Blastomere isolation and transplantation.
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Liquid chromatography with high-sensitivity electrochemical detection has been employed to measure picogram amounts of epinephrine and other catecholamines in microdissected samples of the rat hypothalamus. Tissue catecholamines are purified by solvent extraction; this provides better selectivity and recovery than methods involving alumina. The solvent extraction technique has been modified in order to eliminate its major disadvantage, the presence of electroactive substances separating with catecholamines. Detection limits of below 1 pg allow for analysis of catecholamines including epinephrine in very small brain samples such as micropunches.
We analyzed 12 ovarian epithelial tumors using 2D PAGE-based comparative proteomics to construct intra- and inter-tumoral distance map trees and to discover surrogate biomarkers indicative of an ovarian tumor. The analysis was performed after laser microdissection of 12 fresh-frozen tissue samples, including 4 serous, 5 mucinous, and 3 endometrioid tumors, with correlation with their histopathological characteristics. Ovarian epithelial tumors and normal tissues showed an apparent separation on the distance map tree. Mucinous carcinomas were closest to the normal group, whereas serous carcinomas were located furthest from the normal group. All mucinous tumors with aggressive histology were separated from the low malignant potential (LMP) group. The benign-looking cysts adjacent to the intraepithelial carcinoma (IEC) showed an expression pattern identical to that of the IEC area. The extent of change on the lineages leading to the mucinous and serous carcinoma was 1.98-fold different. The overall gene expression profiles of serous or endometrioid carcinomas appeared to be less affected by grade or stage than by histologic type. The potential candidate biomarkers screened in ovarian tumors and found to be significantly up-regulated in comparison to normal tissues were as follows: NM23, annexin-1, protein phosphatase-1, ferritin light chain, proteasome alpha-6, and NAGK (N-acetyl glucosamine kinase). In conclusion, ovarian mucinous tumors are distinct from other ovarian epithelial tumors. LMP mucinous tumors showing histologically aggressive features belong to mucinous carcinoma on the proteomic basis.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The potential role of p16 inactivation by CDKN2A/p16 promoter hypermethylation and/or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the CDKN2A gene was investigated in neoplastic progression of Barrett's esophagus. METHODS: CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation was studied by methylation sensitive single-strand conformation analysis and sequencing using bisulfite modified DNA in Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinomas, premalignant lesions, and normal squamous esophageal epithelium. All of the lesions of interest were sampled by microdissection from paraffin-embedded fixed tissue sections. RESULTS: No methylation of the CDKN2A promoter was found in normal esophageal squamous cell epithelia, whereas methylation was detected in 18 of 22 (82%) adenocarcinomas and 10 of 33 (30%) premalignant lesions, including 4 of 12 (33%) samples with intestinal metaplasia only. LOH at the CDKN2A gene locus was found in 68% of adenocarcinomas and in 55% of premalignant lesions. Of 28 samples without p16 immunoreactivity, 25 (89%) showed CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation with or without LOH of CDKN2A. Only 2 (8%) samples expressing p16 protein were found to be methylated; these showed a mixture of completely methylated and unmethylated CDKN2A promoters. In 7 of 19 (37%) informative samples without LOH of CDKN2A, the CDKN2A promoter was found to be methylated at both alleles. Loss of p16 protein expression was strongly associated with CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation (P < 0.00001), but not with LOH (P = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that methylation of the CDKN2A promoter is the predominant mechanism for p16 inactivation. This hypermethylation is a very common event in esophageal adenocarcinoma and occurs as early as metaplasia.
The events that regulate trophoblast invasion need to be characterized at the transcriptional level. Several types of gene products may be involved in various stages oftrophoblast infiltration, including integrins, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Autocrine or paracrine regulators of cytotrophoblast proliferation or differentiation in vitro (e.g. growth factors and cytokines, as well as oxygen tension) could be characterized mechanistically at the transcriptional level. Large-scale gene expression profiling of trophoblasts of distinct invasive stages could be carried out on fixed tissue obtained by laser-directed microdissection. This information may shed light on physiological implantation and placentation, as well as on the interpretation of pathological processes such as pre-eclampsia. The applications of DNA microarrays are ideal for studies of genomic structure (e.g. mutation and polymorphism analyses) and monitoring of gene expression. The ultimate goal is to understand the critical events underlying growth, development, homeostasis, 'behaviour and the onset of disease at a genomic level. Microarrays detect gene expression levels in parallel by measuring the hybridization of labelled, single-stranded DNA to many thousands of partial or whole gene sequences immobilized on a glass surface (the 'chip'). Microarrays are available both commercially and can be manufactured in house.
More than 20 years ago, the author formulated the proposition "extension inhibition instead of contraction" to explain the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease. This concept and the limited surgery derived from it are presented with preliminary long-term results. The tissue dynamics at the palmodigital zone were investigated. Subcutaneous microdissection and the first slices of adult hands (plastination) served to investigate the intact skin-covered subcutaneous tissue layer. On the flexor side, the hand has a complex skin anchoring system which effects mobile attachment of the digital subcutaneous tissue and stationary attachment of the palmar subcutaneous tissue. The disease fixes the flexion position of the tissue layer and impedes extension of the subcutaneous tissue and fingers. It is not the open but the closed hand from which fibromatosis starts. The principle "retention of flexion position" does not imply a contraction mechanism. The pathological substrate undergoes tendinous straightening by traction. There is secondary hypertrophy of the longitudinal fascicles of aponeurosis. The derived principle of limited surgery leaves the aponeurosis in situ. The preliminary results of follow-up examinations after five years and more show that there is no increased danger of recurrence when the aponeurosis is not removed. Out of 72 hands, 34 (47%) proved to be free of disease. Recurrences were found in 17 (24%) hands.
AIM: This anatomic study is intended to point out the most regular and reproducible vessels supplying the nipple-areola complex (NAC) for use in vertical mammaplasty. BACKGROUND: The superior pedicle technique routinely performed within the context of vertical mammaplasty procedures bears some risk for vascular dependent complications of the NAC especially in large breasts. Concerning vasculature, the supposedly most eligible pedicle to use should meet equally the best vascular requirements and technical demands necessary for maintaining both viability of the NAC and plasticity of the entire breast tissue. METHODS: Based on an anatomic microdissection study of the thoracic vessel system of seven female corpses, a modification of the superior pedicle approach to carry the NAC was anatomically evaluated and tailored to vertical mammaplasty performed in the L-technique. RESULTS: Out of six vascular sources responsible for the blood supply to the breast the branches originating from the lateral thoracic artery and concomitant veins appeared to reflect the major source of blood supply to the NAC due to their regularity and reproducibility. Especially the full-thickness glandular-dermal superolaterally-based pedicle should safely enclose these dominant branches, as well as supplementary vessels deriving from minor important sources in this region, while keeping plasticity of the vertically reduced breast. CONCLUSION: The superolaterally-based full-thickness glandular-dermal pedicle mobilized epipectorally to carry the NAC proves to be anatomically a safe and reliable procedure eligible as an integral part of vertical mammaplasty.
Glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] activity was measured in nine different portions of the rat nephron. Each sample contained a single piece of tubule isolated by microdissection from collagenase-treated kidney tissue. As compared to basal activity, 1 microM porcine glucagon stimulated adenylate cyclase 60-fold in the medullary portion and 40-fold in the cortical portion of the thick ascending limb, 23-fold in the early distal convoluted tubule, 11-rold in the cortical collecting tubule, and 8-fold in the medullary collecting tubule. No stimulation was observed in proximaly tubules and thin segments of the loop of Henle. Half-maximal stimulations were obtained with about 10 nM glucagon in the responsive nephron portions.
The arginine variant of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism as well as anogenital and epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) types of human papilloma virus (HPV) are suggested to confer increased risk for developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this pilot study, we analysed the p53 codon 72 genotype distribution in 106 microdissected samples from normal and tumour tissues of 53 cases of cutaneous SCC and 96 controls from Sweden. Both normal and tumour samples from cases of SCC were screened for anogenital and EV HPV. The p53Arg allele was not associated with the development of cutaneous SCC. Anogenital HPV (44%) was more prevalent than EV HPV (12%). Data also indicate that anogenital HPV is more common in tumour samples, but HPV infection was not identified as a significant risk factor for developing SCC. The presence of anogenital HPV, but not EV HPV might be a risk factor for development of cutaneous SCC.
In the experiments here, the time- and voltage-dependent properties of the Ca2+-independent, depolarization-activated K+ currents in adult mouse ventricular myocytes were characterized in detail. In the majority (65 of 72, approximately 90%) of cells dispersed from the ventricles, analysis of the decay phases of the outward currents revealed three distinct K+ current components: a rapidly inactivating, transient outward K+ current, Ito,f (mean +/- SEM taudecay = 85 +/- 2 ms); a slowly (mean +/- SEM taudecay = 1,162 +/- 29 ms) inactivating K+ current, IK,slow; and a non inactivating, steady state current, Iss. In a small subset (7 of 72, approximately 10%) of cells, Ito,f was absent and a slowly inactivating (mean +/- SEM taudecay = 196 +/- 7 ms) transient outward current, referred to as Ito,s, was identified; the densities and properties of IK,slow and Iss in Ito,s-expressing cells are indistinguishable from the corresponding currents in cells with Ito,f. Microdissection techniques were used to remove tissue pieces from the left ventricular apex and from the ventricular septum to allow the hypothesis that there are regional differences in Ito,f and Ito,s expression to be tested directly. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that all cells isolated from the apex express Ito,f (n = 35); Ito,s is not detected in these cells (n = 35). In the septum, by contrast, all of the cells express Ito,s (n = 28) and in the majority (22 of 28, 80%) of cells, Ito,f is also present. The density of Ito,f (mean +/- SEM at +40 mV = 6.8 +/- 0.5 pA/pF, n = 22) in septum cells, however, is significantly (P < 0.001) lower than Ito,f density in cells from the apex (mean +/- SEM at +40 mV = 34.6 +/- 2.6 pA/pF, n = 35). In addition to differences in inactivation kinetics, Ito,f, Ito,s, and IK,slow display distinct rates of recovery (from inactivation), as well as differential sensitivities to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), tetraethylammonium (TEA), and Heteropoda toxin-3. IK,slow, for example, is blocked selectively by low (10-50 microM) concentrations of 4-AP and by (>/=25 mM) TEA. Although both Ito,f and Ito,s are blocked by high (>100 microM) 4-AP concentrations and are relatively insensitive to TEA, Ito,f is selectively blocked by nanomolar concentrations of Heteropoda toxin-3, and Ito,s (as well as IK,slow and Iss) is unaffected. Iss is partially blocked by high concentrations of 4-AP or TEA. The functional implications of the distinct properties and expression patterns of Ito,f and Ito,s, as well as the likely molecular correlates of these (and the IK,slow and Iss) currents, are discussed.
Non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that exert their toxicity mostly through activation of the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and are referred to as AhR agonists. The objective was to study, by real time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the effects of postnatal exposure to a reconstituted mixture of AhR agonists present in breast milk (3 non-ortho PCBs, 6 PCDDs, and 7 PCDFs, referred to here-in-after as AhRM) on mRNA expression of estrogen receptor (ERalpha), enzymes involved with the metabolism of estrogens [catechol-o-methyltransferase (Comt), cytochrome P450 (Cyp)1A1, 1B1 and 2B1], and DNA methyltransferase-1 (Dnmt1), in brain areas, liver and uterus of immature female rats. Neonates were exposed by gavage during postnatal day (PND) 1-20 with dosages equivalent to 1, 10, 100, and 1000 times the estimated average human exposure level, and were sacrificed at PND 21. None of the end points were affected in uterine cross-sections, or in samples of uterine tissue layers collected by laser capture microdissection. At 1000x, the AhRM reduced Dnmt1 mRNA abundance to 28% and 32% of control in the liver and hypothalamus, respectively. In the brain, Cyp1A1 was increased (409%) but ERalpha was reduced (66%). Similarly, mRNA abundance for Comt isoforms was reduced in the liver (45%) and brain areas (55-70%). AhRM at 100x, the lowest effective dose, exerted a 220% increase in brain cortex Comt [membrane bound (Mb)], a 219% increase in hepatic Cyp1B1, and a 63% decrease in hepatic Comt (soluble (S)+Mb). These results support the possibility that early exposure to environmental contaminants could lead to effects mediated by changes in DNA methylation and/or estrogen metabolism and signaling.
We have used laser-capture microdissection to isolate RNA from discrete tissues of globular, heart, and torpedo stage embryos of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). This was amplified and analyzed by DNA microarray using the Affymetrix ATH1 GeneChip, representing approximately 22,800 Arabidopsis genes. Cluster analysis showed that spatial differences in gene expression were less significant than temporal differences. Time course analysis reveals the dynamics and complexity of gene expression in both apical and basal domains of the developing embryo, with several classes of synexpressed genes identifiable. The transition from globular to heart stage is associated in particular with an up-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle control, transcriptional regulation, and energetics and metabolism. The transition from heart to torpedo stage is associated with a repression of cell cycle genes and an up-regulation of genes encoding storage proteins, and pathways of cell growth, energy, and metabolism. The torpedo stage embryo shows strong functional differentiation in the root and cotyledon, as inferred from the classes of genes expressed in these tissues. The time course of expression of the essential EMBRYO-DEFECTIVE genes shows that most are expressed at unchanging levels across all stages of embryogenesis. We show how identified genes can be used to generate cell type-specific markers and promoter activities for future application in cell biology.
The role of the large regenerative nodule (RN) in hepatocarcinogenesis is not clear, although the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high in cirrhotic liver. This study was aimed at clarifying the preneoplastic nature of large RN without atypia. We analyzed the clonality of HCCs and large RNs, ranging in size from 0.6 to 1.2 cm, of cirrhotic liver by X-linked human androgen receptor (HUMARA) gene assay, using the principle of random X chromosome methylation and inactivation in females. Eleven cases of HCC and five cases of large RN without atypia from ten female patients were selected. All HCCs, large RNs and paired non-tumorous tissue from adjacent liver were selectively microdissected from deparaffinized hematoxylin and eosin stained slides. Genomic DNA was isolated and digested with Hha I. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the HUMARA gene was performed using a PCR mixture containing [alpha-32P]-dCTP. The PCR products were separated by gel electrophoresis and analysed by autoradiography. HUMARA was informative in nine out of ten female patients. In the informative 10 HCCs from nine patients, 9 HCCs were monoclonal and one case was polyclonal. The HCC case that showed polyclonality contained many inflammatory cells in the tumor. All of the large RNs were polyclonal. No allelic loss of chromosome 18q was present in the large RNs in constrast to the 3 out of 7 HCCs, which showed allelic deletion in chromosome 18q. We conclude that all or most of the cells composing the large RNs without atypia are polyclonal and the size of a nodule may not be important in hepatocarcinogenesis. This clonality assay may be informative for the differentiation between regenerative and preneoplastic nodules in cirrhotic liver.
The aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) contents were determined in four central auditory system regions in rats with transient neonatal hypothyroidism compared with control ones: the ventral and dorsal parts of the cochlear nucleus, the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, the auditory cortex, and in an extra-auditory structure, the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The animals were sacrificed at 50 days of age, brain tissue samples were taken out by microdissection, and the free amino acids were extracted. The amino acid content was assessed by double-isotope labelling following two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography separation. GABA content was significantly decreased in both cochlear nucleus regions and glutamic acid was elevated in the inferior colliculus. Neonatal hypothyroidism had no significant effect on the aspartic acid levels in the regions studied. The results suggest an effect of neonatal hypothyroidism on regional contents of free amino acids known as candidate neurotransmitters in the auditory system.
PURPOSE: In patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma, it is not uncommon to find two or more anatomically distinct and histologically similar tumors at radical nephrectomy. Whether these multiple papillary lesions result from intrarenal metastasis or arise independently is unknown. Previous studies have shown that multifocal clear cell renal cell carcinomas express identical allelic loss and shift patterns in the different tumors within the same kidney, consistent with a clonal origin. However, similar clonality assays for multifocal papillary renal cell neoplasia have not been done. Molecular analysis of microsatellite and chromosome alterations and X-chromosome inactivation status in separate tumors in the same patient can be used to study the genetic relationships among the coexisting multiple tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined specimens from 21 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. All patients had multiple separate papillary lesions (ranging from 2 to 5). Eighteen patients had multiple papillary renal cell carcinomas. Seven had one or more papillary renal cell carcinomas with coexisting papillary adenomas. Genomic DNA samples were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using laser-capture microdissection. Loss of heterozygosity assays were done for six microsatellite polymorphic markers for putative tumor suppressor genes on chromosomes 3p14 (D3S1285), 7q31 (D7S522), 9p21 (D9S171), 16q23 (D16S507), 17q21 (D17S1795), and 17p13 (TP53). X-chromosome inactivation analyses were done on the papillary kidney tumors from three female patients. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was done on the tumors of selected patients showing allelic loss at loci on chromosome 7 and/or chromosome 17. RESULTS: Twenty of 21 (95%) cases showed allelic loss in one or more of the papillary lesions in at least one of the six polymorphic markers analyzed. A concordant allelic loss pattern between each coexisting kidney tumor was seen in only 1 of 21 (5%) cases. A concordant pattern of nonrandom X-chromosome inactivation in the coexisting multiple papillary lesions was seen in two of three female patients. A discordant pattern of X-chromosome inactivation was seen in the tumors of the other female patient. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the majority of tumors analyzed had gains of chromosomes 7 and 17. Two patients had one tumor with chromosomal gain and another separate tumor that did not. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that, unlike multifocal clear cell renal cell carcinomas, the multiple tumors in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma arise independently. Thus, intrarenal metastasis does not seem to play an important role in the spread of papillary renal cell carcinoma, a finding that has surgical, therapeutic, and prognostic implications.
PURPOSE: Human urothelial carcinoma is thought to arise from a field change that affects the entire urothelium. Multifocality of urothelial carcinoma is a common finding at endoscopy and surgery. Whether these coexisting tumors arise independently or are derived from the same tumor clone is uncertain. Molecular analysis of microsatellite alterations and X-chromosome inactivation status in the cells from each coexisting tumor may further our understanding of urothelial carcinogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined 58 tumors from 21 patients who underwent surgical excision for urothelial carcinoma. All patients had multiple separate foci of urothelial carcinoma (two to four) within the urinary tract. Genomic DNA samples were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using laser-capture microdissection. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) assays for three microsatellite polymorphic markers on chromosome 9p21 (IFNA and D9S171), regions of putative tumor suppressor gene p16, and on chromosome 17p13 (TP53), the p53 tumor suppressor gene locus, were done. X-chromosome inactivation analysis was done on the urothelial tumors from 11 female patients. RESULTS: Seventeen of 21 (81%) cases showed allelic loss in one or more of the urothelial tumors in at least one of the three polymorphic markers analyzed. Concordant allelic loss patterns between each coexisting urothelial tumor were seen in only 3 of 21 (14%) cases. A concordant pattern of nonrandom X-chromosome inactivation in the multiple coexisting urothelial tumors was seen in only 3 of 11 female patients; of these 3 cases, only one displayed an identical allelic loss pattern in all of the tumors on LOH analysis. CONCLUSION: LOH and X-chromosome inactivation assays show that the coexisting tumors in many cases of multifocal urothelial carcinoma have a unique clonal origin and arise from independently transformed progenitor urothelial cells, supporting the "field effect" theory for urothelial carcinogenesis.
PURPOSE: Patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma often have two or more distinct papillary tumors at thyroidectomy. Whether these multifocal papillary lesions are clonally related or whether they arise independently is unknown as previous studies have shown conflicting results. Molecular analysis of microsatellite alterations and X-chromosome inactivation status in separate tumors from the same patient can be used to define the genetic relationships among the multiple coexisting tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined 64 separate tumors from 22 female patients who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. All patients had multiple and separate papillary carcinomas (range, two to six). Genomic DNA samples were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using laser-capture microdissection. Loss of heterozygosity assays for three microsatellite polymorphic markers for putative tumor suppressor genes on chromosomes 3p25 (D3S1597), 9p21 (D9S161), and 18p11.22-p11 (D18S53) were done. In addition, X-chromosome inactivation analysis was done on the tumors from all patients. RESULTS: Twenty of 22 (91%) cases showed allelic loss in one or more of the papillary lesions in at least one of the three polymorphic markers analyzed. Concordant allelic loss patterns between coexisting papillary tumors were seen in 20 of 23 (87%) cases. A concordant pattern of nonrandom X-chromosome inactivation in the multiple coexisting papillary lesions was seen in all informative cases. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the multifocal tumors in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma often arise from the same clone. Thus, intrathryoid metastasis may play an important role in the spread of papillary thyroid carcinoma, a finding that has important therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic implications.
PURPOSE: Testicular teratomas in adult patients are histologically diverse tumors that frequently coexist with other germ cell tumor (GCT) components. These mixed GCTs often metastasize to retroperitoneal lymph nodes where multiple GCT elements are frequently present in the same metastatic lesion. Neither the genetic relationships among the different components in metastatic lesions nor the relationships between primary and metastatic GCT components have been elucidated. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined metastases from 31 patients who underwent primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic testicular GCT. All patients had metastatic mature teratoma with one or more other GCT components. This study included a total of 72 metastatic GCT components and 16 primary GCT components from 31 patients. Genomic DNA samples from each component were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using laser-assisted microdissection. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) assays for seven microsatellite polymorphic markers on chromosomes 1p36 (D1S1646), 9p21 (D9S171 and IFNA), 9q21 (D9S303), 13q22-q31 (D13S317), 18q22 (D18S543), and 18q21 (D18S60) were done to assess clonality. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 31 (94%) cases showed allelic loss in one or more components of the metastatic GCTs. Twenty-nine of 31 mature teratomas showed allelic loss in at least one of seven microsatellite polymorphic markers analyzed. The frequency of allelic loss in informative cases of metastatic mature teratoma was 27% (8 of 30) with D1S1646, 34% (10 of 29) with D9S171, 37% (10 of 27) with IFNA, 27% (8 of 30) with D9S303, 46% (13 of 28) with D13S317, 26% (7 of 27) with D18S543, and 36% (10 of 28) with D18S60. Completely concordant allelic loss patterns between the mature teratoma and all of the other metastatic GCT components were seen in 26 of 29 cases in which the mature teratoma component showed LOH. Nearly identical allelic loss patterns were seen in the three remaining cases. In six cases analyzed, LOH patterns of each metastatic component were compared with each GCT component of the primary testicular tumor. In all six cases, each primary and metastatic component showed an identical pattern of allelic loss. CONCLUSION: Our data support the common clonal origin of metastatic mature teratomas with other components of metastatic testicular GCTs and with each component of the primary tumor.