IL-8 and its CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors participate in the control of megakaryocytic proliferation, differentiation, and ploidy in myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferation, myelofibrosis, and neoangiogenesis are the 3 major intrinsic pathophysiologic features of myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis (MMM). The myeloproliferation is characterized by an increased number of circulating CD34+ progenitors with the prominent amplification of dystrophic megakaryocytic (MK) cells and myeloid metaplasia in the spleen and liver. The various biologic activities of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in hematopoietic progenitor proliferation and mobilization as well as in neoangiogenesis prompted us to analyze its potential role in MMM. We showed that the level of IL-8 chemokine is significantly increased in the serum of patients and that various hematopoietic cells, including platelets, participate in its production. In vitro inhibition of autocrine IL-8 expressed by CD34+ cells with either a neutralizing or an antisense anti-IL-8 treatment increases the proliferation of MMM CD34(+)-derived cells and stimulates their MK differentiation. Moreover, addition of neutralizing anti-IL-8 receptor (CXC chemokine receptor 1 [CXCR1] or 2 [CXCR2]) antibodies to MMM CD34+ cells cultured under MK liquid culture conditions increases the proliferation and differentiation of MMM CD41+ MK cells and restores their polyploidization. Our results suggest that IL-8 and its receptors participate in the altered MK growth that features MMM and open new therapeutic prospects for this still incurable disease.     

Expression of two type 2N von Willebrand disease mutations identified in exon 18 of von Willebrand factor gene

Type 2N von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by a markedly decreased affinity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) for factor VIII (FVIII). The FVIII binding site has been localized within the first 272 amino acid residues of mature VWF, encoded by exons 18-23. Two substitutions in exon 18 of VWF gene, inducing candidate mutations Y795C and C804F were identified in the heterozygous state in two French patients who also displayed the frequent R854Q mutation in exon 20. Expression studies in Cos-7 cells showed that these abnormalities, which implicate cysteine residues, induced secretion, multimerization and FVIII binding defects of corresponding recombinant VWF. Results from transfection experiments with R854Q, performed to reproduce the hybrid VWF present in patient plasma, were in agreement with those obtained for patient's plasma VWF. These findings confirm the importance of the VWF D' domain in FVIII binding. In addition, this work shows that exon 18 should preferentially be sequenced in type 2N VWD patients when the frequent R854Q mutation in exon 20 has been excluded or detected in the heterozygous state.     

Type 2N von Willebrand disease due to compound heterozygosity for R854Q and a novel R763G mutation at the cleavage site of von Willebrand factor propeptide

Type 2N von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by a markedly decreased affinity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) for factorVIII (FVIII) and is caused by mutations in the D' or D3 domain of mature VWF. We now report a French patient with an atypical 2N VWD phenotype associating FVIII deficiency with plasmaVWF unable to bind FVIII (undetectableVWF:FVIIIB) but with an abnormal multimeric profile. This patient is heterozygous for both the frequent R854Q type 2NVWD mutation and a novel R763G mutation at the cleavage site between VWF propeptide and mature VWF. Four children of the patient displayed moderately decreased VWF:FVIIIB of plasma VWF and were heterozygous for either the R763G or the R854Q mutation. Children with the R763G mutation displayed the same abnormal multimeric profile as their father. Recombinant VWF (rVWF) expression studies performed in COS-7 cells showed that the R763G mutation subtly affects its multimeric profile and dramatically impairs its FVIII binding function. Furthermore, the characteristics of hybrid G763/Q854 rVWF resulting from cotransfection experiments were in agreement with the type 2N VWD diagnosis of the patient. We conclude that R763G is a new type 2N VWD mutation located in the VWF propeptide which alters the proteolytic processing of VWF and consequently its binding to FVIII.     

Identification of a new type 2M von Willebrand disease mutation also at position 1324 of von Willebrand factor

Type 2M von Willebrand disease (VWD) refers to variants with decreased platelet-dependent function that is not associated with the loss of high molecular weight (HMW) von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers. This category includes the so-called "phenotype B" responsible for inexistent ristocetin-induced but normal botrocetin-induced binding of VWF to platelet glycoprotein lb. The missense mutation G1324S was identified in the first patient reported to display "phenotype B". We report here on the identification in four members of a French family of a missense mutation also affecting this glycine residue but changing it into an alanine residue. These individuals are heterozygous for this mutation and two of them display an additional quantitative VWF deficiency resulting from a stop codon at position 2470. After transient transfection in Cos-7 cells, the mutated recombinant protein harbouring the G1324A substitution was shown to exhibit normal multimers and inexistent ristocetin-induced but normal botrocetin-induced binding to GPIb, confirming the classification of this new mutation as a type 2M VWD mutation.     

Involvement of the fibrogenic cytokines, TGF-beta and bFGF, in the pathogenesis of idiopathic myelofibrosis

Idiopathic Myelofibrosis (IMF), is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the association of myeloproliferation and myelofibrosis. The pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in this disease remain still unclear. The myeloproliferation appeared to result from the clonal amplification of hematopoietic progenitors. In contrast, fibroblasts participating in myelofibrosis were shown to be polyclonal, thus suggesting that myelofibrosis was a reactive process. We studied the role of two growth factors TGF-beta and bFGF, which display potent fibrogenic properties and are major regulators of primitive hematopoiesis, in IMF pathogenesis. We demonstrated an increase of TGF-beta and bFGF expression in circulating megakaryocytic cells and platelets, together with alterations of the expression of these cytokines and their receptors in hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells from IMF patients. Our results suggested that TGF-beta and bFGF are involved both in myelofibrosis and myeloproliferation which characterize IMF.     

胰腺细胞缩胆囊素和胆碱能受体对细胞内Ca~2 的调节

本文使用Fura-2做为细胞内钙离子荧光指示剂,在大白鼠胰腺分离细胞观察缩胆囊素和乙酰胆碱对细胞内钙离子的影响及其相互作用.结果表明1nmol/L缩胆囊素和lmmol/L乙酰胆碱分别使细胞内钙离子浓度从基础水平的122±8nmol/L增高至360±32nmol/L和380±20nmol/L,半最大有效浓度分别为0.45nmol/L及54μmol/L。不同剂量的缩胆囊素和乙酰胆碱彼此不同程度抑制对方的作用,后加入的试剂提高细胞内钙离子浓度的幅度与先加入的试剂所引起的增加幅度成反比,加入各自相应的受体拮抗剂可使细胞恢复对另一激素(蛙皮素)刺激的反应。说明了缩胆囊素受体和胆碱能受体的相互调节影响细胞内钙离子的活动.加入受体拮抗剂后,细胞恢复反应过程中的时间动力学改变可能与受体阻滞后钙离子通道关闭的程度和时间有关.     

A novel E153X point mutation in the androgen receptor gene in a patient with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

Aim: To study a 46, XY newborn patient with a phenotype suggestive of an androgen insensitivity syndrome toconfirn an anomaly in the AR gene. Methods: Genomic DNA from leukocytes was isolated in order to analyze SRYgene by PCR and sequencing of the eight exons of AR gene. Isolation of human Leydig cell mesenchymal precursorsfrom the testis was performed in order to study testosterone production and response to hCG stimulation in culture.Results: Surgical exploration disclosed two testes, no Wolffian structures and important Mullerian derivatives. TheSRY gene was present in peripheral blood leukocytes. Sequencing of the AR gene evidenced a previously unreported Gto T transversion in exon 1 that changed the normal glutamine 153 codon to a stop codon. Interstitial cell culturesproduced sizable amounts of testosterone and were responsive to hCG stimulation. Conclusion: This E153X nonsensepoint mutation has not been described previously in cases of AIS, and could lead to the synthesis of a short truncated(15