Systemic hypoxia potentiates anti-tumor effects of metformin in hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.

Local hypoxia is a universal phenomenon in most solid tumors. The role of local hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment and cancer growth and metastasis has been well established. However, the effect of acute systemic hypoxia (exposing the whole body to 10% O2 environment) on cancer has not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated the potential effects of acute systemic hypoxia itself and in combination with metformin on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and metastasis in a mouse model of HCC. Acute systemic hypoxia significantly decreased tumor volume and weight in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Interestingly, the combined treatment of acute systemic hypoxia and metformin showed a more pronounced effect in reducing tumor volume and weight. Moreover, acute systemic hypoxia and metformin in combination had a potent inhibitory effect on tumor progression. More importantly, the expressions of hypoxia response genes including hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 were significantly decreased in the tumor tissues with combination treatment. Our study demonstrated that acute systemic hypoxia repressed tumor progression of the HCC and potentiated the anti-tumor activities of metformin. This study supports that combination of systemic hypoxia and metformin treatment may represent a novel strategy for HCC.

BML-111 equilibrated ACE-AngII-AT1R and ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis to protect hepatic fibrosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: It was recently reported Lipoxins (LXs) had protective effects on fibrous diseases, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) had played vital and bidirectional roles in hepatic fibrosis. In this paper, a hepatic fibrosis model, induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in rats, was used to observe the relations between RAAS and LXs, as well as to further explore the alternative anti-fibrosis mechanisms of LXs. METHODS: The model was evaluated by morphological observations and biochemical assays. The activities and contents of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were examined through assay kits and ELISA. The expression levels of angiotensinII (AngII), Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-1-7), and Mas were all measured using real time PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. RESULTS: The model was established successfully and BML-111 significantly ameliorated CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis, including reduction inflammation injury, decrease extracellular matrix deposition, and improvement hepatic functions. Furthermore, BML-111 could obviously decrease not only the activities of ACE but also the expression levels of ACE, AngII,and AT1R, which were induced by CCL4. On the other hand, BML-111 could markedly increase the activities of ACE2, besides the expression levels of ACE2, Ang-(1-7) and Mas. More importantly, BOC-2, a lipoxin A4 receptor blocker, could reverse all these phenomena. CONCLUSIONS: Equilibrating ACE-AngII-AT1R axis and ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis mediated the protective effect of BML-111 on hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Interferon­Î³ alters the microRNA profile of umbilical cord­derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is an important inflammatory cytokine, which may activate the immunomodulatory abilities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and may influence certain other functions of these cells. MicroRNAs are small non­coding RNAs that regulate the majority of the biological functions of cells and are important in a variety of biological processes. However, few studies have been performed to investigate whether IFN­Î³ affects the microRNA profile of MSCs. The aim of the present study was to analyze the microRNA profile of MSCs derived from the umbilical cord (UC­MSCs) cultured in the presence or absence of IFN­Î³ (IFN­UC­MSCs). An array that detects 754 microRNAs was used to determine the expression profiles. Statistical analysis of the array data revealed that 8 microRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in UC­MSCs and IFN­UC­MSCs. Reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction validated the differential expression of the 8 identified microRNAs. The target genes of the 8 microRNAs were predicted through two online databases, TargetScan and miRanda, and the predicted results were screened by bioinformatics analysis. The majority of the target genes were involved in the regulation of transcription, signal transduction, proliferation, differentiation and migration. These results may provide insight into the mechanism underlying the regulation of the biological functions of MSCs by IFN­Î³, in particular the immunomodulatory activity.

BML-111 Protected LPS/D-GalN-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Rats.

Lipoxins (LXs) display unique pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory functions in a variety of inflammatory conditions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of BML-111 (5(S),6(R),7-trihydroxyheptanoic acid methyl ester), the agonist of lipoxin A4 receptor, in a model of Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) induced acute liver injury, and to explore the mechanisms. Histopathological analyses were carried out to quantify liver injury degree. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were examined to evaluate the levels of neutrophil infiltration. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were detected to evaluate the functions of the liver. The amounts of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of transforming growth factor-ß1(TGF-ß1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using Western blotting. The antioxidant capacity, the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were analyzed with the kits via biochemical analysis. We established the model of acute liver injury with lipopolysaccharide and d-Galactosamine (LPS/d-GalN): (1) histopathological results and MPO activities, with the activities of AST and ALT in serum, consistently demonstrated LPS and d-GalN challenge could cause severe liver damage, but BML-111 could prevent pathological changes, inhibit neutrophil infiltration, and improve the hepatic function; (2) LPS/d-GalN increased TNF-α, IL-1ß, COX-2, and IL-10, while decreasing TGF-ß1. However, BML-111 could repress LPS/d-GalN -induced TNF-α, IL-1ß and COX-2, meanwhile increasing the expression levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-10; (3) LPS/d-GalN inhibited the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability, simultaneously increasing the levels of MDA and NO, so also the activity of iNOS. Otherwise, BML-111 could reverse all the phenomena. In a word, BML-111 played a protective role in acute liver injury induced by LPS and d-GalN in rats, through improving antioxidant capacity and regulating the balance of inflammatory cytokines.

[Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secrete Interleukin-6 to Influence Differentiation of Leukemic Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) on the differentiation of leukemic cells. METHODS: The co-culture system of UC-MSC with acute promyelocytic leukemic cell line NB4 cells was constructed in vitro,and the differentiation status of the leukemic cells was assessed by cell morphology,nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test,and cell surface differentiation marker CD11b. RESULTS: UC-MSC induced the granulocytic differentiation of NB4 cells. When UC-MSC and a small dose of all-trans retinoic acid were applied together,the differentiation-inducing effect was enhanced in an additive manner. Interleukin (IL)-6Ra neutralization attenuated differentiation and exogenous IL-6-induced differentiation of leukemic cells. CONCLUSION: UC-MSC can promotd granulocytic differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells by way of IL-6 and presented additive effect when combined with a small dose of all-trans retinoic acid.

Adipogenic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow, umbilical cord and adipose tissue are different.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be obtained from many sources, and there are differences between them. This study was purposed to compare and analyze the basic biological characteristics of umbilical cord, adipose tissue-and bone marrow-derived MSC (UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs). The MSCs were isolated from umbilical cord, adipose tissue and bone marrow were cultured; the morphology of UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs was observed by using microscopy; the immunophenotype, differentiation potential and expression of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) mRNA were detected by using flow cytometry, differentiation test (von kossais and 0:1 red O staining) and quantitative fluorescent PCR, respectively. The results showed that the UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs displayed similar morphology under confocal microscope after being stained with rhodamine phalloidin and DAPL. The immunophenotypes of these three originated cells conform to coincide with identification criterion for MSCs, and showed similar expression level. During adipogenic induction the adipogenic potential of these MSCs was different, AD-MSCs exhibited the highest adipogenic potential, UC-MSCs displayed the lowest, while potential of BM-MSCs get between; however, the osteogenic differentiation potential of UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs was similar. The PCR detection showed that the expression level of PPAR-γ mRNA was the highest in AD-MSCs and the lowest in UC-MSCs, while expression level in BM-MSCs get between, these results were identical with the adipogenic potential, suggest that the difference of adipogenic potential in 3 kinds of MSCs was associated with basic expression level of PPAR-γ mRNA. It is concluded that UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs exhibit similar morphology, the immunophenotypes of these MSCs coincide with identification criterion for MSCs, the osteogenic potential of these MSCs is similar, while the adipogenic potential and the expression level of PPAR-γ mRNA are different. The difference-associated mechanisms need to further study.

Dynamic changes of flavonoids contents in the different parts of rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis during the thermal drying process.

The dried rhizome of Belamcanda. chinensis (L.) DC. is an important traditional Chinese medicine. Previous chemical and pharmacological investigations indicated that flavonoids may be responsible for the bioactivity of the herb. In this paper, the effects on the contents of twelve flavonoids in the three subunit parts of the rhizome of B. chinensis during the thermal drying process under treatment temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 120 °C at 10 °C intervals were investigated. The results showed that the content of most of the individual flavonoids except that of tectorigenin in the fresh eldest parts of the rhizome that originate directly from the seedling was higher than those of the other junior parts. The change trends of flavonoids contents were similar for three subunit parts of the rhizome during the drying process under the same treatment temperature. Most of the individual flavonoid contents in the rhizome increased in the early stages of the drying processes and decreased as the process was prolonged. The durations required to reaching the points of the maximal amounts of flavonoids revealed a significant negative correlation with the temperature. The variation of the content of mangiferin, iristectorigenin A, irigenin, irilone and dichotomitin was positively correlated with irisflorentin that is the chemical marker used for the quality control of this herb. Taking into account of the production effectiveness and flavonoid yields, the appropriate drying temperature for this herb was suggested to be 100 °C.

Inhibitory modulation of CART peptides in accumbal neuron through decreasing interaction of CaMKIIα with dopamine D3 receptors.

Previous studies in rats have shown that microinjections of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide into the nucleus accumbens (NAc; the area of the brain that mediates drug reward and reinforcement) attenuate the locomotor effects of psychostimulants. CART peptide has also been shown to induce decreased intracellular concentrations of calcium (Ca(2+)) in primary cultures of hippocampus neurons. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interaction of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMKIIα) with dopamine D3 (D3) receptors (R) in primary cultures of accumbal neurons. This interaction is involved in inhibitory modulation of CART peptides. In vitro, CART (55-102) peptide (0.1, 0.5 or 1µM) was found to dose-dependently inhibit K(+) depolarization-elicited Ca(2+) influx and CaMKIIα phosphorylation in accumbal neurons. Moreover, CART peptides were also found to block cocaine (1µM)-induced Ca(2+) influx, CaMKIIα phosphorylation, CaMKIIα-D3R interaction, and CREB phosphorylation. In vivo, repeated microinjections of CART (55-102) peptide (2µg/1µl/side) into the NAc over a 5-day period had no effect on behavioral activity but blocked cocaine-induced locomotor activity. These results indicate that D3R function in accumbal neurons is a target of CART (55-102) peptide and suggest that CART peptide by dephosphorylating limbic D3Rs may have potential as a treatment for cocaine abuse.

Lipoxin A4 inhibits NF-κB activation and cell cycle progression in RAW264.7 cells.

Lipoxins (LXs), including lipoxin A4 (LXA4), etc., have been approved for potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Based on the important roles of macrophages in inflammation and immunomodulation, we investigate the effects of LXA4 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation and the possible signal transduction pathways in RAW264.7 macrophages. RAW264.7 cells were treated in vitro with or without LPS in the absence or presence of LXA4. [(3)H]-TdR incorporation assay and flow cytometry were used for detecting cell proliferation and cycle, respectively. Moreover, Western blot was applied to evaluate the protein expression levels of Cyclin E, IκBα, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and IκB kinase (IKK). Our research showed that LXA4 suppressed LPS-induced proliferation, increased the proportion of the G0/G1 phase, decreased the proportion of the S phase, and downregulated the expression of Cyclin E. Besides these, LXA4 suppressed LPS-induced IκBα degradation, NF-κB translocation, and the expression of IKK. The data suggested that LXA4 inhibited LPS-induced proliferation through the G0/G1 phase arrest in RAW264.7 macrophages, and the inhibitory effect might depend on NF-κB signaling transduction pathway.

BML-11, a lipoxin receptor agonist, protected carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Inflammation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of fibrosis. Lipoxins (LXs) and BML-111 (lipoxin A4 agonist) have been approved for potent anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, we and others had showed LXs and BML-111 could protect acute hepatic injury, inhibit the growth and invasion of hepatic tumor. However, there are few reports dealing with their effects on hepatic fibrosis. To explore whether LXs and the analog could interrupt the process of hepatic fibrosis, the effects of BML-111 on tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis were observed and the possible mechanism were discussed. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced liver fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 10 weeks with or without BML-111, and the histopathology and collagen content were employed to quantify hepatic necro-inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were examined via Western blot or ELISA. Rats treated with BML-111 improved hepatic necro-inflammation and inhibited hepatic fibrosis in association with reduction of α-SMA expression and decreased collagen deposition. Furthermore, BML-111 could downregulate the expressions of TGF-ß1 and PDGF significantly. BML-111 played a critical protective role in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis through inhibiting the levels of TGF-ß1 and PDGF in rats.

[Additional karyotypic abnormalities analysis in patients with hematological malignancies post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the karyotype stability in hematological malignancies patients before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and its prognostic significance of monitoring. METHODS: The karyotypes and clinical data of 21 patients with hematological malignancies at the initial diagnosis and at relapse after allo-HSCT were retrospectively reviewed. Chromosome analysis was performed by standard 24 h-cultured method and R banding. RESULTS: Karyotypes at the initial diagnosis and at relapse after allo-HSCT were different in 11 patients (52.38%), including chromosome 1, 3, 6, 12, 17, 21. Numberical abnormalities and structural chromosomal abnormalities always occurs together. The median survival time of relapse of the patients with karyotype changes was significantly shorter than that of patients without a karyotype change (79 d vs 522 d, P = 0.027), and that of the patients with trisomy 6 was also significantly shorter than that of the patients without trisomy 6 (9 d vs 275 d, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Karyotype changes after relapse are associated with the prognosis of allo-HSCT.

[Clinical and laboratory investigation of patients with hematologic malignancies harboring der(1;7)(q10;p10)].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with various hematological malignancies harboring der(1;7)(q10;p10). METHODS: Bone marrow samples were collected and undergone short-time unstimulated culture and R-banding, and karyotyped by conventional cytogenetic assay (CCA). Megalokaryocytes were detected by streptavidin-AKP (SAP). Retrospective analyses including the clinical and laboratory data were performed. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 21 patients were male. Most of the patients are of older age. Thirteen cases (61.9%) were der(1;7)(q10;p10) without additional aberrations, 8(38.1%) patients had additional aberrations. Sixteen out of the 18 cases (88.9%) who underwent SAP analysis had diminutive megalokaryocyte, and lymphoid megalokaryocyte was found in 10 cases (55.6%). The der(1;7) patients manifested poor response to treatment. CONCLUSION: The der(1;7) patients demonstrated distinct male predominance, older age at diagnosis, and some clinically distinctive features. These patients showed poor prognosis. The cytogenetic abnormality, i.e., der(1;7)(q10;p10), can be used as a prognostic indicator.

[Identification of complex chromosomal aberrations in acute leukemia by using conventional cytogenetics combined with multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) technique in the detection of the complex chromosomal aberrations (CCAs) and marker chromosomes in acute leukemia (AL). METHODS: M-FISH was performed in 11 AL patients with R-banding CCAs or marker chromosomes to define the unrecognized chromosomal aberrations and the constitution of marker chromosomes, and to identify small and cryptic translocations. RESULTS: In the 11 AL cases studied, 27 numerical and 41 structural chromosomal abnormalities were detected by conventional cytogenetics (CC), among which 3 chromosomal gains and 9 chromosomal losses as well as 12 structural abnormalities were confirmed by M-FISH, and another 15 chromosomal losses were revised by M-FISH as derivative chromosomes. M-FISH detected 3 additional chromosomal gains that were undetected by CC. The other 29 structural abnormalities including 17 marker chromosomes were characterized by M-FISH. A total of 33 structural abnormalities were detected by M-FISH, in which 6 were unreported before, i.e. t(5q-;16)(? q14;q24), der(9)(Y::9::Y::9), der(7) (7::8::9), ins(20;21), der(11) (11::21::20) and der(3)t(3p-;13)(3p-;q21), most of which resulted from unbalanced translocations. Almost all chromosomes were involved in CCAs, the more common ones were chromosome 17, 5, 7, 15, 11 in AML and 8, 9, 14, 22 in ALL. CONCLUSION: Combining M-FISH with CC can raise resolution of the latter, which justifies its clinical application for the detection of CCAs and marker chromosomes.

[Study on clonal evolution of monosomy 7 in patients with aplastic anemia by interphase- fluorescence in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clonal evolution of monosomy 7 in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). METHODS: Monosomy 7 (-7) in 81 AA patients with normal karyotype at diagnosis and 46 AA treated with immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and more than 6 months of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhuG-CSF) were detected by interphase- fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 5.4% - 7.6% of -7 cells in 11 (13.6%) of 81 patients at diagnosis, the survival and response rate to IST in -7 positive patients did not differ significantly from that in -7 negative patients (P = 0.481, 0.865); -7 cells disappeared after IST in all of the 11 patients including 5 received long-term rhuG-CSF therapy, and none of them evolved to myelodysplastic syndromes/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) at a median follow-up of 44 months. Serial assessments of -7 clones were performed in 46 patients, none of whom detected -7 clones 3-6 months after IST, but -7 recurrence in 5 patients 12 - 15 months after IST. At a median follow-up of 48 months, FISH identified 6 patients with -7 clones while the conventional cytogenetic analysis (CCA) recognized in 5. Moreover, the first demonstration of -7 by FISH was 3 - 18 months earlier than that by CCA. All of the 6 patients with FISH detected -7 evolved to MDS/AML with -7 and four of them were retrospectively analysed for in samples at -7 diagnosis of AA, but none of them was positive. CONCLUSIONS: Monosomy 7 exists in a part of AA patients, but the preexisting -7 cells seems neither associated with fatality nor evolvation to MDS/AML. rhuG-CSF might facilitate the expansion of -7 clones; It is necessary to monitor -7 in AA, especially when received long-term rhuG-CSF therapy.

[A comparative cytogenetic analysis in large scale between adult and childhood patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

This study was purposed to comparatively analyze the cytogenetic characteristics between 566 cases of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (aALL) and 586 cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL). The cytogenetic analysis of all the patients was performed, and the FISH detection for partial patients was carried out. The result showed that the difference of chromosome abnormality between cALL and aALL was statistically significant. The percentage of abnormal karyotypes in aALL was 62.0%, including mainly t(9;22)(q34;q11), hypodiploidy, hyperdiploidy (47 - 50), abn(6q), abn(9p) and -7, most of which conferring an unfavorable prognosis. The percentage of abnormal karyotypes in cALL was 39.2%, composed mainly of high hyperdiploidy, hypodiploidy, TEL/AML1(+), +8, hyperdiploidy (47 - 50) and +21, etc, most of which conferring a favorable prognosis. The incidences of abnormal karyotypes, total hypodiploidy, total hyperdiploidy (47 - 50), t(9;22)(q34;q11), -7, abn(7q), abn(14q32) and +Ph in aALL were significantly higher than those of cALL (p < 0.05), whereas the incidences of normal karyotype (N), high hyperdiploidy, +8, +21*2 and TEL/AML1(+) in cALL were significantly higher than those of aALL (p < 0.05). 20.5% of aALL were Ph+ aALL, with 63.8% of which being with additional abnormalities, composed mainly of +Ph, -7, i (9q+), 9p-, +8, +21, +X, 6q-, abn(14q32) and +14. In contrast, only 4.4% of cALL were Ph+ aALL, with 42.3% of which being with additional abnormalities, including mainly abn(9p), abn(7p), -7, 17p- and +21. It is concluded that almost every chromosome is involved in the numerical and structural abnormalities and complex karyotypes are common. The significant difference of chromosome abnormality exists between aALL and cALL.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from leukemia patients inhibit growth and apoptosis in serum-deprived K562 cells.

BACKGROUND: The regulation of growth and apoptosis in K562 cells by human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from leukemia patients was investigated. METHODS: K562 cells were cocultured with leukemic MSCs under serum deprivation. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), PI staining, Annexin V/PI binding and FACS assays were used to investigate cell proliferation, cell cycle status, and apoptosis of K562 cells cultures in the presence or absence of 10% serum. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), the BCL-2 family member Bad, and phosphorylated Bad (p-Bad) proteins in K562 cells after coculturing with MSCs. The effects of LY294002 (a specific inhibitor of PI3K) on protein expression were also determined. RESULTS: K562 cell proliferation was inhibited by coculture with MSCs and the dominant cell cycle was the G0-G1 phase. The proportion of apoptotic K562 cells was decreased and the levels of p-Akt and p-Bad were upregulated after exposing K562 cells to MSCs. However, when LY294002 was used, p-Akt and p-Bad proteins inK562 cells showed a significant reduction, while no distinct variation was seen in the nonphosphorylated Akt and Bad protein levels. CONCLUSION: Leukemic MSCs can inhibit K562 cell expansion and modulate the cell cycle to a state of relative quiescence. This allows the K562 cells to endure adverse conditions such as serum starvation. The PI3K-Akt-Bad signaling pathway may be involved in this antiapoptotic process via phosphorylation of the Akt and Bad proteins. Blocking MSC-induced transduction of the PI3K-Akt-Bad pathway may be a potential strategy for a targeted therapy to combat leukemia.

[Detection of bcr/abl fusion gene by dual color-dual fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization].

This study was aimed to investigate the sensitivity and clinical application of interphase-dual-color and dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization (DC-DF-FISH). The bcr/abl fusion gene was detected by FISH with dual-color and dual-fusion bcr/abl DNA probe in interphase cells of bone marrow from 1295 specimens. Retrospective analysis for the cases was performed by the means of conventional cytogenetic analysis (CCA) and FISH. The results indicated that in 1295 specimens from 539 patients, 456 specimens were positive involved in 310 patients, the karyotypes of 18 patients were normal, 5 patients failed to karyotyping analysis. About 75.5% (234/310) of positive patients displayed the typical DC-DF-FISH signal pattern, 76 patients showed atypical DC-DF-FISH signal patterns, 66 cases out of which showed variant signal, 16 patients displayed typical variant signals (1Y2G2R), 50 patients displayed deletion ABL and/or BCR signal. In 213 patients, the negative rate was 60% (128/213) after the treatment, 12 patients were sometimes negative and sometimes positive during the process of the treatment. It is concluded that DC-DF-FISH can be used to detect karyotypes with masked or variant Ph, gene deletion and minor residual disease (MRD) in process of treatment. The dual-color FISH technique is a much more sensitive and accurate tool for monitoring MRD and monitoring relapse, which is a necessary supplement to CCA.

Lipoxin A(4) inhibited hepatocyte growth factor-induced invasion of human hepatoma cells.

AIM: Inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression. Lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) has been approved for potent anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, it was reported that LXA(4) repressed the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is essential for invasion. However, there are few reports dealing with its effects on cancer. To explore whether LXA(4) regulate invasion, the effects of LXA(4) and its receptor agonist BML-111 on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced invasion of hepatoma cells and the possible mechanisms were researched. METHODS: Lipoxin A(4) receptor (ALX) expression in HepG2 cells were measured through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Cytotoxicity of LXA(4) and BML-111 to HepG2 cells was detected by MTT and ((3)H)-TdR incorporation assay. Cell migration and invasion assays were performed using a Boyden chemotaxis chamber. COX-2 expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Moreover, the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, IkappaBalpha and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 were observed via western blot, and NF-kappaB transcriptional activity was tested by transfections and luciferase activities assay. RESULTS: ALX expression was detected in HepG2 cells, and suitable concentrations of LXA(4) and BML-111 had no cytotoxicity to cells. LXA(4) and BML-111 inhibited HGF-induced migration and invasion; downregulated COX-2, MMP-2 and -9; restrained HGF-induced IkappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB translocation and the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, exogenous PGE2 could reverse the inhibitory effects of LXA(4) also BML-111 on HGF-induced invasion and migration partially. CONCLUSION: LXA(4) inhibited HGF-induced invasion of HepG2 cells through NF-kappaB/COX-2 signaling pathway partially.

[Clinical and laboratory investigation of hematological malignancy patients carrying 3q21q26 rearrangement].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of various hematopoietic malignant patients with t(3;3)(q21;q26) or inv(3) (q21q26). METHODS: Bone marrow samples were collected at presentation, prepared by short-time unstimulated culture and R-binding, and karyotyped by conventional cytogenetical assay (CCA); megalokaryocytes were detected by Streptavidin-AKP (SAP); immunotype of the leukemia cells was tested by flow cytometric anylysis of surface antigens (FACS). RESULTS: All of the 9 hematopoietic malignant patients with t(3;3)(q21;q26) or inv(3) (q21q26) manifested myelodysplasia and poor treatment response. One of them relapsed shortly after allogenic hemotopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). CONCLUSION: Patients with 3q21q26 rearrangement can be found in various hematopoietic malignances and demonstrate an unique entity. These patients show poor treatment response and have extremely poor prognosis.

[Clinical and laboratory study of a complex translocation t (6; 21; 8) (p22; q22; q22) in two patients with acute myeloid leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a complex translocation t (6; 21; 8) (p22; q22; q22) in two patients with acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS: Bone marrow (BM) samples were collected at presentation, prepared by short-term (24 hours) unstimulated culture and R-binding, for conventional cytogenetic assay (CCA). The complex translocation was assayed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a dual-color AML1/ETO-specific probe. AML1/ETO chimeric transcript was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In both cases CCA demonstrated a complex translocation, t (6; 8; 21) (p22; q22; q22), which was confirmed by interphase and metaphase FISH and AML1/ETO fusion transcript was detected by RT-PCR. Both the two patients were diagnosed as AML-M(2), but with different immunophenotype and therapeutic outcome. CONCLUSION: The t (6; 21; 8) (p22; q22; q22) is a rare variant of complex translocation of t (8; 21) (q22; q22). More such cases are needed for elucidating its clinical features and prognosis.