Expression of down stream molecules of RET (p-ERK, p-p38 MAPK, p-JNK and p-AKT) in papillary thyroid carcinomas

To evaluate the roles of 4 putative downstream molecules (ERK, p38 MAPK, JNK and AKT) of the RET signal pathway in the tumorigenesis of papillary carcinomas, the expression patterns of RET and phosphorylated forms of ERK, p38 MAPK, JNK and AKT were evaluated in 115 cases of papillary thyroid carcinomas by 3 mm-core tissue microarray based immunohistochemical staining. The prevalence of RET protein expression was 62.6%. No distinct expression of p-ERK and p-p38 MAPK was demonstrated in tumor cells of papillary carcinomas. All papillary carcinomas except 5 cases expressed nuclear p-JNK and p-JNK expression was increased in tumors compared with paired normal tissues (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the p-JNK expression between RET protein-positive and RET protein-negative papillary carcinomas (p > 0.05). Unequivocal nuclear staining for p-AKT was demonstrated only in 10 cases of papillary carcinomas, and all of them showed focal staining. Our results showing constitutive expression of p-JNK in most cases of surgically excised papillary thyroid carcinomas irrespective of RET protein expression status suggest that JNK activation may play a role in the tumorigenesis or survival of sporadic papillary thyroid carcinoma.     

LPS诱导胰腺癌细胞Panc-1表达B7-H1

目的: 研究胰腺癌细胞株Panc-1在应用脂多糖(LPS)刺激前后B7-H1表达的变化,并探讨其可能的分子机制。方法: LPS刺激以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPKs)的特异性抑制剂处理Panc-1细胞前后,应用Western blotting检测MAPKs信号通路中p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38)、细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK)和c-Jun氨基端激酶(JNK)磷酸化水平的变化,real-time PCR和Western blotting检测B7-H1 mRNA和蛋白的表达变化。结果: LPS刺激后B7-H1的表达显著上调,p38、ERK和JNK的磷酸化水平也明显上调,加入MAPKs特异性的抑制剂后,LPS诱导的p38、ERK和JNK的磷酸化被抑制,并且在p38和ERK的抑制剂处理后,B7-H1的表达也明显被抑制,而在JNK的抑制剂处理后B7-H1的表达没有显著变化。结论: LPS可以诱导胰腺癌细胞株Panc-1表达B7-H1,并且p38和ERK的活化在LPS诱导的B7-H1的表达过程中起着重要作用。     

叶酸受体α在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中的表达

目的 探讨卵巢上皮性肿瘤中叶酸受体(FR)α的表达及其临床病理学意义.方法 制备包括86例卵巢癌及29例卵巢交界性肿瘤的组织芯片,采用免疫组织化学EnVision法检测上述肿瘤组织中FRα的表达情况,同时采用即时PCR检测40例新鲜冷冻卵巢癌组织以及14例卵巢交界性肿瘤组织中FRα mRNA的表达情况.分析卵巢上皮性肿瘤中FRα表达水平与肿瘤的组织类型、不同发病模式以及临床分期的关系.结果 免疫组织化学染色结果显示,86例卵巢癌中有40例(46.5%)对FRα呈明确阳性反应,其中浆液性癌阳性表达率最高,为62.7%(32/51),高于其他组织类型的癌(P=0.000).按照卵巢癌发病模式区分,Ⅱ型卵巢癌FRα的表达明显高于Ⅰ型卵巢癌,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.001).卵巢癌组FRα表达阳性率高于交界性肿瘤(46.5%∶27.6%),但差异无统计学意义(P=0.074).卵巢癌组FRα的表达与临床分期无相关性(P=0.498).相似的结果也见于采用即时PCR检测FRα mRNA的表达情况:卵巢癌组FRα mRNA表达值高于交界性肿瘤组(P=0.000),在交界性肿瘤中,浆液型mRNA表达值高于黏液型,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.007).结论 卵巢上皮性肿瘤中FRα呈高表达,特别是在恶性肿瘤和浆液性肿瘤中.     

EphB3 protein is associated with histological grade and FIGO stage in ovarian serous carcinomas

Eph (Erythropoietin‐producing human hepatocellular carcinoma cell) is the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands are involved in embryonic development and physiological processes. Aberrant expression of Eph/ephrin may contribute to a variety of diseases including cancer. EphB3 is a member of Eph receptors and has been found to play roles in carcinogenesis of some types of human cancer. But, its expression and clinical significance in ovarian serous carcinoma have not been well investigated and are unknown. In this study, a set of ovarian tissues including normal fallopian tube, serous borderline tumor, and serous carcinoma were subjected to immunohistochemistry using a specific polyclonal antibody for EphB3. The relationship between EphB3 expression and clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed. EphB3 was strongly expressed in all fallopian tube specimens (19/19, 100%). EphB3 was negatively or weekly expressed in 1 of 17 (5.8%) in borderline tumors and 26 of 50 (52.0%) in serous carcinomas, moderately expressed in 7 of 17 (41.2%) in borderline tumors and 14 of 50 (28%) in serous carcinomas, and strongly expressed in 9 17 (52.9%) in borderline tumors and 10 of 50 (20%) in serous carcinomas. EphB3 expression is significantly reduced in serous carcinomas compared with normal fallopian tubes and borderline tumors (p < 0.001). EphB3 expression is negatively associated with histological grade (p < 0.001, r_s = ?0.613) and FIGO stage (p = 0.001, r_s = ?0.464) of serous carcinomas. Our results show EphB3 protein lost in ovarian serous carcinoma and is associated with tumor grade and FIGO stage, which indicate EphB3 protein may play a role in carcinogenesis of ovarian serous carcinoma and may be used as a molecular marker for prognosis.     

p73基因在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中的表达及甲基化研究

目的 探讨卵巢上皮性肿瘤中p73蛋白的表达和基因启动子的甲基化情况,并观察其与临床病理学特征的关系.方法 制备包括68例卵巢癌、37例卵巢交界性肿瘤和21例卵巢良性肿瘤的组织芯片,用免疫组织化学EnVision法检测上述组织中p73蛋白表达情况,用亚硫酸氧盐修饰后测序法检测13例新鲜卵巢癌组织及5例新鲜卵巢交界性肿瘤组织的p73基因启动子甲基化情况.结果 92.6％ (63/68)的卵巢癌表达p73,p73蛋白总体表达率均值为32％(p73表达率指p73阳性细胞数所占的百分比),其中浆液性癌( 26/26)的表达率均值为40％,高于其他组织类型的癌(P=0.006).按照卵巢癌发病模式区分,Ⅱ型卵巢癌p73表达率均值(40％)高于Ⅰ型卵巢癌(24％),P=0.010.卵巢癌中p73的表达与临床分期及组织学分级无相关性(均P＞0.05).卵巢交界性肿瘤组(30/37)和良性肿瘤组(12/21)p73的总体表达率均值分别为16％和15％,该两组肿瘤中浆液性肿瘤表达率均值均高于黏液性肿瘤(P-0.003,P=0.026).卵巢癌组的p73阳性表达率均值明显高于交界性肿瘤组和良性肿瘤组(均P ＜0.05),交界性肿瘤组与良性肿瘤组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).浆液性肿瘤( 49/53)中,卵巢癌组(26/26) p73阳性表达率均值明显高于交界性肿瘤组(12/14)和良性肿瘤组(11/13;P =0.024和P=0.002),而卵巢交界性肿瘤组和良性肿瘤组比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.428).黏液性肿瘤(15/27)中,卵巢癌组(6/7)p73阳性表达率均值高于良性肿瘤组( 1/8;p=0.032),而卵巢癌组与卵巢交界性肿瘤组(8/12)、交界性肿瘤组与良性肿瘤组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P=0.234和P=0.201).p73启动子的甲基化结果显示,13例卵巢癌有8例发生甲基化,但每例样本甲基化频率有所不同,总体甲基化频率均值为8.0％.5例交界性肿瘤有2例发生甲基化,总体甲基化频率均值为9.0％,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).卵巢癌组p73甲基化额率与组织类型、发病模式、组织学分级及临床分期均无相关性(均P＞0.05).结论 卵巢上皮性肿瘤多数表达p73,卵巢癌p73的表达率均值明显高于交界性肿瘤和良性肿瘤,浆液性肿瘤高于其他组织类型;p73蛋白表达率与p73基因甲基化程度不存在简单线性相关关系.     

Activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase is associated with cell proliferation and shorter relapse-free period in superficial spreading malignant melanoma.

Signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and survival have become attractive targets for anticancer strategies. In the present study, we analyzed by immunohistochemistry, a panel of benign nevi, superficial spreading and nodular primary melanomas and metastases for expression of activated p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) (p-JNK) and correlated the findings with known prognostic variables. Twenty-five and 35% of the primaries and 9 and 25% of the metastases expressed variable levels of p-p38 and p-JNK, respectively. In benign nevi, 73.5% expressed p-JNK and 7% expressed p-p38. For patients with superficial spreading melanomas, high level of cytoplasmic p-JNK was associated with thicker tumors (P=0.017) and shorter disease-free survival (P=0.003) as well as with markers of cell proliferation (cyclin A (P=0.017) and p21 (P=0.021)). In nodular melanomas, nuclear p-p38 was associated with Ki-67 (P=0.012), but neither cytoplasmic nor nuclear localized p-p38 was associated with disease outcome. Of note, in superficial spreading melanomas, a positive correlation between cytoplasmic p-JNK and cytoplasmic p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK(1/2) (P=0.005) and p-p38 (P=0.003) was observed. Likewise, p-p38 in cytoplasm was positively associated with cytoplasmic p-ERK1/2 (P<0.0005) and p-Akt (P=0.047). In contrast, except for a positive correlation between nuclear p-p38 and membranous p-TrkA (P=0.02), no correlation between the activation status of the different signaling pathways was observed in nodular melanomas. In conclusion, our results suggest that in benign nevi activated JNK may have a role in restricting uncontrolled cell proliferation or survival. However, during tumor progression, activation of JNK is associated with cell proliferation and shorter relapse-free period for patients with superficial spreading melanomas, suggesting that the JNK activation status could be a marker for clinical outcome in at least a subgroup of malignant melanoma. In contrast, activation of p38 seems to play a less important role in development and progression of malignant melanomas.     

The biological differences between ovarian serous carcinoma and diffuse peritoneal malignant mesothelioma

Recent improvements in immunohistochemistry panels used for differentiating ovarian serous carcinoma/primary peritoneal carcinoma (OC/PPC) from diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) have resulted in improved diagnostic rates for these tumors in both cytological and histological material. However, little is known about the biological characteristics that differentiate these two cancer types. We performed a comparative analysis of cancer-associated molecule expression data for a cohort consisting of up to 270 serous OC/PPC specimens (only peritoneal lesions) and 32 peritoneal MM. The molecules studied were nerve growth factor receptors (p75, p-TrkA), angiogenic factors (VEGF, IL-8, bFGF, heparanase), laminin receptors (the 67-kDa receptor and the alpha 6 integrin subunit), proteases (MMP-2), immune response mediators (HLA-G), and signaling molecules (the MAPK members ERK, JNK, and p38). The methods used were immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and RT-PCR. DMPM specimens showed significantly higher expression of p75 (P < 0.001), p-TrkA (P < 0.001), and bFGF (P < 0.001), and significantly lower expression of the 67-kDa receptor (P < 0.001), alpha 6 integrin subunit (P = 0.025), VEGF (P < 0.001), IL-8 (P < 0.001), and HLA-G (P = 0.039) compared with OC/PPC. DMPM specimens showed higher activation ratio (phosphorylated/total enzyme ratio) of all three MAPK members (ERK, P = 0.017; JNK, P < 0.001; p38, P = 0.009) compared with OC/PPC. These data document significant differences in the expression of cancer- and metastasis-associated molecules in MM compared with ovarian carcinoma, and suggest that different biological pathways are involved in tumorigenesis and disease progression in these two tumors.     

支气管哮喘豚鼠肺组织中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶对γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合酶的作用

目的： 研究在支气管哮喘豚鼠肺组织中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）信号通路对γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合酶（γ-GCS）的影响。方法: 成年雄性豚鼠20只随机分成哮喘组和对照组，每组10只，以腹腔内注射联合雾化吸入卵蛋白复制哮喘模型。测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）细胞总数并进行分类计数；原位杂交和RT-PCR测肺组织中γ-GCS-h mRNA表达；免疫组化测γ-GCS、磷酸化细胞外激活蛋白激酶（p-ERK）、磷酸化c-Jun氨基末端激酶(p-JNK)和磷酸化 p38（p-p38）在肺组织中的表达;Western blotting 测 p-ERK、p-JNK和p-p38在肺组织中的表达；双酶法测γ-GCS的活性。结果: （1）哮喘组BALF中细胞总数、嗜酸性粒细胞明显多于对照组 (P<0.01)。（2）免疫组化显示肺组织中p-ERK、p-p38、p-JNK和γ-GCS 蛋白质表达哮喘组明显高于对照组（P<0.01）；Western blotting 亦显示肺组织中p -ERK、p-JNK和p-p38 蛋白质表达哮喘组均明显高于对照组。（3)原位杂交和RT-PCR显示在肺组织中γ-GCS-h mRNA 表达哮喘组明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。（4) γ-GCS活性哮喘组明显高于对照组（P<0.01）。（5）直线相关性分析显示：在肺组织中p-ERK、p-p38与γ-GCS-h mRNA、γ-GCS蛋白质呈显著正相关，p-JNK与γ-GCS-h mRNA、γ-GCS蛋白质无明显相关性。结论: 支气管哮喘豚鼠肺中 p-ERK、p-p38、p-JNK和γ-GCS表达均增加；p-ERK和p-p38可能上调γ-GCS表达。     

盐酸石蒜碱对TPC-1细胞增殖和周期的影响

目的:探讨盐酸石蒜碱(LH)对甲状腺乳头状癌TPC-1细胞增殖和周期的影响及其机制.方法:体外培养TPC-1细胞,用不同浓度(1.25、2.5、5、10、20、40、60、80和100μmol/L)的LH处理TPC-1细胞48 h,CCK-8法检测LH作用TPC-1细胞的IC50.参照IC50,将对数生长期TPC-1细...     

磷酸化的丝裂原活化蛋白激酶在大鼠睾丸的表达

目的研究丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPKs)的3个亚家族成员细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)、c-Jun N-端激酶(JNK)和p38 MAPK的活化形式在睾丸中的定位,了解MAPKs在生精过程中所起的作用。方法免疫组织化学方法检测正常大鼠睾丸中磷酸化的p-ERKJ、NK、p38 MAPK的表达情况。结果正常大鼠睾丸中p-ERK主要分布于精原细胞、细线前期到粗线期的初级精母细胞以及9~12期长形精子细胞的细胞核,p-JNK则主要位于支持细胞与支持细胞、支持细胞与生精细胞(尤其是19期精子细胞)之间,而p-p38 MAPK除了在生精小管的部分细胞胞质中有分布外,其表达最明显的部位是在间质细胞的细胞质。结论ERKJ、NK和p-38 MAPK分别定位于正常大鼠睾丸内的不同部位,提示MAPKs不同的亚家族成员分别在精子发生的不同环节中发挥主要作用。ERK可能参与生精细胞增殖、分化的信号转导,JNK则可能通过调节细胞的黏附而最终影响生精细胞的迁移与精子释放过程,而p38 MAPK除了可能与JNK一起参与精子释放的调节外,最主要的作用可能是睾酮合成分泌的调节。     

Immunolocalization of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in Hassall's corpuscles of the human thymus

In the present study, we investigated the immunohistochemical localization of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in the human thymus. Three members of MAPK, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the p38 kinase, showed differential expression patterns in the thymus medulla. The phosphorylated form of ERK (p-ERK) was abundantly present in the outer layer of Hassall's corpuscles, and the phosphorylated form of p38 kinase (p-p38 kinase) was present in the entire Hassall's corpuscles. The phosphorylated form of JNK (p-JNK) was expressed in medullary thymocytes. We also examined localization of MAPK kinases (MAPKK or MEK) which specifically activate MAPK. MEK1, an activator of ERK, was found in the outer layer of Hassall's corpuscles where p-ERK was expressed. MEK3, an activator of p38 kinase, was also expressed in the outer layer. MEK4 and MEK7, which are activators of JNK, were present in the entire Hassall's corpuscles. Thus, differential expression of MAPK in the thymus supports the concept that the MAPK signaling pathway controls the specificity of functional thymic responses to extracellular stimuli. Furthermore, the abundant expression of various elements of the pathway in Hassall's corpuscles suggests that the pathway is involved in thymic medullary epithelial maturation.     

The proliferation markers Ki-67/MIB-1, phosphohistone H3, and survivin may contribute in the identification of aggressive ovarian carcinomas

The identification of new proliferation markers could have clinical implications in ovarian carcinoma by stratifying patients for treatment and follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of the proliferation markers Ki-67/MIB-1, phosphorylated histone H3 (PHH3), and survivin in epithelial ovarian tumors. Ninety women with a pelvic mass who underwent surgery at the Department of Gynecological Oncology were included: 68 ovarian carcinomas, 11 borderline tumors, and 11 ovarian cystadenomas. We performed mitotic count and immunohistochemical analyses of Ki-67/MIB-1, PHH3, and survivin, related to clinicopathological parameters. Uni- and multivariate analyses of five-year overall survival were performed. We found statistically significant correlations between mitotic count, Ki-67/MIB-1, PHH3, and survivin. The expression of all proliferation markers was significantly higher in the carcinomas than in the borderline and benign tumors (p<0.05). There was, however an overlap of indices between the different malignancy groups. Women with advanced stage cancers (FIGO stage III and IV) had significantly higher tumor expression of all markers compared to patients with early stage cancers (FIGO stage I and II). Women with advanced disease and complete chemotherapy response had higher Ki67/MIB-1 expression than women without complete chemotherapy response. All markers had an impact on survival in the univariate analyses. In the multivariate analysis, however, only age and stage of disease reached statistical significance as prognostic factors. In conclusion, the proliferation markers Ki-67/MIB-1, PHH3, and survivin are positively correlated with each other and with tumor grade, and may contribute in the identification of aggressive ovarian carcinomas.     

尼古丁抑制人牙髓干细胞增殖和分化

目的探讨尼古丁的刺激对人牙髓干细胞增殖、分化的影响。方法培养人牙髓干细胞,流式细胞计量术鉴定细胞表面抗原;用不同浓度的尼古丁(10-4、10-3和10-2 mol/L)刺激牙髓干细胞,培养0、1、2、3和4 d后,CCK8法检测细胞增殖能力;茜素红染色法检测细胞分化过程中矿化结节形成,RT-qPCR和免疫印迹(Western blot)检测牙本质涎磷蛋白(DSPP)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、骨桥素(OPN)及细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)、c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)、p38(p-ERK、p-JNK、p-p38)等MAPK通路相关蛋白表达。结果培养第3、4天时,与对照组相比,尼古丁刺激时A值显著降低(P<0.05);与对照组相比,尼古丁刺激时矿化结节形成数、DSPP、ALP、OPN mRNA和蛋白、p-ERK、p-JNK、p-p38蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.05)。结论尼古丁抑制人牙髓干细胞增殖、成骨分化能力。     

H2S通过MAPK信号通路影响缺血再灌注损伤大鼠回肠上皮细胞凋亡

 目的: 建立大鼠肠缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤模型,研究H₂S对I/R损伤大鼠回肠上皮细胞凋亡、MAPK信号通路表达的影响。方法: 30只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术(sham)组、I/R组、I/R+NaHS组。建立大鼠肠I/R损伤模型。再灌注前10 min时经大鼠尾静脉注入100μmol/kg NaHS,随后按1 mg·kg^-1·h^-1输注直到再灌注2 h。RT-PCR检测回肠组织ERK、JNK和p38MAPK的mRNA表达,Western blot检测回肠组织p-ERK、p-JNK、p-p38MAPK、p-NF-κB P65的蛋白水平。TUNEL染色检测回肠上皮细胞凋亡。敏感硫电极法测定血、回肠组织匀浆中的H₂S浓度。结果: I/R组的H₂S浓度、ERK、mRNA、p-ERK均低于sham组和I/R+NaHS组,JNK mRNA、p38MAPK mRNA、p-JNK、p-p38MAPK、p-NF-κB P65和凋亡指数高于sham组和I/R+NaHS组。结论: H₂S通过下调ERK的mRNA表达及磷酸化,上调JNK、p38MAPK mRNA的表达,促进JNK、p38MAPK、NF-κB磷酸化,从而减轻I/R损伤大鼠的回肠上皮细胞凋亡。     

枸橼酸铁铵通过提高ROS水平激活MAPK通路并诱导成骨细胞凋亡

 目的：探讨铁超载提高人成骨细胞(hFOB1.19)活性氧（ROS）水平在激活丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）通路和诱导细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：采用细胞贴壁法培养成骨细胞hFOB1.19,将不同浓度枸橼酸铁铵(100、300、500 μmol/L)加入细胞培养基,用MTT法检测成骨细胞增殖活性;DCFH-DA荧光探针检测成骨细胞ROS水平;Annexin V-FITC/PI法检测细胞凋亡;Western blotting检测MAPK通路相关蛋白。结果：枸橼酸铁铵处理成骨细胞后,细胞增殖活性明显降低,早期凋亡和总死亡率显著增加;不同浓度的枸橼酸铁铵处理成骨细胞后,其ROS水平分别增高至(35.73±2.52)%、(62.89±4.24)%和(76.06±3.55)%,MAPK通路相关蛋白的表达也明显增加并呈剂量效应关系,抗氧化剂N-乙酰半胱氨酸可以在降低ROS水平及MAPK通路相关蛋白表达的同时抑制枸橼酸铁铵所致的细胞凋亡。结论：枸橼酸铁铵能使成骨细胞增殖受到抑制,并且通过增加细胞内ROS水平,激活MAPK通路,诱导成骨细胞凋亡。     

卵巢上皮癌中细胞外信号调节激酶的表达及其与预后的关系

目的: 探讨磷酸化细胞外调节激酶(p-ERK)在卵巢上皮癌组织中的表达及其与肿瘤患者预后之间的关系。方法: 应用Western印迹方法分别测定正常卵巢组织、良性卵巢组织和卵巢上皮癌组织中p-ERK的含量;收集卵巢上皮癌患者的临床资料;应用Kaplan-Meier法和Cox回归对卵巢上皮癌患者进行生存分析。结果: (1)卵巢上皮癌组织中的p-ERK含量明显高于良性卵巢组织和正常卵巢组织(P<0.01),Ⅲ~Ⅳ期卵巢上皮癌组织中p-ERK含量明显高于I~II期(P<0.01),良性卵巢组织中p-ERK含量与正常卵巢组织相比无显著差异(P>0.05);(2)低分化卵巢上皮癌组织中的p-ERK含量高于中、高分化(P<0.01);(3)在不同病理类型卵巢癌中,与浆液性卵巢上皮癌组织相比,未分化腺癌组织中p-ERK含量与其相仿(P>0.05),而黏液性卵巢上皮癌和卵巢子宫内膜样癌组织中p-ERK含量较低(P<0.05);(4)p-ERK含量与生存时间呈负相关,p-ERK含量高的卵巢上皮癌患者生存时间短;(5)卵巢上皮癌患者的生存时间与p-ERK含量、残余灶、肿瘤分期、肿瘤分级以及化疗的疗程有着密切关系(P<0.05),而与肿瘤的病理类型没有相关性(P>0.05)。结论: p-ERK可能是卵巢上皮癌发病机制一个重要的调节激酶;测定p-ERK水平可能对卵巢上皮癌患者预后有预测价值。     

Glucose-Regulated Protein 94 Mediates the Proliferation and Metastasis through the Regulation of ETV1 and MAPK Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide health problem. Glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94) is known as an important endoplasmic reticulum-stress response protein that shows correlation with aggressive cancer behavior. However, the role of GRP94 in CRC is still unclear. Our results showed that silencing GRP94 (GRP94-KD) reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC cells and suppressed tumorigenesis in the xenograft mouse model. Rescue assay showed that ETV1 overexpression reversed the effect of GRP94 on cell proliferation and migration. In the molecular mechanism, we found that knockdown of GRP94 inhibited the level of MAPK pathway, including ERK/p-ERK, JNK/p-JNK, and p38/p-p38 signals. Cyclooxygenase-2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation biomarkers, such as N-cadherin, vimentin, and β-catenin were suppressed in GRP94 knockdown cells. Treatment of specific inhibitors of MAPK pathway showed that ERK/p-ERK, and p38/p-p38 inhibitors significantly influenced ETV1 expression as compared to JNK/p-JNK inhibitor. Our results indicated that silencing GRP94 repressed the ability of EMT process, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and CRC tumorigenesis. Therefore, GRP94 may play an important role in CRC by regulating ETV1 and MAPK pathway.     

Ovarian clear cell carcinomas: RHO GTPases may contribute to explain their singular biologic behavior

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma is found more often confined to the ovary (stage I) than high-grade serous carcinoma. The RHO GTPase family of proteins is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis through regulation of the cytoskeleton. The expression of several RHO family genes, including RHOA, RHOC, CDC42, and 3 ARHGDIs (Rho GDP dissociation inhibitors), was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 22 clear cell carcinomas and 31 high-grade serous carcinomas. Immunoreaction for p21-activated kinase 1 (a downstream effector of CDC42) was also investigated on 6 tissue microarrays containing 76 carcinomas (13 clear cell carcinomas and 63 high-grade serous carcinomas). Eight clear cell carcinomas (8/21; 38%) were at stage I, whereas only 3 high-grade serous carcinomas (3/31; 10%) were at stage I. Postoperatively, all patients were treated with taxane and cisplatinum or carboplatinum. ARHGDIA messenger RNA expression was higher in clear cell carcinomas than high-grade serous carcinomas (P = .07). In contrast, CDC42 messenger RNA levels were lower in clear cell carcinomas than high-grade serous carcinomas (P = .02). Immunoreaction for p21-activated kinase 1 was concordant with the results obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction for CDC42. In clear cell carcinomas, RHOA and RHOC messenger RNA expression was lower in stage I than in advanced-stage tumors (P = .03 and P = .005, respectively). Furthermore, in high-grade serous carcinomas, RHOA expression was higher in patients who did not respond to chemotherapy (P = .04). ARHGDIA, CDC42, RHOA, and RHOC expression may contribute to explain the different stage at diagnosis of clear cell and high-grade serous carcinomas. RHOA may cause resistance of high-grade serous carcinoma to chemotherapy.     

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is involved in the cellular metabolism of fatty acids. It is a prognostic factor in prostate and colorectal cancer. So far, little is known about its expression and prognostic role in ovarian cancer. We investigated the expression of AMACR in a total of 420 ovarian tumors (388 carcinomas, 32 borderline tumors) by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays of two independent patient cohorts. In both cohorts, cytoplasmic AMACR expression was identified in 11.8% (16/136) and 5.4% (13/239), respectively, of the ovarian carcinomas. In contrast, borderline tumors did not show any AMACR expression. AMACR expression was significantly associated with histological subtype, FIGO stage, and grade in one cohort and low estrogen receptor levels in the other cohort. In univariate analysis, AMACR expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (log rank, p = 0.006) and an independent prognostic factor in a multivariate analysis (HR 3.3; CI 1.3–7.9; p = 0.008) but could not be verified in the second cohort. Unlike in other tumor entities, AMACR expression does not seem to have an unequivocal prognostic impact in ovarian cancer. The prevalence may limit the value of AMACR for the differential diagnosis between metastatic colorectal carcinomas and primary ovarian carcinomas, whereas the association with estrogen receptor expression deserves further studies.     

Expression of angiogenesis-related genes in ovarian carcinoma--a clinicopathologic study

Angiogenic factors play a role in tumor growth and spread. The object of this study was to analyze the correlation between mRNA expression of angiogenesis-related genes and disease outcome in advanced-stage ovarian carcinomas. Sections from 66 primary ovarian carcinomas and metastatic lesions from 41 patients diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian carcinoma (FIGO stages III-IV) were evaluated for expression of basic fibroblast factor (bFGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using mRNA In Situ Hybridization (ISH). Patients were divided in two groups based on disease outcome. Long-term survivors (17 patients) and short-term survivors (24 patients) were defined using a double cut-off of 36 months for disease-free survival (DFS) and 60 months for overall survival (OS). Mean follow-up period was 70 months. The mean values for DFS and OS were 116 and 133 months for long-term survivors, as compared to 3 and 21 months for short-term survivors, respectively. Expression of bFGF mRNA, most often intense, was detected in tumor and stromal cells in the majority of cases. Weak expression of IL-8 mRNA was detected in both cell compartments, while VEGF mRNA expression was limited to few cases. Primary tumors displayed higher bFGF and IL-8 mRNA expression. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). bFGF, IL-8 and VEGF mRNA expression in both tumor and stromal cells was comparable in tumors of long-term and short-term survivors, and showed no correlation with disease outcome in survival analysis (P > 0.05). bFGF is the major angiogenic factor expressed in ovarian carcinoma at the mRNA level. mRNA expression of VEGF, bFGF, and IL-8 does not appear to be a predictor of disease outcome in advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma.