Combining immune cell and viral therapy for the treatment of cancer

A variety of viral-based and immune cell therapies have been proposed for use in the treatment of cancer. One possible approach to improve the effectiveness of these biological agents may be to combine them such that we can take advantage of natural immune cell-pathogen relationships. Here we discuss these potential approaches with particular emphasis on the use of immune cells as carrier vehicles to deliver viral therapies to the tumor. Received 15 December 2006; received after revision 28 January 2007; accepted 5 March 2007     

Receptor communication within the lymphocyte plasma membrane: a role for the thrombospondin family of matricellular proteins

Lymphocytes, the principal cells of the immune system, carry out immune surveillance throughout the body by their unique capacity to constantly reposition themselves between a free-floating vascular state and a tissue state characterized by migration and frequent adhesive interactions with endothelial cells and components of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, mechanisms co-ordinating adhesion and migration with signals delivered through antigen recognition probably play a pivotal role for the regulation of lymphocyte behaviour and function. Endogenous thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) seems to be the hub in such a mechanism for autocrine regulation of T cell adhesion and migration. TSP-1 functions as a mediator of cis interaction of vital receptors within the T lymphocyte plasma membrane, including integrins, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, calreticulin and integrin-associated protein. Received 1 June 2006; received after revision 28 June 2006; accepted 11 October 2006     

Common Molecular Mechanisms of Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer

During its lifetime, the mammary gland undergoes many phases of development and differentiation. Much of this occurs during puberty, when the ductal epithelium expands by branching morphogenesis, invading the surrounding fat pad to form an organised mammary tree. Throughout its existence, the epithelium will go through several cycles of proliferation and cell death during pregnancy, lactation and involution. Many of the signalling mechanisms which control the initial invasion of the fat pad by the epithelium, and regulate its continuing plasticity, can be harnessed or corrupted by tumour cells in order to support their aberrant growth and progression towards invasion. This is true not just for the epithelial cells themselves but also for cells in the surrounding microenvironment, including fibroblasts, macrophages and adipocytes. This review examines the complex web of signalling and adhesion interactions controlling branching morphogenesis, and how their alteration can promote malignancy. Current in vivo and in vitro mammary gland models are also discussed. (Part of a Multi-author Review)     

The molecular role of the Rothmund-Thomson-, RAPADILINO- and Baller-Gerold-gene product, RECQL4: recent progress

The RecQ family of DNA helicases is highly conserved throughout evolution and plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability in all organisms. Mutations in three of the five known family members in humans, BLM, WRN and RECQL4, give rise to disorders that are characterized by predisposition to cancer and premature aging, emphasizing the importance of studying the RecQ proteins and their cellular activities. Interestingly, three autosomal recessive disorders have been associated with mutations in the RECQL4 gene: Rothmund-Thomson, RAPADILINO, and Baller-Gerold syndromes, thus making RECQL4 unique within the RecQ family of DNA helicases. To date, however, the molecular function of RECQL4 and the possible cellular pathways in which it is involved remain poorly understood. Here, we present an overview of recent findings in connection with RECQL4 and try to highlight different directions the field could head, helping to clarify the role of RECQL4 in preventing tumorigenesis and maintenance of genome integrity in humans. Received 31 October 2006; received after revision 4 January 2007; accepted 5 February 2007     

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: clinicopathology and molecular alterations

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS, OMIM 175200) is an unusual inherited intestinal polyposis syndrome associated with distinct peri-oral blue/black freckling [1–9]. Variable penetrance and clinical heterogeneity make it difficult to determine the exact frequency of PJS [4]. PJS is a cancer predisposition syndrome. Affected individuals are at high risk for intestinal and extra-intestinal cancers. In 1997, linkage studies mapped PJS to chromosome 19p [10, 11], and subsequently a serine/threonine kinase gene defect (LKB1) was noted in a majority of PJS cases [12, 13]. A phenotypically similar syndrome has been produced in an LKB1 mouse knockout model [14–18]. Several PJS kindred without LKB1 mutations have been described, suggesting other PJS loci [19–22]. The management of PJS is complex and evolving. New endoscopic technologies may improve management of intestinal polyposis. Identification of specific genetic mutations and their targets will more accurately assess the clinical course, and help gage the magnitude of cancer risk for affected individuals. Received 20 February 2006; received after revision 5 May 2006; accepted 15 June 2006     

Cancer and blood coagulation

In human patients, blood coagulation disorders often associate with cancer, even in its early stages. Recently, in vitro and in vivo experimental models have shown that oncogene expression, or inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, upregulate genes that control blood coagulation. These studies suggest that activation of blood clotting, leading to peritumoral fibrin deposition, is instrumental in cancer development. Fibrin can indeed build up a provisional matrix, supporting the invasive growth of neoplastic tissues and blood vessels. Interference with blood coagulation can thus be considered as part of a multifaceted therapeutic approach to cancer. Received 30 November 2005; received after revision 7 February 2005; accepted 8 February 2006     

小鼠急性缺氧后肺内肥大细胞的变化

应用组织化学方法对对照组小鼠、缺氧组小鼠以及雌激素预处理缺氧组小鼠肺内肥大细胞的数量、活性、分布范型及组化性质进行了研究.结果表明,缺氧组小鼠随缺氧时间的延长,肺小动脉内皮细胞损伤加重,损伤后再给氧,内皮细胞损伤程度更严重;同时伴有肥大细胞和脱颗粒的急剧增多,均极显著高于同期对照组小鼠（P〈0.01）.雌激素预处理缺氧组小鼠随缺氧时间的延长,肺小动脉内皮细胞的损伤程度较缺氧组小鼠轻;肥大细胞和脱颗粒均极显著低于同期缺氧组小鼠（P〈0.01）.由此说明,肥大细胞可能在急性缺氧造成的肺损伤过程中起着重要作用,肥大细胞膜稳定剂（雌激素）对肺损伤可能起保护作用.     

质子交换膜燃料电池欧姆阻抗的试验研究

为了解质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)欧姆阻抗的影响因素,用断电法测出了不同工作温度、不同增湿条件、不同进气过量系数、不同工作压力下的欧姆阻抗。试验结果表明,PEMFC欧姆阻抗随工作温度的提高而减小,随进气湿度的增大而减小,受工作压力和进气过量系数的影响较小。欧姆阻抗的明显增大可作为PEMFC质子交换膜变干的判定依据。合理控制工作温度、进气湿度等参数,可以减少欧姆极化损失,提高PEMFC的工作效率。     

黑线姬鼠、小白鼠颈髓NOS阳性神经元的分布比较

用NADPH-黄递酶组织化学方法显示野生动物黑线姬鼠与实验动物小白鼠颈髓内一氧化氮合酶（NOS）阳性神经元的分布.结果显示在黑线姬鼠与小白鼠颈髓中央管周围灰质、后角浅层以及前角灰质都有密集的NOS阳性神经元.与小白鼠相比,黑线姬鼠颈髓NOS阳性神经元数量较多,胞体较大,分布较密集,呈强阳性反应.结果提示野生动物黑线姬鼠与实验动物小白鼠颈髓的这些种间差异与它们生存的环境、生活习性有很大关系.