Objective This study is aimed at determining whether anti-von Willebrand factor (VWF) autoantibodies are present in the plasma of idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients with normal ADAMTS13 activity and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies,and at examining whether murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human VWF decrease the susceptibility of VWF to ADAMTS13 in vitro.Methods Anti-VWF autoantibodies and ultralarge VWF (UL-VWF) multimers were measured in plasma samples of 53 adult patients with idiopathic TTP by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and sodium dodecylsulphate-agarose gel electrophoresis,respectively.Moreover,the effects of eight murine mAbs to different human VWF domains on VWF cleavage by ADAMTS13 were evaluated under fluid shear stress and static/denaturing conditions,respectively.Results Anti-VWF antibodies and UL-VWF multimers were detected in two TTP patients with normal ADAMTS13 activity and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13antibodies.The SZ34,an anti-VWF mAb,inhibited VWF proteolysis mediated by ADAMTS13 under flow,but not static conditions.Conclusion Anti-VWF antibody may be one of the causes of idiopathic TTP with normal ADAMTS13 activity and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies.

This study was to acquire recombinant protein of von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS13, a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thromboSpondin type 1 motifs 13), for further studies on its biological function in thrombosis and hemostasis. We transfected the Hela cells with the plasmid pSecTag-ADAMTS13 by lipofectamine. A positive cell cloning was selected by hygromycin-B. The recombinant protein was purified with Ni-NTA agarose column by gradient imidazole. The purity and immune activity of purified products were identified with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting respectively. We also measured the enzymatic activity of recombinant protein (rADAMTS13) by GST-His two-site ELISA assay. The results showed that we successfully constructed Hela cells ADAMTS2-4 which expressed high level of rADAMTS13. We received about 5.8 mg recombinant protein in culture supernantants per liter purified with Ni-NTA column. The protein formed a main lane at the position of 190 kDa with SDS-PAGE and reacted with polyclonal antibody against ADAMTS13 by Western blotting. The amount of rADAMTS13 activity was 6.4 U/mL, according to the normal plasma defined as 1 U/mL. In conclusion, rADAMTS13 protein had high purity, immune activity and good enzymatic activity, which could establish the experimental foundation for further research on biological function and mechanism of this unique metalloprotease.
ADAM Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the changes in expression of NF-κB, IL-6 and TNF-α in spinal cord in a rat model of bone cancer. Methods Seventy-two female SD rats weighing 150-180 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 24 each): control group (group C);sham operation group (group S) and bone cancer pain group (group BP). Bone cancer was induced by intra-tibial inoculation of 1 × 105 Walker 256 breast cancer cells. Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation was measured with yon Frey filaments. The expression of NF-κB p65, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA in the spinal cord was determined by RT-PCR and the expression of NF-κB p65 by immuno-histochemistry and NF-κB p65 positive cell count was determined. Results The paw withdrawal threshold was significantly lower and the expression of NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65 mRNA, IL-6 mRNA, TNF-α mRNA and NF-κB p65 positive cell count in the spinal cord were significantly higher in group BP than in group C and S ( P ＜0.05 or 0.01 ). Conclusion Intra-tibial inoculation of Walker 256 breast cancer cells activates NF-κB in the spinal cord, leading to the increased release of IL-6 and TNF-α and mechanical hyperalgesia.

Aim To pick out the siRNA which could most effectively inhibit the expression of TLR4 in microglial cells and to detect the cytotoxicity of the transfection complex.Methods Five siRNAs were chemicaly synthesized:four of them were used to inhibit TLR4 expression in microglial cells,the rest was fluorescence-labeled mismatch siRNA as a nagative control.They were all transfected into microglial cells,respectively.TLR4 mRNA was detected 24 h after transfection by RT-PCR and its protein expression wasobserved by Western blot 48 h later.The cytotoxicity of complex was detected using MTT.Results ① The transfection rate was high enough in microglial cells with siRNA(40 pmol)and LipofectamineTM 2000(1 μl).② The TLR4 siRNA pool reduced TLR4 mRNA by 85%(siRNA_(439)),73%(siRNA_(312)),67%(siRNA_(1495))and 33%(siRNA_(2062))respectively compared with mismatch siRNA-treated group 24 h after transfection in a microglial cell line.③ The TLR4 siRNA439 was the most effective siRNA(P<0.01).④ The cell survival rates were above 85% in the groups of Lipofectamine~(TM) 2000 1 μl compound less than 40 nmol·L~(-1) siRNA.Conclusions ① The TLR4 siRNA_(439) can inhibit TLR4 expression most effectively in microglial.② 40 nmol·L~(-1) siRNA and 1 μl Lipofectamine~(TM) 2000 have low cytotoxicity,which are suitable for transfection.

AIM: To investigate the expression of tissue factor(TF) induced by oxidized high density lipoprotein(oxHDL) in human umbilical vein cell line,ECV304,and the related mechanisms.METHODS: Four main groups were designed: the negative,the positive(ECV304 with histamine),the HDL group and the oxHDL group.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RQ-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression level of TF.The specific inhibitors of MAPKs,SP600125(c-jun terminal NH2 kinase,JNK),SB203580(p38 MAP kinase,p38 MAPK),PD98059(extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK1/2) were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms.RESULTS: The TF expression in normal ECV304 cell line was not detected.Histamine administration resulted in a significant expression of TF in ECV304 cell line,with strongest effect after 1 h co-incubation at concentration of 1?10-5 mol/L histamine(about 4.8-fold higher expression of TF compared with that of 1?10-9 mol/L histamine).Expression level of TF was detected after stimulated with oxHDL in dose-and time-dependent manners.The highest expression of TF mRNA was found at 20 mg/L oxHDL and 6 h co-incubation,with 1.8-fold and 5.3-fold increase in TF expression,respectively,compared with that at 10 mg/L oxHDL and 2 h co-incubation.20 mg/L oxHDL also caused an apparent augmentation of TF protein expression,about 1.5-fold higher compared with that stimulated by 40 mg/L oxHDL.HDL co-incubation did not cause a detectable expression of TF protein.The mRNA levels of TF in ECV304 cell line induced by oxHDL were decreased by 95.0%,81.0%,87.0%,respectively(all P

A 28-year-old woman was found to have coagulation factor Ⅷ activity (FⅧ∶C) <1% and von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF∶Ag) <1% during routine prenatal examinations. No pathogenic variation was found in the exon region of the VWF gene using next-generation sequencing. The clinical presentation of this patient does not match the clinical characteristics of type Ⅲ hemophilia [von Willebrand disease (VWD) ]; therefore, third-generation sequencing technology was used to perform whole-genome sequencing on the patient and her family members. Multiple members of the patient’s paternal family carried a heterozygous variant of VPS33B, c.869G>C. The family members carrying this variant all had varying degrees of reduced VWF levels (39% -56% ). Moreover, the proband was detected with the heterozygous variant c.1474dupA in GP1BA. The ACMG and Clinvar databases determined that this variation was associated with platelet-type pseudo VWD. The decrease in VWF levels caused by heterozygous variations in VPS33B in families is the first international report, and no previous studies have reported cases of severe decrease in plasma VWF levels caused by double heterozygous variations in VPS33B and GP1BA.

Objective: To assess the significance of DDAVP use in the diagnosis and treatment of VWD. Methods: An analysis of 15 VWD cases who referred to Hematology Division of First affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and treated with DDAVP from March 2016 to August 2018 was conducted. Efficacy and treatment response of DDAVP were monitored by observations of changes in factor Ⅷ procoagulant (FⅧ∶C) and von Willebrand Factor (VWF) related indicators before and 2 h after DDAVP injection. Results: Of 15 cases with VWD, 7 males and 8 females with a median age of 23 (6-46) years, 7 of 9 type I VWD patients achieved complete response (CR) , 1 type 2A VWD case CR, 5 type 3 VWD ones no response (NR) . The VWF multimer analysis in 5 patients combined with other plasma VWF values were in accordance with the known diagnosis. Conclusions DDAVP was effective in most type 1 patients, and ineffective in some type 2 and almost all type 3 cases. It was helpful for diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning.

OBJECTIVE：To study the effects of costunolide on the proliferation ，migration and apoptosis of breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells and its mechanism. METHODS ：SK-BR-3 cells in logarithmic growth period were collected and cultured with different concentrations （10，20，30，40，50 μmol/L）of costunolide for 24，48，72 h. Inhibitory rate of costunolide on cell proliferation was detected with CCK- 8. The cells were divided into blank control group and costunolide group （10，20，30 μmol/L）. Hoechst 33258 fluorescence was used to observe the morphology and apoptosis of cells ，and apoptotic rate of cells were calculated. Cell scratch test was used to detect the migration ability of cells and calculate the migration rate. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression level of Bcl- 2，Bax，Caspase-3 and Cleaved Caspase- 3 in cells. RESULTS ：The proliferation of SK-BR-3 cells were significantly inhibited by costunolide （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），and it shows a trend of concentration and time dependence. In the blank control group ，cells possessed clear contour ，regular shape and good adherence . Compared with blank control group，the number of cells were decreased significantly in 10，20，30 μmol/L costunolide groups，the cell structure was loose，the volume was reduced ，and the gap became larger ，and most of the cell contour disappeared and became round ，the cell adherence was poor ；cell migration rate and Bcl- 2 protein relative expression level were decreased significantly ，while apoptosis rate and the relative expression level of Bax ，Caspase-3 and Cleaved Caspase- 3 protein were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ： Costunolide can inhibit the proliferation and migration ，and induce apoptosis of human breast cancer SK-BR- 3 cells，mechanism of which may be through up-regulating the expression of Bax ，Caspase-3 and Cleaved Caspase- 3 while down-regulating the expression ofBcl-2.

OBJECTIVETo analyse the epidemiological feature, clinical characters and therapeutic regimens for von Willebrand disease(VWD).

METHODSThe clinical data and laboratory tests results of 162 VWD patients in our center were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 76 males and 86 female among these patients with the mean age of 7.2(2.0-41.0) and 20.7(5.0-48.0) years, respectively. 86 patients (53.1%) were identified to be type 1 VWD, 34 patients (21.0%) type 3 VWD and 42 patients (25.9%) type 2 VWD. Among type 2 VWD patients, 33 patients were type 2A, 4 patients type 2M, 5 patients type 2B. Eighty-seven patients (53.7%) had a definite family history of bleeding tendency. The most common and specific bleeding symptoms were easy bruising (61.7%), epistaxis (53.7%), prolonged bleeding after surgery or minor injury (53.1%). Menorrhagia (66.3%) was common in female patients. The analysis of Vicenza bleeding scores in all patients showed that only 56(34.6%) patients had abnormal bleeding scores. FVIII/VWF concentrates and cryoprecipitate were applied to 45 patients (27.8% ), Desmopressin (DDAVP) to 8 patients. Eight female patients need oral contraceptives jointly to control menorrhagia. Hysterectomy had to be performed in 2 female patients with VWD.

CONCLUSIONVWD was a common congenital bleeding disorder with heterogeneous characters, it was necessary to screen, identify, classify accurately this disease in order to supply to effectively individualized treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult ; von Willebrand Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; von Willebrand Factor