TGF-β in jaw tumor fluids induces RANKL expression in stromal fibroblasts

RANK, RANKL, and OPG in Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst, and Ameloblastoma: A Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to assess and compare RANK, RANKL, and OPG immunoexpression in dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, and ameloblastoma. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018105543). Seven databases (Embase, Lilacs, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Web of Science) were the primary search sources and two databases (Open Grey and Open Thesis) partially captured the "grey literature". Only cross sectional studies were included. The JBI Checklist assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis with random effects model estimated the values from the OPG and RANKL ratio reported by the individual studies and respective 95% confidence intervals. The heterogeneity among studies was assessed with I2 statistics. Only nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were considered in the analyses. The studies were published from 2008 to 2018. Two studies presented low risk of bias, while seven studies presented moderate risk. The meta-analysis showed the highest OPG>RANKL ratio for dentigerous cyst (ES=43.3%; 95% CI=14.3-74.8) and odontogenic keratocyst (ES=36.8%; 95% CI=18.8-56.7). In contrast, the highest OPG<RANKL ratio was found for ameloblastoma (ES=73.4%; 95% CI=55.4-88.4) and it was higher in the stromal region compared to the odontogenic epithelial region. The results may explain the aggressive potential of ameloblastoma from the higher OPG<RANKL ratio in this tumor, while it was lower for dentigerous cyst and odontogenic keratocyst.

Evaluation of urinary hydroxyproline and creatinine level in patients with benign mandibular odontogenic tumor

Background

Odontogenic tumors are relatively common oro‐facial tumors seen in our environment with challenges encountered with management in terms of inadequate infrastructure and high cost of treatment. They are often associated with bone resorption with concomitant collagen degradation and excretion of their by‐products in serum or urine. The aim of this present study was to evaluate urinary hydroxyproline level in patients with benign mandibular odontogenic tumors.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐two consecutive patients with histologically diagnosed mandibular odontogenic tumors were recruited. Twenty‐two controls who matched the study group for sex and age were also recruited. The study group had CT‐Scan of their lesions done. All participants were required to fast 12 hours overnight and their early morning second void urine collected between 7 a.m and 8 a.m. The collected urine samples were stored frozen at −20°C until analysis. Colorimetric method of analysis of urinary hydroxyproline and creatinine were done using Biovision hydroxyproline kit and Randox creatinine kit, respectively. The results were recorded as urinary hydroxyproline alone (μg/μl) and as urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 28.45 ± 6.8 years. The mean duration of the tumors in the study group was 5.9 ± 4.4 years. A mean urinary hydroxyproline/ creatinine ratio of 0.081 ± 0.129 was noted in the study group as compared to 0.016 ± 0.006 that was noted among healthy Nigerian who served as controls in the study.

Conclusion

There was a significant increase in urinary hydroxyproline level in patients with odontogenic tumors when compared with healthy Nigerians.

Comparison of fatty acid synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 immunoexpression in embryonal, benign, and malignant odontogenic tissues

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in tooth germ (TG), ameloblastoma (AM), ameloblastic carcinoma (AC), ameloblastic fibroma (AF), and ameloblastic fibrosarcoma (AFS).

STUDY DESIGN

Immunohistochemistry for FASN and COX-2 was performed in 10 TG, 44 AM, 10 AC, 9 AF, and 5 AFS specimens. The results were analyzed by using the immunoreactive score (IRS) and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post-test.

RESULTS

Most TG specimens were strongly positive for FASN, whereas COX-2 was weak or negative. All AM and AC specimens expressed both proteins. In AF specimens, FASN and COX-2 were variably expressed in the epithelium and negative in the mesenchyme. In AFS specimens, FASN was strongly positive in the malignant mesenchyme and variable in the epithelium; COX-2 was focal or weak in both components. FASN expression showed significant differences in the following comparisons: TG vs AC, AM vs AC, and AF vs AFS. Differences in COX-2 were significant when comparing TG specimens with AM, AC, and AF specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that FASN and COX-2 overexpression may have a role in the pathogenesis of AM and AC, whereas in AFS, FASN seems to be mainly involved. Further studies are necessary to clarify these mechanisms and their clinical implications.

27-Hydroxycholesterol enhanced osteoclastogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment

27-Hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) has been implicated in the pathological process of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. However, the role of 27-HC in lung adenocarcinoma is still unclear. Because bone metastasis is a main reason for the high mortality of lung adenocarcinoma, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 27-HC on osteoclastogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment. The results showed that the conditioned media (CM) from lung adenocarcinoma cells cocultured with macrophages promoted osteoclast differentiation, which was enhanced by 27-HC. Further investigation showed that CM inhibited miR-139 expression and promoted c-Fos expression. Luciferase reporter assay identified c-Fos as a direct target of miR-139. CM also induced the expression and nuclear translocation of NFATc1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, which was enlarged by 27-HC but was attenuated by miR-139. Coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that 27-HC increased the interaction between NFATc1 and phosphorylated STAT3, which was restricted by miR-139. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that pSTAT3 could bind to the promoter of c-Fos, c-Fos could bind to the promoter of NFATc1, and both pSTAT3 and NFATc1 could bind to the promoter of Oscar, which were enlarged by 27-HC but were blocked by miR-139. Knockdown of c-Fos mimicked the effect of miR-139. These results suggested that CM, especially containing 27-HC, promoted osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting miR-139 expression and activating the STAT3/c-Fos/NFATc1 pathway.

Increased level of cell-derived microparticles in the cyst fluids of odontogenic keratocysts

The aim of this study was to examine the level and basic characteristics of cell-derived microparticles (MPs) in the cyst fluids of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs). For this purpose, MPs from the cyst fluids (CFMPs) of OKCs were purified by a classic differential centrifugation method and characterized by a transmission electron microscope and fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometric analysis was used to determine the size, concentration and cellular origins of the CFMPs. Moreover, the expression level of receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand in the OKCs was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and then analyzed for its correlation with the concentration of CFMPs by Spearman's rank correlation test. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and tartaric-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining were performed to examine the osteoclastogenesis of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in response to CFMPs. The results revealed that the levels of total CFMPs were significantly elevated in OKCs compared with dentigerous cysts (DCs) and radicular cysts (RCs). In addition, in vitro experiments further revealed that CFMPs derived from the OKCs of patients could be taken up by BMMs, leading to a significant increase in the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1) and TRAP. Moreover, TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts were successfully cultured in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and CFMPs with BMMs. On the whole, our findings indicate that patients with OKCs have higher levels of CFMPs compared with patients with DCs and RCs, which may be associated with the bone resorption of OKCs.

Metabolic reprogramming and AMPKα1 pathway activation by caulerpin in colorectal cancer cells

Caulerpin, a secondary metabolite from the marine invasive green algae Caulerpa cylindracea is known to induce mitochondrial dysfunctions. In this study, the anticancer property of caulerpin was assessed in a panel of colorectal cancer cell lines. We demonstrated that caulerpin inhibited oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and facilitated an early intervention of the mitochondrial function, via inhibiting mitochondrial complex I, accompanied by the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and a surge of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Moreover, in response to the increment in AMP/ATP ratio, the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated by caulerpin treatment in a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (CaMKK2)‑dependent manner. Distinguished effect on glycolysis was observed at different time-points after caulerpin treatment. Glycolysis was enhanced after a short time treatment with caulerpin, associated with upregulation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), hexokinase II (HKII) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3) protein expressions. However, long-term activation of AMPK by caulerpin damaged the glycolysis and glucose metabolism in colorectal cells, finally causing cell death. The persistent effect of caulerpin was mediated by AMPKα1, rather than AMPKα2, to abolish cell viability through hindering mTORC1-4E-BP1 axis. Moreover, caulerpin synergized with the glycolytic inhibitor 3BP in inhibiting cellular proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings on the previously uncharacterized anticancer effects of caulerpin may provide potential therapeutic approaches targeting the colorectal carcinoma metabolism.

Genetic alterations and epigenetic alterations of cancer-associated fibroblasts

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one major type of component identified in the tumor microenvironment. Studies have focused on the genetic and epigenetic status of CAFs, since they are critical in tumor progression and differ phenotypically and functionally from normal fibroblasts. The present review summarizes the recent achievements in understanding the gene profiles of CAFs and pays special attention to their possible epigenetic alterations. A total of 7 possible genetic alterations and epigenetic changes in CAFs are discussed, including gene differential expression, karyotype analysis, gene copy number variation, loss of heterozygosis, allelic imbalance, microsatellite instability, post-transcriptional control and DNA methylation. These genetic and epigenetic characteristics are hypothesized to provide a deep understanding of CAFs and a perspective on their clinical significance.