To elucidate the effect of established primary bone marrow stromal layers on the gene transduction of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPC), mononuclear cells (MNC) from adult bone marrow were isolated by centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients and plated in stromal culture medium. The cells were incubated until passage 4 to establish primary stromal layers. The HSC/HPC prestimulated by cytokines were transduced by retroviral supernatant containing mdr1 gene in presence of irradiated stroma-contact support. Transduced cells were plated in a colony-forming unit assay with and without vincristine (VCR) to assess the efficiency of transduction. Individual colonies were also analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of provirus. The results showed that the mixed adherent cell layers were formed when adult bone marrow stromal cells were incubated for four to six weeks, mainly being composed of fibroblasts. In the presence of stroma-contact support, the average of gene transduction efficiency in marrow-derived progenitors increased 2.1 to 3.3 folds measured by colony-forming assay and/or PCR, significantly higher than those without support of stroma. It is concluded that the presence of bone marrow stroma support in combination with cytokine facilitates augmenting the extent of retroviral-mediated gene transduction.
Bone Marrow Cells ; physiology ; Genes, MDR ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Transduction, Genetic

AIM: To purify human yolk sac mesenchymal ste m cells (hYS-MSC) and investigate its osteogenic and neurogenic differentiation potentials. METHODS: hYS-MSC were separated from yolk sac and purified via p assage culture. The karyotype of hYS-MSCs was analyzed via G-banded characterist ics. Flow cytometric analysis was used to determine the cell cycle and phenotype of hYS-MSC. The AKP expression of hYS-MSC was also tested. Osteogenic different iation of hYS-MSCs was induced by 10 -8mol/L dexamethasone, 10 mmol/L ?-gl ycerophosphate and 50 mg/L vitamin C. Alizarin red S stain was used for identifi cation of mineralization. ?-mecaptoethanol or salviae miltiorrhizae were used t o induce neurogenic differentiation of hYS-MSCs. The expressions of NSE, NF and GFAP were identified by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: hYS-MSCs could be purified at passages 2 or 3. The cell cycle analysis suggested that hYS-MSCs showed strong proliferational potentials by which the cells kept normal diploid karyotype during the in vitro cultur e. Flow cytometry showed the phenotype of purified hYS-MSCs was uniformly positi ve for CD29, CD44, CD105, and CD166, and negative for reactivity to antigens CD3 4, CD45, or CD86. hYS-MSCs were weakly but clearly positive in AKP. Osteogenic d ifferentiation was appeared after induction of osteogenic differentiation. hYS-M SCs, which were of spindle shape, uniform in size, were induced to pleomorphism osteoblast-like cells which expressed high level of AKP. Aggregates or nodules w ere formed at day 7 and calcium accumulation was detected by alizarin red S stai ning on day 10 or day 14. Neurogenic differentiation of hYS-MSCs was induced by ?-mecaptoethanol or salviae miltiorrhizae. NSE, NF or GFAP positive cells were detected by immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSIONS: hYS-MSCs have strong proliferation potential and th e normal diploid karyotype is kept during the in vitro culture. The phenoty pe of hYS-MSCs is coincident with adult hMSCs. hYS-MSCs could be induced to dif ferent iate into osteogenic or neurogenic cells.

Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 (PvMSP1) gene codes for a major malaria vaccine candidate antigen. However, its polymorphic nature represents an obstacle to the design of a protective vaccine. In this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphism and natural selection of the C-terminal 42 kDa fragment within PvMSP1 gene (Pv MSP142) from 77 P. vivax isolates, collected from imported cases of China-Myanmar border (CMB) areas in Yunnan province and the inland cases from Anhui, Yunnan, and Zhejiang province in China during 2009–2012. Totally, 41 haplotypes were identified and 30 of them were new haplotypes. The differences between the rates of non-synonymous and synonymous mutations suggest that PvMSP142 has evolved under natural selection, and a high selective pressure preferentially acted on regions identified of PvMSP133. Our results also demonstrated that PvMSP142 of P. vivax isolates collected on China-Myanmar border areas display higher genetic polymorphisms than those collected from inland of China. Such results have significant implications for understanding the dynamic of the P. vivax population and may be useful information towards China malaria elimination campaign strategies.
China ; Genetic Variation* ; Haplotypes ; Malaria ; Merozoite Surface Protein 1* ; Merozoites* ; Myanmar ; Plasmodium vivax* ; Plasmodium* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Selection, Genetic* ; Silent Mutation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a central mediator of angiogenesis, not only plays an important role in the pathogenesis of leukemia, but also is an independent prognostic factor in patients with hematologic malignancies, like those in solid tumors. However, the importance of VEGF during differentiation or apoptosis of leukemia cells remains to be elucidated. In order to assess the alternation of VEGF gene expression in the process of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation of NB4 acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, and a competitor DNA fragment, VEGF gene competative template (T-VEGFDelta) was constructed by using gene recombinant technologies, and a competitive quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (cQRT-PCR) method was developed. A standard curve was obtained by co-amplification of serial dilutions of the target nulecules with constant amount of competitive template and this curve was used to detect molecular number of target gene in measuring sample. The surface expression of CD11b antigen and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction rate of NB4 cells were also assayed at different time points. The results showed that cQRT-PCR was a sensitive, reliable tool for analysis of VEGF gene expression with a detectable range from 1 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(5) molecules. The number of VEGF gene transcripts detected by means of cQRT-PCR assay was 42.3 x 10(5), 12.6 x 10(5), 3.6 x 10(5), and less than 1.0 x 10(5)/microg total RNA at 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours after ATRA treatment, respectively. This rapid down-regulation of VEGF gene expression, during ATRA-induced NB4 cell differentiation, was accompanied by the up-regulation of CD11b expression and an increased NBT reduction rate. In conclusion, cQRT-PCR method was successtully constructed, confirming that ATRA efficiently repressed VEGF, at the same time, the ATRA might exert an antileukemic effect, other than induction of differentiation via inhibition of angiogenesis.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; CD11b Antigen ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; genetics ; pathology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level and significance of interleukin-8 (IL-8), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients peripheral blood (PB) during mobilization for peripheral blood stem cells harvesting.

METHODSThe levels of IL-8, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in patients were dynamically assayed by ELISA during the mobilization procedure and the number of CD(34)(+) cell, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (BPC) by flow cytometric analysis and hematometry respectively. Colony formation was assayed by using semisolid methycellulose culture.

RESULTSThere was a significant increase in plasma levels of IL-8 and both adhesion molecules [IL-8 (247.4 +/- 84.2) microg/L (P < 0.01); sICAM-1 (530.3 +/- 286.1) microg/L (P = 0.002 7); sVCAM-1 (575.3 +/- 350.4) microg/L (P = 0.001 3)] during the mobilization process; furthermore, IL-8 and sVCAM-1 concentration in the patient's plasma was paralleled to the numbers of CD(34)(+) cell, CFU-GM, WBC and BPC (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe levels of IL-8, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in the patient's plasma were correlated to the PB number of CD(34)(+) cells, CFU-GM, WBC and BPC during the mobilization process. It suggested that analysis of IL-8, and sVCAM-1 dynamic changes may serve as markers for CD(34)(+) cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; methods ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo characterize the profile of chromosomal imbalances of rhabdomyosarcoma(RMS).

METHODSComparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to investigate genomic imbalances in 25 cases of primary RMS including 10 cases of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARM), 12 cases of embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), 3 cases of polymorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (PRMS) and 2 RMS cell lines (A240 originated from ARMS and RD from PRMS), with correlation to histological type, pathologic grading, clinical staging, gender and age, respectively.

RESULTSAll twenty-five rhabdomyosarcomas showed evidence of increased or decreased DNA sequence copy numbers involving one or more regions of the genome. (1) The frequently gained chromosome regions in RMS were 2p, 12q, 6p, 9q, 10q, 1p, 2q, 6q, 8q, 15q, 18q, and the frequently lost chromosome regions were 3p, 11p, 6p. (2) The frequently gained chromosome arms in ARMS were 12q, 2p, 6, 2q, 4q, 10q, 15q. The frequently lost chromosome arms were 3p, 6p, 1q, 5q. The frequently gained chromosome regions in ERMS were 7p, 9q, 2p, 18q, 1p, 8q. The frequently lost chromosome arms in ERMS were 11p. (3) The frequently gained chromosome arms in translocation associated RMS were 12q, 2, 6, 10q, 4q and 15q (> 30%), 3p, 6p, 5q (> 30%) were the frequently loss chromosome arms. The frequently gained chromosome regions in non-translocation associated RMS were 2p, 9q, 18q (> 30%), and 11p, 14q (> 30%) were the frequently loss chromosome regions. Gain of 12q was significantly correlated with the translocation-associated tumors (P < 0.05). (4) Gains of 9q was significantly correlated with clinical staging (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGain of 2p, 12q, 6p, 9q, 10q, 1p, 2q, 6q, 8q, 15q, 18q and loss of 3p, 11p, 6p may be involved in the tumorigenesis of RMS. Gains of 12q may be correlated with gene fusion/chromosomal translocation in ARMS. Gains of 9q may be correlated with an early tumor stage of RMS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; methods ; Female ; Gene Fusion ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; genetics ; Spectral Karyotyping ; methods ; Young Adult

The identification of genes inducing resistance to anticancer chemotherapeutic agents and their introduction into hematopoietic cells represents a promising approach to overcome bone marrow toxicity, the limiting factor for most high-dose chemotherapy regimens. Because resistance to cyclophosphamide has been correlated with increased levels of expression of the aldehyde-dehydrogenase (ALDH1) gene in tumor cells lines in vitro, this study tested whether ALDH1 overexpression could directly induce cyclophosphamide resistance. Results showed that a retroviral vector was used to transduce full-length human ALDH1 cDNA into human hematopoietic cell line K562 that was then tested for resistance to 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), an active analogue of cyclophosphamide. Overexpression of the ALDH1 gene resulted in a significant increases in cyclophosphamide resistance in transduced K562 cells (50% inhibition concentration, IC50 = 10 micro mol/L). These findings indicate that ALDH1 overexpression is sufficient to induce cyclophosphamide resistance in vitro and provide a basis for testing the efficacy of ALDH1 gene transduction to protect bone marrow cells from high-dose cyclophosphamide in vivo.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; K562 Cells ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo examine the long-term outcomes of total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) and to evaluate their nutritional status.

METHODSEleven pediatric patients treated for TCA between January 1999 and December 2010 were included in the study and followed up. Physical measurements including height, weight and laboratory tests were assessed. Anorectal functions were evaluated with Kelly score and quality of life(QOL) using questionnaire.

RESULTSThe length of follow-up ranged from 8 to 147 months. The children had satisfactory anorectal function (Kelly score, 5-6). One child had a Kelly score of 3. The children who were followed up less than 48 months had significant higher Kelly scores compared with those with more than 48 months follow-up(P<0.05). QOL was good in nine patients (QOL score, 9-10) and moderate (score, 7-8) in 2 patients. Weight-for-age was normal in 2 patients, mild malnutrition in 6 patients, and moderate malnutrition in 3 patients. Height-for-age was normal in 6 patients, mild malnutrition in 3 patients, and moderate malnutrition in 2 patients. The serum albumin was(49.0±2.7) g/L in children with well-educated parents, significantly higher than those with poorly-educated parents(44.3±1.9) g/L(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLong-term outcomes of children with TCA are satisfactory with good anorectal function and quality of life. Low body weight is more common than low height. Children with well-educated parents have better nutrition status.

Follow-Up Studies ; Hirschsprung Disease ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the methylation status of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene promoter in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and its clinical relevance.

METHODSMethylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect FHIT promoter methylation in bone marrow samples from 54 MDS cases.

RESULTSHypermethylation of FHIT promoter was detected in 26 cases (48.1%). Association was not found between FHIT gene hypermethylation and sex, hematologic parameters and chromosomal abnormalities of MDS patients, but found between FHIT gene hypermethylation and age of the MDS cases. Although significant difference was not observed in the frequencies of FHIT gene hypermethylation among patients with refractory anemia/refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RA/RAS) (1/6, 16.7%), refractory anemia/refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RCMD) and refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia with ringed blasts (RCMD-RS) (6/19, 31.6%), refractory anemia with excess blasts-1 (RAEB-1) (7/11, 63.6%), refractory anemia with excess blasts-2 (RAEB-2) (4/7, 57.1%) and refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation/acute myeloid leukemia (RAEBt/AML) (8/11, 72.7%)(chi-square=8.417, P=0.077), it was observed in patients in early stages (RA/RAS and RCMD) (7/25, 28.0%), advanced stages (RAEB-1 and RAEB-2)(11/18, 61.1%) and RAEBt/AML (8/11, 72.7%) (chi-square=7.938, P=0.019). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the frequency of FHIT gene hypermethylation and different IPSS groups (chi-square=10.110, P=0.018).

CONCLUSIONFHIT gene hypermethylation might be one of the molecular events involved in the disease progression of MDS.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Base Sequence ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

To investigate effects of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMMSC) on hematopoiesis after allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), allogeneic BMT model from Fischer 344 rats (RT-1Al) to Wistar rats (RT-1Au) was established; effects of MSCs on hematopoietic reconstitution were studied by survival rate, peripheral blood counts, histological analysis and FACS at day 30 after transplantation. The results showed that (1) MSCs from donor Fisher344 could survive in recipient irradiated by lethal dose and could be found in the thymus, spleen and bone marrow of the recipient at 30 days after cotransplantation with BM by measuring EGFP gene. (2) Cotransplanation of MSCs and BM improved hematopoietic reconstitution. Lymphocyte and platelet counts of peripheral blood in cotransplantation group were higher than those in the control group. Active hematopoiesis and increase of bone marrow nucleated cells were observed in cotransplantation group. MSCs significantly enhanced hematopoiesis of B lymphocyte and megakaryocytopoietic lineages by FACS analysis. It is concluded that (1) MSCs of Fisher344 can be found in the thymus, spleen, bone marrow of the recipients at 30 days after cotransplantion by measuring EGFP gene. (2) hematopoietic reconstitution is significantly enhanced by MSCs cotransplanted with BM.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoiesis ; physiology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Models, Animal ; Platelet Count ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Rats, Wistar