Zinc finger protein 263 upregulates interleukin 33 and suppresses autophagy to accelerate the malignant progression of non-small cell lung cancer / La proteína 263 con dedos de zinc regula positivamente la interleucina 33 y suprime la autofagia para acelerar la progresión maligna del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas

Purpose: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a complex disease that remains a major public health concern worldwide. One promising avenue for NSCLC treatment is the targeting of transcription factors that regulate key pathways involved in cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor ZNF263 in NSCLC and its impact on the regulation of IL33, apoptosis, and autophagy. Methods: Levels of ZNF263 in tissues and cell lines were identified, after which the effects of its knockdown on cellular malignant behaviors, apoptosis and autophagy were assessed. Based on bioinformatics analysis, ZNF263 was found to bind to IL33 promoter, their mutual relationship was confirmed, as well as the role of IL33 in the regulation of ZNF263. The involvement of ZNF263 in the growth of xenograft tumors was assessed using tumor-bearing nude mouse models. Results: Experimental results revealed that ZNF263 was upregulated in NSCLC tissue samples and cell lines. Its expression level is positively correlated with cellular malignant behaviors. We further demonstrated that ZNF263 upregulated IL33 expression, which, in turn, promoted the proliferation and migration, inhibited apoptosis and autophagy in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, ZNF263 knockdown reduced the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. Conclusion: This finding suggests that the inhibition of ZNF263 or IL33 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC. Importantly, our results highlight the crucial role of transcription factors in NSCLC and their potential as therapeutic targets.(AU)

Pyroptosis in inflammation-related respiratory disease

Pyroptosis is commonly induced by the gasdermin (GSDM) family and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that pyroptosis plays a role in respiratory diseases. This review aimed to summarize the roles and mechanisms of pyroptosis in inflammation-related respiratory diseases. There are several pathways involved in pyroptosis, such as the canonical inflammasome-induced pathway, non-canonical inflammasome-induced pathway, caspase-1/3/6/7/GSDMB pathway, caspase-8/GSDMC pathway, caspase-8/GSDMD pathway, and caspase-3/GSEME pathway. Pyroptosis may be involved in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, acute lung injury (ALI), silicosis, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and tuberculosis (TB), in which the NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pathway is mostly highlighted. Pyroptosis contributes to the deterioration of asthma, COPD, ALI, silicosis, and PH. In addition, pyroptosis has dual effects on lung cancer and TB. Additionally, whether pyroptosis participates in cystic fibrosis (CF) and sarcoidosis or not is largely unknown, though the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is found in CF and sarcoidosis. In conclusion, pyroptosis may play a role in inflammation-related respiratory diseases, providing new therapeutic targets. (AU)

FUBP1 promotes the proliferation of lung squamous carcinoma cells and regulates tumor immunity through PD-L1

Background and aim: Lung cancer is a common malignancy. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is divided into lung squamous cancer (LUSC), large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. More than 85% of lung cancer cases are NSCLC patients. Further exploration of the pathogenesis of lung cancer is of great significance. In this study, functions of far upstream element-binding protein 1 (FUBP1) on the proliferation and tumor immunity of LUSC cells were evaluated.Materials and methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were used to examine the overexpression levels of FUBP1 in LUSC and paracancerous tissues, LUSC cell line, and human normal lung cell line. Then, Western blot assay was employed to validate the transfection efficiency of FUBP1 knockdown in SK-MES-1 cells. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were used to detect the viability and proliferation of SK-MES-1 cells. Transwell assay was used to examine the migrative and inva-sive abilities of SK-MES-1 cells. Finally, the xenograft tumor mice model was applied to explore the role of FUBP1 in vivo. IHC assay was used to determine the expression levels FUBP1, PD-L1, and Ki-67. Flow cytometry technology was employed to detect the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+cells in short sequence negative control (sh-NC) and sh-FUBP1 groups.Results: Collectively, the results first indicated that FUBP1 was up-regulated in LUSC tissues and cells. It was also demonstrated that knockdown of FUBP1 suppressed cell migration, inva-sion, and proliferation in lung squamous carcinoma cells. Finally, knockdown of FUBP1 regu-lated tumor immunity in vivo.Conclusion: This research suggested that FUBP1 promotes the proliferation of LUSC cells and regulates tumor immunity through programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (AU)

Análisis de la expresión inmunohistoquímica de OVOL1 como herramienta diagnóstica de invasión en las neoplasias escamosas de la superficie ocular / OVOL1 immunohistochemical expression is a useful tool to diagnose invasion in ocular surface squamous neoplasms

Antecedentes y objetivos OVOL1 es un gen que regula negativamente la transformación mesenquimática, la cual permite a las células epiteliales invadir el estroma. Por otro lado, regula negativamente la c-Myc, que tiene un efecto positivo sobre la proliferación celular. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la expresión de OVOL1 y c-Myc en neoplasias escamosas de la superficie ocular (NESO). Pacientes y métodos Estudio de cohorte transversal de 36 muestras que incluían 6 papilomas escamosos, 19 neoplasias intraepiteliales conjuntivales, 6 carcinomas escamosos y 7 conjuntivas normales, que fueron evaluadas mediante técnica inmunohistoquímica contra OVOL1 y c-Myc. La expresión de ambos marcadores fue analizada usando el H-score (intensidad 1-3 multiplicado por el porcentaje de células positivas) Resultados Un 98 y un 100% de las NESO y un 57 y un 71% de las conjuntivas normales expresaron OVOL1 y c-Myc, respectivamente; sin embargo, el promedio del H-score de OVOL1 y c-Myc fue mayor en las NESO que en las conjuntivas normales (p=0,0001 en ambos). Dentro de las NESO, OVOL1 demostró un H-score mayor en las neoplasias intraepiteliales conjuntivales y los papilomas, en comparación con el carcinoma escamoso (p<0,01). c-Myc no mostró diferencias entre los grupos de NESO. Un H-score menor de 35 diferencia un carcinoma escamoso de los otros grupos de NESO con una sensibilidad del 83,3% y una especificidad del 100%. Conclusiones La expresión de OVOL1 es útil para diferenciar un carcinoma escamoso de una neoplasia intraepitelial conjuntival y un papiloma. OVOL1 podría jugar un rol en la capacidad de invasión de las neoplasias escamosas y lo ubica como un potencial blanco terapéutico (AU)

Background and objectives OVOL1 is a gene that negatively regulates mesenchymal transformation, which allows epithelial cells to invade the stroma. On the other hand, it negatively regulates c-Myc, which has a positive effect on cell proliferation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of OVOL1 and c-Myc in ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Patients and methods Cross-sectional cohort study of 36 samples including 6 squamous papillomas, 19 conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms, 6 squamous carcinomas and 7 normal conjunctivae were evaluated using immunohistochemistry against OVOL1 and c-Myc. The expression of both markers was analysed using the H-score (intensity 1-3 multiplied by the percentage of positive cells). Results Percentages of 98 and 100 of the OSSN, and 57 and 71% of the normal conjunctivae expressed OVOL1 and c-Myc respectively, however, the mean H-score of OVOL1 and c-Myc was higher in the OSSN than in normal conjunctivae group (P=.0001 in both). Within the OSSN, OVOL1 demonstrated a higher H-score in the conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms and papilloma, compared to the squamous carcinoma (P<.01) group. c-Myc did not show differences between the OSSN groups. An H-score lower than 35 differentiates a squamous cell carcinoma from other OSSN lesions with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions The expression of OVOL1 is a useful tool to differentiate between a squamous carcinoma of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms and papilloma. OVOL1 could play a role in the invasiveness of squamous neoplasms and places it as a potential therapeutic target (AU)

NUCB2: roles in physiology and pathology

Nucleobindin2 (NUCB2) is a member of nucleobindin family which was first found in the nucleus of the hypothalamus, and had a relationship in diet and energy homeostasis. Its location in normal tissues such as stomach and islet further confirms that it plays a vital role in the regulation of physiological functions of the body. Besides, NUCB2 participates in tumorigenesis through activating various signal-pathways, more and more studies indicate that NUCB2 might impact tumor progression by promoting or inhibiting proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, and invasion of tumor cells. In this review, we comprehensively stated NUCB2’s expression and functions, and introduced the role of NUCB2 in physiology and pathology and its mechanism. What is more, pointed out the potential direction of future research. (AU)

TRIM27 suppresses inflammation injuries in pediatric pneumonia by targeting TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway

Background Pneumonia widely occurs in children and has high global morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent requirement to clarify the underlying mechanism of pediatric pneumonia and definite its potential therapeutic targets. Tri-domain protein 27 (TRIM27) is one of the TRIM protein family members which widely participated in multiple cellular processes.Objective To assess whether TRIM27 protects against pediatric pneumonia.Methods A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation injury model was constructed. The level of TRIM27 in LPS-induced cells was examined. The effects of TRIM27 in cell apoptosis and inflammatory response was evaluated. Moreover, the involvement of TLR4/NF-κB pathway were detected by Immunoblot.Results We established a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation injury model. Our data confirmed that LPS-treated WI-38 cells demonstrated a down-regulated expression of TRIM27. Overexpression of TRIM27 effectively reduced apoptosis and up-regulated the inflammatory factors in LPS-treated WI-38 cells. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway acted as a key point in LPS-mediated inflammation injuries, and overexpression of TRIM27 remarkably inhibited the activity of TLR4/NF-κB pathway, indicating the anti-inflammatory effect of TRIM27 (AU)

Genome-wide scanning for CHD1L gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the most common subtype of thyroid cancer (TC). This study was set out to explore the potential effect of CHD1L on PTC and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We searched for T2DM susceptibility genes through the GWAS database and obtained T2DM-related differentially expressed gene from the GEO database. The expression and clinical data of TC and normal samples were collated from the TCGA database. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was subsequently applied to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the CHD1L for the diagnosis of PTC. The MCP-counter package in R language was then utilized to generate immune cell score to evaluate the relationship between CHD1L expression and immune cells. Then, we performed functional enrichment analysis of co-expressed genes and DEGs to determine significantly enriched GO terms and KEGG to predict the potential functions of CHD1L in PTC samples and T2DM adipose tissue. Results From two genes (ABCB9, CHD1L) were identified to be DEGs (p < 1 * 10−5) that exerted effects on survival (HR > 1, p < 0.05) in PTC and served as T2DM susceptibility genes. The gene expression matrix-based scoring of immunocytes suggested that PTC samples with high and low CHD1L expression presented with significant differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The enrichment analysis of CHD1L co-expressed genes and DEGs suggested that CHD1L was involved in multiple pathways to regulate the development of PTC. Among them, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, salmonella infection and TNF signaling pathways were highlighted as the three most relevant pathways. GSEA analysis, employed to analyze the genome dataset of PTC samples and T2DM adipose tissue presenting with high and low expression groups of CHD1L, suggests that these differential genes are related to chemokine signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration and TCELL receptor signaling pathway (AU)

Alteraciones de la motilidad ocular en el síndrome de Kabuki / Changes in ocular motility in Kabuki síndrome

El síndrome de Kabuki es una enfermedad genética rara debida a una mutación genética en los genes KMT2D y KDM6A, que afecta a múltiples órganos, entre ellos los ojos, en la mayoría de los pacientes. Las características clínicas más típicas son: facies peculiar, baja estatura, anormalidades esqueléticas y bajo coeficiente intelectual. Las manifestaciones oculares más frecuentes son el estrabismo, la ptosis y los defectos refractivos. Presentamos una serie de casos de 5 pacientes (3 mujeres), 4 de ellos con estrabismo en forma de esotropía, hiperacción de oblicuos inferiores e hipofunción de oblicuos superiores asociado a un síndrome V. Son pocos los casos publicados de síndrome de Kabuki que describan las afectaciones oftalmológicas y las estrabológicas. Podría ser conveniente la realización de resonancias magnéticas orbitarias para detectar cambios en los trayectos musculares que estén relacionados con la patología de los movimientos oculares encontrados

Kabuki syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, caused by mutation in the KMT2D or KDM6A genes, which affects several organs in the majority of patients, among which are the eyes. The most typical clinical characteristics are mental retardation, postnatal growth retardation, skeletal anomalies, and characteristic facial features. As the eyes are affected in most of the cases, ophthalmological examination is recommended for the early detection of ocular anomalies, in order to prevent visual impairment. The most frequent ocular signs are strabismus, ptosis, and refractive anomalies. A series of cases of Kabuki syndrome is described in five children, four of whom exhibited strabismus with esotropia, over action of inferior oblique muscles, and under action of superior oblique muscles associated with a V pattern. Most published papers do not report or might underestimate the ocular problems. It may be appropriate to perform orbital magnetic resonances in order to detect changes in the muscle paths that are related to the pathology of the eye movements found

SATB1 is a potential therapeutic target in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary malignant tumor of the liver with a poor prognosis. Upregulation of special ATrich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) promotes tumor progression. However, little is known about the role of SATB1 in ICC tumorigenesis. Methods: We firstly investigated the expression of SATB1 in 88 cases of ICC by immunohistochemistry (IHC), QRTPCR, and western blot. Meanwhile, we constructed stably knockdown (shRNA) of SATB1 in ICC cell lines to evaluate the effects of SATB1 on the ability of cell proliferation and invasion by MTT and transwell invasion assay. Results: Our result showed that SATB1 was overexpressed in ICC tissues samples. Knockdown of SATB1 could inhibit ICC cell proliferation, and suppress ICC cell invasion of ICC cell lines. In addition, the depletion of SATB1 expression suppressed the MYC levels in vitro. Conclusions: Our results highlight the significance of SATB1 in ICC and suggest that SATB1 could be a promising therapy target and a potential biomarker for prognosis in ICC patients (AU)

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CHD1L is a novel independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Chromodomain helicase/ATPase DNA binding protein 1-like gene (CHD1L) is involved in malignancies. However, the role of CHD1L in gastric cancer (GC) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical role of CHD1L in GC. METHODS: The gene and protein expression levels of CHD1L were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis in fresh samples of GC and paired adjacent noncancerous tissue (n = 34). We evaluated the CHD1L expression by immunohistochemistry in a large number of GC patients (n = 616) and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues from December 1, 2004 to December 1, 2008. The correlations of CHD1L expression with clinicopathological features and clinical outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The gene and protein expression levels of CHD1L were higher in fresh samples of GC than in paired adjacent noncancerous tissues as determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that positive expression rates of CHD1L in GC and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues were 58.7 % (361/616) and 7.3 % (45/616), respectively. CHD1L positivity was significantly associated with clinical stage and distant metastasis. GC patients with positive CHD1L expression had shorter overall survival than those with negative CHD1L expression. Multivariate analysis showed that CHD1L was an independent prognostic marker for overall survival [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 5.952, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 3.194-11.187, P = 0.0043]. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that CHD1L could serve as a prognostic marker for GC (AU)

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Role of XRCC3, XRCC1 and XPD single-nucleotide polymorphisms in survival outcomes following adjuvant chemotherapy in early stage breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION: Anthracyclines have various mechanisms of action that in the end lead to DNA double-strand breaks. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair genes may alter the protein function, affecting DNA repair proficiency and, therefore, the efficiency of DNA damaging chemotherapy. We have analysed whether SNPs in DNA repair genes (XRCC1, XRCC3 and XPD) could be useful to predict the response to anthracyclines in patients with early-stage breast cancer (EBC). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from 150 patients with EBC were used for genotyping XRCC3Thr241Met, XRCC1Arg399Gln and XPDLys751Gln. Genotypes were correlated with survival outcomes. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients received treatment with chemotherapy regimens containing anthracyclines. In this group, patients with XRCC1Arg399Arg had a significant improvement in 5-year Disease Free Survival (DFS) compared with those with the Arg/Gln and Gln/Gln variants (84 vs 46 %, p = 0.026). In the multivariate analysis, XRCC1Arg399Arg was reported as an independent prognostic factor for DFS (HR 0.4, CI-95 % 0.2-0.9, p = 0.035). Patients with the XRCC3 Met241Met genotype presented better 5-year OS than those carrying the Thr/Thr and Met/Thr variants (100 vs 70 %, p = 0.030). A multivariate analysis for OS confirmed the independent prognostic value of XRCC3 Met241Met (HR 0.15, CI-95 % 0.02-0.90, p = 0.048). These differences were not significant when patients receiving other chemotherapy treatments, different from anthracyclines, were also considered (n = 150). XPDLys751Lys was associated with older age at diagnosis than the Lys/Gln and Gln/Gln genotypes (65 vs 58 years, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: XRCC3Thr241Met and XRCC1Arg399Gln may be predictive of survival outcome in EBC patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens (AU)

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Topoisomerase 2 alpha: a real predictor of anthracycline efficacy?

Anthracyclines are frequently used in the adjuvant setting for breast cancer treatment since it is considered that anthracycline-based chemotherapy treatment benefits breast cancer patients. Nonetheless, these drugs are associated with severe side effects and predictive factors, for sensitivity to anthracyclines, are warranted in clinical practice. Topoisomerase 2 alpha (TOP2A) is considered to be the molecular target of these drugs. The potential predictive value of TOP2A amplification and overexpression has been extensively studied in breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines. However, results are not conclusive. In this paper, we review some of the published studies addressing the predictive value of TOP2A as well as the cellular functions of this enzyme and its status in breast cancer tissue (AU)

El sistema del complemento en la patogenia de las vasculitis asociadas a anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo / The complement system in the pathogenesis of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies-associated vasculitis

Una de las características principales de las vasculitis asociadas a ANCA (VAA) es la ausencia de depósito de complejos inmunes en las biopsias de los tejidos afectados y de consumo de complemento. Sin embargo, en etapas tempranas de enfermedades similares producidas en modelos animales, se ha observado que el sistema del complemento puede participar en la génesis de estas patologías. Varios modelos se han desarrollado en el intento de disecar los mecanismos patogénicos de enfermedades como granulomatosis con poliangitis (Wegener) (GPA) o poliangitis microscópica siendo más exitosos en esta última, sin que hasta el momento se disponga de un modelo satisfactorio para explicar los cambios que llevan a enfermedad granulomatosa vasculítica, máxime si se asocia a anticuerpos contra proteinasa-3 (PR-3), como es el caso en la GPA. Este manuscrito revisa en forma sucinta las evidencias recientes de la presencia de complemento en biopsias de pacientes con VAA, así como modelos animales que ponen de manifiesto la participación del sistema de complemento en su patogenia (AU)

One of the main characteristics of the vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies (AASV) is the absence of immune complex deposition in biopsies of affected tissues as well as a lack of complement depletion. However, in early stages of disease induced in animal models, it has been observed that the complement system may be involved in the generation of these diseases. There are various animal models which have been developed with the aim of knowing which are the pathogenic mechanisms in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener) (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the latter being explained using these approaches in a more satisfactory manner, as there is lack of a model which reproduces the changes leading to a granulomatous vasculitis associated with antibodies against proteinase-3, as in GPA. This short review presents recent evidence of the presence of complement in biopsies of patients with AASV and the most recent animal models, which show the participation of complement in their etiology (AU)

Immunohistochemical expression of excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1) in non-small-cell lung cancer: implications for patient outcome

INTRODUCTION The identification of novel prognostic markers may help to better assess survival probability in different subgroups of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to tailor treatment according to the molecular profile of the tumour. AIM We sought to examine whether the immunohistochemical expression of excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1), an essential component of the nucleotide excision repair pathway, may predict prognosis in NSCLC. MATERIAL AND METHOD Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour samples from 44 Turkish patients with NSCLC treated by adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy were included in the study. Immunohistochemical expression levels of ERCC1 were correlated with clinical outcomes by Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 29 patients had ERCC1-negative tumours while 15 had ERCC1-positive tumours. The mean progression- free survival (PFS) was significantly lower in patients with ERCC1-positive tumours (13±2 months) than in those with ERCC1-negative tumours (27±5 months, p<0.05). Similarly, the mean overall survival (OS) was significantly lower in patients with ERCC1-positive tumours (20±3 months) than in those with ERCC1-negative tumours (33±5 months, p<0.05). After allowance for potential confounders, Cox regression analysis demonstrated that ERCC1 expression was significantly associated with both PFS and OS (both p<0.05). CONCLUSION This study provides support for the prognostic value of ERCC1 immunohistochemical expression in patients with NSCLC treated by adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. If independently confirmed, these findings may improve prognostic stratification in this group of patients (AU)

Differential expression of dnaA and dosRgenes among members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex under oxic and hypoxic conditions

Major differences regarding the pathology and host immune response of the Beijing and Canettii genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been reported; however, studies on the genetic expression of these genotypes during in vitro dormancy are scarce. This study examined the expression of five cell-cycle-related genes and two dormancy-related genes in M. canettii, M. tuberculosis H37Rv, and M. tuberculosis Beijing during the Wayne model of dormancy. The results showed that under hypoxic conditions the three tuberculosis genotypes were able to transcribe genes involved in DNA replication and cellular division. In addition, dosR was found to be up-regulated in M. tuberculosis Beijing during the exponential growth phase but down-regulated under hypoxic conditions. In this genotype, the replication-related gene dnaA was also strongly down-regulated. These latter two findings suggest that, compared to M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M. canettii, the Beijing genotype has a lower capacity to synthesize dosR, hspX, and dnaA mRNAs during in vitro dormancy (AU)

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Control by Fur of the nitrate respiration regulators NarP and NarL in Salmonella enterica

Anaerobic metabolism is controlled by several transcriptional regulators, including ArcA, Fnr, NarP, and NarL, with the Fnr and ArcA proteins sensitive to the cell's redox status. Specifically, the two-component ArcAB system is activated in response to the oxidation state of membrane-bound quinones, which are the central electron carriers of respiration. Fnr, by contrast, directly senses cellular oxidation status through the [4Fe-4S] cluster present in its own structure. In this study, a third additional redox-associated pathway that controls the nitrate respiration regulators NarL and NarP was identified. The results showed that, in Salmonella enterica, the expression of these two transcriptional regulators is under the control of Fur, a metalloregulator that senses the presence of Fe2+ and regulates the homeostasis of this cation inside the cell. Thus, the Fur- Fe2+ complex increases the expression of narL and represses that of narP. Furthermore, studies of S. enteric mutants defective in the Fur-regulated sRNA RfrA and RfrB showed that those sRNA control both narP and narL expression. These results confirm Fur as a global regulator based on its involvement not only in iron uptake and detoxification but also in the control of nitrate/nitrite respiration by sensing cellular redox status (AU)

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Expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and topoisomerase IIalpha in leiomyosarcomas

INTRODUCTION: The expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and topoisomerase II has been associated with clinical outcome of several cancers including sarcomas. We aimed to evaluate the expression of these markers in leiomyosarcomas (LMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin blocks of 19 primary, nonmetastatic LMS were analysed immunohistochemically for the expression of the above-mentioned markers with a cutoff level for positivity of 20% of cell staining. RESULTS: Expression of E-cadherin was negative in all LMS. Nuclear expression of beta-catenin was also negative in all cases, while positive cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was observed in approximately half of the patients. The majority of LMS had expression of topoisomerase IIalpha, although only in 10 patients was this expression in more than 20% of tumour cells. From the analysed factors, tumour size was statistically significantly correlated with relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Further evidence with larger series is required in order to determine the implication of these markers in LMS (AU)

Expresión de MLH1, MSH2 y MSH6 en oncocitomas ycarcinomas de células cromófobas renales / MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 expression in renal oncocytomas and chromophobe cell carcinomas

Objetivos: La alteraciones de los genes reparadores deADN llevan a la inestabilidad de microsatélites y caracterizanal adenocarcinoma familiar de colon no asociado a poliposisy al resto de tumores que se han descrito asociados aeste síndrome. Asimismo, aunque se han visto alterados enun número variable de casos de cáncer esporádico, han sidomuy raramente evaluados en los carcinomas de células renales.Material y métodos: Se han seleccionado 7 oncocitomasrenales y 7 carcinomas renales de células cromófobasmediante criterios histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos convencionales,para el estudio de los genes reparadores deADN mediante la expresión inmunohistoquímica de las proteínasMLH1, MSH2, y MSH6. Resultados: Existe un predominioclaro del sexo masculino, tanto entre los oncocitomas(2F/5M) como entre los carcinomas (3F/4M), con edadesmedias de presentación de 66,8 y 63,4 añosrespectivamente. Entre los oncocitomas renales se ha detectadopositividad para CK20 (4 casos) y CD15 (4 casos),negatividad para CK7 en todos los casos, y pérdida de laexpresión proteica de MLH1 en 1 caso, de MSH2 en 2casos, y de MSH6 en 1 caso. En los carcinomas de célulascromófobas se ha observado positividad para CK7 y negatividadpara CK20 y CD15 en todos los casos, y pérdida de laexpresión de MSH2 en 2 casos y de MSH6 en 3. Conclusiones:El patrón de expresión de las proteínas MLH1,MSH2 y MSH6 en oncocitomas y en carcinomas renales decélulas cromófobas es similar, apoyando la teoría vigente deun mismo origen para ambas entidades en la nefrona distal (AU)

Objectives: Mismatch repair gene disorders lead tomicrosatellite instability and characterise the nonpolyposishereditary colonic adenocarcinoma syndrome. Aside fromthat, the syndrome includes other carcinomas in differentlocations. Mismatch repair gene mutations have been alsodescribed in some sporadic carcinomas of diverse topographies,but only very occasionally in renal cortical carcinomas.Material and methods: Seven renal oncocytomas and7 chromophobe cell carcinomas have been selected followingconventional histological and immunohistochemicalmethods for the analysis of MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 proteins.Results: There is a male predominance, both inoncocytomas and in carcinomas, with average ages of presentationof 66.8 and 63.4 years, respectively. Among theoncocytoma group, a positive immunostaining for CK20and CD15 has been seen in 4 cases each. Loss of MLH1expression has been detected in one case, loss of MSH2 in2, and loss of MSH6 in one. Among the chromophobe cellcarcinomas, CK7 was positive and CK20 and CD15 negativein all cases. Loss of MSH2 expression has been observedin 2 cases and loss of MSH6 in 3. Conclusions: The patternof MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 expression is analogous inrenal oncocytomas and chromophobe cell carcinomas thussupporting the nowadays accepted theory of a similar originin the distal nephron for both pathological entities (AU)

Síntesis rápida y simplificada de 11C-(+)-alfa -dihidrotetrabenazina para su utilización como radioligando PET de los transportadores vesiculares de monoaminas / Quick and simple synthesis of 11C-(+)-alpha-dihydrotetrabenazine to be used as a PET radioligand of vesicular monoamine transporters

La dihidrotetrabenazina (2-hidroxi-3-isobutil-9,10-dimetoxi-1,3,4,6,7-hexahidro-11bH-benzo[a]-quinolizina, DTBZ) se ha convertido en el ligando ideal de los transportadores presinápticos de monoaminas (VMAT2) debido a su elevada afinidad de unión y su lipofilicidad. Objetivo. Desarrollar un procedimiento de síntesis automático para el marcaje con carbono-11 de la DTBZ para utilizarla como marcador en el estudio in vivo mediante tomografía por emisión de positrones de pérdidas neuronales en modelos animales de enfermedad de Parkinson. Material y métodos. Se ha diseñado un nuevo método de síntesis totalmente automatizado para la obtención de 11C-(+)DTBZ. La reacción de metilación del precursor ­(+)desmetildihidrotetrabenazina­ se lleva a cabo a temperatura ambiente, a partir de la obtención de 11CH3I que utilizamos como precursor primario, en presencia de dimetilsulfóxido e hidróxido de potasio. Para los procesos de purificación se han utilizado cartuchos de extracción en fase sólida alúmina y los disolventes residuales del producto final se eliminaron mediante evaporación bajo flujo de helio. Resultados. De las 54 síntesis realizadas se han obtenido, con un tiempo de bombardeo de 5 minutos, y 6 minutos de síntesis tras la obtención de 11CH3I, unas producciones medias de 1,94 ± 0,13 GBq de 11C-(+)DTBZ, estéril, apirógeno y con una pureza radioquímica > 99 %. Conclusiones. Este nuevo procedimiento de síntesis es rápido y simple, ya que para la purificación final se han optimizado técnicas que permitieran la eliminación de los disolventes residuales basándonos en su polaridad y es aplicable a otras síntesis automáticas para la obtención de otros compuestos marcados mediante reacciones de metilación

Dihydrotetrabenazine (2-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,3,4,6,7-hexahydro-11bH-benzo[a]-quinolizine, DTBZ) has become the ideal radioligand for the presynaptic vesicular monoamine transporter VMAT2 based on its high binding affinity and optimal lipophilicity. Objective. To develop an automatic procedure for labelling DTBZ with carbon-11, which has been shown to be a highly effective marker for in vivo studies of neuronal losses in animal models with Parkinson's disease using positron emission tomography (PET). Materials and methods. We have developed a new fully automated synthesis procedure to obtain 11C-(+)DTBZ quickly and simply through labelling the precursor ­(+)desmethyldihydrotetrabenazine­ at room temperature in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), using 11CH3I as primary precursor. The final purification was carried out by solid phase extraction using commercially available cartridges and the residual solvents (DMSO and ethyl ether) were eliminated by evaporation. Results. The whole procedure was automated, and after 54 syntheses, an average production of 1.94 GBq of sterile, pyrogen-free 11C-(+)DTBZ with a radiochemical purity > 99 % was obtained with 5 minutes irradiation and 6 minutes of synthesis after 11CH3I production. 11C-(+)DTBZ binding to presynaptic dopamine nerve terminals has been demonstrated by MicroPET studies in Wistar rats and M. Fascicularis monkeys. Conclusions. This new synthesis procedure is quick and simple, due to optimised techniques, which have allowed elimination of residual solvents based on their polarity for the final purification. It is also applicable to other automatic syntheses for obtaining compounds labelled by methylation reactions

Expresión inmunohistoquímica de la proteína mycN y el estado del gen MYCN en tumores neuroblásticos / Immunohistochemistry expression of mycN protein and MYCN gene status in neuroblastic tumors

Antecedentes: Los tumores neuroblásticos son de los tumores pediátricos más frecuentes. A pesar de su gran variedad genética, clínica e histopatológica, la amplificación del gen MYCN es siempre un indicador de mal pronóstico. Este oncogen codifica una proteína nuclear que se une al ADN y activa la transcripción de sus genes diana. Un aumento en el número de copias del gen no se corresponde siempre con sobreexpresión de su proteína. El valor pronóstico de la detección de la proteína es controvertido. Métodos: Se han analizado 220 muestras de NB. Mediante la técnica de FISH se ha establecido el estado del gen, mientras que la inmunohistoquímica ha permitido el estudio de la expresión de la proteína en secciones de parafina. Resultados: Los 15 casos con ganancia y 140 de los 141 casos sin amplificación del gen MYCN no expresan la proteína. En el grupo de los 55 casos amplificados, el 76,4% han sido positivos y 23,6% negativos. Conclusiones: Los niveles de expresión génica no siempre corresponden con el número de copias del gen, ya que intervienen muchos mecanismos moleculares. La mayoría de los casos positivos para este anticuerpo presentan amplificación, así que el estudio inmunohistoquímico de su expresión podría utilizarse para aproximar el estado del gen MYCN en aquellos laboratorios de diagnóstico donde las técnicas moleculares no estén disponibles

Introduction: Neuroblastic tumors are one of the most frequent pediatric tumor. Despite their genetic, clinic and histopathologic variety, MYCN gene amplification is always considered as an adverse prognosis factor. MYCN gene encodes a nuclear protein which binds DNA and activates target genes transcription. An increase of gene copies number not always involves a protein overexpression. The prognostic value of the determination of mycN protein is controversial. Materials and methods: 220 NB samples were analyzed. We established the gene status by FISH and we studied the protein expression in paraffin sections by immunohistochemistry. Results: 15 gain samples and 140 from 141 non-amplified samples don’t express MYCN protein. From 55 amplified cases, 76.4% were positive and 23.6% were negative. Conclusions: Gene expression levels do not always match with gene copies number due to different molecular mechanisms. Most of positive cases to mycN protein are amplified samples. This antibody could be used to approach gene status in those laboratories without available molecular techniques