The Stromal Overexpression of Decay Accelerating Factor (DAF/CD55) Correlates with Poor Clinical Outcome in Colorectal Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Decay accelerating factor (DAF/CD55), regulates the complement system by accelerating decay of the C3 convertase, has been described in several malignancies, however, the clinicopathologic significance of CD55 and its receptor CD97 has not been fully investigated. We examined the expression patterns of both CD55 and CD97 and their association with clinicopathologic parameters in colorectal cancers (CRCs). METHODS: Expression patterns of CD55 and CD97 in the stroma and tumor cells at tumor center and invasive front were examined in 130 CRCs, and their significance was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: CD55-high stroma was correlated with tumor border (p=0.006) and invasion depth (p=0.013). CD55-high tumor cells at tumor center and invasive front were correlated with histologic grade, and CD55-high tumor cells at invasive front with tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) stage (p<0.05). CD97-high stroma was correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.016) and TNM stage (p=0.030). CD97-high tumor cells at tumor center and invasive front were correlated with tumor size and CD97-high tumor cells at tumor center with tumor border (p<0.05). Patients with CD55-high stroma showed poor overall and recurrence-free survival (p<0.05) in univariate analysis, and were independently associated with short recurrence-free survival (p=0.025) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Stromal CD55 overexpression would be an indicator of adverse clinical outcome and a useful prognostic factor.

Pathologic Characteristics of Ovarian Hemorrhagic Polycyst in Estrogen Receptor-alpha (ERalpha) Knockout Mice and Roles of ERalpha in Hemorrhagic Polycyst

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy causing anovulation in women of childbearing age. It has been well established that estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERalphaKO) mice display several pathologic ovarian phenotypes of PCOS. The aims of this study were to determine ovarian pathology in new ERalphaKO mice using a CreloxP approach and intra-ovarian ERalpha function as regulating key aspects of PCOS. METHODS: ERalphaKO mice, which were deficient in exon 3 of the ERalpha gene, were used. Immunohistochemical studies were done on ovaries of control and ERalphaKO mice using antibodies specific to ERalpha, ERbeta, inhibin-alpha, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), as well as histochemical staining using Sudan black-B. RESULTS: All ovaries of ERalphaKO mice were larger than control mouse ovaries and displayed a disrupted theca-interstitial tissue organization, multiple atretic follicles and multiple hemorrhagic cysts. None of the ERalphaKO mouse ovaries showed a corpus luteum. In addition, heavy deposition of Sudan black-B positive foamy cells was seen. The theca externa of preantral immature follicles and hemorrhagic cysts showed strong expression of alpha-SMA. CONCLUSIONS: ERalphaKO mice show hemorrhagic polycystic ovaries and hyperplasia of the theca externa. This study demonstrates that the ERalpha is the functional key to the pathogenesis of PCOS.