Standard cut-off values of non-invasive tests of liver fibrosis in the literature.

<p>Standard cut-off values of non-invasive tests of liver fibrosis in the literature.</p

Reproducible Tissue Homogenization and Protein Extraction for Quantitative Proteomics Using MicroPestle-Assisted Pressure-Cycling Technology

The reproducible and efficient extraction of proteins from biopsy samples for quantitative analysis is a critical step in biomarker and translational research. Recently, we described a method consisting of pressure-cycling technology (PCT) and sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ions–mass spectrometry (SWATH–MS) for the rapid quantification of thousands of proteins from biopsy-size tissue samples. As an improvement of the method, we have incorporated the PCT-MicroPestle into the PCT–SWATH workflow. The PCT-MicroPestle is a novel, miniaturized, disposable mechanical tissue homogenizer that fits directly into the microTube sample container. We optimized the pressure-cycling conditions for tissue lysis with the PCT-MicroPestle and benchmarked the performance of the system against the conventional PCT-MicroCap method using mouse liver, heart, brain, and human kidney tissues as test samples. The data indicate that the digestion of the PCT-MicroPestle-extracted proteins yielded 20–40% more MS-ready peptide mass from all tissues tested with a comparable reproducibility when compared to the conventional PCT method. Subsequent SWATH–MS analysis identified a higher number of biologically informative proteins from a given sample. In conclusion, we have developed a new device that can be seamlessly integrated into the PCT–SWATH workflow, leading to increased sample throughput and improved reproducibility at both the protein extraction and proteomic analysis levels when applied to the quantitative proteomic analysis of biopsy-level samples

ROCs of transient elastography, APRI, FIB-4, Fibrotest for significant fibrosis (F> = 2).

<p>ROC: receiver operating characteristic curve; fibro: transient elastography (TE); fibtest: Fibrotest®.</p

Blood markers for non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

<p>Blood markers for non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis.</p

ROCs of transient elastography, hyaluronic acid, Hepascore, ELF-Test for cirrhosis (F4).

<p>ROC: receiver operating characteristic curve; fibro: transient elastography (TE); hyaluron: hyaluronic acid; hepasco: Hepascore, ELF: Enhanced Liver Fibrosis-Test®.</p

Performance of non-invasive tests for diagnosis cirrhosis (F4).

<p>TE: transient elastography; Hya: hyaluronic acid, ELF: Enhanced Liver Fibrosis-Test; Sens: sensitivity, Spec: specificity, PPV: positive predictive value, NPV: negative predictive value</p><p>Performance of non-invasive tests for diagnosis cirrhosis (F4).</p

ROCs of transient elastography, hyaluronic acid, Hepascore, ELF-Test for significant fibrosis (F> = 2).

<p>ROC: receiver operating characteristic curve; fibro: transient elastography (TE); hyaluron: hyaluronic acid; hepasco: Hepascore, ELF: Enhanced Liver Fibrosis-Test®.</p

ROCs of transient elastography, APRI, FIB-4, Fibrotest for cirrhosis (F4).

<p>ROC: receiver operating characteristic curve; fibro: transient elastography (TE); fibtest: Fibrotest®.</p

Vascular endothelial growth factor A amplification in colorectal cancer is associated with reduced M1 and M2 macrophages and diminished PD-1-expressing lymphocytes

<div><p>VEGFA is an angiogenic factor secreted by tumors, in particular those with <i>VEGFA</i> amplification, as well as by macrophages and lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment. Here we sought to define the presence of M1/M2 macrophages, PD-1-positive lymphocytes and PD-L1 tumoral and stromal expression in colorectal cancers harboring <i>VEGFA</i> amplification or chromosome 6 polysomy. 38 CRCs of which 13 harbored <i>VEGFA</i> amplification, 6 with Chr6 polysomy and 19 with neutral <i>VEGFA</i> copy number were assessed by immunohistochemistry for CD68 (marker for M1/M2 macrophages), CD163 (M2 macrophages), programmed death 1(PD-1)- tumor infiltrating and stromal lymphocytes as well as tumoral and stromal PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression. CRCs with <i>VEGFA</i> amplification or Chr6 polysomy were associated with decreased M1/M2 macrophages, reduced PD-1-expressing lymphocyte infiltration, as well as reduced stromal expression of PD-L1 at the tumor front. Compared to intermediate-grade CRCs, high-grade CRCs were associated with increased M1/M2 macrophages and increased tumoral expression of PD-L1. Our results suggest that <i>VEGFA</i> amplification or Chr6 polysomy is associated with an altered tumor immune microenvironment.</p></div

<i>VEGFA</i> copy number status in colorectal cancers measured by fluorescent <i>in situ</i> hybridization.

<p>Representative micrographs of (A) diploid, (B) polysomic and (C) amplified <i>VEGFA</i> using fluorescent <i>in situ</i> hybridization (FISH). FISH analysis was performed using two-color probes for <i>VEGFA</i> (red) and internal control (green). Scale bar 20 μm.</p