Distinct expression patterns of polycomb oncoproteins and their binding partners during the germinal center reaction

Polycomb group (PcG) genes encode two chromatin-binding protein complexes, the PRC1 and the PRC2 PcG complexes, which are essential for the maintenance of cell identity and play a role in oncogenesis. PcG complexes were recently identified as novel regulators of hematopoiesis, and appear to be expressed in a non-overlapping pattern in resting and mature follicular B cells. Using highly specific antisera in combination with immunohistochemistry and triple immunofluorescence, we investigated the expression pattern of nine human PcG genes in germinal center (GC) B cells and highly purified germinal center B cell subpopulations. PcG proteins were detected in characteristic binding patterns that were not necessarily related to mutually exclusive expression of the two PcG complexes. We conclude that the two PcG complexes are expressed throughout GC development, and that the fine composition of each complex is determined by the differentiation status of the cell. In addition, a subset of dividing cells with a centrocyte CD marker profile was identified that co-expresses core components of the PRC1 and PRC2 complex. We propose that these cells reflect a transitional stage between resting and dividing follicular B lymphocytes, and that they possibly represent the healthy precursors of nodal large B cell lymphomas.     

Mast cell–derived IL-13 downregulates IL-12 production by skin dendritic cells to inhibit the TH1 cell response to cutaneous antigen exposure

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肠系膜淋巴管结扎对MODS大鼠体液免疫功能的影响

目的观察结扎肠系膜淋巴管对二次打击致大鼠多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)体液免疫功能的影响,探讨淋巴途径在MODS发病学中的意义。方法雄性Wistar大鼠均分为结扎组、未结扎组、假手术组三组。前两组以失血-LPS二次打击方法,复制大鼠MODS模型。所有动物实验前后的血清均以免疫比浊法检测IgG、IgA、IgM、C3、C4含量,同时以放射免疫法检测血清TNFα作为反映炎症的指标。结果成功复制了MODS大鼠模型。二次打击后,未结扎组大鼠血清IgG、IgA、IgM、C3、C4及TNFα均显著高于结扎组、假手术组及实验前(P<0.01～0.05),而结扎组与假手术组无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论失血-LPS二次打击可使大鼠免疫球蛋白及补体增多,反映炎症反应剧烈及抗炎反应增强,而肠系膜淋巴管结扎可缓解炎症与抗炎反应,提高存活率,对机体有较好的保护作用。     

Follicular hyperplasia presenting with a marginal zone pattern in a reactive lymph node lesion

Histologically, the marginal zone pattern of the lymph node is characterized by lymphoid follicles with three distinct layers. The inner layer is composed of follicular center zones, the middle layer of darkly stained mantle zones, and the outer layer of marginal zones. However, the marginal zone pattern is rarely seen in reactive lymph nodes except for mesenteric lymph nodes. We describe the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical and genotypic findings of six cases of reactive follicular hyperplasia exhibiting the marginal zone pattern. The patients comprised three males and three females (age range 24 to 63 years; medium 56 years). Follow-up data were obtained from five patients. None of them developed malignant lymphomas during the follow-up period of from 5 to 204 months (median 68 months). Histologically, the lesion was characterized by numerous lymphoid follicles and partial distortion of lymph node structure. Varying degrees of progressive transformation of the germinal center (PTGC) were noted in the four cases. The marginal zone pattern was observed in some or most of the lymphoid follicles including PTGC. The marginal zone B cells were small to medium-sized lymphocytes with round or slightly indented nuclei and a broad rim of pale cytoplasm. Some of them had a monocytoid appearance. They were CD20+, CD79a+, sIgM+/-, sIgD-, CD5-, CD10-, CD21-, CD23-, CD43-, CD45RO-, Bcl-6-, cyclin D1-, EMA- and p53-. A portion of them were Bcl-2 positive. Occasional large lymphoid cells with round or indented nuclei and moderate amounts of cytoplasm were observed in the marginal zone in four cases. These large lymphoid cells were usually CD20 positive, but Bcl-6 negative. A small number of them contained polytypic intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins. The polytypic nature of B lymphocytes was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. Recognition of unusual marginal zone hyperplasia in reactive lymph node lesions is important to avoid confusion with nodal involvement in various low-grade B cell lymphomas presenting a marginal zone distribution pattern.     

胰腺癌微淋巴管的分布及其临床意义

目的探讨胰腺癌组织周边和内部VEGF-C、VEGF-D蛋白表达与微淋巴管密度(microlymphtic vesseles density,MLVD)及淋巴结转移之间的相关关系,阐明癌周淋巴管增生的机制及意义。方法免疫组化检测30例胰腺癌组织周边和内部VEGF-C、VEGF-D、VEGFR-3(MLVD)蛋白的表达。结果肿瘤周边部位VEGF-C、VEGF-D蛋白阳性率分别为73.3%(22/30)、56.7%(17/30),显著高于肿瘤中心部位;在VEGF-C蛋白阳性组,MLVD显著高于阴性组(P<0.01),淋巴结转移发生率增高(P=0.0318);VEGF-D蛋白阳性组MLVD高于阴性组(P<0.01),淋巴结转移发生率增加(P=0.0179)。结论胰腺癌癌周VEGF-C、VEGF-D蛋白表达、MLVD显著高于肿瘤中心部位;癌周VEGF-C、VEGF-D蛋白表达、MLVD与淋巴结转移发生率呈正相关;提示VEGF-C和VEGF-D诱导胰腺癌癌周淋巴管生成,促进肿瘤细胞淋巴道转移。     

FAS and FAS-L expression by tumor cells and lymphocytes in breast carcinomas and their lymph node metastases

FAS receptor (FAS, CD95) and FAS ligand (FAS-L, CD95-L) are complementary members of a particular apoptotic pathway that plays a major role in immune regulation. The activation of FAS-L may trigger cytotoxic mechanisms leading to the death of FAS-expressing cells. Tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) may express FAS and FAS-L in various proportions, and their interplay may affect tumor behavior. In the present study, we explored the expression of FAS and FAS-L in 28 mammary carcinomas (19 ductal and 9 lobular) and in their lymph node metastases. The expression of these mediators in immunostained sections was graded and evaluated comparatively between normal and neoplastic mammary epithelium, between tumor cells and TILs, and between mammary carcinoma cells and their lymph node metastases. We demonstrated the coexpression of FAS and FAS-L by breast carcinoma cells and TIL, with FAS expressed more strongly by normal epithelial cells and TIL than tumor cells. FAS-L was better stained on tumor cells than on TIL. There was equal or greater expression of FAS and FAS-L in the primary tumors and their TIL than in the metastatic counterparts. Comparing the expression of FAS with that of FAS-L, we recorded FAS equal or stronger than FAS-L in the primary mammary tumors and the reversal of their expression, FAS-L greater than FAS in the lymph node metastases. These results are consistent with reports of studies with other tumors, suggesting that the upregulated FAS-L indicates an increased ability of tumor cells to induce apoptosis in TIL and in the normal tissues invaded. However, it is understood that the FAS/FAS-L system, although essential for apoptosis, is only a contributing factor to the complex process of tumor invasion and antitumor defense.     

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the colon mimicking stromal tumour

AIMS: Follicular dendritic cell tumours are very rare neoplasms that often occur in lymph nodes. We report here a case in the colon, a hitherto unreported site, in a 37-year-old female. The differentiation from gastrointestinal stromal tumour is emphasized. METHODS and RESULTS: The tumour was tan, elastic and solid with surface ulceration. Microscopically, it was composed of oval to spindle tumour cells with syncytial cytoplasm arranged in fascicular and whorled patterns. There were many infiltrating lymphocytes. The histological appearance resembled gastrointestinal stromal tumour, thymoma or meningioma. Distinct from the stromal tumour, the lymph node was also involved by the tumour. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for CD21, CD35 and CD68, but negative for cytokeratin, CD34, smooth muscle actin, desmin, S100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen, leukocyte common antigen, HMB-45 and c-kit. In-situ hybridization study was negative for Epstein-Barr virus RNA sequences. Ultrastructurally, the tumour cells possessed cytoplasmic processes joined by desmosomes. CONCLUSIONS: This entity should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses for gastrointestinal stromal tumour. The lymph node metastasis and immunohistochemical features are of value for identification of this rare neoplasm.     

Hyaluronan turnover in the rat small intestine

The main metabolic pathway for the interstitial matrix component hyaluronan seems to be via lymph. Present estimates of turnover of intestinal hyaluronan are based on isolated organs and/or experiments in anaesthesia over a few hours. In this study lymph was sampled from the main mesenteric lymphatic for 24 h in awake, restrained rats. The tissue content of hyaluronan averaged 28 /μ g^-1 in the duodenum/jejunum and 124 μ g^-1 in the colon. Based on tissue content and lymphatic output, the turnover rate of hyaluronan in the small intestine was estimated at approximately 50%. In another experimental group anaesthetized rats were fed either phosphate buffer or triolein in buffer via a gastric tube. Lymph flow increased with fluid absorption from the gut and hyaluronan output in lymph was elevated correspondingly. However, no effect of acute fat administration on hyaluronan concentration or lymph flow could be demonstrated.     

趋化因子受体CXCR4在胃癌颈部转移淋巴结中表达的研究

目的 研究趋化因子受体CXCR4在胃癌转移性淋巴结中表达的情况.方法 应用免疫组化韵方法研究胃癌患者颈部转移性淋巴结、非转移性淋巴结及健康人颈部正常淋巴结CXCR4的表达情况.结果 实验组1(胃癌颈淋巴结转移)CXCR4的阳性率为98.1%,与实验组2(胃癌颈部非转移淋巴结)对照组比较差异具有统计学意义.结论 CXCR4在胃癌的转移过程中有重要的作用.     

淋巴结血管内T细胞淋巴瘤1例报道及文献复习

目的　探讨血管内淋巴瘤 (IVL)的临床病理特征。方法　对 1例腹股沟淋巴结IVL临床、病理组织学及免疫表型进行观察分析并复习文献。结果　男性 31岁 ,不明原因高热伴消瘦 5 0天 ,右腹股沟直径 1cm淋巴结 1枚 ,B超示肝脏轻度增大 ,血LDH明显升高伴ESR及转氨酶轻度升高 ,外周血WBC 3 3× 10 7/L ,骨髓像、多种病原及各肿瘤相关抗原检测均无异常。病理活检 :腹股沟淋巴结大部分破坏 ,代之以大量扩张的中小血管 ,腔内充满大量异型淋巴样细胞 ,局部伴管壁、管周浸润并累及结外脂肪组织。瘤细胞免疫表型CD4 5、CD4 5RO、CD3阳性 ,CK、CD6 8、CD79α、CD2 0均阴性 ,血管壁及内皮细胞CD31、CD34阳性。行CHOP化疗后症状缓解 ,现仍在随访中。结论　IVL是一罕见的非霍奇金淋巴瘤 ,好发于中枢神经系统及皮肤 ,其他部位少见 ,绝大数为B细胞型 ,T型罕见 ,以浅表淋巴结活检确诊者尚无报道。临床表现有一定提示性 ,确诊靠组织病理学检查 ,部分病例对化疗敏感 ,但多数病例预后差