Prognostic significance of hypermethylation of death‐associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene CpG island in dogs with high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma

Death‐associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a serine/threonine kinase and a tumour suppressor gene. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas with inactivated DAPK through hypermethylation of a CpG island is known to result in a biologically aggressive phenotype in humans. This retrospective study was carried out to analyse the prognostic significance of DAPK CpG island hypermethylation in canine lymphoma. We hypothesized that DAPK CpG island hypermethylation can be a negative prognostic indicator in dogs with nodal high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma. Forty‐seven dogs with high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma, according to the updated Kiel classification, were evaluated after being treated with a CHOP (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisolone)‐based chemotherapy protocol. The methylation status of the DAPK CpG island was examined by methylation‐specific PCR. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using the Kaplan‐Meier analysis and log‐rank test. The cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the effect of multiple variables. Hypermethylation of the DAPK CpG island was detected in 21 of the 47 dogs. The PFS and OS in dogs with the hypermethylation (median: 220 and 266 days, respectively) were significantly shorter than those of dogs without hypermethylation (median: 301 and 412 days, respectively) (PFS, P = .036; OS, P = .007). In the multivariate analysis, hypermethylation of the DAPK CpG island remained an independent prognostic factor in predicting shortened PFS (P = .047) and OS (P = .021) as well as clinical substage b. Overall, hypermethylation of the DAPK CpG island was a negative prognostic factor in canine high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma.     

Inhibition of p16 tumor suppressor gene expression via promoter hypermethylation in canine lymphoid tumor cells

To investigate the epigenetic regulation of the p16 gene in canine lymphoid tumor cells, its methylation status was examined in four canine lymphoid tumor cell lines. In three canine lymphoid tumor cell lines (CLBL-1, GL-1, and UL-1) with low-level p16 mRNA expression, 20 CpG sites in the promoter region of p16 gene were consistently methylated although all of the CpG sites were not methylated in another cell line (CL-1) and normal lymph node cells. The expression level of p16 mRNA in these three cell lines was restored after cultivation in the presence of a methylation inhibitor, 5-Aza-2′-deoxycitidine, indicating inactivation of p16 gene via hypermethylation. This study revealed the inactivation of p16 gene through hypermethylation of its CpG island in a fraction of canine lymphoid tumor cells.     

Inactivation of the p16 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor in high-grade canine non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma

The significance of p16/Rb tumor suppressor pathway inactivation in T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains incompletely understood. We used naturally occurring canine NHL to test the hypothesis that p16 inactivation has specific pathologic correlates. Forty-eight samples (22 T-cell NHL and 26 B-cell NHL) were included. As applicable, metaphase- or array-based comparative genomic hybridization, Southern blotting, promoter methylation, and Rb phosphorylation were used to determine the presence, expression, and activity of p16. Fisher's exact test was used to test for significance. Deletion of p16 (or loss of dog chromosome 11) was restricted to high-grade T-cell NHL (lymphoblastic T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified). These were characterized by a concomitant increase of tumor cells with Rb phosphorylation at canonical CDK4 sites. Rb phosphorylation also was seen in high-grade B-cell NHL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt-type lymphoma), but in those cases, it appeared to be associated with c-Myc overexpression. The data show that p16 deletion or inactivation occurs almost exclusively in high-grade T-cell NHL; however, alternative pathways can generate functional phenotypes of Rb deficiency in low-grade T-cell NHL and in high-grade B-cell NHL. Both morphologic classification according to World Health Organization criteria and assessment of Rb phosphorylation are prognostically valuable parameters for canine NHL.     

Intestinal parasite infections in dogs affected by multicentric lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy

Prevalence and species composition of intestinal parasites were evaluated in dogs affected by high-grade multicentric lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy and in control healthy dogs. Obtained data were statistically analyzed. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 33.3%. In lymphoma dogs, the prevalence of protozoa infections (46.7%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of helminth infections (6.7%) and Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Neospora caninum, Cystoisospora ohioensis-complex, Entamoeba sp. and Spirocerca lupi were identified. In the control group, only 3/15 dogs (20%) were found positive and no statistically significant differences emerged regarding helminth (hookworms and Toxocara canis) and protozoa (G. duodenalis) infections. Results from this study may suggest a potential higher prevalence of opportunistic intestinal protozoa, including some potentially zoonotic species, in dogs affected by high-grade multicentric lymphoma, emphasizing the need to monitor lymphoma-affected dogs for these protozoa, especially those undergoing chemotherapy.     

Lbx1与Lbx2基因在猪骨骼肌中的甲基化状态简

为了探究猪Lbx1和Lbx2基因的甲基化模式,本研究采用亚硫酸盐测序技术,在猪背最长肌中分析Lbx1和Lbx2基因启动子和外显子1的甲基化状态。结果发现,Lbx1基因的甲基化差异区在外显子1处的CpG岛内;Lbx2基因的甲基化差异区在CpG岛外的启动子区。Lbx1基因CpG岛内的高密度甲基化可能参与下调该基因在背最长肌中的表达量。     

Association of p53 Gene Mutation with the Prognosis of Canine Lymphoid Tumors

Introduction:  Many dogs with lymphoid tumors develop resistance to chemotherapy. As a mechanism of drug resistance in canine lymphoma, ATP‐dependent drug efflux by P‐glycoprotein was reported, however, inhibition of apoptosis mediated by P53 inactivation has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the relationship between p53 gene mutation and clinical drug resistance in canine lymphoid tumors.
Methods:  Tumor specimens were obtained from 44 dogs with lymphoid tumors. Mutations of p53 gene at exon 4–8 of these tumor tissues were examined by PCR‐SSCP (single strand conformational polymorphism) analysis, followed by nucleotide sequencing of the abnormal bands. The cases were treated with UW‐Madison protocol, and its response was evaluated by the tumor size or the number of peripheral leukemic cells.
Results:  Of the 44 dogs, 15 dogs (34%) had p53 mutation, whereas 29 dogs (66%) were devoid of p53 mutation, before or during the chemotherapeutic protocol. Rate of good response (CR and PR) to chemotherapy was significantly lower in the dogs with p53 mutation (20%) than those without p53 mutation (55%)(p = 0.022). Median overall survival duration after examination of p53 mutation was significantly shorter in dogs with p53 mutation (101days) than those without p53 mutation (223days)(p = 0.008).
Conclusions:  Lymphoid tumors with p53 mutations were shown to have worse prognosis than those without p53 mutation.     

The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease in the early phases of chemotherapy in dogs with high-grade B-cell lymphoma

The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in the early phases of chemotherapy was examined in 36 dogs with multicentric high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Sequences of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene fragments from lymphoma cells were amplified and used to design allele-specific primers and probes for real-time PCR. The dogs were treated with a 6-month modified version of the University of Wisconsin–Madison chemotherapy protocol (UW-25) and evaluated for the MRD level at weeks 6 and 11 of UW-25.Of the 31 dogs that remained on the protocol at week 11, 14 were found to be MRD negative (<10 tumour cells/10⁵ peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs]), whereas the other 17 were MRD positive (?10 tumour cells/10⁵ PBMCs). The progression-free survival of the dogs with MRD-negative status at week 11 (median, 337 days) was significantly longer than that of the MRD-positive dogs at the same time point (median, 196 days) (P = 0.0002). These results indicate the clinical significance of MRD as a prognostic marker in the early phase of chemotherapy.     

Expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase causes lomustine resistance in canine lymphoma cells

The DNA repair protein O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) causes resistance to nitrosoureas in various human cancers. In this study, we analyzed the correlation between canine lymphomas and MGMT in vitro. Two of five canine lymphoma cell lines required higher concentrations of lomustine to inhibit cell growth by 50%, but their sensitivity to the drug increased when they were cultured with an MGMT inhibitor. Fluorometric oligonucleotide assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction of these cell lines revealed MGMT activity and high MGMT mRNA expression, respectively. We analyzed the methylation status of the CpG islands of the canine MGMT gene by the bisulfite-sequencing method. Unlike human cells, the canine lymphoma cell lines did not show significant correlation between methylation status and MGMT suppression levels. Our results suggest that in canine lymphoma MGMT activity may influence sensitivity to nitrosoureas; thus, inhibition of MGMT activity would benefit nitrosourea-resistant patients. Additional studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of regulation of MGMT expression.     

Vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) as an indirect assessment of remission status in canine multicentric lymphoma undergoing multi-drug chemotherapy

Vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) is an indirect measure of heart rate variability and may serve as a marker of disease severity. Higher heart rate variability has predicted lower tumour burden and improved survival in humans with various tumour types. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate VVTI as a biomarker of remission status in canine lymphoma. The primary hypothesis was that VVTI would be increased in dogs in remission compared to dogs out of remission. Twenty-seven dogs were prospectively enrolled if they had a diagnosis of intermediate to high-grade lymphoma and underwent multidrug chemotherapy. Serial electrocardiogram data were collected under standard conditions and relationships between VVTI, remission status and other clinical variables were evaluated. VVTI from dogs in remission (partial or complete) did not differ from dogs with fulminant lymphoma (naive or at time of relapse). Dogs in partial remission had higher VVTI than dogs in complete remission (p = 0.021). Higher baseline VVTI was associated with higher subsequent scores (p < 0.001). VVTI also correlated with anxiety level (p = 0.03). Based on this pilot study, VVTI did not hold any obvious promise as a useful clinical biomarker of remission status. Further investigation may better elucidate the clinical and prognostic utility of VVTI in dogs with lymphoma.     

Patient characteristics,prognostic factors and outcome of dogs with high‐grade primary mediastinal lymphoma

The goals of this retrospective study were to determine the patient characteristics of dogs with high‐grade primary mediastinal lymphoma and to determine outcome and associated prognostic factors. A total of 42 dogs were identified, in which 36 received treatment and had follow‐up information available. The most common clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia and polyuria/polydipsia. Hypercalcemia and pleural effusion were common findings at diagnosis. The phenotype was almost exclusively T‐cell, most often in association with lymphoblastic cytomorphology as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) lymphoma classification scheme. The overall progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 133 and 183 days, respectively. Treatment with a CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) protocol was associated with an improved PFS (144 days) and OS (194 days) when compared with dogs that received other medical therapies (P = .005 and P = .002, respectively); the absence of pleural effusion at diagnosis was associated with an increased OS but not PFS. These results suggest that while the prognosis for dogs with mediastinal lymphoma is poor, survival may be improved with treatment using a CHOP‐based protocol.     

UCP3基因在巴马猪和藏猪脂肪组织中的表达和甲基化分析

为探究解偶联蛋白3（uncoupling protein 3,UCP3）基因在巴马猪和藏猪皮下脂肪组织中的表达和甲基化水平,试验采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测UCP3基因在巴马猪和藏猪皮下脂肪组织中的mRNA表达水平;针对猪UCP3基因启动子区域（-3 580~+920 bp）,利用在线软件MethPrimer对该区域进行CpG岛预测,并采用亚硫酸氢盐测序法（bisulfite sequencing PCR,BSP）检测其甲基化水平,探究UCP3基因甲基化水平在巴马猪和藏猪中的差异。结果显示,巴马猪皮下脂肪组织UCP3基因表达量显著高于藏猪（P<0.05）;在UCP3基因启动子区预测到3个CpG甲基化岛,分别是CpG island1（-3 171~-2 928 bp）、CpG island2（-154~-2 bp）和CpG island3（+648~+806 bp）,其中CpG island1和CpG island3的甲基化水平在巴马猪和藏猪中差异较小,而藏猪CpG island2的甲基化水平（42.61%）高于巴马猪（24.49%）。本研究绘制了2个猪种CpG island2甲基化水平的黑白点图,其中CpG位点为4、8、9、10、11、12、15,藏猪甲基化频率分别比巴马猪高28.26%、17.39%、26.09%、26.09%、26.09%、23.91%和34.78%。在CpG island2处预测到3个转录因子结合位点（SP2、PPARγ和EGR1）。结果表明,巴马猪和藏猪皮下脂肪组织中UCP3基因mRNA水平的表达差异可能是由于CpG island2的甲基化水平不同所导致,藏猪DNA甲基化水平在一定程度上阻碍了转录因子与启动子调控区域的结合,从而抑制了UCP3基因的表达。     

dsRNA和Aza-CdR转染猪肾细胞的全基因组差异甲基化区域分布特征的比较

本研究旨在通过比对PolyI：C和Aza-CdR转染猪肾细胞后全基因组差异甲基化峰的分布特征，进而筛选Gene Ontology （GO）特有的差异甲基化基因，分析差异甲基化区域。首先，基于MeDIP-chip技术，采用猪385 K全基因组启动子和CpG岛甲基化芯片，分析3组试验材料（病毒模拟物Poly I：C转染的猪PK15细胞、甲基化酶抑制剂Aza-CdR转染的PK15细胞、无处理的mock细胞），通过Peak DM Value和Peak Score值获得试验组间显著性富集的差异甲基化峰；其次，对差异甲基化基因进行GO注释，筛选差异甲基化区域和差异甲基化基因。最终结合Bisulfite克隆测序和mRNA荧光定量表达试验验证差异甲基化区域DMR。试验初步揭示猪肾细胞全基因组DNA甲基化主要分布于5'调控区域。试验在组间比较后，特别是在P vs.C和A vs.C比较中发现DNA甲基化在基因组上的分布特征与CpG岛密度与距离TSS的位置有关，而在近启动子区域（0―+200 bp） DNA甲基化显著影响基因的表达。Poly I：C对PK15作用使得TSS附近200 bp （-200―+500 bp）低甲基化启动子增多，说明Poly I：C与Aza-CdR的作用相似，均具有潜在的去甲基化作用，特别是位于猪14号染色体上BNIP3L基因的10459946―10460615 bp区段共有669 bp Peak Length CG位点发生去甲基化。研究揭示，PolyI：C和Aza-CdR并不是对猪所有基因具有去甲基化作用，主要针对特有基因的特有启动子，证明这些特有启动子的CpG岛对Poly I：C和Aza-CdR具有特别的敏感性。     

Prognostic role of lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in feline high-grade lymphomas

The lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) is a useful prognostic marker of various cancers in human and canine patients. This study aimed to determine whether this ratio could predict disease outcomes in cats with high-grade lymphoma. Medical records of 33 cats diagnosed with high-grade lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. The prognostic influence of LMR and other clinicopathological data on the time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) was studied using the Kaplan-Meier curves. The optimal cutoff value of this ratio was 3.4, which corresponded to the maximum sensitivity (1.000) and specificity (0.611) of the LMR for predicting median OS days, using receiver operating characteristic analysis. A univariate analysis demonstrated that cats with a low LMR had significant reductions in both TTP [hazard ration (HR) = 3.403, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.502 to 8.720; P = 0.003] and OS (HR = 3.418, 95% CI: 1.433 to 9.449, P = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of OS included LMR (HR = 2.889, 95% CI: 1.048 to 8.843, P = 0.040), clinical stage (HR = 0.330, 95% CI: 0.118 to 0.960, P = 0.042), and age (HR = 4.151, 95% CI: 1.574 to 11.888, P = 0.004).     

DNA methylation patterns at the IGF2‐H19 locus in sperm of Swiss Landrace and Swiss Large White boars

DNA methylation patterns at the IGF2‐H19 locus were investigated in sperm DNA from Swiss Landrace (SL) and Swiss Large White (LW) boars. The putative IGF2 differentially methylated regions (DMR) 0, 1 and 2, a quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) region in the intron 3 and a CpG island in the intron 4 of the IGF2 gene as well as three regions around porcine CTCF binding sites within the H19 differentially methylated domain (DMD) were selected for the DNA methylation analysis. In both breeds putative IGF2 DMR0, 1, 2 and H19 DMD were hypermethylated. Significant differences in DNA methylation content were found between the two breeds in the two DMD regions proximal to the H19 gene. The IGF2 QTN region and the CpG island in the IGF2 intron 4 were hypomethylated in sperm DNA of both breeds. The methylation analysis revealed significantly more methylated CpG sites in the intron 4 of sperm from the LW breed than in that from SL. No difference was found in global DNA methylation between the two breeds. These results indicate differences in DNA methylation patterns between breeds and it remains to be established whether variation in DNA methylation patterns impacts on phenotypic traits.     

鸡、鹌鹑及其杂交种早期胚胎bcl-2基因甲基化的分析

采用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)方法进行鸡、鹌鹑及其属间杂交种早期胚胎发育期60、66、72、84、96、108、120 h 7个不同胚龄胚胎组织bcl-2基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态的对比分析,探讨bcl-2基因甲基化对鸡与鹌鹑属间杂交种早期胚胎发育的影响。结果显示,正常发育的鸡胚和鹌鹑胚龄在60、66、72、120 h均呈高甲基化状态,84和96 h呈非甲基化状态,而鸡与鹌鹑属间杂交种胚胎在60、66、72、96、108和120 h则与鸡、鹌鹑不同,呈现出甲基化或非甲基化无规律性并存,甚至检测不到甲基化状态;84 h则只检测到非甲基化状态。鸡与鹌鹑杂交种早期胚胎组织中bcl-2 基因启动子区CpG岛的异常甲基化有可能是引起鸡与鹌鹑属间杂交种胚胎早期死亡的一个重要影响因素。