Glucose-regulated protein GRP78 is up-regulated in prostate cancer and correlates with recurrence and survival

Chemotherapy resistance is a significant contributor to treatment failure and death in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. One unexplored mechanism for drug resistance is the induction of stress response proteins referred to as the glucose-regulated proteins (GRPs). We sought to determine the level of expression of GRP78, the best characterized GRP in lymph node-positive prostate cancer. Archived, paraffin-embedded, radical prostatectomy specimens were obtained from 153 patients with lymph node-positive prostate cancer (stage D1). The level of GRP78 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. We assessed the expression and specificity of GRP78 immunoreactivity in benign prostatic tissue, prostate cancer, and lymph node metastasis. We correlated the intensity of immunopositivity with prostate cancer recurrence and survival. Whereas immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that all prostate tissue was immunoreactive for GRP78, the intensity of expression was markedly higher in the primary tumor compared with areas of benign epithelium. GRP78 expression was also evident in lymph node metastases although less intensely than in the primary tumor. Patients with strong GRP78 immunoreactivity in the primary tumor are at higher risk for clinical recurrence (relative risk = 2.0, P = .019) and death (relative risk = 1.8, P = .024) than patients with weak GRP78 expression. This finding confirms that GRP78 protein expression is significantly higher in prostate cancer than in benign prostatic tissue. The intensity of expression is significantly associated with survival and clinical recurrence. GRP78 has considerable potential not only as a prognostic indicator but also as a potential therapeutic target.     

GRP78在胃癌生长中的作用*

 目的： 探讨内质网分子伴侣葡萄糖调节蛋白78（GRP78）参与胃癌细胞生长的作用。方法: 回顾性分析34例胃癌及34例癌旁组织,利用组织微阵列技术,构建组织阵列,采用免疫组织化学技术SP法检测该阵列中GRP78蛋白在胃癌及其癌旁组织中表达情况。利用Western blotting检测人体胃癌组织、癌旁组织（肿瘤旁1 cm处）和正常组织（远离肿瘤≥10 cm处）中GRP78蛋白的表达情况。利用Western blotting检测人胃癌细胞SGC7901和过表达GRP78的SGC7901-H78细胞（稳定转染GRP78）中GRP78和生长相关蛋白cyclin D1的表达情况。结果: (1) 免疫组织化学检测发现：人体胃癌组织中GRP78表达水平明显高于癌旁组织和正常组织,且与性别、分化程度相关（P<0.05）; (2) Western blotting检测发现：胃癌组织中GRP78蛋白的表达明显高于癌旁组织和正常组织;(3)  Western blotting检测发现： 相对于SGC7901细胞,SGC7901-H78细胞中GRP78蛋白的表达明显升高,同时检测生长相关蛋白cyclin D1的表达发现,随着GRP78表达的上调,cyclin D1蛋白表达增加。结论: GRP78蛋白的高表达可能参与了胃癌细胞的生长。     

Overexpression of GRP78 and GRP94 are markers for aggressive behavior and poor prognosis in gastric carcinomas

Glucose-related proteins (GRPs) are ubiquitously expressed in endoplasmic reticulum and able to assist in protein folding and assembly; consequently, they are considered as molecular chaperones. GRP78 and GRP94 expression was induced by glucose starvation and up-regulated in the malignancies. To clarify the roles of both molecules in tumorigenesis and progression of gastric carcinomas, immunohistochemistry was used on tissue microarray containing gastric carcinomas, adenomas, and nonneoplastic mucosa using the antibodies against GRP78 and GRP94, with a comparison of their expression with clinicopathological parameters of carcinomas. Gastric carcinoma cell lines (MKN28, AGS, MKN45, KATO-III, and HGC-27) were studied for both proteins by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. There was more expression of both proteins in gastric carcinoma and adenoma than in nonneoplastic mucosas (P < .05). All gastric carcinoma cell lines showed their expression at different levels. They were positively correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, lymphatic and venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Union Internationale Contre le Cancer staging (P < .05), with positive relationship between both proteins (P < .05). Univariate analysis indicated the postsurgical cumulative survival rate of patients with positive GRP78 or GRP94 expression to be lower than that in those without GRP78 or GRP94 expression (P < .05), but the close link disappeared if stratified according to depth of invasion (P > .05). Multivariate analysis showed that age, depth of invasion, lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, Union Internationale Contre le Cancer staging, and Lauren classification (P < .05), but not GRP78 and GRP94 expression, were independent prognostic factors for carcinomas (P > .05). Up-regulated expression of GRP78 and GRP94 was possibly involved in pathogenesis, growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric carcinomas. They were considered objective and effective markers for the aggressive behavior and poor prognosis in gastric carcinomas.     

Association of elevated GRP78 expression with increased lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) has been implicated in the protection of tumor cells from cytotoxic damage and apoptosis and thus assists cells in survival under oxygen-deprivation and nutrient-stress conditions. However, its expression and potential role in gastric cancer development and progression have not been reported. In the present study, we determined the level of GRP78 expression in the primary tumor in 86 cases of resected gastric cancer by using immunohistochemistry and analyzed the relationships between GRP78 and clinicopathological characteristics. We found that GRP78 was overexpressed in the tumor specimens when compared with the expression in adjacent tumor-free gastric mucosa. Furthermore, the level of GRP78 expression in both primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes was inversely correlated with patient survival. Overexpression of GRP78 was directly correlated with Sp1 expression and increased lymph node metastasis. Knocking down GRP78 expression inhibited tumor cell invasion in vitro and growth and metastasis in a xenograft nude mouse model. Therefore, our data imply that dysregulated expression of GRP78 may contribute to the development and progression of gastric cancer.     

人GRP78蛋白的原核表达、纯化及抗原活性鉴定

目的:构建原核表达质粒pGEX-4T-1 -GRP78,诱导表达、纯化后检测GRP78蛋白的抗原活性.方法:利用PCR方法从本实验室已构建的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)上扩增GRP78基因,将其克隆至原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1,构建重组载体pGEX-4T-1 -GRP78.转化至大肠杆菌BL21( DE3)中诱导表达,再将所表达的融合蛋白进行纯化.经SDS-PAGE分析后,将所得产物用Thrombin切割;进一步包板后用ELISA法对其抗原活性进行评价.结果:酶切和测序结果均证实GRP78原核表达载体构建正确,可诱导表达;ELISA检测显示纯化后的人GRP78抗原具有免疫原性.结论:成功构建了人GRP78基因的原核表达载体,获得了纯化的GRP78蛋白,该蛋白具有良好的抗原活性,为进一步研究以GRP78为基础的肝细胞癌的血清学检测提供了抗原.     

Expression of glucose-regulated stress protein GRP78 is related to progression of melanoma

Aims:  Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a protein translated in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that has been implicated in the pathogenesis and resistance to therapy of a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate its expression and role in the development and progression of human melanoma.
Methods and results:  The immunohistochemical expression of GRP78 in naevi, primary melanoma and melanoma metastases from 171 patients was correlated with clinicopathological factors and patient survival. The GRP78 immunoreactivity score (IRS) was 0.2 in compound naevi, 0.65 in dysplastic naevi, 4.65 in naevi adjacent to primary melanoma, 2.4 in melanoma in situ , 11.2 in thin (≤1.0 mm) and 18.1 in thick (>1.0 mm) primary melanoma. It was 18 and 17.3 in subcutaneous and lymph node metastases, respectively ( P  < 0.0001). GRP78 expression was positively correlated with increasing tumour thickness ( P  = 0.001) and with increasing dermal tumour mitotic index ( P  = 0.0004). Disease-free survival (χ² = 8.0703, P  = 0.0045) and overall survival (χ² = 6.2633, P  = 0.0123) in melanoma patients with IRS >25 were significantly lower than in melanoma patients with IRS <25.
Conclusions:  GRP78 expression appears to correlate with known correlates of melanoma progression and survival and requires further evaluation as a prognostic biomarker in melanoma.     

人类survivin基因的克隆及在胃粘膜中表达的初步分析

目的：克隆人类Survivin(SVV)基因并分析其在胃粘膜中的表达情况。方法：采用逆转录聚合酶链反应从人胃癌组织中克隆SVV基因，地高辛标记cRNA探针，原位杂交检测其在胃粘膜中的表达。结果：得到两个SVV基因cDNA克隆、即SVV－S4A与SVV－S1B，前者与已知SVV基因cDNA序列相同，后者发生了SVV第3外显子丢失。原位杂交显示SVV－S4A主要表达于胃癌细胞的胞质，SVV－S1B主要表达于正常胃组织。结论：SVV－S4A和SVV－S1B在胃癌组织与正常胃粘膜组织中的表达存在不同特征。     

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -7 in urinary bladder cancer predicts time to tumor recurrence

Introduction

Urinary bladder cancer patients who have undergone transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) are at risk of recurrence. This study aims to correlate the level of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) expression with urothelial carcinoma invasiveness, TNM stage and time to recurrence after TURBT.

Material and methods

In 33 specimens of healthy transitional epithelium and 42 of urothelial carcinoma, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP7 expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients who underwent TURBT were followed up for 1 year.

Results

BMP2 and BMP7 were downregulated in infiltrating urothelial carcinoma, the relative expression being 0.76 (p = 0.04) and 0.28 (p = 0.025) respectively, while BMP4 was downregulated in non-invasive tumors. High expression of BMP2 and BMP7 correlated with prolonged time to recurrence (log-rank: p = 0.01 and p = 0.03 respectively).

Conclusions

Low expression of BMP2 and BMP7 is associated with shorter time to recurrence. The BMP expression levels are not indicative of tumor stage.     

Expression patterns of Trk-A, Trk-B, GRP78, and p75NRT in olfactory neuroblastoma

Olfactory neuroblastoma is an uncommon neuroectodermal tumor of the sinonasal tract. It represents 2% to 3% of sinonasal neoplasms. Most olfactory neuroblastoma behave locally aggressive with 30% recurrence rates. A subset metastasizes to lymph nodes and/or distant sites. Grading of olfactory neuroblastoma involves a combination of factors with low-grade tumors having better survival than high-grade tumors. The grade does not always predict prognosis, however, as metastases can be seen in all grades of olfactory neuroblastoma. Trk-A, Trk-B, and p75NRT are neurotrophin receptors associated with numerous solid malignancies, particularly pediatric neuroblastoma. GRP78 is an endoplasmic reticulum protein, associated with differentiation of neuroblastic cells. Trk-A, p75NRT, and GRP78 overexpression are favorable prognostic factors in pediatric neuroblastoma, whereas Trk-B is associated with a poorer prognosis in these tumors. Olfactory neuroblastoma is clinically distinct from pediatric neuroblastoma but shares some histological features. Trk-A and p75NRT have been demonstrated in olfactory neuroblastoma previously. Trk-B and GRP78 have not been investigated in olfactory neuroblastoma. None of these markers have been correlated with grade or outcome in olfactory neuroblastoma. To investigate the role of Trk-A, Trk-B, p75NRT, and GRP78, a series of 20 olfactory neuroblastomas was stained with these antibodies. Trk-A and Trk-B stained most cases of olfactory neuroblastoma (90% and 85%). GRP78 stained most cases (90%), although weakly. P75NRT demonstrated focal membranous staining in a sustentacular pattern (60%). None of these markers correlated with Hyams grade. None of these markers definitively correlated with patient outcome. Neurotrophin receptors do not appear to have a prognostic role; however, Trk's may play an oncogenic role in olfactory neuroblastoma.     

胃癌组织中TSLC1的表达及临床意义

目的：探讨肺癌肿瘤抑制物1(tumor suppressor in lung cancer 1, TSLC1)蛋白表达与胃癌发生、发展的关系。方法采用免疫组化法检测TSLC1蛋白在20例正常胃黏膜、30例胃上皮内瘤变和50例胃癌组织中的表达,并复习相关文献。结果TSLC1在胃癌中的阳性率为14．00%,低于胃上皮内瘤变(46．67%)及正常胃黏膜(95．00%)( P<0．05)。 TSLC1在高级别上皮内瘤变中的表达低于低级别上皮内瘤变及正常胃黏膜( P<0．05)。 TSLC1在高级别上皮内瘤变及胃癌组织中的表达差异无显著性(P>0．05)。胃癌中 TSLC1表达与淋巴结转移和TNM分期密切相关(P<0．05)。结论 TSLC1表达与胃癌的发生、发展有关,可能为胃癌的防治提供新方向。     

葡萄糖调节蛋白78在宫颈癌细胞衰老过程中的表达研究

目的探讨葡萄糖调节蛋白78（glucose regulated protein,GRP78）在顺铂诱导宫颈癌细胞衰老过程中的表达变化情况及相关机制。方法亚凋亡剂量顺铂诱导宫颈癌细胞衰老;β-半乳糖苷酶染色检测细胞衰老情况;P1染色流式细胞仪检测细胞周期变化;Western blot检测GRP78蛋白表达情况;siRNA反义抑制GRP78表达,western blot检测DNA损伤修复基因ATM（ataxia—telangiectasia mutated）通路相关基因表达情况。结果亚凋亡计量顺铂能够成功诱导宫颈癌细胞衰老,细胞主要阻滞于G2／M期。Western blot检测表明在宫颈癌细胞衰老过程中GRP78蛋白表达明显降低。反义抑制GRP78蛋白表达后ATM通路相关蛋白P53及p-Cdc2表达明显升高,而Cdc2蛋白表达明显降低。结论GRP78蛋白在顺铂诱导宫颈癌细胞衰老过程中起抵抗作用,主要可能通过影响ATM通路相关基因的表达发挥作用。     

程序性细胞死亡6在人胃癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨胃癌组织中程序性细胞死亡6(PDCD6)表达水平及其与临床病理特征的相关性。方法:采用免疫组织化学对109例胃癌组织中PDCD6、P53的表达进行检测,分析其与肿瘤临床病理特征的相关性。采用免疫印迹检测10例新鲜胃癌标本中癌组织及癌旁组织中PDCD6蛋白的表达。结果:胃癌组织中PDCD6、P53阳性表达率分别为68.8%和62.4%。PDCD6的表达在胃癌肿瘤部位、分化程度、性别及肿瘤大小各组别中的表达差异无统计学意义,PDCD6蛋白的表达在淋巴结有无转移及P53阴阳性表达组间的差异有统计学意义,PDCD6表达与。P53的表达呈正相关性;免疫印迹证实PDC;D6在胃癌组织中的表达高于癌旁组织。结论:PDCD6可能参与了胃癌的发生、发展,但具体机制仍需进一步研究。     

A novel lncRNA-mRNA-miRNA signature predicts recurrence and disease-free survival in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) patients have a poor prognosis due to the high recurrence rate. However, there are still no effective molecular signatures to predict the recurrence and survival rates for CC patients. Here, we aimed to identify a novel signature based on three types of RNAs [messenger RNA (mRNAs), microRNA (miRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)]. A total of 763 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs), 46 lncRNAs (DELs), and 22 miRNAs (DEMis) were identified between recurrent and non-recurrent CC patients using the datasets collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus ({"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE44001","term_id":"44001"}}GSE44001; training) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (RNA- and miRNA-sequencing; testing) databases. A competing endogenous RNA network was constructed based on 23 DELs, 15 DEMis, and 426 DEMs, in which 15 DELs, 13 DEMis, and 390 DEMs were significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS). A prognostic signature, containing two DELs (CD27-AS1, LINC00683), three DEMis (hsa-miR-146b, hsa-miR-1238, hsa-miR-4648), and seven DEMs (ARMC7, ATRX, FBLN5, GHR, MYLIP, OXCT1, RAB39A), was developed after LASSO analysis. The built risk score could effectively separate the recurrence rate and DFS of patients in the high- and low-risk groups. The accuracy of this risk score model for DFS prediction was better than that of the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging (the area under receiver operating characteristic curve: training, 0.954 vs 0.501; testing, 0.882 vs 0.656; and C-index: training, 0.855 vs 0.539; testing, 0.711 vs 0.508). In conclusion, the high predictive accuracy of our signature for DFS indicated its potential clinical application value for CC patients.     

Expression of sialosyl-Tn in intestinal type cancer cells of human gastric cancers

A sample of 219 primary stomach cancers, 143 advanced cancers and 76 early cancers were examined for mucin histochemical staining (the paradoxical concanavalin A method, the galactose oxidase-Schiff [GOS] reaction, and the sialidase-GOS reaction) and immunohistochemical reactivity (pepsinogen [Pg] I, Pg II, SH-9 and TKH-2). Gastric cancer cells were clearly classified according to mucin histochemistry into a gastric type, including mucus neck cell, pyloric gland cell and surface mucus cell types, and an intestinal type, including goblet-cell, and intestinal absorptive cell types. TKH-2 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes the mucin-associated sialosyl-Tn antigen, reacted with the mucin of goblet cells in both the normal small intestine and in the intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. Sixty-five of 106 (61%) differentiated adenocarcinomas and 76 of 113 (67%) undifferentiated adenocarcinomas had over 10% of their cancer cells positive for TKH-2. The TKH-2-positive cancers were primarily classified as a goblet-cell type by mucin-histochemical staining and the other immunohistochemical staining methods. Therefore, it is concluded that sialosyl-Tn is an excellent marker of small intestinal mucins and is indicative of a small intestinal type of differentiation in two-thirds of gastric cancers.     

葡萄糖调节蛋白78促进肝硬化大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及其机制

 目的： 探讨葡萄糖调节蛋白78/免疫球蛋白重链结合蛋白(GRP78/BiP)是否促进肝硬化大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及其发生机制。方法： 采用复合致病因素法建立肝硬化大鼠模型,在4周、6周和8周分别取材。实验1：取心脏称重并测量左室壁厚度,计算左室壁厚度与心脏重量比值及心脏指数。实验2： TUNEL法观察心肌细胞凋亡情况;免疫组化方法检测心肌组织中GRP78/BiP蛋白以及凋亡相关蛋白CCAAT增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白/生长停滞及DNA诱导蛋白153（CHOP/GADD153）、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶12（caspase-12）、核转录因子κB p65（NF-κB p65）、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病蛋白2（Bcl-2）的表达。结果： 随肝硬化病程进展,左室壁厚度与心脏重量比值以及心脏指数逐渐增加,8周组增加显著(P<0.05);心肌细胞凋亡指数、CHOP/GADD153和caspase-12阳性蛋白表达指数逐渐升高,8周组差异显著(P<0.05);NF-κB p65和Bcl-2阳性蛋白表达指数呈一致性变化,在4周组较其它组明显增高(P<0.05); GRP78/BiP蛋白阳性表达指数与心肌细胞凋亡指数、CHOP/GADD153、caspase-12蛋白阳性表达指数呈显著正相关,CHOP/GADD153与NF-κB p65、Bcl-2蛋白阳性表达指数呈显著负相关。结论： GRP78高表达在内质网应激介导的肝硬化心肌病发病中可能发挥重要作用。     

Elevated epiregulin expression predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer

Epiregulin (EREG) is a novel family member of EGF-like ligands and have elevated expression in a variety of human cancers. EREG expression promotes tumor progression and metastasis and reduces patient survival. However, the expression of EREG and its prognostic value are not clear in gastric cancer (GC). We assessed EREG mRNA and protein expression in GC tissues from Chinese patients using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarray, and analyzed the correlation between the level of EREG expression and patient clinical characteristics and prognosis. We found that EREG expression was significantly higher in GC tissues than in matched adjacent noncancerous tissues. High EREG protein expression in GC was significantly associated with TNM stage including tumor size, lymph node metastases and distant metastases as well as poor overall survival. These finding demonstrate that EREG is an independent prognostic biomarker for GC.     

白介素32在胃癌细胞中的表达及意义

目的观察白介素32（IL-32）在胃癌细胞株中的表达情况,探讨其在胃癌发生、发展中的意义。方法采用逆转录PCR、real-time PCR及Western blot法分别从基因和蛋白水平上检测IL-32在正常胃上皮细胞GES-1以及胃癌细胞株MKN-45、KATO中的表达情况。结果逆转录PCR及real-time PCR结果均显示胃癌细胞IL-32 mRNA表达水平明显高于正常胃上皮细胞,逆转录PCR灰度比值（目的 /内参）为：GES-1（0.34±0.09）、MKN-45（0.79±0.11）、KATO（0.90±0.17）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。real-time PCR Ct值显示：MKN-45的IL-32基因表达量是GES-1的（5.34±1.09）倍,KATO是GES-1的（4.07±1.69）倍,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。Western blot结果显示IL-32在蛋白表达水平的结果与前一致,灰度比值（目的 /内参）为：GES-1（0.30±0.10）、MKN-45（0.92±0.32）、KATO（0.86±0.15）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论IL-32在胃癌细胞株中呈高表达,推测其可能在胃癌的发生、发展中起一定作用。     

Cytogenetic instability in a family with gastric cancer recurrence

An index case with a congenital malformation syndrome enabled detection of a family that had a previous history of spontaneous abortuses and recurrence of neoplasia through three generations. Cytogenetic analysis performed on lymphocytes from 11 subjects in the second and third generation showed karyotypic alterations in both tumor bearers and apparently normal subjects. Chromosome variations consisted of: spontaneous chromosome fragility; chromosome translocations; polymorphisms in the heterochromatic regions in chromosomes Y, #1, #16, #22. The inheritance pattern of all chromosome rearrangements and heteromorphisms observed was established starting with the second generation, and the contribution of specific individuals was identified. Although the relationship between chromosomal instability and predisposition to gastric cancer does not appear to be coincidental, no specific chromosome alteration in normal somatic cells was shared by all members of the family who developed or are at risk of developing tumors.     

Both high expression of nucleophosmin/B23 and CRM1 predicts poorer prognosis in human gastric cancer

Nucleophosmin/B23 and CRM1 are molecular markers which play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression in gastric cancer (GC). However, the association between the two remains unclear. This study evaluated the expression and the correlation of B23 and CRM1 in GC. B23 and CRM1 expression in GC and adjacent noncancerous tissues (ANCT) of gastrectomy specimens from 131 GC patients was measured by immunohistochemistry. Positive expression rates of B23 and CRM1 were significantly higher in GC tissues than in ANCT. The high expression rates of B23 and CRM1 were significantly higher in patients with more advanced tumor stages and distant metastasis (all p < 0.05). Only high expression of CRM1was correlated with positive Her2 status (p = 0.01). B23 expression was positively correlated with CRM1expression in GC tissues (p = 0.038). Univariate analysis showed that TNM stage (p = 0.0001), metastasis (p = 0.027), B23 (p = 0.0111), and CRM1 expression (p = 0.0019) were significant risk factors affecting overall survival. Both high expression of B23 and CRM1 in GC patients suggests poor prognosis, co‐expression of the two (p = 0.043) even worse. Cox multivariate analysis showed that positive B23 (p = 0.0231) and CRM1 (p = 0.0048) expression were both independent prognostic factors that negatively correlated with survival. We revealed the co‐expression of B23 or CRM1 in GC. The expression levels of B23 or CRM1 were closely related to poor prognosis in GC, and both B23 or CRM1 were independent risk factor.