Histology and histopathology Vol.20, nº 1 (2005)
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- PublicationOpen AccessApoptotic cell death in canine hair follicle(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Pascucci, L.; Pedini, V.; Parillo, F.; Gargiulo, A.M.Apoptotic cell death is an essential homeostatic mechanism involved in the control of cellular turnover in a variety of adult tissues. Cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation morphologically define this process whose biochemical hallmark is extensive DNA fragmentation into discrete oligonucleosomic units. Hair follicle growth and regression has been shown to be correlated with apoptosis in humans, mice, rats and guinea pigs. The present study was carried out to evaluate its implication in canine hair biology in order to define the spatio-temporal relationship between apoptosis and the hair cycle in dogs. As assessed by terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UTP nick-end-labelling (TUNEL) and by basic histological and ultrastructural assays, apoptotic cells appeared both in the growing and in the regressing follicle epithelium showing the well characterized morphological features described in the previous relevant literature.
- PublicationOpen AccessAdvances in isolation and characterization of homogeneous cell populations using laser microdissection(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Mizuaral, S.; Takahashi, K.; Kobayashi, T.; Kotani, H.The isolation and characterization of homogeneous cell populations are of great importance for the analysis of gene expression, because normal tissues contain various types of cells, and the differences in the populations of isolated cells exert significant effects on gene expression analysis. Researchers have attempted to develop methods for the isolation of homogeneous cell populations, such as flow cytometry and mechanical dissection. However, the recent emergence of laser-assisted microdissection has revolutionized the isolation of single-cell populations from solid tissues. With the help of a cutting laser, laser microdissection can isolate tissues (cells) of interest without contamination from surrounding tissues with the microscopic visualization field. By combining laser microdissection and subsequent microarray technology, several studies have resulted in the identification of disease-related genes. In this review, we summarize the principle of laser microdissection and provide several successful examples of target-gene identification using the conventional method combining laser microdissection and microarray. Next, we discuss the practical drawbacks of the combinational method, such as the need for a large number of cells and the disturbance of the relative abundance of transcripts during RNA amplification. We introduce our modifications to combined laser microdissection and microarray for detection of disease-related genes; the technique is simple, yet practical and accurate. Finally, versatile applications of laser microdissection, not only to transcript expression analysis, but also to other genomics and proteomics analyses are, also presented.
- PublicationOpen AccessDiagnostic impact of bone marrow histopathology in polycythemia vera (PV)(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Thiele, J.; Kvasnicka, H.M.The criteria of the Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG), although acknowledged as the gold standard to establish the diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV), do not regard bone marrow (BM) histopathology. Arguments include the existence of sufficient objective markers of disease and the lack of independently performed morphological studies or standardized criteria. The aim of this review is to evaluate morphological characteristics of erythrocytosis and to determine whether distinctive patterns of histopathology exist. A review of the pertinent literature and evaluation of 334 patients from our files with a borderline to marked increase in hemoglobin was performed. In extension to former descriptions of BM features by the PVSG, a tri-lineage myeloproliferation (panmyelosis) with a pleomorphous appearance of megakaryopoiesis revealed that, besides increase in size, there was a lack of gross cytological anomalies. Differentiation from secondary polycythemia (SP) was accomplished by regarding these features and the conspicuously expressed stromal changes (plasmacytosis, eosinophils, cell debris and iron deposits). In about 96% of this cohort a clearcut separation from SP was achieved, even in the initial (latent) stages. When accompanied by an elevated platelet count, these precursor stages may clinically mimick essential thrombocythemia because they are not recognized by the conventional criteria. Advanced stages (spent phases) of PV were consistent with an increased left-shifted granulocytic proliferation, accompanied by reduction of erythroid precursors and progressive myelofibrosis (post-polycythemic myeloid metaplasia). Finally, an increase in dysplastic changes and immaturity signalled a transition into blastic crisis. In conclusion, PV is characterized by a distinctive pattern of histopathology that has been gained in an independent and blind fashion and therefore, dissolves arguments about failing specificity.
- PublicationOpen AccessGastrointestinal phenotype of GAD67lacZ transgenic mice with early postnatal lethality(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Krecsmarik, M.; Katarova, Z.; Bagyánszki, M.; Szabó, G.; Fekete, EvaIt has been proposed that g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the gut may function as a neurotransmitter, hormone and/or paracrine agent. Our aim was to examine transgenic mice of the GAD67-lacZ line with impaired postnatal growth and early postnatal lethality for gastrointestinal abnormalities. The gastrointestinal tract was dissected and processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, western blotting and measurement of GAD activity. Homozygous mice of both sexes displayed an intestinal phenotype characterized by a fragile and haemorrhagic intestinal wall, a reduced number of villi, epithelial lesions and the occasional appearance of pseudostratified epithelium. The number of GABA-immunoreactive enteroendocrine cells and mucin-secreting goblet cells increased significantly relative to wild-type epithelium. The appearance of GABA-immunopositive neuronal perikarya and the lack of GABA-immunoreactive varicose fibres were observed in the enteric plexuses of transgenic mice. Tissue homogenates of transgenic mice showed higher levels of expression of GAD67 and GAD65 as compared with wild-type mice. Our results suggest that the possible reason underlying the growth impairment and postnatal lethality observed in GAD67 transgenic mice is a functional impairment of GABAergic enteric neurons and disintegration of intestinal epithelium.
- PublicationOpen AccessMatrix metalloproteinase imbalance in muscle disuse atrophy(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Giannelli, G.; De Marzo, A.; Marinosci, F.; Antonaci, S.Muscle atrophy commonly occurs as a consequence of prolonged muscle inactivity, as observed after cast immobilization, bed rest or space flights. The molecular mechanisms responsible for muscle atrophy are still unknown, but a role has been proposed for altered permeability of the sarcolemma and of the surrounding connective tissue. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes with proteolytic activity toward a number of extracellular matrix (ECM) components; they are inhibited by tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). In a rat tail-suspension experimental model, we show that after fourteen days of non-weight bearing there is increased expression of MMP-2 in the atrophic soleus and gastrocnemius and decreased expression of TIMP-2. In the same experimental model the expression of Collagen I and Collagen IV, two main ECM components present in the muscles, was reduced and unevenly distributed in unloaded animals. The difference was more evident in the soleus than in the gastrocnemius muscle. This suggests that muscle disuse induces a proteolytic imbalance, which could be responsible for the breakdown of basal lamina structures such as Collagen I and Collagen IV, and that this leads to an altered permeability with consequent atrophy. In conclusion, an MMP-2/TIMP-2 imbalance could have a role in the mechanism underlying muscle disuse atrophy; more studies are needed to expand our molecular knowledge on this issue and to explore the possibility of targeting the proteolytic imbalance with MMP inhibitors.