Role of Bile-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Hepatocellular Proliferation after Partial Hepatectomy in Rats.

Although liver regeneration has been extensively studied, the effects of bile-derived extracellular vesicles (bile EVs) on hepatocytes has not been elucidated. We examined the influence of bile EVs, collected from a rat model of 70% partial hepatectomy (PH), on hepatocytes. We produced bile-duct-cannulated rats. Bile was collected over time through an extracorporeal bile duct cannulation tube. Bile EVs were extracted via size exclusion chromatography. The number of EVs released into the bile per liver weight 12 h after PH significantly increased. Bile EVs collected 12 and 24 h post-PH, and after sham surgery (PH12-EVs, PH24-EVs, sham-EVs) were added to the rat hepatocyte cell line, and 24 h later, RNA was extracted and transcriptome analysis performed. The analysis revealed that more upregulated/downregulated genes were observed in the group with PH24-EVs. Moreover, the gene ontology (GO) analysis focusing on the cell cycle revealed an upregulation of 28 types of genes in the PH-24 group, including genes that promote cell cycle progression, compared to the sham group. PH24-EVs induced hepatocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, whereas sham-Evs showed no significant difference compared to the controls. This study revealed that post-PH bile Evs promote the proliferation of the hepatocytes, and genes promoting cell cycles are upregulated in hepatocytes.

Utility of Claudin-3 in extracellular vesicles from human bile as biomarkers of cholangiocarcinoma.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released from all cells. Bile directly contacts bile duct tumor; bile-derived EVs may contain high concentrations of cancer biomarkers. We performed a proteomic analysis of human bile-derived EVs and identified a novel biomarker of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). EVs were isolated using ultracentrifugation, and chelating agents, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EDEG) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were used as dissolution solutions. Bile was collected from 10 CCA and 10 choledocholithiasis (stones) cases. Proteomic analysis was performed; subsequently, ELISA was performed using the candidate biomarkers in a verification cohort. The vesicles isolated from bile had a typical size and morphology. The expression of exosome markers was observed. RNA was more abundant in the EDEG group. The proportion of microRNA was higher in the EDEG group. EDEG use resulted in the removal of more contaminants. Proteomic analysis identified 166 proteins as CCA-specific. ELISA for Claudin-3 revealed statistically significant difference. The diagnostic accuracy was AUC 0.945 and sensitivity and specificity were 87.5%. We report the first use of EDEG in the isolation of EVs from human bile and the proteomic analysis of human bile-derived EV-proteins in CCA. Claudin-3 in bile-derived EVs is a useful biomarker for CCA.

Usefulness of rapid on-site evaluation specimens from endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for cancer gene panel testing: A retrospective study.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of 6%. Cancer gene panel testing is expected to allow selection of suitable therapeutic drugs in individual patients with PC and improve their prognosis. Although somatic mutations can be identified in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples derived from surgical specimen, the rate of surgical indication among patients with PC is only 20%. To acquire genome information with a less invasive method, we used rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) specimens from endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. The present study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the utility of comprehensive cancer gene panel testing with ROSE specimens. DNA was extracted from preserved ROSE specimens of 26 patients diagnosed with PC between 2011 and 2017. DNA sequences of oncogenes and cancer-related genes were determined using the Ion AmpliSeq Comprehensive Caner Panel. We compared KRAS mutations between cancer gene panel testing by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and KRAS mutation analysis by polymerase chain reaction. The mean yield of DNA per extraction from ROSE specimens was 171 ng (range, 34-478 ng). On cancer gene panel testing, we noted KRAS mutations (92%), TP53 mutations (50%), CDKN2A mutations (15%), and SMAD4 mutations (31%). The concordance rate of KRAS mutations between cancer gene panel testing by NGS using ROSE specimens and KRAS mutation analysis by the companion diagnostics using residual materials was 81%. Among five cases of KRAS discordance, three showed KRAS mutations in cancer gene panel testing but not in KRAS mutation analysis. Cancer gene panel testing with ROSE specimens can help stratify unresectable PC patients without additional invasive approaches, and it can be used for therapeutic drug selection.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case diagnosed via repeated biopsies.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is a rare tumor. A 74-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with cholangitis. Her liver enzyme levels were elevated. Computed tomography showed an enhanced area in the periampullary region and marked common bile duct dilatation. On endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the ampulla exhibited a normal appearance without ulcer or mass. Histological biopsy confirmed the absence of malignancy. During follow-up, the patient again presented with acute cholangitis multiple times and underwent ERCP each time. The ampulla had the appearance of a reddish and erosive mucosa. Although biopsy was repeated, histological examination did not show any malignancy. After a total of 13 biopsies, the patient was diagnosed with ampullary carcinoma of non-exposed protruded type following the third ERC-guided biopsy. Careful follow-up and frequent endoscopic biopsies are important in cases of papillary carcinoma of non-exposed protruded type with normal ampullary mucosa on initial endoscopy because this condition is challenging to diagnose with a single biopsy.

A novel pathogenic variant of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 causing gallstones in a young adult.

The low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis (LPAC) syndrome was reported in European adults with cholelithiasis and a mutation of the ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4). The ABCB4 encodes multidrug resistance 3, which is a phospholipid translocator. Reduced phospholipid transport can lead to the formation of biliary cholesterol stones. Here, we describe a 31-year-old Japanese man diagnosed with recurrent biliary colic. Although he recovered quickly after endoscopic treatment for the most recent presentation, he had a family history of similar problems. His mother had required endoscopic treatment for choledocholithiasis and his maternal aunt had died at age 29 years because of liver failure (etiology unknown). We, therefore, performed genetic analysis, which revealed a heterozygous ABCB4C717S. LPAC syndrome was diagnosed and the patient has received ursodeoxycholic acid for 2 years with no recurrence. The same variant was identified in the patient's mother, who was subsequently found to have a left intrahepatic calculus requiring left-sided lobectomy. She has received ursodeoxycholic acid for 1 year with no recurrence. ABCB4C717S is a novel pathogenic variant, and this is the first patient diagnosed with LPAC syndrome in Japan. We should consider LPAC syndrome in young adults with recurrent cholesterol gallstones to ensure early therapy.

A case of adult type 1 Gaucher disease complicated by temporal intestinal hemorrhage.

A 21-year-old man with a history of sudden rectal hemorrhage was referred to our hospital. Examination disclosed thrombocytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly. A liver biopsy specimen demonstrated Gaucher cells in Glisson's capsule. Additional investigations revealed a low level of leukocyte ß-glucosidase activity and common mutations of the glucocerebrosidase gene, L444P/D409H. We diagnosed the patient with Gaucher disease type 1. He underwent enzyme replacement therapy. Thrombocytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly improved at a rate of approximately 50 and 20%, respectively, within 6 months. This case suggests that we must pay attention to adult Gaucher disease as a differential diagnosis for cryptogenic thrombocytopenia.