Reduced chondroitin sulfate content prevents diabetic neuropathy through transforming growth factor-β signaling suppression

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is one of the most important extracellular matrix components and is known to interact with various diffusible factors; however, its role in DN pathology has not been examined. Therefore, we generated CSGalNAc-T1 knockout (T1KO) mice, in which CS levels were reduced. We demonstrated that diabetic T1KO mice were much more resistant to DN than diabetic wild-type (WT) mice. We also found that interactions between pericytes and vascular endothelial cells were more stable in T1KO mice. Among the RNA-seq results, we focused on the transforming growth factor β signaling pathway and found that the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 was less upregulated in T1KO mice than in WT mice under hyperglycemic conditions. Taken together, a reduction in CS level attenuates DN progression, indicating that CS is an important factor in DN pathogenesis.

Mucin phenotype and genetic alterations in non-V600E BRAF-mutated colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease that develops through stepwise accumulation of genetic alterations and progresses via several distinct pathways. However, the tumorigenesis of CRCs with BRAF non-V600E mutations remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the tumorigenesis of CRCs with BRAF non-V600E mutations, focusing on differences in mucin phenotype and genetic alterations between CRCs with non-V600E and V600E mutations. We investigated 201 patients with CRC and performed panel testing of 415 genes to identify BRAF mutations. Patients were classified into five mucin phenotypes - large-intestinal, small-intestinal, gastric, mixed, and unclassified - using immunohistochemistry for CD10, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6. BRAF mutations were identified in 24 of 201 patients' samples, of which 13 (6.5%) had a V600E mutation (V600E-mutant) and 11 (5.5%) had non-V600E mutations (non-V600E-mutant). MUC5AC expression was significantly associated with V600E mutations (P = 0.040), while CD10 expression was significantly associated with non-V600E mutations (P = 0.010). The small-intestinal mucin phenotype was significantly associated with non-V600E mutations (P = 0.031), while the mixed mucin phenotype was significantly associated with V600E mutations (P = 0.027). Regarding genetic alterations, focusing on the WNT signaling pathway, APC mutation was significantly associated with non-V600E mutations (P < 0.001), while RNF43 mutation was significantly associated with V600E mutations (P = 0.020). Considering the differences in mucin phenotype and genetic alterations, different modes of tumorigenesis are assumed for CRC with BRAF V600E mutation and non-V600E mutations. These findings are important in understanding the biology and treatment strategies for BRAF-mutant CRC.

Escherichia coli-derived outer-membrane vesicles induce immune activation and progression of cirrhosis in mice and humans

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Decompensated cirrhosis with fibrosis progression causes portal hypertension followed by an oedematous intestinal tract. These conditions weaken the barrier function against bacteria in the intestinal tract, a condition called leaky gut, resulting in invasion by bacteria and bacterial components. Here, we investigated the role of outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Escherichia coli, which is the representative pathogenic gut-derived bacteria in patients with cirrhosis in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis.

METHODS

We investigated the involvement of OMVs in humans using human serum and ascites samples and also investigated the involvement of OMVs from E. coli in mice using mouse liver-derived cells and a mouse cirrhosis model.

RESULTS

In vitro, OMVs induced inflammatory responses to macrophages and neutrophils, including the upregulation of C-type lectin domain family 4 member E (Clec4e), and induced the suppression of albumin production in hepatocytes but had a relatively little direct effect on hepatic stellate cells. In a mouse cirrhosis model, administration of OMVs led to increased liver inflammation, especially affecting the activation of macrophages, worsening fibrosis and decreasing albumin production. Albumin administration weakened these inflammatory changes. In addition, multiple antibodies against bacterial components were increased with a progressing Child-Pugh grade, and OMVs were detected in ascites of patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, OMVs induce inflammation, fibrosis and suppression of albumin production, affecting the pathogenesis of cirrhosis. We believe that our study paves the way for the future prevention and treatment of cirrhosis.

Oncolytic Hairpin DNA Pair: Selective Cytotoxic Inducer through MicroRNA-Triggered DNA Self-Assembly

Artificial nucleic acids have attracted much attention as potential cancer immunotherapeutic materials because they are recognized by a variety of extracellular and intracellular nucleic acid sensors and can stimulate innate immune responses. However, their low selectivity for cancer cells causes severe systemic immunotoxicity, making it difficult to use artificial nucleic acid molecules for immune cancer therapy. To address this challenge, we herein introduce a hairpin DNA assembly technology that enables cancer-selective immune activation to induce cytotoxicity. The designed artificial DNA hairpins assemble into long nicked double-stranded DNA triggered by intracellular microRNA-21 (miR-21), which is overexpressed in various types of cancer cells. We found that the products from the hairpin DNA assembly selectively kill miR-21-abundant cancer cells in vitro and in vivo based on innate immune activation. Our approach is the first to allow selective oncolysis derived from intracellular DNA self-assembly, providing a powerful therapeutic modality to treat cancer.

Occupational Lung Disease Caused by Exposure to Polytetrafluoroethylene

We herein report a 45-year-old-man with multiple foreign body granulomas in the lungs caused by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A mass in the right lower lobe of the lung and bilateral centrilobular lung nodules were found unexpectedly during the patient's visit to a hospital for a respiratory infection. The patient's occupation for 26 years involved spraying PTFE. A lung biopsy using bronchoscopy revealed granulomatous lesions and giant cells. The presence of fluorine in the granulomatous lesions was confirmed using an electron probe microanalyzer with wavelength dispersive spectrometer. Fluorine is a component of PTFE and is not found in normal lung tissue.

Contemporary Drug Therapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma- Evidence Accumulation and Histological Implications in Treatment Strategy

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous disease comprising a variety of histological subtypes. Approximately 70-80% of RCC cases are clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC), while the remaining subtypes constitute non-clear cell carcinoma (nccRCC). The medical treatment of RCC has greatly changed in recent years through advances in molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Most of the novel systemic therapies currently available have been approved based on ccRCC clinical trial data. nccRCC can be subdivided into more than 40 histological subtypes that have distinct clinical, histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features. These entities are listed as emerging in the 2022 World Health Organization classification. The diagnosis of nccRCC and treatments based on cancer histology and biology remain challenging due to the disease's rarity. We reviewed clinical trials focused on recent discoveries regarding clinicopathological features.

WHO 2022 landscape of papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

The 5th edition of the WHO Classification of Tumours of the Urinary and Male Genital Systems contains relevant revisions and introduces a group of molecularly defined renal tumour subtypes. Herein we present the World Health Organization (WHO) 2022 perspectives on papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma with emphasis on their evolving classification, differential diagnosis, and emerging entities. The WHO 2022 classification eliminated the type 1/2 papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) subcategorization, given the recognition of frequent mixed tumour phenotypes and the existence of entities with a different molecular background within the type 2 pRCC category. Additionally, emerging entities such as biphasic squamoid alveolar RCC, biphasic hyalinising psammomatous RCC, papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity, and Warthin-like pRCC are included as part of the pRCC spectrum, while additional morphological and molecular data are being gathered. In addition to oncocytomas and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), a category of 'other oncocytic tumours' with oncocytoma/chRCC-like features has been introduced, including emerging entities, most with TSC/mTOR pathway alterations (eosinophilic vacuolated tumour and so-called 'low-grade' oncocytic tumour), deserving additional research. Eosinophilic solid and cystic RCC was accepted as a new and independent tumour entity. Finally, a highly reproducible and clinically relevant universal grading system for chRCC is still missing and is another niche of ongoing investigation. This review discusses these developments and highlights emerging morphological and molecular data relevant for the classification of renal cell carcinoma.

Predicting Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis Following Endoscopic Surgery in Superficial Head and Neck Carcinoma

Background

Early detection of head and neck carcinoma (HNC) as superficial HNC (SHNC) identified using recently developed optical techniques, such as magnifying endoscopy and narrow-band imaging (NBI), in combination with endoscopic surgeries enables minimally invasive treatment with favorable outcomes for HNC. This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for the rare but important clinical issue of SHNC, namely cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM), following endoscopic resection.

Methods

Sixty-nine patients with SHNC who underwent endoscopic resection were enrolled in the study. Clinical data, preoperative endoscopic findings, pathological findings, and treatment outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Because the pharyngeal mucosa lacks the muscularis mucosa, we measured tumor thickness in permanent pathology as an alternative to the depth of invasion. Correlations with the occurrence of CLNM were statistically examined.

Results

The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 100%. Of 69 patients, 3 (4.3%) developed CLNM. All had subepithelial but not epithelial tumors. The 0-IIa type in the macroscopic findings, type B2/B3 vessels in narrow-band imaging, tumors ≥ pathological stage T2, lymphatic invasion, positive surgical margins, and tumor thickness >1,000 μm showed significant correlations with CLNM following endoscopic resection. Furthermore, the classification of type B vessels was significantly associated with tumor thickness.

Conclusion

The treatment outcomes following endoscopic resection for SHNC were favorable. The risk of CLNM following endoscopic resection in SHNC can be predicted by several preoperative endoscopic and postoperative pathological findings. Among them, the classification of type B vessels, which correlated with both tumor thickness and CLNM, might be a useful predictive factor.

Histologic-Based Tumor-Associated Immune Cells Status in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Correlates with Gene Signatures Related to Cancer Immunity and Clinical Outcomes

The three-tier immunophenotype (desert, excluded, and inflamed) and the four-tier immunophenotype (cold, immunosuppressed, excluded, and hot) have been linked to prognosis and immunotherapy response. This study aims to evaluate whether immunophenotypes of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, identified on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, correlate with gene expression signatures related to cancer immunity, and clinical outcomes. We evaluated tumor-associated immune cells (TAICs) status using three methodologies: three-tier immunophenotype based on the location of TAICs, four-tier immunophenotype considering both the location and degree of TAICs and inflammation score focusing only on the degree of TAICs, using a localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma cohort (n = 436) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-KIRC cohort (n = 162). We evaluated the association of the TAICs status assessed by three methodologies with CD8 and PD-L1 immunohistochemistry and immune gene expression signatures by TCGA RNA-sequencing data. All three methodologies correlated with immunohistochemical and immune gene expression signatures. The inflammation score and the four-tier immunophenotype showed similarly higher accuracy in predicting recurrence-free survival and overall survival compared to the three-tier immunophenotype. In conclusion, a simple histologic assessment of TIACs may predict clinical outcomes and immunotherapy responses.

Synchronous Occurrence of Advanced Gastric Carcinoma with Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Gastric carcinoma (GC) remains one of the most common and deadly neoplasms in the world. Liposarcoma (LPS) is the most common sarcoma of adults. However, synchronous or metachronous occurrence of GC with LPS seems to be very rare. Tumor staging and differential diagnosis with these cases are extremely difficult. CASE REPORT The patient was a man in his 70s, who reported anorexia and weight loss of 4 kg over 2 months. Gastroscopy demonstrated a large tumor of Borrmann type 3, of which histology was moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The clinical stage was initially defined as IVb due to a 11×6 cm retroperitoneal (RP) tumor. Despite chemotherapy for GC, the RP tumor rapidly enlarged. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed that it was an undifferentiated sarcoma. He died of hepatorenal failure secondary to severe jaundice. The autopsy revealed a synchronous occurrence of GC and RP sarcoma. GC had no areas admixed with sarcoma. Histology of RP sarcoma showed that it mainly consisted of undifferentiated sarcoma and focally of well-differentiated LPS characterized by well-differentiated adipocytes admixed with scattered atypical stromal cells. The tumor cells in both areas were positive for MDM2 and CDK4 by immunohistochemistry. The diagnosis of the RP sarcoma was revised to dedifferentiated LPS. CONCLUSIONS There were no previous case reports of synchronous occurrence of GC with LPS in the English and Japanese literature. GC and LPS pose challenging problems in their diagnoses, staging, and treatments when they occur synchronously or metachronously.

Altered microbiota by a high-fat diet accelerates lethal myeloid hematopoiesis associated with systemic SOCS3 deficiency

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative regulators of cytokine signaling required to prevent excessive cellular responses. In particular, SOCS3 is involved in the regulation of metabolic syndromes, such as obesity and diabetes, by suppressing leptin and insulin signals. SOCS3 also suppresses the inflammatory response associated with metabolic stress, but this specific role remains undefined. Wild-type mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibited only fatty liver, whereas systemic deletion of SOCS3 resulted in excessive myeloid hematopoiesis and hepatic inflammation. In addition, depletion of the gut microbiota resulted in considerable improvement in excess granulopoiesis and splenomegaly, halting the progression of systemic inflammation in SOCS3KO mice on the HFD. This result suggests that intestinal dysbiosis is involved in inflammation associated with SOCS3KO. Although contributing to diet-induced obesity and fatty liver, SOCS3 is nevertheless critical to suppress excess myeloid hematopoiesis and severe systemic inflammation associated with intestinal dysbiosis on HFD.

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SOCS3 suppresses severe systemic inflammation associated with high-fat diet

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SOCS3 deficiency on high-fat diet accelerates excess myeloid hematopoiesis

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SOCS3 controls gut dysbiosis on high-fat diet

The Morphological Spectrum of Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma and Prevalence of Provisional/Emerging Renal Tumor Entities with Papillary Growth

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a heterogeneous disease, encompassing an increasing number of tumor subtypes. Post-2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification recognized that the spectrum of papillary renal cell carcinoma is evolving and has long surpassed the dichotomic simplistic "type 1 versus type 2" classification. The differential diagnosis of pRCC includes several new provisional/emerging entities with papillary growth. Type 2 tumors have been cleared out of several confounding entities, now regarded as independent tumors with specific clinical and molecular backgrounds. In this work we describe the prevalence and characteristics of emerging papillary tumor entities in two renal tumor cohorts (one consisting of consecutive papillary tumors from a single institute, the other consisting of consultation cases from several centers). After a review of 154 consecutive pRCC cases, 58% remained type 1 pRCC, and 34% type 2 pRCC. Papillary renal neoplasm with reversed polarity (1.3%), biphasic hyalinizing psammomatous RCC (1.3%), and biphasic squamoid/alveolar RCC (4.5%) were rare. Among 281 consultation cases, 121 (43%) tumors had a dominant papillary growth (most frequently MiT family translocation RCCs, mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma and clear cell papillary RCC). Our data confirm that the spectrum of RCCs with papillary growth represents a major diagnostical challenge, frequently requiring a second expert opinion. Papillary renal neoplasm with reversed polarity, biphasic hyalinizing psammomatous RCC, and biphasic squamoid/alveolar RCC are rarely sent out for a second opinion, but correct classification and knowledge of these variants will improve our understanding of the clinical behavior of renal tumors with papillary growth.

Disseminated Varicella-zoster Virus Infection Causing Fatal Pneumonia in an Immunocompromised Patient with Chronic Interstitial Pneumonia

Viral pneumonia caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is a rare but important complication, especially regarding varicella infections. Although disseminated cutaneous herpes zoster (DCHZ) is often associated with visceral diseases, there have been few reports of DCHZ-related pneumonia. We herein report a rare case of a lethal disseminated VZV infection that caused severe pneumonia in a Japanese patient who had chronic interstitial pneumonia. Physicians should consider the possibility of VZV-related pneumonia, especially in patients with a medical history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy.

Mood Disorder in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Induced by Antiribosomal P Protein Antibodies Associated with Decreased Serum and Brain Tryptophan

Antiribosomal P protein (anti-P) autoantibodies commonly develop in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. We have previously established hybridoma clones producing anti-P mAbs. In this study, we explored the pathogenesis of behavioral disorders induced by anti-P Abs using these mAbs. New Zealand Black × New Zealand White F1, New Zealand White, C57BL/6, and BALB/c mice were treated with 1 mg of anti-P Abs once every 2 wk. The behavioral disorder was evaluated by the tail suspension test, forced swim test, and open field test. Following administration of anti-P Abs, New Zealand Black × New Zealand White F1 and C57BL/6 mice developed depressive behavior and showed increased anxiety with elevated serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Anti-P Abs were not deposited in the affected brain tissue; instead, this mood disorder was associated with lower serum and brain tryptophan concentrations. Tryptophan supplementation recovered serum tryptophan levels and prevented the behavioral disorder. TNF-α and IL-6 were essential for the decreased serum tryptophan and disease development, which were ameliorated by treatment with anti-TNF-α neutralizing Abs or dexamethasone. Peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 mice produced TNF-α, IL-6, and IDO-1 via interaction with anti-P Abs through activating FcγRs, which were required for disease development. IVIg, which has an immunosuppressive effect partly through the regulation of FcγR expression, also prevented the decrease in serum tryptophan and disease development. Furthermore, serum tryptophan concentrations were decreased in the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with anti-P Abs, and lower tryptophan levels correlated with disease activity. Our study revealed some of the molecular mechanisms of mood disorder induced by anti-P Abs.

Osteoclastogenic Potential of Tissue-Engineered Periosteal Sheet: Effects of Culture Media on the Ability to Recruit Osteoclast Precursors

Cell culture media influence the characteristics of human osteogenic periosteal sheets. We have previously found that a stem cell medium facilitates growth and collagen matrix formation in vitro and osteogenesis in vivo. However, it has not yet been demonstrated which culture medium is superior for osteoclastogenesis, a prerequisite for reconstruction of normal bone metabolic basis. To address this question, we compared chemotaxis and osteoclastogenesis in tissue-engineered periosteal sheets (TPSs) prepared with two types of culture media. Periosteal tissues obtained from adult volunteers were expanded with the conventional Medium 199 or with the stem cell medium, MesenPRO. Hematopoietic enhanced-green-fluorescent-protein (EGFP)-nude mice were prepared by γ-irradiation of Balb/c nu/nu mice and subsequent transplantation of bone marrow cells from CAG-EGFP C57BL/6 mice. TPSs were implanted subcutaneously into the chimeric mice and retrieved after intervals for immunohistopathological examination. EGFP+ cells were similarly recruited to the implantation site in both the TPSs prepared, whereas the distribution of CD11b+ cells was significantly lower in the TPS prepared with the stem cell medium. Instead, osteoclastogenesis was higher in the TPS prepared with the stem cell medium than in the one prepared with the conventional medium. These findings suggest that the stem cell medium is preferable for the preparation of more functional TPSs.

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: current and controversial issues

It has been 35 years since Professor Thoenes and his colleagues discovered chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Since then, our knowledge about this tumour entity has changed and novel tumour entities have been discovered. The aim of this review is to discuss recent molecular findings and open questions in diagnosing chromophobe-like/oncocytic neoplasms. The broader differential diagnosis of chromophobe-like and oncocytoma-like neoplasms includes SDH-deficient renal cell carcinoma, fumarate hydratase (FH) deficient RCC, epitheloid angiomyolipoma ('oncocytoma like'), MiT family translocation RCC and the emerging entity of eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma. After separation of these tumours from chromophobe RCC, it becomes evident that chromophobe RCC are low malignant tumours with a 5-6% risk of metastasis. Recent next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA methylation profiling studies have confirmed Thoenes' theory of a distal tubule derived origin of chromophobe RCC and renal oncocytomas. Comprehensive genomic analyses of chromophobe RCC have demonstrated a low somatic mutation rate and identified TP53 and PTEN as the most frequently mutated genes, whereas 'unclassified' RCC with oncocytic or chromophobe-like features can show somatic inactivating mutations of TSC2 or activating mutations of MTOR as the primary molecular alterations. For the future, it would be desirable to create a category of 'oncocytic/chromophobe RCC, NOS' with the potential of further molecular studies for identification of TSC1/2 mutations in these rare tumours.

An Autopsy Case of an Elderly Patient with Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Presenting with a Plethora of Clinical Symptoms and Signs

BACKGROUND Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a potentially curable disease with favorable outcomes. However, elderly patients with HL usually have more adverse prognostic factors and hence a much worse prognosis than younger patients. CASE REPORT The patient was a woman in her 80s. She reported high fever, anorexia, and a weight loss of 8 kg within 5 months. She had been on treatment for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. She had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention and pacemaker implantation to treat acute coronary syndrome and sinus arrhythmia, respectively. Blood tests showed elevation of alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, CA 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Computed tomography did not show tumors in the liver, and cholangitis and sepsis were suspected. Aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin gradually increased through the course of the patient's hospital stay. Despite treatment, her condition deteriorated and she died 22 days after hospital admission. At autopsy, we found stage IV HL with lymph node swelling on both sides of the diaphragm, as well as diffusely disseminated nodules in the liver and spleen. CONCLUSIONS Our patient had several poor prognostic factors including B symptoms, comorbidity, advanced stage, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and expression of programmed death-ligand 1 and interleukin-6, all of which were closely connected with her advanced age. Her age and comorbidities may have been the most adverse prognostic factors for her illness. An effective HL screening method for elderly individuals should be developed to ameliorate poor prognosis and adverse outcomes.

Photosensitizer With Illumination Enhances In Vivo Antitumor Effect of Anti-ROBO1 Immunotoxin on Maxillary Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Our study focused on the axon guidance receptor roundabout guidance receptor 1 (ROBO1) as a target for monoclonal antibody therapy of HNSCC. We previously showed that saporin-conjugated anti-ROBO1 (B5209B) immunotoxin (IT-ROBO1) enhanced cytotoxic effects on HNSCC cells in combination with the photosensitizer aluminum phthalocyanine disulphonate (AlPcS2a) and illumination. We examined the effects of this combination therapy in a mouse xenograft model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IT-ROBO1 was intraperitoneally administered to HSQ-89 (derived from Japanese maxillary sinus squamous carcinoma, RCB0789; RIKEN, Tsukuba, Japan) xenografted mice. After 3 days, AlPcS2a was injected subcutaneously around the tumor and the area was illuminated at 650 nm for 30 min. The growth of the tumor was evaluated and the effects on the tumor were examined.

RESULTS

Pronounced anti-tumor effects were elicited by the administration of IT-ROBO1 and AlPcS2a with light illumination on tumor size and pathological characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that photosensitizer treatment with illumination robustly enhanced the antitumor effect of the IT-ROBO1 immunotoxin.

Low bone mineral density due to secondary hyperparathyroidism in the GlatmTg(CAG-A4GALT) mouse model of Fabry disease

Low bone mineral density (BMD)—diagnosed as osteoporosis or osteopenia—has been reported as a new characteristic feature of Fabry disease; however, the mechanism underlying the development of low BMD is unknown. We previously revealed that a mouse model of Fabry disease [Gla^tmTg(CAG‐A4GALT)] exhibits impaired functioning of medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL), leading to insufficient Ca²⁺ reabsorption and hypercalciuria. Here, we investigated bone metabolism in Gla^tmTg(CAG‐A4GALT) mice without marked glomerular or proximal tubular damage. Low BMD was detected by 20 weeks of age via micro‐X‐ray‐computed tomography. Bone histomorphometry revealed that low BMD results by accelerated bone resorption and osteomalacia. Plasma parathyroid hormone levels increased in response to low blood Ca²⁺—not plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF‐23) elevation—by 5 weeks of age and showed progressively increased phosphaturic action. Secondary hyperparathyroidism developed by 20 weeks of age and caused hyperphosphatemia, which increased plasma FGF‐23 levels with phosphaturic action. The expression of 1α‐hydroxylase [synthesis of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃] in the kidney did not decrease, but that of 24‐hydroxylase [degradation of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃] decreased. Vitamin D deficiency was ruled out as the cause of osteomalacia, as plasma 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ levels were maintained. Results demonstrate that secondary hyperparathyroidism due to mTAL impairment causes accelerated bone resorption and osteomalacia due to hyperphosphaturia and hypercalciuria, leading to low BMD in Fabry model mice.

Correction to: Multi-institutional re-evaluation of prognostic factors in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: proposal of a novel two-tiered grading scheme

The legends of Figs. 1 and 3 in the published original version of the above article are incorrect.

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare condition in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); to date, few cases have been reported. While hepatic dysfunction has been focused on the later stages of HCC, the management of symptoms in PTTM is important for supportive care of the cases. For the better understanding of PTTM in HCC, the information of our recent case and reported cases have been summarized.

CASE SUMMARY

A patient with HCC exhibited acute and severe respiratory failure. Radiography and computed tomography of the chest revealed the multiple metastatic tumors and a frosted glass–like shadow with no evidence of infectious pneumonia. We diagnosed his condition as acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the lung metastases and involvement of the pulmonary vessels by tumor thrombus. Administration of prednisolone to alleviate the diffuse alveolar damages including edematous changes of alveolar wall caused by the tumor cell infiltration and ischemia showed mild improvement in his symptoms and imaging findings. An autopsy showed the typical pattern of PTTM in the lung with multiple metastases.

CONCLUSION

PTTM is caused by tumor thrombi in the arteries and thickening of the pulmonary arterial endothelium leading to the symptoms of dyspnea in terminal staged patients. Therefore, supportive management of symptoms is necessary in the cases with PTTM and hence we believe that the information presented here is of great significance for the diagnosis and management of symptoms of PTTM with HCC.

An Autopsy Case of Pulmonary Capillary Hemangiomatosis with an Electron Microscopy Study

BACKGROUND Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) are rare diseases that share clinical, X-ray, and histological features. Most patients have poor prognosis due to severe respiratory impairment. Recently, EIF2AK4 mutations were found in some patients with PCH and PVOD, but the role of this mutation is still unknown. We report an autopsy case of PCH and discuss a mechanism of respiratory dysfunction based on an electron microscopy study. CASE REPORT The patient was a Japanese man in his sixties. He suffered from acute exacerbation of dyspnea during treatment of COPD. Respiratory function testing revealed DLCO' 32.1% and DLCO'/VA 23.6%. Echocardiography demonstrated findings consistent with pulmonary hypertension. A CT scan showed mild emphysema and small ground-glass opacity in the lungs. However, we could not find the exact cause of his respiratory failure and he died 28 days after admission. At autopsy, the histology showed multilayering capillary proliferation within the alveolar walls. Electron microscopy examination revealed prominent widening of the air-blood barrier, scarce fusion of the epithelial and capillary basement membranes, and frequent narrowing of the capillary lumen. CONCLUSIONS We reported an autopsy case with PCH with no histological findings of PVOD. Whether PCH and PVOD are 2 different histological patterns of the same disease remains to be verified. The changes in the air-blood barrier detected by electron microscopy may explain the respiratory impairment and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Expression Profiling of Receptor-Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Ligand in Soft Tissue Tumors

Bone and soft tissue tumors are derived from mesenchymal cells, and they are hard to treat. Receptor-activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) is an essential cytokine for osteoclast differentiation and activation and is expressed on the surface of osteoblasts or stromal cells. In this study, to explore the potential of denosumab treatment for soft tissue tumors, we analyzed the expression profiles of RANKL mRNA in 425 tumor specimens of 33 histological types by real-time RT-PCR. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that prevents the binding of RANKL to receptor-activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK). For comparison, the relative expression levels of RANK and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNAs were also measured. OPG functions as a soluble decoy receptor for RANKL. Higher expression levels of RANKL mRNA were detected in calcifying aponeurotic fibroma, fibrosarcoma, calcifying epithelioma, myositis ossificans, heterotopic calcification, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), and pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), compared with the levels of other tumor types. Moreover, the expression levels of RANK mRNA were highest in GCTTS, followed by myositis ossificans and PVNS, whereas the expression levels of OPG mRNA were greatly varied among these histological types. We then analyzed RANKL protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 57 tumor specimens with higher expression levels of RANKL mRNA. RANKL-positive cells were detected in GCTTS, PVNS, myositis ossificans, heterotopic calcification, and calcifying aponeurotic fibroma. In conclusion, RANKL is expressed in subsets of soft tissue tumors with calcification, and denosumab is a potential therapeutic option for soft tissue tumors expressing RANKL.

Allele Loss and Reduced Expression of CYCLOPS Genes is a Characteristic Feature of Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma

Copy-number alterations Yielding Cancer Liabilities Owing to Partial losS (CYCLOPS) genes have been recently identified as the most enriched class of copy-number associated gene dependencies in human cancer. These genes are cell essential and render tumor cells highly sensitive to the expression of the remaining copy. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) is characterized by frequent chromosomal deletions, but the relevance of CYCLOPS genes in this tumor subtype is unclear. We found 39 (31%) of 124 recently published candidate CYCLOPS genes (B. Paolella et al., eLife 2017;6:e23268) located on 7 autosomes that are frequently lost in chRCC. GISTIC and RNA-seq data obtained from the TCGA-KICH database showed that 62% of these CYCLOPS genes had significantly lower expression levels in samples with deletion of the respective gene. As copy number (CN) loss of the CYCLOPS gene SF3B1 (Splicing factor 3B subunit 1) has been recently reported in 71% chRCC, we explored the relevance of SF3B1 CN alteration and SF3B1 expression in a set of chRCC and additional oncocytic renal neoplasms. The frequency of SF3B1 CN loss (65%) was similar to that obtained from the TCGA-KICH database and correlated significantly with both lower SF3B1 mRNA (P < .05) and protein expression (P < .001). Other tumor subtypes with oncocytic cytoplasm had normal SF3B1 CN and displayed strong SF3B1 protein expression. These results suggest that CN loss of CYCLOPS genes is a characteristic feature in chRCC. Since many CYCLOPS genes code for components of proteasomes and transcriptional regulation, their alteration could make chRCC vulnerable to targeted drugs.

Retrospective analysis of antitumor effects and biomarkers for nivolumab in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations

Although the blockade of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand (L) 1 has demonstrated promising and durable clinical responses for non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), NSCLC patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations responded poorly to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Previous studies have identified several predictive biomarkers, including the expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells, for PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapies in NSCLC patients; however, the usefulness of these biomarkers in NSCLCs with EGFR mutations has not been elucidated. The present study was conducted to evaluate the predictive biomarkers for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in EGFR-mutated NSCLCs. We retrospectively analyzed 9 patients treated with nivolumab for EGFR-mutated NSCLCs. All but one patient received EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors before nivolumab treatment. The overall response rate and median progression-free survival were 11% and 33 days (95% confidence interval (CI); 7 to 51), respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with a good performance status (P = 0.11; hazard ratio (HR) 0.183, 95% CI 0.0217 to 1.549), a high density of CD4⁺ T cells (P = 0.136; HR 0.313, 95% CI 0.045 to 1.417) and a high density of Foxp3⁺ cells (P = 0.09; HR 0.264, 95% CI 0.0372 to 1.222) in the tumor microenvironment tended to have longer progression-free survival with nivolumab. Multivariate analysis revealed that a high density of CD4⁺ T cells (P = 0.005; HR<0.001, 95% CI <0.001 to 0.28) and a high density of Foxp3⁺ cells (P = 0.003; HR<0.001, 95% CI NA) in tumor tissues were strongly correlated with better progression-free survival. In contrast to previous studies in wild type EGFR NSCLCs, PD-L1 expression was not associated with the clinical benefit of anti-PD-1 treatment in EGFR-mutated NSCLCs. The current study indicated that immune status in the tumor microenvironment may be important for the effectiveness of nivolumab in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.

Expression and Mutation Patterns of PBRM1, BAP1 and SETD2 Mirror Specific Evolutionary Subtypes in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Bi-allelic inactivation of the VHL gene on chromosome 3p is the characteristic feature in most clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC). Frequent gene alterations were also identified in SETD2, BAP1 and PBRM1, all of which are situated on chromosome 3p and encode histone/chromatin regulators. The relationship between gene mutation, loss of protein expression and the correlations with clinicopathological parameters is important for the understanding of renal cancer progression. We analyzed PBRM1 and BAP1 protein expression as well as the tri-methylation state of H3K36 as a surrogate marker for SETD2 activity in more than 700 RCC samples. In ccRCC loss of nuclear PBRM1 (68%), BAP1 (40%) and H3K36me3 (47%) expression was significantly correlated with each other, advanced tumor stage, poor tumor differentiation (P < .0001 each), and necrosis (P < .005) Targeted next generation sequencing of 83 ccRCC samples demonstrated a significant association of genetic mutations in PBRM1, BAP1, and SETD2 with absence of PBRM1, BAP1, and HEK36me3 protein expression (P < .05, each). By assigning the protein expression patterns to evolutionary subtypes, we revealed similar clinical phenotypes as suggested by TRACERx Renal. Given their important contribution to tumor suppression, we conclude that combined functional inactivation of PBRM1, BAP1, SETD2 and pVHL is critical for ccRCC progression.

Fatal visceral disseminated varicella zoster infection during initial remission induction therapy in a patient with lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis-possible association with mycophenolate mofetil and high-dose glucocorticoid therapy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Visceral disseminated varicella zoster viral (VZV) infection is a rare but severe complication with a high mortality rate in immunosuppressed individuals, and an increased susceptibility to VZV has been reported in kidney transplant recipients who are treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). In Japan, MMF is currently approved for patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and data to indicate its optimal dosage are still insufficient.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 46-year-old Japanese woman with rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and LN class III (A/C). Although initial remission-induction therapy with prednisolone and tacrolimus was started, her serum creatinine level and urinary protein excretion were elevated. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was added, and tacrolimus was switched to MMF. Two months after admission when she was taking 40 mg of PSL and 1500 mg of MMF daily, she suddenly developed upper abdominal pain and multiple skin blisters, and disseminated visceral VZV infection was diagnosed. Laboratory examinations demonstrated rapid exacerbation of severe acute liver failure and coagulation abnormalities despite immediate multidisciplinary treatment, and she died of hemorrhagic shock 7 days after the onset of abdominal pain. A serum sample collected at the time of admission revealed that she had recursive VZV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

MMF together with high-dose glucocorticoid therapy may increase the risk of VZV infection in Asian patients with SLE. Accumulation of evidence for parameters of safety, such as the area under the blood concentration-time curve of mycophenolic acid, should be urgently considered in order to establish a safer protocol for remission induction therapy in Asian patients with LN.

Morphological clues to the appropriate recognition of hereditary renal neoplasms

An important emerging role of the surgical pathologist besides the traditional tasks of establishment of the diagnosis and documentation of prognostic and predictive factors, is to recognize the possibility of a hereditary condition in cases where the histology is suggestive for a familial cancer syndrome. In recent years, the knowledge regarding all of the above roles, including the role of recognition of familial cancer, has particularly expanded in renal neoplasms with the close scrutiny to morphology, molecular correlates and clinical features of the different sub-types of renal cell carcinoma. Awareness of these clinically distinctive sub-types and their associated histologic clues will prompt the pathologist for further immunohistochemical or molecular work up, to look for clinical information to support the suspected diagnosis of familial cancer, to alert managing physician/s to look for stigmata of history of familial cancer, which will permit triaging patients and their families for appropriate genetic counseling. This review provides a comprehensive review of the known sub-types of renal cell carcinoma that have a predilection to occur in the setting of hereditary disease; examples include renal cancers occurring in the background of von Hippel Lindau disease, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Birt Hogg Dube syndrome and succinate dehydrogenase deficiency. Herein we focus on diagnostic clues for renal tumors occurring in a non-pediatric setting that should prompt their correct recognition and reiterate the importance of the correct diagnosis.

An Autopsy Case of Mesenteric Panniculitis with Massive Pleural Effusions

BACKGROUND Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory condition of the mesentery. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal distention, weight loss, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The patients also present with chylous ascites in 14% of the cases and chylous pleural effusion (CPE) in very rare occasions. Despite the previous view of excellent prognosis of MP, two recent papers reported several fatal cases. However, there are still only a few autopsy case reports that describe the macroscopic and histological details of MP cases. CASE REPORT The patient was an 81-year-old Japanese woman. She complained of edema of her lower legs and face, general fatigue, and dyspnea. She was overweight and had type 2 diabetes (T2D). Computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated massive bilateral pleural effusions, with mild pericardial effusion and mild ascites. There was no pulmonary, cardiac or hepatic condition to explain the effusions. However, MP was suspected based on her CT. She gradually deteriorated into respiratory failure. The autopsy revealed CPEs (left 1,300 mL, right 1,400 mL) and MP in the mesentery of the small intestine. Neither neoplasia nor inflammatory conditions other than MP were detected. CONCLUSIONS In rare occasions, patients with MP present with CPE or chylothorax. We thought that a possible mechanism of the CPEs was a diaphragmatic defect. We suspected that being overweight and T2D had an etiological relationship with MP in our patient's case. Adipose tissue of the mesentery is the main focus of MP. We believed that MP would be the best umbrella term of the many synonyms.

A case of gastric crystal-storing histiocytosis

A 54-year-old male patient underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a 25-mm brown region in the angular section of the greater curvature of the stomach. The region was histologically determined to be gastric mucosa with an accumulation of histiocytes containing eosinophilic substances in the cytoplasm and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Histiocytes were immunohistologically positive for CD68, IgG, and κ. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with gastric crystal-storing histiocytosis comprised of histiocytes phagocytosing IgG-κ-type immunoglobulin. This is a rare disease of which there have been no previous reports that included long-term follow-up. Here, we report the case with a literature review.

Solitary pulmonary MALT lymphoma presenting crystal-storing histiocytosis

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is characterized by the accumulation of large histiocytes with intracytoplasmic crystallized immunoglobulin and is typically associated with hematological malignancies. A 69-year-old man, who had a history of left nephrectomy and chemotherapy for renal pelvic cancer six years earlier, had received a CT scan every year thereafter and a small nodule was found in the left lower lobe of his lungs two years prior to the current presentation. Because of progression of this pulmonary nodule, he underwent pulmonary lobectomy on suspicion of lung cancer. He was ultimately diagnosed as having CSH accompanied by mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma stage IAE. In the absence of further treatment, he has been well with no recurrence of the disease for 10 months postoperatively. Because CSH could reportedly be an initial presentation of hematological malignancies, careful observation and evaluation for the presence of these blood disorders is essential.

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis in the right atrium caused by pectus excavatum

Background

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is an uncommon pathological situation, which involves the presence of bland, fibrin-platelet thrombi. It usually occurs at the endocardium of cardiac valves, in association with endothelial injury and a hypercoagulative state. However, NBTE on the endocardium at the right atrial free wall in a patient without any apparent hypercoagulative background is rarely reported.

Case presentation

A girl aged 4 years with severe pectus excavatum was referred to our hospital for treatment of a recurrent right atrial tumor. The tumor was removed concomitant with pectus excavatum repair. The tumor was revealed as recurrent thrombus. Pathological findings showed that NBTE caused by an operative scar on the endocardium of the right atrium and sustained rheological stress in the right atrium due to compression from pectus excavatum lead to recurrent thrombus formation. Three years after the discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy, no sign of thrombus formation was found.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first report of NBTE related to an interaction between sustained rheological stress from cardiac compression and endocardial injury. In such patients, we recommend concomitant chest wall repair when the operative scar is present at the site of the rheological force.

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma of the breast: a comparison of cytopathological features with other lobular carcinoma variants

OBJECTIVE

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma (PLC) is a subtype of breast cancer with unique morphological features, but it remains controversial whether PLC should be considered an independent disease entity. The aim of this study was to illustrate cytopathological characteristics of PLC in comparison with other lobular carcinoma variants.

METHODS

We investigated clinicopathological features of PLC (n = 11) compared with those of other variants of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC, non-PLC) (n = 32). Histological variants of the non-PLC group consisted of classic (n = 25), solid (n = 2), alveolar (n = 1) and a tubulolobular type (n = 4). A review of cytological reports and fine needle aspiration (FNA) smear samples was performed for the PLC (n = 9) and non-PLC (n = 27) groups.

RESULTS

Patients with PLC were older, and had a higher nuclear grade and a higher incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis and triple negative phenotype than non-PLC patients (P = 0.007, P < 0.001, P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Cytological findings in PLC included medium- to large-sized nuclei, prominent nucleoli, a moderate-to-severe degree of pleomorphism, apocrine change and background necrosis, none of which were evident in the smears of the non-PLC group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.03, respectively). Despite these differences, patients with PLC and non-PLC showed similar clinical outcomes in our follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, a cytological diagnosis of PLC should be proposed if there are moderate- to large-sized nuclei, prominent nucleoli, a moderate-to severe degree of nuclear pleomorphism, apocrine change and necrosis in the background in FNA biopsy samples.

Resection of a large ectopic parathyroid adenoma: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Parathyroid adenomas are the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. However, cases of parathyroid adenomas greater than 4cm with osteitis fibrosa cystica are extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of resection of a large ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

A 46-year-old female with chief complaints of bone pain and gait disturbance was referred to our hospital. Physical examination revealed many mobile teeth in her oral cavity, distortion of the vertebral body, and bowlegs. Laboratory tests showed hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and elevated serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone. Chest CT revealed a 42-mm well-defined, enhancing mass in front of the left-sided tracheal bifurcation. Her findings were diagnosed as primary hyperparathyroidism due to an ectopic mediastinal parathyroid tumor. We performed a median sternotomy and resected the tumor. The tumor was a solid, yellowish-brown mass measuring 42×42 mm. Pathologically, the tumor consisted mainly of chief cells with some oxyphil cells; there were no necrotic areas or nuclear atypia, and few mitotic figures. We diagnosed the tumor as an ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Eight months after the resection, her serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact PTH levels were normal.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Parathyroid adenomas and parathyroid carcinomas have disparate natural histories, but they can be difficult to differentiate on the basis of preoperative clinical characteristics. We believe that long-term follow-up of these cases is required because there have been few reports on the postoperative natural history of large parathyroid adenomas.

Clinicopathological features in anterior visual pathway in neuromyelitis optica

OBJECTIVE

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOsd) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system characterized by aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoantibodies. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of involvement of the anterior visual pathway (AVP) and neurodegeneration via glia-neuron interaction in NMOsd.

METHODS

Thirty Japanese patients with serologically verified NMOsd were assessed with a neuro-ophthalmological study. Using 27 tissue blocks from 13 other cases of NMOsd, we performed neuropathological analysis of glial and neuroaxonal involvement in the AVP.

RESULTS

The AVP involvement in NMOsd was characterized by the following, compared to multiple sclerosis: (1) longitudinally extensive optic neuritis (ON); (2) more severe visual impairment and worse prognosis for ON; (3) unique AQP4 dynamics, including loss of AQP4 immunoreactivity on astrocytes with complement activation in ON lesions, loss of AQP4 immunoreactivity on Müller cells with no deposition of complement in the retinas, and densely packed AQP4 immunoreactivity on astrocytes in gliosis of secondary anterograde/retrograde degeneration in the optic nerves and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL); and (4) more severe neurodegeneration, including axonal accumulation of degenerative mitochondria and transient receptor potential melastatin 4 channel with complement-dependent astrocyte pathology in ON lesions, mild loss of horizontal cells, and RNFL thinning and loss of ganglion cells with abundance of AQP4(+) astrocytes, indicating secondary retrograde degeneration after ON.

INTERPRETATION

Severe and widespread neuroaxonal damage and unique dynamics of astrocytes/Müller cells with alterations of AQP4 were prominent in the AVP and may be associated with poor visual function and prognosis in NMOsd.

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast: a comparative study on cytohistological findings associated with neuroendocrine differentiation

OBJECTIVE

Mucinous carcinoma (MCA) may show neuroendocrine differentiation (ND), but the cytological features characteristic of ND remains elusive. We compared fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings of MCA between cases with high and low degrees of ND.

METHODS

Histological sections of 37 MCA cases were immunohistochemically evaluated for expression of chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and were graded as 0 to 3+ degrees of ND. They were divided into low ND (grade 0 and 1+) and high ND (grade 2+ and 3+) groups. Pre-operative FNA samples of each group were assessed for cytological features.

RESULTS

The mean age of the high ND group (n = 18) was higher than the low ND group (n = 19, P = 0.01). In FNA samples of the high ND group, 17 cases showed moderate to severe degrees of discohesiveness, but low ND cases mainly showed no or only mild discohesiveness (P < 0.001). Nine of the low ND cases displayed overlapped, cohesive cell clusters, whereas, in the high ND cases, the cells were arranged in a loose, flat and monolayered pattern (P = 0.045). Fourteen of the high ND cases had round nuclei, but oval nuclei were predominant in the low ND cases (P = 0.027). The nuclei were eccentrically located in 12 of the high ND cases but were centrally located in 14 of the low ND cases (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Mucinous carcinoma with high ND may be diagnosed by the presence of discohesiveness, a flat, monolayered pattern, and round or eccentrically located nuclei. Features of ND in carcinomas in other organs, such as intracytoplasmic granules and coarse chromatin, may not be reliable cytological features of ND in MCA.

Effective Prevention of Liver Fibrosis by Liver-targeted Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery of Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 in a Rat Liver Fibrosis Model

Liver fibrosis is the final stage of liver diseases that lead to liver failure and cancer. While various diagnostic methods, including the use of serum marker, have been established, no standard therapy has been developed. The objective of this study was to assess the approach of overexpressing matrix metalloproteinase-13 gene (MMP13) in rat liver to prevent liver fibrosis progression. A rat liver fibrosis model was established by ligating the bile duct, followed by liver-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery of a MMP13 expression vector, containing a CAG promoter-MMP13-IRES-tdTomato-polyA cassette. After 14 days, the serum level of MMP13 peaked at 71.7 pg/ml in MMP13-treated group, whereas the nontreated group only showed a level of ~5 pg/ml (P < 0.001). These levels were sustained for the next 60 days. The statistically lower level of the hyaluronic acids in treated group versus the nontreated group (P < 0.05) reveals the therapeutic effect of MMP13 overexpression. Quantitative analysis of tissue stained with sirius red showed a statistically larger volume of fibrotic tissue in the nontreated group compared to that of MMP13-treated rats (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the liver-targeted hydrodynamic delivery of MMP13 gene could be effective in the prevention of liver fibrosis.

A Case of Ectopic ACTH-Producing Pulmonary Carcinoid Arising in an Extralobar Pulmonary Sequestration

Ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing bronchopulmonary carcinoid arising in a bronchopulmonary sequestration is extremely rare. The case of a 67-year-old woman with a 1.7-cm nodule in the mediastinal side of the left lower lobe is presented. At 52 years of age, she was diagnosed as having ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS). However, no ectopic source of ACTH-secretion was detected. Seven years later, she underwent a bilateral adrenalectomy because of aggravation of her health condition. This time, tumor excision was performed by thoracoscopic surgery. The tumor adhered sparsely to the mediastinal pleura and the left lower lobe and was bluntly separated from these tissues. Pathologically, the tumor was a typical carcinoid arising in an extralobar pulmonary sequestration. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the secretion of ACTH by bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor cells. After surgery, the serum ACTH level was almost normalized, and the dexamethasone (1 mg) suppression test showed significant suppression of ACTH.

Differential expression of pentraxin 3 in neutrophils

Pentraxins belong to the superfamily of conserved proteins that are characterized by a cyclic multimeric structure. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a long pentraxin which can be produced by different cell types upon exposure to various inflammatory signals. Inside the neutrophil PTX3 is stored in form of granules localized in the cytoplasm. Neutrophilic granules are divided into three types: azurophilic (primary) granules, specific (secondary) granules and gelatinase (tertiary) granules. PTX3 has been considered to be localized in specific (secondary) granules. Immunofluorescent analyses using confocal laser microscopic examination were performed to clarify the localization of all three groups of granules within the cytoplasm of the mature neutrophils and neutrophils stimulated with IL-8. Furthermore, PTX3 was localized in primary granules of promyelocyte cell line HL-60. As a result, we suggest that PTX3 is localized not only in specific granules, but is also partly expressed in primary and tertiary granules. After the stimulation with IL-8, irregular reticular structures called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were formed, three types of granules were trapped by NETs and PTX3 showed partial colocalization with these granular components. PTX3 localized in all three types of granules in neutrophils may play important roles in host defense.

Protective effect of the long pentraxin PTX3 against histone-mediated endothelial cell cytotoxicity in sepsis

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a member of the long pentraxin subfamily within the family of pentraxins, is a soluble pattern recognition molecule that functions in the innate immune system. Innate immunity affords the infected host protection against sepsis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory response to infection. Extracellular histones are considered to be the main cause of septic death because of their cytotoxic effect on endothelial cells, which makes them a potential therapeutic target. We found that PTX3 interacted with histones to form coaggregates, which depended on polyvalent interactions and disorder in the secondary structure of PTX3. PTX3 exerted a protective effect, both in vitro and in vivo, against histone-mediated cytotoxicity toward endothelial cells. Additionally, the intraperitoneal administration of PTX3 reduced mortality in mouse models of sepsis. The amino-terminal domain of PTX3, which was required for coaggregation with histones, was sufficient to protect against cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that the host-protective effects of PTX3 in sepsis are a result of its coaggregation with histones rather than its ability to mediate pattern recognition. This long pentraxin-specific effect provides a potential basis for the treatment of sepsis directed at protecting cells from the toxic effects of extracellular histones.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of MDM2 and CDK4 expression using total RNA from core-needle biopsies is useful for diagnosing adipocytic tumors

Background

Diagnosing adipocytic tumors can be challenging because it is often difficult to morphologically distinguish between benign, intermediate and malignant adipocytic tumors, and other sarcomas that are histologically similar. Recently, a number of tumor-specific chromosome translocations and associated fusion genes have been identified in adipocytic tumors and atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas (ALT/WDL), which have a supernumerary ring and/or giant chromosome marker with amplified sequences of the MDM2 and CDK4 genes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could be used to amplify MDM2 and CDK4 from total RNA samples obtained from core-needle biopsy sections for the diagnosis of ALT/WDL.

Methods

A series of lipoma (n = 124) and ALT/WDL (n = 44) cases were analyzed for cytogenetic analysis and lipoma fusion genes, as well as for MDM2 and CDK4 expression by real-time PCR. Moreover, the expression of MDM2 and CDK4 in whole tissue sections was compared with that in core-needle biopsy sections of the same tumor in order to determine whether real-time PCR could be used to distinguish ALT/WDL from lipoma at the preoperative stage.

Results

In whole tissue sections, the medians for MDM2 and CDK4 expression in ALT/WDL were higher than those in the lipomas (P < 0.05). Moreover, karyotype subdivisions with rings and/or giant chromosomes had higher MDM2 and CDK4 expression levels compared to karyotypes with 12q13-15 rearrangements, other abnormal karyotypes, and normal karyotypes (P < 0.05). On the other hand, MDM2 and CDK4 expression levels in core-needle biopsy sections were similar to those in whole-tissue sections (MDM2: P = 0.6, CDK4: P = 0.8, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).

Conclusion

Quantitative real-time PCR of total RNA can be used to evaluate the MDM2 and CDK4 expression levels in core-needle biopsies and may be useful for distinguishing ALT/WDL from adipocytic tumors. Thus, total RNA from core-needle biopsy sections may have potential as a routine diagnostic tool for other tumors where gene overexpression is a feature of the tumor.

Identification of Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein complex and its role in alternative splicing and the cell cycle

Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) is a putative splicing regulator that is thought to be required for cell cycle progression through the stabilization of cyclin A2 mRNA and mammalian early embryo development. To further understand how WTAP acts in the context of the cellular machinery, we identified its interacting proteins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HeLa cells using shotgun proteomics. Here we show that WTAP forms a novel protein complex including Hakai, Virilizer homolog, KIAA0853, RBM15, the arginine/serine-rich domain-containing proteins BCLAF1 and THRAP3, and certain general splicing regulators, most of which have reported roles in post-transcriptional regulation. The depletion of these respective components of the complex resulted in reduced cell proliferation along with G2/M accumulation. Double knockdown of the serine/arginine-rich (SR)-like proteins BCLAF1 and THRAP3 by siRNA resulted in a decrease in the nuclear speckle localization of WTAP, whereas the nuclear speckles were intact. Furthermore, we found that the WTAP complex regulates alternative splicing of the WTAP pre-mRNA by promoting the production of a truncated isoform, leading to a change in WTAP protein expression. Collectively, these findings show that the WTAP complex is a novel component of the RNA processing machinery, implying an important role in both posttranscriptional control and cell cycle regulation.