The prognostic significance of growth factors and growth factor receptors in gastric adenocarcinoma

A Two-Way Road: Antagonistic Interaction Between Dual-Species Biofilms Formed by Candida albicans/Candida parapsilosis and Trichophyton rubrum

Dermatomycoses include superficial fungal infections of the skin and its appendages. Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis are some of the most prevalent species that cause dermatomycoses. Several studies show a variable predominance of Candida spp. in relation to dermatophytes, especially in onychomycosis and the possibility of isolating both from the same site. The ability of dermatophytes to form biofilms recently been explored and there is currently no evidence on the involvement of these filamentous fungi in multi-species biofilms. Thus, this study aims to investigate the probable dual-species interaction between T. rubrum and C. albicans and T. rubrum and C. parapsilosis biofilms, considering variable formation conditions, as well as the susceptibility of these dual-species biofilms against terbinafine and efinaconazole. Three conditions of formation of dual-species biofilms were tested: (a) the suspensions of T. rubrum and Candida albicans or C. parapsilosis placed together; (b) suspensions of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis added the pre-adhesion of T. rubrum biofilms; (c) after the maturation of T. rubrum sessile cells. In the first and second conditions, the quantification of metabolic activities, biomass, and polysaccharide materials of mixed biofilms tended to resemble Candida monospecies biofilms. In the third condition, the profiles were modified after the addition of Candida, suggesting that T. rubrum biofilms served as substrate for the development of Candida biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy showed Candida predominance, however, numerous blastoconidia were noted, most evident in the conditions under which Candida was added after the pre-adhesion and maturation of T. rubrum biofilms. Despite the predominance of Candida, the presence of T. rubrum appears to inhibit C. albicans filamentation and C. parapsilosis development, confirming an antagonistic interaction. Fungal burden assays performed when the biofilms were formed together confirmed Candida predominance, as well as susceptibility to antifungals. Further studies will be needed to identify the components of the Candida and T. rubrum biofilm supernatants responsible for inhibiting dermatophyte growth and C. albicans filamentation.

SiRNA-mediated silencing of VEGFR-3 reduces proliferation, adhesion and migration of colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of transfection with an adenovirus vector expressing short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) on cell proliferation, adhesion and migration in colorectal cancer cell line LoVo.

METHODS: An adenovirus vector expressing siRNA targeting VEGFR-3 was constructed and transfected into LoVo cells. The expression of VEGFR-3 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation and migration were detected by MTT assay and Transwell assay, respectively.

RESULTS: The expression of VEGFR-3 mRNA and protein was significantly decreased after transfection with the recombinant adenovirus (P < 0.05), compared with the blank control group and negative control group. The proliferation, adhesion and migration of LoVo cells were significantly decreased after transfection with the recombinant adenovirus (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: SiRNA-mediated silencing of VEGFR-3 inhibits the proliferation, adhesion and migration of LoVo cells.

Role and mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry induced by CCL21-CCR7 in micrometastasis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

AIM: To explore whether chemokine receptor CCR7 promotes QBC939 cell proliferation, migration and invasion by inducing vasculogenic mimicry formation as well as the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS: Vasculogenic mimicry in QBC939 cells was tested by three-dimensional cell culture. Cell migration capabilities of groups of cells were detected by scratch test and Transwell chamber assay. Boyden chamber assay was used to detect the impact of CCL21-CCR7 on the invasive ability of QBC939 cells in vitro. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of CCL21-CCR7 on proliferation of QBC939 cells. The expression of CCR7 and the related six genes (Twist1, GAPDH, IL-8, VEGF, PDEF, PDCD4) in three groups of cells was detected by real-time PCR. All data were analyzed by analysis of variance and LSD-t test.

RESULTS: Compared with control cells, VM formation ability and cell proliferation were strengthened significantly in cells overexpressing CCR7 (t = 3.104, P < 0.05) and reduced in CCR7 silenced cells (t = 2.971, P < 0.05). Compared with control cells, cell migration capabilities were significantly increased in cells overexpressing CCR7 (Transwell: t = 2.652; Boyden: t = 2.967, P < 0.05) and reduced in CCR7-silenced cells (Transwell: t = 2.691; Boyden: t = 2.330, P < 0.05). Addition of CCL21 in control cells and cells overexpressing CCR7 significantly increased cell migration capabilities. Real-time PCR showed that the expression patterns of Twist1 in three groups of cells were consistent with those of CCR7.

CONCLUSION: Differential expression of CCL21-CCR7 has an effect on the formation of vasculogenic mimicry and can change bile duct cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, possibly through epithelial-mesenchymal transformation mediated by Twist1.