This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Shegan Mahuang Decoction(SGMHD) on cold-induced asthma in rats and explored its underlying mechanism. Seventy-two healthy male SD rats of specific pathogen free(SPF) grade were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a positive control group(dexamethasone, 0.4 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-, medium-, and high-dose SGMHD groups(3.2, 6.4, and 12.8 g·kg~(-1)). The blank group received saline, while the other groups were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA) solution. Subsequently, the rats were placed in a cold chamber adjustable to 0-2 ℃, and OVA solution was ultrasonically nebulized to induce cold-induced asthma in rats. After three weeks of treatment, the general behaviors of rats were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to evaluate pathological changes in lung tissues, periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining assessed mucin changes, and Masson staining was performed to examine collagen deposition. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-4(IL-4) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was employed to assess the mRNA expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1(TRPV1), nuclear respiratory factor 1(NRF-1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A(mtTFA) in lung tissues. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of TRPV1, NRF-1, and mtTFA in lung tissues. Compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited signs of rapid respiration, increased frequency of defecation with looser stools, and disheveled and dull fur. Pathological results showed significant infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues, narrowing of bronchial lumens, increased mucin secretion, and enhanced collagen deposition in the model group. Additionally, the levels of IL-4 and VEGF in serum and BALF were significantly elevated, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPV1, NRF-1, and mtTFA in lung tissues were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, SGMHD improved the behaviors of rats, alleviated pathological changes in lung tissues, mucin production, and collagen deposition, significantly decreased the levels of IL-4 and VEGF in serum and BALF, and reduced the mRNA expression levels of TRPV1, NRF-1, and mtTFA in lung tissues, with the medium-dose SGMHD group showing the most significant effect. Moreover, the protein expression levels of TRPV1, NRF-1, and mtTFA in lung tissues were also reduced, with the medium-dose SGMHD group exhibiting the most significant effect. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SGMHD can alleviate airway inflammation and inhibit airway remodeling in cold-induced asthma rats. These effects may be associated with the modulation of the TRPV1/NRF-1/mtTFA signaling pathway.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Interleukin-4/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Asthma/genetics* ; Lung ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Collagen/metabolism* ; Mucins/therapeutic use* ; Ovalbumin ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

The larval stages of the cestode parasites belonging to the genus Echinococcus grow within internal organs of humans and a range of animal species. The resulting diseases, collectively termed echinococcoses, include major neglected tropical diseases of humans and livestock. Echinococcus larvae are outwardly protected by the laminated layer (LL), an acellular structure that is unique to this genus. The LL is based on a fibrillar meshwork made up of mucins, which are decorated by galactose-rich O-glycans. In addition, in the species cluster termed E. granulosus sensu lato, the LL features nano-deposits of the calcium salt of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (Insp6). The main purpose of our article is to update the immunobiology of the LL. Major recent advances in this area are (i) the demonstration of LL "debris" at the infection site and draining lymph nodes, (ii) the characterization of the decoy activity of calcium Insp6 with respect to complement, (iii) the evidence that the LL mucin carbohydrates interact specifically with a lectin receptor expressed in Kupffer cells (Clec4F), and (iv) the characterization of what appear to be receptor-independent effects of LL particles on dendritic cells and macrophages. Much information is missing on the immunology of this intriguing structure: we discuss gaps in knowledge and propose possible avenues for research.
Animals ; Calcium ; Echinococcosis/parasitology* ; Echinococcus/immunology* ; Echinococcus granulosus/immunology* ; Mucins

Mucins,a family of heavily glycosylated proteins,present mainly in epithelial cells.They function as essential barriers for epithelium and play important roles in cellular physiological processes.Aberrant expression and glycosylation of mucins in gastric epithelium occur at pathological conditions,such as Helicobacter pylori infection,chronic atrophic gastritis,intestinal metastasis,dysplasia,and gastric cancer.This review addresses the major roles played by mucins and associated O-glycan structures in normal gastric epithelium.Further,we expound the alterations of expression patterns and glycan signatures of mucins at those pathological conditions.
Gastric Mucosa/pathology* ; Glycosylation ; Helicobacter Infections/pathology* ; Helicobacter pylori/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mucins/metabolism* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*

Adenocarcinoma ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Mucins ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular features of colorectal amphicrine carcinoma (AC). Methods: Eight cases of colorectal AC were collected at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing, China from 2013 to 2020. The histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features were analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 56 years (range 28-80 years). The tumor sites were as follows: 4 cases in sigmoid colon, 3 cases in rectum, and 1 case in transverse colon. Microscopically, there were three different patterns in the tumors, including nests with collagen hyperplasia, sheets of cells with scant stroma, and glandular or cribriform growth of goblet- or signet ring-like cells. The tumor cells generally had abundant cytoplasm with abundant mucin or eosinophilic granules. The nuclei were oval or irregular with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were common. Neuroendocrine granules and mucin granules could be identified clearly under electron microscope. All cases showed frequent perineural and lymphovascular invasions, lymphatic metastasis, and advanced stage. Regarding immunohistochemical and specific stains, the tumor cells expressed more than two neuroendocrine markers, particularly CD56 and synaptophysin which were diffusely positive in 7 of the 8 cases. They also showed intracellular mucin in the amphicrine components which was positive for D-PAS. KRAS G12C or NRAS Q61 gene mutations were found in 2 patients. Among the six cases with complete follow-up, four of them died of the disease within three years of the diagnoses, while two were alive without known disease progression. Conclusions: Colorectal AC is a rare, distinct entity with both epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. It mainly occurs in the sigmoid colon and rectum. It typically has aggressive clinical courses, dismal prognosis and characteristic histological features and immunophenotype, which highlight the importance of recognizing this entity for clinicians and pathologists.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma/pathology* ; China ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Prognosis

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/surgery* ; Humans ; Mucins ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery*

Secretory carcinoma of the salivary gland (SC) is a newly introduced rare salivary gland tumor that shares histological, immunohistochemical, and genetic characteristics with secretory carcinoma of the breast. Here, we report the cytologic features of two cases of SC confirmed by surgical resection. In these two cases, SC was incidentally detected in a 64-year-old female and a 56-yearold male. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed nests of tumor cells with a papillary or glandular structure floating in mucinous secretions. The tumor cells demonstrated uniform, round, smooth nuclear contours and distinct nucleoli. Multiple characteristic cytoplasmic vacuoles were revealed. Singly scattered tumor cells frequently showed variable sized cytoplasmic vacuoles. The cytopathologic diagnosis of SC should be considered when characteristic cytological findings are revealed. Further immunohistochemistry and gene analyses are helpful to diagnose SC.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast ; Clothing ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mammary Analogue Secretory Carcinoma ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Salivary Glands ; Vacuoles

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the morphologic-metabolic (M-M) dissociation sign based on computed tomography (CT) and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in discriminating invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) from invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinomas (ADCs) of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study. Among surgically resected solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN)-type ADCs (< 3 cm in diameter), 35 patients with IMAs and 329 with invasive non-mucinous ADCs were included. Morphologic malignancy was established if the tumor with lobulated or spiculated margin on CT presented a tumor shadow disappearance rate of < 0.5. The M-M dissociation sign was determined when a malignant-morphologic nodule on CT showed maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) < 3.5 on PET/CT. RESULTS: Among 35 IMAs (size: 21 ± 7 mm, SUVmax: 1.8 ± 2.0) and 329 invasive non-mucinous ADCs (size: 21 ± 6 mm, SUVmax: 4.6 ± 4.2), the M-M dissociation sign was observed in 54% of IMAs (19/35) and 10% of invasive non-mucinous ADCs (34/329) (p < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of the sign in discriminating IMA from invasive non-mucinous ADCs showed a sensitivity of 54.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.7–71.2), specificity 89.7% (95% CI, 85.9–92.7), positive predictive value 35.8% (95% CI, 26.5–46.5), and negative predictive value 94.9% (95% CI, 92.8–96.4). Multivariate analyses revealed metabolic benignity (odds ratio [OR] 2.99; 95% CI, 1.01–8.93; p = 0.047) and M-M dissociation sign (OR 6.35; 95% CI, 2.76–14.62; p < 0.001) to be significant predictors of SPN-type IMAs. CONCLUSION: Identification of the absence of M-M dissociation sign is an accurate indicator for excluding IMA from SPN-type lung ADCs.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Diagnosis ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lung ; Mucins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas consist of a wide range of pathological entities and are being detected more frequently due to advances in cross-sectional imaging modalities and increasing numbers of periodic health checkups. The majority of pancreatic cystic neoplasms are intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, serous neoplasms, and mucinous cystic neoplasms, but recently, rare cases of mucinous non-neoplastic cyst of the pancreas (MNCP) have been reported, and despite the availabilities of modern imaging systems, such as MRI and CT, the differentiation of non-neoplastic and neoplastic cysts remains challenging. Herein, we report our experience of a 65-year-old male case with an MNCP.
Aged ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mucins ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Cyst ; Pancreatic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mucin is an important component of mucus that performs the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens and particles, lubrication of organs, and protection of airway. It is hyper-secreted in inflammatory airway diseases and is associated with morbidity and mortality of the affected patients. Resolvin, an autacoid of a specific lipid structure, exhibits anti-inflammatory property against inflammatory airway diseases although its effects on mucin secretion by human airway epithelial cells have not yet been demonstrated. In this regard, we investigated the effects of Resolvin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In mucin-producing human NCI-H292 epithelial cells, the effects and brief signaling pathways of Resolvin D1 (RvD1) and Resolvin E1 (RvE1) on the LPS-induced MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B expression were investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: RvD1 attenuated LPS-induced MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B mRNA expression and protein production in human NCI-H292 cells while RvE1 did not. RvD1 significantly blocked LPS-induced activated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 MAPK and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) while RvE1 did not. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RvD1 attenuates LPS-induced MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B expressions via ERK1/2 MAPK, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways in airway epithelial cells. Therefore, RvD1 may modulate the control of mucus-hypersecretion in inflammatory airway diseases.
B-Lymphocytes ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Lubrication ; Methods ; Mortality ; Mucins* ; Mucus ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; RNA, Messenger