OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of myocardin gene during the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell to smooth muscle cells in the conditional medium combined with a high concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS).

METHODSMarrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and purified from mouse femoral bone and shinbones using differential adherent methods. Cells at the third passage were induced by 20% FBS in conditioned medium, conditioned medium alone, 20% FBS or 10% FBS alone respectively. Mouse aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured as the positive control. Levels of mRNA and protein expression of myocardin and several smooth muscle cells marker genes were determined by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot before and 3, 7, 10, 14 d after the induction. The presence of smooth muscle myofilaments was detected by using transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSNaive bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells displayed multiple morphological forms including fusiform, polygon, oval, and micro-spherical, as compared to the single macro-spindle form after the induction. Typical appearance of peak valley was displayed on the 21st day after induction. At the same time, the expression of smooth muscle marker genes was reinforced along with an up-regulation of myocardin expression. Immunofluorescence study showed that the cells expressing myocardin and smooth muscle marker genes such as alpha-SMA and SM-MHC increased. Fluorescence domain of myocardin translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus and the amounts of double positive cells for myocardin with alpha-SMA or SM-MHC also increased. RT-PCR confirmed that the mRNA expression of myocardin increased gradually and remained stabilized after achieving its peak on the 7th day after induction. The expression of smooth muscle marker genes, alpha-SMA and SM22alpha, remained stable on the 10th day of induction. It was also confirmed by Western blot that the protein expression of both myocardin and alpha-SMA were markedly increased during the induction. Finally, transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of myofilament on the 21st day after induction.

CONCLUSIONSBone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be effectively induced into smooth muscle-like cells by conditioned medium combined with 20% FBS. Myocardin plays an important role in the differentiation process of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to the peripheral smooth muscle cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cattle ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo determine the distribution of HLA-B alleles in the Chinese Yi ethnic group and its association with HIV infection.

METHODSOne hundred and six unrelated healthy HIV negative and 73 HIV positive Chinese Yi ethnic individuals were typed by PCR-SSP.

RESULTSThe frequency of alleles B*07, Bx 35, and B*46 were increased in HIV-1-positive subjects, whereas the alleles B*55, B*44 and B*78 were absent in the HIV-infected persons studied. The B*46 allele was present in a significantly higher gene frequency among HIV-1-positive individuals (P=0.02, OR=3.32, 95% CI=1.13-9.78) compared with control subjects.

CONCLUSIONHLA-B*46 may be associated with its susceptibility to HIV-1 infections.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; DNA ; analysis ; Ethnic Groups ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; blood ; genetics ; HIV Seropositivity ; blood ; HIV-1 ; pathogenicity ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEConstruction of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) eukaryotic expression vector specific to mouse myocardin gene and study on the role of myocardin-siRNA on differentiation of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into smooth muscle-like cells induced by PDGF-BB in vitro.

METHODSMouse MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and cultured with 50 mg/L PDGF-BB and fetal bovine serum (20%). Specific myocardin-siRNA sequence was cloned into a plasmid pGenesil-1.0 vector, which contained U6 promoter. The recombinant plasmid and control plasmid were transfected into MSCs which had been cultured with PDGF-BB for 6 days beforehand. The expression of myocardin mRNA was detected by RT-PCR 48 hours after the transfection. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the SM-MHC and to identify the smooth muscle-like cells.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmids carrying myocardin-siRNA sequences were constructed successfully and the myocardin mRNA was reduced 42.86% by pGen-myo-shRNA in comparing with that of the controls (P<0.01); and the expression of SM-MHC protein was down-regulated (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSubset of mouse MSCs have the potential to differentiate into smooth muscle-like cells, a possible cell source responsible for atherosclerotic plaque formation, and myocardin expression may play an important role during this process.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology ; Plasmids ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Trans-Activators ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection

Objective To explore the effect of kaempferol on tumor growth,weight,liver index (LI) and spleen index (SI) in different models of H22 tumor-bearing mice.Methods The H22 ascitic and solid tumor-bearing mice model were established,then mice were randomized into five groups,including model group,control group (cyclophosphamide 30 mg · kg-1),experimental-L,-M,-H groups (kaempferol 150,300,600 mg · kg-1).The samples were obtained in 24 h after continuous intragastrical administration of drug or solvent to mice for 8 d.The ascitic volume and tumor weight were measured.The liver index(LI),spleen index (SI) were calculated.Results In H22 ascitic tumor-bearing mice,the ascitic volume of mice in model group,control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups were (9.85 ± 1.99),(2.28 ±2.74),(8.44 ±2.51),(5.91 ±2.29),(4.98 ±4.25) mL;compared with model group,the difference in control group,experimental-M,-H groups was significantly (all P ＜ 0.05).LI and SI in above five groups were 4.72 ± 2.22,5.42 ±0.77,4.69 ± 0.94,5.22 ± 0.60,5.27±0.61;0.49 ±0.33,0.62 ±0.19,0.51 ±0.13,0.49 ±0.14,0.41 ±0.14 with not significantly between five groups(all P ＞0.05).In H22 solid tumor-beating mice,the tumor weight of mice in model group,control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups were (1.70 ± 0.80),(0.73 ±0.51),(1.14 ±0.91),(1.07 ±0.34),(0.95 ±0.60) g with significantly compared with model group(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The kaempferol had anti-tumor effects toward H22 tumor-bearing mice with less influence on liver and spleen.

Objective To explore the effect of specific antagonist of estrogen-related receptor alpha——XCT790 on tumor growth, weight, liver index(LI), spleen index(SI) and kidney index (KI) in the diffe-rent models of tumor -bearing mice.Methods The H22 ascitic and solid tumor-bearing mice models were established , then mice were ran-domized into five groups , including model group (20%DMSO), control group(cyclophosphamide:CTX 30 mg· kg -1), experimental -L,-M,-H groups(XCT790:2,4,6 mg· kg -1).The samples were obtained in 24 h after continuous intraperitoneal administration of drug or solvent to mice for 7 d.The ascitic volume and tumor weight were measured .The ratios of LI,SI,KI were calculated.Results The ascitic volume of mice in model group, control group,and experimental -L,-M,-H groups were (6.17 ±3.04),(3.28 ±1.62),(3.60 ±1.67),(4.67 ±2.57), (4.73 ±2.66 ) mL; comparing between control group , experimental -L group and model group,the differences were significant(all P<0.01).In H22 solid tumor -bearing mice, the tumor weight of mice in model group, control group, experimental -L,-M,-H groups were (2.53 ±0.39),(1.25 ±0.45),(1.27 ±0.61),(1.14 ±0.56),(1.24 ±0.39) g with significant difference com-pared with model group ( all P<0.05 ) .LI,SI and KI had no statistically significant differences in ascitic or solid tumor-bearing groups(all P>0.05 ) .Conclusion XCT790 had anti -tumor effect on H22 tumor-bearing mice without influences on ratios of liver ,spleen and kidney.

OBJECTIVETo study the quantity and function of bone marrow (BM) T follicular helper (Tfh) cells of the cytopenia patients with positive bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC)- Coombs test (also known as immuno-related pancytopenia, IRP), and explore the role of Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of IRP.

METHODSForty- three untreated IRP patients, 47 recovered IRP patients and 25 healthy donors were enrolled in this study. The percentages of Tfh cells, Tfh-related molecules ICOS, CD40L, IL-21 and Bcl-6 in BM were investigated by flow cytometry and semiquantitive RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe ratio of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺/CD4⁺ cells of untreated IRP patients [(28.79 ± 19.70)%] was significantly higher than that of recovered IRP patients [(21.15 ± 12.81)% ] and normal controls ([ 13.42 ± 6.72)% ](P<0.05). The ratio of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ICOS⁺/CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ cells of untreated IRP patients [(5.05 ± 4.71)% ] was significantly higher than that of recovered IRP patients [(2.96 ± 2.89)% ] and normal controls [(2.99 ± 2.23)% ] (P<0.05). The ratio of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺CD40L⁺/CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ cells of untreated IRP patients [(5.87 ± 4.14)%] and recovered IRP patients [(6.52±5.47)%] were significantly higher than that of normal controls [(2.93 ± 2.92)%] (P<0.05). The ratio of intracytoplasmic CD4⁺CXCR5⁺IL-21⁺/CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ cells of untreated IRP patients [(8.20 ± 7.41)% ] and recovered IRP patients [(6.30 ± 6.03)% ] were significantly higher than that of normal controls [(3.43 ± 3.40)%] (P<0.05). The relative expressions of Bcl-6 mRNA in BMMNC were 0.625 ± 0.248, 0.485 ± 0.253, 0.306 ± 0.210 in three groups, respectively. The differences between untreated IRP patients, recovered IRP patients and normal controls were significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere exists increased quantity and hyperfunction of Tfh cells in the IRP patients, they may play important role in the pathogenesis of IRP. Tfh cells and their related effector molecules could be a potential therapeutic target for the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coombs Test ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukins ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; cytology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

This study was purposed to investigate the expressions of miR-21, miR-155 and miR-210 in plasma of patients with lymphoma, and explore their role played in diagnosis, evaluation of chemotherapy effect and prognosis of lymphoma. The expressions of miR-21, miR-155 and miR-210 were assayed by RT-PCR in plasma of 54 cases of lymphoma, 10 cases of lymphonode inflammation and 27 cases of normal controls. The results indicated that the expressions of miR-21, miR-155 and miR-210 in plasma of lymphoma patients were higher than those of control group and lymphonode inflammation group (P < 0.05). The expressions of miR-21 and miR-210 in plasma of control group and lymphonode inflammation group had no significant differences (P > 0.05). The expression of miR-21 in plasma of lymphoma patient group significantly correlated with their serum LDH level. The expressions of miR-21 and miR-210 in plasma of previously untreated lymphoma patient group were higher than those of the patients treated for 6 or more courses (P < 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of miR-21, miR-155 and miR-210 used for lymphoma patients was 56, 65, 48 respectively, and reached to 83 when combined three of them. It is concluded that the expressions of miR-21, miR-155 and miR-210 in plasma of lymphoma patients were significantly higher. Detection of these 3 miRNA in plasma of patients can contribute to the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation of lymphoma.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Plasma ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of STAT5 phosphorylation in CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) bone marrow cells of the patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and then evaluate the level of activation of STAT5 associated with cell proliferation in MDS clone cells.

METHODSThe bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were extracted from 36 MDS patients and 14 normal controls. The mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of phosphorylated STAT5(P-STAT5) in CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-)cells, with or without the stimulation of 10 U/ml EPO, were examined by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSWithout stimulation, the P-STAT5 MFI in CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) cells of low/high risk MDS patients was 113.71 ± 67.22/173.05 ± 102.78, which was significantly higher than that of CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells (58.84 ± 27.51/68.99 ± 50.42, P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and the normal controls CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells (63.06 ± 21.06, P < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells of MDS patients and the normal control CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells; With the EPO stimulation, the P-STAT5 MFI in CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) cells of low/high risk MDS patients was 144.04 ± 58.11/239.45 ± 152.05, which was significantly higher than that of CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells (68.41 ± 25, 10/64.21 ± 23.43, P < 0.01) and the normal controls CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells (75.21 ± 27.02, P < 0.01), there was no significant difference between the CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells of MDS patients and the normal control CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells; The P-STAT5 MFI in the CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) cells of low/high risk MDS patients with or without EPO stimulation were 21.80/28.86, which was significantly higher than that of CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells (7.42/5.50, P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and the normal controls CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells (6.39, P < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells of MDS patients and the normal controls CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells; There was no significant difference of P-STAT5 MFI with or without EPO stimulation and the increased P-STAT5 MFI between the CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) cells of low and high risk MDS.

CONCLUSIONSTAT5 associated with cell proliferation was activated in CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) bone marrow cells in MDS, which had more significant reactions to EPO than CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(-) cells, indicating that CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) bone marrow cells might be the real malignant MDS clone cells in MDS.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Notch1 on the membrane of bone marrow CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells in the patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and explore the importance of Notch signaling pathway in the formation and progression of MM.

METHODSThirty three MM patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The expression of Notch1 on the membrane of bone marrow CD38(+)CD138(+) and CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The clinical data of MM patients were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe ratio of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients was (60.21 ± 25.06)% which was significantly higher than those of CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells of MM patients (39.84 ± 18.94)% (P = 0.000) and controls (38.34 ± 19.39)% (P = 0.004). There was no statistical difference between the two latter groups (P > 0.05). The expression of Notch1 on CD38(+)CD138(+)plasma cells from 24 newly diagnosed MM patients was correlated to the level of malignant plasma cells in there bone marrow (r = 0.914, P = 0.000), serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r = 0.754, P = 0.007), and β(2)-MG(r = 0.716, P = 0.013). The ratio of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients who had renal dysfunction was correlated to their abnormal serum creatinine levels. The expression of Notch1 on CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells from 17 MM patients who received VD (bortezamib and dexamethasone) chemotherapy was correlated to the ratio of plasma cell reduction after the first VD chemotherapy (r = 0.842, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Notch1 on the membrane of CD38(+)CD138(+) plasma cells of MM patients was significantly higher than those of CD38(+)CD138(-) plasma cells of MM patients and controls. Notch1 overexpressed plasma cells were sensitive to the early VD therapy, and correlated to the progression and long term outcome of MM.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; immunology ; metabolism ; Plasma Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Syndecan-1 ; immunology

This study was aimed to investigate the expression level and mechanism of microRNA-223 and LMO2 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and the mechanism. MicroRNA-223 mimics was transfected to increase the expression of MicroRNA-223 in the lymphocytes sorted by ficoll separation from the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) of ALL and CLL patients. MicroRNA-223 inhibitor was transfected to decrease the expression of the MicroRNA-223 in the lymphocytes of normal controls. Then the expression of the MicroRNA-223 and LMO2 in transfected lymphocytes before and after cultivating for 72 hours were detected by RT-PCR, the apoptosis and cell cycle of these cells were measured by flow cytometery. The results indicated that before the transfection, the expression of MicroRNA-223 in ALL and CLL cells was (433.11 ± 144.88), which was significantly lower than that in the normal lymphocyte (949.59 ± 267.39); the expression of LMO2 was (807.10 ± 238.41), which was significantly higher than that in the normal lymphocytes (455.32 ± 176.83) (P < 0.05); after the transfection, the expression of MicroRNA-223 was (571.86 ± 142.00) in ALL and CLL cells, which was significantly higher than that before transfection (P < 0.05), but the expression of LMO2 was significantly lower than that before transfection (651.97 ± 230.12) (P < 0.05); in the normal control the expression of MicroRNA-223 obviously decreased (646.32 ± 172.93) (P < 0.05), the expression of LMO2 was significantly increased (541.27 ± 158.86.2) (P < 0.05). After transfection, the cell cycle G1/G2 phase and apoptosis changed in ALL and CLL cells. Before transfection the cell ratio in cell cycle G1/G2 phase was (94.75 ± 3.15)%, the cell ratio in S phase was (5.14 ± 3.12)%; after transfection the cell ratio in cell cycle G1/G2 phase was (97.03 ± 2.08)% and obviously increased (P < 0.05), the cell ratio in S phase was (2.97 ± 2.08)% and significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Before transfection the apoptosis rate was (54.47 ± 8.72)%, and obviously was higher than that after transfection (60.48 ± 8.81)%. And in the normal control, the cell ratio in G1/G2 phase was significantly higher than that after transfection [(96.73 ± 2.26)%, (94.55 ± 2.77)%, P < 0.05)], and the cell ratio in S phase was significantly increased [(3.25 ± 2.26)%, (5.45 ± 2.77)% (P < 0.05)]. The apoptotic rate in the ALL and CLL patients was significantly higher than that after the transfection [(54.47 ± 8.72)% vs (60.48 ± 8.81)%, respectively (P < 0.05)]. The apoptotic rate in the normal control was significantly lower than that after the transfection [(59.02 ± 10.20)%, (51.96 ± 10.20)%, respectively (P < 0.05)]. It is concluded that the expression of MicroRNA-223 decreases, and the expression of LMO2 increases in lymphocytic leukemia cells which leads to the lymphocytes over-proliferation and abnormal apoptosis, thus may be one of pathogenesis in lymphocytic leukemia.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; LIM Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Young Adult