High-Risk HPV Detection in Paraffin-Embedded Tissue from Cervical Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer, is present in most cases of the disease and ranks as the fourth most common cancer in women globally. Among the HPV types, fourteen (HPV 16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/66/68) are recognized as high-risk (hrHPV), each with varying levels of oncogenic potential. Detecting and genotyping these hrHPV types in cervical lesions is crucial, requiring the development of new diagnostic methods. METHODS: This study focuses on a retrospective analysis conducted on 44 women from the Cova da Beira Local Health Unit. We used the Anyplex™ II hrHPV Detection kit for hrHPV genotyping from paraffin-embedded cervical tissue samples. RESULTS: hrHPV types were identified in 38 out of the 44 women. Genotyping revealed HPV-16 (55.3%), HPV-18/39/56/58/59 (5.3%), HPV-31 (21.1%), HPV-35 (7.9%), HPV-51/66 (2.6%), and HPV-52 (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the Anyplex™ II hrHPV Detection kit, originally designed for cervical cancer screening, is also effective for hrHPV genotyping in histological analyses. This methodology offers a simpler and more cost-effective approach for cervical cancer risk stratification. Its implementation in clinical practice could enhance the detection of hrHPV in cervical lesions, thereby contributing to more precise diagnoses and potentially more informed treatment strategies.

Organ chips with integrated multifunctional sensors enable continuous metabolic monitoring at controlled oxygen levels.

Despite remarkable advances in Organ-on-a-chip (Organ Chip) microfluidic culture technology, recreating tissue-relevant physiological conditions, such as the region-specific oxygen concentrations, remains a formidable technical challenge, and analysis of tissue functions is commonly carried out using one analytical technique at a time. Here, we describe two-channel Organ Chip microfluidic devices fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane and gas impermeable polycarbonate materials that are integrated with multiple sensors, mounted on a printed circuit board and operated using a commercially available Organ Chip culture instrument. The novelty of this system is that it enables the recreation of physiologically relevant tissue-tissue interfaces and oxygen tension as well as non-invasive continuous measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance, oxygen concentration and pH, combined with simultaneous analysis of cellular metabolic activity (ATP/ADP ratio), cell morphology, and tissue phenotype. We demonstrate the reliable and reproducible functionality of this system in living human Gut and Liver Chip cultures. Changes in tissue barrier function and oxygen tension along with their functional and metabolic responses to chemical stimuli (e.g., calcium chelation, oligomycin) were continuously and noninvasively monitored on-chip for up to 23 days. A physiologically relevant microaerobic microenvironment that supports co-culture of human intestinal cells with living Lactococcus lactis bacteria also was demonstrated in the Gut Chip. The integration of multi-functional sensors into Organ Chips provides a robust and scalable platform for the simultaneous, continuous, and non-invasive monitoring of multiple physiological functions that can significantly enhance the comprehensive and reliable evaluation of engineered tissues in Organ Chip models in basic research, preclinical modeling, and drug development.

Somatic Mutations in KEAP1-NRF2 Complex in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths for women. Long-term estrogen exposure is considered carcinogenic due to semiquinone production and to compromised detoxification. Metabolic regulator polymorphisms, such as KEAP1 (rs1048290) and NRF2 (rs35652124, rs6721961, rs6706649), can be valuable in understanding the individual cytoprotection profile. Thus, we aim to genotype these polymorphisms in blood, tumours and surrounding tissue, to identify somatic mutations and correlate it to prognoses. A total of 23 controls and 69 women with histological confirmed breast cancer were recruited, and DNA from blood/surrounding/tumour tissue was genotyped. Genotyping and clinicopathological data were correlated. We verified that rs35652124 presents different genotype distribution between the blood/surrounding tissue (p-value = 0.023) and tumour/surrounding tissues (p-value = 0.041). Apart from rs35652124 and considering the histological grade, the other four polymorphisms have different distributions among different tissues. There is a tendency towards the loss of heterozygosity in the surrounding tissue when compared to blood and tumour tissues, and higher genotype variability in histologic grade 2. These somatic mutations and different distribution patterns may indicate a heterogeneous and active microenvironment, influencing breast cancer outcome. Additionally, it would be pertinent to evaluate the predictive value of the histologic grade 2 considering somatic mutation profiles and distributions.

CYP19A1 TC/CC Polymorphism, along with Deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 Genes, Strongly Influences Female Infertility Risk.

Oxidative stress has a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of various conditions, like infertility. This case-control study was performed to assess the potential role of CYP19A1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 in modifying individual predisposition to female infertility. Genotyping of 201 women with established infertility and 161 fertile female controls was performed, and statistical associations were analyzed. For carriers of GSTM1 null genotype along with CYP19A1 C allele, there is a significant association with female infertility risk (OR 7.023; 95% CI (3.627-13.601; p < 0.001), and, also for carriers of GSTT1 null genotype along with the CYP19A1 TC/CC genotype (OR 24.150; 95% CI (11.148-52.317; p < 0.001). A positive association with female infertility risk for carriers of the C allele in CYP19A1 and null genotypes in GTSM1 (OR 11.979; 95% CI (4.570-31.400; p < 0.001) or GSTT1 (OR 13.169; 95% CI (4.518-38.380; p < 0.001) was found. When both GSTs are deleted, the risk of developing female infertility is significant, independently of the CYP19A1 genotype; when all the presumed high-risk genotypes are present, we found a significant association with female infertility risk (OR 47,914; 95% CI (14,051-163,393; p < 0.001).

Cell-Free DNA as a New Biomarker of IVF Success, Independent of Any Infertility Factor, Including Endometriosis.

Cell-free DNA fragments detected in blood and in other biological fluids are released from apoptotic/necrotic cells. In this study, we analyzed cfDNA levels in follicular fluid (FF) samples from patients with infertility. Samples were collected from 178 infertile women and cfDNA was extracted and quantified by qPCR, using ALU115 and ALU247 primers, and statistical correlations were performed. We found that cfDNA concentration was significantly higher in FF pools from women aged 35 and over than in women under 35 years of age (p = 0.017). We also found that q247 cfDNA levels were significantly higher in women with an associated female factor, such as endometriosis, PCOS and POF, compared with women with no specific cause of infertility (p = 0.033). The concentration of cfDNA did not vary significantly in each group of women with an associated female factor. The concentration of cfDNA was significantly higher in the FF of women that obtained embryos with a high fragmentation rate, compared to embryos with a low fragmentation rate (p = 0.007). Finally, we found that women who did not become pregnant during IVF treatments had higher q247 cfDNA levels (p = 0.043). The quantification of cfDNA could be an important biomarker of follicular micro-environment quality to predict embryo quality and the success of IVF, making them more specific and effective.

Establishment of physiologically relevant oxygen gradients in microfluidic organ chips.

In vitro models of human organs must accurately reconstitute oxygen concentrations and gradients that are observed in vivo to mimic gene expression, metabolism, and host-microbiome interactions. Here we describe a simple strategy to achieve physiologically relevant oxygen tension in a two-channel human small intestine-on-a-chip (Intestine Chip) lined with primary human duodenal epithelium and intestinal microvascular endothelium in parallel channels separated by a porous membrane while both channels are perfused with oxygenated medium. This strategy was developed using computer simulations that predicted lowering the oxygen permeability of poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips in specified locations using a gas impermeable film will allow the cells to naturally decrease the oxygen concentration through aerobic respiration and reach steady-state oxygen levels <36 mm Hg (<5%) within the epithelial lumen. The approach was experimentally confirmed using chips with embedded oxygen sensors that maintained this stable oxygen gradient. Furthermore, Intestine Chips cultured with this approach supported formation of a villus epithelium interfaced with a continuous endothelium and maintained intestinal barrier integrity for 72 h. This strategy recapitulates in vivo functionality in an efficient, inexpensive, and scalable format that improves the robustness and translatability of Organ Chip technology for studies on microbiome as well as oxygen sensitivity.

Influence of Estrogenic Metabolic Pathway Genes Polymorphisms on Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk.

Estrogen metabolism plays an important role in tumor initiation and development. Lifetime exposure to high estrogens levels and deregulation of enzymes involved in estrogen biosynthetic and metabolic pathway are considered risk factors for breast cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of mutations acquisition during the lifetime in low penetrance genes that codify enzymes responsible for estrogen detoxification. Genotype analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms, CYP1B1 Val432Leu and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms was performed in 157 samples of women with hormone-dependent breast cancer and correlated with the age at diagnosis. The majority of patients with GSTT1 null genotype and with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were 50 years old or more at the diagnosis (p-value = 0.021 and 0.018, respectively). Older women with GSTM1 null genotype were also carriers of the CYP1B1Val allele (p-value = 0.012). As well, GSTT1 null and CYP1B1Val genotypes were correlated with diagnosis at later ages (p-value = 0.022). Similar results were found associating MTHFR C677T and GSTT1 null polymorphism (p-value = 0.034). Our results suggest that estrogen metabolic pathway polymorphisms constitute a factor to be considered simultaneously with models for breast cancer risk assessment.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome and other causes of infertility have a higher prevalence of GSTT1 deletion.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion associated with the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? DESIGN: A case-control study was designed to investigate the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with PCOS. Blood samples from 201 women diagnosed with infertility were taken, of which 69 women were diagnosed with PCOS. Genomic DNA was extracted, and genotyping analyses were conducted by polymerase chain reaction-based methods. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: An increased risk of PCOS was found to be associated with GSTT1 null genotype (OR 4.890, 95% CI 2.261 to 9.122; P < 0.001). A strong association between GSTT1 null genotype was found with female infertility, regardless of the associated cause (OR 5.300, 95% CI 3.238 to 8.675; P < 0.001) as well as with the GSTM1 null genotype (OR 1.620, 95% CI 1.067 to 2.459; P = 0.026). A statistically significant association with the development of infertility was also found when carriers of the combined genotype GSTT1+/GSTM1+ was compared with carriers of the combined genotype GSTT1-/ GSTM1+ (OR 3.600 95% CI 1.864 to 6.956; P < 0.001). The two-way combination of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes resulted in an increased susceptibility to infertility development (OR 11.136; 95% CI 5.035 to 24.629; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carriers of GSTT1 null genotype seem to have higher susceptibility to developing PCOS and infertility from other causes. Also, GSTT1 null genotype, alone or in association, are related with increased susceptibility to infertility development, independently of its cause. GSTM1 null genotype is only associated with all cause of infertility when the GSTT1 is null.

The prognostic value of NRF2 in breast cancer patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays a major role in the regulation of intracellular antioxidant response. The effect of NRF2 overexpression in many malignancies is still unclear and recent meta-analysis correlated NRF2 overexpression with poor prognosis in a variety of human cancers. However, the effect of NRF2 overexpression in breast cancer is still unclear. Thus, the main goal of this work was to clarify the role of NRF2 expression in survival and relapse of breast cancer patients by performing a systematic review according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement, followed by a meta-analysis. METHODS: The electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science and Embase between November of 2017 and September of 2018. To be included, studies should evaluate NRF2 expression in breast cancer tissue, through immunohistochemistry and/or mRNA and had to report one or more of the following outcomes: overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), mean survival and median survival. RESULTS: For the meta-analysis, seven studies were included and NRF2 expression was correlated with OS and DFS. It was observed that compared to patients with low NRF2 expression, patients with NRF2 overexpression had poorer OS with a hazard ratio of 1.82 (95% CI 1.32-2.50; p value < 0.0001), and poorer DFS, with a hazard ratio of 1.79 (95% CI 1.07-3.01; p value = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tumours that overexpress NRF2 have a worse clinical outcome. Thus, NRF2 expression could be a marker for the prognostic of breast cancer patients and, in the future, it would be pertinent to focus on improving treatment efficacy for patients with NRF2 overexpression.

Prognosis of hormone-dependent breast cancer seems to be influenced by KEAP1, NRF2 and GSTM1 genetic polymorphisms.

Influence of Glutathione S-transferase Mu1 (GSTM1) has long been studied in breast cancer and GSTM1 null genotype was correlated with breast cancer risk. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that forms a complex with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (KEAP1). Recent studies have demonstrated that expression of these proteins is deregulated in several malignancies. Thus, in the present study we aim to distinguish GSTM1 heterozygous from wild type genotype in breast cancer patients and evaluate the presence and clinical significance of NRF2 and KEAP1 polymorphisms, alone or in association, with breast cancer prognosis, in cases confirmed to have GSTM1-present genotype. Study population consisted in 52 patients with breast cancer. Genomic DNA was extracted, GSTM1 was genotyped through multiplex PCR and gene dose was evaluated through real-time PCR. All cases were sequenced, through Sanger sequencing, for specific regions of NRF2 and KEAP1. Genotyping and clinicopathological data were correlated and statistical analysis was performed. GSTM1 wild type was identified in 1 case and 26 cases were identified as heterozygous, these data were correlated with Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) status (p value = 0.017). We also verified that most cancers diagnosed at younger ages had the presence of KEAP1 and/or NRF2 polymorphisms. The association of GSTM1 heterozygous genotype with rs1048290 and rs35652124 seems to be associated with HER2+ (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that GSTM1 * 1/0 genotype and the cumulative presence of at least one allele mutated in KEAP1 and/or NRF2 polymorphisms might be associated with worse prognosis for breast cancer patients.

Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoexpression in breast cancer: progesterone receptor influence.

BACKGROUND: In breast cancer cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression is related with poor outcomes, but the clinical relevance of cyclooxygenase-2 is still unclear. Progesterone receptor is a regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 expression. We postulate that progesterone receptor was associated to cyclooxygenase-2 expression and clinicopathologic factors in breast cancer. METHODS: Cyclooxygenase-2 and progesterone receptor expression was analyzed, by immunohistochemistry, in 31 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma. RESULTS: The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and progesterone receptor was observed in 64.5% and 45.2% of the tumors, respectively. We found 11 tumors with both cyclooxygenase-2 and progesterone receptor overexpression and they are related with tumor lower size and lower axillary node metastasis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that progesterone receptor has a protective role in breast cancer by inhibiting chronic inflammatory pathway.