基质细胞衍生因子-1和血小板第4因子对体外扩增后脐血CD34+细胞黏附特性和趋化功能的影响

为了研究基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF—1）和血小板第4因子（PF4）对扩增后脐血CD34^＋细胞归巢相关功能的影响，将纯化的脐血CD34^＋细胞接种入无血清培养液中，加入不同组合的细胞因子FST（FL＋SCF＋TPO）、FST＋SDF—1、FST＋PF4或FST＋SDF—1＋PF4，分别于培养第7、10、14天检测CD34^＋细胞扩增倍数、集落形成能力、细胞的黏附分子表达、总黏附性、趋化功能。结果表明：①加入SDF—1的实验组CD34^＋细胞及造血祖细胞集落扩增倍数高于对照组；②加入SDF—1明显上调扩增的CD34^＋细胞CD49e的表达，加入PF4明显上调扩增的CD34^＋细胞CD49e、CD54的表达，在扩增体系中加入SDF—1或PF4均能够明显提高扩增的CD34^＋细胞的总黏附性；③在扩增体系中加入SDF—1能够明显提高扩增的CD34^＋细胞的自发迁移率，但导致CXCR-4的表达和SDF—1诱导迁移率降低；而PF4能够明显提高扩增的CD34^＋细胞的CXCR-4的表达和SDF—1诱导迁移率；在扩增体系中同时加入SDF—1和PF4能够明显提高扩增的CD34^＋细胞自发迁移率和SDF—1诱导迁移率。结论：体外扩增体系中加入SDF—1和PF4能够上调部分归巢相关黏附分子的表达，保持扩增的CD34^＋细胞的黏附和迁移能力，有利于降低体外扩增对造血干／祖细胞（HSPC）归巢相关功能的不利影响，维持扩增的HSPC的归巢潜能。     

Abnormal chemokine-induced responses of immature and mature hematopoietic cells from motheaten mice implicate the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in chemokine responses.

Chemokines regulate a number of biological processes, including trafficking of diverse leukocytes and proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. SHP-1 (Src homology 2 domain tyrosine phosphatase 1), a phosphotyrosine phosphatase, is considered an important regulator of signaling for a number of cytokine receptors. Since specific tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is important for biological activities induced by chemokines, we examined the role of SHP-1 in functions of chemokines using viable motheaten (me(v)/me(v)) mice that were deficient in SHP-1. Chemotactic responses to stromal call-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), a CXC chemokine, were enhanced with bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells as well as macrophages, T cells, and B cells from me(v)/me(v) versus wild-type (+/+) mice. SDF-1-dependent actin polymerization and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases were also greater in me(v)/me(v) versus +/+ cells. In contrast, immature subsets of me(v)/me(v) bone marrow myeloid progenitors were resistant to effects of a number of chemokines that suppressed proliferation of +/+ progenitors. These altered chemokine responses did not appear to be due to enhanced expression of CXCR4 or lack of chemokine receptor expression. However, expression of some chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CXCR2) was significantly enhanced in me(v)/me(v) T cells. Our results implicate SHP-1 involvement in a number of different chemokine-induced biological activities.     

Identification of C-C Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1) as the Monocyte Hemofiltrate C-C Chemokine (HCC)-1 Receptor

Hemofiltrate C-C chemokine (HCC)-1 is a recently cloned C-C chemokine that is structurally similar to macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α. Unlike most chemokines, it is constitutively secreted by tissues and is present at high concentrations in normal human plasma. Also atypical for chemokines, HCC-1 is reported not to be chemotactic for leukocytes. In this paper, we have investigated the chemokine receptor usage and downstream signaling pathways of HCC-1. Cross-desensitization experiments using THP-1 cells suggested that HCC-1 and MIP-1α activated the same receptor. Experiments using a panel of cloned chemokine receptors revealed that HCC-1 specifically activated C-C chemokine receptor (CCR)1, but not closely related receptors, including CCR5. HCC-1 competed with MIP-1α for binding to CCR1-transfected cells, but with a markedly reduced affinity (IC₅₀ = 93 nM versus 1.3 nM for MIP-1α). Similarly, HCC-1 was less potent than MIP-1α in inducing inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in CCR1-transfected cells. HCC-1 induced chemotaxis of freshly isolated human monocytes, THP-1 cells, and CCR1-transfected cells, and the optimal concentration for cell migration (100 nM) was ∼100-fold lower than that of MIP-1α (1 nM). These data demonstrate that HCC-1 is a chemoattractant and identify CCR1 as a functional HCC-1 receptor on human monocytes.     

Nf1 Regulates Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Growth and Ras Signaling in Response to Multiple Cytokines

Neurofibromin, the protein encoded by the NF1 tumor-suppressor gene, negatively regulates the output of p21^ras (Ras) proteins by accelerating the hydrolysis of active Ras-guanosine triphosphate to inactive Ras-guanosine diphosphate. Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are predisposed to juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML) and other malignant myeloid disorders, and heterozygous Nf1 knockout mice spontaneously develop a myeloid disorder that resembles JCML. Both human and murine leukemias show loss of the normal allele. JCML cells and Nf1 ^−/− hematopoietic cells isolated from fetal livers selectively form abnormally high numbers of colonies derived from granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in cultures supplemented with low concentrations of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Taken together, these data suggest that neurofibromin is required to downregulate Ras activation in myeloid cells exposed to GM-CSF. We have investigated the growth and proliferation of purified populations of hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from Nf1 knockout mice in response to the cytokines interleukin (IL)-3 and stem cell factor (SCF), as well as to GM-CSF. We found abnormal proliferation of both immature and lineage-restricted progenitor populations, and we observed increased synergy between SCF and either IL-3 or GM-CSF in Nf1 ^−/− progenitors. Nf1 ^−/− fetal livers also showed an absolute increase in the numbers of immature progenitors. We further demonstrate constitutive activation of the Ras-Raf-MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase signaling pathway in primary c-kit⁺ Nf1 ^−/− progenitors and hyperactivation of MAP kinase after growth factor stimulation. The results of these experiments in primary hematopoietic cells implicate Nf1 as playing a central role in regulating the proliferation and survival of primitive and lineage-restricted myeloid progenitors in response to multiple cytokines by modulating Ras output.     

白血病骨髓基质细胞中GATA-1和GATA-2基因的表达特点

为了解转录因子GATA-1和GATA-2基因在白血病和正常骨髓基质细胞(BMSC)中表达的情况,采集了42例白血病患者的骨髓标本及34例正常骨髓标本并分离骨髓单个核细胞,在体外扩增培养后收集悬浮细胞(骨髓细胞)和扩增后的贴壁细胞(BMSC),应用RT-PCR-ELISA方法分别检测GATA-1和GATA-2基因的表达情况,并对其相对表达水平进行半定量分析.结果发现,GATA-1和GATA-2基因在正常和白血病的BMSC和骨髓细胞中均有一定的表达.在BMSC中急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)组的GATA-1基因表达率(857%)与正常组(882%)相近,而急性髓性白血病(AML)和慢性粒细胞白血病(CML)组的GATA-1表达率(55.6%和41.2%)均比正常组低(P=0.008,0.000),且ALL的BMSC中GATA-1基因表达水平＞AML＞正常＞CML(P均＜0.05);而各白血病组BMSC中GATA-2的表达率和表达水平与正常组相比均无显著性差异(P均＞0.05).骨髓细胞中AML组的GATA-1基因表达水平＞正常＞ALL＞CML,AML组的GATA-2基因表达水平＞CML＞ALL＞正常(P均＜0.05).AML、CML和正常组的BMSC和骨髓细胞中均以GATA-2的表达占优势.可以推论,转录因子GATA-1和GATA-2基因在正常和白血病BMSC的表达可能影响骨髓微环境的造血调控作用.是否对白血病的发生发展有一定的影响也值得进一步探索.     

SDF-1及其受体CXCR4在急性白血病与淋巴瘤表达的初步研究

为了探讨血液肿瘤患者外周血基质细胞源因子-1(SDF-1)及其骨髓细胞表面特异性受体CXCR4的表达 及其临床意义,对28例血液肿瘤患者及12例正常人的骨髓及外周血指标进行了检测,采取流式细胞术检测骨髓 细胞表面CXCR4的表达,用ELISA法检测血清中的SDF-1表达。结果显示:28例血液肿瘤患者外周血SDF-1和 骨髓细胞表面CXCR4的表达均高于正常对照组(P<0.01),且SDF-1和CXCR4两因子之间的表达有相关性(r= 0.831,P<0.01)。部分存在明显的髓外转移和多个淋巴结浸润的血液肿瘤患者CXCR4的表达较高。不同类型 的血液肿瘤之间CXCR4的表达可能存在差异(P<0.01)。结论:骨髓细胞与外周血清CXCR4和SDF-1的高表达 可能作为一种特异性的血液肿瘤标志,CXCR4的高表达可能与血液肿瘤的浸润程度相关。     

The Role of Lymphocyte Subsets in Accelerated Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic–Rat Insulin Promoter–B7-1 (NOD-RIP-B7-1) Mice

B7-1 transgene expression on the pancreatic islets in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice leads to accelerated diabetes, with >50% of animals developing diabetes before 12 wk of age. The expression of B7-1 directly on the pancreatic β cells, which do not normally express costimulator molecules, converts the cells into effective antigen-presenting cells leading to an intensified autoimmune attack. The pancreatic islet infiltrate in diabetic mice consists of CD8 T cells, CD4 T cells, and B cells, similar to diabetic nontransgenic NOD mice. To elucidate the relative importance of each of the subsets of cells, the NOD–rat insulin promoter (RIP)-B7-1 animals were crossed with NOD.β2microglobulin −/− mice which lack major histocompatibility complex class I molecules and are deficient in peripheral CD8 T cells, NOD.CD4 −/− mice which lack T cells expressing CD4, and NOD.μMT −/− mice which lack B220-positive B cells. These experiments showed that both CD4 and CD8 T cells were necessary for the accelerated onset of diabetes, but that B cells, which are needed for diabetes to occur in normal NOD mice, are not required. It is possible that B lymphocytes play an important role in the provision of costimulation in NOD mice which is unnecessary in the NOD-RIP-B7-1 transgenic mice.     

Long non-coding (lnc)RNA profiling and the role of a key regulator lnc-PNRC2-1 in the transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition of CNE1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

ObjectivesTo identify key long non-coding (lnc)RNAs responsible for the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CNE1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and to investigate possible regulatory mechanisms in EMT.MethodsCNE1 cells were divided into transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced EMT and control groups. The mRNA and protein expression of EMT markers was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were identified by RNA sequencing analysis, and DEG functions were analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. EMT marker expression was re-evaluated by western blotting after knockdown of a selected lncRNA.ResultsTGF-β1-induced EMT was characterized by decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin, N-cadherin, and Twist expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Sixty lncRNA genes were clustered in a heatmap, and mRNA expression of 14 dysregulated lncRNAs was consistent with RNA sequencing. Knockdown of lnc-PNRC2-1 increased expression of its antisense gene MYOM3 and reduced expression of EMT markers, resembling treatment with the TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor LY2109761.ConclusionVarious lncRNAs participated indirectly in the TGF-β1-induced EMT of CNE1 cells. Lnc-PNRC2-1 may be a key regulator of this and is a potential target to alleviate CNE1 cell EMT.     

Serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in coronary heart disease: Correlation with the T helper (Th)1/Th2 ratio,Th17/regulatory T (Treg) ratio,and major adverse cardiovascular events

BackgroundBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exerts protective roles against dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases; meanwhile, it retards CD4⁺ T cell differentiation into T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the linkage of serum BDNF with Th1/Th2 ratio, Th17/regulatory T (Treg) ratio, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) risk in the coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.MethodsThis prospective study detected serum BDNF in 210 CHD patients, 50 disease controls (DCs), and 50 healthy controls (HCs) using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. For CHD patients only, the proportion of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in blood CD4⁺ T cells was calculated by flow cytometry.ResultsThe BDNF varied among CHD patients, DC, and HC (p < 0.001). Specifically, BDNF was declined in CHD patients compared with DCs (p < 0.001) and HCs (p < 0.001). In CHD patients, BDNF was negatively related to Th1 cells (p = 0.031), Th1/Th2 ratio (p = 0.026), Th17 cells (p = 0.001), and Th17/Treg ratio (p = 0.002). Concerning the prognosis, BDNF was reduced in patients with MACE occurrence compared to patients without MACE occurrence (p = 0.006). Furthermore, BDNF showed a trend (lacked statistical significance) to relate to longer MACE‐free survival (p = 0.059). Besides, BDNF was related to the absence of obesity (p = 0.019), decreased total cholesterol (p = 0.043), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.019), C‐reactive protein (p = 0.012), and Gensini score (p = 0.005).ConclusionSerum BDNF negatively correlates with Th1/Th2 ratio, Th17/Treg ratio, and estimates lower MACE risk in CHD patients.     

Engagement of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte–associated Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) Induces Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) Production by Murine CD4+ T Cells

Evidence indicates that cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) may negatively regulate T cell activation, but the basis for the inhibitory effect remains unknown. We report here that cross-linking of CTLA-4 induces transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) production by murine CD4⁺ T cells. CD4⁺ T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th0 clones all secrete TGF-β after antibody cross-linking of CTLA-4, indicating that induction of TGF-β by CTLA-4 signaling represents a ubiquitous feature of murine CD4⁺ T cells. Stimulation of the CD3–T cell antigen receptor complex does not independently induce TGF-β, but is required for optimal CTLA-4–mediated TGF-β production. The consequences of cross-linking of CTLA-4, together with CD3 and CD28, include inhibition of T cell proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 secretion, as well as suppression of both interferon γ (Th1) and IL-4 (Th2). Moreover, addition of anti–TGF-β partially reverses this T cell suppression. When CTLA-4 was cross-linked in T cell populations from TGF-β1 gene–deleted (TGF-β1^−/−) mice, the T cell responses were only suppressed 38% compared with 95% in wild-type mice. Our data demonstrate that engagement of CTLA-4 leads to CD4⁺ T cell production of TGF-β, which, in part, contributes to the downregulation of T cell activation. CTLA-4, through TGF-β, may serve as a counterbalance for CD28 costimulation of IL-2 and CD4⁺ T cell activation.     

The Human Toll Signaling Pathway: Divergence of Nuclear Factor κB and JNK/SAPK Activation Upstream of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor–associated Factor 6 (TRAF6)

The human homologue of Drosophila Toll (hToll) is a recently cloned receptor of the interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R) superfamily, and has been implicated in the activation of adaptive immunity. Signaling by hToll is shown to occur through sequential recruitment of the adapter molecule MyD88 and the IL-1R–associated kinase. Tumor necrosis factor receptor–activated factor 6 (TRAF6) and the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)–inducing kinase (NIK) are both involved in subsequent steps of NF-κB activation. Conversely, a dominant negative version of TRAF6 failed to block hToll-induced activation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinases, thus suggesting an early divergence of the two pathways.     

CircRNA casein kinase 1 gamma 1 (circ‐CSNK1G1) plays carcinogenic effects in thyroid cancer by acting as miR‐149‐5p sponge and relieving the suppression of miR‐149‐5p on mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1)

BackgroundThe initiation and development of thyroid cancer may be associated with the deregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). The purpose of this work was to explore the role of circRNA casein kinase 1 gamma 1 (circ‐CSNK1G1) in thyroid cancer.MethodsThe expression of circ‐CSNK1G1, miR‐149‐5p, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) was concluded using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR), and the expression of MAPK1 protein was detected by Western blot assay. Cell viability was monitored by CCK‐8 assay. Cell proliferation was determined by colony formation assay and EdU assay. Cell apoptosis and cycle were checked by flow cytometry assay. Cell invasion was determined by transwell assay. The predicted binding relationship between miR‐149‐5p and circ‐CSNK1G1 or MAPK1 was verified by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The role of circ‐CSNK1G1 in vivo was determined by establishing animal models.ResultsThe present work discovered the upregulation of circ‐CSNK1G1 in tumor tissues of thyroid cancer. In function, circ‐CSNK1G1 knockdown inhibited proliferation, survival, and invasion in cancer cells, and tumor growth in mouse models. MiR‐149‐5p was a target of circ‐CSNK1G1, and the anti‐tumor effects of circ‐CSNK1G1 knockdown were abolished by miR‐149‐5p downregulation. In addition, miR‐149‐5p directly targeted MAPK1, and miR‐149‐5p restoration‐inhibited cell proliferation and invasion were recovered by MAPK1 overexpression.ConclusionCirc‐CSNK1G1 acted as miR‐149‐5p to relieve the inhibition of miR‐149‐5p on MAPK1, thus promoting the malignant development of thyroid cancer.     

Analysis of anti‐apoptotic PVT1 oncogene and apoptosis‐related proteins (p53, Bcl2, PD‐1, and PD‐L1) expression in thyroid carcinoma

BackgroundAn aberrant expression of long non‐coding RNA PVT1 has been associated with apoptosis in various cancer types. We aimed to explore the PVT1 and four apoptosis‐related proteins (p53, Bcl2, and PD‐1/PD‐L1) signature in thyroid cancer (TC).MethodsThe PVT1 expression level was measured in 64 FFPE TC paired samples by real‐time quantitative PCR. Overall and stratified analyses by different clinicopathological features were done. The apoptotic proteins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsOverall analysis showed significant PVT1upregulation in TC tissues (p < 0.001). Similarly, subgroup analysis by BRAF ^V600E mutation showed consistent results. Lower expression of p53 was associated with mortality (p = 0.001). Bcl2 overexpression was associated with greater tumor size (p = 0.005). At the same time, HCV‐positive cases were associated with repressed Bcl2 expression levels (54.3% in HCV‐negative vs. 6.9% in HCV‐positive cases, p = 0.011). PD‐1 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.004). Enhanced PD‐L1 expression in the tumor was associated with a higher tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, and mortality risk. Kaplan–Meier curves for overall survival showed that low p53 and high PD‐L1 expressions were associated with lower survival time. The p53‐positive staining is associated with a 90% decreased mortality risk (HR = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.02–0.47, p = 0.001), while patients with high PD‐L1 were five times more likely to die (HR = 4.74, 95%CI = 1.2–18.7, p = 0.027).ConclusionOur results confirm the upregulation of PVT1 in TC. The apoptosis‐related proteins (p53, Bcl2, and PD‐1/PD‐L1) showed different prognostic utility in TC patients; in particular, low p53 and high PD‐L1 expressions associated with low survival times. Further large‐scale and mechanistic studies are warranted.     

Influences of the lncRNA TUG1‐miRNA‐34a‐5p network on fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis through targeting the lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and chronic inflammatory disease. The cellular glucose metabolism of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) of RA has been revealed to be essential to the pathogenesis and development of RA. To date, the precise roles and molecular mechanisms of long noncoding RNA TUG1 in RA have not been elucidated.MethodsTUG1 and miR‐34a‐5p were detected by qRT‐PCR. Interactions between lncRNA‐miRNA and miRNA‐mRNA were validated by RNA pull‐down assay and luciferase assay. The glucose metabolism was evaluated by glucose uptake and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Cell viability was determined by MTT assay and Annexin V assay.ResultsTUG1 expression was significantly upregulated in synovial fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) compared with normal FLSs. Functional assays uncovered that silence of TUG1 suppressed FLSs‐RA invasion, migration, glucose metabolism, and increased apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that TUG1 interacted with miR‐34a‐5p. RNA pull‐down assay and luciferase assay validated that TUG1 sponged miR‐34a‐5p in FLSs‐RA. Overexpression of miR‐34a‐5p effectively inhibited glucose metabolism of FLSs‐RA. Furthermore, the glucose metabolism of FLSs‐RA was significantly elevated compared with normal FLSs. The glucose metabolism enzyme, LDHA, was directly targeted by miR‐34a‐5p in FLSs. Rescue experiments validated that the miR‐34a‐5p‐inhibited glucose metabolism of FLSs‐RA was through targeting LDHA. Finally, we showed restoration of miR‐34a‐5p in TUG1‐overexpressing FLSs‐RA successfully overcame the TUG1‐promoted glucose metabolism and apoptosis resistance via targeting LDHA.ConclusionThe present study uncovered critical roles and molecular mechanisms underlying the TUG1‐mediated glucose metabolism and apoptosis of FLSs‐RA through modulating the miR‐34a‐5p‐LDHA pathway in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Plasma (1→3)-β-D-glucan assay and immunohistochemical staining of (1→3)-β-D-glucan in the fungal cell walls using a novel horseshoe crab protein (T-GBP) that specifically binds to (1→3)-β-D-glucan

A highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific to (1→3)-β-D-glucans (GBP-ELISA) has been developed using a novel (1→3)-β-D-glucan-binding protein (T-GBP), which was purified from the amebocyte lysate of the Japanese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus. This method allowed quantitation of the glucans in a concentration range of 0.1–1,000 ng/ml, regardless of linear and branched structures, and was applied to determine the amounts of (1→3)-β-D-glucan in human and animal plasmas for diagnosis of fungemia. High levels of plasma glucan contents in clinical samples were found to be correlated closely with the severity of fungal infection. T-GBP was successfully utilized for indirect immunofluorescence staining of (1→3)-β-D-glucan in Candida albicans cell walls. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 11:104–109. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.