A novel tumor marker, Niban, is expressed in subsets of thyroid tumors and Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Azoxymethane-induced carcinogenesis-like model of mouse intestine and mouse embryonic stem cell-derived intestinal organoids

BACKGROUND

Tumor modeling using organoids holds potential in studies of cancer development, enlightening both the intracellular and extracellular molecular mechanisms behind different cancer types, biobanking, and drug screening. Intestinal organoids can be generated in vitro using a unique type of adult stem cells which are found at the base of crypts and are characterized by their high Lgr5 expression levels.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we successfully established intestinal cancer organoid models by using both the BALB/c derived and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs)-derived intestinal organoids. In both cases, carcinogenesis-like model was developed by using azoxymethane (AOM) treatment. Carcinogenesis-like model was verified by H&E staining, immunostaining, relative mRNA expression analysis, and LC/MS analysis. The morphologic analysis demonstrated that the number of generated organoids, the number of crypts, and the intensity of the organoids were significantly augmented in AOM-treated intestinal organoids compared to non-AOM-treated ones. Relative mRNA expression data revealed that there was a significant increase in both Wnt signaling pathway-related genes and pluripotency transcription factors in the AOM-induced intestinal organoids.

CONCLUSION

We successfully developed simple carcinogenesis-like models using mESC-based and Lgr5 + stem cell-based intestinal organoids. Intestinal organoid based carcinogenesi models might be used for personalized cancer therapy in the future.

NIBAN1, Exploring its Roles in Cell Survival Under Stress Context

Cell survival must quickly activate specific mechanisms that enable to detect changes in the cellular microenvironment. The impact of these cell alteration has direct consequences on cellular homeostasis. Cellular stress, as well as its regulation and implication, has been studied in different pathologies. In this sense, the alteration in NIBAN1 expression seems to act in response to different cellular disturbances. Over the years, the knowledge of NIBAN1 functions has improved, demonstrating its important cell roles, favoring the cell survival under stress context. In response to the disturbances, NIBAN1 seems to be involved in the decision-making process between cell survival and death. The increase in NIBAN1 expression has been related to cellular mechanisms that seek to minimize the damage caused to cellular homeostasis. In this review, the main biological insights attributed to the NIBAN1 gene in different cellular contexts and its role as a mediator of cellular stress are discussed.

Alterations in niban gene expression as a response to stress conditions in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Adipocyte death is important in obesity development. Understanding and prevention of adipocyte deaths may be a molecular approach in the treatment. In the study, we aimed to understand role of Niban gene, which acts as an anti-apoptotic molecule as a response to stress conditions, in adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of linoleic acid, hydrogen peroxide and ethanol; and proliferation of the cells examined with real time monitoring iCELLingence system. Gene expression levels were measured by q-PCR. As a response to 24h 480 µM linoleic acid treatment, Niban gene expression was found to be higher than control group (p = 0.008), whereas 24 h 90 mM ethanol treatment was determined to be lower than control group (p = 0.008). The highest value of Niban gene expression among H₂O₂ treatment groups was detected in 4h 600µM H₂O₂ in comparison to control group (p = 0.008). To understand role of Niban in adipogenesis, Niban gene expressions were compared between pre-adipocytes and advanced fat accumulated adipocytes and determined to be significantly different (p = 0.042). Our results suggest that Niban might be involved in stress response process in adipocytes. However, the exact molecular role of Niban needs to be investigated in further studies.

Analysis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on fine needle aspiration samples by MALDI-Imaging

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI)-Mass Spectrometry imaging (MSI) has been applied in various diseases aimed to biomarkers discovery. In this study diagnosis and prognosis of Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT) in cytopathology by MALDI-MSI has been investigated. Specimens from a routine series of subjects who underwent UltraSound-guided thyroid Fine Needle Aspirations (FNAs) were used. The molecular classifier trained in a previous study was modified to include HT as a separate entity in the group of benign lesions, in the diagnostic proteomic triage of thyroid nodules. The statistical analysis confirmed the existence of signals that HT shares with hyperplastic lesions and others that are specific and characterize this subgroup. Statistically relevant HT-related peaks were included in the model. Then, the discriminatory capability of the classifier was tested in a second validation phase, showing a good agreement with cytological diagnoses. The possibility to overlap the molecular signatures of both the lymphocytes and epithelial cells components (ROIs or pixel-by-pixel analysis) confirmed the composite proteomic background of HT. These results open the way to their possible translation as alternative serum biomarkers of this autoimmune condition.

AATF and SMARCA2 are associated with thyroid volume in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients

Thyroid volume of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) patients varies in size over the course of disease and it may reflect changes in biological function of thyroid gland. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism predominantly have increased thyroid volume whereas patients with more pronounced hypothyroidism have smaller thyroid volumes. Suggested mechanism for thyroid atrophy is thyrocyte death due to apoptosis. We performed the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) of thyroid volume in two groups of HT patients, depending on levothyroxine (LT4) therapy, and then meta-analysed across. Study included 345 HT patients in total and 6 007 322 common autosomal genetic variants. Underlying hypothesis was that genetic components that are involved in regulation of thyroid volume display their effect in specific pathophysiologic conditions of thyroid gland of HT patients. We additionally performed immunohistochemical analysis using thyroid tissues and analysed differences in expression levels of identified proteins and apoptotic marker between HT patients and controls. We found genome-wide significant association of two loci, both involved in apoptosis, with thyroid volume of HT patients: rs7212416 inside apoptosis-antagonizing transcription factor AATF (P = 8.95 × 10⁻⁹) and rs10738556 near chromatin-remodeling SMARCA2 (P = 2.83 × 10⁻⁸). In immunohistochemical analysis we observed that HT patients with homozygous AATF risk genotypes have decreased AATF expression (0.46-fold, P < 0.0001) and increased apoptosis (3.99-fold, P = 0.0001) in comparison to controls. HT patients with heterozygous SMARCA2 genotypes have decreased SMARCA2 expression, albeit without reaching statistical significance (1.07-fold, P = 0.5876), and significantly increased apoptosis (4.11-fold, P < 0.0001). By two lines of evidence we show that two highly plausible genetic loci, AATF and SMARCA2, may be involved in determining the thyroid volume of HT patients. The results of our study significantly add to the current knowledge of disturbed biological mechanisms in thyroid gland of HT patients.

Differential Gene Expression in Erlotinib-Treated Fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) result in a painful rash, the most common and debilitating toxicity among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who take EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy; however, predicting the development and the severity of the rash is difficult.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine how erlotinib-an EGFR TKI that NSCLC patients take to stop or slow tumor growth-altered the transcriptome of dermal fibroblasts.

METHODS

Dermal fibroblasts (ATCC PCS-201-012) were seeded in cell culture flasks, grown under standard conditions, and transferred to cell culture dishes. Cells were treated once daily for 3 days with erlotinib 100 nM (n = 5), erlotinib 1 μM (n = 5), vehicle 1 μM (dimethyl sulfoxide) (n = 5), or no treatment (n = 5). Total RNA was extracted using a standard TRIzol method and hybridized using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Raw intensities generated from the arrays were normalized using a Robust Multiarray Average method and analyzed using analysis of variance in Limma R software. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify canonical or noncanonical signaling pathways enriched in this dataset.

RESULTS

We selected genes for investigation based on their potential role in wound healing (AQP3), rash development (CCL2), fibroblast activation (PALLD), cancer and cancer progression (GDF-15, SLC7A11, MMP12, and DIRAS3), and cell cycle control (CDC6). We were able to validate four of these genes by both Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMP12, CCL2, CDC6, and SLC7A11).

DISCUSSION

If found predictive of rash in future studies using patient samples, our findings may help to identify those at risk for severe rash so that (a) the dose of EGFR TKI therapy may be adjusted; (b) additional treatments for the rash can be developed; and/or (c) precise, patient-centered interventions can be developed so that patients with cancer can better self-manage their rash and adhere to EGFR TKI treatment.

miR-135a deficiency inhibits the AR42J cells damage in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis through targeting FAM129A

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common clinical critical disease with high mortality and the exact pathogenesis is not fully elucidated. The present study aimed to uncover the function of miR-135a in the proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory characteristics of diseased pancreatic cells and the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression patterns of miR-135a and family with sequence similarity 129 member A (FAM129A) in patients with AP were analyzed on the basis of the GEO database. The transfection efficiency and expression level of miR-135a in AR42J cells were determined by qRT-PCR. The biological characteristics of AR42J cells treated with cerulein were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and western blot assays. The potential interaction between miR-135a and FAM129A was confirmed by bioinformatics prediction softwares and luciferase reporter assay. MiR-135a inhibitor and pcDNA3.1-FAM129A were co-transfected to determine the regulation of miR-135a/FAM129A on inflammatory AR42J cell injury. We observed that miR-135a was highly expressed in AP samples. Depletion of miR-135a could alleviate the condition so that the AR42J cells proliferation increased, apoptosis decreased, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines enhanced. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of FAM129A were negatively regulated by miR-135a, and over-expression of FAM129A could strengthen the relief effect of miR-135a inhibitor in AP induced by cerulein. In summary, our data demonstrates that silencing miR-135a reduces AR42J cells injury and inflammatory response in AP induced by cerulein through targeting FAM129A.

Niban protein regulates apoptosis in HK-2 cells via caspase-dependent pathway

Purpose: To investigate whether Niban protein plays a role in renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model was performed in C57B/6J mice, and divided into sham operation group and groups of days 3, days 7, and days 14. Niban expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. TUNEL assays were used to detected apoptosis. Niban siRNA and overexpression Niban plasmid were transfected in HK-2 cells respectively to explore apoptosis related mechanisms of Niban during angiotensin II (AngII) - and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced injury. Results: With the development of obstruction, Niban's expression decreased gradually while apoptosis increased. Silencing of Niban not only increased the AngII- and ER stress-induced apoptosis, but also promoted the expression of caspase 8, caspase 9, Bip, and Chop. Overexpression of Niban reduced AngII-induced apoptosis and the expression of caspase 8 and caspase 9. Conclusions: Niban protein is involved in apoptosis regulation in HK-2 cells, and most likely via caspase-dependent pathway.

FAM129A regulates autophagy in thyroid carcinomas in an oncogene-dependent manner

We previously proposed that high expression of FAM129A can be used as a thyroid carcinoma biomarker in preoperative diagnostic exams of thyroid nodules. Here, we identify that FAM129A expression is increased under nutrient and growth factor depletion in a normal thyroid cell line (PCCL3), overlapping with increased expression of autophagy-related protein and inhibition of AKT/mTOR/p70S6K. Supplementation of insulin, TSH and serum to the medium was able to reduce the expression of both FAM129A and autophagy-related protein and reestablish the AKT/mTOR/p70S6K axis. To determine the direct role of FAM129A on autophagy, FAM129A was transfected into PCCL3 cells. Its overexpression induced autophagic vesicles formation, evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. Co-expression of FAM129A and mCherry-EGFP-LC3B in PCCL3 showed an increased yellow puncta formation, suggesting that FAM129Ainduces autophagy. To further confirm its role on autophagy, we knockdown FAM129A in two thyroid carcinoma cell lines (TPC1 and FTC-236). Unexpectedly, FAM129A silencing increased autophagic flux, suggesting that FAM129A inhibits autophagy in these models. We next co-transfected PCCL3 cells with FAM129A and RET/PTC1 and tested autophagy in this context. Co-expression of FAM129A and RET/PTC1 oncogene in PCCL3 cells, inhibited RET/PTC1-induced autophagy. Together, our data suggest that, in normal cells FAM129A induces autophagy in order to maintain cell homeostasis and provide substrates under starvation conditions. Instead, in cancer cells, decreased autophagy may help the cells to overcome cell death. FAM129A regulates autophagy in a cell- and/or context-dependent manner. Our data reinforce the concept that autophagy can be used as a strategy for cancer treatment.

Systems biology and in vitro validation identifies family with sequence similarity 129 member A (FAM129A) as an asthma steroid response modulator

BACKGROUND

Variation in response to the most commonly used class of asthma controller medication, inhaled corticosteroids, presents a serious challenge in asthma management, particularly for steroid-resistant patients with little or no response to treatment.

OBJECTIVE

We applied a systems biology approach to primary clinical and genomic data to identify and validate genes that modulate steroid response in asthmatic children.

METHODS

We selected 104 inhaled corticosteroid-treated asthmatic non-Hispanic white children and determined a steroid responsiveness endophenotype (SRE) using observations of 6 clinical measures over 4 years. We modeled each subject's cellular steroid response using data from a previously published study of immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines under dexamethasone (DEX) and sham treatment. We integrated SRE with immortalized lymphoblastoid cell line DEX responses and genotypes to build a genome-scale network using the Reverse Engineering, Forward Simulation modeling framework, identifying 7 genes modulating SRE.

RESULTS

Three of these genes were functionally validated by using a stable nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells luciferase reporter in A549 human lung epithelial cells, IL-1β cytokine stimulation, and DEX treatment. By using small interfering RNA transfection, knockdown of family with sequence similarity 129 member A (FAM129A) produced a reduction in steroid treatment response (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

With this systems-based approach, we have shown that FAM129A is associated with variation in clinical asthma steroid responsiveness and that FAM129A modulates steroid responsiveness in lung epithelial cells.

Implication of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 genes as ATF4 regulated components of the integrated stress response

The ATF4 transcription factor is a key regulator of the adaptive integrated stress response (ISR) induced by various stresses and pathologies. Identification of novel transcription targets of ATF4 during ISR would contribute to the understanding of adaptive networks and help to identify novel therapeutic targets. We were previously searching for genes that display an inverse regulation mode by the transcription factors ATF4 and p53 in response to mitochondrial respiration chain complex III inhibition. Among the selected candidates the human genes for cytokeratine 16 (KRT16), anti-apoptotic protein Niban (FAM129A) and hexokinase HKDC1 have been found highly responsive to ATF4 overexpression. Here we explored potential roles of the induction of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 genes in ISR. As verified by RT-qPCR, a dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration chain and ER stress resulted in a partially ATF4-dependent stimulation of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 expression in the HCT116 colon carcinoma cell line. ISRIB, a specific inhibitor of ISR, was able to downregulate the ER stress-induced levels of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 transcripts. An inhibition of ATF4 by RNAi attenuated the induction of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 mRNAs in response to ER stress or to a dysfunctional mitochondrial respiration. The similar induction of the three genes was observed in another tumor-derived cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa. However, in HaCaT and HEK293T cells that display transformed phenotypes, but do not originate from patient-derived tumors, the ER stress-inducing treatments resulted in an upregulation of FAM129A and HKDC1, but not KRT16 transcripts, By a luciferase reporter approach we identified a highly active ATF4-responsive element within the upstream region of the KRT16 gene. The results suggest a conditional regulation of KRT16 gene by ATF4 that may be inhibited in normal cells, but engaged during cancer progression. Potential roles of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 genes upregulation in adaptive stress responses and pathologies are discussed.

P2X7R antagonism after subfailure overstretch injury of blood vessels reverses vasomotor dysfunction and prevents apoptosis

Human saphenous vein (HSV) is harvested and prepared prior to implantation as an arterial bypass graft. Injury and the response to injury from surgical harvest and preparation trigger cascades of molecular events and contribute to graft remodeling and intimal hyperplasia. Apoptosis is an early response after implantation that contributes the development of neointimal lesions. Here, we showed that surgical harvest and preparation of HSV leads to vasomotor dysfunction, increased apoptosis and downregulation of the phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic protein, Niban. A model of subfailure overstretch injury in rat aorta (RA) was used to demonstrate impaired vasomotor function, increased extracellular ATP (eATP) release, and increased apoptosis following pathological vascular injury. The subfailure overstretch injury was associated with activation of p38 MAPK stress pathway and decreases in the phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic protein Niban. Treatment of RA after overstretch injury with antagonists to purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) antagonists or P2X7R/pannexin (PanX1) complex, but not PanX1 alone, restored vasomotor function. Inhibitors to P2X7R and PanX1 reduced stretch-induced eATP release. P2X7R/PanX1 antagonism led to decrease in p38 MAPK phosphorylation, restoration of Niban phosphorylation and increases in the phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic protein Akt in RA and reduced TNFα-stimulated caspase 3/7 activity in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, inhibition of P2X7R after overstretch injury restored vasomotor function and inhibited apoptosis. Treatment with P2X7R/PanX1 complex inhibitors after harvest and preparation injury of blood vessels used for bypass conduits may prevent the subsequent response to injury that lead to apoptosis and represents a novel therapeutic approach to prevent graft failure.

Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Fundamental Regulatory Differences in Oncogenic HRAS and Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH1) Driven Astrocytoma

Glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs) are high-grade astrocytomas and the most common brain malignancies. Primary GBMs are often associated with disturbed RAS signaling, and expression of oncogenic HRAS results in a malignant phenotype in glioma cell lines. Secondary GBMs arise from lower-grade astrocytomas, have slower progression than primary tumors, and contain IDH1 mutations in over 70% of cases. Despite significant amount of accumulating genomic and transcriptomic data, the fundamental mechanistic differences of gliomagenesis in these two types of high-grade astrocytoma remain poorly understood. Only a few studies have attempted to investigate the proteome, phosphorylation signaling, and epigenetic regulation in astrocytoma. In the present study, we applied quantitative phosphoproteomics to identify the main signaling differences between oncogenic HRAS and mutant IDH1-driven glioma cells as models of primary and secondary GBM, respectively. Our analysis confirms the driving roles of the MAPK and PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways in HRAS driven cells and additionally uncovers dysregulation of other signaling pathways. Although a subset of the signaling changes mediated by HRAS could be reversed by a MEK inhibitor, dual inhibition of MEK and PI3K resulted in more complete reversal of the phosphorylation patterns produced by HRAS expression. In contrast, cells expressing mutant IDH1 did not show significant activation of MAPK or PI3K/mTOR pathways. Instead, global downregulation of protein expression was observed. Targeted proteomic analysis of histone modifications identified significant histone methylation, acetylation, and butyrylation changes in the mutant IDH1 expressing cells, consistent with a global transcriptional repressive state. Our findings offer novel mechanistic insight linking mutant IDH1 associated inhibition of histone demethylases with specific histone modification changes to produce global transcriptional repression in secondary glioblastoma. Our proteomic datasets are available for download and provide a comprehensive catalogue of alterations in protein abundance, phosphorylation, and histone modifications in oncogenic HRAS and IDH1 driven astrocytoma cells beyond the transcriptomic level.

Whole blood mRNA in prostate cancer reveals a four-gene androgen regulated panel

Due to increased sensitivity, the expression of circulating nucleotides is rapidly gaining popularity in cancer diagnosis. Whole blood mRNA has been used in studies on a number of cancers, most notably two separate studies that used whole blood mRNA to define non-overlapping signatures of prostate cancer that has become castration independent. Prostate cancer is known to rely on androgens for initial growth, and there is increasing evidence on the importance of the androgen axis in advanced disease. Using whole blood mRNA samples from patients with prostate cancer, we have identified the four-gene panel of FAM129A, MME, KRT7 and SOD2 in circulating mRNA that are differentially expressed in a discovery cohort of metastatic samples. Validation of these genes at the mRNA and protein level was undertaken in additional cohorts defined by risk of relapse following surgery and hormone status. All the four genes were downregulated at the mRNA level in the circulation and in primary tissue, but this was not always reflected in tissue protein expression. MME demonstrated significant differences in the hormone cohorts, whereas FAM129A is downregulated at the mRNA level but is raised at the protein level in tumours. Using published ChIP-seq data, we have demonstrated that this may be due to AR binding at the FAM129A and MME loci in multiple cell lines. These data suggest that whole blood mRNA of androgen-regulated genes has the potential to be used for diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

The possible roles of B-cell novel protein-1 (BCNP1) in cellular signalling pathways and in cancer

B‐cell novel protein‐1 (BCNP1) or Family member of 129C (FAM129C) was identified as a B‐cell‐specific plasma‐membrane protein. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that BCNP1 might be heavily phosphorylated. The BCNP1 protein contains a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, two proline‐rich (PR) regions and a Leucine Zipper (LZ) domain suggesting that it may be involved in protein‐protein interactions. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data sets, we investigated the correlation of alteration of the BCNP1 copy‐number changes and mutations in several cancer types. We also investigated the function of BCNP1 in cellular signalling pathways. We found that BCNP1 is highly altered in some types of cancers and that BCNP1 copy‐number changes and mutations co‐occur with other molecular alteration events for TP53 (tumour protein P53), PIK3CA (Phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐Bisphosphate 3‐Kinase, Catalytic Subunit Alpha), MAPK1 (mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐1; ERK: extracellular signal regulated kinase), KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) and AKT2 (V‐Akt Murine Thymoma Viral Oncogene Homolog 2). We also found that PI3K (Phoshoinositide 3‐kinase) inhibition and p38 MAPK (p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase) activation leads to reduction in phosphorylation of BCNP1 at serine residues, suggesting that BCNP1 phosphorylation is PI3K and p38MAPK dependent and that it might be involved in cancer. Its degradation depends on a proteasome‐mediated pathway.

microRNA-106b-mediated down-regulation of C1orf24 expression induces apoptosis and suppresses invasion of thyroid cancer

We previously showed that C1orf24 expression is increased in thyroid carcinomas. Nonetheless, the mechanism underlying C1orf24 deregulation is not fully understood. It has been widely demonstrated that microRNAs are involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation in several diseases, including cancer. Using in silico prediction approach, five microRNAs that bind to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of C1orf24 were identified. The expression of two selected microRNAs (miR-17-5p, miR-106b) and the expression of C1orf24 were tested in 48 benign and malignant thyroid lesions and in five thyroid carcinoma cell lines. miR-106b was down-regulated in thyroid cancer specimens and thyroid carcinoma cell lines, while C1orf24 expression was markedly increased. To demonstrate that miR-106b reduces C1orf24 expression, follicular (WRO) and papillary (TPC1) thyroid carcinoma cell lines were transiently transfected with miR-106b mimic. Ectopic expression of the miR-106b mimic significantly inhibits C1orf24 mRNA and protein expression in both WRO and TPC1 cells. Dual-luciferase report assays demonstrated that miR-106b directly targets C1orf24 by binding its 3'-UTR. Moreover, miR-106b-mediated down-regulation of C1orf24 expression increased apoptosis and inhibited migration. We additionally demonstrated that siRNA against C1orf24 significantly decreased its expression, inhibited cell migration and cell cycle progression while induced apoptosis. In summary, our findings not only provide new insights into molecular mechanism associated with C1orf24 overexpression in thyroid carcinomas but also show that C1orf24 might increase proliferation and cell migration. Thus, decreasing C1orf24 levels, by restoring miR-106b function, may have therapeutic implications.

Overexpression of zinc-finger protein 777 (ZNF777) inhibits proliferation at low cell density through down-regulation of FAM129A

Krüppel-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) regulate a wide range of cellular processes. KRAB-ZFPs have a KRAB domain, which binds to transcriptional corepressors, and a zinc finger domain, which binds to DNA to activate or repress gene transcription. Here, we characterize ZNF777, a member of KRAB-ZFPs. We show that ZNF777 localizes to the nucleus and inducible overexpression of ZNF777 inhibits cell proliferation in a manner dependent on its zinc finger domain but independent of its KRAB domain. Intriguingly, ZNF777 overexpression drastically inhibits cell proliferation at low cell density but slightly inhibits cell proliferation at high cell density. Furthermore, ZNF777 overexpression decreases the mRNA level of FAM129A irrespective of cell density. Importantly, the protein level of FAM129A strongly decreases at low cell density, but at high cell density the protein level of FAM129A does not decrease to that observed at low cell density. ZNF777-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation is attenuated by overexpression of FAM129A at low cell density. Furthermore, ZNF777-mediated down-regulation of FAM129A induces moderate levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. These results suggest that ZNF777 overexpression inhibits cell proliferation at low cell density and that p21 induction by ZNF777-mediated down-regulation of FAM129A plays a role in inhibition of cell proliferation.

CXC motif ligand 12 as a novel diagnostic marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We subjected chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) to immunohistochemistry to determine its utility as a novel diagnostic marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in comparison to cytokeratin 19 (CK19), Hector Battifora mesothelial epitope-1 (HBME-1), and galectin-3.

METHODS

We analyzed the expressions of CXCL12, CK19, HBME-1, and galectin-3 using immunohistochemical staining in 258 cases of thyroid lesions (196 PTCs and 62 thyroid lesions excluding PTC).

RESULTS

Remarkably, CXCL12 expression was exclusively found in PTC compared to other thyroid lesions (90.8% vs 3.2%; p < .001). In total, 91.1% (62 of 68) of the variant PTCs and 90.6% of conventional type (116 of 128) were associated with CXCL12 immunohistochemical expression, irrespective of the histological subtype. In contrast, very few of the thyroid lesions, excluding PTC, were positive for CXCL12 (2 of 62; 3.2%). Diagnostic performances for PTCs were as follows: sensitivity, 90.8%; specificity, 96.8%; positive predictive value, 98.9%; negative predictive value, 76.9%; and diagnostic accuracy, 92.2%.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that CXCL12 might serve as an effective novel supplementary diagnostic marker for PTC.

Glucocorticoid-induced changes in gene expression of airway smooth muscle in patients with asthma

RATIONALE

Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of asthma therapy. However, it is unclear whether the benefits of glucocorticoids in asthma are merely based on antiinflammatory properties. Glucocorticoids may also alter gene expression of airway smooth muscle (ASM). We hypothesized that the gene expression profile of the ASM layer in endobronchial biopsies of patients with asthma is altered by oral glucocorticoid therapy as compared with placebo.

OBJECTIVES

First, we investigated the change in ASM transcriptomic profile in endobronchial biopsies after 14 days of oral glucocorticoid therapy. Second, we investigated the association between changes in ASM transcriptomic profile and lung function.

METHODS

Twelve steroid-free patients with atopic asthma were included in this double-blind intervention study. Endobronchial biopsies were taken before and after 14 days of oral prednisolone (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6). RNA of laser-dissected ASM was sequenced (RNA-Seq) using GS FLX+ (454/Roche). Gene networks were identified by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. RNA-Seq reads were assumed to follow a negative binomial distribution. At the current sample size the estimated false discovery rate was approximately 3%.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Fifteen genes were significantly changed by 14 days of oral prednisolone. Two of these genes (FAM129A, SYNPO2) were associated with airway hyperresponsiveness (provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% drop in FEV1: r = -0.740, P < 0.01; r = -0.746, P < 0.01). Pathway analysis revealed three gene networks that were associated with cellular functions including cellular growth, proliferation, and development.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral prednisolone changes the transcriptomic profile of the ASM layer in asthma. This indicates that in parallel to antiinflammatory properties, glucocorticoids also exert effects on gene expression of ASM, which is correlated with improved airway function.

The association between papillary thyroid carcinoma and histologically proven Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

No consensus exists on the association between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). To resolve this controversy, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the two conditions using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched relevant published studies using citation databases including PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Science. The effect sizes of clinicopathologic parameters were calculated by odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference, or hazard ratio (HR). The effect sizes were combined using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight eligible studies including 10 648 PTC cases were selected. Histologically proven HT was identified in 2471 (23.2%) PTCs. HT was more frequently observed in PTCs than in benign thyroid diseases and other carcinomas (OR=2.8 and 2.4; P<0.001). PTCs with coexisting HT were significantly related to female patients (OR=2.7; P<0.001), multifocal involvement (OR=1.5; P=0.010), no extrathyroidal extension (OR=1.3; P=0.002), and no lymph node metastasis (OR=1.3; P=0.041). Moreover, PTCs with HT were significantly associated with long recurrence-free survival (HR=0.6; P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis showed that PTC is significantly associated with pathologically confirmed HT. PTC patients with HT have favorable clinicopathologic characteristics compared with PTCs without HT. However, patients with HT need to be carefully monitored for the development of PTC.

Employing genetic markers to improve diagnosis of thyroid tumor fine needle biopsy

Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) is the most widely used and cost-effective preoperative test for the initial evaluation of a thyroid nodule, although it has limited diagnostic accuracy for several types of tumors. Patients will often receive cytological report of indeterminate cytology and are referred to surgery for a more accurate diagnosis. An improved test would help physicians rapidly focus treatment on true malignancies and avoid some unnecessary treatment of benign tumors. This review will discuss current molecular markers that may improve thyroid nodule diagnosis.

AKT-dependent phosphorylation of Niban regulates nucleophosmin- and MDM2-mediated p53 stability and cell apoptosis

Although Niban is highly expressed in human cancer cells, the cellular functions of Niban remain largely unknown. We demonstrate here that ultraviolet irradiation induces phosphorylation of Niban at S602 by AKT, which increases the association of Niban with nucleophosmin and disassociation of nucleophosmin from the MDM2 complex. This leads to the promotion of MDM2-p53 interaction and subsequent p53 degradation, thereby providing an antiapoptotic effect. Conversely, depletion of or deficiency in Niban expression promotes stabilization of p53 with increased cell apoptosis. Our findings illustrate a pivotal role for AKT-mediated phosphorylation of Niban in protecting cells from genotoxic stress-induced cell apoptosis.

The new molecular markers DDIT3, STT3A, ARG2 and FAM129A are not useful in diagnosing thyroid follicular tumors

Preoperative characterization of thyroid follicular lesions is challenging. Fine-needle aspiration specimens cannot differentiate follicular carcinomas from benign follicular neoplasias. Recently, promising markers have been detected using modern molecular techniques. We conducted a retrospective study to confirm the usefulness of immunohistochemical staining for the protein markers, DDIT3, STT3A (ITM1), ARG2 and FAM129A (C1orf24) in separating benign and malignant thyroid follicular lesions. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded thyroid tissue from 30 in-house cases (15 follicular carcinomas and 15 follicular adenomas), as well as 8 follicular carcinomas and 21 follicular adenomas on tissue microarray slides were stained immunohistochemically for DDIT3, STT3A, ARG2 and FAM129A expression. Control tissue consisted of thyroid parenchyma adjacent to the tumors and 11 separate cases of normal thyroid parenchyma. All in-house cases of follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas and adjacent normal thyroid tissue showed positive immunostaining with anti-DDIT3 and anti-STT3A. Anti-ARG2 and anti-FAM129A polyclonal antibodies showed positive staining in 20 and 60% of in-house follicular adenomas, and 40 and 87% of in-house follicular carcinomas, respectively. Monoclonal anti-FAM129A demonstrated positive staining in 13 and 33% of in-house follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas, respectively. Polyclonal anti-DDIT3, -STT3A and -FAM129A antibodies showed positive staining in all tissue microarray slides of follicular carcinoma and in 76, 85 and 81% of the follicular adenomas, respectively. Monoclonal anti-STT3A stained 81% of the follicular adenoma cores. Anti-ARG2 stained positive in 13% of follicular carcinomas and 10% of follicular adenomas on the tissue microarray slides. In conclusion, DDIT3, STT3A, ARG2 and FAM129A immunohistochemistry does not appear to be useful in the diagnosis of thyroid follicular neoplasias, as they do not reliably distinguish follicular thyroid carcinoma from follicular thyroid adenoma.

PVALB, a new Hürthle adenoma diagnostic marker identified through gene expression

CONTEXT

A better means to accurately identify malignant thyroid nodules and to distinguish them from benign tumors is needed. We previously identified markers for detecting thyroid malignancy, with sensitivity estimated at or close to 100%. One lingering problem with these markers was that false positives occurred with Hürthle cell adenomas (HCA) which lowered test specificity.

METHODS

To locate accurate diagnostic markers, we profiled in depth the transcripts of a HCA and a Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC). From 1146 differentially expressed genes, 18 transcripts specifically expressed in HCA were tested by quantitative PCR in a wide range of thyroid tumors (n = 76). Sensibility and specificity were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Selected markers were further validated in an independent set of thyroid tumors (n = 82) by immunohistochemistry. To define the panel that would yield best diagnostic accuracy, these markers were tested in combination with our previous identified markers.

RESULTS

Seventeen of the 18 genes showed statistical significance based on a mean relative level of expression (P < 0.05). KLK1 (sensitivity = 0.97) and PVALB (sensitivity = 0.94) were the best candidate markers. The combination of PVALB and C1orf24 increased specificity to >97% and maintained sensitivity for detection of carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

We identified tumor markers that can be used in combination for a more accurate preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules and for postoperative diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma in tumor sections. This improved test would help physicians rapidly focus treatment on true malignancies and avoid unnecessary treatment of benign tumors, simultaneously improving medical care and reducing costs.

FAM129B/MINERVA, a novel adherens junction-associated protein, suppresses apoptosis in HeLa cells

A recent proteomics study identified FAM129B or MINERVA as a target of the MAP kinase (Erk1/2) signaling cascade in human melanoma cells. Phosphorylation of the protein was found to promote cell invasion and the dissociation of the protein from the cell-cell junctions. Suppression of apoptosis during metastasis is a prerequisite for the survival and spread of cancer cells. During apoptosis, the adherens junctions are disassembled as the dying cell retracts, and new contacts are formed between normal neighboring cells. In this study, we show that FAM129B was cytosolic in exponentially growing HeLa cells but was translocated to the adherens junctions where it colocalized with β-catenin whenever contact between two or more cells was established. Silencing the FAM129B gene expression by specific siRNAs did not induce apoptosis or inhibit the growth of HeLa cells. However, when apoptosis was induced by exposure to TNFα/cycloheximide or other apoptotic signaling molecules, the onset of apoptosis was accelerated 3-4-fold when FAM129B was depleted. Annexin V binding, the inactivation of the DNA repair enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and the activation of the caspases occurred more rapidly in the cells lacking FAM129B. The rapid induction of apoptosis in FAM129B knockdown cells was reversed by co-transfection with recombinant FAM129B, indicating that its effect on apoptosis was specific. As apoptosis proceeded, FAM129B was degraded and disappeared from the plasma membrane. Thus, one crucial facet of the mechanism by which FAM129B promotes cancer cell invasion is likely to be the suppression of apoptosis.

Genetic markers differentiating follicular thyroid carcinoma from benign lesions

Thyroid nodules are commonly encountered during routine medical care. The main problem established by a discovery of a thyroid nodule is to discriminate between a benign and malignant lesion. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the most widely used and cost-effective preoperative test for initial evaluation of a thyroid nodule. While the overall accuracy of FNA for classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) approaches 100%, it has limited accuracy with follicular lesions. Patients with a cytological report of indeterminate or follicular lesions are referred to surgery for a more accurate diagnosis. A more acute molecular-based test for thyroid nodules is needed not only to improve treatment decisions, but also to potentially reduce the long-term health costs. Several studies have looked into biologic markers that could be used as an adjuvant to distinguish the benign from malignant nodules. This review will focus on those biomarkers that are potentially useful in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions commonly classified as indeterminate.

Frequent expression of Niban in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and squamous dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Niban was initially identified in the Eker rat, a model of renal carcinogenesis. We examined Niban expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and head and neck dysplastic lesions.

METHODS

Using a polyclonal rabbit anti-human Niban antibody, 43 cases of HNSCC and 30 cases of head and neck squamous dysplasia were immuonohistochemically stained for Niban. Ancillary genetic studies were also performed.

RESULTS

Forty-two of 43 HNSCCs (97.6%) and 20 of 30 (66.6%) dysplastic lesions were positively stained for Niban. The staining was generally less intense in cases of dysplasia than HNSCC. Three of 8 normal mucosal samples from drinker/smokers also showed weak Niban expression. Normal head and neck squamous epithelium from nondrinker/nonsmokers did not stained for Niban. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results matched the immuonohistochemical results.

CONCLUSION

The expression of Niban frequently begins in the early stages of head and neck squamous carcinoma and remains upregulated throughout the carcinogenic process. Niban may be a good molecular marker of HNSCC.

Endogenous avidin biotin activity (EABA) in thyroid pathology: immunohistochemical study

Background

Immunohistochemical methods based on the high affinity of avidin and biotin (e.g. ABC, LSAB) are characterized by high sensitivity and are widely used for detection of immunologic reaction. However, a non-specific reaction, observed in frozen tissues and in paraffin-embedded material, increasing after heat induced epitope retrieval (HIER), and caused either by endogenous biotin or any another chemical compound with high affinity for avidin, may lead to diagnostic mistakes. The aim of our investigation is to study presence of endogenous avidin biotin activity (EABA) in thyrocytes originating from various thyroid pathological lesions (neoplastic and non-neoplastic).

Materials and methods

The immunohistochemical study was performed on paraffin-embedded specimens of surgically resected thyroid tissue from 97 patients with thyroid diseases: 65 patients with papillary carcinoma (PTC), 11 patients with nodular goiter in whom features of benign papillary hyperplasia were found, 9 with lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT), 8 with follicular adenoma, and 4 patients with follicular carcinoma. In PTC immunohistochemical study was performed both in primary tumors and in lymph node metastases. After HIER, incubation with streptavidin from LSAB+ (DakoCytomation) kit was done.

Results

Strong cytoplasmic EABA was observed in 56 of 65 (87.5%) PTC and in oxyphilic cells in 8 of 9 cases of LT. Significant correlation between EABA in primary PTC tumor and EABA in lymph node metastases was stated. Normal surrounding thyroid tissues showed absence or weak EABA. Aberrant intranuclear localization of biotin was noted in morules of cribriform-morular variant of PTC. No statistically significant correlation between patient's age, sex, metastases presence and EABA was observed.

Conclusion

Among thyroid lesions, false positive reactions are highly probable in papillary thyroid carcinoma and in lymphocytic thyroiditis if immunohistochemical detection is used on systems containing (strept)avidin. The most probable reason is the high endogenous biotin content.

CD117 expression in normal, neoplastic, inflammatory, and reactive lesions of the thyroid

The mutations of c-kit gene, which encodes a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (CD117-KIT) or activation of CD117, lead to the activation of signal transduction cascades regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemotaxis, and adhesion. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CD117 in normal, inflammatory, neoplastic, and reactive lesions of the thyroid. Using polyclonal anti-CD117 antibody, we performed immunohistochemical staining on tissue blocks from 230 cases obtained from the archives of the Department of Pathology, Ondokuz Mayis University (Samsun, Turkey), collected between 1990 and 2006. Each slide was evaluated for extent and intensity of staining. Staining extent was expressed as the percentage of stained cells. Staining of <10% of the cells was accepted as negative. Staining intensity was evaluated only in positive cases. By addition of the extent and intensity scores, the combined score was calculated. In our study, the combined CD117 staining scores of neoplastic and inflammatory groups were found to be higher than the reactive and normal groups. Within the neoplastic group, papillary carcinomas differed from follicular adenomas significantly, although papillary carcinomas showed no statistically significant difference compared to follicular carcinomas. Immunohistochemical CD117 positivity was detected in a wide range of neoplastic and inflammatory thyroid diseases. The neoplastic group and, within them, the papillary carcinomas showed a higher ratio of CD117 positivity. Although our results need to be confirmed by other molecular and genetic studies, the high rate of positivity in papillary carcinomas was one of the striking findings, which may result in novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Nódulos com diagnóstico de padrão folicular: marcadores biológicos são o futuro?

Com o uso da ultra-sonografia de alta resolução, a prevalência de nódulos tem aumentado e, conseqüentemente, o número de punção aspirativa por agulha fina (PAAF), que é o método de escolha para diagnóstico inicial. Um dos maiores dilemas clínicos para o citologista é o diagnóstico diferencial das lesões foliculares comumente agrupadas na classe padrão folicular. Neste artigo de revisão, discutiremos quais são as lesões que podem ser assim classificadas e os marcadores moleculares, identificados por nós ou por outros grupos, que são capazes de distinguir as lesões benignas das malignas.

The endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible protein Niban regulates eIF2alpha and S6K1/4E-BP1 phosphorylation

The Niban/NIBAN gene is specifically expressed in hereditary renal carcinomas of model animals and in human malignancies, including renal cancers. Although the expression profiles of Niban/NIBAN suggest that it plays an important role in carcinogenesis, no functional information has yet been reported. In this study, we found that the levels of Niban/NIBAN mRNA and protein were induced by treatment with tunicamycin, an inducer of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. To elucidate Niban's in vivo function, we generated a Niban knockout mouse. Niban(-/-) mouse showed no obvious phenotype. Unexpectedly, we found that eukaryotic translational initiation factor (eIF) 2alpha phosphorylation, which is up-regulated during ER stress, was increased in Niban(-/-) cells relative to wild-type control cells. In addition, decreased phosphorylation of p70 ribosomal S6 subunit kinase (S6K) 1 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP) 1 was also detected in Niban(-/-) cells. Similar effects were observed following transfection of NIBAN-specific interfering RNAs in HeLa cells. Thus, Niban positively affects protein translation machineries. Additionally, suppression of NIBAN expression in HeLa cells promoted apoptosis. Together these results suggest that Niban is involved in the ER stress response, and that Niban can modulate cell death signaling by regulating translation.