Objective To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid derived suppressor cells(MDSC) in bone marrow cells in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML),and to detect its relationship with the clinical features,the effect of chemotherapy and prognosis.Methods Twenty-nine cases of children with AML were collected from June 2013 to March 2014 in People's Hospital of Wuhan University,in which 11 cases of low-risk group,10 cases of middle-risk group,8 cases of high-risk group;and 17 cases of non blood disease was as the control group.The expressions of TLR4 and MDSC were detected by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),Western blot methods,immunohistochemical staining,and flow cytometry,respectively,in the bone marrow cells of 29 children with AML.Results The mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 in the initial treatment group was higher than those in the complete remission group(t =3.092,3.393,all P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 in the relapse group was higher than those in the complete remission group(t =4.013,4.279,all P ＜ 0.05).The positive expression rates of MDSC in the above 3 groups were (29.77 ± 1.39) ％,(5.19 ± 0.65) ％,(38.62 ± 3.54) ％,respectively,compared with the control group [(1.32 ± 0.27) ％] and there was significant difference(all P ＜0.05).The positive expression rates of TLR4 and MDSC in the initial treatment group,relapse group and complete remission group were significantly higher than those in the control group,with significant differences (initial treatment group TLR4:t =3.559,P ＜ 0.05;MDSC:t =3.727,P ＜ 0.05;relapse group TLR4:t =4.043,P ＜ 0.05;MDSC:t =4.125,P ＜ 0.05;complete remission group TLR4:t =2.798,P ＜ 0.05;MDSC:t =3.469,P ＜ 0.05).Pearson rank correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the expression of TLR4 and MDSC (r =0.673,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The expressions of both TLR4 and MDSC play an important role in onset,progression,curative effect and prognosis in children with AML,and the two may play an importment role in synergistic effect.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying lymphocyte functionassociated antigen-1 (LFA-1) / intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mediated anti-neoplastic effects of cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells. Methods Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood of children leukemia were induced with interferon-gamma (IFN-y), anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (CD3McAb) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and co-cultured with dendrite cells (DC) to generate DC-CIK cells. When treated with LFA-1 monoclonal antibody, cytotoxicity of DC-CIK cells against leukemia cell lines was measured by the MTT assay, while RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine mRNA and protein expressions of GATA-3 and T-bet in DC-CIK cells, respectively. IL-12, IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels released by DC-CIK cells were quantified by ELISA. Results Induced DC-CIK cells were regular, round and transparent with variable cell volume and cellular aggregation. When treated with mouse anti-human LFA-1 monoclonal antibody, the cytotoxicity decreased mostly towards B95 cells under administration of 20 μg/ml LFA-1 monoclonal antibody in comparison with the control group(t =10.138, P ＜0.05). It led to a highest elevation of GATA-3 mRNA and protein levels (t =16.386, P ＜ 0.05; t =22.652, P ＜ 0.05) and a most decrease of T-bet mRNA and protein levels (t =17.728, P ＜0.05; t =17.452, P ＜0.05) under 20 μg/ml LFA-1 monoclonal antibody in B95 cells group in comparison with the control group. The expression levels of IL-12,IFN-γ, and TNF-o in supernatant were the lowest under 20 μg/ml LFA-1 monoclonal antibody in B95 cells group in comparison with the control group (t =21.621, P ＜0.05; t =13.739, P ＜0.05; t =15.278, P ＜0.05).Conclusion GATA-3 and T-bet were implicated in the LFA-1/ICAM-1 mediated anti-neoplastic effects of DC-CIK cells via activation of the Th1 pathway, with high secretion of Th1 cytokines, such as IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α.

Objective To study the clinical and pathological features of adrenal myelolipoma. Methods The clinical manifestration,experimental and imaging data of 6 patients with adrenal myelolipoma were retrospectively analyzed. Results The disease manifested nonspecific symptoms and signs,including faint lumber,flank or bulk pain.The diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma depends on B ultrosound scan,CT and MRI,revealing a fatty mass with various other densities such as soft tissue,intratumoural haemorrhage,calcification and residual adrenal cortex.Tumor excision and adrenalectomy were performed in all patients.The pathological examination showed that the tumor consists of mature fat cells and hematopoietic elements.The patients have been asymptomatic on following up for 0.5～7 years and there is no recurrence of tumor. Conclusions CT and MRI images features are helpful for the pre operative diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma.Pathologically,it is characterized by a mixture of mature fat and hematopoietic elements.

Objective To explore the expression of antiapoptotic gene Aven in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and its relationship with clinical features of ALL. Methods Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of Aven mRNA in 55 cases of childhood ALL The control group included 11 childhood patients with no malignant hematological diseases. Results Aven mRNA expression was found to be higher in patients ≥10 years old and was also significantly higher in relapsed patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that Aven overexpression was an independent poor prognostic factor. Conclusion Aven mRNA expression is abnormal in childhood ALL and is an independent poor prognostic factor.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) late mRNA expression in megakaryoblast and in turn the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients with HCMV infection, and effectiveness of ganciclovir were investigated. Colony forming unit-megakaryocytes (CFU-MK) of 46 ITP patients with HCMV infection were incubated from patients' bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was subsequently used for CFU-MK for HCMV-late mRNA detection. Ganciclovir therapy was given to both HCMV-late mRNA positive and negative groups for comparison of therapeutic effectiveness. The results in 19 of 46 CFU-MK culture cells specimens with positive HCMV-DNA by PCR or positive CMV-IgM by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the correspondent serum of peripheral blood were positive for HCMV-late mRNA. Sixteen out of 19, patients with positive HCMV-late mRNA CFU-MK had a positive response to ganciclovir. Amongst 27 patients with negative HCMV-late mRNA CFU-MK, only 4 positive responders to ganciclovir therapy were observed. Curative effectiveness of ganciclovir in HCMV-late mRNA positive group was significantly higher than that in HCMV-late mRNA negative group (P<0.01). It was suggested that HCMV could directly infect CFU-MK, which might be one of the mechanisms responsible for HCMV related ITP. The ganciclovir is an effective therapy in resulting in the increases in thrombocyte in the ITP patients whose HCMV- late mRNA was positive in their CFU-MK.

Aim To investigate the HIV-1 entry inhibitory activities of myriceric acid B and C isolated from Rhoiptelea chiliantha Diels et Hand-Mazz and their mechanism of action.Method The plasmids encoding envelope proteins of HIV-1 (pHXB2) and VSV (pVSV-G) were cotransfected 293T cells with pNL4-3.Luc.R-E- to produce HIV-1 Env pseudovirus and VSV-G pseudovirus,respectively,which were used for testing the antiviral activities of these compounds.ELISA and molecular docking were used to study the mechanism of action of the active compounds.Results Myriceric acid B could significantly inhibit the infection of HIV-1 Env pseudovirus with an IC_(50) of(8.3±0.2)mg·L~(-1).The carbonoxyl group at C-28 position and the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of myriceric acid B are important for its anti-HIV-1 activity.Like other HIV-1 entry inhibitors targeting gp41 (eg,ADS-J1 and NB-64), myriceric acid B could also block the gp41 six-helix bundle formation.Molecular docking analysis suggests that myriceric acid B may bind to the hydrophobic cavity of the gp41 N-trimeric coiled coil.Conclusion Myriceric acid B is a potent HIV-1 entry inhibitor targeting gp41 and can serve as a lead compound for developing novel anti-HIV-1 drug.

BACKGROUND:Tripterygium hypoglaucum(Levl.)Hutch (THH) has been accurately confirmed a good clinical therapeutic effect for rheumatoid arthritis(RA).However.functionaI mechanism of THH remains unclearly.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of THH on proliferation and apoptosis of macrophage-like synoviocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with RA and to explore its dose-effect relation.DESIGN.TIME AND SETTING:In vitro cytology grouping controlled observation was performed in the Center Laboratory of the First Clinical College of Shantou University and the Laboratory for Cellular Biology of Southern MedicaI University from August 2003 to June 2007.MATERIALS:Synovium was obtained from 6 patients with RA and 3 normaI synovial samples.All samples sourced from patients admitted in Department of Orthopaedics.the First Clinical College of Shantou University and in Spinal and Joint Surgery of Nanfang Hospital.The water extracts of THH contained 0.667 g/mL crude drug.METHODS:Synovial cells were isolated by digesting synovial tissue with collagenase.CD68+and CD68-synoviocytes were sorted from synovial cells by Dynabeads(magnetic celI sorting)from the 2~(nd)-4~(th) passages of synoviocyes.After 72 hours incubation,all groups of isolated synoviocytes were cultured in culture medium containing the flnaI concentrations of 0 mL/L,5 mL/L,1 0 mL/L and 20 mL/L of THH for 24 and 48 hours,respectively,and the common culture medium was sewed as the control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The morphology of synoviocytes were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).In vitro cell growth was assessed by the MTT assay,and synoviocytes apoptosis was evaluated using temlinaI deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay and a flow cytometry.RESULTS:CD68~+ synoviocytes were appeared macrophage-like and CD68~- synoviocytes were exhibited fibroblast-like.After incubated with THH,some synoviocytes presented the volume of cells deflated,progressively destruction of cell membrane,microvillus or pseudopodium tended to be decreased even disappeared,and apoptosis bodies appeared.When incubated with 2% THH,proliferation inhibiUon and inducing apoptosis could be observed;it showed that THH had the cytotoxic effect on synoviocytes.The effect of proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis on CD68-and CD68+synoviocytes from RA patients was more significantly than that from normal arthritis (P<0.01).When incubated with 1%THH.proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis on synoviocytes from RA patients also could be found(P<0.01),but not found on normal synoviocytes(P>0.05).Compared with the negative controI group.proliferation inhibition was no significant difference On all groups with the low dose (≤5 mL/L) of THH(P>0.05).Furthermore,the effect of proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis on synoviocytes decreased in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner.The inhibition rate of synoviocytes also could be found positively correlated with apoptosis rate aftat treatment of THH(r=0.497,P<0.01).CONCLUSlON:THH have cytotoxic effect on rheumatoid synoviocytes and normal synoviocytes.it can inhibit macrophage-like synoviocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes from RA on proliferation and induce them to apoptosis.In the some contraction of THH.proliferation Inhibition and inducing apoptosis can be occur on synoviocytes from RA but not on normal synoviocytes.

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory activities of 3-trifluoromethyl benzamide derivatives against the entry of H5N1 influenza viruses.

METHODSThe lead compound was structurally modified to obtain 3 compounds with inhibitory activities against H5N1 influenza viruses. Specs compound librany was screened and 4 compounds were identified to have such inhibitory activities. The inhibitory activities of these compounds were tested at a celluar level against H5N1 influenza viruses.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe compounds 1a, 1b, 1e and 1f showed signifcant inhibitory activities against the entry of A/AnHui/1/2005 pseudovirus into the target cells with an IC50 value of 4.7 ± 0.3 µmol/L.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; physiology ; Influenza, Human ; Virus Internalization ; drug effects

Even though mutations in LMNA have been reported in patients with typical dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and atrioventricular block (AVB) previously, the purpose of this study was to disclose this novel genetic abnormality in one Chinese family with the atypical phenotype of progressive AVB followed by DCM with normal QRS interval. Genome-wide linkage analysis mapped the AVB gene in this family to a marker at chromosome 1q21.2, where the LMNA gene was located. Direct DNA sequence analysis revealed a heterozygous G to A transition at nucleotide 244 in exon 1 of LMNA, which resulted in an E82K mutation. The E82K mutation co-segregated with all affected individuals in the family, and was not present in 200 normal controls. Further clinical evaluation of mutation carriers showed that 5 of 6 AVB patients exhibited mild DCM with a late onset of age in the fourth and fifth decades. Ejection fractions were documented in 5 patients with DCM, but 4 showed a normal value of [Symbol: see text]50%. Echocardiography showed that atrial dilatation occurred earlier than ventricular dilatation in the patients. This study suggests that progressive AVB with normal QRS interval and accompanying DCM at later stages may represent a distinct type of DCM. The molecular mechanism by which the E82K mutation causes AVB as the prominent phenotype in DCM may be a focus of future studies.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) late mRNA expression in megakaryoblast and in turn the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients with HCMV infection, and effectiveness of ganciclovir were investigated. Colony forming unit-megakaryocytes (CFU-MK) of 46 ITP patients with HCMV infection were incubated from patients' bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was subsequently used for CFU-MK for HCMV-late mRNA detection. Ganciclovir therapy was given to both HCMV-late mRNA positive and negative groups for comparison of therapeutic effectiveness. The results in 19 of 46 CFU-MK culture cells specimens with positive HCMV-DNA by PCR or positive CMV-IgM by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the correspondent serum of peripheral blood were positive for HCMV-late mRNA. Sixteen out of 19 patients with positive HCMV-late mRNACFU-MK had a positive response to ganciclovir. Amongst 27 patients with negative HCMV-late mRNA CFU-MK, only 4 positive responders to ganciclovir therapy were observed. Curative effectiveness of ganciclovir in HCMV-late mRNA positive group was significantly higher than that in HCMV-late mRNA negative group (P＜0.01). It was suggested that HCMV could directly infect CFU-MK, which might be one of the mechanisms responsible for HCMV related ITP. The ganciclovir is an effective therapy in resulting in the increases in thrombocyte in the ITP patients whose HCMV- late mRNA was positive in their CFU-MK.