Objective:To generate a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) mouse model with intact immune competence and short latency by adoptively transferring (AT) splenocytes from immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer-driven T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 1 (Eμ-TCL1) transgenic donors into wild-type (WT) recipients.Methods:Specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J WT mice and H11-Eμ-VH-TCL1-β-globin-PolyA knock-in mice were utilized. The H11-Eμ-VH-TCL1-β-globin-PolyA knock-in mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and their genotypes were confirmed by PCR. Experimental animals were randomly divided into an adoptive transfer (AT) group and a WT control group ( n=10 per group). Mice in the AT group received an intraperitoneal injection of splenocytes from H11-Eμ-VH-TCL1-β-globin-PolyA knock-in mice. The weight and general condition of the mice were monitored. Mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation at 9 weeks post-transplantation. The CLL model was validated using key indicators, including pathological manifestations, changes in peripheral blood leukocyte counts, and immunophenotype. Results:AT group mice exhibited significantly increased spleen weight [ (0.92±0.16) g vs (0.06±0.01) g in WT group, P<0.05] and liver weight [ (2.11±0.56) g vs (1.42±0.13) g in WT group, P=0.006], indicative of marked splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. The peripheral blood leukocyte count was significantly higher in the AT group [ (124.33±8.74) ×10 9/L] compared to the WT group [ (5.55±1.67) ×10 9/L] ( P=0.002). Similarly, the percentage of peripheral blood B lymphocytes was markedly increased in the AT group versus the WT group [ (69.13±6.88) % vs (39.78±5.94) %, P<0.05]. Histopathological examination revealed CLL manifestations in the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow of AT group mice, with significant lymphocytic infiltration observed in the liver, lung, and kidney tissues. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentages of CD19 +CD5 + B lymphocytes among total lymphocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen of the AT group were (61.37±9.92) %, (28.61± 7.08) %, and (86.03±5.78) %, respectively. These were significantly higher (all P<0.05) than in the WT group [ (4.51±1.32) %, (5.58±1.46) %, and (14.33±3.20) %]. Furthermore, these CLL-like cells in the AT group were positive for CD43 and CD200, but showed lower expression of CD20, CD22, and CD79b compared to WT B cells. Conclusion:Adoptive transfer of splenocytes from Eμ-TCL1 transgenic mice successfully established a CLL mouse model with a relatively short latency period. This model represents a valuable preclinical tool for investigating CLL and related pathologies.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of DNA methyltransferase 1(DNMT1)inhibitor combined with extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1(ERK1),homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2(HIPK2),and glycogen synthase kinase 3 β(GSK3 β)inhibitors in synergistically inducing apoptosis and protein arrest in relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cells.Methods Three therapeutic targets,including ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β,were screened based on the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO),The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,and Ex-pression 2 Kinases database.Human AML cell line U937 cells were treated with DNMT1 inhibitor a-lone or combined with ERK1,HIPK2,or GSK3β inhibitors.Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 method.Apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry,and cell cycle distribution was de-termined by propidium iodide(PI)staining.The mRNA expression levels of DNMT1,ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcriptionpoly-merase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Protein expressionlevels of DNMT1,ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β were detected by immunoblotting.Results DNMT1 inhibitor significantly inhibited the cell viability of U937 cells,and significantly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in U937 cells(P＜0.05).When DNMT1 inhibitor was combined with ERK1,HIPK2,or GSK3β inhibitors,cell via-bility and apoptosis rate were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).DNMT1 inhibitor alone or its com-bination with ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β inhibitors induced U937 cell arrest in the G0/G,phase,with a significant increase in the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase in the combination group(P＜0.05).The combination of DNMT1 inhibitor with ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β inhibitors sig-nificantly reduced the mRNA expression levels in DNMT1,ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β in U937 cells(P＜0.05).Similarly,the combination therapy significantly reduced the protein expression levels of DNMT1,ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3β in U937 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion DNMT1 inhibitor combined with ERK1,HIPK2,and GSK3 β inhibitors can synergistically induce apoptosis and protein arrest in relapsed and refractory AML cells,providing a novel strategy for combined tar-geted therapy of AML.

Objective:To explore the difference of type 2 innate lymphoid cell(ILC2),IL-9 and related cytokines between chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)patients and normal individuals,as well as the correlation between ILC2 and IL-9 and other cytokines in CLL patients.Methods:Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of ILC2 and regulatory T cells(Tregs)in peripheral blood of 26 CLL patients at initial diagnosis and 10 healthy controls.RT-qPCR was used to detected IFN-γ,TGF-β,IL-9 and IL-10 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC).ELISA was used to detect serum IFN-γ,TNF-α,TGF-β,IL-9,IL-10 and IL-21.ILC2 and IL-9 were observed in the cervical lymph node of 12 CLL patients at initial diagnosis and 12 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasias by multiplex indirect immunofluorescence staining.Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood ILC2 and IL-9,IL-9 and IL-21,IFN-γ mRNA and IL-10 mRNA in CLL patients.Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between TNF-α and TGF-β in CLL patients.Results:Compared with control group,the proportions of ILC2 and Tregs were significantly increased in CLL group(both P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of IFN-γ,IL-9,IL-10 and TGF-β in PBMCs of CLL patients were significantly increased(all P＜0.05).In CLL patients,the expressions of IFN-γ,TNF-α,TGF-β,IL-9 and IL-10 in serum were significantly increased(all P＜0.01),while IL-21 slightly increased without statistical difference(P＞0.05).In CLL patients,the peripheral blood ILC2 was positively related to IL-9(r=0.56),IL-9 was positively related to IL-21(r=0.397),IFN-γ mRNA was positively related to IL-10 mRNA(r=0.623),and TNF-α was positively related to TGF-β(r=0.577).Compared with reactive lymphoid hyperplasias patients,the mean fluorescence intensities of GAT A3 and CRTH2 representing ILC2 and IL-9 in cervical lymph nodes were significantly increased in the CLL group(all P＜0.001),and showed colocalization.Conclusion:In CLL patients,the proportions of ILC2 and IL-9 in peripheral blood and lymph nodes increase,and ILC2 and IL-9 show colocalization in lymph nodes.There is a positive correlation between ILC2 and IL-9 in the peripheral blood of CLL patients,the ability of ILC2 to secrete IL-9 is increased,and ILC2 may affect the occurrence and development of CLL through IL-9.

Objective:To investigate effect of rapamycin on proliferation of human chronic lymphoblastic leukemia tumor cell MEC-1 in vitro.Methods:Human γδT cells were cultured and expanded in vitro.Human γδT cells percentage was detected by flow cytometry on the 10th day.γδT cells were treated with different concentrations of rapamycin(0,50,100 and 200 nmol/L).After 48 h of intervention,IL-17,IL-12,IFN-γ and TNF-α contents secreted by γδT cells were determined by ELISA,and AKT/mTOR protein expression was detected by Western blot.Supernatant of γδT was collected and co-cultured with MEC-1 indirectly.Co-cultured experi-mental was divided into DMSO group,rapamycin group,γδT group,rapamycin treated γδT group and control group.Survival rate of MEC-1 cells in each group was determined by CCK-8 after 48 h of culture.Results:IL-12,IFN-γ and TNF-α levels secreted by γδT cells were the highest when rapamycin was 100 nmol/L,which was significantly higher than other groups(P<0.05).When rapamycin was 50 nmol/L,IL-17 secretion level of γδT cells was the highest,and IL-17 level secreted by γδT cells gradually decreased with increase of rapamycin concentration.Survival rates of MEC-1 cells in supernatant of DMSO group,rapamycin group,rapamycin treated γδT cell group and γδT cell group were(93.48±2.52)%,(71.44±4.31)%,(83.93±1.54)%and(57.97±2.47)%,whose differences were statistically significant compared with control group(P<0.05).Compared with control group,mTOR protein level of γδT cells was decreased in all rapamycin treated groups.Protein expressions of upstream AKT,pAKT and downstream specific transcription factor 4EBP-1 were decreased with increase of rapamycin concentration(P<0.05).Conclusion:There is a dose-effect relationship between rapamycin concentration and IL-17,IL-12,IFN-γ,TNF-α secretions by γδT cells.Rapamycin and γδT cells can inhibit pro-liferation of MEC-1 cells,and 100 nmol/L rapamycin can enhance inhibitory effect of γδT cells on proliferation of MEC-1 cells.Rapa-mycin can weaken AKT pathway on γδT cells,and rapamycin combined with γδT cells plays a positive role in anti-tumor application of leukemia.

Objective:To explore the difference of type 2 innate lymphoid cell(ILC2),IL-9 and related cytokines between chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)patients and normal individuals,as well as the correlation between ILC2 and IL-9 and other cytokines in CLL patients.Methods:Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of ILC2 and regulatory T cells(Tregs)in peripheral blood of 26 CLL patients at initial diagnosis and 10 healthy controls.RT-qPCR was used to detected IFN-γ,TGF-β,IL-9 and IL-10 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC).ELISA was used to detect serum IFN-γ,TNF-α,TGF-β,IL-9,IL-10 and IL-21.ILC2 and IL-9 were observed in the cervical lymph node of 12 CLL patients at initial diagnosis and 12 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasias by multiplex indirect immunofluorescence staining.Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood ILC2 and IL-9,IL-9 and IL-21,IFN-γ mRNA and IL-10 mRNA in CLL patients.Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between TNF-α and TGF-β in CLL patients.Results:Compared with control group,the proportions of ILC2 and Tregs were significantly increased in CLL group(both P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of IFN-γ,IL-9,IL-10 and TGF-β in PBMCs of CLL patients were significantly increased(all P＜0.05).In CLL patients,the expressions of IFN-γ,TNF-α,TGF-β,IL-9 and IL-10 in serum were significantly increased(all P＜0.01),while IL-21 slightly increased without statistical difference(P＞0.05).In CLL patients,the peripheral blood ILC2 was positively related to IL-9(r=0.56),IL-9 was positively related to IL-21(r=0.397),IFN-γ mRNA was positively related to IL-10 mRNA(r=0.623),and TNF-α was positively related to TGF-β(r=0.577).Compared with reactive lymphoid hyperplasias patients,the mean fluorescence intensities of GAT A3 and CRTH2 representing ILC2 and IL-9 in cervical lymph nodes were significantly increased in the CLL group(all P＜0.001),and showed colocalization.Conclusion:In CLL patients,the proportions of ILC2 and IL-9 in peripheral blood and lymph nodes increase,and ILC2 and IL-9 show colocalization in lymph nodes.There is a positive correlation between ILC2 and IL-9 in the peripheral blood of CLL patients,the ability of ILC2 to secrete IL-9 is increased,and ILC2 may affect the occurrence and development of CLL through IL-9.

Objective:To investigate effect of rapamycin on proliferation of human chronic lymphoblastic leukemia tumor cell MEC-1 in vitro.Methods:Human γδT cells were cultured and expanded in vitro.Human γδT cells percentage was detected by flow cytometry on the 10th day.γδT cells were treated with different concentrations of rapamycin(0,50,100 and 200 nmol/L).After 48 h of intervention,IL-17,IL-12,IFN-γ and TNF-α contents secreted by γδT cells were determined by ELISA,and AKT/mTOR protein expression was detected by Western blot.Supernatant of γδT was collected and co-cultured with MEC-1 indirectly.Co-cultured experi-mental was divided into DMSO group,rapamycin group,γδT group,rapamycin treated γδT group and control group.Survival rate of MEC-1 cells in each group was determined by CCK-8 after 48 h of culture.Results:IL-12,IFN-γ and TNF-α levels secreted by γδT cells were the highest when rapamycin was 100 nmol/L,which was significantly higher than other groups(P<0.05).When rapamycin was 50 nmol/L,IL-17 secretion level of γδT cells was the highest,and IL-17 level secreted by γδT cells gradually decreased with increase of rapamycin concentration.Survival rates of MEC-1 cells in supernatant of DMSO group,rapamycin group,rapamycin treated γδT cell group and γδT cell group were(93.48±2.52)%,(71.44±4.31)%,(83.93±1.54)%and(57.97±2.47)%,whose differences were statistically significant compared with control group(P<0.05).Compared with control group,mTOR protein level of γδT cells was decreased in all rapamycin treated groups.Protein expressions of upstream AKT,pAKT and downstream specific transcription factor 4EBP-1 were decreased with increase of rapamycin concentration(P<0.05).Conclusion:There is a dose-effect relationship between rapamycin concentration and IL-17,IL-12,IFN-γ,TNF-α secretions by γδT cells.Rapamycin and γδT cells can inhibit pro-liferation of MEC-1 cells,and 100 nmol/L rapamycin can enhance inhibitory effect of γδT cells on proliferation of MEC-1 cells.Rapa-mycin can weaken AKT pathway on γδT cells,and rapamycin combined with γδT cells plays a positive role in anti-tumor application of leukemia.

Objective:To generate a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) mouse model with intact immune competence and short latency by adoptively transferring (AT) splenocytes from immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer-driven T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 1 (Eμ-TCL1) transgenic donors into wild-type (WT) recipients.Methods:Specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J WT mice and H11-Eμ-VH-TCL1-β-globin-PolyA knock-in mice were utilized. The H11-Eμ-VH-TCL1-β-globin-PolyA knock-in mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and their genotypes were confirmed by PCR. Experimental animals were randomly divided into an adoptive transfer (AT) group and a WT control group ( n=10 per group). Mice in the AT group received an intraperitoneal injection of splenocytes from H11-Eμ-VH-TCL1-β-globin-PolyA knock-in mice. The weight and general condition of the mice were monitored. Mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation at 9 weeks post-transplantation. The CLL model was validated using key indicators, including pathological manifestations, changes in peripheral blood leukocyte counts, and immunophenotype. Results:AT group mice exhibited significantly increased spleen weight [ (0.92±0.16) g vs (0.06±0.01) g in WT group, P<0.05] and liver weight [ (2.11±0.56) g vs (1.42±0.13) g in WT group, P=0.006], indicative of marked splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. The peripheral blood leukocyte count was significantly higher in the AT group [ (124.33±8.74) ×10 9/L] compared to the WT group [ (5.55±1.67) ×10 9/L] ( P=0.002). Similarly, the percentage of peripheral blood B lymphocytes was markedly increased in the AT group versus the WT group [ (69.13±6.88) % vs (39.78±5.94) %, P<0.05]. Histopathological examination revealed CLL manifestations in the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow of AT group mice, with significant lymphocytic infiltration observed in the liver, lung, and kidney tissues. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentages of CD19 +CD5 + B lymphocytes among total lymphocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen of the AT group were (61.37±9.92) %, (28.61± 7.08) %, and (86.03±5.78) %, respectively. These were significantly higher (all P<0.05) than in the WT group [ (4.51±1.32) %, (5.58±1.46) %, and (14.33±3.20) %]. Furthermore, these CLL-like cells in the AT group were positive for CD43 and CD200, but showed lower expression of CD20, CD22, and CD79b compared to WT B cells. Conclusion:Adoptive transfer of splenocytes from Eμ-TCL1 transgenic mice successfully established a CLL mouse model with a relatively short latency period. This model represents a valuable preclinical tool for investigating CLL and related pathologies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of T helper cell 9 (Th9) and its cytokine interleukin 9(IL-9) in peripheral blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL). METHODS: A total of 43 newly diagnosed patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the case group. The patients were divided into Binet A group (13 cases), Binet B group (20 cases) and Binet C group (10 cases) by Binet staging system, and 20 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinationin in our hospital in the same period served as control group. The proportion of Th9 cells in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry, the expression level of Th9 specific transcription factors PU.1 and IRF4 was detected by Western blot, and the expression level of serum cytokine IL-9 was detected by ELISA. The proportion of Th9, the expression of PU.1, IRF4 and IL-9 in each group were compared, and the correlation between the proportion of Th9, IL-9 and clinicopathological indexes of CLL patients was analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of Th9, the expression of PU.1, IRF4 and IL-9 in CLL group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05), the proportion of Th9 and the expression of IL-9 in Binet B and C group were higher than those in Binet A group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the proportion of Th9 cells between Binet B group and C group (P>0.05). The expression of IL-9 in Binet C group was significantly higher than that in Binet B group (P<0.05) . The proportion of Th9 cells and IL-9 were highly expression in patients with β2 microglobulin abnormality, IGHV unmutation, P53 abnormality and hepatosplenic lymph node enlargement(P<0.05), but not related to age and sex (P>0.05). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the proportion of Th9 in patients with CLL was negatively correlated with the lymphocytic account and lymphocyte proportion(r_s=-0.32，r_s=-0.34). The proportion of Th9 and IL-9 were positively correlated with Binet stage, Rai stage and CLL-IPI Scoring (r_s=0.79，r_s=0.54，r_s=0.58； r_s=0.72，r_s=0.63，r_s=0.45), but not with WBC, CD4⁺ T cells and CD8⁺T cells (P>0.05). The proportion of Th9 was positively correlated with IL-9 (r_s=0.53). CONCLUSION Th9 cells and IL-9 are abnormally highly expressed in CLL, which is related to the poor prognosis of CLL.
Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics* ; Interleukin-9 ; Clinical Relevance ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/pathology* ; Cytokines

Objective:To explore the expression levels, clinical significances and prognostic evaluation value of T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) and galectin-9 (Gal-9) in bone marrow cells of patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Bone marrow samples from 30 newly diagnosed ALL patients admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from September 2016 to September 2018 were selected, and peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy volunteers during the same period in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were treated as the controls. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA relative expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9. Differences in mRNA expression of Tim-3 and Gal-9 among ALL patients with varied clinicopathological characteristics were compared. Overall survival (OS) analysis was performed by using the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox proportional hazards model was used to make univariate and multivariate survival analysis.Results:mRNA relative expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9 in 30 newly diagnosed ALL patients were higher than those in the healthy control group (2.86±0.47 vs. 0.45±0.05, t = 21.65, P<0.05; 9.79±0.58 vs. 0.96±0.23, t = 63.24, P<0.05). mRNA relative expression level of Tim-3 had statistically significant differences in patients with different ages, France-America-Britain (FAB) Cooperative Group classification, hazard grades and central nervous system invasion (all P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in mRNA relative expression level of Gal-9 for patients with different ages, FAB Cooperative Group classification, white blood cell count (WBC), central nervous system invasion and NOTCH1 mutation (all P<0.01). All patients were grouped by mRNA relative expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9, and patients in high Tim-3 expression group (≥2.86) had worse overall survival (OS) compared with that for patients in low Tim-3 expression group (<2.86) ( P = 0.048). Patients in high Gal-9 expression group (≥9.79) had worse OS compared with that for patients in low Gal-9 expression group (<9.79) ( P = 0.031). Moreover, the OS in Tim-3 and Gal-9 both high expression group was worse than that in Tim-3 and Gal-9 both low expression group and in the low expression group of either of them (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in OS between the high Tim-3 expression with low Gal-9 expression group and the high Gal-9 expression with low Tim-3 expression group ( P > 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that peripheral blood WBC≥11.4×10 9/L, BCR-ABL gene mutation, central nervous system invasion, and high expression of Tim-3 and Gal-9 were independent risk prognostic factors of OS for newly diagnosed ALL patients (all P<0.05) . There was a positive correlation between the expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9 ( r = 0.788, P<0.01). Conclusions:The high expression of Tim-3 and its ligand Gal-9 are independent effecting factors of poor prognosis in newly diagnosed ALL patients. The expression levels of Tim-3 and Gal-9 can be served as a potential prognostic indicator for ALL patients.