PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Kase

Publications and source records attributed to S Kase.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of glutamine synthetase and cell proliferation in human idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The mechanisms of the cellular origin and cell proliferation in the idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) are unsolved. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of cell cycle related molecules and glutamine synthetase (GS), which is expressed in Müller cells and their processes, in ERM tissues. METHODS: The ERMs were surgically removed using pars plana vitrectomy. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded ERM tissues were analysed by immunohistochemistry with anti-cyclin D1, p27 (KIP1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and GS antibodies. RESULTS: The histopathological findings showed that all the ERMs consisted of oval or spindle mononuclear cells with thin collagen-like tissues. Immunoreactivity for GS was detected in collagen-like tissues of ERM, presenting a continuous, isodense pattern. GS immunopositive cells in all cases expressed PCNA in their nuclei. Nuclear immunoreactivity for cyclin D1 was noted in the ERM constituent cells, whereas p27 (KIP1) positive nuclei were not detected. CONCLUSION: Cyclin D1 and PCNA were expressed in the idiopathic ERM, which was mainly derived from Müller cells and extensions of their processes.

Aged↗

Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in the conjunctiva with the epithelial scraping of the mouse cornea and human epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

AIM: To examine the expression of p65, one of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B), in the conjunctival epithelium of the C57Bl6 mouse and a patient with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). METHODS: Normal and epithelial scraped cornea obtained 6 hours after the injury were processed for paraffin section. Samples of a normal and an EKC conjunctival epithelium were obtained using impression cytology. Both samples were analysed by immunocytochemistry using anti-p65 antibody. RESULTS: Immunocytochemistry with the anti-NF-kappa B p65 antibody revealed that p65 was localised in the cytoplasm of the conjunctival epithelium in the C57Bl6 mouse without the treatment. Six hours after the scraping of the cornea, p65 protein was expressed in the nuclei of the conjunctival epithelium. p65 was localised in the cytoplasm of the conjunctival epithelium in the human normal eye. p65 protein was expressed in the nuclei of the conjunctival epithelial cells in the EKC patient. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that NF-kappa B was activated in the conjunctiva in the epithelial scraping of the mouse cornea and in human EKC.

Animals↗

A selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, NS398, inhibits cell growth and induces cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.

It is well known that cyclooxygenase (COX) -2 is expressed in a variety of human malignant solid tumors, associated with tumor angiogenesis, cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. Here, we examined the effect of NS398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on two human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines, TE-1 and TE-12. Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of COX-2 in TE-12, but not in TE-1. Treatment with 100microM NS398 suppressed the cell viability in TE-12 (48.6% of control) after 48 hours, in contrast to showing no effects in TE-1. The apoptotic index was extremely low in both cell lines after the treatment. NS398 clearly increased the number of cells in the G2/M phase and decreased the cells in the G1 and S phases in TE-12, but not TE-1. A pre-G1 fraction was not noted in either cell line. Moreover, TE-12 cells showed a decrease in the expression levels of cyclin B1 and an increase in p27Kip1. These findings suggest that NS398 inhibits cell growth and induces G2/M arrest in human SCC cells expressing COX-2.

Apoptosis↗

Expression of Fas and Fas ligand in human gastric adenomas and intestinal-type carcinomas: correlation with proliferation and apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Fas (APO-1/CD95), a member of the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor receptor superfamily, mediates apoptosis in response to agonistic antibodies or Fas ligand (FasL) binding. Previous reports indicated an up-regulation of FasL in gastric carcinomas to evade host immune attack. Fas/FasL expression, however, has not been analyzed in terms of apoptosis and proliferation in gastric adenoma and carcinoma. METHODS: This study was conducted on seven human gastric carcinoma cell lines, 47 gastric adenomas, and 75 intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (48 early and 27 advanced carcinomas). Fas/FasL expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method, and Fas gene mutation by a reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing method. RESULTS: Fas and FasL expressions were noted in 18 (38.3%) and 17 (36.2%) adenomas, in 21 (43.8%) and 33 (68.8%) early carcinomas, and in 10 (37.0%) and 19 (70.4%) advanced carcinomas, respectively. The frequency of FasL expression was significantly higher in advanced carcinomas than in the early carcinomas and adenomas; in contrast, there was no significant difference in Fas expression among the three groups. The mean apoptotic index (AI) was 4.96+/-0.51 in the adenomas, 2.96+/-0.23 in the early carcinomas, and 1.67+/-0.17 in the advanced carcinomas. A significantly higher Al was noted in the lesions with Fas expression than in those without Fas expression in all three groups. No missense mutations of the Fas gene were detected in any of the gastric carcinoma cell lines, or in the gastric adenomas or carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of FasL may correlate with the progression of gastric carcinoma. Apoptosis in gastric adenoma and carcinoma cells may occur via Fas-dependent and -independent pathways, but further clarification is needed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Inclusion body myositis associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

The case of a 77-year-old woman with hepatitis C virus infection with a 5-year history of muscle weakness and mild disturbance of gait is reported. Steroid therapy did not improve her symptoms. She developed HCV-related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and muscle biopsy revealed inclusion body myositis. Immunohistochemistry showed that the nonstructural region of HCV and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a marker of DNA damage by reactive oxygen species, were present in striated muscle cells of this patient.

Aged↗

Thymidine phosphorylase expression causes both the increase of intratumoral microvessels and decrease of apoptosis in human esophageal carcinomas.

Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase)/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, is expressed at higher levels in tumor tissues compared to the adjacent normal tissues in a variety of human carcinomas. The higher expression is associated with an increase of intratumoral microvessel density (IMVD) and an unfavorable patient prognosis. We examined the role of dThdPase in apoptosis, IMVD, P53 expression and patient prognosis of human stages II and III esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). dThdPase expression was noted in 52 of the 78 esophageal SCC (66.7%), regardless of tumor stages and histologic grades. Mean IMVD was 117.9 +/- 32.6 in the dThdPase-positive cases and 103.1 +/- 21.5 in the dThdPase-negative cases, the value being significantly higher in the former (P < 0.05). Similarly, median (range) apoptotic index (AI: percentage of apoptotic cells) was significantly lower in the dThdPase-positive SCC, 1.8 (0.4-6.5), than in the dThdPase-negative SCC, 3.7 (0.6-7.0) (P < 0.01). AI and IMVD showed a significant inverse correlation (r = - 0.31, P = 0.005). There was also no significant difference in the frequency of P53 expression between the dThdPase-positive SCC and the negative SCC. No statistical difference was noted regarding the postoperative survival rate between the dThdPase-positive and the negative SCC. Although dThdPase expression was not associated with patient prognosis, the expression provided an advantage for tumor growth of human esophageal SCC, not only by increasing the intratumoral microvessels, but also attenuation of apoptosis, which might occur via a p53 gene-independent pathway.

Apoptosis↗

Rib metastasis appearing 8 years after surgery for lung cancer: report of a case.

A 39-year-old man underwent a right upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection for right lung adenocarcinoma on March 7, 1988. He was referred for an evaluation of a systemic bone scintillation scan on October 29, 1996. A hot spot at the right fourth rib was recognized. After performing needle aspiration cytology, a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was made. This case was considered to be rib metastasis occurring 8 years after surgery for lung cancer. In general, regular follow-up examinations are performed for at least 5 years after surgery; however, surgeons should also keep such late metastatic cases in mind.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Direct IFNluence of interferon-gamma on proliferation and cell-surface antigen expression of non-small cell lung cancer cells.

In order to clarify the anti-tumor activity of IFN-gamma, we investigated the direct IFNluence of IFN-gamma on both the growth and cell-surface antigen expression of tumor cells. In the present study, four human lung cancer cell lines were used; two squamous cell lines (QG-56, QG-95) and two adenocarcinoma cell lines (PC-9, PC-12). In all four tumor cell lines, mutations were detected in exon 7 of the p53 gene by a PCR-FSSCP analysis. The proliferation of QG-56 or QG-95 was inhibited by IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner with about 70% inhibition at 1000 JRU/ml while that of PC-9 was slightly inhibited with maximally 25% inhibition at 1000 JRU/ml. The growth of PC-12 was not inhibited at all. In QG-56, QG-95 and PC-9, the fraction of cells in G1 phase increased while the fractions of cells in both S and G2/M phases decreased after exposure to IFN-gamma (200 JRU/ml) for 72 h. The growth inhibition by long-term exposure to IFN-gamma was irreversible in QG-56. After culture in the presence of IFN-gamma (200 JRU/ml) for 14-16 days, tumor cells were examined for expression of various antigens, including HLA-class I, HLA-class II, and CEA. In all cell lines but PC-12, 100% of cells expressed HLA-class I after incubation with IFN-gamma. Both HLA-class II and CEA were also induced in those cell lines. The proportion of HLA-class II-positive cells or that of CEA-positive cells varied among the cell lines. Of the three antigens, the degree of HLA-class II expression paralleled that of growth inhibition by IFN-gamma treatment. These results suggested that in various function of IFN-gamma against tumor cells, the anti-proliferative effect might be closely linked with the induction of HLA-class II probably through a similar posttranscriptional process, independent of the function of p53 gene.

Antigens, Surface↗

Cystic schwannoma presenting as massive hemoptysis in an adult.

A 62-year-old man who presented with the chief complaint of hemoptysis is reported. A chest radiograph obtained on admission showed a huge cystic mass located at the posterior mediastinum. Prior to surgery, transarterial embolization was done because of continuous massive hemoptysis. An uneventful removal of the tumor was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was schwannoma. The hemoptysis was thought to have been caused by changes in the cystic formation in combination with inflammation which extended to the lung.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in human non-small cell lung cancer and the clinical significance.

E-cadherin, a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, plays a key role in the maintenance of tissue integrity. The function of this molecule is partly mediated by alpha-/beta-/gamma-catenin. Loss or dysfunction of E-cadherin is associated with an invasive phenotype. We analyzed the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in human lung cancer to determine the relationship to clinicopathological factors and prognosis. E-cadherin and beta-catenin expressions were evaluated in 331 lung cancer tissues in a immunohistochemical analysis. Reduced E-cadherin expression was evident in 138 (42%), and reduced beta-catenin expression was noted in 122 (37%). Reduced E-cadherin expression significantly correlated with lymph nodes metastasis (P = 0.0199). E-cadherin expression significantly correlated with increasing histological differentiation (P = 0.0403). Although reduced E-cadherin did not correlate with the prognosis (P = 0.0652), reduced beta-catenin expression did significantly correlate with a poor prognosis (P = 0.0001). When both were reduced, there was a significant unfavorable prognosis compared with either the reduced expression (P = 0.0493) and preserved expression (P = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis showed a significantly lower survival rate for patients with reduced beta-catenin (P < 0.0001). We interpret these data to mean that dysfunction of the cell-cell adhesion molecule has a role in the progression of lung cancer and that analysis of E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression can provide clinically important evidence on which to base treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Pulmonary metastasis with an endobronchial growth pattern: report of a case.

We herein report a case of a pulmonary metastatic tumor with an endobronchial growth pattern. A 75-year-old female was operated on for pulmonary metastasis which originated from a malignant melanoma of the upper gum. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest demonstrated a solitary mass in right S6 region and a preoperative bronchoscopic examination revealed an endobronchial tumor in rtB6b. A retrospective analysis of the chest CT showed a thickened bronchial wall extending to the entrance of rtB6b. Therefore, not a wedge resection but a segmentectomy (rtS6) was performed. When the surgical margin is determined, we should therefore keep in mind the possibility of an endobronchial growth pattern if only a solitary mass is recognized on the CT, even though pulmonary metastatic tumors showing an endobronchial growth pattern is uncommon.

Aged↗

Thymoma arising in a thymic cyst.

We present a case of thymoma arising in the wall of the thymic cyst. A 77-year-old asymptomatic woman demonstrated an approximately 3.5 cm sized cystic mass in the left anterior mediastinum in the CT scan. The tumor was extirpated by a total thymectomy. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined by low cuboidal cells, but a markedly thickened wall was observed at the upper site of the mass, which was found to be thymoma. These findings may suggest that the thymoma originated from the wall of the thymic cyst.

Aged↗

Postoperative adjuvant adoptive immunotherapy with lymph node-LAK cells and IL-2 for pathologic stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

We conducted a clinical trial of adoptive immunotherapy with lymph node-lymphokine-activated killer (LN-LAK) cells and recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) for a surgical adjuvant therapy of pathologic stage I non-small cell lung cancer. The regimen consisted of the subcutaneous administration of low-dose rIL-2 for 6 consecutive days and the transfer of ex vivo generated LAK cells from regional lymph node lymphocytes, obtained at the time of surgical operation. A group of 19 patients with primary lung cancer received the immunotherapy about 2 weeks after surgery (pulmonary lobectomy). The regimen was postoperatively well tolerated by the patients. In peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained after the treatment, the proportion of CD3+ T cells predominantly increased with the increase of CD4+ T cell subsets. On the other hand, the proportion of CD20+ B cells decreased. Both NK and LAK activity of PBL significantly increased. However, the immunomodulatory effects did not result in a prolongation of the postoperative survival time in comparison to the postoperative survival of patients (n = 21) with surgery alone during the same period. These results suggested that the treatment with low-dose LN-LAK cells and concurrent low-dose IL-2 could, therefore, neither reduce nor eradicate minimal micrometastatic diseases.

Aged↗

Invasive thymoma with long-term survival by extensive reoperation.

The recurrence of invasive thymoma is often observed; however, no accepted treatment of recurrent invasive thymoma has yet been established. We herein report a 41-year-old woman with invasive thymoma and pleural dissemination who demonstrated long-term survival after undergoing 4 operations. Based on our findings, reoperation is thus suggested in patients with intrathoracic recurrence and long-term survival can be expected.

Adult↗

[Correlation between clinical aggressiveness of thymic epithelial tumors and expression of tumor suppressor gene products (p53, p27)].

It is impossible to predict malignant potential of thymomas by conventional histopathological examination. In order to find a malignant marker of thymoma, we immunohistochemically examined the expression of the products of p53 and p27kip1, potential tumor suppressor genes in thymic epithelial tumors. The thymic epithelial tumors examined in the present study included 13 non-invasive thymomas, 7 invasive thymomas, and 4 thymic carcinomas. The thymic epithelial cells showed abnormal accumulation of p53 protein in 2 of 13 non-invasive thymomas (15.4%), 4 of 7 invasive thymomas (50%), and 3 of 4 thymic carcinomas (75%). The frequency of p53-expression paralleled with clinical aggressiveness. On the other hand, p27 showed no correlation with clinical aggressiveness. In conclusion, the present results suggest that the presence of p53-positive epithelial cells might be a useful indicator to predict malignant potential of thymoma.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗