Stomach development is dependent on fibroblast growth factor 10/fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b-mediated signaling

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) and their receptors (Fgfrs) are important intercellular signaling molecules that are essential to mammalian embryonic development. The signaling pathways between endoderm-derived gastric epithelium and the surrounding mesenchyme are largely unknown; however, the developmental expression profile of the IIIb isoform of Fgfr2 (Fgfr2b) and its main ligand, Fgf10, suggest that they may be strong candidates. Mice lacking either component (Fgfr2b-/- or Fgf10-/-) were examined to determine the role of Fgfr2b-mediated signaling during gastric organogenesis. METHODS: Stomachs from embryonic day 13.5-18.5 Fgfr2b-/-, Fgf10-/-, and wild-type littermates were collected and analyzed by conventional histology, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Fgfr2b-/- and Fgf10-/- fetuses had stomachs smaller than wild-type, consisting of relatively proportionate forestomach but disproportionately reduced glandular stomach, the mucosa of which has low cytoarchitectural complexity with a spiral arrangement of large mucosal folds. During mid to late fetal stages (embryonic day 15.5-18.5), epithelial differentiation to mucous and chief cell lineages was rudimentary, with no expression of several early cytodifferentiation markers including GATA4, GATA6, and H+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase and abnormal expression of members of the hedgehog family of signaling molecules. CONCLUSIONS: Fgfr2b and Fgf10 are part of a signaling network with Sonic hedgehog and Indian hedgehog that are essential to anterior-posterior and radial patterning in gastric development.     

The tumor biology and molecular characteristics of medulloblastoma identifying prognostic factors associated with survival outcomes and prognosis

Medulloblastomas (MB) are highly aggressive primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) usually located in the posterior fossa. Current treatment for MBs, which includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, remain challenging especially in younger patients. However, advances in the understanding of regulatory pathways in cerebellar development have elucidated possible areas of dysfunction involved in tumorigenesis. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of the sonic hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch pathways in MB pathogenesis at the molecular level. While staging and prognosis are often based on the Chang classification system, future algorithms will involve identifying molecular markers in order to allow for more specific risk stratifications of various MB subtypes and provide improved correlation with staging and prognosis. Future development of novel therapies that target the heterogeneity of MB and are tailored to the tumor’s unique molecular profile may yield improved outcomes for these patients.     

Shh和Ptch在结肠癌、腺瘤性息肉中的表达及意义

目的:检测Shh和Ptch蛋白在结肠癌、腺瘤性息肉中的表达,探讨二者在结肠癌发生、发展的作用,关注其在不同临床病理特征中的表达差别,为临床工作提供理论支持.方法:以80例大肠癌、80例结肠腺瘤性息肉、80例正常结肠黏膜组织作为研究对象,采用免疫组织化学技术,检测Shh和Ptch蛋白的表达,比较二者在不同临床指标及临床病...     

Shh和Gli-1在人乳腺癌MCF-7耐药细胞株中的表达及意义

目的 研究Shh和Gli-1在人乳腺癌耐药株中的表达情况,探讨Hedgehog信号通路与乳腺癌耐药的关系。方法 高浓度间歇诱导法建立人乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7／PTX,MTT法检测紫杉醇（PTX）对MCF-7与MCF-7／PTX细胞的半数抑制浓度（IC50）。实时定量PCR（QPCR）检测MCF-7、MCF-7／PTX细胞中Shh、Gli-1 mRNA的表达。Western blotting检测MCF-7、MCF-7／PTX细胞中Shh、Gli-1蛋白的表达。结果 PTX 对 MCF-7细胞的IC50为（0.10±0.02）mg／L,对 MCF-7／PTX细胞的 IC50为（5.30±0.01）mg／L;耐药指数为53.0。Shh mRNA在MCF-7、MCF-7／PTX细胞中的表达量分别为0.78±0.12和1.45±0.56（P＜0.01）;Gli-1 mRNA在MCF-7、MCF-7／PTX细胞中的表达量分别为1.86±0.02和3.56±0.26（P＜0.01）。Shh 蛋白在MCF-7、MCF-7／PTX细胞中的表达量分别为0.58±0.06和1.03±0.22（P＜0.01）;Gli-1 蛋白在MCF-7、MCF-7／PTX细胞中的表达量分别为1.17±0.12和2.78±0.09（P＜0.01）。结论 人乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7／PTX高表达Shh、Gli-1,化疗药物可能通过上调Hedgehog信号通路相关蛋白及基因介导乳腺癌耐药,针对该信号通路的靶向治疗将是克服乳腺癌耐药的一个新的选择。     

The miR-183--96-182 cluster promotes tumorigenesis in a mouse model of medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Some are thought to originate from cerebellar granule neuron progenitors （CGNPs） that fail to undergo normal cell cycle exit and differentiation. The contribution of microRNAs to the initiation and progression of medulloblastoma remains poorly understood. Increased expression of the miR-183-96-182 cluster of microRNAs has been noted in several aggressive sub- groups. We identified that expression of miR-183-96-182 was higher in medulloblastomas with Pten gene loss in the background of the activated sonic hedgehog （Shh） signaling pathway. Ectopic miR-183-96-182 expression in CGNPs synergized with exogenous Shh to increase proliferation and its role depended on hedgehog signaling ac- tivation. Our findings suggest a new microRNA cluster, the miR-183-96-182, functionally collaborates with the Shh signaling pathway in the development of medulloblastomas in mice.