Effect of talaporfin sodium-mediated photodynamic therapy on cell death modalities in human glioblastoma T98G cells

While photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for glioma, induction of apoptotic cell death of glioma cells is important for ensuring efficacy and safety of PDT treatment in glioma patients, as necrotic cell death can induce late appearance of obstacles in treatment. Here, we investigated the relationship between type of cell death and PDT treatment conditions involved in laser and photosensitizer dosage in human glioblastoma T98G cells. Photosensitizer talaporfin sodium-mediated PDT (NPe6-PDT) treatment induced laser and NPe6 dose-dependent cell death in T98G cells, whereas almost all cells pretreated with NPe6 at ≥ 30 µg/mL were killed by laser irradiation, regardless of laser dose. Morphological analysis showed that combination of high doses of NPe6 and laser irradiation changes the dominant cell death process from apoptosis to necrosis. Biochemical analysis (detection of caspase-3 activity and staining of cell surface-exposed phosphatidylserine) also showed that increasing laser dose changes the type of cell death from apoptotic to necrotic cell death after high-dose treatment with NPe6. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay demonstrated that a laser dose of 5 J/cm(2) induced less leakage than 30 J/cm(2). Our results suggested that type of glioma cell death in NPe6-PDT changed with fluctuations in laser and NPe6 dose, and that combination of 30 µg/mL NPe6 with 5 J/cm(2) laser is the best treatment condition for inducing an increase in apoptotic cells while keeping rate of necrotic cell death low in this in vitro study.

Alteration of DNA binding activity of transcription factors in NRK-52E rat proximal tubular cells treated with cadmium

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that causes severe clinical symptoms in various tissues including the kidney. In this study, activities of transcription factors were measured to identify what type of transcription factor was affected by cadmium in rat proximal tubular cells (NRK-52E cells) using the protein/DNA binding assay. After treatment of NRK-52E cells with 5 µM CdCl2 for 3 hr, nuclear extracts were used for the protein/DNA binding assay. Among 65 transcription factors, cadmium increased the activities of 6 transcription factors by more than 2.0-fold and decreased those of 15 transcription factors by less than 0.5-fold. These findings may provide new information about novel transcription factors associated with the mechanism of cadmium toxicity.

Basophil infiltration in eosinophilic oesophagitis and proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia

BACKGROUND

The features of proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE) are similar to those of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but PPI-REE demonstrates symptomatic and histological responses to PPI therapy. Several studies have shown that basophils play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.

AIM

To identify and compare basophil infiltration in the oesophageal epithelium in patients with EoE, PPI-REE, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal oesophagus (controls).

METHODS

Biopsy specimens from 43 patients, including 12 with EoE, 11 with PPI-REE, 10 with GERD and 10 normal oesophagus, were analysed. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify the number of basophils and mast cells in the oesophageal epithelium. Double immunofluorescence staining for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and basophils was performed. Patients with EoE were treated with swallowed fluticasone.

RESULTS

There were no differences in clinical, endoscopic or histological features between patients with EoE and PPI-REE. There were more basophils and mast cells in patients with EoE and PPI-REE than in patients with GERD and control subjects. Basophil infiltration of the oesophageal epithelium in patients with EoE was higher than that in patients with PPI-REE (3.6 ± 2.8 per high power field vs. 1.2 ± 0.9 per high power field respectively; P = 0.02); however, there was no significant difference in mast cell infiltration between the two groups. TSLP was highly expressed in the oesophageal epithelium in areas infiltrated by basophils. Steroid therapy significantly decreased intraepithelial basophils in patients with EoE.

CONCLUSION

Basophils may play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Nucleolin is a receptor for maleylated-bovine serum albumin on macrophages

Scavenger receptors have a broad range of functions that include pathogen clearance, and identification of the scavenger receptor family has been of great benefit to the field of physiology. The shuttling-protein nucleolin has recently been shown to possess scavenger receptor-like activity. We therefore investigated whether or not nucleolin is a receptor for maleylated-bovine serum albumin (maleylated-BSA), which is a common ligand for scavenger receptors. Binding and phagocytosis of native control-BSA by thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages was weak, but that of maleylated-BSA was strong. Surface plasmon-resonance analysis revealed that nucleolin strongly associated with maleylated-BSA but not control-BSA or maleic anhydride. Further, co-treatment of macrophages with anti-nucleolin antibody, but not control-immunoglobulin G, inhibited binding of maleylated-BSA. In addition, antineoplastic guanine rich oligonucleotide (AGRO), a nucleolin-specific oligonucleotide aptamer, inhibited binding of maleylated-BSA. Further, binding of maleylated-BSA to nucleolin-transfected HEK293 cells was higher than that by control HEK cells. These results indicate that nucleolin is a receptor that enables macrophages to recognize maleylated-BSA.

Nucleolin Acts as a Scavenger Receptor for Acetylated Low-Density Lipoprotein on Macrophages

Although macrophage phagocytoses modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL), excessive accumulation of modified LDL induces macrophage foam cell formation, which is a feature of atherosclerotic plaque. Thus, the identification of scavenger receptor for modified LDL will provide better understanding of an atherosclerotic event. We recently showed that nucleolin expressed on macrophages acts as a scavenger receptor for various endogenous discarded products. Here, we investigated whether or not nucleolin is involved in the uptake of acetylated LDL (AcLDL). In contrast to normal LDL, AcLDL directly bound to immobilized nucleolin. AcLDL exhibited a higher affinity for macrophages than normal LDL. This binding of AcLDL was inhibited by anti-nucleolin antibody and antineoplastic guanine-rich oligonucleotide (AGRO), a nucleolin-specific oligonucleotide aptamer. In addition, AcLDL exhibited a higher affinity for HEK cells transfected with nucleolin than those without. Further, intracellular accumulation of AcLDL was also inhibited by anti-nucleolin antibody. The results of this study suggest that nucleolin expressed on macrophages is a receptor for AcLDL.

Predictive factors for pericardial effusion identified by heart dose-volume histogram analysis in oesophageal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictive factors for the development of pericardial effusion (PCE) in patients with oesophageal cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

From March 2006 to November 2012, patients with oesophageal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using the following criteria were evaluated: radiation dose >50 Gy; heart included in the radiation field; dose-volume histogram (DVH) data available for analysis; no previous thoracic surgery; and no PCE before treatment. The diagnosis of PCE was independently determined by two radiologists. Clinical factors, the percentage of heart volume receiving >5-60 Gy in increments of 5 Gy (V5-60, respectively), maximum heart dose and mean heart dose were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 143 patients with oesophageal cancer were reviewed retrospectively. The median follow-up by CT was 15 months (range, 2.1-72.6 months) after RT. PCE developed in 55 patients (38.5%) after RT, and the median time to develop PCE was 3.5 months (range, 0.2-9.9 months). On univariate analysis, DVH parameters except for V60 were significantly associated with the development of PCE (p < 0.001). No clinical factor was significantly related to the development of PCE. Recursive partitioning analysis including all DVH parameters as variables showed a V10 cut-off value of 72.8% to be the most influential factor.

CONCLUSION

The present results showed that DVH parameters are strong independent predictive factors for the development of PCE in patients with oesophageal cancer treated with CRT.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

A heart dosage was associated with the development of PCE with radiation and without prophylactic nodal irradiation.

Protective role of metallothionein in chemical and radiation carcinogenesis

Metallothionein (MT) is a low molecular weight metal-binding protein induced by endogenous and exogenous stimuli such as cytokines and heavy metals. In 1993 and 1994, two research groups (Choo et al. and Palmiter et al., respectively) produced MT-I/II double-knockout mice (MT-I/II null mice) with null mutations of the MT-I and MT-II genes. Subsequently, MT-I/II null mice have been used to clarify the biological function, physiological role, and pathophysiological relevance of MT by many research groups. Recent studies using MT-I/II null mice to investigate the role of MT in metal toxicity and distribution, oxidative stress, and some disease were reviewed. In addition, several research groups including our laboratory have reported that MT-I/II null mice are highly susceptible to several carcinogenesis caused by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, X-ray, benzo[a]pyrene, N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine, lead, and cisplatin. These results suggest that MT is an important protective factor against not only metal toxicity and oxidative stress but also chemical and radiation carcinogenesis. In this review, we present the findings of MT-I/II null mice with regard to the protective role of MT in carcinogenesis and mutagenesis caused by chemical agents and X-ray.

Gene expression differences in the duodenum of 129/Sv and DBA/2 mice compared with that of C57BL/6J mice

We compared the cadmium (Cd) concentration in the liver and kidney of different strains of mice after exposure to 50 ppm Cd for 30 days via drinking water. Cd concentration in the liver and kidney of C57BL/6J mice were higher than those of 129/Sv and DBA/2 mice. Since orally ingested heavy metals are absorbed in the small intestine and then widely distributed to target tissues, microarray analyses were performed to compare the expression levels of transport-related genes in the duodenum between C57BL/6J mice and 129/Sv or DBA/2 mice. The expression levels of 9 and 11 genes were elevated more than 2.0-fold and 13 and 12 genes were reduced less than 0.5-fold in 129/Sv mice and DBA/2 mice, respectively. Among these low expressed genes, 10 genes (Slc2a2, Slc5a1, Slc16a2, Slc22a13, Slc22a18, Slc25a11, Slc36a1, Slco6c1, Abca3 and Abcd1) were common between the two types of strains. These results suggest that some of those genes might be involved in Cd absorption and its toxicity.

Gene expression analysis using DNA microarray in HK-2 human proximal tubular cells treated with cadmium

We examined the alteration of gene expression in HK-2 human proximal tubular cells exposed to cadmium (Cd) using DNA microarray analysis. Cd increased the expression of 30 genes, including 7 genes coding for heat shock proteins, more than 2.0-fold and decreased the expression of 21 genes, including transcription-related genes, such as AP2B1, HOXA7, HOXA9 and TCEB2, less than 0.5-fold prior to the appearance of cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells.

Laparoscopic intraoperative navigation surgery for gastric cancer using real-time rendered 3D CT images

PURPOSE

Recent advances in laparoscopic surgical technology have made it possible to perform advanced high-level surgery, such as lymph node dissection for malignancy. Grasping the anatomy during such procedures is important for a safe operation. We have developed a new image information system that provides three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed CT images synchronized with the motion of the laparoscope. This study assesses this new navigation system.

METHODS

Enhanced CT using a custom-made software program can provide 3D angiography images reconstructed as a laparoscopic view. A motion sensor mounted on the laparoscope can detect the direction angle of the laparoscope. The real-time rendered 3D CT images are synchronized with the laparoscopic video images according to the motion of the scope. These 3D CT images are projected on another monitor close to the laparoscopic video monitor. Lymph node dissection can be performed with the help of the real-time navigation system that provides a detailed 3D view of the vasculature.

RESULTS

Ten laparoscopic gastrectomies were performed using this navigation system. Real-time intraoperative navigation of the vasculature was available, allowing for an excellent surgical outcome. No complications occurred in this series.

CONCLUSION

Our intraoperative navigation system allows for safe laparoscopic gastric lymph node dissection.

A Simple, Rapid, and Highly Efficient Gene Expression System for Multiheme Cytochromes c

The genes of tetraheme cytochrome c3 and hexadecaheme high-molecular-weight cytochrome c from Desulfovibrio vulgaris could be overexpressed as holoproteins in Shewanella oneidensis TSP-C using pUC-type vectors of E. coli. Surprisingly, S. oneidensis was transformed directly by pUC-type vectors through electroporation. The yields of the recombinant proteins in this expression system were much higher than the previously reported ones.

Can oncologists predict survival for patients with progressive disease after standard chemotherapies?

BACKGROUND

Prediction of prognosis is important for patients so that they can make the most of the rest of their lives. Oncologists could predict survival, but the accuracy of such predictions is unclear.

METHODS

In this observational prospective cohort study, 14 oncologists treating 9 major adult solid malignancies were asked to complete questionnaires predicting survival based on performance status, oral intake, and other clinical factors when patients experienced progressive disease after standard chemotherapies. Clinically predicted survival (cps) was calculated by the oncologists from the date of progressive disease to the predicted date of death. Actual survival (as) was compared with cps using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and factors affecting inaccurate prediction were determined by logistic regression analysis. The prediction of survival time was considered accurate when the cps/as ratio was between 0.67 and 1.33.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 75 patients. Median cps was 120 days (interquartile range: 60-180 days), and median as was 121 days (interquartile range: 40-234 days). The participating oncologists accurately predicted as within a 33% range 36% of the time; the survival time was overestimated 36% of time and underestimated 28% of the time. The factors affecting the accuracy of the survival estimate were the experience of the oncologist, patient age, and information given about the palliative care unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediction of cps was accurate for just slightly more than one third of all patients in this study. Additional investigation of putative prognostic factors with a larger sample size is warranted.

DNA microarray expression analysis of mouse kidney following cadmium exposure for 12 months

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal and chronic exposure causes kidney injury. This study used DNA microarray analysis to examine gene expression in the kidney of mice chronically exposed to Cd. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed a 300 ppm Cd-containing diet or a control diet for 12 months. In comparison with control mice, the expression levels of 32 genes, including Hmox1 and Mt2, were elevated more than 2.0-fold, whereas 113 genes, including transport- and ubiquitination-related genes, were reduced less than 0.5-fold.

Electron density profile measurements at a self-focusing ion beam with high current density and low energy extracted through concave electrodes

The self-focusing phenomenon has been observed in a high current density and low energy ion beam. In order to study the mechanism of this phenomenon, a special designed double probe to measure the electron density and temperature is installed into the chamber where the high current density ion beam is injected. Electron density profile is successfully measured without the influence of the ion beam components. Estimated electron temperature and density are ∼0.9 eV and ∼8 × 10(8) cm(-3) at the center of ion beam cross section, respectively. It was found that a large amount of electrons are spontaneously accumulated in the ion beam line in the case of self-forcing state.

Abstract P5-08-12: Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were associated with clinical progressive disease of triple-negative breast cancers during neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background: Clinical progressive disease (cPD) occurs during neoadjuvant therapy (NAC) in 3 to 5% of breast cancer patients. By gene expression profiling analyses using DNA microarray, the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes were shown to be correlated with chemoresistant phenotype of breast cancer cell lines. In order to reveal clinical implication of EMT-associated molecules on the acquisition of cPD property, we designed a retrospective histopathilogical and immunohistochemical case-control study. Patients and Methods: From pathology database of patients who received surgical resection, 86 patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) were identified: 23 patients suffered cPD during NAC (PD group) and 63 control group patients did not receive NAC (C group), in whom &gt;95% of patients was estimated to be non-PD group if NAC was performed. For these 86 cases, histopathological classification was performed and negativity of hormone receptors and HER2 was confirmed. As EMT markers, we immunohistochemically examined the expressions of vimentin, Twist, Twist NB and Snail. The chi-square test was used to assess statistically significant differences between the groups.Results: Histologically, PD group comprised 12 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) (52%) and 11 metaplastic carcinomas (MPCs) (48%), and they all were nuclear grade 3. In C group, 52 (83%) were IDCs and 10 (16%) were histological types other than IDC or MPC, and there was only 1 MPC (1%) (p = 4.31E-08). Nuclear grade was 1, 2, and 3 in 1, 9, and 53, respectively. Vimentin was positive in cytoplasm of 74% of PD group and the incidence was higher than that in C group (49%) (p = 0.016). Cytoplasmic twist-2 and cytoplasmic and nuclear Snail expressions were detected almost equally between PD group and C group. Cytoplasmic Twist NB expression was more frequent in PD group (26%) than in C group (1.6%) (p = 0.0002). In PD group, a total of 17 cases comprising 9 MPCs and 8 IDCs, were positive for vimentin. In these 17 vimentin-positive cases, 14 were stable disease or partial response with an anthracyclin-containing regimen while all 16 patients receiving a taxane-containing regimen became cPD during the taxane-containing regimen.

Patient characteristics PD group (N = 23)Control group(N = 63)Age median (range)42(25-62)55(25-77)Clinical stage:I/II/III0/11/127/44/12Diagnosi at operation:IDC/MPC or MPC containing/others12/11/052/1/10Nuclear grade:1/2/30/0/231/9/53Tumor size at diagnosis4.8(2-14)2.8(1.2-12.0)Neoadjuvant chemoterapy regimen  Anthracyclin containing:AC/CEF11/12-Taxane: paclitaxel/docetaxel20/2-

Conclusion: EMT features detected by metaplastic phenotype and cytoplasmic vimentin expression could be predictors for cPD during NAC for TNBC. The tumors of these phenotypes were likely to be resistant to a taxane-containing regimen.

Immunohistochemical profilingantibodyPD group (N = 23)Control group (N = 63)p-valueVimentin(cytoplasm)17 (74%)31 (49%)0.0411Twist-2(cytoplasm)21(91%)59 (94%)0.7849Snail-2(cytoplasm)12 (52%)38 (60%)0.5548Snail-2(nucleus)14 (61%)34 (54%)0.4677Twist NB(cyroplasm)6 (26%)1 (1.6%)0.0002

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P5-08-12.

Long insular artery infarction: characteristics of a previously unrecognized entity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The infarctions arising in the long insular arteries of the M2 segment have been poorly described in the past. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and pathogenesis of long insular artery infarcts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with acute isolated infarcts in territories of the long insular arteries and lenticulostriate arteries were retrospectively reviewed. The long insular artery territory was defined as the area above the lenticulostriate artery territory at the level of centrum semiovale. On the coronal section, it lies between the tip of the anterior horn and the top of the superior limb of the insular cleft. Clinical features and prevalence of embolic sources were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Of 356 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, 8 (2.2%) had a long insular artery infarct (long insular artery group) and 50 (14.0%) had a lenticulostriate artery infarct (lenticulostriate artery group). There were no differences in age, sex, prevalence of risk factors, neurologic deficit, or incidence of lacunar syndromes between these groups. Abrupt onset was more common in the long insular artery than in the lenticulostriate artery group (P = .004). The prevalence of embolic high-risk sources (eg, atrial fibrillation) was not significantly different between these groups, but the combined prevalence of all embolic sources, including moderate-risk sources, was significantly higher in the long insular artery group (P = .048).

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated infarction caused by long insular artery occlusion is not rare. Abrupt onset is more common for long insular artery infarction, and this finding could be attributed to the higher incidence of an embolic etiology as the pathogenesis of infarction.