Purpose. To elucidate the microRNAs existent in exosomes derived from stored red blood cell (RBC) unit and their potential function. Materials and Methods. Exosomes were isolated from the supernatant derived from stored RBC units by sequential centrifugation. Isolated exosomes were characterized by TEM (transmission electron microscopy), western blotting, and DLS (dynamic light scattering). MicroRNA (miRNA) microarray was performed to detect the expression of miRNAs in 3 exosome samples. Results revealed miRNAs that were simultaneously expressed in the 3 exosome samples and were previously reported to exist in mature RBCs. Functions and potential pathways of some detected miRNAs were illustrated by bioinformatic analysis. Validation of the top 3 abundant miRNAs was carried out by qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction). Results. TEM and DLS revealed the mean size of the exosomes (RBC-derived) as 64.08 nm. These exosomes exhibited higher abundance of short RNA than the long RNA. 78 miRNAs were simultaneously detected in 3 exosome samples and mature RBCs. Several biological processes might be impacted by these miRNAs, through their target gene(s) enriched in a particular signalling pathway. The top 3 (abundant) miRNAs detected were as follows: miR-125b-5p, miR-4454, and miR-451a. qRT-PCR revealed higher abundance of miR-451a than others. Only miR-4454 and miR-451a abundance tended to increase with increasing storage time. Conclusion. Exosomes derived from stored RBC units possessed multiple miRNAs and, hence, could serve various functions. The function of exosomes (RBC-derived) might be implemented partly by the predominantly enriched miR-451a.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in different types of human cancer. T‑lymphoma invasion and metastasis inducing factor 1 (TIAM1) participates in the development of several types of human cancer. However, the expression of miRNAs and TIAM1 in extranodal natural killer (NK)/T‑cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL) remains poorly understood. In the present study, the association between the expression levels of miR‑10a and miR‑342‑3p and the protein expression levels of TIAM1 was examined in ENKTCL tissues. The expression levels of miR‑10a, miR‑22, miR‑340, miR‑342‑3p and miR‑590‑5p in 15 primary ENKTCL tissues were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression levels of TIAM1 in 21 primary ENKTCL tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of miR‑10a and miR‑342‑3p were lower in ENKTCL tissues than in normal NK cells, but no significant differences were observed in the expression levels of miR‑22, miR‑340 and miR‑590‑5p in ENKTCL tissues, compared with normal NK cells. The low expression levels of miR‑10a detected in the tissues of patients with ENKTCL were inversely correlated with the age of the patients, whereas the low expression levels of miR‑342‑3p measured in these samples were not correlated with any demographic or clinical features of the patients. The protein expression levels of TIAM1 were higher in ENKTCL tissues than in normal and reactive lymph node hyperplasia tissues, and positively correlated with the Ann Arbor stage and international prognostic index score of the tumors. Furthermore, the expression levels of miRNA‑10a and miRNA‑342‑3p were inversely correlated with the protein expression levels of TIAM1 in ENKTCL tissues. These data suggest that TIAM1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of ENKTCL, and miRNA‑10a and miRNA‑342‑3p may be involved in the development of ENKTCL via the TIAM1 pathway.

Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is a member of the apolipoprotein family with diverse functions. It is associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of several types of tumors. However, the role of serum apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) in the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate its influence on clinical outcomes in patients with DLBCL. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 1583 consecutive DLBCL patients admitted to the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between January 2011 and December 2021. 949 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for statistical analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value for serum ApoA1 levels for prognostic prediction among patients with DLBCL. The correlations between serum ApoA1 levels and clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed. Prognostic significance was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL demonstrated low serum ApoA1 levels (< 0.925 g/L), had more B symptoms, higher levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (>upper limit of normal), poorer performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 2–4), higher percentage of advanced stage and non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype, more cases of > 1 extranodal site, higher International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (3–5), and higher incidence of relapse or refractory diseases compared with those with high serum ApoA1 levels (≥ 0.925 g/L). Low serum ApoA1 levels were an independent adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) but not progression-free survival (PFS). Low serum ApoA1 levels were associated with poor treatment response and inferior survival in newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL.

Spandidos Publications is a scientific publisher with a long-standing international reputation for excellent standards and high quality science publications

Background: Fatty acid metabolism is reportedly associated with various cancers. However, the role of pretreatment serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) prognosis is still unclear, and our study aimed to better elucidate its influence on clinical outcomes.Methods: The medical records of 221 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients admitted to Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2011 to December 2016 were analysed retrospectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine a cut-off value for pretreatment serum FFA levels for prognostic prediction in DLBCL patients. The relationship between pretreatment serum FFA levels and clinical and laboratory parameters was analysed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).Results: Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients with high pretreatment serum FFA levels (≥0.495 mmol/l) had more B symptoms, higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (> upper limit of normal), >1 extranodal site, and higher International Prognostic Index score (3–5) compared to those with low pretreatment serum FFA levels (<0.495 mmol/l). Higher serum FFA levels were independent prognostic factors for poor OS, but not PFS.Conclusions: High pretreatment serum FFA levels are associated with lower survival in untreated DLBCL patients.