Decrease of deleted in malignant brain tumour-1 (DMBT-1) expression is a crucial late event in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

The protective role of DMBT1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

To explore the possible influence of deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). DMBT1 expression was detected by Real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in CSCC and adjacent normal tissues from 167 CSCC patients, and its relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed. Besides, the in vitro experiments, including MTT, Cell-Light EdU, Wound-healing, Transwell invasion, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blot, were performed in SiHa and CaSKi cells, which were both divided into Blank, Vector, and DMBT1 groups. The mRNA level and the positive expression rate of DMBT1 in CSCC tissues were lower than the adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, DMBT1 positive rate was linked to FIGO stage, tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, and tumor differentiation of CSCC. Besides, patients with positive DMBT1 expression had higher 5-year survival rate than those negative ones. According to the in vitro experiments, SiHa and CaSKi cells with overexpressed DMBT1 showed the inhibition of proliferative ability and the enhancement of apoptosis with the upregulated pro-apoptosis proteins (Bax and Cleaved caspase-3) and down-regulated anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2. Moreover, compared with Blank group, DMBT1 group presented decrease in the migration and invasion of SiHa and CaSKi cells with the down-expression of interstitial markers (N-cadherin and Vimentin) and the up-expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin. DMBT1 was decreased in CSCC, whereas its overexpression can not only inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion, but induce the apoptosis of human CSCC cells, being a novel strategy for CSCC treatment.

Increased Expression of ALDH1A1 in Prostate Cancer is Correlated With Tumor Aggressiveness: A Tissue Microarray Study of Iranian Patients

INTRODUCTION

Subpopulations of prostate cancer (PCa) cells expressing putative stem cell markers possess the ability to promote tumor growth, maintenance, and progression. This study aimed to evaluate the expression patterns and clinical significance of putative stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 A1 (ALDH1A1) in prostate tumor tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ALDH1A1 expression was examined in a well-defined series of prostate tissues, including 105 (68%) samples of PCa, 21 (13%) samples of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and 31 (19%) samples of benign prostate hyperplasia, which were embedded in tissue microarray blocks. The correlation of ALDH1A1 expression with clinicopathologic parameters was also assessed.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the expression level of ALDH1A1 in PCa compared with the high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and benign prostate hyperplasia samples (P<0.001). PCa cells expressing ALDH1A1 were more often seen in samples with advanced Gleason score (P=0.05) and high serum prostate specific antigen level (P=0.02). In addition, a positive correlation was found between ALDH1A1 expression and primary tumor stage and regional lymph node involvement (P=0.04 and 0.03, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The significant association between ALDH1A1 expressions with Gleason score indicates the potential role of this protein in PCa tumorigenesis and aggressive behavior; therefore, this cancer stem cell marker can be used as a promising candidate for targeted therapy of PCa, especially those with high Gleason score.

DMBT1 expression in biliary carcinogenesis with correlation of clinicopathological data

AIMS

Deleted in malignant brain tumours 1 (DMBT1) exerts functions in the regulation of epithelial differentiation and inflammation and has been proposed as a tumour suppressor. Because chronic inflammation is a hallmark of cholangiocarcinogenesis, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DMBT1 in biliary tract cancer (BTC) and to correlate this expression with clinicopathological data.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The expression of DMBT1 protein was examined immunohistochemically in 157 BTC patients [41 intrahepatic (ICC), 60 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ECC) and 56 adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder (GBAC)]. Additionally, 56 samples of high-grade biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN 3) and 92 corresponding samples of histological non-neoplastic biliary tract tissues were included. DMBT1 expression was increased significantly in BilIN 3 compared to normal tissue (P < 0.0001) and BTC (P < 0.0001). BTC showed no significant difference in DMBT1 expression compared to non-neoplastic biliary tissue (P = 0.315). Absent DMBT1 expression in non-neoplastic biliary tissue of BTC patients was associated with poorer survival (P = 0.027). DMBT1 expression was correlated significantly with patients' age (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

DMBT1 is expressed differently in cholangiocarcinogenesis and poorer patients' survival rates are associated with absent DMBT1 expression in non-neoplastic biliary tissue, suggesting a tumour-suppressive role of DMBT1 in early cholangiocarcinogenesis.

Dmbt1 does not affect a Western style diet-induced liver damage in mice

In the last three decades the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has markedly increased. Results from epidemiologic studies indicate that not only a general overnutrition but rather a diet rich in sugar, fat and cholesterol (= Western style diet) maybe a risk factor for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Concerning liver diseases, it is known that Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 is amongst others related to liver injury and repair. In addition Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 seems to play a role in regard to the maintenance of the intestinal homeostasis and the regulation of food intake. Starting from this background the aim of the present study was to investigate if Dmbt1 plays a role in Western style diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice. Dmbt1^+/+ and Dmbt1^−/− mice were fed a Western style diet or control diet ad libitum for 12 weeks. Both Western style diet fed groups gained significant more weight than the controls and developed a mild non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The presence/absence of functional Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 had no effect on parameters like food intake, weight gain, fasting glucose, and liver damage. These results suggest that Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 plays a minor part on the development of a diet-induced liver damage in mice.

An expression signature of phenotypic resistance to hepatocellular carcinoma identified by cross-species gene expression analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatocarcinogenesis is under polygenic control. We analyzed gene expression patterns of dysplastic liver nodules (DNs) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) chemically-induced in F344 and BN rats, respectively susceptible and resistant to hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODS

Expression profiles were performed by microarray and validated by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

Cluster analysis revealed two distinctive gene expression patterns, the first of which included normal liver of both strains and BN nodules, and the second one F344 nodules and HCC of both strains. We identified a signature predicting DN and HCC progression, characterized by highest expression of oncosuppressors Csmd1, Dmbt1, Dusp1, and Gnmt, in DNs, and Bhmt, Dmbt1, Dusp1, Gadd45g, Gnmt, Napsa, Pp2ca, and Ptpn13 in HCCs of resistant rats. Integrated gene expression data revealed highest expression of proliferation-related CTGF, c-MYC, and PCNA, and lowest expression of BHMT, DMBT1, DUSP1, GADD45g, and GNMT, in more aggressive rat and human HCC. BHMT, DUSP1, and GADD45g expression predicted patients' survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results disclose, for the first time, a major role of oncosuppressor genes as effectors of genetic resistance to hepatocarcinogenesis. Comparative functional genomic analysis allowed discovering an evolutionarily conserved gene expression signature discriminating HCC with different propensity to progression in rat and human.

The conserved scavenger receptor cysteine-rich superfamily in therapy and diagnosis

The scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily of soluble or membrane-bound protein receptors is characterized by the presence of one or several repeats of an ancient and highly conserved protein module, the SRCR domain. This superfamily (SRCR-SF) has been in constant and progressive expansion, now up to more than 30 members. The study of these members is attracting growing interest, which parallels that in innate immunity. No unifying function has been described to date for the SRCR domains, this being the result of the limited knowledge still available on the physiology of most members of the SRCR-SF, but also of the sequence versatility of the SRCR domains. Indeed, involvement of SRCR-SF members in quite different functions, such as pathogen recognition, modulation of the immune response, epithelial homeostasis, stem cell biology, and tumor development, have all been described. This has brought to us new information, unveiling the possibility that targeting or supplementing SRCR-SF proteins could result in diagnostic and/or therapeutic benefit for a number of physiologic and pathologic states. Recent research has provided structural and functional insight into these proteins, facilitating the development of means to modulate the activity of SRCR-SF members. Indeed, some of these approaches are already in use, paving the way for a more comprehensive use of SRCR-SF members in the clinic. The present review will illustrate some available evidence on the potential of well known and new members of the SRCR-SF in this regard.

Effects of DMTB1 over-expression on the biological behavior of esophagus carcinoma cell line EC9706

AIM: To establish the cell line EC9706 of esophagus carcinoma with stable expression of a new candidate tumor suppressor gene DMBT1 and to analyze cell invasiveness and cell proliferation compared to the control group so as to provide any insights into the function of the newly-discovered tumor suppressor gene.

METHODS: The full-length DMBT1 expression plasmid pTRexDest30_DMBT18kb.2 was transfected into esophagus carcinoma cell line EC9706 with Lipofectamine 2000 which was subsequently screened with G418. DMBT1 transcript and protein were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot; then cell growth and proliferation was evaluated with MTT; finally transwell assay was applied to evaluate the ability of its migration before and after the transfection.

RESULTS: After transfection, the levels of DMBT1 protein and mRNA were 3.2 times higher than control group. There was significant difference between transfection group and the control group. The growth curves mapped with MTT indicated that the group transfected with pTRexDest30_DMBT1 showed slower speed of proliferation versus the vector control and the untreated group. In addition, cell survival in serum-free medium was markedly inhibited compared to the vector control. Transwell assay further confirmed conspicuous discrepancy in migration (206 ± 25 vs 367 ± 42, P < 0.01), the experimental group versus the control group.

CONCLUSION: The biological model that stably expresses DMBT1 was successfully established; DMBT1 over-expression significantly inhibits the proliferation and invasive process of esophagus carcinoma cell line in vitro.