Immunohistochemical expression of interleukin-17 and hormonal receptors in benign and malignant breast lesions

Narciclasine induces colon carcinoma cell apoptosis by inhibiting the IL-17A/Act1/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway

IL-17 A is a promoter of colorectal cancer initiation and progression. Narciclasine is a polyhydroxy alkaloid compound isolated from Narcissus plants, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antitumor actions. The effects of narciclasine on colorectal tumors were evaluated, with a focus on IL-17 A. Narciclasine reduced the growth of HCT-116 and SW-480 colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in murine xenografts. The results of flow cytometry on JC-1 and Annexin V/PI revealed that narciclasine significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis, findings confirmed by western blotting results of reduced Bcl-2 and enhanced Bax expression, as well as accumulation of cleaved Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, and cytoplasmic Cytochrome-c. After narciclasine incubation, IL-17 A, Act1, and TRAF6 were down-regulated, while p-P65 (Ser536) accumulated in the cytoplasm, a finding confirmed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. IL17A substitution could partly reverse these narciclasine effects while they were elevated by IL17A silencing. Moreover, IL-17 A, Act1, and TRAF6 were significantly expressed to greater extents in human colorectal cancer compared to normal adjacent tissue specimens and were closely linked with a poor prognosis. This study provided evidence that narciclasine may be a useful therapeutic drug for colorectal cancer treatment through its actions in down-regulating the L-17A/Act1/TRAF6/NF-κB anti-apoptotic signaling pathway.

Role of ERα and Aromatase in Juvenile Gigantomastia

CONTEXT

Approximately 150 patients with juvenile gigantomastia have been reported in the literature but the underlying biologic mechanisms remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct extensive clinical, biochemical, immunochemical, and genetic studies in 3 patients with juvenile gigantomastia to determine causative biologic factors.

METHODS

We examined clinical effects of estrogen by blockading estrogen synthesis or its action. Breast tissue aromatase expression and activity were quantitated in 1 patient and 5 controls. Other biochemical markers, including estrogen receptor α (ERα), cyclin D1 and E, p-RB, p-MAPK, p-AKT, BCL-2, EGF-R, IGF-IR β, and p-EGFR were assayed by Western blot. Immunohistochemical analyses for aromatase, ERα and β, PgR, Ki67, sulfotransferase, estrone sulfatase, and 17βHD were performed in all 3 patients. The entire genomes of the mother, father, and patient in the 3 families were sequenced.

RESULTS

Blockade of estrogen synthesis or action in patients resulted in demonstrable clinical effects. Biochemical studies on fresh frozen tissue revealed no differences between patients and controls, presumably due to tissue dilution from the large proportion of stroma. However, immunohistochemical analysis of ductal breast cells in the 3 patients revealed a high percent of ERα (64.1% ± 7.8% vs reference women 9.6%, range 2.3-15%); aromatase score of 4 (76%-100% of cells positive vs 30.4% ± 5.6%); PgR (69.5% ± 15.2% vs 6.0%, range 2.7%-11.9%) and Ki67 (23.7% ± 0.54% vs 4.2%). Genetic studies were inconclusive although some intriguing variants were identified.

CONCLUSION

The data implicate an important biologic role for ERα to increase tissue sensitivity to estrogen and aromatase to enhance local tissue production as biologic factors involved in juvenile gigantomastia.

Interleukin 17 in early invasive breast cancer

Introduction

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) has a key role in inflammatory responses. Increased serum concentrations of IL-17 have been reported in patients with different types of cancer. Some studies suggest antitumor activity of IL-17 while others speak in favor of its association with poorer prognosis. The lack of data on IL-17 behavior in vivo hinders the efforts to clarify the exact role of IL-17 in breast cancer patients and precludes the usage of IL-17 as potential therapeutic target.

Methods

The study included 118 patients with early invasive breast cancer. The serum concentration of IL-17A was measured before surgery and during adjuvant treatment and compared with healthy controls. The correlation of serum IL-17A concentration and different clinical and pathological parameters, including IL-17A expression in the corresponding tumor tissue samples, was analyzed.

Results

Significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-17A were found in women with early breast cancer before surgery, but also during adjuvant treatment in comparison to healthy controls. No significant correlation to tumor tissue IL-17A expression was observed. There was a significant postoperative decrease of serum IL-17A concentrations even in patients with relatively lower preoperative values. A significant negative correlation was found between serum IL-17A concentrations and the tumor estrogen receptor expression.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the immune response in early breast cancer is mediated by IL-17A, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer. IL-17A-mediated inflammatory response subsides postoperatively, but IL-17A concentrations remain elevated compared to the values in healthy controls, even after the removal of the tumor.

The diagnostic utility of IL-10, IL-17, and PCT in patients with sepsis infection

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic value and net clinical benefit of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-17 (IL-17), procalcitonin (PCT), and combination tests in patients with sepsis, which will serve as a standard for sepsis early detection.

Patients and methods

An investigation of 84 sepsis patients and 81 patients with local inflammatory diseases admitted to the ICU of Tongji University Hospital in 2021. In addition to comparing inter-group variability, indicators relevant to sepsis diagnosis and therapy were screened.

Results

LASSO regression was used to examine PCT, WBC, CRP, IL-10, IFN-, IL-12, and IL-17. Multivariate logistic regression linked IL-10, IL-17, and PCT to sepsis risk. The AUC values of IL-10, IL-17, PCT, and the combination of the three tests were much higher than those of standard laboratory infection indicators. The combined AUC was greater than the sum of IL-10, IL-17, and PCT (P < 0.05). A clinical decision curve analysis of IL-10, IL-17, PCT, and the three combined tests found that the three combined tests outperformed the individual tests in terms of total clinical benefit rate. To predict the risk of sepsis using IL-10, IL-17, and PCT had an AUC of 0.951, and the model's predicted probability was well matched. An examination of the nomogram model's clinical value demonstrated a considerable net therapeutic benefit between 3 and 87%.

Conclusion

The IL-10, IL-17, and PCT tests all have a high diagnostic value for patients with sepsis, and the combination of the three tests outperforms the individual tests in terms of diagnostic performance, while the combined tests have a higher overall clinical benefit rate.

Comparative evaluation of host immune response and cytokine signature pertaining to Th1 and Th2 immune arms in serum and tissue among patients of acute localised vs. chronic disseminated dermatophytosis

BACKGROUND

India is witnessing an epidemic of dermatophytosis. The role of host immune response against fungi in chronicity and dissemination is topic of ongoing research. We conducted cross-sectional comparative study to determine the difference in Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL4) response in serum and tissue between acute and localised vs. chronic and disseminated cases.

METHODS

Patients (18-60 years) were divided in two groups-group A (n = 114, BSA <5%, single anatomic site, duration <6 months, n = 118) and group B (n = 107 BSA >10%, > one anatomic site, duration >12 months, n = 118). Clinical parameters along with serum levels of IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ and expression of IL4 and IFN-γ in dermal infiltrate were compared between group.

RESULTS

Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex was commonest causative fungi. Serum levels of IgE were significantly higher (median A-539.2, B-2901.0, p < .001) whereas levels IL-4(median A-21.3, B-20.4, p < .001) and IFN-γ(median A-9.6, B-5.1, p < .001) were significantly lower in chronic cases. Expression of IL-4 was observed in most biopsy specimens in both groups without any difference in intensity of staining. Expression of IFN-γ was not detected in all but one specimen across both the groups. Severe itching (OR:0.050, CI:0.018, 0.139, p < .001), sign of topical steroid abuse (OR:0.203,CI:0.077, 0.537; p = .001), ↓IFN-γ (OR:4.683, CI:1.634, 13.418; p = .004) correlated significantly and independently with chronic dermatophytosis.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows chronic and disseminated cases of dermatophytosis differ immunologically in terms of higher IgE, and lower IL4 and IFN-γ. Expression of IL4 is present in tissue of both acute, localised and chronic disseminated cases. Expression of IFN-γ cannot be established in our study.

Association of interleukin-17A rs2275913 polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility in Sudanese population

Objectives:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. This study aimed to determine the association of interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis in Sudanese patients.

Methods:

A case–control study was conducted between March and December 2018. Clinical and demographic data of the study participants were collected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism molecular technique was done to investigate interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphisms. All statistical tests were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

Results:

The study population included 266 participants aged between 1 and 85 years, with an average of 40 years, classified into 85 (31.2%) cases (mean age 48.5 ± 11.3 years), and 181 (68.8%) controls (mean age 35.3 ± 15.9 years). The interleukin-17A homozygote AA genotype was more frequent among the control group compared to the case group; 95 (52.5%) and 7 (8.2%), respectively. The homozygote GG and the heterozygote AG genotypes were proportionally not different among the cases and control groups; 13 (54.2%) and 11 (45.8%), and 65 (46.4%) and 75 (53.6%), respectively. According to the distribution of interleukin-17A genotypes, a statistically significant difference was observed among cases with the interleukin-17A AA and AG genotypes, p values 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. For the association interleukin-17A genotypes and family history a negatively significant association was reported (95% confidence interval, –0.219, p value = 0.001). There was also a negatively significant association of interleukin-17A genotypes and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (95% confidence interval, −0.141, p value = 0.002).

Conclusion:

This study is the first study in Sudan established the association between interleukin-17A-197G/A (rs2275913) polymorphisms and susceptibly to rheumatoid arthritis. These findings appeal for further research in Sudan to investigate the exact role of IL-17A in immunopathology and disease severity among Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis