Expression of A20 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

AIM: To investigate the expression and regulation of A20 in healthy individuals and the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The expression levels of A20, NF-κB, MALT1, and MALT1V1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the patients with SLE (including 2 cases with scleroderma, 1 case with rheumatoid arthritis, and 1 case with lymphoma) were analyzed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: A significantly lower A20 expression level was found in the PBMC from SLE group compared with the healthy controls, while the expression levels of MALT1 and NF-κB were also decreased. In addition, no significant correlation between A20 and NF-κB expression levels in healthy group was observed, but a positive correlation was found in SLE group (P<0.05). A significant positive correlation between MALT1 and NF-κB expression levels in healthy group (P<0.05) was observed, and no significant correlation was found in SLE group. The expression level of MALT1V1 in SLE group was significantly lower than that in healthy control group, and there was a positive correlation between A20 and MALT1V1 in healthy volunteers (P<0.01), but that did not exist in SLE group. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the expression pattern of MALT1-A20-NF-κB in the SLE patients were presented. Lower level of A20 expression was found in the SLE patients, in particular with other autoimmune disease or lymphomas, indicating the lower immune tolerance in SLE. The positive correlation of A20 and NF-κB may relate to positive regulation of MALT1.     

High expression level of TAL1 gene in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

AIM: To investigate the characteristic of T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1) gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and in primary AML cells from de novo AML patients with different subtypes. METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of TAL1 mRNA in acute leukemia cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM, HL-60 and NB4 cell lines) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 47 newly diagnosed AML patients. Twelve healthy individuals were served as healthy control group. RESULTS: A significantly increased level in TAL1 mRNA was found in AML cell lines (HL-60 and NB4), T-cell acute lymphacytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM) and primary AML cells compared with the healthy controls. Over-expression of TAL1 was found in all detected AML subtypes, the highest level of TAL-1 mRNA was found in AML-M1 and AML-M5 subtype (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High expression of TAL1 in AML might influence the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid cells, further investigation needs to confirm whether it would be as a biomarker for pathogenesis of AML.     

FoxM1 promotes development of AML by regulating Bcl-2 expression

AIM: To investigate the role of Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence analysis were used to determine the expression of FoxM1 at mRNA and protein levels in AML-de novo patients, AML-complete remission (CR) patients, AML-refractoriness and relapse (RR) patients and healthy controls. HL60 cells and K562 cells were transfected with FoxM1 siRNA. The cell proliferation was detected by cell proliferation assay and colony formation assay on soft agar, and the cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of FoxM1 and Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The activity of bcl-2 promoter was examined by luciferase reporter assay with FoxM1 targetting. RESULTS: FoxM1 expression level in the AML-de novo patients was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls. As compared with the AML-de novo patients, FoxM1 expression in the AML-CR patients was reduced, and the FoxM1 expression level was the highest in the AML-RR patients. FoxM1 expression was inhibited in the HL60 cells and K562 cells transfected with FoxM1 siRNA. Transfection with FoxM1 siRNA in the HL60 cells and K562 cells inhibited the proliferation as compared with NC siRNA transfection, and impaired the colony formation ability. On the contrary, transfection with FoxM1 siRNA promoted the cell apoptosis. FoxM1 regulated bcl-2 expression positively. CONCLUSION: FoxM1 promotes the development of AML by regulating bcl-2 expression. Silencing of FoxM1 expression suppresses cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis. FoxM1 is a potential target for AML treatment.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism and mutation of miRNA binding sites at BCL11B-3'UTR in healthy individuals and patients with T-ALL

AIM:To analyze the microRNA (miRNA) binding sites at B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11B gene 3'-untranslated region (BCL11B-3'UTR), and to establish the method of identifying the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and mutation of these miRNA binding sites in healthy individuals and patients with T-cell acute lymphoid leukemia (T-ALL). METHODS:TargetScan was used for screening and predicting the miRNA binding sites at BCL11B-3'UTR. PCR and sequencing were used to identify the miRNA binding sites at BCL11B-3'UTR. The polymorphisms in DNA sample of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 healthy individuals and 21 patients with T-ALL at this region were analyzed. RESULTS:Twenty-four highly conserved miRNA binding sites were screened according to the criteria of context ++ score and seed match categories. The nucleotide exchange (T>C) located at site 2 402 of BCL11B-3'UTR was detected in one case out of 21 cases of T-ALL samples, which had been registered as SNP (rs184678181) in dbSNP. No polymorphism or mutation in BCL11B-3'UTR miRNA binding sites was identified in the samples from the healthy individuals. CONCLUSION:Polymorphism or mutation in BCL11B-3'UTR is rare in healthy individuals and T-ALL patients. To our best knowledge, it is the first identification of BCL11B-3'UTR SNP (T>C at site 2 402), which is involved in hsa-miR-6814-5p binding site in a patient with T-ALL. Further investigation will focus on its effect for BCL11B expression regulation.     

The expression of β2 integrins and L-selectin on acute lymophocytic leukemic cells and its clinical implications

AIM and METHODS: To investigate the expression of adhesion molecule β₂ integrins (CD11a、CD11b) and L-selectin (CD62L )on acute lymophocyte leukemia (ALL) cells and its clinical implications. Adhesion molecules CD11a, CD11b and CD62L of 45 ALL patients and 25 health people were measured by flow-cytometric analysis. RESULTS: ①CD11a and CD11b expression were lower on ALL cells than the normal hematopoietic cells. The rate of low expression was 100% for CD11b, 50% for CD11a, respectively. CD62L expression were higher on ALL cells than the normal hematopoietic cells. ②The CD11a was lower expressed on B-ALL than T-ALL. CD62L was higher on T-ALL than B-ALL. ③The expression of CD11a in the invasion group was much higher than that in the non-invasive group (P<0.05). ④The levels of CD11a, CD11b were returned to normal levels at remission. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there are abnormalities in the expression of cell adhesion molecules in ALL which may help identify ALL subtypes and the treatment effect.     

Expression and mechanisms of hsa_circ_087631 in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

AIM To explore the expression and mechanisms of circular RNA hsa_circ_087631 in the patients with primary biliary cholangitis （PBC）. METHODS RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_087631 in PBC patients and healthy controls. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was constructed and transfected into human acute T cell leukemia Jurkat cells, and then the expression levels of hsa_circ_087631, Bcl-6 mRNA and interleukin-21 （IL-21） mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the interactions between hsa_circ_087631 and hsa-miR-346. RESULTS The expression of hsa_circ_087631 in the PBC patients was significantly increased compared with the healthy subjects. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was successfully constructed. The expression of hsa-miR-346 was significantly increased after the hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector was transfected into the Jurkat cells, while the expression levels of hsa_circ_0087631, Bcl-6 mRNA and IL-21 mRNA were significantly decreased. After wild-type or mutant hsa_circ_087631 vector and hsa-miR-346 mimics were transfected into 293T cells, the results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that hsa-miR-346 significantly decreased the luciferase activity of wild-type hsa_circ_087631 （P<0.01）, but the regulation did not change significantly after mutation of the predicted binding site. CONCLUSION Peripheral blood hsa_circ_087631 level is elevated in the PBC patients. The hsa_circ_087631/hsa-miR-346/Bcl-6 signaling may take effect in human T cells. Hsa-miR-346 significantly reduces the expression of hsa_circ_087631, but it may not be regulated by predicted binding sites.     

ARHI gene inhibits cell growth,induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia cell line U937

AIM: To investigate the expression of aplasia rashomolog member I (ARHI) gene in acute myeloid leukemia cells (AML) and to study the effects of ARHI on the growth of AML cell line U937.METHODS: The mRNA expression of ARHI in AML cells, 293FT cells, AML primary cells and healthy volunteer blood cells were detected by RT-PCR. After transfection with the MSCV-IRES-GFP-ARHI plasmid to the U937 cells, the growth curve was analyzed by MTT assay. U937 cells were re-suspended by fresh medium and cultured for 24 h, then the cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rate were determined. RESULTS: The mRNA of ARHI was positively detectable in 293FT cells and healthy volunteer blood cells instead of AML cell line and AML primary cells. The growth curve showed that cell viability in U937 cells with high expression of ARHI (U937-ARHI) was lower than that in the control cells (U937-GFP) on 6th~8th day. The ratio of G₂/M phase and apoptotic rate in the U937-ARHI cells were increased compare with control group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mRNA level of ARHI is low in AML cells. High expression of ARHI gene in U937 cells inhibits cell growth, arrests the cells at G₂/M phase and induces apoptosis.     

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR modulates proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells

AIM: To explore the influence of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR on the proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells via the regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR).METHODS: The expression le-vels of HOTAIR and GR mRNA in human bone marrow stromal cell line HS-5 and human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines MOLT-4, CCRF-CEM and CEM-C1 were examined by RT-qPCR. HOTAIR was knocked down by siRNA in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. CCK-8 assay was used to assess the cell viability, and the effect of si-HOTAIR on the proli-feration of CEM-C1 cells was evaluated by BrdU method. The effect of si-HOTAIR on apoptosis of CEM-C1 cells was examined by Hoechst 33342 staining and Caspase-Glo^® 3/7 assay. Western blot was utilized to examine the protein level of GR.RESULTS: The expression level of HOTAIR in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells was significantly increased as compared with normal human bone marrow stromal cells (P<0.01). The viability and proliferation of acute lymphoblastic cells was inhibited, the apoptosis was induced, and the anti-proliferation effect of dexamethasone on CEM-C1 cells was enhanced after knockdown of HOTAIR expression (P<0.01). The expression of GR was up-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR may modulate the viability, proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells via a GR regulatory way.     

瓜叶菊花青素合成关键结构基因的分离及表达分析

 本文通过RT-PCR的方法分离了花青素合成途径上的关键结构基因片段：CHS、CHI、F3H、F3'H和DFR。在白色系、红色系、紫色系和蓝色系瓜叶菊舌状花中,采用半定量RT-PCR的方法分析CHS、CHI、F3H、F3'H、DFR、F3'5'H、3MaT这7个结构基因在花不同发育阶段的表达模式。结果表明：在白色花中,不存在CHS的表达;在红色花中,检测到F3'H基因的高丰度表达,但没有检测到F3'5'H的转录本;在蓝色花中,没有F3'H表达的信号,但在花序开放的第Ⅰ阶段有较强的F3'5'H的表达信号;而在紫色花中,可以同时检测到F3'H和F3'5'H的转录本。此外,瓜叶菊花青素合成相关结构基因在花序开放初期高丰度表达,随后逐渐降低,在第Ⅳ阶段表达量再次出现升高现象,而在花序开放末期表达量极低或没有表达信号。     

Up-regulation of microRNA-187* inhibits proliferation of human colon cancer cell line HCT116

AIM:To investigate the expression of microRNA-187* (miR-187*) in human colon cancer cell lines and normal colon tissues, and to determine the effects of miR-187* up-regulation on the proliferation and cell cycle of human colon cancer cell line HCT116. METHODS:The expression profiling of miRNAs in 3 colorectal adenocarcinoma samples and their matched normal tissue samples was performed using miRNA microarray chip. Total RNA was isolated from 8 colon cancer cell lines and 10 normal colon tissues. The miR-187* level was detected by Taqman real-time RT-PCR. B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI-1), the possible target of miR-187*, was also detected. Synthetic miR-187* mimics were transfected into HCT116 cell line by LipofectamineTM 2000. The mRNA expression of miR-187* and BMI-1 in HCT116 cell line was measured by real-time RT-PCR. Cell growth and cell cycle were assayed by MTS method and flow cytometry. RESULTS:miR-187* was found to be differentially expressed between colorectal adenocarcinoma and normal tissues. The expression of miR-187* in 8 colon cancer cell lines was down-regulated, while BMI-1 mRNA was up-regulated. Compared with blank control group, miR-187* expression was remarkably increased after transfection with miR-187* mimics, and ectopic expression of miR-187* significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of BMI-1. The cell growth was inhibited in miR-187* mimics group, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) mRNA expression was decreased. The cells at G2/M phase in miR-187* mimics group were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: miR-187* is down-regulated in human colon cancer cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-187* not only inhibits the proliferation but also influence the cell cycle of HCT116 cells, which might act as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer by inhibiting the expression of BMI-1.     

Correlation between the expression level of nucleostemin gene in marrow cells of the patients with acute leukemia and its clinical types,therapy efficacy

AIM: To investigate nucleostemin gene expression in bone marrow of acute leukemia and its clinical significance.METHODS: The expression of nucleostemin in 67 acute leukemia patients was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). The correlation between the expression level of nucleostemin gene and clinical significance was analyzed.RESULTS: Significantly higher expression levels of nucleostemin gene were detected in the initially-treated acute leukemia patients than those in normal control group and complete remission (CR) group by FQ-PCR (P<0.01). The expression level of nucleostemin gene in the cells from ALL was significantly lower than that of the cells in ANLL (P<0.05). No significant difference of nucleostemin expression in various differentiation stages (M2, M3, M4, M5) of ANLL was found (P>0.05). No significant association was observed between nucleostemin expression levels and age, sex, hepatauxe, splenomegaly, WBC count of acute leukemia patients by logistic analysis. The patients with positive expression of nucleostemin had significantly lower complete remission rate than those with negative expression (51.3% vs 83.3%, P<0.05). The nucleostemin expression level was significantly reduced during complete remission. Long-term follow-up of nucleostemin expression level showed that continuous or significant increase in nucleostemin expression in acute leukemia patients predicts refractoriness and impending relapse.CONCLUSION: Expression level of nucleostemin in acute leukemia patients is obviously higher than that in normal control. Nucleostemin can be a marker for evaluating therapy efficacy and monitoring minimal residual diseases (MRD) in leukemias.