Tomasz Ferenc

Analysis of APC, α-, β-catenins, and N-cadherin protein expression in aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumor)☆

The aims of this study were to analyze the cadherin/catenin adhesion complex in cells from abdominal and extra-abdominal aggressive fibromatosis tumors, and to estimate the correlation between the expression of the tested proteins and the clinical data of the desmoid patients. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of the cadherin/catenin adhesion complex: APC protein, alpha-, beta-catenin, and N-cadherin in archival material derived from 15 cases of extra-abdominal desmoid tumor (E-AD) and 20 cases of abdominal (AD) desmoid tumor. The tested proteins demonstrated cytoplasmic (c) staining. Furthermore, nuclear (n) or cytoplasmic and nuclear (c+n) staining was observed for beta-catenin. The mean values of the percentage of positive cells for the tested proteins between E-AD vs. AD did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference except for alpha-catenin. In the E-AD group, in both cases of recurrent tumors, no alpha-catenin expression was observed but the expression of this protein was detected in primary tumors. In the groups investigated, no statistically significant correlation was found between alpha-catenin, beta-catenin (c), (n) and (c+n) expression, and tumor size (p>0.1). The results regarding beta-catenin expression obtained in our study confirm the previous findings that nuclear accumulation of this protein plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of aggressive fibromatosis.

Elevated frequencies of micronuclei in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in their newborns

Pregestational diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2) affects about 1% of the obstetric population. In diabetes, persistent hyperglycemia can be a source of DNA damage via overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) test, we measured the frequencies of micronuclei (MN) per 1000 binucleated (BN) cells in pregnant women (mothers) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and in their newborns. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from 17 pregnant women with T1DM and cord-blood lymphocytes from their 17 newborns. The control group included 40 pregnant women (mothers) without diabetes mellitus (DM) and their 40 newborns. In the group of pregnant women with T1DM, the mean number of MN per 1000 BN cells was 2.35 (±1.07), significantly (p<0.001) higher than in the control group of pregnant women (0.86±0.90). The frequency value in the group of newborns of T1DM mothers was 1.42 (±0.60), significantly (p<0.05) higher than in the corresponding control group (0.67±0.79). The value in the group of mothers with T1DM was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in their newborns. Comparing mothers without DM with their newborns, no significant frequency differences were observed. No significant correlations were observed between MN frequencies in mothers with T1DM and either the frequencies in their newborns, the duration of diabetes, or HbA1C levels. Our results indicate that T1DM is accompanied by increased frequencies of MN in pregnant women and their newborns.

Evaluation of chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchange and micronuclei in cultured cord-blood lymphocytes of newborns of women treated for epilepsy during pregnancy.

Epidemiological data indicate that pregnancies of epileptic women constitute about 1% of all pregnancies. Newborns of mothers exposed to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are at increased risk for major congenital malformations, cognitive impairment and fetal death. Cord-blood lymphocytes of the newborns whose mothers received long-term AEDs therapy during pregnancy were used in this study. There were 37 newborns (Group A), divided into two subgroups, i.e. from mothers receiving mono-therapy (A1) and from those receiving poly-therapy (A2). The major drugs given to the pregnant women with epilepsy in mono-therapy were valproic acid (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) analogues. In poly-therapy, besides VPA and CBZ derivatives also phenyltriazine, sulphanamide, benzodiazepines and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives were administered. Three kinds of in vitro cytogenetic test were applied: the chromosome aberration (CA) assay, the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay, and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN). In addition, the mitotic index (MI), the replication index (RI) and the nuclear division index (NDI) were determined. The mean number of CA/cell (excluding gaps) for group A did not differ statistically significantly from the negative controls (p>0.1), nor did the mean MI value (p>0.1). In group A, the mean number of SCE/cell was statistically significantly higher compared with the negative control (p<0.05). The mean RI value for group A did not demonstrate statistically significant differences (p>0.1). The mean MN number for group A was higher than in the negative control, but this difference was on the border of statistical significance (p=0.07). The value of NDI for group A did not differ significantly from the value in the negative control (p>0.1). The anti-epileptic drugs given to epileptic women in mono- and poly-therapy during pregnancy evoked potentially clastogenic and genotoxic effects in cord-blood lymphocytes. These drugs did not exert a cytotoxic effect, neither did they inhibit the cell-division kinetics of cord-blood lymphocytes.

Genotoxicity assessment of new synthesized acridine derivative — 3,6-diamino-10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine

A new synthesized acridine derivative, 3,6-diamino-10-methyl-9, 10-dihydroacridine (AcrH), was tested for in vitro reverse mutations with Salmonella TA strains, chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in human lymphocytes, and for in vivo chromosome aberrations in bone marrow of mice. Using the classic plate incorporation method, mutagenicity of AcrH in bacterial cells (TA97a, TA98, TA100 and TA102) was observed in the experiments performed with, and without, rat liver S9 metabolic activation. The reverse mutation assay showed no difference in mutagenic activity between AcrH and acriflavine (Acr(+)) in the test with TA97. The results of in vitro chromosome aberrations assay revealed potential clastogenicity. The test using macroculture of human lymphocytes induced mainly chromatid gaps. The experiments with human lymphocytes revealed SCE-inducing effect of AcrH and Acr(+). In an in vivo study, AcrH given intraperitoneally to Balb/c mice did not cause any significant increase in the percentage of cells with aberrations compared to the negative control.

The effect of antiepileptic drugs administered in pregnancy on micronucleus frequency in cord blood lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVES Epidemiological data indicate that the pregnancies of epileptic women constitute about 1% of all pregnancies. A large group of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) applied in long-term monotherapy or polytherapy produce toxic metabolites as well as free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to assess the potential genotoxic effect of AED therapy in pregnancy on DNA structure of umbilical cord blood lymphocytes. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group were 30 newborns (14 males and 16 females) of mothers receiving long-term AED therapy during pregnancy. The AED considered were carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenyltriazine, benzodiazepine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and sulfonamide analogues. The controls were infants born to mothers not exposed to any medication in pregnancy (n = 20). Positive controls were the same infants, but in this case Nitrogranulogen (Sigma) was added to the collected cord blood samples (n = 11). Micronucleus (MN) assay was used as an indicator of chromosome damage. The frequency (%) of MN/1000 binucleated cells and the nuclear division index (NDI) were calculated. RESULTS Mean MN frequency and NDI were respectively 0.110 (+/-0.152), 1.592 (+/-0.206) in the study group and 0.050 (+/-0.061), 1.628 (+/-0.178) in the controls (statistically non-significant difference, p > 0.1). CONCLUSION The findings did not reveal any genotoxic effect or inhibition of nuclear division in cord blood lymphocytes by AED metabolites. This was reflected by the absence of significant between-group differences in the mean MN frequency and NDI.

Genetic variations of the CTNNA1 and the CTNNB1 genes in sporadic colorectal cancer in Polish population.

UNLABELLED Experimental as well as clinical observations have demonstrated that the E-cadherin/catenin complex is a powerful inhibitor of invasion. Abrogation of this pathway is implicated in the carcinogenesis of several malignancies, especially colorectal cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the CTNNA1 and the CTNNB1 mutations and its relationship to clinical and pathological features of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in Polish patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Paired tumor and normal tissue samples from 110 sporadic CRC patients undergoing resective surgery were prospectively studied for the alpha catenin (CTNNA1) gene and beta catenin (CTNNB1)gene mutations by PCR/single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). RESULTS The CTNNA1 gene alteration in exon 7 were detected in 4 samples and in exon 3 of CTNNB1 gene were found in 3 samples. There was a trend at the limit of statistical significance associating younger age at diagnosis (<50) with CTNNA1 and the CTNNB1 mutations. The mutation of CTNNB1 seemed to occur more frequently in the proximal colon than distal. The CRC patients with CTNNA1 mutation had a significantly increased lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, there was no correlation between mutations and the other clinical variables (e.g. sex, grade and depth of invasion). CONCLUSION Although we found a low frequency of mutations in the CTNNA1 and the CTNNB1 genes, but the analysis the relationship with clinical and pathological features of CRC patients may indicated an association of these mutations with the risk and progression of CRC.

Endometriosis and RAS System Gene Polymorphisms: The Association of ACE A2350G Polymorphism with Endometriosis in Polish Individuals

To analyze the polymorphisms of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene (insertion/deletion [I/D], A2350G) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (A1166C) in women with endometriosis and to determine the correlation of the identified genotypes with the severity of the disease. Additionally, to estimate the prognostic value of the polymorphisms in patients with endometriosis treated due to infertility. The study group included 241 women, the control group (without endometriosis)-127. The molecular analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. For I/D ACE and A1166C AT1 polymorphisms no significant differences were observed between the study and control groups and between the severity grades of the disease (p>0.05). For A2350G ACE polymorphism the frequency of genotypes for the study and control groups respectively was the following: AA-31.54%, AG-54.36%, GG-14.11% and AA-55.12%, AG-36.22%, GG-8.66% (x(2)=19.36, p<0.0001). Statistically significant differences were found between the frequency of A and G alleles between both groups (x(2)=15.16, p=0.0001), but not when individual grades of the disease severity were compared. There was no association between the investigated polymorphisms and the effect of infertility treatment. A2350G polymorphism (allele G, AG genotype) of ACE gene seems to be associated with the development of endometriosis.

Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensin II Type I Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with Extreme Obesity in Polish Individuals

There is strong evidence for the presence of a functional renin-angiotensin system in human adipose tissue. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of polymorphic variants of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE I/D) and angiotensin II type I receptor gene (AGTR1 A1166C) with extreme obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine their combined effect on extremely obese patients. Overall, no significant associations were detected between ACE and AGTR1 gene polymorphisms and extreme obesity. However, extremely obese patients with T2DM showed an increased frequency of ACE II genotype compared with controls (p<0.05) and with non-diabetic extremely obese patients (p<0.01). The results suggest that II genotype of ACE was a significant contributor to extreme obesity in AA homozygotes of AGTR1 gene, regardless of the presence of T2DM. Moreover, the analysis of genetic polymorphisms demonstrated that ACE II and AGTR1 AC genotypes were most frequently observed in patients with extreme obesity and T2DM. On the basis of our results, we suggest that ACE II homozygosity may be a significant predictor of extreme obesity and T2DM and that the interaction between ACE and AGTR1 genes may be considered a predisposing factor for extreme obesity and extreme obesity-associated T2DM development.

The effect of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on induction of skin cancers

Ultraviolet radiation is a physical mutagenic and cancerogenic factor. About 95% of ultraviolet A (UVA) (320-400 nm) and 5% of UVB (280-320 nm) reach the Earths surface. Melanin is a natural skin protective factor against UV radiation. Skin cancers associated with long-term exposure to UV radiation are: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). The high risk of BCC development is related to acute and repeated exposure to UV causing sunburn. Molecular studies of BBC demonstrated disorders in sonic hedgehog (SHH) cell signaling regulation pathway, associated with the suppressor protein patched homolog 1 gene (PTCH1) mutations. The risk of the BCC development is related to the polymorphism of melanokortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R). Tumor P53 gene mutations observed in BCC cells has been classified as secondary genetic changes. In SCC cells UV-induced mutations were mostly related to P53 gene. Increased expression of cyclooxigenase- 2 gene (COX-2) plays a significant role in the development of SCC. Other pathogenetic factors include intensification of the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 α (IL-1α), IL-1β and IL-6). Currently, the role of UVB has been recognized in the pathogenesis of CMM. In CMM cells the following gene mutations were noted: cyclindependent kinase inhibitor 2A INK4A (p16INK4A), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Ras, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and proto-oncogene B-Raf (BRAF). The BRAF gene mutations were observed in ~50% of CMM cases. Mutations of P53 gene are not characteristic of CMM cells. Med Pr 2016;67(2):255-266.

Cytogenetic study of Ascaris trypsin inhibitor in cultured human lymphocytes with metabolic activation

The trypsin inhibitor (ATI) isolated from gastrointestinal nematode Ascaris suum was tested in vitro for induction of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). Genotoxicity assessment of purified ATI was carried out on metaphase plates received from peripheral blood lymphocyte macroculture (48 h test of structural chromosome aberrations and 72 h test of SCE) with exogenous metabolic activation. ATI was tested in dose of 25, 50 and 100 μg per ml of culture. Kinetics of cell divisions were determined by the replication index (RI). The mitotic index (MI) was expressed as a number of metaphases per 1000 nuclei analysed. Analysis of chromosome aberrations showed that higher doses of ATI (50 and 100 μg/ml) significantly increased the frequency of chromosome aberrations (mainly of chromatid gaps and breaks) compared to the negative control. All concentrations of ATI caused a statistically significant reduction in the MI and RI. In comparison with the negative control, a significant increase in the SCE frequency was observed in all applied doses of ATI. Thus, in the presence of S9 activation, the Ascaris trypsin inhibitor showed potential clastogenic activity and inhibition of the dynamics of lymphocyte divisions.