Chagas heart disease is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy that develops in approximately one-third of people infected with the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi
. One way
T. cruzi
is transmitted to ...people is through contact with infected kissing bugs, which are found in much of the Western Hemisphere, including in vast areas of the United States. The epidemiology of
T. cruzi
and Chagas heart disease and the varied mechanisms leading to myocyte destruction, mononuclear cell infiltration, fibrosis, and edema in the heart have been extensively studied by hundreds of scientists for more than 100 years. Despite this wealth of knowledge, it is still impossible to predict what will happen in an individual infected with
T. cruzi
because of the tremendous variability in clonal parasite virulence and human susceptibility to infection and the lack of definitive molecular predictors of outcome from either side of the host-parasite equation. Further, while several distinct mechanisms of pathogenesis have been studied in isolation, it is certain that multiple coincident mechanisms combine to determine the ultimate outcome. For these reasons, Chagas disease is best considered a collection of related but distinct illnesses. This review highlights the pathology and pathogenesis of the most common adverse sequela of
T. cruzi
infection-Chagas heart disease-and concludes with a discussion of key unanswered questions and a view to the future.
Aims
Fumarate hydratase (FH)‐deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a high‐grade, aggressive tubulopapillary carcinoma, arising predominantly in the setting of the hereditary leiomyomatosis–RCC ...syndrome of familial uterocutaneous leiomyomatosis and deficiency of FH. In contrast, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)‐deficient RCC is a lower‐grade oncocytic carcinoma with cytoplasmic flocculence/vacuolation and inclusions, arising mostly in individuals harbouring germline mutations of subunit B of the SDH complex (SDHB). Herein we aim to report the clinicopathologic features of a novel form of FH‐deficient RCC showing a low grade oncocytic morphology, reminiscent of SDH‐deficient RCC.
Methods and results
These distinctive, low‐grade oncocytic neoplasms, with solid, nested and focally tubular architecture (2–90 mm), arose in four males (aged 11–41 years). Uniform cytology of polygonal cells, with flocculent, vacuolated eosinophilic cytoplasm with scattered inclusions, fine chromatin, and inconspicuous nucleoli, was apparent. Despite these features suggestive of SDH‐deficient RCC, each tumour was confirmed as an FH‐deficient carcinoma with retained SDHB expression. One case showed a synchronous, anatomically separate, typical high‐grade FH‐deficient RCC; one other showed such a tumour at nephrectomy 4 years later. No progression has been noted at 3 and 7 years in the cases with only the SDH‐like lesions; the two cases with separate, typical FH‐deficient RCCs progressed.
Conclusions
In summary, we characterize a novel oncocytic type of FH‐deficient RCC with a striking resemblance to SDH‐deficient RCC, posing a diagnostic challenge and raising concerns about sampling and multifocality for syndrome‐associated cases under surveillance protocols.
The association of amyloidosis with certain neoplastic processes is well known. Amyloid uncommonly occurs in relationship with other epithelial neoplasms including urothelial carcinoma. Herein, we ...report 29 cases of amyloidosis in the bladder, 14 of which were found in relationship to urothelial carcinoma. With institutional review board approval. We searched pathology archives for cases of amyloidosis in the bladder. Clinical, laboratory, and surgical pathology records were reviewed, and data were recorded for all cases. Diagnosis of amyloid was made by Congo red stain showing apple-green birefringence on polarization microscopy and special studies in some cases. Twenty-nine cases of amyloid were identified in bladder specimens. Presentation as a mass lesion was the most common (n = 18). Immunohistochemical subtyping done in 17 cases showed transthyretin-type (n = 10), AL (n = 3), AA (n = 1), amyloid P (n = 1), and undetermined (n = 2) types of amyloid. Eighteen (62%) cases were classified as localized primary amyloidosis and 11 (38%) as secondary manifestation of systemic amyloidosis. In 14 (48%) cases, there was an associated urothelial carcinoma: 5 urothelial carcinoma in situ, 4 low-grade noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, 2 high-grade noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, and 3 high-grade invasive urothelial carcinoma. Associated urothelial carcinoma was present in 4 of 7 patients with systemic amyloidosis and 10 of 18 patients with localized amyloidosis, with the difference not being statistically significant (P = .45). Amyloidosis of the bladder is rare and presents as a mucosal mass or hematuria that may mimic urothelial carcinoma. In this study, we found urothelial carcinoma occurring in 48% of the cases in association with amyloidosis, a finding not previously reported. The relationship of amyloid in the bladder and urothelial carcinoma, although likely not causal, appears to be a unique finding not frequently seen with other solid tumors.
•Amyloid uncommonly occurs in relationship with epithelial neoplasms including urothelial carcinoma.•Amyloidosis of the bladder is rare and presents as a mucosal mass or hematuria that can mimic urothelial carcinoma.•The relationship of amyloid in the bladder and urothelial carcinoma, although likely not causal, appears to be a unique finding not frequently seen with other solid tumors.
Mst1/Stk4, a hippo-like serine-threonine kinase, is implicated in many cancers, including prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms regulating Mst1 remain obscure. Here, we characterized the effects ...of phospho-Thr-120 on Mst1 in prostate cancer cells. We demonstrated that phospho-Thr-120 did not alter the nuclear localization or cleavage of Mst1 in a LNCaP or castration-resistant C4-2 prostate tumor cell model, as revealed by a mutagenesis approach. Phospho-Thr-120 appeared to be specific to cancer cells and predominantly localized in the nucleus. In contrast, phospho-Thr-183, a critical regulator of Mst1 cell death, was exclusively found in the cytoplasm. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, a similar distribution of phospho-Mst1-Thr-120/Thr-183 was also observed in a prostate cancer specimen. In addition, the blockade of PI3K signaling by a small molecule inhibitor, LY294002, increased cytoplasmic phospho-Mst1-Thr-183 without having a significant effect on nuclear phospho-Mst1-Thr-120. However, the attenuation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity by a selective pharmacologic inhibitor, Ku0063794 or CCI-779, caused the up-regulation of nuclear phospho-Mst1-Thr-120 without affecting cytoplasmic phospho-Mst1-Thr-183. This suggests that PI3K and mTOR pathway signaling differentially regulate phospho-Mst1-Thr-120/Thr-183. Moreover, mutagenesis and RNAi data revealed that phospho-Thr-120 resulted in C4-2 cell resistance to mTOR inhibition and reduced the Mst1 suppression of cell growth and androgen receptor-driven gene expression. Collectively, these findings indicate that phospho-Thr-120 leads to the loss of Mst1 functions, supporting cancer cell growth and survival.
Background: The molecular mechanisms that regulate the hippo-like Mst1 protein kinase remain elusive.
Results: PI3-kinase and mTOR signaling regulate Mst1 phosphorylation in a discrete cell location.
Conclusion: Phospho-Thr-120 restricts Mst1 functions, leading cancer cell growth and survival.
Significance: Mst/Hippo signaling is a promising drug target in human cancers.
Summary Data on immunohistochemical expression of novel and traditional urothelial markers in the wide range of urothelial carcinoma variants have so far been very limited. In this study, whole ...tissue sections from 130 bladder urothelial carcinoma and variants were stained with a panel of novel and traditional immunomarkers supportive of urothelial lineage. The positivity rates were as follows: ( a ) urothelial carcinomas with or without divergent differentiation: GATA3 (50%), S-100P (86%), uroplakin III (20%), thrombomodulin (40%), cytokeratin 7 (CK7) (80%), CK20 (55%), p63 (87%), and high molecular weight cytokeratin (HMCK) (89%); ( b ) urothelial carcinoma variants (micropapillary, plasmacytoid, nested, clear cell, and microcystic): GATA3 (88%), S-100P (96%), uroplakin III (33%), thrombomodulin (49%), CK7 (95%), CK20 (61%), p63 (69%), and HMCK (96%); and ( c ) undifferentiated carcinomas (lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma and carcinoma with rhabdoid and giant cells): GATA3 (28%), S-100P (31%), uroplakin III (0%), thrombomodulin (22%), CK7 (50%), CK20 (3%), p63 (50%), and HMCK (49%). In urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation, GATA3 expression was lower (20%) in contrast to p63 and S-100P. In urothelial carcinoma with glandular differentiation, GATA3 (50%) and p63 (60%) expression was lower than S-100P (100%). p63 expression was relatively lower in micropapillary (54%) and plasmacytoid (50%) variants compared with the other urothelial carcinoma variants. This study provides comprehensive data for novel and traditionally used markers to support urothelial lineage in urothelial carcinoma variants. Our findings show that GATA3, S-100P, CK7, CK20, HMCK, and p63, in the appropriate differential diagnostic setting, are useful to support urothelial lineage of variant morphologies.
Abstract
Aims
The metabolic failure of macrophages to adequately process lipid is central to the aetiology of atherosclerosis. Here, we examine the role of macrophage angiotensin-converting enzyme ...(ACE) in a mouse model of PCSK9-induced atherosclerosis.
Methods and results
Atherosclerosis in mice was induced with AAV-PCSK9 and a high-fat diet. Animals with increased macrophage ACE (ACE 10/10 mice) have a marked reduction in atherosclerosis vs. WT mice. Macrophages from both the aorta and peritoneum of ACE 10/10 express increased PPARα and have a profoundly altered phenotype to process lipids characterized by higher levels of the surface scavenger receptor CD36, increased uptake of lipid, increased capacity to transport long chain fatty acids into mitochondria, higher oxidative metabolism and lipid β-oxidation as determined using 13C isotope tracing, increased cell ATP, increased capacity for efferocytosis, increased concentrations of the lipid transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1, and increased cholesterol efflux. These effects are mostly independent of angiotensin II. Human THP-1 cells, when modified to express more ACE, increase expression of PPARα, increase cell ATP and acetyl-CoA, and increase cell efferocytosis.
Conclusion
Increased macrophage ACE expression enhances macrophage lipid metabolism, cholesterol efflux, efferocytosis, and it reduces atherosclerosis. This has implications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease with angiotensin II receptor antagonists vs. ACE inhibitors.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Mechanisms of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are not well understood, thus hindering rational-based drug design. Activation of STAT3/5A, key components of the JAK/STAT pathway, is ...implicated in aggressive PC, yet their clinical relevance in CRPC remains elusive. Here, we evaluated the possible role of STAT3/5A in CRPC using immunological, quantitative mRNA expression profiling, and pharmacological methods. We observed a strong nuclear immunoreactivity for STAT3 and STAT5A in 93% (n=14/15) and 80% (n=12/15) of CRPC cases, respectively, compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We demonstrated that PC cells express varying levels of STAT3 and STAT5A transcripts. In addition, we demonstrate that pimozide, a psychotropic drug and an indirect inhibitor of STAT5, attenuated PC cells growth, and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, our analysis of the PC public data revealed that the STAT3/5A genes were frequently amplified in metastatic CRPC. These findings suggest that STAT3/5A potentially serves as a predictive biomarker to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a cancer drug targeting the JAK/STAT pathway. Since the JAK/STAT and AR pathways are suggested to be functionally synergistic, inhibition of the JAK/STAT signaling alone or together with AR may lead to a novel treatment modality for patients with advanced PC.
Distinction between primary lung carcinomas and metastases from other sites, especially the urinary tract, is a common diagnostic dilemma. As urothelial carcinomas can demonstrate a broad range of ...morphology and frequently demonstrate squamous differentiation, discerning metastatic urothelial carcinoma to the lung from primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma can be challenging.
To investigate immunostains that may aid in the distinction of urothelial carcinoma metastatic to the lung.
Staining patterns of 14 markers in primary urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung were examined to establish a diagnostic panel. These antibodies were subsequently tested on tumors taken from 30 patients with a paired urinary tract and metastatic lung lesion.
The best markers to distinguish poorly differentiated metastatic urothelial carcinoma from primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma were CK7, CK20, GATA-3, CK14, desmoglein-3, and uroplakin III, with the utility of the latter dependent upon the quantity of tissue available for analysis. The observed percentage positive staining in nonmetastatic urothelial carcinoma versus primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma with these antibodies was as follows: CK7 (100% versus 33%), CK20 (54% versus 7%), GATA-3 (78% versus 23%), CK14 (32% versus 77%), desmoglein-3 (11% versus 87%), and uroplakin III (14% versus 0%). Similar expression patterns were observed among the paired cases.
When interpreted in correlation with clinical history and histomorphology, a panel of immunostains including CK7, CK20, GATA-3, CK14, desmoglein-3, and uroplakin III may be a useful adjunct in the distinction of metastatic urothelial carcinoma to the lung.
Previously, we found low-carbohydrate diets slowed prostate cancer (PC) growth and increased survival vs. a Western diet in mice, by inhibiting the insulin/IGF-1 axis. Thus, we tested whether ...modifying carbohydrate quality to lower glycemic index (GI) without changing quantity results in similar benefits as with reduced quantity.
Male SCID mice injected with LAPC-4 cells were single-housed and randomized when their tumors reached 200 mm
on average to a LoGI (48% carbohydrate kcal, from Hylon-VII) or HiGI Western diet (48% carbohydrate kcal, from sucrose). Body weight and tumor volume were measured weekly. Body composition was assessed 35 days after randomization. Blood glucose and serum insulin, IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were measured at study end when tumor volumes reached 800 mm
. We analyzed gene expression of mice tumors by RNA-sequencing and human tumors using the Prostate Cancer Transcriptome Atlas.
There were no significant differences in tumor volume (P > 0.05), tumor proliferation (P = 0.29), and overall survival (P = 0.15) between groups. At 35 days after randomization, the LoGI group had 30% lower body fat (P = 0.007) despite similar body weight (P = 0.58). At sacrifice, LoGI mice had smaller livers (P < 0.001) and lower glucose (P = 0.15), insulin (P = 0.11), IGF-1 (P = 0.07) and IGF-1:IGFBP3 ratio (P = 0.05), and higher IGFBP3 (P = 0.09) vs. HiGI, although none of these metabolic differences reached statistical significance. We observed differential gene expression and pathway enrichment in mice tumors by diet. The most upregulated and downregulated gene in the LoGI group showed expression patterns more closely resembling expression in human benign prostate tissue vs. PC.
In this single mouse xenograft model, consuming a low GI diet did not delay PC growth or survival vs. a high GI diet despite suggestions of decreased activation of the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. These data suggest that improving carbohydrate quality alone while consuming a high carbohydrate diet may not effectively slow PC growth.
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