BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)differentiating into neural cells is an effective way of cell therapy of nervous system disease.However,the methods used nowadays still need to be improved.OBJECTIVE:To induce the differentiation of rhesus monkey BMSCs into neuron-like cells by using sonic hedgehog factor.METHODS:Rhesus monkey BMSCs differentiating into neuron-like cells was induced by typical retinoic acid and sonic hedgehog factor.Rhesus monkey BMSCs were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation method.Cell growth was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope and cell growth curve was determined using MTT assay.Flow cytometry was performed to characterize the phenotype of BMSCs,and immunohistochemistry was utilized to assess differentiated cells.Ultra-structure of the differentiated cells was observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Rhesus monkey BMSCs cultured in vitro were identified by flow cytometry,with high homogenicity.Following sonic hedgehog factor disposal for 7 days,differentiated cells were mainly positive for neurone specific enolase,neurofilament protein,Tau and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP).Image statistical analysis found that in sonic hedgehog factor scheme,neural stem cells marker Neetin positive rate was significantly higher compared with the rstinoic acid scheme(P＜0.01).GFAP-positive rate was greater in the retinoic acid scheme than in the sonic hedgehog factor scheme(P＜0.05).Results indicated that sonic hedgehog factor scheme is an effective pathway of rhesus monkey BMSC differentiation into neuron-like cells.

BACKGROUND: Present studies have demonstrated that during neural development, differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) was affected by various regulatory factors from surrounding microenvironment. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a key induction signal during neural fetal development, and can be an effective inductor to regulate differentiation of neural cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the signal transduction pathway of SHH for differentiation of rhesus monkey bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into of neuron-like cells by sonic hedgehog factor. METHODS: Rhesus monkey BMSCs were isolated and cultured by conventional density gradient centrifugation. BMSCs in the induction group were treated with L-DMEM containing FGF2, B27 and fetal bovine serum for preinduction of 24 hours, and then with DMEM supplemented with 0.5 μmol/L retinoic acid or 400 μmol/L SHH for 8 days. Non-induced cells served as control group. Following labeling with neuron enolase, positive cells were screened by flow cytometry. RT-PCR and Western-blot were used to detect SHH- and retinoic acid-induced cell membrane receptor and intracellular signal protein changes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: SHH specific membrane receptor Ptc, retinoic acid specific receptor RARα, signal protein molecule ptch1 and Smad expressed in normal cells. Ptc expression upregulated in SHH-induced cells. High expression lasted for a long time with induction time, which was significantly stronger compared with the retinoic acid and control groups (P < 0.01). Intracellular ptch1 protein molecule expression showed similar tendency as this, but could not induce upregulation of RARα expression. During induction, retinoic acid-stimulated cells did not activate Ptc pathway. Four days following induction, RARα expression upregulated and lasted till 6 days, but there were no significant differences. No significant change in ptch1 expression was determined. SHH- and retinoic acid-induced cell Smad molecule expression upregulated, but no significant difference was determined. Results verified that SHH-induced scheme participated in cell induction and differentiation by persistently activating its specific receptors. However, there was no significant receptor pathway crossing between retinoic acid-induced and SHH-induced schemes.

Objective To explore the role of a new apoptosis related gene TFAR 19 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the relationship between TFAR 19 and SLE.Methods ELISA was used to test if there is relation between TFAR 19 and SLE.Results It was found that in active SLE patients there was higher titer of TFAR 19 antibody than that in stability patients and normal controls.No significant difference was seen between stability patients and normal controls.Conclusion It is first put forward that TFAR 19 may be related with SLE pathogenesis and disease activity.

Objective:To investigate the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and further analyze the correlation of MS and its components with clinical features of PsA.Methods:Data including demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, MS-associated features (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum lipid spectrum, and so on) and history of complications (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and cerebral vascular disease) were collected from PsA patients in our hospital from Jan 2017 to Sep 2019. The frequency of MS in PsA patients was calculated and the association between PsA clinical manifestations and MS as well as its components was investigated.Results:One hundred and sixty-two PsA patients who fulfilled the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) were recruited. Hypertension was identified in 36 (22.2%) patients, diabetes mellitus in 28(17.2%) patients, coronary heart disease in 11(6.7%) patients, and cerebral vascular disease in 7 (4.3%) patients. Based on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 58(35.8%) patients were diagnosed as MS. Compared with MS-free patients, patients with MS, hypertension or diabetes mellitus were older [(54±10 vs 44±13; 56±11 vs 45±12; 54±11 vs 44±13, respectively, t=5.058 , 4.450, 5.150, P<0.01 for all], with higher disease activity [DAPSA scores 16.75(11.25, 26.7) vs 8.8(4.8, 16.4), 16.3(9.6, 27.8) vs 10.0 (5.1, 18.0), 14.4 (9, 25.7) vs 9.5 (5, 17.7), Z=4.539 , 3.046, 3.063, P<0.01]. There was a positive correlation between the sum of components of MS and DAPSA score ( r=0.27 , P<0.01), but multiple linear regression showed no correlation between each component with DAPSA score ( P>0.05) except for hypertension ( P<0.01, standard coefficient=0.334) and elevated fasting blood glucose ( P=0.023, standard coefficient=0.247). PsA patients with hypertension had higher ESR [16.5 (9.5, 34.25) mm/1 h vs 10 (5, 24.5) mm/1 h, Z=2.127, P=0.012]. CRP level was higher in patients with dyslipidemia [5.6(2.1, 17.8) mg/L vs 3.7(1.5, 6.5) mg/L, Z=2.543, P<0.01]. Prevalence of inflammatory back pain was also higher in dyslipidemia patients (41.3% vs 22.4%, χ2=5.901, P=0.016). DAPSA score was higher in dyslipidemia patients (14.1 vs9.9, P=0.031). Conclusion:MS and its components are not rare comorbidities in PsA patients. PsA patients with MS tend to be older with higher disease activity, which calls for more attention.

BACKGROUND: The existence of minimal residual leukemia cells is the main cause for the recurrence of acute leukemia in children, and immunological biological therapy has attracted more and more attentions in the various methods from eliminating minimal residual disease. Previous studies have found that interferon α-2b can effectively inhibit the increase of tumor cells in vivo in children with neuroblastoma and malignant lymphoma, whether it can inhibit the increase of leukemia cells?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of interferon α-2b in vitro on leukemia cells.DESIGN: A comparative observation taking human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line as the material.SETTING: Cell Culture Room; Immunological Laboratory; Cell Room, Institute of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital,Medical College of Qingdao University.MATERIALS: HL-60 cell line was provided by Shandong Institute of Basic Medical Sciences. Interferon α-2b was purchased from Megagene Company Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FTTC) rabbit-anti-rat Ig solution (CatEK001) and CD13 anti-human monoclonal antibody solution (Cat. DK013Y) were purchased from Union Stem Cell & Gene Engineering Co.,Ltd.METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the Institute of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Qingdao University from March to September 2005. HL-60 cells culture system was established in vitro, and the oncentration was adjusted to 1×109 L-1. The cells were divided into control group and experimental group. In the experimental group, each well was added by interferon-α-2b with the terminal concentration of 5×105, 1×106, 2×106,5×106 and 1×107 U/L, respectively. In the control group, each well was added by saline of the same volume. The cells were cultured continuously for 48 hours. The morphological changes of HL-60 cells were observed using Wright's staining under light microscope; Cell apoptosis was observed using acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining; Antigen expression and maturation and differentiation on cell membrane were observed by determining CD13 protein expression; Proliferation and activity of HL-60 were detected with methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) assay.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of apoptosis was judged according to the uniformity and staining of HL-60 nuclear chromatin; HL-60 cell proliferation was judged according to the absorbance (A) value; The maturation of HL-60 cells was judged according to the number of positive CD13 cells.RESULTS: ① HL-60 cell apoptosis: The cells were cultured for 48 hours. When the concentration of interferon α-2b was 5×105 U/L, there were mainly early apoptotic HL-60 cells; When the concentration was 1×107 U/L, there were mainly late apoptotic cells, and the apoptotic rate was significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01 ).② HL-60 cell proliferation: The A values in the experimental groups treated with interferon α-2b of 2×106 U/L and 1 ×107 U/L were significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01). ③ Maturation of HL-60 cells: The percentages of positive CD13 cells in the experimental groups treated with interferon α-2b of 1 ×106 and 1 ×107 U/L were significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: It is concluded that interferon α-2b can enhance the apoptosis, inhibit the proliferation and promote maturation and differentiation of HL-60 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of p38 and ERK1/2 during rhesus monkeys mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into neuron-like cells.MethodsTo induce the neuronal phenotype,rhesus monkeys mesenchymal stem cells were maintained in sub-confluent cultures in serum-contain medium supplement with Sonic hedgehog.Western blot analysis the change of p38 and ERK1/2 during rhesus monkeys mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into neuron-like cells.Under transmission and scanning electron microscope,ultra-structure of the differentiated cell were observed.ResultsDuring BMSCs differentiated into neuron-like cells by SHH,Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) involved in their signal transduction,p38 was activated and ERK1/2 was inhibited.P38 inhibitor SB203580 increased induced differentiation time compared with normal induced cells,and inhibited neurite outgrowth.ConclusionActivation of p38 and inhibition of ERK was impacted on differentiation into neuron-like cells from rhesus monkeys mesenchymal stem cells induced by Sonic hedgehog,which may has potential application on neuroprotection of stem cells in Nervous system diseases

AIM: To clarify the role of new apoptosis-related gene, TF-1 cell apoptosis-related gene 19(TFAR19), in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) and the relationship between TFAR19 and SLE. METHODS: DNA Ladder detection, Western blotting, immunological fluorescence method, ELISA and so on were used to test if ultraviolet B(UVB) could induce HaCaT cell apoptosis and TFAR19 expression. RESULTS: HaCaT cell apoptosis could be detected after 24 hours of 30 mj/cm 2 UVB irradiation. Also, we found that in active SLE patients, the TFAR19 antibody was increased, but not significant compared to the normal control. CONCLUSION: TFAR 19 is involved in the process of UVB induced ketatinocyte line HaCaT apoptosis and SLE pathogenesis.

Objective To analyze the practicability of using ELISA kit for the detection of hepati-tis E virus antigen ( HEV-Ag) in plasma donations and Biomex HEV seroconversion panels. Methods The HEV-Ag positive samples were screened out from 36 340 donated blood plasma samples. Real-time fluores-cent PCR was performed for the detection of HEV RNA in HEV-Ag positive samples. The open reading frame 2 (ORF2) in HEV RNA was amplified by nested RT-PCR and the amplified products were confirmed by sequencing analysis. Phylogenetic tree was constructed for HEV genotyping. Five Biomex HEV serocon-version panels were used in this study for the detection of HEV-Ag, anti-HEV antibody and HEV RNA as well as the correlation analysis between HEV-Ag and HEV RNA. Results Twenty-six out of 36 340 plasma samples (0. 07%) were positive for HEV-Ag. Of the 26 samples, 25 samples were positive for HEV RNA as indicated by the results of nested RT-PCR and 23 positive samples were confirmed by sequencing analysis. The positive rate of HEV RNA in blood plasma donators was 1 ∶ 1 580 (0. 06%). There were 17 samples of genotype 1 (74%) and 6 samples of genotype 4 (26%) according to the phylogenetic tree analysis. All of the HEV-Ag positive samples were also positive for HEV RNA as indicated by the analysis of Biomex sero-conversion panels. HEV-Ag was consistent with the peak of the HEV RNA concentration. Conclusion A close relationship between HEV-Ag and HEV RNA was observed. HEV-Ag screening could be used as a measure to reduce the risk of HEV transmission by blood transfusion.

ObjectiveTo study the cardioprotective effects of ischemic post-conditioning on elderly patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEM1).MethodsConsecutive 215 patients with STEMI undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) were randomly assignedto receive ischemicpost-conditioningorconventional PCItreatment.The ischemic postconditioning (n=38) were conducted by 3 episodes of 30-second occlusion followed by 30-second reperfusion, while the control group (n= 46) was without any intervention after PCI.Reperfusion arrhythmias, corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG)were compared between the two groups, respectively.Results The incidence of reperfusion arrythmias was less frequent in ischemic postconditioning group (21.1％ ,8/38) than in control group (45.7％ ,21/46) after PCI (x2 = 5.571, P＜0.05). The TIMI grade 3 flow was similar between two groups [(94.7％(36/38) vs. 82.6％( 38/46), x2= 2.919, P＞0.05], the cTFC levels (23.6±3.7vs. 26.1 ±5.9) and TMPG 3 perfusion [ 89.5％ (34/38) vs.69.6％ (32/46)] were significantly different (t= 5.434, P＜0.05; x2 = 4.899, P＜0.05, respectively) between two groups.ConclusionsIschemic postconditioning may reduce myocardial reperfusion injury in elderly patients with STEMI undergoing emergent PCI.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination has been shown effective in controlling the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and reducing severe cases. This study was to assess the flare and change in disease activity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A prospective cohort of RA patients in remission or with low disease activity was divided into a vaccination group and a non-vaccination group based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Each of them was examined every 3 to 6 months. In the vaccination group, disease activity was compared before and after vaccination. The rates of flare defined as disease activity scores based on 28-joint count (DAS28) >3.2 with ΔDAS28 ≥0.6 were compared between vaccination and non-vaccination groups. RESULTS: A total of 202 eligible RA patients were enrolled. Of these, 98 patients received no vaccine shot (non-vaccination group), and 104 patients received two doses of vaccine (vaccination group). The median time interval from pre-vaccination visit to the first immunization and from the second dose of vaccine to post-vaccination visit was 67 days and 83 days, respectively. The disease activity scores at pre-vaccination and post-vaccination visits in the vaccination group patients were similar. At enrollment, gender, RA disease course, seropositivity, and disease activity were comparable across the two groups. Flare was observed in five (4.8%) of the vaccination group patients and nine (9.2%) of the non-vaccination group patients at post-vaccination assessment ( P  = 0.221). In terms of safety, 29 (27.9%) patients experienced adverse events (AEs) after vaccination. No serious AEs occurred. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 vaccinations had no significant effect on disease activity or risk of flare in RA patients in remission or with low disease activity. Patients with stable RA should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cohort Studies ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects* ; East Asian People ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccination/adverse effects*