[Analysis of caspases activity of hematopoietic progenitor cells and its significance in myelodysplastic syndromes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of apoptosis and the activity of caspases 3 and 9 in bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).


METHODS
Bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells (including both CD(34)(+) and CD(34)(-) cells) were collected by negative selection in 34 patients with MDS. Apoptosis was measured with Annexin V assay and activities of caspases 3 and 9 by spectrophotometer.


RESULTS
1. Apoptosis was significantly increased in MDS-RA (39.5%, P < 0.01) and MDS-RAEB (31.0%, P < 0.05), but was not different statistically in MDS-RAEBt/AML (18.8%) compared with that of control. 2. Activities of caspases 3 and 9 increased 45 and 20 fold in MDS-RA, increased 14 and 2 fold in MDS-RAEB, respectively and was not increased in MDS-RAEBt/AML compared with that of control. 3. Apoptosis and activities of caspases 3 and 9 reduced in 3 cases of MDS-RAEB group who progressed into AML.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased activities of caspases 3 and 9 may be one of causes of excessive apoptosis in MDS. With progress to AML, activities of caspases 3 and 9 and apoptosis reduced. Reduced activity of caspase 9 may result in apoptosis "escape" and progression into AML.
Chen
Jia-lin
JL
Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Xu
Min
M
Song
Xing-zhi
XZ
Li
Qi
Q
Li
Rong-sheng
RS
D017209:Apoptosis; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology
D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide