[Plasma Levels and Clinical Significance of Cytokine Profile in Patients with Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of cytokines in the plasma of patients with multiple myeloma(MM), and explore its clinical significance. METHODS: The levels of 6 cytokines(IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ) in the plasma of 59 newly diagnosed MM patients and 30 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed, and the immunophenotypes were also analyzed. The plasma levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ were quantitatively detected by flow microsphere technology, and the differences of cytokines levels in each group were tested by Wilcoxon. RESULTS: The plasma concentration of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in MM patients were all significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P<0.05). According to the ISS staging, there were no statistically significant difference in cytokines levels of patients at each stage (P>0.05). MM patients with high CD56 expression had higher plasma levels of IL-6 than the CD56 low expression group (41.74±62.73 vs 6.31±5.60 pg/ml) (P<0.05). The plasma level of IL-6 in MM patients with high CD117 expression was higher than that in the CD56 low expression group, but there was no statistically difference (P>0.05). The plasma level of IL-6 in MM patients was significantly decreased after chemotherapy (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: IL-6 is significantly increased in newly diagnosed MM patients, and is associated with the CD56 expression of abnormal plasma cells, which could provide important auxiliary effect on diagnosis of MM; at the same time, it is significantly decreased after chemotherapy, which may be suitable as a monitoring indicator in treatment of MM patients.

HLX affects cell cycle and proliferation in AML cells via the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a class of malignant tumors derived from hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. The H2.0-like homeobox gene (HLX) encodes transcription factors that function in promoting normal hematopoietic cell proliferation and tumor immunity. The present study analyzed the effect of downregulating the HLX on cell cycle distribution and cell proliferation in AML. Moreover, the current study detected changes in the expression of genes and proteins in the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling pathway to investigate the mechanism of the action of HLX in tumor immunity in AML. HLX expression in AML cell lines was silenced using small interfering siRNA, and MTS/PMS-assay colorimetric assays were used to assess the effect of knockdown of HLX on AML cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to analyze changes in cell cycle distribution, while reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect changes in the expression levels of key components of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, such as p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), neuropilin 1 (NRP1), B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) and STAT5. It was found that HLX was differentially expressed in AML cell lines of various subtypes, and HLX expression was higher in the AML/M3 subtype NB4 cell line compared with the control group. Knockdown of HLX in NB4 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, STAT5 protein expression, as well as NRP1 and PAK1 expression levels were downregulated, while BTG1 expression was upregulated when HLX was knocked out by siRNA. Collectively, the results suggested that downregulation of HLX may cause G0/G1 phase arrest and inhibit the proliferation of AML cells by activating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Dynamics of peripheral immune cells and their HLA-G and receptor expressions in a patient suffering from critical COVID-19 pneumonia to convalescence.

OBJECTIVES: Host immune responses are indispensable to combat the disease. We report the dynamics of peripheral immune cells, cytokines, and human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) and its receptor expressions in a patient suffering from critical COVID-19 pneumonia to convalescence. METHODS: Clinical data of the patient were collected from medical records. The expressions of HLA-G and receptors ILT2, ILT4 and KIR2DL4 in peripheral immune cells were measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: From critical COVID-19 to the convalescent stage, early lymphopenia was improved (median: 0.6 × 109 L-1 vs. 0.9 × 109 L-1, P = 0.009), and an obvious fluctuation in WBC and neutrophil counts was observed. Initially, low levels of CD4+ T cells (from 120 to 528 µL-1) and CD8+ T cells (from 68 to 362 µL-1) gradually increased to normal levels. Meanwhile, high IL-6 (from 251.8 to 6.32 pg mL-1), IL-10 (from 39.53 to 5.21 pg mL-1) and IFN-γ (from 13.55 to 3.16 pg mL-1) levels decreased, and IL-4 (from 2.36 to 3.19 pg mL-1) and TNF-α (from 2.27 to 20.2 pg mL-1) levels increased quickly when the viral RNA returned negative. Moreover, the percentage of HLA-G+ T cells, B cells and monocytes follows high-low-high pattern, while the percentage of receptors ILT2-, ILT4- and KIR2DL4-expressing cells remained relatively stable. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide valuable information on the dynamics of early peripheral immunological responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, cytokines and HLA-G+ immune cells are associated with the natural history of the critical COVID-19 patient; however, future studies are necessary.

Over-expression of CD200 predicts poor prognosis in MDS.

BACKGROUND: We studied the expression of CD200 in a series of 101 patients with diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), to evaluate its impact on outcome and its possible association with other known prognostic factors. MATERIAL/METHODS: The CD200 was detected by flow cytometry, and the chromosome karyotypes were determined by G banding respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the association among CD200 expression and clinical features. In addition, the overall survival and AML transformation of the MDS patients according to the expression level of CD200 was also explored. RESULTS: Overall, the flow cytometric analyses confirmed that expression of CD200 was high in this patient cohort compared to normal BM (p<0.01). The levels of CD200 in RCUD (20.3%±4.3%), RCMD (25.0%±4.5%), RAEB-1 (39.2%±4.9%), and RAEB-2 (43.2%±5.8%) groups were obviously higher than that of RARS group (6.8%±1.7%, P<0.05). Significant differences of CD200 expression were observed in the 4 groups of MDS according to IPSS risk(P<0.01). After 45-month follow-up, Kaplan-Meier analysis of patients with MDS in our study indicated that patients with high expression level of CD200 had a shorter overall survival and a high Leukemic transformation than those with low expression (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings provide firstly the evidence that CD200 is up-regulated and emerging as both a prognostic factor and a potential target of novel therapeutic approaches for MDS.

Anomalous Cerebellar Anatomy in Chinese Children with Dyslexia.

The cerebellar deficit hypothesis for developmental dyslexia claims that cerebellar dysfunction causes the failures in the acquisition of visuomotor skills and automatic reading and writing skills. In people with dyslexia in the alphabetic languages, the abnormal activation and structure of the right or bilateral cerebellar lobes have been identified. Using a typical implicit motor learning task, however, one neuroimaging study demonstrated the left cerebellar dysfunction in Chinese children with dyslexia. In the present study, using voxel-based morphometry, we found decreased gray matter volume in the left cerebellum in Chinese children with dyslexia relative to age-matched controls. The positive correlation between reading performance and regional gray matter volume suggests that the abnormal structure in the left cerebellum is responsible for reading disability in Chinese children with dyslexia.

Analysis of XRD Spectral Structure and Carbonization of the Biochar Preparation.

XRD spectroscopy is an important means of research material inside the crystalline structure of the material. In this study it was analyzed with X-ray sources in terms of manner of preparation of different materials carbon crystal structure of biological characteristics and charring mechanism. The results showed that: Biochar contain d101 and d002 crystal face diffraction peak of carbon graphite-like microcrystalline cellulose, but after charring precipitated salt with different materials, and have a big difference, such as ox dung, castor dregs and furfural dregs of CaCO3 carbon content than other organisms, but only ox dung and castor dregs containing CaMg (CO3)2. Corn stover charcoal preferentially decompose hemicelluloses and cellulose microcrystalline graphite with increasing temperature so with the degree of crystallinity which becomes more stable conversion of carbon compounds. Wherein the mineral salt as a pyrolysis carbonization temperature, gradually precipitated by metals oxides→Acetales→carbonate, and with increasing temperature the content of CaCO3 also increase. After different methods of carbonization, charring its mechanism is different from the first dry charring can promote the decomposition of hemicellulose, high temperature microwave treatment is highly volatile, mainly promoting substances multiple bond rupture decomposed substance carbonate precipitates relatively small. Comprehensive illustrated by X-ray diffraction study biochar may well feature the internal structure of the crystalline, can effectively reflect the cracking mechanism of carbonization process.

Developmental changes in the role of different metalinguistic awareness skills in Chinese reading acquisition from preschool to third grade.

The present study investigated the relationship between Chinese reading skills and metalinguistic awareness skills such as phonological, morphological, and orthographic awareness for 101 Preschool, 94 Grade-1, 98 Grade-2, and 98 Grade-3 children from two primary schools in Mainland China. The aim of the study was to examine how each of these metalinguistic awareness skills would exert their influence on the success of reading in Chinese with age. The results showed that all three metalinguistic awareness skills significantly predicted reading success. It further revealed that orthographic awareness played a dominant role in the early stages of reading acquisition, and its influence decreased with age, while the opposite was true for the contribution of morphological awareness. The results were in stark contrast with studies in English, where phonological awareness is typically shown as the single most potent metalinguistic awareness factor in literacy acquisition. In order to account for the current data, a three-stage model of reading acquisition in Chinese is discussed.

NK cytolysis is dependent on the proportion of HLA-G expression.

The suppressive functions of HLA-G to various immune cells have been well established. The proportion of HLA-G expression in malignant lesion cells was found from negative to 100%. However, effects for the different proportion of HLA-G expression on the cytolysis of NK cells remain to be explored. In this study, NK cytolysis to the various proportion of HLA-G1 expression on leukemia cell line K562 was investigated. Analysis of NK cell cytotoxicity was by detecting the NK cell surface CD107a expression. Data showed that NK cell cytolysis could be inhibited by the HLA-G1 expression and in a manner of HLA-G1 expression proportion dependent manner (r = 0.925, p = 0.008). Our study provided further understanding for the roles of HLA-G1 expression in malignant cell immune escaping from NK cells.

Dimethyl 4-(4-hy-droxy-phen-yl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydro-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxyl-ate.

The title mol-ecule, C(17)H(19)NO(5), was prepared by a Hantzsch dihydro-pyridine synthesis from 4-hy-droxy-benzaldehyde, methyl acetoacetate and NH(4)HCO(3). In the mol-ecular structure of the title compound, the dihydro-pyridine ring adopts a flattened boat conformation and the plane of the base of the boat forms a dihedral angle of 80.8 (2)° with the aromatic six-membered ring. The packing is stabilized by strong inter-molecular N-H⋯O(carbon-yl), O(hydrox-y)-H⋯O(carbon-yl) and weak intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

[The induced differentiation and apoptosis of THP-1 cells by anti-CD44 antibody and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of anti-CD44 mAb A3D8 on the cell proliferation of human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 and its mechanism. METHODS: Cell proliferation was assayed with MTT method, the expression of CD33, CD15, CD11b, CD14, Annexin-V, caspase-3 and cell cycle with flow cytometry, and the expression of p-Akt, p-ERK, bcl-2 and p27kip1 with Western blot. RESULTS: A3D8 could remarkably inhibit the proliferation capacity of the THP-1 cells in a dosage- and time-dependent manner. THP-1 differentiation was observed when treated with A3D8 (2.0 µg/ml) for one to six days. Expression of CD33 (68.9 ± 2.0 vs 39.3 ± 1.5), CD15 (61.7 ± 5.5 vs 12.9 ± 2.6), CD11b (67.3 ± 3.8 vs 14.0 ± 2.0) and CD14 (83.0 ± 5.7 vs 8.0 ± 1.0) was significantly increased at day 4 compared with the control group (all P < 0.01). Cell cycle of the THP-1 cells was arrested in G(0)/G(1). Expression of the Annexin-V \[(32.5 ± 2.5)% vs (2.4 ± 0.3)%\] and caspase-3 \[(33.3 ± 2.5)% vs (3.6 ± 0.3)%\] was much higher than that in normal controls (all P < 0.01), and apoptosis was observed in THP-1 cells at day 5. Expression of p-Akt (0.24 ± 0.06 vs 1.20 ± 0.15), p-ERK (0.32 ± 0.05 vs 1.24 ± 0.09), and bcl-2 (0.11 ± 0.05 vs 0.65 ± 0.07) was much lower than that of the controls (all P < 0.01), while p27kip1 (1.08 ± 0.09 vs 0.10 ± 0.02) was significantly increased at day 4 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anti-CD44 antibody can induce the differentiation and apoptosis of THP-1 cell through inhibiting PI3K/AKt and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Orthographic neighborhood size effect in Chinese character naming: orthographic and phonological activations.

The present study examined the effects of orthographic neighborhood (N) size on the cognitive processes underlying Chinese character reading. Previous research has shown increasing N size facilitates word naming and recognition performance in alphabetic languages. Experiment 1 revealed that a large N size was associated with a general inhibition of processes underlying character reading, in contrast to previous findings with alphabetic languages. This inhibitory effect was influenced by regularity and consistency. Experiment 2 sought to assess the effects of higher-frequency neighbors on character naming performance. The results revealed that higher-frequency neighbors with different pronunciation to the target interfered with the phonological retrieval of targets. We propose that this type of interference may have caused the N size effect observed in Experiment 1. The results of Experiment 3 revealed that a large N size facilitated target naming in the absence of higher-frequency neighbors. The current results shed light on the processes underlying character naming, and we propose possible cognitive mechanisms of the N size effect on Chinese character naming.

Induction of cell surface human leukocyte antigen-G expression in pandemic H1N1 2009 and seasonal H1N1 influenza virus-infected patients.

A novel H1N1 virus of swine origin (H1N1v) recently caused a pandemic; however, knowledge of immunologic aspects of the virus infection are limited. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) was speculated to play critical roles in viral infection, although its clinical relevance in H1N1 infection remains unknown. In this study, HLA-G expression in peripheral T lymphocytes, monocytes, and CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells (in 50 H1N1v-infected and 41 seasonal H1N1-infected patients and 27 control subjects) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Plasma-soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G, in 28 H1N1v-infected, 29 seasonal H1N1-infected patients and 85 control subjects) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentage of HLA-G-positive T lymphocytes and monocytes among patients with H1N1v and seasonal H1N1 infections was dramatically increased compared with controls (all p < 0.001). Treg was markedly increased among H1N1v- infected patients compared with normal controls (p = 0.041), but not for the seasonal H1N1-infected patients. Meanwhile, no significant difference was observed for sHLA-G levels between the groups. Together, cell surface HLA-G expression was markedly induced in H1N1v-infected and seasonal H1N1-infected patients, and increased Treg was observed only in H1N1v-infected patients. Given its immune-suppressive property, elevated cell surface HLA-G expression may help to explain the virus escaping from host immune responses.

[Expression of CD123 in lymphocytic leukemia and its significance for monitoring minimal residual diseases.].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CD123 and its significance in lymphocytic leukemia. METHODS: CD123 expression in 139 lymphocytic leukemia patients and in lymphocytes from 10 normal bone marrows (BM) was analyzed by multi-parameter flow cytometry. Cytogenetic and minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis were performed in acute B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL) patients. RESULTS: CD123 expression was absent in B lymphoid lineage stem-progenitor cells, mature B and T lymphocytes from 10 normal BM. Among 139 lymphocytic leukemia patients, CD123 was negative in 5 T-ALL and 23 B-CLL patients. However, among 111 B-ALL patients, CD123 was expressed in 106 (12 pro B-ALL, 57 common B-ALL and 37 Pre B-ALL) (95.49%) but not in 5 mature B-ALL patients. There was a positive correlation between CD123 and p-Akt expression, and CD123 expression was much higher in hyperdiploid than in non-hyperdiploid B-ALL patients. A statistically significant difference in relapse rate within 12 months (MRD positive group: 63.04% vs MRD negative group 21.56%)and in disease free survival (DFS) time was found beween patients with MRD\[(36.06 +/- 2.62)%\] or not \[(48.23 +/- 1.82)%\] (P < 0.01). Moreover, stable CD123 expression could be observed in B-ALL patients in relapse. CONCLUSIONS: CD123 was predominantly expressed in B-ALL patients and remained in patients in relapsec, indicating that it may be an useful MRD marker in B-ALL patients.

Upregulation of human leukocyte antigen-G expression and its clinical significance in ductal breast cancer.

Human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-G could inhibit functions of immune cells and induce regulatory T cells (Treg) and could be involved in antitumor immune responses. In the current study, HLA-G expression in 58 primary breast cancer lesions was analyzed with immunohistochemistry. Plasma soluble HLA-G was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 92 breast cancer patients and in 70 normal healthy donors. The proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg was analyzed with flow cytometry in 64 breast cancer patients and 23 normal controls. HLA-G expression was observed in 70.7% (41/58) of breast cancer lesions. Lesion HLA-G expression was more frequently observed in advanced disease stage (I/II vs III/IV, p = 0.044) and tumor grade (I/II vs III/IV, p = 0.021). sHLA-G was dramatically increased in patients when compared with normal controls (median 82.19 vs 9.65 U/ml, p < 0.001); The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for sHLA-G was 0.953 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.926-0.981, p < 0.001). However, sHLA-G was irrelevant to the disease stage and tumor grade. Moreover, CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg are markedly increased in the breast cancer patients compared with normal controls (4.46+/-1.36% vs 2.67+/-1.45%, p < 0.001), and the increased frequency of Treg was strongly correlated to sHLA-G levels (R = 0.582, p = 0.001). Our findings indicated that HLA-G could play critical roles in the progression of breast cancer, and plasma sHLA-G levels might be a useful preoperative biomarker for diagnosis.

[Effect of rapamycin on apoptosis in human myelodysplastic syndrome cell line MUTZ-1 and its possible mechanisms].

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rapamycin on cell growth and apoptosis in the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cell line MUTZ-1 and possible mechanism. MUTZ-1 cells were treated with rapamycin, cell proliferation capability was determined with MTT, protein expression including Annexin V/PI, caspase 3, PTEN, p-Akt, p-mTOR and the cell cycle were analyzed with flow cytometry. The results indicated that the proliferation of MUTZ-1 cells was inhibited by rapamycin in concentration-and time-dependent manners (r=0.67, 0.61, 0.72). After treatment with rapamycin for 24-72 hours, cell count in G0/G1 were significantly higher than that of the control (p<0.01), and this effect showed a time-and concentration-dependency (r=0.94, 0.93, 0.92), the cell cycle was blocked in G0/G1 phase. As compared with control group, the proportion of Annexin V+PI-MUTZ-1 cells and the cellular PTEN levels increased in the treated group dramatically and in time-and dose-dependent manners (p<0.01). To the contrary, level of p-mTOR expression markedly decreased as compared with control group (p<0.05). It is concluded that the rapamycin inhibits the proliferation of MUTZ-1 cells, down-regulates the PTEN/PI3K-Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by interaction with mTOR, which induces the apoptosis of mUTZ-1 cells.

[Mammaplasty after polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel removal from breast].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between mammaplasty and results after polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel (PAHG) removal from breast. METHODS: From Feb. 2003 to Aug. 2009, 130 patients with bilateral breast augmentation by PAHG injection were treated. Preoperative ultrasound examination and MRI were performed to know the distribution of PAHG and infiltration at the surrounding tissue. According to the conditions after removal, the patients were received implant augmentation immediately, or at the second stage, or no implant. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for 3 months at the most with a very satisfactory rate of 63.84% (83/120), a satisfactory rate of 31.53% (41/120) and a unsatisfactory rate of 4.63% (6/120). Slight capsular contracture (Baker I) occurred in 5 cases with 6 breasts in satisfactory group. All the patients in unsatisfactory groups who selected unsuitable implants by themselves were re-operated to take out the implants. 3 cases with much residue PAHG insisted to receive breast implants. Among them, 2 cases achieved acceptable results even the surface of the breasts were not smooth. No other complication happened. CONCLUSIONS: The breast reaugmentation after PAHG removal should be performed based on the deformity and condition of breast. Both cosmetic result and psychological relief could be obtained after mammaplasty.

1-[3-Meth-oxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yl-oxy)phen-yl]ethanone.

In the title compound, C(12)H(12)O(3), the meth-oxy and prop-2-yn-yloxy groups are nearly coplanar with the attached benzene ring [C-O-C-C torsion angles = 1.2 (3) and 2.2 (3)°, respectively]. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of C-H⋯O inter-actions occur.

Induction of both membrane-bound and soluble HLA-G expression in active human cytomegalovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Alteration of HLA expression or cytokine production plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. HLA-G has been suggested to be involved in HCMV infection, and modulation of HLA-G expression by interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10 has been reported. However, the clinical relevance of HLA-G in HCMV infection remains unknown. METHODS: The study included 75 patients with active HCMV infection (age range, 1-4.5 years) and 150 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (age range, 1-5 years). HLA-G expression in peripheral monocytes from patients (n=38) and control subjects (n=20) was analyzed using flow cytometry. Plasma levels of soluble HLA-G (in 75 patients and 150 control subjects), IL-10 (in 75 patients and 40 control subjects), and IFN-gamma (in 75 patients and 40 control subjects) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean percentage of HLA-G-positive monocytes among patients with active HCMV infection was dramatically increased, compared with that among healthy control subjects (6.33% vs 1.64%; P<.001). Similarly, significant increases were observed in soluble HLA-G level (median, 54.91 vs 21.32 U/mL; P<.001) and IL-10 level (median, 9.24 vs 1.82 ng/mL; P<.001). Although the expression of IFN-gamma was higher in patients with active HCMV infection than in healthy control subjects, the difference was not statistically significant (median, 1254.46 vs 887.05 ng/mL; P=.070). Furthermore, no correlation was established between HLA-G expression and levels of IL-10 or IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: HLA-G expression in monocytes and plasma soluble HLA-G and IL-10 levels were increased during active HCMV infection.

Immunological aspects of human amniotic fluid cells: implication for normal pregnancy.

Amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) are routinely obtained and expanded in vitro for prenatal diagnosis; nevertheless current knowledge about their properties is limited. The detailed mechanisms underlying normal pregnancies are yet to be discovered. The goal of this study was to identify the immunological aspects of AFCs including cytokine production and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression, and to discuss its implication for pregnancy. Eighty-six samples of AFCs were determined for HLA expression before and after culture. Cytokine production was measured with flow cytometry in AFC culture supernatants. Treatment of interferon (IFN)-gamma on induction of HLA-DR expression in cultured AFCs was also investigated. Data indicated that both fresh and cultured AFCs express HLA-I, HLA-G, but not HLA-DR, and the cultured AFCs predominately produce the cytokine interleukin (IL)-6. Importantly, we observed that IFN-gamma could induce HLA-DR expression on cultured AFCs in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicated that AFCs are functionally active cells and are significant in pregnancy.

[The correlation study of PTEN gene expression and Akt phosphorylation in myelodysplastic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between PTEN gene expression and Akt phosphorylation (p-Akt) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and to explore the progression of MDS and the mechanism of high risk transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS: RT-PCR was used to detect the PTEN mRNA expression in leukemia cell lines K562 (as negative control) and Jurkat (as positive control) and 65 MDS and MDS/AML patients. Flow cytometry was used to detect p-Akt in HL-60 and Jurkat cells and 30 MDS patients. RESULTS: (1) K562 cells present PTEN gene expression while Jurkat cells did not. Of 65 MDS and MDS/AML patients, 27 (41.5%) expressed PTEN mRNA, being significantly lower than that in normal group (85.7%) (P < 0.01). (2) Jurkat cell showed high expression (86.9%) of p-Akt, while HL-60 cell as negative control did not express. P-Akt levels of 30 MDS patients were increased (1.35% - 58.23%), being much higher as compared with that of the normal contrast group (0.54% - 2.34%) (P < 0.01). Moreover, with the rate of blast cells increasing, the p-Akt level was rising up. There is a positive correlation (r = 0.93, P < 0.01) between the low expression rate of PTEN and the positive rate of p-Akt. CONCLUSION: The loss of PTEN gene expression is one of the important factors of p-Akt high expression in MDS patients, moreover, it may speed up the progress of the MDS or transformation to acute myeloid leukemia.