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Liu T, Xia S. The Proteostasis of Thymic Stromal Cells in Health and Diseases. Protein J 2024; 43:447-463. [PMID: 38622349 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-024-10197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the key immune organ for the development of T cells. Different populations of thymic stromal cells interact with T cells, thereby controlling the dynamic development of T cells through their differentiation and function. Proteostasis represents a balance between protein expression, folding, and modification and protein clearance, and its fluctuation usually depends at least partially on related protein regulatory systems for further survival and effects. However, in terms of the substantial requirement for self-antigens and their processing burden, increasing evidence highlights that protein regulation contributes to the physiological effects of thymic stromal cells. Impaired proteostasis may expedite the progression of thymic involution and dysfunction, accompanied by the development of autoimmune diseases or thymoma. Hence, in this review, we summarize the regulation of proteostasis within different types of thymic stromal cells under physiological and pathological conditions to identify potential targets for thymic regeneration and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
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2
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Ströbel P, Marx A. The Way Ahead: Lessons Learned from Decades of Cancer Research on Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1040. [PMID: 38473397 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The history of thymoma (TH) research begins in the early 20th century, when Bell first recognized the epithelial nature of these tumors and their association with myasthenia gravis (MG) [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
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3
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Hoki M, Yamada Y, Hiratomo E, Hirata M, Takeuchi Y, Yoshimatsu M, Kikuchi M, Kishimoto Y, Marx A, Haga H. Expression of FOXI1 and POU2F3 varies among different salivary gland neoplasms and is higher in Warthin tumor. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:36. [PMID: 38358561 PMCID: PMC10869675 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00892-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Salivary gland tumors are histologically diverse. Ionocytes and tuft cells, rare epithelial cells found in normal salivary glands, might be associated with salivary tumors. Here, we explored the expression of FOXI1 and POU2F3, master regulators of ionocytes and tuft cells, respectively, for common salivary neoplasms using immunohistochemistry. METHODS We analyzed normal salivary tissues and nine salivary gland tumors; Warthin tumors (WT), pleomorphic adenomas (PA), basal cell adenomas, and oncocytomas were benign, whereas mucoepidermoid, adenoid cystic, acinic cell, salivary duct carcinomas, and polymorphous adenocarcinomas were malignant. RESULTS Normal salivary glands contained a few FOXI1- and POU2F3-positive cells in the ducts instead of the acini, consistent with ionocytes and tuft cells, respectively. Among the benign tumors, only WTs and PAs consistently expressed FOXI1 (10/10 and 9/10, respectively). The median H-score of WTs was significantly higher than that of PAs (17.5 vs. 4, P = 0.01). While WTs and PAs harbored POU2F3-positive cells (10/10 and 9/10, respectively), the median H-score was higher in WTs than in PAs (10.5 vs 4, respectively). Furthermore, WTs exhibited a unique staining pattern of FOXI1- and POU2F3-positive cells, which were present in luminal and abluminal locations, respectively. Whereas none of the malignant tumors expressed FOXI1, only adenoid cystic carcinoma consistently expressed POU2F3 (5/5), with a median H-score of 4. CONCLUSION The expression patterns of the characteristic transcription factors found in ionocytes and tuft cells vary among salivary gland tumor types and are higher in WT, which might be relevant for understanding and diagnosing salivary gland neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Hoki
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Emi Hiratomo
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hirata
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Takeuchi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Yoshimatsu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kikuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yo Kishimoto
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
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4
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von der Thüsen J. Thymic epithelial tumours: histopathological classification and differential diagnosis. Histopathology 2024; 84:196-215. [PMID: 37994555 DOI: 10.1111/his.15097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial and lymphoid compartments of the thymus can give rise to a wide variety of tumours, including thymomas, thymic carcinomas, lymphoreticular proliferations, germ cell tumours, and sarcomas. While some of these have close similarity to their counterparts in other organs, both in terms of histology and immunohistochemistry, as well as molecular features, others are unique to the thymus. The epithelial tumours, which can develop in the thymus, will be discussed in this review, with a particular emphasis on resolving differential diagnosis by means of morphology, immunohistochemical profiles, and molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan von der Thüsen
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Jimbo N, Ohbayashi C, Takeda M, Fujii T, Mitsui S, Tsukamoto R, Tanaka Y, Itoh T, Maniwa Y. POU2F3-Expressing Small Cell Lung Carcinoma and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Show Morphologic and Phenotypic Overlap. Am J Surg Pathol 2024; 48:4-15. [PMID: 37904277 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000002145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Considering the differences in protein expression in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) by molecular classification, it is likely that there are differences in morphology, but the relationship between molecular classification and morphology has not been examined. Furthermore, there are limited reports concerning this molecular classification for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and SCLC simultaneously. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between immunohistochemistry-based molecular classification and morphology, protein expression, and clinical features of 146 consecutive resection specimens of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), focusing mainly on POU2F3, the master transcription factor involved in tuft cell generation. POU2F3-dominant SCLC (n=24) and LCNEC (n=14) showed overlap in cytomorphology, while non-POU2F3-dominant SCLC (n=71) and LCNEC (n=37) showed distinct differences in cytomorphology. In addition, POU2F3-dominant NEC exhibited significantly more abundant tumor stroma, more prominent nest formation, more frequent bronchial intraepithelial involvement, and less frequent background fibrosis than non-POU2F3-dominant NEC. Immunohistochemically, POU2F3-dominant SCLC and LCNEC were characterized by lower expression of TTF-1, CEA, and neuroendocrine markers and higher expression of bcl-2, c-Myc, and c-kit. Clinically, POU2F3-dominant NEC had a significantly better prognosis than non-POU2F3-dominant NEC for recurrence-free survival. POU2F3-dominant NEC had a higher smoking index than non-POU2F3-dominant NEC. POU2F3-dominant NEC forms a unique population, exhibiting intermediate morphologic features between SCLC and LCNEC, with distinct protein expression as tuft cell-like carcinoma. Recognition of this unique subtype may provide clues for solving the long-standing issues of NEC and appropriate therapeutic stratification. It is important to accurately identify POU2F3-expressing carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and to analyze their clinicopathological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoe Jimbo
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Chiho Ohbayashi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shinko Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Maiko Takeda
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Tomomi Fujii
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Suguru Mitsui
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Ryuko Tsukamoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Yugo Tanaka
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Tomoo Itoh
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Maniwa
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
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Barachini S, Pardini E, Burzi IS, Sardo Infirri G, Montali M, Petrini I. Molecular and Functional Key Features and Oncogenic Drivers in Thymic Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:166. [PMID: 38201593 PMCID: PMC10778094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors, comprising thymic carcinomas and thymomas, are rare neoplasms. They differ in histology, prognosis, and association with autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis. Thymomas, but not thymic carcinomas, often harbor GTF2I mutations. Mutations of CDKN2A, TP53, and CDKN2B are the most common thymic carcinomas. The acquisition of mutations in genes that control chromatin modifications and epigenetic regulation occurs in the advanced stages of thymic carcinomas. Anti-angiogenic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown promising results for the treatment of unresectable tumors. Since thymic carcinomas are frankly aggressive tumors, this report presents insights into their oncogenic drivers, categorized under the established hallmarks of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Sofia Burzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gisella Sardo Infirri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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7
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Yamada Y, Iwane K, Nakanishi Y, Haga H. Thymic Carcinoma: Unraveling Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Epithelial Cell Identity Loss. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:115. [PMID: 38201543 PMCID: PMC10778300 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The histogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) has been a subject of debate. Recent technological advancements have revealed that thymic carcinomas often exhibit a phenotype akin to tuft cells, which is a subset of medullary TECs. Here, we further explored the gene expression signatures of thymic carcinomas in relation to tuft cells and their kinships-ionocytes and neuroendocrine cells (neuroendocrine group). METHODS We analyzed a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset from the normal human thymus. Concurrently, we examined publicly available datasets on the mRNA expression and methylation status of TECs and lung cancers. Real-time quantitative PCR was also conducted with our tissue samples. RESULTS Thymic carcinomas displayed a neuroendocrine phenotype biased toward tuft cells and ionocytes. When exploring the possible regulators of this phenotype, we discovered that HDAC9 and NFATC1 were characteristically expressed in the neuroendocrine group in adult TECs and thymic carcinomas. Additionally, the pan-thymic epithelium markers, exemplified by PAX9 and SIX1, were significantly suppressed in thymic carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Thymic carcinomas might be characterized by unique neuroendocrine differentiation and loss of identity as thymic epithelial cells. Future studies investigating the role of HDAC9 and NFATC1 in thymic epithelium are warranted to explore their potential as therapeutic targets in TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
| | - Kosuke Iwane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (K.I.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (K.I.); (Y.N.)
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
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8
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Zhang X, Zhang P, Cong A, Feng Y, Chi H, Xia Z, Tang H. Unraveling molecular networks in thymic epithelial tumors: deciphering the unique signatures. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264325. [PMID: 37849766 PMCID: PMC10577431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a rare and diverse group of neoplasms characterized by distinct molecular signatures. This review delves into the complex molecular networks of TETs, highlighting key aspects such as chromosomal abnormalities, molecular subtypes, aberrant gene mutations and expressions, structural gene rearrangements, and epigenetic changes. Additionally, the influence of the dynamic tumor microenvironment on TET behavior and therapeutic responses is examined. A thorough understanding of these facets elucidates TET pathogenesis, offering avenues for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, refining prognostic assessments, and tailoring targeted therapeutic strategies. Our review underscores the importance of deciphering TETs' unique molecular signatures to advance personalized treatment paradigms and improve patient outcomes. We also discuss future research directions and anticipated challenges in this intriguing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ansheng Cong
- Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlong Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Chi
- School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Wang Y, Jin Y, Shen X, Zheng Q, Xue Q, Chen L, Lin Y, Li Y. POU2F3: A Sensitive and Specific Diagnostic Marker for Neuroendocrine-low/negative Small Cell Lung Cancer. Am J Surg Pathol 2023; 47:1059-1066. [PMID: 37357936 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000002081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
POU2F3 (POU class 2 homeobox 3) is a novel transcription factor used to define the special molecular subtype of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) known as SCLC-P. Nevertheless, the sensitivity and specificity of POU2F3 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining have not been fully investigated. In this study, we explored the expression of POU2F3 by IHC in a large cohort of SCLC clinical samples (n=246), other common lung cancer types (n=2207), and various other cancer types (n=194). The results showed that POU2F3 was strongly nuclear stained in 13.41% (33/246) of SCLC cases, with negative or minimal labeling for thyroid transcription factor-1 and neuroendocrine (NE) markers. Compared with POU2F3-negative SCLC, SCLC-P harbored fewer TP53 and RB1 mutations. POU2F3 was also expressed in 3.13% (8/256) of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and 20% (2/10) of large cell NE carcinomas (LCNECs), whereas other lung cancer types were negative. In addition to lung cancer, POU2F3 was positive in 22.2% (4/18) of thymic tumors. All other tumors were POU2F3-negative except for thymic carcinoma, although sparsely distributed weak nuclear staining was observed in lung adenocarcinoma, cervical SCC, and colorectal carcinoma. The sensitivity and specificity of POU2F3 in NE-low/negative SCLC were 82.1% and 99.4%, respectively. Notably, some rare unique patterns of POU2F3 expression were observed. One case of thymic SCC was characterized by diffuse and uniform cytomembrane staining. One case of esophageal NE tumor was nuclear-positive, while the normal proliferating squamous epithelium was strongly membrane-stained. This is the largest cohort of clinical samples to confirm that POU2F3 is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for NE-low/negative SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuxia Shen
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Xue
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijun Chen
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yicong Lin
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Sun J, Li MX, Xie YM, Zhang YR, Chai YR. Thymic tuft cells: potential "regulators" of non-mucosal tissue development and immune response. Immunol Res 2023; 71:554-564. [PMID: 36961668 PMCID: PMC10037390 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
As the leading central immune organ, the thymus is where T cells differentiate and mature, and plays an essential regulatory role in the adaptive immune response. Tuft cells, as chemosensory cells, were first found in rat tracheal epithelial, later gradually confirmed to exist in various mucosal and non-mucosal tissues. Although tuft cells are epithelial-derived, because of their wide heterogeneity, they show functions similar to cholinergic and immune cells in addition to chemosensory ability. As newly discovered non-mucosal tuft cells, thymic tuft cells have been demonstrated to be involved in and play vital roles in immune responses such as antigen presentation, immune tolerance, and type 2 immunity. In addition to their unique functions in the thymus, thymic tuft cells have the characteristics of peripheral tuft cells, so they may also participate in the process of tumorigenesis and virus infection. Here, we review tuft cells' characteristics, distribution, and potential functions. More importantly, the potential role of thymic tuft cells in immune response, tumorigenesis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) infection was summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sun
- Medical School of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Xin Li
- Medical School of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Meng Xie
- School of Fine Arts of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ru Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Kexuedadao Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Rong Chai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Kexuedadao Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Wei W, Zhang W, Wu S, Duan W, Wang Z. Advances in tuft cells, a chemosensory cell in sequential diseases of the pancreas. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188911. [PMID: 37182665 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Tuft cells are solitary chemosensory cells distributed mainly in hollow organs and detected in human and mouse pancreas precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer. Induced by inflammation and KRAS mutation, pancreatic acinar cell-derived tuft cells play a protective role in epithelium injury. The tumour suppression of tuft cells has been indicated in some studies. However, the function of tuft cells in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. In this review, we first introduce the definition of tuft cells and then review the relationship between tuft cells and pancreatic inflammation. In addition, we emphasized the role of tuft cells in the genesis and development of pancreatic cancers, especially the part of markers for tuft cell's doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1). Finally, we turn to the microscopic perspective and review the interactions between tuft cells and the microbiome in the pancreatic microenvironment. Overall, we describe the role of tuft cells in response to tissue damage and tumour progression in the pancreas. Nevertheless, the specific formation principle and the more detailed mechanism of action of tuft cells in the pancreas remain to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanzhen Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China; Pancreatic Disease Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Weifan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China; Pancreatic Disease Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Shuai Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China; Pancreatic Disease Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wanxing Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China; Pancreatic Disease Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China; Pancreatic Disease Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China.
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12
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Yamada Y. Histogenetic and disease-relevant phenotypes in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs): The potential significance for future TET classification. Pathol Int 2023; 73:265-280. [PMID: 37278579 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) encompass morphologically various subtypes. Thus, it would be meaningful to explore the expression phenotypes that delineate each TET subtype or overarching multiple subtypes. If these profiles are related to thymic physiology, they will improve our biological understanding of TETs and may contribute to the establishment of a more rational TET classification. Against this background, pathologists have attempted to identify histogenetic features in TETs for a long time. As part of this work, our group has reported several TET expression profiles that are histotype-dependent and related to the nature of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). For example, we found that beta5t, a constituent of thymoproteasome unique to cortical TECs, is expressed mainly in type B thymomas, for which the nomenclature of cortical thymoma was once considered. Another example is the discovery that most thymic carcinomas, especially thymic squamous cell carcinomas, exhibit expression profiles similar to tuft cells, a recently discovered special type of medullary TEC. This review outlines the currently reported histogenetic phenotypes of TETs, including those related to thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis, summarizes their genetic signatures, and provides a perspective for the future direction of TET classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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13
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Yamada Y, Simon R, Iwane K, Nakanishi Y, Takeuchi Y, Yoshizawa A, Takada M, Toi M, Haga H, Marx A, Sauter G. An exploratory study for tuft cells in the breast and their relevance in triple-negative breast cancer: the possible relationship of SOX9. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:438. [PMID: 37179317 PMCID: PMC10183142 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10949-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is highly heterogeneous, suggesting that small but relevant subsets have been under-recognized. Rare and mainly triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) were recently found to exhibit tuft cell-like expression profiles, including POU2F3, the tuft cell master regulator. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) has identified POU2F3-positive cells in the normal human breast, suggesting the presence of tuft cells in this organ. METHODS Here, we (i) reviewed previously identified POU2F3-positive invasive breast cancers (n = 4) for POU2F3 expression in intraductal cancer components, (ii) investigated a new cohort of invasive breast cancers (n = 1853) by POU2F3-IHC, (iii) explored POU2F3-expressing cells in non-neoplastic breast tissues obtained from women with or without BRCA1 mutations (n = 15), and (iv) reanalyzed publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from normal breast cells. RESULTS Two TNBCs of the four previously reported invasive POU2F3-positive breast cancers contained POU2F3-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In the new cohort of invasive breast cancers, IHC revealed four POU2F3-positive cases, two of which were triple-negative, one luminal-type, and one triple-positive. In addition, another new POU2F3-positive tumor with a triple-negative phenotype was found in daily practice. All non-neoplastic breast tissues contained POU2F3-positive cells, irrespective of BRCA1 status. The scRNA-seq reanalysis confirmed POU2F3-expressing epithelial cells (3.3% of all epithelial cells) and the 17% that co-expressed the other two tuft cell-related markers (SOX9/AVIL or SOX9/GFI1B), which suggested they were bona fide tuft cells. Of note, SOX9 is also known as the "master regulator" of TNBCs. CONCLUSIONS POU2F3 expression defines small subsets in various breast cancer subtypes, which can be accompanied by DCIS. The mechanistic relationship between POU2F3 and SOX9 in the breast warrants further analysis to enhance our understanding of normal breast physiology and to clarify the significance of the tuft cell-like phenotype for TNBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kosuke Iwane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Takeuchi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshizawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takada
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masakazu Toi
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Medical Centre, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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14
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Naso JR, Vrana JA, Koepplin JW, Molina JR, Roden AC. EZH2 and POU2F3 Can Aid in the Distinction of Thymic Carcinoma from Thymoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082274. [PMID: 37190202 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy that can be challenging to distinguish from thymoma using histomorphology. We assessed two emerging markers for these entities, EZH2 and POU2F3, and compared them with conventional immunostains. Whole slide sections of 37 thymic carcinomas, 23 type A thymomas, 13 type B3 thymomas, and 8 micronodular thymomas with lymphoid stroma (MNTLS) were immunostained for EZH2, POU2F3, CD117, CD5, TdT, BAP1, and MTAP. POU2F3 (≥10% hotspot staining), CD117, and CD5 showed 100% specificity for thymic carcinoma versus thymoma with 51%, 86%, and 35% sensitivity, respectively, for thymic carcinoma. All POU2F3 positive cases were also positive for CD117. All thymic carcinomas showed >10% EZH2 staining. EZH2 (≥80% staining) had a sensitivity of 81% for thymic carcinoma and a specificity of 100% for thymic carcinoma versus type A thymoma and MNTLS but had poor specificity (46%) for thymic carcinoma versus B3 thymoma. Adding EZH2 to a panel of CD117, TdT, BAP1, and MTAP increased cases with informative results from 67/81 (83%) to 77/81 (95%). Overall, absent EZH2 staining may be useful for excluding thymic carcinoma, diffuse EZH2 staining may help to exclude type A thymoma and MNTLS, and ≥10% POU2F3 staining has excellent specificity for thymic carcinoma versus thymoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Naso
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Julie A Vrana
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Justin W Koepplin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Julian R Molina
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Anja C Roden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
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15
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Zhang Y, Lin D, Aramini B, Yang F, Chen X, Wang X, Wu L, Huang W, Fan J. Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma: Surgical Resection and Multidisciplinary Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071953. [PMID: 37046614 PMCID: PMC10093507 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are the most common tumors of the anterior mediastinum and a relatively rare type of thoracic cancer. The prerequisite for surgery is clinical staging and operative evaluation, both of which are based on medical imaging. The best strategy for treating a thymic epithelial tumor is surgical resection of the organ and surrounding tissue. Thymectomy modalities vary, including open surgery and minimally invasive surgery, and surgeons have used various innovations to better meet the needs of the procedure; therefore, it is critical to select the appropriate procedure based on the patient's characteristics. Evaluation of resectability is the first step of surgical resection for thymic tumors without distant metastasis. The decision regarding unresectability should be made carefully. During subsequent chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, reevaluation of whether an area is resectable or not remains essential. Despite numerous technological advances in the surgical treatment of thymic tumors, several contentious issues remain, including the selection of surgical approaches for difficult cases, the selection of video-assisted thoracoscopic approaches, the evaluation of resectability, minimally invasive surgery for locally advanced thymic tumors, lymphadenectomy in thymic tumors, neoadjuvant therapy for thymic tumors, debulking surgery, and salvage surgery. In solving these problems, the surgeon's judgment, surgical experience, and surgical skills are especially important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Dong Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Beatrice Aramini
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-DIMEC of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni-L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Fu Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jiang Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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16
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Matsumoto M, Ohmura T, Hanibuchi Y, Ichimura-Shimizu M, Saijo Y, Ogawa H, Miyazawa R, Morimoto J, Tsuneyama K, Matsumoto M, Oya T. AIRE illuminates the feature of medullary thymic epithelial cells in thymic carcinoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:9843-9848. [PMID: 36912123 PMCID: PMC10166898 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the clear distinction between cortical (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) in physiology, the cell of origin of thymic carcinomas (TCs) and other thymic epithelial tumors remained enigmatic. We addressed this issue by focusing on AIRE, an mTEC-specific transcriptional regulator that is required for immunological self-tolerance. We found that a large proportion of TCs expressed AIRE with typical nuclear dot morphology by immunohistochemistry. AIRE expression in TCs was supported by the RNA-seq data in the TCGA-THYM database. Furthermore, our bioinformatics approach to the recent single-cell RNA-seq data on human thymi has revealed that TCs hold molecular characteristics of multiple mTEC subpopulations. In contrast, TCs lacked the gene signatures for cTECs. We propose that TCs are tumors derived from mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan.,Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | - Yuto Hanibuchi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan.,Student Lab, Tokushima University Faculty of Medicine, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mayuko Ichimura-Shimizu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yasuyo Saijo
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Miyazawa
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Oya
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
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17
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Molecular Classification of Extrapulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinomas With Emphasis on POU2F3-positive Tuft Cell Carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol 2023; 47:183-193. [PMID: 36253891 PMCID: PMC9833113 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (EP-NECs) are associated with a poor clinical outcome, and limited information is available on the biology and treatment of EP-NECs. We studied EP-NECs by applying the recent novel findings from studies of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas, including POU2F3, the master regulator of tuft cell variant of small cell lung carcinomas. A cohort of 190 patients with surgically resected EP-NECs or poorly differentiated carcinomas (PDCs) were established. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for POU2F3 along with ASCL1, NEUROD1, YAP1, and conventional neuroendocrine markers was performed on tissue microarrays. Selected cases with or without POU2F3 expression were subjected to targeted gene expression profiling using nCounter PanCancer Pathway panel. POU2F3-positive tuft cell carcinomas were present in 12.6% of EP-NEC/PDCs, with variable proportions according to organ systems. POU2F3 expression was negatively correlated with the expression levels of ASCL1, NEUROD1, and conventional neuroendocrine markers ( P <0.001), enabling IHC-based molecular classification into ASCL1-dominant, NEUROD1-dominant, POU2F3-dominant, YAP1-dominant, and not otherwise specified subtypes. Compared wih POU2F3-negative cases, POU2F3-positive tuft cell carcinomas showed markedly higher expression levels of PLCG2 and BCL2 , which was also validated in the entire cohort by IHC. In addition to POU2F3, YAP1-positive tumors were a distinct subtype among EP-NEC/PDCs, characterized by unique T-cell inflamed microenvironment. We found rare extrapulmonary POU2F3-positive tumors arising from previously unappreciated cells of origin. Our data show novel molecular pathologic features of EP-NEC/PDCs including potential therapeutic vulnerabilities, thereby emphasizing the need for focusing on unique features of EP-NEC/PDCs.
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18
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Chen YQ, Gao LL, Kong LC, Guan XH, Yang H, Li YF, Lv ZY, Zhang XC, Liang HY, Chen HJ, Wu YL, Huang J, Yang JJ. The predictive value of YAP-1 and POU2F3 for the efficacy of immuno-chemotherapy in extensive-stage SCLC patients. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2023; 35:100684. [PMID: 36716535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recently, several clinical trials of immunotherapy for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) have shown limited benefits because of unselected patients. Thus, we aimed to explore whether YES-associated protein 1 (YAP-1) and POU domain class 2 transcription factor 3 (POU2F3) could identify SCLC patients with durable benefits from immunotherapy as potential biomarkers. METHODS We performed IHC of YAP-1 and POU2F3, and RNA-seq on tissues of ES- SCLC patients. An open-source plugin based on IHC-profiler was conducted to calculate the expression levels of YAP-1 and POU2F3. RESULTS Patients with ES-SCLC were retrospectively investigated in the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2018 to July 2021, and 21 patients whoever received atezolizumab plus etoposide/carboplatin (ECT) regimen also had tissue samples reachable. The median IHC-score of YAP-1 in responders (CR/PR patients) was significantly lower than in nonresponders (SD/PD patients) at 13.97 (95% CI: 8.97-16.30) versus 23.72 (95% CI: 8.13-75.40). The IHC-score of YAP-1 and PFS showed a negative correlation by Spearman (r=-0.496). However, POU2F3 did not show a correlation with efficacy. Besides, patients with YAP-1 high expression had IL6, MYCN, and MYCT1 upregulated, while analysis of immune cell infiltration only showed that M0 macrophages were significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS The expression of YAP-1 negatively correlated with the efficacy of ECT in ES-SCLC patients while POU2F3 did not reveal the predictive value. However, prospective investigations with a large sample size are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qing Chen
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 518071, China; Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ling-Ling Gao
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Ling-Cong Kong
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 518071, China; Medical big data center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xu-Hui Guan
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 518071, China; Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Medical big data center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yu-Fa Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhi-Yi Lv
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xu-Chao Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hui-Ying Liang
- Medical big data center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hua-Jun Chen
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Jin-Ji Yang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 518071, China; Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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19
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Kotas ME, O'Leary CE, Locksley RM. Tuft Cells: Context- and Tissue-Specific Programming for a Conserved Cell Lineage. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 18:311-335. [PMID: 36351364 PMCID: PMC10443898 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-042320-112212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells are found in tissues with distinct stem cell compartments, tissue architecture, and luminal exposures but converge on a shared transcriptional program, including expression of taste transduction signaling pathways. Here, we summarize seminal and recent findings on tuft cells, focusing on major categories of function-instigation of type 2 cytokine responses, orchestration of antimicrobial responses, and emerging roles in tissue repair-and describe tuft cell-derived molecules used to affect these functional programs. We review what is known about the development of tuft cells from epithelial progenitors under homeostatic conditions and during disease. Finally, we discuss evidence that immature, or nascent, tuft cells with potential for diverse functions are driven toward dominant effector programs by tissue- or perturbation-specific contextual cues, which may result in heterogeneous mature tuft cell phenotypes both within and between tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya E Kotas
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Claire E O'Leary
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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20
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Matsumoto M, Yoshida H, Tsuneyama K, Oya T, Matsumoto M. Revisiting Aire and tissue-restricted antigens at single-cell resolution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176450. [PMID: 37207224 PMCID: PMC10191227 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a highly specialized organ that plays an indispensable role in the establishment of self-tolerance, a process characterized by the "education" of developing T-cells. To provide competent T-cells tolerant to self-antigens, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) orchestrate negative selection by ectopically expressing a wide range of genes, including various tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs). Notably, recent advancements in the high-throughput single-cell analysis have revealed remarkable heterogeneity in mTECs, giving us important clues for dissecting the mechanisms underlying TRA expression. We overview how recent single-cell studies have furthered our understanding of mTECs, with a focus on the role of Aire in inducing mTEC heterogeneity to encompass TRAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- *Correspondence: Minoru Matsumoto,
| | - Hideyuki Yoshida
- YCI Laboratory for Immunological Transcriptomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Oya
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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21
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Li L, Ma M, Duan T, Sui X. The critical roles and therapeutic implications of tuft cells in cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1047188. [PMID: 36569325 PMCID: PMC9780677 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1047188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuft cells are solitary chemosensory epithelial cells with microvilli at the top, which are found in hollow organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed the chemotactic abilities and immune function of the tuft cells, and numerous efforts have been devoted to uncovering the role of tuft cells in tumors. Notably, accumulating evidence has shown that the specific genes (POU2F3, DCLK1) expressed in tuft cells are involved in vital processes related with carcinogenesis and cancer development. However, the interaction between the tuft cells and cancer remains to be further elucidated. Here, based on an introduction of biological functions and specific markers of the tuft cells, we have summarized the functional roles and potential therapeutic implications of tuft cells in cancers, including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer, which is in the hope of inspiring the future research in validating tuft cells as novel strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ting Duan, ; Xinbing Sui,
| | - Xinbing Sui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ting Duan, ; Xinbing Sui,
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22
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Kashima J, Hashimoto T, Yoshida A, Goto Y, Ushiku T, Ohe Y, Watanabe SI, Yatabe Y. Insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1) expression in thymic squamous cell carcinoma. Virchows Arch 2022; 481:893-901. [PMID: 36305944 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03437-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSC) presents distinct immunohistochemical features with its expression of CD5 and CD117, both of which are rarely expressed in squamous cell carcinoma in other organs. We found insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1) expression in some TSCs; thus, a series of thymic tumors were examined retrospectively. Using surgically resected thymic tumors (TSC, n = 35; thymic atypical carcinoid [TAC], n = 4; and thymoma, n = 112) and non-neoplastic thymic tissue (n = 26), we evaluated immunohistochemically the expressions of INSM1, ASCL1, SOX2, NE markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56), and conventional TSC markers (CD5 and CD117). INSM1 was expressed in 22 TSCs (63%), whereas the positive frequencies of synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56 were limited to 13, 10, and 1 cases, respectively. The discordance was highly contrasted with concordantly positive TACs. INSM1 and NE makers were rarely expressed in thymomas. INSM1 expression in TSCs was also associated with CD5 expression, which was significantly less frequent in INSM1-negative TSCs. INSM1, ASCL1, and SOX2 expressions were correlated with one another, but none of the single transcription factors or their combinations is associated with NE expression. The non-neoplastic medullary thymic epithelium was dispersedly positive for INSM1, particularly around Hassall's corpuscles. Despite positive INSM1, a significant decrease in the frequency of NE maker expression may present as a diagnostic pitfall in TSCs. Furthermore, the discordance, which was inherent in the non-neoplastic thymic epithelium, might be a characteristic feature in TSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Kashima
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taiki Hashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yasushi Goto
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Ohe
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Watanabe
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yatabe
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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Pulmonary cancers across different histotypes share hybrid tuft cell/ionocyte-like molecular features and potentially druggable vulnerabilities. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:979. [PMID: 36402755 PMCID: PMC9675833 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05428-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells are chemosensory epithelial cells in the respiratory tract and several other organs. Recent studies revealed tuft cell-like gene expression signatures in some pulmonary adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas (SQCC), small cell carcinomas (SCLC), and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC). Identification of their similarities could inform shared druggable vulnerabilities. Clinicopathological features of tuft cell-like (tcl) subsets in various lung cancer histotypes were studied in two independent tumor cohorts using immunohistochemistry (n = 674 and 70). Findings were confirmed, and additional characteristics were explored using public datasets (RNA seq and immunohistochemical data) (n = 555). Drug susceptibilities of tuft cell-like SCLC cell lines were also investigated. By immunohistochemistry, 10-20% of SCLC and LCNEC, and approximately 2% of SQCC expressed POU2F3, the master regulator of tuft cells. These tuft cell-like tumors exhibited "lineage ambiguity" as they co-expressed NCAM1, a marker for neuroendocrine differentiation, and KRT5, a marker for squamous differentiation. In addition, tuft cell-like tumors co-expressed BCL2 and KIT, and tuft cell-like SCLC and LCNEC, but not SQCC, also highly expressed MYC. Data from public datasets confirmed these features and revealed that tuft cell-like SCLC and LCNEC co-clustered on hierarchical clustering. Furthermore, only tuft cell-like subsets among pulmonary cancers significantly expressed FOXI1, the master regulator of ionocytes, suggesting their bidirectional but immature differentiation status. Clinically, tuft cell-like SCLC and LCNEC had a similar prognosis. Experimentally, tuft cell-like SCLC cell lines were susceptible to PARP and BCL2 co-inhibition, indicating synergistic effects. Taken together, pulmonary tuft cell-like cancers maintain histotype-related clinicopathologic characteristics despite overlapping unique molecular features. From a therapeutic perspective, identification of tuft cell-like LCNECs might be crucial given their close kinship with tuft cell-like SCLC.
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Yamada Y, Bohnenberger H, Kriegsmann M, Kriegsmann K, Sinn P, Goto N, Nakanishi Y, Seno H, Chigusa Y, Fujimoto M, Minamiguchi S, Haga H, Simon R, Sauter G, Ströbel P, Marx A. Tuft cell-like carcinomas: novel cancer subsets present in multiple organs sharing a unique gene expression signature. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1876-1885. [PMID: 35999270 PMCID: PMC9643388 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01957-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuft cells are chemosensory epithelial cells playing a role in innate immunity. Recent studies revealed cancers with a tuft cell-like gene expression signature in the thorax. We wondered whether this signature might also occur in extrathoracic cancers. METHODS We examined mRNA expression of tuft cell markers (POU2F3, GFI1B, TRPM5, SOX9, CHAT, and AVIL) in 19 different types of cancers in multiple extrathoracic organs with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (N = 6322). Four different extrathoracic cancers in our local archives (N = 909) were analysed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Twenty-two (0.35%) extrathoracic tumours with co-expression of POU2F3 and other tuft cell markers were identified in various TCGA datasets. Twelve of the 22 "tuft cell-like tumours" shared poor differentiation and a gene expression pattern, including KIT, anti-apoptotic BCL2, and ionocyte-associated genes. In our archival cases, eleven (1.21%) tumours co-expressing POU2F3, KIT, and BCL2 on immunohistochemistry, i.e., were presumable tuft cell-like cancers. In three among five TCGA cohorts, the tuft cell-like cancer subsets expressed SLFN11, a promising biomarker of PARP inhibitor susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS Tuft cell-like carcinomas form distinct subsets in cancers of many organs. It appears warranted to investigate their shared gene expression signature as a predictive biomarker for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
- Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Hanibal Bohnenberger
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark Kriegsmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Cancer Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Kriegsmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Sinn
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norihiro Goto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Seno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Chigusa
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | - Hironori Haga
- Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Baine MK, Febres-Aldana CA, Chang JC, Jungbluth AA, Sethi S, Antonescu CR, Travis WD, Hsieh MS, Roh MS, Homer RJ, Ladanyi M, Egger JV, Lai WV, Rudin CM, Rekhtman N. POU2F3 in SCLC: Clinicopathologic and Genomic Analysis With a Focus on Its Diagnostic Utility in Neuroendocrine-Low SCLC. J Thorac Oncol 2022; 17:1109-1121. [PMID: 35760287 PMCID: PMC9427708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION POU2F3 is a recent marker of a small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) subtype related to chemosensory tuft cells (SCLC-P). The characteristics of SCLC-P have not been fully defined, and the data on POU2F3 expression in other lung tumors are scarce. METHODS We screened 254 SCLC for POU2F3 expression and comprehensively analyzed histopathologic, genomic, and clinical characteristics of POU2F3-positive tumors. We also explored POU2F3 expression in other major lung cancer types (n = 433) and a targeted set of potential diagnostic mimics of SCLC (n = 123). RESULTS POU2F3 was expressed in 30 of 254 (12%) SCLC and was strongly associated with low expression of standard neuroendocrine markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin A, CD56, INSM1). Notably, POU2F3 was expressed in 75% of SCLC with entirely negative or minimal neuroendocrine marker expression (15/20) and was helpful in supporting the diagnosis of SCLC in such cases. Broad targeted next-generation sequencing revealed that SCLC-P (n = 12) exhibited enrichment in several alterations, including PTEN inactivation, MYC amplifications, and 20q13 amplifications, but similar rates of RB1 and TP53 alterations as other SCLC (n = 155). Beyond SCLC, POU2F3 expression was exclusively limited to large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (12%) and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (22%). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest cohort of SCLC-P clinical samples to date, where we describe the diagnostic utility of POU2F3 in a challenging subset of SCLC with low or absent expression of standard neuroendocrine markers. The distinct genomic alterations in SCLC-P may offer a novel avenue for therapeutic targeting. The role of POU2F3 in a narrow subset of other lung cancer types warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina K Baine
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Jason C Chang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Achim A Jungbluth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Shenon Sethi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Cristina R Antonescu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - William D Travis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Min-Shu Hsieh
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mee Sook Roh
- Department of Pathology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Robert J Homer
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jacklynn V Egger
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - W Victoria Lai
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Charles M Rudin
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Natasha Rekhtman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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26
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Determining Whether YAP1 and POU2F3 Are Antineuroendocrine Factors. J Thorac Oncol 2022; 17:1070-1073. [PMID: 36031286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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27
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Zhang X, Schalke B, Kvell K, Kriegsmann K, Kriegsmann M, Graeter T, Preissler G, Ott G, Kurz K, Bulut E, Ströbel P, Marx A, Belharazem D. WNT4 overexpression and secretion in thymic epithelial tumors drive an autocrine loop in tumor cells in vitro. Front Oncol 2022; 12:920871. [PMID: 35965500 PMCID: PMC9372913 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.920871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundWNT4-driven non-canonical signaling is crucial for homeostasis and age-related involution of the thymus. Abnormal WNT signaling is important in many cancers, but the role of WNT signaling in thymic tumors is largely unknown.Materials & MethodsExpression and function of WNT4 and FZD6 were analyzed using qRT–PCR, Western blot, ELISA, in biopsies of non-neoplastic thymi (NT), thymoma and thymic carcinomas. ShRNA techniques and functional assays were used in primary thymic epithelial cells (pTECs) and TC cell line 1889c. Cells were conventionally (2D) grown and in three-dimensional (3D) spheroids.ResultsIn biopsy, WHO classified B3 thymomas and TCs showed increased WNT4 expression compared with NTs. During short-term 2D culture, WNT4 expression and secretion declined in neoplastic pTECs but not in 3D spheroids or medium supplemented with recombinant WNT4 cultures. Under the latter condition, the growth of pTECs was accompanied by increased expression of non-canonical targets RAC1 and JNK. Down-regulation of WNT4 by shRNA induced cell death in pTECs derived from B3 thymomas and led to decreased RAC1, but not JNK protein phosphorylation. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB decreased both RAC1 and JNK phosphorylation in neoplastic pTECs.ConclusionsLack of the age-related decline of non-canonical WNT4 expression in TETs and restoration of declining WNT4 expression through exogeneous WNT4 or 3D culture of pTECs hints at an oncogenic role of WNT4 in TETs and is compatible with the WNT4 autocrine loop model. Crosstalk between WNT4 and NF-κB signaling may present a promising target for combined interventions in TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Research Center, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Krisztian Kvell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Katharina Kriegsmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Kriegsmann
- Translational Lung Research Centre Heidelberg, German Centre for Lung Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Graeter
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Preissler
- Department of Thoraxic Surgery, Clinic Schillerhöhe, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Gerlingen, Löwenstein, Germany
| | - German Ott
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katrin Kurz
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Elena Bulut
- Department of Thoraxic Surgery, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Research Center, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Research Center, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- *Correspondence: Djeda Belharazem,
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28
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Kotas ME, Moore CM, Gurrola JG, Pletcher SD, Goldberg AN, Alvarez R, Yamato S, Bratcher PE, Shaughnessy CA, Zeitlin PL, Zhang IH, Li Y, Montgomery MT, Lee K, Cope EK, Locksley RM, Seibold MA, Gordon ED. IL-13-programmed airway tuft cells produce PGE2, which promotes CFTR-dependent mucociliary function. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e159832. [PMID: 35608904 PMCID: PMC9310525 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.159832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic type 2 (T2) inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract are characterized by mucus overproduction and disordered mucociliary function, which are largely attributed to the effects of IL-13 on common epithelial cell types (mucus secretory and ciliated cells). The role of rare cells in airway T2 inflammation is less clear, though tuft cells have been shown to be critical in the initiation of T2 immunity in the intestine. Using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing of airway epithelium and mouse modeling, we found that IL-13 expanded and programmed airway tuft cells toward eicosanoid metabolism and that tuft cell deficiency led to a reduction in airway prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration. Allergic airway epithelia bore a signature of PGE2 activation, and PGE2 activation led to cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor-dependent ion and fluid secretion and accelerated mucociliary transport. These data reveal a role for tuft cells in regulating epithelial mucociliary function in the allergic airway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya E. Kotas
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Camille M. Moore
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jose G. Gurrola
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Steven D. Pletcher
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Surgical Service, ENT Section, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andrew N. Goldberg
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Raquel Alvarez
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sheyla Yamato
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Preston E. Bratcher
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Pamela L. Zeitlin
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Irene H. Zhang
- Center for Applied Microbiome Sciences, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Yingchun Li
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael T. Montgomery
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Keehoon Lee
- Center for Applied Microbiome Sciences, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Emily K. Cope
- Center for Applied Microbiome Sciences, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Richard M. Locksley
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Max A. Seibold
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Erin D. Gordon
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Wu XS, He XY, Ipsaro JJ, Huang YH, Preall JB, Ng D, Shue YT, Sage J, Egeblad M, Joshua-Tor L, Vakoc CR. OCA-T1 and OCA-T2 are coactivators of POU2F3 in the tuft cell lineage. Nature 2022; 607:169-175. [PMID: 35576971 PMCID: PMC9419707 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04842-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells are a rare chemosensory lineage that coordinates immune and neural responses to foreign pathogens in mucosal tissues1. Recent studies have also revealed tuft-cell-like human tumours2,3, particularly as a variant of small-cell lung cancer. Both normal and neoplastic tuft cells share a genetic requirement for the transcription factor POU2F3 (refs. 2,4), although the transcriptional mechanisms that generate this cell type are poorly understood. Here we show that binding of POU2F3 to the uncharacterized proteins C11orf53 and COLCA2 (renamed here OCA-T1/POU2AF2 and OCA-T2/POU2AF3, respectively) is critical in the tuft cell lineage. OCA-T1 and OCA-T2 are paralogues of the B-cell-specific coactivator OCA-B; all three proteins are encoded in a gene cluster and contain a conserved peptide that binds to class II POU transcription factors and a DNA octamer motif in a bivalent manner. We demonstrate that binding between POU2F3 and OCA-T1 or OCA-T2 is essential in tuft-cell-like small-cell lung cancer. Moreover, we generated OCA-T1-deficient mice, which are viable but lack tuft cells in several mucosal tissues. These findings reveal that the POU2F3-OCA-T complex is the master regulator of tuft cell identity and a molecular vulnerability of tuft-cell-like small-cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli S Wu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
- Genetics Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Xue-Yan He
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan J Ipsaro
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Yu-Han Huang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - David Ng
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Yan Ting Shue
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Julien Sage
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mikala Egeblad
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Leemor Joshua-Tor
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
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30
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New insights into tuft cell formation: Implications for structure–function relationships. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 76:102082. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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31
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Structural and Functional Thymic Biomarkers Are Involved in the Pathogenesis of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: An Overview. IMMUNO 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno2020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The normal human thymus originates from the third branchial cleft as two paired anlages that descend into the thorax and fuse on the midline of the anterior–superior mediastinum. Alongside the epithelial and lymphoid components, different types of lymphoid accessory cells, stromal mesenchymal and endothelial cells migrate to, or develop in, the thymus. After reaching maximum development during early postnatal life, the human thymus decreases in size and lymphocyte output drops with age. However, thymic immunological functions persist, although they deteriorate progressively. Several major techniques were fundamental to increasing the knowledge of thymic development and function during embryogenesis, postnatal and adult life; these include immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, in vitro colony assays, transplantation in mice models, fetal organ cultures (FTOC), re-aggregated thymic organ cultures (RTOC), and whole-organ thymic scaffolds. The thymic morphological and functional characterization, first performed in the mouse, was then extended to humans. The purpose of this overview is to provide a report on selected structural and functional biomarkers of thymic epithelial cells (TEC) involved in thymus development and lymphoid cell maturation, and on the historical aspects of their characterization, with particular attention being paid to biomarkers also involved in Thymic Epithelial Tumor (TET) pathogenesis. Moreover, a short overview of targeted therapies in TET, based on currently available experimental and clinical data and on potential future advances will be proposed.
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32
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Roden AC, Ahmad U, Cardillo G, Girard N, Jain D, Marom EM, Marx A, Moreira AL, Nicholson AG, Rajan A, Shepherd AF, Simone CB, Strange CD, Szolkowska M, Truong MT, Rimner A. Thymic Carcinomas-A Concise Multidisciplinary Update on Recent Developments From the Thymic Carcinoma Working Group of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group. J Thorac Oncol 2022; 17:637-650. [PMID: 35227908 PMCID: PMC11080660 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymic carcinomas are rare malignancies that in general arise in the prevascular (anterior) mediastinum. These tumors are usually invasive, often present at advanced stages, and typically behave aggressively. Studies are hampered by the paucity of these tumors, the large variety of carcinoma subtypes, and the lack of unique morphologic and immunophenotypic features. Despite these challenges, advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical approaches, systemic therapies, and radiation therapy techniques have been made. The WHO classification of thymic epithelial tumors has been updated in 2021, and the eighth tumor nodal metastasis staging by the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control included thymic carcinomas in 2017. Molecular alterations that provide more insight into the pathogenesis of these tumors and that potentially permit use of novel targeted therapies are increasingly being identified. New approaches to radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are under evaluation. International societies, including the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group, European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Japanese, Chinese, and Korean thymic associations, have been critical in organizing and conducting multi-institutional clinical studies. Herein, we review contemporary multidisciplinary perspectives in diagnosis and management of thymic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja C Roden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
| | - Usman Ahmad
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Giuseppe Cardillo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Carlo Forlanini Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicolas Girard
- Institut Curie, Institut du thorax Curie Montsouris, Paris, France; Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris Saclay Campus, Versailles, France
| | - Deepali Jain
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Edith M Marom
- Radiology Department, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center Affiliated With Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andre L Moreira
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Andrew G Nicholson
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, London, United Kingdom; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arun Rajan
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Annemarie F Shepherd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Charles B Simone
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Proton Center, New York, New York
| | - Chad D Strange
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Malgorzata Szolkowska
- Department of Pathology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mylene T Truong
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Andreas Rimner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Abstract
Although tuft cells were discovered over 60 years ago, their functions have long been enigmatic, especially in human health. Nonetheless, tuft cells have recently emerged as key orchestrators of the host response to diverse microbial infections in the gut and airway. While tuft cells are epithelial in origin, they exhibit functions akin to immune cells and mediate important interkingdom interactions between the host and helminths, protists, viruses, and bacteria. With broad intra- and intertissue heterogeneity, tuft cells sense and respond to microbes with exquisite specificity. Tuft cells can recognize helminth and protist infection, driving a type 2 immune response to promote parasite expulsion. Tuft cells also serve as the primary physiologic target of persistent murine norovirus (MNV) and promote immune evasion. Recently, tuft cells were also shown to be infected by rotavirus. Other viral infections, such as influenza A virus, can induce tuft cell–dependent tissue repair. In the context of coinfection, tuft cells promote neurotropic flavivirus replication by dampening antiviral adaptive immune responses. Commensal and pathogenic bacteria can regulate tuft cell abundance and function and, in turn, tuft cells are implicated in modulating bacterial infiltration and mucosal barrier integrity. However, the contribution of tuft cells to microbial sensing in humans and their resulting effector responses are poorly characterized. Herein, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of microbial activation of tuft cells with an emphasis on tuft cell heterogeneity and differences between mouse and human tuft cell biology as it pertains to human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison S. Strine
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Craig B. Wilen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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Yamada Y, Sugimoto A, Hoki M, Yoshizawa A, Hamaji M, Date H, Haga H, Marx A. POU2F3 beyond thymic carcinomas: expression across the spectrum of thymomas hints to medullary differentiation in type A thymoma. Virchows Arch 2022; 480:843-851. [PMID: 34988657 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The thymic medulla comprises various cell types, including tuft cells that are involved in innate immunity. We recently reported that in Western cohorts of patients, most thymic squamous cell carcinomas (TSQCCs), in contrast to thymomas, exhibit strong and extensive expression of tuft cell markers, including the tuft cell master regulator, POU2F3. On closer inspection of 94 thymomas that cover the full spectrum of thymoma histotypes, we now find by immunohistochemistry that approximately half of types A, AB, and B1 thymomas contain small numbers (< 10%) of cells expressing POU2F3, while most types B2 and B3 thymomas do not (p < 0.05). Further, in rarer types A and AB thymomas with adenoid growth pattern, POU2F3( +) cells formed aggregates and co-expressed KIT, as did the tumor cells in 100% (9/9) of TSQCCs expressing POU2F3. However, the expression of another tuft cell marker, L1CAM, still distinguished TSQCC from the spectrum of thymomas that were all L1CAM-negative. This study is the first to demonstrate the high frequency of POU2F3 expression in an Asian cohort of TSQCCs. The common occurrence of scattered POU2F3( +) cells in types A and AB thymomas hints at their variable degree of medullary differentiation and supports the historical hypothesis of the medullary nature of type A thymomas. Immunohistochemistry of L1CAM may be a valuable tool to differentiate TSQCCs from thymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Sugimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahito Hoki
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshizawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Hamaji
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Date
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Yuan X, Huang L, Luo W, Zhao Y, Nashan B, Yu F, Liu Y. Diagnostic and Prognostic Significances of SOX9 in Thymic Epithelial Tumor. Front Oncol 2021; 11:708735. [PMID: 34778027 PMCID: PMC8580949 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.708735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare tumors originating from the thymic epithelial cells. SOX9, a member of the family of SOX (SRY-related high-mobility group box) genes, has been considered as an oncogene and therapeutic target in various cancers. However, its role in TETs remains uncertain. Methods Using the immunohistochemistry method, the expression of SOX9 was analyzed in TETs tissues, including 34 thymoma (8 cases with type A, 6 with type AB, 6 with type B1, 9 with type B2, and 5 with type B3 thymomas) and 20 thymic cancer tissues and the clinicopathologic and prognostic significances were evaluated. Further bioinformatics analysis of gene expression profiles of thymomas with high and low SOX9 expressions and the corresponding survival analyses were based on the thymoma cases identified in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, with the median expression level of SOX9 selected as cutoff. Results Immunohistochemistry staining showed that SOX9 was highly expressed in the nuclei of the epithelial cells of the Hassall’s corpuscles and of the TET tumor cells. SOX9 expression was significantly associated with histological type and high expression indicated unfavorable clinical outcomes of thymomas. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that genes positively associated with SOX9 expression were mapped in proteoglycans in cancer, cell adhesion molecules, and molecules involved in extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and the TGF-β signaling pathway, and that genes negatively associated with SOX9 expression were mapped in molecules involved in primary immunodeficiency, the T cell receptor signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, PD-L1 expression, and the PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. In addition, SOX9 expression was positively associated with POU2F3 and TRPM5 expressions, the master regulators of tuft cells, suggesting that high SOX9 expression might be associated with the tuft cell phenotype of thymomas. Moreover, high SOX9 expression was associated with immune dysregulation of thymoma, and M2 macrophage significantly dominated in the high SOX9 expression group. Conclusion SOX9 may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for TETs. Notably, high SOX9 expression in TETs may indicate a tuft cell phenotype and an immune suppressive microenvironment of thymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Yuan
- Organ Transplant Center, Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwu Luo
- Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yufei Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Björn Nashan
- Organ Transplant Center, Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Fazhi Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Future Perspective of Chemotherapy and Pharmacotherapy in Thymic Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205239. [PMID: 34680386 PMCID: PMC8533972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Thymic carcinoma is a rare cancer, and its biology remains largely unknown. Although complete surgical resection is a standard treatment for thymic carcinoma, systemic chemotherapy is frequently administered in metastatic or recurrent cases. Given the rarity, therapeutic agents are often confirmed on the basis of the results of phase II trials or retrospective studies. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy has long been employed for treating thymic carcinoma. Recently, biomarkers have been explored, and molecular profiles and major oncogenic pathways have gradually been revealed by next-generation sequencing, resulting in the development of targeted therapies. Moreover, clinical trials assessing combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors are ongoing and are expected to be efficacious for treating thymic epithelial tumors. We reviewed the current role of systemic chemotherapy, including targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, considering recent findings regarding its biology. Abstract Thymic carcinoma is a rare cancer that arises from thymic epithelial cells. Its nature and pathology differ from that of benign thymoma, presenting a poorer prognosis. If surgically resectable, surgery alone or surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. Metastatic and refractory thymic carcinomas require systemic pharmacotherapy. Combined carboplatin and paclitaxel, and cisplatin and anthracycline-based regimens have been shown a fair response rate and survival to provide a de facto standard of care when compared with other drugs employed as first-line chemotherapy. Cytotoxic agents have been pivotal for treating thymic carcinoma, as little is known regarding its tumorigenesis. In addition, genetic alterations, including driver mutations, which play an important role in treatments, have not yet been discovered. However, molecular pathways and biomarker studies assessing thymic epithelial tumors have been reported recently, resulting in the development of new agents, such as molecular targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors. As treatment options are currently limited and the prognosis remains poor in metastases and recurrent thymic carcinoma, genetic alterations need to be assessed. In the present review, we focused on the current role of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating thymic carcinoma.
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Ishida A, Yamada Y, Ishida Y, Yoshizawa A, Nakajima D, Date H, Marx A, Haga H. A primary thymic adenocarcinoma with two components that traced distinct evolutionary trajectories. Pathol Int 2021; 71:849-855. [PMID: 34583424 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Even though it is a rare subtype, identifying the genetic features of thymic adenocarcinoma is valuable for a multifaceted understanding of thymic epithelial tumors. We experienced a female patient with thymic adenocarcinoma associated with thymic cysts. The tumor consisted of a solid whitish lesion (lesion-1) and a large cystic lesion with small papillary nodules (lesion-2). Microscopically, lesion-1 exhibited poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma accompanying numerous inflammatory cell infiltrates, and lesion-2 (the nodules within the cystic lesion) exhibited enteric-type adenocarcinoma. Consistent with the histological difference, whole-exome sequencing revealed that these two components exhibited distinct genetic features, except for only a few shared mutations, including CDKN2A truncation. Lesion-1 exhibited microsatellite instability-high signature with high mutation burden, for which immune checkpoint inhibitors might apply; and lesion-2 exhibited whole-genome doubling with KRAS hotspot mutation. Our case presents novel genetic features of thymic adenocarcinoma and demonstrates that distinct mutational processes can be operative within a single tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayami Ishida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ishida
- Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshizawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Nakajima
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Date
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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38
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Jain D, Guleria P, Singh V, Parshad R, Kumar S, Gaiser T, Kurz KS, Ott G, Porubsky S, Preissler G, Sauer CG, Schölch S, Ströbel P, Hielscher T, Marx A, Popovic ZV. GTF2I Mutation in Thymomas: Independence From Racial-Ethnic Backgrounds. An Indian/German Comparative Study. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:1609858. [PMID: 34497477 PMCID: PMC8419886 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.1609858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Thymomas are the most frequent adult mediastinal cancers. Their etiology is unknown and their pathogenesis poorly understood. Racial, ethnic and environmental factors influence tumorigenesis in many cancers, but their role in thymomas remains unclear to date. In this study that included pretreatment thymoma cases from India and Germany (n = 37 and n = 77, respectively) we compared i) the prevalence of the thymoma-specific chromosome 7 c.74146970T > A mutation of the GTF2I gene in type A and AB thymomas; ii) epidemiological features; and iii) the frequency of myasthenia gravis (MG). Due to a known predominance of GTF2I mutation in A and AB histotypes, we included only a marginal number of type B thymomas as a control group in both cohorts. While the distribution of histological types between the cohorts was similar (p = 0.1622), Indian patients were strikingly younger (p < 0.0001; median age 50 vs. 65 years) and showed significantly lower tumour stage (Masaoka-Koga stage I) at primary diagnosis (p = 0.0005) than the German patients. In patients with known MG status (n = 17 in Indian and n = 25 in German cohort), a clear trend towards more frequent MG was observed in the Indian group (p = 0.0504; 48 vs. 82%). The prevalence of the GTF2I mutation (analysed in n = 34 Indian and n = 77 German patients) was identical in the two cohorts. We conclude that racial-ethnic and environmental factors do not significantly influence the most common molecular feature of thymomas but may have an impact on the timing of clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Jain
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Prerna Guleria
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Varsha Singh
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajinder Parshad
- Department of Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Timo Gaiser
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katrin S Kurz
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - German Ott
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stefan Porubsky
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gerhard Preissler
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Schillerhöhe Clinics, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Gerlingen, Germany
| | - Christian G Sauer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schölch
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Surgical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Department of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Zoran V Popovic
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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Sugimoto A, Yamada Y, Fujimoto M, Minamiguchi S, Sato T, Akamatsu S, Marx A, Haga H. A multilocular thymic cyst associated with mediastinal seminoma: evidence for its medullary epithelial origin highlighted by POU2F3-positive thymic tuft cells and concomitant myoid cell proliferation. Virchows Arch 2021; 479:215-220. [PMID: 34028621 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03125-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) and germ cell tumors are common diseases that impact the mediastinum. Correctly diagnosing these diseases can be difficult because several other conditions can mimic them. We report a male patient with MTC associated with mediastinal seminoma. A needle biopsy of the mediastinal tumor revealed numerous epithelioid cell granulomas that mimicked sarcoidosis or mycobacterial infection. However, large atypical cells positive for Oct3/4 and KIT were noted between the granulomas; thus, we diagnosed the patient with mediastinal seminoma. The resected tumor, after chemotherapy, consisted of multiple cystic lesions, and a residual germ cell tumor was first considered. However, thymic medulla-specific elements, namely, POU2F3-positive thymic tuft cells and rhabdomyomatous myoid cells accompanying the epithelium, led to the correct diagnosis of MTC. Our case underscores the importance of recognizing the histological features associated with mediastinal seminoma and provides novel findings for MTC pathogenesis, namely, the presence of thymic tuft cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Sugimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Masakazu Fujimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Takuma Sato
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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