Background and Objectives: This study was to investigate the role of microRNA-29a-3p (miR-29a-3p) in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and its relationship with steroid-associated osteonecrosis. Methods: and Results: The online tool GEO2R was used to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE123568 dataset. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of miR-29a-3p, forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein (OCN) and RUNX family transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the hBMSCs isolated from the patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis. CCK-8 assay was executed to measure cell viability; western blot assay was utilized to detect FOXO3, ALP, Runx2, OCN and β-catenin expression. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the sub-cellular localization of β-catenin. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to confirm whether miR-29a-3p can combine with FOXO3 3’UTR. MiR-29a-3p was markedly up-regulated in the hBMSCs of patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis, while FOXO3 mRNA was significantly down-regulated. Transfection of miR-29a-3p mimics significantly inhibited the hBMSCs’ proliferation, osteogenic differentiation markers’ expressions, including ALP, Runx2, OCN, and repressed the ALP activity, as well as promoted cell apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. FOXO3 was identified as a target gene of miR-29a-3p, and miR-29a-3p can inhibit the expression of FOXO3 and β-catenin, and inhibition of miR-29a-3p promoted translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus. Conclusions MiR-29a-3p can modulate FOXO3 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling to inhibit viability and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, thereby promoting the development of steroid-associated osteonecrosis.

Objective To establish a novel method to detect autoantibodies against platelatespecific receptors by flow cytometric bead assay and study its clinical application. Methods The beads were coated with monoclonal antibodies SZ2, SZ22, SZ21 and 7E3 against platelet GP Ⅰ b, GP Ⅱ b, GP Ⅲa and GP Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a, respectively. Captured platelet glycoprotein and beads complex was detected by FITC labeled polyclonal goat antihuman immunoglobulin using flow cytometer. The platelet samples that reacted with antibodies (SZ2, SZ22, SZ21 and 7E3) negatively and positively were tested, respectively. Each sample was repeated 20 times to generate intra-day CV for the MFI and once a day for 8 days to generate inter-day CV values. The 85 ITP patients, 17 NITP patients and 50 controls from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University during March 2006 to December 2008 were included in the studies. The sensitivity and specificity of these four platelet antibodies to diagnose ITP were analyzed using ROC curve. The results were compared with MAIPA. Results The CV of the intra-day-assay for samples negative to antibody SZ2, SZ22,SZ21 and 7E3 were 3.26%, 2. 86%, 1.65% and 4. 94%, respectively; While the CV of the intra-day-assay for samples positive to antibody SZ2, SZ22, SZ21 and 7E3 were 6. 16%, 4. 88%, 5.20% and 5. 85%,respectively. The CV of the inter-day-assay for samples negative to antibody SZ2, SZ22, SZ21 and 7E3 were 5. 86%, 4. 74%, 5.69% and 7.56%, respectively; While the CV of the inter-day-assay for samples positive to antibody SZ2, SZ22, SZ21 and 7E3 were 7.53%, 5.49%, 7.11% and 6.25%,respectively. The MFI for SZ2 in ITP group, NITP group and healthy control group were 1.49(0. 88-16. 24),1.12(1.00-1.33), 1.01 (0. 83-1.37), respectively, which showed significant differences (H = 36.89,P＜0.01). The MFI for SZ22 in the three groups were 1.55 (0.84-11.30), 1.13(1.03-1.29), 0.98(0. 85-1.24), respectively (H=28.41, P ＜0.01). The MFI of SZ21 were 1.50 (0.87-11.04), 1.13(0.97-1.32), 1.05 (0.85-1.48), respectively (H=54.42, P＜0. 01). The MFI for7E3 were 1.51(0. 84-9.81), 1.05(0.86-1.13), 1.03 (0.74-1.28), respectively (H =31.97, P ＜0.01). Based on ROC analysis, with cut-off values of 1.37, 1. 24, 1.48 and 1.28 for SZ2, SZ22, SZ21 and 7E3,respectively, the AUC were 0. 86, 0.90, 0. 87 and 0. 84, respectively. The sensitivities of the assays were 58. 82% (50/85), 52. 94% (45/85), 52.94% (45/85) and 51.76% (44/85), respectively. When all four antibodies were used, the sensitivity was increased to 74. 12% (63/85), which was higher than that of MAIPA [ 50. 59% (43/85) ,χ2 = 6. 78, P ＜ 0. 05) ]. Conclusion Flow cytometric bead assay can be used to detect four platelet-specific autoantibodies simultaneously, and may be a useful method to aid in the diagnosis of ITP.

To explore the roles of astrocytes in the epileptogenesis, astrocytes and neurons were isolated, purified and cultured in vitro from cerebral cortex of rats. The astrocytes were activated by ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and astrocytic conditioned medium (ACM) was collected to treat neurons for 4, 8 and 12 h. By using Western blot, the expression of calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and adenylate cyclase (AC) was detected in neurons. The results showed that the expression of CaMK II, iNOS and AC was increased significantly in the neurons treated with ACM from 4 h to 12 h (P<0.05), and that of iNOS and AC peaked at 8 h and 12 h respectively. It was suggested that there might be some epileptogenic factors in the ACM and such signal pathways as NOS-NO-cGMP, Ca2+/CaM-CaMK II and AC-cAMP-PKA might take part in the signal transduction of epileptogenesis.

To explore the roles of astrocytes in the epileptogenesis, astrocytes and neurons were isolated, purified and cultured in vitro from cerebral cortex of rats. The astrocytes were activated by ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and astrocytic conditioned medium (ACM) was collected to treat neurons for 4, 8 and 12 h. By using Western blot, the expression of calmodulin dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMK Ⅱ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and adenylate cyclase (AC) was detected in neurons. The results showed that the expression of CaMK Ⅱ, iNOS and AC was increased significantly in the neurons treated with ACM from 4 h to 12 h (P＜0.05), and that of iNOS and AC peaked at 8 h and 12 h respectively. It was suggested that there might be some epileptogenic factors in the ACM and such signal pathways as NOS-NO-cGMP, Ca2+/CaM-CaMK Ⅱ and AC-cAMP-PKA might take part in the signal transduction of epileptogenesis.

To explore the effect of coriaria lactone (CL)-activated astrocyte-conditioned medium on the cerebral TNF-α of normal rats, the CL-activated astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) was injected into the lateral ventricle of SD rats. The rats were observed for behavioral changes, and the changes of the expression of TNF-α in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were immunohistochemically examined by employing SP method. TNF-α level was assessed by means of radioimmunoassay in homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus as well as cerebrospinal fluid. Seizure episodes were observed in ACM group 30 min after the ACM injection, but they were not observed in the control group.Immunohistochemical detection showed that the immunoreaction of TNF-α in hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats were stronger than that of the control group 4 h after the ACM injection (P＜0.05). In this group, the concentrations of TNF-α in homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus and cerebrospinal fluid were higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05). Itis suggested that the ACM activated by CL can enhance the expression of TNF-α in normal rats,and is related to epileptogenesis.

To explore the effect of coriaria lactone (CL)-activated astrocyte-conditioned medium on the cerebral TNF-alpha of normal rats, the CL-activated astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) was injected into the lateral ventricle of SD rats. The rats were observed for behavioral changes, and the changes of the expression of TNF-alpha in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were immunohistochemically examined by employing SP method. TNF-alpha level was assessed by means of radioimmunoassay in homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus as well as cerebrospinal fluid. Seizure episodes were observed in ACM group 30 min after the ACM injection, but they were not observed in the control group. Immunohistochemical detection showed that the immunoreaction of TNF-alpha in hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats were stronger than that of the control group 4 h after the ACM injection (P<0. 05). In this group, the concentrations of TNF-alpha in homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus and cerebrospinal fluid were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). It is suggested that the ACM activated by CL can enhance the expression of TNF-alpha in normal rats, and is related to epileptogenesis.

Summary: To explore the mechanism of epilepsy induced by IL-1β and IL-6, the changes of glutamic acid (Glu) and GABA immunoreaction in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats with seizure induced by IL-1β or IL-6 were studied. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (intracerebroventricular injection (icv) of NS), IL-1β group (icv injection of IL-1β) and IL-6 group (i.c.v. injection of IL-6). 120 min after the icv injection of reagents of IL-1β or IL-6, behavioral changes were observed and Glu and GABA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were examined by means of immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that no seizure developed in the control group, while moderate seizure was observed in IL-1β group and IL-6 group. Compared with the controls, the immunoreaction of Glu was significantly increased, while GABA was obviously decreased in IL-1β group and IL-6 group after 120 min. Our study suggested that the IL-1β and IL-6 might promote and induce epilepsy by increasing Glu and decreasing GABA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

The effects of chloroquine on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats with seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) were observed in the present study. Forty-eight male adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, chloroquine intervening group, and PTZ group. The behavior and electroencephalogram (EEG) were observed and recor ded. GFAP and PCNA were examined with immunohistochemistry. The content of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was inspected with Western blot. The results showed no seizure activity in the control group, severe seizure activity in the PTZ group (Ⅳ-Ⅴ degree), and slight seizure activity ( Ⅰ - Ⅲ degree) in the chloroquine intervening group (P＜0. 05). EEG recordings showed no epileptic spikes in the control group, high amplitude with fast frequency in the PTZ group, low-amplitude and slow frequency in the chloroquine intervening group. The expression of GFAP and the positive index of PCNA in the PTZ group were higher than those of control group (P ＜0.05 and P＜0.01, respectively). No differences in GFAP expression and PCNA index were observed between chloroquine intervening and control groups (P＞0.05). The content of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was significantly higher in the PTZ group than in control and chloroquine intervening groups (P＜ 0.05). Therefore, it is considered that chloroquine, by inhibiting the functions and proliferation of glial cells in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, can alleviate the seizure activities. These results suggest that chloroquine may be an ideal anticonvulsant in preventing and treating epilepsy.

To explore the mechanism of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the onset of seizure and the effect of IL-1beta on the expression of adenylyl cyclase (AC) in rats with seizure induced by L-glutamate. Experimental rats were first injected with IL-1beta and then L-glutamate (a dose under the threshold) was injected into the right lateral ventricle. The rats were sacrificed 4 h after the onset of epileptic activity and examined for changes in behavior, immunohistochemistry and compared with those with seizure induced by L-glutamate alone. It was found that the expression of AC in hippocampal and neocortex of rats with seizure induced by IL-1beta and L-glutamate were stronger than that of control group (P<0.05), without significant difference found between the L-glutamate group and IL-1beta plus L-glutamate group in the expression of AC, the latent period and the severity of seizure. When IL-ra were given (i.c.v.) first, there was no epileptic activity and the expression of AC did not increase. There were no differences in the expression of AC of rats with IL-1ra and that of control rats. But when 2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl) glycine (MCCG) was given (i.c.v.) first, the strongest expression of AC, the shortest latent period and the the most serious seizure activities were observed. The results indicated that IL-1beta could facilitate the onset of epilepsy induced by L-glutamate through IL-1R, metabotropic glutamate receptors might work with IL-1R and the increased expression of AC might be involved in the process.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Glutamic Acid ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neocortex ; metabolism ; Rats ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical, biological features and prognosis of acute biphenotypic leukemia (BAL) in the adults.

METHODSBone marrow specimens of 63 BAL patients were evaluated to prove the diagnosis and the classification by morphologic, cytochemical, immunologic and cytogenetic (MIC) examinations. These patients were treated with protocols suitable for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), or both.

RESULTSNo significant difference in clinical features was observed between BAL, AML or ALL. Morphologically, the subtypes of M(5), M(1) and M(2) were predominant in AML, as L(2) and L(1) were in ALL. Immunologically, coexpression of myeloid and B lineage associated antigens was predominant and CD(34) was hyperexpressed in BAL, which suggested that BAL might originate from malignant transformation of earlier hematopoietic cells. Cytogenetically, Ph chromosome was observed in 25.5% (13/51) of BAL patients. Prognostically, both the treatment response and the overall survival of BAL patients were poor.

CONCLUSIONPatients with BAL have unique clinical, biological and prognostic features.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytogenetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology