ABSTRACT
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) is a mixed tumor containing elements of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC).Its remarkable histological heterogeneity has been linked to putative hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) origin.However,detailed histological or phenotypic description is rarely documented.In the present study,we reassessed 68 cases previously diagnosed as hepatitis B-related CHCs by immunohistochemistry and double-fluorescence immunostaining,focusing on HPC associated phenotypic observation of intermediate area of the tumor.It was found that tumor cells showed remarkable heterogeneity in intermediate area.Tumor cells with intermediate morphology between hepatocytes and cholangiocytes were oval-shaped and small with scant cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei,arranging in solid nests mostly.By Keratin 7 (K7) staining,it appeared that the nests of tumor cells represented a maturation process from the undifferentiated small cells to mature hepatocytes through the "transitional" cells.Then,these small cells were further confirmed with intermediate phenotype as HPC by exploring immature hepatocellular marker and HPC/biliary markers co-localization.In conclusion,the HPC associated trait in CHC can be interpreted by HPC origin or gain of"stemness" by dedifferentiation.It is still too soon to give a final word that it is innate or acquired signature of HPC associated trait in CHC.
ABSTRACT
This study examined the mRNA expression of NALP3 in the spleen of the mice with hypersplenism due to portal hypertension(PH).The mouse hypersplenism models were established by oral administration of tetrachloromethane(2 mL/kg/week for 12 weeks by oral gavage).All the mice were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group.The blood routine test was conducted,spleen index was calculated and spleen was histologically examined.Portal vein sera were taken for detection of the level of uric acid.The mRNA expressions of NALP3 and IL-1β in the spleen were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The results showed that the platelet count was significantly lower in the experimental group[(674±102)× 109/L]than in the control group[(1307± 181)× 109/L](P<0.05),while the spleen index was significantly higher[(9.83±1.36)μg/g]in the experimental group than in the control group[(4.11±0.47)μg/g](P<0.05).The histopathological changes of spleen followed the pattern of congestive splenomegaly.No significant difference was found in the uric acid level in the portal vein between the control group and the experiment group.The mRNA expressions of NALP3 and IL-1β were up-regulated significantly in the spleen in the experimental group as compared with those in the control group(P<0.05).It was concluded that NALP3 and IL-1β may play important roles in the pathogenesis of hypersplenism.
ABSTRACT
Summary: The effect of target-directed regulation of the uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) gene expression on the ischemia-reperfusion injury of hepatocytes under different conditions was investigated. The expression plasmid and RNAi plasmid targeting UCP-2 gene were constructed and transfected into normal hepatocytes and fatty liver cells, respectively. The expression of UCP-2 mRNA was detected by real time PCR. The cells were divided into normal cell group (NCG), group of normal cells transfected with empty vector (EVNCG), group of normal cells transfected with expression plasmid (EPNCG), fatty liver cell group (FCG) and group of fatty liver cells transfected with RNAi plasmid (RPFCG). The ischemia-reperfusion model in vitro was established. One, 6, 12 and 24h after reperfusion, Annexin V/PI flow cytometry was used to measure cell necrosis rate, apoptosis rate and survival rate. Simultaneously, the intracellular ATP, ROS and MDA levels were determined. The resuits showed that 1, 6, 12 and 24h after ischemia-reperfusion, the intracellular ROS, MDA and ATPlevels and cell survival rate in EPNCG were significantly lower, and cell necrosis rate significantly higher than in NCG and EVNCG, but there was no significant difference in apoptosis rate among NCG, EVNCG and EPNCG (P005). Six, 12 and 24h after reperfusion there was no significant difference in ROS, MDA levels and apoptosis rate between FCG and RPFCG (P0.05), but the ATP level and survival rate of cells in RPFCG were higher than in FCG (P<0.05). It was concluded that down-regulation of the UCP-2 gene expression in steatotic hepatocytes could alleviate the ischemia-reperfusion injury of liver cells.