Objective: To determine the expression of melanoma-associated antigens D4(MAGED4) and SIRT7 in human glioma, and to analyze the potential effects of MAGED4 and SIRT7 on glioma cell proliferation. Methods: The MAGED4 and SIRT7 expression levels and their correlation were compared by the China glioma genome atlas(CGGA), human protein atlas(HPA), and UALCAN databases. Survival analysis, ROC curve analysis, and Cox regression analysis were used to predict the outcome of MAGED4 and SIRT 7 in glioma patients. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis were used to explore the biological functions of MAGED4 and SIRT7 in glioma. Western blot experiment was used to investigate whether MAGED4 protein exerted its regulatory effects on the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via SIRT7. The effect of MAGED4 on cell proliferation in glioma through SIRT7 was explored by CCK-8. Results: The analysis results of CGGA, UALCAN, and HPA databases showed that the expression levels of MAGED4 and SIRT7 in glioma tissues were higher than those in normal brain tissue, and the expression were positively correlated. Results of survival, ROC, and Cox analysis showed that high expression of MAGED4 and SIRT7 mRNA were risk factors for poor prognosis in glioma. Results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MAGED4 and SIRT7 were associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling in glioma, and Western blot results showed that MAGED4 activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by regulating SIRT7. The CCK-8 results showed that MAGED4 promotes the proliferation of glioma cells through SIRT7. Conclusion MAGED4 and SIRT7 are highly expressed in glioma and associated with poor prognosis, and MAGED4 promotes glioma cell proliferation through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by SIRT7.

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of detecting podocalyxin (PCX) level in urinary extracellular vesicles for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODSThis study was conducted among 57 diabetic patients admitted during the period from March to September, 2017, including 34 with uncomplicated diabetics and 23 with diabetic nephropathy; 21 patients with other types of nephropathy and 11 healthy individuals were also included to serve as the controls. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were used to verify the separation of urinary extracellular vesicles. The molecular markers of extracellular vesicles (TSG101 and podocalyxin [PCX]) were detected using Western blotting. PCX levels in extracellular vesicles were also detected using ELISA.

RESULTSTEM reveal the presence of numerous extracellular vesicles in the urine with intact morphology and different sizes, and most of them were below 300 nm in diameter as shown by NTA. TSG101 expression was detected in the samples from all the 4 groups. Positive expression of PCX was detected in the samples from patients with diabetic nephropathy but not in the other groups. In patients with diabetic nephropathy, the mean PCX levels (3.27±2.30 ng/μmol)was significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (1.22±0.36 ng/μmol), uncomplicated diabetes group (2.22±1.29 ng/μmol) and nephropathy group (1.24±0.45 ng/μmol).

CONCLUSIONSPCX level in urinary extracellular vesicles is significantly increased in patients with diabetic nephropathy, suggesting the value of PCX as a potential marker for clinical diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND:Little data have been available concerning the mechanism of drag resistance and anti-apoptosis in leukemic cells of leukemia children.The majority of studies focus on normal bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and established stroma cells,but not interaction of MSCs and leukemic cells in leukemia children.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of MSCs in leukemia children on the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemic cell strain K562/AO_2.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:In vitro cytology experiment was performed at the laboratory of Department of Pediatrics,First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College from December 2007 to August 2008.MATERIALS:MSCs were provided by 30 leukemia children admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College,including 22 acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 8 acute myeloblastic leukemia.Written informed content was obtained from all families.K562/AO_2 was provided by Tianjin Institute of Hematopathy.METHODS:MSCs were isolated and cultured by Ficoll density gradient method.They were cultured in two conditions:the co-culture of MSCs and K562/AO_2 and K562/AO_2 suspension alone.In co-culture group,1×10~8 /L K562/AO_2 cells at log phase were added to confluent MSCs,and free floating K562/AO_2 cells were discarded after 24 hours.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Effect of MSCs on the growth of K562/AO_2 cells was observed;effect of addamycln on K562/AO_2 cell apoptosis was detected by AnnexinV-FITC method.Cell cycle was determined by flow cytomtry,mdrl gene of K562/AO_2 cell was detected by Taqman-MGB probe real-time PCR.RESULTS:Compared with K562/AO_2 alone,the K562/AO_2 cell co-cultured with MSCs grew slower and the log phase of growth was not significant;the rate of apoptosis in earlier period was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05);co-cultured K562/AO_2 G_0-G_1 phase increased,but S phase decreased.No changes in mdr1 gene in cells were found between two culture conditions (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION:In vitro cytology has demonstrated that leukemia children MSCs induce drug resistance of K562/AO_2 cells by changing K562/AO2 cell cycle through adhesion to avoid pro-apoptotic effect of drugs but not related with mdr1 gene.