Characterization of common chromosomal translocations and their frequencies in acute myeloid leukemia patients of northwest Iran

Objective: Detection of chromosomal translocations has an important role in diagnosis and treatment of hematological disorders. We aimed to evaluate the 46 new cases of de novo acute myeloid leukemia [AML] patients for common translocations and to assess the effect of geographic and ethnic differences on their frequencies

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] was used on 46 fresh bone marrow or peripheral blood samples to detect translocations t [8; 21], t [15; 17], t [9; 11] and inv [16]. Patients were classified using the French-American-British [FAB] criteria in to eight sub-groups [M0-M7]. Immunophenotyping and biochemical test results of patients were compared with RT-PCR results

Results: Our patients were relatively young with a mean age of 44 years. AML was relatively predominant in female patients [54.3%] and most of patients belonged to AML-M2. Translocation t [8; 21] had the highest frequency [13%] and t [15; 17] with 2.7% incidence was the second most frequent. CD19 as an immunophenotypic marker was at a relatively high frequency [50%] in cases with t [8; 21] and patients with this translocation had a specific immunophenotypic pattern of complete expression of CD45, CD38, CD34, CD33 and HLA-DR

Conclusion: Similarities and differences of results in Iran with different parts of the world can be explained with ethnic and geographic factors in characterizations of AML. Recognition of these factors especially in other comprehensive studies may aid better diagnosis and management of this disease

Effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-labeling on mouse embryonic stem cells

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles [SPIONs] have been used to label mammalian cells and to monitor their fate in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. However, the effectiveness of phenotype of labeled cells by SPIONs is still a matter of question. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency and biological effects of labeled mouse embryonic stem cells [mESCs] using ferumoxide- protamine sulfate complex. In an experimental study, undifferentiated mESCs, C571 line, a generous gift of Stem Cell Technology Company, were cultured on gelatin-coated flasks. The proliferation and viability of SPION-labeled cells were compared with control. ESCs and embryoid bodies [EBs] derived from differentiated hematopoietic stem cells [HSCs] were analyzed for stage-specific cell surface markers using fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS]. Our observations showed that SPIONs have no effect on the self-renewal ability of mESCs. Reverse microscopic observations and prussian blue staining revealed 100% of cells were labeled with iron particles. SPION-labeled mESCs did not significantly alter cell viability and proliferation activity. Furthermore, labeling did not alter expression of representative surface phenotypic markers such as stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 [SSEA1] and cluster of differentiation 117 [CD117] on undifferentiated ESC and CD34, CD38 on HSCs, as measured by flowcytometry. According to the results of the present study, SPIONs-labeling method as MRI agents in mESCs has no negative effects on growth, morphology, viability, proliferation and differentiation that can be monitored in vivo, noninvasively. Non-invasive cell tracking methods are considered as new perspectives in cell therapy for clinical use and as an easy method for evaluating the placement of stem cells after transplantation