Detection of new diagnostic markers in pathology by focus on growth-regulatory endogenous lectins. The case study of galectin-7 in squamous epithelia.

Lectins represent one of pivotal regulators of the cell proliferation The potential of galectin-7 as a new prognostic marker was studied in normal and transformed squamous epithelia of both ectodermal (epidermis, cornea vs. trichoepithelioma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma) and endodermal (vocal fold epithelium vs. carcinoma) origin. Studies on the cultured cells were also performed. Expression of galectin-7 seems to be connected to the process of stratification, no matter of origin of epithelium. Its expression is significantly reduced in malignant cells, thus galectin-7 might be a differentiation marker of epithelial malignancies.

Expression of galectin-3-reactive ligands in squamous cancer and normal epithelial cells as a marker of differentiation.

The definition of biological markers for oropharynx and larynx cancer is essential to predict their clinical behavior. Since cellular glycans play an important role in biological information transfer, we have employed an endogenous lectin, galectin-3, to examine in primary squamous carcinomas, lymph node metastases, and physiological squamous epithelia whether glycans recognized by this lectin are altered in relation to the state of differentiation. The expression of galectin-3 was concomitantly evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the A1D6 monoclonal antibody. In addition, other antibodies were used for the detection of cytokeratins and desmosomal proteins (desmoplakin-1 and desmoglein). The results show the expression of galectin-3-reactive ligands in moderately/highly differentiated carcinomas only in areas exhibiting a high level of keratinization. Except for one patient out of 14, metastatic cells in lymph nodes expressed no accessible binding sites for galectin-3. No galectin-3-reactivity was detected in the basal cell layer of all studied normal epithelia (which contains the proliferating cells). The suprabasal layers were positive in epidermis and epithelium of tongue and cornea and negative in epithelium of palatine tonsil. The tumor cells expressed galectin-3 with an intensity positively correlated with tumor differentiation. The position of galectin-3-reactive sites colocalized with the two tested desmosomal proteins. However, presence of these proteins was also detected in areas of tumor and suprabasal layers of tonsil epithelium where no binding reactivity for galectin-3 was found. The present study showed that expression of galectin-3-reactive glycoligands is differentiation-dependent in normal as well as malignant squamous cells. Colocalization of galectin-3-reactive sites with desmosomal proteins (desmoplakin-1 and desmoglein) suggests an association of the galectin-3 ligand(s) with the cell surface, pointing to a potential participation of galectin-3 in mediation of intercellular contacts in these tumor types.

[Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia]. / Idiopatická infantilní hyperkalcémie.

Idiopathic infantile hypercalcaemia is a rare state characterized by failure to thrive, anorexia, vomiting, constipation and psychomotor retardation. We report a case of an infant with this syndrome.

[The application of the autologous serum eye drops results in significant improvement of the conjunctival status in patients with the dry eye syndrome]. / Aplikace autologního séra-ocních kapek vede ke statisticky významnému zlepsení stavu spojivky pacientu se syndromem suchého oka--pilotní studie.

AIM: To detect the changes on the conjunctiva surface before and after the application of the autologous serum (AS) eye drops in patients with dry eye syndrome, using both clinical and laboratory approaches, supplemented with subjective assessing the discomfort status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AS eye drops were applied during the period of 3 months in 8 patients with dry eye syndrome (Schirmer test < 5 mm and break-up time < 5 seconds), with the highest (maximum) frequency 8 times a day. The clinical (Schirmer test, break-up time, rose Bengal staining, examination of the tear meniscus, detritus and superficial punctate keratitis) and laboratory examinations (morphological assessment of the conjunctiva, detection of apoptotic cells) were performed at the start and at the end of the 3 months treatment period. Each day, patients reported their ocular status (dryness, discomfort, foreign body sensation, light sensitivity). RESULTS: The AS eye drops application improved significantly the values of the Schirmer test, detritus and superficial punctate keratitis as well. The goblet cells density on the conjunctival surface increased and the number of apoptotic cells decreased. The intensity of unpleasant feelings reported by the patients decreased significantly in all of the assessed categories. CONCLUSION: Because the application of AS eye drops caused the improvement of conjunctival status as well as the decrease of the severity of difficulties reported by the patients, the AS eye drops application should become common therapeutic practice in patients with dry eye syndrome.