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Introduction: Mastocytosis, a clonal proliferation of mast cells commonly involving the skin and bone marrow, has a varied clinical presentation ranging from cutaneous lesions to systemic disease. Cutaneous mastocytosis is managed symptomatically, but systemic mastocytosis is treated with targeted therapy against the mutated receptor tyrosine kinase c-KIT, the pathogenic driver of mastocytosis. However, there are no guidelines for the treatment of cutaneous mastocytosis refractory to symptomatic management. We herein report a method to select genetically informed therapy for symptomatic and recalcitrant cutaneous mastocytosis. Case presentation: We performed a mutational analysis of dermal mast cells after enrichment by laser capture in a 23-year-old woman with recalcitrant cutaneous mastocytosis. The analysis revealed a aspartic acid to valine substitution at codon 816 (D816V) mutation in the protein c-KIT. Based on these results, we initiated treatment with the multi-kinase/KIT inhibitor midostaurin, a treatment effective against the D816V c-KIT mutation. After 3 months of treatment, the patient exhibited a reduction in the number and size of cutaneous lesions and reported resolution of pruritus and decreased severity of other mast cell-related symptoms. Discussion: The treatment of mastocytosis relies heavily on whether the disease is limited to the skin or systemic. However, there are no guidelines for cutaneous mastocytosis that does not respond to symptomatic management. In the present report describing a patient with recalcitrant cutaneous mastocytosis, we describe a strategy in which skin mutational analysis is used to guide the selection of targeted therapy. Conclusion: Performing mast cell mutational analyses in the skin provides a means to select targeted therapy for symptomatic and refractory cutaneous mastocytosis.

Cardiac fibroblast (CF) population heterogeneity and plasticity present a challenge for categorization of biological and functional properties. Distinct molecular markers and associated signaling pathways provide valuable insight for CF biology and interventional strategies to influence injury response and aging-associated remodeling. Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit mediates cell survival, proliferation, migration, and is activated by pathological injury. However, the biological significance of c-Kit within CF population has not been addressed. An inducible reporter mouse detects c-Kit promoter activation with Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) expression in cardiac cells. Coincidence of EGFP and c-Kit with the DDR2 fibroblast marker was confirmed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, CFs expressing DDR2 with or without c-Kit was isolated and characterized. A subset of DDR2+ CFs also express c-Kit with coincidence in ~ 8% of total cardiac interstitial cells (CICs). Aging is associated with decreased number of c-Kit expressing DDR2+ CFs, whereas pathological injury induces c-Kit and DDR2 as well as the frequency of coincident expression in CICs. scRNA-Seq profiling reveals the transcriptome of c-Kit expressing CFs as cells with transitional phenotype. Cultured cardiac DDR2+ fibroblasts that are c-Kit+ exhibit morphological and functional characteristics consistent with youthful phenotypes compared to c-Kit- cells. Mechanistically, c-Kit expression correlates with signaling implicated in proliferation and cell migration, including phospho-ERK and pro-caspase 3. The phenotype of c-kit+ on DDR2+ CFs correlates with multiple characteristics of 'youthful' cells. To our knowledge, this represents the first evaluation of c-Kit biology within DDR2+ CF population and provides a fundamental basis for future studies to influence myocardial biology, response to pathological injury and physiological aging.

Cardiac fibroblast (CF) population heterogeneity and plasticity present a challenge for categorization of biological and functional properties. Distinct molecular markers and associated signaling pathways provide valuable insight for CF biology and interventional strategies to influence injury response and aging-associated remodeling. Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit mediates cell survival, proliferation, migration, and is activated by pathological injury. However, the biological significance of c-Kit within CF population has not been addressed. An inducible reporter mouse detects c-Kit promoter activation with Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) expression in cardiac cells. Coincidence of EGFP and c-Kit with the DDR2 fibroblast marker was confirmed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, CFs expressing DDR2 with or without c-Kit was isolated and characterized. A subset of DDR2+ CFs also express c-Kit with coincidence in ~ 8% of total cardiac interstitial cells (CICs). Aging is associated with decreased number of c-Kit expressing DDR2+ CFs, whereas pathological injury induces c-Kit and DDR2 as well as the frequency of coincident expression in CICs. scRNA-Seq profiling reveals the transcriptome of c-Kit expressing CFs as cells with transitional phenotype. Cultured cardiac DDR2+ fibroblasts that are c-Kit+ exhibit morphological and functional characteristics consistent with youthful phenotypes compared to c-Kit- cells. Mechanistically, c-Kit expression correlates with signaling implicated in proliferation and cell migration, including phospho-ERK and pro-caspase 3. The phenotype of c-kit+ on DDR2+ CFs correlates with multiple characteristics of 'youthful' cells. To our knowledge, this represents the first evaluation of c-Kit biology within DDR2+ CF population and provides a fundamental basis for future studies to influence myocardial biology, response to pathological injury and physiological aging.

[EUS] Urdail-hesteetako estromako tumorea (GIST) digestio-hodiko tumore mesenkimalik ohikoena da. Sintomarik ohikoena digestio-bideko odol jarioa izan arren, sarritan ezustean aurkitzen dira. GIST gehienek (%95) CD117 antigenoa aurkezten dute eta %85-90ek c-KIT edo PDGFRA geneen mutazioak aurkezten dituzte. Gehienetan froga erradiologikoekin diagnostikoa egitea nahikoa bada ere, mutazioen analisia terapia adjubantea edo neoadjubantea planifikatzean egin behar da. Tumore erresekagarrien hautazko tratamendua erauzketa kirurgikoa da. Ohiko kimioterapikoekiko erresistentzia dela eta, hautazko tratamendu medikoa tirosin kinasaren inhibitzaileak dira. GISTaz diagnostikatu eta tratatutako pazienteen ikerketa epidemiologiko, diagnostiko eta terapeutiko deskriptiboa burutzea eta progresioarekin erlazionatzen diren aldagaiak aztertzea.

[EUS] Urdail-hesteetako estromako tumorea (GIST) digestio-hodiko tumore mesenkimalik ohikoena da. Sintomarik ohikoena digestio-bideko odol jarioa izan arren, sarritan ezustean aurkitzen dira. GIST gehienek (%95) CD117 antigenoa aurkezten dute eta %85-90ek c-KIT edo PDGFRA geneen mutazioak aurkezten dituzte. Gehienetan froga erradiologikoekin diagnostikoa egitea nahikoa bada ere, mutazioen analisia terapia adjubantea edo neoadjubantea planifikatzean egin behar da. Tumore erresekagarrien hautazko tratamendua erauzketa kirurgikoa da. Ohiko kimioterapikoekiko erresistentzia dela eta, hautazko tratamendu medikoa tirosin kinasaren inhibitzaileak dira. GISTaz diagnostikatu eta tratatutako pazienteen ikerketa epidemiologiko, diagnostiko eta terapeutiko deskriptiboa burutzea eta progresioarekin erlazionatzen diren aldagaiak aztertzea.

We previously reported that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling promotes tumorigenesis in gynecologic cancer cells. BMP2 enhances proliferation of ovarian and endometrial cancer cells via c-KIT induction, and triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by SNAIL and/or SLUG induction, leading to increased cell migration. However, the downstream effectors of BMP signaling in gynecological cancer cells have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing of Ishikawa endometrial and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells after BMP2 stimulation, and identified TNFRSF12A, encoding fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (FN14) as a common BMP2-induced gene. FN14 knockdown suppressed BMP2-induced cell proliferation and migration, confirmed by MTS and scratch assays, respectively. In addition, FN14 silencing augmented chemosensitivity of SKOV3 cells. As a downstream effector of BMP signaling, FN14 modulated both c-KIT and SNAIL expression, which are important for growth and migration of ovarian and endometrial cancer cells. These results support the notion that the tumor promoting effects of BMP signaling in gynecological cancers are partially attributed to FN14 induction.

[EUS] Urdail-hesteetako estromako tumorea (GIST) digestio-hodiko tumore mesenkimalik ohikoena da. Sintomarik ohikoena digestio-bideko odol jarioa izan arren, sarritan ezustean aurkitzen dira. GIST gehienek (%95) CD117 antigenoa aurkezten dute eta %85-90ek c-KIT edo PDGFRA geneen mutazioak aurkezten dituzte. Gehienetan froga erradiologikoekin diagnostikoa egitea nahikoa bada ere, mutazioen analisia terapia adjubantea edo neoadjubantea planifikatzean egin behar da. Tumore erresekagarrien hautazko tratamendua erauzketa kirurgikoa da. Ohiko kimioterapikoekiko erresistentzia dela eta, hautazko tratamendu medikoa tirosin kinasaren inhibitzaileak dira. GISTaz diagnostikatu eta tratatutako pazienteen ikerketa epidemiologiko, diagnostiko eta terapeutiko deskriptiboa burutzea eta progresioarekin erlazionatzen diren aldagaiak aztertzea.

MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) and PI3K/AKT (Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase and Protein Kinase B) pathways play a key role in melanoma progression and metastasis that are regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Although RTKs are mutated in a small percentage of melanomas, several receptors were found up regulated/altered in various stages of melanoma initia-tion, progression, or metastasis. Targeting RTKs remains a significant challenge in melanoma, due to their variable expression across different melanoma stages of progression and among melanoma subtypes that consequently affect response to treatment and disease progression. In this review, we discuss in details the activation mechanism of several key RTKs: type III: c-KIT (mast/stem cell growth factor receptor); type I: EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor); type VIII: HGFR (hepato-cyte growth factor receptor); type V: VEGFR (Vascular endothelial growth factor), structure variants, the function of their structural domains, and their alteration and its association with melanoma initiation and progression. Furthermore, several RTK inhibitors targeting the same receptor were tested alone or in combination with other therapies, yielding variable responses among different melanoma groups. Here, we classified RTK inhibitors by families and summarized all tested drugs in melanoma indicating the rationale behind the use of these drugs in each melanoma subgroups from preclinical studies to clinical trials with a specific focus on their purpose of treatment, resulted effect, and outcomes., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Enhancing cardiomyocyte survival is crucial to blunt deterioration of myocardial structure and function following pathological damage. PIM1 (Proviral Insertion site in Murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinase 1) is a cardioprotective serine threonine kinase that promotes cardiomyocyte survival and antagonizes senescence through multiple concurrent molecular signaling cascades. In hematopoietic stem cells, PIM1 interacts with the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit upstream of the ERK (Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase) and Akt signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. The relationship between PIM1 and c-Kit activity has not been explored in the myocardial context. This study delineates the interaction between PIM1 and c-Kit leading to enhanced protection of cardiomyocytes from stress. Elevated c-Kit expression is induced in isolated cardiomyocytes from mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of PIM1. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay reveal protein-protein interaction between PIM1 and c-Kit. Following treatment with Stem Cell Factor, PIM1-overexpressing cardiomyocytes display elevated ERK activity consistent with c-Kit receptor activation. Functionally, elevated c-Kit expression confers enhanced protection against oxidative stress in vitro. This study identifies the mechanistic relationship between PIM1 and c-Kit in cardiomyocytes, demonstrating another facet of cardioprotection regulated by PIM1 kinase.

Enhancing cardiomyocyte survival is crucial to blunt deterioration of myocardial structure and function following pathological damage. PIM1 (Proviral Insertion site in Murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinase 1) is a cardioprotective serine threonine kinase that promotes cardiomyocyte survival and antagonizes senescence through multiple concurrent molecular signaling cascades. In hematopoietic stem cells, PIM1 interacts with the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit upstream of the ERK (Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase) and Akt signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. The relationship between PIM1 and c-Kit activity has not been explored in the myocardial context. This study delineates the interaction between PIM1 and c-Kit leading to enhanced protection of cardiomyocytes from stress. Elevated c-Kit expression is induced in isolated cardiomyocytes from mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of PIM1. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay reveal protein-protein interaction between PIM1 and c-Kit. Following treatment with Stem Cell Factor, PIM1-overexpressing cardiomyocytes display elevated ERK activity consistent with c-Kit receptor activation. Functionally, elevated c-Kit expression confers enhanced protection against oxidative stress in vitro. This study identifies the mechanistic relationship between PIM1 and c-Kit in cardiomyocytes, demonstrating another facet of cardioprotection regulated by PIM1 kinase.

Human erythropoiesis is an exquisitely controlled multistep developmental process, and its dysregulation leads to numerous human diseases. Transcriptome and epigenome studies provided insights into system-wide regulation, but we currently lack a global mechanistic view on the dynamics of proteome and post-translational regulation coordinating erythroid maturation. We established a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics workflow to quantify and dynamically track 7,400 proteins and 27,000 phosphorylation sites of five distinct maturation stages of in vitro reconstituted erythropoiesis of CD34(+) HSPCs. Our data reveal developmental regulation through drastic proteome remodeling across stages of erythroid maturation encompassing most protein classes. This includes various orchestrated changes in solute carriers indicating adjustments to altered metabolic requirements. To define the distinct proteome of each maturation stage, we developed a computational deconvolution approach which revealed stage-specific marker proteins. The dynamic phosphoproteomes combined with a kinome-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 screen uncovered coordinated networks of erythropoietic kinases and pinpointed downregulation of c-Kit/MAPK signaling axis as key driver of maturation. Our system-wide view establishes the functional dynamic of complex phosphosignaling networks and regulation through proteome remodeling in erythropoiesis.

Human erythropoiesis is an exquisitely controlled multistep developmental process, and its dysregulation leads to numerous human diseases. Transcriptome and epigenome studies provided insights into system-wide regulation, but we currently lack a global mechanistic view on the dynamics of proteome and post-translational regulation coordinating erythroid maturation. We established a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics workflow to quantify and dynamically track 7,400 proteins and 27,000 phosphorylation sites of five distinct maturation stages of in vitro reconstituted erythropoiesis of CD34(+) HSPCs. Our data reveal developmental regulation through drastic proteome remodeling across stages of erythroid maturation encompassing most protein classes. This includes various orchestrated changes in solute carriers indicating adjustments to altered metabolic requirements. To define the distinct proteome of each maturation stage, we developed a computational deconvolution approach which revealed stage-specific marker proteins. The dynamic phosphoproteomes combined with a kinome-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 screen uncovered coordinated networks of erythropoietic kinases and pinpointed downregulation of c-Kit/MAPK signaling axis as key driver of maturation. Our system-wide view establishes the functional dynamic of complex phosphosignaling networks and regulation through proteome remodeling in erythropoiesis.

Mutations in MAPK signalling genes are driver events in melanoma, and have therapeutic relevance in the metastatic and adjuvant setting. This study evaluated the intra-patient heterogeneity of BRAF, NRAS and c-KIT mutational status between 30 primary melanomas and 39 related metastases, using molecular analysis and immunohistochemistry. BRAF mutations were identified in 46.7% of primary melanomas and 48.7% of metastases and NRAS mutations in 20% and 25.6%, respectively. Intra-patient heterogeneity was detected in 13.3% of patients for both BRAF and NRAS genes and was not associated with clinico-pathological characteristics of melanomas or metastases. High consistency was observed between immunostaining and molecular methods for BRAFV600E (k = 0.90; p < 0.001) and NRASQ61R (k = 0.87; p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate a relevant intra-patient heterogeneity between primary and metastatic lesions that is independent of clinical variables and methodological approach.

Stem cell mediated cardiac repair is an exciting and controversial area of cardiovascular research that holds the potential to produce novel, revolutionary therapies for the treatment of heart disease. Extensive investigation to define cell types contributing to cardiac formation, homeostasis and regeneration has produced several candidates, including adult cardiac c-Kit+ expressing stem and progenitor cells that have even been employed in a Phase I clinical trial demonstrating safety and feasibility of this therapeutic approach. However, the field of cardiac cell based therapy remains deeply divided due to strong disagreement among researchers and clinicians over which cell types, if any, are the best candidates for these applications. Research models that identify and define specific cardiac cells that effectively contribute to heart repair are urgently needed to resolve this debate. In this review, current c-Kit reporter models are discussed with respect to myocardial c-Kit cell biology and function, and future designs imagined to better represent endogenous myocardial c-Kit expression.

CD117 is a putative marker of luminal progenitor cells in the human breast. However, so far mapping the expression pattern of CD117 within the normal gland has not been reported. Here, we examined the anatomical distribution of CD117-expressing cells in lobular and ductal structures by immunohistochemistry. The presence of CD117-positive luminal cells could be divided into three distinct patterns: (1) contiguous, with coherent positive cells and rare negative cells interspaced; (2) patched, with a roughly equal frequency of positive and negative cells distributed focally; or (3) scattered, with few or no positive cells in the structure. Generally, a patched or scattered expression pattern was more frequent in lobules compared with ducts. Furthermore, an age-correlated increase in heterogeneity was observed. When comparing women below and above 21 years of age this heterogeneity was evident for both lobules and ducts. Although CD117-expression was generally segregated from luminal-lineage transcription factor GATA3-positive cells, some did co-express both markers. Finally, co-staining with Ki-67 revealed that a prominent part of cycling cells belonged to the CD117-positive population. Together these data demonstrate the presence of a CD117-expressing progenitor compartment with the capacity to replenish the luminal lineage of the breast gland.

Calazans S.G., Fonseca-Alves C.E., Rodrigues P.C. & Magalhães G.M. [Canine cutaneous mast cell tumor, with progression of low-grade to high-grade - Case report.] Mastocitoma cutâneo canino, com progressão de baixo grau para alto grau - Relato de caso. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 38(2):147-152, 2016. Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Franca, Av. Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, SP 14404-600, Brasil. E-mail: sabryna.calazans@gmail.com Mast cell tumor is a common canine cutaneous neoplasm with variable biological behavior. Many studies in the literature evaluate predictive and prognostic factors for this neoplasm. The tumoral progression is an important phenomenon for many neoplasms, and in the canine prostatic neoplasm and squamous cell carcinoma this progression is well defined, however, don’t have a classic describe in the cutaneous canine mast cell tumors. This study reports the diagnostic and treatment assessment of cutaneous mast cell tumor in a dog presenting tumor progression. A five years old Shar Pei dog, male, 20 kg, was admitted to the veterinary clinic presenting chronic alopecia and pruritus and cutaneous nodules in left pelvic limb. The tumor was surgically excised and histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination diagnosed a low grade of mast cell tumor, membrane localization of c-KIT (KIT I) and ki-67 under 23 cells, in five high magnification fields. The tumor recurred five months after initial diagnostic presenting a nodule in the surgical region. After cytological examination, mast cell tumor was confirmed and, cytoreductive chemotherapy was started. The patient presented no response to treatment and new nodules arrised, so surgical resection was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination was performed again demonstrating tumor progression as high grade mast cell tumor, citoplasmatic localization in c-KIT (KIT III) and ki-67 superior 23 cells. A, O mastocitoma é a neoplasia cutânea mais comum em cães e apresenta comportamento biológico variável. Muitos trabalhos na literatura buscam definir marcadores prognósticos e preditivos para esta neoplasia, no entanto, apesar dos avanços obtidos nos últimos anos é difícil predizer recidivas e metástases deste tumor. A progressão tumoral também é um aspecto importante para as diversas neoplasias, e em neoplasias prostáticas caninas e no carcinoma de células escamosas essa progressão é bem definida, no entanto, em relação ao mastocitoma cutâneo canino não há uma descrição clássica dessa progressão. Devido à importância dessa neoplasia em cães, o presente trabalho descreve a conduta diagnóstica e abordagem terapêutica de um caso de mastocitoma cutâneo canino com progressão do grau histológico. Um cão da raça Shar-pei, cinco anos de idade, não castrado, pesando 20 kg, foi encaminhado para atendimento, com histórico de alopecia e prurido crônico, apresentando nódulo localizado em membro pélvico esquerdo. O nódulo foi retirado cirurgicamente e o material foi encaminhado ao exame histopatoló- gico e imunoistoquímico revelando mastocitoma de baixo grau, marcação membranosa de c-kit (KIT I) e proliferação celular (ki-67) menor que 23 células, contadas em cinco campos de grande aumento. Cinco meses após diagnóstico inicial, o animal retornou apresentando nódulo aderido e localizado na ferida cirúrgica. Após diagnóstico de mastocitoma através do exame citológico, iniciou-se quimioterapia objetivando citorredução, no entanto, notou-se crescimento tumoral. Como a tentativa de redução tumoral não foi satisfatória e surgiram novos nódulos, optou-se por realizar retirada cirúrgica. Em nova avaliação histopatológica e imunoistoquímica, verificou-se progressão tumoral, com diagnóstico de mastocitoma de alto grau, marcação citoplasmática de c-kit (KIT III) e proliferação celular (ki-67) maior que 23 células. Após o procedimento cirúrgico, houve recidiva tumoral e iniciou- -se protocolo

The present data are related to the article entitled "Insights into ligand stimulation effects on gastro-intestinal stromal tumors signaling" (C. Bahlawane, M. Schmitz, E. Letellier, K. Arumugam, N. Nicot, P.V. Nazarov, S. Haan, 2016) [1]. Constitutive and ligand-derived signaling pathways mediated by KIT and PDGFRA mutated proteins found in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were compared. Expression of mutant proteins was induced by doxycycline in an isogenic background (Hek293 cells). Kit was identified by FACS at the cell surface and found to be quickly degraded or internalized upon SCF stimulation for both Kit Wild type and Kit mutant counterparts. Investigation of the main activated pathways in GIST unraveled a new feature specific for oncogenic KIT mutants, namely their ability to be further activated by Kit ligand, the stem cell factor (scf). We were also able to identify the MAPK pathway as the most prominent target for a common inhibition of PDGFRA and KIT oncogenic signaling. Western blotting and micro-array analysis were applied to analyze the capacities of the mutant to induce an effective STATs response. Among all Kit mutants, only Kit Ex11 deletion mutant was able to elicit an effective STATs response whereas all PDGFRA were able to do so.

The present data are related to the article entitled "Insights into ligand stimulation effects on gastro-intestinal stromal tumors signaling" (C. Bahlawane, M. Schmitz, E. Letellier, K. Arumugam, N. Nicot, P.V. Nazarov, S. Haan, 2016) [1]. Constitutive and ligand-derived signaling pathways mediated by KIT and PDGFRA mutated proteins found in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were compared. Expression of mutant proteins was induced by doxycycline in an isogenic background (Hek293 cells). Kit was identified by FACS at the cell surface and found to be quickly degraded or internalized upon SCF stimulation for both Kit Wild type and Kit mutant counterparts. Investigation of the main activated pathways in GIST unraveled a new feature specific for oncogenic KIT mutants, namely their ability to be further activated by Kit ligand, the stem cell factor (scf). We were also able to identify the MAPK pathway as the most prominent target for a common inhibition of PDGFRA and KIT oncogenic signaling. Western blotting and micro-array analysis were applied to analyze the capacities of the mutant to induce an effective STATs response. Among all Kit mutants, only Kit Ex11 deletion mutant was able to elicit an effective STATs response whereas all PDGFRA were able to do so.

Calazans S.G., Fonseca-Alves C.E., Rodrigues P.C. & Magalhães G.M. [Canine cutaneous mast cell tumor, with progression of low-grade to high-grade - Case report.] Mastocitoma cutâneo canino, com progressão de baixo grau para alto grau - Relato de caso. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 38(2):147-152, 2016. Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Franca, Av. Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, SP 14404-600, Brasil. E-mail: sabryna.calazans@gmail.com Mast cell tumor is a common canine cutaneous neoplasm with variable biological behavior. Many studies in the literature evaluate predictive and prognostic factors for this neoplasm. The tumoral progression is an important phenomenon for many neoplasms, and in the canine prostatic neoplasm and squamous cell carcinoma this progression is well defined, however, don’t have a classic describe in the cutaneous canine mast cell tumors. This study reports the diagnostic and treatment assessment of cutaneous mast cell tumor in a dog presenting tumor progression. A five years old Shar Pei dog, male, 20 kg, was admitted to the veterinary clinic presenting chronic alopecia and pruritus and cutaneous nodules in left pelvic limb. The tumor was surgically excised and histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination diagnosed a low grade of mast cell tumor, membrane localization of c-KIT (KIT I) and ki-67 under 23 cells, in five high magnification fields. The tumor recurred five months after initial diagnostic presenting a nodule in the surgical region. After cytological examination, mast cell tumor was confirmed and, cytoreductive chemotherapy was started. The patient presented no response to treatment and new nodules arrised, so surgical resection was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination was performed again demonstrating tumor progression as high grade mast cell tumor, citoplasmatic localization in c-KIT (KIT III) and ki-67 superior 23 cells. A, O mastocitoma é a neoplasia cutânea mais comum em cães e apresenta comportamento biológico variável. Muitos trabalhos na literatura buscam definir marcadores prognósticos e preditivos para esta neoplasia, no entanto, apesar dos avanços obtidos nos últimos anos é difícil predizer recidivas e metástases deste tumor. A progressão tumoral também é um aspecto importante para as diversas neoplasias, e em neoplasias prostáticas caninas e no carcinoma de células escamosas essa progressão é bem definida, no entanto, em relação ao mastocitoma cutâneo canino não há uma descrição clássica dessa progressão. Devido à importância dessa neoplasia em cães, o presente trabalho descreve a conduta diagnóstica e abordagem terapêutica de um caso de mastocitoma cutâneo canino com progressão do grau histológico. Um cão da raça Shar-pei, cinco anos de idade, não castrado, pesando 20 kg, foi encaminhado para atendimento, com histórico de alopecia e prurido crônico, apresentando nódulo localizado em membro pélvico esquerdo. O nódulo foi retirado cirurgicamente e o material foi encaminhado ao exame histopatoló- gico e imunoistoquímico revelando mastocitoma de baixo grau, marcação membranosa de c-kit (KIT I) e proliferação celular (ki-67) menor que 23 células, contadas em cinco campos de grande aumento. Cinco meses após diagnóstico inicial, o animal retornou apresentando nódulo aderido e localizado na ferida cirúrgica. Após diagnóstico de mastocitoma através do exame citológico, iniciou-se quimioterapia objetivando citorredução, no entanto, notou-se crescimento tumoral. Como a tentativa de redução tumoral não foi satisfatória e surgiram novos nódulos, optou-se por realizar retirada cirúrgica. Em nova avaliação histopatológica e imunoistoquímica, verificou-se progressão tumoral, com diagnóstico de mastocitoma de alto grau, marcação citoplasmática de c-kit (KIT III) e proliferação celular (ki-67) maior que 23 células. Após o procedimento cirúrgico, houve recidiva tumoral e iniciou- -se protocolo

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are sarcomas of the digestive tract characterized by mutations mainly located in the c-KIT or in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-alpha genes. Mutations in the BRAF gene have also been described. Our purpose is to define the distribution of c-KIT, PDGFR and BRAF mutations in a population-based cohort of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) patients and correlate them with anatomical site, risk classification and survival. In addition, as most of the GIST patients have a long survival, second cancers are frequently diagnosed in them. We performed a second primary cancer risk assessment.Our analysis was based on data from Tarragona and Girona Cancer Registries. We identified all GIST diagnosed from 1996 to 2006 and performed a mutational analysis of those in which paraffin-embedded tissue was obtained. Observed (OS) and relative survival (RS) were calculated according to risk classifications and mutational status. Multivariate analysis of variables for observed survival and was also done.A total of 132 GIST cases were found and we analyzed mutations in 108 cases. We obtained 53.7% of mutations in exon 11 and 7.4% in exon 9 of c-KIT gene; 12% in exon 18 and 1.9% in exon 12 of PDGFR gene and 25% of cases were wild type GIST. Patients with mutations in exon 11 of the c-KIT gene had a 5-year OS and RS of 59.6% and 66.3%, respectively. Patients with mutations in exon 18 of the PDGFR gene had a 5-year OS and RS of 84.6% and 89.7%. In multivariate analysis, only age and risk group achieved statistical significance for observed survival. GIST patients had an increased risk of second cancer with a hazard ratio of 2.47.This population-based study shows a spectrum of mutations in the c-KIT and PDGFR genes in GIST patients similar

PI3-kinase has a crucial role in transformation mediated by the oncogenic c-Kit mutant D816V. In this study, we demonstrate that the c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell survival is dependent on an intact direct binding of PI3-kinase to c-Kit. However, mutation of this binding site had little effect on the PI3-kinase activity in the cells, suggesting that c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell survival is dependent on PI3-kinase but not its kinase activity. Furthermore, inhibition of the lipid kinase activity of PI3-kinase led only to a slight inhibition of cell survival. Knockdown of the predominant PI3-kinase isoform p110 delta in c-Kit/D816V-expressing Ba/F3 cells led to reduced cell transformation both in vitro and in vivo without affecting the overall PI3-kinase activity. This suggests that p110 delta has a lipid-kinaseindependent role in c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell transformation. We furthermore demonstrate that p110 delta is phosphorylated at residues Y524 and S1039 and that phosphorylation requires an intact binding site for PI3-kinase in c-Kit/D816V. Overexpression of p110 delta carrying the Y523F and S1038A mutations significantly reduced c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell survival and proliferation. Taken together, our results demonstrate an important lipid-kinase-independent role of p110 delta in c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell transformation. This furthermore suggests that p110 delta could be a potential diagnostic factor and selective therapeutic target for c-Kit/D816V-expressing malignancies.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) derived from bone marrow play a crucial in the prevention of ischemic injuries in the course of postnatal neovasculogenesis. Frequent fish oil (FO) consumption is reportedly associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are not well elucidated, and the beneficial effect of FO consumption on neovasculogenesis has not been demonstrated yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of EPA/DHA and FO consumption on neovasculogenesis by using vascular tube formation assay, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Doppler imaging in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrate that EPA and DHA dose-dependently enhance the neovasculogenesis and cell migration of hEPCs in vitro. The mechanisms of action included up-regulation of the c-kit protein as well as the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling molecules in hEPCs. Furthermore, EPA significantly suppressed the expression of microRNA 221 in vitro. In experimental animal models, FO consumption significantly induced the formation of new blood vessels (neovasculogenesis) and prevented ischemia. Taken together, it is suggested that FO consumption enhances neovasculogenesis mainly through the effects of EPA in hEPCs, thereby exerting a preventive effect against ischemic injury.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) derived from bone marrow play a crucial in the prevention of ischemic injuries in the course of postnatal neovasculogenesis. Frequent fish oil (FO) consumption is reportedly associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are not well elucidated, and the beneficial effect of FO consumption on neovasculogenesis has not been demonstrated yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of EPA/DHA and FO consumption on neovasculogenesis by using vascular tube formation assay, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Doppler imaging in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrate that EPA and DHA dose-dependently enhance the neovasculogenesis and cell migration of hEPCs in vitro. The mechanisms of action included up-regulation of the c-kit protein as well as the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling molecules in hEPCs. Furthermore, EPA significantly suppressed the expression of microRNA 221 in vitro. In experimental animal models, FO consumption significantly induced the formation of new blood vessels (neovasculogenesis) and prevented ischemia. Taken together, it is suggested that FO consumption enhances neovasculogenesis mainly through the effects of EPA in hEPCs, thereby exerting a preventive effect against ischemic injury. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) derived from bone marrow play a crucial in the prevention of ischemic injuries in the course of postnatal neovasculogenesis. Frequent fish oil (FO) consumption is reportedly associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are not well elucidated, and the beneficial effect of FO consumption on neovasculogenesis has not been demonstrated yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of EPA/DHA and FO consumption on neovasculogenesis by using vascular tube formation assay, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Doppler imaging in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrate that EPA and DHA dose-dependently enhance the neovasculogenesis and cell migration of hEPCs in vitro. The mechanisms of action included up-regulation of the c-kit protein as well as the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling molecules in hEPCs. Furthermore, EPA significantly suppressed the expression of microRNA 221 in vitro. In experimental animal models, FO consumption significantly induced the formation of new blood vessels (neovasculogenesis) and prevented ischemia. Taken together, it is suggested that FO consumption enhances neovasculogenesis mainly through the effects of EPA in hEPCs, thereby exerting a preventive effect against ischemic injury. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) derived from bone marrow play a crucial in the prevention of ischemic injuries in the course of postnatal neovasculogenesis. Frequent fish oil (FO) consumption is reportedly associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are not well elucidated, and the beneficial effect of FO consumption on neovasculogenesis has not been demonstrated yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of EPA/DHA and FO consumption on neovasculogenesis by using vascular tube formation assay, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Doppler imaging in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrate that EPA and DHA dose-dependently enhance the neovasculogenesis and cell migration of hEPCs in vitro. The mechanisms of action included up-regulation of the c-kit protein as well as the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling molecules in hEPCs. Furthermore, EPA significantly suppressed the expression of microRNA 221 in vitro. In experimental animal models, FO consumption significantly induced the formation of new blood vessels (neovasculogenesis) and prevented ischemia. Taken together, it is suggested that FO consumption enhances neovasculogenesis mainly through the effects of EPA in hEPCs, thereby exerting a preventive effect against ischemic injury.

KIT mutations have been detected in different cancer subtypes, including melanoma. The gene also has been extensively studied in farm animals for its prominent role in coat color. The present work aimed at detecting KIT variants in a porcine model of cutaneous melanoma, the melanoblastoma-bearing Libechov Minipig (MeLiM). By sequencing exons and intron borders, 36 SNPs and one indel were identified. Of 10 coding SNPs, three were non-synonymous mutations, likely to affect the protein conformation. A promising variant, located in exon 19 (p.Val870Ala), was genotyped in a MeLiM × Duroc cross, and an association analysis was conducted on several melanoma-related traits. This variant showed a significant association with melanoma development, tumor ulceration and cutaneous invasion. In conclusion, although the KIT gene would not be a major causal gene for melanoma development in pig, its genetic variation could be influencing this trait. © 2014 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

As personalized medicine becomes more applicable to oncologic practice, image-guided biopsies will be integral for enabling predictive and pharmacodynamic molecular pathology. Interventional radiology has a key role in defining patient-specific management. Advances in diagnostic techniques, genomics, and proteomics enable a window into subcellular mechanisms driving hyperproliferation, metastatic capabilities, and tumor angiogenesis. A new era of personalized medicine has evolved whereby clinical decisions are adjusted according to a patient's molecular profile. Several mutations and key markers already have been introduced into standard oncologic practice. A broader understanding of personalized oncology will help interventionalists play a greater role in therapy selection and discovery.

The incidence of melanoma has increased continuously these last decades. Fortunately, cure is possible in most cases thanks to diagnosis at an early stage. Nevertheless, in some instances, melanoma is diagnosed at later stages and in other cases relapses occur. Moreover, melanoma is the deadliest cutaneous cancer and more importantly the most common origin of death due to cancer in young people. Thankfully though, hope for these patients has been increasing during the past three decades with the increased insight in the underlying oncogenic mutations. This progress has opened up new perspectives for etiological targeted therapies. This review will focus on the recent advances in melanoma treatment.

Background: G-quadruplex DNA structures are hypothesized to be involved in the regulation of gene expression and telomere homeostasis. The development of small molecules that modulate the stability of G-quadruplex structures has a potential therapeutic interest in cancer treatment and prevention of aging. Methods: Molecular absorption and circular dichroism spectra were used to monitor thermal denaturation, acid base titration and mole ratio experiments. The resulting data were analyzed by multivariate data analysis methods. Surface plasmon resonance was also used to probe the kinetics and affinity of the DNA-drug interactions. Results: We investigated the interaction between a G-quadruplex-forming sequence in the human c-kit proto-oncogene and the water soluble porphyrin TMPyP4. The role of cytosine and adenine residues at the loops of G-quadruplex was studied by substitution of these residues by thymidines. Conclusions: Here, we show the existence of two binding modes between TMPyP4 and the considered G-quadruplex. The stronger binding mode (formation constant around 107) involves end-stacking, while the weaker binding mode (formation constant around 106) is probably due to external loop binding. Evidence for the release of TMPyP4 upon protonation of bases at the loops has been observed. General significance: The results may be used for the design of porphyrin-based anti-cancer molecules with a higher affinity to G-quadruplex structures which may have anticancer properties. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

The receptor tyrosine kinase Flt3 is an important growth factor receptor in hematopoiesis, and gain-of-function mutations of the receptor contribute to the transformation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The suppressors of cytokine signaling 6 (SOCS6) is a member of the SOCS family of E3 ubiquitin ligases that can regulate receptor tyrosine kinases signal transduction. In this study we analyzed the role of SOCS6 in Flt3 signal transduction. The results show that ligand stimulation to Flt3 can induce association of SOCS6 and Flt3 and tyrosine phosphorylation of SOCS6. Phospho-peptide fishing indicates that SOCS6 binds directly to phospho-tyrosine 591 and 919 of Flt3. By using stable transfected Ba/F3 cells with Flt3 and/or SOCS6, we show that the presence of SOCS6 can enhance ubiquitination of Flt3 as well as internalization and degradation of the receptor. The presence of SOCS6 also induces weaker activation of Erk1/2 but not Akt in transfected Ba/F3 and UT-7 cells, and in OCI-AML-5 cells. The absence of SOCS6 promotes Ba/F3 and UT-7 cell proliferation induced by oncogenic internal-tandem-duplications (ITDs) of Flt3. Taken together, these results suggest that SOCS6 negatively regulates Flt3 activation and downstream Erk signaling pathway and cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare early follicular growth after fresh and frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue xenografting and to investigate whether expression of c-kit, kit ligand (KL), and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is maintained after freezing and xenografting of human ovarian tissue. DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. SETTING: Gynecology research unit in a university hospital. ANIMAL(S): Ten nude (Swiss nu/nu) 6-week-old female mice. INTERVENTION(S): The ovarian biopsy samples were obtained from six women, aged 20 to 30 years. Fresh and frozen-thawed ovarian fragments intraperitoneally grafted into nude mice for 3 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Histologic analysis and immunohistochemical evaluation of c-kit, KL, and GDF-9 expression before and after grafting. RESULT(S): The integrity and proportion of growing follicles increased similarly in both fresh (64%) and frozen-thawed (59%) xenografts compared with non-grafted tissue (fresh: 40%; frozen-thawed: 21%). Both C-kit and KL staining were detected in the oocytes and granulosa cells of preantral follicles, and GDF-9 expression was observed in the oocytes of preantral follicles in all groups. CONCLUSION(S): Freezing does not appear to have a major impact on early follicular growth after transplantation. This study shows, for the first time, expression of c-kit, KL, and GDF-9 in human preantral follicles after ovarian tissue cryopreservation and xenotransplantation.

Background: Ion channel transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) and cannabinoid (CB) receptors are involved in mechanoafferent signaling from the bladder and the urethra. Objective: To characterize TRPA1-, CB1-, and CB2-receptor activities in the human prostate. Design, setting, and participants: Prostate specimens were obtained from 12 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. We studied expressions (n = 6) of TRPA1, CB1, and CB2 receptors and effects of the TRPA1 agonists allyl isothiocyanate (AI), cinnamaldehyde (CA), sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), and CP 55940 (a CB1/CB2 agonist) on prostatic preparations. Measurements: Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and functional experiments were performed. Results and limitations: Western blot detected expected bands for CB1, CB2, and TRPA1. TRPA1 immunoreactivity was located on nerves that were positive for CB1, CB2, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), or vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). CB1 and CB2 immunoreactivity was found on nerves that were positive for NOS, VAChT, or CGRP. Adrenergic nerves were not immunoreactive for TRPA1, CB1, or CB2. In nodular hyperplasia, nerves containing the above markers were scarce or absent. TRPA1 immunoreactivity was detected in cyclic guanosinemonophosphate-positive basal cells of the glandular epithelium. Basal or subepithelial TRPA1-immunoreactive cells contained vimentin and c-kit immunoreactivity. CA and NaHS relaxed precontracted preparations by 55 +/- 7% and 35 +/- 3% (n = 6 for each). CP 55940, NaHS, AI, capsaicin, and CA decreased nerve contractions up to 27%, 80%, 47%, and 87%, respectively (n = 6 for each). Conclusions: The distribution and function of TRPA1 and CB receptors in prostatic tissue suggest a role for these receptors in mechanoafferent signals, epithelial homeostasis, emission, or inflammation of the human prostate.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in addition to hydroxyurea in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who were either on or not on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs). METHODS: A total of 231 patients with GBM at first recurrence from 21 institutions in 10 countries were enrolled. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 600 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary end point was radiographic response rate and secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The radiographic response rate after centralised review was 3.4%. Progression-free survival at 6 months and median OS were 10.6% and 26.0 weeks, respectively. Outcome did not appear to differ based on EIAED status. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were fatigue (7%), neutropaenia (7%), and thrombocytopaenia (7%). CONCLUSION: Imatinib in addition to hydroxyurea was well tolerated among patients with recurrent GBM but did not show clinically meaningful anti-tumour activity. British Journal of Cancer (2009) 101, 1995-2004. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605411 www.bjcancer.com Published online 10 November 2009 (C) 2009 Cancer Research UK

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in addition to hydroxyurea in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who were either on or not on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs). Methods: A total of 231 patients with GBM at first recurrence from 21 institutions in 10 countries were enrolled. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 600 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary end point was radiographic response rate and secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6), and overall survival (OS). Results: The radiographic response rate after centralised review was 3.4%. Progression-free survival at 6 months and median OS were 10.6% and 26.0 weeks, respectively. Outcome did not appear to differ based on EIAED status. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were fatigue (7%), neutropaenia (7%), and thrombocytopaenia (7%). Conclusions: Imatinib in addition to hydroxyurea was well tolerated among patients with recurrent GBM but did not show clinically meaningful anti-tumour activity.

kit ligand (KL), which was identified as the ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by the proto-oncogene c-kit, has recently been shown to play an important role in prolifera- tion of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells. KL is found both on the cell surface and in solu- tion, and alternative splicing has yielded two types of KL mRNAs. RT-PCR and Northern blot anal- ysis were performed on human epithelial tumors to determine whether c-kit and KL were expressed there. The results are summarized as follows. 1. KL mRNA was expressed in a wide variety of tissues including the placenta, spleen, liver, lung, kidney, stomach, duodenum and colon. The ratio of the expression level of the two types of KL mRNAs was almost constant in all those tissues. 2. Four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and a hepatoblastoma cell line expressed detectable levels of KL, but did not express c-kit 3. Among five colon carcinoma cell lines, Colo320DM and DLD-1 expressed both c-kit and KL. The expression of KIT protein was also confirmed by flow cytometry. 4. In Colo320DM, neither amplification nor rearrangement of c-kit gene was found.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in addition to hydroxyurea in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who were either on or not on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs). Methods: A total of 231 patients with GBM at first recurrence from 21 institutions in 10 countries were enrolled. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 600 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary end point was radiographic response rate and secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6), and overall survival (OS). Results: The radiographic response rate after centralised review was 3.4%. Progression-free survival at 6 months and median OS were 10.6% and 26.0 weeks, respectively. Outcome did not appear to differ based on EIAED status. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were fatigue (7%), neutropaenia (7%), and thrombocytopaenia (7%). Conclusions: Imatinib in addition to hydroxyurea was well tolerated among patients with recurrent GBM but did not show clinically meaningful anti-tumour activity. © 2009 Cancer Research UK., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

AIMS: Several gastrointestinal motility diseases are associated with altered numbers of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and testing for alterations in numbers of ICC has been proposed as one way to improve routine diagnosis in motility diseases. However, the protocols currently used to visualize ICC in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue using antibodies to CD117 have not been optimized for studying motility disorders. The aims of this study were therefore to determine the optimal protocol using FFPE tissue, determine normal values for ICC in non-neoplastic human colon, and compare results with those obtained using immunofluorescence (IF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Non-neoplastic tissue was collected from patients undergoing resection for colonic cancer and fixed for both light (FFPE) and IF testing. Sections were processed for standard immunohistochemistry using different primary antibodies in conjunction with variations in antigen retrieval [ethylenediamine tetraacetricacid (EDTA), citrate], antibody dilution, blocking and detection (Mach2, Mach3, Envision+). Best results were obtained with EDTA retrieval, the DAKO CD117 antibody and Mach3 detection. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized protocol presented improved CD117 detection in FFPE tissues and showed good concordance with overall localization of CD117-immunoreactive ICC as detected by IF. As such, this protocol may be more useful than current diagnostic procedures in motility disorders., Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H. Extramural, SCOPUS: ar.j, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in addition to hydroxyurea in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who were either on or not on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs). Methods: A total of 231 patients with GBM at first recurrence from 21 institutions in 10 countries were enrolled. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 600 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary end point was radiographic response rate and secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6), and overall survival (OS). Results: The radiographic response rate after centralised review was 3.4%. Progression-free survival at 6 months and median OS were 10.6% and 26.0 weeks, respectively. Outcome did not appear to differ based on EIAED status. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were fatigue (7%), neutropaenia (7%), and thrombocytopaenia (7%). Conclusions: Imatinib in addition to hydroxyurea was well tolerated among patients with recurrent GBM but did not show clinically meaningful anti-tumour activity. © 2009 Cancer Research UK., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

AIMS: Several gastrointestinal motility diseases are associated with altered numbers of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and testing for alterations in numbers of ICC has been proposed as one way to improve routine diagnosis in motility diseases. However, the protocols currently used to visualize ICC in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue using antibodies to CD117 have not been optimized for studying motility disorders. The aims of this study were therefore to determine the optimal protocol using FFPE tissue, determine normal values for ICC in non-neoplastic human colon, and compare results with those obtained using immunofluorescence (IF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Non-neoplastic tissue was collected from patients undergoing resection for colonic cancer and fixed for both light (FFPE) and IF testing. Sections were processed for standard immunohistochemistry using different primary antibodies in conjunction with variations in antigen retrieval [ethylenediamine tetraacetricacid (EDTA), citrate], antibody dilution, blocking and detection (Mach2, Mach3, Envision+). Best results were obtained with EDTA retrieval, the DAKO CD117 antibody and Mach3 detection. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized protocol presented improved CD117 detection in FFPE tissues and showed good concordance with overall localization of CD117-immunoreactive ICC as detected by IF. As such, this protocol may be more useful than current diagnostic procedures in motility disorders., Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H. Extramural, SCOPUS: ar.j, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Neural and mesenchymal stem cells have been proposed as alternative sources of cells for transplantation into the brain in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the endogenous factors controlling their engraftment within the injured parenchyma remain ill-defined. Here, we demonstrate significant engraftment of undifferentiated exogenous mesenchymal or neural stem cells throughout the lesioned area in a rat model for Huntington's disease, as late as 8 weeks post-transplantation. We show that stem cell factor (SCF), strongly up-regulated within host cells in the damaged striatum, is able to activate the SCF receptor c-kit and its signaling pathway and to promote the migration and proliferation of mesenchymal and neural stem cells in vitro. Furthermore, c-kit receptor blockade alters neural stem cell distribution within the lesioned striatum. Host SCF expression is observed in atypical cells expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein and doublecortin in the lesioned striatum and in migrating doublecortin-positive progenitors. Taken together, these data demonstrate that SCF produced in situ in the lesioned striatum is an important factor in promoting the engraftment of stem cells within the lesioned brain., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Neural and mesenchymal stem cells have been proposed as alternative sources of cells for transplantation into the brain in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the endogenous factors controlling their engraftment within the injured parenchyma remain ill-defined. Here, we demonstrate significant engraftment of undifferentiated exogenous mesenchymal or neural stem cells throughout the lesioned area in a rat model for Huntington's disease, as late as 8 weeks post-transplantation. We show that stem cell factor (SCF), strongly up-regulated within host cells in the damaged striatum, is able to activate the SCF receptor c-kit and its signaling pathway and to promote the migration and proliferation of mesenchymal and neural stem cells in vitro. Furthermore, c-kit receptor blockade alters neural stem cell distribution within the lesioned striatum. Host SCF expression is observed in atypical cells expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein and doublecortin in the lesioned striatum and in migrating doublecortin-positive progenitors. Taken together, these data demonstrate that SCF produced in situ in the lesioned striatum is an important factor in promoting the engraftment of stem cells within the lesioned brain., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Cumulative evidence indicates that myocardium responds to growth or injury by recruitment of stem and/or progenitor cells that participate in repair and regenerative processes. Unequivocal identification of this population has been hampered by lack of reagents or markers specific to the recruited population, leading to controversies regarding the nature of these cells. Use of a transgenic mouse expressing green fluorescent protein driven by the c-kit promoter allows for unambiguous identification of this cell population. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the c-kit promoter labels a fraction of the c-kit+ cells recognized by antibody labeling for c-kit protein. Expression of GFP by the c-kit promoter and accumulation of GFP-positive cells in the myocardium is relatively high at birth compared with adult and declines between postnatal weeks 1 and 2, which tracks in parallel with expression of c-kit protein and c-kit-positive cells. Acute cardiomyopathic injury by infarction prompts increased expression of both GFP protein and GFP-labeled cells in the region of infarction relative to remote myocardium. Similar increases were observed for c-kit protein and cells with a slightly earlier onset and decline relative to the GFP signal. Cells coexpressing GFP, c-kit, and cardiogenic markers were apparent at 1-2 weeks postinfarction. Cardiac-resident c-kit+ cell cultures derived from the transgenic line express GFP that is diminished in parallel with c-kit by induction of differentiation. The use of genetically engineered mice validates and extends the concept of c-kit+ cells participating in the response to myocardial injury.

The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) is postulated to be the ultimate hematopoietic precursor providing production of mature blood cells, and is characterized by a life long capacity for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. In a healthy human, the HSC produces 1,000,000,000,000 cells per day, illustrating the high turnover within the hematopoietic system and the need for replenishments by HSCs. The mechanisms behind self-renewal are largely unresolved, and we have therefore investigated the potential role of the cytokine receptors Kit and c-Mpl and their respective ligands, Kit ligand and Thrombopoietin (Thpo), in regulation of HSC self-renewal. Using mice that have partial (KitW41/W41) and complete (Thpo-/-) loss of function mutations of the Kit receptor and Thpo ligand respectively, we have demonstrated a reduction of bone marrow HSCs during steady-state conditions, a reduction that is further exacerbated with age, suggesting important roles of Kit and Thpo in steady-state maintenance of hematopoiesis. In addition, decreased regeneration of the HSC compartment of myeloablated mice post transplantation argues for an important role of these two cytokines in regulating HSCs during conditions of stress. We can further provide evidence that link this inability to increased cell cycle turnover within the HSC compartment in the absence of Kit and Thpo. Further, we provide evidence for Kit being important in Thpo independent residual hematopoiesis. Taken together, our findings suggest that Kit and c-Mpl and their respective ligands, Kit ligand and Thpo regulate HSC maintenance, and might exert this function by playing a role in keeping the bone marrow HSCs quiescent.