Improved polymerase chain reaction-based method to detect early-stage epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens of the dog.

In the dog, early-stage epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma (ETCL) can clinically and histologically mimic a large range of inflammatory dermatoses and often progresses rapidly to a more aggressive tumor stage. Early diagnosis of ETCL is essential to proceed with a specific oncologic therapy that is favorable for the prognosis. In the present study, an improved method for the detection of T-cell receptor gamma (TCRgamma) rearrangement was developed by designing a new set of consensus primers to amplify the different forms of rearranged canine TCRgamma gene sequences by polymerase chain reaction.

MBD2-mediated transcriptional repression of the p14ARF tumor suppressor gene in human colon cancer cells.

Objective: The p14(ARF) and p16(INK4A) tumor suppressor genes are commonly inactivated by aberrant methylation of their promoter regions in human colon cancer. The methyl-CpG-binding domain protein MBD2 is physically associated with the methylated promoters of the p14(ARF) and p16(INK4A) genes in specific tumor cell lines. Moreover, deficiency of MBD2 strongly inhibits intestinal tumorigenesis in the Min mouse, raising the possibility that the protein might be involved in transcriptional repression of methylated tumor suppressor genes.

Combination of immunohistochemistry and ploidy analysis to assist histopathological diagnosis of molar diseases.

Background: Differential diagnosis between hydropic abortion, partial mole and complete mole is still a challenge for pathologists but really important for patient management.

Material And Method: In this study, we have evaluated 111 products of conception from the first trimester. Histological analysis was made according to the main diagnostic histopathological features described in the literature and the cases were categorized in hydropic abortus (HA), partial mole (PM) and complete mole (CM).

Engineering a high-affinity methyl-CpG-binding protein.

Core members of the MBD protein family (MeCP2, MBD1, MBD2 and MBD4) share a methyl-CpG-binding domain that has a specific affinity for methylated CpG sites in double-stranded DNA. By multimerizing the MDB domain of Mbd1, we engineered a poly-MBD protein that displays methyl-CpG-specific binding in vitro with a dissociation constant that is >50-fold higher than that of a monomeric MBD. Poly-MBD proteins also localize to methylated foci in cells and can deliver a functional domain to reporter constructs in vivo.

Systemic investigation of keratoepithelin deposits in TGFBI/BIGH3-related corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: To investigate the location and tissue-specificity of the pathologic keratoepithelin (KE) deposition in a patient with a keratoepithelinopathy (KEP), TGFBI/BIGH3-related corneal dystrophy.

Methods: An autopsy was performed in a patient with lattice type I corneal dystrophy (LCDI) after authorization was obtained from the family. Mutation screening in TGFBI/BIGH3 was done on the patient several years ago.