OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation and anatomic association of benign hyperplastic nodules in the peripheral zone (PZ) with those in the transition zone (TZ) of the prostate, and to compare the histological components of the two kinds of nodules.

METHODSWe obtained benign hyperplastic nodules specimens from the PZ and TZ by autopsy, measured the distance between the outer surface of the nodules and the inner gland, observed the integrity of the surgical envelope of the prostate, and determined the histological components of the two kinds of nodules by HE staining, immunohistochemistry and automatic quantitative image analysis.

RESULTSThe surgical envelope of the prostate was integrated and the distance between the nodules of the PZ and the outer surface of the inner gland was about 2.5 to 5 mm ([3.9 +/- 0.8] mm), with no signs of anatomic connection in between. The stromata and epithelia in the nodules accounted for (69.32 +/- 8.35)% and (16.08 +/- 5.36)% in the PZ and (74.58 +/- 8.95)% and (15.82 +/- 6.41)% in the TZ.

CONCLUSIONBenign hyperplastic nodules may originate from the PZ of the prostate and not correlate with the inner gland hyperplasia in the TZ, but with no statistical difference between the histological components of the two kinds of nodules.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autopsy ; Collagen Type I ; analysis ; Collagen Type II ; analysis ; Collagen Type III ; analysis ; Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; Fibronectins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin ; analysis ; Male ; Prostate ; chemistry ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology

The preeclamptic nephropathy is characterized by swelling of endothelial cells, interposition of mesangial cells and matrix, subendothelial deposits of incompletely defined material, and thickening of the capillary walls. To determine the distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in preeclamptic nephropathy, the immunohistochemical study was performed in ten renal biopsy cases using antisera to human type I, III, IV, and VI collagens, fibronectin, and laminin. In preeclamptic nephropathy, the accumulation of type IV and VI collagens, fibronectin was observed in moderate amount in the mesangium and, to some extent, in the thickened capillary walls, particularly in the subendothelial layer. In segmentally sclerotic lesions seen in six cases, the amount of type IV collagen was partly decreased, whereas those of type VI collagen and fibronectin were slightly increased. Type I collagen was expressed to a mild degree in the expanded mesangium and segmentally sclerotic lesions. The results suggest that the expression of ECM in the mesangium is increased in preeclamptic nephropathy, and the deposition of ECM components may be involved in the development and the reparative process of the characteristic glomerular lesions. The formation of sclerotic lesions may be linked to the alternative accumulation of ECM components.
Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type IV ; Collagen Type VI ; Endothelial Cells ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Laminin ; Mesangial Cells

BACKGROUND: Changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occur between the proliferating and involuted phases of infantile hemangiomas (IH), and are associated with angiogenic growth. We examined the composition of the ECM in proliferating and involuted IHs and assessed correlations between the composition of the ECM and whether the IH was in the proliferating or the involuted phase. METHODS: We evaluated IH samples from a cohort of patients who had five proliferating IHs and five involuted IHs. The following ECM molecules were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemistry: laminin, fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type II, and collagen type III. RESULTS: The involuted IHs had higher levels of deposition of collagen type III than the proliferating IHs. The median values (interquartile ranges) were 1.135 (0.946-1.486) and 1.008 (0.780-1.166) (P=0.019), respectively. The level of laminin was higher in involuted IHs than in proliferating IHs, with median values (interquartile ranges) of 3.191 (2.945-3.191) and 2.479 (1.699-3.284) (P=0.047), respectively. Abundant collagen type III staining was found in involuted IHs. Laminin alpha4 chain staining was clearly present within the basement membrane adjacent to the blood vessels, and was significantly more intense in involuted IHs than in proliferative IHs. CONCLUSIONS: Involuted hemangiomas showed extensive deposition of collagen III and laminin, suggesting that differences in the composition of the ECM reflect stages of the development of IHs. This pattern may be due to the rapid senescence of IHs.
Aging ; Basement Membrane ; Blood Vessels ; Cohort Studies ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type II ; Collagen Type III ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin

OBJECTIVEBronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Long-term inflammation leads to varying degrees of structural changes in the airway wall known as airway reconstruction or remodeling. These structural changes are found in the airways of most patients with prolonged disease. After remodeling, the airway walls show the submucous membrane becomes thick with collagen deposition, and the smooth muscle cells show hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Smooth muscle cells are a vital component of the airway wall, and a major effector cell involved in the course of bronchial contraction. Smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy are important pathological changes in airway remodeling. This study investigated the expression of markers of human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) phenotypic change, which were matrix Gla protein (MGP) and major fibrosis proteins, after in vitro treatment with transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)).

METHODSHuman ASMCs were subjected to primary culture in vitro. Ten groups of cells were treated with 100 microg/ml of TGF-beta(1), while the cells in the control groups were treated with 10% fetal bovine serum. After being cultured for 7 d, the cells of both groups were harvested. MGP mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. Protein levels of collagen I, III and V were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSTreated with TGF-beta(1), airway smooth muscle cells expressed MGP mRNA greater than controls [(62.3 +/- 13.1)% vs (27.4 +/- 11.4)%, P < 0.01]. Also, airway smooth muscle cells stimulated by TGF-beta(1) produced more collagen I, III and V than the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTGF-beta(1) induced expression of collagen III and V, which are early markers of the switch from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype in ASMCs. This induction is an indication that ASMCs have the potential to make this switch and that TGF-beta(1) is involved in airway remodeling.

Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Collagen Type V ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

The present study was performed to examine whether acupuncture can regulate the expression of extracellular matrix proteins that play important roles in burn wound healing of rat, such as fibronectin, type I and IV collagens, and laminin. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250~300 g were divided into 4 groups such as normal control group (C), only acupuncture treatment group (Ca), burn treatment group (B), and a group for acupuncture treatment after burn (Ba). We burned 15x25 mm in size for 15~18 seconds at lumbar area of rats with special iron adapter and acupunctured at 5~7 mm in diameter and 1 cm in depth using 0.25 mm x 50 mm acupuncture needle for 20 minutes in wound area. Rats in group Ca were acupunctured once, and rats in group Ba were acupunctured every 12 hours 3 times. Rats sacrificed at days 1, 3, 7, 15 and 20 after burn treatment. Histological changes were examined by azan staining methods and expression profiles of fibronectin, type I and IV collagens, and laminin were detected by immunohistochemical staining methods. The results we obtained were as follows: 1. At day 1, fibers in epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue in both groups B and Ba were not observed. However groups B and Ba exhibited fibers stained mildly and moderately, respectively, in muscle and connective tissues. At day 20 , the level of fiber in group B which was comparable to group C was less than that of in B group. 2. At day 3, fibronectin in group Ba was observed in the muscle. At days 15 and 20, fibronectin was increased in epidermis and dermis of group Ba compared with those of group B. 3. Type I collagen in subcutaneous tissue was observed at days 1, 3 and 7 in both groups B and Ba. However type I collagen was observed only in group Ba at day 15. In the epidermis of group Ba, type I collagen was observed at day 3 and maintained until day 20, while observing only at day 20 in group B. 4. For type IV collagen, both groups B and Ba showed similar results. 5. For laminin, both groups B and Ba showed similar results except the 7th day results. However after day 15, laminin was stained moderately and mildly in groups Ba and B, respectively. These results suggest that acupuncture may improve the burn wound healing by increasing fibronectin and type I collagen.
Acupuncture* ; Animals ; Burns* ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type IV ; Collagen* ; Connective Tissue ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Fibronectins* ; Iron ; Laminin* ; Needles ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

We performed photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) on 10 rabbit eyes and determined the distribution of collagen type III, IV VI, VII at postoperative 2, 4 and 6 months to examine immunohistochemical changes after PRK. Type III collagen was not found in the normal cornea but strongly detected in the regenerated corneal stroma at all intervals. It was most prominent at 2 months after surgery and then decreased. Type IV collagen was detected in basement membrane in both normal and ablated corneas at all intervals and the staining was more intense in ablatd corneas than in normal cornea. There was no difference of staining intensity among the groups of different intervals. Type IV collagen was found in both normal and healed corneal stroma at all intervals and there was no difference of staining intensity between normal and ablated corneas and among the groups of different intervals. Type VII collagen was observed as a linear continuous band along the basal surface of epithelium in normal cornea. At 2 months after surgery, type VII collagen staining in basement membrane zone became denser than normal cornea, but segmented. At 4 months after surgery, continuous band of collagen type VII staining was observed, but it was less intense than in normal cornea. At 6 months after surgery, the intensity of continuous band of collagen type VII was the same as in normal cornea. This results suggest that the presence of type III collagen in the regenerated cornea may be related to the development of postoperative subepithelial opacity after PRK and the normalization of collagen type IV and VII at postoperative 6 months may mean the complete reestablished of the adhesion of regenerated epithelium and stroma.
Basement Membrane ; Collagen Type III* ; Collagen Type IV ; Collagen Type VII ; Collagen* ; Cornea* ; Corneal Stroma ; Epithelium ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of curcumin on exaggerated extracellular matrix accumulation of pulmonary fibrosis rats.

METHODOne hundred and forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (24 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low curcumin groups were injected with a single dose of bleomycin by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. One day after the injection, curcumin solution of different dosages (200, 100, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low curcumin group daily by gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 7, 14, 28 days, 8 rats per treatment group were randomly killed, the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum were determined, the determination of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates was analyzed, and the lung was incised to make pathological sections which were stained with HE and Mallory.

RESULTCurcumin could decreas the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum, and inhihit the proliferation of fibrous tissue.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin may play its therapetuic role by leveling down the content of extracellular matrix in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.

Animals ; Bleomycin ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Collagen Type IV ; blood ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Curcumin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Hydroxyproline ; blood ; metabolism ; Laminin ; blood ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), type III procollagen (PCIII), laminin (LN), type IV collagen (IV-C) and hepatic fibrosis and to determine their value in clinical practice.

METHODS2600 serum samples from chronic hepatitis patients were assayed for fibrosis indexes including HA, PCIII, LN and IV-C with RIA. Liver biopsy was performed in 280 of those patients and the biopsy material was examined histopathologically. The inflammation grade of the liver, stage of fibrosis and degree of chronic hepatitis were recorded and were compared with fibrotic indexes.

RESULTSAmong 2600 chronic hepatitis patients, every fibrotic index had a significant correlation with the inflammation grade, fibrosis staging and the degree of chronic hepatitis (P < 0.01). The coefficient correlation of the results of histopathological examinations to HA was 0.544, 0.548 and 0.468 respectively, that to PCIII, 0.495, 0.424 and 0.335, that to LN, 0.214, 0.204 and 0.184, and that to IV-C, 0.406, 0.404 and 0.412, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSerum fibrosis indexes are fairly well correlated with the inflammation grade of the liver, fibrosis staging and the degree of chronic hepatitis. However, as diagnostic markers, they should be considered in combination with liver function tests, ultrasonography and clinical manifestations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Collagen Type IV ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Laminin ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Procollagen ; blood ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVEIn order to investigate whether or not thrombopoietin (TPO) could promote the fibrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells in absence of megakaryocytes (MKs).

METHODSImproved dexter culture system with various TPO concentrations was used for ex vivo culture of bone marrow stromal cells. Relative proliferation index, the expressions of fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen, and the systhesis of type III procollagen were detected at different time points during culture process.

RESULTSTPO stimulated the proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells. Relative proliferation index of the stromal cells increased with the TPO concentration increasing, and was not related to the exposure time. The expressions of fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen appeared stronger in the TPO groups than those in the control group. But the expressions of these molecules were not dependent upon the culture time. TPO could accelerate the synthesis of type III procollagen in bone marrow stromal cells, and this acceleration was unrelated to the TPO concentration.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggested that TPO could stimulate the stromal cells with a consequence of increased syntheses and secretions of the extracellular matrix and collagen in absence of MKs. In other words, TPO could promote the fibrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells without the existence of MKs.

Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Laminin ; metabolism ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thrombopoietin ; pharmacology

Adult ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Collagen Type IV ; blood ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Laminin ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; physiopathology ; Portal Pressure