Mesenchymal stromal cell senescence in haematological malignancies.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and multiple myeloma (MM) are age-related haematological malignancies with defined precursor states termed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), respectively. While the progression from asymptomatic precursor states to malignancy is widely considered to be mediated by the accumulation of genetic mutations in neoplastic haematopoietic cell clones, recent studies suggest that intrinsic genetic changes, alone, may be insufficient to drive the progression to overt malignancy. Notably, studies suggest that extrinsic, microenvironmental changes in the bone marrow (BM) may also promote the transition from these precursor states to active disease. There is now enhanced focus on extrinsic, age-related changes in the BM microenvironment that accompany the development of AML, CLL, and MM. One of the most prominent changes associated with ageing is the accumulation of senescent mesenchymal stromal cells within tissues and organs. In comparison with proliferating cells, senescent cells display an altered profile of secreted factors (secretome), termed the senescence-associated-secretory phenotype (SASP), comprising proteases, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors that may render the local microenvironment favourable for cancer growth. It is well established that BM mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are key regulators of haematopoietic stem cell maintenance and fate determination. Moreover, there is emerging evidence that BM-MSC senescence may contribute to age-related haematopoietic decline and cancer development. This review explores the association between BM-MSC senescence and the development of haematological malignancies, and the functional role of senescent BM-MSCs in the development of these cancers.

Myeloperoxidase creates a permissive microenvironmental niche for the progression of multiple myeloma.

Expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a key inflammatory enzyme restricted to myeloid cells, is negatively associated with the development of solid tumours. Activated myeloid cell populations are increased in multiple myeloma (MM); however, the functional consequences of myeloid-derived MPO within the myeloma microenvironment are unknown. Here, the role of MPO in MM pathogenesis was investigated, and the capacity for pharmacological inhibition of MPO to impede MM progression was evaluated. In the 5TGM1-KaLwRij mouse model of myeloma, the early stages of tumour development were associated with an increase in CD11b+ myeloid cell populations and an increase in Mpo expression within the bone marrow (BM). Interestingly, MM tumour cell homing was increased towards sites of elevated myeloid cell numbers and MPO activity within the BM. Mechanistically, MPO induced the expression of key MM growth factors, resulting in tumour cell proliferation and suppressed cytotoxic T-cell activity. Notably, tumour growth studies in mice treated with a small-molecule irreversible inhibitor of MPO (4-ABAH) demonstrated a significant reduction in overall MM tumour burden. Taken together, our data demonstrate that MPO contributes to MM tumour growth, and that MPO-specific inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic strategy to limit MM disease progression.

The role of peroxidasin in solid cancer progression.

Peroxidasin is a heme-containing peroxidase enzyme that plays a vital role in the cross-linking of collagen IV molecules in basement membranes. Collagen IV cross-links are essential for providing structure and mechanical stability throughout tissue development, homeostasis, and wound healing. During cancer progression, the basement membrane is degraded, and proteins typically found in the basement membrane, including peroxidasin and collagen IV, can be found spread throughout the tumour microenvironment where they interact with cancer cells and alter cell behaviour. Whilst peroxidasin is reported to be up-regulated in a number of different cancers, the role that it plays in disease progression and metastasis has only recently begun to be studied. This review highlights the current literature exploring the known roles of peroxidasin in normal tissues and cancer progression, regulators of peroxidasin expression, and the reported relationships between peroxidasin expression and patient outcome in cancer.

Expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 promotes the dissemination of multiple myeloma plasma cells in vivo

Multiple myeloma (MM) disease progression is dependent on the ability of MM plasma cells (PCs) to egress from the bone marrow (BM), enter the circulation and disseminate to distal BM sites. Expression of the chemokine CXCL12 by BM stromal cells is crucial for MM PC retention within the BM. However, the mechanisms which overcome CXCL12-mediated retention to enable dissemination are poorly understood. We have previously identified that treatment with the CCR1 ligand CCL3 inhibits the response to CXCL12 in MM cell lines, suggesting that CCL3/CCR1 signalling may enable egress of MM PC from the BM. Here, we demonstrated that CCR1 expression was an independent prognostic indicator in newly diagnosed MM patients. Furthermore, we showed that CCR1 is a crucial driver of dissemination in vivo, with CCR1 expression in the murine MM cell line 5TGM1 being associated with an increased incidence of bone and splenic disseminated tumours in C57BL/KaLwRij mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CCR1 knockout in the human myeloma cell line OPM2 resulted in a >95% reduction in circulating MM PC numbers and BM and splenic tumour dissemination following intratibial injection in NSG mice. Therapeutic targeting of CCR1 with the inhibitor CCX9588 significantly reduced OPM2 or RPMI-8226 dissemination in intratibial xenograft models. Collectively, our findings suggest a novel role for CCR1 as a critical driver of BM egress of MM PCs during tumour dissemination. Furthermore, these data suggest that CCR1 may represent a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of MM tumour dissemination.

Challenging the wisdom of puncture at the calyceal fornix in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: feasibility and safety study with 137 patients operated via a non-calyceal percutaneous track.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience with a central, non-calyceal puncture protocol for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) in an attempt to challenge the opinion of worldwide adopted calyceal puncture as the less traumatic site of percutaneous entrance into the collecting system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 2012, a total of 137 consecutive, unselected patients were subjected to PCNL in our department. Non-calyceal punctures were performed to all cases and followed by subsequent track dilations up to 30 Fr. Perioperative and postoperative data were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean operative time (from skin puncture to nephrostomy tube placement) was 48 min. Patients with single, multiple and staghorn stones had primary stone-free rates of 89.2, 80.4 and 66.7 % after PCNL, respectively. The overall complication rate was 10.2 %, while bleeding complications were minimal. Only 4 patients (2.9 %) required blood transfusion. Five patients (3.6 %) had Clavien Grade IIIa complications requiring an intervention for their management and none Grade IV or V. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of evidence that non-calyceal percutaneous tracts could be a risk factor for complications, the concept of calyceal puncture has been worldwide adopted by PCNL surgeons as the sole safe percutaneous entrance into the collective system. Based on our experience, other pathways than the worldwide recognized rule, calyceal puncture, are possible and probably not as dangerous as has been previously stated.

Peroxidase enzymes regulate collagen extracellular matrix biosynthesis.

Myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase are heme-containing enzymes often physically associated with fibrotic tissue and cancer in various organs, without any direct involvement in promoting fibroblast recruitment and extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis at these sites. We report herein novel findings that show peroxidase enzymes possess a well-conserved profibrogenic capacity to stimulate the migration of fibroblastic cells and promote their ability to secrete collagenous proteins to generate a functional ECM both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies conducted using cultured fibroblasts show that these cells are capable of rapidly binding and internalizing both myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase. Peroxidase enzymes stimulate collagen biosynthesis at a post-translational level in a prolyl 4-hydroxylase-dependent manner that does not require ascorbic acid. This response was blocked by the irreversible myeloperoxidase inhibitor 4-amino-benzoic acid hydrazide, indicating peroxidase catalytic activity is essential for collagen biosynthesis. These results suggest that peroxidase enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase, may play a fundamental role in regulating the recruitment of fibroblast and the biosynthesis of collagen ECM at sites of normal tissue repair and fibrosis, with enormous implications for many disease states where infiltrating inflammatory cells deposit peroxidases.

Peroxidase Enzymes Regulate Collagen Biosynthesis and Matrix Mineralization by Cultured Human Osteoblasts.

The early recruitment of inflammatory cells to sites of bone fracture and trauma is a critical determinant in successful fracture healing. Released by infiltrating inflammatory cells, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) are heme-containing enzymes, whose functional involvement in bone repair has mainly been studied in the context of providing a mechanism for oxidative defense against invading microorganisms. We report here novel findings that show peroxidase enzymes have the capacity to stimulate osteoblastic cells to secrete collagen I protein and generate a mineralized extracellular matrix in vitro. Mechanistic studies conducted using cultured osteoblasts show that peroxidase enzymes stimulate collagen biosynthesis at a post-translational level in a prolyl hydroxylase-dependent manner, which does not require ascorbic acid. Our studies demonstrate that osteoblasts rapidly bind and internalize both MPO and EPO, and the catalytic activity of these peroxidase enzymes is essential to support collagen I biosynthesis and subsequent release of collagen by osteoblasts. We show that EPO is capable of regulating osteogenic gene expression and matrix mineralization in culture, suggesting that peroxidase enzymes may play an important role not only in normal bone repair, but also in the progression of pathological states where infiltrating inflammatory cells are known to deposit peroxidases.

Current evidence on lasers in laparoscopy: partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laser-assisted partial nephrectomy (PN) can benefit from the excellent coagulative properties of lasers to provide a bloodless tumor excision without the necessity for renal artery clamping. In this review, we aim to determine the current clinical implementation of laser assistance during laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive literature evaluation on laser-assisted PN was performed. Experimental work on animals and review articles were excluded. RESULTS: Current literature regarding laser-assisted PN is scarce. Available data consist mostly of small cohorts providing low level of evidence. Even though initial studies with currently available laser modalities demonstrated promising results, several drawbacks in each technique need to be addressed before being widely accepted as a standard care. CONCLUSIONS: Experience with laser-assisted laparoscopic PN is steadily increasing and uniformly documenting favorable results. As urologist became more familiar with laser technology by its implementation in other clinical entities and with the increasing interest in nephron-sparing management of renal tumors, the use of laser assistance during PN should be expected to play a major role in future.

Complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is generally considered a safe technique offering the highest stone-free rates after the first treatment as compared to the other minimal invasive lithotripsy techniques. Still, serious complications although rare should be expected following this percutaneous procedure. In this work, the most common and important complications associated with PCNL are being reviewed focusing on the perioperative risk factors, current management, and preventing measures that need to be taken to reduce their incidence. In addition, complication reporting is being criticized given the absence of a universal consensus on PCNL complications description. Complications such as perioperative bleeding, urine leak from nephrocutaneous fistula, pelvicalyceal system injury, and pain are individually graded as complications by various authors and are responsible for a significant variation in the reported overall PCNL complication rate, rendering comparison of morbidity between studies almost impossible. Due to the latter, a universally accepted grading system specialized for the assessment of PCNL-related complications and standardized for each variation of PCNL technique is deemed necessary.

Expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 decreases sensitivity to bortezomib in multiple myeloma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is one of the primary therapies used for the haematological malignancy multiple myeloma (MM). However, intrinsic or acquired resistance to bortezomib, via mechanisms that are not fully elucidated, is a barrier to successful treatment in many patients. Our previous studies have shown that elevated expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 in MM plasma cells in newly diagnosed MM patients is associated with poor prognosis. Here, we hypothesised that the poor prognosis conferred by CCR1 expression is, in part, due to a CCR1-mediated decrease in MM plasma cell sensitivity to bortezomib. METHODS: In order to investigate the role of CCR1 in MM cells, CCR1 was knocked out in human myeloma cell lines OPM2 and U266 using CRISPR-Cas9. Additionally, CCR1 was overexpressed in the mouse MM cell line 5TGM1. The effect of bortezomib on CCR1 knockout or CCR1-overexpressing cells was then assessed by WST-1 assay, with or without CCL3 siRNA knockdown or addition of recombinant human CCL3. NSG mice were inoculated intratibially with OPM2-CCR1KO cells and were treated with 0.7 mg/kg bortezomib or vehicle twice per week for 3 weeks and GFP+ tumour cells in the bone marrow were quantitated by flow cytometry. The effect of CCR1 overexpression or knockout on unfolded protein response pathways was assessed using qPCR for ATF4, HSPA5, XBP1, ERN1 and CHOP and Western blot for IRE1α and p-Jnk. RESULTS: Using CCR1 overexpression or CRIPSR-Cas9-mediated CCR1 knockout in MM cell lines, we found that CCR1 expression significantly decreases sensitivity to bortezomib in vitro, independent of the CCR1 ligand CCL3. In addition, CCR1 knockout rendered the human MM cell line OPM2 more sensitive to bortezomib in an intratibial MM model in NSG mice in vivo. Moreover, CCR1 expression negatively regulated the expression of the unfolded protein response receptor IRE1 and downstream target gene XBP1, suggesting this pathway may be responsible for the decreased bortezomib sensitivity of CCR1-expressing cells. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these studies suggest that CCR1 expression may be associated with decreased response to bortezomib in MM cell lines.

Calorie restriction has no effect on bone marrow tumour burden in a Vk*MYC transplant model of multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable haematological malignancy, caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow (BM). Obesity is a known risk factor for MM, however, few studies have investigated the potential of dietary intervention to prevent MM progression. Calorie restriction (CR) is associated with many health benefits including reduced cancer incidence and progression. To investigate if CR could reduce MM progression, dietary regimes [30% CR, normal chow diet (NCD), or high fat diet (HFD)] were initiated in C57BL/6J mice. Diet-induced changes were assessed, followed by inoculation of mice with Vk*MYC MM cells (Vk14451-GFP) at 16 weeks of age. Tumour progression was monitored by serum paraprotein, and at endpoint, BM and splenic tumour burden was analysed by flow cytometry. 30% CR promoted weight loss, improved glucose tolerance, increased BM adiposity and elevated serum adiponectin compared to NCD-fed mice. Despite these metabolic changes, CR had no significant effect on serum paraprotein levels. Furthermore, endpoint analysis found that dietary changes were insufficient to affect BM tumour burden, however, HFD resulted in an average two-fold increase in splenic tumour burden. Overall, these findings suggest diet-induced BM changes may not be key drivers of MM progression in the Vk14451-GFP transplant model of myeloma.

Deletion of Rptor in Preosteoblasts Reveals a Role for the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) Complex in Dietary-Induced Changes to Bone Mass and Glucose Homeostasis in Female Mice.

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) complex is the major nutrient sensor in mammalian cells that responds to amino acids, energy levels, growth factors, and hormones, such as insulin, to control anabolic and catabolic processes. We have recently shown that suppression of the mTORC1 complex in bone-forming osteoblasts (OBs) improved glucose handling in male mice fed a normal or obesogenic diet. Mechanistically, this occurs, at least in part, by increasing OB insulin sensitivity leading to upregulation of glucose uptake and glycolysis. Given previously reported sex-dependent differences observed upon antagonism of mTORC1 signaling, we investigated the metabolic and skeletal effects of genetic inactivation of preosteoblastic-mTORC1 in female mice. Eight-week-old control diet (CD)-fed Rptor ob -/- mice had a low bone mass with a significant reduction in trabecular bone volume and trabecular number, reduced cortical bone thickness, and increased marrow adiposity. Despite no changes in body composition, CD-fed Rptor ob -/- mice exhibited significant lower fasting insulin and glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity. Upon high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, Rptor ob -/- mice were resistant to a diet-induced increase in whole-body and total fat mass and protected from the development of diet-induced insulin resistance. Notably, although 12 weeks of HFD increased marrow adiposity, with minimal changes in both trabecular and cortical bone in the female control mice, marrow adiposity was significantly reduced in HFD-fed Rptor ob -/- compared to both HFD-fed control and CD-fed Rptor ob -/- mice. Collectively, our results demonstrate that mTORC1 function in preosteoblasts is crucial for skeletal development and skeletal regulation of glucose homeostasis in both male and female mice. Importantly, loss of mTORC1 function in OBs results in metabolic and physiological adaptations that mirror a caloric restriction phenotype (under CD) and protects against HFD-induced obesity, associated insulin resistance, and marrow adiposity expansion. These results highlight the critical contribution of the skeleton in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Plant-derived soybean peroxidase stimulates osteoblast collagen biosynthesis, matrix mineralization, and accelerates bone regeneration in a sheep model.

Bone defects arising from fractures or disease represent a significant problem for surgeons to manage and are a substantial economic burden on the healthcare economy. Recent advances in the development of biomaterial substitutes provides an attractive alternative to the current "gold standard" autologous bone grafting. Despite on-going research, we are yet to identify cost effective biocompatible, osteo-inductive factors that stimulate controlled, accelerated bone regeneration.We have recently reported that enzymes with peroxidase activity possess previously unrecognised roles in extracellular matrix biosynthesis, angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis, which are essential processes in bone remodelling and repair. Here, we report for the first time, that plant-derived soybean peroxidase (SBP) possesses pro-osteogenic ability by promoting collagen I biosynthesis and matrix mineralization of human osteoblasts in vitro. Mechanistically, SBP regulates osteogenic genes responsible for inflammation, extracellular matrix remodelling and ossification, which are necessary for normal bone healing. Furthermore, SBP was shown to have osteo-inductive properties, that when combined with commercially available biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) granules can accelerate bone repair in a critical size long bone defect ovine model. Micro-CT analysis showed that SBP when combined with commercially available biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) granules significantly increased bone formation within the defects as early as 4 weeks compared to BCP alone. Histomorphometric assessment demonstrated accelerated bone formation prominent at the defect margins and surrounding individual BCP granules, with evidence of intramembranous ossification. These results highlight the capacity of SBP to be an effective regulator of osteoblastic function and may be beneficial as a new and cost effective osteo-inductive agent to accelerate repair of large bone defects.

ELOVL5 Is a Critical and Targetable Fatty Acid Elongase in Prostate Cancer.

The androgen receptor (AR) is the key oncogenic driver of prostate cancer, and despite implementation of novel AR targeting therapies, outcomes for metastatic disease remain dismal. There is an urgent need to better understand androgen-regulated cellular processes to more effectively target the AR dependence of prostate cancer cells through new therapeutic vulnerabilities. Transcriptomic studies have consistently identified lipid metabolism as a hallmark of enhanced AR signaling in prostate cancer, yet the relationship between AR and the lipidome remains undefined. Using mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, this study reveals increased fatty acyl chain length in phospholipids from prostate cancer cells and patient-derived explants as one of the most striking androgen-regulated changes to lipid metabolism. Potent and direct AR-mediated induction of ELOVL fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5), an enzyme that catalyzes fatty acid elongation, was demonstrated in prostate cancer cells, xenografts, and clinical tumors. Assessment of mRNA and protein in large-scale data sets revealed ELOVL5 as the predominant ELOVL expressed and upregulated in prostate cancer compared with nonmalignant prostate. ELOVL5 depletion markedly altered mitochondrial morphology and function, leading to excess generation of reactive oxygen species and resulting in suppression of prostate cancer cell proliferation, 3D growth, and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis. Supplementation with the monounsaturated fatty acid cis-vaccenic acid, a direct product of ELOVL5 elongation, reversed the oxidative stress and associated cell proliferation and migration effects of ELOVL5 knockdown. Collectively, these results identify lipid elongation as a protumorigenic metabolic pathway in prostate cancer that is androgen-regulated, critical for metastasis, and targetable via ELOVL5. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies phospholipid elongation as a new metabolic target of androgen action that is critical for prostate tumor metastasis.

Characterization of the role of Samsn1 loss in multiple myeloma development.

The protein SAMSN1 was recently identified as a putative tumor suppressor in multiple myeloma, with re-expression of Samsn1 in the 5TGM1/KaLwRij murine model of myeloma leading to a near complete abrogation of intramedullary tumor growth. Here, we sought to clarify the mechanism underlying this finding. Intratibial administration of 5TGM1 myeloma cells into KaLwRij mice revealed that Samsn1 had no effect on primary tumor growth, but that its expression significantly inhibited the metastasis of these primary tumors. Notably, neither in vitro nor in vivo migration was affected by Samsn1 expression. Both knocking-out SAMSN1 in the RPMI-8226 and JJN3 human myeloma cell lines, and retrovirally expressing SAMSN1 in the LP-1 and OPM2 human myeloma cell lines had no effect on either cell proliferation or migration in vitro. Altering SAMSN1 expression in these human myeloma cells did not affect the capacity of the cells to establish either primary or metastatic intramedullary tumors when administered intratibially into immune deficient NSG mice. Unexpectedly, the tumor suppressive and anti-metastatic activity of Samsn1 in 5TGM1 cells were not evidenced following cell administration either intratibially or intravenously to NSG mice. Crucially, the growth of Samsn1-expressing 5TGM1 cells was limited in C57BL/6/Samsn1-/- mice but not in C57BL/6 Samsn1+/+ mice. We conclude that the reported potent in vivo tumor suppressor activity of Samsn1 can be attributed, in large part, to graft-rejection from Samsn1-/- recipient mice. This has broad implications for the design and interpretation of experiments that utilize cancer cells and knockout mice that are mismatched for expression of specific proteins.

Twist-1 is upregulated by NSD2 and contributes to tumour dissemination and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like gene expression signature in t(4;14)-positive multiple myeloma.

Approximately 15% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) harbour the t(4;14) chromosomal translocation, leading to the overexpression of the histone methyltransferase NSD2. Patients with this translocation display increased tumour dissemination, accelerated disease progression and rapid relapse. Using publicly available gene expression profile data from NSD2high (n = 135) and NSD2low (n = 878) MM patients, we identified 39 epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes which are overexpressed in NSD2high MM plasma cells. In addition, our analyses identified Twist-1 as a key transcription factor upregulated in NSD2high MM patients and t(4;14)-positive cell lines. Overexpression and knockdown studies confirmed that Twist-1 is involved in driving the expression of EMT-associated genes in the human MM cell line KMS11 and promoted the migration of myeloma cell lines in vitro. Notably, Twist-1 overexpression in the mouse MM cell line 5TGM1 significantly increased tumour dissemination in an intratibial tumour model. These findings demonstrate that Twist-1, downstream of NSD2, contributes to the induction of an EMT-like signature in t(4;14)-positive MM and enhances the dissemination of MM plasma cells in vivo, which may, in part, explain the aggressive disease features associated with t(4;14)-positive MM.

Targeted Disruption of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Derived Gremlin1 Limits Multiple Myeloma Disease Progression In Vivo.

In most instances, multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells (PCs) are reliant on factors made by cells of the bone marrow (BM) stroma for their survival and growth. To date, the nature and cellular composition of the BM tumor microenvironment and the critical factors which drive tumor progression remain imprecisely defined. Our studies show that Gremlin1 (Grem1), a highly conserved protein, which is abundantly secreted by a subset of BM mesenchymal stromal cells, plays a critical role in MM disease development. Analysis of human and mouse BM stromal samples by quantitative PCR showed that GREM1/Grem1 expression was significantly higher in the MM tumor-bearing cohorts compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). Additionally, BM-stromal cells cultured with 5TGM1 MM PC line expressed significantly higher levels of Grem1, compared to stromal cells alone (p < 0.01, t-test), suggesting that MM PCs promote increased Grem1 expression in stromal cells. Furthermore, the proliferation of 5TGM1 MM PCs was found to be significantly increased when co-cultured with Grem1-overexpressing stromal cells (p < 0.01, t-test). To examine the role of Grem1 in MM disease in vivo, we utilized the 5TGM1/KaLwRij mouse model of MM. Our studies showed that, compared to immunoglobulin G (IgG) control antibody-treated mice, mice treated with an anti-Grem1 neutralizing antibody had a decrease in MM tumor burden of up to 81.2% (p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA). The studies presented here demonstrate, for the first time, a novel positive feedback loop between MM PCs and BM stroma, and that inhibiting this vicious cycle with a neutralizing antibody can dramatically reduce tumor burden in a preclinical mouse model of MM.

Status and perspectives of hospital mortality in a public urban Hellenic hospital, based on a five-year review.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of hospital mortality helps to assess the standards of health-care delivery. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating the causes of deaths which occurred during the years 1995-1999 in a single hospital. The causes of death were classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). RESULTS: Of the 149,896 patients who were discharged the 5836 (3.4%) died. Males constituted 55% and females 45%. The median age was 75.1 years (1 day - 100 years). The seven most common ICD-10 chapters IX, II, IV, XI, XX, X, XIV included 92% of the total 5836 deaths. The most common contributors of non-neoplasmatic causes of death were cerebrovascular diseases (I60-I69) at 15.8%, ischemic heart disease (I20-I25) at 10.3%, cardiac failure (I50.0-I50.9) at 7.9%, diseases of the digestive system (K00-K93) at 6.7%, diabetes mellitus (E10-E14) at 6.6%, external causes of morbidity and mortality (V01-Y98) at 6.2%, renal failure (N17-N19) at 4.5%, influenza and pneumonia (J10-J18) at 4.1% and certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) at 3.2%, accounting for 65.3% of the total 5836 deaths. Neoplasms (C00-D48) caused 17.7% (n = 1027) of the total 5836 deaths, with leading forms being the malignant neoplasms of bronchus and lung (C34) at 3.5% and the malignant neoplasms of large intestine (C18-21.2) at 1.5%. The highest death rates occurred in the intensive care unit (23.3%), general medicine (10.7%), cardiology (6.5%) and nephrology (5.5%). Key problems related to certification of death were identified. Nearly half of the deaths (49.3%: n = 2879) occurred by the completion of the third day, which indicates the time limits for investigation and treatment. On the other hand, 6% (n = 356) died between the 29th and 262nd days after admission. Inadequacies of the emergency care service, infection control, medical oncology, rehabilitation, chronic and terminal care facilities, as well as lack of regional targets for reducing mortality related to diabetes, recruitment of organ donors, provision for the aging population and lack of prevention programs were substantiated. CONCLUSION: Several important issues were raised. Disease specific characteristics, as well as functional and infrastructural inadequacies were identified and provided evidence for defining priorities and strategies for improving the standards of care. Effective transformation can promise better prospects.

Cell-lineage specificity and role of AP-1 in the prostate fibroblast androgen receptor cistrome.

Androgen receptor (AR) signalling in fibroblasts is important in prostate development and carcinogenesis, and is inversely related to prostate cancer mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms of AR action in fibroblasts and other non-epithelial cell types are largely unknown. The genome-wide DNA binding profile of AR in human prostate fibroblasts was identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq), and found to be common to other fibroblast lines but disparate from AR cistromes of prostate cancer cells and tissue. Although AR binding sites specific to fibroblasts were less well conserved evolutionarily than those shared with cancer epithelia, they were likewise correlated with androgen regulation of fibroblast gene expression. Whereas FOXA1 is the key pioneer factor of AR in cancer epithelia, our data indicated that AP-1 likely plays a more important role in the AR cistrome in fibroblasts. The specificity of AP-1 and FOXA1 to binding in these cells is demonstrated using immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Importantly, we find the fibroblast cistrome is represented in whole tissue/in vivo ChIP-seq studies at both genomic and resulting protein levels, highlighting the importance of the stroma in whole tissue -omic studies. This is the first nuclear receptor ChIP-seq study in prostatic fibroblasts, and provides novel insight into the action of fibroblast AR in prostate cancer.

In vivo toxicological assessment of electrochemically engineered anodic alumina nanotubes: a study of biodistribution, subcutaneous implantation and intravenous injection.

Electrochemically engineered anodic alumina nanotubes (AANTs) have recently shown good in vitro biocompatibility. However, in vivo toxicological and pathological studies are required to clarify the bio-safety of this novel nanomaterial. Herein, we present a pioneering pilot toxicity study on AANTs in immune-competent murine models (Balb/c mice, 8 weeks). AANTs were administered by intravenous (IV) injection and subcutaneous (SC) implantation routes considering the future toxicological implications associated with this nanomaterial for potential biomedical applications. AANTs, 736 nm long and 90 nm in outer diameter, were chosen as a nanomaterial model. We demonstrate that IV injected AANTs do not have any effect on the mortality or body weight of these animal models within 28 days at three different doses (20, 50, 100 mg kg-1). The biodistribution of AANTs characterized by fluorescence imaging and inductively coupled plasma revealed the accumulation of AANTs in the liver and spleen after IV injection. When AANTs were injected intravenously, the highest dose of 100 mg kg-1 caused moderate hepatotoxicity, identified by histopathological analysis. The implantation of AANTs subcutaneously and directly under the skin leads to an inflammatory response, which is a typical foreign body reaction. Taken together, this work provides new insights into the toxicity patterns of new nanomaterials such as AANTs and establishes a rationale for the design of functional AANTs for future biomedical applications.