Syndecan-1 and E-cadherin expression in differentiated type of early gastric cancer

AIM: To elucidate the role and alterations of syndecan-1 and E-cadherin expression in different cellular phenotypes of differentiated-type gastric cancers (DGCs), METHODS: A total of 120 DGCs at an early stage, andtheir adjacent mucosa, were studied both by immunohistochemistry. Syndecan-1 and E-cadherin were assessed by immunohistochemical staining with anti-syndecan-1 and anti-E-cadherin antibodies, respectively. Based on immunohistochemistry, DGCs and their surrounding mucosa were divided into four types: gastric type (G-type),ordinary type (O-type), complete-intestinal type (CI-type),and null type (N-type).RESULTS: Syndecan-1 expression was significantly lower in G-type cancers (29.4%) than in O-type (79.6%) and CI-type cancers (90%) (P＜0.05, respectively), but E-cadherin did not show this result. In addition, syndecan-1 expression was significantly reduced in DGCs comprised partly of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or signet-ring cell carcinoma, compared to DGCs demonstrating papillary and/or tubular adenocarcinoma (P＜0.05). G-type intestinal metaplasia (IM) surrounding the tumors was observed in 23.8% of G-type, 4.9% of O-type, and 6.7% of CI-type cancers (P＜0.05; G-type vs O-type). Reduction of syndecan-1 expression was significant in G-type IM (25%) compared to non-G-type IM (75%; P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Loss of syndecan-1 plays a role in the growth of G-type cancers of DGCs at an early stage, and the reduction of syndecan-1 expression in IM surrounding the tumors may influence the growth of G-type cancer.

IMMUNOLOGIC CHARACTER OF TUMOR INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES IN OVARIAN CARCINOMA

Objective: To study immunologic character of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) on postin vitro expansion in ovarian carcinoma, and evaluate the prospects by adopting TIL treatment of ovarian carcinoma at an advanced stage. Methods: Cellular phenotype changes in TIL were analyzed by flow cytometry. By means of molecular biology and immunologic methods, ability to secrete cytokines and anti-tumor activities of in TIL was studied. Results: Difference of cellular phenotypes in TIL was probably related to the type, feature and resource of the tumor. TIL obtained from phoroplast and parenchyma was dominant in CD3+CD4+. TIL obtained from tumor tissues, around microvessels and ascitic fluid was dominant in CD3+CD8 Concentration of rIL-2in vitro played a significant role in immunologic character of TIL. By means of rIL-2 expansionin vitro, TIL has apparently been improved in competence of secreting some cytokines, such as IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and anti-tumor activities. The activated TIL was more stimulated by further adding anti-CD3 or PHA (suitable concentration), which significantly increased its ability to secrete cytokines. Treatment with TIL+CTX or TIL+ rIL-2, could apparently improve phenotypes in peripheral blood of patients, with definitive effects. Conclusion: Immunologic activities of TILin vitro are apparently improved by rIL2 expansion. Regression of tumor, by means of infusion TIL, is not largely attributed to direct cytotoxicity to tumor cells, but indirectly and partly augmenting cellular activities and abilities of immunomodulation in patients with ovarian carcinoma being dependent on secreting multiple cytokines.

Analysis of Allele Specific Expression——A Survey

Allele specific expression is essential for cellular programming and development and the diversity of cellular phenotypes. Traditional analysis methods utilize RNA and depend on single nucleotide polymorphisms,thus to suffer from limited amount of materials for analysis. The rapid development of next-generation sequencing technologies provides more comprehensive and powerful approaches to analyze the genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic data, and further to detect and measure allele specific expressions. It will potentially enhance the understanding of the allele specific expressions, their complexities, and the effect on biological processes. In this paper, we extensively review the state-of-art enabling technologies and tools to analyze, detect, and measure allele specific expressions, compare their features, and point out the future trend of the methods.