Effects and behaviors of Microcystis aeruginosa in defluorination by two Al-based coagulants, AlCl3 and Al13.

The complexity of natural water made it difficult to remove fluoride. Based on the environmental problems found in the investigation, the fluoride removal research in the water containing algal cells was carried out. In this study, AlCl3 and [AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+ (Al13) were used to remove fluoride. Additionally, the role of aluminum speciation in fluoride removal and the effect of Microcystis aeruginosa on the fluoride removal by different aluminum species coagulants were elucidated. The results showed that AlCl3 mainly removed fluoride by physical interactions, surface adsorption and enmeshment. When algal cells were added to the system, the fluoride removal rate increased from 22.75 % to 72.99 % at a dosage of 40.0 mg/L. This was because algal cells greatly increased the distribution of Al(OH)3 in the flocs. In particular, the specific surface area of the flocs containing algal cells reached 160.77 m2/g, which allowed more fluoride to be adsorbed. However, excessive Al3+ led to serious damage to algal cells and release of intracellular organic matter (IOM), worsening the effect of defluoridation. F- and Al3+ formed AlF2+ and AlF2+ via complexation in water. These compounds were not conducive to defluoridation. Al13 removed fluorine mainly through ion exchange, substitution and hydrogen bonding. Algal cells had an inhibitory effect on defluorination, which was observed in the process of coagulation by different Al dosages. Al13 achieved agglomeration of algal cells and generated small and dense flocs through charge neutralization and electrostatic patch mechanism. Once Al13 combined with algal cells and algae organic matter (AOM), the reaction between Al13 and fluoride would be weakened. Al13 not only maintained the defluoridation performance, but also did not damage the integrity of algal cells, even at high dosages.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity in China 2019: a report from the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group.

Between 2008 and 2019, 58,914 hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) were reported to the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group (CBMTRG) throughout China. In this report, we focus on 2019 data and describe current trends in HSCT in China. There was continued growth in transplant activity in China, with a rapid increase in haploidentical HSCT. In 2019, a total of 12,323 cases of HSCT were reported from 149 transplant teams, 78% (9597 cases) were allogeneic HSCTs. Haploidentical donor (HID) HSCT accounted for 60% (5771 cases) of allogeneic HSCT. The most common indications for allogeneic HSCT for malignant disease were acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (37%) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (24%), and the largest proportion of non-malignant diseases comprised aplastic anemia (AA) (13%). Multiple stem cell source composed 70% of HID and 28% of MSD, which was typical in China. The BuCy based regimen (59%) was the most popular conditioning regimen for allogeneic HSCT, followed by the BuFlu based regimen (23%) and TBI-based regimen (12%). This survey clearly shows comprehensive information about the current state and recent trends for HSCT in China. Further efforts should be made to obtain detailed information.

Haploidentical- versus identical-sibling transplant for high-risk pediatric AML: A multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling donor (ISD)-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a potentially curative treatment for high-risk pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A haploidentical donor (HID) is readily available to almost all children. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with HID-SCT had similar outcomes compared to ISD-SCT for pediatric and adult AML. However, the role of HID-SCT in high-risk pediatric AML is unclear. METHODS: To compare the overall survival of high-risk AML children who underwent either HID-SCT or ISD-SCT, we analyzed 179 cases of high-risk AML patients under 18 years of age treated with either ISD-SCT (n = 23) or HID-SCT (n = 156). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor plus anti-thymocyte globulin-based regimens were used for HID-SCT. We also analyzed the subgroup data of AML patients at first complete remission (CR1) before SCT with known cytogenetic risk. RESULTS: The numbers of adverse cytogenetic risk recipients were 8 (34.8%) and 13 (18.8%) in the ISD-SCT group and the HID-SCT group, and the number of patients with disease status beyond CR1 were 6 (26.1%) and 14 (20.3%) in the two groups. The cumulative rates of grades II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were 13.0% in the ISD-SCT group and 34.8% in the HID-SCT group (P = 0.062), with a three-year cumulative rates of chronic GVHD at 14.1% and 34.9%, respectively (P = 0.091). The relapse rate in the ISD-SCT group was significantly higher than that in the HID-SCT group (39.1% vs. 16.4%, P = 0.027); with non-relapse mortality at 0.0% and 10.6% (P = 0.113), respectively. The three-year overall survival rates were 73.0% for the ISD-SCT group and 74.6% for the HID-SCT group (P = 0.689). In subgroup analysis, the three-year relapse rate in the ISD-SCT group was higher than that in the HID-SCT group (50.0% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.001) and the three-year DFS in the ISD-SCT group (50.0%) was lower than that in the HID-SCT group (81.2%) (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Unmanipulated HID-SCT achieved DFS and OS outcomes comparable to those of ISD-SCT for high-risk pediatric AML patients with potentially higher rate but manageable GVHD.

[Nosocomial septicemia in the early stage after stem cell transplantation in children with major ß-thalassemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of nosocomial septicemia in the early stage after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children with major ß-thalassemia. METHODS: The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of 55 consecutive children with major ß-thalassemia who developed septicemia early after HSCT between January, 2011 and June, 2016. RESULTS: Among the total of 416 consecutive children with major ß-thalassemia undergoing allogeneic HSCT, the incidence of nosocomial infection early after transplantation was 77.16% (321/416), and 55 (17.13%) children showed positive findings in blood culture test. The infections occurred most commonly in the oral cavity (65.5%), followed by the respiratory tract, intestinal tract and skin. Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli (27.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.1%), were the most common causes of infections. Fungal (Candida tropicalis) infection caused septicemia in 1 case. Of all the pathogens, extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria were found in 6 cases, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 2 cases, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Gram-negative bacteria are the major pathogens causing septicemia in children early after HSCT for major ß-thalassemia, and the bacteria show a high level of drug resistance. Adequate preventive use of antibiotics and care of the oral cavity, the respiratory tract, and the perianal region following the transplantation are important measures to control nosoconial infection in these children.

[Species Identification and Sequence Analysis of Plasmodium spp. in Border Areas of Yunnan Province by 18S rRNA-based Nested PCR]

Objective: To analyze blood samples from patients with falciparum malaria and vivax malaria in border areas of Yunnan Province, using 18S rRNA-based nested PCR, and compare 18S rRNA sequences. Methods: Blood or filter blood samples with positive microscopic results for Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax infection were collected from Laza, Nankajiang, Mangdong and Nawei of Myanmar, and from Mengla, Tengchong and Yingjiang of Yunnan Province between 2004 and 2011. 18S rRNA-based nested PCR was conducted on the samples, and PCR products were sequenced and blasted. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method with MEGA software (version 6.06). Results: Microscopic examination revealed P. falciparum infection in 256 samples and P. vivax infection in 219 samples. The 18S rRNA-based PCR further confirmed P. falciparum infection in 242 samples, P. vivax infection in 176 samples, and mixed infection in 57 samples. The consistency rate was 81.7% （388/475） between microscopic and PCR results. The inconsistency rate significantly correlated with parasite density （Spearman's r=-0.408， P<0.05）. Sequence alignment revealed 11 and 10 homologous sequences for P. falciparum and P. vivax 18S rRNA gene, comprising 2.9%（6/205） and 22.5%（27/120） variable sites, respectively. The 18S rRNA of P. falciparum clustered with that from Cameroon（GenBank accession number KC428742）, but was distantly related with the S-type 18S rRNA from the Netherlands （U36465） and Brazil （U36466 and U36467）. The 18S rRNA of P. vivax clustered with A-type 18S rRNA from Thailand （U07367）, but was distantly related with the C-type 18S rRNA from Thailand（U07368）. Conclusion: Nested PCR revealed mixed infection in 57 samples among those identified with single infection by microscopy. There is no significant difference in 18S rRNA sequence in seven counties/cities in Yunnan Province.

Clinical characteristics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in male and female patients: A retrospective analysis of 705 patients.

The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical characteristics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that occurred in male and female patients at one institution in Southern China. The medical electronic records of Nanfang Hospital, affiliated to Southern Medical University, were searched for patients with a definite diagnosis of ALL that were diagnosed between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2012. The clinical data of the patients were collected and analyzed. A total of 705 eligible patients were identified. The gender ratio of male to female patients was 1.84:1. The average ages at the time of diagnosis were 16.43 and 19.54 years for male and female patients, respectively (P=0.007). No significant differences were identified in the seasonal occurrence distribution, blood group distribution or ratio for the presence of the Ph chromosome between males and females. However, a higher incidence of T-cell type ALL was identified in males (P=0.023). The present study reveals that ALL demonstrates a male predominance, but similar clinical characteristics of ALL are present in males and females in Southern China.

[Outcome of childhood high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with the ALL-BFM 95 protocol].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and the practicability of the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster 95 (ALL-BFM 95) protocol in treating childhood high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR-ALL). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 47 children with newly diagnosed HR-ALL between July 2003 and August 2013 was performed. These children were treated by the ALL-BFM 95 protocol. Survival was evaluated by Kaplan Meier analysis and Log-Rank test. RESULTS: Relapse-related death occurred in 12 of 47 patients (26%), and 5 of 47 patients (11%) were treatment-related mortality. Five-year probability of event-free-survival (pEFS) was 62%. Children with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after chemotherapy achieved significantly better pEFS than those with chemotherapy alone (77% vs 52%; P=0.035). The patients who were only poor responders to prednisone had a better outcome (5-year pEFS 80%) than the Days 15 and 33 bone marrow M3 subgroups (5-year pEFS 60% and 0 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ALL-BFM 95 protocol can improve the outcome of children with high-risk ALL. The major cause of death is attributed to relapse. Chemotherapy plus HSCT can produce a better outcome than chemotherapy alone. The Days 15 and 33 bone marrow M3 subgroups have a poor prognosis.

In vivo monitoring of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine sensitivity in Plasmodium falciparum along the China-Myanmar border of Yunnan Province, China from 2007 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the recommended first-line treatment of falciparum malaria in all endemic countries. Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum has been confirmed in the Greater Mekong subregion (GMS). Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DAPQ) is the most commonly used ACT in China. To understand the DAPQ sensitivity of P. falciparum, DAPQ resistance was monitored in vivo along the China-Myanmar border from 2007 to 2013. METHODS: Eligible patients with mono-infections of P. falciparum were recruited to this study after obtaining full informed consent. DAPQ tablets for different categories of kg body weight ranges were given once a day for three days. Patients were followed up for 42 days. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to distinguish between re-infection and recrudescence, to confirm the Plasmodium species. The data were entered and analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment outcome was assessed according to the WHO recommended standards. RESULTS: 243 patients were completed valid follow-up. The fever clearance time (FCT) and asexual parasite clearance times (APCT) were, respectively, 36.5 ± 10.9 and 43.5 ± 11.8 hours, and there was an increasing trend of both FCT (F = 268.41, P < 0.0001) and APCT (F = 88.6, P < 0.0001) from 2007 to 2013. Eight (3.3%, 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.4%) patients present parasitaemia on day three after medication; however they were spontaneous cure on day four. 241 (99.2%; 95% CI, 97.1-99.9%) of the patients were adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) and the proportions of ACPR had not changed significantly from 2007 to 2013 (X(2) = 2.81, P = 0.7288). CONCLUSION: In terms of efficacy, DAPQ is still an effective treatment for falciparum malaria. DAPQ sensitivity in P. falciparum had not significantly changed along the China-Myanmar border of Yunnan Province, China. However more attentions should be given to becoming slower fever and parasite clearance.

Monitoring Plasmodium vivax chloroquine sensitivity along China-Myanmar border of Yunnan Province, China during 2008-2013.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread of the malaria parasites infecting human hosts. In malaria-eliminating settings, both imported and local malaria predominantly occurs in border areas, and most of them are P. vivax. Chloroquine (CQ) is the first-line drug for P. vivax treatment in China. To understand CQ sensitivity in P. vivax, in vivo monitoring of CQ resistance was conducted along the China-Myanmar border from 2008 to 2013. METHODS: Eligible patients with mono-infections of P. vivax were recruited to this study after obtaining full informed consent. CQ tablets for different categories of kg body weight ranges were given once a day for three days. Patients were followed up for 28 days. PCR was conducted to distinguish between re-infection and recrudescence, to confirm the Plasmodium species. The data were entered and analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment outcome and sensitivity were classified according to the WHO recommended standards. RESULTS: 603 patients were completed valid follow-up. The fever clearance time and asexual parasite clearance times were, respectively, 22.2 ± 10.2 and 38.1 ± 12.6 hours. 594 (98.5%) patients were adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR), and nine (1.5%) patients, who were late clinical failure (LCF) or resistant response level I (RI), were imported from the neighbouring districts of Myanmar. CONCLUSION: In terms of efficacy, CQ is still effective for vivax malaria treatment. Plasmodium vivax CQ sensitivity had not significantly changed along the China-Myanmar border of Yunnan Province, China.

Assessment of iron overload in very young children with limited thalassemia care resources in South China.

Southern China has one of the world's largest population of patients needing transfusions. Transfusion and chelation are not uniformly available and no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment data exists to date. A total of 153 young ß-thalassemia major (ß-TM) patients were assessed using a validated 1.5T scanner in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China (PRC). Their median age was 13 (range 7 to 30), and most patients were young (22.0% age <10, 73.0% age <15, 88.0% age <18). Erratic health care made estimation of total transfusion and chelation exposure impossible. Despite their early age, 24.0% had severe cardiac hemosiderosis [T2*<10 milliseconds (ms)], at ages as early as 8 years old. Median heart iron was 1.68 mg/g dry weight (range 0.19-7.66) and increased with age (p = 0.017), while liver iron was 22.2 mg/g dry weight (range 3.15 to 39.2). Serum ferritin levels were poor predictors of heart and liver, or pancreatic R* and pituitary R* values. Magnetic resonance imaging scans are needed to screen very young ß-TM patients with immediate risk of premature cardiac death in developing nations and triage them to more intensive treatment. This is particularly important in countries with a large number of patients and limited resources. Our data suggests that in developing countries, there is no lower limit for thalassemia MRI scanning programs.

Artemisinin-naphthoquine combination versus chloroquine-primaquine to treat vivax malaria: an open-label randomized and non-inferiority trial in Yunnan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax is the main malaria parasite in China, and China is now making efforts to eliminate malaria by 2020. Radical cure of vivax malaria is one of challenges for malaria elimination. The purpose is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of artemisinin-naphthoquine (ANQ) versus chloroquine-primaquine (CQ-PQ) in treatment of vivax malaria in Yunnan Province, China. METHODS: An open-label randomized and non-inferiority design, eligible patients with monoinfections of P. vivax were randomly assigned to receive either a total target dose of ANQ 24.5 mg/kg (naphthoquine 7 mg/kg and artemisinin 17.5 mg/kg), once a day for three days, or a total CQ dose of 24 mg base/kg, once a day for three days plus a PQ dose of 0.45 mg base/kg/day, once a day for eight days. Patients were followed up for one year. The difference in efficacy between ANQ and CQ-PQ was compared via Wilson's test. RESULTS: By day 42, the number of patients free of recurrence was 125 (98.4%; 95% Confidence interval, 94.4-99.8%) for ANQ arm and 123 (96.1%; 95%CI, 91.1-98.7%) for CQ-PQ, and non-significant (P = 0.4496). By day 365, the number was 101 (79.5%; 95%CI, 71.8-85.9%) for ANQ and 106 (82.8%; 95%CI, 75.1-88.9%) for CQ-PQ, and non-significant (P = 0.610). So the proportions of patients free of recurrence had no significant difference between ANQ and CQ-PQ groups by day 28, 42 and 365; compared with CQ-PQ, the side effect of ANQ was mild. CONCLUSION: ANQ is non-inferior to CQ-PQ in terms of patients free of recurrence, and safer than CQ-PQ.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for children with acquired severe aplastic anaemia: a retrospective study by the Viva-Asia Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group.

We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of 127 children with acquired severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) who had received haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) between 2000 and 2011 in one of the 10 Asia Pacific institutions. Fifty-three were matched sibling donor (MSD) and 74 were alternative donor (AD), including 22 matched unrelated donor, 32 mismatched unrelated donor and 20 mismatched related donor. With a median follow up 45.5 months (13-139) and when compared to the MSD group, AD recipients had more grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD; 14.3% vs. 32.8%, P = 0.029), but similar grade III-IV aGVHD (10.2% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.774), graft failure (GF) (15.1% vs. 15.5%, P = 0.658) and 5-year overall survival (90.6% vs. 83.7%, P = 0.251). As a source of stem cell, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) resulted in less GF (18% vs. 9.1% P = 0.013), similar grade II-IV aGVHD (28.1% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.258), chronic GVHD (25.8% vs. 29.3%, P = 0.822) and similar outcomes (89.7% vs. 82.4%, P =0.665) when compared to bone marrow (BM). In univariate analysis, GF (P < 0.001) and grade II-IV aGVHD (P = 0.009) were predictors of poor survival. In multivariate analysis, only GF was associated with poor survival (P = 0.012). The outcome of AD and PBSC HSCT were comparable to that of MSD and BM HSCT in the Asia Pacific region.

[Field evaluation of SD(BIOLINE) malaria antigen Plasmodium falciparum/Plasmodium vivax rapid test kit].

Four hundred and seventy-five patients with fever within 48 h were detected for Plasmodium using double blind field trials in China-Myanmar border from June to December 2011. The result showed that 202 of 475 were positive by SD(BIOLINE) kits, with 98 positive of Plasmodium falciparum and 104 positive of Plasmodium vivax. By microscope examination, 206 were positive. Taking the result of microscope examination as the reference standard, the general sensitivity and specificity were 98.1% (202/206) and 97.8% (263/269) respectively, and the general coincidence rate of SD(BIOLINE) kits with microscopy was 97.9% (465/475). The sensitivity and specificity of P. falciparum were 99.0% (98/99) and 97.8% (263/269) respectively, and the coincidence rate of SD(BIOLINE) with microscopy was 98.1% (361/368). The sensitivity and specificity of P. vivax were 97.2% (104/107) and 100% (269/269), and the coincidence rate of SD(BIOLINE) with microscopy was 99.2% (373/376). Therefore, the test results of SD(BIOLINE) are stable with a high specificity and sensitivity.

[Efficacy of compound dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine in treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Myanmar].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of compound dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Myanmar. METHODS: From 2007 to 2008, patients aged 6 to 60 years with uncomplicated P. falciparum infection and parasite density 500 to 200 000 parasites/microl were enrolled following an informed consent. A three-day course of total 8 tablets compound dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine was administered to an adult (each tablet containing 40 mg of dihydroartemisinin and 320 mg of piperaquine phosphate), dosage for children was based on ages (details in the treatment regimen) . The indices including fever subsiding time, parasite clearance time, asexual parasite clearance time and adverse clinical responses were observed and collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients completed the treatment. The mean fever subsiding time and mean asexual parasite clearance time were (25.5 +/- 2.8) h and (39.5 +/- 7.8) h respectively. Asexual parasite clearance rate was 100% on day 7. Four cases recrudesced on day 28 and 16 cases had slight adverse clinical responses such as uncomfortable gastrointestinal tract, headache, nausea, vomit and diarrhea, which disappeared as soon as drug withdrawal. CONCLUSION: The compound dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine shows a sound efficacy in treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria

[Analysis of the risk factors for hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for beta-thalassemia in children].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for beta-thalassemia in children. METHODS: The clinical records of 30 children with beta-thalassemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between December, 2008 and November, 2009 were analyzed. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic cystitis occurred in 8 of the 33 patients with an incidence of 24.24%, including 1 with grade I, 6 with grade II and 1 with grade III hemorrhagic cystitis. The median time of hemorrhagic cystitis onset was 22.9 days (range 6-35 days) and the median duration was 11.9 days(range 3-27 days). Univariate analysis indicated that the different types of transplantation and acute graft-versus-host disease affect the occurrence of hemorrhagic cystitis. The children with Allo-PBSCT had higher incidence than those receiving Allo-PBSCT+Allo-UBT and Allo-BMT (P<0.05). The children at an age >or=6 years had obviously higher incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis than those at younger ages. CONCLUSION: Age is the major factor that affects the occurrence of hemorrhagic cystitis in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for beta-thalassemia.

Thalassemia incidence and treatment in China with special reference to Shenzhen City and Guangdong province.

According to the data from different screening studies, thalassemia is the most commonly seen hereditary hemolytic disease in China. The reported prevalence of thalassemia carriers varies but it is most prevalent in Southern China. In the past, the outcome of patients with thalassemia major has been very poor due to unfavorable economic background. With economic improvement in the past 10 years, increasing number of patients can get regular transfusion and chelation, and more patients can be treated by hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. A better prevention network has been built up over the years, but there are still babies being born with severe forms of thalassemia every year. A more comprehensive preventive program and public education are vital.

[Effect of FK506 and CSA on the cell survival of engrafted HSC and the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in leukemia mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of FK506 and CSA on the survival of HSCs and the level of IL-2 and IL-4. METHODS: The WEHI23 cells were injected into vein from tail of mice to set up the leukemia model. The Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were harvested from GFP mice and cultured in vitro, then injected into the vein of leukemia mice. FK506 and CSA, as two immunosuppress agents, were applied in leukemia mice and intact mice, and leukemia mice were as control. RESULTS: Some HSCs could survive in the host treated with FK506 and CSA at least 2 weeks, while HSCs survived only 1 week in intact or leukemia control mice. Simultaneously, the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in leukemia mice treated with FK506 and CSA decreased significantly than those of intact or leukemia control mice. CONCLUSION: FK506 can promote the survival of HSCs in host, and the mechanism may be associated with the down regulation of IL-2 and IL-4.

[Effects of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of chemokine receptors of spleenocytes after phytohemagglutinin stimulation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the expression of chemokine receptors in T lymphocytes in vitro. METHODS: Mouse bone marrow MSCs were separated with Percoll, cultured and expanded in low glucose DMEM. C57BL/6 mouse spleenocytes were cultured in the 24-hole flasks by the density of 1 x10(6)/hole. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was then added to the holes and cultured for 72 hrs. This study consisted of three groups. Groups A and B were co-cultured by adding MSCs as the ratio of 0.1 and 0.01 to spleenocytes respectively. The control group was cultured without MSCs. Three days later the suspended spleenocytes were harvested for detecting the expression of three chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR5 and CCR7 in T lymphocytes by the flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression of CD3(+)CCR5(+) and CD3(+)CCR7(+) were statistically different among the three groups. Group A had the strongest expression, followed by group B and the control group. The expression of CD3(+)CXCR3(+) in group A was statistically higher than that in group B and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: MSCs could up-regulate the expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR5 and CCR7 in T lymphocytes stimulated by PHA.