[Research of gestrinone-related abnormal uterine bleeding and the intervention in the treatment: a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence, influencing factors and intervention of gestrinone-related abnormal uterine bleeding at different dosage of gestrinone in the clinical treatment.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, randomized, control study of 195 Chinese women with endometriosis or adenomyosis from June 2011 to November 2013. The subjects were randomized into three groups with oral administration of gestrinone, 2.5 mg dose at one time; twice a week group: 67 cases with oral administration twice a week last three months; double dose first month group: 67 cases with oral administration triple times a week at first month, then twice a week for two months; three times a week group: 61 cases with oral administration three times a week last three months. The improvement of the abnormal uterine bleeding, the changes in estrogen, liver function and blood coagulation were evaluated. At the same time, B-ultrasound examination evaluation were performed.

RESULTS

(1) Three months later, the incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding in twice a week group was 30% (20/67), in double dose first month group and three times a week group were 7%(5/67) and 16% (10/61) respectively, there were significant difference between three groups (P<0.05). The incidence in double dose first month group was the most lower. (2) Univariate analysis showed that the dosage and ovarian size were the significant factors for abnormal uterine bleeding (OR=0.461,P= 0.003;OR=0.303,P=0.016); logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of abnormal uterine bleeding in double dose first month group was the lowest when compared with twice a week group and three times a week group, the risk in twice a week group was 5-fold higher than that in double dose first month group (OR=0.211,P=0.011). The incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding in participants with abnormal ovarian volume results from ovarian cyst or ovarian surgery was significantly lower than those with normal ovarian volume (OR=0.304,P=0.018). (3) After the treatment of three months, there were no significant difference in alanine transaminase level between the groups (P>0.05). The body mass index significantly increased in three group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). As for blood coagulation, there were also no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Double dose of gestrinone in the first month could significantly decrease the incidence of gestrinone-related abnormal uterine bleeding. It is a more optimied dosage of gestrinone and without severe side effects.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-12002327.

[Effect of prostate peripheral zones stromal cells on the proliferation of prostate cells by overexpression of LMO2 gene]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the biological effect of prostate peripheral zones (PZs) stromal cells on the proliferation of prostate cells by overexpression of LMO2 gene.

METHODS

Genes expressional distinction of different prostate stromal cells was screened by gene expression arrays. To validate the microarray data, real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting analysis were used to check the over expression of LMO2 in PZs cells.To compare the effect of stromal cells which overexpressed LMO2 gene on in vitro proliferation ability of BPH-1 and PC3 cell lines, cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 and EdU assay. Cytokines chip was used to screen expression of cytokines in WPMY-1-LMO2 conditioned medium. The changes of BPH-1 and PC3 proliferation associated proteins were assessed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 512 genes were identified as markedly differentially expressed in stromal cells originated from different zones. Among these genes, LMO2 gene was overexpression in peripheral zones stromal cells, and confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Expression level of LMO2 gene was significantly up-regulated in peripheral zones stromal cells compared with transitional zones stromal cells, increased by 3.36 folds on average (P<0.01). The proliferation of both PC3 and BPH-1 were found increased and STAT3 phosphorylation and CCND1 expression were increased after cultured in conditioned medium from stromal cells which stably expressed LMO2. Cytokines chip found increased FGF-9 and IL-11 expression in the medium supernatant reserved from LMO2-overexpressed stromal cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct gene expression exists among prostate stromal cells originated from different zones. LMO2 overexpressed stromal cells can induce prostate epithelial cell growth via paracrine of FGF-9, IL-11 or other cytokines.

Clinical efficacy of fiberoptic ductoscopy in combination with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery in treatment of plasma cell mastitis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze clinical efficacy between fiberoptic ductoscopy plus ultrasound-guided minimally invasive irrigation and lesion resection in treating plasma cell mastitis (PCM), aiming to provide clinical evidence for treating PCM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

119 patients undergoing fiberoptic ductoscopy plus ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery in Ningxia People's Hospital were allocated into the breast duct irrigation group, and 95 counterparts receiving lesion resection in the Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University into the control group. Clinico-pathological characteristics and therapeutic effect were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

The cure rate in the breast duct irrigation group was 98.31% (117/119), significantly higher than 90.53% in the control group (p < 0.05). In the breast duct irrigation group, overall treatment time was 20.13 days, significantly longer than 15.15 days in the control group (p < 0.05). During postoperative follow-up, no recurrence was observed, significantly lower compared with 48.8% (42/86) in the control group. The degree of satisfaction in the breast duct irrigation group was 95.79% (114/119), significantly higher compared with 74.74% (71/95) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Fiberoptic ductoscopy plus with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive drainage is a novel and effective treatment of PCM with high cure rate, low recurrence rate, slight pain, and effectively maintains breast integrity.

Substituting threonine 187 with alanine in p27Kip1 prevents pituitary tumorigenesis by two-hit loss of Rb1 and enhances humoral immunity in old age

p27Kip1 (p27) is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases. Inhibiting p27 protein degradation is an actively developing cancer therapy strategy. One focus has been to identify small molecule inhibitors to block recruitment of Thr-187-phosphorylated p27 (p27T187p) to SCF(Skp2/Cks1) ubiquitin ligase. Since phosphorylation of Thr-187 is required for this recruitment, p27T187A knockin (KI) mice were generated to determine the effects of systemically blocking interaction between p27 and Skp2/Cks1 on tumor susceptibility and other proliferation related mouse physiology. Rb1(+/-) mice develop pituitary tumors with full penetrance and the tumors are invariably Rb1(-/-), modeling tumorigenesis by two-hit loss of RB1 in humans. Immunization induced humoral immunity depends on rapid B cell proliferation and clonal selection in germinal centers (GCs) and declines with age in mice and humans. Here, we show that p27T187A KI prevented pituitary tumorigenesis in Rb1(+/-) mice and corrected decline in humoral immunity in older mice following immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). These findings reveal physiological contexts that depend on p27 ubiquitination by SCF(Skp2-Cks1) ubiquitin ligase and therefore help forecast clinical potentials of Skp2/Cks1-p27T187p interaction inhibitors. We further show that GC B cells and T cells use different mechanisms to regulate their p27 protein levels, and propose a T helper cell exhaustion model resembling that of stem cell exhaustion to understand decline in T cell-dependent humoral immunity in older age.

First Report of Penicillium crustosum Causing Blue Mold on Stored Apple Fruit in Serbia

Penicillium crustosum Thom (1930) causes blue mold on pome fruits and is also regularly found on cheese, nuts, and soil (1,3). The fungus produces a wide range of mycotoxins such as penitrem A, roquefortine C, terrestric acid, and cyclopenol, which impact human health (1). In January and February 2013, 20 decayed apples, 'Golden Delicious' and 'Jonagold' (Malus × domestica Borkh.) with blue mold symptoms were collected from cold storages in Svilajnac and Bela Crkva, Serbia. Decayed areas were light to medium brown with blue green sporulation on the surface of the lesion. Decayed tissue was soft and watery with a sharp margin between the diseased and healthy areas. One isolate from each cultivar was designated JP2 ('Golden Delicious') and JBC7 ('Jonagold') and further characterized. Conidiophores of both isolates were terverticillate, stipes were septate with rough walls, and phialides were ampulliform. Conidia were smooth, borne in columns, and were spherical to subglobose. Conidial dimensions for JP2 were 3.2 to 4.56 (3.73) × 2.64 to 4.3 (3.32) μm and for JBC7 were 3.1 to 4.46 (3.65) × 2.81 to 4.27 (3.31) μm (n = 50). The isolates were cultured on Czapek yeast autolysate agar (CYA), malt extract agar (MEA), and yeast extract sucrose agar (YES) media and incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Mycelia were white with heavy sporulation yielding grayish green colonies on all media. Colonies were radially sulcate and velutinous, with clear exudate, and produced a yellow to orange reverse on CYA and YES. On MEA, colonies were plane, low, and mycelia subsurface with conidia having a dry powdery appearance. Crusts of conidial masses formed after 10 or more days. No growth was observed on CYA when these isolates were incubated at 37°C. Both isolates were identified as P. crustosum Thom using morphological characters according to (2) and (1). Species level identification was confirmed by isolating genomic DNA followed by amplification of the β-tubulin locus using gene specific primers via conventional PCR (4). MegaBLAST analysis of the 2X consensus nucleotide sequences revealed that JP2 and JBC7 (GenBank KJ433984 and 85) were 99% identical to P. crustosum culture collection isolate IBT 21518 (JN112030.1). Koch's postulates were examined using two apple cvs. Idared and Kolacara. Ten fruit per cultivar per isolate were inoculated on two sides of each fruit; 20 fruit were used as water-only inoculated controls. Fruit were washed with soap and water, surface sanitized with 70% ethanol, and placed into polyethylene boxes. Using a finishing nail, 4-mm wounds were created and inoculated with 50 μl of a 3 × 10⁵/ml conidial suspension or Tween-treated sterile distilled water. Boxes with inoculated and control fruit were stored at 25°C for 10 days. The inoculated fruit developed small, soft, watery lesions, which enlarged into decayed areas with defined edges and abundant sporulation on the surface. Symptoms were identical to the original ones, while the control fruit remained symptomless. The fungus was re-isolated from infected tissue and showed the same morphological characteristics as the original isolates, thus completing Koch's postulates. Blue mold occurs during long term storage of apples and is predominantly caused by P. expansum. This is the first report of P. crustosum causing postharvest blue mold decay on apple fruit obtained from storage in Serbia and indicates that P. crustosum is an emerging pathogen for the Serbian pome fruit growing and packing industry. References: (1) J. C. Frisvad and R. A. Samson. Stud. Mycol. 49:1, 2004. (2) J. I. Pitt and A. D. Hocking. Fungi and Food Spoilage, 239. Springer, 2009. (3) P. G. Sanderson and R. A. Spotts. Phytopathology 85:103. 1995. (4) P. L. Sholberg et al. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 36:41, 2005.

Prostasin may contribute to chemoresistance, repress cancer cells in ovarian cancer, and is involved in the signaling pathways of CASP/PAK2-p34/actin

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers, largely due to the development of drug resistance in chemotherapy. Prostasin may have an essential role in the oncogenesis. In this study, we show that prostasin is decreased in an ovarian cancer drug-resistant cell line and in ovarian cancer patients with high levels of excision repair cross-complementing 1, a marker for chemoresistance. Our cell cultural model investigation demonstrates prostasin has important roles in the development of drug resistance and cancer cell survival. Forced overexpression of prostasin in ovarian cancer cells greatly induces cell death (resulting in 99% cell death in a drug-resistant cell line and 100% cell death in other tested cell lines). In addition, the surviving cells grow at a much lower rate compared with non-overexpressed cells. In vivo studies indicate that forced overexpression of prostasin in drug-resistant cells greatly inhibits the growth of tumors and may partially reverse drug resistance. Our investigation of the molecular mechanisms suggests that prostasin may repress cancer cells and/or contribute to chemoresistance by modulating the CASP/P21-activated protein kinase (PAK2)-p34 pathway, and thereafter PAK2-p34/JNK/c-jun and PAK2-p34/mlck/actin signaling pathways. Thus, we introduce prostain as a potential target for treating/repressing some ovarian tumors and have begun to identify their relevant molecular targets in specific signaling pathways.

Population pharmacokinetics of valnemulin in swine

This study was carried out in 121 pigs to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model by oral (p.o.) administration of valnemulin at a single dose of 10 mg/kg. Serum biochemistry parameters of each pig were determined prior to drug administration. Three to five blood samples were collected at random time points, but uniformly distributed in the absorption, distribution, and elimination phases of drug disposition. Plasma concentrations of valnemulin were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The concentration-time data were fitted to PPK models using nonlinear mixed effect modeling (NONMEM) with G77 FORTRAN compiler. NONMEM runs were executed using Wings for NONMEM. Fixed effects of weight, age, sex as well as biochemistry parameters, which may influence the PK of valnemulin, were investigated. The drug concentration-time data were adequately described by a one-compartmental model with first-order absorption. A random effect model of valnemulin revealed a pattern of log-normal distribution, and it satisfactorily characterized the observed interindividual variability. The distribution of random residual errors, however, suggested an additive model for the initial phase (<12 h) followed by a combined model that consists of both proportional and additive features (≥ 12 h), so that the intra-individual variability could be sufficiently characterized. Covariate analysis indicated that body weight had a conspicuous effect on valnemulin clearance (CL/F). The featured population PK values of Ka , V/F and CL/F were 0.292/h, 63.0 L and 41.3 L/h, respectively.

Abstract 2913: STAT3 inhibition overcomes CHOP-resistance in the activated B-cell subtype of DLBCL by a ROS-dependent mechanism

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoid malignancy in the adult population and can be subdivided into two main subtypes, e.g. GCB-DLBCL and ABC-DLBCL. Both subtypes are derived from normal germinal center (GC) B cells found in secondary lymphoid organs but differ in their B cell maturation stage, transformation pathway, and clinical behavior. When treated with either the combination chemotherapy CHOP or the immuno-chemotherapy R-CHOP, ABC-DLBCL patients typically have a significantly worse survival outcome compared to those carrying GCB-DLBCLs. The underlying mechanism for this disparity is unclear. We have previously reported that expression of the STAT3 gene is developmentally regulated in GC B cells; in addition, high level and constitutively activated STAT3 is prevalent in ABC-DLBCL but not in GCB-DLBCL. Although STAT3 activation in epithelial cancers is often associated with increased chemo-resistance, it is unclear if and how activated STAT3 contributes to therapy resistance in ABC-DLBCL. Since the principle cytotoxic component of CHOP is Doxorubicin (Dox), often described as a Topo II inhibitor, we began our investigation by examining DNA damage response (DDR) following Dox treatment in GCB-DLBCL and ABC-DLBCL cell lines. When applied at IC50 concentrations, Dox elicited a progressive and robust DDR in GCB-DLBCL cell lines starting from 1 h after treatment. In ABC-DLBCL cells, however, activation of several DDR markers was delayed until 24 h post treatment. Instead, Dox increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ABC-DLBCL cells with the most prominent increase in mitochondria superoxide as measured by MitoSox staining. The importance of ROS in Dox-triggered cytotoxicity in ABC-DLBCL cells is supported by a direct correlation between the dose response to Dox and H2O2 among ABC-DLBCL cell lines and by the ability of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to significantly impede Dox-triggered cell death. Interestingly, STAT3 inhibition by either siRNA-mediated gene silencing or the small molecule inhibitor, CPA-7, led to significant increase in MitoSox staining. STAT3 siRNA also enhanced Dox-triggered superoxide production and cell death. These findings implicate a ROS-detoxification role of STAT3 in ABC-DLBCLs which could be explained, at least in part, by its ability to promote the expression of the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene. Finally, our results demonstrate that the STAT3 inhibitor, CPA-7, can markedly sensitize ABC-DLBCL cells to killing by Dox both in cell culture and in a xenograft model of ABC-DLBCL. Our study not only uncovers a novel mechanism of action for Dox in ABC-DLBCL, it also implicates STAT3 in cellular redox control and provides the proof-of-concept data for development of STAT3-directed lymphoma therapy for ABC-DLBCLs.

Citation Format: J. Jessica Yu, Yun Mai, Enguang Bi, Hongshan Chen, B. Belinda Ding, Bhaskar Das, Samir Parekh, Yiyu Zou, B. Hilda Ye. STAT3 inhibition overcomes CHOP-resistance in the activated B-cell subtype of DLBCL by a ROS-dependent mechanism. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2913. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2913

Abstract 3041: A tumor-suppressive role of the IL-21R/Jak/STAT3 pathway in the germinal center B cell subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphomas

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of B cell malignancy in the adult population. Based on their patterns of gene expression, DLBCLs can be divided into two major subgroups: the germinal center (GC) B cell like (GCB-DLBCL) and the activated B cell like (ABC-DLBCL) cases. Current studies suggest that the cell-of-origin for both subgroups is a normal GC B cell. The difference lies in the degree of maturation. While the GCB variant corresponds to the GC centroblasts that abundantly express BCL6 with no NF-kappaB activation, the ABC variant phenotypically resembles activated GC centrocytes and plasma cell precursors that have received activating signals (e.g. IL-21 and CD40L) from follicular T helper (Tfh) cells and thus contain activated STAT3 and NF-kappaB due to mutations in a high percentage of cases. Although it is commonly accepted that pathogenesis of B cell lymphomas such as DLBCL is intimately linked to impaired B cell differentiation, a direct examination of this concept has not been made for GCB-DLBCL. In a previous study, we showed that the IL-21R/Jak/Stat3 signaling pathway plays a critical role in post-GC plasma cell differentiation, while concurrent signals transduced through the CD40/NF-kappaB axis potentiate the activity of Jak/Stat3 through two distinct mechanisms. In the current study, we report that IL-21-triggered Stat3 activation is often defective in GCB-DLBCL cell lines. Impaired STAT3 activation results in failure to commit to the plasma cell fate as evidenced by lack of Blimp-1 induction. The IL-21 insensitive cell lines either have very low levels of IL-21R or lack the Jak3 protein. Aberrant expression of the components of the IL-21R/Jak/STAT3 signaling pathway can also be detected in subsets of primary GCB-DLBCL samples. Lentivirus mediated reconstitution of IL-21R and Jak3 in the defective cell lines restored IL-21 responsiveness and induced a delayed cell death phenotype, indicating that low level expression of a single signaling molecule is responsible for the IL-21R signaling defect in a given cell line. We have sequenced the coding regions of the IL21R, Jak3 and STAT3 genes in 3 cell lines, but did not find any mutations. Subsequent analyses showed that the IL-21R abnormality is a transcriptional defect associated with Sp1 expression changes, while silencing of the Jak3 gene is caused by promoter methylation. Collectively, our results suggest that in GCB-DLBCL, the IL-21R/Jak/STAT3 pathway plays a novel, tumor suppressive role, and its epigenetic inactivation may promote lymphoma development by blocking terminal B cell differentiation.

Citation Format: B. Hilda Ye, Enguang Bi, J. Jessica Yu, Yun Mai, B. Belinda Ding, Yiting Yu, Amit Verma, Rita Shaknovich, Wing C. Chan. A tumor-suppressive role of the IL-21R/Jak/STAT3 pathway in the germinal center B cell subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3041. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3041

IL-21 and CD40L synergistically promote plasma cell differentiation through upregulation of Blimp-1 in human B cells

After undergoing Ig somatic hypermutation and Ag selection, germinal center (GC) B cells terminally differentiate into either memory or plasma cells (PCs). It is known that the CD40L and IL-21/STAT3 signaling pathways play critical roles in this process, yet it is unclear how the B cell transcription program interprets and integrates these two types of T cell-derived signals. In this study, we characterized the role of STAT3 in the GC-associated PC differentiation using purified human tonsillar GC B cells and a GC B cell-like cell line. When primary GC B cells were cultured under PC differentiation condition, STAT3 inhibition by AG490 prevented the transition from GC centrocytes to preplasmablast, suggesting that STAT3 is required for the initiation of PC development. In a GC B cell-like human B cell line, although IL-21 alone can induce low-level Blimp-1 expression, maximum Blimp-1 upregulation and optimal PC differentiation required both IL-21 and CD40L. CD40L, although having no effect on Blimp-1 as a single agent, greatly augmented the amplitude and duration of IL-21-triggered Jak-STAT3 signaling. In the human PRDM1 locus, CD40L treatment enhanced the ability of STAT3 to upregulate Blimp-1 by removing BCL6, a potent inhibitor of Blimp-1 expression, from a shared BCL6/STAT3 site in intron 3. Thus, IL-21 and CD40L collaborate through at least two distinct mechanisms to synergistically promote Blimp-1 activation and PC differentiation.

Laparoscopically-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy with five years follow-up: a case control study

OBJECTIVE

To compare a novel surgical approach, laparoscopically-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH) with abdominal radical hysterectomy in women with cervical cancer, and to investigate whether selected women benefit from the minimally-invasive approach without high recurrence rate and complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty women undergoing LARVH were included and compared with 40 women undergoing abdominal radical hysterectomy. The control group was matched for age and disease stage. Retrospective chart review was performed and patients were followed for an average of 2.5 years.

RESULTS

Blood loss was significantly increased in the control group (343.3 vs 606.3 ml, p = 0.012). Transfusions were given in 42.5% of women in the control group and 17.5% in the LARVH group. Mean operative time was longer in the control group (151 vs 240 minutes p = 0.0001). Mean nodal counts did not show a significant difference (27.3 in control vs 21.4 in LARVH, p = 0.886). Recurrence group was 7.5% at mean follow up of 30.1 months in LARVH group and in 30.8 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The LARVH procedure was comparable in terms of safety (recurrence and complication rates) meanwhile LARVH showed minimally-invasive advantages in terms of blood loss, operative time, and shorter hospital stay.

Population pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in pigs

This study was performed in 145 pigs to develop a population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model by i.m. administration of cefquinome (CEQ) at the dose of 2 mg/kg in the neck muscle. Serum physiological and biochemical parameters for each pig were determined before administration. After administration, 2-4 samples were collected at random, with the sampling point evenly distributed in the three periods (<1 h, 1-4 h and >4 h). The plasma concentration of CEQ was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector. The pharmacostatistical analyses of concentration-time data, weight, age, gender, serum physiological and biochemical parameters were performed with nonlinear mixed effect modeling (NONMEM). A one-compartmental model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the data from the study group. The optimal random effect model of pharmacokinetics parameters was of log-normal distribution and the residual errors assumed a mixed-type model (proportional and additive) to best explain intra-individual variability. Covariate analysis showed that body weight is positively correlated with apparent volume of distribution (V/F) and body clearance (CL/F). The typical PPK parameters of Ka , CL, and V were 0.564/h, 5.15 L/h, and 1.36 L, respectively.

Celecoxib radiosensitizes the human cervical cancer HeLa cell line via a mechanism dependent on reduced cyclo-oxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor C expression

OBJECTIVE

The effects of celecoxib, a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on HeLa cervical cancer cell growth and radiosensitivity were investigated.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was quantified using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium assay and effects on radiosensitivity were assessed using the lethal dose, quasithreshold dose, fraction surviving after 2 Gy irradiation and the radiosensitization ratio (SER, based on average lethal dose) determined using a single-hit multitarget model.

RESULTS

Celecoxib inhibited HeLa cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration at 72 h of 44 μmol/l. Treatment with 20 μmol/l celecoxib for 72 h before irradiation was associated with an SER of 2.01. The SER of irradiated cells was 2.41 when treated with 40 μmol/l celecoxib before irradiation, 1.89 when treated simultaneously and 1.44 when treated after irradiation. Celecoxib downregulated COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) expression evaluated immunohistochemically.

CONCLUSION

Celecoxib pretreatment radiosensitizes HeLa cells via a mechanism dependent on down-regulation of COX-2 and VEGF-C.

BCL6 is critical for the development of a diverse primary B cell repertoire

BCL6 protects germinal center (GC) B cells against DNA damage-induced apoptosis during somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination. Although expression of BCL6 was not found in early IL-7-dependent B cell precursors, we report that IL-7Ralpha-Stat5 signaling negatively regulates BCL6. Upon productive VH-DJH gene rearrangement and expression of a mu heavy chain, however, activation of pre-B cell receptor signaling strongly induces BCL6 expression, whereas IL-7Ralpha-Stat5 signaling is attenuated. At the transition from IL-7-dependent to -independent stages of B cell development, BCL6 is activated, reaches expression levels resembling those in GC B cells, and protects pre-B cells from DNA damage-induced apoptosis during immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain gene recombination. In the absence of BCL6, DNA breaks during Ig light chain gene rearrangement lead to excessive up-regulation of Arf and p53. As a consequence, the pool of new bone marrow immature B cells is markedly reduced in size and clonal diversity. We conclude that negative regulation of Arf by BCL6 is required for pre-B cell self-renewal and the formation of a diverse polyclonal B cell repertoire.

Requirement for cyclin D3 in germinal center formation and function

Germinal centers (GC) of secondary lymphoid tissues are critical to mounting a high-affinity humoral immune response. B cells within the GC undergo rapid clonal expansion and selection while diversifying their antibody genes. Although it is generally believed that GC B cells employ a unique proliferative program to accommodate these processes, little is known about how the GC-associated cell cycle is orchestrated. The D-type cyclins constitute an important component of the cell cycle engine that enables the cells to respond to physiological changes. Cell type- and developmental stage-specific roles of D-type cyclins have been described but the cyclin D requirement during GC reaction has not been addressed. In this study, we report that cyclin D3 is largely dispensable for proliferation and Ig class switching of in vitro activated B cells. In contrast, GC development in Ccnd3(-/-) mice is markedly impaired, as is the T cell-dependent antibody response. Within the GC, although both switched and unswitched B cells are affected by cyclin D3 inactivation, the IgM(-) pool is more severely reduced. Interestingly, despite a compensatory increase in cyclin D2 expression, a significant number of Ccnd3(-/-) GC B cells accumulate in quiescent G0 state. Lastly, although cyclin D3 inactivation did not disrupt BCL6 expression in GC B cells, it completely blocked the GC promoting effect of BCL6 overexpression, suggesting that cyclin D3 acts downstream of BCL6 to regulate GC formation. This is the first demonstration that cyclin D3 plays an important and unique role at the GC stage of B cell development.

Bio-distribution and anti-tumor efficacy of PEG/PLA nano particles loaded doxorubicin

As a more effective in vivo drug delivery system, several methods loading anti-cancer drugs to biodegradable and biocompatible nano-particles have been explored and developed. Supposedly due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, systemic administration of these nano-particles have been found to result in accumulation of nano-particles into solid tumors. In this study, we prepared nano-particles using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/poly-L-lactide (PLLA) diblock copolymer and loaded doxorubicin into these nano-particles (Nano-dox). The fabricated nano-particles exhibited sustained release kinetics of the drug in vitro. To follow the in vivo biodistribution of 200-350 nm sized nano-dox particles in tumor (syngenic renal cell adenocarcinoma: RENCA) bearing mouse, the carboxylfluorescenin diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was loaded into the nano-particles. Nano-dox accumulated preferentially in tumors; however, in terms of its anti-tumor efficacy, it did not show any marked benefits, compared to freely-administered doxorubicin. This result suggests the need to re-consider and evaluate what type of anti-cancer reagents we to be used in the ongoing efforts of coupling drug delivery system with tumor EPR effects.

Urethral cystoscopic realignment and early end-to-end anastomosis develop different influence on erectile function in patients with ruptured bulbous urethra

The objective of this study is to compare the influence on erectile function between urethral cystoscopic realignment and early end-to-end anastomosis treating ruptured bulbous urethra. 58 cases were selected, 32 had urethral cystoscopic realignment (group I) and 26 cases had urethral end-to-end anastomosis (group II). The parameters of P-CDU (Penile Color Duplex Ultrasound), NPT (Nocturnal Penile Tumescence), and IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function) were compared between the two groups 6 months after operation. Group I was higher than group II in IIEF (21 vs 14) with significant differences. With P-CDU we observed an improvement in penile vascularization in group I as confirmed by the detection of an increase in peak systolic velocity (PSV) (26 cm/s vs 16 cm/s, p<0.01) and a decrease in end diastolic velocity (EDV) (3 cm/s vs 6 cm/s p<0.05), resulting in an increase in resistive index (RI) (0.85 vs 0.56, p<0.05). The parameters of NPT showed a significant increase compared to group II (p<0.01) in satisfactory erection number (5 vs 1.5), maximum rigidity (80% vs 42%), and total time that the increase in circumference was greater than 30% of baseline during sleep (100 sec vs 30 sec). Urethral cystoscopic realignment treating ruptured bulbous urethra can reduce the incidence of erectile dysfunction [ED]. A long term follow-up should be studied.

Reduced semen quality in chronic prostatitis patients that induce the release of apoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2 from spermatozoa

The relationship between chronic prostatitis and fertility has been disputed for many years. Several groups have shown infection and autoimmune response against prostate antigens could have a deleterious effect on semen quality and fertility. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that Omi/HtrA2-induced apoptosis in chronic prostatitis could be a mechanism underlying the observed clinical benefit. The Omi/HtrA2 serine protease is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein, which can be released from mitochondria into the cytosol after apoptosis stimuli, inducing apoptosis in caspase-dependent and independent manners. Forty-one patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic prostatitis were included. Healthy normal individuals were included as controls. Human spermatozoa in the semen were purified by Percoll-gradient technique to separate the seminal plasma and other round cells. Measurements for sperm concentration, motility, morphology, proinflammatory cytokines, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels in spermatozoa of chronic protatitis patients, were performed accordingly. Significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines were detected in seminal plasma from these prostatitis patients. Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in prostatitis men than in normal men. This study shows that chronic prostatitis patients present important alterations in their semen quality parameters, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels of spermatozoa. We speculate that the inflammatory process involved may affect male fertility by release of proapoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2.

BCL-6 negatively regulates expression of the NF-kappaB1 p105/p50 subunit

BCL-6 is a transcription repressor frequently deregulated in non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas. Its activity is also critical to germinal center development and balanced Th1/Th2 differentiation. Previous studies have suggested that NF-kappaB activity is suppressed in germinal center and lymphoma B cells that express high levels of BCL-6, and yet the reason for this is unknown. We report in this study that BCL-6 can bind to three sequence motifs in the 5' regulatory region of NF-kappaB1 in vitro and in vivo, and repress NF-kappaB1 transcription both in reporter assays and in lymphoma B cell lines. BCL-6(-/-) mice further confirm the biological relevance of BCL-6-dependent regulation of NF-kappaB1 because BCL-6 inactivation caused notable increase in p105/p50 proteins in several cell types. Among these, BCL-6(-/-) macrophage cell lines displayed a hyperproliferation phenotype that can be reversed by NF-kappaB inhibitors, e.g., N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and SN50, a result that is consistent with increased nuclear kappaB-binding activity of p50 homodimer and p50/p65 heterodimer. Our results demonstrate that BCL-6 can negatively regulate NF-kappaB1 expression, thereby inhibiting NF-kappaB-mediated cellular functions.

A vaccine against coccidioidomycosis is justified and attainable

Coccidioides is a fungal pathogen of humans which can cause a life-threatening respiratory disease in immunocompetent individuals. Recurrent epidemics of coccidioidal infections in Southwestern United States has raised the specter of awareness of this soil-borne microbe, particularly among residents of Arizona and Southern California, and has galvanized research efforts to develop a human vaccine against coccidioidomycosis. In this review, we discuss the rationale for such a vaccine, examine the features of host innate and acquired immune response to Coccidioides infection, describe strategies used to identify and evaluate vaccine candidates, and provide an update on progress toward development of a vaccine against this endemic pathogen.

BCL-6 negatively regulates macrophage proliferation by suppressing autocrine IL-6 production

The transcription repressor BCL-6 is known to play critical roles in B-cell lymphomagenesis, germinal center formation, and balanced Th1/Th2 differentiation. In macrophages, although BCL-6 has also been shown to regulate the expression of several chemokine genes, its function in other aspects of macrophage biology has not been studied. In addition, the precise role of BCL-6 in cell proliferation is poorly understood in general. Here we report that BCL-6(-/-) macrophages hyperproliferate due to an accelerated G(1)/S transition accompanied by increased cyclin D2 and c-myc and decreased expression of p27. Crucial to this enhanced proliferation is spontaneous interleukin 6 (IL-6) production and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation in BCL-6(-/-) macrophages. In colony-forming assays, BCL- 6(-/-) bone marrow progenitor cells form spontaneous macrophage colonies that can be inhibited by anti-IL-6 antibodies. Gene expression studies demonstrate that BCL-6 binds to several sequence motifs scattered in the IL-6 locus and can repress IL-6 transcription both in 293T cells and in macrophages. In conclusion, our results indicate that BCL-6 negatively regulates proliferation of the monocytic/macrophage lineage by suppressing an autocrine IL-6/STAT3-mediated gene expression program. Our work also suggests that BCL-6 prevents abnormal Th2 differentiation by suppressing basal level IL-6 production in antigen-presenting cells (APCs).