IGF-II transgenic mice display increased aberrant colon crypt multiplicity and tumor volume after 1,2-dimethylhydrazine treatment

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) Signaling in Colorectal Cancer-From Basic Research to Potential Clinical Applications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in men and women worldwide as well as is the leading cause of death in the western world. Almost a third of the patients has or will develop liver metastases. While genetic as well as epigenetic mechanisms are important in CRC pathogenesis, the basis of the most cases of cancer is unknown. High spatial and inter-patient variability of the molecular alterations qualifies this cancer in the group of highly heterogeneous tumors, which makes it harder to elucidate the mechanisms underlying CRC progression. Determination of highly sensitive and specific early diagnosis markers and understanding the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) of cancer progression are still a challenge of the current era in oncology of solid tumors. One of the accepted risk factors for CRC development is overexpression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a 7.5-kDa peptide produced by liver and many other tissues. IGF2 is the first gene discovered to be parentally imprinted. Loss of imprinting (LOI) or aberrant imprinting of IGF2 could lead to IGF2 overexpression, increased cell proliferation, and CRC development. IGF2 as a mitogen is associated with increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. Higher serum IGF2 concentration as well as its tissue overexpression in CRC compared to control are associated with metastasis. IGF2 protein was one of the three candidates for a selective marker of CRC progression and staging. Recent research indicates dysregulation of different micro- and long non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs, respectively) embedded within the IGF2 gene in CRC carcinogenesis, with some of them indicated as potential diagnostic and prognostic CRC biomarkers. This review systematises the knowledge on the role of genetic and epigenetic instabilities of IGF2 gene, free (active form of IGF2) and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) bound (inactive form), paracrine/autocrine secretion of IGF2, as well as mechanisms of inducing dysplasia in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. We have tried to answer which molecular changes of the IGF2 gene and its regulatory mechanisms have the most significance in initiation, progression (including liver metastasis), prognosis, and potential anti-IGF2 therapy in CRC patients.

Genome-wide analysis of the rat colon reveals proximal-distal differences in histone modifications and proto-oncogene expression

Since disease susceptibility of the intestine exhibits an anatomical bias, we propose that the chromatin landscape, especially the site-specific epigenetic differences in histone modification patterns throughout the colonic longitudinal axis, contributes to the differential incidence of site-specific pathology. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the chromatin structure associated with gene expression profiles in the rat proximal and distal colon by globally correlating chromatin immunoprecipitation next-generation sequencing analysis (ChIP-Seq) with mRNA transcription (RNA-Seq) data. Crypts were isolated from the proximal and distal colonic regions from rats maintained on a semipurified diet, and mRNA gene expression profiles were generated by RNA-Seq. The remaining isolated crypts were formaldehyde-cross-linked and chromatin immunoprecipitated with antibodies against H3K4me3, H3K9me3, and RNA polymerase II. Globally, RNA-Seq results indicate that 9,866 genes were actively expressed, of which 540 genes were differentially expressed between the proximal and distal colon. Gene ontology analysis indicates that crypt location significantly affected both chromatin and transcriptional regulation of genes involved in enterocyte movement, lipid metabolism, lymphatic development, and immune cell trafficking. Gene function analysis indicates that the PI3-kinase signaling pathway was regulated in a site-specific manner, e.g., proto-oncogenes, JUN, FOS, and ATF, were upregulated in the distal colon. Middle and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were also detected in the colon, including select lncRNAs formerly only detected in the rat nervous system. In summary, distinct combinatorial patterns of histone modifications exist in the proximal versus distal colon. These site-specific differences may explain the differential effects of chemoprotective agents on cell transformation in the ascending (proximal) and descending (distal) colon.

Progastrin Peptides Increase the Risk of Developing Colonic Tumors: Impact on Colonic Stem Cells

Pre-neoplastic lesions (ACF, aberrant-crypt-foci; Hp, hyperplastic/dysplastic polyps) are believed to be precursors of sporadic colorectal-tumors (Ad, adenomas; AdCA, adenocarcinomas). ACF/Hp likely originate due to abnormal growth of colonic-crypts in response to aberrant queues in the microenvironment of colonic-crypts. Thus identifying factors which regulate homeostatic vs aberrant proliferation/apoptosis of colonocytes, especially stem/progenitor cells, may lead to effective preventative/treatment strategies. Based on this philosophy, role of growth-factors/peptide-hormones, potentially available in the circulation/microenvironment of colonic-crypts is being examined extensively. Since the time gastrins were discovered as trophic (growth) factors for gastrointestinal-cells, the effect of gastrins on the growth of normal/cancer cells has been investigated, leading to many discoveries. Seminal discoveries made in the area of gastrins and colon-cancer, as it relates to molecular pathways associated with formation of colonic tumors will be reviewed, and possible impact on diagnostic/preventative/treatment strategies will be discussed.

Insulin-like growth factors in the gastrointestinal tract and liver

The liver is a major source of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) that are present in the circulation and have important endocrine activities relating to energy metabolism, body size, carcinogenesis, and various organ-specific functions. Although IGFs have only minor effects on the normal liver itself, production of IGFs and IGFBPs in a tissue-specific manner in the gastrointestinal tract exert important regulatory effects on cellular proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. IGFs and IGFBPs play important regulatory roles in the response of both the liver and the gastrointestinal tract to inflammation and in the development of neoplasia.

Insulin glargine and NPH insulin increase to a similar degree epithelial cell proliferation and aberrant crypt foci formation in colons of diabetic mice

The insulin analog glargine has a higher binding affinity than regular insulin for the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in vitro, raising questions about increased mitogenicity in vivo. Observational studies in humans have recently reported a potential differential association between insulin glargine and malignancies, but available evidence remains inconclusive. We directly compared glargine vs. neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin's effects on cell proliferation in colonic mucosa and on formation of aberrant crypt foci in diabetic mice, i.e., early stages of colorectal cancer development. Mice (BKS.Cg-+Lepr(db)/+Lepr(db)/OlaHsd) were treated with insulin glargine (G), NPH insulin (NPH), or saline (NaCl). We assessed epithelial proliferation after long-term insulin treatment (18 weeks) by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and Ki67 staining and analyzed the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in mice treated with insulin glargine or NPH insulin or 10 weeks after initiation with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Insulin glargine treatment did not result in significantly different epithelial colonic proliferation compared to NPH insulin (G, 137 ± 22; NPH, 136 ± 15; NaCl, 100 ± 20 (relative proliferation index)), but both insulin-treated groups of mice had a higher proliferation index compared to the NaCl control group (p<0.001). Similarly, we observed no difference in ACF formation between glargine- and NPH-insulin-treated mice (G, 132 ± 12; NPH, 138 ± 9; NaCl, 100 ± 7 (relative number of ACF)), but ACF formation was significantly higher in insulin-treated mice than in NaCl-treated control mice (p=0.001). Chronic insulin treatment results in higher colonic epithelial proliferation and ACF formation, but the use of insulin glargine vs. NPH insulin is not associated with increased risk.

Mutant K-ras promotes carcinogen-induced murine colorectal tumourigenesis, but does not alter tumour chromosome stability

K-ras (KRAS) mutations are observed in around 40% of human colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. Previously, we developed and characterized a strain of transgenic mice with inducible intestinal epithelial expression of K-ras{Val12} via a Cre/LoxP system. To evaluate the influence of mutant K-ras on carcinogen-induced colorectal tumourigenesis, we induced neoplastic alterations in the large intestines of wild-type and K-ras{Val12} mice using the colon-selective carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), which has been widely used to induce colorectal tumours that are histopathologically similar to those observed in humans. K-ras{Val12} expression significantly promoted DMH-induced colorectal tumourigenesis: the average lifespan of the mice decreased from 38.52 ± 1.97 weeks for 40 control mice to 32.42 ± 2.17 weeks for 26 K-ras{Val12} mice (mean ± SEM, p < 0.05) and the abundance of large intestinal tumours increased from 2.27 ± 0.15 per control mouse to 3.85 ± 0.20 in K-ras{Val12} mice (mean ± SEM, p < 0.01). Adenomas from DMH-treated K-ras{Val12} mice showed significantly higher proportions of Ki-67-positive proliferating cells (10.9 ± 0.69%) compared with those from DMH-treated wild-type mice (7.77 ± 0.47%) (mean ± SEM, p < 0.01) and a mild increase in apoptotic nuclei staining for cleaved caspase-3 (1.94 ± 0.21% compared with 1.15 ± 0.14%, mean ± SEM, p < 0.01). In the adenomas from DMH-treated K-ras{Val12} mice, K-ras{Val12} transgene recombination and expression were confirmed, with immunohistochemical evidence of strong Erk/MapK and mild PI3K/Akt pathway activation compared with adenomas from DMH-treated wild-type mice. Microarray hybridization and clustering analysis demonstrated different expression profiles in adenomas from DMH-treated wild-type and DMH-treated K-ras{Val12} mice, indicating involvement of different molecular mechanisms including Erk/MapK and PI3K/Akt signalling in K-ras{Val12}-expressing adenomas. Array-comparative genomic hybridization analysis showed chromosome stability in both cohorts, with only a very few tiny alterations observed in one adenoma from a DMH-treated K-ras{Val12} mouse. Taken together, these data show that mutant K-ras significantly promotes DMH-induced colorectal tumourigenesis, resulting in distinct changes in cell signalling and proliferation, but does not alter chromosome stability in the tumours.

Insulin-like growth factors are more effective than progastrin in reversing proapoptotic effects of curcumin: critical role of p38MAPK

Progastrin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) stimulate hyperproliferation of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) via endocrine/paracrine routes; hyperproliferation is a known risk factor for colon carcinogenesis. In the present study, inhibitory potency of curcumin in the presence or absence of progastrin and/or IGF-II was examined. Progastrin and IGF-II significantly increased proliferation of an immortalized IEC cell line, IEC-18, whereas curcumin decreased the proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. IGF-II was significantly more effective than progastrin in reversing antiproliferative effects of curcumin and reversed proapoptotic effects of curcumin by >80%; progastrin was relatively ineffective toward reversing proapoptotic effects of curcumin. IEC-18 clones were generated to overexpress either progastrin (IEC-PG) or hIGF-II (IEC-IGF). Proliferation of IEC-PG and IEC-IGF clones was increased, compared with that of control clones. Curcumin significantly reduced proliferation of IEC-PG, but not IEC-IGF, clones. Similarly, a human colon cancer cell line, Caco-2 (which expresses autocrine IGF-II), was relatively resistant to inhibitory effects of curcumin. However, Caco-2 cells treated with anti-IGF-II-antibodies were rendered sensitive to inhibitory effects of curcumin. Significant differences in inhibitory potency of curcumin against PG- vs. IGF-II-stimulated growth of IEC-18 cells were not reflected by differences in curcumin-mediated inhibition of activated (phosphorylated) ERKs/IKK(alpha/beta)/p65NF-kappaB and c-Src in wild-type (wt)IEC-18 cells, in response to the two growth factors. Surprisingly, curcumin was almost ineffective in reducing IGF-II-stimulated activation of p38MAPK but significantly reduced progastrin-stimulated phosphorylation of p38. Treatment with a p38MAPK inhibitor resulted in loss of protective effects of IGF-II against inhibitory effects of curcumin. These novel findings suggest that growth factor profile of patients and tumors may dictate inhibitory potency of curcumin and that combination of curcumin + p38MAPK inhibitor may be required for reducing hyperproliferative or tumorigenic response of IECs to endocrine and autocrine IGFs.

Betacellulin protects from pancreatitis by activating stress-activated protein kinase

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious, unpredictable clinical problem, the pathophysiology of which is poorly understood. Here, we evaluate whether betacellulin (BTC), a ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor also able to activate the proapoptotic ERBB4 receptor, can protect against experimental AP.

METHODS

AP was induced in transgenic mice overexpressing BTC (BTC-tg), control mice, or control mice after administration of recombinant BTC. The severity of pancreatitis was assessed by measurements of serum amylase and lipase and histologic grading. The involvement of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) was evaluated by treating BTC-tg mice with an SAPK inhibitor before induction of AP.

RESULTS

BTC-tg mice showed increased apoptosis and proliferation in the exocrine pancreas, indicating an increased cell turnover. There was a marked, epidermal growth factor receptor-independent decrease in pancreas weight. After induction of AP by cerulein injection, BTC-tg mice showed a significantly lower increase in serum amylase and lipase levels as well as less pronounced tissue necrosis, edema, and inflammation, as compared to nontransgenic littermates. This protective effect, also confirmed in the L-arginine AP model, was associated with increased phosphorylation of SAPK and abrogated after treatment of BTC-tg mice with a SAPK inhibitor. Finally, the protective effect of BTC against AP was confirmed by treating nontransgenic mice with recombinant BTC.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate a potential application of the BTC/ERBB4 pathway for modulating the course of AP.

Head and neck squamous cancer stromal fibroblasts produce growth factors influencing phenotype of normal human keratinocytes

Epithelial-mesenchymal interaction between stromal fibroblasts and cancer cells influences the functional properties of tumor epithelium, including the tumor progression and spread. We compared fibroblasts prepared from stroma of squamous cell carcinoma and normal dermal fibroblasts concerning their biological activity toward normal keratinocytes assessed by immunocytochemistry and profiling of gene activation for growth factors/cytokines by microarray chip technology. IGF-2 and BMP-4 were determined as candidate factors responsible for tumor-associated fibroblast activity that influences normal epithelia. This effect was confirmed by addition of recombinant IGF-2 and BMP4, respectively, to the culture medium. This hypothesis was also verified by inhibition experiments where blocking antibodies were employed in the medium conditioned by cancer-associated fibroblast. Presence of these growth factors was also detected in tumor samples.

Carcinogenic effects of exogenous and endogenous glucagon-like peptide-2 in azoxymethane-treated mice

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a nutrient-dependent intestinotropic hormone that promotes intestinal growth, via increased intestinal proliferation and decreased apoptosis, as well as increases in nutrient absorption and barrier function. The long-acting analog h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33] is currently being tested for treatment of short bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. However, the role of GLP-2 in colon carcinogenesis is controversial. To assess the intestinotropic effects of exogenous and endogenous GLP-2, C57BL6/J mice were injected with 1 microg h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33]; 30 or 60 ng hGLP-2[3-33], a GLP-2 receptor antagonist; or PBS (4 wk, twice a day, sc). Chronic h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33] increased small intestinal weight/body weight (P < 0.001), villus height (P < 0.001), crypt depth (P < 0.001), and crypt cell proliferation, as measured by expression of the proliferative marker Ki67 (P < 0.05-0.01). In contrast, chronic hGLP-2[3-33] decreased small intestinal weight/body weight (P < 0.05) and colon weight/body weight (P < 0.05). To assess the carcinogenic effects of endogenous and exogenous GLP-2, separate mice were injected with azoxymethane (10 mg/kg, 4 wk, every 7 d, ip), followed by 1.5 microg h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33], 30 ng hGLP-2[3-33], or PBS (4 wk, twice a day, sc) 2 or 12 wk thereafter. At 10 or 46 wk after azoxymethane treatment, the numbers of aberrant crypt foci increased with h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33] (P < 0.001) and decreased with hGLP-2[3-33] (P < 0.01-0.05) treatment. Furthermore, mucin-depleted aberrant foci, consistent with progressive dysplasia, were almost exclusively present in h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33]-treated mice (P < 0.01-0.001). Additionally, adenocarcinomas developed in h(Gly(2))GLP-2[1-33]-treated mice but not in those receiving hGLP-2[3-33] or PBS. Taken together, these studies indicate that chronic treatment with GLP-2 enhances colon carcinogenesis, whereas antagonism of the GLP-2 receptor decreases dysplasia, with possible implications for human therapy.

Betacellulin overexpression in transgenic mice improves glucose tolerance and enhances insulin secretion by isolated islets in vitro

Betacellulin (BTC), a ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor, has been shown to promote growth and differentiation of pancreatic beta-cells and to improve glucose metabolism in experimental diabetic rodent models. We employed transgenic mice (BTC-tg) to investigate the effects of long-term BTC overabundance on islet structure and glucose metabolism. Expression of BTC is increased in transgenic islets, which show normal structure and distribution of the different endocrine cell types, without pathological alterations. BTC-tg mice exhibit lower fasted glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance associated with increased glucose-induced insulin secretion. Surprisingly, quantitative stereological analyses revealed that, in spite of increased cell proliferation, the islet and beta-cell volumes were unchanged in BTC-tg mice, suggesting enhanced cell turnover. Insulin secretion in vitro was significantly higher in transgenic islets in medium containing high glucose (11.2 or 16.7mM) as compared to control islets. Our results demonstrate that long-term BTC overabundance does not alter pancreatic islet structure and beta-cell mass, but enhances glucose-induced insulin secretion in vivo as well as in vitro.