表皮生长因子受体在胶质瘤中的表达变化及其在细胞信号传导中的作用

目的观察胶质瘤组织及细胞U251中表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）的表达变化,探讨其在细胞信号传导通路中的作用。方法采用免疫组化SP法检测78例脑胶质瘤组织和U251中的EGFR。用EGF作用U251,MTT法检测U251细胞增殖情况,Western blot法检测U251中磷酸化EGFR（p-EGFR）。结果 78例胶质瘤组织中EGFR阳性表达率为66.67%（52/78）,且与胶质瘤的病理分级呈正相关（r=0.441,P〈0.05）。EGF作用后,U251细胞增殖显著、U251中p-EGFR水平明显提高（P均〈0.05）。结论胶质瘤组织、细胞中EGFR均呈过度表达。EGFR通过其介导的细胞信号传导通路促进细胞增殖,EGFR在细胞信号传导通路中发挥重要作用。     

The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor gene is a target of epidermal growth factor receptor action in endometrial epithelial cells

The over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its ligands, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha, is a common feature of epithelial carcinomas and correlates with neoplastic progression. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a member of the Kazal superfamily of serine anti-proteases, induces proliferation and promotes malignancy of epithelial cells and is expressed at high levels in multiple tumor types. In the present study, we have demonstrated that EGF increases SLPI expression in the human endometrial epithelial cell line Ishikawa in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We have shown that this effect of EGF occurs, in part, at the level of the SLPI promoter and involves the MAP kinase signaling pathway. We have further shown that EGF promotion of cell proliferation, but not induction of cyclin D1 gene expression, involves SLPI. Our results suggest that the regulation of SLPI expression by EGFR ligand(s) may represent a 'feed-forward' mechanism by which the enhanced proliferative and migratory properties of EGFR over-expressing cancer cells are sustained. Increased SLPI expression is likely an important component of altered EGFR signaling in human tumors and may have significant therapeutic implications in cancer progression.     

Expression and role of EGFR ligands induced in airway cells by PM2.5 and its components.

The aim of the current study was to establish the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand expression profile in human airway epithelial cells exposed to either particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) or its components and the involvement of EGFR ligands in PM(2.5)-provoked airway inflammation. EGFR ligand mRNA and protein expression were studied in a human bronchial epithelial cell line and normal nasal cells exposed to noncytotoxic concentrations of PM(2.5) or its components. The autocrine role of EGFR ligands in airway epithelial cell pro-inflammation was determined by adding conditioned media from PM(2.5)-treated cells to fresh cells and measuring the secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a pro-inflammatory biomarker. PM(2.5)increased amphiregulin, transforming growth factor-alpha and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor mRNA expression and protein secretion, with a slight contribution of aqueous metallic compounds and a strong participation of organic components putatively attributed to PM polyaromatic hydrocarbon content. PM(2.5)-induced EGFR ligands were involved in cellular GM-CSF release. The current study revealed upregulation of several epidermal growth factor receptor ligands by airway epithelial cells exposed to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm and their contribution to bronchial epithelial cell granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor secretion by an autocrine action, suggesting that these ligands could elicit and sustain the particulate matter-induced airway pro-inflammatory response and contribute to bronchial remodelling.     

三氧化二砷对肝癌细胞表达PTTG1和VEGF的影响及其意义

目的 观察三氧化二砷(As2O3)对人肝癌细胞株BEL-7402和SMMC-7721的作用及其可能机制.方法 采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法检测As2O3对两种细胞的生长活性;用流式细胞仪测定经不同浓度As2O3溶液处理后的两种细胞的周期变化,并用Annexin V-FITC与PI双染法检测细胞凋亡;用实时逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测As2O3对两种细胞垂体肿瘤转化基因1(PTTG1)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA表达的影响;用蛋白免疫印迹法(western-blotting)检测As2O3对两种细胞PTTG1和VEGF蛋白表达的影响.结果 As2O3可显著抑制BEL-7402和SMMC-7721细胞的生长,并呈量效关系(r=0.973,P<0.01;r=0.985,P<0.01),半数抑制浓度(IC50)分别为4.38 μmol/L和5.16 μmol/L.BEL-7402和SMMC-7721经As2O3处理后均发生显著凋亡(P<0.01).As2O3能显著下调两种细胞PTTG1和VEGF mRNA及蛋白的表达(P<0.01),并使细胞周期阻滞在G2/M期.结论 As2O3可有效抑制人肝癌细胞的生长增殖,其机制可能与诱导细胞凋亡、阻滞细胞周期及下调PTTG1和VEGF的表达有关.     

Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) stimulates thyroid cell proliferation via a vascular endothelial growth factor/kinase insert domain receptor/inhibitor of DNA binding-3 autocrine pathway

CONTEXT: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exerts its biological effects by binding to the tyrosine kinase receptors VEGF receptor type 1 (VEGFR1/Flt-1) and VEGFR2 (Flk-1/KDR). Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) is the critical receptor controlling proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and has been shown to be expressed in some nonendothelial cells. We recently reported that the proangiogenic pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) stimulates VEGF and up-regulates inhibitor of DNA binding-3 (ID3), an important gene in VEGF-dependent angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to test whether VEGF, ID3, and KDR confer a PTTG-mediated effect on thyroid cell growth. DESIGN: Gene expression, MAPK stimulation, and cell proliferation were assessed in follicular thyroid cancer FTC133 cells. Gene expression and clinical associations were determined in 21 normal and 38 tumorous thyroid specimens (nine follicular and 29 papillary). RESULTS: ID3 correlated with VEGF mRNA expression in our series of thyroid cancers, which also showed up-regulated KDR mRNA. Stimulation of FTC133 cells with exogenous VEGF enhanced ID3 expression, which could be abrogated by the KDR-specific inhibitor ZM323881, suggesting that VEGF regulation of ID3 is KDR dependent. PTTG significantly correlated with KDR mRNA expression in our thyroid cancer cohort and up-regulated KDR and VEGF expression in FTC133 cells. Finally, cells transfected with PTTG demonstrated increased cell proliferation and phosphorylation of MAPK, which was abrogated by ZM323881. CONCLUSIONS: We report the presence of a VEGF/KDR/ID3-dependent autocrine pathway in FTC133 thyroid cells. By up-regulating both VEGF and KDR expression, we propose a novel PTTG-mediated proliferative pathway that may be critical to thyroid cancer growth and progression.     

Hepatocyte growth factor stimulates cell growth and enhances the expression of transforming growth factor α mRNA in AsPC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells

We investigated the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor α (TGF α) on cell growth in four human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Changes in the expression of mRNAs of HGF, c-met, TGF α, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by treatment with HGF and TGF α were observed. Cell growth with growth factors was assessed with the MTT assay and compared with basal growth without growth factors. Although HGF stimulated cell growth in AsPC-1, COLO-357, and T3M4 cells, Panc-1 cells showed no response to HGF. TGF α stimulated the growth of all the above cells. The expression of c-met mRNA under nonstimulated conditions was detected with Northern blotting in all cells. Treatment with HGF slightly enhanced the expression of c-met mRNA only in COLO-357 cells. The intensity of EGFR expression was consistent, and HGF mRNA was not detected during induction experiments in any cell type. Concomitant treatment with HGF and TGF α exerted an effect that was additive or less on the growth of all cells. Expression of TGF α was enhanced by HGF treatment only in AsPC-1 cells. These results suggested that HGF and TGF α stimulated cell growth through a final common pathway of signal transduction. Received: November 11, 1998 / Accepted: December 18, 1998     

Placental lactogen-I gene activation in differentiating trophoblast cells: extrinsic and intrinsic regulation involving mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways

Trophoblast giant cells are one of the primary endocrine cell types of the rodent placenta. Placental lactogen-I (PL-I) is the initial prolactin (PRL) family member expressed as trophoblast giant cells differentiate. In this report, we use the Rcho-1 trophoblast cell line as a model for studying the regulation of PL-I gene expression during trophoblast giant cell differentiation. Evidence is provided for trophoblast cell expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ErbB2, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), transforming growth factor-alpha, and heparin-binding EGF. EGF and FGF-2 stimulated PL-I mRNA and protein accumulation and PL-I promoter activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These latter growth factor actions on PL-I promoter activities were specifically inhibited by cotransfection with dominant negative constructs for EGFR and FGFRs respectively. Utilization of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by EGF and FGF-2 in trophoblast cells was demonstrated by growth factor stimulation of a Gal4 DNA binding/Elk1 transactivational domain fusion construct, and more specifically by activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase and p38 MAPK. PL-I gene activation was also sensitive to disruption of MAPK and activation protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathways. In conclusion, autocrine/paracrine pathways involving EGFR and FGFR1, MAPK and AP-1 are shown to participate in the regulation of the PL-I gene in differentiating trophoblast cells.     

垂体肿瘤转化基因在大肠癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨垂体肿瘤转化基因（PTTG）在大肠癌发生、发展中的作用。方法采用RT-PCR及免疫组化法检测80份大肠癌组织、20份正常大肠组织中PTTG mRNA、PTTG蛋白表达,分析其与大肠癌临床病理参数的关系。结果大肠癌组织中PTTG mRNA及蛋白表达量明显高于正常大肠组织,P均〈0.01;PTTG mRNA及PTTG蛋白表达量与大肠癌浸润深度、淋巴结转移、Duke＇s分期有明显相关性。结论 PTTG高表达在大肠癌的发生发展过程中起促进作用;PTTG表达可作为大肠癌转移及预后的预测指标。     

Decreased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and mRNA of its ligands in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and TGF-alpha play a central role in maintaining gastric mucosal integrity. Little is known about the regulative role of the four other widely expressed epidermal growth factor receptor ligands, heparin-binding EGF, amphiregulin, betacellulin and cripto in the gastric mucosa. METHODS: Nineteen patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis and 32 healthy controls were investigated. Mucosal mRNA expression of EGF receptor ligands was determined by quantitative PCR before and after H. pylori eradication. PCR products were analyzed by soft laser scanning densitometry. Moreover, the effect of chronic active gastritis on EGF receptor expression was assessed by [125I] EGF receptor autoradiography. Immunohistochemistry was performed for TGF-alpha to localize growth factor expression. RESULTS: Antral and oxyntic biopsies showed strong mRNA expressions for TGF-alpha, amphiregulin and heparin binding EGF, but not for EGF, cripto and betacellulin. mRNA expression was significantly reduced down to 50% in H. pylori infection, significantly lower compared to normal gastric mucosa, and increased after eradication therapy. Moreover, chronic gastritis was associated with decreased antral EGF receptor binding compared to healthy controls, possibly reflecting reduced autoinduction. Immunohistochemical analyses localized TGF-alpha in the cytoplasma of gastric epithelial cells and revealed its increased expression after H. pylori eradication. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest that amphiregulin, heparin binding EGF and TGF-alpha are important EGF receptor ligands in the gastric mucosa. H. pylori infection apparently suppresses their mRNA as well as receptor expression that is reversed by H. pylori eradication. This deficiency of the gastroprotective EGF system may contribute to the gastric pathogenicity of H. pylori infection.     

Effect of TL-10 on the expression of HSC growth factors in hepatic fibrosis rat

AIM: To study the effect of IL-10 on the expression of growth factors - transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),epidermal growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of hepatic fibrosis rat and the anti-fibrogenic role of exogenous IL-10.METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl4administration intra-peritoneally. Sixty clean male SpragueDawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group (GN, 8 rats), hepatic fibrosis model group (GC, 28 rats) and IL-10 treated group (GI, 24 rats).At the beginning of the 7th and 11th wk, rats in each group were routinely perfused with pronase E and type Ⅳ collagenase through a portal vein catheter and the suspension obtained from the liver was spun by centrifugation with 11% Nycodenz density gradient to isolate HSCs. Histological examination was used to determine the degree of hepatic fibrosis. RT-PCR was employed to analyze mRNA expression from freshly isolated cells. Tmmunocytochemistry was performed to detect protein expression in primary cultured HSCs.RESULTS: Rat hepatic fibrosis was developed with the increase of injection frequency of CCl4, and HSCs were successfully isolated. At the 7th and 11th wk, TGF-β1, EGF,and HGF mRNA in GC increased obviously compared with GN (P = 0.001/0.042, 0.001/0.001, 0.001/0.001) and GI (P= 0.001/0.007, 0.002/0.001, 0.001/0.001). For TGF-β1,no difference was observed between GI and GN. For EGF,mRNA level in GI increased compared with GN during the 7th wk (P= 0.005) and 11th wk (P= 0.049). For HGF, mRNA level in GI decreased compared with GN at the 7th wk (P = 0.001) and 11th wk (P = 0.021). Between these two time points, TGF-β1 expression at the 7th wk was higher than that of the 11th wk (P = 0.049), but for EGF, the former was lower than the latter (P = 0.022). As for PDGF mRNA, there was no significant difference between these groups, but difference seemed to exist in protein levels.Results by immunocytochemistry of TGF-β1 and EGF were paralleled with the above findings.CONCLUSION: The expression of TGF-β1, EGF and HGF increased in HSC of hepatic fibrosis rat and decreased after treatment with IL-10. IL-10 plays an anti-fibrogenic role by suppressing growth factors expression.     

Effects of growth factors on the growth and differentiation of mouse fetal liver epithelial cells in primary cultures

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Growth factors (GF) are thought to affect the growth and differentiation of hepatocytes during liver development. However, in the midfetal liver, little is known concerning the role of GF. METHODS: The DNA synthesis of fetal liver epithelial cells (FLEC) in monolayer culture and the liver-specific gene expressions of FLEC in 3-D culture were examined in medium supplemented with various GF. RESULTS: DNA synthesis of FLEC was higher than that of adult hepatocytes without GF, and was increased by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). However, FLEC responded less to GF in terms of DNA synthesis than adult hepatocytes. The liver-specific gene expressions were increased in the presence of HGF, HB-EGF, bFGF and EGF. In embryonic day (E) 13.5 FLEC, this increase was more apparent in the presence of HB-EGF, whereas in E14.5 FLEC, it was more apparent in the presence of HGF. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocyte growth factor, HB-EGF, bFGF, EGF and TGF-alpha increased DNA synthesis of FLEC. HGF, HB-EGF, bFGF and EGF led to an increase in liver-specific gene expressions; and their effects on differentiation differ as a function of gestation age.     

The relationship between pituitary tumour transforming gene (PTTG) expression and in vitro hormone and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from human pituitary adenomas

OBJECTIVE: Pituitary tumour transforming gene (PTTG) is a recently identified protooncogene, ubiquitously expressed in pituitary tumours at levels higher than those detected in normal pituitary. Although the precise function of PTTG protein is unknown, in vitro experiments have shown that it induces angiogenesis. In this study, we have examined the potential relationship between the level of PTTG expression and tumour phenotype, tumour size, in vitro pituitary hormone secretion and release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor. METHODS: Pituitary tumours (12 somatotroph, five lactotroph, five corticotroph and 18 non-functioning) were studied by cell culture, measuring the basal secretion of anterior pituitary hormones and VEGF in vitro. Immunocytochemistry was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis and tumour phenotype. PTTG mRNA expression was investigated by comparative RT-PCR. Tumour Volume was quantitated from pre-operative MRI scans. RESULTS: PTTG expression was significantly increased 2.7-fold in somatotroph tumours compared with non-functioning adenomas (P<0.01, ANOVA). A positive correlation was demonstrated between PTTG expression and in vitro GH secretion (r=0.41, P<0.01, Spearman) but no correlations were found for any of the other pituitary hormones. In 16 out of 40 pituitary tumours, we were able to determine the in vitro secretion of VEGF and relate this to PTTG expression. All of the adenomas tested secreted measurable VEGF but there was no correlation between the amount of VEGF secreted and either the tumour phenotype or PTTG expression. Neither PTTG expression nor VEGF secretion correlated with tumour Volume. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies have confirmed the presence of PTTG in pituitary adenomas and demonstrated a higher level of expression in somatotroph tumours and a significant correlation with GH secretion. We failed to demonstrate a relationship between PTTG expression and production of the angiogenic factor, VEGF, or tumour Volume. Thus, although PTTG induces angiogenesis experimentally, it seems unlikely that a VEGF-mediated angiogenic mechanism occurs during pituitary tumour progression.     

STIL在神经胶质瘤中表达及对增殖能力的影响

目的 探讨STIL在神经胶质瘤中表达及生物学意义.方法 公用数据库TCGA在线分析STIL在神经胶质瘤中表达水平,并检测了20例神经胶质瘤临床标本中STIL表达量,利用siRNA干扰技术瞬时敲低胶质瘤细胞系中STIL的表达水平,并利用定量聚合酶链反应(qPCR)及Western印迹检测敲低效率,免疫组织化学染色(SP)...     

An in vitro tubulogenesis system using cell lines derived from the embryonic kidney shows dependence on multiple soluble growth factors

Interactions between the ureteric bud (UB) and metanephric mesenchyme are crucial for tubulogenesis during kidney development. Two immortalized cell lines derived from the day 11.5 embryonic kidney, UB cells, which appear to be epithelial (cytokeratin-positive, E-cadherin-positive, and ZO-1-positive by immunostaining) and BSN cells, which are largely mesenchymal (vimentin-positive, but negative for cytokeratin, cell surface E-cadherin, and cell surface ZO-1), were used to establish an in vitro tubulogenesis system. BSN cells expressed hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 mRNAs, and its conditioned medium (BSN-CM) contained factors capable of activating the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR). When UB cells were cultured in an extracellular matrix gel in the presence of the embryonic kidney or BSN-CM, the UB cells underwent morphogenetic changes characteristic of early in vitro branching tubulogenesis. These changes were largely inhibited by a combination of neutralizing anti-HGF antibodies and the EGFR inhibitor tyrphostin AG1478, suggesting that EGFR ligands, together with HGF, account for much of this early morphogenetic activity. Nevertheless, there was a significant fraction of tubulogenic activity that could not be inhibited, suggesting the existence of other soluble factors. Whereas HGF, EGF, transforming growth factor α, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), or a mixture of these growth factors, induced epithelial processes for up to 3 days, only IGF-1, possibly bFGF, and the mixture were able to sustain morphogenesis for longer periods, though not nearly to the same degree as BSN-CM. Moreover, only BSN-CM induced branching tubular structures with clear lumens, consistent with the existence of other soluble factors crucial for the formation and/or maintenance of branching tubular structures with lumens in vitro.     

Effects of dexamethasone on the growth and epidermal growth factor receptor expression of the OVCA 433 ovarian cancer cells.

We studied the correlation between dexamethasone (Dex) induced growth effects and modulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in OVCA 433 ovarian cancer cells. These cells express specific high and low affinity 125I-EGF binding sites and are growth stimulated by EGF. Dex exhibits mitoinhibitory effects by recruiting OVCA 433 cells in the G0-G1 phase of the cycle, but increases the number of both the high and the low affinity EGFR in a dose dependent manner. The maximal EGFR expression increase occurs after 24 h of Dex treatment consistently with Northern blot studies. The mitogenic activity of EGF in OVCA 433 cells is not affected by the presence of Dex. Moreover Dex growth inhibition occurs in JA1 cells, an ovarian cancer cell line which expresses unfunctional EGFR and which is unresponsive to EGF. Our results indicate that the Dex induced growth effects occur independently of EGFR expression.     

Effect of IL-10 on the expression of HSC growth factors in hepatic fibrosis rat

AIM: To study the effect of IL-10 on the expression of growth factors - transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of hepatic fibrosis rat and the anti-fibrogenic role of exogenous IL-10. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl4 administration intra-peritoneally. Sixty clean male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (GN, 8 rats), hepatic fibrosis model group (GC, 28 rats) and IL-10 treated group (GI, 24 rats). At the beginning of the 7th and 11th wk, rats in each group were routinely perfused with pronase E and type IV collag-enase through a portal vein catheter and the suspension obtained from the liver was spun by centrifugation with 11% Nycodenz density gradient to isolate HSCs. Histological examination was used to determine the degree of hepatic fibrosis. RT-PCR was employed to analyze mRNA expression from freshly isolated cells. Immunocytochemistry was performed to detect protein expression in primary cultured HSCs. RESULTS: Rat hepatic fibrosis was developed with the increase of injection frequency of CCl4, and HSCs were successfully isolated. At the 7th and 11th wk, TGF-β1, EGF, and HGF mRNA in GC increased obviously compared with GN (P= 0.001/0.042, 0.001/0.001, 0.001/0.001) and GI (P=0.001/0.007, 0.002/0.001, 0.001/0.001). For TGF-β1, no difference was observed between GI and GN. For EGF, mRNA level in GI increased compared with GN during the 7th wk (P=0.005) and 11th wk (P=0.049). For HGF, mRNA level in GI decreased compared with GN at the 7th wk (P=0.001) and 11th wk (P=0.021). Between these two time points, TGF-β1 expression at the 7th wk was higher than that of the 11th wk (P=0.049), but for EGF, the former was lower than the latter (P=0.022). As for PDGF mRNA, there was no significant difference between these groups, but difference seemed to exist in protein levels. Results by immunocytochemistry of TGF-β1 and EGF were paralleled with the above findings. CONCLUSION: The expression of TGF-β1, EGF and HGF increased in HSC of hepatic fibrosis rat and decreased after treatment with IL-10. IL-10 plays an anti-fibrogenic role by suppressing growth factors expression.