櫻井 浩平

Preexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a pivotal risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the longitudinal (over 1 year and 9 months) humoral and cellular responses to primary series and booster doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in patients with CVD. Twenty-six patients with CVD who received monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood samples were serially drawn nine times from each patient. IgG against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The numbers of interferon-γ-releasing cells in response to SARS-CoV-2 peptides were measured using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The RBD-IgG titers increased 2 weeks after the primary series and booster vaccination and waned 6 months after vaccination. The S1-specific T cell responses in patients aged < 75 years were favorable before and after booster doses; however, the Omicron BA.1-specific T cell responses were poor. These results suggest that regular vaccination is useful to maintain long-term antibody levels and has implications for booster dose strategies in patients with CVD. Additional booster doses, including Omicron variant-adapted mRNA vaccines, may be recommended for patients with CVD, regardless of age.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are functional RNAs, with over 200 nucleotides in length and lacking protein-coding potential. Studies have indicated that lncRNAs are important gene regulators under physiological conditions. Aberrant lncRNA expression is associated with the initiation and progression of various diseases, including cancers. High-throughput transcriptome analyses have revealed thousands of lncRNAs as putative tumor suppressors or promoters in various cancers, but the detailed molecular mechanisms of each lncRNA remain unclear. Downregulated RNA In Cancer, inhibitor of cell invasion and migration (DRAIC) (also known as LOC145837 and RP11-279F6.1) is a lncRNA that inhibits or promotes cancer progression with several modes of action. DRAIC was originally identified as a tumor-suppressive lncRNA in prostate adenocarcinoma. Subsequent studies also revealed that it has an anti-tumor role in glioblastoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and stomach adenocarcinoma. However, DRAIC exhibits oncogenic functions in other malignancies, such as lung adenocarcinoma and esophageal carcinoma, indicating its highly context-dependent effects on cancer progression and clinical outcomes. DRAIC and its associated pathways regulate various biological processes, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, autophagy, and neuroendocrine function. This review introduces the multifaceted roles of DRAIC, particularly in cancer progression, and discusses its biological significance and clinical implications.

Abstract Background Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease with oncogenic potential that causes destruction of parietal cells and severe mucosal atrophy. We aimed to explore the distinctive gene expression profiles, activated signaling pathways, and their underlying mechanisms. Methods A comprehensive gene expression analysis was conducted using biopsy specimens from AIG, Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (HPG), and non-inflammatory normal stomachs. Gastric cancer cell lines were cultured under acidic (pH 6.5) conditions to evaluate changes in gene expression. Results Gastric mucosa with AIG had a unique gene expression profile compared with that with HPG and normal mucosa, such as extensively low expression of ATP4A and high expression of GAST and PAPPA2, which are involved in neuroendocrine tumorigenesis. Additionally, the mucosa with AIG and HPG showed the downregulation of stomach-specific genes and upregulation of small intestine-specific genes; however, intestinal trans-differentiation was much more prominent in AIG samples, likely in a CDX-dependent manner. Furthermore, AIG induced ectopic expression of pancreatic digestion-related genes, PNLIP, CEL, CTRB1, and CTRC; and a master regulator gene of the lung, NKX2-1/TTF1 with alveolar fluid secretion-related genes, SFTPB and SFTPC. Mechanistically, acidic conditions led to the downregulation of master regulator and stemness control genes of small intestine, suggesting that increased environmental pH may cause abnormal intestinal differentiation in the stomach. Conclusions AIG induces diverse trans-differentiation in the gastric mucosa, characterized by the transactivation of genes specific to the small intestine, pancreas, and lung. Increased environmental pH owing to AIG may cause abnormal differentiation of the gastric mucosa.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the molecular background of sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P) endoscopically resected with comprehensive gene expression analysis. Gene expression profiling was performed for 10 tumor-normal pairs of SSA/P. Cluster analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and consensus molecular subtype (CMS) classification of colorectal cancer (CRC) were applied to our transcriptome analysis. Unsupervised cluster analysis showed that the gene expression profile of SSA/Ps is different from that of adjacent normal epithelial cells, even in the very early stage of tumorigenesis. According to the CMS classification, our microarray data indicated that SSA/Ps were classified as CMS1. GSEA demonstrated a strong association between SSA/P and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) CRC (p < 10-5 ). Transcriptome analysis of five MSI-related genes (MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, PMS1, and PMS2) and five CRC-related genes (BRAF, KRAS, APC, TP53, and CDX2) showed that CDX2 expression was most severely decreased in SSA/P. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that CDX2 protein was reduced compared with the surrounding mucosa. Direct sequencing of the BRAF gene showed that the BRAF V600E mutation was detected in only nine of 36 cases. In a mouse model, BRAF, APC, or CDX2 deficiency indicated that the gene expression pattern with loss of CDX2 is more similar to our SSA/Ps compared with those induced by BRAF or APC mutation. Transcriptome analysis of SSA/Ps showed characteristic gene expression with a strong resemblance to MSI-H CRC. Downregulation of CDX2 expression is an essential molecular mechanism involved in the initial stage of SSA/P tumorigenesis. (UMIN000027365).

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare salivary gland tumor that is histologically characterized by biphasic tubular structures composed of inner ductal and outer clear myoepithelial cells. Because of its histologic variety, it is sometimes challenging to make an accurate diagnosis, and useful ancillary tests are essential for this purpose. We investigated 87 cases of EMC arising in the major and minor salivary glands and seromucinous glands in the nasal cavity or bronchus to describe the histologic features and mutation status of selected key oncogenes. Classic EMC accounted for 40.2% of all cases. Other cases showed various growth patterns and cytologic features in addition to the typical histology; cribriform patterns, a basaloid appearance, and sebaceous differentiation were relatively common (17.2% to 18.4%), whereas oncocytic/apocrine, papillary-cystic, double-clear, squamous, psammomatous, Verocay-like, and high-grade transformation were rare. HRAS mutations were found in 82.7% of EMCs and were concentrated in codon 61. There was no significant correlation between the HRAS mutation status and the histology. No EMC ex pleomorphic adenoma cases had HRAS mutations. PIK3CA and/or AKT1 mutations were the second most frequent mutations (20.7%, 6.5%, respectively) and almost always cooccurred with HRAS mutations. It is noteworthy that the HRAS mutation was not identified in any salivary gland tumor entities manifesting EMC-like features, including adenoid cystic carcinoma, pleomorphic adenoma, basal cell adenoma/adenocarcinoma, and myoepithelial carcinoma. We conclude that HRAS mutations are a frequent tumorigenic gene alteration in EMC, despite its histologic diversity. This study provides further insight into strategies for diagnosing EMC and discriminating it from its mimics.

Glioneuronal tumor (GNT) is a rare central nervous system neoplasm composed of glial and neuronal components. Making the specific diagnosis of GNT can be challenging due to histopathological and genetical similarities among some GNTs and low‐grade gliomas. We report a case of GNT with rosette‐forming glioneuronal tumor, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, and pilocytic astrocytoma‐like morphology harboring FGFR1 mutation. A 16‐year‐old female presented with absence seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right temporal lobe mass with multinodular enhancement by gadolinium administration. The tumor was mostly composed of oligodendrocyte‐like cells (OLCs) with variable perinuclear haloes. Abundant Rosenthal fibers and eosinophilic granular bodies were identified. Neither mitotic figures nor areas of necrosis were seen. Focal neurocytic rosette features, involving ring‐like arrays of OLCs around eosinophilic cores, were observed. Direct sequencing showed a missense mutation in FGFR1 K656E, whereas FGFR1 N546K, PIK3CA, and BRAF V600E were intact. KIAA1549‐BRAF fusion was not detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.

Objectives. Cholesteatoma is a nonneoplastic destructive lesion of the temporal bone with debated pathogenesis and bone resorptive mechanism. Both molecular and cellular events chiefly master its activity. Continued research is necessary to clarify factors related to its aggressiveness. We aimed to investigate the expression of Ki-67, cytokeratin 13 (CK13) and cytokeratin 17 (CK17) in acquired nonrecurrent human cholesteatoma and correlate them with its bone destructive capacity. Methods. A prospective quantitative immunohistochemical study was carried out using fresh acquired cholesteatoma tissues (n=19), collected during cholesteatoma surgery. Deep meatal skin tissues from the same patients were used as control (n=8). Cholesteatoma patients were divided into 2 groups and compared (invasive and noninvasive) according to a grading score for bone resorption based upon clinical, radiologic and intraoperative findings. To our knowledge, the role' of CK17 in cholesteatoma aggressiveness was first investigated in this paper. Results. Both Ki-67 and CK17 were significantly overexpressed in cholesteatoma than control tissues (P &lt;0.001 for both Ki-67 and CK17). In addition, Ki-67 and CK17 were significantly higher in the invasive group than noninvasive group of cholesteatoma (P=0.029, P=0.033, respectively). Furthermore, ki-67 and CK17 showed a moderate positive correlation with bone erosion scores (r= 0.547, P=0.015 and r=0.588, P= 0.008, respectively). In terms of CK13, no significant difference was found between cholesteatoma and skin (P=0.766). Conclusion. Both Ki-67 and CK17 were overexpressed in cholesteatoma tissue and positively correlated with bone resorption activity. The concept that Ki-67 can be a predictor for aggressiveness of cholesteatoma was supported. In addition, this is the first study demonstrating CK17 as a favoring marker in the aggressiveness of acquired cholesteatoma.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular fibrillary structures composed of degraded chromatin and granules of neutrophil origin. In fibrinopurulent inflammation such as pneumonia and abscess, deposition of fibrillar eosinophilic material is a common histopathological finding under hematoxylin-eosin staining. Expectedly, not only fibrin fibrils but also NETs consist of the fibrillar material. The aim of the present study is to analyze immunohistochemically how NETs are involved in the inflammatory process. Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections accompanying marked neutrophilic infiltration were the target of analysis. Neutrophil-associated substances (citrullinated histone H3, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase) were evaluated as NETs markers, while fibrinogen gamma chain was employed as a fibrin marker. Light microscopically, the fibrils were categorized into three types: thin, thick and clustered thick. Lactoferrin represented a good and stable NETs marker. Thin fibrils belonged to NETs. Thick fibrils are composed of either mixed NETs and fibrin or fibrin alone. Clustered thick fibrils were solely composed of fibrin. Neutrophils were entrapped within the fibrilllar meshwork of the thin and thick types. Apoptotic cells immunoreactive to cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved actin were dispersed in the NETs. In conclusion, NETs and fibrin meshwork were consistently recognizable by immunostaining for lactoferrin and fibrinogen gamma chain.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent an extracellular, spider's web-like structure resulting from cell death of neutrophils. NETs play an important role in innate immunity against microbial infection, but their roles in human pathological processes remain largely unknown. NETs and fibrin meshwork both showing fibrillar structures are observed at the site of fibrinopurulent inflammation, as described in our sister paper [Acta Histochem. Cytochem. 49; 109-116, 2016]. In the present study, immunoelectron microscopic study was performed for visualizing NETs and fibrin fibrils (thick fibrils in our tongue) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of autopsied lung tissue of legionnaire's pneumonia. Lactoferrin and fibrinogen gamma chain were utilized as markers of NETs and fibrin, respectively. Analysis of immuno-scanning electron microscopy indicated that NETs constructed thin fibrils and granular materials were attached onto the NETs fibrils. The smooth-surfaced fibrin fibrils were much thicker than the NETs fibrils. Pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that lactoferrin immunoreactivities were visible as dots on the fibrils, whereas fibrinogen gamma chain immunoreactivities were homogeneously observed throughout the fibrils. Usefulness of immunoelectron microscopic analysis of NETs and fibrin fibrils should be emphasized.

In chronic inflammatory lesions of autoimmune and infectious diseases, plasma cells are frequently observed. Antigens recognized by antibodies produced by the plasma cells mostly remain unclear. A new technique identifying these corresponding antigens may give us a breakthrough for understanding the disease from a pathophysiological viewpoint, simply because the immunocytes are seen within the lesion. We have developed an enzymelabeled antigen method for microscopic identification of the antigen recognized by specific antibodies locally produced in plasma cells in inflammatory lesions. Firstly, target biotinylated antigens were constructed by the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system or through chemical biotinylation. Next, proteins reactive to antibodies in tissue extracts were screened and antibody titers were evaluated by the AlphaScreen method. Finally, with the enzymelabeled antigen method using the biotinylated antigens as probes, plasma cells producing specific antibodies were microscopically localized in fixed frozen sections. Our novel approach visualized tissue plasma cells that produced 1) autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis, 2) antibodies against major antigens of Porphyromonas gingivalis in periodontitis or radicular cyst, and 3) antibodies against a carbohydrate antigen, Strep A, of Streptococcus pyogenes in recurrent tonsillitis. Evaluation of local specific antibody responses expectedly contributes to clarifying previously unknown processes in inflammatory disorders.

In epithelial cells, miRNA-199a-5p/-3p and Brm, a catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF complex were previously shown to form a double-negative feedback loop through EGR1, by which human cancer cell lines tend to fall into either of the steady states, types 1 [miR-199a(2)/Brm(1)/EGR1(2)] and 2 [miR-199a(1)/Brm (2)/EGR1(1)]. We show here, that type 2 cells, unlike type 1, failed to form colonies in soft agar, and that CD44, MET, CAV1 and CAV2 (miR-199a targets), all of which function as plasma membrane sensors and can co-localize in caveolae, are expressed specifically in type 1 cells. Single knockdown of any of them suppressed anchorage-independent growth of type 1 cells, indicating that the miR-199a/Brm/EGR1 axis is a determinant of anchorage-independent growth. Importantly, two coherent feedforward loops are integrated into this axis, supporting the robustness of type 1-specific gene expression and exemplifying how the miRNA-target gene relationship can be stably sustained in a variety of epithelial tumors.

The mammalian transcriptional factors, Cdx1 and Cdx2 (Cdx is caudal-type homeobox) are paralogues and critical for the cellular differentiation of intestinal or colorectal epithelia. It has been reported previously that in Cdx1 transgenic or knockout mice, endogenous Cdx2 levels are inversely correlated with Cdx1 levels. Recently, we found that exogenous Cdx1 expression can suppress Cdx2 in a human colorectal tumour cell line, SW480, although the underlying molecular mechanisms were unclear. In the present study, we show that several microRNAs induced by exogenous Cdx1 expression directly bind to the CDX2 mRNA 3'UTR (untranslated region) to destabilize these transcripts, finally leading to their degradation. Using microarray analysis, we found that several miRNAs that were computationally predicted to target CDX2 mRNAs are up-regulated by exogenous Cdx 1 expression in SW480 cells. Among these molecules, we identified miR-9, miR-16 and miR-22 as having the potential to suppress Cdx2 through the binding of the 3'UTR to its transcript. Importantly, simultaneous mutations of both the miR-9- and miR-16-binding sites in the CDX2 3'UTR were shown to be sufficient to block Cdx2 suppression. The results of the present study suggest a unique feature of miRNAs in which they contribute to homoeostasis by limiting the levels of transcription factors belonging to the same gene family.

The chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF is an important epigenetic regulator that includes one Brm or BRG1 molecule as catalytic subunit. Brm and BRG1 do not function identically, so this complex can regulate gene expression either positively or negatively, depending on the promoter to which it is recruited. Notably, Brm attenuation due to posttranscription suppression occurs often in human tumor cells, in which this event contributes to their oncogenic potential. Here, we report that the 3'-untranslated region of Brm mRNA has two sites that are efficiently targeted by the microRNAs miR-199a-5p and -3p, revealing a novel mechanism for modulation of Brm-type SWI/SNF activity. Computational mapping of the putative promoter region of miR-199a-2 (miPPR-199a-2) has defined it as the major contributing genetic locus for miR-199a-5p and-3p production in these tumor cell lines. We validated this predicted region by direct promoter analysis to confirm that Egr1 is a strong positive regulator of the miR-199a-2 gene. Importantly, we also showed that Egr1, miR-199a-5p, and miR-199a-3p are expressed at high levels in Brm-deficient tumor cell lines but only marginally in Brm-expressing tumor cells. Finally, we also obtained evidence that Brm negatively regulates Egr1. Together, our results reveal that miR-199a and Brm form a double-negative feedback loop through Egr1, leading to the generation of these two distinct cell types during carcinogenesis. This mechanism may offer a partial explanation for why miR-199a-5p and -3p have been reported to be either upregulated or down-regulated in a variety of tumors. Cancer Res; 71(5); 1680-9. (C)2010 AACR.

Purpose: To better understand microRNA miR-21 function in carcinogenesis, we analyzed miR-21 expression patterns in different stages of colorectal cancer development using in situ hybridization (ISH). Experimental Design: Locked nucleic acid (LNA)/DNA probes and a biotin-free tyramide signal amplification system were used in ISH analyses of miRNA expression. Conditions for specific detection of miR-21 were determined using human cell lines and miR-21-expressing lentiviral vectors. Expression was determined in 39 surgically excised colorectal tumors and 34 endoscopically resected colorectal polyps. Results: In the surgical samples, miR-21 expression was much higher in colorectal cancers than in normal mucosa. Strong miR-21 expression was also observed in cancer-associated stromal fibroblasts, suggesting miR-21 induction by cancer-secreted cytokines. Protein expression of PDCD4, a miR-21 target, was inversely correlated with miR-21 expression, confirming that miR-21 is indeed a negative regulator of PDCD4 in vivo. In the endoscopic samples, miR-21 expression was very high in malignant adenocarcinomas but was not elevated in nontumorigenic polyps. Precancerous adenomas also frequently showed miR-21 up-regulation. Conclusion: Using the LNA-ISH system for miRNA detection, miR-21 was detectable in precancerous adenomas. The frequency and extent of miR-21 expression increased during the transition from precancerous colorectal adenoma to advanced carcinoma. Expression patterns of miR-21 RNA and its target, tumor suppressor protein PDCD4, were mutually exclusive. This pattern may have clinical application as a biomarker for colorectal cancer development and might be emphasized by self-reinforcing regulatory systems integrated with the miR-21 gene, which has been previously shown in cell culture.