Heat shock protein 72 associated with CD44v6 in human colonic adenocarcinoma

CD44v6 is a splice variant of CD44 (CD44v), probably promoting cancer cell adherence to vascular endothelium and base membranes and enhancing the invasion and metastasis of colonic carcinomas. Heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) as a molecular chaperone has been confirmed to be overexpressed in epithelial carcinoma cells. There may be a possible association between the expression of HSP72 and CD44v6 during the growth and progression of colonic carcinoma cells. The aim of the study was to investigate the interaction between heat shock protein 72 and CD44v6 in human colonic carcinomas. The localization of HSP72 and CD44v6 in human colonic carcinomas was determined by immunohistochemistry and confocal laser microscopy. The interaction between HSP72 and CD44v6 in colonic carcinoma cells was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblots. Our results revealed that colonic carcinoma synchronously co-expressed higher levels of HSP72 and CD44v6 than that in adjacent normal colonic tissues. HSP72 and CD44v6 were mainly immunolocalized in the cytoplasm, and also immunolabelled on the cell membrane. Based on immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblots, we found that HSP72 was associated with CD44v6 precursor fragments in human colonic carcinoma cells. The interaction between HSP72 and CD44v6 in human colonic carcinoma cells may contribute to study the pathogenesis and immunotherapy of colonic carcinoma.     

CD44s and CD44v6 expression in head and neck epithelia

Background

CD44 splice variants are long-known as being associated with cell transformation. Recently, the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) was shown to be part of the signature of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colon, breast, and in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). This is somewhat in contradiction to previous reports on the expression of CD44s in HNSCC. The aim of the present study was to clarify the actual pattern of CD44 expression in head and neck epithelia.

Methods

Expression of CD44s and CD44v6 was analysed by immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies in primary head and neck tissues. Scoring of all specimens followed a two-parameters system, which implemented percentages of positive cells and staining intensities from − to +++ (score = %×intensity; resulting max. score 300). In addition, cell surface expression of CD44s and CD44v6 was assessed in lymphocytes and HNSCC.

Results

In normal epithelia CD44s and CD44v6 were expressed in 60–95% and 50–80% of cells and yielded mean scores with a standard error of a mean (SEM) of 249.5±14.5 and 198±11.13, respectively. In oral leukoplakia and in moderately differentiated carcinomas CD44s and CD44v6 levels were slightly increased (278.9±7.16 and 242±11.7; 291.8±5.88 and 287.3±6.88). Carcinomas in situ displayed unchanged levels of both proteins whereas poorly differentiated carcinomas consistently expressed diminished CD44s and CD44v6 levels. Lymphocytes and HNSCC lines strongly expressed CD44s but not CD44v6.

Conclusion

CD44s and CD44v6 expression does not distinguish normal from benign or malignant epithelia of the head and neck. CD44s and CD44v6 were abundantly present in the great majority of cells in head and neck tissues, including carcinomas. Hence, the value of CD44s as a marker for the definition of a small subset of cells (i.e. less than 10%) representing head and neck cancer stem cells may need revision.     

CD44v6: a target for antibody-based cancer therapy

The human CD44 gene encodes type 1 transmembrane glycoproteins involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The structural heterogeneity of the gene products is caused primarily by alternative splicing of at least 10 out of 20 exons. Certain CD44 variant isoforms, in particular those containing CD44 variant domain 6 (CD44v6), have been implicated in tumourigenesis, tumour cell invasion and metastasis. Here we will give an overview of immunohistochemically determined CD44v6 expression in human malignancies (primary epithelial and nonepithelial tumours as well as metastases) and normal tissues, and review several examples of the clinical use of CD44v6-specific antibodies. In nonmalignant tissues, CD44v6 expression is essentially restricted to a subset of epithelia. Intense and homogeneous expression of CD44v6 was reported for the majority of squamous cell carcinomas and a proportion of adenocarcinomas of differing origin, but was rarely seen in nonepithelial tumours. This expression pattern has made CD44v6 an attractive target for antibody-guided therapy of various types of epithelium-derived cancers.Abbreviations CD44 type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein, cell surface receptor for hyaluronate - CD44s (CD44H) standard form of CD44 - CD44v6 splice variant exon 6 of CD44 - CTC common toxicity criteria - 2F10, VFF4, VFF7, VFF18 (BIWA 1), U36, V6B3, HB-256, Var 3.1 monoclonal antibodies targeting the CD44v6 antigen - SCC squamous cell carcinoma     

非小细胞肺癌中E-钙粘素和CD44v6的表达及其意义

为了探讨E-钙粘素(E-cadherin,E-cad)和白细胞分化抗原变异型6(CD44v6)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)中的表达及临床意义,采用免疫组织化学(SP法)对65例NSCLC和20例癌旁组织中E-cad和CD44v6的表达进行研究。结果显示E-cad在肺癌组织中的阳性表达率(32.31%)显著低于癌旁组织(75.00%)(P<0.01),且与NSCLC的TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈负相关(P<0.05),与分化程度呈正相关(P<0.01),而与组织分型无关(P>0.05);CD44v6的阳性表达率与组织分型和分化程度无关(P>0.05),而与TNM分期和淋巴结转移呈正相关(P<0.05,<0.01)。两者在NSCLC中的表达显著相关(P<0.05)。因此检测E-cad和CD44v6的共同表达将是指导临床治疗及估计预后的有意义指标,可应用于临床预后的综合评价。     

Human keratinocytes express a new CD44 core protein (CD44E) as a heparan-sulfate intrinsic membrane proteoglycan with additional exons

We previously identified a 90-kD (GP90), collagen-binding, membrane glycoprotein, termed extracellular matrix receptor III (ECMR III), that is homologous to the lymphocyte homing receptor and CD44 antigen (Gallatin, W. M., E. A. Wayner, P. A. Hoffman, T. St. John, E. C. Butcher, and W. G. Carter. 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 86:4654- 4658). CD44 is abundantly expressed in many epithelial tissues, and is localized predominantly to filopodia in cultured keratinocytes. Here we establish CD44 as a polymorphic family of related membrane proteoglycans and glycoproteins possessing extensive diversity in both glycosylation and core protein sequence. Human neonatal foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) and QG56 lung squamous carcinoma cells express an alternatively spliced form of the CD44 core protein (termed CD44E) that contains an additional 132 amino acids in the carbohydrate attachment region of the extracellular domain. HFKs, HT1080 fibrosarcoma and QG56 cells, as well as many other human cells, contain varying ratios of GP90 and structurally related, higher molecular mass forms of CD44 that express the following characteristics: (a) each form reacted with anti- CD44 (mAbs) P1G12, P3H9, and P3H5. Each of these mAbs recognized a distinct, nonoverlapping epitope present on each CD44 form. (b) Differences in mass were due primarily to variation in carbohydrate moieties, including sulfated aspargine-linked glycopeptides (GP), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycans, as well as O-linked mucin and polylactosamine structure(s). The major polymorphic forms were designated HT1080 GP90 and CS180, QG56 GP230, and HFK HS/CS250, based on dominant carbohydrate moieties and relative mass. (c) The polymorphic forms use CD44 and CD44E core proteins, each containing a unique set of potential attachment sites for O- and N- glycosides and glycosaminoglycans. (d) Immunofluorescence microscopy, differential extraction with Triton-X-114 detergent, and incorporation into liposomes indicated that all the forms were membrane bound glycoconjugates. These results define CD44 as a structurally diverse, but immunologically related, set of intrinsic membrane macromolecules, and suggests that these structurally varied forms might be expected to manifest multiple functions.     

Characterization of a high-affinity monoclonal antibody specific for CD44v6 as candidate for immunotherapy of squamous cell carcinomas

 Variant isoforms of CD44, a family of cell-surface glycoproteins generated by alternative splicing and post-translational modifications, are expressed in a variety of human tumors and play important roles in tumor progression and metastasis formation. The murine monoclonal IgG1 antibody VFF18, specific for an epitope encoded by human CD44 variant exon 6, binds with high affinity to the recombinant protein (K _d = 1.7×10^–10 M) as well as to tumor cell lines in vitro, and is suitable for immunohistochemical analysis of human tumors. Screening of more than 500 tumor samples of different histogenesis showed that VFF18 most strongly and uniformly reacts with squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Detailed analysis of 185 SCC (head and neck, lung, skin) confirmed reactivity of the antibody with 99% of the samples, with intense and homogeneous staining of the tumor cells in the majority of cases, whereas reactivity of VFF18 with normal tissues is limited to certain epithelia and activated lymphocytes. When radiolabelled VFF18 was administered to nude mice bearing human epidermoid carcinoma (A-431) xenograft, fast and selective tumor uptake of the radioimmunoconjugate with a maximum of 18% of the injected dose per gram of tissue was observed. Taken together, these data suggest that mAb VFF18 is a promising targeting vehicle for radioimmunotherapy of squamous cell carcinomas in humans. Received: 9 September 1996 / Accepted: 25 September 1996     

A dose-response model for skin cancer induction by chronic u.v. exposure of a human population

A dose-response model, based on the results of animal experiments, is presented for skin cancer induction in a human population by chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The model takes into account a variety of exposure habits and susceptibilities of the individuals in the population. The required input data for the dose-response relationship are the age specific incidences of the population in question.Calculations based on this model can be used as a step in the evaluation of the effect which a reduction of stratospheric ozone would have on the non-melanoma skin cancer incidence. As an example an evaluation for the white population of the U.S.A. is presented. The estimate resulting from this evaluation agrees fairly well with earlier estimates based on combined climatological and epidemiological data.     

CD44 standard and variant isoform expression in normal human skin appendages and epidermis

 CD44 isoforms have been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis formation. This study presents a thorough immunohistochemical analysis of CD44 standard and isoform expression in normal human skin appendages and epidermis applying monoclonal antibodies against CD44s, CD44v3, -v4, -v5, -v6, and -v9. An improved immunohistochemical protocol with microwave-based antigen retrieval in paraffin sections and heavy metal amplification of the diaminobenzidine reaction product provided enhanced resolution and sensitivity as compared to studies on frozen sections. The hair follicle, the seborrheic and eccrine sweat glands were strongly positive for all CD44 isoforms studied. In the latter, the clear cells but not the dark (intercalated) cells were positive. The sudoriferous ducts adjacent to the glands were weakly positive for all CD44 isoforms and strongly positive near the skin surface. In the apocrine glands, the basal cells showed only a moderate positivity. The myoepithelial cells expressed only CD44s. In the epidermis, all CD44 isoforms were detectable, with strongest CD44 immunostaining in the lower third of the stratum spinosum and weaker staining in the stratum basale and the upper two-thirds of the stratum granulosum. The stratum granulosum and corneum were unreactive. Thus, a regional and cell type-specific CD44 expression was revealed. Accepted: 10 May 1996     

Topography of amphiregulin expression in cultured human keratinocytes: Colocalization with the epidermal growth factor receptor and CD44

Summary Much of the autonomous growth of cultured keratinocytes is attributable to the signaling of amphiregulin, a heparin-binding autocrine growth factor, through the epidermal growth factor receptor. Emerging evidence suggests, moreover, that the membrane proteoglycan, CD44, is a cofactor for the interaction of heparin-binding ligands with their receptors. This model was evaluated by characterizing the patterns of the immunolabeled molecules in cultured human neonatal keratinocytes, to test the hypothesis that involvement in a common function results in coordinate segregation within or on the cell. The molecules were localized by double immunofluorescence labeling to detect amphiregulin and either the epidermal growth factor receptor or CD44, and the immunostained products were imaged by scanning laser confocal microscopy. Both amphiregulin and the epidermal growth factor receptor segregated to a perinuclear distribution and to intercellular contacts. In addition, amphiregulin localized to the outer leading edge of colonies and focally to intranuclear sites. Metabolic blockade of proteoglycan sulfation with sodium chlorate inhibited growth of the cells and concurrently enhanced the nuclear, but decreased the outer leading edge, labeling for amphiregulin. There was no nuclear or perimeter labeling for the epidermal growth factor receptor. Cultures co-immunolabeled for CD44 and amphiregulin exhibited variable perinuclear staining for both, but otherwise CD44 was distributed to intercellular contacts. The intercellular localizations of CD44 with amphiregulin and of amphiregulin with the epidermal growth factor receptor were strongly concordant. These data are consistent with a concerted function at intercellular contacts, where cytokine signaling is mediated via receptor binding and possibly regulated by the CD44 proteoglycan as cofactor. The intranuclear and perimeter labeling of amphiregulin, however, suggests that this cytokine has additional functions, both in the nucleus and as a matrix receptor.     

CD44v6 cell surface expression is a common feature of macrophages and macrophage-like cells - implication for a natural macrophage extravasation mechanism mimicked by tumor cells

Soluble CD44standard (sCD44s) and CD44v6 (sCD44v6) cannot only be detected in sera of patients with pancreatic carcinoma but also of healthy blood donors. To investigate whether sCD44s and sCD44v6 are derived from white blood cells, we stimulated whole blood with phytohemagglutinin and interleukin-2, which induced expression of CD44v6 only on monocytes. For further investigations, we used the promyelocytic leukemia cell line Hl-60. Only Hl-60 cells differentiating along the macrophage pathway showed increased expression of CD44s and CD44v6. Furthermore, only macrophages showed increased secretion of sCD44s and sCD44v6. Our data suggest that CD44s and CD44v6 are common adhesion molecules on macrophages and macrophage-like cells.     

双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸对结肠癌细胞CD44v6和MMP-2表达的影响

目的研究双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸(LTA)对结肠癌细胞中CD44v6与基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)表达的影响,探讨其在抑制结肠癌转移中的作用。方法结肠癌LoVo细胞及HT-29细胞用含50 mg/L双歧杆菌LTA的培养液培养24 h后,RT-PCR和免疫细胞化学染色检测CD44v6和MMP-2在结肠癌细胞中的表达变化。结果结肠癌LoVo细胞及HT-29细胞中CD44v6和MMP-2的mRNA和蛋白质均呈高表达,经双歧杆菌LTA处理后,其表达均明显下降,与对照组比较,差异有非常显著性(P0.01)。结论双歧杆菌LTA可能通过下调CD44v6和MMP-2的表达来抑制结肠癌的转移。     

6-Thioguanine resistant T-lymphocyte determination as a possible indicator of human ionizing radiation exposure

We used the autoradiographic assay to assess human in vivo somatic cell gene mutation at the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hgprt) locus in T-lymphocytes. Cells able to incorporate tritiated thymidine in vitro in 6-thioguanine containing short-term cultures were enumerated in order to determine 6-thioguanine resistant (TGr) variant frequencies in cryopreserved lymphocytes from control individuals and 3 persons suspected of 60Co exposure from an accident in Cd. Juárez, México. The data indicate that the lymphocyte TGr variant frequency assay may be potentially usefull for human population monitoring following accidental exposures to ionizing radiation.     

Gene expression as a biomarker for human radiation exposure

Accidental exposure to ionizing radiation can be unforeseen, rapid, and devastating. The detonation of a radiological device leading to such an exposure can be detrimental to the exposed population. The radiation-induced damage may manifest as acute effects that can be detected clinically or may be more subtle effects that can lead to long-term radiation-induced abnormalities. Accurate identification of the individuals exposed to radiation is challenging. The availability of a rapid and effective screening test that could be used as a biomarker of radiation exposure detection is mandatory. We tested the suitability of alterations in gene expression to serve as a biomarker of human radiation exposure. To develop a useful gene expression biomonitor, however, gene expression changes occurring in response to irradiation in vivo must be measured directly. Patients undergoing radiation therapy provide a suitable test population for this purpose. We examined the expression of CC3, MADH7, and SEC PRO in blood samples of these patients before and after radiotherapy to measure the in vivo response. The gene expression after ionizing radiation treatment varied among different patients, suggesting the complexity of the response. The expression of the SEC PRO gene was repressed in most of the patients. The MADH7 gene was found to be upregulated in most of the subjects and could serve as a molecular marker of radiation exposure.     

Expression of metastasis associated proteins,CD44v6 and NM23-H1, in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Two metastasis associated proteins, CD44v6 and NM23-H1, are expressed by normal lymphoid cells, the former serving as activation marker and the later as a constitutive protein. CD44v6 is considered as a marker of poor prognosis of various hematological cancers but its expression was not demonstrated in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). On the other hand, NM23-H1 is considered as a differentiation inhibitory factor in various hematological cancers and as a marker of poor prognosis. Therefore we have analyzed the expression of CD44v6 and NM23-H1 in bone marrow of sixteen pediatric ALL patients using immunocytochemistry. For the first time, we have demonstrated the expression of CD44v6 protein epitopes on leukemic cells in a proportion of ALL cases (6/16), primarily in the medium/high risk group (except one case), suggesting a possible association to an unfavorable outcome. On the other hand, NM23-H1 protein expression was maintained in leukemic cells in 50% of both low and medium/high risk ALL cases. The majority of the pediatric ALL cases expressed only one of the metastasis associated proteins (10/16). This feature is highly similar to the observations made in several adult solid cancers. The potential of CD44v6 expression in leukemic cells as prognosticator in pediatric ALL has to be evaluated in a larger clinical trial.     

Generation of a stable anti-human CD44v6 scFv and analysis of its cancer-targeting ability in vitro

CD44v6 is a cancer-associated antigen that mainly expresses in a subset of adenocarcinomas. Therefore, in this study, anti-human CD44v6 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) has been selected and characterized because it is the first step of primary importance towards the construction of a novel cancer-targeted agent for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In our study, anti-human CD44v6 scFv was selected from a human phage-displayed scFv library based on its ability to bind in vitro to CD44v6 antigen. Subsequently, immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analyses were performed to measure the binding characteristics of this scFv. In addition, flow cytometric analysis was done to verify its cancer-targeting ability in vitro. And a flow cytometry-based assay was used to determine its equilibrium dissociation constant (K _D). Finally, one functional anti-CD44v6 scFv was selected and characterized. Nucleotide sequencing verified that it was an incomplete scFv gene but had a variable heavy chain (V_H) alone. However, anti-CD44v6 scFv demonstrated cell-binding and antigen-binding activities by immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analyses. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis proved that this scFv specifically targeted CD44v6-expressing cancer cells other than CD44v6 non-expressing normal cells or tumor cells in vitro. The K _D of this scFv was calculated to be 7.85 ± 0.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. In summary, the selected human scFv against CD44v6 has specific binding activity and favorable binding affinity despite lacking a variable light chain (V_L). Moreover, it can effectively and specifically target CD44v6-expressing cancer cells. All these characteristics make anti-CD44v6 scFv a promising agent for cancer detection and anti-cancer therapy.     

胃癌中CD44v6 表达及与微血管密度和生物学行为的关系

目的:探讨CD44v6在胃癌中的表达及其与微血管密度(microvessel density,MVD)和生物学行为的关系。方法:采用免疫组化法检测80例胃癌组织CD44v6、CD34的表达,以CD34标记肿瘤微血管,并在显微镜下计数微血管密度(MVD)。结果:CD44v6在胃癌组织中的表达与肿瘤浸润深度、临床分期、淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05),CD44v6强阳性表达组中MVD明显高于CD44v6阴性表达组(P<0.05)。结论:CD44v6的表达和MVD计数是反映胃癌生物学特性的良好的指标,对判断胃癌的浸润转移具有一定的临床意义。     

Brain metastasis is predetermined in early stages of cutaneous melanoma by CD44v6 expression through epigenetic regulation of the spliceosome

Melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) is frequent and has a very poor prognosis with no current predictive factors or therapeutic molecular targets. Our study unravels the molecular alterations of cell‐surface glycoprotein CD44 variants during melanoma progression to MBM. High expression of CD44 splicing variant 6 (CD44v6) in primary melanoma (PRM) and regional lymph node metastases from AJCC Stage IIIC patients significantly predicts MBM development. The expression of CD44v6 also enhances the migration of MBM cells by hyaluronic acid and hepatocyte growth factor exposure. Additionally, CD44v6‐positive MBM migration is reduced by blocking with a CD44v6‐specific monoclonal antibody or knocking down CD44v6 by siRNA. ESRP1 and ESRP2 splicing factors correlate with CD44v6 expression in PRM, and ESRP1 knockdown significantly decreases CD44v6 expression. However, an epigenetic silencing of ESRP1 is observed in metastatic melanoma, specifically in MBM. In advanced melanomas, CD44v6 expression correlates with PTBP1 and U2AF2 splicing factors, and PTBP1 knockdown significantly decreases CD44v6 expression. Overall, these findings open a new avenue for understanding the high affinity of melanoma to progress to MBM, suggesting CD44v6 as a potential MBM‐specific factor with theranostic utility for stratifying patients.