A trip through the signaling pathways of melanoma

Many cellular signaling pathways are involved in the development of cancer. Depending on the tumor entity, the nature as well as the mode of activation can differ. Some signaling pathways frequently show changes as all tumor cells have to fulfill some basic requirements such as independence from growth factors or insensitivity against apoptosis. In this review, the possibilities of a tumor to manipulate signaling pathways to reach these goals are exemplified based on an archetypical melanoma cell. In addition, new therapeutic options based on the knowledge of signaling pathways will be discussed.     

Herpes simplex virus latency in the nervous system – a new model

Permissive herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in tissue culture results in host cell destruction. Latent HSV infection in vivo occurs in neurons of peripheral sensory ganglia (PSG) and it therefore can not take place in neurons in which the virus has completed a lytic replication cycle similar to that present in vitro. Our hypothesis, based on experimental data and observations in humans, suggests that establishment of latent infection and reactivation of HSV-1 does not involve neuronal cell loss. Latency is established in neurons in which the virus does not replicate and is determined, in part, by the tissue levels of a herpes transactivating protein (Vmw65) that is a component of the viral tegument. We also suggest that reactivation of latent infection does not involve destruction of neurons and is due to replication of virus at the peripheral mucocutaneous tissues to where virus or viral DNA have been transported from the nervous tissue. Alternatively, reactivation is initiated in the PSG using a replication cycle which does not involve irreversible damage to neurons. This model explains the lack of damage to neurons which continue to serve as permanent reservoirs of latent virus for the entire life of the host.     

周围神经65KD蛋白单克隆抗体的制备

神经化学诱向生长的研究是神经科学中的一个重要方向。本文以自然系统聚丙酰胺凝胶电泳,分离提取坐骨神经损伤后的远侧端中具有诱神经生长作用的65KD蛋白。以该蛋白作为抗原免疫BALB/C小鼠,通过杂交瘤技术获得一株(VI5E)稳定分泌单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株。免疫印迹法表明,该单克隆抗体特异性地与65KD区带结合。免疫组化法显示,在损伤后的坐骨神经远侧端组织中的雪旺氏细胞呈阳性反应。单克隆抗体的制备为进一步阐明该蛋白的生物学特性奠定了基础。     

空管药物疗法治疗牙髓病和根尖周病疗效观察

用ＳＭＴＤ复合药物对牙髓病和根尖周病实施空管药物疗法。７８例１０３颗获得完整随访资料患牙经两年观察，９２．２％治愈率。文章介绍了治疗方法，讨论了空管药物疗法的愈合机理、优点、失败原因及其预防措施。     

Enhancement of NF-kappaB activity by resveratrol in cytokine-exposed mesangial cells

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, has been considered as a potential anti-inflammatory agent because of its suppressive effect on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). However, we recently found that treatment of glomerular mesangial cells with resveratrol significantly and dose-dependently enhanced NF-kappaB activation triggered by proinflammatory cytokines. This finding was evidenced by different reporter assays as well as by expression of an endogenous NF-kappaB-dependent gene, intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The NF-kappaB promoting effect of resveratrol was also observed in renal tubular LLCPK1 cells, but not in HepG2 hepatoma cells. In all cell types tested, treatment with resveratrol alone did not affect NF-kappaB activity. The enhanced activation of NF-kappaB by resveratrol progressed for at least 24 h and was accompanied by sustained down-regulation of an endogenous NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaBbeta, but not IkappaBalpha. Although expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was suppressed by resveratrol, nitric oxide, a negative regulator of NF-kappaB, was not involved in the regulation of NF-kappaB by resveratrol. These data elucidated, for the first time, that resveratrol may enhance activation of NF-kappaB under certain circumstances.     

Ring chromosome 22 and neurofibromatosis

Variable constitutional mosaicism, mos45,XY,-22/46,XY,-22,+mar/46,XY,-22,+r(22)/47,XY,-22,+r(22)+mar/ 47, XY,-22,+r(22)*2, was found in PHA-stimulated peripheral blood, in a lymphoblastoid cell line and in cultured skin fibroblasts from a mentally retarded patient with neurofibromatosis. Both the ring chromosome and the small extra marker chromosome stained positively by in situ hybridization with a chromosome 14/22-specific alphoid repeat probe. DNA dosage analysis showed constitutional loss of one copy of the arylsulfatase A gene (ARSA), consistent with its terminal location on 22q. There was no evidence of constitutional loss of D22S1 or D22S28 which flank the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) locus. Analysis of two DNA samples from a skin neurofibroma indicated retainment of two copies of D22S1, whereas the results were ambiguous with respect to tumor-specific loss of one copy of D22S28. It is suggested that the development of neurofibromatosis of unclear type in two r(22) carriers might be associated with somatic mutation of the NF2 locus due to instability of the ring chromosome(s), and in analogy, that somatic mutation of either NF1 or NF2 may account for some cases of neurofibromatosis which do not meet the criteria of either NF1 or NF2. The occurrence of seminoma in the proband may be fortuitous, but could also be due to the presence of a seminoma-associated locus on chromosome 22.     

Substantial pain burden in frequency,intensity, interference and chronicity among children and adults with neurofibromatosis Type 1

Tumor growths, migraine headaches, and other health‐related complications reported in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are often associated with pain. Thus, this study sought to describe and quantify the pain experience in children and young adults with NF1. Surveys were administered to 49 participants (28 children and 21 adults), ages 8 through 40 years. The survey included the Numeric Rating Scale 11 (NRS11) to assess pain intensity and the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) to assess pain interference. A supplemental survey was created to measure pain frequency, chronicity, quality, and location. Results suggest pain is not only present in 55% of the cohort, but that it can begin at early ages. Pain was chronic in 35% of participants, with 41% reporting the use of medication to manage pain symptoms. Common sources of pain included migraine headaches and NF‐related tumors. Pain was described as having neuropathic features (i.e., burning, tingling, numbness, or itching), and was localized to the head, back, and extremities. Further, subsets of participants reported moderate‐to‐severe pain intensity, high frequency of pain, and interference of pain in daily activities. Continued investigation of the pain experience in a multisystem disorder, such as NF1, remains essential to providing guidance in the setting of complex pain management.     

糖尿病大鼠心肌NF-κB、iNOS、COX-2表达的研究

目的：观察核因子-κＢ（ＮＦ-κＢ）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）以及环氧化酶-2（COX-2）3种炎症因子在糖尿病大鼠心肌组织的表达。方法:30只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组和糖尿病组，糖尿病组大鼠按60 mg/kg的剂量1次性腹腔注射链脲菌素。实验于24周末结束，观察2组大鼠的体重、平均血糖浓度、心重指数。并取心肌组织石蜡切片分别行NF-κＢ、iNOS和COX-2免疫组化染色。同时用凝胶电泳迁移率（EMSA）的方法测定心肌组织ＮＦ-κＢ活性。结果:(1)糖尿病大鼠心肌组织ＮＦ-κＢ阳性表达细胞明显多于对照组；（2）EMSA方法显示，糖尿病大鼠心肌组织ＮＦ-κＢ表达强度明显高于对照组；（3）对照组大鼠心肌组织未见iNOS的表达，糖尿病大鼠见明显iNOS的表达；（4）对照组大鼠心肌组织偶见COX-2的表达，糖尿病大鼠见明显COX-2的表达。结论:NF-κＢ、iNOS和COX-2在糖尿病大鼠心肌组织中表达活性明显增强。