Functional analysis of a novel G87V TNFRSF1A mutation in patients with TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autoinflammatory disease that is caused by heterozygous mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. Although more than 150 TNFRSF1A mutations have been reported to be associated with TRAPS phenotypes only a few, such as p.Thr79Met (T79M) and cysteine mutations, have been functionally analyzed. We identified two TRAPS patients in one family harboring a novel p.Gly87Val (G87V) mutation in addition to a p.Thr90Ile (T90I) mutation in TNFRSF1A. In this study, we examined the functional features of this novel G87V mutation. In-vitro analyses using mutant TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1)-over-expressing cells demonstrated that this mutation alters the expression and function of TNF-R1 similar to that with the previously identified pathogenic T79M mutation. Specifically, cell surface expression of the mutant TNF-R1 in transfected cells was inhibited with both G87V and T79M mutations, whereas the T90I mutation did not affect this. Moreover, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TRAPS patients harboring the G87V and T90I mutations showed increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the effect of various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on inflammatory responses was explored, revealing that PBMCs from TRAPS patients are hyper-responsive to TLR-2 and TLR-4 ligands and that interleukin (IL)-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of TRAPS. These findings suggest that the newly identified G87V mutation is one of the causative mutations of TRAPS. Our findings based on unique TRAPS-associated mutations provide novel insight for clearer understanding of inflammatory responses, which would be basic findings of developing a new therapeutic and prophylactic approach to TRAPS.

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using gemcitabine and S1 before surgery for pancreatic cancer on quality of life

e15719

Background: To improve the poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, we examined the effect of 6 months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using gemcitabine and S1 before surgery and found significantly prolonged survival. Clinical use of this treatment is expected in the future. However, preoperative NAC may increase the physical burden on patients as well as their psychological burden due to the longer waiting time. Thus, it is necessary to confirm that the treatment does not reduce quality of life (QOL). Methods: In this observational study of patients who underwent resection after this NAC, a QOL questionnaire survey was administered preoperatively and at postoperative months 3, 6, and 12, to consenting patients from those enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The intervention group (planned surgery and NAC) had added pre- and post-treatment QOL surveys. We used the Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2 Standard, Japanese) to measure health-related QOL. Overall differences among the groups were evaluated by paired t test and two- and three-way ANOVA. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (ver. 21) software. Results: In total, 55 patients (mean age 66.0 years), about 15% of those enrolled in the RCTs, responded to the questionnaire (NAC group, n = 22; control group, n = 33). QOL was not significantly reduced in the NAC group pre- and post-treatment ( p= 0.19-0.96). Notably, there were no significant differences in post-treatment QOL, with improvement in the Physical Functioning (75.9→79.4), Bodily Pain (70.5→72.5), Vitality (59.6→59.9), and Mental Health (66.5→69.7) SF-36 domains compared with before preoperative treatment. This suggests that patients had good preoperative physical and mental QOL. QOL at each time point did not differ significantly in the 8 domains with or without NAC; the Mental component summary score was significantly higher in the NAC group compared with the control group at 3 months (54.9 vs 49.3, p= 0.04). NAC and QOL did not differ significantly by time, sex, and operation type. Conclusions: NAC using gemcitabine and S1 before surgery for pancreatic cancer does not reduce QOL. Improved prognosis can be expected with no adverse effect on QOL.

[Conversion Surgery Combined with Preoperative Coil Embolization of Hepatic Artery for Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Head Cancer with Hepatic Artery Invasion-A Case Report]

Here we report a case treated with conversion surgery combined with preoperative coil embolization of the hepatic artery after chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic head cancer with hepatic artery invasion. A 63- year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of pancreatic cancer. Abdominal CT scan revealed a 30mm pancreatic head tumor with involvement of the common hepatic artery(CHA)and proper hepatic artery(PHA). The left hepatic artery diverged from the left gastric artery. Although S-1 with concurrent radiation therapy was performed, a follow-up CT scan revealed the progression of soft tissue shadow around the CHA. Subsequently, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel(GnP)was administered 13 times. GnP helped achieve normalization of the tumor markers and long stable disease(SD)based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST). For the conversion surgery, embolization of the middle hepatic artery (MHA)was performed. Twelve days after, the right hepatic artery was embolized. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed with resection of the CHA and PHA without arterial reconstruction 16 days after the hepatic arterial embolization. The patient was discharged from our hospital 33 days after surgery without complications related to hepatic ischemia. The patient is alive without recurrence 42 months after the initial diagnosis and 26 months after surgery.

A novel liver metastasis-correlated protein of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PanNEN) discovered by proteomic analysis

The aim of this study was to identify novel liver metastasis-correlated proteins of PanNEN by proteomics to compare pancreatic tumor (PT) with paired metastatic liver tumor (LT). Of 118 surgical cases with PanNEN, 7 cases with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of both PT and paired LT were evaluated by proteomics. Tumor cells were selectively collected from FFPE tissues by laser capture microdissection. A total of 3,722 proteins were detected from extracted peptides by mass spectrometry-based shotgun analysis. Selection of the candidate proteins expressed differently between PT and LT were performed by semi-quantitative comparison in silico and confirmation with immunohistochemistry. We focused on ANXA6, CNPY2, RAB11B and TUBB3, all of which had higher expressions in LT. In all surgical cases with FFPE samples, liver recurrence-free survival (RFS) was evaluated in correlation to the expression of the candidate proteins in PT by immunohistochemistry. Liver RFS was significantly poorer in CNPY2 positive patients than in negative patients (10-year liver RFS; 39.8% vs. 92.3%, p = 0.012). Also, liver RFS tended to be poorer in ANXA6 positive patients than in those who were negative (10-year liver RFS; 51.4% vs. 95.0%, p = 0.099). In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of liver RFS were CNPY2 positivity (HR: 6.19, 95 % CI: 1.47-42.79, p = 0.011) and tumor size ≥ 42 mm (HR: 4.63, 95 % CI: 1.03-23.23, p = 0.045). In conclusion, CNPY2 is a novel liver metastasis-correlated protein of PanNEN.

[Conversion Surgery for Pancreatic Head Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination Following Chemotherapy for Two Years - A Case Report]

Here we report a case of pancreatic cancer(PC)with peritoneal dissemination, underwent conversion surgery following chemotherapy for 2 years. A5 5-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of PC. Abdominal CT scan revealed 3.0 cm of a pancreatic head tumor with abutment of the portal vein and the hepatic artery, classified as borderline resectable. Staging laparoscopy(SL)showed positive peritoneal cytology(CY). Gemcitabine(Gem)plus S-1 therapy(GS) was performed. Ten months after initial GS, SL revealed the disseminated nodule and positive CY. The regimen was changed to Gem plus nab-paclitaxel therapy(Gem plus nab-PTX). Since right ovarian tumor was detected by CT scan 6 months after initial Gem plus nab-PTX, laparoscopic oophorectomy was performed. Histological findings showed positive CY and ovarian metastasis of PC. Afterward, Gem plus nab-PTX has been continued for 8 months. Since SL after 2 years from initial chemotherapy showed negative CY and no metastatic lesion, pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein resection was performed as conversion surgery. According to General Rules for the Study of Pancreatic Cancer the 7th edition by Japan Pancreas Society, histological findings showed ypT3, ypN0, R0, and Grade 1b of histological effect. The patient is alive without recurrence 6 months after the resection.

A long-term survival case treated with conversion surgery following chemotherapy after diagnostic metastasectomy for pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis

Background

Pancreatic cancer with distant metastases is classified as “unresectable,” for which the standard treatment is systemic chemotherapy. The effectiveness of radical resection for pancreatic cancer with distant metastases is unknown. Here, we report a case of long term survival treated with conversion surgery following chemotherapy after diagnostic metastasectomy for pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital to examine and treat for cancer of the pancreatic body. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 26-mm hypovascular tumor in contact with the common hepatic artery (CHA) (> 180°), the celiac artery (< 180°), and portal vein at the pancreatic body. Resectability was determined as “borderline resectable.” Two courses of gemcitabine plus S-1 combination therapy (GS) were administered as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). CT scan showed tumor shrinkage (21 mm), determined as stable disease (SD) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Although the abdomen was opened for radical resection, a small nodule on the liver was detected and removed. Since the nodule was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by intraoperative frozen section, resection of the primary tumor was not performed. After three subsequent courses of GS therapy, no distant metastases were detected under radiological findings. Distal pancreatectomy with celiac artery resection (DP-CAR) was performed as radical surgery 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Histological diagnosis was well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, showing ypT1 ypN1 M1 stage IV, negative surgical margin (R0), and grade III in the Evans classification. S-1 was administered every other day from 6 months after resection up to the present. The patient has been alive with no recurrence for 5 years after the initial diagnosis and 4.5 years after the resection.

Conclusion

There is a case that received survival benefits from conversion surgery following chemotherapy after diagnostic metastasectomy in pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis.

[A Case of Successful Adjuvant Surgery for the Pancreas Head Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis]

We report a case of the pancreas head cancer with peritoneal metastasis, which was resected curatively after chemotherapy. A6 6-year-old male was referred to our hospital for the treatment of biliary stenosis. The serum CA19-9 level was elevated and abdominal CT scan showed stenosis of distal bile duct. By laparotomy, we noticed mass in the head of the pancreas with 8mm of the seeding nodule in a diameter at jejunal mesentery which was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by intraoperative frozen sections. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as pancreas head cancer with peritoneal metastasis. After hepaticojejunostomy, we started chemotherapy planning adjuvant surgery if the clinical response was observed. Systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel was administrated on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks. After 5 courses, therapeutic effect was stable disease(SD)in response evaluation criteria in solid tumor(RECIST). All of tumor markers were normalized. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy(SSPPD)was performed 6 months after the initial surgery. Histopathologically, most cancer cells showed degeneration and eliminated in the head of the pancreas. R0 resection was achieved with diagnosis of ypT3, ypN1, pM1(PER), Stage IV . Histological therapeutic effect was Grade III according to the Evans classification. The patient is alive, with no sign of recurrence 8 months after surgery. Adjuvant surgery was suggested to be one of the therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer with peritoneal metastasis.

Muse Cells, Nontumorigenic Pluripotent-Like Stem Cells, Have Liver Regeneration Capacity Through Specific Homing and Cell Replacement in a Mouse Model of Liver Fibrosis

Muse cells, a novel type of nontumorigenic pluripotent-like stem cells, reside in the bone marrow, skin, and adipose tissue and are collectable as cells positive for pluripotent surface marker SSEA-3. They are able to differentiate into cells representative of all three germ layers. The capacity of intravenously injected human bone marrow-derived Muse cells to repair an immunodeficient mouse model of liver fibrosis was evaluated in this study. The cells exhibited the ability to spontaneously differentiate into hepatoblast/hepatocyte lineage cells in vitro. They demonstrated a high migration capacity toward the serum and liver section of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice in vitro. In vivo, they specifically accumulated in the liver, but not in other organs except, to a lesser extent, in the lungs at 2 weeks after intravenous injection in the liver fibrosis model. After homing, Muse cells spontaneously differentiated in vivo into HepPar-1 (71.1 ± 15.2%), human albumin (54.3 ± 8.2%), and anti-trypsin (47.9 ± 4.6%)-positive cells without fusing with host hepatocytes, and expressed mature functional markers such as human CYP1A2 and human Glc-6-Pase at 8 weeks after injection. Recovery in serum, total bilirubin, and albumin and significant attenuation of fibrosis were recognized with statistical differences between the Muse cell-transplanted group and the control groups, which received the vehicle or the same number of a non-Muse cell population of MSCs (MSCs in which Muse cells were eliminated). Thus, unlike ESCs and iPSCs, Muse cells are unique in their efficient migration and integration into the damaged liver after intravenous injection, nontumorigenicity, and spontaneous differentiation into hepatocytes, rendering induction into hepatocytes prior to transplantation unnecessary. They may repair liver fibrosis by two simple steps: expansion after collection from the bone marrow and intravenous injection. A therapeutic strategy such as this is feasible and may provide significant advancements toward liver regeneration in patients with liver disease.

TWEAK/Fn14 pathway promotes a T helper 2-type chronic colitis with fibrosis in mice

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), a TNF superfamily member, induces damage of the epithelial cells (ECs) and production of inflammatory mediaters through its receptor Fn14 in a model of acute colitis. In our current study of chronic colitis induced by repeated rectal injection of a hapten, we found that inflammation, fibrosis, and T helper 2 (Th2)-type immunity were significantly reduced in Fn14 gene knockout (KO) mice when compared with wild-type (WT) control mice. Expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was lower in Fn14 KO colon ECs than in WT ECs. TWEAK potentiates the induction of TSLP by interleukin-13 (IL-13) in colon explants from WT but not in Fn14 KO tissue. TSLP receptor KO mice exhibit milder chronic colitis, similar to that in Fn14 KO mice. TWEAK and IL-13 synergistically promote fibroblast proliferation. Thus we propose an IL-13-TWEAK/Fn14-TSLP axis as a key mechanism underlying chronic colitis with fibrosis.

[A 5-year survival case of locally advanced cancer of the pancreatic body treated by distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy]

A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with locally advanced cancer of the pancreatic body, involving the nerve plexus around the celiac axis, the common hepatic artery, and the splenic artery. He was treated with a combination of irradiation (2 Gy/day, total 24 Gy) and 600 mg/m2 of gemcitabine(GEM)biweekly. The tumor size and the involved plexus area were not diminished, but CA19-9 was reduced by half. Distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection(DP-CAR)was performed. The histological findings indicated extensive invasion into the nerve plexus, including that adjacent to the stump of the pancreas, and thus the R classification was R1. After surgery, 1,000 mg/m2 of GEM was administered biweekly. The chemotherapy has been performed for 5 years to prevent local and systemic recurrence. No recurrence has been found 5 years after surgery. Multidisciplinary treatment, combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, curative-intent resection, and postoperative chemotherapy is important for effective treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Enhanced adsorption of arsenate on the aminated fibers: sorption behavior and uptake mechanism

Novel aminated polyacrylonitrile fibers (APANFs) were prepared through the reaction of polyacrylonitrile fibers (PANFs) with four multinitrogen-containing aminating reagents, and the best adsorbent was obtained after the optimization of preparation experiments. The APANFs were effective for arsenate removal from aqueous solution, and the sorption behaviors including kinetics, isotherms, effect of pH, and competitive anions were investigated. Experimental results show that the equilibrium of arsenate sorption on the fibers was achieved within 1 h, and Langmuir equation described the sorption isotherms well with a high sorption capacity of 256.1 mg/g obtained. The thermodynamic parameters calculated show that the sorption was spontaneous and exothermic under the condition applied. The zero point of zeta potential of the APANFs was at about pH = 8.2, in contrast with that of the PANFs at pH = 3.6. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for the APANFs before and after arsenate adsorption revealed that the amine groups on the fiber surface played an important role in the removal of arsenate from water, attributed to the electrostatic interaction between the positive protonated amine groups and negative arsenate ions.

Electrochemical treatment of human urine for its storage and reuse as flush water

We proposed the electrochemical treatment of human urine to enable its storage without the accompanying unpleasant odor. This urine can then be reused as flush water in toilets as a means to tackle water shortage problems. In laboratory-scale experiments, the time-dependent variation in the pH of human urine, after the addition of urease, could be suppressed by chlorine produced via the electrochemical treatment of diluted human urine. Ureolysis was quantified by pH increase within 100 h. This suppression occurred as a result of an irreversible change in the conformation of urease that resulted in its inactivation at an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of ca. 240 mV or above. Due to the electrochemical inactivation of urease during the entire storage period of urine, the hydrolysis of urea in urine, which results in the production of the unpleasant odor due to ammonia formation, can be avoided. Thus, the treatment enables the storage of urine for its reuse as flush water in toilets.

Direct reconstitution of bacteriorhodopsin into planar phospholipid bilayers--detergent effect

This paper describes how the structure and concentration level of a detergent used for substitution after bacteriorhodopsin (bR) solubilization affect the reconstitution of the bR into phospholipid planar bilayers. A direct insertion method was used for the bR reconstitution into the bilayers. Two detergents representing the two major types were used: sodium deoxycholate with a cholane-ring structure, and octylglucoside with a linear (or chain) structure. We then characterized the reconstitution for the two detergents by considering the detergent separation profiles and the photocurrent variations upon addition of lanthanum chloride and the protonophore FCCP (carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone). We found that for successful transmembrane reconstitution of bR the detergent with the cholane-ring structure was preferable to that with the linear structure when the detergent concentration was above its critical micellar concentration. This preference was explained by the ease with which the detergent with the cholane-ring structure was removed from protein compared to that with the linear structure. Finally, we proposed a scheme for the reconstitution of the protein.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates obtained from human and bovine infections in Japan

Cryptosporidium oocysts, morphologically identified as Cryptosporidium parvum, were isolated from 22 human and 14 bovine cases in Japan, and were genotyped by means of a PCR/RFLP analysis of the polythreonine gene. DNA profiles of human isolates gave three distinct genotypes, namely an anthroponotic genotype 1, zoonotic genotype 2 and a new genotype. Isolates from bovine samples gave zoonotic genotype 2. The unusual genotype of Cryptosporidium was isolated from the feces of three immunologically healthy adults, and was further characterized by the sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. The third genotype was identified as Crypto sporidium meleagridis, demonstrating that C. meleagridis, which occurs worldwide, has the potential to infect humans regardless of their immunological condition.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in intrahepatic bile duct, presenting with hemobilia: a case report

We present a 66-year-old man with unique heterotopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct causing hemobilia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed irregular stenosis of the left intrahepatic bile duct, and a provisional diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was made. Therefore, partial hepatic lobectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Histological examination of the liver showed the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct containing mucous glands with parietal and chief cells and bile. Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct is a rare cause of hemobilia.