Clinical Features and Prognosis of 227 cases of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Cross-lineage Antigen Expression / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse the clinical features and prognostic significance of cross-lineage antigen expression in patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML) in order to establish individualized treatment for a better outcome and prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 227 cases (exduding M3) were detected by flow cytometry for immune phenotype. The CD7(-)CD56(-)CD19(-) AML served as control. The clinical features, treatment response and prognosis of CD7(+) group, CD56(+) group and CD19(+) group were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The detection rate of CD56(+),CD7(+) and CD19(+) in AML was 15.9%, 25.1% and 11.0%, respectively. There were no differences between CD56(+) AML, CD7(+) AML, CD19(+) AML, and CD56(-)CD7(-)CD19(-) AML in the proportion of blast cells, white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count and MDS transformed AML rate. The CR after the first course chemotherapy and cumulative CR in CD56(+) AML patients were lower than those in the control group (20.0% vs 58.1%, P=0.0099; 73.3% vs 87.5%, P=0.04). The median time of CR in CD56(+) AML was longer than that in the control group (118 days vs 46 days, P=0.04). The PFS time and OS time of CD56(+) AML were shorter than those in the control group (245 days vs 580 days, P=0.037; 494 days vs 809 days, P=0.04). The CR after the first course chemotherapy and cumulative CR in CD19(+) AML patients were higher than those in the control group(75.0% vs 58.1%, P=0.46; 100% vs 87.5%, P=0.02). The median time of CR in CD19(+) AML was shorter than that in the control group (28 days vs 46 days, P=0.02). The PFS time and OS time of CD19(+) AML tended to be longer than those in the control group (P=0.13, P=0.07, respectively). The median PFS and OS were not reached at the time of last follow-up. The CR after the first course chemotherapy, cumulative CR and median time to CR in CD7(+) AML patients were not different from those in the control group (53.1% vs 58.1%, P=0.67; 87.1% vs 87.5%, P=0.44; 50 days vs 46 days, P=0.44). No differences of PFS and OS were observed between CD7(+) AML and the control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD56(+) AML patients respond poorly to treatment, frequently relapse after complete remission and have a low survival rate. These patients need more intensive chemotherapy or in combination with other treatments. The interval of MRD detection should be shortened to find out relapse earlier. CD19(+) AML patients have a good treatment outcome and often accompanies with AML1/ETO fusion gene, which is known to be a good prognostic marker. Aberrant expression of CD7 on AML cells is not a poor prognostic factor in this study.</p>

Expression of CD56 and CD19 in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma and Their Relationship with Karyotypes and Prognosis / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between surface markers of CD56 and CD19 and karyotypes and prognosis in multiple myeloma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 126 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in the first hospital of Peking university from 2011 to 2015 were enrolled in this study. Cytogenetic abnormalities and immunophenotypes were detected by using fluorescence in situ hybridization and flow cytometry respectively before chemotherapy. Bone marrow smear was used for detection of abnormal plasma cell infiltration. By combining with their basic data, the relationship between immunophenotypes, cytogenetics and prognosis of MM was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The median of myeloma cells in the 126 patients was 0.24（0.01-0.97）; the median of myeloma cells in 116 patients who have immunophenotype datas was 0.25（0.01-0.97）； the median of myeloma cells in CD19 positive patients was 0.11（0.01-0.53）; the median of myeloma cells in CD19 negative patients was 0.26（0.01-0.97）. The median of myeloma cells in CD19 positive patients was much lower than that in CD19 negative patients（P=0.036）. (2)In 116 patients detected by the immunophenotype, the myeloma cells expressed CD19,CD20,CD56 and CD117. Compared with CD56 negative patients(45/116,38.79%),CD56 positive patients(71/116,61.21%) had a clearly favorable disease outcome（OS was 53.0 month vs 31.0 month,P=0.016; PFS was 37.5 months vs 18.4 months, P=0.036）. (3)CD19 positive patients was 16.38%（19/116）,CD19 negative patients was 83.62%（97/116）； CD19 positive MM and CD19 negative MM had no difference in OS and PFS. (4)CD117 positive rate in CD19 positive patients was 42.11%(8/19), the CD117 positive rate in CD19 negative patients was 18.57%(18/97), the CD19 expression positively correlated with CD117 expression. (5)FISH detection was done for 67 newly diagnosed MM patients, 8 patients showed normal karyotypes(11.94%), 59 patients had abnormal karyotypes(88.06%). The most common abnormal karyotypes were IgH rearragement which occurred in 47 patients(70.15%). Other abnormal karyotypes included 1q21+, del(13q14),del(13q14.3),del(17p13) . These abnormal karyotypes occurred in 37 patients（55.22%）,31 patients（46.27%）,33 patients（49.25%） and 13 patients（19.40%） respectively. In comparison with CD19 negative MM patients, the incidence rate of 1q21+ and del(13q14.3) was significantly lower in CD19 positive patients(1q21+:33.33% vs 61.54%,P=0.016; del(13q14.3): 33.33% vs 53.85%,P=0.043）.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prognosis of CD56 positive MM patients is better than that of CD56 negative MM patients, CD19 negative MM has more abnormal karyotypes and bone marrow infiltration,but they have no statistical prognostic differences.</p>

A1381T and -1793G/C polymorphisms of vWF gene impact the plasma vWF levels in Yugur, Tibetan and Han nationalities of China / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the similarities and differences of A1381T (rs216311) and -1793G/C (rs7966230) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in Chinese Yugur, Tibetan, and Han nationalities and their influence on plasma vWF concentration in order to explore the sensitivity of these 3 nationalities to vWF-related diseases. Peripheral venous blood was obtained from 322 Yugur, 399 Tibetan, and 120 Han healthy people. The DNA were then extracted. vWF gene A1381T and -1793G/C polymorphisms were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequenced when it was necessary. The vWF:Ag level in plasma was determined by ELISA. The results showed that the genotype distribution of vWF gene at both A1381T and -1793G/C loci in Yugur, Tibetan and Han nationalities was different with statistically significance (P < 0.05). GG genotype of A1381T locus accounted for 69.9% in Yugur nationality, which was much higher than 56.6% and 53.3% in Tibetan and Han nationalities respectively(P < 0.01); AA genotype of A1381T locus expressed a low level of vWF in plasma. For the -1793G/C locus, the proportion of CG genotype in Yugur was much higher than that in Han, CC genotype expressed a high level of vWF in plasma. The plasma vWF levels with different nationalities and the polymorphism of vWF gene were significantly different. It is concluded that the polymorphisms of vWF gene at both A1381T and -1793G/C loci in Yugur, Tibetan and Han are significantly different; the polymorphism of vWF gene influences the plasma vWF level; the plasma vWF levels in Yugur and Tibetan are significantly higher than that in Han, which may be associated with the living environment and habits.

Effects of ICAM-1 gene K469E, K56M polymorphisms on plasma sICAM-1 expression levels in Chinese Yugur, Tibetan and Han nationalities / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene K469E (A/G) (rs5498) and K56M (A/T) (rs5491) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) levels in plasma in three Chinese populations of Yugur, Tibetan and Han nationalities, to analyze comparatively the genotypes and allele frequencies distribution in different ethnic groups, and to explore the effects of ICAM-1 K469E and K56M polymorphism and sICAM-1 levels in plasma. EDTA-anticoagulant venous blood from Yugur(327 cases), Tibetan (400 cases) and Han (126 cases) people was collected, the DNA was extracted by using whole blood genomic DNA extraction kit, DNA SNP were analyzed by PCR-RFLP, genotype was judged by gel scan imaging system after agarose gel electrophoresis, the gene sequence was determined and the distribution of ICAM-1 genotypes and allele frequencies were compared among different ethnic groups, besides, the group representativeness was tested via the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium. Finally, the human sICAM-1 plasma levels were detected by using human ICAM-1 ELISA kit. The results showed that DNA sequencing result was consistent with PCR-RFLP analysis. In Yugur, Tibetan and Han nationalities, the KK, KE and EE three genotypes at ICAM-1 K469E gene locus were detected, the genotype distribution was not statistically significantly different, while the K, E allele frequency distribution was statistically significantly different (P < 0.05). Both of genotype and allele frequency distribution between Yugur, Tibetan and Han nationalities were statistically significantly different (P < 0.05). In K56M site only KK, KM two genotypes were detected, but the MM genotype was not detected in the three ethnic groups; the difference of two genotypes and K, M allele frequencies between Yugur and Han population was statistically significantly different (P < 0.05). Among three ethnic groups, the sex ratio and age distribution of K469E, K56M genotypes and allele frequencies of ICAM-1 gene were not significantly different, and distribution was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium (P > 0.05). The plasma sICAM-1 level at ICAM-1 K469E allele locus in K individuals [(253 ± 122), (185 ± 97) µg/L] was higher than that at non-K allele [(145 ± 110) µg/L, P < 0.01]; the plasma sICAM-1 level of ICAM-1 K56M sites with KK genotype [(253 ± 122) µg/L] was higher than that of the KM genotypes [(168 ± 103) µg/L, P < 0.01]. In Yugur and Tibetan groups, the plasma sICAM-1 levels [(224 ± 80), (214 ± 111) µg/L] were higher than that in the Han group [(175 ± 125)µg/L, P < 0.05]. Pairwise comparison indicated that the plasma sICAM-1 levels between Yugur and Han group were statistically significantly different (P < 0.01), that was significantly different between Tibetan and Han group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that in Yugur, Tibetan and Han population, the genotypes and gene frequencies of two amino acid sites K469E and K56M in ICAM-1 were KK/KE-type, KK-type and K allele, moreover, the ratio of them in Yugur and Tibetan group was higher than that in Han, while there is not significant difference in sex ratio and age distribution, therefore, ICAM-1 genotype and allele frequency distribution in this study had ethnic representativeness. ICAM-1 gene K469E and K56M polymorphisms were likely to affect the plasma sICAM-1 expression level. K469E gene K allele may be a genetic risk factor, while K56M gene M allele a may be genetic protective factor for some diseases.

Role of cytokines and gene expression characteristics in cultured lymphocytes ex vivo for adoptive immunotherapy / 中国实验血液学杂志

Different cytokines are needed in the course of culturing cells to do adoptive immunotherapy. This study was aimed to investigate the differentiation directions of lymphocytes and related gene expression characteristics after combined stimulation of lymphocytes by different cytokines or EBV antigen peptide combined with cytokines. The experiment was divided into 4 groups. The levels of total T lymphocytes (CD3(+)), T helper lymphocytes (CD3(+)CD4(+)), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CD3(+)CD8(+)), memory T cells (CD3(+)CD8(+)CD45RO(+)), naive T cells (CD3(+)CD8(+)CD45RA(+)), Th2 cells (CD3(+)CD30(+)), B cells (CD19(+)), NK cells (CD56(+)), naive T regulatory cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)), precise T regulatory cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)) were detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of house-keeping gene (mad1, pten), T helper cells transcriptional regulatory gene t-bet (Th1), gata3 (Th2), cytokine IFN-γ(Th1), IL-4(Th2) were detected by using RT-PCR. The results showed that CTL in EBV polypeptide group were dominant cells with certain clinical effects. Comparison of result of EBV polypeptide group with other 3 different cytokine stimulating groups demonstrated that EBV antigen peptide had much more effects on stimulating CTL generation. The expression of IFN-γ gene was significantly increased; the T helper differentiation-related gene t-bet, gata3 also increased evidently, while expression change of house-keeping gene mad1 and pten were not evident. Addition of different cytokines and antigen peptides in culture may be much more effective on stimulating CTL generation. It is concluded that specific CTL can be obtained by using the lymphocytes co-cultured with EBV and cytokines, and the different cytokines play different roles in cell differentiation.

Role of autoantibodies against the linker subdomains of envoplakin and periplakin in the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic pemphigus / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The presence of autoantibodies against multiple epidermal proteins is an important feature in paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP). Circulating anti-desmoglein 3 autoantibody, the major pathogenic autoantibody in pemphigus vulgaris (PV), has been proved pathogenic in PNP. Because of many clinical differences between PNP and PV, we speculate about the involvement of other autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of PNP. Envoplakin (EPL) and periplakin (PPL) are recognized by most PNP sera. Their linker subdomains are highly homologous and necessary for the association of intermediate filaments.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We characterized the autoantibodies against the linker subdomains of EPL and PPL in PNP patients' sera and their associated tumors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorence. We also applied the purified autoantibodies against EPL and PPL from PNP sera to cultured human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK), to evaluate the changes of cell-cell adhesion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Autoantibodies against EPL and PPL were detected in most PNP patients by ELISA, and the decrease of these autoantibodies after removal of the tumors was roughly comparable to the improvement of clinical symptoms. Cultured tumor cells from PNP patients secreted these autoantibodies. Specific immunoglobulin receptors for EPL and PPL were found on B lymphocytes in tumors from PNP. Furthermore, purified anti-EPL and anti-PPL autoantibodies from PNP sera were capable of dissociating cultured human epidermal keratinocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Autoantibodies against EPL and PPL may also be pathogenic in PNP.</p>

In vivo interleukin-10 gene transfer down-regulates myocardial matrix metalloproteinase and myocardial collagen expressions in rats with acute myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We investigated the in vivo effects of recombinant adenovirus-associated virus type-2 (AAV-2) mediated interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene transfer on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, collagen type I and type III in a rat acute myocardial infarction model.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups (each n = 6): sham operation group, MI/AAV2 group, and MI/AAV2-IL-10 group (10(10) vg/ml x 0.1 ml injection at peri-infarct regions immediately post MI). Five days later, the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by RT-PCR, Western blot and zymography. The expression of TIMP-1 was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot. Collagen type I and type III were assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical stain.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The myocardial expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and collagen contents in MI/AAV2 group were significantly increased than those in sham operation group. Myocardial expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 were significantly decreased and the expression of TIMP-1 significantly increased in the MI/AAV2-IL-10 group than those in MI/AAV2 group. Moreover, the expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III and the ratio of I/III collagen in border zones of infarcted myocardium were decreased by 47.6% (P < 0.01), 23.6% (P < 0.05), and 17.9% (P < 0.05) respectively, while the expression of TIMP-1 increased by 73.1%(P < 0.05) in MI/AAV2-IL-10 group compared to MI/AAV2 group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In vivo myocardial IL-10 transfer reduced myocardial MMP and collagen expression and increasing the TIMP expression.</p>

Molecular genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA C1494T mutation in non-syndromic hearing loss of Chinese population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To conduct a molecular epidemiological survey on the mitochondrial DNA C1494T mutation in non-syndromic hearing loss patients in Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were used to screen the mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA C1494T mutation in 20 patients with aminoglycoside antibiotic induced hearing loss, 136 sporadic non-syndromic hearing loss patients and 50 probands of pedigrees with non-syndromic hearing loss.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The C1494T mutation did not appear in all cases except for the positive control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Incidence of mitochondrial DNA C1494T mutation is much lower than that of mitochondrial DNA A1555G mutation in non-syndromic hearing loss of Chinese population. Mitochondrial DNA C1494T mutation may be a rare variation in non-syndromic hearing loss and is not the main cause of aminoglycoside antibiotic induced-deafness.</p>

The dynamic changes in endogenous hydrogen sulfide pathway at the early stage of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary flow in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the time-dependent changes of endogenous hydrogen sulfide system at the early stage of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary flow in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty male SD rats, whose weight ranged 140 - 160 g, were randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and shunt group (n = 40). Rats in shunt group were subjected to an abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt to create an animal model of high pulmonary flow. After 1 d, 3 d, 1 week, 4 week and 8 weeks of experiment, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) of each rat, the H2S of rat lung tissue and CSEmRNA of rat lung tissue were evaluated, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SPAP increased significantly as compared with those in control group in 1 week and 8 weeks of experiment. In contrast to control group, the H2S of rat lung tissue increased significantly on 3 d and in 4 weeks, respectively. Meanwhile, in contrast to control group, relative amount of CSE mRNA of lung tissues elevated significantly on 3 d and in 4 weeks, respectively. Moreover, SPAP and the H2S of rat lung tissue, the CSE mRNA of rat lung tissue correlated negatively in 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of experiment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Animal model of rats with high pulmonary blood flow exhibited pulmonary hypertension. Lung tissue H2S and CSE mRNA of rats exhibited double peaks within 8 weeks. These results revealed that endogenous H2S system might be relevant with the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow, and probably, it played a protective role in the regulation of pulmonary hypertension, especially, at its early stage.</p>

Inhibition of expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 on cells by adenovirus-mediated antisense RNA / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To suppress the expression of CCR5 and CXCR4, the co-receptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ( HIV-1), and thus inhibit HIV-1 from entering cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DNA fragments encoding either CCR5 or CXCR4 were amplified from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing was performed. Correct fragments were inserted into Shuttle plasmid inversely, which was recombined with backbone plasmid containing homologous adenoviral genome in E. coli BJ5183. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into 293 cells in which they were packaged and amplified. Recombinant adenoviruses containing antisense RNA of CCR5 or CXCR4 were obtained and identified by RT-PCR, and the titres of them were determined by cytopathic effect (CPE) method. The U937 and MT4 cells were infected by recombinant adenoviruses containing antisense RNA of CCR5 (multiplicity of infection, MOI = 100) and CXCR4 (MOI = 200), respectively. The expression of co-receptors on infected cell was measured by fluorescence activated cell sorter at 24, 48, 72 hours and 10 days after infection. In addition, the chemotactic activity and proliferation of infected cells were detected with Boyden chamber and 3H incorporation respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We constructed the recombinant plasmids and obtained the recombinant adenoviruses which contained antisense RNA of CCR5 or CXCR4 and were designated as pAd-antiR5 and pAd-antiX4 respectively. The titers of recombinant adenoviruses pAd-antiR5 and pAd-antiX4 were 5 x 10" PFU/ml and 7 x 10(10) PFU/ml, respectively. The expression rate of CCR5 on U937 cells decreased from 82. 10% (blank control) to 1.12% (Ad-antiR5 infected) , and that of CXCR4 on MT4 cells decreased from 42% (blank control) to 1.03% (Ad-antiX4 infected) 24 hours later. The expression rates of CCR5 on Ad-antiR5 infected U937 cells were 1.02% , 1.26% , 1.23% at 48 hours, 72 hours, and 10 days later, respectively. The expression rates of CXCR4 on Ad-antiX4 infected MT4 cells were 1.13%, 1.17%, 1.22% at 48 hours, 72 hours, and 10 days later, respectively. Moreover, the recombinant adenovirus had no effects on chemotactic activity and proliferation of the cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The recombinant adenovirus containing antisense CCR5 or CXCR4 can remarkably decrease the expression of co-receptors for HIV-1 on U937 or MT4 cells without affecting their chemotactic activities and proliferative abilities.</p>

Mechanism by which hydrogen sulfide regulates pulmonary vascular structural remodeling induced by high pulmonary blood flow in rats / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of congenital heart defects with a left-to-right shunt characterized by high pulmonary blood flow. Pulmonary vascular structural remodeling (PVSR) is the pathological basis of PH. However, the pathophysiologic features and mechanisms responsible for PH and PVSR induced by increased pulmonary blood flow have not been fully understood. The present study was designed to explore the possible effect and mechanism of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) on the regulation of PVSR induced by high pulmonary flow in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two male SD rats, weighing 120 - 140 g, were randomly divided into shunt group (n = 8), shunt + NaHS group (n = 8), control group (n = 8) and control + NaHS group (n = 8). Rats in shunt group and shunt + NaHS group were subjected to an abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt to create an animal model of high pulmonary flow. Rats in the control and control + NaHS groups underwent the same experimental protocol as mentioned above except for the shunt procedure. Rats in the shunt + NaHS and control + NaHS groups were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS at 56 micromol/(kgxd), and rats in the shunt and control groups were injected with the same volume of physiological saline. After 11 weeks of experiment, rats were sacrificed and lung tissues were obtained. The percentage of muscularized artery (MA) was calculated. The changes in relative medial thickness (RMT) in small pulmonary arteries and median pulmonary arteries were examined. Proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1) and phosphorylation extracellular signal-regulated kinase (P-ERK1) protein expression were examined by Western blot, and at the same time, PCNA protein expression by pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells was observed by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 11 weeks of shunt, compared with control group, the percentage of MA increased significantly (25.12 +/- 2.26 vs 14.42 +/- 3.41, P < 0.05), and RMT in small pulmonary arteries and median pulmonary arteries increased significantly in rats of shunt group (23.6 +/- 3.5 vs 12.6 +/- 2.1, 24.8 +/- 1.9 vs 13.5 +/- 2.2, P < 0.05 for all). PCNA protein expression in small and median pulmonary arteries increased significantly (0.49 +/- 0.04 vs 0.39 +/- 0.07, 0.46 +/- 0.08 vs 0.36 +/- 0.05, P < 0.01 for all), and the ratio of PERK/ERK1 protein expression of pulmonary arteries increased significantly (P < 0.01) in rats of shunt group compared with those of control group. After the administration of exogenous H(2)S donor, NaHS, for 11 weeks, in contrast to rats in shunt group, the percentage of MA decreased significantly (21.5 +/- 2.0 vs 25.1 +/- 2.3, P < 0.05), and RMT in small and median pulmonary arteries decreased significantly (20.2 +/- 2.8 vs 23.6 +/- 3.5, 20.8 +/- 3.1 vs 20.8 +/- 3.1, P < 0.05 for all) in rats of shunt + NaHS group. PCNA protein expression in small and median pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells decreased significantly (0.32 +/- 0.06 vs 0.49 +/- 0.04, 0.29 +/- 0.07 vs 0.46 +/- 0.08, P < 0.01 for all), and the ratio of PERK/ERK1 protein expression of pulmonary arteries decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in rats of shunt + NaHS group compared with that of shunt group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>H(2)S may play a regulatory role in pulmonary vascular structural remodeling induced by high pulmonary blood flow via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signal transduction pathway.</p>

Gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor regulates the expression of hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-beta-synthase system in recurrent febrile seizures / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Febrile seizure (FS) is one of the most common seizure types in children. Our previous studies have demonstrated that both gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABABR) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are involved in the pathogenesis of FS. This study was designed to explore the effect of GABABR on H2S/cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) system in recurrent FS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly assigned into four groups: Control (37 degrees C water bath exposure), FS, FS+baclofen (GABABR excitomotor), and FS+phaclofen (GABABR inhibitor) groups (n=16 each). FS was induced by warm water bath exposure (45.2 degrees C, once every 2 days, 10 times in total. The plasma level of H2S was detected by the spectrophotometer. The expression of CBS mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization. The expressions of CBS protein was observed by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasma level of H2S increased in the FS+baclofen group (427.45 +/- 15.91 micromol/L) but decreased in the FS+phaclofen group (189.72 +/- 21.53 micromol/L) compared with that in the FS group (362.14 +/- 19.71 micromol/L). The expressions of CBS mRNA and protein were up-regulated in the FS+baclofen group but were down-regulated in the FS+phaclofen group compared with those in the FS group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GABABR modulated the expression of H2S/CBS system in recurrent FS.</p>

A novel CFTR mutation found in a Chinese patient with cystic fibrosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cystic fibrosis (CF) is rare in Chinese. We investigated the mutations in the gene of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in a Chinese CF patient and reviewed the clinical features, gene mutations in Chinese CF cases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were collected from a previously reported CF girl and her parents. The 24 coding exons of CFTR of the proband were amplified and sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A Chinese girl of 16 years old was diagnosed as CF at the age of 14. She had recurrent productive cough with bronchiectasis in bilateral upper lobes, parasinusitis and otitis media, but without pancreatic involvement. Her sweat chloride was (108.9 +/- 3.3) mmol/L. A heterozygous novel missense mutation of 699 C --> A which results in the amino acid change of N189K was identified in exon 5. In addition, a heterozygous 3821 - 3823 delT mutation in exon 19 was found in CFTR. The mutation 699C --> A was inherited from her father, and the 3821 - 3823 delT mutation was from her mother. Twenty patients with CF in Chinese reported from 1974 to 2004 were also reviewed. DelF508 mutation was not found in the nine cases whose CFTR mutations were analyzed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The CF proband carries two heterozygous mutations (699C --> A and 3821 - 3823 delT) in CFTR. 699C --> A mutation is a novel mutation which is not reported previously. Review of reported Chinese cases suggests that the genotype of Chinese CF may be different from those of white cases. More studies are needed to understand the spectra of CFTR and clinical CF features in Chinese.</p>

Febrile seizure, but not hyperthermia alone, induces the expression of heme oxygenase-1 in rat cortex / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common seizure disorders. Approximately one third of children with a febrile seizure have recurrent events. The mechanism of FS remains unclear. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a member of the heat shock proteins family and can be induced in the brain by various stresses, including hyperthemia and seizure. This study aimed at investigating the changes of HO-1 in the cortex of rats after recurrent FS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>FS in rats was induced ten times, once every 2 days. In a bath of warm water, developing rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n = 16) and warm water-treated group (n = 50). The latter group was subdivided into hyperthermia group (n = 19) and FS group (n = 23). The expression and content of HO-1 mRNA in cortex were observed using in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The content of HO-1 protein in cortex was measured using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HO-1 mRNA expression of cortex neurons in FS group was markedly increased in comparison with those in hyperthermia and control groups (P = 0.00), however, there was no statistic difference between hyperthermia group and control group (P = 0.16). The relative amount of HO-1 mRNA in cortex in FS group was increased by 53.13% and 96% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively (P = 0.00), but there was no obvious difference between the later two groups (P = 0.051). Western blotting analysis showed that the HO-1 protein content in cortex in FS group was increased by 198% and 246% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively (P = 0.00). There was no obvious difference in HO-1 protein content between the later two groups (P = 0.09).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Recurrent FS in rats can cause the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein in cortex which may be involved in the mechanism of FS. The short-time recurrent hyperthermia can not induce the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein.</p>

Two novel mutations in palmitoyl-protein thioesterase gene in two Chinese babies with infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for possible novel mutations in palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) gene in two Chinese babies with infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two probands with INCL, confirmed clinically and pathologically, were used for mutation search in PPT1 gene. Onset of the disease occurred before the age of 1 year and they mainly showed progressive mental and motor retardation. The 9 coding exons and their flanking intron sequences of palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) gene were amplified by using PCR and sequenced. The parents of proband 1 were also examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One splicing mutation and two missense mutations were identified in the two probands: the proband 1 carrying a compound heterozygous mutation of a IVS1 + 1G-->A mutation in intron 1 and a c550G-->A mutation in exon 6 leading to the amino acid substitution of E184K. Additionally, the parents of the proband 1 also harbored one of the mutations of the patient, respectively. The proband 2 carrying a homozygous mutation of c272A-->C in exon 3, which resulted in the amino acid substitutions of Q91P.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The IVS1 + 1G-->A mutation and Q91P mutation are novel mutations, which lead to INCL. The genetic abnormalities of PPT1 in Chinese patients may not be completely the same as those in the patients of other regions of the world.</p>

Long-term alteration of gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor subunits in immature rats after recurrent febrile seizures / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Febrile seizure (FS) is closely related to an altered transmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA exerts its effects through ionotropic receptors (GABA(AR) and GABA(CR)) and metabotropic receptors (GABA(BR)). GABA(BRs) are located at pre- and postsynaptic sites. Stimulation of postsynaptic receptors generates long-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) that are important for the fine-tuning of inhibitory neurotransmission and caused by an increase in K(+) conductance. At presynaptic sites, GABA(BRs) mediate a suppression on the release of neurotransmitters such as of GABA or glutamate by inhibiting voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. The present study aimed to explore the long-term changes of GABA(B) receptor subunits in immature rats after recurrent febrile seizures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were randomly divided into control group and hyperthermia treatment group. The control rats (n = 64) were put into 37 degrees C water for 5 minutes. Rats with hyperthermia treatment were put into 44.8 degrees C water for 5 minutes. If a rat in hyperthermia treatment group showed seizure within 5 min, the rat was taken out of the water as soon as the seizure occurred. Water-immersion was carried out 10 times, once every 2 days. Rats showing 10 seizures (FS(10), n = 64) were studied. Rats exposed to hyperthermia for 10 times without seizure were also studied as hyperthermia-only (H, n = 64) group. Rats showing one seizure at the last time of 10 times of hyperthermia treatment were studied as one-seizure group (FS(1), n = 64). The other rats were studied for other research. The changes of GABA(B)R(1) and GABA(B)R(2) co-localization were detected by double fluorescence;the quantitative alteration of GABA(B)R(1) and GABA(B)R(2) were detected by quantitative RT-PCR; the binding of GABA(B)R(2) to GABA(B)R(1) was detected by immunoprecipitation/Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GABA(B)R(1), GABA(B)R(2), and the binding of GABA(B)R(2) to GABA(B)R(1) decreased after the last febrile seizure in FS(10) group, the expression of GABA(B)R(1) returned to normal in later phase while GABA(B)R(2) and the binding of them did not.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Recurrent FS down-regulated the expression of GABA(B)R subunits in a long term.</p>

NPHS1 mutations in a Chinese family with congenital nephrotic syndrome / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is defined as heavy proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome occurring before 3 months of age. It is characterized by early onset, resistance to steroid therapy and progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In recent years, several genes associated with CNS have been identified, such as NPHS1, NPHS2 and WT1. The mutations of these genes have been identified in the patients with CNS in Finland, other European countries, North Africa, North America, and Asia, respectively. However, the investigation of the above genes has not been performed in Chinese CNS patients. In this study, NPHS1 mutations in a Chinese family with CNS were detected and analyzed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>There were two CNS patients in the investigated family. The proband, a 45-day-old boy, was born at fullterm and weighed 2700 g at birth. The placenta weighed 450 g. At the age of 10 days, generalized edema, proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were found without renal insufficiency. The proband's sister, with the same phenotype and normal renal function, underwent renal biopsy at 5 years of age. Their parents and elder half-sister all had normal phenotypes. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral bloods of the proband, his family members and 50 unrelated, normal individuals. All 29 exons and exon-intron boundaries of NPHS1 were detected in the proband by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), direct DNA sequencing, and restriction enzyme analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three heterozygous mutations of NPHS1, namely, G928A (D310N), 1893-1900del 8 (CGAAACCG), and G2869C (V957L) were identified in the proband. These mutations involved exons 8, 14, and 21. The same genotype was found in the proband's sister who had the same phenotype, but was not detected in proband's elder half-sister who had normal phenotype. Fifty normal individuals had no these mutations. The proband's mother with normal urinalysis had G928A (D310N) heterozygous mutation, and the father with normal urinalysis had two heterozygous mutations of 1893-1900del 8 (CGAAACCG) and G2869C (V957L). At the same time, three types of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), E117K (rs3814995), S1105S (rs2071327), and IVS27+45c > t, were confirmed in the proband. Another variant, IVS8+68 a > g had also been found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first report about NPHS1 mutations in Chinese CNS kindred. These three heterozygous mutations of NPHS1 are novel genetic defects of CNS, which have not been described before.</p>

Novel GLA gene mutations in two Chinese families with classic Fabry disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search mutations in GLA gene in two Chinese families with classic Fabry disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two families with Fabry disease confirmed by pathological and clinical studies were reported here. In pedigree 1, 12 family members had paroxysmal pain on limb extremities. In pedigree 2, there were 8 patients and most of them had multi-organ involvement at the end stage of the disease. Two probands from the two families together with several of their family members were searched for mutations in GLA gene. After extraction of genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes, all of the 7 exons and their flanking introns were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the proband 1 and proband 2 were identified to be hemizygotes of novel GLA missense mutations. G132T (TGG-->TGT) mutation in exon 1, resulting in the substitution of amino acid from tryptophan to cysteine (W44C), was detected in proband 1. G874C (GCT-->CCT) mutation in exon 6, resulting in the substitution of amino acid from alanine to praline (A292P), was detected in proband 2. Mothers of the 2 probands were heterozygotes carrying the same mutation as their sons.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We report here 2 novel missense mutations in two Chinese families with classic Fabry disease. Different mutations in the same gene can result in phenotypes with significant deviation. Several female patients with the same clinical manifestations as male patients in the 2 families suggest that the X-linked dominant inheritance of the disease, possibly related to be the random X chromosome inactivation.</p>

Five single nucleotide polymorphisms of casein kinase I gamma 2 gene in children with familial febrile convulsions / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of casein kinase I gamma 2 (CSNK1G2) gene and children with familial febrile convulsions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study samples were collected from unrelated Chinese Han population of Hebei province, including a cohort of 53 children with familial febrile convulsions(FC) and a control cohort of 101 individuals. Genotypes of SNPs rs2074882, rs740423, rs2277737, rs4806825, rs1059684 were typed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of the five SNPs complied well with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in FC group and normal group. The distribution of genotype and frequencies of alleles of the SNPs rs740423, rs2277737, rs1059684 in familial febrile convulsions group was significantly different from that in control group. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes and frequencies of alleles at SNP rs2074882 between two groups. Analysis on rs4806825 was not made owing to its less allele frequency.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These data indicate that SNPs rs740423, rs2277737, rs1059684 of CSNK1G2 gene may contribute to familial febrile convulsions in children.</p>

Construction of recombinant vector expressing ALAS2 gene in X-linked sideroblastic anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is caused by mutations of erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthetase (ALAS2) gene. In this study a eukaryotic expression vector of ALAS2 was constructed and transfected into eukaryotic cells to observe the expression of ALAS2 gene. The full length cDNA of ALAS2 gene was inserted into plasmid pDs-red2-N1, named pDs-red2-N1/ALAS2. Then, the vector was transfected into K562 cells via electroporation. At 48 hours after transfection, total RNA from K562 cells was extracted, expressions of ALAS2 gene and protein with red fluorescence in the K562 cells were detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. The vector was also transfected into COS 7 cells via liposome. Both mRNA and protein expression in COS7 cells were detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy. The result showed that after the pDs-red2-N1/ALAS2 eukaryotic expression vector was digested by KpnI and BamHI, two fragments of 4 700 bp and 1 764 bp were displayed by electrophoresis on agarose gel. Sequence method confirmed that the sequence was correct. RT-PCR amplified the total RNA extracted from the transfected K562 and COS7 cells, and could find mRNA of ALAS2 gene that can't be found in K562 and COS7 cells usually. The expressions of both fluorescein and ALAS2 were significantly increased. The percentage of positive cells reached about 19.2% and 10.7%, respectively. ALAS2 expression lasted for 10 days in COS7 cells and the peak was at the third day. It is concluded that the eukaryotic expression vector of ALAS2 gene is successfully constructed; K562 and COS7 cells transfected with the vector via electroporation and liposome can express ALAS2 protein. So, the vector has the potential in gene replacement and can be used for patients with XLSA in future.