Leukocyte reduction filters as an alternative source of peripheral blood leukocytes for research

ABSTRACT Introduction: Peripheral blood leukocytes are a suitable cell model for science research. However, blood samples from healthy volunteers are limited in volume and difficult to obtain due to the complexity of volunteer recruitment. Objective: Therefore, it is urgent to find an alternative source of peripheral blood leukocytes. Method: One of the possibilities is the use of leukocyte reduction filters (LRFs) in blood banks that is used for preparation of leukoreduced blood products. More than 90% of the leukocytes are trapped in the leukofilters allowing the desired blood product to pass through. Results: It has been reported that the biological function of leukocytes collected from the filters are no different from those isolated from buffy coats, leukapheresis products and whole blood (WB) cells. Moreover, LRFs are waste products that are discarded after leukoreduction. Conclusion: Thus, leukofilters represent an economic source of human cell populations that can be used for a variety of investigative purposes, with no cost. In the present study, we reviewed the different usage of LRFs in the research, clinical and commercial applications.

Expression of immune-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes of postmenopausal osteoporosis patients / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Bones are currently considered as an immune organ. A variety of immune cells that originate from the bone marrow can interact with the cells of the skeletal system to jointly regulate bone metabolism. Explorations on the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis as well as treatment-related molecular targets and signal pathways can help prevention and treatment of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression profiles of immune-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes of postmenopausal osteoporosis patients using RNA-Seq technology. METHODS: Forty female patients who had experienced menopause for 0 to 20 years and were hospitalized due to fractures were enrolled. They were divided into normal bone mass group (T >-1) and osteoporosis group (T 2), and 131 genes were up-regulated and 56 genes were down-regulated. We identified in total 29 differentially expressed immune-related genes including 25 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated ones. There was significant difference in expression between the osteoporosis and normal bone mass groups for genes, including KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DL4, KLRD1 and HSPA6 (P < 0.05). These differentially expressed genes are potentially important for the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity by the KEGG pathway analysis. KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DL4, KLRD1 and HSPA6 may be closely related to the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity during the occurrence of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Fabry's Disease: A case report of electronmicroscopy and enzyme studies

Fabry's disease is a rare hereditary metabolic disease caused by alpha-galactosidase deficiency, resulting in abnormal accumulation of galactosyl galactosyl galactosyl ceramide (ceramide trihexoside) in various organs. Articles in English reported approximately one hundred cases but only two cases in Korea. Recently the authors experienced a case of Fabry's disease of a male patient and studied the electronmicroscopy on skin biopsied tissue and enzyme assay of alpha -galactosidase activity in his peripheral blood leukocytes. The male patient was a 21-year-old soldier who suffered from anhidrosis with heat intolerance and generalized telangietatic papules (Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) since childhood. Other clinical findings were ocular change, paroxysmal pain of lower extremities and proteinuria with oval fat bodies on urinalysis. The ultrastructural study of skin demonstrated abnormal lysosomal deposits of finger-prints or "zebra" body configuration in the endothelial cells, pericytes, perineural cells and intercalated ductal epithelium of sweat glands. Enzyme activity of alpha-galactosidase was markedly decreased in the peripheral blood leukocytes comparing to the normal control, which was conclusive to make a diagnosis of Fabry's disease.

Fabry's Disease: A case report of electronmicroscopy and enzyme studies

Fabry's disease is a rare hereditary metabolic disease caused by alpha-galactosidase deficiency, resulting in abnormal accumulation of galactosyl galactosyl galactosyl ceramide (ceramide trihexoside) in various organs. Articles in English reported approximately one hundred cases but only two cases in Korea. Recently the authors experienced a case of Fabry's disease of a male patient and studied the electronmicroscopy on skin biopsied tissue and enzyme assay of alpha -galactosidase activity in his peripheral blood leukocytes. The male patient was a 21-year-old soldier who suffered from anhidrosis with heat intolerance and generalized telangietatic papules (Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) since childhood. Other clinical findings were ocular change, paroxysmal pain of lower extremities and proteinuria with oval fat bodies on urinalysis. The ultrastructural study of skin demonstrated abnormal lysosomal deposits of finger-prints or "zebra" body configuration in the endothelial cells, pericytes, perineural cells and intercalated ductal epithelium of sweat glands. Enzyme activity of alpha-galactosidase was markedly decreased in the peripheral blood leukocytes comparing to the normal control, which was conclusive to make a diagnosis of Fabry's disease.