Small hepatic vein involvement in IgG multiple myeloma: a very unusual pattern of liver infiltration.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Catherine Guettier.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The soluble HLA-G5 isoform encoded by intron-4 retaining spliced transcript has been previously detected in vivo in sera and grafts from transplanted patients who had significantly better graft acceptance. These findings led us to investigate the role of HLA-G5 in tolerance induction in vitro and its biological relevance in allograft acceptance in vivo. We demonstrated that engagement of Ig-like transcript-2 and Ig-like transcript-4 receptors by HLA-G5 is involved in inhibition of T cell alloproliferative responses. Naive T cells sensitized in vitro with HLA-G5, for as little as 18 h, 1) lost their ability to respond to subsequent allogeneic stimulus, and 2) acquired regulatory properties because they inhibited the reactivity of other T cells. These HLA-G5-induced T cells act in an Ag-nonspecific fashion and through soluble factors. Biological relevance was provided by ex vivo analyzes of samples from liver-kidney cotransplanted patients who had high HLA-G5 serum levels and no graft rejection. We showed that addition of HLA-G5-containing sera from these patients inhibited T cell alloresponses and that serum HLA-G5 was responsible for this inhibition. Notably, PBMC from transplanted patients exposed to high levels of circulating HLA-G5 did not respond to allostimulation and inhibited alloreactivity of other T cells. These results demonstrate that HLA-G5-mediated tolerance involves the induction of immunosuppressive T cells. These findings provide evidence supporting the tolerogenic properties of HLA-G and emphasize its potential application as a relevant therapeutic candidate capable of limiting allograft rejection.
Follicular dendritic cell tumor (FDCT) is a rare tumor mainly located in laterocervical lymph nodes. We report one case of mediastinal FDCT associated with a history of bullous skin disease and clinically obvious immunosuppression. This tumor was characterized by heavy mast cell infiltration. Mast cells were in close relationship with tumor cells as demonstrated by ultrastructural examination and their presence are probably related with the strong expression of mast cell chemoattractants as fraktalkine and stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha by tumor cells. The long follow-up period of more than 17 years allowed to us assess the relatively indolent evolution of this tumor characterized by three slowly growing local recurrences without metastasis.
Hepatocellular adenomas are benign tumors that can be difficult to diagnose. To refine their classification, we performed a comprehensive analysis of their genetic, pathological, and clinical features. A multicentric series of 96 liver tumors with a firm or possible diagnosis of hepatocellular adenoma was reviewed by liver pathologists. In all cases, the genes coding for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha (HNF1alpha) and beta-catenin were sequenced. No tumors were mutated in both HNF1alpha and beta-catenin enabling tumors to be classified into 3 groups, according to genotype. Tumors with HNF1alpha mutations formed the most important group of adenomas (44 cases). They were phenotypically characterized by marked steatosis (P < 10(-4)), lack of cytological abnormalities (P < 10(-6)), and no inflammatory infiltrates (P < 10(-4)). In contrast, the group of tumors defined by beta-catenin activation included 13 lesions with frequent cytological abnormalities and pseudo-glandular formation (P < 10(-5)). The third group of tumors without mutation was divided into two subgroups based on the presence of inflammatory infiltrates. The subgroup of tumors consisting of 17 inflammatory lesions, resembled telangiectatic focal nodular hyperplasias, with frequent cytological abnormalities (P = 10(-3)), ductular reaction (P < 10(-2)), and dystrophic vessels (P = .02). In this classification, hepatocellular carcinoma associated with adenoma or borderline lesions between carcinoma and adenoma is found in 46% of the beta-catenin-mutated tumors whereas they are never observed in inflammatory lesions and are rarely found in HNF1alpha mutated tumors (P = .004). In conclusion, the molecular and pathological classification of hepatocellular adenomas permits the identification of strong genotype-phenotype correlations and suggests that adenomas with beta-catenin activation have a higher risk of malignant transformation.
L-alanosine (SDX-102) exerts its cytotoxicity through inhibition of de novo purine biosynthesis, an effect potentiated by methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) deficiency. The relevance of circadian dosing time was investigated for chronotherapeutic optimization of SDX-102. Toxicity was assessed in healthy mice following single (1,150, 1,650, or 1,850 mg/kg/d) or multiple doses (250 or 270 mg/kg/d). Efficacy was tested in mice with P388 leukemia receiving multiple doses (225 or 250 mg/kg/d). SDX-102 was administered at six circadian times 4 hours apart in mice synchronized with 12 hours of light alternating with 12 hours of darkness. MTAP expression was determined in liver, bone marrow, small intestinal mucosa, and P388 cells. Dosing at 19 hours after light onset reduced lethality 5-fold after single administration and 3-fold after multiple doses as compared with worst time [P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively (chi2 test)]. Neutropenia, lymphopenia, and bone marrow hemorrhagic lesions were significantly less in mice dosed at 19 hours after light onset as compared with 7 hours after light onset. SDX-102 at 7 hours after light onset transiently ablated the 24-hour patterns in body temperature and activity. A circadian rhythm characterized small intestinal MTAP expression with a maximum at 6:30 hours after light onset (P = 0.04). A minor survival improvement was found in MTAP-deficient P388 mice receiving SDX-102 at 7 or 23 hours after light onset as compared with other times (P = 0.03, log-rank test). In conclusion, the therapeutic index of SDX-102 was improved by the delivery of SDX-102 in the mid to late activity span. These results support the concept of chronomodulated infusion of SDX-102 in cancer patients.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aims to compare the results of living donor (LDLT), cadaveric split (SLT) and domino (DO) liver transplantation which are currently available alternatives to the conventional cadaveric full-size liver transplantation (CAD). METHODS: Immunologic, vascular and biliary complications (BC) were evaluated in 38 LDLT, 20 SLT, 17 DO and 38 CAD recipients. RESULTS: The incidence of acute rejection (AR) was similar between groups, and between blood-related and blood-unrelated patients. AR was more severe in the SLT group according to the Banff scores (P=0.03, P<0.001, P<0.001). The evolution of AR was similar between the groups, in terms of development of chronic rejection. No venous complications occurred in the overall population. The rate of arterial thrombosis (10.5, 10, 0 and 3%, respectively) was statistically similar between groups. The rate of BC (26, 40, 12, and 8%, respectively) was higher in the partial grafts than in the whole grafts (P=0.006), but was not significantly different within each group. There was an association between the severity of preservation injury and occurrence of AR (P=0.01) and arterial thrombosis (P=0.016), but not BC. One- and 2-year graft and patient survival rates were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: None of the graft types seemed to confer immunological advantage. BC remained problematic in the partial grafts, independently from ischemia time.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Male microchimerism is frequent in the adult female liver and is attributed to fetal cells originating from previous male offspring. It has never been studied in pregnant women, female children, or fetuses. We examined its frequency and cellular nature in normal and diseased female livers from fetal life to adulthood. Forty-six liver samples from 29 women, 6 female children, and 11 female fetuses were screened for the Y chromosome via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The X chromosome was used as an internal control. A third PCR assay was used for Y genotyping. The Y chromosome was detected in 5 of 6 children, 7 of 11 fetuses, 3 of 9 women with normal liver, 7 of 10 women with chronic hepatitis C, 5 of 6 women with acute liver disease during pregnancy with male offspring, and 2 of 4 nonpregnant women with fulminant hepatitis. In positive samples, the mean XY/XX ratio was 0.012 (+/-0.004). In women, male microchimerism was correlated with previous male offspring. Male hepatocytes, detected via FISH combined with anti-hepatocyte immunohistochemistry, were observed only in fetuses (4/9) and in postpartem women (4/6). Y genotypes were different from each other in 4 of 5 female livers. In conclusion, male liver microchimerism is frequent in normal and diseased female livers. The presence of male cells in the liver of female children and fetuses is probably due to the transplacental transmission of fetal cells preexisting in the mother and acquired either from previous pregnancy with male offspring or during the mother's own fetal life.
We report 5 cases of acute liver failure related to herpes simplex (HSV) infection in 1 immunocompetent and 4 immunosuppressed patients. One patient was too ill for liver transplantation indication. Three patients, among the 4 listed, underwent liver transplantation. Three patients died 11 days to 1 year after transplantation and 2 patients died 2 to 3 days after admission. All presented with fever and none with skin lesions. The diagnosis of HSV-related hepatitis was made antemortem in only 2 patients on the basis of positive blood cultures and/or immunohistochemic findings. In the remaining patients, HSV diagnosis was made retrospectively on further histologic and virologic investigations. Primary HSV infection was certain or likely in all cases, including an HSV2 superinfection of an anti-HSV1-positive patient and two HSV superinfections of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related chronic liver disease. In these latter patients, HSV diagnosis was totally unsuspected, despite fever. HSV superinfection has significantly contributed to liver dysfunction aggravation and death. In conclusion, the diagnosis of HSV hepatitis is difficult to establish in the absence of specific clinical signs. This may suggest the need for early administration of acyclovir in patients with suspected HSV hepatitis, without waiting for virologic confirmation. Diagnosis methods providing fast results (real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) should be implemented.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: As life expectancy in HIV-HCV co-infected patients improves, end stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation (LT) may become an emerging problem. We report the Paul Brousse Hospital experience of transplantation for end stage cirrhosis in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. METHODS: Seven consecutive HIV-HCV co-infected patients were transplanted between December 1999 and December 2002 for end stage liver disease due to HCV. All patients were treated by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV plasma viral load was <400 copies/ml and median CD4 lymphocyte count was 306 cells/mm3 (range, 103-510) before LT. At the time of evaluation (March 2003), the median follow-up was 21 months (range, 4-40). RESULTS: Two patients died, 4 and 22 months, respectively after LT. At the last biopsy, METAVIR score was staged F4 in two patients, F3 in two, and F1 in one. Microvesicular steatosis was noted in nearly all patients. The ratio of mitochondrial to nuclear DNA was low in three of four patients examined as compared with the amount of liver mtDNA found in eight HIV-negative, HCV-infected controls (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A significant defect in the activity of the respiratory chain complex IV was noted in all five patients studied. Mitochondrial hepatotoxicity and severe HCV recurrence occur in HIV-HCV co-infected patients after LT.
While hepatocytes can be considered conceptually as unipotent stem cells, the presence of true stem or progenitor cells within adult livers has been largely debated. It is now accepted that the atypical ductular reaction observed in livers with sub-massive hepatitis represents the proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells similar to rat oval cells and able to differentiate towards the biliary and the hepatocytic lineage through intermediate progeny. In the normal liver, the identification of progenitor cells with a panel of markers including c-kit, CD34, Ov6, CK7, CK19, chromogranine A, CD56 remains difficult because these cells are very few and most of the markers are not specific. These progenitor cells could be located either within the canals of Hering or in periductular situation or both. Mechanisms leading to the activation and the proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells are still largely unknown: they involve growth factors as the stem cell factor, ligand of c-kit, cytokines, chemokines as SDF1 a and vagal or sympathetic innervatioñ. Other potential stem cells for liver could be hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow. First publications have showed that hematopoietic stem cells were able to differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and to yield high level engraftment of injured livers. However it appears now that this phenomenon is minimal or even absent in physiological and usual pathological conditions. It does occur in extreme experimental conditions either by true transdifferentiation or cell fusion. The shared property of stem cells and tumor cells to proliferate endlessly, rises the question of the potential role of progenitor cells in liver carcinogenesis. In a number of animal models of hepatocarcinogenesis, tumors originate from oval cells. The identification of progenitor cells close to murine oval cells in the human liver raises the hypothesis of a potential role of these cells in the development of human liver tumors. Liver progenitor cells have been identified morphologically and phenotypically in dysplastic foci of cirrhotic livers and hepatocellular adenomas. More generally speaking, typical hepatocellular carcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas are at the two ends of a spectrum which includes transitional-type tumors intermediate between hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma and combined hepato-cellular cholangiocarcinoma; these intermediate and combined types can be more easily explained as deriving from progenitor cells. Despite the difficulties, the doubts and the potential dangers, new experimental modalities to obtain efficient repopulation of the liver from bone marrow stem cells are currently under study: exogenous administration of cytokines and chemokines involved in cell homing and differentiation or development of selective pressure strategies. Other cell types as intra-hepatic progenitor cells, bone marrow multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) or fetal hepatocytes could be alternative sources for liver cell therapy. Thus, progressing knowledge about stem cells in adult liver would allow to better understand mechanisms of hepatic homeostasia and regeneration and would open the way to cell-based therapy for liver diseases.
Combination therapy with steroids and azathioprine is the reference treatment for autoimmune hepatitis, but potential adverse effects are numerous and intolerance can occur. We report a patient with a well-documented type 1 autoimmune hepatitis intolerant to corticosteroids and azathioprine therapy, in whom eight years of ursodeoxycholic acid monotherapy was associated with biochemical and histological remission.
A histologic pattern comprising centrilobular cholestasis and portal changes including edema, predominantly neutrophil polymorph infiltration, cholangiolar proliferation, and cholangiolitis is well known to correspond to biliary obstruction. This pattern, referred as biliary tract pathology (BTP) in this text, remains unclear in terms of its clinical significance. We aimed to assess the incidence, timing, and diagnostic accuracy of BTP after liver transplantation. All 248 liver biopsies and clinical records, from 94 patients, including 30 living donor, 17 split, 15 domino, and 32 cadaveric full-size primary liver transplantation, were reviewed. BTP was diagnosed in 21% of biopsies from 31% of patients at a median of 28 days after transplantation (range, 5-763 days). When radiologic imaging of the biliary tree was taken as the gold standard, biopsy was found to have a sensitivity of 87% (95% confidence interval, 73%-100%) and a specificity of 87% (95% confidence interval, 80%-95%) for the diagnosis of biliary complications. An underlying clinical condition was found in 86% of cases, which included biliary complications (69%), arterial thrombosis (3%), sepsis (10%), and recurrent disease (3%). In 14% of cases, BTP remained unexplained. In conclusion, BTP after liver transplantation has clinical significance in most cases, with a particular emphasis for true biliary complications. This pattern must incite radiographic verification of the biliary tract.
Cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) is diagnosed in 5-30% of cirrhotic patients overall and 7% of patients who undergo liver transplantation for cirrhosis. In our series of patients transplanted for CC, pre-transplant clinical and histological data and the post-transplant course were reexamined in an attempt to identify the aetiology. Among the 881 patients transplanted in our centre between 1987 and 2000, 28 patients with a median age of 46 yr (range: 18-69) at transplantation were initially classified as having CC. Two patients were excluded because of intense ischaemic lesions caused by chemoembolization prevented histological analysis of the native liver (n = 1) and because of cryptic HBV infection (n = 1). Among the remaining 26 patients, four groups were individualized: (i) patients with chronic inflammatory liver disease with autoimmune features (n = 14, 54%); (ii) patients with features suggestive of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 3, 11.5%); (iii); patients with incomplete septal cirrhosis (ISC) and vascular liver disease (n = 3), and (iv) patients with unresolved CC (n = 6, 23%). In the autoimmune liver disease group, the median International Autoimmune Hepatitis score was 12.5 (range: 11-19) after reevaluation and review of the post-transplantation course was helpful to confirm the diagnosis with the occurrence of active graft hepatitis in nine patients, with autoantibodies in five patients. The vascular group was characterized by lesions of obliterative portal venopathy and ISC in all native livers. Diagnosis of NAFLD was based on the clinical background of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes and the presence of steatosis or steatohepatitis in native livers and graft biopsies. A definite aetiological diagnosis can be achieved in the majority of patients initially diagnosed with CC. Autoimmune liver disease emerged as the main aetiology (14 of 26 patients, 54%) and frequently recurred on the grafted liver (nine cases). In all cases a precise diagnosis is obviously of practical interest for better management of post-transplant survey and treatment.
Frequent transmeridian flights or predominant work at night can increase cancer risk. Altered circadian rhythms also predict for poor survival in cancer patients, whereas physical destruction of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the hypothalamic circadian pacemaker, accelerates tumor growth in mice. Here we tested the effect of functional disruption of circadian system on tumor progression in a novel experimental model of chronic jet lag. B6D2F(1) mice were synchronized with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness or underwent repeat 8-hour advances of the light/dark cycle every 2 days before inoculation of Glasgow osteosarcoma. The 24-hour changes were assessed for plasma corticosterone, clock protein mPER1 expression in the SCN, and mRNA expression of clock genes mPer2 and mRev-erbalpha in liver and tumor. Time series were analyzed by spectral analysis and/or Cosinor. Differences were compared with analysis of variance (ANOVA). The 24-hour rest/activity cycle was ablated, and the rhythms of body temperature, serum corticosterone, and mPER1 protein expression in the SCN were markedly altered in jet-lagged mice as compared with controls (ANOVA, P < 0.001 for corticosterone and P = 0.01 for mPER1). Tumor grew faster in the jet-lagged animals as compared with controls (ANOVA, P < 0.001), whereas exposure to constant light or darkness had no effect (ANOVA, P = 0.66 and P = 0.8, respectively). The expression of mPer2 and mRev-erbalpha mRNAs in controls showed significant circadian rhythms in the liver (P = 0.006 and P = 0.003, respectively, Cosinor) and in the tumor (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001). Both rhythms were suppressed in the liver (P = 0.2 and P = 0.1, respectively, Cosinor) and in the tumor (P = 0.5) of jet-lagged mice. Altered environmental conditions can disrupt circadian clock molecular coordination in peripheral organs including tumors and play a significant role in malignant progression.
CD10 expression is considered as a marker of centrofollicular-derived diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL). The aim of our study was to determine retrospectively among 98 patients with DLBCL, enrolled in the LNH93 trial of the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) and homogeneously treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP)-like regimen [doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin and prednisone (ACVBP)], the expression of CD10 using immunohistochemistry and its correlation with morphological features and clinical parameters. Of the 98 patients studied, 33 (34%) expressed CD10. There was no correlation among clinical parameters, International Prognostic Index risk groups and CD10 expression, with the exception of lactic dehydrogenase levels, which were lower in CD10-negative cases (P=0.005). There was no significant correlation between CD10 expression and morphological subtyping of DLBCL. Indeed, centrofollicular-derived DLBCL may present with numerous immunoblasts or as an immunoblastic lymphoma. Overall survival rate and event-free survival were not significantly different according to CD10 expression (P=0.44 and P=0.34 respectively). Therefore, it appears that CD10 expression does not influence survival or event-free survival in DLBCL.
Most types of cancer are difficult to eradicate, and some, like hepatocellular carcinoma, are almost always fatal. Among various interventions to improve the survival of patients with cancer, immunotherapy seems to hold some promises. However, it requires relevant animal models for preclinical development. In this study we report a new and relevant experimental model where liver tumors grow inside a nontumoral parenchyma of adult mice. This model is based on the intrasplenic injection in syngeneic recipient mice of hepatocytes from transgenic mice expressing SV40 large T oncogene specifically in the liver. Using this model where no apparent spontaneous cellular immune response was observed, immunization using a single injection of monoepitopic SV40 T Ag short peptide was sufficient to provoke liver tumor destruction, leading rapidly to complete remission. Tumor regression was associated with the induction of a long-lasting CD8+ T cell response, observed not only in the spleen but also, more importantly, in the tumoral liver. These results show the efficacy of peptide immunotherapy in the treatment of liver cancer.
The mutator phenotype caused by defects in the mismatch repair system is observed in a subset of solid neoplasms characterized by widespread microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). It is known to be very rare in non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), whereas mutator NHL is the most frequent tumor subtype in mismatch repair-deficient mice. By screening a series of 603 human NHL with specific markers of the mutator phenotype, we found here 12 MSI-H cases (12/603, 2%). Of interest, we demonstrated that this phenotype was specifically associated with immunodeficiency-related lymphomas (ID-RL), because it was observed in both posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (9/111, 8.1%) and HIV infection-related lymphomas (3/128, 2.3%) but not in a large series of NHL arising in the general population (0/364) (P < 0.0001). The MSI pathway is known to lead to the production of hundreds of abnormal protein neoantigens that are generated in MSI-H neoplasms by frameshift mutations of a number of genes containing coding microsatellite sequences. As expected, MSI-H ID-RL were found to harbor such genetic alterations in 12 target genes with a putative role in lymphomagenesis. The observation that the MSI-H phenotype was restricted to HIV infection-related lymphomas and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders suggests the existence of the highly immunogenic mutator pathway as a novel oncogenic process in lymphomagenesis whose role is favored when host immunosurveillance is reduced. Because MSI-H-positive cases were found to be either Epstein-Barr virus-positive or -negative, the mutator pathway should act synergistically or not with this other oncogenic factor, playing an important role in ID-RL.