Tunicamycin enhances the apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in endometriotic stromal cells.

Background: The increase in concentration of osteoprotegerin, an antagonist of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may interfere with TRAIL-induced apoptosis in endometriotic cells and promote the development of endometriosis. In the present study, the effect of tunicamycin, a possible apoptosis enhancer, on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in endometriotic stromal cells (ESC) was determined.

Methods: ESC were isolated from cyst walls of ovarian endometrioma and cultured.

Interleukin (IL)-1beta stimulates migration and survival of first-trimester villous cytotrophoblast cells through endometrial epithelial cell-derived IL-8.

IL-1, secreted by human embryos and trophoblast cells, is important for successful implantation and pregnancy. We previously reported that IL-1beta induced IL-8 production in human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and that induction was regulated by substances implicated in implantation. In the present study using human primary cells in culture, we measured IL-1beta-induced production of IL-8 from endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and ESCs and examined effects of the endometrium-derived IL-8 on migration and number of first-trimester villous cytotrophoblast cells (vCTs).

G-electrode-loading method for isoelectric focusing, enabling separation of low-abundance and high-molecular-mass proteins.

The G-electrode-loading method (GELM) is a technique enabling a large number of proteins from rat liver to enter an immobilized pH gradient (IPG) gel strip for isoelectric focusing (IEF). In this method, three slips containing the sample solution are placed on the cathodic edge of an IPG gel strip and a slip containing Chaps solution, a filtration membrane, and an electrode slip are placed on top. Finally, a G-electrode is placed on these slips.

Interleukin-4 stimulates proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Several lines of evidence indicate that the Th2 immune response is associated with endometriosis. Although an increased concentration of interleukin (IL)-4, a typical Th2 cytokine, has been reported in endometriotic tissues, the implication of this for endometriosis has not been determined. To investigate a possible role of IL-4 in the development of endometriosis, we examined the presence of IL-4-producing cells in endometriotic tissues and the effect of IL-4 on proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Comparison of Epstein-Barr virus genotypes and clinicohistopathological features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma between Guilin, China and Fukuoka, Japan.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic to Guilin, China, but not Fukuoka, Japan. To examine whether the NPC in these two cities are distinct in their association with EBV, we analyzed the histology and EBV genotypes in 163 NPC from Guilin, 52 NPC from Fukuoka and non-cancerous control nasopharyngeal tissues (n=22 each) by in situ hybridization and PCR. The proportion of EBV-positive NPC from Guilin (95%) was higher than that of Fukuoka (55%, p<0.

TLR6 modulates first trimester trophoblast responses to peptidoglycan.

Intrauterine bacterial infections are a well-established cause of pregnancy complications. One key observation in a number of abnormal pregnancies is that placental apoptosis is significantly elevated. First trimester trophoblast cells are known to express TLR1 and TLR2 and to undergo apoptosis following exposure to Gram-positive bacterial peptidoglycan (PDG).

Expression and function of toll-like receptors at the maternal-fetal interface.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) form the major family of pattern recognition receptors that are involved in innate immunity. Innate immune responses against microorganisms at the maternal-fetal interface may have a significant impact on the success of pregnancy because intrauterine infections have been shown to be strongly associated with certain complications of pregnancy. At the maternal-fetal interface, TLRs are expressed not only in the immune cells but also in nonimmune cells such as trophoblasts and decidual cells.

Interleukin (IL)-17A stimulates IL-8 secretion, cyclooxygensase-2 expression, and cell proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

IL-17A is secreted from Th17 cells, a discovery leading to revision of the mechanism underlying the role of Th1/Th2 in the immune response. Strong evidence suggests that immune responses associated with inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In the present study, we first demonstrated that the presence of Th17 cells in peritoneal fluid of endometriotic women by flow cytometric analysis and IL-17A-positive cells in endometriotic tissues by immunohistochemistry.

A case of hydrosalpinx associated with the menstrual cycle.

Objective: To describe a case report of hydrosalpinx that changed dramatically in size during the menstrual cycle.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice.

The presence of midkine and its possible implication in human ovarian follicles.

Problem: Ovarian follicles undergo a dynamic change to provide a mature ovum, and the process involves angiogenesis, follicular cell proliferation and leukocyte recruitment. Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor that has angiogenic, mitogenic, and chemotactic activities. In the present study, we investigated the presence of MK and its possible role in human ovarian follicles.

Imatinib mesylate inhibits cell invasion of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is rare, highly aggressive, resistant to radiochemotherapy, and associated with poor prognosis. Basic research to develop new treatment regimes is critically needed. This study was designed to identify motogenic factor(s) involved in MPNST cell invasion and inhibitor(s) of such invasive activity.

Metformin suppresses interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced IL-8 production, aromatase activation, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Context: Metformin, a widely used treatment for diabetes that improves insulin sensitivity, also has both antiinflammatory properties and a modulatory effect on ovarian steroid production, two actions that have been suggested to be efficacious in therapy for endometriosis.

Objective: To determine whether metformin may be effective for the treatment of endometriosis, we evaluated the effects of this agent on inflammatory response, estradiol production, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs).

Design: ESCs derived from ovarian endometriomas were cultured with various concentrations of metformin.

Expression of toll-like receptors 2, 3, 4, and 9 genes in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

Innate immunity in the endometrium has fundamental significance for reproduction. Although toll-like receptors (TLRs) play central roles in innate immune responses, their expression in the human endometrium remains to be fully elucidated. We have examined the gene expression of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 in endometrial tissues by real-time quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization.

Case of metastatic melanoma in an epitrochlear lymph node arising in a pregnant woman.

We describe a rare case of metastatic melanoma in an epitrochlear lymph node in a 29-year-old female patient. The patient had been aware of a brown macule on her right posterior forearm at puberty. Because the lesion had enlarged rapidly, she was referred to our hospital.

The expression and possible roles of chemokine CXCL11 and its receptor CXCR3 in the human endometrium.

IFN-gamma secreted by a human embryo and trophoblast cells during implantation is suggested to play an important role in implantation and pregnancy. In the present study, we explored expression and possible functions of CXCL11, a CXC chemokine strongly induced by IFN-gamma, and its receptor CXCR3 in the human endometrium. Secreted CXCL11 protein was not detected in cultured endometrial stromal cells (ESC) but was detected in cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EEC).

Emmprin in epithelioid sarcoma: expression in tumor cell membrane and stimulation of MMP-2 production in tumor-associated fibroblasts.

Emmprin is a transmembrane glycoprotein on tumor cells that stimulates peritumoral fibroblasts to produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Emmprin and the induced MMPs play a crucial role in tumor progression, invasion and metastasis of human carcinomas (epithelial malignancies). However, only a few reports have addressed its role in soft tissue sarcomas.

Establishment of three malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cell lines, FU-SFT8611, 8710 and 9817: conventional and molecular cytogenetic characterization.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare malignant tumor, for which only a few cultured cell lines are available to date. In the present study, we established three new MPNST cell lines, FU-SFT8611, FU-SFT8710 and FU-SFT9817, from a 40-year-old Japanese man without neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), a 43-year-old Japanese woman with NF1, and a 61-year-old Japanese woman without NF1, respectively. These cell lines were in culture for more than 3 years in vitro, and exhibit complex karyotypes lacking a common characteristic pattern.

FR 167653, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, suppresses the development of endometriosis in a murine model.

In various cells including endometriotic cells, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays essential roles for inflammation, an etiological factor for endometriosis. We evaluated the effect of FR 167653, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, on the development of endometriosis using a murine model. As an endometriosis model, estradiol-treated ovariectomized BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with endometrial fragments of the syngenic donor mice.

Selective increase in high molecular weight adiponectin concentration in serum of women with preeclampsia.

Total adiponectin concentrations have been shown to increase in serum of preeclamptic women. However, variance of concentrations of different isoforms has not been studied, despite the emerging notion that high, medium and low molecular weight adiponectin exert different functions. We have determined serum concentrations of each adiponectin isoform using a newly developed enzyme immunosorbent assay.

Emmprin (basigin/CD147): matrix metalloproteinase modulator and multifunctional cell recognition molecule that plays a critical role in cancer progression.

Emmprin (basigin, CD147) is a cell surface glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is highly expressed on the surface of tumor cells and stimulates adjacent fibroblasts or tumor cells to produce matrix metalloproteinases. Moreover, it has recently been shown that emmprin also stimulates expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hyaluronan, which leads to angiogenesis and anchorage-independent growth/multidrug resistance, respectively.

Expression of emmprin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in peripheral nerve sheath tumors: emmprin and membrane-type (MT)1-MMP expressions are associated with malignant potential.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including membrane-type (MT)-MMPs, correlate with biological aggressiveness in many carcinomas. However, their roles in peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) have rarely been investigated.

Materials And Methods: In this study, the immunohistochemical expression of 6 MMPs, their 3 inhibitors and emmprin, an MMP inducer, was examined in 14 schwannomas, 14 neurofibromas and 12 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in relation to malignant potentials.