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Quantitative Immunohistochemistry (quantitative + immunohistochemistry)
Selected AbstractsA composite poly-hydroxybutyrate,glial growth factor conduit for long nerve gap repairsJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 6 2003P.-N. Mohanna Abstract There is considerable evidence that peripheral nerves have the potential to regenerate in an appropriate microenvironment. We have developed a novel artificial nerve guide composed of poly 3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) filled with glial growth factor (GGF) suspended in alginate hydrogel. Gaps of 2,4 cm in rabbit common peroneal nerve were bridged using a PHB conduit containing either GGF in alginate hydrogel (GGF) or alginate alone (Alginate), or with an empty PHB conduit (Empty). Tissues were harvested 21, 42 and 63 days post-operatively. Schwann cell and axonal regeneration were assessed using quantitative immunohistochemistry. At 21 days, addition of GGF increased significantly the distance of axonal and Schwann cells regeneration in comparison with that observed in Alginate and Empty conduits for both gap lengths. The axons bridged the 2-cm GGF conduits gap by 63 days, with a comparable rate of regeneration seen in 4-cm conduits. Schwann cells and axonal regeneration quantity was similar for both gap lengths in each group. However, at all time points the quantity of axonal and Schwann cells regeneration in GGF grafts was significantly greater than in both Alginate and Empty conduits, the latter showing better regeneration than Alginate conduits. The results indicate an inhibitory effect of alginate on regeneration, which is partially reversed by the addition of GGF to the conduits. In conclusion, GGF stimulates a progressive and sustainable regeneration increase in long nerve gap conduits. [source] Altered balance of ,-aminobutyic acidergic and glutamatergic afferent inputs in rostral ventrolateral medulla-projecting neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of renovascular hypertensive ratsTHE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2010Vinicia Campana Biancardi An imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory functions has been shown to contribute to numerous pathological disorders. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that a change in hypothalamic ,-aminobutyic acid (GABA)-ergic inhibitory and glutamatergic excitatory synaptic functions contributes to exacerbated neurohumoral drive in prevalent cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension. However, the precise underlying mechanisms and neuronal substrates are still not fully elucidated. In the present study, we combined quantitative immunohistochemistry with neuronal tract tracing to determine whether plastic remodeling of afferent GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs into identified RVLM-projecting neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN-RVLM) contributes to an imbalanced excitatory/inhibitory function in renovascular hypertensive rats (RVH). Our results indicate that both GABAergic and glutamatergic innervation densities increased in oxytocin-positive, PVN-RVLM (OT-PVN-RVLM) neurons in RVH rats. Despite this concomitant increase, time-dependent and compartment-specific differences in the reorganization of these inputs resulted in an altered balance of excitatory/inhibitory inputs in somatic and dendritic compartments. A net predominance of excitatory over inhibitory inputs was found in OT-PVN-RVLM proximal dendrites. Our results indicate that, along with previously described changes in neurotransmitter release probability and postsynaptic receptor function, remodeling of GABAergic and glutamatergic afferent inputs contributes as an underlying mechanism to the altered excitatory/inhibitory balance in the PVN of hypertensive rats. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:567,585, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diagnostic and pathogenetic implications of the expression of hepatic transporters in focal lesions occurring in normal liverTHE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Sara Vander Borght Abstract Hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) are benign liver tumours. The differential diagnosis of these lesions and of well- to moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas is often difficult but is very important in view of their different treatment. Although neither type of lesion is connected to the biliary tree, FNHs are cholestatic, whereas this is rarely the case for hepatocellular adenomas. This suggests that hepatocellular uptake and secretion of bile constituents is different in FNHs compared to adenomas. We therefore evaluated the expression and localization of hepatic transporters in hepatocellular adenomas, different types of FNH and well- to moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas in non-cirrhotic liver and compared them with normal liver, using real-time RT-PCR and (semi-)quantitative immunohistochemistry. The parenchymal expression of the uptake transporter OATP2/8 (OATP1B1/3) was minimal or absent in adenoma, while there was strong and diffuse expression in FNH. We observed diffuse parenchymal expression of the basolateral export pump MRP3 in adenomas, while only reactive bile ductules and adjacent cholestatic hepatocytes were MRP3-positive in FNH. The MRP3/OATP2/8 expression pattern of atypical FNHs resembled that of adenomas, suggesting that both types of lesion are related. Most hepatocellular carcinomas showed decreased expression of one or more of the canalicular transporters (MDR1, MDR3, BSEP). The differences in transporter expression profile between FNHs and adenomas are most likely pathogenetically important and may explain why only FNHs are cholestatic. The finding that each type of focal lesion in non-cirrhotic liver has a specific transporter expression pattern may be useful in the establishment of a correct diagnosis by imaging or on needle biopsy. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cellular characterization of the gouty tophus: A quantitative analysisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2010Nicola Dalbeth Objective To characterize the cellular architecture of the tophus and to determine the presence of cytokines implicated in the initiation and resolution of gouty inflammation. Methods Sixteen fixed, paraffin-embedded, uninfected tophus samples were surgically obtained from 12 patients with microscopically proven gout and were analyzed by quantitative immunohistochemistry. The number of cells present in the corona and fibrovascular zones of the tophus was analyzed by Genmod mixed models analysis. Results Numerous CD68+ mononucleated and multinucleated cells were present within the corona zone. Mast cells were identified in all tophus samples and at similar densities throughout the corona and fibrovascular zones. In contrast, neutrophils were rarely observed. Plasma cells were present in very high numbers within the corona zone. The overall number of CD20+ B cells was much lower. However, in 6 of 12 patients (50%), at least 1 B cell aggregate was present in the fibrovascular zone. Large numbers of cells expressing interleukin-1, (IL-1,) were observed in the corona zone. Transforming growth factor ,1 (TGF,1),expressing mononucleated cells were also identified. The number of CD68+ cells correlated with the number of cells expressing IL-1, (r = 0.691, P = 0.009) and the number expressing TGF,1 (r = 0.518, P = 0.04). Conclusion The tophus represents a complex and organized chronic inflammatory tissue response to monosodium urate monohydrate crystals involving both innate and adaptive immune cells. The coexpression of IL-1, and TGF,1 suggests that both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory factors present within the tophus contribute to a cycle of chronic inflammation, attempted resolution, and tissue remodeling. [source] | |||||||||||||