Repurposing an atherosclerosis targeting peptide for tumor imaging.

Cancer and atherosclerosis are chronic diseases that share common characteristics at both early and advanced stages and can arise from multiple factors. Both diseases are characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Herein we investigated the ability of a peptide (CTHRSSVVC), that was previously reported to bind atherosclerotic lesions to home in the tumor microenvironment. The CTHRSSVVC peptide was synthesized on solid phase and N-terminally labeled with a sulfo-Cy5 dye. The specific binding to macrophage was evaluated in vitro with flow cytometry and immunofluorescence and in vivo for tumor targeting in BALB/c mice bearing a 4T1 tumor using optical imaging. The sulfo-Cy5-CTHRSSVVC peptide was synthesized in greater than 99% purity. No selective binding of the sulfo-Cy5-CTHRSSVVC peptide to macrophages in vitro was observed, however in vivo the sulfo-Cy5-CTHRSSVVC peptide accumulated in the 4T1 tumor, with a tumor-to-normal tissue ratio of 7.21 ± 1.44 at 2 h post injection. Ex vivo analysis of tumor tissue by confocal microscopy suggested that the sulfo-Cy5-CTHRSSVVC peptide had accumulated in the stroma of the tumor specifically, in regions of spindle shaped cells. In conclusion, although the target for the sulfo-Cy5-CTHRSSVVC peptide remains to be identified, the Cy5-CTHRSSVVC peptide warrants further investigation as a tumor imaging agent.

Potential role of tumor-associated macrophages and CD163/CD68 ratio in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome in correlation with serum sCD163 and CCL22.

Currently, there are no curative treatment options for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) other than stem cell transplant. Understanding the interplay between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment could aid in the development of new therapies. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) mostly have M2 phenotype that promotes tumor progression. This study investigated CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs as well as CD163/CD68 ratio in skin lesions from different stages of MF, large-plaque parapsoriasis, and SS. Moreover, we analyzed serum levels of sCD163 and CCL22 in correlation with TAMs count and CD163/CD68 ratio. CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs count significantly increased as the disease progressed. CD163/CD68 ratio was highest at MF tumor stage and SS indicating M2 polarization with disease progression. Significant positive correlations were detected between serum levels of sCD163 and CCL22 and CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs count and CD163/CD68 ratio. We concluded that TAMs play an important role in MF progression. High CD163/CD68 ratio in tumor stage MF and SS indicates M2 polarization of TAMs with tumor progression. CD163/CD68 ratio should be considered in assessing TAMs rather than total TAMs count. Also, sCD163 and CCL22 serum levels reflect M2 load and thus could be used as markers to assess disease progression.

Plasmodium vivax blood stage invasion pathways: Contribution of omics technologies in deciphering molecular and cellular mechanisms.

Vivax malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium vivax, a parasitic protozoan transmitted by female Anopheline mosquitoes. Historically, vivax malaria has often been regarded as a benign self-limiting infection due to the observation of low parasitemia in Duffy-positive patients in endemic transmission areas and the virtual absence of infections in Duffy-negative individuals in Sub Saharan Africa. However, the latest estimates show that the burden of the disease is not decreasing in many countries and cases of vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals are increasingly reported throughout Africa. This raised questions about the accuracy of diagnostics and the evolution of interactions between humans and parasites. For a long time, our knowledge on P. vivax biology has been hampered due to the limited access to biological material and the lack of robust in vitro culture methods. Consequently, little is currently known about P. vivax blood stage invasion mechanisms. The introduction of omics technologies with novel and accessible techniques such as third generation sequencing and RNA sequencing at single cell level, two-dimensional electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry, has progressively improved our understanding of P. vivax genetics, transcripts, and proteins. This review aims to provide broad insights into P. vivax invasion mechanisms generated by genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics and to illustrate the importance of integrated multi-omics studies.

Le paludisme à Plasmodium vivax est une maladie infectieuse causée par un parasite protozoaire Plasmodium vivax, transmis par les moustiques Anophèle femelles. Historiquement, le paludisme à P. vivax a souvent été considéré comme une infection bénigne en raison de l'observation d'une faible parasitémie chez les patients Duffy-positifs dans les zones d'endémie et de la quasi-absence d'infections chez les individus Duffy-négatifs vivant majoritairement en Afrique subsaharienne. Cependant, les dernières estimations montrent que le poids de la maladie ne diminue pas dans de nombreux pays et que des cas d'infections à P. vivax chez des individus Duffy-négatifs sont de plus en plus souvent observés en Afrique. Cela soulève des interrogations sur la précision des diagnostics et l'évolution des interactions hôte-parasite. Pendant longtemps, nos connaissances sur la biologie de P. vivax ont été entravées par un accès limité au matériel biologique et un manque de méthodes robustes pour la culture in vitro. Par conséquent, nous n'avons encore que peu d'informations concernant les mécanismes d'invasion des stades sanguins de P. vivax. L'introduction des technologies dites « omiques ¼, avec le développement de techniques innovantes et abordables telles que le séquençage d'ADN de troisième génération, le séquençage ARN à l'échelle de la cellule « single-cell ¼, l'électrophorèse bidimensionnelle, la chromatographie liquide et la spectrométrie de masse, a progressivement amélioré notre compréhension des gènes, des transcrits et des protéines de P. vivax. Cette revue a non seulement pour but de fournir un aperçu général des mécanismes d'invasion de P. vivax acquis grâce aux techniques génomiques, transcriptomiques et protéomiques mais également d'illustrer l'importance de la complémentarité de ces approches.

Molecular transduction in receptor-ligand systems by planar electromagnetic fields / Transdução molecular em sistemas receptor-ligante por campos electromagnéticos planares

The coupling of a ligand with a molecular receptor induces a signal that travels through the receptor, reaching the internal domain and triggering a response cascade. In previous work on T-cell receptors and their coupling with foreign antigens, we observed the presence of planar molecular patterns able to generate electromagnetic fields within the proteins. These planes showed a coherent (synchronized) behavior, replicating immediately in the intracellular domain that which occurred in the extracellular domain as the ligand was coupled. In the present study, we examined this molecular transduction - the capacity of the coupling signal to penetrate deep inside the receptor molecule and induce a response. We verified the presence of synchronized behavior in diverse receptor ligand systems. To appreciate this diversity, we present four biochemically different systems - TCR-peptide, calcium pump-ADP, haemoglobin-oxygen, and gp120-CD4 viral coupling. The confirmation of synchronized molecular transduction in each of these systems suggests that the proposed mechanism would occur in all biochemical receptor-ligand systems.

A ligação de um ligante com um receptor molecular induz um sinal que viaja através do receptor, chegando ao domínio interno e disparando uma cascata de resposta. Em trabalhos anteriores em receptores de células T e sua ligação com antígenos estranhos, observamos a presença de padrões moleculares planares capazes de gerar campos eletromagnéticos dentro das proteínas. Esses planos mostraram um comportamento coerente (sincronizado), replicando, instantaneamente, no domínio intracelular o que ocorreu no domínio extracelular, enquanto o ligante era acoplado. No presente estudo, examinamos essa transdução – a capacidade de um sinal de acoplamento de penetrar profundamente a molécula receptora e induzir uma resposta. Verificamos a presença de um comportamento coerente em sistemas diversos de receptor-ligante. Para apreciar essa diversidade, apresentamos quatro sistemas bioquímicos diferentes: TCR-peptídeo, ADP-bomba de cálcio, hemoglobina-oxigênio e gp120-CD4 acoplamento viral. A confirmação de transdução molecular sincronizada em cada um desses sistemas sugere que o mecanismo proposto ocorreria em todos os sistemas bioquímicos receptor-ligante.

CD11c+CD163+ Cells and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) Expression Are Common in Melanoma Leptomeningeal Disease.

Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in melanoma patients is associated with significant neurological sequela and has a dismal outcome, with survival measured typically in weeks. Despite the therapeutic benefit of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for Stage IV melanoma, patients with LMD do not typically benefit. A deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of LMD may provide more appropriate therapeutic selection. A retrospective analysis of subjects who underwent surgical resection with LMD (n=8) were profiled with seven color multiplex staining to evaluate the expression of the global immune suppressive hub - the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and for the presence of CD3+ T cells, CD68+ monocyte-derived cells, CD163+ immune suppressive macrophages, and CD11c+ cells [potential dendritic cells (DCs)] in association with the melanoma tumor marker S100B and DAPI for cellular nuclear identification. High-resolution cellular imaging and quantification was conducted using the Akoya Vectra Polaris. CD11c+ cells predominate in the TME (10% of total cells), along with immunosuppressive macrophages (2%). Another potential subset of DCs co-expressing CD11c+ and the CD163+ immunosuppressive marker is frequently present (8/8 of specimens, 8%). Occasional CD3+ T cells are identified, especially in the stroma of the tumor (p=0.039). pSTAT3 nuclear expression is heterogeneous in the various immune cell populations. Occasional immune cluster interactions can be seen in the stroma and on the edge. In conclusion, the TME of LMD is largely devoid of CD3+ T cells but is enriched in immune suppression and innate immunity.

CD19 and intraglandular CD163-positivity as prognostic indicators of pregnancy outcome in CD138-negative women with a previous fresh-embryo-transfer failure.

Many factors impede embryonic implantation, and excluding obvious known factors such as chronic endometritis, the immune status of the endometrium may be related to pregnancy. Although an abundantly large number of immune cells infiltrate the endometrium during the secretory phase, whether these immune cells can be used as a predictor of prognosis in ART has not yet been clarified. In the present study we therefore retrospectively analyzed 97 CD138-negative women with a previous fresh-embryo-transfer failure. We assessed the expression of CD56+ uNK cells, CD16+ NK cells, CD57+ NK cells, CD68+ pan-macrophages, CD163+ M2 macrophages, CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, and CD19+ B cells in the endometrium by IHC to evaluate mid-luteal endometrial immune cells as prognostic indicators of pregnancy outcome in the next frozen-embryo-transfer cycle. CD19-positive cells and the intraglandular CD163-positivity rate increased significantly in the clinically non-pregnant group (0.47 % vs. 0.20 %, P = 0.021; 61 % vs. 30 %, P = 0.017). The ratios of CD4/CD8 were also higher in the non-pregnant group (1.96 vs. 1.45, P = 0.005).The area under the ROC curve of CD19 cell number alone, the intraglandular CD163-positivity alone, and CD19 number combined with the intraglandular CD163-positivity were 0.692 (95 % CI, 0.55-0.834), 0.661 (95 % CI, 0.514-0.809), and 0.748 (95 % CI, 0.614-0.882), respectively. The optimal cut-off value of CD19 was 0.464 %, and the clinical pregnancy rate and live-birth rate diminished significantly when the CD19 level was above this cut-off value. Our study suggests that CD19-positive cells and intraglandular CD163-positivity can be used as prognostic indicators of pregnancy outcome in CD138-negative patients who experienced first-fresh-embryo transfer failure.

Combined utility of CD177, P53, CD105 and c-kit immunohistochemical stains improves the detection of myelodysplastic syndrome.

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) relies primarily on identifying peripheral blood cytopenia and morphologic dysplasia as well as detecting cytogenetic aberrations in a subset of patients. Accumulating data points to the importance of examining certain immunophenotypic changes characteristic of MDS, most of which are tested by flow cytometry. The role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnostic workup of MDS is less known. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to survey the expression patterns of CD177, P53, CD105 and c- kit in a cohort of MDS bone marrow specimens (n = 57) and compared the results with a control group of patients who had cytopenia for other benign conditions (n = 49). MDS cases showed significant higher rates of: CD177-loss (13/57, 23% vs 1/49, 2%; P = .0016), P53 overexpression (8/57, 14% vs none; P = .005) and the presence of clusters of CD105-positive cells (6/57, 11% vs none; P = .021). Increased c-kit-positive cells was more common in MDS patients, but not statistically significant (17/57, 30% vs 8/49, 16%; P = .102). On multivariate analysis, only loss of CD177 expression was significantly higher in MDS group (P = .014). These findings suggest that a panel of immunohistochemical stains could serve as an adjunct tool in investigating unexplained cytopenias and warrant further comparative studies with flow cytometry.

Altered serum soluble furin and prorenin receptor levels in pregnancies with pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: The proprotein convertase furin is known to be involved in the processing of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) and prorenin receptor (PRR), suggesting that it has a potential function in blood pressure regulation. We investigated the role of furin in the etiology of pre-eclampsia and its related disorder, unexplained fetal growth restriction (FGR) without hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated serum and placental furin levels in pre-eclampsia, FGR and uncomplicated pregnancy. Additionally, we investigated the correlation between the serum furin levels and products of furin enzymatic activity or clinical parameters. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the maternal circulation in cases of pre-eclampsia and FGR had lower levels of soluble furin than uncomplicated pregnancies. Both NT-proBNP and soluble PRR were elevated in pre-eclampsia, whereas only soluble PRR was at higher levels in unexplained FGR. Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between the serum furin level and that of NT-proBNP or soluble PRR. While we observed that the serum furin or soluble PRR level correlated with blood pressure, a stronger correlation was observed with birth and placental weights. Further to this, the FURIN mRNA levels were significantly reduced in placental pre-eclamptic placentas as well as in FGR cases. CONCLUSION: These data suggest the possibility that reduced levels of furin may be the result of a negative feedback from the activation of the renin-angiotensin pathway that leads to feto-placental dysfunction with or without maternal hypertension. This may represent an etiologic pathway of pre-eclampsia and unexplained FGR.

Analysis of multispectral imaging with the AstroPath platform informs efficacy of PD-1 blockade.

Next-generation tissue-based biomarkers for immunotherapy will likely include the simultaneous analysis of multiple cell types and their spatial interactions, as well as distinct expression patterns of immunoregulatory molecules. Here, we introduce a comprehensive platform for multispectral imaging and mapping of multiple parameters in tumor tissue sections with high-fidelity single-cell resolution. Image analysis and data handling components were drawn from the field of astronomy. Using this "AstroPath" whole-slide platform and only six markers, we identified key features in pretreatment melanoma specimens that predicted response to anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)-based therapy, including CD163+PD-L1- myeloid cells and CD8+FoxP3+PD-1low/mid T cells. These features were combined to stratify long-term survival after anti-PD-1 blockade. This signature was validated in an independent cohort of patients with melanoma from a different institution.

Placental Morphologic Similarities Between ZIKV-Positive and HIV-Positive Pregnant Women.

Zika virus (ZIKV) caused global concern due to Brazil's unexpected epidemic, and it was associated with congenital microcephaly and other gestational intercurrences. The study aimed to analyze the placenta morphometric changes of ZIKV-infected pregnant women (ZIKV group; n = 23) compared to placentas of HIV-infected (HIV group; n = 24) and healthy pregnant women (N-control group; n = 22). It also analyzed the relationship between the morphometric results and pathological alterations on conventional microscopy, gestational trimester of infection, and presence of the congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). There was a significant increase in area (p = 0.0172), as well as a higher number of knots (p = 0.0027), sprouts (p < 0.0001), and CD163 +Hofbauer cells (HCs) (p < 0.0001) in the ZIKV group compared to the N-control group, suggesting that villous dysmaturity and HCs hyperplasia could be associated with ZIKV infections. The HIV group had a higher area (p < 0.0001), perimeter (p = 0.0001), sprouts (p < 0.0001), and CD163 + HCs (p < 0.0001) compared to the N-control group, demonstrating that the morphometric abnormalities found in the ZIKV and HIV group are probably similar. However, when ZIKV and HIV groups are compared, it was observed a higher number of sprouts (p = 0.0066) and CD163+ HCs (p < 0.0001) in the first one, suggesting that placental ZIKV congenital changes could be more pronounced.

[Peritoneal recurrence prediction for colon cancer based on immunoexpression]. / Predicción de recurrencia peritoneal mediante inmunoexpresión en cáncer de colon.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Peritoneal relapse as an isolated form of recurrence in colon cancer occurs in 25% of cases during the first two years subsequent to a curative colectomy. Currently, the diagnostic limitations of imaging studies and the absence of predictive scales for peritoneal recurrence warrant "second look" surgery in high-risk patients. The aim of this study is to assess features of some epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers (c-Met, IGF-1R and plexin ß1) in order to predict post-surgical peritoneal colonization and develop a mathematical model to predict carcinomatous relapse. METHODS: A retrospective study of the histopathological samples of 87 patients diagnosed with colon cancer who underwent radical resection was carried out, using immunohistochemical techniques for c-Met, IGF-1R and plexin ß1. The patients were divided into two groups; those who had presented peritoneal recurrence and those who only had risk factors for this kind of relapse. Every stained sample was assessed by the rate of stained cells and immunostaining intensity. A possible association between immunohistochemical findings and peritoneal relapse was evaluated. Statistical analysis of the biomarkers with higher prognostic value allowed a risk mathematical formula to be developed based on coefficients, providing a specific value to each biomarker and patient. RESULTS: c-Met expression in the primary tumour showed a high statistical trend (p: .074) while IGF-1 (p: .022) and plexin ß1 (p: .021) revealed a significative association with peritoneal relapse. However, the multivariate analysis selected c-Met y plexin ß1 as useful factors for a predictive mathematical model on peritoneal recurrence with a 75.8% sensitivity and 80.5% specificity in patients with a staining more than 50% for both biomarkers. CONCLUSION: c-Met and plexin B1 overexpression is related to an increased risk of peritoneal relapse in cases of colon cancer where a radical resection is feasible. The encouraging outcomes of the proposed mathematical model may prove useful clinically in the identification of candidates for carcinoprophylaxis.

Exploring the Ion Channel TRPV2 and Testicular Macrophages in Mouse Testis.

The cation channel TRPV2 is known to be expressed by murine macrophages and is crucially involved in their functionality. Macrophages are frequent cells of the mouse testis, an immune-privileged and steroid-producing organ. TRPV2 expression by testicular macrophages and possible changes associated with age or inflammation have not been investigated yet. Therefore, we studied testes of young adult and old wild-type (WT) and AROM+ mice, i.e., transgenic mice overexpressing aromatase. In these animals, inflammatory changes are described in the testis, involving active macrophages, which increase with age. This is associated with impaired spermatogenesis and therefore AROM+ mice are a model for male infertility associated with sterile inflammation. In WT animals, testicular TRPV2 expression was mapped to interstitial CD206+ and peritubular MHC II+ macrophages, with higher levels in CD206+ cells. Expression levels of TRPV2 and most macrophage markers did not increase significantly in old mice, with the exception of CD206. As the number of TRPV2+ testicular macrophages was relatively small, their possible involvement in testicular functions and in aging in WT mice remains to be further studied. In AROM+ testis, TRPV2 was readily detected and levels increased significantly with age, together with macrophage markers and TNF-α. TRPV2 co-localized with F4/80 in macrophages and further studies showed that TRPV2 is mainly expressed by unusual CD206+MHC II+ macrophages, arising in the testis of these animals. Rescue experiments (aromatase inhibitor treatment and crossing with ERαKO mice) restored the testicular phenotype and also abolished the elevated expression of TRPV2, macrophage and inflammation markers. This suggests that TRPV2+ macrophages of the testis are part of an inflammatory cascade initiated by an altered sex hormone balance in AROM+ mice. The changes in testis are distinct from the described alterations in other organs of AROM+, such as prostate and spleen. When we monitored TRPV2 levels in another immune-privileged organ, namely the brain, we found that levels of TRPV2 were not elevated in AROM+ and remained stable during aging. In the adrenal, which similar to the testis produces steroids, we found slight, albeit not significant increases in TRPV2 in both AROM+ and WT mice, which were associated with age. Thus, the changes in the testis are specific for this organ.

Role of tumor-associated macrophages at the invasive front in human colorectal cancer progression.

Macrophages are an essential component of antitumor activity; however, the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. Here, we elucidated the role of TAMs in CRC progression, especially at the early stage. We assessed the TAM number, phenotype, and distribution in 53 patients with colorectal neoplasia, including intramucosal neoplasia, submucosal invasive colorectal cancer (SM-CRC), and advanced cancer, using double immunofluorescence for CD68 and CD163. Next, we focused on the invasive front in SM-CRC and association between TAMs and clinicopathological features including lymph node metastasis, which were evaluated in 87 SM-CRC clinical specimens. The number of M2 macrophages increased with tumor progression and dynamic changes were observed with respect to the number and phenotype of TAMs at the invasive front, especially at the stage of submucosal invasion. A high M2 macrophage count at the invasive front was correlated with lymphovascular invasion, low histological differentiation, and lymph node metastasis; a low M1 macrophage count at the invasive front was correlated with lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the M2/M1 ratio was a better predictor of the risk of lymph node metastasis than the pan-, M1, or M2 macrophage counts at the invasive front. These results suggested that TAMs at the invasive front might play a role in CRC progression, especially at the early stages. Therefore, evaluating the TAM phenotype, number, and distribution may be a potential predictor of metastasis, including lymph node metastasis, and TAMs may be a potential CRC therapeutic target.

Circulating Macrophage Activation Markers Predict Transplant-Free Survival in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

INTRODUCTION: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive liver disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and fibrosis. The role of macrophages in PSC development and progression is less studied. Macrophage activation markers soluble (s)CD163 and mannose receptor (sMR) are associated with disease severity and outcome in other liver diseases, but not previously investigated in PSC. We evaluated sCD163 and sMR regarding disease severity and prognosis in patients with PSC. METHODS: We investigated 2 independent PSC cohorts from Oslo (n = 138) and Helsinki (n = 159) and analyzed blood sCD163 and sMR levels. The Mayo score, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Test, and Amsterdam-Oxford model were assessed for comparison. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) sCD163 was 3.32 (2.27-5.60) and 1.96 (1.47-2.70) mg/L in the Oslo and Helsinki cohorts, respectively, reflecting differences in disease severity between cohorts. Median sMR was similar in both cohorts, 0.28 (0.22-0.44) and 0.28 mg/L (0.20-0.36), respectively. In both cohorts, sCD163 and sMR levels raised with increasing disease severity (liver enzymes, Mayo score, and enhanced liver fibrosis test). Patients with high baseline levels of sCD163 had shorter transplant-free survival than patients with low baseline levels. Furthermore, sCD163 was associated with transplant-free survival in univariate cox-regression analyses. Both sCD163 and sMR performed better in the Oslo cohort of more severely diseased patients than those in the Helsinki cohort of more mildly diseased patients. DISCUSSION: Macrophage activation markers are elevated according to disease severity suggesting an important role of macrophages in PSC. Furthermore, sCD163 was identified as a prognostic marker and predictor of transplant-free survival in PSC (see Visual Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 4, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A516).

Combining cross-coupling reaction and Knoevenagel condensation in the synthesis of glyco-BODIPY probes for DC-SIGN super-resolution bioimaging.

Lectins are involved in a wide range of carbohydrate mediated recognition processes. Therefore, the availability of highly performant fluorescent tools tailored for lectin targeting and able to efficiently track events related to such key targets is in high demand. We report here on the synthesis of the glyco-BODIPYs 1 and 2, based on the efficient combination of a Heck-like cross coupling and a Knoevenagel condensation, which revealed efficient in addressing lectins. In particular, glyco-BODIPY 1 has two glycosidase stable C-mannose residues, which act as DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin) targeting modules. By using live-cell fluorescence microscopy, we proved that BODIPY-mannose 1 was efficiently taken up by immune cells expressing DC-SIGN receptors. Super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy further revealed that the internalized 1 localized in membranes of endosomes, proving that 1 is a reliable tool also in STED applications. Of note, glyco-BODIPY 1 contains an aryl-azido group, which allows further functionalization of the glycoprobe with bioactive molecules, thus paving the way for the use of 1 for tracking lectin-mediated cell internalization in diverse biological settings.

Comparative Analysis Identifies Similarities between the Human and Murine Microglial Sensomes.

One of the essential functions of microglia is to continuously sense changes in their environment and adapt to those changes. For this purpose, they use a set of genes termed the sensome. This sensome is comprised of the most abundantly expressed receptors on the surface of microglia. In this study, we updated previously identified mouse microglial sensome by incorporating an additional published RNAseq dataset into the data-analysis pipeline. We also identified members of the human microglial sensome using two independent human microglia RNAseq data sources. Using both the mouse and human microglia sensomes, we identified a key set of genes conserved between the mouse and human microglial sensomes as well as some differences between the species. We found a key set of 57 genes to be conserved in both mouse and human microglial sensomes. We define these genes as the "microglia core sensome". We then analyzed expression of genes in this core sensome in five different datasets from two neurodegenerative disease models at various stages of the diseases and found that, overall, changes in the level of expression of microglial sensome genes are specific to the disease or condition studied. Our results highlight the relevance of data generated in mice for understanding the biology of human microglia, but also stress the importance of species-specific gene sets for the investigation of diseases involving microglia. Defining this microglial specific core sensome may help identify pathological changes in microglia in humans and mouse models of human disease.

Large Stokes-shift bioorthogonal probes for STED, 2P-STED and multi-color STED nanoscopy.

Synthesis and multiple STED imaging applications of four, red-emitting (610-670 nm), tetrazine-functionalized fluorescent probes (CBRD = Chemical Biology Research group Dye 1-4) with large Stokes-shift is presented. Present studies revealed the super-resolution microscopy applicability of the probes as demonstrated through bioorthogonal labeling scheme of cytoskeletal proteins actin and keratin-19, and mitochondrial protein TOMM20. Furthermore, super-resolved images of insulin receptors in live-cell bioorthogonal labeling schemes through a genetically encoded cyclooctynylated non-canonical amino acid are also presented. The large Stokes-shifts and the wide spectral bands of the probes enabled the use of two common depletion lasers (660 nm and 775 nm). The probes were also found suitable for super-resolution microscopy in combination with two-photon excitation (2P-STED) resulting in improved spatial resolution. One of the dyes was also used together with two commercial dyes in the three-color STED imaging of intracellular structures.

The relationship between TEM8 and early diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To explore the TEM8 expression in patients with lung cancer and its relationship with clinical pathology and prognosis, and to analyze the diagnostic value of TEM8. METHODS: A total of 204 patients with lung cancer diagnosed and treated in Zhongmeng Hospital Zhalantun and the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University from March 2013 to February 2016 were enrolled in the study group, and 203 healthy subjects in the control group. qRT-PCR technique was applied to detect the TEM8 expression. Combined with clinical information, the diagnostic value of TEM8 for lung cancer and the correlation of clinical characteristics of TEM8 were analyzed. The 3-year survival curves of patients with low and high TEM8 expressions were compared. RESULTS: The expression in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). When the cut-off value was 1.125, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC of TEM8 in the diagnosis of lung cancer were 50.00%, 98.00% and 0.726 respectively. The TEM8 expression also differs when in smoking, lymphatic metastasis, TNM stage, differentiation degree and pleural invasion classification (P<0.050). 132 patients were included in the survival group and 72 patients were included in the death group. There was a difference between the two groups in the effect of TEM8 on the prognosis (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TEM8 showed high expression in the study group. TEM8 had good diagnostic efficacy and was expected to be an excellent indicator for early clinical diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.

Relationship of Tumor-Associated Macrophage Population Detected by CD68 PG-M1, CD68 KP1, and CD163 with Latent EBV Infection and Prognosis in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quantity of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma of classical type (cHL), and to reveal possible associations between TAM intensity and latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, overall survival, progression-free survival, prognostic indices, and clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 46 cases of cHL with complete clinical records were selected and re-evaluated histopathologically. Staining for CD68 (PG-M1; KP1 clones) and CD163 was evaluated and the cut-off values were defined. Also, all cases were evaluated using the chromogen in situ hybridization (CISH) method with EBER (Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA) probes for the presence of possible EBV infection. RESULTS: It was found that high expression levels of PG-M1 and high International Prognostic Scores (IPS) were associated with shortened overall survival (p=0.047, p=0.013). Cases with 2 or less areas of nodal region involvement were observed to have longer progression-free survival period (p=0.043). Higher expression levels of CD68 PG-M1, CD68 KP1, and CD163 were found to show significant associations with the presence of some clinical parameters such as the presence of B symptoms, spleen involvement, and the presence of EBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that increase of PG-M1+ TAM is associated with shortened overall survival, while higher expressions of all immunohistochemical markers are statistically significantly associated with the presence of EBV infection and clinical parameters mentioned above. These findings indicate that highlighting the TAM rate via macrophage markers in cases of cHL could be helpful in determining the prognostic risk groups and the relevant results should be mentioned in pathology reports.

The pathology of Kawasaki disease aortitis: a study of 37 cases.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis syndrome that occurs most frequently in children. Most clinical and pathological studies have focused on its coronary artery lesions. To date, no detailed studies of the aorta have been conducted. We studied KD autopsy cases with the aims of clarifying the time-course of changes in aortic lesions, the differences in the inflammatory cells and degree of inflammation at various aortic sites, and the progression of the inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study materials were aortic specimens taken from 37 KD autopsy cases (acute phase: 19; remote phase: 18). Twenty-seven of the cases also had coronary aneurysms. We chose 3 aortic sites, i.e., the thoracic aorta, aortic root and aortic bifurcation, and we histologically observed and compared those sites in regard to the changes with time, the kinds of infiltrating cells and the number of inflammatory cells. We also observed the relationship between the vasa vasorum and inflammatory cell localization in the tunica media, and examined the progression of inflammation in the tunica media. RESULTS: Destruction of the vascular architecture was not seen in any of the 37 cases, but inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in 90% of the acute-phase cases. The inflammatory cell infiltration involved the tunica intima and tunica adventitia of the aorta on the 6th disease-day, and all layers of the aorta on the 13th disease-day; the infiltration peaked on the 18th disease-day. The infiltration gradually disappeared thereafter, and no significant infiltration was seen in the remote phase. The infiltrating inflammatory cells consisted mainly of CD163-positive macrophages. Comparison of the 3 sites of the aorta showed that the inflammatory cell infiltration was more severe in the aortic root and aortic bifurcation than in the thoracic aorta. The progression of inflammation to the aortic tunica media from the adventitia showed 2 patterns: 1 in which macrophages were aggregated around the vasa vasorum; and a second in which there was no such aggregation around the vasa vasorum, but there was diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration of the tunica media. In addition to this, there were findings of direct infiltration of cells from the tunica intima into the tunica media. CONCLUSION: Inflammation in KD occurs in the aorta. The changes with time and the kinds of infiltrating cells were the same as reported to date for coronary arteries in KD. There were differences in the degree of inflammation among the 3 aortic sites. It can be thought that the inflammation from the adventitia to the media progresses via the vas vasorum, and also, there is a possibility of spreading directly. From the intima to the media, inflammation spreads directly. However, formation of aneurysms and destruction of the vascular architecture of the aorta were absent in this study, unlike in coronary arteries.