Cellular Processes in Human Ovarian Follicles Are Regulated by Expression Profile of New Gene Markers—Clinical Approach

In the growing ovarian follicle, the maturing oocyte is accompanied by cumulus (CCs) and granulosa (GCs) cells. Currently, there remain many unanswered questions about the epithelial origin of these cells. Global and targeted gene transcript levels were assessed on 1, 7, 15, 30 days of culture for CCs and GCs. Detailed analysis of the genes belonging to epithelial cell-associated ontological groups allowed us to assess a total of 168 genes expressed in CCs (97 genes) and GCs (71 genes) during long-term in vitro culture. Expression changes of the analyzed genes allowed the identification of the group of genes: TGFBR3, PTGS2, PRKX, AHI1, and IL11, whose expression decreased the most and the group of ANXA3, DKK1, CCND1, STC1, CAV1, and SFRP4 genes, whose expression significantly increased. These genes’ expression indicates CCs and GCs epithelialization processes and their epithelial origin. Expression change analysis of genes involved in epithelization processes in GCs and CCs during their in vitro culture made it possible to describe the most significantly altered of the 11 genes. Detailed analysis of gene expression in these two cell populations at different time intervals confirms their ovarian surface epithelial origin. Furthermore, some gene expression profiles appear to have tumorigenic properties, suggesting that granulosa cells may play a role in cancerogenesis.

Mural ameloblastoma- A case report

Ameloblastoma is a benign neoplasm of odontogenic epithelial origin which comprises of several clinical, radiological and histological varieties. Among these, unicystic variant is the least explored and its mural subtype shows a high aggressiveness and risk of recurrence and comparable with that of conventional ameloblastoma. Herein, we present a case of mural ameloblastoma of maxilla in a 32-year old female.

Expression and Impact of C1GalT1 in Cancer Development and Progression

C1GalT1 (T-synthase) is one of the key glycosyltransferases in the biosynthesis of O-linked mucin-type glycans of glycoproteins. It controls the formation of Core-1 disaccharide Galβ1,3GalNAcα- (Thomsen–Friedenreich oncofetal antigen, T or TF antigen) and Core-1-associated carbohydrate structures. Recent studies have shown that C1GalT1 is overexpressed in many cancers of epithelial origin including colon, breast, gastric, head and neck, pancreatic, esophageal, prostate, and hepatocellular cancer. Overexpression of C1GalT1 is often seen to also be associated with poorer prognosis and poorer patient survival. Change of C1GalT1 expression causes glycosylation changes of many cell membrane glycoproteins including mucin proteins, growth factor receptors, adhesion molecules, and death receptors. This leads to alteration of the interactions of these cell surface molecules with their binding ligands, resulting in changes of cancer cell activity and behaviors. This review summarizes our current understanding of the expression of C1GalT1 in various cancers and discusses the impact of C1GalT change on cancer cell activities in cancer development and progression.

Characterization of the humoral immune response to the EBV proteome in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is an aggressive malignancy that has been etiologically linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, with EBV gene transcripts identified in almost all cases. However, the humoral immune response to EBV in NKTCL patients has not been well characterized. We examined the antibody response to EBV in plasma samples from 51 NKTCL cases and 154 controls from Hong Kong and Taiwan who were part of the multi-center, hospital-based AsiaLymph case–control study. The EBV-directed serological response was characterized using a protein microarray that measured IgG and IgA antibodies against 202 protein sequences representing the entire EBV proteome. We analyzed 157 IgG antibodies and 127 IgA antibodies that fulfilled quality control requirements. Associations between EBV serology and NKTCL status were disproportionately observed for IgG rather than IgA antibodies. Nine anti-EBV IgG responses were significantly elevated in NKTCL cases compared with controls and had ORshighest vs. lowest tertile > 6.0 (Bonferroni-corrected P-values < 0.05). Among these nine elevated IgG responses in NKTCL patients, three IgG antibodies (all targeting EBNA3A) are novel and have not been observed for other EBV-associated tumors of B-cell or epithelial origin. IgG antibodies against EBNA1, which have consistently been elevated in other EBV-associated tumors, were not elevated in NKTCL cases. We characterize the antibody response against EBV for patients with NKTCL and identify IgG antibody responses against six distinct EBV proteins. Our findings suggest distinct serologic patterns of this NK/T-cell lymphoma compared with other EBV-associated tumors of B-cell or epithelial origin.

A Case Report on Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma of the Anterior Mandible with Brief Review on Advanced Imaging Diagnosis

Ameloblastoma is the most common benign odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. It exhibits a locally aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate with multitude of factors involving in its molecular pathogenesis. This article reports a case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma involving the mandible in a 60-year-old male patient with peculiar imaging characteristics. The role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of conventional ameloblastoma has been elaborately emphasized in the discussion. Although the final diagnosis is based on histopathological features, physicians should be aware of the role of advanced imaging for diagnosis of ameloblastoma and for better surgical management.

Molecular imprint of epithelial origin identifies immuno-subtype of thymic epithelial tumors

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are common tumors in human anterior mediastinum with limited biological understanding. Through decoding the immune landscape of tumors, we reclassify TETs into three types based on T cell developmental patterns. We uncover the developmental dysfunction and TCR repertoire of tumor-infiltrating T cells by cell atlas. Moreover, we identify the unique subset of tumor cells with distinct epithelial origin in each TETs type. Furthermore, we demonstrate that KRT14/GNB3+ mTECs-like cell accumulation inhibits the T cell positive selection in type 1 TETs, while CCL25+ cTEC-like cell promotes T cell positive selection in type 2. Interestingly, although CHI3L1+ mTEC-like cell in type 3 TETs loses the function of supporting T cell development, it acquires the capacity to induce CD8+TRMs-mediated response. Finally, we propose a new molecular classification of human TETs using GNB3 and CHI3L1 to distinguish the epithelial origin of tumor cells, which is promising in prognostic prediction.

Comparative Expression Analysis of Innate Immune Markers and Phagocytic Activity in Peripheral Blood of Dogs with Mammary Tumors

Canine innate immune system role in cancer prevention and progression remains poorly understood. It has been revealed that innate immune cells could play a dual role in cancer immunology promoting or inhibiting tumor development and growth. Current immunotherapies target mainly the adaptive anti-tumor response and that may be a reason why they remain ineffective in a majority of patients. It is important to acquire detailed knowledge about innate immune mechanisms to broaden the diagnostic and therapeutic options and employ innate immune cells in anti-cancer therapies. In the present study, 21 female dogs of different breeds and types of spontaneous mammary tumors were investigated. The study aimed to find simple and cheap markers that can be used for preliminary diagnosis, prior to the surgical resection of the tumor. The differences in innate immune cell quantity and function were investigated between female dogs with malignant mammary tumors of epithelial and mesenchymal origin. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the percentages of CD5+ lymphocytes including CD5low lymphocytes, CD11b integrin expression on leukocytes, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst. The number of CD11b lymphocytes was increased in tumors with epithelial origin compared to the control group. No significant differences were found between the percentages of phagocytic cells neither for granulocytes nor for monocytes. However, the phagocytes of canine patients with tumors of epithelial origin showed increased phagocytosis compared to the control group. The percentages of granulocytes that produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to E.coli and PMA were not altered in patients with malignant tumors compared to control. A statistically significant difference between the number of ROS produced by the single granulocyte was demonstrated only between the group of bitches with epithelial tumors and the control group in case of E. coli stimulation. The obtained results suggest that some innate immune cells may be involved in anti-tumor immune mechanisms and have the potential to be supportive diagnostic markers in canine mammary tumors.

An Aggressive Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor: A Rare Case Report

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor is an epithelial origin locally aggressive benign odontogenic tumor. It is an extremely rare neoplasm comprise of <1 % of all odontogenic tumors. It manifests clinically as asymptomatic, slow-growing, and locally aggressive lesion which causes expansion of the affected bone. About 400 cases of CEOT (calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor) are reported in the literature. This article reported a case 18 years old female with a locally aggressive calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor involving the mandible, without much disfigurement of the face. Aim: The aim of this article to put a drop of water in the ocean of literature. Report a case with aggressive nature.