Up-regulated EMMPRIN/CD147 protein expression might play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis and its subsequent progression without an alteration of its glycosylation and mRNA level

CD147 expression was positively linked to aggressiveness and worse prognosis of gastric cancer: a meta and bioinformatics analysis

CD147 (also named as Basigin or EMMPRIN) might promote cancer invasion and metastasis by inducing MMP and VEGF synthesis in tumor microenvironment. We performed a systematic meta and bioinformatics analysis through multiple online databases up to March 14, 2017. Up-regulated CD147 expression was found in gastric cancer, compared with normal mucosa (p < 0.05). The male patients with gastric cancer showed higher CD147 expression than the female ones (p < 0.0001). CD147 expression was positively correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM staging and unfavorable prognosis of gastric cancer (p < 0.05). At mRNA level, CD147 expression was higher in intestinal-type and mixed-type gastric carcinomas than normal tissues (p < 0.05). CD147 mRNA expression was negatively associated with histological grading and dedifferentiation of gastric cancer (p < 0.05). A higher CD147 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with overall and progression-free survival rates of all cancer patients, even stratified by clinicopathological features (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that CD147 expression might be employed as a potential marker to indicate gastric carcinogenesis and subsequent progression, even prognosis.

Overexpression of CD147 is associated with poor prognosis, tumor cell migration and ERK signaling pathway activation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The aim of the present study was to reveal the prognostic significance of CD147 and to preliminarily explore the molecular mechanisms involved. Blood and tumor tissue specimens were obtained from 133 HCC patients. All patients were followed up for 4 years. The serum and tissue levels of CD147 were analyzed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The SMMC-7721 hepatoma carcinoma cell line was transfected with CD147 overexpression vector and cell migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor UO126 was applied to study the role of the ERK pathway in cell migration. CD147 expression in HCC tissue was associated with poor prognosis of patients [odds ratio (OR): 3.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52-6.43], and patients with no CD147 expression had a significantly survival advantage (P=0.016). However, serum CD147 levels had no such prognostic significance (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 0.96-3.91; P=0.097). In the wound healing assay, the wound distance in the non-transfected cell group was wider than that in the transfected cell group without UO126 treatment (178.0±31.1 vs. 106.0±20.7 µm; P=0.003), but similar to that in the transfected cell group with 10 µM UO126 treatment (170.4±13.2 µm; P=0.629). The present study revealed that the expression of CD147 in HCC tissue is an independent prognostic indicator. In addition CD147 overexpression may be associated with tumor cell migration and ERK signaling pathway activation.

Significance of glycolytic metabolism-related protein expression in colorectal cancer, lymph node and hepatic metastasis

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most cancer cells display high rates of glycolysis with production of lactic acid, which is then exported to the microenvironment by monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). The main aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of MCT expression in a comprehensive series of primary CRC cases, lymph node and hepatic metastasis.

Methods

Expressions of MCT1, MCT4, CD147 and GLUT1 were studied in human samples of CRC, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, by immunohistochemistry.

Results

All proteins were overexpressed in primary CRC, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, when compared with non-neoplastic tissue, with exception of MCT1 in lymph node and hepatic metastasis. MCT1 and MCT4 expressions were associated with CD147 and GLUT1 in primary CRC. These markers were associated with clinical pathological features, reflecting the putative role of these metabolism-related proteins in the CRC setting.

Conclusion

These findings provide additional evidence for the pivotal role of MCTs in CRC maintenance and progression, and support the use of MCTs as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in primary and metastatic CRC.

Expression of CD147 and matrix metalloproteinase-11 in colorectal cancer and their relationship to clinicopathological features

Background

This study aimed to investigate the expression of CD147 and MMP-11 in human colorectal cancer (CRC) and to evaluate their clinical significance.

Methods

Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate CD147 and MMP-11 mRNA level in 56 pairs of fresh CRC samples matched with adjacent normal mucosa. The protein expression of CD147 and MMP-11 in CRC specimens and corresponding normal colorectal mucosa were evaluated by immunohistochemistry on CRC tissue microarrays. Expression and co-localization of these two proteins in human colorectal cancer tissue were also evaluated by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Furthermore, their correlations with clinicopathological factors and overall survival after surgery were evaluated.

Results

Both CD147 and MMP-11 were demonstrated to be over-expressed at mRNA level (P < 0.001, both) and protein level (P < 0.001, both) in CRC tissue than paired normal mucosa. Spearman rank test showed a positive correlation between these two proteins (P = 0.025). Immunofluorescence double staining confirmed the co-localization of CD147 and MMP-11 in paraffin-embedded tissues of CRC patients. Expression of CD147 and MMP-11 were both correlated with CRC lymph node metastasis (P = 0.021 and P = 0.031, respectively), distant metastasis (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively) and TNM stage (P = 0.006 and P = 0.049, respectively). Univariate survival analysis showed that both CD147 and MMP11 expression was significantly associated with shorter survival time (P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Additionally, in multivariate analysis, both CD147 and MMP-11 were proved to be independent prognostic factors (P = 0.009, 0.028, respectively).

Conclusions

These results indicated that both CD147 and MMP-11 may be involved in the progression of colorectal cancer, and they are potential prognostic factors and might become new therapeutic targets for CRC patients.

The roles of CD147 in the progression of gliomas

Gliomas are characterized by their invasiveness, angiogenesis, glycolysis and poor prognosis. Determining how to inhibit angiogenesis and glycolysis and induce cell death in gliomas is essential to the development of an effective therapy. CD147, a highly glycosylated transmembrane glycoprotein with two Ig-like extracellular domains that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, plays an important role in the regulation of tumor invasiveness, angiogenesis and glycolysis by inducing the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor and by interacting with monocarboxylate transporters. In this review, we first summarize the roles played by CD147 in gliomas and then propose that CD147 may be a complementary prognostic biomarker and a possible therapeutic target for glioma treatment.

Gene therapy for colorectal cancer by adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting CD147 based on loss of the IGF2 imprinting system

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Loss of imprinting (LOI) of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene is an epigenetic abnormality phenomenon in CRC. Recently observed association of CRC with cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) could provide a novel approach for gene therapy. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of using adenovirus‑mediated siRNA targeting CD147 based on the IGF2 LOI system for targeted gene therapy of CRC. A novel adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting CD147, rAd-H19-CD147mirsh, which was driven by the IGF2 imprinting system, was constructed. The results showed that the EGFP expression was detected only in the IGF2 LOI cell lines (HT-29 and HCT-8), but that no EGFP was produced in cell lines with maintenance of imprinting (MOI) (HCT116). Moreover, rAd-H19-CD147mirsh significantly inhibited the expression of CD147, decreased cell viability and invasive ability, and increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs only in the LOI cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, mice bearing HT-29 xenografted tumors, which received intratumoral administration of the rAd-H19-CD147mirsh, showed significantly reduced tumor growth and enhanced survival. We conclude that recombinant adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting CD147 based on the IGF2 LOI system inhibited the growth of the LOI cells in vitro and in vivo, which would provide a novel approach for targeted CRC gene therapy.

Importance of N-glycosylation on CD147 for its biological functions

Glycosylation of glycoproteins is one of many molecular changes that accompany malignant transformation. Post-translational modifications of proteins are closely associated with the adhesion, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. CD147, a tumor-associated antigen that is highly expressed on the cell surface of various tumors, is a potential target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. A significant biochemical property of CD147 is its high level of glycosylation. Studies on the structure and function of CD147 glycosylation provide valuable clues to the development of targeted therapies for cancer. Here, we review current understanding of the glycosylation characteristics of CD147 and the glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of CD147 N-glycans. Finally, we discuss proteins regulating CD147 glycosylation and the biological functions of CD147 glycosylation.

The role of EMMPRIN expression in ovarian epithelial carcinomas

Purpose: Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) was reported to involve in the invasion and metastasis of malignancies by regulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in stromal and cancer cells. The study aimed to clarify the role of EMMPRIN expression in tumorigenesis and progression of ovarian epithelial carcinomas.

Methods: EMMPRIN siRNA were transfected into ovarian carcinoma cells with the phenotypes and their related molecules examined. EMMPRIN expression was determined in ovarian normal tissue, benign and borderline tumors, and epithelial carcinomas by real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemisty.

Results: EMMPRIN siRNA treatment resulted in a lower growth, G₁ arrest, apoptotic induction, decreased migration, and invasion. The transfectants showed reduced expression of Wnt5a, Akt, p70s6k, Bcl-xL, survivin, VEGF, and MMP-9 than mock and control cells at both mRNA and protein levels. According to real-time PCR and western blot, EMMPRIN mRNA or protein level was higher in ovarian borderline tumor and carcinoma than normal ovary and benign tumors (P &lt; 0.05), and positively correlated with dedifferentiation and FIGO staging (P &lt; 0.05). Immuhistochemically, EMMPRIN expression was positively correlated with FIGO staging, dedifferentiation, Ki-67 expression, the lower cumulative and relapse-free survival rate (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions: Upregulated expression of EMMPRIN protein and mRNA might be involved in the pathogenesis, differentiation, and progression of ovarian carcinomas, possibly by modulating cellular events, such as proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion.

Expression of basigin in the early phase of acute myocardial ischemia in rats

Basigin may be involved in cardiovascular disease. In our previous study, suppression subtractive hybridization results indicated that basigin may be associated with the early phase of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) within 1 h. However, little is known regarding the expression of basigin in the early phase of AMI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the temporal and spatial expression patterns of basigin mRNA and protein levels in AMI in rats. We constructed an AMI model in rats that received left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 or 240 min. Real‑time quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) were conducted to reveal the basigin mRNA levels in the early ischemic myocardium (EIM) and non‑ischemic myocardium (NIM). The expression levels of basigin protein were detected using western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of basigin mRNA and protein significantly changed in the EIM as early as 30 min from ischemia, and the changes continued to be present throughout the ischemic period (P<0.05). The expression levels of basigin mRNA were significantly reduced, whilst those of the protein underwent a significant ~2-fold increase in the EIM. However, there were no significant differences in the basigin mRNA or protein expression levels from 0‑240 min in the NIM (P>0.05). We failed to detect a signal for basigin mRNA in the myocardium by ISH. Our findings indicated that basigin may be involved in acute myocardial ischemia following continual ischemia for >30 min.

EMMPRIN is associated with S100A4 and predicts patient outcome in colorectal cancer

Background:

Proteolytic enzymes and their regulators have important biological roles in colorectal cancer by stimulating invasion and metastasis, which makes these factors attractive as potential prognostic biomarkers.

Methods:

The expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) was characterised using immunohistochemistry in primary tumours from a cohort of 277 prospectively recruited colorectal cancer patients, and associations with expression of S100A4, clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome were investigated.

Results:

One hundred and ninety-eight samples (72%) displayed positive membrane staining of the tumour cells, whereas 10 cases (4%) were borderline positive. EMMPRIN expression was associated with shorter metastasis-free, disease-specific and overall survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The prognostic impact was largely confined to TNM stage III, and EMMPRIN-negative stage III patients had an excellent prognosis. Furthermore, EMMPRIN was significantly associated with expression of S100A4, and the combined expression of these biomarkers conferred an even poorer prognosis. However, there was no evidence of direct regulation between the two proteins in the colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and SW620 in siRNA knockdown experiments.

Conclusion:

EMMPRIN is a promising prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer, and our findings suggest that it could be used in the selection of stage III patients for adjuvant therapy.

CD147 and AGR2 expression promote cellular proliferation and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The signaling pathways facilitating metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells are not fully understood. CD147 is a transmembrane glycoprotein known to induce cell migration and invasion. AGR2 is a secreted peptide also known to promote cell metastasis. Here we describe their importance in the migration and invasion of HNSCC cells (FADU and OSC-19) in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, knockdown of CD147 or AGR2 decreased cellular proliferation, migration and invasion. In vivo, knockdown of CD147 or AGR2 expression decreased primary tumor growth as well as regional and distant metastasis.

High extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer/CD147 expression is strongly and independently associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

As in most solid tumors, colorectal cancer prognosis strongly depends on the extent of local invasion and lymph node and distant metastases. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that activates matrix metalloproteinases, a group of enzymes that play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis formation. This study investigates the EMMPRIN expression in a large cohort of patients with colorectal cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays from 285 patients shows that increased EMMPRIN protein expression does not correlate with clinicopathologic parameters and is an independent prognostic factor of poor survival, with mean survival times of 103 months in EMMPRIN negative/low versus 57 months in EMMPRIN intermediate/high patients (P < .001). This pronounced association of increased EMMPRIN levels and--on average--a 45% reduction in overall survival could help improve the risk stratification in patients with colorectal cancer; moreover, the lack of correlations with classical measures of cancer invasion/spreading may suggest the relevance of alternative EMMPRIN pathways beyond matrix metalloproteinase activation.

The pathobiological features of gastrointestinal cancers (Review)

Gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma (GIA) is a common malignant disease worldwide. Its tumorigenesis and progression is a multistage process with the involvement of a multifactorial etiology. Knowledge regarding altered expression of these genes during carcinogenesis may not only provide information about the molecular events during the initiation and progression of cancer, but may also result in the discovery of biological markers for the evaluation of cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we assessed molecular markers of pathogenesis, invasion, metastasis and prognosis, such as tumor suppressor and metastasis suppressor genes, and angiogenesis, cell adhesion, cell mobility, ER stress, mucin production, threonine protein kinase and REG family protein expression, by the establishment of tissue microarray (TMA) of GIA and immunohistochemistry (IHC) by intermittent microwave irradiation and in situ hybridization (ISH). Finally, we characterized the pathobiological features of Lauren's and WHO subtypes. It was found that the aberrant and cell-specific expression of these molecules is important in the malignant transformation of gastrointestinal epithelium and subsequent progression. These molecules also underlie the histogenic mechanisms of gastric carcinoma according to Lauren's and WHO classification. The combination of TMA, IHC and ISH may be widely applied to screen for molecular markers in GIA.

[Expression and clinical significance of CD147 and MMP-2 in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

It has been proven that CD147 was an extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer reportedly involved in the invasion and metastasis of malignancies. The aim of this study is to investigate CD147 and MMP-2 expression in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs and to analyze their clinical significance.

METHODS

Tissue samples from 55 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs and their corresponding non-cancerous tissues were examined for CD147 and MMP-2 expression using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The positive expression rates of CD147 and MMP-2 in the squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma among the lung tissues were significantly higher than those in the corresponding normal lung tissues. Moreover, the CD147 and MMP-2 expression in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs were related to lymph node metastasis and TNM stages (P<0.05), but not to age, gender and histologic type (P>0.05). MMP-2 expression was highly correlated with CD147 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

CD147 and MMP-2 expression is correlated with the invasion and metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs and may be used as objective markers for predicting the behavior of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs.