Association of serum pigment epithelium-derived factor with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND

The basic studies showed that Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) plays an important role in inflammation.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the association of serum PEDF with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Ninety-six PCOS women and 63 healthy, age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of PEDF, hs-CRP, Complement C3 (C3), glucose, insulin, lipids, and total testosterone were measured. Ninety-six PCOS women and 20 controls underwent hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp to assess their insulin sensitivity, which was expressed as M value.

RESULTS

Serum PEDF levels and hs- CRP levels were much higher in PCOS women than in controls. In PCOS women, PEDF positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), hs-CRP, C3, LDL cholesterol (LDL-c), and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and negatively correlated with M value and HDL cholesterol (HDL-c). After controlling for BMI, PEDF was still positively correlated with hs-CRP. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that in PCOS women, hs-CRP, SBP, LDL-c and M value were independent determinants of serum PEDF.

CONCLUSION

The serum PEDF levels are closely associated with hs-CRP in women with PCOS. PEDF may play a role in the development of chronic inflammation in PCOS.

Abstract P4-08-07: Novel insight into the tumor “flare” phenomenon and lapatinib resistance

BACKGROUND: Resistance to lapatinib generally develops in approximately half of patients within one year of initiating treatment. When lapatinib is withdrawn, there is often a rapid progression of disease which is associated with high mortality rates. This “flare” phenomenon has also been observed upon discontinuation of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

METHODS: Using the HER2+ cell lines SKBR3 and BT474, we developed both in vitro and in vivo models demonstrating lapatinib resistance and the tumor “flare” phenomenon. Parental HER2+ cell lines were gradually exposed to increasing doses of lapatinib (100nM to 5uM) to develop a lapatinib-resistant form which was ultimately maintained in 1uM of lapatinib. Lapatinib-”released” cell lines were developed by removing lapatinib exposure from resistant cell lines and allowing the cells to grow for at least two weeks. Cell lines were grown in vitro using traditional monolayer cell culturing techniques and mammosphere technology. A comprehensive analysis of parental, lapatinib-resistant, and lapatinib-released cell lines was performed using microscopy, protein/phosphoprotein analysis, cell cycle, cancer stem cell markers by FACS, and invasion assays. Parental cells served as the control in all experiments. In vivo models were performed by injecting 10,000 cells of parental, resistant, and released cell lines in the mammary fat pads of SCID mice. Tumors were surgically resected after approximately sixty days and volume recorded. All experiments were repeated three times and calculated for statistical significance.

RESULTS: Cell cycle analysis and proliferation assays demonstrate that lapatinib-resistant and released cell lines continue to proliferate despite the addition of 1uM lapatinib. Released cells also demonstrate less of a response to retreatment with lapatinib. Tumor volume of lapatinib-released cell lines were significantly larger than parental and resistant counterparts [parental: 39.9mm3, SD 9.48; resistant: 71.8mm3, SD 62.33; released: 943.4mm3, SD 100.1] and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). After three series of passages, mammosphere forming efficiency (MFE) was higher among lapatinib-released cell lines [parental: 1.03%; resistant: 1.93% released: 7.23%] and was statistically significant (p <0.01). Lapatinib-released mammosphere phenotypes appeared larger and less organized than the parental and resistant counterparts. MFE did not correlate with ALDH expression by FACS, and expression varied based on cell line. Western blot analysis revealed loss of E-cadherin among lapatinib-released cells which was not demonstrated in parental or resistant counterparts. Invasion assays demonstrated increased migration among resistant and released cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the first in vitro and in vivo models of the tumor “flare” phenomenon using HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. This model demonstrates that lapatinib-resistant cells released from the exposure to lapatinib are propelled into a unique and more aggressive phenotype. This model has potential to elucidate new mechanisms of resistance to TKI therapy and provide novel preclinical data that may help in the understanding of disease progression.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-08-07.

Etanercept suppresses regenerative hyperplasia in psoriasis by acutely downregulating epidermal expression of interleukin (IL)-19, IL-20 and IL-24

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a Th17/Th1-mediated skin disease that often responds to antitumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapies, such as etanercept.

OBJECTIVES

To better define mechanisms by which etanercept improves psoriasis and to gain insight into disease pathogenesis.

METHODS

We investigated the early biochemical and cellular effects of etanercept on skin lesions in responder patients prior to substantial clinical improvement (≤ 4 weeks).

RESULTS

By 1 week, etanercept acutely suppressed gene expression of the interleukin (IL)-20 subfamily of cytokines (IL-19, IL-20, IL-24), which were found to be predominantly epidermis-derived and which are implicated in stimulating epidermal hyperplasia. Additionally, by 1 week of therapy, suppression of other keratinocyte-derived products (chemokines, antimicrobial proteins) occurred, while suppression of epidermal regenerative hyperplasia occurred within 1-3 weeks. Th17 elements (IL-23p19, IL-12p40, IL-17A, IL-22) were suppressed by 3-4 weeks. In vitro, TNF-α and IL-17A coordinately stimulated the expression of the IL-20 subfamily in normal keratinocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the rapid suppression of regenerative hyperplasia, chemokines and other keratinocyte-derived products, including the IL-20 subfamily, we propose that epidermal activation is a very early target of etanercept. As many of these keratinocyte markers are stimulated by TNF-α, their rapid downregulation is likely to reflect etanercept's antagonism of TNF-α. Additionally, decreased epidermal hyperplasia might result specifically from acute suppression of the IL-20 subfamily, which is also a likely consequence of etanercept's antagonism of TNF-α. Thus, the IL-20 subfamily has potential importance in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and therapeutic response to etanercept.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine and carotid atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentration is elevated in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

AIM

To assess the relationship between plasma ADMA concentration and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 72 newly diagnosed and untreated T2DM individuals and 72 healthy controls were studied. Carotid atherosclerosis was determined by ultrasonographically evaluated intima- media thickness (IMT) and plaque score. Plasma concentration of ADMA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Plasma ADMA, mean IMT, and plaque score were higher in diabetic patients compared with controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated an independent association between ADMA and mean IMT in diabetic patients. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, ADMA was the sole predictor of carotid plaque formation (plaque score ≥1.1) (odds ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 4.94, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that increased levels of ADMA might be involved in the development of carotid atherosclerosis in T2DM.

Visualizing breast cancer using the Twente photoacoustic mammoscope: what do we learn from twelve new patient measurements?

We acquired images of breast malignancies using the Twente photoacoustic mammoscope (PAM), to obtain more information about the clinical feasibility and limitations of photoacoustic mammography. Results were compared with conventional imaging and histopathology. Ten technically acceptable measurements on patients with malignancies and two measurements on patients with cysts were performed. In the reconstructed volumes of all ten malignant lesions, a confined region with high contrast with respect to the background could be seen. In all malignant cases, the PA contrast of the abnormality was higher than the contrast on x-ray mammography. The PA contrast appeared to be independent of the mammographically estimated breast density and was absent in the case of cysts. Technological improvements to the instrument and further studies on less suspicious lesions are planned to further investigate the potential of PAM.

Electrically generated unidirectional surface plasmon source

We experimentally demonstrated an electrically excited surface plasmon source, which was fulfilled in a silver coated light emitting diode (LED) with well-designed gratings. With a DC current supply, surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves were generated directly from the illuminations of the LED via the grating coupler. By adjusting the grating to a tilted one, a unidirectional SPP beam was successfully attained with a high extinction ratio (ER~10) and an improved launching efficiency. Detailed analyses show that this electrically generated unidirectional SPP has a considerable long propagation distance (~14 μm), allowing for further manipulations in plasmonic integrations and sensors.

Effect of pre-freezing conditions on the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa

We evaluated the effects of sperm concentration, progressive motility, sperm morphology, duration of abstinence and collection season on the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa to identify characteristics that predict the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa and improve the protocol for sperm collecting in sperm banks. A total of 14 190 semen samples donated at Zhejiang human sperm bank of China between September 2006 and June 2011 were collected from 1624 donors. Semen was evaluated according to WHO standard procedures for sperm concentration. Progressive motility, sperm morphology, ejaculate collection season and abstinence time were recorded. After freezing and thawing, the progressive motility was assessed. Results showed that sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology were significantly associated with the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa. In addition, the abstinence time and collection season also significantly affected progressive motility recovery rate. Our results indicated that sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology could be valuable in predicting the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa. As such, progressive motility recovery may be improved by donating semen when abstinent for 3-5 days and during seasons other than summer.

MICA*002:04: a new allele identified by sequence-based typing in a Chinese individual

The novel MICA*002:04 allele differs from MICA*002:01 by a single mutation at position 486 (C>A) in codon 20 (GCC>GCA) in exon 3.

New trends of HCV infection in China revealed by genetic analysis of viral sequences determined from first-time volunteer blood donors

Recently, we studied hepatitis C virus (HCV) sera-prevalence among 559 890 first-time volunteer blood donors in China. From randomly selected 450 anti-HCV positive donors, we detected HCV RNA in 270 donors. In this study, we amplified HCV E1 and/or NS5B sequences from 236 of these donors followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The results indicate new trends of HCV infection in China. The HCV genotype distribution differed according to the donors' region of origin. Among donors from Guangdong province, we detected subtypes 6a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 2a, and 1a at frequencies of 49.7%, 31.0%, 7.6%, 5.5%, 4.1%, and 2.1%, respectively. Among donors from outside Guangdong, we detected 1b, 2a, 6a, 3b, 3a, 6e, and 6n at frequencies 57.1%, 13.2%, 11.0%, 9.9%, 4.4%, 2.2%, and 2.2%, respectively. Although we found no significant differences among regions in age or gender, subtype 6a was more common (P < 0.001) in donors from Guangdong than those from elsewhere, whilst subtypes 1b (P < 0.02) and 2a (P < 0.001) were more frequent outside Guangdong. Disregarding origins, the male/female ratio was higher for subtype 6a-infected donors (P < 0.05) than for subtype 1b donors, whilst the mean age of subtype 2a donors was 8-10 years older (P < 0.05) than that for all other subtypes. Detailed phylogenetic analysis of our sequence data provides further insight into the transmission of HCV within China, and between China and other countries. The predominance of HCV 6a among blood donors in Guangdong is striking and mandates studies into risk factors for its acquisition.

Recent atmospheric lead deposition recorded in an ombrotrophic peat bog of Great Hinggan Mountains, Northeast China, from 210Pb and 137Cs dating

Radioactive markers are useful in dating lead deposition patterns from industrialization in peat archive. Peat cores were collected in an ombrotrophic peat bog in the Great Hinggan Mountains in Northeast China in September 2008 and dated using (210)Pb and (137)Cs radiometric techniques. The mosses in both cores were examined systematically for dry bulk density, water and ash content. Lead also was measured using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES). Both patterned peat profiles were preserved well without evident anthropogenic disturbance. Unsupported (210)Pb and (137)Cs decreased with the depth in both of the two sample cores. The (210)Pb chronologies were established using the constant rate of supply model (CRS) and are in good agreement with the (137)Cs time marker. Recent atmospheric (210)Pb flux in Great Hinggan Mountains peat bog was estimated to be 337 Bq m(-2)y(-1), which is consistent with published data for the region. Lead deposition rate in this region was also derived from these two peat cores and ranged from 24.6 to 55.8 mg m(-2)y(-1) with a range of Pb concentration of 14-262 microg g(-1). The Pb deposition patterns were consistent with increasing industrialization over the last 135-170 y, with a peak of production and coal burning in the last 50 y in Northeast China. This work presents a first estimation of atmospheric Pb deposition rate in peatlands in China and suggests an increasing trend of environmental pollution due to anthropogenic contaminants in the atmosphere. More attention should be paid to current local pollution problems, and society should take actions to seek a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

Segmentation of touching cell nuclei using gradient flow tracking

Reliable cell nuclei segmentation is an important yet unresolved problem in biological imaging studies. This paper presents a novel computerized method for robust cell nuclei segmentation based on gradient flow tracking. This method is composed of three key steps: (1) generate a diffused gradient vector flow field; (2) perform a gradient flow tracking procedure to attract points to the basin of a sink; and (3) separate the image into small regions, each containing one nucleus and nearby peripheral background, and perform local adaptive thresholding in each small region to extract the cell nucleus from the background. To show the generality of the proposed method, we report the validation and experimental results using microscopic image data sets from three research labs, with both over-segmentation and under-segmentation rates below 3%. In particular, this method is able to segment closely juxtaposed or clustered cell nuclei, with high sensitivity and specificity in different situations.

Identification and characterization of a MBP isoform specific to hypothalamus in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Myelin basic protein (MBP), as a major component of the myelin sheath, has been revealed to play an important role in forming and maintaining myelin structure in vertebrate nervous system. In teleost, hypothalamus is an instinctive brain center and plays significant roles in many physiological functions, such as energy metabolism, growth, reproduction, and stress response. In comparison with other MBP identified in vertebrates, a smallest MBP is cloned and identified from the orange-spotted grouper hypothalamic cDNA plasmid library in this study. RT-PCR analysis and Western blot detection indicate that the EcMBP is specific to hypothalamus, and expresses mainly in the tuberal hypothalamus in adult grouper. Immunofluorescence localization suggests that EcMBP should be expressed by oligodendrocytes, and the expressing cells should be concentrated in hypothalamus and the area surrounding hypothalamus, such as NPOpc, VC, DP, NLTm, and NDLI. The studies on EcMBP expression pattern and developmental behaviour in the brains of grouper embryos and larvae reveal that the EcMBP-expressing cells are only limited in a defined set of cells on the border of hypothalamus, and suggest that the EcMBP-expressing cells might be a subpopulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. This study not only identifies a smallest MBP isoform specific to hypothalamus that can be used as a molecular marker of oligodendrocytes in fish, but also provides new insights for MBP evolution and cellular distribution.

Cxcr4 expression and risk of bone metastasis in patients with early breast cancer

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Background: CXCR4, a receptor for SDF1, has been reported to be involved in early metastatic process. This study aimed at evaluating i. prognostic value of CXCR4, ii. correlation between CXCR4 expression in primary tumors and occurrence of metastases in SDF1- expressing organs. Patients and Methods: CXCR4 expression in the primary tumor was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (Human CXCR4 MAb 170, R& D System, MN, USA) in 823 patients included in two randomized trials evaluating efficacy of anthracyclines-based chemotherapy over a no-chemotherapy arm. The prognostic value of CXCR4 expression was assessed by the Cox regression model adjusted for tumour grade, stage, estrogen-receptor (ER) status and age. Distant metastasis rates for a specific site (either as first event or as subsequent metastases) were calculated by time untill occurrence of metastasis or death. We predefined 4 recurrence sites of interest: liver, brain, lung and bone that are organs expressing SDF1. Results: CXCR4 was expressed in 92 of 794 assessable primary tumors (12%). There was no significant association between CXCR4 expression and clinical characteristics, except a trend for a higher rate of ER- positive disease in CXCR4+ tumors (p=0.05). CXCR4 was not prognostic for neither overall survival (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.03 CI95%=[0.63 - 1.67], p=0.90), disease-free survival (HR = 0.93 CI95%=[0.63 - 1.37] , p=0.93), nor incidence of overall metastases (HR= 1.36 CI95%=[0.87–2.12], p=0.17). We next assessed the incidence of metastases in SDF1-producing organs according to CXCR4 staining. While CXCR4 was not associated with an increased risk of liver (HR=0.67 [0.27–1.70] p=0.40), lung (HR=0.89 [0.20–3.87] p=0.87) or brain metastases (HR=1.04 [0.40–2.70] p=0.94), CXCR4+ tumors presented a higher risk of bone metastases (HR=2.17 [1.30–3.65] p<0.01). The 10 year incidence of bone metastases were 23% [14–33%] and 12% (10–15%] in CXCR4+ and CXCR4- tumors respectively. Conclusions: This study suggests that expression of CXCR4 in breast cancer is associated with higher rate of bone metastases, a finding concordant with data from mouse models (Kang et al, Cancer Cell). This finding might lead to further development of adjuvant strategies using bone-targeting agents (e.g. biphosphonates, CXCR4 inhibitors).

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

VEGF gene therapy for the survival of transplanted fat tissue in nude mice

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of adenovirus-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (Ad-VEGF) on the angiogenesis and survival of free-fat tissue transplantation in nude mice. Thirty 6-week-old CD-1 nude male mice were injected with 1ml fat tissue (harvested by suction-assisted lipectomy from the breast of humans) in the subcutaneous of scalp and were randomised into three groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 was the study group, in which Ad-VEGF was mixed with transplanted fat tissue and injected into mice. In group 2, adenovirus-mediated green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP) gene was mixed with transplanted fat tissue and injected into the mice. In group 3, normal saline alone was used. Both group 2 and group 3 are control groups. The animals were euthanised 15 weeks after the procedure. The fat survival weight and volume of the study group were significantly greater than those of two control groups (p<0.05). Light microscopical examination of haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of the dissected fat 15 weeks after injection was performed in group 1 and group 2. Less cyst formation and fibrosis, indicating improved quality of the injected fat, can be obtained by the addition of Ad-VEGF. Vascular density was evaluated at the microvascular level through the use of light microscopic sections of the central part of the fat tissue at 15 weeks after injection by von Willebrand factor staining. Histological evaluation showed that capillary density increased markedly in the study group mice. Mice of the study group disclosed significantly higher VEGF protein levels detected by ELISA assay of plasma samples obtained from the mice after the fat injection (day 1, 4, 7 and 28; p<0.01) at each time point than the mice of the two control groups. The findings reported in this study indicate that the VEGF gene therapy can enhance the survival and the quality of grafted fat tissue, which may be due to induction of angiogenesis.