Relationship between sputum clusterin levels and childhood asthma

BACKGROUND

Clusterin is a sensitive cellular biosensor of oxidative stress and has been studied as a biomarker for inflammation-associated diseases. Clusterin levels in childhood asthma have not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To evaluate sputum clusterin levels in children with asthma compared to a control group. (2) To assess the relationships between sputum clusterin levels and airway inflammation, pulmonary function, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

METHODS

This study included 170 children aged 5-18 years with stable asthma (n = 91), asthma exacerbation (n = 29), or no asthma (healthy controls; n = 50). Induced sputum, pulmonary function, and methacholine challenge tests were performed. Stable asthma was classified into two groups according to the severity. Clusterin levels in sputum were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Children with stable asthma had a higher clusterin level than healthy controls [4540 (3872-5651) pg/mL vs. 3857 (1054-4369) pg/mL, P < 0.001]. The clusterin level was also more elevated in eosinophil-dominant sputum than in non-eosinophilic sputum in stable asthma [5094 (4243-6257) pg/mL vs. 4110 (1871-4839) pg/mL, P = 0.0017]. Clusterin levels were associated with asthma severity. Paradoxically, clusterin levels were lower during asthma exacerbation than in stable asthma [1838 (350-4790] pg/mL vs. 4540 (3872-5651) pg/mL, P < 0.001]. Clusterin levels were strongly correlated with the methacholine concentration that caused a 20% decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = -0.617, P < 0.001); there was no significant correlation between clusterin levels and other pulmonary function parameters.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Clusterin levels were altered in children with stable asthma and asthma exacerbation because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Clusterin may be a marker that reflects airway inflammation and severity of symptoms, and it can be used in the assessment and management of childhood asthma.

Pandemic influenza virus, pH1N1, induces asthmatic symptoms via activation of innate lymphoid cells

BACKGROUND

The pandemic strain of the influenza A virus (pH1N1) in 2009 caused many complications in patients. In this study, we introduce asthmatic symptoms as a complication of pH1N1 infection in children, not having a relationship with asthma history. The aim of this study was to quantify asthmatic symptoms in pH1N1-infected children and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) induced in a murine model of pH1N1 infection.

METHODS

As a retrospective study, pH1N1-infected children who were hospitalized with moderate to severe acute asthmatic symptoms were enrolled and administered a methacholine challenge test (MCT) at 3 months post-discharge. Additionally, the induction of AHR by pH1N1 infection was measured by MCT in wild-type and Rag1(-/-) mice. The effect of the innate immune response on the development of AHR following pH1N1 infection was investigated.

RESULTS

More than 70% of the pH1N1-infected children without a pre-infection diagnosis of asthma had a negative response on the MCT. None of these children had recurrent wheezing or asthma during the 3 years following pH1N1 infection. The development of AHR in pH1N1-infected mice was associated with an elevation in IL-33 and innate lymphoid cells 2 (ILC2).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that pH1N1 infection directly induces transient asthmatic symptoms in patients regardless of their medical history. pH1N1 infection was shown to stimulate the rapid development of AHR and Th2-type cytokine secretion in mice via the activation of ILC2; it may be activated independently of adaptive immunity.

Passive reporting greatly underestimates the rate of transfusion-associated circulatory overload after platelet transfusion

BACKGROUND

Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is the second leading cause of reported transfusion-related fatalities in the United States. While its occurrence has been previously investigated after red cell and plasma transfusion, no data are available regarding its association with platelet transfusion. Our goal was to determine the rate of platelet-associated TACO at our university medical centre.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study had retrospective and prospective analyses. The 13-year retrospective analysis served to determine the historical rate of platelet-associated TACO by passive reporting. The 30-day prospective analysis included active surveillance of all non-emergently issued and non-operative platelet recipients ≥16 years old with no transfusions in the previous 6 h determined by analysis of blood bank product issue records. Data collected included demographics, vital signs pre- and posttransfusion, fluid balances, supplemental oxygen use, reports of dyspnoea, and infusion rates. For the prospective analysis, all variables were collected within 24 h of transfusion from the medical record and, when necessary, interviews with care providers and/or patients.

RESULTS

In the retrospective analysis, 366 reactions were reported, of which 6 (1·6%) were TACO. The historical rate of TACO was 1:5997 transfused platelet units. During the prospective analysis, 225 eligible patients received a total of 334 units of platelets. The average platelet transfusion volume was 261 ± 26 ml, and the average infusion rate was 391 ± 198 ml/h. Two unreported TACO reactions were discovered and characterized by new-onset hypertension, crackles on lung auscultation, dyspnoea, hypoxia and supplemental oxygen requirements which resolved completely with diuresis. The rate of TACO during this prospective analysis was 1:167 transfused platelet units.

CONCLUSION

Platelet-associated TACO is greatly underestimated by passive reporting in the adult patient population.

Dual targeting of angiotensin receptors (AGTR1 and AGTR2) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) influences cardiovascular homeostasis, and Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) is the main effector of RAS, and AGTR2 antagonizes AGTR1. Accumulating evidence supports the role of RAS in the paracrine regulation of tumorigenesis in several cancer types. Although treatment with AGTR1 antagonist (losartan) or AGTR2 agonist (CGP42112A) inhibits tumor progression in several cancer cells, their combined treatment has not been reported.

METHODS

In this study, we estimated the expression of AGTR1 and AGTR2 in epithelial ovarian cancer cells and tissues. Then, we evaluated the anti-cancer effects of combined treatment with losartan and/or CGP42112A in ovarian cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

RESULTS

AGTR1 protein was detected in 86% of ovarian cancer tissues, while AGTR2 was not detected in immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of AGTR1 obtained from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) dataset showed that AGTR1 overexpression was correlated with poor survival. Treatment with either losartan or CGP42112A reduced the angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated cell survival in both ovarian cancer cells and HUVEC. Combined treatment with losartan and CGP42112A synergistically decreased cell survival. As a downstream pathway, phosphorylation of phospholipase C β3 (PLC β3) and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decreased synergistically in combined treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that dual regulation of AGTR1 and AGTR2 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma through inhibition of cancer cell survival as well as anti-angiogenesis.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE

This study investigated the expressions of AGTR1 and AGTR2 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and the therapeutic potential of AGTR modulation with specific antagonist and/or agonist in epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Treatment of AGTR1 antagonist, losartan and/or AGTR2 agonist, CGP42112A synergistically mediated anti-cancer effects including the decrease of cell survival and down-regulation of VEGF.

Tumor suppressive effects of bromodomain-containing protein 7 (BRD7) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

PURPOSE

Bromodomain-containing protein 7 (BRD7), which is a subunit of SWI/SNF complex, has been recently suggested as a novel tumor suppressor in several cancers. In this study, we investigated the tumor suppressive effect of BRD7 in epithelial ovarian cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We analyzed the expression of BRD7 in human ovarian tissues with real-time PCR. To investigate the functional role of BRD7, we transfected ovarian cancer cells (A2780 and SKOV3) with BRD7 plasmid and checked the cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion. The activities of BRD7 in the signaling pathways associated with carcinogenesis were also tested. In addition, we used the orthotopic mouse model for ovarian cancer to evaluate tumor growth-inhibiting effect by administration of BRD7 plasmid.

RESULTS

The BRD7 expression was downregulated in the ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal (P < 0.05), high-grade serous cancer exhibited significantly decreased expression of BRD7 compared with low-grade (P < 0.01) serous cancer. Transfection of BRD7 plasmid to A2780 (p53-wild) or SKOV3 (p53-null) ovarian cancer cells showed the tumor suppressive effects assessed by cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion assay and especially significantly decreased tumor weight in orthotopic mouse model (A2780). Moreover, we found that tumor suppressive effects of BRD7 are independent to the presence of p53 activity in ovarian cancer cells. BRD7 negatively regulated β-catenin pathway, resulting in decreased its accumulation in the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that BRD7 acts as a tumor suppressor in epithelial ovarian cancers independently of p53 activity, via negative regulation of β-catenin pathway.

The effect of surgical wound on ovarian carcinoma growth in an animal model

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We examined the effects according to the extent of surgical wound mimicking laparoscopy or laparotomy on ovarian cancer growth in an orthotopic mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To mimic surgery effects, we performed laparoscopy or laparotomy on athymic nude mice under isoflurane inhalation at four days after tumor cell injection. For the laparoscopy model, we performed pneumoperitoneum with CO2, by inserting three cannulars.

RESULTS

Mice in the laparoscopy-mimicking group had significantly lower tumor weight compared to mice in the laparotomy group (p<0.05). In the immediate postoperative period, serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) were significantly lower in the laparoscopy group.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that a minimal surgical wound such as that on laparoscopy, appears to induce little surgical stress on enhancing tumor growth compared to laparotomy in an ovarian cancer animal model, possibly because it minimally influences the secretion of VEGF and MMP2.

Angiotensin II type I receptor and miR-155 in endometrial cancers: synergistic antiproliferative effects of anti-miR-155 and losartan on endometrial cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is one of the micro RNAs (miRNA) most consistently involved in neoplastic diseases, and it is known to repress the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expressions of miR-155 and AGTR1, and to clarify the potential efficacy of anti-miR-155, alone and in combination with AGTR1 blocker losartan in endometrial cancers.

METHODS

Expressions of miR-155 and AGTR1 were evaluated using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. And the MTT assay was performed in endometrial cancer cells following anti-miR-155 and AGTR1 blocker (losartan) treatment, alone and in combination.

RESULTS

miR-155 was over-expressed and AGTR1 was underexpressed in endometrial carcinoma tissues. AGTR1 immunoreactivity was found in six of ten (60.0%) normal endometrium, 11 of 14 (78.6%) endometrial hyperplasia, and 27 of 62 (43.5%) endometrial carcinoma tissues (P=0.051), and patients with AGTR1 expression showed trend towards improved survival after multivariate analysis (P=0.08). We checked that abolishing the function of miR-155 and AGTR1 by anti-miR-155 or losartan inhibited cell survival of endometrial carcinoma cells, respectively, and furthermore, combined treatment showed synergistic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we characterized the expressions of miR-155 and AGTR1 in endometrial tissues. The combined treatment with anti-miR-155 and losartan has a synergistic antiproliferative effect and an improved understanding is required to clarify whether miR-155 and AGTR1 can be used as a novel therapeutic target in endometrial cancer.

Abstract 892: Angiotensin II /angiotensin II type I receptor (AGTR1) promotes cell growth in epithelial ovarian cancer

Background: Angiotensin and its receptor, AGTR (Anigiotensin receptor) are known as main effectors molecules of renin-angiotensin system in regulating the physiological processes of the cardiovascular system. Not only do they function as an endocrine system, but they have recently reported to regulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasiveness, and viabilities via inducing intercellular signaling pathways. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of angiotensin II and AGTR1 on cell survival and proliferation in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells. Methods: Expressions of AGTR1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in epithelial ovarian carcinoma tissues and analyzed the correlation between AGTR1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients. For in vitro test, we checked the level of expression for angiotensin II and AGTR1 in human ovarian cancer cell lines by Western blot. A recombinant angiotensin II and its blocker losartan were treated into the cells. For cell viabilities and proliferations were estimated by MTT assay. Results: Through checking the expression of AGTR1 in human ovarian cancer cells, we selected A2780 and HeyA8 cells for in vitro tests because these cells have relatively high expression. Exogenous treatment of angiotensin II resulted in increased cell growth of both cells. Losartan, specific blocker of AGTR1, diminished the angiotensin II-induced increased cell growth. Moreover, we identified that angiotensin II activated Akt and STAT signaling through AGTR1 and pretreatment of losartan inhibited those activations. Conclusion: In this study, we inquired into the role of angiotensin II-AGTR1 interaction in ovarian cancer. They positively regulate cell survivability and proliferation and activate intercellular signaling involving Akt and STAT via suggesting their oncogenic mechanisms. Moreover, treatment of losartan, showed antiproliferative effect by inhibiting the activations of AGTR1 mediated signaling. These results suggest that AGTR1 inhibitor like as losartan could be a novel therapeutic strategy treating this cancer.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 892. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-892

The interactions between MicroRNA-200c and BRD7 in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Increased expression of miR-200c was recently reported in endometrial carcinoma compared with normal tissues. In this study, we evaluated the role of miR-200c in cell growth and drug sensitivity in endometrial carcinoma and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The expression of miR-200c in human endometrial tissues was detected by quantitative RT-PCR. The transfection with anti-miRNA (anti-miR) or the premature form of miRNA (pre-miR) was performed to regulate the level of expression of miRNA-200c in endometrial carcinoma cells, HEC-1A and Ishikawa. To identify the target genes for miR-200c, we performed mRNA microarray after pre-miR-200c transfection in HEC-1A cells.

RESULTS

We found that miR-200c expression was increased in endometrial carcinoma compared with normal endometrial tissues. Anti-miR or pre-miR-200c could regulate cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis and affect cytotoxicity in endometrial cancer cells. Through mRNA microarray analysis, we found that miR-200c inhibits the expression of BRD7, which was recently reported as a potential tumor suppressor gene. MiR-200c regulated the translocation of β-catenin from the cytoplasm to the nucleus via inhibition of BRD7, resulting in increased expression of its transcriptional target genes, cyclinD1 and c-myc.

CONCLUSION

The interaction between miR-200c and BRD7 might have important roles in controlling growth of endometrial of cancer cells and suggest a novel target pathway for treatment of this cancer.

RAR-beta expression is associated with early volumetric changes to radiation therapy in cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

To identify a molecular marker associated with volumetric changes to radiotherapy (RT) in cervical cancer, we compared gene expression profiles of an early response (ER) group with a late response (LR) group, which are defined by complete and partial disappearance of a primary cervical lesion on MRI performed 1 month after completion of RT.

METHODS

Microarray analysis of mRNA expression profiles was performed in 17 patients (11 in the ER and 6 in the LR group). After selection of the genes with significant differential expression, we evaluated the association of the selected genes with radioresistance in clinical specimens.

RESULTS

We identified 53 genes with differential expression on microarray analysis using the permutation test with t statistics (p ≤ 0.01). Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the expression of RAR-β, one of the genes selected among the differentially expressed genes. RAR-β expression was significantly down-regulated in the LR group compared with the ER group (p = 0.02). However, this gene did not predict permanent radioresistance (p = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

RAR-β expression might be a valuable marker for the prediction of early volumetric changes to RT in cervical carcinomas. Further search for additional genes associated with early volumetric changes and radioresistance may aid in refining individual treatment strategies.

High claudin-7 expression is associated with a poor response to platinum-based chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Claudin-7 (CLDN-7) is a tight junction protein that has been shown overexpressed in several human cancers. We investigated prognostic significance of CLDN-7 overexpression in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) and its functional role on cell proliferation in ovarian carcinoma cell lines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CLDN-7 expression was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis in 71 patients with EOC. We assessed the association of CLDN-7 expressions with prognosis of the patients including sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy. In vitro experiment was performed with and without inhibition of CLDN-7 by its siRNA to evaluate the sensitivity of the human ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy.

RESULTS

CLDN-7 transcripts in EOCs were significantly up-regulated compared with normal ovarian tissues (P<0.001). The expression of CLDN-7 protein was observed in majority (69/71, 97.1%) of the EOCs but not in normal ovarian tissues (P<0.001). High CLDN-7 expression in primary tumour correlated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) of the patients (P=0.005) and poor sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy (P=0.024). Moreover, CLDN-7 was highly expressed in 2774 and HeyA8 human ovarian cancer cells and inhibition of CLDN-7 by its siRNA significantly enhanced the sensitivity of 2774 and HeyA8 cells to cisplatin treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest CLDN-7 expression is an independent prognostic factor for PFS and it may play a role in regulating response to platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of EOC.

Altered MicroRNA expression in cervical carcinomas

PURPOSE

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small noncoding RNAs that are 18 to 25 nucleotides in length; they regulate the stability or translational efficiency of target mRNAs. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs might be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of human cancers.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this study, we profiled miRNA expression in 10 early stage invasive squamous cell carcinomas (ISCC) and 10 normal cervical squamous epithelial specimens using TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR array methods. In order to evaluate the role of miR-199a, one of the most significantly overexpressed in ISCCs, we transfected cervical cancer cells (SiHa and ME-180) with anti-miR-199a oligonucleotides and assessed the cell viability.

RESULTS

We found 70 genes (68 up-regulated, 2 down-regulated) with significantly different expression in the ISCCs compared with normal samples (P < 0.05). When we analyzed the expression of the 10 most significant miRNAs in 31 ISCCs, increased miR-127 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.006). Transfection of anti-miR-199a oligonucleotides to cervical cancer cells suppressed cell growth in vitro, which was potentiated with the anticancer agent cisplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that miRNA deregulation may play an important role in the malignant transformation of cervical squamous cells. In addition, they may offer new candidate targets to be exploited for both prognostic and therapeutic strategies in patients with cervical cancer.

Rearing Behavior and Rearing Stress of Fathers with Children of Preschool and School Age

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to compare the paternal rearing behavior and rearing stress level between fathers with a preschooler and fathers with school children so that it can be utilized as a basic source for developing parental rearing education programs.

METHODS

A descriptive comparative method was conducted to identify the paternal rearing behavior and paternal rearing stress. Respondents were 361 fathers who had either preschoolers (n=189) or children of elementary age (n=172).

RESULTS

Comparing the two group's means, the rearing activity score and rearing stress there were significant differences. In the school children's group's father, 'outdoor activity' and 'guidance on discipline activity' were significantly higher than the other group. In the preschool children's fathers group, 'play interaction activity' was statistically significant higher than the other, and the child-part mean score of paternal rearing stress was significantly higher than the other group. The correlation between paternal rearing behavior and paternal rearing stress, indicates that more paternal rearing behavior means less paternal rearing stress.

CONCLUSION

These results of this study will help design more effective rearing programs for fathers that have either preschool children or school children by providing the basic data for paternal rearing behaviors and paternal rearing stress.

7-feruloylloganin: an iridoid glucoside from stems of Lonicera insularis

A new iridoid glucoside, 7-feruloylloganin (1), was isolated from stems of Lonicera insularis, along with six known lignans including (-)-pinoresinol, 9alpha-hydroxypinoresinol, balanophonin, erythro-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-[2-formyl-(E)-vinyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol, threo-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-[2-formyl-(E)-vinyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol and buddlenol A. The structure of 1 was determined by analyses of 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC) and HRFABMS.

Inhibition of immediate-type allergic reaction by Rosa davurica Pall. in a murine model

We studied the effect of Rosa davurica Pall. (Rosaceae) fruits (RdF) on immediate-type allergic reactions. RdF completely inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock at the dose of 1 g/kg. When RdF was given as pretreatment, at concentrations ranging from 0.0001 to 1 g/kg, the serum histamine levels induced by compound 48/80 were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. RdF inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody dose dependently. RdF also inhibited the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC). Moreover, RdF had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from RPMC. These results indicate that RdF may contain compounds with actions that inhibit mast cell degranulation in the rat.