Reviewer's report
Title:Neoplastic transformation of rat liver epithelial cells is enhanced by
non-transferrin-bound iron.
Version: 1Date:17 September 2007
Reviewer: Kyle E Brown
Reviewer's report:
General
This is a well-done study which establishes an in vitro model of tumor promotion
by iron in a rat liver epithelial cell line.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision
on publication can be reached)
1. Figure 1A suggests that T51B cells contain essentially no iron under control
conditions. However, this may be a limitation of the sensitivity of the method, thus
the limits of detection of this method should be indicated. Given that the
increases in ferritin expression could represent cellular stress (i.e., an acute
phase response) in addition to increased iron stores, it would be helpful to
assess expression of transferrin receptor under the experimental conditions
(including those in which DFO was used)to further confirm the alterations in iron
status.
2. In the Discussion, the authors consider the mechanisms by which FAC might
act as a tumor promoter. They favor the possibility that iron exerts a tumor
promoting effect through its toxicity. As this is an important point, the manuscript
would be strengthened by direct assessment of the toxicity of FAC in T51B cells.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of
a term, which the author can be trusted to correct)
1. Figure 1A lacks units on the y axis.
2. Variances (+/-) should be given for the data in Tables 1 and 2.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore)
What next?: Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have
responded to the major compulsory revisions
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Reviewer's report
Title:Neoplastic transformation of rat liver epithelial cells is enhanced by
non-transferrin-bound iron.
Version: 1Date:17 September 2007
Reviewer: Kyle E Brown
Reviewer's report:
General
This is a well-done study which establishes an in vitro model of tumor promotion
by iron in a rat liver epithelial cell line.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision
on publication can be reached)
1. Figure 1A suggests that T51B cells contain essentially no iron under control
conditions. However, this may be a limitation of the sensitivity of the method, thus
the limits of detection of this method should be indicated. Given that the
increases in ferritin expression could represent cellular stress (i.e., an acute
phase response) in addition to increased iron stores, it would be helpful to
assess expression of transferrin receptor under the experimental conditions
(including those in which DFO was used)to further confirm the alterations in iron
status.
2. In the Discussion, the authors consider the mechanisms by which FAC might
act as a tumor promoter. They favor the possibility that iron exerts a tumor
promoting effect through its toxicity. As this is an important point, the manuscript
would be strengthened by direct assessment of the toxicity of FAC in T51B cells.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of
a term, which the author can be trusted to correct)
1. Figure 1A lacks units on the y axis.
2. Variances (+/-) should be given for the data in Tables 1 and 2.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore)
What next?: Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have
responded to the major compulsory revisions
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Neoplastic transformation of rat liver epithelial cells is enhanced by
non-transferrin-bound iron.
Version: 1Date:17 September 2007
Reviewer: Kyle E Brown
Reviewer's report:
General
This is a well-done study which establishes an in vitro model of tumor promotion
by iron in a rat liver epithelial cell line.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision
on publication can be reached)
1. Figure 1A suggests that T51B cells contain essentially no iron under control
conditions. However, this may be a limitation of the sensitivity of the method, thus
the limits of detection of this method should be indicated. Given that the
increases in ferritin expression could represent cellular stress (i.e., an acute
phase response) in addition to increased iron stores, it would be helpful to
assess expression of transferrin receptor under the experimental conditions
(including those in which DFO was used)to further confirm the alterations in iron
status.
2. In the Discussion, the authors consider the mechanisms by which FAC might
act as a tumor promoter. They favor the possibility that iron exerts a tumor
promoting effect through its toxicity. As this is an important point, the manuscript
would be strengthened by direct assessment of the toxicity of FAC in T51B cells.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of
a term, which the author can be trusted to correct)
1. Figure 1A lacks units on the y axis.
2. Variances (+/-) should be given for the data in Tables 1 and 2.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore)
What next?: Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have
responded to the major compulsory revisions
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
assistant