Blood Cells Of Women Research Articles

The molecular significance of BRCA1 promoter methylation in peripheral blood cells in women with breast cancer in West Algeria

IntroductionEpigenetic alterations, in particular DNA methylation, are the most important mechanism that silences tumor suppressor genes during carcinogenesis. Methylation of the BRCA1 promoter in peripheral blood is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. In the present study, we aimed, for the first time in western Algeria, to investigate the role of BRCA1 CpG promoter methylation in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) among breast cancer patients, as a potential biomarker for detecting breast cancer risk at an early age.Material and methodsThe methylation profile of the BRCA1 gene promoter and its frequency in PBCs, derived from 39 breast cancer patients, was explored by methylation-specific PCR (MSPCR). The association between methylation profiles and clinicopathological features was evaluated with SPSS statistics software to estimate a convenient biomarker for early detection of breast cancer.ResultsMSPCR results demonstrated that the methylation frequency of the BRCA1 gene promoter detected in PBCs is significantly higher than in other populations. It was observed in 23 of 39 (58.97%) breast cancer patients.ConclusionsOur study showed that the methylation of the BRCA1 gene promoter detected in PBCs’ DNA could have potential utility in clinical diagnostics as a new biomarker for breast cancer risk in Algerian women and for early detection.

Proinflammatory activity of monocytes and activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes in red blood cells in women with depressive conditions

To search for possible connections between the anti-inflammatory activity of monocytes (PAM) and the activity of glutathione metabolic enzymes: glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GT) in patients with depressive states (DS) within various mental pathologies, as well as between the studied biological parameters and clinical condition of patients. Sixty-one women, aged 18-56 years, with DC were examined before and after treatment. Symptom severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Hamilton Depressive Symptom Rating Scale (HDRS-21). The control group included 23 women of the corresponding age without mental pathology. Biological parameters were assessed in the peripheral blood of patients and healthy people. Patients with a high level of PAM compared to the control (p<0.001) (subgroup 1, n=31) and with a low (at the control level) level (subgroup 2, n=30) were identified. In the subgroup 1, the values of GR and GT were significantly lower than in patients of subgroup 2 (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Negative correlations between the level of PAM before treatment and GR before and after treatment were revealed in patients who responded to treatment (r=-0.67; p=0.0041; r=-0.76; p=0.0001). The results may indicate the inverse relationship between the level of PAM and the activity of GR and GT, which are involved in the pathogenesis of DC, and can also serve as criteria for assessing the response of patients to treatment.

Macrophage inhibiting factor in women with habitual miscarriage in pregnancy following immunocytotherapy

The aim of our study was to evaluate the macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) content of in peripheral blood serum, as well as MIF production by mitogen-stimulated cells from whole peripheral blood during pregnancy in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage who received immunocytotherapy both prior to and in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study involved 51 women 20 to 40 years old: 10 fertile healthy females beyond pregnancy, 23 women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM), 18 women with a physiological course of pregnancy at different stages of gestation (12, in the first trimester; 12, in the second; 9, in third trimester). MIF content was assessed by multiplex analysis using flow fluorometry. Of 23 women with IRM, six lost their pregnancy in the first trimester, 14 women prolonged pregnancy to the full-term resulting into birth of a healthy child; three had premature births at 24 to 35 weeks with a live fetus. There were no intergroup differences in the serum MIF level in control women and in patients with IRM, both beyond and during pregnancy. However, the dynamics of this index during pregnancy, was similar with increase during the II and III trimesters in both groups of women (control and with IRM). During pregnancy, the dynamics of MIF production by mitogen-activated cells from peripheral blood was also similar, except for values in the II trimester: in this period, MIF production in women with IRM was significantly lower, although it was still increased 3 times compared to the 1st trimester (5-fold to controls). In women with physiological pregnancy, the serum MIF levels at 5 to 6 weeks were lower than in women in both IRM subgroups, but there was no difference in MIF content for women with miscarriage and full-term pregnancy. Similarly, there were no differences of MIF contents in the supernates of activated whole blood cells of women at the time of study within groups and between the groups at the same time of examination. It has been shown that ICT has a positive effect on the course and outcomes of pregnancy in women with pregnancy prolonged to full-term. The serum MIF content in women with full-term pregnancy is higher than in women with miscarriage, which is consistent with results of other authors about adverse developmental effects of low serum MIF levels at early pregnancy terms. The results obtained indicate that immunocytotherapy do not regularly promote pregnancy to full term in women with IPV. Therefore, further research is required to find out criteria for administering ICT in treatment of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Morphological and biochemical evaluation of blood in young women with common acne – preliminary report

Introduction: Acne is one of the most common skin diseases, defined as a chronic, inflammatory disease of the sebaceous gland and hair follicle. It is most common in young people, although the lesions may persist even up to 30 – 40 years of age. It is characterized clinically by the presence of non-inflammatory and inflammatory eruptions (papules and pustules) and usually with increased production of sebum. The reasons for the appearance of acne include hormonal disorders, obesity, stress, diet, environmental and genetic factors, cosmetic substances, and medications. Patients with acne exhibit an overreaction of the immune system and an excessively intense inflammatory response. The aim of the study is to evaluate selected biochemical and blood count parameters in young women with acne vulgaris. Material and methods: The study was conducted on 20 students of the Academy of Physical Education, aged 20 – 26, including 10 women with mild acne vulgaris and 10 women without acne symptoms. All women underwent complete blood counts (CBC) with the division of leukocytes into subpopulations (5 DIFF) and biochemical tests in blood serum (lipid profile, liver function tests, concentration of total protein and its electrophoretic fractions, CRP). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the group of women with acne compared to the control group in terms of the assessed serum biochemical parameters. Women with mild acne vulgaris had a significantly lower number of erythrocytes, higher MCV, and a lower percentage of monocytes, with no significant differences in other blood count parameters. The percentage of neutrophils tended to be higher in the group of women with acne vulgaris. Conclusions: 1. Inflammation accompanying mild acne vulgaris may change the number of monocytes and neutrophils in blood counts. 2. The lower number of red blood cells in women with symptoms of acne vulgaris may be the result of chronic inflammation.

Features of Morphometric Changes in Platelets and Red Blood Cells in Women with Various Forms of Hypertensive Disorders in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Background. Arterial hypertension during pregnancy is accompanied by pronounced changes in microcirculation and hemostasis in the system, the state of which is largely determined by the structural and functional properties of red blood cells and platelets. The study of quantitative and morphometric characteristics of blood cells will expand the existing understanding of their role in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders. Aim of the research. To study the quantitative and morphometric indicators of red blood cells and platelets in pregnant women with various forms of hypertensive disorders, on the basis of which to develop an additional method for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Materials and methods. 237 women in the third trimester of pregnancy were examined. The main group (167 women) included patients with various forms of hypertensive disorders. The comparison group included 70 pregnant women without signs of hypertensive disorders. The characteristic of clinical and anamnestic data of the studied groups is given. A comparative analysis of the number and morphometric parameters of red blood cells and platelets was performed. Results. With moderate and severe preeclampsia, a decrease in the level of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit was not accompanied by changes in red blood cell indices. In women with preeclampsia, regardless of the presence of chronic arterial hypertension, an increase in the average dry weight, average volume and degree of platelet anisocytosis was detected. In severe preeclampsia and preeclampsia with underlying of chronic arterial hypertension, an increase in the number of large forms of platelets and their granulocytosis was revealed, and in addition, in severe cases of preeclampsia, a decrease in platelet level was noted. Conclusions . Modern hematological analyzers make it possible to establish the nature of not only quantitative, but also morphometric changes in red blood cells and platelets, thereby complementing the existing understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Using average dry platelet mass and average blood pressure may be useful in diagnosing preeclampsia.

Lymphocyte Activation in the Development of Immune Tolerance in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Association between lymphocyte activation and formation of immune tolerance, as well as pregnancy outcome, in the case of immunocytotherapy (ICT) was studied in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (IRPL). The content and phenotypic characteristics of activated T lymphocytes and NK cells were investigated in the peripheral blood of IRPL patients with different pregnancy outcomes (pregnancy prolongation to the full term and habitual miscarriage). The fraction of activated cells in the subpopulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD3+CD8+/CD3+CD8+CD69+) before ICT was significantly lower in women who lost the pregnancy. After ICT, the fraction of these cells during weeks 5-6 of pregnancy in woman with miscarriage was higher than in women with pregnancy prolonged to the full-term. Excessive content of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes can be a mechanism underlying impaired maternal immunotolerance to fetal alloantigens, which is a leading factor of early pregnancy loss. The obtained data confirm the involvement of activated Th17 cells and FOXP3+ Treg cells in the formation of tolerance to paternal antigens of the fetus. Comparison of the decrease in the fraction of CD4+CD25highRORγt+ lymphocytes at the early gestation period (5-6 weeks) and significant upregulation of the IL-17 production by in vitro stimulated whole blood cells in women with miscarriage with the same parameters in women with prolonged pregnancy suggested an imbalance between pro-inflammatory Th17 cells and Treg cells. No such imbalance in the content effector T lymphocytes was observed in women with the full-term pregnancy. Taken together, our data indicate an important role of gestational activation of lymphocytes in the formation of maternal immune response to fetal alloantigens necessary for the prolongation of pregnancy.

Fluid resuscitation during persistent postpartum haemorrhage and maternal outcome: A nationwide cohort study

ObjectiveTo determine the association between increasing volumes of crystalloids and colloids administered before transfusion of packed red blood cells in women with persistent postpartum haemorrhage and adverse maternal outcomes. Study designRetrospective cohort study in the Netherlands. Women with persistent postpartum haemorrhage and known clear fluids volume for resuscitation were included. Women who received ≤2 L of clear fluids were the reference group. We determined the effect of every additional litre of clear fluids on total blood loss, severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Results were adjusted for patient and bleeding characteristics. ResultsOf the 883 included women, 199 received ≤2 L of clear fluids. Median blood loss for the reference group was 2.9 L (interquartile range 2.2–3.4). Adjusted mean difference in blood loss compared with the reference group was 0.2 L (95% confidence interval −0.1 to 0.5) for women in the >2 to ≤3 L, 0.4 L (0.1–0.7) for the >3 to ≤4 L category, 0.6 L (0.5–0.7) for the >4 to ≤5 L category, and 1.9 L (1.5–2.3) for the >5 to ≤7 L category. Adjusted odds ratios for adverse maternal outcomes were 1.0 (0.7–1.6), 1.2 (0.8–1.9), 1.8 (1.1–3.1) and 4.4 (2.6–7.5) for women in the 2 to ≤3 L category, >3 to ≤4 L, >4 to ≤5 L, and >5 to ≤7 L volume categories respectively. Results were similar in strata of different severities of bleeding. ConclusionClear fluids volume >4 L was independently associated with adverse maternal outcome in women with persistent postpartum haemorrhage.

Reduced Insulin Receptor Expression and Altered DNA Methylation in Fat Tissues and Blood of Women With GDM and Offspring.

Altered expression of the insulin receptor (IR) in adipose tissue (AT) could contribute to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) etiopathogenesis. Transcriptional regulation via epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation) may play a critical role. However, the human IR promoter DNA methylation patterns and involvement in gene expression are unknown. We evaluated IR mRNA and protein expression accompanied by targeted DNA methylation analyses in AT and blood cells of women with GDM and their offspring. Prospective observational study. Academic clinic and research unit. GDM-affected (n = 25) and matched control (n = 30) mother-child dyads. Maternal IR gene and protein expression in paired subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue samples (VAT). DNA methylation levels in IR promoter and intronic regions in maternal AT and blood cells of mother-offspring pairs. In SAT and VAT, IR mRNA/protein expressions were significantly reduced in women with GDMs (P < 0.05). The decrease in VAT was more pronounced and independent of maternal body mass index. VAT IR protein levels were inversely associated with key maternal and neonatal anthropometric and metabolic parameters (P < 0.05). DNA methylation patterns were similar across tissues, with significant yet small size alterations between groups in mothers and offspring (P < 0.05). Decreased IR levels in AT may be a relevant pathogenic factor in GDM, affecting materno-fetal metabolism. Further investigation of causal factors for IR dysregulation is necessary, especially in VAT. Potential functional and/or clinical roles of altered DNA methylation also should be evaluated.

Detection of 4977-bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA in in vitro fertilization failure women: A case-control study

The quality of oocyte is often considered as a limiting factor for fertility, especially IVF. Some mitochondrial mutations, particularly the 4977-bp deletion increase with the age. Thus, this mutation can serve as a marker for cell aging, which indicates the reduced quality of the oocytes for fertilization. It has been suggested that this can also be investigated in the blood cells of women with IVF failure. 1-Determination of the frequency of 4977-bp deletion in women with IVF failure, 2-Investigation of the relationship between 4977-bp deletion and the age of patients. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the 4977-bp deletion in blood samples of 52 IVF failure women and 52 women who had at least one healthy child. After polymerase chain reaction with deleted and wild-type primers, the products were examined using agarose gel electrophoresis. 48.07% of women with IVF failure and 34.62% of healthy women had a mitochondrial 4977-bp deletion, with p=0.163 and OR: 1.749. Also, in association with the age of these patients and the frequency of 4977-bp mutation, p and OR were obtained 0.163 and 1.749, respectively and frequency of this mutation was higher in patients over 35 yr old compared to other subgroups (Patients ≥35: 57.69). According to the findings of this study, there is no a significant relationship between the frequency of mitochondrial 4977-bp mutation and failure in IVF.

ПЕРЕКИСНЕ ОКИСЛЕННЯ ЛІПІДІВ, ЯК ПРОЯВ ОКСИДАТИВНОГО СТРЕСУ В ОРГАНІЗМІ ЖІНОК З ЗМІНАМИ РЕПРОДУКТИВНОГО ЗДОРОВ’Я НА ТЛІ СОМАТОФОРМНИХ ЗАХВОРЮВАНЬ З ПОРУШЕННЯМИ ВЕГЕТАТИВНОГО ГОМЕОСТАЗУ

Мета дослідження – вивчення вмісту фосфоліпідів та нейтральних ліпідів клітин крові в жінок фертильного віку зі змінами репродуктивного здоров’я та порушеннями вегетативного гомеостазу.Матеріали та методи. Було клінічно обстежено 360 жінок із змінами репродуктивного здоров’я у вигляді станів після перенесених артифіційних абортів, безпліддя та лейоміоми матки і порушень вегетативного гомеостазу, які проявлялись синдромом вегетативної дисфункції і соматоформною дисфункцією вегетативної нервової системи – за гіпертонічним, гіпотонічним та кардіальним типами.Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. У жінок із змінами репродуктивного здоров’я на тлі порушень вегетативного гомеостазу відбувається активація перекисного окислення ліпідів. При різних видах порушень вегетативного гомеостазу та різних змінах репродуктивного здоров’я активація перекисного окислення ліпідів відбувається по-різному. Більш інтенсивно цей процес, за результатами наших досліджень, відбувався у жінок зі всіма видами порушень вегетативного гомеостазу, що перенесли артифіційний аборт.Висновок. Оксидативний стрес є важливим патогенетичним механізмом розвитку змін репродуктивного здоров’я у жінок із соматоформними захворюваннями та порушенням вегетативного гомеостазу.

A monoclonal antibody from a mother of a child with autism resulted in cortical and behavioral alterations in male but not in female mice

Maternal brain-reactive antibodies have been associated with increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring. Maternal brain-reactive antibodies can affect the fetal brain before it develops a competent blood brain barrier that prevents exposure to antibody. Approximately 10% of women with a child with ASD have brain-reactive antibodies, while these antibodies present only in 2% of women of child bearing age. Previous studies have used polyclonal serum to study maternal antigenic specificities, and the postnatal effects. We opted to generate monoclonal brain-reactive antibodies to study the antigenic specificities of the brain-reactive antibodies and to determine which contribute to ASD pathogenesis. Here, we show in a mouse model that exposure in-utero to a monoclonal anti-brain reactive antibody isolated from a mother of an ASD child induces neurodevelopmental effects in the offspring that can be observed already during the embryonic stage. We identified brain-reactive B cells in blood of women with brain-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) and a child with ASD and generated monoclonal (Mab) brain-reactive antibodies by single cell cloning and expression. Protein array analysis demonstrated that one of the Mabs, C6 targets a subunit of potassium channel (KCNAB2). When this Mab was administrated to pregnant mice at E13 only male but not female mice showed thinning of the cortical plate and fewer mitotic cells (PH3 staining) at E15 compared to control embryos of mice injected with a non-brain reactive Mab. When pregnancies were allowed to reach full term, male but not female mice born to a mother injected with C6 displayed greater anxiety in open field test, impaired motor balance in the rotarod test and spent less time near a fellow mouse in the social preference test. Synaptic pruning defects are currently being evaluated.

The impaired balance between regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in peripheral blood of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion: The influence of different phases of menstrual cycle

The impaired balance between regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in peripheral blood of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion: The influence of different phases of menstrual cycle

Abstract 3411: A pilot feasibility study to evaluate the efficacy of lapatinib in the elimination of HER2-positive circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of women with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract Background: The monitoring of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detected in peripheral blood (PB) of patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (BC) has been proven a potent prognostic tool. CTCs detected after the completion of therapy are theoretically chemo- and/or hormone-resistant and could lead to disease progression. EGFR and HER2 expression has been demonstrated in CTCs from pts with BC. In the present trial we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lapatinib, a dual EGFR and HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in eliminating HER2 positive (+) CTCs of women with metastatic BC. Pts and methods: Pts with metastatic BC and HER2+ CTCs detected despite disease stabilization or response after the completion of prior therapy were eligible. Pts received lapatinib, 1500 mg/day orally till disease or CTC progression, whichever occurred first. HER2 expression was evaluated in cytospins of peripheral blood mononuclear cells’ (PBMCs) prepared from PB obtained at baseline and monthly thereafter. Cytospins were stained with HER2 along with cytokeratin antibody; a total of 10^6 PBMCs/pt were analyzed by double immunofluorescence. Results: Nineteen pts were enrolled from September 2008 to October 2011. Median age was 62 years, 12 (63.2%) pts were post-menopausal and 2 had HER2+ tumors. Twelve (63.2%) pts had visceral disease and 7 (36.8%) had received β3 lines of treatment. One pt discontinued treatment prior to the completion of the first cycle due to toxicity and 2 pts are not evaluable yet. The median duration of treatment was 4.0 (range, 0.5 - 34.0) months (mo). CTC counts declined in 15 out of 16 pts during treatment with a maximum percentage of decrease of 100% in all of them. The median time to and the median duration of nadir CTC counts were 1 mo (range, 1 - 3 mo) and 1 mo (range, 0 - 7 mo), respectively. Prior to the second treatment cycle, a decrease in CTC counts was observed in 14 (88%) pts, in 1 (7%) the CTC count increased by 33% and in 1 (7%) remained stable. Median percentage of CTC count decrease per pt was 100% (range, 45-100%). At baseline, a total of 2642 HER2+ CTCs were detected (median: 79/pt, range 2 - 617), whereas after the completion of first cycle a total of 430 HER2+ CTCs were identified (median: 0, range 0 - 223). Disease evaluation revealed stable disease in 5 pts and progressive disease in 11. In pts with stable disease a sustained decrease in CTC counts over 2 to 7 mo was observed. On the contrary, in 9 out of 11 pts with disease progression, the decrease in CTC counts was short-lasting (median 1.0 mo, range 0 - 4). Conclusions: Lapatinib is effective in decreasing HER2+ CTCs in pts with metastatic BC, irrespective of the HER2 status of the primary tumor. Sustained CTC reduction was associated with disease stabilization. The above results suggest that tailoring therapy according to targets present on CTCs could be an effective therapeutic strategy in BC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3411. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3411

Fetal Microchimeric Cells in Blood of Women with an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

ContextHashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD), two autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), occur more frequently in women than in men and show an increased incidence in the years following parturition. Persisting fetal cells could play a role in the development of these diseases.ObjectiveAim of this study was to detect and characterize fetal cells in blood of postpartum women with and without an AITD.ParticipantsEleven patients with an AITD and ten healthy volunteers, all given birth to a son maximum 5 years before analysis, and three women who never had been pregnant, were included. None of them had any other disease of the thyroid which could interfere with the results obtained.MethodsFluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and repeated FISH were used to count the number of male fetal cells. Furthermore, the fetal cells were further characterized.ResultsIn patients with HT, 7 to 11 fetal cells per 1.000.000 maternal cells were detected, compared to 14 to 29 fetal cells in patients with GD (p = 0,0061). In patients with HT, mainly fetal CD8+ T cells were found, while in patients with GD, fetal B and CD4+ T cells were detected. In healthy volunteers with son, 0 to 5 fetal cells were observed, which was significantly less than the number observed in patients (p<0,05). In women who never had been pregnant, no male cells were detected.ConclusionThis study shows a clear association between fetal microchimeric cells and autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Susceptibility to Aneuploidy in Young Mothers of Down Syndrome Children

We recently observed an increased frequency of binucleated micronucleated lymphocytes in women who had a Down syndrome (DS) child before 35 years of age and the fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed that micronuclei were mainly originating from chromosomal malsegregation events, including chromosome 21 malsegregation. That study indicated that women who have a DS child at a young age might have a genetic predisposition to chromosome malsegregation in both somatic and germ line cells. Further studies from our group confirmed increased chromosome damage in blood cells of women who had a DS child at a young age and pointed to a possible role for polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing genes in affecting both chromosome damage and DS risk. In the present article, we review the most recent findings on mechanisms and risk factors for chromosome 21 nondisjunction that lead to DS. Multiple risk factors are likely involved in chromosome nondisjunction; they act at different times in the meiotic process and can be of genetic or environmental (epigenetic) origin. We also discuss the increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life that was observed in women who had a DS child at a young age. Studies performed in the last years that have shown that the brain is, in fact, a complex genetic mosaic of aneuploid and euploid cells support the unified hypothesis trying to relate DS, trisomy 21, and AD.

Skewed X chromosome inactivation in blood cells of women with scleroderma

Scleroderma (SSc) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The disease is 3-8 times more frequent in women than in men. The role of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in the predisposition of women to autoimmunity has been questioned. Until now this has not been illustrated experimentally. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that disturbances in XCI mosaicism may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease in female patients with SSc. Seventy female SSc patients and 160 female controls were analyzed for the androgen receptor locus by the Hpa II/polymerase chain reaction assay to assess XCI patterns in DNA extracted from peripheral blood cells. Furthermore, skin biopsy samples were obtained from 5 patients whose blood revealed an extremely skewed pattern of XCI, and the analysis repeated. Since microchimerism in SSc was reported, Y chromosome sequences were investigated in all samples. Skewed XCI was observed in DNA from peripheral blood cells in 35 of 55 informative patients (64%), as compared with 10 of 124 informative controls (8%) (P < 0.0001). Extreme skewing was present in 27 of the patient group (49%), as compared with only 3 of the controls (2.4%) (P < 0.0001). However, XCI was random in all skin biopsy samples. The potential contribution of microchimerism to the random XCI pattern is highly unlikely based on the medical histories of the patients. Skewed XCI mosaicism may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of SSc.

Detection of microchimeric cells in the peripheral blood of nonpregnant women is enhanced by magnetic cell sorting before PCR.

Our laboratory and others have demonstrated the presence of microchimeric cells in the peripheral blood of nonpregnant patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) (1)(2)(3)(4). In addition, we have demonstrated the presence of maternal microchimeric cells in the peripheral blood of patients with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (5), an observation confirmed in a subsequent study (6). However, some recent reports describe the failure to demonstrate the presence of male microchimeric cells in the peripheral blood of women with SSc or myopathies (7)(8)(9)(10). These latter studies used PCR amplification (9) or nested PCR (7)(8)(10) of Y-chromosome DNA sequences in whole peripheral blood. Various PCR methods have been used for detection of microchimeric cell DNA in peripheral blood. These methods have been applied primarily to studies of organ transplantation or prenatal diagnosis (11)(12)(13)(14). However, the reliable detection and quantification of minute amounts of microchimeric DNA within a large pool of recipient DNA has been problematic. The need to limit the amount of autologous DNA in PCR analyses is likely to be an important determinant of the lower limit of detection for minor nonautologous cell populations. Numerous methods have been used for the detection of fetal cells for prenatal diagnosis in the peripheral blood of pregnant women; however, magnetic cell sorting is the most commonly used (15). Magnetic cell sorting for fetal erythroblasts has been used extensively in the analysis of peripheral blood of pregnant women (16)(17)(18), and this approach (18)(19) enriched the fetal cells ∼200-fold (17). We examined whether magnetic cell sorting to isolate specific cell types used successfully in the detection of microchimeric fetal cells in pregnant women (18)(19) would improve the …

Effects of a low fat diet on oxidative DNA damage in nucleated peripheral blood cells of women at high risk for breast cancer

Effects of a low fat diet on oxidative DNA damage in nucleated peripheral blood cells of women at high risk for breast cancer

Increase in the RNA concentration in red blood cells of women during ovulation

The RNA concentration is increased (on the average by 58%) in the red blood cells of women during ovulation. A change in the RNA concentration in the red blood cells can be used as a test for ovulation.