[Neuroendocrine differentiation and Wilms' tumor protein-1 expression in breast mucinous carcinoma and their significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate neuroendocrine differentiation and Wilms' tumor protein-1 (WT-1) expression in breast mucinous carcinoma and their clinicopathological significance. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 65 patients with breast mucinous carcinoma, including 31 cases of mixed mucinous carcinoma, 23 cases of hypocellular pure mucinous carcinoma and 11 cases of hypercellular pure mucinous carcinoma, admitted in Taizhou Hospital from January 2010 to June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The expression of neuroendocrine markers and WT-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining in all cases. RESULTS: The mixed mucinous carcinomas and hypercelluar pure mucinous carcinomas had higher incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis and human epidermal recepter 2 (HER-2) positive than hypocellular pure mucinous carcinoma (all (P<0.01). However, the difference was not significant between mixed mucinous carcinomas and hypercellular pure mucinous carcinomas (all P>0.05). The expression of neuroendocrine marker was stronger in hypercellular mucinous carcinoma than that in mixed mucinous carcinoma and hypocellular mucinous carcinoma (all (P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant between mixed mucinous carcinoma and hypocellular pure mucinous carcinoma (P>0.05). The expression of WT-1 was weaker in mixed mucinous carcinoma than that in hypercellular and hypocellular pure mucinous carcinoma(all (P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant between hypercellular and hypocellular pure mucinous carcinoma (P>0.05). The mucinous carcinomas with lymph node metastasis had lower expression of neuroendocrine markers than those without lymph node metastasis ((P<0.01). The expression of WT-1 in breast mucinous carcinoma with lymph node metastasis trended lower than that in those without lymph node metastasis, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypercellular pure mucinous breast carcinoma has higher rates of lymph node metastasis and HER-2 amplification than hypocellular pure mucinous carcinoma, the sub-classification of breast pure mucinous carcinoma should be considered. Neuroendocrine differentiation and WT-1 expression may be helpful in distinguishing the subtypes of breast mucinous carcinoma. Breast mucinous carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation trends to have less lymph node metastasis.

Biobanking of fresh-frozen human colon tissues: impact of tissue ex-vivo ischemia times and storage periods on RNA quality.

BACKGROUND: Biobanking plays an important role in translational cancer research. The impact of tissue ex-vivo ischemia time and storage period on RNA integrity is not well documented. METHODS: Fresh-frozen colon tissues were collected in Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province in China since 2004. Fifty-one colon cancer tissues with tumor cell content higher than 70 % and matched normal tissues during four storage periods (less than 15 months, 16-20 months, 21-25 months, and 26-40 months) were chosen to detect RNA quality. Fresh colon cancer tissues from 5 patients were cut into pieces and kept at room temperature or on ice for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h before snap freezing. RNA integrity was determined by microcapillary electrophoresis by the RNA integrity number (RIN) algorithm. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of normal colon tissues and 94 % of colon cancer specimens yielded RNA with a RIN of ≥7. Matched colon cancer and normal tissues showed significant difference in RNA quality. RNA remained stable in colon cancer tissues kept at room temperature and on ice for up to 4 h, and long-term storage of banked colon specimens did not negatively influence RNA quality (RNA with RIN of ≥7 banked less than 15 months, 83 %; 16-20 months, 78 %; 21-25 months, 77 %; 26-40 months, 90 %). CONCLUSIONS: Frozen colon tissues yield high-quality RNA in approximately 80 % of specimens. Ex-vivo ischemia times and storage periods did not adversely affect RNA quality. This study showed that standard operation protocols and the maintenance of high-quality tissue repositories were the keys to translational medicine research.

Subnuclear distribution of SSX regulates its function.

SSX, a family of genes clustered on the X chromosome, has been identified as a cancer-testis antigen and also forms a part of the SYT-SSX fusion gene found in synovial sarcoma, implying that it has an important role in tumorigenesis. However, knowledge of the molecular regulation of SSX is still limited. In this study, we demonstrate that SSX or its SYT fusion protein is distributed as nuclear speckles, in which it is co-localized with B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1 (Bmi1), which is a core factor of polycomb repressor complex 1. The C-terminal residues of SSX are indispensable for the nuclear speckle distribution, while the N-terminal domain is necessary for the recruitment of Bmi1, indicating that intact SSX must be needed for interaction with Bmi1 both spatially and functionally. In addition, the N-terminus of SSX also proved to contain an intrinsic nucleolar localization signal, which mediates the nucleolar translocation of SSX in particular kinds of cell stress such as the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide or heat shock. This stress-induced translocation is reversible and accompanied by HSP 70 or p14ARF traffic, suggesting that SSX is a stress response gene. It is of note that nucleolar translocation of SSX can result in disassociation of SSX from Bmi1, with consequent down-regulation of Bmi1 activity. These novel findings regarding distinct domains of SSX and its interaction with Bmi1 may shed light on the mechanism by which synovial sarcoma develops and on the up-regulation of SSX in cancer cells.

Clinical significance of leukotriene b4 and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in acute coronary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase (EMMPRIN) have been suggested as modulators of atherosclerotic plaque instability. This study sought to evaluate the potential diagnostic implication of LTB4 and EMMPRIN in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Patients (n=153) who underwent coronary angiography, including 105 patients diagnosed with ACS, were divided into four groups: stable angina pectoris (SAP, n=19), unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n=39), acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n=66) and control (with normal coronary angiography, n=29). EMMPRIN expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by flow cytometry and serum LTB4 levels were measured by ELISA. To examine whether LTB4 can regulate the expression of EMMPRIN and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in macrophages, differentiated THP-1 macrophages were stimulated with different concentrations of LTB4 (10-10-10-7mmol/L). Expression of EMMPRIN was evaluated by Western blotting. MMP-9 mRNA expression and enzymatic activity were determined by RT-PCR and SDS-PAGE gelatin zymography. RESULT: Serum LTB4 concentration was significantly higher in AMI and UAP groups, compared with control and SAP groups (p < 0.01). Subgroups analysis showed that LTB4 was significantly higher in the AMI < 24h group, compared with the AMI > 24h group. Expression of EMMPRIN on circulating monocytes was significantly higher in patients with UAP and AMI (> 24h), compared with control, SAP and AMI (< 24h) groups (p < 0.05). In vitro study showed LTB4 up-regulated the expression of EMMPRIN, as well as the expression and activity of MMP-9, in cultured THP-1-derived macrophages (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LTB4 and EMMPRIN are associated with the pathogenesis of ACS and may be potential biomarkers for patients with ACS.

Adhesion-regulating molecule 1 (ADRM1) can be a potential biomarker and target for bladder cancer.

Adhesion-regulating molecule 1 (ADRM1) has been implicated in tumor development, yet its specific role in bladder cancer (BC) remains undefined. This study aimed to elucidate the function of ADRM1 in BC through a combination of bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). Utilizing R version 3.6.3 and relevant packages, we analyzed online database data. Validation was conducted through IHC data, approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (Approval No. K20220830). In both paired and unpaired comparisons, ADRM1 expression was significantly elevated in BC tissues compared to adjacent tissues, as evidenced by the results of TCGA dataset and IHC data. Patients with high ADRM1 expression had statistically worse overall survival than those with low ADRM1 expression in TCGA dataset, GSE32548 dataset, GSE32894 dataset, and IHC data. Functional analysis unveiled enrichment in immune-related pathways, and a robust positive correlation emerged between ADRM1 expression and pivotal immune checkpoints, including CD274, PDCD1, and PDCD1LG2. In tumor microenvironment, samples with the high ADRM1 expression contained statistical higher proportion of CD8 + T cells and Macrophage infiltration. Meanwhile, these high ADRM1-expressing samples displayed elevated tumor mutation burden scores and stemness indices, implying potential benefits from immunotherapy. Patients with low ADRM1 expression were sensitive to cisplatin, docetaxel, vinblastine, mitomycin C, and methotrexate. According to the findings from bioinformatics and IHC analyses, ADRM1 demonstrates prognostic significance for BC patients and holds predictive potential for both immunotherapy and chemotherapy responses. This underscores its role as a biomarker and therapeutic target in BC.

[Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in the unstable plaque of patients with acute coronary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the unstable plaque of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and the impact of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on the EMMPRIN expression in macrophages. METHODS: The EMMPRIN expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in 11 unstable plaques from patients with ACS. Protein expression of EMMPRIN was evaluated by Western blot on macrophages differentiated from THP-1 which were stimulated with LTB4 in the absence or presence of LTB4 antagonist U75302. There are 8 study groups: 1-THP-1, 2-8-the macrophages derived from THP-1, 2-6-macrophages were stimulated by LTB4 (0, 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8) and 10(-7) mol/L) for 24 h, 7-8-the macrophages were pretreated by 10(-6) mol/L or 10(-7) mol/L U75302 2 h before the LTB4 (10(-7) mol/L) stimulation. RESULTS: Abundant EMMPRIN expression was detected in macrophages and smooth muscle cells of unstable plaques from ACS patients. As to the THP-1 derived macrophages, EMMPRIN expression was significantly upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner in LTB4 stimulated groups, which was significantly higher in group 3-6 than in the THP-1 group (group 1) and macrophages group (group 2) (all P < 0.05) and pretreatment with U75302 significantly reduced the LTB4 induced upregulation of EMMPRIN in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EMMPRIN expression is enhanced in macrophages and smooth muscle cells on unstable coronary artery plaques from ACS patients. LTB4 could stimulate EMMPRIN expression on THP-1 derived macrophages suggesting that LTB4 and EMMPRIN might be both involved in the formation and progression of unstable plaques, future studies are warranted to explore if LTB4 and EMMPRIN antagonists are effective or not for treating patients with ACS.

NAT10, a nucleolar protein, localizes to the midbody and regulates cytokinesis and acetylation of microtubules.

The midbody is a structural organelle formed in late phase mitosis which is responsible for completion of cytokinesis. Although various kinds of proteins have been found to distribute or immigrate to this organelle, their functions have still not been completely worked out. In this study, we demonstrated that NAT10 (N-acetyltransferase 10, NAT10) is not only predominantly distributed in the nucleolus in interphase, but is also concentrated in the mitotic midbody during telophase. The domain in N-terminal residues 549-834 of NAT10 specifically mediated its subcellular localization. Treatment with genotoxic agents or irradiation increased concentration of NAT10 in both the nucleolus and midbody. Moreover, DNA damage induced increase of NAT10 in the midbody apparently accompanied by in situ elevation of the level of acetylated alpha-tubulin, suggesting that it plays a role in maintaining or enhancing stability of alpha-tubulin. The depletion of NAT10 induced defects in nucleolar assembly, cytokinesis and decreased acetylated alpha-tubulin, leading to G2/M cell cycle arrest or delay of mitotic exit. In addition, over-expression of NAT10 was found in a variety of soft tissue sarcomas, and correlated with tumor histological grading. These results indicate that NAT10 may play an important role in cell division through facilitating reformation of the nucleolus and midbody in the late phase of cell mitosis, and stabilization of microtubules.

A cluster of polypyrimidine tracts is involved in the transcription regulation of telomerase transcriptional elements-interacting factor.

In a previous study, we demonstrated that telomerase transcriptional elements-interacting factor (TEIF) could up-regulate the expression of telomerase and DNA polymerase beta, increasing resistance to genotoxic agents. Here, we further report that TEIF can be stimulated by DNA damage and we have identified a cluster of repeated polypyrimidine tracts in the promoter of TEIF, which mediate both its basal transcription and its response to genotoxic agents. These polypyrimidine tracts are arranged in three types of repeating units and in each of these units there are 14 bp length tandem sequences, which are repeated three times. These sequences are also characteristically separated by an 11 bp interval sequence. Among these units, one type (5'-CCCCCCCATCCCCG-3') has been found to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of TEIF. At the same time, PTB1 (polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1) has been shown to repress TEIF expression through interaction with this element. Up-regulation of TEIF may be achieved by PTB1 suppression that is induced by DNA damage, or by an olignucleotide decoy, which mediates reversal of suppression. This study provides new insight into the mechanism through which TEIF is involved in DNA damage response, together with insight into the role of polypyrimidine tracts in transcription regulation.

[Nucleolar localization of human acetyltransferase-like protein and its expression in tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the nucleolar localization of telomerase-regulation associated protein-human N-acetyltransferase-like protein (hALP) and its associated functions. METHODS: Immunofluoresent staining and immunoelectron microscopy were used to detect the distribution of hALP in HeLa and Saos2 cells, and the co-localization of hALP and rDNA was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluoresence. RNAi was performed to further verify the nucleolar localization of hALP. A series of eukaryotic expression plasmids carrying various portions of hALP sequence were constructed and transiently transfected to HeLa and Saos2 cells. The expression of hALP in tumor tissues was stained by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: hALP distributed predominantly in the nucleoli of HeLa and Saos2 cells, and colocalized with rDNA. Granular component was the precise distribution of hALP in the nucleolus under electron microscope. Nucleolar signals for hALP reduced significantly in cells transfected with hALP siRNA. The carboxy terminus of hALP including residues 549-834 was necessary for its nucleolar localization. hALP could be detected in the nucleoli of many kinds of tumor cells, including leiomyosarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, neuroblastoma, melanoma, prostatic cancer, and clear cell renal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: hALP is a nucleolar protein, and the nucleolar localization is mediated by its carboxy terminal domain, and hALP could be detected in the nucleoli of many tumor tissues, which is worthy of further investigation.

[Correlation of telomere length and the expression of its regulating proteins in mesenchymal sarcomas].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance in the change of telomere length in mesenchymal sarcomas, through analyzing telomere length and expression of its associated proteins, including TRF1, POT1, hTERT, P53 and c-myc. METHODS: The telomere length in 20 cases of osteosarcomas, 25 of chondrosarcomas, 19 of rhabdomyosarcomas, 26 of liposarcomas was measured by telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (Telo-FISH), and the expression of TRF1, POT1, hTERT, p53 or c-myc was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: The telomere length in osteosarcomas was significantly shorter than that of either chondrosarcomas or liposarcomas (P<0.05). Similarly, the telomere length of rhabdomyosarcoma was shorter than that of chondrosarcoma (P<0.05). Meanwhile, telomere shortening was positively correlated with down expression of telomere binding proteins TRF1 and POT1 (P<0.05), but trends were detected more frequently in positive expression of hTERT (P<0.05) and in nuclear accumulation of P53 or expression of c-myc. With advancing in histological grading, telomere length was shortened markedly in chondrosarcomas, especially in liposarcomas (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The shortening of telomere could prevail in mesenchymal sarcoma and reflect the malignant potential. Telomere attrition usually correlated with down expression of POT1, TRF1 and with increased levels of hTERT, P53 and c-myc.

[Expression and significance of metallothionein in the placenta of women with low level lead exposure during pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of metallothionein (MT) expression in the placenta of women exposed to low level lead during pregnancy. METHODS: Sixty-seven pregnant women with blood lead level ranging from 1.5 micromol/L to 4.8 micromol/L were randomly selected from the Department of Obstetrics of Qingdao Municipal Hospital between Mar 2005 and Mar 2006. Among them, 35 were with blood lead level less than 2.9 micromol/L (group A) and 32 more than 2.9 micromol/L (group B). Immunohistochemical streptavidin-peroxidase-biotin methods were used to observe the expression of MT in the placental tissue. RESULTS: (1) Among the 67 pregnant women, the highest level of blood lead was 4.7 micromol/L, and the lowest level was 1.6 micromol/L. The blood lead level of groups A and B was (1.7 +/- 0.3) micromol/L, and (3.1 +/- 0.4) micromol/L, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). (2) The positive expression of MT was mainly cytoplastic in the cytotrophoblast, decidual cell and small vascular endothelial cells. The positive cell staining was diffuse or scattered. (3) The positive staining of MT was 91% (29/32) and 74% (26/35) in the placental tissue of groups A and B, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). (4) The blood lead level of pregnant women was correlated with the expression of MT of placenta. CONCLUSIONS: Lead can induce the expression of MT in the placental tissue in a dose-dependent manner. MT is mainly located in the cytotrophoblast, decidual cell and small vascular endothelial cells of the placenta. MT expression in the placenta is important to the structural integrity and function of the placenta.

[Effects of lead exposure to rat placenta and pups during different gestation periods].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lead exposure to rat placenta and pups during different gestation periods. METHODS: All 108 Wistar rats (72 females, 36 males) were randomly divided into four groups. All rats were orally fed with 0.025% lead acetate during different gestation periods. Blood was obtained from the abdominal vena cava and the lead level in maternal blood was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry at the end of the pregnancy. The number of pups, their body weight, body length and tail length were measured. The effects of lead to rat placenta were observed by level of microscopy, optical microscopy and electronic microscopy. RESULTS: Experimental groups the blood lead level at the end of gestation were above 0.483 micromol/L. There were significant differences among, of pups, during different groups (P < 0.01). Among them the drinking lead group of whole distant was the lowest in placenta weight [(0.31 +/- 0.13) g] body weight of pups [(2.08 +/- 0.88) g] length and tail length of pups [(2.37 +/- 0.32) cm, (0.98 +/- 0.09) cm]. There were significantly differences between the experimental groups and controls. Maternal blood lead level was negatively related to placenta weight (r = 0.652, P < 0.01), and had no relation with the body weight of pups (r = -0.107, P = 0.46). In the experimental groups of lead poisoned rats, the placenta showed focus necrosis in the deciduas, and increased the trophoblastic giant cells and light staining cells in the trophospongium. Trophoblast in the labyrinth and trophospongium showed degeneration; fibrin deposition around the villi was increased. Microvilli around the trophoblast were shorter and less, mitochondrion was swollen and decreased in number, rough endoplasmic reticulum was distended and ribosomal number on membrane decreased. CONCLUSION: Lead exposure during different gestation periods should have a traumatic effect on the trophoblast, leading to interference of nutrition and oxygen exchange. Furthermore, the blood supply to the placenta and nutrition and oxygen exchange between mother and pups were also interfered, leading to reduction of placenta weight and retardation of development of pups.

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase 3 HIFPH3 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlation with prognosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase 3 (HIFPH3) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the correlation of HIFPH3 expression with lymph node metastasis and microvessel density (MVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 73 cases of NSCLC specimens, 24 cases of para- cancerous tissues, and 20 normal pulmonary tissues were collected for HIFPH3 and CD31 immunohistochmical (IHC) study. Microvessel density (MVD) of the NSCLC tissues was also determined based on the expression of CD31. RESULTS: The expression of HIFPH3 in carcinoma tissue was statistically higher than para-cancerous and normal pulmonary tissues (χ2=48.806, p<0.05). Compared withthe negative lymph node metastasis group, the lymph node metastasis group showed significantly higher HIFPH3 expression (χ2=6.300, p<0.05). The strong HIFPH3+group displayed a significantly higher MVD than weak HIFPH3+ and HIFPH3- groups (p<0.05). No differences in positive HIFPH3 expression were noted regarding the tumor diameter, age, smoking status, gender of NSCLC patients, tumor size, histopathology, or differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: HIFPH3 expression in human NSCLC lesions is significantly higher than that in para-cancerous and normal lung tissues and is positively associated with lymph node metastasis and MVD.