Carla Ellis

Interleukin 10 knockout frail mice develop cardiac and vascular dysfunction with increased age.

UNLABELLED Cardiovascular dysfunction is a primary independent predictor of age-related morbidity and mortality. Frailty is associated with activation of inflammatory pathways and fatigue that commonly presents and progresses with age. Interleukin 10 (IL-10), the cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor, is an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced by immune and non-immune cells. Homozygous deletion of IL-10 in mice yields a phenotype that is consistent with human frailty, including age-related increases in serum inflammatory mediators, muscular weakness, higher levels of IGF-1 at midlife, and early mortality. While emerging evidence suggests a role for IL-10 in vascular protection, a clear mechanism has not yet been elucidated. METHODS In order to evaluate the role of IL-10 in maintenance of vascular function, force tension myography was utilized to access ex-vivo endothelium dependent vasorelaxation in vessels isolated from IL-10 knockout IL-10(tm/tm) and control mice. Pulse wave velocity ((PWV), index of stiffness) of vasculature was measured using ultrasound and blood pressure was measured using the tail cuff method. Echocardiography was used to elucidated structure and functional changes in the heart. RESULTS Mean arterial pressures were significantly higher in IL-10(tm/tm) mice as compared to C57BL6/wild type (WT) controls. PWV was increased in IL-10(tm/tm) indicating stiffer vasculature. Endothelial intact aortic rings isolated from IL-10(tm/tm) mice demonstrated impaired vasodilation at low acetylcholine doses and vasoconstriction at higher doses whereas vasorelaxation responses were preserved in rings from WT mice. Cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2)/thromboxane A2 inhibitors improved endothelial dependent vasorelaxation and reversed vasoconstriction. Left ventricular end systolic diameter, left ventricular mass, isovolumic relaxation time, fractional shortening and ejection fraction were all significantly different in the aged IL-10(tm/tm) mice compared to WT mice. CONCLUSION Aged IL-10(tm/tm) mice have stiffer vessels and decreased vascular relaxation due to an increase in eicosanoids, specifically COX-2 activity and resultant thromboxane A2 receptor activation. Our results also suggest that aging IL-10(tm/tm) mice have an increased heart size and impaired cardiac function compared to age-matched WT mice. While further studies will be necessary to determine if this age-related phenotype develops as a result of inflammatory pathway activation or lack of IL-10, it is essential for maintaining the vascular compliance and endothelial function during the aging process. Given that a similar cardiovascular phenotype is present in frail, older adults, these findings further support the utility of the IL-10(tm/tm) mouse as a model of frailty.

Clinical heterogeneity of Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma: impact of fusion subtype, age, and stage

Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinomas harbor chromosome translocations involving the Xp11 breakpoint, resulting in gene fusions involving the TFE3 gene. The most common subtypes are the ASPSCR1-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas resulting from t(X;17)(p11;q25) translocation, and the PRCC-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas, resulting from t(X;1)(p11;q21) translocation. A formal clinical comparison of these two subtypes of Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinomas has not been performed. We report one new genetically confirmed Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma of each type. We also reviewed the literature for all published cases of ASPSCR1-TFE3 and PRCC-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas and contacted all corresponding authors to obtain or update the published follow-up information. Study of two new, unpublished cases, and review of the literature revealed that 8/8 patients who presented with distant metastasis had ASPSCR1-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas, and all but one of these patients either died of disease or had progressive disease. Regional lymph nodes were involved by metastasis in 24 of the 32 ASPSCR1-TFE3 cases in which nodes were resected, compared with 5 of 14 PRCC-TFE3 cases (P=0.02).; however, 11 of 13 evaluable patients with ASPSCR1-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas who presented with N1M0 disease remained disease free. Two PRCC-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas recurred late (at 20 and 30 years, respectively). In multivariate analysis, only older age or advanced stage at presentation (not fusion subtype) predicted death. In conclusion, ASPSCR1-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas are more likely to present at advanced stage (particularly node-positive disease) than are PRCC-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas. Although systemic metastases portend a grim prognosis, regional lymph node involvement does not, at least in short-term follow-up. The tendency for PRCC-TFE3 renal cell carcinomas to recur late warrants long-term follow-up.

B cells and plasma cells in coronaries of chronically rejected cardiac transplants.

Background. Previously, we reported that transcripts of immunoglobulins were increased in coronary arteries dissected from cardiac transplants with arteriopathy, but the prevelance and patterns of B cell and plasma cell infiltration in cardiac allografts has not been documented. Methods. In this study, we documented the frequency and distribution of B cells and plasma cells in 16 cardiac transplants with advanced chronic rejection that were explanted during a second transplant procedure. Coronary arteries with pathologically confirmed allograft vasculopathy and controls with native atherosclerosis were immunohistologically stained for markers of T cells, B cells, plasma cells, IgG subclasses, C4d, CD21, and CXCL13. Results. We found that B cells and plasma cells were prevalent in most of the samples analyzed (14 of 16) and were distributed in three patterns: adventitial nodules, diffuse adventitial infiltrates, and neointimal infiltrates. These cells were found most frequently in nodules, some of which had distinct compartmentalization and granular C4d deposits on follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) that typify tertiary lymphoid nodules. FDCs also stained for CD21 and CXCL13. Diffuse infiltrates of B cells and plasma cells were found in fibrotic areas of the neointima and adventitia. Only a minority of control coronaries with atherosclerosis contained B cells. Conclusions. B cells and plasma cell infiltrates are consistent findings in and around coronary arteries with allograft vasculopathy and are significantly more frequent than in coronaries with native atherosclerosis. The presence of C4d on FDCs in tertiary lymphoid nodules suggests active antigen presentation.

PAX2(-)/PAX8(-)/inhibin A(+) immunoprofile in hemangioblastoma: A helpful combination in the differential diagnosis with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma to the central nervous system.

BackgroundHemangioblastomas account for up to 2.5% of all intracranial tumors. They may occur sporadically or as a part of the multisystem genetic syndrome of Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL). Patients with VHL are also at an increased risk of developing clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Distinguishing hemangioblastomas from metastatic ccRCC to the central nervous system (CNS) can be challenging at times when based solely on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. We propose an immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel of combination of PAX2, PAX8, and inhibin A as a helpful approach in distinguishing the 2 lesions. DesignArchival tissues from 20 hemangioblastomas and 16 ccRCCs metastatic to the CNS were retrieved from our surgical pathology files (2001 to 2010). IHC for PAX2, PAX8, and inhibin A was performed on routine or tissue microarray sections using standard IHC protocol. The intensity of nuclear staining was evaluated for each marker and was assigned an incremental 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+ score. The extent of staining was categorized as focal (<25%), multifocal (25% to 75%), or diffuse (>75%). Result(1) Hemangioblastoma: The Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome was diagnosed in 4 of 16 (25%) patients, 2 of whom developed multiple hemangioblastomas. All 20 (100%) hemangioblastomas were positive for inhibin A (cytoplasmic). The staining intensity was moderate or strong (2+ or 3+) in 19 cases (95%), all of which were multifocal or diffuse in extent. Nuclear PAX2 staining was present in 1 of 19 evaluable lesions (5%), whereas PAX8 staining was not present in any of the 20 examined lesions. (2) Metastatic ccRCC to the CNS: Fourteen of 16 (88%) examined ccRCCs were positive for PAX2, whereas 15 of 16 (94%) lesions showed PAX8 staining. None of 16 (0%) examined ccRCCs were positive for inhibin A. ConclusionsWe propose the use of the combination of PAX2, PAX8, and inhibin A as a helpful ancillary IHC panel to resolve the differential diagnosis of hemangioblastoma versus metastatic ccRCC. The immunoprofile of PAX2(+) or PAX8(+) and inhibin A(−) supports the diagnosis of metastatic ccRCC with a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 100%, and positive predictive value of 100%. The PAX2(−), PAX8(−), and inhibin A(+) profile supports the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma with a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 100%, and positive predictive value of 100%.

Restoring leptin signaling reduces hyperlipidemia and improves vascular stiffness induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep can result from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder that is particularly prevalent in obesity. OSA is associated with high levels of circulating leptin, cardiovascular dysfunction, and dyslipidemia. Relationships between leptin and cardiovascular function in OSA and chronic IH are poorly understood. We exposed lean wild-type (WT) and obese leptin-deficient ob/ob mice to IH for 4 wk, with and without leptin infusion, and measured cardiovascular indices including aortic vascular stiffness, endothelial function, cardiac myocyte morphology, and contractile properties. At baseline, ob/ob mice had decreased vascular compliance and endothelial function vs. WT mice. We found that 4 wk of IH decreased vascular compliance and endothelial relaxation responses to acetylcholine in both WT and leptin-deficient ob/ob animals. Recombinant leptin infusion in both strains restored IH-induced vascular abnormalities toward normoxic WT levels. Cardiac myocyte morphology and function were unaltered by IH. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly decreased by leptin treatment in IH mice, as was hepatic stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 expression. Taken together, these data suggest that restoring normal leptin signaling can reduce vascular stiffness, increase endothelial relaxation, and correct dyslipidemia associated with IH.

Adrenal lymphangioma: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of a rare lesion

Adrenal lymphangiomas, also known as cystic adrenal lymphangiomas, are rare, benign vascular lesions that usually remain asymptomatic throughout life. Although previously adrenal lymphangioma lesions were primarily found at autopsy, they are currently detected during imaging work-up for unrelated causes and are likely to imitate other adrenocortical or adrenal medullary neoplasms. We aimed to retrospectively review all adrenal lymphangioma cases at our hospital and further document their lymphatic origin by immunohistochemical staining. A search of surgical pathology records (1984-2008) was conducted. All hematoxylin and eosin sections were retrieved from archives and reviewed by 2 pathologists in the study. Clinical information was gathered from electronic medical records. Representative paraffin-embedded sections from each case were selected for immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies D2-40 and AE1/AE3. A total of 9 adrenal lymphangioma cases were identified (6 women and 3 men). All 9 patients were adults at time of diagnosis with a mean age of 42 years (range, 28-56 years). There were 7 white patients, 1 African American patient, and 1 Asian patient. The average size of an adrenal lymphangioma lesion was 4.9 cm (range, 2.0-13.5 cm). Adrenal lymphangioma was twice more frequently located on the right side (6 right-sided and 3 left-sided). Clinically, 4 (44%) of the 9 lesions presented with abdominal, flank, or back pain. One lymphangioma was found during work-up for labile hypertension. The remaining 4 lesions (44%) were asymptomatic and incidentally found during imaging studies for unrelated causes. Surgical removal was achieved by total adrenalectomy in 8 of the 9 lesions and by partial adrenalectomy in the remaining case. No evidence of recurrence or development of a contralateral lesion was encountered in any of the patients. Histologically, our adrenal lymphangiomas showed a typical multicystic architecture with dilated spaces lined by flattened, bland, simple lining. The cystic channels/spaces occasionally contained proteinaceous material and lacked red blood cell content. On immunohistochemical stains, D2-40 cytoplasmic staining was positive in all 9 examined lesions, whereas AE1/AE3 was negative, thus, confirming their lymphatic nature. D2-40 staining was diffuse in 2 and focal in the 7 remaining lesions. Adrenal lymphangiomas are very rare, benign lymphatic neoplasms with a female, right-sided predominance in our current series. They may clinically present with abdominal pain or can be incidentally found during adulthood as a mass, necessitating surgical removal to rule out other types of adrenal neoplasms.

GATA-3 immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder.

GATA-3 is a newly described marker that labels urothelial and breast carcinoma. However, no prior study has evaluated the expression of GATA-3 in primary bladder adenocarcinoma. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) containing 46 primary bladder adenocarcinomas were constructed. They contained 19 signet ring cell (SRC) and 27 conventional adenocarcinomas. Three additional cases of SRC using routine sections were included resulting in a total of 22 SRCs. In addition, TMAs containing 32 primary gastric signet ring adenocarcinomas and 36 primary lobular breast carcinomas were evaluated. The TMAs were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for GATA-3, with nuclear labeling scored by intensity and percentage labeling. Breast and urothelial TMAs were also labeled for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and gross cystic duct fluid protein. Diffuse nuclear GATA-3 labeling was seen in 9/22 (41.0%) SRCs and in 2/27 (7.0%) conventional adenocarcinomas (P=0.01). Extracellular mucin production was seen in 12 SRCs. One of 12 (8.0%) SRCs with extracellular mucin was GATA-3 positive, and 8/10 SRCs without extracellular mucin was GATA-3 positive (P=0.005). No nuclear GATA-3 labeling was seen in any gastric signet ring carcinoma. Diffuse, moderate to strong nuclear GATA-3 labeling was seen in 36/36 (100%) primary lobular breast carcinomas. Nuclear GATA-3 labeling is a useful marker for primary adenocarcinomas of the urinary bladder with signet ring features and can be helpful in distinguishing primary signet ring carcinomas of the urinary bladder from gastric signet ring carcinomas. GATA-3 is rarely positive in bladder adenocarcinomas that lack signet ring features and in SRCs displaying extracellular mucin production.

ARID1A immunohistochemistry improves outcome prediction in invasive urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder

AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) is tumor suppressor gene that interacts with BRG1 adenosine triphosphatase to form a SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling protein complex. Inactivation of ARID1A has been described in several neoplasms, including epithelial ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, and has been correlated with prognosis. In the current study, ARID1A expression in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder and its association with clinicopathological parameters and outcome are addressed. Five tissue microarrays were constructed from 136 cystectomy specimens performed for UC at our institution. Nuclear ARID1A staining was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. An H-score was calculated as the sum of the products of intensity (0-3) multiplied by extent of expression (0%-100%). Average H-score per case was used for statistical analysis. ARID1A expression was categorized in low and high using Youden index to define the cut point. ARID1A expression significantly increased from normal to noninvasive UC to invasive UC. For both tumor progression and cancer death, Youden index yielded an H-score of 288 as the optimal cut point for ARID1A expression. Low ARID1A expression showed a tendency for lower risk of tumor progression and cancer mortality. Adding ARID1A expression to pathologic features offers a better model for predicting outcome than pathologic features alone. Low ARID1A expression was more frequently seen in earlier stage disease. There was a tendency for low ARID1A expression to predict better outcome. More importantly, the findings indicate that adding ARID1A expression to pathologic features increases the goodness of fit of the predictive model.

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate with Gleason score 9-10 on core biopsy: Correlation with findings at radical prostatectomy and prognosis

PURPOSE There is a paucity of data on the prognosis after radical prostatectomy for Gleason score 9-10 disease on needle biopsy. To our knowledge we report the largest study to date to specifically analyze the correlation of Gleason score 9-10 on needle core biopsy with radical prostatectomy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 259 men with Gleason score 9-10 on biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1987 to 2012 at our institution. Preoperative variables analyzed were age, race, preoperative prostate specific antigen, adenocarcinoma site, perineural invasion, number of total biopsy cores, number of total positive cores, number of positive cores with Gleason score 9-10, maximum percent of core length with Gleason score 9-10 and maximum percent of adenocarcinoma overall. We determined pathological outcomes on univariate and multivariate analysis, including organ confinement, seminal vesicle invasion, margin status, lymph node metastasis, and biochemical-free and cancer specific survival. RESULTS Statistically significant predictors of radical prostatectomy outcome were organ confinement (total cores with Gleason score 9-10, maximum percent overall and perineural invasion), margin status (preoperative prostate specific antigen and clinical stage), seminal vesicle invasion (maximum percent overall, perineural invasion and clinical stage), lymph node metastasis (total number of cores with Gleason score 9-10 and clinical stage) and biochemical-free survival (maximum percent of Gleason score 9-10, maximum percent overall and clinical stage) (each p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the highly select subset of patients who are good surgical candidates and have the appropriate combination of preoperative variables postoperative findings are sufficiently favorable to justify radical prostatectomy.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Overexpression Is Associated With Outcome in Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of Urinary Bladder: A Retrospective Study of Patients Treated Using Radical Cystectomy

OBJECTIVE To assess the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) expression in urothelial carcinoma (UC) and its prognostic role in relation to clinicopathologic parameters. METHODS A total of 100 cases of invasive UC were evaluated using tissue microarrays. Membranous IGF1R staining was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. A scoring method analogous to that of HER2 expression in breast carcinoma was used, and the highest score was assigned in each tumor. IGF1R was considered overexpressed in cases with score≥1. RESULTS We found IGF1R overexpression in 62% of invasive UC. IGF1R overexpression was associated with race (P=.04) and pT category (P=.03). Median follow-up was 29 months (range, 0.5-212). Progression rate was 60%, and overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality rates were 69% and 51%, respectively. In invasive UC, IGF1R overexpression was significantly associated with overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality (Mantel Cox P=.0002 and P=.006, respectively). IGF1R overexpression was associated with increased hazard ratios (HRs) for overall mortality (HR=2.63, P=.001) and cancer-specific mortality (HR=2.45, P=.01), independently and after adjusting for clinicopathologic features and treatment modalities. CONCLUSION We found IGF1R overexpression in 62% of bladder UC. More importantly, IGF1R overexpression was a significant predictor of overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality, suggesting its potential role as a prognosticator in UC of bladder.