Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells are organized in a hierarchical fashion, with only the most primitive rare population (leukemia stem cell, LSC) of AML cells capable of maintaining the leukemic clone. Due to a predominantly G0 cell-cycle status, LSC may not be responsive to conventional chemotherapeutic agents.compared with leukemia blasts. It is proposed that surviving LSC are a major contributing factor to leukemia relapse. This article reviewed the data emerging from the study of LSC, elucidated the distinct cellular and molecular characteristics of the LSC population,and the target therapy of LSC, which may shed new light on AML therapy and leukemogenesis study.

Objective To observe the effect of chronic aplastic anemia patients treated with promoting kidney and tonifing bone herbs on the expression of hematopoiesis regulation factors,and discuss the mechanism of kidney-promoting herbs. Methods 120 cases of chronic aplastic anemia were randomly divided into two groups,90 cases treated with promote kidney and tonify bone method,and 30 cases treated with western medicine. Besides these,10 cases of volunteers’ bone marrow were collected as normal control. Hematopoiesis regulation factors such as SCF,IL-3,TNF-? and IFN-? mRNA semi-quantitative expression were observed by RT-PCR. Results The expression level of SCF and IL-3 mRNA in two groups was lower obviously than normal control(P

The term epigenetics refers to a number of biochemical modifications of chromatin that, without altering the primary sequence of DNA, play a role in genomic regulation and in control of particular gene expression. These modifications involve several kinds, such as DNA methylation, histone code modifications and chromatin remodeling. It is accepted that these modifications is as common in solid tumors as it is in hematologic malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS). So many specialists suggest that the study of this area is very valuable. The current clinical information regarding different forms of epigenetic therapy in patients with MDS were focused in this review.

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Yangyin Recipe (supplementing qi and nourishing yin) and its different assembling on apoptosis rate and associated protein expression of c-myc and survivin in mice, and explore its mechanism. Methods NOD-SCID mice were injected with l×106 KG1a cells from the tail vein after irradiation of 60Co. Model mice were randomly divided into control group, whole recipe group, strengthening body resistance group, eliminating pathogens group. The treatment groups were given correspongding administration, and control group was given equal volume of NS. Flow cytometry was applied to measure apoptosis rate. The immunochemistry method was used to detect the expression of c-myc, survivin. Results Apoptosis rate in all treatment groups were increased (P<0.01). The expression of c-myc and survivin in lymph node tissues in all treatment groups were significantly declined compared with control group (P<0.05). The effect of whole recipe group on the all indices was superior to strengthening body resistance group and eliminating pathogens group (P<0.05). Conclusion Yiqi Yangyin Recipe can decrease the expressions of c-myc and survivin, induce apoptosis in leukemia cells, therefore shows the therapeutic effect.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the the expression of SOCS-1/3 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and interferon therapeutic response in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B were given interferon therapy.After 24 weeks treatment,according to biochemical and virologic response,they were divided into two groups:response and non response group.HBV-DNA was detected by PCR.The SOCS-1/3 mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR.Results The expression of SOCS-1 in the PBMCs of response group after 24 weeks treatment was significantly higher than that before interferon therapy (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of SOCS-3 in the PBMCs of response group after 24 weeks trentment was significantly lower than that before interferon therapy (P ＜ 0.05).In non response group,there were no significant differences in the expression of SOCS-1/3 (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The increase expression of SOCS-1 mRNA and the decrease of SOCS-3 mRNA in the PBMCs in chronic hepatitis B patients received 24 weeks interferon-therapy probably is relevant to the IFN-α antiviral effect.

Objective To observe the mRNA expression levels of POT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acquired aplastic anemia patients with different syndrome, and explore its relationship with acquired aplastic anemia and its TCM syndrome. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 52 cases with acquired aplastic anemia and 20 cases as control group were collected to detect mRNA expression of POT1 by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and its relation with TCM syndrome was analyzed. Results The expression levels of POT1 mRNA in patients with acquired aplastic anemia were lower significantly than control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of POT1 mRNA in patients with deficiency of kidney-yin were lower than patients with deficiency of kidney-yang, and it was lowest in patients with kidney deficiency of both yin and yang. There was significant correlation between the expression levels of POT1 mRNA and age (r=0.374, P=0.038). Conclusion The changes in expression levels of POT1 play a role in the pathogenesis of acquired aplastic anemia. There is correlation between mRNA expression level of POT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and TCM syndrome.

AIM:To investigate the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia ( AA) through the expression of P 53 and P21, and the telomere length in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) of patients with AA.METHODS: The BMMNC were collected from 60 cases of AA, including 38 non-severe aplastic anemia (NSAA) and 22 severe aplastic ane-mia (SAA), and 25 healthy controls.The mRNA expression of P53 and P21, and the telomere length were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), while the protein expression of P53 and P21 was determined by Western blot.The correlations among P53, P21 and telomere length were analyzed .Hematopoietic components of bone marrow were measured by bone marrow biopsy .CD34 +cells proportion in nuclear cells were assessed by flow cytometry . RESULTS:Telomere length in the patients with AA , including NSAA and SAA , was significantly lower than that in con-trol group (P<0.05).The same results of the hematopoietic components of bone marrow and the CD 34+cells proportion in nuclear cells were observed .Telomere length in SAA group was shorter than that in NSAA group ( P<0.05 ) , while the hematopoietic components of bone marrow and the CD 34 +cells proportion in nuclear cells also showed the same results . The expression of P53 and P21 at both mRNA and protein levels in the AA patients , including NSAA and SAA , was signi-ficantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).The expression of P53 and P21 in the SAA patients was higher signi-ficantly than that in the NSAA patients ( P<0.05 ) .No correlation between the expression of P 53 or P21 and telomere length was found . There was significant positive correlation between the expression of P 53 and P21 ( P <0.05 ) . CONCLUSION:Telomere length, P53 and P21 may be involved in the pathogenesis of AA by inhibiting the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells , and triggering cell apoptosis .

Objective To investigate the relationship between the serum chemokine IP-10 and RANTES levels and Interferon therapeutic early response in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).Methods 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B were chosen into interferon therapy.After 12 weeks,they were devided into three groups:complete response A、partial response B、non response C group.HBV-DNA was detected by PCR;The serum chemokines( IP-10 and RANTES) were measured by Luminex Liquichip technology.Results The base HBV DNA and RANTES levels of three groups weren't significantly different (P ＜0.05) ;The base ALT and IP-10 levels of A group were significantly higher than that in B and C group( P ＜ 0.05).The IP-10、RANTES contents of A group in therapeutic 4th week were significantly lower than that before interferon therapy(P ＜ 0.05 );There were no significant differences in B、C group (P ＞0.05) ;The levels changes of IP-10、RANTES、HBV DNA and ALT in therapeutic 12th week were significantly different between the three groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ),The level of ALT in 50 patients has positive correlation with IP-10 level (P ＜ 0.05) ;The level of HBV DNA in 50 patients had positive correlation with RANTES level( P ＜ 0.05 ) ;The base level of IP-10 had positive correlation with the change of HBV-DNA contents in therapeutic 12th week( P ＜0.05 ) ;The change of ALT level in reponse patients in therapeutic 12th week had positive correlation with the change of IP-10 、RANTES levels( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion The decrease of IP-10,RANTES level in CHB patients received 12weeks interferon-α therapy could lead to reduce liver inflammation;The base IP-10 level probably was relevant to the early response in CHB patients received interferon-α therapy.

BACKGROUND:There is a group of leukemic stem cell (LSC) in patients with leukemia. These malignant stern cells, although rare, but self-renewal, with a certain degree of differentiation is the existence of leukemic cells and causes of their continued proliferation. Intervention of leukemia-specific targeted treatment drugs has become a research hotspot in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of traditional medicine compound on expression of flt3 and N-ras mRNA in LSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, grouping experiment was performed at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2007 to December 2008.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 50 cases of acute myelocytic leukemia admitted to Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between 2006 and 2007 were selected, including 5 cases of type FAB, 15 of M2, 9 of M4 and 21 of M5.METHODS: Original prescription: Huangqi, Hedyotic diffusa, Xiaoji, Taizishen, Banzhilian, Pugongying, Rehmannia dride rhizome, Huangjing, Nuzhenzi, ecliptae herba, Tiandong, Maidong, Baizhu, Fuling, Liquorice root. Fuzheng prescription: Huangqi, Hedyotic diffusa, Xiaoji, Banzhilian, Pugongying, ecliptae herba. Preparation: the above-mentioned three groups of drugs were prepared into 1 g/mL medicine liquid by Laboratory of Chinese Drug Preparation of Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. When it was negative in sterility test, the liquid was filtrated and sterilized. 5 mL bone marrow was separately harvested from M1, M2, M4, and M5 leukemia patients, diluted and placed in lymphocyte isolation solution. LSCs were purified by magnetic activated cell sorting and flow cytometry. The cell concentration was adjusted to 2×108/L and divided into 4 groups: control (no treatment), and three experimental groups (treated separately with original, Fuzheng, Quxie prescriptions at final concentration of 100 mg/L). The cells were cultured for 48 additional hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of Flt3 and N-ras in LSCs. RESULTS: The expression of flt3 in three experimental groups was significantly decreased compared with control group (P < 0.05), in particular, original prescription group decreased the most (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found between Fuzheng and the Quxie prescription groups (P>0.05). The expression of N-ras in four groups was similar to Flt3. CONCLUSION: Flt3 and N-ras mRNA were overexpressed in LSCs. Chinese medicine original prescription and its Fuzheng or Quxie prescriptions decreased Flt3 and N-ras mRNA expression.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of thrombopoietin (TPO) in the pathology of chronic thrombocytopenic disease.

METHODSWe measured the endogenous plasma concentration of TPO in 40 patients with acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) and in 32 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) by a sensitive Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared the results.

RESULTSPlasma TPO concentrations were significantly higher in AA patients (774 +/- 393 pg/ ml) in comparison with healthy control subjects (55 +/- 34 pg/ml, P < 0.001), and there was a significant negative correlation between their plasma TPO concentrations and platelet counts. In patients with ITP, however, the TPO levels were normal or only slightly elevated (73 +/- 36 pg/ml), and there was no significant difference compared with healthy controls (P > 0.05). There was also no relationship between their plasma TPO levels and platelet counts.

CONCLUSIONSTPO levels may be regulated not only by platelets but also by megakaryocytes in AA and ITP, and measurement of TPO levels is useful for diagnosing thrombocytopenia and understanding the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Thrombopoietin ; blood ; genetics ; therapeutic use