Heterogeneities of attachment,chemotaxis, and protease production among clones with different metastatic potentials from a human pancreatic cancer cell line

The present study extends our investigations into the metastatic heterogeneity among four clonal cell lines (S2-007:H, S2-013:M1, S2-020:M2, and S2-028:L) from a human pancreatic cancer cell line (SUIT-2), and extends our discussion the positive correlation between metastatic potential and the type I collagenase activity of the cells, focusing on their interaction with extracellular matrix. Ability to attach to the reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) was higher for clone H than clone L during an observation period of 30–60 min, whereas clones M1 and M2 were found to be intermediate in ability. In densitometric and radioactive studies, clone L exhibited the lowest collagenolytic activity against mouse and human type IV collagen, while clone H exhibited the highest activity in the densitometric study and clone M1 was the highest in the radioactive study. The production of urinary-type plasminogen activator was highest in clone L and lowest in clone H. On the other hand, tissue-type plasminogen activator was highest in clone M2 and low in both clones H and L. Clone M2 exhibited the highest chemotactic activity toward diluted Matrigel, whereas clone L had the lowest activity. On the whole, these clones showed heterogenous interactions with an extracellular matrix. It is suggested that the attachment activity to basement membrane and the type IV collagenolytic activity of the cells may be positively correlated with their metastatic potential, whereas the production of urinary-type plasminogen activator was negatively correlated, but confirmation of these findings awaits further study.     

Correlation between spontaneous metastatic potential and type I collagenolytic activity in a human pancreatic cancer cell line (SUIT-2) and sublines

A human pancreatic cancer cell line (SUIT-2) and four sublines cloned in vitro (S2-007, S2-013, S2-020 and S2-028) were inoculated into nude mice for assessment of metastatic potentials. After 16 weeks of subcutaneous injection, the parent SUIT-2 line metastasized to the lungs and lymph nodes in three of six mice. S2-007 cells presented the highest metastatic potential in pulmonary (5/6) and lymph node (2/6) metastases among the four sublines. No metastasis was found in S2-028. The incidence of spontaneous pulmonary metastasis was correlated with that of pulmonary colonization after intravenous (i.v.) injection of cell clusters (r = 0.87, P = 0.056). Pulmonary colonization potential using single cells, however, did not always reflect a spontaneous metastatic ability. Type I collagenolytic activity in serum-free conditioned media of these cells was correlated effectively with the incidence of spontaneous pulmonary metastasis (r = 0.92, P = 0.026) and pulmonary colonization after i.v. injection of cell clusters (r = 0.95, P = 0.013). Thus, type I collagenolytic activity may possibly be essential to spontaneous cancer metastasis.     

Bafilomycin A1 induces apoptosis in the human pancreatic cancer cell line Capan-1

Bafilomycin A₁, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar type H⁺-ATPase, can inhibit the growth of a variety of cultured cells in a dose-dependent manner, but its mechanism is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether bafilomycin A₁ inhibits the growth of Capan-1 human pancreatic cancer cells through apoptosis. The effect of bafilomycin A₁ on tumour growth in vitroand in vivowas examined using an MTT assay and an in vivotumour model. The presence or absence of apoptosis was determined by morphology and DNA analysis of tumour cells. The concentration of bafilomycin A₁ for 50 per cent inhibition of cell viability during 72 h by the MTT assay was 5 nm. In DNA analysis, a ladder of fragmented DNA was detected in Capan-1 cells treated with bafilomycin A₁ at concentrations greater than 10 nm for 24 h. Nude mice bearing a xenografted Capan-1 cell line tumour received 4 weeks of bafilomycin A₁ (1·0 mg/kg per day). This treatment significantly inhibited tumour growth compared with controls after 21 days (P<0·05). Histopathological examination of tumour cells in the treated group demonstrated signs of apoptosis with chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage. These observations suggest that bafilomycin A₁ inhibits the growth of Capan-1 human pancreatic cancer cells through apoptosis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A modular and flexible ESC-based mouse model of pancreatic cancer

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) have greatly expanded our knowledge of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and serve as a critical tool to identify and evaluate new treatment strategies. However, the cost and time required to generate conventional pancreatic cancer GEMMs limits their use for investigating novel genetic interactions in tumor development and maintenance. To address this problem, we developed flexible embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based GEMMs that facilitate the rapid generation of genetically defined multiallelic chimeric mice without further strain intercrossing. The ESCs harbor a latent Kras mutant (a nearly ubiquitous feature of pancreatic cancer), a homing cassette, and other genetic elements needed for rapid insertion and conditional expression of tetracycline-controlled transgenes, including fluorescence-coupled shRNAs capable of efficiently silencing gene function by RNAi. This system produces a disease that recapitulates the progression of pancreatic cancer in human patients and enables the study and visualization of the impact of gene perturbation at any stage of pancreas cancer progression. We describe the use of this approach to dissect temporal roles for the tumor suppressor Pten and the oncogene c-Myc in pancreatic cancer development and maintenance.     

Selection of more aggressive variants of the GI101A human breast cancer cell line: A model for analyzing the metastatic phenotype of breast cancer

In vivo models utilizing orthotopic injection of tumor cells into nude mice have proven valuable for the study of metastasis. However, breast cancers are among the more difficult of human tumors to grow in immunodeficient mice, with a relatively low tumor take. Fewer still develop spontaneous metastases. The injection of GI101A breast cancer cells into the mammary fatpad (mfp) produced lung metastases in 25% of tumor-bearing mice. Selecting cells from the lung metastases and recycling in vivo resulted in the isolation of a series of variant cell lines. These cell lines were tested for tumorigenicity and metastasis in nude mice following mfp injection compared with the original cell line, and in vitro expression of factors associated with the metastatic phenotype measured. The in vivo selected cell lines were more aggressive, with higher tumor take, faster local growth rate and increased incidence (≥85%) and extent of lung metastasis. However, the metastasis-selected variants showed no increases in expression of the growth factor receptors EGFR or HER-2, and the pro-angiogenic factors VEGF-A and IL-8. Immunohistochemistry of mfp tumors revealed no differences in microvessel density (counting CD-31 positive structures) and cell proliferation (PCNA-positive cells) comparing the GI101A line with selected variants. No TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the tumors of the metastasis-derived variant, with a small number of cells undergoing apoptosis detected in sections of GI101A tumors. In vitro, the metastasis-derived variants were found to have a more robust expression of phosphorylated PKB/Akt, with or without EGF or serum stimulation, suggesting an association between Akt activation and metastatic ability. This new series of isogenic cell lines may be valuable for identifying molecular mechanisms involved in the metastatic progression of breast cancer. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High collagenolytic activity in spontaneously highly metastatic variants derived from a human pancreatic cancer cell line (SUIT-2) in nude mice

Cell lines with high metastatic capacity to the lung were established by sequential passage of a human pancreatic cancer cell line (SUIT-2) through the lung of a nude mouse, via the lateral tail vein and from a subcutaneous inoculum. Cells of the parental SUIT-2 and sublines S2-VPx (x-cycle selection from SUIT-2 cells, by Vein-Pulmonary metastasis-culture) and S2-CPx (x-cycle selection, by Cutis-Pulmonary metastasis-culture) were injected intravenously or subcutaneously into nude mice to produce experimental or spontaneous lung metastasis. The S2-VP10 cell line produced pulmonary metastases in 100% of the nude mice, when injected intravenously. It failed, however, to produce more lung colonies than its parent cell line, when injected subcutaneously. The S2-CP8 cell line produced extensive pulmonary metastases in 100% of the nude mice, when injected either intravenously or subcutaneously. This study indicates that the nude mouse provided a good model for in vivo selection of metastatic cells from SUIT-2 cells both experimentally and spontaneously, and that the SUIT-2, S2-VPx, and S2-CPx cell lines will be valuable in the study of human cancer metastasis. We previously reported high levels of ezrin expression in the S2-VP10 and S2-CP8 cell lines. Here we show that these cell lines exhibit a greater capacity to invade or attach to various extracellular matrix components than the parent SUIT-2 cells. The S2-CP8 cell lines also exhibit greater level of type-I and type-IV collagen-degrading activity than the parent SUIT-2 cell line and the S2-VP10 cell line, which shows similar collagen-degrading activity to the parent SUIT-2 cells. In RT-PCR studies, SUIT-2, S2-CP8 and S2-VP10 cell lines constitutively expressed many matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP7, MMP-9, MMP-10 and MMP-14). These results suggest that some parameters that enhance adhesion and invasion are important to both experimental and spontaneous metastasis and the collagen degrading enzymes are predicted to play a key-role during spontaneous metastasis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

LCC15-MB: a vimentin-positive human breast cancer cell line from a femoral bone metastasis

The LCC15-MB cell line was established from a femoral bone metastasis that arose in a 29-year-old woman initially diagnosed with an infiltrating ductal mammary adenocarcinoma. The tumor had a relatively high (8%) S-phase fraction and 1/23 positive lymph nodes (LN). Both the primary tumor and LN metastasis were positive for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR), but lacked erbB₂ expression. Approximately one year later, the patient presented with a 0.8 cm comedo-type intraductal mammary adenocarcinoma in the left breast that was negative for ER and PgR, but positive for erbB₂. Thirty-five months after the initial diagnosis she was treated for acute skeletal metastasis, and stabilized with a hip replacement. At this time, tumor cells were removed from surplus involved bone, inoculated into cell culture, and developed into the LCC15-MB cell line. The bone metastasis was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma lacking ER, PgR, and erbB₂, characteristics shared by the LCC15-MB cells, although ER can be re-expressed by treatment of the LCC15-MB cells for 5 days with 75 M 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine. The LCC15-MB cell line is tumorigenic when implanted subcutaneously in NCr nu/nu mice and produces long-bone metastases after intracardiac injection. Although the bone metastasis from which the LCC15-MB cell line was derived lacked vimentin (VIM) expression, the original primary tumor and lymph node metastasis were strongly VIM positive, as are LCC15-MB cells in vitro and in nude mice. The karyotype and isozyme profiles of LCC15-MB cells are consistent with its origin from a human female, with most chromosome counts in the hypertriploid range. Thirty-two marker chromosomes are present. These cells provide an in vitro/in vivo model in which to study the inter-relationships between ER, VIM, and bone metastasis in human breast cancer.     

The effect of peritoneal rest in combination therapy of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis: using the cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cell model

The effects of peritoneal rest for 24 h during peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis combination therapy were investigated using cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) models. Cell activity was investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT) assay after exposing HPMCs to peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) with different pH levels. The following PDFs (50 µl/well) were used for exposure durations of 30 or 240 min: acidic heat-sterilized PDFs (L-H PDF, pH 5.5) and neutral heat-sterilized PDFs (N-H PDF, pH 6.7). Control wells were exposed to M-199 Hanks medium containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 30 or 240 min. Supernatants were then aspirated from each well and M-199 culture medium containing 20% FBS (50 µl) was added to each well to rest HPMCs for 24 h before investigation of MTT activity. The activity of HPMCs exposed to L-H PDF for 240 min decreased to ∼20% and 15% when compared with controls (glucose concentrations of 1.36% and 3.86%, respectively; P < 0.01 versus control, Tukey–Kramer test), and to ∼60% and 40% after exposure to N-H PDF for 240 min (glucose: 1.36% and 3.86%; P < 0.01). The activity of HPMCs exposed to L-H PDF for 240 min followed by rest was ∼20% and 4% when compared with controls (glucose: 1.36% and 3.86%; P < 0.01) and was 93% and 96% when compared with controls after exposure to N-H PDF for 240 min followed by rest (glucose: 1.36% and 3.86%). These findings suggest that rest for 24 h after exposure to N-H PDF improves the activity of HPMCs.     

Characterization of a newly established human acinic cell adenocarcinoma cell line (HACC) originating from the salivary gland: Morphological features and role of various growth factors on the growth of the HACC cell line

Human acinic cell adenocarcinoma cell (HACC) line was established from the pleural effusion that contains meta-static tumor cells of acinic cell adenocarcinoma of papillary and microcystic type originating from the parotid gland. The HACC cells grew in an adherent monolayer with a doubling time of 66 h. Implanted tumor of SCID mice revealed similar histologlcal findings to that of the primary tumor. The HACC cells produced mucin and expressed epithelial markers as well as α₁-antitrypsin and lysozyme, whereas salivary peptide P-C was expressed in cultured HACC cells but not In the primary and Implanted HACC cell tumors. S-100 protein was also expressed in both the primary tumor and HACC cell line. Neither amplification of common oncogenes nor expression of p53 was observed. The receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) was expressed, indicating EGF and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) enhanced the growth of the HACC line. Unexpectedly, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) also enhanced the growth of the HACC line significantly. However, there was no evidence of autocrine growth using these growth factors. In contrast, TGF-β1 inhibited the growth of the HACC cell line through apoptosis. The HACC cell line has features similar to both acinar and intercalated ductal cells of the salivary gland. Epidermal growth factor, TGF-α and TNF-α are potential growth factors for the HACC cell line. The HACC cell line may be a good model for studying the biological behavior of salivary gland neoplasms.     

Establishment and characterization of a human colonic mucinous carcinoma cell line with predominant goblet-cell differentiation from liver metastasis

Many human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines have been developed. However, differentiated type colorectal cancer cell lines, particularly, the goblet-cell differentiated type, are scarce. In the present study a novel colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (designated as COLM-6) with predominant goblet-cell differentiation was established from the rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma of a Japanese woman. COLM-6 cells grow in a typical epithelial monolayer in culture. They expressed epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and HER2 on their surface and accordingly, their growth was significantly stimulated by EGF, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and heregulin. COLM-6 cells form tumor with typical mucinous adenocarcinomatous appearance in nude mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of these subcutaneous tumors demonstrated that COLM-6 cells strongly express MUC2 as a goblet-cell marker and Cdx2 in the nucleus. Some weakly express villin and carbonic anhydrase 1 as a columnar absorptive-cell marker as well. They were also positive for adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) cytoplasmically and expressed beta-catenin in their cytoplasm and cell membrane without nuclear accumulation. These results indicate that COLM-6 cell line has unique characteristics and may provide a useful tool to study the mechanism of growth and differentiation of colonic epithelium as well as the biological behavior of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma.     

吲哚-3-甲醇对人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探讨吲哚-3-甲醇（13C）对人肝癌细胞株SMMC．7721的增殖和凋亡的影响。方法不同浓度的13C（100、150、200、250、300、350Ixmol／L）处理细胞48h后,显微镜下观察细胞生长状况;采用WST-1法检测细胞增殖情况,Hoehest33258染色、TUNEL染色检测细胞凋亡情况,Westernblot法检测凋亡相关蛋白。结果13C能够抑制SMMC．7721细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,处理浓度在250μmol／L以下时,细胞生长变慢;处理浓度达到300μmol／L时,大量细胞凋亡。13C浓度高于200μmol／L时CytC、Cleavedcaspase．9和Cleavedcaspase．3蛋白表达明显增加,且随着13C浓度的增加三种蛋白的表达也明显增加。结论13C在体外实验条件下可抑制人肝癌细胞株SMMC．7721增殖并诱导其发生凋亡。     

雷公藤甲素对非小细胞肺癌细胞系A549增殖的抑制和凋亡的诱导

目的探讨雷公藤甲素(TP)通过调控趋化因子受体4(CXCR4)基因表达对人非小细胞肺癌(A549)细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法实验分为4组:对照组、TP组(100 nm/L TP处理细胞)、CXCR4+TP组(转染质粒及TP处理细胞)和NC+TP组(转染空载质粒及TP处理细胞)。RT-qPCR和Western blot检测CXCR4表达以及转染效果;MTT法检测细胞增殖;AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI双染色法检测细胞凋亡;Western blot检测增殖及凋亡相关蛋白表达。结果雷公藤甲素能够抑制A549细胞中CXCR4 mRNA和蛋白的表达(P<0. 05)。雷公藤甲素可抑制A549细胞增殖,诱导其凋亡(P<0. 05)。转染pc DNA-CXCR4能够上调CXCR4 mRNA和蛋白的表达(P<0. 05)。上调CXCR4的表达能够部分逆转雷公藤甲素对A549细胞增殖抑制和凋亡诱导的作用(P<0. 05)。结论雷公藤甲素可能通过下调CXCR4的表达抑制A549细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡。     

Establishment and characterization of a new human mesothelioma cell line (T-85) from malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with remarkable thrombocytosis

A mesothelioma cell line, termed T-85, was established from a patient with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and remarkable thrombocytosis (1.4 × 10⁶/mm³). Electron microscopically, two types of mesothelioma cells have been characterized; the major type of cells with dense-cored granules in the cytoplasm and the minor one with evenly dense granules. Immunologically, the cells showed staining for inter-leukin-6 (IL-6), cytokeratin, collagen type IV, vimentin, laminin, fibronectin and Factor VIII-related antigen. Quanti-tation by ELISA revealed a high concentration of IL-6 in T-85 cell culture supernatants. RT-polymerase chain reaction of T-85 cells showed two positive bands of cDNA at 628 and 251 base pairs indicating the constitutive expression of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor mRNA. Moreover, prominent pro-platelet process formation activity in T-85 cell culture supernatants indicated the presence of a thrombopoietic activity due mainly to IL-6 but not the c-MpI ligand or erythropoietin. However, the fact that 15% of PPF activity remained in the supernatants treated with anti-IL-6 antibody indicated the presence of another thrombopoietic substance. T-85 is so far the first mesothelioma cell line derived from a case with remarkable thrombocytosis.     

沙棘黄酮类化合物对人乳腺癌细胞生长抑制和凋亡诱导的研究

为研究沙棘籽渣黄酮类化合物(FHR)对人乳腺癌细胞Bcap-37的生长抑制和凋亡的诱导作用,探讨其抗癌作用的机制,本项研究应用CCK-8法检测FHR对Bcap-37的生长抑制效应,流式细胞术(FCM)分析细胞周期及凋亡率,透射电镜观察细胞凋亡的超微结构表征,半定量RT-PCR方法和Westernblot方法检测与细胞周期及凋亡调控相关基因的转录和表达的变化。结果表明,FHR可明显抑制Bcap-37的增殖,并呈剂量依赖性;FCM分析发现在FHR1000μg/ml作用24h后能阻断Bcap-37细胞于G2/M期,并伴有少量的亚G1峰出现;TEM观察Bcap-37细胞经FHR作用后具有典型的凋亡形态学特征;半定量RT-PCR结果显示,经1000μg/mlFHR作用24h后,PCNA、Bcl-2转录水平分别下调为对照组的0.26倍和0.66倍,IGFBP4转录水平上调为对照组的1.13倍。Westernblot结果显示p53蛋白表达显著上调,Bcl-2蛋白表达显著下调。本项研究结果提示FHR可能是通过下调PCNA的转录使细胞的增殖被阻断在G2/M期,并通过p53蛋白上调和Bcl-2蛋白的下调诱导Bcap-37细胞凋亡。     

蝙蝠葛碱抑制人胰腺癌SW1900细胞系增殖及诱导其凋亡

目的 探讨蝙蝠葛碱对人胰腺癌SW1900细胞增殖与凋亡的影响及其机制。方法 用不同浓度蝙蝠葛碱处理细胞系SW1900,采用MTT法检测细胞增殖,采用流式细胞术Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法测定细胞凋亡率。Real-time PCR和免疫印迹法分析蝙蝠葛碱处理SW1900细胞中凋亡蛋白及磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI3K/Akt）的表达水平。结果 MTT实验显示,蝙蝠葛碱呈剂量依赖性地抑制SW1900细胞活力,F=783.7,P<0.001。流式细胞术结果显示,经0、6、12 mg/L蝙蝠葛碱处理的各组细胞凋亡率分别为（4.34±1.30）%、（14.94±1.94）%和（22.68±3.61）%,3组间均值差异有统计学意义,F=58.52,P<0.001,蝙蝠葛碱呈剂量依赖性促进细胞凋亡。Real-time PCR实验结果显示,蝙蝠葛碱可剂量依赖性下调PI3K、Akt、Bcl-2的基因表达（PI3K mRNA,F=101,P=0.01;Akt mRNA,F=1666,P<0.01;Bcl-2 mRNA,F=753,P<0.001）。免疫印迹法结果显示,蝙蝠葛碱呈剂量依赖性地下调PI3K、Akt和Bcl-2的蛋白表达。结论 蝙蝠葛碱对人胰腺癌SW1900细胞具有抑制其增殖和诱导其凋亡等作用,可能通过PI3K/Akt通路下调Bcl-2的表达诱导SW1900细胞凋亡。     

Establishment and characterization of three novel human gastric cancer cell lines with differentiated intestinal phenotype derived from liver metastasis

Gastric cancers with liver metastasis are fatal diseases with rapid progression and poor patient outcome. To date, however, the molecular basis of their growth and metastasis remains essentially unknown, largely because of the presence of few available gastric cancer cell lines established from liver metastasis. In the present study, we developed two novel cultured cell lines (designated GLM-1 and GLM-2) and one transplantable line in nude mice (designated GLM-3) derived from liver metastasis of gastric cancer patients. These GLM cell lines share unique biological features such as differentiation, growth and metastasis. They form moderately differentiated tumors with CD10 positive and MUC2 negative intestinal absorptive phenotype when injected into nude mice. Their growth is stimulated by EGF and TGF-α in vitro like other gastric cancer cell lines. However, GLM cells differ from conventional gastric cancer cell lines in their high apoptotic rate, even in the absence of apoptosis inducing stimuli as revealed by Caspase3/7 assay and the TUNEL method. This apoptosis is further enhanced by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002), but not by MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126), indicating the strong dependency of their survival on PI3K/Akt pathway rather than MAPK pathway, the major downstream signaling pathways of EGFR. GLM-1 cells can metastasize to the liver after intrasplenic injection, and GLM-3 cells have spontaneous lung metastatic potential after subcutaneous transplantation, respectively. These results indicate that the GLM series are the first cell lines reflecting the intestinal-type differentiated adenocarcinoma, a major subtype of gastric cancer with liver metastasis. Therefore, they would be excellent models for understanding the mechanism of metastatic growth and the development of a new molecular targeting therapy for gastric cancer with liver metastasis.     

A possible interplay between HR-HPV and stemness in tumor development: an in vivo investigation of CD133 as a putative marker of cancer stem cell in HPV18-infected KB cell line

High-risk HPVs (HR-HPVs) are DNA viruses considered as primary etiologic factors in malignancies of the low female genital tract. Their presence has also been documented in oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. However, HPV infection is considered a necessary but not sufficient cause of tumoral development; meantime, increasing evidences on the tumorigenic role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been documented in the literature. CSCs represent a small subpopulation of neoplastic cells with self-renewal potential, capable of maintaining tumor growth and cell differentiation, also involved in metastatic process, recurrence, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, performed on KB cell lines, we evaluated the tumor forming potential of CSCs, and their relationship with the HPV infection status. We started our study by identifying the most aggressive cell line on the minimal number of cells being able of growth in vivo in a model of athymic nude mice (BALB/c nu/nu). We used an oral-derived KB cell line separated in the KB-CD133+ and KB-CD133- populations, by using immunomagnetic beads and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The separated populations were injected in athymic nude mice (BALB/c nu/nu). Xenograft tumors have been analyzed for tumor size, CD133 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and for DNA HR-HPV integration by in situ hybridization (ISH), comparing CD133-enriched xenograft tumors versus the CD133 non-enriched ones. On standard conditions, the KB cell line has a poor population of glycosylated CD133 marker (<5.0%) when investigated with antibodies versus CD133, and more specifically its glycosylated epitope (AC133). Enriched CD133 KB cells possess a higher capacity of tumor growth in xenograft models of nude mice when compared to KB CD133-negative cells. We observed that the AC133 epitope, extensively used to purifying hematopoietic stem cells, is able to select an epithelial subpopulation of cancer stem cells with aggressive behavior. We retain that CD133 may be a useful target in anticancer strategies including pharmacological and immunological therapies.     

Production and release of infectious hepatitis C virus from human liver cell cultures in the three-dimensional radial-flow bioreactor

Lack of efficient culture systems for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been a major obstacle in HCV research. Human liver cells grown in a three-dimensional radial-flow bioreactor were successfully infected following inoculation with plasma from an HCV carrier. Subsequent detection of increased HCV RNA suggested viral replication. Furthermore, transfection of HCV RNA transcribed from full-length cDNA also resulted in the production and release of HCV virions into supernatant. Infectivity was shown by successful secondary passage to a new culture. Introduction of mutations in RNA helicase and polymerase regions of HCV cDNA abolished virus replication, indicating that reverse genetics of this system is possible. The ability to replicate and detect the extracellular release of HCV might provide clues with regard to the persistent nature of HCV infection. It will also accelerate research into the pathogenicity of HCV, as well as the development of prophylactic agents and new therapy.     

Comprehensive genetic and functional characterization of IPH‐926: a novel CDH1‐null tumour cell line from human lobular breast cancer

Infiltrating lobular breast cancer (ILBC) is a clinically and biologically distinct tumour entity defined by a characteristic linear cord invasion pattern and inactivation of the CDH1 tumour suppressor gene encoding for E‐cadherin. ILBCs also lack β‐catenin expression and show aberrant cytoplasmic localization of the E‐cadherin binding protein p120‐catenin. The lack of a well‐characterized ILBC cell line has hampered the functional characterization of ILBC cells in vitro. We report the establishment of a permanent ILBC cell line, named IPH‐926, which was derived from a patient with metastatic ILBC. The DNA fingerprint of IPH‐926 verified genetic identity with the patient and had no match among the human cell line collections of several international biological resource banks. IPH‐926 expressed various epithelial cell markers but lacked expression of E‐cadherin due to a previously unreported, homozygous CDH1 241ins4 frameshift mutation. Detection of the same CDH1 241ins4 mutation in archival tumour tissue of the corresponding primary ILBC proved the clonal origin of IPH‐926 from this particular tumour. IPH‐926 also lacked β‐catenin expression and showed aberrant cytoplasmic localization of p120‐catenin. Array‐CGH analysis of IPH‐926 revealed a profile of genomic imbalances that included many distinct alterations previously observed in primary ILBCs. Spectral karyotyping of IPH‐926 showed a hyperdiploid chromosome complement and numerous clonal, structural aberrations. IPH‐926 cells were anti‐cancer drug‐resistant, clonogenic in soft agar, and tumourigenic in SCID mice. In xenograft tumours, IPH‐926 cells recapitulated the linear cord invasion pattern that defines ILBCs. In summary, IPH‐926 significantly extends the biological spectrum of the established breast cancer cell lines and will facilitate functional analyses of genuine human ILBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new animal model for primary and persistent Epstein-Barr virus infection: human EBV-infected rabbit characteristics determined using sequential imaging and pathological analysis

Most adults have persistent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infection. Adolescents and young adults with primary EBV-infection frequently develop infectious mononucleosis. Latent EBV-infection is associated with various diseases, neoplasms, and hematological disorders. In vivo animal models of human EBV infection, such as non-human primates, have had limited success. A new rabbit model for primary human EBV-infection is described in this study. Seven male rabbits inoculated intravenously with EBV were sequentially imaged by ultrasonography and computed tomography, and examined for anti-EBV-VCA titer and EBV-DNA levels in blood. Six rabbits demonstrated transient splenomegaly, increased anti-EBV-VCA titers and/or EBV-DNA in blood. Transient infiltration of some EBER1-positive lymphocytes was observed in biopsied liver tissues. After splenomegaly, two rabbits tested continuously negative, two alternatively positive and negative, and one consistently positive EBV detection in blood for 470 days. One tested negative for both EBV DNA and splenomegaly. On the 14th day, mild to moderate numbers of EBER1-positive lymphocytes expressing LMP1, EBNA2, or ZEBRA infiltrated mainly in enlarged white pulps of two splenectomized materials. These cells included both B and T cells. EBV clonality analysis revealed an oligoclonal pattern. These indicate that EBV-inoculated rabbits exhibiting heterogenous host reactions are a good model for primary and persistent human EBV infection.