BackgroundMetastatic spread of tumor through lymphatic vasculature is an important adverse prognostic factor in a variety of human cancer and tumor lymphangiogenesis requires the interplay of several growth factors. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C are two important molecules involving in tumor metastasis and lymphangiogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the coexpression of PDGF-BB and VEGF-C in primary human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its association with lymphangiogenesis.MethodsUsing immunohistochemical staining, PDGF-BB and VEGF-C expression were detected in 109 primary NSCLC tissues, while the lymphatic micro-vessel density (LMVD) was counted.ResultsOf 109 cases, PDGF-BB and VEGF-C overexpression was 66.97% (73/109) and 65.14% (71/109), respectively. 52 (47.7%) had overexpression of both PDGF-BB and VEGF-C (P + V+), 21 (19.3%) overexpression of PDGF-BB but low expression of VEGF-C (P + V-), 19(17.4%) overexpression of VEGF-C but low expression of PDGF-BB (P-V+) and 17(15.6%) low expression of both PDGF-BB and VEGF-C (P-V-). PDGF-BB expression was positively related to that of VEGF-C (r = 0.451, p = 0.034). LMVD in cases with P + V + was much higher than those with P-V- (p = 0.004). In addition, the patients with P + V + were younger and also had larger tumor size, more likely lymph node metastasis and worse histological differentiation than those with P-V-. Moreover, the overall survival (OS) of patients with P + V + was shorter than those with P-V- (p = 0.015).ConclusionCoexpression of both PDGF-BB and VEGF-C was associated with lymphangiogenesis and poor prognosis in NSCLC, and might play a critical role in NSCLC progression.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2261801312571320

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in epidermal terminal differentiation.MethodsThe MAPK pathways (p38, ERK1/2, JNK) were inhibited by SB203580, PD98059, and SP600125 in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), respectively. Western blotting assays were performed to detect expression of filaggrin and differentiation-related proteins. The mRNA expressions of differentiation-related proteins were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).ResultsInhibition of MAPK pathway by SB203580, PD98059, and SP600125 resulted in significant reduction of filaggrin expression in NHEKs. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway decreased the expression of differentiation-related proteins (cytokeratin 5, cytokeratin 14, ST14, and SPRR3), Akt, and NF-κB. Inhibition of JNK also suppressed expression of cytokeratin 14, SPRR3, Akt, and NF-κB. However, inhibition of ERK1/2 merely decreased expression of SPRR3 and Akt.ConclusionMAPK pathways regulates epidermal terminal differentiation in NHEKs. The p38 signaling pathway plays an especially important role.

A novel series of triazine derivatives targeting the entrance channel of the HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor binding pocket (NNIBP) were designed and synthesized on the basis of our previous work. The results of a cell-based antiviral screening assay indicated that most compounds showed good-to-moderate activity against wild-type HIV-1 with EC50 values within the concentration range of 0.0078-0.16 μm (compound DCS-a4, EC50  = 7.8 nm). Some compounds displayed submicromolar activity against the K103N/Y181C resistant mutant strain (such as compound DCS-a4, EC50  = 0.65 μm). Molecular modeling studies confirmed that the new compounds could bind into the NNIBP similarly as the lead compound, and the newly introduced flexible heterocycles could occupy the entrance channel effectively. In addition, the preliminary structure-activity relationship and the RT inhibitory assay are presented in this study.