Quantitative assessment of RUNX3 methylation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia using a DNA microarray

Silencing of the RUNX3 gene by hypermethylation of its promoter CpG island plays a major role in gastric carcinogenesis. To quantitatively evaluate RUNX3 methylation, a fiber-type DNA microarray was used on which methylated and unmethylated sequence probes were mounted. After bisulfite modification, a part of the RUNX3 promoter CpG island, at which methylation is critical for gene silencing, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using a Cy5 end-labeled primer. Methylation rates (MR) were calculated as the ratio of the fluorescence intensity of a methylated sequence probe to the total fluorescence intensity of methylated and unmethylated probes. Five gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed, as well as 26 primary gastric cancers and their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia. MR in four of the cancer cell lines that lost RUNX3 mRNA ranged from 99.0% to 99.7% (mean, 99.4%), whereas MR in the remaining cell line that expressed RUNX3 mRNA was 0.6%. In primary gastric cancers and their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, MR ranged from 0.2% to 76.5% (mean, 22.7%) and from 0.7% to 25.1% (mean, 5.5%). Ten (38.5%) of the 26 gastric cancers and none of their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia had MR >30%. Most of the samples with MR >10% tested methylation-positive by conventional methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). This microarray-based methylation assay is a promising method for the quantitative assessment of gene methylation.     

白血病Reh、HL-60、K562细胞系RUNX 3 基因P2启动子甲基化状态与RUNX 3 基因表达

目的: 研究人白血病Reh、HL-60与K562细胞系RUNX 3 基因P2启动子甲基化状态及RUNX 3 基因的表达,分析P2启动子甲基化与基因表达之间的关系。方法: 运用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)和RT-PCR检测Reh、HL-60与K562细胞系RUNX 3 基因P2启动子的甲基化状态及RUNX 3 基因的表达。结果: Reh及K562细胞系RUNX 3 基因P2启动子甲基化特异性扩增呈阳性,非甲基化特异性扩增呈阴性,RT-PCR扩增呈阴性;而HL-60细胞系相反,甲基化特异性扩增呈阴性,而非甲基化特异性扩增呈阳性,RT-PCR扩增阳性。结论: Reh及K562细胞中存在RUNX 3 基因P2启动子的甲基化,且在不同类型白血病细胞系中的甲基化状态不同。     

RUNX3基因启动子甲基化与胃癌关系的meta分析

目的采用meta分析的方法评价RUNX3基因启动子甲基化与胃癌发生的关系。方法检索公开发表在Pubmed、EMBASE、Ovid、中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）关于RUNX3基因启动子甲基化与胃癌发生关系的研究。应用Statall．0统计软件分析RUNX3基因启动子甲基化与胃癌发生间的关联。结果共有19项研究纳入分析．meta分析结果显示：胃癌患者癌组织中RUNX3基因启动子甲基化发生率为P=55％（95％CI：45％～66％）：胃癌患者远癌正常胃组织中RUNX3基因启动子甲基化发生率为P=18％（95％CI：7％～29％）。与远癌正常胃组织相比,胃癌组织中RUNX3基因启动子甲基化发生优势比OR=7．85（95％CI：5．81～10．61）。结论胃癌患者癌组织中RUNX3基因启动子甲基化发生率明显高于远癌正常胃组织,RUNX3基因启动子甲基化可能与胃癌的发生密切相关。     

Frequent hypermethylation of the hMLH1 gene promoter in differentiated-type tumors of the stomach with the gastric foveolar phenotype

Hypermethylation of the hMLH1 mismatch repair gene promoter has been revealed to lead to microsatellite instability (MSI). Previously, we demonstrated a high prevalence of MSI in differentiated-type gastric tumors showing distinct features of gastric foveolar epithelium (foveolar type). To clarify the significance of hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation in the development of this tumor type, we studied promoter methylation status and expression of hMLH1 in foveolar-type tumors and their surrounding non-neoplastic mucosae, as well as in tumors with other cellular phenotypes. The results were compared to MSI status. After phenotypical analyses using mucin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, 41 differentiated-type tumors with distinct cellular phenotypes were classified into three categories: foveolar type, intestinal type (tumors with the distinct cellular phenotype of the intestine), and combined type (tumors with both foveolar and intestinal phenotypes). Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was performed to determine the methylation status of hMLH1 promoter. hMLH1 protein expression was immunohistochemically examined. MSI was detected in 57% of the foveolar type, 8% of the intestinal type, and 67% of the combined-type tumors. Hypermethylation of hMLH1 promoter was found in 74% of the foveolar type, 33% of the intestinal type, and 83% of the combined-type tumors. Of 18 MSI-positive tumors, all but one were hypermethylated. Methylation status of hMLH1 promoter correlated well with protein expression in foveolar-type tumors. Moreover, hypermethylation was also detected frequently (71%) in the non-neoplastic surrounding mucosa of the hypermethylated tumors. Hypermethylation of hMLH1 promoter is an initial, vital event in the development of foveolar-type tumors of the stomach.     

食管鳞癌分泌素-3A1基因启动子甲基化异常

[目的]研究具有抗癌活性的细胞因子分泌素-3A1基因启动子超甲基化所至该基因表达抑制在我国食管鳞癌发生中的作用。[方法] 用RT-PCR 方法检测分泌素-3A1基因在12个食管鳞癌细胞系的表达,并用甲基化特异PCR技术（methylation specific PCR, MSP）检测上述细胞系及37例来自我国河南的原发性食管鳞癌标本分泌素-3A1基因启动子甲基化状态,通过5-aza-dc处理使培养细胞去甲基化,RT-PCR技术检测处理后该基因在Kyse30的重新表达。[结果] 该基因仅在Kyse410、Kyes520和TE8等3个细胞系有表达,5-aza-dc处理可使Kyse30重新表达分泌素-3A1。此外,在18/37（48%）例原发性食管鳞癌细胞有分泌素-3A1基因启动子区域的超甲基化。[结论] 启动子超甲基化造成分泌素-3A1基因在上述食管鳞癌细胞系表达抑制,原发性食管鳞癌细胞分泌素-3A1基因启动子超甲基化提示该基因表达抑制可能与食管鳞癌发生有关。     

Molecular characteristics of eight gastric cancer cell lines established in Japan

Molecular characterization of eight gastric cancer cell lines established in Japan are summarized according to the genetic and epigenetic alterations and growth factor status. TMK-1 poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cell line harbors mutant p53 tumor suppressor gene and rearrangement of p15MTS2. MKN-1 adenosquamous carcinoma line with mutant p53 reveals silencing of E-cadherin by promoter CpG hypermethylation. MKN-7 well-differentiated adenocarcinoma cell line has amplification of c-erbB2 oncogene and cyclin E gene. MKN-28 well-differentiated adenocarcinoma cell line reveals mutations in p53 and APC tumor suppressor genes and silencing of CD44. The MKN-45 poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cell line with wild-type p53 is characterized by homozygous deletion of p16CDKN2/MTS1/INK4A and p15MTS2, amplification of c-met oncogene and promoter mutation of E-cadherin. MKN-74 derived from moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma has wild-type p53. KATO-III signet ring cell carcinoma line has genomic deletion of p53, amplification of K-sam and c-met oncogene and mutation of E-cadherin. HSC-39 signet ring cell carcinoma cell line harboring p53 missense mutation has homozygous deletion of p16CDKN2/MTS1/INK4A and p15MTS2, amplifications of c-myc, c-met, K-sam and CD44 gene and mutation in beta-catenin gene.     

Promoter methylation status of the DNA repair genes hMLH1 and MGMT in gastric carcinoma and metaplastic mucosa.

Hypermethylation of CpG islands in the promoter region is associated with the silencing of a variety of tumor suppressor genes. DNA repair genes human Mut L homologue 1 (hMLH1) and O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) have been shown to be hypermethylated in certain carcinomas. We studied DNA methylation of CpG islands in hMLH1 and MGMT in 50 gastric carcinomas and 10 intestinal metaplastic mucosa samples. We analyzed the methylation status of hMLH1 and MGMT using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing analysis. We measured protein levels of hMLH1 using Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. CpG island hypermethylation of hMLH1 and MGMT was detected in 11 (22%) and 8 (16%) of the 50 gastric tumors, respectively. Hypermethylation of the promoter was more common in intestinal-type gastric carcinomas than in poorly diffuse-type gastric carcinomas (p = 0.016 and 0.021, respectively; Fisher's exact test). However, hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation did not coincide with MGMT promoter hypermethylation except in 1 patient. Hypermethylation of the hMLH1 promoter but not the MGMT promoter occurred in intestinal metaplastic mucosae. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a corresponding reduction in hMLH1 protein expression in some of the intestinal metaplastic mucosae. Our results suggest that at least two types of promoter methylation participate in the development of gastric carcinoma. Tumor-specific promoter hypermethylation of hMLH1 may be an early event in carcinogenesis in the stomach.     

Distinct promoter hypermethylation of p16INK4a,CDH1, and RAR-beta in intestinal,diffuse-adherent,and diffuse-scattered type gastric carcinomas

Hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoters is associated with silencing of various tumour suppressor genes. Recent studies of colorectal and gastric carcinomas have defined a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), which involves the targeting of multiple genes by promoter hypermethylation. In this study, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to study methylation of CpG islands in the promoters of the p16(INK4a), cadherin 1 (CDH1), and retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) genes in 45 gastric carcinomas and to investigate whether CDH1 and RAR-beta promoter hypermethylation is associated with CIMP-positive gastric carcinoma. CpG island hypermethylation of the p16(INK4a), CDH1, and RAR-beta promoters was detected in 12 (27%), 26 (58%), and 24 (53%) of the 45 gastric carcinomas, respectively. Hypermethylation of the p16(INK4a) promoter was more common in intestinal type than in diffuse type gastric carcinomas (p = 0.0023; Fisher's exact test) and was inversely associated with p53 mutations (p = 0.0225; Fisher's exact test). However, CDH1 and RAR-beta promoter hypermethylation was observed more frequently in diffuse-scattered type gastric carcinoma than in other types (intestinal and diffuse-adherent types) (p = 0.0175 and p = 0.0335, respectively; Fisher's exact test) and was not associated with p53 mutation status. Moreover, hypermethylation of the CDH1 and RAR-beta promoters occurred concordantly (p < 0.0001; Fisher's exact test). These results suggest that at least two types of promoter methylation status are involved in the development of the intestinal (p16(INK4a) promoter hypermethylation) and diffuse-scattered types (CDH1 and RAR-beta promoter hypermethylation) of gastric carcinoma.     

结直肠癌细胞中脾酪氨酸激酶基因甲基化状态和表达的关系

目的：探讨结直肠癌细胞中脾酪氨酸激酶基因甲基化和表达的关系。方法：应用亚硫酸盐修饰测序、甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应和蛋白印迹技术检测结直肠癌细胞脾酪氨酸激酶的甲基化状态以及表达情况；荧光素酶报告分析法研究启动子区域CpG岛的甲基化与启动子活性的关系；甲基化转移酶抑制剂处理脾酪氨酸激酶甲基化失表达的结直肠癌细胞株，观察处理前后细胞内脾酪氨酸激酶基因甲基化状态和表达情况。结果：（1）23个结直肠癌细胞中，9个细胞启动子发生甲基化而失去蛋白质表达；其余则正常表达，甲基化发生率为39.2％；（2）9个甲基化的细胞中，7个存在微卫星不稳定；而14个未发生甲基化的细胞中，仅有4个存在微卫星不稳定。二者之间的差异显著（P<0.05）；（3）脾酪氨酸激酶启动子全长和未甲基化启动子荧光素酶的活性分别是甲基化组的4.5和4.7倍；5-Aza-CdR可恢复甲基化启动子的活性；（4）5-Aza-CdR可去甲基化而使脾酪氨酸激酶基因重新表达，而且具有时间依从性。结论：结直肠癌细胞中，启动子区域的甲基化导致Syk基因丧失表达，5-Aza-CdR可以去甲基化而恢复脾酪氨酸激酶基因的表达。     

Methylation-silencing RCC1 expression is associated with tumorigenesis and depth of invasion in gastric cancer

Introduction: Regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1) is a critical cell cycle regulator. We firstly identified RCC1 gene hypermethylation in gastric tumor tissues using the differential methylation hybridization (DMH) microarray, but the role of RCC1 in the pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma is largely unknown. Methods: Three gastric cancer cell lines (AGS, MKN45, and TSGH9201) were used to analyze RCC1 gene methylation, mRNA and protein expressions. Furthermore, 85 pairs of matched human gastric carcinoma samples in a tissue microarray were used to analyze RCC1 expression by immunohistochemistry staining. Results: A differential methylation pattern was found in TSGH9201 (100%), MKN45 (87%), and AGS (62%) cell lines at the 9th CpG site of RCC1 exon 1. RCC1 mRNA and protein expressions in AGS cells were significantly higher than in TSGH9201 and MKN45 cell lines (P < 0.05). Tissue array data showed that RCC1 expression was detected in 21% (18/85) of gastric carcinoma tissues and in 80% (76/95) of adjacent non-tumor tissues. The expression of RCC1 in gastric carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than in adjacent non-tumor tissues (P < 0.001). Furthermore, an association between RCC1 expression and clinicopathological features showed that RCC1 expression was closely correlated with tumor differentiation and depth of invasion (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data indicate that RCC1 expression is frequently lost in poorly differentiated gastric cell lines and gastric carcinoma tissues. Loss of RCC1 expression is correlated with tumor differentiation and depth of invasion. These findings suggest that RCC1 may play a tumor suppressor role in gastric carcinoma.     

BCL2L10 protein regulates apoptosis/proliferation through differential pathways in gastric cancer cells

The reason for and consequences of BCL2L10 down-regulation in gastric carcinoma are poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the function of the protein BCL2L10 in gastric carcinoma. We investigated BCL2L10 expression using quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. The methylation status of the BCL2L10 gene promoter was examined by bisulphite sequencing in fresh gastric normal and carcinoma tissues. We studied apoptosis and proliferation regulation in gastric cancer cell lines using flow cytometry, fluorescence staining, murine xenografting and immunoblotting. Pathway inhibitors were applied to confirm the major pathways involved in apoptosis or proliferation regulation. We observed significant correlations between lower BCL2L10 expression and CpG island hypermethylation of the BCL2L10 gene promoter in gastric carcinoma, apoptosis induced by over-expressed BCL2L10 through mitochondrial pathways, and proliferation accelerated by BCL2L10 siRNA via the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway in gastric cancer cell lines. The pro-apoptotic effect of BCL2L10 and growth promotion by BCL2L10 siRNA in gastric cancer cells suggest that it may be a tumour suppressor.     

Dickkopf-1沉默通过下调β-catenin水平抑制胃癌细胞侵袭及上皮-间充质转化

目的:探讨分泌蛋白Dickkopf-1(DKK1)在人胃癌细胞中的表达及其对胃癌细胞侵袭能力的影响。方法:以real-time PCR和Western blot法检测DKK1在人胃黏膜细胞(GES-1)和胃癌细胞(MKN-45和SGC-7901)中的表达水平;以RNA干扰法沉默DKK1,沉默效果以real-time PCR、Western blot及ELISA法验证;Transwell实验检测细胞侵袭能力,以丝裂霉素C抑制细胞增殖;real-time PCR及Western blot法检测细胞E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)、波形蛋白(vimentin)及β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)水平。结果:DKK1在MKN-45和SGC-7901细胞中的表达明显高于GES-1细胞,表明DKK1在胃癌细胞中表达显著升高;DKK1在MKN-45和SGC-7901细胞中被成功沉默后,细胞侵袭能力显著下降,并具有时间依赖性,同时伴随E-cadherin表达增高及N-cadherin和vimentin表达下降,表明DKK1沉默能够显著抑制胃癌细胞侵袭和上皮-间充质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT);经外源性重组DKK1(r DKK1)转染肿瘤细胞后,进一步证实DKK1具有促胃癌细胞侵袭的作用,并可促进EMT进程;DKK1沉默通过下调β-catenin水平来实现其对胃癌细胞侵袭及EMT的抑制作用。结论:DKK1在人胃癌细胞中表达显著增高,且DKK1沉默能够通过下调β-catenin水平抑制胃癌细胞侵袭及EMT过程。     

RUNX3基因与胃癌的关系

RUNX3基因是RUNX转录因子家族成员之一，其在胃黏膜上皮生长调控、脊神经节的神经发育和T细胞分化过程中发挥重要作用。在人类多种恶性肿瘤尤其是胃癌中发现RUNX3基因表达缺失或下调。目前发现有多种机制包括杂合性缺失、高甲基化和点突变等参与了RUNX3基因在胃癌中的表达缺失或下调，其中RUNX3启动子区域CpG岛的甲基化是导致其在胃癌中失活的主要机制。随着研究的不断深入，RUNX3基因有望成为胃癌诊断的一个特异性生物学标志物和基因治疗的靶点。     

Decreased Expression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase in Gastric Carcinomas

Purpose

Gastric carcinoma tissues release high level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) when compared to non-neoplastic mucosa, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, is often overexpressed in gastric carcinomas and during gastric carcinogenesis. However, little is known about the expression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), the key enzyme responsible for the biological inactivation of PG, in gastric carcinomas.

Materials and Methods

We investigated the expression of 15-PGDH in 28 cases of advanced gastric carcinomas by Western blot analysis and also the relation between its expression and the gene promoter methylation.

Results

15-PGDH expression was significantly decreased in gastric carcinomas compared to corresponding non-neoplastic tissues and inversely correlated with the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in gastric carcinomas. However, there was no correlation between 15-PGDH expression and pathological findings such as nodal metastasis and vascular invasion. Promoter hypermethylation of 15-PGDH gene was not detected in carcinomas, with only a negligible expression of the enzyme.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that 15-PGDH has tumor suppressor activity in gastric carcinomas.     

遗传性弥漫型胃癌家系上皮型钙黏素基因的分析

 摘要：目的 研究在遗传性弥漫型胃癌家系中是否存在上皮型钙黏素基因(CDH1)以及基因表达的异常。 方法 收集符合遗传性弥漫型胃癌(HDGC)诊断标准的1个家系中15例成员的外周血和组织标本。通过免疫组化和Western blot 的方法检测组织标本CDH1蛋白表达; 提取基因组DNA, 通过PCR扩增DNA直接测序检测CDH1基因16个外显子突变。用克隆测序法,鉴定CDH1基因启动子区CpG位点甲基化状况。 结果 先证者和另一胃癌患者(家系2号成员)的癌旁胃粘膜上皮细胞CDH1蛋白表达较正常胃粘膜减弱, 两者肿瘤组织的蛋白表达几乎为阴性。包括先证者在内的11例家系成员第14外显子mRNA水平2377位点存在一个C?T的单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP), 但未检测到16个外显子的胚系突变。相对于正常胃粘膜, 先证者和家系2号成员的胃癌组织均有CDH1基因启动子的高甲基化, 其瘤旁粘膜也有高甲基化。结论 此HDGC家系中,CDH1基因表达丢失可能和胃癌发生有关, CDH1基因外显子突变不是其肿瘤组织上皮型钙黏素蛋白表达丢失的直接原因, 基因启动子区的甲基化可能是导致其失活的原因之一。     

Over-expression of polycomb group protein EZH2 relates to decreased expression of p16 INK4a in cholangiocarcinogenesis in hepatolithiasis

Polycomb group protein EZH2 and Bmi1 are reportedly involved in the progression of malignant tumours. We examined the participation of EZH2 in multi-step cholangiocarcinogenesis in hepatolithiasis with respect to tumour suppressor gene p16 INK4a. We examined 20 hepatolithiatic livers with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and 10 histologically normal livers. Neoplastic biliary lesions were classified into biliary intraepithelial neoplasm (BilIN-1, 2 and 3) and invasive carcinoma. We selected 15 foci of invasive carcinoma, 8 BilIN-3 (carcinoma in situ), 12 BilIN-2 (high-grade dysplasia), 32 BilIN-1 (low-grade dysplasia) and 37 non-neoplastic biliary epithelia from these livers. Expression of p16 INK4a, EZH2 and Bmi1 were surveyed in these foci. P16 INK4a promoter methylation was examined in microdissected tissues. Taking advantage of two cell lines of CC (HuCTT-1 and TFK-1) and small interfering RNA (siRNA), the effects of the knockdown of EZH2 on p16 INK4a methylation of CC cells were examined. Expression of p16 INK4a, which was frequent in BilIN1, was decreased in BilIN-2/3 and invasive carcinoma, while EZH2 expression showed step-wise increase from BilIN-1, -2 and -3 to invasive carcinoma (p < 0.01). P16 INK4a promoter hypermethylation was related to aberrant expression of EZH2. The knockdown of EZH2 in cultured CC cells decreased p16 INK4a methylation and decreased binding of EZH2 to the p16 INK4a gene promoter. The latter suggested that direct binding of EZH2 is involved in the regulation of the p16 INK4a gene. Our data suggest that over-expression of EZH2 may induce hypermethylation of p16 INK4a promoter followed by decreased expression of p16 INK4a in the multi-step cholangiocarcinogenesis through intraepithelial neoplasm in hepatolithiasis.     

急性白血病细胞系中SFRP基因启动子甲基化及去甲基化诱导表达的研究

 目的：探讨分泌型卷曲相关蛋白（SFRP）基因家族启动子CpG岛异常甲基化状态与急性白血病（AL）发生发展的关系,以及DNA甲基转移酶（DNMT）抑制剂5-氮杂-2-脱氧胞苷酸（5-Aza-CdR）去甲基化诱导SFRP基因表达作用的可能机制。方法：采用甲基化特异性PCR检测不同AL细胞系（Molt-4、Jurkat、HL-60和NB4）和不同浓度5-Aza-CdR作用下Jurkat细胞系中SFRP1、SFRP2、SFRP4和SFRP5基因启动子区的甲基化状态,采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测SFRP1、SFRP2、SFRP4和SFRP5 mRNA表达,采用半定量RT-PCR检测DNMT1、DNMT3A和DNMT3B mRNA表达。结果：在正常人细胞中不存在SFRP基因的甲基化。SFRP1、SFRP2和SFRP5基因在HL-60、NB4、Molt-4和Jurkat细胞系中均呈完全甲基化状态;SFRP4基因在NB4、Molt-4和Jurkat细胞系中完全甲基化,在HL-60细胞系中则部分甲基化。5-Aza-CdR可逆转SFRP1、SFRP2、SFRP4和SFRP5基因的高甲基化状态,并能够下调DNMT1、DNMT3A和DNMT3B mRNA水平,诱导SFRP基因恢复表达。结论：在AL细胞系中,SFRP1、SFRP2、SFRP4和SFRP5基因出现高甲基化,与AL的发生密切相关,可能成为AL新的基因标志物。5-Aza-CdR通过抑制DNMT表达,逆转SFRP基因的甲基化状态,恢复其表达。