Detection of ATP Level in CD4T Lymphocytes and Its Clinical Significance in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical value of detecting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in CD4T lymphocytes (Immuknow ATP) of patients on early stage after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The base-line ATP value in CD4T lymphocytes in cases of hematological malignancies and the ATP level in CD4T lymphocytes of acute leukemia patients before allo-HSCT were detected. Allo-HSCT recipients were devided into 3 groups with different level of immunereactivity according to ATP concentraiton in month 3 (day 90±5) after allo-HSCT. The clinical characteristics of patients in 3 groups were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mass concentration of Immuknow ATP in 15 cases of hematological malignancies before allo-HSCT ranged from 56.21-435.71 ng/ml, with a mean of 203.98±112.72 ng/ml. The ATP level in 46 cases after allo-HSCT ranged from 1.69-333.09 ng/ml, with a median of 41.96 ng/ml. Both 91.26 ng/ml (mean-SD) and 316.70 ng/ml (mean+SD) were used as cutoff, and 36 allo-HSCT recipients (78.3%) were assigned to low immunereactivity group, 8 recipients (17.4%) to middle group and 2 recipients (4.3%) to high group. The incidence of infection in low immunereactivity group was significantly higher than that in middle immunereactivity group (86.1% vs 50.0%)(P=0.022), and also significantly higher than that in high immunereactivity group (86.1% vs 0%)(P=0.002). There were no statistical differences in the incidences of severe infection among 3 groups. The incidence of grade II or higher acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) in high immunereactivity group was superior to that in low immunereactivity group statistically (100% vs 13.9%)(P=0.002). Immune-mediated organ injury occurred more frequently in high immunereactivity group as compared with low and middle immunereactivity groups (100% vs 0% and vs 0%)(P=0.000; P=0.002). There were no significant differences in relapse rates of leukemia among 3 groups. The percentage of patients with increased trough blood concentration of cyclosporine A(CsA) was not significantly different among 3 groups (P=0.720).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Detection of ATP level in CD4T lymphocytes on early stage after allo-HSCT possesses clinical significance for predicting infection, severity at aGVHD and immune-mediated organ injury.</p>

The effects of thrombopoietin on the fibrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells in absence of megakaryocytes / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to investigate whether or not thrombopoietin (TPO) could promote the fibrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells in absence of megakaryocytes (MKs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Improved dexter culture system with various TPO concentrations was used for ex vivo culture of bone marrow stromal cells. Relative proliferation index, the expressions of fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen, and the systhesis of type III procollagen were detected at different time points during culture process.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TPO stimulated the proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells. Relative proliferation index of the stromal cells increased with the TPO concentration increasing, and was not related to the exposure time. The expressions of fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen appeared stronger in the TPO groups than those in the control group. But the expressions of these molecules were not dependent upon the culture time. TPO could accelerate the synthesis of type III procollagen in bone marrow stromal cells, and this acceleration was unrelated to the TPO concentration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings suggested that TPO could stimulate the stromal cells with a consequence of increased syntheses and secretions of the extracellular matrix and collagen in absence of MKs. In other words, TPO could promote the fibrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells without the existence of MKs.</p>

In vitro activity of human bone marrow cells after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen for 21 - 25 years / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the best method to preserve human bone marrow cells and the effectiveness of long term cryopreservation at -80 degrees C. The human bone marrow cells in 20 samples were firstly frozen by a programmed freezer or -80 degrees C refrigerator, and then were preserved in liquid nitrogen with DMSO-AuP (10% dimethylsulfonamide, 10% autologous plasma) or DMSO-HES-HuA (5% dimethylsulfonamide, 6% hydroxyethyl starch, 4% human serum albumin) as cryoprotectant for 21 to 25 years. They were thawed in 38 degrees C. The cell sample frozen in -80 degrees C refrigerator was frozen at a low frozen speed of 1 degrees C/min which was the same as the programmed freezer before -30 degrees C. Before detection the bone marrow cells were taken from liquid nitrogen and were thawed in 38 degrees C, then the suspension of bone marrow cells was prepared for detection. The cell morphology and recovery rate of erythrocytes, nucleocytes and platelets; the recovery rate of hematopoietic stem progenitors cells, as well as mesenchymal stem cells were determined. The results showed that the protective effectiveness of DMSO-HES-HuA was better than DMSO-AuP. The mature erythrocytes were destroyed lightly [(3.5 +/- 1.5)% versus (12.6 +/- 4.8)%], the hemolysis rate was lower [(3.3 +/- 1.6)% versus (23.1 +/- 5.1)%]. Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in the former was not changed, but was dropped in the latter. The recovery rates of red cell, platelet, granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units and long term culture-initiating cells were higher in the former than that in the latter [(96.1 +/- 1.8)%, (70.0 +/- 9.5)%, (49.2 +/- 10.9)%, (54.2 +/- 13.8)% versus (76.3 +/- 5.6)%, (52.7 +/- 8.1)%, (43.5 +/- 12.3)%, (47.2 +/- 13.6)% respectively]. With each kind of cryoprotectant or frozen method, the frozen MSC could keep the original growth properties. With the same cryoprotectant and different frozen method, the cryopreservative effectiveness was not different. The influence of the cryoprotectant prescriptions and the frozen methods on the cryopreservative effectiveness was little. It is concluded that the human bone marrow cells with DMSO-AuP or DMSO-HES-HuA as cryoprotectant, frozen by a programmed freezer or -80 degrees C refrigerator, could be then preserved in liquid nitrogen for long time. When the preserving time was as long as 21 to 25 years, the morphology, the recovery rate and the activity of various kinds of cells were still good. The method of freezing by -80 degrees C refrigerator with 5% DMSO-6% HES-4% HuA and preserving in liquid nitrogen would be convenient, cheap and easily-manipulated for preservation of the human bone marrow cells.

Effects of recombinant human thrombopoietin on stromal cells in culture in vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate whether the thrombopoietin (rhTPO) may facilitate myelofibrosis or not. The modified Dexter culture system with various concentrations of rhTPO was used to culture the stromal cells in vitro; the proliferative activity of cells was detected by MTT method; the morphologic changes were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy; the staining changes of ALP, PAS, AS-D NCE and IV type collagen were observed by cytochemistry method; the changes of fibronectin, laminin and IV type collagen were assayed by immunohistochemistry method; the cell surface antigens were assayed by flow cytometry. The results indicated that rhTPO could promote the proliferation of stromal cells which was related to the concentrations of rhTPO. Proliferative activity of stromal cells increased with increasing of rhTPO concentration, and was not related to the exposure time. On day 3 stromal cells adhered to the wall, and became oval. On day 7 stromal cells turned to fusiform and scattered dispersively. On day 12 to 14 these cells ranged cyclically and became long fusiform. Cells covered 70%-80% area of bottle bottom at that time. By day 16 to 18 these cells covered more than 90% area of bottom and ranged cyclically. They displayed the same shape as fibroblasts. By light microscopy with Wrights-Giemsa staining, fibroblasts predominated morphologically, few macrophages, endothelial cells and adipose cells were found. There were no significant differences between experimental group and control group. On day 14 to 42 the adherent cells were positive with PAS staining, poorly positive with ALP and naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase (AS-D NCE) staining, and the difference in cytochemistry was not significant between two groups. When these cells were dyed with Masson's trichrome and Gomori's staining, neither collagen fibers nor reticular fibers were positive, but fibronectin, laminin, and collagen type IV appeared positive stronger in experimental group than those in control. The expressions of these molecules were not dependent on culture time. By scanning electron microscopy microvilli and fibers on cell surface appeared more and more, monolayer cells evolved into multilayer cells, and newly-formed fibroblasts appeared gradually as culture time prolonged. These alterations were not different among various groups. The expressions of CD34, CD45, CD105, CD106, and CD166 were not affected obviously by rhTPO. It is concluded that rhTPO had no effects on histochemical properties of stromal cells. Fiber staining and scanning electron microscopic examinations revealed that rhTPO can not facilitate fiber formation of stromal cells. But rhTPO may be able to augment the expressions of fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV of stromal cells. Therefore it is still necessary to follow up the patients for a long time, who have received rhTPO therapy clinically.

Comparison of different cryopreservation systems for peripheral blood stem cells / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore proper cryopreservative systems for hematopoietic stem cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 persons were mixed with different cryopreservative agent, dimethyl suflfoxide (DMSO) or combination of DMSO and hydroxyethyl starch (HES), then cooled in -80 degrees C low temperature refrigerator (Refr) or autocontrolled programmed cryogenic system (PCS), preserved in Refr or in liquid nitrogen. GM-CFU, LTC-IC, CD34+ cells and typeran blue resistance (TBR) were assayed after different period of cryopreservation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recovery rates of CFU-GM, LTC-IC, CD34+ cells and TBR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells which were cooled and preserved in Refr with 5% DMSO-6% HES were 82.2% +/- 14.7%, 83.0% +/- 12.2%, 94.2% +/- 4.3% and 97.7% +/- 3.9% respectively, significantly higher than that in Refr with 10% DMSO (P < 0.05). When cells were cryopreservated with the same cryopreservatives, there was no significantly difference of recovery rate in group of Refr and group of Refr with PCS. Meanwhile, there was not significantly difference of recovery rate among all three groups, preserved in Refr ahead of liquid nitrogen, in Refr merely, in liquid nitrogen with PCS within one year (p > 0.05). However, the recovery rate of CFU-GM, LTC- IC, CD34+ cells and TBR decreased dramatically if cells were cooled and preserved in Refr for two years. After cells were thawed, the cell activity declined gradually at room temperature if the cryopreservatives were not removed or diluted. The cell activity of 10% DMSO group was affected more than that of 5% DMSO-6% HES group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>5% DMSO-6% HES is better than 10% DMSO as cryopreservatives for hematopoietic stem cells. Refr cryopreservation is a simple and effective method if cells would be cryopreserved for less than one year. If cells would be cryopreserved for more than one year, liquid nitrogen cryopreservation should be recommended. The cryopreservatives should be diluted or removed immediately after cells were thawed.</p>

Influence of cryopreservation on leukemic dendritic cells derived from leukemia patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of cryopreservation on biological properties and function of leukemic dendritic cells (L-DCs) derived from patients with acute or chronic leukemia. Some fresh leukemic cells were detected immediately; some were cultured immediately; some were cryopreserved in -80 degrees C with 5% DMSO-6% HES as cryopreservor. After being thawed, they were cultured. The combination of rhGM-CSF, rhIL-4, rhTNF-alpha and other cytokines were added into the culture system. 12 days later, L-DCs were assayed for morphology, immunophenotype, mixed lymphocytic reaction (MLR) and CTL cytotoxicity on autologous leukemic cells. The results showed that both fresh and cryopreserved leukemic cells obtained from patients with acute or chronic leukemia revealed typical DC morphologically by means of using combinations of cytokines in culture, but there was no significant difference between pre-or post cryopreservations. L-DCs also upregulated the expression of CD80, CD54, HLA-DR, CD1a, CD83 and CD86, and downregulated the expression of CD14, but there was also no difference as compared with L-DCs befor cryopreservation. L-DCs derived from leukemic cells were also capable of stimulating MLR and inducing CTL which could kill autologous leukemic cells obviously. It is concluded that leukemic cells, regardless of fresh or frozen, can induce L-DCs after culture with cytokine combination. The L-DCs can induce CTL targeting autologous leukemic cells, and may be used to treat MRD as immunotherapy. The induction and biological properties of L-DCs are not influenced by cryopreservation.

Effect of total Panax notoginseng saponins on inducing differentiation of mononuclear cells in human cord blood into endothelial cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

To investigate the effect of total panax notoginseng saponins (tPNS) to induce the differentiation of mononuclear cells (MNC) in cord blood into endothelial cells, the DMEM culture media containing tPNS were used to induce the MNC of cord blood. Then, the morphology of the adherent cells was observed by the light microscopy and the fluorescence microscopy, the changes of cell surface markers (UEA-1), function marker (vWF) and CD31 were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that the number of adherent cells produced by 250 mg/L tPNS and the positive rate of cells expressing CD31 and UEA-1 were higher than those in the groups of other concentrations (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of adherent cells expressing CD31 and UEA-1 between 50 ng/ml VEGF + 250 mg/L tPNS and 50 ng/ml VEGF. It is concluded that the traditional Chinese drug tPNS can induce partial MNC in the cord blood to differentiate into endothelial cells. No synergistic effect has been found between tPNS and VEGF.

Vascular endothelial progenitor cells and cytokines related to hematopoietic regulation--review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) is a subtype of progenitor cells that can circulate, proliferate and have the ability to differentiate into mature endothelial cells. Exploration of EPC have significance to understand the vascular forming process of adults physiologically and pathologically. Cytokines, especially haematopoiesis-related cytokines, cellular stimulating factors in the body also influence EPC. In this review, the advances of research on the relationship between EPC and some cytokines related with haematopoiesis (G-CSF, EPO, HAPO and IL-18) and the potential signal transduction pathway were summarised.