CD147 expression indicates unfavourable prognosis in prostate cancer

The Role of Fascin-1 in Human Urologic Cancers: A Promising Biomarker or Therapeutic Target?

Human cancer statistics show that an increased incidence of urologic cancers such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Due to the lack of early markers and effective therapeutic targets, their prognosis is poor. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein, which functions in the formation of cell protrusions by cross-linking with actin filaments. Studies have found that fascin-1 expression is elevated in most human cancers and is related to outcomes such as neoplasm metastasis, reduced survival, and increased aggressiveness. Fascin-1 has been considered as a potential therapeutic target for urologic cancers, but there is no comprehensive review to evaluate these studies. This review aimed to provide an enhanced literature review, outline, and summarize the mechanism of fascin-1 in urologic cancers and discuss the therapeutic potential of fascin-1 and the possibility of its use as a potential marker. We also focused on the correlation between the overexpression of fascin-1 and clinicopathological parameters. Mechanistically, fascin-1 is regulated by several regulators and signaling pathways (such as long noncoding RNA, microRNA, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular regulated protein kinases). The overexpression of fascin-1 is related to clinicopathologic parameters such as pathological stage, bone or lymph node metastasis, and reduced disease-free survival. Several fascin-1 inhibitors (G2, NP-G2-044) have been evaluated in vitro and in preclinical models. The study proved the promising potential of fascin-1 as a newly developing biomarker and a potential therapeutic target that needs further investigation. The data also highlight the inadequacy of fascin-1 to serve as a novel biomarker for prostate cancer.

Role of CD147 in the development and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is characterized by insidious onset, and most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Identification of biomarkers for HCC onset and progression is imperative to development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. CD147 is a glycoprotein that is involved in tumor cell invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we describe the molecular structure of CD147 and its role in regulating HCC invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. We highlight its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC.

CD147 augmented monocarboxylate transporter-1/4 expression through modulation of the Akt-FoxO3-NF-κB pathway promotes cholangiocarcinoma migration and invasion

PURPOSE

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive type of cancer. The major obstacles for treatment are its late presentation and the occurrence metastases. Targeting the metastatic process may serve as a treatment option. CD147 is a membrane protein that promotes CCA metastasis. High lactate levels in CCA are predicted to result from lactate dehydrogenase A expression and sensitivity to monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) inhibitors. An involvement of CD147 in MCT maturation has been reported, but the exact role of MCT in CCA is not clear. Here, we aimed to assess the mechanism of CD147-promoted CCA progression through MCT regulation.

METHODS

The expression levels of CD147 and MCT-1/4 in human CCA tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. Two CD147 knockout (CD147 KO) CCA cell (KKU-213) clones were established using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Cell migration and invasion were determined using a Boyden chamber assay. Temporal protein levels were modified by siRNA, specific inhibitors and/or activators. The expression of target proteins was determined using Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

CD147 and MCT-1/4 were found to be overexpressed in CCA tissues compared to normal bile duct tissues. In addition, we found that CD147 knockdown significantly alleviated CCA cell migration and invasion, concomitant with decreased pAkt, pFoxO3, pNF-κB (pp65) and MCT-1/4 levels. Conversely, we found that FoxO3 knockdown led to recovered migration/invasion abilities and increased pp65 and MCT-1/4 expression levels. The involvement of Akt in the regulation of MCT-1/4 expression through CD147 was established by inhibition and activation of Akt phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that CD147 promotes the malignant progression of CCA cells by activating the Akt-FoxO3-NF-κB-MCT-1/4 axis. As such, CD147 may serve as a possible target for advanced CCA treatment.

Upregulation of CD147 Promotes Metastasis of Cholangiocarcinoma by Modulating the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transitional Process

CD147 is a transmembrane protein that can induce the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Expression of CD147 has been shown to potentiate cell migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. In this study, the critical role of CD147 in metastasis was elucidated using CD147-overexpressing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells in vitro and in vivo. The molecular mechanism, demonstrated herein, supported the hypothesis that metastasis increased in CD147-overexpressing cells. Five CD147-overexpressing clones (Ex-CD147) were established from a low CD147-expressing CCA cell line, KKU-055, using lentivirus containing pReceiver-Lenti-CD147. The metastatic capability was determined using the tail vein injection mouse model and an in vitro 3D invasion assay. Liver colonization was assessed using anti-HLA class I immunohistochemistry. Adhesion abilities, cytoskeletal arrangements, MMP activities, the expressions of adhesion molecules, and epithelial-mesenchymal transitional markers were analyzed. All Ex-CD147 clones exhibited a high CD147 expression and high liver colonization in the tail vein-injected mouse model, whereas parental cells lacked this ability. Ex-CD147 clones exhibited metastatic phenotypes (i.e., an increase in F-actin rearrangement) and cell invasion and a decrease in cell adhesion. The molecular mechanisms were shown to be via the induction of MMP-2 activity and enhancement of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. An increase in mesenchymal markers Slug, vimentin, and N-cadherin, and a decrease in epithelial markers E-cadherin and claudin-1, together with suppression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1, were observed in the Ex-CD147 clones. Moreover, suppression of CD147 expression using siCD147 in two CCA cell lines with high CD147 expression significantly decreased cell migration and invasion of these CCA cells. These findings emphasize the essential role of CD147 in CCA metastasis and suggest CD147 as a promising target for the effective treatment of CCA.

The clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of EMMPRIN overexpression in cancers: evidence from 39 cohort studies

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) has been reported to be associated with tumor formation and invasion in many studies. However, the clinicopathological significance and prognosis of EMMPRIN in cancer patients remains inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the predictive potential of EMMPRIN in various cancers. By searching Pubmed, Cochrane library database and web of science comprehensively, 39studies with 5739 cases were included in our meta-analysis. The results indicated that EMMPRIN overexpression was significantly associated with poor outcome of cancers (HR=2.46, 95% CI: 2.21-2.75, P<0.0001). In addition, a significant relation was found between EMMPRIN overexpression and clinicopathological features, such as tumor stage (T3+T4/ T1+T2, OR=1.87, 95% CI:1.64-2.12, P<0.0001), tumor differentiation (poor/ well+ moderate, OR=1.09, 95% CI:1.60-2.23, P<0.0001), clinical stage (III+IV /I +II, OR=1.96, 95% CI:1.69-2.27, P<0.0001) and nodal metastasis (positive/negative, OR=2.37, 95% CI:1.93-2.90, P<0.0001). However, the expression of EMMRIN was not significantly associated with tumor stage in cervical cancer (OR=1.35, 95%CI: 0.73-2.48, P=0.33). In conclusion, EMMPRIN overxepression is significantly associated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of cancers. Thus, EMMPRIN may be regarded as a promising bio-marker in predicting the clinical outcome of patients in cancers and could be used as the therapeutic target during clinical practices.

CD147 and Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is one of the most common non-cutaneous malignancies in men. We aimed to systemically evaluate the relationship between the expression of CD147 in tissues and the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

PubMed (1966-2016), EMBASE (1980-2016), the Cochrane Library (1996-2016), Web of Science (1945-2016), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1982-2016), and the WanFang databases (1988-2016) were searched. Literature quality assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 13.0. A total of 12591 prostate cancer patients from 14 studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that there were significant differences in the positive expression rate in the following comparisons: prostatic cancer tissues vs. normal prostate tissues (odds ratio [OR] = 26.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.95-91.20, P < 0.00001), prostatic cancer tissues vs. benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (OR = 20.54, 95% CI 8.20-51.44, P < 0.00001), high Gleason score vs. low Gleason score (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.33-4.27, P = 0.03), TNM III to IV vs. TNM I to II (OR = 9.95, 95% CI 4.96-19.96, P < 0.00001), low or moderate differentiation vs. high differentiation (OR = 8.12, 95% CI 3.69-17.85, P < 0.00001), lymph node metastasis vs. non-lymph node metastasis (OR = 4.31, 95% CI 1.11-16.71, P = 0.03), and distant metastasis vs. non-distant metastasis (OR = 8.90, 95% CI 3.24-24.42, P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

The CD147 positive expression rate was closely related to the clinical characteristics of prostate cancer, but more research is needed to confirm the findings owing to the results of the subgroups.

The role of CD147 expression in prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are a number of studies which show that expression of CD147 is increased significantly in prostate cancer (PCa). However, conflicting conclusions have also been reported by other researchers lately. In order to arrive at a clear conclusion, a meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to identify all the published case-control studies on the relationship between the expression of CD147 and PCa until February 2016. In the end, a total of 930 patients in eight studies were included in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

CD147 expression in the PCa patients increased significantly (odds ratio [OR], 4.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.52-6.14; Z=10.79; P<0.05), but there was obvious heterogeneity between studies (I (2)=92.9%, P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that positive expression of CD147 was associated with PCa among the Asian population (OR, 21.01; 95% CI, 12.88-34.28; Z=12.19; P<0.05). Furthermore, it was significantly related to TNM stage (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.17-0.35; Z=7.74; P<0.05), Gleason score (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.31-0.56; Z=5.62; P<0.05), differentiation grade (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.13-0.56; Z=3.47; P<0.05), and pretreatment serum prostate-specific antigen level (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03-0.16; Z=6.47; P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Positive expression of CD147 was related to PCa, significant heterogeneity was not found between Asian studies, and the result became more significant. The positive expression of CD147 was significantly related to the clinicopathological characteristics of PCa. This suggests that CD147 plays an essential role in poor prognosis and recurrence prediction.

ALCAM is a Novel Cytoplasmic Membrane Protein in TNF-α Stimulated Invasive Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), or bile duct cancer, is incurable with a high mortality rate due to a lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment. Identifying cytoplasmic membrane proteins of invasive CCA that facilitate cancer progression would contribute toward the development of novel tumor markers and effective chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An invasive CCA cell line (KKU-100) was stimulated using TNF-α and then biotinylated and purified for mass spectrometry analysis. Novel proteins expressed were selected and their mRNAs expression levels were determined by real-time RT-PCR. In addition, the expression of ALCAM was selected for further observation by Western blot analysis, immunofluorescent imaging, and antibody neutralization assay.

RESULTS

After comparing the proteomics profile of TNF-α induced invasive with non-treated control cells, over-expression of seven novel proteins was observed in the cytoplasmic membrane of TNF-α stimulated CCA cells. Among these, ALCAM is a novel candidate which showed significant higher mRNA- and protein levels. Immunofluorescent assay also supported that ALCAM was expressed on the cell membrane of the cancer, with increasing intensity associated with TNF-α.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that ALCAM may be a novel protein candidate expressed on cytoplasmic membranes of invasive CCA cells that could be used as a biomarker for development of diagnosis, prognosis, and drug or antibody-based targeted therapies in the future.

Biomarker detection technologies and future directions

Biomarkers play a vital role in disease detection and treatment follow-up. It is important to note that diseases in the early stage are typically treated with the greatest probability of success. However, due to various technical difficulties in current technologies for the detection of biomarkers, the potential of biomarkers is not explored completely. Therefore, the developments of technologies, which can enable the accurate detection of prostate cancer at an early stage with simple, experimental protocols are highly inevitable. This critical review evaluates the current methods and technologies used in the detection of biomarkers. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review covering the advantages and disadvantages of the biomarker detection methods. Future directions for the development of technologies to achieve highly selective and sensitive detection of biomarkers for point-of-care applications are also commented on.

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.

CD147 expression predicts biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy independent of histologic and pathologic features

BACKGROUND

CD147 is an MMP-inducing protein often implicated in cancer progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of CD147 in prostate cancer (PCa) progression and the prognostic ability of CD147 in predicting biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy.

METHODS

Plasma membrane-localized CD147 protein expression was quantified in patient samples using immunohistochemistry and multispectral imaging, and expression was compared to clinico-pathological features (pathologic stage, Gleason score, tumor volume, preoperative PSA, lymph node status, surgical margins, biochemical recurrence status). CD147 specificity and expression were confirmed with immunoblotting of prostate cell lines, and CD147 mRNA expression was evaluated in public expression microarray datasets of patient prostate tumors.

RESULTS

Expression of CD147 protein was significantly decreased in localized tumors (pT2; p = 0.02) and aggressive PCa (≥pT3; p = 0.004), and metastases (p = 0.001) compared to benign prostatic tissue. Decreased CD147 was associated with advanced pathologic stage (p = 0.009) and high Gleason score (p = 0.02), and low CD147 expression predicted biochemical recurrence (HR 0.55; 95 % CI 0.31-0.97; p = 0.04) independent of clinico-pathologic features. Immunoblot bands were detected at 44 kDa and 66 kDa, representing non-glycosylated and glycosylated forms of CD147 protein, and CD147 expression was lower in tumorigenic T10 cells than non-tumorigenic BPH-1 cells (p = 0.02). Decreased CD147 mRNA expression was associated with increased Gleason score and pathologic stage in patient tumors but is not associated with recurrence status.

CONCLUSIONS

Membrane-associated CD147 expression is significantly decreased in PCa compared to non-malignant prostate tissue and is associated with tumor progression, and low CD147 expression predicts biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy independent of pathologic stage, Gleason score, lymph node status, surgical margins, and tumor volume in multivariable analysis.

Aberrant hypomethylation-mediated CD147 overexpression promotes aggressive tumor progression in human prostate cancer

Our previous study revealed the potential role of CD147 in human prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we investigated the CD147 promoter methylation status and the correlation with tumorigenicity in human PCa. CD147 mRNA and protein expression levels were both significantly higher in the 4 PCa cell lines, than in the 2 non-tumorigenic benign human prostatic epithelial cell lines (all P<0.01). We showed hypomethylation of promoter regions of CD147 in PCa cell lines with significant CD147 expression as compared to non-tumorigenic benign human prostatic epithelial cell lines slowly expressing CD147. Additionally, the treatment of methylated cell lines with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine increased CD147 expression significantly in low-expressing cell lines and also activated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, which may be one of the most important downstream targets of CD147. Furthermore, PCa tissues displayed decreased DNA methylation in the promoter region of CD147 compared to the corresponding non-cancerous prostate tissues, and methylation intensity correlated inversely with the CD147 mRNA levels. There was a significant negative correlation between CD147 mRNA levels and the number of methylated sites in PCa tissues (r=-0.467, P<0.01). In conclusion, our data offer convincing evidence for the first time that the DNA promoter hypomethylation of CD147 may be one of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the cancer-related overexpression of CD147 and may play a crucial role in the tumorigenesis of PCa.

EMMPRIN and ADAM12 in prostate cancer: preliminary results of a prospective study

Extracellular metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM12) play a major role in cancer invasion and metastasis owing to the fact that they are directly related to the cell microenvironment and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The aim of this study was to search for an answer to the question "whether the determination of EMMPRIN and ADAM12 values especially in urine may be helpful for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer without employing invasive methods" and also to check whether they may be useful for the determination of the patients with high metastasis risk. Peripheral blood and urine from 66 prostate cancer patients (40 local, 20 locally advanced, 6 metastatic) and 14 healthy controls were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Serum EMMPRIN and ADAM12 values of the patients were seen to be statistically higher than the serum EMMPRIN and ADAM12 values of the healthy controls (p=0.01 and p=0.001, respectively). The urine ADAM12 levels were significantly higher in patients (p=0.013). No significant relationships were found between urine EMMPRIN values of the patients and the healthy controls (p>0.05). Positive correlation between urine EMMPRIN-urine ADAM12 tests was found in total patients group (r=0.683, p=0.001). Our preliminary results revealed that serum EMMPRIN and ADAM12 values and urine ADAM12 values may be useful markers in prostate cancer therapy. Due to the high correlation between these two tests, we are of the opinion that the use of urine ADAM12 in clinic may be sufficient and favorable together with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for treatment.

Prostate cancer relevant antigens and enzymes for targeted drug delivery

Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used approaches in combating advanced prostate cancer, but its therapeutic efficacy is usually insufficient due to poor specificity and associated toxicity. Lack of targeted delivery to prostate cancer cells is also the primary obstacles in achieving feasible therapeutic effect of other promising agents including peptide, protein, and nucleic acid. Consequently, there remains a critical need for strategies to increase the selectivity of anti-prostate cancer agents. This review will focus on various prostate cancer-relevant antigens and enzymes that could be exploited for prostate cancer targeted drug delivery. Among various targeting strategies, active targeting is the most advanced approach to specifically deliver drugs to their designated cancer cells. In this approach, drug carriers are modified with targeting ligands that can specifically bind to prostate cancer-specific antigens. Moreover, there are several specific enzymes in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer that can be exploited for stimulus-responsive drug delivery systems. These systems can specifically release the active drug in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer, leading to enhanced tumor penetration efficiency.

Reduced CD147 expression is linked to ERG fusion-positive prostate cancers but lacks substantial impact on PSA recurrence in patients treated by radical prostatectomy

The extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer CD147 has been suggested as a prognostic marker in prostate cancer. CD147 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing 11,152 prostate cancer specimens. Results were compared to tumor phenotype, biochemical recurrence, ERG status and deletions on PTEN, 3p13, 6q15 and 5q21. CD147 expression was strong in benign prostatic glands and often reduced in prostate cancers. CD147 immunostaining was found in 71.7% of 7628 interpretable cases. CD147 staining was considered strong in 34.6%, moderate in 24.3% and weak in 12.8% of cancers while 28.3% did not show any CD147 reactivity. Reduced CD147 staining was strongly associated with both TMPRSS2-ERG-rearrangement and ERG expression (p<0.0001 each). Within the subgroups of ERG positive and negative cancers, deletions of PTEN, 3p13, 6q15 and 5q21 were unrelated to the CD147 expression status. Decreased CD147 expression was significantly linked to high preoperative PSA values, high Gleason grade, advanced tumor stage (p<0.0001 each), and positive lymph node involvement (p=0.0026) in all cancers. There was a marginal, but statistically significant, association of reduced CD147 expression with early biochemical recurrence (p=0.0296). The significant reduction of CD147 expression in ERG positive prostate cancer provides further evidence for marked biological differences between "fusion type" and "non-fusion type" prostate cancer. Despite a weak association with PSA recurrence, CD147 cannot be considered a relevant prognostic biomarker.

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.

Current status of biomarkers for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related death of men globally. Since its introduction, there has been intense debate as to the effectiveness of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test as a screening tool for PCa. It is now evident that the PSA test produces unacceptably high rates of false positive results and is not prognostic. Here we review the current status of molecular biomarkers that promise to be prognostic and that might inform individual patient management. It highlights current efforts to identify biomarkers obtained by minimally invasive methods and discusses current knowledge with regard to gene fusions, mRNA and microRNAs, immunology, and cancer-associated microparticles.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer is associated with severity of brain oedema following experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage in rats

OBJECTIVE

Brain oedema is a major cause of clinical deterioration and death following brain trauma; cellular mechanisms involved in its development remain elusive. This study investigated the role of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in brain oedema.

METHODS

The monofilament puncture model was used to induce subarachnoid haemorrhage. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 20 per group): sham-operated, sacrificed immediately after surgery (sham group); sacrificed 12, 24 or 72 h after subarachnoid haemorrhage induction (SAH-12, SAH-24 and SAH-72 groups, respectively); treated with EMMPRIN inhibitor immediately after subarachnoid haemorrhage, sacrificed at 24 h (SAH-inhibition group). Mean brain water content, and EMMPRIN mRNA and protein levels, were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with the sham group, mean brain water content, EMMPRIN mRNA and protein levels in the SAH-12, SAH-24 and SAH-72 groups increased rapidly and significantly (maximal at 24 h). EMMPRIN inhibition significantly reduced mean brain water content and EMMPRIN mRNA and protein levels in the SAH-inhibition group, compared with the SAH-24 group.

CONCLUSIONS

EMMPRIN upregulation may be important in the formation of brain oedema; inhibition of EMMPRIN activity may provide a potential approach to reduce oedema after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer and fascin in urinary bladder cancer: Correlation with clinicopathological characteristics

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and fascin have recently received considerable attention as emerging key markers of cell invasion and metastasis in various types of cancers. The present study aimed to characterize the expression of EMMPRIN and fascin in a cohort of bladder cancer patients and to verify the association with clinicopathological characteristics. Immunohistochemical analysis of EMMPRIN and fascin was performed in 125 bladder cancer specimens, including 86 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and 39 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases. Overexpression of EMMPRIN and fascin was detected in 71.2 and 83.2% of bladder carcinomas, respectively, while neither was detectable in the normal adjacent epithelium. In SCC, EMMPRIN and fascin expression scores were found to be higher compared to TCC cases (P=0.031 and 0.053, respectively). Higher EMMPRIN and fascin immunoscores markedly correlated with tumor pathological (pT) stage in TCC (P<0.001) and SCC (P=0.004 and 0.001, respectively). High EMMPRIN expression was strongly associated with advanced grades in TCC and SCC (P=0.003 and 0.002, respectively). Cases were then stratified, according to the joint expression status of EMMPRIN and fascin, into four immunoprofiles. A highly significant association was found between various tumor immunoprofiles and pathological stage. Of those, the EMMPRIN-/fascin-positive immunophenotype was closely associated with pT3 and pT4 tumors. The findings suggested an association between increased EMMPRIN and fascin expression and increased progression of bladder cancer. Additionally, these two markers may act in concert to mediate a more aggressive behavior through enhanced tumor cell invasion.

Expression and clinical significance of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, EMMPRIN/CD147, in human osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Recent studies have shown that extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN/CD147) promotes adhesion, invasion and metastasis of malignant tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of EMMPRIN/CD147 expression on prognosis and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics in patients with osteosarcoma. The expression of EMMPRIN/CD147 in 55 surgical specimens from patients with osteosarcoma at stage IIA or above, 15 non-tumor rib bone tissues, three human osteosarcoma cell lines (Saos-2, U-2OS and MG-63), the human osteoblast cell line HOB and the malignant melanoma cell line A375 were examined by immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and ELISA, respectively. The potential association of the levels of EMMPRIN/CD147 expression in osteosarcoma specimens with the overall survival of patients was statistically analyzed. We found that the EMMPRIN/CD147 was expressed in 45 out of 55 osteosarcomas, with immunoreactivity primarily within the membrane and cytoplasm of tumor cells, but not in the non-tumor bone tissues. We also observed that EMMPRIN/CD147 was expressed in Saos-2, U-2OS, MG-63 and A375, but not in HOB cells. The levels of EMMPRIN/CD147 expression correlated positively with the pathological degree of osteosarcoma and negatively with the survival period of patients with osteosarcoma. The expression of EMMPRIN/CD147 is a potential factor in the development and prognosis of osteosarcoma and may be a novel therapeutic target of human osteosarcoma.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer: a novel poor prognostic marker for human seminomas

OBJECTIVE

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a glycosylated member of the immunoglobulin superfamily whose function in human seminomas is unknown. We have recently determined that EMMPRIN possesses the ability to stimulate fibroblast and endothelial cell matrix metalloproteinase production, and that its expression was frequently up-regulated in several tumours of the urinary system. Thus, EMMPRIN expression might be associated with the progression of human seminomas. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of EMMPRIN in seminoma tissues might help to predict the patients' prognosis.

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded tissues from 65 patients with seminomas and 20 normal testes were processed for immunohistochemical staining using a mouse monoclonal antibody generated against human EMMPRIN, as primary antibody, and a biotinylated goat-anti-mouse IgG, as secondary antibody. In addition, the correlation of EMMPRIN expression with clinicopathologic characteristics and patients' prognosis was also analysed.

RESULTS

EMMPRIN was detected in cancerous tissues of 53 patients with seminoma, but not normal testes. Thirty- five patients showed weakly to moderately positive and 18 patients intensely positive expression. Moreover, positive EMMPRIN staining correlated significantly with various clinicopathological factors (increased TNM stage and higher histological differentiation type) as well as decreased tumour-specific survival (log-rank, p=0.02). In particular, EMMPRIN expression was an independent prognosticator as shown by Cox regression analysis (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

EMMPRIN expression in a primary tumour predicts an unfavourable prognosis in human seminoma, suggesting its crucial role in the progression of this tumour.

Association of increased ligand cyclophilin A and receptor CD147 with hypoxia, angiogenesis, metastasis and prognosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

AIMS

We evaluated the association of ligand cyclophilin A (CypA) and receptor CD147 with hypoxia, angiogenesis, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied the expression of CypA, CD147, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A and C (VEGF-A and VEGF-C) protein by immunohistochemistry in 80 specimens of TSCC. CypA, CD147, HIF-1α, VEGF-A and VEGF-C were overexpressed in TSCCs, and were significantly higher than those in normal oral mucosa tissues (P<0.01). Increased ligand CypA and receptor CD147 correlated significantly with expression of HIF-1α, VEGF-A and VEGF-C. A significant relationship between VEGF-A and VEGF-C was also detected (P<0.01). Patients with overexpression of CypA, CD147, HIF-1α and VEGF-C had significantly worse overall survival (P<0.05) using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that HIF-1α, recurrence and distant metastasis were independent prognostic factors on overall survival in TSCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of expression of ligand CypA and receptor CD147 with carcinogenesis, hypoxia, angiogenesis, metastasis and prognosis of TSCC suggests that ligand CypA and receptor CD147 may have prognostic value and could be regarded as potential therapeutic targets in TSCC.

EMMPRIN regulates cytoskeleton reorganization and cell adhesion in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Proteins on cell surface play important roles during cancer progression and metastasis via their ability to mediate cell-to-cell interactions and navigate the communication between cells and the microenvironment.

METHODS

In this study a targeted proteomic analysis was conducted to identify the differential expression of cell surface proteins in human benign (BPH-1) versus malignant (LNCaP and PC-3) prostate epithelial cells. We identified EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) as a key candidate and shRNA functional approaches were subsequently applied to determine the role of EMMPRIN in prostate cancer cell adhesion, migration, invasion as well as cytoskeleton organization.

RESULTS

EMMPRIN was found to be highly expressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells compared to BPH-1 cells, consistent with a correlation between elevated EMMPRIN and metastasis found in other tumors. No significant changes in cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, or apoptosis were detected in EMMPRIN knockdown cells compared to the scramble controls. Furthermore, EMMPRIN silencing markedly decreased the ability of PC-3 cells to form filopodia, a critical feature of invasive behavior, while it increased expression of cell-cell adhesion and gap junction proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that EMMPRIN regulates cell adhesion, invasion, and cytoskeleton reorganization in prostate cancer cells. This study identifies a new function for EMMPRIN as a contributor to prostate cancer cell-cell communication and cytoskeleton changes towards metastatic spread, and suggests its potential value as a marker of prostate cancer progression to metastasis.

Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) and CD147 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in prostate cancer

Background

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are transmembrane proteins involved in the transport of monocarboxylates across the plasma membrane, which appear to play an important role in solid tumours, however the role of MCTs in prostate cancer is largely unknown. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the clinico-pathological value of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) expression, namely MCT1, MCT2 and MCT4, together with CD147 and gp70 as MCT1/4 and MCT2 chaperones, respectively, in prostate carcinoma.

Methods

Prostate tissues were obtained from 171 patients, who performed radical prostatectomy and 14 patients who performed cystoprostatectomy. Samples and clinico-pathological data were retrieved and organized into tissue microarray (TMAs) blocks. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in neoplastic (n = 171), adjacent non-neoplastic tissues (n = 135), PIN lesions (n = 40) and normal prostatic tissue (n = 14). Protein expression was correlated with patients' clinicopathologic characteristics.

Results

In the present study, a significant increase of MCT2 and MCT4 expression in the cytoplasm of tumour cells and a significant decrease in both MCT1 and CD147 expression in prostate tumour cells was observed when compared to normal tissue. All MCT isoforms and CD147 were expressed in PIN lesions. Importantly, for MCT2 and MCT4 the expression levels in PIN lesions were between normal and tumour tissue, which might indicate a role for these MCTs in the malignant transformation. Associations were found between MCT1, MCT4 and CD147 expressions and poor prognosis markers; importantly MCT4 and CD147 overexpression correlated with higher PSA levels, Gleason score and pT stage, as well as with perineural invasion and biochemical recurrence.

Conclusions

Our data provides novel evidence for the involvement of MCTs in prostate cancer. According to our results, we consider that MCT2 should be further explored as tumour marker and both MCT4 and CD147 as markers of poor prognosis in prostate cancer.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer expression in salivary gland tumors: a correlation with microvessel density

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) as well as the correlation between EMMPRIN and microvessel density (MVD) in salivary gland tumors. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer expression and MVD were examined immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 95 patients with salivary gland tumors, who underwent surgical resection from 1998 to 2006. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to monitor EMMPRIN mRNA expression in frozen samples. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer expression in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas was significantly higher than in normal salivary gland tissues and pleomorphic adenomas (P < 0.05). The MVD of mucoepidermoid carcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas was significantly higher compared with pleomorphic adenomas (P < 0.05). The MVD of the EMMPRIN-positive expression group was significantly higher than the MVD of the EMMPRIN-negative expression group (P < 0.05). Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer mRNA expression in malignant salivary gland tumors was higher than that in pleomorphic adenomas (P < 0.05). This study suggests that EMMPRIN expression is an important feature of malignant salivary gland tumors and can be used as a biologic marker to characterize salivary gland tumors. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer is also a positive angiogenic factor in salivary gland tumors.

Expression of CD147 is associated with prostate cancer progression

Novel molecular markers that are associated with prostate cancer (PCa) progression will provide valuable information in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (CD147) has been demonstrated to be involved in tumor invasion, metastasis, growth and survival. In our study, we examined whether the expression of CD147 can be used as a prognostic marker for predicting PCa progression. Tissue samples from 240 patients who received radical prostatectomy for PCa were obtained. CD147 expression in these samples was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody specifically against CD147. Increased expression of CD147 was correlated with higher Gleason scores (GS), positive surgical margin, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure, metastasis and reduced overall survival. Both univariate Cox regression analysis and multivariate analysis including competing biological variables demonstrated that increased CD147 expression was associated with increased risk for reduced PSA failure-free, metastasis-free and overall survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the CD147 overexpression was a significant predictor for the PSA failure-free, metastasis-free and the overall survival in both pT2 and pT3 PCa patients. More significantly, higher expression of CD147 can serve as an independent prognostic predictor for PSA failure-free survival in PCa patients when they are stratified by GS. Our study results demonstrate the involvement of CD147 in PCa progression and suggest its potential role as an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence, development of metastasis and reduced overall survival in PCa.

Baculovirus display of single chain antibody (scFv) using a novel signal peptide

Background

Cells permissive to virus can become refractory to viral replication upon intracellular expression of single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies directed towards viral structural or regulatory proteins, or virus-coded enzymes. For example, an intrabody derived from MH-SVM33, a monoclonal antibody against a conserved C-terminal epitope of the HIV-1 matrix protein (MAp17), was found to exert an inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication.

Results

Two versions of MH-SVM33-derived scFv were constructed in recombinant baculoviruses (BVs) and expressed in BV-infected Sf9 cells, N-myristoylation-competent scFvG2/p17 and N-myristoylation-incompetent scFvE2/p17 protein, both carrying a C-terminal HA tag. ScFvG2/p17 expression resulted in an insoluble, membrane-associated protein, whereas scFvE2/p17 was recovered in both soluble and membrane-incorporated forms. When coexpressed with the HIV-1 Pr55Gag precursor, scFvG2/p17 and scFvE2/p17 did not show any detectable negative effect on virus-like particle (VLP) assembly and egress, and both failed to be encapsidated in VLP. However, soluble scFvE2/p17 isolated from Sf9 cell lysates was capable of binding to its specific antigen, in the form of a synthetic p17 peptide or as Gag polyprotein-embedded epitope. Significant amounts of scFvE2/p17 were released in the extracellular medium of BV-infected cells in high-molecular weight, pelletable form. This particulate form corresponded to BV particles displaying scFvE2/p17 molecules, inserted into the BV envelope via the scFv N-terminal region. The BV-displayed scFvE2/p17 molecules were found to be immunologically functional, as they reacted with the C-terminal epitope of MAp17. Fusion of the N-terminal 18 amino acid residues from the scFvE2/p17 sequence (N18E2) to another scFv recognizing CD147 (scFv-M6-1B9) conferred the property of BV-display to the resulting chimeric scFv-N18E2/M6.

Conclusion

Expression of scFvE2/p17 in insect cells using a BV vector resulted in baculoviral progeny displaying scFvE2/p17. The function required for BV envelope incorporation was carried by the N-terminal octadecapeptide of scFvE2/p17, which acted as a signal peptide for BV display. Fusion of this peptide to the N-terminus of scFv molecules of interest could be applied as a general method for BV-display of scFv in a GP64- and VSV-G-independent manner.

Biomarkers: the useful and the not so useful--an assessment of molecular prognostic markers for cutaneous melanoma

Among individuals with localized (Stage I-II) melanoma, stratifying patients by a number of phenotypic variables (e.g., depth of invasion, ulceration) yields a wide range of 10-year melanoma-specific survival rates. With the possible exception of Ki-67, no molecular assessment is routinely used. However, there have been a tremendous number of studies assessing protein expression by immunohistochemistry toward the goal of better prediction of recurrence. In a previous systematic review, which required publication of multivariable prognostic models as a strict inclusion criterion, we identified 37 manuscripts that collectively reported on 62 proteins. Data for 324 proteins extracted from 418 manuscripts did not meet our inclusion criteria for that study, but are revisited here, emphasizing trends of protein expression across either melanocytic lesion progression or gradations of tumor thickness. These identified 101 additional proteins that stratify melanoma, organized according to the Hanahan and Weinberg functional capabilities of cancer.

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

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) in stromal and cancer cells. The study aimed to clarify the role of EMMPRIN expression in tumorigenesis and progression of colorectal carcinomas (CRC).

METHODS

EMMPRIN expression was examined on tissue microarray containing colorectal carcinomas, adenoma and non-neoplastic mucosa (NNM) by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH). Colorectal carcinoma cell lines (DLD-1, HCT-15, SW480 and WiDr) and tissues were studied for EMMPRIN expression by Western blot or RT-PCR, followed by sequencing.

RESULTS

All carcinoma cell lines showed EMMPRIN expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Two synonymous mutations were found in carcinoma cell lines at codon109 (GCT → GCC: Ala) or 179 (GAT → GAC: Asp). Frozen CRC tissues displayed higher EMMPRIN expression than paired NNM (P < 0.05). EMMPRIN expression was immunohistochemically stronger in colorectal high-grade adenoma, adenocarcinoma and metastatic carcinoma than non-neoplastic superficial epithelium and low-grade adenoma (P < 0.05). In contrast, its mRNA level was similar from colorectal NNM, adenoma to adenocarcinoma by ISH, in line with the findings of RT-PCR (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemically, EMMPRIN expression was positively correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, vascular or lymphatic invasion, grade of infiltration (INF), ki-67 and VEGF expression of CRCs (P < 0.05). Among them, depth of invasion was an independent associated factor for EMMPRIN expression in CRCs (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Up-regulated EMMPRIN protein expression might contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis without the alteration of its glycosylation and mRNA level. Aberrant EMMPRIN protein expression might promote growth or invasion of CRCs possibly through increased ki-67 expression and inducible angiogenesis via up-regulating VEGF expression.

Tumor metabolism of lactate: the influence and therapeutic potential for MCT and CD147 regulation

Tumor metabolism consists of complex interactions between oxygenation states, metabolites, ions, the vascular network and signaling cascades. Accumulation of lactate within tumors has been correlated with poor clinical outcomes. While its production has negative implications, potentially contributing to tumor progression, the implications of the ability of tumors to utilize lactate can offer new therapeutic targets for the future. Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) of the SLC16A gene family influence substrate availability, the metabolic path of lactate and pH balance within the tumor. CD147, a chaperone to some MCT subtypes, contributes to tumor progression and metastasis. The implications and consequences of lactate utilization by tumors are currently unknown; therefore future research is needed on the intricacies of tumor metabolism. The possibility of metabolic modification of the tumor microenvironment via regulation or manipulation of MCT1 and CD147 may prove to be promising avenues of therapeutic options.

Inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and migration of prostate cancer cells by downregulating elongation factor-1alpha expression

Overexpression of elongation factor-1alpha (EF-1alpha) has been reported to contribute to the development and progression of various cancers. However, its role in prostate cancer (PCa) still remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigate the influence of EF-1alpha in Du145, a high-grade metastatic PCa cell line, and demonstrate that EF-1alpha plays an essential role in cellular properties associated with tumor progression, namely cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. In this study, EF-1alpha expression in human PCa cell line Du145 was reduced by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, and the proliferation, invasion, and migration of EF-1alpha-reduced Du145 cells were examined. We also detected an EF-1alpha expression pattern in 20 pairs of primary PCa samples and their corresponding normal tissues. Expression of EF-1alpha was detectable in four PCa cell lines (22RV1, LnCap, Du145, and PC3), indicating its possible role in pathogenesis of PCa. RNAi-mediated knockdown of EF-1alpha expression in Du145 cells, which expressed the highest level of EF-1alpha among four PCa cell lines, led to a decrease in proliferation. Similarly, suppression of EF-1alpha inhibited Du145 cell migration and invasion through a basement membrane substitute. Furthermore, we found that the normal prostate tissues showed a relatively low level of EF-1alpha expression, whereas PCa tissues demonstrated significantly higher expression levels of EF-1alpha (P < 0.001). Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that EF-1alpha affects multiple processes involved in tumor progression, and identify EF-1alpha as a potential therapeutic target.