Tissue-specific expression of esterases in Triatoma infestans (Triatominae, Heteroptera)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Expression of TERT in precancerous gastric lesions compared to gastric cancer

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Distinct localization of T cell Agrin during antigen presentation - evidence for the expression of Agrin receptor(s) in antigen-presenting cells

Agrin is over-expressed by activated and autoimmune T cells, and synergizes with the T cell receptor (TCR) to augment cell activation. In the present study, we show that Agrin accumulates to distinct areas of the plasma membrane and that cell activation causes its redistribution. During antigen presentation, Agrin primarily accumulates to the periphery of the mature immunological synapse, mostly in lamellipodia-like protrusions that wrap around the antigen-presenting cell and, conversely, anti-Agrin sera induced a significant redistribution of TCR at the plasma membrane. We also provide evidence for the expression of Agrin receptors in peripheral blood monocytes, dendritic cells and a fraction of B cells. Interestingly, interferon-a treatment, which induces the expression of Agrin in T cells, also augmented Agrin binding to monocytes. Stimulation of monocytes with recombinant Agrin induced the clustering of surface receptors, including major histocompatibility complex class II, activation of intracellular signalling cascades, as well as enhanced dsRNA-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-a. Collectively, these results confirm the location of Agrin at the immunological synapse between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and justify further characterization of its receptors in the immune system.

Expression of Ki-67 Antigen and Caspase-3 Protein in Benign Lesions and Esophageal Carcinoma

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Expression of annexin A1 mRNA in peripheral blood from oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Immunohistochemical study of the expression of fatty acid synthase and Ki-67 in salivary gland tumors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparative analysis of the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, p53, bax, and bcl-2 in oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Several epidermiologic studies have shown the malignant transformation potential of oral lichen planus; however, this potential is subject of much controversy. To evaluate the expression of proteins related to the cell proliferation and apoptosis processes in oral lichen planus, we compared oral lichen planus with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Twenty-four cases of each lesion were submitted according to streptavidin-biotin technique to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, p53, bax, and bcl-2 proteins. X 2 test showed no statistically significant differences between the expression of p53, bax, and bcl-2 in oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma (P > .05). However, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen was significantly lower in oral lichen planus than in oral squamous cell carcinoma (P < .05). No statistically significant differences between the expression of p53, bax, and bcl-2 in oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma were observed, which may be an evidence of the potential of malignant transformation of oral lichen planus. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Indexes of power and aerobic capacity obtained in cycle ergometry and treadmill running: comparisons between sedentary, runners, cyclists and triathletes

The objectives of this study were: a) to determine, in a cross-sectional manner, the effect of aerobic training on the peak oxygen uptake, the intensity at O2peak and the anaerobic threshold (AnT) during running and cycling; and b) to verify if the transference of the training effects are dependent on the analized type of exercise or physiological index. Eleven untrained males (UN), nine endurance cyclists (EC), seven endurance runners (ER), and nine triathletes (TR) were submitted, on separate days, to incremental tests until voluntary exhaustion on a mechanical braked cycle ergometer and on a treadmill. The values of O2peak (ml.kg-1.min-1) obtained in running and cycle ergometer (ER = 68.8 ± 6.3 and 62.0 ± 5.0; EC = 60.5 ± 8.0 and 67.6 ± 7.6; TR = 64.5 ± 4.8 and 61.0 ± 4.1; UN = 43.5 ± 7.0 and 36.7 ± 5.6; respectively) were higher in the group that presented specific training in the modality. The UN group presented the lower values of O2peak, regardless of the type of exercise. This same behavior was observed for the AnT (ml.kg-1.min-1) determined in running and cycle ergometer (ER = 56.8 ± 6.9 and 44.8 ± 5.7; EC = 51.2 ± 5.2 and 57.6 ± 7.1; TR = 56.5 ± 5.1 and 49.0 ± 4.8; UN = 33.2 ± 4.2 and 22.6 ± 3.7; respectively). It can be concluded that the transference of the training effects seems to be only partial, independently of the index (O2peak, IO2peak or AnT) or exercise type (running or cycling). In relation to the indices, the specificity of training seems to be less present in the O2peak than in the IO2peak and the AnT.

Expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB carcinoma of the cervix

Objectives. This study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 both in the tumor and in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, as an attempt to use these proteins as possible markers for residual tumor in cervical cancer.Methods. Thirty patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were submitted to radical hysterectomy (study group), and thirty patients with uterine myoma were submitted to vaginal hysterectomy (control group) and were prospectively studied from November 2001 to September 2002. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor or cervix, anterior vaginal margin (AVM), and posterior vaginal margin (PVM) and were immunohistochemically evaluated by monoclonal antibodies for p53, Ki-67, and CD31. Vaginal samples in which the histological examination showed tumor involvement were excluded from the study.Results. Patient's mean age was 48.7 +/- 10.4 years (27-73 years). The clinical stage was IB1 in 22 patients (73.3%) and IB2 in eight patients (26.7%). The expressions of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 were significantly higher in the tumor than in the benign cervix (P < 0.001). Higher expressions of these markers were noted in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with cervical carcinoma compared to the vaginal margins of control patients. This association was demonstrated for p53 in the AVM proximal (P = 0.045), for Ki-67 in AVM proximal (P < 0.001), AVM distal (P < 0.001), PVM proximal (P = 0.009), and PVM distal (P < 0.001), and for CD31 in AVM proximal (P = 0.003) and AVM distal (P = 0.018). There was no difference in p53, Ki-67, and CD31 expression between the proximal and distal regions of the vaginal margins in patients with carcinoma of the cervix.Conclusion. The expressions of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 were significantly higher in both the histologically positive (cervical tumor) and negative (vaginal margins) tissues of patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer compared to the benign control tissues. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN-SITU OF THE BREAST - HISTOLOGIC CATEGORIZATION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PLOIDY AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF HORMONE RECEPTORS, P53, AND C-ERBB-2 PROTEIN

Background. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast has been diagnosed increasingly since the advent of mammography. However, the natural history of these lesions remains uncertain. Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast does not represent a single entity but a heterogeneous group with histologic and clinical differences. The histologic subtype of DCIS seems to have an influence on its biologic behavior, but there are few studies correlating subtype with biologic markers.Methods. The authors studied a consecutive series of 40 cases of DCIS and after its histologic categorization verified its relationship with ploidy using image analysis and analyzing estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53 and c-erbB-2 expression using immunohistochemistry.Results. The three groups proposed according to the grade of malignancy were correlated significantly with some of the additional parameters studied, including aneuploidy and c-erB-2 expression. Aneuploidy was detected in 77.5% of cases of DCIS mainly in high and intermediate grade subtypes (100% and 80% vs. 35.7% in low grade) whereas immunoreactivity for c-erbB-2 was detected in 45% of cases of DCIS mainly in the high grade group. Expression of ER and PR were observed frequently in this study (63.9% and 65.7% respectively), but without correlation with the histologic subtype of DCIS, although we found a somewhat significant association between high grade DCIS and lack of ER. p53 protein expression was detected in 36.8% of these cases, but no relationship between this expression and histologic subtype or grading of DCIS was found.Conclusions. These results provide further evidence for the morphologic and biologic heterogeneity of DCIS. Besides histologic classification and nuclear grading, some biologic markers such as aneuploidy and c-erbB-2 expression constitute additional criteria of high grade of malignancy.

Expression of pathogenicity-related genes of Xylella fastidiosa in vitro and in planta

Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for several economically important plant diseases. It is currently assumed that the symptoms are caused by vascular occlusion due to biofilm formation. Microarray technology was previously used to examine the global gene expression profile of X. filstidiosa freshly isolated from symptomatic plants or after several passages by axenic culture medium, and different pathogenicity profiles have been obtained. In the present study the expression of some pathogenicity-related genes was evaluated in vitro and in planta by RT-PCR. The results suggest that adhesion is important at the beginning of biofilm formation, while the genes related to adaptation are essential for the organism's maintenance in planta. Similar results were observed in vitro mainly for the adhesion genes. The pattern of expression observed suggests that adhesion modulates biofilm formation whereas the expression of some adaptation genes may be related to the environment in which the organism is living.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor-8 and regulation of cognate receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptor-3c and-4, in bovine antral follicles

Paracrine cell signaling is believed to be important for ovarian follicle development, and a role for some members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family has been suggested. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that FGF-8 and its cognate receptors (FGFR3c and FGFR4) are expressed in bovine antral follicles. RT-PCR was used to analyze bovine Fgf8, Fgfr3c and Fgfr4 mRNA levels in oocytes, and granulosa and theca cells. Fgf8 expression was detected in oocytes and in granulosa and theca cells; this expression pattern differs from that reported in rodents. Granulosa and theca cells, but not oocytes, expressed Fgfr3c, and expression in granulosa cells increased significantly with follicle estradiol content, a major indicator of follicle health. Fgfr4 expression was restricted to theca cells in the follicle, and decreased significantly with increasing follicle size. To investigate the potential regulation of Fgfr3c expression in the bovine granulosa, cells were cultured in serum-free medium with FSH or IGF-I; gene expression was upregulated by FSH but not by IGF-I. The FSH-responsive and developmentally regulated patterns of Fgfr3c mRNA expression suggest that this receptor is a potential mediator of paracrine signaling to granulosa cells during antral follicle growth in cattle.

EXPRESSION OF C-ERB B-2 PROTEIN AND DNA-PLOIDY IN BREAST CARCINOGENESIS

Objective.-to examine the c-erb B-2 expression and nuclear DNA content in samples of breast lesions to ascertain any relationship between c-erb B-2 expression and aneuploidy in the different types of proliferative breast lesions and in intraductal and invasive carcinomas.Design and Setting.-lmmunohistochemical analysis of c-erb B-2 expression and cytometric nuclear DNA assessment were performed in a series of 39 cases of intraductal hyperplasia without atypia, 7 cases of intraductal hyperplasia with atypia, 64 cases of intraductal carcinoma, and 85 cases of invasive breast carcinoma (30 of which had extensive intraductal component).Results.-Overexpression of c-erb B-2 was seen only in cases of carcinoma: 28 (43.7%) intraductal carcinomas and 15 (17.6%) invasive carcinomas. Aneuploidy was demonstrated in 3 (43.0%) cases of intraductal hyperplasia with atypia, in 54 (84.4%) cases of intraductal carcinoma, and in 63 (74.2%) cases of invasive carcinoma. All cases of intraductal hyperplasia without atypia were euploid and none expressed c-erb B-2. Among the carcinomas (intraductal and invasive) there was a strong relationship between aneuploidy and c-erb B-2 expression. In most instances, the intraductal and invasive components of the 30 invasive carcinomas with extensive intraductal component displayed similar DNA content and c-erb B-2 immunoreactivity; whenever there was a difference, the intraductal component tended to be aneuploid (five out of six cases) and c-erb B-2 positive (one case), in contrast to the respective invasive component.Conclusions.-The higher frequency of aneuploidy and c-erb B-2 expression in intraductal carcinomas in comparison with invasive carcinomas suggests there is not a linear relationship between DNA content abnormalities and neoplastic progression and that some invasive breast carcinomas evolve without an identifiable intraductal phase or are unrelated to disturbances at the c-erb B-2 locus.