Aminoalkylsilane-treated glass slides as support for in situ hybridization of keratin cDNAs to frozen tissue sections under varying fixation and pretreatment conditions

Methyl Green-Pyronine Staining of Porcine Organotypic Skin Explant Cultures: An Alternative Model for Screening for Skin Irritants

We describe a new alternative method for screening for skin irritants by using fresh intact porcine skin biopsies. Test chemicals were applied to the epidermis of the biopsies, which were then incubated for different times in tissue culture medium at 37°C and with 5% carbon dioxide. A decrease in epidermal keratinocyte RNA staining, visualised in frozen sections by using a modified methyl-green pyronine (MGP) staining procedure, was employed as a marker of irritancy. If a decrease in epidermal RNA was observed after incubation for 4 hours (strong irritant), the chemical had an MGP score of 3; if after incubation for 24 hours (moderate irritant), the MGP score was 2; and if after incubation for 48 hours (weak irritant), the MGP score was 1. If no keratinocyte cytotoxicity was observed after incubation for 48 hours, the chemical was classified as non-irritant (MGP score = 0). At least three ears were used per chemical. The average MGP score was used to classify the chemical. Based on the MGP score for 20% sodium dodecyl sulphate, chemicals classified as strong or moderate irritants by using the MGP test were grouped together as category R38 chemicals. Weak irritants or non-irritants were not classified (NC). The MGP staining correctly identified 23 of 25 skin irritants for which reference data were available.

Routine histology techniques for the developing and adult central nervous system

The preparation of tissue for histological study is a multi-step process in which potential loss of quality and the introduction of artifacts can occur during each step. Knowledge of the process and the potential pitfalls at each step will serve the investigator well. Here I describe the most basic histologic techniques, worked out so long ago they are often absent from current literature.

Systematic analysis and validation of differential gene expression in ovarian serous adenocarcinomas and normal ovary

PURPOSE

Cancer of the ovary confers the worst prognosis among women with gynecological malignancies, primarily because most ovarian cancers are diagnosed at late stage. Hence, there is a substantial need to develop new diagnostic biomarkers to enable detection of ovarian cancer at earlier stages, which would confer better prognosis. In addition, the identification of druggable targets is of substantial interest to find new therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.

METHODS

The expression of 22,500 genes in a series of 67 serous papillary carcinomas was compared with 9 crudely enriched normal ovarian tissue samples by RNA hybridization on oligonucleotide microarrays. Multiple genes with near-uniformly expression were elevated in carcinomas of varying grade and malignant potential, including several previously described genes (e.g., MUC-1, CD9, CD24, claudin 3, and mesothelin). We performed immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against several of the proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes in an independent cohort of 71 cases of paraffin-embedded ovarian cancer samples.

RESULTS

We found striking differences in EpCAM (p < 0.005), CD9 (p < 0.001), MUC-1 (p < 0.001), and claudin 3 proteins (p < 0.001) but not for mesothelin (p > 0.05) using the Mann-Whitney U test.

CONCLUSIONS

Protein expression of a majority of the differentially expressed genes tested was found to be elevated in ovarian carcinomas and, as such, define potential new biomarkers or targets.

Adhesion of tissue sections from eleven organs on glass slides with amino group coatings

The adhesion of immunohistochemically stained tissue sections from eleven different organs on microscope slides was compared. Skin, trachea and mammary gland tissue sections heat-treated for antigen retrieval exhibited strong adhesive retention on glass slides coated with self-assembled monolayers containing amino groups at high density.

Effect of amino group density for prevention of mammary gland tissue detachment from coated glass surface

Tissue detachment from histological glass slides coated with different amino group densities was investigated during heat treatment for immunohistochemical staining. In both sow and piglet mammary gland tissues, the results clearly showed strong adhesion and high retention on self-assembled monolayers with high amino group density.

The role of p53 as a surrogate marker for chemotherapeutical responsiveness in ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

In advanced ovarian cancers (OCs), p53 mutations are frequently observed. The objective of this study was to explore the value of the p53 mutational status, using four different techniques, in advanced OC patients as a predictive marker for responsiveness to platinum-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

One hundred and four, mostly serous papillary OC specimens were analyzed, of which all received a platinum containing chemotherapy after optimal cyto-reductive surgery. To verify the p53 mutational status, immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies, functional yeast assay (FASAY), single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and genomic sequencing was performed in parallel.

RESULTS

Out of ten OC patients [2 low malignant potential (LMP)/8 G1] only two had a mutant p53, whereas eight showed a wild-type p53. 40 out of 63 (G2/3) patients with G2/3 OC showed mutant p53 and 23 patients showed a wild-type pattern. p53 status was significantly different between these two groups (LMP/G1 vs. G2/3) (P = 0.015). A progressive disease after chemotherapy completion was noted in 35.6% of the patients (26 out of 73); in 69.2%, a mutated p53 and in 30.8%, a wild-type p53 was found. Nine (12.3%) patients showed a complete response at the end of the first-line chemotherapy. Out of these nine patients five had a mutated and four a wild-type p53. A partial response was observed in nine (12.3%) patients of whom four had a mutated p53. With respect to response to first-line chemotherapy (six cycles of platinum containing regimen), the p53 status was not predictive; no statistical significance regarding the p53 mutational status was observed when the two extreme groups PD versus PR/CR were compared (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the p53 mutational status was not predictive for responsiveness to platinum-based chemotherapy; but p53 was significantly more frequently mutated in poorly differentiated OCs.

Loss of cell-surface receptor EphB2 is important for the growth, migration, and invasiveness of a colon cancer cell line

PURPOSE

In normal colonic epithelium, the receptor tyrosine kinase, EphB2 interacts with ephrinB1 ligand to maintain the integrity and architecture of the colonic crypt. Loss of EphB2 is seen in most colorectal cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of two levels of EphB2 expression on cell migration and invasion in a colon cancer cell line and on the growth of tumour xenografts.

METHODS

An EphB2-negative colon cancer cell line (LIM2405) was transfected with a full-length EphB2 cDNA in a vector designed to respond to the drug tetracycline. The effect of two levels of EphB2 expression on the ability of cells to migrate through a porous barrier in response to a chemo-attractant and to invade through artificial basement membranes was tested in vitro. Finally, the effects of two expression levels of EphB2 on tumour growth using an in vivo model of colonic tumour xenograft in a mouse model were assessed.

RESULTS

Expression of moderate levels of EphB2 significantly reduced the migration of tumour cells compared to control (p < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). Expression of high levels of EphB2 further reduced migration of tumour cells (p < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). Similarly, expression of EphB2 markedly reduces the invasive ability of tumour cells. The in vivo model of tumour growth showed that tumours with the highest level of EphB2 expression had a reduced risk of reaching a 10-mm size (defined event) compared with the control group (Cox regression, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.052, 95% CI 0.005-0.550; p = 0.014). Tumours derived from EphB2 expressing cells had a significantly reduced number of mitotic figures (p < 0.05) and an increased number of apoptotic cells (p < 0.05) compared to tumours from control cells.

CONCLUSION

Even a moderate level of EphB2 expression has effects on tumour cells which results in reduced migration and invasiveness and slows the growth of colonic tumour implants in an in vivo model.

The acute-phase protein serum amyloid A3 is expressed in the bovine mammary gland and plays a role in host defence

The serum amyloid A protein is one of the major reactants in the acute-phase response. Using representational difference analysis comparing RNA from normal and involuting quarters of a dairy cow mammary gland, we found an mRNA encoding the SAA3 protein (M-SAA3). The M-SAA3 mRNA was localized to restricted populations of bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs). It was expressed at a moderate level in late pregnancy, at a low level through lactation, was induced early in milk stasis, and expressed at high levels in most MECs during mid to late involution and inflammation/mastitis. The mature M-SAA3 peptide was expressed in Escherichia coli, antibodies made, and shown to have antibacterial activity against E. coli, Streptococcus uberis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results suggest that the mammary SAA3 may have a role in protection of the mammary gland during remodelling and infection and possibly in the neonate gastrointestinal tract.

Framework for parsing, visualizing and scoring tissue microarray images

Increasingly automated techniques for arraying, immunostaining, and imaging tissue sections led us to design software for convenient management, display, and scoring. Demand for molecular marker data derived in situ from tissue has driven histology informatics automation to the point where one can envision the computer, rather than the microscope, as the primary viewing platform for histopathological scoring and diagnoses. Tissue microarrays (TMAs), with hundreds or even thousands of patients' tissue sections on each slide, were the first step in this wave of automation. Via TMAs, increasingly rapid identification of the molecular patterns of cancer that define distinct clinical outcome groups among patients has become possible. TMAs have moved the bottleneck of acquiring molecular pattern information away from sampling and processing the tissues to the tasks of scoring and results analyses. The need to read large numbers of new slides, primarily for research purposes, is driving continuing advances in commercially available automated microscopy instruments that already do or soon will automatically image hundreds of slides per day. We reviewed strategies for acquiring, collating, and storing histological images with the goal of streamlining subsequent data analyses. As a result of this work, we report an implementation of software for automated preprocessing, organization, storage, and display of high resolution composite TMA images.

Matrix Metalloproteinase 26 Proteolysis of the NH2-Terminal Domain of the Estrogen Receptor β Correlates with the Survival of Breast Cancer Patients

Estrogens have many cellular functions, including their interactions with estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERalpha and ERbeta). Earlier, we determined that the estrogen-ER complex stimulates the transcriptional activity of the matrix metalloproteinase 26 (MMP-26) gene promoter. We then determined that ERbeta is susceptible to MMP-26 proteolysis whereas ERalpha is resistant to the protease. MMP-26 targets the NH(2)-terminal region of ERbeta coding for the divergent NH(2)-terminal A/B domain that is responsible for the ligand-independent transactivation function. As a result, MMP-26 proteolysis generates the COOH-terminal fragments of ERbeta. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays derived from 121 cancer patients corroborated these data and revealed an inverse correlation between the ERalpha-dependent expression of MMP-26 and the levels of the intact ERbeta in breast carcinomas. MMP-26 is not expressed in normal mammary epithelium. The levels of MMP-26 are strongly up-regulated in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In the course of further disease progression through stages I to III, the expression of MMP-26 decreases. In contrast to many tumor-promoting MMPs, the expression of MMP-26 in DCIS correlated with a longer patient survival. Our data suggest the existence of an MMP-26-mediated intracellular pathway that targets ERbeta and that MMP-26, a novel and valuable cancer marker, contributes favorably to the survival of the ERalpha/beta-positive cohort of breast cancer patients.

An Alternative Pretreatment Procedure in Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Diagnosis Using PrPsc Immunohistochemistry

Because of its sensitivity, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) is used more often in the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), such as scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). PrPsc IHC requires a combination of pretreatments (chemical, heating, and enzymatic). The method of application may depend on the anti-prion antibody considered. If these pretreatments are efficient for diagnostic purpose, it may, however, be interesting to use an alternative method to efficiently detect PrPsc IHC immunohistochemically using chemical pretreatments solely. Here we describe such pretreatments reporting the difficulty (section adhesion) but also the potential advantages of such methods (easy, quick, inexpensive, and amplifying effect).

Molecular and prognostic distinction between serous ovarian carcinomas of varying grade and malignant potential

Profiles of gene transcription have begun to delineate the molecular basis of ovarian cancer, including distinctions between carcinomas of differing histology, tumor progression and patient outcome. However, the similarities and differences among the most commonly diagnosed noninvasive borderline (low malignant potential, LMP) lesions and invasive serous carcinomas of varying grade (G1, G2 and G3) have not yet been explored. Here, we used oligonucleotide arrays to profile the expression of 12,500 genes in a series of 57 predominantly stage III serous ovarian adenocarcinomas from 52 patients, eight with borderline tumors and 44 with adenocarcinomas of varying grade. Unsupervised and supervised analyses showed that LMP lesions were distinct from high-grade serous adenocarcinomas, as might be expected; however, well-differentiated (G1) invasive adenocarcinomas showed a strikingly similar profile to LMP tumors as compared to cancers with moderate (G2) or poor (G3) cellular differentiation, which were also highly similar. Comparative genomic hybridization of an independent cohort of five LMP and 63 invasive carcinomas of varying grade demonstrated LMP and G1 were again similar, exhibiting significantly less chromosomal aberration than G2/G3 carcinomas. A majority of LMP and G1 tumors were characterized by high levels of p21/WAF1, with concomitant expression of cell growth suppressors, gadd34 and BTG-2. In contrast, G2/G3 cancers were characterized by the expression of genes associated with the cell cycle and by STAT-1-, STAT-3/JAK-1/2-induced gene expression. The distinction between the LMP-G1 and G2-G3 groups of tumors was highly correlated to patient outcome (chi(2) for equivalence of death rates=7.681189; P=0.0056, log-rank test). Our results are consistent with the recent demonstration of a poor differentiation molecular 'meta-signature' in human cancer, and underscore a number of cell-cycle- and STAT-associated targets that may prove useful as points of therapeutic intervention for those patients with aggressive disease.

Immunolocalization of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the developing root and supporting structures of the murine tooth

Epithelio-mesenchymal interactions are active during the development of the root of the tooth and are regulated by a variety of growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factors. FGF-2, 3, 4, and 8 have all been shown to play a role in the development of the crown of the tooth, but less is known about the factors that govern root formation, particularly FGF-2. The aim of this study was thus to elucidate the spatial and temporal expression of FGF-2 in the root of the developing tooth, as this growth factor is believed to be a mediator of epithelio-mesenchymal interactions. Parasagittal sections of the maxillary and mandibular arches of post-natal mice were utilized and the roots of the molar teeth were studied. Immunocytochemistry utilizing an antibody to FGF-2 was performed on sections of teeth at various stages of development. Intense immunostaining for FGF-2 was observed in differentiating odontoblasts at the apical end of the tooth and in the furcation zone of the developing root at all the stages examined. FGF-2 localization was also observed in cementoblasts on post-natal days 16, 20 and 24. The pattern of localization of FGF-2 in the developing root suggests that this growth factor may participate in the signaling network associated with root development.

Differential expression and cellular localization of ERKs during organogenic nodule formation from internodes of Humulus lupulus var. Nugget

The expression and subcellular localization of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 or 2 (ERK1/2) homologues (HLERK1/2) during the process of organogenic nodule formation in Humulus lupulus var. Nugget was studied using antibodies specific for ERK1 and ERK2, and for phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The increase in HLERK levels, detected by Western blotting 12 hours after wounding suggests their involvement in response to the wounding treatment applied for morphogenesis induction. In dividing cambial cells, occurring in between 4 and 7 days after morphogenesis induction, as well as in dividing prenodular cells (15 days after induction) HLERK1 and/or 2 were localized in the nucleus. However, as soon as nodular cells start proliferating to form shoot meristems, HLERK1 and 2 were detected in the cytoplasm and not in the nucleus. The data reported account for a differential expression and activation of HLERK1 and HLERK2 throughout the process of nodule formation and plantlet regeneration. HLERK1 appears to be expressed in the stages of nodule formation and plantlet regeneration, playing a possible role in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. HLERK2 may be induced as a response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by wounding of internodes as its expression is reduced in liquid medium with less oxygen availability compared to solid medium. However, addition of a ROS inhibitor to the liquid medium does not result in a further decrease in the HLERK2 level.

Neuropathological characterisation of French bovine spongiform encephalopathy cases

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle is a neurodegenerative disease belonging to the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, a group of diseases including sheep scrapie and human Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The pathological characteristics of BSE are vacuolation, mild gliosis, little neuronal degeneration without inflammatory process and abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) accumulation. The aim of this study was to define precisely the neuropathology of BSE in French cases by assessing the distributions of vacuolar lesions and PrPsc within cattle brains. We showed that vacuolation and PrPsc accumulation varied from one structure to the other, and most often coexisted. These distributions were in accordance with British and Portuguese data previously published. Seven types of PrPsc immunolabelling were described based on morphology and localisation. Besides mild gliosis mainly associated with vacuolation, we observed a very slight neuronal apoptosis. In addition, we saw a moderate vimentin labelling colocalised with vacuolation, a discrete ubiquitin staining and no Tau protein staining. This study provides precise histopathological data that will be completed with a quantitative study on more than 100 obex samples of French BSE cases.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in early stages (days 3-11) of the development of the avian lung, Gallus gallus variant domesticus: an immunocytochemical study

In the avian lung, the bronchial system forms from epithelial (endodermal) cells. The intrapulmonary primary bronchus is the focal point of airway development. It originates secondary bronchi (SB) along its proximal-distal extent and parabronchi (tertiary bronchi) arise from and connect the SB. From as early as day 3.5, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is diffusely expressed in the epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Up-regulation of FGF-2 in discrete areas of the developing lung seem to set the growth rate, trajectories followed, areas appropriated, three-dimensional symmetry and coupling of the airways. Expressed early in development and persisting into the incubation period, FGF-2 may be involved in the formation of the avian lung. Morphogenetic differences between the avian and the mammalian lungs may explain the existing structural contrarieties.

Expression analysis of neuroglobin mRNA in rodent tissues

Neuroglobin is a respiratory protein which was reported to be preferentially expressed in the vertebrate brain. Here we present the first detailed analysis of the expression of neuroglobin in mouse and rat tissues. Neuroglobin mRNA was detected in all brain areas studied. Most, but not all, nerve cells were labeled, suggesting differential expression of Ngb. Neuroglobin mRNA was detected in the peripheral nervous system, explaining previous northern hybridization signals in organs other than the brain. Substantial neuroglobin expression was also found in metabolically active endocrine tissues such as the adrenal and pituitary glands. The granule localization of neuroglobin transcripts in various neuronal extensions let us speculate that peripheral translation of neuroglobin protein occurs. This could have important functional consequences for synaptic plasticity, an active metabolic process that needs large amounts of oxygen. The hybridization signals suggest that the local concentration of neuroglobin is sufficient for its putative primary function as an oxygen-supplying protein.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization for detecting TP16 MTS1/CDK41 gene deletions in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

We have previously shown TP16 MTS1/CDK41 gene deletion in more than 50% of a cohort of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We have performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on paraffin-embedded SCCHN specimens from the same cohort to identify the deletion of TP16 MTS1/CDK41CDK41gene. Twenty normal and 19 SCCHN specimens were studied. An alpha-satellite DNA probe specific for chromosome 9 and a cosmid probe for the TP16 MTS1/CDK41CDK41gene were used. Of the 19 tumors examined by FISH, 6 had homozygous deletions, 7 were hemizygously deleted, and the remaining 6 showed no evidence of deletion of the TP16 MTS1/CDK41 gene. None of the normal specimens showed TP16 gene deletion. Data obtained from FISH highly correlated with the PCR results for the identification of TP16 MTS1/CDK41 gene deletions. Patients with deletion of the TP16 MTS1/CDK41 gene show a greater tendency toward the development of recurrence and metastasis.

Spatiotemporal features of early neuronogenesis differ in wild-type and albino mouse retina

In albino mammals, lack of pigment in the retinal pigment epithelium is associated with retinal defects, including poor visual acuity from a photoreceptor deficit in the central retina and poor depth perception from a decrease in ipsilaterally projecting retinal fibers. Possible contributors to these abnormalities are reported delays in neuronogenesis (Ilia and Jeffery, 1996) and retinal maturation (Webster and Rowe, 1991). To further determine possible perturbations in neuronogenesis and/or differentiation, we used cell-specific markers and refined birth dating methods to examine these events during retinal ganglion cell (RGC) genesis in albino and pigmented mice from embryonic day 11 (E11) to E18. Our data indicate that relative to pigmented mice, more ganglion cells are born in the early stages of neuronogenesis in the albino retina, although the initiation of RGC genesis in the albino is unchanged. The cellular organization of the albino retina is perturbed as early as E12. In addition, cell cycle kinetics and output along the nasotemporal axis differ in retinas of albino and pigmented mice, both absolutely, with the temporal aspect of the retina expanded in albino, and relative to the position of the optic nerve head. Finally, blocking melanin synthesis in pigmented eyecups in culture leads to an increase in RGC differentiation, consistent with a role for melanin formation in regulating RGC neuronogenesis. These results point to spatiotemporal defects in neuronal production in the albino retina, which could perturb expression of genes that specify cell fate, number, and/or projection phenotype.

Dynamics of cell proliferation in the adult dentate gyrus of two inbred strains of mice

The output potential of proliferating populations in either the developing or the adult nervous system is critically dependent on the length of the cell cycle (T(c)) and the size of the proliferating population. We developed a new approach for analyzing the cell cycle, the 'Saturate and Survive Method' (SSM), that also reveals the dynamic behaviors in the proliferative population and estimates of the size of the proliferating population. We used this method to analyze the proliferating population of the adult dentate gyrus in 60 day old mice of two inbred strains, C57BL/6J and BALB/cByJ. The results show that the number of cells labeled by exposure to BUdR changes dramatically with time as a function of the number of proliferating cells in the population, the length of the S-phase, cell division, the length of the cell cycle, dilution of the S-phase label, and cell death. The major difference between C57BL/6J and BALB/cByJ mice is the size of the proliferating population, which differs by a factor of two; the lengths of the cell cycle and the S-phase and the probability that a newly produced cell will die within the first 10 days do not differ in these two strains. This indicates that genetic regulation of the size of the proliferating population is independent of the genetic regulation of cell death among those newly produced cells. The dynamic changes in the number of labeled cells as revealed by the SSM protocol also indicate that neither single nor repeated daily injections of BUdR accurately measure 'proliferation.'

Expression of Bcl-2 family member Bid in normal and malignant tissues

Bid is the only known Bcl-2 family member that can function as an agonist of proapoptotic Bcl-2-related proteins such as Bax and Bak. Expression of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bid was assessed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical methods in normal murine and human tissues, and in several types of human cancers and tumor cell lines. Bid expression in normal tissues varied widely, with prominent Bid immunostaining occurring in several types of short-lived cells (e.g., germinal center B cells, peripheral blood granulocytes, differentiated keratinocytes) and in apoptosis-sensitive cells (e.g., adult neurons). Analysis of Bid expression by immunostaining of 100 colon, 95 ovarian, and 254 prostate cancers, as well as 59 brain tumors and 50 lymphomas, revealed evidence of altered Bid regulation in some types of cancers. Correlations with clinical outcome data revealed association of higher levels of Bid with longer recurrence-free survival in men with locally advanced (T3 stage) prostate cancer (P=0.04). Immunoblot analysis of Bid protein levels in the NCI's panel of 60 human tumor cell lines revealed a correlation between higher levels of Bid and sensitivity to ribonucleotide reductase (RR)-inhibiting drugs (P<0.0005). Overexpression of Bid in a model tumor cell line by gene transfection resulted in increased sensitivity to apoptosis induction by a RR inhibitor. Taken together, these observations suggest a potential role for Bid in tumor responses to specific chemotherapeutic drugs, and lay a foundation for future investigations of this member of the Bcl-2 family in healthy and diseased tissues.

Usefulness of Auto Cyto Fix (membrane filter method) for the application of immunohistochemistry

We developed the Auto Cyto Fix (ACF) 1000 as an experimental model, which was adapted as a membrane filter method for automatically making smear preparations fixed with 95% ethanol. In this study, immunohistochemistry was applied to the cells smeared on the membrane filter, and effectiveness was examined. Twenty-four effusions and HeLa 229 cells were used. These cell samples were produced by the ACF1000 on the membrane filter and stained by the Papanicolaou method. After observation, these were decolored and stained by immunohistochemical techniques. Antibodies included CEA, EMA, and MIB-1. CEA and EMA were detected by the indirect method, and were colored by DAB, AEC, and new fuchsin. MIB-1 was detected by the immunoperoxidase (LSAB) and the immunofluorescence method. A uniformly stabilized immunoreaction was obtained and was equivalent to or better than that of the conventional technique. In addition, there was no background staining on the membrane filter. Based on these results, the membrane filter preparation produced by the ACF1000 was also effectively applied to immunohistochemical observations.

TUCAN, an antiapoptotic caspase-associated recruitment domain family protein overexpressed in cancer

Caspase-associated recruitment domains (CARDs) are protein interaction domains that participate in activation or suppression of CARD-carrying members of the caspase family of apoptosis-inducing proteases. A novel CARD-containing protein was identified that is overexpressed in some types of cancer and that binds and suppresses activation of procaspase-9, which we term TUCAN (tumor-up-regulated CARD-containing antagonist of caspase nine). The CARD domain of TUCAN selectively binds itself and procaspase-9. TUCAN interferes with binding of Apaf1 to procaspase-9 and suppresses caspase activation induced by the Apaf1 activator, cytochrome c. Overexpression of TUCAN in cells by stable or transient transfection inhibits apoptosis and caspase activation induced by Apaf1/caspase-9-dependent stimuli, including Bax, VP16, and staurosporine, but not by Apaf1/caspase-9-independent stimuli, Fas and granzyme B. High levels of endogenous TUCAN protein were detected in several tumor cell lines and in colon cancer specimens, correlating with shorter patient survival. Thus, TUCAN represents a new member of the CARD family that selectively suppresses apoptosis induced via the mitochondrial pathway for caspase activation.

Angiogenesis and angiogenic growth factors in Wilms tumor

PURPOSE

Angiogenesis, that is new blood vessel formation, is a prerequisite for growth and metastasis of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to quantify tumor capillaries, investigate immunohistochemical expression and measure serum concentrations of angiogenic growth factors in patients with Wilms tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hospital records of 33 patients were reviewed and new slides were stained for the endothelial cell marker CD31. Capillaries were quantified in the most vascularized part of the tumor (hot spot) and in the whole slide. New slides were stained immunohistochemically for the angiogenic growth factors angiogenin, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta1-3, tumor necrosis factor alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their immunoreactivity was quantified. Pretreatment serum samples from 14 patients and 56 healthy control children were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for angiogenin, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha and VEGF.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that quantifications based on the tumor hot spot had a significant impact on survival probability (p <0.05). The tumor hot spot counts were highest in the blastemal compartment. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor and VEGF in serum were 3 times higher than those in controls (p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the sample size is small in this study, the results imply that angiogenesis in Wilms tumor is driven by angiogenic growth factors, and that intratumoral capillary quantification and determinations of serum levels of angiogenic growth factors may be of clinical value.

Effects of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor on Galanin Expression and on Axonal Growth in Adult Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in Vitro

Synthesis of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is increased in lesioned peripheral nerves and it is thought that this may cause increased expression of galanin (GAL) in axotomized dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and also to promote axonal regeneration. We therefore compared effects of LIF and nerve growth factor (NGF) on galanin expression and axonal growth using cultured intact DRGs of adult mice. In control lumbar DRGs cultured for 3 days, only 16% of neurons were immunoreactive for GAL, but this was increased to 38% in preparations cultured with LIF. NGF by itself had no effect on GAL expression, but the proportion of GAL-positive neurons in cultures incubated with LIF and NGF together (22%) was less than that observed in DRGs cultured with LIF alone. Similar results were obtained using thoracic DRGs. In collagen gels, NGF caused marked increases in the numbers and lengths of outgrowing axons as observed in previous studies. In contrast, LIF did not stimulate axonal outgrowth but increased the proportions of axons which were immunoreactive for GAL. The results indicate that expression of LIF in lesioned nerves may affect expression of neuropeptides such GAL rather than stimulating axonal regeneration.

Angiogenesis and angiogenic growth factors in Wilms tumor

PURPOSE

Angiogenesis, that is new blood vessel formation, is a prerequisite for growth and metastasis of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to quantify tumor capillaries, investigate immunohistochemical expression and measure serum concentrations of angiogenic growth factors in patients with Wilms tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hospital records of 33 patients were reviewed and new slides were stained for the endothelial cell marker CD31. Capillaries were quantified in the most vascularized part of the tumor (hot spot) and in the whole slide. New slides were stained immunohistochemically for the angiogenic growth factors angiogenin, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta1-3, tumor necrosis factor alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their immunoreactivity was quantified. Pretreatment serum samples from 14 patients and 56 healthy control children were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for angiogenin, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha and VEGF.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that quantifications based on the tumor hot spot had a significant impact on survival probability (p <0.05). The tumor hot spot counts were highest in the blastemal compartment. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor and VEGF in serum were 3 times higher than those in controls (p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the sample size is small in this study, the results imply that angiogenesis in Wilms tumor is driven by angiogenic growth factors, and that intratumoral capillary quantification and determinations of serum levels of angiogenic growth factors may be of clinical value.

Cloning and expression pattern of the human NDRG3 gene

We report the cloning and expression pattern of a novel N-myc downstream-regulated gene 3 (NDRG3), located on human chromosome 20q11.21-11.23. The NDRG3 cDNA is 2588 base pair in length, encoding a 363 amino acid polypeptide highly related to mouse Ndr3 protein. Northern blot reveals that NDRG3 is highly expressed in testis, prostate and ovary. By in situ hybridization, the NDRG3 mRNA was localized to the outer layers of seminiferous epithelium, indicating that it may play a role in spermatogenesis.

Expression and potential role of Fas-associated phosphatase-1 in ovarian cancer

Fas-associated phosphatase-1 (FAP-1) is a protein-tyrosine phosphatase that binds the cytosolic tail of Fas (Apo1, CD95), presumably regulating Fas-induced apoptosis. Elevations of FAP-1 protein levels in some tumor cell lines have been correlated with resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis. To explore the expression of FAP-1 in ovarian cancer cell lines and archival tumor specimens, mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies were generated against a FAP-1 peptide and recombinant FAP-1 protein. These antibodies were used for immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow-cytometry analysis of FAP-1 expression in the Fas-sensitive ovarian cancer lines HEY and BG-1, and in the Fas-resistant lines OVCAR-3 FR and SK-OV-3. All methods demonstrated high levels of FAP-1 in the resistant lines OVCAR-3 FR and SK-OV-3, but not in the Fas-sensitive lines HEY and BG-1. Furthermore, levels of FAP-1 protein also correlated with the amounts of FAP-1 mRNA, as determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. FAP-1 protein levels were investigated by immunoblotting in the National Cancer Institute's panel of 60 human tumor cell lines. Although FAP-1 failed to correlate with Fas-resistance across the entire tumor panel, Fas-resistance correlated significantly with FAP-1 expression (P: < or = 0.05) and a low Fas/FAP-1 ratio (P: < or = 0.028) in ovarian cancer cell lines. FAP-1 expression was also evaluated in 95 archival ovarian cancer specimens using tissue-microarray technology. FAP-1 was expressed in nearly all tumors, regardless of histological type or grade, stage, patient age, response to chemotherapy, or patient survival. We conclude that FAP-1 correlates significantly with Fas resistance in ovarian cancer cell lines and is commonly expressed in ovarian cancers.

A unique type I keratin intermediate filament gene family is abundantly expressed in the inner root sheaths of sheep and human hair follicles

A unique type I keratin intermediate filament group, comprising three highly related proteins and expressed in the inner root sheath of hair follicles, has been identified in both sheep and human. The first members from these species are named oIRSa1 and hIRSa1 and each encodes a protein of 450 amino acids, with compositional characteristics intermediate between those of previously described hair keratin and epidermal cytokeratin type I intermediate filaments. Detection of abundant mRNA transcripts derived from the sheep and human genes by cRNA in situ hybridization only in the inner root sheath and not in the medulla concurs with the findings of earlier ultrastructural analyses that have reported intermediate filaments only in the inner root sheath. Clustering of the IRSa keratin genes is apparent in the genomes of both species. The three hIRSa genes, known to reside on human chromosome 17, are closely linked to three further type I keratin intermediate filament genes of unknown function. This new gene complex, contained almost entirely within a 156 kb BAC (hRPK.142_H_19), is likely to lie near the type I intermediate filament cytokeratin and hair keratin gene loci at 17q12-q21. A phylogenetic analysis including all known human type I intermediate filament cytokeratins, hHa keratins, hIRSa, and hIRSa-linked keratins suggests that origin of the IRSa keratin intermediate filament linkage group preceded origin of most of the epidermal cytokeratins and all hair keratins during emergence of the keratin intermediate filament genes.

Breast cancer in mice: effect of murine MUC-1 immunization on tumor incidence in C3H/HeOuj mice

Mucin-1 (MUC-1), which is overexpressed in more than 90% of human breast cancers, is a potential target for immunotherapy. To develop a mouse model appropriate for the immunotherapy of human cancer, mouse mucin-1 (muc-1) fusion protein, containing ten tandem repeats, was made and used to immunize C3H/HeOuj mice, which supposedly have a high incidence of breast cancer. C3H/HeOuj mice were injected eight times with 5 microg oxidized mannan muc-1-glutathione-S-transferase (MMFP) with or without cyclophosphamide, which is used to increase cellular immunity. At 80 age weeks, only 12.1% (4 of 33) mice of the untreated C3H/HeOuj mice had mammary tumors. The reason for the low incidence of breast cancer in these mice is not known, but all the mammary tumors were MUC-1+ breast adenocarcinomas and were transplantable to C3H/HeOuj mice. The incidence was 11.4% (4 of 35) in mice injected with MMFP: 38.2% (13 of 34) in mice given cyclophosphamide; and 14.3% (2 of 14) in mice treated with glutathione-S-transferase. That is, cyclophosphamide increased the incidence of mammary tumors, and metastases were found in only these mice. Fewer tumors (6 of 34 or 17.6% compared with 13 of 34 or 38.2% with cyclophosphamide only) occurred in the group immunized with MMFP and cyclophosphamide. Mice immunized with MMFP had high levels of muc-1 antibodies and cellular immune responses (the frequency of the precursor of the cytotoxic Tlymphocyte cell was 1 of 40,000 to 1 of 100,000), which were not found in control groups. The occurrence of muc-1 immunity, particularly the presence of large amounts of anti-mucin-1 antibodies, had no effect on tumor incidence. Thus, the immunization with murine muc-1 reduced the tumor incidence in only cyclophosphamide-treated mice and led to strong muc-1 antibody production and to cellular responses. These findings have implications for human tumor immunotherapy in which strong antibody and weak cellular responses are to be expected and, indeed, have been found.

Observations on fiber-forming collagens in the anulus fibrosus

STUDY DESIGN

The spatial distribution of fiber-forming collagens in the anulus fibrosus was investigated in the complete longitudinal and horizontal sections of human lumbar intervertebral discs of seven individuals.

OBJECTIVES

To obtain a more detailed structural definition of the anulus fibrosus because structural alterations of its collagen fiber network have been implicated in discal degeneration and other spinal pathologies.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Prior biochemical or immunofluorescence studies permitted only limited conclusions concerning the spatial distribution of the fiber-forming collagens in relation to anatomic structures because they were based on intraoperative tissue specimens or performed on incomplete sections of human intervertebral discs.

METHODS

Complete human intervertebral discs with their adjacent vertebral bodies were fixed, decalcified, and embedded in paraffin. The intervertebral disc and its adjacent structures were reviewed in their entirety on one histologic slide. Monoclonal antibodies against human Types I, II, and III collagen were used for immunohistochemistry. A comparative analysis based on both immunohistochemical and histologic evaluation was performed.

RESULTS

Type I collagen was seen abundantly in the outer zone and outer lamellas of the inner zone of the anulus fibrosus. On longitudinal sections, the Type I collagen distribution took the shape of a wedge. On horizontal sections, the Type I collagen positive area took the shape of a ring that was wider anteriorly than posteriorly. This suggests that the three-dimensional shape of the Type I collagen-positive tissue in the anulus fibrosus can be described by a donut that is wider anteriorly than posteriorly. Type II collagen was present in the entire inner of the anulus fibrosus, but not in the outer zone. In addition, it was found in the cartilaginous endplates. Type III collagen showed some codistribution with Type II collagen, particularly in pericellular locations in areas of spondylosis, which was noted at the endplates, vertebral rim, and insertion sites of the anulus fibrosus.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations on the location of Types I and II collagen provide a more detailed structural definition of the anulus fibrosus, which may assist in further investigation of discal herniation.

Down-regulation of human osteoblast PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA in end-stage renal failure

BACKGROUND

Resistance to the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been demonstrated in end-stage renal failure and is considered to be important in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mechanism of resistance is unknown. However, altered regulation of cellular PTH/PTH-related protein (PTH/PTHrP) receptor (PTH1R) has been assumed to be important.

METHODS

We have used in situ hybridization to examine PTH1R mRNA expression by osteoblasts in human bone and have compared the expression in high- and low-turnover renal bone disease, high-turnover nonrenal bone disease (healing fracture callus and Pagetic bone), and normal bone. Bone biopsies were formalin fixed, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid decalcified, and paraffin wax embedded. A 1.8 kb PTH1R cDNA probe, labeled with 35S, was used, and the hybridization signal was revealed by autoradiography. The density of signal over osteoblasts was quantitated using a semiautomated Leica image analysis software package.

RESULTS

The mean density of PTH1R mRNA signal over osteoblasts in renal high-turnover bone was only 36% of that found in nonrenal high-turnover bone (P < 0.05) and 51% of that found in normal bone (P < 0.05). Osteoblast PTH1R mRNA signal in adynamic bone from individuals with diabetes mellitus was 28% of normal bone (P < 0.05) and 54% of that found in renal high-turnover bone (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate a down-regulation of osteoblast PTH1R mRNA in end-stage renal failure in comparison to normal and high-turnover bone from otherwise healthy individuals, and provide an insight into the mechanisms of "skeletal resistance" to the actions of PTH.

A vertebrate globin expressed in the brain

Haemoglobins and myoglobins constitute related protein families that function in oxygen transport and storage in humans and other vertebrates. Here we report the identification of a third globin type in man and mouse. This protein is predominantly expressed in the brain, and therefore we have called it neuroglobin. Mouse neuroglobin is a monomer with a high oxygen affinity (half saturation pressure, P50 approximately 2 torr). Analogous to myoglobin, neuroglobin may increase the availability of oxygen to brain tissue. The human neuroglobin gene (NGB), located on chromosome 14q24, has a unique exon-intron structure. Neuroglobin represents a distinct protein family that diverged early in metazoan evolution, probably before the Protostomia/Deuterostomia split.

Growth hormone receptor abundance in tibial growth plates of uremic rats: GH/IGF-I treatment

BACKGROUND

Children with chronic renal failure (CRF) exhibit growth retardation and a disturbed growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis. Treatment of children with CRF with GH or GH/IGF-I can partially restore linear growth. The molecular basis for decreased longitudinal growth is not known but may involve an impaired action of GH.

METHODS

We used the growth-retarded uremic rat model to determine the abundance and distribution of GH receptors (GHRs) in the tibial epiphyseal growth plate and the influence of GH, IGF-I, or combined GH/IGF-I treatment. Pair-fed rats were used as the control.

RESULTS

While all treatment regimes increased body length and weight in both rat groups, only GH/IGF-I treatment increased the total growth plate width. This involved an increase in cell number in the hypertrophic zone, which could also be induced by IGF-I alone. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that uremic rats had decreased abundance of GHRs in the proliferative zone, and only GH/IGF-I therapy could overcome this decrease. These data thus suggest that growth retardation in uremic rats is, at least in part, due to a decrease in GHR abundance in chondrocytes of the proliferative zone of the tibial growth plate. This decreased GHR abundance can be overcome by combined GH/IGF-I therapy, thus enhancing generation and proliferation of hypertrophic zone chondrocytes and increasing growth-plate width.

CONCLUSION

These studies point to a mechanism for the growth retardation seen in children with CRF, and suggest that combined GH/IGF-I treatment may provide more effective therapy for these patients than GH alone.

Embigin, a developmentally expressed member of the immunoglobulin super family, is also expressed during regression of prostate and mammary gland

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are intimately involved in a variety of cellular processes, including development, cell growth, apoptosis, and differentiation. Interaction of CAMs with components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) growth factors, and other CAMs provides an intricate regulatory mechanism for a diverse range of cellular responses. Embigin is a developmentally expressed protein that is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) class of CAMs. We have identified embigin as a gene expressed during tissue regression in rat prostate and lactating mammary gland following hormonal ablation. In the absence of the appropriate hormone, the secretory epithelial cells of these two tissues undergo successive waves of apoptotic cell death co-incident with extensive reorganization of the surviving tissue. Using Northern analysis, in situ hybridization analysis, RT-PCR, and Western analysis we have characterized the expression of embigin mRNA and protein in both regressing prostate and mammary gland. During development of the prostate gland, increased expression of embigin is correlated with the appearance of highly organized lumenal and ductal structures. Embigin is also expressed in a variety of adult tissues including heart, liver, lung, and brain Zoo-blot analysis with the rat embigin cDNA indicates that embigin homologs exist in species as diverse as Homo sapiens and Drosophila melanogaster, suggesting that it has been highly conserved during evolution. Embigin protein is expressed at readily detectable levels in a variety of prostate and mammary cancer cell lines, and in some cell lines the expression of embigin appears to be down-regulated in the presence of ECM. Our data have led us to propose a model in which embigin functions as a regulator of cell/ECM interactions during development and in the homeostasis of normal adult tissues.

A highly sensitive nonisotopic detection method for in situ hybridization

In situ hybridization is a technique that allows detection of specific DNA and RNA sequences in tissue sections. Nonisotopic techniques are fast and give a precise localization of the hybridization product, but a drawback is the low sensitivity. However, the sensitivity is dependent on the detection system used. To evaluate a sensitive in situ hybridization method with nonradioactive probes we compared three different detection systems, using biotin-labeled human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 probes. The three detection systems included (i) STAV-FITC method (streptavidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate/alkaline phosphatase anti-FITC), (ii) APAAP method (mouse anti-biotin/anti-mouse IgG/alkaline phosphatase mouse anti-alkaline phosphatase), and (iii) tyramide signal amplification (TSA) method (STAV-horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/biotinyl tyramide/STAV-HRP). The in situ hybridization methods were tested on CaSki and SiHa cells and two cervical carcinomas known to be HPV16 positive. The cells and tissues and been fixed in 4% buffered formalin and paraffin embedded. The three different detection systems gave satisfactory nuclear staining in CaSki cells (CaSki cells contain > 500 copies of HPV16 DNA) and the two cervical carcinomas. However, demonstration of HPV16 DNA in SiHa cells (SiHa cells contain one to two HPV16 genome copies) was possible only by use of the APAAP method. It was concluded that the APAAP method provides the best sensitivity among the nonisotopic detection systems and can detect single viral copies in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded material.

Nuclear localisation of the transcription factor Stat5b is associated with ovine milk protein gene expression during lactation but not during late pregnancy or forced weaning

Localisation patterns of the transcription factor Stat5b in the udders from pregnant, lactating and involuting ewes were compared with the expression patterns of two major milk protein genes alpha-lactalbumin and alphaS1 casein. Stat5b was detected in the cytoplasm and nuclei of epithelial cells at all stages of mammary gland development. A consistent positive relationship between the nuclear localisation of Stat5b in lactating mammary alveolar epithelial cells, and the presence of milk protein gene mRNA was apparent during lactation and early involution. Conversely, there was little evidence of nuclear localisation of Stat5b in non-lactating mammary alveolar epithelial cells during lactation and early involution. This supports the observation that during lactation, Stat5b may play a role in milk protein gene expression. However, during pregnancy and later involution, while Stat5b was observed to be present in mammary epithelial cell nuclei and cytoplasm, no relationship between this and the presence of milk protein gene mRNA was apparent. This suggests that during late pregnancy and in later involution, Stat5b may be involved in processes other than initiation of milk protein gene transcription.

Mononuclear cell proliferation and hyperplasia during Wallerian degeneration in the visual system of the goldfish in the presence or absence of regenerating optic axons

Patterns of proliferation and changes in non-neuronal cell number in the visual system of the goldfish have been quantitatively examined during optic axon regeneration after an optic nerve crush (ONC). In addition, in order to examine the effect of the regenerating axons on cellular responses in the visual pathways, we did a similar analysis of animals with the right eye removed (ER). Finally, we used double labeling protocols to demonstrate that the proliferating cells that we were counting were mostly phagocytic cells of the mononuclear lineage. In animals with an ONC, we observed an early burst of proliferation that peaked between 7 and 14 days after surgery in all parts of the visual system. In the optic tract, there was also a secondary rise that peaked at 21 days. Levels of proliferation returned to normal by 32 days postoperative in the tract and tectum, while they remained somewhat elevated in the optic nerve for at least 93 days. The total number of non-neuronal cells in the visual paths also rose to peak values between 7 and 14 days after ONC surgery. In the optic tract and tectum, the values fell rapidly after this time, while in the optic nerve, there was a secondary peak at 32 days after which values remained elevated for the duration of the experiment. As compared to animals with an ONC, enucleation resulted in elevated proliferation and hyperplasia at early postoperative intervals. However, because these differences occurred when axons had not yet regenerated into the affected structures, these data do not provide strong evidence for a direct effect of regenerating optic axons on the early cellular responses during Wallerian degeneration in the goldfish. In addition, in the tectum, there was an early increment in cell number that was not associated with elevated levels of proliferation. We believe that this increment represents immigration of resident microglia from other regions of the brain.