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Ruggeri RM, Vitarelli E, Barresi G, Trimarchi F, Benvenga S, Trovato M. The tyrosine kinase receptor c-met, its cognate ligand HGF and the tyrosine kinase receptor trasducers STAT3, PI3K and RHO in thyroid nodules associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: an immunohistochemical characterization. Eur J Histochem 2010; 54:e24. [PMID: 20558345 PMCID: PMC3167304 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2010.e24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Revised: 03/20/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exerts proliferative activities in thyrocytes upon binding to its tyrosine kinase receptor c-met and is also expressed in benign thyroid nodules as well as in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). The simultaneous expression of HGF/c-met and three trasducers of tyrosine kinase receptors (STAT3, PI3K, RHO) in both the nodular and extranodular tissues were studied by immunohistochemistry in 50 benign thyroid nodules (NGs), 25 of which associated with HT. The ligand/tyrosine kinase receptor pair HGF/c-met and the two trasducers PI3K and RHO were expressed in NGs, regardless of association with HT, with a higher positive cases percentage in HT-associated NGs compared to not HT-associated NGs (25/25 or 100% vs 7/25 or 28%; P<0.001). HGF, PI3K and RHO expression was only stromal (fibroblasts and endothelial cells), in all 32 reactive NGs, while c-met localization was consistently epithelial (thyrocyes). Immunoreactions for HGF, c-met, PI3K and RHO were also apparent in the extra-nodular tissue of HT specimens, where HGF and PI3K were expressed not only in stromal cells but also in thyrocyes along with the c-met. Finally, a positive correlation was observed between the proportion of HGF, c-met, PI3K follicular cells and the grade of lymphoid aggregates in HT. In conclusion, HGF, c-met, PI3K are much more frequently and highly expressed in HT compared to NGs, and among all NGs in those present in the context of HT. A paracrine effect of HFG/c-met on nodule development, based on the prevalent stromal expression, may be suggested along with a major role of HGF/c-met and PI3K in HT. Finally, the expression of such molecules in HT may be regulated by lymphoid infiltrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Ruggeri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Clinical-Experimental, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Sozopoulos E, Litsiou H, Voutsinas G, Mitsiades N, Anagnostakis N, Tseva T, Patsouris E, Tseleni-Balafouta S. Mutational and immunohistochemical study of the PI3K/Akt pathway in papillary thyroid carcinoma in Greece. Endocr Pathol 2010; 21:90-100. [PMID: 20186503 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-010-9112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays critical role in many cell processes. There is indication that enhanced activation of PI3K/Akt cascade is implicated in thyroid tumors. Aim of this study was to evaluate the mutational status and expression of PI3K/Akt pathway mediators in papillary thyroid carcinoma in Greece. We evaluated the presence of mutations in PIK3CA (exons 9 and 20), AKT1 (exons 6-11), AKT2 (exons 6-11), AKT3 (exons 5-10), PTEN (exons 3-8), and PDPK1 (exons 4-10) genes in 83 papillary thyroid carcinomas by DNA sequencing. The expression levels of phospho-Akt and insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. PIK3CA mutations were found in three samples. The analysis of AKT1 revealed one silent mutation in exon 9 (G726A) in 16 samples. One specimen carried an AKT3 mutation. One missense mutation was found in one sample in PTEN. No mutations were found in AKT2 and PDPK1. Increased levels of phosphorylated total Akt and IGF-IR were identified in some papillary cancers. Our findings indicate that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is activated in some papillary tumors. However, mutations in genes coding most mediators of the pathway have not been proven to be the major modus of enhanced activation. These data suggest a potential role for PI3K/Akt-mediated signaling in papillary thyroid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Sozopoulos
- 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Athens, M. Asias 75, Athens, 11527, Greece.
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Ruggeri RM, Sciacchitano S, Vitale A, Cardelli P, Galletti M, Vitarelli E, Barresi G, Benvenga S, Trimarchi F, Trovato M. Serum hepatocyte growth factor is increased in Hashimoto's thyroiditis whether or not it is associated with nodular goiter as compared with healthy non-goitrous individuals. J Endocrinol Invest 2009; 32:465-9. [PMID: 19468262 DOI: 10.1007/bf03346487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some growth factors and cytokines are known to cooperate with TSH in thyroid nodular growth, but few data are available on their circulating levels in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). AIM To evaluate in HT patients whether thyroid nodules are associated with variations in serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Serum levels of HGF and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 176 euthyroid subjects, subdivided into 4 groups: A) HT patients with nodular goiter (no.=42); B) non-goitrous HT patients (no.=36); C) non-HT patients with nodular goiter (no.=48), and D) healthy subjects without thyroid disease (no.=50). RESULTS The highest concentrations of serumHGF were found in patients with nodular goiter, irrespective of the presence of associated HT (groups A and C). Nevertheless, in group A serum HGF levels were significantly higher than in group C (860.8+/-333.6 pg/ml vs 691.5+/-156 pg/ml, p<0.01). Moreover, though serum HGF levels in group B (578.3+/-217 pg/ml) were lower than in group A, they were significantly higher than in healthy controls (group D, 512.7+/-170.4 pg/ml, p<0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were similar in the two HT groups (A and B), and increased with respect to groups C and D. CONCLUSIONS Serum HGF is increased in HT, especially associated to thyroid nodules, as compared with healthy non-goitrous individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Ruggeri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Clinical-Experimental Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Ghoneim C, Soula-Rothhut M, Blanchevoye C, Martiny L, Antonicelli F, Rothhut B. Activating Transcription Factor-1-mediated Hepatocyte Growth Factor-induced Down-regulation of Thrombospondin-1 Expression Leads to Thyroid Cancer Cell Invasion. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:15490-7. [PMID: 17409099 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m610586200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of a variety of human epithelial tumors including papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Previous reports demonstrated that HGF, acting through the Met receptor, repressed thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) expression. To study the mechanisms by which HGF down-regulated TSP-1 expression, we transiently transfected a panel of deleted human TSP-1 promoter reporter plasmids into papillary thyroid carcinoma cells. We identified a region between -1210 and -1123 bp relative to the transcription start site that is responsive to HGF treatment and harbors a cAMP-responsive element (CRE) at position -1199 (TGACGTCC). Overexpression of various members of the CRE-binding protein family identified activating transcription factor-1 (ATF-1) as the transcription factor responsible for HGF-induced repression of TSP-1 promoter activity. This inhibition was associated with a concomitant increase in the abundance of nuclear ATF-1 protein. Gel shift and antibody supershift studies indicated that ATF-1 was involved in DNA binding to the TSP-1-CRE site. Finally, we utilized small hairpin RNA to target ATF-1 and showed that these small interfering RNA constructs significantly inhibited ATF-1 expression at both the RNA and the protein level. ATF-1 knockdown prevented HGF-induced down-regulation of TSP-1 promoter activity and protein expression and also reduced HGF-dependent tumor cell invasion. Taken together, our results indicate that HGF-induced down-regulation of TSP-1 expression is mediated by the interaction of ATF-1 with the CRE binding site in the TSP-1 promoter and that this transcription factor plays a crucial role for tumor invasiveness in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid triggered by HGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Ghoneim
- Unité Matrice Extracellulaire et Régulations Cellulaires, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne (URCA), CNRS, 51687 Reims, France
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Eggo MC, Quiney VM, Campbell S. Local factors regulating growth and function of human thyroid cells in vitro and in vivo. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2003; 213:47-58. [PMID: 15062573 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2003.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/03/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In vitro culture of thyroid follicles is often employed to study thyroid cell biology and the control of thyroid follicular cell growth. For acceptance as a valid model, cultures should maintain differentiated function, which can be measured as the organification of [Formula: see text] and/or the de novo synthesis of thyroid hormones. In this article, the properties and merits of the various in vitro cultures of thyroid follicular cells and the potential effects of thyroid-specific, secreted products (thyroid hormones, thyroglobulin) and autocrine factors (proteases, growth factors and inhibitors) on thyroid growth and function, are explored. The regulation of the secretion of autocrine/paracrine factors by thyroid follicular cells is reviewed and methods by which cells may defend themselves from the effects of bioactive growth factors are discussed with particular reference to FGF signalling. The role and regulation of plasminogen activator activity, which may be central to the release and/or activation of growth factors and their receptors, and the secretion of angiogenic factors are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Eggo
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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Abstract
A number of molecular abnormalities have been described in association with the progression from normal thyroid tissue to benign adenomas to well-differentiated and finally anaplastic epithelial thyroid cancer. These include upregulation of proliferative factors, such as growth hormones and oncogenes, downregulation of apoptotic and cell-cycle inhibitory factors, such as tumor suppressors, disruption of normal cell-to-cell interactions, and cellular immortalization. The progression model for thyroid carcinoma has not been proven, but evidence suggests that an evolutionary molecular process is involved, especially in the development of follicular thyroid cancers for which there are distinct intermediate phenotypes. We present a comprehensive evaluation of factors involved in thyroid tumorigenesis and attempt to describe preliminary attributes of a progression model. The organization of this model should also provide a template for the incorporation of new information as it is derived from large-scale genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorry L Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Dremier S, Coulonval K, Perpete S, Vandeput F, Fortemaison N, Van Keymeulen A, Deleu S, Ledent C, Clément S, Schurmans S, Dumont JE, Lamy F, Roger PP, Maenhaut C. The role of cyclic AMP and its effect on protein kinase A in the mitogenic action of thyrotropin on the thyroid cell. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002; 968:106-21. [PMID: 12119271 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04330.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic AMP has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in many cell types and to activate it in some. The latter has been recognized only lately, thanks in large part to studies on the regulation of thyroid cell proliferation in dog thyroid cells. The steps that led to this conclusion are outlined. Thyrotropin activates cyclic accumulation in thyroid cells of all the studied species and also phospholipase C in human cells. It activates directly cell proliferation in rat cell lines, dog, and human thyroid cells but not in bovine or pig cells. The action of cyclic AMP is responsible for the proliferative effect of TSH. It accounts for several human diseases: congenital hyperthyroidism, autonomous adenomas, and Graves' disease; and, by default, for hypothyroidism by TSH receptor defect. Cyclic AMP proliferative action requires the activation of protein kinase A, but this effect is not sufficient to explain it. Cyclic AMP action also requires the permissive effect of IGF-1 or insulin through their receptors, mostly as a consequence of PI3 kinase activation. The mechanism of these effects at the level of cyclin and cyclin-dependent protein kinases involves an induction of cyclin D3 by IGF-1 and the cyclic AMP-elicited generation and activation of the cyclin D3-CDK4 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dremier
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHN), Université of Brussels, School of Medicine, Campus Erasme, B 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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8
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Kimura T, Van Keymeulen A, Golstein J, Fusco A, Dumont JE, Roger PP. Regulation of thyroid cell proliferation by TSH and other factors: a critical evaluation of in vitro models. Endocr Rev 2001; 22:631-56. [PMID: 11588145 DOI: 10.1210/edrv.22.5.0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
TSH via cAMP, and various growth factors, in cooperation with insulin or IGF-I stimulate cell cycle progression and proliferation in various thyrocyte culture systems, including rat thyroid cell lines (FRTL-5, WRT, PC Cl3) and primary cultures of rat, dog, sheep and human thyroid. The available data on cell signaling cascades, cell cycle kinetics, and cell cycle-regulatory proteins are thoroughly and critically reviewed in these experimental systems. In most FRTL-5 cells, TSH (cAMP) merely acts as a priming/competence factor amplifying PI3K and MAPK pathway activation and DNA synthesis elicited by insulin/IGF-I. In WRT cells, TSH and insulin/IGF-I can independently activate Ras and PI3K pathways and DNA synthesis. In dog thyroid primary cultures, TSH (cAMP) does not activate Ras and PI3K, and cAMP must be continuously elevated by TSH to directly control the progression through G(1) phase. This effect is exerted, at least in part, via the cAMP-dependent activation of the required cyclin D3, itself synthesized in response to insulin/IGF-I. This and other discrepancies show that the mechanistic logics of cell cycle stimulation by cAMP profoundly diverge in these different in vitro models of the same cell. Therefore, although these different thyrocyte systems constitute interesting models of the wide diversity of possible mechanisms of cAMP-dependent proliferation in various cell types, extrapolation of in vitro mechanistic data to TSH-dependent goitrogenesis in man can only be accepted in the cases where independent validation is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kimura
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHN), School of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Erasme, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
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9
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Ruco LP, Stoppacciaro A, Ballarini F, Prat M, Scarpino S. Met protein and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: evidence for a pathogenetic role in tumourigenesis. J Pathol 2001; 194:4-8. [PMID: 11329134 DOI: 10.1002/path.847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In the last 10 years, evidence has accumulated that overexpression of Met protein is a distinguishing feature of almost every case of well-differentiated papillary carcinoma. Increased expression of the protein is probably due to enhanced transcription of the MET gene and/or to post-transcriptional mechanisms. So far, alterations of the MET gene have not been recognized, but evidence has been provided that activated RAS and RET can cause accumulation of MET RNA. Thus, the possibility exists that dysregulation of MET is the final result of different molecular pathways capable of inducing thyroid cell transformation; RET rearrangements might account for some of the cases, but the demonstration that the majority of papillary carcinomas do not have recognized alterations of the RET gene strongly suggests that MET gene dysregulation can also be achieved through other molecular pathways. Dysregulation of MET causes marked accumulation of Met protein in tumour cells that is promptly detected by immunohistochemistry. Thus, overexpression of Met protein might represent an immunohistochemical marker of papillary carcinoma, potentially helpful in problematic cases, but caution is required; moderate expression of Met protein is observed in non-neoplastic thyroid diseases, such as Graves' and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and reagents active on paraffin sections may have a low affinity and/or low specificity for Met protein, leading to artifactual staining. Met protein-positive papillary carcinoma cells may produce hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and may activate HGF through the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) bound to urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPA-R). Thus, papillary carcinoma cells possess the molecular machinery necessary for a productive HGF/Met interaction. In vitro studies have demonstrated that HGF enhances the motility and invasiveness of tumour cells and induces the synthesis and release of chemokines active in the recruitment of dendritic cells. These observations provide a rational basis for the understanding of two distinguishing features of papillary carcinoma. First, the tumour is often characterized by early metastatic spread to regional lymph nodes and by multifocal involvement of the gland, which suggests highly invasive behaviour. Second, a prominent peritumoural inflammatory reaction is often observed, which suggests cross-talk between tumour cells and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P Ruco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Università La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Schulte KM, Beyer A, Köhrer K, Oberhäuser S, Röher HD. Lysophosphatidic acid, a novel lipid growth factor for human thyroid cells: over-expression of the high-affinity receptor edg4 in differentiated thyroid cancer. Int J Cancer 2001; 92:249-56. [PMID: 11291053 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0215(200102)9999:9999<::aid-ijc1166>3.0.co;2-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small lipid mediator with pleiotropic biological activities, e.g., the regulation of cellular proliferation and various aspects of cellular physiology. Signal transduction is achieved by binding to 2 high-affinity receptors, EDG2 and EDG4, and a group of low-affinity receptors, EDG1-7, all belonging to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. We examined the growth-regulatory effects of LPA in primary cultures of 8 goiters and 1 papillary thyroid cancer. We further assessed mRNA expression of high-affinity receptors EDG2 and EDG4 in 14 normal thyroids, 29 papillary thyroid cancers, 7 follicular thyroid cancers and 13 goiters by quantitative RT-PCR. We also identified mRNA expression of phospholipase A(2) and LPA acyltransferase in fresh thyroid tissues derived from various sources. At concentrations of 10, 50 and 150 microM, LPA induced a 2-fold rise of proliferation (p < 0.001) and acted as strongly as thyrotropin. The combination of LPA and TSH produced significant synergistic effects compared with each substance alone (p < 0.05). Normal thyroid, goiter and papillary or follicular thyroid cancer expressed 2 high-affinity cognate LPA receptors, EDG2 and EDG4. EDG4 receptor mRNA expression was increased 3-fold in differentiated thyroid cancer (p < 0.01), both papillary (p < 0.01) and follicular (p < 0.05), compared to normal thyroid or goiter. Overall expression of EDG2 receptor was unchanged in malignancy; however, increased EDG2 expression in individual samples correlated with lymphonodular metastasis (p = 0.01). Thus, lipid mediators are a novel class of factors involved in the control of proliferation in the human thyroid. Altered mRNA expression of the high-affinity LPA receptor EDG4 suggests a role in the pathogenesis of differentiated thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Schulte
- Clinic for General Surgery and Trauma Surgery, Medizinische Einrichtungen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany.
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11
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Gao C, Kennedy S, Ponder KP. Lipopolysaccharide potentiates the effect of hepatocyte growth factor upon replication in lung, thyroid, spleen, and colon in rats in vivo. Mol Ther 2001; 3:462-75. [PMID: 11319906 DOI: 10.1006/mthe.2001.0265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of replication may potentiate in vivo gene therapy, as some viral vectors only transduce dividing cells. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) increases the percentage of replicating hepatocytes to 18-fold that in normal rats, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modestly potentiates this effect. In this study, the effect of iv HGF upon replication in other organs was determined. HGF at 10 mg/kg resulted in replication that was < or =3-fold that of normal rats in alveolar and proximal renal tubular cells. HGF alone had no effect upon replication of epithelial cells from the bronchi, thyroid, pancreas, or colon or upon cells from the muscle, pancreatic islets, spleen, blood vessels, or thymus. HGF and LPS at 5 mg/kg resulted in replication that was 9-fold that of normal rats in alveolar cells, 25-fold in bronchial epithelial cells, 4-fold in thyroid epithelial cells, 1.5-fold in the red pulp of the spleen, and 2-fold in colonic epithelial cells. The synergistic effect may be due to the fact that LPS upregulated the HGF receptor c-met in thyroid, spleen, and colon. We conclude that iv administration of HGF alone is relatively specific for inducing hepatocyte replication and would allow selective gene transfer into the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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12
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Moretti F, Nanni S, Pontecorvi A. Molecular pathogenesis of thyroid nodules and cancer. BAILLIERE'S BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH. CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM 2000; 14:517-39. [PMID: 11289733 DOI: 10.1053/beem.2000.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumours derived from the thyroid follicular epithelium represent an informative model for understanding the molecular pathogenesis of multistage tumourigenesis, which is the prevailing theory on cancer development and progression nowadays. The early stages of thyroid tumour development appear to be the consequence of the activation or 'de novo' expression of several proto-oncogenes or growth factor receptors, such as ras, ret, NTRK, met, gsp and the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor. Alterations in the expression pattern of these genes are associated with the development of differentiated neoplasms, ranging from benign toxic adenomas (gsp and TSH receptor), to follicular (ras) and papillary (ret/PTC, NTRK, met) carcinomas. They may all be considered to be early events of thyroid cell transformation and, for some, experimental evidence derived from gene transfer studies supports this hypothesis. Alterations in tumour suppressor genes (p53, Rb) are associated instead with the most aggressive and poorly differentiated forms of thyroid cancer, indicating that, in the thyroid tumourigenic process, they represent late genetic events. Specific environmental factors (iodine deficiency, ionizing radiations) have been shown to play a crucial role in promoting the development of thyroid cancer, influencing both its genotypic and phenotypic features. Interestingly, a high percentage of genetic lesions causing thyroid cancer originate from gene rearrangements and chromosomal translocations (ret/PTC, NTRK, Pax-8/PPARgamma) a finding which, being a rare event in most epithelial tumours, makes the molecular pathogenesis of thyroid cancer unique. The uninterrupted flow of information on the molecular genetics of thyroid nodules and cancer will broaden the correlation between genotype and phenotype and will also provide important information for the development of more accurate preoperative diagnostic tools and more efficient treatment choices for the different forms of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Moretti
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, National Research Council
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Ramirez R, Hsu D, Patel A, Fenton C, Dinauer C, Tuttle RM, Francis GL. Over-expression of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and the HGF/SF receptor (cMET) are associated with a high risk of metastasis and recurrence for children and young adults with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2000; 53:635-44. [PMID: 11106926 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2000.01124.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study determined if hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) or the HGF/SF receptor (cMET) might be important for metastasis in thyroid cancer. DESIGN We examined HGF/SF and cMET expression by immunohistochemistry in a retrospective group of benign and malignant thyroid lesions from children and young adults, and correlated the intensity of expression with clinical outcome. PATIENTS Patients included 42 children and young adults with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), seven with follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), two with medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC), 14 with benign thyroid disorders, and two with normal thyroids. MEASUREMENTS Expression of cMET was graded from 0 (absent) to 4 (intense); and HGF/SF expression was graded from 0 (absent-minimal) to 3 (diffuse and intense). RESULTS cMET staining was greater in PTC (mean intensity 2.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.2, P < 0.005) and FTC (2.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.2, P = 0.04) than benign lesions (0.8 +/- 0.2) or normal thyroids (0.4 +/- 0.5). PTC with intense cMET staining had shorter disease free survival (P = 0.05) and increased HGF/SF staining (r = 0.39, P = 0.017). HGF/SF correlated with the extent of disease at diagnosis (r = 0.33, P = 0.049). Patients with PTC were stratified into quartiles based on combined cMET and HGF/SF staining. Those with intense cMET and HGF/SF staining were younger (P = 0.05), and had reduced disease free survival (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that increased cMET and HGF/SF expression is associated with a high risk for metastasis and recurrence in children and young adults with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ramirez
- Department of Paediatrics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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14
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Sautin Y, Takamura N, Shklyaev S, Nagayama Y, Ohtsuru A, Namba H, Yamashita S. Ceramide-induced apoptosis of human thyroid cancer cells resistant to apoptosis by irradiation. Thyroid 2000; 10:733-40. [PMID: 11041449 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2000.10.733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) induces apoptosis through, in part, cell membrane breakdown signals. Ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG) are released after IR exposure, which act as second messengers to induce proapoptotic and antiapoptotic signals, respectively. We have previously shown, however, that thyroid cells are relatively resistant to IR-induced apoptosis. To investigate the mechanism of thyroid cell resistance to IR-related apoptosis, we determined the effects of ceramide and its release following exposure of human thyroid cancer cell lines to IR. Exogenous C2-ceramide (10-100 microM) activated the apoptosis process in all cell lines used. Exogenous C2-ceramide also activated a stress kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase UNK). The apoptotic action of ceramide was attenuated by serum or simultaneous activation of protein kinases C and A by phorbol esters and forskolin. Furthermore, 2-5 Gy IR had a differential effect on ceramide and DAG release in human thyroid cells; a weak and transient release of ceramide but a strong and sustained release of DAG. Our results indicated that the radioresistance properties of thyroid cancer cells probably reflect the dominance of anti-apoptotic signals, evoked by growth factor(s) and DAG, which override the apoptotic effect of ceramide released by human thyroid cells on exposure to IR, in spite of activation of proapoptotic pathway downstream of ceramide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Sautin
- Department of International Health and Radiation Research, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Japan
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15
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Bergström JD, Westermark B, Heldin NE. Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling activates met in human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells. Exp Cell Res 2000; 259:293-9. [PMID: 10942601 DOI: 10.1006/excr.2000.4967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of Met is a common finding in thyroid carcinomas. Recently, we reported on overexpression and ligand-independent constitutive activation of Met in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells. In the present study we have investigated a putative mechanism for this phenomenon. Cell lines with constitutively activated Met expressed both TGF-alpha mRNA and protein. Western blot analysis revealed expression of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGFR) in all carcinoma cell lines; in tumor cells with elevated levels of TGF-alpha mRNA there was a constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFRs. Preincubation of carcinoma cells with suramin decreased EGFR activation and downregulated Met expression as well as the ligand-independent phosphorylation of Met. Similar results were obtained with a EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG 1478. The MEK inhibitor U0126 had an even more pronounced effect compared to AG 1478, indicating a Ras/MAPK-mediated signal in the regulation of Met expression and activation. Inhibition of EGFR signaling also decreased proliferation of the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells. Thus, aberrant activation of EGFRs may lead to an overexpression and activation of Met, which may be of importance for the malignant phenotype of anaplastic thyroid carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Bergström
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
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Bergström JD, Nilsson M, Heldin NE. Impaired response to hepatocyte growth factor in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells expressing a functional hepatocyte growth factor receptor. Thyroid 2000; 10:631-40. [PMID: 11014306 DOI: 10.1089/10507250050137699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The FRTL-5 rat thyroid cell line is widely used for studies of thyrocyte function and growth. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on FRTL-5 cells. HGF has previously been known to be a potent regulator of thyrocyte growth and differentiation. Met, the receptor for HGF was expressed in FRTL-5 cells, as well as in primary cultures of porcine thyrocytes included in the study as control. On HGF stimulation Met was tyrosine phosphorylated in both porcine and FRTL-5 cells, indicating an activation of the receptor. Addition of HGF induced changes of cell shape, scattering and proliferation of the porcine thyrocytes, but not in the FRTL-5 cells; yet, a functional coupling of Met to the p85 subunit of the phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3'-K) in coprecipitation experiments, formation of focal adhesions detected in immunofluorescence staining with an antivinculin antibody, and induction of c-fos mRNA in Northern blot analysis was observed in FRTL-5 cells, showing a transduction of the HGF/Met signal. In summary, despite the expression of apparently functional Met, the FRTL-5 cells are unable to properly respond to HGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Bergström
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden
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Scarpino S, Stoppacciaro A, Colarossi C, Cancellario F, Marzullo A, Marchesi M, Biffoni M, Comoglio PM, Prat M, Ruco LP. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulates tumour invasiveness in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. J Pathol 1999; 189:570-5. [PMID: 10629560 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(199912)189:4<570::aid-path470>3.0.co;2-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study has investigated the functional role of the Met receptor in primary cultures of 20 papillary carcinomas and of normal thyroid cells obtained from the same patients. Normal and tumour cells grew as adherent cells, formed a confluent monolayer after 10-20 days, had epithelial morphology, and were immunoreactive for cytokeratin, vimentin, and thyroglobulin. The potential effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on cell invasiveness was investigated in Boyden chambers, using a nucleopore filter coated with Matrigel as the barrier and HGF as the chemoattractant. Tumour cells of five out of seven cases of papillary carcinoma were more responsive to HGF than the corresponding normal cells in terms of the number of migrated cells per mm(2). Involvement of the Met receptor in the HGF-induced migratory response was suggested by the observation that the agonistic anti-Met monoclonal antibody (MAb) DO-24 was equally effective. HGF did not affect the proliferative activity of thyroid cells. Under the same experimental conditions, 10 per cent fetal bovine serum (FBS) induced a two-fold increase in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into normal cells and tumour cells. These findings are consistent with the possibility that HGF plays a crucial role in determining the invasiveness of tumour cells in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Scarpino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Università 'La Sapienza', Roma, Italy
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Bergström JD, Hermansson A, Diaz de Ståhl T, Heldin NE. Non-autocrine, constitutive activation of Met in human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells in culture. Br J Cancer 1999; 80:650-6. [PMID: 10360640 PMCID: PMC2362268 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6690406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of Met by its ligand HGF has been shown to elicit both mitogenic and motogenic responses in thyrocytes in vitro. In the present study we have investigated the expression of Met in human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells in culture. There was a variation in expression level and size of Met in the different cell lines; high Met expression was found in four cell lines, compared to non-neoplastic human thyrocytes. Treatment with glucoproteinase F showed that the size differences observed were due to variances in the degree of glycosylation. Interestingly, in cell lines with high expression of Met, the receptor proteins were found to be constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated. None of these cell lines expressed HGF mRNA, and addition of suramin did not affect the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of Met in unstimulated cells, suggesting the absence of autocrine stimulatory pathways. Furthermore, we did not observe MET gene amplification, activating mutations or phosphatase defects. The tyrosine phosphorylated receptors appeared functionally active since the receptors associated with the adaptor molecule Shc. In summary, we have found ligand-independent constitutively activated Met in four out of six anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Bergström
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
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Oyama T, Ichimura E, Sano T, Kashiwabara K, Fukuda T, Nakajima T. c-Met expression of thyroid tissue with special reference to papillary carcinoma. Pathol Int 1998; 48:763-8. [PMID: 9788259 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1998.tb03835.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It has become clear that papillary carcinomas of the thyroid often express the receptor for c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, but little is known about the role of the HGF and c-Met system in the pathogenesis of thyroid carcinoma. In this study, the expression of c-Met/HGF receptor was evaluated in thyroid tissue by western blot and immunohistochemistry, and compared with the concentration of HGF. Clinicopathological characteristics were also compared. Fifteen of 20 papillary carcinomas (75%) showed c-Met bands of 145 kDa. No or only a low frequency of c-Met expression was detected in healthy thyroid tissue (0/5), thyroiditis or Basedow's disease (0/2), adenomatous goiters (0/8), follicular adenomas (1/9, 11%) and undifferentiated carcinomas (0/2). These results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry, but a relatively higher frequency of c-Met expression was detected in adenomatous goiters (25%), follicular adenoma (44%) and papillary carcinoma (100%) using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded materials. A strong immunoreaction for c-Met was observed in the tumor cytoplasm of papillary carcinomas among the fibrous tissues situated at the periphery of the tumor. The densitometrically measured expression of c-Met had no relation to tumor stage in papillary carcinoma, but did correlate to the concentration of HGF in papillary carcinomas. In conclusion, in thyroid lesions, c-Met was highly expressed specifically in the cytoplasm of papillary carcinomas. c-Met expression was not related to the aggressiveness of the tumor but was related to the concentration of HGF, which was probably derived from the stroma. Also, the c-Met system might play a role in the pathogenesis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Oyama
- Second Department of Pathology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
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Corps AN, Sowter HM, Smith SK. Hepatocyte growth factor stimulates motility, chemotaxis and mitogenesis in ovarian carcinoma cells expressing high levels of c-met. Int J Cancer 1997; 73:151-5. [PMID: 9334823 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19970926)73:1<151::aid-ijc23>3.0.co;2-i] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A proportion of ovarian carcinomas markedly overexpress the proto-oncogene c-met, which encodes the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). HGF may either stimulate or inhibit the multiplication of its target cells, and may also promote motogenesis and morphogenesis. In this study, we established that the ovarian carcinoma-derived cell-line SK-OV-3 expressed about 20-fold higher levels of c-met protein than are expressed by a second line, CH1. This enabled us to test functional consequences of high-level expression of c-met in ovarian carcinoma cells. The addition of HGF to attached cultures of SK-OV-3 cells caused a change to a motile phenotype, that was evident after 4-6 hr and affected essentially all of the cells by 24 hr. When HGF was placed in the lower compartment of a migration chamber, it induced a 17-fold increase in the migration of SK-OV-3 cells to the lower surface of the filter. Finally, HGF stimulated the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine by cultures of SK-OV-3 cells incubated in medium containing either low (0.2%) or full (10%) FCS. None of these responses were obtained when HGF was added to CH1 cells. We conclude that high levels of c-met expression in ovarian cancer cells may lead to a range of responses to HGF that would promote tumour growth and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Corps
- University of Cambridge, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rosie Maternity Hospital, UK.
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Amphoux-Fazekas T, Fayet G, Hovsépian S, Aouani A, Samih N. [Hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) prevents the loss of porcine thyroid monolayer cells to thyrotropin sensitivity]. COMPTES RENDUS DE L'ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES. SERIE III, SCIENCES DE LA VIE 1997; 320:1-11. [PMID: 9099258 DOI: 10.1016/s0764-4469(99)80080-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The polar compound hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA) is a differentiating agent in the murine erythroleukemia cell system (MELC). It induces, like dimethylsulfoxide, the commitment to terminal differentiation leading to a recovery in the expression of several genes like the globin gene. This molecule which also induces differentiation in other cellular types is a growth agent for human, ovine and porcine thyroid cells. Forty-eight hours after the onset of culture, porcine thyroid monolayer cells do not respond to thyrotropin (TSH). We demonstrate that a pretreatment from the onset of culture with HMBA of porcine thyroid cells prevents the loss of TSH-sensitivity. The TSH-sensitivity is concentration-dependent in HMBA and leads to the reorganization of cells into follicles, even in the presence of HMBA. However, the withdrawal of HMBA when TSH is added is absolutely required to obtain a total recovery in iodide trapping and organification. If HMBA is present during TSH-stimulation, it inhibits iodide trapping partially but iodide organification completely Cells remain sensitive to TSH for at least 12 days if HMBA treated, and their sensitivity is totally restored after 3, 6 or 9 days of TSH-stimulation. HMBA, which is, like TSH, a growth agent for the thyroid cell and an agent that maintains some of the specialized functions, could be a putative candidate to obtain normal human thyroid cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Amphoux-Fazekas
- Laboratoire de biochimie médicale et unité 38 de l'Inserm, faculté de médecine, Marseille, France
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