Comparison of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers between cancer tissue and tumor emboli / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether cancer cells abide by the mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the process of invasion and metastasis by comparing histology and protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin among primary, metastatic carcinomas and their emboli.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 68 tissue specimens in 59 cases of primary adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma and their lymphatic metastasis were collected, of which there were 13 well differentiated, 11 moderately differentiated, 30 poorly differentiated tumors and 14 lymphatic metastases. The morphology and the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins were assessed by H-E stain and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall morphology of the primary cancers and their tumor emboli was similar. Among 54 primary cancers, 50 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 22 cases were positive for vimentin. Fifty-one cases were positive for E-cadherin and 22 cases were positive for vimentin in the tumor emboli, with no statistical difference (P = 0.804, P = 0.842). Among 14 cases of lymphatic metastasis, 12 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 6 cases were positive for vimentin, and the tumor emboli in 12 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 7 cases were positive for vimentin, with statistical difference (P = 0.084, P = 0.878). There were no significant difference of E-cadherin and vimentin protein expression between the cancer tissue and its emboli (P = 0.410, P = 0.824). A subset of tumor cells in cancer emboli expressed E-cadherin at a high level without vimentin expression, whereas other cells in tumor emboli showed an opposite expression pattern.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is no significant difference of EMT characteristics among primary cancer, lymphatic metastases and their cancer emboli. Cancer thrombus contains both EMT and non-EMT cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of EMT in the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis.</p>

Observation of special staining of human colorectal carcinoma cell lines cultured on nitrocellulose membrane / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the special staining of cells cultured on nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and evaluate the application of the novel method for cell culture and pathological staining.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human colorectal carcinoma SW1116 cell line and SW480 cell line were cultured using nitrocellulose membrane as the culture matrix, with the same cells cultured on slides serving as the control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cells cultured on NC membrane appeared transparent with sharp edge and purple background by macroscopic observation, showing on obvious difference in terms of cell morphology and number from the cells cultured on glass slides. Irregular polygonal SW1116 cells and SW480 cells were found on the NC membrane, on which the cells grew in colony and showed blue nucleus and red cytoplasm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NC membrane produces no cytotoxicity and can be used for cell culture without affecting the normal cell morphology and number during cell culture, thus providing a new means for cell culture and pathological staining.</p>

Correlation between T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human colorectal carcinomas / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human colorectal carcinomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tiam1, E-cadherin, CK, and vimentin expressions in normal colorectal epithelium, colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and CRC with lymphatic metastasis were determined by immunohistochemistry using a two-step method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tiam1 expression was significantly higher in CRC than in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01) in close correlation to the degree of tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Higher Tiam1 expression was detected in CRC with lymphatic metastasis than in primary CRC (P<0.05). The expressions of E-cadherin and CK in CRC tissues were significantly lowered in comparison with those in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01), showing a correlation to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Vimentin was significantly overexpressed in CRC (P<0.01) and correlated to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Tiam1 expression was inversely correlated to E-cadherin and CK, but positively to vimentin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tiam1 is related to the metastasis of colorectal carcinoma, and may induce EMT to promote CRC metastasis.</p>

Imaging features of primary bone lymphoma and its histopathology / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the imaging features of primary bone of the lymphoma PLB on X-ray, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 8 patients (6 males and 3 females, aged 9-60 years with a median age of 26.5 years) with pathologically confirmed PLB were retrospectively reviewed. Plain radiographs were obtained in all the 8 cases, CT scans performed in 5 and MRI examinations in 7. Four patients underwent X-ray, CT and MRI, two underwent CT and MRI, and one underwent X-ray and MRI. Surgical resection was performed in 7 cases and biopsy done in 2, and routine histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry were performed for all patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The site of PLB focus was found in the pelvic bone in 4 cases, right frontal bone in 1 case, proximal femoral bone in 1 case, occipital clivus in 2 cases, and vertebral column in 1 case. Plain X-ray revealed in 4 cases roughly normal shape of the involved bone with stippled interior bone structure destruction; the other 4 cases presented with slight or moderate bone expansion with obvious signs of osteolysis. CT scans displayed areas of different sizes of osteolytic cortical and marrow cavity destruction with large soft tissue masses around the lesion. MRI found heterogeneous iso- to hyperintense signals in the lesions in the bone and soft-tissue masses on T2-weighted images but homogeneous isointense signals on T2-weighted images. The tumors were obviously enhanced after contrast-enhanced scans on CT and MRI. Histological examination identified B-cell lymphoma in 5 cases and T-cell lymphoma in 4 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PBL is characterized in imaging examinations by basically normal shape of the involved bones with possible bone expansion, obvious stippled osteolytic destruction, large soft-tissue mass around the lesion and obvious enhancement after contrast-enhanced scans.</p>

Expression and diagnostic application of C4.4A protein in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the diagnostic utility of C4.4A gene expression in discriminating a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from an adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of C4.4A protein in 157 cases of SCC and 177 cases of adenocarcinoma of various organs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall, 141 of 157 cases of SCC strongly expressed C4.4A protein. In contrast, only 8 of 177 adenocarcinomas showed partial or scattered cell expression of C4.4A protein. The statistic difference between the two groups was highly significant (chi(2) = 244.93, P = 0.000), and also when the tumors were stratified according to the degree of differentiation (P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>C4.4A protein expression may serve as a valuable tumor marker in discriminating a squamous cell carcinoma from an adenocarcinoma, and therefore, may greatly facilitate the differential diagnosis of an epithelial malignancy.</p>

Expression of CD25+ lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its association with EBV infection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of CD25(+) lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissue and the influence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection on CD25 expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD25 expression in the NPC tissues and in situ hybridization employed to detect EBV infection with chronic nasopharyngitis tissue as the control sample.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant difference was noted in the expression of CD25(+) lymphocytes between NPC and chronic inflammatory tissues. The expression was higher in undifferentiated NPC than in keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and non-keratinizing carcinomas. The NPC tissue was all EBV-positive except for one sample, which was identified as keratinizing carcinoma, but the control samples were all negative for EBV infection, which was correlated with CD25 expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of CD25(+) lymphocytes is higher in NPC tissues and correlated to EBV infection.</p>

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the heart: a clinicopathological study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To define the clinicopathological features of primary cardiac large B-cell lymphoma.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A case of primary cardiac large B-cell lymphoma was studied with conventional histopathological and immunohistochemical staining in combination with literature review.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lesion appeared to originate in the right atrium and involved the venae cavae and the left atrium. Microscopic examination showed diffuse proliferation of large atypical lymphocytes with abundant cytoplasm, vestiealer nuelei, thick nuclear membrane and conspicuous nucleoli. Giant tumor cells scattered in the lesion. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD20 and CD79a.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Primary cardiac lymphoma is extremely rare, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. With non-specific clinical manifestations, the majority of primary cardiac lymphomas are of B-cell lineage and a bad prognosis.</p>

Unspecified peripheral T cell lymphoma with distinct lymphoid follicules / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the morphological features and immunophenotype of unspecified peripheral T cell lymphoma with distinct lymphoid follicular growth pattern.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma with special pathohistological features were collected. Morphologic analysis and immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD45RO, CD43, CD20, CD79a, cyclinD1, bcl-2, CD4, CD8 and S-100 were performed. PCR was used to study TCR gamma gene rearrangements.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The main symptoms of all the three patients with the primary sites of cervix and lower jaw. There were intermittent fever and skin rashes in the course of the disease. Morphological study showed lymphoid follicular reactive hyperplasia, mantle zone disappear, prominent infiltration of marginal zones by medium-sized tumor cells with clear cytoplasm and significant nuclear atypia. The immunophenotypic profile confirmed that they were T cell lymphomas. TCR gamma gene rearrangements were found in all the three patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In some unspecified peripheral T cell lymphomas, the distinct follicular growth pattern and incomplete effacement of the lymph node architecture make it necessary to differentiate them from reactive hyperplasia, marginal zone B cell lymphoma, follicular B cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.</p>

Study on etiology and pathology of severe acute respiratory syndrome / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three autopsy cases were studied retrospectively. Routine HE stain was used to study all the cases. Part of the lung tissue specimens were studied further with Macchiavello's stain, viral inclusion body stain, reticulin and PAS stains, immunohistochemistry, thin sections with staining, light microscopy and transmission electronic microscope investigation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The earliest symptom of all 3 cases was hyperpyrexia and followed by progressive dyspnea and appearance of lung field shadows in X rays findings. Pulmonary lesions included: bilateral and extensive consolidation, localized hemorrhage and necrosis, desquamative alveolitis and bronchitis, alveolar proliferation and desquamation, accumulation of protein exudates, mononuclear cells, lymphocytes, and plasma cells as well as hyaline membrane formation in alveoli and viral inclusion bodies were seen in the alveolus epithelial cells. The exudated organization tended to become glomeruloid organizing pneumonitis in a few avaoli. Lesions of the immune organs included: large patchy necrosis in the spleens and localized necrosis in the lymph nodes were seen. Bone marrow became restrained. There were lesions of systemic small vasculitis including edema of the perivascular tissue and vascular wall of the small veins with localized fibrinoid necrosis distributing in the heart, lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands and the striated muscles accompanying with mononuclear cells and lymphocytes infiltration. Thrombosis was seen in part of the small veins. In addition, there were also the systemic poisonous changes including: degeneration and necrosis of the parenchyma cells in lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and adrenals. Electronic microscopy demonstrated clusters of virus particles seen in the lung tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SARS is a systemic disease. Lungs, immune system and systemic small vessels are the main target organs attacked by the virus. Extensive consolidation of lungs, formation of hyaline membrane to a large extent, respiratory distress and decrease of immune function are the main causes of death.</p>