Cyclooxygenase 2 is up-regulated and localized to macrophages in the intestine of Min mice

Expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is believed to play an important role in adenoma formation in murine polyposis models, and inhibition of COX-2 activity may, at least, partly explain the chemopreventative activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs against colorectal cancer in humans. However, the mechanism by which COX-2 acts in intestinal tumorigenesis remains unresolved because of conflicting data on the cellular localization of COX-2 in intestinal mucosa. Using immunohistochemistry with specific COX-2 antiserum, we have shown that COX-2 protein is localized to interstitial cells at the base of and within adenomas of the small and large intestine of multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice. No COX-2 staining was observed in dysplastic epithelial cells within adenomas or in histologically normal epithelium. Moreover, COX-2 staining was observed in lamina propria cells of histologically normal intestine of Min mice. No staining was demonstrated in wild-type littermates. The rat monoclonal antibody F4/80 was used to show that COX-2-positive cells represented a subset of the macrophage population present in the intestine of Min mice. Localization of COX-2 to macrophages implies a paracrine effect of COX-2 function on epithelial cells in adenomas and also on histologically normal epithelium. Up-regulation of COX-2 expression in lamina propria macrophages may precede loss of the second functional Apc allele in epithelial cells before adenoma formation in the Min mouse model of intestinal tumorigenesis.

Gelatinase A and membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase mRNA: expressed in adrenocortical cancers but not in adenomas

In an attempt to understand the mechanism behind the invasion and metastasis in adrenocortical cancer we performed mRNA in situ hybridization on 30 tumors for three matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): gelatinase A, membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), and collagenase-3. All are known to participate in the invasion and metastasis of other tumor forms by degrading the extracellular matrix. Thirteen of sixteen cancers, but only one of fourteen benign lesions showed expression of gelatinase A, which was localized in stromal cells. MT1-MMP is thought to assist in tumor invasion and metastasis by activating the zymogen gelatinase A. Of 14 malignant tumors analyzed, 12 showed MT1-MMP mRNA expression, which in 7 cases was detected in both neoplastic and stromal cells. The benign tumors showed MT1-MMP expression in only 3 of 11 cases, and it was restricted to tumor cells. Fourteen tumors (11 cancers, 3 adenomas) were also analyzed for collagenase-3 mRNA, but no expression was detected. In conclusion, our data show that gelatinase A mRNA is expressed in most malignant adrenocortical tumors but not in the benign tumors. Gelatinase A mRNA expression is restricted to stromal cells, whereas its activator, MT1-MMP, is expressed in both stromal and neoplastic cells. Inhibition of gelatinase A and other proteinases may in the future become important as a form of cancer treatment.

Analysis of matrix metalloproteinases and related tissue inhibitors in cystic fluids of ovarian tumors

Proteolytic activity of cystic neoplasms of the ovary appears to play a role in destruction of the extracellular matrix and tumor invasion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the enzymatic activities reflect the degrees of tumor malignancy. The author examined the activity and quantity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) in cystic fluids of both benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors. The concentration of MMP-9 was statistically higher in mucinous carcinomas (p < 0.05) than in benign ones. TIMP-1, which combines with MMP-9, was also higher (p < 0.05) in malignancies than in benign ones. The ratios of MMP-9/MMP-2 and the concentrations of activated forms of MMPs well associated with the degrees of malignancy, while the mol ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9 and TIMP-2/MMP-2 inversely correlated. Expressions of MMP-3 and/or trypsin in the fluids were frequently associated with activation of MMP-7 and MMP-9. These observations support the concept that the imbalance of TIMPs/MMPs and the activation of MMPs correlate with the biological malignancy of ovarian cystic tumors.

Reduced lung tumorigenesis in human methylguanine DNA--methyltransferase transgenic mice achieved by expression of transgene within the target cell

Human methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) transgenic mice expressing high levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) in lung were crossbred to A/J mice that are susceptible to pulmonary adenoma to study the impact of O6-methylguanine (O6mG)-DNA adduct repair on NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis. Expression of the chimeric human MGMT transgene in lung was identified by northern and western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry assay and enzymatic assay. AGT activity was 17.6 +/- 3.2 versus 1.2 +/- 0.4 fmol/microg DNA in lung of MGMT transgenic mice compared with non-transgenic mice. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-human AGT antibody showed that human AGT was expressed throughout the lung. However, some epithelial cells of bronchi and alveoli did not stain for human AGT, suggesting that the human MGMT transgene expression was heterogeneous. After 100 mg/kg NNK i.p. injection in MGMT transgenic mice, lung AGT activity remained much higher and levels of lung O6mG-DNA adducts in MGMT transgenic mice were lower than those of non-transgenic mice. In the tumorigenesis study, mice received 100 mg/kg NNK at 6 weeks of age and were killed 44 weeks later. Ten of 17 MGMT transgenic mice compared with 16 of 17 non-transgenic mice had lung tumors, P < 0.05. MGMT transgenic mice had lower multiplicity and smaller sized lung tumors than non-transgenic mice. Moreover, a reduction in the frequency of K-ras mutations in lung tumors was found in MGMT transgenic mice (6.7 versus 50% in non-transgenic mice). These results indicate that high levels of AGT expressed in mouse lung reduce lung tissue susceptibility to NNK-induced tumorigenesis due to increased repair capacity for O6mG, subsequently, decreased mutational activation of K-ras oncogene. Heterogeneity in the level of AGT expressed in different lung cell populations or other forms of carcinogenic DNA damage caused by NNK may explain the residual incidence of lung tumors in MGMT transgenic mice.

Early expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 during sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis

Regular administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer by targeting cyclo-oxygenase-2 (Cox-2), a key enzyme in arachidonic acid metabolism. To evaluate the role of Cox-2 in sporadic colorectal cancer development, Cox-2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in 85 adenomas, 53 carcinomas, 34 hyperplastic lesions and 104 samples of histologically normal mucosa adjacent to adenoma or carcinoma. In addition, Cox-2 mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in six adenomas and 14 carcinomas with paired grossly normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry for the proliferation-associated antigen Ki-67 and in situ end labelling for demonstrating apoptotic bodies were also used to analyse the associations between Cox-2 expression and proliferation and apoptosis. Cox-2 protein expression was increased in 76/85 (89.4 per cent) adenomas and 44/53 (83.0 per cent) carcinomas compared with normal mucosa. Cox-2 protein expression was unrelated either to the degree of dysplasia or to the size of the adenomas (p > 0.50, p > 0.10, respectively) or to differentiation, Dukes stage or lymph node metastasis of carcinomas (all p > 0.50). Interestingly, 20/34 (58.8 per cent) hyperplastic lesions adjacent to adenomas or carcinomas displayed expression higher than in normal mucosa (18.3 per cent) (p < 0.0001) but lower than in adenomas or carcinomas (p < 10(-5), p < 0.001, respectively). There were no correlations between Cox-2 protein expression and proliferative or apoptotic index in either adenomas or carcinomas (all p > 0.25). Cox-2 mRNA expression was significantly increased in adenomas and carcinomas compared with normal mucosa (p < 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no differences between adenomas and carcinomas in either protein or mRNA levels (p > 0.25, p > 0.90, respectively). These data indicate that enhanced expression of Cox-2 occurs early during colorectal carcinogenesis and may contribute to tumour formation.

Anti-proliferative activity of protein kinase C in apical compartments of human colonic crypts: evidence for a less activated protein kinase C in small adenomas

The protein-kinase-C (PKC) family of iso-enzymes regulates mitogenic signal transduction in colorectal-cell lines. Its function in human colonic mucosal proliferation is controversial. Our study investigated the role of PKC with regard to proliferation and changes of PKC iso-enzyme expression in colonic biopsies compared with small adenomas. In short-term tissue-culture experiments of colonic mucosal biopsies, we found reduced S-phase labeling in the 2 apical compartments of longitudinally sectioned crypts when PKC was activated by 200 nM of the phorbol ester TPA (n = 8). Thus, PKC inhibited growth of differentiated colonocytes which may influence cell homeostasis in colonic crypts. Furthermore, we have determined the expression of PKC alpha, -beta1, -beta2, -delta and -epsilon in colonic adenomas smaller than 1 cm in diameter of 18 patients and found a significant increase of PKC alpha in the cytosolic fraction and decreased membrane levels of PKC beta2 in adenomas compared to normal, neighboring mucosa while protein levels of PKC beta1, -delta and -epsilon were not altered. Moreover PKC delta but not PKC alpha mRNA expression was significantly lowered in adenoma tissue in 7 patients, as determined by ribonuclease-protection analysis. Changes in the regulation patterns of PKC isoforms suggest a decreased activation state of PKC even in small adenomas. This is compatible with an anti-proliferative function of PKC serving to protect mucosa from expanding mutated cells.

Diminished CYP2E1 expression and formation of 2-S-glutathionyl acetate, a glutathione conjugate derived from 1,1-dichloroethylene epoxide, in murine lung tumors

We hypothesized that resistance of lung tumors to the cytotoxic effects of xenobiotics is associated with loss of cytochrome P-450 expression, leading to defective formation of reactive intermediates. To test this hypothesis, we investigated 1,1-dichloroethylene (DCE), a chemical that causes Clara cell damage, in a urethane-induced model of lung tumorigenesis. Lung metabolism of DCE yields 2-S-glutathionyl acetate (conjugate [C]), a glutathione conjugate derived from DCE-epoxide, believed to be the ultimate toxic species. We used immunohistochemistry to investigate CYP2E1 expression in nontumor- and tumor-bearing lung to identify cells capable of generating [C]. CYP2E1 and [C] were colocalized in adjacent tissue sections to determine coincidence between CYP2E1 and [C] in lung cells. CYP2E1 was highly localized to the bronchiolar epithelium of nontumor-bearing lung and in uninvolved tissue of tumor-bearing lung and was concentrated in the Clara cells. In contrast, tumor foci including hyperplasias, adenomas, and carcinomas were deficient in CYP2E1 in both untreated and DCE-treated mice. Immunoreactivity for [C] was also detected in the bronchiolar epithelium in nontumor-bearing lung and uninvolved tissue of tumor-bearing lung of DCE-treated mice and was reduced in hyperplasias, adenomas, or carcinomas. Thus, there was a coincidence between the sites of CYP2E1 expression and [C] formation. Conjugate [C] accumulated only in lung cells in which CYP2E1 was expressed. Histochemical staining for glutathione confirmed its presence in tumor foci. Thus, bioactivation and conjugation of DCE occur in structurally normal tissue from both nontumor- and tumor-bearing lung but was lost in tumor tissue, irrespective of the stage of tumor development.

Decrease of telomere length in thyroid adenomas without telomerase activity

In somatic cells, telomeres shorten with population doubling, thus limiting their capacity to divide. Telomerase, which synthesizes telomeric repeats, can compensate for such shortening. Telomerase activity is known to be absent from most somatic differentiated cells but is present in germline cells, immortal cell lines, or a large majority of malignant tumors. Autonomous thyroid adenomas are benign tumors composed of highly differentiated cells characterized by TSH-independent function and growth. Telomere length and telomerase activity were measured in autonomous and hypofunctioning adenomas and their surrounding tissues. A significant decrease of 3.8+/-1.0 kilobases (kb) was observed in the length of the terminal restriction fragments (TRF) in 12 autonomous adenomas (8.6+/-1.1 kb), compared with the TRF length of their surrounding tissues (12.4+/-1.6 kb). The same kind of decrease, 3.5+/-1.2 kb, was also observed in 16 hypofunctioning adenomas (12.3+/-1.7 kb in surrounding tissue and 8.8+/-1.6 kb in the adenomas). No telomerase activity was detected either in the 12 autonomous adenomas studied or in most of the quiescent tissues (10 of 12). Most of the hypofunctioning adenomas tested (15 of 16) did not display telomerase activity. These results suggest that the cells have undergone a higher number of cell divisions in the adenomas than in the surrounding tissue. Moreover, there is a larger spread of the TRF length distribution in autonomous adenomas than in the collateral tissue. This could reflect the heterogeneity in proliferation status of the cells in the nodule, some of which have reached the end of their life span, whereas others are still proliferating (but with no malignant potential for the autonomous adenomas). In conclusion, benign adenomas exhibit a shorter and more variable telomere length than the normal collateral quiescent tissue, with no telomerase activity to compensate this loss in telomere length.

Gelatinase (MMP-2 and -9) expression in gastrointestinal malignancy

The aim of the study was to investigate expression of the active and inactive gelatinases (MMP-2 and -9) in colorectal neoplasia and gastric cancer compared with normal mucosa. A total of 53 colorectal cancers and corresponding normal mucosa were studied using gelatin zymography as well as 15 colorectal adenomas and 13 gastric cancers with corresponding normal mucosa. Overexpression of all the gelatinases occurs in both colorectal and gastric cancer, with activation of MMP-2 appearing to be a feature of the malignant phenotype. Overexpression of MMP-9 occurs in colorectal adenomas. The gelatinases are overexpressed in gastrointestinal neoplasia, suggesting that these enzymes may have an important role in tumour invasion and metastasis.

A prospective study of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase gene polymorphisms, and risk of colorectal adenoma

We examined the relationship between a functional polymorphism (667C-->T, ala-->val) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) and the risk of colorectal adenomas in the prospective Nurses' Health Study. Among 257 incident polyp cases and 713 controls, the MTHFR val/val polymorphism [relative risk (RR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-2.17] was not significantly associated with risk of adenomas. This lack of association was observed for both small (RR = 1.36, 95% CI 0.76-2.45) and large (RR = 1.32, 95% CI 0.66-2.66) adenomas. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between this polymorphism and consumption of either folate, methionine or alcohol. We also examined the relationship of a newly identified polymorphism (asp919gly) of the methionine synthase gene (MS) with the risk of colorectal adenomas in the same population. The MS gly/gly polymorphism was also not significantly associated with risk of colorectal adenomas (RR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.26-1.70). These results, which need to be confirmed in other studies, suggest that the MTHFR val/val polymorphism, which has been previously inversely associated with risk of colorectal cancer, plays a role only in a late stage (adenoma-->carcinoma) of colorectal tumorigenesis, and/or may protect against malignant transformation in the subset of benign adenomas, which may progress to malignancy.

Telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer and adenoma

In order to examine their roles in carcinogenesis or in progression of colorectal carcinoma, we investigated telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in 67 non-familial colorectal cancers and in 18 adenomas. The incidence of detectable telomerase activity increased from 22% of normal colorectal mucosas adjacent to carcinoma, and 33% of adenomas, to 75% of carcinomas. On the other hand, the incidence of detectable microsatellite instability in carcinomas (30%) was almost the same as in adenomas (22%). No significant correlation was detected in the incidence of telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in carcinomas or in adenomas. Moreover, the incidence of telomerase activity and microsatellite instability did not increase during the progression of carcinomas. These results indicate that telomerase activity and microsatellite instability are independent events in colorectal carcinogenesis, and that telomerase activity and microsatellite instability are not correlated with the progression of colorectal carcinoma. However, in 13 multiple cancers, the incidence of telomerase activity (92%) and the incidence of microsatellite instability (54%) was higher than that of telomerase activity (70%) and that of microsatellite instability (24%) in 54 sporadic cancers. Moreover, the incidence of telomerase activity and that of microsatellite instability in adenomas with carcinomas (45% and 36% respectively) was higher than that of telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in adenomas without carcinomas (14% and 0% respectively). These results indicate that telomerase activity and microsatellite instability may play an important role in multicentric carcinogenesis in colorectal carcinoma.

Immunohistochemistry of Caspase3/CPP32 in human stomach and its correlation with cell proliferation and apoptosis

Caspase3/CPP32 is a member of the interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) or cell death effector (CED)-3 family, which is involved in the induction of apoptosis and has been considered to be correlated with apoptosis because of the most downstream enzyme in their apoptosis inducing pathway. We immunolocalized Caspase3/CPP32 in both normal and neoplastic human gastric mucosa. We then correlated the findings with cell proliferation studied by Ki67 immunostaining and apoptosis, which was tested for by DNA fragmentation in situ using TdT-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in order to examine possible biological significance in cell turnover of normal and pathological human gastric tissues. Caspase3/CPP32 immunoreactivity was detected in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of glandular epithelial cells, predominantly in the Ki67 positive proliferative zone and TUNEL positive foveolar epithelium of normal non-neoplastic gastric mucosa (n = 10) and tumor cells of both adenoma (n = 17) and carcinoma (n = 33). We determined the labeling index (LI) of Ki67, Caspase3/CPP32 and TUNEL positive cells by evaluating the number of positive cells in the same areas of serial tissue sections using computer-assisted image analysis. Ki67 LI in adenocarcinoma (78.6 +/- 12.6%) was significantly [p < 0.0001] higher than that of adenoma (43.8 +/- 8.9%) and non-neoplastic gastric mucosa (24.2 +/- 9.0%). Caspase3/CPP32 LI in adenocarcinoma (17.1 +/- 10.3%) was significantly lower [p < 0.0001] than that of gastric adenoma (33.1 +/- 19.8%) and non-neoplastic gastric mucosa (42.4 +/- 15.8%). TUNEL LI in adenocarcinoma (1.9 +/- 2.1%) was significantly [p < 0.0001] lower than that of non-neoplastic gastric mucosa (6.0 +/- 3.5%), but not significantly different from that of adenoma (3.0 +/- 2.9%). These results indicate that gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with an inhibition of apoptosis and the augmentation of proliferative activity of tumor cells compared to non-neoplastic gastric mucosa. There was a tendency to a positive correlation between the Caspase3/CPP32 and TUNEL LI and an inverse correlation between the Caspase3/CPP32 and Ki67 LI, when evaluating all the specimens, although the correlation did not reach statistical significance. These results also suggest that Caspase3/CPP32 is involved in the development or regulation of apoptotic cell death in cell turnover of normal and neoplastic mucosa of the human stomach.

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II in human colon: a new marker of fetal development and differentiation in neoplasms

The colon plays an important role in water and electrolyte homeostasis and is a major target tissue for aldosterone. 11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II enzyme (11 beta HSD2) confers specificity to the non-selective mineralocorticoid receptor by inactivating glucocorticoids, thus allowing binding by mineralocorticoids. Using immunohisto/cytochemistry and Northern blot analysis, we examined 11 beta-HSD2 expression in human fetal colon (23 cases ranging in age from 15 to 40 weeks gestation), neonatal colon (2 cases, 6 and 12 months old), normal adult colon (15), adenoma (35), adenocarcinoma (34) and the human colonic epithelial cell line T84, in the presence or absence of sodium butyrate, to study the correlation between enzyme expression and cellular or neoplastic differentiation. In fetal colon, weak 11 beta-HSD2 immunoreactivity was detectable in superficial epithelium from 25 weeks gestation, but normal adult levels were apparent only after 40 weeks gestation, suggesting that fully developed aldosterone induced electrolyte transport can occur only at late gestational stages. In adult normal colon, superficial absorptive cells at the top of crypts were strongly positive for 11 beta-HSD2, whereas immunoreactivity was weak in adenomas and carcinomas, and the pattern of localization varied among patients. Northern blot analysis performed on 4 cases of adenocarcinoma also demonstrated lower levels of mRNA than autologous non-neoplastic colonic mucosa. In carcinomas, 11 beta-HSD2 immunoreactivity was more frequently detected in differentiated structures, such as those forming glandular or tubular structures. Studies with T84 cells showed that expression of 11 beta-HSD2 was markedly enhanced with the addition of sodium butyrate, a well known inducer of cell differentiation in colonic epithelia. These results suggest that the expression of 11 beta-HSD2 is associated with differentiation or maturation in human colonic epithelia and that the enzyme may serve as a useful marker in development and disease.

Cdk2/cdc2 expression in colon carcinogenesis and effects of cdk2/cdc2 inhibitor in colon cancer cells

Cyclin dependent kinases propel the cell cycle in collaboration with cyclins. We have examined the expression of cdk2/cdc2 in adenoma and focal carcinoma in adenomatous tissue to explore their role in tumorigenesis of colorectum. Immunohistochemical study revealed that cdk2/cdc2 was overexpressed in a subsets of adenoma (14/50; 28.0%) but this overexpression was much more obvious in focal carcinoma (13/15; 86.7%). These results suggest that cdk2/cdc2 is remarkably upregulated together with a malignant change. In an effort to demonstrate a significant role for cdk2/cdc2 in colon cancer, we investigated growth and apoptosis with butyrolactone I, a specific inhibitor for cdk2/cdc2, using 4 colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT116, LoVo, HT29, Colo 320DM). Butyrolactone I inhibited proliferation of all colon carcinoma cell lines at 100 microM and it induced apoptosis in LoVo cell line with induction of p53. Our findings suggest that inhibition of cdk2/cdc2 may be a useful strategy against colon cancer.

Immunohistochemical study of colorectal tumors for expression of a novel transmembrane carbonic anhydrase, MN/CA IX, with potential value as a marker of cell proliferation

Carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme IX, MN/CA IX, is a recently discovered member of the carbonic anhydrase (CA) gene family with a suggested function in acid-base balance, intercellular communication, and cell proliferation. Increased expression of MN/CA IX has been observed with certain epithelial tumors. We investigated the expression of MN/CA IX in 69 colorectal neoplasms, consisting of 1 juvenile polyp, 8 hyperplastic polyps, 39 adenomatous lesions, 21 carcinomas, and 7 metastases. Tissue sections were immunostained with a monoclonal antibody specific to MN/CA IX. The proliferative activity of the tumor cells was evaluated by Ki-67 antigen immunoreactivity. The hyperplastic polyps showed a weak or moderate reaction for MN/CA IX only in the cryptal epithelium, as did the normal intestinal mucosa. The adenomas showed immunoreactivity mainly in the superficial part of the mucosa, whereas the distribution in the carcinomas and metastases was more diffuse. Comparative immunostaining of serial sections for Ki-67, a well established marker of cell proliferation, confirmed that MN/CA IX is expressed in areas with high proliferative capacity. Our results show abnormal MN/CA IX expression in colorectal neoplasms, suggesting its involvement in their pathogenesis. The co-occurrence of MN/CA IX and Ki-67 in the same tumor cells indicates its potential for use as a marker of increased proliferation in the colorectal mucosa.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene expression in human pituitary tumours: a possible association with somatotroph adenomas and growth hormone-releasing hormone gene expression

OBJECTIVE

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the control of the secretory response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and may also modify GH release in response to excitatory aminoacids. Although rat and mouse pituitary cell lines have been shown to express neuronal NO synthase (nNOS), there has until now been no information on nNOS gene expression in human pituitary adenomas. Our objective was to provide such data and correlate the presence of nNOS transcripts with GHRH transcripts.

PATIENTS

Pituitary adenoma tissue was obtained from a random selection of 32 patients with somatotrophadenomas, 16 patients with corticotroph adenomas, 39 patients with endocrinologically inactive adenomas and nine patients with macroprolactinomas undergoing transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.

MEASUREMENTS

Transcripts for nNOS and GHRH were identified in frozen tissue sections by in situ hybridization histochemistry using synthetic 35S-labelled oligodeoxynucleotide probes with 100% homology to the target transcript.

RESULTS

Neuronal NOS transcripts were identified in one of 16 corticotroph adenomas (6%), one of nine macroprolactinomas (11%), six of 39 endocrinologically inactive adenomas (15%) and 13 of 32 somatotroph adenomas (41%). GHRH transcripts were found in a similar distribution to nNOS transcripts in 10 of the 13 nNOS-expressing somatotroph adenomas, and in three of the four remaining adenomas from which suitable tissue was available. Cross-hybridization of the nNOS and GHRH probes to the same target was excluded by including rat brain sections cut through the arcuate nucleus as hybridization controls. Furthermore, two different nNOS oligodeoxynucleotide probes complementary to different regions of the target transcript produced identical results.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that there is a close correlation between nNOS gene expression and 'ectopic' expression of GHRH in human pituitary tumours, especially somatotroph adenomas. The relevance of these findings from a functional or pathologenic viewpoint remains unclear, but the data again emphasize that it is not just GH secretion that distinguishes somatotroph adenomas from other pituitary tumours.

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 to -1 in human colorectal cancers and adenomas, but not in hyperplastic polyps

BACKGROUND

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Reportedly, mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is elevated in human colorectal cancers compared with accompanying normal mucosa. The present study was undertaken to establish a simple analytical procedure to quantify COX-2 expression levels and to characterize COX-2 expression levels in human colorectal cancers, adenomas and hyperplastic polyps.

METHODS

The combination of PCR using common primers designed in the highly conserved regions and fluorescence-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (F-SSCP) analysis of the products is used for quantitative determination of the proportions of COX-2 mRNA in human colorectal cancers, adenomas, hyperplastic polyps and accompanying normal mucosa.

RESULTS

The present F-SSCP analysis was a simple and powerful method for quantitative determination of the proportions of COX-2 mRNA. The proportion of COX-2 mRNA was higher in cancer tissues than in accompanying normal mucosa in 46 of the 50 cancers. There was no significant correlation between the increase of the COX-2 proportion and tumor location or stages. The enhanced COX-2 expression was also observed in colorectal adenomas. On the other hand, the proportion of COX-2 mRNA in hyperplastic polyps was not significantly different from that in normal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of COX-2 to COX-1 expression was elevated in most human colorectal cancers and adenomas, but not in hyperplastic polyps. Therefore, the increased proportion of COX-2 expression might be an early event in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Tobacco smoke as a mouse lung carcinogen

Male and female strain A/J mice were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke that was generated by burning Kentucky 1R4F reference cigarettes. Exposures lasted 6 hours per day, 5 days per week for a total of 5 months, followed by a 4-month recovery period in air. Chamber concentrations of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) ranged from 50 to 90 mg/m3. Under these conditions, the average lung tumor multiplicity was 1.2 to 1.4 tumors per lung, significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in concomitant controls. ETS exposure led to a comparatively modest increase in cell proliferation in the alveolar zone during the first 2 weeks and in the terminal airways during the first 6 weeks. In the nasal passages cell proliferation was increased throughout, but reverted down to normal when the animals were placed in air. Smoke exposure increased immunostaining for cytochrome P4501A1 in airways and parenchyma. Exposure to the smoke gas phase only produced a similar increase in lung tumor multiplicity as did exposure to full smoke, but failed to induce P4501A1. This suggested that gas-phase constituents play an important role in tobacco smoke carcinogenesis. The strain A/J lung tumor model is thus suitable to study questions associated with tobacco smoke toxicity and carcinogenicity.

Variants of N-acetyltransferase NAT1 and a case-control study of colorectal adenomas

N-acetyltransferase NAT1, together with enzymes CYP1A2 and NAT2, helps convert heterocyclic amines to mutagens. Epidemiologic studies of the association of variants of these enzymes with colorectal cancer may provide indirect support for a heterocyclic amine mechanism. We used single strand conformation polymorphism and heteroduplex analysis to screen fro mutations in the NAT1 coding region in a case-control study (n = 932) of colorectal adenomas, which are precursors to cancer. Thirteen different single-base mutations were found: C97T, C190T, T402C, G445A-G459A-T640G ( a combination of three mutations), C559T, G560A, A613G, A752T, T777C, G781A, and A787G. Function of novel mutations was tested by bacterial production of enzymes and measurements of Km, Vmax, and stability. However, on 24-control individuals and 18 cases carried an inactivating NAT1 mutation. When combined with our data on the NAT2 acetylation polymorphism, we saw no evidence for an association between N-acetyltransferases and prevalence of adenomas. Larger sample sizes are required for further evaluation.

Identification of glutathione S-transferase p-1 as the class pi form dominantly expressed in mouse hepatic adenomas

To clarify which of the two genes for pi class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) (p-1 and p-2) is dominantly expressed in mouse hepatic adenomas, the relative mRNA levels were examined by means of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Hepatic adenomas were induced in male and female B6C3F1 mice by diethylnitrosamine treatment. Northern blot analysis revealed that pi class mRNA levels were decreased in adenomas of male mice, but increased in those of females, with reference to the respective surrounding non-adenoma tissues. In contrast to the marked sex difference in surrounding tissues, pi class GST mRNA levels in adenomas were almost the same in both males and females. To evaluate p-1 and p-2 mRNA levels separately, the products of RT-PCR employing primers common for both cDNAs were digested with the endonuclease BanI (specific for p-2) and then resolved by electrophoresis. The p-1 mRNA was thus found to be dominant in adenomas of both female and male mice. The p-2 mRNA levels were increased in the lesions as compared with those in the surrounding non-adenoma tissues. Recombinant p-1 and p-2 proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli. Unlike p-1, the p-2 protein did not show any significant activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and did not bind to S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose despite immunological cross-reactivity. The dominant pi class form in adenomas could also be identified as p-1 by its binding to S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose. Single radial immunodiffusion analyses confirmed that the p-1 protein levels were in line with the mRNA findings, i.e., 1.9+/-0.3 mg/g adenoma as compared to 6.5+/-1.2 mg/g non-adenoma tissue for males and 2.2+/-0.6 mg/g as compared to 0.7+/-0.2 mg/g for females. The results thus indicated that the change of pi class forms in adenomas is caused mainly by alteration in the p-1 level and the contribution of p-2 is minimal.