Gut Microflora Modulates Th17/Treg Cell Differentiation in Experimental Autoimmune Prostatitis via the Short-Chain Fatty Acid Propionate.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a very common urological disorder and has been gradually regarded as an immune-mediated disease. Multiple studies have indicated that the gut microflora plays a pivotal part in immune homeostasis and autoimmune disorder development. However, whether the gut microflora affects the CP/CPPS, and the underlying mechanism behind them remain unclear. Here, we built an experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mouse model by subcutaneous immunity and identified that its Th17/Treg frequency was imbalanced. Using fecal 16s rRNA sequencing and untargeted/targeted metabolomics, we discovered that the diversity and relative abundance of gut microflora and their metabolites were obviously different between the control and the EAP group. Propionic acid, a kind of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), was decreased in EAP mice compared to that in controls, and supplementation with propionic acid reduced susceptibility to EAP and corrected the imbalance of Th17/Treg cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, SCFA receptor G-protein-coupled receptor 43 and intracellular histone deacetylase 6 regulated by propionic acid in Th17 and Treg cells were also evaluated. Lastly, we observed that fecal transplantation from EAP mice induced the decrease of Treg cell frequency in recipient mice. Our data showed that gut dysbiosis contributed to a Th17/Treg differentiation imbalance in EAP via the decrease of metabolite propionic acid and provided valuable immunological groundwork for further intervention in immunologic derangement of CP/CPPS by targeting propionic acid.

IL-17 exacerbates experimental autoimmune prostatitis via CXCL1/CXCL2-mediated neutrophil infiltration.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a poorly understood disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that autoimmune dysfunction is involved in the development of CP/CPPS. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is associated with the occurrence and development of several chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of IL-17 in CP/CPPS are not clear. We confirmed that IL-17 was increased in the prostate tissues of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mice. Corresponding to the increase of IL-17, neutrophil infiltration and the levels of CXCL1 and CXCL2 (CXC chemokine ligands 1 and 2) were also increased in the prostate of EAP. Treatment of EAP mice with an IL-17-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) decreased the number of infiltrated neutrophils and CXCL1 and CXCL2 levels. Depletion of neutrophils using anti-Ly6G antibodies ameliorated the inflammatory changes and hyperalgesia caused by EAP. Fucoidan, a could potent inhibitor of neutrophil migration, also ameliorate the manifestations of EAP. Our findings suggested that IL-17 promoted the production of CXCL1 and CXCL2, which triggered neutrophil chemotaxis to prostate tissues. Fucoidan might be a potential drug for the treatment of EAP via the effective inhibition of neutrophil infiltration.

Melatonin attenuates prostatic inflammation and pelvic pain via Sirt1-dependent inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in an EAP mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common male genitourinary system disease. As a neuroendocrine hormone, melatonin possesses a variety of biological functions, among which its anti-inflammatory effects have recently drawn substantial attention. The purpose of the current research was to study the effect of melatonin on CP/CPPS and the underlying mechanisms using a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP). METHODS: The EAP mouse model was successfully established by subcutaneously injecting a mixture of prostate antigen and complete Freund's adjuvant. On Day 42, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the histological appearance of prostate tissues. Chronic pelvic pain development was assessed by suprapubic allodynia. The levels of inflammation-related cytokines, such as interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-1ß, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Then, we explored the anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin on CP/CPPS by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining, by measuring the expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins in EAP mice. RESULTS: The EAP model mice exhibited severe diffuse leukocyte infiltration and significantly increased pelvic pain compared to the control mice. In the melatonin treatment group, the histological appearance of the prostate tissues, pelvic pain development, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly alleviated compared to the EAP + dimethyl sulfoxide group. Furthermore, we found that the protective effects of melatonin were achieved through activation of the Sirt1 pathway and downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that melatonin could attenuate prostate inflammation and pelvic pain by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasomes signaling pathway through the activation of Sirt1 in mice with EAP, and these efforts should provide a promising therapeutic strategy for CP/CPPS.

Diffuse neurofibroma of the chest and abdominal wall invading the diaphragm leads to diaphragmatic eventration: case report.

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant condition with a high rate of new mutation and variable expression. Diffuse neurofibroma of the epidermis invading deeper organs is rare.We report a case of diffuse subcutaneous neurofibroma in the thoracoabdominal wall which had invaded the diaphragm and caused diaphragmatic eventration. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a patient with diffuse neurofibroma of the chest and abdomen who was admitted to the hospital due to sudden abdominal pain and a possible diaphragmatic hernia. We performed thoracotomy and found that the neurofibroma had invaded the diaphragm and caused diaphragmatic eventration. CONCLUSIONS: This occurrence has not been reported, and it shows that although neurofibromatosis is a benign disease, it still has the biological behavior of a malignant tumor and may cause a serious impact on and damage to other organs.

Effect of Eriocalyxin B on prostatic inflammation and pelvic pain in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disease in males. Eriocalyxin B (EriB), a natural diterpenoid purified from Isodon eriocalyx var. laxiflora, was previously reported to have antitumor effects via multiple immune-related pathways. In this study, we investigated the effect of EriB on CP/CPPS using a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) and explored its potential mechanisms. METHODS: The EAP model was established in nonobese diabetic mice by intradermal injecting a mixture of prostate antigens and Complete Freund's Adjuvant on days 0 and 28. Then, EAP mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of EriB (5 or 10 mg/kg/d) for 14 days, from days 28 to 42 (EAP+EriB5 or EAP+EriB10 groups). The histopathological appearance of the prostate tissues was evaluated. Chronic pelvic pain development was assessed by cutaneous allodynia. Inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. We then explored anti-inflammatory potential mechanisms of EriB by studying the effects of PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (EAP+EriB10+Wort group) and NF-κB inhibitor SC75741 (EAP+EriB10+SC group) on prostate inflammation and pelvic pain using this model. RESULTS: Histological analyses revealed significant prostate inflammation in EAP mice compared with control mice. Significantly increased pelvic pain was detected in EAP mice (P < .05). Compared with the EAP+Veh group, chronic pain development, histological appearance, and cytokine levels demonstrated that EriB could alleviate the severity of EAP in a dose-dependent manner though upregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and downregulation of the NF-κB pathway. Further mechanism research demonstrated that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway could be blocked by wortmannin, but was not affected by SC75741. In addition, the NF-κB pathway could be further inhibited by SC75741 compared with the EAP+EriB10+Veh group. However, wortmannin could reactivate the NF-κB pathway, indicating that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway negatively regulates the NF-κB pathway during EriB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggested that EriB could alleviate the severity of prostatic inflammation and pelvic pain in an EAP mouse model. These findings may broaden the value of EriB as a promising candidate for the treatment of CP/CPPS.

CaMK4-dependent phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR underlies Th17 excessive activation in experimental autoimmune prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complicated syndrome characterized by genitourinary pain in the absence of bacterial infection. Th17 cell-driven autoimmunity has been proposed as a cause of CP/CPPS. However, the factors that promote Th17-driven autoimmunity in experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) and the molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we showed that Th17 cells were excessively activated, and blockade of IL-17A could effectively ameliorate various symptoms in EAP. Furthermore, we revealed that calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase Ⅳ (CaMK4), especially Thr196 p-CaMK4 was increased in the Th17 cells of the EAP group, which were activated by intracellular cytosolic Ca2+ . Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of CaMK4 decreased the proportion of Th17 cells, and the protein and mRNA level of IL-17A, IL-22, and RORγt. The phosphorylation of CaMK4 was dependent on the increase in intracellular cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in Th17 cells. A mechanistic study demonstrated that inhibition of CaMK4 reduced IL-17A production by decreasing the phosphorylation of Akt-mTOR, which was well accepted to positively regulate Th17 differentiation. Collectively, our results demonstrated that Ca2+ -CaMK4-Akt/mTOR-IL-17A axis inhibition may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for CP/CPPS.

Abnormal gut microbiota composition is associated with experimental autoimmune prostatitis-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are found in approximately 78% of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) patients, but the pathological mechanisms remain unknown. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal gut microbiota may play an important role in depression. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota contributes to CP/CPPS-associated depression by using a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP). METHODS: Male nonobese diabetic mice were immunized twice by subcutaneous injection of prostate antigen and adjuvant. Behavioral tests consisted of an open field test, sucrose preference test, forced swimming tests, and tail suspension test was used to confirm the depression-like symptoms that were induced by EAP. Then, fecal samples were collected, and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed to detect differences in gut microbiota composition between control and EAP group. Additionally, fecal bacteria from the control and EAP mice were transplanted into antibiotics-induced pseudo-germ-free mice to investigate the effects on host behaviors and the composition of gut bacteria. RESULTS: EAP was successfully established and exhibited depressive-like behaviors in mice. The 16S rRNA analysis of fecal samples indicated the abnormal composition of gut microbiota in the EAP mice compared to the control mice. In the fecal microbiota transplant study, antibiotics-treated pseudo-germ-free mice presented depressive states as compared to naïve mice. Fecal bacteria transplant from EAP mice, but not from control mice, into the pseudo-germ-free mice, significantly exaggerated host depression-like behaviors. Moreover, fecal bacteria transplants from control and EAP mice induced distinct alterations in α-diversity and ß-diversity indices. In all, 24 bacteria at six phylogenetic levels were remarkably changed by the fecal bacteria transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal gut microbiota composition after EAP induction may contribute to the development of depression in mice. A therapeutic strategy that targets gut microbiota may provide an alternative treatment for alleviating this condition.

Microglial activation and neurobiological alterations in experimental autoimmune prostatitis-induced depressive-like behavior in mice.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) frequently show depressive symptoms clinically and increasing evidence indicates a correlation between CP/CPPS and depression. However, the underlying mechanisms of CP/CPPS-related depression remain poorly understood. Here, we sought to determine the role of hippocampal microglial activation and neurobiological changes in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP)-induced depression and the treatment efficacy of Chinese herb extract baicalein. METHODS: EAP was induced through intradermal injection of prostate antigen and adjuvant twice. Then, mice were assessed for affective behaviors in the open field test, elevated plus maze, forced swim test, and tail suspension test. The morphology and function of microglia and astrocytes were detected by immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and transmission electron microscopy. Proinflammatory mediators along with serotonin transporter (SLC6A4/SERT) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were quantified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT­PCR), and serum serotonin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was performed to measure hippocampal glutamate levels. In addition, baicalein was used in a subset of EAP mice to test its anti-depressant action. RESULTS: EAP was successfully established and induced depressive- and anxiety-like behavior in mice. Increasing levels of co-expressed ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ultrastructural observations suggested microglial activation and reactive astrocytosis in the hippocampus. These activated microglia resulted in increased expressions of multiple proinflammatory cytokines. Simultaneously, EAP mice showed higher gene expressions of SLC6A4 and IDO and lower concentrations of serotonin. 1H-MRS indicated a decrease in the glutamate + glutamine (Glx)/total creatine (tCr) ratio in EAP mice. Furthermore, baicalein treatment alleviated the depressive-like behavior and neuroinflammation by suppressing the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that EAP-induced depressive-like behavior is linked to microglia activation and subsequent neurotransmitter metabolism. Moreover, baicalein attenuates behavioral changes by inhibiting neuroinflammation via downregulation of the NF-κB pathway.

Effect of alcohol on chronic pelvic pain and prostatic inflammation in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent disease of the urogenital system. Alcohol has been reported to be closely related to CP/CPPS. Thus, we intended to verify the role of alcohol in CP/CPPS and determine the underlying mechanism. METHODS: We induced experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mouse model by intradermally injecting a mixture of prostate antigens (PAgs) and complete Freund's adjuvant on days 0 and 28. Mice were treated with alcohol (control-alcohol and EAP-alcohol groups) or vehicle (control-vehicle, and EAP-vehicle groups) from day 32 to 42. Forty-two days after PAg injection, the pathological appearance of the prostate tissues was evaluated, and histological analyses of the prostate were performed. Chronic pelvic pain was assessed by applying von Frey filaments to the lower abdomen. Proinflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. Then, we explored the effects of the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 on chronic pelvic pain and prostatic inflammation in this model. RESULTS: Histological analyses showed diffuse inflammation in the stromal tissues that were characterized by severe infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells in mice in the EAP-alcohol group compared with EAP-vehicle group. Chronic pain tests showed that the response frequency was significantly increased using a von Frey filament at forces of 0.4, 1.0, and 4.0 g in EAP-alcohol group compared with EAP-vehicle (P < .05). The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17, and IL-1ß were all significantly elevated in EAP-alcohol group compared with the EAP-vehicle group (P < .05). However, between the control-alcohol and control-vehicle groups, chronic pain tests, histological assays, and cytokine determinations showed no differences. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that MCC950 could decrease the expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins including NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. The chronic pain tests, histological assays, and cytokine determinations showed that MCC950 could attenuate the chronic pain and prostatic inflammation through the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that alcohol could aggravate the severity of prostatic inflammation in EAP model though activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, the role of MCC950 in inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and decreasing IL-1ß secretion to alleviate EAP severity may show that it is a promising therapeutic agent for CP/CPPS.

MicroRNA expression profile in chronic nonbacterial prostatitis revealed by next-generation small RNA sequencing.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered to be involved in the pathogenic initiation and progression of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP); however, the comprehensive expression profile of dysregulated miRNAs, relevant signaling pathways, and core machineries in CNP have not been fully elucidated. In the current research, CNP rat models were established through the intraprostatic injection of carrageenan into the prostate. Then, next-generation sequencing was performed to explore the miRNA expression profile in CNP. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) bioinformatical analyses were conducted to reveal the enriched biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components and signaling pathways. As a result, 1224, 1039, and 1029 known miRNAs were annotated in prostate tissues from the blank control (BC), normal saline injection (NS), and carrageenan injection (CAR) groups (n = 3 for each group), respectively. Among them, 84 miRNAs (CAR vs BC) and 70 miRNAs (CAR vs NS) with significantly different expression levels were identified. Compared with previously reported miRNAs with altered expression in various inflammatory diseases, the majority of deregulated miRNAs in CNP, such as miR-146b-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-150-5p, and miR-139-5p, showed similar expression patterns. Moreover, bioinformatics analyses have enriched mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), endocytosis, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling pathways. These pathways were all involved in immune response, which indicates the critical regulatory role of the immune system in CNP initiation and progression. Our investigation has presented a global view of the differentially expressed miRNAs and potential regulatory networks containing their target genes, which may be helpful for identifying the novel mechanisms of miRNAs in immune regulation and effective target-specific theragnosis for CNP.

[Related immunologic mechanisms of chronic prostatitis: Advances in studies].

Chronic prostatitis is a common male disease with a high incidence rate and a serious impact on the patients' quality of life. The pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis remains unclear though it is considered to be possibly related to infection, inflammation, and abnormal pelvic nerve muscle activity. Recently, a growing number of studies have reported immune imbalance and changes of inflammatory cytokines in patients with chronic prostatitis as well as a close correlation of abnormal immune response with the occurrence of diseases, pelvic pain symptoms, mental symptoms, hyperalgesia, and so on. This review summarizes the latest advances in the studies of immunologic mechanisms of chronic prostatitis.

[Expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in prostate cancer and their implications].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin between high-risk prostate cancer and low- and medium-risk prostate cancer, and analyze their correlation with the age, serum PSA level, and Gleason score of the patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 42 cases of prostate cancer, which were divided into a low- and medium-risk group (group A, n = 15) and a high-risk group (group B, n = 27). We measured the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin by immunohistochemical staining, compared their differences between the two groups, and analyzed their correlation with the age, serum PSA level, and Gleason score of the patients. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of E-cadherin was significantly higher in group A than in B (6.1 +/- 0.51 vs 4.2 +/- 0.37, P < 0.01), and so was its positive rate (73.3% vs 25.9%, P < 0.05). The positive rate of E-cadherin was also markedly higher in the patients with serum PSA < 20 microg/L than in those with serum PSA > or = 20 microg/L (66.7% vs 29.6%, P < 0.05), and so was it in the patients with the Gleason score 5-7 than in those with 8-10 (60.9% vs 21.1%, P < 0.05). On the contrary, the N-cadherin expression was significantly lower in group A than in B (3.7 +/- 0.32 vs 7.5 +/- 0.58, P < 0.01), and so was its positive rate (13.3% vs 59.3%, P < 0.01). The positive rate of N-cadherin was also remarkably lower in the patients with the Gleason score 5-7 than in those with 8-10 (26.1% vs 63.2%, P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the N-cadherin expression between the patients with serum PSA < 20 microg/L and those with serum PSA > or = 20 microg/L (P > 0.05), nor in the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin between the patients aged > or = 70 years and those aged < 70 years (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin are significantly different between high-risk prostate cancer and low- and medium-risk prostate cancer, which suggests that both may correlate with the invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer as well as with the serum PSA level and Gleason score of the patients.

Increased chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis induced by 17-beta estradiol combined with castration.

Although chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNBP) is a common diagnosis in middle-aged men, the etiology of this disease remains poorly understood. Neuroendocrine cells play an important role in the neuroendocrine regulation of the prostate, and chromogranin A (CgA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are regarded as classic markers of neuroendocrine cells. This study aimed to determine CgA and NSE levels in a CNBP rat model to evaluate the role of neuroendocrine cells in the pathogenesis of CNBP. For developing a CNBP rat model, we examined the ability of 17-beta estradiol and surgical castration alone or in combination to induce CNBP. Histologic inflammation of the prostate was assessed in CNBP-induced rats by hematoxylin-eosin staining, whereas CgA and NSE protein levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Our results showed that 17-beta estradiol combined with castration successfully induced CNBP and that CgA and NSE levels were increased in the prostate of CNBP rats as compared to those without CNBP. These findings indicate that the neuroendocrine regulation mediated by neuroendocrine cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of CNBP.

Risk factors for hypospadias in China.

This case-controlled study was designed to evaluate the association between various baseline parental factors and the risk of hypospadias in China. Patients were selected from tertiary referral hospitals in Anhui, a province in mid-eastern China. A questionnaire was given to the parents of each patient. The final database included 193 cases and 835 controls. The incidence of additional coexistent anomalies was 13.0%, primarily cryptorchidism (9.8%). Ten patients (5.1%) were from families with genital anomaly, including five families (2.6%) with hypospadias. The risks of hypospadias was higher for children of mothers > 35 (odds ratio [OR] =1.47) and < 18 (OR = 2.95) years of age, and in mothers who had consumed alcohol (OR = 2.67), used drugs (OR = 1.53) and had an infection (OR = 1.87) during pregnancy. The risk of hypospadias was also higher when mothers (OR = 1.68) and fathers (OR = 1.74) were engaged in agriculture. Other factors assessed were not associated with the risk of hypospadias.

[Mammalian target of rapamycin regulates androgen receptor and Akt phosphorylation in prostate cancer 22RV1 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of the mammalian target of rapamycin-1 and -2 (mTORC1 and TORC2) in the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer 22RV1 cells. METHODS: After silencing mTORC1 and TORC2, we examined the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer 22RV1 cells by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and detected the expressions of the androgen receptor (AR) and Akt phosphorylation in the prostate cancer 22RV1 cells by Western blot after transfecting Raptor-siRNA and Rictor-siRNA to the 22RV1 cells. RESULTS: MTT showed that the prostate cancer 22RV1 cells had no significant change in the growth rate after mTORC1 silence (P > 0.05), but their proliferation was markedly inhibited after mTORC2 silence (P < 0.01). Flow cytometry revealed a dramatic increase in the apoptosis of the 22RV1 cells after mTORC1 silence (P < 0.01), but no obvious change after mTORC2 silence (P > 0.05). Western blot exhibited that mTORC1 silence significantly increased the expression of AR and Akt phosphorylation (P < 0.05), while mTORC2 silence markedly decreased them (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: mTORC2 is not only required for the survival of prostate cancer 22RV1 cells, but also a promising therapeutic target of prostate cancer.

[Clinical features on chromophobe renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the clinical, pathological features and prognosis of patients with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: From January 1998 to January 2008, clinical data of 29 patients with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma including clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, treatment models, pTNM stages and follow-up results, were summarized to investigate its features and prognosis. RESULTS: All cases had no obvious clinical and preoperative imaging presentation. There were 23 patients underwent radical nephrectomy, and 6 cases underwent nephron sparing surgery. Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Macroscopically, the cut surface of the tumors were generally beige in color. Histologically, it showed polygonal chromophobe cells and small round eosinophilic cells with eccentric hyaline degeneration. These tumor cells had a clear and sharp membrane, lightly stained abundant cytoplasm with a fine reticular translucent pattern and irregular nuclei. And a perinuclear halo was often seen in these cells. Histochemically, the tumor cells generally show a diffuse and strong reaction for CK-8 with a negative expression of Vimentin. The pTNM stages of the tumor were as follows, pT1N0M0 in 11 cases, pT2N0M0 in 8 cases, pT3aN0M0 in 5 cases, pT1N1M0 in 3 cases, pT2N1M0 in 2 cases. Twenty-six cases of patients were followed up (24 to 144 months, with an average of 90 months), 3 cases died of cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and local recurrence involved in 6 cases with reoperation in 4 cases, as well as distant metastasis in 1 case. Twenty-one cases survived with tumor-free. The statistical results indicated that the survival rates of the patients with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in five years and ten years were 83.9%, 77.9%, respectively, compared with renal cell carcinoma of the same stage 63.8% and 49.9% at the same periods, and there is no difference in the survival rate of five years (P > 0.05) but significant difference in that of ten years (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is a morphologically uncommon subtype of renal cell carcinoma with the good prognosis. Definite diagnosis depends on its typical pathological feature. Radical nephrectomy is the first choice for the treatment of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Rapamycin regulates Akt and ERK phosphorylation through mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways.

Numerous studies have shown that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor activates Akt signaling pathway via a negative feedback loop while inhibiting mTORC1 signaling. In this report, we focused on studying the role of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in rapamycin-mediated Akt and ERK phosphorylation, and the antitumor effect of rapamycin in cancer cells in combination with Akt and ERK inhibitors. Moreover, we analyzed the effect of mTORC1 and mTORC2 on regulating cell cycle progression. We found that low concentrations rapamycin increased Akt and ERK phosphorylation through a mTORC1-dependent mechanism because knockdowned raptor induced the activation of Akt and ERK, but higher doses of rapamycin inhibited Akt and ERK phosphorylation mainly via the mTORC2 signaling pathway because that the silencing of rictor led to the inhibition of Akt and ERK phosphorylation. We further showed that mTORC2 was tightly associated with the development of cell cycle through an Akt-dependent mechanism. Therefore, we combined PI3K and ERK inhibitors prevent rapamycin-induced Akt activation and enhanced antitumor effects of rapamycin. Collectively, we conclude that mTORC2 plays a much more important role than mTORC1 in rapamycin-mediated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK, and cotargeting AKT and ERK signaling may be a new strategy for enhancing the efficacy of rapamycin-based therapeutic approaches in cancer cells.

[The mTOR inhibitor enhances chemosensitivity of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor CCI-779 on the chemosensitivity of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3. METHODS: Prostate cancer cells PC-3 were cultured and treated with CCI-779, Paclitaxel and combination of the two. Then the inhibitory effects of the three medications on the growth of the PC-3 cells were determined by MTT, and the their cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the three medications all significantly inhibited the proliferation of the PC-3 cells, and the combined method even enhanced the effect. Flow cytometry showed that CCI-779 and Paclitaxel blocked the cell cycle mainly in the G1/G2 stage, while the combined medication mainly in the G0/G1 stage. Significantly increased apoptosis of the PC-3 cells was observed in the three medication groups as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CCI-779 can inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells and enhance the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer.

[Effects of rapamycin on prostate cancer PC-3 cells].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling network regulates cell growth, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. This study was to investigate the effect and the underlying mechanism of rapamycin on prostate cancer PC-3 cells. METHODS: PC-3 cells were treated with 1 nmol/L rapamycin. The proliferation of PC-3 was examined by MTT. The cell cycle distribution of PC-3 was measured by FCM. The protein levels of raptor, rictor, Akt, pS6k1-T389, pAkt-s473 in PC-3 were examined by western blot. RESULTS: Rapamycin increased the proliferation of PC-3 at 24 h, however, it remarkably inhibited cell proliferation after 36 h (P<0.01), which became more obviously at 72 h. Although incubation with rapamycin slightly induced cell arrest at the S phase at 24 h, this gradually increased PC-3 cells at the G1 phase at 36 h and 48 h. Compared with the control group, the protein levels of raptor and pS6k1-T389 were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and those of rictor and Akt remained unchanged after the treatment with rapamycin for 24 h; the protein level of pAkt-s473 was significantly increased at 24 h (P<0.01), but was obviously inhibited at 36 h and almost completely inhibited at 72 h (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged rapamycin treatment inhibits the proliferation of PC-3 cells. This may be caused by rapamycin-induced cell cycle arrest at the G(1) phase and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation.