EpCAM expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix detected by monoclonal antibody to the membrane proximal part of EpCAM

Background Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a promising biomarker for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, because it is over-expressed in various cancers of epithelial origin. However, EpCAM expression reported in previous immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies was inconsistent. We hypothesize that the membrane-distal part of EpCAM may be lost during tissue preparation, leaving only the membrane-proximal part of EpCAM available for antibody binding and IHC staining. Methods Two new anti-EpCAM MAbs to the membrane-proximal part (WC-2) and the membrane-distal part (WC-1) of EpCAM were generated and characterized. WC-2 was selected for its ability to detect EpCAM in cervical tissues by IHC. One hundred thirty-five archival paraffin-embedded tissues previously diagnosed as cervical SCC (n=44), high-grade (HSIL) (n=43), or low-grade (LSIL) (n=48) squamous intraepithelial lesions were examined. IHC score was collected, recorded, and analyzed for distribution, intensity, and percentage of cancer cells stained for EpCAM. Results EpCAM expression was consistently detected on cervical tissues by WC-2, but not by WC-1. EpCAM was expressed with high IHC score in the majority of cervical SCC (37/44), but not in normal epithelial area adjacent to SCC. EpCAM was also highly expressed on precancerous lesion of the cervix, particularly in HSIL. More importantly, EpCAM expression could be used to distinguish between HSIL and LSIL, according to staining distribution. HSIL tissues displayed EpCAM expression in two-thirds to full thickness of the epithelium, while in LSIL the staining was limited to the lower one-third of the thickness. The IHC score of EpCAM expression was strongly correlated with cervical cancer and grades of precancerous lesions (r=0.875, p<0.001). Conclusion Only the anti-EpCAM MAb to the membrane-proximal part is able to detect EpCAM on paraffin-embedded cervical cancer tissues. A strong positive correlation between EpCAM expression level and the grades of SILs provides the possibility that EpCAM can be used to predict prognosis and severity in these patients

Antibodies targeting epitopes on the cell-surface form of NS1 protect against Zika virus infection during pregnancy

Zika virus is an arthropod-transmitted flavivirus that can cause microcephaly and other fetal abnormalities during pregnancy. Here Wessel et al. develop antibodies against the Zika virus nonstructural protein 1 that protect non-pregnant and pregnant mice against infection, and define particular antibody epitopes and mechanisms underlying this protection

EpCAM expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix detected by monoclonal antibody to the membrane-proximal part of EpCAM

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a promising biomarker for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, because it is over-expressed in various cancers of epithelial origin. However, EpCAM expression reported in previous immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies was inconsistent. We hypothesize that the membrane-distal part of EpCAM may be lost during tissue preparation, leaving only the membrane-proximal part of EpCAM available for antibody binding and IHC staining.Two new anti-EpCAM MAbs to the membrane-proximal part (WC-2) and the membrane-distal part (WC-1) of EpCAM were generated and characterized. WC-2 was selected for its ability to detect EpCAM in cervical tissues by IHC. One hundred thirty-five archival paraffin-embedded tissues previously diagnosed as cervical SCC (n=44), high-grade (HSIL) (n=43), or low-grade (LSIL) (n=48) squamous intraepithelial lesions were examined. IHC score was collected, recorded, and analyzed for distribution, intensity, and percentage of cancer cells stained for EpCAM.EpCAM expression was consistently detected on cervical tissues by WC-2, but not by WC-1. EpCAM was expressed with high IHC score in the majority of cervical SCC (37/44), but not in normal epithelial area adjacent to SCC. EpCAM was also highly expressed on precancerous lesion of the cervix, particularly in HSIL. More importantly, EpCAM expression could be used to distinguish between HSIL and LSIL, according to staining distribution. HSIL tissues displayed EpCAM expression in two-thirds to full thickness of the epithelium, while in LSIL the staining was limited to the lower one-third of the thickness. The IHC score of EpCAM expression was strongly correlated with cervical cancer and grades of precancerous lesions (r=0.875, p&lt;0.001).Only the anti-EpCAM MAb to the membrane-proximal part is able to detect EpCAM on paraffin-embedded cervical cancer tissues. A strong positive correlation between EpCAM expression level and the grades of SILs provides the possibility that EpCAM can be used to predict prognosis and severity in these patients

Sex matters: a social context to boldness in guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Boldness is a key element of behavioral variation in animals. Many studies have shown variation between individuals in their propensity to take risks across a wide range of taxa, yet surprisingly few studies have investigated the importance of social context in influencing an animal's boldness. Here, we focus on the role that the sex composition of a social group plays in individual boldness in a sexually dimorphic species, the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We predict that after exposure to a simulated aerial predator, male guppies should be bolder in the presence of females compared with males to maximize their mating opportunities. Furthermore, we predict that female guppies will adopt riskier behavior when shoaling with males in an effort to avoid sexual harassment. Using a model avian predator, we tested these hypotheses and found evidence to support our second prediction but not our first. Specifically, we found that male guppies returned to movement more rapidly after a fright response when shoaling with males than with females. Female focal fish in contrast returned to movement significantly quicker when shoaling with males than females. Also, we found a significant correlation in boldness across social contexts (a behavioral syndrome) in male but not female fish. This study highlights the importance of social context for individual boldness and suggests that for risk-averse behavior in social, sexually dimorphic species, sex matters. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.