Permissivity of the NCI-60 cancer cell lines to oncolytic Vaccinia Virus GLV-1h68

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oncolytic viral therapy represents an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. We previously described GLV-1h68, a modified Vaccinia Virus with exclusive tropism for tumor cells, and we observed a cell line-specific relationship between the ability of GLV-1h68 to replicate in vitro and its ability to colonize and eliminate tumor in vivo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the current study we surveyed the in vitro permissivity to GLV-1h68 replication of the NCI-60 panel of cell lines. Selected cell lines were also tested for permissivity to another Vaccinia Virus and a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) strain. In order to identify correlates of permissity to viral infection, we measured transcriptional profiles of the cell lines prior infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed highly heterogeneous permissivity to VACV infection amongst the cell lines. The heterogeneity of permissivity was independent of tissue with the exception of B cell derivation. Cell lines were also tested for permissivity to another Vaccinia Virus and a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) strain and a significant correlation was found suggesting a common permissive phenotype. While no clear transcriptional pattern could be identified as predictor of permissivity to infection, some associations were observed suggesting multifactorial basis permissivity to viral infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings have implications for the design of oncolytic therapies for cancer and offer insights into the nature of permissivity of tumor cells to viral infection.</p

Pityriasis rotunda in childhood

Pityriasis rotunda is a rare disease characterized by round or oval patches, localized mainly on the trunk, arms, and legs. The patches are usually lighter than the surrounding skin, but sometimes may be darker, and are covered by fine, adherent scales. Two types of pityriasis rotunda have been described. Type I has been observed mainly in oriental and black patients older than 60 years of age, and is often associated with systemic disease or malignancy. Type II has been observed in white patients younger than 40 years of age, is often familial, and has never been observed in association with malignancy or internal disease. On Sardinia, a cluster of patients with type II pityriasis rotunda has been described. From 1981 until 1998, 51 cases of this disease have been observed in the Department of Dermatology, University of Sassari; 32 of them were children. The great prevalence of pityriasis rotunda on Sardinia, an island which until 40 years ago had limited contact with the Italian mainland, and the presence of a large number of familial cases suggest that type II pityriasis rotunda should be considered a genetically determined disease. The trend toward spontaneous resolution after the age of 20 years suggests that pityriasis rotunda should be considered a genodermatosis with a temporary phenotypic expression

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia of the foreskin

Two men, aged in their 20s, presented with multiple, soft, rounded papules on the prepuce. The lesions were centrally umbilicated, resembling molluscum contagiosum, but clearly distinct from Tyson's glands. Surface microscopy showed well-defined, milky-white, bag-shaped structures, which under histological examination were found to be sebaceous glands with various features of hyperplasia. A lymphocytic T-cell infiltrate, closely associated with progressive degeneration and destruction of the sebocytes, was visible around the glands. In the differential diagnosis of penile papular lesions, this unusual clinical presentation supported by dermatoscopy is consistent with preputial sebaceous gland hyperplasia. As both patients had a prominent T-cell infiltration, it is possible that under inflammatory stimulation, sebaceous glands undergo hypertrophy and gradual central involution

Eye changes in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis and toe pseudoainhum

Autosomal recessive primary ichthyosis (ARPI) is a rare, genetically heterogeneous skin disease. Several loci of responsible genes have been identified, including 14q11, which controls transglutaminase-1 expression, and 2q33–35. Clinical, biochemical, and histological evidence exists separating ARPI into two distinct diseases: lamellar ichthyosis (LI; the severe phenotype) and congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE, the milder phenotype). The estimated incidence is 1 : 200 000 to 300 000 live births. Affected babies are called ‘collodion babies,’ because they are embedded in an inelastic membrane that dries soon after birth. Within 2 weeks the collodion membrane spontaneously sheds and the skin develops plate-like scales covering the entire body. In LI the scales are dark, large, polygonal, and tightly adherent and give a typical lifelong disfiguring appearance. Histopathologically, there is marked hyperkeratosis and a prominent granular layer. LI is a retention disorder, with normal epidermal turnover. Pseudoainhum is an affection characterized by the appearance of a constricting band around a digit, which may lead to spontaneous amputation (dactylolysis). This lesion has been observed in vascular, neurological, and skin disorders. Pseudoainhum is very rarely found in patients with LI. We report herein the eye changes in a patient with LI and toe pseudoainhum

Discoid lupus erythematosus of the eyelids associated with staphylococcal blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction

Lower eyelid involvement occurs in 6% of patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Eyelid lesions are rarely the initial manifestation of DLE. We describe a 25-yearold woman presenting with discoid lesions of the lower eyelids, staphylococcal blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction, who later developed a discoid lesion on the chin. Histopathological and immunofluorescence studies of a biopsy specimen from this lesion established the diagnosis of DLE. We are unaware of any previously reported cases of DLE presenting with discoid eyelid lesions associated with staphylococcal blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction. DLE should be considered as a differential diagnosis in chronic blepharitis that persists despite usual medical management and eyelid hygiene. Misdiagnosis may lead to eyelid margin deformities, necessitate a complicated full-thickness biopsy, and delay diagnosis of systemic lupus

Hair casts due to a deodorant spray

A 7-year-old girl presented with itching and greyish-white sleeve-like structures in her hair. After ruling out other possible causes for the symptoms, such as nits and dandruff, it was determined that the patient was affected by hair casts. These are small cylindrical structures resembling louse eggs that encircle individual scalp hairs and are easily movable along the hair shafts. It was concluded that she had induced the condition through misuse of a deodorant body spray. Scanning electron microscopy combined with electron dispersive X-ray analysis (X-ray microanalysis) of the hair casts showed the chemical nature of the structures. Some elements present in the composition of the ingredients of the deodorant spray, such as aluminium, chlorine, silicon, magnesium and carbon, were also present in this uncommon type of hair casts

Fibroblast apoptosis in a patient affected by <i>Lamellar ichthyosis</i>

Background: Lamellar ichthyosis (LI) is a congenital recessive skin disorder characterized by generalized scaling and hyperkeratosis. The pathology may be caused by mutations in transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) gene that encodes an enzyme critical for terminally differentiating keratinocytes. Because of evidences that transglutaminase enzymes are involved in programmed cell death, we investigated morphological and biochemical apoptotic parameters in cultured skin fibroblasts from a patient with a severe LI and homozygous for the TGM1 R142H mutation. Method: The principle apoptotic signals (mitochondrial membrane potential, analysis of oxygen consumption, DNA fragmentation and Bax/Bcl-2 gene expression) were analyzed in cultured fibroblasts from a LI patient, his mother (TGM1 mutation carrier) and a control subject. Results: LI fibroblasts showing a reduction of fibronectin expression evidenced a strong inhibition of oxygen consumption, a dramatic drop in the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and a higher apoptotic index. Conclusion: The present results suggest a possible connection between the alterations in the keratinization process leading to LI and the observed increased fibroblast apoptosis

Lichen planus in children: a case report

Lichen planus (LP) is rare in children. A review of the literature reveals that it has some peculiarities with respect to sex, localization, clinical aspect, race, and family history. We present an Indian child with the documented peculiarities of infantile LP. A comparison of LP and graft-versus-host disease points to the Importance of thymic Involution in the pathogenesis of the former, which could explain the rarity of this disorder in infants

Development of multifocal squamous cell carcinoma in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus of the penis associated to HCV hepatitis

We describe the case of a 59-year-old uncircumcised man, with a history of meatal stenosis and balanitis xerotica obliterans (lichen sclerosus et atrophicus) and human C virus hepatitis, who developed an infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. The relationship among these conditions is discussed