Investigation of the Subcellular Localization-Dependent Anti- or Pro-Tumor Functions of Maspin in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Line

Background: Mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin) is well known as a tumor suppressor gene in several types of cancers and its nuclear localization is essential for its tumor-suppressive function. We previously reported that the cytoplasmic-only localization of maspin is significantly correlated with unfavorable prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). To clarify whether maspin in LUAD acts as a tumor promoter or suppressor, we examined the subcellular localization-dependent biological functions of maspin in human LUAD cell lines. Methods: The expression levels and subcellular localization of maspin were investigated by performing immunoblotting and immunofluorescence in human LUAD cell lines (PC-9, A549, NCI-H23, RERF-LCKJ) and human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B). We then established stable cell lines overexpressing maspin (A549-maspin and RERF-LC-KJ-maspin) and investigated their subcellular localization. Cell invasion assays of these cell lines were performed to examine their invasiveness. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels between epithelial cell markers (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal cell markers (N-cadherin and vimentin) were compared. Results: The expression of maspin in PC-9 cells was comparable to that in BEAS-2B cells, whereas its expression in A549, NCI-H23, and RERF-LC-KJ cells was decreased. The cell invasion capability of A549-maspin cells showing pancellular expression was significantly decreased compared with that of A549-control cells. By contrast, the cell invasion capability of RERF-LC-KJmaspin cells showing cytoplasmic-only expression was significantly increased compared with that of RERFLC-KJ-control cells. The mRNA expression levels of N-cadherin, but not E-cadherin and vimentin, in A549-maspin cells was significantly downregulated compared with that in A549-control cells. No significant differences in these markers were observed between RERFLC-KJ-maspin and RERF-LC-KJ-control cells. Conclusion: The invasive capability of LUAD cells is regulated by the intracellular localization of maspin. Clarification of the molecular mechanism underlying the subcellular localization-dependent function of maspin will promote a deeper understanding of LUAD development and progression

Unusual anogenital apocrine tumor resembling mammary-like gland adenoma in male perineum: a case report

A rare case of an apocrine tumor in the male perineal region is reported. A dermal cystic lesion developed in the region between the anus and scrotum of a 74-year-old Japanese male. The cystic lesion, measuring 3.5 × 5.0 cm in size, was lined by columnar or flattened epithelium with occasional apocrine features and supported by a basal myoepithelium lining. A mural nodule, measuring 1 × 1.5 cm in size, protruded into the cystic space and consisted of a solid proliferation of tubular glands with prominent apocrine secretion and basal myoepithelial cells. Immunohistochemical examination showed that the luminal cells were partially positive for gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 and human milk fat globulin 1, and the basal myoepithelial cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and S-100 protein. Estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors were focally and weakly positive for luminal epithelium. Although no mammary-like glands were present in the dermis around the tumor, this unusual apocrine tumor has been suggested to be derived from male anogenital mammary-like glands and mimic a mammary-like gland adenoma in the male perineum

Clinicopathological Significance of Maspin Expression in Breast Cancer

Maspin is a unique serine proteinase inhibitor that has tumor suppressor activity. It has been reported that maspin is expressed in normal human mammary epithelial cells and it is down-regulated during the progression of cancer. However, to date, there is very limited data on the clinical significance of maspin expression in human breast cancer. In this study, maspin expression was assessed immunohistochemically from 80 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) specimens of the breast. Also, maspin expression was compared with the clinicopathological factors (age, grade, tumor size and lymph node status), the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and p53, DNA ploidy and the overall survival in an attempt to assess its prognostic value. The maspin expression was positive in 25 IDC cases (31.3%). The maspin expression in IDC was significantly correlated with a higher histologic grade, a larger tumor size, a positive p53 status and shorter survival. There was an inverse association with maspin expression and the PR status. These findings suggest that maspin expression is not down-regulated with the progression of cancer and maspin expression may be associated with a poor prognosis. The immunohistochemical detection of maspin in breast cancers may be helpful for predicting an aggressive phenotype

Maspin expression is frequent and correlates with basal markers in triple-negative breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maspin is a unique member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily and its expression is found in myoepithelial cells of normal mammary glands; therefore, it has been considered to be a myoepithelial marker. We previously reported that maspin was frequently expressed in biologically aggressive breast cancers. In turn, triple-negative (TN) breast cancer is a subtype of tumor with aggressive clinical behavior and shows frequent expression of basal markers. We hypothesized that maspin expression may be frequent and correlate with basal rather than myoepithelial markers in TN breast cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Paraffin-embedded 135 TN invasive ductal carcinoma tissue samples were immunohistochemically investigated using the Dako Envision+ kit and primary antibodies for maspin, basal (CK5/6, EGFR, CK14) and myoepithelial markers (p63, CD10). The correlation between maspin expression and relapse-free survival (RFS) was investigated by the log-rank test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The positive rate for maspin was 85.9% and significantly correlated with younger age (<it>P </it>= 0.0015), higher histological grade (<it>P </it>= 0.0013), CK5/6 positivity (<it>P </it>< 0.0001), CK14 positivity (<it>P </it>= 0.0034) and the basal-like subtype defined by CK5/6, EGFR and CK14 positivity (<it>P </it>= 0.013). The positive rates for CK5/6, EGFR, CK14, CD10 and p63 were 59.2%, 48.9%, 34.1%, 17.8% and 12.6%, respectively. There was no significant correlation between maspin expression and RFS.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The positive rate for maspin is the highest among known basal and myoepithelial markers, and strongly correlates with basal markers in TN breast cancer. These results suggested that maspin could be a candidate for a therapeutic target for TN breast cancer.</p

Mucocele-like lesions of the breast: a long-term follow-up study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mucocele-like lesions (MLL) of the breast were originally described as benign lesions composed of multiple cysts lined by uniform flat to cuboidal epithelium with extravasated mucin, but subsequent reports described the coexistence of columnar cell lesions (CCL), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Several reports have investigated whether core biopsy can diagnose MLL reliably; however, there is only one report with a long-term follow-up after excision of MLL. We report here 15 surgically excised MLL with a long-term follow-up.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Fifteen lesions diagnosed as MLL from 13 patients who had undergone excisional biopsy between January 2001 and December 2006 were retrieved and followed-up for 24-99 months (median 63.8). Two lesions were accompanied with CCL, 5 with ADH and 3 with low grade DCIS. Four lesions (2 ADH, 2 DCIS) were additionally resected and their histology revealed 2 ADH, one DCIS and one MLL with CCL. Of 4 lesions (3 ADH, one DCIS) without additional resection, one lesion (ADH) relapsed accompanied with DCIS at 37 months after excision.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MLL were frequently accompanied with CCL, ADH or low grade DCIS. Complete resection may be recommended in case of MLL with ADH or DCIS because of intralesional heterogeneity and the probabilities of relapse.</p

Intraductal Lipid-Rich Carcinoma of the Breast with a Component of Glycogen-Rich Carcinoma

We report a rare case of intraductal lipid-rich carcinoma of the breast with a component of glycogen-rich carcinoma. An impalpable tumor that was revealed by mammography and magnetic resonance imaging was excised. Histologic examination showed vacuolated neoplastic cells in the mammary ducts, and electron microscopy confirmed lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. The coexistence of glycogen-rich carcinoma was shown. Lipid-rich carcinoma that is coexistent with glycogen-rich carcinoma is rare, and most lipid-rich carcinomas are invasive. Intraductal lipid-rich carcinoma is difficult to detect without echography or mammography

The Liver Plays a Major Role in Clearance and Destruction of Blood Trypomastigotes in Trypanosoma cruzi Chronically Infected Mice

Intravenous challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi can be used to investigate the process and consequences of blood parasite clearance in experimental Chagas disease. One hour after intravenous challenge of chronically infected mice with 5×106 trypomastigotes, the liver constituted a major site of parasite accumulation, as revealed by PCR. Intact parasites and/or parasite remnants were visualized at this time point scattered in the liver parenchyma. Moreover, at this time, many of liver-cleared parasites were viable, as estimated by the frequency of positive cultures, which considerably diminished after 48 h. Following clearance, the number of infiltrating cells in the hepatic tissue notably increased: initially (at 24 h) as diffuse infiltrates affecting the whole parenchyma, and at 48 h, in the form of large focal infiltrates in both the parenchyma and perivascular spaces. Phenotypic characterization of liver-infiltrating cells 24 h after challenge revealed an increase in Mac1+, CD8+ and CD4+ cells, followed by natural killer (NK) cells. As evidence that liver-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ cells were activated, increased frequencies of CD69+CD8+, CD69+CD4+ and CD25+CD122+CD4+ cells were observed at 24 and 48 h after challenge, and of CD25−CD122+CD4+ cells at 48 h. The major role of CD4+ cells in liver protection was suggested by data showing a very high frequency of interferon (IFN)-γ-producing CD4+ cells 24 h after challenge. In contrast, liver CD8+ cells produced little IFN-γ, even though they showed an enhanced potential for secreting this cytokine, as revealed by in vitro T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Confirming the effectiveness of the liver immune response in blood parasite control during the chronic phase of infection, no live parasites were detected in this organ 7 days after challenge