Overexpression of Wilms tumor 1 gene as a negative prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukemia

Chromosomal aberrations are useful in assessing treatment options and clinical outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. However, 40 ∼ 50% of the AML patients showed no chromosomal abnormalities, i.e., with normal cytogenetics aka the CN-AML patients. Testing of molecular aberrations such as FLT3 or NPM1 can help to define clinical outcomes in the CN-AML patients but with various successes. Goal of this study was to test the possibility of Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) gene overexpression as an additional molecular biomarker. A total of 103 CN-AML patients, among which 28% had overexpressed WT1, were studied over a period of 38 months. Patient's response to induction chemotherapy as measured by the complete remission (CR) rate, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were measured. Our data suggested that WT1 overexpression correlated negatively with the CR rate, DFS and OS. Consistent with previous reports, CN-AML patients can be divided into three different risk subgroups based on the status of known molecular abnormalities, i.e., the favorable (NPM1(mt)/no FLT3(ITD)), the unfavorable (FLT3(ITD)) and the intermediate risk subgroups. The WT1 overexpression significantly reduced the CR, DFS and OS in both the favorable and unfavorable groups. As the results, patients with normal WT1 gene expression in the favorable risk group showed the best clinical outcomes and all survived with complete remission and disease-free survival over the 37 month study period; in contrast, patients with WT1 overexpression in the unfavorable risk group displayed the worst clinical outcomes. WT1 overexpression by itself is an independent and negative indicator for predicting CR rate, DFS and OS of the CN-AML patients; moreover, it increases the statistical power of predicting the same clinical outcomes when it is combined with the NPM1(mt) or the FLT3(ITD) genotypes that are the good or poor prognostic markers of CN-AML.

Analysis of gene expression following sciatic nerve crush and spinal cord hemisection in the mouse by microarray expression profiling

1. The responses of periphery (PNS) and central nervous systems (CNS) towards nerve injury are different: while injured mammalian periphery nerons can successfully undergo regeneration, axons in the central nervous system are usually not able to regenerate. 2. In the present study, the genes which were differentially expressed in the PNS and CNS following nerve injury were identified and compared by microarray profiling techniques. 3. Sciatic nerve crush and hemisection of the spinal cord of adult mice were used as the models for nerve injury in PNS and CNS respectivey. 4. It was found that of all the genes examined, 14% (80/588) showed changes in expression following either PNS or CNS injury, and only 3% (18/588) showed changes in both types of injuries. 5. Among all the differentially expressed genes, only 8% (6/80) exhibited similar changes in gene expression (either up- or down-regulation) following injury in both PNS and CNS nerve injuries. 6. Our results indicated that microarray expression profiling is an efficient and useful method to identify genes that are involved in the regeneration process following nerve injuries, and several genes which are differentially expressed in the PNS and/or CNS following nerve injuries were identified in the present study.

The value of FDP/FIB and D-dimer/FIB ratios in predicting high-risk APL-related thrombosis

Hemorrhage is the typical manifestation of APL-related coagulopathy while thrombosis is infrequently reported. In a retrospective analysis with 33 patients with hyperleukocytic APL, we found 6 out of 33 hyperleukocytic APL patients presented with thrombosis rather than hemorrhage. A notable feature in these high-risk APL patients with thrombosis is that there were no significant abnormalities in fibrinogen (FIB), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Compared with the normal ranges, both the high-risk APL patients with thrombosis and the high-risk APL patients with hemorrhage had a significant increase in fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) and d-dimer levels. However, the group with hemorrhage had noticeably higher plasma levels of FDP and d-dimer than the group with thrombosis. To find a close relationship between coagulation markers and the onset of thrombotic events in patients with high-risk APL, the potential effects of FDP/FIB and d-dimer/FIB ratios as risk markers were investigated. We demonstrated that FDP/FIB and d-dimer/FIB ratios in the patients with high-risk APL with thrombosis showed higher ratios than the normal range but significantly lower ratios than the patients with high-risk APL-related hemorrhage. Our data demonstrated that the alteration in FDP/FIB and d-dimer/FIB ratios have more significant relevance than the levels of FIB, FDP or d-dimer as potential factors for predicting thrombosis and may help with designing more appropriately risk-adapted treatment protocols or personalized therapy.

L-asparaginase-based regimen as a first-line treatment for newly diagnosed nasal type extranodal natural killer cell/T-cell lymphoma

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of an L-asparaginase-based regimen and a CHOP regimen followed by radiotherapy as first-line treatments for newly diagnosed nasal type extranodal natural killer cell/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL). A total of 69 patients received the CHOP regimen as the first-line treatment and 112 patients received the L-asparaginase-based regimen. All patients received radical radiotherapy following two cycles of chemotherapy. The overall response rates of the L-asparaginase-based and CHOP treatment groups were 90.18 and 72.46%, respectively (P=0.002). The one, two, and five-year overall survival (OS) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the L-asparaginase group were 96.0, 88.3, 65.1, 94.2, 79.8 and 50.0%, respectively. The one, two, and five-year OS and PFS rates of the CHOP group were 82.6, 61.9, 25.8, 63.8, 44.0 and 21.0%, respectively (P<0.001). Compared with CHOP treatment, L-asparaginase-based chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy was a safe and highly effective treatment for newly diagnosed ENKTL.

Changes of T-lymphocyte subpopulation and differential expression pattern of the T-bet and GATA-3 genes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients after chemotherapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

T cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in enhancing antitumor response.This study aimed to investigate the changes in the T-lymphocyte subpopulation and to characterize the differential expression pattern of corresponding regulatory genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients before and after chemotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 56 DLBCL patients were recruited for analysis of T-cell subset distribution in the peripheral blood using flow cytometry; serum interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; and early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1), T-bet, GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β mRNA levels using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-six healthy subjects served as controls.

RESULTS

The percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+)T lymphocytes in peripheral blood from DLBCL patients was significantly decreased, whereas the percentages of CD3(+)CD8(+)T and CD4(+)CD25(+)T cells were significantly increased compared to those in controls (p < 0.05). Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were also significantly lower in DLBCL patients than those in controls (p < 0.05), and the levels of EGR-1, T-bet, and GATA-3 mRNA in PBMCs were lower (2.69 ± 1.48, 9.43 ± 2.14, and 20.83 ± 9.05 fold, respectively) in DLBCL patients than those in controls. Furthermore, there was a positive association between the levels of EGR-1 and T-bet mRNA (p = 0.001). However, the level of TGF-β mRNA was significantly increased in DLBCL patients, which was inversely associated with the T-bet mRNA level (p = 0.008), but positively associated with the percentage of T regulatory cells in PBMCs (p = 0.011). After three cycles of chemotherapy, the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets in DLBCL patients were changed, and the levels of EGR-1, T-bet, and GATA-3 mRNA were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to those before chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and the altered expression 34 pattern of the corresponding regulatory genes in PBMCs from DLBCL patients after chemotherapy, which are associated with the response of patients to treatment. The preferential expression of the T-bet gene after chemotherapy was closely correlated with the increased expression of the EGR-1 gene and decreased expression of the TGF-β gene.

Prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an inflammatory marker may represent changes between inflammation and host immunity that affect the prognosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). To comprehensively evaluate the NLR in PTCL, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between the NLR and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for all relevant studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from each study. Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked to determine whether fixed or random effects model was used. In total, 8 studies with 921 patients were included for the meta-analysis. High NLR significantly correlated with worse OS (HR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.71–2.83, P < 0.05) regardless of region (Asian or non-Asian), sample size (< 60 or ≥ 60), median age (< 60 or ≥ 60), disease type, or cut-off value (NLR < 3.9 or NLR ≥ 3.9). In terms of PFS, the NLR had no prognostic impact for patients with PTCL (HR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.57–2.20, P = 0.742). Our findings suggest that PTCL patients with high NLR are more likely to have worse OS compared to those with low NLR. Therefore, the NLR can serve as a prognostic marker in PTCL.

The predictive value of dynamic monitoring of peripheral blood lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma

Background

To investigate the value of dynamic monitoring peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte (LMR) ratio in evaluating the treatment response and prognosis of patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL).

Methods

A total of 148 patients with ENKTL were retrospectively analyzed in the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University between March 2012 and March 2018. The optimal cut-off value of LMR was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) method, then patients were divided into low LMR group and high LMR group. The LMR level was dynamically measured at various time points, and the relationships between LMR and therapeutic response, and survival were analyzed.

Results

The complete remission rate (CR) was 85.7% in patients with high LMR at diagnosis, which was remarkably higher than that of patients with low LMR at diagnosis (64.9%) (P = 0.009). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 49.28% and 44.89% in the low LMR group, respectively; 5-year OS and PFS in the high LMR group were 84.50% and 67.12%, respectively, significantly longer (P values were < 0.001 and 0.034, respectively). The OS and PFS of patients with elevated LMR after treatment were longer than those with decreased LMR after treatment (all P values < 0.05). The LMRs at relapse were significantly lower in both high and low LMR groups than those of the last follow-up (P values were 0.001 and 0.016, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that low LMR was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in ENKTL patients (P values were < 0.001 and 0.009, respectively).

Conclusions

Lymphocyte to monocyte ratio can be used as an indicator of treatment response, prognosis and recurrence in patients with ENKTL. Low LMR before and after treatment is a poor prognostic factor.

Protective efficacy of recombinant Cryptosporidium parvum CpPRP1 sushi domain against C. tyzzeri infection in mice

Until now, there are no completely effective parasite-specific pharmaceuticals or immunotherapies for treatment against the zoonotic cryptosporidiosis. Sushi domain (CpSushi) is an important functional domain in Cryptosporidium parvum putative rhoptry protein-1 (CpPRP1), which is the only reported C. parvum rhoptry protein and may play key role in the course of invasion. Here, a 708-bp fragment encoding the CpSushi domain was amplified and expressed in E. coli. Immunofluorescence detection showed that CpSushi was located on the surface of C. parvum oocysts and the apical pole to the sporozoites that belonged to the position of rhoptry. Three-week-old female ICR mice were used for detecting the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of recombinant CpSushi (rCpSushi) to artificial C. tyzzeri infection. The results indicated that a significant increase of anti-CpSushi antibody response was induced by the recombinant protein. Compared to blank, Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer and adjuvant controls mice, rCpSushi-immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation as well as enhanced IL4, IL5, IL12p70 and TNF-α production in vitro. The reduction rate of parasites shedding in stool in mice immunized with rCpSushi was 68.91% after challenging with C. tyzzeri. These results suggest that CpSushi could be a new promising cryptosporidiosis vaccine candidate antigen composition.

Effects of Thalidomide Combined with Interferon on Inhibiting Kasumi-1 Cell Proliferation

BACKGROUND

Our previous clinical observations proved that the combination of thalidomide and interferon (IFN) had certain effects in relapsed or refractory AML.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and its mechanism of thalidomide and IFN on inhibiting the proliferation of Kasumi-1 cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thalidomide, IFN and a combination of both drugs were used to treat Kasumi-1 cells. The inhibition of cell proliferation and the apoptosis rate were measured. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS

Thalidomide and IFN could both inhibit Kasumi-1 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. When Kasumi-1 cells were treated with thalidomide 350 μg/mL or IFN1400 U/mL for 48 h, the proliferation inhibition rates were (48.8 ± 4.64)% and (50.19 ± 2.59)% and the rates of apoptosis were (14.68 ± 2.61)% and (21.71 ± 0.71)%, respectively; when treated with a combination, the cell proliferation inhibition rate and apoptotic rate were statistically significantly higher than both the control group and the groups treated with a single drug. The ELISA assay revealed that both 350 μg/mL of thalidomide and 1400 U/mL of IFN could reduce the VEGF levels in cell culture supernatants; the two-drug combination group had a further decreased VEGF concentration. Forty-eighthour treatment of thalidomide 350 μg/mL and IFN 1400 U/mL could significantly decrease Bcl-2 expression and increase the expression levels of phosphor-P38, BAX, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3, -8, and -9 as compared to the control group. The combination group exhibited significantly greater extents of reduction in Bcl-2 protein and increases in p-P38, BAX, and cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3, -8, and -9 protein expression as compared to the single drug groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Thalidomide and IFN can synergistically inhibit Kasumi-1 cell proliferation, which is possibly achieved through the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways and through the activation of the P38 signaling pathway to induce apoptosis and by inhibiting Kasumi-1 cell autocrine VEGF secretion.

[A multi-center retrospective study of L-asparaginase-based regimens as first-line treatment in newly diagnosed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the short-term efficacy, overall survival (OS), and safety in newly diagnosed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) patients with L-asparaginase based regimens or CHOP regimen in combination with radiotherapy as first-line treatment.

METHODS

Of the total 181 patients diagnosed by imaging and pathology, 69 patients received CHOP regimen and 112 patients received L-asparaginase based regimens. All the patients received radical radiotherapy(RT)after 6 cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The overall response rates of L-asparaginase-based group and CHOP group were 90.2% and 72.5%, respectively (P=0.002). The 1, 2, 5-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in L-asparaginase-based group were 96.0%, 88.3%, 65.1% and 94.2%, 79.8%, 50.0%, respectively. The 1, 2, 5-year OS and PFS in CHOP group were 82.6%, 61.9%, 28.4% and 63.8%, 44.0%, 21.0% (P=0.000).

CONCLUSION

Compared with CHOP regimen, L-asparaginase-based chemotherapy is more effective and safe for newly diagnosed nasal-type ENKTL.

Development of an immunocompetent mouse model susceptible to Cryptosporidium tyzzeri infection

AIMS

Immunocompromised mice are extensively used in the screening of vaccines and drugs for Cryptosporidium, but this study model does not reflect the real status of infection in immunocompetent animals. This study aimed to provide an optimized animal model for future studies of Cryptosporidium vaccine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Three mouse strains (ICR, BALB/c and KM) with or without immunosuppression were compared after challenge with Cryptosporidium tyzzeri (C tyzzeri). The results indicated that ICR mice shed a greater number of faecal oocysts (20 346 ± 203 oocysts/g) compared with BALB/c (2077 ± 142 oocysts/g) and KM mice (3207 ± 431 oocysts/g) after experimental infection with C tyzzeri (P < .001). However, ICR mouse model is uniquely effective for C tyzzeri, not for other Cryptosporidium spp. such as C parvum. ICR mice were then used to determine the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of P23-DNA vaccine (pVAX1-P23) to C tyzzeri experimental infection. The results showed that a significant increase in anti-P23 antibody levels was induced by the pVAX1-P23 vaccine. Compared to pVAX1, TB and blank control mice, pVAX1-P23 immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation as well as enhanced IL-5, IL-12p70 and IFN-γ production in sera. After challenge with 5 × 10⁶ C tyzzeri oocysts, the oocyst shedding of the pVAX1-P23 immunized group was reduced by 69.94% comparing to the infection control.

CONCLUSION

These results provide an optimized animal model for the study of prophylactic vaccines and this model might be applied to other candidates against Cryptosporidium, not only for pVAX1-P23.

[Inhibitory effect of thalidomide combined with interferon on the proliferation of Kasumi-1 cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the inhibitory effect of thalidomide combined with interferon (IFN) on the human acute myeloid leukemia cell line Kasumi- 1 and its mechanism.

METHODS

The inhibitiory effect of Kasumi- 1 cells by thalidomide, interferon or combination was detected by CCK- 8 method, the apoptosis by flow cytometry, the expression of apoptosis related proteins by Western blot, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in culture supernatant by ELISA.

RESULTS

Thalidomide inhibited the proliferation of Kasumi- 1 in a dose- dependent manner from 50 μg/ml to 500 μg/ml with an IC₅₀ of (451.13 ± 6.92）μg/ml at 24 h and (362.50 ± 14.52）μg/ml at 48 h. IFN also demonstrated the inhibitory capacity in a dose-dependent manner from 500 U/ml to 5 000 U/ml, with an IC₅₀ of (2 209 ± 127) U/ml at 24 h and (1 393±63) U/ml at 48 h. The apoptosis rates of Kasumi-1 cells treated with thalidomide 350 μg/ml or IFN 1 400 U/ml for 48 h were (14.68 ± 2.61) % and (21.71 ± 0.71)%, respectively, significantly higher than control group (P<0.01). In combination group the inhibition and the apoptosis rate were (88.50 ± 2.40) % and (41.95 ± 3.41)%, significantly higher than control and each single agent group (P<0.01). The VEGF concentrations of combination group [(94.61 ± 5.46) ng/L decreased significantly, as compared to thalidomide group [(141.11 ± 3.70) ng/L and IFN group [(119.90 ± 2.00) ng/L (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed Bcl-2 expression of Kasumi-1 cells decreased, while p-P38, Bax, cytochrome C, cleaved-Caspase-3, 8, 9 increased after treated with thalidomide 350 μg/ml or IFN 1 400 U/ml for 48 h. When treated with the combination agents, the expression of Bcl-2 further decreased and p-P38, Bax, cytochrome C, cleaved-Caspase-3, 8, 9 further increased as compared with each single agent (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Thalidomide and IFN could synergistically inhibit the proliferation of Kasumi-1 cells probably through inducing apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway, death receptor pathway and P38 MAPK pathway, as well as inhibiting VEGF secretion.

Efficacy and Safety of Homoharringtonine for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of homoharringtonine (HHT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge of Infrastructure, and Wanfang data were systematically searched until October 31, 2020, for AML treatment with and without HHT. Fixed- and random-effect models were used to pool main outcomes, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 37 articles (2846 patients) fitting our criterion were included. The pooled overall response rate for the patients treated with HHT was 82% (CI, 77.9%-85.6%; I² = 73.5%), and the complete response rate was 63.4% (CI, 58.8%-68%; I² = 67.3%). Our study showed that patients treated with HHT have more overall response and complete response benefits and less cardiotoxicity and relapse rate. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with AML treated with HHT have significant overall response benefits in patients younger than 60 (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; CI, 1.33-2; I² = 1.7%; P < .001), the newly diagnosed (OR, 1.59; CI, 1.15-2.21; I² = 34.7%; P = .006), and relapsed/refractory patients (OR, 2.13; CI, 1.38-3.29; I² = 32.3%; P = .001). Better complete remission benefits were observed in patients younger than 60 (OR, 1.32; CI, 1.1-1.59; I² = 7%; P = .004), the newly diagnosed (OR, 1.32; CI, 1.08-1.62; I² = 33.5%; P = .006), and relapsed/refractory patients (OR, 1.81; CI, 1.19-2.77; P = .006). For elderly patients, HHT treatment reduced relapse risk by 76.6% (OR, 0.23; CI, 0.09-0.63; I² = 0%; P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

HHT can be a reliable choice with less cardiotoxicity for patients with AML, especially for the newly diagnosed or patients younger than 60. For elderly intolerant patients, the use of HHT can reduce relapse.

Treatment with cyclophosphamide, vindesine, cytarabine, dexamethasone and bleomycin in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Several chemotherapy regimens have been used as second-line therapies for relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). None have emerged as a preferred regimen. This retrospective study aimed to identify a regimen with high efficacy and low toxicity for patients with relapsed and refractory DLBCL. Fifty-eight patients diagnosed with relapsed or refractory DLBCL were included in the study. Patients were treated with cyclophosphamide, vindesine, cytarabine, dexamethasone and bleomycin (COAD-B). The overall response rate (ORR) was 70.7%, and the median remission duration was 13 months (3-48 months). The 1-, 2- and 4-year overall survival rates were 62.4%, 45.7% and 34.6%, respectively. The 1-, 2- and 4-year progression-free survival rates were 50.0%, 36.7% and 20.7%, respectively. The responses of patients with relapsed DLBCL to COAD-B were significantly better than those of patients with refractory DLBCL (p = 0.005). The main adverse reaction of patients was myelosuppression. Our data indicate that COAD-B should be used in treatment of patients with relapsed DLBCL.

Combined use of interferon alpha-1b, interleukin-2, and thalidomide to reverse the AML1-ETO fusion gene in acute myeloid leukemia

This study aims to explore the effect of the ITI (interferon alpha-1b, thalidomide, and interleukin-2) regimen on the AML1-ETO fusion gene in patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were in hematologic remission but positive for the AML1-ETO fusion gene. From September 2014 to November 2020; 20 patients with AML (15 from The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 4 from The First Affiliated Hospital; and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, and 1 from Anyang District Hospital) with hematological remission but AML1-ETO fusion gene positivity were treated with different doses of the ITI regimen to monitor changes in AML1-ETO fusion gene levels. Twenty patients were treated with a routine dose of the ITI regimen, including 13 males and 7 females. The median patient age was 38 (14-70 years). The fusion gene was negative in 10 patients after 1 (0.5 ~ 8.6) month, significantly decreased in 4 patients after 2.8 (1 ~ 6) months, increased in 4 patients, and unchanged in 2 patients. The 4 patients with elevated levels of the fusion gene were treated with an increased dose of the ITI regimen, and all four patients became negative, for a total effective rate of 90%. The ITI regimen reduces AML1-ETO fusion gene levels in patients with AML who are in hematologic remission but are fusion gene-positive. Improvement was observed in patients' response to a higher dose administration, and patients tolerated the treatment well.

Over-expression of c-fos mRNA in the hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationship between the proto-oncogene c-fos change and neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus of the patients with Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

The post mortem human hippocampal tissues were divided into three groups, namely, the aged, the young and Alzheimer's disease (AD) groups. Each group consisted of 10 patients. The diagnosis of AD was made by clinical manifestation and argentatine (Bodían) staining. Patients of both the young and the aged groups had no neurological disorders. The proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA was investigated in the hippocampal neurons using the method of in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

The optical density of stained area and the integral within proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA revealed a significant increase in the hippocampal neurons in cases of Alzheimer's disease as compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The over-expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos might play a role in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease. These changes might result from a suffering stage of the hippocampal neurons or from a compensatory mechanism in the surviving neurons which are not yet affected-by the pathological process.