We found that the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification identified prognostic histologic subtypes of lung adenocarcinomas among Japanese patients. Histologic subtyping and molecular testing for EGFR and KRAS mutations can help predict patient prognosis and select those who require adjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: Human invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells are novel, distinct lymphocyte populations with a restricted T-cell receptor repertoire (Va24-Vh11). They play a pivotal role in immunoregulation and in antitumor activities. This study focused on Va24 + NKT cells in colorectal carcinomas and their clinicopathologic significance. Experimental Design: Va24 + NKT-cell infiltration immunohistochemistry was studied in a total of 103 colorectal carcinoma cases. The degree of NKT-cell infiltration in tumors was evaluated as low (<7 NKTcells/5 HPF) or high (z7 NKT cells/5 HPF). The correlation between the degree of infiltrated Va24 + NKTcells and clinicopathologic variables was studied statistically. Results: A small number of Va24 + NKT cells were found in the normal colorectal mucosa (2.6 F 3.7 cells/5 HPF); however, their number increased remarkably in colorectal carcinomas (15.2 F 16.3 cells/5 HPF; P = 0.0003) and a majority showed phenotype of activation. Higher NKT-cell infiltration was more frequent in women than in men (P = 0.034) and correlated with fewer lymph node metastases (P = 0.042). Patients with high NKT-cell infiltration showed higher overall (P = 0.018) as well as disease-free (P = 0.0006) survival rates. Intratumor NKT-cell infiltration was an independent prognostic factor for the overall (P = 0.033) and disease-free (P = 0.0064) survival rates. Conclusions: Increased infiltration of Va24+ NKT cells was observed in colorectal carcinomas. HigherVa24 + NKT-cell infiltration in colorectal carcinomas was an independent prognostic factor for favorable prognosis.

IgA regulates the composition and function of gut microbiota. Nakajima et al. show that a heavily glycosylated monoclonal IgA coats B. theta and induces Mucus-Associated Functional Factor in vivo to enhance symbiotic interactions with commensal bacteria to maintain gut homeostasis.

BackgroundIschemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury associated with living donor liver transplantation impairs liver graft regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potential cell therapeutic targets for liver disease. In this study, we demonstrate the impact of MSCs against hepatic I/R injury and hepatectomy.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe used a new rat model in which major hepatectomy with I/R injury was performed. Male Lewis rats were separated into two groups: an MSC group given MSCs after reperfusion as treatment, and a Control group given phosphate-buffered saline after reperfusion as placebo. The results of liver function tests, pathologic changes in the liver, and the remnant liver regeneration rate were assessed. The fate of transplanted MSCs in the luciferase-expressing rats was examined by in vivo luminescent imaging. The MSC group showed peak luciferase activity of transplanted MSCs in the remnant liver 24 h after reperfusion, after which luciferase activity gradually declined. The elevation of serum alanine transaminase levels was significantly reduced by MSC injection. Histopathological findings showed that vacuolar change was lower in the MSC group compared to the Control group. In addition, a significantly lower percentage of TUNEL-positive cells was observed in the MSC group compared with the controls. Remnant liver regeneration rate was accelerated in the MSC group.Conclusions/SignificanceThese data suggest that MSC transplantation provides trophic support to the I/R-injured liver by inhibiting hepatocellular apoptosis and by stimulating regeneration.