Identification of methylation markers for the prediction of nodal metastasis in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Hypermethylation is an important mechanism for the dynamic regulation of gene expression, necessary for metastasizing tumour cells. Our aim is to identify methylation tumour markers that have a predictive value for the presence of regional lymph node metastases in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC). Significantly differentially expressed genes were retrieved from four reported microarray expression profiles comparing pN0 and pN+ head-neck tumours, and one expression array identifying functionally hypermethylated genes. Additional metastasis-associated genes were included from the literature. Thus genes were selected that influence the development of nodal metastases and might be regulated by methylation. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) primers were designed and tested on 8 head-neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and technically validated on 10 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) OOSCC cases. Predictive value was assessed in a clinical series of 70 FFPE OOSCC with pathologically determined nodal status. Five out of 28 methylation markers (OCLN, CDKN2A, MGMT, MLH1 and DAPK1) were frequently differentially methylated in OOSCC. Of these, MGMT methylation was associated with pN0 status (P = 0.02) and with lower immunoexpression (P = 0.02). DAPK1 methylation was associated with pN+ status (P = 0.008) but did not associate with protein expression. In conclusion, out of 28 candidate genes, two (7%) showed a predictive value for the pN status. Both genes, DAPK1 and MGMT, have predictive value for nodal metastasis in a clinical group of OOSCC. Therefore DNA methylation markers are capable of contributing to diagnosis and treatment selection in OOSCC. To efficiently identify additional new methylation markers, genome-wide methods are needed.     

一个与非小细胞肺癌转移相关的基因――RAB5A基因

采用mRNA差异展示技术（mRNA DD）研究具有相同细胞来源,但转移能力高低不同的人肺腺癌细胞系AGZY83-a（低转移）和Anip973(高转移),分析在两个细胞系中基因差异表达的情况,发现在高转移细胞系中有RAB5A基因的表达。该基因为蛋白质入胞信号的调控者,为RAS超家族成员。为进一步证实其转录表达的调控改变情况,以及RAB5A高表达的临床意义,进一步采用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学的方法检测了50例临床非小细胞肺癌的手术标本,结果表明,RAB5A的表达有随转移发生而增强的趋势,而RAB5A的蛋白表达程度在有转移的病例中明显增强(P<0.05)。 Abstract：　Using mRNA differential display (mRNA DD)techniques, we analyzed the differences of gene expression between two human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines,AGZY83-a and Anip973. Anip973 was isolated from AGZY83-a, but manifested much higher metastatic potential than the parent line. The results showed that there were significant differences on gene expression between the two cell lines and that there was over-expression of RAB5Agene in the Anip973 cell line. The product of RAB5Agene was recognized as signal regulators of endocytotic pathway and protein trafficking at the cell surface, and belong to a member of the RAS superfamily. Furthemore, we compared to the expression of RAB5Agene and RAB5Aprotein in clinical samples of 50 cases non-small lung carcinoma and nearby lymph node by means of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry method. The results indicated that the high expression of RAB5Ain metastatic tumor and the enhancement level of RAB5Ain metastatic tumor and the enhancement level of expression were corresponded with the increase of metastatic degree. And there were significance of difference on the expression degree of RAB5Aprotein between non-small lung carcinoma with metastasis and non- metastasis (P<0.05).     

Up‐regulation of LIMK1 expression in prostate cancer is correlated with poor pathological features,lymph node metastases and biochemical recurrence

This study aimed to explore the association between LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) expression in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues with advanced pathological features, lymph node metastases and biochemical recurrence. A total of 279 PCa specimens from patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and 50 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens were collected to construct tissue microarray, which were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for LIMK1 expression subsequently. Logistic and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between LIMK1 expression and clinicopathological features of patients with PCa. Immunohistochemical staining assay demonstrated that LIMK1 expression was significantly higher in PCa than BPH specimens (77.1% vs 26.0%; P < .001). LIMK1 expression was significantly higher in positive lymph node specimens than corresponding PCa specimens (P = .002; P < .001). Up‐regulation of LIMK1 was associated with prostate volume, prostate‐specific antigen, prostate‐specific antigen density, Gleason score, T stage, lymph node metastases, extracapsular extension and seminal vesicle invasion, and positive surgical margin. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that LIMK1 was an independent risk factor for PCa lymph node metastasis (P < .05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the up‐regulation of LIMK1 was an independent risk factor for biochemical recurrence. Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated that up‐regulation LIMK1 was associated with shortened biochemical‐free survival (BFS) after radical prostatectomy (P < .001). In conclusion, LIMK1 was significantly up‐regulated in PCa and positive lymph node specimens and correlated with lymph node metastasis and shortened BFS of PCa. The underlying molecular mechanism of LIMK1 in PCa should be further evaluated.     

Methylation of the Putative Tumor Suppressor Gene RASSF1A in Primary Cervical Tumors

Methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease analysis (MSRA) followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used to estimate the methylation level of 13 CpG dinucleotides in the promoter region of the putative suppressor gene RASSF1A (3p21.31) in squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix (SCCs) carrying human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, and related types. Methylation of 3 to 13 CpG pairs has been found in 64% (25 out of 39) tumor DNA samples, 22% (2 out of 9) DNA samples from morphologically normal tissues adjacent to the tumor (P = 0.0306), and two out of three DNA samples from peripheral blood leukocytes of carcinoma patients. These CpG pairs are not methylated in the DNA of leukocytes of healthy donors (0 out of 10). The methylation level of the RASSF1A promoter region studied in tumors of the patients with regional lymph node metastases is significantly higher than in tumors of the patient that have no metastases (P = 8.5 × 10^–12). The methylation frequency of gene RASSF1A is two times higher than the frequency of hemi- and homozygous deletions in the chromosome 3 region where the gene is located. The data obtained indicate that methylation is one of the main mechanisms of the RASSF1A gene inactivation in HPV-positive human cervical tumors. The methylation of this gene may be an early event in the genesis of cervical tumors, the methylation level increasing with tumor progression.     

PRC2/EED-EZH2 Complex Is Up-Regulated in Breast Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis Compared to Primary Tumor and Correlates with Tumor Proliferation In Situ

Background

Lymph node metastasis is a key event in the progression of breast cancer. Therefore it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms which facilitate regional lymph node metastatic progression.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We performed gene expression profiling of purified tumor cells from human breast tumor and lymph node metastasis. By microarray network analysis, we found an increased expression of polycomb repression complex 2 (PRC2) core subunits EED and EZH2 in lymph node metastatic tumor cells over primary tumor cells which were validated through real-time PCR. Additionally, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and quantitative image analysis of whole tissue sections showed a significant increase of EZH2 expressing tumor cells in lymph nodes over paired primary breast tumors, which strongly correlated with tumor cell proliferation in situ. We further explored the mechanisms of PRC2 gene up-regulation in metastatic tumor cells and found up-regulation of E2F genes, MYC targets and down-regulation of tumor suppressor gene E-cadherin targets in lymph node metastasis through GSEA analyses. Using IHC, the expression of potential EZH2 target, E-cadherin was examined in paired primary/lymph node samples and was found to be significantly decreased in lymph node metastases over paired primary tumors.

Conclusions/Significance

This study identified an over expression of the epigenetic silencing complex PRC2/EED-EZH2 in breast cancer lymph node metastasis as compared to primary tumor and its positive association with tumor cell proliferation in situ. Concurrently, PRC2 target protein E-cadherin was significant decreased in lymph node metastases, suggesting PRC2 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lymph node metastatic process through repression of E-cadherin. These results indicate that epigenetic regulation mediated by PRC2 proteins may provide additional advantage for the outgrowth of metastatic tumor cells in lymph nodes. This opens up epigenetic drug development possibilities for the treatment and prevention of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.     

NGX6基因在多种常见癌组织中的原位表达及其临床意义的研究

研究新的候选抑瘤基因NGX6在多种常见癌组织中的mRNA原位表达谱,分析NGX6 mRNA阳性率与肿瘤1临床病理特征的关系并评估其作为肿瘤转移、预后预测分子标志物的有效性.利用已制作的多肿瘤组织和鼻咽癌组织微阵列,原位杂交检测NGX6 mRNA在多种常见癌组织中的阳性率.结果显示.NGX6 mRNA在鼻咽癌、肺癌、胃癌和结、直肠癌中的阳性率低于其对应的正常组织(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).淋巴结转移性鼻咽癌、肺癌、结、直肠癌和喉癌组织中的NGX6 mR.NA阳性率显著降低(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).NGX6 mRNA阳性率与鼻咽癌、肺癌和结、直肠癌临床分期有关,临床Ⅱ期、Ⅲ期或Ⅳ期癌组织NGX6 mRNA阳性率明显低于其相应的临床Ⅰ期癌(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).研究表明,鼻咽癌、肺癌、胃癌和结、直肠癌中存在低水平的NGX6 mRNA,NGX6 mRNA可作为鼻咽癌、肺癌和结、直肠癌侵袭、转移和临床进展预测的分子标志.     

结直肠癌COX-2表达及其与临床病理特征的相关性分析

目的:探讨结直肠癌环氧化酶-2(cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2)的表达及其与临床病理特征的相关性。方法:选择2017年8月～2019年6月在本院外科手术诊治的结直肠癌患者60例,取所有患者的病灶组织标本与癌旁组织标本,采用PCR与免疫组化法检测COX-2 mRNA与蛋白表达情况,分析其与患者的临床病理特征的相关性。结果:直肠癌组织COX-2 mRNA与蛋白表达阳性率分别为63.3%和55.0%,显著高于癌旁组织的20.0%和16.7%(P0.05)。随着结直肠癌的病理分期及分化程度的增加、淋巴结转移的发生,直肠癌组织的COX-2 mRNA、蛋白表达阳性率显著升高(P0.05)。Spearman等级相关分析显示直肠癌组织的COX-2 mRNA、蛋白表达阳性率与临床分期、组织学分化与淋巴结转移都存在显著相关性(P0.05)。Cox模型多因素分析显示临床分期、组织学分化与淋巴结转移都是影响COX-2蛋白表达的主要因素(P0.05)。结论:结直肠癌COX-2的mRNA与蛋白都呈现高表达,与患者的临床分期、组织学分化与淋巴结转移显著相关。     

乳腺癌超声征象与ER、PR、连环蛋白p120、癌基因CerbB-2、原癌基因Her-2/neu表达的关系研究

目的:探讨乳腺癌超声征象与雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、连环蛋白p120、癌基因CerbB-2、原癌基因Her-2/neu表达的关系。方法:将2014年10月至2017年10月我院收治的50例乳腺癌患者纳入本研究,术前获得患者完整乳腺超声图像资料,术后通过免疫组织化学法检测ER、PR、CerbB-2、Her-2/neu和p120的表达情况。记录超声检查与组织标本检测结果,比较不同乳腺癌超声征象中ER、PR、CerbB-2、Her-2/neu和p120的表达情况。结果:p120阴性表达率为62.00%,ER阳性表达率为50.00%,PR阳性表达率为36.00%,CerbB-2阳性表达率为74.00%,Her-2/neu阳性表达率为30.00%。病灶边缘有毛刺征、周边有高回声晕征、无淋巴结转移患者的ER阳性表达率高于病灶边缘无毛刺征、周边无高回声晕征、淋巴结转移者(P0.05);病灶边缘有毛刺征、周边有高回声晕征患者的PR阳性表达率高于病灶边缘无毛刺征、周边无高回声晕征者(P0.05);内部有微小钙化、血流显像分级2-3级、淋巴结转移患者的p120阴性表达率高于内部无微小钙化、血流显像分级0-1级、无淋巴结转移者(P0.05);内部有微小钙化、血流显像分级2-3级、淋巴结转移患者的CerbB-2阳性表达率高于内部无微小钙化、血流显像分级0-1级、无淋巴结转移者(P0.05);内部有微小钙化、淋巴结转移患者的Her-2/neu阳性表达率高于内部无微小钙化、无淋巴结转移者(P0.05)。结论:乳腺癌超声征象与ER、PR、CerbB-2、Her-2/neu和p120的表达有紧密联系,可为治疗方案拟定提供参考。     

Correlation of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 subcellular localization and lymph node metastases of colorectal neoplasms

In colorectal neoplasms, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is a primarily cytoplasmic protein, but it is also expressed on the cell membrane and in the nucleus. NDRG1 is involved in various stages of tumor development in colorectal cancer, and it is possible that the different subcellular localizations may determine the function of NDRG1 protein. Here, we attempt to clarify the characteristics of NDRG1 protein subcellular localization during the progression of colorectal cancer. We examined NDRG1 expression in 49 colorectal cancer patients in cancerous, non-cancerous, and corresponding lymph node tissues. Cytoplasmic and membrane NDRG1 expression was higher in the lymph nodes with metastases than in those without metastases (P < 0.01). Nuclear NDRG1 expression in colorectal neoplasms was significantly higher than in the normal colorectal mucosa, and yet the normal colorectal mucosa showed no nuclear expression. Furthermore, our results showed higher cytoplasmic NDRG1 expression was better for differentiation, and higher membrane NDRG1 expression resulted in a greater possibility of lymph node metastasis. These data indicate that a certain relationship between the cytoplasmic and membrane expression of NDRG1 in lymph nodes exists with lymph node metastasis. NDRG1 expression may translocate from the membrane of the colorectal cancer cells to the nucleus, where it is involved in lymph node metastasis. Combination analysis of NDRG1 subcellular expression and clinical variables will help predict the incidence of lymph node metastasis.     

YAP蛋白核过表达与卵巢癌腹膜及淋巴结转移的相关性分析

目的:探讨Yes相关蛋白(YAP)与卵巢癌腹膜及淋巴结转移的相关性。方法:选择148例原发性卵巢癌和30例正常卵巢石蜡切片标本,采用Western blot、免疫组化分析YAP蛋白在正常卵巢组织、非转移性卵巢癌组织及转移性卵巢癌组织中的表达,分析YAP蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的表达与临床病理特征的关系,并应用单因素及多因素logistics分析卵巢癌腹膜和淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。结果:YAP蛋白在正常卵巢组织、非转移性卵巢癌组织及转移性卵巢癌组织中的表达量依次增高,两两比较差异均有统计学差异(P0.05)。YAP蛋白核过表达与组织学分化、残余病灶、复发、腹膜转移以及淋巴结转移均显著相关(P0.05)。YAP蛋白核过表达是独立的影响卵巢癌腹膜(OR:5.443;95%CI:2.287-12.950;P0.001)和淋巴结转移(OR:4.477;95%CI:2.059-9.735;P0.001)的独立危险因素。结论:YAP基因核过表达与卵巢癌腹膜转移及淋巴结转移密切相关,有可能作为临床上预测卵巢癌腹膜及淋巴结转移的新的分子标记物。     

Cx43 与Smo 基因在胰腺癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的:研究细胞间隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)与信号通路基因Smoothened(Smo)在胰腺癌中的表达及其临床意义。方法:选择从2013年1月~2015年12月在医院接受手术治疗的胰腺癌患者53例切除组织及与癌组织相配对的3cm外癌旁组织,对比不同胰腺组织中Cx43与Smo阳性表达率,及Cx43 m RNA与Smo m RNA表达水平,分析胰腺癌组织中Cx43和Smo表达与胰腺癌的病理特征之间的关系及两者的相关性。结果:胰腺癌组织中Cx43的阳性表达率及Cx43 m RNA表达水平明显低于在癌旁组织,而Smo的阳性表达率及Smo m RNA表达水平明显高于癌旁组织,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。胰腺癌患者组织学分级为Ⅲ级、有淋巴结转移者的Cx43 m RNA表达水平分别明显低于Ⅰ~Ⅱ级、无淋巴结转移者,Smo m RNA表达水平则明显高于Ⅰ~Ⅱ级、无淋巴结转移者,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果发现,胰腺癌组织中Cx43 m RNA和Smo m RNA表达呈负相关关系(r=-0.846,P=0.000)。结论:Cx43 m RNA在胰腺癌中的表达下降,而Smo m RNA则表达上调,临床监测Cx43及Smo基因的表达情况,有助于评价患者的病情与预后。     

Microarray Gene Expression Analysis of Tumorigenesis and Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the most common type in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the development and progression of LSCC are multistep processes accompanied by changes of molecular biology.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular basis of tumorigenesis and regional lymph node metastasis in LSCC, and provide a set of genes that may be useful for the development of novel diagnostic markers and/or more effective therapeutic strategies.

Methods

A total number of 10 patients who underwent surgery for primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were recruited for microarray analysis. LSCC tissues compared with corresponding adjacent non-neoplastic tissues were analysed by Illumina mRNA microarrays, and LSCC tissues with regional lymph node metastasis and LSCC tissues without regional lymph node metastasis were analyzed in the same manner. The most frequently differently expressed genes screened by microarrays were also validated by qRT-PCR in another 42 patients diagnosed for LSCC.

Results

Analysed by Illumina mRNA microarrays, there were 361 genes significantly related to tumorigenesis while 246 genes significantly related to regional lymph node metastasis in LSCC. We found that the six genes (CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4) were most frequently differently expressed functional genes related to tumorigenesis while eIF3a and RPN2 were most frequently differently expressed functional genes related to regional lymph node metastasis in LSCC. The expressions of these genes were also validated by qRT-PCR.

Conclusions

The research revealed a gene expression signature of tumorigenesis and regional lymph node metastasis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Of the total, the deregulation of several genes (CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, EIF3a and RPN2) were potentially associated with disease development and progression. The result will contribute to the understanding of the molecular basis of LSCC and help to improve diagnosis and treatment.     

Hypermethylation of growth Arrest DNA-damage-inducible gene 45 in non-small cell lung cancer and its relationship with clinicopathologic features

The growth arrest DNA-damage-inducible protein 45 (GADD45) can serve as a key coordinator of the stress response by regulating cell cycle progression, genomic stability, DNA repair, and other stress-related responses. Although deregulation of GADD45 expression has been reported in several types of human tumors, its role in lung cancer is still unknown. DNA hypermethylation of promoter CpG islands is known to be a major mechanism for epigenetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. We investigated the methylation status of GADD45 family genes (GADD45A, B, and G) in 139 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and correlated the results with clinicopathologic features of the patients. Methylation frequencies in tumors were 1.4% for GADD45A, 7.2% for GADD45B, and 31.6% for GADD45G. RT-PCR and MSP analysis showed that promoter methylation of the GADD45G gene resulted in downregulation of its mRNA expression. GADD45G methylation was significantly more frequent in female patients than male patients (P = 0.035). This finding suggests that methylation-associated down-regulation of the GADD45G gene may be involved in lung tumorigenesis.     

幽门螺杆菌感染性胃癌组织中cyclinD1、MMP-9的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨幽门螺杆菌(HP)感染性胃癌组织中细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclinD1)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的表达及其临床意义。方法:选取2016年12月到2018年6月期间在兰州大学第一医院接受治疗的胃癌患者80例,收集其手术切除的病理组织。采用C-14呼气试验和改良Giemsa染色检测患者HP感染的情况,采用免疫组化法检测胃癌组织中cyclinD1、MMP-9表达情况。分析HP感染、cyclinD1、MMP-9表达与胃癌患者临床病理特征的关系,并分析胃癌患者HP感染与cyclinD1、MMP-9表达的相关性。结果:80例胃癌患者HP感染阳性56例(70.00%),阴性24例(30.00%)。有淋巴结转移、浸润深度为T3+T4的胃癌患者的HP感染阳性率高于无淋巴结转移、浸润深度为T1+T2的胃癌患者(P0.05)。80例胃癌患者cyclinD1阳性表达45例(56.25%),阴性表达35例(43.75%),MMP-9阳性表达65例(81.25%),阴性表达15例(18.75%),TNM临床分期为III+IV期、分化程度为低分化、有淋巴结转移、浸润深度为T3+T4的胃癌患者的cyclinD1、MMP-9阳性表达率明显高于TNM临床分期为I+II期、分化程度为中高分化、无淋巴结转移、浸润深度为T1+T2的胃癌患者(P0.05)。HP感染阳性患者的cyclinD1阳性表达率和MMP-9阳性表达率均明显高于HP感染阴性患者(P0.05)。Pearson相关分析显示,胃癌患者HP感染与cyclinD1、MMP-9表达均呈正相关(P0.05)。结论:胃癌患者的HP感染情况与淋巴结转移、浸润深度有关,cyclinD1和MMP-9的表达与TNM临床分期、分化程度、淋巴结转移、浸润深度有关,且胃癌患者HP感染与cyclinD1、MMP-9表达均呈正相关。     

子宫内膜癌组织KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35表达与临床病理特征及预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨子宫内膜癌组织驱动蛋白家族成员20A(KIF20A)、溶酶体相关4次跨膜蛋白B-35(LAPTM4B-35)表达与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法：选择2012年4月至2015年8月期间于我院行手术治疗的80例子宫内膜癌患者作为研究对象。检测子宫内膜癌组织以及距离肿瘤边缘2 cm以上癌旁组织中KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达水平。分析子宫内膜癌组织中KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达与临床病理特征的关系。分析不同KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达患者5年总生存率的差异。分析子宫内膜癌患者预后的影响因素。结果：与癌旁组织相比,子宫内膜癌组织中KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。有淋巴结转移以及FIGO分期Ⅲ期患者的癌组织KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达水平明显高于无淋巴结转移以及FIGO分期I～II期患者的癌组织,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。KIF20A低表达组患者5年总生存率明显高于KIF20A高表达组;LAPTM4B-35低表达组患者5年总生存率明显高于LAPTM4B-35高表达组患者,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Cox回归分析结果显示：FIGO分期Ⅲ期、有淋巴结转移、KIF20A mRNA高表达和LAPTM4B-35 mRNA高表达是子宫内膜癌患者预后的影响因素（P<0.05）。结论：在子宫内膜癌组织中KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达水平升高,有淋巴结转移、FIGO分期较高患者癌组织KIF20A、LAPTM4B-35 mRNA表达水平上调。KIF20A 、LAPTM4B-35高表达患者5年总生存率下降。     

Epigenetic regulation of REG1A and chemosensitivity of cutaneous melanoma

Regenerating gene 1A (REG1A) plays an important role in tissue regeneration and in cell proliferation in epithelium origin tumors; however, its role in melanoma has not been explored in details. The objective of this study was to identify whether REG1A is expressed in cutaneous melanoma and if REG1A expression status can predict prognosis in cutaneous melanoma patients with metastasis. We also determined whether epigenetic regulation of the promoter region regulates REG1A expression. AJCC stage III cutaneous melanoma specimens with clinically well annotated stage III lymph node melanoma metastasis tissue microarray were assessed by IHC. MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry and HM450K array were used to identify REG1A promoter region CpG site methylation. Chemotherapeutic agent response by melanoma cells as related to REG1A protein expression was assessed. Post-surgery melanoma patients followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with high REG1A expression had a significantly better prognosis (disease-specific survival) compared with patients with low REG1A expression (log rank test; p = 0.0013). The demethylating reagent 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine activated REG1A promoter region resulting in enhanced REG1A mRNA and protein expression in melanoma cell lines. Promoter region CpG methylation was shown to regulate REG1A expression in melanoma cells. Moreover, melanoma lines with high REG1A mRNA expression were more susceptible to Dacarbazine and Cisplatin, as compared with those with low REG1A mRNA expression. In conclusion, REG1A expression status may be useful as a biomarker in melanoma patients for sensitivity to these chemotherapeutic agents. The epigenetic regulation of the REG1A promoter region may offer a potential therapeutic approach to improve chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma patients.     

miR-125b靶向MCL1抑制胃癌 MGC-803细胞增殖

探讨mi R-125b对胃癌MGC-803细胞增殖的影响及机制,为阐明胃癌发病的分子机制提供实验依据.采用q RT-PCR和原位杂交,检测mi R-125b在正常胃黏膜(NGM)和胃癌(GAC)组织中的表达.将mi R-125b导入胃癌MGC-803细胞,观察mi R-125b高表达对MGC-803细胞增殖的影响.利用Targetscan 6.2软件及荧光素酶报告基因检测,分析mi R-125b对MCL1基因的靶向性作用.构建MCL1干扰载体,观察干扰MCL1基因表达对MGC-803细胞增殖的影响.结果发现,mi R-125b在胃癌组织中低表达,其表达与胃癌的分化程度及患者预后呈正相关,与TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈负相关(P0.01).mi R-125b高表达后MGC-803细胞的增殖降低、凋亡率增加、裂解caspase-3与裂解PARP表达增加(P0.01);mi R-125b与MCL1基因的3′UTR(2 613~2 620)结合,抑制MCL1的m RNA及蛋白质表达(P0.01);沉默MCL1基因表达后MGC-803细胞的增殖降低、凋亡率增加、裂解caspase-3与裂解PARP表达增加(P0.01).从而得出结论,mi R-125b在胃癌组织中低表达,其表达与胃癌组织分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移及患者预后密切相关;mi R-125b靶向抑制MCL1基因表达,活化caspase-3信号通路,抑制MGC-803细胞增殖.     

程序性死亡配体-1在鼻咽癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨程序性死亡配体-1(PD-L1)在鼻咽癌组织中的表达及临床意义。方法:选取2015年7月-2017年6月期间在我院接受治疗的鼻咽癌患者333例,收集其鼻咽癌组织作为观察组标本,另选取同期在我院接受治疗的慢性鼻咽炎患者102例的鼻咽炎组织作为对照组标本。采用免疫组化法和逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测两组患者鼻咽组织中PD-L1蛋白和PD-L1 mRNA的表达,并分析观察组患者鼻咽癌组织中PD-L1蛋白和PD-L1 mRNA的表达与临床病理参数的关系。结果:对照组患者鼻咽炎组织中PD-L1蛋白的阳性率为0.00%(0/102),观察组患者鼻咽癌组织中PD-L1蛋白的阳性率为69.37%(231/333),两组PD-L1蛋白的阳性率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。RT-PCR结果显示,对照组患者鼻咽炎组织中未见PD-L1 mRNA表达,观察组患者鼻咽癌组织中PD-L1 mRNA的相对表达水平为(0.82±0.27),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组患者鼻咽癌组织中PD-L1蛋白和PD-L1 mRNA的表达与年龄、性别无关(P0.05),而TNM分期为Ⅲ-Ⅳ期、有淋巴结转移、有吸烟史患者鼻咽癌组织中PD-L1蛋白阳性率和PD-L1 mRNA的表达均高于TNM分期Ⅰ-Ⅱ期、无淋巴结转移、无吸烟史患者(P0.05)。结论:在鼻咽癌组织中PD-L1蛋白和PD-L1 mRNA呈现高表达,且其表达与TNM分期、淋巴结转移、吸烟史有关。