The gender disparity of immunoreactants in lesional skin of lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVES

The immunoreactants detected by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) from the skin of patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) were related to disease subtypes and skin morphology. Male patients presented more frequently with discoid rashes and females with malar rashes. We investigated the differences in immunoreactants in skin lesions between male and female LE patients.

METHODS

The DIF records of 186 LE patients were reviewed and analysed.

RESULTS

Among 186 patients (133 female and 53 male), 54 had cutaneous LE (CLE) and 132 had systemic LE (SLE). In the CLE group, eight of 33 (24.2%) women were DIF+ versus nine of 21(42.9%) men (p=0.23). In the SLE group, 49 of 100 (49%) women were DIF+ versus 17 of 32 (53.1%) men (p=0.84). The p-value was 0.01 when comparing DIF incidence between female CLE and SLE patients. IgM and complement component 3 (C3) were present in 84.2% and 52.6% of DIF+female patients, respectively, and both were comparable between genders (p>0.05). However, IgG was observed only in eight of 57 female patients, and in 10 of 26 male patients (p=0.02). Among DIF+CLE patients, IgG was detected in none of the eight female versus three of nine male patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of immunoreactants in skin had no gender bias in CLE or SLE, but among women, it was probably lower in CLE than SLE. IgM and C3 were the most frequent immunoreactants in skin with no gender disparity, whereas IgG in female patients was lower than in males.

Age-dependent alterations of HLA-DR expression and effect of lipopolysaccharide on cytokine secretion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the elderly population

HLA-DR, a major histocompatibility complex, MHC class II, is involved in several autoimmune conditions, disease susceptibility and disease resistance. Here, we investigate the impact of different age individuals on HLA-DR expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results indicate that HLA-DR expression on PBMCs in the population aged above 70 years significantly increased as compared with that in the lower-age groups by flow cytometry analysis (B-D; r = 0.690, P = 0.000265). In addition, followed by LPS stimulation, the levels of cytokine TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion by allogeneic T lymphocytes from different age groups (A-D) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Notably, levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in groups B, C and D as compared with group A (P < 0.05), whereas levels of IL-10 increased (P = 0.012). However, no significant difference in PBMC-secreted TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 levels was observed among groups A, B, C and D (P > 0.05) before LPS stimulation. We firstly present data showing an age-dependent increase in HLA-DR expression in the population aged above 70 years and the individual with aged above 70 years has reduced the secretion of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6) by PBMCs and increased the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) after LPS stimulation in vitro. The better understanding of HLR-DR expression on human PBMCs in aged individuals and its relation to the host cellular immunity would provide important insights into the immunity of aged individuals and particularly, in elderly patients with sepsis.

Comparison of complete mitochondrial DNA control regions among five Asian freshwater turtle species and their phylogenetic relationships

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions (CR), cytochrome b (Cyt b), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) and cytochrome coxidase subunit I (CO I) genes of four Asian freshwater turtles, Mauremys japonica, Ocadia sinensis, M. mutica, and Annamemys annamensis, were sequenced using universal PCR and long-PCR techniques. Combined with CR sequences of Chinemys reevesii, the composition and structure of CR of the five species were compared and analyzed. Three functional domains (TAS, CD and CSB) in CR and their conserved sequences (TAS, CSB-F, CSB-1, CSB-2, and CSB-3) were identified based on sequence similarity to those of other turtles. At the 3' end of CSB, six type motifs of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) of five species were recognized, in which the TTATATTA motif may be the VNTR motif of the ancestral species of these five turtles. Comparison of nucleotide divergences among Cyt b, ND4, CO I, and CR of 11 turtle species using transitions + transversions and transversions-only methods supported the conclusion that CR evolved 2.6- to 5.7-fold faster than the other mtDNA genes. After excluding VNTRs of CR, molecular phylogenetic trees were constructed with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The results supported an expanded clade of Mauremys, which included species formerly in Ocadia, Chinemys, Mauremys, and Annamemys; this was also reflected in the results of VNTR analysis.

Tunable radiation source by coupling laser-plasma-generated electrons to a periodic structure

Near-infrared radiation around 1000 nm generated from the interaction of a high-density MeV electron beam, obtained by impinging an intense ultrashort laser pulse on a solid target, with a metal grating is observed experimentally. Theoretical modeling and particle-in-cell simulation suggest that the radiation is caused by the Smith-Purcell mechanism. The results here indicate that tunable terahertz radiation with tens GV/m field strength can be achieved by using appropriate grating parameters.

P2-03-05: Attenuation of TGF-beta Signaling Suppresses Premature Senescence in a p21-Dependent Manner and Promotes Oncogenic ras-Mediated Metastatic Transformation in hTERT-Immortalized Basal-Like Human Mammary Epithelial Cells

Triple negative, basal-like breast cancer is highly aggressive and has a poor prognosis. The molecular mechanisms that drive its progression are elusive and no molecular target has been identified for its prevention or treatment. Here, we demonstrate that triple negative human breast cancer cells and clinical samples show an attenuated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling. Therefore, we developed a series of isogenic basal-like human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) with altered TGF-β sensitivity and different malignancy, resembling a full spectrum of basal-like breast carcinogenesis, and determined the molecular mechanisms that contribute to oncogene-induced transformation of basal-like HMECs when TGF-β signaling is attenuated. We found that expression of a dominant-negative RII (DNRII) receptor of TGF-β abrogated autocrine TGF-β signaling in telomerase-immortalized HMECs and suppressed H-ras-V12-induced senescence-like growth arrest (SLGA). Furthermore, co-expression of DNRII and H-ras-V12 rendered HMECs to become highly tumorigenic and metastatic in vivo in comparison with H-ras-V12-transformed HMECs that spontaneously escaped H-ras-V12-induced SLGA. By using microarray analysis, we found that p21 is the major player mediating Ras-induce SLGA and attenuated or loss of p21 expression contributed to the escape from SLGA when autocrine TGF-β signaling is blocked in HMECs. Furthermore, knockdown of p21 also suppressed H-ras-V12-induced SLGA. Our results identifies that autocrine TGF-β signaling is an integral part of cellular antitransformation network by suppressing the expression of a host of genes including p21-regulated genes that mediate oncogene-induced transformation in basal-like breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-03-05.

P2-01-10: Blockage of Autocrine TGF-b Signaling Reduces Tumorigenecity and Lung Metastasis in a Murine Breast Cancer Cell Line, NMuMG-ST

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) is known to have a dualistic role in breast cancer cells, acting as a tumor suppressor or a tumor promoter. This dualistic property varies in different cells and at different progression stages. Studies show that autocrine TGF-b is necessary for the growth and survival of MDA-MB-231 cells, and was also known to enhance the survival of MCF-7 cells. However, the role of autocrine TGF-b in spontaneously transformed cells is still less understood. We have retrovirally transduced a dominant negative TGF-b Type II receptor (DN RII) into a spontaneously transformed murine mammary gland epithelial cell line NMuMG-ST (DN RII cells). The expression of DN RII reduces TGF-b sensitivity of NMuMG-ST cells in a gene transcription assay and a growth inhibition assay. Interestingly, the autocrine TGF-b supports the survival of NMuMG-ST cells, although the exogenous TGF-b inhibits the growth of NMuMG-ST cells. Moreover, more apoptosis were observed in the DN RII cells compared to the control cells in both in vivo and in vitro experiment. We found that AKT and ERK pathway mediates autocrine TGF-b's survival signal. Results of western immunoblot for several stem cell markers and mammosphere formation assay suggest that autocrine TGF-b signaling is essential for the maintenance of stem like cell subpopulation in NMuMG-ST cells. By using immunocytostaining, we found that the DN RII cells expressed more E-cadherin and less Vimentin when compared to the control NMuMG-ST cells, which indicate that blocking autocrine TGF-b signaling pathway could inhibit the process of EMT in NMuMG-ST cells. Notably, when the cells were inoculated orthotopically in nude mouse mammary glands, tumors formed by DN RII cells grew at a similar rate as those formed by control cells, but caused fewer lung metastases. Our finding identified that the autocrine TGF-b signaling is important for the survival and metastatic ability of NMuMG-ST, which could provide an important foundation for further investigation on the role of autocrine TGF-b signaling in breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-10.

Development and characterization of 32 microsatellite loci in the giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus (Serranidae)

An economically important marine fish species, the giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus (Serranidae) is widely cultured in Taiwan and costal areas of China. We isolated and characterized 32 polymorphic microsatellite loci from a CA-enriched genomic library of giant grouper. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 7, with a mean of 4.69. Observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.387 to 1.000 and from 0.377 to 0.843, respectively. Six loci significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. After sequential Bonferroni's correction, only two loci showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and no linkage disequilibrium was found between any pair of loci. These microsatellites can be useful tools for the study of population genetics in the giant grouper.

High glucose-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species in cultured astrocytes

Astrocyte activation plays important roles both in physiological and pathological process in the CNS. In the latter, the process is further aggravated by hyperglycemia, leading to diabetes complications of CNS. We report here that high glucose (HG) treatment stimulated astrocytic morphological alteration coupled with changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin expression. Additionally, HG upregulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); however, its effects on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression were not evident. HG treatment induced increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator transcription 3 (STAT 3). HG-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-4, and VEGF was blocked by ROS scavenger and inhibitors specific for NF-κB and STAT 3, respectively. The results suggest that the aforementioned multiple inflammatory cytokines and mediators that may be linked to the pathogenesis of the diabetes complications of CNS are induced by HG via the key signaling pathways.

Resistance to lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock in heterozygous Zfp191 gene-knockout mice

Zinc finger protein 191, ZNF24 and Zfp191 in both humans and mice belong to the SCAN domain subfamily of Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factors. Previous studies have suggested that Zfp191 is a pleiotropic factor involved in embryonic development, hematopoiesis and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about its target genes or its role in other physiological and pathological processes. We have identified the putative target genes of Zfp191, using an in silico genome-wide scan. Three hundred and fifty-five putative target genes were identified, which were enriched into the pathways of immune response according to the pathway analysis. These targets indicated that Zfp191 may function as a mediator of the immune response. This was verified in mice heterozygous for Zfp191 (Zfp191(+/-)) using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock model. After LPS injection, Zfp191(+/-) mice produced significantly less IL-1β and IL-6 compared to wild-type mice and were resistant to LPS-induced endotoxic shock. The loss of Zfp191 may suppress systemic inflammation by reducing these cytokine levels during LPS-induced endotoxic shock.

A phase II study single agent of aflibercept (VEGF Trap) in patients with recurrent or metastatic gynecologic carcinosarcomas and uterine leiomyosarcoma. A trial of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Chicago and California Cancer Phase II Consortia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this multi-institutional non randomized phase II trial was to determine the efficacy and safety of single agent aflibercept (VEGF Trap), a recombinant fusion protein that blocks multiple vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms, in women with gynecologic soft tissue sarcoma.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled in two cohorts each with Simon two stage designs: uterine leiomyosarcoma and carcinosarcoma of endometrial, ovarian or fallopian tube origin. Eligibility criteria included ≤2 prior lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease and ECOG performance status of ≤2. Aflibercept 4mg/kg was administered intravenously on day 1 of a 14 day cycle. Primary endpoints were objective response and disease stabilization (Progression Free Survival (PFS) at 6 months).

RESULTS

41 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma and 22 patients with carcinosarcoma (19 uterine, 3 ovarian) were enrolled on study. In the leiomyosarcoma cohort, eleven (27%) patients had stable disease (SD), 4 with SD lasting at least 24 weeks. The 6 month PFS was 17%, with median time to progression (TTP) of 1.8 (95% CI:1.6-2.1) months. In the carcinosarcoma cohort, two (9%) patients had SD, one lasting >24 weeks, median TTP was 1.6 months (95%CI: 1.1-1.7) No partial responses were observed in patients from either cohort. Grade 3 or more aflibercept related toxicity was uncommon and included hypertension, fatigue, headache and abdominal pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Single agent aflibercept has modest activity in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma and minimal activity in women with carcinosarcoma.

Aberrant methylation of genes in stool samples as diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer or adenomas: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of hypermethylated genes in stool samples have been reported as biomarkers for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) or adenomas. We aimed to comprehensively review and compare the evidence for feasibility of using these biomarkers for the detection of colorectal neoplasia.

METHODS

We searched Medline, the Web of Science and OVID for studies that used hypermethylated genes as biomarkers for the detection of CRC or adenomas. A meta-analysis was carried out using the random-effect model with diagnostic odd ratios (DOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as effect measurements.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies including 2,356 patients were eligible for final analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and DOR for the detection of CRC or adenomas were 0.62 (95% CI: 0.51-0.71), 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.92), 5.66 (95% CI: 4.68-6.83), 0.43 (95% CI: 0.34-0.55) and 13.15 (95% CI: 9.82-17.60) respectively. Of these, the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of adenoma were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.39-0.68) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83-0.92) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypermethylated gene panels are not currently accurate enough to be used alone for colorectal neoplasia screening. The discovery and evaluation of additional biomarkers with improved sensitivity and specificity is necessary.

Dural metastasis of atypical extraventricular neurocytoma with the codeletion of chromosomes 1p/19q

Extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is a rare neoplasm described in the 2007 World Health Organization classification of tumours of the nervous system. Due to the rarity of the tumour, there is limited literature available. The clinical characteristics, pathological features, biological behaviour and outcome of EVN remain unclear, and there are challenges regarding its diagnosis and management. The present case was a 75-year-old man who had been experiencing slow responses to stimuli for 1 month prior to hospital admission. A diagnosis of atypical EVN was made on the basis of pathology and immunohistochemistry results. Atypical pathological features included vascular proliferation, the presence of mitosis and a high MIB-1 (an antibody against Ki-67) labelling index. The disease recurred 7 months after the initial complete resection and radiation treatment, presenting with dural metastasis and codeletion of chromosomes 1p/19q. The present case history and treatment course are discussed with respect to the literature.