BACKGROUND : Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that impacts several organ systems. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining immunological tolerance, and their dysregulation has been found linked to the pathogenesis of SLE. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg levels and disease activity, as measured by the MEX-SLEDAI score, in patients with SLE. METHODS : A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 40 SLE patients treated in the Allergy and Immunology outpatient clinic and inpatient ward of Mohammad Hoesin Hospital from June 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024. Inclusion criteria were adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with SLE who provided informed consent. Exclusion criteria included other history autoimmune or immunocompromised conditions, pregnancy or lactation, hormonal contraceptive use, and active severe infection. CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg cell levels were measured by flow cytometry. Disease activity was assessed using the MEX-SLEDAI score. Spearman’s correlation test was used to analyze the association between Treg levels and disease activity. RESULTS : Of 40 enrolled subjects (39 women, 1 man), 75% were aged 20–44 years. Mucocutaneous manifestations were the most common clinical feature (95%). Nephritis and hematologic involvement were most frequently observed in patients with severe disease activity. A strong negative correlation was identified between CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg cell levels and MEX-SLEDAI scores (R = –0.72, p<0.001), indicating that lower Treg levels were associated with higher disease activity. CONCLUSIONS CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg levels show a significant negative correlation with MEX-SLEDAI disease activity in SLE. Lower Treg cell levels reflect more severe disease activity.
disease progression ; flow cytometry ; systemic lupus erythematosus ; Treg cells

This study aims to establish a method for counting the viral particles in adenovirus vector-based vaccines. Nano-flow cytometry was employed to analyze the viral particles in adenovirus-based vector vaccines at the single-particle level. Monodisperse silica nanoparticles with a refractive index close to that of the virus were selected as the particle size standard to calculate the viral particle size, which was then compared with the results obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the gating strategy. Subsequently, a particle count standard was employed to calculate the viral particle concentration. The established method demonstrated good linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity. The results of determined viral particle concentration showed a good correlation with the infectious titer. Compared with the conventional OD₂₆₀ method, nano-flow cytometry can directly measure the viral particle concentration and indicate whether the sample has been disassembled according to changes in viral particle concentration and size, thus more accurately reflecting the actual infectious potency of the sample. The novel quantification method established in this study is capable of indicating the efficacy of adenovirus vector-based vaccines and provides effective technical support for the quality control of such products.
Adenoviridae/genetics* ; Genetic Vectors ; Flow Cytometry/methods* ; Virion/isolation & purification* ; Particle Size ; Nanoparticles ; Viral Vaccines

Actinomycetes are important producers of high-value natural products, and the engineering of actinomycetes to enhance the biosynthesis of target natural products has long been a hot research topic in the scientific community. However, non-rational engineering methods suffer from low beneficial mutation rates, which limit the efficiency of mutant screening. The integration of high-throughput screening (HTS) technologies can effectively enhance the screening efficiency of elite mutants and significantly shorten the cycle of actinomycete strain engineering. This review comprehensively discusses various HTS technologies suitable for the engineering of actinomycete strains and compares them in terms of application scenarios, advantages, and disadvantages. HTS technologies include microplate-based screening, antimicrobial activity screening, antibiotic resistance screening, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS). Additionally, this review summarizes the applications of these technologies in assisting actinomycete strain engineering and enhancing the yields of target compounds. The development and application of HTS technologies have not only facilitated the exploration of natural product resources in actinomycetes but also provided strong support for the rapid and efficient construction of high-performance engineered actinomycete strains.
Actinobacteria/metabolism* ; High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods* ; Genetic Engineering/methods* ; Biological Products/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Metabolic Engineering/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the immunophenotypic characteristics of bone marrow granulocytes (G) and their clinical significance in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The granulocyte immunophenotypes of bone marrow in 70 MM patients (MM group) and 40 anemia patients (control group) were detected by flow cytometry, and its correlation with clinical characteristics was further analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to screen factors that affected prognosis. RESULTS: The CD56⁺G%, CD13⁺G%, CD22⁺G% and CD117⁺G% in MM group were higher than those in the control group (all P <0.05). CD56⁺G% and CD117⁺G% in CR⁺VGPR group were significantly lower than those in PR+MR+PD group (both P <0.05). The CD10⁺G% in RISS Ⅲ stage and Ca²⁺ ≥2.65 mmol/L groups were increased (both P <0.05). The CD56⁺G% in elevated lactate dehydrogenase, β₂-microglobulin≥5.5 mg/L and hemoglobin <85 g/L groups were increased (all P <0.05), while the CD117⁺G% in high-risk cytogenetic positive group was decreased (P <0.05). The expression rate of CD molecules on granulocytes was divided into low (L) and high (H) groups according to the median value. The overall survival (OS) of the LCD56⁺G%, LCD13⁺G% and LCD22⁺G% groups was significantly prolonged (all P <0.05). CD13⁺G% and CD22⁺G% were independent risk factors for OS in MM patients (HR=0.443, 0.410, both P <0.05). CONCLUSION The CD56⁺G%, CD10⁺G% and CD117⁺G% are closely correlated with clinical features in MM patients, while CD13⁺G% and CD22⁺G% are closely correlated with prognosis. Detection of CD molecules expression on granulocytes may be used to evaluate prognosis and guide treatment.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/immunology* ; Granulocytes/immunology* ; Prognosis ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Bone Marrow ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Clinical Relevance

OBJECTIVE: To understand clinical and laboratory characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplasia-related (AML-MR). METHODS: Blood sample of one patient with AML-MR admitted to our hospital in September 2021 was collected and synthetically analyzed by using techniques including complete blood cell count, peripheral blood and bone marrow cell morphology, bone marrow pathology and immunohistochemistry, hematology examination, flow cytometry (FCM), chromosome karyotype analysis and molecular pathology. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of AML-MR were analyzed and summarized according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. RESULTS: The patient showed pancytopenia and increased proportion of blasts in smear of peripheral blood cells. Bone marrow cytology and pathological examination showed significant proliferation of hematopoietic cells. Pathological immunohistochemistry showed increased expression of CD61, CD34, and CD117, while MPO, CD13, and CD33 were positive. FCM showed that abnormal myeloid progenitor cells accounted for approximately 18.61% of the total number of nuclear cells, with expression of CD34, CD13, CD117, HLA-DR, and CD33 (small amount). Additionally, 36.34% of the cells were primitive/immature red blood cells which expressed CD36, CD71, and CD117 (small amount). Chromosome karyotype analysis and molecular pathology detected three kinds of abnormalities including -5 and two kinds of TP53 related gene mutation, respectively. CONCLUSION AML-MR patient shows pancytopenia and increased proportion of blasts in smear of peripheral blood cells. Bone marrow cytology and pathological examination show significant proliferation of hematopoietic cells. FCM can detect myeloid progenitor cells and primitive/immature red blood cells, while chromosome karyotype analysis can detect three abnormal karyotypes.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis* ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Flow Cytometry ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To prepare clinical-grade human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) with high expression of hematopoietic supporting factors and evaluate their stem cell characteristics. METHODS: Fetal umbilical cord tissues were collected from healthy postpartum women during full-term cesarean section. Wharton's jelly was mechanically separated and hUC-MSCs were obtained by explant culture method and enzyme digestion method in an animal serum-free culture system with addition of human platelet lysate. The phenotypic characteristics of hUC-MSCs obtained by two methods were detected by flow cytometry. The differences in proliferation ability between the two groups of hUC-MSCs were identified through CCK-8 assay and colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay. The differences in multilineage differentiation potential between the two groups of hUC-MSCs were identified through induction of adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. The mRNA expression levels of hematopoietic supporting factors such as SCF, IL-3, CXCL12, VCAM1 and ANGPT1 in the two groups of hUC-MSCs were identified by real-time fluorescence quantiative PCR(RT-qPCR). RESULTS: The results of flow cytometry showed that hUC-MSCs obtained by the two methods both expressed high levels of CD73, CD90 and CD105, while lowly expressed CD31, CD45 and HLA-DR. The results of CCK-8 and CFU-F assay showed that the proliferation ability of hUC-MSCs obtained by explant culture method was better than those obtained by enzyme digestion method. The results of the triple lineage differentiation experiment showed that there was no significant difference in multilineage differentiation potential between the two grous of hUC-MSCs. The results of RT-qPCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of hematopoietic supporting factors SCF, IL-3, CXCL12, VCAM1 and ANGPT1 in hUC-MSCs obtained by explant cultrue method were higher than those obtained by enzyme digestion method. CONCLUSION Clinical-grade hUC-MSCs with high expression levels of hematopoietic supporting factors were successfully cultured in an animal serum-free culture system.
Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism* ; Angiopoietin-1/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Stem Cell Factor/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of Wip1 phosphatase on hematopoietic function in the mouse spleen. METHODS: Wip1 knockout mice were bred, and the effect of Wip1 deletion on the proportion and number of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, as well as their mature subsets in mouse spleen was detected by flow cytometry. The Proteome Profiler^TM antibody array was used to analyze the role of Wip1 deletion on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in CD45^highCD11b⁺ myeloid cells sorted from mouse spleen. RESULTS: Wip1 deletion resulted in smaller size and significant reduction of cell number in the mouse spleen. The absolute numbers of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were decreased. Meanwhile, the absolute number of T and B lymphocytes also significantly declined. However, the proportion of erythroid progenitors and erythroid cells at various stage significantly increased, but the number of mature erythroid cells decreased. Furthermore, the myeloid cells and their subsets neutrophils, monocytes, CD45^highCD11b⁺ and CD45^lowCD11b⁺ were all reduced. CD45^highCD11b⁺ myeloid cells displayed proinflammatory phenotype in the spleen. CONCLUSION Wip1 gene deletion impairs normal hematopoietic function in the mouse spleen, leading to a significant reduction of mature hematopoietic cells of various lineages, and proinflammatory phenotype in CD45^highCD11b⁺ myeloid cells.
Animals ; Mice ; Spleen/cytology* ; Mice, Knockout ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology* ; Myeloid Cells/cytology* ; Protein Phosphatase 2C ; Hematopoiesis ; Flow Cytometry

Corticotomy is a clinical procedure to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement characterized by the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP). Despite its therapeutic effects, the surgical risk and unclear mechanism hamper the clinical application. Numerous evidences support macrophages as the key immune cells during bone remodeling. Our study discovered that the monocyte-derived macrophages primarily exhibited a pro-inflammatory phenotype that dominated bone remodeling in corticotomy by CX3CR1^CreERT2; R26^GFP lineage tracing system. Fluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis, and western blot determined the significantly enhanced expression of binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and emphasized the activation of sensor activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) in macrophages. Then, we verified that macrophage specific ATF6 deletion (ATF6^f/f; CX3CR1^CreERT2 mice) decreased the proportion of pro-inflammatory macrophages and therefore blocked the acceleration effect of corticotomy. In contrast, macrophage ATF6 overexpression exaggerated the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement. In vitro experiments also proved that higher proportion of pro-inflammatory macrophages was positively correlated with higher expression of ATF6. At the mechanism level, RNA-seq and CUT&Tag analysis demonstrated that ATF6 modulated the macrophage-orchestrated inflammation through interacting with Tnfα promotor and augmenting its transcription. Additionally, molecular docking simulation and dual-luciferase reporter system indicated the possible binding sites outside of the traditional endoplasmic reticulum-stress response element (ERSE). Taken together, ATF6 may aggravate orthodontic bone remodeling by promoting Tnfα transcription in macrophages, suggesting that ATF6 may represent a promising therapeutic target for non-invasive accelerated orthodontics.
Animals ; Mice ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Tooth Movement Techniques/methods* ; Activating Transcription Factor 6/metabolism* ; Bone Remodeling ; Flow Cytometry ; Blotting, Western

Protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a pivotal phenomenon intricately linked to cellular processes, is regulated by various other proteins. However, there is still a lack of high-throughput methods for screening protein regulators of LLPS in target proteins. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based screening method to identify protein phase separation regulators by integrating bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using this newly developed method, we screened the RNA-binding proteins that regulate PABPN1 phase separation and identified the tumor suppressor QKI as a promoter of PABPN1 phase separation. Furthermore, QKI exhibits decreased expression levels and diminished nuclear localization in colorectal cancer cells, resulting in reduced PABPN1 phase separation, which, in turn, promotes alternative polyadenylation (APA), cell proliferation, and migration in colorectal cancer.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Poly(A)-Binding Protein I/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Flow Cytometry ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement