OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the susceptibility to cirrhosis and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at C-1350T and G-944C loci of class II transactivator (CIITA) gene promoter IV in chronic HBV carriers.

METHODSC-1350T and G-944C loci of CIITA gene promoter IV were analyzed by sequence-specific primer PCR (PCR-SSP) in 544 chronic HBV carriers and 125 non-HBV infected healthy blood donors.

RESULTSAmong the chronic viral hepatitis B patients, there were significantly decreased frequencies of CC and TG haplotypes, and significantly increased frequency of CG haplotype among patients with liver cirrhosis (CG vs. CC: chi2=8.274, df=1, P < 0.01; CG vs. TG: chi2 = 15.027, df =1, P <0.01). There were no significant differences in the frequencies of CC and TG haplotypes between chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis patients (chi2 = 1.231, df =1, P < 0.05). There were significantly increased frequencies of CC/CC (Group 1) genotype and genotypes contained CG haplotype (Group 3), and significantly decreased frequencies chi2= 7.176, df = 1, P < 0.01; Group1 vs Group 4, chi2 = 19.818, df = 1, P < 0.01; Group 3 vs Group 2, chi2 = 11.423, df = 1, P < 0.01; Group 3 vs Group 4, chi2 = 34.226, df = 1, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 3, chi2 = 0.009, df = 1; Group 2 vs Group 4, chi2 = 2.176, df = 1).

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms at -1350 and -944 loci of CIITA gene promoter IV are associated with susceptibility to liver cirrhosis in chronic HBV carriers. The chronic HBV carriers bearing CC/CC genotype or genotypes containing CG haplotype progress into liver cirrhosis with more probability.

Adult ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Trans-Activators ; genetics

This study was aimed to analyze the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) and their response to different growth factors. Rabbit BM-MSCs were separated from bone marrow mononuclear cells by using adherent cultivation. Biological characteristics were investigated by optical and electron microscopy. Immunophenotype of rBM-MSCs was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of collagen was detected by RT-PCR. Differentiation potential was identified by specific staining and RT-PCR. The response of rBM-MSCs to IL-1, 3, 8 and HGF with different concentrations were tested by MTT. The results showed that the rBM-MSCs gave rise to a population of adherent cells characterized by the presence of a predominant cell type with a typical fibroblast-like morphology and could be cultured for over 15 passages. CD44 was highly expressed on F5 rBM-MSCs (32%) and CD45 was lowly expressed (4.7%). Type I collagen was highly expressed, while type II collagen was lowly expressed and type X collagen was not detected on rBM-MSCs using RT-PCR method. In various conditions inducting differentiation, rBM-MSCs could differentiate into the osteoblast, chondrocyte, adipocyte and neuron-like cells. The rBM-MSCs were sensitive to IL-3, even low concentration (10 ng/ml) of IL-3 could promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively (>32%, P < 0.01), whereas high concentration IL-3 inhibited it significantly. It is concluded that rabbit BM-MSCs were successfully isolated and culture-expanded. The biological characteristics of rabbit BM-MSCs are similar to those of human and rhesus BM-MSCs. IL-3 with low concentration can promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively, but high concentration of IL-3 can inhibit their proliferation.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVEThe goals of this work was to analyse the cost of Shenqi Fuzheng injection-an extraction of a Chinese traditional herbs on reducing adverse effects in lung cancer patients during chemotherapy.

METHODSIn a randomized cross-over trial, each patient completed two identical cisplatin-based chemotherapy cycles, one with Shenqi Fuzheng injection, another without Shenqi Fuzheng injection. Adverse effects and change scores of quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy were compared in tow cycles. The direct cost dealing with adverse effect and cost-effectiveness analysis were taken.

RESULTSOne hundred and thirty were enrolled with 123 of whom were evaluable. The patient characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. The chemotherapy cycles with Shenqi Fuzheng injection spent 220.5 more Chinese yuan, but the adverse effect of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and vomiting were slight different and the change of score of several QOL domains showed significant better as compared to those in another cycle.

CONCLUSIONShenqi Fuzheng injection could reduce the severity of toxicity related to chemotherapy and improve the QOL of patients and had some benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Cross-Over Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; economics ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

To compare the growth characteristics of non-hematopoietic adult stem cells (NASC) derived from rat fetal blood and rat bone marrow in vitro, and to study the differentiation of these stem cells into neuron-like cells in vitro, the fetal blood of pregnant rats and bone marrow of adult rats were sterilely collected; mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated by using standard Ficoll-hypague techniques and then cultured in DMEM/LG containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The acquired NASCs were subcultured for passage. The immunophenotype of NASCs was detected by flow cytometry. The expanded NASCs were induced to differentiate into neurons-like cells by beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The specific markers of these neuron-like cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. The results showed that two kinds of subcultured NASCs showed homogeneous spindle-shaped and expressed antigens CD44 and CD54, but did not expressed CD11b and CD45. The both induced cells were similar to neuron in morphology and were positive for nestin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). It is concluded that no significant difference of NASCs derived from pregnant rat fetal blood and adult rat bone marrow found in cell morphology and biological characteristics. NASCs of both origins can be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells, so fetal blood can be regarded as another resource of NASC.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Male ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo construct eukaryotic expression vectors containing three different haplotype cDNAs of human CIITA gene.

METHODcDNA fragments of three different CIITA haplotypes were obtained by inducing one or two single nucleotide mutations of wild type recombinant plasmid EBS-NPL-CIITA cDNA, which correspond to two non-homonymy single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the coding region of human CIITA gene, using overlap extension PCR site-directed mutagenesis technology. The above-mentioned three haplotype cDNAs were respectively cloned to EBS-NPL-CIITA linearized vectors. Positive clones were identified by colonial PCR and restriction endonuclease digestion and were sent to be sequenced. Then eukaryotic expression vectors containing four different haplotypes and an empty vector EBS-NPL were transfected into HepG2 cells respectively. HLA-DR was detected by indirect cell immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSThe cDNA fragments of three different human CIITA haplotypes were successfully constructed, and the eukaryotic expression vectors containing three different haplotype cDNAs of human CIITA gene were obtained. No expression of HLA-DR was observed in the original HepG2 cells and empty vector transfected HepG2 cells and the expression of HLA-DR emerged in the HepG2 cells transfected with four eukaryotic expression vectors.

CONCLUSIONThe eukaryotic expression vectors containing three different haplotype cDNAs of human CIITA gene were successfully constructed, and they are essential for our further study of the functional differences of them.

Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Haplotypes ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics

This study was aimed to explore the role of human fetal bone marrow stromal cells (FBMSC) in combination with exogenous cytokines in supporting the in vitro expansion of cord blood mononuclear cells and the expression of CXCR4(+) and CD49d(+) in CD34(+) cells. Mononuclear cells (MNC) separated from cord blood (CB) were cultured in a serum-free support culture system with FBMSC or exogenous cytokines or both of them. On day 0, 6, 10 and 14, total cells were counted, CD34(+), CD34(+)CXCR4(+) and CD34(+)CD49d(+) cells were quantitated by FACS, and hematopoietic progenitor cells were assessed by semisolid culture assay. The results showed that after culturing for 14 days, CD34(+) cells, CD34(+)CXCR4(+) cells, CD34(+) CD49d(+) cells and colony forming unit (CFU) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with other groups, expansion multiple of CD34(+), CD34(+)CXCR4(+), CD34(+)CD49d(+) cells and CFU were higher than that in FBMSC and cytokine group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the culture system used in this study can not only support the expansion of CB MNCs but also increase the number of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells which has chemokine and adhesion capacity. This culture system may be a feasible way for in vitro culture of cord blood cells.
Antigens, CD34 ; blood ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Fetus ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Integrin alpha4 ; blood ; Interleukin-3 ; pharmacology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; blood ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo apply the single cell nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to HLA typing, and analyze the influence factors on the amplification results.

METHODSSingle cell DNA templates were prepared with different methods. The exon 2, 3 and intron 2 of HLA-A, B, and exon 2 of DRBI were amplified using multiplex PCR. The second round of SSP-PCR HLA typing was carried out according to the large scale routine HLA typing results.

RESULTSEnzyme lysis method was the most efficient procedure for preparing the single cell DNA template, with a success rate (SR) of 93.3%, while the SRs of alkali lysis and freezing-thaw lysis methods were 83.3% and 73.3%, respectively. The second round amplification using enzyme lysis and SSP-PCR in 20 samples obtained a 95% success rate and a 15% allele drop out rate. The time for performing the whole procedure was less than 6 hours.

CONCLUSIONThe modified nested multiplex PCR technique is efficient for single cell HLA typing and might be applied to clinical preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Histocompatibility Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVECord blood (CB) provides a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. CB transplantation has been used widely after myeloablative therapy. One major disadvantage of CB transplantation is delayed platelet engraftment. The aim of this study was to hasten platelet engraftment by investigating the ability of different hematopoietic growth factor combinations to generate large numbers of megakaryocyte (Mk) from CB and by evaluating the biologic characteristics and function of the expanded Mk.

METHODSCB samples were obtained at the end of normal full-term deliveries with informed consent. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from CB using Ficoll density centrifugation. MNC population was positively selected for CD(34) expression by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). CD(34)(+) cells were cultured in serum-free and stroma-free medium containing the following two different cytokine combinations: thrombopoietin (TPO) + stem cell factor (SCF) + interleukin (IL) -3 + IL-6 and TPO + SCF. Cultures were characterized after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days by flow cytometry, colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) and maturation evaluation (Mk ploidy). The expanded Mk function was examined by the platelet activation in vitro and severe combined immunodiffiency (SCID) mice transplantation in vivo.

RESULTSDifferent results were observed with different culture conditions. With the first cytokine combination optimal expansion of CD(41)(+) cells was observed on day 10, but the optimal expansion of Mk progenitors (CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+)) was observed on day 7, with a median 121 and 44-fold increase at the starting cell dose. This result was also proven by CFU-Mk. The largest numbers of CFU-Mk were also observed on day 7. The degree of maturation of Mk cells also increased as suggested by DNA content of CD(41)(+) cells, which means that CD(34)(+) cells cultured for 3 - 7 days were richer in primitive Mks, while those cultured for 10 - 14 days had greater numbers of more differentiated Mks. For the second cytokine combination, CD(41)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) cells were fewer than the first one, but it produced 36 and 85-fold CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) and CD(41)(+) respectively on day 7. Platelet activation test confirmed that the expanded Mks had normal function. Therefore, the expanded Mks could be transplanted into the SCID mice bone marrow and produce human platelet in the peripheral blood of the mice.

CONCLUSIONEx vivo expanded Mk might facilitate CB transplantation and help shorten the period of post-transplant thrombocytopenia.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, SCID

We have constituted a mouse model for fetal blood transplantation (FBT) to cross over major histocompatibility complex (MHC) without causing serious GVHD. It seems that full matching at the MHC appears not necessary for FBT, while the nucleated cell dose is critical. Two fetal blood units were combined from different donors to increase the stem/progenitor cell dose so as to explore the possibility of MHC-mismatched allogeneic transplantation. 26 out of 40 mice in mixed FBT group survived in the observation period of 60 days after transplantation without obvious GVHD. Double chimerism was demonstrated by PCR and flow cytometric analysis; and skin transplantation test proved the induction of donor specific immune tolerance. Our data suggest that two MHC-mismatched allogeneic donor fetal blood units could simultaneously engraft and reconstitute immune and hematopoietic system in a mouse model. The result may be beneficial for the expansion of cord blood application and enables more patients to share the advantages of cord blood transplantation.
Animals ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; immunology ; transplantation ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; mortality ; H-2 Antigens ; immunology ; Hematopoiesis ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation Chimera ; genetics ; immunology ; Transplantation Tolerance ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and to determine the relationship between MnSOD expression and clinicopathological features, biological behaviors in esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry (SP) and RT-PCR were respectively used to detect the expression of MnSOD in 45 specimens of esophageal carcinoma tissues and normal esophageal mucosa (5 cm distant from the margin of cancer).

RESULTSThe positive rate of MnSOD protein expression was 31.1% in esophageal carcinoma tissues, significantly lower than 86.7% in the normal tissues (P < 0.05). The expressions of MnSOD mRNA and protein were significantly correlated with the lesion length, depths of invasion and histological grade (P < 0.05), but not with lymph node metastasis, lesion site and gross type of the tumor (P > 0.05). The relative content of MnSOD mRNA was (0.310 ± 0.036) and (0.482 ± 0.053) in the cancer and normal tissues, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The relative content of MnSOD mRNA was significantly related to lesion length, depths of invasion and histological grade (P < 0.05), but not correlated with lymph node status, lesion site and gross type of the tumor (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of MnSOD protein and mRNA is decreased in esophageal carcinoma, suggesting that MnSOD gene may be closely associated with the carcinogenesis and the degree of malignancy. Detection of MnSOD expression may be useful in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of esophageal carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism