Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognosis Analysis of the Patients with Plasmablastic Lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of the patients with plasmablastic lymphoma(PBL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical and pathological data of 21 patients with PBL diagnosed and treated in our center between January 2009 and September 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical and pathological features, treatment and therapentic outcome were summarized and the high risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 21 PBL patients included 12 males and 9 females, and their median age was 52 years old. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was negative in all patients. The primary involved sites of 16 patients were extranodal, and the patients staged in III-IV accounted for 81%; 18 patients receved first-line chemotherapy with standard CHOP(E) (cyclophosphamide +epirubicin +vincristine +prednisone±etoposide). After treatment, only 1 patient achieved complete response (CR), and 8 patients achieved partial response (PR). The median overall survival time was 6.3 months. Multivariate analysis showed the America Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) physical score and bone marrow infiltration were significant prognostic factors (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Plasmablastic lymphoma frequently occurrs in the middle-old aged persons with all HIV negative. Primary extranodal lesions are frequent. Most patients were in advanced stage with poor treatment response. ECOG score≥2 and bone marrow infiltration are independent prognostic factors related with worse prognosis.</p>

Valproic Acid Represses Autophagy and Enhances the Anti-myeloma Activity of DNA-damaging Drugs / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of valproic acid(VPA) on anti-myeloma activity of Doxorubicin(DOX) or Melphalan(MEL) and its related mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human multiple myeloma(MM) cells were treated with VPA of non-toxic dose in absence and presence of DOX or MEL at different concentrations (ie. IC10, IC20, IC40). The cell proliferation was detected by MTT method. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins (LC3, ATG5, ATG7) and acetylated histone H4K16ac.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cell proliferation inhibition markedly increased in VPA plus DOX or MEL as compared with DOX or MEL alone (P<0.05). Both LC3 and H4K16ac expression levels in co-treatment were between VPA and DOX or MEL treated alone. Importantly, VPA of non-toxic dose not only augmented the anti-myeloma activity of DOX or MEL, but also down-regulated the autophagy-related protein expression and increases H4K16ac protein levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>H4K16ac can inhibit the transcription of autophagy-related genes, The VPA enhance the anti-myeloma activity of DNA-damaging drugs, at least in part, via H4K16ac-mediated suppression of cytoprotective autophagy.</p>

Influence of CD117 Expression on Response of Multiple Myeloma Patients to Chemotherapy / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of CD117 expression on response of multiple myeloma patients to chemo-therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 65 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in our hospital from 2011 to 2013 were enrolled in this study. Cytogenetic abnormalities and immunophenotype were detected by using fluorescence in situ hybridization and flow cytometry before chemotherapy. The therapeutic efficacy of patients was evaluated after 4 cycles of PAD or TAD regimen.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rates of 1q21 amplification, RB1: 13q14 deletion, D13S319: 13q14.3 deletion, IgH: 14q32 rearrangement and p53: 17p13 deletion were 32.2%, 40%, 40%, 20% and 3.1% respectively; the positive rates of CD38, CD138, CD56, CD117, CD20 were respectively 100%, 100%, 60%, 20%, 10.8%; the positive rates of CD19 and CD10 were 4.6% and 4.6% respectively; the positive CD22, CD7, CD5, CD103 did not found in any patients. The therapeutic efficacy of CD117⁻ patients was better than that of CD117⁺ patients (P < 0.05), there was no correlation of the remaining indicators with efficacy; the proportion of CD117⁺ patients with β2-microglobulin ≥ 5.5 mg/L was significantly higher than that of CD117⁻ patients (P < 0.05); the rest of baseline data had no significant difference (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD117 can be used as an indicator for evaluating efficacy of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.</p>

Efficacy comparison between standard and reduced doses of bortezomib combined with adriamycin and dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy and safety of standard or reduced doses of bortezomib combined with adriamycin and dexamethasone (PAD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-two newly diagnosed or refractory/relapsed patients received bortezomib [either 1.2-1.3 mg/m(2) (standard dose) or 1.0-1.1 mg/m(2) (reduced dose) on day 1, 4, 8 and 11], and adriamycin (10 mg/m(2)) plus dexamethasone (40 mg/m(2)) on day 1-4 at 3-week intervals for 1 to 6 courses. The International Myeloma Working Group Criteria were used to evaluate the response. Adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (Version 3.0).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two courses of standard dose of PAD resulted in a similar response rate of partial and very good partial complete remissions (PR) compared with reduced dose (80.0% vs 80.8%, P=0.728). Grade III- Ⅳ neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were higher with standard dose than that with reduced doses of PAD (21.1% vs11.1%, P=0.270; 10.5% vs 6.3%, P=0.619, respectively). Grade III-Ⅳ bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy, herpes zoster, fatigue or abdominal distention were significantly higher with standard dose than that with reduced dose of PAD (15.8% vs 1.6%, P=0.037; 26.3% vs 6.3%, P=0.028; 36.8% vs 14.3%, P=0.046; 15.8% vs 1.6%, P=0.037, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Reduced dose of PAD appears to result in a similar overall response rate, but a better tolerance and safety compared with standard dose.</p>

Effects of triptolide on bortezomib-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of triptolide on bortezomib-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell line NCI-H929(H929). MTT assay was applied to detect the inhibitory effects of triptolide and bortezomib alone or combined at different concentrations on H929 cells, the cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The results showed that both triptolide (10 - 100 ng/ml) and bortezomib (10 - 100 nmol/L) alone or combination inhibited the proliferation of MM cell line H929 in a concentration-dependent manner. The apoptotic rate of H929 cells in group of triptolide combined with bortezomib was much higher than that in groups of single drug or control; moreover, the apoptotic rate of H929 cells treated by non-inhibitory concentration of triptolide (10 ng/ml) combined with bortezomib (40 nmol/L) for 24 h was significantly higher than that by bortezomib alone (P < 0.05). It is concluded that triptolide can significantly enhance the pro-apoptotic activity of bortezomib in MM cells.

Effects of xbp-1 gene silencing on bortezomib-induced apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of xbp-1 gene silencing on bortezomib-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell line NCI-H929 (H929). After xbp-1 gene expression was interfered by small hairpin RNA, the cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and the expression level of XBP-1 protein was detected by Western blot. The results showed that XBP-1 protein level of H929 cells was inhibited effectively by the PLL3.7 lentiviral vector mediated expression xbp-1 shRNA. The apoptosis rate was significantly higher in xbp-1 shRNA-expressing cells than in untreated control group [(10.13±0.61)% vs (2.5±0.2)%, p<0.05]. After treatment with bortezomib, the apoptosis rate of XBP-1 protein functionally deficient H929 cells was significantly higher than those in vector control group [(45.07±1)% vs (19.53±0.8)%, p<0.05]. It is concluded that xbp-1 gene silencing can significantly enhance the pro-apoptotic activity of bortezomib in multiple myeloma cells.

PI3-kinase mediates thrombin-induced platelet aggregation through mDia1 pathway / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of mDia1 (mammalian diaphanous 1)in platelet and the role of mDia1 or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in the process of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The extent of platelet aggregation was measured by a platelet aggregation system and the expression of mDia1 and its relation with F-actin in quiescent, spreading or aggregated platelets by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in mDia1 expression level between quiescent and activated platelets. mDia1 moved from a Triton-X100-soluble cytosolic fraction to insoluble cytoskeleton fraction after thrombin induced platelets aggregation. Anti-mDia1 antibody could inhibit this aggregation. PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin or Ly294002 inhibited the thrombin induced platelet aggregation and the above mentioned mDia1 translocation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PI3-kinase mediates the thrombin-induced platelet aggregation through mDia1 pathway.</p>

Bortezomib-induced BiP expression and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to explore the effect of bortezomib on the apoptosis and expression of the molecular chaperone BiP in human multiple myeloma cell line NCI-H929 (H929). After treatment of H929 cells with different concentrations of bortezomib for 24 hours, cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and the expression levels of BiP mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. The results showed that bortezomib of different concentrations (20, 40 and 80 nmol/L) induced apoptosis of H929 cells in dose-dependent manner, with apoptotic rates (15.73 +/- 0.67)%, (27.83 +/- 1.26)% and (44.17 +/- 2.25)% respectively, which were significantly higher than that in control (1.21 +/- 0.07%) (p < 0.05). Bortezomib-induced up-regulation of BiP mRNA levels was almost on a parallel with BiP protein when compared with control. Under the similar apoptosis-stimulating conditions with apoptotic rates varying from 40% to 50%, expression levels of BiP mRNA and BiP protein induced by the classical endoplasmic reticulum stressor Brefeldin A (500 ng/ml, 24 h) were almost consistent with those by bortezomib (80 nmol/L, 24 h). It is concluded that bortezomib-induced apoptosis in H929 cells correlates closely with endoplasmic reticulum stress.

PAD regimen for relapsed or refractory patients with multiple myeloma / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy and safety of PAD [bortezomib (PS-341), doxorubicin and dexamethasone] regimen for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventeen patients with relapsed or refractory MM received two to four 21-day cycles of PAD: an intravenous bolus of bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11; doxorubicin 10 mg per day on days 1 to 4, and dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1-4. Response was evaluated according to International Myeloma Working Group Criteria (IMWG 2006), toxicity was graded according to NCI CTCAE (common terminology criteria for adverse events) v 3.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 2-4 courses of PAD, 14 patients (82.4%) response, including complete response (CR) in 4 (23.5%), very good partial response (VGPR) in 4 (23.5%), partial response (PR) in 6 (35.3%) and stable disease (SD) in 3 (17.6%). Median time to progression was 9.5 months. The median course to response was 1.6 (1-3). All of 5 patients with extramedullary plasmacytoma achieved at least PR after the first cycle therapy; the plasmacytoma disappeared after 1-2 cycles of PAD. The efficacy was independent of other prognostic factors such as beta2-MG. Adverse events included thrombocytopenia in 9 patients (52.9%), leukopenia in 4 (23.5%), peripheral neuropathy in 4 (23.5%), varicella herpes zoster in 3 (17.6%), fatigue in 6 (35.3%) and diarrhea in 2 (11.7%). All of these adverse reactions could be controlled with routine supportive treatment, only one patient died from respiratory failure during his fifth PAD cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PAD regimen should be considered as an appropriate treatment for relapsed or refractory MM, especially for MM with extramedullary plasmacytoma. Its efficacy is independent of traditional prognostic factors. The side effects are usually manageable.</p>

PI3-kinase mediates activity of RhoA and interaction of RhoA with mDia1 in thrombin-induced platelet aggregation / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of RhoA/mDia1 pathway in the process of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and regulatory effect of PI3K inhibitor on this process. The human platelets were isolated from peripheral blood, the activation of RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 in the platelet aggregation was detected by GST pull-down assay and immune co-precipitation, the interaction of RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 with mDia1 and the formation of complex in the process of platelet aggregation were determined by immune coprecipitation, and the effect of PI3K inhibitor (wortmannin) on above-mentioned process was assayed. The results showed that thrombin elevated the activity of RhoA and the binding capability of RhoA with mDia1 during thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and spreading on Fg coated coverslips. Wortmannin inhibited the rising of RhoA activity and the binding level of RhoA with mDia1 induced by thrombin. Thrombin elevated the activity of Rac1 and Cdc42 during thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, but could not induce binding of Rac1 or Cdc42 with mDia1. Wortmannin could not inhibit the rising of Rac1 and Cdc42 activity induced by thrombin. It is concluded that the PI3-kinase regulates the thrombin-induced actin cytoskeleton reconstitution in platelets by RhoA-mDia1 pathway.

Construction of eukaryotic expression vector of short hairpin RNA targeting human xylosyltransferase-I gene / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To design and construct the plasmids expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting human xylosyltransferase- I (XT- I) which is the initiating enzyme in the biosynthesis of proteoglycans (PC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Short chain oligonucleotides were designed according to the sequence of XT-I provided by GenBank. The DNA segments were gained through annealing after chemosynthesis, and were cloned into Pgenesil-1 vector. The recombinant XT- I shRNA expression vectors were identified by digestion and sequencing analysis. At last the constructed XT-I expression vectors were transfected into salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line (ACC-M) by Lipofectomine 2000. The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was detected by inverted fluorescent microscope and the rates of transfection were detected by flow cytometer. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of mRNA level of XT- I in transfected ACC-M cells and the protein expression of XT- I was detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasmids expressing shRNA targeting XT-I gene are called WJ1, WJ2, WJ3, WJ4, WJ5 and WJ6. Successful constructions were identified by digestion and sequencing. The mean rate of transfection was 50.26%. ACC-M cells transfected with WJ1-WJ6 expressed GFP successfully. And by RT-PCR and Western blot, WJ3 showed the most powerful RNAi gene silencing of inhibitory. The inhibition rate was 72.39% of mRNA level and 70.18% of protein level respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The XT-I shRNA expression vectors were constructed successfully which lays the foundation for RNAi study on the biosynthesis of PG in salivary gland tumors.</p>

Effect of shRNA-mediated silence of H-ras gene on proliferation of human SACC-M cells / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effects of H-ras gene silence on cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma -M (SACC-M) cell lines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The plasmid H-ras-shRNA, containing the sequence of shRNA targeting H-ras, and HK-shRNA (without interfering effect) were constructed and transfected into SACC-M cells. The cell line with shRNA plasmid stable expression was isolated by G418. The expression levels of H-ras were detected by RT-PCR and protein immunofluorescent assay; cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The proliferation of cell was also determined by subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After transfection of H-ras-shRNA plasmid, the mRNA expression of H-ras in SACC-M cells was down-regulated by 61.80% and protein expression of H-ras was inhibited by 62.76%; the cell proliferation was inhibited obviously; the G0G1 phase cells were increased. The cell apoptosis rate of H-ras-shRNA group was significantly higher than that of HK-shRNA group (P <0.05). The volume of subcutaneous tumor in nude mice was significantly smaller in Hras-shRNA group than in control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The recombinant plasmid HRAS-shRNA could efficiently down-regulate the expression of H-ras gene and protein, induce apoptosis of SACC-M cells and simultaneously inhibit proliferation of these cells in vitro and in vivo.</p>

CMV pp65 gene modified dendritic cells activate autologous T cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a dangerous complication in patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD). CMV-specific immunity depends on the activity of T cells. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of CMV pp65 gene modified dendritic cells (DCs) on activation of autologous T cells. Lentivirus system was utilized to introduce the CMV full-length pp65 gene into mouse DCs; CpG-DNA was used to induce mature DCs; flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression of antigen and IFNgamma in T lymphocytes. The results showed that the DCs were infected with lentivirus at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 50 with optimal infectious efficiency of 30%-40%; mature DCs expressing pp65 gene could stimulate autologous naive T cells to express CD69 specifically; mature DCs expressing PP65 could stimulate autologous CD4+ or CD8+ T cells to produce IFNgamma. It is concluded that CMV pp65-modified and CpG-DNA-induced mature DCs can activate CMV-specific T lymphocytes in vitro.

Effect of curcumin on expression of survivin, Bcl-2 and Bax in human multiple myeloma cell line / 中国实验血液学杂志

To explore the mechanisms of suppression growth and induction apoptosis of curcumin on human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226, the suppressive effect of curcumin on RPMI8226 was examined by MTT assay; the induction apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of curcumin on RPMI8226 were determined by flow cytometry (FCM); the changes of survivin, Bcl-2, Bax mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that curcumin obviously suppressed the proliferation of RPMI8226 in both time- and dose-dependent manners, and the IC(50) were 12.15 micromol/L, 4.9 micromol/L for 24 and 48 hours respectively. FCM indicated that the apoptosis ratio rose from 10.6% of untreated cells up to 36.9% of treated cells (p < 0.05), and curcumin arrested cell cycle of RPMI8226 at G(2)/M phase. RT-PCR showed that RPMI8226 cells expressed survivin, Bcl-2 strongly and Bax slightly; while RPMI8226 cells were treated with curcumin 10 micromol/L for 24 hours, the expressions of survivin, Bcl-2 mRNA were apparently down-regulated, and the expression of Bax mRNA was markedly up-regulated. It is concluded that curcumin can suppress the proliferation of human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226, and induce their apoptosis. The mechanism of antitumous effect of curcumin may be related to down-regulation of survivin, Bcl-2 mRNA and up-regulation of Bax mRNA.

An experimental study on porcine fibroblasts transfected by dental matrix protein-1 gene / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of dental matrix protein-l (DMP1) in porcine oral mucosa fibroblasts (POMF) transfected by DMP1 and the influences of the transfection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The full length of porcine DMP1 cDNA was linked into an eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C1. POMF and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were transfected with the pEGFP-DMP1. The expression of DMP1, dental sialoprotein (DSP), amelin and ameloblastin (Ambn) gene of transfected POMF and MSC were detected by RT-PCR. The expression of DMP1 and DSP protein was examined by immunocytochemical staining. The formation ratio of mineralized nodules of transfected cells was compared with un-transfected ones after mineralized induction. The formation of mineralized nodules of three-dimensional pellet transfected cells was compared with un-transfected ones after hematoxylin and eosin staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The constructed pEGFP-DMP1 could produce 4.7 kb and 1.5 kb fragments. DMP1 gene, DSP gene and Ambn gene were expressed by POMF after transfection. Immunohistochemical staining and the quantitative analysis of protein showed that DMP1 and DSP protein was positive in transfected POMF and MSC. The formation ratio of mineralized nodules of transfected POMF and MSC was higher than that of un-transfected ones (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of porcine DMP1 in POME after gene transfection can induce the expression of tooth-development-associated gene Ambn and DSP and enhance the formation of mineralized nodules.</p>

The relationship between methylation of p16 INK 4/CDKN2 gene in promoter region and progress of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the correlation between methylation of p16 gene in promoter region and the carcinogenesis and progression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of buccal mucosa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Methylation of pl6 gene in SCC and leukoplakia of buccal mucosa was investigated by MSP and pl6 protein was analyzed by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The methylation of p16 gene was found in 15 of 30 cases SCC and 1 of 10 cases of leukoplakia of buccal mucosa (P < 0.05). Methylation of p16 gene in SCC of buccal mucosa was not related with age, sex, cell differentiation and clinical stage. But methylation of p16 in the cases with lymph node-metastasis was higher than that in the cases without lymph node-metastasis protein (P < 0.05). Meanwhile Methylation of p16 gene was positively correlated with no-expression of p16 protein (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The methylation of p16 gene leaded to the inactivation of p16 gene and was related with the carcinogenesis and progress of SCC of buccal mucosa.</p>

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor reverses adriamycin resistance mediated by cell adhesion in RPMI8226 cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

To study the effects of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor STI571 on the adhesion of RPMI8226 cells to fibronectin (FN), cell adhesion mediated adriamycin-resistance and the Rac1 mRNA expression, the adhesion of RPMI8226 cells to fibronectin and drug resistance mediated by cell adhesion were determined by means of crystal violet staining and MTT assays respectively, Rac1 mRNA levels in RPMI8226 cells were examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that STI571 could inhibit the adhesion of RPMI8226 cells to fibronectin. When RPMI8226 cells had been adhered to FN or BSA-coated wells for 1, 6 and 12 hours, the adhesion rates were (43.71 +/- 2.18)%, (55.63 +/- 1.56)%, and (63.42 +/- 2.46)% respectively. After treatment with STI571 20 micromol/L, the adhesion rates decreased to (15.12 +/- 1.04)%, (17.58 +/- 1.32)% and (17.24 +/- 1.59)% respectively (P < 0.05). The experiment revealed that growth of RPMI8226 cells adhered to FN-coated plates had a significant advantage over growth on BSA-coated plates when exposed to adriamycin (Adr) for 1 hour followed by a 24-hour culture period, and the mean IC(50) value for FN-adhered cells was (1.46 +/- 0.04) micromol/L while mean IC(50) value for BSA control was (0.78 +/- 0.03) micromol/L (P < 0.05). Following treatment with 20 micromol/L STI571, the mean IC50 values for FN and BSA adhered cells were (0.81 +/- 0.05) micromol/L, (0.74 +/- 0.02) micromol/L respectively, there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). RT-PCR demonstrated that the relative Rac1 mRNA level (Rac1/GAPDH) in RPMI8226 cells was downregulated following being treated with 20 micromol/L STI571. It is concluded that STI571 can inhibit the adhesion of RPMI8226 cells to fibronectin, reverse cell adhesion mediated adriamycin-resistance, and downregulate Rac1 mRNA level.

Studies on the genetic pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis caused by CTLA-4 gene polymorphism / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the genetic pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) caused by cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms and regulation function of transcription factor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ELISA assay was used to determine the expression level of serum sCTLA-4 in MG. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CTLA-4 at exon 1 +49, promoter -318, -1661, -1772 were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Transcription factor nuclear factor 1(NF-1) and c/EBPbeta binding site were confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation(CHIP) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that the frequencies of the GG+49 genotype and G+49 allele are higher in MG patients with thymoma than those in patients of thymic hyperplasia and normal thymus subgroups. T/C-318 is not correlated with MG. The frequency of CT-1772 genotype is significantly higher in MG patients, especially in MG patients with thymoma, when compared with that in healthy controls. Meanwhile, the frequency of the G-1661 allele and GG-1661 genotype is lower in MG patients. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between each SNPs in promoter -1772, -1661, -318 and coding sequence 1 (CDS 1) +49 is apparent. sCTLA-4 levels in patients' sera are correlated with the haplotype and genotype. T/C-1772 and A/G-1661 SNPs change the sequence of transcription factor NF-1 and c/EBPbeta binding sites. DNA variants lose site-specific binding activity of transcription factor regulated by lectin ConA and PHA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are strong positive linkages among four SNPs. C/T-1772 and A/G-1661 polymorphisms can result in inefficient transcription of CTLA-4 gene. T>C-1772 mutation also affects gene splicing. These SNPs may constitute a factor of susceptibility to disease.</p>

The study of apoptosis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma in nude mice / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feature of apoptosis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) induced by recombined human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) in nude mice, and to evaluate the related genes expression of apoptosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve SPF grade 4 approximately 5 weeks old female Balb/c nude mice were selected in this study. SACC-83 cells were collected to 6 x 10(7) per milliliter and injected subcutaneously. Group A and B were experimental group which was given 100 x 10(4) IU/kg TNF-alpha or 10 x 10(4) IU/kg TNF-alpha respectively. Group C was only given normal saline and used as normal control. The investigations were adopted by using both light and transmission electron microscope (LM and TEM), flow cytometer and In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit. The evaluations of bax and bcl-2 expression were utilized by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentage of apoptosis of transplanted tumors was much higher than that of the control (P<0.01). Apoptotic cells were calcified and grit bodies were formed. Apoptotic cells expressed and contained significantly higher proportions of both bax and bcl-2 proteins (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is suggested that calcification may be the obvious feature and the last outcome of the apoptosis of SACC transplanted tumors. Apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha can increase the expressions of bax and bcl-2.</p>