Variable Induction of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines by Commercial SARS CoV-2 Spike Protein Reagents: Potential Impacts of LPS on In Vitro Modeling and Pathogenic Mechanisms In Vivo.

Proinflammatory cytokine production following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Like SARS CoV-1, SARS CoV-2 enters host cells via its spike protein, which attaches to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As SARS CoV-1 spike protein is reported to induce cytokine production, we hypothesized that this pathway could be a shared mechanism underlying pathogenic immune responses. We herein compared the capabilities of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), SARS CoV-1 and SARS CoV-2 spike proteins to induce cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We observed that only specific commercial lots of SARS CoV-2 induce cytokine production. Surprisingly, recombinant SARS CoV-2 spike proteins from different vendors and batches exhibited different patterns of cytokine induction, and these activities were not inhibited by blockade of spike protein-ACE2 binding using either soluble ACE2 or neutralizing anti-S1 antibody. Moreover, commercial spike protein reagents contained varying levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which correlated directly with their abilities to induce cytokine production. The LPS inhibitor, polymyxin B, blocked this cytokine induction activity. In addition, SARS CoV-2 spike protein avidly bound soluble LPS in vitro, rendering it a cytokine inducer. These results not only suggest caution in monitoring the purity of SARS CoV-2 spike protein reagents, but they indicate the possibility that interactions of SARS CoV-2 spike protein with LPS from commensal bacteria in virally infected mucosal tissues could promote pathogenic inflammatory cytokine production.

Jianpi-Huatan-Huoxue-Anshen formula ameliorates gastrointestinal inflammation and microecological imbalance in chemotherapy-treated mice transplanted with H22 hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Jianpi-Huatan-Huoxue-Anshen formula [Tzu-Chi cancer-antagonizing & life-protecting II decoction (TCCL)] is a Chinese medical formula that has been clinically shown to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients and improve their quality of life. However, its effect and mechanism on the intestinal microecology after chemotherapy are not yet clear. AIM: To discover the potential mechanisms of TCCL on gastrointestinal inflammation and microecological imbalance in chemotherapy-treated mice transplanted with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Ninety-six mice were inoculated subcutaneously with HCC cells. One week later, the mice received a large dose of 5-fluorouracil by intraperitoneal injection to establish a HCC chemotherapy model. Thirty-six mice were randomly selected before administration, and feces, ileal tissue, and ileal contents were collected from each mouse. The remaining mice were randomized into normal saline, continuous chemotherapy, Yangzheng Xiaoji capsules-treated, and three TCCL-treated groups. After treatment, feces, tumors, liver, spleen, thymus, stomach, jejunum, ileum, and colon tissues, and ileal contents were collected. Morphological changes, serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-22, TNF-α, and TGF-ß, intestinal SIgA, and protein and mRNA expression of ZO-1, NF-κB, Occludin, MUC-2, Claudin-1, and IκB-α in colon tissues were documented. The effect of TCCL on the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora was analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: TCCL treatment improved thymus and spleen weight, thymus and spleen indexes, and body weight, decreased tumor volumes and tumor tissue cell density, and alleviated injury to gastric, ileal, and colonic mucosal tissues. Among proteins and genes associated with inflammation, IL-10, TGF-ß, SIgA, ZO-1, MUC-2, and Occludin were upregulated, whereas NF-κB, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-22, IL-8, and IκB-α were downregulated. Additionally, TCCL increased the proportions of fecal Actinobacteria, AF12, Adlercreutzia, Clostridium, Coriobacteriaceae, and Paraprevotella in the intermediate stage of treatment, decreased the proportions of Mucipirillum, Odoribacter, RF32, YS2, and Rikenellaceae but increased the proportions of p_Deferribacteres and Lactobacillus at the end of treatment. Studies on ileal mucosal microbiota showed similar findings. Moreover, TCCL improved community richness, evenness, and the diversity of fecal and ileal mucosal flora. CONCLUSION: TCCL relieves pathological changes in tumor tissue and chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal injury, potentially by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors to repair the gastrointestinal mucosa, enhancing intestinal barrier function, and maintaining gastrointestinal microecological balance. Hence, TCCL is a very effective adjuvant to chemotherapy.

Macrophage-Derived Factors with the Potential to Contribute to Pathogenicity of HIV-1 and HIV-2: Role of CCL-2/MCP-1.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) is known to be less pathogenic than HIV-1. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the decreased HIV-2 pathogenicity is not fully understood. Herein, we report that ß-chemokine CCL2 expression was increased in HIV-1-infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) but decreased in HIV-2-infected MDM when compared to uninfected MDM. Inhibition of CCL2 expression following HIV-2 infection occurred at both protein and mRNA levels. By microarray analysis, quantitative PCR, and Western blotting, we identified that Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1), a critical transcription factor for inducing CCL2 gene expression, was also reduced in HIV-2-infected MDM. Blockade of STAT1 in HIV-infected MDM using a STAT1 inhibitor significantly reduced the production of CCL2. In contrast, transduction of STAT1-expressing pseudo-retrovirus restored CCL2 production in HIV-2-infected MDM. These findings support the concept that CCL2 inhibition in HIV-2-infected MDM is meditated by reduction of STAT1. Furthermore, we showed that STAT1 reduction in HIV-2-infected MDM was regulated by the CUL2/RBX1 ubiquitin E3 ligase complex-dependent proteasome pathway. Knockdown of CUL2 or RBX1 restored the expression of STAT1 and CCL2 in HIV-2-infected MDM. Taken together, our findings suggest that differential regulation of the STAT1-CCL2 axis may be one of the mechanisms underlying the different pathogenicity observed for HIV-1 and HIV-2.

A new specimen of Sinopterus dongi (Pterosauria, Tapejaridae) from the Jiufotang Formation (Early Cretaceous, China).

The Tapejarinae are edentulous pterosaurs that are relatively common in Cretaceous continental deposits in South America, North Africa, Europe, and China (mostly Early Cretaceous). The Chinese Jiufotang Formation is particularly rich in tapejarine specimens, having yielded over 10 described specimens and dozens of undescribed ones. For the Jiufotang Formation, a total of seven nominal tapejarid species and two genera have been proposed. Some debate exists over how many of those are valid or, alternatively, sexual or ontogenetic morphs of fewer (or even a single) species. Despite the abundance of specimens and the relevant taxonomic problems involved, detailed revisions of the matter are still lacking. This is partly due to the relatively scarce knowledge on the comparative osteology of the Sinopterus complex, which is hampered by the fact that most specimens have been only preliminarily described. In this contribution, we present a new postcranial specimen, D3072, which we attribute to the type-species of the genus, Sinopterus dongi. This new specimen helps shed some new light in the osteology of Sinopterus dongi, hopefully serving as a basis for future comparative studies involving further specimens and other proposed species and, subsequently, taxonomic revisions.

The Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng II Formula Attenuates Chemotherapy-Induced Anorexia in Mice With H22 Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng II Formula (CHB-II-F) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, which specifically targets different aspects of chemotherapy-induced adverse effects in patients with cancer. In our clinical application, CHB-II-F significantly alleviated chemotherapy-induced anorexia (loss of appetite) and improved the quality of life for patients with tumor during and after chemotherapy. However, the mechanism of CHB-II-F in alleviation of chemotherapy-induced anorexia remains to be further investigated. Aim of Study: To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of CHB-II-F on chemotherapy-induced anorexia in the mice model of H22 hepatoma. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 Kunming mice of SPF grade were inoculated subcutaneously with H22 hepatoma cells into the right anterior armpit of the mice. After 1 week of seeding, mice were injected intraperitoneally with a high dose of 5-fluorouracil (200 mg/kg 5-FU) to establish the model of chemotherapy. The mice were randomly divided into six groups: untreated group, 5-FU group, 5-FU plus Yangzheng Xiaoji capsule (YZXJC) group, and three groups of 5-FU plus different concentrations of CHB-II-F. All the mice in each group were treated for 14 days. The body weight, food intake, tumor volume, and tumor weight of mice were measured, and pathological examinations of tumor tissue, stomach, and duodenum were carried out. Expressions of serum Leptin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), epidermal cell growth factor (EGF), Motilin (MTL), Orexin A (OXA), Gastrin (GAS), Ghrelin, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and jejunum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined. The protein and mRNA levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), Orexin receptor 1 (OX1R), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript peptide (CART), Agouti gene-related protein (AgRP), Leptin receptor (Ob-R), and Ghrelin receptor (GHSR) were examined in hypothalamus, and the protein levels of substance P (SP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in duodenum were measured. Results: The combination of CHB-II-F and 5-FU could enhance the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on tumor. The tumor inhibition rates of 5-FU group, YZXJC group, CHB-II-F(H) group, CHB-II-F(M) group, and CHB-II-F(L) group were 58.88, 28.08, 54.96, 37.69, and 28.61%, respectively. Compared with untreated group and 5-FU group, CHB-II-F significantly increased the body weight and food intake of tumor-bearing mice; increased the content of NPY, Orexin A, Ghrelin, GAS, MTL, EGF, and PGE2 in serum and the activity of SOD in jejunum; and decreased the content of Leptin in serum and the content of MDA in jejunum. Compared with untreated group and 5-FU group, CHB-II-F also enhanced the expression of OX1R, GHSR, NPY, and AgRP protein and gene and decreased the expression of Ob-R, POMC, and CART protein and gene in hypothalamus of mice, and the gene expression was consistent with the protein expression. In addition, CHB-II-F decreased the expression of 5-HT and SP protein in duodenum. Conclusion: In the murine model of H22 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving chemotherapy, CHB-II-F enhances the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on tumor, significantly improves the pathological injury of gastrointestinal tract caused by chemotherapy, and regulates the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. It may alleviate chemotherapy-induced anorexia by affecting appetite regulatory factors in the feeding area of hypothalamus central nervous system and peripheral appetite regulatory factors.

A new mammal skull from the Lower Cretaceous of China with implications for the evolution of obtuse-angled molars and 'amphilestid' eutriconodonts.

We report the discovery of Juchilestes liaoningensis, a new genus and species of eutriconodont mammal from the Lujiatun Site of the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (123.2 +/- 1.0 Ma; Lower Aptian). The holotype preserves a partial skull and full dentition. Among eutriconodonts, its lower dentition is similar to taxa formerly assigned to the paraphyletic group of 'amphilestids'. Some have considered 'amphilestid' molars to represent the structural intermediate between the lower molars of the 'triconodont' pattern of cusps in alignment and the fully triangulate and more derived therian molars. However, 'amphilestid' taxa were previously represented only by the lower dentition. Our study reveals, for the first time, the upper dentition and skull structure of an 'amphilestid', and shows that at least some eutriconodonts have an obtuse-angled cusp pattern on molars in middle positions of the long molar series. Its petrosal is similar to those of other eutriconodonts and spalacotheroid 'symmetrodonts'. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that (i) Juchilestes is most closely related to the Early Cretaceous Hakusanodon from Japan, in the same Eastern Asiatic geographic region; (ii) 'amphilestids' are not monophyletic; and (iii) eutriconodonts might not be a monophyletic group, although this hypothesis must be further tested.

Palaeontology: parental care in an ornithischian dinosaur.

Crocodilians and birds show extensive parental care of their young, but whether this behaviour evolved independently in these two groups of living archosaurs is unknown - in part because features of parenting among related fossil groups such as dinosaurs are unclear. A dramatic specimen of the small ornithischian dinosaur Psittacosaurus sp. (Dalian Natural History Museum D2156) from Liaoning in China reveals a single adult clustered with 34 juveniles within an area of 0.5 square metres, providing strong evidence for post-hatching parental care in Dinosauria.

A new microraptorine theropod from the Jehol Biota and growth in early dromaeosaurids.

Fossils from the Jehol Group (Early Cretaceous, Liaoning Province, China) are integral to our understanding of Paraves, the clade of dinosaurs grouping dromaeosaurids, troodontids, and avialians, including living birds. However, many taxa are represented by specimens of unclear ontogenetic age. Without a more thorough understanding of ontogeny, evolutionary relationships and significance of character states within paravian dinosaurs may be obscured and our ability to infer their biology restricted. We describe a complete specimen of a new microraptorine dromaeosaur, Wulong bohaiensis gen. et sp. nov., from the geologically young Jiufotang Formation (Aptian) that helps solve this problem. Phylogenetic analysis recovers the specimen within a monophyletic Microraptorinae. Preserved in articulation on a single slab, the type specimen is small and exhibits osteological markers of immaturity identified in other archosaurs, such as bone texture and lack of fusion. To contextualize this signal, we histologically sampled the tibia, fibula, and humerus and compared them with new samples from the closely related and osteologically mature Sinornithosaurus. Histology shows both specimens to be young and still growing at death, indicating an age for the new dinosaur of about 1 year. The holotype possesses several feather types, including filamentous feathers, pennaceous primaries, and long rectrices, establishing that their growth preceded skeletal maturity and full adult size in some dromaeosaurids. Comparison of histology in the new taxon and Sinornithosaurus indicates that macroscopic signs of maturity developed after the first year, but before cessation of growth, demonstrating that nonhistological indicators of adulthood may be misleading when applied to dromaeosaurids. Anat Rec, 303:963-987, 2020. © 2020 American Association for Anatomy.

Higher expression of the androgen-regulated gene PSA/HK3 mRNA in prostate cancer tissues predicts biochemical recurrence-free survival.

PURPOSE: Alterations of the androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signaling through numerous mechanisms are increasingly recognized in prostate cancer (CaP) progression. We hypothesized that the assessment of well-defined AR transcriptional targets (e.g., PSA/HK3 mRNA) in CaP tissues will provide in vivo readout of AR dysfunctions. Moreover, quantitative expression features of PSA/HK3 mRNA in prostate tumor cells may serve as a prognostic indicator of disease progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Paired benign and malignant epithelial cells (242 specimens) were obtained from laser capture microdissection of frozen OCT-embedded tissue sections prepared from radical prostatectomy specimens of 121 patients. Quantitative expression of PSA/HK3 mRNA in the matched malignant and benign cells was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. RESULTS: CaP cells express significantly lower PSA/HK3 mRNA levels than matched benign cells (P = 0.0133). Moreover, low PSA/HK3 mRNA expression in malignant cells was associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0217), as well as with time to recurrence (P = 0.0371), in patients with intermediate preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen levels (2-10 ng/mL). The expression of androgen-dependent genes in clinical samples correlates with each other in patients with higher expression of PSA/HK3 mRNA but not in patients with lower expression of PSA/HK3 mRNA reflecting AR pathway dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has unraveled a novel prognostic utility of quantitative measurements of PSA/HK3 mRNA reflecting AR transcriptional activity in CaP cells, which is independent of serum prostate-specific antigen. It also has potential in stratifying subsets of patients exhibiting progressive disease associated with dampened AR transcriptional functions who may be targeted by tailored therapeutic strategies.

Analysis of aDR5scFv with Specific Identification and Function.

Death receptor 5 (DR5) can selectively induce cell death in a wide variety of tumor cells. However, at least certain versions of the recombinant soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) or anti-DR5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) are also shown to cause apoptosis in normal cells (especially in hepatocytes), hampering its clinical use for cancer therapy. Recently, the development of small recombinant antibody fragments as high-affinity therapeutic reagents with reduced immunogenicity has come under the spotlight. A popular format of engineered recombinant antibody fragment is the single-chain fixed-variable (scFv) molecule, in which the VH and VL regions of the parental antibody are joined by a polypeptide linker. The scFv fragment retains the target specificity and antigen binding affinity of the intact antibody, whereas it can be genetically designed and produced in large quantities by ectopically expressing both VH and VL regions from a single cDNA in cells. In this study, an aDR5scFv was constructed and expressed, and it was conformed so that it could recognize and bind eDR5 specifically. The therapeutic effects on human lung adenocarcinoma cells lines 973 in vitro and in vivo were detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and TUNEL assay. aDR5scFv was able to induce 973 cell apoptosis in an in vitro system. The protein expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and cytochrome c were raised, and aDR5scFv also inhibited tumor growth in mice with its effect as well as with radiotherapy. It is concluded that aDR5scFv could possibly be considered as a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of tumors.

Mammary ducts with and without focal myoepithelial cell layer disruptions show a different frequency of white blood cell infiltration and growth pattern: implications for tumor progression and invasion.

The authors' previous studies revealed that a subset of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) contained focally disrupted myoepithelial (ME) cell layers and basement membrane (BM). As the disruption of these two structures is a prerequisite for tumor invasion, and white blood cells (WBCs) contain digestive enzymes capable of degrading both the BM and damaged host cells, this study was designed to assess the possible roles of WBC in ME cell layer disruptions and tumor invasion. A total of 23 DCIS containing ducts with focally disrupted ME cell layers were selected from 94 such cases identified in the authors' previous studies. Two consecutive sections from each case were double immunostained, one with leukocyte common antigen (LCA) plus smooth muscle actin (SMA) and the other with Ki-67 plus SMA. Ducts lined by at least 50 epithelial cells and distinct ME cell layers were examined. A total of 191 duct cross-sections were found to contain focal ME cell layer disruptions; of these, 186 (97.4%) were with and 5 (2.6%) were without WBC infiltration. Of 207 morphologically similar sections without ME disruptions, 46 (22.2%) were with and 161 (77.8%) were without WBC infiltration. Ki-67-positive cells in ducts with focally disrupted ME cell layers were generally subjacent to ME cell layers, and more than 30 clusters of multiple proliferating cells were seen directly overlying or near focally disrupted ME cell layers. In contrast, Ki-67-positive cells in ducts without ME disruptions were scattered over the entire epithelial compartment. The significantly different frequency of WBC infiltration and clusters of multiple proliferating cells in ducts with and without ME disruptions suggests that WBCs might play important roles in ME disruption and tumor invasion.

Diagnostic potential of prostate-specific antigen expressing epithelial cells in blood of prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has become a widely used screening test in prostate cancer (CaP). However, low specificity of serum PSA leads to many false-positive and false-negative results and clinical uncertainty. Development of CaP-specific diagnostic and prognostic markers is needed. Detection of circulating PSA-expressing cells (CPECs) in blood and bone marrow of CaP patients has potential in molecular diagnosis and prognosis. Our novel observations of the frequent presence of CPECs in CaP patients with organ-confined disease by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR-PSA assay in epithelial cells enriched from peripheral blood (ERT-PCR/PSA) have led us to test the hypothesis that CPECs have diagnostic potential for CaP. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Epithelial cells from peripheral blood of radical prostatectomy patients or prostate biopsy patients were isolated using antiepithelial cell antibody, Ber-EP4-coated magnetic beads, and total RNA specimens from these cells were analyzed for PSA expression by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Peripheral blood specimens of 108 of 135 (80.0%) CaP patients were positive in ERT-PCR/PSA assay. Peripheral blood specimens from 45 control men were virtually negative (97.8%). In the blinded investigation, 84 patients who had biopsy for suspicion of CaP were evaluated by ERT-PCR/PSA assay. Eighteen of 22 (81.8%) patients with biopsy-proven CaP were positive, and 54 of 62 (87.1%) patients with biopsy negative for CaP were negative in this assay (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides intriguing novel results showing that the majority of patients with clinically organ-confined CaP contain CPECs. Strong concordance between the biopsy results and ERT-PCR/PSA assay (sensitivity 81.8%; specificity 87.1%) suggests a potentially new diagnostic application of this type of assay in CaP diagnosis.

New material of Longipteryx (Aves: Enantiornithes) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China with the first recognized avian tooth crenulations.

We report on a new specimen of Longipteryx chaoyangensis from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Chaoyang, Liaoning Province, China. The new material preserves previously unknown tooth crenulations. This is the first recognized tooth crenulations within Aves. It not only provides new information regarding the anatomy of the Longipteryx, but also sheds new light on the trophic specialization of this genus and even this family. It was discovered from the Yixian Formation, which is older than the Longipteryx chaoyangensis bearing-Jiufotang Formation. This new discovery also expands the known stratigraphic range of Longipteryx.

Direct and repeat uses of tissue sections as templates for liquid-phase polymerase chain reaction amplification: applications and implications.

The liquid-phase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique is the most commonly used method for the amplification of genetic materials, although it requires the lysis of cells for DNA or RNA extraction, making it impossible to visualize the distribution and subcellular localization of the biomolecules. This study intended to assess whether tissue sections may be directly and repeatedly used as templates for liquid-phase PCR amplifications. Consecutive paraffin sections of breast tissues were placed on gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane-coated microscopic cover glasses perforated with a diamond knife into strips. After hematoxylin and eosin or immuno-staining, the strip of interest was inserted into a PCR tube for amplifications, and the adjacent strip with the same tissue was subject to microdissection, DNA extraction, and PCR amplifications. To use the strip repeatedly, it was transferred into a new PCR tube and amplified with a new primer set, after an initial amplification for 5 to 7 cycles. Then, initially amplified samples were amplified to a total of 40 cycles. An equal volume of PCR products from the strip and DNA extract were loaded side by side for electrophoresis and detection. The strip and DNA extract from the same tissue yielded a very comparable quality and quantity of PCR products with the same primer sets. The strip, however, could be repeatedly used for PCR amplifications with substantially more primer sets. In addition, the strip could be used for immunohistochemical or other molecular assays after PCR amplifications. Further studies with the same protocol on strips containing chromosomal spreads generated similar results.

A second soundly sleeping dragon: new anatomical details of the Chinese troodontid Mei long with implications for phylogeny and taphonomy.

A second nearly complete, articulated specimen of the basal troodontid Mei long (DNHM D2154) is reported from the Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian-Valanginian) lower Yixian Formation, Liaoning Province, China. New diagnostic features of Mei long are identified, including: a uniquely shaped maxilla, low with small, low maxillary fenestra; sacrum with an extremely wide caudal portion and elongate 4(th) and 5(th) sacral processes; and a large distal articular surface on the tibiotarsus which continues caudally on the tibia. A phylogenetic analysis including new data from the second specimen recovered Mei as a basal troodontid, in keeping with previous analyses. Although the skeleton exhibits several juvenile-like features including free cervical ribs, unfused frontals and nasals, and a short snouted skull, other attributes, full fusion of all neurocentral synostoses and the sacrum, and dense exteriors to cortical bone, suggest a small, mature individual. Microscopic examination of tibia and fibula histology confirms maturity and suggests an individual greater than two years old with slowed growth. Despite being one of the smallest dinosaurs, Mei long exhibits multi-year growth and cortical bone consisting largely of fibro-lamellar tissue marked by lines of arrested growth as in much larger and more basal theropods. This Mei long specimen lies in a similar but mirrored sleeping position to that of the holotype, strengthening the hypothesis that both specimens were preserved in a stereotypical life position. Like many Liaoning specimens, the new specimen also lacks extensive taphonomic and stratigraphic data, making further behavioral inference problematic.

Prostate cancer risk allele specific for African descent associates with pathologic stage at prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: A region on chromosome 8q24 was recently identified as a novel prostate cancer risk locus. Inherited variation in this region is associated with prostate cancer risk in the general population (21-58%), and specific alleles show a strong association in African-American men. This study was designed to evaluate associations between 8q24 risk alleles and clinical variables, such as pathologic stage, age at diagnosis, and recurrence, in a case series of African-American men. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Peripheral blood DNA samples from 114 African-American men with prostate cancer, including 106 who had undergone radical prostatectomy, were genotyped for six single-nucleotide polymorphisms on three 8q24 regions. The presence of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms was compared with clinicopathologic and follow-up data after radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: The mean age of diagnosis and follow-up time were 57.4 (+/-8.9) years and 49.1 (+/-31.6) months, respectively. Patients carrying the Broad11934905 A risk allele, which is specific for African ancestry, were more likely to have a higher pathologic stage (pT(3-4)) than individuals with the wild type (odds ratio, 4.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-14.14; P = 0.011). A trend toward increased frequency of and shorter time to biochemical recurrence was noted in patients with this risk allele on Kaplan-Meier unadjusted survival analysis (P = 0.076). CONCLUSIONS: The Broad11934905 polymorphism at 8q24, which is only found in people of African ancestry, is associated with an increase in non-organ-confined prostate cancer at prostatectomy. In addition, for those with this risk allele, there is a trend toward early biochemical recurrence that requires validation in larger studies.

Atypical E-cadherin expression in cell clusters overlying focally disrupted mammary myoepithelial cell layers: implications for tumor cell motility and invasion.

Our recent studies showed that cell clusters overlying focal myoepithelial cell layer disruptions (FMCLD) had a significantly higher rate of ER negativity, genetic instabilities, and expression of invasion-related genes than adjacent cells within the same duct. This study attempted to determine if these cells would show aberrant E-cadherin expression, which imparts greater propensity for cell motility and invasion. Consecutive sections from breast tumors with a high frequency of FMCLD were double-immunostained for E-cadherin and a panel of related markers. The E-cadherin mRNA levels in cells overlying FMCLD and adjacent cells within the same duct were compared using real-time PCR. Nearly all the cell clusters overlying FMCLD were strongly immunoreactive for E-cadherin, whereas their adjacent counterparts within the same duct were largely negative. Cell clusters overlying FMCLD were generally arranged as tongue-like projections, "puncturing" deep into the stroma or tube-like structures that often contained red blood cells. The sub-cellular localization of E-cadherin in the above structures, however, was primarily cytoplasmic. The mRNA level of E-cadherin in cell clusters overlying FMCLD was significantly higher than that in adjacent cells within the same duct. These findings suggest that aberrant expression of E-cadherin may contribute to cell motility and invasion.

Mapping of TMPRSS2-ERG fusions in the context of multi-focal prostate cancer.

TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion leading to the androgenic induction of the ERG proto-oncogene expression is a highly prevalent oncogenic alteration in prostate tumor cells. Prostate cancer is a multi-focal disease, and the origins as well as biological contribution of multiple cancer foci remain unclear with respect to prostate cancer onset or progression. To assess the role of TMPRSS2-ERG alteration in prostate cancer onset and/or progression, we have evaluated the status of fusion transcripts in benign glands, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and multiple cancer foci of each prostate. Quantitative expression of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion type A and C transcripts was analyzed in benign, tumor and PIN areas, selected from whole-mount radical prostatectomy slides. TMPRSS2-ERG expression was correlated with clinicopathological features. Overall, 30 of 45 (67%) patients exhibited TMPRSS2-ERG fusion transcripts in at least one tumor focus. Of 80 tumor foci analyzed, 39 had TMPRSS2-ERG fusion (type A only: 30, type C only: 2, both types A and C: 7), with predominant detection of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion type A (27/30, 90%) in the index tumors. Of 14 PIN lesions, 2 were positive for type A fusion. Frequent presence of the TMPRSS2-ERG in index tumors suggests critical roles of ERG alterations in the onset and progression of a large subset of prostate cancer. However, heterogeneity of the TMPRSS2-ERG detection in the context of multiple cancer foci and its frequency in PIN also support the role of other genomic alterations in the origins of prostate cancer.

Aberrant c-erbB2 expression in cell clusters overlying focally disrupted breast myoepithelial cell layers: a trigger or sign for emergence of more aggressive cell clones?

Our recent studies revealed that cell clusters overlying focal myoepithelial cell layer disruption (FMCLD) had a significantly higher frequency of genetic instabilities and expression of invasion-related genes than their adjacent counterparts within the same duct. Our current study attempted to assess whether these cell clusters would also have elevated c-erbB2 expression. Human breast tumors (n=50) with a high frequency of FMCLD were analyzed with double immunohistochemistry, real-time RT-PCR, and chromogenic in situ hybridization for c-erbB2 protein and gene expression. Of 448 FMCLD detected, 404 (90.2%) were associated with cell clusters that had intense c-erbB2 immunoreactivities primarily in their cytoplasm, in contrast to their adjacent counterparts within the same duct, which had no or barely detectable c-erbB2 expression. These c-erbB2 positive cells were arranged as tongue-like projections, "puncturing" into the stroma, and about 20% of them were in direct continuity with tube-like structures that resembled blood vessels. Aberrant c-erbB2 expression was also seen in clusters of architecturally normal-appearing ducts that had distinct cytological abnormalities in both ME and epithelial cells, whereas not in their clear-cut normal counterparts. Molecular assays detected markedly higher c-erbB2 mRNA and gene amplification in cell clusters associated with FMCLD than in those associated with non-disrupted ME cell layers. Our findings suggest that cell clusters overlying FMCLD may represent the precursors of pending invasive lesions, and that aberrant c-erbB2 expression may trigger or signify the emergence of biologically more aggressive cell clones.

Higher tumor to benign ratio of the androgen receptor mRNA expression associates with prostate cancer progression after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Alterations of androgen receptor (AR) functions caused by overexpression, amplification, or mutation have been described in a significant subset of advanced prostate cancer (CaP). Because AR mutations or amplification are rare in early stage CaP, we hypothesized that altered AR expression in prostate tumor cells may provide a prognostic indicator of disease progression. METHODS: RNA from laser capture microdissected (LCM) tumor and benign epithelial cells from radical prostatectomy specimens of 115 hormone-naive patients were studied. Expression of AR and GAPDH genes were measured by duplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 230 specimens. A ratio of the expression of AR gene, normalized to GAPDH gene expression in the same specimens, was compared in tumor and benign epithelial cells (tumor-to-benign ratio) and correlated with clinicopathologic features. RESULTS: Paired t test analysis revealed a 62% lower AR expression in tumor tissue compared with benign tissue (P = 0.0005). However, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of time to PSA recurrence revealed that higher tumor cell associated AR expression (continuous, log-transformed), significantly increases odds of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence (P = 0.0139) when controlling for age at surgery, race, time from diagnosis to surgery, risk stratification, pathologic T stage, Gleason sum, and margin status. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative determination of AR gene expression levels in prostate epithelial cells may be useful for predicting PSA recurrence. This study supports the accumulating data suggesting that gain of AR function may contribute to CaP progression.