Chitinase 3-Like 1, Nestin, and Testin Proteins as Novel Biomarkers of Potential Clinical Use in Colorectal Cancer: A Review

Prognostic and predictive role of YKL-40 in anal squamous cell carcinoma: a serological and tissue-based analysis in a multicentric cohort

Introduction

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASC) is a rare gastrointestinal malignancy showing an increased incidence over the past decades. YKL-40 is an immune modulator and pro-angiogenetic factor that showed a promising prognostic and predictive potential in several malignancies, but limited data are available for ASC. This study aims to provide an extensive evaluation of the prognostic and predictive role of YKL-40 in a multicenter cohort of ASC patients.

Methods

We retrospectively retrieved 72 consecutive cases of ASC diagnosed between February 2011 and March 2021. Both serum and tissue protein expression of YKL-40 were assessed, the latter in ASC tumor cells and peritumor immune cells.

Results

Increased YKL-40 serum levels at the time of diagnosis were associated with older age (p = 0.035), presence of cardiovascular/metabolic comorbidities (p = 0.007), and death for any cause (p = 0.011). In addition, high serum levels of YKL-40 were associated with a poor prognosis (HR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.01-7.84; p = 0.047). Protein expression of YKL-40 in ASC tumor cells was significantly associated with low tumor grade (p = 0.031), while the increased expression in peritumor immune cells was associated with a worse response of patients to chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.007). However, YKL-40 protein expression in ASC tumor cells or peritumor immune cells did not significantly impact patient overall survival.

Discussion

In conclusion, YKL-40 resulted a relevant prognostic (serum level) and predictive (tissue protein expression in peritumor immune cells) biomarker and can considerably improve ASC patient clinical management.

Potential Roles and Future Perspectives of Chitinase 3-like 1 in Macrophage Polarization and the Development of Diseases

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), a chitinase-like protein family member, is a secreted glycoprotein that mediates macrophage polarization, inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Abnormal CHI3L1 expression has been associated with multiple metabolic and neurological disorders, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Aberrant CHI3L1 expression is also reportedly associated with tumor migration and metastasis, as well as contributions to immune escape, playing important roles in tumor progression. However, the physiological and pathophysiological roles of CHI3L1 in the development of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer remain unclear. Understanding the polarization relationship between CHI3L1 and macrophages is crucial for disease progression. Recent research has uncovered the complex mechanisms of CHI3L1 in different diseases, highlighting its close association with macrophage functional polarization. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the various disease types and summarize the relationship between macrophages and CHI3L1. Furthermore, this article also provides a brief overview of the various mechanisms and inhibitors employed to inhibit CHI3L1 and disrupt its interaction with receptors. These endeavors highlight the pivotal roles of CHI3L1 and suggest therapeutic approaches targeting CHI3L1 in the development of metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers.

The relationship between TESTIN expression and the prognosis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) represents a most grave healthy burden worldwide. TESTIN has been confirmed as a predictive biomarker for several cancers. In the present study, we sought to assess the expression level and prognostic values of TESTIN in CRC.

METHODS

The levels of TESTIN mRNA and protein were detected in 132 paired CRC tissues and noncancerous ones via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays, respectively. Chi-square test was adopted to analyze the association of TESTIN expression with clinicopathological profiles of CRC patients. To explore prognostic value of TESTIN, Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analyses were employed.

RESULTS

TESTIN expression was down-regulated among CRC tissues in comparison to bordering cancer-free samples at both protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.001). Decreased TESTIN expression was closely related to poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.001) and advanced TNM stages (P = 0.001). CRC cases with low expression of TESTIN were more likely to undergo dismal overall survivals (log-rank P = 0.003). Multivariate Cox analysis unveiled that down-regulated expression of TESTIN was independently correlated with poor prognosis (HR=2.422, 95% CI=1.294-4.535, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

The down-regulation of TESTIN may predict dismal prognosis for CRC patients.

Silencing YKL-40 gene can inhibit inflammatory factor expression and affects the effect of THP-1 cells on endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of silencing the YKL-40 gene on the expression of inflammatory factors and the effect of silencing the YKL-40 gene of THP-1 cells on endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We used a siRNA targeting a sequence in YKL-40 (si-YKL-40) to transfect HEC-1A and THP-1 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to investigate the mRNA levels of YKL-40, IL-8 and MMP-9 in HEC-1A and THP-1 cells. Migration, and invasion assays were performed to identify the effects of co-culture with THP-1 cells that silenced YKL-40 gene on the migration and invasion capacity of HEC-1A cells. Tube formation ability were detected by Matrigel-based angiogenesis assay.

RESULTS

We successfully transfected HEC-1A and THP-1 cells with lentivirus to silence the YKL-40 gene. Compared with the blank control group and NC group, the expression of YKL-40, IL-8 and MMP-9 which were examined by qRT-PCR in YKL-40-siRNA group was significantly reduced in the two cell lines; after co-cultured with the supernatant of transfected THP-1 cells, the migration and invasion ability of HEC-1A cells in YKL-40-siRNA group was significantly reduced; the number of tubes in the YKL-40-siRNA group was significantly reduced, the spacing between the tubes was significantly increased, and the structure of tubes was incomplete.

CONCLUSION

Silencing the YKL-40 gene in THP-1 cells can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors, the invasion and migration of human endometrial cancer cells and the capacity of vitro angiogenic. And YKL-40 gene as a marker of inflammation may be an effective therapeutic target for endometrial cancer.

Preliminary Study on the Expression of Testin, p16 and Ki-67 in the Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers in women worldwide. The 5-year survival rate is 65%; nevertheless, it depends on race, age, and clinical stage. In the oncogenesis of cervical cancer, persistent HPV infection plays a pivotal role. It disrupts the expression of key proteins as Ki-67, p16, involved in regulating the cell cycle. This study aimed to identify the potential role of testin in the diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions (CIN). The study was performed on selected archival paraffin-embedded specimens of CIN1 (31), CIN2 (75), and CIN3 (123). Moderate positive correlation was observed between testin and Ki-67 as well as testin and p16 expression in all dysplastic lesions (r = 0.4209, r = 0.5681; p < 0.0001 for both). Statistical analysis showed stronger expression of the testin in dysplastic lesions vs. control group (p < 0.0001); moreover, expression was significantly higher in HSIL than LSIL group (p < 0.0024). In addition, a significantly stronger expression of testin was observed in CIN3 vs. CIN1 and CIN3 vs. CIN2. In our study, expression of Ki-67, p16, and testin increased gradually as the lesion progressed from LSIL to HSIL. The three markers complemented each other effectively, which may improve test sensitivity and specificity when used jointly.