Expression and function of CXCR4 in human salivary gland cancers

Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) frequently metastasize to cervical lymph nodes and distant organs. Currently, the mechanisms responsible for the metastatic behavior of SGC cells are not fully understood. We previously demonstrated that the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1; also known as CXCL12)/CXCR4 system is involved in the establishment of metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. In the present study, we investigated the role of CXCR4 in the metastatic behavior of SGCs. We examined the expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein in human SGC cell lines by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein were frequently upregulated in 5 out of 6 SGC cell lines. Functional CXCR4 expression was demonstrated by the ability of these SGC cell lines to migrate toward an SDF-1 gradient. SDF-1 rapidly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 in SGC cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CXCR4 protein expression was detected in either the nucleus or cytoplasm of cancer cells in 16 out of 20 tissues of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and in 4 out of 6 tissues of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, which are representative of SGC. Furthermore, ACC cell lines exhibited dramatic metastasis to the lung following intravenous inoculation, whereas AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, significantly inhibited lung metastasis of the cells, ameliorated body weight loss and improved the survival rate of tumor-bearing nude mice. These results indicate that CXCR4 expression contributes to the metastatic potential of SGCs.     

胃癌中SDF-1、CXCR4、MMP-2和MMP-9的表达及意义

目的研究趋化因子SDF-1及其受体CXCR4以及MMP-2和MMP-9在胃癌中的表达,探讨SDF-1对MMP-2和MMP-9表达的影响。方法应用免疫组化EnVision两步法检测109例胃癌组织中SDF-1、CXCR4、MMP-2和MMP-9的表达。结果 (1)SDF-1、CXCR4、MMP-2、MMP-9在胃癌组的表达阳性率分别为88.1%、56.9%、80.7%和83.4%,高于切缘对照组的47.8%、30.4%、43.4%和47.8%,差异有显著性(P<0.05);(2)SDF-1和CXCR4的表达在淋巴结转移组高于无转移组(P<0.05),SDF-1、MMP-9表达程度与淋巴结转移、组织学分级、浆膜侵犯、临床分期指标呈正相关(P<0.05);MMP-2、CXCR4表达程度与淋巴结转移、浆膜侵犯、临床分期呈正相关(P<0.05);(3)SDF-1与其受体CXCR4的表达及与MMP-2、MMP-9均呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论 (1)SDF-1、CXCR4、MMP-2和MMP-9的表达水平与胃癌的发生、侵袭及淋巴结转移密切相关,可作为预测胃癌淋巴结转移及预后的指标;(2)SDF-1/CXCR4轴可通过加强肿瘤细胞MMP-2和MMP-9分泌的途径促进肿瘤的浸润和转移,提示SDF-1可能是药物靶向治疗的重要靶点。     

间质细胞衍生因子1及其受体CXCR4在浸润性乳腺癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的 研究间质细胞衍生因子1(SDF-1)及其受体CXCR4在浸润性乳腺癌中的表达,并分析其与浸润性乳腺癌相关临床病理指标及淋巴结转移之间的关系.方法 采用免疫组织化学LSAB方法检测SDF-1/CXCR4在120例浸润性乳腺癌中的表达情况;采用地高辛标记的寡核苷酸探针进行原位杂交以检测趋化因子SDF-1在肿瘤环境中表达的部位及来源.结果 (1)SDF-1主要表达于肿瘤细胞的胞质和胞膜;SDF-1的胞质表达在淋巴结阳性组高于阴性组(P=0.033),且其表达程度与淋巴结受累数目、病理学分期、组织学分级、肿瘤大小及ER表达等指标呈正相关(P<0.05);(2)罕见SDF-1 mRNA表达的脉管内皮却可见SDF-1蛋白的表达,其表达程度与肿瘤胞质SDF-1着色正相关(P<0.01);且淋巴管内皮SDF-1的着色与淋巴结转移程度为正相关(P=0.005);血管内皮SDF-1的着色与肿瘤环境中的淋巴细胞浸润正相关(P<0.01),且同时伴有较多淋巴细胞浸润及SDF-1血管内皮着色阳性的病例,其淋巴结的转移程度分别高于仅有上述条件之一或二者均不具备的各组病例(P<0.05);(3)CXCR4也主要表达于肿瘤细胞的胞质和胞核;CXCR4的胞质表达在淋巴结阳性组高于阴性组(P<0.05),且其表达程度与淋巴结受累数目、病理学分期、组织学分级、肿瘤大小及HER2表达等呈正相关(P=0.005),而胞核的表达仅与PR的表达情况呈正相关(P<0.01);(4)瘤细胞质CXCR4与SDF-1的表达呈正相关(P=0.001).结论 浸润性乳腺癌肿瘤细胞SDF-1和CXCR4的表达与多项临床病理指标,尤其是淋巴结转移率及转移程度有关,可作为预测乳腺癌淋巴结转移及预后的免疫病理学指标,同时应注意肿瘤微环境中SDF-1的多个来源及定位的不同意义.     

Increased expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 is associated with lymph node metastasis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast

Aims:  Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 are implicated in tumour chemotaxis and metastasis. The aim was to examine their roles in the metastasis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast, a tumour with a high propensity for nodal spread.
Methods and results:  We compared the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in 103 cases of breast cancer containing IMPC components with a control group of 96 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), not otherwise specified type by immunohistochemistry and chemical in situ hybridization (CISH). The results showed that the predominant cytoplasmic expression of both SDF-1 and CXCR4 was greater in tumour cells of the IMPC components than in those of the non-IMPC components and the control IDC cases, and was correlated significantly with the number of positive lymph nodes ( P  < 0.05). SDF-1 expression on cell membranes was less frequently identified in IMPC than IDC ( P  = 0.021). Immunohistochemical detection of SDF-1 in endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels was more common in IMPC ( P   =  0.007) and correlated significantly with lymph node status ( P  = 0.002), although SDF-1 mRNA was rarely detected by CISH.
Conclusions:  This study suggests that up-regulation of cytoplasmic expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 might be one of the molecular mechanisms facilitating lymph node metastasis of IMPC.     

SDF-1/CXCR4生物学轴与肿瘤关系的研究进展

趋化因子SDF-1,又称CXCL12,PBSF,与其特异性受体CXCR4广泛表达在多种组织和器官上,它们所构成的SDF-1/CXCR4 生物学轴在多种肿瘤的发生,发展以及转移中都发挥重要作用,其可能是通过MAPK,AKT通路发挥作用。对这一特殊生物学轴的研究可能为肿瘤防治找到新的突破口。     

Trafficking of normal stem cells and metastasis of cancer stem cells involve similar mechanisms: pivotal role of the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis

The alpha-chemokine stromal-derived factor (SDF)-1 and the G-protein-coupled seven-span transmembrane receptor CXCR4 axis regulates the trafficking of various cell types. In this review, we present the concept that the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis is a master regulator of trafficking of both normal and cancer stem cells. Supporting this is growing evidence that SDF-1 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of trafficking of normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their homing/retention in bone marrow. Moreover, functional CXCR4 is also expressed on nonhematopoietic tissue-committed stem/progenitor cells (TCSCs); hence, the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis emerges as a pivotal regulator of trafficking of various types of stem cells in the body. Furthermore, because most if not all malignancies originate in the stem/progenitor cell compartment, cancer stem cells also express CXCR4 on their surface and, as a result, the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis is also involved in directing their trafficking/metastasis to organs that highly express SDF-1 (e.g., lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and bones). Hence, we postulate that the metastasis of cancer stem cells and trafficking of normal stem cells involve similar mechanisms, and we discuss here the common molecular mechanisms involved in these processes. Finally, the responsiveness of CXCR4+ normal and malignant stem cells to an SDF-1 gradient may be regulated positively/primed by several small molecules related to inflammation which enhance incorporation of CXCR4 into membrane lipid rafts, or may be inhibited/blocked by small CXCR4 antagonist peptides. Consequently, strategies aimed at modulating the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis could have important clinical applications both in regenerative medicine to deliver normal stem cells to the tissues/organs and in clinical hematology/oncology to inhibit metastasis of cancer stem cells.     

Uterine smooth muscle cells increase invasive ability of endometrial carcinoma cells through tumor–stromal interaction

The incidence of lymph node metastasis by endometrial carcinoma (EMCA) increases with the depth of myometrial invasion, and this depth of invasion has been found to have a major impact on the outcome. In the present study, we assessed the effect of tumor–stromal interactions on the invasive behavior of EMCA cells and examined the involvement of SDF-1alpha/CXCL12-CXCR4 in the interaction of EMCA cells and uterine smooth muscle cells (UtSMCs). We investigated whether SDF-1alpha/CXCL12 produced and secreted from UtSMCs induces EMCA cell migration by using 5 human EMCA cell lines such as AMEC and RL95 cells. The SDF-1alpha/CXCL12 concentration in conditioned medium (CM) of UtSMCs(was 4,120 ± 530 pg/ml. Treatments with CM of UtSMCs and plated UtSMCs significantly induced both AMEC and RL95 cell migration. The induced cell migrations were significantly inhibited by CXCR4 mAb (12G5) and CXCR4 antagonist (AMD3100) pre-treatments. Treatments with UtSMCs CM to AMEC and RL95 cells stimulated Akt phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of AMEC and RL95 cells with wortmannin as a PI3K inhibitor significantly inhibited UtSMCs CM-induced cell migration. The SDF-1alpha/CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis between UtSMCs and EMCA played an important role in the muscular infiltration of endometrial cancer through activation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Suppression of this pathway could be an effective target for the treatment of early uterine body cancer in particular.     

S1P(1) overexpression stimulates S1P-dependent chemotaxis of human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells but strongly inhibits SDF-1/CXCR4-dependent migration and in vivo homing

The CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1) regulate egress and homing of hematopoietic stem cells. Activation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors (S1P(1-5)) modulates chemokine-induced migration of lymphocytes and hematopoietic stem cells. To analyze the influence of S1P(1) on SDF-1-dependent chemotaxis and trafficking, we overexpressed S1P(1) in CD34+ mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs). Using a gamma-retroviral vector, transgene overexpression was achieved in more than 90% of target cells. S1P(1) transgene positive PBPCs showed enhanced chemotaxis towards S1P. S1P(1) overexpression resulted in reduced CXCR4 surface expression levels and strong inhibition of SDF-1-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation and Ca(2+) flux. Furthermore, SDF-1-dependent migration of S1P(1) overexpressing PBPCs or Jurkat cells was reduced up to 10-fold. Sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID mice were transplanted with 6-day cultured PBPCs overexpressing either S1P(1)-IRES-GFP or GFP alone. Screening for GFP positive human cells in the mouse bone marrow 20h after transplantation revealed an eightfold reduction in bone marrow homing of S1P(1) transgene expressing cells. Our data suggest that S1P(1) acts as an inhibitor of CXCR4-dependent migration of hematopoietic cells to sites of SDF-1 production.     

Expression of SNCG,MAP2, SDF-1 and CXCR4 in gastric adenocarcinoma and their clinical significance

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to detect the expression of SNCG, MAP2, SDF-1 and CXCR4 in gastric adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate their roles in the carcinogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma, development, invasion and metastasis as well as their clinical significance. Methods: The expression of SNCG, MAP2, SDF-1 and CXCR4 was detected by SP immunohistochemical method in 225 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma and 105 cases of nonneoplastic adjacent gastric tissue. The expression of SNCG, MAP2, SDF-1 and CXCR4 mRNA was also detected by RT-PCR method in 50 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma and 30 cases of nonneoplastic adjacent gastric tissue. Results: The expression of SNCG, MAP2, SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the gastric adenocarcinoma was remarkably higher than those in the nonneoplastic adjacent gastric tissue (P < 0.01); The positive expression of SNCG and MAP2 was correlated with the depth of tumor invasion and the metastasis of lymph nodes (P < 0.05), and that of SDF-1 and CXCR4 was correlated with the metastasis of lymph nodes (P < 0.05). Conclusions: SNCG, MAP2, SDF-1 and CXCR4 may play an important role in the carcinogenesis, progression, invasion and metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma. However, it still needs more exploration whether they can serve as promising therapeutic targets of gastric adenocarcinoma.     

Decrease in Akt/PKB signalling in human skeletal muscle by resistance exercise

We analysed the effects of resistance exercise upon the phosphorylation state of proteins associated with adaptive processes from the Akt/PKB (protein kinase B) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Nine healthy young men (21.7 +/- 0.55 year) performed 10 sets of 10 leg extensions at 80% of their 1-RM (repetition maximum). Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis at rest, within the first 30 s after exercise and at 24 h post-exercise. Immediately post exercise, the phosphorylation states of Akt/PKB on Thr308 and Ser473 and 4E-BP1 on Thr37/46 (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1) were decreased (-60 to -90%, P < 0.05). Conversely, the phosphorylation of p70(s6k) (p70 ribosomal S6 kinase) on Thr421/Ser424 was increased more than 20-fold (P < 0.05), and this was associated with a 10- to 50-fold increase in the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) (P < 0.05). Twenty-four hours post-exercise the phosphorylation state of Akt/PKB on Thr308 was depressed, whereas the phosphorylation of p70(s6k) on Thr421/Ser424 and sarcoplasmic ERK1/2 were elevated. The present results indicate that high-intensity resistance exercise in the fasted state inhibits Akt/PKB and 4E-BP1 whilst concomitantly augmenting MAPK signalling and p70(s6k) on Thr421/Ser424.     

Induction of nitric oxide synthase and activation of signaling proteins in Anopheles mosquitoes by the malaria pigment, hemozoin

Anopheles stephensi, a major vector for malaria parasite transmission, responds to Plasmodium infection by synthesis of inflammatory levels of nitric oxide (NO), which can limit parasite development in the midgut. We have previously shown that Plasmodium falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositols (PfGPIs) can induce A. stephensi NO synthase (AsNOS) expression in the midgut epithelium in vivo in a manner similar to the manner in which cytokines and NO are induced by PfGPIs in mammalian cells. In mosquito cells, signaling by PfGPIs and P. falciparum merozoites is mediated through Akt/protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase DSOR1, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In mammalian cells, a second parasite factor, malaria pigment or hemozoin (Hz), signals NOS induction through ERK- and nuclear factor kappa B-dependent pathways and has been demonstrated to be a novel proinflammatory ligand for Toll-like receptor 9. In this study, we demonstrate that Hz can also induce AsNOS gene expression in immortalized A. stephensi and Anopheles gambiae cell lines in vitro and in A. stephensi midgut tissue in vivo. In mosquito cells, Hz signaling is mediated through transforming growth factor beta-associated kinase 1, Akt/PKB, ERK, and atypical protein kinase C zeta/lambda. Our results show that Hz is a prominent parasite-derived signal for Anopheles and that signaling pathways activated by PfGPIs and Hz have both unique and shared components. Together with our previous findings, our data indicate that parasite signaling of innate immunity is conserved in mosquito and mammalian cells.     

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) signalling regulates human placental trophoblast cell survival

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1 or CXCL12) is the physiologic ligand for the chemokine receptor CXCR4. CXCR4-mediated signalling regulates cell migration and apoptosis in certain haematopoietic and neuronal cells. Using gene profiling, we determined that CXCR4 is the only chemokine receptor for which mRNA expression is regulated during trophoblast differentiation in vitro. Based on the known effects of CXCR4 ligation, we hypothesized that CXCR4 activation may regulate placental trophoblast cell survival (i.e. protection from apoptosis), an important mechanism for the establishment and maintenance of the uteroplacental barrier. Human cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) were cultured in defined media and treated with graded doses of SDF-1 (10-100 ng/ml) or with an anti-CXCR4 neutralizing antibody. Exposure to anti-CXCR4 antibody reduced CTB cell numbers by 25-40%. Treatment with SDF-1 decreased the proportions of apoptotic terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-FITC nick-end labelling(+) cells (apoptotic index [AI] of 2.79+/-0.61% [control] versus 1.88+/-0.56% [SDF-1]; P<0.05) and caspase-activated cells (AI of 7.95+/-2.49% [control] versus 3.81+/-1.49% [SDF-1]; P<0.05). We determined that SDF-1 also activated the triple MAP Kinase isoforms ERK1/2 and p38 in trophoblasts. Immunocytochemistry confirmed SDF-1-induced nuclear translocation of phosphorylated ERK1/2. Blocking of ERK1/2 signalling with the specific inhibitor PD98059 reversed SDF-1-mediated inhibition of apoptosis (AI of 1.65+/-0.34 [SDF-1] versus 3.50+/-0.5 [SDF-1 + PD98059]; P<0.05), suggesting that SDF-1 acts through this pathway as a trophoblast survival factor. These results indicate that SDF-1/CXCR4 signalling stimulates anti-apoptotic pathways in cultured trophoblasts. This chemotactic ligand/receptor system may promote trophoblast survival during pregnancy. Alterations in SDF-1 and/or CXCR4 expression or function may be associated with specific pregnancy disorders.     

病毒巨噬细胞炎性蛋白Ⅱ N端肽调控SDF-1α/CXCR4诱导趋化机制

目的:评价病毒巨噬细胞炎性蛋白ⅡN端肽(NT21MP)是否通过干扰SDF-1α/CXCR4信号抑制人乳腺癌细胞株SKBR3细胞的趋化作用。方法:以RT-PCR和免疫组化检测SKBR3和MCF-7两种人乳腺癌细胞中CXCR4的表达;用细胞转移实验检测在NT21MP存在或缺乏的情况下SDF-1α诱导SKBR3细胞的趋化作用;以Fluo3/AM为细胞内游离钙离子的荧光指示剂,用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜测定NT21MP对SDF-1α诱导SKBR3细胞内游离钙浓度的影响;Western blot分析ERK1/2和FAK蛋白的磷酸化水平变化。结果:相对于MCF-7细胞,SKBR3细胞中CXCR4蛋白表达水平较高;经SDF-1α处理后,SKBR3的迁移能力提高,CXCR4抑制剂AMD3100可有效抑制SKBR3细胞的迁移,细胞经NT21MP预处理后,可剂量依赖性地抑制SKBR3细胞的迁移(P<0.05);NT21MP也可抑制由SDF-1α诱导的细胞内Ca2+峰值(P<0.05),而钙离子浓度升高是SKBR3细胞迁移的重要信号之一;另外,相对于阴性对照组,NT21MP也可下调SDF-1α诱导的SKBR3中信号蛋白ERK1/2和FAK的磷酸化水平(P<0.05)。结论:NT21MP可抑制SDF-1α诱导的SK-BR3细胞的迁移,可能与其上游钙离子释放和ERK1/2及FAK磷酸化阻断信号有关。     

Nuclear expression of CXCR4 in tumor cells of non-small cell lung cancer is correlated with lymph node metastasis

The stromal-derived factor 1α (CXCL12)/chemokine receptor CXCR4 system plays an important role in the metastatic process of a variety of cancers, with CXCR4 frequently expressed by tumor cells homing to CXCL12-rich compartments. The current study evaluated a possible association of CXCR4 expression with lymph node metastasis in primary non–small cell lung cancer. CXCR4 expression levels were evaluated using immunohistology in 46 non–small cell lung cancer specimens of patients without or with lymph node involvement (N0 = 24, N1/N2/N3 = 22). Evaluation of immunostaining was performed semiquantitatively by visual assessment. Statistical analyses with multiple testing adjustments for confirmatory comparisons were performed to assess relevant parameters associated with lymph node metastases. In all samples of non–small cell lung cancer, tumor cells stained positively for cytoplasmic CXCR4. The intensity of the CXCR4 staining varied considerably between specimens: 2 (4%) tumors demonstrated weak cytoplasmic CXCR4, 22 (48%) intermediate, and 22 (48%) strong staining. Membranous staining was absent; however, nuclear staining of CXCR4 was observed in 5 non–small cell lung cancer samples. Statistical analyses of the association between presence of lymph node metastases and CXCR4 expression levels revealed that cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was not associated with the presence of lymph node metastases. However, nuclear CXCR4 was significantly correlated with increasing lymph node stage (P = .008), linear-to-linear association. The association between aberrant expression of CXCR4 in the nucleus of non–small cell lung cancer and metastasis to lymph nodes points toward a potential tumor metastasis promoting function of nuclear CXCR4.     

Possible regulation of migration of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells by interaction of CXCR4 expressed in carcinoma cells with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and stromal-derived factor-1 released in stroma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is highly fatal because of early invasion, widespread metastasis, and lack of an effective therapy. We examined roles of CXCR4 and its ligand, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1, in migration of ICC with respect to tumor-stromal interaction by using two ICC cell lines, a fibroblast cell line (WI-38), and 28 human ICC tissues. The two ICC cell lines expressed CXCR4 mRNA and protein, and WI-38 fibroblasts expressed SDF-1 mRNA and protein. Migration of cultured ICC cells in Matrigel was induced by co-culture with WI-38 fibroblasts and by incubation with SDF-1. Anti-SDF-1 antibody suppressed migration, demonstrating that SDF-1 released from WI-38 fibroblasts was responsible for this migration. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha pretreatment of ICC cells up-regulated CXCR4 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Administration of SDF-1 and TNF-alpha increased synergistically ICC cell migration, which was suppressed by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100. In ICC tissue, TNF-alpha was mainly expressed in infiltrated macrophages, CXCR4 in ICC cells, and SDF-1 in stromal fibroblasts. In conclusion, the interaction of SDF-1 released from fibroblasts and CXCR4 expressed on ICC cells may be actively involved in ICC migration, and TNF-alpha may enhance ICC cell migration by increasing CXCR4 expression. CXCR4 could be a therapeutic target to prevent ICC invasion.     

Overexpression of CXCR4 increases migration and proliferation of human adipose tissue stromal cells

Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)-mediated CXCR4 signaling plays important roles in migration, engraftment, and proliferation of stem cells. We report here that CXCR4 overexpression on human adipose tissue stromal cells (hADSCs) using a lentiviral gene transfer technique helped navigate these cells to the injured tissues in response to SDF-1 signaling. Transduced hADSCs, expressing high levels of CXCR4, displayed an increased capacity for cellular growth and protection against etoposide-induced cell death. CXCR4-overexpressed cells showed higher ERK activity than that of vector-transduced cells. U0126, an ERK inhibitor, and AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, inhibited the proliferation of CXCR4 overexpression-induced proliferation and ERK phosphorylation. CXCR4-overexpressing cells showed increased level of beta-catenin and luciferase activity driven by the Tcf promoter. Our results suggest CXCR4 overexpression for improved hADSC motility, retention, and proliferation could be beneficial for in vivo navigation and expansion of stem cells.     

Beta-catenin is a promising key factor in the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis on metastasis of pancreatic cancer

Metastasis is recently the most fearsome of cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death. Morbidity and mortality from pancreatic cancer is conspicuously associated with metastasis. However, the mechanism of metastasis is not well described. Early studies mostly focus on the "soil and seed" hypothesis. Recently, the chemotaxis hypothesis has been paid more attention. Cancer cell with high expression of chemokine receptor will spread to the specific sites where the ligand is highly secreted. It has been demonstrated that SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling, one of the most important chemokine receptor-ligand complexes, was considered to play a critical role in pancreatic cancer organ-specific metastasis through some possible pathways. However, studies do not clarify the mechanism of SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling on pancreatic cancer progression. Beta-catenin, an important factor in canonical Wnt signaling pathway, also makes great contributions on cancer invasion and metastasis. It seems that Wnt/beta-catenin has a significant role in pancreatic cancer progression through interactions with different protein complexes. In the previous study of neural development, the relationship between SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling and beta-catenin has been described. It gave a clue to describe the correlation between SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling and Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. According to this, we postulate that beta-catenin is a promising key factor of SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling to regulate the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. With the stimulation of SDF-1 on highly metastatic pancreatic cancer cells, beta-catenin will separate from different complexes, translocate into the nucleus, trigger the expression of target genes and finally promote the migration of pancreatic cancer cells to specific sites. Through the observation of this crosstalk, it is possible to understand more clearly about the pancreatic cancer specific metastasis and to make some contributions on gene therapy of pancreatic cancer.     

Paradigm of kinase-driven pathway downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor/Akt in human lung carcinomas

The expression/activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the correlation with the phosphorylation status of downstream modulator proteins, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6-kinase (S6K), ribosomal protein S6 (rS6), and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), were analyzed and EGFR/Akt signaling was evaluated in lung carcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis of 140 cases revealed overexpression of EGFR in 37.9% and phosphorylation in 37.1%, but much less in small cell carcinoma. Combined analysis with immunoblotting revealed that when EGFR is activated, at least one of the mTOR/S6K or mTOR/4E-BP1 cascades was activated in 60% of the cases. Furthermore, constitutive activation of EGFR-Akt-mTOR was found in 17.9% of nonsmall cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). For each protein, the frequencies of the activation vary among histologic types. In adenocarcinoma (AC), 90% revealed mTOR activation regardless of EGFR status, and 60% of these showed activation of downstream S6K/rS6. Furthermore, mutation of EGFR was frequently accompanied by phosphorylation of EGFR and constitutive activation of entire EGFR through rS6 was observed in 50% of carcinoma harboring EGFR mutation, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). By clinicopathologic analysis, Akt activation was correlated with lymph node metastasis in general, but nodal metastasis was correlated with rS6 activation in AC and with mTOR activation in SCC. In conclusion, (i) constitutive activation of EGFR/Akt/mTOR pathway was present in defined subset of NSCLC; (ii) mTOR/S6K/rS6 axis is frequently activated in AC, and constitutively activated through Akt by EGFR mutation even in SCC; and (iii) mTOR and rS6 are possible determinants of nodal metastasis in SCC and AC, respectively.     

基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的迁移

背景：骨髓间充质干细胞移植过程中只有少量细胞能定向迁移到损伤组织,因此如何提高细胞定向迁移的数量是干细胞移植的关键因素。 目的：观察基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞定向迁移的影响。 方法：体外分离培养骨髓间充质干细胞,予以传代。使用Transwell体外迁移体系,观察不同浓度的基质细胞衍生因子1α趋化骨髓间充质干细胞定向迁移,选取最佳浓度值趋化细胞。在基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理、CXCR 4型受体阻断剂AMD3100和Akt通路阻断剂LY294002的干预下观察骨髓间充质干细胞的趋化迁移情况,检测基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理对骨髓间充质干细胞中CXCR 4型受体 mRNA、蛋白水平及AKT磷酸化的影响。 结果与结论：0.2 mg/L的基质细胞衍生因子1α孵育细胞10 h具有最佳趋化细胞迁移效应。骨髓间充质干细胞的定向趋化迁移作用随着基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理细胞浓度的增加而增强,预处理时间为6 h;而AMD3100和LY294002可阻断基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理的促迁移作用;基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理可上调骨髓间充质干细胞CXCR 4型受体的表达并促进Akt蛋白磷酸化。提示基质细胞衍生因子1α预处理可通过增加骨髓间充质干细胞表面的CXCR 4型受体数量,从而增强基质细胞衍生因子1α/CXCR4型受体介导的骨髓间充质干细胞定向迁移,该预处理效应可能与Akt信号途径有关。