Objective: To investigate the change of autophagy level of bone marrow nucleated red blood cell (RBC) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) . Methods: Fifty-four MDS patients and thirty-three controls were enrolled in this study. The mitophagy were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) . The level of autophagy-associated protein LC3B in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC was measured by flow cytometry. The expressions of ULK1 and mTOR mRNA in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC were measured by real-time PCR. The expression of the mitochondrial outer membrane protein TOM20 in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC was detected by Western blot. Results: Autophagosomes or autolysosomes were scarcely observed by TEM in MDS patients. The expression of LC3B in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC in high-risk MDS patients (0.22±0.12) was significantly lower than that in normal controls (0.43±0.22, P<0.001) , and lower than that in low-risk MDS patients (0.40±0.16, P=0.001) . The expression of AMPK [0.26 (0.60) ] in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC in high-risk MDS patients was significantly lower than that in controls [1.00 (2.07) , P<0.017) . The expression of ULK1 mRNA in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC in high-risk MDS patients [0.27 (3.31) ] was significantly lower than that in controls [1.07 (4.41) , P<0.017]. The level of mTOR mRNA in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC in high-risk MDS patients [1.82 (3.74) ] was significantly higher than that in controls [1.26 (1.38) , P<0.017]. The level of LC3B in GlycoA⁺ nucleated RBC was negatively correlated with the HGB (r=0.529, P=0.009) in high-risk MDS patients. The expression of mitochondrial outer membrane protein TOM20 in high-risk MDS patients was 9.42±4.42. Conclusion Autophagy is impaired in nucleated RBC of MDS patients.

Objective: To explore characteristic and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) -induced macrophages in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to couple with its progression. Methods: A total of 24 MDS patients (11 low-risk patients and 13 high-risk group patients) referred to Department of Hematology of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and normal controls were enrolled from September 2014 to December 2015. PBMNC was stimulated with GM-CSF to transform to macrophages. The morphology of macrophages was observed by microscope. The quantity of macrophages, CD206 and SIRPα on surface of macrophages were detected by flow cytometry. The phagocytic function of macrophages was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Results: The morphology of macrophages from MDS patients was abnormal. The percentage of transformed macrophages was (5.17±3.47) % in patients with MDS, which was lower than that in controls significantly[ (66.18±13.43) %, t=3.529, P=0.001]. The expression of CD206 on macrophages from MDS patients was significantly lower than that of controls[ (9.73±2.59) % vs (51.15±10.82) %, t=4.551, P<0.001]. The SIRPα level of macrophages from MDS patients was significantly lower than that of controls [ (0.51±0.09) % vs (0.77±0.06) %, t=2.102, P=0.043]. The phagocytic index and the percentage of phagocytic of macrophages from MDS patients were significantly lower than those of macrophages from normal controls[0.45±0.08 vs 0.92±0.07, t=-6.253, P=0.008; (23.69±3.22) % vs (42.75±2.13) %, t=-6.982, P=0.006 respectively]by flow cytometry. The phagocytic index of MDS patients was significantly lower than that of controls (0.24±0.04 vs 0.48±0.96, t=3.464, P=0.001) by fluorescence microscopy. Conclusion The quantity, recognization receptors and phagocytosis of PBMNC-induced macrophages decreased in MDS patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of autophagy level of bone marrow mononuclear cells（BMMNCs）in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes（MDS）.

METHODSThirty- eight patients with MDS and 26 megaloblastic anemia patients were enrolled in this study. The autophagic vacuoles were observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and the quantity of autophagic vacuoles was detected by monodansylcadaverine （MDC） staining. The LC3 protein positive cells were counted by immunofluorescence assays. The expression of Beclin 1, LC3A, mTOR mRNA were measured by real time PCR. The expression of Beclin 1 proteins were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe autophgic vacuoles of double membrane that surrounds lysosomes appeared in MDS patients. The percentage of MDC positive cells was significantly higher in MDS patients［（9.75±2.63）%］than that of controls［（2.90± 0.89）%, P＜0.05）. The percentage of LC3 protein cells was also increased in MDS patients（6.13±1.03）% vs（1.5±0.58）%, P＜0.05）. The expression of Beclin 1 and LC3A mRNA in low-risk and intermediate-1 MDS were higher compared with controls （3.61 ± 3.02 vs 1.55 ± 1.03 and 6.56 ± 3.97 vs 1.21 ± 0.95 respectively, both P＜0.05）. The expression of mTOR mRNA was down- regulated in low- risk and intermediate-1 MDS compared with controls（0.39±0.37 vs 1.50±1.03, P＜0.05）. There were no significant difference in expression of Beclin 1, LC3 and mTOR mRNA among intermediate-2 and high-risk MDS and controls. Beclin 1 protein expression was higher in low- risk and intermediate- 1 MDS patients（1.257 ± 0.197）than that of controls（0.528±0.086）and inermediate-2 and high-risk MDS patients（0.622±0.118）.

CONCLUSIONThe autophagy levels were increased in low- risk and intermediate- 1 MDS, while not enhanced in intermediate-2 MDS. Autophagy might be considered as a cell protective mechanism in MDS. The relatively defective autophagy in intermediate- 2 and high- risk MDS might contribute to disease's progression.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; Beclin-1 ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; pathology ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Vacuoles ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression levels of terminal complement complex (C5b-9) and CD62p on platelets and the soluble C5b-9 (sC5b-9) level in serum in patients with PNH or PNH-aplastic anemia (AA).

METHODSSerum levels of sC5b-9, complement C3 and C4 were detected by using ELISA in 25 patients with PNH/PNH-AA. The quantities of C5b-9 and CD62p on the membrane of platelets were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS①In PNH/PNH-AA group, the serum sC5b-9 level [390.27(265.73-676.87) μg/L] was lower than that in control group [540.39(344.20-1 576.78) μg/L] (P<0.01). ②The platelet PNH clone (CD59⁻CD61⁺/CD61⁺) size [50.58(23.29-81.60)%] was bigger in the PNH/PNH-AA group than that [23.57(15.58-29.02)%] in control group (P<0.01). The percentages of C5b-9 deposition (C5b-9⁺CD61⁺/CD61⁺) were higher on the PNH clone platelets (CD59⁻CD61⁺) in the PNH/PNH-AA group [(17.53 ± 6.27)%] than those on the normal platelets (CD59⁺CD61⁺) in PNH patients 11.33±5.03）%］ and control [(10.88±3.58)%] group (P<0.01). ③ The expression of CD62p (CD62p⁺CD61⁺/CD61⁺) on PNH clone platelets in PNH patients [(61.98 ± 11.71)%] was higher than that on the normal platelets in PNH patients [(43.76±11.30)%] and control group [(38.23±18.07)%] (P<0.01). In addition, the expression of CD62p on normal platelets was higher in PNH patients than control (P<0.05). ④The deposition of C5b-9 positively correlated with the expression of CD62p on the platelets (r=0.559, P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONDeficiency of CD59 antigen on platelets in PNH patients may lead to the deposition of C5b-9 on its membrane and its dysfunction, which may contribute to thrombosis events in PNH.

Anemia, Aplastic ; Blood Platelets ; Clone Cells ; Complement Membrane Attack Complex ; Flow Cytometry ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; Humans ; P-Selectin ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVETo detect memory B lymphocyte (Bm) in peripheral blood (PB) of immune-related pancytopenia (IRP).

METHODS86 patients with IRP and 11 health volunteers were enrolled in this study. Bm (CD5⁺ CD19⁺ CD27⁺) and bone marrow mononucleated cell antibodies (BMMNC-Ab) were determined via fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and clinical outcomes of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTS(1)43 initial patients achieved obvious remission in all 52 initial cases after conventional immunosuppression therapy. 16 relapsed patients with IRP received Rituximab (RTX) and 14 cases achieved obvious remission, among which 7 cases were refractory to conventional immunosuppression therapy, 5 cases exhibited obvious remission, and 2 cases did not respond. Other 18 relapsed cases received conventional immunosuppression therapy and 13 cases achieved obvious remission. (1)The level of Bm in PB in 52 initial patients with IRP was(1.81 ± 0.97)%, and no significant difference was observed between the initial patients and health volunteers (1.75 ± 0.55)% (P>0.05). The level of Bm in PB in 34 relapsed patients with IRP was obviously higher than that in the initial IRP patients and health volunteers (P<0.05). Significant difference was observed in the level of Bm in PB in 16 relapsed IRP patients between pre-therapy and post-therapy with RTX (P<0.05). No statistical difference was found between the remission and no-response groups in relapsed patients treated with RTX. RTX regimen produced more effective outcome than conventional immunosuppression therapy, which better eliminated Bm than the latter (P<0.05). Initial patients with IRP who relapsed within a two-year follow-up period had a lower level of Bm in PB compared with un-relapsed patients (P<0.05). Majority of BMMNC- Ab antibodies in relapsed patients were IgG (82.4%) and IgM (69.2%) autoantibodies in patients with initial IRP.

CONCLUSIONThe level of Bm in PB was associated with relapsed patients with IRP. Bm did not respond to conventional immunosuppression therapy,but responded to RTX.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunologic Memory ; Immunosuppression ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; immunology ; therapy ; Recurrence ; Rituximab ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo culture osteoblast in vitro and evaluate CCL3 receptor CCR1 expression in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSBone marrow osteoblasts from MM patients were cultured in vitro with dexamethasone, β-sodium glycerophosphate and vitamin C, which were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining, Von Kossa's staining. The CCL3 receptor expression was evaluated by flow cytometry. The morphology and quantity of osteoblast were observed after exposure to CCL3.

RESULTSBone marrow osteoblasts from MM patients could be cultured in vitro and be identified by positive staining of alkaline phosphatase and Von Kossa's. MM-derived osteoblasts expressed higher levels of CCR1 (74.48 ± 7.31)%, compared with normal controls (48.35 ± 8.81)%. Calcium deposition of osteoblasts after exposure to CCL3 was less than that of controls.

CONCLUSIONBone marrow osteoblasts could be cultured in vitro from MM Patients. CCL3 may contribute to the development of myeloma bone disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL3 ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of relative telomere length (RTL) of peripheral blood (PB) CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺T lymphocytes, CD19⁺B lymphocytes and bone marrow (BM) CD34⁺ cells and its association with disease severity in untreated patients with immuno-related pancytopenia (IRP).

METHODSThe PB CD3⁺ , CD3⁺ CD4⁺ , CD3⁺ CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, CD19⁺ B lymphocytes, and BM CD34⁺ cells were purified by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS), and RTL were measured with flow-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FLOW-FISH).

RESULTSThe RTL of CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺ , and CD3⁺CD8⁺T lymphocytes in untreated IRP patients were (27.754 ± 16.323)%, (7.526 ± 3.745)% and (25.854 ± 14.789)%, respectivly, which were significantly shorter than those in healthy-controls (54.555 ± 19.782)%, (12.096 ± 2.805)%, and (38.367 ± 4.626)% (P<0.05). The RTL of CD19⁺ lymphocytes in untreated IRP patients was (22.136 ± 16.142)%, which was significantly shorter than that in healthy controls (42.846 ± 16.353)% (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of BM CD34⁺ cells RTL between the untreated IRP patients (22.528 ± 21.601)% and the healthy controls (23.936 ± 19.822)% (P>0.05). There were significantly positive correlations between the RTL of B lymphocytes and the count of white blood cell (r=0.706, P=0.015). There were negative correlations between RTL of B lymphocytes and the clinical symptoms (r=-0.613, P=0.045) and positive correlations with therapeutic effect (r=0.775, P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe shorter RTL of CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD19⁺ lymphocytes, and the normal RTL of BM CD34⁺ cells in untreated IRP patients were identified, which might imply that IRP is a type of acquired autoimmune diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; B-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; immunology ; pathology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Telomere ; ultrastructure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathogenesis of abnormal WT1 expression in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

METHODSThe expression of WT1 mRNA in CD59⁻ and CD59⁺ bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR. After WT1 gene silence by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, biological characteristics of BMMNC were investigated by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe relative expression of WT1 mRNA in PNH CD59⁻ BMMNC (1.06 ± 0.12) was significantly higher than that in PNH CD59⁺ BMMNC (0.90 ± 0.12) and normal BMMNC (0.86 ± 0.05, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between PNH CD59⁺ BMMNC and normal BMMNC (P>0.05). WT1 mRNA expression in PNH was positively correlated with the proportion of CD59⁻ cells (r²=0.490, P=0.016), but had no relationship with the proportion of CD59⁺ cells. After WT1 gene silence by siRNA in PNH CD59⁻ BMMNC, WT1 mRNA expression was decreased. The proportions of G0/G1 phase in PNH CD59⁻ cell blank control group and siRNA-scr transfected group were (92.73 ± 3.71)% and (93.06 ± 4.14)%, and the proportions of S phase were (6.99 ± 3.61)% and (6.73 ± 4.08)%, respectively. The proportions of G0/G1 and S phase in siRNA-WT1 transfected group was (94.46 ± 3.71)% and (5.40 ± 3.55)%, respectively. There were significant differences in the proportions of G0/G1 phase and S phase among the controls, siRNA-WT1 transfected group and siRNA-scr transfected group (P<0.05). The rate of apoptosis in siRNA-WT1 transfected group [(35.91 ± 22.36)%] was significantly higher than those in controls [(26.12 ± 17.10)%] and siRNA-scr transfected group [(27.39 ± 18.99)%] (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONsiRNA-WT1 could effectively suppress the WT1 gene expression of CD59⁻ clone in PNH patients, inhibit its proliferation, and promote its apoptosis. WT1 gene expression might contribute to PNH clone proliferation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Female ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; WT1 Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

To investigate the role of CD4+, CD25+, and CD127low regulatory T cells (Tregs) in multiple myeloma (MM). Methods:Levels of CD4+T cells and Tregs, as well as expression of CTLA-4 and apoptosis-related proteins, such as CD95, bcl-2, and Caspase3 of Tregs in peripheral blood of 30 patients with newly diagnosed cases, 27 patients under of complete remission (CR) from multiple myeloma patients, and 25 healthy adults were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results:The percentage of CD4+T cells in the untreated group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of Tregs in CD4+T cells in the untreated group was significantly higher than that of the CR group and control group (P<0.05), which in ISSⅢpatients of the untreated group was significantly higher than that in I/II(P<0.05). No significant difference of CD95 expression in Tregs was observed among the three groups. The expression of CTLA-4 in Tregs from the untreated group was significantly higher than that of the CR group (P<0.05) and control group (P<0.01), and so was in CR group than this in controls (P<0.05). The expression of bcl-2 in Tregs in the untreated group was significantly higher than that of the CR group (P<0.05) and control group (P<0.01), and so was in CR group than this in controls(P<0.05). The expression of Caspase3 in Tregs from the untreated group and CR group were all significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of Tregs in CD4+T cells in the untreated group was positively correlated with the proportion of bone marrow plasma cells (P<0.05). The percentage of Tregs in CD4+T cells from 15 MM patients who received bortezamib and dexamethasone (VD) chemotherapy was negatively correlated to the ratio of plasma cell reduction after the first VD chemotherapy (r=0.735, P<0.01). Conclusion:The level of Tregs in the peripheral blood of MM patients was positively correlated with tumor burden and progression of disease, but was negatively correlated with curative effect. The increased level of Tregs was associated with their strengthened anti-apoptosis function.

Objectives To detect the abnormalities of CD34+ cells differentiation and bone marrow cell cycle in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Methods Fifty newly diagnosed MDS ( 17 in low risk and 33 in high risk), 8 acute myeloid leukemia preceded by MDS (MDS-AML) and 25 normal controls were enrolled into this study. Their CD34+ CD38+, CD34+CD38- bone marrow cells and bone marrow cell cycle were measured with flow cytometry. Results The mean percentages of CD34+ cells in bone marrow karyocyte of high risk [ (2.29 ±2.17)% ] and MDS-AML groups [ ( 18.69 ± 17.47)% ] were significantly higher than that of control group [ ( 0.36 ± 0.49 )%, P ＜ 0.05 ]. The mean percentages of CD34+CD38+ cells were significantly lower in low risk, high risk and MDS-AML groups [ ( 86.09 ± 7.79 )%, ( 81.68 ± 11.82)% and (82.88 ±2.60)%, respectively] than that in control group [ (92.21 ±3.85)%, P＜0.05], thus the percentages of CD34+CD38- cells were significantly higher in either MDS (low risk and high risk) or MDS-AML groups [ (13.91 ±7.79)%, (18.32 ±11.82)% or (17.13 ±2.60)%, respectively] than that in control group [ (7.79 ± 3.85 )%, P ＜ 0.05 ]. The percentages of CD+34 CD-38 cells of MDS cases correlated directly with their International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) (r =0.493, P =0.001 ) and WHO Adapted Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS) ( r = 0.586, P = 0.000 ) scores. The percentages of bone marrow mononuclea cells (BMMNCs) in G0/G1 phase of in low risk, high risk and MDS-AML groups [ (94.52 ±4.32)%, (96.07 ± 3.88 )% and (94.65 ± 4.55 )%, respectively ] were significantly higher than that in control group[ (88.94 ±7.30)%, P ＜0.01 ], thus the percentages of BMMNCs in S and G2/M phase were significantly lower in either MDS (low risk and high risk) or MDS-AML groups than that in control group (P＜0.05). MDS patients with low percentages of CD34+CD38- cells presented higher therapeutic efficacy than those with high percentages of CD34+CD38- cells, while without significant differences ( P ＞ 0.05 ) .Conclusions There are abnormalities of differentiation of CD34+ bone marrow cells and high proportion of G0/G1 cells which indicates a G1 phase arrest in MDS that might be involved in the pathogenesis of MDS. So the examination of CD34+ bone marrow cells and cell cycle might be helpful for MDS diagnosis and assessment of prognosis and therapeutic effects.