HMGN1 down-regulation in the diabetic kidney attenuates tubular cells injury and protects against renal inflammation via suppressing MCP-1 and KIM-1 expression through TLR4

BACKGROUND

Renal tubular injury, accompanied by damaging inflammation, has been identified to drive diabetic kidney disease (DKD) toward end-stage renal disease. However, it is unclear how damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) activate innate immunity to mediate tubular epithelial cell (TEC) injury, which in turn causes with subsequent sterile inflammation in diabetic kidneys. High mobility group nucleosome-binding protein 1 (HMGN1) is a novel DAMP that contributes to generating the innate immune response. In this study, we focused on determining whether HMGN1 is involved in DKD progression.

METHODS

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model was established. Then we downrergulated HMGN1 expression in kidney with or without HMGN1 administration. The renal dysfunction and morphological lesions in the kidneys were evaluated. The expressions of KIM-1, MCP-1, F4/80, CD68, and HMGN1/TLR4 signaling were examined in the renal tissue. In vitro, HK2 cells were exposed in the high glucose with or without HMGN1, and further pre-incubated with TAK242 was applied to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that HMGN1 was upregulated in the tubular epithelial cells of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 and type 2 diabetic mouse kidneys compared to controls, while being positively correlated with increased TLR4, KIM-1, and MCP-1. Down-regulation of renal HMGN1 attenuated diabetic kidney injury, decreased the TLR4, KIM-1, and MCP-1 expression levels, and reduced interstitial infiltrating macrophages. However, these phenotypes were reversed after administration of HMGN1. In HK-2 cells, HMGN1 promoted the expression of KIM-1 and MCP-1 via regulating MyD88/NF-κB pathway; inhibition of TLR4 effectively diminished the in vitro response to HMGN1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides novel insight into HMGN1 signaling mechanisms that contribute to tubular sterile injury and low-grade inflammation in DKD. The study findings may help to develop new HMGN1-targeted approaches as therapy for immune-mediated kidney damage rather than as an anti-infection treatments.

Epithelial-specific deletion of FAM20A leads to short root defects

Short Root Defects defined by a reduced ratio of root to crown, may culminate in root resorption and subsequent tooth loss, in spite of the absence of apparent symptoms. Such defects present considerable impediments to orthodontic treatment and restoration. Recent identification of Fam20a, an emergent pseudokinase, has been associated with enamel development and tooth eruption, yet its definitive role in root formation and eruption remains ambiguous. In this research, we initially ascertained that the targeted knockout of Fam20a within the epithelium led to truncated tooth roots, irregular breaks in the epithelial root sheath initiation of the WNT signaling pathway, and decreased expression of the cell polarity-related transcription factor Cdc42 in murine models. This was concomitant with the participation of the associated epithelial root sheath developmental pathways BMP2, Gli1, and Nfic. Furthermore, we observed that Fam20a predominantly affects the intraosseous eruption phase of tooth emergence. During this phase, the osteoclast peak around the mandibular first molar in cKO mice is delayed, leading to a slower formation of the eruption pathway, ultimately resulting in delayed tooth eruption in mice. The findings of this study enrich the extant knowledge regarding the role of Fam20a, suggesting its potential regulatory function in tooth root development through the WNT/β-catenin/Cdc42 pathway.

UV cross-linked injectable non-swelling dihydrocaffeic acid grafted chitosan hydrogel for promoting wound healing

Hydrogels are widely used as wound dressings for wound healing, but when hydrogels absorb wound exudate, swelling occurs and compresses the surrounding tissue, affecting healing. A chitosan injectable (CS/4-PA/CAT) hydrogel based on catechol and 4-glutenoic acid was prepared to avoid swelling and promote wound healing. After cross-linking by UV light, pentenyl groups formed hydrophobic alkyl chains which give the hydrogel a hydrophobic network and thus control its swelling. CS/4-PA/CAT hydrogels retained their non-swelling for a long time in PBS solution at 37 °C. CS/4-PA/CAT hydrogels had good injectable and adhesive properties, and had a good killing effect on E. coli and S. aureus and could remove the bacterial biofilms of E. coli and S. aureus. CS/4-PA/CAT hydrogels had good in vitro coagulation function by absorbing red blood cells and platelets. When used in a whole skin injury model, CS/4-PA/CAT-1 hydrogel stimulated fibroblast migration, promoted epithelialization and accelerated collagen deposition to promote defect healing, and showed good hemostatic effects in liver and femoral artery defects in mice. In summary, the non-swelling injectable hydrogel with free radical scavenging, rapid hemostasis, and antibacterial effects would be a promising treatment for defect repair.

Fam20c regulates the calpain proteolysis system through phosphorylating Calpasatatin to maintain cell homeostasis

BACKGROUND

The family with sequence similarity 20-member C (FAM20C) kinase, a Golgi casein kinase, which is responsible for phosphorylating the majority of the extracellular phosphoproteins within S-x-E/pS motifs, and is fundamentally associated with multiple biological processes to maintain cell proliferation, biomineralization, migration, adhesion, and phosphate homeostasis. In dissecting how FAM20C regulates downstream molecules and potential mechanisms, however, there are multiple target molecules of FAM20C, particularly many phenomena remain elusive, such as changes in cell-autonomous behaviors, incompatibility in genotypes and phenotypes, and others.

METHODS

Here, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), proteomics, and phosphoproteomics were performed in Fam20c-dificient osteoblasts and to facilitate an integrated analysis and determine the impact of chromatin accessibility, genomic expression, protein alterations, signaling pathway, and post translational modifcations.

RESULTS

By combining ATAC-seq and RNA-seq, we identified TCF4 and Wnt signaling pathway as the key regulators in Fam20c-dificient cells. Further, we showed Calpastatin/Calpain proteolysis system as a novel target axis for FAM20C to regulate cell migration and F-actin cytoskeleton by integrated analysis of proteomics and phosphoproteomics. Furthermore, Calpastatin/Calpain proteolysis system could negatively regulate the Wnt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

These observations implied that Fam20c knockout osteoblasts would cause cell homeostatic imbalance, involving changes in multiple signaling pathways in the conduction system.

An autophagy-related long non-coding RNA signature in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most common oral cancer with a poor prognosis. At present, there is not any systematic study on autophagy-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) to predict the survival of patients with TSCC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this research, the cohort of TSCC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that ten lncRNAs related to autophagy AC010326.3, AL160006.1, AL122010.1, AC139530.1, AC092747.4, AL139287.1, MIR503HG, AC009318.2, LINC01711, and LINC02560 are significantly correlated with prognosis. Based on these lncRNAs, a prognostic signature was established. This signature has an AUC value of 0.782, which accurately distinguishes patients of TSCC into high-risk and low-risk groups in different clinical hierarchical information (such as gender, age, etc.).

RESULTS

The clinical nomogram with autophagy-related lncRNA prognostic characteristics has a concordance index of 0.81, and accurately predicts the survival time at 1-year and 3-year of TSCC patients. Related functional enrichment results indicate that the pathways of the high-risk group are enriched on cancer and autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

The autophagy-related lncRNA prognostic signature established in this study could accurately predict the prognosis of TSCC patients and may be a molecular biomarker and therapeutic target.

Niobium carbide–mediated photothermal therapy for infected wound treatment

Bacterial infections of the wounds on the skin surface significantly reduce the rate of wound healing, potentially leading to serious systemic infections. Antibiotics are the first-line drugs for the treatment of these infections. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of bacterial resistance. Therefore, a new antimicrobial strategy is urgently needed. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a novel efficient therapeutic technique that can produce irreversible cell damage to induce death of bacteria, possessing a great potential in infected wound healing. This work describes the use of a new photothermal agent (PTA) such as niobium carbide (NbC) nanoparticles with outstanding near-infrared (NIR) absorption property. NbC nanoparticles converted NIR laser irradiation energy into localized heat for photothermal treatment. In vitro antimicrobial experiments have revealed that NbC nanoparticles exert excellent antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Moreover, NbC nanoparticles accelerated E. coli–infected wound healing process, reduced inflammatory response, and showed good biosafety in vivo. Altogether, NbC nanoparticles represent an efficient PTA for antimicrobial treatment and are a bio-safe material with low toxicity in vivo.

Functionalized Prussian Blue Nanozyme as Dual-Responsive Drug Therapeutic Nanoplatform Against Maxillofacial Infection via Macrophage Polarization

Purpose

Maxillofacial infection is a common disease in stomatology and is difficult to treat owing to its high potential to spread to vital anatomical structures. Excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infected tissues lead to cellular damage and impede tissue regeneration. However, uncontrollable strategies to remove ROS have limited therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticle systems for scavenging ROS and remodeling the inflammatory microenvironment offer much promise in the treatment of maxillofacial inflammation.

Methods

Here, a novel microenvironment-stimuli-responsive drug delivery nanoplatform (HMPB@Cur@PDA) based on a polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized hollow mesoporous Prussian blue (HMPB) nanozyme was developed for the delivery of curcumin (Cur) in the treatment of maxillofacial infection. Low pH and excess ROS in the inflammatory microenvironment cause degradation of the outer PDA layer of the nanocomplex, exposing the HMPB nanozyme and loaded Cur, which synergistically act as a ROS scavenger and anti-inflammatory agent, respectively, and induce macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype.

Results

Experiments in vitro provided strong evidence for the application of novel nanocomplexes in scavenging multiple ROS and inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. In addition, in vivo results obtained using a mouse maxillofacial infection model demonstrated that HMPB@Cur@PDA had excellent biocompatibility, significantly attenuated the inflammatory response in periodontal tissue, and improved the repair of damaged tissue.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that HMPB@Cur@PDA nanocomposites have great potential for ROS regulation as well as having anti-inflammatory effects, providing new insights for the development of dual-response maxillofacial infection treatments.

Genipin modified lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin scaffold for sustained release of growth factors to promote bone regeneration

Lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) was shown to further activate resident platelets in platelet-rich fibrin causing a higher amount of growth factors release. However, it still required further experimental studies to resolve the uncontrolled degradation and burst release problem. In this study, the nature crosslinker genipin is introduced to improve the performance of L-PRF scaffold. We used a series of gradient concentration genipin solutions to react with L-PRF. The crosslinking degree, micro morphology, mean pore size, water absorption and mechanical properties of the crosslinked scaffold were evaluated. In order to study the effect of genipin modification on the release kinetics of growth factors from L-PRF, we detected the release of platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor in vitro by ELISA. To investigate the biodegradability of the crosslinked L-PRF in vivo, the scaffolds were transplanted subcutaneously into backs of rats, and the materials were recovered at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after implantation. The biodegradation, inflammatory reaction and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were examined by histological staining. Finally, the genipin crosslinked/uncrosslinked L- Platelet-rich fibrin scaffolds were implanted with freshly prepared SHED cell sheets into rat critical size calvarial defects and the skull samples were recovered to examine the treatment efficacy of genipin crosslinked L-PRF by histologic and radiographic approaches. Results of this study indicated that genipin can be used to modify L-PRF at room temperature at a very low concentration. Genipin-modified L-PRF shows better biomechanical performance, slower biodegradation, good bioavailable and sustained release of growth factors. The 0.01% w/v and 0.1% w/v genipin crosslinked L-PRF have good porous structure and significantly promote cell proliferation and enhance the expression of key genes in osteogenesis in vitro, and work best in promoting bone regeneration in vivo.

Role of ferroptosis-related genes in periodontitis based on integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background

Cell survival or death is one of the key scientific issues of inflammatory response. To regulate cell death during the occurrence and development of periodontitis, various forms of programmed cell death, such as pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and apoptosis, have been proposed. It has been found that ferroptosis characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation is involved in cancer, degenerative brain diseases and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, NCOA4 is considered one of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) contributing to butyrate-induced cell death in the periodontitis. This research aims to analyze the expression of FRGs in periodontitis tissues and to explore the relationship between ferroptosis and periodontitis.

Method

Genes associated with periodontitis were retrieved from two Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Then, we normalized microarray data and removed the batch effect using the R software. We used R to convert the mRNA expression data and collected the expression of FRGs. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), transcription factor (TF) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were used. In addition, we constructed a receiver operating characteristic curve and obtained relative mRNA expression verified by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Eight and 10 FRGs related to periodontitis were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. GO analysis showed that FRGs were enriched in the regulation of glutathione biosynthetic, glutamate homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum-nucleus signaling pathway. The top TFs included CEBPB, JUND, ATF2. Based on the PPI network analysis, FRGs were mainly linked to the negative regulation of IRE1-mediated unfolded protein response, regulation of type IIa hypersensitivity, and regulation of apoptotic cell clearance. The expression levels of NCOA4, SLC1A5 and HSPB1 using PCR were significantly different between normal gingival samples and periodontitis samples. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of FRGs for periodontitis were “Good”.

Conclusions

We found significant associations between FRGs and periodontitis. The present study not only provides a new possible pathomechanism for the occurrence of periodontitis but also offers a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis.

Characterization of transcriptional landscape in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells treated with aspirin by RNA-seq

INTRODUCTION

Aspirin is a common antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drug, which has been reported to extend life in animal models and application in the treatment of aging-related diseases. However, it remains unclear about the effects of aspirin on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs). Here, we aimed to analyze the influence of aspirin on senescence and young BM-MSCs.

METHODS

BM-MSCs were serially passaged to construct a replicative senescence model. SA-β-gal staining, PCR, western blot, and RNA-sequencing were performed on BM-MSCs with or without aspirin treatment, to examine aspirin's impact on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

RESULTS

SA-β-gal staining, PCR, and western blot revealed that aspirin could alleviate the cellular expression of senescence-related indicators of BM-MSCs, including a decrease of SA-β-gal-positive cells and staining intensity, and downregulation of p16, p21, and p53 expression after aspirin treatment. RNA-sequencing results shown in the biological processes related to aging, aspirin could influence cellular immune response and lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of aspirin for retarding senescence of BM-MSCs was demonstrated. Our study indicated that the mechanisms of this delay might involve influencing immune response and lipid metabolism.

Downregulated Expression of RIPOR3 Correlated with Immune Infiltrates Predicts Poor Prognosis in Oral Tongue Cancer

Background

Tongue cancer is the most prevalent of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, including base of tongue cancer (BOT) and oral squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue (OTSCC). We aimed to investigate the role of RIPOR3 in tumorigenesis and its development as a potential prognostic biomarker for tongue cancer, especially OTSCC.

Material/Methods

Associations of expression, clinical pathologic features, and overall survival were analyzed by logistic regression, multivariate Cox analysis, and Kaplan-Meier methods. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and the CIBERSORT algorithm were performed to determine the correlation between RIPOR3 and tumor immune infiltration. cBioPortal was used for methylation and copy number variation (CNV) analysis. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and GSE31056 dataset were used for further external validation.

Results

RIPOR3 expression in OTSCC was significantly associated with various clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that OTSCC with low RIPOR3 expression had a worse prognosis than that with high RIPOR3 expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower RIPOR3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis. GSEA and Neighbor Gene Network analysis showed RIPOR3 expression was related with the modulation and function of the immune-related pathway. Methylation level and CNV analysis showed that the downregulated expression of RIPOR3 was significantly related to hypermethylation but not to CNV. Finally, high RIPOR3 expression was validated at the protein level using the HPA database and GSE31056 dataset.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that RIPOR3 might serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and is related to the immune cell infiltration of OTSCC.

Analysis of Hub Genes Involved in Distinction Between Aged and Fetal Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Robust Rank Aggregation and Multiple Functional Annotation Methods

Stem cells from fetal tissue protect against aging and possess greater proliferative capacity than their adult counterparts. These cells can more readily expand in vitro and senesce later in culture. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for these differences are still not fully understood. In this study, we used a robust rank aggregation (RRA) method to discover robust differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between fetal bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (fMSCs) and aged adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (aMSCs). Multiple methods, including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed for functional annotation of the robust DEGs, and the results were visualized using the R software. The hub genes and other genes with which they interacted directly were detected by protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Correlation of gene expression was measured by Pearson correlation coefficient. A total of 388 up-regulated and 289 down-regulated DEGs were identified between aMSCs and fMSCs. We found that the down-regulated genes were mainly involved in the cell cycle, telomerase activity, and stem cell proliferation. The up-regulated DEGs were associated with cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix (ECM)–receptor interactions, and the immune response. We screened out four hub genes, MYC, KIF20A, HLA-DRA, and HLA-DPA1, through PPI-network analysis. The MYC gene was negatively correlated with TXNIP, an age-related gene, and KIF20A was extensively involved in the cell cycle. The results suggested that MSCs derived from the bone marrow of an elderly donor present a pro-inflammatory phenotype compared with that of fMSCs, and the HLA-DRA and HLA-DPA1 genes are related to the immune response. These findings provide new insights into the differences between aMSCs and fMSCs and may suggest novel strategies for ex vivo expansion and application of adult MSCs.

Comparison of different approaches to the surgical treatment of penile fractures: quicker return to sexual function with longitudinal incisions

The objective of this study was to compare the long-term clinical outcomes from longitudinal incisions and subcoronal circumferential degloving incisions in the surgical treatment of penile fractures. From July 2001 to July 2014, 23 patients were identified with penile fractures. Fourteen patients underwent longitudinal incisions after ultrasound localization; nine patients underwent subcoronal circumferential degloving incisions. Sexual function was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using an abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The mean (±s.d.) operative time was 19.1 (±3.9) min in the longitudinal incision group and was 45.1 (±6.5) min in the subcoronal circumferential degloving incision group (P<0.05). The mean (±s.d.) times required to recover sexual function were 35.6 (±6.0) days in the longitudinal incision group and 54.0 (±5.8) days in the circumferential incision group (P<0.05). Six months postoperatively, the erectile functions of all cases were comparable to the level preoperatively except three patients. One patient from each group reported symptoms associated with mild ED, but they experienced satisfying sexual orgasms after psychotherapy for 2 months. Another patient's score on the IIEF-5 declined from 25 to 24 points in the circumferential incision group 10 months postoperatively, and this was associated with maintaining an erection after vaginal penetration. In conclusion, the longitudinal incision may allow quicker return to sexual function but not necessarily improved the long-term clinical outcomes. Furthermore, postoperative psychosocial nursing and psychotherapy should receive more attention.

Primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the peritoneum presents as Sister Mary Joseph's nodule: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN) is a raised nodule around the umbilicus and is often a clinical sign of metastatic malignancy with poor prognosis. Primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the peritoneum is rare. Herein the authors describe a case of primary peritoneal clear cell adenocarcinoma presenting with SMJN as an initial sign.

CASE

A 59-year-old woman was admitted into the present hospital complaining of an enlarged, painful umbilical nodule, and increasing abdominal distention. After the biopsy of the peritoneal nodule, primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the peritoneum was diagnosed. The patient underwent multiple courses of aggressive chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and surgery and has survived for more than four years.

CONCLUSION

Considering that SMJN is a rare sign of visceral malignancies, clinicians should be aware of this rare clinical sign when determining the differential diagnosis. Umbilical metastasis is usually indicates a poor prognosis. However, the present case suggests that long-term survival is possible.

Antiproliferative activity and toxicity of 2-methoxyestradiol in cervical cancer xenograft mice

2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is considered to be an effective anticancer compound for many types of tumors. We have previously demonstrated that 2-ME inhibits the growth of human cervical cancer HeLaS3 cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the antitumoral effects of 2-ME on human cervical carcinoma in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. The potential side effects of 2-ME on the SCID mice were also investigated. SCID mice were injected with HeLaS3 cells (3 x 10(6) to 4 x 10(6)/mouse) and a 15-day administration of 2-ME followed after a 1-week cell implantation. Tumor weight, volume, body weight, and blood chemistry were determined. Tumor tissues were examined with an antibody against the proliferative cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. Liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and lung were screened by pathologic examinations. 2-ME (75 mg/kg p.o.) inhibited growth of human cervical carcinoma by 34% (P < 0.05) as compared with control. Necrosis was found in both 2-ME-treated and untreated tumor tissues, but the necrotic area was larger in 2-ME-treated mice. A low expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen and an increased number of apoptotic cells were found in 2-ME-treated tumor sections as compared to those in controls. No significant difference was detected in blood chemistry. In addition, the liver showed hyperplastic Kupffer cells, hydropic swelling of hepatocytes, and liquefactive necrosis. The spleen showed an increased number of megakaryocytes and apoptotic cells after 2-ME treatment. Thus, 2-ME has an antitumor effect on human cervical carcinoma, and it is toxic to liver and spleen in this mouse model.

Antiproliferative activity and toxicity of 2-methoxyestradiol in cervical cancer xenograft mice

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is considered to be an effective anticancer compound for many types of tumors. We have previously demonstrated that 2-ME inhibits the growth of human cervical cancer HeLaS3 cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the antitumoral effects of 2-ME on human cervical carcinoma in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. The potential side effects of 2-ME on the SCID mice were also investigated. SCID mice were injected with HeLaS3 cells (3 × 106 to 4 × 106/mouse) and a 15-day administration of 2-ME followed after a 1-week cell implantation. Tumor weight, volume, body weight, and blood chemistry were determined. Tumor tissues were examined with an antibody against the proliferative cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. Liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and lung were screened by pathologic examinations. 2-ME (75 mg/kg p.o.) inhibited growth of human cervical carcinoma by 34% (P < 0.05) as compared with control. Necrosis was found in both 2-ME–treated and untreated tumor tissues, but the necrotic area was larger in 2-ME–treated mice. A low expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen and an increased number of apoptotic cells were found in 2-ME–treated tumor sections as compared to those in controls. No significant difference was detected in blood chemistry. In addition, the liver showed hyperplastic Kupffer cells, hydropic swelling of hepatocytes, and liquefactive necrosis. The spleen showed an increased number of megakaryocytes and apoptotic cells after 2-ME treatment. Thus, 2-ME has an antitumor effect on human cervical carcinoma, and it is toxic to liver and spleen in this mouse model.

[Significance on expressions of Annexin-I and its correlative gene proteins in endometrial hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate expression of Annexin-I in various endometrial lesions and its significance in differential diagnosis of endometrial borderline lesions.

METHODS

We collected 37 specimens with different endometrial lesions, and reclassified them according to China and FIGO's standard, which included 12 cases of endometrial hyperplasia (EH), 10 cases of atypical hyperplasia (ATH) and 15 cases of endometrial carcinoma (EC). Immunohistochemical staining for AX-I, c-erbB-2, p53 protein, ER, PR, EGF and IGF were performed by LSAB.

RESULTS

The results showed that for AX-I, 1 cases of EH was weakly positive and others were negative; 9 cases of ATH showed strong positivity in the cytoplasm and the cell membrane, and 1 weakly positive; 7 cases of EC were positive and 8 negative. c-erbB-2 was expressed in 9 cases of ATH and 1 was negative. Expressions of EGFR, ER and PR were strong in all cases, but IGFR was negative in almost all cases. P53 expression was higher in EC than in ATH.

CONCLUSIONS

AX-I expression suggests that (1) AX-I protein may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer, the expression decreased and disappeared after malignant change. (2) High expression for AX-I can be used to differentiate ATH and EC. In addition, c-erbB-2 expression appeared to parallel the expression of AX-I in both ATH and EC, but in ATH it was higher than that in EC.

[Mycobacterium vaccae influences the kinetics of Th1/Th2 cells and expression of iNOS in a marine model of experimental tuberculosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the immunoregulative mechanism of Mycobacterium vaccae by way of molecular pathology.

METHODS

BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups: tuberculosis model (A); mice were challenged with H37Rv by their tail veins and then immunized by M. vaccae (B); control mice (N). Immunohistochemistry and pathological slices stained with HE were evaluated to investigate the correlation between the expression of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and iNOS and the type and magnitude of tissue injury.

RESULTS

A predominance of Th1 cells was observed manifested by a high percentage of IFN-gamma positive cells in the inflammatory infiltrate and granulomas demonstrated by immunohistology peaked 6 weeks after infection (0.058 +/- 0.010), and there was a significant increase compared with N group (0.005 +/- 0.020, P < 0.01). This was followed by a chronic advanced phase characterized by pneumonia local necrosis with a Tho balance due to an equivalent proportion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 positive cells in the lung lesions. The iNOS expression was increased in acute phase and decreased in chronic phase. B group had localized lung lesions, proliferate and lymphoid nodules were predominant, there was less necrostic change. A predominance of Th1 cells was observed during the infection changed over time and there was no Tho balance phase occurred. iNOS expression had a higher level during the wholecourse of infection.

CONCLUSION

M. vaccae can enhance the protective immunological response by inducing Th1 response and inhibiting Th2 response.

[Thyroid squamous-cell carcinoma showing thymus-like element (CASTLE): a report of eight cases]

OBJECTIVE

To report 8 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma showing thymus-like element (CASTLE) of the thyroid.

METHODS

Clinical data and pathological sections were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

CASTLE of the thyroid differed from ordinary squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) in that it not only presented typical squamous pattern of differentiation, but also admixed with thymic architecture, such as Hassall's corpuscles, lymphoepithelial-like structure and mature lymphocyte infiltration in the stroma. CASTLE of the thyroid and much better prognosis than that of the ordinary SCC of the thyroid with a median survival time of 10.5 year. Histogenesis of CASTLE was discussed.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid CASTLE is of rare occurrence. It should be distinguished from SCC of thyroid in order to treat such patients adequately.

[A study on p53 gene mutation, protein expression and relationship with clinico-pathological status in large cell carcinoma of the lung]

Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques were used to investigate the correlation between p53 gene mutation and the clinico-pathological status as well as prognosis of large cell carcinoma of the lung. p53 expression was found in 40% of the cases by immunohistochemistry and p53 gene mutation was found in 53.3% by in situ hybridization. The concordance ratio was 73.3% between gene mutation and protein expression. No statistically significant correlation was found between p53 gene mutation, its protein expression and sex, age, smoking, histological type, tumor size or lymph node involvement. A significant correlation was found between p53 gene mutation (or its protein expression) and mitotic index. The result of in situ hybridization demonstrated that there was a statistically significant correlation between p53 gene mutation and a poor prognosis. It was found that p53 gene mutation was associated with fast growth of the tumor. Therefore p53 gene mutation is probably an indicator of poor prognosis for large cell carcinoma of the lung.

Expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator in smooth muscle cells of injured iliac arteries in rabbits

In this experiment, expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was measured at different intervals after the arterial injury. In the normal iliac arteries, only low levels of t-PA activity were estimated. t-PA activity in extracts of the iliac arteries increased significantly at the 4th day after the injury, equivalent to the process that SMCs migrated from the media to the intima, and the t-PA activity was then decreased approximately to the normal level at the 7th day. Coexistent to the above data, results from in situ hybridization showed that the expression of t-PA mRNA in the intima as well as media increased also significantly at the 4th day after the arterial injury, and at the 7th day, t-PA mRNA was detected only in those SMCs locating closely adjacent to the internal elastic lamina. These results suggest that t-PA might play an important role in SMC migration following endothelial injury, and antagonism of t-PA expression and/or activity within the vessel wall might be helpful in intervening the development of restenosis following angioplasty.

[Human papillomavirus infection and p53 gene mutation in primary lung cancer]

Surgical samples from 40 cases of primary lung cancer were studied by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect HPV-DNA in different types of lung cancer. In addition, PCR-RFLP was used to examine mutation of p53 exon 7. The results showed that HPV-DNA positive rate in lung cancer was 55% (22/40 cases), including SCLC (9/9 cases), squamous cell carcinomas (8/16 cases), and adenocarcinomas (5/12 cases). Amplification of p53 exon 7 was seen in 5 of 22 HPV-DNA positive cases. RFLP analysis showed that p53 exon 7 mutation was present in two cases with gene amplification. In HPV-DNA negatives there was only one case with exon 7 amplification but no mutation. SCLC and squamous carcinoma had higher HPV infection rate than other types of lung cancer. The results suggest some relation between HPV infection and p53 gene mutation.