Effects of zoledronic acid on bone fusion in osteoporotic patients after lumbar fusion

Treatment with zoledronic acid in osteoporotic patients with spinal fusion shortens the duration of time to fusion, improves the fusion rate, prevents the subsequent adjacent vertebral compression fractures, improves the clinical outcomes, and prevents immobilization-induced bone loss in the hip.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the study was to explore the effects of zoledronic acid on the healing process in osteoporotic patients following spinal fusion in a randomized, placebo-controlled, and triple-blinded study.

METHODS

Seventy-nine osteoporotic patients with single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis were randomly assigned to receive either zoledronic acid infusion (zoledronic acid group) or saline infusion (controls) after spinal fusion. Functional radiography and CT scans were used to evaluate fusion status. Bone formation was graded into three categories: Grade A (bridging bone bonding with adjacent vertebral bodies), Grade B (bridging bone bonding with either superior or inferior vertebral body), or Grade C (incomplete bony bridging). A solid fusion was defined as less than 5° of angular motion with Grade A or B bone formation. Adjacent vertebral compression fractures (VCF) were assessed on MRI at 12 months after surgery. Serum level of carboxy terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) was measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DXA. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to assess the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Grade A or B bridging bone was more frequently observed in zoledronic acid group at 3, 6, and 9 months post-operation compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At 12 -months post-operation, bridging bone and solid fusion were not significantly different between groups. No patients in zoledronic acid group showed aVCF, whereas six patients (17 %) in the control group did (p < 0.05). Both β-CTX and PINP were suppressed in zoledronic acid group. BMD at the femoral neck decreased rapidly and did not return to the preoperative level in the controls at 3 (-1.4 %), 6 (-2.5 %), and 12 (-0.8 %) months after surgery. Zoledronic acid prevented this immobilization-induced bone loss and increased BMD. ODI showed the improved clinical outcomes compared with controls at 9 and 12 months post-surgery.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with zoledronic acid in osteoporotic patients with spinal fusion shortens the time to fusion, improves the fusion rate, prevents subsequent aVCFs, and improves clinical outcomes.

The effect of Qing Huan Ling combined risperidone on the open field behavior of schizophrenic mice model

Objective

To observe the effect of Qing Huan Ling and (or) risperidone on locomotor activity and explorative behavior of schizophrenia mice model by open field test.

Methods

Seventy kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, one group as blank group. The rest groups ip MK-801 continuously 14 day, then randomly numbered: model group, risperidone group, Qing Huan Ling group and risperidone combined Qing Huan Ling group. Ig give corresponding drugs for each group 4 weeks, observe the change of locomotor activity and explorative behavior by open field test.

Results

After Ig 4 weeks, compared with the blank group, there were no obvious difference in locomotor activity and explorative behavior between risperidone group, Qing Huan Ling group and the combined group. Compared with the model group, risperidone had statistics meaning in the repression of explorative behavior (P < 0.05),the combined group has statistics meaning in the repression of locomotor activity and explorative behavior (78.92 ± 36.18 m vs. 186.92 ± 41.08 m, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Qing Huan Ling regulate the central nervous system of schizophrenia mice model; when combined with risperidone, it restrain the central nervous system of schizophrenia mice model and the effect is stronger than risperidone alone.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Dimedone Derivative {2-[(4-Hydroxy-phenylamino)- methylene]-5,5-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione} Plays an Important Role in Breast Cancer Treatment

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 2-[(4-hydroxy-phenylamino)-methylene]-5,5-dimethyl-cyclohex (HPDH) on mammary carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in female Sprague Dawley rats.Methods: Among three groups of rats (50 each) used in the study, the control group was fed standard diet alone, ibuprofen group received standard diet containing 1200 mg/kg ibuprofen while HPDH group was administered standard diet containing 1200 mg/kg HPDH. The treatment was for 10 days for all the groups. All the animals received 20 mg of DMBA intragastrically by gavage. Clinical parameters for the rats were recorded weekly. Micrometer caliper was used to measure the diameter of all the tumors at the end of the experiment and tumor volume calculated. Histological evaluation was performed using  hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the level of HPDH and ibuprofen in the serum of the animals.Results: The data revealed a significant decrease in the number of rats with mammary tumor, number of tumors/rat and tumor volume by 54, 72 and 75 %, respectively, in HPDH group compared to control group. The ibuprofen- treated rats also showed significant decrease in the number of rats with tumor, number of tumors/rat and tumor volume by 43, 55, and 59 %, respectively. Treatment of rats with HPDH increased the latency period of tumor induction significantly (p < 0.005). Median detection period (50 % of tumors) was 92, 83 and 56 days, respectively, in HPDH, ibuprofen and control groups, respectively, after DMBA induction.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that HPDH possesses strong chemopreventive activity against mammary carcinogenesis.Keywords: Carcinogenesis, Mammary tumor, Median detection period, Tumor, Latency period, Chemopreventive activity, Ibuprofen

Gray matter correlates of migraine and gender effect: A meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of neuroimaging studies have revealed gray matter (GM) anomalies of several brain regions by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies in migraineurs. However, not all the studies reported entirely consistent findings. Our aim is to investigate concurrence across VBM studies to help clarify the structural anomalies underpinning this condition.

METHODS

A systematic search of VBM studies of patients with migraine and healthy controls (HC) published in PubMed and Embase databases from January 2000 to March 2014 was conducted. A quantitative meta-analysis of whole-brain VBM studies in patients with migraine compared with HC was performed by means of anisotropic effect size version of signed differential mapping (AES-SDM) software package.

RESULTS

Nine studies comprising 222 patients with migraine and 230 HC subjects were included in the present study. Compared to HC subjects, the patients group showed consistent decreased GM in the posterior insular-opercular regions, the prefrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex. Results remained largely unchanged in the following jackknife sensitivity analyses. Meta-regression analysis showed that a higher percentage of females in the patient sample was associated with decreased GM in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first quantitative whole-brain VBM meta-analysis in migraine showing strong evidence of brain GM anomalies within the pain-processing neural network. Further longitudinal investigations are needed to determine whether these structural anomalies are reversible with effective treatment on migraine.

Kaempferol Promotes Transplant Tolerance by Sustaining CD4+FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells in the Presence of Calcineurin Inhibitor

Calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine is widely used as an immunosuppressant in clinic. However, mounting evidence has shown that cyclosporine hinders tolerance induction by dampening Tregs. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to overcome this pitfall. Kaempferol was reported to inhibit DC function. Here, we found that kaempferol delayed islet allograft rejection. Combination of kaempferol and low-dose, but not high-dose, of cyclosporine induced allograft tolerance in majority of recipient mice. Although kaempferol plus either dose of cyclosporine largely abrogated proliferation of graft-infiltrating T cells and their CTL activity, both proliferation and CTL activity in mice treated with kaempferol plus low-dose, but not high-dose, cyclosporine reemerged rapidly upon treatment withdrawal. Kaempferol increased CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs both in transplanted mice and in vitro, likely by suppressing DC maturation and their IL-6 expression. Reduction in Tregs by low dose of cyclosporine was reversed by kaempferol. Kaempferol-induced Tregs exhibited both allospecific and non-allospecific suppression. Administering IL-6 abrogated allograft tolerance induced by kaempferol and cyclosporine via diminishing CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrated that kaempferol promotes transplant tolerance in the presence of low dose of cyclosporine, which allows for sufficient Treg generation while minimizing side effects, resulting in much-needed synergy between kaempferol and cyclosporine.

Association between change in body weight after midlife and risk of hip fracture-the Singapore Chinese Health Study

The relationship between change in body weight and risk of fractures is inconsistent in epidemiologic studies. In this cohort of middle-aged to elderly Chinese in Singapore, compared to stable weight, weight loss ≥10 % over an average of 6 years is associated with nearly 40 % increase in risk of hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION

Findings on the relationship between change in body weight and risk of hip fracture are inconsistent. In this study, we examined this association among middle-aged and elderly Chinese in Singapore.

METHODS

We used prospective data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based cohort of 63,257 Chinese men and women aged 45-74 years at recruitment in 1993-1998. Body weight and height were self-reported at recruitment and reassessed during follow-up interview in 1999-2004. Percent in weight change was computed based on the weight difference over an average of 6 years, and categorized as loss ≥10 %, loss 5 to <10 %, loss or gain <5 % (stable weight), gain 5 to <10 %, and gain ≥10 %. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied with adjustment for risk factors for hip fracture and body mass index (BMI) reported at follow-up interview.

RESULTS

About 12 % experienced weight loss ≥10 %, and another 12 % had weight gain ≥10 %. After a mean follow-up of 9.0 years, we identified 775 incident hip fractures among 42,149 eligible participants. Compared to stable weight, weight loss ≥10 % was associated with 39 % increased risk (hazard ratio 1.39; 95 % confidence interval 1.14, 1.69). Such elevated risk with weight loss ≥10 % was observed in both genders and age groups at follow-up (≤65 and >65 years) and in those with baseline BMI ≥20 kg/m(2).There was no significant association with weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide evidence that substantial weight loss is an important risk factor for osteoporotic hip fractures among the middle-aged to elderly Chinese.

Effect of daily short-duration weight-bearing on disuse-induced deterioration of musculoskeletal system

OBJECTIVES

To investigate deterioration of musculoskeletal system due to prolonged disuse and the potential of daily short-duration weight-bearing as countermeasures.

METHODS

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Control Group (CG, no intervention), Tail-suspension Group (TG, tail-suspension without treatment), and Weight-Bearing Group (WBG, tail-suspension with 20 min/day, 5 days/week body weight loading). After four weeks of treatment, femur and tibia, soleus and extensor digitorum longus were evaluated for bone and muscle quality respectively. Tensile properties of bone-tendon insertion (BTI) were evaluated using patella-patellar tendon complex.

RESULTS

Disuse induced deterioration on bone, muscle, and BTI after four weeks. Compared with CG, TG and WBG showed significant decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of trabecular bone in distal femur (4.3-15.2%), muscle mass (31.3-52.3%), muscle cross-sectional area (29.1-35%), and failure strength of BTI (23.9-29.4%). Tensile test showed that the failure mode was avulsion of bone at the BTI. No significant difference was detected between TG and WBG for all assessments on bone, muscle, and BTI.

CONCLUSIONS

Disuse caused deterioration of bone, muscle, and BTI while daily short-duration of weight-bearing did not prevent this deterioration. Mechanical stimulation with higher intensity and longer duration may be necessary to prevent musculoskeletal deterioration resulted from prolonged disuse.

Expression and significance of SATB1 in the development of breast cancer

Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a recently discovered gene regulator that can promote the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. However, its expression in different stages of breast cancer development have not been examined. We explored the role of SATB1 in the development of breast cancer by detecting SATB1 expression levels in different stages of breast cancer. SATB1 expression was determined using an immunohistochemical streptavidin peroxidase method; the relationship between clinicopathological features of breast cancer and SATB1 expression was analyzed using the X(2) test. Positive rates of SATB1 protein in normal breast tissue, normal breast ductal hyperplasia tissue, precancerous lesions of breast cancer, non-invasive cancer, early invasive carcinoma, and invasive breast cancer tissue were, respectively, 6.25 (2/32), 6.4 (3/47), 20.4 (10/49), 45.0 (9/20), 52.9 (9/17), and 76.6% (72/94). SATB1 in the latter 3 groups was significantly higher than in the first 3 groups (P < 0.05). The positive rate of SATB1 protein in invasive non-special types of breast cancer (88.5%, 54/61) was significantly higher than in the special type of invasive breast cancer (54.5%, 18/33) and early invasive breast cancer (52.9%, 9/17) (P < 0.05). SATB1 protein expression in breast cancer with lymph node metastasis was generally increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). SATB1 protein expression showed an increasing trend in different stages of breast cancer development. Overexpression indicated poor prognosis.

Hybrid monitor for both beam position and tilt of pulsed high-current beams

A Hybrid beam monitor, integrated with both azimuthal and axial B-dot probes, was designed for simultaneous measurement of both beam position and beam angle for pulsed high-current beams at the same location in beam pipe. The output signals of axial B-dot probes were found to be mixed with signals caused by transverse position deviation. In order to eliminate the unwanted signals, an elimination method was developed and its feasibility tested on a 50-Ω coaxial line test stand. By this method, a waveform, shape-like to that of input current and proportional to the tilt angle, was simulated and processed by following integration step to achieve the tilt angle. The tests showed that the measurement error of displacement and tilt angle less than 0.3 mm and 1.5 mrad, respectively. The latter error could be reduced with improved probes by reducing the inductance of the axial B-dot probe, but the improvement reached a limit due to some unknown systemic mechanism.

Gpr177-mediated Wnt Signaling is Required for Fungiform Placode Initiation

Fungiform papillae are formed as patterned rows on the surface of the anterior tongue at early organogenesis and contain one taste bud in each papilla to form one of the important sensory organs. Despite the essential role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in controlling the development of fungiform taste papillae, the universal function of Wnt ligands in the initiation of the fungiform placode has not been completely elucidated. Here, by Shh (Cre) -mediated oral epithelial deletion of Wntless (Gpr177), a regulator essential for intracellular Wnt trafficking, we demonstrate that an overall function of Wnts is required for initiation of the fungiform placode. Multiple Wnts are expressed in the tongue epithelium at E11.5 before initiation of the fungiform placodes. Epithelial Gpr177 loss-of-function, associated with reduction of canonical Wnt signaling in lingual epithelium as exhibited by a loss of TopGal activity and Axin2 expression, results in the failure of fungiform placode initiation, as assessed by diminished expression of several taste placode molecular markers. Moreover, LiCl treatment of Gpr177 epithelial-deficient tongue explants at E11.5, but not at E12.5, restores tongue placode formation, demonstrating that Wnt ligands in the tongue surface prior to but not after fungiform placode initiation are responsible for fungiform papilla initiation. Epithelium-specific expression of an active β-catenin in the Gpr177-deficient tongue leads to fungiform papillae generation, suggesting that an intra-epithelial response to Wnts is required for placode initiation. Together, these results suggest that Gpr177 controls epithelial initiation of the fungiform placode through signaling via epithelial Wnt ligands.

Natural CD8+CD122+ T cells are more potent in suppression of allograft rejection than CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Despite extensive studies on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), their application in adoptive transfer therapies is still not optimal in immune-competent wild-type (WT) animal models. Therefore, it is compelling to search for more potent Tregs for potential clinical application. Mounting evidence has shown that naturally occurring CD8+CD122+ T cells are also Tregs. However, their suppression in allograft rejection, efficiency in suppression and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using a murine allotransplantation model, we reported here that CD8+CD122+ Tregs were actually more potent in suppression of allograft rejection and underwent more rapid homeostatic proliferation than their CD4+CD25+ counterparts. Moreover, they produced more IL-10 and were more potent in suppressing T cell proliferation in vitro. Deficiency in IL-10 in CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD122+ Tregs resulted in their reduced but equal suppression in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that IL-10 is responsible for more effective suppression by CD8+CD122+ than CD4+CD25+ Tregs. Importantly, transfer of CD8+CD122+ Tregs together with the administration of recombinant IL-15 significantly prolonged allograft survival in WT mice. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrate that naturally arising CD8+CD122+ Tregs not only inhibit allograft rejection but also exert this suppression more potently than their CD4+CD25+ counterparts. This novel finding may have important implications for tolerance induction.

Effects on tumor development and metastatic dissemination by the NKG2D lymphocyte receptor expressed on cancer cells

The stimulatory NKG2D lymphocyte receptor together with its tumor-associated ligands enable the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. However, with dynamic changes unfolding, cancers exploit NKG2D and its ligands for immune evasion and suppression. Recent findings have added yet another functional dimension wherein cancer cells themselves coopt NKG2D for their own benefit to complement the presence of its ligands for self stimulation of parameters of tumorigenesis. Those findings are here extended to in vivo tumorigenicity testing by employing orthotopic xenotransplant breast cancer models in mice. Using human cancer lines with ectopic NKG2D expression and RNAi-mediated protein depletion among other controls, we show that NKG2D self-stimulation has tumor promoting capacity. NKG2D signals had no notable effects on cancer cell proliferation and survival but acted at the level of angiogenesis, thus promoting tumor growth, tumor cell intravasation and dissemination. NKG2D-mediated effects on tumor initiation may represent another factor in the observed overall enhancement of tumor development. Altogether, these results may impact immunotherapy approaches, which currently do not account for such NKG2D effects in cancer patients and thus could be misdirected as underlying assumptions are incomplete.

Dietary B vitamin intake and risk of hip fracture: the Singapore Chinese Health Study

This prospective cohort study that comprehensively examined effects of different B vitamins in an Asian population showed an inverse relationship between dietary intake of pyridoxine and hip fracture risk in elderly women. These findings suggest that maintaining sufficient pyridoxine intake may be beneficial in preserving bone health in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION

B vitamins have recently been investigated for their possible roles in maintaining bone health. Incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture has been rising in Asia, but epidemiological data on dietary B vitamins and risk of osteoporotic fractures are sparse. We aimed to examine the association between dietary intakes of B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, and cobalamin) and hip fracture risk among elderly Chinese in Singapore.

METHODS

The current study was conducted in the Singapore Chinese Health Study, which is a population-based cohort prospective study that enrolled a total of 63,257 men and women aged 45-74 years between 1993 and 1998. Dietary intakes of B vitamins were derived from a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Singapore Food Composition Database.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up period of 13.8 years, 1,630 hip fracture incident cases were identified. A statistically significant inverse relationship between dietary pyridoxine intake and hip fracture risk was observed among women (p for trend = 0.002) but not among men. Compared to women in the lowest quartile intake (0.37-0.61 mg/1,000 kcal/day), women in the highest quartile intake (0.78-1.76 mg/1,000 kcal/day) had a 22 % reduction in hip fracture risk (hazard ratio 0.78, 95 % confidence interval 0.66-0.93). Dietary intakes of the other B vitamins of interest were not related to hip fracture risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that maintaining adequate intake of pyridoxine may prevent osteoporotic fractures among elderly women.

Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and renal Fanconi syndrome induced by low-dose adefovir dipivoxil: a case report and literature review suggesting ethnic predisposition

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is one of the commonly used antiviral agents in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Safety of a daily dose of 10 mg ADV is advocated by the registration trials. We report a case of severe hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and renal Fanconi syndrome induced by low-dose ADV in a CHB-related cirrhosis patient, and discuss the case through a thorough review of other cases reported in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

A 48-yr-old Chinese man with CHB-related cirrhosis developed severe progressive generalized bone pain and muscle weakness after receiving ADV 10 mg daily for 54 months. The laboratory results showed severe hypophosphatemia and features of proximal renal tubule dysfunction. Imaging studies were consistent with osteomalacia. After discontinuation of ADV, his symptoms resolved, laboratory abnormalities normalized and imaging studies showed improvement. In addition to our case, 12 other patients have been reported to have developed hypophosphatemic osteomalacia induced by low-dose ADV. Most of the reported cases were of subjects of East-Asian ethnicity. After discontinuation or reduction of ADV, serum phosphate level increased and clinical symptoms significantly improved in all cases.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and renal Fanconi syndrome can be associated with low-dose ADV. Clinicians treating CHB patients with ADV 10 mg daily over long periods of time should be aware of this infrequent but serious complication.

RIP140 is associated with subclinical inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients

AIMS

To evaluate the expression level of RIP140 (receptor interaction protein 140) and its correlation with inflammatory cytokine production and free fatty acids (FFAs) in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 24 diabetic and 30 healthy individuals. The levels of FFAs, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, FIN, and FBG were measured. The insulin resistance index was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Additionally, PBMCs from control group were cultured alone or with 500 μmol/L palmitic acid (PA). Levels of RIP140 TNF-α, and IL-6 in PBMCs were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR, Western blots and ELISA. The relationship between RIP140 and other variables was performed using SPSS 11.5 software.

RESULTS

TG, LDL-C, FIN, FBG, HOMA, and HDL-C were significantly different between diabetic patients and the control group. Levels of RIP140, TNF-α, and IL-6 were higher in the diabetic group compared to control. RIP140 expression was positively correlated with FFAs, HDL-c, TNF-α, IL-6, FIN, FBG, and HOMA. Finally, 500 μmol/L PA treatment increased RIP140 expression and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in cultured control PBMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased RIP140 level may be closely associated with inflammation and disorder of lipid and glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

Cigarette smoke exposure hinders long-term allograft survival by suppressing indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase expression

Cigarette smoke causes cancer and increases the vulnerability of smokers to infections. Epidemiologic studies have shown that smoking is one of major risk factors for late allograft rejection. Despite statistical data that associate smoking with allograft rejection, no any study has been conducted to prove that cigarette smoke directly causes allograft rejection in a cause-effect manner. In particular, investigation into immunologic mechanisms underlying smoke-related allograft rejection is lacking. Here we found that second hand smoke (SHS) hindered long-term islet allograft survival induced by CD154 costimulatory blockade plus donor-specific splenocyte transfusion (DST), although it failed to alter acute islet allograft rejection. SHS did not directly interfere with vigorously alloreactive T-cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Neither naturally occurring nor induced CD4+CD25+ Treg cell numbers were significantly reduced by SHS. However, SHS suppressed mRNA and protein expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) and its activity upon transplantation while IDO overexpression in islet allografts restored their long-term survival induced by CD154 blockade. Therefore, SHS prevents long-term allograft survival by inhibiting IDO expression and activity. Thus, our study for the first time demonstrates that SHS shortens allograft survival in a cause-effect manner and unveils a novel immunologic mechanism underlying smoking-related allograft rejection.

Tacrolimus enhances the invasion potential of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and promotes lymphatic metastasis in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma: involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor-C

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of tacrolimus treatment on tumor growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

The effect of tacrolimus was investigated on tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in a rat model of HCC. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were assessed by CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) immunostaining. Cell proliferation and invasion were monitored in vitro using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and Matrigel Invasion Chambers, respectively. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemisty and Western blots.

RESULTS

Tacrolimus had no effect on the proliferation of HCC in vitro or in vivo. Treatment with tacrolimus resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the invasive potential of HCC cells in vitro, in the density of peritumoral lymphatic vessels, and in the number and volume of metastatic lymph nodes in August Copenhagen Irish (ACI) rats. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemisty, and Western blot revealed that tacrolimus increased the levels of expression of VEGF-C in HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Tacrolimus enhanced the invasive potential of HCC cells, facilitating HCC lymphangiogenesis and promoting lymphatic metastasis in a rat model of HCC. This influence may be the result of an increase in VEGF-C expression by HCC cells. Targeting the VEGF-C/Fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 axis may be a novel treatment for HCC patients after liver transplantation.

A 100 nanometer scale resistive heater-thermometer on a silicon cantilever

This paper reports a method for fabricating a 100 nm scale heater-thermometer into a silicon microcantilever based on contact photolithography and a controlled annealing process. The heater is formed during a photolithography process that can achieve a minimum feature size of about 1 microm, while careful control of doping and annealing parameters allows the heater size to be further decreased, to a width of 100 nm. The heater is fabricated onto the free end of a silicon cantilever suitable for scanning probe microscopy, and can be integrated into cantilevers with or without sharp tips. The fabricated heater has a maximum temperature of over 700 degrees C, and a heating time of 56 micros to reach 500 degrees C.

Knockdown of Abl interactor 1 expression impairs invadopodia formation, tumor angiogenesis, and markedly slows tumor growth of breast cancer cells

Abstract #2054

Background: Abl interactor 1 (Abi1) is a key regulator of actin polymerization/depolymerization. Previous studies have revealed that Abi1 interacts with Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (Wasp) family proteins, and regulates the nucleation promoting activity of Wasp proteins. In addition to Wasp family proteins, Abi1 also binds to a variety of other signaling molecules, including those involved in the signal transductions of small GTP-binding protein Rac and PI3 kinase. The ability to interact with diverse signaling pathways places Abi1 at a central position in the signaling network that regulates cell motility and proliferation. The involvement of Abi1 in the development of abnormal cytoskeletal functions of cancer cells has recently been reported. It remains unclear, however, how Abi1 exerts its effects in tumor cells and whether it contributes to tumor progression in vivo.&#x2028; Material and Methods: The short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing was used, in conjunction with murine tumor xenograft models, to examine the effects of Abi1 knockdown on cytoskeleton remodeling, cell migration, invasion, as well as tumor growth and angiogenesis of MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells.&#x2028; Results: We report here a novel function for Abi1 in the regulation of invadopodia formation as well as in the tumor angiogenesis and invasion of breast cancer cells, possibly through the modulation of Src and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activities. Abi1 co-localizes with invadopodia, the specialized adhesive/invasive structures believed to control the invasion of tumor cells, in MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. Epigenetic silencing of the Abi1 gene by shRNA in MDA-MB231 cells impaired the formation of invadopodia and decreased the activity of c-Src and MMP-9. The decreased invadopodia formation and MMP-9 activity correlated with a reduction in the ability of these cells to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM). Remarkably, the knockdown of Abi1 expression inhibited tumor invasion and angiogenesis and markedly slowed tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. Taken together, these results indicate that the Abi1 signaling plays a critical role in breast cancer progression and suggest that this pathway may serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of human breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2054.