Interferon Gamma Alters the Phenotype of Rat Thymic Epithelial Cells in Culture and Increases Interleukin-6 Production

Rat thymic epithelial cells (TEC) in long-term culture were characterized by anticytokeratin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and electron microscopy. Phenotypic analysis performed by a large panel of mAbs showed that the highest percentage of these cells was of the subcapsular/medullary type. Recombinant rat interferon (IFN)-gamma up-regulated class-I and class-II MHC expression by TEC in culture as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, but did not significantly alter other cell markers. TEC supernatants of IFN-gamma- treated cultures showed higher interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity, compared to the control, as determined by proliferation of the IL-6-sensitive B9-cell line. Increased IL-6 activity was probably not a consequence of increased TEC number in IFN-gammatreated cultures because IFN did not significantly stimulate TEC proliferation in vitro. In contrast, IL-6 significantly stimulated TEC proliferation, indicating that this cytokine is not only a regulatory molecule for T-cell proliferation, but could also be an autocrine growth factor for thymic epithelium.     

FGF signaling segregates biliary cell-lineage from chick hepatoblasts cooperatively with BMP4 and ECM components in vitro.

Intrahepatic bile ducts (IHBDs) are indispensable for transporting bile secreted from hepatocytes to the hepatic duct. The biliary epithelial cells (BECs) of the IHBD arise from bipotent hepatoblasts around the portal vein, suggesting the portal mesenchyme is essential for their development. However, except for Notch or Activin/TGF-beta signaling molecules, it is not known which molecules regulate IHBD development. Here, we found that FGF receptors and BMP4 are specifically expressed in the developing IHBD and the hepatic mesenchyme, respectively. Using a mesenchyme-free culture of liver bud, we showed that bFGF and FGF7 induce the hepatoblasts to differentiate into BECs, and that BMP4 enhances bFGF-induced BEC differentiation. The extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the hepatic mesenchyme induced BEC differentiation. Forced expression of a constitutively active form of the FGF receptor partially induced BEC differentiation markers in vivo. These data strongly suggest that bFGF and FGF7 promote BEC differentiation cooperatively with BMP4 and ECMs in vivo.     

Mucinous cystadenoma of the testis

A 35-year-old man complained of a painless enlargement of the right testis. Imaging diagnostic procedures demonstrated a multiloculated cystic tumor, 9 cm in maximal diameter, in the right testis with hydrocele. Orchidectomy specimen showed that the tumor was confined within the testis and separated from the epididymis. The locules of the tumor were lined by single-layered columnar epithelium, intermingled with MUC2 immunopositive goblet and chromogranin-A immunopositive neuroendocrine cells, exhibiting intestinal differentiation. No ciliated cell, teratomatous element or intratubular germ cell neoplasia were seen. Channels of rete testis were compressed peripherally by the tumor but there was no connection with the tumor locules. The tumor was diagnosed as mucinous cystadenoma of the testis. This seems to be the first published case of benign mucinous cystadenoma occurring within the testis. This intratesticular tumor with intestinal differentiation may represent a benign monodermal teratoma.     

卵巢癌血管生成的多样性

新血管生成在个体发育、创伤愈合等过程中起着至关重要的作用,也是肿瘤生存、转移、复发的组织基础[1].研究表明,少数极恶性肿瘤存在血管生成(angiogenesis)、血管形成(vasculogenesis)和血管生成拟态(vasculogenic mimicry)等方式,多种血管新生方式与肿瘤的转移、复发等恶性生物行为密切相关.卵巢癌的死亡率在女性生殖道癌瘤中居首位,患者5年生存率长期徘徊在30%左右,最新研究证实,卵巢恶性肿瘤血管生成具有多样性,本文将就卵巢癌不同血管生成方式的研究进展及其与卵巢恶性生物学行为的关系进行综述.     

Effect of oestradiol on mouse uterine epithelial cell tumour necrosis factor-alpha release is mediated through uterine stromal cells

Oestradiol-17beta (Oe(2)) stimulates uterine epithelial cell proliferation and is critical for normal uterine differentiation and secretory function. Oe(2) can act directly on the epithelium via the epithelial oestrogen receptor (OR) or indirectly via the OR-positive underlying stroma. A primary role for epithelial-stromal interactions has been established for mediating steroid hormone action in the uterus. This study was undertaken to determine the mode of Oe(2) action in regulating epithelial cell cytokine release in the uterus. Mouse uterine epithelial and stromal cells were isolated and cultured separately. Transepithelial resistance (TER) was monitored with an EVOM voltohmmeter to determine monolayer polarity and integrity. Epithelial cells grown alone or in coculture with stromal cells were treated with Oe(2). Supernatants collected were assayed for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by bioassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. While Oe(2) treatment of epithelial cells led to a significant decrease in TER, the amount of TNF-alpha released was not altered. However, when epithelial cells were cocultured with stromal cells and treated with Oe(2), apical TNF-alpha release was significantly decreased, compared to cells not treated with hormone. As determined by oestrogen receptor antagonist studies, Oe(2) primed epithelial cells for the action of the stromal paracrine factor(s). In contrast, TGF-beta release by epithelial cells was not affected by Oe(2) when grown alone or in the presence of stromal cells. These studies indicate that Oe(2) has both direct and indirect effects on the uterine epithelium. While epithelial monolayer integrity is directly influenced by Oe(2), TNF-alpha release in response to Oe(2) is dependent on the presence of stromal cells, indicating that paracrine communication is necessary for steroid regulation of some but not all cytokines.     

卵巢癌细胞株冻融抗原负载的树突状细胞诱导CTL抗卵巢癌免疫应答的体外研究

目的研究卵巢癌冻融抗原负载的树突状细胞(dendriticcells,DC)诱导细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)体外杀伤卵巢癌细胞的细胞毒性效应。方法利用免疫磁珠分离法(MACS)分离纯化脐血CD34 细胞并在体外诱导分化为DC,用反复冻融法从卵巢癌细胞系SKOV3中提取的可溶性相关抗原负载DC。流式细胞学检测负载抗原后DC表面各种分化相关抗原的表达,ELISA法检测DC上清中IL12的表达,混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)测定DC体外刺激T细胞增殖的能力,MTT法检测抗原负载DC激活的抗原特异性CTL对卵巢癌细胞的杀伤作用。结果与未经抗原负载的DC相比,经卵巢癌抗原负载的DC不仅能更高地表达各种DC分化相关抗原CD1α(73.35%±2.94%vs34.1%±2.35%)、CD83(73.9%±8.46%vs54.68%±3.26%)、CD80(91.95%±2.48%vs52.53%±3.18%)、HLADR(70.05%±2.35%vs48.7%±2.07%)以及CD54(88.9%±5.52%vs71.45%±2.29%),同时具有更强的刺激同种异体T淋巴细胞增殖和IL12分泌的能力(P均<0.05)。此外,卵巢癌细胞SKOV3冻融抗原负载DC激活的CTL在体外对SKOV3的杀伤率为77.35%,显著高于未经抗原负载的DC(P=0.0001)。结论经卵巢癌细胞冻融抗原负载DC激活的CTL在体外具有更强的增殖能力和杀伤卵巢癌细胞的作用。     

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4 expressed during mercury-induced membranous nephropathy are toxic for cultured podocytes.

The subepithelial immune deposits of Dorus Zadel Black (DZB) rats with mercury-induced membranous nephropathy consist of autoantibodies directed to laminin P1 and of complement. The animals develop massive proteinuria within 10-14 days which is associated with obliteration of foot processes of glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GVEC), or podocytes. Previous studies indicate that these autoantibodies are probably not the sole mediator of proteinuria and GVEC damage. In this study we investigated whether circulating or macrophage-derived cytokines can contribute to the GVEC changes as detected in vivo. In vivo at the height of the proteinuria, increased intraglomerular IFN-gamma immunoreactivity was found. In diseased rats a five-fold increase in intraglomerular macrophages was found, but we could not detect intraglomerular IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IL-1 beta or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by using immunohistology. Subsequently, we exposed cultured GVEC to these cytokines to investigate their cytotoxic effects on several physiological and structural parameters. IFN-gamma and IL-4 were the only cytokines that exerted toxic effects, resulting in a rapidly decreased transepithelial resistance of confluent monolayers, which was closely associated with altered immunoreactivity of the tight junction protein ZO-1. IL-4 also affected vimentin and laminin immunoreactivity. IFN-gamma and IL-4 only interfered with monolayer integrity when added to the basolateral side of the GVEC, indicating specific (receptor-mediated) effects. Only IL-4 decreased the viability of the cells, and treated monolayers demonstrated an increased passage of the 44-kD protein horseradish peroxidase. From our experiments we concluded that IFN-gamma subtly affected monolayer integrity at the level of the tight junctions, and that IL-4 additionally induced cell death. We hypothesize that the toxic effects of the cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-4 as seen with cultured podocytes are necessary together with the autoantibodies, for the ultimate induction of proteinuria in mercury nephropathy in the DZB rat.     

恶性上皮性肿瘤中CK20的表达及其临床意义

目的　研究单克隆抗体CK2 0在恶性上皮性肿瘤和卵巢转移性腺癌组织中的表达及其意义。方法　应用S P法对鼻咽非角化性癌、乳腺浸润性导管癌、肺的鳞癌和腺癌、卵巢黏液性囊腺癌、胃腺癌和结肠直肠腺癌各组总计 6 7例和 4 1例分别进行了CK2 0和CK19检测。结果　CK2 0阳性率 :肺腺癌 1/ 7(14 3% ) ,卵巢浆液性和黏液性腺癌 3/ 12 (33 3% ) ,胃腺癌 3/ 9(33 3% ) ,结肠直肠腺癌组 2 1/ 2 2 (95 5 % ) ,其他癌组织均呈阴性。结肠直肠腺癌组组与其他各组间比较差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1)。CK19在上述 4 1例癌组织中均呈强阳性表达。结论　CK2 0表达对鉴别结肠腺癌和直肠腺癌与肺腺癌和乳腺浸润性导管癌具有高度特异性和较高的敏感性 ;CK2 0高表达对鉴别卵巢原发性腺癌与卵巢的结肠腺癌或直肠腺癌转移具有一定的意义     

Analysis of thymic epithelial cell proliferation in vitro by combining bromodeoxyuridine and keratin labeling in an immunofluorescence assay

A simple method of analyzing thymic epithelial cell (TEC) proliferation has been developed by combining bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) and keratin labeling in an immunofluorescence assay. The first reagent specifically visualizes the cells entering the S phase of the cell cycle, whereas the second immunostaining reveals which of the proliferating BrDU-positive cells actually belong to the epithelial lineage. This method, besides being rapid and free of radioactivity, appears to be reliable in view of the minor variations in the percentages of BrDU+ TEC observed in several distinct experiments. Thus, BrDU/keratin immunolabeling appears to represent a useful tool for the analysis of in vitro TEC proliferation.