Abstract. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) often assume an immunoregulatory M2 phenotype. Thus, the aim of the present study was to clarify the correlation of vascularity and TAMs, in particular the M2 phenotype in the stroma and tumor areas, with the clinical and pathological outcomes of patients with bladder cancer. The TAM counts and microvessel counts (MVCs) were determined immunohistochemically in 21 patients with bladder cancer. The number of infiltrating TAMs was measured using immunohistochemistry with anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)68 and anti-CD163 antibodies, to identify a macrophage lineage marker and an M2-polarized-specific cell surface receptor, respectively. CD68 + and CD163 + macrophages were evaluated in the stroma and tumor areas, and areas with a high density of infiltrating cell spots were counted. MVCs were determined using immunohistochemistry with anti-CD34 antibodies. The results revealed that the higher ratio of CD163 + /CD68 + macrophages in the stroma, tumor and total tumor tissues were correlated with a higher stage and grade (P<0.05). In addition, the low ratio of CD68 + /CD34 + microvessels was correlated with a higher stage (P<0.05). There was also a positive correlation between TAMs and MVC (r 2 =0.25; P<0.05). These results suggest that the TAM polarized M2 phenotype affects microvessels, pathological outcome, tumor grade and invasiveness.

Statin therapy is likely effective in prevention of the growth of small AAAs, and may be more beneficial as the baseline diameter increases.

Loss of ABO blood group antigen expression has been reported in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Synthesis of the ABO blood group antigen was genetically determined by allelic variants of the ABO gene assigned on 9q34.1. We analyzed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and promoter hypermethylation of the ABO gene in TCC and compared them with alterations of A antigen expression in TCC, dysplasia and normal urothelium. A total of 81 samples of TCC of the bladder obtained from transurethral resection (TUR) (n ¼ 44) and radical cystectomy (n ¼ 37) were examined. Expression of the A antigen was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) using anti-A antigen monoclonal antibody. LOH of the ABO gene locus was examined by blunt-end single-strand DNA conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis using flouresence-based auto sequencer. Promoter hypermethylation of the ABO gene were examined by bisulfite PCR-SSCP (BiPS) analysis and/or methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Loss of A allele and/or hypermethylation were significantly associated with abnormal expression of the A antigen in cases undergoing TUR (P ¼ 0.02) and radical cystectomy (P ¼ 0.0005). For the analysis of the concomitant dysplasia in 23 cases with TCC of the bladder, the expression of the A antigen was maintained, regardless of the A allelic loss or methylation status in the tumor. In conclusion, A allelic loss and hypermethylation in the promoter region of the ABO gene showed significant correlation with reduction of A antigen expression in TCC, while the expression of the A antigen is maintained in concomitant dysplasia or normal urothelium, suggesting that loss of the ABO gene and/or its promoter hypermethylation is a specific marker for TCC. Laboratory Investigation (2005) 85, 895-907.

Amla is one of the most important plants in Indian traditional medicine and has been shown to improve various age-related disorders while decreasing oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a proposed cause of aging through elevated oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effects of Amla on mitochondrial function in C2C12 myotubes, a murine skeletal muscle cell model with abundant mitochondria. Based on cell flux analysis, treatment with an extract of Amla fruit enhanced mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity, which enables cells to overcome various stresses. To further explore the mechanisms underlying these effects on mitochondrial function, we analyzed mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant systems, both proposed regulators of mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity. We found that Amla treatment stimulated both systems accompanied by AMPK and Nrf2 activation. Furthermore, we found that Amla treatment exhibited cytoprotective effects and lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells subjected to t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. These effects were accompanied by increased oxygen consumption, suggesting that Amla protected cells against oxidative stress by using enhanced spare respiratory capacity to produce more energy. Thus we identified protective effects of Amla, involving activation of mitochondrial function, which potentially explain its various effects on age-related disorders.