Kaoru Hirabayashi

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 immunoreactivity and relationship to p53 and Ki-67 expression in colorectal cancer

Abstract: The tumor-suppressive effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been suggested to be due to a reduction in cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity, although the effects of COX-2 in the colonic mucosa and in colorectal cancer have not been determined. Ki-67 immunoreactivity in cancers is also attracting attention, as Ki-67 reflects cell proliferation, while p53 immunoreactivity is also of interest, as it reflects the malignancy of colorectal lesions. Accordingly, to determine these correlation, we investigated the distribution and intensity of COX-2, p53 and Ki-67 expression in both cancerous and non-cancerous tissues from patients with sporadic and ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated colorectal cancer. We selected 21 colorectal cancer specimens, obtained by surgical resection or colonoscopic biopsy, from 21 patients, including 3 with UC (13 men and 8 women; aged 42–78 years). Histological examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained specimens revealed that 9 were well differentiated; 11, moderately differentiated; and 1 was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. We used anti-COX-2, p53, and Ki-67 antisera to perform immunohistochemical staining by the labelled streptavidin biotin method and then assessed and graded the staining intensity and distribution. COX-2 staining was more intense in cancer tissue than in non-cancerous areas. Colorectal cancers associated with UC were not stained intensely. COX-2, p53, and Ki-67 positivity rates in were 38.1%, 38.1%, and 47.6%, respectively. There were no relationships among the distributions or intensities of COX-2, p53, and Ki-67 expression. Our results indicate that colorectal cancer tissues overexpress COX-2, but that there are no relationships between COX-2, p53, and Ki-67 expression, suggesting that COX-2 expression may not be related to cell proliferation or to the grade of malignancy. However, it is necessary to determine whether COX-2 in cancer tissue is involved in carcinogenesis or whether it is simply a product of cancer.

LARYNGEAL EPITHELIAL CHANGES ON EFFECTS OF SMOKING AND DRINKING

The human larynx is essential not only for speech, but also for swallowing and respiration. Its tissues are affected by the presence of alcohol and cigarette smoke. In this report we present our findings on the effects of smoking and drinking on histological changes in laryngeal tissue. The larynges studied were those of autopsy patients: cases with damaged tissue were excluded. We studied the larynges of 84 men (non-smoker and non-drinker, 22 cases; smoker and drinker, 62 cases) and 48 women (non-smoker and non-drinker, 40 cases; smoker and drinker, 8 cases) between the ages of 12 and 88. The squamous metaplasia of laryngeal epithelium was examined using the gross staining method (Pyronin Y) of STELL et al. (J. Laryngeal. Otol. 86: 589-594, 1972). The squamous epithelium is unstained, whereas the respiratory epithelium is a brilliant red. The area of metaplasia in the supraglottic region increased with aging, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Microscopic changes of the laryngeal epithelium were investigated using the hematoxylin-eosin staining method. The thickness of epithelium of the supraglottic region and vocal cord increased with age. There is a significant difference in the thickness of the epithelium of the supraglottic region and vocal cords of smoking and drinking patients, when compared with the same tissues of non-smokers and non-drinkers. Furthermore, there is a significant difference in those tissues of the supraglottic region of heavy smokers, when compared with light smokers, but no significant difference when compared with drinkers. However, there is no significant difference in the thickness of vocal cord tissues when comparing light smokers and drinkers on the one hand, and heavy smokers and drinkers on the other.

Von Willebrand Factor in the Rat Kidney: Its Localization and the Effects of Its in vivo Interaction with Specific Antibodies

Antiendothelial cell antibodies and increased von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels are observed in many renal diseases. We studied renal morphology after administration of rabbit anti-human factor VIII-von Willebrand factor (FVIII-vWFc) gamma-globulin (IgG) in rats. Isolated perfusion of normal rat kidney with the antibodies disclosed rabbit IgG along glomerular endothelium and in mesangial areas. Systemic administration resulted in an identical antibody distribution. C3 deposits and few electron dense deposits were transiently noted. After 1 week the mesangial deposition of rabbit IgG had increased significantly, most likely reflecting increased release of vWF by the endothelium. Thereafter, the deposits gradually relocated into mesangial stalk and into the glomerular vascular pole, and they had vanished after 6 weeks. Except for a mild influx of leukocytes, no renal injury occurred. In conclusion, although FVIII-vWFc antibodies cause mesangial immune deposits, antibodies against other endothelial antigens are apparently needed to inflict renal damage.

Technique standard de coupes histologiques sur échantillons de RME

RésuméDans la présente étude, nous comparons et confrontons l’image reconstituée à partir de coupes histologiques sériées et l’image obtenue par l’examen au microscope après coloration au bleu alcian-hématoxyline (méthode BAH), ceci en tant que méthode d’évaluation de la nature et de l’extension des cellules tumorales. La performance diagnostique de l’endoscopie dans le diagnostic des mini et petites lésions s’eat avérée correcte dans 16 foyers sur 28, alors que le diagnostic par BAH était concordant pour toutes les lésions grâce aux techniques d’agrandissement et de coloration qui facilitent l’identification des traits caractéristiques des carcinomes gastriques plats et déprimés; à savoir la marge effilée à terminaison abrupte (Type Cliff, différences Niveu), le bord érodé de la berge des plis (type Rias coat) à la fois sur des lésions plates et déprimées. En cas de dysplasie. l’erreur concernant l’extension de la lésion déterminée par le pouvoir d’amplification du microscope à dissection et l’image reconstruite à partir de coupes sériées, était supérieure ou égale à 1 mm. Selon ces observations, l’évaluation histologique de l’extension et de la diffusion intra-murale des lésions de dysplasie ou de carcinome intra-muqueux ou à envahissement limité, réséquées par RME (Résection muqueuse endoscopique) bénéficient de la méthode BAH. En revanche la méthode BAH ne permet pas l’évaluation correcte de la profondeur de l’envahissement carcinomateux: ceci revient à dire que le microscope à dissection ou l’observation de coupes sériées après BAH ne contribuent pas au diagnostic différenciel entre dysplasie et carcinome modérément invasif. Sur des échantillons gastriques réséqués par RME, la méthode BAH est efficace dans le diagnostic de la nature de la lésion et celui de l’extension intra-muqueuse du processus tumoral.SummaryIn this paper, we compare and contrast the image reconstructed from serial sections and the image obtained through dissecting microscopy using Alcian blue and Hematoxylin staining method (BAH method), as a means to diagnose the quality and spread of tumor cells. The qualitative diagnosis of endoscopy to the minute and small lesions was correct in 16 out of 28 foci, however the BAH diagnosis was correct in all lesions because the magnified and stained method made it easy to detect the characteristics of flat and depressed gastric carcinoma; that is, the tapering, abrupt ending (Cliff type, Niveu Differences), eroded edge of the fold (Rias coat type) in the margin of the flat or depressed lesions. In the dysplasia, the error between the extension of lesion determined by dissecting microscopy and the reconstructed image of serial sections was within approximately 1 mm or less. These findings were indicated that the routine sections for histology including the extension of the intramucosal spreading in the dysplasia or intramucosal and scanty invasive carcinoma taken by EMR (Endoscopic Mucosal Resection) could be done by BAH method. On the other hand, the depth of carcinomatous invasion could not be diagnosed by BAH method effectively; in other words, the differential diagnosis between the dysplasia and the scanty invasive carcinoma in macroscopy and BAH observation was undeterminated. In EMR specimens of the stomach, BAH method is effective in the evaluation of the qualitative diagnosis and in the diagnosis of extension of intramucosal spreading tumor.