Pro-inflammatory cytokines favor the emergence of ETV6-RUNX1-positive pre-leukemic cells in a model of mesenchymal niche

ETV6-RUNX1 (E/R) fusion gene, arising in utero from translocation t(12;21)(p13:q22), is the most frequent alteration in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, E/R is insufficient to cause overt leukemia since it generates a clinically silent pre-leukemic clone which persists in the bone marrow but fails to out-compete normal progenitors. Conversely, pre-leukemic cells show increased susceptibility to transformation following additional genetic insults. Infections/inflammation are the most accredited triggers for mutations accumulation and leukemic transformation in E/R⁺ pre-leukemic cells. However, precisely how E/R and inflammation interact in promoting leukemia is still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that IL6/TNFα/ILβ pro-inflammatory cytokines cooperate with BM-MSC in promoting the emergence of E/R⁺ Ba/F3 over their normal counterparts by differentially affecting their proliferation and survival. Moreover, IL6/TNFα/ILβ-stimulated BM-MSC strongly attract E/R⁺ Ba/F3 in a CXCR2-dependent manner. Interestingly, E/R-expressing human CD34⁺IL7R⁺ progenitors, a putative population for leukemia initiation during development, were preserved in the presence of BM-MSC and IL6/TNFα/ILβ compared to their normal counterparts. Finally, the extent of DNA damage increases within the inflamed niche in both control and E/R-expressing Ba/F3, potentially leading to transformation in the apoptosis-resistant pre-leukemic clone. Overall, our data provide new mechanistic insights into childhood ALL pathogenesis.     

恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯治疗拉米夫定耐药慢性乙型肝炎患者的疗效观察

目的观察恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯治疗拉米夫定耐药慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的疗效和安全性。方法选取昆山市人民医院2011年5月至2013年5月门诊和住院的拉米夫定耐药患者45例,随机分成两组,治疗组23例应用恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯挽救治疗,对照组22例应用拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯挽救治疗,观察两组治疗前及治疗后4、12、24、48周HBV DNA、ALT、AST、TBil、Alb、HBV血清学标志物含量变化以及治疗48周时非rtM204I位点变异发生率。计量资料组间比较用t检验,计数资料的组间比较用四格表χ2检验。结果治疗组挽救治疗后4、12周ALT、AST下降较对照组相比差异有统计学意义(t值为3.124、5.271、4.476、5.125,P值均0.01),挽救治疗24、48周后较对照组相比差异有统计学意义(t值为2.240、2.307、2.886、2.908,P值均0.05)。治疗4、12、24、48周后,治疗组HBV DNA转阴率分别为73.9%、86.8%、95.7%、100%,较对照组差异有统计学意义(χ2值为11.79、5.75、10.29、5.89,P值均0.05)。HBeAg阳性患者阴转率在治疗组及对照组间差异无统计学意义。治疗组48周后未出现新的非rtM204I位点变异,而对照组非rtM204I位点变异情况为4例,两组相比差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.59,P0.05)。结论恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯用于既往拉米夫定耐药的CHB患者的挽救治疗疗效明显,值得临床推广。     

恩替卡韦治疗慢性HBV感染者KIR基因多态性与疗效的相关性研究

目的探讨慢性HBV感染者杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(killer immunoglobulin-like receptor,KIR)基因多态性及其与应用恩替卡韦疗效差异相关性。方法采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应(PCR-SSP)法,对60例应用恩替卡韦治疗的慢性HBV感染者(试验组)和60例健康对照者(对照组)的KIR基因进行基因分析,比较试验组和对照组的差异。60例患者中18例为治疗完全应答者(完全应答组),42例为非完全应答者(非完全应答组),比较2组之间差异。结果通过试验组和对照组的16种KIR基因分析,框架基因KIR2DL4、3DL2、3DL3和3DP1存在于所有个体中,其基因频率均为1.0。试验组KIR 2DS2和KIR2DS3基因型频率高于对照组(P值依次为0.038和0.035);完全应答组KIR2DS1、KIR3DS1和KIR2DL5基因型频率高于非完全应答组(P值依次为0.010、0.029和0.018)。结论 KIR2DS2、KIR2DS3可能是HBV的易感基因型,KIR2DS1、KIR3DS1、KIR2DL5可能与恩替卡韦抗HBV治疗有效应答有关。     

Mutational analysis of ETV6 in prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In an effort to better understand the molecular events responsible for progression of prostate carcinoma to metastatic disease, we have recently identified a homozygous deletion at 12p12-13 involving ETV6 (tel). Although mutational analysis of ETV6 has not been examined previously in prostate carcinoma, it is an attractive candidate prostate cancer tumor suppressor gene since as it previously has been implicated in malignancy. Therefore, we decided to analyze 43 prostate cell lines, xenografts, and metastatic foci for inactivating mutations. METHODS: DNA was isolated from 7 cell lines, 18 xenografts, and 18 metastatic deposits. Single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of ETV6, was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of each exon by using intron specific primers. PCR products were then resolved by gel electrophoresis, and aberrantly migrating PCR products were then sequenced. RESULTS: Two previously described polymorphisms and four novel sequence changes were identified. Polymorphisms at nucleotide 258 (G --> A, Thr --> Thr) and 602 (T --> C, Leu --> Pro) were identified in eight and one specimen(s), respectively. Analysis of noncancerous DNA confirmed the presence of the polymorphisms in the germ-line. Four possible mutations were identified at nucleotides 24 (T --> G, Cys --> Trp), 380 (G --> A, Arg --> Glu), 776 (G --> T, Arg --> Leu), and 876 (C --> T, Leu --> Leu). Three were in xenografts or cell lines. Because normal DNA was not available, these could represent rare polymorphisms. The sole mutation in a clinical specimen, at nucleotide 876, did not result in an amino acid change. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that mutational inactivation ETV6 may occur in prostate carcinoma. The functional significance of these potential inactivating mutations remains to be determined.     

乙肝肝硬化失代偿期60例治疗体会

目的:观察恩替卡韦(ETV)联合安络化纤丸对乙肝肝硬化失代偿期患者的疗效。方法:对我院2009年1月～2010年1月收治的乙肝肝硬化失代偿期患者按照知情同意的原则分为对照组和治疗组,各30例。对照组给予综合治疗,治疗组在综合治疗基础上加用ETV0.5mg/d,1次/d;安络化纤丸6g口服,2次/d。疗程1年。观察治疗前、后患者肝功能、HBV-DNA定量水平、Child-Pugh评分变化情况。结果:与对照组比较,治疗组的肝功能有所改善,乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)被抑制,Child-Pugh评分降低(P<0.01)。结论:ETV联合安络化纤丸对乙肝肝硬化失代偿期患者疗效显著,能改善肝功能,控制HBV复制,降低Child-Pugh评分。     

恩替卡韦治疗肝功能衰竭的短期疗效观察

目的观察恩替卡韦治疗HBV相关肝功能衰竭的短期疗效。方法60例HBV相关肝功能衰竭患者分为ETV组、LAM组、未抗病毒治疗组（对照组）各20例,分别接受ETV、LAM治疗,对照组给予内科常规治疗。观察三组患者的MELD评分、病毒学指标及病死率的改变。结果三组患者12周存活率比较,差异无统计学意义;三组4周时MELD评分均值比较,差异无统计学意义;三组血清HBV DNA水平比较,差异无统计学意义。治疗期间无明显的副反应发生。结论NA抗病毒治疗可能延长肝衰竭患者12周生存率,为肝移植赢得时间;ETV通过强效迅速抑制病毒治疗肝衰竭疗效可能优于LAM;抗病毒治疗肝衰竭的评价及药物选择需扩大样本进一步研究。