Tumor-associated macrophages correlate with the clinicopathological features and poor outcomes via inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Both tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells play key roles in promoting tumor progression. However, whether TAMs could induce EMT in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains undefined. RESULTS: Here we detected the expression of macrophages markers CD68 and CD163, epithelial marker E-cadherin and mesenchymal marker vimentin in 127 OSCC patients by using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. CD68 and CD163 expression was not confined to the infiltrating TAMs, but also detected in cancer cells. The high number of CD68-positive macrophages was correlated with poor overall survival. Meanwhile, the expression of CD163 both in macrophages and in cancer cells was associated with poor overall survival and had a significant prognostic impact in OSCC. Importantly, the expression of CD163 in cancer cells had a significant relationship with E-cadherin and vimentin. Furthermore, the incubation of TAMs conditioned medium resulted in a fibroblast-like appearance of cancer cells (HN4, HN6 and SCC9) together with the decreased/increased expression of E-cadherin/ vimentin, which were correlated with the enhanced ability of migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that TAMs could promote the EMT of cancer cells, thereby leading to the progression of oral cancer.

Endotoxin tolerance induced by lipopolysaccharides derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli: alternations in Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 signaling pathway.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease induced by bacteria. Exposure of the host to periodontal pathogens and their virulence factors induces a hyporesponsive state to subsequent challenge, which is termed endotoxin tolerance. In this experiment, we studied the cytokine production in THP-1 cells upon single or repeated Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS stimulation by ELISA. In addition, the protein expression profiles of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) and IRAK-M and the gene expression changes of Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) and suppressor of cytokine-signaling-1 (SOCS1) were explored to identify possible mechanisms for changes in cytokine secretion. After repeated stimulation with P. gingivalis LPS or E. coli LPS, secretions of TNF-α and IL-1ß were decreased significantly compared with those following single challenge, while the levels of IL-10 were increased (p < 0.05). Only comparable levels of IL-8 were confirmed in P. gingivalis LPS-tolerized cells (p > 0.05). In addition, severe downregulation of TLR2 was detected in THP-1 cells retreated with P. gingivalis LPS, and the reduction of TLR4 expression was observed in cells restimulated with E. coli LPS (p < 0.05). Precondition with P. gingivalis LPS or E. coli LPS also led to an enhancement of IRAK-M and SOCS1, while maintaining the expressions of IRAK4 and Tollip. This pattern of cytokine production indicates the different effects of endotoxin tolerance triggered by P. gingivalis LPS and E. coli LPS, which might contribute to limiting inflammatory damage. Moreover, TLR2, TLR4, IRAK-M, and SOCS1 might play important roles in developing tolerance.

[Effect of KH2PO4 on the odonto- and osteogenic differentiation potential of human stem cells from apical papillae].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of KH2PO4 on the odonto- and osteogenic differentiation potential of human stem cells from apical papillae (SCAP) in vitro. METHODS: SCAP were isolated and cultured respectively in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM) or α-MEM containing 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to examine the odonto and osteogenic potential of SCAP in the two media. RESULTS: SCAP cultured in α-MEM containing 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4 exhibited a higher ALP activity [(0.370 ± 0.013) Sigma unit×min(-1)×mg(-1)] at day 3 than control group [(0.285 ± 0.008) Sigma unit×min(-1)×mg(-1)] and KH2PO4-treated SCAP formed more calcified nodules at day 5 [(0.539 ± 0.007) µg/g] and day 7 [(1.617 ± 0.042) µg/g] than those in normal medium [(0.138 ± 0.037) µg/g, P < 0.01]. The expression of odonto- and osteogenic markers were significantly up-regulated after the stimulation of KH2PO4 at day 3 and 7 respectively, as compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4 can promote the odonto and osteogenic differentiation potential of human SCAP.

Dynamic concision for three-dimensional reconstruction of human organ built with virtual reality modelling language (VRML) / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

This research studies the process of 3D reconstruction and dynamic concision based on 2D medical digital images using virtual reality modelling language (VRML) and JavaScript language, with a focus on how to realize the dynamic concision of 3D medical model with script node and sensor node in VRML. The 3D reconstruction and concision of body internal organs can be built with such high quality that they are better than those obtained from the traditional methods. With the function of dynamic concision, the VRML browser can offer better windows for man-computer interaction in real-time environment than ever before. 3D reconstruction and dynamic concision with VRML can be used to meet the requirement for the medical observation of 3D reconstruction and have a promising prospect in the fields of medical imaging.