Helicobacter pylori infection associated DNA methylation in primary gastric cancer significantly correlates with specific molecular and clinicopathological features.

Helicobacter pylori induces DNA methylation in gastric mucosa, which links to gastric cancer (GC) risk. In contrast, CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is defined as high levels of cancer-specific methylation and provides distinct molecular and clinicopathological features of GC. The association between those two types of methylation in GC remains unclear. We examined DNA methylation of well-validated H. pylori infection associated genes in GC and its adjacent mucosa and investigated its association with CIMP, various molecular subtypes and clinical features. We studied 50 candidate loci in 24 gastric samples to identify H. pylori infection associated genes. Identified loci were further examined in 624 gastric tissue from 217 primary GC, 217 adjacent mucosa, and 190 mucosae from cancer-free subjects. We identified five genes (IGF2, SLC16A2, SOX11, P2RX7, and MYOD1) as hypermethylated in H. pylori infected gastric mucosa. In non-neoplastic mucosa, methylation of H. pylori infection associated genes was higher in patients with GC than those without. In primary GC tissues, higher methylation of H. pylori infection associated genes correlated with CIMP-positive and its related features, such as MLH1 methylated cases. On the other hand, GC with lower methylation of these genes presented aggressive clinicopathological features including undifferentiated histopathology, advanced stage at diagnosis. H. pylori infection associated DNA methylation is correlated with CIMP, specific molecular and clinicopathological features in GC, supporting its utility as promising biomarker in this tumor type.

Fusobacterium Detected in Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Tissues.

We examined Fusobacterium nucreatum (F. nucleatum) and whole Fusobacterium species (Pan-fusobacterium) in non-neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) from patients without cancer (n = 67; N group), with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) (n = 27) and EAC tissue (n = 22). F. nucleatum was only detectable in 22.7% of EAC tissue. Pan-fusobacterium was enriched in EAC tissue and associated with aggressive clinicopathological features. Amount of Pan-fusobacterium in non-neoplastic BE was correlated with presence of hital hernia and telomere shortening. The result suggested potential association of Fusobacterium species in EAC and BE, featuring clinicpathological and molecular features.

Intravenous injection of tumor extracellular vesicles suppresses tumor growth by reducing the regulatory T cell phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a disease of unmet medical need. Although extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been implicated in anti-tumor responses, discrepancies were observed among studies. We analyzed the role of tumor-derived EVs (TEVs) in tumor progression in vivo by focusing on regulatory T (Treg) cells, which play essential roles in tumor development and progression. METHODS: A mouse model of colorectal cancer lung metastasis was generated using BALB/c mice by tail vein injection of the BALB/c colon adenocarcinoma cell line Colon-26. TEVs derived from Colon-26 and BALB/c lung squamous cell carcinoma ASB-XIV were retrieved from the culture media supernatants. A TEV equivalent to 10 µg protein was injected every other day for 2 weeks. RESULTS: Histology and immunohistochemistry studies revealed that lung tumors reduced in the Colon-26-EV group when compared to the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group. The population of CD4 + FoxP3 + cells in the lung was upregulated in the PBS group mice when compared to the healthy mice (P < 0.001), but was significantly downregulated in the Colon-26-EV group mice when compared to the PBS group mice (P < 0.01). Programmed cell death protein 1, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein, and CD69 expression in lung Treg cells were markedly upregulated in the PBS group when compared to the healthy mice, but downregulated in the Colon-26-EV group when compared to the PBS group. The changes in expression were dose-dependent for Colon-26-EVs. ASB-EVs also led to significantly downregulated Treg cell expression, although non-cancer line 3T3-derived EVs did not. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that TEVs possess components for tumor suppression.

Comprehensive DNA methylation profiling of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma in Japanese patients.

Molecular mechanisms of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remain unclear in Japanese patients. Japanese EACs frequently have underlying short length BE: short-segment BE (SSBE), for which, neoplastic potential remains unclear. We performed comprehensive methylation profiling of EAC and BE in Japanese patients, mostly comprised with SSBE. Using three different groups of biopsies obtained from non-neoplastic BE from patients without cancer (n = 50; N group), with EAC (n = 27; ADJ group) and EAC (n = 22; T group), methylation statuses of nine candidate genes (N33, DPYS, SLC16A12, CDH13, IGF2, MLF1, MYOD1, PRDM5, and P2RX7) were examined by the bisulfite pyrosequencing. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was performed to characterize the genome-wide methylation status in 32 samples (12 from N, 12 ADJ, and 8 from T groups). In the candidate approach, methylation levels of N33, DPYS, and SLC16A12 were higher in ADJ and T groups compared to that in N group. The ADJ group was an independent factor for higher DNA methylation in non-neoplastic BE. The genome-wide approach demonstrated an increase of hypermethylation from ADJ to T groups relative to N group near the transcription start sites. Among gene groups hypermethylated in ADJ and T groups (n = 645) and T group alone (n = 1438), 1/4 and 1/3 were overlapped with downregulated genes in the microarray data set, respectively. Accelerated DNA methylation is observed in EAC and underlying BE in Japanese patients, mostly comprised with SSBE, highlighting the potential impact of methylation in early carcinogenesis.

Telomere Shortening of Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in Japanese Patients.

Telomere shortening is deeply involved in many types of cancer. Telomere length of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) was examined in Japanese patients. Among BE from cancer free patients (Cancer free), BE from patients with EAC (Adjacent) and EAC tissue (Cancer), Cancer free group presented the longest telomeres, while Cancer group presented the shortest telomeres and Adjacent group presented intermediate telomeres. Direction of endoscopic biopsy, 2 o'clock direction was also significantly associated with shorter telomere length in non-neoplastic BE (p = 0.027). Shortened telomere highlighted the impact of this molecular change in early carcinogenesis in EAC.

Establishment of a Novel Colitis-Associated Cancer Mouse Model Showing Flat Invasive Neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis, increases the risk of developing colitis-associated cancers. Currently, mice administered with azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate are well-known models for colitis-associated cancers. Although human colitis-associated cancers are often flat lesions, most azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate mouse cancers are raised lesions. AIMS: To establish a novel mouse model for colitis-associated cancers and evaluate its characteristics. METHODS: A single dose of azoxymethane was intraperitoneally administered to CD4-dnTGFßRII mice, which are genetically modified mice that spontaneously develop inflammatory bowel disease at different doses and timings. The morphological and biological characteristics of cancers was assessed in these mice. RESULTS: Colorectal cancer developed with different proportions in each group. In particular, a high rate of cancer was observed at 10 and 20 weeks after administration in 12-week-old CD4-dnTGFßRII mice dosed at 15 mg/kg. Immunohistochemical staining of tumors was positive for ß-catenin, ki67, and Sox9 but not for p53. Grade of inflammation was significantly higher in mice with cancer than in those without cancer (p < 0.001). In CD4-dnTGFßRII/azoxymethane mice, adenocarcinomas with flat lesions were observed, with moderate-to-severe inflammation in the non-tumor area. In comparison, non-tumor areas of azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate mice had less inflammation than those of CD4-dnTGFßRII/azoxymethane mice, and most macroscopic characteristics of tumors were pedunculated or sessile lesions in azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate mice. CONCLUSIONS: Although feasibility and reproducibility of azoxymethane/CD4-dbTGFßRII appear to be disadvantages compared to the azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate model, this is the first report to demonstrate that the chronic inflammatory colitis model, CD4-dnTGFßRII also develops colitis-related colorectal cancer.

A Short-Term Model of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer That Suggests Initial Tumor Development and the Characteristics of Cancer Stem Cells.

The mechanisms underlying the transition from colitis-associated inflammation to carcinogenesis and the cell origin of cancer formation are still unclear. The azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse model reproduces human colitis-associated colorectal cancer. To elucidate the mechanisms of cancer development and dynamics of the linker threonine-phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2/3L-Thr)-positive cells, we explored the early stages of colitis-associated colorectal cancer in AOM/DSS mice. The AOM/DSS mice were sacrificed at 4 to 6 weeks following AOM administration. To analyze the initial lesions, immunofluorescence staining for the following markers was performed: ß-catenin, Ki67, CDK4, Sox9, Bmi1, cyclin D1, and pSmad2/3L-Thr. Micro-neoplastic lesions were flat and unrecognizable, and the uni-cryptal ones were either open to the surfaces or hidden within the mucosae. These neoplastic cells overexpressed ß-catenin, Sox9, Ki67, and Cyclin D1 and had large basophilic nuclei in the immature atypical cells. In both the lesions, pSmad2/3L-Thr-positive cells were scattered and showed immunohistochemical co-localization with ß-catenin, CDK4, and Bmi1 but never with Ki67. More ß-catenin-positive neoplastic cells of both lesions were detected at the top compared to the base or center of the mucosae. We confirmed initial lesions in the colitis-associated colorectal cancer model mice and observed results that suggest that pSmad2/3L-Thr is a biomarker for tissue stem cells and cancer stem cells.

Repeated Stimulation of Toll-Like Receptor 2 and Dectin-1 Induces Chronic Pancreatitis in Mice Through the Participation of Acquired Immunity.

BACKGROUND: Stimulation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) induces autoimmune-mediated pancreatitis in susceptible mice, whereas stimulation of TLR4 causes nonautoimmune-mediated pancreatitis. However, the effects of TLR2 stimulation on the pancreas are unknown. AIMS: We investigated the role of TLR2 stimulation on pancreatic damage by repeatedly stimulating mice with TLR2 ligands. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and interleukin 10-deficient (IL-10-knockout (KO)) mice were administered zymosan and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) intraperitoneally at various doses twice weekly for 4 weeks. Syngeneic T-cell-deficient mice, B-cell-deficient mice, recombination activating gene 2-deficient (RAG2-KO) mice and RAG2-KO mice that had been reconstituted with CD4+ or CD8+ T cells isolated from WT mice were treated with zymosan similarly. Mice were killed, the severity of pancreatitis was graded histologically, and serum cytokine levels were measured. RESULTS: Repeated administration of zymosan induced pancreatitis dose dependently in both WT and IL-10-KO mice. Administration of LTA induced pancreatitis only in IL-10-KO mice. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes obtained from IL-10-KO mice with pancreatitis did not cause pancreatitis in recipient RAG2-KO mice. Pancreatitis was scarcely observed in RAG2-KO mice and was attenuated in T-cell-deficient and B-cell-deficient mice compared with WT mice. A single administration of zymosan significantly increased the serum level of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated stimulation of TLR2 and dectin-1 induced nonautoimmune-mediated pancreatitis in mice. Participation of acquired immunity seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis in association with the increase in serum MCP-1 level.

p62 is a useful predictive marker for tumour regression after chemoradiation therapy in patients with advanced rectal cancer: an immunohistochemical study.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between p62 expression status and tumour regression grade in advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 47 consecutive patients with advanced rectal cancer who underwent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) before surgery. p62 expression in the biopsy specimens was immunohistochemically evaluated, and p62 expression score (staining intensity × positive tumour cells, %) was calculated (range 0-300). The relationship between p62 expression score and CRT effect was analysed. RESULTS: The staining intensity was +2 and +3 in 29 and 18 patients, respectively. The median proportion of positive neoplastic cells was 87.8%, and that of the p62 expression score was 200. Stronger staining intensity and a higher proportion of p62-positive neoplastic cells were significantly associated with CRT non-effectiveness (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0116, respectively), and a higher p62 expression score was significantly associated with CRT non-effectiveness (P < 0.0001). The optimal cut-off value for predicting the CRT effect was 240. CONCLUSIONS: A higher p62 expression score was significantly associated with less CRT effectiveness in patients with advanced rectal cancer. Analysis of p62 expression score using biopsy specimens is a useful and easily assessable prediction marker for CRT effect and might help select patients who can undergo a 'watch-and-wait' strategy after CRT.

Specific Smad2/3 Linker Phosphorylation Indicates Esophageal Non-neoplastic and Neoplastic Stem-Like Cells and Neoplastic Development.

BACKGROUND: There is little known about stem cells in human non-neoplastic and neoplastic esophageal epithelia. We have demonstrated expression of linker threonine-phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2/3L-Thr), suggesting presence of stem-like cells in mouse esophageal epithelium, and identified presence of pSmad2/3L-Thr-positive cells that might function as cancer stem cells in mouse model of colorectal carcinoma. AIMS: We explore whether pSmad2/3L-Thr can be used as a biomarker for stem cells of human esophageal epithelia and/or neoplasms. METHODS: We have used esophageal tissues from inpatients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection and performed double immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr and Ki67, CDK4, p63, Sox2, CK14, p53, ALDH1, CD44 or D2-40 after which the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: pSmad2/3L-Thr-positive cells showed immunohistochemical co-localization with CDK4, p63, CD44 and Sox2 in the basal and parabasal layers of non-neoplastic esophageal epithelia. In esophageal neoplasms, they showed immunohistochemical co-localization with p53, CDK4, ALDH1 and CD44. There was a significant increase in the percentage of pSmad2/3L-Thr-positive cells in the p53-positive neoplastic cell population with development of esophageal neoplasia. pSmad2/3L-Thr-positive cells localized to the lower section of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and were observed up to the upper section in carcinoma in situ. In invasive squamous cell carcinoma, they were scattered throughout the tumor with disappearance of polarity and were found in intraepithelial primary lesions and sites of submucosal and vessel invasion. CONCLUSIONS: We determined significant expression of pSmad2/3L-Thr in human esophageal non-neoplastic and neoplastic epithelia, indicating that these are epithelial stem-like cells and cancer stem cells, respectively, that correlate with developing esophageal neoplasms.

Extracellular vesicles microRNA analysis in type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis: Increased expression of microRNA-21.

BACKGROUND: The molecular basis of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) remains unclear. Recent attention on the role of extracellular vesicles microRNA (EV miRNA) in immune homeostasis has prompted us to perform an extensive miRNA screening of serum-derived EV in AIP. METHODS: EV miRNA expression was analyzed using microarrays in AIP, chronic pancreatitis (CP), and healthy adult (HC) samples (n = 10 from each group). Differences in signals, > 3 or <1/3 times, represented significant differences in expression. Another cohort of AIP (n = 14), CP (n = 10), and HC (n = 10) samples of EV miRNA was analyzed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). miRNA expression in pancreatic tissues was evaluated using in situ hybridization (ISH) in three additional subjects from each group. RESULTS: Signals of eight miRNAs (miR-659-3p, -27a-3p, -99a-5p, -21-5p, -205-5p, -100-5p, -29c-3p, and -125b-1-3p) were significantly higher, while those of two miRNAs (miR-4252 and -5004-5p) were significantly lower in AIP than in HC. EV miR-21-5p was significantly up-regulated in AIP than in HC (P = 0.035) and CP (P = 0.048). The number of miR-21-5p positive inflammatory cells was significantly elevated in AIP than in CP (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating EVs exhibited altered miRNA expression patterns with elevated miR-21-5p in AIP when compared with those in HC and CP. miR-21-5p was highly expressed in pancreatic inflammatory cells in AIP. Our data suggests that miR-21-5p may be involved in the regulation of effector pathways in the pathophysiology of AIP, thus differentiating AIP from CP.

Inhibition of the dephosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α ameliorates murine experimental pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pancreas is closely associated with the development of acute pancreatitis. However, the role of the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) in this disease is not fully understood. We investigated whether an inhibitor of the dephosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, salubrinal, could improve murine experimental pancreatitis through the amelioration of ER stress. METHODS: Acute pancreatitis was induced by the intraperitoneal administration of cerulein (50 µg/kg) six times at 1-h intervals followed by lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg). Salubrinal was administered intraperitoneally immediately after lipopolysaccharide injection and 3 h later. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after the first injection of cerulein, and serum amylase and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. The severity of pancreatitis was evaluated histologically using a scoring system. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins were evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS: The administration of salubrinal significantly attenuated the increase in serum amylase levels and improved histologically assessed pancreatitis. The serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly suppressed in salubrinal-treated mice, as was the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, and cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: The amelioration of ER stress through augmentation of the PERK-signaling pathway may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Morphological and immunohistochemical comparison of intrapancreatic nerves between chronic pancreatitis and type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The abdominal pain associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) may be related to the increased number and size of intrapancreatic nerves. On the other hand, patients with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) rarely suffer from the pain syndrome, and there are no previous studies concerning the histopathological findings of intrapancreatic nerves in patients with type 1 AIP. The current study is aimed at investigating the differences in the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of intrapancreatic nerves in patients with CP and type 1 AIP. METHODS: Neuroanatomical differences between CP and type 1 AIP were assessed by immunostaining with a pan-neuronal marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5). The number (neural density) and area (neural hypertrophy) of PGP9.5-immunopositive nerves were quantitatively analyzed. Furthermore, the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), and a high affinity receptor for NGF, tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both neural density and hypertrophy were significantly greater in pancreatic tissue samples from patients with CP than those with normal pancreas or type 1 AIP. NGF expression was stronger in type 1 AIP than in CP, whereas TrkA expression in type 1 AIP was poorer than in CP. CONCLUSIONS: Although CP and type 1 AIP are both characterized by the presence of sustained pancreatic inflammation, they are different in terms of the density and hypertrophy of intrapancreatic nerve fibers. It is possible that this may be related to the difference in the activity of the NGF/TrkA-pathway between the two types of pancreatitis.

Comparison of neutrophil infiltration between type 1 and type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Characteristics of type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is granulocyte epithelial lesions, called idiopathic duct-centric pancreatitis (IDCP). To clarify pathogenesis of IDCP, we investigated mechanism of neutrophil infiltration in type 1 AIP, called lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LPSP) and IDCP. METHOD: This study was performed on resected pancreata from patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP, n = 10), LPSP (n = 10) and IDCP (n = 12). The number of neutrophils around the pancreatic ducts was counted. The expression of neutrophils chemoattractants granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the pancreatic duct epithelia was examined using immunohistochemistry. The cell staining intensity is scored as negative (0), weak (1), moderate (2) or strong (3). RESULTS: The median number of neutrophils around the interlobular pancreatic ducts was significantly higher in IDCP (15.16; interquartile range [IQR]: 9.74-18.41) than in ACP (2.66; IQR: 1.33-4.33) (P < 0.05) and LPSP (3.16; IQR: 2.74-4.57) (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the median number of neutrophils around the intralobular pancreatic ducts among ACP (1.16; IQR: 0.33-3.41), LPSP (3.16; IQR: 0.74-5.5) and IDCP (3.00; IQR: 1.08-7.91). The median score of GCP-2 in the interlobular pancreatic duct epithelia was significantly higher in IDCP (1.5; IQR: 0.25-2) than in ACP (0; IQR: 0-0.75) (P < 0.05) and LPSP (0; IQR: 0-0.75) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the median score of IL-8 in the interlobular pancreatic duct epithelia among ACP (0; IQR: 0-0.75), LPSP (1; IQR: 0-1.75) and IDCP (0.5; IQR: 0-1). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly increased neutrophil infiltration around the interlobular pancreatic duct in IDCP may depend on GCP-2.

Phosphorylation of Smad2/3 at specific linker threonine indicates slow-cycling intestinal stem-like cells before reentry to cell cycle.

BACKGROUND: Quiescent (slow-cycling) and active (rapid-cycling) stem cells are demonstrated in small intestines. We have identified significant expression of Smad2/3, phosphorylated at specific linker threonine residues (pSmad2/3L-Thr), in murine stomach, and suggested these cells are epithelial stem cells. AIM: Here, we explore whether pSmad2/3L-Thr could serve as a biomarker for small intestine and colon stem cells. METHODS: We examined small intestines and colons from C57BL/6 mice and colons with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. We performed double-immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr with Ki67, cytokeratin 8, chromogranin A, CDK4, DCAMKL1, and Musashi-1. Small intestines and colons from Lgr5-EGFP knock-in mice were examined by pSmad2/3L-Thr immunofluorescent staining. To examine BrdU label retention of pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells, we collected specimens after BrdU administration and observed double-immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr with BrdU. RESULTS: In small intestines and colons, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-strongly positive cells were detected around crypt bases. Immunohistochemical co-localization of pSmad2/3L-Thr with Ki67 was not observed. pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-strongly positive cells showed co-localization with cytokeratin 8, CDK4, and Musashi-1 and different localization from chromogranin A and DCAMKL1 immunostaining-positive cells. Under a light microscope, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-strongly positive cells were morphologically undifferentiated. In Lgr5-EGFP knock-in mice, some but not all pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-strongly positive cells showed co-localization with Lgr5. pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-strongly positive cells showed co-localization with BrdU at 5, 10, and 15 days after administration. In DSS-induced colitis, pSmad2/3L-Thr and Ki67 immunostaining-positive cells increased in the regeneration phase and decreased in the injury phase. CONCLUSION: In murine small intestines and colons, we suggest pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-strongly positive cells are epithelial stem-like cells just before reentry to the cell cycle.

The role of CD19+ CD24high CD38high and CD19+ CD24high CD27+ regulatory B cells in patients with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) have several immunologic and histologic abnormalities. It is known that depletion of B cells by rituximab is effective for treatment of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) such as type 1 AIP, suggesting that B cells may be a key player in IgG4-RD. However, the role of regulatory B cells (Bregs) in type 1 AIP is unclear, and the objective of this paper is to clarify the role of Bregs in the pathophysiology of type 1 AIP by analyzing circulating Bregs. METHOD: We recruited 21 patients with type 1 AIP as determined by the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP (ICDC). No patients received corticosteroid treatments. For comparison, we recruited 14 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), 20 patients with pancreatic cancer, and 25 healthy subjects as controls. We analyzed Bregs as CD19+ CD24high CD38high and CD19+ CD24high CD27+ from peripheral blood by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In peripheral blood, CD19+ CD24high CD38high Bregs were significantly increased in type 1 AIP patients compared with CP, pancreatic cancer, and healthy controls. Although not significant different, CD19+ CD24high CD27+ Bregs of type 1 AIP were decreased compared to those of other groups. IL-10(+) B cells were not significantly different from type 1 AIP patients and healthy controls. In untreated type 1 AIP patients, the number of CD19+ CD24high CD38high Bregs and IgG4 were not correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that CD19+ CD24high CD38high Bregs seemed to increase reactively to suppress the disease activity, and are consistent with the hypothesis that CD19+ CD24high CD27+ Bregs might be involved in the development of type 1 AIP, although it still remains unclear whether the decrease of CD19+ CD24high CD27+ cells is cause or effect of AIP.

Relationship between autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: Ordinary chronic pancreatitis (CP), such as alcoholic CP, is well established to have the increased risk for pancreatic cancer (PaC), nevertheless an association between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and PaC is still unknown. The aims of this study are to examine the frequency of patients who developed PaC during follow-up after being diagnosed with type 1 AIP and to compare the incidence rate of PaC between patients with type 1 AIP and CP. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with type 1 AIP and 41 patients with CP were enrolled. We examined development of PaC during follow-up from their clinical records. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 62.4 months in AIP group and 49.2 months in CP group. The occurrence of PaC was observed in 3 patients with AIP during the mean follow-up period of 94.7 months (range, 31-186), whereas a single CP patient developed PaC 38 months after CP diagnosis. The incident rate of PaC during follow-up was comparable between the 2 groups [4.8% (3/63) in type 1 AIP group vs. 2.4% (1/41) in CP group]. In all of 3 AIP patients who developed accompanying PaC, the clinical remission of AIP was achieved with maintenance steroid therapy, when tumors were discovered. In the histological examination of one surgical patient with PaC, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in storiform fibrosis with abundant IgG4-positive cell infiltration was observed around the PaC area. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to patients with ordinary CP, surveillance for development of PaC is needed at regular interval during follow-up in AIP patients.

Inhibition of the dephosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α ameliorates murine experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the intestine is closely associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the role of the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase in this disease is not fully known. We studied whether an inhibitor of the dephosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, salubrinal, improves murine experimental colitis through the amelioration of ER stress. METHODS: Colitis was induced by the administration of 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days. Mice were injected salubrinal intraperitoneally from the commencement of DSS treatment and were sacrificed on day 10. The severity of colitis was evaluated histologically using a scoring system.Myeloperoxidase activity and the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes in the colon were analyzed. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins were evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS: The administration of salubrinal significantly attenuated body weight loss and improved colitis, as assessed histologically. The elevation of myeloperoxidase activity and the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes were suppressed in salubrinal-treated mice. The expression of glucose-regulated protein 78, activating translation factor 4, and heat-shock protein 70 was elevated in mice treated with salubrinal. CONCLUSION: The amelioration of ER stress may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of IBD.