Plasmablast Expansion Following the Tetravalent, Live-Attenuated Dengue Vaccine Butantan-DV in DENV-Naïve and DENV-Exposed Individuals in a Brazilian Cohort

An effective vaccine against the dengue virus (DENV) should induce a balanced, long-lasting antibody (Ab) response against all four viral serotypes. The burst of plasmablasts in the peripheral blood after vaccination may reflect enriched vaccine-specific Ab secreting cells. Here we characterize the acute plasmablast responses from naïve and DENV-exposed individuals following immunization with the live attenuated tetravalent (LAT) Butantan DENV vaccine (Butantan-DV). The frequency of circulating plasmablasts was determined by flow cytometric analysis of fresh whole blood specimens collected from 40 participants enrolled in the Phase II Butantan-DV clinical trial (NCT01696422) before and after (days 6, 12, 15 and 22) vaccination. We observed a peak in the number of circulating plasmablast at day 15 after vaccination in both the DENV naïve and the DENV-exposed vaccinees. DENV-exposed vaccinees experienced a significantly higher plasmablast expansion. In the DENV-naïve vaccinees, plasmablasts persisted for approximately three weeks longer than among DENV-exposed volunteers. Our findings indicate that the Butantan-DV can induce plasmablast responses in both DENV-naïve and DENV-exposed individuals and demonstrate the influence of pre-existing DENV immunity on Butantan DV-induced B-cell responses.

Disrupting Y-Box-Binding Protein 1 Function Using OSU-03012 Prevents Endometriosis Progression in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

The objective of the present study was to test the ability of OSU-03012 (2-amino-N-[4-[5-phenanthren-2-yl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]acetamide), a novel and potent celecoxib-derivative, to impair endometriosis progression in in vitro and in vivo models based on its ability to indirectly block Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1) function. 12Z human endometriotic epithelial cells and sexually mature female C57BL/6J mice were treated with OSU-03012. Cellular proliferation was quantified by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromid assay. Expression of YB-1 and phosphorylated YB-1 in 12Z cells and endometriotic lesions was evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The IHC for proliferating cell nuclear antigen was performed. OSU-03012 treatment resulted in decreased YB-1 and its phosphorylated form in both in vitro and in vivo models. Endometriotic lesion size was significantly reduced in OSU-03012-treated mice (27.6 ± 4.0 mm³) compared to those from the control group (50.5 ± 6.9 mm³, P < .0001). A significant reduction in endometriotic epithelial cell proliferation was observed in endometriotic lesions exposed to OSU-03012 treatment ( P = .0346). In conclusion, targeting YB-1 via OSU-03012 showed a potent antiproliferative effect on endometriotic epithelial cells in vitro and in a mouse model of disease.

Common chromosomal imbalances and stemness-related protein expression markers in endometriotic lesions from different anatomical sites: the potential role of stem cells

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a multifactorial gynecological disease characterized by the presence of functional endometrium-like tissue in ectopic sites. Several studies have focused on elucidating the immunological, endocrine, environmental and genetic factors involved in endometriosis. However, its pathogenesis is still unclear.

METHODS

High-resolution comparative genomic hybridization was applied to screen for genomic imbalances in laser microdissected stromal and epithelial cells from 20 endometriotic lesions and three samples of eutopic endometrium derived from eight patients. The expression of seven stemness-related markers (CD9, CD13, CD24, CD34, CD133, CD117/c-Kit and Oct-4) in endometrial tissue samples was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Samples of eutopic endometrium showed normal genomic profiles. In ectopic tissues, an average of 68 genomic imbalances was detected per sample. DNA losses were more frequently detected and involved mainly 3p, 5q, 7p, 9p, 11q, 16q, 18q and 19q. Many of the genomic imbalances detected were common to endometriotic stroma and epithelia and also among different endometriotic sites from the same patient. These findings suggested a clonal origin of the endometriotic cells and the putative involvement of stem cells. Positive immunostaining for CD9, CD34, c-Kit and Oct-4 markers was detected in isolated epithelial and/or stromal cells in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in the majority of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of shared genomic alterations in stromal and epithelial cells from different anatomical sites of the same patient and the expression of stemness-related markers suggested that endometriosis arises as a clonal proliferation with the putative involvement of stem cells.

Cold-shock domain family member YB-1 expression in endometrium and endometriosis

BACKGROUND

The Y-box-binding protein (YB-1) is described as a potential oncogene highly expressed in tumors and associated with increased cell survival, proliferation, migration and anti-apoptotic signaling. The aim of our study was to examine the expression and role of YB-1 in human endometriosis (Eo) and its association with cell survival, proliferation and invasion.

METHODS

We analyzed the gene and protein expression levels of YB-1 by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and immunoassays, respectively, in peritoneal macrophages, ovarian endometrioma and eutopic endometrial tissues/cells derived from women with (n= 120) and without (n= 91) Eo. We also evaluated the functional consequences of YB-1 knockdown in the Z12 Eo cell line by measuring cell proliferation [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromid cell proliferation assay], invasion (Matrigel invasion assay) and spontaneous and tumour necrosis factor (TNFα)-induced RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted chemokine) expression and apoptosis (ELISA-based assay).

RESULTS

YB-1 gene and protein expression was statistically significantly higher in ovarian lesions, eutopic endometrium and peritoneal macrophages of patients with Eo in comparison with the control group. Interestingly, the strongest YB-1 expression was observed in the epithelial compartment of endometrial tissues. In the Z12 cell line, YB-1 knockdown resulted in significant cell growth inhibitory effects including reduced cell proliferation and increased rates of spontaneous and TNFα-induced apoptosis. Significantly, higher RANTES expression and decreased cell invasion in vitro were also associated with YB-1 inactivation.

CONCLUSION

High YB-1 expression could have an impact on the development and progression of Eo. This study suggests the role of YB-1 as a potential therapeutic target for Eo patients.

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and chromogenic in situ hybridization: precise methods to detect HER-2 status in breast carcinoma

Background

HER-2 gene testing has become an integral part of breast cancer patient diagnosis. The most commonly used assay in the clinical setting for evaluating HER-2 status is immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). These procedures permit correlation between HER-2 expression and morphological features. However, FISH signals are labile and fade over time, making post-revision of the tumor difficult. CISH (chromogenic in situ hybridization) is an alternative procedure, with certain advantages, although still limited as a diagnostic tool in breast carcinomas.

Methods

To elucidate the molecular profile of HER-2 status, mRNA and protein expression in 75 invasive breast carcinomas were analyzed by real time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and IHC, respectively. Amplifications were evaluated in 43 of these cases by CISH and in 11 by FISH.

Results

The concordance rate between IHC and qRT-PCR results was 78.9%, and 94.6% for qRT-PCR and CISH. Intratumoral heterogeneity of HER-2 status was identified in three cases by CISH. The results of the three procedures were compared and showed a concordance rate of 83.8%; higher discordances were observed in 0 or 1+ immunostaining cases, which showed high-level amplification (15.4%) and HER-2 transcript overexpression (20%). Moreover, 2+ immunostaining cases presented nonamplified status (50%) by CISH and HER-2 downexpression (38.5%) by qRT-PCR. In general, concordance occurred between qRT-PCR and CISH results. A high concordance was observed between CISH/qRT-PCR and FISH. Comparisons with clinicopathological data revealed a significant association between HER-2 downexpression and the involvement of less than four lymph nodes (P = 0.0350).

Conclusion

Based on these findings, qRT-PCR was more precise and reproducible than IHC. Furthermore, CISH was revealed as an alternative and useful procedure for investigating amplifications involving the HER-2 gene.

New recurrent deletions in the PPARgamma and TP53 genes are associated with childhood myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare hematological malignancy in children. It was performed FISH analysis in 19 pediatric MDS patients to investigate deletions involving the PPARgamma and TP53 genes. Significant losses in the PPARgamma gene and deletions in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 were observed in 17 and 18 cases, respectively. Using quantitative RT-PCR, it was detected PPARgamma transcript downexpression in a subset of these cases. G-banding analysis revealed 17p deletions in a small number of these cases. One MDS therapy-related patient had neither a loss of PPARgamma nor TP53. These data suggest that the PPARgamma and TP53 genes may be candidates for molecular markers in pediatric MDS, and that these potentially recurrent deletions could contribute to the identification of therapeutic approaches in primary pediatric MDS.