Effect of platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma on peri-implant innervation in dog mandibles.

Background: Autologous plasma fractions, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP), contain growth factors that can enhance neural cell survival and are therefore likely to have the ability to promote nerve regeneration. The present study compared the effect of PRP and PPP application on myelinated nerve density and diameter in the peri-implant bone region. In addition, the effect of healing time on nerve regeneration was assessed.

High-throughput sequencing identifies aetiology-dependent differences in ductular reaction in human chronic liver disease.

Ductular reaction (DR) represents the activation of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) and has been associated with features of advanced chronic liver disease; yet it is not clear whether these cells contribute to disease progression and how the composition of their micro-environment differs depending on the aetiology. This study aimed to identify HPC-associated signalling pathways relevant in different chronic liver diseases using a high-throughput sequencing approach. DR/HPCs were isolated using laser microdissection from patient samples diagnosed with HCV or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), as models for hepatocellular or biliary regeneration.

Phenotype molding of stromal cells in the lung tumor microenvironment.

Cancer cells are embedded in the tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex ecosystem of stromal cells. Here, we present a 52,698-cell catalog of the TME transcriptome in human lung tumors at single-cell resolution, validated in independent samples where 40,250 additional cells were sequenced. By comparing with matching non-malignant lung samples, we reveal a highly complex TME that profoundly molds stromal cells.

Sustained SREBP-1-dependent lipogenesis as a key mediator of resistance to BRAF-targeted therapy.

Whereas significant anti-tumor responses are observed in most BRAF-mutant melanoma patients exposed to MAPK-targeting agents, resistance almost invariably develops. Here, we show that in therapy-responsive cells BRAF inhibition induces downregulation of the processing of Sterol Regulator Element Binding (SREBP-1) and thereby lipogenesis. Irrespective of the escape mechanism, therapy-resistant cells invariably restore this process to promote lipid saturation and protect melanoma from ROS-induced damage and lipid peroxidation.

Molecular Subtypes of Clear-cell Renal Cell Carcinoma are Prognostic for Outcome After Complete Metastasectomy.

Background: Metastasectomy is routinely performed in selected patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) as an alternative to systemic therapy. In the absence of randomized trials, the benefit and best way of patient selection remain unclear. Earlier, we described four molecular ccRCC-subtypes (ccrcc1-4) that have a prognostic and predictive value upon first-line sunitinib or pazopanib.

Molecular Subtypes of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Are Associated With Outcome During Pazopanib Therapy in the Metastatic Setting.

Background: We previously described 4 molecular subtypes of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC), named ccrcc1-4 (Beuselinck et al, 2015). These have both prognostic and predictive value for patients treated with first-line sunitinib, with distinctive objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The ccrcc2 and ccrcc3 tumors have the best outcomes, followed by ccrcc1 and then ccrcc4.

Pathogenic CD8 T Cells Cause Increased Levels of VEGF-A in Experimental Malaria-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, but Therapeutic VEGFR Inhibition Is Not Effective.

Malaria is a severe disease and kills over 400,000 people each year. Malarial complications are the main cause of death and include cerebral malaria and malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (MA-ARDS). Despite antimalarial treatment, lethality rates of MA-ARDS are still between 20 and 80%.

The footprint of the ageing stroma in older patients with breast cancer.

Background: Tumours are not only composed of malignant cells but also consist of a stromal micro-environment, which has been shown to influence cancer cell behaviour. Because the ageing process induces accumulation of senescent cells in the body, this micro-environment is thought to be different in cancers occurring in old patients compared with younger patients. More specifically, senescence-related fibroblastic features, such as the senescence-associated secretory profile (SASP) and the induction of autophagy, are suspected to stimulate tumour growth and progression.

End-stage cystic fibrosis lung disease is characterised by a diverse inflammatory pattern: an immunohistochemical analysis.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterised by vigorous airway inflammation eventually resulting in severe lung damage. This study aimed to describe the diversity of the inflammatory pattern in end-stage CF lungs by evaluating and quantifying which components of the innate and adaptive immunity are involved, and by assessing whether this is gender-specific.

Methods: CF explant lung tissue (n = 20) collected at time of transplantation and control tissue (n = 22) was sectioned (9 μm) and stained for neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4 T cells, cytotoxic T cells and B cells.

Immunological diversity in phenotypes of chronic lung allograft dysfunction: a comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis.

Chronic rejection after organ transplantation is defined as a humoral- and cell-mediated immune response directed against the allograft. In lung transplantation, chronic rejection is nowadays clinically defined as a cause of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), consisting of different clinical phenotypes including restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS) and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). However, the differential role of humoral and cellular immunity is not investigated up to now.

Myeloid-Related Protein-14/MRP-14/S100A9/Calgranulin B is Associated with Inflammation in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate the expression of the leukocyte proteins myeloid-related protein (MRP)-8 and MRP-14 in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and the effect of MRP-8/MRP-14 (calprotectin) heterodimer on induction of proinflammatory factors in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC).

Methods: Epiretinal membranes from 20 patients with PDR and 10 patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), vitreous fluid samples from PDR and non-diabetic subjects and HRMEC were studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

Results: MRP-14 expression was localized in endothelial cells, leukocytes and myofibroblasts in all PDR membranes.

The Presence of Endometrial Cells in Peritoneal Fluid of Women With and Without Endometriosis.

To reinforce Sampson's theory of retrograde menstruation in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, proof should be provided that during menstruation endometrial cells are present in peritoneal fluid (PF). We hypothesize that the prevalence of PF samples containing endometrial cells is higher in patients with endometriosis than in controls without endometriosis during menstruation. We selected from our biobank PF samples of 17 reproductive-age women with (n = 9) or without (n = 8) endometriosis who had received a diagnostic laparoscopy for investigation of pain/infertility.

Upregulation of Thrombin/Matrix Metalloproteinase-1/Protease-Activated Receptor-1 Chain in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: Selective proteolytic activation of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) by thrombin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays a central role in enhancing angiogenesis. We investigated the expression levels of thrombin, MMP-1, and PAR1 and correlated these levels with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, we examined the expression of PAR1 and thrombin in the retinas of diabetic rats and PAR1 in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) following exposure to high-glucose, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride (CoCl).

Upregulated Expression of Heparanase in the Vitreous of Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Originates From Activated Endothelial Cells and Leukocytes.

Purpose: To determine and interrelate the levels of heparanase, syndecan-1, and VEGF in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and to study the production of heparanase by human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) and its effect on HRMEC barrier function.

Methods: Vitreous samples from 33 PDR and 27 nondiabetic patients, epiretinal membranes from 16 patients with PDR and HRMEC were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. The effect of heparanase on HRMEC barrier function was evaluated by transendothelial electrical resistance.

Laminin-332 sustains chemoresistance and quiescence as part of the human hepatic cancer stem cell niche.

Background & Aims: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be persistent in tumours due to their chemoresistance and to cause relapse and metastasis. Hepatic carcinomas displaying hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) features have been associated with a poor prognosis, though it remains unclear how CSCs relate to these different histological subtypes.

Methods: Candidate CSCs were isolated using the side population (SP) technique from primary tissue samples diagnosed as keratin(K)19-negative or -positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or as combined hepatocellular/cholangiocarcinoma and analysed for gene and protein expression.

Regenerative endodontic procedure of an infected immature permanent human tooth: an immunohistological study.

Objectives: An immunohistological study of an infected immature permanent human tooth after a regenerative endodontic procedure (REP) was conducted in order to determine the histologic outcome of this procedure. Besides observed signs of angiogenesis and neurogenesis, repair and/or regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex was also investigated.

Materials And Methods: A REP was performed on tooth 45 of a 10-year-old girl.

The Chemokine Platelet Factor-4 Variant (PF-4var)/CXCL4L1 Inhibits Diabetes-Induced Blood-Retinal Barrier Breakdown.

Purpose: To investigate the expression of platelet factor-4 variant (PF-4var/CXCL4L1) in epiretinal membranes from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and the role of PF-4var/CXCL4L1 in the regulation of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown in diabetic rat retinas and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC).

Methods: Rats were treated intravitreally with PF-4var/CXCL4L1 or the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent bevacizumab on the first day after diabetes induction. Blood-retinal barrier breakdown was assessed in vivo with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated dextran and in vitro in HRMEC by transendothelial electrical resistance and FITC-conjugated dextran cell permeability assay.

The tumor necrosis factor superfamily members TWEAK, TNFSF15 and fibroblast growth factor-inducible protein 14 are upregulated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15), members of the TNF superfamily, play important roles in the modulation of inflammation and neovascularization. TWEAK activity is mediated via binding to fibroblast growth factor-inducible molecule 14 (Fn14). We investigated the expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and TNFSF15 and the correlation between TWEAK levels and the levels of the inflammatory biomarker soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Myofibroblasts in proliferative diabetic retinopathy can originate from infiltrating fibrocytes and through endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT).

Myofibroblasts expressing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) are the key cellular mediator of fibrosis. Fibrovascular epiretinal membranes from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are characterized by the accumulation of a large number of myofibroblasts. We explored the hypothesis that proliferating endothelial cells via endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and/or bone marrow-derived circulating fibrocytes contribute to the myofibroblast population present in PDR epiretinal membranes.

Hemozoin induces hepatic inflammation in mice and is differentially associated with liver pathology depending on the Plasmodium strain.

Malaria is a global disease that clinically affects more than two hundred million people annually. Despite the availability of effective antimalarials, mortality rates associated with severe complications are high. Hepatopathy is frequently observed in patients with severe malarial disease and its pathogenesis is poorly understood.

S100A4 is upregulated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and correlates with markers of angiogenesis and fibrogenesis.

Purpose: The calcium-binding protein S100A4 is implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis, the stimulation of angiogenesis, the progression of fibrosis, and inflammatory disorders. We investigated the expression of S100A4 and correlated it with clinical disease activity as well as with the levels of osteopontin (OPN), soluble syndecan-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). To reinforce the findings at the functional level, we examined the expressions of S100A4 and OPN in the retinas of diabetic rats and in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) following exposure to VEGF and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

The angiogenic biomarker endocan is upregulated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and correlates with vascular endothelial growth factor.

Purpose/aim: Endocan is a proteoglycan specifically secreted by endothelial cells, is a marker of angiogenesis and endothelial cell activation in response to proangiogenic signals. The aim of this study was to measure the levels of endocan in the vitreous fluid from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to correlate its levels with clinical disease activity and the levels of the angiogenic biomarkers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial-cadherin (sVE-cadherin) and soluble endoglin (sEng). In addition, we investigated the expression of endocan and correlated it with the level of vascularization in PDR epiretinal membranes.

Relationship between vitreous levels of matrix metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

To investigate which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are more likely to be involved in the angiogenic process in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), we measured the levels of MMPs in the vitreous fluid from patients with PDR and controls and correlated these levels with the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Vitreous samples from 32 PDR and 24 nondiabetic patients were studied by mosaic multiplex MMPs enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), single ELISA, Western blot and zymography analysis. Epiretinal membranes from 11 patients with PDR were studied by immunohistochemistry.

Neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Neurotrophins (NTs) are emerging as important mediators of angiogenesis and fibrosis. We investigated the expression of the NTs nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) and their receptors TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). As a comparison, we examined the expression of NTs and their receptors in the retinas of diabetic rats.

Gene expression changes in melanoma metastases in response to high-dose chemotherapy during isolated limb perfusion.

Despite recent advances in melanoma therapy, disseminated melanoma still lacks effective treatment, and recurrence of the tumor frequently occurs, even after high-dose chemotherapy. The mechanisms responsible for this chemoresistance or for the formation of new relapses remain poorly understood. Using a human 'model', in which the isolated limb is perfused with high doses of the chemotherapeutic melphalan (ILP), we identified a five-gene set (ATF3, CYR61, IER5, IL6, and PTGS2) of stress-induced genes that was consistently upregulated after ILP in all in-transit metastatic melanoma samples as well as in three melphalan-treated melanoma cell lines.