Analytical Cellular Pathology - Volume 34, issue 3

Authors: Liu, Jonathan T.C. | Loewke, Nathan O. | Mandella, Michael J. | Levenson, Richard M. | Crawford, James M. | Contag, Christopher H.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Advances in optical designs are enabling the development of miniature microscopes that can examine tissue in situ for early anatomic and molecular indicators of disease, in real time, and at cellular resolution. These new devices will lead to major changes in how diseases are detected and managed, driving a shift from today's diagnostic paradigm of biopsy followed by histopathology and recommended therapy, to non-invasive point-of-care diagnosis with possible same-session definitive treatment. This shift may have major implications for the training requirements of future physicians to enable them to interpret real-time in vivo microscopic data, and will also shape the emerging …fields of telepathology and telemedicine. Implementation of new technologies into clinical practice is a complex process that requires bridging gaps between clinicians, engineers and scientists. This article provides a forward-looking discussion of these issues, with a focus on malignant and pre-malignant lesions, by first highlighting some of the clinical areas where point-of-care in vivo microscopy could address unmet needs, and then by reviewing the technological challenges that are being addressed, or need to be addressed, for in vivo microscopy to become a standard clinical tool. Show more

Keywords: In vivo microscopy, molecular imaging, biomedical optics, microendoscopy, endomicroscopy, optical sectioning, optical biopsy, biomarker, cancer, dysplasia, image-guided therapy, telepathology

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-011

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 81-98, 2011

Authors: Villa-Moruzzi, Emma

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: HER2 activation in tumours supports multiple signalling pathways, including those regulating invasion and metastasis. Among the involved genes, Tyrosine and Dual Specificity Phosphatases (PTPs and DSPs) may play a relevant, though not completely clear role. Methods: HER2 was silenced in ovarian SKOV-3 cells, a genome-wide expression analysis of PTPs and DSPs was performed, the effects on cell motility were analysed and compared with those of PTPN12-silencing, focusing on FAK. Results: HER2-silencing altered the expression of 4 PTPs and 6 DSPs; PTPN12 displayed also 3-4-fold protein increase. Conversely, PTPN12-silencing enhanced migration, suggesting that PTPN12 down-modulation by HER2 favours motility. HER2-silencing …inactivated FAK, in quiescent and migrating cells, involving FAK dephosphorylation at Y397 and S910. Conversely, in PTPN12-silenced cells FAK activity was close to control, altogether suggesting that PTPN12 targets Y397. As regards to S910, cell-treatment with the MEK inhibitor UO126 and ERK5-silencing indicated its targeting by ERK5. Loss of pS910 and decreased ERK5 kinase activity in HER2-silenced cells confirmed their control by HER2. Conclusions: The results indicate the contribution of PTPN12, targeting FAK Y397, and ERK5, targeting FAK S910, to the HER2-driven cell motility, thus depicting new aspects of the complex cross­talk between HER2 and the motility machinery. Show more

Keywords: Tyrosine phosphatase, HER2, protein phosphorylation, cell migration

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-0008

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 101-112, 2011

Authors: Takeuchi, Tamotsu | Adachi, Yoshihiro | Nagayama, Tomoko

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Recent studies have revealed that the adiponectin-associated protein belonging to the C1qTNF family mediates various biological processes. However, the pathobiological property of C1qTNF6 in carcinogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the expression status of C1qTNF6 in human hepatocellular carcinomas and subsequently attempted to determine the role of C1qTNF6 in tumor neovascularization. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expression of C1qTNF6 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue specimens. Various eukaryotic recombinant C1qTNF6 proteins were prepared to ask whether C1qTNF6 could activate Akt pathway in human liver sinusoidal microvascular endothelial cells. Xenograft assay was carried out to know the effect of …C1qTNF6 on tumor neovascularization. Results: C1qTNF6 was not immunohistochemically detected in any non-cancerous liver tissues but was detected in 21 of 30 hepatocellular carcinoma tissue specimens. C1qTNF6 was not uniformly distributed but rather focally localized in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Interestingly, it was also localized on the tumor endothelial cells, which were in close proximity of C1qTNF6-expressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Eukaryotic recombinant C1qTNF6 increased the level of active phosphorylated Akt molecules in cultured vascular endothelial cells via its C-terminal C1q domain. In the xenograft assay, enforced expression of C1qTNF6 markedly reduced the central hypovascular necrosis areas of the transplanted HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that C1qTNF6 is overexpressed and possibly contributes to tumor angiogenesis by activating the Akt pathway in many hepatocellular carcinomas. Show more

Keywords: C1qTNF6, hepatocellular carcinoma, tumor neovascularization, Akt

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-009

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 113-121, 2011

Authors: Fernandes, Bruno F. | Di Cesare, Sebastian | Belfort, Rubens Neto | Maloney, Shawn | Martins, Claudia | Castiglione, Enzo | Isenberg, Jordan | Abourbih, Daniel | Antecka, Emilia | Burnier Jr., Miguel N.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Imatinib mesylate (IM) is a compound that inhibits both BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and c-kit receptors. Tyrosine kinases are important in cellular signaling and mediate major cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, attachment, and migration. Twenty-six albino rabbits were injected with 1 × 106 human uveal melanoma (UM) cells (92.1) into the suprachoroidal space. Animals were immunosuppressed (cyclosporin A) over the course of the 12-week experiment and divided into two groups (n = 13). The experimental group received IM once daily by gavage while the control group received a placebo. One animal per group was sacrificed every week after …the 2nd week. Upon necropsy, organs were harvested for histopathological examination. Cells from the primary tumors were recultured and tested in proliferation and invasion assays. A PCR array was used to investigate the differences in expression of 84 genes related to tumor metastasis. In the treated group, 4 rabbits developed intraocular tumors, with an average largest tumor dimension (LTD) of 2.5 mm and 5 animals reported metastatic disease. Whereas 6 rabbits in the control group developed intraocular tumors, with an average LTD of 5.8 mm and 6 animals reported metastatic disease. The recultured cells from the treated group demonstrated lower proliferation rates and were less invasive (p < 0.001). The PCR array showed differences in expression of genes related to metastasis. Notably, there was 290-fold increase in SERPINB5, a tumor suppressor gene, and a 10-fold higher expression of KISS1, a metastasis suppressor gene, in the treated group. Proangiogenic genes such as VEGFA, PDGFA and PDGFB were downregulated in the treated group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the altered expression of specific genes in UM cells after treatment with IM. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-0010

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 123-130, 2011

Authors: Pasello, Michela | Manara, Maria Cristina | Michelacci, Francesca | Fanelli, Marilù | Hattinger, Claudia Maria | Nicoletti, Giordano | Landuzzi, Lorena | Lollini, Pier Luigi | Caccuri, Annamaria | Picci, Piero | Scotlandi, Katia | Serra, Massimo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Recent studies have indicated that targeting glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes may be a promising novel strategy to improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in the three most common musculoskeletal tumours: osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. By using a panel of 15 drug-sensitive and drug-resistant human osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, the efficay of the GST-targeting agent 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio)hexanol (NBDHEX) has been assessed and related to GST isoenzymes expression (namely GSTP1, GSTA1, GSTM1, and MGST). NBDHEX showed a relevant in vitro activity on all cell lines, including the drug-resistant ones and those with higher GSTs levels. The in vitro activity of …NBDHEX was mostly related to cytostatic effects, with a less evident apoptotic induction. NBDHEX positively interacted with doxorubicin, vincristine, cisplatin but showed antagonistic effects with methotrexate. In vivo studies confirmed the cytostatic efficay of NBDHEX and its positive interaction with vincristine in Ewing's sarcoma cells, and also indicated a positive effect against the metastatisation of osteosarcoma cells. The whole body of evidence found in this study indicated that targeting GSTs in osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma may be an interesting new therapeutic option, which can be considered for patients who are scarcely responsive to conventional regimens. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal sarcomas, glutathione metabolism, novel antitumour agents, target therapies

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-012

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 131-145, 2011

Authors: Valle, A. | Sastre-Serra, J. | Pol, C. | Miró, A.M. | Oliver, J. | Roca, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Obesity is a well-known factor risk for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Circulating leptin levels are increased in obese and it has been suggested to play an important role in mammary tumor formation and progression. To contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying leptin action in breast cancer, our aim was to identify proteins regulated by leptin in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Methods: We used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify proteins affected by leptin. Results: Thirty proteins were found differentially expressed in MCF-7 …cells after 48 h leptin exposure. Proteins regulated by leptin included proteins previously implicated in breast cancer such as catechol-o-methyltransferase, cathepsin D, hsp27, serine/threonine-protein phosphatase and regulatory proteins of the Ras signaling pathway. Proteins involved in other cellular functions such as stress response, cytosqueleton remodeling and proteins belonging to ubiquitin-proteasome system, were also identified. Furthermore, leptin-treated cells showed a substantial uptake of the serum carrier proteins albumin and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein. Conclusions: This screening reveals that leptin influences the levels of key proteins involved in breast cancer which opens new avenues for the study of the molecular mechanisms linking obesity to breast cancer. Show more

Keywords: Leptin, MCF-7, breast cancer, proteomics

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-013

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 147-157, 2011

Authors: Pierceall, William E. | Wolfe, Michele | Suschak, Jessica | Chang, Hua | Chen, Yan | Sprott, Kam M. | Kutok, Jeffery L. | Quan, Stella | Weaver, David T. | Ward, Brian E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Digital quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of protein biomarker expression offers a broad dynamic range against which clinical outcomes may be measured. Semi-quantitative expression data represented as an H-score is produced by computer generated average intensity of positive staining given weight by the percentage of cells showing positive staining. While patient H-scores vary for biological reasons, variation may also arise from preanalytic technical issues, such as differences in fixation protocols. In this study, we present data on two candidate calibrator nuclear-localized proteins, SNRPA and SnRNP70, with robust and consistent expression levels across breast cancers. Quantitative expression measurement of these two candidate biomarkers …may potentially be used to eliminate the effect of differences in preanalytic processing of specimens by normalizing H-scores derived from test biomarkers of interest. To examine the effects of preanalytical fixation variation on biomarker quantitation and potential utility of candidate calibrators to address such issues, 6 surgically-resected human breast cancer patient specimens were divided into 6 portions and fixed under distinct conditions (fixation following resection in formalin for 2 hr, 8 hr or 48 hr, or held overnight at 4°C in buffered saline prior to formalin fixation for 2 hr, 8 hr, or 48 hr). We find H-score variation between fixation conditions within individual patient's tumors that were stained for XPF, ATM, BRCA1, pMK2 and PARP1. Most interestingly, detectable expression of SNRPA and SnRNP70 is covariant to test biomarkers under distinct fixation conditions and so these hold the potential for serving as calibration standards for general antigen preservation and reactivity. Show more

Keywords: IHC, theranostics, biomarker, fixation, preanalytical variation

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-014

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 159-168, 2011