OBJECTIVE: Given the implications of concurrent human papilloma viral infection (HPV) in the prognostic course and implications on therapeutic approached of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we seek to investigate the implications that P16 expression has on the clinical course and pathological appearance of patients with OSCC and concurrent infection.
METHODS: Using S-P immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression of P16 and Ki67 in 460 patients with OSCC. We compared the expression of the protein between the tumor cells and normal epithelial mucosa within the same patient. The clinical and pathological characteristics (including gender, age, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, clinical recurrence, tumor diameter, Ki67 proliferation index) were analyzed by stratification statistically.
RESULTS: In total 460 cases of OSCC were identified and expression of P16 was significantly higher in the OSCC group compared to the normal mucosal epithelial group (X2 = 60.545, p = .000). There also appear to be a gender predilection as the expression was higher in females compared to males (0.218 vs. 0.144, X2 = 3.921, p = .048). Younger age also appears to be a predictive factor as those under 35 years old had higher expression of the protein compared to those over 35 years old (0.294 vs. 0.157, X2 = 4.230, p = .040). P16 positivity showed a significant positive correlation with histologic grade (X2 = 4.114, p = .043). In addition, the positive rate of P16 was higher in patients with ki67 over 85% (0.455 vs. 0.160, X2 = 6.667, p = .023).
CONCLUSIONS: OSCC with HPV infection tends to occur more frequently in female patients and those under 35 years of age. HPV infection with expression of the P16 and ki67 protein may promote the proliferation and growth of OSCC at a higher frequency.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe cardiovascular disease characterised by pulmonary vascular remodelling. The pivotal role of cellular senescence in vascular remodelling has been acknowledged. Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2), a calcium-dependent enzyme, is intricately linked to both cellular senescence and PH. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the involvement of TG2 in PH remain unclear. In this study, we explored the expression of TG2 and the cellular senescence marker p16INK4a in the pulmonary vasculature of mice with PH induced by hypoxia combined with SU5416. Our findings revealed upregulation of both TG2 and p16INK4a expression in the pulmonary vasculature of PH mice. Additionally, a notable increase in TG2 expression was observed in senescent pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). To delve deeper, we employed proteomic sequencing to reveal seven genes associated with cellular senescence, with a subsequent focus on MAPK14. Our investigation revealed that TG2 regulates senescence in PASMC by modulating the phosphorylation levels of MAPK14. Additionally, in the context of hypoxia combined with SU5416, our observations revealed a noteworthy reduction in both pulmonary vascular remodelling and senescent manifestations in smooth muscle-specific TG2 knockout mice compared with their wild-type counterparts. In summary, our findings indicate that TG2 deficiency lowers the senescence levels of PASMC by inhibiting the activity of MAPK14. This inhibition of senescence in the pulmonary vasculature of PH mice helps to decelerate the progression of pulmonary vascular remodelling and consequently hinders the onset and development of PH.

BACKGROUND: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is widely used in the management of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) but still has many limitations in clinical practice. We analyzed the correlation of new biomarkers with the severity of CIN and follow-up outcomes in patients after conization to improve the management of patients with CIN.
METHODS: IHC staining of Eag1 and p16/Ki-67 was performed on cervical tissue sections from 234 patients with suspected CIN2/3. After a series of follow-ups, including human papillomavirus (HPV) test and thinprep cytologic test (TCT) for 1-2 years, the outcomes were collected. IHC scores of biomarkers and follow-up results were used to analyze the correlation and assess the diagnostic efficiency of biomarkers.
RESULTS: The IHC staining intensity of Eag1 and p16/Ki-67 was significantly different from that of the CIN1-3 groups (p < 0.05). Eag1 expression scores were significantly different in the distribution between the two follow-up groups (p < 0.001). ROC curves based on the correlations between the follow-up outcomes and the Eag1 scores and IS of p16/ki-67 showed that Eag1 had a greater AUC (0.767 vs. 0.666). Logistic regression analysis of the combination of biomarkers revealed a greater AUC value than any single biomarker.
CONCLUSIONS: Eag1 expression was significantly correlated with CIN grade and follow-up outcomes after conization. IHC staining of combinations of biomarkers of Eag1, p16 and Ki-67 may help us to improve the ability to identify risk groups with abnormal follow-up outcomes after treatment for CIN.

人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）相关性多表型鼻腔鼻窦癌（HPV-related multiphenoytpic sinonasal carcinoma，HMSC）是第5版WHO头颈部肿瘤分类新纳入的独特罕见病种，是一种与HPV相关的双相型上皮性肿瘤。病理学上需要与组织形态相似的腺样囊性癌相鉴别。患者女，82岁。因右侧鼻塞进行性加重入院。CT平扫示右侧鼻腔内团片状软组织肿块影。电子鼻内镜见右侧中鼻道被肿物充填。光镜下，组织形态与腺样囊性癌相似，局灶呈鳞状上皮分化，伴角化，可见多灶坏死，核分裂象易见。免疫组织化学染色显示p16、SOX10弥漫强阳性。聚合酶链反应-反向点杂交法证实高危型HPV33型感染，HPV E6E7 mRNA原位杂交结果阳性，MYB/NFIB融合基因阴性。.

Cathepsin L (CTSL) has been implicated in aging and age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, specifically atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanism(s) is not well documented. Recently, we demonstrated a role of CUT-like homeobox 1 (CUX1) in regulating the p16INK4a-dependent cellular senescence in human endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via its binding to an atherosclerosis-associated functional SNP (fSNP) rs1537371 on the CDKN2A/B locus. In this study, to determine if CTSL, which was reported to proteolytically activate CUX1, regulates cellular senescence via CUX1, we measured the expression of CTSL, together with CUX1 and p16INK4a, in human ECs and VSMCs undergoing senescence. We discovered that CUX1 is not a substrate that is cleaved by CTSL. Instead, CTSL is an upstream regulator that activates CUX1 transcription indirectly in a process that requires the proteolytic activity of CTSL. Our findings suggest that there is a transcription factor in between CTSL and CUX1, and cleavage of this factor by CTSL can activate CUX1 transcription, inducing endothelial senescence. Thus, our findings provide new insights into the signal transduction pathway that leads to atherosclerosis-associated cellular senescence.

Cuproptosis is a type of cell death characterized by excessive copper-lipid reactions in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, resulting in protein toxicity stress and cell death. Although known as a cuproptosis inhibitor through CRISPR-Cas9 screening, the role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) in cuproptosis resistance and its connection to tumor development remains unclear.
In this study, we combined single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, pathological image analysis, TCGA multi-omics analysis and in vitro experimental validation to comprehensively investigate CDKN2A distribution, expression, epigenetic modification, regulation and genomic features in colorectal cancer cells. We further explored the associations between CDKN2A and cellular pathway, immune infiltration and spatial signal communication.
Our findings showed an increasing trend in cuproptosis in the trajectory of tumor progression, accompanied by an upward trend of CDKN2A. CDKN2A underwent transcriptional activation by MEF2D and via the SNHG7/miR-133b axis, upregulating glycolysis, copper metabolism and copper ion efflux. CDKN2A likely drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and progression by activating Wnt signaling. CDKN2A is associated with high genomic instability and sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. Tumor regions expressing CDKN2A exhibit distinctive SPP1+ tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) infiltration and MMP7 enrichment, along with unique signaling crosstalk with adjacent areas.
CDKN2A mediates cuproptosis resistance through regulating glycolysis and copper homeostasis, accompanied by a malignant phenotype and pro-tumor niche. Radiation and chemotherapy are expected to potentially serve as therapeutic approaches for cuproptosis-resistant colorectal cancer with high CDKN2A expression.

UNASSIGNED: A 55-year-old male patient developed a mass in the left inguinal area with left lower limb swelling and first visited a local hospital 3 months earlier because of unrelieved pain. An MRI scan suggested left suprapubic branch and left acetabular bone destruction, abnormal soft tissue signals within the iliopsoas muscle of the anterior edge of the left iliac bone, and enlarged lymph nodes in the left iliac fossa and left inguinal region. The patient subsequently underwent left pelvic lesion open biopsy and inguinal lymph node resection biopsy. According to pathological reports, the left inguinal mass was considered to be a malignant tumor of cutaneous accessory origin (pilomatrix carcinoma) with extensive vitreous changes. The suprapupubis branch mass was considered to be a bone metastatic pilomatrix carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed a PDL1 combined positive score (CPS) of 8. DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) showed CDKN2A L65Rfs*53 mutation. The patient received three cycles of gemcitabine and nedaplatin. However, the lesion progressed.
UNASSIGNED: Chemotherapy is not effective for treating pilomatrix carcinoma. PDL1 antibodies and CDK4/6 inhibitors might be treatment options for pilomatrix carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Uremia-associated immunodeficiency, mainly characterized by T cell dysfunction, exists in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and promotes systemic inflammation. However, T cell senescence, one of the causes of T cell dysfunction, has not been clearly revealed yet. In this cross-sectional research, we aimed to study the manifestation of T cell premature senescence in MHD patients and further investigate the associated clinical factors.
METHODS: 76 MHD patients including 33 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 28 patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) event history were enrolled in this study. Complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of T cell receptor (TCR) was analyzed by immune repertoire sequencing (IR-Seq). CD28- T cell subsets and expression of senescence marker p16 and p21 genes were detected by multicolor flow cytometry and RT-qPCR, respectively.
RESULTS: MHD patients had significantly decreased TCR diversity (P < 0.001), increased CDR3 clone proliferation (P = 0.001) and a left-skewed CDR3 length distribution. The proportion of CD4 + CD28- T cells increased in MHD patients (P = 0.014) and showed a negative correlation with TCR diversity (P = 0.001). p16 but not p21 expression in T cells was up-regulated in MHD patients (P = 0.039). Patients with CVD exhibited increased expression of p16 and p21 genes (P = 0.010 and 0.004, respectively), and patients with AVF events showed further TCR diversity and evenness reduction (P = 0.002 and 0.017, respectively) compared to patients without the comorbidities. Moreover, age, average convection volume, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and transferrin saturation were associated with TCR diversity or CD4 + CD28- T cell proportion (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: MHD patients undergo T cell premature senescence characterized by significant TCR diversity reduction and repertoire skew, as well as accumulation of the CD4 + CD28- subset and up-regulation of p16 gene. Patients with CVD or AVF events show higher level of immunosenescence. Furthermore, T cell senescence in MHD patients is associated with blood cholesterol and uremic toxin retention, suggesting potential intervention strategies in the future.

目的： 探讨消化道转移性女性生殖系统来源的恶性肿瘤临床病理及免疫表型特征。 方法： 收集武汉大学人民医院2020—2023年诊治的7例及三亚市中心医院2021—2022年诊治的3例肠镜活检标本，分析10例结直肠转移性女性生殖系统来源的恶性肿瘤的临床病理资料，观察其组织形态及免疫表型特征，并复习相关文献。 结果： 在结直肠继发的肿瘤中，高级别浆液性癌（high grade serous carcinoma，HGSC）8例，低级别浆液性癌（low grade serous carcinoma，LGSC）1例，人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）相关性宫颈腺癌1例。年龄40~69岁，平均57岁，均位于结直肠，临床表现以消化道症状为主，血中肿瘤标志物CA125升高。镜下观察，肿瘤均分布在黏膜固有层及黏膜肌层，浆液性癌以微乳头结构为主，转移性宫颈腺癌呈管状、绒毛状腺癌排列。免疫表型，浆液性癌肿瘤细胞表达细胞角蛋白（CK）7、PAX8、WT-1、雌激素受体，高级别浆液性癌p53为突变型，p16弥漫强阳性或高表达；低级别浆液性癌p53为野生型；宫颈腺癌CK7、PAX8、p16呈弥漫一致的强阳性表达。所有病例SATB2、CK20、CDX2均阴性，Ki-67阳性指数50%~80%。 结论： 在缺乏临床肿瘤病史的前提下，对于结直肠内镜活检组织明确诊断继发性恶性肿瘤具有挑战性，再者因内镜表现与原发癌相似，增加了诊断难度。二者的治疗方案及预后均不同，需提高对该类病变的认识，以提供更精准及时的治疗方案。.

Objective: To investigate the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of anaplastic gangliogliomas (AGGs) and to determine whether these tumors represent a distinct entity. Methods: Consecutive 667 cases of ganglioglioma (GG) diagnosed at the Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China between January 2015 and July 2023 were screened. Among these cases, 9 pathologically confirmed AGG cases were identified. Their clinical, radiological, treatment, and outcome data were analyzed retrospectively. Most of the tumor samples were subject to next-generation sequencing, while a subset of them were subject to DNA methylation profiling. Results: Among the 9 patients, there were five males and four females, with a median age of 8 years. Epileptic seizures (5/9) were the most frequently presented symptom. Radiological examinations showed three types of radiological manifestations: four cases showed abnormal MRI signals with no significant mass effects and mild enhancement; two cases demonstrated a mixed solid-cystic density lesion with peritumoral edema, which showed significant heterogeneous enhancement and obvious mass effects, and one case displayed cystic cavity formation with nodules on MRI, which showed evident enhancements. All cases exhibited mutations that were predicted to activate the MAP kinase signaling pathway, including seven with BRAF p.V600E mutation and two with NF1 mutation. Five AGGs with mutations involving the MAP kinase signaling pathway also had concurrent mutations, including three with CDKN2A homozygous deletion, one with a TERT promoter mutation, one with a H3F3A mutation, and one with a PTEN mutation. Conclusions: AGG exhibits a distinct spectrum of pathology, genetic mutations and clinical behaviors, differing from GG. Given these characteristics suggest that AGG may be a distinct tumor type, further expansion of the case series is needed. Therefore, a comprehensive integration of clinical, histological, and molecular analyses is required to correctly diagnose AGG. It will also help guide treatments and prognostication.
目的： 探讨具有间变特征的节细胞胶质瘤（anaplastic ganglioglioma，AGG）的临床、影像学、病理学、分子遗传学及表观遗传学特征，以确定AGG是否为一种独特的肿瘤类型。 方法： 从2015年1月至2023年7月首都医科大学宣武医院病理确诊的667例节细胞胶质瘤病例中筛选出9例AGG，回顾性收集临床、影像学、治疗和预后资料，并对其进行二代测序检测及甲基化聚类分析。 结果： 9例患者中，男5例，女4例，中位年龄为8岁。癫痫发作（5/9）是主要的临床症状，影像学检查示3种表现形式，4例磁共振成像（MRI）表现为异常信号，占位效应不明显，可有轻度强化；2例MRI表现为囊实性混杂密度影伴瘤周水肿，病灶多见明显不均匀强化，占位效应明显；1例MRI表现为囊腔形成伴附壁结节，结节部分明显强化。所有病例中均存在能激活MAPK信号通路的突变，包括7例出现BRAF p.V600E突变，2例出现NF1突变。5例AGG同时存在其他突变，包括3例CDKN2A纯合性缺失，1例TERT启动子突变，1例H3F3A突变，还有1例携带PTEN突变。 结论： 组织学诊断为AGG的肿瘤具有不同于节细胞胶质瘤的临床表型、基因突变谱及生物学行为。这些特征提示AGG可能是一种独特的肿瘤类型，需要进一步扩大病例数来验证。应全面结合临床、组织学及分子检测结果综合作出AGG的诊断，以指导治疗及预后判断。.