FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究乳腺癌组织与乳腺癌癌旁组织中FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白的表达及其临床意义。方法:分别以实时荧光定量RT-PCR、Western blot的方法检测52例乳腺癌组织和52例癌旁正常组织中FGFR4 mRNA和蛋白的表达,分析FGFR4 mRNA和蛋白的表达与临床病理特征的相关性。结果:在乳腺癌组织中,FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白的表达均高于在乳腺癌癌旁正常组织(P0.05),并且FGFR4的表达与患者淋巴结转移和Her-2相关,而与患者年龄、肿瘤大小、分化程度、ER和PR无明显相关性(P0.05)。结论:FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白在乳腺癌组织中表达升高,与淋巴结转移和Her-2有关,有望成为预测乳腺癌的转移和预后的参考指标之一。     

乳腺癌组织中血管内皮生长因子和抑癌基因Maspin 的表达及意义

目的:探讨血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)和抑癌基因Maspin(mammary-serpin)在乳腺癌组织中的表达。方法:采用免疫组织化学法法检测乳腺癌组织与癌旁正常组织中的VEGF和Maspin表达水平。结果:VEGF在正常乳腺组织中表达率为44.4%(40/90),在乳腺癌组织中的表达率为91.1%(82/90),Maspin在正常乳腺组织中表达率为100%(90/90),在乳腺癌组织中的表达率为68.9%(62/90)。VEGF蛋白表达水平与乳腺癌TNM分期、淋巴结转移有关(P<0.01),Maspin蛋白的表达与乳腺癌的组织学分型、分级、淋巴结转移均有关(P<0.05)。结论:检测VEGF和Maspin有利于乳腺癌的生物学行为评估和乳腺癌预后判断。     

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。     

PI3K/AKT 通路参与调控乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的研究

目的:探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/丝苏氨酸蛋白激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase,PI3K/AKT)信号通路与乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的相关性。方法:以乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7为母本,持续低浓度加药诱导建立阿霉素(Adriamycin,ADR)耐药系MCF-7/ADR’。细胞免疫荧光检测两细胞系中磷酸化AKT(phosphorylated AKT,P-AKT)、P-糖蛋白(P-Glycoprotein,P-gp)、基质金属蛋白酶2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)的表达。PI3K抑制剂LY294002作用两系前后,Western Blot检测P-AKT、MMP-2、P-gp的表达改变及qRT-PCR检测MMP-2、MDR1的表达改变。结果:P-AKT、P-gp(MDR1)、MMP-2在MCF-7中为低表达或不表达,MCF-7/ADR’中为高表达。LY294002作用两系后,P-AKT、P-gp(MDR1)、MMP-2在MCF-7/ADR’中的表达明显减低(P<0.05),MCF-7无明显改变。结论:抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路可有效降低MCF-7/ADR’耐药和侵袭转移能力,PI3K/AKT通路是调控乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的重要信号通路之一。     

microRNA-21在食管癌细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡中的作用

本研究检测了40例食管癌组织和40例癌旁组织中的miR-21、PTEN、PI3K和AKT表达,并通过转染miR-21抑制剂来敲低人食管癌细胞系EC9706的miR-21表达,考察了miR-21对食管癌细胞生长的影响。研究发现,食管癌组织中PTEN蛋白的阳性染色评分低于癌旁组织(p<0.05),而PI3K和AKT蛋白的阳性染色评分高于癌旁组织(p<0.05)。miR-21在人食管癌组织中被上调(3.56 vs 1.21,p<0.05)。转染miR-21抑制剂导致PTEN蛋白表达升高,而PI3K和AKT蛋白表达降低(p<0.05)。转染miR-21抑制剂抑制了EC9706细胞的增殖和迁移,但促进了细胞凋亡(p<0.05)。miR-21的上调可通过激活PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路来促进食道癌细胞的增殖和迁移,并抑制细胞凋亡。     

SIAH2与P-ERK在乳腺癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的观察人乳腺细胞系及乳腺组织中SIAH2和P-ERK表达的变化,探讨乳腺癌中SIAH2与P-ERK的关联。方法应用免疫组织化学检测140例乳腺石蜡包埋组织中SIAH2和P-ERK的表达,Western blot检测人乳腺细胞系和23例乳腺浸润性导管癌及癌旁正常乳腺组织中SIAH2和P-ERK的蛋白表达情况,人乳腺癌细胞系表达SIAH2-siRNA后,P-ERK蛋白表达情况。结果乳腺癌中SIAH2和P-ERK阳性率与组织学分级相关(P<0.05),SIAH2和P-ERK呈正相关性。人乳腺癌细胞系以及乳腺癌组织中SIAH2和P-ERK蛋白表达量明显高于人乳腺正常上皮细胞系与癌旁正常乳腺组织中SIAH2和P-ERK蛋白表达量(P<0.05);表达SIAH2-siRNA的乳腺癌细胞系与对照组相比,P-ERK蛋白表达明显减少(P<0.05)。结论 SIAH2、P-ERK过表达与乳腺癌的组织学分级有关。在乳腺癌细胞系中抑制SIAH2表达后,P-ERK表达也减少,因此抑制SIAH2可以抑制ERK通路。     

乳腺癌组织中转化生长因子-beta1 和血管内皮生长因子的表达 及其与血管生成的关系

目的:研究转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)和血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial cell growth factor,VEGF)在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与血管生成的关系。方法:选取65例手术切除乳腺癌蜡块标本及其周围正常乳腺组织,分为两组:A组为对照组,检测标本为乳腺癌癌旁正常乳腺组织;B组为实验组,检测标本为乳腺癌组织,采用免疫组织化学染色和形态计量检测TGF-β1和VEGF在乳腺癌组织中的表达。利用CD34相关抗原标记血管内皮细胞,计数微血管密度(intratumoral mier oveseulardensity,MVD),并分析其与TGF-β1和VEGF表达的关系。结果:65例乳腺癌组织中,TGF-β1的阳性表达率为69.23%(45/65),TGF-β1阳性表达者MVD值(25.31±4.05)显著高于TGF-β1阴性表达者(21.23±4.29);VEGF的阳性表达率为78.46%(51/65),VEGF阳性表达者MVD值(26.62±3.41)亦明显显著高于VEGF阴性表达者(18.95±6.52)(均P<0.05)。不同病理类型的乳腺癌组织中TGF-β1、VEGF的阳性表达率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但TGF-β1、VEGF的阳性表达与乳腺癌的组织分级、淋巴结转移呈显著正相关(均P<0.05),且组织学分级越高、淋巴结转移越多,MVD值越大。结论:TGF-β1与VEGF在乳腺癌组织的表达高于正常乳腺组织,并与乳腺癌肿瘤血管的生成有关,二者有望作为乳腺癌恶性程度、浸润转移等生物学行为的评估指标。     

VEGF-C、COX-2在乳腺癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨血管内皮生长因子与环氧化酶-2在乳腺癌组织中的表达和临床意义.方法:应用免疫组织化学检测乳腺癌组织中血管内皮生长因子和环氧化酶-2的表达,分析两者的关系,并结舍临床资料进行相关性分析.结果:VEGF-C和COX-2在乳腺癌组织中的表达率分别为58.7%和56.5%,VEGF-C在乳腺癌中的表达与肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移相关(P＜0.05),与年龄、雌、孕激素表达、Her-2情况及临床分期无相关性,COX-2蛋白的表达也与淋巴结转移有关(P＜0.05),与年龄、肿瘤大小、雌、孕激素表达、Her-2情况及临床分期无明显相关性.乳腺癌组织COX-2蛋白的阳性表达与VEGF-C蛋白阳性表达之间存在显著的相关性(r=0.422,P＜0.005)结论:COX-2和VEGF-C在乳腺癌组织中均呈较高袁达,乳腺癌组织中COX-2及VEGF-C的表达均与肿瘤的淋巴结转移情况相关.乳腺癌组织中COX-2的表达与VEGF-C的表达存在显著的相关性,提示在COX-2可能上调VEGF-C的水平,促进淋巴结转移.     

Snail mRNA及其蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达研究

目的观察Snail蛋白及mRNA在人乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的关系,并探讨它在乳腺癌发生、发展及转移中的作用。方法应用SP免疫组织化学和原位分子杂交方法检测Snail蛋白和Snail mRNA在70例乳腺浸润性导管癌、30例乳腺导管内癌、30例乳腺单纯性增生组织中的表达。结果①70例乳腺癌中,Snail蛋白和Snail mRNA阳性率分别为87.2%(61/70)、81.4%(57/70),分别高于乳腺导管内癌组织53.3%(16/30)、46.7%(14/30)和乳腺单纯性增生组织26.7%(8/30)、23.3%(7/30),三者相比有统计学意义(χ2=36.4,P<0.01;χ2=32.4,P<0.01)。②Snail蛋白和SnailmRNA在有淋巴结转移组中的阳性率为97.6%(40/41)、95.1%(39/41),无转移组阳性率为72.4%(21/29)、62.1%(18/29),两者相比有统计学意义(χ2=8.29,P<0.01);组织学分级Ⅲ级组明显高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ级组表达,但无统计学意义(χ2=0.72,P>0.05;χ2=0.98,P>0.05)。③Snail蛋白与Snail mRNA的表达与年龄、肿瘤大小均无关(P>0.05)。结论 Snail蛋白与Snail mRNA的表达呈正相关,与乳腺癌的发生发展、淋巴结转移密切相关,可作为判断乳腺癌预后、转移的生物学标志。     

血管内皮生长因子在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在乳腺浸润性导管癌(IDC))组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的关系。方法:采用SP免疫组化法检测72例IDC患者(IDC组)和30例乳腺纤维腺瘤(对照组)组织中VEGF的表达。结果:IDC组VEGF阳性表达率为68.1%,显著高于对照组(23.3%),两组相比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);VEGF阳性表达与IDC患者年龄和肿瘤直径大小无相关性,其阳性表达率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);而VEGF水平与临床分期和病理组织学分级、以及肿瘤远处转移之间存在相关性,其阳性表达率有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论:VEGF在IDC组织中呈高表达,VEGF参与了IDC发生发展和浸润转移,VEGF可以作为评价IDC恶性程度和淋巴结转移的一个新型指标。     

The mTOR Inhibitor Rapamycin Synergizes with a Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitor to Induce Cytotoxicity in ER/HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Patients with ER/HER2-positive breast cancer have a poor prognosis and are less responsive to selective estrogen receptor modulators; this is presumably due to the crosstalk between ER and HER2. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is essential for the survival and maintenance of the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. An intimate relationship exists between FASN, ER and HER2. We hypothesized that FASN may be the downstream effector underlying ER/HER2 crosstalk through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in ER/HER2-positive breast cancer. The present study implicated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in the regulation of FASN expression in ER/HER2-positive breast cancer cells and demonstrated that rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, inhibited FASN expression. Cerulenin, a FASN inhibitor, synergized with rapamycin to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell migration and tumorigenesis in ER/HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Our findings suggest that inhibiting the mTOR-FASN axis is a promising new strategy for treating ER/HER2-positive breast cancer.     

Involvement of PI3K and MAPK signaling in bcl-2-induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression in melanoma cells

We have previously demonstrated that bcl-2 overexpression in tumor cells exposed to hypoxia increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene through the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). In this article, we demonstrate that exposure of bcl-2 overexpressing melanoma cells to hypoxia induced phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 proteins. On the contrary, no modulation of these pathways by bcl-2 was observed under normoxic conditions. When HIF-1alpha expression was reduced by RNA interference, AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were still induced by bcl-2. Pharmacological inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways reduced the induction of VEGF and HIF-1 in response to bcl-2 overexpression in hypoxia. No differences were observed between control and bcl-2-overexpressing cells in normoxia, in terms of VEGF protein secretion and in response to PI3K and MAPK inhibitors. We also demonstrated that RNA interference-mediated down-regulation of bcl-2 expression resulted in a decrease in the ERK1/2 phosphorylation and VEGF secretion only in bcl-2-overexpressing cell exposed to hypoxia but not in control cells. In conclusion, our results indicate, for the first time, that bcl-2 synergizes with hypoxia to promote expression of angiogenesis factors in melanoma cells through both PI3K- and MAPK-dependent pathways.     

上皮性卵巢癌中TFAP2A对hTERT表达的调节及其机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨在上皮性卵巢癌中TFA2A对hTERT表达的调节和作用机制。方法：采用免疫组织化学方法检测TFAP2A和hTERT蛋白在卵巢正常、交界及上皮性卵巢癌组织中的表达,采用Western Blot和qRT-PCR技术检测hTERT在敲减TFAP2A基因的SKOV3、CAOV3细胞中的表达水平、检测hTERT在过表达TFAP2A基因的HO8910细胞中的表达水平。在干扰TFAP2A的CAOV3细胞中或过表达TFAP2A的HO8910细胞中分别加入PI3K/AKT信号通路激动剂740-YP或抑制剂LY294002,检测相关蛋白表达变化,探讨TFAP2A、hTERT与PI3K/AKT信号通路的关系。结果：TFAP2A在71.88%的上皮性卵巢癌组织中呈高表达,hTERT在78.12%的上皮性卵巢癌组织中呈高表达; 将hTERT 和TFAP2A的免疫组化评分行Pearson相关性分析,两者间相关系数r=0.78,P＜0.001。Western Blot和qRT-PCR的结果均显示,在SKOV3和CAOV3卵巢癌细胞中,敲减TFAP2A后,hTERT的表达均明显下降,而在HO8910卵巢癌细胞中,增强TFAP2A基因表达后,hTERT的表达均明显上升。在CAOV3和HO8910处理细胞中,分别使用PI3K/AKT信号通路激动剂740-YP 或阻滞剂LY294002处理后,Western Blot 检验hTERT和PI3K/AKT通路蛋白的表达,发现激动剂740-YP 或阻滞剂LY294002可以逆转敲减或过表达TFAP2A引发的PI3K/AKT通路蛋白表达下调或上调,但不能逆转hTERT蛋白表达下调或上调。结论：在卵巢肿瘤组织中,TFAP2A和hTERT在上皮性卵巢癌组织中均呈高表达,且hTERT的表达和TFAP2A成正相关,在上皮性卵巢癌细胞中TFAP2A可调节hTERT的表达,且TFAP2A对hTERT的表达的调节不经由PI3K/AKT通路。     

Adipocyte-derived IL-6 and leptin promote breast Cancer metastasis via upregulation of Lysyl Hydroxylase-2 expression

Background

Adipocytes make up the major component of breast tissue, accounting for 90% of stromal tissue. Thus, the crosstalk between adipocytes and breast cancer cells may play a critical role in cancer progression. Adipocyte-breast cancer interactions have been considered important for the promotion of breast cancer metastasis. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these interactions are unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of adipocyte-mediated breast cancer metastasis.

Methods

Breast cancer cells were cocultured with mature adipocytes for migration and 3D matrix invasion assays. Next, lentivirus-mediated loss-of-function experiments were used to explore the function of lysyl hydroxylase (PLOD2) in breast cancer migration and adipocyte-dependent migration of breast cancer cells. The role of PLOD2 in breast cancer metastasis was further confirmed using orthotopic mammary fat pad xenografts in vivo. Clinical samples were used to confirm that PLOD2 expression is increased in tumor tissue and is associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. Cells were treated with cytokines and pharmacological inhibitors in order to verify which adipokines were responsible for activation of PLOD2 expression and which signaling pathways were activated in vitro.

Results

Gene expression profiling and Western blotting analyses revealed that PLOD2 was upregulated in breast cancer cells following coculture with adipocytes; this process was accompanied by enhanced breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Loss-of-function studies indicated that PLOD2 knockdown suppressed cell migration and disrupted the formation of actin stress fibers in breast cancer cells and abrogated the migration induced by following coculture with adipocytes. Moreover, experiments performed in orthotopic mammary fat pad xenografts showed that PLOD2 knockdown could reduce metastasis to the lung and liver. Further, high PLOD2 expression correlated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. Mechanistically, adipocyte-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leptin may facilitate PLOD2 upregulation in breast cancer cells and promote breast cancer metastasis in tail vein metastasis assays. Further investigation revealed that adipocyte-derived IL-6 and leptin promoted PLOD2 expression through activation of the JAK/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that adipocyte-derived IL-6 and leptin promote PLOD2 expression by activating the JAK/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, thus promoting breast cancer metastasis.

     

Silencing of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 enhances radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells through inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

We investigated the effect of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) on radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer (EC) cells. Expression of SKP2, PI3K, AKT, Bcl-2 and Bax were assayed in EC. EC cells were transfected with SKP2-siRNA/IGF-1 to detect expression of SKP2, PI3K, AKT, Bcl-2 and Bax. At last, the radiosensitivity of cells in different doses of X (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy) irradiation and cell apoptosis were also detected. EC cells displayed a higher positive expression rate of SKP2, elevated mRNA and protein expression of SKP2, PI3K, AKT, Bcl-2 and Bax, as well as higher extent of PI3K and AKT phosphorylation. SKP2 silencing downregulated mRNA and protein expression of PI3K, AKT and Bcl-2 but increased p27 protein expression, and inhibited the cell survival rate while promoting cell apoptosis. Taken together, silencing SKP2 can inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby increasing the radiosensitivity of EC cells.     

Delta/notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor promotes stemness to facilitate breast cancer progression

DNER, Delta/Notch-like epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related receptor, is a neuron-specific transmembrane protein carrying extracellular EGF-like repeats. The function of DNER in breast cancer has not been evaluated. The present study demonstrates that the expression of DNER in breast cancer tissue is significantly higher than its expression in breast benign disease and is associated with poor recurrence-free survival (RFS) of breast cancer patients. It demonstrated that DNER could enhance the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and significantly increases tumor growth in vivo. Our study uncovered that DNER can promote breast cancer cells proliferation and metastasis by activating Girdin/PI3K/AKT signaling and subsequently regulating several key genes involving the characters of cancer stem cells. Taken together, DNER promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis, which provided a theoretical basis for future applications of DNER inhibitors in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Role of PI3K and AKT specific isoforms in ovarian cancer cell migration, invasion and proliferation through the p70S6K1 pathway

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancy for women. The amplification of the PI3K catalytic subunit (p110) and the lost function of PTEN are frequently detected in ovarian cancer cells. PI3K plays an important role in tumorigenesis. To specifically inhibit PI3K activity in ovarian cancer cells, we constructed small interfering RNA (siRNA) against p110. The expression of p110 siRNA significantly decreased cell migration, invasion, and proliferation compared to the siSCR control cells. The expression of p110 siRNA induced CDK inhibitor p27^KIP1 levels, and decreased levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. PI3K transmits the mytogenic signal through AKT. AKT has three isoforms in the cells: AKT1, AKT2 and AKT3. We found that inhibition of AKT1 is sufficient to affect cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. Expression of AKT1 siRNA had a similar effect as p110 siRNA in the cells. We showed the roles of specific PI3K and AKT isoforms in the cells, which are important to understanding the mechanism of PI3K/AKT signaling in ovarian cancer cells. Both p110 and AKT1 siRNA-expressing cells decreased the activation of p70S6K1. Inhibition of p70S6K1 activity by its siRNA also decreased cell migration, invasion, and proliferation associated with the induction of p27^KIP1 levels, and with the inhibition of cell cycle-associated proteins including cyclin D1, CDK2, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. This study demonstrates the important role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 pathway in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in ovarian cancer cells by using siRNA-mediated gene silencing as a reverse genetic method.