Long-term stability of adipose tissue generated from a vascularized pedicled fat flap inside a chamber

Background Numerous studies demonstrate the generation and short-term survival of adipose tissue; however, long-term persistence remains elusive. This study evaluates long-term survival and transferability of de novo adipose constructs based on a ligated vascular pedicle and tissue engineering chamber combination. Methods Defined adipose tissue flaps were implanted into rats in either intact or perforated domed chambers. In half of the groups, the chambers were removed after 10 weeks and the constructs transferred on their vascular pedicle to a new site, where they were observed for a further 10 weeks. In the remaining groups, the tissue construct was observed for 20 weeks inside the chamber. Tissue volume was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and histologic measures, and constructs were assessed for stability and necrosis. Sections were assessed histologically and for proliferation using Ki-67. Results At 20 weeks, volume analysis revealed an increase in adipose volume from 0.04 ± 0.001 ml at the time of insertion into the chambers to 0.27 ± 0.004 ml in the closed and 0.44 ± 0.014 ml in the perforated chambers. There was an additional increase of approximately 10 to 15 percent in tissue volume in flaps that remained in chambers for 20 weeks, whereas the volume of the transferred tissue not in chambers remained unaltered. Histomorphometric assessment of the tissues documented no signs of hypertrophy, fat necrosis, or atypical changes of the newly generated tissue. Conclusion This study presents a promising new method of generating significant amounts of mature, vascularized, stable, and transferable adipose tissue for permanent autologous soft-tissue replacement.

Effects of selective oestrogen receptor modulators on proliferation in tissue cultures of pre- and postmenopausal human endometrium

We characterised the effects of selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERM) in explant cultures of human endometrium tissue. Endometrium tissues were cultured for 24 h in Millicell-CM culture inserts in serum-free medium in the presence of vehicle,17 beta-estradiol (17 beta-E2,1 nM), oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 164.384 (40 nM), and 4-OH-tamoxifen (40 nM), raloxifene (4 nM), lasofoxifene (4 nM)and acolbifene (4 nM). Protein expression of ER alpha, ER beta 1 and Ki-67 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The proliferative fraction was assessed by counting the number of Ki-67 positive cells. Nuclear staining of ER( and ER(1 was observed in the glandular epithelium and stroma of pre- and postmenopausal endometrium. ER(1 protein was also localized in the endothelial cells of blood vessels. Treating premenopausal endometrium tissue with 17 beta-E2 increased the fraction of Ki-67 positive cells (p < 0.001) by 55% in glands compared to the control. Raloxifene (4 nM) increased (p < 0.05) the Ki-67 positive fraction. All other SERMS did not affect proliferation in this model. Treating postmenopausal endometrium with 17(-E2 increased (p < 0.001) the fraction of Ki-67 positive cells by 250% in glands compared to the control. A similar effect was also seen for 4-OH-tamoxifen, whereas the rest of SERMs did not stimulate proliferation. We demonstrated that oestradiol increases the fraction of proliferating cells in short term explant cultures of postmenopausal endometrium. In addition, we were able to reveal the agonistic properties of 4-OH-tamoxifen and confirm that raloxifene and next-generation SERMs acolbifene and lasofoxifene were neutral on the human postmenopausal endometrium. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microneurovascular free muscle transfer with cross-over nerve grafts in facial reanimation

Microneurovascular free muscle transfer with cross-over nerve grafts in facial reanimation Loss of facial symmetry and mimetic function as seen in facial paralysis has an enormous impact on the psychosocial conditions of the patients. Patients with severe long-term facial paralysis are often reanimated with a two-stage procedure combining cross-facial nerve grafting, and 6 to 8 months later with microneurovascular (MNV) muscle transfer. In this thesis, we recorded the long-term results of MNV surgery in facial paralysis and observed the possible contributing factors to final functional and aesthetic outcome after this procedure. Twenty-seven out of forty patients operated on were interviewed, and the functional outcome was graded. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of MNV muscle flaps was done, and nerve graft samples (n=37) were obtained in second stage of the operation and muscle biopsies (n=18) were taken during secondary operations.. The structure of MNV muscles and nerve grafts was evaluated using histological and immunohistochemical methods ( Ki-67, anti-myosin fast, S-100, NF-200, CD-31, p75NGFR, VEGF, Flt-1, Flk-1). Statistical analysis was performed. In our studies, we found that almost two-thirds of the patients achieved good result in facial reanimation. The longer the follow-up time after muscle transfer the weaker was the muscle function. A majority of the patients (78%) defined their quality of life improved after surgery. In MRI study, the free MNV flaps were significantly smaller than originally. A correlation was found between good functional outcome and normal muscle structure in MRI. In muscle biopsies, the mean muscle fiber diameter was diminished to 40% compared to control values. Proliferative activity of satellite cells was seen in 60% of the samples and it tended to decline with an increase of follow-up time. All samples showed intramuscular innervation. Severe muscle atrophy correlated with prolonged intraoperative ischaemia. The good long-term functional outcome correlated with dominance of fast fibers in muscle grafts. In nerve grafts, the mean number of viable axons amounted to 38% of that in control samples. The grafted nerves characterized by fibrosis and regenerated axons were thinner than in control samples although they were well vascularized. A longer time between cross facial nerve grafting and biopsy sampling correlated with a higher number of viable axons. P75Nerve Growth Factor Receptor (p75NGFR) was expressed in every nerve graft sample. The expression of p75NGFR was lower in older than in younger patients. A high expression of p75NGFR was often seen with better function of the transplanted muscle. In grafted nerve Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptors were expressed in nervous tissue. In conclusion, most of the patients achieved good result in facial reanimation and were satisfied with the functional outcome. The mimic function was poorer in patients with longer follow-up time. MRI can be used to evaluate the structure of the microneurovascular muscle flaps. Regeneration of the muscle flaps was still going on many years after the transplantation and reinnervation was seen in all muscle samples. Grafted nerves were characterized by fibrosis and fewer, thinner axons compared to control nerves although they were well vascularized. P75NGFR and VEGF were expressed in human nerve grafts with higher intensity than in control nerves which is described for the first time.

Molecular mediators linking stroke and carotid artery disease

Carotid artery disease is the most prevalent etiologic precursor of ischemic stroke, which is a major health hazard and the second most common cause of death in the world. If a patient presents with a symptomatic high-grade (>70%) stenosis in the internal carotid artery, the treatment of choice is carotid endarterectomy. However, the natural course of radiologically equivalent carotid lesions may be clinically quite diverse, and the reason for that is unknown. It would be of utmost importance to develop molecular markers that predict the symptomatic phenotype of an atherosclerotic carotid plaque (CP) and help to differentiate vulnerable lesions from stable ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphologic and molecular factors that associate with stroke-prone CPs. In addition to immunohistochemistry, DNA microarrays were utilized to identify molecular markers that would differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic CPs. Endothelial adhesion molecule expression (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, P-selectin, and E-selectin) did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Denudation of endothelial cells was associated with symptom-generating carotid lesions, but in studies on the mechanism of decay of endothelial cells, markers of apoptosis (TUNEL, activated caspase 3) were found to be decreased in the endothelium of symptomatic lesions. Furthermore, markers of endothelial apoptosis were directly associated with those of cell proliferation (Ki-67) in all plaques. FasL expression was significantly increased on the endothelium of symptomatic CPs. DNA microarray analysis revealed prominent induction of specific genes in symptomatic CPs, including those subserving iron and heme metabolism, namely HO-1, and hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163. HO-1 and CD163 proteins were also increased in symptomatic CPs and associated with intraplaque iron deposits, which, however, did not correlate with symptom status itself. ADRP, the gene for adipophilin, was also overexpressed in symptomatic CPs. Adipophilin expression was markedly increased in ulcerated CPs and colocalized with extravasated red blood cells and cholesterol crystals. Taken together, the phenotypic characteristics and the numerous possible molecular mediators of the destabilization of carotid plaques provide potential platforms for future research. The denudation of the endothelial lining observed in symptomatic CPs may lead to direct thromboembolism and maintain harmful oxidative and inflammatory processes, predispose to plaque microhemorrhages, and contribute to lipid accumulation into the plaque, thereby making it vulnerable to rupture.

Auger-emitter radiochemotherapy in squamous cell cancers : in vitro and in vivo experiments with In-111-BLMC

Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Despite advances in combined modality therapy (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) the 5-year survival rate in stage III and IV disease remains at 40% - 60%. Short-range Auger-electron emitters, such as In-111 and In-114m, tagged with a drug, molecule, peptide, protein or nanoparticles brought in close proximity to nuclear DNA represent a fascinating alternative for treating cancer. In this thesis, we studied the usefulness of Indium-111-bleomycin complex (In-111-BLMC) in the diagnostics and potential therapy of HNSCC using in vitro HNSCC cell lines, in vivo nude mice, and in vivo HNSCC patients. In in vitro experiments with HNSCC cell lines, the sensitivity to external beam radiation, BLM, In-111-BLMC, and In-111-Cl3 was studied using the 96-well plate clonogenic assay. The influence of BLM and In-111-BLMC on the cell cycle was measured with flow cytometry. In in vivo nude mice xenograft studies, the activity ratios of In-111-BLMC were obtained in gamma camera images. The effect of In-111-BLMC in HNSCC xenografts was studied. In in vivo patient studies, we determined the tumor uptake of In-111-BLMC with gamma camera and the radioactivity from tumor samples using In-111-BLMC with specific activity of 75, 175, or 375 MBq/mg BLM. The S values, i.e. absorbed dose in a target organ per cumulated activity in a source organ, were simulated for In-111 and In-114m. In vitro studies showed the variation of sensitivity for external beam radiation, BLM, and In-111-BLMC between HNSCC cell lines. IC50 values for BLM were 1.6-, 1.8-, and 2.1-fold higher than In-111-BLMC (40 MBq/mg BLM) in three HNSCC cell lines. Specific In-111 activity of 40 MBq/mgBLM was more effective in killing cells than specific In-111 activity of 195MBq/mgBLM (p=0.0023). In-111-Cl3 alone had no killing effect. The percentage of cells in the G2/M phase increased after exposure to BLM and especially to In-111-BLMC in the three cell lines studied, indicating a G2/M block. The tumor-seeking behavior was shown in the in vivo imaging study of xenografted mice. BLM and In-111-BLMC were more effective than NaCl in reducing xenografted tumor size in HNSCC. The uptake ratios received from gamma images in the in vivo patient study varied from 1.2 to 2.8 in malignant tumors. However, the uptake of In-111-BLMC was unaffected by increasing the injected activity. A positive correlation existed between In-111-BLMC uptake, Ki-67/MIB activity, and number of mitoses. Regarding the S values, In-114m delivered a 4-fold absorbed radiation dose into the tumor compared with In-111, and thus, In-114m-BLMC might be more effective than In-111-BLMC at the DNA level. Auger-electron emitters, such as In-111 and In-114m, might have potential in the treatment of HNSCC. Further studies are needed to develop a radiopharmaceutical agent with appropriate physical properties of the radionuclide and a suitable carrier to bring it to the targeted tissue.

Relative Contribution of Cell Proliferation and Microvascularity to Metastasis in Malignant Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the second most common primary intraocular cancer worldwide. It is a relatively rare cancer, but still the second most common type of primary malignant melanoma in humans. UM is a slowly growing tumor, and gives rise to distant metastasis mainly to the liver via the bloodstream. About 40% of patients with UM die of metastatic disease within 10 years of diagnosis, irrespective of the type of treatment. During the last decade, two main lines of research have aimed to achieve enhanced understanding of the metastasis process and accurate prognosis of patients with UM. One emphasizes the characteristics of tumor cells, particularly their nucleoli, and markers of proliferation, and the other the characteristics of tumor blood vessels. Of several morphometric measurements, the mean diameter of the ten largest nucleoli (MLN) has become the most widely applied. A large MLN has consistently been associated with high likelihood of dying from UM. Blood vessels are of paramount importance in metastasis of UM. Different extravascular matrix patterns can be seen in UM, like loops and networks. This presence is associated with death from metastatic melanoma. However, the density of microvessels is also of prognostic importance. This study was undertaken to help understanding some histopathological factors which might contribute to developing metastasis in UM patients. Factors which could be related to tumor progression to metastasis disease, namely nucleolar size, MLN, microvascular density (MVD), cell proliferation, and The Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor(IGF-1R), were investigated. The primary aim of this thesis was to study the relationship between prognostic factors such as tumor cell nucleolar size, proliferation, extravascular matrix patterns, and dissemination of UM, and to assess to what extent there is a relationship to metastasis. The secondary goal was to develop a multivariate model which includes MLN and cell proliferation in addition to MVD, and which would fit better with population-based, melanoma-related survival data than previous models. I studied 167 patients with UM, who developed metastasis even after a very long time following removal of the eye, metastatic disease was the main cause of death, as documented in the Finnish Cancer Registry and on death certificates. Using an independent population-based data set, it was confirmed that MLN and extravascular matrix loops and networks were unrelated, independent predictors of survival in UM. Also, it has been found that multivariate models including MVD in addition to MLN fitted significantly better with survival data than models which excluded MVD. This supports the idea that both the characteristics of the blood vessels and the cells are important, and the future direction would be to look for the gene expression profile, whether it is associated more with MVD or MLN. The former relates to the host response to the tumor and may not be as tightly associated with the gene expression profile, yet most likely involved in the process of hematogenous metastasis. Because fresh tumor material is needed for reliable genetic analysis, such analysis could not be performed Although noninvasive detection of certain extravascular matrix patterns is now technically possible,in managing patients with UM, this study and tumor genetics suggest that such noninvasive methods will not fully capture the process of clinical metastasis. Progress in resection and biopsy techniques is likely in the near future to result in fresh material for the ophthalmic pathologist to correlate angiographic data, histopathological characteristics such as MLN, and genetic data. This study supported the theory that tumors containing epithelioid cells grow faster and have poorer prognosis when studied by cell proliferation in UM based on Ki-67 immunoreactivity. Cell proliferation index fitted best with the survival data when combined with MVD, MLN, and presence of epithelioid cells. Analogous with the finding that high MVD in primary UM is associated with shorter time to metastasis than low MVD, high MVD in hepatic metastasis tends to be associated with shorter survival after diagnosis of metastasis. Because the liver is the main organ for metastasis from UM, growth factors largely produced in the liver hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) together with their receptors may have a role in the homing and survival of metastatic cells. Therefore the association between immunoreactivity for IGF-1R in primary UM and metastatic death was studied. It was found that immunoreactivity for IGF-IR did not independently predict metastasis from primary UM in my series.

Epithelial atrophy in oral submucous fibrosis is mediated by copper (II) and arecoline of areca nut

Exposure of oral cavity to areca nut is associated with several pathological conditions including oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Histopathologically OSF is characterized by epithelial atrophy, chronic inflammation, juxtaepithelial hyalinization, leading to fibrosis of submucosal tissue and affects 0.5% of the population in the Indian subcontinent. As the molecular mechanisms leading to atrophied epithelium and fibrosis are poorly understood, we studied areca nut actions on human keratinocyte and gingival fibroblast cells. Areca nut water extract (ANW) was cytotoxic to epithelial cells and had a pro-proliferative effect on fibroblasts. This opposite effect of ANW on epithelial and fibroblast cells was intriguing but reflects the OSF histopathology such as epithelial atrophy and proliferation of fibroblasts. We demonstrate that the pro-proliferative effects of ANW on fibroblasts are dependent on insulin-like growth factor signalling while the cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes are dependent on the generation of reactive oxygen species. Treatment of keratinocytes with arecoline which is a component of ANW along with copper resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity which becomes comparable to IC50 of ANW. Furthermore, studies using cyclic voltammetry, mass spectrometry and plasmid cleavage assay suggested that the presence of arecoline increases oxidation reduction potential of copper leading to enhanced cleavage of DNA which could generate an apoptotic response. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling assay and Ki-67 index of OSF tissue sections suggested epithelial apoptosis, which could be responsible for the atrophy of OSF epithelium.

Análisis histológico e inmunohistoquímico de los subtipos de enfermedad liquenoide oral

176 p. : il.

Alterações em genes relacionados à via glicolítica em tumores de carcinoma epidermoide de esôfago

O carcinoma epidermoide de esôfago (CEE) representa 90% dos casos de câncer de esôfago no Brasil. O CEE tem detecção tardia, um comportamento extremamente agressivo e baixa sobrevida, sendo, portanto, um alvo interessante para o estudo dos mecanismos envolvidos em sua carcinogênese, a fim de se identificar possíveis alvos terapêuticos ou marcadores moleculares que ajudem na prática clínica. Mudanças no metabolismo energético da célula tumoral parecem ter papel de destaque na transformação maligna. Sabe-se que células tumorais consomem glicose avidamente produzindo ácido lático, mesmo em condições de normóxia. Dentre os fatores que podem contribuir para o estímulo da glicólise em células tumorais destacam-se as alterações em enzimas da via glicolítica tais como: as piruvato-cinases M1 e M2 (PKM1 e PKM2), a hexocinase II (HKII), isofoma 1 do transportador de glicose, GLUT-1, e o fator de transcrição induzido por hipóxia (HIF1α), responsável pela transcrição das proteínas citadas. O objetivo do estudo é avaliar a relação entre a expressão de HIF1α, HK2, PKM2, PKM1 e GLUT-1 e dados clínico-patológicos no CEE. Para tal, foram avaliados tumores conservados em parafina de 44 pacientes com CEE matriculados no INCA e no Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Além disso, foram coletadas amostras de biópsia de esôfago em 67 pacientes sem doença esofágica, que foram submetidos à endoscopia no Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE). A expressão das proteínas foi avaliada nos tecidos por imuno-histoquímica, enquanto que a expressão do mRNA de GLUT-1 também foi avaliada nas amostras controle. Foi observado que as amostras controle expressam HK2, PKM1, PKM2, HIF1α nas camadas do epitélio esofágico. Já GLUT-1 e Ki-67 são vistos apenas na camada basal. Além disso, a expressão do mRNA de GLUT-1 não teve correlação com fatores etiológicos da doença. Em CEE a expressão de HK2, PKM2 e GLUT-1 foi vista em todos os tumores, já a expressão de HIF1α e PKM1 foi variável. Além disso, observou-se que maior expressão de HIF-1α apresenta correlação com invasão linfonodal e diferenciação, enquanto que a expressão de HK2 tem relação com sobrevida e PKM1 com diferenciação. As correlações clínicas encontradas sugerem que alterações no metabolismo energético é um alvo de estudo interessante para desenvolvimento de marcadores moleculares que auxiliem a prática clínica.

Estudo de polimorfismos nos genes TP53 e p21(WAF1) e do perfil imunohistoquímico das proteínas p53, p21(WAF1), p16(INK4a) e ciclina D1 pela técnica de Tissue Microarray (TMA) e sua importância para o desenvolvimento e/ou severidade das neoplasias cervicais

O câncer de colo do útero é o terceiro tipo de câncer mais frequente em mulheres no mundo, e a infecção persistente pelo papilomavirus humano (HPV) oncogênico é condição necessária, mas não suficiente para seu desenvolvimento. As oncoproteínas virais E6 e E7 interferem direta ou indiretamente na ação de várias proteínas celulares. Entretanto, as variantes proteicas, resultantes de polimorfismos genéticos, podem apresentar comportamento distinto mediante a infecção pelo HPV. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar possíveis associações entre polimorfismos nos genes TP53 (p53 PIN3, p53 72C>G) e p21 (p21 31C>A) e o desenvolvimento de neoplasias cervicais, considerando os níveis de expressão das proteínas p53, p21, p16 e ciclina D1, e fatores de risco clássicos para o câncer cervical. Foram selecionadas 466 mulheres residentes no Rio de Janeiro, 281 com diagnóstico histopatológico de neoplasia cervical de baixo (LSIL) e alto grau (HSIL) e câncer (grupo de casos) e 185 sem história atual ou pregressa de alteração citológica do colo uterino (grupo controle). A técnica de PCR-RFLP (reação em cadeia da polimerase - polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento de restrição), foi empregada na análise dos polimorfismos p53 72C>G e p21 31C>A, usando as enzimas de restrição BstUI e BsmaI, respectivamente. A avaliação do polimorfismo p53 PIN3 (duplicação de 16 pb) foi feita por meio da análise eletroforética direta dos produtos de PCR. A expressão das proteínas p53, p21, p16, ciclina D1 e Ki-67 e a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-HPV 16 e HPV pool foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica (Tissue Microarray - TMA) em 196 biópsias do grupo de casos. O grupo controle se mostrou em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg em relação aos três polimorfismos avaliados. As distribuições genotípicas e alélicas relativas a p53 PIN3 e p53 72C>G nos grupos controles e de casos não apresentaram diferenças significativas, embora o genótipo p53 72CC tenha aumentado o risco atribuído ao uso de contraceptivos das pacientes apresentarem lesões mais severas (OR=4,33; IC 95%=1,19-15,83). O genótipo p21 31CA(Ser/Arg) conferiu proteção ao desenvolvimento de HSIL ou câncer (OR=0,61, IC 95%=0,39-0,97), e modificou o efeito de fatores de risco associados à severidade das lesões. A interação multiplicativa de alelos mostrou que a combinação p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) e p21 31C(Ser), representou risco (OR=1,67, IC95%=1,03-2,72) e a combinação p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) e p21 31A(Arg) conferiu efeito protetor (OR=0,26, IC95%=0,08-0,78) para o desenvolvimento de HSIL e câncer cervical. Observou-se correlação positiva da expressão de p16 e p21 e negativa da ciclina D1 com o grau da lesão. A distribuição epitelial de p16, Ki-67, p21 e p53 se mostrou associada à severidade da lesão. Os polimorfismos analisados não apresentaram associação com a expressão dos biomarcadores ou positividade para HPV. Nossos resultados sugerem a importância do polimorfismo p21 31C>A para o desenvolvimento das neoplasias cervicais e ausência de correlação dos polimorfismos p53 PIN3 e p53 72C>G com a carcinogênese cervical, embora alguns genótipos tenham se comportado como modificadores de risco. Nossos resultados de TMA corroboram o potencial de uso de biomarcadores do ciclo celular para diferenciar as lesões precursoras do câncer cervical.

同步化处理后小鼠成纤维细胞表观遗传水平的相对定量分析

供体细胞的同步化处理可能改变其表观遗传特性,进而影响胚胎的克隆效率。研究同步化处理对小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞(mouse embryonicf ibroblasts,MEFs)组蛋白H3K9甲基化、乙酰化及组蛋白H3K4单甲基化、三甲基化表达的影响。分离培养MEFs,增殖稳定的第3代MEFs分别用5mL/L血清饥饿处理4d或15mL/LDM-SO处理2d使细胞处于增殖抑制期,通过免疫组化染色和Image-J图像处理软件,相对定量比较不同处理情况下组蛋白H3K9甲基化、乙酰化和组蛋白H3K4单甲基化、三甲基化变化情况。Ki-67染色检测结果表明,两种同步化处理可使细胞处于G0期或G1期。DMSO处理使MEFs组蛋白H3K9乙酰化表达水平升高,而5mL/L血清饥饿处理则使其表达水平下降;此外,两种同步化处理均导致组蛋白H3K9甲基化和H3K4单甲基化表达下降,但不影响组蛋白H3K4三甲基化的表达水平。研究结论表明:同步化处理可改变MEFs组蛋白乙酰化和甲基化表达水平,进而有可能影响胚胎克隆效率。

Effects of melatonin on ovarian follicles

Objective: To evaluate the histomorphometry and expression of Ki-67 and c-kit in ovarian follicles of pinealectomized or melatonin-treated pinealectomized rats.Study design: Forty adult rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals: Group I - control; Group II - sham-pinealectomized; Group III - pinealectomized (Px), and Group IV - Px treated with melatonin (10 mu g/night, per animal). After two months' treatment, on the night of proestrous, the animals were placed in metabolic cages for night urine collection and subsequent measurement of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT). the rats were anesthetized, blood samples were taken for estrogen and progesterone determinations, and they were then euthanized. the ovaries were dissected out for further histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Data were first submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented with the Tukey-Kramer test for multiple comparisons (P < 0.05).Results: the urinary levels of 6-SMT and serum progesterone were lower in the Px group (GIII). Exogenous melatonin treatment restored both blood melatonin and 6-SMT urinary levels. the histomorphometric data in Group III revealed a significant increase of degenerating antral and nonantral follicles with regard to the other groups. in addition no corpora lutea were observed in this group. No significant differences were noticed regarding the number of corpora lutea among the other groups (I, II and IV), but the number of cells and the thickness of the theca interna of Px animals (Group III) were higher than in the other groups. Conversely, the density of progesterone receptors (fmol/g) in the ovaries of Group III was significantly lower than in the other groups.Conclusion: Our data indicate that melatonin exerts a role on the maintenance of a proper follicular function, and is thus important for ovulation and progesterone production. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of an epithelial plasticity biomarker panel in men with localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Given the potential importance of epithelial plasticity (EP) to cancer metastasis, we sought to investigate biomarkers related to EP in men with localized prostate cancer (PC) for the association with time to PSA recurrence and other clinical outcomes after surgery. METHODS: Men with localized PC treated with radical prostatectomy at the Durham VA Medical Center and whose prostatectomy tissues were included in a tissue microarray (TMA) linked to long-term outcomes. We performed immunohistochemical studies using validated antibodies against E-cadherin and Ki-67 and mesenchymal biomarkers including N-cadherin, vimentin, SNAIL, ZEB1 and TWIST. Association studies were conducted for each biomarker with baseline clinical/pathologic characteristics an risk of PSA recurrence over time. RESULTS: Two hundred and five men contributed TMA tissue and had long-term follow-up (median 11 years). Forty-three percent had PSA recurrence; three died of PC. The majority had high E-cadherin expression (86%); 14% had low/absent E-cadherin expression. N-cadherin was rarely expressed (<4%) and we were unable to identify an E-to-N-cadherin switch as independently prognostic. No associations with clinical risk group, PSA recurrence or Gleason sum were noted for SNAIL, ZEB1, vimentin or TWIST, despite heterogeneous expression between patients. We observed an association of higher Ki-67 expression with Gleason sum (P=0.043), National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk (P=0.013) and PSA recurrence (hazard ratio 1.07, P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of EP biomarkers in this cohort of men with a low risk of PC-specific mortality was not associated with aggressive features or PSA relapse after surgery.

Nonapical and Cytoplasmic Expression of Interleukin-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 Correlates with Cell Proliferation and Microvessel Density in Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We characterized interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-8 receptor expression (CXCR1 and CXCR2) in prostate cancer to address their significance to this disease. Experimental Design: Immunohistochemistry was conducted on 40 cases of human prostate biopsy containing histologically normal and neoplastic tissue, excised from patients with locally confined or invasive androgen-dependent prostate cancer, and 10 cases of transurethral resection of the prostate material from patients with androgen-independent disease. Results: Weak to moderate IL-8 expression was strictly localized to the apical membrane of normal prostate epithelium. In contrast, membranous expression of IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 was nonapical in cancer cells of Gleason pattern 3 and 4, whereas circumferential expression was present in Gleason pattern 5 and androgen-independent prostate cancer. Each of IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 were also increasingly localized to the cytoplasm of cancer cells in correlation with advancing stage of disease. Cytoplasmic expression (but not apical membrane expression) of IL-8 in Gleason pattern 3 and 4 cancer correlated with Ki-67 expression (R = 0.79; P <0.001), cyclin D1 expression (R = 0.79; P <0.001), and microvessel density (R = 0.81; P <0.001). In vitro studies on androgen-independent PC3 cells confirmed the mitogenic activity of IL-8, increasing the rate of cell proliferation through activation of both CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors. Conclusions: We propose that the concurrent increase in IL-8 and IL-8 receptor expression in human prostate cancer induces autocrine signaling that may be functionally significant in initiating and promoting the progression of prostate cancer by underpinning cell proliferation and angiogenesis.

Clinical and immunohistochemical assessment of vulval intraepithelial neoplasia following photodynamic therapy using a novel bioadhesive patch-type system loaded with 5-aminolevulinic acid

Background: The work in this study appraised photodynamic treatment (PDT) as a treatment method for vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) using a novel bioadhesive patch to deliver aminolevulinic acid. An analysis of changes in expression of apoptotic and cell cycle proteins (p53, p21, Mdm2, Blc-2, Bax, Ki-67) in response to PDT was evaluated. Methods: PDT was performed using non-laser light, either as a one or two-cycle treatment, with clinical and pathological assessment following after 6 weeks. Twenty-three patients with 25 VIN lesions underwent 49 cycles of PDT Patches were designed to conform to uneven vulval skin and contained 38 mg cm(-2) aminolevulinic acid. Assessment was carried out at 6 weeks post-treatment. Patient-based treatment assessment, along with clinical and pathological changes, were monitored. Immunohistochemical staining was used to elucidate a possible biomolecular basis for induced cellular changes. Results: Most patients (52%) reported a symptomatic response, with normal pathology restored in 38% of lesions. The patch was easy to apply and remove, causing minimal discomfort. Fluorescence inspection confirmed protoporphyrin accumulation. Pain during implementation of PDT was problematic, necessitating some form of local analgesia. Changes in expression of cell cycle and apoptotic-related proteins suggested involvement of apoptotic pathways. Down regulation of p21 and inverse changes in Bcl-2 and Bax were key findings. Conclusion: Treatment of VIN lesions using a novel bioadhesive patch induced changes in cell cycle and apoptotic proteins in response to PDT with possible utilisation of apoptotic pathways. The efficacy of PDT in treating VIN could be improved by a better understanding of these apoptotic mechanisms, the influence of factors, such as HPV status, and of the need for effective pain management.