榄香烯乳对人胰腺癌移植瘤组织中凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响

目的:了解榄香烯乳干预治疗后人胰腺癌裸鼠移植瘤组织中PTEN、P53、Bcl-2蛋白的表达情况,初步探讨榄香烯乳对胰腺癌凋亡的影响.方法:构建人胰腺癌裸鼠移植瘤模型,随机分为阴性对照组、榄香烯乳小剂量组、榄香烯乳大剂量组、吉西他滨阳性对照组和联合用药组五组,分别干预处理;采用Western blot和免疫组织化学的方法检测榄香烯乳干预治疗后人胰腺癌移植瘤组织细胞中PTEN、P53、Bcl-2蛋白表达情况.结果:Western blot结果显示榄香烯乳干预治疗后人胰腺癌移植瘤细胞中PTEN和P53蛋白表达均有升高趋势,而Bcl-2蛋白表达有下降的趋势.榄香烯乳大剂量组与阴性对照组相比,P53蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.01)而Bcl-2蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.01).联合用药组与吉西他滨阳性对照组相比,P53蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.01),而Bcl-2蛋白表达降低不明显(P=0.985).免疫组织化学结果显示与Western blot结果大致相同的变化趋势.结论:一定剂量的榄香烯乳可以增强胰腺癌裸鼠移植瘤组织中P53蛋白的表达而降低Bcl-2蛋白的表达,从而起到促进胰腺癌细胞凋亡的作用.

骨桥蛋白表达与黑色素瘤的发病相关联

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers affecting humans. Although early melanomas are curable with surgical excision, metastatic melanomas are associated with high mortality. The mechanism of melanoma development, progression, and metastasis is largely unknown. In order to uncover genes unique to melanoma cells, we used high-density DNA micro-arrays to examine the gene expression profiles of metastatic melanoma nodules using benign nevi as controls. Over 190 genes were significantly overexpressed in metastatic melanomas compared with normal nevi by at least 2-fold. One of the most abundantly expressed genes in metastatic melanoma nodules is osteopontin (OPN). Immunohistochemistry staining on tissue microarrays and individual skin biopsies representing different stages of melanoma progression revealed that OPN expression is first acquired at the step of melanoma tissue invasion. In addition, blocking of OPN expression by RNA interference reduced melanoma cell numbers in vitro. Our observations suggest that OPN may be acquired early in melanoma development and progression, and may enhance tumor cell growth in invasive melanoma.

Characterization of ST13 Protein Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Tissues

Objective: To characterize the expression of ST13 protein in human tissuesfor investigation of the function of colorectal cancer related gene ST13. Methods: ST13 ORF wascloned and over-expressed in E.coli. The recombinant ST13 protein was purified by affinitychromatography. ST13 monoclonal antibodies were generated and affinity purified with the recombinantprotein. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical staining were employed to analyze ST13 proteinexpression in human tissues. Results: The expression and purification of the recombinant ST13protein were confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The protein yield reached about 2.5 mg/L of induced bacterialculture with a purity of 91.3%. Three strains of hybridoma were obtained with antibody titers from10~4 to 10~5 in ascites fluids and with high specificity for ST13 protein. Immunoblot showed thatthe apparent Mr of ST13 protein in SW480 cells and human tissues estimated by SDS-PAGE mobility wasapproximately 50 000, which was about 10 000 larger than the 41 324 calculated, but theglycosylation of the protein was excluded. Computer modeling revealed the protein to be ahydrophilic molecule. Immunohistochemical staining showed that ST13 protein was evenly distributedin cytoplasm and expressed in colon, stomach, liver, and other epithelial cells. Differences in thestaining intensity of the protein were observed between normal and cancer tissues as well as amongdifferent normal or carcinoma tissues. Conclusion: ST13 protein is a cytoplasmic molecule with anapparent Mr of 50 000. The protein is expressed in colorectal and other epithelial tissues. Theexpression level of the protein is down-regulated in colorectal cancer and varies among differentnormal and/or carcinoma tissues. Comparison of cDNA sequences and protein characteristics indicatesthat ST13 protein and hsp70-interacting protein (Hip) are same proteins, raising the possibilitythat ST13 protein is involved in the development of colorectal cancer through Hsp70 molecularchaperone machinery.

Expression of HMGB1 Protein in Human Cervical Squamous Epithelium Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of the high mobility group boxl（HMGB1） in human cervical squamous epithelial carcinoma （CSEC） and to explore the relationship of HMGB1 expression to the differentiation degree, size, invasion and metastasis of CSEC. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays and Western blot analysis were conducted to detect the expression of HMGB1 in the following tissue samples： 30 carcinoma in situ, 90 invasive CSEC without metastasis, 30 invasive CSEC with metastasis, 30 cases of normal cervical squamous epithelia. RESULTS The positive-expression rate of HMGB1 was 58.7% （88/150） in CSEC, showing a significant difference compared to normal cervical squamous epithelia. The expression of HMGB1 was correlated with tumor size, invasion and metastasis of CSEC （respectively, P〈0.01）, but had no relationship with the degree of differentiation （P〉0.05）. CONCLUSION The over-expression of HMGB1 in CSEC might be a useful parameter as an indication of tumor invasion, metastasis, prognosis and overall biological behavior of human CSEC, as well as a noval target site for gene therapy.

Effect of Bcl-2 Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides on Human Lung Carcinoma Transplanted Subcutaneously in Nude Mice

Objective： To investigate the inhibitory effects of the Bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides （ASODN） on tumor formation and growth of human lung carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice. Methods： Human NCI-H460 cells treated with Bcl-2 ASODN or nonesense oligodeoxynucleotide （NSODN） and untreated NCI-H460 cells were respectively implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. When the diameters of tumor were above 0.5 cm after untreated NCI-H460 cells injection, the mice bearing tumor were randomly divided into three groups： saline control group, Bcl-2 ASODN group, NSODN group. ODN was directly injected into the tumor body for 3 weeks. The weight and volume of subcutaneous tumors were measured, and the morphology of tumor cells was observed. Results： The tumorigenic ability of the treated NCI-H460 cells by Bcl-2 ASODN was reduced. The mean time at which tumor can be detected was prolonged up to 12.6 days （P〈0.01）. The maximum tumor growth inhibitory rate was 87.5%. In therapeutic efficacy, growth of tumor was significantly inhibited in Bcl-2 ASODN group as compared with that in NSODN group, saline-treated group （P〈0.01）. The NSODN control was ineffective. In comparison with NSODN-treated, saline-treated mice, those treated with Bcl-2 ASODN showed a significant decrease in median weight of subcutaneous tumors （P〈0.01）. The growth inhibitory rate was 71.0% in ASODN group. Conclusion： Bcl-2 ASODN could inhibit tumor formation and tumor growth in nude mice.

细胞移植

在生物技术发展的同时,哺乳动物细胞的大量培养的技术也得到迅速发展。近年来,许多新型细胞培养系统相继问世,使细胞移植的研究发展较快,涉及而广。现在已有可能进行前胰岛细胞、骨髓干细胞、干细胞、CD4^+细胞、K 细胞移植,以治疗多种疾病。甚至还报道脑神经原细胞培养成功,预示将来可能进行脑细胞移植前景。

胎儿肝脏甲胎蛋白定量观察

甲种胎儿球蛋白(AFP)是胎儿时期肝脏生长最快、肝细胞分裂最旺盛时期肝细胞产生的一种蛋白。当肝细胞恶性变时又能重新获得合成此蛋白的能力。现在临床上用AFP测定作为对肝脏“肿块”定性鉴别的方法之一;流行病学用作对肝癌普查的一种可靠筛选方法。但究竟多大的癌瘤组织分泌出的AFP能在体液(血)中测出,目前尚未见确切报道。为了摸索癌大小与AFP的关系,我们以孕4～6个月的胎肝为标本,作了胎儿肝脏“甲胎蛋白”定量观察,现报告如下:

The Expression and Clinical Significance of Fas and FasL in Lung Cancer

Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Fas andFasL in lung cancer. Methods: SP immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression ofFas and FasL in 46 cases of lung cancer and 30 cases of adjacent non-neoplastic tissue. Results:Down-regulation, of Fas and up-regulation of FasL were found in lung carcinoma. The levels of Fasexpression in squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and SCLC were significantly lower than that ofadjacent normal tissues (P<0. 01) , while the expression levels of FasL were the opposite (P< 0.05). Fas expression was associated with high histological grade and no metastasis (P<0. 05). FasLexpression was related to histological grade, late clinical stage and metastasis (P<0. 05). BothFas and FasL expression was not related to the histological type of lung cancer (P>0. 05). Thelevel of Fas expression was negatively related to that of FasL (P<0. 05). Conclusion:Down-regulation of Fas and up-regulation of FasL may work in coordination with the occurrence,development and metastasis of lung cancer. Fas or FasL can be used as one of markers in earlydiagnosis of lung cancer. Therefore, the combined assay may be helpful in predicting the grade ofmalignancy and the prognosis of patients with lung cancer.

Expression and Mutation of MAGE-A3 mRNA in Lung Cancer Tissues

Objective： To inwvetigate the expression of MAGE-A3 mRNA in tissue samples derived from lung cancers and to discuss the possibility of using MAGE-A3 antigens as a new peptide vaccine for inunotherapy for lung cancers. Methods： Tumor tissue samples of lung cancers and paired non-tumor tissues of the lung were obtaimed from 31 lung cancer patients. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Nested polymernse chain reaction amplification using MAGE-A3 specific primer was performed to detect the expression of MAGE-A3. The 10 clones of 5 samples of MAGE-A3 mRNA positive PCR products were DNA sequenced by using DNAs sequencer （PE-377）. Results： Of 31 lung cancers, 26 （83.9%） expressed MACE-A3 mRNA. The expression of MAGE-A3 gene was not detectable in the adjacent lung tissues. The DNA sequencing confirmed that the target gene fragment in all 5 samples of PCR products was MACE-A3 cDNA. Point nmtations occurred in 4 samples （8 clones） detected （C^2773→T^2773; G^2807→A^2807） resulting in alternation of amino acid residue in one position （E^143→K）. Conclusion： （1） The MAGE-A3 gene was expressed exclusively in tumor tissues of the patients with lung cancer in China. This tumor rejection antigen may have potential to be used as a new peptide vaccine for immunotherapy for lung eancers. （2） There are two point mutations of MAGE-A3 gene sequence in some Chinese lung cancer patients.

Down-regulation of Wnt Antagonist,SFRP1 in Colorectal Tumorigenesis

OBJECTIVE To assess the functional change of SFRP1 （secreted frizzled-related protein1）, in colorectal tumorigenesis. METHODS Immunohistochemical investigation and the semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） were used to assess the expression of SFRP1, β-catenin （β-cat） and E-caderin （E-cad） in matched samples of normal colorectal mucosa, adenomas and cancers. RESULTS SFRP1 mRNA expression was down-regulated in the neoplasms, and abnormal expressions of β-cat and E-cad were found in colorectal adenomas and colorectal cancers. CONCLUSION Down-regulation of SFRP1 observed is consistent with its acting as a tumor suppressor gene in colorectal tumorigenesis.

Immunohistochemical analysis of p53,cyclinD1,RB1,c-fos and N-ras gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma in Iran

AIM： TO study the effect of some genes especially those involved in cell cycle regulation on hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS： Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 25 patients （18 males and 7 females） with hepatocellular carcinoma were collected from 22 pathology centers in Tehran during 2000-2001, and stained using immunohistochemistry method （avidin-biotin-peroxidase） for detection of p53, cyclinD1, RB1, c-los and N-ras proteins. RESULTS： Six （24%）, 5 （20%）, 12 （48%） and 2 samples （8%） were positive for p53, cyclinDl, C-los and N-ras expression, respectively. Twenty-two （88%） samples had alterations in the （31 cell-cycle checkpoint protein expression （RBI or cyclinD1）. P53 positive samples showed a higher （9 times） risk of being positive for RBI protein than p53 negative samples. Loss of expression of RBI in association with p53 over-expression was observed in 4 （66.7%） of 6 samples. Loss of expression of RBI was seen in all cyclinD1 positive, 20 （90.9%） N-ras negative, and ii （50%） C-fos positive samples, respectively. CyclinD1 positive samples showed a higher （2.85 and 4.75 times） risk of being positive for c-los and N-ras expression than cyclinD1 negative samples. CONCLUSION： The expression of p53, RB1 and c-los genes appears to have a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Iran. Simultaneous overexpression of these genes is significantly associated with their loss of expression during development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Significance and relationship between infiltrating inflammatory cell and tumor angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues

AIM: To investigate the relationship between infiltrating inflammatory cell and tumor angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and their clinicopathological features.METHODS: The paraffin-embedded specimens from 70 cases with HCC were stained using EliVision immunohistochemistry with mAbs against CD68, tryptase,and CD34. The counts of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM), mast cell (MC) and tumor microvessel (MV) were performed in the tissue sections.RESULTS: The mean counts of TAM, MC, and MV in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in pericarcinomatous liver tissues (TAM: 69.31± 11.58 vs 40.23±10.36; MC: 16.74±5.67 vs 7.59±4.18; MV:70.11±12.45 vs 38.52± 11.16, P＜0.01). The MV count in the patients with metastasis was markedly higher than that with non-metastasis (P＜0.01). In addition, the MC count in the patients with poorly differentiated HCC was obviously higher than that with well differentiated HCC (P＜ 0.01). The correlation analysis showed that the TAM count was significantly correlated with the count of MV(r=0.712, P＜0.01), and the MC count was obviously correlated with the MV count (r= 0.336, P＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: TAM and MC might be closely related to the enhancement of tumor angiogenesis. The MV count might be associated with tumor invasion and metastasis.Moreover, the MC count might be associated with tumor differentiation and prognosis of HCC.

P16 gene hypermethylation and hepatocellular carcinoma:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM:To quantitatively investigate the effect of p16 hypermethylation on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatocirrhosis using a meta-analysis of available casecontrol studies.METHODS:Previous studies have primarily evaluated the incidence of p16 hypermethylation in HCC and corresponding control groups,and compared the incidence of p16 hypermethylation in tumor tissues,pericancer liver tissues,normal liver tissues and non-tumor liver tissues with that in other diseases.Data regarding publication information,study characteristics,and incidence of p16 hypermethylation in both groups were collected from these studies and summarized.RESULTS:Fifteen studies,including 744 cases of HCC and 645 non-tumor cases,were identified for meta-analysis.Statistically significant odds ratios (ORs) of p16 hypermethylation were obtained from tumor tissues and non-tumorous liver tissues of HCC patients (OR 7.04,95% CI:3.87%-12.78%,P < 0.0001),tumor tissues of HCC patients and healthy liver tissues of patients with other diseases (OR 12.17,95% CI:6.64%-22.31%,P < 0.0001),tumor tissues of HCC patients and liver tissues of patients with non-tumorous liver diseases (OR 6.82,95% CI:4.31%-10.79%,P < 0.0001),and cirrhotic liver tissues and non-cirrhotic liver tissues (OR 4.96,95% CI:1.45%-16.96%,P=0.01).The pooled analysis showed significantly increased ORs of p16 hypermethylation (OR 6.98,95% CI:4.64%-10.49%,P < 0.001) from HCC tissues and cirrhotic tissues.CONCLUSION:P16 hypermethylation induces the inactivation of p16 gene,plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis,and is associated with an increased risk of HCC and liver cirrhosis.

Clinical significance of expression of apoptotic signal proteins in gastric carcinoma tissue

AIM: To evaluate the expressions of apoptotic signal proteins FADD, TRADD, FasL, Fas, and NFκB in gastric carcinoma tissues and their clinical significance. METHODS: Western blot immune trace method was adopted to detect the expressions of apoptotic signal proteins FADD, TRADD, FasL, Fas, and NFκB in 55 tissue specimens of gastric carcinoma. RESULTS: Five apoptotic signal proteins had different expressions in the gastric carcinoma samples and their expressions were not correlated to age (P= 0.085). Expressions of the FADD, FasL, Fas, and NFkB proteins reduced with increase of the volume of tumor with the exception of increased expression the TRADD protein (64.7-71.1%, P= 0.031). With gradual increase of the malignancy of gastric carcinoma tissues, expressions of the FADD, FasL, and Fas proteins decreased (78.6-28.0%, P= 0.008; 78.6-65.9%, P= 0.071; 100.0-46.3%, P= 0.014), while expressions of the TRADD and NFkB proteins increased (42.9-78.1%, P= 0.063; 78.6-79.1%, P= 0.134). With gradual increase of serum CEA, expression of the FADD protein decreased (62.5-34.0%, P = 0.073), but expressions of the TRADD, FasL, Fas, and NFκB proteins increased (0.0-80.8%, P=0.005; 62.5-70.2%, P= 0.093; 0.0-70.2%, P=0.003; 62.5-80.9%, P= 0.075). When compared to the tissues of gastric carcinoma without metastasis, the positive rate of expressions of the FADD and FasL proteins increased, whereas expressions of the TRADD, FADD, and NFkB proteins decreased. There was no significant difference between them (P= 0.095). CONCLUSION: Gastric carcinoma is endurable to Fas-related apoptosis and apoptotic signal proteins are differently expressed in gastric carcinoma.

Comparative Proteome Analysis of Human Lung Squamous Carcinoma Tissue

Objective： To establish the two-dimensional electrophoresis profiles with high resolution and reproducibility from human lung squamous carcinoma tissue and paired normal tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial tissue, and to identify differential expression tumor-associated proteins by using proteome analysis. Methods： Comparative proteome analysis with 20 human lung squamous carcinoma tissues and the paired normal bronchial epithelial tissues adjacent to tumors was carried out. The total proteins of human lung squamous carcinoma tissue and paired normal tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial tissue were separated by means of immobilized pH gradient-based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis （2-DE） and silver staining. The differential expression proteins were analyzed and then identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS）. Results： （1） Well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of human lung squamous carcinoma and adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissues were obtained. For tumor tissue, average spots of 3 gels were 1567±46, and 1436±54 spots were matched with an average matching rate of 91.6%. For control, average spots of 3 gels were 1349±58, and 1228±35 spots were matched with an average matching rate of 91.03%. The average position deviation of matched spots was 0.924±0.128 mm in IEF direction, and 1.022±0.205 mm in SDS-PAGE direction; （2） A total of 1178±56 spots were matched between the eleetrophoretie maps of 20 human lung squamous carcinoma tissues and paired normal tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial tissues. Seventy-six differentially expressed proteins were screened; （3） Sixty-eight differential proteins were identified by PMF, some proteins were the products of oneogenes, and others involved in the regulation of cell cycle and signal transduetion; （4） In order to validate the reliability of the identified results, the expression of 3 proteins mdm2, c-jun and EGFR, which was correlated with lung squamous carcinoma, was detected by immunohistoehemieal staining and Western blot analysis. The results revealed that mdm2, c-jun and EGFR were up-regulated in lung squamous carcinomas, whereas they were down-regulated in adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissues, normal lung tissues and inflammatory pseudotumor, which was consistent with our proteome analysis results. Conclusion： The well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of human lung squamous carcinoma and adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissues were established and 68 differential proteins were characterized by applying comparative proteome analysis successfully. These results will provide scientific foundation for screening the molecular biomarker used to diagnose and treat lung squamous carcinoma, as well as to improve the patient＇s prognosis and provide new clue for the research of lung squamous carcinogenic mechanism.

Purification and characterization ofα-L-fucosidase from human primary hepatocarcinoma tissue

AIM: To purify and characterizeα-L-fucosidase from human liver cancer tissue and to detect the localization ofα-L-fucosidase in tumor tissue. METHODS: Cation exchange chromatography on CM-52 and ultrafiltration were used to separateα-Lfucosidase (AFU) from crude extract of liver cancer tissue. 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-L-fucopyranoside was used as a fluorescent substrate to quantify the purified AFU activity in each step. A polyclonal antibody (pAb) against the purified AFU was obtained by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-52 after ammonium sulfate fractionation and ultrafiltration. Immuohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of AFU in malignant and adjacent liver tissues. RESULTS: Humanα-L-fucosidase was purified 74-fold to apparent homogeneity with 15% yield. SDSPAGE indicated the presence of one subunit of molecular weight of 55 Ku. The specific activity of AFU in pooled fraction by chromatography was 10085 IU/mg. Western blot analysis indicated that the pAb could recognize one protein band of molecular weight of 55 Ku. The expression of AFU was observed in cytoplasm membrane of liver cancer tissue but not in that of adjacent tissue. CONCLUSION: The purifiedα-L-fucosidase from primary hepatocarcinoma (PHC) is different in its properties fromα-L-fucosidase in human other organs. The polyclonal antibody prepared in this experiment can be applied to the diagnosis of PHC.

Down-regulation of miR-622 in gastric cancer promotes cellular invasion and tumor metastasis by targeting ING1 gene

AIM:To evaluate the biological and clinical characteristics of miR-622 in gastric cancer. METHODS:We analyzed the expression of miR-622 in 57 pair matched gastric neoplastic and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Functional analysis of miR-622 expression was assessed in vitro in gastric cancer cell lines with miR-622 precursor and inhibitor. The roles of miR-622 in tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis were analyzed using a stable miR-622 expression plasmid in nude mice. A luciferase reporter assay was used to assess the effect of miR-622 on inhibitor of growth family,member 1 (ING1) expression. RESULTS:Expression of miR-622 was down-regulated in gastric cancer. MiR-622 was found involved in differentia-tion and lymphatic metastasis in human gastric cancer. Ectopic expression of miR-622 promoted invasion,tumorigenesis and metastasis of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. ING1 is a direct target of miR-622. CONCLUSION:These findings help clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in gastric cancer metastasis and indicate that miR-622 modulation may be a bona fide treatment of gastric cancer.

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach:A case report and review of the literature

Carcinosarcomas are rare,malignant,biphasic tumors. We report the case of a 62-year-old man with gastric carcinosarcoma,along with its clinical,macroscopic and histopathological features. Macroscopically,a specimen of deformed stomach was obtained that measured 200 mm×150 mm×100 mm. A 150 mm×100 mm× 50 mm exophytic tumoral mass (Borrmann typeⅠ) was found,which involved the posterior wall from the cardia to the antrum. Histopathologically,a mixed type of malignancy was revealed: an adenocarcinoma with intestinal metaplasia,with interposed fascicles of fusiform atypical cells and numerous large,rounded and oval cells. The tumor showed positive histochemistry for cytokeratin 18,epithelial membrane antigen,carcinoembryonic antigen,chromogranin A and vimentin. Liver metastases were diagnosed 8 mo postoperatively,and the patient died 4 mo later. A review of the available literature is also presented.

Expression of MUC1 and its significance in hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma tissue

AIM： To investigate the relation between MUC1 expression, distribution, and prognosis in hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma （HCC and CC） and cirrhotic liver tissues, and their significance in HCC and CC diagnosis. METHODS： Expression and distribution of MUC1 were examined by immunohistochemical assay with anti-MUC1 mAb in 59 samples of HCC and 37 samples of CC, 20 samples of cirrhotic liver tissues, and 10 samples of normal liver tissues, seeking possible associations between MUC1 positive expression, distribution in HCC and CC （primary liver cancer, PLC） cases and the studied clinical data. RESULTS： Immunohistochemical analysis of MUC1 expression showed that in the 96 PLC samples, 68 （70.8%） were strong positive, and 6 （6.2%） were weak positive. Only 4 in the 20 cirrhotic liver tissues were found to be weak positive, while no expression of MUC1 was detected in normal liver tissues. Apparently, the high expression rate of MUC1 in PLC tissues was statistically significant in comparison to that in cirrhotic and normal liver tissues. The expressed MUC1 protein, stained in dark brownish or brownish-yellow particles, chiefly localized on the cancer cell membranes or in cytoplasm. In the 68 strong positive samples, 40 were detected on cell membrane and the other 28 were in cytoplasm. In addition, follow-up studies of those PLC cases demonstrated that MUC1 expression on cell membrane or in cytoplasm was closely associated with PLC prognosis. The expression of HUC1 in PLC had little statistical significance in respect of the pathological types and sizes of the tumors, but a strong relationship regarding histological differentiation, metastasis of lymph nodes, portal canal emboli, and post-operational recurrence of the carcinomas. After 3 years of tumor excision, the metastasis rate in MUC1 positive expression group （67.6%） was much higher than that in MUC1 weak expression group （33.3%） and negative expression group （31.8%）, and thus the survival rate in MUC1-positive expression group was significantly different from that in weak and negative expression groups. CONCLUSION： Expression and localization of MUC1 proteins in primary liver carcinomas （PLCs） may act as prognostic markers, and MUC1 molecules might be helpful in differential diagnosis.

Esophagus and regenerative medicine

In addition to squamous cell carcinoma,the incidence of Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma is rapidly increasing worldwide.Unfortunately,the current standard of care for esophageal pathology involves resection of the affected tissue,sometimes involving radical esophagectomy.Without exception,these procedures are associated with a high morbidity,compromised quality of life,and unacceptable mortality rates.Regenerative medicine approaches to functional tissue replacement include the use of biological and synthetic scaffolds to promote tissue remodeling and growth.In the case of esophageal repair,extracellular matrix(ECM) scaffolds have proven to be effective for the reconstruction of small patch defects,anastomosis reinforcement,and the prevention of stricture formation after endomucosal resection(EMR).More so,esophageal cancer patients treated with ECM scaffolds have shown complete restoration of a normal,functional,and disease-free epithelium after EMR.These studies provide evidence that a regenerative medicine approach may enable aggressive resection of neoplastic tissue without the need for radical esophagectomy and its associated complications.