Anti-CD138 Antibody [B-A38] (A86264)

Neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are self-renewing and multipotent cells, however, NPCs are considered to be more lineage-restricted with a reduced self-renewing capacity. We present data comparing the expression of 21 markers encompassing pluripotency, self-renewal (NSC) as well as neuronal and glial (astrocyte and oligodendrocyte) lineage specification and 28 extracellular proteoglycan (PG) genes and their regulatory enzymes between embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived human NSCs (hNSC H9 cells, Thermo Fisher) and human cortex-derived normal human NPCs (nhNPCs, Lonza). The data demonstrates expression differences of multiple lineage and proteoglycan-associated genes between hNSC H9 cells and nhNPCs. Data interpretation of markers and proteoglycans defining NSC and neural cell lineage characterisation can be found in "Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans as novel markers of human neural stem cell fate determination" (Oikari et al. 2015) [1].

Growing evidence suggests the Δ133p53α isoform may function as an oncogene. It is overexpressed in many tumors, stimulates pathways involved in tumor progression, and inhibits some activities of wild-type p53, including transactivation and apoptosis. We hypothesized that Δ133p53α would have an even more profound effect on p53 variants with weaker tumor-suppressor capability. We tested this using a mouse model heterozygous for a Δ133p53α-like isoform (Δ122p53) and a p53 mutant with weak tumor-suppressor function (mΔpro). The Δ122p53/mΔpro mice showed a unique survival curve with a wide range of survival times (92-495 days) which was much greater than mΔpro/- mice (range 120-250 days) and mice heterozygous for the Δ122p53 and p53 null alleles (Δ122p53/-, range 78-150 days), suggesting Δ122p53 increased the tumor-suppressor activity of mΔpro. Moreover, some of the mice that survived longest only developed benign tumors. In vitro analyses to investigate why some Δ122p53/mΔpro mice were protected from aggressive tumors revealed that Δ122p53 stabilized mΔpro and prolonged the response to DNA damage. Similar effects of Δ122p53 and Δ133p53α were observed on wild-type of full-length p53, but these did not result in improved biological responses. The data suggest that Δ122p53 (and Δ133p53α) could offer some protection against tumors by enhancing the p53 response to stress.

Cellular receptors for KSHV attachment and entry were characterized using tyramide signal amplification (TSA)-enhanced confocal microscopy. Integrins αVβ3, αVβ5 and α3β1 were detected on essentially all the actin-based cell surface microdomains that initially bind KSHV, while the presence of CD98 and heparan sulfate (HS), the putative attachment receptor, was more variable. KSHV bound to the same cell surface microdomains with and without HS indicating that initial attachment of KSHV is not dependent on HS and that receptors other than HS can mediate attachment. A human salivary gland (HSG) epithelial line was identified, which lacks αVβ3 but expresses high levels of HS, α3β1 and other putative KSHV receptors. These cells were resistant to KSHV binding and infection. Reconstitution of cell surface αVβ3 rendered HSG cells highly susceptible to KSHV infection, demonstrating a critical role for αVβ3 in the binding and entry of KSHV that is not shared with other proposed receptors.

Hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis and cycling are a result of intricate autonomous epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Once the first HF cycle is complete it repeatedly undergoes cyclic transformations. Heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans are found on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix where they influence a variety of biological processes by interacting with physiologically important proteins, such as growth factors. Inhibition of heparanase (an HS endoglycosidase) in in vitro cultured HFs has been shown to induce a catagen-like process. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the precise role of HS in HF morphogenesis and cycling. An inducible tetratransgenic mouse model was generated to excise exostosin glycosyltransferase 1 (Ext1) in keratin 14-positive cells from P21. Interestingly, EXT1(StEpiΔ/StEpiΔ) mice presented solely anagen HFs. Moreover, waxing the fur to synchronize the HFs revealed accelerated hair regrowth in the EXT1(StEpiΔ/StEpiΔ) mice and hindered cycling into catagen. The ablation of HS in the interfollicular epidermal cells of mature skin led to the spontaneous formation of new HFs and an increase in Sonic Hedgehog expression resembling wild-type mice at P0, thereby indicating that the HS/Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates HF formation during embryogenesis and prevents HF formation in mature skin. Finally, the knock-out of HS also led to the morphogenesis and hyperplasia of sebaceous glands and sweat glands in mature mice, leading to exacerbated sebum production and accumulation on the skin surface. Therefore, our findings clearly show that an intricate control of HS levels is required for HF, sebaceous gland, and sweat gland morphogenesis and HF cycling.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a rare and distinct variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with characteristic morphologic, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic features. We report a case of ALK-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a 44-year-old male with progressively worsening unilateral nasal congestion and obstruction secondary to a nasopharyngeal mass. Radiologically, the mass was showed to extend to orophanrynx from nasopharynx. Histologically, the tumor cells exhibited plasmablastic morphology with expression of Bob-1, CD4, CD10, CD45, CD56, CD138, EMA, MUM1, Oct-2, and kappa immunoglobulin light chain, but negative for CD20, CD30, CD79a, PAX-5, and lambda. More importantly, the neoplastic cells showed positive immunoreactivity for ALK with exclusive cytoplasmic granular staining pattern. This case represented the second reported ALK-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the nasopharyngeal region.

Syndecan-1 (Sdc1) engages and activates the αvβ3 (and/or αvβ5) integrin when clustered in human carcinoma and endothelial cells. Although the engagement is extracellular, the activation mechanism is cytoplasmic. This talin-dependent, inside-out signaling pathway is activated downstream of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R), whose kinase activity is triggered by Sdc1 clustering. In vitro binding assays using purified receptors suggest that association of the Sdc1 ectodomain with the integrin provides a 'docking face' for IGF1R. IGF1R docking and activation of the associated integrin is blocked by synstatin (SSTN(92-119)), a peptide derived from the integrin engagement site in Sdc1. IGF1R colocalizes with αvβ3 integrin and Sdc1 in focal contacts, but fails to associate with or activate the integrin in cells either lacking Sdc1 or expressing Sdc1(Δ67-121), a mutant that is unable to form the Sdc1-integrin-IGF1R ternary complex. Integrin activation is also blocked by IGF1R inhibitors or by silencing IGF1R or talin expression with small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In both cases, expression of the constitutively active talin F23 head domain rescues integrin activation. We recently reported that SSTN(92-119) blocks angiogenesis and impairs tumor growth in mice, therefore this Sdc1-mediated integrin regulatory mechanism might be a crucial regulator of disease processes known to rely on these integrins, including tumor cell metastasis and tumor-induced angiogenesis.

Systemic mastocytosis with associated clonal haematological non-mast cell lineage disease (SM-AHNMD) is a heterogeneous group of mast cell disorders with different clinical, pathologic and underlying molecular characteristics. While myelomonocytic/myeloid neoplasia overwhelmingly predominates the AHNMD component, lymphoproliferative disorders rarely occur as an AHNMD component of SM-AHNMD. Here we report two cases of SM-AHNMD, in which the AHNMD component is chronic lymphocytic leukemia in one case, and concurrent chronic lymphocytic leukemia as well as plasma cell myeloma in another case. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of SM-AHNMD with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and plasma cell dyscrasia simultaneously.

Syndecan-1 (Sdc1) is a matrix receptor shown to associate via its extracellular domain with the alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) integrins, potentially regulating cell adhesion, spreading, and invasion of cells expressing these integrins. Using Sdc1 deletion mutants expressed in human mammary carcinoma cells, we identified the active site within the Sdc1 core protein and derived a peptide inhibitor called synstatin (SSTN) that disrupts Sdc1's interaction with these integrins. Because the alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) integrins are critical in angiogenesis, a process in which a role for Sdc1 has been uncertain, we used human vascular endothelial cells in vitro to show that the Sdc1 regulatory mechanism is also required for integrin activation on these cells. We found Sdc1 expressed in the vascular endothelium during microvessel outgrowth from aortic explants in vitro and in mouse mammary tumors in vivo. Moreover, we show that SSTN blocks angiogenesis in vitro or when delivered systemically in a mouse model of angiogenesis in vivo, and impairs mammary tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse tumor model. Thus, Sdc1 is a critical regulator of these two important integrins during angiogenesis and tumorigenesis, and is inhibited by the novel SSTN peptide.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by severe, progressive fibrosis. Roles for inflammation and oxidative stress have recently been demonstrated, but despite advances in understanding the pathogenesis, there are still no effective therapies for IPF. This study investigates how extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), a syndecan-binding antioxidant enzyme, inhibits inflammation and lung fibrosis. We hypothesize that EC-SOD protects the lung from oxidant damage by preventing syndecan fragmentation/shedding. Wild-type or EC-SOD-null mice were exposed to an intratracheal instillation of asbestos or bleomycin. Western blot was used to detect syndecans in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung. Human lung samples (normal and IPF) were also analyzed. Immunohistochemistry for syndecan-1 and EC-SOD was performed on human and mouse lungs. In vitro, alveolar epithelial cells were exposed to oxidative stress and EC-SOD. Cell supernatants were analyzed for shed syndecan-1 by Western blot. Syndecan-1 ectodomain was assessed in wound healing and neutrophil chemotaxis. Increases in human syndecan-1 are detected in lung homogenates and lavage fluid of IPF lungs. Syndecan-1 is also significantly elevated in the lavage fluid of EC-SOD-null mice after asbestos and bleomycin exposure. On IHC, syndecan-1 staining increases within fibrotic areas of human and mouse lungs. In vitro, EC-SOD inhibits oxidant-induced loss of syndecan-1 from A549 cells. Shed and exogenous syndecan-1 ectodomain induce neutrophil chemotaxis, inhibit alveolar epithelial wound healing, and promote fibrogenesis. Oxidative shedding of syndecan-1 is an underlying cause of neutrophil chemotaxis and aberrant wound healing that may contribute to pulmonary fibrosis.

The heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-1 is expressed by myeloma cells and shed into the myeloma microenvironment. High levels of shed syndecan-1 in myeloma patient sera correlate with poor prognosis and studies in animal models indicate that shed syndecan-1 is a potent stimulator of myeloma tumor growth and metastasis. Overexpression of extracellular endosulfatases, enzymes which remove 6-O sulfate groups from heparan sulfate chains, diminishes myeloma tumor growth in vivo. Together, these findings identify syndecan-1 as a potential target for myeloma therapy. Here, 3 different strategies were tested in animal models of myeloma with the following results: (1) treatment with bacterial heparinase III, an enzyme that degrades heparan sulfate chains, dramatically inhibited the growth of primary tumors in the human severe combined immunodeficient (SCID-hu) model of myeloma; (2) treatment with an inhibitor of human heparanase, an enzyme that synergizes with syndecan-1 in promoting myeloma progression, blocked the growth of myeloma in vivo; and (3) knockdown of syndecan-1 expression by RNAi diminished and delayed myeloma tumor development in vivo. These results confirm the importance of syndecan-1 in myeloma pathobiology and provide strong evidence that disruption of the normal function or amount of syndecan-1 or its heparan sulfate chains is a valid therapeutic approach for this cancer.

PURPOSE:

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a highly modified glycosaminoglycan (GAG) bound to a core protein to form heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) that are vital in many cellular processes ranging from development to adult physiology, as well as in disease, through interactions with various protein ligands. This study aimed to elucidate the role of HS in corneal epithelial homeostasis and wound healing.

METHODS:

An inducible quadruple transgenic mouse model was generated to excise Ext1 and Ndst1, which encode the critical HS chain elongation enzyme and N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase, respectively, in keratin 14-positive cells upon doxycycline induction.

RESULTS:

EXT(Δ/ΔCEpi) mice (deletion of Ext1 in corneal epithelium) induced at P20 presented progressive thinning of the corneal epithelium with a significant loss in the number of epithelial layers by P55. EXT(Δ/ΔCEpi) mice presented tight junction disruption, loss of cell-basement membrane adhesion complexes, and impaired wound healing. Interestingly, EXT(Δ/ΔCEpi) and NDST(Δ/ΔCEpi) mice presented an increase in cell proliferation, which was assayed by both Ki67 staining and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation. Moreover, EXT(Δ/ΔCEpi) mice presented compromised epithelial stratification 7 days after a debridement wound. The conditional knockout of HS from keratocytes using the keratocan promoter led to no corneal abnormalities or any disruption in wound healing.

CONCLUSIONS:

Corneal epithelial cells require HS for maintaining corneal homeostasis, and the loss of epithelial HS leads to both impaired wound healing and impaired corneal stratification.

BACKGROUND:

To validate the expression of a urine-based bladder cancer associated diagnostic signature comprised of 10 targets; ANG, CA9, MMP9, MMP10, SERPINA1, APOE, SDC1, VEGFA, SERPINE1 and IL8 in bladder tumor tissues.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on tumor specimens from 213 bladder cancer patients (transitional cell carcinoma only) and 74 controls. Staining patterns were digitally captured and quantitated (Aperio, Vista, CA), and expression was correlated with tumor stage, tumor grade and outcome measures.

RESULTS:

We revealed a positive association of 9 of the 10 proteins (excluding VEGF) in bladder cancer. Relative to control cases, a reduction in SDC1 and overexpression of MMP9, MMP10, SERPINE1, IL8, APOE, SERPINA1, ANG were associated with high stage bladder cancer. Reduced VEGF and increased SERPINA1 were associated with high-grade bladder cancer. Disease-specific survival was significantly reduced in tumors with high expression of SERPINE1 and/or IL8.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings confirm that the proteins in a urine-based diagnostic signature are aberrantly expressed in bladder tumor tissues, and support the potential additional utility of selected biomarkers for the clinicopathological evaluation of excised tissue or biopsy material.

VIRTUAL SLIDES:

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/13000_2014_200.

BACKGROUND:

To determine the diagnostic and prognostic capability of urinary and tumoral syndecan-1 (SDC-1) levels in patients with cancer of the urinary bladder.

METHODS:

SDC-1 levels were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 308 subjects (102 cancer subjects and 206 non-cancer subjects) to assess its diagnostic capabilities in voided urine. The performance of SDC-1 was evaluated using the area under the curve of a receiver operating characteristic curve. In addition, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining assessed SDC-1 protein expression in 193 bladder specimens (185 cancer subjects and 8 non-cancer subjects). Outcomes were correlated to SDC-1 levels.

RESULTS:

Mean urinary levels of SDC-1 did not differ between the cancer subjects and the non-cancer subjects, however, the mean urinary levels of SDC-1 were reduced in high-grade compared to low-grade disease (p < 0.0001), and in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) compared to non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) (p = 0.005). Correspondingly, preliminary data note a shift from a membranous cellular localization of SDC-1 in normal tissue, low-grade tumors and NMIBC, to a distinctly cytoplasmic localization in high-grade tumors and MIBC was observed in tissue specimens.

CONCLUSION:

Alone urinary SDC-1 may not be a diagnostic biomarker for bladder cancer, but its urinary levels and cellular localization were associated with the differentiation status of patients with bladder tumors. Further studies are warranted to define the potential role for SDC-1 in bladder cancer progression.

BACKGROUND:

CKS1B is a member of the highly conserved cyclin kinase subunit 1 (CKS1) family that interacts with cyclin-dependent kinases and plays an important role in cell cycle progression. We and others have shown that CKS1B amplification located on chromosome 1q21 is an adverse prognostic factor in multiple myeloma, but its relationship with CKS1B nuclear protein expression, is unclear. The aim of this study was to correlate nuclear CKS1B protein immunoreactivity, 1q21 amplification status, p27(Kip1) expression and survival in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma.

DESIGN AND METHODS:

Nuclear expression of CKS1B and p27(Kip1) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in decalcified, paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies from 94 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Clonal plasma cells of the bone marrow aspirates from the same cohort were examined for CKS1B gene status by interphase cytoplasmic fluorescence in situ hybridization.

RESULTS:

Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected the 1q21 amplification in 36 (38%) of the 94 patients and immunohistochemistry showed CKS1B protein expression in 37 (39%). Thirty-two (86%) of the 36 amplified (1q21) cases expressed CKS1B and 31 (84%) of the 37 CKS1B immunore-active cases had amplified 1q21. 1q21 amplification and CKS1B protein expression were strongly correlated (P<0.0001). CKS1B protein expression was inversely correlated with p27(Kip1) immunostaining (P<0.0001) and was associated with a shorter overall survival (median 44.5 versus 89.3 months, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Immunohistochemistry for CKS1B is a simple, rapid method that appears to predict 1q21 amplification and adverse outcome for risk stratification of patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND:

Human B lymphocytes can produce leukotriene B4 but the biological function of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway in B cells is unclear. In order to better understand and define the role of 5-LO in B cells, we investigated the expression of 5-LO mRNA and protein in subsets of B cells from human tonsils and different types of B cell lymphoma.

RESULTS:

Based on RT-PCR and western blot/immunohistochemical staining, with a polyclonal antibody raised against 5-LO, high expression of 5-LO was found in mantle zone B cells from tonsils. By contrast, only a weak expression of 5-LO was detected in germinal centre cells and no expression in plasma cells from tonsils. This pattern of 5-LO expression was preserved in malignant lymphoma with high expression in mantle B cell lymphoma (MCL) and weak or no expression in follicular lymphoma. Primary leukemized MCL, so called B-prolymphocytic leukaemia cells, and MCL cell lines also expressed 5-LO and readily produced LTB4 after activation.

CONCLUSION:

The present report demonstrates the expression of 5-LO mainly in normal and malignant mantle zone B cells while the expression is low or absent in germinal centre B cells and plasma cells, indicating a role of the 5-LO pathway in B cells before the cells finally differentiate to plasma cells.

Anchorage-independent survival is one of the key features for malignant tumor cells. Whether specific gene alterations contributed by anchorage independency would further affect metastatic phenotypes of melanoma cells was unclear. We adapted suspension culture of melanoma cells to establish anchorage independency. The suspended melanoma cells lost their invasive abilities in vitro. Specific loss of laminin-binding ability in suspended melanoma cells was observed, which was correlated with downregulation of syndecan-1 as revealed by microarray and validated by qPCR and Western blot. Modulation of syndecan-1 expression level affected laminin binding, transwell migration and matrix metalloproteinase-2 secretion in melanoma cells. SDC1 expression and transwell migration were correlated with activity or level of protein kinase Cδ as evidence by specific inhibitors and shRNA transfection. In this study, we compared metastatic phenotypes and gene expressions of adherent and suspended melanoma cells. The anchorage independency led to protein kinase Cδ-mediated syndecan-1 downregulation, which contributed to loss of laminin-binding ability, reduced metalloproteinase-2 secretion and loss of invasiveness.

Pregnancy represents a hypercoagulable state characterized by increased thrombin generation. However, placentas from fetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancies are characterized by increased fibrin deposition and thrombi in the vasculature, indicative of a further increase in thrombin activation and a disturbance in coagulation in this clinical setting. The cause of the coagulation disturbance observed in FGR pregnancies is currently unknown. Anticoagulant mechanisms are crucial in the regulation of thrombin activity, and current evidence suggests that syndecans are the principal placental anticoagulant proteoglycans. The aim of this study was to determine the localization, distribution, and expression of syndecans 1 to 4 in placentas complicated by idiopathic FGR compared with gestation-matched controls. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that all of the syndecans were localized to cells located closely to the maternal and fetal circulation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of both syndecan 1 and syndecan 2 were significantly decreased in FGR samples compared with controls. This is the first study to demonstrate the differential expression of syndecans 1 to 4 in idiopathic FGR placentas compared with controls. Reduced levels of syndecan expression may result in increased placental thrombosis in the uteroplacental circulation and may therefore contribute to the pathogenesis of FGR.

Adhesion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to coronary endothelium is a key event for cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury. Adhesion molecules are normally harbored within the glycocalyx, clothing every healthy vascular endothelium, but shed by ischemia/reperfusion. Our aim was to show whether protection of the glycocalyx with either hydrocortisone or antithrombin can reduce postischemic leukocyte adhesion. Isolated guinea pig hearts, perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer, were subjected to 20 min of warm (37 degrees C) no-flow ischemia and consecutive 10 min of reperfusion, either in the absence or presence of hydrocortisone (10 microg/mL) or antithrombin (1 U/mL). An intracoronary bolus of 3 x 10 PMN was applied at the end of reperfusion but without prior contact to the drugs. The sequestration of PMN was calculated from the difference between coronary input and output of cells. Expression of the integrin CD11b on PMN was measured before and after coronary passage. Ischemia/reperfusion induced severe degradation of the glycocalyx (coronary venous syndecan-1 release, 171 +/- 15 ng/g heart vs. basal, 19 +/- 2 ng/g; heparan sulfate, 5.27 +/- 0.28 microg/g vs. basal, 0.26 +/- 0.06 microg/g) and increased PMN adhesion (38.1% +/- 3.5% vs. basal, 11.7% +/- 3.1%). Hydrocortisone and antithrombin both not only reduced glycocalyx shedding (syndecan-1 release, 34 +/- 6 ng/g and 26 +/- 5 ng/g; heparan sulfate, 1.96 +/- 0.24 microg/g and 1.28 +/- 0.2 microg/g, respectively), but also PMN adhesion (17.3% +/- 2.2% and 25.4% +/- 3.3%, respectively) after ischemia/reperfusion. Electron microscopy revealed a mostly intact coronary glycocalyx after pretreatment with either drug. Activation of PMN upon coronary passage was not influenced. Preservation of the glycocalyx mitigates postischemic PMN adhesion. Preconditioning with either hydrocortisone or antithrombin should, thus, alleviate vascular leakage, tissue edema, and inflammation.

The unwarranted persistence of the immunoinflammatory process turns this critical component of the body's natural defenses into a destructive mechanism, which is involved in a wide range of diseases, including chronic rejection. Performing a comprehensive analysis of human kidney grafts explanted because of terminal chronic rejection, we observed that the inflammatory infiltrate becomes organized into an ectopic lymphoid tissue, which harbors the maturation of a local humoral immune response. Interestingly, intragraft humoral immune response appeared uncoupled from the systemic response because the repertoires of locally produced and circulating alloantibodies only minimally overlapped. The organization of the immune effectors within adult human inflamed tissues recapitulates the biological program recently identified in murine embryos during the ontogeny of secondary lymphoid organs. When this recapitulation was incomplete, intragraft B cell maturation was impeded, limiting the aggressiveness of the local humoral response. Identification of the molecular checkpoints critical for completion of the lymphoid neogenesis program should help develop innovative therapeutic strategies to fight chronic inflammation.

Potter and Damiano recently assessed the hydrodynamic dimensions of the endothelial glycocalyx in vivo (mouse cremaster muscle venules) and in vitro (human umbilical vein and bovine aorta endothelium cultured in perfused microchannels) using fluorescent microparticle image velocimetry (Circ Res. 2008;102:770-776). Great discrepancy was observed, the glycocalyx presenting a zone of interaction extending approximately 0.52 microm into the vessel lumen in vivo, but only 0.02 to 0.03 microm from cultured cells. In an accompanying editorial, Barakat cautioned that the difference in hydrodynamic interaction did not allow one to conclude that the cultured cells totally lack a physical cell surface layer capable of mechanotransduction (Circ Res. 2008;102:747-748). To stabilize the glycocalyx for electron microscopic investigation, we perfusion-fixed 6 human umbilical veins and confluent and nonconfluent cultures (5 each) of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with lanthanum/glutaraldehyde solution. Ex vivo, the thickness of glycocalyx of umbilical vein endothelium averaged 878 nm. HUVECs in vitro presented a glycocalyx with a dense-zone thickness of only 29.4 nm, plus sparse filaments reaching out on average to 118 nm, there being no difference between the nonconfluent and confluent cells. Immunohistology demonstrated the presence of heparan sulfates and syndecan-1, main constituents of the glycocalyx, both ex vivo and in vitro. These results support the observed discrepancy between glycocalyx thickness in vivo and in vitro, now for one and the same type of human cell. The presence of heparan sulfates and syndecan-1 also on cultured cells may explain why mechanotransduction phenomena can be observed even with a nonmature glycocalyx.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) is a stromal factor with multiple functions. Overexpression of TIMP-1 correlates with aggressive clinical behavior of a spectrum of tumors. Here, for the first time, we address the role of TIMP-1 in the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphomas. An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative Burkitt lymphoma cell line with ectopic TIMP-1 expression (TIMP-1JD38) was used to identify genes induced/repressed by TIMP-1. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed by cDNA microarray, and they were validated by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. Analysis revealed changes of genes coding for B-cell growth/differentiation, transcription, and cell cycle regulators. TIMP-1 repressed expression of germinal center (GC) markers CD10, Bcl-6, PAX-5 and up-regulated plasma cell-associated antigens CD138, MUM-1/IRF-4, XBP-1, and CD44, suggesting a plasma cell differentiation. This is accompanied by activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) and switch to cyclin D2 expression. However, TIMP-1JD38 cells expressed an inactive form of XBP-1, lacking antibody production/secretion. This incomplete plasmacytic differentiation occurs without altering cell proliferation, and despite c-Myc deregulation, indicating an arrested plasmacytic/plasmablastic stage of differentiation. Further validation in human lymphoma cell lines and in primary B-cell tumors demonstrated a predominant TIMP-1 expression in tumors with plasmacytic/plasmablastic phenotypes, including multiple myelomas. These findings strongly support TIMP-1 as an important factor in the pathogenesis of plasmacytic/plasmablastic tumors.

The syndecans are a family of cell-surface heparan sulphate proteoglycans that regulate cell behaviour by binding extracellular matrix molecules such as growth factors. The syndecan family has four members, of which syndecan-1 is the most studied and best characterized. We have studied the prognostic significance of syndecan-1 expression in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples taken from 175 patients with primary SCC, followed up from 2 to 15 years after surgery, were studied for expression of syndecan-1 by immunohistochemistry. A low number (< or =50%, the median value) of syndecan-1-positive tumour cells was associated with low histological grade of differentiation (P<0.0001), a large primary tumour size (T1-2 vs. T3-4, P = 0.02), positive nodal status (NO vs. N1-3, P = 0.0006), and high clinical stage (stage I or II vs. III or IV, P<0.0001). Low syndecan-1 expression was also associated with unfavourable overall survival in a univariate analysis (P = 0.001). In a multivariate survival analysis, the clinical stage and syndecan-1 expression were the only independent prognostic factors. We conclude that syndecan-1 is a novel prognostic factor in SCC of the head and neck treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy.

This paper describes a method for purification of human myeloma cells. Mononuclear cells from six bone marrow samples and one pleural fluid sample from multiple myeloma patients were incubated with B-B4, a monoclonal antibody that is specific for plasma cells, and the B-B4+ cells were isolated using monosized magnetic beads coated with sheep anti-mouse Ig. With this positive selection method it was possible to achieve primary cultures with more than 99% myeloma cells. The average viability of these cultures was 81%. The B-B4 antibody did not alter proliferation or cytokine production of the myeloma cell lines U-266 and JJN-3. The B-B4+ myeloma cultures did not produce IL-1 and made only small amounts of IL-6 (< 93 pg/ml), whereas the cells remaining after extraction of the B-B4+ cells produced IL-1 (89-350 pg/ml) and large amounts of IL-6 (520-17,000 pg/ml). This indicates that the B-B4+ myeloma cells are not directly responsible for the overproduction of these cytokines in multiple myeloma. This separation technique gave higher purity of myeloma cells than has been previously reported for any negative selection method and is recommended when high culture purity is of critical interest.

BACKGROUND:

There is a pressing need to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers for prostate cancer to aid treatment decisions in both early and advanced disease settings. Syndecan-1, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, has been previously identified as a potential prognostic biomarker by multiple studies at the tissue and serum level. However, other studies have questioned its utility.

METHODS:

Anti-Syndecan-1 immunohistochemistry was carried out on 157 prostate tissue samples (including cancerous, adjacent normal tissue, and non-diseased prostate) from three independent cohorts of patients. A population of Syndecan-1 positive stromal cells was identified and the number and morphological parameters of these cells quantified. The identity of the Syndecan-1-positive stromal cells was assessed by multiplex immunofluorescence using a range of common cell lineage markers. Finally, the burden of Syndecan-1 positive stromal cells was tested for association with clinical parameters.

RESULTS:

We identified a previously unreported cell type which is marked by Syndecan-1 expression and is found in the stroma of prostate tumors and adjacent normal tissue but not in non-diseased prostate. We call these cells Prostate Cancer Syndecan-1 Positive (PCSP) cells. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the PCSP cell population did not co-stain with markers of common prostate epithelial, stromal, or immune cell populations. However, morphological analysis revealed that PCSP cells are often elongated and displayed prominent lamellipodia, suggesting they are an unidentified migratory cell population. Analysis of clinical parameters showed that PCSP cells were found with a frequency of 20-35% of all tumors evaluated, but were not present in non-diseased normal tissue. Interestingly, a subset of primary Gleason 5 prostate tumors had a high burden of PCSP cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current study identifies PCSP cells as a novel, potentially migratory cell type, which is marked by Syndecan-1 expression and is found in the stroma of prostate carcinomas, adjacent normal tissue, but not in non-diseased prostate. A subset of poor prognosis high Gleason grade 5 tumors had a particularly high PCSP cell burden, suggesting an association between this unidentified cell type and tumor aggressiveness.

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

STUDY QUESTION:

Is there any risk of intra-uterine bacterial colonization and concurrent occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER:

An increase in intra-uterine microbial colonization and concurrent endometritis occurred in women with endometriosis that was further increased after GnRH agonist (GnRHa) treatment.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY:

Higher bacterial contamination of menstrual blood and increased endotoxin level in menstrual and peritoneal fluids have been found in women with endometriosis than in control women. However, information on intra-uterine microbial colonization across the phases of the menstrual cycle and possible occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis is still lacking.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION:

This is a case-controlled study with prospective collection of vaginal smears/endometrial samples from women with and without endometriosis and retrospective evaluation.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS:

Vaginal smears and endometrial smears were collected from 73 women with endometriosis and 55 control women. Twenty of the women with endometriosis and 19 controls had received GnRHa therapy for a period of 4-6 months. Vaginal pH was measured by intra-vaginal insertion of a pH paper strip. The bacterial vaginosis (BV) score was analyzed by Gram-staining of vaginal smears and based on a modified Nugent-BV scoring system. A panel of bacteria was analyzed by culture of endometrial samples from women treated with GnRHa or not treated. Immunohistochemcial analysis was performed using antibody against Syndecan-1 (CD138) and myeloperoxidase in endometrial biopsy specimens from women with and without endometriosis.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE:

A significant shifting of intra-vaginal pH to ≥4.5 was observed in women with endometriosis compared with control women (79.3 versus 58.4%, P < 0.03). Compared with untreated women, use of GnRHa therapy also shifted vaginal pH to ≥4.5 in both control women (P = 0.004) and in women with endometriosis (P = 0.03). A higher risk of increasing intermediate flora (total score, 4-6) (P = 0.05) was observed in women with endometriosis who had GnRHa treatment versus untreated women. The number of colony forming units (CFU/ml) of Gardnerella, α-Streptococcus, Enterococci and Escherichia coli was significantly higher in endometrial samples from women with endometriosis than control women (P < 0.05 for each bacteria). GnRHa-treated women also showed significantly higher colony formation for some of these bacteria in endometrial samples than in untreated women (Gardnerella and E. coli for controls; Gardnerella, Enterococci and E. coli for women with endometriosis, P < 0.05 for all). Although there was no significant difference in the occurrence of acute endometritis between women with and without endometriosis, both GnRHa-treated controls and women with endometriosis had a significantly higher occurrence of acute endometritis (P = 0.003 for controls, P = 0.001 for endometriosis versus untreated women). Multiple analysis of covariance analysis revealed that an intra-vaginal pH of ≥4.5 (P = 0.03) and use of GnRHa (P = 0.04) were potential factors that were significantly and independently associated with intra-uterine microbial colonization and occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis. These findings indicated the occurrence of sub-clinical uterine infection and endometritis in women with endometriosis after GnRHa treatment.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION:

We cannot exclude the introduction of bias from unknown previous treatment with immunosuppressing or anti-microbial agents. We have studied a limited range of bacterial species and used only culture-based methods. More sensitive molecular approaches would further delineate the similarities/differences between the vaginal cavity and uterine environment.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS:

Our current findings may have epidemiological and biological implications and help in understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis and related disease burden. The worsening of intra-uterine microbial colonization and higher occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis who were treated with GnRHa identifies some future therapeutic avenues for the management, as well as prevention of recurrence, of endometriosis. Further studies are needed to examine intra-uterine colonization of a broad range of common bacteria as well as different viruses and their role in the occurrence of endometritis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS:

This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture, Science and Technology of Japan. There is no conflict of interest related to this study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

Not applicable.

© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

OBJECTIVE:

Porphyromonas gingivalis can invade and survive within its host epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that persistent presence of intracellular periodontal pathogens in gingival tissue causes the chronic inflammation and that an inappropriate immune response is a risk factor for periodontitis.

METHODS:

Together with the presence of P. gingivalis, the distribution of B cells, plasma cells, and CD4(+), CD8(+), and FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells was evaluated in gingival tissues from healthy (n = 7) and periodontitis (n = 8) sites by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTS:

Porphyromonas gingivalis was detected in proximity to inflammatory infiltrates in three and seven biopsies from the healthy and periodontitis sites, respectively. Compared with healthy sites, periodontal lesions contained a significantly increased number of each immune cell studied with a relative dominance of plasma cells over T cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Persistent bacterial invasion of gingival tissues in combination with a plasma cell-dominant immune response may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

CONTEXT:

Since benign and malignant mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas may be difficult to distinguish from each other; preoperative methods for differential diagnosis would reduce unnecessary surgery.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare syndecan-1 and tenascin immunoexpression in benign and malignant cystic pancreatic tumors.

DESIGN:

We used immunohistochemical staining for syndecan-1 and tenascin antibodies in tumor tissue samples.

SETTING:

Helsinki University Central Hospital.

PATIENTS:

Tissue material came from 33 patients undergoing surgery from 1979 to 2005 for cystic pancreatic tumors.

RESULTS:

A statistically significant difference appeared in syndecan-1 expression between benign (mucinous cystic neoplasms and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms) and mucinous carcinomas, but there was no significant difference in tenascin immunoexpression between these tumor groups.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that low syndecan-1 expression might serve as a predictive factor for malignancy in cystic tumors of the pancreas.