Cell therapy in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration / Terapia celular no tratamento da degeneração de disco intervertebral / Terapia celular en el tratamiento de la degeneración de disco intervertebral

ABSTRACT Approximately 80% of the world population experiences some type of back pain at some point in their life, and in 10% of this population the pain causes chronic disability resulting in a high cost for the treatment of these patients, in addition to compromising their work and social interaction abilities. Current treatment strategies include the surgical procedure for degenerated intervertebral disc resection, the nerve root block and physiotherapy. However, such treatments only relieve symptoms and do not prevent the degeneration of intervertebral discs. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies have emerged and include manipulating cells to recover the degenerated disc. This article will discuss the possible cell therapy alternatives used in the disc regeneration process, featuring a descriptive study of translational medicine that involves clinical aspects of new treatment alternatives and knowledge of basic research areas, such as cellular and molecular biology. Level of evidence V; Expert Opinion.

RESUMO Aproximadamente 80% da população mundial sofre algum tipo de dor nas costas em alguma fase de vida, sendo que em 10% dessa população, as dores acarretam incapacidade crônica, deflagrando alto custo de tratamento desses pacientes, além de comprometer as habilidades de trabalho e convívio social desses indivíduos. As estratégias de tratamento atuais incluem o procedimento cirúrgico por ressecção do disco intervertebral degenerado, bloqueio de raízes nervosas e fisioterapia. Entretanto, tais tratamentos apenas aliviam os sintomas e não impedem que ocorra a degeneração de discos intervertebrais. Portanto, novas estratégias terapêuticas têm surgido e incluem a manipulação de células com o objetivo de recuperar o disco degenerado. No presente artigo, serão discutidas as diferentes possibilidades alternativas de terapias celulares no processo de regeneração discal, caracterizando um estudo descritivo da medicina translacional que envolve aspectos clínicos de novas alternativas de tratamento e o conhecimento de áreas básicas de pesquisa como biologia celular e molecular. Nível de evidência V; Opinião do Especialista.

RESUMEN Aproximadamente 80% de la población mundial sufre algún tipo de dolor de espalda en alguna etapa de la vida, y en 10% de esa población, los dolores causan incapacidad crónica, deflagrando alto costo de tratamiento de esos pacientes, además de comprometer las habilidades laborales y convivencia social de esos individuos. Las estrategias de tratamiento actuales incluyen el procedimiento quirúrgico para la resección del disco intervertebral degenerado, bloqueo de las raíces nerviosas y fisioterapia. Entretanto, tales tratamientos solo alivian los síntomas y no impiden que ocurra la degeneración de discos intervertebrales. Por lo tanto, han surgido nuevas estrategias terapéuticas e incluyen la manipulación de células con el objetivo de recuperar el disco degenerado. En el presente artículo se discutirán las diferentes posibilidades alternativas de las terapias celulares en el proceso de regeneración discal, caracterizando un estudio descriptivo de la medicina traslacional que involucra aspectos clínicos de nuevas alternativas de tratamiento y conocimiento de áreas básicas de investigación como biología celular y molecular. Nivel de evidencia V; Opinión del especialista.

Horizontal histological sections in the preliminary evaluation of basal cell carcinoma submitted to Mohs micrographic surgery

Abstract Background: Mohs micrographic surgery is a surgical technique for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Surgery begins by removing the visible tumor before excision of the tissue specimens for evaluation of the tumor margins. Objectives: To present a new way to evaluate the material obtained from debulking, by horizontal histological analysis of the fragment. Methods: Descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study based on the medical records and histological lamellae of patients with primary basal cell carcinomas smaller than 1.5 cm submitted to Mohs micrographic surgery and who had the visible tumor analyzed by horizontal histological sections. Results: The sample evaluated included 16 patients with lesions located on the face. Comparing the histopathological examinations of incisional biopsy in vertical sections and debulking in horizontal sections, there was agreement in seven cases. The histological analysis performed in horizontal sections allowed identification of the tumor site in 13 cases, and the relation between tumor and margin showed that in 11 cases, the lateral margin was compromised.Study limitations: The technique was better-applied in lesions smaller than 2 cm. Conclusion: Horizontal histological analysis of debulking has advantages for Mohs surgery, since it allows visualization of almost all tumor extension in the same view plane of the dermatoscopy, allowing better definition of the histological subtype, tumor site, and tumor/margin of lesions less than 1.5 cm.

Reflectance confocal microscopy as a tool for screening surgical margins of basal cell carcinoma

Abstract: Surgical excision of basal cell carcinoma with minimum margins requires serial assessment of layers by frozen histopathology in the case of Mohs micrographic surgery. Evaluation of presurgical tumor margins by in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy is a potential alternative. We selected 12 basal cell carcinoma lesions that were analyzed by confocal microscopy to define margins. The lesions were excised by Mohs surgery. Six tumors showed negative margins in the first phase of Mohs micrographic surgery. We concluded that reflectance confocal microscopy can be useful in the preoperative definition of basal cell carcinoma margins.

Expression of heparanase in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract: Background: Heparanase is an enzyme that cleaves heparan sulfate chains. Oligosaccharides generated by heparanase induce tumor progression. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma comprise types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Objectives: Evaluate the glycosaminoglycans profile and expression of heparanase in two human cell lines established in culture, immortalized skin keratinocyte (HaCaT) and squamous cell carcinoma (A431) and also investigate the expression of heparanase in basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and eyelid skin of individuals not affected by the disease (control). Methods: Glycosaminoglycans were quantified by electrophoresis and indirect ELISA method. The heparanase expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRTPCR). Results: The A431 strain showed significant increase in the sulfated glycosaminoglycans, increased heparanase expression and decreased hyaluronic acid, comparing to the HaCaT lineage. The mRNA expression of heparanase was significantly higher in Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma compared with control skin samples. It was also observed increased heparanase expression in squamous cell carcinoma compared to the Basal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: The glycosaminoglycans profile, as well as heparanase expression are different between HaCaT and A431 cell lines. The increased expression of heparanase in Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma suggests that this enzyme could be a marker for the diagnosis of such types of non-melanoma cancers, and may be useful as a target molecule for future alternative treatment.

EVALUATION OF THE EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF INJURED SUPRASPINATUS IN RATS

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the evolution of injuries of the supraspinatus muscle by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and anatomopathological analysis in animal model (Wistar rats). Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats were submitted to complete injury of the supraspinatus tendon, then subsequently sacrificed in groups of five animals at the following periods: immediately after the injury, 24h after the injury, 48h after, 30 days after and three months after the injury. All groups underwent histological and IHC analysis. Results: Regarding vascular proliferation and inflammatory infiltrate, we found a statistically significant difference between groups 1(control group) and 2 (24h after injury). IHC analysis showed that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) showed a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2, and collagen type 1 (Col-1) evaluation presented a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 4. Conclusion: We observed changes in the extracellular matrix components compatible with remodeling and healing. Remodeling is more intense 24h after injury. However, VEGF and Col-1 are substantially increased at 24h and 30 days after the injury, respectively. Level of Evidence I, Experimental Study.

STUDIES OF MOLECULAR CHANGES IN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION IN ANIMAL MODEL

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the structural and molecular changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the process of intervertebral disc degeneration, using animal model. Methods: Wistar rats underwent intervertebral disc degeneration through 20-gauge needle puncture, and 360° rotation applied for 30 sec, representing the degenerated group, while control group was not submitted to this procedure. Histological parameters and expression of extracellular matrix molecules were evaluated in the 15th and 28th days after degenerative induction. Results: Fifteen days after the induction of intervertebral disc degeneration, significant changes were observed, such as reduction in the expression metalloprotease-9 (MMP9) and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-10). There was a significant increase in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspase-3. However, different alterations in the ECM were observed at 28 days, the level of collagen I, metalloprotease-2 (MMP2) and caspase-3 were enhanced. Furthermore, expression of heparanase isoforms (HPSE1 and HPSE2) mRNA were increased in the degenerative intervertebral disc. Conclusion: The different profiles of ECM molecules observed during the intervertebral disc degeneration suggest that molecular processes such as ECM remodeling, neovascularization, apoptosis and inflammation occur. Experimental Study.

Analysis of heparanase isoforms and cathepsin B in the plasma of patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas: analytical cross-sectional study / Análises das isoformas de heparanase e da catepsina B em plasma de pacientes com carcinomas gastrointestinais: estudo transversal analítico

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Heparanase-1 degrades heparan sulfate and has been correlated with tumor progression. Although the isoform heparanase-2 has no catalytic activity, it seems to be important for modulating heparanase-1 activity. Cathepsin B is a proteinase involved in tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze heparanase isoform expression and cathepsin B activity in plasma samples from patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas, compared with healthy individuals (control group). DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an analytical cross-sectional study. Peripheral blood samples were collected at a Brazilian public hospital, from 21 patients with histopathological diagnoses of gastrointestinal carcinomas and from 43 healthy individuals. The analyses were performed in two Brazilian medical schools. METHODS: Heparanase isoforms were identified and quantified in plasma samples by means of Western blot. The enzymatic activities of heparanase-1 and cathepsin B were also measured. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the expression of both heparanase isoforms was significantly greater in plasma samples from gastrointestinal carcinoma patients, compared with the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased heparanase-1 and heparanase-2 expression was exclusively dependent on the ...

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A heparanase-1 degrada heparam sulfato e está relacionada à progressão de tumor. Apesar de a isoforma heparanase-2 não possuir atividade catalítica, parece ser importante para modular a atividade da heparanase-1. A catepsina B é uma proteinase envolvida na metástase de tumores. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a expressão das isoformas de heparanase e atividade da catepsina B em amostras de plasma de pacientes com carcinomas gastrointestinais, comparando-se com indivíduos saudáveis (grupo controle). TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Este é um estudo transversal analítico. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue periférico, em hospital público brasileiro, de 21 pacientes com diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma gastrointestinal e 43 indivíduos saudáveis. As análises foram realizadas em duas faculdades de medicina brasileiras. MÉTODOS: As isoformas da heparanase foram identificadas e quantificadas em amostras de plasma por Western blot. As atividades enzimáticas de heparanase-1 e catepsina B foram também mensuradas. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que as expressões das isoformas de heparanase foram significativamente maiores nas amostras de plasma de pacientes com carcinoma gastrointestinal em comparação com ...