食管癌组织CDC25B的表达与临床病理参数及放疗敏感性的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨食管癌组织中细胞分裂周期蛋白25B （CDC25B）表达特点,分析其与食管癌临床病理参数和放疗敏感性的关系。方法：选择2015年1月至2018年1月我院收集的60例食管癌患者癌组织、癌旁组织的石蜡标本,采用免疫组化法检测食管癌组织和癌旁组织中CDC25B表达,分析CDC25B表达与食管癌临床病理参数的关系。所有患者均接受放疗或放化疗治疗,观察不同疗效患者CDC25B表达差异,分析CDC25B对食管癌放疗敏感性的预测价值。结果：食管癌组织中CDC25B阳性表达率高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）。CDC25B阳性表达与食管癌分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移有关（P<0.05）。放疗敏感组CDC25B阳性表达率低于放疗抗拒组（P<0.05）。CDC25B预测食管癌放疗敏感性的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.718（95%CI：0.580~0.856）,灵敏度为60%,特异度为68%。结论：食管癌患者CDC25B表达上调,CDC25B阳性表达与食管癌分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移恶性侵袭行为有关,CDC25B可作为食管癌放疗敏感性评估的辅助指标。     

食管鳞癌组织中CDC2、CLDN5蛋白表达及其临床病理意义的研究

目的探讨CDC2及CLDN5在食管鳞癌中表达及其临床病理特征的关系。方法应用免疫组化Elivision法检测90例食管鳞癌组织、28例正常食管黏膜组织及16例重度不典型增生组织中CDC2和CLDN5的蛋白表达情况。结果在食管鳞癌和正常食管黏膜组织中CDC2和CI。DN5的阳性表达率分别为88．89％（80／90）、85．56％（77／90）和48．86％（12／28）、25．00％（7／28）,两者差异有统计学意义（P〈O．05）。CDC2蛋白表达在低分化食管鳞癌中明显高于高分化食管鳞癌;临床分期Ⅲ＋Ⅳ期组的CDC2蛋白的表达显著高于I期、Ⅱ期组（P〈O．05）。CDC2和CLDN5在食管鳞癌中表达呈正相关（r=0．537,P〈o．05）。结论CDC2和CLDN5在食管鳞癌的发生、发展过程中可能发挥重要作用,可能作为食管癌临床早期诊断的重要指标。     

Pokemon、P14ARF 蛋白在食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨食管鳞癌(esophageal squamous cell cacinoma,ESCC)组织中Pokemon和P14ARF表达的关系及其对ESCC临床病理特征和预后的判定价值。方法:应用SP免疫组织化学方法检测Pokemon和P14ARF二种蛋白在96例ESCC组织及20例癌旁正常组织中的表达,分析它们与ESCC病理学特征的关系,以及Pokemon和P14ARF的相关性,并结合随访资料观察上述蛋白表达对ESCC长期预后的影响。结果:癌旁正常组织中未见Pokemon蛋白表达,P14ARF蛋白阳性表达率为90.0%;在ESCC组织中Pokemon和P14ARF阳性表达率分别为75.0%和30.2%。Pokemon表达与P14ARF表达呈负相关(r=-0.458,P=0.000)。Pokemon和P14ARF的表达与TNM分期和淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05)。Pokemon表达阳性组的5年生存率分别为20.8%,显著低于阴性组(P=0.004);P14ARF表达阳性组的5年生存率为41.4%,显著高于阴性组(P=0.011)。结论:Pokemon蛋白的高表达和P14ARF蛋白低表达可能与ESCC的发生、发展关系密切,它们对于ESCC预后评估有一定的临床意义。     

Upregulation of Fucosyltransferase 3, 8 and protein O-Fucosyltransferase 1, 2 genes in esophageal cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs)

Recently, studies have shown that Fucosylation plays an important role in the invasion and metastatic process of CSLCs. Understanding the expression pattern of fucosyltransferase (FUT) genes may help to suggest better-targeted therapy strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The study aimed to address the expression pattern of FUT gene variants in esophageal CSLCs and parental adherent cells. Sphere formation method was used to enrich CSLCs. Expression of FUT genes was examined in tumor sphere and parental adherent cells using the RT-PCR method and then relative expression of detected variants was performed by the Real-Time PCR method in both groups. The detected FUTs, also, were assessed in fresh ESCC tumors and the matched healthy controls. Analysis of The cell surface carbohydrate Lewis x (LeX, CD15) was performed by flow cytometry. Molecular analysis showed that the expression of FUT 3, 8 and POFUT1, 2 genes in tumorsphere were significantly higher than parental adherent cells. Analysis of fresh ESCC tumor tissues and the matched healthy controls showed that FUT8 and POFUT1, 2 genes in contrast to FUT 3 have higher expression in tumor tissues than controls. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that tumorsphere and their parent cells do not differ significantly in Lewis x surface marker. The present study showed that FUT 3, 8 and POFUT1, 2 genes upregulated in esophageal CSLCs in comparison to adherent cells. Understanding the expression pattern of FUT gene variants may help to suggest better-targeted therapy strategies for ESCC.     

β-catenin在食管鳞癌中的异常表达及临床意义

目的探讨β-catenin基因在食管鳞状细胞癌(Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,ESCC)中的表达及其意义。方法免疫组化法检测65例ESCC及20例因ESCC手术切除的远切端正常食管黏膜组织中β-catenin的表达及定位,分析其与临床病理学参数的关系;RT-PCR检测31例新鲜ESCC及相应的远切断正常食管黏膜组织中β-catenin mRNA的表达。结果免疫组化结果显示:在20例因ESCC手术切除的远切端正常食管黏膜组织中,β-catenin主要位于胞膜;在65例ESCC组织中,β-catenin的胞质积累阳性率为63.1%,胞核积累阳性率为30.8%;β-catenin的胞质/核积累与淋巴结转移相关(P=0.005),但与患者的年龄、性别、肿瘤的分化程度及浸润深度等无关。RT-PCR结果显示:在31例ESCC及相应的远切端正常食管黏膜组织中,均检测到β-catenin mRNA的表达,与相应的远切端正常食管黏膜组织比较,癌组织中β-catenin基因mRNA的表达水平明显升高(P=0.037),其中表达升高的21例,占67.7%,表达无明显差异的8例,占25.8%,表达降低的2例,占6.5%。结论在ESCC中存在β-catenin mRNA表达水平的升高以及β-catenin蛋白的异常胞质/胞核积累,并与淋巴结转移有关。     

Using proteomic approach to identify tumor-associated proteins as biomarkers in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers in China. The lower survival rate of ESCC is attributed to late diagnosis and poor therapeutic efficacy; therefore, the identification of tumor-associated proteins as biomarkers for early diagnosis, and the discovery of novel targets for therapeutic intervention, seems very important for increasing the survival rate of ESCC. To identify tumor-associated proteins as biomarkers in ESCC, we have analyzed ESCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The results showed that a total of 104 protein spots with different expression levels were found on 2DE, and 47 proteins were eventually identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Among these identified proteins, 33 proteins including keratin 17 (KRT17), biliverdin reductase B (BLVRB), proteasome activator subunit 1 (PSME1), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), high-mobility group box-1(HMGB1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), peroxiredoxin (PRDX1), keratin 13 (KRT13), and so on were overexpressed, and 14 proteins including cystatin B (CSTB), tropomyosin 2 (TPM2), annexin 1 (ANX1), transgelin (TAGLN), keratin 19 (KRT19), stratifin (SFN), and so on were down-expressed in ESCC. Biological functions of these proteins are associated with cell proliferation, cell motility, protein folding, oxidative stress, and signal transduction. In the subsequent study using immunoassay on ESCC serum samples and tissue-array slides, two representative proteins, HSP70 and HMGB1, were selected as examples for the purpose of validation. The results showed that both HSP70 and HMGB1 can induce autoantibody response in ESCC sera and have higher expression in ESCC tissues. Especially, the frequency of antibodies to HSP70 in ESCC sera was significantly higher than that in normal human sera. The preliminary results suggest that some of these identified proteins might contribute to esophageal cell differentiation and carcinogenesis, certain proteins could be used as tumor-associated antigen (TAA) biomarkers in cancer diagnosis, and further studies on these identified proteins should provide more evidence of how these proteins are involved in carcinogenesis of ESCC.     

B7-H4 expression associates with cancer progression and predicts patient’s survival in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

A retrospective cohort study including 112 patients suffering from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was performed to investigate the expression of B7-H4 in ESCC and determine its association with patient’s clinicopathological parameters and survival. Expression levels of B7-H4 on tumor cells and densities of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the surgical specimens of ESCC tissues were characterized using immunohistochemical assays. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of B7-H4 expression levels and densities of TILs in tumor sections. Positive B7-H4 immunostaining was observed in 107 of 112 (95.5%) of ESCC tissue sections. We further divided all patients into two major subgroups, a lower B7-H4 expression group with 46 patients and a higher B7-H4 expression group with 66 patients. We found that expression levels of B7-H4 on tumor cells were significantly correlated with patient’s gender (P = 0.0288), distant metastasis (P = 0.0500), and TNM stage (P = 0.0258). Moreover, tumor cell B7-H4 expression was inversely correlated with densities of CD3⁺ T cells in tumor nest (P = 0.0424) and CD8⁺ T cells in tumor stroma (P = 0.0229). The overall survival rate of the patients with higher B7-H4 expression was significantly worse than that of the patients with lower B7-H4 expression (P = 0.0105, Hazard Ratio: 1.854, 95%CI:1.152–2.902). Markers of cell-mediated immune responses such as CD3, CD8, and T-bet were associated with better patient survival. The present study demonstrated that B7-H4 expression in human ESCC is associated with cancer progression, reduced tumor immunosurveillance and worse patient outcomes. B7-H4 can serve as a novel prognostic predictor for human ESCC and a potential target for the immune therapy against this malignancy.     

Proteomic analysis of autoantibodies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

To detect autoantibodies that could be diagnostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed serum autoantibodies comprehensively that showed immunoreactivity to proteins in tumor tissue obtained from patients with HCC. Fifteen paired samples of HCC tissue and corresponding nontumorous liver tissue as well as five normal liver tissue samples were used in the study. A combination of proteomics and SEREX (serologic analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries) technique was used. Tissue proteins were separated by 2-DE, transferred onto PVDF membranes, and immunoblotted with autologous sera. By comparing each immunoblot pattern, we identified four immunoreactive spots with stronger staining intensity in tumorous tissues than in corresponding nontumorous tissues and in normal liver tissues. Matched proteins on 2-DE gels were identified by LC-MS/MS. These immunoreactive proteins were heat shock 70 kDa protein 1 (HSP70), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, peroxiredoxin, and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD). In HCC sera, occurrences of autoantibodies against these proteins were 7/15 (46.7%), 5/15 (33.3%), 5/15 (33.3%), and 6/15 (40.0%), respectively, whereas 2/20 (10.0%), 7/20 (35.0%), 0/20 (0.0%), and 2/20 (10.0%) were in control sera. Immunoblot analysis using commercially available purified proteins was performed to confirm the specificity of autoantibodies. By statistical analysis, autoantibodies against HSP70, peroxiredoxin, and Mn-SOD showed significantly high-frequency immunoreaction in HCC sera. The three antibodies were considered patient-specific antibodies in HCC and may be candidate diagnostic biomarkers for HCC.     

H2-Calponin 在食管鳞癌中的表达及其与食管磷癌预后的关系

目的:探讨H_2-Calponin在食管磷癌组织中的表达及其与食管磷癌患者临床病理特征及预后的相关性。方法:利用免疫组织化学染色技术检测73例食管磷癌及相应癌旁组织中H_2-Calponin的表达情况,并分析其与食管磷癌患者临床病理参数及预后的关系。结果:H_2-calponin在食管磷癌组织中的阳性表达率为95.8%(70/73),显著高于癌旁组织(35.8%,24/67),差异具有统计学意义(p0.0001)。H_2-calponin的表达与食管癌患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、浸润深度及淋巴结转移均无显著相关性,但与AJCC分期显著相关(P0.05)。H_2-calponin的表达水平影响食管癌患者预后及生存期。结论:H_2-Calponin在食管磷癌组织中呈高表达并可预示食管磷癌预后不良。     

Stromal interaction molecule 1 promotes tumor growth in Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a disease with poor prognosis which urgently is in need of effective prognostic marker. To discover novel prognostic protein marker for ESCC, we applied a high-throughput monoclonal antibody microarray to compare tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues from ESCC patients. Antibody #ESmAb270 was consistent higher expressed in tumors and it was identified via mass spectrometry to be stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). STIM1 H scores in tumor tissues were significantly up-regulated in esophageal tumor tissues compared to non-tumor tissues in 105 ESCC patients. We also observed that high STIM1 expression was correlated with advanced tumor grade and poor prognosis of ESCC. In addition, attenuation of STIM1 by siRNA or chemical inhibitors significantly inhibited cell viability and migration of ESCC cells. Evidence from high-throughput monoclonal antibody microarray, IHC microarray with associated survival data and functional analysis show that STIM1 is an unfavorable prognostic biomarker in ESCC.     

Chloride intracellular channel 1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation via mTOR signalling

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical significance of Chloride Intracellular Channel 1 (CLIC1) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its functional contribution and molecular mechanisms to the progression of ESCC.MethodsCLIC1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a cohort of 86 ESCC tissue specimens and paired normal adjacent esophageal tissues. Associations between clinicopathological features of ESCC and CLIC1 expression were determined. In vitro analyses examined CLIC1 expression in the ESCC cell lines KYSE150 and TE1 using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The downstream pathways of CLIC1 were detected by lentiviral shRNA knockdown and subsequent proteomic analyses. CLIC1 siRNA knockdown was performed in ESCC cell lines KYSE150 and TE1 and the functional effects of CLIC1 on the growth and proliferation of ESCC cells were evaluated combined with cell viability and colony formation assays; the mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blotting based on the previous proteomic data.ResultsCLIC1 expression was significantly increased in ex vivo ESCC tissues compared with corresponding normal tissues, and the up-regulation was associated with clinical tumor node metastasis (TNM) classifications. Knockdown of CLIC1 inhibited in vitro cell proliferation of ESCC cell lines KYSE150 and TE1. CLIC1 knockdown down-regulated the protein expression of p-mTOR and the downstream targets Rictor and p-4EBP1 in both KYSE150 and TE1 cell lines. And the CLIC1 knockdown induced inhibition of cell proliferation on ESCC cells could be rescued by mTOR overexpression.ConclusionsCLIC1 expression increases during esophageal carcinogenesis and it may functionally contribute to the progression of ESCC through growth promotion effects by promoting the mTOR and downstream signaling pathway. CLIC1 therefore constitutes a candidate molecular biomarker of ESCC.     

长链非编码RNA BANCR在食管鳞癌中的表达及对细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响

目的:探索长链非编码RNA BANCR与食管鳞癌(esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ESCC)临床病理特征以及预后的关系,以及对于ESCC细胞增殖,迁移和侵袭能力的影响。方法:使用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)技术检测ESCC组织及多个细胞系中BANCR的表达水平,分析其与临床病理特征及预后的关联,用小干扰RNA(si RNA)干扰BANCR后用CCK8法检测其对ESCC细胞生长的影响,使用transwell法检测对细胞侵袭和转移能力的影响。结果:相对于癌旁组织,有86%(123/142)的癌组织中BANCR表达量升高,BANCR在癌组织中的相对表达水平与肿瘤的组织学分级、TNM分期和淋巴结转移数量相关(P均0.05)。BANCR在本文涉及的八株ESCC细胞中的表达量均高于正常食管上皮细胞(Het1A)。在TE10和KYSE30细胞中敲降BANCR后可明显降低细胞生长速率,并抑制细胞的侵袭和迁移能力(P0.01)。结论:BANCR在ESCC组织和细胞中表达显著上调。并能增强ESCC细胞的增殖和侵袭能力,有希望成为一种新的辅助ESCC早期诊断和预后判断的肿瘤分子标志物。     

Association of the plasma riboflavin levels and riboflavin transporter (C20orf54) gene statuses in Kazak esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients

To evaluate the association of the plasma riboflavin level in Kazak esophageal cancer patients and their riboflavin transporter (C20orf54) gene statuses. Plasma riboflavin levels were detected by high performance liquid chromatography in Kazak patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and healthy controls. C20orf54 mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by real-time fluorogenic quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in samples from 61 ESCC patients consisting of both tumor and normal tissue, respectively. C20orf54 mRNA expression was decreased in ESCC (0.279 ± 0.102) than in normal counterpart tissue (0.479 ± 0.287; P = 0.049) significantly. Tumors exhibited low C20orf54 protein expression (42.6, 26.2, 18.0 and 13.1 % for no C20orf54 staining, weak staining, medium staining and strong staining, respectively), which was significantly lower than that in the normal mucous membrane (13.1, 26.2, 41.0 and 19.7 % for no C20orf54 staining, weak staining, medium staining and strong staining, respectively). Defective expression of C20orf54 in tumor cells was significantly associated with poor differentiation. However, other parameters such as depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis had no significant relationship with C20orf54 expression. The average blood concentration of riboflavin was 2.6468 ± 1.3474 ng/ml in ESCC patients lower than control group (4.2960 ± 3.2293 ng/ml, P = 0.015). A positive correlation of plasma riboflavin levels with defective expression of C20orf54 protein was found in ESCC patients (F = 8.626; P = 0.038). Defective expression of C20orf54 is associated with the development of Kazak esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and this may represent a mechanism underlying the decreased plasma riboflavin levels in ESCC.     

Tenascin-C,a Prognostic Determinant of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Tenascin-C, an adhesion modulatory extracellular matrix molecule, is highly expressed in numerous human malignancies; thus, it may contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We explored the clinicopathological significance of Tenascin-C as a prognostic determinant of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

In ESCC patient tissues and cell lines, the presence of isoforms were examined using western blotting. We then investigated Tenascin-C immunohistochemical expression in 136 ESCC tissue samples. The clinical relevance of Tenascin-C expression and the correlation between Tenascin-C expression and expression of other factors related to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were also determined.

Results

Both 250 and 350 kDa sized isoforms of Tenascin-C were expressed only in esophageal cancer tissue not in normal tissue. Furthermore, both isoforms were also identified in all of four CAFs derived from esophageal cancer tissues. Tenascin-C expression was remarkably higher in ESCC than in adjacent non-tumor esophageal epithelium (p < 0.001). Tenascin-C expression in ESCC stromal fibroblasts was associated with patient’s age, tumor (pT) stage, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, and cancer recurrence. Tenascin-C expression in cancer cells was correlated with an increase in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) population, cancer recurrence, and hypoxia inducible factor1α (HIF1α) expression. Moreover, Tenascin-C overexpression in cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts was an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In the Cox proportional hazard regression model, Tenascin-C overexpression in cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts was a significant independent hazard factor for OS and DFS in ESCC patients in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, Tenascin-C expression in stromal fibroblasts of the ESCC patients was positively correlated with platelet-derived growth factor α (PDGFRα), PDGFRβ, and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were remarkably lower in patients with positive expressions of both Tenascin-C and PDGFRα (p < 0.001), Tenascin-C and PDGFRβ (p < 0.001), Tenascin-C and SMA (p < 0.001), Tenascin-C and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) (p < 0.001), and Tenascin-C and fibroblast-stimulating protein-1 (FSP1) (p < 0.001) in ESCC stromal fibroblasts than in patients with negative expressions of both Tenascin-C and one of the abovementioned CAF markers.

Conclusion

Our results show that Tenascin-C is a reliable and significant prognostic factor in ESCC. Tenascin-C may thus be a potent ESCC therapeutic target.     

LncRNA Erbb4-IR promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by downregulating miR-145

Erbb4-IR is a recently identified lncRNA with pivotal functions in renal injury. The present study investigated the roles of Erbb4-IR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). It was observed that Erbb4-IR was upregulated in tumor tissues of patients with ESCC. Plasma levels of Erbb4-IR in patients with ESCC were positively correlated with expression levels of Erbb4-IR in tumor tissues. MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) was downregulated in tumor tissues and inversely correlated with Erbb4-IR only in tumor tissues. Erbb4-IR overexpression led to downregulated miR-145, and increased rates of ECSS cell proliferation and decreased rates of ECSS cell apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-145 showed no significant effects on Erbb4-IR expression, but played an opposite role on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, miR-145 overexpression attenuated the effects of Erbb4-IR overexpression. Therefore, lncRNA Erbb4-IR may promote ESCC by downregulating miR-145.     

LaminB1蛋白在食管鳞癌组织中表达的形态学观察

目的探讨laminB1蛋白在食管鳞癌患者的癌组织及上切缘正常粘膜上皮中表达的形态变化。方法制备组织切片原位核基质,应用免疫组化的方法检测核基质制备前后正常粘膜上皮及癌组织中laminB1的表达;同时提取组织核基质蛋白,应用Westen blot检测核基质蛋白中laminB1的表达。结果正常食管粘膜上皮及食管鳞癌组织核基质制备前后laiminB1表达的阳性率分别为:正常粘膜上皮93.3%、正常粘膜上皮核基质86.7%、癌组织96.7%、癌核基质86.7%。正常粘膜上皮laminB1表达阳性细胞从基底层至颗粒层逐渐减少,制备核基质后正常粘膜上皮核基质laminB1表达阳性细胞数目减少、强度明显减弱,阳性细胞集中于基底层,多数细胞整个胞核着色。癌组织laminB1表达阳性细胞散在分布,无规律;癌核基质laminB1表达阳性强度减弱,阳性颗粒在核周较集中。癌核基质laminB1表达的阳性强度比正常粘膜上皮核基质高,差异有显著性(x2=5.042,P<0.05)。Western blot检测显示正常粘膜核基质的laminB1条带比癌核基质弱。结论laminB1蛋白在食管正常粘膜上皮及食管鳞癌组织中广泛存在。制备核基质后,laminB1蛋白在癌核基质的表达比正常粘膜上皮核基质强;且癌核基质中laminB1的分布与正常粘膜上皮核基质存在差异。