BACKGROUND: T cells are believed to play an important role in anti-infection, anti-tumor and immune function. However, the mechanism underlying the differentiation and development remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of T cells in nude mice that are jointly transplanted human thymus and cord blood and the reconstruction of the immune function. METHODS: Thirty Balb/c nu/nu nude mice were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. In the experimental group, human thymus tissue was transplanted into the renal capsule of nude mice. Two weeks later, freshly isolated human cord blood CD34+ cells suspension was back perfused into the nude mice via the vein. In the control group, CD34+ cells transplantation was performed directly without thymus transplantation. After 60 days of breeding, the immune function of nude mice was detected in two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Human thymus tissue in the renal capsule of nude mice survived and expressed CD3 and HLA-DR molecule. In the experimental group, CD3+ cells which distributed in the form of dots were observed in the mouse spleen. The proportion of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD25+ cells were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The nude mice from the experimental group rejected human gastric cancer BGC823 cells, while those from the control group did not. These findings demonstrated that combined human thymus and CD34+ cell transplantation allow nude mice to acquire T cell-mediated cellular immune function and possess the ability of anti-tumor.

OBJECTIVETo detect expression of p-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), and glutathione S-transferase (GST-pi), and to evaluate its clinical significance in neuroblastoma (NB).

METHODSSP immunohistochemical technique was used to investigate expression of P-gp, MRP, and GST-pi in 70 cases of NB.

RESULTSThe frequency of expression of P-gp, MRP, and GST-pi was 61.4%, 38.6%, and 51.4%, respectively. The coexpression rate of P-gp and MRP, P-gp and GST-pi, MRP and GST-pi, P-gp, MRP and GST-pi was 32.9%, 35.7%, 27.1%, and 24.3%, respectively. Significant positive correlation was observed between P-gp and MRP expression (P = 0.001), and between MRP and GST-pi expression (P = 0.012), but no correlation was found between P-gp and GST-pi expression. The expression of P-gp and MRP was higher in tumors from patients over 1 year old compared with those less than 1 year old at diagnosis (P = 0.01, 0.018, respectively). MRP expression was higher in tumors from the metastatic than the non metastatic groups (P = 0.015). All tested proteins showed significant relationship to the differentiation of the tumor (P = 0.006, 0.000, 0.019, respectively), but no correlation was found to the stage of NB or sex of the patients. MRP expression was significantly related to the reduction of both median survival time and the two-year cumulative survival (P = 0.02). In contrast, P-gp and GST-pi expression had no correlation with survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe intrinsic multidrug resistance of NB involves the combined effects of P-gp, MRP, and GST-pi. MRP expression may be an important parameter in predicting the prognosis of patients with NB.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Isoenzymes ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; mortality ; Survival Rate

Objective To develop a highly sensitive and rapid nucleic acid detection method for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2). Methods We designed,developed,and manufactured an integrated disposable device for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction and detection.The precision of the liquid transfer and temperature control was tested.A comparison between our device and a commercial kit for SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction was performed using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The entire process,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification,was evaluated. Results The precision of the syringe transfer volume was 19.2±1.9 μL(set value was 20),32.2±1.6(set value was 30),and 57.2±3.5(set value was 60).Temperature control in the amplification tube was measured at 60.0±0.0 ℃(set value was 60)and 95.1±0.2 ℃(set value was 95)respectively.SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction yield through the device was 7.10×106 copies/mL,while a commercial kit yielded 2.98×106 copies/mL.The mean time to complete the entire assay,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification detection,was 36 min and 45 s.The detection limit for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 250 copies/mL. Conclusion The integrated disposable devices may be used for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care test(POCT).