Emmprin promotes anchorage-independent growth in human mammary carcinoma cells by stimulating hyaluronan production

Emmprin (CD147; basigin) is a plasma membrane glycoprotein, enriched on the surface of many cancer cells, which induces matrix metalloproteinase synthesis via cell-cell interactions. Elevated emmprin production causes increased growth in vivo of human mammary carcinoma cells. In this study, we show that elevation of emmprin expression in less aggressive human carcinoma cells, which normally express low emmprin levels, induces the ability to grow under anchorage-independent conditions. We also found that elevated emmprin expression stimulates hyaluronan production and that the effect of emmprin on anchorage-independent growth is dependent on hyaluronan. Furthermore, emmprin stimulates cell survival pathway signaling in a hyaluronan-dependent manner. From these and other studies we conclude that emmprin enhances several malignant properties of cancer cells, including anchorage-independent growth, invasiveness, and chemoresistance.     

Diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease by using computerized tomography-guided stereotactic biopsy of a caudate lesion. Case report

The authors present the case of a 27-year-old woman with Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) and extensive intracranial involvement, in whom the initial diagnosis of ECD was established based on computerized tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic biopsy of a caudate lesion. Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of unknown origin that is clinically characterized by bone pain, diabetes insipidus, and exophthalmos. The radiological hallmarks of the disease include symmetrical sclerosis of the long bones with epiphysial sparing and increased tracer uptake in lesions seen on scintigraphic imaging. Erdheim-Chester disease is characterized histologically by the presence of infiltrating lipid-laden histiocytes that commonly involve the retroperitoneum, orbits, skin, pericardium, lungs, and long bones. Although the occurrence of diabetes insipidus often precedes the diagnosis of ECD by more than a decade in most patients, magnetic resonance imaging- and CT-documented central nervous system involvement is exceedingly rare. In the setting of neurological involvement, neurosurgical biopsy has been reported seven times in the literature, with only one of these biopsies being the basis for the initial diagnosis of the disease. The authors' case represents only the second time the disease has been diagnosed by means of neurosurgical biopsy, highlighting the diagnostic difficulties that patients with EDC present. Skeletal radiographs were confirmatory in this case and this modality should be emphasized as the simplest and most direct route to the diagnosis. The degree of neurological involvement further distinguishes the case presented from prior reports in the literature. The multiple bilateral intraaxial lesions were intensely enhancing on contrast CT scans, distributed infra- and supratentorially, involving both white and gray matter, and associated with diffuse cerebral edema. The case presented is also remarkable by virtue of the symmetrical involvement of the caudate nuclei, representing the first such example documented in the literature. The diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in this patient are discussed, and a review of the literature is presented.     

Identification of Antigenic Proteins of Setaria Cervi by Immunoblotting Technique

Identification and characterization of antigenic proteins of Setaria cervi (bovine filarial parasite) adults and microfilariae was done by immunoblotting technique using hyperimmune rabbit sera against S. cervi and Brugia malayi. The antigens recognized by these sera were detected by using 125Iprotein-A followed by autoradiography. Fifteen different antigens were observed to be common between adult and microfilarial stages of the parasite. Some stage specific antigens were also identified. Many antigens of S. cervi adults and microfilariae were also recognized by rabbit anti-B. malayi serum showing the existence of common antigenic determinants between the bovine and human filarial parasites.     

Glycogen pattern in natural and alternate hosts infected with Litomosoides carinii

Litomosoides carinii infection causes a decrease in liver glycogen levels in the albino rat, an alternate host, but not in its natural host, the cotton-rat. In the albino rat the primary infection is rejected by about 120 days after infection whereas in the cotton-rat rejection does not occur. Consequently, the drop in hepatic glycogen levels in the albino rat has some correlation with the immune status of the host.     

Morphology and distribution of cytoplasmic inclusions in adrenoleukodystrophy

We report some additional observations on the pathognomonic cytoplasmic inclusions in a typical case of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Study of the linear inclusions by means of tilt-stage electron microscopy indicated that they represent trilaminar sheet-like structures distinct from materials seen in various other storage disorders. This study emphasizes that the inclusions in the adrenal and testicular parenchymal cells morphologically differ from those in the brain macrophages. In the latter they occur as membrane-bound discrete structures while in the parenchymal cells they are always seen lying free in the cytoplasm and associated with cleft-like spaces. This morphologic variation of the inclusions is noteworthy and probably reflects a biochemical difference in the storage materials in these two most severely affected organs. In addition, this study demonstrates the presence of linear inclusions within macrophages in otherwise normal-appearing liver, spleen, thymus and also in the renal tubular cells. These findings suggest that the abnormal materials containing very long chain fatty acids enter the blood stream and become sequestered in the reticuloendothelial system and possibly are also excreted in the urine. Detection of these abnormal fatty acids in blood and urine may simplify diagnosis of ALD.     

Extensive calcification in a tumor of the glomus jugulare

Summary Extensive calcification in the intracranial portion of a glomus jugulare tumor is reported. This finding has not been reported previously in the literature. The patient probably was afflicted with this process for many years and presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The combination of this tumor with subarachnoid hemorrhage is rare.