AAV mediated repression of Neat1 lncRNA combined with F8 gene augmentation mitigates pathological mediators of joint disease in haemophilia.

Haemophilic arthropathy (HA), a common comorbidity in haemophilic patients leads to joint pain, deformity and reduced quality of life. We have recently demonstrated that a long non-coding RNA, Neat1 as a primary regulator of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP13 activity, and its induction in the target joint has a deteriorating effect on articular cartilage. In the present study, we administered an Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 5 vector carrying an short hairpin (sh)RNA to Neat1 via intra-articular injection alone or in conjunction with systemic administration of a capsid-modified AAV8 (K31Q) vector carrying F8 gene (F8-BDD-V3) to study its impact on HA. AAV8K31Q-F8 vector administration at low dose, led to an increase in FVIII activity (16%-28%) in treated mice. We further observed a significant knockdown of Neat1 (~40 fold vs. untreated injured joint, p = 0.005) in joint tissue of treated mice and a downregulation of chondrodegenerative enzymes, MMP3, MMP13 and the inflammatory mediator- cPLA2, in mice receiving combination therapy. These data demonstrate that AAV mediated Neat1 knockdown in combination with F8 gene augmentation can potentially impact mediators of haemophilic joint disease.

Molecular profiling of ETS and non-ETS aberrations in prostate cancer patients from northern India.

BACKGROUND: Molecular stratification of prostate cancer (PCa) based on genetic aberrations including ETS or RAF gene-rearrangements, PTEN deletion, and SPINK1 over-expression show clear prognostic and diagnostic utility. Gene rearrangements involving ETS transcription factors are frequent pathogenetic somatic events observed in PCa. Incidence of ETS rearrangements in Caucasian PCa patients has been reported, however, occurrence in Indian population is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the ETS and RAF kinase gene rearrangements, SPINK1 over-expression, and PTEN deletion in this cohort. METHODS: In this multi-center study, formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) PCa specimens (n = 121) were procured from four major medical institutions in India. The tissues were sectioned and molecular profiling was done using immunohistochemistry (IHC), RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: ERG over-expression was detected in 48.9% (46/94) PCa specimens by IHC, which was confirmed in a subset of cases by FISH. Among other ETS family members, while ETV1 transcript was detected in one case by RNA-ISH, no alteration in ETV4 was observed. SPINK1 over-expression was observed in 12.5% (12/96) and PTEN deletion in 21.52% (17/79) of the total PCa cases. Interestingly, PTEN deletion was found in 30% of the ERG-positive cases (P = 0.017) but in only one case with SPINK1 over-expression (P = 0.67). BRAF and RAF1 gene rearrangements were detected in ∼1% and ∼4.5% of the PCa cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on comprehensive molecular profiling of the major spectrum of the causal aberrations in Indian men with PCa. Our findings suggest that ETS gene rearrangement and SPINK1 over-expression patterns in North Indian population largely resembled those observed in Caucasian population but differed from Japanese and Chinese PCa patients. The molecular profiling data presented in this study could help in clinical decision-making for the pursuit of surgery, diagnosis, and in selection of therapeutic intervention.

AAV mediated genome engineering with a bypass coagulation factor alleviates the bleeding phenotype in a murine model of hemophilia B.

It is crucial to develop a long-term therapy that targets hemophilia A and B, including inhibitor-positive patients. We have developed an Adeno-associated virus (AAV) based strategy to integrate the bypass coagulation factor, activated FVII (murine, mFVIIa) gene into the Rosa26 locus using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 mediated gene-editing. AAV vectors designed for expression of guide RNA (AAV8-gRNA), Cas9 (AAV2 neddylation mutant-Cas9), and mFVIIa (AAV8-mFVIIa) flanked by homology arms of the target locus were validated in vitro. Hemophilia B mice were administered with AAV carrying gRNA, Cas9 (1 × 1011 vgs/mouse), and mFVIIa with homology arms (2 × 1011 vgs/mouse) with appropriate controls. Functional rescue was documented with suitable coagulation assays at various time points. The data from the T7 endonuclease assay revealed a cleavage efficiency of 20-42 %. Further, DNA sequencing confirmed the targeted integration of mFVIIa into the safe-harbor Rosa26 locus. The prothrombin time (PT) assay revealed a significant reduction in PT in mice that received the gene-editing vectors (22 %), and a 13 % decline in mice that received only the AAV-FVIIa when compared to mock treated mice, 8 weeks after vector administration. Furthermore, FVIIa activity in mice that received triple gene-editing vectors was higher (122.5mIU/mL vs 28.8mIU/mL) than the mock group up to 15 weeks post vector administration. A hemostatic challenge by tail clip assay revealed that hemophilia B mice injected with only FVIIa or the gene-editing vectors had significant reduction in blood loss. In conclusion, AAV based gene-editing facilitates sustained expression of coagulation FVIIa and phenotypic rescue in hemophilia B mice.

Targeted delivery of miR125a-5p and human Factor VIII attenuates molecular mediators of hemophilic arthropathy.

Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) due to repeated bleeding into the joint cavity is a major cause of morbidity in patients with hemophilia. The molecular mechanisms contributing to this condition are not well characterized. MicroRNAs (miRs) are known to modulate the phenotype of multiple joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since miR125a is known to modulate disease progression in OA and RA, we performed a targeted screen of miR125a-5p and its target genes in a murine model of chronic HA. A digital PCR analysis demonstrated significant downregulation of miR125a-5p (2-fold vs control joint). Further molecular evaluation revealed elevated expression of the immunological markers STAT1 (7.6-fold vs control joint) and TRAF6 (10.6 fold vs control joint), which are direct targets of miR125a-5p. We then studied the impact of targeted overexpression of miR125a-5p using an Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector in modulating the molecular mediators of HA. AAV5-miR125a vectors were administered intra-articularly either alone or in combination with a low dose of AAV8-based human factor 8 (F8) gene in a murine model of HA. We observed significantly increased expression of miR125a-5p in AAV5-miR125a administered mice (~12 fold vs injured joint) or in combination with AAV8-F8 vectors (~44 fold vs injured joint). The activity assay revealed ~17 %-20 % FVIII levels in mice that received low dose liver-directed F8 gene therapy. Further immunohistochemical analysis, demonstrated a decrease in inflammatory markers (STAT1 and TRAF6) and cartilage-degrading matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 3, 9, 13 in the joints of treated animals. These data highlight the crucial role of miR125a-5p in the development of HA.

Association of AGTR1 (A1166C) and ACE (I/D) Polymorphisms with Breast Cancer Risk in North Indian Population.

Renin angiotensin system (RAS) comprising Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), Angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptor Angiotensin II receptor type I (AGTR1), plays a critical role in several diseases including cancer. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) A1166C located in 3' untranslated region (UTR) of AGTR1 and an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism present in intron 16 of ACE gene have been associated with many diseases, but their association with Breast cancer (BCa) is still debatable. Here, we for the first time investigated the association of these polymorphisms in a North Indian BCa cohort including 161 patients and 152 healthy women. The polymorphisms were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) respectively. The association between these polymorphisms and BCa risk was estimated by calculating Odds Ratio (OR) and chi-square (χ2) test. The DD genotype/D allele of ACE (I/D) polymorphism and "AC and CC" genotype/C allele of AGTR1 (A1166C) polymorphism were associated with higher risk of BCa when evaluated independently. Furthermore, interaction analysis of "AC and CC" and DD genotype and combination of "C and D" alleles of both polymorphisms revealed significantly greater BCa risk than that observed independently. Conclusively, women harboring "AC or CC" genotype/C allele for AGTR1 (A1166C) polymorphism and DD genotype/D allele for ACE (I/D) polymorphisms have a predisposition to develop more aggressive disease with advanced staging and larger tumor size. Our study indicates importance of genetic screening based on these polymorphisms for women, who may have higher risk of BCa.

Determination of p16 overexpression as an indicator of human papillomavirus infection in oral dysplasia and carcinoma.

CONTEXT: Oral and pharyngeal cancer, grouped together, is the sixth most common cancer in the world. In the past few years, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been suggested as a risk factor for oral cancer apart from traditional risk factors such as smoking, tobacco, and alcohol consumption. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine HPV status of the tumors using polymerase chain reaction (HPV-DNA PCR) and p16 immunostaining and to correlate p16 overexpression as an indicator of HPV-associated oral dysplasia and carcinoma. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted in fifty cases of suspected oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PCR Amplification of extracted HPV-DNA was done for HPV-DNA status in fresh tissue of suspected oral cancer cases. Histomorphological features of the cases were analyzed, and p16 immunohistochemistry was performed on the same specimen after making paraffin blocks to study p16 overexpression. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between discrete variables. RESULTS: 5/6 (83.3%) HPV-DNA-positive cases were positive for p16 expression, whereas 26/44 (59.09%) p16-positive cases which were negative for HPV-DNA. Sensitivity and specificity of p16 as a surrogate marker for HPV-DNA were found to be 83.3% and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: p16 immunostaining is a good first-line assay for eliminating HPV-negative cases from additional analysis, but other causes of p16 overexpression in oral tumorigenesis related to tobacco consumption in keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma needs to be explored further.

Errors, limitations, and pitfalls in the diagnosis of central and peripheral nervous system lesions in intraoperative cytology and frozen sections.

CONTEXT: Intraoperative cytology and frozen section play an important role in the diagnosis of neurosurgical specimens. There are limitations in both these procedures but understanding the errors and pitfalls may help in increasing the diagnostic yield. AIMS: To find the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative cytology and frozen section for central and peripheral nervous system (PNS) lesions and analyze the errors, pitfalls, and limitations in these procedures. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Eighty cases were included in this prospective study in a span of 1.5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crush preparations and the frozen sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin method. The diagnosis of crush smears and the frozen sections were compared with the diagnosis in the paraffin section, which was considered as the gold standard. STATISTICAL ANALYSES USED: Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of crush smears was 91.25% with a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 100%. In the frozen sections, the overall diagnostic accuracy was 95%, sensitivity was 96.8%, and specificity was 100%. The categories of pitfalls noted in this study were categorization of spindle cell lesions, differentiation of oligodendroglioma from astrocytoma in frozen sections, differentiation of coagulative tumor necrosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) from the caseous necrosis of tuberculosis, grading of gliomas in frozen section, and differentiation of the normal granular cells of the cerebellum from the lymphocytes in cytological smears. CONCLUSIONS: Crush smear and frozen section are complimentary procedures. When both are used together, the diagnostic yield is substantially increased.

Cytomorphological features of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of submandibular gland in an adolescent male.

A case of lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) occurring in right submandibular gland of a 13-year-old Indian male is presented, wherein the lesion unveiled itself only after multiple fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures. This unusual neoplasm has high frequency of occurrence in Eskimos and a predilection for the parotid gland. The aspirates obtained were highly cellular comprising tight clusters of atypical epithelial cells with admixture of lymphocytes. Histopathological examination of the resected submandibular gland and lymph node chain was consistent with the diagnosis of LEC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed cytokeratin (CK)-positive and S-100-negative tumor cells lying admixed with CD45-positive lymphoid cells. A detailed otorhinolaryngological examination with inclusion of multiple biopsies was found negative for any primary tumor. Although histopathological features of this entity are well established, only a handful of case reports describing cytological features of this entity are present in medical literature. We conclude that the cytomorphological features of LEC are sufficiently distinctive to at least, suggest a possibility of this lesion.

Primary orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) can have extra-nodal presentation in approximately 25% of cases unlike Hodgkin's lymphoma which rarely involves extra-nodal sites. Extra-nodal lymphoma in the head and neck region is extremely rare. We report a case of 6-year-old girl who presented with medial canthus mass with proptosis, lagophthalmos and no significant loss of vision. CT findings showed an extra-conal homogenous mass lesion in the left orbit along superior and medial orbital wall with extensive destruction of surrounding tissue. Histological sections showed polymorphous population of atypical lymphoid cells accompanied by plasma cells, eosinophils and proliferation of small blood vessels with plump endothelial cells. A diagnosis of NHL was rendered. Further, immunohistochemistry confirmed the lesion as peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The lesion was aggressive in course and the patient succumbed within one-and-half months of diagnosis.

Tonsillar follicular lymphoma in a child.

Follicular lymphomas (FL) are among the most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in adults. However, they are rare in children making up less than 3% of paediatric NHL cases. They occur most commonly in the head and neck region, lymph nodes or tonsils, with occasional extra-nodal occurrences. Distinction of FL from potentially clonal but, reactive follicular hyperplasia is important. We report a case of a 6-year-old male child presenting with night stridor since 6 months. Clinical examination revealed asymmetrical enlargement of the left tonsil. Routine left tonsillectomy was performed and the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. Diagnosis of follicular lymphoma was made on histopathological examination and further confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Recurrent hyperphosphatemic tumoural calcinosis.

Tumoural calcinosis (TC) is a benign gradually developing disorder that can occur in a variety of clinical settings, characterised by subcutaneous deposition of calcium phosphate with or without giant cell reaction. We describe a case of 11-year-old girl presenting with recurrent hard swellings in the vicinity of shoulder and hip joints associated with elevated serum phosphate and normal serum calcium levels. TC has been mainly reported from Africa, with very few cases reported from India. After the diagnosis of hyperphosphatemic TC was established, the patient was treated with oral sevelamer and is under constant follow-up to detect recurrence, if any. The present case highlights the fact that although an uncommon lesion, TC must be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous hard lump in the vicinity of a joint.

Expression and clinicopathological significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors in gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Clinical significance of sex hormone receptors in gallbladder cancer is not yet established. This study was performed to assess the expression pattern of estrogen and progesterone receptors in benign and malignant gallbladder lesions, and to assess their clinicopathological significance. METHODS: Tissue samples from resected gallbladder for cholelithiasis (n = 20) and carcinoma gallbladder (n = 25) were evaluated for estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) expression by automated immunohistochemistry. Their expression was correlated with different clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: ER expression was significantly high (28%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 14-47) in gallbladder cancer than in chronic cholecystitis (0%; P = .012). PR expression did not differ in two groups (benign 40%, 95% CI, 21.8-61.4; malignant 52%, 95% CI, 33.5-69.9). Metaplastic benign lesions had near significant higher expression of PR (71.4%) than nonmetaplastic lesion (15.9%; P = .062). Their expression did not correlate with gender, age, menopausal status, presence of gallstones, tumor differentiation, and tumor stage. CONCLUSION: Female sex hormones play an important role in the gallbladder carcinogenesis. ER and PR may not have prognostic value. Presence of ER in ∼1/3 and PR in 1/2 of patients with carcinoma gallbladder suggests the potential role of antihormonal therapy.

Ependymoblastoma in an adult: a diagnostic challenge on cytology.

Ependymoblastoma is a rare, highly malignant brain tumour considered by most to be a subtype of primitive neuroectodermal tumour manifesting in young children. The authors present an unusual case of ependymoblastoma occurring in an 18-year-old female, one of the oldest patients reported with this tumour. The crush smears were highly cellular comprising singly scattered small, round immature cells with fine granular chromatin. The paraffin sections showed a tumour composed of uniform, small-sized, primitive cells forming well defined multi-layered rosettes with prominent mitoses. The tumour cells exhibited diffuse Vimentin and focal glial fibrillary acidic protein reactivity. A few cells showed S-100 reactivity. The patient underwent radiotherapy following complete tumour debulking but, succumbed to the disease within 2 months of diagnosis.