Expression of mutant p53 protein and CD44 variant proteins in colorectal tumorigenesis.

Colorectal tumorigenesis evolves through a series of molecular genetic changes, providing putative markers for tumour progression. This study investigated the relation between expression of the tumour suppressor gene p53 and splice variants v5 and v6 of the cell adhesion molecule CD44 by immunohistochemistry on tissue samples of early adenomas (n = 12), late adneomas (n = 12), Dukes's A and B carcinomas (n = 21), and Dukes's C and D carcinomas (n = 22) and compared these results with expression of these proteins in normal colonic mucosa (n = 17). A statistically significant trend of increasing expression was seen for both p53 (p < 0.005) and CD44 variant exon v6 (p < 0.0005) in subsequent stages of this tumour progression model. High expression of CD44 v5 was seen in most colorectal neoplasms (83%-96%), independent of stage. A statistically significant correlation was present between p53 expression and expression of variant v6 of CD44 (p < 0.01). Both p53 expression and CD44 v6 expression in adenomas increased with the degree of dysplasia (p < 0.05). The results of this study show that mutant p53 protein and variant v6 of the CD44 glycoprotein are markers of tumour progression in colorectal cancer.     

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and CD44 splicing variants sharing exons 6 and 9 on gastric and esophageal carcinomas: a two-color flow-cytometric analysis

Quantitative analysis based on the percentage of positive cells by two-color flow cytometry was used to quantify the surface expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and exons v6 and v9 of CD44 splice variants on tumor. Almost all patients with primary gastric and esophageal carcinomas, and benign mucosa of the stomach and esophagus showed usually high levels of EGFR expression, a mean of approximately 60% of cells being positive. Metastatic gastric carcinoma showed significantly higher levels of EGFR expression, a mean of 80% of cells being positive. Reduced expression of EGFR was observed in irradiated esophageal carcinoma. Adenocarcinomas, including primary and metastatic lesions, or cancer cell lines of the stomach revealed consistently very low or undetectable levels of expression of exon v6 of the CD44 variant (CD44v) protein. However, CD44v containing exon v9 could be detected in normal gastric epithelium and primary gastric carcinoma as well as in six adenocarcinoma cell lines. Exon v9 is significantly overexpressed on metastatic adenocarcinoma cells obtained from malignant ascites. On the other hand, normal squamous epithelium and primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus, and two SCC cell lines showed coexpression of exons v6 and v9 of CD44v. The expression of the CD44v6 molecule was significantly reduced in the irradiated primary SCC, although CD44v9 expression on the primary SCC remained unchanged after the radiation therapy. These results suggest that up-regulation of EGFR and CD44v9 molecules on gastric carcinomas, especially metastatic adenocarcinomas, shows tumor growth and tumor progression. In addition, down-regulation of EGFR and CD44v6 molecules on irradiated esophageal carcinoma may be involved in the mechanisms suppressing tumor growth and metastatic potential. Received: 24 June 1998 / Accepted: 1 September 1998     

KAI1和CD44v6在骨肉瘤中的表达及意义

目的探讨KAI1和CD44v6蛋白在骨肉瘤中的表达及其与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学SP法,检测87例骨肉瘤组织中KAI1和CD44v6蛋白的表达,用Cox风险回归模型评价骨肉瘤患者预后独立因素。结果KAI1蛋白与肿瘤的分化程度、远处转移相关,而CD44v6仅与远处转移相关。骨肉瘤KAI1和CD44v6的表达无相关性。Cox模型分析显示影响骨肉瘤患者预后因素是KAI1表达、远处转移和Enneking外科分期。结论KAI1和CD44v6的异常表达参与了骨肉瘤的转移过程,KAI1表达、远处转移、Enneking外科分期是预测骨肉瘤患者预后的独立因素。     

Clinical significance of serum levels of CD44 variant exons 8–10 protein in colorectal cancer

We examined serum levels of a CD44 splice variant that contained variant exons 8–10 (CD44v8–10) as a tumor marker in colorectal cancer patients. We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 81 sera obtained from 71 colorectal cancer patients and 10 healthy controls. Serum CD44v8–10 levels were significantly higher in the colorectal cancer patients than in the healthy controls (0.209 ± 0.098 versus 0.114 ± 0.019 OD; P < 0.01). There was a close correlation between immunohistochemical expression and serum CD44v8–10 levels. Surgical resection of the tumors resulted in a reduction of serum CD44v8–10 levels. There was no significant correlation between serum CD44v8–10 level and serosal invasion or histologic type. However, a significant correlation was observed between serum CD44v8–10 level and lymphatic or venous invasion. In addition, serum CD44v8–10 levels were significantly higher in carcinomas associated with lymph node or liver metastasis than in those without metastasis. These findings suggest the usefulness of serum CD44v8–10 level in the prediction of colorectal cancer metastasis. (Received July 25, 1997; accepted Nov. 28, 1997)     

Expression of CD44 and its variants on gastric epithelial cells of patients with Helicobacter pylori colonisation.

BACKGROUND--Studies have suggested that expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 may be of prognostic importance in gastric cancer. In addition, there is strong evidence that Helicobacter pylori has a role in gastric cancer. AIMS--To determine the expression of CD44 and its variants (v6, v9) and HLA class II molecules on human gastric epithelial cell and intraepithelial lymphocytes in patients with and without H pylori infection. PATIENTS--Eighteen patients (seven men and 11 women) attending for endoscopic evaluation because of upper gastrointestinal symptoms were included. An additional 10 patients (five men and five women) were analysed for CD44 variant expression). METHODS--Biopsy specimens were taken from the gastric antrum during endoscopy. Gastric epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes were examined by two colour flow cytometry and compared in patients with and without H pylori infection. RESULTS--Expression of CD44 and its variants (CD44 v9) was increased in epithelial cells but not in intraepithelial lymphocytes. Both epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes expressed higher levels of HLA class II molecules (DR and DP), possibly as a result of local cytokine production. Furthermore, results showed upregulation of CD44 on a gastric epithelial cell line (AGS) by cytokines and peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatant. CONCLUSIONS--These data suggest that H pylori, either directly or through a local inflammatory response, is responsible for increased expression of CD44 and its variant CD44 v9. These data are of potential importance in relation to increased expression of CD44 and CD44 v9 on gastric carcinoma.     

Expression of CD44 variant isoforms CD44v3 and CD44v6 is increased on T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and is correlated with disease activity

Objective

To quantify the expression of CD44 and variant isoforms CD44v3 and CD44v6 on T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to assess correlations of the level of expression of these molecules with disease manifestations.

Methods

Information on clinical and demographic characteristics was collected, and blood samples were obtained from 72 patients with SLE and 32 healthy control subjects matched to the patients by sex, race, and age. Expression of CD44 and variants CD44v3 and v6 on T cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry, and Pearson's correlations of their expression levels with clinical variables, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores, and presence of lupus nephritis were determined. Wilcoxon's rank sum tests and conditional multivariable regression analyses were applied to identify differences in the expression of CD44 between patients with SLE and healthy controls.

Results

Expression of CD44 was higher on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients compared with controls (P ≤ 0.03). Expression of CD44v3 and CD44v6 was also higher on total T cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients compared with controls (P ≤ 0.03). Cell surface levels of CD44v3 on total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells as well as cell surface expression of CD44v6 on total T cells and CD4+ T cells were correlated with the SLEDAI score (P < 0.05). The presence of lupus nephritis was associated with the expression of CD44v6 on total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD4−CD8− T cells (P < 0.05). Positivity for anti–double‐stranded DNA antibodies was associated with the expression levels of CD44v6 on T cells (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These results indicate that expression levels of CD44v3 and CD44v6 on T cells may represent useful biomarkers of SLE activity.

     

Expression of CD44v6 has no prognostic value in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In colorectal cancer patients' mortality is largely influenced by spreading of tumour cells from the primary tumour site and subsequent metastasis formation. CD44 is an adhesion molecule and represents a highly variable family of isoforms. The isoform CD44v6 has been associated with metastatic spread and poor prognosis in animal models and several human cancers. Results of immunohistological studies in primary colorectal cancer are mostly retrospective and contradictory. The aim of our prospective study was to assess the controversial role of CD44v6 as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. METHODS: In 93 patients we analysed tumour CD44v6 expression in prospectively sampled stage I-IV colorectal adenocarcinomas using RT-PCR and Southern blotting. The prognostic value of the CD44v6 expression was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: CD44v6 expression was found in 47 % of the cases. CD44v6 expression failed to show any association with the clinical or histological variables examined. CD44v6 expression did not correlate with survival in long-term follow-up. The most important prognostic factor in this cohort was tumour stage. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in CD446 expression level do not predict tumour spread or patient survival in colorectal cancer.     

CXCR4 expression on transplanted peripheral blood CD34<Superscript>+</Superscript> cells: relationship to engraftment after autologous transplantation in a cohort of multiple myeloma patients

Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 by haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is believed to influence the process of these cells ‘homing’ back to the bone marrow post-transplantation, in response to the stromal cell-derived factor-1 gradient, followed by engraftment. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to compare reinfused CD34⁺ cell dose, assessed from the fresh collection, with the post-thaw viable (v) CD34⁺ and vCD34/CXCR4⁺ dual positive cell dose as predictors of haematopoietic recovery in multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation. Cryopreserved samples from stem cell collections of 27 myeloma patients were analysed for CD34 and CXCR4 expression and times to haematological engraftment measured. Dosage of transplanted vCD34⁺ cells was on average 79% of the original calculation from the fresh collection bag (range 29–98%). The median percentage of vCD34+ cells co-expressing CXCR4 was 37% (3.7–97%). Surface expression of CXCR4 by thawed vCD34⁺ cells was closely correlated to complementary DNA levels. The median dose of CD34/CXCR4⁺ cells in the autografts was 1.2 × 10⁶/kg (0.2–3.0 × 10⁶/kg) compared with 3.3 × 10⁶/kg for transplanted vCD34⁺ cells (1.2–5.5 × 10⁶/kg). Both CD34 and vCD34 doses correlated with neutrophil engraftment (p < 0.005) although vCD34/CXCR4⁺ dose did not. However, patients given a higher dose of CD34/CXCR4⁺ cells (≥1.75 × 10⁶/kg) showed a faster time to platelet recovery (p < 0.05) than those given a lower dose (≤0.42 × 10⁶/kg). These results warrant further study of CD34/CXCR4 expression by mobilised HSCs and the relationship to platelet recovery post-transplantation on a larger cohort of patients.     

Expression of CD44 variants and prognosis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The CD44 variant (CD44v) isoforms have been noted as markers for tumour metastasis and prognosis in several adenocarcinomas. AIMS: To investigate whether CD44v, especially the CD44v2 (v2) isoform, may be a useful prognostic factor for patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, using a recently developed monoclonal antibody against a v2 epitope. PATIENTS: 233 patients (211 men and 22 women; mean age 61.9 years), with oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas curatively removed without additional treatment between 1987 and 1996 at the National Cancer Center Hospital, were analysed for CD44v expression. METHODS: The expression of CD44v was evaluated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against epitopes of the standard and variant protein, in paraffin embedded oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue from 233 patients who had undergone cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymphadenectomy (three field dissection) for oesophagectomy. The data were evaluated for any correlation with clinicopathological indices or prognosis. RESULTS: Although total CD44 and CD44v6 (v6) were respectively observed in 99% and 97% of the cancer specimens, the expression of v2 was only 30%. Patients whose tumours were v2 positive had a significantly better prognosis than those whose tumours were v2 negative (p = 0.031). Furthermore, in patients without lymph node metastasis, v2 positivity alone was a significant independent factor of prognosis (relative risk of death associated with v2 negativity, 4.7; p = 0.037) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that v2 is a useful marker for clinical prognosis in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Particularly in patients without lymph node metastasis, v2 status may thus have implications for the use of adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with oesophageal cancer at an early stage.     

CD44 expression in synovial lining and cartilage of rat knees induced by intraarticular injection of synthetic lipid A

 To study the effect of synthetic lipid A on the expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 in synovium and cartilage, synthetic lipid A (10 μg/ml, 0.5 ml) diluted in 0.025% triethylamine (TEA) was injected into the left knee of male Wistar rats. The equivalent volume of 0.025% TEA was injected simultaneously into the right knee of the same rat as a control. The numbers of infiltrating neutrophils and mononuclear cells in the synovium were counted, and the expression of CD44 was detected immunohistochemically. Infiltration of neutrophils in the synovium of the knee reached a maximum at 12 h after intraarticular injection of lipid A (78.4 ± 5.6 cells/400× field), and had subsided at 7 days after injection (2.1 ± 0.6). CD44 expression in the lining cells of the synovium was detected 24 h after injection (2.5 ± 0.3 cell layers), and it lasted 7 days after injection (2.6 ± 0.4 cell layers). CD44 expression in cartilage started at 24 h (69.0% ± 4.6% positive area of specimen) and lasted 7 days after injection (27.3% ± 3.3%). Intraarticular injection of lipid A was proven to induce acute arthritis and CD44 expression in the synovial lining layers and articular cartilage. Received: April 4, 2002 / Accepted: August 28, 2002     

Poor diagnostic value of colonic CD44v6 expression and serum concentrations of its soluble form in the differentiation of ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease

Background—Increased expression ofCD44v6 on colonic crypt epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis has beensuggested as a diagnostic tool to distinguish ulcerative colitis fromcolonic Crohn's disease.
Aims—To investigate colonicCD44v6 expression and serum concentrations of soluble CD44v6 (sCD44v6)in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Methods—Colonic biopsy samples wereobtained from 16 patients with ulcerative colitis, 13 with ileocolonicCrohn's disease, and 10 undergoing polypectomy. Serum samples wereobtained from 15 patients with active ulcerative colitis, 20 withactive Crohn's disease, and 20 healthy donors. Colonic CD44v6expression was evaluated immunohistochemically by monoclonal antibody2F10 and the higher affinity monoclonal antibody VFF18. Serum sCD44v6concentrations were measured by ELISA.
Results—2F10 stained colonicepithelium of inflamed ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease samplesin 80% and 40% of cases, respectively, and VFF18 in 95% and 87%,respectively. Both monoclonal antibodies displayed a sensitivity andspecificity of 60% and 87% to differentiate ulcerative colitis fromcolonic Crohn's disease. Serum concentrations of sCD44v6 were lower inpatients with ulcerative colitis (median 153 ng/ml; interquartile range(IQR) 122-211) compared with Crohn's disease (219; IQR 180-243) andhealthy donors (221; IQR 197-241 (p=0.002)). Its sensitivity andspecificity to discriminate ulcerative colitis from Crohn's diseasewas 75% and 71%, respectively.
Conclusion—Colonic CD44v6 and serumsCD44v6 concentrations do not facilitate reliable differentialdiagnosis between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Keywords:CD44 variant 6; differential diagnosis; immunohistochemistry; soluble CD44v6

     

Increased soluble CD44 concentrations are associated with larger tumor size and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients

Purpose  CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell–cell and cell–substrate interactions, which may be shed or released into circulation by proteolytic enzymatic mechanisms. Alternative splicing of CD44 and aberrant levels of soluble CD44 variants in the serum of cancer patients have been correlated to tumor progression and metastasis in different tumors including breast cancer. In this study we evaluated the clinical value of CD44 serum levels (sCD44) in patients with primary breast cancer. Methods  Concentrations of soluble isoforms sCD44std, sCD44v5 and sCD44v6 were determined with a sensitive ELISA and normalized against the total protein concentration (TP). Pre-operative serum samples from 82 patients and 67 age-matched healthy blood donors were analyzed. The results were correlated to clinico-pathological parameters (tumor size, grading, lymph node metastasis, etc.). Results  In sera of breast cancer patients, we detected elevated concentrations of sCD44v6 (P = 0.0001) and total protein TP (P = 0.0001) in comparison to healthy controls, whereas overall sCD44 (sCD44std) and sCD44v5 did not differ. Patients with sCD44v6-concentrations above the 75%-percentile showed an increased T stage (2.9 cm vs. 1.8 cm) as well as a higher risk for lymph node metastasis (55% vs. 35%). In breast cancer patients with lymph node metastasis the median value of sCD44v6 was significantly higher (P = 0.025) in comparison to patients without lymph node metastasis and healthy controls. Conclusions  Our data suggest an upregulated expression of alternatively spliced soluble CD44 isoforms in breast cancer patients. The specific alterations of certain CD44 isoform concentrations (especially sCD44v6) may reflect disturbances of the nuclear splicing machinery in tumor cells. The clinical significance of our findings are underlined by the positive correlation of elevated sCD44v6 concentrations and lymph node metastases (r _s = 0.25).     

骨桥蛋白及 CD44 v6在肺腺癌侵袭转移中的作用

目的：探讨骨桥蛋白（ OPN）及其受体CD44v6在肺腺癌侵袭转移中的作用。方法应用免疫组化方法检测129例癌旁组织、肺原位腺癌（AIS）、伏壁样生长为主型腺癌（LPA）患者手术切除标本中OPN、CD44v6的表达情况。检测H358细胞（原位癌细胞系）和A549细胞中OPN、CD44v6蛋白及mRNA的表达,Transwell 试验观察OPN、CD44 v6对H358细胞、A549细胞侵袭力的影响。结果 OPN、CD44 v6在LPA组织中的表达阳性率显著高于AIS及癌旁组织,AIS高于癌旁组织,OPN与CD44v6的表达呈显著正相关（ P＜0．05）。 OPN、CD44v6及OPN mR-NA、CD44v6 mRNA在A549细胞中的表达水平高于H358细胞。 Transwell试验提示OPN对A549细胞的趋化作用高于H358细胞。使用OPN抗体阻断OPN对两种细胞的趋化作用,两种细胞穿过数均减少;阻断CD44 v6受体通道后,OPN对两种细胞的趋化作用明显减弱。结论 OPN-CD44 v6复合体对肺腺癌的侵袭能力具有重要作用,OPN有望成为评估肺腺癌进展及预测肿瘤转移潜能的指标。     

Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin, CD44v6 and CD44v4/5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To study the relationship between the expression of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), CD44v6, CD44v4/5 and the infiltration, metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: By labeled streptavidin-biotin technique, the expressions of HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5 in 42 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were examined. RESULTS: The positive rate of HCG expression in patients with lymph node metastasis was 85.71% (18/21), higher than that (57.14%, 12/21) in those without lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The positive rate of CD44v6 expression was 71.43% (15/21) in lymph node metastasis group, and 38.09% (8/21) in non-metastasis group; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The positive rate of CD44v4/5 expression was 76.19% (16/21) in lymph node metastasis group, and 42.86% (9/21) in non-metastasis group; there was also a significant difference between them (P<0.05). From grade Ⅰ to grade Ⅲ in differentiation, the positive rate of HCG expression was 84.62% (11/13), 70.59% (12/17) and 58.33% (7/12), respectively; there was no significant difference among them (P<0.05). The positive rate of CD44v6 expression in grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ of cancer tissues was 76.92% (10/13), 52.94% (9/17), and 33.33% (4/12) respectively; there was no significant difference among them. The positive rate of CD44v4/5 expression in grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ of cancer tissues was 69.23% (9/13), 64.71% (11/17), and 41.67% (5/12) respectively; there was no significant difference among the three groups. There was no correlation between the positive rates of HCG and CD44v6, CD44v4/5 expression. Cancer cells in carcinomatous emboli and those infiltrating into vascular wall strongly expressed HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5. CONCLUSION: Expression of HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is related to its infiltration and metastasis. HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5 have different effects on the infiltration and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Abnormal surface markers expression on bone marrow CD34<Superscript>+</Superscript> cells and correlation with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Defects of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been suggested to contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic characteristics of bone marrow (BM) CD34⁺ cells in patients with SLE and its relationship with SLE disease activity. Ten SLE patients and 10 healthy subjects were recruited and their BM CD34⁺ cells were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis with CD45/SSC gating for the expression of CD90, CD95, CD117, CD123, CD164, CD166, FAS-L, and HLA-DR. The percentage of BM CD34⁺ cells was significantly decreased in active SLE patients (1.48 ± 0.41%, n = 7) compared to the healthy controls (2.31 ± 0.75%, n = 10, p < 0.01), but no significant difference was found between the inactive patients (2.04 ± 0.44%, n = 3) and the controls. The expression of CD95, CD123, and CD166 on BM CD34⁺ cells were significantly increased in SLE patients (48.31 ± 10.59%, 44.9 ± 21.5%, 30.9 ± 19.54%, respectively, n = 10) when compared with the control subjects (24.33 ± 11.1%, 19.5 ± 4.4%, 10.7 ± 5.5%, respectively, n = 10, p < 0.05). The increased CD123 expression was negatively correlated with the number of peripheral white blood cells (r = −0.700, p < 0.05, n = 10). The percentage of CD166 expression was found significantly correlated with the index of SLE disease activity (r = 0.472, p < 0.05, n = 10) and 24 h proteinuria (r = 0.558, p < 0.05, n = 10), but negatively correlated with serum C3 level (r = −0.712, p < 0.01, n = 10). Our study found that the surface marker expression of CD95, CD123, and CD166 on BM CD34⁺ cells were significantly increased in patients. This supports the hypothesis that there are abnormalities of the HSC in SLE. Since CD166 and CD123 correlated with the overall lupus activity, their role as a biomarker of inflammatory disease activity also requires further study.     

原发性肝细胞癌中CD44v6和nm23H1基因的转录表达及临床意义

研究CD44v6 mRNA和nm23H1 mRNA表达与肝细胞癌（HCC）侵袭转移和预后的关系。应用原位杂交方法，检测分析HCC组织中CD44v6 mRNA和nm23H mRNA表达。99例HCC中，CD44v6 mRNA和nm23H1 mRNA表达阳性率分别为41．4％和76．8％。CD44v6mRNA表达与nm23H1mRNA表达呈负相关。CD44v6和nm23HmRNA表达均与HCC侵袭转移倾向和预后相关。检测CD44v6和nm23H1表达有可能成为HCC 侵袭转移和预后判断的病理生物学指标。