Pyroptosis: A road to next-generation cancer immunotherapy

The goal of cancer immunotherapy is to clear tumor cells by activating antitumor immunity, especially by mobilizing tumor-reactive CD8⁺T cells. Pyroptosis, programmed lytic cell death mediated by gasdermin (GSDM), results in the release of cellular antigens, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and cytokines. Therefore, pyroptotic tumor cell-derived tumor antigens and DAMPs not only reverse immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment (TME) but also enhance tumor antigen presentation by dendritic cells, leading to robust antitumor immunity. Exploring nanoparticles and other approaches to spatiotemporally control tumor pyroptosis by regulating gasdermin expression and activation is promising for next-generation immunotherapy.     

Role of phosphorylated Smad3 signal components in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of pancreas

BackgroundMalignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) has poor prognosis. The carcinogenesis of IPMN is not clear. The aim of this study was to clarify transitions in phosphorylated Smad3 signaling during IPMN carcinogenesis.MethodsBy using immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression of pSmad3C and pSmad3L from 51 IPMN surgical specimens resected at our institution between 2010 and 2013. We also examined the expression of Ki-67, c-Myc and p-JNK.ResultsThe median immunostaining index of pSmad3C was 79.2% in low-grade dysplasia, 74.9% in high-grade dysplasia, and 42.0% in invasive carcinoma (P < 0.01), whereas that of pSmad3L was 3.4%, 4.3%, and 42.4%, respectively (P < 0.01). There was a negative relationship between the expression of pSmad3C and c-Myc (P < 0.001, r = -0.615) and a positive relationship between the expression of pSmad3L and c-Myc (P < 0.001, r = 0.696). Negative relationship between the expression of pSmad3C and Ki-67 (P < 0.01, r = -0.610) and positive relationship between the expression of pSmad3L and Ki-67 (P < 0.01, r = 0.731) were confirmed. p-JNK-positive cells were frequently observed among pSmad3L-positive cancer cells. The median of pSmad3L/pSmad3C ratio in the non-recurrence group and the recurrence group were 0.58 (range, 0.05–0.93), 3.83 (range, 0.85–5.96), respectively (P = 0.02). The median immunostaining index of c-Myc in the non-recurrence group and the recurrence group were 2.91 (range, 0–36.9) and 82.1 (range, 46.2–97.1), respectively (P = 0.02). The median immunostaining index of Ki-67 in the non-recurrence group and the recurrence group were 12.9 (range 5.7–30.8) and 90.9 (range 52.9–98.5), respectively (P = 0.02).ConclusionspSmad3L was upregulated in malignant IPMN. pSmad3L/pSmad3C ratio may be a useful prognostic factor in IPMN.     

The chemokine CXCL9 expression is associated with better prognosis for colorectal carcinoma patients

The chemokine CXCL9 has been demonstrated to play an important role in the development of human malignancies. However, its prognostic significance in cancer patients remains unclear and less is known about its role in colonrectal carcinoma (CRC) patients. In this study, we found that the relative mRNA expression level of CXCL9 in primary colorectal tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in corresponding normal colon tissues. CXCL9 protein expression was also detected in 102 of 130 primary CRC patients by immunochemistry. Thus, CXCL9 might play a vital role in the progression of colorectal cancer. By analyzing the correlation between clinicopathological factors of patients and expression of CXCL9 protein, we showed that the expression of CXCL9 was significantly associated with tumor differentiation, tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and vascular invasion, but not with other factors of CRC patients including age, gender, tumor location and tumor size. Furthermore, by performing Kaplan–Meier method as well as Cox’s univariate and multivariate hazard regression model, we found that the higher the CXCL9 expression, the higher overall survival rate was observed, and CXCL9 expression was a significant independent prognostic factor for CRC patients. Therefore, CXCL9 is a useful predictor of better clinical outcome in CRC patients.     

Preservation of platelet function in patients with cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia undergoing esophageal variceal ligation

BackgroundThrombocytopenia is a possible risk factor for bleeding after band ligation of esophageal varices. However, elevated von Willebrand factor (VWF) in cirrhosis improves platelet function and could decrease this risk. Our objective was to assess platelet function in patients with cirrhosis undergoing esophageal variceal ligation (EVL).MethodsThe assessment consisted of platelet count, antigen and activity of VWF and VWF-cleaving protease ADAMTS-13 activity, and a platelet adhesion and aggregation test simulating vascular flow in vivo (Impact-R^Ⓡ) prior to EVL.ResultsTotally 111 patients were divided into three groups according to platelet count: (1) < 50 × 10⁹/L (n = 38, 34.2%); (2) 50 × 10⁹/L to 100 × 10⁹/L (n = 47, 42.3%); and (3) > 100 × 10⁹/L (n = 26, 23.4%). No statistically significant difference was found in the aggregate size of platelets [group 1: 41.0 (31.8–67.3) µm²; group 2: 47.0 (33.8–71.3) µm²; and group 3: 47.0 (34.0–66.0) µm²; P = 0.60] and no significant correlation was found between aggregate size and platelet count (Spearman r = 0.07; P = 0.47). Surface coverage was 4.1% (2.8%–6.7%), 8.5% (4.0%–10.0%), and 9.0% (7.1%–12.0%) (P < 0.001) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively and correlated with platelet count (Spearman r = 0.39; P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between groups in VWF or ADAMTS-13. Post-EVL bleeding occurred in six (5.4%) patients (n = 2 in group 1, n = 1 in group 2, and n = 3 in group 3; P = 0.32). Patients with bleeding had higher MELD scores [15.0 (11.3–20.3) versus 12.0 (10.0–15.0); P = 0.025], but no difference was demonstrated for platelet function parameters.ConclusionPlatelet function is preserved even in the presence of thrombocytopenia, including in the patients with post-EVL bleeding.     

超声造影在诊断肝脏局灶性结节状增生中的临床应用价值

目的 分析肝局灶性结节状增生（FNH）在超声造影中的增强模式及特征性表现,以探讨超声造影对FNH定性诊断的临床价值。方法 收集经病理证实且术前均行超声造影检查的FNH患者的病例资料,对其临床资料、普通超声以及超声造影的声像图进行回顾性分析。结果 收集到FNH患者112例,其年龄以18～50岁居多,其男女比为1.11:1。普通二维超声以低回声为主,彩色多普勒超声有31例（31/112,27.68%）显示出轮辐状血流信号。超声造影三期（动脉期、门脉期和延迟期）的增强模式以“高-高-高”（49/112,43.75%）和“高-等-等”（44/112,39.29%）为主;其特征性征象有离心性增强(62/112,55.36%)、轮辐状动脉(59/112,52.68%)、中央星芒状瘢痕(52/112,46.43%);其中轮辐状动脉、中央瘢痕多见于大病灶组（≥3cm）（P<0.01）;而离心性增强则是小病灶组（<3cm）中最主要的表现。普通超声的诊断符合率为32.14%,而超声造影的诊断符合率达89.28%。结论 超声造影能明显提高FNH的无创定性诊断符合率。     

胰岛素葡萄糖钾盐与胰岛素体外抗炎效果比较研究

目的: 观察葡萄糖钾盐是否具有协同增强胰岛素对外周血单个核细胞群(PBMCs)分泌促炎细胞因子和抗炎细胞因子的作用. 方法: 用Ficoll-Hypaque液分离10例健康人PBMC,随机分为胰岛素葡萄糖钾盐(GIK)组、胰岛素(INS)组、葡萄糖钾盐(GK)组和基础对照(C)组. 四组PBMC培养24 h后,加脂多糖继续培养48 h后,离心收集培养上清液.用ELISA法检测TNF-α,IL-6和IL-4,IL-10含量. 结果: GIK组和INS组TNF-α,IL-6含量均明显低于C组(P<0.01),IL-4和IL-10含量却均明显高于C组(P<0.01);GIK组IL-4和IL-10含量明显高于INS组(P<0.01),但GIK组TNF-α和IL-6含量降低,与INS组比较无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论: 胰岛素葡萄糖钾盐和胰岛素均能直接抑制内毒素刺激的PBMCs分泌促炎细胞因子,同时提高内毒素刺激的PBMC分泌抗炎细胞因子水平.葡萄糖钾盐对胰岛素促进PBMCs分泌抗炎细胞因子有协同增强作用.     

焦磷酸测序技术检测63例晚期NSCLC患者血浆KRAS基因突变

目的探讨应用焦磷酸测序技术检测血浆KRAS基因突变的实用性,了解晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)血浆KRAS基因突变率和突变特征。方法收集63例晚期NSCLC患者的外周血标本,分离血浆并提取DNA,采用巢式PCR结合焦磷酸测序分析KRAS基因12和13号密码子突变。结果在63例晚期NSCLC患者中,3例存在血浆KRAS基因突变(4.76%),突变率较低,与亚裔组织KRAS突变率一致,低于西方人KRAS突变率,其突变类型均为单碱基替换突变。其中2例为12密码子突变,1例为13密码子突变。统计学分析未发现血浆KRAS突变与性别、吸烟史、年龄、病理类型、肿瘤分期、体力状况(PS)评分存在相关性。结论焦磷酸测序技术操作简便,可以快速、高通量地进行外周血循环KRAS基因突变检测,可广泛用于筛选对酪氨酸激酶抑制剂耐药的NSCLC患者,更有利于指导患者的个体化分子靶向治疗。     

Toxic role of prostaglandin E2 receptor EP1 after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice

Inflammatory mechanisms mediated by prostaglandins may contribute to the progression of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced brain injury, but they are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the effect of prostaglandin E₂ receptor EP1 (EP1R) activation and inhibition on brain injury in mouse models of ICH and investigated the underlying mechanism of action. ICH was induced by injecting collagenase, autologous blood, or thrombin into the striatum of middle-aged male and female mice and aged male mice. Effects of selective EP1R agonist ONO-DI-004, antagonist SC51089, and nonspecific Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 were evaluated by a combination of histologic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunofluorescence, molecular, cellular, and behavioral assessments. EP1R was expressed primarily in neurons and axons but not in astrocytes or microglia after ICH induced by collagenase. In middle-aged male mice subjected to collagenase-induced ICH, EP1R inhibition mitigated brain injury, brain edema, cell death, neuronal degeneration, neuroinflammation, and neurobehavioral deficits, whereas its activation exacerbated these outcomes. EP1R inhibition also was protective in middle-aged female mice and aged male mice after collagenase-induced ICH and in middle-aged male mice after blood- or thrombin-induced ICH. EP1R inhibition also reduced oxidative stress, white matter injury, and brain atrophy and improved functional outcomes. Histologic results were confirmed by MRI. Src kinase phosphorylation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity were increased by EP1R activation and decreased by EP1R inhibition. EP1R regulated matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity through Src kinase signaling, which mediated EP1R toxicity after collagenase-induced ICH. We conclude that prostaglandin E₂ EP1R activation plays a toxic role after ICH through mechanisms that involve the Src kinases and the matrix metalloproteinase-9 signaling pathway. EP1R inhibition could be a novel therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes after ICH.     

Bacterial associates of Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae), the insect vector of bois noir disease,with a focus on cultivable bacteria

The planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) is an important vector of phytoplasma diseases in grapevine. In the current study, the bacterial community compositions of symbionts of this insect were examined. Two dominant bacterial lineages were identified by mass sequencing: the obligate symbiont Candidatus Sulcia, and a facultative symbiont that is closely related to Pectobacterium sp. and to BEV, a cultivable symbiont of another phytoplasma vector, the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus. In addition, one bacterium was successfully isolated in this study – a member of the family Xanthomonadaceae that is most closely related to the genus Dyella. This Dyella-like bacterium (DLB) was detected by FISH analysis in H. obsoletus guts but not ovaries, and its prevalence in H. obsoletus increased during the fall, suggesting that it was acquired by the host through feeding. We found that DLB inhibits Spiroplasma melliferum, a cultivable relative of phytoplasma, suggesting that it is a potential candidate for biological control against phytoplasma in grapevines.