Ito Hiroyasu

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a diverse group of tumors characterized by neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation. Among lung NENs, lung carcinoid (LC) is a rare tumor with unique characteristics. Recent research has highlighted the importance of transcription factors (TFs) in establishing gene expression programs in lung NENs such as small cell lung carcinoma. However, the TFs that control the gene expression of LC are largely unknown. In this study, we report the expression and potential function of a TF called Prospero homeobox protein1 (PROX1) in LC. Publicly available transcriptome data suggested that PROX1 was highly expressed in LC tissues, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis on a tissue microarray. Knockdown of PROX1 did not impact the cellular viability of an LC-derived cell line, NCI-H727. Meanwhile, transcriptome analysis revealed that PROX1 knockdown altered the expression of genes involved in NE differentiation. ASCL1, CHGA, CALCA, and LINC00261 were suggested as downstream genes of PROX1. These findings indicate that PROX1 may play an important role in the NE identity of LC by regulating the expression of key target genes.

2018年2月～11月に当院生理検査室で滑膜炎評価目的に関節超音波検査を行ったRA患者31例を対象とし、血中IGF-1値とサルコペニア罹患率を調べ、コントロール群(RAや悪性腫瘍を患っていない65歳以上の患者27例)と比較検討した。結果、血中IGF-1値はコントロール群によりも有意に高く、サルコペニア罹患率もコントロール群に比べて有意に高かった。サルコペニア罹患の有無と血中IGF-1値との関係について検討した結果、両群ともサルコペニアに罹患しているグループの血中IGF-1は非罹患グループに比べて有意に低値であった。RA患者のみを対象とし、DAS28-CRPが2.3未満の群(13例)と2.3以上の群(18例)に分けてサルコペニア罹患率を比較したところ、2.3以上群が有意に高かった。