Immunoexpression of Bmi-1, CK15, Bcl-2 in different types of basal cell carcinomas.

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) occurs in aggressive and non-aggressive forms. The expression of immunohistochemical markers varies in different types of BCC. Aim: Immunohistochemical analysis of selected proteins in BCCs. Material and methods: The immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of Bmi-1, CK15 and Bcl-2 in 56 cases of BCC divided into four groups. Results: Positive Bmi-1 staining 3-4+ level (nodular type) was seen in 91.3% of samples, 4+ (infiltrative) in 92.3%, 4+ (nodular/infiltrative) - 69.2%, 3+ - 30.8%, in BSC 3+ - 42.8%, and 28.6% each for 2+ and 4+. Low grade positivity (0-1+) in CK15 staining was present in 52.1% of nodular BCC, 46.2% - nodular/infiltrative, 92.3% - infiltrative, and 100% - BSC, but levels 2-3+ in nodular BCC in 47.8%, nodular/infiltrative BCC - 53.8%, infiltrative - 7.7%. Bcl-2 positivity (3-4+) was revealed in nodular BCC in 95.6%, (1-2+) in 100% of BSC, infiltrative and infiltrative/nodular BCC, but the lowest (0-1+) in 76.9% of nodular/infiltrative BCC, 71.4% of BSC, and in 38.4% of infiltrative BCC. Conclusions: Positive Bmi-1 staining was the highest in the aggressive infiltrative subtype of BCCs, whereas the lowest in basosquamous cell carcinomas (BSC). Infiltrative BCC was characterized by a lower level of CK15 expression than nodular BCC and nodular/infiltrative BCC. Differentiation of Bcl-2 expression depended on the type of tumour; the highest level was found in nodular BCC, low grade in nodular/infiltrative and infiltrative BCCs, and BSC.

Snail Overexpression Alters the microRNA Content of Extracellular Vesicles Released from HT29 Colorectal Cancer Cells and Activates Pro-Inflammatory State In Vivo.

During metastasis, cancer cells undergo phenotype changes in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by cancer cells are the mediators of intercellular communication and play a role in metastatic process. Knowledge of factors that influence the modifications of the pre-metastatic niche for the migrating carcinoma cells is important for prevention of metastasis. We focus here on how cancer progression is affected by EVs released from either epithelial-like HT29-cells or from cells that are in early EMT stage triggered by Snail transcription factor (HT29-Snail). We found that EVs released from HT29-Snail, as compared to HT29-pcDNA cells, have a different microRNA profile. We observed the presence of interstitial pneumonias in the lungs of mice injected with HT29-Snail cells and the percent of mice with lung inflammation was higher after injection of HT29-Snail-EVs. Incorporation of EVs released from HT29-pcDNA, but not released from HT29-Snail, leads to the increased secretion of IL-8 from macrophages. We conclude that Snail modifications of CRC cells towards more invasive phenotype also alter the microRNA cargo of released EVs. The content of cell-released EVs may serve as a biomarker that denotes the stage of CRC and EVs-specific microRNAs may be a target to prevent cancer progression.

Close relationship between TAZhigh/SOX2high co-localization and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

There is growing evidence which indicates that the development and the biological features of cancer such as the invasion, metastases and recurrence are related to the presence and behavior of the cancer stem cells (CSC). However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying CSCs-specific properties are poorly determined, the Hippo pathway has emerged as a fundamental regulator underlying CSCs stemness. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of SOX2, TAZ and α-SMA in oral squamous cells carcinomas: with metastases - OSCC M+ (n = 42), and without metastases - OSCC M- (n = 44), and 17 control cases. The immunoexpression of SOX2, TAZ and α-SMA was significantly increased in both group of OSCC in comparison to control groups. Moreover, significantly increased TAZ and α-SMA immunoexpression were found in OSCC M+ compared to OSCC M-. In OSCC M+ and OSCC M- groups there were statistically significant correlations between the immunoexpression of TAZ vs SOX2 (r = 0.56, p < 0.001; r = 0.33, p < 0.03 respectively), and TAZ vs α-SMA (r = 0.64, p < 0.001; r = 0.67, p < 0.001 respectively). Moreover, there was statistically significant association between TAZ high /SOX2 high coexistent immunoexpression and the presence of metastases (p < 0.007). Our results may suggest that SOX2 and TAZ could potentially cooperate and contribute to process of metastasis, especially in cases with TAZ high /SOX2 high expression.

Overexpression of cathepsin K and vascular endothelial growth factor in chronic venous ulcerations.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a disabling condition affecting about 1% to 3% of the general population. Besides varicose veins, CVD can result also in the formation of severe skin lesions, especially venous ulcerations (VU). The exact mechanism of VU is still unknown. AIM: To evaluate immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cathepsin K in healthy individuals and patients with VU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 12 patients with venous ulcers and 10 healthy individuals who served as controls; both groups were sex- and age-matched. Biopsy samples were obtained from lower leg areas and submitted to histochemical analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in cathepsin K expression (1.007 ±0.3 vs. 0.22 ±0.2, respectively, p < 0.001) and VEGF expression (1.17 ±0.59 vs. 0.27 ±0.19, respectively, p < 0.001). Additionally, the microvessel density (per mm2) differed significantly between the study group and the control group (97.6 ±28.81 vs. 59.32 ±12.71, respectively, p < 0.001). We found no correlation between cathepsin K and microvessel density, and cathepsin K and VEGF in both groups, but there was a significant correlation between microvessel density and VEGF immunoexpression in the study group (r = 0.82, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Increased immunoexpression of VEGF and cathepsin K suggests that both of these proteins may play a role in VU development.

The Effect of Zinc, Selenium, and Their Combined Supplementation on Androgen Receptor Protein Expression in the Prostate Lobes and Serum Steroid Hormone Concentrations of Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) play a well-documented role in cancer prevention (e.g., for prostate cancer), and their combined supplementation is often given as a recommended prophylactic agent. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of Zn and/or Se supplementation on the androgen receptor (AR) in the prostate lobes and the serum selected hormone concentrations; a hitherto unresearched topic. METHODS: Male rats (n = 84) were administered with Zn and/or Se intragastrically for up to 90 days. The effects of administration on the tested parameters were checked after 30 and 90 days of administration and additionally, 90 days after the end of 90 day administration. RESULTS: Zn alone leads to an increase in serum testosterone concentrations, while the protein expression of AR in both parts of the prostate increases. Combined administration of Zn and Se eliminates the effect of Zn, which may suggest that these two elements act antagonistically. Se supplementation alone results in the same level of AR protein expression in administration and 90 days after administration periods. CONCLUSION: This paper presents the first report of the influence of Zn and/or Se supplementation on the protein expression of AR in the prostate. Our findings seem to indicate that simultaneous supplementation of both elements may be ineffective.

The number of CD163 positive macrophages is associatedwith more advanced skin melanomas, microvessels density and patient prognosis.

The study was aimed to evaluate the number of TAMs and to investigate whether they have association with microvessels density and patients' survival times. 46 cases of melanomas, divided into four groups according to the Breslow scale, were tested immunohistochemically with antibodies anti-CD68, CD163, iNOS to vizualized macrophages and anti-CD34 antibody to stain microvessels. The number of macrophages and the microvessels density were counted by hotspot analysis using an image analysis system. The study revealed increased numbers of CD68 and CD163 positive macrophages in successive stages of Breslow scale, but statistically significant differences were observed only between I and IV group for CD68 positive macrophages, and between I and III, IV group for CD163 positive macrophages. The mean number of the microvessels was significantly increased in group II, III, IV compared to group I. The correlative study showed significant positive correlations between the mean number of CD68 and CD163 positive macrophages and microvessels density. Moreover, the number of CD163 positive macrophages was associated inversely with patient's survival time. The results of our study may indicate that higher infiltration of macrophages, especially CD163 positive cells, is associated with more advanced melanomas, microvessels density and worse patient's prognosis.

CD8+ and CD163+ infiltrating cells and PD-L1 immunoexpression in oral leukoplakia and oral carcinoma.

Overexpression of inhibitory checkpoint PD1/PD-L1 plays an important role in carcinogenesis and patients prognosis. 70 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), 23 cases of oral leukoplakia (OLK), and 19 control cases were immunohistochemically stained with anti-PD-L1, -CD8, and -CD163 antibodies. PD-L1 was expressed on dysplastic and subepithelial infiltrating cells of OLK as well as on cancer and tumor-infiltrating cells of OSCC. In OSCC, PD-L1 immunoexpression was significantly increased in comparison to OLK, and control groups. The correlative study showed significant correlations between the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and the number of CD8+, CD163+ cells in both OLK and OSCC groups. We found also significant negative correlation between the number of PD-L1+ infiltrating cells and the number of CD8+ cells in OSCC, and positive correlation between the number of PD-L1+ infiltrating cells and CD163+ cells in OLK and OSCC groups. In conclusion, our study indicate that CD163+ and CD8+ infiltrating cells influence the early and subsequent stages of oral carcinogenesis. We demonstrated also that studied tumors may evade the host immune system by PD-L1 immunoexpression not only on epithelial cells but on infiltrating cells as well.

Overexpression of ADAM10 in oral squamous cell carcinoma with metastases.

ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) are important mediators of cell signalling events, which play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of cancers. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of ADAM10 and microvessel density in 80 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC): without metastases - OSCC M(-) (n = 38), and with metastases - OSCC M(+) (n = 42), in 24 cases of oral leukoplakia (OLK), (15 cases with low-grade dysplasia - OLK-LG, and 9 cases with high-grade dysplasia - OLK-HG), and 19 controls. The immunoexpression of ADAM10 and the mean number of vessels were significantly increased in both groups of OSCC in comparison to both groups of OLK and controls. Moreover, the immunoexpression of ADAM10 and microvessel density were significantly increased in the OSCC M(+) group in comparison to the OSCC M(-) group. No statistically significant differences were found between immunoexpression of ADAM10 and microvessels density in the OLK-LG, OLK-HG, and control cases. In conclusion, the present study revealed overexpression of ADAM10 in OSCCs, especially in OSCC with metastasis. These findings suggest that ADAM10 could potentially contribute to metastases of oral cancer. Although, our findings suggest that ADAM10 may be involved in angiogenesis of OSCC, further studies are required to determine the role of ADAM10 in this process.

Immunohistochemical study on neuropilin 1 (NRP1) immunoexpression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropilins (NRPs) are multifunctional glycoproteins that play an important role in angiogenesis and cancer progression. The aim of the study was to examine the immunoexpression of neuropilin 1 (NRP1), the number of NRP1+ infiltrating cells and CD163+ macrophages, and density of microvessels (MVD) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 45 OSCC patients with metastases (OSCCM+), 51 patients without metastases (OSCCM-) and 17 control cases. The microvessels were identified by the presence of CD31 and the expression of the studied proteins was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The immunoexpression of NRP1, the mean numbers of NRP1+, CD163+ infiltrating cells, and MVD were significantly increased in OSCCM+ patients in comparison to OSCCM-, and control groups. Moreover, in OSCCM- patients all these parameters were also significantly increased in comparison to controls. In OSCCM+ and OSCCM- groups, there were positive correlations between the immunoexpression of NRP1 and MVD (r = 0.41, p < 0.006; r = 0.51, p < 0.001, respectively), and between the number of NRP1+ infiltrating cells and CD163+ macrophages (r = 0.56, p < 0.001, r = 0.49, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed overexpression of NRP1 in OSCC, especially in OSCC patients with metasta-sis, suggesting that NRP1 could potentially contribute to metastasis of oral cancer. The correlation between the number of NRP1+ infiltrating cells and CD163+ macrophages suggests that NRP1+ infiltrating macrophages are present in tumor microenvironment and may play a role in the progressions of oral cancer.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and 3 expression is associated with regulatory PI3K/AKT kinase activity, as well as invasion and prognosis, in human laryngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: Aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) expression is thought to contribute to the development of many types of cancer. As yet, however, their impact on the course and prognosis of head and neck cancer remains to be determined. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of expression of the FGFR family members FGFR1 and FGFR3, as well as their downstream PI3K/AKT signal-regulated kinases, on the aggressiveness and prognosis of laryngeal cancer. METHODS: In total 137 surgically removed squamous cell laryngeal cancer (SCLC) and 100 matched non-cancerous laryngeal mucosa (NCLM) samples were assessed for mRNA expression using quantitative real-time PCR. The corresponding proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. SLUG expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The expression data were subsequently related to tumor front grading (TFG), local/nodal recurrences, prognosis and overall survival. RESULTS: The FGFR1, FGFR3 and PI3K/AKT kinase mRNA and protein levels were found to be significantly higher in the SCLC than the NCLM samples (p < 0.05). A high FGFR1 mRNA/protein expression level was found to be associated with an increased invasion rate, according to TFG scale and SLUG level, a high local/nodal recurrence rate and a poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Similarly, we found that a high FGFR3 mRNA/protein expression level was associated with a shorter survival time (p < 0.05). In addition, we found that high PI3K/AKT kinase mRNA/protein levels were associated with a high TFG (p < 0.05). We also found that FGFR1/3 mRNA and FGFR1 protein levels were inversely associated with overall survival (log-rank test: FGFR1 mRNA p = 0.03, FGFR3 mRNA p = 0.04, FGFR1 protein p = 0.03). Subsequent multivariate analyses revealed that high FGFR3 mRNA expression may serve as an independent poor prognostic factor (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.03-6.59; p = 0.04). We also found that the p-PI3K regulatory kinase protein level was significantly associated with survival in the cohort studied (HR 1.78, 95% CI 0.64-8.53; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: From our data we conclude that FGFR1 and FGFR3, as well as its downstream regulatory PI3K/AKT kinases, may serve as potential biomarkers for the invasiveness and prognosis of laryngeal cancer. The expression of FGFR1/3-PI3K/AKT regulatory pathway members may be instrumental for the identification of patients at risk for an unfavorable clinical outcome.

T cells are involved in the induction of macrophage phenotypes in oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma-a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of human malignancies has been shown to depend on immunological parameters, such as macrophage polarization (M1 and M2). In this study, we identify the phenotype of macrophages, and investigate an involvement of infiltrated T cells that participate in the polarization of macrophages, in oral leukoplakia (OLK), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the number of CD68+ , CD163+ (M2), iNOS+ (M1) macrophages, and CD4+ , CD8+ , CCR4+ (Th2), CCR5+ (Th1) cells in 102 cases of OSCC: without metastases-OSCC M(-) (n = 54), and with metastases-OSCC M(+) (n = 48), 23 cases of OLK, and 18 control cases. RESULTS: The mean number of CD68+ , CD163+ , iNOS+ , CD4+ , CCR4+ , CCR5+ cells was significantly increased in OSCC M(+) group compared with OLK, OSCC M(-) and control group. We found positive correlations between the number of CD4+ T cells and CD163+ and iNOS+ macrophages as well as CCR4+ and CCR5+ cells in both OSCC groups. The mean number of CD8+ cells was significantly increased in OSCC M(-) and OLK compared with OSCC M(+) and control group. In OSCC M(+) and OSCC M(-) groups, a negative correlation between the number of CD8+ cells and CD163+ and iNOS+ macrophages was found. CONCLUSIONS: The number and co-localization of lymphocytes and macrophages in OLK and OSCC may indicate that infiltrating cells influence the early and subsequent stage of oral carcinogenesis.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Foxp3+, CD4+, CD8+ Cell Infiltrates and PD-L1 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The immunoexpression of the PD-L1 and the number of immune infiltrating cells have been shown to be a significant prognostic factors in various human cancers. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and number of Foxp3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells in 78 cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs): with better prognosis - OSCCBP (n = 37), and with poorer prognosis - OSCCPP (n = 41), and 18 cases of normal mucosa as a control. The immunoexpression of PD-L1 and the mean number of Foxp3+ cells was significantly increased in OSCCPP group in comparison to OSCCBP and control groups. The mean number of CD4+ cells was significantly increased in OSCCPP group in comparison to OSCCBP and control groups. CD8+ cells were significantly more numerous in OSCCBP group in comparison to OSCCPP and control group. In both OSCCPP and OSCCBP groups there were positive significant correlations between number of Foxp3+ and CD4+ cells. We found positive correlations between the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and numbers of Foxp3+ cells, and negative correlation between the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and numbers of CD8+ cells in both OSCCPP and OSCCBP groups. We found also significant positive correlation between immunoexpression of PD-L1 and the number of CD4+ cells in OSCCPP group. In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis of involvement of Tregs and PD-L1 in OSCC development and progression.

Association of infiltrating cells with microvessel density in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Several lines of evidence indicate that immune cells in the tumor microenvironment play an important role in regulating tumor progression. An immunohistochemical method was used to examine the abundance of natural killer (NK) cells, mucosal dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, mast cells, and microvessel density in 78 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC): with better prognosis - OSCCBP (n = 37), and with poorer prognosis - OSCCPP (n = 41), and 18 controls. The mean numbers of macrophages and microvessels were significantly higher in the OSCCPP group in comparison to both OSCCBP and control groups. The mean number of NK cells, mast cells and DCs was lower in the OSCCPP group in comparison to the OSCCBP group, but there were no statistically significant differences between mean numbers of NK cells in tested groups. Statistically significant correlations between the number of DCs and NK cells and mast cells, as well as between microvessel density and numbers of macrophages, DCs and mast cells were revealed in both OSCCPP and OSCCBP groups. In conclusion, our findings revealed an association between the number of infiltrating cells and oral cancer prognosis. Moreover, our results suggest that the infiltrating cells (macrophages, Langerhans and mast cells) may be involved in the process of angiogenesis.

Gene/protein expression of CAPN1/2-CAST system members is associated with ERK1/2 kinases activity as well as progression and clinical outcome in human laryngeal cancer.

Recent evidence indicates the involvement of calpains (CAPNs), a family of cysteine proteases, in cancer development and progression, as well as the insufficient response to cancer therapies. The contribution of CAPNs and regulatory calpastatin (CAST) and ERK1/2 kinases to aggressiveness, disease course, and outcome in laryngeal cancer remains elusive. This study was aimed to evaluate the CAPN1/2-CAST-ERK1/2 enzyme system mRNA/protein level and to investigate whether they can promote the dynamic of tumor growth and prognosis. The mRNA expression of marker genes was determined in 106 laryngeal cancer (SCLC) cases and 73 non-cancerous adjacent mucosa (NCLM) controls using quantitative real-time PCR. The level of corresponding proteins was analyzed by Western Blot. SLUG expression, as indicator of pathological advancement was determined using IHC staining. Significant increases of CAPN1/2-CAST-ERK1/2 levels of mRNA/protein were noted in SCLC compared to NCLM (p < 0.05). As a result, a higher level of CAPN1 and ERK1 genes was related to larger tumor size, more aggressive and deeper growth according to TFG scale and SLUG level (p < 0.05). There were also relationships of CAPN1/2 and ERK1 with incidences of local/nodal recurrences (p < 0.05). An inverse association for CAPN1/2, CAST, and ERK1/2 transcripts was determined with regard to overall survival (p < 0.05). In addition, a higher CAPN1 and phospho-ERK1 protein level was related to higher grade and stage (p < 0.05) and was found to promote worse prognosis. This is the first study to show that activity of CAPN1/2- CAST-ERK1/2 axis may be an indicator of tumor phenotype and unfavorable outcome in SCLC.

Immunohistochemical Study EMT-Related Proteins in HPV-, and EBV-Negative Patients with Sinonasal Tumours.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process in which the epithelial cells, transform to mesenchymal cells via multiple biochemical modifications. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the expression of EMT-related proteins: Slug, E-cadherin and fibronectin, in 41 cases of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP), 33 cases of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNC), and 22 cases of normal mucosa as a control. In all cases negative viral status was previously confirmed using both in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical method. The immunoexpression of Slug and fibronectin were significantly increased in the SNC group as compared to SIPs and control cases. The immunoexpresssion of Slug was also higher in SIPs as compared to controls. The immunoexpression of E-cadherin was significantly lower in SNCs group as compared with SIPs and controls, but no statistically significant difference in E-cadherin immunoexpression was noted between SIPs and control cases. There were statistically significant negative correlations between immunoexpression of Slug vs E-cadherin, E-cadherin vs fibronectin and positive correlation between Slug vs fibronectin in SNC. Statistically significant correlation between Slug and fibronectin immunoexpression in SIPs was also found. In conclusion, our findings suggest that relationships between Slug, E-cadherin and fibronectin could potentially point to EMT in the sinonasal cancer. Lack of correlation between EMT-related proteins in tested SIPs could reflect a benign nature of those cases.

Immunohistochemical study on ADAM33 in sinonasal inverted papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx.

INTRODUCTION: ADAM33 protein is a member of the family of transmembrane glycoproteins composed of multidomains. Members of the ADAM family have different activities, such as proteolysis and adhesion, making them good candidates to mediate the extracellular matrix remodeling and changes in cellular adhesion that characterize certain pathologies and cancer development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of ADAM33 in 39 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of sinonasal inverted papillomas (IP), 44 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (GI grade = 11, GII grade = 33) and 14 disease-free tissue specimens as a control. RESULTS: The immunoexpression of ADAM33 was localized in the epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells of the vessels and infrequently in the stromal cells. The majority of the ADAM33 was localized intracellularly, although membrane immunoexpression was also noted. All epithelial and vascular staining scores were found to be significantly increased in GI and GII grades of laryngeal cancer compared with controls (p < 0.001) and IP (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in immunoexpression of ADAM33 between GI and GII tumors. The immunoexpression of ADAM33 was significantly higher in IP patients than in controls (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ADAM33 could potentially contribute to tumorigenesis of the laryngeal and sinonasal region.

Metallothionein 2A core promoter region genetic polymorphism and its impact on the risk, tumor behavior, and recurrences of sinonasal inverted papilloma (Schneiderian papilloma).

Inverted papillomas are a unique group of locally aggressive benign epithelial neoplasms in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses arising from the Schneiderian mucosa. Metallothioneins are sulfhydryl-rich heavy metal-binding proteins required for metal toxicity protection and regulation of biological mechanisms including proliferation and invasion. The goal of this study was to identify three SNPs at loci -5 A/G (rs28366003) and -209 A/G (rs1610216) in the core promoter region and at locus +838 C/G (rs10636) in 3'UTR region of the MT2A gene with IP risk and with tumor invasiveness according to Krouse staging. Genotyping was performed using the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 130 genetically unrelated IP individuals, and 418 randomly selected healthy volunteers. The presence of the rs28366003 SNP was significantly related to the risk of IP within the present population-based case-control study. Compared to homozygous common allele carriers, heterozygosity and homozygosity for the G variant had a significantly increased risk of IP (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 7.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.01-14.91, p(dominant) < 0.001). Moreover, risk allele carriers demonstrated higher Krouse stage (pT1 vs. pT2-4) (OR = 19.32; 95% CI, 2.30-173.53; p < 0.0001), diffuse tumor growth (OR = 4.58; 95% CI, 1.70-12.11; p = 0.0008), bone destruction (OR = 4.13; 95% CI, 1.50-11.60; p = 0.003), and higher incidence of tumor recurrences (OR = 5.11; 95% CI, 1.68-15.20; p = 0.001). The findings suggest that MT2A gene variation rs28366003 may be implicated in the etiology of sinonasal inverted papilloma in a Polish population.

Augmented immunoexpression of survivin correlates with parameters of aggressiveness in prostate cancer.

The clinical significance of the immunoexpression of survivin in prostate cancer and its correlation with the biological aggressiveness of prostate cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to compare the immunoexpression of survivin in prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as well as to determine whether this immunoexpression could correlate with Gleason score, proliferation activity and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. The prostate needle biopsies from 28 patients with elevated serum PSA levels were studied. As a control, 12 needle biopsies of prostate diagnosed as BPH were used. The immunoexpression of survivin was evaluated semiquantitatively, whereas the Ki-67 index was assessed quantitatively. The immunoexpression of survivin and Ki-67 in epithelial cells in the prostate cancer group was significantly increased as compared to BPH cases. In the prostate cancer group there were positive significant correlations between the immunoexpression of survivin and Gleason score as well as Ki­67 antigen. The correlation between the immunoexpression of survivin and PSA levels was also positive, but it did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, we can confirm that in prostate cancer the immunoexpression of survivin is augmented as compared to BPH and positively correlated with parameters of tumor aggressiveness.

Mediators of mast cells in bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are skin diseases associated with inflammation. However, few findings exist concerning the role of mast cells in autoimmune blistering disease. Skin biopsies were taken from 27 BP and 14 DH patients, as well as 20 healthy individuals. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the localization and mast cell expression of TNFα and MMP9 in skin lesions and perilesional skin. The serum concentrations of TNFα, MMP9, chymase, tryptase, PAF, and IL-4 were measured by immunoassay. TNFα and MMP9 expression in the epidermis and in inflammatory influxed cells in the dermis was detected in skin biopsies from patients. Although these mediators were found to be expressed in the perilesional skin of all patients, the level was much lower than that in lesional skin. Increased serum PAF levels were observed in BP patients. Mast cells may play an essential role in activating inflammation, which ultimately contributes to the tissue damage observed in BP and DH. Our findings suggest that differences in the pattern of cytokine expression directly contribute to variations in cellular infiltration in DH and BP.