Cytokinesis regulators as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for human hepatocellular carcinoma

Cytokinesis, the final step of mitosis, is critical for maintaining the ploidy level of cells. Cytokinesis is a complex, highly regulated process and its failure can lead to genetic instability and apoptosis, contributing to the development of cancer. Human hepatocellular carcinoma is often accompanied by a high frequency of aneuploidy and the DNA ploidy pattern observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma results mostly from impairments in cytokinesis. Many key regulators of cytokinesis are abnormally expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma, and their expression levels are often correlated with patient prognosis. Moreover, preclinical studies have demonstrated that the inhibition of key cytokinesis regulators can suppress the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the signaling networks regulating cytokinesis, the key cytokinesis regulators involved in the initiation and development of human hepatocellular carcinoma, and their applications as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

Viability and cell cycle of Melanoxylon brauna seeds submitted to drying and imbibition

The aim of this work was to evaluate viability and DNA ploidy of seed of Melanoxylon brauna submitted or not to fast drying, along soaking. The seeds were dried followed by germination and quantification of DNA ploidy pattern. There was a gradual decrease in germination percentage with increases in temperature and drying time. The DNA ploidy of embryonic axes that were not submitted to artificial drying indicated the existence of nuclei 2C, 4C and 8C. However, 95% of the tested embrios had 2C DNA ploidy . The seeds that were subjected to rapid drying also exhibited the presence of nuclei 2C, 4C and 8C and showed no significant differences ( p > 0.05 ) compared to seeds that have not passed through drying. It is conclude that the seeds of Melanoxylon brauna submitted to different drying times and temperatures show a gradual decrease in the percentage of germination; embryonic axes subject or not to drying seeds have 2C, 4C and 8C nuclei and drying does not affect the cell cycle of cells in the embryo of the seed.

DNA Ploidy and Liver Cell Dysplasia in Liver Biopsies from Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

There is controversy among pathologists when assessing the presence or absence of liver cell dysplasia in liver biopsies taken from cirrhotic patients. The objective of the present study was to determine the DNA ploidy pattern of hepatocytes of patients with liver cirrhosis and its relationship to liver cell dysplasia. A total of 48 male patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis based on clinical, laboratory and histopathological criteria were included in the study. A liver biopsy was taken from each patient; one part of the biopsy was subjected to histopathology, and the other to flow cytometry. The histopathological examination revealed liver cell dysplasia in 60% of patients with liver cirrhosis (62% of them had large cell dysplasia [LCD] and 38% had small cell dysplasia [SCD]). Abnormal DNA content (aneuploidy) was found in 81.5% of positive liver cell dysplasia specimens and found only in 11.1% of negative liver cell dysplasia specimens, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Aneuploidy was found more commonly in LCD but without significant difference (P>0.05) in comparison with SCD. In conclusion, SCD (similar to LCD) is also associated with aneuploidy and elevated DNA index, and may carry the same risk for progression to hepatocellular carcinoma.