乳腺癌组织中VEGF—C和p38MAPK的表达及与伴淋巴结转移的关系

目的探讨乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中血管内皮生长因子C（VEGF—C）和丝裂原激活蛋白激酶p38（p38MAPK）的表达关系,以及与乳腺浸润性导管癌淋巴结转移等生物学行为的关系。方法采用免疫组织化学sP法检测70例乳腺浸润性导管癌组织及15例癌旁正常组织中VEGF-C和p38MAPK蛋白的表达,并采用Westernblot法检测13例伴有淋巴结转移的乳腺癌及12例无淋巴结转移的乳腺癌的新鲜组织中VEGF—C和p38MAPK蛋白表达。结果VEGF—C和p38MAPK在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中的表达（阳性率分别为67．0％和61．4％）明显高于癌旁正常组织;VEGF-C和p38MAPK蛋白在伴有淋巴结转移组的乳腺癌组织中的表达均高于无淋巴结转移组（P=0．005,P=0．005）;在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中VEGF-C和p38MAPK表达存在显著正相关（r=0．383,P=0．001）,并与乳腺浸润性导管癌的TNM分期（P=0．019,P=0．010）有关;VEGF-C和p38MAPK蛋白表达与乳腺浸润性导管癌肿块的大小（P=0．203,P=0．086）和患者的年龄（P=0．0．266,P=0．087）无明显关系。Western blot也证实,VEGF-C和p38MAPK蛋白在有淋巴结转移组中表达高于无淋巴结转移组。结论VEGF-C和p38MAPK的蛋白表达与乳腺浸润性导管癌的淋巴结转移密切相关,其有望成为乳腺癌治疗的新靶点。     

Livin蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及与Bcl-2的关系

目的 探讨凋亡抑制基因Livin和Bel-2蛋白在乳腺癌组织中表达及与临床病理参数的关系。方法应用western blot和免疫组织化学SP法检测90例乳腺癌、30例乳腺良性病变和15例乳腺癌旁组织中Livin和Bcl-2蛋白的表达情况,分析两种蛋白表达的相关性。结果Livin蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的阳性表达率及蛋白表达量明显高于癌旁组织和乳腺良性病变,差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。Livin蛋白在乳腺癌中的阳性表达与肿瘤大小,组织学类型,组织学分级及淋巴结转移无关（P〉0．05）,但随临床分期的增加而升高（P〈0．05）;Livin和Bel-2蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达显著相关（P〈0．05）。结论Livin蛋白在乳腺癌组织中表达上调,且与病理分期有关,提示Livin蛋白可通过抑制细胞凋亡促进乳腺癌的发生、发展,Livin与Bel-2蛋白可能在乳腺癌的演进中起着协同作用。     

DcR3在甲状腺乳头状癌中的表达及临床意义

应用RT-PCR、Westem blot、免疫组化分别检测甲状腺乳头状癌组织与癌旁正常甲状腺组织标本中DcR3mRNA及蛋白的表达情况,探讨DcR3在甲状腺乳头状癌组织中的表达及,临床意义。RT-PCR检测显示,甲状腺乳头状癌中DcR3 mRNA的表达明显高于正常甲状腺组织（P〈0．05）：Western blot提示,DcR3蛋白在甲状腺乳头状癌中表达比正常甲状腺组织高（P〈0．05）;免疫组化显示,DcR3蛋白在甲状腺乳头状癌中高表达（P〈0．05）。DcR3mRNA及蛋白质在甲状腺乳头状癌及正常甲状腺组织间的表达差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。DcR3基因及蛋白在甲状腺乳头状癌中高表达,提示DcR3可能促进了甲状腺乳头状癌的发生发展。     

血管内皮生长因子-C与乳腺癌淋巴管生成和淋巴结转移的关系

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子-C与乳腺癌淋巴管生成和淋巴结转移的关系。方法免疫组化法检测21例乳腺增生组和68例乳腺浸润性导管癌组病灶组织内VEGF-C蛋白的表达,并用淋巴管内皮细胞特异性标志物D2-40标记肿瘤新生淋巴管,计数肿瘤淋巴管的密度（LVD）。结果乳腺浸润性导管癌组VEGF-C的表达和淋巴管的密度（LVD）都明显高于乳腺增生组（P〈0．01）;乳腺浸润性导管癌中VEGF-C阳性组中淋巴管的密度（11．32±5．78）与VEGF-C阴性组中的淋巴管密度（8．75±3．53）,差别有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;乳腺浸润性导管癌中VEGF-C蛋白的表达和淋巴管密度（LVD）都与有无腋窝淋巴结转移及淋巴结转移个数有关（P〈0．05）。结论VEGF-C在乳腺浸润性导管癌淋巴管的生成中起着重要的作用;VEGF-C的高表达和淋巴管密度（LVD）的升高是促进乳腺导管癌淋巴结转移的重要的影响因素。     

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。     

MMP-7和Survivin在结直肠癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨Wnt信号通路中基质金属蛋白酶7（matrix melluoproteinases7,MMP-7）和凋亡抑制基因Survivin在结直肠癌组织中表达及其与临床病理特征的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学染色（Elivision）方法检测100例结直肠癌组织和60例癌旁正常黏膜组织中MMP-7和Survivin蛋白的表达。结果MMP-7蛋白在100例结直肠癌组织和60例癌旁正常黏膜组织中的阳性表达率分别为77．00％（77／100）和13．33％（8／60）,两组问差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;Survivin蛋白在100例结直肠癌组织和60例癌旁正常黏膜组织中的阳性表达率分别为65．00％（65／lOO）和15．00％（9／60）,两组问差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。MMP-7与Survivin蛋白阳性表达均与肿瘤的淋巴结转移和Dukes分期有关（P〈0．05）,此外,MMP-7蛋白在结直肠癌中的阳性表达也与肿瘤的浸润深度有关（P〈0．05）。而MMP-7与Survivin蛋白的阳性表达无相关性（r=0．097,P〉O．05）。结论MMP-7和Survivin在结直肠癌中的高表达可能与结直肠癌的发生、发展、浸润和转移等相关,检测癌组织中MMP-7和Survivin的表达有助于为结直肠癌的病情进展及预后判断提供帮助。     

乳腺癌中丝／苏氨酸蛋白激酶Plk1mRNA的表达及其预后价值

目的：检测乳腺癌细胞和组织中丝／苏氨酸蛋白激酶Plk1基因mRNA的表达情况并分析其预后价值。方法：应用半定量RT-PCR方法分析3株人乳腺癌细胞和1株正常乳腺上皮细胞中Plk1基因mRNA的表达水平。同时分析84例乳腺癌及对应的癌旁正常乳腺上皮组织中Plk1mRNA的表达水平。统计学分析Plk1mRNA表达水平与乳腺癌患者年龄、肿瘤大小、组织分化程度、淋巴结转移状况、TNM分期和雌激素受体（ER）等临床病理参数之间的关系,以及与预后之间的关系。结果：Plk1基因mRNA在乳腺癌细胞中的相对表达水平显著高于其在正常乳腺上皮细胞中的相对表达水平（P值均小于〈0．05）。另外,Plk1mRNA在乳腺癌组织中平均表达水平（0．88±0．18）显著高于其在癌旁正常乳腺上皮组织中平均表达水平（0．22±0．10;P〈0．01）。统计学分析结果袁明：Plk1mRNA表达水平和乳腺癌患者的淋巴结转移状况及TNM分期密切相关（P=0．009或0．007）。Kaplan—Meier生存曲线分析结果表明：高Plk1mRNA表达水平的乳腺癌患者的5年无疾病进展率及总体生存率均显著低于低Plk1mRNA表达水平的乳腺癌患者（P=0．0026及0．0136）。COX模型的多因素预后分析结果表明：Plk1基因mRNA表达水平是乳腺癌患者的一个独立的预后因素（HR=4．764,95％CI：1．341-6．123,P=0．0025）。结论：Plk1在乳腺癌组织呈现高表达水平,其mRNA表达水平有望成为临床乳腺癌患者一个重要的预后判断分子指标。     

HDAC1蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及临床意义及与ER、PR的关系

目的：探讨乳腺癌组织中组蛋白去乙酰化酶1（HDAC1）的表达及临床意义。方法：应用免疫组织化学SP法检测78例乳腺癌组织和20例癌旁组织中HDAC1蛋白的表达情况并分析其与ER、PR之间的关系。结果：（1）HDAC1蛋白在78例乳腺癌中的阳性表达率为78.2%（61/78）,在癌旁组织中的阳性表达率为5%（1/20）,两组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）（2）乳腺癌组织中的HDAC1蛋白在ER或PR阴性乳腺癌组织中的表达分别高于其在ER或PR阳性乳腺癌组织中的表达（P〈0.01）结论：乳腺癌组织中的HDAC1蛋白过度表达与肿瘤发生发展密切相关。     

胰岛素样生长因子-1受体（IGF—IR）在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其临床意义初探

目的：检测分析胰岛素样生长因子-1受体（IGF-IR）在乳腺癌组织中的表达状况及其临床意义。方法：应用半运用半定量RT-PCR方法分析84例乳腺癌和癌旁正常乳腺组织中IGF—IR基因mRNA的表达水平,并分析其表达与患者临床病理特征及预后之间的关系。结果：乳腺癌组织中IGF-IR基因mRNA表达水平显著高于癌旁乳腺组织,二者具有统计学差别（P〈0．001）。乳腺癌组织中IGF-IR基因mRNA表达水平与肿瘤组织分化程度及乳腺癌患者的TNM分期和淋巴结转移情况显著相关（P值分别是0．005,0．025和0．041）。另外,高表达IGF-IR的乳腺癌患者的五年总体生存率（38．3％）显著高于低表达IGF-1R的患者（49．7％;P=0．009）。多因素COX模型分析结果表明：IGF-IR基因mRNA表达水平是乳腺癌患者的一个独立预后分子（HR=2．78,95％CI：1．94-3．94,P=0．041）。结论：IGF-IR基因表达水平上调在乳腺癌发展过程中起着重要的作用。IGF-IR基因mRNA表达水平有望成为临床乳腺癌患者预后判断的一个重要分子标志物。     

Livin蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及与Bcl-2关系

目的 探讨凋亡抑制基因Livin和Bcl-2蛋白在乳腺癌组织中表达及与临床病理参数的关系.方法 应用western blot和免疫组织化学SP法检测90例乳腺癌、30例乳腺良性病变和15例乳腺癌旁组织中Livin和Bel-2蛋白的表达情况,分析两种蛋白表达的相关性.结果 Livin蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的阳性表达率及蛋白表达量明显高于癌旁组织和乳腺良性病变,差异有显著性(P＜0.05).Livin蛋白在乳腺癌中的阳性表达与肿瘤大小,组织学类型,组织学分级及淋巴结转移无关(P＞0.05),但随临床分期的增加而升高(P＜0.05);Livin和BcI-2蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达显著相关(P＜0.05).结论 Livin蛋白在乳腺癌组织巾表达上调,且与病理分期有关,提示Livin蛋白可通过抑制细胞凋亡促进乳腺癌的发生、发展,Livin与Bel-2蛋白可能在乳腺癌的演进中起着协同作用.     

Connexins and Gap Junctions in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer Progression

The development and function of the mammary gland require precise control of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Here, we review the expression and function of gap junction proteins, connexins, in the normal mouse and human mammary gland. We then discuss the possible tumor-suppressive role of Cx26 and Cx43 in primary breast tumors and through the various stages of breast cancer metastasis and consider whether connexins or GJIC may actually promote tumorigenesis at some stages. Finally, we present in vitro data on the impact of connexin expression on breast cancer cell metastasis to the bone. We observed that Cx43 expression inhibited the invasive and migratory potentials of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in a bone microenvironment, provided by the MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblastic cell line. Expression of either Cx26 or Cx43 had no effect on MDA-MB-231 growth and adhesion under the influence of osteoblasts and did not result in regulation of osteogenic gene expression in these breast cancer cells. Furthermore, connexin-expressing MDA-MB-231 cells did not have an effect on the growth or differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. In summary, we conclude that connexin expression and GJIC are integral to the development and differentiation of the mammary gland. In breast cancer, connexins generally act as tumor suppressors in the primary tumor; however, in advanced breast tumors, connexins appear to act as both context-dependent tumor suppressors and facilitators of disease progression.     

Growth-suppressing activity of the transfected Cx26 on BICR-M1Rk breast cancer cell line

There are accumulating evidences suggesting that connexin (Cx), a gap junction channel-forming protein, acts as a growth suppressor in various cancer cells, and this effect is attributed to the gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC). In order to characterize the relationship between the growth-arresting activity of Cx26 and its cytoplasmic localizations after expression, we linked a nuclear export signal (NES) sequence to Cx26 cDNA before transfecting into a rat breast cancer cell line. A confocal fluorescent microscopic observation revealed that the insertion of NES minimized the nuclear expression of Cx26, and increased its cytoplasmic expression, including plasma membrane junctions. Total cell counting and BrdUrd-labeling experiments showed that the growth of the breast cancer cells was inhibited by 74% upon transfection of Cx26-NES, whereas only 9% inhibition was observed with only Cx26 cDNA.     

Correlations of Differentially Expressed Gap Junction Connexins Cx26, Cx30, Cx32, Cx43 and Cx46 with Breast Cancer Progression and Prognosis

Background and Aims

Connexins and their cell membrane channels contribute to the control of cell proliferation and compartmental functions in breast glands and their deregulation is linked to breast carcinogenesis. Our aim was to correlate connexin expression with tumor progression and prognosis in primary breast cancers.

Materials and Methods

Meta-analysis of connexin isotype expression data of 1809 and 1899 breast cancers from the Affymetrix and Illumina array platforms, respectively, was performed. Expressed connexins were also monitored at the protein level in tissue microarrays of 127 patients equally representing all tumor grades, using immunofluorescence and multilayer, multichannel digital microscopy. Prognostic correlations were plotted in Kaplan-Meier curves and tested using the log-rank test and cox-regression analysis in univariate and multivariate models.

Results

The expression of GJA1/Cx43, GJA3/Cx46 and GJB2/Cx26 and, for the first time, GJA6/Cx30 and GJB1/Cx32 was revealed both in normal human mammary glands and breast carcinomas. Within their subfamilies these connexins can form homo- and heterocellular epithelial channels. In cancer, the array datasets cross-validated each other’s prognostic results. In line with the significant correlations found at mRNA level, elevated Cx43 protein levels were linked with significantly improved breast cancer outcome, offering Cx43 protein detection as an independent prognostic marker stronger than vascular invasion or necrosis. As a contrary, elevated Cx30 mRNA and protein levels were associated with a reduced disease outcome offering Cx30 protein detection as an independent prognostic marker outperforming mitotic index and necrosis. Elevated versus low Cx43 protein levels allowed the stratification of grade 2 tumors into good and poor relapse free survival subgroups, respectively. Also, elevated versus low Cx30 levels stratified grade 3 patients into poor and good overall survival subgroups, respectively.

Conclusion

Differential expression of Cx43 and Cx30 may serve as potential positive and negative prognostic markers, respectively, for a clinically relevant stratification of breast cancers.     

Retroviral delivery of connexin genes to human breast tumor cells inhibits in vivo tumor growth by a mechanism that is independent of significant gap junctional intercellular communication

The mechanism by which gap junction proteins, connexins, act as potent tumor suppressors remains poorly understood. In this study human breast tumor cells were found to exhibit diverse gap junction phenotypes including (a) undetectable Cx43 and no intercellular communication (HBL100); (b) low levels of Cx43 and sparse intercellular communication (MDA-MB-231); and (c) significant levels of Cx43 and moderate intercellular communication (Hs578T). Although retroviral delivery of Cx43 and Cx26 cDNAs to MDA-MB-231 cells did not achieve an expected substantial rescue of intercellular communication, overexpression of connexin genes did result in a dramatic suppression of tumor growth when connexin-expressing MDA-MB-231 cells were implanted into the mammary fat pad of nude mice. Subsequent immunolocalization studies on xenograph sections revealed only cytoplasmic stores of Cx43 and no detectable gap junctions. Moreover, DNA array and Western blot analysis demonstrated that overexpression of Cx43 or Cx26 in MDA-MB-231 cells down-regulated fibroblast growth factor receptor-3. Surprisingly, these results suggest that Cx43 and Cx26 induce their tumor-suppressing properties by a mechanism that is independent of significant gap junctional intercellular communication and possibly through the down-regulation of key genes involved in tumor growth. Moreover, our studies show that retroviruses are effective vehicles for delivering connexins to human breast tumor cells, facilitating potential gene therapy applications.     

Role of gap junctions in fluid secretion of lacrimal glands

In glands such as the liver and pancreas, gap junctions containing connexin 26 and 32 (Cx26 and Cx32, respectively) couple the secretory cells. Uncoupling these junctions compromises the secretory function of these glands. Lacrimal glands also contain extensive arrays of gap junctions consisting of Cx26 and Cx32. We wanted to determine the role of these junctions in fluid secretion. In Cx32-deficient mice, immunocytochemistry showed that, in the male lacrimal gland, the remaining Cx26 was found evenly distributed in the membrane whereas there was little in the membranes of female glands. Western blot analysis of Cx26 showed that female Cx32-deficient mice expressed Cx26. Patch-clamp analyses of acinar cell coupling showed that the cell pairs from male glands were coupled whereas those from female glands were not. Stimulated fluid production by the glands from Cx32-deficient mice was abnormally low in female glands compared with controls at low topical doses of carbachol. The protein secretory response to different doses of carbachol was the same in all animals. These data suggest that gap junctions are essential for optimal fluid secretion in lacrimal glands.     

Chloral hydrate decreases gap junction communication in rat liver epithelial cells

Gap junction communication (GJC) is involved in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Alterations in GJC are associated with carcinogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. Chloral hydrate (CH), a by-product of chlorine disinfection of water, is carcinogenic in mice, and we demonstrated that CH reduced GJC in a rat liver epithelial cell line (Clone 9). To examine the mechanism(s) by which CH inhibits GJC, Clone 9 cells treated with CH were examined using Western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemical, and dye-communication techniques. Treatment with CH (0.1–5 mM for 24 h) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of GJC as measured by Lucifer yellow dye transfer. Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of connexin (Cx) 43 and 26 in control cells and reduced expression of Cx 43 but not Cx 26 protein from 0.1 to 1 mM CH. CH treatment from 2.5 to 5 mM caused an apparent increase in expression of both connexins that was concomitant with a reduction in mRNA expression for both connexins. Similarly, with immunocytochemistry, a dose-dependent decrease in Cx 43 staining at sites of cell–cell contact was apparent in CH (0.5–5 mM)-treated cultures, whereas no Cx 26 staining was observed. Thus, Clone 9 cells contain two types of connexins but only one type of plasma membrane channel. Understanding of the regulation of connexin may shed light on mechanisms responsible for inhibition of GJC by chemical carcinogens.     

Restoration of functional gap junctions through internal ribosome entry site-dependent synthesis of endogenous connexins in density-inhibited cancer cells

Gap junctions are composed of connexins and are critical for the maintenance of the differentiated state. Consistently, connexin expression is impaired in most cancer cells, and forced expression of connexins following cDNA transfection reverses the tumor phenotype. We have found that the restoration of density inhibition of human pancreatic cancer cells by the antiproliferative somatostatin receptor 2 (sst2) is due to overexpression of endogenous connexins Cx26 and Cx43 and consequent formation of functional gap junctions. Immunoblotting along with protein metabolic labeling and mRNA monitoring revealed that connexin expression is enhanced at the level of translation but is not sensitive to the inhibition of cap-dependent translation initiation. Furthermore, we identified a new internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the Cx26 mRNA. The activity of Cx26 IRES and that of the previously described Cx43 IRES are enhanced in density-inhibited cells. These data indicate that the restoration of functional gap junctions is likely a critical event in the antiproliferative action of the sst2 receptor. We further suggest that the existence of IRESes in connexin mRNAs permits connexin expression in density-inhibited or differentiated cells, where cap-dependent translation is generally reduced.