The Role of CCN1 in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: What We Have Learned From the Lab

CCN proteins: opportunities for clinical studies-a personal perspective

The diverse members of the CCN family now designated as CCN1(CYR61), CCN2 (CTGF), CCN3(NOV), CCN4(WISP1), CCN5(WISP2), CCN6(WISP3) are a conserved matricellular family of proteins exhibiting a spectrum of functional properties throughout all organs in the body. Interaction with cell membrane receptors such as integrins trigger intracellular signaling pathways. Proteolytically cleaved fragments (constituting the active domains) can be transported to the nucleus and perform transcriptional relevant functional activities. Notably, as also found in other protein families some members act opposite to others creating a system of functionally relevant checks and balances. It has become apparent that these proteins are secreted into the circulation, are quantifiable, and can serve as disease biomarkers. How they might also serve as homeostatic regulators is just becoming appreciated. In this review I have attempted to highlight the most recent evidence under the subcategories of cancer and non-cancer relevant that could lead to potential therapeutic approaches or ideas that can be factored into clinical advances. I have added my own personal perspective on feasibility.

CCN1 suppresses cell proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through amyloid precursor protein without DR6 participation

Esophageal cancer is commonly seen as either squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) or adenocarcinoma (EAC), two very different cancers. CCN1 is a matricellular protein that induces apoptosis in EAC cells through upregulation of DR5, a death receptor, while its role in ESCC is unclear. DR6 is another death receptor, which has been reported to induce apoptosis, necroptosis, or pyroptosis in various cell systems with or without the engagement of its putative ligand amyloid precursor protein (APP). In this study, we found that CCN1 and DR6 were both highly expressed in ESCC but downregulated in EAC. Overexpression of CCN1 in ESCC cells inhibited cell proliferation through upregulation of APP and its association with p53 without DR6 involvement. Overexpression of APP stopped cell growth, but overexpression of DR6 did not affect cell growth or cell death whatsoever.

Expression of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 in Gastric Cancer Predicts Overall Survival of Patients: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 proteins in gastric cancer tissues and analyze the relationship between these three proteins and the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. Four hundred gastric cancer tissue specimens from patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in Zhangye People's Hospital affiliated to Hexi University between February 2013 and February 2021 underwent immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

The positive expression rates of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 in gastric cancer tissues were 55.5%, 56.5%, and 64.5%, respectively. The expressions of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 in gastric cancer tissues were significantly correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, and degree of differentiation (P < .05). The expression of Shh protein was positively correlated with the expression of Gli1 protein (P < .01), and the expression of Gli1 protein was positively correlated with the expression of Cyr61 protein (P < .01). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the expression of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 could predict the prognosis of patients (P < .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis combined with TNM staging could better predict the three-year overall survival of patients (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 proteins are significantly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and are risk factors for the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.