New Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the µ-Calpain Gene in Spanish Maternal Beef Breeds

Calpains play an important role in the postmortem tenderization process of meat and several SNP in the μ-calpain gene (CAPN1) have been reported to be associated with tenderness in beef cattle. Our objectives were to identify the previously reported CAPN1 331G>C SNP and to detect new polymorphisms in this gene in Spanish maternal beef breeds. A fragment (exon 8 to 10) of the bovine CAPN1 gene was sequenced and genotyped in a sample of the main Spanish maternal beef breeds including Retinta, Morucha, and Avileña Negra-Ibérica. These breeds are characterized for their high meat quality, their adaptation to adverse environmental conditions, and their good maternal aptitude. This adaptation makes it possible to rear these breeds in the south and west of Spain, where drought and feed shortages occur frequently. Six SNP in the μ-calpain gene were found, five of which (CAPN1 80C>T, 302C>G, 310G>A, 445C>T, 524A>C) have not been reported previously. Sequences obtained for these five newly found SNP were submitted to GenBank (Accessions EU386166 to EU386183).     

TGF-β1 Expression in Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma and Renal Oncocytoma

Distinguishing renal oncocytoma (RO) from the eosinophilic variant of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) under the light microscope is a common diagnostic problem. Our recent research has shown significant difference between the presence of tumor fibrous capsule in ChRCCs and ROs. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a potent cytokine involved in regulating a number of cellular processes. Two main purposes of this research were to investigate whether the TGF-β1 staining could be related to the presence of tumor fibrous capsule and if it could be used in the differential diagnosis between ChRCC and RO. We investigated 34 cases: 16 ChRCCs (8 eosinophilic and 8 classic) and 18 ROs. All available slides of each tumor, routinely stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) were first analyzed to note the presence of tumor fibrous capsule. One paraffin embedded tissue block matching the representative H&E slide was selected for the immunohistochemical analysis. TGF-β1 expression was analyzed semiquantitatively in the tumor tissue, the tumor fibrous capsule, if present and the peritumoral renal parenchyma. Intensity of TGF-β1 expression was weaker in ChRCCs than the one observed in ROs (P<0.05). The type of reaction in ChRCCs was predominantly membranous unlike in ROs, which exhibited a predominantly cytoplasmic reaction (P<0.05). Moreover, none of the ROs showed membranous type of reaction for TGF-β1. In the group of ChRCCs, tumors with capsule had statistically significant higher quantity of TGF-β1 expression in tumor tissue and in peritumoral renal parenchyma compared to the tumors without capsule (P<0.05). Our results showed different types of TGF-β1 expression in ChRCCs and ROs: ChRCCs had predominantly membranous type of reaction, and ROs predominantly cytoplasmic. Furthermore, ChRCCs with capsule had statistically significant higher quantity of TGF-β1 expression in tumor tissue and in peritumoral renal parenchyma compared to the tumors without capsule. Based on these findings we can speculate that it could be possible that TGF-β1 plays a role in the formation of fibrous capsule in ChRCCs.Key words: capsule, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, renal oncocytoma, TGF-β1     

The Phototoxic Effect of Water-Soluble Porphyrins on Human Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Line Сaki-1

Biophysics - Two tetrapyridine porphyrins, cationic porphyrin P4 (TMPyP4) and its amphiphilic derivative porphyrin P1 with carboxyl groups, and their zinc-containing analogs ZnP4 and ZnP1 were...     

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the 3′UTR of VPAC-1 Cooperate in Modulating Gene Expression and Impact Differently on the Interaction with miR525-5p

Complex immune and neurodegenerative disorders are the result of multiple interactions between common genetic variations having, individually, a weak effect on the disease susceptibility or resistance. Interestingly, some genes have been found to be associated with more than one disease although not necessarily the same SNPs are involved. In this context, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3′UTR region of type 1 receptor (VPAC-1) for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) have been reported to be associated with some immune-mediated as well as with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer''s Disease (AD). Here, we demonstrate that variations at the 3′UTR of the VPAC-1 gene act synergistically to affect the expression of the luciferase as well as of the GFP reporter genes expressed in HEK293T cells. Moreover, the miRNA 525-5p, previously shown by us to target the 3′UTR of VPAC-1, is more efficient in decreasing GFP expression when co-expressed with constructs carrying the allele C at rs896 (p<10^-3) suggesting that this miRNA regulates VPAC-1 expression at different levels depending on rs896 polymorphism and thus adding complexity to the network of disease susceptibility.     

Development of Novel Patient-Derived Preclinical Models from Malignant Effusions in Patients with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Resistant Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE: Although targeting angiogenesis with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has become standard of care in the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), resistance mechanism are not fully understood, and there is a need to develop new therapeutic options overcoming them. METHODS AND MATERIALS: To develop a preclinical model that predicts clinical activity of novel agents in 19 RCC patients, we established patient-derived cell (PDC) and xenograft (PDX) models derived from malignant effusions or surgical specimen. RESULTS: Successful PDCs, defined as cells that maintained growth following two passages, were established in 5 of 15 malignant effusions and 1 of 4 surgical specimens. One PDC, clinically refractory to TKIs, was implanted and engrafted in mice, resulting in a comparable histology to the primary tumor. The PDC-PDX model also showed similar genomic features when tested using targeted sequencing of cancer-related genes. When we examined the drug effects of the PDX model, the tumor cells showed resistance to TKIs and everolimus in vitro. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the PDC-PDX preclinical model we developed using malignant effusions can be a useful preclinical model to interrogate sensitivity to targeted agents based on genomic alterations.     

Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Polymorphisms Regulate Gene Expression in the ZCWPW1 and the CELF1 Loci

Late onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is a genetically complex and clinically heterogeneous disease. Recent large-scale genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than twenty loci that modify risk for AD. Despite the identification of these loci, little progress has been made in identifying the functional variants that explain the association with AD risk. Thus, we sought to determine whether the novel LOAD GWAS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) alter expression of LOAD GWAS genes and whether expression of these genes is altered in AD brains. The majority of LOAD GWAS SNPs occur in gene dense regions under large linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks, making it unclear which gene(s) are modified by the SNP. Thus, we tested for brain expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) between LOAD GWAS SNPs and SNPs in high LD with the LOAD GWAS SNPs in all of the genes within the GWAS loci. We found a significant eQTL between rs1476679 and PILRB and GATS, which occurs within the ZCWPW1 locus. PILRB and GATS expression levels, within the ZCWPW1 locus, were also associated with AD status. Rs7120548 was associated with MTCH2 expression, which occurs within the CELF1 locus. Additionally, expression of several genes within the CELF1 locus, including MTCH2, were highly correlated with one another and were associated with AD status. We further demonstrate that PILRB, as well as other genes within the GWAS loci, are most highly expressed in microglia. These findings together with the function of PILRB as a DAP12 receptor supports the critical role of microglia and neuroinflammation in AD risk.     

The Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Gly482Ser in the PGC-1α Gene Impairs Exercise-Induced Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibre Transformation in Humans

PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α) is an important regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and a master regulator of enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Recent evidence demonstrated that the Gly482Ser single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the PGC-1α gene affects insulin sensitivity, blood lipid metabolism and binding to myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2). Individuals carrying this SNP were shown to have a reduced cardiorespiratory fitness and a higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes. Here, we investigated the responses of untrained men with the Gly482Ser SNP to a 10 week programme of endurance training (cycling, 3 x 60 min/week, heart rate at 70-90% VO_2peak). Quantitative data from analysis of biopsies from vastus lateralis muscle revealed that the SNP group, in contrast to the control group, lacked a training-induced increase in content of slow contracting oxidative fibres. Capillary supply, mitochondrial density, mitochondrial enzyme activities and intramyocellular lipid content increased similarly in both groups. These results indicate that the impaired binding of MEF2 to PGC-1α in humans with this SNP impedes exercise-induced fast-to-slow muscle fibre transformation.     

Cytoplasmic Expression of Pontin in Renal Cell Carcinoma Correlates with Tumor Invasion,Metastasis and Patients’ Survival

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most lethal of all genitourinary malignancies. Distant metastasis represents the major cause of death in patients with RCC. Recent studies have implicated the AAA+ ATPase pontin in many cellular activities that are highly relevant to carcinogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that pontin was up-regulated in RCC, and plays a previously unknown pro-invasive role in the metastatic progression of RCC through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. 28 pairs of freshly frozen clear cell RCC samples and the matched normal renal tissues analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting demonstrated that pontin was up-regulated in clear cell RCC tissues than in normal renal tissues. In addition, immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate subcellular pontin expression in 95 RCC patients, and found that overexpression of pontin in cytoplasm positively correlated with the metastatic features, predicting unfavorable outcomes of RCC patients. Furthermore, in vitro experiments show pontin was predominantly expressed in cytoplasm of RCC cell lines, and a significant suppression of cell migration and invasion in pontin siRNA treated RCC cell lines was observed. Mechanistic studies show that pontin depletion up-regulated the E-cadherin protein and down-regulated vimentin protein, and decreased nuclear β-catenin expression, suggesting the involvement of EMT in pontin induced metastatic progression. Together, our data suggest pontin as a potential prognostic biomarker in RCC, and provide new promising therapeutic targets for clinical intervention of kidney cancers.     

Anti-CD70 Immunocytokines for Exploitation of Interferon-γ-Induced RIP1-Dependent Necrosis in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an incurable disease in clear need of new therapeutic interventions. In early-phase clinical trials, the cytokine IFN-γ showed promise as a biotherapeutic for advanced RCC, but subsequent trials were less promising. These trials, however, focused on the indirect immunomodulatory properties of IFN-γ, and its direct anti-tumor effects, including its ability to kill tumor cells, remains mostly unexploited. We have previously shown that IFN-γ induces RIP1 kinase-dependent necrosis in cells lacking NF-κB survival signaling. RCC cells display basally-elevated NF-κB activity, and inhibiting NF-κB in these cells, for example by using the small-molecule proteasome blocker bortezomib, sensitizes them to RIP1-dependent necrotic death following exposure to IFN-γ. While these observations suggest that IFN-γ-mediated direct tumoricidal activity will have therapeutic benefit in RCC, they cannot be effectively exploited unless IFN-γ is targeted to tumor cells in vivo. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of two novel ‘immunocytokine’ chimeric proteins, in which either human or murine IFN-γ is fused to an antibody targeting the putative metastatic RCC biomarker CD70. These immunocytokines display high levels of species-specific IFN-γ activity and selective binding to CD70 on human RCC cells. Importantly, the IFN-γ immunocytokines function as well as native IFN-γ in inducing RIP1-dependent necrosis in RCC cells, when deployed in the presence of bortezomib. These results provide a foundation for the in vivo exploitation of IFN-γ-driven tumoricidal activity in RCC.     

Wilms’ Tumor Gene 1 (WT1) Silencing Inhibits Proliferation of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor sNF96.2 Cell Line

Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) plays complex roles in tumorigenesis, acting as tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene depending on the cellular context. WT1 expression has been variably reported in both benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) by means of immunohistochemistry. The aim of the present study was to characterize its potential pathogenetic role in these relatively uncommon malignant tumors. Firstly, immunohistochemical analyses in MPNST sNF96.2 cell line showed strong WT1 staining in nuclear and perinuclear areas of neoplastic cells. Thus, we investigated the effects of silencing WT1 by RNA interference. Through Western Blot analysis and proliferation assay we found that WT1 knockdown leads to the reduction of cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. siWT1 inhibited proliferation of sNF96.2 cell lines likely by influencing cell cycle progression through a decrease in the protein levels of cyclin D1 and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation compared to the control cells. These results indicate that WT1 knockdown attenuates the biological behavior of MPNST cells by decreasing Akt activity, demonstrating that WT1 is involved in the development and progression of MPNSTs. Thus, WT1 is suggested to serve as a potential therapeutic target for MPNSTs.     

Gene Expression Profile of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with IL-2, Interferon-�� and Dendritic Cell Vaccine

Lymphocytes are a key component of the immune system and their differentiation and function are directly influenced by cancer. We examined peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) gene expression as a biomarker of illness and treatment effect using the Affymetrix Human Gene ST1 platform in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received combined treatment with IL-2, interferon-?-2a and dendritic cell vaccine. We examined gene expression, cytokine levels in patient serum and lymphocyte subsets as determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Pre-treatment PBLs from patients with mRCC exhibit a gene expression profile and serum cytokine profile consistent with inflammation and proliferation not found in healthy donors (HD). PBL gene expression from patients with mRCC showed increased mRNA of genes involved with T-cell and T_REG-cell activation pathways, which was also reflected in lymphocyte subset distribution. Overall, PBL gene expression post-treatment (POST) was not significantly different than pre-treatment (PRE). Nevertheless, treatment related changes in gene expression (post-treatment minus pre-treatment) revealed an increased expression of T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling pathways in responding (R) patients compared to non-responding (NR) patients. In addition, we observed down-regulation of T_REG-cell pathways post-treatment in R vs. NR patients. While exploratory in nature, this study supports the hypothesis that enhanced inflammatory cytotoxic pathways coupled with blunting of the regulatory pathways is necessary for effective anti-cancer activity associated with immune therapy. This type of analysis can potentially identify additional immune therapeutic targets in patients with mRCC.     

Association of Dyslipidemia with Renal Cell Carcinoma: A 1∶2 Matched Case-Control Study

Abnormal serum lipid profiles are associated with the risk of some cancers, but the direction and magnitude of the association with renal cell carcinoma is unclear. We explore the relationship between serum lipids and renal cell carcinoma via a matched case-control study. A 1∶2-matched case-control study design was applied, where one renal cell carcinoma patient was matched to two non-renal-cell-carcinoma residents with respect to age (±0 year) and gender. Cases (n = 248) were inpatients with a primary diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, confirmed by pathology after operations. Controls were sampled from a community survey database matched on age and gender with cases, 2 controls for each case. Stratified Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to obtain hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals of lipids level and dyslipidemia for the risk of renal cell carcinoma. Elevated serum cholesterol (p<0.001), LDL cholesterol (p<0.001), and HDL cholesterol (p = 0.003) are associated with decreased hazard of renal cell carcinoma, adjusting for obesity, smoke, hypertension and diabetes. However, risk caused by hTG showed no statistical significance (p = 0.263). This study indicates that abnormal lipid profile influences the risk of renal cell carcinoma.