Mounting evidence has shown that side population (SP) cells are enriched for cancer stem cells (CSCs) responsible for cancer malignancy. In this study, SP technology was used to isolate a small subpopulation of SP cells in human gallbladder cancer cell line GBC-SD, and SP cells which had superior potential for proliferation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo were identified. Importantly, the abundance of GBC-SD SP cells was increased by a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and this effect was accompanied with a strong up-regulation of ABCG2 mRNA expression, and a decreased sensitivity to mitoxantrone. SP cells were restored upon the removal of TGF-β and the reversion of the cells to an epithelial phenotype, and smad3-specific siRNA reduced SP abundance in response to TGF-β. In conclusion, TGF-β-induced EMT by smad-dependent signaling pathway promotes cancer development and anti-cancer drug resistant phenotype by augmenting the abundance of GBC-SD SP cells, and a better understanding of mechanisms involved in TGF-β-induced EMT may provide a novel strategy for preventing cancer progression.

Objective To report the antibody specific identification process of a pregnant woman who had no history of blood transfusion but presented high-frequency anti-Jra antibodies.Methods Antibody screening and identification were performed by saline and indirect Coomb's technique(microcolumn gel card,PEG).ABO,Rh and other blood group anti-gens were identified by saline.Further antibody identification tests were performed by the reaction between cells treated with various enzymes and patient plasma.Jra antigen was identified by human anti-Jraantibody.JR blood type genotyping was per-formed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry detection system.Antibody titer in serum was tested.Results The patient′s blood type was O with RhD(+)and CcDEe.The plasma reacted negatively with antibody screening and identification cells by saline,but positively by indirect globulin test.The self-control was negative.The patient′s Jraantigen was negative in sero-logical tests and mass spectrometry blood type genotyping.Mass spectrometry revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation(c.376C＞T)in exon4.The anti-Jra antibody titer was1∶2.Conclusion The patient developed high-frequency anti-Jraantibod-ies during pregnancy.

Mounting evidence has shown that side population (SP) cells are enriched for cancer stem cells (CSCs) responsible for cancer malignancy.In this study,SP technology was used to isolate a small subpopulation of SP cells in human gallbladder cancer cell line GBC-SD,and SP cells which had superior potential for proliferation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo were identified.Importantly,the abundance of GBC-SD SP cells was increased by a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT),and this effect was accompanied with a strong up-regulation of ABCG2 mRNA expression,and a decreased sensitivity to mitoxantrone.SP cells were restored upon the removal of TGF-β and the reversion of the cells to an epithelial phenotype,and smad3-specific siRNA reduced SP abundance in response to TGF-β.In conclusion,TGF-β-induced EMT by smad-dependent signaling pathway promotes cancer development and anti-cancer drug resistant phenotype by augmenting the abundance of GBC-SD SP cells,and a better understanding of mechanisms involved in TGF-β-induced EMT may provide a novel strategy for preventing cancer progression.