Distinct immunological features of oropharyngeal cancer peritumoral tonsillar tissues from inflammatory tonsils and regional lymph nodes: A pilot study.

Background: Cancer immune responses are generated in secondary lymphoid organs, such as the lymph nodes and tonsils. In the current study, transcriptional profiles of peritumoral tonsillar tissues (PTTs) from oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) were assessed and compared with those of inflammatory tonsils and regional lymph nodes (rLNs).

Methods: RNA samples of PTTs and rLNs from 13 OPCs, and 4 inflammatory tonsils were subjected to microarray analysis, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified from 730 nCounter Panel immune-related genes.

Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase: Novel biomarker and therapeutic target for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cancer cells show a dynamic metabolic landscape, requiring a sufficient supply of nucleotides to proliferate. They are highly dependent on de novo purine biosynthetic pathways for their nucleotide requirements. Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (PPAT), catalyzing the first step of de novo purine biosynthesis, is highly expressed in various cancers.

An atlas and database of neuropeptide gene expression in the adult zebrafish forebrain.

Zebrafish is a useful model organism in neuroscience; however, its gene expression atlas in the adult brain is not well developed. In the present study, we examined the expression of 38 neuropeptides, comparing with GABAergic and glutamatergic neuron marker genes in the adult zebrafish brain by comprehensive in situ hybridization. The results are summarized as an expression atlas in 19 coronal planes of the forebrain.

Identification of olfactory alarm substances in zebrafish.

Escaping from danger is one of the most fundamental survival behaviors for animals. Most freshwater fishes display olfactory alarm reactions in which an injured fish releases putative alarm substances from the skin to notify its shoaling company about the presence of danger. Here, we identified two small compounds in zebrafish skin extract, designated as ostariopterin and daniol sulfate.

Lymph node metastasis regulation by peritumoral tonsillar tissue mitochondria-related pathway activation in oropharyngeal cancer.

Immune-related gene expression profiles of peritumoral tonsillar tissues are modified by oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) nodal status. This study explored immunometabolism and immune cell count alterations in peritumoral tonsillar tissue according to OPC nodal status. Microarray data analysis of 27 peritumoral tonsillar tissue samples, using a newly generated mitochondrial metabolism-related gene set comprised of 948 genes, detected 228 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (206 up- and 22 downregulated) in metastasis-negative cases compared to metastasis-positive ones.