Expression characteristics of neutrophil and mononuclear-phagocyte related genes mRNA in the stable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction stages of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression differences of neutrophil and mononuclear phagocyte related gene mRNAs among acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stable angina (SA) and control groups, and then discuss their expression characteristics in the stable angina pectoris (SAP) and AMI stages of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarrays were applied to assess the differential expression characteristics of neutrophil and mononuclear phagocyte related mRNAs in patients with AMI (n = 20), SA (n = 20) and controls (n = 20). RESULTS: (1) Almost all colony-stimulating factors (CSF) and their receptors related mRNAs was up-regulated in AMI and SA groups compared with the control group, and the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) mRNAs in the AMI group was significantly up-regulated compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01). (2) The expression of mRNAs related to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), CCR2 (MCP-1 receptor) and CXCR2 (IL-8 receptor) was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01) in AMI group compared with SA and control groups. IL-8 mRNA expression in the AMI group was clearly higher than the controls (P < 0.05). (3) All mRNAs expression related to opsonic receptors (IgG FcR and C3bR/C4bR) was significantly up-regulated in AMI group compared with SA and control group (P < 0.01), and the SA group showed an upward trend compared with controls. (4) Most pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-related mRNAs expression was up-regulated in AMI group compared with SA and control groups. Most toll-like receptor (TLR) mRNAs expression was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01) than the SA and control groups; macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR) mRNA was significantly up-regulated in AMI group compared with the control group (P < 0.01), and the SA group showed an upward trend compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of most neutrophil and mononuclear-macrophage function related genes mRNAs was significantly up-regulated by stages during the progression of CAD, suggesting that the adhesive, chemotactic and phagocytic functions of neutrophil and mononuclear-macrophage were strengthened in the occurrence and development of coronary atherosclerosis and AMI. This also showed a stepped upward trend as the disease progressed.

Significantly reduced function of T cells in patients with acute arterial thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the intrinsic factors related to the pathogenesis of acute arterial thrombosis (AAT) and to elucidate the pathogenesis of AAT on the basis of differentially expressed genes. METHODS: Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stable angina (SA) and healthy controls (n = 20 per group) were recruited, and the whole human genome microarray analysis was performed to detect the differentially expressed genes among these subjects. RESULTS: Patients with AMI had disease-specific gene expression pattern. Biological functional analysis showed the function of T cells was significantly reduced, the mitochondrial metabolism significantly decreased, the ion metabolism was abnormal, the cell apoptosis and inflammatory reaction increased, the phagocytosis elevated, the neutrophil-mediated immunity increased and the post-traumatic repair of cells and tissues increased in AMI patients. The biological function in SA group and healthy controls remained stable and was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced function of T cell gene models in AAT showed the dysfunction of the immune system. The pathogenesis of AAT may be related to the inflammatory reaction after arterial intima infection caused by potential pathogenic microorganisms.

Venous thromboembolism is a product in proliferation of cancer cells.

The pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer is related to the destruction of small veins and the intravenous formation of filamentous mesh-like structure by fibrinogen. The filamentous mesh-like filter can block hematogenous metastasis of cancer cells and also can stagnate blood cells, leading to venous thrombosis. Cancer cells have characteristics of malignancy and fast proliferation, and ischemic necrosis frequently occurs, and small veins were invaded and damaged. The formation of filamentous mesh-like structure has defense function and also may cause the occurrence of VTE. VTE is a product of the proliferation process of malignant cells.

Activation of circulated immune cells and inflammatory immune adherence are involved in the whole process of acute venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate localization and distribution of integrin subunit ß1, ß2 and ß3 and morphological changes of ligand-recepter binding in thrombi of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients and explore activation of circulated immune cells, inflammatory immune adherence and coagulation response in acute venous thrombosis. METHODS: Thrombi were collected from patients with acute PE. Immunohistochemistry was done to detect the expression and distribution of integrin ß1, ß2 and ß3 in cells within thrombi, and ligands of integrin subunit ß1, ß2 and ß3 were also determined by immunohistochemistry within the thrombi. RESULTS: 1) Acute venous thrombi were red thrombi composed of skeletons and filamentous mesh containing large amounts of red blood cells and white blood cells; 2) Integrin subunit ß1, ß2 and ß3 were expressed on lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets; 3) No expression of integrin ß1 ligands: Laminin, Fibronectin, Collagen I or Collagen-II on lymphocytes; integrin ß2 ligands including ICAM, factor X and iC3b are distributed on neutrophils, and ligand fibrinogen bound to neutrophils; integrin ß3 was expressed on platelets which form the skeleton of thrombi and bound to fibrinogen to construct mesh structure; 4) Factor Xa was expressed on the filamentous mesh; 5) Filamentous mesh was fully filled with red blood cell dominant blood cells. CONCLUSION: Acute venous thrombosis is an activation process of circulated lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets mainly, and a whole process including integrin subunit ß2 and ß3 binding with their ligands. Activation of immune cells, inflammatory immune adherence and coagulation response are involved in the acute venous thrombosis.

Evaluation of heart function with impedance cardiography in acute myocardial infarction patients.

UNLABELLED: To evaluate the capability of impedance cardiography (ICG) in reflecting the cardiac functions of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. METHODS: 99 inpatients with initial AMI were recruited. Venous blood was obtained for detection of N-terminal brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), B-Type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and c troponin-T (cTnT) followed by ICG. Thorax fluid capacity (TFC), pre-ejection period (PEP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), cardiac index (CI), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and systolic time ratio (STR) were measured. All these patients underwent ICG and echocardiography 2 days after surgery. RESULTS: Our results indicated NT-proBNP and BNP were associated with SVR, SVRI, PEP and STR, independently (P < 0.05). cTnT was associated with SVR and SVRI (P < 0.05). And the outcomes showed correlation between ICG and echocardiography in SV, SI, EDV, LEVT, STR, LVEF (P < 0.01), CO and CI (P < 0.05). However, no correlation was noted in PEP. In addition, changes were also found in the blood pressure and heart rate 7 days after PCI. CONCLUSION: May be ICG data could reflect the early cardiac functions of AMI patients, but the accuracy of ICG in evaluating cardiac functions should be combined with detection of blood NT-proBNP, BNP and cTnT and echocardiography.

Measurements of serum pituitary-gonadal hormones and investigation of sexual and reproductive functions in kidney transplant recipients.

Objective. To investigate changes in serum pituitary-gonadal hormones and restoration of sexual and reproductive functions after successful kidney transplantation. Patients and Methods. Serum pituitary-gonadal hormones before and after kidney transplantation were measured in 78 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and in 30 healthy adults. Pre- and postoperative semen specimens of 46 male recipients and 15 male controls were collected and compared. Additional 100 married kidney transplant recipients without children were followed up for 3 years to observe their sexual function and fertility. Results. Serum PRL, LH, and T or E(2) levels gradually restored to the normal ranges in all kidney transplant recipients, and sperm density, motility, viability, and morphology significantly improved in the male recipients 4 months after successful kidney transplantation (P < .05). Thirty-three male recipients (55.93%) reobtained normal erectile function, and 49 kidney transplant recipients (61.25%) had children within the 3-year follow-up period. Conclusion. Successful kidney transplantation could effectively improve pituitary-gonadal hormone disturbance and sexual and reproductive dysfunctions of ESRD patients.