Cell Adhesion Proteins As Tumor Suppressors:

Differential pattern of integrin receptor expression in differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines

Adhesion of tumor cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial step for the development of metastatic disease and is mediated by specific integrin receptor molecules (IRM). The pattern of metastatic spread differs substantially among the various histotypes of thyroid cancer (TC). However, IRM have only occasionally been characterized in TC until now. IRM expression was investigated in 10 differentiated (FTC133, 236, 238, HTC, HTC TSHr, XTC, PTC4.0/4.2, TPC1, Kat5) and two anaplastic TC cell lines (ATC, C643, Hth74), primary cultures of normal thyroid tissue (Thy1,3), and thyroid cancer specimens (TCS). Expression of 16 IRM (beta1-4, beta7, alpha1-6, alphaV, alphaIIb, alphaL, alphaM, alphaX) and of four IRM heterodimers (alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, alphaVbeta3, alphaVbeta5), was analyzed by fluorescent-activated cell sorter (FACS) and immunohistochemical staining. Thyroid tumor cell adhesion to ECM proteins and their IRM expression in response to thyrotropin (TSH) was assessed. Follicular TC cell lines presented high levels of integrins alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, beta1, beta3 and low levels of alpha1, whereas papillary lines expressed a heterogenous pattern of IRM, dominated by alpha5 and beta1. ATC mainly displayed integrins alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, alpha6, beta1 and low levels of alpha1, alpha4 and alphaV. Integrin heterodimers correlated with monomer expression. Evaluation of TCS largely confirmed these results with few exceptions, namely alpha4, alpha6, and beta3. The ability of TC cell lines to adhere to purified ECM proteins correlated with IRM expression. TSH induced TC cell adhesion in a dose-dependent fashion, despite an unchanged array of IRM expression or level of a particular IRM. Thyroid carcinoma cell lines of different histogenetic background display profoundly different patterns of IRM expression that appear to correlate with tumor aggressiveness. In vitro adhesion to ECM proteins and IRM expression concur. Finally, TSH-stimulated adhesion of thyroid tumor cell lines to ECM may not be associated with altered IRM expression.

The restorative effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on urothelial cell-cell interactions after partial bladder outlet obstruction in rats

OBJECTIVE

To determine the changes in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression after partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO), and whether a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) might inhibit COX-2 expression and have beneficial effects on urothelial cell-to-cell interactions in rats subjected to PBOO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six male rats were divided into six equal groups; celecoxib was administered after creating PBOO for 1 and 4 weeks in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Two further obstructed groups (3 and 4, PBOO for 1 and 4 weeks, respectively) received no treatment. Sham-operated animals served as controls (group 5 and 6, assessed at 1 and 4 weeks, respectively). After 1 and 4 weeks of PBOO or a sham procedure the bladder weight was recorded before sampling the bladder for Western blotting and immunohistological analysis, to assess the expressions of COX-2 and adherens proteins, E-cadherin and alpha-catenin. Urothelial cell-to-cell interactions were evaluated using electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The bladder mass increased rapidly during the first 7 days after PBOO in groups 1-4 compared with 5 and 6 (P < 0.05). While the bladder mass then continued to increase for the next 21 days in group 4, it was constant in group 2 (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analyses showed that E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression were reversibly decreased in rats with PBOO, while COX-2 protein expression was up-regulated. After giving celecoxib there was a significant decrease in COX-2 expression and a restoration of intercellular adherens junctions and desmosomes, as assessed on electron microscopy and expression of adherens proteins combined.

CONCLUSION

The increase in COX-2 expression attributable to hypoxia and the tensile strength of bladder wall was attenuated by celecoxib. Selective COX-2 inhibitors have important restorative effects on intercellular adherens junctions and desmosomes in PBOO.