CD4+ T cell-derived IL-22 enhances liver metastasis by promoting angiogenesis.

Metastasis is a cancer-related systemic disease and is responsible for the greatest mortality rate among cancer patients. Interestingly, the interaction between the immune system and cancer cells seems to play a key role in metastasis formation in the target organ. However, this complex network is only partially understood. We previously found that IL-22 produced by tissue resident iNKT17 cells promotes cancer cell extravasation, the early step of metastasis. Based on these data, we aimed here to decipher the role of IL-22 in the last step of metastasis formation. We found that IL-22 levels were increased in established metastatic sites in both human and mouse. We also found that Th22 cells were the key source of IL-22 in established metastasis sites, and that deletion of IL-22 in CD4+ T cells was protective in liver metastasis formation. Accordingly, the administration of a murine IL-22 neutralizing antibody in the establishment of metastasis formation significantly reduced the metastatic burden in a mouse model. Mechanistically, IL-22-producing Th22 cells promoted angiogenesis in established metastasis sites. In conclusion, our findings highlight that IL-22 is equally as important in contributing to metastasis formation at late metastatic stages, and thus, identify it as a novel therapeutic target in established metastasis.

Elasticity standard values of the thoracolumbar fascia assessed with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography on healthy volunteers: A cross section study.

INTRODUCTION: Determining the normal values for acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) shear wave elastography of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and define possible factors of influence. METHODS: We measured the shear wave velocity (SWV) in m/s and the diameter (anterior-posterior) in mm of the TLF bilateral in 267 healthy participants with the Acuson S3000™ (Siemens) using the virtual touch image quantification mode (VTIQ). The parameters were tested for correlations with the anthropometric data of the participants, between different age groups and the genders, as well as information obtained from the history, such as smoking and sporting activities. RESULTS: We determined a mean SWV of 3.28 ±â€¯0.55 m/s for the left thoracolumbar fascia and 3.44 ±â€¯0.55 m/s for the right. The diameter on the right was 2.7 ±â€¯0.8 mm. On the left, it was 2.7 ±â€¯0.9 mm. Neither body mass index (BMI) nor gender had a significant effect on either of the measured parameters (p > 0.05). The same goes for regular medication, sporting activity or the consumption of alcohol (p > 0.05). The results concerning the effect of smoking and age were inconclusive as they only had a significant influence to either the right or the left side of the TLF but not on the other side. CONCLUSIONS: We collected the normal value for ARFI shear wave elastography of the TLF in 267 healthy participants. Furthermore, neither gender, BMI, sports activity nor the consumption of alcohol affected the elasticity or the diameter of the thoracolumbar fascia.

Elasticity standard values of the Achilles tendon assessed with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography on healthy volunteers: a cross section study.

BACKGROUND: To determine normal values for acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) shear wave elastography of the Achilles tendon. METHODS: Using the VTIQ mode with the Acuson S3000™ (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany), we measured the shear wave velocity (SWV) in m/s and the diameter in mm of both Achilles tendons in 182 healthy volunteers. The tendon was displayed in a sagittal view with a relaxed tendon. The parameters were tested for correlations with the anthropometric data of the subjects, between the genders and different age groups, as well as information obtained from the history, such as smoking and sporting activities. RESULTS: Using a sagittal acoustic window, we determined a mean SWV of 9.09 ± 0.71 m/s for the left Achilles tendon and 9.17 ± 0.61 m/s for the right. There was a significant difference between the results for the right and left side (p < 0.05). The diameter on the left was 4.7 ± 0.9 mm. On the right, it was 4.8 ± 0.9 mm. Likewise there was a significant difference between the results for the diameter of the left and right side (p < 0.05). Neither gender, body mass index (BMI) nor age had a significant effect on either of the measured parameters (p > 0.05). The same goes for the consumption of tobacco and alcohol (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, BMI, smoking or the consumption of alcohol did not affect either the elasticity or the diameter of the Achilles tendon.