functional plasticity of M-DC8+ dendritic cells (DC) was examined. The marker M-DC8 defines a population of native DC first described in blood. After their isolation, M-DC8+ DC acquire a mature CD83+ phenotype during a short culture ex vivo. After a challenge with LPS and IFN-g, M-DC8+ DC secrete large amounts of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12(p70) and TNF-a surpassing by far other DC populations and monocytes. Due to their preferential induction of TH1-dominated T cell responses, M-DC8+ DC might play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Different cAMP-elevating agents suppressed the proinflammatory cytokine production and enhanced the secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-10. Activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4, the most important cAMP-hydrolysing enzyme in immune cells, was detected and RT-PCR revealed the expression of PDE4 subtypes 4A, 4B and 4D in M-DC8+ DC, whereas 4C was not detectable. The PDE4-specific inhibitors AWD12-281 and Roflumilast were then used to elevate cAMP concentrations. These substances have been proven to be efficient in anti-inflammatory therapies. In the presence of PDE4 inhibitors, the LPS/IFN-g-induced production of IL-12 and TNF-a was decreased by 90 % and 60 %, respectively, whereas the IL-10-release was doubled. These effects were only observed, if the PDE4 inhibitors where present from the beginning of the culture. The inhibition of the IL-12 secretion was reverted using an a-IL-10-receptor antibody. PDE4 inhibitor-treated M-DC8+ DC showed a reduced capacity to polarize TH1-cells, which was demonstrated analysing culture supernatants by ELISA and by single-cell analysis detecting intracellular IFN-g und IL-4. These results suggest that PDE4 inhibitors may not only be useful in the therapy of TH2-mediated diseases but also in TH1-dominated indications such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn´s disease. Despite the shift of the cytokine profile, the in vitro maturation of M-DC8+ DC was not affected by PDE4 inhibitors. The expression of CD83, CD80, CD86, MHC-molecules as well as CD54 and CD58, was assessed by FACS analysis. Correspondingly, in the presence of AWD12-281, M-DC8+ DC efficiently stimulated the proliferation of allogeneic CD4+CD45RA+ T-cells. In the second part of this study, the effects of an inhibition of cAMP-synthesis in M-DC8+ DC were analyzed. Two adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitors, 2,5-Dideoxyadenosine and SQ22536, clearly hampered the in vitro maturation of M-DC8+ DC. The expression of the DC maturation marker CD83 could be reconstituted using the stable cAMP-analogon 8-Br-cAMP. Measuring the intracellular cAMP concentration in M-DC8+ DC, initially low cAMP-levels were observed, but within 30 min the concentration raised and returned to original levels within 2 hrs. Blocking the cAMP synthesis by AC inhibitors, the LPS/IFN-g-induced production of IL-12, TNF-a and IL-10 was strongly reduced. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that M-DC8+ DC can only release IL-12 after a transient elevation of cAMP, i.e. they acquire a "license". Such a regulation of the IL-12 production has not been described before. Protein kinase A is an important effector molecule of cAMP. Inhibiting its activity resulted in a reduced expression of the DC maturation marker CD83 and a lower cytokine production underlining the importance of cAMP-signalling for the activation of M-DC8+ DC. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for a new concept of the immune-regulatory function of cAMP. Here, cAMP is essentially involved in the initial activation and maturation of DC and enables them to secrete large amounts of IL-12 and TNF-a upon stimulation with a TLR ligand. Conversely, a long-term elevation of cAMP-concentrations inhibits the proinflammatory effector functions of M-DC8+ DC and can induce anti-inflammatory responses by enhancing the secretion of IL-10. / In dieser Arbeit wurde der Einfluss des second messengers cAMP auf die funktionelle Plastizität von M-DC8+ dendritischen Zellen (DC) untersucht. Der Oberflächenmarker M-DC8 definiert eine zunächst im Blut beschriebene Population nativer DC. Nach ihrer Isolation erlangen M-DC8+ DC während einer kurzen Kultur einen maturen CD83+ Phänotyp. Nach Stimulation mit LPS und IFN-g produzieren native M-DC8+ DC deutlich höhere Mengen der proinflammatorischen Zytokine IL-12(p70) und TNF-a als andere DC-Populationen oder Monozyten. Dies resultiert in einer Programmierung TH1-dominierter T-Zellantworten. M-DC8+ DC könnten daher an der Pathogenese entzündlicher Krankheiten beteiligt sein. Unterschiedliche cAMP-erhöhende Substanzen supprimierten die proinflammatorische Zytokinproduktion und verstärkten gleichzeitig die Sekretion des anti-inflammatorischen IL-10. In M-DC8+ DC konnte die Aktivität von Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4, dem wichtigsten cAMP-hydrolysierenden Enzym in Immunzellen, nachgewiesen werden. Durch RT-PCR wurde die Expression der PDE4-Subtypen 4A, 4B und 4D gezeigt, nicht aber 4C. Zur Erhöhung der cAMP-Konzentration wurden dann die PDE4-spezifischen Inhibitoren AWD12-281 und Roflumilast eingesetzt, deren klinische Effizienz bei anti-inflammatorischen Therapien belegt ist. Auch diese Substanzen verringerten die LPS/IFN-g-induzierte Produktion von IL-12 und TNF-a durch M-DC8+ DC um 90 % bzw. 60 %, während die IL-10-Freisetzung etwa verdoppelt wurde. Diese starken Effekte konnten nur erzielt werden, wenn die PDE4-Inhibitoren von Beginn der Kultur an eingesetzt wurden. Die Hemmung der IL-12-Sekretion wurde in Gegenwart eines a-IL-10-Rezeptor-Antikörpers aufgehoben. Unter dem Einfluss von PDE4-Inhibitoren war die TH1-Programmierung durch M-DC8+ DC deutlich reduziert, was sowohl durch die Analyse der Zellüberstände mittels ELISA als auch auf Einzelzell-Ebene durch intrazelluläre Detektion von IFN-g und IL-4 nachgewiesen wurde. Diese Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass PDE4-Inhibitoren nicht nur für TH2-vermittelte Erkrankungen sondern auch für TH1-dominierte Indikationen wie Multiple Sklerose oder Morbus Crohn von Nutzen sein könnten. Trotz der starken Modulation des Zytokinprofils blieb die in vitro-Ausreifung M-DC8+ DC unbeeinflusst von PDE4-Inhibitoren. Untersucht wurde die Expression von CD83, CD80, CD86, MHC-Molekülen, CD54 und CD58 mittels FACS-Analyse. Entsprechend induzierten M-DC8+ DC auch in Anwesenheit von AWD12-281 die Proliferation allogener CD4+CD45RA+ T-Zellen. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wurde untersucht, wie sich die Blockade der cAMP-Synthese auf M-DC8+ DC auswirkt. Zwei Adenylatcyclase-Inhibitoren, 2,5-Dideoxyadenosine und SQ22536, hemmten die in vitro-Maturation von M-DC8+ DC deutlich. Die CD83-Expression wurde mit 8-Br-cAMP rekonstituiert. Messungen der intrazellulären cAMP-Konzentration in unbehandelten M-DC8+ DC zeigten initial niedrige cAMP-Spiegel, die innerhalb von 30 min anstiegen und nach 2 h wieder auf das Ausgangsniveau abfielen. Die LPS/IFN-g-induzierte Produktion von IL-12, TNF-a und IL-10 wurde durch AC-Inhibitoren deutlich vermindert. M-DC8+ DC erhalten nur nach einer transienten cAMP-Erhöhung die "Lizenz" IL-12 freizusetzen. Eine derartige Regulation der IL-12-Sekretion ist bisher nicht beschrieben. Eine Hemmung des cAMP-Effektormoleküls Proteinkinase A resultierte in der reduzierten Expression des DC-Maturationsmarkers CD83 und einer verringerten Zytokinproduktion. Dies unterstreicht die Bedeutung von cAMP für die Aktivierung M-DC8+ DC. Zusammenfassend gibt diese Arbeit am Beispiel nativer humaner DC Anhalt für ein neues Konzept der immunregulatorischen Funktion von cAMP. Hierbei ist cAMP wesentlich an der Ausreifung von M-DC8+ DC beteiligt, woraufhin diese große Mengen IL-12 und TNF-a sekretieren können. Dagegen wirkt eine langfristige cAMP-Erhöhung durch die Induktion von IL-10 anti-inflammatorisch.

No description available.

Pulmonary TNFa concentration and wall thickness after on- versus off pump cardiac surgery

No description available.

Pulmonary TNFa concentration and wall thickness after on- versus off pump cardiac surgery

Ce travail examine les mécanismes de l’immunité innée impliqués dans l’hépatite aiguë virale du modèle murin d’infection par le virus de l’hépatite virale murine de type 3 (MHV-3). Afin de déterminer le rôle du TLR2 dans l’aggravation de l’hépatite, des infections avec le virus MHV-3 ont été réalisées in vivo chez des souris C57BL/6 et des souris déficientes pour le gène tlr2 et in vitro dans des macrophages et des hépatocytes infectés avec le virus MHV-3 et le virus moins virulent MHV-A59. Les niveaux de transcription et de traduction des senseurs microbiens, des interférons (IFN) de type I, des cytokines et/ou des chimiokines ont été évalués par qRT-PCR et ELISA. Les cellules ont été traitées avec des petits ARNs interférants (siRNAs) pour le TLR2 et le CEACAM1a ou mises en présence d’inhibiteurs des voies d’endocytose. Les résultats révèlent le rôle stimulateur du TLR2 pour la réplication virale, la production de cytokines pro-inflammatoires IL-6 et TNF-α et des chimiokines CXCL1, CXCL10 et CCL2. Un nouveau mécanisme d’échappement aux senseurs viraux dépendant du TLR2 a également été mis en évidence dans les macrophages et les hépatocytes lors de l’infection de ces cellules avec le virus MHV-3, et non pas avec le virus moins virulent MHV-A59. Ces différents travaux révèlent un nouveau rôle du TLR2 lors d’infections virales dans l'aggravation de la réponse inflammatoire tout en protégeant le virus des autres senseurs de la réponse immune innée. / This work investigates the innate immunity mechanisms involved in the Murine Hepatitis Virus type 3 (MHV-3) acute hepatitis disease model. In the goal of determining the role of the TLR2 receptor in aggravating the hepatitis disease, in vivo infections with the MHV-3 virus were performed on C57BL/6 mice or tlr2-/- gene knockout mice as well as in vitro infections of murine macrophages and hepatocytes with the MHV-3 and less virulent MHV-A59 serotypes. The levels of transcription and translation of different microbial sensors, type I interferons (IFN), cytokines and/or chemokines were measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA tests. Cells were treated with small interfering ARN (siRNA) for the TLR2 and/or CEACAM1a genes or treated with the different endocytosis inhibitors before infection. Our results reveal the stimulatory role of the TLR2 receptor on viral replication, production levels of the IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines and chemokines CXCL1, CXCL10 and CCL2. This study also reveals a new immune evasion mechanism via TLR2 in macrophages infected with MHV-3, but not with the lesser virulent MHV-A59 serotype. These different experiments have revealed a new role for the TLR2 receptor in viral infections wherein inflammatory responses are aggravated whilst shielding viral detection by other pathogens sensors of the innate immunity.

Introdução: Apesar dos recentes avanços no entendimento da fisiopatologia e no tratamento da espondilite anquilosante (EA), pouco se sabe acerca da influência das medicações anti-fator de necrose tumoral (anti-TNF) sobre as novas vias inflamatórias descritas na patogênese das espondiloartrites. Objetivo: Dessa forma, o objetivo desse estudo é investigar e descrever a influência a longo prazo das medicações anti-TNF sobre o eixo da IL-23/IL-17 em pacientes com EA e sua possível correlação com o tratamento, parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e radiológicos. Métodos: Oitenta e seis pacientes com EA sem exposição prévia a medicações anti-TNF foram recrutados. Desses, 47 possuíam Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) >= 4 (grupo EA-ativo) e haviam sido encaminhados para iniciar tratamento anti-TNF e 39 possuíam BASDAI < 4 (grupo EA-controle) em uso de anti-inflamatório não hormonal (AINH) e/ou drogas antirreumáticas modificadoras do curso de doença tradicionais. O grupo EA-ativo foi avaliado clinicamente e laboratorialmente no tempo basal e após 12 e 24 meses de uso das medicações anti-TNF e foi comparado com o grupo EA-controle e com 47 controles saudáveis (CS) pareados por idade e sexo. O escore de uso de AINH foi calculado no tempo basal, 12 meses e 24 meses. Os níveis plasmáticos das interleucinas (IL) IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23 e PGE2 e a dosagem sérica da velocidade de hemossedimentação (VHS) e proteína C-reativa (PCR) foram realizados no grupo EA-ativo no tempo basal, 12 meses e 24 meses e somente no tempo basal nos grupos EA-controle e CS. No grupo EA-ativo, a progressão radiológica foi medida pelo modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) no tempo basal e após 24 meses de tratamento. Resultados: No tempo basal, o grupo EA-ativo apresentou maiores níveis plasmáticos de IL-23 e PGE2 quando comparado ao grupo EA-controle (p < 0,001 e p=0,008) e ao grupo controle saudável (p < 0,001 e p=0,02). Após 24 meses de uso de anti-TNF, os níveis plasmáticos de IL-23 e PGE2 ainda se mantiveram elevados quando comparado ao grupo CS (p < 0,001 e p=0.03) apesar da melhora de todos os parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais (VHS/PCR) (p < 0,001). A subanálise de 27 pacientes do grupo EA-ativo que obtiveram boa resposta ao uso de anti-TNF (atingiram ASDAS-PCR< 2,1 em 24 meses, com queda >= 1,1 em relação ao ASDAS-PCR basal) revelou que, ainda assim, os níveis plasmáticos de IL-23 eram superiores aos encontrados nos CS (p < 0,001) e superiores ao grupo EA-controle com atividade de doença similar (ASDAS-PCR < 2,1; p=0,01). No grupo EA-ativo foi encontrada uma correlação positiva entre os níveis plasmáticos de IL-23 e IL-17A no tempo basal, 12 meses e 24 meses do estudo (p <= 0,001). Conclusão: Os dados apresentados sugerem que o eixo da IL-23/IL-17 não é influenciado pelas medicações anti-TNF apesar da melhora dos parâmetros clínicos e marcadores de atividade inflamatória estudados / Background: Advances in pathophysiology and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was recently demonstrated. However, the effect of anti-tumor necrosis fator (TNF) in the newly described inflammatory pathways involved in this disease remains to be determined. Objective: The aim of our study was, therefore, investigate long-term influence of anti-TNF drugs in IL-23/IL-17 axis of AS patients and their possible correlation with treatment, clinical, laboratory and radiographic parameters. Methods: Eighty six AS anti-TNF naïve patients, 47 referred for anti-TNF therapy (active-AS group; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) >= 4) and 39 with BASDAI < 4 (control-AS group) were included. The active group was evaluated clinically and laboratorially at baseline, 12-months and 24-months after TNF blockade and compared at baseline to control-AS group and to 47 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)17A, IL-22, IL-23 and PGE2 and serum levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and c-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at three study times in active-AS and at baseline in control-AS and healthy-controls. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) intake were recorded at baseline, 12 months and 24 months. Radiographic severity and progression was assessed by modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) at baseline and 24 months after therapy in active-AS patients. Results: At baseline, active-AS group presented higher IL-23 and PGE2 levels compared to control-AS group (p < 0.001 and p=0.008) and to healthy controls (p < 0.001 and p=0.02). After 24-months of TNF blockade, IL-23 and PGE2 remained elevated with higher levels compared with the healthy-control group (p < 0.001 and p=0.03) in spite of significant improvements in all clinical/inflammatory parameters (p < 0.001). Further analysis of 27 anti-TNF-treated patients who achieved a good response (ASDAS-CRP < 2.1, with a drop >= 1.1) at 24-months revealed that IL-23 plasma levels remained higher than healthy controls (p < 0.001) and higher than control-AS group with similar disease activity (ASDAS-CRP < 2.1, p=0.01). In active-AS group (n=47), there was a correlation between IL-23 and IL-17A at baseline, 12-months and 24-months after anti-TNF therapy (p <= 0.001). Conclusion: This study provides novel data demonstrating that the IL-23/IL-17 axis is not influenced by TNF blockade drugs in AS patients despite clinical and inflammation improvements and NSAID intake

Liu, Pi-chu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-173). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Chan Yiu Leung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-149). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstracts --- p.I / Acknowledgements --- p.VIII / List of Figures --- p.IX / Lists of Abbreviations --- p.X / Contents --- p.XII / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction and Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Cancer in General --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Glioma --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Types of Glioma --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.1 --- Astrocytomas --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.2 --- Oligodendrogliomas --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1.3 --- Ependymomas --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Molecular Biology of GBM --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Current Treatment for GBM --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Pharmacology of HMG-Co A reductase inhibitor --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Epidemiological link between HMG-Co A Reductase Inhibitors and Cancer --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Current HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors research in cancer --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Inhibition of tumor cell growth --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Inhibition of Angiogenesis --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.3.3 --- Anti-invasive effects of HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors.… --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.3.4 --- Apoptosis induction by HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- In vivo efficacy and synergistic effects --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4 --- Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) related apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) --- p.28 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Molecular mechanisms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis --- p.29 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Role for TRAIL in cancer therapy --- p.30 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Methods and Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Cell proliferation detection (MTT) methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- "Caspase 3,9 activities induced by lovastatin" --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4 --- Detection of apoptosis by Annexin V and PI staining --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5 --- Cell cycle analysis protocols --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6 --- DNA fragmentation ELISA detection kit protocols --- p.42 / Chapter 2.7 --- Reverse Transcription (RT) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.46 / Chapter 2.9 --- Bio-molecules extraction/purification protocols --- p.48 / Chapter 2.10 --- "Microarray analysis on lovastatin treated glioblastoma cells A172, M059J and M059K" --- p.51 / Chapter 2.10.1 --- Cells treatment and RNA extraction --- p.51 / Chapter 2.10.2 --- Synthesis of first strand cDNA --- p.53 / Chapter 2.10.3 --- Synthesis of second strand cDNA --- p.54 / Chapter 2.10.4 --- Purification of double stranded cDNA --- p.54 / Chapter 2.10.5 --- Synthesis of cRNA by in vitro transcription (IVT) --- p.55 / Chapter 2.10.6 --- Recovery of biotin-labelled cDNA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.10.7 --- Fragmentation of cRNA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.10.8 --- Preparation of hybridization reaction mixtures --- p.57 / Chapter 2.10.9 --- Loading of reaction mixtures into bioarray chambers --- p.58 / Chapter 2.10.10 --- Hybridization --- p.58 / Chapter 2.10.11 --- Post-hybridization wash --- p.59 / Chapter 2.10.12 --- 2.11.12Detection with streptavidin-dye conjugate --- p.59 / Chapter 2.10.13 --- Bioarray scanning and analysis --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1 --- Morphological effects of Lovastatin on human glioblastoma cells --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2 --- Anti-proliferation effects on glioblastoma cell lines --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3 --- Lovastatin-induced caspase3 and 9 activation in human glioblastoma cell lines --- p.69 / Chapter 3.4 --- Cell cycle determination by PI staining --- p.77 / Chapter 3.5 --- Quantification of apoptotic cell death by annexin V and propidium iodide staining --- p.79 / Chapter 3.6 --- Microarray analysis of lovastatin-modulated gene expression profiles --- p.82 / Chapter 3.7 --- Synergistic effects induced by lovastatin and Tumor Necrosis Factor related apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- M059J and M059K glioblastoma cells was resistant to TRAIL attack --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Synergistic cell death was induced by lovastatin and TRAIL --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- A combination of TRAIL and lovastatin induces synergistic apoptosis in glioblastoma cells --- p.93 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- DNA fragmentation on glioblastoma cells --- p.98 / Chapter 3.7.5 --- Four TRAIL receptors mRNA expression profiles on glioblastoma cells --- p.102 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.105 / Chapter 4.1 --- Lovastatin exhibited anti-proliferation effects in human glioblastoma cells --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2 --- Lovastatin activated caspase 3 and caspase 9 in human glioblastoma cells --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3 --- Gene expression profile modulated by Lovastatin in human glioblastoma cells --- p.110 / Chapter 4.4 --- Lovastatin-sensitized TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells --- p.117 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Conclusion and Future perspective --- p.121 / References --- p.122 / Appendix --- p.150