Relationship between ischemic stroke and both gene polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and cigarette smoking / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To study the relationship between ischemic stroke (IS) and both gene polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and cigarette smoking. Methods Four hundred and fifty-four patients with IS and 334 controls were recruited in our study; their gene polymorphisms of MTHFR were detected by PCR and denaturing high performance liquid chromatogram (DHPLC). The patients were further divided into different subgroups based on TOAST criteria and scores of neurological impairments and the distribution of MTHFR genotypes were analyzed accordingly. The relationships between IS and both cigarette smoking and these genotypes were measured by odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence intervals (95％CIs). The ORs and 95％ Cls were calculated by unconditional logistic regression. Results TT genotype and T allele were associated with LAA type and CE type,moderate type and severe type of IS. OR of TT genotype and T allele in smoking patients with IS were 4.393 and 2.359, respectively; but the OR ofCC genotype in smoking patients with IS was 0.353. On the other hand, the OR of all genotypes and alleles in non-smoking patients with IS were not significantly different as compared with those in controls. Conclusion Cigarette smokers with T alleles are likely to suffer IS, but those cigarette smokers with C alleles are not; and there exist interactions between cigarette smoking and MTHFR gene in the pathogenesis of IS.

Effects of down-regulation of CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) on proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of suppression of CCL5 ligand gene on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A lentiviral vector carrying a short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CCL5 was transfected into human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of CCL5 mRNA in the cells was detected by real-time PCR. The proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was assessed by MTT assay and FACS assay, and the colony formation ability of both cell lines were measured, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Real time PCR showed a good knockdown effect of CCL5 in both cell-lines. Colony-forming assay showed that the ability of colony formation of MCF-7/CCL5-siRNA and MDA-MB-231/CCL5-siRNA was decreased markedly. The colony number of MCF-7/CCL5-siRNA group was (0.34 ± 0.08), significantly lower than 0.81 ± 0.12 in the MCF-7/CCL5-N group and 0.92 ± 0.12 in the MCF-7 group (P < 0.05). The colony number of MDA-MB-231/CCL5-siRNA group was 0.33 ± 0.10, significantly lower than 0.97 ± 0.09 in the MDA-MB-231/CCL5-N group and 1.04 ± 0.07 in the MDA-MB-231 group (P < 0.05). However, MTT assay revealed that the proliferation of MCF-7/CCL5-siRNA cells was not significantly different from that of MCF-7/CCL5-N or MCF-7 cells, respectively (P > 0.05), and the same result was found in MDA-MB-231 cells. FACS assay showed that the proliferation index (PI) of groups MCF-7/CCL5-siRNA, MCF-7/CCL5-N and MCF-7 were 0.48 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.01 and 0.45 ± 0.02. The PI of groups MDA-MB-231/CCL5-siRNA, MDA-MB-231/CCL5-N and MDA-MB-231 cells were 0.48 ± 0.02, 0.44 ± 0.05 and 0.47 ± 0.02. There was no statistical difference among them (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The down-regulation of CCL5 gene in human breast cancer cells may significantly suppress their colony formation ability, rather than affecting their population doubling time to some extent.</p>

Impact of organized stroke ward on the therapeutic effect in stroke patients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the impact of organized stroke ward on the therapeutic effect in stroke patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2637 patients with acute stroke were randomly assigned to organized stroke ward or the general ward for treatment, and the rates of mortality, nonrecovery, improvement, and recovery were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rates of mortality, nonrecovery, improvement, and recovery in 5 years were 2.00%, 0.90%, 74.94% and 22.16% respectively in the organized stroke ward group, as compared to 3.26%, 1.02%, 74.01% and 21.71% in the general ward group, respectively. The mortality rate was significantly lower in organized stroke ward (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the rates of nonrecovery, improvement, or recovery between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Admission of the stroke patients in organized stroke ward for treatment can be associated with lowered mortality rate.</p>

Mesenchymal stem cells transplanted in mdx mice differentiate into myocytes and express dystrophin/utrophin / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into myocytes and their expression of dystrophin/utrophin after transplantation in mdx mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BrdU-labeled fifth-passage rat MSCs were transplanted in mdx mice with previous total body gamma irradiation (7 Gy). At 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the transplantation, the mice were sacrificed to detect dystrophin/BrdU and utrophin expressions in the gastrocnemius muscle using immunofluorescence assay, RT-PCR and Western blotting. Five normal C57 BL/6 mice and 5 mdx mice served as the positive and negative controls, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four weeks after MSC transplantation, less than 1% of the muscle fibers of the mdx mice expressed dystrophin, which increased to 15% at 16 weeks. Donor-derived nuclei were detected in both single and clusters of dystrophin-positive fibers. Some BrdU-positive nuclei were centrally located, and some peripherally within myofibers. Utrophin expression decreased over time after transplantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The myofibers of mdx mice with MSC transplantation express dystrophin, which is derived partially from the transplanted MSCs. Dystrophin expression from the transplanted MSCs partially inhibits the upregulation of utrophin in mdx mouse muscle, showing a complementary relation between them.</p>

Dynamic distribution of implanted human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mdx mice / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dynamic distribution of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) in mdx mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four 8-10-week-old immunocompromised mdx mice were transplanted with 1 x 10(7) passage 5 hBM-MSCs labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) by means of injection into the tail vein. The mice were euthanized 48 hours and 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after transplantation. BrdU-positive cells in tissue and organs of the mice were detected by immunofluorescence analysis. Skeletal muscle was stained for anti-human nuclei mouse monoclonal antibody (anti-Hu) and analyzed for human dystrophin (Dys) expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After transplantation, BrdU-positive cells were found in most organs (especially in bone marrow, liver, and lung) within 4 weeks, and these cells in liver and lung decreased gradually after 4 weeks. At 48 hours after transplantation, BrdU-positive cells were found in bone marrow, which reached a peak level after 2 weeks and were still detectable after 16 weeks. BrdU-positive cells in skeletal muscle increased gradually over time of transplantation. A small number of anti-Hu positive cells were detected in skeletal muscle 2 weeks after transplantation. A small number of Dys positive cell were seldom found at 4 weeks and small Dys mRNA expression detected 4 weeks after transplantation. The proportion of anti-Hu in parallel with Dys positive cells and Dys mRNA in skeletal muscle of mdx mice increased gradually over time of transplantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After being transplanted into mdx mice, hBM-MSCs are mainly distributed in bone marrow, liver, and lung during the early time (2-4 weeks) , and then in bone marrow and skeletal muscle (after 4 weeks).</p>

Carrier genetic diagnosis of intron and/or exon-deletion Duchenne muscular dystrophy by microsatellite analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the female carriers from the intron and/or exon-deletion Duchenne/Becker musclular dystrophy (DMD) familial members for prenatal or preimplantation genetic diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using method of PCR to five microsatellite markers (located in 5' terminus and intron 44, 45, 49, 50), analysing of the short tandem repeat sequence polymorphism with the genescan and binding with the quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we detected the DMD carriers from 1 intron and exon -deletion family and 1 intron-deletion family.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The STR-50 genotype of II 2 in family 5 was 245/245, so II3 is DMD gene carrier. The STR-45 genotype of II6 and II8 were del/172, III19 was del/178, so they were all DMD gene carriers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The STR haploid linkage analysis combined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction is accurate and efficient to detect the female carriers from the intron and/or exon-deletion DMD familial members.</p>

Identification of disease-causing point mutations in DMD patients' dystrophin gene without large deletions/duplications / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the disease-causing point mutations in the dystrophin gene of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The approach of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) coupling with sequencing was used to screen the point mutations of 79 exons and the untranslated regions of dystrophin gene without large deletions/duplications, which was in 6 unrelated DMD probands from 6 DMD families.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five disease-causing mutations, 697-698insGT, C616T, G1255T, C4279T, and C2302T, were ides created the new stop codons in downstream sites of mutations, respectively. In addition to the disease-causing point mutations, a point mutation T5586+61A in intron 39 was also found at patient 3, and a missense mutation A694T in exon 8 was detected at patient 5. Four point mutations, C2168+13T, 5740-13dupG, G5234A and C5280T, were also detected at patient 6 whose causative point mutation was unavailable. Seven point mutations have not been reported previously. Bi-directional PCR amplification of specific alleles (Bi-PASA) method was established to distinguish the haplotypes of heterozygote or homozygote in a single PCR reaction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Via automated DHPLC screening or detecting the subexonic mutations in dystrophin gene is feasible to clinical laboratories, and also is a superior method in terms of sensitivity and efficiency.</p>

Establishment of transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and identification of the filial generation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish transgenic mouse models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) and identify the genotype of the first filial generation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six male B6SJL SOD1G93A/+ hemizygote mice were mated with 6 female B6SJLF1/J+/+ mice to produce the filial generation. The genomic DNA was extracted from the tail vein blood of the first filial generation mice and PCR was performed to amplify the hmSOD1 gene fragment. The genotype of the mice was determined by electrophoresis, and the PCR product was purified for further gene sequence analysis and detection of mutation loci.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-three progeny mice were born and the survival rate before ALS onset was 98% (52/53), and among the survived mice, the positivity rate for hmSOD1 gene was 44.2% (23/52). Electrophoresis result showed that the PCR product of 236 bp was consistent with the hmSOD1 gene fragment, and the sequence of the PCR product was identical with hmSOD1 gene sequence of G93A mutant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transgenic mouse models of ALS can be established in the first filial generation of male B6SJL SOD1G93A/+ mice mated with female B6SJLF1/J+/+. PCR technique can precisely identify the genotype of the filial generation.</p>

Effect of transplantation of wild-type bone marrow stem cells in mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effects of wild-type mouse bone marrow stem cells transplants on survival time and motor functions in the human mutant SOD1-G93A mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bone marrow stem cells derived from the wild-type male mice were delivered intravenously into 25 ALS transgenic female mice (carrying the human SOD1 gene with Gly 93 Ala mutation) that had been pretreated with 5.5-6.5 Gy gamma-ray 5-7 days before. The onset time of limbs paralysis, lifespan and the graft versus host disease (GVHD) symptoms were observed in the treated group and statistically compared with control group of 15 media-injected ALS transgenic mice. The Sry gene (sex determine region on the Y chromosome) were detected by polymerase chain reaction technique in the blood sample of treated female ALS mice after 8 weeks of transplantation. A series of animal motor tests including rotating rods, rotated wheel and extension reflex were performed in both two groups at the same age of 16-17 weeks to assess the mice survival motor functions. Results A few treated mice (7/25) had different clinical presentations of GVHD. The semi-quantity evaluation score of average GVHD among the treated ALS mice was not over 1-2. The detection of Sry gene on these treated female ALS group was positive. The average onsets of limb paralysis and survival time were prolonged for about 5 weeks. At the age of 16-17 weeks, the motor function in the treated group was significantly better than in the ALS control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Transplantation of wild-type mice bone marrow stem cells can prolong survival in the recipient mice and ameliorate motor dysfunction. Intravenous administration of normal bone marrow stem cells may have therapeutic values for ALS.</p>

Expression of human micro-dystrophin gene after retrovirus infection in mdx mice bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the retroviral vector containing human micro-dystrophin gene and detect the expression of human micro-dystrophin in mdx mice bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after retrovirus infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retroviral vector for micro-dystrophin gene was constructed and transferred into the packing cell PA317 mediated by Lipofectamine 2000. The retroviral supernatant containing the target genes were subsequently used to infect mdx mice MSCs. Micro-dystrophin expression was examined by methods of immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Micro-dystrophin retroviral vector was successfully constructed and transferred into PA317 cells, and 48 h after infection with the recombinant retrovirus in mdx mice MSCs, 319 bp fragment could be detected by electrophoresis in the RT-PCR products. The red particles could be detected in some infected mdx mice MSCs with immunofluorescence staining. CONCLUSION mdx mice MSCs infected with retrovirus containing micro-dystrophin gene can express micro-dystrophin protein.</p>

Dystrophin expression in mdx mice after bone marrow stem cells transplantation / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dynamic changes of dystrophin expression in mdx mice after bone marrow stem cells transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The bone marrow stem cells of C57 BL/6 mice (aged 6 to 8 weeks) were injected intravenously into the mdx mice (aged 7 to 9 weeks), which were preconditioned with 7Gy gamma ray. The amount of dystrophin;expression in gastrocnemius was detected by immunofluorescence, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot at week 5, 8, 12 and 16 after transplantation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At week 5 after bone marrow stem cells transplantation, the dystrophin expression detected in mdx mice were very low; however, its expression increased along with time. At week 16 week, about 12% muscle cells of all transplanted mice expressed dystrophin. There were less centrally placed myonuclei than the control mdx mice, whereas peripheral myonuclei increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>After having been injected into mdx mice, the allogenic bone marrow stem cells have a trend to reach the injured muscle tissues and differentiate to fibers that can express dystrophin and the expression increased with time. The bone marrow stem cells participates in the repair and regeneration of the injured tissues permanently and constantly.</p>

Experimental research on effect of human mesenchymal stem cells induced by shenqi fuzheng injection in cerebral infarction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of shenqi fuzheng injection (SFI) in inducing differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in brain stem and its effect on nervous function in model rats of cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Middle cerebral artery occlusion model rats were made, and hMSCs was injected into their brain after being amplified in vitro and incubated with SFI for 0.5 h, then the survival, migration and differentiation of hMSCs in brain stem as well as the change of nervous function in model rats were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The post-transplantation reject reaction to hMSCs was low, it could survive as long as 6 weeks or more. No difference in area of infarction was shown before and after transplantation. Immunohistochemical staining showed that hMSCs expressed human neuron specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament (NF) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). The limb-kinetic function and tactile perception were improved in the model rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SFI can induce hMSCs differentiate into neurons in vivo, and hMSCs may be the ideal germinal cells for treating cerebral infarction.</p>

Clinical pathologic studies and genetic analysis of a female Duchenne muscular dystrophy family / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical features of female Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD), and find out the onset mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical manifestations of a female DMD family were followed; the immunofluorescence studies on muscle system and the genetic analysis were carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical manifestations and results of relevant examinations on the DMD woman in this family were in accordance with the typical characteristics of DMD. The 39-year-old mother of this proband was noted to have a clinical feature resembling that of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and the immunofluorescence analysis revealed that dystrophin positive fibers and negative fibers co-existed in her muscle. The dystrophy genetic analysis of the family indicated non-deletions. The mother's karyotype was found to be normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 39-year-old female patient's clinical manifestations were similar to BMD, and only one third of her fibers were dystrophin-positive. The present authors assume that the skewed pattern of X inactivation is the likely mechanism, because the karyotype is normal.</p>

Therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze a Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) patient's muscular regeneration, dystrophin expression and locomotive variation before and after he underwent umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in order to assess the therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A 12-year-old DMD boy who could not walk for 3 years was confirmed by gene analysis and dystrophin protein immune test on his muscle. He had no other chronic disease. By HLA matching, a piece of umbilical cord blood stem cell with 6 HLA sites matching to the boy was found in Guangdong Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. The number of the nucleated cells of the umbilical cord blood stem cell was 24.08x 10(8). After pretreatment for the DMD boy with busulfan, cyclophosphamide and rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin, the allergenic cord blood stem cells were transplanted into him by intravenous injection. Cyclosporin A, methylprednisolone, MMF, prostaglandin E1 and ganciclovir were given after the transplantation. At the same time, Gran, the granulocytic cell stimulating factor, and gamma globulin were administered. The biochemistry profile including serum creatine kinase (CK), the reconstruction of blood making, the deletion exon of DMD gene, the regenerating muscles, the dystrophin protein expression, and the locomotive function of the DMD boy were tested regularly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The white blood cells (WBC) of peripheral blood decreased gradually to zero after pretreatment. In a period of 15 days after transplantation, the neutrophil increased to 0.5x 10(9)/L; at 25 days, WBC increased to normal level. Blood platelet was more than 20x 10(9)/L at 22 days. The hemoglobin rose to 85-100 g/L. At 140 days, sternal puncture revealed the rapid growth of neutrophil, blood platelet and hemoglobin. (2)At 140 days, the blood type of the DMD boy transformed from type O to type AB (the donor's blood type being AB). There was no grafe versus host reaction. (3) At 18, 30, 43, 55, 74 and 233 days after transplantation, the PCR-short tandem repeat test of the boy's peripheral blood DNA showed that his genotype was completely the same as the donor's. The results of PCR-short tandem repeat tests of the bone marrow cells DNA by sternal puncture at 140, 183 and 235 days were the same as those of the blood DNA. (4) At 60 days, DMD gene analysis by PCR showed that the defected DMD gene (exon 19 deletion) had been corrected by the umbilical cord stem cells transplantation. (5) At 75 days, the biopsy of calf muscle showed there were myoblast cells and muscular tubes growing. The dystrophin expressions were weak, but a few of them were strong. DNA analysis showed that the donor's gene DNA accounted for 1%-13%. At 126 days, obviously increased dystrophin positive muscular fibers of the boy were found. The donor's fibers rose to 2.5%-25%. (6) The serum CK of the boy declined from 5735 U/L to 274 U/L. (7) At 100 days, physical examination revealed improvement in his arms and legs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with allogeneic umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may reset up the blood-making function, decrease the serum CK level, restore the dystrophin in muscles, and improve the locomotive function of the DMD boy. These data suggest that the allogeneic umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may benefit the DMD boys.</p>

Carrier detection of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy in Chinese families by microsatellite analysis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen and detect the female carriers from the DMD/BMD family members for prenatal or preimplantation genetic diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>For the detection of DMD/BMD carriers from 27 family members in 4 families, PCR to five microsatellite markers(located in 5' terminus and intron 44, 45, 49, 50) and analysis of the short tandem repeat(STR) sequence polymorphism with the use of genescan were implemented.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six of the 17 female members were obligate DMD gene carriers according to the haplotype analysis of the results of the genescan, which conformed with the pedigree analysis. Besides, the authors detected five carriers and five normal females in these families with the use of the haplotype analysis only. The most polymorphic locus was STR 49, and the least was STR 50.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The STR haploid linkage analysis using (CA)n repeats within the human dystrophin gene is a rapid,accurate, objective method and is well suited for routine use in clinical laboratories engaged in DMD/BMD linkage analysis for the detection of carrier.</p>