Cellular localization and tissue expression pattern of UCA1, a non-coding RNA / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the subcellular location of UCA1, a non-coding RNA, analyze its tissue expression pattern, and investigate the relationship between UCA1 expression and bladder carcinoma progression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Electron microscopic in situ hybridization technique was employed to determine the subcellular localization of UCA1 gene. RT-PCR was used to detect its mRNA expression level in various tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Electron microscopy identified scattered colloidal gold particles on the cell membrane and massive homogeneously distributed particles in the cytoplasm without specific aggregation in the cells; scattered particles were also detected in the cell nuclei. UCA1 gene was overexpressed in the chorionic villi, placenta and fetal bladder tissues. In adult human tissues, UCA1 gene was not expressed except in the heart and spleen. The expression level of UCA1 was increased in 8 common tumor tissues as compared with that in the corresponding normal tissues. UCA1 mRNA was not detected in normal bladder, normal kidney, renal cancer or hyperplastic prostate tissues, but highly expressed in cancerous bladder tissues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>UCA1 gene locates in the cytoplasm, and its mRNA expression level is closely correlated to the progression of bladder cancer, indication its potential as a specific molecular marker of bladder cancer.</p>

Application of CD34+ autologous peripheral progenitor cell transplant in the treatment of children with refractory SLE / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Systematic lupus erythematosis (SLE) is a severe disease which affects the patient for many years and there is no radical cure for the disease. To explore a possible way to treat children with refractory SLE, the authors treated 2 children with grade III and IV lupus nephropathy for 5 years and 7 years respectively, mainly presented with persistent thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, pleural effusion with CD34(+) autologous peripheral progenitor cells transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mobilized with G-CSF and collected with CS-3000 Cell Separator, passed through the CliniMacs CD34(+) cell selection device, the count of CD34(+) cells obtained reached 1.0 x 10(6)/kg and 1.7 x 10(6)/kg, respectively with the remaining of 2.0 x 10(5)/kg and 1.0 x 10(4)/kg of CD3(+) cells individually. The selected CD34(+) cells were frozen at -80 degrees C. The conditioning regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide [50 mg/(kg x day) for 4 days] plus ATG [Fresennius S 5 mg/(kg x day) for 3 days]. After 48 h treatment with cyclophosphamide, the frozen stem cells were infused back to the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Neutrophils recovered on 9 and 7 days after transplantation respectively in these 2 cases. Beginning from 15 days, the platelet count recovered and remained at over 100 x 10(9)/L. The sign of Cushing's syndrome disappeared completely 3 months after transplantation because discontinuing the steroid. One child's height had a 5 cm increase within 6 months after stopping steroid and this was the first height gain during the 7 years since she had had the disease. Till this paper was written, these 2 children were followed up for 13 months and 6 months, respectively, all the original symptoms and autoantibodies related to autoimmune disorders disappeared. But the cell-mediated immunity did not recover yet with the CD4(+) cell level still remained at a lower level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of CD34(+) autologous peripheral progenitor cell transplantation on the children with refractory SLE was satisfactory so far, but the long-term effect remains to be confirmed by further studies on more cases.</p>