Compromiso secundario de glándulas mamarias por linfoma folicular / Secondary involvement of breasts by follicular lymphoma

Resumen Las lesiones metastásicas que comprometen la glándula mamaria son excepcionales, ocupando las neoplasias hematolinfoides el segundo lugar en orden de frecuencia en series de casos reporta dos en la literatura con una prevalencia de 0.04% a 1.6% en relación a todos los tumores malignos de la mama, alcanzando una incidencia anual de 0.07%, los cuales corresponden principalmente a linfomas secundarios. El 80% de estos son linfomas B difusos de células grandes, seguido de linfoma folicular y linfoma de la zona marginal. Presentamos una mujer de 60 años con diagnóstico de linfoma folicular que comenzó con una masa perirrenal derecha y ganglios linfáticos ipsilaterales retroperitoneales e inguinales, quien, durante su tratamiento, presentó avance en el estadio clínico con compromiso secundario inusual de ambas glándulas mamarias por esta neoplasia hematolinfoide. Se evaluó el comportamiento biológico de esta enfermedad para comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, mediante el análisis de factores clínicos, histológicos y pronósticos, permitiendo la estadificación definitiva, la cual fue determinante para la elección de la terapia individualizada acorde a las guías de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia científica, impactando positivamente en la evolución médica de la paciente.

Abstract Metastatic lesions involving the breast are exceptional; hematolymphoid neoplasias rank second as per their frequency in case series reported in the literature with a prevalence of 0.04% to 1.6% when consider ing all malignant breast tumors and reaching an annual incidence of 0.07%, mainly accounted for by secondary lymphomas. Eighty percent of them are diffuse, large B cells lymphomas (DLBCL), followed by follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. This case is about a 60 year-old woman with a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, who presented with a right perirenal mass and ipsilateral retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes, whose clinical status progressed during the treatment with unusual secondary involvement of both breasts by hematolymphoid neoplasia. The biological behavior of the condition was evaluated to understand the pathophysiological mecha nisms; this was done analyzing clinical, histologic and prognostic factors that led to a definitive staging, which was key to select the individualized therapy following the clinical practice guidelines based on scientific evidence, with a positive impact on the patient's medical progress.

Secondary involvement of breasts by follicular lymphoma / Compromiso secundario de glándulas mamarias por linfoma folicular

Abstract Metastatic lesions involving the breast are exceptional; hematolymphoid neoplasias rank second as per their frequency in case series reported in the literature with a prevalence of 0.04% to 1.6% when considering all malignant breast tumors and reaching an annual incidence of 0.07%, mainly accounted for by secondary lymphomas. Eighty percent of them are diffuse, large B cells lymphomas (DLBCL), followed by follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. This case is about a 60 year-old woman with a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, who presented with a right perirenal mass and ipsilateral retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes, whose clinical status progressed during the treatment with unusual secondary involvement of both breasts by hematolymphoid neoplasia. The biological behavior of the condition was evaluated to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms; this was done analyzing clinical, histologic and prognostic factors that led to a definitive staging, which was key to select the individualized therapy following the clinical practice guidelines based on scientific evidence, with a positive impact on the patient's medical progress.

Resumen Las lesiones metastásicas que comprometen la glándula mamaria son excepcionales, ocupando las neoplasias hematolinfoides el segundo lugar en orden de frecuencia en series de casos reportados en la literatura con una prevalencia de 0.04% a 1.6% en relación a todos los tumores malignos de la mama, alcanzando una incidencia anual de 0.07%, los cuales corresponden principalmente a linfomas secundarios. El 80% de estos son linfomas B difusos de células grandes, seguido de linfoma folicular y linfoma de la zona marginal. Presentamos una mujer de 60 años con diagnóstico de linfoma folicular que comenzó con una masa perirrenal derecha y ganglios linfáticos ipsilaterales retroperitoneales e inguinales, quien, durante su tratamiento, presentó avance en el estadio clínico con compromiso secundario inusual de ambas glándulas mamarias por esta neoplasia hematolinfoide. Se evaluó el comportamiento biológico de esta enfermedad para comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, mediante el análisis de factores clínicos, histológicos y pronósticos, permitiendo la estadificación definitiva, la cual fue determinante para la elección de la terapia individualizada acorde a las guías de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia científica, impactando positivamente en la evolución médica de la paciente.

Research progress of BCL-2 family apoptotic regulation and its mediated drug resistance after antitumor drug therapy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Apoptosis is an important means to regulate cell proliferation and maintain homeostasis. Recent researches have shown that the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family not only plays a dominant role in the regulation of normal cell apoptosis, but also plays a crucial role in the formation of tumor genesis, progression and subsequent drug resistance mediated by the escape mode of apoptosis. The phenomenon that BCL-2 family antagonized the apoptosis induced by antitumor drugs and then acquired drug resistance has been reported in the clinical treatment of hematologic lymphatic system tumors, breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and other diseases. Thus, specific inhibitors targeting anti-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 family have emerged with the development of research. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the regulation of apoptosis mediated by BCL-2 family and the drug resistance mediated by BCL-2 family. Meanwhile, we summarized the research advances of BCL-2 family specific inhibitors to provide new strategy for solving the problems on tumor therapeutic resistance and for finding new therapeutic targets in the future.

Regulatory effect of CCCTC binding factor on Bcl-2 gene in pterygium and its mechanism / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To investigate the regulation of transcription factor CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) on the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 ( Bcl-2) gene in pterygium and its molecular mechanism. Methods:Pterygium tissue samples from 22 primary pterygium patients who underwent pterygium excision combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation in The First Hospital of Changsha from June 2017 to February 2019 were collected during the operation as pterygium group.Normal conjunctival tissue from 20 patients with ocular trauma due to conjunctiva rupture, eyeball rupture or eyeball perforation in the same period were collected during the repair of ocular trauma as control group.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of CTCF and Bcl-2 in the two groups.The DNA methylation level of the Bcl-2 promoter in the samples of the two groups was detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). Pterygium fibroblasts were isolated and cultured.Fibroblasts were identified by immunohistochemistry using vimentin antibody.The cultured pterygium fibroblasts were divided into a CTCF interference group transfected with CTCF interference plasmid, and a control group transfected with control plasmid.The expression levels of CTCF and Bcl-2 in pterygium fibroblasts in CTCF interference and control groups were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.The cell vitality was detected with cell counting kit-8 at 12, 24, and 48 hours after transfection.The DNA methylation level of the Bcl-2 promoter in the cells of the CTCF interference and control groups after transfection was determined by BSP.Differences of the indexes among groups were analyzed.Correlation between Bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 gene promoter methylation level of CTCF protein in pterygium tissue was analyzed by Pearson linear correlation analysis.This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The First Hospital of Changsha (No.KL-2017021). Written informed consent was obtained from the patients from whom the specimens were collected.Results:The relative expression levels of CTCF mRNA and protein in pterygium group were 7.23±3.34 and 0.92±0.21, respectively, which were significantly higher than 1.10±0.44 and 0.28±0.07 in normal conjunctiva group ( t=-8.136, -13.025; both at P<0.01). The relative expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in pterygium group were 10.27±4.64 and 0.95±0.27, which were higher than 1.10±0.41 and 0.32±0.14 in normal conjunctiva group, showing statistically significant differences ( t=-8.789, -10.782; both at P<0.01). The CTCF protein expression was significantly positively correlated with the Bcl-2 mRNA expression in pterygium group ( r=0.746, P<0.01). The DNA methylation level of the Bcl-2 promoter in pterygium group was 0.65±0.09, which was lower than 0.83±0.06 in normal conjunctiva group, with a statistically significant difference ( t=7.408, P<0.01). The DNA methylation level was significantly negatively correlated with the Bcl-2 mRNA expression in pterygium group ( r=-0.635, P<0.01). After the interference of CTCF expression in pterygium fibroblasts, the relative expression levels of CTCF and Bcl-2 mRNA in CTCF interference group were 0.37±0.03 and 0.53±0.06, which were significantly lower than 1.02±0.06 and 0.99±0.07 in control group ( t=20.035, 9.029; both at P<0.01). The relative expression levels of CTCF and Bcl-2 proteins in CTCF interference group were 0.23±0.06 and 0.56±0.07, which were lower than 0.52±0.05 and 0.92±0.12 in control group, showing statistically significant differences ( t=6.914, 4.719; both at P<0.01). The cell viability of pterygium fibroblasts in CTCF interference group was 0.10±0.01, 0.17±0.01, 0.38±0.04 at 12, 24, and 48 hours after interference, respectively, which were lower than 0.12±0.01, 0.29±0.01 and 0.85±0.06 in control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.718, 18.350, 15.621; all at P<0.01). The DNA methylation level of Bcl-2 promoter in CTCF interference group was 0.75±0.04, which was significantly higher than 0.61±0.03 in control group ( t=-4.472, P<0.05). Conclusions:CTCF is excessively expressed in pterygium, which may mediate the overexpression of Bcl-2 through down-regulating DNA methylation level.

Mechanism of Bcl-2 BH4 selective inhibitor BDA-366 on NK/T cell lymphoma cells / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect and killing mechanism of Bcl-2 BH4 selective inhibitor BDA-366 on NK/T cell lymphoma (NK/TCL) .Methods:Human NK cell leukemia cell line YT and human NK/TCL cell line NK92 cells were treated with 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 μmol/L BDA-366. CCK-8 assay was used to calculate the half inhibitory concentration (IC 50) value of BDA-366 on these cells. The apoptosis levels of cells in control group and IC 50 BDA-366 treated group were detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins in cells of control group and 1/2 IC 50, IC 50, 2× IC 50 BDA-366 treated groups. TMRE and Fluo-3 fluorescent probe were used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential of control group and IC 50 BDA-366 treated group, and the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration of control group, IC 50, 2× IC 50 BDA-366 treated groups. NOD-SCID mice in control group and 10 mg/kg BDA-366 intraperitoneal injection group were weighed and HE staining was performed to evaluate the toxicity of BDA-366 in vivo. Results:The IC 50 of BDA-366 for YT and NK92 cells were 0.065 and 0.086 μmol/L respectively. The apoptosis rates of YT cells in the control group and 0.065 μmol/L BDA-366 group were (6.62±1.59) % and (34.60±3.06) % respectively. The apoptosis rates of NK92 cells in the control group and 0.086 μmol/L BDA-366 group were (5.57±0.88) % and (29.18±0.90) % respectively, both with statistically significant differences ( t=14.05, P<0.001; t=32.58, P<0.001). The relative expression of Bax in NK92 cells of the control group, 0.043, 0.086 and 0.172 μmol/L BDA-366 groups were 0.85±0.00, 1.26±0.04, 1.51±0.18, 1.15±0.10 ( F=20.70, P<0.001), the relative expression of Bax in BDA-366 groups were higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of TMRE of YT cells in the control group and 0.065 μmol/L BDA-366 group were 8 372.00±330.47 and 6 419.67±311.34, and that of NK92 cells in the control group and 0.086 μmol/L BDA-366 group were 9 169.00±535.72 and 7 311.67±295.52 respectively, and there were statistically significant differences ( t=7.45, P=0.002; t=5.26, P=0.006). In YT cells, the intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations of 0.065 and 0.130 μmol/L BDA-366 groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (5 791.67±220.45, 6 729.33±585.39, 4 874.67±112.61, F=19.16, P=0.003) ( P=0.039; P=0.002). In NK92 cells, the intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations of 0.086 and 0.172 μmol/L BDA-366 groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (4 553.67±17.62, 4 740.33±254.50, 4 185.67±17.67, F=10.96, P=0.010) ( P=0.039; P=0.007). There was no statistically significant difference in body weight change on day 12 compared with day 0 of NOD-SCID mice between BDA-366 group and control group [ (3.18±0.01) g vs. (2.73±0.58) g, t=0.60, P=0.570], and HE staining showed no abnormal morphology of heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney in BDA-366 group. Conclusion:BDA-366 promotes NK/TCL cells apoptosis in vitro, but does not cause weight loss and morphological changes of organs by HE staining in vivo. The inhibitory effect of BDA-366 on NK/TCL cells may be achieved by increasing Bax expression, inducing Ca 2+ release and reducing mitochondrial membrane potential.

Effect of SMAC Gene on Sensitivity of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells to Paclitaxel and Cell Viability Based on caspase-3/Bcl-2/Bax Signaling Pathway / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the effect of the SMAC gene on paclitaxel sensitivity and cellular activity in lung adenocarcinoma cells based on the caspase-3/Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway. Methods A paclitaxel-resistant cell line A549/Taxol was established for lung adenocarcinoma, and the cells were divided into four following groups: pcDNA-NC (transfected with pcDNA-NC blank vector), pcDNA-SMAC (transfected with pcDNA-SMAC vector), siRNA-NC (transfected with siRNA-NC empty virus vector), and siRNA-SMAC groups (transfected with siRNA-SMAC lentiviral vector). The SMAC mRNA expression in cells was detected by qRT-PCR; cell sensitivity was detected by MTT; cell proliferation ability was detected by cloning assay; cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell; apoptosis ability was detected by flow cytometry assay; and caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in cells were detected by Western blot analysis. Results The SMAC mRNA expression was significantly lower in A549 cells compared with BEAS-2B cells (P < 0.05). The SMAC mRNA expression was significantly higher in the pcDNA-SMAC group than that in the pcDNA-NC group cells (P < 0.05). The SMAC mRNA expression was significantly lower in the cells of the siRNA-SMAC group (P < 0.05) than that in the siRNA-NC group. The SMAC mRNA expression was significantly lower in the cells of the siRNA-SMAC group (P < 0.05) than in the siRNA-NC group. Compared with the pcDNA-NC group, the cell IC50, cell clone number, cell invasion ability, and Bcl-2 protein and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were significantly lower in the pcDNA-SMAC group, the cell resistance index reversal was 2.51-fold, and the apoptosis ability and caspase-3, as well as Bax protein expression, were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Compared with the siRNA-NC group, cell IC50, cell clone number, cell invasion ability, and Bcl-2 protein and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were significantly higher in the siRNA-SMAC group, and apoptosis ability and caspase-3 and Bax protein expression were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Conclusion High expression of SMAC increases paclitaxel sensitivity, inhibits cell growth and invasion, promotes apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells, and has a regulatory effect on the caspase-3/Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway.

Effect of Bushen Huoxuetang on Expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and Cleaved Caspase-3 in Nude Mice with Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Bushen Huoxuetang on the apoptosis and the expression of B-cell lymphoma （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）/ Bcl-2 and cleaved cysteine-containing aspartate proteolytic enzyme-3 （cleaved Caspase-3） in the nude mouse model of bone metastasis of breast cancer， and explore the mechanism of Bushen Huoxuetang in inhibiting bone destruction. MethodThirty BALB/c female nude mice were randomly assigned into blank group （n=6） and model group （n=24）. The suspension of 4T1 breast cancer cells was injected into the tibia of mouse right lower limb to establish model of bone metastasis of breast cancer. The successfully modeled nude mice were randomly assigned into model group， Bushen Huoxuetang group， zoledronic acid group， and combined drug group， with 6 mice in each group. Bushen Huoxuetang was administrated at a dose of 36.67 g·kg-1， once a day， and zoledronic acid was administrated by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 100 μg·kg-1， twice a week. The combined drug group was administrated with the same doses of Bushen Huoxuetang group by gavage and zoledronic acid by subcutaneous injection. The mice in the blank group and the model group were administrated with the same volume of distilled water by gavage for 14 days. On the next day at the end of drug administration， the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The general situation and weight changes of the mice were examined. The right lower limb was collected， and X-ray scanning and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining methods were used for observation of pathological changes in the bone. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to detect the apoptosis of bone tissue in nude mice， and Western blot to determine the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3 in the bone tissue. ResultCompared with the blank group， the modeling reduced the body weight （P<0.01） and increased the right lower limb weight of the nude mice （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Bushen Huoxuetang， zoledronic acid， and their combination increased the body weight （P<0.01） and decreased the right lower limb weight （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the other groups showed obvious tumor cell atypia， deep nuclear staining， and clear bone metastasis， and the model group showed obvious osteolytic damage in right lower limb and loss of proximal tibia and knee joint. Compared with the model group， Bushen Huoxuetang， zoledronic acid， and their combination reduced the osteolytic lesions in the right lower limb and recovered part of the bone structure， demonstrating an inhibitory effect on bone destruction. The TUNEL assay showed that the model group had lower apoptosis rate of bone metastatic tumor cells than the blank group， Bushen Huoxuetang group， zoledronic acid group， and combined drug group （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the modeling down-regulated the expression of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Bushen Huoxuetang， zoledronic acid， and their combination up-regulated the expression of Bax （P<0.01） and cleaved Caspase-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBushen Huoxuetang may inhibit bone destruction in the nude mouse model of bone metastasis of breast cancer by up-regulating the expression of Bax， down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2， activating cleaved Caspase-3， and further inducing apoptosis.

Doxorubicin-conjugated siRNA lipid nanoparticles for combination cancer therapy

Evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer, attributed in part to overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). In a variety of cancer types, including lymphoma, Bcl-2 is overexpressed. Therapeutic targeting of Bcl-2 has demonstrated efficacy in the clinic and is the subject of extensive clinical testing in combination with chemotherapy. Therefore, the development of co-delivery systems for Bcl-2 targeting agents, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), and chemotherapeutics, such as doxorubicin (DOX), holds promise for enabling combination cancer therapies. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a clinically advanced nucleic acid delivery system with a compact structure suitable for siRNA encapsulation and delivery. Inspired by ongoing clinical trials of albumin-hitchhiking doxorubicin prodrugs, here we developed a DOX-siRNA co-delivery strategy via conjugation of doxorubicin to the surface of siRNA-loaded LNPs. Our optimized LNPs enabled potent knockdown of Bcl-2 and efficient delivery of DOX into the nucleus of Burkitts' lymphoma (Raji) cells, leading to effective inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse model of lymphoma. Based on these results, our LNPs may provide a platform for the co-delivery of various nucleic acids and DOX for the development of new combination cancer therapies.

Role of Mitophagy in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Chinese Medicine Treatment / 中国结合医学杂志

Mitophagy is one of the important targets for the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). Moderate mitophagy can remove damaged mitochondria, inhibit excessive reactive oxygen species accumulation, and protect mitochondria from damage. However, excessive enhancement of mitophagy greatly reduces adenosine triphosphate production and energy supply for cell survival, and aggravates cell death. How dysfunctional mitochondria are selectively recognized and engulfed is related to the interaction of adaptors on the mitochondrial membrane, which mainly include phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)-induced kinase 1/Parkin, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α/Bcl-2 and adenovirus e1b19k Da interacting protein 3, FUN-14 domain containing protein 1 receptor-mediated mitophagy pathway and so on. In this review, the authors briefly summarize the main pathways currently studied on mitophagy and the relationship between mitophagy and MIRI, and incorporate and analyze research data on prevention and treatment of MIRI with Chinese medicine, thereby provide relevant theoretical basis and treatment ideas for clinical prevention of MIRI.

Mechanism of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Gentianopsis paludosa in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Based on Bcl-2/Bax Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ethyl acetate extract of Tibetan medicine dampness bud Gentianopsis paludosa in the prevention and treatment of recurrent ulcerative colitis （UC） in rats with dampness-heat in large intestine syndrome based on the apoptotic pathway mediated by the B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. MethodUsing the disease-syndrome combination method， a recurrent UC model of dampness-heat in large intestine syndrome was constructed in rats. Seventy SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into control group， model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose ethyl acetate of G.paludosa groups （150， 75， 37.5 mg·kg-1）， and mesalazine group （135 mg·kg-1）. The rats were orally administered with respective drugs for 14 days. The general conditions of the rats were recorded， and colon length and mucosal damage were observed. The colon wet weight index and organ coefficients of the liver， spleen， and thymus were calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the serum of each group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the colon. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） was used to detect apoptosis in colonic epithelial cells. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of Bcl-2， Bax， Caspase-3， Caspase-9， Zona Occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Claudin3， and Occludin in colonic tissue. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to observe the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in colonic epithelial cells. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed significant increases in the disease activity index （DAI） score， colonic mucosal damage index （CMDI）， intestinal epithelial apoptosis， liver and spleen indexes， and levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6 in the serum （P<0.01）， decreased expression of intestinal mucosal protective proteins ZO-1， Claudin3， and Occluding （P<0.01）， increased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.01）， and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-， medium-， and low-dose ethyl acetate of G.paludosa groups all significantly improved the general condition of the rats， reduced colonic lesions， decreased intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis， reduced liver and spleen indexes， upregulated the expression of ZO-1， Claudin3， Occludin， and Bcl-2 proteins， and downregulated the expression of Bax， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 proteins， with the high- and medium-dose ethyl acetate of G.paludosa groups showing the superior effects （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionEthyl acetate of G.paludosa can alleviate colonic mucosal damage and exert a therapeutic effect on UC by regulating the Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway.

Synergistic effect of sorafenib with Platycladus orientalis (L) leaf extract on cervical cancer

The extracts of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco leaves have shown promising anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potency with the traditional knowledge of healing HPV associated warts. The purpose of this research is to assess the synergistic activity of sorafenib and Platycladus orientalis (L) leaf extraction on cervical cancer cells. The cytotoxicity efficiency of different concentrations of Sorafenib and ethanol extract of Platycladus orientalis (L.) leaves were tested on HeLa cells by MTT and Trypan blue assays. The synergistic effect of the IC50 concentrations of Sorafenib and Platycladus orientalis (L.) on HeLa cell by MTT assay, and mRNA expression levels of tumor suppressor tazarotene-induced gene 3 (TIG3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene and apoptosis modulator (Bcl-2) gene by RT-PCR were evaluated with individual treatments. Combination treatment showed a relatively more expression of TIG3 and less expression of Bcl-2 and PCNA was observed. Growth factor-induced MAPKP activation was arrested by compound combination treatment, which and suppression of proliferation-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Based on the our results, the combination of sorafenib and crude leaf extract from Platycladus orientalis (L.) can effectively suppress cervical cancer cell growth, thereby providing an interesting rationale for further clinical trials and in-vivo studies.

Geju Hugan Tablets Ameliorate Alcohol-induced Liver Injury in Mice by Regulating NF-κB and Bcl-2/Bax Signaling Pathways / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Geju Hugan tablets on the liver of mice with alcohol-induced liver injury， and explore the underlying mechanism based on nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65） and B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）/Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） signaling pathways. MethodAccording to the body weight， 60 SPF-grade male ICR mice were randomized into normal， model， Compound Yiganling tablets （0.16 g·kg-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （0.2， 0.4， 0.8 g·kg-1， respectively） Geju Hugan tablets groups. The drugs were administrated at the corresponding doses by gavage， and the normal and model groups with equal volume of pure water once a day for 28 consecutive days. On day 29， the mice in other groups except the normal group were administrated with liquor （53% Vol） by gavage twice a day at the doses of 20， 10 mL·kg-1 and with the interval of 6 h. Samples were harvested on day 30. The histopathological changes in the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of malonaldehyde （MDA）， reduced glutathione （GSH）， and triglycerides （TG） in the liver tissue and the levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the serum. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of NF-κB p65， phosphorylated p-inhibitor kappa B alpha （p-IκBα）， Bcl-2， and Bax in the liver tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increases in the ALT， AST， MDA， and TG levels， a decrease in the GSH level， and increases in the liver injury scores evaluated based on the HE， oil red O， and transmission electron microscopy （P<0.01）. Moreover， the model group showed up-regulated expression of NF-κB， p-IκBα， and Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.05） in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group， Geju Hugan tablets of all the doses lowered the ALT， AST， MDA， and TG levels and elevated the GSH level （P<0.01）. The liver injury scores assessed based on HE staining and transmission electron microscopy in the medium- and high-dose Geju Hugan tablets groups were lower than those in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， medium- and high-dose Geju Hugan tablets down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB， p-IκBα， and Bax （P<0.01） and all doses of Geju Hugan tablets up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionGeju Hugan tablets protect mice from alcohol-induced liver injury by down-regulating NF-κB signaling pathway to alleviate inflammation in the liver tissue and down-regulating the expression of Bax and up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 to inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis.

Expressions of STMN1, BubR1, bcl-2 and Bad in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their relationship with chemotherapy effect of paclitaxel-containing regimen / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the expression levels of STMN1, BubR1, bcl-2 and Bad and the chemotherapy effect of paclitaxel-containing regimen in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:The clinical data of ESCC patients who received paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy at Fenyang Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from September 2016 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 59 cases received maintenance chemotherapy and 27 cases received surgery after 3 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The expression levels of STMN1, BubR1, bcl-2 and Bad in tumor tissues before chemotherapy were detected by immunohistochemistry. The imaging efficacy after 3 courses of chemotherapy and pathological efficacy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated. The imaging efficacy, pathological efficacy and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between the high expression group and the low expression group of each protein.Results:The proportion of patients with stage Ⅳ (46.3%, 19/41), the proportion of patients with low differentiation (22%, 9/41) and the incidence of lymph node metastasis (95.1%, 39/41) in STMN1 high expression group were higher than those in STMN1 low expression group (17.8%, 8/45; 4.4%, 2/45; 64.4%, 29/45), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with stage Ⅳ in Bad high expression group was lower than that in Bad low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). In the evaluation of imaging efficacy, the chemotherapy sensitivity rates in STMN1 and BubR1 high expression groups (29.3%, 12/41; 37.9%, 22/58) were lower than those in STMN1 and BubR1 low expression groups (75.6%, 34/45; 85.7%, 24/28), and the chemotherapy sensitivity rate of patients in Bad high expression group (65.9%, 27/41) was higher than that in Bad low expression group (42.2%, 19/45), and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There was no statistical correlation between bcl-2 expression and chemotherapy sensitivity rate ( P > 0.05). In the evaluation of pathological efficacy, the proportion of patients with tumor regression grade (TRG) score 0-1 after neoadjuvant therapy in STMN1 high expression group (27.3%, 3/11) was lower than that in STMN1 low expression group (75.0%, 12/16), and the difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.022). There were no statistical differences in the proportions of patients with TRG score 0-1 after neoadjuvant therapy between high and low expression groups of BubR1, bcl-2 and Bad (all P > 0.05). The PFS rate was 15.2% (9/59) for patients received maintenance chemotherapy, and the median PFS time was 6 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that PFS in STMN1 low expression group was better than that in STMN1 low expression group ( χ2 = 12.90, P < 0.001). PFS in BubR1 low expression group was better than that in BubR1 high expression ( χ2 =12.04, P < 0.001). PFS in Bad high expression group was better than that in Bad low expression group ( χ2 =9.69, P = 0.004). There was no statistical difference in PFS between high and low bcl-2 expression groups ( χ2 =1.43, P = 0.320). Conclusions:ESCC patients with low expression of STMN1, low expression of BubR1 and high expression of Bad have better chemotherapy effect after receiving paclitaxel-containing regimen, but there is no correlation between bcl-2 expression and chemotherapy efficacy.

Study on mechanism of inhibition effect of N 6-methyladenosine methyltransferase-like 3 on vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease through Bax/Bcl-2 / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in vascular calcification (VC) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through apoptosis-associated protein. Methods:(1) Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to test METTL3 mRNA in serum of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. (2) Western blotting was used to detect the expression of METTL3 protein in high-phosphorus stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and immunofluorescence double lable was used to observe the distribution of METTL3 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). The METTL3 overexpressed and knockdown plasmids were constructed and transfected into VSMCs. Alizarin red staining was used to detect calcification degree. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of osteogenic markers [Runx2, bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2), collagen Ⅰ] and apoptosis- related proteins Bax and Bcl-2. (3) SD rats were randomly divided into control group, CKD-VC group and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) intervention group. The calcification of thoracic aorta was evaluated by von Kossa staining, and the protein expressions of Runx2, Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Results:(1) METTL3 mRNA expression in MHD patients with VC was significantly lower than that in non-VC patients ( P<0.05), and was negatively correlated with coronary artery calcium score ( r=-0.65, P<0.001). (2) The expression of METTL3 in VSMCs stimulated by high phosphorus was decreased and showed a time dependence. Immunofluorescence double label showed that METTL3 and Runx2 were co-expressed in the nucleus. METTL3 was overexpressed in high-phosphorus induced VSMCs, and the expressions of Runx2, collagen I and BMP-2 were significantly decreased, accompanied by the decrease of calcified nodules and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (all P<0.05). Conversely, METTL3 knockdown aggravated VSMCs calcification by inducing apoptosis. (3) Furthermore, METTL3 inhibitor SAH was administered in vivo, and it was found that inhibition of METTL3 expression significantly increased the calcification of rat thoracic aorta, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Runx2 expression were up-regulated. Conclusions:Serum METTL3 level is reduced in MHD patients with VC. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that METTL3 inhibits VC in CKD by mediating the apoptosis-related protein Bax/Bcl-2.

Capacidad pro-apoptótica in vitro de Valeriana rígida y Valeriana decusata sobre una línea celular de cáncer de mama / In vitro pro-apoptotic capacity of Valerian rigid and Valerian decussata in cancer cells

Resumen El cáncer representa un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, con altas tasas de incidencia y mortalidad en países desarrollados y no desarrollados. En la actualidad se están evaluando alternativas terapéuticas de origen natural, con el propósito de establecer tratamientos más eficientes y menos invasivos. Dado que la apoptosis es el tipo de muerte programada que experimentan las células cancerosas por los tratamientos con los fármacos antineoplásicos,el objetivo de esta investigación, fue evaluar in vitro la capacidad pro-apoptótica y citotóxica de los extractos de valeriana, sobre una línea celular de cáncer de mama (MCF-7). En este estudio las células MCF7 se cultivaron y trataron con diferentes concentraciones de los extractos de la raíz, hojas y tallos de Valeriana rígida y Valeriana decussata. La viabilidad celular se evaluó mediante el ensayo MTT. Para la determinación de la expresión génica de las proteínas anti y pro-apoptóticas (Bax, Bcl-2 y p53), se usó el ensayo de la PCR cuantitativa de transcripción inversa. Las diferentes concentraciones de los extractos (10-8 a 10-1 mg/mL) disminuyeron la viabilidad (proliferación) celular en concentraciones dependientes. Estos extractos indujeron la expresión génica de las proteínas Bax y Bcl-2, pero no de p53. La expresión de Bax fue mayor que la de Bcl-2 e indujo un elevado índice Bax/Bcl-2 (condición proapoptotica). En conclusión, se determinó que los extractos de Valeriana decussata y Valeriana rígida poseen efecto reductor de la viabilidad (proliferación) de la línea celular de cáncer de mama MCF-7, probablemente mediado por la alteración de la relación de las proteínas Bax y Bcl-2 vinculadas a la apoptosis.

Abstract Cancer represents a worldwide public health problem, with high incidence and mortality rates in developed and undeveloped countries. Currently, therapeutic alternatives of natural origin are being evaluated with the purpose of establishing more efficient and less invasive treatments. Apoptosis is the type of programmed death cancer cells undergo during treatment with anti-neoplastic drugs. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate in vitro the pro-apoptotic and cytotoxic capacity of valerian extracts on a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). In this study, MCF7 cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of the extracts of the root, leaves and stems of Valeriana rígida and Valeriana decussata. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR assays were used for the determination of gene expression of anti- and proapoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, p53). Different concentrations of the extracts (10-8 to 10-1 mg/mL) decreased cell viability (proliferation) in a concentration-dependent manner. These extracts induced gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins but not of p53. The expression of Bax was higher than that of Bcl-2, causing an elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (proapoptotic condition). In conclusion, it was determined that Valeriana decussata and Valeriana rígida extracts have a viability (proliferation) reducing effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, probably mediated by altering the ratio of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins linked to apoptosis.

Progress of bcl-2 inhibitors in treatment of plasma cell disorders with t(11;14) / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Plasma cell disorders are a group of heterogeneous diseases originating from plasma cells, including multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia and light-chain amyloidosis, etc. Monoclonal plasma cells are detected in bone marrow and affected tissues, monoclonal immunoglobulin or components are detected in serum or urine, and some end-organs are injured. Plasma cell disorders accompanied by t(11;14) have unique biological characteristics and unsatisfactory response to proteasome inhibitors. With t(11;14) translocation, the expressions of cyclin D1 and anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 are relatively high, which lead to the occurrence of plasma cell disorders and have implications for the prognosis of disease. Venetoclax is a bcl-2 inhibitor, and its single agent or combined with other drugs has achieved good efficacy in treatment of plasma cell disorders with t(11;14). This article reviews the progress of bcl-2 inhibitors in treatment of plasma cell disorders.

Effects of arsenic and its metabolites on expressions of BCL-2α and BCL-2β transcripts / 环境与职业医学

Background Arsenic is a toxicant that can affect the expressions of the cellular anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2 and its protein, but the effects of arsenic on BCL-2α and BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document} transcripts have not been reported. Objective To investigate the potential effects of arsenic and its metabolites, methylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsonic acid (DMA), on BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T (total of α and \begin{document}$\beta $\end{document} transcripts) in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) and human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549). Methods 16HBE cells and A549 cells were randomly divided into three categories of exposure after in vitro culture: single-selected arsenic compound exposure groups with isoconcentration (16HBE cells were treated with 4.5 μmol·L−1 of MMA, DMA, and sodium arsenite, respectively, while A549 cells were treated with 60 μmol·L−1 of MMA, DMA, and sodium arsenite, respectively), sodium arsenite exposure groups with different concentrations (16HBE cells were treated with 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 μmol·L−1 of sodium arsenite respectively, while A549 cells were treated with 20, 40, and 60 μmol·L−1 of sodium arsenite respectively), and combined exposure groups (i.e. MMA+sodium arsenite, and DMA+sodium arsenite; the exposure concentrations of 16HBE cells were both 1.5 μmol·L−1 and both 4.5 μmol·L−1 respectively, and those of A549 cells were both 20 μmol·L−1 and both 60 μmol·L−1 respectively). Meanwhile, a blank control group was also set up in each exposure category. After 48 h of continuous exposure, the relative expressions of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T in both cells were detected by real-time PCR. Results Regarding the single-selected arsenic compound exposure, in 16HBE cells, the expression levels of BCL-2α and BCL-2T under 4.5 μmol·L−1 MMA treatment were lower than those in their control groups (q=3.27, 2.93, both P<0.05), and the expression levels of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T under 4.5 μmol·L−1 sodium arsenite were lower than those in their respective control groups (q=11.06, 3.65, 10.70, all P<0.05). In A549 cells, the expression level of BCL-2T treated with 60 μmol·L−1 DMA was lower than that in the control group (q=3.12, P<0.05), and the expression levels of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T treated with 60 μmol·L−1 sodium arsenite were lower than those in their respective control groups (q=7.59, 7.27, 8.06, all P<0.05). Regarding the sodium arsenite exposure: 16HBE cells treated with 1.5 μmol·L−1 sodium arsenite had a lower expression level of BCL-2α and a higher expression level of BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document} than those in their respective control groups (q=6.06, 11.92, both P<0.05); the expression level of BCL-2α under 3.0 μmol·L−1 sodium arsenite was lower than that in the control group (q=12.72, P<0.05); and under 4.5 μmol·L−1 sodium arsenite treatment, the expression levels of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T were lower than those in their respective control groups (q=15.72, 6.79, 6.62, all P<0.05). The expression levels of BCL-2α gradually decreased with increasing concentrations of sodium arsenite (Fα trend=144.80, P<0.001), while BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document} and BCL-2T decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 1.5-4.5 μmol·L−1 (F\begin{document}${}_{\beta } $\end{document} trend=135.40, FT trend=38.24, both P<0.001). In A549 cells, the expression levels of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T under each concentration of sodium arsenite treatments were lower than those in their respective control groups (all P<0.05); the results of further trend tests showed that their expression levels gradually decreased with increasing concentrations of sodium arsenite (Fα trend =31.97, F\begin{document}${}_{\beta} $\end{document} trend=549.50, FT trend=252.40, all P<0.001). Regarding the combined exposure, under MMA+sodium arsenite treatment at both 60 μmol·L−1, the expression levels of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T in A549 cells were higher than those in their respective control groups (q=6.37, 14.91, 5.33, all P<0.05); under DMA+sodium arsenite treatment at both 60 μmol·L−1, their expression levels in A549 cells were also higher than those in their respective control group (q=8.60, 17.29, 6.91, all P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to a high concentration (16HBE: 4.5 μmol·L−1, A549: 60 μmol·L−1) of a single arsenic metabolite has no effect on BCL-2 transcripts in 16HBE cells and A549 cells. Exposure to a low concentration (1.5 μmol·L−1) of sodium arsenite alone would decrease the expression level of BCL-2α and increase the expression level of BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document} in 16HBE cells, and exposure to all designed concentrations of sodium arsenite alone would decrease the expressions of all transcripts in A549 cells. The combined exposure to high concentrations (both 60 μmol·L−1) of MMA plus sodium arsenite or high concentrations (both 60 μmol·L−1) of DMA plus sodium arsenite would increase the expressions of BCL-2α, BCL-2\begin{document}$\beta $\end{document}, and BCL-2T in A549 cells, which are different from the effects presented by single exposure.

Are statins a risk factor in patients with atherosclerosis? / ¿Son las estatinas un factor de riesgo en pacientes con aterosclerosis?

SUMMARY: Statins inhibit cholesterol synthesis, but also have other pleiotropic effects. There are indications that they affect macrophage survival trough the regulation of apoptosis. We analyzed 50 samples of aortic wall, selected based on statins in patients' therapy (n=25, Th-S group) or statin-free therapy (n=25, Th-nonS group). Each group had 5 samples of healthy aortic tissue, 10 samples of mild and 10 samples of severe atherosclerotic changes in aortic wall. Tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical methods (anti-Bcl-2 antibody). Presence of Bcl2-positive macrophages (Bcl-2+ MP) was determined semiquantitatively, and data were processed in Microsoft Excell and IMB SPSS 23 Statistics. 60 % of patients in the Th-S group had a mild increase of Bcl-2+ MP The use of statins leads to a significantly more frequent increase in Bcl2+ macrophages in the intima of the healthy aortic tissue. Analysis of all aortic samples with pathohistological diagnosis showed that statin therapy was statistically significantly more often leading to a markedly increased presence of Bcl-2+ MP. In the media, all samples of the Th-S group have a mild increase of Bcl-2+ MP, and in adventitia 40 % of patients. The use of statins more often leads to a markedly increased presence of Bcl-2+ MP in aortic tissue with diagnosed mild and severe atherosclerosis. In samples of severe atherosclerosis, statins lead to a markedly increased presence of Bcl-2+ MP in the parts of the plaque towards the intima and towards the media. Statins lead to an increased presence of Bcl-2+ macrophages, prolong their life, both in healthy and atherosclerotic altered aortic tissue. This indicates potentiation of inflammation and damage to the aortic wall, and calls into question the positive effect of statins on the aortic wall with atherosclerosis.

RESUMEN: Las estatinas inhiben la síntesis de colesterol, pero también tienen otros efectos pleiotrópicos. Hay indicios de que afectan la supervivencia de los macrófagos a través de la regulación de la apoptosis.Se analizaron 50 muestras de pared aórtica, seleccionadas en base a estatinas en tratamiento de pacientes (n=25, grupo Th-S) o en tratamiento libre de estatinas (n=25, grupo Th- nonS). Cada grupo tenía 5 muestras de tejido aórtico sano, 10 muestras de cambios ateroscleróticos leves y 10 muestras de cambios ateroscleróticos severos en la pared aórtica. El tejido se tiñó con hematoxilina-eosina y métodos inmunohistoquímicos (anticuerpo anti-Bcl-2). La presencia de macrófagos positivos para Bcl2 (Bcl- 2+ MP) se determinó semicuantitativamente y los datos se procesaron en Microsoft Excell e IMB SPSS 23 Statistics. El 60 % de los pacientes del grupo Th-S tuvo un aumento leve de Bcl-2+ MP. El uso de estatinas conduce a un aumento significativamente más frecuente de macrófagos Bcl2+ en la íntima del tejido aórtico sano. El análisis de todas las muestras aórticas con diagnóstico anatomopatológico mostró que la terapia con estatinas fue significativamente más frecuente desde el punto de vista estadístico, lo que condujo a una presencia marcadamente mayor de Bcl-2+ MP. En los medios, todas las muestras del grupo Th-S tienen un leve aumento de Bcl-2+ MP, y en adventicia en el 40 % de los pacientes. El uso de estatinas con mayor frecuencia conduce a una presencia marcadamente mayor de MP Bcl-2+ en el tejido aórtico con aterosclerosis leve y grave diagnosticada. En muestras de aterosclerosis severa, las estatinas conducen a una presencia aumentada de Bcl-2+ MP en las partes de la placa hacia la íntima y hacia la media. Las estatinas conducen a una mayor presencia de macrófagos Bcl-2+, prolongan su vida, tanto en tejido aórtico sano como aterosclerótico alterado. Esto indica la potenciación de la inflamación y el daño a la pared aórtica y pone en duda el efecto positivo de las estatinas en la pared aórtica con aterosclerosis.

Expression of epithelial growth factors and of apoptosis-regulating proteins, and presence of CD57+ cells in the development of inflammatory periapical lesions

Abstract The mechanisms that stimulate the proliferation of epithelial cells in inflammatory periapical lesions are not completely understood and the literature suggests that changes in the balance between apoptosis and immunity regulation appear to influence this process. Objective: To evaluate the expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF), its receptor (EGFR) and of the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), the presence of CD57+ cells, the epithelial cell proliferation index, and the expression of the Bcl-2 protein in inflammatory periapical lesions (IPL) at different stages of development. Methodology: Our sample was composed of 52 IPLs (22 periapical granulomas - PG - and 30 periapical cysts - PC), divided into three groups: PGs, small PCs, and large PCs. Specimens were processed for histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses. Sections were evaluated according to the amount of positive staining for each antibody. Results: We found no significant differences among the groups regarding Bcl-2 (p=0.328) and Ki-67 (p>0.05) expression or the presence of CD57+ cells (p=0.748). EGF (p=0.0001) and KGF (p=0.0001) expression was more frequent in PCs than in PGs, and CD57+ cells were more frequent in IPLs with intense inflammatory infiltrates (p=0.0001). We found no significant differences in KGF (p=0.423), Bcl-2 (p=0.943), and EGF (p=0.53) expression in relation to inflammatory infiltrates or to the type of PC epithelial lining, but observed greater KGF expression (p=0.0001) in initial PCs. EGFR expression was similar among the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: More frequent EGF and KGF expression in PCs and the greater presence of CD57+ cells in lesions with intense inflammatory infiltrates suggest that these factors influence IPL development. The greater KGF expression in initial PCs suggests its importance for the initial stages of PC formation.

Polymorphisms of the BCL2 gene associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis

ABSTRACT Although tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health concern, we still don't understand why only 10% of people infected will develop the disease. Apoptosis plays a role in the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) with the human host and it may be modified by subtle alterations in the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) gene, an anti-apoptotic regulatory element. Therefore, we investigated whether there is an association between BCL2 polymorphisms and susceptibility to TB by analyzing 130 TB cases, 108 subjects with latent TB infection (LTBI), and 163 healthy controls (HC). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidential intervals (95% CIs) for possible associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BCL2 and the risk of tuberculosis. We found that the G allele of rs80030866 (OR=0.62, 95%CI:0.42-0.91, P=0.015), and also the G allele of rs9955190 (OR=0.58, 95%CI:0.38-0.88, P=0.011) were less frequent in the TB group compared with the LTBI group. In addition, individuals with rs2551402 CC genotype were more likely to have LTBI than those with AA genotype (OR=2.166, 95%CI:1.046-4.484, P=0.037). Our study suggests that BCL2 gene polymorphisms may be correlated with susceptibility to both TB and LTBI.