Interleukin-6-Positive Immune Cells as a Possible New Immunologic Marker Associated With the Colorectal Cancer Prognosis.

Chronic inflammation creates tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitates colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, and tumor progression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine with a pleiotropic effect on CRC development. We aimed to evaluate IL-6 expression in tumor cells and in immune cells in TME, to assess the serum level and IL6 -174 G/C genotype distribution and to correlate the results with selected morphologic and clinical parameters that may add useful information in understanding the mechanisms of human CRC progression.

Glucagon- and insulin-immunopositive endocrine cells in porcine extrahepatic bile ducts and gallbladder.

Introduction: Pancreatic β-cells and α-cells have been found in the murine extrahepatic biliary ducts but not in the gallbladder. However, there has been no information reported in the specialized literature about the presence of glucagon- and insulin-expressing endocrine cells in porcine bile ducts and gallbladder.

Aim: We aimed to perform an immunohistochemical study to identify glucagon- and insulin-positive cells and their distribution in the porcine extrahepatic biliary ducts and gallbladder.

Development of pancreatic islet cells in the extrahepatic bile ducts of rats with experimentally-induced metabolic syndrome.

Context: There is data about the existence of some endocrine cells in the epithelial layer of the bile duct in humans and rats.

Objective: We evaluated Ghrelin-, Insulin-, Glucagon- and Somatostatin-positive cells in peribiliary glands, mast cells, and nerve fibres.

Materials And Methods: Wistar rats were used for dietary manipulation with a 15% fructose solution for 12 weeks.

Protective Role of -197 A/G Heterozygosity in the Development and Severity of Colorectal Cancer in the Bulgarian Population.

: Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, expressed mainly by a novel subset of CD-positive (+) T-helper (Th) cells of the immune system, has been closely related to inflammatory conditions underlying colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Accordingly, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the association of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the and genes (rs2275913 and rs763780, respectively) with the susceptibility and severity of CRC patients from the Bulgarian population. : 136 patients with histologically confirmed CRC diagnosis and 116 healthy individuals were recruited in the present study.

The Expression of Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Multinucleated Giant Cells in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background: Inflammation that occurred in the tumor microenvironment was characterized by abundant macrophage infiltration, playing role in innate immunity. Multinucleate giant cells (MGCs) occur in a variety of inflammatory, hyperplastic, and neoplastic thyroid disorders. They also have been recognized as a feature of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Myeloid and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Cancer - New Insights.

Dendritic cells (DCs) use effective mechanisms to combat antigens and to bring about adaptive immune responses through their ability to stimulate näive T cells. At present, four major cell types are categorised as DCs: Classical or conventional (cDCs), Plasmacytoid (pDCs), Langerhans cells (LCs), and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs). It was suggested that pDCs, CD1c+ DCs and CD141+ DCs in humans are equivalent to mouse pDCs, CD11b+ DCs and CD8α+ DCs, respectively.

IL-6 Activities in the Tumour Microenvironment. Part 1.

The predominant role of IL-6 in cancer is its key promotion of tumour growth. IL-6 binds IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and the membrane-bound glycoprotein gp130. The complex I-6/IL-6R/gp130 starts the Janus kinases (JAKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) or JAK/STAT3 pathway.

CD11c- and CD123-positive dendritic cells in development of antitumour immunity in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Our aim was to analyzed the significance of CD11c and CD123 positive DCs and their relations with some clinical and pathologic parameters of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The immunohistochemical expression of CD11c and CD123, was evaluated in 40 patients with NSCLC. After analysis we found that 35.

"Redox Imaging" to Distinguish Cells with Different Proliferative Indexes: Superoxide, Hydroperoxides, and Their Ratio as Potential Biomarkers.

The present study was directed to the development of EPR methodology for distinguishing cells with different proliferative activities, using "redox imaging." Three nitroxide radicals were used as redox sensors: (a) mito-TEMPO-cell-penetrating and localized mainly in the mitochondria; (b) methoxy-TEMPO-cell-penetrating and randomly distributed between the cytoplasm and the intracellular organelles; and (c) carboxy-PROXYL-nonpenetrating in living cells and evenly distributed in the extracellular environment. The experiments were conducted on eleven cell lines with different proliferative activities and oxidative capacities, confirmed by conventional analytical tests.

Fructose-induced metabolic disturbances in rats and its impact on stomach endocrine cell number and smooth muscle contractility.

Gastric ghrelin-positive endocrine cells (GHR + EC) were most dense in the oxyntic mucosa. We evaluated ECs and contractile activity in rat stomach with metabolic disorders. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Control ( = 9) received tap water and Fructose ( = 9) drank 15% fructose solution for 12 weeks.

The Position of Neutrophils-To-Lymphocytes and Lymphocytes-To-Platelets Ratio as Predictive Markers of Progression and Prognosis in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an insidious metastasis condition of the lungs often presenting no symptoms at the onset. Defining markers for quick determination of prognosis is essential for building up a treatment strategy.

Aim: The aim of this study is to define the role of the Neutrophils-to-Lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and Platelets-to- Lymphocytes ratio (PLR) as biomarkers in patients with NSCLC, according to the stage and prognosis of the disease.

Immunohistochemical Expression of TGF-Β1, SMAD4, SMAD7, TGFβRII and CD68-Positive TAM Densities in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for 80% of the thyroid malignancies that are characterised by slow growth and an excellent prognosis. Over-expression of SMAD4 protein restores TGF-β signalling, determines a strong increase in anti-proliferative effect and reduces invasive potential of tumour cells expressing it.

Aim: The study aimed to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β1 and its downstream phosphorylated SMAD4, element and of the inhibitory SMAD7 PTC variants and their association with the localisation of TAMs within the tumour microenvironment.

MMP12 -82 A>G Promoter Polymorphism in Bronchial Asthma in a Population of Central Bulgaria.

A characteristic feature of inflamed lungs in bronchial asthma (BA) is airway remodeling. Due to limited information on this topic in the literature, we aimed to explore the possible role of polymorphisms in the promoter region of the macrophage elastase gene MMP12 82A>G (rs2276109) as a predisposing factor for BA in an ethnic Bulgarian population. Using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified fragments (PCR-RFLP), we performed genotype analysis of 58 patients and 119 control individuals.

Promoter polymorphisms in TGFB1 and IL10 genes influence tumor dendritic cells infiltration, development and prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Background: Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 have a complex role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Dendritic cells (DCs) are the cellular component of the inflammatory microenvironment in the tumor and infiltration of tumors by DCs is associated with better prognosis and fewer metastases.

Methods: In the present study, we explored the role of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of TGFB1 and IL10 genes and their associations with infiltrating DCs in CRC.

Impact of TGF-β1 expression and -509C>T polymorphism in the TGF-β1 gene on the progression and survival of gastric cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β receptor type II (RII) and the impact of the -509C>T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene in relation to clinicopathological factors in gastric cancer (GC). Using immunohistochemistry we investigated 43 patients with GC for expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β-RII. Consequently, RFLP-PCR was performed to analyze the presence of -509C>T polymorphism in the TGF-β1 gene.

Association of IL-12Bpro polymorphism with tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells in colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Chronic inflammation is a key component in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). A notable hallmark of the inflammation process is the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by infiltrating cells of the immune system. Defects in dendritic cells (DCs) recruitment, maturation and cytokine release are a hallmark of the CRC strategy to escape immune surveillance.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Redox Imbalance as a Diagnostic Marker of "Free Radical Diseases".

The intracellular redox balance (redox status) is a dynamic system that may change via many factors. Mitochondria are one of the most important among them. These organelles are the main intracellular source of energy.

The G allele of MMP12 -82 A > G promoter polymorphism as a protective factor for COPD in Bulgarian population.

Chronic inflammation and remodelling of the small airways are features related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the current study, we aimed to explore the possible role of MMP12 -82 A > G (rs2276109) promoter polymorphism in the development of COPD in a population from Bulgaria (167 patients with COPD and 119 control individuals). The genotype and allele distributions differed significantly between COPD patients and controls (p = .

Expression of E-Cadherin/Beta-Catenin in Epithelial Carcinomas of the Thyroid Gland.

Background: The aberrant activation of Wnt signalling pathway may be a common denominator for the development of thyroid tumorigenesis. It was announced that the loss of E-cadherin rather than β-catenin mutation represents a crucial event in determining the degree of differentiation of thyroid carcinomas.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in the thyroid cancer tissue and to correlate these data with some histological and clinical parameters of the tumours.

Impact of HER2 codon 655 polymorphism and expression of HER2 and HER3 in non small cell lung cancer patients.

The aim of the study was to assess the expression and significance of HER2 and HER3, and Ile/Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of HER2 in lung cancer patients. Thirty seven cases of lung cancer were investigated immunohistochemically for HER2 and HER3 expression. PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to analyze the presence of HER-2 SNP at codon 655 in 20 samples.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of acute pancreatitis define inflammatory markers of clinical prognosis.

Development of acute pancreatitis illustrates the need to understand the basic mechanisms of disease progression to drive the exploration of therapeutic options. Cytokines play a major role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis as underlying systemic inflammatory response, tissue damage, and organ dysfunction. However, little is known about circulating concentrations of these inflammatory markers and their real impact on clinical practice.

Investigation of the role of polymorphism in cutaneous malignant melanoma - a preliminary study.

Coetaneous malignant melanoma is the most aggressive cancer of the skin with a high rate of mortality worldwide. Degradation of basement membranes and extracellular matrix is an essential step in cancer invasion and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play key roles in this step.

VEGF expression, microvessel density and dendritic cell decrease in thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is one of the five most common cancers in the age between 20 and 50 years. Many factors including the potent angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and different dendritic cell types are known to be related to thyroid tumourogenesis. The study was performed to address the expression of VEGF and microvessel density in thyroid cancers and to evaluate the effect of VEGF expression in thyroid tumour cells on the dendritic cells.

Relationship of TGF-β1 and Smad7 expression with decreased dendritic cell infiltration in liver gastrointestinal cancer metastasis.

Immune responses and their modulation within the liver are critical to the outcome of liver malignancies. In late-stage tumors, secreted TGF-β promotes oncogenic functions and can confer tolerogenicity to some immune cells like DCs. The TGF-β signaling pathway is involved in the control of several biological processes, including immunosurveillance.