Enhanced regeneration potential of mobilized dental pulp stem cells from immature teeth

OBJECTIVES

We have previously demonstrated that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from mature teeth by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced mobilization method can enhance angiogenesis/vasculogenesis and improve pulp regeneration when compared with colony-derived DPSCs. However, the efficacy of this method in immature teeth with root-formative stage has never been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the stemness, biological characteristics, and regeneration potential in mobilized DPSCs compared with colony-derived DPSCs from immature teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mobilized DPSCs isolated from immature teeth were compared to colony-derived DPSCs using methods including flow cytometry, migration assays, mRNA expression of angiogenic/neurotrophic factor, and induced differentiation assays. They were also compared in trophic effects of the secretome. Regeneration potential was further compared in an ectopic tooth transplantation model.

RESULTS

Mobilized DPSCs had higher migration ability and expressed more angiogenic/neurotrophic factors than DPSCs. The mobilized DPSC secretome produced a higher stimulatory effect on migration, immunomodulation, anti-apoptosis, endothelial differentiation, and neurite extension. In addition, vascularization and pulp regeneration potential were higher in mobilized DPSCs than in DPSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

G-CSF-induced mobilization method enhances regeneration potential of colony-derived DPSCs from immature teeth.

Schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mice with NMDA receptor ablation in intralaminar thalamic nucleus cells and gene therapy-based reversal in adults

In understanding the mechanism of schizophrenia pathogenesis, a significant finding is that drug abuse of phencyclidine or its analog ketamine causes symptoms similar to schizophrenia. Such drug effects are triggered even by administration at post-adolescent stages. Both drugs are N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, leading to a major hypothesis that glutamate hypofunction underlies schizophrenia pathogenesis. The precise region that depends on NMDAR function, however, is unclear. Here, we developed a mouse strain in which NMDARs in the intralaminar thalamic nuclei (ILN) were selectively disrupted. The mutant mice exhibited various schizophrenia-like phenotypes, including deficits in working memory, long-term spatial memory, and attention, as well as impulsivity, impaired prepulse inhibition, hyperlocomotion and hyperarousal. The electroencephalography analysis revealed that the mutant mice had a significantly reduced power in a wide range of frequencies including the alpha, beta and gamma bands, both during wake and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and a modest decrease of gamma power during non-REM sleep. Notably, restoring NMDARs in the adult ILN rescued some of the behavioral abnormalities. These findings suggest that NMDAR dysfunction in the ILN contributes to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia-related disorders. Furthermore, the reversal of inherent schizophrenia-like phenotypes in the adult mutant mice supports that ILN is a potential target site for a therapeutic strategy.

Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP) Induces Spermatogenic Cell Apoptosis in Guinea Pig Testes at Prepubertal Stage In Vitro

The effects of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), an active metabolite of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), on prepubertal guinea pig testes in vitro were investigated. The testes of 35-day-old guinea pigs were surgically excised. They were seeded in a defined medium containing antibiotics and administered MEHP at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 nmol/ml, respectively. The control groups were administered a similar volume of corn oil vehicle. The tissues were incubated for 3, 6, and 9 h. The specimens were collected at 3, 6, and 9 h after treatment. They were fixed in 4%paraformaldehyde or 5% glutaraldehyde. For quantitation of the apoptotic spermatogenic cells, the terminal dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed by light microscopy. Detachment and displacement of spermatogenic cells, thin seminiferous epithelia, and Sertoli cell vacuolization were observed. Maximal testicular damage was recognized at 100 nmol/ml 9 h after MEHP treatment. The percentage (%) of apoptotic spermatogenic cells significantly increased at 3, 6, and 9 h after treatment, compared to the control groups. Because the loss of spermatogenic cells by MEHP treatment varies among species, the present study, using guinea pigs, was designed and conducted to obtain further information.

Transient Weakening of Earth's Magnetic Shield Probed by a Cosmic Ray Burst

The GRAPES-3 tracking muon telescope in Ooty, India measures muon intensity at high cutoff rigidities (15-24 GV) along nine independent directions covering 2.3 sr. The arrival of a coronal mass ejection on 22 June 2015 18:40 UT had triggered a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm (storm). Starting 19:00 UT, the GRAPES-3 muon telescope recorded a 2 h high-energy (∼20  GeV) burst of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) that was strongly correlated with a 40 nT surge in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Simulations have shown that a large (17×) compression of the IMF to 680 nT, followed by reconnection with the geomagnetic field (GMF) leading to lower cutoff rigidities could generate this burst. Here, 680 nT represents a short-term change in GMF around Earth, averaged over 7 times its volume. The GCRs, due to lowering of cutoff rigidities, were deflected from Earth's day side by ∼210° in longitude, offering a natural explanation of its night-time detection by the GRAPES-3. The simultaneous occurrence of the burst in all nine directions suggests its origin close to Earth. It also indicates a transient weakening of Earth's magnetic shield, and may hold clues for a better understanding of future superstorms that could cripple modern technological infrastructure on Earth, and endanger the lives of the astronauts in space.

Subacute sarcoid myositis with ocular muscle involvement; a case report and review of the literature

Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that can affect multiple organs. The lungs, eyes, and skin are known to be highly affected organs in sarcoidosis. There have been reports based on random muscle biopsy that 32-80% of systemic sarcoidosis comprises noncaseating granulomas; however, muscle involvement in sarcoidosis is generally asymptomatic and has an unknown frequency. We describe a case of acute to subacute sarcoid myositis of the skeletal and extraocular muscles. Typical ophthalmic involvement (manifested by infiltration of the ocular adnexa, intraocular inflammation, or infiltration of the retrobulbar visual pathways) and extraocular sarcoid myositis (as with the present case) is infrequently reported. It is important to keep in mind the rare yet perhaps underestimated entity of sarcoid myositis, and to utilize muscle biopsy and imaging tests for appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with sarcoidosis.

Actinomyces denticolens colonisation identified in equine tonsillar crypts

Recently, submandibular abscesses associated with Actinomyces denticolens have been reported in horses. The actinomycotic clumps have been observed in the tonsillar crypts. The aim of this study was to demonstrate colonisation of A denticolens in equine tonsils. Twelve equine tonsils obtained from a slaughterhouse were divided into two parts for histopathological examination and for isolation of A denticolens. When actinomycotic clumps were found in these tonsillar crypts, immunohistochemistry using hyperimmune serum against A denticolens (DMS 20671) was performed on the serial sections. To determine whether Actinomyces-like bacteria isolated using immunoantigenic separation technique were A denticolens, the isolates were analysed for the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Actinomycotic clumps were found in the tonsillar crypts of 11 (91.7 per cent) horses. The clumps were of the saprophytic type accompanied with the feedstuffs, but a few clumps were surrounded by inflammatory cells. A denticolens antigens were immunodetected not only in the clumps of 11 (100 per cent) tonsils, but also in the tonsillar parenchyma. Six isolates obtained from four tonsils showed 99.7–99.9 per cent similarity to A denticolens in the 16S rRNA gene sequence. In horses, the colonisation sites of A denticolens are the tonsils, thus the authors suggest that the tonsils provide the intrinsic infection site for A denticolens.

Promoting Effect of Metal Compounds on Liver, Stomach, Kidney, Pancreas, and Skin Carcinogenesis

Systemic studies have been completed in Japan to detect those chemicals in the environment that act as promoters. Well-established two-stage models for liver, stomach, kidney, pancreas, and skin carcinogenesis were employed to detect the promoting effect of Zn Cl2, Cr Cl2, Cd Cl2, Ni Cl2, and Hg Cl2. As a result, Ni Cl2 was found to act as a promoter in renal carcinogenesis.

Comparative Studies on Lipid Peroxidation in the Kidney of Rats, Mice, and Hamsters and on the Effect of Cysteine, Glutathione, and Diethyl Maleate Treatment on Mortality and Nephrotoxicity After Administration of Potassium Bromate

As an index of lipid peroxidation (LPO), levels of thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substances were examined in the kidneys of male F344 rats, BDF1, CDF1, and B6C3F1 mice, and Syrian golden hamsters after a single intravenous (IV) administration of potassium bromate (KBrO3) at various doses. In the rats, LPO levels were significantly increased in both a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. However, when the rats were given intraperitoneal (IP) injection of cysteine, the levels of LPO were not significantly different between KBrO3-treated animals and controls. In CDF1 mice, the slight increases in LPO levels observed were much weaker and not statistically significant. On the other hand, treatment of BDF1 and B6C3F1 mice or hamsters with KBrO3 resulted in decreased values as compared to controls. The effect of treatment with cysteine, glutathione (GSH), or diethyl maleate (DEM) on mortality was tested in male F344 rats given IV injection of KBrO3 at various doses. Significant reduction and elevation in the mortality were observed in rats treated with cysteine or GSH and DEM, respectively. Significant dose-dependent and time-dependent increases were observed in the levels of serum non-protein nitrogen (NPN), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine, and absolute and relative weight of the kidneys in male F344 rats administered KBrO3 IV. Microscopically, the appearance of numerous eosinophilic droplets in the cytoplasm of proximal tubular epithelium of KBrO3-treated rats was noteworthy. All these changes were reduced and exacerbated by treatment with cysteine or GSH and DEM, respectively. The possibility of LPO formation in the kidney by active oxygen radicals generated by KBrO3 is suggested. A possible relationship between LPO levels in the kidney and species differences in the renal toxicity and carcinogenicity of KBrO3 is implicated.

Promoting Effect of Metal Compounds on Rat Renal Tumorigenesis

Five metal compounds, zinc chloride (ZnCl2), mercury chloride (HgCl2), chromium chloride (CrCl3) hexahydrate, cadmium chloride (CdCl2) hemidihydrate, and nickel chloride (NiCl2) hexahydrate, were selected and tested for potential modifying influence on renal tumorigenesis. Six groups, each consisting of 15 male F344 rats, were given N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN) at a concentration of 500 ppm in their drinking water for the first 2 weeks as the initiation of carcinogenesis. Thereafter, the rats were treated orally for 25 weeks with ZnCl2, HgCl2, CrCl3, CdCl2, and NiCl2, respectively, at concentrations of 450, 40, 600, 100, and 600 ppm in the drinking water. The control group was given unsupplemented distilled water (DW) after EHEN initiation. Renal neoplastic lesions were classified histologically into dysplastic foci (DF) and renal cell tumors (RCT). As a result, statistically significant increases were found in the mean numbers of DF per cm2 in rats treated with the five metal compounds. On the other hand, the incidence of RCT was significantly higher only in rats treated with NiCl2. It is concluded that NiCl2 exerted a potential for promotion of renal tumorigenesis under the conditions of this study.

Lack of Promoting Effect of Sodium Chlorate and Potassium Chlorate in Two-Stage Rat Renal Carcinogenesis

Sodium chlorate (NaClO3) and potassium chlorate (KClO3), which are byproducts of water disinfection with chlorine dioxide (ClO2), were tested for potential promoting effect in two-stage rat renal carcinogenesis. Three groups of 15 male F344 rats each were given N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN) at the level of 0.05% for the first 2 weeks during the initiation phase. Thereafter, the rats were treated orally for 25 weeks with NaClO3 (1%), KClO3 (1%), or distilled water (DW). Three other groups (controls) were treated similarly, except that DW was given in the initiation phase. All animals survived for the duration of the experiment. Renal neoplastic lesions were classified histologically as dysplastic foci (DF) and renal cell tumors (RCT). The number of these lesions per unit area, in six sections from each kidney, was determined microscopically. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences and in the mean number of DF and RCT of the kidney between compound-and DW-treated rats initiated with EHEN. It is concluded that NaClO3 and KClO3 show no promoting effect in rat renal carcinogenesis under the conditions of this study.

Quantitative Evaluation of Intraarterial Lymphocyte Injection Therapy for Lymph Edema Using MR Imaging

Five patients with unilateral leg lymph edema had intraarterial injections of lymphocytes in the affected leg with consequent improvement in 3. To assess the degree of lymph edema, T2 and intensity ratio between the 2 legs in STIR images were used. Mean and SD of T2 values in the subcutaneous tissue were measured using a triple echo sequence and found larger on the edematous side than in the opposite extremity. The mean T2 shortening obtained after the lymphocyte therapy correlated well with the reduction of limb circumference. Mean T2 reflects the fluid content, and SD of T2 the fluid distribution in the subcutaneous tissue. The degree of lymph edema and the effect of therapy can be evaluated quantitatively by measuring the value of the T2 relaxation time.

Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes differs depending on histological type and smoking habit in completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

T-cell infiltration in tumors has been used as a prognostic tool in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the influence of smoking habit and histological type on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in NSCLC remains unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated the prognostic significance of TILs (CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD20⁺, and FOXP3⁺) according to histological type and smoking habit using automatic immunohistochemical staining and cell counting in 218 patients with NSCLC.

RESULTS

In multivariate survival analyses of clinical, pathological, and immunological factors, a high ratio of FOXP3⁺ to CD4⁺ T cells (FOXP3/CD4) [hazard ratio (HR): 4.46, P < 0.01 for overall survival (OS); HR: 1.96, P < 0.05 for recurrence-free survival (RFS)] and a low accumulation of CD20⁺ B cells (HR: 2.45, P = 0.09 for OS; HR: 2.86, P < 0.01 for RFS) were identified as worse prognostic factors in patients with adenocarcinoma (AD). In non-AD, a low number of CD8⁺ T cells were correlated with an unfavorable outcome (HR: 7.69, P < 0.01 for OS; HR: 3.57, P < 0.02 for RFS). Regarding smoking habit in AD, a high FOXP3/CD4 ratio was poorly prognostic with a smoking history (HR: 5.21, P < 0.01 for OS; HR: 2.38, P < 0.03 for RFS), whereas a low accumulation of CD20⁺ B cells (HR: 4.54, P = 0.03 for OS; HR: 2.94, P < 0.01 for RFS) was confirmed as an unfavorable factor in non-smokers with AD.

CONCLUSIONS

A low number of CD8⁺ T cells in non-AD, a high FOXP3/CD4 ratio in smokers with AD, and a low number of CD20⁺ B cells in non-smokers with AD were identified as independent unfavorable prognostic factors in resected NSCLC. Evaluating the influence of histological type and smoking habit on the immunological environment may lead to the establishment of immunological diagnosis and appropriate individualized immunotherapy for NSCLC.

Klotho-Related Protein KLrP: Structure and Functions

Klotho (KL) family proteins share one or two glycoside hydrolase (GH) motifs homologous to GH family 1. However, the biological significance of GH motifs in KL family proteins remains elusive. We describe here that KL-related protein (KLrP), which is composed of a single GH motif, is a cytosolic β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase, EC 3.2.1.145). We detected a neutral conduritol B epoxide (CBE)-insensitive glucosylceramide (GlcCer)-degrading activity in the cytosol fractions of human fibroblasts, rat brains, and zebrafish embryos. KL family proteins emerged as a potent candidate for the neutral GCase using a bioinformatics approach. Recombinant human KLrP, but not α-KL, β-KL, or KLPH, exhibited GCase activity with a neutral pH optimum in the presence of CBE. We solved the crystal structures of KLrP and a KLrP mutant (E165Q) in complex with glucose, which indicate that KLrP forms a (β/α)8TIM barrel structure with the double-displacement mechanism of the retaining β-glycosidase. Furthermore, knockdown of endogenous KLrP in CHOP cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased the CBE-insensitive neutral GCase activity and increased the cellular levels of GlcCer, which suggests that KLrP is involved in a novel GlcCer catabolism pathway. A KLrP D106N mutant was discovered in patients with severe Gaucher disease; however, this mutation did not affect the GCase activity of KLrP.

Abstract P2-02-20: Enumeration of heterogeneous circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic breast cancer patients based on size and deformability

Background :

The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood is an independent predictor of the efficacy of systemic therapy and a prognostic marker for patients with metastatic breast cancer. One of the leading techniques to detect CTCs uses immune-magnetic separation followed by immunocytochemistry. A microdevice can capture and enumerate CTCs using distinctive physiological difference (size and deformability) between cancer cells and blood cells. This microdevice thus obtains a larger CTC yield than that of affinity based separation which enriches the samples from a particular subgroup of cells based on biomarker (EpCAM) used. In this study, we investigated CTCs in peripheral blood from metastatic breast cancer patients using this microdevice.

Patients and methods:

We examined blood samples of 9 patients with heavily treated locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Informed consent from these patients was obtained before blood extraction. Blood samples were taken into sodium EDTA tubes after discarding the first 1ml of blood samples. Two ml whole blood were subjected to the microdevice (Clear cell system), and CTCs were trapped in the microwells: Trapped cells were analyzed by immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibodies specific for leukocytes (CD45) and epithelial cells (CK8/18), along with 4,2-diamidino-2-phenylndole dihydrochloride (DAPI) for nuclei. CK8/18- positive, DAPI-positive and CD45-negative cells were defined as CTCs. Three patients were examined using both this microdevice and affinity-based separation with EpCAM, to compare the yield of CTCs.

Results:

Of the 9 patients: 7 had ER-positive primary tumors, and 6 had PgR-positive ones, HER2 overexpression was detected in 2 primary tumors. CTCs were detected in 8 patients. The single patient in whom CTCs were not detected suffered from local recurrence (axillary lymph node metastasis) only, with no distant metastases. We were also unable to detect CTCs using EpCAM affinity method for this patient. The number of detected CTCs in the other patients ranged from 19/2ml to 156/2ml (mean 90/2ml), and the sizes of CTCs varied from 5 to 16μm. CK8/18-negative and DAPI positive were detected in most patients, and these cells tended to be larger than CK8/18-positive cells, suggesting that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) might occur in CTCs. The total number of CTCs detected by the microdevice from 2 patients was larger than that of CTCs detected by EpCAM affinity method (107/2ml vs 1/7.5ml, and 19/2ml vs 39/7.5ml).

Conclusion:

CTCs detected by this microdevice varied in regard to the size of trapped cells and characteristics examined by immunochemistry, suggesting the heterogeneity of CTCs. Further research on this heterogeneity is vital in order to develop personalized treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Citation Format: Tozuka K, Nagai SE, Inoue K, Komatsu K, Matsumoto H, Hayashi Y, Kurozumi S, Suganuma M. Enumeration of heterogeneous circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic breast cancer patients based on size and deformability. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-20.

Abstract P4-14-17: Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy concomitant with trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer

Background:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with taxanes, followed by fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC), with concurrent trastuzumab is known to achieve a high pCR rate of more than 60% for HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) as well as good prognoses in those obtaining pCR. On the other hand, the prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has recently been described in triple-negative BC. However, the prognostic and predictive values of TILs in HER2-positive BC remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the grades of TILs in pre-treatment cancer tissues and residual tumors after NAC with trastuzumab, and also investigated its predictive utility for pCR and prognostic power for HER2-positive BC.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 128 Japanese women with HER2-positive BC received either paclitaxel or docetaxel followed by FEC, with concomitant trastuzumab. The proportional grades of stromal (Str)-TILs in pre-treatment biopsy specimens and residual tumors after NAC with trastuzumab were determined as follows: low grade (0-10%), intermediate grade (10-40%), and high grade (40-90%), using the criteria of the International Working Group for TILs in BC. Analysis 1: The relationship between the grades of Str-TILs in pre-treatment tumors and pCR rates was investigated. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analyzed for a correlation with pre-treatment Str-TILs. Analysis 2: Alterations in the grade of Str-TILs were examined in the residual tumors of non-pCR patients, and RFS and CSS were analyzed for a correlation with residual Str-TILs.

Results:

pCR was achieved in 83 out of the 128 patients (pCR rate, 64.8%) who received NAC with trastuzumab, and RFS was significantly better in the pCR group than in the non-pCR group (p = 0.0071). Analysis 1: The patient distribution of the Str-TILs grade in pre-treatment tumors was as follows: high: 24 (18.8%); intermediate: 38 (29.7%); and low: 66 (51.6%). pCR rates correlated with the Str-TILs grade in pre-treatment tumors: 83.3% in the high group, 71.1% in the intermediate group, and 54.5% in the low group (p = 0.026); however, the Str-TILs grade in pre-treatment tumors did not correlate with survival. Analysis 2: In 45 non-pCR patients, the distribution of the Str-TILs grade in residual tumors was as follows: high: 9 (20.0%); intermediate: 8 (17.8%); and low: 28 (62.2%), respectively. In non-pCR patients, the rate of a high Str-TILs grade was greater in residual tumors than in pre-treatment tumors (residual, 20.0%, pre-treatment, 8.9%). RFS was significantly better with a high grade than with a low grade of residual Str-TILs (p = 0.033).

Conclusions:

The status of TILs in pre-treatment tumors predicted responses to NAC concomitant with trastuzumab in HER2-positive BC. The grade of TILs was higher in residual tumors than in pre-treatment tumors, and, among non-pCR patients, the prognosis of patients with a high residual-TILs grade was better prognosis than that of patients with a low residual-TILs grade. We speculate that an examination of TILs in residual tumors after NAC with trastuzumab may be necessary for selecting patients with a good prognosis from non-pCR patients.

Citation Format: Kurozumi S, Inoue K, Matsumoto H, Hayashi Y, Tozuka K, Kubo K, Komatsu K, Takai K, Nagai SE, Oba H, Horiguchi J, Takeyoshi I, Kurosumi M. Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy concomitant with trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-17.

Monolithic device for modelocking and stabilization of frequency combs

We demonstrate a device that integrates a III-V semiconductor saturable absorber mirror with a graphene electro-optic modulator, which provides a monolithic solution to modelocking and noise suppression in a frequency comb. The device offers a pure loss modulation bandwidth exceeding 5 MHz and only requires a low voltage driver. This hybrid device provides not only compactness and simplicity in laser cavity design, but also small insertion loss, compared to the previous metallic-mirror-based modulators. We believe this work paves the way to portable and fieldable phase-coherent frequency combs.