VHL-dependent alterations in the secretome of renal cell carcinoma: Association with immune cell response?

Secreted proteins could modulate the interaction between tumor, stroma and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment thereby mounting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In order to determine the secretome-mediated, von Hippel Lindau (VHL)-regulated cross-talk between tumor cells and T lymphocytes peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were either cultured in conditioned media obtained from normoxic and hypoxic human VHL-deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line (786-0VHL-) and its wild type (wt) VHL-transfected counterpart (786-0VHL+) or directly co-cultured with both cell lines. An increased T cell proliferation was detected in the presence of 786-0VHL+-conditioned medium.

Identification of 14-3-3β gene as a novel miR-152 target using a proteome-based approach.

Recent studies demonstrated that miR-152 overexpression down-regulates the nonclassical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule HLA-G in human tumors thereby contributing to their immune surveillance. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the protein expression profile of HLA-G(+), miR-152(low) cells, and their miR-152-overexpressing (miR(high)) counterparts was compared leading to the identification of 24 differentially expressed proteins. These were categorized according to their function and localization demonstrating for most of them an important role in the initiation and progression of tumors.

Reduced immunosuppressive properties of axitinib in comparison with other tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

The multikinase inhibitors sunitinib, sorafenib, and axitinib have an impact not only on tumor growth and angiogenesis, but also on the activity and function of immune effector cells. In this study, a comparative analysis of the growth inhibitory properties and apoptosis induction potentials of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on T cells was performed. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment resulted in a dramatic decrease in T cell proliferation along with distinct impacts on the cell cycle progression.

Apoptosis in the chorion of fetal membranes in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

We sought to determine if apoptosis in the chorion of fetal membranes was increased in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) with histological chorioamnionitis. Using the TUNEL (terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling) method (ApopTag Plus kit; Oncor, Gaithersburg, MD), apoptosis was quantified. Of the 47 subjects with PPROM, 18 lacked sufficient chorion for quantification (confirmed by cytokeratin staining).