Fetal microchimerism in kidney biopsies of lupus nephritis patients may be associated with a beneficial effect

IntroductionMicrochimeric male fetal cells (MFCs) have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, and published studies have further correlated MFC with lupus nephritis (LN). In the present study, we evaluated the frequency of MFC in the renal tissue of patients with LN.MethodsTwenty-seven renal biopsies were evaluated: Fourteen were from women with clinical and laboratory findings of LN, and thirteen were from controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from kidney biopsies, and the male fetal DNA was quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions for the detection of specific Y chromosome sequences.ResultsMFCs were detected in 9 (64%) of 14 of patients with LN, whereas no MFCs were found in the control group (P = 0.0006). No differences in pregnancy history were found between patients with LN and the control group. Significantly higher amounts of MFCs were found in patients with LN with serum creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dl. Furthermore, women with MFCs had significantly better renal function at the time of biopsy (P = 0.03). In contrast, patients with LN without MFCs presented with more severe forms of glomerulonephritis (World Health Organization class IV = 60% and class V = 40%).ConclusionsOur data indicate a high prevalence of MFCs in renal biopsy specimens from women with LN, suggesting a role for MFCs in the etiology of LN. The present report also provides some evidence that MFCs could have a beneficial effect in this disease.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0615-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

CO2浓度升高与硝化抑制剂对冬小麦田间N2O排放量的影响

以冬小麦中麦175为供试品种,利用农田开放式CO_2浓度增高(FACE)系统,研究未来大气高CO_2浓度对冬小麦田间N_2O排放的影响,以及施用硝化抑制剂(2-氯-6-三氯甲基吡啶)是否可以起到抑制冬小麦田间N_2O的排放量升高的潜能。试验结果表明:CO_2浓度升高显著提高冬小麦田间N2O的排放增幅达到67.6%,追肥灌溉后小麦田N_2O排放量较大,随着冬小麦生育进程的推进N_2O的排放量逐渐减少,硝化抑制剂对中麦175田间N_2O排放量的影响并不明显。因此,在未来高CO_2浓度环境条件下,可以通过采取相应的耕作制度和栽培技术措施等来降低冬小麦田N_2O的排放量。试验结果对冬小麦田间是否选择施用2-氯-6-三氯甲基吡啶来控制N_2O的排放起到一定的参考作用。     

Development of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and their use in identification of Dendrobium varieties

The aim of this study was to develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for Dendrobium varieties/species, many of which have medicinal and horticultural values. Two genomic DNA libraries of Dendrobium Sonia enriched with GA repeats and CA repeats were constructed. Fourteen polymorphic SSR markers were identified when screened against 42 popular commercial Dendrobium hybrids. The average allele number was 12.0 ± 1.9 and the observed heterozyosity was averaged at 0.70. All 42 hybrids tested, except for two tissue culture mutants, were uniquely identified with the markers used. Sibling hybrids were closely clustered. Hybrids were also closer to parents. These SSR markers can be used for molecular ecology research, genetic mapping and marker‐assisted breeding. They can also help protection for new Dendrobium varieties.