Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on graft composition and early transplant outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To assess the feasibility of using donors with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) when there are no other available donors and allo-HSCT cannot be delayed or discontinued. Methods: Seventy-one patients with malignant hematological diseases undergoing allo-HSCT between December 8, 2022, and January 10, 2023, were included. Of these, 16 received grafts from donors with mild COVID-19 (D-COVID(+) group) and 55 received grafts from donors without COVID-19 (D-COVID(-) group). The graft compositions were compared between the two groups. Engraftment, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), overall survival (OS), and relapse were also evaluated. Results: There were no serious side effects or adverse events in the D-COVID(+) group. The mononuclear cell dose and CD34(+) cell dose were comparable between the two groups, and no additional apheresis was required. There were no significant differences in the lymphocyte, monocyte, and T-cell subset doses between the two groups. The median natural killer cell dose in the D-COVID(+) group was significantly higher than that in the D-COVID(-) group (0.69×10(8)/kg vs. 0.53×10(8)/kg, P=0.031). The median follow-up time was 72 (33-104) days. All patients achieved primary engraftment. The 60-day platelet engraftment rates in the D-COVID(+) and D-COVID(-) groups were 100% and (96.4±0.2) %, respectively (P=0.568). There were no significant differences in neutrophil (P=0.309) and platelet (P=0.544) engraftment times. The cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 aGVHD was (37.5±1.6) % vs. (16.4±0.3) % (P=0.062), and of grade 3-4 aGVHD was 25.0% ±1.3% vs. 9.1% ±0.2% (P=0.095) in the D-COVID(+) and D-COVID(-) groups, respectively. The probabilities of 60-day OS were 100% and 98.1% ±1.8% (P=0.522) in the D-COVID(+) and D-COVID(-) groups, respectively. There was no relapse of primary disease during the study period. Conclusion: When allo-HSCT cannot be delayed or discontinued and no other donor is available, a donor with mild COVID-19 should be considered if tolerable. Larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required to validate these results.

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% .

Comparison of the characteristics of NK cells after two different methods of expansion and observation of the clinical efficacy in patients who relapsed post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the differences in the biological effects of different expansion systems on natural killer (NK) cells, as well as the safety and preliminary clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with recurrence after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: Peripheral blood cells from healthy donors were stimulated with either CD3 combined with CD52 or K562 feeder cells loaded with IL-21/4-1BB to induce NK cell expansion. Changes in the NK cell phenotype, cytokine secretion, and cytotoxicity before and after expansion were detected. We also evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of two different expansion strategies for patients received NK infusion. Results: Compared with the CD3/CD52 monoclonal antibody amplification system, the feeder cell expansion group had a higher purity of NK cells and higher expression ratios of NK cell surface activation receptors such as DNAM-1 and NKp30, while inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 expression was low and NKG2D/CD25/CD69/ Trail/PD-1/TIM-3/TIGIT had no statistically significant differences between the groups. Further functional results showed that the expression level of KI67 in NK cells after expansion in the two groups increased significantly, especially in the feeder cell expansion group. Simultaneously, the perforin and granzyme B levels of NK cells in the feeder cell expansion group were significantly higher than in the CD3/CD52 expansion group. A retrospective analysis of eight patients who received monoclonal antibody-expanded NK cell reinfusion and nine patients with trophoblast cell-expanded NK cell reinfusion was done. The disease characteristics of the two groups were comparable, NK cell reinfusion was safe, and there were no obvious adverse reactions. Clinical prognostic results showed that in the CD3/CD52 monoclonal antibody amplification group, the MRD conversion rate was 50% (2/4) , and the feeder cell expansion group was 50% (3/6) . After 5 years of follow-up from allo-HSCT, three patients in the monoclonal antibody expansion group had long-term survival without leukemia, and the remaining five patients had died; two patients died in the feeder cell expansion group, and the other six patients had long-term survival. Six cases had GVHD before NK cell reinfusion, and GVHD did not aggravate or even relieved after NK cell reinfusion. Conclusions: Preliminary results show that the biological characteristics of NK cells with diverse expansion strategies are significantly different, which may affect the clinical prognosis of patients with recurrence or persistent minimal residual disease after HSCT. The two groups of patients treated with NK cells from different expansion strategies had no obvious adverse reactions after NK cell infusion, but efficacy still needs to be further confirmed.

Effect of Graft Composition on Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Aplastic Anemia after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between acute graft-versus-host disease and graft composition in patients with aplastic anemia(AA) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven cases of AA after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether presence or absence grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD, the relationship between aGVHD and graft composition was analyzed by comparing the differences of graft components between the 2 groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen out of 57 patients had grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD and the other 43 did not have grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD. The mononuclear cells, CD3, CD4, CD8, NK cells, NKT cells, B cells and Treg cells were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05), the CD34 cell count in the patients with grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 3.85（1.73-10.61）×10/kg, which was significantly lower than that without grade Ⅱ-ⅣaGVHD: 6.31（2.98-19.35）×10/kg (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD may be related with CD34 cell count in AA after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation..</p>

Progress on the relationship between lncRNA-CCATl and gastrointestinal cancer / 基础医学与临床

Colon cancer associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) is a kind of long non-coding RNA (IncRNA) found re-cently, which is aberrant overexpression in colorectal cancer, and it can promote cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. CCAT1 involves in the regulation of multiple pathophysiological processes, especially the formation and progression of gastrointestinal cancer, through the interaction with microRNA (miRNA) or protein by regulation mechanism like endogenous competition, and it is expected to serve as a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target.

Clinical Study on Treatment of Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia with Haploidentical-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the therapeutic efficacy of haploidentical-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hi-HSCT) for patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells, incidence of graft versus host disease (GVHD), infection, relapse, and survival of 6 JMML patients received hi-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six (6 males) JMML patients received hi-HSCT from haplo-HLA-matched related donors. The results showed that the hematopoictic stem cells in all 6 patients were grafted successfully. Two cases of JMML died of pulmenary infections, other 4 cases survive without disease. Acute GVHD occurred in 3 patients and chronic GVHD occurred in 1 patients. The overall survival, disease free survival and relapse rates were 66.7%, 66.7%, 0%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The hi-HSCT is an effective method for treatment of patients with JMML, but there also is a serial problems to be resolved.</p>

Clinical Observation of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Combined with Bone-marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transfusion for Treatment of Children with Severe Aplastic Anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy and safety of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(hi-HSCT) combined with bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) tranfusion for treatment of children with severe apastic anemia(SAA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 25 children with SAA undergoing hi-HSCT and BM-MSC tranfusion were retrospectively analyzed from August 2014 to July 2016.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>neutrophil engraftment was achieved in all 25(100%) children, with the median time 12(11-22) days. The median time of platelet engraftment was 21(11-130) days in 23(92%) children. Acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD) was observed in 16(64%) cases, including 11 case of grade I and 5 cases of aGVHD grade II-IV, and one of them died of grade IV of skin, gut and liver at day 115; 5 cases of chronic GVHD were found, all of them were limited cGVHD. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia was observed in 23(92%) cases, but no CMV disease was developed after therapy. 3 cases of post-transplant lymphoroliferative disease with 23 EBV viremia positive occurred, all of them were cured after rituximab. Hemorrhagic cystitis appeared in 9 cases with only one case of grade III, 22 children suffered from infection, involving 10 cases in lung and 4 cases in liver, 1 patient was diagnosed as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia was recorded in 1 patient, 22 children survived during a median following-up time of 14(3-27) months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The hi-HSCT combined with BM-MSC transfusion for treatment of children with SAA has been confirmed to be safe and feasible.</p>

Efficacy and Safety of Co-transplantation of Haploidentical-HSC with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell in Children with Hematologic Malignancies / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse the efficacy and safety of co-transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell(UC-MSC) with haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(hi-HSCT) in children with hematologic malignancy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 47 children undergoing hi-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed from November 2003 to November 2014, among them 34 patients received UC-MSC from October 2011 to November 2014, and another 13 patients without UC-MSC from November 2003 to September 2011. The median follow-up time was 20(0.5-67) months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No adverse events were observed after the UC-MSC transplantation. The engraftment rate, the median neutrophils engraftment time and platelet engraftment time all were not significantly different between hi-HSCT and hi-HSCT+UC-MSCT(P>0.05). The three-years cumulative overall survival (70.6% vs 23.1%),(P=0.004), three-years cumulative disease-free survival(52.9% vs 0) (P=0), and early cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia (91.2% vs 38.5%) (P=0) in UC-MSC+hi-HSCT group were statistically significantly higher than that in the conventional hi-HSCT group. The morbidity of aGVHD (44.1% vs 92.3%) (P=0.003), I-II aGVHD (26.5% vs 61.5%) (P=0.041) and transplantation-related mortality (11.8% vs 46.2%) (P=0.017) in UC-MSC+hi-HSCT group was statistically significantly lower than that in hi-HSCT group, however, the morbidity of III-IV aGVHD (17.6% vs 30.8%), cGVHD (26.5% vs 30.8%), HC (35.3% vs 7.7%), pulmonary infection (52.9% vs 46.2%) and relapse rate (32.4% vs 53.8%) were not statistically significantly different (P>0.05) between the 2 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The application of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in children undergoing hi-HSCT is safe, the UC-MSC can improve the overall survival, disease-free survival and reduce transplantation-related mortality. UC-MSC can reduce the morbidity of aGVHD, but increase the early infection of CMV, however it is nothing for the pulmonary infection and relapse in the children after hi-HSCT.</p>

Clinical Significance of the Changes of Amino Acid in Children with Epilepsy on Valproate Monotherapy / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To provide laboratory diagnosis for clinical monitoring of VPA hepatotoxicity,this study explored the levels of amino acid in children with epilepsy on valproate monotherapy.Methods The disease subjects were selected from 178 children with epilepsy treated by VPA only in Beijing Children's Hospital from June 2015 to February 2017,and the control subjects were selected from 178 healthy children with age-and sex-matched.The baseline clinical data and liver and renal function results were collected.The concentrations of VPA in children were monitored by fluorescence polarization immunoassay,the levels of amino acids in the blood dry spot were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.The levels of amino acids between the disease group before and after VPA therapy and the control group were com pared.Results Compared with controls,there was no significant difference in the level of urea and creatinine between patients before and after VPA treatment (F=0.187～ 0.970,P＞0.05).Compared with the control group and the patients before VPA treatment,the levels of ALT,AST and γ-GT of the patients after VPA treatment increased obviously (F=3.547 ～ 16.181,P＜0.05).Compared with the control group and before VPA treatment,the levels of Cys,Gln,Glu,Gly,Leu and Lys (F=3.489～ 71.896,P＜0.05) in the blood of children with epilepsy after VPA treatment were significantly different.The levels of Cys,Gln,Glu,Gly,VPA and Lys in the blood of the children with epilepsy treated by VPA were significantly higher than those in the control group and before VPA treatment,but the level of Leu was lower than that of the control group and before treatment with VPA.Conclusion The increases of ALT,AST and γ-GT indicated that VPA or its metabolites induced liver injury of patients.In the early stage of VPA hepatotoxicity,the levels of amino acid in children had changed obviously,so detection of amino acid may be a sensitive index to reflect the hepatotoxicity of VPA.Regular examination of amino acid in children after VPA treatment may be helpful for the clinical monitoring of hepatotoxicity caused by VPA.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with Budesonide, Almeterol and Azithromycin for the Treatment of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel therapeutic regimen for bronchiolitis obliterans sydrome (BOS) affter hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven patients who had received HSCT and had been diagnosed as BOS were enrolled in this study. They received weekly intravenous injection of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) at a dose of 1 × 10(6)/kg for 4 weeks. Budesonide was given orally at a daily dose of 0.25 g, and salmeterol was inhaled at a dose of 4.5 µg for 3 times per day. Methylprednisolone was given at a dose of 1 mg/(kg·d) for 2 weeks when respiratory failure occured. The dose of methylprednisolone was tapered to 0.25 mg/(kg·d) after 4 weeks and was adjusted according to the occurrence and severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The therapy was generally safe and no severe acute toxicity was observed. One patient died of heart failure during the treatment, the other 6 patients were alive and the pulmonary function parameters including FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PaO2 and AaDO2 were significantly improved after 6 months as compared with the baseline parameters (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSC combined with budesonide, almeterol and azithromycin has been confirmed to be generally safe and can reduce the dose of glucocorticoid in treatment of BOS after HSCT.</p>

Delayed Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation:A Report of Six Cases / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the morbidity, risk factors, clinical characterisitics, treatments and prognosis of delayed hepatic veno-occlusive disease(HVOD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hi-HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 208 patients undergoing hi-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six patients were diagnosed with delayed VOD, among them 4 patients were moderate VOD and 2 patients were severe VOD. The incidence of VOD after hi-HSCT was 2.88%, the median onset time was 44.5(30-57) days after transplant, 2 patients died of multiple organ failure (MOF) due to rapid progress of disease. With intravenous administration of defibrotide, 4 patients displayed encouraging response, but 2 patients died of hepatic acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), 1 had bone marrow relapse and the other one was cured.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Norethindrone is one of the high risk factors, while sex, age and disease status are irrelevant to the occurrence of VOD. Unfractionated heparin (UH) can effectively decrease the morbidity. Pretransplant hepatic function reserve, high dose preconditioning regimens and pharmacotherapy may result in delayed VOD onset. The delayed VOD has the same clinical features and treatment-response as early VOD, but a poorer prognosis is usually observed. A larger amount of samples (patients) is needed to research the relationship of the delayed VOD with hi-HSCT. Defibrotide can effectively increase the survival rate of VOD patients.</p>

Analysis of Risk Factors and Therapeutic Strategies for Relapse of Leukemia after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the risk factors of patients with relapsed leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and to explore the therapeutic strategies for recurrence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis of transplantation-related index, a single center retrospective study of clinical data of 202 cases of leukemia received allo-HSCT from March 2004 to October 2014 had been conducted to screen the risk factors for recurrence after transplantation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the leukemia patients received allo-HSCT, 68 cases relapsed. The relapse rate was 33.6%. The median time of relapse was 4(1.5-26 ) months. Univariate analysis indicated that there were 5 risk factors related with the disease relapse(P<0.05), including the type of disease, extramedullary disease prior to transplant, the course of induced remission, the status of disease at HSCT and chronic graft versus host disease(cGVHD). Multivariate analysis showed that extramedullary disease prior to transplant(RR=2.622, 95%CI 1.139-6.037), the course of induced remission(RR=1.156, 95%CI 0.682-1.957), cGVHD (RR=1.728,95%CI 0.999-2.991) were independent risk factors for relapse of the patients received transplantation. Treatment strategies for the relapsed patients included withdraw immunosuppressant, donor lymphocyte infusion, systemic chemotherapy and local radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and second transplantation. Individualized choice was needed according to the relapsed site. The relapse-related mortality was 25.2%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The relapsed patients with leukemia after allo-HSCT have poor prognosis, early interference has good effect. The evaluation and prevention of risk factors before transplantation is even more important.</p>

Unrelated Donor Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Combined with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the safety and efficiency of unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cells (URD-PBSC) transplantation combined with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 49 patients received unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cells transplantation (URD-PBSCT) for treating hematologic malignancies were retrospectively evaluated, including 12 ANLL, 17 ALL, 18 CML and 2 MDS. Out of them, 22 patients received the URD-PBSCT combined with UC-MSC and 27 patients received only URD-PBSCT. The average number of infusing UC-MSC was 1.0 × 10⁶/kg in the UC-MSC+URD-PBSCT group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with URD-PBSCT group, in UC-MSC+URD-PBSCT group the median recovery time of neutrophilc granulocytes was shorter (12 d vs 15 d) (P = 0.041), the incidence and severity of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) were lower (20.0% vs 51.9%) (P = 0.026) (5.0% vs 33.3%) (P = 0.040), the incidence of CMV infection after transplantation was higher (81.8% vs 51.9%) (P = 0.028). In addition to these, the differences were not statistically significant in term of implantation level, PLT reconstitution, aGVHD, lung infection, hemorrhagic cystitis, 1-year relapse and survival between the 2 groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The transplantation of URD-PBSC combined with UC-MSC is effective and safe. The speed of neutrophils reconstitution is faster. The incidence and severity of cGVHD are lower, but the attention should be paid to prevent the CMV infection.</p>

Clinical Analysis of Cytomegalovirus Infection after Different Patterns of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical difference of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection between HLA-matched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hi-HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 83 patients who had undergone allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed. Out of them 50 patients underwent hi-HSCT and 33 patients received grafts from HLA-matched donors. The sera of all recipients and donors were CMV-negative before transplantation. All patients accepted myeloablative regimen without total body irradiation. PCR was performed to detect CMV in the peripheral blood twice a week after neutrophil recovery. CMV-DNA>500 copies/ml was defined as CMV viremia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>68 patients (81.9%) were diagnosed as CMV viremia before 100 days after transplantation. The incidence of CMV infection in hi-HSCT group was 90% and significantly higher than that in HLA-matched HSCT group (69.7%) (P < 0.05). All the patients responded well to anti-CMV therapy; however, 63 cases experienced CMV reactivation. The occurrence rate of CMV reactivation in hi-HSCT group (95.6%) was comparable to that in HLA-matched HSCT group (87.0%) (P > 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the transplantation pattern, the recovery time of peripheral neutrophils and the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) significantly related to the episode of CMV viremia, while the sex and age of the recipients, and the recovery time of platelets did not associate with the incidence. Further analysis found that the recovery time of neutropils and platelets in HLA-matched HSCT group were greatly shorter than those in hi-HSCT group (P < 0.05). The incidence of aGVHD was comparable between two groups however, incidence of severe aGVHD was significantly higher in hi-HSCT (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The hi-HSCT is more susceptible to CMV infection, which may be related to the higher incidence of severe aGVHD and the relative delay of hematopoietic reconstruction as compared with HLA-matched HSCT.</p>

Effect of umbilical cord MSC infusion on the pulmonary infection in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal cells (UC-MSC) infusion on the pulmonary infection in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hi-HSCT). The infection of 83 patients underwent hi-HSCT was detected and analysed, among them 42 patients received haploidentical hi-HSCT, 41 received hi-HSCT combined with UC-MSC infusion. The results showed that 31 cases (73.81% ± 6.78%) were infected by cytomegalovirus and 21 cases in patients received hi-HSCT experienced pulmonary infections, including infections of fungal, virus, bacteria, tubercle bacillus, PCP and so on, the incidence rate was (50 ± 7.72)%; the infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was found in 31 cases, the incidence rate was (78.05 ± 6.46)%. In patients received hi-HSCT combined with UC-MSC, only 15 patients experienced pulmonary infection, the incidence rate was (36.59 ± 7.52)%, and the infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was observed in 32 patients, the incidence rate was (78.05 ± 6.46)%. There was no obvious statistical difference between two groups(P > 0.05). It is concluded that the UC-MSC infusion not increases the infection rate in hi-HSCT.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to explore the therapeutic efficacy and influencing factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and in patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). The clinical data of 3 cases of CMML and 2 cases of JMML underwent allo-HSCT were analysed in term of multiparameter. The results showed that the hematopoietic stem cells in 5 patients grafted successfully. One case of JMML died of pulmonary disease, other 4 cases survive without disease. The analysis found that the disease burden before transplant, chromosome karyotype, acute GVHD II-IV and poor risk cytogenetics all associated with the relapse rate and disease-free survival rate of CMML. The low intensity conditioning regimen was better than myeloablative conditioning regimen. Type of donor and source of stem cells did not statistically and significantly affect OS and RFS. The splenectomy before allo-HSCT as well as spleen size at time of the alloHSCT did not influence on posttransplantation outcome of JMML. However, cord blood HSCT for JMML patients delayed hematologic recovery as compared to that of bone marrow or peripheral blood HSCT. The age, GVHD, HbF level played an important role in leukemia replace. It is concluded that the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative regimen for CMML and JMML, but there also is a serial problems to be resolved.

Analysis of T lymphocyte absolute number and function in the early phase after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the immune reconstitution of T-cells in patients who received haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hiHSCT). The peripheral blood was harvested from 22 patients before transplantation and at month 1, 3, 6 after hiHSCT. The proportions of T lymphocyte subtypes including CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD45RO(+), and CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) were analyzed by flow cytometry, followed by the calculation of T cell numbers according to the amounts of peripheral blood leukocytes. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) value in CD4(+) T cells was measured by ImmuKnow method to evaluate the function of lymphocytes. The results showed that the CD3(+) cell absolute value before transplantation was 833.75 ± 359.84/µl, but those values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 318.87 ± 266.71/µl, 1006.76 ± 512.32/µl and 1296.38 ± 958.77/µl respectively. The CD4(+) cell absolute value before transplantation was 336.99 ± 211.11/µl, but such values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 45.89 ± 44.21/µl, 142.97 ± 114.85/µl, and 181.78 ± 120.61/µl respectively. The CD8(+) cell absolute value before transplantation was 430.21 ± 159.48/µl, but those values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 230.44 ± 195.89/µl, 621.64 ± 318.83/µl, and 823.07 ± 633.55/µl respectively. The CD4(+)CD45RO(+) memory T cell absolute value before transplantation was 227.44 ± 73.34/µl, but such values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 43.47 ± 43.40/µl, 138.69 ± 110.17/µl, 147.73 ± 82.94/µl respectively. The CD8(+)CD45RO(+) memory T cell absolute value before transplantation was 212.70 ± 98.48/µl, but such values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 184.76 ± 168.65/µl, 445.90 ± 252.50/µl, 519.80 ± 475.53/µl respectively. CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) naive T cell number before transplantation was 68.94 ± 59.74/µl, but such cell numbers at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation decreased to 2.44 ± 2.93/µl, 3.14 ± 3.48/µl, 23.22 ± 38.38/µl respectively. The CD8(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) naive T cell absolute value before transplantation was 124.82 ± 60.95/µl, but those values at month 1, 3, 6 decreased to 19.37 ± 17.71/µl, 76.63 ± 50.85/µl, and 114.49 ± 174.29/µl respectively. The ATP value in CD4(+) T cells decreased to 210.19 ± 119.37 ng/ml at month 1 after transplantation and increased to 280.62 ± 110.03 ng/ml at month 3, and 357.28 ± 76.18 ng/ml at month 6 after transplantation. It is concluded that CD8(+) memory T cell reconstruction contributes critically to T cell recovery early after hiHSCT, while the thymic output function remains low. However, T cell function recovers to normal range at month 3 after transplantation.

Graft-versus-leukemia effects of Wilms' tumor 1 protein-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The role of Wilms' tumor 1 protein (WT1)-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL) in eradicating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells is to be established. The aim of this study was to determine whether WT1 contributed to the graft-versus-leukemia effects (GVLE) for CML following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>High-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genotyping was performed by sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifteen HLA-A*2402 patients with CML who underwent allogeneic HSCT were enrolled in this study. We monitored the frequency of WT1-specific CTL by pentamer assay and the molecular minimal residual disease by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A CD8(+) T-cell response to WT1 was observed in 14 of 15 patients after HSCT. The median frequencies of WT1-CTL were 0.54%, 0.62%, 0.81% and 1.28% (%CD8) on days 30, 60, 90 and 180, respectively. The median frequency of WT1-CTL (1.38%) in patients with molecular remission (MoR) was significantly higher than that in those without MoR (0.38%) on day 30, while no significant differences between them were detected on days 60, 90 and 180. The increase of WT1-CTL was associated with a decrease in bcr-abl expression and MoR; and the decrease of WT1-CTL was associated with an increase in bcr-abl expression, suggesting a WT1-driven GVL effect. WT1-CTL had a predominant effector-memory phenotype (CD45RO(+)CD27(-)CD57(+)).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The emergence of WT1-CTL with an effector-memory phenotype is associated with GVLE in CML patients after HSCT. This will pave the way for the WT1 vaccines to enhance GVLE after HSCT in CML.</p>

Inhibitory effect of fenofibrate on angiotensin II-induced toll-like receptor 4 expression, myeloperoxidase activity and expression in RAW264.7 cells / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the effect of fenofibrate on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and expression in murine macrophage line RAW264.7 cells and explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism. TLR4 and MPO mRNA levels were analyzed by RT-PCR, and TLR4 and MPO protein expressions were measured by Western blotting. MPO activity in the cell supernatant was assayed with colorimetry. The results showed that fenofibrate reduced Ang II-induced mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 and inhibited activity, mRNA and protein expression of MPO in RAW264.7 cells in concentration-dependent manner. In addition, TLR4 blocker partially antagonized the effect of Ang II on MPO activity in RAW264.7 cells, and fenofibrate potentiated the inhibitory effect. Meanwhile, fenofibrate significantly suppressed LPS (TLR4 special ligand)-induced MPO activity in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, fenofibrate downregulated Ang II-induced TLR4 expression and blocked MPO secretion in RAW264.7 cells via interfering with the TLR4-dependent signaling pathway to alleviate inflammation, which might be one of its novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Inhibitory effects of rosiglitazone on angiotensin II-induced toll-like receptor 4 expression and myeloperoxidase activity in RAW264.7 cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced mRNA and protein expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in RAW264.7 cells to explore its anti- inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Murine RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with rosiglitazone at 2.5, 5, and 10 micromol/L prior to exposure to AngII (0.1 micromol/L). TLR4 mRNA level was analyzed by RT-PCR, and TLR4 protein expression by Western blotting. MPO activity in the cell supernatant was assayed by colorimetry. In another experiment, the cells were pretreated with a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody (1 mg/L) for 1 h prior to rosiglitazone (10 micromol/L) treatment for 1 h, and subsequently stimulated with AngII or LPS (100 micromol/L) for 24 h to observe the change of MPO activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rosiglitazone downregulated AngII-induced mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, and inhibited MPO activity in RAW264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The TLR4 blocker partially antagonized the effect of AngII on MPO activity, and the inhibitory effect was markedly enhanced by rosiglitazone. Rosiglitazone significantly inhibited LPS (a specific TLR4 ligand)-induced MPO activity in RAW264.7 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rosiglitazone downregulates Ang II-induced TLR4 expression in RAW264.7 cells and inhibits MPO secretion possibly by interfering with TLR4 to relieve the inflammatory reaction, which may be one of its anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms.</p>