RXRα mRNA expression is associated with cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation in Hep3B cell

Expression and clinical significance of retinoid X receptor α in esophageal carcinoma

PURPOSE

Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is one of the most aggressive type cancers and dysregulation of retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) involves various tumors. However, the relationship of RXRα with the clinicopathological factors of EC, particularly prognostic characteristics, remains unclear. This present study was to evaluate the effect of RXRα expression in the development of EC.

METHODS

The mRNA and protein expression level of RXRα in EC and normal esophageal tissues using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The subcellular localization was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The clinicopathological parameters were included age, sex, tumor size, differentiation, TNM stages and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox's regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis of 60 patients with EC.

RESULTS

RXRα was elevated in EC tissues comparing with normal esophageal tissues at both mRNA and protein levels. The overexpression level of RXRα was closely associated to the tumor differentiation, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of patients with EC. In addition, EC patients with RXRα high expression had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed RXRα expression as an independent predictor for the DFS and OS rate of patients with EC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that overexpression of RXRα was correlated with unfavorable prognosis, suggesting that RXRα may serve as a potential targeted therapeutic marker in the treatment of EC.

IL-1β induced RXRα overexpression through activation of NF-κB signaling in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Abnormal expression of Retinoid X Receptor α (RXRα) seems to be a frequent incident in a variety of cancers. However, the expression pattern and the mechanisms in gastric carcinoma (GC) remain unclear.

METHODS

In GC tissues and cell lines, the expression levels of RXRα mRNA and protein were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot, respectively; the localization of RXRα was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunocytochemistry (ICC). The effect of IL-1β on RXRα expression and localization was detected by Western blot and ICC. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was assessed via Western blot.

RESULTS

RXRα expression was markedly elevated at both mRNA and protein levels in GC tissues and cell lines (all P<0.05). The abnormal overexpression of RXRα was predominantly visualized in cytoplasm. IL-1β significantly induced cytoplasmic expression of RXRα in a time-dependent manner. Co-incubation with IL-1β enhanced phospho-IKKα (p-IKKα) expression and this effect could be inhibited by the specific inhibitor for NF-κB (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-1β upregulated RXRα through activation of NF-κB signaling and these suggested a possible clinic significance of retinoid receptor expression in the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Colorectal Carcinogenesis, Radiation Quality, and the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway

Adult colorectal epithelium undergoes continuous renewal and maintains homeostatic balance through regulated cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway involving the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin is important for colorectal development and normal epithelial maintenance, and deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Colorectal carcinogenesis has been linked to radiation exposure, and radiation has been demonstrated to alter Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as well as the proteasomal pathway involved in the degradation of the signaling components and thus regulation of β-catenin. The current review discusses recent progresses in our understanding of colorectal carcinogenesis in relation to different types of radiation and roles that radiation quality plays in deregulating β-catenin and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) for colorectal cancer initiation and progression.

Differential expression of Wnt signaling molecules between pre- and postmenopausal endometrial epithelial cells suggests a population of putative epithelial stem/progenitor cells reside in the basalis layer

The human endometrium undergoes extensive monthly regeneration in response to fluctuating levels of circulating estrogen and progesterone in premenopausal (Pre-M) women. In contrast, postmenopausal (Post-M) endometrium is thin and quiescent with low mitotic activity, similar to the Pre-M endometrial basalis layer. Clonogenic epithelial stem/progenitor (ESP) cells, likely responsible for regenerating endometrial epithelium, have been identified in Pre-M and Post-M endometrium, but their location is unknown. We undertook transcriptional profiling of highly purified epithelial cells from full-thickness Pre-M and Post-M endometrium to identify differentially regulated genes that may indicate a putative ESP cell population resides in the basalis of Pre-M and basalis-like Post-M endometrium. Of 1077 differentially expressed genes identified, the Wnt signaling pathway, important in endometrial development and stem cell regulation, was one of the main gene families detected, including 22 Wnt-associated genes. Twelve genes were validated using quantitative RT-PCR, and all were concordant with microarray data. Immunostaining showed glandular epithelial location of Wnt-regulated genes, Axin-related protein 2 and β-catenin. Axin2 localized to the nucleus of basalis Pre-M and Post-M and cytoplasm of functionalis Pre-M endometrium, suggesting that it regulates β-catenin. Comparison of our Post-M gene profile with published gene microarray datasets revealed similarities to Pre-M basalis epithelial profiles. This differential expression of multiple Wnt-associated genes in human Pre-M and Post-M endometrial epithelial cells and the similar gene profile of Post-M and Pre-M basalis epithelium suggests that a population of putative endometrial ESP may reside in the basalis of Pre-M endometrium, which may be responsible for regenerating glandular epithelium each month.

Over-expressed microRNA-27a and 27b influence fat accumulation and cell proliferation during rat hepatic stellate cell activation

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation is an initial event in liver fibrosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play essential roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and fat metabolism. In this study, we showed that down-regulation of two over-expressed miRNAs, miR-27a and 27b allowed culture-activated rat HSCs to switch to a more quiescent HSC phenotype, with restored cytoplasmic lipid droplets and decreased cell proliferation. Mechanistically, retinoid X receptor alpha was confirmed to be the target of miR-27a and 27b. These results indicated a new role and mechanism of miR-27a and 27b in regulating fat metabolism and cell proliferation during HSCs activation.

Mechanisms of resistance of hepatocyte retinoid X receptor alpha-null mice to WY-14,643-induced hepatocyte proliferation and cholestasis

Peroxisome proliferators, such as the lipid-lowering fibrates that function as agonists for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), induce liver tumors in rodents and may produce cholestasis in humans. Considerable attention has focused on peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, a phenomenon not noted in man, whereas limited studies examine fibrates and other therapeutic drugs that induce cholestasis, a common finding in humans. Moreover, the mechanisms by which fibrates induce hepatocyte proliferation and cholestasis are still not fully understood. We have examined the role of hepatocyte retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha), an essential partner of PPARalpha, in modulating WY-14,643-induced hepatocyte proliferation and cholestasis. WY-14,643 treatment induced hepatomegaly in wild type (WT) mice that was also accompanied by induction of the expression of cyclins D1, D3, A2, and B1 and Cdc2 as well as inhibition of Wee 1. Such changes were either absent or greatly reduced in hepatocyte RXRalpha-null mice. Furthermore, neither WY-14,643 treatment nor RXRalpha deficiency affected apoptosis, indicating the importance of PPARalpha/RXRalpha in regulating Wee 1-mediated Cdc2/cyclin B1 expression for cells to enter into mitosis. WY-14,643 treatment also induced cholestasis and liver injury, which is evidenced by induction of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and hepatic bile acid levels in WT mice. Hepatocyte RXRalpha deficiency protected the mice from WY-14,643-induced liver injury. WY-14,643-mediated induction of the small heterodimer partner, Mrp3, and Cyp3a11 levels was greater in hepatocyte RXRalpha-null than in WT mouse livers suggesting enhanced repression of bile acid synthesis and increased efflux of bile acids into blood for renal excretion as well as hydroxylation of bile acids because of hepatocyte RXRalpha deficiency. These data establish a crucial role of hepatocyte RXRalpha in regulating WY-14,643-mediated cell cycle progression as well as bile acid homeostasis.

Retinoid X receptor alpha Regulates the expression of glutathione s-transferase genes and modulates acetaminophen-glutathione conjugation in mouse liver

Nuclear receptors, including constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor, and retinoid X receptor (RXR), modulate acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating the expression of phase I cytochrome P450 (P450) genes. It has not been fully resolved, however, whether they regulate APAP detoxification at the phase II level. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of RXRalpha in phase II enzyme-mediated detoxification of APAP. Wild-type and hepatocyte-specific RXRalpha knockout mice were treated with a toxic dose of APAP (500 mg/kg i.p.). Mutant mice were protected from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, even though basal liver glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly lower in mutant mice compared with those of wild-type mice. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of APAP metabolites revealed significantly greater levels of APAP-GSH conjugates in livers and bile of mutant mice compared with those of wild-type mice. Furthermore, hepatocyte RXRalpha deficiency altered the gene expression profile of the glutathione S-transferase (Gst) family. Basal expression of 13 of 15 Gst genes studied was altered in hepatocyte-specific RXRalpha-deficient mice. This probably led to enhanced APAP-GSH conjugation and reduced accumulation of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, a toxic electrophile that is produced by biotransformation of APAP by phase I P450 enzymes. In conclusion, the data presented in this study define an RXRalpha-Gst regulatory network that controls APAP-GSH conjugation. This report reveals a potential novel strategy to enhance the detoxification of APAP or other xenobiotics by manipulating Gst activity through RXRalpha-mediated pathways.