Chromophore-assisted light inactivation of pKi-67 leads to inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis

Antimetastatic and antitumor activities of oncolytic NDV AMHA1 in a 3D culture model of breast cancer

Introduction

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) AMHA1 is capable of killing cancer cells by direct replication or induction of apoptosis alongside other pathways. In this study, we report the potent antimetastatic and anticancer activities of NDV AMHA1 in a 3D spheroid model of breast cancer metastasis.

Methods

we used two breast cancer cell lines AMJ13 and MCF7 in our metastasis model system.

Results

First, we showed that NDV AMHA1 can infect and kill breast cancer cells in proliferating adherent cells and tumor spheroids using different virus doses and studying virus replication kinetics. We showed that NDV can infect and spread within the spheroids that represent metastasis before and after reattachment. Furthermore, we evaluated the ability of NDV to induce apoptosis in cancer spheroids and by virus tracking showed that NDV infection is essential for the elimination of these metastasis spheroids.

Discussion

The mechanism by which NDV induces cell killing in the metastasis model is the induction of caspase-3 and P21 and inhibition of Ki67 in cancer cells, but not in normal cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that NDV AMHA1 has the ability to kill breast cancer metastases in suspension or attached, and this is a novel finding of NDV AMHA1 being a possibly efficient therapy against human metastatic breast cancer.

The role of rRNA in maintaining genome stability

Over the past few decades, unbiased approaches such as genetic screening and protein affinity purification have unveiled numerous proteins involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and maintaining genome stability. However, despite our knowledge of these protein factors, the underlying molecular mechanisms governing key cellular events during DSB repair remain elusive. Recent evidence has shed light on the role of non-protein factors, such as RNA, in several pivotal steps of DSB repair. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of these recent findings, highlighting the significance of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) as a critical mediator of DNA damage response, meiosis, and mitosis. Moreover, we discuss potential mechanisms through which rRNA may influence genome integrity.

Chromophore-Assisted Light Inactivation for Protein Degradation and Its Application in Biomedicine

The functional investigation of proteins holds immense significance in unraveling physiological and pathological mechanisms of organisms as well as advancing the development of novel pharmaceuticals in biomedicine. However, the study of cellular protein function using conventional genetic manipulation methods may yield unpredictable outcomes and erroneous conclusions. Therefore, precise modulation of protein activity within cells holds immense significance in the realm of biomedical research. Chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI) is a technique that labels photosensitizers onto target proteins and induces the production of reactive oxygen species through light control to achieve precise inactivation of target proteins. Based on the type and characteristics of photosensitizers, different excitation light sources and labeling methods are selected. For instance, KillerRed forms a fusion protein with the target protein through genetic engineering for labeling and inactivates the target protein via light activation. CALI is presently predominantly employed in diverse biomedical domains encompassing investigations into protein functionality and interaction, intercellular signal transduction research, as well as cancer exploration and therapy. With the continuous advancement of CALI technology, it is anticipated to emerge as a formidable instrument in the realm of life sciences, yielding more captivating outcomes for fundamental life sciences and precise disease diagnosis and treatment.

The Chemoprevention Effects of Two Herbal Mixtures on Chemically Induced Lung Tumorigenesis in Mice

Ruan Hua Tang (RHT) and Ruan Hua Fang (RHF) are two Chinese herbal mixtures that have been used in clinical cancer treatment for decades. This study validated our hypothesis that RHT and RHF can inhibit lung tumor development in the mouse model of Benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung tumorigenesis. An RHT oral solution was diluted to 9% and 18% in water. RHF was mixed into the diet at 15% and 30% of total food in the final doses. Two weeks after injecting BP into mice, we administered RHT and RHF for eighteen weeks. We found that 9% and 18% RHT reduced tumor multiplicity by 36.05% and 38.81% (both p < 0.05) and the tumor load by 27.13% and 55.94% (p < 0.05); 15% and 30% RHF inhibited tumor multiplicity by 12.75% and 39.84% (p < 0.01) and the tumor load by 18.38% and 61.68% (p < 0.05). Ki67 expressions in the 9% and 18% RHT groups were 19.55% and 11.51%, significantly lower than in the control (33.64%). The Ki67 levels in the 15% and 30% RHF groups were 15.56% and 14.04%, significantly lower than in the control (27.86%). Caspase 3 expressions in the 9% and 18% RHT groups were 5.24% and 7.32%, significantly higher than in the control (2.39%). Caspase 3 levels in the 15% and 30% RHF groups were 6.53% and 4.74%, significantly higher than in the control (2.07%). The bio-absorption was confirmed via a pharmacokinetic test. This study showed that RHT and RHF are safe and can inhibit lung tumor development, with anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects.

Myc controls NK cell development, IL-15-driven expansion, and translational machinery

MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor involved in cancer, cell proliferation, and metabolism. Its regulation and function in NK cells, which are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes important to control viral infections and cancer, remain poorly defined. Here, we show that mice deficient for Myc in NK cells presented a severe reduction in these lymphocytes. Myc was required for NK cell development and expansion in response to the key cytokine IL-15, which induced Myc through transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms. Mechanistically, Myc ablation in vivo largely impacted NK cells' ribosomagenesis, reducing their translation and expansion capacities. Similar results were obtained by inhibiting MYC in human NK cells. Impairing translation by pharmacological intervention phenocopied the consequences of deleting or blocking MYC in vitro. Notably, mice lacking Myc in NK cells exhibited defective anticancer immunity, which reflected their decreased numbers of mature NK cells exerting suboptimal cytotoxic functions. These results indicate that MYC is a central node in NK cells, connecting IL-15 to translational fitness, expansion, and anticancer immunity.

CDK8 and CDK19 act redundantly to control the CFTR pathway in the intestinal epithelium

CDK8 and CDK19 form a conserved cyclin-dependent kinase subfamily that interacts with the essential transcription complex, Mediator, and also phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Cells lacking either CDK8 or CDK19 are viable and have limited transcriptional alterations, but whether the two kinases redundantly control cell proliferation and differentiation is unknown. Here, we find in mice that CDK8 is dispensable for regulation of gene expression, normal intestinal homeostasis, and efficient tumourigenesis, and is largely redundant with CDK19 in the control of gene expression. Their combined deletion in intestinal organoids reduces long-term proliferative capacity but is not lethal and allows differentiation. However, double-mutant organoids show mucus accumulation and increased secretion by goblet cells, as well as downregulation of expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and functionality of the CFTR pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK8/19 kinase activity in organoids and in mice recapitulates several of these phenotypes. Thus, the Mediator kinases are not essential for cell proliferation and differentiation in an adult tissue, but they cooperate to regulate specific transcriptional programmes.

Correlation and significance of COX-2, Ki67, VEGF and other immune indexes with the growth of malignant pulmonary nodules

Objective

This study intends to explore the factors affecting the growth of pulmonary nodules in the natural process by immunohistochemical method.

Methods

40 cases of pulmonary nodules followed up for more than 3 years were divided into growth group (n = 20) and stable group (n = 20). The expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Ki67, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD44V6, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), double microsome 2 (MDM2) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in pulmonary nodules were detected by immunohistochemical method so as to explore the relationship between it and the growth of pulmonary nodules.

Results

Compared with stable pulmonary nodules, the positive rates of COX-2, Ki67 and VEGF in the growth group were 85%, 80% and 55%, respectively. There was significant difference between the stable group and the growth group (P < 0.05). The correlation between other indexes and the growth of pulmonary nodules was not statistically significant (Pcd44v6 = 0.104;PEGFR = 0.337; PMDM2 = 0.49; PTGF-β1 = 0.141). In the subgroup of patients with non-invasive lung cancer, there was a correlation between VEGF and the growth of pulmonary nodules (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The high expression of COX-2, Ki67 and VEGF proteins may be significantly related to the growth of pulmonary nodules, and VEGF may be an important factor affecting the growth of malignant pulmonary nodules. This study intends to provide a research direction for further searching for the essential causes of the growth of pulmonary nodules.

Rapid intraoperative Ki-67 immunohistochemistry for lung cancer using non-contact alternating current electric field mixing

OBJECTIVES

Locoregional recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occurs even among patients with stage I disease, as a result of tumor proliferative activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical reliability of a new rapid immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique for assessing malignant potential through detection of tumoral Ki-67 expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rapid IHC method uses non-contact alternating current (AC) mixing to achieve more rapid/stable staining within 20 min during surgery. First, to investigate the association between clinical outcomes and tumoral Ki-67 labeling with rapid IHC, 21 pairs of surgical patients treated between 2012 and 2020 for pStage IA1-3 NSCLC with/without recurrence were retrospectively reviewed. Second, 40 frozen section (FS) samples in patients with NSCLC for whom radical surgery was planned between April 2021 and February 2022 were deemed eligible for comparison of the clinical performance of conventional IHC and intraoperative rapid Ki-67 IHC with FS.

RESULTS

Detection of tumoral Ki-67 expression using rapid IHC with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks was significantly associated with clinical outcomes in R0 pStage IA NSCLC surgical patients, including overall and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.0043 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Levels of Ki-67 expression among resectable NSCLC patients detected using rapid IHC with FS significantly correlated with those detected using conventional FFPE-IHC (p < 0.001). An intraoperative cut-off of > 7.5 % tumor cell Ki-67 positivity accurately predicted pathological stage more advanced than IA3 [P = 0.0185, Odds ratio = 20.477, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.660-252.55].

CONCLUSION

Rapid Ki-67 IHC with AC mixing could potentially serve as a clinical tool for intraoperative determination of tumor malignancy status. The present study suggests that segmentectomy for early small NSCLCs is oncologically safe and a reasonable alternative to lobectomy, but only when there is adequate intraoperative selection for primary tumors with low-grade malignancy, which could be verified using intraoperative rapid Ki-67 IHC with FS.

Physiological functions and roles in cancer of the proliferation marker Ki-67

What do we know about Ki-67, apart from its usefulness as a cell proliferation biomarker in histopathology? Discovered in 1983, the protein and its regulation of expression and localisation throughout the cell cycle have been well characterised. However, its function and molecular mechanisms have received little attention and few answers. Although Ki-67 has long been thought to be required for cell proliferation, recent genetic studies have conclusively demonstrated that this is not the case, as loss of Ki-67 has little or no impact on cell proliferation. In contrast, Ki-67 is important for localising nucleolar material to the mitotic chromosome periphery and for structuring perinucleolar heterochromatin, and emerging data indicate that it also has critical roles in cancer development. However, its mechanisms of action have not yet been fully identified. Here, we review recent findings and propose the hypothesis that Ki-67 is involved in structuring cellular sub-compartments that assemble by liquid-liquid phase separation. At the heterochromatin boundary, this may control access of chromatin regulators, with knock-on effects on gene expression programmes. These changes allow adaptation of the cell to its environment, which, for cancer cells, is a hostile one. We discuss unresolved questions and possible avenues for future exploration.

Ribosomal RNA regulates chromosome clustering during mitosis

Noncoding RNAs are known to associate with mitotic chromosomes, but the identities and functions of chromosome-associated RNAs in mitosis remain elusive. Here, we show that rRNA species associate with condensed chromosomes during mitosis. In particular, pre-rRNAs such as 45S, 32S, and 30S are highly enriched on mitotic chromosomes. Immediately following nucleolus disassembly in mitotic prophase, rRNAs are released and associate with and coat each condensed chromosome at prometaphase. Using unbiased mass spectrometry analysis, we further demonstrate that chromosome-bound rRNAs are associated with Ki-67. Moreover, the FHA domain and the repeat region of Ki-67 recognize and anchor rRNAs to chromosomes. Finally, suppression of chromosome-bound rRNAs by RNA polymerase I inhibition or by using rRNA-binding-deficient Ki-67 mutants impair mitotic chromosome dispersion during prometaphase. Our study thus reveals an important role of rRNAs in preventing chromosome clustering during mitosis.

Utility of Serum Ki-67 as a Marker for Malignancy in Dogs

Simple Summary

Although serum tumour markers offer an uncomplicated, non-invasive examination method and possible therapeutic options, they are still rarely used in veterinary medicine. Our marker of interest, the Ki-67 protein, can only be detected in the active phases of the cell cycle. Therefore, it is a suitable marker for assessing the proliferating cell fraction of an organism and can thus provide information about potentially present, rapid-growing tumour tissue. The purpose of our study was to determine whether Ki-67 could be considered as a possible tumour marker in canine serum for veterinary medicine. We measured serum concentrations of Ki-67 in dogs with various malignant tumours, such as carcinomas, sarcomas, and lymphomas. In the dogs with malignant tumours we determined significantly higher serum Ki-67 concentrations compared with healthy dogs and dogs with non-malignant diseases. No significant difference in serum Ki-67 concentration was observed between the different types of cancer or between benign and malignant mammary tumours. Our investigations also included some inflammatory parameters measured in blood, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, with mixed results. The results of our study suggest that Ki-67 may be useful as a potential serum tumour marker, providing information about the presence of malignant diseases in a dog.

Abstract

Tumour markers are scarcely used in veterinary medicine, although they are non-invasive, contribute to a faster diagnosis and new therapeutic options. The nuclear protein Ki-67 is absent in G₀-phase but is detectable throughout all active phases of the cell cycle. Consequently, it is used as a marker for the proliferating cell fraction of a cell population and thus could indicate neoplastic tissue present. Our study is designed to show whether Ki-67 can be considered as a potential canine serum tumour marker for veterinary medicine. We measured serum concentrations of Ki-67 in dogs with various malignant tumours (carcinomas (n = 35); sarcomas (n = 26); lymphomas (n = 21)) using a commercially available quantitative sandwich ELISA from mybiosource. Dogs with malignant tumours showed significantly higher serum Ki-67 concentrations compared to healthy dogs (n = 19) and non-neoplastic diseased dogs (n = 26). No significant difference in serum Ki-67 concentration was detected between carcinoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma, nor between mammary adenocarcinoma and adenoma. In our investigations we also included some inflammatory parameters measured in blood, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and gained mixed results. The results of our study suggest that Ki-67 may be useful as a potential serum tumour marker, providing information about the presence of malignancies in a dog.

Chromosome clustering in mitosis by the nuclear protein Ki-67

Ki-67 is highly expressed in proliferating cells, a characteristic that made the protein a very important proliferation marker widely used in the clinic. However, the molecular functions and properties of Ki-67 remained quite obscure for a long time. Only recently important discoveries have shed some light on its function and shown that Ki-67 has a major role in the formation of mitotic chromosome periphery compartment, it is associated with protein phosphatase one (PP1) and regulates chromatin function in interphase and mitosis. In this review, we discuss the role of Ki-67 during cell division. Specifically, we focus on the importance of Ki-67 in chromosome individualisation at mitotic entry (prometaphase) and its contribution to chromosome clustering and nuclear remodelling during mitotic exit.

LINC00963 silencing inhibits the proliferation and migration of high glucose-induced retinal endothelial cells via targeting miR-27b

The association between long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 963 (LINC00963) and diabetes has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of the long non-coding RNA LINC00963 on diabetic retinopathy (DR), in order to provide a new therapeutic target for this condition. Human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRECs) were induced with high concentrations of glucose to establish a DR model. The expression levels of LINC00963, cell viability, the protein expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67, and the migratory capacity of HRECs were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, western blot analysis, and wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Furthermore, the Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes database was used to predict the binding targets of LINC00963, and luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the direct binding of microRNA (miR)-27b to LINC00963. RT-qPCR was also utilized to measure the expression levels of miR-27b, PCNA and Ki67. The results demonstrated that LINC00963 silencing inhibited glucose-induced HREC proliferation and migration, and downregulated PCNA and Ki67 expression. Following transfection with miR-27b inhibitor, cell proliferation and migration were notably enhanced, and the protein expression levels of PCNA and Ki67 were increased. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that the LINC00963/miR-27b axis may regulate the proliferation and migration of glucose-induced HRECs. Therefore, LINC00963 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for DR.

Ki-67 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Invasive Breast Cancer

The advent of molecular medicine has transformed breast cancer management. Breast cancer is now recognised as a heterogenous disease with varied morphology, molecular features, tumour behaviour, and response to therapeutic strategies. These parameters are underpinned by a combination of genomic and immunohistochemical tumour factors, with estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PgR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status, Ki-67 proliferation indices, and multigene panels all playing a contributive role in the substratification, prognostication and personalization of treatment modalities for each case. The expression of Ki-67 is strongly linked to tumour cell proliferation and growth and is routinely evaluated as a proliferation marker. This review will discuss the clinical utility, current pitfalls, and promising strategies to augment Ki-67 proliferation indices in future breast oncology.

Ki-67 regulates global gene expression and promotes sequential stages of carcinogenesis

Ki-67 is a nuclear protein that is expressed in all proliferating vertebrate cells. Here, we demonstrate that, although Ki-67 is not required for cell proliferation, its genetic ablation inhibits each step of tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. Mice lacking Ki-67 are resistant to chemical or genetic induction of intestinal tumorigenesis. In established cancer cells, Ki-67 knockout causes global transcriptome remodeling that alters the epithelial-mesenchymal balance and suppresses stem cell characteristics. When grafted into mice, tumor growth is slowed, and metastasis is abrogated, despite normal cell proliferation rates. Yet, Ki-67 loss also down-regulates major histocompatibility complex class I antigen presentation and, in the 4T1 syngeneic model of mammary carcinoma, leads to an immune-suppressive environment that prevents the early phase of tumor regression. Finally, genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism are down-regulated, and cells are sensitized to various drug classes. Our results suggest that Ki-67 enables transcriptional programs required for cellular adaptation to the environment. This facilitates multiple steps of carcinogenesis and drug resistance, yet may render cancer cells more susceptible to antitumor immune responses.

Impact of cisplatin administration on cerebellar cortical structure and locomotor activity of infantile and juvenile albino rats: the role of oxidative stress

The central neurotoxicity of cisplatin (CisPt) has always raised questions especially during development, but few studies are available. Hence, this work was designed to assess the CisPt's impacts on the postnatal rat cerebellum via evaluation of locomotor activity, histological and immunohistochemical studies, and to focus on cerebellar oxidative stress-related alterations. Eighty newborn pups were divided into 2 equal experimental groups: the control group was kept without any treatment and CisPt-treated group received a single subcutaneous injection of CisPt (5 μg /g b.w.) in their nape at PD10. Ten rats at PD11, PD17, and PD30 ages were weighed, then deeply anesthetized and sacrificed. For locomotor assessment, 20 pups were divided equally into control and CisPt-treated groups and tested at PD11-13, PD15-17, and PD28-30 ages. CisPt-treated rats suffered from decreased motor activity and showed decreased body and cerebellar weights, reduced levels of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD and CAT), and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense (GSH), and increase of lipid peroxidation marker (MDA). Histopathologically, CisPt sowed deleterious changes within cerebellar cortical layers in the form of vacuolations, decreased thickness, and hemorrhage (in PD17), while Purkinje cells exhibited profound degenerative changes in the form of swelling, disrupted arrangement, distortion, and nuclear shrinkage. In CisPt-treated rats, GFAP demonstrated upregulated, hypertrophied, and branched Bergmann glial fibers and reactive astrogliosis. Immuno-localization of Ki-67-positive cells revealed defective migration associated with decreased proliferation in early ages in addition to glial proliferation in PD30. In conclusion, CisPt causes oxidative stress-related deleterious effects on structure of developing cerebellar cortex and affects locomotor activity.

Neuroprotection of N-benzyl Eicosapentaenamide in Neonatal Mice Following Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) has emerged as a popular functional plant food because of its medicinal properties and nutritional value. Macamides, as the exclusively active ingredients found in maca, are a unique series of non-polar, long-chain fatty acid N-benzylamides with multiple bioactivities such as antifatigue characteristics and improving reproductive health. In this study, a new kind of macamide, N-benzyl eicosapentaenamide (NB-EPA), was identified from maca. We further explore its potential neuroprotective role in hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. Our findings indicated that treatment with biosynthesized NB-EPA significantly alleviates the size of cerebral infarction and improves neurobehavioral disorders after hypoxic–ischemic brain damage in neonatal mice. NB-EPA inhibited the apoptosis of neuronal cells after ischemic challenge. NB-EPA improved neuronal cell survival and proliferation through the activation of phosphorylated AKT signaling. Of note, the protective property of NB-EPA against ischemic neuronal damage was dependent on suppression of the p53–PUMA pathway. Taken together, these findings suggest that NB-EPA may represent a new neuroprotectant for newborns with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy.

Cytokines, Proliferation Markers, Antimicrobial Factors and Neuropeptide-Containing Innervation in Human Nasal Mucosa after Rhinoseptoplasty Procedure

The nasal cavity lined by nasal mucosa, is a significant part of respiratory system of human. However, there are no studies aimed to detect a molecular phenotype of healthy and normal functioning nasal mucosa, obtained after rhinoseptoplasty procedure, to understand its physiology and growth and inflammation processes. Thus, our aim is to identify human healthy nasal mucosa cytokines, neuropeptide-containing innervation and cell proliferation markers to form a control group for further tissue investigation of human nasal polyposis as the next step of our research. The study included surgery materials from 17 healthy humans. Biotin-streptavidin immunohistochemistry was performed for detection of tissue PGP9.5, Ki-67, β-Defensin 2, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12. Results were evaluated semi-quantitatively and by Friedman ANOVA and Spearman rang correlation tests. All factors were more widely expressed by superficial epithelium than by glandular one. Abundance of ILs-8, -10 and -12 positive cells was detected in comparison with moderate to numerous distributions of IL-1, IL-6 and β-Defensin 2. Moderate number of PGP 9.5-containing nerve fibers and only few to moderate Ki-67 positive cells were found in healthy nasal mucosa. We revealed statistically significant difference between Ki-67 and ILs-4, -6, -7, -8, -10, -12 both in healthy nasal mucosa superficial and glandular epithelium. From nasal epithelia, commonly the surface one displays more cytokines and β-Defensin 2 in comparison to the glandular one. Numerous to abundant expression of ILs-4, -6, -7, -8, -10, -12 and β-Defensin 2 in nasal superficial and glandular epithelia proves probably these factors' role into the common immune response of tissue and stimulation of immune cell differentiation.

Neither soyfoods nor isoflavones warrant classification as endocrine disruptors: a technical review of the observational and clinical data

Soybeans are a rich source of isoflavones, which are classified as phytoestrogens. Despite numerous proposed benefits, isoflavones are often classified as endocrine disruptors, based primarily on animal studies. However, there are ample human data regarding the health effects of isoflavones. We conducted a technical review, systematically searching Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (from inception through January 2021). We included clinical studies, observational studies, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMA) that examined the relationship between soy and/or isoflavone intake and endocrine-related endpoints. 417 reports (229 observational studies, 157 clinical studies and 32 SRMAs) met our eligibility criteria. The available evidence indicates that isoflavone intake does not adversely affect thyroid function. Adverse effects are also not seen on breast or endometrial tissue or estrogen levels in women, or testosterone or estrogen levels, or sperm or semen parameters in men. Although menstrual cycle length may be slightly increased, ovulation is not prevented. Limited insight could be gained about possible impacts of in utero isoflavone exposure, but the existing data are reassuring. Adverse effects of isoflavone intake were not identified in children, but limited research has been conducted. After extensive review, the evidence does not support classifying isoflavones as endocrine disruptors.

Optical manipulation of molecular function by chromophore-assisted light inactivation

In addition to simple on/off switches for molecular activity, spatiotemporal dynamics are also thought to be important for the regulation of cellular function. However, their physiological significance and in vivo importance remain largely unknown. Fluorescence imaging technology is a powerful technique that can reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of molecular activity. In addition, because imaging detects the correlations between molecular activity and biological phenomena, the technique of molecular manipulation is also important to analyze causal relationships. Recent advances in optical manipulation techniques that artificially perturb molecules and cells via light can address this issue to elucidate the causality between manipulated target and its physiological function. The use of light enables the manipulation of molecular activity in microspaces, such as organelles and nerve spines. In this review, we describe the chromophore-assisted light inactivation method, which is an optical manipulation technique that has been attracting attention in recent years.

Photodynamic therapy, priming and optical imaging: Potential co-conspirators in treatment design and optimization - a Thomas Dougherty Award for Excellence in PDT paper

Photodynamic therapy is a photochemistry-based approach, approved for the treatment of several malignant and non-malignant pathologies. It relies on the use of a non-toxic, light activatable chemical, photosensitizer, which preferentially accumulates in tissues/cells and, upon irradiation with the appropriate wavelength of light, confers cytotoxicity by generation of reactive molecular species. The preferential accumulation however is not universal and, depending on the anatomical site, the ratio of tumor to normal tissue may be reversed in favor of normal tissue. Under such circumstances, control of the volume of light illumination provides a second handle of selectivity. Singlet oxygen is the putative favorite reactive molecular species although other entities such as nitric oxide have been credibly implicated. Typically, most photosensitizers in current clinical use have a finite quantum yield of fluorescence which is exploited for surgery guidance and can also be incorporated for monitoring and treatment design. In addition, the photodynamic process alters the cellular, stromal, and/or vascular microenvironment transiently in a process termed photodynamic priming, making it more receptive to subsequent additional therapies including chemo- and immunotherapy. Thus, photodynamic priming may be considered as an enabling technology for the more commonly used frontline treatments. Recently, there has been an increase in the exploitation of the theranostic potential of photodynamic therapy in different preclinical and clinical settings with the use of new photosensitizer formulations and combinatorial therapeutic options. The emergence of nanomedicine has further added to the repertoire of photodynamic therapy's potential and the convergence and co-evolution of these two exciting tools is expected to push the barriers of smart therapies, where such optical approaches might have a special niche. This review provides a perspective on current status of photodynamic therapy in anti-cancer and anti-microbial therapies and it suggests how evolving technologies combined with photochemically-initiated molecular processes may be exploited to become co-conspirators in optimization of treatment outcomes. We also project, at least for the short term, the direction that this modality may be taking in the near future.

miR‑483‑3p promotes the osteogenesis of human osteoblasts by targeting Dikkopf 2 (DKK2) and the Wnt signaling pathway

Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic bone disease during which bone mass decreases and bone quality is reduced. Maintaining the bone formation capacity of osteoblasts is crucial for the treatment of osteoporosis. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis was performed on online microarray expression profiles to identify miRNA(s) related to osteoblast proliferation and bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenic differentiation. The specific effects of candidate miRNAs on cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and Wnt signaling‑related factors were examined. As regards the downstream mechanisms, online tools were employed to predict the downstream targets of candidate miRNAs and the predicted miRNA‑mRNA binding was verified. Finally, the dynamic effects of miRNAs and mRNAs were examined. The results revealed that miR‑483‑3p expression was decreased in bone tissue samples from patients with osteoporosis. In miR‑483‑3p‑overexpressing human osteoblasts, cell viability, DNA synthesis capacity and osteogenesis were promoted, and the protein levels of Wnt1, β‑catenin and cyclin D1 were increased. However, the protein receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‑Β ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio and cell apoptotic rate were decreased. The Wnt signaling, antagonist Dikkopf 2 (DKK2), was targeted and negatively regulated by miR‑483‑3p. DKK2 knockdown exerted similar effects as miR‑483‑3p overexpression, while DKK2 overexpression inhibited cell viability, DNA synthesis capacity and osteogenesis. DKK2 overexpression also decreased the Wnt1, β‑catenin, and cyclin D1 protein levels, whereas it promoted the the RANKL/OPG ratio and the apoptosis of human osteoblasts. DKK2 overexpression reversed the functions of miR‑483‑3p overexpression. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that the miR‑483‑3p/DKK2 axis modulates the bone formation process by affecting osteoblast proliferation, pre‑osteoblast differentiation into mature osteoblasts and new bone matrix formation.

Differential expression of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in primary and recurrent ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts

BACKGROUND

Odontogenic tumours are a group of rare heterogeneous diseases that range from hamartomatous tissue proliferations to benign and malignant neoplasms. Recurrences can occur after 10 years, so long-term clinical and radiological follow-up is required. The study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of these lesions is necessary to identify new prognostic markers. In this study, we evaluate the possible role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in ameloblastomas (AM) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 105 surgical specimens of primary and recurrent lesions were obtained from 55 patients (25 AM, 30 OKC). In particular, 50 AMs (25 primary, 25 recurrences) and 55 OKCs (30 primary, 25 recurrences) were retrieved. We carried out immunohistochemical analyses to evaluate the cytoplasmic expression of NNMT, measuring the percentage of positive cells and the value of NNMT expression intensity.

RESULTS

NNMT expression was significantly higher in recurrent than primary AMs (P = .0430). This result was confirmed by staining intensity, showing more cases with moderate/intense staining in recurrent AMs (P = .0470). NNMT expression was significantly lower in recurrent than primary OKC (P = .0014). Staining intensity showed more cases with moderate/intense staining in primary OKCs (P = .0276).

CONCLUSIONS

This report is the first to evaluate NNMT expression in odontogenic lesions and to demonstrate a differential expression in recurrent AMs and OKCs, suggesting that there is potential for use of NNMT as prognostic marker.

Aging Induced p53/p21 in Genioglossus Muscle Stem Cells and Enhanced Upper Airway Injury

Aging of population brings related social problems, such as muscle attenuation and regeneration barriers with increased aging. Muscle repair and regeneration depend on muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) rises in the aging population. OSA leads to hypoxia and upper airway muscle injury. However, little is known about the effect of increasing age and hypoxia to the upper airway muscle. The genioglossus (GG) is the major dilator muscle to keep the upper airway open. Here, we reported that muscle fiber and MuSC function declined with aging in GG. Increasing age also decreased the migration and proliferation of GG MuSCs. p53 and p21 were high expressions both in muscle tissue and in GG MuSCs. We further found that hypoxia inhibited GG MuSC proliferation and decreased myogenic differentiation. Then, hypoxia enhanced the inhibition effect of aging to proliferation and differentiation. Finally, we investigated that hypoxia and aging interact to form a vicious circle with upregulation of p53 and p21. This vicious hypoxia plus aging damage accelerated upper airway muscle injury. Aging and hypoxia are the major damage elements in OSA patients, and we propose that the damage mechanism of hypoxia and aging in GG MuSCs will help to improve upper airway muscle regeneration.

Photoimmunotherapy of Ovarian Cancer: A Unique Niche in the Management of Advanced Disease

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths in the United States, with five-year survival rates of 15-20% for stage III cancers and 5% for stage IV cancers. The standard of care for advanced OvCa involves surgical debulking of disseminated disease in the peritoneum followed by chemotherapy. Despite advances in treatment efficacy, the prognosis for advanced stage OvCa patients remains poor and the emergence of chemoresistant disease localized to the peritoneum is the primary cause of death. Therefore, a complementary modality that is agnostic to typical chemo- and radio-resistance mechanisms is urgently needed. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photochemistry-based process, is an ideal complement to standard treatments for residual disease. The confinement of the disease in the peritoneal cavity makes it amenable for regionally localized treatment with PDT. PDT involves photochemical generation of cytotoxic reactive molecular species (RMS) by non-toxic photosensitizers (PSs) following exposure to non-harmful visible light, leading to localized cell death. However, due to the complex topology of sensitive organs in the peritoneum, diffuse intra-abdominal PDT induces dose-limiting toxicities due to non-selective accumulation of PSs in both healthy and diseased tissue. In an effort to achieve selective damage to tumorous nodules, targeted PS formulations have shown promise to make PDT a feasible treatment modality in this setting. This targeted strategy involves chemical conjugation of PSs to antibodies, referred to as photoimmunoconjugates (PICs), to target OvCa specific molecular markers leading to enhanced therapeutic outcomes while reducing off-target toxicity. In light of promising results of pilot clinical studies and recent preclinical advances, this review provides the rationale and methodologies for PIC-based PDT, or photo-immunotherapy (PIT), in the context of OvCa management.

Tumor cellular proliferation is associated with enhanced immune checkpoint expression in stage I non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Ki67 is a marker for tumor proliferative activity and is known to have prognostic significance in multiple solid malignancies. We sought to characterize the relationships among Ki67 expression, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoint expression in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Specimens of patients undergoing resection of stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer (1997-2012) were analyzed using tissue microarrays. Proliferative index was quantified as the percentage of malignant cells expressing Ki67. Checkpoints expressed on malignant cells (programmed death ligand 1, B7H3, B7H4, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1) and lymphocytes (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing 3, V-domain suppressor of T-cell activation, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 4, lymphocyte activation gene 3, inducible T-cell co-stimulator) were analyzed in intratumoral and stromal compartments, respectively. Immune cell densities were quantified in intratumoral and peritumoral compartments in a representative subset.

RESULTS

A total of 190 patients met inclusion criteria. Higher Ki67 expression was noted in squamous cell carcinoma (median 31.4% positive malignant cells vs 15.2% adenocarcinoma, P < .001), advanced-stage tumors (25.7% stages II/III vs 20.8% stage I, P = .013), and poorly differentiated tumors (28.8% vs 15.4% well/moderately, P < .001). Ki67 was positively correlated with intratumoral expression of programmed death ligand 1, B7-H3, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, and elevated stromal expression of lymphocyte activation gene 3 and inducible T-cell co-stimulator. Ki67 expression was inversely associated with intratumoral densities of CD57+ and CD4+ cells. The relationship between Ki67 and checkpoint expression was strongest in stage I tumors. Among patients with stage I, increased Ki67 was independently associated with worse overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased Ki67 expression is associated with biologically aggressive non-small cell lung cancer, enhanced immune checkpoint expression, and reduced intratumoral immune cell infiltration. These findings were strongest in early-stage disease and warrant further investigation in the context of novel therapeutic agents.

Two ways to inactivate the Ki-67 protein-Fragmentation by nanoparticles, crosslinking with fluorescent dyes

Light can manipulate molecular biological processes with high spatial and temporal precision and optical manipulation has become increasingly popular during the last years. In combination with absorbing dyes or gold nanoparticles light is a valuable tool for cell and protein inactivation with high precision. Here we show distinct differences in the underlying mechanisms whether gold nanoparticles or fluorescent dyes are used for the inactivation of the Ki-67 protein. The proliferation-associated protein Ki-67 was addressed by the antibody MIB-1. In vitro studies showed a fragmentation of the Ki-67 protein after laser irradiation of 15 nm gold nanoparticle antibody conjugates with nanosecond pulsed laser, while continuous wave (cw) irradiation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)- and Alexa 488-labeled antibodies led to specific crosslinking of Ki-67. The irradiation energy for the gold nanoparticles was above cavitation bubble formation threshold. We observed a fragmentation of the target protein and also of the gold particles. The understanding of the underlying inactivation mechanisms is important for the application and further development of these two techniques, which can harness nanotechnology to introduce molecular selectivity to biological systems.

Machine learning-based radiomics strategy for prediction of cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To explore the feasibility and performance of machine learning-based radiomics classifier to predict the cell proliferation(Ki-67)in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

245 histopathological confirmed NSCLC patients who underwent CT scans were retrospectively included. The Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 PI) were measured within 2 weeks after CT scans. A lesion volume of interest (VOI) was manually delineated and radiomics features were extracted by MaZda software from CT images. A random forest feature selection algorithm (RFFS) was used to reduce features. Six kinds of machine learning methods were used to establish radiomics classifiers, subjective imaging feature classifiers and combined classifiers, respectively. The performance of these classifiers was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and compared with Delong test.

RESULTS

103 radiomics features were extracted and 20 optimal features were selected using RFFS. Among the radiomics classifiers established by six machine learning methods, random forest-based radiomics classifier achieved the best performance (AUC = 0.776) in predicting the Ki-67 expression level with sensitivity and specificity of 0.726 and 0.661, which was better than that of subjective imaging classifiers (AUC = 0.625, P < 0.05). However, the combined classifiers did not improve the predictive performance (AUC = 0.780, P > 0.05), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.752 and 0.633.

CONCLUSIONS

The machine learning-based CT radiomics classifier in NSCLC can facilitate the prediction of the expression level of Ki-67 and provide a novel non-invasive strategy for assessing the cell proliferation.

The retinoblastoma 1 gene (RB1) modulates the proliferation of chicken preadipocytes

1. The objective of this study was to reveal the role of chicken RB1 (Gallus gallus RB1, gRB1) in the proliferation of preadipocytes. 2. To measure gene expression of gRB1 in the proliferation of chicken preadipocyte, quantitative real-time PCR was used. The expression levels of gRB1 transiently increased during this process. 3. To detect the effect of gRB1 on the proliferation of chicken preadipocyte, MTT assay and cell-cycle analysis were performed. MTT assay showed that overexpression of gRB1 significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) the proliferation of chicken preadipocytes, and knockdown of gRB1 promoted the proliferation of chicken preadipocytes. Cell-cycle analysis showed that the proportion of preadipocytes in the G1 and G2 phases significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the proportion of preadipocytes in the S phase significantly decreased (P < .05) after up-regulation of the expression of gRB1. The proportion of preadipocytes in the S phase significantly increased (P < 0.05) after down-regulation of gRB1. 4. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the effect of gRB1 on the expression of genes related to proliferation of chicken preadipocytes. Gene expression analysis showed that gRB1 knockdown promoted markers indicating proliferation of Ki-67 (MKi67) expression at 96 h (P < 0.05), and overexpression of gRB1 reduced MKi67 expression at 72 h (P < 0.05). 5. This study demonstrated that gRB1 inhibited preadipocyte proliferation at least in part by inhibiting the G1 to S phase transition.

Ki-67 protein as a tumour proliferation marker

Newer treatment strategy based on proliferative nuclear marker Ki-67 targeted therapy holds promise for prioritized/personalized treatment options with regard to improved survival and outcome in patients with renal cancer. Over the past decade, the importance of Ki-67 in prognosis of breast cancer has been widely studied, however very few studies and literatures are available in the context of renal cancer which has an increasing incidence internationally. The focus of this present review is to fill the gaps pertaining to its prognosis and management with newly understood mechanisms of targeted interventions. Recent breakthrough discoveries have highlighted the correlation of Ki-67 expression to stage and metastatic potential in renal tumours. A better understanding of molecular structure and different protein domains along with its regulation will provide evidence for precise target thereby controlling the proliferation rate correlated with decrease in the Ki-67 protein levels. Therapies targeting Ki-67 is still in the preclinical stage, besides its diagnostic and/or prognostic significance, a better understanding of targeted strategical studies is required for extrapolation to the clinical use. Current understanding of the associated molecular pathways and the precise role of Ki-67 could streamline the basis for predicting renal cancer outcome.

An Integrated Score and Nomogram Combining Clinical and Immunohistochemistry Factors to Predict High ISUP Grade Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective: The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) has proposed a grading system to classify renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, classification using biopsy specimens remains problematic and, consequently, the accuracy of a biopsy-based diagnosis is relatively poor. This study aims to combine clinical and immunohistochemical (IHC) factors for the prediction of high ISUP grade clear cell RCC (ccRCC) in an attempt to complement and improve the accuracy of a biopsy-based diagnosis. Methods: A total of 362 ccRCC patients were enrolled in this study and used for the training set. We performed IHC analysis of 18 protein markers on standard tissue sections using an automated stainer. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to evaluate independent predictors for high ISUP grade. We evaluated different prediction models using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis. A nomogram for the derivation of an integrated score for predicting high ISUP grade ccRCC and a calibration curve were also plotted. Finally, an internal validation cohort was examined to evaluate the performance of our integrated scoring system and nomogram. Results: Multivariate logistic analyses revealed seven credible candidates for predicting high grade ISUP. These were age, tumor diameter, surgery, and CK7, Ki-67, PTEN, and MTOR protein expression. The ROC curves for the clinical, IHC and integrated models were compared in the training set, and the AUC for each was 0.731, 0.744, and 0.801, respectively. DeLong's test showed that the integrated model was significantly better at predicting high ISUP grade, when compared with the other models. Internal validation confirmed the good performance of the integrated score in predicting ISUP grade. Conclusion: We have developed a nomogram integrating clinical and immunohistochemical parameters to predict high ISUP grade for M0 ccRCC patients. This nomogram may offer potentially useful information during preoperative individualized patient risk assessment, and consequently may help urologists when planning personalized management regimens.

Ki67 is a Graded Rather than a Binary Marker of Proliferation versus Quiescence

Ki67 staining is widely used as a proliferation indicator in the clinic, despite poor understanding of this protein's function or dynamics. Here, we track Ki67 levels under endogenous control in single cells over time and find that Ki67 accumulation occurs only during S, G2, and M phases. Ki67 is degraded continuously in G1 and G0 phases, regardless of the cause of entry into G0/quiescence. Consequently, the level of Ki67 during G0 and G1 in individual cells is highly heterogeneous and depends on how long an individual cell has spent in G0. Thus, Ki67 is a graded rather than a binary marker both for cell-cycle progression and time since entry into quiescence.

Theabrownin triggers DNA damage to suppress human osteosarcoma U2OS cells by activating p53 signalling pathway

Osteosarcoma becomes the second leading cause of cancer death in the younger population. Current outcomes of chemotherapy on osteosarcoma were unsatisfactory to date, demanding development of effective therapies. Tea is a commonly used beverage beneficial to human health. As a major component of tea, theabrownin has been reported to possess anti‐cancer activity. To evaluate its anti‐osteosarcoma effect, we established a xenograft model of zebrafish and employed U2OS cells for in vivo and in vitro assays. The animal data showed that TB significantly inhibited the tumour growth with stronger effect than that of chemotherapy. The cellular data confirmed that TB‐triggered DNA damage and induced apoptosis of U2OS cells by regulation of Mki67, PARP, caspase 3 and H2AX, and Western blot assay showed an activation of p53 signalling pathway. When P53 was knocked down by siRNA, the subsequent downstream signalling was blocked, indicating a p53‐dependent mechanism of TB on U2OS cells (p53 wt). Using osteosarcoma cell lines with p53 mutations (HOS, SAOS‐2 and MG63), we found that TB exerted stronger inhibitory effect on U2OS cells than that on p53‐mut cell lines, but it also exerted obvious effect on SAOS‐2 cells (p53 null), suggesting an activation of p53‐independent pathway in the p53‐null cells. Interestingly, theabrownin was found to have no toxicity on normal tissue in vivo and could even increase the viability of p53‐wt normal cells. In sum, theabrownin could trigger DNA damage and induce apoptosis on U2OS cells via a p53‐dependent mechanism, being a promising candidate for osteosarcoma therapy.

Hypoxia negatively affects senescence in osteoclasts and delays osteoclastogenesis

Cellular senescence, that is, the withdrawal from the cell cycle, combined with the acquirement of the senescence associated secretory phenotype has important roles during health and disease and is essential for tissue remodeling during embryonic development. Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells, responsible for bone resorption, and cell cycle arrest during osteoclastogenesis is well recognized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether these cells should be considered senescent and to assess the influence of hypoxia on their potential senescence status. Osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption capacity of osteoclasts, cultured from CD14+ monocytes, were evaluated in two oxygen concentrations, normoxia (21% O₂) and hypoxia (5% O₂). Osteoclasts were profiled by using specific staining for proliferation and senescence markers, qPCR of a number of osteoclast and senescence‐related genes and a bone resorption assay. Results show that during in vitro osteoclastogenesis, osteoclasts heterogeneously obtain a senescent phenotype. Furthermore, osteoclastogenesis was delayed at hypoxic compared to normoxic conditions, without negatively affecting the bone resorption capacity. It is concluded that osteoclasts can be considered senescent, although senescence is not uniformly present in the osteoclast population. Hypoxia negatively affects the expression of some senescence markers. Based on the direct relationship between senescence and osteoclastogenesis, it is tempting to hypothesize that contents of the so‐called senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) not only play a functional role in matrix resorption, but also may regulate osteoclastogenesis.

Uterine responses to early pre-attachment embryos in the domestic dog and comparisons with other domestic animal species

In the dog, there is no luteolysis in the absence of pregnancy. Thus, this species lacks any anti-luteolytic endocrine signal as found in other species that modulate uterine function during the critical period of pregnancy establishment. Nevertheless, in the dog an embryo-maternal communication must occur in order to prevent rejection of embryos. Based on this hypothesis, we performed microarray analysis of canine uterine samples collected during pre-attachment phase (days 10-12) and in corresponding non-pregnant controls, in order to elucidate the embryo attachment signal. An additional goal was to identify differences in uterine responses to pre-attachment embryos between dogs and other mammalian species exhibiting different reproductive patterns with regard to luteolysis, implantation, and preparation for placentation. Therefore, the canine microarray data were compared with gene sets from pigs, cattle, horses, and humans. We found 412 genes differentially regulated between the two experimental groups. The functional terms most strongly enriched in response to pre-attachment embryos related to extracellular matrix function and remodeling, and to immune and inflammatory responses. Several candidate genes were validated by semi-quantitative PCR. When compared with other species, best matches were found with human and equine counterparts. Especially for the pig, the majority of overlapping genes showed opposite expression patterns. Interestingly, 1926 genes did not pair with any of the other gene sets. Using a microarray approach, we report the uterine changes in the dog driven by the presence of embryos and compare these results with datasets from other mammalian species, finding common-, contrary-, and exclusively canine-regulated genes.

Imaging of Tumor Characteristics and Molecular Pathways With PET: Developments Over the Last Decade Toward Personalized Cancer Therapy

PURPOSE

Improvements in personalized therapy are made possible by the advances in molecular biology that led to developments in molecular imaging, allowing highly specific in vivo imaging of biological processes. Positron emission tomography (PET) is the most specific and sensitive imaging technique for in vivo molecular targets and pathways, offering quantification and evaluation of functional properties of the targeted anatomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This work is an integrative research review that summarizes and evaluates the accumulated current status of knowledge of recent advances in PET imaging for cancer diagnosis and treatment, concentrating on novel radiotracers and evaluating their advantages and disadvantages in cancer characterization. Medline search was conducted, limited to English publications from 2007 onward. Identified manuscripts were evaluated for most recent developments in PET imaging of cancer hypoxia, angiogenesis, proliferation, and clonogenic cancer stem cells (CSC).

RESULTS

There is an expansion observed from purely metabolic-based PET imaging toward antibody-based PET to achieve more information on cancer characteristics to identify hypoxia, proangiogenic factors, CSC, and others. ⁶⁴Cu-ATSM, for example, can be used both as a hypoxia and a CSC marker.

CONCLUSIONS

Progress in the field of functional imaging will possibly lead to more specific tumor targeting and personalized treatment, increasing tumor control and improving quality of life.

MicroRNA-34a: A Key Regulator in the Hallmarks of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) incidence has increased over the past two decades. Recent studies reported microRNAs as promising biomarkers for early cancer detection, accurate prognosis, and molecular targets for future treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of miR-34a and 11 of its bioinformatically selected target genes and proteins to test their potential dysregulation in RCC. Quantitative real-time PCR for miR-34a and its targets; MET oncogene; gene-regulating apoptosis (TP53INP2 and DFFA); cell proliferation (E2F3); and cell differentiation (SOX2 and TGFB3) as well as immunohistochemical assay for VEGFA, TP53, Bcl2, TGFB1, and Ki67 protein expression have been performed in 85 FFPE RCC tumor specimens. Clinicopathological parameter correlation and in silico network analysis have also implicated. We found RCC tissues displayed significantly higher miR-34a expression level than their corresponding noncancerous tissues, particularly in chromophobic subtype. MET and E2F3 were significantly upregulated, while TP53INP2 and SOX2 were downregulated. ROC analysis showed high diagnostic performance of miR-34a (AUC = 0.854), MET (AUC = 0.765), and E2F3 (AUC = 0.761). The advanced pathological grade was associated with strong TGFB1, VEGFA, and Ki67 protein expression and absent Tp53 staining. These findings indicate miR-34a along with its putative target genes could play a role in RCC tumorigenesis and progression.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression in gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The prognostic significance of Ki-67 in patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. The aim of our meta-analysis is to evaluate its association with clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic value in patients with GC. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to May 2017. Twenty-two studies including 3,825 patients with GC were analyzed. The meta-analysis indicated that the incidence difference of Ki-67 expression in GC patients was significant when comparing the older group to younger group (odds ratio [OR] =1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19, 1.75), lymph node positive group to negative group (OR =1.49, 95% CI 1.20, 1.84), the large size tumor group to the small size tumor group (OR =1.27, 95% CI 1.24, 1.68) and the TNM stage III+IV group to TNM stage I+II group (OR =2.28, 95% CI 1.66, 3.12). However, no statistical differences existed in gender. The detection of Ki-67 significantly correlated with the overall survival of patients (hazard ratio =1.51, 95% CI 1.31, 1.72). Our study suggested that Ki-67 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis in GC patients. Ki-67 positive rates may be associated with age, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, and TNM staging system in GC patients.

Ki-67 and the Chromosome Periphery Compartment in Mitosis

The chromosome periphery is a complex network of proteins and RNA molecules (many derived from nucleoli) that covers the outer surface of chromosomes and whose function remains mysterious. Although it was first described over 130 years ago, technological advances and the recent discovery that Ki-67 acts as an organiser of this region have allowed the chromosome periphery to be dissected in previously unattainable detail, leading to a revival of interest in this obscure chromosomal compartment. Here, we review the most recent advances into the composition, structure and function of the chromosome periphery, discuss possible roles of Ki-67 during mitosis and consider why this structure is likely to remain the focus of ongoing attention in the future.

Endometrial cytopathology. An image analysis approach using the Ki-67 biomarker

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the different identity and biological behaviour of endometrial benign epithelial and endometrial adenocarcinoma cell categories.

METHODS

For this study, the imprint smears from three groups, 10 cases of disordered proliferative/benign hyperplastic endometrium, 21 cases of low-grade and eight cases of high-grade endometrial adenocarcinoma, were examined using image analysis and the Ki-67 biomarker. The plastic stem cell model was also applied.

RESULTS

Among the examined groups, the nuclear area major axis ranged statistically different in the digitally measured Ki-67 positive endometrial epithelial and adenocarcinoma cells (P<.0001). Moreover, higher values of the cycling nuclear area major axis were observed in high-grade, as compared with the low-grade endometrial adenocarcinomas (P<.0001) and the cases of disordered/benign hyperplastic endometrium (P<.0001). Additionally, a Ki-67 increase pathway was observed in the benign endometrial lesions, and a relatively stable pathway was noticed in low- and high-grade endometrial adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The different range of the nuclear area major axis among cycling endometrial epithelial and adenocarcinoma cells may correlate with their specific identity and biological behaviour. The different values of the cycling nuclear area major dimension may also be connected with the biological behaviour of the three examined groups. Moreover, the endometrial epithelial cells may follow a Ki-67 increase pathway, instead of the relatively stable pathway which the rapidly proliferating adenocarcinoma cells may use. Finally, the studied cell categories may exhibit different biology, because their stem cells may reside in different states of stemness.

Mesenchymal stem cells inhibited development of lung cancer induced by chemical carcinogens in a rat model

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may play a significant role in carcinogenesis; however, data have shown that MSCs can both promote and inhibit tumor growth. We investigated the effect of MSCs on the development of lung cancer in a rat model. Bone marrow-derived MSCs were isolated from male Wistar rats and fluorescently labeled. Genotoxic carcinogens 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were instilled into the left lung lobes of female rats to induce tumors. Labeled male MSCs were infused into the female rats via tail vein, and the rats were sacrificed on days 3 and 7. MSC survival and distribution were detected by PCR and fluorescence, respectively. Labeled MSCs aggregated at the injection site in the left lobe (MCA/DEN-treated) on day 3 but not the untreated right lobe. Survival of the MSCs in vivo was confirmed by detection of the male SRY gene in lung tissues by PCR at day 3; however, by day 7, lung tissues were SRY-negative. Next, carcinogen-treated rats were divided into two groups and infused with normal MSCs (experimental group) or PBS (control group) every week for 10 weeks, then sacrificed. Cell proliferation in lung tissues was calculated by Ki67 and PCNA expression. Eighty-percent (8/10) of rats in the control group had tumors, while none of the rats in the experimental group had tumors. There was no difference in cell proliferation in lung tissues between the groups. Therefore, bone marrow-derived MSCs prevented development of carcinogen-induced lung cancer in a rat model. Additional studies are needed to determine mechanism.

Transcriptional reprogramming in cellular quiescence

Most cells in nature are not actively dividing, yet are able to return to the cell cycle given the appropriate environmental signals. There is now ample evidence that quiescent G0 cells are not shut-down but still metabolically and transcriptionally active. Quiescent cells must maintain a basal transcriptional capacity to maintain transcripts and proteins necessary for survival. This implies a tight control over RNA polymerases: RNA pol II for mRNA transcription during G0, but especially RNA pol I and RNA pol III to maintain an appropriate level of structural RNAs, raising the possibility that specific transcriptional control mechanisms evolved in quiescent cells. In accordance with this, we recently discovered that RNA interference is necessary to control RNA polymerase I transcription during G0. While this mini-review focuses on yeast model organisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe), parallels are drawn to other eukaryotes and mammalian systems, in particular stem cells.

Assessment of the Cancer Risk of the Fat-Grafted Breast in a Murine Model

Background

The results of experimental studies indicate that grafting of autologous adipose tissue may induce tumorigenesis at the recipient site, but clinical results do not support a carcinogenic effect of fat grafting to the breast.

Objectives

The authors assessed cancer risk following transplantation of autologous fat into murine mammary tissue.

Methods

In this animal study, mammary tissues from 54 breasts of 9 female rats were either grafted with autologous subcutaneous fat, grafted with autologous omental fat, or unmanipulated. Tissues were harvested and processed for histologic and immunohistochemical analyses, and the mRNA expression levels of specific genes were determined.

Results

No atypia or changes in lobular structures were observed in lipofilled breasts compared with controls. The numbers of ductal cell layers and terminal ductal units were similar for lipofilled and control breasts. Macrophage concentrations also were similar for the 3 groups. The localization and magnitude of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 were similar for lipofilled and unmanipulated breast tissue. The percentages of cells expressing Ki67 or estrogen receptor (ER) and the ER/Ki67 balance were similar for the 3 groups. Gene expression was not altered in lipofilled breasts, compared with controls.

Conclusions

No theoretical risk of cancer was detected in the microenvironment of the lipofilled rat breast.

Analysis of clinical features of lipoblastoma in children

OBJECTIVE

A lipoblastoma is pathologically benign but often recurs. Due to its rarity, studies are scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of lipoblastoma occurring in children and to detect any correlations with the expression of Ki-67.

PARTICIPANTS

From 1998 to 2010, 33 patients were diagnosed with lipoblastoma at Seoul National University Children's Hospital.

METHODS

Ki-67 immunohistochemistry staining of the tumor tissue was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients (64% males) were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 28 month. Eleven and 22 lesions were deep and superficial, respectively. Complete excisions were performed for 30 patients, and three underwent incomplete excisions. Two patients who underwent incomplete excision subsequently underwent a second operation due to tumor regrowth, and one patient had a recurrence despite complete excision. There was no statistically significant correlation observed between the tumor size or recurrence and the expression of Ki-67.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipoblastoma requires an accurate diagnosis and operative resection to alleviate the symptoms induced by its growth. Incompletely resected tumor may regrow; therefore, complete excision is the treatment of choice. Continuous follow-up is needed to monitor for recurrence of disease, even after a complete excision.