Non-random distribution and sensory functions of primary cilia in vascular smooth muscle cells

Although primary cilia are increasingly recognized to play sensory roles in several cellular systems, their role in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has not been defined. We examined in situ position/orientation of primary cilia and ciliary proteins in VSMCs and tested the hypothesis that primary cilia of VSMCs exert sensory functions. By immunofluorescence and electron microscopic imaging, primary cilia of VSMCs were positioned with their long axis aligned at 58.3 degrees angle in relation to the cross-sectional plane of the artery, projecting into the extracellular matrix (ECM). Polycystin-1, polycystin-2 and alpha 3- and beta1-integrins are present in cilia. In scratch wound experiments, the majority of cilia were repositioned to the cell-wound interface. Such repositioning was largely abolished by a beta1-integrin blocker. Moreover, compared to non-ciliated/deciliated cells, ciliated VSMCs showed more efficient migration in wound repair. Lastly, when directly stimulated with collagen (an ECM component and cognate ligand for alpha 3beta1-integrins) or induced ciliary deflection, VSMCs responded with a rise in [Ca(2+)](i) that is dependent on the presence of cilia. Taken together, primary cilia of VSMCs are preferentially oriented, possess proteins critical for cell-ECM interaction and mechanosensing and respond to ECM protein and mechanical stimulations. These observations suggest a role for primary cilia in mechanochemical sensing in vasculature.

Gene delivery by the hSP-B promoter to lung alveolar type II epithelial cells in LAL-knockout mice through bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Tissue damage and inflammation promote bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to differentiate into a variety of cell types in residing tissues. BMSCs can stably maintain their plasticity and are an ideal cell population for delivery of therapeutic genes to non-hematopoietic tissues. Using lacZ as a reporter gene, we demonstrated that the lung-specific human surfactant protein B (hSP-B) 1.5-kb promoter is able to deliver the lacZ gene into the lung of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) gene-knockout (lal-/-) mice by beta-galactosidase staining, flow cytometry and double immunofluorescence staining. Around 10-18% alveolar type II epithelial cells (AT II cells) exhibited positive lacZ gene expression after 8 weeks of BMSC injection in recipient lal-/- mice. The wild-type mice exhibited no expression after the same treatment. BMSCs from hSP-B 1.5-kb lacZ transgenic mice entered and repopulated in lal-/- bone marrow. The study supports a concept that pulmonary inflammation caused by LAL deficiency can trigger BMSC residing in lal-/- bone marrow, migrating into the lung and converting into residential AT II cells. The hSP-B 1.5 kb promoter is an ideal tool to deliver therapeutic genes into AT II cells through BMSCs to cure pulmonary inflammation-triggered diseases.

Using the FACT-Neurotoxicity Subscale to evaluate quality of life in patients from across the globe

17032

Background: Translation of Patient Reported Outcomes measures is an essential component of research methodology in preparation for multinational clinical trials. One such measure is the FACT-Neurotoxicity Subscale (FACT-Ntx) which is aimed at the evaluation of quality of life of cancer patients suffering from neurotoxicity, a side effect of certain treatments. Methods: This study set out to linguistically validate the FACT-Ntx for use in Denmark, India, Lithuania and S. Africa. The sample consisted of 176 patients (96 males & 80 females), with varying cancer diagnoses and a mean age of 51 years, speaking 11 languages: Afrikaans (15), Danish (25), Gujarati (15), Hindi (15), Kannada (15), Lithuanian (15), Malayalam (15), Marathi (15), Punjabi (15), Tamil (15) and Telugu (16). The FACT-Ntx was translated using standard FACIT methodology. Patients diagnosed with cancer, at any stage, receiving any treatment experiencing neurotoxicity completed the respective translated version and participated in cognitive debriefing interviews to give their opinion on any problems with the translations or the content of the FACT-Ntx. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and reliability analyses) were performed on the quantitative data. Participant comments were analyzed qualitatively. Results: The FACT-Ntx translations showed good reliability and linguistic validity. The internal consistency of all languages combined was .86. All items correlated at an acceptable level. The Ntx score differed across self-reported Performance Status Rating (PSR) groups (nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test p<.0001). A nonparametric Generalized Linear Model (GLM) approach (with multiple comparison adjusted significance level 0.017) showed a difference between ‘PSR=0’ and ‘PSR=1’ (p=0.0002) and a difference between ‘PSR=0’ and ‘PSR=2’ (p<.0001), both with ‘PSR=0’ patients reporting less neurotoxicity. Conclusions: The FACT-Ntx has shown acceptable reliability and linguistic validity in 11 languages. The instrument has also shown adequate sensitivity in differentiating patients with no symptoms and normal activity from patients reporting some symptoms. We consider these translations acceptable for use in international research and clinical trials.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Coagulation abnormalities in patients with metastatic colon cancer on bevacizumab therapy

14578

Background: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that functions as an anti-angiogenic agent. VEGF is a glycoprotein, important for regulation of angiogenesis in normal and pathologic cells and is required for the maintenance of immature blood vessels, found in tumors. In addition to direct antiangiogenic effects, bevacizumab improves chemotherapy delivery by altering tumor vasculature as well as decreasing the size and number of liver tumors in mouse xenograft model of human colon cancer metastases. This study aimed to look for predictors of the development of major toxicities such as bleeding and clotting that would increase the incidence of such events in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma on Bevacizumab therapy. Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis over the past 2 years, reviewing the charts of 59 successive patients receiving bevacizumab in our institution. Particular emphasis was placed on age, gender, tumor type and location, location of metastases, chemotherapy regiment/number of cycles, past medical history, hemoglobin/hematocrit values, PT/INR values, liver function tests and albumin values at the time of the diagnosis and event. Utilizing univariant and multivariant analysis the goal was to determine contributing risk factors for increased incidence of bleeding and clotting. Results: 20.3% of the patients were found to have a major complication, such as clotting or bleeding. Once analyzed, there were four statistically significant indicators (p < 0.05) that predicted for the incidence of either one of the events. They included older patient age, low albumin values at the time of the event (as defined by the institution value of less than 3.6), location of the tumor (cecum, ascending colon and sigmoid colon were predominant), and the site of the metastasis (liver and lung). Conclusions: Clotting and bleeding complications in patients on Bevacizumab are not uncommon. It is clear that age, low albumin values, metastatic site and tumor location contribute to an increased incidence of such events in patients with metastatic colon cancer on Bevacizumab therapy.

[Table: see text]

Increased glycophorin A somatic cell variant frequency in arsenic-exposed patients of Guizhou, China

Exposure to arsenic through domestic burning arsenic-containing coal causes various tumors in a population of Guizhou, China. The glycophorin A (GPA) assay is a human mutation assay detecting somatic variation in erythrocytes expressing the MN blood type, and was used to assess genotoxicity of arsenic-exposed patients. Peripheral blood was collected from 18 adult healthy subjects and 40 arsenic-exposed patients in heparin-treated tubes. Erythrocytes were isolated, fixed in formalin and immuno-labeled with fluorescent antibodies against GPA, followed by flow cytometry analysis. Arsenic exposure increased the variant frequency (expressed as the number of variant red cells per 10(6) erythrocytes): NN, 3.7 in healthy subjects versus 21.2 in arsenic-exposed patients; N phi, 12.6 versus 33.1; MM, 13.1 versus 110; and M phi, 5.2 versus 20.3. The total GPA variant frequency was increased about five-fold (34.7 in healthy subjects versus 185 in arsenosis patients). Furthermore, the variant frequency was significantly higher in skin tumor-bearing patients: NN, 19.4 in arsenic-exposed non-tumor patients versus 31.5 in tumor-bearing patients; N phi, 29.5 versus 54.5; MM, 102 versus 159; M phi, 15.9 versus 45.1. Total GPA variant frequency in arsenic-exposed patients bearing skin tumors was significantly increased compared to patients without skin tumors (167 versus 290). The relationship between arsenic exposure history and GPA variant frequency was less evident. These data demonstrate that arsenic exposure is associated with mutations at the GPA locus, an effect exaggerated in patients bearing arsenic-induced skin tumors. The variant frequency of GPA could be a useful biomarker for arsenic exposure and arsenic carcinogenesis.