A multilocular thymic cyst associated with mediastinal seminoma: evidence for its medullary epithelial origin highlighted by POU2F3-positive thymic tuft cells and concomitant myoid cell proliferation.

Multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) and germ cell tumors are common diseases that impact the mediastinum. Correctly diagnosing these diseases can be difficult because several other conditions can mimic them. We report a male patient with MTC associated with mediastinal seminoma. A needle biopsy of the mediastinal tumor revealed numerous epithelioid cell granulomas that mimicked sarcoidosis or mycobacterial infection. However, large atypical cells positive for Oct3/4 and KIT were noted between the granulomas; thus, we diagnosed the patient with mediastinal seminoma. The resected tumor, after chemotherapy, consisted of multiple cystic lesions, and a residual germ cell tumor was first considered. However, thymic medulla-specific elements, namely, POU2F3-positive thymic tuft cells and rhabdomyomatous myoid cells accompanying the epithelium, led to the correct diagnosis of MTC. Our case underscores the importance of recognizing the histological features associated with mediastinal seminoma and provides novel findings for MTC pathogenesis, namely, the presence of thymic tuft cells.

Simultaneous multicolor detection of RNA and proteins using super-resolution microscopy.

A number of non-membranous cellular bodies have been identified in higher eukaryotes, and these bodies contain a specific set of proteins and RNAs that are used to fulfill their functions. The size of these RNA-containing cellular bodies is usually on a submicron scale, making it difficult to observe fine structures using optical microscopy due to the diffraction limitation of visible light. Recently, microscope companies have released super-resolution microscopes that were developed using different principles, enabling the observation of sub-micron structures not resolvable in conventional fluorescent microscopy. Here, we describe multi-color fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques optimized for the simultaneous detection of RNA and proteins using super-resolution microscopy, namely structured illumination microscopy (SIM).

Characterization and in vitro culture of male germ cells from developing bovine testis.

The transition from male primitive germ cells (gonocytes) to type A spermatogonia in the neonatal testis is the initial process and a crucial process in spermatogenesis. However, in large domestic animals, the physiological and biochemical characteristics of germ cells during the developmental processes remain largely unknown. In this study, we characterized bovine germ cells in the developing testis from the neonatal stage to the adult stage. The binding of the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and the expression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) were restricted to gonocytes in the neonatal testis and spermatogonia in the adult testis. Gonocytes also expressed a germ cell marker (VASA) and stem cell markers (NANOG and OCT3/4), while the expressions of these markers in the adult testis were restricted to differentiated spermatic cells and were rarely expressed in spermatogonia. We subsequently utilized these markers to characterize gonocytes and spermatogonia after culture in vitro. Spermatogonia that were collected from the adult testis formed colonies in vitro only for one week. On the other hand, gonocytes from the neonatal testis could proliferate and form colonies after every passage for 1.5 months in culture. These colonies retained undifferentiated states of gonocytes as confirmed by the expression of both germ cell and stem cell markers. Moreover, a transplantation assay using immunodeficient mice testes showed that long-term cultured cells derived from gonocytes were able to colonize in the recipient testis. These results indicated that bovine gonocytes could maintain germ cell and stem cell potential in vitro.

Proteomic analysis of methylarginine-containing proteins in HeLa cells by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with a methylarginine-specific antibody.

Protein arginine methylation is found in many nucleic acid binding proteins affecting numerous cellular functions. In this study we identified methylarginine-containing proteins in HeLa cell extracts by two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblotting with a methylarginine-specific antibody. Protein spots with matched protein stain and blotting signals were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The identities of 12 protein spots as 11 different proteins were suggested. Known methylarginine-containing proteins such as hnRNP A2/B1, hnRNP A1, hnRNP G and FUS were identified, indicating the feasibility of our approach. However, four highly abundant metabolic enzymes that might co-electrophorese with methylarginine-containing proteins were also identified. Other nucleic acid binding proteins hnRNP M, hnRNP I and NonO protein were identified. Recombinant hnRNP M and a peptide with the RGG sequence in hnRNP M could be further methylated in vitro. The immunoblotting results of immunoprecipitated hnRNP I and NonO protein are consistent with arginine methylation in both proteins. In this study we identified methylarginine-containing proteins in HeLa cells through proteomic approaches and the method is fast and robust for further applications.

Ovarian dysgerminomas in two mountain chicken frogs (Leptodactylus fallax).

This report describes the gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of ovarian dysgerminomas in two adult female mountain chicken frogs (Leptodactylusfallax) from the same zoological institution. One frog was found dead, and the other frog had been ill for several days with a bloated abdomen and lethargy. On necropsy, large, pale multilobulated masses replaced the left ovary in both frogs, and one frog also had numerous smaller nodules scattered throughout the coelomic viscera. Histologically, these masses were composed of sheets and cords of polyhedral discrete germ cells consistent with the diagnosis of dysgerminoma. Neoplastic cells stained positive with immunohistochemistry for Oct4, which has been reported to detect stem cells including germ cells in a variety of species, including humans. Ovarian tumors are uncommonly encountered in both reptiles and amphibians, and this report is the first report of dysgerminoma in any amphibian species.