OBJECTIVETo investigate the differentiation capability of kidney stem cells (KSCs) into renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs).

METHODSKSCs isolated from the renal papilla of 4-week-old SD rats were co-cultured with hypoxia-exposed RTEC in induced medium (containing activin A, BMP-7, and retinoic acid) and renal epithelial cell growth medium (REGM) alternately. The KSCs cultured in MSC medium served as the control. The KSC differentiation rates in both groups were determined using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence assay and qRT-PCR.

RESULTSFlow cytometry showed a CK-18 positive rate of 6.5Percnt; in the control KSC group and of 44.2% in the induced group. Immunofluorescence assay detected the positivity for mature epithelial cell markers CK-18, E-cadherin, and ZO-1 in the induced cells. The results of qRT-PCR showed significantly increased expression of E-cadherin and AQP-1 mRNAs in the induced cells compared with the control cells (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONRat KSCs can be induced to differentiate into RTECs in vitro.

Activins ; chemistry ; Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; chemistry ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tretinoin ; chemistry ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; metabolism ; Glypicans ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

Adenofibroma ; pathology ; Adenosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Polyps ; pathology ; Postoperative Period ; Preoperative Period ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, differential diagnosis, pathogenesis and prognosis of villous adenoma with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract.

METHODSClinical and pathologic findings of 3 cases of villous adenoma with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract were analyzed by gross examination, microscopic investigation and immunohistochemical staining. The related literatures were reviewed.

RESULTSAll of the three cases were middle-aged or elderly patients. Three cases all presented with hematuria and mucusuria. Endoscopic examination identified that case 1 had a polyp with broad attachment in the dome of bladder, case 2 had a solid mass in the ureter, and case 3 had a exophytic fungating tumor in the renal pelvis. Microscopically, case 1 revealed a papillary lesion with finger-like processes lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with abundant goblet cells. The cells demonstrated moderate degree dysplasia. In case 2 and case 3, both villous adenomas and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were observed, the adenoma cells arranged in a cribriform pattern, and the tumor cells showed severe atypia, mitotic activity, and transition with invasive poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells in three cases were positive for CK20, CEA,EMA and MUC-1; none of them expressed cdx-2 and PSA; In case 2 and 3, the same immunophenotype of villous adenomas and their associated adenocarcinomas was observed, but the number of the positive cells of p53 and Ki-67 staining were significantly increased in the area of adenocarcinomas than in that of the villous adenomas.

CONCLUSIONSVillous adenoma of the urinary tract is rare. It can occur in the urinary bladder, urachus, renal pelvis, ureter and urethra. These lesions may have malignant potential and frequently coexist with other malignant tumors. So, villous adenoma of the urinary tract should be removed completely and sampled thoroughly to avoid missing a more aggressive component.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenoma, Villous ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Kidney Pelvis ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Ureteral Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC) of the urinary bladder.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic findings of 16 cases of PUC were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical study (MaxVision method) was carried out. The follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were altogether 15 males and 1 female. The age of patients ranged from 40 years to 85 years (median = 64 years). Most patients (15/16) presented with hematuria. The tumor cells were small to medium in size and contained eccentric nuclei and moderate to abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, assuming a plasmacytoid appearance. The architectural pattern varied from loosely cohesive sheets to cords, papillae, small nests or gland-like structures. Most tumors invaded into the lamina propria or muscularis propria. Twelve of the 16 cases had concurrent conventional urothelial carcinoma component. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells in all cases were strongly positive for AE1/AE3, epithelial membrane antigen, CK7 and CK18. CK20 and uroplakin III were also expressed in 9 cases. CEA, p53, CD138, p63 and E-cadherin were positive in 12, 13, 15, 11 and 10 cases, respectively. Ki-67 index ranged from 5% to 70% (mean = 30%). All tumors were negative for vimentin, LCA, kappa/lambda light chains, S-100 protein, HMB 45,Melan A, smooth muscle actin and desmin. Follow-up information was available in 13 patients. The duration of follow up ranged from 3 months to 10 years. Three patients died of distant metastasis at 3, 27 and 60 months after the operation, respectively. One patient was alive with disease at 25 months. One was alive at 43 months with a prior recurrence. Another 8 patients were alive and disease free at 7 to 120 months.

CONCLUSIONSPUC of the urinary bladder is a rare variant of high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical study with positivity for CK7, CK20, p63 and uroplakin III and negative staining for vimentin and LCA may be helpful in the differential diagnosis. PUC is a malignant tumor with high invasiveness, high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Radical cystectomy is considered as the first line treatment for PUC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Male ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Plasma Cells ; pathology ; Plasmacytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Syndecan-1 ; metabolism ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Uroplakin III ; metabolism

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; Adult ; Carcinoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo screen the regulatory proteins involved in Nox1 promoter activation in a cell model of inflammation and oxidative stress.

METHODSA cell model of inflammation and oxidative stress was established by stimulating A549 cells with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The differential proteins binding to Nox1 promoter were screened by DNA pull-down and the binding proteins were separated by 2D electrophoresis and selected according to the their differential expression levels (with over 1.5-fold changes relative to the control level). The screened proteins were finally identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS.

RESULTSSeven differentially expressed protein spots (all upregulated in the cell model) were obtained, among which GLE1, DDX19A, KRT1 and KRT10 were identified by mass spectrometry.

CONCLUSIONGLE1, DDX19A, KRT1 and KRT10 participate in the activation of Nox1 promoter in TNF-α-induced A549 cells, and this result provides new insights into the biological roles of the regulatory proteins of Nox1 promoter in inflammation and oxidative stress.

Cell Line, Tumor ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Keratin-1 ; metabolism ; Keratin-10 ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; NADPH Oxidase 1 ; NADPH Oxidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the pathologic features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and molecular characteristics of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (ITPN).

METHODSThe clinical findings, morphologic features, immunophenotype (by EnVision method) and KRAS gene alterations (by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) of 6 cases of ITPN encountered during the period from January, 2001 to June, 2010 were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were altogether 2 males and 4 females. The mean age of the patients was 64 years. Gross examination showed that the tumors were located in large pancreatic ducts and appeared as polypoid nodules with ductal obstruction. Solid tumor nodules associated with adjoining dilated ducts were identified in one case. Histologically, the tumors were characterized by tubulopapillary growth pattern without luminal mucin. The tumor cells showed high-grade nuclear atypia with scanty intracytoplasmic mucin. Intraductal necrotic foci were frequently observed. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells expressed CK7 and CK19. Focal positivity for MUC5AC was demonstrated. Two cases expressed MUC1. The staining for MUC2 was negative. KRAS gene mutations were identified in 2 cases, with a single-amino-acid substitution in codon 12 (35G > A and 35G > T/34G > A).

CONCLUSIONSITPN is a newly described pancreatic intraductal neoplasm and different from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. ITPN is characterized by intraductal tubulopapillary growth pattern, severe cytologic atypia and scanty mucin secretion.

Aged ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin 5AC ; metabolism ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Reports of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without a primary liver tumor are rare. Here we present a case of isolated HCC that had metastasized to the pelvic bone without a primary focus. A 73-year-old man presented with severe back and right-leg pain. Radiological examinations, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed a huge mass on the pelvic bone (13x10 cm). He underwent an incisional biopsy, and the results of the subsequent histological examination were consistent with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), hepatocyte paraffin 1, and glypican-3, and negative for CD56, chromogranin A, and synaptophysin on immunohistochemical staining. Examination of the liver by CT, MRI, positron-emission tomography scan, and angiography produced no evidence of a primary tumor. Radiotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization were performed on the pelvic bone, followed by systemic chemotherapy. These combination treatments resulted in tumor regression with necrotic changes. However, multiple lung metastases developed 1 year after the treatment, and the patient was treated with additional systemic chemotherapy.
Aged ; Bone Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*pathology/radiotherapy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology/radiography/*secondary ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Glypicans/metabolism ; Humans ; Keratin-1/metabolism ; Keratin-3/metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography/*secondary ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paraffin/metabolism ; Pelvic Bones/*pathology/radiography ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed