Immunohistochemical Expression of CD31 (PECAM-1) in Nonendothelial Tumors of Dogs

Contrast-enhanced echocardiographic diagnosis of benign and malignant cardiac tumors and its correlation with pathology

Background

This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced echocardiography (CEE) in benign and malignant cardiac tumors and detect the correlation of CEE parameters and immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers.

Methods

The data of 44 patients with cardiac tumors confirmed by pathology were reviewed. Lesions were examined before surgery using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and CEE with time-intensity curve analysis. The expression of CD31, VEGF and Ki67 was measured by IHC staining. Microvessel density (MVD) was quantified via IHC for CD31. The clinical variables, TTE, CEE and IHC parameters were compared between benign and malignant cardiac tumors. Receiver operating characteristic curve were used to analyze the value of factors in predicting malignant cardiac tumors. The correlation between CEE and IHC parameters was analyzed.

Results

Among 44 cardiac tumors, 34 were benign and 10 were malignant. There were significant differences in the TTE parameters (pericardial effusion, tumor boundary, diameter, basal width), CEE parameters (tumor peak intensity (TPI), peak intensity ratio of tumor to myocardium (TPI/MPI), area under time-intensity curve (AUTIC)) and IHC parameters (Ki67, MVD, CD31, VEGF) between the benign and malignant tumor groups (all P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the CEE and IHC parameters had diagnostic value in malignant cardiac tumors. There was a correlation between TPI/MPI and Ki67 (r = 0.62), AUTIC and Ki67 (r = 0.50), and AUTIC and CD31 (r = 0.56).

Conclusion

TTE and CEE parameters were different between benign and malignant cardiac tumors. CEE is helpful to differentiate the properties of cardiac tumors. There is a correlation between CEE parameters and IHC markers. AUTIC and TPI/MPI can reflect the proliferation and invasion of tumors.

Case report: BCL-2 and CD31 immunoexpression related to clinical and histopathological evaluation of renal dysplasia in a Welsh Corgi Puppy

A case of renal dysplasia (RD) in the Welsh Corgi dog has been reported. Clinically, the affected 3-month-old, female, Welsh Corgi dog showed unclear symptoms of chronic kidney disease. Grossly, both left and right kidneys revealed cystic hypoplasia. Histologically, the primary lesions included immature or fetal glomeruli/tubules, proliferative arterioles, persistent metanephric ducts, persistent mesenchyme, and atypical tubular epithelium were presented. A group of degenerative and inflammatory lesions consisting of interstitial nephritis, interstitial fibrosis, and mineralization of tubules were found. Immunohistochemically, the epithelial cells of immature (fetal) tubules had BCL-2 labeling whereas CD31 (PECAM-1) was labeled in the endothelial cells of the proliferative arterioles. The immunohistochemical findings were confirmed and consolidated with the routine histopathological findings. This study was the first demonstration of the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features of RD disease in a Welsh Corgi puppy.

A Morphometric Analysis of Pathological Alterations in Hemorrhoidal Disease Versus Normal Controls: A Controlled Trial

Objective Until today, the true pathophysiology of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) has not yet been unraveled. More and more evidence guides us towards the hypothesis that reduced connective tissue stability is associated with a higher incidence of hemorrhoids. The present study aimed to compare the quantity and quality of collagen, and vessel morphometrics, in patients with symptomatic HD compared with normal controls.

Methods Twenty-two samples of grade III and grade IV HD tissue from patients undergoing a hemorrhoidectomy between January 2004 and June 2015 were included in the study group. Samples of 15 individuals without symptomatic HD who donated their body to science and died a natural death served as controls. The quantity and quality of anal collagen, and anal vessel morphometrics were objectified. The quality of collagen was subdivided in young (immature) and old (mature) collagen.

Results Patients with HD had an increased percentage of total anal collagen (62.1 ± 13.8 versus 18.7 ± 14.5%; p = 0.0001), a decreased percentage of young collagen (0.00009 ± 0.00008 versus 0.0008 ± 0.0008%; p = 0.001), and a smaller surface area of the anal vessels (795.1 ± 1215.9 micrometre2 versus 1219.0 ± 1976.1; p = 0.003) compared with controls. The percentage of old collagen did not differ between the control and study groups (0.588 ± 0.286% versus 0.389 ± 0.242%; p = 0.06).

Conclusion The outcomes of the present study suggest that alterations in anal collagen composition may play a role in the formation of hemorrhoids.

The Ergothioneine Transporter (ETT): Substrates and Locations, an Inventory

In all vertebrates including mammals, the ergothioneine transporter ETT (obsolete name OCTN1; human gene symbol SLC22A4) is a powerful and highly specific transporter for the uptake of ergothioneine (ET). ETT is not expressed ubiquitously and only cells with high ETT cell-surface levels can accumulate ET to high concentration. Without ETT, there is no uptake because the plasma membrane is essentially impermeable to this hydrophilic zwitterion. Here, we review the substrate specificity and localization of ETT, which is prominently expressed in neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and developing erythrocytes. Most sites of strong expression are conserved across species, but there are also major differences. In particular, we critically analyze the evidence for the expression of ETT in the brain as well as recent data suggesting that the transporter SLC22A15 may transport also ET. We conclude that, to date, ETT remains the only well-defined biomarker for intracellular ET activity. In humans, the ability to take up, distribute, and retain ET depends principally on this transporter.

Mechanism of transepithelial migration of lymphocytes into the milk in porcine mammary glands

Lymphocytes in the colostrum play many important roles during lactation, including protecting newborn piglets against infections. The lymphocytes constantly enter the mammary gland from the mother's bloodstream before and during lactation. However, little is known about the mechanism of transport of maternal lymphocytes across the mammary glands into the milk (lumen). In this study, the maternal lymphocytes were detected in sow colostrum by immunofluorescent staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting and lymphocytes were observed transmigrating into the breast acinar lumen. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed that CD3⁺ T, γδ⁺ T, and IgA⁺ B cells were primarily located at the base area of the mammary gland. Meanwhile, more lactating alveoli and blood capillaries were distributed in this area. Finally, a mammary epithelial cell (EpH4-Ev)/T cell co-culture system was established to explore the mechanism of lymphocyte transmigration across the mammary epithelial cells. The expression of CCL2 and CCL28 in EpH4-Ev cells, which facilitated the transmigration of lymphocytes, significantly increased in the presence of prolactin. Our results provide a better understanding of the concept of lactogenic immunity and pave the way for vaccination strategies for the induction of lactogenic immunity in pregnant swine.

Hepatic Hemangiosarcoma in a Cynomolgus Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

An experimentally naïve, 9-y-old, intact male cynomolgus macaque was reported for bleeding from an unidentified site. Sedated physical examination indicated mild gingival separation from the lingual aspect of the upper right canine tooth as the source of the hemorrhage. Physical exam revealed a firm mass adhered to the left zygomatic arch, 2 subcutaneous nodules on the chest, and a large mass in the cranial abdomen. Radiographs revealed a large soft-tissue mass in the cranial abdomen and multifocal nodules in the caudal lung fields. On ultrasonography, the liver was grossly enlarged and contained a cavi- tated mass. Hematology and serum chemistry results demonstrated severe regenerative anemia with normal clotting times and adequate platelet count. For humane reasons, euthanasia was elected. On gross examination, the liver was markedly enlarged by an expansile mass primarily affecting the median lobe, with multiple, smaller nodules throughout the remaining lobes. Multifocal round, firm nodules were observed on the surface of all lung lobes and throughout the omentum. Histologic examination of the hepatic, cutaneous, osseous, and pulmonary lesions demonstrated well-defined, endothelium-lined vascular channels arranged in cords with abundant hemorrhage; endothelial-cell immunomarkers confirmed these results. On the basis of these findings, hepatic hemangiosarcoma, with metastases to the lungs, omentum, subcutis, and bone, was diagnosed. This case study is the first report of spontaneous hepatic hemangiosarcoma in a cynomolgus macaque and the first case with metastasis to bone in a NHP.