Stem-like cells in tumors are capable of self-renewal and pluri-differentiation; they are thought to play important roles in tumor initiation and maintenance. Stem-like cells in malignant glioma express CD133. We examined samples from human pituitary adenoma, a generally benign neoplasm, for CD133 expression using routine immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. Our study of 70 pituitary adenomas (clinically nonfunctioning adenomas and growth hormone-, prolactin-, adrenocorticotropic hormone-, and thyroid-stimulating hormone-producing adenomas) showed that 18 (25.7%) expressed CD133. This rate was higher in clinically nonfunctioning (33.3%) than functioning adenomas (12.0%) (p = 0.085). Real-time PCR assay revealed the expression of CD133 mRNA in samples immunohistochemically positive for CD133. Neither the patient age and gender, nor the tumor size or postoperative recurrence rate correlated with CD133 positivity. CD133+ cells ubiquitously coexpressed CD34, nestin, and VEGFR2 (KDL1). S-100 and GFAP were not coexpressed with CD133. Chromogranin A, Pit-1, SF-1, and NeuroD1 were immune-negative, indicating that CD133+ cells did not have the potential to differentiate into functional endocrine cells. Our data suggest that the expression of CD133 in pituitary adenomas is related to immature endothelial progenitor cells that may play a role in the neovascularization of pituitary adenomas. Further studies are needed to elucidate the significance of CD133+ cells with respect to neovascularization and their sustainable growth in pituitary adenomas.

The purpose of the study was to assess the signal intensities of arachnoid granulations within the dural sinuses using the FLAIR sequence for differentiation of space-occupying lesions in and adjacent to the dural sinuses. We retrospectively reviewed MR images of the brain of 1118 consecutive subjects, ranging in age from 0 to 93 years (mean 57.2 years). Nodules within the dural sinuses with signal intensities similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on both T1 and T2 weighted images were defined as arachnoid granulations. The location, signal intensity on T1 weighted spin echo (SE), T2 weighted fast SE and FLAIR images, the impression on the inner table of the skull, and the size of the lesion were assessed. 112 subjects (10.0%), age range 4-89 years old (mean 58.9 years), were found to have 134 arachnoid granulations. The commonest location was the transverse sinus, with 115 granulations (85.8%). The prevalence of the granulations showed a peak in the sixth decade of age. All granulations were isointense relative to CSF on T2 weighted images and almost all lesions were isointense relative to CSF on T1 weighted images. On FLAIR images, 90.3% of the granulations were isointense relative to CSF and the other 9.7% granulations were slightly hyperintense compared with the CSF. 21 (15.7%) subjects showed impressions on the inner table; one case involved the outer table. In conclusion, arachnoid granulations were isointense or slightly hyperintense relative to CSF on FLAIR. FLAIR images are helpful in differentiating arachnoid granulations from other dural sinus lesions or skull lesions which have an intensity similar to that of CSF on T1 weighted and T2 weighted images.

ABSTRACT. In order to obtain available biochemical parameters related to the marbling score (MS), by which the meat was graded from 1 to 12 in Japan, serum biochemical values were examined in 13 Japanese Black steers during the fattening stages. The steers were divided into high MS (8-11) and low MS (4-5) groups and the fattening stage was also divided into 4 stages according to their feed contents; Stage I (11-13 month-old; 0-4 months after the fattening (af)), II (5-9 months af), III (10-14 months af), and IV (15-20 months af). High MS group showed significantly higher levels in glucose and urea nitrogen (at Stage I), albumin/globulin ratio (at Stage II), and magnesium (at Stage I and III), and lower level in vitamin A (at Stage III) than low MS group. These biochemical parameters, indicating conditions of steers during the fattening stages, are considered to have a possibility related to MS in fattening steers.-KEY WORDS: biochemical value, marbling score, steer (Japanese Black).

The sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is essential for normal development and embryogenic morphogenesis. In malignant neoplasms its inappropriate activation correlates with tumorigenesis, proliferation, and migration. However, the role of SHH in infiltrative growth of glioblastoma remains to be elucidated. CD133 is a marker of tumor stem cells in glioblastoma, which are thought to play important roles in tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence. We investigated the role of the SHH signaling pathway in migration of glioblastoma cell lines derived from CD133-positive cells. Two cell lines, GBM1 and GBM2, were established from CD133-positive cells sorted on an automagnetic cell separator from dispersed human glioblastoma cells. Both cell lines exhibited sphere-like growth in serum-free medium containing growth factor. Expression of patched (PTCH)-, a receptor of SHH, of smoothened (SMO)-, a 7 transmembrane receptor, and of GLI1- and GLI2, PTCH cascade signal proteins, was evaluated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of recombinant SHH in the medium, and of knockdown of SMO-, GLI1- or GLI2 messenger RNA (mRNA) on the migratory ability of neoplastic cells were evaluated by scratch assays. RT-PCR revealed the presence of PTCH-, SMO-, GLI1-, and GLI2 mRNA in these cells. Their migratory ability was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) by addition of recombinant SHH to the medium. Knockdown of SMO-, GLI1- or GLI2 mRNA resulted in significant decrease in the mobility of the neoplastic cells. Our study suggests that the SHH pathway plays an important role in the migratory ability of cells derived from CD133-positive human glioblastoma cells.

We observed a gradual improvement in glioblastoma outcome, presumably because of improvements in therapeutic modalities for surgery, anticancer agents, and radiation, but the efficacy of CK-SRT remains unclear.