Liakou P, Tepetes K, Germenis A, Leventaki V, Atsaves V, Patsouris E, Roidis N, Hatzitheophilou K, Rassidakis GZ. Expression patterns of endothelin-1 and its receptors in colorectal cancer.
J Surg Oncol 2011;
105:643-9. [PMID:
22213082 DOI:
10.1002/jso.23017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstricting peptide, plays an important role in carcinogenesis. Previous in vitro studies have shown that colorectal cancer cells produce ET-1.
METHODS
ET-1 and its receptors ET-A (ET(A) R) and ET-B (ET(B) R) were analyzed in colorectal cancer cell lines and tumors by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Also, ET-1 levels were measured by ELISA in blood samples collected before and after tumor resection.
RESULTS
ET-1 was immunohistochemically expressed by tumor cells at a variable level in 39 cases tested. The adjacent normal mucosa was negative for ET-1 expression. Strong ET(A) R expression observed in the deeper infiltrating areas at the periphery of neoplastic tissue correlated significantly with tumor stage. ET(B) R levels were very low or undetectable. Western blot analysis in paired (normal, tumor) fresh-frozen samples of colorectal cancers and in four colon carcinoma cell lines confirmed these findings. In addition, lower levels of ET-1 in the peripheral circulation after the tumor resection were found by ELISA as compared to those observed before surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
ET-1 and ET(A) R, but not ET(B) R, are expressed at a higher level in primary and cultured colon carcinoma cells as compared to normal colon mucosa cells. Further functional studies are needed to explore the role of ET-1/ET(A) R axis in colon carcinogenesis.
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