Prevalence of thalassemia-carrier couples and fertility risk assessment.

Thalassemia is a highly prevalent hematologic disease in Guizhou, China. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of thalassemia in couples at childbearing age and assess the neonatal risk of thalassemia in this subpopulation. A cohort of 4481 couples at childbearing age were recruited for thalassemia carrier screening by both traditional hematological tests and next-generation sequencing. Of them, 1314 (14.66%) thalassemia carriers were identified, including 857 (9.76%) α-thalassemia, 391 (4.36%) ß-thalassemia, and 48 (0.54%) composite α and ß-thalassemia. A total of 12 α-globin gene alterations and 16 ß-globin mutations were detected, including four novel thalassemia mutations. SEA was the most common α-thalassemia genotype (26.86%), CD41-42 the most common ß-thalassemia genotype (36.57%), and αα/- α3.7 + CD41-42 the most common composite α- and ß-thalassemia genotype (18.75%). Ethnically, the Zhuang had the highest rate of thalassemia gene carriers among the ethnic groups. Geographically, Qiannan had the highest rate of thalassemia gene carriers. In addition, 38 of the 48 couples with composite α- and ß-thalassemia were high-risk thalassemia carriers, and 4 carrying the -SEA/αα gene needed fertility guidance.

Prevalence and clinical phenotype of the triplicated α-globin genes and its ethnic and geographical distribution in Guizhou of China.

BACKGROUND: α-thalassemia is relatively endemic in Guizhou province of southwestern China. To predict the clinical manifestations of α-globin gene aberration for genetic counseling, we examined the prevalence of the α-globin triplication and the genotype-phenotype correlation in this subpopulation METHODS: A cohort of 7644 subjects was selected from nine ethnicities covering four regions in Guizhou province of China. Peripheral blood was collected from each participant for routine blood testing and hemoglobin electrophoresis. PCR-DNA sequencing and Gap-PCR were used to identify the thalassemia gene mutations. Chi-square tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to statistically analyze the data. RESULTS: We found that the frequency of α-globin triplication in Guizhou province was 0.772% (59/7644). Genotypically, the αααanti4.2/αα accounted for 0.523% (40/7644), the αααanti3.7/αα for 0.235% (18/7644), and the αααanti3.7/-SEA for 0.013% (1/7644). The αααanti4.2/αα is more prevalent than the αααanti3.7/αα in Guizhou. In addition, the frequency of the HKαα/αα (that by GAP-PCR is like αααanti4.2/-α3.7) was 0.235% (18/7644). Ethnically, the Tujia group presented the highest prevalence (2.47%) of α-globin triplication. Geographically, the highest frequency of the α-globin triplication was identified in Qiannan region (2.23%). Of the triplicated α-globin cases, 5 coinherited with heterozygote ß-thalassemia and presented various clinical manifestations of anemia. CONCLUSIONS: These data will be used to update the Chinese triplicated α-globin thalassemia database and provide insights into the pathogenesis of thalassemia. These findings will be helpful for the diagnosis of thalassemia and future genetic counseling in those regions.

Early genetic screening uncovered a high prevalence of thalassemia among 18 309 neonates in Guizhou, China.

Thalassemia is a common monogenic disease in southwestern China, especially in Guizhou province. In this study, 18 309 neonates were examined for thalassemia. The thalassemia carrier rate was 12.90%, which is associated with geographical regions, with carrier frequencies significantly differing between regions (p < 0.0001). The carrier rates for α-thalassemia and ß-thalassemia were 8.91% and 3.36%, respectively. There are 22 genotypes identified among 1632 α-thalassemia cases, and 18 genotypes detected among 615 ß-thalassemia cases. The birthrates of individuals with intermediate thalassemia and ß-thalassemia major were 0.153% and 0.055%, respectively. Methodologically, NGS-Gap-PCR is superior to traditional detection methods, with 65 more cases detected by NGS-Gap-PCR. Since thalassemia-rich genotypes were highly prevalent in this region, early detection of thalassemia carriers would be meaningful for genetic counseling and prevention/treatment of thalassemia. NGS-Gap-PCR provides a powerful tool for neonate genetic testing and clinical diagnosis of thalassemia, especially in high-prevalence regions.

[Expression and Clinical Significance of CTGF in Patients with Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the relationship between CTGF in the bone marrow of MM patients and osteolytic lesion of myeloma, moreover, to investigate the clinical significance of CTGF in MM. METHODS: Fifity-four MM patients treated in our hospital from March 2019 to April 2020 were enrolled, and 28 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. The plasma in bone marrow of the patients was collected, and the ELISA was used to detect the level of CTGF in bone marrow plasma and the relationship between its and clinical characteristics were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The CTGF level of MM patients was significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (P<0.001); the CTGF level in male patients was higher than that in female patients (P=0.007); the CTGF level in MM patients with osteolytic lesions was significantly higher than patients without osteolytic lesions and controls (P=0.007, P=0.001). The CTGF level in MM patients was positively correlated with the number of bone lesions (P<0.001, r=0.52). CTGF levels in patients with ≥3 bone lesions were significantly higher than those with <3 bone lesions and without bone lesions (P=0.014, P=0.002). ROC curve result showed that CTGF expression level shows a significant diagnostic value for MM bone disease (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The abnormally high expression of CTGF level in MM patients is related to the degree of myelomas osteolytic lesions and can reflect the progress of MM.

Knockdown of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B inhibits cell proliferation and migration and promotes apoptosis by downregulating WNT signaling pathway in acute myeloid leukemia.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B (EIF3B) on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis as well as the underlying mechanism in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). EIF3B expression was detected in AML-193, HL-60, OCI-AML2, and KG-1 cell lines and human primary bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC). EIF3B knockdown was realized by transfecting EIF3B ShRNA plasmids, and EIF3B knockdown and WNT2 overexpression were established by transfecting EIF3B ShRNA plasmids and WNT2 overexpression plasmids into KG-1 cells. The effect of EIF3B knockdown, and EIF3B knockdown plus WNT2 overexpression on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, glycogen synthase kinase 3B (GSK3B) and catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) was assessed. EIF3B mRNA and protein expression were higher in AML-193, OCL-AML2 and KG-1 cell lines, but unchanged in the HL-60 cell line compared with human primary BMMC. The expression of WNT2 was decreased by EIF3B downregulation, while it had no effect on EIF3B expression. As for cell activities, EIF3B knockdown inhibited the cell proliferation and migration but promoted apoptosis by inhibiting WNT2 expression. In addition, EIF3B knockdown downregulated the expression of CTNNB1 but upregulated the expression of GSK3B by blocking WNT2 expression in AML, implying an inhibitory effect of EIF3B downregulation on WNT signaling pathway. EIF3B is upregulated and its knockdown inhibits cell proliferation, and migration, while promoting apoptosis by downregulating the WNT signaling pathway in AML.

Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharides regulate the innate immunity of colorectal cancer cells by modulating the TLR4 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: It has been well-recognized that the polysaccharides from Atractylodes macrocephala (PAM) are immune system enhancers, which can facilitate the proliferation of lymphocytes and stimulate immune cells. Nevertheless, the antitumor effects of PAM and their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. AIM: Our research aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer effects of PAM on colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We tested the effects of PAM on the growth and proliferation of CRC cells and macrophages by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and secretion was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA assay. We also used MC38 cells xenograft model to test the anti-cancer effects of PAM in vivo. RESULTS: We found that although PAM treatment did not significantly affect the growth of CRC cells or enhance the proliferation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), it could enhance the phagocytosis of BMDMs by CRC cells. Biochemical tests and immunoblotting assays revealed that exposing BMDMs to PAM promoted the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon λ (IFN λ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) through the MyD88/TLR4-dependent signaling pathway. One noteworthy observation is that PAM treatment could significantly prevent tumorigenesis of MC38 cells in C57BL/6J mice and increase the survival duration of mice with tumors, without influence on the weight of those mice. However, the anti-cancer effects of PAM were compromised in TLR4 KO mice, further suggesting that TLR4 signaling plays a vital role in the anti-cancer effects of PAM. CONCLUSION: Therefore, PAM may prove to be a potential candidate in cancer immunotherapy.

Severe Thalassemia Caused by Hb Zunyi [ß147(HC3)Stop→Gln; HBB: c.442T>C)] on the ß-Globin Gene.

Hemoglobinopathies are caused by genetic defects on the globin genes. To date, more than 900 ß-globin variants have been recorded worldwide. These gene alterations often cause either a decrease in ß-globin synthesis or completely block synthesis, leading to a hemoglobinopathy. While most of these causative mutations are inherited, de novo mutations are quite rare. Here, we investigated three hemoglobinopathy cases. These patients developed severe hemolytic anemia at 3-5 months of age and were transfusion-dependent. In patient 1, a novel ß variant, Hb Zunyi [ß147(HC3)Stop→Gln; HBB: c.442T>C] was identified. This de novo mutation results in a stop codon substitution to a glutamine residue at codon 147 of the ß-globin gene, and leads to severe thalassemia. In patient 2, we discovered the rare Hb Southampton mutation [ß106(G8)Leu→Pro; HBB: c.320T>C], while in patient 3, the rare Hb Alesha mutation [ß67(E11)Val→Met (GTG>ATG); HBB: c.202G>A] was detected. The identification of the novel ß variant, Hb Zunyi, has added to the human globin database and will shed light on future diagnosis of hemoglobinopathy/thalassemia and genetic counseling.

[Expression and Clinical Significance of STAT3 Genes in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of STAT3 gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its correlation with clinical characteristics. METHODS: The real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the level of STAT3 mRNA in bone marrow samples from 38 newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML), and its relevance with clinical characteristics and prognosis were statistically analyzed. Western blot was employed to detect the STAT3 protein level in AML patients. The bone marrow cells from 15 healthy subjects were used as control. RESULTS: At the mRNA level, the expression level of STAT3 in the AML group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The level of STAT3 in AML group correlated positively with the risk factors of patients (P<0.01，r=0.592）. The STAT3 expression level in the high-risk group was statistically higher than that in the standard-risk group and the control group (P<0.01，P<0.01). Furthermor, there was no statistical difference between the sub-groups of AML (P>0.05). The median survival time of patients in STAT3 low expression group was logner than that in high expression group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.005). The level of STAT3 protein in AML patients was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05）. CONCLUSION: The STAT3 gene is highly expressed in AML patients, which may be used as a predictor for high-risk of AML.

[Change of G6PD Activity in Children with Acute Leukemia and Its Clinical Significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change of G6PD activity in children with acute leukemia（AL）and its correlation with the clinical characteristics. METHODS: The G6PD activity in peripheral blood samples from 74 children disagnosed as AL (50 cases of ALL, and 24 cases of AML) was detected by Zinkham method recommended by WHO in 1967, and its relevance with clinical indicators was statistically analyzed. The peripheral blood samples of 70 healthy children were used as the controls. RESULTS: The G6PD activity in ALL and AML groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.000, P=0.000) and there was no statistical difference between ALL and AML groups. The G6PD activity in bacterial, fungal infection and non-infection groups (no bacterial and fungal infection) were statistically different from control group (P=0.02, P=0.001, P=0.001), respectively. The G6PD activity in bacterial infection group and non-infection group was statistically different from with fungal infection group (P=0.004, P=0.019), respectively. The G6PD activity linearly correlated with leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage in AL children (P=0.000, P=0.001, r=0.465, r=0.434), respectively. The median survival time of G6PD activity deficiency group was higher than that in the normal group, but without statistically significant difference (P=0.4149). CONCLUSION: The G6PD activity in AL children is significantly lower than that in healthy children, and the G6PD activity linearly relates with leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage of AL children. The patients with G6PD activity deficiency is more susceptible to fungal infection, moreover the infection is more serious.

[Expression of LNK Genes in Patients with Acute Leukemia and Its Clinical Significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of LNK gene in patients with acute leukemia (AL) and its correlation with the clinical characteristics. METHODS: Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the level of LNK mRNA in bone marrow samples from 80 patients diagnosed as AL(42 cases of ALL, and 38 cases of AML), and its relevance with clinical indicators was statistically analyzed. Western blot was used to detect the expression of LNK protein. The bone marrow samples of 16 healthy volunteers were used as the controls. RESULTS: The LNK mRNA levels in ALL and AML groups were significantly higher than that in control group (P=0.007, P=0.021) and there was no statistical difference between ALL and AML groups. The LNK levels in ALL and AML groups possitively correlated with the risk of patients (P=0.000, P=0.04, r=0.5, r=0.386), And the LNK levels in high risk ALL and AML groups were significantly higher than that in control group (P=0.035, P=0.032), the LNK levels in intermediate risk of AML and ALL groups (P=0.239,P=0.609) and the LNK level in standard risk (P=0.974, P=1) were all higher than that in control group, there was no statistianl significance. but the risks of different groups showed no statistical significance. The LNK protein level in patients with acute leukemia was higher than that in control group. CONCLUSION: The expression level of LNK gene in AL patients is higher than that in healthy people, and the expression level of LNK gene positively correlates with the risk of patients.

[Variation and Clinical Significance of LNK Gene in Essential Thrombocytosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mutation and single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) of LNK gene in the patients with essential thrombocytosis (ET), and to analyze the relationship between LNK gene variation and the occurrence of ET. METHODS: JAK2V617F mutation was identified by allele-specific PCR. The whole exon of LNK gene was amplified by PCR. The amplified sequences included the Rs3184504 (C/T) and Rs78894077 (A/C/G/T) affecting the expression of amino acids in LNK gene, and the Rs7973120 (A/T) unaffecting the expression of amino acids. The mutation and SNP of LNK gene were analyzed by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Six cases of ET had LNK mutation, including four types: A300V, R425C, V402L and R426Q. T allele distribution of SNP Rs78894077 Ser in ET group was statistically significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). T allele frequency of SNP Rs3184504 Ser in ET group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LNK mutations exist in ET patients, and the T allele gene carrying LNK SNP Rs78894077 Ser and Rs3184504 Ser in persons may increase the risk of ET.

Rapid Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Platform for Molecular Screening and Clinical Genotyping in Subjects with Hemoglobinopathies.

Hemoglobinopathies are among the most common autosomal-recessive disorders worldwide. A comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) test would greatly facilitate screening and diagnosis of these disorders. An NGS panel targeting the coding regions of hemoglobin genes and four modifier genes was designed. We validated the assay by using 2522 subjects affected with hemoglobinopathies and applied it to carrier testing in a cohort of 10,111 couples who were also screened through traditional methods. In the clinical genotyping analysis of 1182 ß-thalassemia subjects, we identified a group of additional variants that can be used for accurate diagnosis. In the molecular screening analysis of the 10,111 couples, we detected 4180 individuals in total who carried 4840 mutant alleles, and identified 186 couples at risk of having affected offspring. 12.1% of the pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants identified by our NGS assay, which were undetectable by traditional methods. Compared with the traditional methods, our assay identified an additional at-risk 35 couples. We describe a comprehensive NGS-based test that offers advantages over the traditional screening/molecular testing methods. To our knowledge, this is among the first large-scale population study to systematically evaluate the application of an NGS technique in carrier screening and molecular diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies.

ß­thalassemia caused by compound heterozygous mutations and cured by bone marrow transplantation: A case report.

In the present study, a rare familial case of severe thalassemia with compound spontaneous mutations is reported. A 2.5­year­old boy, who suffered from severe anemia with yellowish skin, enlarged liver and spleen, was provided with a blood transfusion every 20 days to maintain hemoglobin levels between 90 and 100 g/l. Sanger sequencing combined with reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT­qPCR) and Gap­PCR revealed that the proband was a carrier of 4 compound heterozygous mutations: Hemoglobin subunit ß (HBB):IVS­II­654(C>T)ß+; Southeast Asian­type­hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (SEA­HPFH); HBB:c316­148G>T; hemoglobin subunit α2 (HBA2):c.46G>A. The father of the proband was identified as a carrier of the heterozygous SEA­HPFH mutation, the mother was a carrier of compound heterozygous mutations of HBB:IVS­II­654(C>T) and HBA2:c.46G>A, and the elder sister was heterozygous for HBB:IVS­II­654(C>T)ß+. Based on these genetic results, it was determined that the proband had both of heavy ß­thalassemia and α­thalassemia. Upon human leukocyte antigen matching, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was successfully performed on the proband by selecting his HLA­compatible sister as a donor. Following treatment, the proband was revealed to only carry the IVS­II­654(C>T)ß+ heterozygous mutation, and further regular blood transfusions have been avoided; BMT results remained normal at six months follow­up.

mTOR up-regulation of PFKFB3 is essential for acute myeloid leukemia cell survival.

Although mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) activation is frequently observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, the precise function and the downstream targets of mTOR are poorly understood. Here we revealed that PFKFB3, but not PFKFB1, PFKFB2 nor PFKFB4 was a novel downstream substrate of mTOR signaling pathway as PFKFB3 level was augmented after knocking down TSC2 in THP1 and OCI-AML3 cells. Importantly, PFKFB3 silencing suppressed glycolysis and cell proliferation of TSC2 silencing OCI-AML3 cells and activated apoptosis pathway. These results suggested that mTOR up-regulation of PFKFB3 was essential for AML cells survival. Mechanistically, Rapamycin treatment or Raptor knockdown reduced the expression of PFKFB3 in TSC2 knockdown cells, while Rictor silencing did not have such effect. Furthermore, we also revealed that mTORC1 up-regulated PFKFB3 was dependent on hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), a positive regulator of glycolysis. Moreover, PFKFB3 inhibitor PFK15 and rapamycin synergistically blunted the AML cell proliferation. Taken together, PFKFB3 was a promising drug target in AML patients harboring mTOR hyper-activation.

[LNK Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Acute Leukemia Susceptibility].

To investigate the relationship between the LNK(SH2B3) gene single nucleotide polymorphism and risk of acute leukemia (AL) in Chinese population. METHODS: The bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from 31 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 70 cases of acute myeloid leukemia and 130 healthy persons as the controls were collected. Genotype of LNK SNP Rs3184504(c.784T>C) and Rs78894077(c.724C>T) were determined by PCR-RFLP, and were confirmed by gel electrophoresis and sequencing. The NB4, THP-1 and Raji leukemia cell line models were cultured, the leukemia cell line LNK Rs3184504 and Rs78894077 polymorphism were detected by using direct sequencing. RESULTS: The CC genotype frequencies of Rs3184504 SNP were higher in ALL and AML patients than those in control (P<0.01), but there was no different between the groups in AML and ALL. The frequency of LNK gene Rs3184504 C allele was higher in AL as compared with control (P<0.01). The LNK gene Rs78894077 locus genotype distribution was not significantly different between the AL and the normal control group (P>0.05). Both Rs3184504 and Rs78894077 sites were detected as CC genotype in NB4, THP-1 and Raji cells. CONCLUSION: The persons carrying C allele of LNK gene Rs3184504 are more prone to develop acute leukemia.

The Polymorphisms in LNK Gene Correlated to the Clinical Type of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE: LNK is an adapter protein negatively regulating the JAK/STAT cell signaling pathway. In this study, we observed the correlation between variation in LNK gene and the clinical type of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). METHODS: A total of 285 MPN cases were recruited, including essential thrombocythemia (ET) 154 cases, polycythemia vera (PV) 76 cases, primary myelofibrosis (PMF) 19 cases, and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) 36 cases. Ninety-three healthy individuals were used as normal controls. V617F mutation in JAK2 was identified by allele-specific PCR method, RT-PCR was used for the detection of BCR/ABL1 fusion gene, and mutations and variations in coding exons and their flanking sequences of LNK gene were examined by PCR-sequencing. RESULTS: Missense mutations of A300V, V402M, and R415H in LNK were found in 8 patients including ET (4 cases, all combined with JAK2-V617F mutation), PV (2 cases, one combined with JAK2-V617F mutation), PMF (one case, combined with JAK2-V617F mutation) and CML (one case, combined with BCR/ABL1 fusion gene). The genotype and allele frequencies of the three SNPs (rs3184504, rs111340708 and rs78894077) in LNK were significantly different between MPN patients and controls. For rs3184504 (T/C, in exon2), the T allele (p.262W) and TT genotype were frequently seen in ET, PV and PMF (P<0.01), and C allele (p.262R) and CC genotype were frequently seen in CML (P<0.01). For rs78894077 (T/C, in exon1), the T allele (p.242S) was frequently found in ET (P<0.05). For rs111340708 (TGGGGx5/TGGGGx4, in intron 5), the TGGGG x4 allele was infrequently found in ET, PMF and CML(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Mutations in LNK could be found in some of MPN patients in the presence or absence of JAK2-V617F mutation. Several polymorphisms in LNK gene may affect the clinical type or the genetic predisposition of MPN.

[Application of Next Generation Sequencing to Screen the Neonatal Thalassemia Genes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) to screen the neonatal thalassemia genes. METHODS: Plantar blood of 206 cases of neonatal born in our hospital were randomly collected to be made into dried blood, which can be screened for thalassemia genes by next-generation sequencing, and then a further analysis would be performed on the basis on the detection results. RESULTS: In 206 cases of neonates tested, the thalassemia gene mutations in 22 cases were screened, including 11 cases of alpha-thalassemia, 11 cases of beta-thalassemia, 5 cases of new mutations. Out of 11 cases of alpha-thalassemia 7 cases were proved to be the gene deletion, accounting for 64% (7/11), and the specific genotype distribution was as follows: 4 cases of αα/-α(3.7), 2 cases of αα/-SEA, 1 case of αα/-α(4.2), the remaining 4 cases with point mutations (4/11, 36%): Hb Part-Dieu hybrid, Hb Quong Sze hybrid, Hb Westmead hybrid, HBA1: c. 95 + 9 c > T (rewly discovered gene mutation). The whole 11 cases of ß-thalassemia are proved to be with beta chain point mutations, 7 kinds of mutation genotype were detected , CD17 (A->T) is the most common point locus mutation, accounted for 27% (3/11), and 50 G>A hybrid in 2 cases, 1 cases of Hb Hamilton hybrid, IVS-II-654 (C->T) in 1 case. The remaining 4 cases are of the new gene point mutation, they are as follows respectively: HBB: c. 316-116 c>A, HBB: c.316-248G>T, HBB: c.315 + 63 T>c, HBB: c. -23 A>G. CONCLUSION: The next-generation sequencing technology can be used to screen neonatal plantar dried blood for the thalassemia genetic mutation, which not only can effectively detect thalassemia gene types, but also can look for new gene mutations. The advantages of this method include easy collecting samples, precise result and wide use for clinical diagnosis, thus possibly give an early diagnosis for thalassemia.

[MCPIP1 mediates MCP-1-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation].

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is mediated via monocyte chemotactic protein-1 induced protein-1 (MCPIP1). MCPIP1 expressions in cultured VSMC were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot following MCP-1 incubation. After MCPIP1 was silenced by siRNA, cell number was counted by hemocytometer, VSMC activity was analyzed by CCK-8 kit, percentage of DNA synthesis was detected by EdU kit, percentage of S phase cell numbers were measured by flow cytometry, and c-fos mRNA expression induced by MCP-1 or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was detected by real-time PCR. The results showed MCP-1 increased MCPIP1 mRNA and up-regulated MCPIP1 protein expression in dose- and time-dependent manners. Cell counts, cellular activity, the percentage of DNA synthesis, and the percentage of S phase cell numbers were remarkably decreased in MCPIP1 siRNA group, compared with those in MCP-1 group. The enhancing effect of MCP-1 or PDGF on c-fos mRNA expression was inhibited by MCPIP1 siRNA. These results suggest that MCP-1-induced VSMC proliferation is mediated via MCPIP1, and the underlying mechanism may involve c-fos expression up-regulation.

[Expression and significance of MMP-26, TIMP-4 and MMP-9 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells].

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 26 (MMP-26), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and their correlations with pathogenesis and development of DLBCL. A total of 95 specimens excised from DLBCL patients were prepared. Expression of MMP-26, TIMP-4 and MMP-9 were tested by SABC immunohistochemistry method and its correlation to clinicopathology indexes were analyzed. The results showed that as compared with reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes, the high expression of MMP-26, TIMP-4 and MMP-9 were found in different types of DLBCL. The positive expression rate of MMP-26 was related to immune typing (P < 0.05). The expression level of MMP-26 in GCB was lower than that in non-GCB, and did not relate to clinical staging, age, sex, diseased region (P > 0.05). The positive expression rate of MMP-9 was related to clinical staging, the positive expression rate of MMP-9 proteins in patient at III and IV stage was obviously higher than that in patients at I and II stage, but did not relate to immune type, age, sex and diseased region of DLBCL (P > 0.05). The expression of TIMP-4 did not relate to immune type, clinical stage, age, sex, disease region (P > 0.05). The expression of MMP-26 in pathologic tissue of DLBCL did not relate to expression of TIMP-4, but positively related to expression of MMP-9 protein (r = 0.486, P < 0.05). It is concluded that MMP-26 and MMP-9 synergically express in DLBCL. MMP-26 may be involve in pathogenesis and invasiveness of DLBCL, the expression of MMP-26 relates to subtypes of DLBCL. The MMP-26 may serve as an indicator for typing of DLBCL and contributes to predict the invasion and metastasis of DLBCL and itself may become a potential target for therapy.