OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of telomerase transcriptional elements-interacting factor (TEIF) in human testis under different status and its relation with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression.

METHODSSpecific antisera against TEIF were generated by immunization of rabbits with purified recombinated partial TEIF. Samples were assigned to three groups according to their pathological types, including 16 normal testes, 8 atrophic testes, and 6 testicular seminomas. They were subjected to immunohistochemical staining of TEIF and hTERT. Results from both TEIF and hTERT were analyzed semi-quantitatively and compared.

RESULTSThe expressions of TEIF and hTERT were detected in all samples of normal, atrophic testes, and seminomas. No differences of TEIF expressions among these three groups were observed (P > 0.05). On the contrary, the expressions of hTERT were significantly lower in atrophic testes compared with those of normal testes and seminomas (both P < 0.05). Nevertheless, co-expressions of TEIF with hTERT were revealed to be in normal and malignant cases (P < 0.05) but not in atrophic testes, which generally presented TEIF expression. The cellular distributions of both proteins were similar and mainly in spermatocytes and some Sertoli cells, while were all negative in the interstitial cells and other stromal cells. Conclusions The uniform expressions of TEIF in all these specimens suggest that it may be a marker of testis and its related diseases. The strong expression of hTERT in normal testes and testicular seminomas comparing with the low expression in atrophic testes may suggest a role for telomerase in maintaining proliferation of germ cells.

Atrophy ; Biomarkers ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Primary testicular tumors are the most common causes of cancer in male dogs. Overall, the majority of canine patients should be cured by testicular surgery. However, tumor markers are not well-known in veterinary medicine. We sought to determine using immunohistochemistry whether the combined human testicular tumor markers (placental alkaline phosphatase, OCT3/4, CD30, alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin-alpha, vimentin, c-KIT, and desmin) are expressed in canine seminomas and Sertoli cell tumors (SCTs). We examined 35 canine testicular tumors, 20 seminomas and 15 SCTs. c-KIT was expressed markedly in canine seminomas. Both inhibin-alpha and vimentin were expressed significantly in canine SCTs. The results of this study demonstrate differences and similarities between tumor marker expression of testicular tumors in dogs and humans. All the main markers in current routine use are discussed as well as potential useful markers for benign and malignant tumors, and tumor progression.
Animals ; Dog Diseases/*pathology ; Dogs ; Immunohistochemistry/*veterinary ; Male ; Seminoma/metabolism/pathology/*veterinary ; Sertoli Cell Tumor/metabolism/pathology/*veterinary ; Tumor Markers, Biological/metabolism

Adult ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thymoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thymus Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Tuberculosis ; pathology

Carcinoma, Small Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Mastocytosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; biosynthesis ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia (NHMH) and to improve the knowledge of this disease.

METHODSSeven cases of NHMH were collected and the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical data were analyzed with review of the literature.

RESULTSSeven male patients aged from 1.5 to 5.0 years (mean 2.8). The main clinical symptom was an inguinal mass.Grossly, main pathological changes were the mural nodule or free nodule in lumen, with diameter of 0.1-0.5 cm.Histologically, the tumor cell morphology was relatively single, cohesive polygonal or oval cells which were arranged in solid sheets or nests, usually with ovoid or deeply grooved nuclei and a moderate amount of pale pink cytoplasm in the nodular collection area. The nuclei had delicate chromatin and no obvious atypia, and mitosis was incidentally found. A few scattered lymphocytes were found in the stroma. The cyst wall was lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells.Immunohistochemically, the most cells in nodular lesion were strongly positive for the histiocytic marker CD68, vimentin and α1-antichymotrypsin, while lining mesothelial cells on the wall were positive for calretinin, MC, WT1, CK5/6, CKpan and EMA.

CONCLUSIONSNHMH is a rare and benign tumor-like lesion, and easy to be misdiagnozed, which should be distinguished from neuroendocrine tumors, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, seminoma, mesothelioma and so on. The correct diagnosis of this lesion depends on the clinical characteristics, morphology and immunohistochemistry.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Calbindin 2 ; metabolism ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelium ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Histiocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Infant ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesothelioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; WT1 Proteins ; metabolism ; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of CD117 in human testicular germ cell tumors and its value in the differential diagnosis of seminoma and nonseminoma.

METHODSSeventy-four human testicular germ cell tumor specimens were studied by ABC kit immunohistochemical staining detection using CD117 monoclonal antibodies. The immunoreaction scores (IRS) of all the specimens were calculated and analysed for their clinical significance.

RESULTSAmong the 74 germ cell tumors, 31 out of 32 (9 6.9%) seminomas showed positive staining of the CD117 mostly on the cell membrane. Four of 31 (12.9%) nonseminomas displayed a weak positive staining of CD117 only in the cytoplasm of a few cells. In 10 of 11 mixed germ cell tumors, a relatively weak expression of CD117 was shown only in the seminoma component. The CD117 expression was diagnostically decreased from seminoma to mixed seminoma and to nonseminoma successively, with IRS of 6.82 +/- 2.76, 1.25 +/- 0.42 and 0.60 +/- 0.16, respectively. There was a significant difference in the CD117 expression between seminoma and nonseminoma (P < 0.05). CD 117 proteins were positively expressed in all the 20 specimens of the normal testis.

CONCLUSIONThe detection of CD117 by immunohistochemical staining using CD117 monoclonal antibodies is a newly developed useful method for differentiating seminoma and nonseminoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; biosynthesis ; Seminoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Testicular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of CT scan in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions.

METHODSIn patients with testicular space-occupying lesions, 11 underwent examinations for such tumor markers as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Plain CT scans were performed with a section thickness and interval of 2 mm followed by enhanced scans after intravenous bolus injection of 70 ml 60% ultravist. Spiral CT multiplanar reconstruction images were also obtained.

RESULTSOf the 13 patients, histopathologically confirmed seminoma was found in 3, endodermal sinus tumor in 1, teratoma in 2, mixed germinoma in 2, leucoma in 1 case, abscess in 2, and tuberculosis in 2. One seminoma patient had slightly elevated AFP level while 5 of the 6 noneminoma patients (83%) had elevated AFP level. CT scans displayed characteristic features for diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions. Spiral CT with multiplanar reconstruction allowed full view of the lesions and demonstrated their relationship with the surrounding structures.

CONCLUSIONCT scan in combination with the clinical analysis and tumor marker examinations can be of important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions. The application of spiral CT multiplanar reconstruction also helps in the diagnosis.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; analysis ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Seminoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Testicular Diseases ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Testicular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Testis ; chemistry ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the immunohistochemical expression of OCT4, CD117 and CD30 in germ cell tumors and to assess their diagnostic value.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for OCT4 was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of 63 cases of germ cell tumors, including seminoma (21), dysgerminoma (7), germinoma (8), embryonal carcinoma (8), yolk sac tumor (6), mature teratoma (10) and immature teratoma (3), as well as 25 cases of non-germ cell tumors, including granulosa cell tumor (8), clear cell adenocarcinoma (4), Leydig's cell tumor (5), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (4) and malignant melanoma (4). Besides, the expression of CD117 and CD30 in all germ cell tumors was studied.

RESULTSAll cases of seminoma and germinoma, 6/7 cases of dysgerminoma and 7/8 cases of embryonal carcinoma were positive for OCT4, with strong nuclear staining. All other germ cell tumors and non-germ cell tumors were negative for OCT4, except for 1 case of yolk sac tumor and 1 case of clear cell adenocarcinoma which showed weak staining. Positive membranous expression of CD117 was demonstrated in 19/21(90.5%) seminoma, 5/7 dysgerminoma and 7/8 germinoma. Focal weak membranous staining was also noted in 1 case of yolk sac tumor. The melanocytes in teratoma were also positive for CD117. All cases of embryonal carcinoma were negative. On the other hand, positive membranous expression of CD30 were demonstrated in 6/8 embryonal carcinoma. One case of germinoma and 1 case of yolk sac tumor showed weak cytoplasmic positivity. All cases of seminoma and dysgerminoma, 7/8 germinoma and all cases of teratoma were negative for CD30.

CONCLUSIONSOCT4 is a sensitive and relatively specific marker for diagnosing seminoma, dysgerminoma, germinoma and embryonal carcinoma. CD117 and CD30 immunostains, when used in combination, represent valuable tools for distinguishing embryonal carcinoma and seminoma, dysgerminoma, germinoma.

Carcinoma, Embryonal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysgerminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Germinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Teratoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ear Canal ; Ear Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mast-Cell Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the role of the JAK/STAT3 signal transduction pathway in the pathogenesis of seminoma by studying the expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and C-myc in seminoma.

METHODSWe examined 38 paraffin specimens of seminoma and 10 samples of normal human testes by immunohistochemical staining using the antibodies of STAT3, VEGF and C-myc, and observed the staining intensity under the light microscope.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of STAT3, VEGF and C-myc were 76.3%, 71.1% and 84.2%, respectively, with statistically significant differences from the corresponding protein expressions in the normal testis tissues (P < 0.01), which gradually increased with the clinical stages of tumor, nodes and metastasis (TNM) classification. Different correlations were observed among the STAT3, VEGF and C-myc proteins in seminoma: STAT3 positively correlated with VEGF (r = 0.640, P < 0.01) and C-myc (r = 0.408, P < 0.05); C-myc positively correlated with VEGF (r = 0.459, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe JAK/STAT3 signal transduction pathway can facilitate the development and metastasis of seminoma by activating the expression of VEGF and meanwhile induce the malignant proliferation of primary reproductive cells and promote the pathogenesis and progression of seminoma by activating the expression of C-myc.

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Janus Kinases ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; biosynthesis ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; Seminoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis