Aging and comprehensive molecular profiling in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aging-related and heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy. In this study, a total of 1,474 newly diagnosed AML patients with RNA sequencing data were enrolled, and targeted or whole exome sequencing data were obtained in 94% cases. The correlation of aging-related factors including age and clonal hematopoiesis (CH), gender, and genomic/transcriptomic profiles (gene fusions, genetic mutations, and gene expression networks or pathways) was systematically analyzed. Overall, AML patients aged 60 y and older showed an apparently dismal prognosis. Alongside age, the frequency of gene fusions defined in the World Health Organization classification decreased, while the positive rate of gene mutations, especially CH-related ones, increased. Additionally, the number of genetic mutations was higher in gene fusion-negative (GF-) patients than those with GF. Based on the status of CH- and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)-related mutations, three mutant subgroups were identified among the GF- AML cohort, namely, CH-AML, CH-MDS-AML, and other GF- AML. Notably, CH-MDS-AML demonstrated a predominance of elderly and male cases, cytopenia, and significantly adverse clinical outcomes. Besides, gene expression networks including HOXA/B, platelet factors, and inflammatory responses were most striking features associated with aging and poor prognosis in AML. Our work has thus unraveled the intricate regulatory circuitry of interactions among different age, gender, and molecular groups of AML.

A global study for acute myeloid leukemia with RARG rearrangement.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with retinoic acid receptor γ (RARG) rearrangement has clinical, morphologic, and immunophenotypic features similar to classic acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, AML with RARG rearrangement is insensitive to alltrans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) and carries a poor prognosis. We initiated a global cooperative study to define the clinicopathological features, genomic and transcriptomic landscape, and outcomes of AML with RARG rearrangements collected from 29 study groups/institutions worldwide. Thirty-four patients with AML with RARG rearrangements were identified. Bleeding or ecchymosis was present in 18 (54.5%) patients. Morphology diagnosed as M3 and M3v accounted for 73.5% and 26.5% of the cases, respectively. Immunophenotyping showed the following characteristics: positive for CD33, CD13, and MPO but negative for CD38, CD11b, CD34, and HLA-DR. Cytogenetics showed normal karyotype in 38% and t(11;12) in 26% of patients. The partner genes of RARG were diverse and included CPSF6, NUP98, HNRNPc, HNRNPm, PML, and NPM1. WT1- and NRAS/KRAS-mutations were common comutations. None of the 34 patients responded to ATRA and/or ATO. Death within 45 days from diagnosis occurred in 10 patients (∼29%). At the last follow-up, 23 patients had died, and the estimated 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse, event-free survival, and overall survival were 68.7%, 26.7%, and 33.5%, respectively. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering using RNA sequencing data from 201 patients with AML showed that 81.8% of the RARG fusion samples clustered together, suggesting a new molecular subtype. RARG rearrangement is a novel entity of AML that confers a poor prognosis. This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200055810).

Transcriptome-based molecular subtypes and differentiation hierarchies improve the classification framework of acute myeloid leukemia.

The current classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relies largely on genomic alterations. Robust identification of clinically and biologically relevant molecular subtypes from nongenomic high-throughput sequencing data remains challenging. We established the largest multicenter AML cohort (n = 655) in China, with all patients subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and 619 (94.5%) to targeted or whole-exome sequencing (TES/WES). Based on an enhanced consensus clustering, eight stable gene expression subgroups (G1-G8) with unique clinical and biological significance were identified, including two unreported (G5 and G8) and three redefined ones (G4, G6, and G7). Apart from four well-known low-risk subgroups including PML::RARA (G1), CBFB::MYH11 (G2), RUNX1::RUNX1T1 (G3), biallelic CEBPA mutations or -like (G4), four meta-subgroups with poor outcomes were recognized. The G5 (myelodysplasia-related/-like) subgroup enriched clinical, cytogenetic and genetic features mimicking secondary AML, and hotspot mutations of IKZF1 (p.N159S) (n = 7). In contrast, most NPM1 mutations and KMT2A and NUP98 fusions clustered into G6-G8, showing high expression of HOXA/B genes and diverse differentiation stages, from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell down to monocyte, namely HOX-primitive (G7), HOX-mixed (G8), and HOX-committed (G6). Through constructing prediction models, the eight gene expression subgroups could be reproduced in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Beat AML cohorts. Each subgroup was associated with distinct prognosis and drug sensitivities, supporting the clinical applicability of this transcriptome-based classification of AML. These molecular subgroups illuminate the complex molecular network of AML, which may promote systematic studies of disease pathogenesis and foster the screening of targeted agents based on omics.

Long noncoding RNA MIR210HG is induced by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and promotes cervical cancer progression.

Increasing evidence has indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in various types of cancer, especially the ability of tumor cells to adapt to hypoxia conditions. However, only a few of them have been experimentally validated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). In the current study, we identified a hypoxia-induced lncRNA MIR210HG was excessively expressed in CSCC tissues and regulated by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E6 and E7 via hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). Functional assays revealed the role of MIR210HG in promoting proliferation, migration and invasion of CSCC cells in vitro under normoxia as well as hypoxia conditions. Meanwhile, stable MIR210HG silencing dramatically repressed tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, the depletion of MIR210HG or HIF-1α decreased each other's expression level, while silencing MIR210HG or HIF-1α respectively downregulated the expression levels of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), one of key metabolic enzymes in the glycolysis pathway. Furthermore, decreased expression of PGK1 by HIF-1α knockdown was reversed through the overexpression of MIR210HG. Also, we demonstrated HIF-1α can activate the transcription of MIR210HG via binding its promoter. Taken together, these results expand our understanding of the cancer-associated functions of hypoxia-induced lncRNAs, and highlight MIR210HG forms a feedback loop with HIF-1α contributing to cervical carcinogenesis, with potential implications for therapeutic targeting.

Myosin 1b promotes migration, invasion and glycolysis in cervical cancer via ERK/HIF-1α pathway.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicated that metabolic reprograming is essential and has been regarded as a hallmark of cancer. Although the biological functions of Myosin 1b (Myo1b) have been reported in several malignancies, the correlation between Myo1b and cancer metabolism, and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive, particularly in cervical cancer (CC). METHODS: Myo1b and other glycolytic enzymes expression levels were examined in CC cells and tumor tissues from xenograft models by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The biological impacts and regulatory mechanisms of Myo1b on cell migration, invasion and glycolysis were explored. Also, the effects of Myo1b on carcinogenesis and metastasis in nude mice were investigated. RESULTS: Upregulation of Myo1b was found in CC tissues and associated with poor prognosis. Overexpressed Myo1b not only significantly elevated CC cell glycolysis, migration and invasion in vitro, but also promoted tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Conversely, Myo1b knockdown had opposite consequences. Moreover, our study suggested that Myo1b stimulated ERK/HIF-1α pathway and its downstream glycolysis associated genes to modulate the glycolysis, migration and invasion of CC. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that Myo1b regulates migration, invasion and glycolysis in CC through ERK/HIF-1α pathway, suggesting a promising remedial target in treatment of CC.

[Effect of LPXN Overexpression on the Proliferation, Adhesion and Invasion of THP-1 Cells and Its Mechamisms].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of LPXN overexpression on the proliferation, adhesion and invasion of THP-1 cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS: A THP-1 cell line with stable overexpression of LPXN was constucted by using a lentivirus method, CCK-8 was used to detect the proliferation of cells, adhesion test was used to evaluate adhesion ablity of cells to Fn. Transwell assay was used to detect the change of invasion capability. Western blot was used to detect expression of LPXN, ERK, pERK and integrin α4, α5, ß1, the Gelatin zymography was applied to detect activity of MMP2/MMP9 secreted by the THP-1 cells. RESULTS: Successful establishment of THP-1 cells with LPXN overexpression (THP-1 LPXN) was confirmed with Western blot. THP-1 LPXN cells were shown to proliferate faster than the control THP-1 vector cells. Adhesion to Fn and expression of ERK, integrin α4, α5 and ß1 in the THP-1 LPXN cells were higher than that in the control cells. Invasion across matrigel and enhanced activity of MMP2 could be detected both in the THP-1 LPXN cells as compared with the control cells. CONCLUSION: Ectopically ovexpression of LPXN may promote proliferation of THP-1 cells through up-regulation of ERK; promote adhesion of THP-1 cells through up-regulating the integrin α4/ß1 as well as integrin α5/ß1 complex; promote invasion of THP-1 cells through activating MMP2.

[Genotype Analysis of Hemoglobinopathy in Chinese Jiangsu Population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genotype distribution of hemoglobinopathy in Chinese Jiangsu population. METHOD: A total of 4115 samples were screened for hemaglobinopathy by using MCV combined with erythrocyte fragility tests and HPLC. Thalassemia genotypes were identified by Gap-PCR and Recerse Dot blot. PCR-DNA sequencing and PCR-elecrophoresis were used as supplement of PCR-RBD and for identifying the mutants of globin gene of abnormal hemoglobin. RESULTS: The positive screening rate was 6.10% (251/4115) in Chinese Jiangsu population, 232 cases received thalassemia genotype diagnosis and from them 195 people were positive. In all positive ones, α-thalassemia, ß-thalassemia, α-thalassemia combined with ß-thalassemia, SEA-HPFH and SEA-HPFH combined with ß-thalassemia were found respectively to be 31.28% (61/232), 66.15% (129/232), 1.54% (3/232), 0.43% (1/232) and 0.43% (1/232) of patients. The majority genotype of α-thalassemia was - - (SEA) and IVS-II-654 was the main genotype of ß-thalassemia, 11 cases of abnormal hemoglobin were found, including 3 cases of Hb E, 1 Hb Kenitra, 1 Hb Seattle, 1 Hb Saitama, 1 Hb Bushwick, 1 Hb Koln and 1 Hb M-Milwaukee-2. CONCLUSION: The main hemoglobinpathy is thalassemia in Chinese Jiangsu province and the HPLC play an important role in screening hemoglobinpathy. There is reference value of this study for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Molecular magnetic resonance probe targeting VEGF165: preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

A new method for imaging the tumor human vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF 165) is presented. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe was prepared by crosslinking ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles to the aptamer for tumor vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165-aptamer). The molecular probe was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo activities toward VEGF165. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the VEGF165-aptamer-USPIO nanoparticles conjugate specifically binds to VEGF165 in vitro. A cell proliferation test showed that VEGF165-aptamer-USPIO seems to block the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by free VEGF165, suggesting that VEGF165 is an effective target of this molecular probe. In xenograft mice carrying liver cancer that expresses VEGF165, T2-weighted imaging of the tumor displayed marked negative enhancement 3 h after the intravenous administration of VEGF165-aptamer-USPIO. The enhancement disappeared 6 h after administration of the probe. These results suggest the targeted imaging effect of VEGF165-aptamer-USPIO probe in vivo for VEGF165-expressing tumors. This is the first report of a targeted MRI molecular probe based on USPIO and VEGF165-aptamer.

T-SPOT.TB for detection of tuberculosis infection among hematological malignancy patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

The diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is recommended in hematological malignancy patients and before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Guidelines for the prevention and management of infectious complications of solid organ transplantation, 2004). Compared to traditional methods such as tuberculin skin test (TST), T-SPOT.TB has been shown to be more specific. In the present study we enrolled 536 patients for whom T-SPOT.TB was performed, among which 295 patients also received the TST test. The agreement (79%) between T-SPOT.TB and TST was poor (?=0.274, P<0.001). The patients with positive T-SPOT.TB results numbered 62 (11.6%), in which only 20 (48.8%) of the 41 receiving the TST test had positive results. A majority of the patients with T-SPOT.TB positive results had some other evidence ofTB, such as TB history, clinical symptoms and an abnormal chest CT scan. Active TB was found in 9 patients, in which 2 had negative TST results. We followed up the patients and no one developed active TB. Our study suggested that the T-SPOT.TB may be more useful for screening LTBI and active TB in hematological malignancy patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients than the TST test.

[Preliminary study of PBDE levels in house dust and human exposure to PBDEs via dust ingestion].

Fifty-two house dust samples were randomly collected in Guangzhou and Haikou City, to analyze the concentrations of Sigma10 PBDEs (sum of BDE 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209), the PBDE composition profiles, and possible influencing factors, and estimate human exposure to PBDEs via dust ingestion for adults and toddlers. The results showed that PBDEs were found in all samples, with the Sigma10 PBDEs concentrations ranging from 544.2 ng/g to 9 654 ng/g, and with median (mean) of 2 547 (3 096) ng/g. The PBDE levels in Guangzhou samples were obviously higher than those in Haikou. No significant correlations between PBDE levels and residential characteristics (number of TVs, computers, and polyurethane foam-contained furniture, time of using TVs and computers) were observed. BDE209, with a mean concentration of 3 021 ng/g, was the dominated congener, contributing 73.70%-99.74% to the Sigma10 PBDEs, with a mean contribution of 96.85%. BDE 47, 99 and 183 were the most abundant congeners of Sigma9 PBDEs (BDE 209 excluded), with a mean contribution of 24.48%, 23.99%, and 21.66%, respectively. There is no notable difference in PBDE composition between Guangzhou and Haikou samples. The estimated exposure for adults and toddlers to PBDEs ranged from 10.59 ng/d to 254.7 ng/d and from 140.1 ng/d to 509.3 ng/d, respectively. Due to their increased dust ingestion rates, toddlers in took more PBDEs via dust ingestion than adults. Dust ingestion was an important human exposure route for PBDEs, especially for toddlers.

[Effect of lentivirus-mediated APP695 RNAi on Aß level in cortical neurons of APP695 transgenic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of lentivirus-mediated APP695 RNAi on Aß level in the cortical neurons of APP695 transgenic mice. METHODS: The pFU-GW-iRNA plasmids expressing the RNAi sequences of human APP695 gene were confirmed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and sequencing. The recombined plasmids in combination with pHelper 1.0 and Helper 2.0 plasmids were transfected into 293T cells so as to construct the lentiviral vectors of RNA interference of APP695 gene. Virus in supernatant was collected and the viral titer measured. The cortical neurons of APP695 transgenic mice were infected with the packaged lentivirus. And it was designated as APP695-RNAi group. Cells infected with APP695-NC was designated as NC group and non-infected cells as CON group. The levels of APP695 mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The APP695 protein was detected by Western blot and the levels of Aß40 and Aß402 were measured by ELlSA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: PCR and DNA sequencing demonstrated that the inserted sequences of APP695 shRNA were correct. The viral titer was 5 × 10(8) TU/ml. After the infection of APP695 shRNA recombinant lentivirus, the expression level of APP695 mRNA in the cortical neurons of APP695 transgenic mice decreased significantly (inhibition rate: 76.70%) versus NC and CON groups (P < 0.001). The lowered expression of APP695 proteins was consistent with APP695 mRNA. The levels of Aß40 were (184 ± 15) ng/L, (647 ± 30) ng/L and (656 ± 40) ng/L in APP695-RNAi, NC and CON groups respectively. As compared with NC and CON groups, the levels of Aß40 in APP695-RNAi group decreased significantly (P < 0.001). The levels of Aß42 were (19.2 ± 1. 9) ng/L, (67.6 ± 6.0) ng/L and (68.6 ± 7.0) ng/L in APP695-RNAi, NC and CON groups respectively. As compared with NC and CON groups, the levels of Aß42 decreased significantly in APP695-RNAi group(P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The inhibition of APP695 by lentivirus-mediated RNAi effectively decreases the levels of Aß40 and Aß42 in the cortical neurons of APP695 transgenic mice.

Positive selection of anti-thy-1 autoreactive B-1 cells and natural serum autoantibody production independent from bone marrow B cell development.

A natural serum autoantibody specific for the Thy-1 glycoprotein (anti-Thy-1 autoantibody [ATA]) is produced by B-1 cells that are positively selected by self-antigen. Here, using ATA micro kappa transgenic mice we show that cells with this B cell receptor are negatively selected during bone marrow (BM) development. In a Thy-1 null environment, BM ATA B cells progress to a normal follicular stage in spleen. However, in a self-antigen-positive environment, development is arrested at an immature stage in the spleen, concomitant with induction of CD5. Such cells are tolerant and short-lived, different from B-1. Nonetheless, ATA-positive selection was evident by self-antigen-dependent high serum ATA production, comprising approximately 90% of serum immunoglobulin M in ATA micro kappa mice. Splenectomy did not eliminate ATA production and transfer of tolerant splenic B cells did not induce it. These findings demonstrate that B-1 positive selection, resulting in the production of natural serum ATA, arises independently from the major pathway of BM B cell development and selection.