慢性骨髓炎患者骨组织的转录组特征分析

目的：采集和分析慢性骨髓炎患者骨组织的转录组信息,为探究慢性骨髓炎发病的分子机制,明确MAPK信号通路在慢性骨髓炎发病过程中的作用。方法：收集2019年6月至2020年6月就诊的四肢创伤性骨髓炎4例,病灶骨样本(Necrosis组)以及正常骨组织(Control组),使用Illumina HiSeq Xten高通量测序平台采集转录组信息,并采用FPKM方法计算基因在骨组织中的表达量。通过对比病灶组织与正常组织的转录本水平,筛选差异基因,并进行GO富集和KEGG富集。采用大鼠骨髓炎动物模型,选取细胞外信号调节酶MAP3K7(mitogen-activated protein 3 kinase 7)、活化T细胞核因子1(nuclear factor of activated T cells 1,NFATC1)做差异靶点的免疫组化学的验证。结果：高通量测序共获得5 548个差异基因,其中Necrosis组上调 2 701个,下调2 847个。筛选正常骨组织和病灶骨的差异基因中富集到MAPK信号通路的基因,并与破骨细胞分化(osteoclast differentiation)信号通路相关的基因取交集,共有基因为核因子κB激酶亚基β抑制剂IκBKβ(inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta)、MAP3K7、NFATC1、核因子κB亚基2(nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2,NFκB2)。在大鼠骨髓炎模型中,MAP3K7、NFATC1在骨髓以及损伤骨组织周围高表达。结论：基于转录组学分析显示慢性骨髓炎的发病和MAPK信号通路相关,IκBKβ、MAP3K7、NFATC1、NFκB2有可能成为新的临床诊断和疾病治疗的靶点。     

Flow cytometric assay of phosphotyrosine levels in Bcr-Abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemias: a potential prognostic marker

Assay of phosphotyrosine levels using flow cytometry has been used to identify patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia positive for the Bcr-Abl fusion gene. We hypothesized that clinical monitoring could identify treatment response through reductions in intragranulocyte phosphotyrosine. Initially, we studied cell lines FDC-P1 and HL60 (Bcr-Abl-negative) and FDrv210 and K562 (Bcr-Abl-positive) with our technique. A fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated monoclonal antibody was used along with fluorescence-conjugated microspheres for reference (ratio of sample fluorescence: bead fluorescence = relative fluorescence unit [RFU]). Samples from 20 controls and 32 patients undergoing treatment were analyzed using the same method. Bcr-Abl status for each patient was confirmed using fluorescent in situ hybridization or polymerase chain reaction gene amplification (PCR). Testing of cell lines consistently produced expected results. Patient values were found to be significantly higher than control values (P < 0.001) and values for patients with advanced disease were significantly higher than for patients with chronic-phase disease (P < 0.05). Results of clinical monitoring were consistent with results from PCR. Two patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation had molecular remission confirmed by PCR and had a marked decrease in RFU value (from 62 to five and from 131 to 23). No such fluorescence change was observed in patients who achieved clinical remission. Flow cytometric analysis of phosphotyrosine levels is a reliable and convenient adjuvant technique for diagnosis of Bcr-Abl-positive leukemias and shows promise for serial evaluation of patients undergoing treatment. This work was supported by a grant for society development from Jiangsu Science and Technology Bureau (Fund number BS2003603) and a grant for key medical experts from Jiangsu Public Health Bureau (Fund number RC2007002, recipient Xuemei Sun).     

Aminopeptidase N inhibitor 4cc synergizes antitumor effects of 5-fluorouracil on human liver cancer cells through ROS-dependent CD13 inhibition

Aminopeptidase N (APN, also known as CD13) is involved in cellular processes of various types of tumors and a potential anti-cancer therapeutic target. Here, we report the effect of an APN inhibitor 4cc in enhancing sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and xenograft model in response to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in vivo and in vitro. The treatment of the combination of 4cc with 5-FU, compared to the combination of bestain with 5-FU, markedly suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis of HCC cells, accompanying the increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and followed by a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM). Furthermore, the combination of 4cc and 5-FU showed a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of HCC xenograft tumors. In addition, following the treatment of 4cc, APN activity and clonogenic formation and the number of CD13-positive cells in PLC/PRF/5 cells were significantly decreased, suggesting that 4cc may also inhibit liver cancer stem cells by CD13 inhibition. These results showed that the APN inhibitor 4cc synergizes antitumor effects of 5-FU on human liver cancer cells via ROS-mediated drug resistance inhibition and concurrent activation of the mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis.