Sysmex UN2000 detection of protein/creatinine ratio and of renal tubular epithelial cells can be used for screening lupus nephritis.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed to evaluate if automated urine sediment analysis UN2000 can be used to screen lupus nephritis. METHODS: UN2000 was used to examine 160 urine samples from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 124 urine samples from Lupus nephritis. The result of protein/creatinine ratio(P/C) and renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC) were evaluated. With biochemical analysis and microscopic examination as the gold standard, the Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the accuracy of P/C and RTEC. Analysis was to evaluate the accuracy of P/C single item or RTEC single item and both screening lupusnephritis. RESULTS: The consistency of P/C and the gold standard, and that of RTEC and the gold standard are respectively strong and good (0.858 vs. 0.673). The specificity, positive predictive value, and coincidence were the highest when P/C ≥ 2 + was set as the only screening standard for lupus nephritis. When the standard was selected between P/C ≥ 2 + or RTEC > 2.8 cells/µl, the sensitivity and negative predictive value were the highest. CONCLUSION: UN 2000 can be used to screen lupus nephritis by detecting P/C and RTEC.

KMT5A promotes metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma through reducing cadherin-1 expression.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common types of kidney cancer and is accompanied by a poor prognosis due to a high potential for metastasis and recurrence. The mechanism of ccRCC metastasis is not well known. N-lysine methyltransferase KMT5A serves a crucial role in the progression of human cancer; however, the function of KMT5A in the development of ccRCCs has not yet been investigated, which has triggered an interest in investigating the potential association between KMT5A and ccRCC. The present study demonstrates for the first time that KMT5A is a driving factor in ccRCC metastasis. The KMT5A expression level was revealed to be significantly higher in ccRCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Patients with ccRCC whose tumors expressed high levels of KMT5A were demonstrated to have significantly shorter postoperative survival times. In vitro knockdown of KMT5A expression in 786-O cells inhibited cell migration and invasion. KMT5A reduced cadherin-1 (CDH1) protein levels by directly inhibiting its transcription. The CDH1 mRNA levels were inversely correlated with KMT5A expression in ccRCC samples. Patients with high tumor KMT5A or low CDH1 levels had the poorest prognosis with the shortest overall survival (OS) time, and this combination was demonstrated to be an independent prognostic indicator for patient OS time in ccRCC, more accurate than monitoring KMT5A or CDH1 alone. Together, these results indicate that KMT5A serves a vital role in ccRCC development and progression, and it may be a novel target for ccRCC treatment and prevention.

Changes in the balance between Treg and Th17 cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of Treg cells, Th17 cells and cytokines associated with Treg/Th17 differentiation in the occurrence, development and outcome of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). To do so, we detected populations of Treg and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines in the peripheral blood of CHB patients. The populations of Treg cells (CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low) T cells) and Th17 cells (CD3(+)CD8(-)IL-17(+) T cells) were analyzed in 46 patients with low to moderate chronic hepatitis B (CHB-LM), 24 patients with severe chronic hepatitis B (CHB-S) and 20 healthy controls (HC) using flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines associated with Treg/Th17 differentiation, including IL-10, TGF-ß1, IL-17 and IL-23, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our study showed that the imbalance of Treg and Th17 cells might play an important role in the occurrence, development and outcome of CHB.

Dynamic Changes of Treg and Th17 Cells and Related Cytokines Closely Correlate With the Virological and Biochemical Response in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Undergoing Nucleos(t)ide Analogues Treatment.

BACKGROUND: The restoration of HBV-specific T-cell response during antiviral therapy is associated with CD4+T-cell activity. Treg cells and Th17 cells are subtypes of CD4+T cell. However, it has remained unknown how the Treg and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines affect nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) antiviral efficacy. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to provide a new insight to evaluate the NA antiviral therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four CHB patients hospitalized between July 2010 and August 2011 were enrolled in this study. They were received NA (entecavir, lamivudine and adefovir) treatment for 14.42 ± 13.08 weeks, and the peripheral blood was collected. The frequencies of Treg and Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis, and the levels of IL-10, TGF-ß1, IL-17 and IL-23 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In complete and partial-responders, Treg cells frequencies and IL-10, TGF-ß1, IL-23 levels were all decreased significantly after NA therapy, while Th17 cells and the IL-17 levels were increased slightly. Treg/Th17 ratio was only dramatically declined in complete-responders. But there was no significant difference in non-responders. Either HBV DNA decreased by at least 2 log copies /mL or ALT turned to normal level, Treg cells frequencies and IL-10, TGF-ß1, IL-23 levels were significantly reduced. Meanwhile, Treg cells were positively correlated with HBV DNA and ALT. CONCLUSIONS: The changes of Treg and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines were related to virological and biochemical responses.