Stress has long been known to be a causative factor of various disease states. In this study, we investigated the effects of repeated restraint stress on platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), a very important mediator in inflammation, immunoreactivity and protein levels as well as neuronal damage, in the gerbil hippocampus after 5 minutes of transient cerebral ischemia. Transient ischemia-induced neuronal death was shown in CA1 pyramidal cells 4 days after ischemia/reperfusion. However, repeated restraint stress protected neuronal death induced by ischemic damage. In the ischemia-group, PECAM-1 immunoreactivity and its protein levels were significantly increased in all the hippocampal subregions 4 days after ischemia/reperfusion. However, PECAM-1 immunoreactivity and its protein levels did not change significantly in the hippocampus of the stress-ischemia-group compared to the sham-groups. These results indicate that repeated restraint stress protects neuronal damage induced by transient cerebral ischemia, and this may be associated with maintenance of PECAM-1levels.
Antigens, CD31 ; Blood Platelets ; Brain Ischemia ; Gerbillinae ; Hippocampus ; Inflammation ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Neurons ; Pyramidal Cells

BACKGROUND: Although rarefaction of myocardial angiogenesis has been shown to be associated with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in animal models of ventricular hypertrophy, this relationship has not been investigated in depth nor validated in humans. We aimed to analyze the relationship of myocardial angiogenesis with various functional and structural ventricular remodeling parameters in moderate to severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients with normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: A total of 38 moderate or severe AS patients with LVEF > 50% were enrolled for the current study and all patients underwent LV endomyocardial biopsy at the septum during aortic valve replacement. The biopsy specimens were stained for platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) to analyze the density of blood vessels in the myocardium. RESULTS: The degree of myocardial angiogenesis tended to increase with worse myocardial systolic function, LV filling pressure and progressed ventricular hypertrophy (Spearman's rho = -0.388, p = 0.016 for LVEF; Spearman's rho = 0.442, p = 0.007 for E/e'; Spearman's rho = 0.424, p = 0.008 for LV mass index). The degree of myocardial angiogenesis was also significantly associated with the degree of aortic valve stenosis (Spearman's rho = -0.368, p = 0.023). There was significant difference in the degree of myocardial angiogenesis according to the LV geometry (p = 0.016 for mean difference between different LV geometry groups by analysis of variance). Significant predictors of myocardial blood vessel density were LV mass index (beta = 0.398, p = 0.010) and LVEF (beta = -0.313, p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: There is a close relationship between myocardial angiogenesis and LV remodeling in moderate to severe AS patients with normal LVEF, with angiogenesis increasing with LV hypertrophy. Further studies to demonstrate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is warranted.
Antigens, CD31 ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Stenosis* ; Biopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Models, Animal ; Myocardium ; Ventricular Remodeling*

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and progression of solid tumors, including gastric carcinoma. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is the most potent known inducer of microvascular hyperpermeability; in addition, it is a selective mitogen for endothelial cells. In this study, we studied that the relationship between angiogenesis and the expression of VEGF in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: 23 early gastric carcinomas and 28 advanced gastric carcinomas obtained by surgical resection were studied. Expression of the VEGF was semiquantitatively analyzed in paraffin sections by immunohistochemical method. Histologic sections immunostained for CD31 antigen were evaluated for microvessel density. RESULTS: The VEGF was mainly localized to the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Expression of the VEGF was significantly higher in advanced gastric carcinoma than in early gastric carcinoma (p< 0.05). Expression of the VEGF was correlated with the tumor depth and the stage(p< 0.05). The VEGF positivity was significantly higher in moderately and poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma than in well differentiated gastric carcinoma(p< 0.05). But the expression of the VEGF by Lauren,s classification was not significant between intestinal type and diffuse type(p> 0.05). The expression of CD31 was higher in advanced gastric carcinoma than in early gastric carcinoma. In gastric carcinoma, a correlation was observed between CD31 expression and the stage of the disease, the degree of histological differentiation. Also VEGF and CD 31 expression was observed significant correlation. CONCLUSION: VEGF is an important angiogenic factor associated with progression of the gastric carcinoma. Neovascularization assessment by CD 31 immunostaining was another efficient method for defining groups of tumors with aggressive clinical course.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Antigens, CD31 ; Classification ; Cytoplasm ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Microvessels ; Paraffin ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Splenic hamartoma is a very rare benign tumor, which is usually found incidentally after splenectomy or autopsy. Although percutaneous needle biopsy can be performed, it carries a high risk of bleeding after the procedure. Therefore, diagnosis is usually made by surgical resection. Herein, we report a case of splenic hamartoma diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, which enables visualization of the unique signals of microbubbles in the vessels in real time. Relevant literature is also reviewed.
Adult ; Antigens, CD31/metabolism ; Antigens, CD34/metabolism ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Hamartoma/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Splenic Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Partial or complete necrosis of a skin flap is a common problem. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) can be extracted from trout sperm and used as a tissue repair agent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PDRN could improve the survival of random pattern skin flaps in rats. METHODS: Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: the PDRN treatment group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). Caudally pedicled random pattern skin flaps were elevated on their dorsal skin and resutured. The treatment group received daily intraperitoneal administration of PDRN (8 mg/kg/day), and the control group received fluid vehicle (NaCl 0.9%, 8 mg/kg/day) from day 0 to day 6. On day 7, the flap survival was evaluated and the harvested tissue surrounding the demarcation line of the necrotic area was stained with H&E, anti-rat vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) antibody, and PECAM-1/CD31 antibody. RESULTS: The average necrotic area of the flap in the PDRN group was significantly smaller when compared with that of the control group. Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation showed that granulation thickness score and VEGF-positive staining cells were marked higher in the PDRN group than in the control group. PECAM-1/CD31-positive microvascular densities were significantly higher in the PDRN group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that PDRN improves the survival of random pattern skin flaps in rats. These results may represent a new therapeutic approach to enhancing flap viability and achieving faster wound repair.
Angiogenesis Modulating Agents ; Animals ; Antigens, CD31 ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Polydeoxyribonucleotides ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; Spermatozoa ; Surgical Flaps ; Trout ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Hemangioma of the esophagus is a rare form of benign esophageal tumor. It usually presents as a single lesion located in the lower third of the esophagus and is mostly asymptomatic. However, it may occasionally cause hematemesis and/or obstruction. Surgical resection is the conventional treatment modality for managing esophageal hemangioma, but less invasive approaches such as endoscopic therapy are recently becoming more widely employed. Herein, we report a case of a 54-year-old man who presented with an esophageal hemangioma that was successfully treated by endoscopic mucosal resection without any complications.
Antigens, CD31/metabolism ; Esophageal Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus/diagnostic imaging/metabolism/pathology ; Hemangioma/*diagnosis/surgery ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of spleen is a rare inflammatory tumor-like vascular lesion composed of angiomatoid nodules in a fibrosclerotic background. We report herein on a case of SANT in the spleen with its pathologic features, and review the related literature. A 50-year-old woman presented with mild left upper quadrant discomfort and tenderness and she showed a 6 cm-sized solitary splenic mass on computed tomography. She underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. Grossly, the spleen showed a well circumscribed round-shaped solid mass with multinodular hemorrhagic surfaces. Microscopically, the mass consisted of multiple angiomatoid nodules surrounded by collagen bundles with fibroblasts and a lymphoplasma cell infiltration. Immunohistochemically, the cells of the angiomatoid nodules were positive for CD31, CD30, CD34, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and VWF-VIII, but they were negative for CD8, anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein, and D2-40. The patient has been under close follow-up without recurrence.
Actins ; Antigens, CD31 ; Collagen ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Phosphotransferases ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Recurrence ; Spleen ; Splenectomy

PURPOSE: Mechanical forces, including shear stress (SS), trigger signal transducing events and modulate gene expression in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). However, the primary steps of mechanoreception are still unknown. PECAM-1 (CD31), a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily of cell adhesion molecules, is localized to the interendothelial cell adhesion site. PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation has been observed following mechanical stimulation, but the role it plays in mechanosensing in ECs is controversial. The aim of this study was to confirm the involvement of PECAM-1 in ECs signaling cascades in response to SS. METHOD: In this study, PECAM-1 knock-out (KO) and wild-type (WT) rat microvascular ECs, and 50 and 100% confluent bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) were exposed to oscillatory SS (14 dyne/cm2) for 0, 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes. Activation of the PECAM-1 and the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase were assessed by determining the phosphorylation of PECAM-1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. RESULT: The tyrosine-phosphorylation level of PECAM-1 immunoprecipitated from SS-stimulated WT ECs increased. While PECAM-1 was phosphorylated in 100% confluent BAECs, its phosphorylation level in 50% confluent BAECs was not detected by SS. However, ERK1/2 and p38 were also activated by SS in both PECAM-1 KO ECs and 50% confluent BAECs. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that ERK1/2 and p38 were activated by SS in PECAM-1 KO ECs and 50% confluent BAECs despite no PECAM-1 phosphorylation. This suggests that PECAM-1 can not be a major mechanoreceptor for the activation of MAP kinase in ECs; therefore, other more important mechanoreceptors maybe present in ECs to detect SS and trigger intercellular signal transduction.
Animals ; Antigens, CD31* ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Endothelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoprecipitation ; Mechanoreceptors* ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tyrosine

The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 in allergic and chemical conjunctivitis. The allergic and chemical conjunctivitis were induced in C57BL/6 mouse by compound 48/80(C48/80) and 2% characterized clinically by blepharospasm 100%, chemosis 80%, injection AgNO3, respectively. The allergic conjunctivitis was characterized clinically by blepharospasm 100%, chemosis 80%, injection, 40%, mucous discharge 20%, but the chemical conjunctivitis by blepharospasm 80%, chemosis 60%, infection 40% and no mucous discharge at 30 minute after topical application. On the endothelial cells, ICAM-1 was expressed from 1 to 48 hours, VCAM-1 from 6 to 72 hours and PECAM-1 from 1 to 72 hours in allergic conjunctivitis. In chemical conjuctivitis, the expression of ICAM-1 was observed from 6 to 72 hours. The expression of VCAM-1 was observed from 24 and 72 hours. The expression of PECAM-1 was demonstrated from 6 to 72 hours. The expression of cell adhesion molecules, particulary VCAM-1 and PECAM-1, was slighter in chemical conjunctivitis compared to allergic conjunctivitis. In conclusion, experimental allergic and chemical conjunctivitis demonstrate that cell adhesion molecules play a role in part in ocular inflammation and that there are differences between the adhesion molecule expression of two types of confunctivitis.
Animals ; Antigens, CD31 ; Blepharospasm ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Conjunctivitis* ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Endothelial Cells ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Mice ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Histiocytic sarcoma is a malignant proliferation of cells showing morphologic and immunophenotypic features similar to those of mature tissue histiocytes and is known for its rapid progression and poor prognosis. We describe a case of histiocytic sarcoma diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy. A 64-yr-old male was admitted for fever and weight loss that persisted for 8 months. The patient died undiagnosed on the 7th hospitalization day. A bone marrow biopsy performed just before the patient's death revealed diffuse proliferation of large pleomorphic neoplastic cells with large, round to oval nuclei, vesicular chromatin, and abundant foamy cytoplasm. These cells were positive for histiocytic markers, CD68, lysozyme, CD21, and S-100 protein, but negative for B-cell, T/NK-cell, and epithelial cell markers, thus confirming the presence of histiocytic sarcoma.
Antigens, CD/metabolism ; Antigens, CD31/metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism ; Bone Marrow/*pathology ; Fever/diagnosis ; Histiocytic Sarcoma/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muramidase/metabolism ; S100 Proteins/metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed