Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Invasive Fungal Infections in Acute Leukemia Patients in Tropical Regions / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of invasive fungal infection (IFI) occurenced in patients with acute leukemia (AL) during treatment in tropical regions.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 68 AL patients admitted to the Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital from April 2012 to April 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of IFI in AL patients.@*RESULTS@#Among the 68 patients, 44 were acute myeloid leukemia, 24 were acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 39 were male, 29 were female and the median age was 41(13-75) years old. The 68 patients received 242 times of chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT), including 73 times of initial chemotherapy or inducting chemotherapy after recurrence, 14 times of HSCT, 155 times of consolidating chemotherapy. Patients received 152 times of anti-fungal prophylaxis, including 77 times of primary anti-fungal prophylaxis and 75 times of secondary anti-fungal prophylaxis. Finally, the incidence of IFI was 31 times, including 24 times of probable diagnosis, 7 times of proven diagnosis, and the total incidence of IFI was 12.8%(31/242), the incidence of IFI in inducting chemotherapy was 24.66%(18/73), the incidence of IFI in HSCT patients was 28.57% (4/14), the incidence of IFI in consolidating chemotherapy was 5.80% (9/155). Multivariate analysis showed that inducting chemotherapy or HSCT, the time of agranulocytosis ≥7 days, risk stratification of high risk were the independent risk factors for IFI in AL patients during treatment in tropical regions.@*CONCLUSION@#The incidence of IFI in patients with AL in the tropics regions is significantly higher than that in other regions at homeland and abroad. Anti-fungal prophylaxis should be given to the patients with AL who have the high risk factors of inducting chemotherapy or HSCT, time of agranulocytosis ≥7 days and risk stratification of high risk.

Single Center Analysis of Bloodstream Infection Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis in Patients with Hematological Malignancies in the Tropics / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics, prognosis and risk factors of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of bloodstream infection.@*METHODS@#The clinical features, blood culture results and prognosis of patients with bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies admitted to Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital were retrospectively studied.@*RESULTS@#The most common primary infection site of the 81 patients with hematological malignancies was lung (46.91%), followed by PICC (11.11%). The detection rate of Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria in the blood culture was 60.98% and 30.02%, respectively. Coagulase-negative staphylococci was the most common Gram-positive bacteria resulting in bloodstream infection in our study. Of the Gram-negatives, Klebsiella pneumoniae (34.38%) was predominant, followed by Escherichia coli (18.75%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.75%). Gram-positive bacteria was highly sensitive (100%) to vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline. Study showed that Gram-negative bacteria had low sensitive to quinolones, in particular, the resistance rate of Escherichia coli to quinolones was as high as 83.33%. In terms of overall survival (OS), the 30-days OS of patients with Gram-negative and Gram-positive septicemia was 77.42% and 92.00%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that septic shock (P=0.001, RR=269.27) was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality, and remission status (P=0.027, RR=0.114) was an independent predictor of a favourable outcome of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies.@*CONCLUSION@#Gram-positive bacteria are the main pathogens causing bloodstream infections in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics. Improving the care of PICC is an important measure to reduce the incidence of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics. A correct treatment relieving disease and effective prevention and treatment of septic shock can reduce mortality of patients with bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics.

Clinical Analysis of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Treatment of 12 Patients with Acute Leukemia in Tropical Area / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for treatment of acute leukemia in the tropical area.@*METHODS@#Twelve acute leukemia patients who were underwent allo-HSCT from April 2013 to November 2018 in Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital were selected, including 5 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 7 case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Three cases received HLA matched sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 8 cases received haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 1 cases received partially mismatched unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Pretreatment regimen: 9 cases received modified BU/CY+ATG pretreatment regimen, 3 cases received BU/CY pretreatment regimen. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention regimen: all patients received cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil combined with short-term methotrexate regimen. The clinical efficacy of allo-HSCT in treatment of acute leukemia in the tropical area was analyzed by detecting hematopoietic reconstitution, GVHD, infection, relapse and survival after transplantation.@*RESULTS@#All the 12 patients achieved granulocyte reconstruction and megakaryocyte reconstruction. The median time of granulocyte reconstruction was 11.5 (6-14) days, and the median time of megakaryocytic reconstruction was 12.5 (10-22) days. Within 100 days after transplantation, the acute GVHD occurved in 8 cases, including 6 cases of Ⅱ-Ⅳ degree acute GVHD and 2 cases of Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree acute GVHD, 11 cases survived more than 100 days after transplantation, and the chronic GVHD occurred in 1 case, which was mildly limited. Pulmonary infection occurred in 7 cases, cytomegaloviremia occurred in 6 cases, EB viremia occurred in 6 cases, and hemorrhagic cystitis occurred in 5 cases. 2 cases relapsed and eventually died, and the remaining 10 patients survived without disease until the date of follow-up. The median follow-up time was 4 (1-68) months, 83.3% (10/12) survived without disease, and 16.7% (2/12) relapsed.@*CONCLUSION@#Allo-HSCT is an effective method for the treatment of acute leukemia in adults. Leukemia patients should be transplanted as soon as possible after remission. The incidence of pulmonary fungal infection in transplanted patients in tropics is high, therefore the prevention and treatment of fungal infection should be strengthened.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of U2AF1 Mutation in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the incidence, clinical features of U2AF1 gene mutation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML) and its effect of prognosis.@*METHODS@#A total of 161 patients with AML were enrolled. The second-generation sequencing method was used to detect U2AF1 gene mutation, and the relationship between U2AF1 mutation and clinical features, prognosis was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The mutation rate of U2AF1 gene in 161 AML patients was 3.73%. The counts of peripheral blood leukocytes and platelets in the U2AF1 gene mutation group were lower than those in the wild type group. The complete response rate of U2AF1 gene mutation group was 66.67%, while that in wild type group was 55.48%, which shows no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.70). The median EFS of wild type group and the mutant group was not reached and reached to 133 days, respectively (P=0.03), while the medium OS in two groups was not reached and reached to 210 days (P=0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The AML patients with U2AF1 mutation positive have a poor prognosis as compared with the wild type group, which may be a poor prognostic factor for acute myeloid leukemia.

Establishment of A20 Murine B Lymphoma Transplantation Model Labeled with Luciferase / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the animal model of luciferase-transfected A20 murine B cell lymphoma, so as to provide experimental tools to explore the effect of graft versus tumor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Luciferase- labeled A20 cells were cloned with puromycin selection. Transfected A20 cells and CBL/6 bone marrow were inoculated into the irradiated BALB/c mice by injection in tailvein to establish the transplantation model. The bioluminescent imaging technique was used to monitor the tumor growth, and then the survival, body weight, tumor formation and pathological characteristics of target organs were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A20 cell line stably expressing luciferase gene was successfully obtained. The the bioluminicent imaging found that the tumor luminescence could be observed on day 8 of A20 cell inoculation, and the mean fluorescent intensity was increased along with the tumor growth. Compared with the BMT group, the survival rate and body weight of BMT+A20-Lucmice were decreased significantly. General anatomy showed the tumor mainly formed in the liver and spleen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A mouse transplantation model with luciferase- transfected A20 cells has been successfully established, thus laying a foundation for investigation of graft-versus-tumor.</p>

Application of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified NK Cells in Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the killing effect of CAR (CD138-CD28-CD3ζ)-NK cells on myeloma cells through construction of CAR(CD138-CD28-CD3)-NK cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antiCD138scFv-CD28-CD3 zeta plasmid pcDNA3.1 was constructed, which then together with 3 plasmid lentiviral packaging system were transfected into 293T cells, the virus was collected. Furthermore, in order to get the stably transfected cell line, the NK92MI cell line was infected by the virus, then the positive cells were screened by puromycin. The expression of the CARNK cells were verified by RT-PCR and Western blot. At last the ability of secreting cytokine CD107a was detected by flow cytometry, and the statistical analysis was carried out to verify the anti-myeloma effect of CAR-NK cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gene fragment of the CAR(antiCD138scFv-CD28-CD3ζ) was constructed successfully by gene engineering technique in vitro, and the gene sequence was verified to be correct by sequencing. By virus packaging technology, the virus expressing the protein of the CAR was obtained. PCR and Western blot verified the expression of CAR fusion protein on the sufurce of NK cells. The cell killing experiment confirmed that the CAR-NK cells possessed the ability to secrete cytokine CD107a superior to control cells and showed the obvious killing effect on multiple myeloma cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The CAR can be constructed in vitro, and express on NK92 cells. The CAR-NK cells can kill the multiple myeloma cells expressing CD138 antigen, thereby plays an antimyeloma effect.</p>

Expression Profile of lncRNA NONHSAT040475 in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes of Healthy Persons / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression profile of lncRNA NONHSAT040475 in peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy persons.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 10 healthy volunteers, the CD3(+) T cells,CD19(+) B cells,CD56(+) NK cells and granulocytes were purified and sorted by flow cytometry. Then, the expression of lncRNA NONHSAT040475 in peripheral blood leukocyte subsets was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>the expression levels of lncRNA NONHSAT040475 were various in lymphocyte subsets, its expression in B lymphocytes was significantly higher, as compared with T lymphocytes, while the expressions of lncRNA NONHSAT040475 in NK cells and granulocytes were relative low（P<0.01）.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>lncRNA NONHSAT040475 is widely expressed in human peripheral blood leukocytes, and mainly expressed in B lymphocytes, therefore, laying the foundation for further study of B lymphocyte-related diseases. This study has brought a new opportunity for diagnosing and illustrating the molecular mechanism of hematologic disorder or autoimmune disease.</p>

Effect of rhG-CSF Mobilization on S1P5 Expression in T Lymphocyte Subsets of Allo-HSCT Donors / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) mobilization on S1P5 expression in T lymphocyte subsets of allo-HSCT donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The peripheral blood was collected from 10 allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) donors before and after mobilization with rhG-CSF for 4 days. The flow cytometry was used to detect S1P5 expression in T lymphocyte subsets.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no S1P5 expression on the surface of T-lymphocytes both before and after rhG-CSF mobilization. After fixation with permeabilization agent, S1P5 expression could be detected in lymphocytes after rhG-CSF mobilization, which indicates S1P5 may be located in cells. Compared with level before rhG-CSF mobilization, S1P5 expression was significantly increased in T lymphocyte subsets after rhG-CSF mobilization, CD3(+)T cells (57.92±2.32)% vs (7.94±1.47)%(P<0.05）, CD4(+)T cells (72.58±1.73)% vs （5.48±0.82）%(P<0.05）, CD8(+)T cells（51.79±3.57）% vs （6.46±1.01）%（P<0.05）,CD3-/CD56(+)NK cells（40.00±1.47）% vs（4.97±0.74）%（P<0.05）. The up-regulated level of S1P5 expression in CD4(+)T cells was most high(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>S1P5 expression significantly increases in T lymphocyte subsets after rhG-CSF mobilization, and the up-regulated level of S1P5 expression in CD4(+)T cells is the most high.</p>

Effects of rhG-CSF Stimulation in vitro on the Adhesion and Polarization of Human CD4⁺T Lymphocytes / 中国实验血液学杂志

The adhesion and polarization of T lymphocytes involved in the adhesive interaction of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) with its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) stimulation in vitro on the adhesion and polarization of CD4⁺ T cells of healthy human in peripheral blood. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 12 healthy volunteers. The CD4⁺ T cells were sorted by miniMACS. The sorted CD4⁺ T cells were incubated with rhG-CSF for 24 h, then the adhesion and polarization of CD4⁺ T cells activated by stroma cell-derived factor -1α (SDF-1α) and ICAM-1 were detected by ELISA and inverted microscope. The results showed that the percentage of adhesion CD4⁺T cells in the experimental group (rhG-CSF acting on the healthy adult volunteers) (61.9 ± 5.9)% was lower than that in the control group (healthy adult volunteers without rhG-CSF stimulation) (68.3 ± 7.3)% (P < 0.05). The percentage of polarized CD4⁺T cells in the experimental group (24.3 ± 4.3)% was also lower than that in control group (47.1 ± 5.1)% (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the adhesion and polarization of CD4⁺T lymphocytes can be inhibited after rhG-CSF stimulation.

Effects of rhG-CSF mobilization on the polarization and migration of donor's CD4(+)T lymphocytes / 中国实验血液学杂志

The polarization and migration of T lymphocytes involves the adhesive interaction of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1(LFA-1) with its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) mobilization on the polarization and migration of donor's CD4(+) T cells in peripheral blood. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 10 healthy volunteers and 10 donors on the fifth day of mobilization with rhG-CSF. And the CD4(+)T cells were purified by miniMACS. The polarization and migration of CD4(+) T cells activated by stroma cell-derived factor -1α (SDF-1α) and ICAM-1 were detected by using inverted and confocal microscopes respectively. The results showed that the percentage of polarized CD4(+)T cells from donors(32.42 ± 4.91)% was lower than that from healthy controls(56.55 ± 5.35)% (P < 0.01), the migration velocity of CD4(+)T cells from donors (7.06 ± 1.44 µm/min) was also lower than that of healthy controls(9.05 ± 1.91 µm/min)(P < 0.01). It is concluded that the polarization and migration of CD4(+)T lymphocytes is impaired after rhG-CSF mobilization.

Influence of NK cell S1PR5 expression on graft versus host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

Natural killer (NK) cells can suppress the development of graft vs host disease (GVHD) while retaining antitumor response in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 5 (S1PR5) can regulate NK cell migration and distribution in vivo by interacting with sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). This study was aimed to investigate S1PR5 expression change of NK cells in allo-HSCT and to explore the relationship between S1PR5 change and frequency of acute/chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD/cGVHD). The S1PR5 expression was detected by real time quantitative PCR in the RNA extracted from blood NK cells of 17 couples of donor and recipient one month after allo-HSCT. The results showed that S1PR5 mRNA level variations in NK cells of donors and recipients post-allo-HSCT were not statistically significant (0.235 ± 0.191 vs 0.330 ± 0.261, P > 0.05). S1PR5 expression of NK cells was significantly lower in patients with aGVHD than those in patient without aGVHD (0.973 ± 0.834 vs 6.166 ± 5.32, P < 0.05). Compared with the corresponding donor, S1PR5 expression levels of patient declined by more than 10 that caused the high incidence of aGVHD. No significant correlation was found between S1PR5 expression of NK cells and cGVHD (3.401 ± 2.324 vs 2.762 ± 1.972, P > 0.05). It is concluded that the decreased expression level of NK cells S1PR5 is associated with aGVHD occurrence. Possible mechanism is due to S1PR5 low expression affecting distribution of NK cells in vivo, so affecting the regulation of NK cells for aGVHD.