Enhancement of paclitaxel-mediated cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells by 17-allylamino geldanamycin: in vitro and in vivo analysis

BACKGROUND: It has previously been demonstrated that 17-allylamino geldanamycin (17-AAG) enhances paclitaxel-mediated cytotoxicity and downregulates vascular endothelial factor expression in non-small cell lung cancer. This project was designed to evaluate the tumoricidal and antiangiogeneic effects of 17-AAG and paclitaxel in H358 non-small cell lung cancer cells grown as xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: In vitro cytotoxic drug combination effects were evaluated by (4, 5-dimethylthiazo-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide-based proliferation assays. The combinations of 17-AAG and paclitaxel were administered intraperitoneally in nude mice bearing H358 tumor xenografts. Tumor volumes were measured weekly. Tumor expression of erbB2, vascular endothelial cell growth factor, von Willebrand factor (tumor microvasculature), and activated caspase 3 (apoptosis) were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Five- to 22-fold enhancement of paclitaxel cytotoxicity was achieved by paclitaxel + 17-AAG combination that was paralleled with marked induction of apoptosis. This combination treatment profoundly suppressed tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival of mice bearing H358 xenografts. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissues indicated profound reduction of vascular endothelial cell growth factor expression associated with reduction of microvasculature in tumors treated with 17-AAG. Apoptotic cells were more abundant in tumors treated with 17-AAG + paclitaxel than in those treated with 17-AAG or paclitaxel alone. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent exposure of H358 cells to 17-AAG and paclitaxel resulted in supraadditive growth inhibition effects in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of molecular markers of tumor tissues indicated that therapeutic drug levels could be achieved with this chemotherapy regimen leading to significant biological responses. Moreover, 17-AAG-mediated suppression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor production by tumor cells may contribute to the antitumor effects of this drug combination in vivo.     

c—erbB—2,H—ras和P53,Rb基因在膀胱癌中的表达

为探讨癌基因，抑癌基因在评估膀胱移行细胞癌预后中的意义，应用免疫组化法对９３例膀胱移行细胞癌组织中癌基因ｃｅｒｂＢ２、Ｈｒａｓ及抑癌基因Ｐ５３、Ｒｂ的表达产物进行检测。结果显示ｃｅｒｂＢ２、Ｈｒａｓ和Ｐ５３的表达率分别为２６％、２４％和４８％，Ｒｂ的失表达率为３１％。大多数（６９％）肿瘤有上述癌基因和（或）抑癌基因的表达异常，其中３８％的肿瘤同时有多个基因的表达异常，多基因表达异常与肿瘤的病理分级、临床分期、复发及５年生存率关系极为密切。提示肿瘤的多基因分析比单基因分析更有价值，多基因表达异常是判断膀胱移行细胞癌预后的一个可靠指标。     

基质金属蛋白酶在早期肺癌中的表达

目的 探讨早期肺癌中的基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-9、MMP-2、MMP-7活性及与MMP抑制剂开发的关系.方法 采用明胶酶谱及酪素酶谱法测定60例Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者的肺肿瘤及对应正常肺组织中MMP-9、MMP-2、MMP-7的活性.结果 MMP-9活性均见于正常及癌组织中,但早期肺癌组织中的MMP-9的活性为(1189.3±537.0)灰度值,低于正常对照肺组织中(1557.7±422.5)灰度值(P<0.05).肿瘤的MMP-2的活性率(62 kDa/62 kDa+66 kDa)(45.5±8.4)%明显高于相对应的正常组织中的(25.9±10.5)%(P<0.01).阳性对照的人羊水标本在酪素酶谱凝胶上显示MMP-7约20 kDa的透明活性带,但同时肺癌及正常肺组织标本未显示出MMP-7的可检测的活性.结论 早期肺癌组织中MMP-9活性低及无明显MMP-7活性,MMP-2活性显著增高.     

Sequence-dependent enhancement of paclitaxel toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer by 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin.

OBJECTIVE: Overexpression of the oncogene erbB-2 contributes to chemoresistance in various malignant tumors including lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether depletion of the erbB-2 gene product (p185) by 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin would sensitize lung cancer cells to paclitaxel (Taxol) in vitro. METHODS: Paclitaxel cytotoxicity was evaluated in a panel of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines that expressed varying levels of p185 by means in vitro proliferation assays and 2 drug combination schedules. Cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis after exposure to paclitaxel or paclitaxel plus 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin treatment efficiently depleted p185 expression in lung cancer cells. Concurrent exposure of these cells to paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin significantly enhanced paclitaxel-mediated cytotoxicity, particularly in cells which overexpressed p185. There was a 1.3 to more than 20-fold reduction of paclitaxel 50% inhibitory concentration values in those cells that were responding positively to the drug combination. Significant induction of apoptosis was observed after treatment of cells with the combination of paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin. The combination cytotoxic effect was only additive in cells expressing low levels of p185. In contrast, of lung cancer cells with exposure to 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin before combined paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin exposure actually rendered the cells refractory to paclitaxel cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The compound 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells expressing high levels of p185 to paclitaxel-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis. These preclinical data support the evaluation of the combination of paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin in the treatment of patients with lung cancer whose tumors exhibit p185 overexpression.     

二氢杨梅素对肝癌细胞黏附、侵袭及迁移的抑制作用及机制

目的：研究二氢杨梅素（DHM）对肝癌细胞黏附、侵袭和迁移能力的影响及其可能机制。 方法：用不同浓度DHM处理肝癌MHCC97L细胞后,分别检测细胞的黏附能力、迁移与侵袭能力,以及E-cadherin、MMP-2、MMP-9和VEGF蛋白表达。 结果：与空白对照细胞比较,DHM处理后的MHCC97L细胞黏附力明显降低、侵袭与迁移力明显减弱（均P<0.05）;E-cadherin表达明显上调,而MMP-9、VEGF蛋白表达明显下调的水平（均P<0.05）,但MMP-2蛋白的表达无明显改变（均P>0.05）。 结论：DHM可能通过调控E-cadherin、MMP-9和VEGF蛋白的表达抑制肝癌细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭。     

The Combination Assay with Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C,Matrix Metalloproteinase-9, and VEGF for Diagnosing Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of levels of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and VEGF and to verify that the combination assay of these circulating factors is a clinically useful indicator to predict the presence of lymph node metastasis in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods: A series of 78 patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC was used in this study. Serum VEGF-C and VEGF and plasma MMP-9 levels were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence of VEGF-C, MMP, and VEGF levels on the probability of presence or absence of lymph node metastasis.Results: Patients with lymph node metastasis had higher serum VEGF- C, VEGF, and plasma MMP-9 concentrations than did those without metastasis (VEGF-C, P = .0004; VEGF, P = .001). Serum VEGF- C reached a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 68% when a cutoff value of 1762.0 pg/mL was applied, while VEGF reached 80% sensitivity and 59% specificity at 316.8 pg/mL. MMP-9 reached a sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 75% when a cutoff value of 51.4 ng/mL was applied. In the ROC curve analysis, VEGF-C (0.761) had the biggest areas under the ROC curve, followed by MMP-9 (0.723) and VEGF (0.694). Combination assay of three markers had higher sensitivity and specificity for prediction than single-marker assays (AUC = 0.837).Conclusions: This study has confirmed that combination assay of three markers to determine VEGF-C, MMP-9, and VEGF expression in circulation detects lymph node metastasis in NSCLC with higher accuracy than single-marker assays.     

Antitumor effect of ascorbic acid, lysine, proline, arginine, and green tea extract on bladder cancer cell line T-24

AIMS: Bladder cancer, the fourth highest incident cancer in men and tenth in women, is associated with a high rate of recurrence, even when treated in situ, and prognosis is poor once the cancer metastasizes to distant sites. Based on anticancer properties, we investigated the effect of a mixture of lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract on human bladder cancer cells T-24 by measuring: proliferation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and cancer cell invasive potential. METHODS: Human bladder cancer cells T-24 (ATCC) were grown in McCoy medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin (100 U/mL) and streptomycin (100 mg/mL) in 24-well tissue culture plates. At near confluence, the cells were treated with the nutrient mixture dissolved in media and tested at 0, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 microg/mL in triplicate at each dose. Cells were also treated with PMA 200 ng/mL to study enhanced MMP-9 activity. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, MMP activity by gelatinase zymography, and invasion through Matrigel. RESULTS: Nutrient mixture inhibited the T-24 cell secretion of MMP-2 and -9, with virtual total inhibition of MMP-2 at 500 microg/mL and MMP-9 at 100 microg/mL. The nutrient mixture significantly reduced the invasion of human bladder cancer cells T-24 through Matrigel in a dose-dependent fashion, with 95% inhibition at 500 microg/mL and 100% at 1000 microg/mL nutrient mixture (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that our nutrient mixture is an excellent candidate for therapeutic use in the treatment of bladder cancer, by inhibiting critical steps in cancer development and spread, such as MMP secretion and invasion.     

Low-level laser therapy promotes proliferation and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to be effective in promoting cell proliferation. There is speculation that the biostimulatory effect of LLLT causes undesirable enhancement of tumor growth in neoplastic diseases since malignant cells are more susceptible to proliferative stimuli. This study evaluated the effects of LLLT on proliferation, invasion, and expression of cyclin D1, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and MMP-9 in a tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (SCC25). Cells were irradiated with a diode laser (660 nm) using two energy densities (0.5 and 1.0 J/cm²). The proliferative potential was assessed by cell growth curves and cell cycle analysis, whereas the invasion of cells was evaluated using a Matrigel cell invasion assay. Expression of cyclin D1, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and MMP-9 was analyzed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry and associated with the biological activities studied. LLLT induced significantly the proliferation of SCC25 cells at 1.0 J/cm², which was accomplished by an increase in the expression of cyclin D1 and nuclear β-catenin. At 1.0 J/cm², LLLT significantly reduced E-cadherin and induced MMP-9 expression, promoting SCC25 invasion. The results of this study demonstrated that LLLT exerts a stimulatory effect on proliferation and invasion of SCC25 cells, which was associated with alterations on expression of proteins studied.     

基质金属蛋白酶-9表达与非小细胞肺癌生物学行为及预后的相关性研究

目的：探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）的表达与非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）生物学行为及预后的相关性,判断其能否作为预测NSCLC预后的生物学指标。方法：采用免疫组化染色技术检测79例2000年1月-2003年12月在我院就诊的NSCLC患者癌组织和20例良性肺疾病患者正常肺组织标本中MMP-9的表达水平,比较其与NSCLC临床病理因素和术后5年生存率之间的关系。结果：MMP-9在NSCLC组织中阳性表达率明显高于正常肺组织中的表达;MMP-9的表达水平与NSCLC的TNM分期（r=0．3987,P〈0．05）、淋巴结转移（P〈0．05）和肿瘤最大直径（r=0．3546,P〈0．05）呈正相关,与病理类型（r=0．1904,P〉0．05）和组织分化程度（P〉O．05）无关;生存分析提示MMP-9高表达者生存率明显低于无／低表达者。结论：MMP-9可以成为临床判断NSCLC生物学行为及预后的重要参考指标。     

AMD3100抑制胰腺癌细胞增殖和侵袭的体外实验

目的 探讨CXCR4 特异性受体阻滞剂AMD3100 对胰腺癌细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响及其可能的作用机制.方法 用CCK-8 检测经不同浓度AMD3100 处理后人胰腺癌细胞株SW1990 的增殖.Matrigel 胶铺设的transwell 小室检测经AMD3100 处理后SW1990 的侵袭能力.RT-PCR 法检...     

Smooth muscle cells cultured from human saphenous vein exhibit increased proliferation, invasion, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in vitro compared with paired internal mammary artery cells

OBJECTIVE: Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, invasion, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion are key events in the development of intimal hyperplasia, the lesion that causes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) failure. Saphenous vein (SV) grafts are the most commonly used bypass conduits but are markedly more susceptible to intimal hyperplasia than internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts. We hypothesized that this may be due to inherent functional differences between SV-SMCs and IMA-SMCs. In this study we used paired cultures of SV-SMCs and IMA-SMCs from the same patients and compared their rates of proliferation, invasion, migration, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion. METHODS: SMCs were cultured from explants of paired SV and IMA from 22 patients undergoing CABG. SMC populations of equivalent passage were used to determine proliferation in response to 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and 10 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by counting cells during a 7-day period. Immunoblotting was used to quantify phosphorylation of p44/42-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Invasion and migration rates of paired SMCs were quantified using a modified Boyden chamber technique in the presence or absence of a Matrigel basement membrane barrier (BD Biosciences, Oxford, UK). Conditioned media from invasion assays were analyzed for secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: Analysis of areas under curves for 7-day proliferation assays revealed that the number of SV-SMCs in response to FCS, PDGF, and bFGF was 2.1, 2.0, and 2.3 times higher, respectively, than that of paired IMA-SMCs. Basal MAPK activation in SV-SMCs was approximately double that of paired IMA-SMCs. SV-SMCs exhibited a 2.1-fold increase in invasion rate (Matrigel barrier) compared with IMA-SMCs, but migration rates (no Matrigel barrier) and MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion were similar for the two cell types. CONCLUSIONS: Human SV-SMCs are inherently more proliferative and invasive than paired IMA-SMCs, likely due to a relative increase in p44/42-MAPK activation. These inherent functional differences between SMC of different origins may contribute to the increased prevalence of intimal hyperplasia in SV grafts compared with IMA grafts.     

Isolated tumor cells in bone marrow predict reduced survival in node-negative non-small cell lung cancer

Background. It recently became evident that isolated tumor cells undetectable by conventional tumor staging are frequently present in bone marrow of patients with apparently localized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The clinical relevance of this minimal hematogenous tumor cell dissemination is under vigorous debate.

Methods. For tumor cell detection in the bone marrow, we used monoclonal antibody CK2 against the epithelial intermediate filament protein cytokeratin 18. The influence of a positive bone marrow finding on clinical outcome was studied in 139 patients with NSCLC postoperatively staged as pT_1–4, pN_0–2, M₀, and R₀ after a median follow-up of 66 months (range 48 to 74 months).

Results. Cytokeratin-18-positive cells in bone marrow were demonstrated in 83 (59.7%) patients at the time of primary surgery and in 6 of 12 representative patients analyzed twice 3 to 18 months after surgery. In patients without histopathological lymph node metastases (pN₀; n = 66), the occurrence of 2 or more tumor cells in bone marrow at primary surgery was a strong and independent predictor for overall survival (p = 0.007) in univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis showed a 2.8 times increased risk for shorter survival in patients with disseminated tumor cells versus patients without such cells. Four of the 6 patients with a positive cytokeratin status after surgery developed a tumor recurrence 11 to 44 months after the operation, while none of the patients with a negative bone marrow at all time intervals showed a tumor relapse.

Conclusions. Minimal residual bone marrow involvement is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with node-negative NSCLC, which may help to identify patients in need of an adjuvant systemic therapy. The postoperative persistence or reappearance of tumor cells in bone marrow indicates that these are not only shedded cells but rather represent true micrometastasis.     

Molecular biologic substaging of stage I lung cancer according to gender and histology

BACKGROUND: This study is designed to assess molecular biologic substaging according to gender and histology in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Pathologic specimens were collected from 408 consecutive patients after complete resection for stage I NSCLC, with follow-up of at least 5 years. A panel of nine molecular markers was chosen for immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor: recessive oncogenes p53 and bcl-2, the protooncogene erbB-2, KI-67 proliferation index, retinoblastoma oncogene (Rb), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), angiogenesis factor viii, sialyl-Tn antigen (STN), and CD-44. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to construct a risk model for cancer-specific survival according to marker status, gender, and histologic subtype. RESULTS: Among men, the only molecular marker associated with decreased cancer-specific survival is erbB-2; among women, there are four markers: p53, Rb, CD-44, and factor viii. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma, the only molecular marker associated with decreased cancer-specific survival is erbB-2; among patients with adenocarcinoma (AC), there are three markers: p53, CD-44, and factor viii. Multivariable analysis of interactions among molecular markers, gender, and histology demonstrates two important relationships (hazard ratio): p53+/women (2.269) and CD-44+/AC (2.266). CONCLUSIONS: Molecular biologic substaging of patients with stage I NSCLC demonstrates differential cancer-specific survival according to marker expression, gender, and histologic subtype.     

Does Resection of Adrenal Metastases From Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Improve Survival?

Background. Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carries a dismal prognosis, which is minimally affected by chemotherapy. Solitary brain metastases from NSCLC have been resected with 5-year survivals of 10% to 30%. The objective of this study was to determine if resection of isolated adrenal metastases improves survival.

Methods. Isolated adrenal metastases were found in 14 patients with NSCLC. Eight patients had resection after cis-platinum-based chemotherapy, and 6 received chemotherapy alone.

Results. Median survival in the surgical group was significantly greater than that in the chemotherapy group (31 versus 8.5 months; p = 0.03). All patients in the chemotherapy group were dead by 22 months. Three-year actuarial survival in the surgical group was 38%. No difference in locoregional stage, size of adrenal metastases, patient age, or performance status was present between the two groups.

Conclusions. Long-term disease-free survival is possible after resection of isolated adrenal metastases from NSCLC. Resection of isolated adrenal metastases should be considered if the primary NSCLC is resectable.     

β受体在人胰腺癌细胞株中的表达及其在细胞侵袭中的作用

目的 探讨β受体在经典神经递质去甲肾上腺素(NE)诱导人胰腺癌细胞株Mia-PaCa-2侵袭能力增强过程中的作用及其机制.方法 逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测人胰腺癌细胞株β受体的表达.实验分为对照组、NE干预组、普萘洛尔(Propranolol)干预组、普萘洛尔和NE共同干预组(NE&Propranolol).采用Transwell侵袭实验检测细胞侵袭能力的变化;RT-PCR法和免疫细胞化学法分别检测细胞中基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2、MMP-9、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA和蛋白的表达.结果 人胰腺癌细胞株MiaPaCa-2和BxPC3均表达β1和β2受体.NE组、NE&Pmpranolol组、Propranolol组和对照组穿膜细胞的吸光度值分别为0.78±0.02、0.32±0.03、0.26±0.01、0.28±0.02,NE组显著高于对照组和NE&Pmpranolol组(P<0.05),而Propranolol组穿膜细胞数与对照组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);NE组中MMP-2、MMP-9和VEGF mRNA表达指数为0.87±0.02、1.04±0.02和0.92±0.01,蛋白表达灰度值为131.20±2.34、105.32±7.21和115.60±5.03,显著高于对照组和NE&Propranolol组(P<0.05),Propranolol组与对照组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 β受体在NE诱导胰腺癌细胞侵袭能力增强的发展过程中发挥重要作用,NE通过β受体介导上调MMP-2、MMP-9和VEGF的表达进而增强胰腺癌细胞的侵袭能力.     

阻断信号传导和转录活化因子3对胶质瘤细胞侵袭性特征的影响

目的 观察用AG490阻断人胶质瘤细胞株中信号传导和转录活化因子3(STAT3)信号通路对肿瘤细胞侵袭性特征的影响.方法 体外培养的人胶质瘤U251、U87细胞株,应用AG490阻断STAT3信号通路;以Western blot检测STAT3和其激活状态p-STAT3蛋白在AG490作用前后的表达情况;通过Transwell细胞侵袭实验了解肿瘤细胞体外侵袭能力的变化;用明胶酶谱法检测肿瘤细胞基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-2、MMP-9的表达;用逆转录一聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)了解血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA表达的变化.结果 AC490作用后胶质瘤细胞内p-STAT3表达下降,其程度随AG490浓度升高而增强,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).而STAT3蛋白的表达不受AG490影响,与对照组比较差异无统计意义(P>0.05),说明AG490的作用机制是通过抑制STAT3蛋白的磷酸化激活过程从而阻断STAT3信号通路.AG490作用后,U251细胞的体外侵袭力下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).STAT3信号通路阻断后,胶质瘤细胞MMP-2、MMP-9的表达下调,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).VEGF mRNA表达也相应下降(P<0.05).结论 应用AG490阻断STAT3信号通路能够抑制胶质瘤细胞的体外侵袭能力,STAT3信号通路有可能成为控制胶质瘤侵袭性生长的有效靶点.     

多西环素对小鼠黑色素瘤基质金属蛋白酶-2、基质金属蛋白酶-9表达和活性的抑制作用

目的 观察多西环索对小鼠恶性黑色素瘤模型MMP-2、MMP-9表达和活性的作用.方法 C57/BL小鼠47只建立黑色素瘤模型,随机分为给药组和对照组.给药组每日腹腔注射盐酸多西环素,对照组给予等量生理盐水.7 d后处死给药组和对照组小鼠各10只.继续给药14 d后处死剩余小鼠,比较两个时间点多西环素对MMP-2、MMP-9、VEGF表达的影响.并用检测MMP.9、MMP-2酶原、活性MMP-2的活性变化.结果 多西环索给药7 d抑瘤率为52.36%,给药14 d抑瘤率为35.63%.给药组的MMP-2、MMP-9表达均低于对照组,而VEGF的表达高于对照组.给药组的MMP-9和活性MMP-2的条带酶解量以及活性MMP-2与MMP-2酶原比值均低于对照组,但两组间MMP-2酶原条带酶解量差异无统计学意义.结论 多西环素可以抑制恶性黑色素瘤小鼠移植瘤的生长,其作用机制可能和抑制MMP-2、MMP-9的表达和活性有关.     

Correlation between expression of metastasis-related genes and lymph node metastasis in testicular cancer

To investigate the factors related to lymph node metastasis of testicular germ cell tumors, we first established a seminoma orthotopic model with lymph node metastasis in SCID mice by inoculating small fragments from subcutaneous xenografts. Second, we compared the expression patterns of metastasis-related genes of the seminoma xenografts and of the TCam-2 cells which were established as a seminoma cell line from a primary testicular seminoma. Third, we immunohistochemically analyzed human germ cell tumors (25 seminomas, 17 nonseminomas) using monoclonal antibodies to CD34, VEGF, VEGF-C, Flt-4, MMP-2 and E-cadherin. Testicular seminoma xenografts grew in 32/32 (100%) of the inoculated mice, of which 15 (47%) developed macroscopic metastasis to the renal hilar lymph node. Circulating tumor cells were detectable by using a PCR assay for the human beta-globin gene in 25/32 (78%) mice, although metastatic foci were not histologically evident in the visceral organs, including lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen. This may reflect the lymphophilic characteristics of the seminoma cells used. Regarding mRNA expression of metastasis-related genes, an increased expression of MMP-2 and VEGF compared with that in the s.c. xenografts was demonstrated by RT-PCR assay in the testicular seminoma xenografts. In addition, uPAR, MMP-1, MMP-2, MT1-MMP and MT3-MMP showed a a stronger expression and PAI-2 a weaker expression in the seminoma xenografts than did TCam-2 cells. These results suggest a higher metastatic potential of the seminoma xenografts, especially testicular xenografts, as compared with TCam-2 cells. In the immunohistochemical study, a significant correlation was found between MMP-2 expression and lymph node metastasis, which is compatible with the results for the metastasis-related gene expression from the seminoma xenografts.     

Prognostic Value of Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor,Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor,E-Cadherin,and p120 Catenin in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

IntroductionSeveral markers have been investigated to predict the prognosis of lung cancer. In the present study, the prognostic values of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-cadherin, and p120 catenin expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry in patients with a surgically resected non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).Patients and methodEGFR, VEGF, E-cadherin, and p120 catenin expression were prospectively determined in resected specimens from patients with NSCLC who had undergone surgery between 2003 and 2007. Patients’ and disease-related general characteristics and survival rate were recorded.ResultsOne hundred seventeen patients with a mean age of 61.3 years were included in the study. After a mean follow-up of 27.5 months, the median survival was determined to be 44.0 months and the 5-year survival was 46.2%. The 5-year survival in negative and positive staining groups were as follows; 32% and 66.7% for EGFR (P=.02), 37.8%, and 50.7% for VEGF (P=.5), 41% and 66% for E-cadherin (P=.19), and 46% and 50% for p120 catenin (P=.27). The differentiation, N status, stage, and EGFR staining were variables significantly affecting survival (P=.001, .006, .03, and .02, respectively). In multivariate Cox analysis, the EGFR staining level and N status were variables those significantly affecting survival (P=.021 and P=.010).ConclusionsWhile negative staining of EGFR was related with poor survival, staining of VEGF, E-cadherin, and p120 catenin were not related with survival in patients with resected NSCLC.     

IL-17, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha stimulate VEGF production by dedifferentiated chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To verify the involvement of proinflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in cartilage vascularization by stimulating the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by chondrocytes isolated from patients with osteoarthritis (OA), in comparison with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and patients with femoral or humeral neck fracture (FP). DESIGN: Chondrocytes isolated from patients with OA were maintained in monolayer culture for several passages. Chondrocyte dedifferentiation was monitored by the synthesis of cathepsin B by these cells. Chondrocytes freshly isolated at each subculture (subcultures 1-3) were stimulated with IL-17, IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. Supernatants were collected, immunoassayed for the production of VEGF and cathepsin B and assayed as the source of VEGF on the VEGF sensible ECV304 cell line. The cells were used to quantify intracellular cathepsin B enzymatic activity. RESULTS: In differentiated conditions IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but not IL-17, can inhibit the spontaneous secretion of VEGF by human OA, RA and FP chondrocytes, and IL-17 can restore the decrease in VEGF secretion caused by TNF-alpha. IL-17, together with IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, can enhance VEGF secretion to various extents by dedifferentiated OA chondrocytes. This change in effect with respect to primary culture was observable for all cytokines at the beginning of dedifferentiation, when the production of VEGF by chondrocytes had dramatically fallen and the cathepsin B synthesis had increased. The amount of VEGF induced by cytokines on dedifferentiated chondrocytes never reached the amount of VEGF produced by differentiated chondrocytes. VEGF produced by chondrocytes stimulated the ECV304 cell line proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that dedifferentiated OA chondrocytes secrete VEGF after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines. This event may be responsible for neovascularization found in OA cartilage.