BackgroundHuman non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients exhibit a high propensity to develop skeletal metastasis, resulting in excessive osteolytic activity. The RANKL/RANK/OPG system, which plays a pivotal role in bone remodeling by regulating osteoclast formation and activity, is of potential interest in this context.Materials and MethodsReverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemical analysis were used to examine the expression of RANKL, RANK, and OPG in human NSCLC cell lines with different metastatic potentials, as well as in 52 primary NSCLC samples and 75 NSCLC bone metastasis samples. In primary NSCLC patients, the expression of these proteins was correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Recombinant human RANKL and transfected RANKL cDNA were added to the PAa cell line to evaluate the promoter action of RANKL during the process of metastasis in vitro and in vivo.ResultsUp-regulated RANKL, RANK, and OPG expression and increased RANKL:OPG ratio were detected in NSCLC cell lines and in tumor tissues with bone metastasis, and were correlated with higher metastatic potential. The metastatic potential of NSCLC in vitro and in vivo, including migration and invasion ability, was significantly enhanced by recombinant human RANKL and the transfection of RANKL cDNA, and was impaired after OPG was added. The increased expression of RANKL and OPG correlated with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis.ConclusionsDifferential expression of RANKL, RANK, and OPG is associated with the metastatic potential of human NSCLC to skeleton, raising the possibility that the RANKL/RANK/OPG system could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC patients.

This study provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying bortezomib-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma HOS cells, and suggests that bortezomib could be a potent chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability in the knee. Though traditionally thought a mechanical wear-and-tear disease, in recent years, knee OA as a low-grade, chronic inflammatory disease has been increasingly recognized. In this study, we examined the Treg responses in non-obese knee OA patients at different stages. Significantly elevated frequencies of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs were found in OA patients, while on the other hand, lower IL-10 secretion from Tregs in OA patients was observed. Importantly, this decrease in IL-10 was associated with reduced Tim-3 expression on Tregs. Although both Tim-3(-) and Tim3(+) Tregs could secrete IL-10, the majority of IL-10 was observed in Tim-3(+) Tregs. Reduction of Tim-3(+) Tregs in OA patients resulted in less IL-10-producing Tregs. Interestingly, the OA patients in more advanced stages showed further reductions in IL-10 and Tim-3 expression. In conclusion, our results revealed an immunoregulatory disorder in OA independent of obesity, and demonstrated a potential mechanism in establishing the proinflammatory status of OA patients.

Background:The aim of this study is to evaluate distribution and clinical impact of the SS18-SSX fusion gene in patients with synovial sarcoma in China.Methods:We collected and analysed the clinical data of 88 patients using univariate and multivariate survival analysis. HEK 293T and NIH 3T3 cell lines were transfected with the SS18-SSX1 or SS18-SSX2 gene to determine the respective involvement of these fusion genes in cell proliferation and invasion.Results:Overall survival was significantly better among SS18-SSX2 cases (P=0.001), FNCLCC grade 2 cases (P<0.001), and UICC stage 1 or 2 (P<0.001) by univariate and multivariate survival analysis. SS18-SSX1-positive cells were more proliferative and invasive than SS18-SSX2-positive cells.Conclusion:SS18-SSX fusion type is a significant prognostic factor for patients with synovial sarcoma.