Bioinformatics analysis and expression pattern of NAC transcription factor family of Angelica dahurica var. formosana from Sichuan province / 中国中药杂志

NAC(NAM/ATAF/CUC) protein plays an important role in plant growth and development, secondary cell wall formation and stress response. In this study, based on the sequencing data of Angelica dahurica, the NAC family was systematically analyzed using bioinformatics methods and its expression pattern was analyzed. Studies showed that 75 candidate genes had been selected from the NAC transcription factor family of A. dahurica, with the protein size of 148-641, all of which were unstable hydrophilic proteins. Most NAC proteins were localized in the nucleus, and had complete NAC domain. Phylogenetic analysis of NAC family proteins of A.dahurica and Arabidopsis thaliana showed that among the 17 subfamilies, NAC members were unevenly distributed in each subfamily, indicating that the evolution of species is developing in multiple directions. Among them, ANAC063 subfamily contained no NAC sequence of A. dahurica, which might be due to the functional evolution of the species. Analysis of protein transmembrane structure and signal peptide showed that NAC transcription factor could carry out transmembrane transportation, but its signal peptide function had not been found. Expression analysis showed that most transcription factors responded to abiotic stress and hormones to varying degrees, and the effects of hormones were obvious, especially ABA and IAA. In different organs of A. dahurica, most members of the NAC family had higher expression in root phloem, followed by root xylem. This study lays a foundation for further research on the function of A. dahurica NAC transcription factor and for solving the biological problems of A. dahurica.

Expression of miR-16 in patients with T lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of miR-16 in T lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) and its relation with target therapy and prognosis. The CD3, cCD3, CD10, CD20, CD34, CD43, CD99, TdT, PAX-5, BCL-2 and Ki67 in paraffin samples from 38 cases of T-LBL/ALL were detected by immunohistochemical labeling; the miR-16 expression level was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Fifteen cases of reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes were selected as control. The results indicated that among 38 cases of T-LBL/ALL the positive rate of TdT was highest (94.7%), the positive rate of CD34 was lowest (22.1%), the PAX-5 and CD20 were found to be negative. The Ki67 expression level in 39.5% cases exceeded 80%. As compared with reactive hyperplasia of lymph node, the miR-16 expression in T-LBL/ALL was up-regulated, ant its expression level was 4.87-fold of reactive hyperplasia of lymph node (P < 0.05). The overall survival rate in group of miR-16 high expression decreased (P < 0.05). The prognosis of T-LBL/ALL patients with BCL-2 positive expression was better than that of patients with BCL-2 negative expression (P < 0.05). The miR-16 expression correlated with BCL-2 protein (r = 0.51, P < 0.05). It is concluded that the overall survival rate in miR-16 high expression group is higher than that in miR-16 low expression group, suggesting possible relation of miR-16 with prognosis. Moreover, the prognosis in BCL-2 positive expression group is better than that in negative expression group, which may be a factor influencing prognosis.

Expression of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells in patients with aplastic anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) in the patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Forty-five patients with AA were enrolled into this study, and were divided into mild aplastic anemia (MAA) group (n = 25) and severe aplastic anemia group (SAA) (n = 20), blood cell count was recorded. 15 healthy donors were enrolled as control. Proportions of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α, as well as their concentrations in culture supernatant of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) -stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were measured by ELISA. The results showed that the proportions of blood Th17 cells and concentration of blood serum IL-17 and IFN-γ increased in patients with SAA, compared with MAA and normal controls, but CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells obviously decreased in patients with SAA. The concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-γ significantly increased in culture supernatant of SAA group. Hemoglobin level in the patients with AA negatively correlated with the population of Th17 cells and serum IL-17 level, whereas positively correlated with the expression of CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg cells. It is concluded that the increased response of Th17 cells and deficiency of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells present in severe aplastic anemia. The severity of anemia may be related with the imbalance between Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg cell response.