Increased levels of sperm protein 17 mRNA and circulating antibodies in periampullary carcinoma patients

Association of MARCH7 with tumor progression and T-cell infiltration in esophageal cancer

MARCH7 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase known to regulate neuronal development,T-cell proliferation, and cell and tissue differentiation. But, the altered expression of MARCH7 has been observed in various malignancies. Herein, the cellular localization and role of MARCH7 have been elucidated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the information regarding which is currently limited. To check the expression of MARCH7 and its correlation with immune cells infiltration in ESCC, immunohistochemical analysis was performed. RNAi approach was used to investigate the role of MARCH7 in esophageal cancer cells. Interestingly, we found a significantly higher expression of MARCH7 protein in 84% of ESCC tissues than in distant matched non-malignant tissues (p ≤ 0.001). In addition to this, immunohistochemistry results have shown a negative correlation between MARCH7 protein expression and tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as CD8 + T cells (r = - 0.633, p = 0.001) and PD1 + T cells (r = - 0.560, p = 0.005). Furthermore, MARCH7 silencing inhibited the ESCC cell growth and reduced the clonogenic and invasion/migration potential of ESCC cells. MARCH7 silencing also significantly increased E-cadherin protein levels in ESCC cells relative to those in negative control cells (p < 0.05). Thus, MARCH7 is oncogenic and might have a possible role in esophageal carcinogenesis. Moreover, E-cadherin may be a downstream target of MARCH7 in ESCC.

Cancer/testis antigens: from serology to mRNA cancer vaccine

Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor antigens expressed in numerous cancer tissues, as well as in the testis and placental tissues. There are over 200 CTAs supported by serology and expression data. The expression patterns of CTAs reflect the similarities between the processes of gametogenesis and tumorigenesis. It is notable that CTAs are highly expressed in three types of cancers (lung cancer, bladder cancer, and skin cancer), all of which have a metal etiology. Here, we review the expression, regulation, and function of CTAs and their translational prospects as cancer biomarkers and treatment targets. Many CTAs are highly immunogenic, tissue-specific, and frequently expressed in cancer tissues but not under physiological conditions, rendering them promising candidates for cancer detection. Some CTAs are associated with clinical outcomes, so they may serve as prognostic biomarkers. A small number of CTAs are membrane-bound, making them ideal targets for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Mounting evidence suggests that CTAs induce humoral or cellular immune responses, providing cancer immunotherapeutic opportunities for T-cell receptors (TCRs), CAR T cell, antibody-based therapy and peptide- or mRNA-based vaccines. Indeed, CTAs are the dominating non-mutated targets in mRNA cancer vaccine development. Clinical trials on CTA TCR and vaccines have shown effectiveness, safety, and tolerance, but these successes are limited to a small number of patients. In-depth studies on CTA expression and function are needed to improve CTA-based immunotherapy.

Serum Sp17 Autoantibody Serves as a Potential Specific Biomarker in Patients with SAPHO Syndrome

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome shows a wide variability in musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations, and it is therefore underrecognized and misdiagnosed in the clinic due to a lack of specific markers. In this study, we aimed to identify specific biomarkers by screening serum autoantibodies in SAPHO patients with a 17K human whole-proteome microarray. The serum anti-Sp17 autoantibody was identified and verified to be a specific biomarker in patients with SAPHO syndrome. Indeed, the level of the anti-Sp17 autoantibody was significantly increased in patients with active SAPHO compared to patients with an inactive disease and healthy controls (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum anti-Sp17 autoantibody levels correlated with those of serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and β-crosslaps (β-CTx) in patients with active SAPHO disease. Moreover, anti-Sp17 autoantibody levels were markedly decreased after anti-inflammatory treatment with pamidronate disodium, which downregulated levels of hsCRP and ESR in patients with active SAPHO. Thus, serum levels of the anti-Sp17 autoantibody might serve as a specific biomarker for the diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome or for monitoring the disease status.

Increased expression of MARCH8, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is associated with growth of esophageal tumor

Background

Herein, for the first time, we report aberrant expression of membrane-associated RING-CH8 (MARCH8) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MARCH8 is a member of the recently discovered MARCH family of really interesting new genes (RING) E3 ligases. Though initial studies primarily focused on its immunomodulatory role, the newly discovered targets of this E3 ligase point towards its possible role in other biological processes such as embryogenesis and inhibition of apoptosis. However, its relevance in cancers is yet to be elucidated.

Methods

We carried out quantitative real time PCR and immunohistochemistry to examine the levels of MARCH8 mRNA and protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues. The role of MARCH8 in esophageal cancer cells was evaluated by cell proliferation, clonogenic and migration/invasion assays and flow cytometry with MARCH8 gene knockdown.

Results

Significantly increased expression of MARCH8 mRNA was found in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as compared to distant matched non-malignant tissues (p = 0.024, AUC = 0.654). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed overexpression of MARCH8 protein in 86% of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues (p < 0.001, AUC = 0.908). Interestingly, intense nuclear staining of MARCH8 protein was detected in cancer cells in addition to its cytoplasmic expression. Knockdown of MARCH8 resulted in decreased proliferation, migration, invasion and clonogenic potential of esophageal cancer cells. In addition to this, silencing of MARCH8 induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells which was measured by cell cycle distribution assay which showed increase in sub G0 and G2/M populations (cell death) and decrease in S-phase population. To further check the type of apoptosis induced by MARCH8 silencing, annexin assay was performed which showed significant increase in the number of cells in early apoptotic phase.

Conclusions

Overall, increased expression of MARCH8 gene in preneoplastic and neoplastic esophageal tissues and its knockdown effect on cancer cell properties demonstrated herein points towards the potential role of this protein in esophageal tumorigenesis.