SOX9基因在癌症发生发展中的作用机制研究进展

早期研究揭示,SOX9基因及其表达产物转录因子SOX9主要参与胚胎早期发育、性别决定和软骨发育。近期研究发现SOX9产物的表达水平与多种实体癌的发生、发展存在正相关关系,包括前列腺癌、结肠直肠癌等。上调SOX9的表达水平可以促进癌细胞的生长,SOX9基因是一种促癌基因。对于目前SOX9调节癌症发生发展的分子机制进行了综述,总结了已有的观点、假说及实验证据,并以此为基础分析了负调控SOX9基因表达的内源和外源性分子,进一步探讨了SOX9基因成为治疗癌症药物靶标的可行性,以期为后续基础机理研究和疾病治疗提供指导。     

转录因子SOX9基因对脑胶质瘤干细胞干性维持的相关性研究

目的:应用慢病毒干扰SOX9的表达,观察其对脑胶质瘤干细胞干性维持的影响。方法:设计2条针对SOX9转录短发夹RNA(sh RNA)的DNA序列,构建慢病毒并感染胶质瘤细胞系U87、U251细胞,利用嘌呤霉素筛选稳转细胞。在转录水平及蛋白水平检测SOX9的沉默效果,利用荧光实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)及免疫荧光染色检测相应干细胞相关标志分子SOX2、Nestin的表达差异。比较诱导形成的胶质瘤干细胞成球能力(肿瘤干细胞成球的直径),同时利用荧光实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)及免疫荧光染色对干细胞相关标志物SOX2、Nestin的表达水平进行比较。结果:SOX9成功包装慢病毒并有效感染U87、U251细胞,实时荧光定量PCR检测其抑制率分别可降低83.74%和80.12%。并且在稳转细胞系水平相关干细胞标志分子表达含量有明显下降。在干细胞层面沉默SOX9可以明显抑制胶质瘤细胞诱导成球的直径(P0.01),同时免疫荧光显示肿瘤干细胞相关干性分子SOX2、Nestin的表达水平较对照组明显降低。结论:慢病毒感染沉默SOX9基因可以抑制胶质瘤干细胞干性的维持,为胶质瘤的生物治疗提供了重要的靶点。     

Sox9基因诱导脂肪干细胞向软骨细胞分化

目的:观察Sox9基因对人脂肪干细胞(ADSCs)的诱导作用.方法:分离、纯化、培养人源ADSCs,并绘制生长曲线,传代三次后的ADSCs利用脂质体转染Sox9基因,选用抗生素G418进行筛选.以空载体转染细胞作对照,分别取48h和14d转染后的细胞做Flag蛋白免疫组织化学鉴定.通过检测转染细胞中Ⅱ型胶原来确定ADSCs是否向软骨细胞分化.结果:ADSCs呈长梭形,形态与骨髓间充质干细胞相似,600μ/ml G418为最适筛选浓度.转染后第48h和14d的细胞均能表达Sox9基因融合表达的Flag蛋白.第48h和14d,转染效率分别为93%和75%.转染后14d的ADSCs表达Ⅱ型胶原,转染后48h实验组和对照组都为阴性.结论:Sox9基因能诱导脂肪干细胞向软骨细胞分化.     

转录因子AP-2α调控SOX9基因的表达

肝癌是肝脏中最常见的恶性肿瘤,是全球癌症相关死亡的第三大主要原因。肝癌发病具有隐蔽性、细胞异质性、耐药性的特点,且肿瘤易侵袭、转移和复发,使得其临床治疗效果欠佳。转录因子AP-2α在肝癌中作为肿瘤抑制因子发挥作用,其表达与肝癌患者的预后呈现正相关。SOX9在细胞分化、性别决定和肿瘤发生中起主要作用。在肝癌细胞中,SOX9异常增加可以促进癌细胞的生长。本研究利用JASPAR软件预测到SOX9的启动子区域含有潜在的AP-2α结合位点,通过萤光素酶和凝胶迁移试验（EMSA）证实了AP-2α可以与SOX9的启动子区域直接结合,抑制SOX9的转录活性。通过实时定量PCR和蛋白质免疫印迹发现,AP-2α抑制了SOX9的mRNA和蛋白质水平表达。这些结果提示了AP-2α可与癌基因SOX9的启动子区域结合,负调控肝癌细胞中SOX9的表达。     

转录因子SOX2在胆囊癌的表达及意义

目的:研究转录因子SOX2在胆囊癌中的表达及意义.方法:收集我院自2012年1月至2012年12月间胆囊癌患者的新鲜标本42例,同时选取30例胆囊结石伴慢性胆囊炎患者的新鲜手术标本作为对照,采用用聚合酶链反应(Polymerase Chain Reaction,PCR)方法,对两组患者中SOX2 mRNA的水平进行检测.结果:胆囊癌组SOX2 mRNA水平为2.9±0.5,胆囊结石伴慢性胆囊炎组为2.2±0.6,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).胆囊癌患者SOX2 mRNA的水平与TNM分期、分化程度、淋巴结转移有关(P＜0.05);与年龄、性别、合并胆囊结石伴慢性胆囊炎以及肿瘤的部位大小无关,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:转录因子SOX2可能在胆囊癌的发生、演变中发挥作用.     

单克隆人胰腺干细胞分化特性的研究

研究1例来源于4月龄男性流产胎儿胰腺组织的单克隆人胰腺干细胞（monoclonal human pancreatic stem cell,mhPSC）系的体内外分化特性。将mhPSCs接种在铺有0．1％明胶的培养皿内,扩增培养3d后,加高糖DMEM诱导液诱导培养25d。相差显微镜下．观察细胞生长状况。采用双硫腙染色法、RT—PCR及葡萄糖刺激释放胰岛素和C肽实验．对体外定向诱导mhPSCs分化为功能性胰岛进行检测。将mhPSCs悬液注射在成年雄性裸鼠腹股沟皮下．注射30d时,取出移植物,采用SP法进行免疫组织化学反应,以检测mhPSCs的体内自然分化潜能。体外扩增培养,mhPSCs贴壁生长,呈多角形上皮样。生长至单层．呈“铺路石”状。体外定向诱导,细胞逐渐由多角形变成圆形,并聚集成类胰岛。诱导培养15d时．形成的类胰岛中少数细胞分化为B细胞,双硫腙染色阳性。诱导培养25d时,多数细胞分化为8细胞,双硫腙染色阳性,转录表达胰岛素的mRNA。用不同浓度葡萄糖刺激．诱导胰岛不仅释放胰岛素和C肽,而且其释放量随糖刺激浓度升高显著增加（0．01〈P〈0．05）。体内分化实验显示,mhPSCs在裸鼠背部形成类畸胎瘤。类畸胎瘤易与裸鼠分离,色白,血管丰富。显著表达pdx1、胰岛素、胰高血糖素、CK、MBP及NF蛋白。该研究结果证实单克隆人胰腺干细胞系体外定向诱导分化为包含大量β细胞的功能性类胰岛,在体内自然分化为胰岛、上皮及神经组织细胞。     

SOX18在胃腺癌中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨SOX18在胃腺癌中的表达与临床病理特征的关系,分析其在胃腺癌中的作用。方法利用免疫组织化学SP法检测60例胃腺癌及其相应(15例)远端正常胃黏膜组织中SOX18的表达。结果胃腺癌中SOX18的阳性表达率为76.7%(46/60),显著高于正常粘膜组织中的30.0%,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。胃腺癌中SOX18蛋白的表达与肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴结转移及TNM分期有关(P0.05),与患者年龄、性别、Lauren组织学分型及肿瘤分化程度均无关(P0.05)。结论 SOX18在胃腺癌中的高表达可能与胃癌的发生、发展和淋巴结转移密切相关。     

胚胎干细胞向造血干/祖细胞定向诱导分化的研究进展

胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cell,ES细胞)是指由胚胎内细胞团(inner cell mass,ICM)细胞经体外抑制培养而筛选得到的细胞,具有无限增殖潜能,在体外可以向造血细胞分化,有可能为造血干细胞移植和血细胞输注开辟新的来源．此外,ES细胞向造血干/祖细胞的定向诱导分化也为阐明哺乳动物造血发育的细胞和分子机制提供了良好的体外模型．对ES细胞向造血干/祖细胞定向分化的研究进展进行了综述．     

合浦珠母贝SOX9对Prismalin-14基因的调控研究

目的:研究合浦珠母贝转录因子SOX9对Prismalin-14的转录调控机制。方法:应用在线预测软件PROMO分析Prismalin-14的启动子序列,以预测Prismalin-14启动子上可能的转录因子与其结合位点;运用细胞共转染实验和双荧光素酶报告系统以检测SOX9对Prismalin-14启动子的激活作用;构建Prismalin-14启动子截短体的荧光素酶报告载体,并和SOX9的真核载体共转到HEK-293T细胞中,再进行双荧光素酶报告系统检测Prismalin-14启动子的活性;构建SOX9截短体的真核表达载体,并与Prismalin-14启动子的荧光素酶报告载体共转到HEK-293T细胞中,再进行双荧光素酶报告分析Prismalin-14启动子的活性。结果:SOX9能激活Prismalin-14的启动子的活性,并具有剂量效应;对Prismalin-14启动子进行截短后,不包含结合位点的Prismalin-14启动子的活性是野生型Prismalin-14启动子活性的49%,推测Prismalin-14启动子上的-415bp到-405bp区域是SOX9激活作用的关键区域;对SOX9的SRY-related HMG结构域进行截短后,其对Prismalin-14启动子的激活作用显著减少,因此SOX9结构的完整对Prismalin-14启动子活性的激活作用是必须的。结论:Prismalin-14的转录可能受SOX9调控,为进一步研究合浦珠母贝的转录调控机制提供基础,将有助于从分子水平上理解贝壳形成的上游调控机理。     

干细胞在胰腺癌中的研究进展

胰腺癌是预后程度极差的恶性肿瘤,已初步证实胰腺干细胞可转化为胰腺癌细胞。成功分离和鉴定了胰腺癌干细胞并对其与转移、耐药的关系和信号通路异常的关系进行了初步研究。深入理解干细胞在胰腺癌中的作用,可能根本改变临床胰腺癌防治的方式。     

Expression of Putative Stem Cell Marker,Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha,in Mammary Gland of Water Buffalo

Buffaloes account for more than 56% of total milk production in India. Cyclic remodeling of mammary glands of human, mice, cow, sheep, and goat is determined by mammary stem cells. It is logical to assume that buffalo mammary gland will have mammary stem/progenitor cells. Thus far, no report exists on identification of buffalo mammary stem cells. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) is a candidate marker for hepatic progenitor cells and has recently been suggested as a marker of bovine mammary stem/progenitor cells. We hypothesized that (1 Pasha TN, Hayat Z. Present situation and future perspective of buffalo production in Asia. J Anim Plant Sci 2012; 22(3 supple.):250–256. [Google Scholar]) HNF4A identifies putative buffalo mammary stem/progenitor cells and (2 NDDB. National Dairy Development Board. 2015. http://www.nddb.org/English/Statistics/Pages/Milk-Production.aspx. Accessed May 10, 2015. [Google Scholar]) the number of HNF4A-positive cells increases during mastitis. Sixteen buffalo mammary samples were collected from a local slaughterhouse. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed on 5-micron thick sections and on the basis of gross examination and histomorphology of the mammary glands, physiological stages of the animals were estimated as non-lactating (n = 4), mastitis (n = 9), and prepubertal (n = 3). In total, 24048 cells were counted (5–10 microscopic fields/animal; n = 16 animals) of which, 40% cells were mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and 60% cells were the stromal cells. The percentage of MEC in non-lactating animals was higher compared to mastitic animals (47.3% vs. 37.3%), which was likely due to loss of MEC in mastitis. HNF4A staining was observed in nuclei of MEC of ducts, alveoli, and stromal cells. Basal location and low frequency of HNF4A-positive MEC (ranges from 0.4–4.5%) were consistent with stem cell characteristics. Preliminary study showed coexpression of HNF4A with MSI1 (a mammary stem cell marker in sheep), suggesting HNF4A was likely to be a putative mammary stem/progenitor cell marker in buffalo. HNF4A-positive MEC (basal and luminal; light and dark stained) tended to be higher in non-lactating than the mastitic animals (8.73 ± 1.71% vs. 4.29 ± 1.19%; P = 0.07). The first hypothesis that HNF4A identify putative mammary stem/progenitor cells was confirmed but the second hypothesis that the number of mammary stem/progenitor cells decreases during mastitis was unsupported. This is the first report outlining the expression of HNF4A and identification of putative mammary stem/progenitor cells in buffalo mammary gland.     

Human Pancreatic Tumor Organoids Reveal Loss of Stem Cell Niche Factor Dependence during Disease Progression

1. Download high-res image (219KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

干细胞相关因子在子宫内膜息肉中的表达

探讨ipo13、c-kit、CD146、bcl-2和bax在子宫内膜息肉(endometrial polyp,EP)和正常内膜组织中的表达差异及临床意义。收集本院2010年3-7月行宫腔镜手术取得的40例子宫内膜息肉(病例组)与40例正常内膜组织(对照组)。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术(RT-PCR)检测ipo13、c-kit、bcl-2和bax mRNA的表达;免疫组织化学S-P法检测ipo13、CD146、bcl-2和bax蛋白的表达。无论在月经周期的增生期或分泌期,EP中ipo13、c-kit、CD146和bax mRNA和蛋白的表达均低于同期正常子宫内膜组织,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),bcl-2均比同期正常子宫内膜增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。子宫内膜干/祖细胞活性异常和子宫内膜凋亡减少与子宫内膜息肉发病有关,其中子宫内膜干/祖细胞活性异常使内膜凋亡减少可能是EP发病的主要因素。     

KDM6A promotes chondrogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by demethylation of SOX9

Objectives

KDM6A has been demonstrated critical in the regulation of cell fates. However, whether KDM6A is involved in cartilage formation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of KDM6A in chondrogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, as well as the underlying epigenetic mechanisms.

Methods

KDM6A shRNA was transfected into PDLSCs by lentivirus. The chondrogenic differentiation potential of PDLSCs was assessed by Alcian blue staining. Immunofluorescence was performed to demonstrate H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 levels during chondrogenesis. SOX9, Col2a1, ACAN and miRNAs (miR‐29a, miR‐204, miR‐211) were detected by real‐time RT‐PCR. Western blot was performed to evaluate SOX9, H3K27me3 and H3K4me3.

Results

The production of proteoglycans in PDLSCs was decreased after knockdown of KDM6A. Depletion of KDM6A inhibited the expression of SOX9, Col2a1, ACAN and resulted in increased H3K27me3 and decreased H3K4me3 levels. EZH2 inhibitor rescued the chondrogenic potential of PDLSCs after knockdown of KDM6A by regulating H3K27me3. Additionally, miR‐29a, miR‐204 and miR‐211 were also involved in the process of PDLSCs chondrogenesis.

Conclusions

KDM6A is required in chondrogenic differentiation of PDLSCs by demethylation of H3K27me3, and EZH2 inhibitor could rescue chondrogenesis of PDLSCs after knockdown of KDM6A. It could be inferred that upregulation of KDM6A or application of EZH2 inhibitor might improve mesenchymal stem cell mediated cartilage regeneration in inflammatory tissue destruction such as osteoarthritis.

     

Cytoplasmic retention of the sex-determining factor SOX9 via the microtubule network

SOX9 is a sex-determining factor which induces Sertoli cell differentiation and subsequent testis cord formation. It is expressed both in male and female undifferentiated gonads in the cytoplasmic compartment of pre-Sertoli cells. At the time of sexual differentiation, SOX9 moves into the nucleus of male pre-Sertoli cells whereas in female, it remains in the cytoplasm and then its expression decreases. To study the cytoplasmic localization of SOX9, we have analyzed its interaction with the cytoskeleton components. By treatment of NT2/D1 and transfected NIH3T3 cell lines and embryonic gonads with nocodazole, a drug depolymerizing the microtubules, we show that cytoplasmic retention of SOX9 requires the integrity of the microtubule network. Using biochemical experiments, we demonstrated that SOX9 is able to interact with microtubules in vitro and in vivo. On the other hand, we observed a complete male-specific reorganization of the microtubule network in epithelial Sertoli cells of the male embryonic gonad at the time of sexual differentiation and testis cord formation.