Effect of Bitis gabonica and Dendroaspis angusticeps snake venoms on apoptosis-related genes in human thymic epithelial cells

Certain environmental toxins permanently damage the thymic epithelium, accelerate immune senescence and trigger secondary immune pathologies. However, the exact underlying cellular mechanisms and pathways of permanent immune intoxication remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate gene expressional changes of apoptosis-related cellular pathways in human thymic epithelial cells following exposure to snake venom from Bitis gabonica and Dendroaspis angusticeps. Methods: Snake venoms were characterized by analytical methods including reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, then applied on human thymic epithelial cells (1889c) for 24 h at 10 μg/mL (as used in previous TaqMan Array study). Gene expressional changes restricted to apoptosis were assayed by TaqMan Array (Human Apoptosis Plate). Results: The most prominent gene expressional changes were shown by CASP5 (≈ 2.5 million-fold, confirmed by dedicated quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and CARD9 (0.016-fold) for B. gabonica, and BIRC7 (6.46-fold) and CASP1 (0.30-fold) for D. angusticeps. Conclusion: The observed apoptotic environment suggests that pyroptosis may be the dominant pathway through which B. gabonica and D. angusticeps snake venoms trigger thymic epithelial apoptosis following envenomation.(AU)

Can widely used cell type markers predict the suitability of immortalized or primary mammary epithelial cell models?

BACKGROUND: Mammary cell cultures are convenient tools for in vitro studies of mammary gland biology. However, the heterogeneity of mammary cell types, e.g., glandular milk secretory epithelial or myoepithelial cells, often complicates the interpretation of cell-based data. The present study was undertaken to determine the relevance of bovine primary mammary epithelial cells isolated from American Holstein (bMEC US) or Swiss Holstein-Friesian (bMEC CH) cows, and of primary bovine mammary alveolar epithelial cells stably transfected with simian virus-40 (SV-40) large T-antigen (MAC-T) for in vitro analyses. This was evaluated by testing their expression pattern of cytokeratin (CK) 7, 18, 19, vimentin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA. RESULTS: The expression of the listed markers was assessed using real-time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. Characteristic markers of the mesenchymal (vimentin), myoepithelial (α-SMA) and glandular secretory cells (CKs) showed differential expression among the studied cell cultures, partly depending on the analytical method used. The relative mRNA expression of vimentin, CK7 and CK19, respectively, was lower (P < 0.05) in immortalized than in primary mammary cell cultures. The stain index (based on flow cytometry) of CK7 and CK19 protein was lower (P < 0.05) in MAC-T than in bMECs, while the expression of α-SMA and CK18 showed an inverse pattern. Immunofluorescence microscopy analysis mostly confirmed the mRNA data, while partly disagreed with flow cytometry data (e.g., vimentin level in MAC-T). The differential expression of CK7 and CK19 allowed discriminating between immortal and primary mammary cultures. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of the selected widely used cell type markers in primary and immortalized MEC cells did not allow a clear preference between these two cell models for in vitro analyses studying aspects of milk composition. All tested cell models exhibited to a variable degree epithelial and mesenchymal features. Thus, based on their characterization with widely used cell markers, none of these cultures represent an unequivocal alveolar mammary epithelial cell model. For choosing the appropriate in vitro model additional properties such as the expression profile of specific proteins of interest (e.g., transporter proteins) should equally be taken into account.

Characterization of reactive stroma in prostate cancer: involvement of growth factors, metalloproteinase matrix, sexual hormones receptors and prostatic stem cells

ABSTRACT Introduction and Objectives: Reactive Stroma (RStr) is observed in many human cancers and is related to carcinogenesis. The objectives of the present study were to stablish a relationship of the RStr microenvironment with prostate cancer (Pca) through a morphological and molecular characterization, and to identify a possible relationship between RStr with worse prognosis factors and occurrence of malignant prostatic stem cells. Materials and Methods: Forty prostatic samples were selected from men with Pca diagnosis submitted to radical prostatectomy; they were divided in two groups: Group-1 (n=20): samples without reactive stroma; Group-2 (n=20): samples of PCa with intense stroma reaction. Prostatic samples were evaluated for RStr intensity by Masson Trichromic stain and posteriorly submitted to histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis for antigens: α-actin, vimentin, IGF-1, MMP-2, FGF-2, C-Myc, PSCA, AR, Erα and ERβ. Results: Reactive stroma with intense desmoplastic reactivity was significantly more frequent in intermediate (Gleason 7, 3+4) and high grade tumors (Gleason 7, 4+3). The group with intense stromal reactivity showed significant higher levels of Vimentin, IGF-1, MMP-2, FGF-2, C-Myc, PSCA and ERα. Conclusions: It can be concluded that RStr may be a predictive marker of Pca progression, since it was associated with increase of growth factors, imbalance of androgen and estrogen receptors and presence of malign prostatic stem cells.

2D map of proteins from human renal stone matrix and evaluation of their effect on oxalate induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury

Purpose Proteins constitute a major portion of the organic matrix of human calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal stones and the matrix is considered to be important in stone formation and growth. The present study evaluates the effect of these proteins on oxalate injured renal epithelial cells accompanied by a 2D map of these proteins. Materials and Methods Proteins were isolated from the matrix of kidney stones containing CaOx as the major constituent using EGTA as a demineralizing agent. The effect of more than 3kDa proteins from matrix of human renal (calcium oxalate) CaOx stones was investigated on oxalate induced cell injury of MDCK renal tubular epithelial cells. A 2D map of >3kDa proteins was also generated followed by protein identification using MALDI-TOF MS. Results The >3kDa proteins enhanced the injury caused by oxalate on MDCK cells. Also, the 2D map of proteins having MW more than 3kDa suggested the abundance of proteins in the matrix of renal stone. Conclusion Studies indicate that the mixture of >3kDa proteins in the matrix of human renal stones acts as promoter of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation and growth as it augments the renal epithelial cell injury induced by oxalate. The effect of promoters masks the inhibitors in the protein mixture thereby leading to enhanced renal cell injury. 2D map throws light on the nature of proteins present in the kidney stones. .

Diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de cuello uterino asociado a la infección por virus papiloma humano / Early diagnosis of cervical cancer associated to human papillomavirus

La infección persistente por ciertos tipos de alto riesgo oncogénico de virus papiloma humano (VPHAR) es el principal factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de cáncer de cuello uterino y sus lesiones precursoras. Los VPHAR inducen alteraciones moleculares durante todo el proceso de carcinogénesis cervical, que provocan la acumulación de errores genéticos, con la consecuente inestabilidad genética y transformación maligna. Estas alteraciones son producidas por la acción directa de las oncoproteínas virales E6 y E7 sobre las principales proteínas celulares supresoras de tumor, p53 y pRb, respectivamente, y pueden ser monitoreadas durante el surgimiento de la lesión neoplásica, mediante el uso de biomarcadores. En este artículo se revisan las últimas tendencias sobre el uso del estudio inmunocitoquímico, como una prueba complementaria a la citología y a la detección y tipificación de VPHAR en la evaluación de la expresión de biomarcadores como la proteína inhibidora de la proliferación celular p16INK4a, marcador único o combinada con otros biomarcadores, que puedan contribuir eficazmente en la detección de las pacientes con mayor riesgo a desarrollar neoplasia del cuello uterino asociada a la infección por VPHAR, durante la pesquisa de cáncer de cuello uterino de rutina y en el manejo clínico adecuado y oportuno.

Persistent infection with certain types of high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the main risk factor for developing cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. HR-HPV induces molecular changes during cervical carcinogenesis, causing the accumulation of genetic anomalies, with subsequent genetic instability and malignant transformation. These alterations are produced by the direct action of the E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins on principal tumor cell suppressor proteins, p53 and pRb, respectively, and can be monitored during growth of the neoplastic lesion using biomarkers. In this paper we review the latest trends on the use of immunocytochemistry as a complementary test to cytology and HR-HPV detection and typing in evaluating expression of biomarkers such as the p16INK4a cell proliferation inhibitor protein, as a single marker or combined with other biomarkers, which can contribute effectively to the detection of patients with increased risk of developing cervical neoplasia associated with HR-HPV infection during routine screening for cervical cancer and in appropriate clinical management.

Minichromosome maintenance 2 and 5 expressions are increased in the epithelium of hereditary gingival fibromatosis associated with dental abnormalities

INTRODUCTION: Gingiva fibromatosis is a relatively rare condition characterized by diffuse enlargement of the gingiva, which is caused by expansion and accumulation of the connective tissue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate proliferative and apoptotic biomarker expression in normal gingiva and two forms of gingival fibromatosis. METHODS: Archived tissue specimens of hereditary gingival fibromatosis, gingival fibromatosis and dental abnormality syndrome and normal gingiva were subject to morphological analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Proteins associated with proliferation were found in the nuclei of epithelial cells from the basal and suprabasal layers, whereas apoptotic proteins were detected in the cytoplasm of the upper layers of the epithelium. Increased expressions of minichromosome maintenance proteins 2 and 5 were observed in the gingival fibromatosis and dental abnormality syndrome samples. In contrast, geminin expression was higher in normal gingiva samples. No difference in the expression of apoptotic proteins was observed among the groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a role for augmented proliferation of epithelial cells within the overgrown tissues associated with gingival fibromatosis or dental abnormality syndrome. However, our data suggest that different biological mechanisms may account for the pathogenesis of different types of gingival fibromatosis.

Noncrystalline uric acid inhibits proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in distal tubular epithelial cells (MDCK)

Hyperuricemia is associated with renal stones, not only consisting of uric acid (UrAc) but also of calcium oxalate (CaOx). Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are well-known inhibitors of growth and aggregation of CaOx crystals. We analyzed the effect of noncrystalline UrAc on GAG synthesis in tubular distal cells. MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells were exposed to noncrystalline UrAc (80 µg/mL) for 24 h. GAGs were labeled metabolically and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis. The expression of proteoglycans and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was assessed by real-time PCR. Necrosis, apoptosis and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined by acridine orange, HOESCHT 33346, and ELISA, respectively. CaOx crystal endocytosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Noncrystalline UrAc significantly decreased the synthesis and secretion of heparan sulfate into the culture medium (UrAc: 2127 ± 377; control: 4447 ± 730 cpm) and decreased the expression of perlecan core protein (UrAc: 0.61 ± 0.13; control: 1.07 ± 0.16 arbitrary units), but not versican. Noncrystalline UrAc did not induce necrosis or apoptosis, but significantly increased COX-2 and PGE2 production. The effects of noncrystalline UrAc on GAG synthesis could not be attributed to inflammatory actions because lipopolysaccharide, as the positive control, did not have the same effect. CaOx was significantly endocytosed by MDCK cells, but this endocytosis was inhibited by exposure to noncrystalline UrAc (control: 674.6 ± 4.6, CaOx: 724.2 ± 4.2, and UrAc + CaOx: 688.6 ± 5.4 geometric mean), perhaps allowing interaction with CaOx crystals. Our results indicate that UrAc decreases GAG synthesis in MDCK cells and this effect could be related to the formation of UrAc and CaOx stones.

Expression of E-cadherin, Snail and Hakai in epithelial cells isolated from the primary tumor and from peritumoral tissue of invasive ductal breast carcinomas

Epithelial intercellular cohesion, mainly mediated by E-cadherin (CDH1) expression and function, may be deregulated during cancer cell invasion of adjacent tissues and lymphatic and vascular channels. CDH1 expression is down-modulated in invasive lobular breast carcinomas but its regulation in invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) is less clear. CDH1 expression is repressed by transcription factors such as Snail (SNAI1) and its product is degraded after Hakai ubiquitination. We compared CDH1, SNAI1 and HAKAI mRNA expression in IDC and paired adjacent normal breast tissue and evaluated its relation with node metastasis and circulating tumor cells. Matched tumor/peritumoral and blood samples were collected from 30 patients with early IDC. Epithelial cells from each compartment (tumor/peritumoral) were recovered by an immunomagnetic method and gene expression was determined by real time RT-PCR. There were no differences in CDH1, SNAI1 and HAKAI mRNA expression between tumor and corresponding peritumoral samples and no differential tumoral gene expression according to nodal involvement. Another 30 patients with a long-term follow-up (at least 5 years) and a differential prognosis (good or poor, as defined by breast cancer death) had E-cadherin and Snail protein detected by immunohistochemistry in tumor samples. In this group, E-cadherin-positive expression, but not Snail, may be associated with a better prognosis. This is the first report simultaneously analyzing CDH1, SNAI1 and HAKAI mRNA expression in matched tumor and peritumoral samples from patients with IDC. However, no clear pattern of their expression could distinguish the invasive tumor compartment from its adjacent normal tissue.

The effect on DNA quantification and STR typing from cigarette butts collected at various time points / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect on DNA quantification and STR typing from cigarette butts collected at different time points.@*METHODS@#Forty "Hongshuangxi" brand cigarette butts smoked by ten different individuals (4 cigarettes per individual) were collected. DNA was extracted from the outer layer and the sponge of the cigarette butts using chelex-100 extraction kit, as well as STR typing and DNA quantitation were simultaneously performed in 1, 4, 7 and 10 weeks, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The DNA quantities extracted from the outer layer at the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th week were 0.104-2.52, 0.110-2.41, 0.0960-2.32 and 0.085 0-2.28 ng/microL, while the detection rates for 16 loci by STR typing were 100%, 90%, 75% and 62.5%, respectively. The DNA quantities extracted from the sponge were 0.0180-2.40, 0.0171-2.25, 0.0165-2.15 and 0.0160-2.15 ng/microL, while the detection rates for 16 loci by STR typing were 97.5%, 82.5%, 50% and 12.5%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#There is little difference in DNA quantity between the outer layer and the sponge of butts during 10 weeks, but there is an obvious effect on STR typing with prolonged extracting time. There is a much more effect on the sponge than on the outer layer, and the longer the standing time is, the lower the detection rate is.

Multidrug resistance gene (MDR-1) expression in the colonic mucosa of patients with refractory ulcerative colitis / Expresión del gen de multirresistencia a drogas (MDR-1) en la mucosa colónica de pacientes con colitis ulcerosa refractaria

BACKGROUND: P-Glycoprotein (P-gp), a product of the MDR-1 gene, is a transmembrane efflux pump involved in drug transport, first described in cancer refractoriness. In the normal bowel P-gp is detectable on superficial epithelial cells, but has not been described in crypt epithelium. The role of P-gp and its intestinal expression in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) are controversial. AIM: to compare P-gp immunostaining pattern in colonic epithelial cells of steroid-refractory versus steroid-responder UC patients. METHODS: P-gp was assessed by immunohistochemistry in rectal biopsies obtained from 19 patients with active UC, including pre-surgical samples from 11 refractory patients who underwent colectomy, and 8 responders. We devised a 5-point (0-4) score, according to the percentage of epithelial surface with positive immunostaining in the superficial and crypt epithelium (apical, lateral and cytoplasmic areas). RESULTS: Compared with responders, steroid-refractory patients had significantly higher immunostaining scores in the superficial epithelium, both in apical (2.8+/-0.5 versus 1.1+/-0.5, p=0.023) and cytoplasmic cellular areas (2.7+/-0.5 versus 1.2+/-0.5, p=0.032). Positive immunostaining of the superficial epithelium was frequently detected in refractory patients (apical: 9/11 cases, cytoplasmic: 10/11 cases) but was only observed in 4/8 responders. P-gp was also detected in similar areas of the crypt epithelium in 6/11 refractory patients, while it was infrequent in the group of 8 responders (1 apical 1 case, cytoplasmic 2 cases). Samples from the mucosa of normal ileal pouch-anal anastomoses obtained several years after the surgical procedure had a P-gp immunostaining pattern which was similar to that of rectal samples from patients with refractory UC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a critical role of P-gp overexpression in steroid-refractory UC.

Antecedentes. La glicoproteína P (P-gp), un producto del gen MDR-1, es una bomba de eflujo transmembranainvolucrada en el transporte de drogas, descripta por primera vez en el cáncer refractario. En el intestino normal, P-gp se detecta sobre las célulasepiteliales superficiales, pero no se la ha descripto en el epitelio de las criptas. El papel de P-gp y su expresiónintestinal en la colitis ulcerosa (CU) refractaria a esteroides es controvertido. Objetivo. Comparar elpatrón de inmunotinción de P-gp en células epiteliales colónicas de pacientes con CU refractaria vs.respondedora a esteroides. Métodos. Se estudió P-gp por inmunohistoquímica en biopsias rectales obtenidasde 19 pacientes con CU activa, incluyendo muestras prequirúrgicas de 11 pacientes refractarios que fueronsometidos a una colectomía y muestras de 8 respondedores. Ideamos un score de 5 puntos (0-4), según elporcentaje de superficie epitelial con inmunotinción positiva en el epitelio superficial y críptico (áreas apical,lateral y citoplásmica). Resultados. Comparados con los respondedores, los pacientes refractarios a esteroides tenían scores de inmunotinción significativamente mayores en el epitelio superficial, tanto en lasáreas celulares apical (2.8+0.5 vs. 1.1+0.5, p=0.023) como citoplásmica (2.7+0.5 vs. 1.2+0.5, p=0.032). Se detectó frecuentemente inmunotinción positiva en el epitelio superficial en los pacientes refractarios (apical: 9/11 casos, citoplásmica: 10/11 casos), pero la misma se observó sólo en 4/8 respondedores. P-gp también sedetectó en áreas similares del epitelio de las criptas en 6/11 pacientes refractarios, en tanto que fue infrecuenteen el grupo de los 8 respondedores (1 caso en el área apical y 2 en la citoplásmica). Fuerón estudiadasbiopsias de la mucosa de la anastomosis pouch ileal - anal, obtenidas varios años después del procedimeinto quirúrgico, observándose un patrón de...

Heme oxygenase 1 overexpression increases iron fluxes in Caco-2 cells

Heme oxygenase-1 is a microsomal enzyme that, when induced by stress, protects the cells from oxidative injury. Heme oxygenase-1 participates in the cleavage of the heme ring producing biliverdin, CO and ferrous Fe. The released Fe becomes part of intracellular Fe pool and can be stored in ferritin or released by an iron exporter. The mechanism by which heme enters cells is not completely understood, although it had been suggested that it might be internalized by an endocytosis process. In this study, we expressed a full-length Heme oxygenase-1 cDNA in Caco-2 cells and measured intracellular iron content, heme-iron uptake and transport and immunolocalization of heme oxygenase-1 in these cells. We found that heme oxygenase-1 expressing cells showed increased apical heme iron uptake and transepithelial transport when compared to control cells. These results suggested that heme oxygenase-1 mediates heme iron influx and efflux in intestinal cells.

Expression and Mutational Analysis of c-kit in Ovarian Surface Epithelial Tumors

Coexpression of Kit ligand and c-kit has been reported in some gynecologic tumors. To determine whether imatinib mesylate is useful in ovarian epithelial tumors, we performed immunohistochemical and mutational analysis. The cases consisted of 33 cases, which included 13 serous cystadenocarcinomas, 1 borderline serous tumor, 8 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 6 borderline mucinous tumors and 5 clear cell carcinomas. Five cases of serous cystadenoma and 5 cases of mucinous cystadenoma were also included. In the immunohistochemical study, 3 cases (3/6, 50%) of borderline mucinous cystic tumor and two cases (2/8, 25%) of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma show positive staining for KIT protein. Only one case (1/13, 7.7%) of serous cystadenocarcinoma had positive staining. On mutational analysis, no mutation was identified at exon 11. However, two cases of borderline mucinous tumors and one case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma had mutations at exon 17. In these cases, the immunohistochemistry also shows focal positive staining at epithelial component. Although, KIT protein expression showed higher incidence in mucinous tumors than serous tumors, they lack KIT-activating mutations in exon 11. Thus, ovarian surface epithelial tumors are unlikely to respond to imatinib mesylate.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration across intestinal epithelium induces epithelial cytokine expression

La migración de neutrófilos polimorfonucleares es un rasgo común de la inflamación activa, que precede la formación de abscesos. La contribución relativa de células epiteliales como fuente de quimioquinas en la infiltración de leucocitos durante la inflamación intestinal no ha sido estudiada. Para evaluar esta contribución nosotros diseñamos un modelo heterólogo de migración transepitelial, “in vitro”, haciendo uso de PMN de rata y células epiteliales de origen humano. Nosotros demostramos que neutrófilos polimorfonucleares luego de su activación quimiotáctica, inducen el incremento en los niveles de ARNm de IL-1ß, IL-8 en las células epiteliales de intestino, mientras que no afecta al ARNm de ENA-78. Estos resultados sugieren que quimiocinas y citoquinas sintetizados por la célula epitelial podrían jugar un papel en el mantenimiento de la respuesta inflamatoria.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil migration is a common feature of active inflammation that precedes the formation of abscesses. The relative contribution of epithelial cells as a source of chemokines in the recruitment of leukocytes during intestinal inflammation has not been studied. To evaluate this contribution, we have designed a heterologous “in vitro” model for transepithelial PMN migration, based on the use of rat neutrophils and human epithelial cells. We show that polymorphonuclear neutrophil, upon chemotactic activation, induces an increase in IL-1ß, IL-8 levels in intestinal epithelial cells, while not changed ENA-78 mRNA. These results suggest that chemokines and cytokines synthesized by intestinal epithelial cells could play a role in the maintenance of the inflammatory response.

Relationship between apoptosis and E-cadherin expression in bronchial epithelium of smoking mouse / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate whether apoptosis is associated with cell adhesion in bronchial epithelium, and whether it contributes to the kinetics of injury and repair of surface epithelia, this study was performed for E-cadherin expression by using immunohistochemistry technique and for apoptosis by TUNEL method. An animal model of smoking was used for this study. The results showed that epithelial cells with membrane anchored E-cadherin decreased remarkably at several time points during 6 months of exposure to smoke (P 0.05). All these suggested that apoptosis is associated with E-cadherin expression in bronchial epithelium of smoking mouse.

Tipificación del epitelio colorrectal por lectinhistoquímica: expresión del glicotope T / Typing of colorectal epithelium by lectin histochemistry if the T glycoepitope

El presente estudio refiere a una nueva herramienta que permite detectar fechaciente y tempranamente la naturaleza maligna del epitelio colorrectal. El objetivo es determinar una característica biológica diferente entre tejido normal y neo-plásico, como es el nivel de expresión del glicoepitope T (Ag Thomsen-Friedenreich). Se lo caracterizó en una serie de 62 muestras del tejido en estudio, incluyendo 31 normales (sin lesiones anatomopatológicas) y 31 correspondientes a cánceres (en su mayoría moderada o pobremente diferenciados). La expresíon del glicoconjugado se demostró por tectínhistoquímica, usando lectina PNA. Los patrones de unión de lectina fueron determinados en células absortivas (cilídricas) y caliciformes, normales y neoplásicas, encontrándose patrones característicos y diferentes según tipo de célula y naturaleza del tejido. El análisis estadístico de la localización citoestructural del Ag T en ambas poblaciones sugiere fuertemente que existe asociación entre el patrón de expresión y el grado de diferenciación tisular. La sencillez de la metodología hace a la determinación aplicable en diagnóstico de rutina y además tiene importante valor pronóstico.

Papillary Immature Metaplasia of the Uterine Cervix: a Report of 5 Cases with an Emphasis on the Differential Diagnosis from Reactive Squamous Metaplasia, High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Papillary immature metaplasia (PIM) is a distinctive exophytic lesion of the uterine cervix and shares some histologic and cytologic features with ordinary squamous metaplasia (SM), atypical immature squamous metaplasia (AIM), high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL) and papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSC). PIM has been suggested to be a subset of condyloma associated with low-risk type human papilloma virus (HPV), however, the etiologic role of HPV and biologic behavior of the disease are still elusive. We compared the clinical and histopathological findings, immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p53 protein, and HPV typing of 5 cases of PIM with SM (n=9), HSIL (n=6), and PSC (n=4) to know the helpful features for the differential diagnosis. Histologically, all 5 cases showed a papillary proliferation of immature metaplastic cells involving the proximal transformation zone and endocervix. On HPV typing by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, 2 out of 5 PIM were confirmed to have HPV 6 or HPV 11, while 2 out of 4 PSC were proved having HPV 31 and HPV 16 each. Ki-67 labeling index and mitotic index of PIM were significantly lower than those of HSIL or PSC. There were no significant differences of Ki-67 labeling index and mitotic index between PIM and SM. The expression of p53 varied among the groups and thus it was not helpful for the differential diagnosis.

Functional characterization and localization of AQP3 in the human colon

Water channels or aquaporins (AQPs) have been identified in a large variety of tissues. Nevertheless, their role in the human gastrointestinal tract, where their action is essential for the reabsorption and secretion of water and electrolytes, is still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the structure and function of water channels expressed in the human colon. A cDNA fragment of about 420 bp with a 98 percent identity to human AQP3 was amplified from human stomach, small intestine and colon by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a transcript of 2.2 kb was expressed more abundantly in colon than in jejunum, ileum and stomach as indicated by Northern blots. Expression of mRNA from the colon of adults and children but not from other gastrointestinal regions in Xenopus oocytes enhanced the osmotic water permeability, and the urea and glycerol transport in a manner sensitive to an antisense AQP3 oligonucleotide, indicating the presence of functional AQP3. Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence studies in human colon revealed that the AQP3 protein is restricted to the villus epithelial cells. The immunostaining within these cells was more intense in the apical than in the basolateral membranes. The presence of AQP3 in villus epithelial cells suggests that AQP3 is implicated in water absorption across human colonic surface cells