Expression of CD44 in effusions of patients diagnosed with serous ovarian carcinoma – diagnostic and prognostic implications

CD44 is a family of cell adhesion molecules involved in a variety of cellular functions. The present study analysed the expression of two CD44 isoforms in serous effusions of patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma and corresponding primary and metastatic lesions. Fifty-eight effusions, 23 primary ovarian tumours, and 44 metastatic lesions were studied for protein expression of CD44s and v3-10 using immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with clinical parameters. CD44v3-10 was seen in carcinoma cells in the majority of cases at all sites. Malignant effusions showed an up-regulation of CD44s compared to both primary tumours and metastatic solid lesions. Mesothelial cells frequently expressed CD44s, but were rarely immunoreactive for v3-10. CD44s immunoreactivity in cancer cells in effusions was significantly more often observed in patients with FIGO stage 3 than in stage 4 patients (P = 0.045). Staining results did not correlate with age, effusion site, metastatic site, tumour grade or residual tumour mass after initial surgery. Likewise, comparison of overall and disease-free survival with expression of the CD44 isoforms studied did not reveal any statistically significant associations. The up-regulation in CD44 levels in effusions, primarily in stage 3 disease, suggests that adhesion of ovarian carcinoma cells to mesothelium may be regulated at the level of CD44s expression, and provides further evidence of phenotypic alteration in the transition from primary tumour cell clones to effusions. The similar expression profile of CD44 in carcinoma cells in peritoneal and pleural effusions supports our previous observations and the hypothesis that carcinoma cells in peritoneal effusions are truly metastatic. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) to Determine Cut-Off Points of Biomarkers in Lung Cancer Patients

The role of biomarkers in disease prognosis continues to be an important investigation in many cancer studies. In order for these biomarkers to have practical application in clinical decision making regarding patient treatment and follow-up, it is common to dichotomize patients into those with low vs. high expression levels. In this study, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC, sensitivity, specificity, as well as likelihood ratios were calculated to determine levels of growth factor biomarkers that best differentiate lung cancer cases versus control subjects. Selected cut-off points for p185^erbB-2 and EGFR membrane appear to have good discriminating power to differentiate control tissues versus uninvolved tissues from patients with lung cancer (AUC = 89% and 90%, respectively); while AUC increased to at least 90% for selected cut-off points for p185^erbB-2 membrane, EGFR membrane, and FASE when comparing between control versus carcinoma tissues from lung cancer cases. Using data from control subjects compared to patients with lung cancer, we presented a simple and intuitive approach to determine dichotomized levels of biomarkers and validated the value of these biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for cancer outcome.     

Adenoviral vectors expressing siRNAs for discovery and validation of gene function

RNA interference is a powerful tool for studying gene function and for drug target discovery in diverse organisms and cell types. In mammalian systems, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), or DNA plasmids expressing these siRNAs, have been used to down-modulate gene expression. However, inefficient transfection protocols, in particular, for primary cell types, have hampered the use of these tools in disease-relevant cellular assays. To be able to use this technology for genome-wide function screening, a more robust transduction protocol, resulting in a longer duration of the knock-down effect, is required. Here, we describe the validation of adenoviral vectors that express hairpin RNAs that are further processed to siRNAs. Infection of cell lines, or primary human cells, with these viruses leads to an efficient, sequence-specific, and prolonged reduction of the corresponding target mRNA, resulting in a reduction of the encoded protein level in the cell. For knock-down of one of the targets, GalphaS, we have measured inhibition of ligand-dependent, G-protein-coupled signaling. It is expected that this technology will prove to be of great value in target validation and target discovery efforts.     

Detection of Serum Antibodies to Ovine Progressive Pneumonia Virus in Sheep by Using a Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus Competitive-Inhibition Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

A competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for detection of antibodies to the surface envelope (SU) of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) was recently reported (L. M. Herrmann, W. P. Cheevers, T. C. McGuire, D. Scott Adams, M. M. Hutton, W. G. Gavin, and D. P. Knowles, Clin. Diagn. Lab. Immunol. 10:267-271, 2003). The cELISA utilizes CAEV-63 SU captured on microtiter plates using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) F7-299 and measures competitive displacement of binding of the anti-CAEV MAb GPB 74A by goat serum. The present study evaluated the CAEV cELISA for detection of antibodies to ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV) in sheep. Three hundred thirty-two sera were randomly selected from 21,373 sheep sera collected throughout the United States to determine the sensitivity and specificity of cELISA and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) based on immunoprecipitation (IP) of [³⁵S]methionine-labeled OPPV antigens as a standard of comparison. A positive cELISA test was defined as >20.9 percent inhibition (% I) of MAb 74A binding based on two standard deviations above the mean % I of 191 IP-negative sheep sera. At this cutoff, there were 2 of 141 false-negative sera (98.6% sensitivity) and 6 of 191 false-positive sera (96.9% specificity). Sensitivity and specificity values for IP-monitored AGID were comparable to those for cELISA for 314 of 332 sera with unambiguous AGID results. Concordant results by cELISA and IP resolved 16 of the 18 sera that were indeterminate by AGID. Additional studies evaluated cELISA by using 539 sera from a single OPPV-positive flock. Based on IP of 36 of these sera, there was one false-negative by cELISA among 21 IP-positive sera (95.5% sensitivity) and 0 of 15 false-positives (100% specificity). We conclude that the CAEV cELISA can be applied to detection of OPPV antibodies in sheep with high sensitivity and specificity.     

Rapid neurofibrillary tangle formation after localized gene transfer of mutated tau

Neurofibrillary pathology was produced in the brains of adult rats after localized gene transfer of human tau carrying the P301L mutation, which is associated with frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism. Within 1 month of in situ transfection of the basal forebrain region of normal rats, tau-immunoreactive and argyrophilic neuronal lesions formed. The fibrillar lesions had features of neurofibrillary tangles and tau immunoreactivity at light and electron microscopic levels. In addition to neurofibrillary tangles, other tau pathology, including pretangles and neuropil threads, was abundant and widespread. Tau gene transfer to the hippocampal region of amyloid-depositing transgenic mice produced pretangles and threads, as well as intensely tau-immunoreactive neurites in amyloid plaques. The ability to produce neurofibrillary pathology in adult rodents makes this a useful method to study tau-related neurodegeneration.     

Filamentous tau in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes of transgenic mice expressing the human tau isoform with the P301L mutation

We recently reported a transgenic mouse line (JNPL3) that expresses mutant (P301L) tau and develops neurofibrillary tangles composed of filamentous tau aggregates. Here we show that these mice have abnormal tau filaments not only in neurons, but also in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Similar results were detected in another transgenic line (JNPL2+3+) that expresses the longest human tau isoform with the P301L mutation. The ultrastructure of the tau filaments and immunoreactivity with tau and ubiquitin antibodies were similar in glia and neurons. Given similarities of the lesions in the mice to human neuronal and glial inclusions, these transgenic mice appear to be a valuable model to study pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative tauopathies.     

Separate and variably shaped chromosome arm domains are disclosed by chromosome arm painting in human cell nuclei

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with microdissection probes from human chromosomes 3 and 6 was applied to visualize arm and subregional band domains in human amniotic fluid cell nuclei. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and quantitative three-dimensional image analysis showed a pronounced variability of p- and q-arm domain arrangements and shapes. Apparent intermingling of neighbouring arm domains was limited to the domain surface. Three-dimensional distance measurements with pter and qter probes supported a high variability of chromosome territory folding.     

Flow Perfusion Culture of Marrow Stromal Cells Seeded on Porous Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Ceramics

Calcium phosphate ceramics have been widely used for filling bone defects to aid in the regeneration of new bone tissue. Addition of osteogenic cells to porous ceramic scaffolds may accelerate the bone repair process. This study demonstrates the feasibility of culturing marrow stromal cells (MSCs) on porous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds in a flow perfusion bioreactor. The flow of medium through the scaffold porosity benefits cell differentiation by enhancing nutrient transport to the scaffold interior and by providing mechanical stimulation to cells in the form of fluid shear. Primary rat MSCs were seeded onto porous ceramic (60% hydroxyapatite, 40% β-tricalcium phosphate) scaffolds, cultured for up to 16 days in static or flow perfusion conditions, and assessed for osteoblastic differentiation. Cells were distributed throughout the entire scaffold by 16 days of flow perfusion culture whereas they were located only along the scaffold perimeter in static culture. At all culture times, flow perfused constructs demonstrated greater osteoblastic differentiation than statically cultured constructs as evidenced by alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin secretion into the culture medium, and histological evaluation. These results demonstrate the feasibility and benefit of culturing cell/ceramic constructs in a flow perfusion bioreactor for bone tissue engineering applications.     

Surgical pathology of 104 tricuspid valves (2000–2005) with classic right-sided Ebstein''s malformation

BACKGROUND: Ebstein's anomaly has been described extensively in autopsy material. However, there have been no large surgical pathology series of this malformation. OBJECTIVE: To review clinical and surgical pathologic features of a large number of cases of Ebstein's anomaly from a single institution. METHODS: Review of medical histories, surgical reports, and surgical pathology reports at the Mayo Clinic (2000-2005). RESULTS: Among 104 patients, the mean age was 31 years (2 months-79 years), and 57% were female. Common ECG abnormalities included right bundle branch block (58%), first-degree heart block (31%), preexcitation (18%), and nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay/block (15%). Moreover, 74% had inter-atrial communication, 13% mitral valve prolapse, and 5% bicuspid aortic valve. Clinically, all had tricuspid regurgitation (severe in 74%), and 17% of anterior leaflets were fenestrated. No tricuspid valve was calcified. Surgically, tricuspid tissue was removed during replacement in 99% and repair in 1%. The anterior tricuspid leaflet was resected in 98%, and its length was 0.81-9.3 cm/m2 body surface area (mean, 3.3). Characteristically, leaflets were large and had irregular shapes and numerous short cordal or direct myocardial insertions. One tricuspid valve had two papillary fibroelastomas. None had clinical or pathologic evidence of active or healed endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with Ebstein's malformation, tricuspid valve tissue almost exclusively was removed during valve replacement and represented the anterior leaflet. Valve tissue was generally large, irregularly shaped, and associated with insertion of short cords or myocardial stumps. Interestingly, although appreciably deformed, Ebstein valves were not associated with infective endocarditis.