In situ activation of syngeneic tumour-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes: Intra-pinna immunization followed by restimulation in the peritoneal cavity

Summary Tumour-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are usually obtained after immunization in vivo and restimulation of immune cells in vitro. We here describe the generation of syngeneic tumour-specific CTL within no more than 9 days by priming and restimulation in vivo. This is achieved only if the correct sites are used both for primary immunization (ear pinna) and for restimulation (peritoneal cavity). The kinetics of immune T cell induction and of the secondary response in vivo will be reported. While a secondary CTL response could be generated in the peritoneal cavity, this was not possible in the spleen, no matter which routes of antigen restimulation were used. Upon transfer of immune spleen cells into the peritoneal cavity but not into the spleen, a secondary response could be generated upon in situ restimulation, indicating the importance of the correct microenvironment for this type of response. The peritoneal effector cells were true T cells and recognized a tumour-associated antigen in association with the K^d major histocompatibility (MHC class I) antigen. Finally the activated tumour-specific peritoneal exudate cells were able to transfer protective immunity without exogenous interleukin-2 into normal syngeneic mice.     

Interleukin-5 induces tumor suppression by peritoneal exudate cells in mice

The antitumor activity of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) induced by murine interleukin-5 (mIL-5) was examined using Meth-A sarcoma cells transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of mice. Although in vitro treatment of Meth-A sarcoma cells with mIL-5 did not result in inhibition of their growth, treatment of mice intraperitoneally with mIL-5 (1 g/day) from day –5 to +5 (tumor cells were inoculated on day 0) led to a significant increase in survival or even rejection of tumor cells. This antitumor effect depended on the dose of mIL-5. Interestingly, there was identical therapeutic activity when the protocol of days –10 to –1 was used as opposed to –5 to +5. In addition, post-treatment with mIL-5 from day +1 to +10 was ineffective. This suggests that the therapeutic activity of IL-5 is largely prophylactic. Under the former condition, the number of PEC was found to increase over 50-fold when compared to levels in control mice. Moreover, the antitumor effect of mIL-5 was completely abolished by subcutaneous injection of anti-mIL-5 monoclonal antibodies. The treatment of mice injected intraperitoneally with human IL-2 also resulted in an increase in survival. Winn assay experiments using PEC recovered from mIL-5-treated mice (1g/day, from day –10 to –1) revealed that these PEC could mediate antitumor activity against Meth-A sarcoma cells. Furthermore, when the cured mice were re-injected with Meth-A sarcoma cells or syngeneic MOPC 104E cells, they could reject Meth-A sarcoma cells but not MOPC 104E cells, indicating that immune memory had been generated. These results suggest that IL-5 augumented the PEC tumoricidal activity but we have no indication that the tumoricidal activity was mediated through a mIL-5-dependent mechanism.     

Peritoneal mesothelioma mortality in Italy: Spatial analysis and search for asbestos exposure sources

BackgroundThis study is part of a national plan of epidemiological surveillance of malignant mesothelioma (MM) mortality in Italy. The paper shows the results of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) mortality study in Italian Regions and municipalities.MethodsNational Bureau of Statistics data for MPeM municipal mortality (ICD-10, Code C45.1) were analyzed in the time-window 2003–2014: mortality standardized rates (reference Italian population, census 2011), temporal trends of the annual national rates, Standardized Mortality Ratios and a municipal clustering analysis were performed.Results747 deaths for MPeM were recorded (0.10/100,000): 464 in men (0.14/100,000) and in 283 women (0.07/100,000). No significant MPeM mortality temporal trend was found.Seventeen municipalities showed excesses of mortality for MPeM in at least one gender and/or overall population.Four clusters in male population, and one in women were identified.ConclusionsThe study identifies some areas where remediation activities and/or health care actions may be warranted.     

腹腔镜辅助胃癌D2根治术联合胃背侧系膜近胃端完整系膜切除术对进展期胃癌患者肠黏膜屏障功能和腹腔微转移的影响

摘要 目的：探讨腹腔镜辅助胃癌D2根治术联合胃背侧系膜近胃端完整系膜切除术对进展期胃癌（AGC）患者肠黏膜屏障功能和腹腔微转移的影响。方法：选取2016年12月～2018年12月我院收治的105例AGC患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组（n=52）和实验组（n=53）,分别施行腹腔镜辅助胃癌D2根治术、腹腔镜辅助胃癌D2根治术联合胃背侧系膜近胃端完整系膜切除术。观察两组手术情况（淋巴结清扫数量、手术时间、术中出血量、近切缘距离）、胃肠功能恢复指标（肛门排气时间、经口进食时间、肠鸣音恢复时间）、并发症、住院时间及术前、术后1 d、3 d、7 d肠黏膜屏障功能[尿乳果糖/甘露醇（L/M）、血清二胺氧化酶（DAO）]、气腹后、关腹前腹腔微转移指标[多巴胺脱羧酶（DDC）、癌胚抗原（CEA）],并于术后12个月随访两组复发率。结果：实验组术中出血量少于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组经口进食时间、肛门排气时间、住院时间、肠鸣音恢复时间比较无差异（P＞0.05）;术前、术后1 d、3 d、7 d两组血清DAO水平、尿L/M比较无差异（P＞0.05）;关腹前实验组腹腔冲洗液DDC、CEA水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组并发症总发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;术后12个月随访,实验组和对照组各失访2例,实验组复发率3.92%（2/51）低于对照组20.00%（10/50）（P＜0.05）。结论：腹腔镜辅助胃癌D2根治术联合胃背侧系膜近胃端完整系膜切除术治疗AGC,能有效降低术中出血量,恢复胃肠功能,减少腹腔微转移及术后复发,且未增加肠黏膜屏障功能损伤,安全性高。     

Atherosclerosis,Oxidation and Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects younger women of childbearing age. Atherosclerosis is considered as a disease of the old and increases with the ageing process. Both diseases are characterized by the increased presence of activated macrophages and associated increases in growth promoting activity and the production of inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we propose that oxidative stress and the presence of forms of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) might contribute to both Atherosclerosis and Endometriosis.     

Impact of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy on Hsp27 protein expression in serum of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Despite the strong rationale for combining cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, thermotolerance and chemoresistance might result from heat shock protein overexpression. The aim of the present study was thus to determine whether the heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), a potential factor in resistance to treatment, could have a higher level in serum from patients under this combined therapy. Patients receiving CRS plus HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis (group 1), patients with cancer or a history of cancer undergoing abdominal surgery (group 2), and patients without malignancies undergoing abdominal surgery (group 3) were included. Hsp27 serum levels were determined before and at different times following CRS and HIPEC using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In group 1 (n = 25), the high Hsp27 levels, observed at the end of surgery compared with before (p < 0.0001), decreased during HIPEC, but remained significantly higher than before surgery (p < 0.0005). In groups 2 (n = 11) and 3 (n = 15), surgery did not significantly increase Hsp27 levels. A targeted molecular strategy, inhibiting Hsp27 expression in tumor tissue, could significantly reduce resistance to the combined CRS plus HIPEC treatment. This approach should be further assessed in a clinical phase I trial.     

腹膜透析病人的预后影响因素

在我国,终末期肾脏病的发病率逐年增加,相应地,腹膜透析病人的数量也在不断增长。明确腹膜透析病人预后的影响因素是临床医师亟待解决的重要课题。尿毒症毒素的积蓄可对腹膜透析病人的心血管系统产生不良作用,影响病人的生活质量。腹膜透析充分性的相关指标对于预测病人的生存率也有一定的指导意义。此外,腹膜炎的发生可使超滤量明显下降,增加病人的死亡率。合并症可能通过加重病人的营养不良状态、促进炎症水平,影响病人的预后。因此,重视病人的尿毒症毒素水平、透析充分性指标与合并症情况,积极防治腹膜炎,将有助于改善腹膜透析病人的预后。     

Cultured peritoneal mesothelial cells exhibit apical primary cilia

This study examined primary cilia on cultured human and rabbit peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMC) and investigated factors that influence ciliary expression. Primary cilia were examined with indirect immunocytochemistry, laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Ciliary expression was evaluated in cultures with or without l-cysteine (0.25 mM) or exposure to Ca(2+)-free Krebs-Ringer solution supplemented with EGTA, 0.5 mM. This treatment disrupted cell monolayer integrity. Cilia were counted and normalized to total cell counts using NIH image. Primary cilia were identified on both human and rabbit PMC. Cells treated with l-cysteine expressed significantly more cilia compared with monolayers deprived of l-cysteine. Exposure to Ca(2+)-free Krebs-Ringer solution significantly reduced cilia (5.9+/-1.0%, n=7). Although ciliary expression could be augmented with l-cysteine, approximately 60% of human PMC and 84% of rabbit PMC did not exhibit cilia. Together, these data show that monolayers of PMC express apical cilia that can be augmented with l-cysteine, independently of increased cell density.