Clinical Relevance of Interferon Regulatory Family-4 (IRF4) Expression in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell neoplasm with complex biology and heterogenous course. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) transcription factor, important key developmental stages of hematopoiesis, represents an excellent potential therapeutic target. The present work aimed to investigate the expression status of IRF4 in the diagnostic bone marrow biopsy (BMB) cores of MM patients. This prospective study included 62 newly diagnosed MM patients. The expression of IRF4 was assessed in the BMB by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The data were correlated to the patients' clinico-pathological features, response to treatment and survival rates. IRF4 expression was observed in 50% of MM patients (31/62). IRF-4 positive patients were more frequently male patients (P = 0.018), have immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) translocations (P = 0.05) and tended to present with a higher platelets count (P = 0.07). Multiple myeloma patients presenting with urine M-protein had worse overall survival (OS) than negative cases (P = 0.012). Normocellular BM aspirate (BMA) was associated with better OS than hypercellular and hypocellular BMA (P = 0.006). Patchy distribution of plasma cells in BMB was associated with better disease-free survival (DFS) while diffuse infiltration had the worst (P = 0.019). Of note, after treatment, MM patients had significantly lower percentage of BMA plasma cells, platelet count, β2 microglobulin and creatinine levels (P = 0.037, < 0.001, 0.022 and 0.026, respectively). Had higher albumin level (P = 0.007), compared to initial investigations. No significant association was found between IRF4 expression and the patients'clinical outcomes. Patterns of plasma cells distribution in BMB, BMA cellularity and urine M-protein are prognostically relevant in MM.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12288-023-01628-3.

Monosaccharide composition and in vivo immuno-stimulatory potential of soluble yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) polysaccharides in response to a covalent Se incorporation

The present study aimed to investigate whether selenylation modification could affect compositional features and in vivo immuno-stimulatory potential of yam polysaccharides. In this study, the soluble yam mucilage polysaccharides (YPS) were prepared and selenylated in the HNO₃-Na₂SeO₃ system, and two selenylated polysaccharide products, namely SeYPS-1 and SeYPS-2 with respective Se contents of 719 and 1585 mg/kg, were thus obtained. GC-MS analysis demonstrated that the compositional features of SeYPS-1 and SeYPS-2 were similar to those of YPS. Meanwhile, the immuno-stimulatory potential of the selenylated products, especially SeYPS-2, in the BALB/c mice model was higher than that of YPS, reflected by the elevated contents of serum immunoglobins and increased percentage of CD4⁺ splenic lymphocytes. It was thus confirmed that the selenylation did not change the composition of monosaccharides but endowed YPS with greater immuno-stimulation in the mice, while the higher extent of selenylation also caused a much enhanced immuno-stimulatory potential of SeYPS-2.

Influence of macrophage polarization on the effectiveness of surgical therapy of peri-implantitis

Purpose

To evaluate the influence of macrophage expression and polarization on the effectiveness of surgical therapy of peri-implantitis over a 6 month follow-up.

Methods

A total of fourteen patients (n = 14 implants) diagnosed with peri-implantitis underwent access flap surgery, granulation tissue removal, implantoplasty, and augmentation at intra-bony components using a natural derived bone mineral and application of a native collagen membrane during a standardized surgical procedure. Granulation tissue biopsies were prepared for immunohistochemical characterization and macrophage polarization assessment. M1 and M2 phenotype expression was identified and quantified through immunohistochemical markers and histomorphometrical analyses. Clinical evaluation and data collection were performed initially and after a healing period of 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed to associate infiltrated area, macrophage, and M1/M2 phenotype influence on peri-implant tissue healing parameters after a 6-month follow-up.

Results

Mean infiltrated compartment (ICT) values occupied a total percentage of 70.3% ± 13.0 in the analyzed granulation tissue biopsies. Macrophages occupied a mean area of 15.3% ± 7.0. M1 and M2 phenotypes were present in 7.1 ± 4.1% and 5.5 ± 3.7%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between M1 and M2% expression (p = 0.16). The mean M1/ M2 ratio amounted to 1.5 ± 0.8. Surgical therapy was associated with statistically significant reductions in mean bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and suppuration (SUPP) scores at 6 months (p < 0.05). Linear regression analyses revealed a significant correlation between macrophage expression (CD68%) and changes in PD scores and M1 (%) expression and changes in mucosal recession (MR) scores at 6 months.

Conclusions

The present data suggest that macrophages might influence peri-implant tissue healing mechanisms following surgical therapy of peri-implantitis over a short-term period. Particularly, changes in PD and MR scores were statistically significantly associated with macrophage expression and phenotype.

Graphical Abstract

Effect of dietary supplementation with yeast cell wall extracts on performance and gut response in broiler chickens

Background

The dietary supplementation of yeast cell wall extracts (YCW) has been found to reduce pathogenic bacteria load, promote immunoglobulin production, prevent diseases by pro-inflammatory responses, and alter gut microbiota composition. This study evaluated growth and slaughter results, health, gut morphology, immune status and gut transcriptome of 576 male chickens fed two diets, i.e. C (control) or Y (with 250-500 g/t of YCW fractions according to the growth period). At 21 and 42 d the jejunum of 12 chickens per diet were sampled and stained with hematoxylin/eosin for morphometric evaluation, with Alcian-PAS for goblet cells, and antibodies against CD3+ intraepithelial T-cells and CD45+ intraepithelial leukocytes. The jejunum sampled at 42 d were also used for whole-transcriptome profiling.

Results

Dietary YCW supplementation did not affect final live weight, whereas it decreased feed intake (114 to 111 g/d; P ≤ 0.10) and improved feed conversion (1.74 to 1.70; P ≤ 0.01). Regarding the gut, YCW supplementation tended to increase villi height (P = 0.07); it also increased the number of goblet cells and reduced the density of CD45+ cells compared to diet C (P < 0.001). In the gut transcriptome, four genes were expressed more in broilers fed diet Y compared to diet C, i.e. cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 23b (CYP2C23B), tetratricopeptide repeat domain 9 (TTC9), basic helix-loop-helix family member e41 (BHLHE41), and the metalloreductase STEAP4. Only one gene set (HES_PATHWAY) was significantly enriched among the transcripts more expressed in broilers fed diet Y. However, a total of 41 gene sets were significantly over-represented among genes up-regulated in control broilers. Notably, several enriched gene sets are implicated in immune functions and related to NF-κB signaling, apoptosis, and interferon signals.

Conclusions

The dietary YCW supplementation improved broiler growth performance, increased gut glycoconjugate secretion and reduced the inflammatory status together with differences in the gut transcriptome, which can be considered useful to improve animal welfare and health under the challenging conditions of intensive rearing systems in broiler chickens.

Immunoscore assay for the immune classification of solid tumors: Technical aspects, improvements and clinical perspectives

The past two decades witnessed the appreciation of the importance of specific tumor-infiltrating immune cells in influencing tumor evolution. The discovery that a favorable immune contexture is linked to a prolonged patients' survival, and more specifically that intratumoral cytotoxic T lymphocytes hold powerful prognostic value, provided the foundations for the development of the Immunoscore. Immunoscore is a digital pathology, IHC-based immune assay measuring the densities of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells at different tumor locations, linking them with patients' clinical outcome. The present chapter provides a detailed overview of the assay development and procedure, from the bench to the data analysis, and of the internationally approved and validated guidelines to perform a consensus Immunoscore for colon cancer patients. Assay strengths and limitations are also discussed, as well as the clinical implications of its introduction in routine practice.

Bipolar limbic expression of auto-immune thyroid targets: thyroglobulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor

The associations between thyroid auto-immunity and neuro-psychiatric disorders are well-documented. However, there exists limited literature specifically linking auto-immune thyroid disease (AITD) to bipolar disorder (BD). Thus, we investigated the likely association between Hashimoto's disease and BD through the extra-thyroidal localisation of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R) and thyroglobulin (TG) in limbic regions of normal and bipolar human adult brain. Further, we hypothesised that changes in thyroid expression in bipolar limbic cortex may contribute to mood dysregulation associated with BD. Immuno-chemistry and in-situ PCR were used to localise TSH-R/TG within the amygdala, cingulate gyrus and frontal cortex of normal (n = 5) and bipolar (n = 5) brains. Reverse-transcriptase qPCR provided fold-change differences in TSH-R gene expression. The results demonstrated reduced thyroid protein expression in bipolar limbic regions; these novel results correlate with other neuro-imaging reports that describe reduced cortico-limbic tissue volumes and neuro-physiological activity during BD. We also demonstrated TG-like proteins exclusive to bipolar amygdala neurons, and which relates to previous neuro-imaging studies of amygdala hyperactivity and enhanced emotional sensitivity in BD. Indeed, reduced TSH-R/TG in limbic regions may predispose to, or bear relevance in the pathophysiology of mood dysregulation and symptoms of BD. Further, we attribute mood dysregulation in BD to limbic-derived TSH-R, which probably provides potential targets for thyroid auto-immune factors during Hashimoto's disease. Consequently, this may lead to inactivated and/or damaged neurons. The neuro-pathology of diminished neuronal functioning or neuronal atrophy suggests a novel neuro-degeneration mechanism in BD.

Role of formalin fixed paraffin embedded liver tissues in the diagnosis of viral hepatitis E in patients with undiagnosed acute liver failure

Viral hepatitis E is gaining importance as an emerging worldwide disease. Though viral hepatitis E (HEV) has been attributed as an etiology of acute liver failure (ALF), however its actual incidence and the immunopathogenesis are being under explored. The present study is aimed at detecting HEV in post mortem liver tissues of patients with undiagnosed ALF. Twenty six liver tissues of ALF patients died of unknown etiology are subjected to nested reverse transcriptase PCR with HEV ORF1 gene targeted primers and HEV RNA is detected in 30.4% (7/23) of ALF cases. Out of seven HEV RNA positive cases, three (42.8%) had HEV antigen positivity by immunohistochemistry on liver tissues using HEV ORF2 antibody. Histopathological examination by H&E staining shows multiacinar confluent hepatic necrosis, bile ductular proliferation, bridging hepatic and periportal necrosis in 4, 4, 2 and 1 cases respectively. The isolates were sequenced using RdRp gene specific primers and found to HEV genotype-1. Quantitative TaqMan real time PCR estimated the viral load ranged between 7.77 × 10³ and 1.44 × 10⁷ viral copies/µl. HEV has been associated with 30.4% (7/23) of undiagnosed ALF cases. Immuno-histochemistry along with molecular testing in FFPE biopsies might be useful for the detection of HEV in undiagnosed cases.

Expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors and thyroglobulin in limbic regions in the adult human brain

Expression of the human thyroid-specific proteins, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R) and thyroglobulin (TG) in non-thyroid tissue is well-documented. TSH-R has been identified in the heart, kidney, bone, pituitary, adipose tissue, skin and astrocyte cultures. TG has been identified in the skin, thymus and kidney. However, none of those previous studies had identified TSH-R or TG in specific human brain regions. Previously, a pilot study conducted by our group on normal adult human brain demonstrated TSH-R and TG in cortical neurons and cerebral vasculature, respectively, within various brain areas. In the present study, we extend this investigation of thyroid proteins specifically in limbic regions of normal human brain. Forensic human samples of amygdalae, cingulate gyrii, frontal cortices, hippocampii, hypothalamii, and thalamii were obtained from five individuals who had died of causes unrelated to head injury and had no evidence of brain disease or psychological abnormality. Tissues were probed with commercial polyclonal antibodies against human TSH-R and TG which resulted in the significant demonstration of neuronal TSH-R in all limbic regions examined. Other novel results demonstrated TG in vascular smooth muscle of all limbic regions and in some neurons. Finding thyroid proteins in limbic areas of the human brain is unique, and this study demonstrates that cerebro-limbic localisation of thyroid proteins may have potential roles in neuro-psycho-pharmacology.

Plexiform Angiomyxoid Myofibroblastic Tumor (PAMT) of Stomach with Synchronous Bilateral Cystic Ovarian Neoplasms, a Rare Case Presentation

Plexiform Angiomyxoid Myofibroblastic Tumor (PAMT) is a recently identified mesenchymal tumor of the stomach, which was first described in the year 2007 and was added in the 2010 WHO classification of tumors of the digestive system World J Gastroenterol 16(6): 2835-2840, 2010. It closely resembles with other gastric tumors but distinctly varies in clinical management as well as the histopathology. We had a 51 year, female patient, laborer by profession with low socio economic status, who had abdominal pain with vomiting since 6 months. She had similar complaints 3 years ago for which she was evaluated and presumed to have Carcinoma Stomach and underwent laparotomy which ended up only with Gastro- Jejunal anastomosis. She was admitted at our institution. Endoscopy revealed antral bulge with central area ulceration and biopsy was taken which was not confirmatory for malignancy. CT images showed heterogeneous mass with necrotic changes arising from the duodenum favored the diagnosis of perigastric neoplasm. PET CT was done, 8.4 × 5 × 6.1 cm exophytic mass in the pyloric region of stomach with solid and cystic components causing significant gastric outlet obstruction. She underwent exploratory laparotomy and complete excision of mass with achievement of R0 clearance. Histopathology was reported as Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumor (PAMT).

[Cutaneous chondroid syringoma]

INTRODUCTION

Chondroid syringoma (CS) is a rare cutaneous tumor characterized by mixte epithelial and mesenchymal component. The confident histological diagnosis can be obtained by immuno-histochemistry study. Here we present 10 new cases with their clinico-hystological characteristics.

METHODS

The 10 cases were observed between January 2000 and august 2013, in Fort-de-France and Louis-Mourier universitary hospitals. For all the cases a controlled histological study was performed by a dermatopathologist expert and immuno-histochemistry was added. Clinical and immuno-histological data were analyzed.

RESULTS

The lesions were almost localized on the face (3/10) and the extremities (3/10). The size was about 1.2 to 5.2cm. Every case was treated by surgery, no malignant case was diagnosed. Histologically, all the 10 cases presented as a well-limited dermic tumor with a mixte epithelial and mesenchymal component. The stroma was myxo-chondroid, and the epithelial component consisted in epithelial cavities lined by one or two cell layers with eccrine (4/10) or apocrine (5/10) features. Immuno-chemistry study reveals positivity for EMA, ACE and CK7 for the internal cells, and positivity for S100 protein and vimentin of the extern cell layer.

DISCUSSION

Chondroid syringoma is characterized by a mixte epithelial with eccrine and apocrine cells and a myxo-chondroid stroma. Our study has some clinical and histological particularities (lesions on the extremities, epidermic connecting…). The main differentials diagnoses are the other annexial tumors. The treatment is surgical.

CONCLUSION

The histological diagnosis of CS is quite easy, but in case of doubt, immuno-chemistry will help, showing a double mesenchymal and epithelial differentiation.

Growth Factor Measurement and Histological Analysis in Platelet Rich Fibrin: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare growth factor amount contained in platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and compare with that in platelet rich plasma (PRP), and in whole blood. And also to investigate distribution of growth factors and cellular components in PRF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PRF and PRP were obtained from the same sample of peripheral blood. Extraction of proteins were done with lysis buffer, accompanied by freeze and thaw procedures. Concentration of two representative growth factors in platelets: platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PRF was cut into three parts: (top, middle and bottom), and growth factor concentration was measured respectively. Paraffin embedded section of PRF was observed with Giemsa stain. Immuno-histochemical analysis with anti-PDGF and anti-TGF-β antibodies was also conducted.

RESULTS

The growth factor levels in PRF was higher than in peripheral blood and comparable to those in PRP. Growth factor levels in bottom part of PRF was much higher than in top and middle part. Microscopically, platelets and mono-nucleated cells were concentrated just above the yellow-red interface. Poly-nucleated cells were concentrated below the interface.

CONCLUSION

The growth factors were surely concentrated in PRF. This result can support basis of good clinical outcomes. For effective application of PRF, the knowledge that growth factors and cells are not equally distributed in PRF should be utilized.

Active components alignment of Gegenqinlian decoction protects ulcerative colitis by attenuating inflammatory and oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gegenqinlian Decoction (GQD) has been used as a folk remedy for gastrointestinal diseases in China over thousands of years. It has significant treatment efficacy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We analyzed and showed that the active components alignment of Gegenqinlian Decoction (ACAG) possesses broad pharmacological effects including analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antidiarrhea, as well as the effect of adjusting gastrointestinal function in our preliminary experiments. However, the exact molecular mechanisms on how ACAG exerts these pharmacological effects still remain elusive. In the present study, the plausible pharmacological effects of ACAG on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with TNBS/ethanol-induced colitis were used. The colonic wet weight, macroscopic and histological colon injury, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity were observed. Pro-inflammation cytokines were determined by ELISA methods, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Immuno-histochemistry.

RESULTS

We showed administration of ACAG was able to improve colitis. This was manifested by a decreased in the score of macroscopic and histological colonic injury, by lowered colonic wet weight, accompanied by significant increased of SOD activity, and decreased of MDA and iNOS activities. The treatment also significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in colon and serum as well as the colonic mRNA levels for several inflammatory cytokines such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and toll-like receptor 2, 4 (TLR2, TLR4). In addition, we also showed that ACAG was able to inhibit the activation and translocation of transcription factors, nuclear factor kappaBp65 (NF-κBp65) in colon.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that ACAG exhibits protective effect in TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis. We postulate that this might be due to its modulation of oxidant/anti-oxidant balance, downregulation of productions, expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of NF-κBp65 signal transduction pathways.

Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 in human cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to immuno-localize and estimate the levels of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 in human gingival tissue samples from healthy individuals, chronic periodontitis patients and patients with cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.

METHODS

Group I consisted of individuals with healthy gingiva (n=6), Group II - cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth (n=9) and Group III - chronic periodontitis patients (n=6). Gingival tissue samples were collected from subjects of all the three groups. COX-1, COX-2 levels were estimated in tissue homogenates by enzyme activity assay. Immuno-localization for COX-1 and COX-2 was also done in sections of gingival tissue.

RESULTS

The study results demonstrated a significantly higher mean levels of COX-1 and 2 in drug induced gingival overgrowth samples (p<0.05). COX-1 and COX-2 was localized to epithelium and connective tissue in human gingival tissue sections from cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.

CONCLUSION

Cyclooxygenase enzymes appear to be potential mediators involved in the pathogenesis of cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.

Solitary fibrous tumour of the kidney: case report with review of the literature

Solitary Fibrous Tumour (SFT) is an unusual spindle cell tumour that usually occurs in the pleura, but has recently also been reported to be extra-pleural in origin. A renal presentation is very rare. Upto 90% of the tumours have benign characteristics. It is difficult to differentiate it from renal cell carcinoma by using imaging techniques. A definitive diagnosis can be made by doing a detailed pathological examination, which includes immunohistochemistry. We are reporting a case of a large solitary fibrous tumour of the kidney which here occurred in a 70-years-old male. Histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis, by revealing strongly positive reactions of the neoplastic cells for CD34, bcl-2, vimentin and negativity for Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA), Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA), S-100 protein and Ki-67. The patient suffered a cardiac arrest and died on the seventh day after his surgery.

Expression of synuclein g in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with MMP-2 and MMP-9

AIM: To study the expression and significance of synuclein g (SNCG) in gastric cancer, and to explore the relationship between SNCG and MMP-2, and MMP-9 in gastric carcinoma.

METHODS: Expression levels of SNCG protein, MMP-2, MMP-9 in sixty gastric cancer samples were detected using immuno-histochemical analysis and 20 paraffin wax samples of normal gastric mucosa were also detected and compared.

RESULTS: The positive rates of SNCG, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were higher in gastric carcinoma than in neighboring normal tissues (65%, 75%, 68.3% vs 0%, 25%, 20%, all P < 0.05). Their expression was positively correlated with depth of tumor infiltration, lymphatic metastasis, as well as the clinical staging of tumor (all P < 0.05). Expression of SNCG was also positively correlated with that of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (r = 0.383, 0.552, both P < 0.01). In addition, expression of MMP-2 was positively correlated with MMP-9 (r = 0.352, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The aberrant expression of SNCG, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are likely to jointly participate in the process of genesis and development of gastric carcinoma, therefore the detection of SNCG, MMP-2 and MMP-9, which reflect the pathological characteristics of gastric cancer, could be regarded as a reference index.

Thrombospondin-1 expression correlates with angiogenesis in experimental cirrhosis

AIM: To investigate the significance of Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) expression and its relationship with angiogenesis during experimental fibrosis.

METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN). The serial sections from liver tissues were stained with anti-CD34 and anti-TSP-1 antibodies before being quantitated by light microscopy.

RESULTS: Our results showed that of TSP-1 expression gradually increases according to the severity of fibrosis (GroupIvs group II, Group III and Group IV; Group II vs group III and group IV; group III vs group IV, P < 0.05). Moreover, TSP-1 expression was found to be correlated with angiogenesis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The correlative evidence of the link between TSP-1 and fibrosis or angiogenesis provided by this study suggests that besides its role as a strong promoter of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), TSP-1 might have an additional role in liver fibrogenesis by stimulating angiogenesis and this protein could be a potential target to prevent fibrogenesis in chronic inflammatory diseases of the liver.

Expression of G3BP and RhoC in esophageal squamous carcinoma and their effect on prognosis

AIM: To investigate the expression and significance of G3BP and RhoC proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC).

METHODS: The expression of G3BP and Rhoc proteins in 80 cases of ESC was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship was studied between the expression of the two proteins and tumor size, differentiation degree, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of ESC.

RESULTS: The positive expression rate of G3BP in ESC was 71.25%; and the rate in the lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that in the non-lymph node metastasis group (Z = -2.283, P = 0.022), but no relations were found between G3BP expression and tumor size, differentiation degree and TNM stage (P > 0.05). The group with G3BP positive expression had shorter survival time than the group with G3BP negative expression (P = 0.000). The positive expression rate of RhoC in ESC was 66.25%; and the rate in the lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that in the non-lymph node metastasis group (Z = -2.115, P < 0.05), but no relations were found between RhoC expression and tumor size, differentiation degree and TNM stage (P > 0.05). The RhoC positive expression group had a shorter survival time than the RhoC negative expression group (P < 0.001. The expression of G3BP protein correlated positively with the expression of RhoC in ESC tissues (r_s = 0.656, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The expression of G3BP and RhoC protein is closely related to the lymph node metastasis and survival in ESC patients. G3BP and RhoC proteins can be considered as predictors of prognosis in ESC patients.

Clinicopathologic significance of BAG1 and TIMP3 expression in colon carcinoma

AIM: To explore the expression of BAG1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) in colon carcinoma and their correlation and clinicopathologic significance.

METHODS: SABC immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BAG1 and TIMP3 in 80 colon carcinoma tissues and 20 normal colonic mucosa.

RESULTS: Positive rate of BAG1 in colon carcinoma tissue (80%) was notably higher compared to normal colonic mucosa (10%) (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in positive rate of TIMP3 in colon carcinoma tissue (43.75%) as compared with normal colonic mucosa (60%) (P > 0.05). Expression of BAG1 and TIMP3 was strongly associated with colon carcinoma differentiation, Duke’s staging, lymph node metastasis and survival rate (P < 0.05), but not associated with gender and age. Moreover, BAG1 expression was not correlated with TIMP3.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that over-expression of BAG1 or attenuated expression of TIMP3 may play an important role in genesis and development of colon carcinoma. The protein expression levels of BAG1 and TIMP3 are related to the malignant degree, infiltration and metastasis of colon carcinoma. BAG1 and TIMP3 might be new biological parameters in predicting invasion and metastasis of colon carcinoma.

Upregulation of cathepsin W-expressing T cells is specific for autoimmune atrophic gastritis compared to other types of chronic gastritis

AIM: To investigate a pathophysiological role of cathepsin W (CatW), a putative thiol-dependent cysteine protease, which is specifically expressed in cytotoxic lymphocytes, in different types of chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

METHODS: Gastric and duodenal biopsies of patients with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)-associated active gastritis (Hp, n = 19), chemically induced reactive gastritis (CG, n = 17), autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AIG, n = 20), lymphocytic corpus gastritis (LG, n = 29), celiac disease (CD, n = 10), and corresponding controls (n = 24) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of CatW and CD45. Furthermore, immunohistochemical double staining with anti-CD3 and anti-cathepsin was performed for the samples of AIG.

RESULTS: Median values of CatW-expressing cells among CD45-positive immune cells were between 2% and 6% for normal gastric mucosa, CG, and LG, whereas the corresponding value was significantly increased for AIG (24.7%, P<0.001) and significantly decreased for HP (0.7%, P<0.05). Double staining with anti-CD3 and anti-CatW antibodies revealed that >90% of CatW-expressing cells in gastric mucosa of AIG were T cells. Duodenal mucosa had significantly more CatW/CD45-positive cells than normal gastric mucosa (median: 17.8% vs 2%, P<0.01). The corresponding proportion of CatW/CD45-positive cells was decreased in CD compared to duodenal mucosa (median: 2.1% vs 17.8%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The opposite findings regarding the presence of CatW-positive cells in AIG (increase) and CD (decrease) reflects the different cellular composition of immune cells involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Clinicopathological significance of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in human pancreatic cancer

AIM: To assess the clinicopathological significance of the expression of the apoptosis-inhibitory Bcl-2 protein (pBcl-2) and the apoptosis-promoting Bax protein (pBax) in human invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) of the pancreas.

METHODS: Fifty-nine surgical specimens of IDCs of the pancreas were stained immunohistochemically to detect pBcl-2 and pBax expressions whose correlation to tumor classification, staging, and prognosis was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: The expression of pBcl-2 and pBax was detected in 21 of 59 (35.6%) and in 29 of 59 (49.2%) patients with IDCs of the pancreas, respectively. Neither pBcl-2 nor pBax alone was correlated to TNM staging and differentiation degree of IDCs of the pancreas according to univariate analysis. By Mantel-Cox test, the median survival time after surgery for pBcl-2(+) and pBcl-2(-) groups were 14.3 and 7.3 mo, respectively (χ² = 9.357, P = 0.002) and that for pBax(+) and pBax(-) groups were 12.9 and 10.2 mo, respectively (χ² = 0.285, P>0.05). Contingency coefficient between pBcl-2 and pBax expression was 0.298, indicating that there was correlation between them (χ² = 5.74, P<0.05). The median survival time after surgery for pBcl-2(+)pBax(+) and pBcl-2(+)pBax(-) groups were 14.3 and 14.1 mo, respectively, and that for pBcl-2(-)pBax(+) and pBcl-2(-)pBax(-) groups were 5.9 and 9.9 mo, respectively. There was a significant difference between pBcl-2(+)pBax(+) and pBcl-2(-)pBax(+) (χ² = 5.06, P<0.05), such was the case for pBcl-2(+)pBax(+) and pBcl-2(-)pBax(-) (χ² = 7.18, P<0.01). Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis was applied, indicating that pBcl-2, TNM staging, age and pBax were high risk factors of post-surgical survival time.

CONCLUSION: Both pBcl-2 and pBax have high expression in IDCs of the pancreas, indicating that co-expression of pBcl-2 and pBax is a good indicator of favorable prognosis in IDCs of the pancreas.