18F-FDG PET/CT/MRI Fusion Images Showing Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Involvement in Neurolymphomatosis

Tripartite Motif Protein Family in Central Nervous System Diseases

Tripartite motif (TRIM) protein superfamily is a group of E3 ubiquitin ligases characterized by the conserved RING domain, the B-box domain, and the coiled-coil domain (RBCC). It is widely involved in various physiological and pathological processes, such as intracellular signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, oncogenesis, and innate immune response. Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are composed of encephalopathy and spinal cord diseases, which have a high disability and mortality rate. Patients are often unable to take care of themselves and their life quality can be seriously declined. Initially, the function research of TRIM proteins mainly focused on cancer. However, in recent years, accumulating attention is paid to the roles they play in CNS diseases. In this review, we integrate the reported roles of TRIM proteins in the pathological process of CNS diseases and related signaling pathways, hoping to provide theoretical bases for further research in treating CNS diseases targeting TRIM proteins. TRIM proteins participated in CNS diseases. TRIM protein family is characterized by a highly conserved RBCC domain, referring to the RING domain, the B-box domain, and the coiled-coil domain. Recent research has discovered the relations between TRIM proteins and various CNS diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic stroke.

A Case Series of Neurolymphomatosis: Role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan Reiterated

Neurolymphomatosis is rarely encountered in high-grade lymphomas. In this case series, we retrospectively analyzed six neurolymphomatosis cases to look for possible risk factors, common and uncommon presentations, and the lessons learned. Neuropathic pain was the most common symptom with mono or polyradiculopathy in this series. However, all lymphomatous infiltrated nerves diagnosed on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) were not symptomatic. The lumbar, brachial plexus, and trigeminal nerve were the most common sites and were depicted well on FDG PET/CT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain better delineates cranial nerves and meningeal involvement. Cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry was normal until meninges were involved. FDG PET/CT incrementally evaluated extra-neural disease sites, thus helping in deciding biopsy sites and further management. We concluded that a whole-body FDG PET/CT including limbs with MRI brain was the appropriate investigation for evaluating suspected neurolymphomatosis in advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

TRIM3 attenuates apoptosis in Parkinson's disease via activating PI3K/AKT signal pathway

This article aims to study tripartite motif-containing protein 3 (TRIM3) effects on Parkinson's disease (PD). TRIM3 expression in venous blood of PD patients was detected by qRT-PCR. PD mouse model and PD SH-SY5Y cell model were constructed. PD cells were treated by LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor). The apoptosis of PD mouse midbrain was detected. Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in PD cells and mice midbrain was analyzed. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MMP were detected. The effect of TRIM3 on cell viability, apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signal pathway were analyzed. As a result, TRIM3 expression in venous blood of PD patients was decreased. TRIM3 up-regulation in PD mouse decreased midbrain tissues apoptosis. TRIM3 up-regulation increased GSH and SOD levels in PD mice midbrain tissues and PD cells. TRIM3 up-regulation in PD cells prominently reduced ROS and MMP. TRIM3 up-regulation increased PD cells viability and decreased apoptosis. TRIM3 up-regulation in PD cells elevated Bcl-2 protein expression and weakened Bax, Cleaved-caspase 3 and Cleaved-caspase 9 proteins expression. TRIM3 up-regulation increased p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT ratio. PI3K inhibitor treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of TRIM3 up-regulation on PD cells apoptosis. Thus, TRIM3 might attenuate apoptosis in PD via activating PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

B-cell peripheral neurolymphomatosis: MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To examine the MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging characteristics of peripheral neurolymphomatosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All institutional cases of neurolymphomatosis with an MRI or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT from 2000 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Included cases were biopsy-proven neurolymphomatosis or lymphoma patients with clinical and imaging evidence of neurolymphomatosis that resolved after chemotherapy. Multiple imaging parameters and clinical characteristics were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 27 cases of B-cell neurolymphomatosis in 25 patients (18 M, 7 F; mean age 64.6 ± 10.0 years). Of the total cases, 85% (23/27) were biopsy-proven. Most were diagnosed after disease progression or recurrence (20/27, 74%), and presented with isolated nerve involvement (18/27, 67%). Bone marrow biopsy (17/19, 89%) and CSF cytology (16/23, 70%) were usually negative. On ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, neurolymphomatosis presented as a linear or fusiform (23/26, 88%), FDG-avid (average SUVmax: 7.1 ± 4.5, range, 1.5-17.0) mass, and on MRI as a T2-weighted hyperintense (21/22, 95%), enhancing (21/22, 95%), linear or fusiform mass (19/22, 86%), with associated muscle denervation (14/22, 64%). FDG avidity was significantly higher in patients with muscular denervation on MRI (mean SUVmax 8.2 ± 4.6 vs. 4.3 ± 2.3, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

B-cell neurolymphomatosis most commonly manifests as T2-weighted hyperintense, enhancing linear or fusiform neural enlargement associated with muscular denervation on MRI, with intense FDG activity on PET/CT. It is most often an isolated site of disease, presenting after progression or recurrence. A familiarity with the imaging appearance of neurolymphomatosis can help refine the differential diagnosis, direct biopsy, and aid in accurate diagnosis.