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Lu X. Structure and functions of T-cell immunoglobulin-domain and mucin- domain protein 3 in cancer. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1851-1865. [PMID: 34365943 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210806120904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig)-domain and mucin-domain (TIM) proteins represent a family of receptors expressed on T-cells that play essential cellular immunity roles. The TIM proteins span across the membrane belonging to type I transmembrane proteins. The N terminus contains an Ig-like V-type domain and a Ser/Thr-rich mucin stalk as a co-inhibitory receptor. The C-terminal tail oriented toward the cytosol predominantly mediates intracellular signaling. METHODS This review discusses the structural features and functions of TIM-3, specifically on its role in mediating immune responses in different cell types, and the rationale for TIM-3-targeted cancer immunotherapy. RESULTS TIM-3 has gained significant importance to be a potential biomarker in cancer immunotherapy. It has been shown that blockade with checkpoint inhibitors promotes anti-tumor immunity and inhibits tumor growth in several preclinical tumor models. CONCLUSION TIM-3 is an immune regulating molecule expressed on several cell types, including IFNγ-producing T-cells, FoxP3+ Treg cells, and innate immune cells. The roles of TIM-3 in immunosuppression support its merit as a target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Lu
- The Mary and Garry Weston Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Thrombosis Research Institute, London, SW3 6LR. United Kingdom
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2
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Mucin expression, epigenetic regulation and patient survival: A toolkit of prognostic biomarkers in epithelial cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188538. [PMID: 33862149 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Twenty mucin genes have been identified and classified in two groups (encoding secreted and membrane-bound proteins). Secreted mucins participate in mucus formation by assembling a 3-dimensional network via oligomerization, whereas membrane-bound mucins are anchored to the outer membrane mediating extracellular interactions and cell signaling. Both groups have been associated with carcinogenesis progression in epithelial cancers, and are therefore considered as potential therapeutic targets. In the present review, we discuss the link between mucin expression patterns and patient survival and propose mucins as prognosis biomarkers of epithelial cancers (esophagus, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, lung, breast or ovarian cancers). We also investigate the relationship between mucin expression and overall survival in the TCGA dataset. In particular, epigenetic mechanisms regulating mucin gene expression, such as aberrant DNA methylation and histone modification, are interesting as they are also associated with diagnosis or prognosis significance. Indeed, mucin hypomethylation has been shown to be associated with carcinogenesis progression and was linked to prognosis in colon cancer or pancreatic cancer patients. Finally we describe the relationship between mucin expression and non-coding RNAs that also may serve as biomarkers. Altogether the concomitant knowledge of specific mucin-pattern expression and epigenetic regulation could be translated as biomarkers with a better specificity/sensitivity performance in several epithelial cancers.
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Zhu JJ, Yuan D, Sun RJ, Liu SY, Shan NN. Mucin mutations and aberrant expression are associated with the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia. Thromb Res 2020; 194:222-228. [PMID: 33213847 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology. In this study, we aimed to identify the mutations and aberrant expression of mucins associated with ITP pathogenesis. METHODS First, we investigated the DNA mutation profile of bone marrow samples from patients with ITP (n = 20) by using next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, MUC3A, MUC5B and MUC6 were mutated in all patients with ITP. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) was used to measure MUC3A, MUC5B and MUC6 levels in the plasma of bone marrow fluid mononuclear cells (BMMCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Real-time quantitative PCR was used to study the mRNA expression levels of MUC3A, MUC5B and MUC6 in BMMCs and PBMCs. RESULTS The results indicated that there were 3998 missense mutations involving 2269 genes in more than 10 individuals. MUC3A levels were not significantly different among the three groups, whereas MUC5B and MUC6 expression were significantly down-regulated in patients with ITP compared with healthy controls. In addition, serum MUC5B and MUC6 levels were significantly higher in patients with ITP in clinical remission than in patients with active ITP. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results suggest that genetic alterations and the aberrant serum expression of mucins might be involved in the pathogenesis of ITP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dai Yuan
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China; Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Jie Sun
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Yan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning-Ning Shan
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China; Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
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Increased expression of MUC3A is associated with poor prognosis in localized clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:50017-50026. [PMID: 27374181 PMCID: PMC5226565 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
MUC3A is a membrane-associated mucin that recent evidence reveals the role of MUC3A in pathogenesis and progression of cancers. To evaluate the association between MUC3A expression with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with localized clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), we retrospectively detected MUC3A expression in samples of 384 postoperative localized ccRCC patients by immunohistochemistry. Median follow-up was 73 months (range: 42 – 74 mo). Overall, 41 patients died, 47 experienced recurrence. High MUC3A expression occurred in 45.8% of localized ccRCC cases, which was significantly associated with high pT-stage, high Fuhrman grade, high frequency of necrosis and LVI, and increased risk of recurrence and death (Logrank test P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). By multivariate analysis, MUC3A expression was confirmed as an adverse independent prognostic factor for OS and RFS. The prognostic accuracy of UISS, SSIGN, Leibovich models was significantly increased when MUC3A expression was integrated. Meanwhile, MUC3A was enrolled into a newly built nomogram with other factors selected by multivariate analysis. Calibration curves revealed optimal consistency between observations and prognosis. In conclusion, high MUC3A expression is an adverse prognostic biomarker for OS and RFS in postoperative localized ccRCC patients.
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Dhanisha SS, Guruvayoorappan C, Drishya S, Abeesh P. Mucins: Structural diversity, biosynthesis, its role in pathogenesis and as possible therapeutic targets. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 122:98-122. [PMID: 29458795 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucins are the main structural components of mucus that create a selective protective barrier for epithelial surface and also execute wide range of other physiological functions. Mucins can be classified into two types, namely secreted mucins and membrane bounded mucins. Alterations in mucin expression or glycosylation and mislocalization have been seen in various types of pathological conditions such as cancers, inflammatory bowel disease and ocular disease, which highlight the importance of mucin in maintaining homeostasis. Hence mucins can be used as attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we discuss in detail about the structural diversity of mucins; their biosynthesis; its role in pathogenesis; regulation and as possible therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Sulekha Dhanisha
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India
| | - Chandrasekharan Guruvayoorappan
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India.
| | - Sudarsanan Drishya
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India
| | - Prathapan Abeesh
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India
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Shibahara H, Higashi M, Yokoyama S, Rousseau K, Kitazono I, Osako M, Shirahama H, Tashiro Y, Kurumiya Y, Narita M, Kuze S, Hasagawa H, Kato T, Kubota H, Suzuki H, Arai T, Sakai Y, Yuasa N, Fujino M, Kondo S, Okamoto Y, Yamamoto T, Hiromatsu T, Sasaki E, Shirai K, Kawai S, Hattori K, Tsuji H, Okochi O, Sakamoto M, Kondo A, Konishi N, Batra SK, Yonezawa S. A comprehensive expression analysis of mucins in appendiceal carcinoma in a multicenter study: MUC3 is a novel prognostic factor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115613. [PMID: 25551773 PMCID: PMC4281150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucins are implicated in survival in various cancers, but there have been no report addressed on survival in appendiceal carcinoma, an uncommon disease with different clinical and pathological features from those of other colon cancers. We aimed to investigate the clinical implications of expression of mucins in appendiceal carcinoma. METHODS Expression profiles of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC6, MUC16 and MUC17 in cancer tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry in 108 cases of surgically resected appendiceal carcinoma. RESULTS The following relationships of mucins with clinicopathologic factors were identified: MUC1 with positive lymphatic invasion (p = 0.036); MUC2 with histological type (mucinous carcinoma, p<0.001), superficial invasion depth (p = 0.007), negative venous invasion (p = 0.003), and curative resection (p = 0.019); MUC3 with non-curative resection (p = 0.017); MUC5AC with histological type (mucinous carcinoma, p = 0.002), negative lymphatic invasion (p = 0.021), and negative venous invasion (p = 0.022); and MUC16 with positive lymph node metastasis (p = 0.035), positive venous invasion (p<0.05), and non-curative resection (p = 0.035). A poor prognosis was related to positive lymph node metastasis (p = 0.04), positive lymphatic invasion (p = 0.02), positive venous invasion (p<0.001), non-curative resection (p<0.001), and positive expression of MUC3 (p = 0.004). In multivariate analysis, positive venous invasion (HR: 6.93, 95% CI: 1.93-24.96, p = 0.003), non-curative resection (HR: 10.19, 95% CI: 3.05-34.07, p<0.001) and positive MUC3 expression (HR: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.13-10.03, p = 0.03) were identified as significant independent prognostic factors in patients with appendiceal carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Expression of MUC3 in appendiceal carcinoma is an independent factor for poor prognosis and a useful predictor of outcome in patients with appendiceal carcinoma after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michiyo Higashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Field of Oncology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Seiya Yokoyama
- Department of Human Pathology, Field of Oncology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Karine Rousseau
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Iwao Kitazono
- Department of Human Pathology, Field of Oncology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masahiko Osako
- Department of Surgery, Kagoshima Medical Association Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shirahama
- Department of Pathology, Imakiire General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yukie Tashiro
- Department of Pathology, Imakiire General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | | | | | - Shingo Kuze
- Department of Surgery, Chutoen General Medical Center, Kakegawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hasagawa
- Department of Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daini Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takehito Kato
- Department of Surgery, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital, Toyohashi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kubota
- Department of Surgery, Handa City Hospital, Handa, Japan
| | | | | | - Yu Sakai
- Department of Pathology, Anjo Kosei Hospital, Anjo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Yuasa
- Department of Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiko Fujino
- Department of Pathology, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Kondo
- Department of Surgery, Sakashita Hospital, Nakatsugawa, Japan
| | - Yoshichika Okamoto
- Department of Surgery, Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | | | - Eiji Sasaki
- Department of Surgery, Kamiiida Daiichi General Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Shirai
- Department of Surgery, Yamashita Hospital, Ichinomiya, Japan
| | - Satoru Kawai
- Department of Surgery, Tsushima City Hospital, Tsushima, Japan
| | | | - Hideki Tsuji
- Department of Surgery, Toyota Memorial Hospital, Toyota, Japan
| | - Osamu Okochi
- Department of Surgery, Tosei General Hospital, Seto, Japan
| | - Masaki Sakamoto
- Department of Surgery, Nagoya Tokushukai General Hospital, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Akinobu Kondo
- Department of Surgery, Saiseikai Matsusaka General Hospital, Matsusaka, Japan
| | - Naomi Konishi
- Department of Surgery, Mie Prefectural General Medical Center, Yokkaichi, Japan
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Suguru Yonezawa
- Department of Human Pathology, Field of Oncology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
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Yamada N, Kitamoto S, Yokoyama S, Hamada T, Goto M, Tsutsumida H, Higashi M, Yonezawa S. Epigenetic regulation of mucin genes in human cancers. Clin Epigenetics 2011; 2:85-96. [PMID: 22704331 PMCID: PMC3365379 DOI: 10.1007/s13148-011-0037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins that play important roles in diagnostic and prognostic prediction and in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. Regulation of expression of mucin genes has been studied extensively, and signaling pathways, transcriptional regulators, and epigenetic modification in promoter regions have been described. Detection of the epigenetic status of cancer-related mucin genes is important for early diagnosis of cancer and for monitoring of tumor behavior and response to targeted therapy. Effects of micro-RNAs on mucin gene expression have also started to emerge. In this review, we discuss the current views on epigenetic mechanisms of regulation of mucin genes (MUC1, MUC2, MUC3A, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC6, MUC16, and MUC17) and the possible clinical applications of this epigenetic information.
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Merlin J, Stechly L, de Beaucé S, Monté D, Leteurtre E, van Seuningen I, Huet G, Pigny P. Galectin-3 regulates MUC1 and EGFR cellular distribution and EGFR downstream pathways in pancreatic cancer cells. Oncogene 2011; 30:2514-25. [PMID: 21258405 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is typically expressed at the apical membrane of normal epithelial cells. In cancer cells, the over-expression of MUC1 and its aberrant localization around the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm favours its interaction with different protein partners such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and can promote tumour proliferation through the activation of oncogenic signalling pathways. Our aims were to study the mechanisms inducing MUC1 cytoplasmic localization in pancreatic cancer cells, and to decipher their impact on EGFR cellular localization and activation. Our results showed that galectin-3, an endogenous lectin, is co-expressed with MUC1 in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and that it favours the endocytosis of MUC1 and EGFR. Depletion of galectin-3 by RNA interference increased the interaction between MUC1 and EGFR, EGFR and ERK-1,2 phosphorylation, and translocation of EGFR to the nucleus. On the contrary, silencing of galectin-3 led to a decrease of cyclin-D1 levels and of cell proliferation. The galectin-3-dependent regulation of MUC1/EGFR functions may represent an interesting mechanism modulating the EGFR-stimulated cell growth of pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Merlin
- INSERM, Equipe, 'Mucines, Différenciation et cancérogenèse épithéliales', Place de Verdun, Lille Cedex, France
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Kitamoto S, Yamada N, Yokoyama S, Houjou I, Higashi M, Yonezawa S. Promoter hypomethylation contributes to the expression of MUC3A in cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 397:333-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.05.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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10
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Li J, Wang H, Johnson SM, Horner-Glister E, Thompson J, White INH, Al-Azzawi F. Differing transcriptional responses to pulsed or continuous estradiol exposure in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 111:41-9. [PMID: 18562193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2007.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2007] [Accepted: 12/19/2007] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
This study used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that were treated with 17beta-estradiol for 5 days as 1h pulse or 24h continuous treatment at concentrations such that the 24h exposure (concentration x time) was identical in both conditions. Cell proliferation was studied and gene expression profiling was carried out using the Affymetrix GeneChip microarray analysis. Changes in morphology and apoptosis in HUVECs were examined with electron microscopy. Time-course studies of expression of genes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were performed by quantitative PCR. We observed that cell proliferation was significantly decreased over days 3-5 with pulsed estradiol treatment relative to constant exposure. Microarray results showed that after 5 days, 801 genes differed (P<0.05) between continuous versus pulsed estradiol treatment. Functional analysis showed a significant number of genes to be associated with apoptosis and cell cycle pathways. We did not find any evidence of apoptosis from flow cytometry or electron microscopy examination. Our study highlights a large number of significantly different molecular responses to estradiol depending upon the mode of administration of estradiol. Significant changes were observed in genes involved in apoptosis and proliferation including VEGF, IGF receptors, and tumor protein p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Victoria Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
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Duncan TJ, Watson NFS, Al-Attar AH, Scholefield JH, Durrant LG. The role of MUC1 and MUC3 in the biology and prognosis of colorectal cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2007; 5:31. [PMID: 17349047 PMCID: PMC1828734 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-5-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2006] [Accepted: 03/09/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background MUC1 and MUC3 are from a large family of glycoproteins with an aberrant expression profile in various malignancies. Much interest has been focused on the role of these proteins in the development and progression of colorectal cancer; however, no previous studies have included the highly confounding variable of vascular invasion in their survival analysis. Using high throughput tissue microarray technology we assessed the prognostic value of MUC1 and MUC3 expression in the largest cohort of colorectal cancer patients to date. We propose that tumours lacking expression of MUC1 and MUC3 will be more likely to metastasise, due to previously observed loss of cell-cell adhesion, and this will therefore lead to more aggressive cancers with poorer prognosis. Methods A tissue micro-array was prepared from tumour samples of 462 consecutive patients undergoing resection of a primary colorectal cancer. A comprehensive prospectively recorded data base with mean follow up of 75 months was collected and included common clinicopathological variables and disease specific survival. Immunohistochemical analysis of MUC1 and MUC3 expression was performed using antibodies NCL-MUC1 and 1143/B7 respectively, results were correlated with the variables within the database. Results Positive expression of MUC1 and MUC3 was seen in 32% and 74% of tumours respectively. On univariate analysis no correlation was seen with either MUC1 or MUC3 and any of the clinicopathological variables including tumour grade and stage, vascular invasion and tumour type. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in disease specific survival with MUC1 positive tumours (p = 0.038), this was not seen with MUC3 (p = 0.552). On multivariate analysis, using Cox proportional hazards model, MUC1 expression was shown to be an independent marker of prognosis (HR 1.339, 95%CI 1.002–1.790, p = 0.048). Conclusion MUC1 expression in colorectal cancer is an independent marker of poor prognosis, even when vascular invasion is included in the analysis. These results support previous studies suggesting a role for MUC1 in colorectal cancer development possibly through its effects on cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Duncan
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Immunology, Infections and Immunity, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Nicholas FS Watson
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Immunology, Infections and Immunity, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
- Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ahmad H Al-Attar
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Immunology, Infections and Immunity, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - John H Scholefield
- Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Immunology, Infections and Immunity, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
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