1
|
Sivakumaar K, Griffin J, Schofield E, Catto JWF, Jubber I. Gene of the month: the uroplakins. J Clin Pathol 2024; 77:291-296. [PMID: 38418202 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2024-209388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Uroplakins are a family of membrane-spanning proteins highly specific to the urothelium. There are four uroplakin proteins in humans. These are encoded by the following UPK genes: UPK1A, UPK1B, UPK2 and UPK3 Uroplakin proteins span the apical membrane of umbrella cells of the urothelium, where they associate into urothelial plaques. This provides a barrier function to prevent passage of urine across the urothelium in the renal pelvis, ureters, and bladder. Uroplakins are also involved in developmental processes such as nephrogenesis. The specific localisation of uroplakins within the urothelium means that they are often expressed in primary and metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma and may be used as an immunohistochemical marker of urothelial malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krithicck Sivakumaar
- Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jon Griffin
- School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Histopathology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ella Schofield
- School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Urology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - James W F Catto
- School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Urology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ibrahim Jubber
- School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Urology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu J, Zhao M, Wu C, Chu C, Zhang CZ, Cao Y. Comparison of RNAscope and immunohistochemistry for evaluation of the UPK2 status in urothelial carcinoma tissues. Diagn Pathol 2022; 17:10. [PMID: 35027056 PMCID: PMC8759216 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-022-01191-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND UPK2 exhibits excellent specificity for urothelial carcinoma (UC). UPK2 evaluation can be useful in making the correct diagnosis of UC. However, UPK2 detection by immunohistochemistry (IHC) has relatively low sensitivity. This paper aimed to compare the diagnostic sensitivity of RNAscope and IHC for evaluation of the UPK2 status in UC. METHODS Tissue blocks from 127 conventional bladder UCs, 45 variant bladder UCs, 24 upper tract UCs and 23 metastatic UCs were selected for this study. IHC and RNAscope were used to detect the UPK2 status in UCs. Then, comparisons of the two methods were undertaken. RESULTS There was no significant difference between RNAscope and IHC for the evaluation of the UPK2 positivity rate in UC (68.0% vs. 62.6%, P = 0.141). Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation for detection of UPK2: RNAscope vs. IHC (P < 0.001, R = 0.441). Our results showed a trend toward a higher positive UPK2 rate detected by RNAscope (53.3%) than by IHC (35.6%) in variant bladder UCs. Disappointingly, the P value did not indicate a significant difference (P = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS RNAscope for UPK2 appeared to perform similarly to IHC, with a marginally higher positive rate, suggesting it could be used as an alternative or adjunct to UPK2 IHC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiangli Lu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hosipital Hangzhou Medical College, 310014, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Chenyan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chengbiao Chu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chris Zhiyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China. .,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Szymańska B, Matuszewski M, Dembowski J, Piwowar A. Initial Evaluation of Uroplakins UPIIIa and UPII in Selected Benign Urological Diseases. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1816. [PMID: 34944460 PMCID: PMC8698914 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uroplakins (UPs) are glycoproteins that play a specific role in the structure and function of the urothelium. Disorders which affect the normal expression of UPs are associated with the pathogenesis of infections and neoplasms of the urinary tract, primary vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis and renal dysfunction. The appearance of uroplakins in the urine and/or plasma may be of potential importance in the detection of urinary tract dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate uroplakin IIIa (UPIIIa) and uroplakin II (UPII) expression in patients with selected urological diseases. METHODS Plasma and urine from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urethral stricture (US), urinary tract infection (UTI) and urolithiasis were compared to healthy people without urological disorders. UPs concentrations were measured by the immunoenzymatic method. RESULTS In patients with BPH and UTI, concentrations of UPIIIa in urine and plasma, as well as UPII in urine, were statistically significantly higher than in the control groups. In the US group, only the plasma UPIIIa concentration differed significantly from the control. CONCLUSION The conducted research shows that benign urological diseases may affect the state of the urothelium, as manifested by increased concentrations of both UPs in patients' urine and plasma, especially in BPH and UTI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beata Szymańska
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Michał Matuszewski
- Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.M.); (J.D.)
| | - Janusz Dembowski
- Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.M.); (J.D.)
| | - Agnieszka Piwowar
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hou CP, Tsui KH, Chang KS, Sung HC, Hsu SY, Lin YH, Yang PS, Chen CL, Feng TH, Juang HH. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits the growth of bladder carcinoma cells by upregulating growth differentiation factor 15. Biomed J 2021; 45:763-775. [PMID: 34662721 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a bioactive component of propolis, has beneficial effects on cancer prevention. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is an antitumor gene of bladder cancer. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-cancer effect of CAPE on bladder carcinoma cells and related mechanisms. METHODS The expressions of GDF15, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), and maspin, and the activations of ERK, JNK, p38, and AMPKα1/2 in human bladder cells after gene transfection or knockdown were determined by immunoblot, RT-qPCR, and reporter assays. The assays of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), CyQUANT cell proliferation, and Matrigel invasion, and the xenograft animal study were used to assess the cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis. RESULTS GDF15 expression in epithelial cells was negatively correlated with neoplasia in vitro. Also, GDF15 exhibits in bladder fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. CAPE-induced expressions of NDRG1 and maspin decreased cell proliferation and invasion of bladder carcinoma cells in a GDF15-dependent manner in vitro. The xenograft animal study suggesting CAPE attenuated tumor growth in vivo. CAPE increased phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38, and AMPKα1/2 to modulate the GDF15 expressions. Pretreatments with ERK, JNK, or p38 inhibitors partially inhibited the CAPE effects on the inductions of GDF15, NDRG1, or maspin. Knockdown of AMPKα1/2 attenuated the CAPE-induced GDF15 expression and cell proliferation in bladder carcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that CAPE is a promising agent for anti-tumor growth in human bladder carcinoma cells via the upregulation of GDF15.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Pang Hou
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ke-Hung Tsui
- Department of Urology, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine; TMU Research Center of Urology and Kindey, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Shuo Chang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Ching Sung
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yuan Hsu
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiang Lin
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shan Yang
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Lun Chen
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Hsia Feng
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Heng Juang
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Preliminary Evaluation of the Diagnostic Usefulness of Uroplakin 2 with an Assessment of the Antioxidant Potential of Patients with Bladder Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:8693297. [PMID: 30627578 PMCID: PMC6304619 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8693297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer (BC). It makes up more than 90% of all bladder cancers. Uroplakins are tissue-specific, glycoproteins, playing a role in the construction and function of urothelium. The emergence of uroplakins in the urine and/or plasma may be of potential importance in the early detection of BC. In our study, the diagnostic value of plasma and urine uroplakin 2 (UP2) concentration in bladder cancer was investigated, with an assessment of the antioxidant potential of BC patients. The correlation between UP2, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and concentration of glutathione (GSH) was also examined. Materials and Methods This study included 61 BC patients and 33 healthy controls. UP2 concentration was estimated by the immunoenzymatic method (ELISA). TAC and GSH were determined in spectrophotometrically methods. Results UP2 concentration in BC patients was significantly higher (p≤0.001) both in plasma and in urine compared to the control groups (C). TAC concentration in urine (p≤0.001) and GSH concentration in plasma (p=0.047) were significantly lower in BC group compared to the C group. The high specificity and sensitivity for UPK2 in plasma (76%, 80%, respectively) and urine (88%, 84%, respectively) were observed. Positive correlations were observed between concentration of UP2 in plasma and TAC concentration in urine and between UP2 concentration in plasma and GSH concentration in the same material. Conclusion The study showed the early diagnostic value of urine and plasma UP2 in BC. There was a decrease in UP2 concentration in the urine of patients with the development of BC. The decrease of antioxidant systems (TAC, GSH) indicates their relationship with the BC process. Based on the obtained results, it is justified to continue the study in a larger group of patients with BC.
Collapse
|
6
|
Azevedo R, Soares J, Peixoto A, Cotton S, Lima L, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Circulating tumor cells in bladder cancer: Emerging technologies and clinical implications foreseeing precision oncology. Urol Oncol 2018. [PMID: 29530466 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Circulating tumor cells (CTC) in peripheral blood of cancer patients provide an opportunity for real-time liquid biopsies capable of aiding early intervention, therapeutic decision, response to therapy, and prognostication. Nevertheless, the rare and potentially heterogeneous molecular nature of CTC has delayed the standardization of robust high-throughput capture/enrichment and characterization technologies. OBJECTIVE This review aims to systematize emerging solutions for CTC analysis in bladder cancer (BC), their opportunities and limitations, while providing key insights on specific technologic aspects that may ultimately guide molecular studies and clinical implementation. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION State-of-the-art screening for CTC technologies and clinical applications in BC was conducted in MEDLINE through PubMed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS From 200 records identified by the search query, 25 original studies and 1 meta-analysis met the full criteria for selection. A significant myriad of CTC technological platforms, including immunoaffinity, biophysical, and direct CTC detection by molecular methods have been presented. Despite their preliminary nature and irrespective of the applied technology, most studies concluded that CTC counts in peripheral blood correlated with metastasis. Associations with advanced tumor stage and grade and worst prognosis have been suggested. However, the unspecific nature, low sensitivity, and the lack of standardization of current methods still constitutes a major drawback. Moreover, few comprehensive molecular studies have been conducted on these poorly known class of malignant cells. CONCLUSION The current rationale supports the importance of moving the CTC field beyond proof of concept studies toward molecular-based solutions capable of improving disease management. The road has been paved for identification of highly specific CTC biomarkers and novel targeted approaches, foreseeing successful clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Azevedo
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-013 Porto, Portugal
| | - Janine Soares
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia Peixoto
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-013 Porto, Portugal; Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Cotton
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Lima
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Glycobiology in Cancer, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), R. Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (P.ccc), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-013 Porto, Portugal; Health School of University Fernando Pessoa, Praça de 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
| | - José Alexandre Ferreira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-013 Porto, Portugal; Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Glycobiology in Cancer, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), R. Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (P.ccc), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 62, 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Avda. Mestre José Veiga, 4715 Braga, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Riethdorf S, Soave A, Rink M. The current status and clinical value of circulating tumor cells and circulating cell-free tumor DNA in bladder cancer. Transl Androl Urol 2017; 6:1090-1110. [PMID: 29354496 PMCID: PMC5760371 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2017.09.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is a complex disease, which is associated with highly aggressive tumor biologic behavior, especially in patients with muscle-invasive and advanced tumors. Despite multimodal therapy options including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, UCB patients frequently suffer from poor clinical outcome. Indeed, the potential of diverse opportunities for modern targeted therapies is not sufficiently elucidated in UCB yet. To improve the suboptimal treatment situation in UCB, biomarkers are urgently needed that help detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), predicting therapy response and subsequently prognosis as well as enabling patient stratification for further therapies and therapy monitoring, respectively. To date, decision making regarding treatment planning is mainly based on histopathologic evaluation of biopsies predominantly derived from the primary tumors and on clinical staging. However, both methods are imperfect for sufficient outcome prediction. During disease progression, individual disseminated tumor cells and consecutively metastases can acquire characteristics that do not match those of the corresponding primary tumors, and often are only hardly assessable for further evaluation. Therefore, during recent years, strong efforts were directed to establish non-invasive biomarkers from liquid biopsies. Urine cytology and serum tumor markers have been established for diagnostic purposes, but are still insufficient as universal biomarkers for decision-making and treatment of UCB patients. To date, the clinical relevance of various newly established blood-based biomarkers comprising circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating cell-free nucleic acids or tumor-educated platelets is being tested in cancer patients. In this review we summarize the current state and clinical application of CTCs and circulating cell-free tumor DNA originating from blood as biomarkers in patients with different UCB stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Riethdorf
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Armin Soave
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rink
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Matuszewski MA, Tupikowski K, Dołowy Ł, Szymańska B, Dembowski J, Zdrojowy R. Uroplakins and their potential applications in urology. Cent European J Urol 2016; 69:252-257. [PMID: 27729990 PMCID: PMC5057044 DOI: 10.5173/ceju.2016.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Urothelium is a highly specialized type of epithelium covering the interior of the urinary tract. One of the structures responsible for its unique features are urothelial plaques formed from glycoprotein heteropolymers, the uroplakins. Four types of uroplakins are known – UPIa, UPIb, UPII, UPIII. Herein we review the current status of knowledge about uroplakins and discuss their potential clinical applications. Material and methods A PubMed search was conducted to find original and review papers about uroplakins. Results Uroplakins can be detected in tissue, urine and blood. The process of urothelial plaque formation is complex and its disturbances resulting in incorrect plaque formation might be responsible for some pathological states. Additionally, uroplakins might be associated with other pathological processes i.e. urothelial cancer or infections of the urinary tract. Conclusions Uroplakins as the end-product of urothelial cells have unique features and a complex structure. These glycoproteins can be involved in some diseases of the urinary tract and as such can be used as potential targets for intervention and markers of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Łukasz Dołowy
- Department of Urology, University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Poland
| | - Beata Szymańska
- Department of Toxicology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland
| | - Janusz Dembowski
- Department of Urology and Oncologic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland
| | - Romuald Zdrojowy
- Department of Urology and Oncologic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhu H, Tang Y, Zhang X, Jiang X, Wang Y, Gan Y, Yang J. Downregulation of UPK1A suppresses proliferation and enhances apoptosis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells. Med Oncol 2015; 32:84. [PMID: 25701463 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0541-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Uroplakin 1A (UPK1A) is a specific marker of mammalian urothelium and one of major proteins contained in urothelial plaques. Many recent studies reported that UPK1A could be useful marker for diagnosis, detection and prognostic prediction of transitional cell carcinoma. However, relatively little is known about its exact roles in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC). We tried to explore the roles UPK1A plays in BTCC via the transfection of its antisense nucleotides (AS) into T24 cells to observe their changes of proliferation and apoptosis. After AS was successfully transfected into T24 cells, the percentages of proliferating T24 cells at 24 and 48 h after the treatment were 57.2 ± 6.8 and 44.7 ± 5.2%, significantly lower than that of control group, as shown by MTT (p < 0.05 and 0.01). At 24 h after transfection of AS, the percentage of apoptotic T24 cells was 26.87% measured by flow cytometry, significantly higher than that of control group (p < 0.01). Similarly, Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic nuclei of T24 cells after 24 h treated by AS was 28.9%, significantly higher than that of control (p < 0.05). The most common and typical morphological changes of apoptosis, including shrink, pyknosis and karyorrhexis of T24 cells nuclei and DNA fragmentation were seen from Hoechst 33258 staining and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Taken together, inhibition of UPK1A can suppress proliferation and enhance apoptosis of BTCC T24 cells, suggesting it a potential target to treat this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
A multiplex assay to measure RNA transcripts of prostate cancer in urine. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45656. [PMID: 23029164 PMCID: PMC3447789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has a high false positive rate. As a single marker, PSA provides limited diagnostic information. A multi-marker test capable of detecting not only tumors but also the potentially lethal ones provides an unmet clinical need. Using the nanoString nCounter gene expression system, a 20-gene multiplex test was developed based on digital gene counting of RNA transcripts in urine as a means to detect prostate cancer. In this test, voided urine is centrifuged to pellet cells and the purified RNA is amplified for hybridization to preselected probesets. Amplification of test cell line RNA appeared not to introduce significant bias, and the counts matched well with gene abundance levels as measured by DNA microarrays. For data analysis, the individual counts were compared to that of β2 microglobulin, a housekeeping gene. Urine samples of 5 pre-operative cases and 2 non-cancer were analyzed. Pathology information was then retrieved. Signals for a majority of the genes were low for non-cancer and low Gleason scores, and 6/6 known prostate cancer markers were positive in the cases. One case of Gleason 4+5 showed, in contrast, strong signals for all cancer-associated markers, including CD24. One non-cancer also showed signals for all 6 cancer markers, and this man might harbor an undiagnosed cancer. This multiplex test assaying a natural waste product can potentially be used for screening, early cancer detection and patient stratification. Diagnostic information is gained from the RNA signatures that are associated with cell types of prostate tumors.
Collapse
|
11
|
Antoniewicz AA, Paziewska A, Mikula M, Goryca K, Dabrowska M, Poletajew S, Borowka A, Ostrowski J. Lack of evidence for increased level of circulating urothelial cells in the peripheral blood after transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Int Urol Nephrol 2011; 44:761-7. [PMID: 22160796 PMCID: PMC3358538 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-011-0102-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aggressive intervention against the bladder wall during transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) causes damage and leakage from blood vessels to the bladder lumen. The aim of this study was to determine whether TURBT could increase the level of circulating urothelial cells. METHODS Expression of tumor markers, discriminative for nucleated blood cells and urothelium, was evaluated by quantitative (q) RT-PCR on RNA isolated from peripheral blood samples of 51 patients who underwent TURBT for ≥cT1c bladder tumors. RESULTS Four of 14 studied genes, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Collagen α-1(I) chain, Mast/stem cell growth factor receptor (KIT) and CD47, exhibited significant differences in gene expression between controls and cancer patients. While TURBT did not significantly increase the number of PCR-positive results of any transcripts, positive RT-PCR detection for EGFR was significantly less frequent on day 30 compared to results obtained before surgery. CONCLUSIONS Although the results of our study do not provide evidence for increased tumor cell release into the peripheral blood after TURBT, they seem to indicate that EGFR mRNA measurement in the blood may provide useful information for urologists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artur A Antoniewicz
- Department of Urology, Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Msaouel P, Koutsilieris M. Diagnostic value of circulating tumor cell detection in bladder and urothelial cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:336. [PMID: 21816094 PMCID: PMC3161042 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diagnostic value and prognostic significance of circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection in patients with bladder cancer is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to consolidate current evidence regarding the use of CTC detection assays to diagnose bladder and other urothelial cancers and the association of CTC positivity with advanced, remote disease. Methods Studies that investigated the presence of CTCs in the peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer and/or urothelial cancer were identified and reviewed. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratios (LR-) of CTC detection in individual studies were calculated and meta-analyzed by random effects model. Overall odds ratio of CTC positivity in patients with advanced disease versus those with organ-confined cancer was also calculated. Results Overall sensitivity of CTC detection assays was 35.1% (95%CI, 32.4-38%); specificity, LR+, and LR- was 89.4% (95%CI, 87.2-91.3%), 3.77 (95%CI, 1.95-7.30) and 0.72 (95%CI, 0.64-0.81). CTC-positive patients were significantly more likely to have advanced (stage III-IV) disease compared with CTC-negative patients (OR, 5.05; 95%CI, 2.49-10.26). Conclusions CTC evaluation can confirm tumor diagnosis and identify patients with advanced bladder cancer. However, due to the low overall sensitivity, CTC detection assays should not be used as initial screening tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavlos Msaouel
- Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Micras Asias str., Goudi-Athens 115 27, Greece.
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Methods for the discovery of low-abundance biomarkers for urinary bladder cancer in biological fluids. Bioanalysis 2011; 2:295-309. [PMID: 21083311 DOI: 10.4155/bio.09.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
For the study of bladder cancer and the identification of respective tumor markers, blood and, in particular, urine constitute suitable sources of biological material, while both harboring their specific challenges for analytics concerning low-abundance biomarkers. Dissolved proteins and nucleic acids as well as cells and cell-bound molecules can be the analytes. In urine, exfoliated bladder tumor cells have to be identified and in blood, circulating tumor cells have to be detected among huge amounts of other cells. For the detection of both low-abundance cells and molecules, their specific enrichment prior to analysis is advantageous or even necessary. Adapted methods for the analysis of proteomes and subproteomes by 2D-gel electrophoresis, multidimensional chromatography and antibody arrays are discussed. Analysis of nucleic acid-based markers exploits the high amplification power of PCR and modified PCR combined with previous (subtransciptomes) or subsequent (microarray) enrichment to sensitively and specifically detect markers. DNA mutations, DNA-methylation status and apoptotic DNA fragments, as well as levels of ribonucleic acids including microRNAs, can be analyzed by means of these methods. Finally, the challenge of identifying circulating tumor cells and assigning them to their original tissue is critically discussed.
Collapse
|
14
|
|
15
|
Zheng L, Tong Q, Chen F, Zeng F, Wang L, Dong J. Selection of optimal antisense accessible sites of uroplakin II mRNA for bladder urothelium. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 29:344-9. [PMID: 19513619 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-009-0316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The optimal antisense accessible sites (AAS) of uroplakin II (UP II) mRNA, a specific gene expressed in bladder urothelium, were selected in order to provide a novel method for targeted therapy of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder. The 20 mer random oligonucleotide library was synthesized, hybridized with in vitro transcripted total UP II cRNA, then digested by RNase H. After primer extension and autoradiography, the AAS of UP II were selected. The RNADraw software was used to analyze and choose the AAS with obvious stem-loop structures, according to which the complementary antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODN) were synthesized. With the AS-ODN(0) designed only by RNADraw as a control, the AS-ODNs were transferred into UP II highly-expressing cell line RT(4). The cellular expression of UP II mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Twelve AAS of UP II mRNA were selected in vitro. Four AAS with stem-loop structures were chosen, locating at 558-577, 552-571, 217-236 and 97-116 bp of UP II mRNA respectively. After transfection with the corresponding AS-ODN (AS-ODN(1), AS-ODN(2), AS-ODN(3) and AS-ODN(4)) for 18 h, the UP II mRNA levels in RT(4) cells were reduced by 29.3%, 82.7%, 71.3% and 70.9%, while UP II protein levels were decreased by 20.2%, 78.5%, 65.2% and 64.4% respectively, which were significantly higher than those of AS-ODN(0) (14.3%, 12.1% respectively) (P<0.01). The AAS of UP II mRNA was effectively selected in vitro by random oligonucletide library/RNase H cleavage method in combination with computer software analysis, which had important reference values for further studying biological functions of UP II gene and targeted therapeutic strategy for TCC of bladder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liduan Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
Urothelium covers the inner surfaces of the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, and prostatic urethra. Although morphologically similar, the urothelia in these anatomic locations differ in their embryonic origin and lineages of cellular differentiation, as reflected in their different uroplakin content, expandability during micturition, and susceptibility to chemical carcinogens. Previously thought to be an inert tissue forming a passive barrier between the urine and blood, urothelia have recently been shown to have a secretory activity that actively modifies urine composition. Urothelial cells express a number of ion channels, receptors, and ligands, enabling them to receive and send signals and communicate with adjoining cells and their broader environment. The urothelial surface bears specific receptors that not only allow uropathogenic E. coli to attach to and invade the bladder mucosa, but also provide a route by which the bacteria ascend through the ureters to the kidney to cause pyelonephritis. Genetic ablation of one or more uroplakin genes in mice causes severe retrograde vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, and renal failure, conditions that mirror certain human congenital diseases. Clearly, abnormalities of the lower urinary tract can impact the upper tract, and vice versa, through the urothelial connection. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the field of urothelial biology by focusing on the uroplakins, a group of urothelium-specific and differentiation-dependent integral membrane proteins. We discuss these proteins' biochemistry, structure, assembly, intracellular trafficking, and their emerging roles in urothelial biology, function, and pathological processes. We also call attention to important areas where greater investigative efforts are warranted.
Collapse
|
17
|
Nezos A, Pissimisis N, Lembessis P, Sourla A, Dimopoulos P, Dimopoulos T, Tzelepis K, Koutsilieris M. Detection of circulating tumor cells in bladder cancer patients. Cancer Treat Rev 2008; 35:272-9. [PMID: 19103472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2008] [Revised: 11/06/2008] [Accepted: 11/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The methods employed for the detection of circulating bladder cancer cells (CBCs) and their use as a molecular staging tool in clinical settings are thoroughly reviewed. CBC isolation and enrichment methods are discussed according to their advantages and pitfalls along with the clinical data of PCR-based techniques used for CBC detection. In addition, we review the specificity of molecular markers that have been proposed so far for CBC identification, and we comment on the controversial clinical data, proposing laboratory approaches which may improve the clinical significance of CBC detection in bladder cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianos Nezos
- Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, Goudi 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lazo PA. Functional implications of tetraspanin proteins in cancer biology. Cancer Sci 2007; 98:1666-77. [PMID: 17727684 PMCID: PMC11159418 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2007.00584.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2007] [Revised: 06/30/2007] [Accepted: 07/03/2007] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tetraspanin proteins are a group of 33 highly hydrophobic membrane proteins that can form complexes in cholesterol-rich microdomains, distinct from lipid rafts, on the cell surface in a dynamic and reversible way. These complexes are composed of a core of several tetraspanin proteins that organize other membrane proteins such as integrins, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigens and some growth factor receptors. Although most tetraspanin proteins have been studied individually, tetraspanin proteins and their complexes can have effects on cellular adhesion and motility, interactions with stroma or affect signaling by growth factors, and for most of them no ligand has been identified. Functionally these proteins have been mostly studied in cells of lymphoid lineage, but they are present in all cell types. Data is also available for some tumors, where some tetraspanins have been identified as metastasis suppressors, but their significance is still not clear. Some of their implications in tumor biology and the areas that deserve further study are outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Lazo
- Programa de Oncología Translacional, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, E-37007, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zeng Y, Wu XX, Homma Y, Yoshimura N, Iwaki H, Kageyama S, Yoshiki T, Kakehi Y. Uroplakin III-delta4 messenger RNA as a promising marker to identify nonulcerative interstitial cystitis. J Urol 2007; 178:1322-7; discussion 1327. [PMID: 17698128 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2007.05.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Interstitial cystitis remains a poorly understood urological condition characterized by chronic pelvic pain and increased urinary frequency in the absence of any known etiology. Urothelial dysfunction and other abnormalities are presumed to be involved in the disease. Uroplakins that are expressed by urothelial cells are thought to have an important role as major barrier proteins on the apical surface of the urothelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gene expression of uroplakin Ia, Ib, II, III and III-delta4 was quantitatively measured in bladder biopsy samples from 29 patients with interstitial cystitis and 16 control subjects using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The mRNA levels of the uroplakin Ia, Ib and II genes were relatively low and uroplakin III was relatively high in interstitial cystitis bladders compared to normal controls, although not significantly. Uroplakin III-delta4, a splicing variant of uroplakin III, was significantly up-regulated in interstitial cystitis samples (p <0.001). When patients with interstitial cystitis were divided into those with and without ulcerative changes, the uroplakin III and III-delta4 genes were significantly up-regulated only in patients with nonulcerative interstitial cystitis. Even more interesting was the finding that up-regulation of uroplakin III-delta4 was much more prominent than that of uroplakin III, that is 26.5 vs 5.6-fold compared to the median values of normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS Although the clinical implications of the over expression of uroplakin III and III-delta4 in nonulcerative interstitial cystitis bladders remains to be clarified, from the diagnostic viewpoint uroplakin III-delta4 is a potential marker for identifying nonulcerative interstitial cystitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zeng
- Department of Urology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wu X, Kakehi Y, Zeng Y, Taoka R, Tsunemori H, Inui M. Uroplakin II as a promising marker for molecular diagnosis of nodal metastases from bladder cancer: comparison with cytokeratin 20. J Urol 2006; 174:2138-42, discussion 2142-3. [PMID: 16280744 DOI: 10.1097/01.ju.0000181214.32390.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Current methods used to determine pathological examination of the lymphatics after radical cystectomy are tedious and costly. We performed a systemic study of uroplakin II (UP II) and cytokeratin 20 (CK 20) expression in pelvic lymph nodes on multiple sides in patients with bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 82 pelvic lymph node and 19 bladder tumor samples were obtained from 21 patients with bladder cancer by radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS Of the 19 bladder tumor tissue specimens 19 (100%) and 13 (68.4%) were positive for UP II and CK 20 mRNA expression, respectively. UP II mRNA was detected in 15 of 16 pelvic lymph node samples (93.8%) with pathologically proven metastases, whereas 9 (56.6%) were positive for CK 20 mRNA. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay for UP II was statistically more sensitive than that for CK 20 in detecting not only primary tumors, but also metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (p = 0.0179 and 0.0373, respectively). Of 66 pelvic lymph node samples without metastasis UP II was detected in 6 (10%), while CK 20 was not. In addition, UP II and CK 20 mRNA could be detected in at least 50 and 500 bladder cancer HT1197 cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that UP II might be a more useful marker than CK 20 for detecting micrometastases of bladder cancer in the pelvic lymph nodes, although a greater number of patients and longer followup are needed to come to a definitive conclusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxian Wu
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Oaza Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Egawa S, Kuruma H. Search for Biomarkers of Aggressiveness in Bladder Cancer. Eur Urol 2006; 50:20-2. [PMID: 16530926 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2006.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2006] [Accepted: 01/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
22
|
Riedel I, Liang FX, Deng FM, Tu L, Kreibich G, Wu XR, Sun TT, Hergt M, Moll R. Urothelial umbrella cells of human ureter are heterogeneous with respect to their uroplakin composition: different degrees of urothelial maturity in ureter and bladder? Eur J Cell Biol 2005; 84:393-405. [PMID: 15819416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2004.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Urothelial umbrella cells are characterized by apical, rigid membrane plaques, which contain four major uroplakin proteins (UP Ia, Ib, II and III) forming UPIa/UPII and UPIb/UPIII pairs. These integral membrane proteins are thought to play an important role in maintaining the physical integrity and the permeability barrier function of the urothelium. We asked whether the four uroplakins always coexpress in the entire human lower urinary tract. We stained immunohistochemically (ABC-peroxidase method) paraffin sections of normal human ureter (n = 18) and urinary bladder (n = 10) using rabbit antibodies against UPIa, UPIb, UPII and UPIII; a recently raised mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb), AU1, and two new MAbs, AU2 and AU3, all against UPIII; and mouse MAbs against umbrella cell-associated cytokeratins CK18 and CK20. Immunoblotting showed that AU1, AU2 and AU3 antibodies all recognized the N-terminal extracellular domain of bovine UPIII. By immunohistochemistry, we found that in 15/18 cases of human ureter, but in only 2/10 cases of bladder, groups of normal-looking, CK18-positive umbrella cells lacked both UPIII and UPIb immunostaining. The UPIb/UPIII-negative cells showed either normal or reduced amounts of UPIa and UPII staining. These data were confirmed by double immunofluorescence microscopy. The distribution of the UPIb/UPIII-negative umbrella cells was not correlated with localized urothelial proliferation (Ki-67 staining) or with the distribution pattern of CK20. Similar heterogeneities were observed in bovine but not in mouse ureter. We provide the first evidence that urothelial umbrella cells are heterogeneous as some normal-looking umbrella cells can possess only one, instead of two, uroplakin pairs. This heterogeneity seems more prominent in the urothelium of human ureter than that of bladder. This finding may indicate that ureter urothelium is intrinsically different from bladder urothelium. Alternatively, a single lineage of urothelium may exhibit different phenotypes resulting from extrinsic modulations due to distinct mesenchymal influence and different degrees of pressure and stretch in bladder versus ureter. Additional studies are needed to distinguish these two possibilities and to elucidate the physiological and pathological significance of the observed urothelial and uroplakin heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ina Riedel
- Institute of Pathology, Philipp University, D-35033 Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hall GD, Weeks RJ, Olsburgh J, Southgate J, Knowles MA, Selby PJ, Chester JD. Transcriptional control of the human urothelial-specific gene, uroplakin Ia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 1729:126-34. [PMID: 15913809 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2005.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2005] [Revised: 04/12/2005] [Accepted: 04/14/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional control elements of tissue-specific genes may be exploited in the design of therapeutic constructs for use in human gene therapy. The uroplakins are a family of four proteins which form the asymmetric unit membrane of the urothelium. We have cloned the human uroplakin Ia gene and defined its genomic structure and transcriptional start site. Using quantitative RT-PCR in an extended panel of normal tissues, we have demonstrated highly urothelial-specific expression of this gene. A Dual-Luciferase assay was used to assess the transcriptional activity of a variety of promoter fragments of the human uroplakin Ia gene. A highly specific promoter fragment (consisting of 2147 bp of 5'-flanking sequence, intron 1 and the 5' UTR) was identified which regulated urothelial-specific expression in vitro. The human uroplakin Ia promoter identified has potential use in future gene therapy strategies to restrict transgene expression to the urothelium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G D Hall
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre in Leeds, Cancer Research Building, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen F, Zeng F, Tong Q, Zheng L, Wang L, Dong J, Lu G. Cloning of human uroplakin II gene from Chinese transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and construction of its eukaryotic expression vector. Curr Med Sci 2005; 25:188-90, 211. [PMID: 16116969 DOI: 10.1007/bf02873573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2004] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
To clone Uroplakin Ii gene from Chinese transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder and construct its eukaryotic expression vector, the molecular cloning method was used to extract total RNA from a GIII / T3N0M0 tissue sample of the bladder TCC patients. The primers were designed by Primer 5.0 software. Full length cDNA of Uroplakin II gene was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), assayed by nucleic acid sequencing and then inserted between Xba I and Hind III restrictive sites of eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. 0. The recombinant was assayed by restricted enzyme digestion. Under the induction of Lipofectamine 2000, the recombinant was transfected into Uroplakin II negative bladder cancer cell line EJ. Cellular expression levels of Uroplakin II were detected by RT-PCR. The nucleic acid sequencing results indicated that Chinese Uroplakin II cDNA (555 bp) was successfully cloned. The BLAST analysis demonstrated that the cloned sequence is 100% homologous with sequences reported overseas. The GenBank accession number AY455312 was also registered. The results of restricted enzyme digestion indicated that eukaryotic vector pcDNA-UP II for Uroplakin II was successfully constructed. After being transferred with pcDNA-UP II for 72 h, cellular Uroplakin II mRNA levels were significantly improved (P < 0.01). It is concluded that human Uroplakin II gene was successfully cloned from Chinese TCC tissues, which provided a basis for further exploration of the roles of Uroplakin II gene in TCC biological behaviors and potential strategies for targeted biological therapy of TCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangmin Chen
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Thievessen I, Wolter M, Prior A, Seifert HH, Schulz WA. Hedgehog signaling in normal urothelial cells and in urothelial carcinoma cell lines. J Cell Physiol 2005; 203:372-7. [PMID: 15521068 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.20248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Constitutive activation of hedgehog signaling, often caused by PTCH1 inactivation and leading to inappropriate activation of GLI target genes, is crucial for the development of several human tumors including basal cell carcinoma of the skin and medulloblastoma. The PTCH1 gene at 9q22 is also considered as a candidate tumor suppressor in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), of which >50% show LOH in this region. However, only rare mutations have been found in PTCH1. We have therefore investigated GLI-dependent promoter activity and expression of hedgehog pathway components in TCC cell lines and proliferating normal urothelial cells. Normal urothelial cells cultured in serum-free medium, but not TCC lines exhibited low, but significant promoter activity under standard growth conditions. Accordingly, GLI1-3 and PTCH1 mRNAs were expressed at moderate levels, and sonic hedgehog (SHH) mRNA expression was low to undetectable. In co-transfection experiments GLI1 increased promoter activity significantly in one TCC line and further in normal urothelial cells, but less strongly in other TCC lines. Expression patterns of GLI factor mRNAs did not correlate with inducibility. No significant effects of SHH or cyclopamine on proliferation were observed, ruling out autocrine effects. However, SHH induced GLI-dependent promoter activity in normal urothelial cells. Taken together, our data suggest that the hedgehog pathway is weakly active in normal adult urothelial cells and of limited importance in TCC.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/physiopathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/physiology
- Genes, Tumor Suppressor
- Hedgehog Proteins
- Humans
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Patched Receptors
- Patched-1 Receptor
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/physiology
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/pharmacology
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/physiopathology
- Urothelium/drug effects
- Urothelium/metabolism
- Urothelium/physiopathology
- Veratrum Alkaloids/pharmacology
- Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Thievessen
- Urologische Klinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhu HJ, Zhang ZQ, Zeng XF, Wei SS, Zhang ZW, Guo YL. Cloning and analysis of human UroplakinII promoter and its application for gene therapy in bladder cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2004; 11:263-72. [PMID: 14963492 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The differential expression of the desired gene product in the target tissue is central for gene therapy. One approach is to use a tissue-specific promoter to drive therapeutic gene expression. UroplakinII (UPII) is a urothelium-specific membrane protein. To investigate the feasibility of targeting gene therapy for bladder cancer, a DNA fragment of 2542-bp upstream of the UPII gene was amplified by PCR and linked to a promoterless firefly luciferase reporter gene. The transient transfection showed that the DNA fragment resulted in preferential expression in bladder carcinoma cells, with negligible expression in nonurothelium cells. Furthermore, the DNA segment located between -2545 and -1608 decided the tissue-specificity of the UPII promoter, the segment located between -328 and -4 being the core promoter of UPII. We generated two recombinant adenoviruses under the control of the UPII promoter: Ad-hUPII-GFP, carrying green fluorescence protein (GFP), and Ad-hUPII-TNF, carrying the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). ELISA revealed that the secretion of TNFalpha by Ad-hUPII-TNF-infected bladder cancer cells was significantly higher than Ad-hUPII-TNF-infected nonurothelium cells. The conditioned medium from Ad-hUPII-TNF-infected bladder cancer cells apparently inhibited the proliferation of L929 cells, a TNFalpha-sensitive cell line, comparing to Ad-hUPII-TNF-infected nonurothelium cells. Intravesical inoculation with Ad-hUPII-TNF inhibited tumor growth in the orthotopic human bladder cancer model. The sustained high level of TNFalpha in urine was identified with ELISA. Taken together, these data suggest that most of the cis elements that confer the bladder-specificity and differentiation-dependent expression of the human UPII gene reside in the 2542-bp sequence, and TNFalpha driven by the human UPII (hUPII) promoter is effective in the specific inhibition of bladder cancer growth both in vivo and in vitro. These results may yield a new therapeutic approach for bladder cancer and provide information on the molecular regulation of urothelial growth, differentiation, and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jïan Zhu
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, 8 Xi Shi Ku Da Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yuasa T, Yoshiki T, Isono T, Tanaka T, Okada Y. Molecular cloning and expression of uroplakins in transitional cell carcinoma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2004; 539:33-46. [PMID: 15088894 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8889-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uroplakins (UPs), urothelium-specific transmembrane proteins, are present only in urothelia and may be good candidates as tumor markers specific for transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs). We investigated the expression of UP genes in the tissues and peripheral blood of patients with TCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS We determined the nucleotide sequences of UPs by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. We then investigated UP gene expression in tissues from 12 patients with TCC by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. We also investigated UP gene expression in peripheral blood of 12 other patients with TCC by nested RT-PCR. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against UPs were generated using synthesized polypeptides and recombinant protein, respectively, as immunogens. RESULTS We determined the nucleotide sequence of human UP-Ib, UP-II, and UP-III cDNAs and produced gene-specific primer pairs for each and for UP-Ia. UP genes were expressed in both cancerous and non-cancerous urothelia taken from all patients examined (as detected by RT-PCR). The detection sensitivity of our assay system was such that 1 cancer cell could be detected in 5 mL of peripheral blood. UP gene-expression was also detected in the peripheral blood of 3 patients with metastatic TCC, but not from 9 patients with non-metastatic TCC or from 3 healthy volunteers. Antibodies against both UP-Ia and UP-Ib reacted with the cell membrane of TCCs. CONCLUSIONS UPs may be employed as tumor markers for TCCs, because they are highly conserved and well expressed in non-cancerous and cancerous cells. Furthermore, detection of UP gene expression in blood by nested RT-PCR may provide helpful information in the diagnosis and management of TCCs. We are currently expanding an immunohistochemical study by targeting a larger number of patients to examine the clinical usefulness of these antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Yuasa
- Department of Urology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Theodorescu D, Frierson HF. When is a negative lymph node really negative? molecular tools for the detection of lymph node metastasis from urological cancer. Urol Oncol 2004; 22:256-9. [PMID: 15271328 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2004.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Theodorescu
- Department of Urology, Molecular Physiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0422, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kageyama S, Isono T, Iwaki H, Wakabayashi Y, Okada Y, Kontani K, Yoshimura K, Terai A, Arai Y, Yoshiki T. Identification by proteomic analysis of calreticulin as a marker for bladder cancer and evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of its detection in urine. Clin Chem 2004; 50:857-66. [PMID: 14764641 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2003.027425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New methods for detection of bladder cancer are needed because cystoscopy is both invasive and expensive and urine cytology has low sensitivity. We screened proteins as tumor markers for bladder cancer by proteomic analysis of cancerous and healthy tissues and investigated the diagnostic accuracy of one such marker in urine. METHODS Three specimens of bladder cancer and healthy urothelium, respectively, were used for proteome differential display using narrow-pH-range two-dimensional electrophoresis. To evaluate the presence of calreticulin (CRT) as detected by Western blotting, we obtained 22 cancerous and 10 noncancerous surgical specimens from transurethral resection or radical cystectomy. To evaluate urinary CRT, we collected 70 and 181 urine samples from patients with and without bladder cancer, respectively. Anti-CRT COOH-terminus antibody was used to detect CRT in tissue and urine. RESULTS Proteomic analysis revealed increased CRT (55 kDa; pI 4.3) in cancer tissue. Quantitative Western blot analysis showed that CRT was increased in cancer tissue (P = 0.0003). Urinary CRT had a sensitivity of 73% (95% confidence interval, 62-83%) at a specificity of 86% (80-91%) for bladder cancer in the samples tested. CONCLUSIONS Proteomic analysis is useful in searching for candidate proteins as biomarkers and led to the identification of urinary CRT. The diagnostic accuracy of urinary CRT for bladder cancer appears comparable to that of Food and Drug Administration-cleared urinary markers, but further studies are needed to determine its diagnostic role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Kageyama
- Department of Urology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Osman I, Kang M, Lee A, Deng FM, Polsky D, Mikhail M, Chang C, David DA, Mitra N, Wu XR, Sun TT, Bajorin DF. Detection of circulating cancer cells expressing uroplakins and epidermal growth factor receptor in bladder cancer patients. Int J Cancer 2004; 111:934-9. [PMID: 15300806 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.20366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Our purpose was to determine the clinical relevance of the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) expressing urothelial and epithelial markers in bladder cancer patients. Sixty-two patients who presented to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between July 2000 and September 2001 were studied. Peripheral blood was tested by nested RT-PCR assay for uroplakins (UPs) Ia, Ib, II and III as well as for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We determined the sensitivity and specificity of each individual marker and the combinations of UPIa/UPII and UPIb/UPIII. The latter strategy was based on our data, which showed that UPIa and UPIb form heterodimers with UPII and UPIII, respectively. Forty patients had clinically advanced bladder cancer and 22 had no evidence of disease at the time of assay. Eight of the 22 patients recurred during the follow-up period. All 8 patients were positive at presentation for UPIa/UPII. The combination of UPIa/UPII provided the best sensitivity (75%) of detecting CTCs, with a specificity of 50%. The combination of UPIb/UPIII was the most specific (79%) but had modest sensitivity (31%). Detection of EGFR-positive cells alone and in combination with UPs was inferior to that for UPIa/UPII. Combinations of urothelial markers are superior to single urothelial or epithelial markers in detecting CTCs in bladder cancer patients. Further efforts are under way to confirm the potential predictive value of these markers in a prospectively designed study of a larger cohort of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iman Osman
- Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhu H, Zhang ZA, Xu C, Huang G, Zeng X, Wei S, Zhang Z, Guo Y. Targeting gene expression of the mouse uroplakin II promoter to human bladder cells. UROLOGICAL RESEARCH 2003; 31:17-21. [PMID: 12624658 DOI: 10.1007/s00240-002-0294-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2002] [Accepted: 11/14/2002] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Differential expression of the desired gene product in the target tissue is central to the concept of gene therapy. One approach is to use a tissue-specific promoter to drive therapeutic genes. To investigate the feasibility of tissue-specific gene therapy for bladder cancer using the mouse uroplakin II (UPII) promoter and its transcriptional control, the efficacy of this promoter as well as fragments in regulating gene expression were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in bladder and non-bladder tissue cell lines using DNA transfection. Our results demonstrate that the mouse UPII promoter actively drives gene expression in BIU-87, a bladder cancer cell line. Little promoter activity was detected in the non-bladder tissue cell lines. Furthermore, deleting the 5' end 1.5 kb of the UPII promoter by PCR, the activity was significantly decreased but was bladder-specific. However, deleting the 3' end 143-bp of the UPII promoter, the activity was hardly detected in any tissue cell lines. The activity of the 3' end 143-bp of the UPII promoter was detected in both bladder cancer and stomach cancer cell lines. These data demonstrate that the mouse UPII promoter has a high activity in human bladder cells and a low basal activity in human non-bladder cells. This suggests that targeting the gene expression of the mouse UPII promoter could be used to treat human bladder cancer. The enhancer was contained in the region of the 1.5 kb of the 5' end of the mouse UPII promoter. The core promoter was located in the region of the 143 bp of the 3' end.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Zhu
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, 100034 Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Olsburgh J, Harnden P, Weeks R, Smith B, Joyce A, Hall G, Poulsom R, Selby P, Southgate J. Uroplakin gene expression in normal human tissues and locally advanced bladder cancer. J Pathol 2003; 199:41-9. [PMID: 12474225 DOI: 10.1002/path.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The uroplakins are widely regarded as urothelium-specific markers of terminal urothelial cytodifferentiation. This study investigated the expression of the four uroplakin genes, UPIa, UPIb, UPII and UPIII, in a wide range of normal human tissues to determine tissue specificity and in advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) to examine gene expression in primary and metastatic disease. In the urinary tract, all four uroplakins were expressed by urothelium and UPIII was also expressed by prostatic glandular epithelium. UPIa and UPII appeared to be urothelium-specific, but UPIb was detected in several non-urothelial tissues, including the respiratory tract, where it was associated with squamous metaplasia of tracheal and bronchial epithelia. The ten cases of primary TCC and corresponding lymph node metastases demonstrated that each uroplakin gene could be expressed at the mRNA level. No single uroplakin gene was expressed in all primary tumours or metastases, but 80% of the primary tumours and 70% of the lymph node metastases expressed at least one uroplakin gene. UPIII mRNA was often expressed in the absence of UPIII protein. These results confirm that in human tissues the expression of UPIa and UPII genes is highly specific to urothelium and suggest that the tight differentiation-restricted expression of uroplakin genes in normal urothelium is lost following malignant transformation.
Collapse
|
33
|
Kageyama S, Yoshiki T, Isono T, Tanaka T, Kim CJ, Yuasa T, Okada Y. High expression of human uroplakin Ia in urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Jpn J Cancer Res 2002; 93:523-31. [PMID: 12036448 PMCID: PMC5927031 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2002.tb01287.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Uroplakins (UPs) Ia, Ib, II, and III are tissue-specific and differentiation-dependent transmembrane proteins of the urothelium. We assessed the usefulness of human UP Ia as a histological marker by examining its expression in urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). A polyclonal antibody against human UP Ia was raised using a synthesized polypeptide. We applied our antibody to various organ tissues, including urothelium, and observed no crossreactivity. Analysis by RT-PCR of normal urothelium, TCC and other organ tissues indicated that the human UP Ia gene expression is highly specialized to urothelium, and is conserved in TCC. Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated the expression of UP Ia in TCC from patients who had undergone radical cystectomy and from autopsy cases. Positive staining (10% or more positive cancer cells) was noted in primary lesions from 61 of 63 (96.8%) cystectomy patients. Depending on pathological grade, high expression (50% or more positive cancer cells) was observed in 17 of 18 (94.4%) moderately- to well-differentiated TCC and in 36 of 45 (80.0%) poorly differentiated TCC. With regard to tumor invasion, high expression was noted in 20 of 22 (90.9%) superficial and 33 of 41 (80.5%) muscle-invasive TCC. Cause-specific survival rates were 68.6% and 75.0% in high- and low-expression patients, respectively (log-rank test, P = 0.855, mean follow-up; 65.0 months). In metastases, positive reactions were observed in 13 of 18 (72.2%) lesions. UP Ia may represent a specific histological marker judging from the stable expression, although its value as a prognostic factor remains undetermined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Kageyama
- Department of Urology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ghossein RA, Bhattacharya S. Molecular detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells and micrometastases in prostatic, urothelial, and renal cell carcinomas. SEMINARS IN SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2001; 20:304-11. [PMID: 11747272 DOI: 10.1002/ssu.1048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The detection and molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and micrometastases in urinary tract and prostatic tumors may have important prognostic and therapeutic implications. In the last decade, numerous groups have attempted the detection of occult tumor cells in renal, prostatic, and urothelial carcinomas using the highly sensitive reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In prostatic carcinoma (PC), tissue-specific transcripts were detected with high specificity in the blood of patients with localized and advanced disease. PCR assays for PC detection were shown to be strong predictors of poorer outcome in some reports, while a lack of prognostic significance was found in other studies. There was a vast difference in the PCR positivity rates between various groups studying PC. This discrepancy could be due to variations in PCR methodology. In urothelial and renal cell carcinoma, the amount of research on the subject is still too limited. Currently, these assays for occult tumor cells are promising but are not yet ready to use in PC and urinary tract tumors. Because of the many limitations of PCR (e.g., false positives), many groups are developing new approaches for the detection of occult tumor cells. The most attractive technique involves immunomagnetic isolation of intact CTC and micrometastases prior to downstream analysis. The tumor-rich magnetic fraction can be subjected to RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and in situ hybridization. This will lead to better quantification and molecular characterization of these tumor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R A Ghossein
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|