Decreased expression of protease-activated receptor 4 in human gastric cancer

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a unique family of G-protein coupled receptors. PAR4, the most recently identified PAR member, was reported to be overexpressed during the progression of colon and prostate cancers. Though PAR4 mRNA was detected in normal stomach, the role of PAR4 in gastric cancer has not been investigated. In this study, differential expression of PAR4 was measured by real-time PCR (n=28) and tissue microarrays (n=74). We showed that PAR4 was located from basal to middle portions of normal gastric mucosa. PAR4 expression was remarkably decreased in gastric cancer tissues as compared with matched noncancerous tissues, especially in positive lymph node or low differentiation cancers. Furthermore, methylation of the PAR4 promoter in cell lines was assessed by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and genomic bisulfite sequencing. AGS and N87 human gastric cancer cell lines did not express PAR4, as compared to HT-29 human colon cancer cell line with significant PAR4 expression. Treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored PAR4 expression in AGS and N87 cells, which exhibited significantly more 5-methylcytosines in the PAR4 promoter compared with HT-29 cells. Our results revealed that down-regulation of PAR4 expression occurs frequently in gastric cancers and exhibits association with more aggressive gastric cancer. Interestingly, the loss of PAR4 expression in gastric cancers may result from hypermethylation of the PAR4 promoter.     

Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyl Transferase (Nampt) Is a Target of MicroRNA-26b in Colorectal Cancer Cells

A number of cancers show increased expression of Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt). However, the mechanism through which Nampt is upregulated is unclear. In our study, we found that the Nampt-specific chemical inhibitor FK866 significantly inhibited cell survival and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels in LoVo and SW480 cell lines. Bioinformatics analyses suggested that miR-26b targets Nampt mRNA. We identified Nampt as a new target of miR-26b and demonstrated that miR-26b inhibits Nampt expression at the protein and mRNA levels by binding to the Nampt 3′-UTR. Moreover, we found that miR-26b was down regulated in cancer tissues relative to that in adjacent normal tissues in 18 colorectal cancer patients. A statistically significant inverse correlation between miR-26b and Nampt expression was observed in samples from colorectal cancer patients and in 5 colorectal cell lines (HT-29, SW480, SW1116, LoVo, and HCT116). In addition, over expression of miR-26b strongly inhibited LoVo cell survival and invasion, an effect partially abrogated by the addition of NAD. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the NAD-salvaging biosynthesis pathway involving Nampt might play a role in colorectal cancer cell survival. MiR-26b may serve as a tumor suppressor by targeting Nampt.     

TACC1及TFF3在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床意义(英文)

目的:探讨转化酸性卷曲螺旋蛋白1(TACC1)和肠三叶因子(TFF3)在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法:采用免疫组化方法检测胃癌组织中TACC1及TFF3的表达情况。采用x2检验、乘积极限法及单因素、多因素生存分析等统计学方法,分析胃癌组织中TACC1及TFF3的表达与患者临床病理参数及预后的关系。结果:TACC1和TFF3在进展期胃癌、有淋巴结转移及复发的胃癌组织中的表达率较高。此外,TFF3在较大肿瘤(肿瘤大小4 cm)的胃癌组织中的表达较高。单因素生存分析显示年龄、淋巴结转移、TACC1和TFF3表达与低生存期显著相关(P0.05)。多因素分析结果表明,TACC1和TFF3的表达是独立的预后预测因子。结论:TACC1和TFF3的表达可以作为胃癌的独立不良预后因子,而且在胃癌组织中TACC1和TFF3共同表达的患者生存时间更短。     

TFF2在胃癌中的表达及与幽门螺杆菌感染关系的研究

目的探讨三叶因子Ⅱ(Trefoil factors2,TFF2)在胃癌和癌前病变中的表达及与幽门螺杆菌感染(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)的关系。方法选取经病理证实的慢性浅表性胃炎、胃溃疡、慢性萎缩性胃炎和胃癌4种不同胃黏膜病变的标本140例,用免疫组化法检测标本中TFF2的表达及H.pylori的感染情况,并分析TFF2的表达与H.pylori的感染的关系。结果在慢性浅表性胃炎、胃溃疡、慢性萎缩性胃炎和胃癌中,TFF2和H.pylori的表达率依序呈逐渐增加的趋势,但TFF2在胃癌组织中表达降低。H.pylori阳性组TFF2的表达率低于阴性组,TFF2的阳性率与H.pylori感染率之间呈负相关(r=-0.335,P<0.05)。结论 TFF2的表达和H.pylori的感染与肿瘤的发生密切相关,检测该指标可为胃癌诊断、判断预后和指导治疗提供理论依据。     

Co-localization of TFF2 with gland mucous cell mucin in gastric mucous cells and in extracellular mucous gel adherent to normal and damaged gastric mucosa

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is mucin associated peptide that has a mucosal barrier function in addition to participating in repair and healing. We examined the localization of TFF2 and gastric mucins in gastric mucous cells, the surface mucous gel layer (SMGL) adherent to normal gastric mucosa, and in the mucoid cap covering gastric erosions. Carnoy’s solution, or formalin/picric acid-fixed paraffin embedded materials from resected stomachs and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded gastric biopsy materials were used. Sections were immunostained for the TFF2 and histochemically stained for gastric mucins. In addition, thick sectioned gastric mucosa fixed in Carnoy’s solution were stained with FITC-labeled GSA-II lectin specific for gland mucous cell mucin and examined for three-dimensional images of the SMGL using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin were found intermixed together in the gastric gland mucous cells, in the SMGL in laminated layers, and in the mucoid cap. A laminated arrangement of continuous sheets of gland mucous cell mucin in the SMGL was demonstrated in the three-dimensional images. Co-localization of the TFF2 with gland mucous cell mucin suggests a physical interaction between the TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin. The TFF2 trapped in the adherent mucins may be responsible for mucosal defense, healing, and repair.     

TACC1及TFF3在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨转化酸性卷曲螺旋蛋白1（TACC1）和肠三叶因子（TFF3）在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法：采用免疫组化方法检测胃癌组织中TACC1及TFF3的表达情况。采用x2检验、乘积极限法及单因素、多因素生存分析等统计学方法,分析胃癌组织中TACC1及TFF3的表达与患者临床病理参数及预后的关系。结果：TACC1和TFF3在进展期胃癌、有淋巴结转移及复发的胃癌组织中的表达率较高。此外,TFF3在较大肿瘤（肿瘤大小〉4 cm）的胃癌组织中的表达较高。单因素生存分析显示年龄、淋巴结转移、TACC1和TFF3表达与低生存期显著相关（P〈0.05）。多因素分析结果表明,TACC1和TFF3的表达是独立的预后预测因子。结论：TACC1和TFF3的表达可以作为胃癌的独立不良预后因子,而且在胃癌组织中TACC1和TFF3共同表达的患者生存时间更短。     

Specific secretion of gel-forming mucins and TFF peptides in HT-29 cells of mucin-secreting phenotype

Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are typical secretory products of mucin-producing cells, e.g. of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, the expression and secretion of mucins and TFF peptides was studied in the HT-29 cell line throughout cellular growth and differentiation in relation to a mucin-secreting (HT-29 MTX) or an enterocyte-like (HT-29 G(-)) phenotype. mRNAs of several MUC and TFF genes were expressed in both cell subpopulations. However, for most MUC and TFF genes, the expression appeared strongly induced with the differentiation into the mucin-secreting phenotype. On the other hand, TFF2 was specifically expressed in the mucin-secreting HT-29 MTX cells. The differentiation of HT-29 MTX cells into the mucin-secreting phenotype was characterised by secretion of the gel-forming mucins MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC5B, however, according to a different pattern in the course of differentiation. A significant amount of TFF1 and TFF3 was secreted after differentiation, also according to a different pattern, whereas TFF2 was only faintly detected. Secretagogues, known to induce the secretion of mucus, increased the secretion of all three TFF peptides. In contrast, neither a secretory mucin nor a TFF peptide was found in the culture medium of HT-29 G(-) cells. Overlay assays indicated that HT-29 MTX mucins bound to secretory peptides of HT-29 MTX cells with relative molecular mass similar to TFF peptides. TFF1 and TFF3 were specifically localised in the mucus layer of HT-29 MTX cells by confocal microscopy. Finally, the secretion of TFF peptides and mucins appears as a co-ordinated process which only occurs after differentiation into goblet cell-like phenotype.     

Cytosolic levels of an estrogen-induced breast cancer-associated peptide (TFF1/pS2) in colorectal cancer: clinical significance and relationship with steroid receptors

BACKGROUND: The Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1/pS2), a peptide consisting of 60 amino acids, is the most abundant estrogen-induced messenger RNA in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and is also expressed by colorectal carcinomas. The objective of this work was to evaluate the cytosolic TFF1 content in colorectal carcinomas, its possible relationship with estrogen and progesterone receptors as well as with clinicopathological tumor parameters, and its potential prognostic significance. METHODS: Cytosolic TFF1 levels were examined by immunoradiometric assay in 178 patients with resectable colorectal cancer. The mean follow-up period was 32 months. RESULTS: There was a wide variability of cytosolic TFF1 levels in tumor-surrounding mucosa samples (0.09-42.5 ng/mg protein) as well as in tumors (0.01-270 ng/mg protein). Comparison of paired mucosa and carcinoma samples showed significantly higher TFF1 levels in tumors (mean: 17.1 ng/mg protein) than in mucosa samples (10 ng/mg protein) (p = 0.027). TFF1 levels were significantly higher in mucosa samples surrounding distal colon and rectal tumors (p = 0.0001) and in tumor samples obtained from older patients (p = 0.007). However, there were no significant differences in tumor TFF1 levels with respect to clinicopathological parameters such as the patient's sex, tumor location, stage, histological grade, ploidy, S-phase, or tumor estrogen and progesterone receptors. In addition, there was no significant relationship between tumor TFF1 levels and disease outcome. CONCLUSIONS:TFF1 may play an as yet undetermined role in the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinomas. However, cytosolic levels of TFF1 do not seem to have any prognostic significance in colorectal carcinomas.     

microRNA-195 promotes apoptosis and suppresses tumorigenicity of human colorectal cancer cells

Deregulated microRNAs and their roles in cancer development have attracted much attention. In the present study, we analyzed the roles of miR-195 in colorectal cancer pathogenesis, as its participation in some other types of cancer has been suggested by previous reports. By comparing miR-195 expression in 81 human colorectal cancer tissues and matched non-neoplastic mucosa tissues, we found that miR-195 was downregulated in cancer tissues. And restoration of miR-195 in colorectal cancer cell lines HT29 and LoVo could reduce cell viability, promote cell apoptosis and suppress tumorigenicity. Moreover, important antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was identified to be directly targeted by miR-195, and miR-195 was further suggested to exert its proapoptotic function mainly through targeting Bcl-2 expression. Taken together, our study provides important roles of miR-195 in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and implicates its potential application in cancer therapy.     

SOX-17 is involved in invasion and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through regulating miR-302b-3p expression

The prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently still very poor, which suggests that the biological mechanisms of CRC oncogenesis are not fully understood. This study was conducted to explore the regulatory effect of SOX-17 on the expression of microRNA (miR)-302b-3p, and the involvement of SOX-17 in the invasion and apoptosis of CRC cells. The expression of SOX-17 and miR-302a,b,c,d-3p in colorectal cancer and normal colon epithelial cell lines was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or western blot. The regulatory effects of SOX-17 on miR-302b-3p gene in HT29 and LoVo cells were tested using the ChiP assay. The biological activities of SOX-17 and miR-302b-3p were evaluated by invasion and apoptosis assay. Results showed that transfection of SOX-17 small interfering RNA (siSOX-17) significantly increased, whereas transfection of SOX-17 overexpression vector (oeSOX-17) significantly decreased, miR-302b expression in HT29 and LoVo cells. Cotransfection of oeSOX-17 and miR-302b-3p inhibitor (INmiR-302b) significantly blocked the effects of SOX-17 in HT29 and LoVo cells. ChIP experiments showed that SOX-17 bonded to the miR-302b-3p promoter in HT29 and LoVo cells. Transfection of oeSOX-17 and miR-302b-3p mimics (MImiR-302b) significantly decreased, whereas transfection of siSOX-17 and INmiR-302b significantly increased, the invasion of HT29 and LoVo cells. In contrast, transfection of oeSOX-17 and MImiR-302b significantly increased, while transfection of siSOX-17 and INmiR-302b significantly decreased, apoptosis in HT29 and LoVo cells. Cotransfection of oeSOX-17 and INmiR-302b significantly blocked the effects of oeSOX-17 on cell invasion and apoptosis in HT29 and LoVo cells. These results suggested that SOX-17 can bind to the promoter of miR-302b-3p gene to regulate its expression, while both SOX-17 and miR-302b regulate the invasion and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.     

Alterations in the composition of the supramucosal defense barrier in relation to disease severity of ulcerative colitis.

Mucin glycoproteins and trefoil peptides play an important role in protection and repair of the gastrointestinal epithelium. This study investigates alterations in mucin and trefoil peptide gene expression and product localization in ulcerative colitis (UC). Product localization and message expression of mucin MUC1 to 6 and trefoil peptide TFF1 to 3 genes was analyzed in rectosigmoid tissue from a cohort of patients with active UC and compared with that of normal colorectal mucosa. MUC1 expression was upregulated in severe UC at the site of rupture of crypt abscesses. Reduction in MUC2 expression occurred in UC adjacent to ulceration. No alteration in MUC3 or MUC4 gene expression was detectable in UC compared with normal colorectal mucosa. No ectopic expression of MUC5AC, MUC5B, or MUC6 was identified in UC. Ectopic TFF1 expression was identified in tissues eliciting histological features of severe disease. Decreased TFF3 localization was demonstrated in UC tissues, but no TFF2 expression was detected in any colorectal specimens. Subtle alterations in composition of the supramucosal defense barrier exist in UC and vary in relation to clinical severity of disease. There is upregulation in mucin MUC1 at crypt abscesses and neo-expression of TFF1 trefoil peptide in severe disease.     

DLC-1基因表达对结肠癌细胞侵袭转移能力的影响

目的:研究DLC-1基因对结肠癌细胞侵袭迁移能力的影响.方法:将DLC-1 shRNA(短发夹状RNA,short hairpin RNA)序列克隆到质粒pGCsi-U6/Neo载体,采用脂质体介导的转染方法将构建的DLC-1 shRNA表达质粒转入结肠癌细胞系LoVo细胞.采用RT-PCR技术和Western Blot技术分别检测LoVo细胞中DLC-1mRNA和蛋白表达水平的变化.Transwell小室人工重组基底膜侵袭转移实验观察LoVo细胞侵袭迁移能力的改变.结果:结肠癌细胞系LoVo细胞表达DLC-1分子.所构建质粒表达载体能有效地干扰LoVo细胞DLC-1 mRNA和蛋白质表达水平;Transwell小室人工重组基底膜侵袭转移实验结果显示,转染后LoVo细胞侵袭转移能力明显增强(p＜0.05).结论:结肠癌细胞系LoVo细胞表达DLC-1基因,应用RNAi技术可特异性降低其表达.DLC-1的表达水平与结肠癌细胞侵袭转移相关.     

Trefoil factor 3 peptide regulates migration via a Twist-dependent pathway in gastric cell

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is a member of the TFF-domain peptide family and essential in regulating cell migration and maintaining mucosal integrity in gastrointestinal tract. However, the role of TFF3 and its downstream regulating mechanisms in cancer cell migration remain unclear. We previously reported that TFF3 prolonged the up-regulation of Twist protein to modulate IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated the role of Twist protein in TFF3-induced migration of SGC7901 cells. While Twist was activated by TFF3, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Twist abolished TFF3-induced cell migration. Furthermore, the migration related marker CK-8 as well as ZO-1 and MMP-9 was also regulated by TFF3 via a Twist-dependent mechanism. Our study suggests that Twist, as an important potential downstream effector, plays a key role in TFF3-modulated metastasis in gastric cancer and can be a promising therapeutic target against intestinal-type gastric cancer.