The cardiac expression of striated muscle LIM protein 1 (SLIM1) is restricted to the outflow tract of the developing heart

LIM proteins perform critical roles in development and tissue differentiation. The skeletal muscle LIM protein 1 (SLIM1) comprises four and a half LIM domains. Northern blot analysis demonstrated high level expression of SLIM1 mRNA in adult human skeletal muscle with intermediate expression in adult heart and lower expression in other tissues. Western blot analysis using specific affinity-purified anti-SLIM1 antipeptide antibodies demonstrated a 32 kDa polypeptide in the aorta and atria of rabbit heart, but not in vena cava, interventricular septum or ventricular muscle. SLIM1 was also demonstrated in rabbit skeletal muscle. In situ hybridization of whole mouse embryos confirmed the cardiac expression of SLIM1 was restricted to the cardiac outflow tract from embryonic day 8.5-11. No expression was seen in atrial or ventricular muscle. SLIM1 mRNA was also demonstrated in the hindbrain, neural tube and somites. The localized expression of SLIM1 to the outflow tract of the embryonic heart implies an important role for the protein in the development of this region and possibly in congenital heart anomalies involving the separation and formation of the aortic and pulmonary trunks.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in People Living With HIV: From Epidemiology to Clinical Management

Skin cancers represent the most common human tumors with a worldwide increasing incidence. They can be divided into melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). NMSCs include mainly squamous cell (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with the latest representing the 80% of the diagnosed NMSCs. The pathogenesis of NMSCs is clearly multifactorial. A growing body of literature underlies a crucial correlation between skin cancer, chronic inflammation and immunodeficiency. Intensity and duration of immunodeficiency plays an important role. In immunocompromised patients the incidence of more malignant forms or the development of multiple tumors seems to be higher than among immunocompetent patients. With regards to people living with HIV (PLWH), since the advent of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs), such as NMSCs, have been increasing and now these neoplasms represent a leading cause of illness in this particular population. PLWH with NMSCs tend to be younger, to have a higher risk of local recurrence and to have an overall poorer outcome. NMSCs show an indolent clinical course if diagnosed and treated in an early stage. BCC rarely metastasizes, while SCC presents a 4% annual incidence of metastasis. Nevertheless, metastatic forms lead to poor patient outcome. NMSCs are often treated with full thickness treatments (surgical excision, Mohs micro-graphic surgery and radiotherapy) or superficial ablative techniques (such as cryotherapy, electrodesiccation and curettage). Advances in genetic landscape understanding of NMSCs have favored the establishment of novel therapeutic strategies. Concerning the therapeutic evaluation of PLWH, it’s mandatory to evaluate the risk of interactions between cART and other treatments, particularly antiblastic chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Development of further treatment options for NMSCs in PLWH seems needed. We reviewed the literature after searching for clinical trials, case series, clinical cases and available databases in Embase and Pubmed. We review the incidence of NMSCs among PLWH, focusing our attention on any differences in clinicopathological features of BCC and SCC between PLWH and HIV negative persons, as well as on any differences in efficacy and safety of treatments and response to immunomodulators and finally on any differences in rates of metastatic disease and outcomes.