Silencing of hepsin and inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 by siRNA reduces prostate cancer cells proliferation

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a multifactorial disease, which arises from the activation of genes related to cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. Two important genes namely hepsin (HPN) and inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase type 2 (IMPDH2) were studied to understand the pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to determine the transcript level of PCa-related genes, HPN and IMPDH2, in archived tissues. Their functional roles were further determined using an in vitro model of PCa. Total RNA extraction was done from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded PCa tissues, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues acted as the control. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to measure HPN and IMPDH2 expression. The functional assay was performed in a prostate cancer cell line (DU145) on these two genes by silencing their RNA. We discovered a significantly higher expression of IMPDH2 in PCa samples compared to non-cancerous tissues (P < 0.001). While HPN expression level showed a downward trend in PCa but the result was not statistically significant compared to the control. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of IMPDH2 expression in the cell line significantly decreased cell proliferation. The silencing of IMPDH2, however, did not affect cell migration, invasion, and apoptosis of the DU145 cell line. Our study demonstrated that IMPDH2 plays an essential role in clinical samples as well as in vitro models of this cancer. Inhibition of this gene through siRNA causes retardation of cell proliferation suggesting that IMPDH2 plays an essential role in prostate cancer.

Potential biomarkers in NASH-induced liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma: A preliminary work on roles of exosomal miR-182, miR-301a, and miR-373

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have published the roles of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of various type of malignancies and can be developed as potential biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. The aim of this study was to identify the expression level of selected miRNAs (miR-182, miR-301a, and miR-373) in exosomes of the serum and ascitic fluid in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related liver cirrhosis with or without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed to identify potential miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of HCC. Unpaired serum and ascitic fluid were obtained from 52 patients with NASH related liver cirrhosis (n=26 for each group of with and without HCC). Exosomal miRNA was isolated from all samples. Expression levels of miR-182, miR-301a and miR- 373 were determined using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Serum-derived exosomal mir-182, miR-301a and miR-373 were significantly up-regulated with fold change of 1.77, 2.52, and 1.67 (p< 0.05) respectively in NASH-induced liver cirrhosis with HCC as compared to NASH-induced liver cirrhosis without HCC. We identified the expression levels of ascitic fluid-derived exosomal mir-182, miR-301a, and miR-373 were significantly up-regulated with fold change of 1.6, 1.94 and 2.13 respectively in NASH-induced liver cirrhosis with HCC as compared to NASH-induced liver cirrhosis without HCC (p <0.05). There was poor correlation expression of all the selected exosomal miRNA between serum- and ascitic fluid-derived in HCC group.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary data showed significant increase in the expression levels of exosomal miR-182, miR-301a and miR- 373 in both serum and ascetic fluid suggesting the possible roles of these miRNAs as circulating biomarkers for NASH-induced liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Performance evaluation of novel PVDF–Cloisite 15A hollow fiber composite membranes for treatment of effluents containing dyes and salts using membrane distillation

Performances of a novel PVDF–Cloisite 15A hollow fiber composite membrane in treating a dyeing solution containing 50 ppm AR1 and 0.1–1.0 M NaCl.

Physicochemical study of polyvinylidene fluoride–Cloisite15A® composite membranes for membrane distillation application

The effect of Cloisite15A® on the physicochemical properties of PVDF hollow fiber membranes was studied. The inclusion of Cloisite15A® in PVDF has a positive impact on the physicochemical properties of the membrane and significantly improves the DCMD performance.

409. Differentially expressed genes in endometroid endometrial carcinoma using microarray: a preliminary report

Background: Endometrial cancer is the commonest cancer among women in the western countries. It ranks the fourth in gynaecological cancers incidence in Malaysia. Endometriod carcinoma is the commonest subtype of endometrial cancer. The aetiology of this disease is still not fully understood. Previous theories have suggested the disease is caused by the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of the tumour suppressor genes. The aim of this study is to identify expressing genes involved in the endometrial carcinoma compared with the normal endometrium. Materials and Methods: All endometrial tissues were obtained from patients that undergo total hysterectomy. The pathologist confirms the histolopathological examination. Total RNA was isolated and confirmed using the bioanalyzer 2100. Gene list were profiled using Affymetrix Human Genome Gene Chip 1.0 ST array. The results were analysed using GeneSpring 9.0 GX software. Results: The software analysis showed 237 differentially expressed genes (2-fold change) between normal and tumour. Among of these genes, 28 were found to be upregulated and 209 were downregulated in tumour compared with the normal (P < 0.01). There are several genes that are differentially expressed between endometrial carcinoma and normal tissues and found to be associated with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway. A mong the genes include CD44, CAV1 and TGFβR3. Conclusion: This preliminary finding has suggested the molecular difference of endometrial carcinoma and normal endometrium. These transcripts may be participated in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Epstein-Barr viral infection in extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck: correlation with prognosis and response to treatment

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in primary extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck (PELHN) in immunocompetent patients. PELHN represents 16.18% of all lymphoma diagnosed at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo. Although EBV infection is highly associated with lymphoma in immunocompromised patients, the situation in immunocompetent patients is still unclear.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 50 PELHN (11 cases in the nose and paranasal sinuses, 11 in the nasopharynx, 13 in the tonsils, seven in the oropharynx and eight in the oral cavity), five reactive lymph nodes, 15 normal nasopharyngeal tissue and 25 throat washes of healthy subjects from Egypt. Cases and controls were assessed for the presence of EBV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization techniques, the presence of 30 base pair deletion of the LMP-1 (del-LMP1) gene and for the expression of p53, Ki67, bcl-2 and Bax by immunohistochemistry. This was also correlated with the clinical outcome of patients.

RESULTS

EBV was detected in 90% and 70% of the cases using EBER in situ hybridization and PCR, respectively. All cases of nasal type lymphoma were positive for EBV. del-LMP1 gene was detected in 24/35 of EBV+ cases (68.6%), whereas 11 cases had wild-type variant either alone or mixed with del-LMP1. There was a significant difference in the frequency of del-LMP1 between lymphoma and normal tissues. Overexpression of Ki67, p53 and bcl-2 was detected in 78.1%, 62.5% and 20% of cases, whereas loss of Bax was detected in 18% of the cases. Multivariate analysis showed that only p53 overexpression, del-LMP1 variant and advanced disease stage are independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

EBV infection is frequent in PELHN in Egypt. Possible pathogenic mechanisms involve deregulation of p53 and enhanced proliferation (as detected by high Ki67 index). The presence of del-LMP1 variants, p53 overexpression and advanced disease stage are poor prognostic factors associated with reduced survival and poor response to therapy.

126. Progesterone regulates CXCL14 (macrophage inflammatory protein 2γ) mRNA in human endometrium

The emergence of microarray technology has enabled a thorough study of the level of transcripts in the human body. A high density micoarray analysis revealed a comprehensive list of transcripts, which were significantly different between mid-proliferative and mid-secretory phase endometrium.2 An EST identified from the HG_U95B chip is identical to the 3′UTR of CXCL14 or macrophage inflammatory protein 2γ (MIP 2γ). The level is 19-fold higher in the mid-secretory compared to the mid-proliferative phase of menstrual cycle. This has suggested that the transcript level of CXCL14 may be directly regulated by progesterone. Northern hybridisation and in situ hybridisation confirmed that the transcript level of CXCL14 (MIP 2γ) was high in the mid-to-late secretory endometrium and its mRNA was localised in the glandular epithelium of this tissue.1 In silico analysis has predicted six progesterone response elements (PREs) within 2040 bp upstream from the ATG site. To investigate the possible functions of these PREs, a dual luciferase assay was performed on the ishikawa cell line transfected with five deletion constructs of the gene promoter. Cells were co-transfected with progesterone receptor B (PRB) and treated with 10–6 M progesterone. Luciferase activities of these constructs have localised two fragments that were most likely to contain the active PREs, i.e. PRE1 and PRE2. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that PRE oligonulcleotides within these two regions were able to bind PRB that was synthesised in vitro, although there was a stronger signal seen in the PRE2 region. A dose competition study revealed PRE1/PRB and PRE2/PRB protein binding could be competed with different concentrations of cold wild-type competitor oligonucleotides. Mutagenesis of PRE1 and PRE2 analysed by luciferase reporter assay reduced the inductive effect of progesterone treatment. This study indicates that progestegen induced transcript encoding a chemokine in the human endometrium may likely act as a chemoattractant for leucocytes during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. (1)Mokhtar NM, Smith SK, Charnock-Jones DS. (2003). Characterisation of chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 2gamma mRNA in human endometrium. 50th Society for Gynaecologic Investigation. Washington DC, USA. March 2003.(2)Borthwick JM, Charnock-Jones DS, Tom BD, Hull ML, Teirney R, Phillip SC, Smith SK. (2003). Determination of the transcript profile of human endometrium. Mol. Hum. Reprod. 9, 19–33.

Effect of soybean feeding on experimental carcinogenesis--III. Carcinogenecity of nitrite and dibutylamine in mice: a histopathological study

The potential carcinogenic effect of nitrosamine precursors, DBA (dibutylamine) and nitrite, was clearly demonstrated pathologically in the liver and bladder of male Swiss albino mice. Benign tumours were induced in the bladder with an incidence of 40%, and hepatomas were detected in the liver in 27% of the cases. The protective effect of soybean and ascorbic acid, added separately to the diet or to the drinking water respectively, was demonstrated by a marked reduction in dysplastic features and absence of tumour in both the liver and the urinary bladder.

The impact of schistosomiasis on the pathology of bladder carcinoma

In a series of 1095 Egyptian patients with carcinoma of the bladder treated by radical cystectomy, 902 cases (82.4%) contained schistosome eggs in the specimens, and 193 (17.6%) were egg-negative. The different tumor parameters were compared in these subgroups to explore any differences that could be related to schistosomal infestation. In egg-positive cases, the tumor developed at a younger age (46.7 years) than in egg-negative cases (53.2 years). Squamous cell carcinoma, commonly of low grade, predominated in the egg-positive group. No difference was observed in the frequency of tumor stages or lymph node metastases between the two subgroups. The limited tendency to distant spread in schistosomal bladder cancer, despite its advanced local stage, is accounted for by the high frequency of low grade tumors rather than the limiting effect of local schistosomal tissue reactions.

Facsimile epithelioid cells obtained from stimulated peritoneal macrophages and their secretory activity in vitro

Mouse peritoneal macrophages collected after exposure to new born calf serum in vivo were found to have some of the morphological and ultrastructural features attributed to epithelioid cells. These features were accentuated by short term culture in vivo or in vitro. Three accepted varieties of epithelioid cell were reproduced, i.e., those with predominant rough ER, those with predominant smooth vesicles and the plasmacytoid variety. Cells resembling fibroblasts were not seen, nor were lymphoid cells. The facsimile epithelioid cells had considerable secretory activity for a range of macrophage enzymes. They retained the phagocytic capacity and the surface receptors of macrophages but to a reduced extent. It is suggested that epithelioid cells are a form of stimulated macrophage, especially effective in enzyme secretion and liable to appear after excitation of the cell membrane by pinocytosis rather than phagocytosis.