Splenic cord capillary hemangioma with non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia: a case report

Background

Splenic cord capillary hemangioma is a rare benign vascular lesion classified as a splenic hamartoma. On the other hand, non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is one of the rare causes of spontaneous hypoglycemia and is considered to be one of the paraneoplastic syndromes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a splenic cord capillary hemangioma with NICTH.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old male was referred to our hospital with hypoglycemia. Except for his low blood sugar, there were no abnormal findings from laboratory tests, which included an endocrinological examination. Enhanced computed tomography confirmed the presence of a solid mass measuring about 6 cm in the retroperitoneum, and a tumorectomy was performed. During this operation, it became clear that the tumor turned out to be a splenic parenchyma, and as a result, a total splenectomy was performed. Microscopically, we diagnosed this as a cord capillary hemangioma, and through immunohistochemistry, we found that some tumor cells were positive for insulin-like growth factor -II. Fortunately, the hypoglycemia-related symptoms disappeared after surgical resection was performed. The patient is still alive and well without evidence of local tumor recurrence 15 years after the operation.

Conclusions

Splenic cord capillary hemangioma, one of the types of splenic hamartomas, is a very rare benign vascular lesion and might be associated with hypoglycemia thought to be NICTH.

A new method for determining levels of sedation in dogs: A pilot study with propofol and a novel neuroactive steroid anesthetic

BACKGROUND

Different levels of consciousness are required in order to perform different medical procedures. Sedation scales established to objectively define various levels of sedation in humans have not been thoroughly characterized in non-human species. Postural changes in rats or dogs are useful as gross measures of sedation but are inadequate for quantitative assessment since graded levels of sedation are difficult to delineate and obscured by movement abnormalities.

NEW METHOD

A new canine sedation scoring (CSS) method was developed based on the modified observer's assessment of alertness and sedation score (MOAA/S) used in humans. The method employed a combination of physical, auditory and somatosensory stimuli of increasing intensity. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and a neurophysiological measure of sedation (bispectral index: BIS) data were recorded. Validation studies were performed following intravenous loading and constant rate infusion of propofol or a novel synthetic neuroactive steroid (SGE-746).

RESULTS

Four levels of consciousness were identified: 1) Awake, 2) Moderate Sedation (MS), 3) Deep Sedation (DS) and 4) General Anesthesia (GA). Cardiorespiratory measurements obtained after bolus administration of propofol and SGE-746 and at the end of each CRI remained within normal limits. Canine sedation scores correlated with BIS for SGE-746. SGE-746 exhibited a more gradual exposure-response relationship than propofol. Larger increases in the plasma concentration from awake values were required to achieve different levels of sedation with SGE-746 compared to propofol.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

No other canine sedation scoring methods are widely accepted.

CONCLUSION

A CSS method, based on the human MOAA/S scale defined four levels of consciousness in dogs and provided better resolution of sedation depth than BIS alone.

A new method for determining the optimal CT threshold for extracting the upper airway

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optimal upper threshold levels of a number of individuals and determine the most suitable upper threshold.

METHODS

A phantom model and ten patients were used in this study. The phantom was made of acrylic resin and urethane resin and had nine pillar-shaped air spaces. The subjects were ten female patients with jaw deformities who were not affected by respiratory disease. The optimal threshold levels were determined using the "calculation of CT value disparities" (CCTD) technique, which we devised. In other words, the mean CT values along two lines (air space and soft tissue) were calculated and the optimal threshold level was determined as the level that produced the maximum difference between the CT values measured inside and outside of the air-space border.

RESULTS

The optimal upper threshold levels of the nine phantom holes calculated using the CCTD technique in the front-on standing position and side-on standing position were -434 HU and -456 HU, respectively. The optimal upper threshold level of the ten patients calculated using the CCTD technique was -472 HU. The true threshold level of each patient was defined as the optimal threshold level calculated using the CCTD technique. The mean threshold level was defined as -472 HU. The absolute differences between the volume measurements obtained with these two measures were considered. Therefore, the no error values were -460 HU and -470 HU.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider that the most suitable upper threshold level for extracting the airway is from -460 HU to -470 HU.

Gastric tumor from metastasis of breast cancer

Metastatic tumours of the stomach have been reported to result from various types of cancer. Among them, gastric metastasis from breast cancer has been recognised in 0.3-18% patients (1-4). Here, a rare case of metastatic gastric tumour derived from breast carcinoma is reported. Gastric endoscopy confirmed a large, friable mass (approximately 5 cm in diameter) in the upper part of the gastric body. The mass within the stomach was difficult to distinguish from primary gastric cancer, although biopsies of this lesion revealed the characteristics of adenocarcinoma. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed the positive expression of mammaglobin. Taken together, the evidence pointed to metastasis of breast cancer to the stomach. The patient was treated with hormonal therapy (letrozole), and the size of the metastasis in the stomach was markedly reduced. Therefore, a gastric metastasis from breast cancer was diagnosed successfully using immunohistochemistry and unnecessary surgery was avoided. In conclusion, although gastric metastatic tumours derived from breast carcinoma are rare, their accurate pre-operative diagnosis and appropriate systemic treatment is essential.

Cancerous, but not stromal, thrombospondin-2 contributes prognosis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Thrombospondin (TSP)-2 is known to be an endogenous negative regulator of vascularization in human cancer. However, it is unclear whether TSP-2 expression is related to neovascularization and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. In this study, we quantitatively examined the expression of TSP-2 mRNA by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 102 pulmonary adenocarcinomas. All 102 carcinoma specimens expressed TSP-2 mRNA. The expression of TSP-2 mRNA in carcinoma was significantly higher than normal lung tissues (p<0.0001, Kruskal-Wallis test). Sizes of tumors were significantly correlated with TSP-2 gene expression (p=0.0179, Kruskal-Wallis test). The TSP-2 expression levels of the stage II/III pulmonary carcinomas were significantly increased as compared to those of stage I (p=0.0136, Kruskal-Wallis test). Thirty-five patients with high TSP-2 mRNA expression showed poor prognosis in survival (p=0.0139, log-rank test). We examined TSP-2 protein localizations in the pulmonary adenocarcinoma overexpressing TSP-2 mRNA. The TSP-2 localizations were categorized in two patterns: cancerous TSP-2 expression pattern (TSP-2 expression in the cancerous cells) and non-cancerous TSP-2 expression pattern (TSP-2 expression in the stromal lymphoid cells). Pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with cancerous TSP-2 expression pattern showed good prognosis (p=0.0322; Fisher's probability exact test). Pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with non-cancerous TSP-2 expression pattern showed poor prognosis (p=0.0220; Fisher's probability exact test). Non-cancerous TSP-2 expressions may reflect secondary reactions in the cancerous stroma. The stromal TSP-2 expression is not enough to suppress growth of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, while the cancerous TSP-2 expression directly inhibits growth of the carcinoma.

Thrombospondin 2 inhibits metastasis of human malignant melanoma through microenvironment-modification in NOD/SCID/gammaCnull (NOG) mice

Thrombospondin (TSP) 2 interacts with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and matrix serine proteases such as plasminogen activator (PA). Malignant melanoma is an aggressive human neoplasm showing aggressive metastatic features. We examined the effects of TSP2 gene introduction in the human malignant melanoma cell line A375. We established three clones transfected with human TSP2 (A375/TSP2). The in vitro invasiveness was remarkably suppressed (42-61%) in the TSP2-transfectants, while growth properties were preserved. The A375/TSP2 showed significantly decreased liver metastatic potential (liver weight: 3.88+/-0.30 g in A375/TSP2, 7.07+/-0.67 g in vector-transfectant (A375/V), p<0.01, Mann-Whitney U test) in super immuno-deficient mice (NOD/SCID/gammacnull, NOG). The PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and PAI-2 mRNAs were significantly overexpressed in A375/TSP2. The increased activities of PAI-1 and PAI-2 were confirmed by reverse zymography. The vascularity of metastatic lesions was significantly decreased in A375/TSP2 (vascular density: 0.62+/-0.15% in A375/TSP2, 4.96+/-0.61% in A375/V, p<0.01, Welch test). These results suggest that TSP2 suppresses hematogenous metastasis through microenvironment-modification including PAI up-regulation and anti-vascularization in human malignant melanoma.

Expression of copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATP7B) correlates with cisplatin resistance in human non-small cell lung cancer xenografts

Copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATP7B) is reportedly associated with platinum drug resistance in various solid carcinomas. However, the impact of ATP7B on platinum drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. We investigated ATP7B expression in nine human NSCLC xenografts using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry, and examined the relationship between the expression level of ATP7B and in vivo cisplatin (CDDP) sensitivity. ATP7B mRNA expression was significantly correlated with in vivo cisplatin sensitivity [coefficient of determination (R(2))=0.949, p=0.005]. ATP7B protein was detected in the nine xenografts. The ATP7B protein expression level was comparable to that of ATP7B mRNA. ATP7B mRNA and protein expression levels in the CDDP-resistant xenografts were significantly higher than those in the CDDP-sensitive xenografts (p=0.0389 and p=0.0357, respectively, Mann-Whitney U test). These results suggest that ATP7B is a CDDP-resistance marker in human NSCLC xenografts in vivo.

An Efficient reproductive method for Irs2-/- mice with C57BL/6JJcl genetic background

Efficient reproduction using natural mating and reproduction technology [in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET)] was investigated in IRS2 deficient mice with C57BL/6JJcl genetic background (Irs2(-/-) mice) as a typical type 2 diabetes model. From the results using various combinations of Irs2(-/-) and Irs2(-/+) mice, the combination of female Irs2(-/+) x male Irs2(-/-) was found to be more efficient than other combinations. In applications of reproduction technology using IVF and ET, the combination of female Irs2(-/+) x male Irs2(-/-) involves the possibility of Irs2(-/-) production by repeats using female Irs2(-/+) mice. However, reproductive continuity using this combination is difficult because of dependence on human technique and the cost of ET. Therefore, we concluded that Irs2(-/-) mice should be produced by embryo transfer using Irs2(-/-) mice from a colony consisting of female Irs2(-/+) x male Irs2(-/-).

Thrombospondin-2 inhibits tumor cell invasion through the modulation of MMP-9 and uPA in pancreatic cancer cells

The extracellular matrix protein thrombospondin (TSP) plays an important role in a variety of biological processes, including cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The biological role of TSP-2 in invasion and metastasis is poorly understood, while it is known that TSP-1 regulates a proteolytic cascade that allows tumor cells to invade and metastasize. In this study, we examined the role of TSP-2 in tumor cell invasion and its association with proteolytic proteins, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and the plasminogen/plasmin system, including urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), in the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. PANC-1 cells expressed a low level of TSP-2, but significant levels of TSP-1. We isolated three clones of PANC-1 transformants stably overexpressing human TSP-2 (PANC-T). PANC-T highly expressed the TSP-2 gene and protein, while TSP-1 expression was not altered. In vitro invasion assays demonstrated that the invasiveness of PANC-T clones was significantly suppressed (p<0.05; Welch test). Zymography revealed that restoration of TSP-2 synthesis in the PANC-T clones significantly inhibited MMP-9 activity (p<0.05; Welch test). uPA activity in the PANC-T clones was significantly suppressed (p<0.05; Welch test). We concluded that restoration of TSP-2 can inhibit cell invasion through the down-regulation of MMP-9 and uPA activity in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Thus, TSP-2 may be a potent inhibitor of metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

In vivo experimental model of human gingival mucosa using immunodeficient mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To establish an in vivo experimental model for examining human periodontal tissue, the present study examined several transplant techniques that maintain the structure and characteristics of human gingival mucosa.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Human oral mucosal tissue samples were collected from the gingiva (n = 11), palate (n = 1), and tongue (n = 3). These mucosal grafts were transplanted onto BALB/c nu/scid mice with double-mutant immunodeficiency. Murine skin, twice the size of the graft, was cut open in an ' square superset'-shape. Next, the connective tissue side of the graft was placed onto the murine connective tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed, using polyclonal rabbit antibody to involucrin, monoclonal antibody to vimentin, monoclonal antibody to CD34, and monoclonal antibody to Ki-67, to determine whether the characteristics of human oral mucosa were maintained.

RESULTS

When the connective tissue side of the graft was placed on the murine fascial membrane, the histological structure of the graft was maintained for 60 d. These grafts were examined for human characteristics using human-specific antibodies. Immunohistochemically, the expression patterns of involucrin, vimentin, and Ki-67 indicated that transplanted mucosa revealed normal human characteristics, including differentiation and proliferation up to 80 d. CD34 was not detected in the graft endothelial cells.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that the novel technique of transplantation of human gingival mucosa in nu/scid mice may serve as an in vivo experimental model of periodontal disease.

Phenotypes of IRS-2 Deficient Mice Produced by Reproductive Technology are Stable

We studied the impact of "IVF - ET" on the glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT) and adiponectin to investigate differences in the phenotypes of B6J- Irs2(-/-) mice. The B6J-Irs2(-/-) mice (KO-Nat group) were prepared by natural mating. Other mice were produced by IVF-ET used ICR strain recipients and surrogate mothers (KO-IVF group). Measurement of body weight, GTT, ITT and blood sampling were performed at the ages of 6, 14 and 24 weeks after birth. Body weights, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and plasma adiponectin concentrations did not differ for each gender between the KO-IVF and KO-Nat groups. Therefore, we concluded that phenotypes of Irs2(-/-) mice produced by reproductive technology are stable.

Increased S100A4 expression combined with decreased E-cadherin expression predicts a poor outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer

The calcium-binding protein, S100A4, with an inverse association of E-cadherin, is known to correlate with prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we investigated the expression of the S100A4 and E-cadherin status in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of pancreatic cancer. The expression status of these two proteins was examined in 72 specimens of primary pancreatic carcinoma with immunohistochemistry. Fifty-six of 72 (78%) surgical specimens of primary pancreatic cancer were positive for S100A4 according to immunohistochemistry. Thirty-one (43%) specimens of pancreatic cancer showed positive expression of E-cadherin. The inverse association of S100A4 and E-cadherin expression was significant in the cancers (p < 0.0001). The S100A4 expression correlated significantly with the pathological T stage and poorer prognosis (p = 0.024). The 41 E-cadherin-negative cases showed poorer prognoses and a higher incidence of liver metastasis (p = 0.0344, p = 0.027). The 10 cases with S100A4-negative/E-cadherin-positive cancers showed a significantly better prognosis than the others (p < 0.05). The histological grade (p = 0.004), nodal status (p < 0.0001) and S100A4-positive status (p = 0.048) were highly significant independent prognostic predictors (p < 0.05). These results suggest that S100A4 overexpression combined with reduced E-cadherin expression play important roles in tumor progression and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. The combined examination of these two molecules is useful in evaluating the outcome of pancreatic cancer patient.

Increased S100A4 expression combined with decreased E-cadherin expression predicts a poor outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer

The calcium-binding protein, S100A4, with an inverse association of E-cadherin, is known to correlate with prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we investigated the expression of the S100A4 and E-cadherin status in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of pancreatic cancer. The expression status of these two proteins was examined in 72 specimens of primary pancreatic carcinoma with immunohistochemistry. Fifty-six of 72 (78%) surgical specimens of primary pancreatic cancer were positive for S100A4 according to immunohistochemistry. Thirty-one (43%) specimens of pancreatic cancer showed positive expression of E-cadherin. The inverse association of S100A4 and E-cadherin expression was significant in the cancers (p < 0.0001). The S100A4 expression correlated significantly with the pathological T stage and poorer prognosis (p = 0.024). The 41 E-cadherin-negative cases showed poorer prognoses and a higher incidence of liver metastasis (p = 0.0344, p = 0.027). The 10 cases with S100A4-negative/E-cadherin-positive cancers showed a significantly better prognosis than the others (p < 0.05). The histological grade (p = 0.004), nodal status (p < 0.0001) and S100A4-positive status (p = 0.048) were highly significant independent prognostic predictors (p < 0.05). These results suggest that S100A4 overexpression combined with reduced E-cadherin expression play important roles in tumor progression and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. The combined examination of these two molecules is useful in evaluating the outcome of pancreatic cancer patient.

Poor outcome of patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma showing decreased E-cadherin combined with increased S100A4 expression

A loss or reduced expression of E-cadherin, the main cell-to-cell adhesion molecule, correlates with distant metastasis in various cancers. Recent studies have reported a close correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and that of S100A4, calcium-binding protein. In this study, we investigated the expression of E-cadherin and S100A4 status in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. We finely and quantitatively examined the expression of E-cadherin and S100A4 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a total of 92 pulmonary adenocarcinomas obtained by surgical resection. All of the pulmonary adenocarcinomas showed significant expression of E-cadherin and S100A4. Real-time PCR showed lower E-cadherin expression in 21 adenocarcinomas, while 71 adenocarcinomas expressed a higher expression of E-cadherin. Of 21 adenocarcinomas with lower-expressing E-cadherin, 12 showed a higher expression of S100A4. These 12 cases significantly showed a poorer prognosis than others (p=0.047, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test) and significantly showed more frequent venous involvement than others (p=0.042, chi2 test). These results suggested that reduced E-cadherin expression combined with higher S100A4 expression is related to a poor prognosis through hematogenous metastasis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Ontogenetic characteristics of enzyme activities and plasma metabolites in C57BL/6J:Jcl mice deficient in insulin receptor substrate 2

We have established an inbred line of mice deficient in insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) on a C57BL/6J Jcl genetic background (B6J-IRS2(-/-) mice) as an animal model for typical type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated the effect of age and sex on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and on the activities of enzymes related to lipid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle of B6J-IRS2( -/-) mice. Glucose tolerance tests (GTT), insulin tolerance tests (ITT), and sampling for chemical analysis were performed at ages of 6,14, and 24 wk. GTT showed that both genders of B6J-IRs2(-/-) mice had impaired glucose tolerance at the ages of 6 and 14 wk, whereas 24-wk-old female B6J-IRs2(-/-) mice showed glucose tolerance almost comparable to that of wild-type mice; 24-wk-old male B6J-IRs2(-/-) mice still showed impaired glucose tolerance. ITT revealed that both male and female B6J-IRS2(-/-) mice remained insulin-resistant at all time points. Hepatic lipogenetic enzyme activities were higher in B6J-IRS2(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice at 6, 14 and 24 wk of age. In addition, plasma glucose, triglyceride, free fatty acid, total cholesterol, and insulin concentrations in B6J-IRS2(-/-) mice were significantly higher than those in wild-type mice at most time points; plasma triglycerides in 14-wk-old B6J-IRS2(-/-) mice were lower than those of wild-type mice. These findings suggest that young B6J-IRS2(-/-) mice are useful as type 2 DM models.

Poor outcome of patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma showing decreased E-cadherin combined with increased S100A4 expression

A loss or reduced expression of E-cadherin, the main cell-to-cell adhesion molecule, correlates with distant metastasis in various cancers. Recent studies have reported a close correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and that of S100A4, calcium-binding protein. In this study, we investigated the expression of E-cadherin and S100A4 status in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. We finely and quantitatively examined the expression of E-cadherin and S100A4 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a total of 92 pulmonary adenocarcinomas obtained by surgical resection. All of the pulmonary adenocarcinomas showed significant expression of E-cadherin and S100A4. Real-time PCR showed lower E-cadherin expression in 21 adenocarcinomas, while 71 adenocarcinomas expressed a higher expression of E-cadherin. Of 21 adenocarcinomas with lower-expressing E-cadherin, 12 showed a higher expression of S100A4. These 12 cases significantly showed a poorer prognosis than others (p=0.047, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test) and significantly showed more frequent venous involvement than others (p=0.042, chi2 test). These results suggested that reduced E-cadherin expression combined with higher S100A4 expression is related to a poor prognosis through hematogenous metastasis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Immunohistopathological study of the oral lichenoid lesions of chronic GVHD

BACKGROUND

Chronic graft-vs.-host disease (cGVHD) is a common and serious complication after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, the detailed process of oral lichenoid lesions of cGVHD is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the immunohistopathological features of cGVHD compared with oral lichen planus (OLP) and healthy controls.

METHODS

Nineteen allogenic BMT recipients with a histopathological diagnosis of cGVHD were investigated. We investigated the immunohistopathological features of cGVHD compared with OLP and healthy controls.

RESULTS

Immunohistopathological features showed that the infiltrations of CD4-positive T cells of cGVHD and OLP were significantly larger than those of the normal oral mucosa (P < 0.005). A larger number of CD8-positive T cells was infiltrated in cGVHD and OLP compared with the normal oral mucosa (P < 0.001). The difference in the number of CD4- and CD8-positive T cells between cGVHD and OLP was not significant. The infiltrations of Langerhans cells (CD1a) in cGVHD and OLP were significantly larger than those in the normal oral mucosa (P < 0.005). The difference in the number of Langerhans cells between cGVHD and OLP was not significant. CD68-positive macrophages were more frequently seen in cGVHD and OLP than in the normal oral mucosa (P < 0.0001). The difference in the number of CD68-positive macrophages between cGVHD and OLP was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that Langerhans cells and CD8-positive T cell may play a major role in the pathogenesis of the oral lichenoid lesions of cGVHD, and the immune response was inducted in OLP as well as the oral lichenoid lesion of cGVHD in this study.

The preserved expression of neuropilin (NRP) 1 contributes to a better prognosis in colon cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) plays an essential role in tumor progression through stromal neovascularization in malignant solid tumors. Neuropilin (NRP) is considered to be the specific receptor for limited types of VEGF-A isoform, VEGF165. The clinicopathological implications of NRP are not well understood in colon cancer, while almost all colon cancers overexpressed VEGF-A. We examined the expression levels of NRP1 and NRP2 genes in 54 colon cancer cases and paired extraneoplastic tissue with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The gene expression levels of NRP1 in the tumor (0.431+/-0.583) were significantly decreased compared to those in the extraneoplastic tissue (0.754+/-0.799) (paired t-test, p=0.0208). On the other hand, the gene expression levels of NRP2 in the tumor (0.763+/-0.791) were not decreased compared to those in the extraneoplastic tissue (0.508+/-0.386) (paired t-test, p=0.0511). Twenty cases, with preserved expression of the NRP1 gene in the tumor, showed a better prognosis as compared to the 34 cases with decreased NRP1 expression (p=0.0258, log-rank test). No significant relationship was noted between NRP2 gene expression and prognosis. The results suggested that preserved NRP1 expression provides colon cancer patients with a better prognosis.

Comparative genomic hybridization reveals genetic progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma from dysplasia via two different tumourigenic pathways

To clarify the genetic pathway(s) involved in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), as well as the relationship between genetic aberrations and biological characteristics of OSCC tumours, comparative genomic hybridization was used to analyse genetic alterations in both primary OSCCs and adjacent dysplastic lesions of the same biopsy specimens from 35 patients. Gain of 8q22-23 was the most frequent alteration in both OSCC and mild dysplasia, and was considered the earliest event in the process of oral tumourigenesis. The average number of DNA sequence copy number aberrations (DSCNAs) increased with progression from mild dysplasia to invasive carcinoma (r = 0.737, n = 70, p < 0.001). OSCC samples were classified as having a large or small number of DSCNAs (OSCC-L, 21.4 +/- 4.7 DSCNAs or OSCC-S, 10.0 +/- 1.7 DSCNAs, respectively; p < 0.0001). Gains of 3q26-qter, 8q, 11q13, 14q, and 20q and losses of 4q, 5q12-22, 6q, 8p, 13q, and 18q22-qter were common to OSCC-L and OSCC-S. Gains of 5p15, 7p, 17q11-22, and 18p and losses of 3p14-21, 4p, and 9p were detected exclusively in OSCC-L. The average number of DSCNAs depended on whether the samples showed OSCC- L or dysplasia plus OSCC-L, or showed OSCC-S or dysplasia plus OSCC-S (p = 0.001). Gain of 5p15 and losses of 4p and 9p were detected even in dysplastic lesions adjacent to OSCC-L samples. Loss of 4p was associated with node metastasis by multivariate analysis (p = 0.013). OSCC-L tumours were more often T3-T4 stage tumours than T1-T2 stage tumours (p = 0.03). These findings suggest that two different types of OSCC, OSCC-L associated with high-stage cancer and OSCC-S associated with low-stage cancer, arise from different types of dysplasia via different genetic pathways.

Gallbladder small cell carcinoma Xenograft established by serial transplantation in nude mice

The GB-04-JCK xenograft line of human gallbladder small cell carcinoma was established in nude mice by serial transplantation. The xenotransplantability has been maintained for more than 20 years. The carcinoma cells grew in a solid-sheet pattern and were found to have hyperchromatic nuclei, finely dispersed chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli in the primary gallbladder tumor, as well as in the established xenograft GB-04-JCK The carcinoma cells also had Grimelius argyrophil granules, electron-dense neuroendocrine granules bounded by a single membrane. The xenograft line retained histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the primary gallbladder tumor and is the first reported xenotransplantable tumor of human gallbladder small cell carcinoma.

S100A4 expression with reduced E-cadherin expression predicts distant metastasis of human malignant melanoma cell lines in the NOD/SCID/gammaCnull (NOG) mouse model

Tumor xenografts in immune-deficient mice (athymic nude mice and SCID mice) are well-established animal models for the study of human cancer. Several human melanoma cell lines were reported to metastasize in the immune-deficient mice models. However, metastatic rates were extremely low in spite of large numbers of injections of cancer cells, more than 1 x 10(6) cells/mouse. The NOD/SCID/gamma(C)(null) (NOG) mouse shows multiple immunological dysfunctions, including cytokine production capability, in addition to the functional incompetence of T, B and natural killer (NK) cells. However, the immune-deficient mice, with preserved NK cell activity, might interfere with engraftment efficiency. We examined the distant metastasis of the human melanoma cell lines (A2058, A375, G361 and HMY-1, 1 x 10(4) cells/mouse) in the 6 weeks after intravenous inoculation. All four melanoma cell lines showed metastasis in the NOG mice, while no metastatic lesions were observed in the NOD/SCID mice. Metastatic lesions were noted in the liver and lung of 6/6 (100%) mice at A2058, 8/9 (89%) at A375, 2/6 (33%) at G361 and 2/8 (25%) at HMY-1. A2058 and A375 cell lines with high metastatic potentials show increased gene expression of S100A4. Western blot assay confirmed the increased protein levels of S100A4 in the A2058 and A375 cell lines. E-cadherin gene expression was conversely inhibited in these cell lines. The increased expression of S100A4 combined with inhibited E-cadherin expression resulted in high metastatic potentials of the human melanoma cell lines in vivo.