BACKGROUND: Fascin is associated with motility in various transformed cells. Overexpression of fascin is known to aid in the progression of some cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. E-cadherin is a major protein of epithelial cells and its expression is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to determine the expression pattern for fascin and E-cadherin and how it is related to the prognostic factors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: The expression of fascin and E-cadherin was evaluated in 208 RCCs including 175 clear cell, 20 papillary, and 9 chromophobe types using tissue array analysis. RESULTS: The expression of fascin increased as the tumor stage (p=0.00) and Fuhrman grade (p=0.00) increased. A high positive rate of expression for fascin was observed in cases with sarcomatoid changes (p=0.27). E-cadherin expression was seen in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of normal kidneys with a membranous pattern. The positive rate of expression for E-cadherin increased as the Fuhrman grade increased (1, 0%; 2, 23.2%; 3, 34.9%; and 4, 53.8%, p=0.00). An inverse correlation in RCCs was observed in the expression of fascin and E-cadherin (p=0.026, r=-0.158). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RCC, the increased expression of fascin and E-cadherin was positively correlated to poor prognostic factors such as a higher Fuhrman nuclear grade and advanced pTNM stage.
Cadherins ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Carrier Proteins ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Kidney ; Microfilament Proteins ; Prognosis ; Tissue Array Analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the morphologic characteristics and immunophenotype of juxtaglomerular cell tumor of the kidney (JGCT), with discussion on its diagnostic clues and possible histogenesis.

METHODSThe clinical, pathologic and immunohistochemical features of 5 cases of JGCT were evaluated. In addition, 5 cases of hemangiopericytoma and 5 cases of cutaneous glomus tumor were selected for comparative immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSThe JGCT cases came from 4 females and 1 male (mean age at diagnosis = 32 years). All of them manifested symptoms of systemic hypertension. Four of the patients received partial nephrectomy and the remaining patient was treated by radial nephrectomy. All of them were followed up for a period of 4 to 66 months (average = 27 months). There was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastases. On gross examination, these JGCTs were well-circumscribed and situated in the renal cortex and measured 4.4 cm in greatest dimension on average. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by the following three features: (1) solid sheets of relatively uniform polygonal to round cells with lightly eosinophilic cytoplasm, sometimes containing PAS-positive intracytoplasmic granules; (2) absence of or very scanty mitotic figures; (3) interstitium rich in thin-walled capillaries, associated with focal hyaline change and hemangiopericytoma-like architectural pattern. Under electron microscopy, characteristic rhomboid-shaped renin granules were found in the cytoplasm. All JGCTs were immunoreactive for renin, CD34, actin, and calponin. In contrast, all glomus tumors were negative for renin and all hemangiopericytomas were negative for actin.

CONCLUSIONSJGCT is a rare benign renal neoplasm typically found in young adults and manifests as systemic hypertension. The tumor cells may be originated from modified vascular smooth muscle cells. The identification of renin granules by electron microscopy and demonstration of the characteristic immunophenotype is the key to correct pathologic diagnosis.

Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Juxtaglomerular Apparatus ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Keratins ; analysis ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged

Backgrond: Fascin is an actin-bundling protein that induces membrane protrusions and it increases cell motility in various transformed cells. Esophageal cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, and it exhibits extensive local invasion or frequent regional lymph node metastasis even after curative surgery. We investigate the expression of fascin by performing immunohistochemistry to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of its expression in esophageal cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Immunochemistry for fascin was performed on 76 tumor samples from 76 patients who underwent esophageal cancer operations. The expression levels of fascin in the 76 esophageal cancer tissues were compared with those in the corresponding normal esophageal epithelium. The fascin-positive samples were defined as those showing more than 75% of fascin-positive cells. RESULT: Overall, a fascin positive expression was detected in 39 (51.3%) out of the total 76 cases. The tumors with positive fascin expression tended to more frequently show a higher stage (p=0.030), and a higher T-factor (p=0.031). The prognosis of the fascin negative group was significantly better than that of the fascin positive group (p=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymphovascular invasion and the fascin expression were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Fascin was expressed in 51.3% of the esophageal cancer tissues, and a positive expression of fascin was associated with more advanced tumor progression and recurrence. Our study suggests that the fascin expression may be an independent prognostic factor for an unfavorable clinical course for those patients suffering with esophageal cancer.
Carrier Proteins ; Cell Movement ; Epithelium ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Immunochemistry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Membranes ; Microfilament Proteins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Proteins ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Stress, Psychological

No abstract available.
Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Diseases in Twins/*genetics/metabolism ; Ectopia Lentis/*genetics/metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Humans ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; *Mutation ; *Twins, Monozygotic

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the relationship between the expression of transgelin-2 and the clinicopathological factors of colorectal carcinoma and evaluate the value of transgelin-2 in prognostic assessment of the colorectal cancer patients.

METHODSUsing tissue microarray and immunohistochemical methods, we examined transgelin-2 of 120 colorectal cancer patients received surgical treatment from September 2002 to April 2004, including 74 male and 46 female, age from 26 to 89 years. Analyzed the relationship between transgelin-2 and both the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the colorectal cancer by using χ² test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Cox proportion hazard regression analysis was used to study the independent prognostic factors.

RESULTSThe positive rate of transgelin-2 expression was 69.2% in colorectal carcinoma. The transgelin-2 expression correlated with differentiation degree (χ² = 5.420), lymph nodes metastasis (χ² = 45.577), distant metastasis (χ² = 12.009), and TNM staging (χ² = 47.577). The survival time was (39 ± 5) months in patients with positive expression of the transgelin-2, while (59 ± 3) months in patients with negative expression. The patient's survival time was statistically correlated with the transgelin-2 expression (P = 0.003). Distant metastasis (RR = 8.318, 95%CI: 4.119 - 16.790), lymph nodes metastasis (RR = 2.794, 95%CI: 1.246 - 6.263) and transgelin-2 expression (RR = 1.834, 95%CI: 1.118- 2.973) were independent prognostic factors in patients with colorectal cancer (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of transgelin-2 is correlated with clinicopathological features and prognosis in colorectal cancer, may be the potential marker of metastasis and the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Regression Analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of highly cellular leiomyoma (HCL) of uterus, compared with that of uterine endometrial stromal tumors (EST).

METHODSHE and immuno-stained sections EnVision method from 20 cases of HCL, 21 cases of EST and 1 case of stromomyoma were reviewed. Monoclonal antibodies against h-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, desmin and smooth muscle actin (SMA) were used for immunohistochemistry studies.

RESULTSOn microscopic examination, HCL were densely cellular and composed of cells that ranged from spindle-shaped to round with scanty cytoplasm. A focal fascicular pattern was present in all cases. Blood vessels with large, thick muscular walls were a conspicuous feature of the majority of tumors. Cleft-like spaces were present in 9 tumors and 15 cases exhibited irregular focal extensions into the adjacent myometrium. ESTs were composed of cells that resembled endometrial stromal cells of proliferative endometrium. These cases included a significant component of delicate blood vessels similar to spiral arterioles. All 20 low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma cases had infiltrative growth to adjacent myometrium. Immunoreactivities of HCL for h-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, Desmin and SMA were 80.0% (16/20), 100% (20/20), 0 (0/20), 95.0% (19/20) and 100% (20/20), respectively, whereas the positive rates of EST were 4.7% (1/21), 23.8% (5/21), 66.7% (14/21), 23.8% (5/21) and 19.0% (4/21), respectively (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSHighly cellular leiomyomas have distinct morphologic features. H-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, desmin and SMA are helpful in the differential diagnosis of HCL and EST.

Adult ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Desmin ; analysis ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrial Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; analysis ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the esophagus.

METHODSTen cases of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus were retrieved from the archival file. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features were studied. The differential diagnosis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe male-to-female ratio was 9: 1. The age of patients ranged from 59 to 76 years. There were 4 cases with tumor located in mid esophagus, 4 cases with tumor located in mid to lower esophagus and the remaining 2 cases in lower esophagus. Low-power histologic examination showed mainly expansive growth pattern, with cribriform, solid and focal tubular architectures identified. The tumor cells showed nuclear hyperchromasia. Both ductal and myoepithelial differentiation was demonstrated. The stroma showed myxoid degeneration in areas. Comedo-type necrosis was observed in 8 cases and moderate to severe squamous dysplasia was present in one case. Three cases showed focal areas of squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for p63 (10/10), CD117 (10/10) and S-100 protein (9/10). There was focal staining for calponin (2/10) and smooth muscle actin (2/10). The ductal structures expressed CK7 (10/10).

CONCLUSIONSAdenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus demonstrates unique morphologic features with expression of S-100 protein and consistent expression of CD117. The above characteristics help to distinguish this entity from basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Aged ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; chemistry ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, morphologic and immunohistochemical features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, histogenesis and prognosis of renal juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT).

METHODSLight microscopic observation; immunohistochemical assay of CK8, E-cadherin/CK7, CD10, Vim, Actin, CD34, S100, HMB45, CD31, Chr, Syn and CD117, EM; and follow-up were done on all 4 surgically treated JGCT patients.

RESULTSAll 4 JGCT were observed in young adult with clinically uncontrolled severe hypertension. Grossly, the tumor was encapsulated and small in size. Microscopically, the tumor cells grew in sheets predominantly, but papillary and onion-like pattern could also be seen. The stroma contained prominent vasculature that consisted of numerous thin-wall vessels clustering around thick-walled vessels. Tumor cells were rather small, polygonal, with slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and ill-defined cell border. Nuclei were uniform in size but nuclear atypia and mitosis could be seen. Numerous mast cells were scattered among the tumor cells, and tubules were identified in 3 of 4 cases with positive expression of distal tubule marker of E-cadherin/CK7. Tumor cells positively expressed Vim, Actin, calponin, and CD34. All cases presented ultrastructural features of distinct rhomboid-shaped crystal. There was no recurrence or metastasis but hypertension persisted in three during follow-up (mean 37 months) for all 4 JGCT patients.

CONCLUSIONJGCT, originating from the juxtaglomerular cell, has a distinct benign entity, and it is typically found in young adults with severe hypertension. It has a unique morphology and ultrastructure features and positive immunoreactivity to Vim, Actin, calponin and CD34.

Actins ; analysis ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Juxtaglomerular Apparatus ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Kidney Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; analysis

The ability of viral oncoproteins to subvert cell cycle checkpoints may constitute a mechanism by which viral oncoproteins induce genetic instability. HPV 16 E6 and E7 disrupt cell cycle checkpoints, particularly affecting nearly all cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors linked to the G1- and G2- checkpoints, in each case by means of a different mechanism. HPV 16 E7 shows homology with the pRb binding sites of cyclin D1, which consequently releases E2F. In addition, E7 directly binds to p21, and releases PCNA and other S-phase promoting genes. In turn, released E2F activates cyclin E, and cyclin E accelerates p27 proteolysis as a function of the antagonistic reaction of its own inhibitor. The induction of p16 expression is assumed to be indirectly associated with E7, which is upregulated only after prolonged inactivation of Rb. HPV 16 E6 decreased the fidelity of multiple checkpoints controlling both entry into and exit from mitosis, with the mechanism of p53 inactivation. In addition, HPV 16 E6 increased the sensitivity to chemically induced S-phase premature mitosis and decreased mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint function. Alongside the impressive advances made in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms, which HPV disrupts, the validity of these conclusions should be evaluated in the diagnostic and prognostic fields.
Cervix Neoplasms/*pathology/virology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/*antagonists & inhibitors ; Cyclins/analysis ; Female ; *G1 Phase ; *G2 Phase ; Human ; Microfilament Proteins/analysis ; Papillomavirus Infections/*pathology ; *Papillomavirus, Human ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/analysis ; Protein p16/analysis ; Tumor Virus Infections/*pathology

BACKGROUNDFascin, an actin binding protein, usually expressed at a low level in normal epithelium, but is significantly increased in transformed epithelial cells and several common carcinomas. In this study, we examined the expression of fascin by immunohistochemistry in sinonasal epithelium with chronic inflammation (control group), exophytic papilloma (EP), inverted papilloma (IP) with dysplasia and cancerated IP (including carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma, SCC), and furthermore investigated the relationship between fascin expression and formation of malignant IP.

METHODSFascin expression was immunohistochemically detected using monoclonal antibody against fascin in 86 paraffin embedded tissues, including 10 cases of sinonasal mucosa with chronic inflammation, 10 of EP, 45 of IP with dysplasia (45 cases were divided into three groups: IP with mild dysplasia, IP with moderate dysplasia, and IP with severe dysplasia, 15 cases each), and 21 of cancerated IP.

RESULTSThe level of fascin expression was significantly higher in the neoplastic tissue than that in control group. Fascin expression increased gradually with the progression from sinonasal epithelium with chronic inflammation, IP with mild dysplasia, IP with moderate dysplasia, IP with severe dysplasia, to cancerated IP, and significant difference of fascin expression was observed between any two groups of the five.

CONCLUSIONPrecancerous lesions of IP exhibit elevated levels of fascin that may be associated with carcinogenesis of IP. Fascin may play a role in the formation of IP and EP.

Adult ; Aged ; Carrier Proteins ; analysis ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; chemistry ; Nose Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Papilloma, Inverted ; chemistry ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; chemistry