• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2017

Background: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was revised in 2015, its clinical implications for lung SCC subsets remain unclear. We investigated whether the morphologic characteristics of lung SCC, including keratinization, were associated with clinical parameters and clinical outcome of patients. Methods: A total of 81 patients who underwent curative surgical resection of diagnosed lung SCC, were enrolled in this study. Attributes such as keratinization, tumor budding, single cell invasion, and nuclear size within the tumor, as well as immunohistochemistry of Bcl-xL and pS6 expressions, were evaluated. Results: The keratinizing and nonkeratinizing subtypes did not differ with respect to age, sex, TNM stage, and morphologic parameters such as nuclear diameter, tumor budding, and single cell invasion at the tumor edge. Most patients with the keratinizing subtype (98.0%) had a history of smoking, whereas the nonkeratinizing group had a relatively higher proportion of never-smokers relative to the keratinizing group (24.0% vs. 2.0%; p=0.008, chi-square test). Expression of pS6 (a surrogate marker of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 [mTORC1] signaling that regulates keratinocyte differentiation), and Bcl-xL (a key anti-apoptotic molecule that may inhibit keratinization), did not correlate significantly with the presence of keratinization. Patients with the keratinizing subtype had a significantly shorter overall survival (85.2 months vs. 135.7 months, p=0.010, log-rank test), and a multivariate analysis showed that keratinization was an independent, poor prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 2.389; 95% confidence interval, 1.090-5.233; p=0.030). Conclusion: In lung SCC, keratinization is associated with a poor prognosis, and might be associated with smoking.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.424-431
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• 2024

Among the therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy-such as immune-modulating antibodies, cancer vaccines, or adoptive T cell transfer-T cells have been an attractive target due to their cytotoxicity toward tumor cells and the tumor antigen-specific binding of their receptors. Leveraging the unique properties of T cells, chimeric antigen receptor-T cells and T cell receptor (TCR)-T cells were developed through genetic modification of their receptors, enhancing the specificity and effectiveness of T cell therapy. Adoptive cell transfer of chimeric antigen receptor-T cells has been successful for the treatment of hematological malignancies. To expand T cell therapy to solid tumors, T cells are modified to express defined TCR targeting tumor associated antigen, which is called TCR-T therapy. This review discusses anti-tumor T cell therapies, with a focus on engineered TCR-T cell therapy. We outline the characteristics of TCR-T cell therapy and its clinical application to non-hematological malignancies.

• ALGAE
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.331-341
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• 2013

Rhinomonas reticulata var. atrorosea G. Novarino is a photosynthetic marine flagellate that is known to have typical characteristics of cryptomonads. We examined the flagellar apparatus of R. reticulata var. atrorosea by transmission electron microscopy. The major components of the flagellar apparatus of R. reticulata var. atrorosea consisted of four types of microtubular roots (1r, 2r, 3r, and mr), a non-keeled rhizostyle (Rhs), mitochondrion-associated lamella (ML), two connections between basal bodies, a striated fibrous root (SR) and a striated fiber-associated microtubular root (SRm). Four types of microtubular roots originated near the ventral basal body and extended toward the left side of the basal bodies. The non-keeled Rhs originated at the Rhs-associated striated fiber, which was located between two basal bodies and extended into the middle of the cell. The ML was a plate-like fibrous structure associated with mitochondria and originating from a Rhs-associated fiber. It split into two parts and extended toward the dorsal-posterior of the cell to a mitochondrion. The SR and SRm extended parallel to the anterior lobe of the cell. The overall configuration of the flagellar apparatus in R. reticulata var. atrorosea was similar to the previously reported descriptions of those of Cryptomonas paramecium, C. pyrenoidifera, C. ovata, Hanusia phi, Guillardia theta, and Proteomonas sulcata. However, the flagellar apparatus system of R. reticulata var. atrorosea was more complex than those of other cryptomonad species due to the presence of an additional microtubular root and other distinctive features, such as a rhizostyle-associated striated fiber and large ML.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2016

The ultrastructures of germ cells and the functions of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis in male Kareius bicoloratus (Pleuronectidae) were investigated by electron microscope observation. Each of the well-developed Leydig cells during active maturation division and before spermiation contained an ovoid vesicular nucleus, a number of smooth endoplasmic reticula, well-developed tubular or vesicular mitochondrial cristae, and several lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. It is assumed that Leydig cells are typical steroidogenic cells showing cytological characteristics associated with male steroidogenesis. No cyclic structural changes in the Leydig cells were observed through the year. However, although no clear evidence of steroidogenesis or of any transfer of nutrients from the Sertoli cells to spermatogenic cells was observed, cyclic structural changes in the Sertoli cells were observed over the year. During the period of undischarged germ cell degeneration after spermiation, the Sertoli cells evidenced a lysosomal system associated with phagocytic function in the seminiferous lobules. In this study, the Sertoli cells function in phagocytosis and the resorption of products originating from degenerating spermatids and spermatozoa after spermiation. The spermatozoon lacks an acrosome, as have been shown in all teleost fish spermatozoa. The flagellum or sperm tail of this species evidences the typical 9+2 array of microtubules.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.821-825
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• 2012

Purpose: Centromere protein H (CENP-H) and Ki67 are overexpressed in some malignancies, but whether they are predictors of survival after primary resection for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) remains unknown. Methods: We assessed immunohistochemical expression of CENP-H and Ki67 in 112 HSCC specimens collected between March 2003 and March 2005 for analysis by clinical characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze relapse-free survival and logistic multivariate regression to determine risk factors of relapse-free survival. Cholecystokinin octapeptide assays and flow cytometry were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis after siRNA inhibition of CENP-H in HSCC cells. Results: Overall, 50 (44.6%) HSCC specimens showed upregulated CENP-H expression and 69 (61.6%) upregulated Ki67. An increased CENP-H protein level was associated with advanced cancer stage and alcohol history (P=0.012 and P=0.048, respectively) but an increased Ki67 protein level only with advanced cancer stage (P=0.021). Increased CENP-H or Ki67 were associated with short relapse-free survival (P<0.001 or P=0.009, respectively) and were independent predictors of relapse-free survival (P=0.001 and P=0.018, respectively). siRNA knockdown of CENP-H mRNA inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cancer cell apoptosis in vitro. Conclusions: Upregulated CENP-H and Ki67 levels are significantly associated with short relapse-free survival in HSCC. These factors may be predictors of a relapsing phenotype in HSSC cases.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2005

Background and Objectives: Because of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck undergoes a generally poor hospital course, the prognostic significance of the squamous cell carcinomas in head and neck have been evaluated to identify those features associated with aggressive biologic behavior according to the immunologic and histopathologic characteristics. Materials and Method: To assess the significance of EGFR, c-erbB-2, p21 and p53 protein in head and neck tumors and their correlation with prognostic factors, samples from 74 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity were studied immunohistochemically. Results: EGFR, c-erbB-2, p21, and p53 protein were expressed 94.6%, 24.3%, 85.1%, and 55.4% in 74 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. The positive expression of EGFR was associated significantly with clinical stage and the negative expressions of p21 was associated significantly with histopathologic differentiation. There were no significant relationships between the reactivity of EGFR, c-erbB-2, p21, and p53 protein. Conclusion: The expression of EGFR, c-erbB-2, p21 and p53 protein could be related to oncogenesis, and the expression of p21 and EGFR protein can be used as a prognosticator in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma under certain limitations, but c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression alone is not enough for evaluating prognosis of the carcinoma.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.115-123
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• 1995

This study was carried out to observe the functional ultrastructures of photoreceptor cells in frog(Rana catesbeiana) retina using transmission electron microscope. The photoreceptor cells are divided into two types-rod and cone cells-consist of outer and inner segment. The long outer segment of rod cell contains dense stacks of membrane and formed vertical and horizontal folds. The outer segment of cone cell is small, and vertical and horizontal folds are not exist. The electron dense cytoplasm of rod cell contains compact mitochondria, Golgi complexes, and endoplasmic reticula. The inner segment of cone cell shows low electron density and contains a large lipid droplet in the upper part of inner segment. In addition, cone cell contains many mitochondria, Golgi complexes. rough endoplasmic reticula, ribosomes and numerous glycogen particles. It is believed that these ultrastructural characteristics are closely associated with photoreceptive function of photoreceptor cells in frog retina.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.86-93
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• 1997

Even though both N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine have been widely used to establish the experimental model for dopaminergic neuronal ce ll death. mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not been firmly explored. To investigate how these dopaminergic neurotoxins induce neuronal cell death, murine dopaminergic neuronal cell line, MN9D cells were treated with various concentration of either 6-hydroxydopamine or active form of MPTP, N methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP$^+$). Treatment of cells with 5-100 uM 6-hydroxydopamine resulted in apoptotic cell death whereas cell death induced by 5~50 uM MPP$^+$ was not demonstrated typical apoptotic characteristics such as cell shrinkage, apoptotic body and nuclear condensation. Cell death induced by 6-hydroxydopamine was partially blocked in the presence of antioxidants including soluble form of vitamin E or desferrioxamine suggesting that generation of oxidative stress may be associated with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death in MN9D cells. In contrast, MPP$^+$-induced cell death was not blocked by treatment with any of antioxidants tested. As previously demonstrated that MPP$^+$ caused metabolic alterations such as glucose metabolism, removal of glucose from the medium partially inhibited MPP$^+$-induced cell death suggesting excessive cycles of glycolysis may be associated with MPP$^+$-induced cell death. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that two types of dopaminergic neurotoxins recruit distinct neuronal cell death pathways.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 1994

The characteristics of the bacteriophage resistant Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris ATCC 11602-A1, the phage-resistant mutant of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris ATCC 11602, was examined. Electron microscopic study of phage adsorption to A1 revealed that after 10 min. incubation of the host-phage mixture, A1 did not show phage adsorption, and after 60 min. did not show a real burst and the release of new phage particles which could be detected in the mixture of its parent strain and phage. However, the phage adsorption rate of A1 after SDS treatment increased to 98%. Moreover, when the cell walls from A1 and parent strain, and the polysaccharide(PS) and peptidoglycan(PG) of their cell wall were mixed with phage and incubated for 15 min., PS and PG from A1 did not bind phage, but only SD-treated cell wall bound phage, and the cell wall and PS of parent strain bound phage. Both A1 and parent strain treated with 0.2 N HCl-and 5% TCA(100$$C) did not bind phage. The results suggest that the phage receptor is still present in the cell wall of the A1, but a cell wall constituent hydrolyzed by SDS blocks phage adsorption by masking the phage receptor. It also suggests that the phage receptor of parent strain is associated with PS of the cell wall.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2019

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and has high rates of metastasis. Transforming growth factor beta-inducible protein (TGFBI) is an extracellular matrix component involved in tumour growth and metastasis. However, the exact role of TGFBI in NSCLC remains controversial. Gene silencing via DNA methylation of the promoter region is common in lung tumorigenesis and could thus be used for the development of molecular biomarkers. We analysed the methylation status of the TGFBI promoter in 138 NSCLC specimens via methylation-specific PCR and evaluated the correlation between TGFBI methylation and patient survival. TGFBI promoter methylation was detected in 25 (18.1%) of the tumours and was demonstrated to be associated with gene silencing. We observed no statistical correlation between TGFBI methylation and clinicopathological characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that TGFBI methylation is significantly associated with poor survival outcomes in adenocarcinoma cases (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.19-6.99, P = 0.019), but not in squamous cell cases. Our findings suggest that methylation in the TGFBI promoter may be associated with pathogenesis of NSCLC and can be used as a predictive marker for lung adenocarcinoma prognosis. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.