1
|
Duan S, Rico K, Merchant JL. Gastrin: From Physiology to Gastrointestinal Malignancies. FUNCTION (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2021; 3:zqab062. [PMID: 35330921 PMCID: PMC8788842 DOI: 10.1093/function/zqab062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Abetted by widespread usage of acid-suppressing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the mitogenic actions of the peptide hormone gastrin are being revisited as a recurring theme in various gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. While pathological gastrin levels are intricately linked to hyperplasia of enterochromaffin-like cells leading to carcinoid development, the signaling effects exerted by gastrin on distinct cell types of the gastric mucosa are more nuanced. Indeed, mounting evidence suggests dichotomous roles for gastrin in both promoting and suppressing tumorigenesis. Here, we review the major upstream mediators of gastrin gene regulation, including inflammation secondary to Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of PPIs. We further explore the molecular biology of gastrin in GI malignancies, with particular emphasis on the regulation of gastrin in neuroendocrine neoplasms. Finally, we highlight tissue-specific transcriptional targets as an avenue for targetable therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzann Duan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Karen Rico
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang H, Liao Y, Zhang H, Wu J, Zheng D, Chen Z. Cytotoxin-associated gene A increases carcinogenicity of helicobacter pylori in colorectal adenoma. Int J Biol Markers 2020; 35:19-25. [PMID: 31971064 DOI: 10.1177/1724600819877193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the correlation of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection with disease risk and severity of colorectal adenoma, also to explore the association of cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) positive (CagA+)-Hp infection with gastrin and ki-67 expressions in colorectal adenoma patients. METHODS There were 1000 colorectal adenoma patients and 1500 controls consecutively enrolled, then Hp infection status was determined by 14C urea breath test and rapid urease test. Also, serum CagA expression and gastrin expression of colorectal adenoma patients were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ki-67 expression in adenoma tissue of colorectal adenoma patients was assessed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Hp+ rate in colorectal adenoma patients (623 (62.3%)) was more elevated than that in controls (814 (54.3%)). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis disclosed that Hp+ was an independent risk factor for colorectal adenoma. Additionally, Hp+ was positively associated with tumor size and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia in colorectal adenoma patients. Also, serum gastrin expression and intratumoral ki-67 expression were higher in Hp+ CagA+ patients and Hp+ CagA- patients compared to Hp- patients, and they were also higher in Hp+ CagA+ patients compared to Hp+ CagA- patients. CONCLUSION Hp infection positively associates with higher disease risk and worse disease conditions of colorectal adenoma, and CagA enhances the carcinogenicity of Hp in colorectal adenoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Clinical Research Center for Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province; Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Yusheng Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Clinical Research Center for Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province; Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongfeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Clinical Research Center for Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province; Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Clinical Research Center for Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province; Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhitao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Clinical Research Center for Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province; Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang X, Yue R, Zhang J, Zhang X, Liu Y, Chen C, Wang X, Luo H, Wang WE, Chen X, Wang HJ, Jose PA, Wang H, Zeng C. Gastrin Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Activation of RISK (Reperfusion Injury Salvage Kinase) and SAFE (Survivor Activating Factor Enhancement) Pathways. J Am Heart Assoc 2018; 7:e005171. [PMID: 30005556 PMCID: PMC6064830 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.005171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the most predominant complications of ischemic heart disease. Gastrin has emerged as a regulator of cardiovascular function, playing a key protective role in hypoxia. Serum gastrin levels are increased in patients with myocardial infarction, but the pathophysiogical significance of this finding is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether and how gastrin protects cardiac myocytes from IRI. METHODS AND RESULTS Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the experiments. The hearts in living rats or isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to ischemia followed by reperfusion to induce myocardial IRI. Gastrin, alone or with an antagonist, was administered before the induction of myocardial IRI. We found that gastrin improved myocardial function and reduced the expression of myocardial injury markers, infarct size, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by IRI. Gastrin increased the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2), AKT (protein kinase B), and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), indicating its ability to activate the RISK (reperfusion injury salvage kinase) and SAFE (survivor activating factor enhancement) pathways. The presence of inhibitors of ERK1/2, AKT, or STAT3 abrogated the gastrin-mediated protection. The protective effect of gastrin was via CCK2R (cholecystokinin 2 receptor) because the CCK2R blocker CI988 prevented the gastrin-mediated protection of the heart with IRI. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between serum levels of cardiac troponin I and gastrin in patients with unstable angina pectoris undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, suggesting a protective effect of gastrin in human cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that gastrin can reduce myocardial IRI by activation of the RISK and SAFE pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rongchuan Yue
- Department of Cardiology, North Sichuan Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqun Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yukai Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Caiyu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinquan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Eric Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiongwen Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Cardiovascular Research Center & Department of Physiology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Huixia Judy Wang
- Department of Statistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Pedro A Jose
- Division of Renal Disease & Hypertension, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Hongyong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunyu Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Institute of Cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He Q, Gao H, Gao M, Qi S, Yang K, Zhang Y, Wang J. Immunogenicity and safety of a novel tetanus toxoid-conjugated anti-gastrin vaccine in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2018; 36:847-852. [PMID: 29306507 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.12.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to determine the immunogenicity and safety of our novel anti-gastrin vaccine that is composed of the common amino-terminal portions of human carboxy-amidated gastrin-17 (G17) and glycine-extended gastrin-17 (gly-G17) as well as the common carboxy-terminal portion of the gastrin precursor progastrin (in a 50:50 mixture) all covalently linked to tetanus toxoid (TT) via peptide spacers. The vaccine, or immunogen, was injected intramuscularly into the legs of BALB/c mice, which produced high serum titres of specific IgG antibodies and IFN-γ in their spleen cells, identifiable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT), respectively. TT as the protein carrier effectively enhanced the antigenic epitopes' humoural and cellular immune responses, unlike the antigenic epitopes alone or the immunogen's adjuvant emulsion system (AES), all of which failed to provoke any obvious immune response. Notably, the animals' body weights increased significantly after immunization (P < .01), while their haematology and serum biochemistry were all generally normal, and the gross anatomy of their main organs (e.g., heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney) showed no obvious histopathological changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing He
- Biotechnology Center, Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, China; National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Gao
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Kun Yang
- Biotechnology Center, Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, China
| | - Yingqi Zhang
- Biotechnology Center, Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, China
| | - Junzhi Wang
- Biotechnology Center, Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, China; National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rao K, Sethi K, Ischia J, Gibson L, Galea L, Xiao L, Yim M, Chang M, Papa N, Bolton D, Shulkes A, Baldwin GS, Patel O. Protective effect of zinc preconditioning against renal ischemia reperfusion injury is dose dependent. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180028. [PMID: 28686686 PMCID: PMC5501469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Two promising preconditioning methods for the kidney, intermittent arterial clamping (IC) and treatment with the hypoxia mimetic cobalt chloride, have never been directly compared. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of the chemically related transition metal Zn2+ against renal IRI is unclear. Although Co2+ ions have been shown to protect the kidney via hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), the effect of Zn2+ ions on the induction of HIF1α, HIF2α and HIF3α has not been investigated previously. Materials and methods The efficacy of different preconditioning techniques was assessed using a Sprague-Dawley rat model of renal IRI. Induction of HIF proteins following Zn2+ treatment of the human kidney cell lines HK-2 (immortalized normal tubular cells) and ACHN (renal cancer) was measured using Western Blot. Results Following 40 minutes of renal ischemia in rats, cobalt preconditioning offered greater protection against renal IRI than IC as evidenced by lower peak serum creatinine and urea concentrations. ZnCl2 (10 mg/kg) significantly lowered the creatinine and urea concentrations compared to saline-treated control rats following a clinically relevant 60 minutes of ischemia. Zn2+ induced expression of HIF1α and HIF2α but not HIF3α in HK-2 and ACHN cells. Conclusion ZnCl2 preconditioning protects against renal IRI in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are warranted to determine the possible mechanisms involved, and to assess the benefit of ZnCl2 preconditioning for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Rao
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
- Department of Urology Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kapil Sethi
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
- Department of Urology Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Ischia
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
- Department of Urology Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luke Gibson
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
- Department of Urology Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laurence Galea
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lin Xiao
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
| | - Mildred Yim
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
| | - Mike Chang
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
| | - Nathan Papa
- Department of Urology Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien Bolton
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
- Department of Urology Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arthur Shulkes
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham S. Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
| | - Oneel Patel
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Westwood DA, Patel O, Christophi C, Shulkes A, Baldwin GS. Progastrin: a potential predictive marker of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. Int J Colorectal Dis 2017; 32:1061-1064. [PMID: 28432443 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-017-2822-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Staging of colorectal cancer often fails to discriminate outcomes of patients with morphologically similar tumours that exhibit different clinical behaviours. Data from several studies suggest that the gastrin family of growth factors potentiates colorectal cancer tumourigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether progastrin expression may predict clinical outcome in colorectal cancer. METHODS Patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma of identical depth of invasion who had not received neoadjuvant therapy were included. The patients either had stage IIa disease with greater than 3-year disease-free survival without adjuvant therapy or stage IV disease with liver metastases on staging CT. Progastrin expression in tumour sections was scored with reference to the intensity and area of immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Progastrin expression by stage IV tumours was significantly greater than stage IIa tumours with mean progastrin immunopositivity scores of 2.1 ± 0.2 versus 0.5 ± 0.2, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to show that progastrin expression may be predictive of aggressive tumour behaviour in patients with colorectal cancer and supports its clinical relevance and potential use as a biomarker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Westwood
- The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Oneel Patel
- The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Christophi
- The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arthur Shulkes
- The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Laval M, Baldwin GS, Shulkes A, Marshall KM. Increased gastrin gene expression provides a physiological advantage to mice under hypoxic conditions. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2015; 308:G76-84. [PMID: 25394662 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00344.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia, or a low concentration of O2, is encountered in humans undertaking activities such as mountain climbing and scuba diving and is important pathophysiologically as a limiting factor in tumor growth. Although data on the interplay between hypoxia and gastrins are limited, gastrin expression is upregulated by hypoxia in gastrointestinal cancer cell lines, and gastrins counterbalance hypoxia by stimulating angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine if higher concentrations of the gastrin precursor progastrin are protective against hypoxia in vivo. hGAS mice, which overexpress progastrin in the liver, and mice of the corresponding wild-type FVB/N strain were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia. Iron status was assessed by measurement of serum iron parameters, real-time PCR for mRNAs encoding critical iron regulatory proteins, and Perls' stain and atomic absorption spectrometry for tissue iron concentrations. FVB/N mice lost weight at a faster rate and had higher sickness scores than hGAS mice exposed to hypoxia. Serum iron levels were lower in hGAS than FVB/N mice and decreased further when the animals were exposed to hypoxia. The concentration of iron in the liver was strikingly lower in hGAS than FVB/N mice. We conclude that increased circulating concentrations of progastrin provide a physiological advantage against systemic hypoxia in mice, possibly by increasing the availability of iron stores. This is the first report of an association between progastrin overexpression, hypoxia, and iron homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Laval
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arthur Shulkes
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathryn M Marshall
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|