Regeneration of injured intestinal mucosa is impaired in hepatocyte growth factor activator-deficient mice.

Background And Aims: Hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) is a serum proteinase that specifically converts an inactive single-chain form of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) into an active 2-chain form. HGFA is produced in its precursor form and then activated in injured tissues. To address the precise role of HGFA and to investigate the mechanisms of HGF activation in injured tissues, we generated mice deficient in HGFA.

Expression of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2) in human testis: identification of a distinct transcription start site for the HAI-2 gene in testis.

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI-1) and type 2 (HAI-2) are recently identified integral membrane Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors. They have important regulatory roles in pericellular activation of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) which is critically involved in the development and regeneration of various tissues. Recent reports suggest that HGF/SF is also involved in testicular development and spermatogenesis.

Complex formation of IQGAP1 with E-cadherin/catenin during cohort migration of carcinoma cells. Its possible association with localized release from cell-cell adhesion.

In histopathological sections, it is frequently observed that carcinoma cells invade the stroma as coherent cell nests rather than single cells. We have called this type of movement "cohort migration (CM)" and developed an in vitro model, in which human colon carcinoma cells move as coherent cell sheets when stimulated with hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). In this CM model, localized release from cell-cell adhesion at the lower portion of cells is essential for cell movement.

Cytology of primary cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis with a malignant phenotype. A case report.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a proliferative disorder of Langerhans cells, but the nature of LCH, whether reactive, benign, or malignant and neoplastic, is controversial. We encountered a case of LCH showing a malignant phenotype initially localized in the skin of an elderly woman. Since there is no other report on the cytologic appearance of primary cutaneous LCH or on LCH with a malignant phenotype, we compared the cytologic features of this case with those of benign cases at other sites reported in the literature.

Hydroxyapatite block for use in posterolateral lumbar fusion: a report of four cases.

Autologous bone grafts for posterolateral lumbar fusion are harvested from the iliac crests. Recently, several alternatives to autologous bone have been evaluated (such as graft substitutes, graft extenders, or both) with variable results. However, no clinical long-term studies have validated the efficacy of these techniques in posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Diffuse pagetoid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus combined with choriocarcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma: an autopsy case report.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) with diffuse pagetoid features is a recently recognized rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. A histopathological study of a specimen from a 70-year-old male Japanese patient is reported. The patient died of respiratory failure due to rapidly progressing metastatic pulmonary tumors of unknown origin 73 days after the onset of hemosputum.

Immunohistochemical analysis of IQGAP1 expression in human colorectal carcinomas: its overexpression in carcinomas and association with invasion fronts.

In histopathological sections, it is frequently observed that carcinoma cells move in and invade the stroma as coherent cell nests, rather than single cells. We have called this type of movement 'cohort migration (CM)' and developed an in vitro model, in which human colon adenocarcinoma cells move as coherent cell sheets when stimulated with naturally occurring motogenic factor, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). In this CM model, localized release from cell-cell adhesion is essential for cell movement.