Cortactin, fascin, and survivin expression associated with clinicopathological parameters in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Cortactin, fascin, and survivin have been documented in several human cancers and play important roles in tumor progression. We collected 57 surgical specimens, including esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC; 7 well-differentiated, 15 moderately differentiated, and 24 poorly differentiated), 3 dysplasias, and 8 normal esophageal tissues. Tissue microarrays were constructed and the immunostaining scores for cortactin, fascin, and survivin were assessed. In 46 SqCC specimens, we examined the relationship between the expression of three biomarkers and tumor differentiation or clinical parameters. Higher immunostaining scores for cortactin, fascin, and survivin correlated positively with tumor differentiation of esophageal SqCC. Univariate survival analysis showed significantly worse prognosis in patients with high scores of cortactin (≥290), fascin (≥245), and survivin (score ≥ 175), poor differentiation, T4 stage, positive for lymph node metastasis, and positive for distant metastasis. In multivariate survival analysis, high scores of survivin (≥175) and poor differentiation were independent risk factors for worse prognosis. Our results demonstrated that higher expression of survivin may be related to tumor progression and it is an independent risk factor for poor survival time of esophageal SqCC. Survivin may be a good biomarker to be applied in clinic to predict the prognosis of esophageal SqCC.     

Lymphatic invasion according to D2-40 immunostaining is a strong predictor of nodal metastasis in superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: algorithm for risk of nodal metastasis based on lymphatic invasion

In squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus, D2-40 immunostaining has recently been used to detect lymphatic invasion, but invasion detected using D2-40 immunostaining for a predictor of nodal metastasis was controversial. Therefore, the usefulness of detecting lymphatic invasion by D2-40 immunostaining as a predictor of nodal metastasis was examined in superficial (mucosal and submucosal) SCC of the esophagus. A total of 115 superficial SCC of the esophagus were examined on immunohistochemistry using D2-40. It was found that lymphatic invasion demonstrated on D2-40 immunostaining was mainly detected in the lamina propria mucosa. Lymphatic invasion was found in 37 cases and the invasion detected in the entire tumor tissue was statistically correlated with nodal metastasis. Based on the lymphatic invasion according to D2-40 immunostaining, an algorithm was devised for the risk (low, intermediate and high) of nodal metastases in superficial SCC in the esophagus. In conclusion, the detection of lymphatic invasion on D2-40 immunostaining in tumor tissue is a strong predictor for nodal metastasis in superficial SCC of the esophagus. Lymphatic invasion was found mainly in the lamia propria mucosa, thus the devised algorithm is useful for determining the optimal treatment strategy after endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal SCC.     

Association of cortactin, fascin-1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in ovarian carcinomas: correlation with clinicopathological parameters

Cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR are recognized as important factors in tumor progression. We tested the hypothesis that cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR expression correlates with clinicopathological parameters of the four most common ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas--serous cystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR was performed using tissue microarrays of 172 specimens comprising 69 serous cystadenocarcinomas, 44 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 45 endometrioid adenocarcinomas and 14 clear cell carcinomas. All ovarian carcinomas showed significant expression of cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR in staining intensity, tumor percentages and immunostaining scores. In addition, higher immunostaining scores of fascin-1 correlated with more advanced cancer stages (TNM), poorer histological differentiation and poorer survival rate of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Similarly, higher immunostaining scores of cortactin correlated with T stages and histological differentiation of serous cystadenocarcinoma. The immunostaining scores of EGFR did not correlate with TNM stages, tumor differentiation or prognosis in the four ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas. Our findings suggest that cortactin and fascin-1 may serve as good biomarkers in evaluating aggressiveness of ovarian serous and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. And the pharmacological inhibitors of fascin-1 activity may slow down tumor progression and prolong survival time in patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.     

In vivo prion protein intestinal uptake in fish

Intestinal uptake of abnormal prion protein (PrPSc), the pathological agent involved in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), has been investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Experimental procedures were conducted in vivo by immunohistological PrPSc localization in intestine and pyloric caeca after forced feeding of infected material. Results indicate that PrPSc was absorbed by the intestinal mucosa and that it persisted in the fish gastrointestinal tract for up to 3 days in pyloric caeca and for up to 7 days in the distal intestine. It did not remain longer than 15 days in the fish intestine; furthermore, it did not cross the intestinal barrier.     

Measuring CaMKII concentration in dendritic spines

Here, we present a method for measuring the concentration of endogenous protein in cellular compartments. Importantly, the method is applicable to compartments such as dendritic spines with dimensions often close to the resolution limit of optical microscopy. To our knowledge, a method with such capabilities has not yet been described. The method utilizes overexpression of the protein of interest, which is tagged with fluorescent protein. This is followed by immunostaining of both overexpressed and endogenous proteins. Expression of a volume marker is also required. We applied this method to measure the concentration of Ca/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) in different cellular compartments of hippocampal pyramidal neurons. It was found that the concentrations of CaMKIIα subunits in cell bodies, proximal dendrites, and spines on these dendrites are 71, 46, and 103 μM, respectively. Considering the 3:1 ratio of α to β CaMKII subunits in the hippocampus, the concentrations of total (α + β) CaMKII subunits in these compartments are 94, 61, and 138 μM, respectively.     

Cystic lymphatic malformation of bladder presenting as a pelvic mass

We report a 5-year-old boy with a cystic lymphatic malformation (LM) of bladder, and the imaging characteristics of the lesion are reported. Cystic LM of the urinary system is rare, and a location in the bladder is extremely rare. The exact mechanism of the lesion that occurs in bladder is unknown. This case is different from the 3 cases reported before, for it is only presented with a palpable pelvic mass and the lesion did not penetrate full thickness of bladder. Although imaging examinations are helpful in the definition of cystic LMs, no characteristic findings are available to diagnose a cystic LM of the bladder before surgery. The diagnosis is always made after surgical intervention. Surgical excision is ideal, and an extensive operation is not warranted because the lesion is benign. Once excised completely, the prognosis of the disease is good.