Expression of albumin during hepatocyte differentiation by human bone marrow stem cells / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the expression pattern of albumin during the hepatocyte differentiation by human bone marrow stem cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human bone marrow cells were harvested and cultured in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and lymphocyte inhibitory factor (LIF). Cells were stained immunohistochemically by albumin specific antibody and examined under a confocal microscope. Supernatant albumin level was measured biochemically on a serial time points of the culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By this condition, the attached cells became mature morphologically in 1 week of culture. Hepatocyte-specific albumin could be detected in mature cells. The albumin level revealed a time-dependent change during a 4-week culture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human bone marrow cells could be induced to differentiate to mature hepatocytes that produce and secret albumin in vitro. These cells may contribute to a stable source of hepatocytes for clinical hepatocyte transplantation and artificial liver support system.</p>

A family with familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report a family of familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia(FDH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four members, including the female proband, mother, daughter and brother, went through the measurement of thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Electrophoretic analysis of the patient's serum proteins was carried out after the patient's serum being incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled thyroxine(T4), The point mutation of Alb gene was determined in all members.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The measurements of thyroid hormane and TSH showed that in three members (the proband, her mother and her daughter), the total thyroxine(TT4) serum level was high, the total triiodothyronine(TT3), FT4, FT3 and TSH serum levels were normal. And the enhanced albumin binding of fluorescenced T4 by electrophoresis showed a mutation transition 653 G-->A on DNA coding region of albumin. But in the proband's brother, the thyroid function and the results of electrophoresis of thyroxine-binding protein and determination of albumin gene were normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A family with FDH in China is firstly reported here, a mutation at albumin gene DNA coding region 653G-->A causing enhanced albumin binding of T4 results in high T4 level.</p>