Effect of Bioactive Black Phosphorus Nanomaterials on Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Cancer.

Tumor-stromal interactions and stromal heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment are critical factors that influence the progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we used spatial transcriptome technology to profile the gene expression landscape of primary PDAC and liver metastatic PDAC after bioactive black phosphorus nanomaterial (bioactive BP) treatment using a murine model of PDAC (LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R172H/+; and Pdx-1-Cre mice). Bioinformatic and biochemical analyses showed that bioactive BP contributes to the tumor-stromal interplay by suppressing cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation. Our results showed that bioactive BP contributes to CAF heterogeneity by decreasing the amount of inflammatory CAFs and myofibroblastic CAFs, two CAF subpopulations. Our study demonstrates the influence of bioactive BP on tumor-stromal interactions and CAF heterogeneity and suggests bioactive BP as a potential PDAC treatment.

Rapid and label-free histological imaging of unprocessed surgical tissues via dark-field reflectance ultraviolet microscopy.

Routine examination for intraoperative histopathologic assessment is lengthy and laborious. Here, we present the dark-field reflectance ultraviolet microscopy (DRUM) that enables label-free imaging of unprocessed and thick tissues with subcellular resolution and a high signal-to-background ratio. To the best of our knowledge, DRUM provides image results for pathological assessment with the shortest turnaround time (2-3 min in total from sample preparation to tissue imaging). We also proposed a virtual staining process to convert DRUM images into pseudo-colorized images and enhance the image familiarity of pathologists. By imaging various tissues, we found DRUM can resolve cell nuclei and some extranuclear features, which are comparable to standard H&E images. Furthermore, the essential diagnostic features of intraoperatively excised tumor tissues also can be revealed by DRUM, demonstrating its potential as an additional aid for intraoperative histopathology.

Abnormal expression of p-ATM/CHK2 in nasal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type, is correlated with poor prognosis.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression profiles of cell cycle related proteins in nasal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL). METHODS: The expression profiles of cell cycle related proteins were assessed with a cell cycle antibody array and validated by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between the expression levels of proteins and clinical outcomes of patients with nasal ENKTCL were evaluated. RESULTS: The expression of full length ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in nasal ENKTCL significantly decreased compared with that in nasal benign lymphoid proliferative disease (NBLPD), but the expression levels of p-ATM, CHK2 and RAD51 significantly increased in nasal ENKTCL compared with that in NBLPD. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the expression levels of p-ATM and CHK2 in nasal ENKTCL were inversely related to overall survival (p=0.011 and p=0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: Abnormalities in the ATM pathway may play a crucial role in the oncogenesis and chemoradiotherapy resistance of nasal ENKTCL.

RGD-Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Longitudinal Assessment of Hep-2 Tumor Angiogenesis In Vivo.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-targeted ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MBs) and explore the feasibility of their use in assessing dynamic changes in αvß3 integrin expression in a murine model of tumor angiogenesis. METHODS: RGD peptides were conjugated to the surfaces of microbubbles via biotin-avidin linkage. Microbubbles bearing RADfK peptides were prepared as controls. The RGD-MBs were characterized using an Accusizer 780 and optical microscopy. The binding specificity of the RGD-MBs for ανß3-expressing endothelial cells (bEnd.3) was demonstrated in vitro by a competitive inhibition experiment. In an in vivo study, mice bearing tumors of three different stages were intravenously injected with RGD-MBs and subjected to targeted, contrast-enhanced, high-frequency ultrasound. Subsequently, tumors were harvested and sectioned for immunofluorescence analysis of ανß3 expression. RESULTS: The mean size of the RGD-MBs was 2.36 ± 1.7 µm. The RGD-MBs showed significantly higher adhesion levels to bEnd.3 cells compared to control MBs (P < 0.01). There was rarely binding of RGD-MBs to αvß3-negative MCF-7 cells. Adhesion of the RGD-MBs to the bEnd.3 cells was significantly inhibited following treatment with anti-alpha(v) antibodies. The quantitative acoustic video intensity for high-frequency, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of subcutaneous human laryngeal carcinoma (Hep-2) tumor xenografts was significantly higher in small tumors (19.89 ± 2.49) than in medium tumors (11.25 ± 2.23) and large tumors (3.38 ± 0.67) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RGD-MBs enable noninvasive in vivo visualization of changes in tumor angiogenesis during tumor growth in subcutaneous cancer xenografts.

[Villous adenoma of the urinary tract: a clinicopathological study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, differential diagnosis, pathogenesis and prognosis of villous adenoma with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract. METHODS: Clinical and pathologic findings of 3 cases of villous adenoma with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract were analyzed by gross examination, microscopic investigation and immunohistochemical staining. The related literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: All of the three cases were middle-aged or elderly patients. Three cases all presented with hematuria and mucusuria. Endoscopic examination identified that case 1 had a polyp with broad attachment in the dome of bladder, case 2 had a solid mass in the ureter, and case 3 had a exophytic fungating tumor in the renal pelvis. Microscopically, case 1 revealed a papillary lesion with finger-like processes lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with abundant goblet cells. The cells demonstrated moderate degree dysplasia. In case 2 and case 3, both villous adenomas and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were observed, the adenoma cells arranged in a cribriform pattern, and the tumor cells showed severe atypia, mitotic activity, and transition with invasive poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells in three cases were positive for CK20, CEA,EMA and MUC-1; none of them expressed cdx-2 and PSA; In case 2 and 3, the same immunophenotype of villous adenomas and their associated adenocarcinomas was observed, but the number of the positive cells of p53 and Ki-67 staining were significantly increased in the area of adenocarcinomas than in that of the villous adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Villous adenoma of the urinary tract is rare. It can occur in the urinary bladder, urachus, renal pelvis, ureter and urethra. These lesions may have malignant potential and frequently coexist with other malignant tumors. So, villous adenoma of the urinary tract should be removed completely and sampled thoroughly to avoid missing a more aggressive component.

[Forward genetic screening for zebrafish mutants defective in myelopoiesis].

OBJECTIVE: To identify zebrafish mutants with myelopoiesis defects by ENU mutagenesis and large-scale forward genetic screening. METHODS: Male zebrafish were mutagenized with N-ethyl N-nitrosourea to induce mutations in the spermatogonial cells to generate the founders, which were outcrossed with AB to raise F1 fish. The F1 fish from different founders were mated to generate the F2 families. The F3 embryos from F2 sibling crosses were screened by Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining. RESULTS: A total of 350 F2 families from F1 sibling crosses were screened, and 1424 F2 crosses were analyzed. Six mutations were identified resulting in abnormal Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining, indicating the involvement of neutrophil deficiency or macrophage abnormalities. CONCLUSION: It is simple and cheap to induce and screen myelopoiesis deficiency in zebrafish by ENU chemical mutagenesis and Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining. These mutants shed light on the identification of the genes important to myelopoiesis in zebrafish.

[Forward genetic screening for zebrafish mutants defective in erythropoiesis].

OBJECTIVE: To screen and identify zebrafish mutants with erythropoiesis defects by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis and large-scale forward genetic screening using beta e 1 as the marker. METHODS: The chemical mutagen ENU was used to treat healthy wild-type male fish (AB strain, F0). The surviving ENU-treated fish were mated with wild-type female fish to generate F1, and further F2 family was generated by F1 family intercross. The adult F2 fish were intercrossed within each F2 family and the resulting F3 embryos from each crossing were subjected to whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) with the beta e 1 probe. Mutagenesis was performed by treating the male zebrafish with ENU to induce mutations in pre-meiotic germ cells to generate the founders, which were outcrossed to obtained the F1 fish. The F1 fish from different founders were mated to generate the F2 families. F3 embryos from the sibling cross in the F2 family were examined by whole mount in situ hybridization using beta e 1-globin probe. The putative mutants were then characterized with different hematopoiesis markers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We identified 4 beta e 1-deficient mutants with erythropoiesis defects, including two with specific erythiod lineage defects and two with concurrent lymphopoiesis defects.

[Preparation of RNA probe for cd99l2 gene of zebrafish labeled with digoxingenin-UTP].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression pattern of cd99l2 gene during zebrafish development, the RNA probes for whole-mount in situ hybridization were prepared in this study. METHODS: The cd99l2 fragment obtained by RT-PCR was cloned into pGM-T Easy, then the plasmids were linearized with the restriction enzymes SacII or SalI. Using Sp6 or T(7) RNA polymerase, the digoxingenin-labeled antisense and sense probes were synthesized and confirmed by whole-mount in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The plasmid cd99l2/pGM-T was constructed. cd99l2 gene expression pattern during embryogenesis of zebrafish was examined using the antisense probe, and intense expression was detected in the central nervous system during zebrafish development. CONCLUSION: The antisense probe can be used for study of the spatial and temporal distribution of cd99l2 during zebrafish development using the sense probe as control.

[Construction of mic2/CD99 gene vector and its transfection in Hodgkin lymphoma L428 cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector of CD99 gene for transfection into Hodgkin lymphoma L428 cells. METHODS: The full-length cDNA of CD99 gene was amplified from Jurkat cells by RT-PCR and cloned into the pcDNA3.1(+) vector and transfected into L428 cell line using Lipofextamine 2000. The sequence of CD99 mRNA in the transfected cells was confirmed by restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing, and the expression of CD99 protein was identified using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: A gene fragment of 558 bp was amplified from the transfected cells and the sequence was verified by DNA sequencing. Immunocytochemistry identified the presence of CD99 expression in the transfected cells. CONCLUSION: A eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)-CD99 is successfully constructed and stably expressed in L428 cell line.

[Relationship between lymphocyte immunophenotypes and histologic subtypes of Hodgkin's lymphoma and its significance].

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between immunophenotype of the background lymphocytes and histological subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), and its significance. The relative protein expressions of background lymphocytes were detected in 37 HL specimens on the basis of instant-rapid MaxVision(TM) immunohistochemical method and assessed quantitatively with image analysis software IPP6.0. The adoptive antibody included anti-CD3/CD45RO, anti-CD20/CD79a, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-GrB, anti-TIA-1. The results indicated that out of 37 cases 4 were NLPHL, 33 were CHL including 6 of MCHL, 14 of NSHL, 13 of LRHL. In addition, 10 cases (1 was NLPHL, 4 were NSHL, 5 were LRHL) were involved in the analysis of T/B ratios. The ratio of T/B in NLPHL was 0.28 +/- 0.07, in CHL 4.34 +/- 2.45 (p = 0.001), in CHL the ratio was LRHL > NSHL > MCHL (p = 0.649); CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio in NLPHL was 4.55 +/- 1.28, in CHL 4.10 +/- 1.50 (p = 0.574), in CHL it was MCHL > NSHL > LRHL (p = 0.037); GrB(+)/TIA-1(+) ratio in NLPHL was 0.71 +/- 0.57, in CHL 0.74 +/- 0.39, it was MCHL > NSHL > LRHL (p > 0.05). It is conduced that immune cell composition of the diagnostic HL lymph node represents the immune microenvironment. It is different between NLPHL and CHL in terms of the T- and B-lymphocyte distribution. NLPHL is of unique feature. The subtypes of CHL are of peculiar. The T/B ratio is in order as LRHL > NSHL > MCHL, but CD4(+)/CD8(+) and GrB(+)/TIA-1(+) ratios are in the opposite order. Combining with prognosis of subtypes of CHL i.e, LRHL > NSHL > MCHL, these data suggest that low ratio of T/B with high ratios of CD4(+)/CD8(+) and GrB(+)/TIA-1(+) may represent biological markers predicting an unfavorable outcome of CHL subtypes.