Histology and histopathology Vol.22, nº10 (2007)

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  • Publication
    Open Access
    Histomorphometric study of femoral heads in hip osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) De Pedro, J.A.; Martin, A.P.; Blanco, J.F.; Salvado, M.; Perez, M.A.; Cardoso, A.; Collía, F.; Ellis, S.S.; Domínguez, J.
    During the period from 2000 to 2003, ninety eight samples of femoral heads were collected. In these pieces, two zones were analyzed: a high-load zone (the hard core of the head) and a low-load zone (the round ligamentum teres zone). As control group, 6 femoral heads (3 of women and 3 of men), proceeding from autopsy in peoples without pathological antecedents and youngs, were studied. After the samples had been embedded in methylmethacrylate and stained, they were subjected to an histomorphometric study. By means of histomorphometry, trabecular bone volume (TBV) and osteoid substance (OSV) was determined. Statistically significant differences were found as for peripheral osteoid volume (low-load zone) ( p=0.036) and trabecular bone volume, both peripheral and central. Both volumes decreased in osteoporotic samples and in those from women (p=0.000), in comparison with control group. Regarding the relationship between the high-load and low-load zone, significant data were obtained. The high-load zone had a greater trabecular bone volume than the low-load zone, regardless of the pathology and sex, but this increase was more pronounced in the arthrosic samples and in those from men. Additionally, this trabecular bone volume in the high-load zone decreased with increasing age of the donor (p=0.037), when the control group is compared. In sum, we observed a reduction in the formation of TBV and OSV in osteoporosis but also a decrease in the arthrosic, in samples from older subjects, in women, and in the low-load zone of the samples, when the control group is compared. These data suggest the coexistence of both pathologies, which is more pronounced in older subjects and women.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    The absence of one or both nidogens does not alter basement membrane composition in adult murine kidney
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) Gersdorff, N.; Otto, S.; Roediger, Matthias; Kruegel, J.; Miosge, Nicolai
    Nidogen-1 and nidogen-2 are major components of all basement membranes and are considered to function as link molecules between laminin and collagen type IV networks. Surprisingly, the knockout of one or both nidogens does not cause defects in all tissues or in all basement membranes. In this study, we have elucidated the appearance of the major basement membrane components in adult murine kidney lacking nidogen-1, nidogen-2, or both nidogens. To this end, we localized laminin-111, perlecan, and collagen type IV in knockout mice, heterozygous (+/-) or homozygous (-/-) for the nidogen-1 gene, the nidogen-2 gene, or both nidogen genes with the help of light microscopic immunostaining. We also performed immunogold histochemistry to determine the occurrence of these molecules in the murine kidney at the ultrastructural level. The renal basement membranes of single knockout mice contained a similar distribution of laminin-111, perlecan, and collagen type IV compared to heterozygous mice. In nidogen double-knockout animals, the basement membrane underlying the tubular epithelium was sometimes altered, giving a diffuse and thickened pattern, or was totally absent. The normal or thickened basement membrane of double-knockout mice also showed a similar distribution of laminin-111, perlecan, and collagen type IV. The results indicate that the lack of nidogen-1, nidogen-2, or both nidogens, plays no crucial role in the occurrence and localization of laminin-111, collagen type IV, and perlecan in murine tubular renal basement membranes
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Occurrence of two NOS isoforms in the developing gut of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) Pederzoli, A.; Conte, A.; Tagliazucchi, D.; Gambarelli, A.; Mola, L.
    In this work we have examined the appearance and distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), with histochemical, immunohistochemical and biochemical methods, during development of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) gut. The data showed that both the calcium-calmodulin dependent neuronal isoform (nNOS) and calciumindependent inducible isoform (iNOS) are present in the larval gut of sea bass. The nNOS-immunoreactivity was present in the epithelial cells and enteric nerve cells of gut both in the 8-day-old specimens and in the 24-dayold- larvae. In the adult nNOS-immunoreactivity disappeared from epithelial cells, remaining in the wall intramural neurons and fibers. The iNOSimmunoreactivity was present in the epithelial cells of 24-day-old-larvae and was not detectable in the adult gut. Western blot analysis and determination of NOS activity also demonstrated the presence of the two NOS isoforms, nNOS and iNOS, in the gut of 24-day-old specimens. The presumably different roles played by the two isoforms of enzyme are discussed. The presence of nNOS isoform in the gut enteric neurons of the same larval stages of D. labrax in which we previously demonstrated the presence of substance P and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), may suggest that all these three components of the motility control system are already present in the larval phase. Nitric oxide (NO) may be also involved in the early immune response. The present results on the occurrence of iNOS isoform in epithelial gut cells of the same regions in which the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) will differentiate, may suggest for NO a role in early defence mechanisms, before the establishment of immune responses in GALT. Finally, the developmental and regional differences in nNOS and iNOS expession also suggest a regulatory role in development and differentiation of the sea bass gut.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Increased expression of 5-lipoxygenase is common in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) Faronato, M.; Muzzonigro, G.; Milanese, G.; Menna, C.; Bonfigli, A.R.; Catalano, A.; Procopio, A.
    The clinical behaviour of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (CC-RCC) is often unpredictable. To fully understand the signaling pathways involved in CCRCC development, we examined whether the 5- Lipoxygenase (5-LO), which catalyzes the biosynthesis of proinflammatory leukotrienes, is involved in renal tumorigenesis. By analyzing 46 snap-frozen primary renal cell carcinomas and their corresponding normal renal cortex biopsies, 5-LO protein levels were found to be significantly increased in the majority of CC-RCCs (P<0.001). Quantitative 5-LO mRNA expression analysis revealed up to 3-fold increased expression in the tumor tissues. There was no association between 5-LO and gender, grade or vein invasion. In contrast, increased 5-LO protein and mRNA correlated with large tumor size (>4 cm) and age of patients (P<0.001). 5-LO was frequently overexpressed in von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL)–reduced tumors and in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-positive tumors, which represent two frequent alterations in CC-RCC. Cell culture experiments demonstrated that VEGF expression was strongly inducible by 5-LO metabolites in RCC cell lines. The loss of pVHL expression led to high basal 5- LO and VEGF expression, which were markedly reduced by transfection with 5-LO small interfering RNA (siRNA). These results suggest that 5-LO upregulation is an important step in renal cancer progression.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Periostin: Novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for cancer
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) Kudo, Y.; Siriwardena, B.S.M.S.; Hatano, H.; Ogawa, I.; Takata, T.
    Periostin is a secreted protein that shares a structural homology to the axon guidance protein fasciclin I (FAS1) in insects and was originally named as osteoblast-specific factor-2 (Osf2). Periostin is particularly highly homologus to ßig-h3, which promotes cell adhesion and spreading of fibroblasts. It has recently been reported that Periostin was frequently overexpressed in various types of human cancers. Although the detailed function of Periostin is still unclear, Periostin-integrin interaction through FAS1 domain is thought to be involved in tumor development. In addition, Periostin stimulates metastatic growth by promoting cancer cell survival, invasion and angiogenesis. Therefore, Periostin can be a useful marker to predict the behavior of cancer. This review summarizes the recent understanding of Periostin roles in tumor development and speculates on the usefulness of Periostin as a therapeutic and diagnostic target for cancer.