Steroid receptors and proliferative activity in non-neoplastic and neoplastic endometria

Summary In the glands of cyclic endometria, proliferative activity (PA), as revealed by expression of the Ki-67 antigen, is highest in the proliferative phase (P) and early secretory phase (S1). The PA decreases in the middle secretory phase (S2). In the stroma the PA is low during the whole cycle. In P and S1, the oestrogen receptor (ER) and the progesterone receptor (PR) are strongly expressed in glands and stroma. The number of positive cells and the staining intensity decreases in S2, particularly in the glands. In atrophic endometria, fibro-glandular polyps and in endometria with arrested secretion the PA is low in both glands and stroma. ER and PR can be detected in glands and stroma. The PA in atypical hyperplasias is only slightly higher than in cyclic endometria and endometria with simple hyperplasia. The ER and PR levels are comaparable to those in proliferative endometria. The PA of endometrial adenocarcinomas is positively and the ER and PR negatively correlated with the degree of de-differentiation. No ER-negative carcinoma displays the PR. Immunohistologically, nonneoplastic receptor positive tissue can be seen in many ER- and PR-negative carcinomas. These structures may falsify the biochemical receptor analysis. Prof. Dr. Curt Froboese dedicated to his⁹⁹th birthday     

Endometriosis: Immunohistochemical analysis of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in endometriotic tissue and endometrium

The objective of the study was to compare the localization andstaining intensity of oestrogen and progesterone receptors inendometrium and endometriotic tissue. Using monoclonal antibodiestowards oestrogen and progesterone receptors, analysis was performedin 63 endometriotic samples from 40 women and compared to endometriumobtained simultaneously from 25 of the women. Using a stainingindex, ‘total immuno-staining score’, calculatedfrom the staining intensity multiplied by the fraction of positivecells, the receptor content was estimated semiquantitatively.The scores for both oestrogen and progesterone receptors werelower in endometriotic epithelial cells than in endometrialepithelial cells, but the differences reached statistical significanceonly for the progesterone receptor. No difference was foundfor stromal cells. There was a significant correlation betweenoestrogen receptor score in endometriotic tissue and in endometrium,but not for progesterone receptor score. In endometrium andvaginal and peritoneal endometriosis, the progesterone receptorscore showed similar values, higher than those in ovarian endometriosis.The data from this large immuno-histochemical study supportprevious results of quantitative steroid receptor analyses,indicating that the regulation of steroid effects, especiallythose of progesterone, differs between endometriotic and endometrialtissue.     

乳腺癌细胞凋亡、增殖与相关基因表达、突变的关系

目的:研究乳腺癌细胞凋亡、细胞增殖及相关基因表达、突变的关系,为乳腺癌细胞凋亡、细胞增殖失衡的基因调控机制提供依据。方法:分别应用TUNEL法、免疫组化S-P法和PCR-SSCP法检测54例乳腺癌标本凋亡指数(AI)和增殖指数(MI),Bcl-2、p53、c-erbB-2、PCNA、Ki67、TopoⅡ蛋白表达和p53基因突变。结果:54例乳腺癌AI平均9.40±3.78,MI平均5.96±2.36,AI与MI呈显著正相关(r=0.46,P＜0.01)。Bcl-2、PCNA、Ki67、TopoⅡ表达与AI、MI均呈显著正相关(P＜0.01)。p53表达、c-erbB-2表达、p53突变与MI呈显著正相关(P＜0.01)。p53基因突变类型与AI呈显著相关(P＜0.05)。结论:乳腺癌细胞凋亡、增殖失衡与相关基因异常表达、突变有关。     

Immunohistochemical expression of PTEN in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium and its correlation with hormone receptors, bcl-2, bax, and apoptotic index

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in type I endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs), and is involved in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between PTEN expression and estrogen, progesterone receptors (PRs), other apoptosis-related proteins, such as bcl-2 and bax, and apoptotic index (AI) in EEC, its precursor lesion hyperplasia, and cyclical endometrium. We also evaluated the relationship between PTEN expression and clinicopathologic parameters. PTEN, estrogen receptor (ER), PR, and bcl-2 and bax expressions were evaluated immunohistochemically, and AI was evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained slides in 23 cyclical and 37 hyperplastic endometria and in 35 EECs. PTEN expression was higher in cyclical endometrium than in the carcinomas (p<0.05). The PTEN expression level was significantly higher in non-atypical hyperplasias than in EEC, but there were no differences between atypical complex hyperplasia (ACH) and EEC and between hyperplasias. In the carcinomas, there was a negative correlation between grade and PTEN expression (r=-0.338, p=0.047). In conclusion, we presume that PTEN is involved in the early phases of endometrial tumorigenesis, and it can be speculated that decreased PTEN expression with loss of differentiation in carcinoma can contribute to the emergence of tumors with a more aggressive phenotype.     

胸腺肿瘤组织中EB病毒、细胞增殖和凋亡的检测

目的 研究胸腺肿瘤在广州５所医院的发病情况,与ＥＢ病毒（ＥＢＶ）感染是否相关以及肿瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的等级,方法 以４３例胸腺肿瘤和７例胸腺增生组织主研究对象,采用原位分子杂交检测ＥＢ病毒编码的ＥＢＥＲｓ,免疫组化ＬＳＡＢ法检测ＥＢＮＡ－１,ＬＭＰ－１,ＰＣＮＡ,ｂｃｌ－２和ｐ５３原位细胞凋亡（ＴＵＮＥＬ）方法检测细胞凋亡,结果 （１）胸腺疾病在广州５所医院活检中仅占有０．０５７％,其中肿瘤占７４．     

Immunohistochemical characterization of proliferation, oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression in endometriosis: comparison of eutopic and ectopic endometrium with normal cycling endometrium

Recent studies examining oestrogen and progesterone receptorstatus and the proliferative activity of endo-metriotic lesionshave produced conflicting reports. This study aimed to clarifythe receptor status and proliferative activity of eutopic andectopic endometrium from women with endometriosis and endometriumfrom normal women. Progesterone and oestrogen receptor expressionand proliferative activity were studied in eutopic and ectopicendometrium from 30 women with endometriosis and in endometriumfrom 30 normal cycling women using microwave-pretreated paraffin-embeddedsections stained with an avidin-biotin peroxidase technique.Progesterone and oestrogen receptor expression in the controlendo-metrium did not differ from that of eutopic endometriumfrom women with endometriosis. Oestrogen receptor expressionin ectopic endometrium increased from the proliferative to thelate secretory phase. Epithelial progesterone receptor expressiondecreased during the cycle. Oestrogen receptor expression inboth epithelium and stroma of ectopic endometrium was significantlyhigher than in eutopic endometrium throughout the cycle. Incontrast, stromal progesterone receptor expression tended tobe reduced in ectopic endometrium compared with eutopic tissue.Epithelial progesterone receptor expression was increased inectopic endometrium but only in the late secretory phase. Althoughproliferative activity in the epithelium of control and eutopicendometrium was reduced from the proliferative to the late secretoryphase, stromal activity did not vary. The proliferative activityin ectopic endometrium remained low and constant throughoutthe cycle. In the proliferative and early secretory phases,the proliferative activity of eutopic endometrium was increasedcompared with ectopic endometrium, but in the late secretoryphase, levels were comparable. These findings challenge previousreports which have suggested that oestrogen receptors are reducedin ectopic tissue. This may have clinical implications for thedevelopment of novel treatments for endometriosis.     

Apoptosis, proliferation, and sex steroid receptors in postmenopausal endometrium before and during HRT

OBJECTIVES: Endometrial homeostasis, indicated as the balance between apoptosis and proliferation, was studied with regard to endometrial safety and bleeding disturbances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quantitatively sufficient endometrial biopsies of 92 postmenopausal women enrolled in the study were investigated. The participants were divided into two groups, each receiving a continuous combined HRT regimen with either conjugated estrogen (CE) 0.625 mg + 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (=CE/MPA) or 17-beta-estradiol (E2) 2 mg + 1 mg norethisterone acetate (NETA) (=E2/NETA). These were evaluated according to apoptotic index (Ai) and proliferation marker Ki-67 index. Estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression were also monitored, as well as endometrial thickness. Quantitative in situ techniques were used. RESULTS: Ai and Ki-67 index were unchanged in epithelial glands of endometrium from baseline to second biopsy obtained after 1 year of combined continuous HRT. In stromal tissue, Ki-67 index was increased, while Ai was on the same level. PR expression in both epithelium and stroma was unchanged. Endometrial thickness was unaffected during therapy, and the histopathological evaluation showed no development of hyperplasia or carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The unaffected homeostasis in endometrial epithelium contributes to endometrial safety and is in accordance with the histopathological findings of no hyperplasia. The homeostasis of stroma was transformed to be more proliferative. Increased stromal proliferation may be of importance for stromal support of the veins and for decreasing breakthrough bleeding during HRT. The increased stromal proliferation, as well as the decreased ER expression both in epithelium and stroma, could be an effect of progesterone.     

Ovarian steroids and the human breast: regulation of stem cells and cell proliferation

Ovarian steroidal control of mammary gland proliferation and differentiation is not well defined in the human. We therefore developed the athymic nude mouse model in which intact normal human breast tissue is xenografted subcutaneously and treated with human physiological serum levels of oestrogen (E) and/or progesterone (P). We showed that: (i) E, and not P, is the major steroid hormone inducing proliferation of epithelial cells in the adult non-pregnant, non-lactating breast; (ii) E induces progesterone receptor (PR) expression; and (iii) PR expression is maximally induced at low E concentrations while a higher amount of E was required to induce proliferation. Using double label immuno-fluorescence, we demonstrated that cells expressing the oestrogen receptor- (ER) invariably contained the PR but that steroid receptor expression and cell proliferation (Ki67 antigen) were dissociated. Recently, we have demonstrated that some ER/PR-positive epithelial cells are quiescent breast stem cells suggesting that they act as “steroid hormone sensors” that secrete paracrine factors to regulate the proliferative activity of adjacent ER/PR-negative epithelial cells. The dissociation between steroid receptor expression and cell proliferation in normal epithelium was lost at an early stage in ER/PR-positive breast tumour formation perhaps indicating that they arise from deregulation of the normally quiescent breast stem cells.     

The potential value of imprint cytology in cytochemical localization of steroid hormone receptors in ovarian cancer

Steroid hormone receptors were studied in 45 patients with primary, recurrent, or metastatic ovarian cancer in cryostat-frozen sections and imprint preparations. The ligands, 17 B-estradiol-6-carboxymethyloxine-bovine serum albumin fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-BSA estradiol) and hydroxyprogesteronehemisuccinate bovine serum albumin tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TMRITC-BSA progesterone) were used in the fluorescent cytochemical method. Results were compared with standard dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) biochemical assay. An overall significant correlation between biochemical values and cytochemical results was found. However, the imprint results were more sensitive and more specific than the frozen section results. A statistically significant difference (P less than 0.05) was observed between touch preparation material and frozen section specimens by the fluorescent method.     

Nigella sativa oil inhibits proliferation and stimulates apoptosis of human lymphocytes in vitro

The study aimed to examine the in vitro influence of Nigella sativa oil on human lymphocytes. Cells were stimulated with a monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody in the presence of serial oil ethanol dilutions. Then their proliferation and apoptosis rates were assessed using flow cytometry. Our results demonstrate that the lowest dilutions (1:1 and 1:10) of Nigella sativa oil inhibited lymphocytes’ proliferation. The number of cell divisions was 8, 1.25, 1.88 after stimulation with anti-CD3, or its combination with 1:1 and 1:10 oil dilution. The percentage of proliferating cells was 92.48%, 8.75%, 24.3% after stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody, or its combination with 1:1 and 1:10 oil dilution. The mean percentage of living cells was 81% after stimulation with anti-CD3, 13.6%, 19.9% in the presence of 1:1 and 1:10 oil dilution. The preliminary studies show that black seed oil has a potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect on human lymphocytes in vitro.     

Regeneration in chronic sialadenitis: an analysis of proliferation and apoptosis based on double immunohistochemical labelling

The understanding of regeneration in salivary glands as a finely tuned balance of cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis has been limited by the difficulty of identifying proliferating cells. This has been overcome in the present investigation by double immunohistochemical labelling for the proliferation-associated antigen Ki67 and for different cell-type-specific antigens applied to 8 specimens of normal parotids and 16 specimens of chronic parotid sialadenitis with particular reference to acini and intercalated ducts. In comparison with low baseline rates of proliferation in normal parotids, proliferative indices were significantly increased in chronic sialadenitis in mature acinar cells, intercalated ductal cells and myoepithelial cells without evidence of proliferation by an additional population of cells. In accordance with findings in glands of experimental animals, the present data do not support the previously postulated concept of regeneration of acini and intercalated ducts by a hypothetical population of uncommitted ductal stem cells. The demonstration of a profound capacity for intrinsic glandular regeneration from differentiated cells represents a biological basis for the good results obtained from conservative therapy of chronic sialadenitis and offers hope for novel therapies designed to reconstitute impaired salivary flow.     

Simultaneous detection of DNA fragmentation (apoptosis), cell proliferation (MIB-1), and phenotype markers in routinely processed tissue sections

 In situ DNA fragmentation assays have proved to be particularly useful in the detection of apoptosis in routinely processed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. In the present study, a triple-antigen labelling technique was performed to demonstrate DNA fragmentation (apoptosis), cell proliferation (MIB-1), and phenotypic markers in the same tissue section. The in situ apoptosis assay was conducted with the TUNEL method developed by a avidin-biotin alkaline phosphatase complex (ABcomplex/AP). The proliferation-associated MIB-1 antigen was demonstrated in the second staining sequence by the avidin-biotin peroxidase method (ABC). The phenotypic markers chromogranin A or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were visualized by the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase method (APAAP) in the third staining sequence. The feasibility of this triple-labelling technique was tested in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of prostatic adenocarcinomas from 8 patients with recurrent, hormone-refractory disease. Although these tumours revealed marked neuroendocrine differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected exclusively in non-endocrine (chromogranin A-negative) tumour cells that expressed PSA variably. The triple-labelling protocol described here allows the phenotypic characterization of proliferating and apoptotic cell populations in the same tissue section. It may be useful in studies of tissue kinetics in physiological and pathological processes. Received: 21 July 1998 / Accepted: 3 September 1998     

纳米雄黄对肺癌A549细胞增殖、凋亡及迁移的影响

BACKGROUND: Studies have found that realgar has anti-tumor effect, but its effect on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of A549 lung cancer cells is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of nano-realgar on A549 lung cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration. METHODS: Cultured A549 lung cancer cells were seeded onto 6-well culture plates containing 100 mg/L nano-realgar (experimental group) or normal saline (control group). Cell growth was observed under microscope for 48 hours. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using MTT assay (24, 48, 72 hours of culture) and flow cytometry (24 and 48 hours of culture), respectively. Integrin β1 and cadherin expression was detected using immunohistochemical method at 24 hours of culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Cell growth. In the experimental group, shrunk cells that were round or oval-shaped were scattered, and cell number was reduced. In the control group, adherent cells characterized by big size, abundant cytoplasm and fusiform shape grew vigorously. Moreover, some cells were fused into pieces. (2) Cell proliferation. The absorbance values of cells were significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group at different time (P < 0.05), while the cell growth inhibition ratio was higher in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05). (3) Cell apoptosis. The end-stage apoptotic rate and total apoptotic rate of cells were both higher in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05). (4) Immunohistochemical detection. The A549 cell surface integrin β1 and cadherin positive densities were significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, the nano-realgar can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and induce apoptosis in A549 cells.     

巨细胞病毒感染对人胚肺成纤维细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的探讨人巨细胞病毒（human cytomegalovirus,HCMV）感染对宿主细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。方法用HCMV AD169感染人胚肺成纤维细胞（human embryonic lung fibroblast cells,HEL）,倒置显微镜观察不同感染时间细胞病变,采用MTT法检测HCMV感染对HEL细胞增殖的抑制作用,同时采用流式细胞术检测HCMV感染细胞对照组细胞凋亡指数。结果在HCMV感染48h内,细胞增殖及凋亡指数与细胞对照组无明显差异。自HCMV感染72h后,细胞增殖明显受抑制,凋亡指数明显增高,细胞病变逐渐加重。结论在HCMV感染早期,对宿主细胞的增殖及凋亡影响不明显,在感染后期,HCMV通过抑制宿主细胞增殖,加重细胞病变,促进感染细胞的凋亡而发挥致病作用。     

FTO accelerates ovarian cancer cell growth by promoting proliferation,inhibiting apoptosis,and activating autophagy

ObjectiveFat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is identified as a critical demethylase involved in various physiological processes. Despite efforts have been made to study the biological functions of FTO in certain cancers, the role of FTO in ovarian cancer is largely unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the function of FTO on proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of ovarian cancer cells.MethodsQuantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect FTO expression in ovarian tumor tissues and ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR-3, SKOV-3, COC1, HO-8910 and A2780. SKOV-3 cells were constructed with FTO overexpression and A2780 cells were constructed with FTO knockdown. CCK-8 assay was used to examine cell viability and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Activity assay kits were applied to detect caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels. Western blot was performed to measure the expressions of FTO, PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2, LC3, ATG5, P62, p-AKT and AKT. Stable FTO-overexpression SKOV-3 cells or FTO-depletion A2780 cells were injected subcutaneously into male Balb/c-nu mice. Xenografted tumors were assayed by H&E staining. Immunohistochemistry was subjected to measure FTO and Ki67 expressions.ResultsFTO was up-regulated in ovarian tumor tissues compared with non-cancerous ovarian tissues. FTO overexpression markedly increased viability and autophagy function, but decreased apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. In addition, FTO overexpression promoted AKT phosphorylation. In contrast, FTO silence showed the opposite effect.ConclusionFTO accelerated ovarian cancer cell growth by promoting proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, and activating autophagy.     

Immunohistochemical localization of endothelin-1 in non-neoplastic and neoplastic adrenal gland tissue

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a 21-amino acid peptide with potent vasopressor and vasocontrictive properties. Biochemical studies suggest that this peptide occurs in adrenal glands, where it influences steroid hormone production. However, we have found no report of the topographical distribution of this peptide. The localization of ET-1 immunoreactivity in non-neoplastic (37 cases) and neoplastic adrenal glands (48 cases) was investigated with a sensitive immunohistochemical technique applied to routinely processed tissue specimens. ET-1 immunoreactivity was regularly seen in the cortex, especially in the zona fasciculata and to a varying extent also in the other two zones, but not in the medulla. The immunoreactive material appeared in the cytoplasm mostly in the form of vacuolar structures but also as grains. Focally, the cell membrane also showed immunoreactive staining. In the zona reticularis the immunoreactivity appeared mainly as cytoplasmic grains. Most cortical adenomas displayed numerous immunoreactive cells. The immunoreactivity in the tumour tissue appeared in the same forms as in normal cortex, but the reactive products were generally fewer in number. No obvious differences in immunostaining were seen between the aldosterone- and cortisol-producing adenomas or the non-functioning ones. Three of the ten carcinomas contained immunoreactive cells, but they were few, appearing focally and the ET-1 immunoreactive structures were seen as dust-like material. The difference in immunoreactivity between the benign and the malignant cortical neoplasms may be of diagnostic value. Functionally our results support a relationship between ET-1 and steroid regulation in non-neoplastic cortical tissue.     

不同浓度腐胺对人肝细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的探讨不同浓度腐胺对体外培养人正常肝细胞增殖、凋亡的影响。方法将体外培养的人正常肝细胞株LO2分为腐胺组与对照组,不同浓度腐胺组以含腐胺浓度分别为0.25、0.50、1.00、10.00、20.00、40.00、80.00、160.00、320.00、640.00μg/mL完全培养基培养细胞,对照组以不添加腐胺完全培养基培养细胞。对照组与不同浓度腐胺组处理的LO2细胞培养12 h后,再以四唑化合物电子耦联显色法（MTS）、流式细胞技术（FCM）分别测定细胞的增殖活性（用吸光度值表示）与凋亡率,并对两组数据进行相关性分析。结果 MTS结果显示,0.25、0.50、1.00、10.00、20.00μg/mL浓度腐胺组LO2细胞吸光度值均较对照组（0.474±0.022）升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,并且1.00μg/mL浓度时达到峰值（0.834±0.012）;80.00μg/mL及以上浓度腐胺组LO2细胞吸光度值较对照组降低,差异有统计学意义（P均〈0.01）;40.00μg/mL腐胺组LO2细胞吸光度值（0.477±0.009）与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。流式细胞技术结果显示,0.25、0.50、1.00、10.00、20.00μg/mL浓度腐胺组LO2细胞凋亡率均较对照组（15.23±1.82）%降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,并且1.00μg/mL腐胺组细胞凋亡率达到最低值（2.30±1.00）%;80.00μg/mL及以上浓度腐胺组LO2细胞凋亡率较对照组升高,差异有统计学意义（P均〈0.01）;40.00μg/mL腐胺组LO2细胞凋亡率（16.10±1.45）%与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。相关性分析结果显示,各组浓度腐胺处理LO2细胞其细胞增殖与凋亡率呈负线性相关关系（r=-0.989,P=0.000）。结论低浓度（0.25-20.00μg/mL）腐胺对人正常肝LO2细胞增殖有促进作用,而较高浓度（80.00μg/mL及以上）的腐胺则出现明显的诱导凋亡作用,低浓度腐胺促进细胞增殖可能是通过抑制细胞凋亡而实现。