[Correlation between prognostic nutritional index and pleural thickness with survival time of epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma patients]

Objective: To explore the role of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and pleural thickness in the prognostic evaluation of patients with epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) . Methods: In April 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the data and laboratory data of 41 patients with epithelial MPM admitted to the cardiothoracic surgery department of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture People's Hospital from January 2018 to May 2021. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the relationships between total survival time, clinical characteristics, PNI and pleural thickness in patients. Results: The 41 patients were mostly male (26 cases, 63.4%) , with a median age of 55 years old. The main clinical manifestations were chest pain (53.7%) , bloody pleural effusion (75.6%) , and chest pain combined with bloody pleural effusion (36.6%) . The median survival time of patients with different TNM stage, efficacy after 4 cycles of chemotherapy, PNI, maximum pleural thickness after chemotherapy (post max) , sum of post max in 3 zones after chemotherapy (post sum) were statistically different (χ(2)=3.89, 14.51, 15.33, 4.33, 12.05, P<0.05) . Compared with patients with high PNI and post sum<32.26 mm, MPM patients with low PNI and post sum≥32.26 mm have higher risk of death, and the differences were statistically significant (HR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.75-11.93, P=0.002; HR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.84-16.23, P=0.002) . Conclusion: PNI and post sum can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with epithelial MPM.

Top IHC/ISH Hacks for and Molecular Surrogates of Poorly Differentiated Sinonasal Small Round Cell Tumors

BACKGROUND

Poorly differentiated sinonasal small round cell tumors (SRCTs) are rare and heterogeneous, posing challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

Recent advances in molecular findings and diagnostic refinement have promoted better understanding and management of these tumors.

RESULTS

The newly defined and emerging sinonasal entities demonstrate diverse morphologies, specific genomic signatures, and clinical behavior from conventional counterparts. In this review of SRCTs, emphasis is placed on the diagnostic approach with the employment of a pertinent panel of immunohistochemistry studies and/or molecular tests, fine-tuned to the latest WHO 5 classification of sinonasal/paranasal tumors and personalized treatment.

CONCLUSION

Specifically, this review focuses on tumors with epithelial and neuroectodermal derivation.

How studies in developmental epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mesenchymal-epithelial transition inspired new research paradigms in biomedicine

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mechanism, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), are evolutionarily conserved mechanisms initially identified in studies of early metazoan development. EMT may even have been established in choanoflagellates, the closest unicellular relative of Metazoa. These crucial morphological transitions operate during body plan formation and subsequently in organogenesis. These findings have prompted an increasing number of investigators in biomedicine to assess the importance of such mechanisms that drive epithelial cell plasticity in multiple diseases associated with congenital disabilities and fibrosis, and, most importantly, in the progression of carcinoma. EMT and MET also play crucial roles in regenerative medicine, notably by contributing epigenetic changes in somatic cells to initiate reprogramming into stem cells and their subsequent differentiation into distinct lineages.

Contact Endoscopic Surface Vascular and Epithelial Morphology in Leukoplakia and Carcinoma of the Vocal Cords: Vascular and morphological changes of vocal folds in leukoplakia and cancer

Purpose Leukoplakia is a macroscopic morphological term for thick white or grey mucosal patches that can represent various histologic diagnostic entities ranging from hyperplasia to malignancy. Aim was the study morphology of the superficial mucosa and microvascular network of the vocal cords in patients with suspected glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) using contact endoscopy (CE). Material and Methods Seventy-nine patients (21 female, 58 male), with a mean age of 57.5 years ± 7.12 (range, 32-73 years), were prospectively enrolled and evaluated. Of these patients, 58 had leukoplakia (Group A/41 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 53.7 years ± 6.65), and 21 (Group B/ 17males and 4 females/ with a mean age of 60.5 years ± 6.04) had malignant lesions (pT1, n = 6; p T2, n = 8; pT3, n = 8; Group B), as proven by the results of the histological examination. Further, 79 non-smokers (control group-group C) were studied. CE imaging findings were classified into five types (I to V) based on the features of the mucosal intra-epithelial capillary loops. CE findings were correlated to the histologic findings. A separate analysis involving smoking status was done. Results The CE-based intraepithelial papillary capillary loop classification score was strongly correlated with the histological findings. Age was strongly associated with both malignancy and bilateral involvement. Smoking habits didn't significantly differ between patients with unilateral and bilateral SCC. Conclusions CE imaging of the vocal cord mucosal capillaries may be useful for the early detection of glottic SCC and pre-cancerous lesions.

Renal angiomyolipoma with tumor thrombi: Clinical analysis of 18 cases in a single-center experience

PURPOSE

To improve understanding of the clinical features of renal angiomyolipoma (AML) accompanied by tumor thrombus (TT).

METHODS

From January 2017 to February 2022, 18 patients with AML and TT were enrolled. We retrospectively analyzed them and there were 6 cases of epithelial AML (EAML) and 12 of classical AML (CAML). We compared the key variables between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 18 cases was 42.0 (standard deviation [SD] 13.4) years and 14 (77.8%) were female. Eleven (61.1%) tumors were on the right side. Only two (11.1%) cases presented with flank pain. The mean follow-up time was 33.6 (IQR: 20.1-48.5) months. All participants were alive at the end of follow-up. One case developed lung metastases 21 months after operation but entered remission after 2 years of everolimus treatment. The imaging diagnoses of all CAML cases were consistent with the pathology, while all imaged EAML cases were diagnosed with carcinomas. Five EAML cases, but only one CAML case, exhibited necrosis (83.3 vs. 8.3%, P = 0.001). The Ki-67 index of the EAML group was significantly higher than that of the CAML group (7 vs. 2, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to CAML, EAML tended to be associated with a higher imaging misdiagnosis rate, and was more commonly associated with necrosis and a higher Ki-67 index. Surgery remains the prime treatment for nonmetastatic AML with TT; such cases have a relatively good prognosis despite the malignant potential.

Biodiesel exhaust particle airway toxicity and the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Renewable alternatives to fossil diesel (FD) including fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biodiesel have become more prevalent. However, toxicity of exhaust material from their combustion, relative to the fuels they are displacing has not been fully characterised. This study was carried out to examine particle toxicity within the lung epithelium and the role for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Exhaust particles from a 20% (v/v) blend of FAME biodiesel had little impact on primary airway epithelial toxicity compared to FD derived particles but did result in an altered profile of PAHs, including an increase in particle bound carcinogenic B[a]P. Higher blends of biodiesel had significantly increased levels of more carcinogenic PAHs, which was associated with a higher level of stress response gene expression including CYP1A1, NQO1 and IL1B. Removal of semi-volatile material from particulates abolished effects on airway cells. Particle size difference and toxic metals were discounted as causative for biological effects. Finally, combustion of a single component fuel (Methyl decanoate) containing the methyl ester molecular structure found in FAME mixtures, also produced more carcinogenic PAHs at the higher fuel blend levels. These results indicate the use of FAME biodiesel at higher blends may be associated with an increased particle associated carcinogenic and toxicity risk.

Intersection between calcium signalling and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in the context of cancer

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a form of cellular phenotypic plasticity and is considered a crucial step in the progression of many cancers. The calcium ion (Ca²⁺) acts as a ubiquitous second messenger and is implicated in many cellular processes, including cell death, migration, invasion and more recently EMT. Throughout this review, the complex interplay between Ca²⁺ signalling and EMT will be explored. An overview of the Ca²⁺ pathways that are remodelled as a consequence of EMT is provided and the role of Ca²⁺ signalling in regulating EMT and its significance is considered. Ca²⁺ signalling pathways may represent a therapeutic opportunity to regulate EMT. However, as will be described in this review, the complexity of these signalling pathways represents significant challenges that must be considered if Ca²⁺ signalling is to be manipulated with the aim of therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Malignant Adenomyoepithelial Tumour of the Breast - a Rare Diagnosis - Case Report

Breast adenomyoepithelioma is an unusual tumour characterized by a biphasic proliferation of epithelial and myoepithelial cells. Most of the breast adenomyoepitheliomas are considered to be benign and characterized by propensity for local recurrence. Malignant change can occur rarely in one or both cellular components. We here present a case of a 70-year-old previously healthy female who initially presented with a painless breast lump. The patient underwent wide local excision in view of suspicion of malignancy and sent for frozen section regarding the diagnosis and margins which surprisingly came as adenomyoepithelioma. Final histopathology came as low-grade malignant adenomyoepithelioma. The patient shows no sign of tumour recurrence in the follow up.

Building the brush border, one microvillus at a time

Microvilli are actin bundle-supported surface protrusions assembled by diverse cell types to mediate biochemical and physical interactions with the external environment. Found on the surface of some of the earliest animal cells, primordial microvilli likely contributed to bacterial entrapment and feeding. Although millions of years of evolution have repurposed these protrusions to fulfill diverse roles such as detection of mechanical or visual stimuli in inner ear hair cells or retinal pigmented epithelial cells, respectively, solute uptake remains a key essential function linked to these structures. In this mini review, we offer a brief overview of the composition and structure of epithelial microvilli, highlight recent discoveries on the growth of these protrusions early in differentiation, and point to fundamental questions surrounding microvilli biogenesis that remain open for future studies.

Polarized transport of membrane and secreted proteins during lumen morphogenesis

A ubiquitous feature of animal development is the formation of fluid-filled cavities or lumina, which transport gases and fluids across tissues and organs. Among different species, lumina vary drastically in size, scale, and complexity. However, all lumen formation processes share key morphogenetic principles that underly their development. Fundamentally, a lumen simply consists of epithelial cells that encapsulate a continuous internal space, and a common way of building a lumen is via opening and enlarging by filling it with fluid and/or macromolecules. Here, we discuss how polarized targeting of membrane and secreted proteins regulates lumen formation, mainly focusing on ion transporters in vertebrate model systems. We also discuss mechanistic differences observed among invertebrates and vertebrates and describe how the unique properties of the Na+/K+-ATPase and junctional proteins can promote polarization of immature epithelia to build lumina de novo in developing organs.

Deciphering the interplay between autophagy and polarity in epithelial tubulogenesis

The Metazoan complexity arises from a primary building block, the epithelium, which comprises a layer of polarized cells that divide the organism into compartments. Most of these body compartments are organs formed by epithelial tubes that enclose an internal hollow space or lumen. Over the last decades, multiple studies have unmasked the paramount events required to form this lumen de novo. In epithelial cells, these events mainly involve recognizing external clues, establishing and maintaining apicobasal polarity, endo-lysosomal trafficking, and expanding the created lumen. Although canonical autophagy has been classically considered a catabolic process needed for cell survival, multiple studies have also emphasized its crucial role in epithelial polarity, morphogenesis and cellular homeostasis. Furthermore, non-canonical autophagy pathways have been recently discovered as atypical secretory routes. Both canonical and non-canonical pathways play essential roles in epithelial polarity and lumen formation. This review addresses how the molecular machinery for epithelial polarity and autophagy interplay in different processes and how autophagy functions influence lumenogenesis, emphasizing its role in the lumen formation key events.

KIF2A decreases IL-33 production and attenuates allergic asthmatic inflammation

Background

The microtubule-dependent molecular motor protein Kinesin Family Member 2A (KIF2A) is down-regulated in asthmatic human airway epithelium. However, little is known about the roles of KIF2A as well as the possible underlying mechanisms in asthma.

Methods

House dust mite (HDM) extract was administered to establish a murine model of asthma. The expression of KIF2A, IL-33 and the autophagy pathways were detected. The plasmid pCMV-KIF2A was used to overexpress KIF2A in the airway epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. IL-4, IL-5, IL-33 and other cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues homogenates were measured.

Results

In response to the challenge of house dust mite (HDM) in vitro and in vivo, airway epithelial cells displayed decreased production of KIF2A. Meanwhile, autophagy and IL-33 were increased in HMD-treated epithelial cells. Mechanistically, KIF2A decreased autophagy via suppressing mTORC1 pathway in HDM-treated epithelial cells, which contributed to the reduced production of IL-33. Moreover, in vivo KIF2A transfection reduced IL-33 and autophagy in the lung, leading to the attenuation of allergic asthma.

Conclusion

KIF2A suppressed mTORC1-mediated autophagy and decreased the production of epithelial-derived cytokine IL-33 in allergic airway inflammation. These data indicate that KIF2A may be a novel target in allergic asthma.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13223-022-00697-9.

COVID-19 on Chest CT: Translating Known Microscopic Findings to Imaging Observations

Purpose: To describe the imaging findings of COVID-19 and correlate them with their known pathology observations. Methods: This is an IRB-approved retrospective study performed at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (IRB # AAAS9652) that included symptomatic adult patients (21 years or older) who presented to our emergency room and tested positive for COVID-19 and were either admitted or discharged with at least one chest CT from 11 March 2020 through 1 July 2020. CT scans were ordered by the physicians caring for the patients; our COVID-19 care protocols did not specify the timing for chest CT scans. A scoring system was used to document the extent of pulmonary involvement. The total CT grade was the sum of the individual lobar grades and ranged from 0 (no involvement) to 16 (maximum involvement). The distribution of lung abnormalities was described as peripheral (involving the outer one-third of the lung), central (inner two-thirds of the lung), or both. Additional CT findings, including the presence of pleural fluid, atelectasis, fibrosis, cysts, and pneumothorax, were recorded. Contrast-enhanced CT scans were evaluated for the presence of a pulmonary embolism, while non-contrast chest CT scans were evaluated for hyperdense vessels. Results: 209 patients with 232 CT scans met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 61 years (range 23–97 years), and 56% of the patients were male. The average score reflecting the extent of the disease on the CT was 10.2 (out of a potential grade of 16). Further, 73% of the patients received contrast, which allowed the identification of a pulmonary embolism in 21%. Of those without contrast, 33% had hyperdense vessels, which might suggest a chronic pulmonary embolism. Further, 47% had peripheral opacities and 9% had a Hampton’s hump, and 78% of the patients had central consolidation, while 28% had round consolidations. Atelectasis was, overall, infrequent at 5%. Fibrosis was observed in 11% of those studied, with 6% having cysts and 3% pneumothorax. Conclusions: The CT manifestations of COVID-19 can be divided into findings related to endothelial and epithelial injury, as were seen on prior post-mortem reports. Endothelial injury may benefit from treatments to stabilize the endothelium. Epithelial injury is more prone to developing pulmonary fibrotic changes.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte signature in epithelial and stromal compartments of an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma acidic microenvironment mediated by MCT4

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), including but not limited to neutrophils, M2 macrophages, cytotoxic CD8 T cells and dendritic cells, will play a role in the acidic tumor microenvironment mediated by monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the roles they play and their significance in ESCC remain less clear. To understand the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of neutrophils, M2 macrophages, CD8 T cells and dendritic cells in the tumor acidic microenvironment mediated by MCT4, we investigated the distribution of these TILs in the epithelial and stromal compartments of ESCC by means of multiplexed immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing 87 paired dots of ESCC and its adjacent normal tissue (ANT) and an additional 6 cases of unpaired ESCC dots. The density of cells stained with MCT4 in the epithelium was significantly associated with overall survival. Dendritic cells stained with S100 in epithelial compartmentalization were found to markedly correlate with clinical stage and tumor invasion depth. No other significant association could be identified in terms of prognostic and clinicopathological significance. The potential correlation between the number of cells stained with MCT4 versus the number of TILs was also explored, showing that only in epithelial cells were there significant and positive correlations identified between the number of cells stained with MCT4 versus the number of neutrophils stained with CD15, M2 macrophages stained with CD163 and CD8 T cells stained by CD8a. However, no significant correlation was found along the stromal line. Together, the data we described here, although somewhat discouraging, showed that in epithelial cells from which ESCC originated, acidicity mediated by MCT4 may be responsible for lactate release and may have an effect on the infiltration of TILs we assessed.

Advancement in Understanding the Concept of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic β-Cells: Implication in Diabetes

Distinct molecular processes are engaged during histogenesis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the key evolutionarily conserved process that facilitate the organ developmental processes. Molecular programs governing EMT are embedded within the developmental programs and operate in cells of different tissues. Among different cell types, EMT in pancreatic β-cells is of larger interest as the existence of EMT in these cell types is highly debated. Although, in vitro generation of human islet derived mesenchymal progenitor cells has been proved beyond doubt, the in vivo occurrence of EMT in pancreatic β cells remain enigmatic. Understanding the in-depth process of EMT in in vivo human β cells is challenged by the limited application of lineage-tracing studies, which is otherwise feasible in mice. Understanding the EMT of β-cells would greatly facilitate the generation of clinically relevant β-cells either by enhancing endogenous β-cells, by long term in vitro islet culture or by differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to functional β-cells. In this review we update on the recent progress in understanding the EMT of β-cells and to what extent the investigation has helped in resolving the mystery of existence of EMT in pancreatic β-cells.

Large splenic epithelial cyst: A rare presentation

Introduction and importance

Splenic cysts are infrequent and most of them are related to parasitic diseases. Splenic epithelial cyst (SEC) is the most common type of primary non-parasitic splenic cysts. Its pathogenesis is not yet clear. Splenic cysts are usually asymptomatic and are detected incidentally during imaging exams or an exploratory laparotomy.

Case presentation

Our case is about a primary SEC discovered incidentally. An 18-year-old male patient without any personal and family medical history, presented with symptoms of upper urinary tract infection. Renal ultrasound was performed and found incidentally a solitary cystic lesion in the spleen. A laparoscopic partial splenectomy was made then. The specimen was sent for pathological examination and a diagnosis of primary (epidermoid) epithelial splenic cyst was given.

Clinical discussion

SEC is a rare pathology that could mimic other splenic cysts like hydatid cyst. The preoperative diagnosis of SEC can be suspected by ultrasonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. However, histopathological examination is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. A wide range of differential diagnoses is considered when we suspect clinically SEC because of its lower incidence.

Conclusion

Actually, spleen-preserving surgery with minimally invasive methods such as laparoscopy is the gold standard for the treatment of SEC despite the risk of recurrence encountered with these techniques. However, different surgical modalities are discussed depending on the size and the location of the cyst and the patient's age.

•

Splenic cysts are infrequent and most of them are related to parasitic diseases.

•

Splenic epithelial cysts are usually asymptomatic and are detected incidentally during imaging exams.

•

Histopathological examination is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis.

•

Spleen-preserving surgery with minimally invasive methods such as laparoscopy is the gold standard for the treatment of splenic epithelial cyst.

The use of high resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) in the diagnosis of ocular surface masqueraders

INTRODUCTION

Ocular surface masqueraders encompass any ocular surface lesion masquerading as another ocular surface lesion. High resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) has emerged as an adjunctive tool to clinical acumen. This study's purpose is to evaluate the utility of HR-OCT images in guiding the diagnosis and management of those lesions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

22 individuals with a clinically ambiguous ocular surface lesion with slit lamp photographs (SLP), HR-OCT images, and histopathological examination were included in the study. The presumptive clinical diagnosis based on SLP was compared to the diagnosis suggested by HR-OCT findings and to definitive diagnosis by histopathology. The main outcome of this study was the frequency in which HR-OCT findings guided the clinician to the correct diagnosis.

RESULTS

7 lesions were epithelial, 3 had an epithelial and a subepithelial component, and 12 were subepithelial. HR-OCT was most effective in discerning lesion location, successfully identifying the location in 100% of cases. Classic HR-OCT findings were detected in 68.2% of cases while suggestive features were detected in 31.8% of cases. The epithelial lesions' mean epithelial thickness was 265.4 ± 140.6 μm, the subepithelial lesions' mean was 58.0 ± 25.0 μm, and the combined lesions' mean was 140.0 ± 70.0 μm. The epithelium was significantly thicker in epithelial lesions compared to subepithelial and combined lesions. By ROC analysis we identified that using a cut off of 156 μm, the sensitivity was 86% and the specificity was 93%.

DISCUSSION

HR-OCT can be a valuable diagnostic tool, assisting in the differentiation of ambiguous ocular surface pathologies by providing a cross-sectional, morphological image of the lesion.

Fluid Flow Stimulation Modulates Expression of S100 Genes in Normal Breast Epithelium and Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

S100 proteins are intracellular calcium ion sensors that participate in cellular processes, some of which are involved in normal breast functioning and breast cancer development. Despite several S100 genes being overexpressed in breast cancer, their roles during disease development remain elusive. Human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) can be exposed to fluid shear stresses and implications of such interactions have not been previously studied. The goal of this study was to analyze expression profiles of S100 genes upon exposing HMECs to fluid flow.

METHODS

HMECs and breast cancer cell lines were exposed to fluid flow in a parallel-plate bioreactor system. Changes in gene expression were quantified using microarrays and qPCR, gene-gene interactions were elucidated using network analysis, and key modified genes were examined in three independent clinical datasets.

RESULTS

S100 genes were among the most upregulated genes upon flow stimulation. Network analysis revealed interactions between upregulated transcripts, including interactions between S100P, S100PBP, S100A4, S100A7, S100A8 and S100A9. Overexpression of S100s was also observed in patients with early stage breast cancer compared to normal breast tissue, and in most breast cancer patients. Finally, survival analysis revealed reduced survival times for patients with elevated expression of S100A7 and S100P.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that exposing HMECs to fluid flow upregulates genes identified clinically to be overexpressed during breast cancer development, including S100A7 and S100P. These findings are the first to show that S100 genes are flow-responsive and might be participating in a fundamental adaptation pathway in normal tissue that is also active in breast cancer.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor (MEST) in a young adult male: A case report and literature review

Introduction and importance

A MEST is a rare renal tumor, with stromal as well as epithelial components. It is predominantly benign and local recurrence is not very common. In the majority of the cases, it occurs in females. Its occurrence in a young male makes it a rarity.

Case presentation

A 24 years old male presented at SIUT with the complaint of left flank pain on and off for one month. CT scan showed soft tissue density mass in left renal pelvis extending from mid-pole calyces to pelviuretric junction, leading to obstruction and ultimately mild uropathy. We found a partially obstructing staghorn calculus with asymmetrical cortical thinning. Left Robot-Assisted Nephro-ureterectomy plus excision of bladder cuff was planned in which 3 × 4 cm mass involving the left renal pelvis was excised. To date, there is no radiologic evidence of disease recurrence.

Clinical discussion

MEST in young adults is an extremely rare tumor. They have been referred to by many alternate synonyms including 'adult mesoblastic nephroma' and 'cystic nephroma' with 'ovarian' or 'cellular' type stroma. Majority of patients with MEST present, with hematuria, abdominal pain, palpable flank mass, recurrent urinary tract infections. Similarly, our patient presented initially with nonspecific pain in the left flank region. Majority of cases in the literature presented with the tumor in benign stage, with localized spread, and without recurrence.

Conclusion

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumors (MEST) of the kidney are distinct entities of benign kidney tumors. MEST in young males is a very rare entity, and a small number of cases exist. Histopathology plays a very cardinal role in diagnosis, and overall the disease has a promising outcome with conservative surgery.

Knock-in tagging in zebrafish facilitated by insertion into non-coding regions

Zebrafish provide an excellent model for in vivo cell biology studies because of their amenability to live imaging. Protein visualization in zebrafish has traditionally relied on overexpression of fluorescently tagged proteins from heterologous promoters, making it difficult to recapitulate endogenous expression patterns and protein function. One way to circumvent this problem is to tag the proteins by modifying their endogenous genomic loci. Such an approach is not widely available to zebrafish researchers because of inefficient homologous recombination and the error-prone nature of targeted integration in zebrafish. Here, we report a simple approach for tagging proteins in zebrafish on their N or C termini with fluorescent proteins by inserting PCR-generated donor amplicons into non-coding regions of the corresponding genes. Using this approach, we generated endogenously tagged alleles for several genes that are crucial for epithelial biology and organ development, including the tight junction components ZO-1 and Cldn15la, the trafficking effector Rab11a, the apical polarity protein aPKC and the ECM receptor Integrin β1b. Our approach facilitates the generation of knock-in lines in zebrafish, opening the way for accurate quantitative imaging studies.

Arsenic and other metals as phenotype driving electrophiles in carcinogenesis

There are several sources of heavy metal exposures whether occupational or environmental. These are connected both with the existence of natural reservoirs of metal toxicants or human activity such as mining, welding and construction. In general, exposure to heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and metalloids, such as arsenic (As), has been associated with diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer. Common to these diseases is the loss of cellular physiologic performance and phenotype required for proper function. On the metal side, electrophilic behavior that disrupts the electronic (or redox) state of cells is a common feature. This suggests that there may be a connection between changes to the redox equilibrium of cells caused by environmental exposures to heavy metals and the pathogenic effects of such exposures. In this mini-review, we will focus on two environmental contaminants cadmium (a metal) and arsenic (a metalloid) and explore their interactions with living organisms from the perspective of their electrophilic chemical reactivity that underlies both their potential as carcinogens and as drivers of more aggressive tumor phenotypes.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vulvar cancer with and without inguinal lymph node involvement

Purpose

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with increased metastatic spread and poor prognosis. Data on vulvar carcinoma are limited.

Methods

Thirty-two cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (16 with and 16 without inguinal lymph node metastases) and their lymph node deposits were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of EMT markers (vimentin, cyclin D1, e-cadherin), p16, p53 and Ki-67. Results of EMT-immunostainings were compared to lymph node involvement and expression of p53 and p16. The micro-anatomical staining pattern for EMT markers comparing the tumor center with the front of invasion was analysed in each tumor.

Results

There was no difference in the expression of EMT markers between node negative and node positive tumors. Staining for vimentin and cyclin D1 was seen within tumor cells at the front of invasion in 100 and 84.4% of the tumors, respectively. The majority of cases (68.7%) showed negative or reduced staining for e-cadherin in this micro-anatomical localization. Tumor cells within the lymph node metastases showed positive staining for e-cadherin in 75% and for cyclin D1 in 49% of the cells but were negative for vimentin in 13 out of 16 cases (81.3%). Tumors with aberrant p53 staining represented a non-significant higher vimentin but significantly higher cyclin D1 expression at the front of invasion than those with p53 wild-type pattern.

Conclusion

The present study shows no differences in the expression of EMT markers between node positive and node negative vulvar cancers. The evaluation of immunostaining within the micro-anatomical context indicates that an EMT-phenotype is restricted to the tumor cells at the front of invasion. Paired analyses of vulvar carcinomas and their lymph node deposits suggest mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in the metastatic deposits. Immunohistochemical staining results may suggest that EMT is more prevalent in vulvar cancer with aberrant p53 staining.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-021-03715-2.

Molecular Pathology of Ovarian Epithelial Neoplasms: Predictive, Prognostic, and Emerging Biomarkers

This review focuses on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive molecular biomarkers in ovarian epithelial neoplasms in the context of their morphologic classifications. Currently, most clinically actionable molecular findings are reported in high-grade serous carcinomas; however, the data on less common tumor types are rapidly accelerating. Overall, the advances in genomic knowledge over the last decade highlight the significance of integrating molecular findings with morphology in ovarian epithelial tumors for a wide-range of clinical applications, from assistance in diagnosis to predicting response to therapy.

miR-381-3p suppresses breast cancer progression by inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background

Accumulating evidence indicates that miRNAs are involved in multiple cellular functions and participate in various cancer development and progression, including breast cancer.

Methods

We aimed to investigate the role of miR-381-3p in breast cancer. The expression level of miR-381-3p and EMT transcription factors was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The effects of miR-381-3p on breast cancer proliferation and invasion were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, and transwell assays. The regulation of miR-381-3p on its targets was determined by dual-luciferase analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot.

Results

We found that the expression of miR-381-3p was significantly decreased in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-381-3p inhibited breast cancer proliferation and invasion, whereas knockdown of miR-381-3p promoted cell proliferation and invasion in MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 cells. Mechanistically, overexpression of miR-381-3p inhibited breast cancer epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Both Sox4 and Twist1 were confirmed as targets of miR-381-3p. Moreover, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) could reverse the effects of miR-381-3p on breast cancer progression.

Conclusions

Our observation suggests that miR-381-3p inhibits breast cancer progression and EMT by regulating the TGF-β signaling via targeting Sox4 and Twist1.

Transcriptome sequencing and multi-plex imaging of prostate cancer microenvironment reveals a dominant role for monocytic cells in progression

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is caused by genomic aberrations in normal epithelial cells, however clinical translation of findings from analyses of cancer cells alone has been very limited. A deeper understanding of the tumour microenvironment is needed to identify the key drivers of disease progression and reveal novel therapeutic opportunities.

RESULTS

In this study, the experimental enrichment of selected cell-types, the development of a Bayesian inference model for continuous differential transcript abundance, and multiplex immunohistochemistry permitted us to define the transcriptional landscape of the prostate cancer microenvironment along the disease progression axis. An important role of monocytes and macrophages in prostate cancer progression and disease recurrence was uncovered, supported by both transcriptional landscape findings and by differential tissue composition analyses. These findings were corroborated and validated by spatial analyses at the single-cell level using multiplex immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

This study advances our knowledge concerning the role of monocyte-derived recruitment in primary prostate cancer, and supports their key role in disease progression, patient survival and prostate microenvironment immune modulation.

An endometrial organoid model of interactions between Chlamydia and epithelial and immune cells

Our understanding of how the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis reprograms the function of infected cells in the upper genital tract is largely based on observations made in cell culture with transformed epithelial cell lines. Here, we describe a primary organoid system derived from endometrial tissue to recapitulate epithelial cell diversity, polarity and ensuing responses to Chlamydia infection. Using high-resolution and time-lapse microscopy, we catalog the infection process in organoids from invasion to egress, including the reorganization of the cytoskeleton and positioning of intracellular organelles. We show this model is amenable to screening C. trachomatis mutants for defects in the fusion of pathogenic vacuoles, the recruitment of intracellular organelles and inhibition of cell death. Moreover, we reconstructed a primary immune cell response by co-culturing infected organoids with neutrophils, and determined that effectors like CPAF (also known as CT858) and TepP (also known as CT875) limit the recruitment of neutrophils to infected organoids. Collectively, our model can be applied to study the cell biology of Chlamydia infections in three-dimensional structures that better reflect the diversity of cell types and polarity encountered by Chlamydia in their animal hosts.

Dual influence of TNFα on diverse in vitro models of ovarian cancer subtypes

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer. Numerous subtypes exist, each with distinct risk factors and prognosis. What underlies these subtypes and their progression is not clear, although inflammation through NFκB may play a key role. We performed a study on a series of well-characterized in vitro ovarian cancer models including TOV21G, TOV112D and OV90 originally derived from clear cell, endometrioid and high grade serous carcinoma respectively. Cells were treated with 0–100 ng/ml TNFα over 6–72 h. The NFκB pathway was inhibited by a series of NFκB pathway inhibitors, 100μM PDTC, 1μM PS-1145 and 200nM TPCA and the influence on cellular viability and inflammation was measured via an MTS assay and qPCR respectively. TNFα stimulation of NFκB was confirmed via Western blot. We found TNFα facilitated continued growth of TOV21G and TOV112D cells in an NFκB independent method. In contrast, TNFα inhibited OV90 cell growth in an NFκB dependent manner. TNFα stimulated production of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES on all three cells lines, but only IL-6 and IL-8 were via NFκB mediated mechanisms. These results indicate TNFα may have diverse effects mediated through both NFκB and non-NFκB pathways on ovarian cancer cells. Understanding the role for TNFα in each subtype may have significant implications for charting disease progression and designing personalized treatments.

Lung epithelial endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial 3D ultrastructure: a new frontier in lung diseases

It has long been appreciated that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, organelles important for regular cell function and survival, also play key roles in pathogenesis of various lung diseases, including asthma, fibrosis, and infections. Alterations in processes regulated within these organelles, including but not limited to protein folding in the ER and oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, are important in disease pathogenesis. In recent years it has also become increasingly apparent that organelle structure dictates function. It is now clear that organelles must maintain precise organization and localization for proper function. Newer microscopy capabilities have allowed the scientific community to reveal, via 3D imaging, that the structure of these organelles and their interactions with each other are a main component of regulating function and, therefore, effects on the disease state. In this review, we will examine how 3D imaging through techniques could allow advancements in knowledge of how the ER and mitochondria function and the roles they may play in lung epithelia in progression of lung disease.

Murine Corneal Epithelial Wound Modeling

A murine model of corneal epithelial wounding can be performed using simple injury and imaging methods. Here, we describe the creation of a central corneal epithelial defect using mechanical debridement under ophthalmic microscopic visualization. Subsequent monitoring with vital dye application and slit-lamp bio microscopy (slit-lamp) is described in detail.

Heterogeneity in clone dynamics within and adjacent to intestinal tumours identified by Dre-mediated lineage tracing

Somatic models of tissue pathology commonly use induction of gene-specific mutations in mice mediated by spatiotemporal regulation of Cre recombinase. Subsequent investigation of the onset and development of disease can be limited by the inability to track changing cellular behaviours over time. Here, a lineage-tracing approach based on ligand-dependent activation of Dre recombinase that can be employed independently of Cre is described. The clonal biology of the intestinal epithelium following Cre-mediated stabilisation of β-catenin reveals that, within tumours, many new clones rapidly become extinct. Surviving clones show accelerated population of tumour glands compared to normal intestinal crypts but in a non-uniform manner, indicating that intra-tumour glands follow heterogeneous dynamics. In tumour-adjacent epithelia, clone sizes are smaller than in the background epithelia, as a whole. This suggests a zone of ∼seven crypt diameters within which clone expansion is inhibited by tumours and that may facilitate their growth.

Sensitization of Airway Epithelial Cells to Toxin-Induced Death by TNF Superfamily Cytokines

The TNF superfamily of proinflammatory and proapoptotic cytokines influence tissue-wide responses to molecular insults such as small molecules, toxins, and viral infections that perturb cellular homeostasis at the level of DNA replication, transcription, and translation. In the context of acute lung injury, for example, TNF superfamily members like TNF-α and TRAIL can severely exacerbate disease pathophysiology. This chapter describes a systematic approach to optimization of mammalian cell viability assays and transcriptional profiling through nCounter^® Technology to permit a detailed examination of how TNF-α and TRAIL modulate programmed cell death pathways in concert with ricin toxin, a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) and a potent inducer of acute respiratory distress. We compare two widely used luciferase- and colorimetric-based cell viability assays and provide optimization protocols for adherent and non-adherent cell lines. We provide a computational workflow to facilitate downstream analysis of datasets generated from nCounter^® gene expression panels. While combined treatment with ricin toxin and TRAIL serves as the exemplar, the methodologies are applicable to any TNF superfamily member in combination with any biological agent of interest.

Re-expression of SMARCA4/BRG1 in small cell carcinoma of ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) promotes an epithelial-like gene signature through an AP-1-dependent mechanism

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. SCCOHT tumors have inactivating mutations in SMARCA4 (BRG1), one of the two mutually exclusive ATPases of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. To address the role that BRG1 loss plays in SCCOHT tumorigenesis, we performed integrative multi-omic analyses in SCCOHT cell lines +/- BRG1 reexpression. BRG1 reexpression induced a gene and protein signature similar to an epithelial cell and gained chromatin accessibility sites correlated with other epithelial originating TCGA tumors. Gained chromatin accessibility and BRG1 recruited sites were strongly enriched for transcription-factor-binding motifs of AP-1 family members. Furthermore, AP-1 motifs were enriched at the promoters of highly upregulated epithelial genes. Using a dominant-negative AP-1 cell line, we found that both AP-1 DNA-binding activity and BRG1 reexpression are necessary for the gene and protein expression of epithelial genes. Our study demonstrates that BRG1 reexpression drives an epithelial-like gene and protein signature in SCCOHT cells that depends upon by AP-1 activity.

Cytoreductive surgery including distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy in advanced stage ovarian cancer: Two centers analysis

OBJECTIVE

Complex procedures such as distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy (DPS) may be required for R0 resection in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). These procedures can increase survival and cause serious morbidity. We aimed to present our experience in this field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirteen patients who underwent DPS for OC between January 2004 and July 2018 in two centers (Hacettepe University Hospital, Etlik Hospital) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 310 min (220-570 min). None of the patients required transfusion. No perioperative mortality was observed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 12 days (ranging from 8 to 33 days). The number of patients with early postoperative complications was four (30.7%). One of these patients was complicated by intestinal perforation, one with pancreatic fistula, one with pneumonia and the other with atelectasis. Other complications were observed conservatively. Ten patients underwent 6 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy postoperatively. The median value of the postoperative chemotherapy period was 20 days (range 11-47 days). The median follow-up period was 46 months (2-144 months). Ten patients had recurrence. Eleven patients died of disease. Two patients are stil alive. Disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival were 16 and 63 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DPS for cytoreductive surgery is a procedure that increases morbidity, but most of the complications can be treated conservatively. Considering the increase in survival, it is considered to be a valuable procedure in upper abdominal disease.

SOURCE: a phase 3, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tezepelumab in reducing oral corticosteroid use in adults with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma

BACKGROUND

Many patients with severe asthma continue to experience asthma symptoms and exacerbations despite standard-of-care treatment. A substantial proportion of these patients require long-term treatment with oral corticosteroids (OCS), often at high doses, which are associated with considerable multiorgan adverse effects, including metabolic disorders, osteoporosis and adrenal insufficiency. Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of the epithelial cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin. In the PATHWAY phase 2b study (NCT02054130), tezepelumab significantly reduced exacerbations by up to 71% in adults with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Several ongoing phase 3 trials (SOURCE, NCT03406078; NAVIGATOR, NCT03347279; DESTINATION, NCT03706079) are assessing the efficacy and safety of tezepelumab in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Here, we describe the design and objectives of SOURCE, a phase 3 OCS-sparing study.

METHODS

SOURCE is an ongoing phase 3, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of tezepelumab 210 mg administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks on OCS dose reduction in adults with OCS-dependent asthma. The study comprises a 2-week screening and enrolment period, followed by an OCS optimization phase of up to 8 weeks and a 48-week treatment period, which consists of a 4-week induction phase, followed by a 36-week OCS reduction phase and an 8-week maintenance phase. The primary objective is to assess the effect of tezepelumab compared with placebo in reducing the prescribed OCS maintenance dose. The key secondary objective is to assess the effect of tezepelumab on asthma exacerbation rates. Other secondary objectives include the proportion of patients with a reduction in OCS dose (100% or 50% reduction or those receiving < 5 mg) and the effect of tezepelumab on lung function and patient-reported outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

SOURCE is evaluating the OCS-sparing potential of tezepelumab in patients with OCS-dependent asthma. SOURCE also aims to demonstrate that treatment with tezepelumab in patients with severe asthma is associated with reductions in exacerbation rates and improvements in lung function, asthma control and health-related quality of life, while reducing OCS dose.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03406078 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ). Registered 23 January 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406078.

Whole exome sequencing highlights variants in association with Keratoconus in Jordanian families

BACKGROUND

Keratoconus (KC) is usually bilateral, noninflammatory progressive corneal ectasia in which the cornea becomes progressively thin and conical, resulting in myopia, irregular astigmatism, and corneal scarring.

METHODS

Eight families characterized by consanguineous marriages and/or multiple keratoconic individuals were examined genetically. Whole exome sequencing was done as trio or quadro per family. The output of the filtration procedure, based on minor allele frequency (MAF) less than 0.01 for homozygous variants and MAF equals 0 for heterozygous variants, is 22 missense variants.

RESULTS

Based on the gene/protein function five candidate variants were highlighted in four families. Two variants were highlighted in one family within the genes MYOF and STX2, and one variant is highlighted in each of the other three families within the genes: COL6A5, ZNF676 and ZNF765.

CONCLUSION

This study is one of the very rare that highlights genetic variants in association with KC.

Anti-Cancer Tumor Cell Necrosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines Depends on High Expression of HDM-2 Protein in Their Membranes

OBJECTIVE

Patients with epithelial ovarian cancers experience the highest fatality rates among all gynecological malignancies which require development of novel treatment strategies. Tumor cell necrosis was previously reported in a number of cancer cell lines following treatment with a p53-derived anti-cancer peptide called PNC-27. This peptide induces necrosis by transmembrane pore formation with HDM-2 protein that is expressed in the cancer cell membrane. We aimed to extend these studies further by investigating expression of membrane HDM-2 protein in ovarian cancer as it relates to susceptibility to PNC-27.

PROCEDURES

Herein, we measured HDM-2 membrane expression in two ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3) and a non-transformed control cell line (HUVEC) by flow cytometric and western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence was used to visualize colocalization of PNC-27 with membrane HDM-2. Treatment effects with PNC-27 and control peptide were assessed using a MTT cell proliferation assay while direct cytotoxicity was measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and induction of apoptotic markers; annexin V and caspase-3.

RESULTS

HDM-2 protein was highly expressed and frequently detected in the membranes of SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells; a prominent 47.6 kDa HDM-2 plasma membrane isoform was present in both cell lines whereas 25, 29, and 30 kDa isoforms were preferentially expressed in OVCAR-3. Notably, PNC-27 colocalized with HDM-2 in the membranes of both cancer cell lines that resulted in rapid cellular necrosis. In contrast, no PNC-27 colocalization and cytotoxicity was observed with non-transformed HUVEC demonstrating minimal expression of membrane HDM-2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that HDM-2 is highly expressed in the membranes of these ovarian cancer cell lines and colocalizes with PNC-27. We therefore conclude that the association of PNC-27 with preferentially expressed membrane HDM-2 isoforms results in the proposed model for the formation of transmembrane pores and epithelial ovarian cancer tumor cell necrosis, as previously described in a number of solid tissue and hematologic malignancies.

Electronic cigarette liquid substances propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin induce an inflammatory response in gingival epithelial cells

Information on the effects of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) and on cytotoxicity and subsequent activation of the biological mediators is limited in periodontal diseases. This study analyzes the effect of unflavored PG/VG alone or in combination with nicotine on gingival epithelial cells. The cells were exposed to different PG/VG (± nicotine) concentrations for 24 h and cytotoxicity was evaluated by calorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromid assay. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-9 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a western blotting. Stimulation with PG/VG mixtures reduced cell viability compared to nonexposed controls (p < 0.05). Adding PG/VG increased the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-9, and the amount of PG had more biological impact compared to the VG amount. The nicotine augmented this effect compared to its nicotine-free counterparts. In western blotting result, MMP-9 was clearly activated in almost all samples. These findings suggest that the main constituents PG/VG are cytotoxic and able to induce biological response in gingival cells in vitro. Despite being advertised as less harmful than conventional cigarettes, electronic cigarette liquid pose certain risks on periodontal cells. Awareness about the effects of electronic cigarettes on periodontal diseases must be increased.

Single-cell transcriptional profiling identifies a cluster of potential metastasis-associated UBE2C+ cells in immature ovarian teratoma

To dissect the disease heterogeneity and identify the underlying cellular and molecular events related to metastasis of immature ovarian teratoma in children, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed for a 2-year-old patient with liver metastases from immature ovarian teratoma. A total of 5976 cells were obtained for further analysis, with a median unique molecular identifier count of 6011 per cell and a median number of 1741 genes detected per cell. Fourteen clusters were recognized, with the main lineages comprising epithelial cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, glial cells, and dendritic cells. Ten subclusters of epithelial cells were further defined, originating from the urinary tract, esophagus, bronchus, lung, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. An undefined UBE2C + population in an active state of proliferation was also identified and its biological processes were related to meiosis and maturation of oocytes. Pseudotime analysis revealed different distributions of epithelial cells in the development trajectory. In conclusion, a cluster of UBE2C + epithelial cells in an active state of proliferation was identified in an immature ovarian teratoma in a child, and may contribute to metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These findings help toward understanding the origin of the malignant behaviors, offer a potential biomarker for early determination of the tumor nature, and provide new ideas for the therapy of immature ovarian teratoma in children.

Comparative neutralizing potencies of antibodies suggest conservation as well as mechanistic differences in human cytomegalovirus entry into epithelial and endothelial cells

Antibody neutralization of cytomegalovirus (CMV) entry into diverse cell types is a key consideration for development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. CMV entry into fibroblasts differs significantly from entry into epithelial or endothelial cells: fibroblast entry is mediated by gB and gH/gL/gO, whereas both epithelial and endothelial cell entry require an additional pentameric complex (PC) comprised of gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A. Because PC-specific antibodies in CMV-seropositive human sera do not affect fibroblast entry but potently block entry into epithelial or endothelial cells, substantially higher neutralizing potencies for CMV-positive sera are observed when assayed using epithelial cells as targets than when using fibroblasts. That certain sera exhibit similar discordances between neutralizing potencies measured using epithelial vs. endothelial cells (Gerna G. et al.J Gen Virol, 89:853–865, 2008) suggested that additional mechanistic differences may also exist between epithelial and endothelial cell entry. To further explore this issue, neutralizing potencies using epithelial and endothelial cells were simultaneously determined for eight CMV-positive human sera, CMV-hyperimmune globulin, and a panel of monoclonal or anti-peptide antibodies targeting specific epitopes in gB, gH, gH/gL, or the PC. No significant differences were observed between epithelial and endothelial neutralizing potencies of epitope-specific antibodies, CMV-hyperimmune globulin, or seven of the eight human sera. However, one human serum exhibited a six-fold higher potency for neutralizing entry into epithelial cells vs. endothelial cells. These results suggest that epitopes exist that are important for epithelial entry but are less critical, or perhaps dispensable, for endothelial cell entry. Their existence should be considered when developing monoclonal antibody therapies or subunit vaccines representing limited epitopes.

Primary epithelial splenic cyst: A rare encounter

Splenic cysts are rare with an overall incidence of 0.07% in a large autopsy series and 0.5% among all the splenectomies done. The parasitic splenic cysts, usually caused by Echinococcus granulosus, account for 60% of all primary splenic cysts. The primary epithelial cysts account for 10% of all splenic cysts. We report a case of 30-year-old female presenting with left upper abdominal pain and heaviness. Computed tomography revealed a multiloculated cyst in spleen. Hydatid serology was negative. Total splenectomy was done. Histopathological evaluation was done and a diagnosis of primary epithelial splenic cyst was given.

TLR3 Deficiency Leads to a Dysregulation in the Global Gene-Expression Profile in Murine Oviduct Epithelial Cells Infected with Chlamydia muridarum

Chlamydia trachomatis replicates primarily in the epithelial cells lining the genital tract and induces the innate immune response by triggering cellular pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Our previous studies showed that Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is expressed in murine oviduct epithelial (OE) cells, is the primary PRR triggered by C. muridarum (Cm) early during infection to induce IFN-β synthesis, and that TLR3 signaling regulates the chlamydial induced synthesis of a plethora of other innate inflammatory modulators including IL-6, CXCL10, CXCL16 and CCL5. We also showed that the expression of these cytokines induced by Chlamydia was severely diminished during TLR3 deficiency; however, the replication of Chlamydiain TLR3 deficient OE cells was more robust than in WT cells. These data suggested that TLR3 had a biological impact on the inflammatory response to Chlamydia infection; however, the global effects of TLR3 signaling in the cellular response to Chlamydia infection in murine OE cells has not yet been investigated. To determine the impact of TLR3 signaling on Chlamydia infection in OE cell at the transcriptome level, we infected wild-type (OE-WT) and TLR3-deficient (OE-TLR3KO) cells with Cm, and performed transcriptome analyses using microarray. Genome-wide expression and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) identified enhanced expression of host genes encoding for components found in multiple cellular processes encompassing: (1) pro-inflammatory, (2) cell adhesion, (3) chemoattraction, (4) cellular matrix and small molecule transport, (5) apoptosis, and (6) antigen-processing and presentation. These results support a role for TLR3 in modulating the host cellular responses to Cm infection that extend beyond inflammation and fibrosis, and shows that TLR3 could serve a potential therapeutic target for drug and/or vaccine development.

Effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on type 2 epithelial to mesenchymal transition: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Nigella sativa or commonly known as black seed or black cumin is one of the most ubiquitous complementary medicine. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of type 2 is defined by the balance between wound healing and tissue fibrosis, which is dependent to the state of inflammation. This systematic review is conducted to provide an overview regarding the reported effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on the type 2 EMT.

METHODS

A search was done in EBSCOHOST, OVID and SCOPUS database to obtain potentially relevant articles that were published between 1823 and August 2019. This review includes studies that focus on the effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on the events related to type 2 EMT.

RESULTS

A total of 1393 research articles were found to be potentially related to the effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound, thymoquinone on Type 2 EMT. After screening was done, 22 research articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Majority of the studies, reported better wound healing rate or significant prevention of tissue inflammation and organ fibrosis following Nigella sativa or thymoquinone treatments. In terms of wound healing, studies included reported progression of EMT related pathological changes after treatment with Nigella sativa or thymoquinone. Alternatively, in terms of fibrosis and inflammation, studies included reported reversal of pathological changes related to EMT after treatment with Nigella sativa or thymoquinone.

CONCLUSION

Through this review, Nigella sativa and thymoquinone have been associated with events in Type 2 EMT. They have been shown to promote wound healing, attenuate tissue inflammation, and prevent organ fibrosis via regulation of the EMT process.

Sildenafil as a Rescue Agent Following Intestinal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

BACKGROUND

Acute mesenteric ischemia carries a significant morbidity. Measures to improve blood flow parameters to the intestine may ameliorate the disease. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate and has been shown to prevent the effects of ischemia when given before injury. However, its effects as a rescue agent have not been established. We therefore hypothesized that sildenafil, when given as a rescue agent for intestinal ischemia, would improve mesenteric perfusion, limit intestinal epithelial injury, and decrease intestinal leukocyte chemoattractants.

METHODS

Eight to 12 wk-old-male C57BL/6J mice underwent laparotomy and temporary occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min. Following ischemia, reperfusion was permitted, and before closing the abdomen, sildenafil was injected intraperitoneally in a variety of concentrations. After 24 h, reperfusion was reassessed. Animals were euthanized and intestines evaluated for histologic injury and leukocyte chemoattractants.

RESULTS

Postischemic administration of sildenafil did not improve mesenteric perfusion following intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury. However, sildenafil did improve histologic injury scores in dose ranges of 0.01 to 10 mg/kg. No difference was noted in histological injury with 100 mg/kg dose, and all members of the 1000 mg/kg group died within 24 h of injury. Epithelial protection was not facilitated by the leukocyte chemoattractants Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed, and Secreted, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein, neutrophil activating protein, or granulocyte colony stimulating factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of sildenafil following intestinal ischemia may limit intestinal mucosal injury but does not appear to alter mesenteric perfusion or leukocyte chemoattractant influx. TYPE: Basic science.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A.

The effect of extracellular matrix protein binding and culture confluence status on the effect of ROCK on TNF-α- and IL-1-stimulated CXCL8 secretion by colonic epithelial cell

Colonic and intestinal epithelial cells (EC) attach to a basement membrane of laminins, fibronectin, and collagen IV. Wounding of the epithelial layer can change the types of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to which the EC attach. In this study, we determined the effect of culturing Caco-2 cells on different ECM proteins on the capacity of EC to produce TNF-α- or IL-1-stimulated CXCL8. The effect of the ECM proteins was such that CXCL8 secretion by cells cultured on collagen I > collagen IV > fibronectin or laminin-111. However, suppression of ROCK activity resulted in a similar 75 to 85% suppression of CXCL8 secretion regardless of the ECM protein type. This suggests that EC can produce different levels of CXCL8 depending on the type of ECM proteins they attach to, but all cases result in a similar requirement for ROCK activity for optimal CXCL8 secretion. Furthermore, when confluent cells were compared to subconfluent cells, the level of TNF- or IL-1-stimulated CXCL8 secretion was greatly elevated with the subconfluent cells and inhibiting ROCK had no effect on CXCL8 secretion levels by the confluent cells. These experiments suggest that CXCL8 responses by confluent cells, which would model for intact, unwounded epithelial, do not involve ROCK activation. However, CXCL8 responses by subconfluent cells, which would model for cells attaching to and moving on ECM proteins in wounded epithelia, require ROCK activation for greatly elevated CXCL8 responses. These results provide a model to examine the important conditions which regulate chemokine production by EC in wounded epithelia.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cell type-specific HPV expression in hyperplastic skin lesions

Human Papillomavirus infection is highly prevalent worldwide. While most types of HPV cause benign warts, some high-risk types are known to cause cervical cancer, as well as cancer of the oral cavity and head and neck. Persistent cutaneous HPV infection can be particularly problematic in patients with chronic immunosuppression, for example following organ transplantation. Due to unknown mechanisms, these patients may develop numerous warts, as well as present with a dramatically increased skin cancer prevalence. Despite an association between HPV persistence in the epidermis and excessive wart or squamous cancer development, the molecular mechanisms linking immunosuppression, HPV expression and excessive epidermal proliferation have not been determined, largely due to low-sensitivity methodology to capture rare viral transcription events. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing to profile HPV-positive skin lesions from an immunosuppressed patient that were found to express the alphapapillomavirus HPV78 in basal keratinocytes, suprabasal keratinocytes and hair follicle stem cells. This method can be applied to detect and investigate HPV transcripts in cutaneous lesions, allowing mechanistic links between immunosuppression-induced HPV life cycle and epidermal hyperproliferation to be uncovered.

An inter-laboratory in vitro assessment of cigarettes and next generation nicotine delivery products

In vitro testing can facilitate the rapid assessment of next generation nicotine delivery products (NGPs) with comparisons to combustible tobacco products. In vitro assays for cytotoxicity and oxidative stress were employed at BAT (UK) and JT (Japan) to test total particulate matter (TPM) of a scientific reference cigarette and aerosol collected mass (ACM) of a commercially available E-cigarette and two tobacco heating products (THP). 3R4F TPMs were generated using the Health Canada intense (HCI) regimen, a modified regime (mHCI) for the THP ACMs and the CORESTA recommended method no. 81 for the E-cigarette ACM. Human lung cells were exposed to the test product TPM/ACMs at concentrations between 0-200 μg/ml followed by the employment of commercially available assays for endpoint analysis that included reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the glutathione ratio (GSH:GSSG), activation of the antioxidant response elements (ARE) and cellular viability. TPM/ACM nicotine concentrations were quantified using a UPLC-PDA technique. At both laboratories the 3R4F TPM induced significant and dose-dependent responses in all in vitro assays, whereas no significant responses could be measured for the NGP ACMs. In conclusion, both laboratories obtained comparable results across all endpoints therefore demonstrating the utility of the in vitro techniques combined with standardised test products to support the assessment of NGPs.

Characteristics of a novel cell line ZJU-0430 established from human gallbladder carcinoma

Background

Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract, responsible for 80–95% of cases. Appropriate models are required for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to establish a gallbladder cancer cell line from primary tumour. Single cell RNA sequencing, Light and electron microscopy, DNA content analysis, cytogenetic analysis, short tandem repeat (STR) DNA fingerprint analysis, immunophenotypic characterization, and xeno-transplantation were utilized to characterize the novel ZJU-0430 cell line in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The cell line showed multiple cell shapes and characteristic epithelial morphologies under the microscope, but no too much heterogeneity by scRNA-Seq, with a population doubling time (PDT) of 19.81 h, which was shorter than that for GBC-SD cells. An immunophenotypic analysis revealed that ZJU-0430 cells were positive for CD24, CD44, CD29 and CD133 expression, and partially positive for CD184, and CD326 expression, and negative for CD34, CD90, CD117, and CD338 expression, similar to the primary cancer cells. A pathological analysis confirmed the origination of cell line from gallbladder tumour. ZJU-0430 cells had higher migration, invasion and proliferation properties than GBC-SD cells in vitro, and showed in vivo tumorigenicity in nude mouse xenograft settings.

Conclusions

The results confirm the potential utility of ZJU-0430 cell line as a representative model of gallbladder cancer and suggest that it could be used in the in vitro and in vivo studies of gallbladder cancer pathogenesis and to develop new therapeutics.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-019-0911-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase as a preoperative differential diagnostic marker in patients with adnexal mass

OBJECTIVE

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is involved in tumor development, progression and chemotherapy resistance. The present study evaluated GGT serum levels as a preoperative predictive marker for ovarian cancer in patients with adnexal mass.

STUDY DESIGN

Preoperative GGT serum levels of 2235 patients with adnexal mass and subsequent surgery were ascertained (patients with benign ovarian tumors: n = 1811; borderline tumor of the ovary [BTO]: n = 85; epithelial ovarian cancer [EOC]: n = 339). Standardized expert transvaginal ultrasound was documented.

RESULTS

Median (interquartile range) GGT serum levels in patients with benign ovarian tumors, BTO, and EOC were 15.0 U/l (11.0-23.0), 17.0 U/l (10.0-23.5), and 20.0 U/l (13.0-34.0), respectively (p = 0.002). Elevated GGT serum levels were associated with the presence of BTO/EOC in univariate analysis (p < 0.0001, hazard ratio 1.8, confidence interval 1.5-2.3). GGT did not outperform established tools for preoperative prediction of BTO/EOC in patients with adnexal mass, such as CA-125 measurement or transvaginal ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

Elevated GGT serum levels were not associated with the presence of BTO/EOC in women with suspicious adnexal mass in multivariate analysis. GGT serum levels did not outperform established risk factors and therefore might add only limited additional value to CA-125 serum levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant adnexal masses.

Numb regulates cell tension required for mammary duct elongation

The mammary gland undergoes extensive expansion of a ductal network through the stroma during puberty and is an excellent model for understanding epithelial tube morphogenesis. To investigate a role for Numb, a multifaceted adapter protein, in epithelial tube morphogenesis, we conditionally deleted it from the mammary epithelium. We report that Numb-depletion results in altered extracellular-matrix organization, reduced cell tension, altered cell shape, and increased cell packing density, which results in a 50% reduction in mammary duct elongation. Using laser ablation in vitro and geometric-based cell force inference in vivo, we determined that Numb-deficient cells have altered cortical tension. Duct elongation defects were associated with altered E-cadherin distribution, but were independent of proliferation, apoptosis in ducts or end buds. This highlights a critical role for Numb in a mechanical mechanism that is required to maintain cell packing density during epithelial tube elongation.

3D Organoid Formation from the Murine Salivary Gland Cell Line SIMS

Salivary glands consist of multiple phenotypically and functionally unique cell populations, such as the acinar, ductal, and myoepithelial cells that help produce, modify, and secrete saliva (Lombaert et al., 2011). Identification of mechanisms and factors that regulate these populations has been of key interest, as salivary gland-related diseases have detrimental effects on these cell populations. A variety of approaches have been used to understand the roles different signaling mechanisms and transcription factors play in regulating salivary gland development and homeostasis. Differentiation assays have been performed with primary salivary cells in the past (Maimets et al., 2016), however this approach may sometimes be limiting due to tissue availability, labor intensity of processing the tissue samples, and/or inability to long-term passage the cells. Here we describe in detail a 3D differentiation assay to analyze the differentiation potential of a salivary gland cell line, SIMS, which was immortalized from an adult mouse submandibular salivary gland (Laoide et al., 1996). SIMS cells express cytokeratin 7 and 19, which is characteristic for a ductal cell type. Although adult acinar and myoepithelial cells were found in vivo to preserve their own cell population through self-duplication (Aure et al., 2015; Song et al. 2018), in some cases duct cells can differentiate into acinar cells in vivo, such as after radiation injury (Lombaert et al., 2008; Weng et al., 2018). Thus, utilization of SIMS cells allows us to target and analyze the self-renewal and differentiation effects of ductal cells under specific in vitro controlled conditions.