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.     

核转录因子κB与前列腺癌

核转录因子κB(nuclearfactorofkappaB ,NF κB)是一种多极性核转录因子 ,参与调控多种与免疫反应、凋亡、炎症、肿瘤形成和转移有关的基因表达。近年来 ,NF κB在肿瘤发生、耐药、转移中的作用及其机制逐渐成为医学研究的热点。本文主要综述了NF κB的结构、生物学功能及其抗凋亡诱发肿瘤的机制 ,NF κB调控的前列腺癌相关基因的表达和调控 ,NF κB参与前列腺癌浸润与转移的机制及其在前列腺癌基因治疗中的可能策略等。     

Enhancement of NF-kappaB activity by resveratrol in cytokine-exposed mesangial cells

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, has been considered as a potential anti-inflammatory agent because of its suppressive effect on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). However, we recently found that treatment of glomerular mesangial cells with resveratrol significantly and dose-dependently enhanced NF-kappaB activation triggered by proinflammatory cytokines. This finding was evidenced by different reporter assays as well as by expression of an endogenous NF-kappaB-dependent gene, intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The NF-kappaB promoting effect of resveratrol was also observed in renal tubular LLCPK1 cells, but not in HepG2 hepatoma cells. In all cell types tested, treatment with resveratrol alone did not affect NF-kappaB activity. The enhanced activation of NF-kappaB by resveratrol progressed for at least 24 h and was accompanied by sustained down-regulation of an endogenous NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaBbeta, but not IkappaBalpha. Although expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was suppressed by resveratrol, nitric oxide, a negative regulator of NF-kappaB, was not involved in the regulation of NF-kappaB by resveratrol. These data elucidated, for the first time, that resveratrol may enhance activation of NF-kappaB under certain circumstances.     

Ring chromosome 22 and neurofibromatosis

Variable constitutional mosaicism, mos45,XY,-22/46,XY,-22,+mar/46,XY,-22,+r(22)/47,XY,-22,+r(22)+mar/ 47, XY,-22,+r(22)*2, was found in PHA-stimulated peripheral blood, in a lymphoblastoid cell line and in cultured skin fibroblasts from a mentally retarded patient with neurofibromatosis. Both the ring chromosome and the small extra marker chromosome stained positively by in situ hybridization with a chromosome 14/22-specific alphoid repeat probe. DNA dosage analysis showed constitutional loss of one copy of the arylsulfatase A gene (ARSA), consistent with its terminal location on 22q. There was no evidence of constitutional loss of D22S1 or D22S28 which flank the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) locus. Analysis of two DNA samples from a skin neurofibroma indicated retainment of two copies of D22S1, whereas the results were ambiguous with respect to tumor-specific loss of one copy of D22S28. It is suggested that the development of neurofibromatosis of unclear type in two r(22) carriers might be associated with somatic mutation of the NF2 locus due to instability of the ring chromosome(s), and in analogy, that somatic mutation of either NF1 or NF2 may account for some cases of neurofibromatosis which do not meet the criteria of either NF1 or NF2. The occurrence of seminoma in the proband may be fortuitous, but could also be due to the presence of a seminoma-associated locus on chromosome 22.     

Substantial pain burden in frequency,intensity, interference and chronicity among children and adults with neurofibromatosis Type 1

Tumor growths, migraine headaches, and other health‐related complications reported in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are often associated with pain. Thus, this study sought to describe and quantify the pain experience in children and young adults with NF1. Surveys were administered to 49 participants (28 children and 21 adults), ages 8 through 40 years. The survey included the Numeric Rating Scale 11 (NRS11) to assess pain intensity and the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) to assess pain interference. A supplemental survey was created to measure pain frequency, chronicity, quality, and location. Results suggest pain is not only present in 55% of the cohort, but that it can begin at early ages. Pain was chronic in 35% of participants, with 41% reporting the use of medication to manage pain symptoms. Common sources of pain included migraine headaches and NF‐related tumors. Pain was described as having neuropathic features (i.e., burning, tingling, numbness, or itching), and was localized to the head, back, and extremities. Further, subsets of participants reported moderate‐to‐severe pain intensity, high frequency of pain, and interference of pain in daily activities. Continued investigation of the pain experience in a multisystem disorder, such as NF1, remains essential to providing guidance in the setting of complex pain management.     

糖尿病大鼠心肌NF-κB、iNOS、COX-2表达的研究

目的：观察核因子-κＢ（ＮＦ-κＢ）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）以及环氧化酶-2（COX-2）3种炎症因子在糖尿病大鼠心肌组织的表达。方法:30只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组和糖尿病组，糖尿病组大鼠按60 mg/kg的剂量1次性腹腔注射链脲菌素。实验于24周末结束，观察2组大鼠的体重、平均血糖浓度、心重指数。并取心肌组织石蜡切片分别行NF-κＢ、iNOS和COX-2免疫组化染色。同时用凝胶电泳迁移率（EMSA）的方法测定心肌组织ＮＦ-κＢ活性。结果:(1)糖尿病大鼠心肌组织ＮＦ-κＢ阳性表达细胞明显多于对照组；（2）EMSA方法显示，糖尿病大鼠心肌组织ＮＦ-κＢ表达强度明显高于对照组；（3）对照组大鼠心肌组织未见iNOS的表达，糖尿病大鼠见明显iNOS的表达；（4）对照组大鼠心肌组织偶见COX-2的表达，糖尿病大鼠见明显COX-2的表达。结论:NF-κＢ、iNOS和COX-2在糖尿病大鼠心肌组织中表达活性明显增强。