BackgroundDifferentiation of the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line HL-60 can be induced by all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA); however, the mechanism regulating this process has not been fully characterized.MethodsUsing bioinformatics and in vitro experiments, we identified the microRNA gene expression profile of HL-60 cells during ATRA induced granulocytic differentiation.ResultsSix microRNAs were upregulated by ATRA treatment, miR-663, miR-494, miR-145, miR-22, miR-363* and miR-223; and three microRNAs were downregulated, miR-10a, miR-181 and miR-612. Additionally, miR-663 expression was regulated by ATRA. We used a lentivirus (LV) backbone incorporating the spleen focus forming virus (SFFV-F) promoter to drive miR-663 expression, as the CMV (Cytomegalovirus) promoter is ineffective in some lymphocyte cells. Transfection of LV-miR-663 induced significant HL-60 cell differentiation in vitro.ConclusionsOur results show miR-663 may play an important role in ATRA induced HL-60 cell differentiation. Lentivirus delivery of miR-663 could potentially be used directly as an anticancer treatment in hematological malignancies

PurposeThis study aimed to develop an anti-inflammation system consisting of epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles to promote wound healing.MethodsNano- and microscale PLGA particles were fabricated using a water/oil/water emulsion solvent evaporation method. The optimal particle size was determined based on drug delivery efficiency and biocompatibility. The particles were loaded with EGCG. The anti-inflammatory effects of the particles were evaluated in an in vitro cell-based inflammation model.ResultsNano- and microscale PLGA particles were produced. The microscale particles showed better biocompatibility than the nanoscale particles. In addition, the microscale particles released ~60% of the loaded drug, while the nanoscale particles released ~50%, within 48 hours. Thus, microscale particles were selected as the carriers. The optimal EGCG working concentration was determined based on the effects on cell viability and inflammation. A high EGCG dose (100 μM) resulted in poor cell viability; therefore, a lower dose (≤50 μM) was used. Moreover, 50 μM EGCG had a greater anti-inflammatory effect than 10 μM concentration on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Therefore, 50 μM EGCG was selected as the working dose. EGCG-loaded microparticles inhibited inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects persisted after replacement of the drug-loaded particle suspension solution with fresh medium.ConclusionThe EGCG-loaded microscale particles are biocompatible and exert a sustained anti-inflammatory effect.

We investigated the use of Polycaprolactone (PCL)/ b-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) composites with applied mechanical stimulation as scaffold for bone tissue engineering. PCL-based three-dimensional (3D) structures were fabricated in a solvent-free process using a 3D-printing technique. The mass fraction of b-TCP was varied in the range 0-30%, and the structure and compressive modulus of the specimens was characterized. The shape and interconnectivity of the pores was found to be satisfactory, and the compressive modulus of the specimens was comparable with that of human trabecular bone. Human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded on the composites, and various biological evaluations were performed over 9 days. With a mass fraction of b-TCP of 30%, differentiation began earlier; however, the cell proliferation rate was lower. Through the use of mechanical stimulation, however, the proliferation rate recovered, and was comparable with that of the other groups. This stimulation effect was also observed in ECM generation and other biological assays. With mechanical stimulation, expression of osteogenic markers was lower on samples with a b-TCP content of 10 wt% than without b-TCP; however, with mechanical stimulation, the sample with a b-TCP content of 30 wt% exhibited significantly greater expression of those markers than the other samples. We found that mechanical stimulation and the addition of b-TCP interacted closely, and that a mass fraction of b-TCP of 30% was particularly useful as a bone tissue scaffold when accompanied by mechanical stimulation.

No abstract

Background Fatigue is the most common symptom in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. Many fatigue instruments have been used in SLE, with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) mostly adopted. However, fatigue instruments haven’t been tested in the Chinese SLE population. The aim of our study was to test the psychometric properties of FSS in Chinese SLE patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. 201 patients diagnosed with SLE were enrolled in the study with convenience sampling. Fatigue score, depression score and vitality subscale score of SF-36 were collected. Floor and ceiling effects were tested. Factor analysis was conducted. Reliability and validity of FSS were also tested. Results Floor (4.50%) and ceiling (4.00%) effects were minimal. One factor was extracted, explaining 61.80% of total variance. When item1 and item 2 were deleted, one factor explained 69.54% of variance, and Cronbach’s Alpha increased from 0.92 to 0.93. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.94. Fatigue correlated with both depression ( r = 0.52, P < 0.01) and vitality ( r = − 0.55, P < 0.01), indicating acceptable construct validity for original FSS. When item 1 and 2 were removed, the correlation coefficient between 7-item FSS and vitality increased ( r = − 0.58, P < 0.01), while correlation coefficient between 7-item FSS and depression remained the same ( r = 0.52, P < 0.01). Known-groups validity was verified by that patients with depression showed higher fatigue score both for 9-item ( Z = -5.56, P < 0.001) and 7-item FSS ( Z = -5.70, P < 0.001). Conclusions 9-item FSS is a reliable instrument and can be used to assess fatigue problem in Chinese SLE patients, and 7-item FSS also demonstrated good psychometric properties in the same participants.