Effects of prenatal sex hormones on behavioral sexual dimorphism.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between the hormone environment during the prenatal period using cord blood, and gender-role play behavior in school-aged children. METHODS: A total of 879 school-aged children (433 boys and 446 girls) in a prospective birth cohort study in Hokkaido were enrolled to analyze the relationship between cord blood level of the sex hormones estradiol (E), testosterone (T), progesterone (P), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI) score. The PSAI evaluated sex-typical characteristics, the type of preferred toys and play activities. The PSAI consists of 12 masculine and 12 feminine items, and the composite scores were calculated by subtracting the feminine score from the masculine score. Higher scores indicated male-typical behavior. RESULTS: Composite and masculine PSAI scores were significantly higher in boys. Meanwhile, the feminine score was significantly lower in boys. Although T and P were significantly higher in boys, E/T was significantly higher in girls. In a multivariate regression model, including covariates of social factors, there was no correlation between any of the hormones and PSAI score in boys. In girls, only P and E/T were positively correlated with the feminine score. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal sex hormone exposure may influence the dimorphic brain development and behavior in school-aged girls. Furthermore, the cord blood hormone levels may not fully reflect the hormone environment during the prenatal period.

Relationship between adrenal steroid hormones in cord blood and birth weight: The Sapporo Cohort, Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between steroid hormone levels in cord blood and birth weight. METHODS: Among 514 participants in a prospective birth cohort study in Sapporo, the following hormone levels were measured in 294 stored cord blood samples from 135 males and 159 females: androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, and cortisone. Birth weight information was obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Androstenedione/DHEA was significantly higher in males than in females, while DHEA was significantly higher in females. Birth weight was significantly higher in males than in females. Regarding cortisone, androstenedione/DHEA, and cortisone/cortisol, a correlation was observed with birth weight in males but not in females. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal adrenal steroids as well as converting enzymes such as 11ß-hydrosteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and 3ß-hydrosteroid dehydrogenase may have an impact on prenatal physical development.

The inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß is involved in bladder remodeling after bladder outlet obstruction in mice.

AIMS: We investigated the relationship between IL-1ß and morphological and functional changes following partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO). METHODS: Female wild-type C57/BL6 mice (WT) and IL-1ß-/- mice (KO) were used. Animals were sacrificed either 1 or 3 weeks after pBOO or sham surgery, and their bladders were harvested to determine bladder weight, for RT-PCR to measure interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) levels, and for histological analysis with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining. Cystometry was performed on conscious animals 3 weeks after surgery to evaluate urodynamic parameters. IGF-1 was also administered intraperitoneally to KO with pBOO, and bladder weight was then investigated. RESULTS: IL-1ß-mRNA levels were significantly higher in WT-pBOO than in WT-sham. IGF-1-mRNA and TGF-ß-mRNA levels were also significantly higher in WT-pBOO than in WT-sham; however, these increases were smaller in KO-pBOO than in WT-pBOO. Bladder weight was significantly higher in WT-pBOO than in WT-sham, while increases in bladder weight were significantly suppressed in KO-pBOO. HE staining revealed the thickened bladder wall in WT-pBOO, and this phenomenon was less in KO-pBOO than in WT-pBOO. Regarding the urodynamic parameters examined, micturition pressure and bladder capacity were significantly higher in WT-pBOO than in WT-sham, but remained unchanged in KO-pBOO. The administration of IGF-1 to KO-pBOO led to similar increases in bladder weight and the thickened bladder wall as those observed in WT-pBOO. CONCLUSION: IL-1ß has the potential to induce bladder remodeling and deteriorate urodynamic parameters in pBOO.

The effect of ovariectomy on urethral continence mechanisms during sneeze reflex in middle-aged versus young adult rats.

AIMS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is common in post-menopausal women. The present study therefore examined how aging and estrogen deficiency induced by ovariectomy (OVX) affect the urethral continence mechanism that prevents sneeze-induced SUI in rats. METHODS: Young (3 months old) and middle-aged (12 months old) female rats underwent bilateral OVX or sham operation. Urethral activity was measured by the amplitude of urethral responses during sneezing (A-URS) and urethral baseline pressure (UBP). Apoptotic changes in urethral tissue sections were examined by the TUNEL method. RESULTS: In middle-aged rats, UBP, but not A-URS, was significantly decreased compared to young rats. In 3-week OVX rats, A-URS was significantly decreased compared to sham rats in both young and middle-aged groups, and the OVX-induced reduction in A-URS was more pronounced in middle-aged rats. Neither young 3-week OVX nor sham rats leaked during sneezing; however, SUI occurred in 2/8 middle-aged rats with 3-week OVX, and after 6 weeks of OVX, SUI was observed in 5/8 young rats and 6/8 middle-aged rats. In middle-aged rats, TUNEL positive cells were significantly increased in urethral striated muscles whereas, after OVX, the increased number of positive cells was also found in the mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that aging is more likely to impair baseline urethral function than striated muscle-mediated reflex activity although apoptotic changes are found in urethral striated muscle. Estrogen deficiency additionally impairs the striated muscle-mediated continence reflex. Thus, aging and estrogen deficiency differently and additively affect baseline urethral function and neurally-evoked, striated muscle-mediated urethral continence mechanisms to induce SUI.

Adaptor protein CRK induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of bladder cancer cells through HGF/c-Met feedback loop.

We have previously reported that an adaptor protein CRK, including CRK-I and CRK-II, plays essential roles in the malignant potential of various aggressive human cancers, suggesting the validity of targeting CRK in molecular targeted therapy of a wide range of cancers. Nevertheless, the role of CRK in human bladder cancer with marked invasion, characterized by distant metastasis and poor prognosis, remains obscure. In the present study, immunohistochemistry indicated a striking enhancement of CRK-I/-II, but not CRK-like, in human bladder cancer tissues compared to normal urothelium. We established CRK-knockdown bladder cancer cells using 5637 and UM-UC-3, which showed a significant decline in cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. It is noteworthy that an elimination of CRK conferred suppressed phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream scaffold protein Gab1 in a hepatocyte growth factor-dependent and -independent manner. In epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related molecules, E-cadherin was upregulated by CRK elimination, whereas N-cadherin, vimentin, and Zeb1 were downregulated. A similar effect was observed following treatment with c-Met inhibitor SU11274. Depletion of CRK significantly decreased cell proliferation of 5637 and UM-UC-3, consistent with reduced activity of ERK. An orthotopic xenograft model with bioluminescent imaging revealed that CRK knockdown significantly attenuated not only tumor volume but also the number of circulating tumor cells, resulted in a complete abrogation of metastasis. Taken together, this evidence uncovered essential roles of CRK in invasive bladder cancer through the hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met/CRK feedback loop for epithelial-mesenchymal transition induction. Thus, CRK might be a potent molecular target in bladder cancer, particularly for preventing metastasis, leading to the resolution of clinically longstanding critical issues.

Early discontinuation of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with persistent primary vesicoureteral reflux initially detected during infancy: outcome analysis and risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively assessed the incidence of and risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection in children during active surveillance after early discontinuation of antibiotic prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 9 females and 61 uncircumcised males diagnosed with primary vesicoureteral reflux before age 1 year who had persistent reflux on followup voiding cystourethrogram and were subsequently followed under active surveillance without continuous antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients with secondary vesicoureteral reflux or associated urological abnormality were excluded. Clinical outcomes, including incidence of febrile urinary tract infection and new scar formation, were evaluated. Risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection were also analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age at stopping continuous antibiotic prophylaxis was 21 months, and mean followup was 61 months. During active surveillance 21 patients had febrile urinary tract infection, and the 5-year infection-free rate under active surveillance was 67.5%. One or 2 foci of minimal new scarring developed in 4 of 16 patients who underwent followup dimercapto-succinic acid scan after febrile urinary tract infection. On multivariate analysis dilated vesicoureteral reflux on followup voiding cystourethrogram was the only significant risk factor for febrile urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that about two-thirds of patients with persistent vesicoureteral reflux were free of febrile urinary tract infection during 5 years of active surveillance. Those with dilated vesicoureteral reflux on followup voiding cystourethrogram are at significantly greater risk for febrile urinary tract infection. Accordingly active surveillance, especially in patients with nondilated vesicoureteral reflux on followup voiding cystourethrogram, seems to be a safe option even in children who have not yet been toilet trained.

Diagnostic outcome of ureteroscopy in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: Incidence of later cancer detection and its risk factors after the first examination.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence of later cancer detection and its risk factors after the first diagnostic ureteroscopy. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six patients undergoing diagnostic ureteroscopy based on the suspicion of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UC of the UUT) between 1995 and 2012 were included. We examined the diagnostic outcome of the initial ureteroscopy. Thereafter, we collected follow-up data on patients who had not been diagnosed with UC of the UUT at the first examination, and evaluated the incidence of later cancer detection and its risk factors using Cox hazard models. RESULTS: Of the 166 patients, 76 (45.8%) were diagnosed with UC of the UUT at the first diagnostic ureteroscopy. The remaining 90 (54.2%) were diagnosed with other malignancies (n = 22), non-malignant disorders (n = 18), or without disorders (n = 50). Of these 90 patients, follow-up data were available in 65 patients (median: 41 months, range: 3-170). During the follow-up, carcinoma was detected in 6 patients (6/65, 9.2%) at a median of 43.5 months (range: 10-59). Episodes of gross hematuria (p = 0.0048) and abnormal cytological findings (p = 0.0335) during the follow-up and a male sex (p = 0.0316) were adverse risk factors. CONCLUSION: Later cancer detection of UC of the UUT was not uncommon after the first examination. The risk analysis revealed the aforementioned characteristics.

Postoperative detrusor contractility temporarily decreases in patients undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the postoperative lower urinary tract function in patients undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery. METHODS: A total of 24 women with advanced anterior vaginal wall prolapse underwent transvaginal repair using a polypropylene mesh. The preoperative, 1-week and 3-month postoperative evaluations were carried out by urodynamics. Maximal flow rate detrusor pressure at maximal flow rate, voided volume and bladder contractility index were measured. A value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 73.5 years (range 49-84 years). The mean postoperative maximal flow rate, voiding efficiency and bladder contractility index decreased significantly after the operation compared with the preoperative values (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between preoperative and 3-month postoperative parameters. Of the patients, 33.3%, 11.1% and 50% were classified as having normal/strong contractility preoperative, 1 week and 3 months, respectively. The proportion of normal/strong contractility decreased significantly after the operation, and it recovered 3 months postoperatively. The grade of obstruction did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery present temporary impaired detrusor contractility, which improves significantly during the midterm postoperative period.

[The significance of metastasectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma].

We conducted a retrospective study to clarify the clinical significance of metastasectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Of 83 mRCC patients who were treated at our hospital between 2005 and 2010, 19 patients who underwent metastasectomy during the treatment course were the subjects of the present study. By the purpose and timing of metastasectomy, we classified the 19 patients into three groups : (1) patients who immediately underwent metastasectomy at diagnosis of metastasis (primary group), (2) patients who underwent resection of clinically problematic metastatic lesions for the relief of their symptoms (palliative group), and (3) patients who underwent complete resection of all metastatic lesions after sufficient systemic therapies (consolidation group). In the primary group (n=5), four patients had lung metastasis and one had metastases to limbs and the adrenal gland. Overall survival at 3 years was 100%. In the palliative group (n=4), 3 patients underwent resection of brain metastasis and one underwent resection of skin metastasis. The symptoms associated with metastasis clearly improved. In the consolidation group (n=10), the metastasized organ was the lung in 5 patients, pancreas in 4, and liver in one. Preoperative systemic therapy included sunitinib or sorafenib in 5 patients, interferon-α in 4, and S-1 in one. After metastasectomy, systemic therapies were discontinued in 9 patients, 4 of whom did not experience RCC recurrence, with a median follow-up of 35 months. Overall survival at 3 years was 60%. Metastasectomy would be a good treatment option in patients with mRCC.

Identification of novel targets for antiangiogenic therapy by comparing the gene expressions of tumor and normal endothelial cells.

Targeting tumor angiogenesis is an established strategy for cancer therapy. Because angiogenesis is not limited to pathological conditions such as cancer, molecular markers that can distinguish between physiological and pathological angiogenesis are required to develop more effective and safer approaches for cancer treatment. To identify such molecules, we determined the gene expression profiles of murine tumor endothelial cells (mTEC) and murine normal endothelial cells using DNA microarray analysis followed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. We identified 131 genes that were differentially upregulated in mTEC. Functional analysis using siRNA-mediated gene silencing revealed five novel tumor endothelial cell markers that were involved in the proliferation or migration of mTEC. The expression of DEF6 and TMEM176B was upregulated in tumor vessels of human renal cell carcinoma specimens, suggesting that they are potential targets for antiangiogenic intervention for renal cell carcinoma. Comparative gene expression analysis revealed molecular differences between tumor endothelial cells and normal endothelial cells and identified novel tumor endothelial cell markers that may be exploited to target tumor angiogenesis for cancer treatment.

Outcome of metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma: a multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan.

PURPOSE: We determined prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival after metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients who underwent resection of urothelial carcinoma metastases with curative intent at 4 Japanese university hospitals were included in analysis. Of the patients 41 of 42 underwent systemic chemotherapy before and/or after metastasectomy. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The relationship between clinical characteristics and survival was analyzed using the log rank test. RESULTS: Metastasectomy included lymph node dissection in 20 cases, pulmonary resection in 12, pelvic exenteration in 3, resection of local recurrence in 2, resection of subcutaneous metastasis in 2, liver resection in 1 and other in 2. Median overall survival was 29 months (IQR 19-80) from the initiation of treatment for metastases and 26 months (IQR 11-90) from metastasectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate after metastasectomy was 31%. On univariate analysis patients treated with metastasectomy for a solitary lung or solitary lymph node metastasis had significantly longer survival than the others who underwent metastasectomy (81 vs 19 months, log rank test p = 0.0296). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term cancer control could be achieved in a subgroup of patients who undergo metastasectomy, especially those with a solitary lung or solitary lymph node metastasis.

Roles of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in the control of micturition in rats.

AIMS: Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that exerts numerous physiological effects in many organs. However, few studies have focused on the role of adenosine receptors in the control of micturition. Therefore, we examined the role of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in the control of bladder activity in rats with normal or acetic acid (AA) irritated bladders. METHODS: Cystometrograms during saline or 0.2% AA infusion were recorded under urethane anesthesia in female Sprague-Dawley rats. After a stabilization period, CCPA (A1 receptor agonist) and/or ZM24138 (A2A receptor antagonist) were administered intravenously (i.v.), intrathecally (i.t.), intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), or intravesically. Micturition parameters were recorded and compared before and after drug administration. RESULTS: I.v., i.t., or i.c.v. administration of CCPA or ZM24138 significantly increased intercontraction intervals (ICIs) in both saline and AA infusion groups. During AA infusion, the inhibitory effects induced by i.c.v. CCPA or i.t. ZM24138 were significantly greater than those by i.t. or i.c.v. administration, respectively. Intravesical administration of CCPA, but not ZM24138, significantly increased ICI. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that: (1) when nociceptive signals from the bladder increase, adenosine A1 receptor-mediated inhibition of micturition is enhanced in the brain, compared to the normal condition, (2) A1 receptor activation also exerts a peripheral inhibitory effect on micturition, and (3) adenosine A2A receptor-mediated excitatory mechanisms are enhanced in the spinal cord following C-fiber bladder afferent stimulation. Thus adenosine A1 receptor agonists and A2A receptor antagonists might be effective for the treatment of overactive bladder and/or bladder hypersensitive disorders, in which C-fiber afferent function is enhanced.

Contribution of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to the morphological changes in the bladder after partial outlet obstruction: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the contribution of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to the changes in bladder morphology in response to partial bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: Allogenic bone marrow cells were transplanted from transgenic rats expressing green fluorescent protein into female Sprague-Dawley rats 1 day after their bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells had been destroyed by irradiation. This generated chimeric rats in which green fluorescent protein labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells replaced host bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The animals received partial bladder outlet obstruction or sham surgery 6 weeks later. The animals were killed 6 weeks after the surgery, and bladder tissue was prepared for immunofluorescence with antibodies against a urothelium marker (AE1/AE3), a myofibroblast marker (vimentin), a smooth muscle marker and green fluorescent protein. RESULTS: More labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were found in the partial bladder outlet obstruction group than in the in the sham group. Most bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were present around the basement membrane (laminin) and lamina propria below the urothelium. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were also found in the urothelium layer, and some of them were double-stained with green fluorescent protein and AE1/AE3. Some bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which were located in the interstitial tissue, were double-stained with green fluorescent protein and vimentin. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which migrated into the smooth muscle layer, showed fusiform morphology, and some were double-stained with green fluorescent protein and smooth muscle marker. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells home to the partial bladder outlet obstruction bladder, and these cells have the potential to differentiate into the several components of bladder tissue including the urothelium, myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Thus, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells contribute to the morphological changes of the bladder in response to partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Successful penile reconstruction after multimodal therapy in patients with primitive neuroectodermal tumor originating from the penis.

We herein present an extremely rare case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor originating in the penis. A 16-year-old male adolescent presented with painful penile swelling. Pathological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetical examinations of the specimens obtained from total penectomy confirmed the diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumor. After total penectomy, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with ifosfamide-based regimen for 48 weeks. As a series of therapies, the patient underwent penile reconstruction surgery after completing adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient has not shown any evidence of recurrence for the 7 years after penile reconstruction surgery, and voiding function is completely normal. A favorable outcome was observed by multimodal therapy including aggressive resection for local control, intensive adjuvant chemotherapy, and penile reconstruction with cosmetic and functional success. Similar therapeutic approaches might be selected for children with primary malignant tumors of the penis.

RENAL nephrometry score is a predictive factor for the annual growth rate of renal mass.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the RENAL nephrometry score and annual growth rates of renal masses presumed to be renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: The current study included 47 renal tumors followed up for at least 12 months, of which 26 tumors were found to be pathologically proven renal cell carcinomas. Annual tumor growth rates were calculated from changes in the maximal diameter on computed tomography, and RENAL nephrometry scores were recorded on initial imaging by two senior urologists. The associations between clinical characteristics including the RENAL nephrometry score and annual growth rates were analyzed using a linear regression model. RESULTS: The median tumor size at diagnosis was 1.7 cm (range 0.6-5.8). The median nephrometry score at diagnosis was 7 (range 4-10). Overall, the median tumor growth rate was 0.34 cm per year (range -0.19-2.0). Linear regression analysis showed that the annual tumor growth rate was associated with the RENAL nephrometry score (P < 0.0001), but it was independent of the age at diagnosis, sex and initial tumor size. In addition, the correlation between the RENAL nephrometry score and annual growth rate remained significant in the 26 pathologically proven renal cell carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: The RENAL nephrometry score is associated with the annual growth rate of renal masses. Our findings further support the association between the RENAL nephrometry score and tumor biology.

Comparison of 90-day complications between ileal conduit and neobladder reconstruction after radical cystectomy: a retrospective multi-institutional study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in the type, incidence, and severity of 90-day morbidity after radical cystectomy between two different methods of urinary diversion, ileal conduit and neobladder. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective multi-institutional study by reviewing the records of 668 patients treated with open radical cystectomy, and ileal conduit (n = 493) or neobladder substitution (n = 175) between 1997 and 2010. All complications within 90 days after surgery were divided into 11 specific categories as reported by the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and graded according to the modified Clavien system. Type, incidence and severity of the 90-day morbidity between the two different types of urinary diversions were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the overall complication rates between the two groups (ileal conduit: 72% [353/493], neobladder: 74% [129/175], P = 0.5909), whereas the neobladder group had fewer major (grade 3 or more) complications (13 vs 20%, respectively, P = 0.0271). The neobladder group had more infectious complications (43 vs 31%, respectively, P = 0.0037), mainly as a result of urinary tract infection, whereas the ileal conduit group had more wound-related complications (24 vs 14%, respectively, P = 0.0068), mainly as a result of surgical site infection. The 90-day mortality rates were 1.1% (2/175) in the neobladder group and 1.6% (8/493) in the ileal conduit group (P = 0.6441). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the overall complication rates between the two methods, and patients with neobladder had fewer major complications. The neobladder group had more infectious complications, whereas the ileal conduit group had more wound-related complications.

Heterogeneity of tumor endothelial cells: comparison between tumor endothelial cells isolated from high- and low-metastatic tumors.

An important concept in tumor angiogenesis is that tumor endothelial cells (TECs) are genetically normal and homogeneous. However, we previously reported that TECs differ from normal ECs. Whether the characteristics of TECs derived from different tumors differ remains unknown. To elucidate this, in this study, we isolated two types of TECs from high-metastatic (HM) and low-metastatic (LM) tumors and compared their characteristics. HM tumor-derived TECs (HM-TECs) showed higher proliferative activity and invasive activity than LM tumor-derived TECs (LM-TECs). Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of pro-angiogenic genes, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors 1 and 2, VEGF, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, were higher in HM-TECs than in LM-TECs. The tumor blood vessels themselves and the surrounding area in HM tumors were exposed to hypoxia. Furthermore, HM-TECs showed higher mRNA expression levels of the stemness-related gene stem cell antigen and the mesenchymal marker CD90 compared with LM-TECs. HM-TECs were spheroid, with a smoother surface and higher circularity in the stem cell spheroid assay. HM-TECs differentiated into osteogenic cells, expressing activated alkaline phosphatase in an osteogenic medium at a higher rate than either LM-TECs or normal ECs. Furthermore, HM-TECs contained more aneuploid cells than LM-TECs. These results indicate that TECs from HM tumors have a more pro-angiogenic phenotype than those from LM tumors.

Inhibition of mTORC2 but not mTORC1 up-regulates E-cadherin expression and inhibits cell motility by blocking HIF-2α expression in human renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Molecular targeted drugs, such as mTORC1 inhibitors, have been clinically popularized for advanced renal cell carcinoma treatment but metastasis is still a serious concern. mTORC2 has several important functions, including HIF-2α activation in malignant cells. HIF-2α suppresses E-cadherin expression, which is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. We investigated whether mTORC2 regulates E-cadherin expression and controls cell motility during HIF-2α down-regulation in renal cell carcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used PP242, a dual inhibitor of mTORC1/mTORC2 and the mTORC1 specific inhibitor rapamycin. E-cadherin expression in 786-O cells was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunocytochemical staining. Cell motility was analyzed by time-lapse microscopy and wound healing assay. RESULTS: High E-cadherin expression was found in RCC4/VHL cells but low levels were found in VHL defective RCC4 and 786-O cells. HIF-2α expression was suppressed only in RCC4/VHL cells. In 786-O cells HIF-2α inhibition induced by the dual mTORC1/C2 inhibitor PP242 (0.05 to 0.5 µmol/L) resulted in a dose dependent increase in E-cadherin expression and the restored E-cadherin was localized at cell-to-cell junctions. Treatment with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin resulted in no significant change. The migration of PP242 treated cells was significantly suppressed compared with those treated with rapamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that mTORC2 might regulate E-cadherin expression and suppress cell motility by controlling the mTORC2-HIF-2α signaling pathway. The dual inhibitor of mTORC1/C2 as a cadherin regulatory agent may be a novel therapeutic strategy with tumoricidal agents for advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Long-term clinicopathological impact of calcineurin inhibitor cessation without specific cytoreductive induction in kidney transplantation.

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have considerably improved renal allograft survival. However, their chronic use has various adverse effects, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and nephrotoxicity. We conducted a retrospective study of kidney transplant recipients using a CNI withdrawal protocol. Eleven of 13 patients who had stable graft function on triple-drug therapy including a cyclosporine (CsA) were enrolled in this study. The dose of CsA was reduced by 20% every two wks until complete withdrawal. The mean period between the baseline and last biopsies was 97 (range: 21-123) months. No patient had an acute rejection episode during follow-up. Progression of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy was seen in five and six cases, respectively. Arteriolar hyalinosis improved in three cases, but worsened in four. No patient lost his graft during the study. The mean serum creatinine level was 1.30 ± 0.26 mg/dL at baseline and stable for 10 yr after elimination (1.26 ± 0.11 mg/dL). At the end of the study, four of the eleven patients had reduced their antihypertensive drugs, and one patient had stopped hyperlipidemia treatment. CNI withdrawal can be implemented safely in stable renal transplant recipients and might lead to improved patient outcomes. Additional specific evidence of CNI nephrotoxicity should be elucidated.

The F-prostaglandin receptor is a novel marker for tumor endothelial cells in renal cell carcinoma.

Tumor angiogenesis is necessary for tumor progression and metastasis; therefore, tumor blood vessels are potential therapeutic targets in anticancer therapy. We previously reported that tumor endothelial cells (TECs) exhibit different phenotypes compared with normal endothelial cells (NECs), and microarray analyses of mouse TECs and NECs have shown that several genes are upregulated in TECs compared with NECs. Among these genes, the expression levels of prostaglandin F receptor (PTGFR) mRNA, which encodes the prostaglandin F receptor (FP), were higher in TECs than in NECs. It has been reported that FP and its ligand, prostaglandin F(2α) , are involved in tumor angiogenesis. However, there have been no reports of the expression of PTGFR in the tumor vessels of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Thus, we isolated human TECs (hTECs) from RCCs. The expression levels of PTGFR mRNA were also upregulated in hTECs. In addition, immunostaining showed that the PTGFR was expressed in human tumor blood vessels in vivo. These findings suggested that PTGFR is a novel TEC marker and that it may be a novel target for antiangiogenic therapy for RCC.