Nuclear localization of annexin A1 is a prognostic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Cracking the code of Annexin A1-mediated chemoresistance

The annexin superfamily protein, Annexin A1, initially recognized for its glucocorticoid-induced phospholipase A2-inhibitory activities, has emerged as a crucial player in diverse cellular processes, including cancer. This review explores the multifaceted roles of Anx-A1 in cancer chemoresistance, an area largely unexplored. Anx-A1's involvement in anti-inflammatory processes, its complex phosphorylation patterns, and its context-dependent switch from anti-to pro-inflammatory in cancer highlights its intricate regulatory mechanisms. Recent studies highlight Anx-A1's paradoxical roles in different cancers, exhibiting both up- and down-regulation in a tissue-specific manner, impacting different hallmark features of cancer. Mechanistically, Anx-A1 modulates drug efflux transporters, influences cancer stem cell populations, DNA damages and participates in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This review aims to explore Anx-A1's role in chemoresistance-associated pathways across various cancers, elucidating its impact on survival signaling cascades including PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, PKC/JNK/P-gp pathways and NFκ-B signalling. This review also reveals the clinical implications of Anx-A1 dysregulation in treatment response, its potential as a prognostic biomarker, and therapeutic targeting strategies, including the promising Anx-A1 N-terminal mimetic peptide Ac2-26. Understanding Anx-A1's intricate involvement in chemoresistance offers exciting prospects for refining cancer therapies and improving treatment outcomes.

Exosomal Serum Biomarkers as Predictors for Laryngeal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The lack of screening methods for LSCC is a critical issue, as treatment options and the treatment outcome greatly depend on the stage of LSCC at initial diagnosis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify potential exosomal serum biomarkers that can diagnose LSCC and distinguish between early- and late-stage disease.

METHODS

A multiplexed proteomic array was used to identify differentially expressed proteins in exosomes isolated from the serum samples of LSCC patients compared to the control group (septorhinoplasty, SRP). The most promising proteins for diagnosis and differentiation were calculated using biostatistical methods and were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blots (WB), and ELISA.

RESULTS

Exosomal insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) and Annexin A1 (ANXA1) were the most promising exosomal biomarkers for distinguishing between control and LSCC patients and also between different stages of LSCC (fold change up to 15.9, p < 0.001 for all).

CONCLUSION

The identified proteins represent potentially novel non-invasive biomarkers. However, these results need to be validated in larger cohorts with a long-term follow-up. Exosomal biomarkers show a superior signal-to-noise ratio compared to whole serum and may therefore be an important tool for non-invasive biomarker profiling for laryngeal carcinoma in the future.

The role of ANXA1 in the tumor microenvironment

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is widely expressed in a variety of body tissues and cells and is also involved in tumor development through multiple pathways. The invasion, metastasis, and immune escape of tumor cells depend on the interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding environment. Research shows that ANXA1 can act on a variety of cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and subsequently affect the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tumors. This article describes the role of ANXA1 in the various components of the tumor microenvironment and its mechanism of action, as well as the existing clinical treatment measures related to ANXA1. These findings provide insight for the further design of strategies targeting ANXA1 for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors.

ANNEXIN A1: Roles in Placenta, Cell Survival, and Nucleus

The unbiased approaches of the last decade have enabled the collection of new data on the biology of annexin A1 (ANXA1) in a variety of scientific aspects, creating opportunities for new biomarkers and/or therapeutic purposes. ANXA1 is found in the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus, being described at low levels in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of placental cells related to gestational diabetic diseases, and its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus has been associated with a response to DNA damage. The approaches presented here open pathways for reflection upon, and intrinsic clarification of, the modulating action of this protein in the response to genetic material damage, as well as its level of expression and cellular localization. The objective of this study is to arouse interest, with an emphasis on the mechanisms of nuclear translocation of ANXA1, which remain underexplored and may be beneficial in new inflammatory therapies.

Interleukin-6 Signaling in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells Elicits the Annexin A1/Formyl Peptide Receptor 1 Axis and Affects the Tumor Microenvironment

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a pleiotropic protein that exerts essential roles in breast cancer (BC) growth and aggressiveness. In our previous work, we described the autocrine signaling of AnxA1 through formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) in the triple-negative (TN) BC cell line, MDA-MB-231. Here, we aimed to describe the interaction between the AnxA1/FPR1 and the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling pathways and their role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). First, we demonstrated that AnxA1 and IL-6 expression levels are correlated in BC tissue samples. In three TNBC cell lines, overexpression of both AnxA1 and IL-6 was also identified. Next, we inhibited FPR1, the IL-6 receptor and STAT3 in both MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-157 cells. The FPR1 inhibition led to increased levels of IL-6 and secreted AnxA1 in both cell lines. On the other side, inhibition of the IL-6 receptor or STAT3 led to the impairment of AnxA1 secretion, suggesting the essential role of the IL-6 signaling cascade in the activation of the AnxA1/FPR1 autocrine axis. Finally, we described the interaction between IL-6 and the AnxA1/FPR1 pathways and their role on the TME by analyzing the effect of supernatants derived from MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-157 cells under the inhibition of FPR1 or IL-6 signaling on fibroblast cell motility.

Expression Profiles of GILZ and Annexin A1 in Human Oral Candidiasis and Lichen Planus

Adrenal glands are the major source of glucocorticoids, but recent studies indicate tissue-specific production of cortisol, including that in the oral mucosa. Both endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids regulate the production of several proteins, including the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) and Annexin A1, which play important roles in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Common inflammation-associated oral conditions include lichen planus and candidiasis, but the status of GILZ and Annexin A1 in these human conditions remains to be established. Accordingly, archived paraffin-embedded biopsy samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry to establish tissue localization and profile of GILZ and Annexin A1 coupled with the use of hematoxylin–eosin stain for histopathological assessment; for comparison, fibroma specimens served as controls. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of spores and pseudohyphae for oral candidiasis (OC) specimens and marked inflammatory cell infiltrates for both OC and oral lichen planus (OLP) specimens compared to control specimens. All specimens displayed consistent and prominent nuclear staining for GILZ throughout the full thickness of the epithelium and, to varying extent, for inflammatory infiltrates and stromal cells. On the other hand, a heterogeneous pattern of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and cell membrane staining was observed for Annexin A1 for all specimens in the suprabasal layers of epithelium and, to varying extent, for inflammatory and stromal cells. Semi-quantitative analyses indicated generally similar fractional areas of staining for both GILZ and Annexin A1 among the groups, but normalized staining for GILZ, but not Annexin A1, was reduced for OC and OLP compared to the control specimens. Thus, while the cellular expression pattern of GILZ and Annexin A1 does not differentiate among these conditions, differential cellular profiles for GILZ vs. Annexin A1 are suggestive of their distinct physiological functions in the oral mucosa.

Annexin A1 as a Regulator of Immune Response in Cancer

Annexin A1 is a 37 kDa phospholipid-binding protein that is expressed in many tissues and cell types, including leukocytes, lymphocytes and epithelial cells. Although Annexin A1 has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory activity, it has been shown that, in the cancer context, its activity switches from anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory. Remarkably, Annexin A1 shows pro-invasive and pro-tumoral properties in several cancers either by eliciting autocrine signaling in cancer cells or by inducing a favorable tumor microenvironment. Indeed, the signaling of the N-terminal peptide of AnxA1 has been described to promote the switching of macrophages to the pro-tumoral M2 phenotype. Moreover, AnxA1 has been described to prevent the induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell response and to play an essential role in the induction of regulatory T lymphocytes. In this way, Annexin A1 inhibits the anti-tumor immunity and supports the formation of an immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment that promotes tumor growth and metastasis. For these reasons, in this review we aim to describe the role of Annexin A1 in the establishment of the tumor microenvironment, focusing on the immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory activities of Annexin A1 and on its interaction with the epidermal growth factor receptor.

Decreased Annexin A1 expression enhances sensitivity to docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil combination induction chemotherapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Annexin A1, a member of the Annexin superfamily, has been shown to play a vital role in a broad range of molecular and cellular processes. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Annexin A1 expression and the clinical response to cisplatin, docetaxel and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) as induction chemotherapy in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

This study recruited two hundred thirty-two patients from a III/IVA OSCC trial. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the level of Annexin A1 expression. Overexpression and knockdown methods in HB96, HN4 and CAL27 cell lines were used to assess the role of Annexin A1 in the neoplastic cellular response to chemotherapy.

RESULTS

We found that reduced expression of Annexin A1 conferred a prognostic benefit from induction chemotherapy based on the TPF drug combination in patients with moderately/poorly differentiated disease. Using an in vitro model, we found that low Annexin A1 enhanced cellular proliferation by activating the EGFR/AKT signalling pathway and inhibiting p27 expression. Furthermore, low Annexin A1 initiated a significant decrease in cell viability after treatment with TPF agents. In addition, downregulation of Annexin A1 promoted apoptosis induced by docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, and upregulation of Annexin A1 inhibited apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Annexin A1 may be of prognostic value in patients with locally advanced OSCC who are managed with TPF chemotherapy, as low Annexin A1 promotes chemosensitivity to TPF chemotherapy in oral cancer cells via enhanced caspase-dependent apoptosis.

Bioinformatics analysis reveals that ANXA1 and SPINK5 are novel tumor suppressor genes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a solid tumor of squamous epithelial origin. Currently, surgery is still the main treatment for OSCC, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy as important adjuvant treatments. However, the problem of poor prognosis of OSCC patients still exists in clinical practice. To explore further potential biomarkers or treatment targets in OSCC patients, this study used a high-throughput gene expression database to study the potential molecular mechanisms of OSCC carcinogenesis.

METHODS

The GEO database related to OSCC was searched and analyzed using GEO2R. Oncomine and the Human Protein Atlas were used to evaluate the expression level of differentially-expressed genes (DEGs). The cBioPortal dataset was used to analyze the mutations of the potential DEGs and patient survival.

RESULTS

Three GEO datasets, GSE146483, GSE138206, and GSE148944, were downloaded and 7 DEGs were found in common in OSCC tissues. Using Oncomine and the Human Protein Atlas, ANXA1, IL1RN, and SPINK5 were decreased in cancer tissues, while protein levels of APOE and IFI35 were increased accordingly. Interestingly, low levels of ANXA1 and SPINKS were associated with the TNM stage of OSCC patients. No mutations in DEGs were found in OSCC patients, based on the cBioPortal dataset. Survival analysis indicated OSCC patients with high MSR1 had poor overall survival (OS), while low expression of CXCR4, ANXA1, IL1RN, and SPINK5 also predicted poor OS in OSCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings uncovered 7 potential biomarkers of OSCC patients, with ANXA1 and SPINK5 serving as potential tumor suppressor genes in OSCC.

Biological and physical approaches on the role of piplartine (piperlongumine) in cancer

Chronic inflammation provides a favorable microenvironment for tumorigenesis, which opens opportunities for targeting cancer development and progression. Piplartine (PL) is a biologically active alkaloid from long peppers that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity. In the present study, we investigated the physical and chemical interactions of PL with anti-inflammatory compounds and their effects on cell proliferation and migration and on the gene expression of inflammatory mediators. Molecular docking data and physicochemical analysis suggested that PL shows potential interactions with a peptide of annexin A1 (ANXA1), an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator with therapeutic potential in cancer. Treatment of neoplastic cells with PL alone or with annexin A1 mimic peptide reduced cell proliferation and viability and modulated the expression of MCP-1 chemokine, IL-8 cytokine and genes involved in inflammatory processes. The results also suggested an inhibitory effect of PL on tubulin expression. In addition, PL apparently had no influence on cell migration and invasion at the concentration tested. Considering the role of inflammation in the context of promoting tumor initiation, the present study shows the potential of piplartine as a therapeutic immunomodulator for cancer prevention and progression.

Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis of Salivary Proteomic Data in Oral Cancer Cases

Background:

Oral cancer is a frequently encountered neoplasm of the head and neck region, being the eight most common type of human malignancy worldwide. Despite improvement in its control, morbidity and mortality rates have improved little in the past decades. Therefore, prevention and/or early detection are a high priority. Proteomics with network analysis have emerged as a powerful tool to identify important proteins associated with cancer development and progression that can be potential targets for early diagnosis. In the present study, network- based protein- protein interactions (PPI) for oral cancer were identified and then analyzed for use as key proteins/potential biomarkers.

Material and Methods:

Gene expression data in articles which focused on saliva proteomics of oral cancer were collected and 74 candidate genes or proteins were extracted. Related protein networks of differentially expressed proteins were explored and visualized using cytoscape software. Further PPI analysis was performed by Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) and BiNGO methods.

Results:

Network analysis of genes/proteins related to oral cancer identified kininogen-1, angiotensinogen, annexin A1, IL-8, IgG heavy variable and constant chains, CRP, collagen alpha-1 and fibronectin as 9 hub-bottleneck proteins. In addition, based on clustering with the MCODE tool, vitronectin, collagen alpha-2, IL-8 and integrin alpha-v were established as 5 distinct seed proteins.

Conclusion:

A hub-bottleneck protein panel may offer a potential /candidate biomarker pattern for diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer disease. Further investigation and validation of these proteins are warranted.

Annexin A1: Uncovering the Many Talents of an Old Protein

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) has long been classed as an anti-inflammatory protein due to its control over leukocyte-mediated immune responses. However, it is now recognized that ANXA1 has widespread effects beyond the immune system with implications in maintaining the homeostatic environment within the entire body due to its ability to affect cellular signalling, hormonal secretion, foetal development, the aging process and development of disease. In this review, we aim to provide a global overview of the role of ANXA1 covering aspects of peripheral and central inflammation, immune repair and endocrine control with focus on the prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the molecule in cancer, neurodegeneration and inflammatory-based disorders.

Proteomic analysis of serum deprivation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

The occurrence of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is closely correlated with serum components; however, the detailed mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Proteomic analysis contributed to the discovery of potential biomarkers and provided an insight into TSCC at a molecular level. The present study investigated the effect of serum deprivation on the Tca‑8113 TSCC cell line through protein profiling using two‑dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, with the aim of improving TSCC diagnosis. The results showed that the Tca‑8113 cells maintained proliferative capacity and resisted apoptosis following serum deprivation. A total of 43 proteins were upregulated and 45 were downregulated following serum deprivation for 24 h, compared with untreated controls (0 h). The upregulated caspase-7, heat shock protein 27 and Annexin A1, and the downregulated peroxiredoxin‑6 and heat shock protein 70, were selected for verification using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction analysis following serum deprivation for 16 h. The results indicated that reactive oxygen species may be important in serum deprivation‑induced oxidative stress.

ANXA1 affects cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) acts either as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in different tumor types. Several clinical studies revealed that the expression of ANXA1 is associated with the pathologic differentiation grade in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. However, the direct function of ANXA1 in OSCC progression has remained to be fully clarified. The present study was designed to investigate the role of ANXA1 in OSCC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, whether ANXA1 was involved in transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)/epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OSCC was explored. Tca-8113 and SCC-9 cells were transfected with ANXA1-pcDNA3.1 plasmid to overexpress ANXA1. Subsequently, cell proliferation and invasion were examined using MTT and Transwell-Matrigel invasion assays. TGFβ1 and EGF were used to induce EMT in Tca-8113 and SCC-9 cells, and the expression of epithelial (E)-cadherin, neural (N)-cadherin and vimentin was determined by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that ANXA1 overexpression induced a significant decrease of cell growth and invasiveness in Tca-8113 and SCC-9 cells. The expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased, while the expression of vimentin and N-cadherin was significantly decreased in ANXA1-overexpressing Tca-8113 and SCC-9 cells. ANXA1 expression was significantly decreased in TGFβ1/EGF-treated cells. Furthermore TGFβ1/EGF-induced EMT in OSCC cell lines was attenuated by ANXA1 overexpression. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to evidence that ANXA1 inhibits OSCC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. TGFβ1/EGF-induced EMT was reversed by ANXA1 in OSCC. ANXA1 was suggested to be a potential marker for OSCC as well as a novel treatment.

Annexin A1: shifting the balance towards resolution and repair

Epithelial barriers play an important role in regulating mucosal homeostasis. Upon injury, the epithelium and immune cells orchestrate repair mechanisms that re-establish homeostasis. This process is highly regulated by protein and lipid mediators such as Annexin A1 (ANXA1). In this review, we focus on the pro-repair properties of ANXA1.

Annexin A1 localization and its relevance to cancer

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a Ca(2+)-regulated phospholipid-binding protein involved in various cell processes. ANXA1 was initially widely studied in inflammation resolution, but its overexpression was later reported in a large number of cancers. Further in-depth investigations have revealed that this protein could have many roles in cancer progression and act at different levels (from cancer initiation to metastasis). This is partly due to the location of ANXA1 in different cell compartments. ANXA1 can be nuclear, cytoplasmic and/or membrane associated. This last location allows ANXA1 to be proteolytically cleaved and/or to become accessible to its cognate partners, the formyl-peptide receptors. Indeed, in some cancers, ANXA1 is found at the cell surface, where it stimulates formyl-peptide receptors to trigger oncogenic pathways. In the present review, we look at the different locations of ANXA1 and their association with the deregulated pathways often observed in cancers. We have specifically detailed the non-classic pathways of ANXA1 externalization, the significance of its cleavage and the role of the ANXA1-formyl-peptide receptor complex in cancer progression.

Annexin A1 Preferentially Predicts Poor Prognosis of Basal-Like Breast Cancer Patients by Activating mTOR-S6 Signaling

Introduction

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is an anti-inflammatory protein reported to play a role in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and to be deregulated in breast cancer. The exact role of annexin A1 in the biology of breast cancer remains unclear. We hypothesized that the annexin A1 plays an oncogenic role in basal subtype of breast cancer by modulating key growth pathway(s).

Methods

By mining the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-Breast Cancer dataset and manipulating annexin A1 levels in breast cancer cell lines, we studied the role of annexin A1 in breast cancer and underlying signaling pathways.

Results

Our in-silico analysis of TCGA-breast cancer dataset demonstrated that annexin A1 mRNA expression is higher in basal subtype compared to luminal and HER2 subtypes. Within the basal subtype, patients show significantly poorer overall survival associated with higher expression of annexin A1. In both TCGA patient samples and cell lines, annexin A1 levels were significantly higher in basal-like breast cancer than luminal and Her2/neu-positive breast cancer. Stable annexin A1 knockdown in TNBC cell lines suppressed the mTOR-S6 pathway likely through activation of AMPK but had no impact on the MAPK, c-Met, and EGFR pathways. In a cell migration assay, annexin A1-depleted TNBC cells showed delayed migration as compared to wild-type cells, which could be responsible for poor patient prognosis in basal like breast cancers that are known to express higher annexin A1.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that annexin A1 is prognostic only in patients with basal like breast cancer. This appears to be in part due to the role of annexin A1 in activating mTOR-pS6 pathway.

Annexin A8 identifies a subpopulation of transiently quiescent c-kit positive luminal progenitor cells of the ductal mammary epithelium

We have previously shown that Annexin A8 (ANXA8) is strongly associated with the basal-like subgroup of breast cancers, including BRCA1-associated breast cancers, and poor prognosis; while in the mouse mammary gland AnxA8 mRNA is expressed in low-proliferative isolated pubertal mouse mammary ductal epithelium and after enforced involution, but not in isolated highly proliferative terminal end buds (TEB) or during pregnancy. To better understand ANXA8's association with this breast cancer subgroup we established ANXA8's cellular distribution in the mammary gland and ANXA8's effect on cell proliferation. We show that ANXA8 expression in the mouse mammary gland was strong during pre-puberty before the expansion of the rudimentary ductal network and was limited to a distinct subpopulation of ductal luminal epithelial cells but was not detected in TEB or in alveoli during pregnancy. Similarly, during late involution its expression was found in the surviving ductal epithelium, but not in the apoptotic alveoli. Double-immunofluorescence (IF) showed that ANXA8 positive (+ve) cells were ER-alpha negative (-ve) and mostly quiescent, as defined by lack of Ki67 expression during puberty and mid-pregnancy, but not terminally differentiated with ∼15% of ANXA8 +ve cells re-entering the cell cycle at the start of pregnancy (day 4.5). RT-PCR on RNA from FACS-sorted cells and double-IF showed that ANXA8+ve cells were a subpopulation of c-kit +ve luminal progenitor cells, which have recently been identified as the cells of origin of basal-like breast cancers. Over expression of ANXA8 in the mammary epithelial cell line Kim-2 led to a G0/G1 arrest and suppressed Ki67 expression, indicating cell cycle exit. Our data therefore identify ANXA8 as a potential mediator of quiescence in the normal mouse mammary ductal epithelium, while its expression in basal-like breast cancers may be linked to ANXA8's association with their specific cells of origin.

Annexin-1 regulated by HAUSP is essential for UV-induced damage response

DNA damage can occur through diverse stimulations such as toxins, drugs, and environmental factors. To respond to DNA damage, mammalian cells induce DNA damage response (DDR). DDR signal activates a rapid signal transduction pathway, regulating the cell fate based on the damaged cell condition. Moreover, serious damaged cells have to be eliminated by the macrophage to maintain homeostasis. Because the DDR induces genomic instability followed by tumor formation, targeting the DDR signaling can be applied for the cancer therapy. Herpes virus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP/USP7) is one of the well-known deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) owing to its relevance with Mdm2-p53 complex. The involvement of HAUSP in DDR through p53 led us to investigate novel substrates for HAUSP, which is related to DDR or apoptosis. As a result, we identified annexin-1 (ANXA1) as one of the putative substrates for HAUSP. ANXA1 has numerous roles in cellular systems including anti-inflammation, damage response, and apoptosis. Several studies have demonstrated that ANXA1 can be modified in a post-translational manner by processes such as phosphorylation, SUMOylation, and ubiquitination. In addition, DNA damage gives various functions to ANXA1 such as stress response or cleavage-mediated apoptotic cell clearance. In the current study, our proteomic analysis using two-dimensional electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and nano LC-MS/MS, and immunoprecipitation revealed that ANXA1 binds to HAUSP through its HAUSP-binding motif (P/AXXS), and the cleavage and damage-responsive functions of ANXA1 upon UV-induced DNA damage may be followed by HAUSP-mediated deubiquitination of ANXA1. Intriguingly, the UV-induced damage responses via HAUSP-ANXA1 interaction in HeLa cells were different from the responses shown in the Jurkat cells, suggesting that their change of roles may depend on the cell types.

A systematic approach to prioritize drug targets using machine learning, a molecular descriptor-based classification model, and high-throughput screening of plant derived molecules: a case study in oral cancer

Network-based and cheminformatics approaches identify novel lead molecules forCXCR4, a key gene prioritized in oral cancer.

Role of intracellular and extracellular annexin A1 in migration and invasion of human pancreatic carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Annexin A1 (ANXA1), a 37 kDa multifunctional protein, is over-expressed in tissues from patients of pancreatic carcinoma (PC) where the protein seems to be associated with malignant transformation and poor prognosis.

METHODS

The expression and localization of ANXA1 in MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1, BxPC-3 and CAPAN-2 cells were detected by Western Blotting and Immunofluorescence assay. Expression and activation of Formyl Peptide Receptors (FPRs) were shown through flow cytometry/PCR and FURA assay, respectively. To investigate the role of ANXA1 in PC cell migration and invasion, we performed in vitro wound-healing and matrigel invasion assays.

RESULTS

In all the analyzed PC cell lines, a huge expression and a variable localization of ANXA1 in sub-cellular compartments were observed. We confirmed the less aggressive phenotype of BxPC-3 and CAPAN-2 compared with PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells, through the evaluation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) markers. Then, we tested MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cell migration and invasiveness rate which was inhibited by specific ANXA1 siRNAs. Both the cell lines expressed FPR-1 and -2. Ac2-26, an ANXA1 mimetic peptide, induced intracellular calcium release, consistent with FPR activation, and significantly increased cell migration/invasion rate. Interestingly, in MIA PaCa-2 cells we found a cleaved form of ANXA1 (33 kDa) that localizes at cellular membranes and is secreted outside the cells, as confirmed by MS analysis. The importance of the secreted form of ANXA1 in cellular motility was confirmed by the administration of ANXA1 blocking antibody that inhibited migration and invasion rate in MIA PaCa-2 but not in PANC-1 cells that lack the 33 kDa ANXA1 form and show a lower degree of invasiveness. Finally, the treatment of PANC-1 cells with MIA PaCa-2 supernatants significantly increased the migration rate of these cells.

CONCLUSION

This study provides new insights on the role of ANXA1 protein in PC progression. Our findings suggest that ANXA1 protein could regulate metastasis by favouring cell migration/invasion intracellularly, as cytoskeleton remodelling factor, and extracellularly like FPR ligand.

Inflammation and cancer: role of annexin A1 and FPR2/ALX in proliferation and metastasis in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The anti-inflammatory protein annexin A1 (ANXA1) has been associated with cancer progression and metastasis, suggesting its role in regulating tumor cell proliferation. We investigated the mechanism of ANXA1 interaction with formylated peptide receptor 2 (FPR2/ALX) in control, peritumoral and tumor larynx tissue samples from 20 patients, to quantitate the neutrophils and mast cells, and to evaluate the protein expression and co-localization of ANXA1/FPR2 in these inflammatory cells and laryngeal squamous cells by immunocytochemistry. In addition, we performed in vitro experiments to further investigate the functional role of ANXA1/FPR2 in the proliferation and metastasis of Hep-2 cells, a cell line from larynx epidermoid carcinoma, after treatment with ANXA1_2–26 (annexin A1 N-terminal-derived peptide), Boc2 (antagonist of FPR) and/or dexamethasone. Under these treatments, the level of Hep-2 cell proliferation, pro-inflammatory cytokines, ANXA1/FPR2 co-localization, and the prostaglandin signalling were analyzed using ELISA, immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR. An influx of neutrophils and degranulated mast cells was detected in tumor samples. In these inflammatory cells of peritumoral and tumor samples, ANXA1/FPR2 expression was markedly exacerbated, however, in laryngeal carcinoma cells, this expression was down-regulated. ANXA1_2–26 treatment reduced the proliferation of the Hep-2 cells, an effect that was blocked by Boc2, and up-regulated ANXA1/FPR2 expression. ANXA1_2–26 treatment also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and affected the expression of metalloproteinases and EP receptors, which are involved in the prostaglandin signalling. Overall, this study identified potential roles for the molecular mechanism of the ANXA1/FPR2 interaction in laryngeal cancer, including its relationship with the prostaglandin pathway, providing promising starting points for future research. ANXA1 may contribute to the regulation of tumor growth and metastasis through paracrine mechanisms that are mediated by FPR2/ALX. These data may lead to new biological targets for therapeutic intervention in human laryngeal cancer.

Deregulation of annexin-A1 and galectin-1 expression in precancerous gastric lesions: intestinal metaplasia and gastric ulcer

OBJECTIVE

Annexin-A1 (ANXA1/AnxA1) and galectin-1 (LGALS1/Gal-1) are mediators that play an important role in the inflammatory response and are also associated with carcinogenesis. We investigated mRNA and protein expression in precancerous gastric lesions that participate in the progression cascade to gastric cancer, such as intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric ulcer (GU).

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemical techniques were used to analyze the relative quantification levels (RQ) of ANXA1 and LGALS1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively.

RESULTS

Increased relative expression levels of ANXA1 were found in 100% of cases, both in IM (mean RQ = 6.22 ± 0.06) and in GU (mean RQ = 6.69 ± 0.10). However, the LGALS1 presented basal expression in both groups (IM: mean RQ = 0.35 ± 0.07; GU: mean RQ = 0.69 ± 0.09). Immunohistochemistry revealed significant positive staining for both the AnxA1 and Gal-1 proteins in the epithelial nucleus and cytoplasm as well as in the stroma of the IM and GU groups (P < 0.05) but absence or low immunorectivity in normal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

Our results bring an important contribution by evidencing that both the AnxA1 and Gal-1 anti-inflammatory proteins are deregulated in precancerous gastric lesions, suggesting their involvement in the early stages of gastric carcinogenesis, possibly due to an inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa.

Urine annexin A1 as an index for glomerular injury in patients

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated high urine levels of annexin A1 (ANXA1) protein in a mouse Adriamycin-induced glomerulopathy (ADG) model.

OBJECTIVE

To establish ANXA1 as a potential biomarker for glomerular injury in patients.

METHODS

A time-course study in the mouse ADG model, followed by renal tissues and urine samples from patients with various types of glomerular disorders for ANXA1.

RESULTS

Urinary ANXA1 protein was (1) detectable in both the ADG model and in patients except those with minimal change disease (MCD); (2) positively correlated with renal lesions in patients; and (3) early detectable in diabetes patients with normoalbuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS

ANXA1 is a universal biomarker that is helpful in the early diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and outcome monitoring of glomerular injury. Measurement of urinary ANXA1 protein levels can help in differentiating MCD from other types of glomerular disorders.

Dietary flavonoids bind to mono-ubiquitinated annexin A1 in nuclei, and inhibit chemical induced mutagenesis

In order to investigate the mechanisms of anti-mutagenic action by dietary flavonoids, we investigated if they inhibit mutation of the thymidine kinase (tk) gene in L5178Ytk(±) lymphoma cells. Silibinin, quercetin and genistein suppressed mutation of the tk gene induced in L5178Ytk(±) lymphoma cells by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and As(3+). Flavone and flavonol were less effective. To establish that mutation of the tk gene in L5178Ytk(±) lymphoma cells by MMS and As(3+) is mediated through mono-ubiquitinated annexin A1, L5178Ytk(±) lymphoma cells were treated with annexin A1 anti-sense oligonucleotide. The treatment reduced mRNA as well as protein levels of annexin A1, and suppressed mutation of the tk gene. Nuclear extracts from L5178Ytk(±) lymphoma cells catalyzed translesion DNA synthesis with an oligonucleotide template containing 8-oxo-guanosine in an annexin A1 dependent manner. This translesion DNA synthesis was inhibited by the anti-mutagenic flavonoids, silibinin, quercetin and genistein, in a concentration dependent manner, but only slightly by flavone and flavonol. Because these observations implicate involvement of annexin A1 in mutagenesis, we examined if flavonoids suppress nuclear annexin A1 helicase activity. Silibinin, quercetin and genistein inhibited ssDNA binding, DNA chain annealing and DNA unwinding activities of purified nuclear mono-ubiquitinated annexin A1. Flavone and flavonol were ineffective. The apparent direct binding of anti-mutagenic flavonoids to the annexin A1 molecule was supported by fluorescence quenching. Taken together, these findings illustrate that nuclear annexin A1 may be a novel and productive target protein of prevention for DNA damage induced gene mutation, ultimately conferring cancer chemoprevention.

Potential role of Anxa1 in cancer

The annexins are a well-known, closely related, multigene superfamily of Ca2+-regulated, phospholipid-dependent, membrane-binding proteins. As a member of the annexins, Anxa1 participates in a variety of important biological processes, such as cellular transduction, membrane aggregation, inflammation, phagocytosis, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Accumulated evidence has indicated that Anxa1 deregulations are associated with the development, invasion, metastasis, occurrence and drug resistance of cancers. The research evidence in recent years indicates that Anxa1 might specifically function either as a tumor suppressor or a tumor promoter candidate for certain cancers depending on the particular type of tumor cells/tissues. This article summarizes the associations between Anxa1 and malignant tumors, as well as potential action mechanisms. Anxa1 has the potential to be used in the future as a biomarker for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of certain tumors.

Low Annexin A1 expression predicts benefit from induction chemotherapy in oral cancer patients with moderate or poor pathologic differentiation grade

BACKGROUND

The benefit of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be clearly defined. Induction chemotherapy is likely to be effective for biologically distinct subgroups of patients and biomarker development might lead to identification of the patients whose tumors are to respond to a particular treatment. Annexin A1 may serve as a biomarker for responsiveness to induction chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate Annexin A1 expression in pre-treatment biopsies from a cohort of OSCC patients treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy or docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy followed by surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. Furthermore we sought to assess the utility of Annexin A1 as a prognostic or predictive biomarker.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining for Annexin A1 was performed in pre-treatment biopsies from 232 of 256 clinical stage III/IVA OSCC patients. Annexin A1 index was estimated as the proportion of tumor cells (low and high, <50% and ≥50% of stained cells, respectively) to Annexin A1 cellular membrane and cytoplasm staining.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between Annexin A1 expression and pathologic differentiation grade (P=0.015) in OSCC patients. The proportion of patients with low Annexin A1 expression was significantly higher amongst those with moderate/poorly differentiated tumor (78/167) compared to those with well differentiated tumor (18/65). Multivariate Cox model analysis showed clinical stage (P=0.001) and Annexin A1 expression (P=0.038) as independent prognostic risk factors. Furthermore, a low Annexin A1 expression level was predictive of longer disease-free survival (P=0.036, HR=0.620) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (P=0.031, HR=0.607) compared to high Annexin A1 expression. Patients with moderate/poorly differentiated tumor and low Annexin A1 expression benefited from TPF induction chemotherapy as measured by distant metastasis-free survival (P=0.048, HR=0.373) as well as overall survival (P=0.078, HR=0.410).

CONCLUSIONS

Annexin A1 can be used as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Patients with moderate/poorly differentiated OSCC and low Annexin A1 expression can benefit from the addition of TPF induction chemotherapy to surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. Annexin A1 expression can potentially be used as a predictive biomarker to select OSCC patients with moderate/poorly differentiated tumor who may benefit from TPF induction chemotherapy.

Prognostic significance of annexin A1 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Annexin A1 is a 37-kDa calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein of the annexin superfamily considered to play an important role in tumorigenesis. However, associations with clinicopathological features in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases have yet to be fully defined. We therefore investigated the prognostic value of annexin A1 protein as a PDAC biomarker in 83 tumor and matched non-cancerous tissues or normal pancreas tissues. Expression was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In non-tumor tissue, myoepithelial cells showed no or weak expression of annexin A1 while expression was strong and sometimes even located in the nuclei of endothelial cells in tumor tissue. High expression was significantly associated with advanced stage (P <0.05) and a worse overall survival (P <0.05). These results provide new insights to better understand the role of annexin A1 in PDAC survival, and might be relevant to prediction of prognosis and development of more effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving survival.

Majority of differentially expressed genes are down-regulated during malignant transformation in a four-stage model

The transformation of normal cells to malignant, metastatic tumor cells is a multistep process caused by the sequential acquirement of genetic changes. To identify these changes, we compared the transcriptomes and levels and distribution of proteins in a four-stage cell model of isogenically matched normal, immortalized, transformed, and metastatic human cells, using deep transcriptome sequencing and immunofluorescence microscopy. The data show that ∼6% (n = 1,357) of the human protein-coding genes are differentially expressed across the stages in the model. Interestingly, the majority of these genes are down-regulated, linking malignant transformation to dedifferentiation. The up-regulated genes are mainly components that control cellular proliferation, whereas the down-regulated genes consist of proteins exposed on or secreted from the cell surface. As many of the identified gene products control basic cellular functions that are defective in cancers, the data provide candidates for follow-up studies to investigate their functional roles in tumor formation. When we further compared the expression levels of four of the identified proteins in clinical cancer cohorts, similar differences were observed between benign and cancer cells, as in the cell model. This shows that this comprehensive demonstration of the molecular changes underlying malignant transformation is a relevant model to study the process of tumor formation.

Annexin A1 down-regulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma correlates to pathological differentiation grade

OBJECTIVES

Functional role of Annexin A1 in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Annexin A1 protein expression and pathological differentiation grade in biopsy samples from a large cohort of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); and to evaluate the potential role of Annexin A1 on cell proliferation and tumorigenesis of OSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the relationship between Annexin A1 expression by immunohistochemical staining and pathological differentiation grade of biopsy samples from 232 OSCC patients, and the relationship between Annexin A1 expression and cell proliferation as well as tumor formation using both in vitro and in vivo OSCC models.

RESULTS

Annexin A1 expression correlated significantly with pathological differentiation grade in OSCC patients, a lower Annexin A1 expression correlating with a poorer differentiation grade. Forced Annexin A1 overexpression in OSCC cell lines, CAL27 and Tca8113, significantly reduced the cell proliferation whereas down-regulation of Annexin A1 expression in OSCC cell line, HB96, significantly increased proliferation of HB96 cells. Tumors formed from CAL27 cells overexpressing Annexin A1 grown significantly slower compared to the parental CAL27 cells in nude mice and showed a significantly reduced nuclear Ki-67 labeling index. Interestingly, these tumors also showed a well differentiated histology pattern whereas the tumors formed from the parental cells were consistently moderately differentiated.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support a significant correlation between Annexin A1 expression and pathological differentiation grade, and a functional role of Annexin A1 in inhibiting cell proliferation and cell differentiation in OSCC.

Expression of annexin-A1 and galectin-1 anti-inflammatory proteins and mRNA in chronic gastritis and gastric cancer

Objective. The anti-inflammatory proteins annexin-A1 and galectin-1 have been associated with tumor progression. This scenario prompted us to investigate the relationship between the gene and protein expression of annexin-A1 (ANXA1/AnxA1) and galectin-1 (LGALS1/Gal-1) in an inflammatory gastric lesion as chronic gastritis (CG) and gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) and its association with H. pylori infection. Methods. We analyzed 40 samples of CG, 20 of GA, and 10 of normal mucosa (C) by the quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technique and the immunohistochemistry assay. Results. High ANXA1 mRNA expression levels were observed in 90% (36/40) of CG cases (mean relative quantification RQ = 4.26  ±  2.03) and in 80% (16/20) of GA cases (mean RQ = 4.38  ±  4.77). However, LGALS1 mRNA levels were high (mean RQ = 2.44  ±  3.26) in 60% (12/20) of the GA cases, while low expression was found in CG (mean RQ = 0.43 ± 3.13; P < 0.01). Normal mucosa showed modest immunoreactivity in stroma but not in epithelium, while stroma and epithelium displayed an intense immunostaining in CG and GA for both proteins. Conclusion. These results have provided evidence that galectin-1 and mainly annexin-A1 are overexpressed in both gastritis and gastric cancer, suggesting a strong association of these proteins with chronic gastric inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Annexin A1 is associated with gastric cancer survival and promotes gastric cancer cell invasiveness through the formyl peptide receptor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/integrin beta-1-binding protein 1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) has been well-known as a glucocorticoid-regulated anti-inflammatory protein, and it is implicated in tumorigenesis in a tumor type-specific pattern. However, the role of AnxA1 in gastric cancer (GC) is indeterminate, and the underlying mechanism is not clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance and associated mechanism of AnxA1 in GC.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was employed to analyze 118 GC patients. Both AnxA1 gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches were performed in GC cells. Western blotting and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used for assessment of the AnxA1 regulation mechanism in GC cells. An intraperitoneal inoculation model in severe combined immunodeficient mice was used for an in vivo assay.

RESULTS

High AnxA1 expression was significantly associated with peritoneal metastasis (P = .009) and serosal invasion (P = .044). Cox multivariate analysis showed that high AnxA1 expression was an independent risk factor for poor overall survival in GC patients (P = .037). AnxA1 expression positively correlated with invasiveness of human GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. AnxA1 could regulate the GC cell invasion through the formyl peptide receptor (FPR)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/integrin beta-1-binding protein pathway, and all 3 FPRs (FPR1 through FPR3) were involved in the regulation process.

CONCLUSIONS

High AnxA1 expression was associated with more serosal invasion, more peritoneal metastasis, and poorer overall survival in GC patients. The current study demonstrated a novel mechanism involving FPRs, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, and integrin beta-1-binding protein 1 by which AnxA1 regulated GC cell invasion.

High-Throughput Screening of Saliva for Early Detection of Oral Cancer: A Pilot Study

The success of tumour therapy depends considerably on early diagnosis. Therefore, we aimed to develop a widely available, cheap, non-invasive, high-throughput method suitable for screening high-risk populations, at least, for early signs of malignant transformation in the oral cavity. First, in order to identify suitable tumour marker candidates, we compared the protein patterns of five selected saliva samples obtained from healthy controls and tumour patients after electrophoretic separation, excised the bands that were consistently up-regulated in the tumour patients only, and performed matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionisation (MALDI)-time of flight (TOF) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis of the proteins in these bands after in-gel tryptic digestion. From the panel of proteins identified, we chose annexin 1 and peroxiredoxin 2 for further studies based on their presence in the saliva of all five oral cancer patients only. Then, we performed a homology search of protein databases using the primary sequence of each in silico tryptic fragment peptide of these two proteins as bait, and selected a unique peptide for each. Finally, we performed targeted MALDI-TOF MS peptide analysis in a blinded fashion on all samples obtained from 20 healthy controls and 22 tumour patients for the presence of these peptides. We found both peptides present in the saliva samples of all cancer patients only. Even though these tumour markers should be validated in a wider population, our results indicate that targeted MALDI-TOF MS analysis of unique peptides of putative saliva protein tumour biomarkers could be the method of choice for cost-efficient, high-throughput screening for the early detection of oral cancer.

Mass spectrometry-based salivary proteomics for the discovery of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The 5-year survival rates for cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are only some 60%, mainly because 20%-40% of the patients develop a local relapse in the same or an adjacent anatomic region, even when the surgical margins are histologically tumour-free. Tumours are often discovered in an advanced stage because of the lack of specific symptoms and the diagnostic difficulties. The more advanced the stage of the tumour, the more invasive the diagnostic and treatment interventions needed. An early molecular diagnosis is therefore of vital importance in order to increase the survival rate. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient rapid and sensitive mass spectrometric method for the detection of differentially expressed proteins as tumour-specific biomarkers in saliva from HNSCC patients. Whole saliva samples were collected from patients with HNSCC and from healthy subjects. The proteins were profiled by using SDS PAGE, MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and the Mascot database search engine. Several potential tumour markers were identified, including annexin A1, beta- and gamma-actin, cytokeratin 4 and 13, zinc finger proteins and P53 pathway proteins. All of these proteins play a proven role in tumour genesis, and have not been detected previously in saliva. Salivary proteomics is a non-invasive specific method for cancer diagnosis and follow-up treatment. It provides facilities for the readily reproducible and reliable detection of tumours in early stages.

Proteomic analysis of stage I endometrial cancer tissue: identification of proteins associated with oxidative processes and inflammation

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins employing a high resolution mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis of endometrial cancer cells harvested using laser microdissection.

METHODS

A differential MS-based proteomic analysis was conducted from discrete epithelial cell populations gathered by laser microdissection from 91 pathologically reviewed stage I endometrial cancer tissue samples (79 endometrioid and 12 serous) and 10 samples of normal endometrium from postmenopausal women. Hierarchical cluster analysis of protein abundance levels derived from a spectral count analysis revealed a number of proteins whose expression levels were common as well as unique to both histologic types. An independent set of endometrial cancer specimens from 394 patients were used to externally validate the differential expression of select proteins.

RESULTS

209 differentially expressed proteins were identified in a comparison of stage I endometrial cancers and normal post-menopausal endometrium controls (Q<0.005). A number of differentially abundant proteins in stage I endometrial cancer were identified and independently validated by western blot and tissue microarray analyses. Multiple proteins identified with elevated abundance in stage I endometrial cancer are functionally associated with inflammation (annexins) and oxidative processes (peroxiredoxins). PRDX1 and ANXA2 were both confirmed as being overexpressed in stage I cancer compared to normal endometrium by independent TMA (Q=0.008 and Q=0.00002 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide the basis for further investigation of previously unrecognized novel pathways involved in early stage endometrial carcinogenesis and provide possible targets for prevention strategies that are inclusive of both endometrioid and serous histologic subtypes.

Up-regulated Annexin A1 expression in gastrointestinal cancer is associated with cancer invasion and lymph node metastasis

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a calcium-dependent phospholipid-linked protein, involved in anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of cellular differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the expression of ANXA1 in gastric and colon cancer, and analyzed the relationship between ANXA1 expression and clinicopathological factors. ANXA1 mRNA expression in gastric and colon cancer tissues was not significantly changed compared to that in normal tissues. When ANXA1 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, ANXA1 expression was observed in 76 of 135 cases of gastric cancer (56.3%), and correlations were found between ANXA1 expression and depth of wall invasion (P<0.001), lymphatic invasion (P=0.023), venous invasion (P=0.002), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001) and UICC stage (P<0.001). Disease-specific survival rate was significantly lower in cases with ANXA1 expression compared to that in cases without (P=0.0053). In colon cancer, ANXA1 expression was detected in 61 of 210 cases (29.0%) and correlations were found with gender (P=0.038), lymphatic invasion (P=0.011), venous invasion (P=0.023), lymph node metastasis (P=0.042) and UICC stage (P=0.041). The disease-specific survival rate tended to be lower in cases with ANXA1 expression, although the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.6984). Our results indicate that up-regulated ANXA1 expression is involved in cancer invasion and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, high levels of ANXA1 expression were implicated in poor prognosis of patients. ANXA1 may be applicable as a prognostic biomarker in gastric and colon cancer, and a potential target for treatment.

Oral squamous cell cancer: early detection and the role of alcohol and smoking

Objective

Oral squamous cell carcinoma has a remarkable incidence worldwide and a fairly onerous prognosis, encouraging further research on factors that might modify disease outcome.

Data sources

A web-based search for all types of articles published was initiated using Medline/Pub Med, with the key words such as oral cancer, alcohol consumption, genetic polymorphisms, tobacco smoking and prevention. The search was restricted to articles published in English, with no publication date restriction (last update 2010).

Review Methods

In this review article, we approach the factors for a cytologic diagnosis during OSCC development and the markers used in modern diagnostic technologies as well. We also reviewed available studies of the combined effects of alcohol drinking and genetic polymorphisms on alcohol-related cancer risk.

Results

The interaction of smoking and alcohol significantly increases the risk for aero-digestive cancers. The interaction between smoking and alcohol consumption seems to be responsible for a significant amount of disease.

Conclusion

Published scientific data show promising pathways for the future development of more effective prognosis. There is a clear need for new prognostic indicators, which could be used in diagnostics and, therefore a better selection of the most effective treatment can be achieved.

Expression and prognostic significance of gastric-specific annexin A10 in diffuse- and intestinal-type gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Annexin A10 (ANXA10) and its liver-specific short isoform (ANXA10S) had tissue-restricted expression. The downregulation of ANXA10S is correlated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to validate the tissue distribution and explore the role of the ANXA10 protein expression in gastric carcinoma.

METHODS

We examined the ANXA10 protein expression in human and animal tissues and 356 resected primary gastric carcinomas, using specific mouse and rabbit polyclonal antibodies, by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

The ANXA10 protein is a nuclear protein specifically expressed in fetal and adult gastric mucosa and Brunner's gland across species, including humans, minipigs, woodchucks, and mice, and is commonly lost in gastric mucosa with intestinal metaplasia. The ANXA10 protein was expressed in 43.5% (155 cases) of gastric carcinomas; 74.2% (98/132) in the diffuse-type gastric carcinoma (DGC), 73.7% (28/38) in the mixed-type gastric carcinoma, and significantly lower in the intestinal-type gastric carcinoma (IGC) and indeterminate groups, 16.8% (28/167) and 5.3% (1/19), respectively (P<1×10(-8)). IGC with ANXA10 expression was correlated with a higher stage (P=0.049), particularly higher in stage IIIA/IIIB/IV IGC than lower-stage (IA/IB/II) tumors (P=0.005), but was not correlated with age, sex, and nodal status. In contrast, DGC with ANXA10 expression was associated with younger age, female patients, and importantly, lower tumor stage and lymph node metastasis (P=0.007, P=0.065, P=0.024, and P=0.0014, respectively). Moreover, DGC with ANXA10 expression had a better 5-year patient survival (P=0.0048), whereas IGC with ANXA10 expression had a lower 5-year survival (P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The ANXA10 protein expression is a novel marker of gastric differentiation, and is differentially expressed in IGC and DGC, with opposite prognostic significance.

Nuclear localization of annexin A1 correlates with advanced disease and peritoneal dissemination in patients with gastric carcinoma

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a multifunctional molecule, which mediates various important physiologic processes depending on its subcelluar localization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of ANXA1 level and its subcellular localization in paired clinical samples of gastric adenocarcinoma and adjacent normal counterpart. The study also assesses the clinical significance of ANXA1 subcelluar localization in gastric adenocarcinoma. A total of 104 paired resected gastric adenocarcinoma and corresponding normal specimens were collected in this study. Expression of ANXA1 was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Both cytoplasmic and nuclear ANXA1 expression levels and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters were assessed. ANXA1 protein expression was positive in 72 of 104 (69.2%) normal tissues and 47 of 104 (45.2%) gastric adenocarcinoma tissues. ANXA1 staining was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm in all 72 ANXA1-positive normal specimens, whereas 12 ANXA1-positive gastric adenocarcinoma specimens showed positive nuclear staining. The positive nuclear staining correlated well with serosal invasion, peritoneal dissemination and TNM stage. Cases with positive nuclear staining presented more peritoneal dissemination (41.7%, 5/12) than those with negative nuclear staining (8.7%, 8/92; P = 0.007). A logistic regression model revealed that positive ANXA1 nuclear staining had an independent association with peritoneal dissemination (P = 0.039; hazards ratio, 9.499; 95% confidence interval, 1.159-77.815). These results indicated that ANXA1 is expressed in both gastric adenocarcinoma and normal tissues. In gastric adenocarcinoma tissues ANXA1 is expressed both in cytoplasm and nucleus and its nuclear localization correlates with advanced disease stage and peritoneal dissemination.

Ubiquitination and SUMOylation of annexin A1 and helicase activity

BACKGROUND

While annexin A1 in nuclei is proposed to be involved in cell transformation, its functions remain poorly understood. Since annexin A1 has the consensus motif, ¹⁶⁰LKRD, for SUMOylation as well as Ks, acceptors for ubiquitination that regulates localization and functions of proteins, we investigated SUMOylation and ubiquitination of annexin A1.

METHODS

SUMOylation and ubiquitination of bovine annexin A1 were biochemically tested in vitro by purified proteins, and were confirmed by cell experiments with L5178 lymphoma cells. Effects of the modifications on DNA helicase activity were measured by ssDNA binding activity and by dsDNA unwinding activity.

RESULTS

SUMOylation of annexin A1 was catalyzed by Ubc9, while its ubiquitination was by Rad6-Rad 18. Ubiquitinated annexin A1 had higher affinity for damaged DNA, and promoted in vitro translesion DNA synthesis by Pol ß. In mouse lymphoma L5178Y tk(+/-) cells, levels of SUMOylated annexin A1 decreased by DNA damaging agents, MMS or As³, whereas those of ubiquitinated annexin A1 increased under the same conditions.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggest but do not necessarily prove that ubiquitinated annexin A1 in nuclei may be involved in DNA damage response, while SUMOylated annexin A1 functions in proliferation-differentiation.

SIGNIFICANCE

Ubiquitination of annexin A1 may play an important role in mutagenesis, an initial step of cell transformation.

Down-regulation of plasma membranous Annexin A1 protein expression in premalignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity: correlation with epithelial differentiation

PURPOSE

To determine the potential involvement of ANXA1 in oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC), we evaluated the ANXA1 protein expression in oral premalignant lesions (OPLs) and OSCCs and correlated the results with clinicopathologic variables.

METHODS

Matched normal and tumour specimens of 44 primary OSCCs and 28 OPLs were analyzed for ANXA1 subcellular localization and protein expression level by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Correlations between ANXA1-IHC staining scores of OSCCs and clinicopathologic features were evaluated by Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Markedly down-regulation of ANXA1 protein expression was identified on the plasma membrane of epithelial cells in OSCCs (P < 0.001) and OPLs (P = 0.001) compared with normal counterparts. Moreover, loss of plasma membranous ANXA1 expression was significantly correlated with the poorly differentiated status of OSCC cells (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that loss of ANXA1 is frequent and early event during oral carcinogenesis and that ANXA1 could contribute to maintaining epithelial differentiation in OSCC.

Proteomic studies of B16 lines: involvement of annexin A1 in melanoma dissemination

To identify proteins involved in melanoma metastasis mechanisms, comparative proteomic studies were undertaken on B16F10 and B16Bl6 melanoma cell lines and their subsequent syngenic primary tumours as pulmonary metastases were present only in the mice bearing a B16Bl6 tumour. 2DE analyses followed by MALDI-TOF identification showed variations of 6 proteins in vitro and 13 proteins in vivo. Differential expressed proteins in tumours were related to energy production and storage. Two differentially expressed proteins which had not been previously associated to melanoma progression, annexin A1 (ANXA1) and creatine kinase B (CKB), were found both in cells and in tumours. To characterize ANXA1 involvement in melanoma B16 dissemination, we reduced ANXA1 protein level by siRNA and observed a significant decrease of B16Bl6 cell invasion through Matrigel coated chambers. We further demonstrated that the presence of several formyl peptide receptors (FPR1, FPRrs1 and 2) revealed by qRT-PCR, played a role in B16 invasion: incubation of B16Bl6 cells with the FPR agonist (fMLP) or antagonist (tBOC) enhanced or decreased Matrigel coated chamber invasion respectively, with a correlation of ANXA1 levels in both treatments. As ANXA1 could bind to FPRs, this should amplify invasion and enhance melanoma dissemination.