Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in esophageal carcinoma

Among the numerous signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis, PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR is a key one that regulates diverse cellular functions. However, its prognostic value in esophageal carcinoma remains unclear. In our study, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of phosphorylated (p‐) AKT, mTOR, p70S6K and 4E‐BP1 along with the mutational status of PIK3CA and AKT1 genes by High Resolution Melting Analysis and Pyrosequencing in 44 esophageal carcinomas. The results were correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients in an effort to define their possible prognostic significance. Total p‐mTOR cytoplasmic expression, assessed in 10 random areas, was positively correlated with tumor stage (Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA, I/II vs III/IV, p = 0.0500). Μoreover, maximum p‐mTOR cytoplasmic immunoexpression, estimated in hot spot areas, was positively associated with tumor grade (Mann–Whitney U test, I/II vs III, p = 0.0565). Interestingly, p‐4E‐BP1 immunoreactivity was negatively correlated with tumor histological grade (Mann–Whitney U test, I/II vs III, p = 0.0427). No mutation was observed in exons 9 and 20 of PIK3CA gene and in exon 4 of AKT1 gene. In conclusion, our findings depict the presence of activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in esophageal cancer bringing forward p‐mTOR and p‐4E‐BP1 for their potential role in esophageal carcinogenesis. Additional studies are warranted to validate our findings.     

A trip through the signaling pathways of melanoma

Many cellular signaling pathways are involved in the development of cancer. Depending on the tumor entity, the nature as well as the mode of activation can differ. Some signaling pathways frequently show changes as all tumor cells have to fulfill some basic requirements such as independence from growth factors or insensitivity against apoptosis. In this review, the possibilities of a tumor to manipulate signaling pathways to reach these goals are exemplified based on an archetypical melanoma cell. In addition, new therapeutic options based on the knowledge of signaling pathways will be discussed.     

白血病细胞p16基因突变分析

目的探讨ｐ１６基因突变在白血病发生中的作用及基因突变的机制。方法利用点突变检测仪、水平和垂直板电泳对ｐ１６基因的外显子１、外显子２的ＰＣＲ扩增产物作缺失和点突变分析。结果在白血病３５例临床标本中有２２例发生缺失突变，６例发生点突变，突变率约８０％。在２２例缺失突变病例中，有１０例为不完全缺失突变即有低于外显子５０９ｂｐ的扩增产物。结论ｐ１６基因含有“ＧＣ”ＤＮＡ重复顺序，易发生ＤＮＡ重组及易位和重排。在白血病发生中起重要作用     

Stimulatory and inhibitory epitopes in the T cell responses of mice to Der p 1

BACKGROUND: The responses of mice to the mite allergen Der p 1 have been used to study the mechanisms of allergic sensitization and the development of new types of immunotherapy. Many of the studies require a knowledge of the T cell epitopes, and because Der p 1 is polymorphic, the effect of natural amino acid substitution in the allergen. The intranasal administration of peptides containing T cell epitopes can induce a mucosal tolerance but it is not known if the major activity is limited to stimulatory peptides and if, as found for autoimmunity, some epitopes are not inhibitory. OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the sequences of Der p 1 which contain stimulatory epitopes for the high responding H-2(b) and H-2(q) mice and the sequences which induce tolerance by intranasal administration of peptides. METHODS: T cell responses of mice immunized with Der p 1 were measured by in vitro T cell stimulation assays so an extensive study of epitope recognition and intranasal tolerance could be made. Synthetic peptides were used to examine the stimulatory and inhibitory ability of all Der p 1 sequences and to map the major H-2(b) epitope in detail. This included the effect of the common polymorphic amino acid 124 substitution found within this epitope. RESULTS: Three and two regions, respectively, were found to contain stimulatory T cell epitopes for H-2(b) and H-2(q) mice. The peptides in these regions were also the most active at inducing intranasal tolerance for the responding haplotype. The correspondence between inhibitory and stimulatory peptides was maintained for the fine mapping of the major H-2(b) epitope. This was found about a core region of 118-126 which was overlapping but separate to a consensus sequence for the binding of endogeneous peptides. Peptides with alanine at the naturally polymorphic residue 124 stimulated and inhibited responses to Der p 1 more effectively, while peptides with the valine 124 variant were immunogenic but poorly cross-reactive. CONCLUSIONS: The intranasal administration of peptides representing each of five epitopes recognized by two strains of mice were able to induce mucosal tolerance and the major tolerizing activity was limited to these epitopes. The position of the core major epitope for C57 mice, which differs from a previously predicted epitope, and its specificity for the natural alanine 124 variant is described.     

胃癌组织p16基因蛋白表达的意义

目的　检测 p1 6基因蛋白在胃癌组织、癌旁组织中的表达及其分布特点 ,分析其与胃癌临床病理学特征及预后的关系 .方法　采用 S- P免疫组织化学法对 53例胃癌组织及 35例癌旁组织进行 p1 6蛋白的定位观察 .结果　各病理类型胃癌组织、癌旁组织均有 p1 6基因蛋白表达 .阳性率分别为 62 .3% (33/53)和 88.6% (31 /35) ,阳性细胞的棕黄色颗粒主要位于细胞核 .胃癌 p1 6基因蛋白表达与性别、年龄、肿瘤部位在统计学上无差异 (P>0 .0 5) ;而与组织学类型、病理分级、淋巴结转移、临床病理分期在统计学上有差异 (P<0 .0 5) .p1 6蛋白阳性者 5年生存率 51 .0 %高于 p1 6蛋白阴性者 2 0 .0 % (P<0 .0 5) .结论　 p1 6基因缺失和表达水平的改变与胃癌发生、发展密切相关 ,检测 p1 6基因蛋白表达可作为辅助临床判断胃癌的生物学行为及推测预后的指标     

放射线联合p53基因及内皮抑素治疗小鼠前列腺癌皮下移植瘤

Objective To test the hypothesis that p53 gene therapy combined with endostatin can enhance tumor response to radiation therapy of RM-1 mouse xenograft prostate cancer and to investigate its mechanism. Methods A mouse prostate cancer model was established. Then mice with xenograft tumor were randomly divided into group A (control), B (radiation), C (radiation and rAdp53), D (radiation and rh-endostatin) and E (radiation and rAdp53 and rh-endostatin). On day 1, rAdp53 was injected intra-tumorously with 1 × 1010 vp per animal to group C and E. From day 1 to 14, rh-endostatin was given 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally daily to group D and E. On day 4 single fraction of 15 Gy was given to tumors in groups B, C, D and E. Normal saline was injected intra-tumorously or intraperitoneaUy accordingly as control. No treatment was done to group A. Tumor volume was measured daily. Samples were collected on Days 5, 10 and 15. Ki67, CD31, p53 and VEGF were detected by means of immunohistochemistry. Results (1) Radiation alone, radiation combined with intra-tumorous injection of Adp53 and/or intraperitoneal injection of rh-endostatin resulted in tumor growth arrest of RM-1 cells in vivo (P = 0.000). Radiation combined with both rAdp53 and rh-endostatin was the most effective treatment (P < 0.05). (2) All the four treatment groups had a decreased expression of mutant type P53 (P = 0.000). The expression of Ki67 in groups B and C were equal (P 0.05) and increasing (P = 0.000), respectively. Group D had a up-down-up curve (P < 0.05), but group E had a up-down one. On day 5 the expresion of VEGF in group E was the lowest (P < 0.05). An increased expression of MVD compared with the control was shown, and MVD in groups C, D and E were always higher than that in the control (P < 0.05). Conclusions The limitation of radiotherapy could be overcome by combination with beth p53 gene therapy and endostatin on the growth of mouse prostate cancer cell. Radiation, rAdp53 and endostatin have their own role but they can be interacted with each other.     

Influence of mattress characteristics on house dust mite allergen concentration

BACKGROUND: Exposure to a high level of house dust mite allergens (HDMAs) is considered as a risk factor for HDM sensitization and development of asthma in genetically disposed people. Mattresses are one of the most important sources of HDMA in people's living environment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between mattress characteristics and HDMA concentrations on mattresses. METHODS: Dust samples of mattress surfaces were taken to evaluate the level of Der p 1 allergen. All participants filled in a questionnaire about the type of mattress, the type of covering (upper layer) of the mattress, dwelling characteristics and cleaning habits. Humidity and temperature of the bedroom were measured at the time of dust sampling. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight questionnaires were filled in. Synthetic upper layer of the mattress was associated with a higher level of Der p 1 compared with cotton upper layer (2.6 vs. 0.8 microg/g Der p 1). Moreover, higher relative humidity (RH) was associated with significant higher concentrations and density of Der p 1. CONCLUSIONS: Two factors were associated with lower levels of Der p 1 found on mattresses, namely: a cotton upper layer of the mattress compared with a layer of synthetic material and lower RH at the time of sampling. As far as we know, the association between type of upper layer and concentration of Der p 1 has not been described before and could lead to the formulation of practical advices in order to reduce HDMA concentrations on mattresses.     

Expression of Anion Exchanger 1 Sequestrates p16 in the Cytoplasm in Gastric and Colonic Adenocarcinoma

p16^INK4A (p16) binds to cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 and negatively regulates cell growth. Recent studies have led to an understanding of additional biologic functions for p16; however, the detailed mechanisms involved are still elusive. In this article, we show an unexpected expression of anion exchanger 1 (AE1) in the cytoplasm in poorly and moderately differentiated gastric and colonic adenocarcinoma cells and in its interaction with p16, thereby sequestrating the protein in the cytoplasm. Genetic alterations of p16 and AE1 were not detectable. Forced expression of AE1 in these cells sequestrated more p16 in the cytoplasm, whereas small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of AE1 in the cells induced the release of p16 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, leading to cell death and growth inhibition of tumor cells. By analyzing tissue samples obtained from patients with gastric and colonic cancers, we found that 83.33% of gastric cancers and 56.52% of colonic cancers coexpressed AE1 and p16 in the cytoplasm. We conclude that AE1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of gastric and colonic adenocarcinoma and that p16 dysfunction is a novel pathway of carcinogenesis.     

白细胞介素-15对骨髓增生异常综合征骨髓造血干/祖细胞增殖的影响

目的：观察白细胞介素(IL-15)对体外培养的骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)患者CD34^ 细胞增殖作用。方法：应用单克隆抗体免疫磁珠分离系统提取MDS患者CD34^ 细胞，以加IL-15组为实验组，不加IL-15组为对照组，进行液体和甲基纤维素半固体集落培养，计算培养后细胞数和CFU—E、BFU—E、CFU—GM、CFU—GEMM等集落数，并用MTT比色法检测IL-15对MDS患者CD34^ 细胞增殖的抑制作用，流式细胞术检测上述培养细胞周期的变异情况。结果：11例MDS对象平均CD34^ 细胞比例、回收率、纯度和富集倍数均达要求，MTT比色法检测IL-15对CD34^ 细胞的增殖作用呈最佳浓度效应，最佳浓度为20μg／L，细胞增殖抑制最低峰值时间为8d。用0μg／L IL-15(对照组)和20μg／L IL-15(实验组)作用MDS CD34^ 细胞，计数显示培养细胞最大增殖倍数和集落形成比率实验组均较对照组明显增加，IL-15作用后各细胞周期G1、S、G2期比例有明显改变，与对照组比较，差异有统计学意义。结论：IL-15对MDS CD34^ 细胞有促增殖效应，与其它造血生长因子具有协同作用，对MDS治疗可能有一定的应用前景。