A genetic screen in Arabidopsis reveals the identical roles for RBP45d and PRP39a in 5' cryptic splice site selection.

Cryptic splice sites in eukaryotic genome are generally dormant unless activated by mutation of authentic splice sites or related splicing factors. How cryptic splice sites are used remains unclear in plants. Here, we identified two cryptic splicing regulators, RBP45d and PRP39a that are homologs of yeast U1 auxiliary protein Nam8 and Prp39, respectively, via genetic screening for suppressors of the virescent sot5 mutant, which results from a point mutation at the 5' splice site (5' ss) of SOT5 intron 7. Loss-of-function mutations in RBP45d and PRP39a significantly increase the level of a cryptically spliced variant that encodes a mutated but functional sot5 protein, rescuing sot5 to the WT phenotype. We furtherly demonstrated that RBP45d and PRP39a interact with each other and also with the U1C, a core subunit of U1 snRNP. We found that RBP45d directly binds to the uridine (U)-rich RNA sequence downstream the 5' ss of SOT5 intron 7. However, other RBP45/47 members do not function redundantly with RBP45d, at least in regulation of cryptic splicing. Taken together, RBP45d promotes U1 snRNP to recognize the specific 5' ss via binding to intronic U-rich elements in plants.

[Analysis of Clinical Features and Prognosis of Patients with Chronic Neutrophil Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) and to provide possible molecular targets for the treatment. METHODS: By summarizing the clinical data of 14 patients with CNL, the clinical characteristics, gene mutation types and possible prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients with CNL, males (9 cases) were more than females (5 cases), with a median age of 57 years old. The detection rate of CSF3R mutation was 92.86% (13/14), including 12 cases (85.71%) with T318I mutation and 1 case of Y799X mutation, and only 1 case was not detected for mutation of CSF3R. The ASXL1 mutation was detected in 42.86% (6/14) of the patients, all of which were nonsense mutations, including 4 cases with R693X and 2 cases with E705X, and 14.29% (2/14) of the patients was detected for SETBP1 mutation, all of which were with D868N mutation. No patients with simultaneous ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations were found, and JAK2 and CALR mutations were not detected. All of the patients had normal karyotypes. These patients' median survival time was 30 months (95%CI 13.19-46.80), and the influence of age over 60 years old was statistically significant (21.83 months vs 35.35 months) (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: It is difficult to diagnose CNL. CSF3R T618I mutation is its specific mutation, and ASXL1 mutation and SETBP1 mutation have auxiliary diagnostic significance for CNL. The age＞60 years old at diagnosis is a factor of unfavourable prognosis.

[Clinical Analysis of 208 Patiets with BCR/ABL Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence, hemogram, genetics, clinical manifestations, therapeutic efficacy and outcome of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPN) so as to provide much more therapeutic basis for clinically studying the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment as well as evaluating the prognosis of MPN patients. METHODS: The clinical data and related laboratory test results in 208 cases of BCR/ABL fusion gene regative MPN were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The MPN could occur at any age, but the highest incidence was observed in patients aged 40-79. Among 208 patients with MPN, the patients with essential thrombocythemia(ET) accounted for 48.56%(101/208), the patients with polycythemia vera(PV) accounted for 25.96%(54/208), and the patients with primary myelofibrosis(PMF) accounted for 25.48(53/208). The clinical manifestation of MPN varied, the first manifestations was no-specific, onset of disease presented slow. The JAK2V617F gene mutation existed in 130 out of 208 patients with MPN, total mutation rate was 62.5%;JAK2V617F mutation rate in PV patients was 81.5%(44/54), while that in ET and PMF patients was 58.4%(59/101) and 50.9%(27/53) respectively, the detected rate of this mutation in PV patients was significantly higher than that in ET and PMF patients (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between ET and PMF patients(P>0.05). In PV group, the WBC count of JAK2V617F positive patients was significantly enhanced (P<0.01), while there were no statistical differences of hemoglobin level and platelet count (P>0.05); in ET and PMF groups, the JAK2V617F positive patients had a higher WBC count and hemoglobin level(P<0.05), while the difference of platelet count was no significant(P>0.05). The most common vascular event in patients with MPN was ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The JAK2V617F mutation related with risk of thrombosis (OR=2.222, 95% CI=1.101 to 4.486). The difference in the incidence of vascular event between ET and PV patients was no statistically significant (P>0.05), but the incidence of vascular event in ET and PV patients was higher than that in PMF patients(P<0.05). The disease conversion much more easily happened in JAK2V617F positive patients. After treatment, the MPN could be controlled, yet the maintained treatment is needed. CONCLUSION: The MPN can occur almost at any age, but more commonly occures in middle-aged and elderly persons. The onset of MPN varies, the clinical manifestation was similar, a high detected rate of JAK2V617F mutation is observed in MPN patients and relates closely with onset of MPN; moreover, JAK2V617F mutation rate relates with type of MPN. The MPN patients with JAK2V617F mutation have higher WBC count and higher incidence of thrombosis. After treatment, the MPN can be better controlled, and need maintenance treatment. So as to avoid the reccurence of disease, control the complications and obtain the longterm survival.

[Analysis of Phenotype and L12R Mutation in Signal Peptide and 3' Non-translation Region c11814-insAA Mutation of F7 Gene in a Family with Hereditary Coagulation Factor VII Deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To examine one young female patient with hereditary FVII deficiency and her family members, to observe the gene mutation and clinical phenotype, and to investigate the molecular mechanism of the dysfunction. METHODS: Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromoploastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fg) and FVII activity (FVII:C) and FVII antigen (FVII:Ag) were tested. The gene mutations were sought by DNA sequencing for all of the exons and flanks, 5' and 3' non-translation region of F7 gene. To confirm the role of the found gene mutation, the reverse sequence were determined with Chromas software. To infer the influence of the mutation on the synthesis and function of FVII protein, the FVII protein molecule model containing the found mutation was constructed and the function prediction was performed by the signal peptide prediction database. RESULTS: Compared with the normal population, the proband's PT value was significantly prolonged, and the ratio % FVII:C and that of FVII:Ag were significantly decreased by 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively. The PT, APTT, FVII:C and FVII:Ag of the proband's parents were both normal. Heterozygous 556th nucleotide mutations T/G were found in the proband's and his father's exon lA of F7 gene, with codon CTG turning into CGG, corresponding leucine (L) into arginine (R), i.e Leu12Arg. Function prediction showed that L12R mutations affected the segmentation of different parts of the signal peptide and its corresponding function, which could result in the decline in the mature protein synthesis and its activity obviously. In addition, a spontaneous 3' untranslated region c11814-insAA heterozygous mutation was detected in the proband's F7 gene, while her parents didn't possess this mutation. CONCLUSION: A new hererozygous mutation (L12R) located in signal peptide of F7 gene is the primary molecular basis of the case with hereditary FVII deficiency. At the same time, the proband's spontaneous 3' non-translation region c11814-insAA mutation may lead to the further reduetion of the FVII synthesis.

IL-11 promotes the treatment efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplant therapy in aplastic anemia model mice through a NF-κB/microRNA-204/thrombopoietin regulatory axis.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation could be of therapeutic value for aplastic anemia (AA) patients, and immunosuppressants may facilitate the efficiency of the procedure. As anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-11 (IL-11) has a thrombopoietic effect, its use in cases of chronic bone marrow failure, such as AA, has been proposed to induce HSC function. However, the putative mechanisms that may support this process remain poorly defined. We found that decreased miR-204-5p levels were coincident with increased proliferation in mouse HSCs following exposure to IL-11 in vitro. Through inhibiting NF-кB activity, miR-204-5p repression was demonstrated to be a downstream effect of IL-11 signaling. miR-204-5p was shown to directly target thrombopoietin (TPO) via sequence-dependent 3'-UTR repression, indicating that this microRNA-dependent pathway could serve an essential role in supporting IL-11 functions in HSCs. Increased TPO expression in HSCs following IL-11 exposure could be mimicked or blocked by inhibiting or overexpressing miR-204-5p, respectively. Consistent with these in vitro findings, IL-11 promoted HSC engraftment in a mouse model of AA, an effect that was attenuated in cells overexpressing miR-204-5p. The reduction in miR-204-5p levels is an integral component of IL-11 signaling that may play an essential role in treating AA.

[Clinical Significance of the Serum EPO Level in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression level of erythropoietin (EPO) and ferritin before and after treatment of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) so as to explore their clinical significance in diagnosis and discrimination. METHODS: The EPO and ferritin levels in serum of 37 patients with IDA were determined by using chemiluminescence analysis (CLIA method) and electrical chemiluminescence analysis (ECLIA method), 30 healthy people were randomly selected as normal controls. RESULTS: (1) the sEPO level in IDA patients of group before treatment, group treated for 1 month and group treated for 2 months was higher than that in normal control group (P < 0.05). The level of sEPO of IDA patients in different groups after treatment was lower than that in IDA patients of groups before treatment, along with improvement of anemia status, the level of EPO was gradually reduced, and the level of sEPO in patients of group treated for 3 months was not statistical significant in comparison with that in normal control (P > 0.05). The level of ferritin in IDA patients before and after treatment was lower than that in normal control group (P < 0.05). The level of ferritin in IDA patient of groups after treatment was all higher than that in patients of groups before treatment, but comparision of serum ferritin level in patients of groups after treatment did not show statistical significance. (2) The level of logEPO in IDA patient before and after treatment was negatively related with level of Hb, but the level of ferritin in IDA patients was positively related with the level of Hb before treatment (r = 0.449, P = 0.005), the level of ferritin in patients of different group after treatment and in normal group did not related with level of HB. (3) The level of serum EPO in patients of severe anemia group was obviously higher than that in patients of moderate and mild anemia groups, and along with aggravation of anemia, the EPO level was gradually arised. CONCLUSION: The serum EPO is involved in the process of erythrocyte hematopoiesis, and can indicate the level of anemia, its sensitivity for anemia is higher than that of ferritin, and has important clinical value for evaluating status of diseases, observing therapeutic efficacy and judging prognosisi of IDA.

[Effects of DNA methylation on expression of TIG1 gene in acute leukemia].

This study was purposed to investigate the expression and methylation status of TIG1 in acute leukemia (AL). The TIG1 expression of 53 cases of AL and 20 cases of normal control (NC) were measured by using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-QT-PCR) and methylation-specific PCR(MS-PCR). The leukemia KG-1a, U937 and K562 cells were treated with 5-Aza-CdR. The results indicated that TIG1 gene expressed at a high level in cases of NC, but expressed at a low level in patients with AL. TIG1 gene was unmethylated in NC, but frequently methylated in AL. Aberrant methylation rate of TIG1 in AL was 75% (40/53). The expression of TIG1 in unmethylated patients was higher than that in methylated patients. Hypermethylation of TIG1 promoter CpG islands was detected in all the cell lines. 5-Aza-CdR treatment led to the hypomethylation of TIG1 promoter CpG islands. After the treatment with 5-Aza-CdR of different concentration, the expression of TIG1 was restored, and the effect of 5-Aza-CdR displayed dose-dependency. It is concluded that the reduced expression of TIG1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AL, and methylation may be responsible for the decreased transcription of TIG1 gene.

[Clinical analysis of 14 patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura].

In order to enhance the understanding of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), the clinical features, laboratory characteristics, treatment and outcome of 14 patients with TTP were retrospectively analyzed and investigated. The results showed that 7 out of 14 patients with TTP had predisposing factors, such as pregnancy in 4 cases, infection in 3 cases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1 case and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in 1 case. Fourteen patients all had neuropsychological symptoms, hemolytic anemia with negative-Coombs test, and decreased platelet counts. Eight patients had irregular fever with different degree. There were 8 patients with kidney damage including proteinuria in 8 cases and renal function abnormalities in 4 cases. The von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (VWF-CP, ADAMTS13) activity of 13 cases out of 14 patients significantly decreased (less than 10%). At same time, plasma ADAMTS13 inhibitors were detected in 12 cases out of these 13 patients with decreased ADAMTS13 activity. After treatment with plasma exchange, glucocorticoid and rituximab so on, 12 cases achieved complete remission, in which 8 cases relapsed in two years. Two patients died at last, in which one case was secondary to HSCT. It is concluded that TTP is a kind of thrombotic microangiopathy due to platelet microthrombosis involved in multiple systems and multiple organs dysfunction with dangerous clinical process. The mortality of TTP patients is very high. Early diagnosis and early treatment with plasma exchange as the main means can greatly improve the prognosis of patients with TTP.

[Expression of MCL-1 and BAK proteins in nutritional anemia and its clinical significance].

This study was aimed to investigate the relation of MCL-1 and BAK proteins with incidence and development of nutritional anemia (NA) and their clinical significance. The MCL-1 and BAK protein levels in serum of 66 patients with NA were determined by using ELISA. Eighteen healthy people were randomly selected as normal controls. The results indicated that: (1) as compared with normal control group, the expression level of MCL-1 protein in 3 NA groups (iron-deficiency anemia, macrocytic anemia, mixed anemia) significantly decreased (P < 0.001), while the expression level of BAK protein obviously increased (P < 0.001), but the expression level of MCL-1 and BAK proteins among 3 NA groups showed no obvious differences; (2) the MCL-1 protein expression level increased and BAK protein expression level decreased in 3 NA groups after treatment (P < 0.05). (3) there was negative correlation of expression levels of MCL-1 protein with BAK protein in NA group (r = -0.858 P < 0.05). It is concluded that the MCL-1 and BAK proteins may play an important role in the incidence and development of NA, and can be used as the assist index for defining diagnosis and evaluate prognosis of NA.

[Fechtner syndrome, a nonmuscle myosin heavy chain 9 gene mutation related disease: a case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the recognition of Fechtner syndrome. METHODS: The clinical and laboratory data and family survey of a patient with Fechtner's syndrom was reported. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Giant platelets, thrombocytopenia and characteristic granulocyte inclusion bodies (Döhle-like bodies) were found in both peripheral blood and bone marrow smears of the patient. Clinically the patient had renal damage, nervous deafness, and vitreous lesions. There was a family genetic tendency on family survey the diagnosis of Fechtner syndrome is established.

[Expression of c-fes gene in leukemia cells and its clinical significance].

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of c-fes gene in leukemia patients and its clinical significance. The expression of c-fes mRNA in bone marrow cells from 121 cases of acute and chronic leukemia patients, and the expression of c-fes mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 normal persons were detected by real time-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). The results showed that the level of c-fes mRNA in AML patients was higher than that in normal controls [(48.017 +/- 57.170) x 10(-3) vs (0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3)] (p < 0.0001); but there was no significant differences of level of c-fes mRNA between samples of ALL and normal controls(0.047 +/- 0.068) x 10(-3) vs(0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3) (p>0.05); the level of c-fes mRNA in CML patients was higher than that in normal persons (21.605 +/- 24.818) x 10(-3) vs (0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3) (p < 0.0001). The positive expression rate of c-fes gene in CML-CP patients (80%) was higher than that in CML-AP patients (66.7%) and CML-BP (28.6%) patients. In AML patients, c-fes gene was expressed higher in M(2) (80.77%) and M(3) (92.86%) patients. The remission rate of AML (except M(3))patients who had expression of c-fes gene was 81.08%, which was higher than that of patients with no expression of c-fes gene (40.00%). It is concluded that c-fes gene expression was found in myeloid leukemias, whereas low or no expression in lymphocytic leukemias. The differentiation of myelocytic cells may be related to c-fes gene. All AML (except M(3))patients with high level of c-fes mRNA may get good prognosis.

[5-azacytidine treatment induces tumor suppressor gene XAF1 expression and inhibits proliferation in myeloma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 5-azacytidine on XAF1 expression in myeloma cell lines RPMI8226 and XG-7 and the in vitro anti-myeloma activity of 5-azacytidine. METHODS: XAF1 mRNA and protein expression was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and Western blot, respectively. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect methylation status of XAF1 promoter CpG islands. RPMI8226 and XG-7 cells were treated with 0-5 micromol/L of 5-azacytidine and Cell Counting Kit-8 colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the growth inhibitory effect. Cell apoptosis was determined with Annexin V-PE/7-AAD staining by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Untreated RPMI8226 cells expressed XAF1 mRNA isoforms 1 and 2, and untreated XG-7 cells had no XAF1 expression. Hypermethylation of XAF1 promoter CpG islands was detected in both the cell lines. After treated with 2.5 micromol/L 5-azacytidine for 72 h, both the cell lines expressed full-length XAF1 transcript and protein. 5-azacytidine treatment led to XAF1 promoter CpG islands hypomethylation and showed anti-myeloma activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 2.4 micromol/L and 2.6 micromol/L at 48 h for RPMI8226 and XG-7 cell lines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of XAF1 expression and abnormal expression of XAF1 in myeloma cell lines are associated with XAF1 gene promoter CpG islands hypermethylation. 5-azacytidine treatment can induce XAF1 mRNA and protein expression and exerts anti-myeloma activity via apoptosis at clinically achievable concentrations.

[Effect of rapamycin on leukemia cell lines].

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of rapamycin on proliferation and cell cycle of leukemic cell lines and to analyze the changes of mTOR mRNA expression before and after treatment with rapamycin. The leukemic cell lines KG1, K562 and U937 were treated with rapamycin of different concentrations. The MTT assay was used to detect the effect of rapamycin on proliferation of leukemic cell lines before and after treatment with rapamycin, the real-time quantitative PCR was used to investigate the expression of mTOR mRNA. The results indicated that the optimal effective concentration of rapamycin for KG1 was 20 nmol/L, showing significant inhibitive effect on cell growth, arrest of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase, obvious apoptosis of cells and significant decrease of mTOR mRNA expression level. As compared with KG1 cell lines, K562 and U937 did not show significant response to rapamycin. It is concluded that the rapamycin can inhibit cell proliferation. As compared with and the K562 and U937 cells, the KG1 cells are sensitive to rapamycin.

Preliminary study on 5-azacytidine anti-myeloma activity in vitro.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) on XAF1 expression in myeloma cells and efficacy of 5-AZA treatment for myeloma in vitro. XAF1 expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect the methylation status of XAF1 promoter CpG islands. RPMI 8226 and XG-7 cells were treated with 0-5 micromol/L of 5-AZA. Expression of XAF1 mRNA variants was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The results indicated that the untreated RPMI 8226 cell expressed XAF1 mRNA transcript 1 and transcript 2, untreated XG-7 cells did not express XAF1 mRNA. Hypermethylation of XAF1 promoter CpG islands could be detected in both cell lines. Both cell lines expressed full-length XAF1 transcript after being treated with 2.5 micromol/L of 5-AZA for 72 hours. 5-AZA treatment led XAF1 promoter CpG island to hypomethylation in both cell lines. 5-AZA exerted anti-myeloma activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The IC(50) value of XG-7 cells treated with 5-AZA for 48 hours was 2.6 micromol/L. 1.0, 2.0, 2.5 and 5.0 micromol/L of 5-AZA treatment for 48 hours induced (34.3 +/- 8.0)%, (54.8 +/- 3.1)%, (64.1 +/- 3.4)%, (81.0 +/- 4.1)% apoptosis in XG-7 cell line respectively. The combination of 1.0 - 4.0 micromol/L of 5-AZA with 1.0 - 4.0 micromol/L of arsenic trioxide (ATO) exhibited synergistic toxicity in myeloma cells with all CI values less than 1.0. It is concluded that lack of XAF1 expression and abnormal expression of XAF1 in myeloma cell lines are associated with the hypermethylation of XAF1 gene promoter CpG island. 5-AZA treatment can induce the expression of XAF1 mRNA and protein in myeloma. 5-AZA exerts anti-myeloma activity via apoptosis at clinically achievable concentrations. The findings suggested that 5-AZA and ATO may be an effective combination in the therapy of patients with multiple myeloma.

Combination of DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine and arsenic trioxide has synergistic activity in myeloma.

XAF1 is a newly identified candidate tumour-suppressor gene that can antagonise XIAP and sensitise cells to cell death triggers. This study was undertaken to study the effect of 5-azacytidine (AZA) on XAF1 expression in myeloma cells and efficacy of 5-AZA and arsenic trioxide (ATO) combination treatment in myeloma in vivo and in vitro. XAF1 expression was analysed by semi-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Methylation specific PCR was used to detect methylation status of XAF1 promoter CpG islands. RPMI 8226 and XG-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of 5-AZA and ATO. Expression of XAF1 mRNA variants were confirmed by gel electrophoresis and sequencing. Untreated RPMI 8226 cell expresses two variants of XAF1 mRNA. Untreated XG-7 cell has no expression of XAF1. Hypermethylation of XAF1 promoter CpG islands was detected in both cell lines. Both cell lines express full-length XAF1 transcript after treated with 2.5 mumol/L 5-AZA for 72 h. Our studies demonstrated that 5-AZA exhibits anti-myeloma synergy with ATO. In addition, ATO alone, 5-AZA alone, or combination of 5-AZA and ATO was effective in slowing myeloma growth and prolonging survival of myeloma-loaded nude mice. The findings suggested that 5-AZA and ATO may be an effective combination in the therapy of myeloma patients.

[The expression and clinical significance of survivin gene in leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of survivin in leukemia and the prognostic significance in acute leukemia (AL). METHODS: The expression of survivin mRNA was measured in 105 AL and 21 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients with semi-quantity reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. 15 adults were tested as normal control (NC) and K562, NB4, Kg-1alpha, HL-60 cell lines were also tested as positive control. The cell cycle distribution in AL was measured with flow cytometry (FCM) to analyze the relationship between the level of survivin and cell proliferation. RESULTS: The expression of survivin in de novo AL (0.525 +/- 0.460) was higher than that in NC (0.101 +/- 0.187), while it decreased in complete remission (CR) patients (0.280 +/- 0.095). In replased patients (0.935 +/- 0.343), the expression of survivin increased again. There was no difference of the expression between chronic phase of CML (0.279 +/- 0.112) and NC, but in acute phase of CML (0.653 +/- 0.236), the expression was higher than that in NC. The cases with higher level of survivin had significantly higher proliferation indices (mean PI 9.682) than those (mean PI 6.899). In AL patients, the CR rate of survivin positive cases was lower than that of survivin negative cases. CONCLUSIONS: The PI in survivin positive patients was significantly higher than that in survivin negative indicating its impact on proliferation and cleavage. Abnormal expression of survivin genes was related to pathogenesis and progression of AL and it can serve as a marker of relapse and poor prognosis in AL. Overexpression of survivin is a risk factor for CML.

[Expression and significance of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and its antagonized proteins in acute leukemia].

To investigate the expression and significance of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) in acute leukemia, the expression of XIAP, XAF1, Smac, and HtrA2 mRNA in the bone marrow aspirates from 87 newly diagnosed AL patients, 23 patients in remission, 6 patients in relapse, and 17 normal controls were detected by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and their relationship with clinical therapeutic efficiency was analyzed. The results showed that the expression level of XIAP mRNA in newly diagnosed AL patients (0.990 +/- 0.337) was significantly higher than that in normal controls (0.395 +/- 0.148) (P < 0.01); the positive rate and expression level of XAF1 mRNA in newly diagnosed AL patients (56.32%, 0.246 +/- 0.267) were significantly lower than that in normal controls (100%, 0.964 +/- 0.387) (P < 0.01). In 69 out of 87 newly diagnosed AL patients, efficacy remained evaluable. AL patients with high level of XIAP achieved a lower complete remission (CR) rate than patients with low level of XIAP (54.55% and 86.11%, respectively) (P < 0.01). XAF1 positive patients achieved a higher CR rate than XAF1 negative patients (86.84% and 51.61%, respectively) (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the overexpression of XIAP and negativity of XAF1 may be two adverse prognostic factors in AL patients.

Expressions of cyclin E2 and survivin in acute leukemia and their correlation.

Cyclin E2 is present in solid tumors, while its expression and clinical value in acute leukemia is unknown. This study was aimed to investigate the expression of cyclin E2 and survivin gene in bone marrow cells from patients with acute leukemia and their relationship. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of the expression of cyclin E2 and survivin mRNA in 84 adult patients with acute leukemia which included 16 cases of relapse, 60 cases of de novo acute leukemia, 8 cases of continuously complete remission, and 20 normal persons as controls. The results showed that (1) positive expression of cyclin E2 (70.24%) in acute leukemia patients was significantly higher than that (0%) in controls, positive expression of survivin (72.62%) in acute leukemia patients was higher than that (30%) in control. (2) the expression of cyclin E2 positively correlated with that of survivin in acute leukemia patients. (3) remission rate in cyclin E2-positive patients (55.81%) was lower than that (88.24%) in cyclin E2-negative patients, the rate of cyclin E2 expression in relapse group was the highest among the three groups; while that in continuously complete remission group was the lowest among the three groups. (4) positive rate of cyclin E2 expression (59.32%) in patients with acute myelocytic leukemia was lower than that (96%) in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, no correlation between cyclin E2 expression and white blood cell counts of patients was found. It is concluded that the overexpression of cyclin E2 has been confirmed for the first time to positively correlate with the expression of the survivin in acute leukemia patients, and implicate the poor prognosis. Cyclin E2 may be used as a marker for examination of minimal residual disease.

[Determining the primary site of metastatic adenocarcinoma in serous fluid: a cytological study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore cytological parameters that may identify the primary sites of metastatic adenocarcinomas in serous fluid. METHODS: Serous fluid specimens from 89 cases of metastatic adenocarcinomas (40 metastatic adenocarcinomas of lung, 6 metastatic adenocarcinomas of breast, 21 metastatic ovary adenocarcinomas, 22 metastatic gastrointestinal and pancreatic adenocarcinomas) were studied by using multiple morphologic parameters. Immunocytochemical S-P method was used to detect the expression of CA125, CA199, SPB and TTF-1 in 75 cases. RESULTS: Metastatic adenocarcinomas of different primary sites displayed certain different morphologic features, including the total amount of tumor cells, size of clusters, ratio of clusters over single cells, configuration of tumor clusters and the background of the smear. Cell clusters of small to medium sizes represented 95% and 100% in the metastatic adenocarcinomas of lung and breast, respectively. Most of the ovarian metastatic adenocarcinomas (85.7%) presented some large cell clusters and larger amount of cells, whereas certain metastatic gastrointestinal and pancreatic adenocarcinomas (45.5%) presented smaller number of cells and predominantly to be single cell in distribution (40.9%). Psammoma bodies were found in metastatic adenocarcinomas of lung and ovary. SPB and TTF-1 expression supported the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of pulmonary origin. CA125 expression supported an ovarian origin. Although CA199 was seen in all groups of metastatic adenocarcinomas, nevertheless, its appearance in tumor cells in ascitic fluid specimens supported gastrointestinal and pancreatic origins. CONCLUSION: Morpho-logic features of the cytological smear, immunohistochemical staining and clinical history are equally important in determining the primary sites of metastatic adenocarcinomas in serous fluid.

[Report of 8 cases of bcr-abl gene positive thrombocytosis and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the features of 8 cases of Bcr(+) thrombocytosis. METHODS: The clinical and hematological features and therapeutic outcomes were studied retrospectively in 8 Bcr(+) thrombocytosis and compared with essential thrombocytosis (ET) and chronic myeloid leukemia-chronic phase thrombocytosis (CML-CP-T). BCR-ABL fusion gene was detected with PCR. RESULTS: (1) Except for the presence of BCR-ABL fusion gene, there was no significant difference in clinical and hematological features and therapeutic outcomes between thrombocytosis with or without BCR-ABL. (2) The Bcr(+) thrombocytosis differed from CML-CP-T in the following aspects: female predominance, milder or no splenomegaly, peripheral leukocytes count < 40 x 10(9)/L, less or no basophilia and fewer immature granulocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow granulocytic and/or megakaryocytic lineage hyperplasia, normal or increased neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score and less blastic transformation. CONCLUSION: Bcr(+) thrombocytosis may be considered as a new member of chronic myeloproliferative diseases, a variant of essential thrombocythemia.