Protein kinase C alpha expression in normal breast, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to determine if Protein Kinase C alpha (PKC alpha) is altered in expression or localisation in normal breast, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). We obtained 14 mixed cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and DCIS, 36 pure DCIS cases and 25 cases of normal breast. The sections were stained immunohistochemically for PKC alpha expression. Staining was cytoplasmic. The results showed a progressive reduction in staining intensity from normal breast to invasive ductal carcinoma. The staining pattern was heterogeneous in the cytoplasm of DCIS and IDC, but homogeneous in the cytoplasm of normal breast ductal epithelium. Interestingly, mitotic cells and cells with aberrant nuclear morphology showed increased cytoplasmic staining in DCIS and IDC. PKC alpha activity is altered in dividing or abnormal cells, but overall expression is reduced in IDC. This raises the possibility of an alteration in the subcellular localisation of PKC alpha which may relate to changes in desmosomal adhesive state.     

Inhibin/activin subunits (inhibin-alpha, -betaA and -betaB) are differentially expressed in human breast cancer and their metastasis

Inhibins (INH) are dimeric glycoproteins, composed of an alpha-subunit (INH-alpha) and one of two possible beta-subunits (INH-betaA or -betaB). Aims of this study were to determine the frequency and tissue distribution of INH-alpha, -betaA and -betaB in breast cancer tissue. Paraffin-fixed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; n=7), invasive ductal carcinomas without lymph node metastases (IDC; n=8), infiltrating ductal carcinomas with their lymph node metastases (IDC/LN; n=8), primary ductal carcinomas with their subsequent recurrence (n=7) were analyzed by immunohistochemical means with monoclonal antibodies against inhibin-alpha, -betaA and -betaB subunits. INH-alpha was observed in DCIS (5/7), while its expression was significantly higher in DCIS than IDC (1/7; p<0.05) and IDC/LN (0/8; p<0.005) and recurrent breast cancer tissue (0/7; p<0.005). The INH-betaA subunit was also demonstrated in all DCIS cases with a significantly higher intensity compared to IDC (p<0.05), IDC/LN (p<0.01) and primary carcinoma with subsequent recurrence (p<0.05). INH-betaA expression was significant higher in primary tumors with subsequent recurrence compared to IDC/LN (p<0.05). The metastatic lymph nodes expressed the lowest inhibin-betaA compared to all other groups (p<0.01). INH-betaB was also demonstrated in all mammary carcinoma tissues, but without any statistical differences. The differential expression of INH-alpha in DCIS might suggest a function as a tumor suppressor in breast tissue, suggesting a useful marker for recognizing patients with subsequent risk of developing invasive ductal cancer. The higher INH-betaA expression in DCIS than invasive cancer suggests an important role in mammary carcinogenesis. Interestingly, primary breast tumor with a subsequent recurrence expressed a higher intensity of the inhibin-betaA subunit, suggesting an important role in metastatic pathogenesis, and utilization as a tumor marker. The immunoreactivity of inhibin-betaA was significantly higher in DCIS than invasive ductal carcinomas, suggesting an important role in mammary carcinogenesis. The metastatic lymph nodes expressed lower INH-betaA and -betaB than the primary tumor, which might be the cause of less differentiated and aggressive tumor cells within the primary tumor. Therefore, inhibin/activin subunits might be useful prognostic markers for breast cancer.     

Immunohistochemical analysis on biological markers in ductal carcinomain situ of the breast

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of mammographic screening has led to an increased detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. The detailed biological characteristics of DCIS and a new classification of DCIS based on these characteristics are needed. METHODS: Immunohistochemical studies were performed to assess the expression of c-erbB-2 (ErbB-2), estrogen receptor (ER), p53 and proliferative activity (Ki-67) in 65 patients with pure DCIS and 60 with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). We classified pure DCIS tumors using three classifications, the architectural, Nottingham, and Van Nuys classifications. RESULTS: ErbB-2, ER and p53 staining was positive in 34%, 66% and 21% of patients with DCIS, respectively, and 58%, 42% and 33% in patients with IDC, respectively. Ki-67 stained positively in 1.5% of patients with DCIS and 11.2% of patients with IDC. The comedo type showed a high rate of positive ErbB-2 and p53 staining. The cribriform and papillary types showed a high rate of positive ER staining. Under the Van Nuys classification, ErbB-2, p53 and Ki-67 expression were highest in the group with high nuclear grade and lowest in the group with non-high nuclear grade without necrosis. CONCLUSION: Although the biological markers of IDC tended to suggest aggressive behavior more so than those of DCIS, these differences were based on the histological sub-type, comedo or non-comedo. The Van Nuys classification best defined the subgroups of DCIS with a distinct expression pattern of biological markers, and the best candidates for breast-conserving surgery.     

乳腺导管上皮癌变过程中树突状细胞的表达情况

目的　探讨乳腺导管上皮癌变过程中树突状细胞(DC)的表达。方法　选取常规石蜡包埋乳腺组织标本14 7例,分为正常对照组、单纯性增生组、不典型增生组、导管内癌+早期浸润癌组、浸润癌组。应用免疫组化方法分别检测其S10 0 +DC、HLA DR +DC和CD1a +DC的阳性表达情况。结果　浸润癌组S10 0 +DC和CD1a +DC阳性表达率分别为77.61%、5 6.72 % ,均显著高于其他组(P均<0 .0 5 )。导管内癌+早期浸润癌组、浸润癌组HLA DR +DC阳性表达率分别为10 0 .0 0 %、97.0 1% ,均显著高于其他组(P均<0 .0 5 )。不同标记阳性DC联合表达率在导管内癌+早期浸润癌组、浸润癌组较高,分别为3 3 .3 3 %、5 5 .2 2 % ,且这2组中无不同标记阳性DC均阴性表达病例。结论　在乳腺导管上皮癌变过程中均有不同标记阳性DC存在,其阳性表达率随增生性病变进展逐渐增高,进展为浸润癌时则显著增高,DC的阳性表达情况可用于评估乳腺癌患者局部免疫状态。     

Robo1蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及其与乳腺癌脑转移的关系

目的 检测Robo1蛋白在不同乳腺肿瘤组织中的表达情况,并探讨Robo1蛋白的表达与乳腺癌脑转移的关系.方法 采用链霉素抗生物素蛋白-生物素(LSAB)法,对24例发生脑转移的乳腺浸润性导管癌、71例未发生脑转移的乳腺浸润性导管癌、22例乳腺导管内癌和23例乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中Robo1蛋白的表达情况进行检测.结果 Robo1蛋白在导管内癌和浸润性导管癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为59.1%和45.3%,均明显低于其在纤维腺瘤组织中的阳性表达率(87.0%,P＜0.05).Robo1蛋白在有脑转移的浸润性导管癌组织中的阳性表达率为12.5%,明显低于其在无脑转移的浸润性导管癌中的阳性表达率(56.3%,P＜0.05).Robo1蛋白在＞50岁乳腺浸润性导管癌患者中的阳性表达率为57.8%,明显高于其在≤50岁乳腺浸润性导管癌患者中的阳性表达率(34.0%,P＜0.05).Robo1蛋白阴性表达患者的5年生存率为57.7%,明显低于阳性表达的患者(83.7%,P<0.05).Robo1蛋白在乳腺浸润性导管癌中的表达与肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移状态、病理学分期、组织学分级以及临床分期均无关(均P＞0.05).结论 Robo1蛋白在乳腺浸润性导管癌中的表达与脑转移呈负相关,与患者的发病年龄及预后呈正相关,可成为判断乳腺癌预后和脑转移的分子标志物.

Abstract：

Objective To detect the expression of Robo1 in different breast tumors and its association with the breast cancer brain metastasis. Methods Labelled streptavidin-biotin (LSAB) staining was used to examine the Robo1 expression in specimens from 24 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC)with brain metastasis, 71 cases of IDC without brain metastasis, 22 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 23 cases of fibroadenoma. Results The expression pattern of Robo1 in DCIS (59.1%) and IDC (45.3%) was significantly lower than that in adenofibroma (87.0%, P<0.05). The expression of Robo1 in IDC with brain metastasis (12.5%) was significantly lower than that in IDC without brain metastasis (56.3%, P<0.05). The expression of Robo1 was much higher in more than 50 year-old-group (57.8%) than that in less than 50 year-old-group (34.0%) of IDC patients. The overall survival time in patients with the Robo1 negative expression was significantly shorter than those with positive expression (P<0.05). No correlation was found between the Robo1 expression and the tumor size, lymph node metastasis, pathologic stage, histological grade and clinical stage (P>0.05). Conclusions The Robo1 expression correlates negatively with IDC brain metastasis, and correlates positively with the age and prognosis of IDC patients. Robo1 may be applied as a marker in evaluation of the IDC prognosis and brain metastasis.     

Correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 and aromatase immunohistochemical expression in invasive ductal carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, and adjacent normal epithelium

Summary The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and aromatase immunohistochemical expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) present in the same breast, as well as in adjacent stroma and normal epithelium, we still correlated with nuclear grade, histologic grade, presence or absence of comedonecrosis, tumor size, and age at diagnosis. Forty-seven cases were evaluated through the use of anti-aromatase and anti-COX-2 polyclonal antibodies. Making the correlation of COX-2 and aromatase expression, we observed that COX-2 expression in IDC was correlated with aromatase expression in IDC (p<0.001), DCIS (p<0.001), normal epithelium (p=0.024), and stroma tumor (p<0.001). When the correlation was made between COX-2 expression in DCIS with aromatase, we observed positive correlation in IDC (p<0.001), DCIS (p<0.001), normal epithelium (p=0.013), and stroma tumor (p<0.001). In the correlative analysis of COX-2 expression in normal epithelium with aromatase in different evaluated tissues, we observed the following statistical results: IDC (p<0.001), DCIS (p<0.001), normal epithelium (p=0.005), and stroma tumor (p=0.047). Our results demonstrate the high correlation between COX-2 and aromatase expression in IDC, DCIS and normal epithelium, showing the importance of these two enzymes in the induction, promotion and progression of breast cancer.     

Spontaneous apoptosis in the intra-ductal component's stroma of breast invasive carcinoma

Spontaneous apoptosis by in situ detection of DNA fragmentation (DNAf) was investigated in breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) frozen samples removed from 61 untreated patients. The incidence of DNAf was low in carcinoma cells and was mainly detected in the stroma. In the stroma at a distance from carcinoma cells, DNAf was inversely related to estradiol plasma level variations (p=0.01), indicating that it probably remained under physiological hormonal regulation. In the stroma adjacent to carcinoma cells, DNAf was correlated to tumor progression parameters such as the presence of a comedo intra ductal carcinoma (DCIS) component (p=0.001) and axillary lymph node metastasis (p=0.002), suggesting that this stromal compartment more probably represented a tumoral component closely associated to epithelial tumor cells. Therefore, the detection of DNAf in the adjacent stroma of breast carcinoma could help to predict progression in non invasive tumors and also in invasive tumors in those patients without lymph node invasion.     

神经降压素受体1在乳腺癌组织中的表达及预后意义

目的 探讨神经降压素受体1（NTR1）在乳腺导管内癌（DCIS）及浸润性导管癌(IDC)中的表达以及NTR1在IDC中的表达与临床病理学特征和预后的关系。方法 收集天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院2003年1月至2004年12月病理诊断为DCIS的样本60例,并随机抽样128例诊断为IDC的样本,采用免疫组织化学SP法检测样本中NTR1的表达及定位。结果 NTR1阳性着色部位为细胞质,在IDC和DCIS中的阳性表达率分别为71.1% (91/128)和53.3% (32/60),差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。IDC中NTR1的表达与组织学分级、肿物最大径、淋巴结状态相关(P＜0.05）,且NTR1阳性表达患者比阴性表达患者复发率高（P＜0.05）。Kaplan-Meier单因素生存分析显示IDC中NTR1阳性表达对生存期的影响具有统计学意义。COX多因素分析显示NTR1阳性表达是影响预后的独立危险因素。结论 NTR1在IDC中表达明显高于DCIS,提示在乳腺癌的发生和发展中可能发挥重要的作用;NTR1阳性表达与临床病理特征密切相关且患者预后差,因此可作为乳腺癌临床诊断和判断预后的一项重要指标。     

Survivin在乳腺腺病、乳腺管状腺瘤、乳腺癌组织中的表达差异及其意义

目的检测Survivin（SVV）蛋白在乳腺腺病、乳腺管状腺瘤、乳腺癌组织（乳腺导管内癌、浸润性乳腺导管癌）和乳腺癌细胞系细胞中的表达,及浸润性乳腺导管癌中SVV的表达与肿瘤大小,Her-2、ER、PR、p53、及ki-67蛋白表达及细胞凋亡情况的相关性,研究SVV在乳腺良性病变和良恶性肿瘤中的表达情况对鉴别诊断及乳腺癌预后的意义。方法选择乳腺腺病、乳腺管状腺瘤各20例、乳腺导管内癌、乳腺浸润性导管癌各30例,5个乳腺癌细胞系。免疫组化方法检测SVV、Her-2、ER、PR、053、及ki-67在组织和细胞系的表达情况;应用TUNEL原位凋亡检测细胞的凋亡。结果SVV在乳腺腺病、乳腺管状腺瘤、乳腺导管内癌和浸润性乳腺导管癌组织的表达比例分别为7／20、6／20、20／30和24／30;其相应的高表达比例为3／20、1／20、14／30及16／30。与乳腺腺病、乳腺管状腺瘤组织相比,SVV在乳腺癌组织的表达具有明显增强（P〈0．05）。在浸润性乳腺导管癌组织中,SVV的表达与肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移、细胞凋亡以及Her-2、ER、PR、p53、及ki-67的表达无明显的相关性（P〉0．05）。结论SVV在乳腺导管内癌及乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中的表达明显增强,对乳腺腺病、乳腺管状腺瘤与乳腺癌的鉴别具有一定临床意义。     

Analysis of stromal signatures in the tumor microenvironment of ductal carcinoma in situ

Recent advances in the study of the tumor microenvironment have revealed significant interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding stroma in model systems. We have previously shown that two distinct stromal signatures derived from a macrophage (CSF1) response and a fibroblastic (DTF-like) response are present in subsets of invasive breast cancers and show a correlation with clinical outcome [1–3]. In the present study we explore whether these signatures also exist in the stroma of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We studied the signatures by both gene expression profile analysis of a publically available data set of DCIS and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on a tissue microarray of DCIS and invasive breast cancer cases. Both the gene expression and immunohistochemical data show that the macrophage response and fibroblast expression signatures are present in the stroma of subsets of DCIS cases. The incidence of the stromal signatures in DCIS is similar to the incidence in invasive breast cancer that we have previously reported. We also find that the macrophage response signature is associated with higher grade DCIS and cases which are ER and PR negative, whereas the fibroblast signature was not associated with any clinicopathologic features in DCIS. A comparison of 115 matched cases of DCIS and invasive breast cancer found a correlation between the type of stromal response in DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) within the same patient for both the macrophage response and the fibroblast stromal signatures (P = 0.03 and 0.08, respectively). This study is a first characterization of these signatures in DCIS. These signatures have significant clinicopathologic associations and tend to be conserved as the tumor progresses from DCIS to invasive breast cancer.     

ATF-3在乳腺癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨激活转录因子-3(ATF-3)在乳腺癌组织中的表达及临床意义.方法:采用免疫组化法检测ATF-3在乳腺浸润性导管癌、导管原位癌和癌旁乳腺组织中的表达情况及其与乳腺癌临床病理特征间的关系.结果:ATF-3在乳腺浸润性导管癌、导管原位癌及癌旁乳腺组织中的阳性表达率分别为80.95%(85/105)、48.98%(24/49)和11.43%(12/105),乳腺浸润性导管癌组ATF-3的阳性表达率显著高于导管原位癌组和癌旁乳腺组织,导管原位癌组ATF-3的阳性表达率显著高于癌旁乳腺组织,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.0167).ATF-3的表达与乳腺癌的组织学分级、淋巴结转移及临床分期相关,而与患者年龄及肿瘤大小无关.结论:ATF-3与乳腺癌的发生、发展、侵袭和转移有关,可能作为预测乳腺癌恶性程度和评估乳腺癌患者预后的重要指标.     

Gene expression profiling of tumour epithelial and stromal compartments during breast cancer progression

The progression of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) marks a critical step in the evolution of breast cancer. There is some evidence to suggest that dynamic interactions between the neoplastic cells and the tumour microenvironment play an important role. Using the whole-genome cDNA-mediated annealing, selection, extension and ligation assay (WG-DASL, Illumina), we performed gene expression profiling on 87 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from 17 patients consisting of matched IDC, DCIS and three types of stroma: IDC-S (<3 mm from IDC), DCIS-S (<3 mm from DCIS) and breast cancer associated-normal stroma (BC-NS; >10 mm from IDC or DCIS). Differential gene expression analysis was validated by quantitative real time-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The expression of several genes was down-regulated in stroma from cancer patients relative to normal stroma from reduction mammoplasties. In contrast, neoplastic epithelium underwent more gene expression changes during progression, including down regulation of SFRP1. In particular, we observed that molecules related to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling (e.g. COL11A1, COL5A2 and MMP13) were differentially expressed between DCIS and IDC. COL11A1 was overexpressed in IDC relative to DCIS and was expressed by both the epithelial and stromal compartments but was enriched in invading neoplastic epithelial cells. The contributions of both the epithelial and stromal compartments to the clinically important scenario of progression from DCIS to IDC. Gene expression profiles, we identified differential expression of genes related to ECM remodelling, and specifically the elevated expression of genes such as COL11A1, COL5A2 and MMP13 in epithelial cells of IDC. We propose that these expression changes could be involved in facilitating the transition from in situ disease to invasive cancer and may thus mark a critical point in disease development.     

Hedgehog signaling pathway mediates the progression of non-invasive breast cancer to invasive breast cancer

The purpose of this study is to clarify the contribution of the Hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh pathway) to the progression from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). A total of 149 surgically resected mammary disease specimens and 12 sentinel lymph nodes with micro-metastasis (Ly-met) were studied. The degree of Hh pathway activation was estimated from the Gli1 nuclear staining ratio (%Gli1 nuclear translocation) in cancer cells. The invasiveness of breast cancer cells was determined using Matrigel assays. A serial increase of %Gli1 nuclear translocation to IDC from non-neoplastic diseases was confirmed. In tumor specimens, %Gli1 nuclear translocation correlated with the invasiveness of each type of mammary disease and also correlated with invasion-related histopathological parameters. The %Gli1 nuclear translocation in lymph nodes with micro-metastasis was similar to that in primary sites and higher than that in DCIS with microinvasion and DCIS. Blockade of the Hh pathway decreased the invasiveness of breast cancer cells. In IDC, %Gli1 nuclear translocation correlated with the expression of estrogen receptor-α. Estrogen increased %Gli1 nuclear translocation and the invasiveness of estrogen receptor-α-positive cells. The Hh pathway mediates progression from a non-invasive phenotype to an invasive phenotype and %Gli1 nuclear translocation may be useful as a predictive marker for evaluating the ability of invasiveness.     

Coexisting ductal carcinoma in situ independently predicts lower tumor aggressiveness in node-positive luminal breast cancer

Primary breast invasive ductal carcinoma coexisting with ductal carcinoma in situ (IDC-DCIS) is characterized by lower proliferation rate and metastatic propensity than size-matched pure IDC. IDC-DCIS is also more often ER-positive, PR-positive and/or HER2-positive. This analysis aims to clarify whether the presence of coexisting DCIS in IDC affects tumor aggressiveness in various biological subtypes of breast cancer, respectively. Tumor data obtained from 1,355 consecutive female patients undergoing upfront surgery for primary breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively; 196 patients with pure DCIS were excluded. Based on evidence that immunohistochemistry (IHC) provides a reasonable approximation of molecular phenotypes, the tumor samples were divided into 4 groups: (1) luminal A (ER and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative, Ki67 ≤ 12), (2) luminal B (ER and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative, Ki67 > 12), (3) HER2 (HER2-positive) and (4) basal-like (triple-negative) disease. Ki67 expression and nodal involvement of IDC with or without DCIS in these groups were compared. The number of patients with luminal A, luminal B, HER2 and basal-like breast cancer were 396, 265, 258 and 117, respectively. Ki-67 was lower in IDC-DCIS than in size-adjusted pure IDC of both luminal A and luminal B subtypes (P = 0.15 and <0.005, respectively). In HER2 or basal-like tumors, there were no significant difference between pure IDC and IDC-DCIS. The presence of coexisting DCIS in IDC predicts lower biological aggressiveness in luminal cancers but not in the conventionally more aggressive HER2-positive and triple-negative subtypes.     

Reduced expression of activin receptor-like kinase 7 in breast cancer is associated with tumor progression

To explore the clinical implication of activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) expression in breast cancer, we evaluated its protein level in six kinds of human breast tissue samples, including adjacent normal tissues, adenosis, breast fibroadenoma, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and lymph node metastases (LNM). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that ALK7 was more frequently and much more intensely expressed in adjacent normal tissues, adenosis, and fibroadenoma tissues than in malignant tissues (DCIS, IDC, and LNM). Furthermore, the ALK7 expression in primary tumors and the corresponding LNM was evaluated in parallel samples from 60 patients with IDC. Results showed that the ALK7 expression status in primary tumors and LNM was concordant in 53 patients (88%), suggesting that ALK7 expression was retained in LNM. Moreover, our results suggested that ALK7 expression inversely correlated with the tumor grade (P?=?0.009) and clinical stage (P?=?0.004) in IDC significantly. Finally, the effect of activin-ALK7 pathway on the breast cancer cell growth was elucidated, and results revealed that overexpression of ALK7 could restore the inhibitory effect of activin B on the growth of ALK7-negative breast cancer cell line, ZR-75-30. These findings provide the evidence that the reduction or lack of ALK7 expression may account for the loss of its ligand sensitivity of breast cancer cells, thereby leading to breast tumor progression.     

Progression-specific genes identified by expression profiling of matched ductal carcinomas in situ and invasive breast tumors, combining laser capture microdissection and oligonucleotide microarray analysis

Becoming invasive is a crucial step in breast cancer oncogenesis. At this point, a lesion carries the potential for spreading and metastasis--a process, whose molecular characteristics still remain poorly understood. In this article, we describe a matched-pair analysis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of nine breast ductal carcinomas to identify novel molecular markers characterizing the transition from DCIS to IDC. The purpose of this study was to better understand the molecular biology of this transition and to identify candidate genes whose products might serve as prognostic markers and/or as molecular targets for treatment. To obtain cellular-based gene expression profiles from epithelial tumor cells, we combined laser capture microdissection with a T7-based two-round RNA amplification and Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray analysis. Altogether, a set of 24 tumor samples was analyzed, comprised of nine matched DCIS/IDC and replicate DCIS/IDC preparations from three of the nine tumors. Cluster analysis on expression data shows the robustness and reproducibility of the techniques we established. Using multiple statistical methods, 546 significantly differentially expressed probe sets were identified. Eighteen candidate genes were evaluated by RT-PCR. Examples of genes already known to be associated with breast cancer invasion are BPAG1, LRRC15, MMP11, and PLAU. The expression of BPAG1, DACT1, GREM1, MEF2C, SART2, and TNFAIP6 was localized to epithelial tumor cells by in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemistry, confirming the accuracy of laser capture microdissection sampling and microarray analysis.     

Upregulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression in ductal carcinoma <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> (DCIS) is an early event in breast tumorigenesis

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a protein tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in a subset of invasive breast cancers. FAK transmits signals that mediate several functions including tumor cell proliferation, migration, adhesion and survival. We used immunohistochemical techniques to assess FAK expression in patients with fibrocystic disease (FCD), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections were obtained from 119 patients (12 FCD, 38 ADH, 51 DCIS and 18 IDC). The anti-FAK 4.47 monoclonal antibody was used to detect FAK expression. FAK expression was scored as high (3 or 4 intensity and 90 positive cells) or low. The DCIS tissue sections demonstrated high FAK expression in 34/51 (66) of the sections. High FAK expression was demonstrated in 6/18 (33) of the IDC tissue sections and 8/38 (21)of the ADH tissue sections. None (0/12) of the FCD tissues sections stained high for FAK. The pattern of FAK expression in DCIS was significantly higher than ADH (p < 0.0001) and IDC (p =0.02). We conclude that FAK overexpression in preinvasive, DCIS tumors precedes tumor cell invasion or metastasis, suggesting that FAK may function as a survival signal and be an early event in breast tumorigenesis.     

乳腺癌和乳腺导管内增生性病变JAG1基因甲基化的检测及临床意义

目的:探讨JAG1基因甲基化在乳腺浸润性导管癌发病中的作用。方法:采用MassARRAY方法对乳腺浸润性导管癌(IDC;n=75)、乳腺导管原位癌(DCIS;n=23)、乳腺非典型性导管增生症(ADH;n=20)以及乳腺普通型导管增生症(UDH;n=27)进行JAG1基因甲基化的定量检测。结果:JAG1基因启动区CpG_13、CpG_20.21.22、CpG_26位点在UDH组中的平均甲基化率高于ADH、DCIS、IDC组（P<0.05）。结论:在乳腺癌患者中JAG1(该基因的表达与乳腺癌细胞的生长、浸润、转移、预后有关)基因的部分位点呈现低甲基化改变。CpG_13、CpG_20.21.22、CpG_26位点的低甲基化改变与乳腺癌的形成具有相关性,可能该基因特异性CpG位点的低甲基化参与了乳腺良性病变向乳腺癌的发展演进过程。     

Genome-wide gene-expression profiles of breast-cancer cells purified with laser microbeam microdissection: identification of genes associated with progression and metastasis

Breast carcinoma is a complex disease characterized by accumulation of multiple genetic alterations, and the understanding of the molecular basis of mammary tumorigenesis is still incomplete. In this study we analyzed gene-expression profiles of 81 surgical specimens of 12 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 69 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). After applying laser-microbeam micro-dissection to all samples we achieved 98-99% pure populations of breast cancer cells, and of normal breast epithelial cells used as controls. A cDNA-microarray analysis of 23,040 genes in these samples and a subsequent unsupervised hierarchical clustering distinguished two tumor groups, mainly in terms of estrogen-receptor (ER) status. We then undertook a supervised analysis and identified 325 genes that were commonly either up- or down-regulated in both pathologically discrete stages (DCIS and IDC), indicating that these genes might play important roles in malignant transformation of breast ductal cells. In addition, we searched invasion-associated gene candidates whose expression was altered in IDC, but not in DCIS, and identified 24 up-regulated genes and 41 down-regulated genes. Furthermore, we identified 34 genes that were expressed differently in tumors from patients with lymph node metastasis as opposed to no metastasis. On that basis we developed a scoring system that correlated well with the metastatic status. Tumors from all of the 37 test patients with lymph-node metastasis yielded positive scores by our definition, whereas 38 of the 40 tumors (95%) without lymph node metastasis had negative scores. Our data should provide useful information for identifying predictive markers for invasion or metastasis, and suggest potential target molecules for treatment of breast cancers.     

Endometase/matrilysin-2 in human breast ductal carcinoma in situ and its inhibition by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 and -4: a putative role in the initiation of breast cancer invasion

Local disruption of the integrity of both the myoepithelial cell layer and the basement membrane is an indispensable prerequisite for the initiation of invasion and the conversion of human breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). We previously reported that human endometase/matrilysin-2/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 26-mediated pro-gelatinase B (MMP-9) activation promoted invasion of human prostate carcinoma cells by dissolving basement membrane proteins (Y. G. Zhao et al., J. Biol. Chem., 278: 15056-15064, 2003). Here we report that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 and TIMP-4 are potent inhibitors of MMP-26, with apparent K(i) values of 1.6 and 0.62 nM, respectively. TIMP-2 and TIMP-4 also inhibited the activation of pro-MMP-9 by MMP-26 in vitro. The expression levels of MMP-26, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and TIMP-4 proteins in DCIS were significantly higher than those in IDC, atypical intraductal hyperplasia, and normal breast epithelia adjacent to DCIS and IDC by immunohistochemistry and integrated morphometry analysis. Double immunofluorescence labeling and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that MMP-26 was colocalized with MMP-9, TIMP-2, and TIMP-4 in DCIS cells. Higher levels of MMP-26 mRNA were also detected in DCIS cells by in situ hybridization.