ABSTRACT
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unclear pathogenesis that peaks between ages 20 to 39. Sarcoidosis is more common in women and affects blacks three times more frequently than whites. Nodular sarcoidosis is a rare variant of sarcoid that occurs in 1-4 percent of patients. It presents in female smokers with cough and shortness of breath. Nodular sarcoidosis often also presents as multifocal bilateral ill-defined nodules mimicking airspace disease or malignancy on imaging. Patients generally have a favorable prognosis, with complete resolution of the masses with steroid treatment. Herein, we present a case of nodular sarcoidosis in a female smoker who presented with cough, weight loss, and fever. Imaging revealed multiple pulmonary nodules, a dominant lung mass, and lymphadenopathy suggestive of malignancy. Ultimately, the patient underwent bronchoscopy and was diagnosed with nodular sarcoidosis; there was no evidence of malignancy or infectious process. Resolution of her symptoms ensued with steroid treatment.
Subject(s)
Lung/pathology , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/pathology , Smoking/adverse effects , Bronchoscopy , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
AIM: To develop a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft model for studying hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in a mice, and antiviral treatment. METHODS: We developed a stable S3-green fluorescence protein (GFP) cell line that replicated the GFP-tagged HCV sub-genomic RNA derived from a highly efficient JFH1 virus. S3-GFP replicon cell line was injected subcutaneously into γ-irradiated SCID mice. We showed that the S3-GFP replicon cell line formed human HCC xenografts in SCID mice. Cells were isolated from subcutaneous tumors and then serially passaged multiple times in SCID mice by culturing in growth medium supplemented with G-418. The mouse-adapted S3-GFP replicon cells were implanted subcutaneously and also into the liver of SCID mice via intrasplenic infusion to study the replication of HCV in the HCC xenografts. The tumor model was validated for antiviral testing after intraperitoneal injection of interferon-α (IFN-α). RESULTS: A highly tumorigenic S3-GFP replicon cell line was developed that formed subcutaneous tumors within 2 wk and diffuse liver metastasis within 4 wk in SCID mice. Replication of HCV in the subcutaneous and liver tumors was confirmed by cell colony assay, detection of the viral RNA by ribonuclease protection assay and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. High-level replication of HCV sub-genomic RNA in the tumor could be visualized by GFP expression using fluorescence microscopy. IFN-α cleared HCV RNA replication in the subcutaneous tumors within 2 wk and 4 wk in the liver tumor model. CONCLUSION: A non-infectious mouse model allows us to study replication of HCV in subcutaneous and metastatic liver tumors. Clearance of HCV by IFN-α supports use of this model to test other anti-HCV drugs.
