Human ERMAP (hERMAP) is a novel gene coding for erythroid membrane-associated protein, which may play a role in erythropoiesis. To explore the role of hERMAP in fetal hematopoiesis, 29 fetuses of inevitable abortion with the fetal ages of 9 - 36 weeks were collected, and the total RNAs were isolated from the liver, spleen, kidney, heart, lung, thymus, brain, bone marrow and skeletal muscle, the RNAs from which at 25(+5) week fetal age were used to detect hERMAP expressions in different fetal tissues with Northern blot, and the hERMAP in various fetal tissues were quantified by FQ-PCR. As a result, Northern blot showed that hERMAP was expressed in liver and bone marrow at 25(+5) fetal age, but not in the other organ tissues. FQ-PCR results indicated that the hERMAP had been still expressed in 9 - 36th week fetal liver, increased starting from 12th-week, reaching a peak between 18 - 20th week and declining slowly starting from 21st-week. In the fetal bone marrow, expression of the hERMAP began from 15th week, reached a highest level between 27 - 32nd week and fell rapidly from 33rd week, the expression level of which was lower than that in liver. The low level expression of this gene was observed in some specimens of kidney, heart, lung, thymus, brain and skeletal muscle. It is concluded that the expression of hERMAP in fetal liver approximately consistent with haematopoiesis of fetal liver, and the expression of this gene in bone marrow aged 15 - 32nd fetal weeks coincides with haematopoiesis of fetal bone marrow. It suggests that the function of the hERMAP is possibly related with the migration of erythroid cells to liver and bone marrow during the fetal development process.
Blood Group Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Butyrophilins ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gestational Age ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Spleen ; metabolism

The aim of study was to explore the potential of human erythroid membrane associated protein (ERMAP) gene in erythroid cell differentiation and development, mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from umbilical cord blood and induced to erythroid cell differentiation by SCF, IL-3 and EPO. The cell morphology was observed by using optical microscopy, the positive rate of cells was counted by biphenylamine staining and the ratios of CD36+/CD235a-, CD36+/CD235a+, CD36-/CD235a+ cells were detected by flow cytometry, the change of human ermap gene expression level was analyzed by using fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). The results showed that the ermap gene expression level increased while MNCs were induced to erythroid lineage after treatment with SCF, IL-3 and EPO. It is concluded that the human ermap gene plays an important role in differentiation and development of erythroid cells.
Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Butyrophilins ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythroid Cells ; cytology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Interactions between noroviruses (NoVs) and the receptors of histo-blood group antigens (HB-GAs) affect the infectivity and host susceptibility of NoVs. We elucidated the binding profile of a GII. 12 NoV to HBGAs. First, we synthesized the P domain sequence of the GII. 12 NoV strain Pune (GenBank accession number EU921353). Protein of the P domain was expressed in a prokaryotic system. Formation of the P particle was monitored by gel-filtration chromatography. Antiserum was prepared by immunization of mice with GII. 12 P particles. The binding profile of the GII. 12 NoV Pune strain was determined by binding of the P particle with a panel of saliva samples with various known HBGAs phenotypes. The GII. 12 NoV was bound strongly to saliva samples of subjects with B and AB types and weakly to A, O secretor, and non-secretor saliva samples, suggesting higher affinity with B antigen by GII. 12 NoV. These results were consistent with those determined by a previous crystallography study of GII. 12 NoV. These data suggested that individuals with B and AB blood types may be more susceptible to infection by GII. 12 NoV compared with those with other blood types. Our findings may provide a basis for the prevention and control of an epidemic of GII. 12 NoV.
Animals ; Blood Group Antigens ; metabolism ; Caliciviridae Infections ; metabolism ; virology ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; metabolism ; virology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Norovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, Virus ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

In order to investigate peptide mimics of carbohydrate blood group A antigen, a phage display 12-mer peptide library was screened with a monoclonal antibody against blood group A antigen, NaM87-1F6. The antibody-binding properties of the selected phage peptides were evaluated by phage ELISA and phage capture assay. The peptides were co-expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins. RBC agglutination inhibition assay was performed to assess the natural blood group A antigen-mimicking ability of the fusion proteins. The results showed that seven phage clones selected bound to NaM87-1F6 specifically, among which, 6 clones bore the same peptide sequence, EYWYCGMNRTGC and another harbored a different one QIWYERTLPFTF. The two peptides were successfully expressed at the N terminal of GST protein. Both of the fusion proteins inhibited the RBC agglutination mediated by anti-A serum in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggested that the fusion proteins based on the selected peptides could mimic the blood group A antigen and might be used as anti-A antibody-adsorbing materials when immunoabsorption was applied in ABO incompatible transplantation.
Adsorption ; Bacteriophages ; Blood Group Antigens/*chemistry ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes/chemistry ; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism ; Peptide Library ; Peptides/*chemistry ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry

OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular genetic background of Diego blood group in Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 2990 blood samples from unrelated blood donors were phenotyped for Dia and Dib by serological method. Twenty randomly selected samples of Di(a-b+) type and all of the samples of rare Di(a+b-) phenotype by screening were genotyped by PCR-SSP and direct DNA Sequencing. RESULTS: Of the 2990 samples identified by serological method, 2821 were Di(a-b+), 167 were Di(a+b+) and 2 were Di(a+b-). All of the 20 randomly-selected samples with Di(a-b+) phenotype were DI2DI2 homozygote by PCR-SSP genotyping, with nucleotide C at nt position 2561 in exon 19 by direct sequencing of the DI gene. The 2 samples of rare Di (a+b-) phenotype were both the DI1DI1 homozygote, with nucleotide T at nt position 2561 in exon 19. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the expression of Dia and Dib antigens in Chinese Han population most likely result from a single nucleotide T to C substitution at nucleotide position 2561 in exon 19 of the DI gene, which subsequently leads to an amino acid 854 change from Pro to Leu.
Asian People/genetics* ; Base Sequence ; Blood Donors ; Blood Group Antigens/metabolism* ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching/methods* ; China/ethnology* ; Exons/genetics* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) and the metastasis potential in human breast cancer. METHODS Breast cancer tissue sections from 75 patients, grouped according to the local lymph node status were examined immunohistochemically for protein level of DARC. Microvessel density (MVD) was counted by endothelial cells immunostained using anti-CD34 antibody.

RESULTSStrong positive DARC immunostaining in lymph node negative and positive groups was detected in 31 cases (81.6%) and 18 cases (48.6%), respectively (P < 0.01). MVD was (35.67 +/- 17.96)/HP and (53.38 +/- 20.29)/HP in DARC strong positive and less positive cases (P < 0.01). In those patients with lung, bone, hepatic distant metastasis (13 cases), 9 cases (69.2%) were DARC less positive, 4 cases (30.8%) were DARC strong positive. The correlation coefficient was -0.412 between DARC expression and MVD and the corresponding value was -0.346 between DARC expression and lymph node status and -0.333 between DARC expression and distant metastasis in breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONDARC may play a negative role in the process of neoangiogenesis, and probably has an association with the lymph node status.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Duffy Blood-Group System ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Survival Analysis

In order to investigate the potential of human ERMAP gene in erythroid cell differentiation, K562 cells were induced to erythroid lineage by Ara-C and to macrophage lineage by TPA, human ERMAP mRNA was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that human ERMAP mRNA increased while K562 cells were induced to erythroid lineage after treatment with Ara-C at 2.5 x 10(-6) mmol/L/L and 1.0 x 10(-6) mmol/L/L. Human ERMAP mRNA not changed while K562 cells were induced to macrophage lineage after treatment with TPA at 2.0 x 10(-6) mmol/L/L and 1.0 x 10(-6) mmol/L/L. It is concluded that human ERMAP gene plays an important role in differentiation and proliferation of erythroid cells.
Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; analysis ; Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; Butyrophilins ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cytarabine ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Transferrin ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3 ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

To demonstrate the effect of AB serum on terminal erythroid differentiation ex vivo.
 Methods: After separation of CD34+ cells from cord blood, the cells were cultured and divided into a control group and an experimental group. The effects of AB serum were examined by the expressions of different markers (GPA, Band3 and α4-integrin) for erythroblast differentiation and enucleation by flow cytometry. 
 Results: The CD34+ cells were successfully differentiated to enucleated red blood cells. There were evident differences among the expressions of GPA, Band3 and α4-integrin between the 2 groups. The percentage of GPA positive cells in the experimental group was bigger than that in the control group in every time point. The expression of Band3 in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. The expression of α4-integrin in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group. In addition, the enucleation rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group.
 Conclusion: AB serum can promote the cell differentiation and enucleation during terminal erythroid differentiation in vitro.
ABO Blood-Group System ; blood ; physiology ; Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; blood ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Nucleus ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythrocytes ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Erythropoiesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glycophorins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Integrin alpha4beta1 ; metabolism

To investigate the pattern of human ERMAP gene expression in different cell lines, 15 cell lines derived from hematopoietic tumor, somatic tumor and normal tissue were chosen and were cultured; cells were harvested after culture for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours; the expression of the human ERMAP was detected by using fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that human ERMAP gene expression was positive in K562 cell line at interval of 12 and 24 hours, and the expression levels were (5.092 +/- 2.331) x 10(6) cps/microl RNA, (5.328 +/- 3.916) x 10(6) cps/microl RNA, respectively; ERMAP gene expression was also positive in ECV304 cell line at interval of 24 hours, and the expression level was (0.84 +/- 0.12) x 10(6) cps/microl RNA; and its expression was negative in other 13 cell lines. It is concluded that human ERMAP gene expression in ECV304 cell line was found first, and its expression in K562 cell line was further confirmed.
Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; Butyrophilins ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HL-60 Cells ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVES: To examine the sex-specific factors associated with being unaware of one's hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity status in a large, HBsAg-positive population of Koreans. METHODS: In total, 1197 subjects aged 19 years or older who were HBsAg-positive according to data from the 2007-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Subjects were considered unaware of their HBsAg seropositivity status if they answered that they had no knowledge of being previously infected by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or diagnosed with HBV hepatitis. Multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance estimate were used to assess the significance of the variables using weighted frequencies. RESULTS: The majority (77.8%) of HbsAg-positive Korean adults (females, 81.9%; males, 74.6%) were unaware of their HBsAg seropositivity status. We found that sex (female: prevalence ratio [PR] 1.19), household income (low: PR, 1.15), marital status (never married: PR, 1.18), self-rated health (moderate: PR, 1.14; good: PR, 1.12), and alcohol use (at least 2-3 times/wk: PR, 1.21) were associated with being unaware. In females, age (50 to 59 years: PR, 1.29; > or =70 years: PR, 1.30), household income (low: PR, 1.37; middle-low: PR, 1.24), and marital status (never married: PR, 1.33) were associated with being unaware. In males, self-rated health (moderate: PR, 1.14; good: PR, 1.21) and alcohol use (at least 2-3 times/wk: PR, 1.21) were associated with being unaware. CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to the socioeconomic status of females and the health-related behaviors of males were found to be associated with being unaware of one's HBsAg seropositivity status.
Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Awareness/*physiology ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Health Status ; Hepatitis B/*diagnosis/epidemiology/virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*blood ; Hepatitis B virus/*metabolism ; Humans ; Income ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Poisson Distribution ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult