Armenian Hamster Anti-Mouse Notch4 Monoclonal antibody, clone HMN4-14 Functional Grade

Background: Pulmonary granular cell tumor (PGCT) is a rare neoplastic disease. We assessed the dinicopathological characteristics and gene analysis of PGCT with a systematic review of literature. Methods: We studied the clinical presentation, radiological image, pathological features, treatment option and follow-up of three cases of PGCT, in whom two had next generation sequencing (NGS) performed for identification of genetic mutation. We also systematically analyzed 78 cases from the literature that met inclusion criteria. Results: Three cases of PGCT (two benign cases and one malignant case) with clinical, radiological, pathological and therapeutic information are presented. There were 81 cases in total enrolled in this study for review. PGCT occurred predominantly in women (63.0%). Fifty-five patients (67.9%) were symptomatic with cough, dyspnea and chest pain being the most common symptoms. The bronchus was the most common site of PGCT (46.9%). The majority of patients were benign PGCT, apart from seven patients with malignant PGCT (8.6%). Forty-one patients received surgical treatment, 12 received bronchoscopic treatment and 28 patients had no relevant information. Forty-two patients had no recurrence at the end of follow-up, 7 patients had residual disease and 8 patients died (non-PGCT related) during the follow-up. The NGS test of the malignant patient showed a significant increase in WRN, KMT2A, RPA1, NSD1, DDR2, ZNRF3, NOTCH4, CSFIR, FAT3, GRIN2A and RAD50 gene expression, while the benign patient showed no difference in gene data. Conclusions: PGCT is a rare pulmonary tumor with no specific features. Lung biopsy through surgery or bronchoscopy is the key for the diagnosis of PGCT. Gene sequencing of the malignant case revealed abnormal expression of genes with unclear significance via mechanisms that need to be further explored.

Background: Angiogenesis is essential for uterine decidualization, the progesterone-mediated transformation of the uterus allowing embryo implantation and initiation of pregnancy. In the current study, we define the vasculature, expression of Notch proteins and Notch ligands, and Notch activity in both endothelial cells and vascular-associated mural cells of blood vessels in the pre-implantation endometrium and post-implantation decidua of the mouse uterus. Methods: We used immunofluorescence to determine the expression of Notch in endothelial cells and mural cells by co-staining for the endothelial cell marker, CD31, the pan-mural cell marker, platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-beta), the pericyte markers, neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2) and desmin, or the smooth muscle cell marker, alpha smooth muscle actin (SMA). A fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran tracer, was used to identify functional peri-implantation vasculature. CBF:H2B-Venus Notch reporter transgenic mice were used to determine Notch activity. Results: Notch signaling is observed in endothelial cells and pericytes in the peri-implantation uterus. Prior to implantation, Notch1, Notch2 and Notch4 and Notch ligand, Delta-like 4 (Dll4) are expressed in capillary endothelial cells, while Notch3 is expressed in the pericytes. Jagged1 is expressed in both capillary endothelial cells and pericytes. After implantation, Notch1, Notch4 and Dll4 are expressed in endothelial cells of newly formed decidual capillaries. Jagged1 is expressed in endothelial cells of spiral arteries and a subset of decidual pericytes. Notch proteins are not expressed in lymphatic vessels or macrophages in the peri-implantation uterus. Conclusions: We show Notch activity and distinct expression patterns for Notch proteins and ligands, suggesting unique roles for Notch1, Notch4, Dll4, and Jag1 during decidual angiogenesis and early placentation. These data set the stage for loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies that will determine the cell-type specific requirements for Notch proteins in decidual angiogenesis and placentation.