OBJECTIVETo observe the expression profiles between two metastasis-associated proteins in different prostate cancer cell lines and explore the molecular mechanisms of bone metastatic potentials.

METHODSExpressions of E-cadherin and vimentin in two prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP and IA8) with different metastatic potentials were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSThere was remarkable difference in the expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin between the highly metastatic cell line and the lowly one. As one of the adhesion associated proteins, E-cadherin was detected with high level of expression in LNCaP cell line, which was well known as low metastatic potential. However, E-cadherin did not expressed in IA8 with high metastatic potential. And as one of the cytoskeleton proteins, vimentin expression was high in IA8, but not in LNCaP.

CONCLUSIONThere is definitely difference in the metastatic phenotypes (E-cadherin and vimentin) among cell lines with different metastatic potentials. The expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins may play important roles in promoting and inhibiting the metastasis of prostate cancer respectively, and may be considered to be valuable in evaluating the malignant degree, predictable metastasis and prognosis of prostate cancers.

Cadherins ; biosynthesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Twist gene on the migration and invasion of human gastric carcinoma cells. METHODS: MKN28 cells, a human gastric carcinoma cell line, were transfected with PcDNA3.1-Twist plasmid by lipofectamine transfecting technique. The transfected cells were selected with geneticin. Expressions of Twist,ecadherin and vimentin protein were detected by Western blot in cells transfected Twist gene. Matrigel invision chambers were performed to analyse the cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1-Twist plasmid showed stronger intracellular expression of Twist protein than MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1 and MKN28 cells without transfection. The expression of ecadherin protein in MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1-Twist plasmid was significantly decreased compared with that in MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1 and MKN28 cells without the transfection. However, The expression of vimentin protein in MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1-Twist plasmid was significantly increased compared with that in MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1 and MKN28 cells without transfection. The migration and invasion ability of Twist+ - MKN28 cells were stronger than that of MKN28 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1 and MKN28 cells without transfection. CONCLUSION Twist gene may promote the migration and invasion ability of gastric carcinoma cells through epithelial mesenchymal transition.
Cadherins ; biosynthesis ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Twist-Related Protein 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

AIMTo investigate the changes in the extracellular matrix protein expression and the morphology of seminiferous tubules in the testis of 88 azoospermic men.

METHODSThe patients were of the following categories: (1) 22 cases of Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, (2) 20 cases of spermatogenic arrest, and (3) 46 cases with hypospermatogenesis. Testicular sections were immunohistochemically stained for fibronectin, vimentin, laminin and collagen type IV. The seminiferous tubular diameter and the connective matrix zone (CMZ, the acellular zone between the basement membrane [BM] and the peritubular cells) thickness were measured. Seminiferous tubules were typed according to the thickness of the connective matrix in the lamina propria. The predominant tubule type and the Johnsen and Silber scores were determined.

RESULTSThe mean tubular diameter were 119 +/- 27, 117 +/- 20, and 140 +/- 38 microm for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Both the laminin and the type IV collagen were localized to the epithelial BM and peritubular cells. In most of the tubules, BM and peritubular cells were separated by a homogenous acellular layer, the CMZ, in which laminin, type IV collagen, fibronectin and vimentin were not present. It is perceived that the worse the testicular histology, the higher the thickness of the CMZ.

CONCLUSIONIn testis with no or low sperm production, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules is decreased, the thickness of the seminiferous tubular wall is increased and a CMZ is formed between the peritubular cells and the BM. The thickness of CMZ is increasing with the advancement of testiclar deterioration. The most important morphologic predictive factor for spermiogenesis is the predominant

Adult ; Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Fibronectins ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Seminiferous Epithelium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; analysis ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and the expression as well as the distribution of Sertoli cell vimentin induced by local exposure to heat.

METHODSLocal short-term exposure of prepubertal male rats testis to heat (43 degrees C for 15 min). Histochemical method was used to observe morphological characteristics of seminiferous tubule. The distribution and expression of Sertoli cell cytoskeletons were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and germ cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL technique at different hour-intervals.

RESULTSAfter 2 h and 4 h heat exposure, the disattachment phenomenon between Sertoli cell and spermatogonia occurred. Spermatogonia arranged in disorder and displaced away from the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules. Immunohistochemical staining showed that vimentin positive staining was seen radiating from the Sertoli cell perinuclear region with apical "spoke-like" pattern in controls. There was an intense vimentin immunoreactivity surrounding Sertoli cell nuclei along with the collapse of the apical extensions in 2 h group, but no significant difference compared with the controls. The expressions of vimentin in 12 h and 24 h groups were higher than those of the controls (P <0.01), respectively. TUNEL showed that incidence of apoptosis was observed to increases markedly in 12 h and 24 h groups, but it was found that the incidences of apoptotic events were decreased in these two groups compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONThe changes of expression and distribution of Sertoli cell vimentin filaments correlate with the increased germ cell apoptosis. Local heat may disrupt spermatogenesis by injuring Sertoli cell directly.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Hot Temperature ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo determine the characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in different human prostate cancer cell lines and explore the molecular mechanisms of bone metastatic potentials.

METHODSExpressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin in several prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, C4, C4-2, IF11, IA8, Du145 and PC-3) with different metastatic potentials were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSThere was remarkable difference in the expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin between these cell lines. As one of the adhesion associated proteins, E-cadherin was detected with high expression in LNCaP, C4, C4-2 and PC-3, whereas with a low expression in IF11, IA8 and Du145. However, as one of the mesenchymal proteins, N-cadherin was shown to be completely different from Vimentin expression profile in these cell lines.

CONCLUSIONThere is actual difference in the EMT phenotypes among cell lines with different metastatic potentials. LNCaP, C4, C4-2 and PC-3 are cells without EMT change, while IF11, IA8 and Du145 are positive for EMT. The expressions of EMT associated proteins play important roles in promoting and repressing the metastasis of prostate cancer.

Blotting, Western ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cadherins ; biosynthesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on the expression of invasion and metastasis associated proteins in the prostate cancer LNCaP cell line in vitro.

METHODSThe prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was treated with TGF-beta in vitro. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the "invasion and metastasis" associated proteins E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin and Vimentin.

RESULTSThe expression of N-Cadherin and Vimentin of the LNCaP cells treated with TGF-beta for 12 hours was significantly upregulated, but not that of E-Cadherin.

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta may induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of LNCaP cells which might be of importance in promoting prostate cancer cells invading to ambient tissues and metastasizing to distant organs.

Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; biosynthesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

We report a case of mixed tumor arising in the lower vaginal wall. The patient was a 20-yr-old nullipararous woman. The tumor was relatively well-defined with expansile margin, and showed solid sheets or fascicles of stromal-type spindle cells and ovoid epithelial cells with sparsely scattered nests of mature squamous epithelium and glands lined by mucinous epithelium. Cellular atypia was not conspicuous, however, mitosis was counted upto 6 per 10 high power fields. We examined this tumor immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally and reviewed the articles to identify the histogenesis. Positive reaction for vimenin and cytokeratin of stromaltype spindle cells and presence of desmosome-like structures and tonofilaments on electron microscopic examination suggested the epithelial origin of the stromaltype spindle cells.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/biosynthesis ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitosis ; Mixed Tumor, Malignant/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrastructure ; Vagina/*pathology ; Vaginal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrastructure ; Vimentin/biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo examine the differences in the expressions of c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of rats aged different months, investigate the regular changes in the expression of characteristic molecules in the ripening and senescent process of the testis and epididymis, and provide experimental evidence for studies on the aging of the male reproductive system.

METHODSSprague-Dawley male rats were divided into a young group (6-month-old, n=10), an adult group (12-month-old, n=10) and an aged group (24-month-old, n=10). The immunohistochemical SP method was used to examine c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of the rats.

RESULTSThe positive immunohistochemical reaction to c-kit was observed mainly in spermatogonia, weakly in other cells and also in the epithelia and lumens of the epididymis. The abundant expression of HIWI was detected in all stages of spermatogenic cells in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-old and 12-month-old rats. Moreover, spermatogonias and primary spermatocytes displayed intense expression. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, myoid cells and vascular endothelial cells (VEC) were also HIWI-positive cells. But the positive expression decreased with age in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats (P > 0.05). vimentin expression was weak in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-olds but increased significantly in the 24-month-olds (P > 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of c-kit and HIWI decreased in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats, while vimentin expression increased markedly with age. The results suggest that the aging of the testis and epididymis is closely related to the abnormal transduction of cell signals.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH) is a rare primary neoplasm that constitutes less than 1% of the malignant tumors of bone, and involvement of the skull is very rare. We present a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the skull, presenting an intraosseous lesion in a 43-yr-old woman. She had a rapidly growing, tender mass in the right parietal region. A plain radiograph showed an osteolytic lesion of the right parietal bone. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the lesion showed heterogeneous low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and slightly high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. No evidence of an extraosseous extension to the adjacent dura and soft tissue was found, and a wide excision of the parietal bone was performed. Histologically, the tumor was a typical MFH displaying pleomorphic spindle cells in a storiform pattern. The results of immunohistochemical stainings revealed that the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, alpha-1-antitryp-sin, and p53, and negative for smooth muscle actin, S100 protein, desmin, and MyoD1. Three months later, a mainly cystic, recurrent mass was developed at the previously operated site. Before the resection, we first performed the percutaneous aspiration cytology, revealing diagnostic multinucleated pleomorphic cells. There-after, she had to receive repetitive resections of recurrent or residual lesions, and she died of postoperative meningoencephalitis two years after the first operation.
Actins/biosynthesis ; Adult ; Brain/pathology ; Desmin/biosynthesis ; Female ; Giant Cells/metabolism ; Histiocytoma, Fibrous/*diagnosis ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mitosis ; Muscle, Smooth/metabolism ; MyoD Protein/biosynthesis ; Protein p53/biosynthesis ; S100 Proteins/biosynthesis ; Skull Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vimentin/biosynthesis ; alpha 1-Antitrypsin/biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of tea polyphenol (TP) on the proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs).

METHODSHPDLFs were primary cultured from tissue explants, and the cells of the 5th to 8th passages were used after immunohistochemical identification (with SABC method) of keratin and vimentin expressions. The cells were divided into 5 groups and treated with TP at 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, and 0.0625 mg/ml, respectively, with another group without TP treatment as the blank control group. Cell counting and MTT colorimetric assay were performed to assess the cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was employed to determine the DNA content of the HPDLFs.

RESULTSDifferent concentrations of TP all significantly increased the proliferation and DNA synthesis of the HPDLFs (P<0.05), and TP treatment at 0.5 mg/ml for 6 h produced the optimal effect.

CONCLUSIONTP has obviously effect in promoting the proliferation of HPDLFs.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; biosynthesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Polyphenols ; Tea ; chemistry ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis