Immunomodulatory Behavior of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

The use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in the treatment of diseases where immunomodulation impacts therapy is increasing steadily. Recent studies aim to achieve effective use of MSCs in treatment of Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD), Crohn's disease and organ transplantations. The molecular mechanisms governing immunomodulatory properties of MSCs have not been fully understood, although current studies are indicating progress. Especially, in vitro studies and animal models provide a major contribution to our knowledge in clinical use of MSCs. The immunosuppressive and immune-enhancer properties of MSCs are -typically- determined with respect to type and concentrations of soluble molecules found in their physiological environment. In mammals the immune system protects the organism -not only- from certain microorganisms, but also from any entity that it recognizes as foreign, including its own cells when it is received as a threat. This protection can sometimes occur by increasing the number of immune cells and sometimes by suppressing a pathologically hyper-induced immunological response. In particular, realization of the bi-directional effect of MSCs on immune cells has placed substantial emphasis on this area of research. This chapter focuses on the interaction of MSCs with the immune cells, the bilateral role of these interactions, and whether studies that aim to understand these interactions can yield promising results in terms of developing improved use of MSCs in treatment.

Is There a Relationship Between Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Tissue Fibrillin-1 Levels? / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Pelvic organ prolapse is a multifactorial disorder in which extracellular matrix defects are implicated. Fibrillin-1 level is reduced in stress urinary incontinence. In Marfan syndrome, which is associated with mutations in Fibrillin-1, pelvic floor disorders are commonly observed. We hypothesize that Fibrillin-1 gene expression is altered in pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Thirty women undergoing colporrhaphy or hysterectomy because of cystocele, rectocele, cystorectocele, or uterine prolapse were assigned to a pelvic prolapse study group, and thirty women undergone hysterectomy for nonpelvic prolapse conditions were assigned to a control group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted on vaginal tissue samples to measure the expression of Fibrillin-1. Expression levels were compared between study and control groups by Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni revision. RESULTS: Fibrillin-1 gene expression was not significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Similarly, no significant correlation between Fibrillin-1 levels and grade of pelvic prolapse was found. Age over 40 years (P=0.018) and menopause (P=0.027) were both associated with reduced Fibrillin-1 levels in the pelvic prolapse group, whereas the delivery of babies weighing over 3,500 g at birth was associated with increased Fibrillin-1 expression (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The results did not indicate a significant reduction in Fibrillin-1 gene expression in pelvic prolapse disorders; however, reduced Fibrillin-1 may contribute to increased pelvic organ prolapse risk with age and menopause. Increased Fibrillin-1 gene expression may be a compensatory mechanism in cases of delivery of babies with high birth weight. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of these observations.

Comparison of advanced stage mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer and serous epithelial ovarian cancer with regard to chemosensitivity and survival outcome: a matched case-control study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare clinicopathologic characteristics, surgery outcomes and survival outcomes of patients with stage III and IV mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) and serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma (sEOC). METHODS: Patients who had surgery for advanced stage (III or IV) mEOC were evaluated retrospectively and defined as the study group. Women with sEOC who were matched for age and stage of disease were randomly chosen from the database and defined as the control group. The baseline disease characteristics of patients and platinum-based chemotherapy efficacy (response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival [OS]) were compared. RESULTS: A total of 138 women were included in the study: 50 women in the mEOC group and 88 in the sEOC group. Patients in the mEOC group had significantly less grade 3 tumors and CA-125 levels and higher rate of para-aortic and pelvic lymph node metastasis. Patients in the mEOC group had significantly less platinum sensitive disease (57.9% vs. 70.8%; p=0.03) and had significantly poorer OS outcome when compared to the sEOC group (p=0.001). The risk of death for mEOC patients was significantly higher than for sEOC patients (hazard ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 3.42). CONCLUSION: Advanced stage mEOC patients have more platinum resistance disease and poorer survival outcome when compared to advanced stage sEOC. Therefore, novel chemotherapy strategies are warranted to improve survival outcome in patients with mEOC.