A retrospective comparative study of haplotype hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of acute B-lymphocyte leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate whether haplotype hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is effective in the treatment of pre transplant minimal residual disease (Pre-MRD) positive acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) compared with HLA- matched sibling donor transplantation (MSDT) . Methods: A total of 998 patients with B-ALL in complete remission pre-HSCT who either received haplo-HSCT (n=788) or underwent MSDT (n=210) were retrospectively analyzed. The pre-transplantation leukemia burden was evaluated according to Pre-MRD determinedusing multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) . Results: Of these patients, 997 (99.9% ) achieved sustained, full donor chimerism. The 100-day cumulative incidences of neutrophil engraftment, platelet engraftment, and grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were 99.9% (997/998) , 95.3% (951/998) , and 26.6% (95% CI 23.8% -29.4% ) , respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of total chronic GVHD was 49.1% (95% CI 45.7% -52.4% ) . The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) of the 998 cases were 17.3% (95% CI 15.0% -19.7% ) and 13.8% (95% CI 11.6% -16.0% ) , respectively. The 3-year probabilities of leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) were 69.1% (95% CI 66.1% -72.1% ) and 73.0% (95% CI 70.2% -75.8% ) , respectively. In the total patient group, cases with positive Pre-MRD (n=282) experienced significantly higher CIR than that of subjects with negative Pre-MRD [n=716, 31.6% (95% CI 25.8% -37.5% ) vs 14.3% (95% CI 11.4% -17.2% ) , P<0.001]. For patients in the positive Pre-MRD subgroup, cases treated with haplo-HSCT (n=219) had a lower 3-year CIR than that of cases who underwent MSDT [n=63, 27.2% (95% CI 21.0% -33.4% ) vs 47.0% (95% CI 33.8% -60.2% ) , P=0.002]. The total 998 cases were classified as five subgroups, including cases with negative Pre-MRD group (n=716) , cases with Pre-MRD<0.01% group (n=46) , cases with Pre-MRD 0.01% -<0.1% group (n=117) , cases with Pre-MRD 0.1% -<1% group (n=87) , and cases with Pre-MRD≥1% group (n=32) . For subjects in the Pre-MRD<0.01% group, haplo-HSCT (n=40) had a lower CIR than that of MSDT [n=6, 10.0% (95% CI 0.4% -19.6% ) vs 32.3% (95% CI 0% -69.9% ) , P=0.017]. For patients in the Pre-MRD 0.01% -<0.1% group, haplo-HSCT (n=81) also had a lower 3-year CIR than that of MSDT [n=36, 20.4% (95% CI 10.4% -30.4% ) vs 47.0% (95% CI 29.2% -64.8% ) , P=0.004]. In the other three subgroups, the 3-year CIR was comparable between patients who underwent haplo-HSCT and those received MSDT. A subgroup analysis of patients with Pre-MRD<0.1% (n=163) was performed, the results showed that cases received haplo-HSCT (n=121) experienced lower 3-year CIR [16.0% (95% CI 9.4% -22.7% ) vs 40.5% (95% CI 25.2% -55.8% ) , P<0.001], better 3-year LFS [78.2% (95% CI 70.6% -85.8% ) vs 47.6% (95% CI 32.2% -63.0% ) , P<0.001] and OS [80.5% (95% CI 73.1% -87.9% ) vs 54.6% (95% CI 39.2% -70.0% ) , P<0.001] than those of MSDT (n=42) , but comparable in 3-year NRM [5.8% (95% CI 1.6% -10.0% ) vs 11.9% (95% CI 2.0% -21.8% ) , P=0.188]. Multivariate analysis showed that haplo-HSCT was associated with lower CIR (HR=0.248, 95% CI 0.131-0.472, P<0.001) , and superior LFS (HR=0.275, 95% CI 0.157-0.483, P<0.001) and OS (HR=0.286, 95% CI 0.159-0.513, P<0.001) . Conclusion: Haplo HSCT has a survival advantage over MSDT in the treatment of B-ALL patients with pre MRD<0.1% .

The Predict Significance of ALDH Activity to the Relapse of t(8;21) Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients at Complete Remission / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the predict significance of the high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH@*METHODS@#Bone marrow samples of 23 t(8;21) AML patients diagnosis and achieved complete remission in our hospital from April 2015 to June 2016 were collected, then flow cytometry method was used to detect the activity of ALDH, relationship between it and relapse was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#All the patients were followed up for a median of 32 (2-52) months. The median percentage of CD34@*CONCLUSION@#The percentage of CD34

Application of Two-parameter Scoring System Based on CD105 and CD117 in MDS Diagnosis / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the value of flow cytometric scoring system in the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).@*METHODS@#The phenotypes of erythroid and immature cells were analyzed retrospectively in 130 MDS patients, 19 healthy controls and 89 pathological controls, all of them were well clinically immunophenotyped. The 4-parameter scoring system reported in the literature was studied, including myeloblast-related cluster size, B-progenitor-related cluster size, lymphocyte to myeloblast CD45 ratio, and granulocyte to lymphocyte side scatter ratio. The two flow cytomatric parameters of the erythroid scoring system were analyzed, including CD36 coefficient of variation (CV) and CD71CV. According to our previous study, the percentage of CD117CD105 myeloid progenitor cells and the proportion of CD105 cells in CD117 cells were selected to establish a two-parameter scoring system, and compared with the four-parameter scoring system and the erythroid scoring system.@*RESULTS@#The sensitivity of the four-parameter scoring system and the erythroid scoring system for the diagnosis of low-risk MDS was 43.5% and 63.0%, and the specificity was 87.0% and 63.9%, respectively. After combining the two scoring systems, the sensitivity to diagnose low-risk MDS was 73.9% and the specificity was 62.0%. The sensitivity of the two-parameter scoring system for the diagnosis of low-risk MDS was 76.1% with a specificity of 81.5%. Combined with the four-parameter scoring system, the sensitivity was increased to 78.3%, but the specificity was reduced to 71.3%. After combining with the erythroid scoring system, the sensitivity reached 87.0%, but the specificity was reduced to 54.6%.@*CONCLUSION@#Using the two-parameter scoring system alone can achieve great sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of low risk MDS.

Minimal residual disease in adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in high-risk / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in predicting prognosis and guiding therapy of adults with Philadelphia-chromosome negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(-) ALL) in high-risk. Methods: Data of newly diagnosed adults with Ph(-) ALL in high-risk who achieved CR were reviewed. Variables associated with outcome were identified by COX regression model and Landmark analysis. Results: A total of 177 patients, 99 (56%) cases male with a median age of 40 years (range, 16-65 years) were included in this study. Of them, 95 (54%) patients received allo-HSCT in CR(1). Multivariate analyses showed that MRD negativity after the first cycle of consolidation (HR=0.52, 95%CI 0.30-0.89, P=0.017) and achieving CR within 4 weeks (HR=0.43, 95%CI 0.24-0.79, P=0.006) were the factors significantly-associated with longer DFS, and allo-HSCT was associated with both longer DFS (HR=0.13, 95%CI 0.08-0.22, P<0.001) and OS (HR=0.24, 95%CI 0.15-0.41, P<0.001) . Landmark analysis was performed on 121 patients, of 85 patients achieving MRD negativity after the first cycle of consolidation, multivariate analyses showed that MRD negativity after the third cycle of consolidation was significantly-associated with longer DFS (HR=0.18, 95%CI 0.05-0.64, P=0.008) and OS (HR=0.14, 95%CI 0.04-0.50, P=0.003) . For the patients achieving MRD negativity after both the first and the third cycles of consolidation, the 3-year DFS rate in the allo-HSCT cohort had a higher trend compared with that in the chemotherapy cohort (75.2% vs 51.3%, P=0.082) , however, the 3-year OS rates in the 2 cohorts were similar (72.7% vs 68.7%, P=0.992) . In those with MRD positivity after the first and/or the third cycle of consolidation, 3-year DFS (64.8% vs 33.3%, P=0.006) and OS (77.0% vs 33.3%, P=0.028) rates in the allo-HSCT cohort were significantly higher than those in the chemotherapy cohort, and similar to those in the cohort achieving MRD negativity after both the first and the third cycles of consolidation and receiving allo-HSCT. Conclusions: MRD negativity after the first cycle of consolidation was a predictor for better outcome in adults with Ph(-) ALL in high-risk. The survival advantage of the allo-HSCT cohort was not pronounced compared with that in the chemotherapy cohort even in those with high-risk features but achieving MDR negativity after both the first and third cycles of consolidation. However, allo-HSCT could be a good option for the patients with MRD positivity after the first and/or the third cycle of consolidation.

Characteristic and prognostic significance of leukemia stem cells associated antigens expressions in t (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the characteristic and prognostic significance of leukemia stem cells associated antigens expressions including CD34, CD38, CD123, CD96 and TIM-3 in t (8;21) AML. Methods: Bone marrow samples of 47 t (8;21) AML patients were collected at diagnosis from October 2015 to April 2018 in Peking University Peoples' Hospital, then flow cytometry method was performed to detect the expression frequencies of CD34, CD38, CD123, CD96 and TIM-3 to analyze the relationship between leukemia stem cells associated antigens expressions and relapse. Results: Of 47 t (8;21) AML patients tested, the median percentages of CD34(+)CD38(-), CD34(+) CD38(-)CD123(+), CD34(+)CD38(-) CD96(+) and CD34(+) CD38(-) TIM-3(+) cells among nucleated cells were 2.37%, 0.24%, 0.27% and 0.06%, respectively. All the frequencies of CD34(+)CD38(-), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) and CD34(+) CD38(-)TIM-3(+) cells had no impact on the achievement of CR after the first course of induction. All higher frequencies of CD34(+)CD38(-), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) cells were related to higher 2-year CIR rate. Whereas, the frequency of CD34(+) CD38(-) TIM-3(+) cells had no impact on CIR rate. Both high frequency of CD34(+) CD38(-) cells and the high level of minimal residual diseases (patients with <3-log reduction in the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript level after the second consolidation therapy) were independent poor prognostic factors of CIR[P=0.025, HR=6.9 (95%CI 1.3-37.4) ; P=0.031, HR=11.1 (95%CI 1.2-99.2) ]. Conclusion: Different leukemia stem cells associated antigens had distinct prognostic significance in t (8;21) AML. High frequencies of CD34(+) CD38(-), CD34(+) CD38(-) CD123(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) cells at diagnosis predicted relapse in patients with t (8;21) AML.

The comparison of predicting clinical outcomes between immunolophenotype and hematological complete remission before human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To assess the prognostic significance of immunophenotype complete remission (ICR) and hematological complete remission (HCR) before human-leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor transplantation (MSDT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Methods: A cohort of 182 AML (non-APL) patients undergoing MSDT in HCR was retrospectively studied [including complete remission with ANC and PLT recovery (CR), CR with incomplete PLT recovery (CRp), CR with inconplete ANC and PLT recovery (CRi)]; ICR was determined as undetective minimal resudial disease (MRD) by multi-parameter flow cytometer. Results: ①Of the 182 patients, 97 were male, 85 female, and the median age was 41(4-62) years. ②The CR and CRi+CRp rates were 80.8% (147/182) and 19.2%(35/182), respectively; The 4-year cumulative incidence of relapse[CIR, (11.0±4.3)% vs (16.0±7.1)%, χ(2)=0.274, P=0.600], non-relapse mortality[NRM, (14.0±4.3)% vs (9.0±6.3)%, χ(2)=0.913, P=0.339], leukemia-free survival[LFS, (75.0±5.1)% vs (75.0±8.3)%, χ(2)=0.256, P=0.613], and overall survial [OS, (77.0±5.2)% vs (80.0±8.1)%, χ(2)=0.140, P=0.708] were comparable between the CRp+CRi and CR groups. ③Compared with the non-ICR group (n=35), the ICR group (n=147) showed lower 4-year CIR [(11.3±3.4) % vs (55.2±8.8) %, χ(2)=32.687, P<0.001], better 4-year LFS [(76.2±4.7)% vs (32.8±8.7)%, χ(2)=26.234, P<0.001] and OS[(79.0±4.7)% vs (39.0±9.1)%, χ(2)=25.253, P<0.001], and comparable NRM[(12.5±4.1)% vs (12.0±7.1)%, χ(2)=1.002, P=0.656]. ④Mulitvariate analysis confirmed the independent prognostic value of ICR in lower CIR [HR=11.026(95%CI 4.685-25.949), P<0.001], higher LFS [HR=5.785 (95% CI 2.974-11.254), P<0.001] and OS[HR=5.578 (95% CI 2.575-27.565), P<0.001]. Conclusion: The results indicated that ICR instead of HCR pre-transplantation had a significant prognostic value in AML patients undergoing MSDT.

In Vitro Identification and Characteristics of CD34Leukemia Stem Cell in t(8;21) Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To preliminarily identify the existence of CD34leukemia stem cell (LSC) in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by in vitro test.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bone marrow samples collected from newly diagnosed t(8;21) AML patients were tested. LinCD34CD38(abbreviation, CD34CD38), LinCD34CD38(abbreviation, CD34CD38) and LinCD34CD38CD45SSC(abbreviation, CD34"LSC") cell fractions were gated by flow cytometry after staining with fluorescent antibodies. Cells in Gphase were identified through Hoechst 33342 and pyronin Y staining. Aldefluor reagent was used to test aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. The above-mentioned 3 cell fractions were sorted, and mRNA levels of AML1-ETO and WT1 were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 3 tested samples displayed the same tendency in ratio of the cells in Gphase: CD34"LSC">CD34CD38>CD34CD38. The paired t-test of 53 patients showed that frequency of ALDHcells of both CD34CD38and CD34"LSC" cell fractions was significantly higher than that of CD34CD38(P<0.01), furthermore, the ALDHcell frequency was significantly higher in CD34"LSC" than that in CD34CD38(P<0.01). AML1-ETO mRNA levels of cells sorted from 3 patients were similar among the 3 cell fractions within each patient, whereas WT1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in CD34"LSC" than that in other 2 cell fractions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD34LSC may exist in t(8;21) AML, and may be more primitive than CD34LSC. These results promote the necessity to perform in vivo xenogeneic transplantation mice.</p>

Establishment of mouse model with humanized Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

The purpose of this study was to establish a novel xenotransplant mouse model with human Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+)ALL). The bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were separated from newly diagnosed Ph(+)ALL patients, and injected into 2.1 Gy of (60)Co irradiated and anti-CD122-conditioned NOD/SCID mice through intra femoral injection. Human hematopoietic chimerism in bone marrow and spleen of the recipients was detected by flow cytometry. Morphological analysis of murine marrow cells were performed using May-Giemsa staining. BCR/ABL1 level was detected by RQ-PCR and FISH assays. Furthermore, leukemia infiltration in the organs was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining with anti-human CD19 and anti-human CD34 antibodies. The results indicated that the unsorted BMMNC from Ph(+)ALL patients were able to repopulate human Ph(+)ALL in vivo. The percentages of human CD45(+)CD19(+) cells in bone marrow, and spleen of the recipient mice were 87.2% ± 10.1% and 79.9% ± 9.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the engrafted cells possessed same morphology, phenotypic and cytogenetic characteristics as cells from the original Ph(+)ALL patients. Compatible with the clinical features, transplanted Ph(+)ALL cells infiltrated into the brain, liver, and kidney of the recipients. It is concluded that the human-mouse xenotransplant established model using intra femoral injection of an anti-CD122-conditioned NOD/SCID repopulation may provide a promising system to study the biology of human Ph(+)ALL in vivo.

Effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 in the lungs of asthmatic mice / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) on the airway remodeling and expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the lungs among asthmatic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty female mice (BALB/c strain) were randomly divided into control, asthma and 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) intervention groups. An asthmatic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection and aerosol inhalation of ovalbumin. The intervention group was given 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) by intraperitoneal injection 0.5 hour before each aerosol inhalation, while the control group used normal saline instead. The hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the mouse airway structural changes. The mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 was measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The asthma group had a significantly increased airway wall thickness compared with the control group (P<0.05); the intervention group had a significantly lower increase in airway wall thickness than the asthma group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 was significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the asthma group, but still higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). A positive correlation was found between the protein expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 (P<0.01), and so was their mRNA expression (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HMGB1 and TLR4 may be involved in asthmatic airway remodeling. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) can reduce the airway remodeling in asthmatic mice, which may be related to the downregulation of HMGB1 and TLR4 expression in the lungs of asthmatic mice.</p>

The immunophenotypic and clinical characteristics of NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia patients / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the immunophenotypic and clinical characteristics between NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (NPM1m(+)AML) and unmutated AML(NPM1m(-)AML) not otherwise characterized (NOS) under similar FAB subtypes constituent ratio.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunophenotyping and NPM1 gene mutation type-A, B and D and other leukemic related fusion genes were detected by multiparameter flow cytometry and real time RT-PCR or PCR, respectively. 104 AML patients with NPM1m(+)AML and performed immunophenotyping assay were included, 97 with NPM1m(-)AML.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant difference between the two groups at presentation in terms of sex, white blood count(WBC), platelet counts (PLT), blast ratio, normal karyotype ratio, WT1 expression level, FLT3-ITD mutation positive rate and remission rate of first course of induction therapy (P < 0.05). On the immunophenotype, the expression of early differentiation antigens (CD34, HLA-DR, CD117, CD38), lymphocytic antigens (CD7, CD4, CD19, CD2), myeloid and monocytic differentiation-associated antigens (CD13, CD14, CD15) were lower, and that of CD33 as well as CD123 were higher in NPM1m(+)AML patients. Among them, only CD34, HLA-DR, CD7, and CD4 positive cases were significantly lower in NPM1m(+)AML group than in NPM1m(-)AML group (P < 0.05), the rest of them had significant difference in the number of positive cells (P < 0.05). Above features were further analyzed between the M1/M2 and M4/M5 subgroups. M1/M2 cases retained the women prominent and had a higher WT1 expression level (P < 0.05). The expression of monocytic differentiation-associated antigens including HLA-DR and lymphocytic antigens were higher and that of CD117 were lower in M4/M5 subtype (P < 0.05). Among them, the positive rates of HLA-DR, CD64, CD11b, CD10, CD15, and CD4 were significantly higher in M4/M5 than in M1/M2 in NPM1m(+)AML group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The most clinical characteristics in NPM1m(+)AML patients are consistent with reports, but some immunophenotype are different to the previous reports under similar FAB subtypes constituent ratio. The major immunophenotypic features of NPM1m(+)AML patients are lower expression of progenitor, myeloid and lymphoid lineage antigens. Monocytic differentiation-associated antigens are only higher expression in M4/M5 cases when comparison with M1/M2 cases within NPM1m(+)AML group.</p>

Immunophenotypic and clinical characteristic analysis of NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia with a normal karyotype / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to compare the immunophenotypic and clinical characteristics of NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia with a normal karyotype under the similar constituent ratio of FAB subtypes. Immunophenotyping and NPM1 gene mutation type-A,B and D and other leukemic related fusion genes were detected by multiparameter flow cytometry and real time RT-PCR or PCR, respectively. 77 AML patients with a normal karyotype (NK) and mutated NPM1 gene (NPM1m(+)AML) detected by immunophenotyping assay were included in this study. 55 cases without NPM1 mutation (NPM1m(-)AML) and with normal karyotype were served as negative control. The results showed that there was significant difference between NPM1m(+)AML and NPM1m(-)AML in terms of sex, white blood count, platelet counts, blast, WT1 expression level, FLT3-ITD mutation positive rate and response to treatment. The characteristic immunophenotype is lower expression of early differentiation-associated antigens (CD34, HLA-DR, CD117, CD38), lymphocytic antigens (CD7, CD4, CD19, CD2) and higher expression of CD33 and CD123 (P < 0.05). When above features was further analyzed between the M1/2 and M4/5 subgroups in NPM1m(+)AML patients, the M1/2 cases retained a higher frequency in women and a higher WT1 expression level (P < 0.05) . Monocytic differentiation-associated antigens including HLA-DR and lymphocytic antigens CD7 were higher expressed and CD117 was lower expressed in M4/5 subgroup (P < 0.05). It is concluded that under condition of similar constituent ratio of M1/2 and M4/5 subtype and normal karyotype, NPM1m(+)AML patients have higher WT1 expression level and better response to treatment. The major immunophenotype features of NPM1m(+)AML patients are lower expression of early differentiation antigens and lymphoid lineage antigens and higher expression of CD33 and CD123. Monocytic differentiation-associated antigens only higher are expressed in M4/5 cases when compared with M1/2 cases within NPM1m(+) AML patients.

Immunophenotypic characteristics of peripheral blood cells in normal elderly men / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to distinguish abnormal cells and to diagnose hematologic diseases through recognizing antigen expression pattern and percentage of peripheral blood cells in normal elderly men. Antigen expression of blast cells, granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, nucleated red blood cells and plasma cells was detected by seven-color flow cytometry in a total of 88 peripheral blood samples from normal elderly men, aged median 82 years old, from 70 to 98 years. Groups were divided according to age, region and underlying diseases, and the percentages of different subgroup cells were examined to confirm whether the differences were significant or not. The results showed that the median proportion of CD34(+) blast cells in peripheral blood from normal elderly men were 0.017% (0.015%-0.020%), with high expression of HLA-DR, CD33, CD13 and CD117, low expression of myeloid antigens, such as CD15, CD11b and CD16, while lymphoid antigens were seldom positive, including CD7, CD19 and CD56. Dim-expression of CD38 was found in peripheral blood blast cells, CD38(dim)+/- cell percentage in blast cells was 61.36% ± 18.26%. In the differentiation and development of granulocytes, CD16(-), CD13(+) CD16(+) (intermediate) and CD16(+) (strong) CD13(+) cells appeared in sequence from immature to mature granulocytes, whose median proportions in nuclear cells were 0.04%, 0.30% and 61.30%, respectively. The percentages of immature monocytes, such as CD64(+) CD14(-) and HLA-DR(+) CD11b(-) cells, were from 0.00% to 0.10% and from 0.07% to 0.68%, separately. No significant differences were found between different subgroups (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the immunophenotypic characteristics and referential percentages of CD34(+) blast cells, granulocytes and monocytes with different development stages in peripheral blood from normal elderly men are recognized, which can help to discriminate abnormal cells.

Effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on expression of TIM-4 in the lungs of asthmatic mice / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a mouse model of asthmatic airway remodeling and investigate the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on airway structure and T cell immunoglobulin mucin protein-4 (TIM-4) expression in asthmatic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty female mice (BALB/c strain) were randomly divided into control, asthma and 1,25-(OH)2D3 intervention groups. An asthmatic mouse model was induced using ovalbumin. Lung tissue of the mice was collected, mRNA expression of TIM-4 was evaluated by RT-PCR and airway remodeling and protein expression of TIM-4 were observed by hematoxylineosin staining and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Typical airway remodeling was found in the asthma group, and TIM-4 expression in this group was significantly higher than in the control group (105±9 vs 42±5; P<0.05). Compared with the asthma group, the 1,25-(OH)2D3 intervention group showed improvement in airway remodeling and a decrease in TIM-4 expression (78±6) (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TIM-4 may be involved in the airway remodeling of mice. As a new type of immunoregulator, 1,25-(OH)2D3 can downregulate expression of TIM-4 in the lungs and improve airway remodeling in asthmatic mice.</p>

Reconstitution kinetics of T helper cells subsets post unmanipulated allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences of the T helper cell reconstitution kinetics between HLA matched or HLA mismatched allo-HSCT through exploring the reconstitution kinetics of CD4+ CD25+Foxp3+ cells (CD4+ Treg), CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ cells (CD8+Treg), CD4+CD25-CD127+ conventional T cells (Tcon) and the secretion of IL-17a and IFN-γ in CD4+ T cells (Th17 and Th1 cells) or CD8+ T cells (Tc17 and Tc17 cells) post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (allo-HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 2011 to October 2012, the peripheral blood (PB) of 20 patients undergoing HLA matched (10 patients) or mismatched (10 patients) allo- HSCT without acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and of 10 related healthy donors were collected to analyze the expression of CD25+Foxp3+, IL-17a, IFN-γ and CD127 expression through 8-colour Flow cytometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The reconstitution kinetics of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells absolute numbers were comparable within 2 month post HLA matched and mismatched transplantation. (2)The absolute numbers of CD4+ Treg cells[+30 d, 8.46 (0.36-27.41) cells/μl 1.10 (0.04-8.03) cells/μl, P<0.05; +60 d, 8.50 (1.16-36.20) cells/μl vs 2.73 (0.34-6.84) cells/μl, P<0.05], Tcon cells[+30 d, 72.69 (3.85-211.73) cells/μl vs 13.41 (0.48-96.17) cells/μl, P<0.05; +60 d, 100.85 (16.28-267.20) cells/μl vs 47.75 (6.34-143.04) cells/μl, P<0.05], as well as Th17 cells[+30 d, 2.34 (0.02-6.87) cells/μl vs 0.20 (0.02-1.34) cells/μl, P<0.05; + 60 d, 1.90 (0.36- 7.82) cells/μl vs 0.46 (0.03-1.39) cells/μl, P<0.05]and Tc17 cells[+ 30 d, 1.08 (0.07-15.03) cells/μl vs 0.25 (0.01- 0.81) cells/μl, P<0.05;+60 d, 1.85 (0.63-26.57) cells/μl vs 0.46 (0.01-3.66) cells/μl, P<0.05]within 2 month post HLA matched HSCT were significantly higher than those post HLA- mismatched HSCT. However, the absolute numbers of Th1 cells or Tc1 cells within 2 month post HLA-matched or HLA-mismatched HSCT were comparable. (3) The ratio of Th1 and Th17 cells, or the ratio of Tc1 and Tc17 cells were significantly higher within 2 month post HLA-mismatched allo-HSCT compared to those post HLA-matched HSCT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The reconstitution kinetics of T helper cells subset were different at early stage post HLA-matched or HLA-mismatched allo-HSCT, which might be help to explain the different rate or the different involved organ of the acute graft-versus-host diseases (aGVHD) post HLA-matched or -mismatched allo-HSCT.</p>

Characteristics of two cases of Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia with concurrent t(8;14) and t(14;18) / 中国实验血液学杂志

This article aimed to report two cases of Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia with concurrent t(8;14) and t(14;18). Morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetics and molecular biology (MICM) methods were applied to diagnosis. The results showed that the two cases were both acute lymphocytic leukemia L3 type according to FAB criteria. Conventional cytogenetic technique or interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated that t(8;14) and t(14;18) were detected concurrently in both patients. CD20, CD10, FMC7, CD38 and CD19 were expressed in both patients by immunophenotyping. According to MICM, they were both diagnosed as Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia. The first patient died in one month after chemotherapy, and the second patient survived 19 months after rituximab- combined high-dose chemotherapy and subsequently allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In conclusion, t(8;14) and t(14;18) may present simultaneously in Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia and indicate poor prognosis. Rituximab-combined chemotherapy and subsequently HSCT could improve the outcomes of such cases.

Clinical significance of CD34(+)CD38(+) and CD34(+)CD38(low/-) subgroups in bone marrow of patients with B lymphoblastic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purpose to investigate the biological characteristics of B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) between CD34 positive CD38 positive (CD34(+)CD38(+)) and CD34(+)CD38(low/-) subgroups and their clinical significance. Immunophenotyping of B cells in bone marrow of 54 patients with newly diagnosed CD34(+)B-ALL were analyzed by 4 color multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM). According to the different expression of CD38, the newly diagnosed patients with B-ALL were divided into two groups: CD34(+)CD38(+) subgroup and CD34(+)CD38(low/-) subgroup. BCR-ABL, TEL-AML1 fusion genes and WT1 gene were detected by real time RT-PCR simultaneously. After chemotherapy, minimal residual disease (MRD) was monitored by one tube of 7 color FCM. The average follow-up time was 12 months (range 1 - 28), the average follow-up interval was 2 months (range 1 - 5). The results showed that there was no significant differences such as WBC, Plt count and Hb level between the two groups at diagnosis, the positive rate of BCR-ABL, TEL-AML1 and WT1 gene was also no significantly different. After clinical complete remission (CR), MRD positive (MDR(+)) case rates were 28.57% (10/35) in CD34(+)CD38(+) subgroup and 68.42% (13/19) in CD34(+)CD38(low/-) subgroup (P < 0.01). The relapse rate between the two groups was 5.71% (2/35) in CD34(+)CD38(+) subgroup (relapse time at 94 and 245 d respectively) and 36.84% (7/19) in CD34(+)CD38(low/-) group [median relapse time was 263 d (range 46 - 468), P < 0.01]. The age distribution was analyzed in these two subgroups (> 16 or ≤ 16 years old), there was 8 (8/35) adult patients (> 16 years old) in CD34(+)CD38(+)group and 10 (10/19) adult patients in CD34(+)CD38(low/-) group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that CD34(+)CD38(low/-) phenotype is more often presented in adult patients and the CD34(+)CD38(low/-) patients with B-ALL are more likely to have MRD(+)and relapse after treatment.

Characteristics of T-cell lineage immunophenotype in 95 patients with acute lymphoid leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of this study was to investigate the immunophenotype of T-lineage acute lymphoid leukemia (T-ALL) and to find valuable immunologic markers in T-ALL diagnosis and therapy. Four-color multiparametric flow cytometry(FCM) with CD45/SSC gating was used for immunophenotyping of 95 patients with newly diagnosed T-ALL. The results demonstrated that T-ALL occurred more frequently in males younger than 30 years of age and was usually accompanied by a high WBC count and tumor mass at diagnosis. Univariate analysis showed an influence on achievement of CR1 for age (< 30 years) but not for WBC count and tumor mass. According to WHO (2008) classification of tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, 87 patients with confirmed subtype included 27 cases of Pro-T-ALL (31.0%), 31 cases of Pre-T-ALL (35.6%), 23 cases of cortical-T-ALL (26.4%), 6 cases of medullary-T-ALL (6.9%). CD34 expression in Pro-T-ALL was significantly higher than that of Pre-T-ALL (p = 0.001). After the first chemotherapy, the complete remission rate in Pro-T-ALL was statistically lower than that of Pre-T-ALL. Besides, the complete remission rate of immature T-ALL (including Pro-T-ALL and Pre-T-ALL) was also significantly lower than that in mature T-ALL (including cortical-T-ALL and medullary-T-ALL). Myeloid antigen (CD13, CD33) expression was associated with T-ALL subtype and treatment effect. While 66.7% of CD13(+) patients belonged to Pre-T-ALL, most (60.0%) of CD33(+) patients were classified into Pro-T-ALL; CD13 expression had no effect on CR1 rate whereas CD33(+) patients had worse treatment effect compared with CD33(-) groups (p = 0.001). Notably, the expression of CD117 reached up to 26.7% and the positive cases were primarily distributed in pro-T-TAll and pre-T-ALL. It is found that CD117 expression in CD34(-) group was homogeneous and CD117 expression level was less than 10% in 73.2% patients, but CD117 expression level in CD34(+) group was not homogenous, in which group the CD117 expression levels < 10%, 10% - 20% and > 20% were 44.2%, 17.3% and 38.5% respectively. As compared with CD34(-) group, the proportion of patients with CD117 expression levels < 10%, > 20% in CD34(+) group was higher, and there was significant difference between these 2 group. It is concluded that immunophenotype has great value in T-ALL diagnosis, classification as well as treatment. Flow cytometry provides access to find valuable immunologic markers for T-ALL biological research.

Quantitative analysis of dendritic cell subsets in bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

In order to study the quantity of dendritic cell (DC) subsets of bone marrow in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the bone marrow aspirate were collected from 77 newly diagnosed AML patients and from 30 healthy persons. The quantity of DC subsets (myeloid dendritic cells, mDC and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, pDC) were detected by flow cytometry and analysed by 3-color and 4-color cytometric gate. Based on the conventional 3-color panel, mDC were identified by Lin-HLA-DR+CD11c+ and pDC were identified by Lin-HLA-DR+CD123+. Based on the 4-color panel, mDC were identified by Lin-HLA-DR+CD11c+ BDCA-1+ and pDC were identified by Lin-HLA-DR+CD123+BDCA-2+. The results showed that a reduction of mDC was found in 74.0% (57/77) and 58.4% (45/77) patients, a reduction of pDC was found in 90.9% (70/77) and 46.8% (36/77) patients respectively by 3-color and 4-color cytometric analysis. Meanwhile an expansion of mDC was showed in 19.5% (15/77) and 22.1% (17/77) patients, an expansion of pDC was showed in 1.3% (1/77) and 27.3% (21/77) patients respectively by 3-color and 4-color cytometric analysis. In subtypes of AML-M2, AML-M3 or AML-M4/5, 81.4%, 100% and 42.1% patients showed mDC decrease and 88.4%, 100% and 89.5% patients showed pDC decrease respectively by 4-color cytometric analysis. It is concluded that the 4-color cytometric gate is better method for detection of mDC and pDC from bone marrow of newly diagnosed AML patients as compared with 3-color cytometric gate, the majority of AML patients showed reduction of mDC and pDC. The percentages of patients with mDC normal or mDC increase in AML-M4/5 subtypes are more than that in AML-M2/3 subtypes, while the pDC does not show difference between AML subtypes.

Identification and enumeration of dendritic cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow of healthy individuals / 中国实验血液学杂志

The study was aimed to analyse and enumerate the dendritic cells (DC) subsets in peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM) of healthy individuals in China by using 2 panel 4-color flow cytometry (FCM). The percentage and absolute number of Lin-HLA-DR+CD11chiBDCA1+ myeloid DC (mDC) and Lin-HLA-DR+CD123hiBDCA2+ plasmacytoid DC (pDC) were detected in 35 normal BM (NBM) and 29 normal peripheral blood (NPB), the results were compared with the Lin-HLA-DR+CD11chimDC and Lin-HLA-DR+CD123hi pDC obtained by 3-color FCM. The results indicated that both absolute count of DC subset and relative count of pDC in BM were decreased along with increase of age, the absolute count of DC subset in male BM was higher than that in femoral BM (p<0.05). The DC subsets in NBM and NPB were different whatever by 3 or 4-color cytometric analysis, there were more mDCs than pDCs in PB and the ratio of mDC to pDC was 2.70 and 2.31 respectively. In contrast, pDCs predominated in BM, the ratio of mDC to pDC in BM was 0.90 and 0.71 respectively. The quantity of DC subsets significantly correlated to both frequency (mDC r=0.86; pDC r=0.96, p<0.05) and absolute number (mDC r=0.95; pDC r=0.98, p<0.05) between 3 and 4-color cytometric analysis. The quantity of DC subsets in PB and BM were significantly different, counted by 3 and 4-color cytometric analysis except pDC in PB (p<0.001). The quantity of DC subsets were much higher by 3-color than that by 4-color analysis. Since some Lin-HLA-DR+CD11chimDC and Lin-HLA-DR+CD123hi pDC were BDCA1- and BDCA-2dim/- respectively, that more were in BM than in PB. It is concluded that the DC absolute enumeration is correlated with sample type, gender, age and total nucleated cells (p<0.05). 4-color antibody combination may help to identify the real DC subsets in BM. DC subsets in NBM and NPB are different, that more mDC are in PB whereas more pDC in BM.

Prognostic significance of minimal residual disease detected by multiparameter flow cytometry in acute myeloid leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to explore prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by multiparameter flow cytometry (MCF). Leukemia-associated immunophenotype (LAIP) of newly diagnosed AML patients were determined by 4-color 5 antibody panels and patients with sensitive LAIP were chosen for MRD detection. 601 bone marrow samples from 95 patients were acquired after treatment and MRD were considered positive by the critical normal value plus twice standard deviation in normal bone marrow specimen. The patients were divided into three groups and the clinical significance was analyzed every 2 months within initial 6 months after induction treatment. The results showed that the relapse rate and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate were all significantly different between MRD positive and MRD negative patients in the three groups (p < 0.05). Patients with MRD positive had a median relapse-free survival time of 11 months, 11.5 months and 11 months at 1 - 2, 3 - 4 and 5 - 6 months respectively, while all patients with MRD negative were not observed to reach median release-free survival time (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the clinical significance was analyzed after induction and one course of consolidate treatment, the relapse rate of MRD positive and MRD negative patients were 57.14% versus 0% and 91.67% versus 2.27% respectively (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000). It is concluded that MRD detection by multi-parameter flow cytometry can predict outcome of AML patients, which should be continuously monitored after treatment.