PurposeThe authors examined the number of interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs) in obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) in comparison with normal UPJ specimens and age-related changes.Materials and methodsA total of 20 human formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of intrinsic UPJO from children at the mean age of 8.1 years (age range: 8 months–16.8 years) and 5 control samples from children at the mean age of 2.3 years (range 2.4 months–7.4 years) were investigated immunohistochemically for the expression of c-kit proto-oncogene by light microscopy with computerized image analysis. The results were examined by Fisher’s exact test, Yates’ chi-square test, and t test for Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe number of ICC-LCs-dense fields was significantly higher in UPJO specimens in comparison with the normal group (P = 0.0004). The number of ICC-LCs-sparse fields was significantly lowered in UPJO specimens in comparison with the normal group (P = 0.0122). There was no significant difference in the number of ICC-LCs-medium fields in obstructed and normal UPJ specimens. The number of ICC-LCs was decreasing significantly with increasing age of the patients with UPJO (P = 0.0038).ConclusionsThe higher density of c-kit-positive ICC-LCs in UPJ may manifest the compensation of altered peristalsis in UPJO. The number of ICC-LCs-dense fields decreasing with age may show the failure of compensation and regression of the compensatory changes.

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms derived from skin-homing T cells. CTCL behave similarly to indolent B-cell lymphomas. There is increasing evidence that angiogenesis may be important in lymphoproliferative disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate microvessel density (MVD) as a parameter of tumor angiogenesis measured by the expression of CD34 in the skin samples in CTCL patients. Formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin tumor biopsy specimens from 25 patients (16 men, 9 women) with CTCL (mycosis fungoides), and 8 skin samples from healthy volunteers were analysed. The preparations were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and evaluated histopathologically. Staining for endothelial cells with monoclonal antibody against CD34 revealed a mean number of 134 dots per mm2 for CTCL and 106 dots/mm2 for controls; the difference was statistically significant (p=0.0388). Our study shows a higher number of microvessels in primary CTCL compared with normal skin. Microvascular endothelial cells have become an important target in cancer therapy. Increased MVD in the skin of CTCL patients indicate that angiogenesis may play a role in the growth of CTCL, and raises the possibility of using angiogenesis inhibitors in CTCL therapy.

PurposeThe authors analysed the distribution of c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) and its age-related changes.MethodsTwenty specimens were obtained from children with intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), at the average age of 8.1 years (8 months–16.8 years), fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Five control samples were taken from children at the average age of 2.3 years (2.4 months–7.4 years). All specimens were analysed by the immunohistochemistry test with light microscopy with respect to c-kit expression. The distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs in the two groups was compared and the correlation between the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs and the patients’ age in UPJO cases was analysed. The results were examined by Yates’ χ2 test, Mann–Whitney U test, and t test for Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs between UPJO and the control group. No correlation was established between the age of patients with UPJO and the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs.ConclusionNo distributional difference found in obstructed and unobstructed UPJ seems to indicate that UPJO is not associated with anomalous distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs. Age-related changes in the expression of c-kit-positive ICCs are equally distributed in obstructed UPJ.

IntroductionChemokines play an important role in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. The CXCR4/CXCL12 axis has been implicated in development of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies and is also relevant in the pathogenesis of the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides (MF).AimTo evaluate the expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 in MF and to examine their associations with cell proliferation and angiogenesis.Material and methodsThe material for the study consisted of skin samples obtained from 56 patients with MF and 20 healthy volunteers. The expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 was assessed by immunohistochemistry on the paraffin blocks and compared to the expression of angiogenesis marker (CD34) and proliferation indicators (Ki-67, AgNORs).ResultsThe expression of chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 was significantly higher in MF than in the healthy skin (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between early and advanced stages of MF. Similarly, there was no statistically important correlation between the expression of CXCR4/CXCL12 and angiogenesis and proliferation markers, however a significant correlation between CD34 and AgNORs expression was found (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe CXCR4/CXCL12 axis seems to play an important role in MF development in the early as well as in the advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis seems to be an interesting potential target for the future strategies of new drug development, giving hope for more efficacious therapies for mycosis fungoides.

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