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Papadakos SP, Chatzikalil E, Arvanitakis K, Vakadaris G, Stergiou IE, Koutsompina ML, Argyrou A, Lekakis V, Konstantinidis I, Germanidis G, Theocharis S. Understanding the Role of Connexins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular and Prognostic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1533. [PMID: 38672615 PMCID: PMC11048329 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Connexins, a family of tetraspan membrane proteins forming intercellular channels localized in gap junctions, play a pivotal role at the different stages of tumor progression presenting both pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects. Considering the potential role of connexins as tumor suppressors through multiple channel-independent mechanisms, their loss of expression may be associated with tumorigenic activity, while it is hypothesized that connexins favor the clonal expansion of tumor cells and promote cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, affecting metastasis and chemoresistance in some cases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by unfavorable prognosis and limited responsiveness to current therapeutic strategies, has been linked to gap junction proteins as tumorigenic factors with prognostic value. Notably, several members of connexins have emerged as promising markers for assessing the progression and aggressiveness of HCC, as well as the chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity of hepatocellular tumor cells. Our review sheds light on the multifaceted role of connexins in HCC pathogenesis, offering valuable insights on recent advances in determining their prognostic and therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Elena Chatzikalil
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Konstantinos Arvanitakis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.A.); (G.V.)
- Basic and Translational Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Vakadaris
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.A.); (G.V.)
| | - Ioanna E. Stergiou
- Pathophysiology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.E.S.); (M.-L.K.)
| | - Maria-Loukia Koutsompina
- Pathophysiology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.E.S.); (M.-L.K.)
| | - Alexandra Argyrou
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laikon General Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (V.L.)
| | - Vasileios Lekakis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laikon General Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (V.L.)
| | | | - Georgios Germanidis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.A.); (G.V.)
- Basic and Translational Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (E.C.)
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Kalinina A, Tilova L, Kirsanov K, Lesovaya E, Zhidkova E, Fetisov T, Ilyinskaya G, Yakubovskaya M, Kazansky D, Khromykh L. Secreted cyclophilin A is non-genotoxic but acts as a tumor promoter. Toxicology 2023; 500:153675. [PMID: 37993081 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153675] [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] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is associated with malignant transformation and creates the microenvironment for tumor progression. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is one of the major pro-inflammatory mediators that accumulates and persists in the site of inflammation in high doses over time. According to multiomics analyses of transformed cells, CypA is widely recognized as a pro-oncogenic factor. Vast experimental data define the functions of intracellular CypA in carcinogenesis, but findings on the role of its secreted form in tumor formation and progression are scarce. In the studies here, we exploit short-term in vitro and in vivo tests to directly evaluate the mutagenic, recombinogenic, and blastomogenic effects, as well as the promoter activity of recombinant human CypA (rhCypA), an analogue of secreted CypA. Our findings showed that rhCypA had no genotoxicity and, thus, was neither involved in nor influenced the initiation stage of carcinogenesis. At high doses, rhCypA could disrupt gap junctions in rat liver epithelial IAR-2 cells in vitro by decreasing the expression of connexins 26 and 43 in these cells and inhibit A549 cell adhesion. These data suggested that rhCypA could contribute to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in malignant cells. The research presented here elucidated the role of secreted CypA in carcinogenesis, revealing that it is not a tumor initiator but can act as a tumor promoter at high concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Kalinina
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Leila Tilova
- Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov, 173, Chernyshevsky st., 360004 Nalchik, Russia
| | - Kirill Kirsanov
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia; Institute of Medicine, RUDN University, 6, Miklukho-Maklaya st., 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Lesovaya
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia; Department of Oncology, I.P. Pavlov Ryazan State Medical University, 9, Vysokovoltnaya st., 390026 Ryazan, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Zhidkova
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Timur Fetisov
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina Ilyinskaya
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marianna Yakubovskaya
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Kazansky
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ludmila Khromykh
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 24, Kashirskoe sh., 115478 Moscow, Russia.
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The Expression of Connexin 26 Regulates the Radiosensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Signal Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314644. [PMID: 36498978 PMCID: PMC9740976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin 26 (Cx26) is a protein that constitutes a gap junction and is widely expressed in the liver. Abnormal expression of Cx26 is one of the important mechanisms of liver cancer, and is closely related to the transmission of radiation damage signals between cells. In the present study, we investigated the radiosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells HepG2, with low expression of Cx26, and SK-hep-1, with high expression of Cx26 after X-ray irradiation. The cell survival, micronucleus formation and protein expressions of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway were detected. The expression level of Cx26 could affect the radiosensitivity of liver cancer cells by affecting the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK proteins and regulating the expression of downstream NF-κB. Cell lines with knock-out and overexpression of Cx26 were also built to confirm the findings. Our results suggested that Cx26 might play an important role in the radiosensitivity of liver cancer and could be a potential target for clinical radiotherapy of liver cancer.
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Van Campenhout R, Leroy K, Cooreman A, Tabernilla A, Cogliati B, Kadam P, Vinken M. Connexin-Based Channels in the Liver. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:4147-4163. [PMID: 35950654 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Connexin proteins oligomerize in hexameric structures called connexin hemichannels, which then dock to form gap junctions. Gap junctions direct cell-cell communication by allowing the exchange of small molecules and ions between neighboring cells. In this way, hepatic gap junctions support liver homeostasis. Besides serving as building blocks for gap junctions, connexin hemichannels provide a pathway between the intracellular and the extracellular environment. The activation of connexin hemichannels is associated with acute and chronic liver pathologies. This article discusses the role of gap junctions and connexin hemichannels in the liver. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:1-17, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raf Van Campenhout
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kaat Leroy
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Axelle Cooreman
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andrés Tabernilla
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Prashant Kadam
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Leroy K, Silva Costa CJ, Pieters A, dos Santos Rodrigues B, Van Campenhout R, Cooreman A, Tabernilla A, Cogliati B, Vinken M. Expression and Functionality of Connexin-Based Channels in Human Liver Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12187. [PMID: 34830068 PMCID: PMC8623148 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer cell lines are frequently used in vitro tools to test candidate anti-cancer agents as well as to elucidate mechanisms of liver carcinogenesis. Among such mechanisms is cellular communication mediated by connexin-based gap junctions. The present study investigated changes in connexin expression and gap junction functionality in liver cancer in vitro. For this purpose, seven human liver cancer cell lines, as well as primary human hepatocytes, were subjected to connexin and gap junction analysis at the transcriptional, translational and activity level. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed enhanced expression of connexin43 in the majority of liver cancer cell lines at the expense of connexin32 and connexin26. Some of these changes were paralleled at the protein level, as evidenced by immunoblot analysis and in situ immunocytochemistry. Gap junctional intercellular communication, assessed by the scrape loading/dye transfer assay, was generally low in all liver cancer cell lines. Collectively, these results provide a full scenario of modifications in hepatocyte connexin production and gap junction activity in cultured liver cancer cell lines. The findings may be valuable for the selection of neoplastic hepatocytes for future mechanistic investigation and testing of anti-cancer drugs that target connexins and their channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Leroy
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Cícero Júlio Silva Costa
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (C.J.S.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Alanah Pieters
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Bruna dos Santos Rodrigues
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Raf Van Campenhout
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Axelle Cooreman
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Andrés Tabernilla
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (C.J.S.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (B.d.S.R.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.)
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Leroy K, Pieters A, Cooreman A, Van Campenhout R, Cogliati B, Vinken M. Connexin-Based Channel Activity Is Not Specifically Altered by Hepatocarcinogenic Chemicals. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11724. [PMID: 34769157 PMCID: PMC8584159 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin-based channels play key roles in cellular communication and can be affected by deleterious chemicals. In this study, the effects of various genotoxic carcinogenic compounds, non-genotoxic carcinogenic compounds and non-carcinogenic compounds on the expression and functionality of connexin-based channels, both gap junctions and connexin hemichannels, were investigated in human hepatoma HepaRG cell cultures. Expression of connexin26, connexin32, and connexin43 was evaluated by means of real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, immunoblot analysis and in situ immunostaining. Gap junction functionality was assessed via a scrape loading/dye transfer assay. Opening of connexin hemichannels was monitored by measuring extracellular release of adenosine triphosphate. It was found that both genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogenic compounds negatively affect connexin32 expression. However, no specific effects related to chemical type were observed at gap junction or connexin hemichannel functionality level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Leroy
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.C.); (R.V.C.)
| | - Alanah Pieters
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.C.); (R.V.C.)
| | - Axelle Cooreman
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.C.); (R.V.C.)
| | - Raf Van Campenhout
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.C.); (R.V.C.)
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil;
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.C.); (R.V.C.)
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Targeted Proteomics-Based Quantitative Protein Atlas of Pannexin and Connexin Subtypes in Mouse and Human Tissues and Cancer Cell Lines. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:1161-1168. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Connexin43 Expression Increases in the Epithelium and Stroma along the Colonic Neoplastic Progression Pathway: Implications for Its Oncogenic Role. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2011; 2011:561719. [PMID: 21754925 PMCID: PMC3132986 DOI: 10.1155/2011/561719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) are critical for normal tissue development, differentiation, and cell proliferation. Normal expression and function of Cxs are considered to play a role in tumor
suppression, but abnormal localization and abnormally increased expression of Cxs have been found in a variety of carcinomas. Of the Cx family, Cx43 is a most prevalent member and has been known as a downstream target of β-catenin, a key component of Wnt signaling pathway. We evaluated the expression of Cx43 in the colonic neoplasia progression sequence with additional attention to the stromal component. Resections of 50 colonic adenocarcinomas were stained immunohistochemically for Cx43 on paraffin embedded sections. Cx43 cytoplasmic expression increased progressively in the colonic adenocarcinoma sequence in both the epithelial [normal (4 ± 1), adenomatous (20 ± 2), cancerous (124 ± 10) (P < 0.01)], and stromal [normal (19 ± 1), cancerous (45 ± 4) (P < 0.01)] components. In the epithelial component, Cx43 was expressed lower in stage I adenocarcinomas (69 ± 12) compared to stage III/IV (158 ± 10, P < 0.01). Additionally, Cx43 was relatively increased in the adenocarcinoma at the invasive tumor front in
all stages. Cx43 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer via gap junction or
other gap junction independent mechanisms such as the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Connexin 43 is a potential prognostic biomarker for ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Sarcoma 2011; 2011:971050. [PMID: 21647307 PMCID: PMC3103998 DOI: 10.1155/2011/971050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Revised: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) are building unit proteins of gap junctions (GJs) that are prognostic markers in carcinomas. To investigate the role of Cx in Ewing sarcoma (EWS)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), we examined the expression of Cx43 and Cx26 in 36 EWS/PNETs and found (1) cytoplasmic Cx43 reactivity in 28/36 (78%) cases. (2) Cx43 score was significantly correlated with overall survival (P = .025). The average scores for patients alive and dead at 3 years are 46.08 and 96.98 (P = .004) at 5 years are 46.06 and 96.42 (P = .002). (3) Metastasis had a significant effect on the overall survival (P = .003). (4) Cytoplasmic Cx26 reactivity was detected in 2 of 36 (6%) patients who died with metastasis. Our results suggest a possible oncogenic and prognostic role for Cx43 and Cx26 in EWS/PNET. The lack of membranous immunoreactivity suggests that the effect of Cx in EWS/PNET is via a GJ function-independent mechanism.
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Lin FL, Chang CI, Chuang KP, Wang CY, Liu HJ. Advanced glycation end products down-regulate gap junctions in human hepatoma SKHep 1 cells via the activation of Src-dependent ERK1/2 and JNK/SAPK/AP1 signaling pathways. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2010; 58:8636-8642. [PMID: 20681653 DOI: 10.1021/jf904240c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are associated with an elevated risk of developing several cancers in diabetic patients. However, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The mechanism of AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA) on gap junction intercellular communication in human hepatoma cell line, SKHep 1, was investigated. Both Cx32 and Cx43 are major gap junction forming proteins in the liver, the loss of which has been shown to facilitate tumorigenesis. Although the MTT assay results showed that AGE-BSA significantly increased cell growth by 31%, AGE-BSA down-regulated Cx32 and Cx43 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The present study also demonstrated that ERK1/2 and JNK/SAPK were significantly activated by AGE-BSA and that Src, ERK1/2, and JNK/SAPK inhibitors significantly reversed the reduction of Cx32 and Cx43 proteins by AGE-BSA. Taken together, these results strongly support the hypothesis that Src-dependent ERK1/2 and JNK/SAPK/AP1 signaling pathways play a key role in AGE-BSA-mediated down-regulation of Cx32 and Cx43 protein expression in SKHep 1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng L Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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11
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Mori Y, Tamai H, Shingaki N, Moribata K, Shiraki T, Deguchi H, Ueda K, Enomoto S, Magari H, Inoue I, Maekita T, Iguchi M, Yanaoka K, Oka M, Ichinose M. Diffuse intrahepatic recurrence after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for solitary and small hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Int 2009; 3:509-15. [PMID: 19669252 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-009-9131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2008] [Accepted: 04/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Two patients developed segmental, diffuse intrahepatic recurrence after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat a primary, solitary, and small (2.5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the size of the HCC, levels of the tumor markers (α-fetoprotein, α-fetoprotein-L3%, and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin) were all elevated before RFA, and tumors in both patients were contiguous with a major branch of the portal vein. Tumor biopsies of both patients revealed moderately differentiated HCC but diagnostic imaging showed an area of reduced tumor blood flow, suggesting a poorly differentiated component. Since early detection of post-RFA malignancies by standard ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography was difficult, the most sensitive indicator of recurrence in these two patients was the elevated tumor markers. The diffuse intrahepatic recurrence was thought to be caused by increased intratumoral pressure during RFA, resulting in the dissemination of cancer cells through the contiguous portal vein. The clinical course of these tumors indicate that the choice of RFA should be carefully considered when treating specific subtype of HCC that is adjacent to main portal vein branch and involves a possible poorly differentiated component and that surgical resection or combinations of RFA with other treatment modalities such as transcatheter arterial chemoembolization should be considered as alternative treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Mori
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-0012 Japan
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Harris LD, De La Cerda J, Tuziak T, Rosen D, Xiao L, Shen Y, Sabichi AL, Czerniak B, Grossman HB. Analysis of the expression of biomarkers in urinary bladder cancer using a tissue microarray. Mol Carcinog 2008; 47:678-85. [PMID: 18288642 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of Akt, PTEN, Drg-1, Cx-26, and L-plastin expression appear to be important in the progression of various cancers. Their expression in bladder cancer has not been well characterized. To assess the expression of these genes and their relationship to the outcome of bladder cancer, we used a bladder cancer tissue microarray (TMA) of 251 transitional cell carcinomas. We quantitated immunohistochemical staining of each protein using both automated and manual methods and correlated the expression levels with the clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumor and patient survival. Overall, the results from both automated and manual analyses were similar. We found a significant correlation between the expression of PTEN, Cx-26 and L-plastin with known clinically important pathologic features of bladder cancer (tumor grade, stage, and growth pattern). Aberrant localization patterns of Cx-26 and Drg-1 were observed in bladder tumors. There was also a significant correlation in expression among pAkt, PTEN, and L-plastin. Although the expression of these genes correlated with factors known to be associated with patient outcome, none of them was an independent predictor of progression-free or overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loleta D Harris
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Elzarrad MK, Haroon A, Willecke K, Dobrowolski R, Gillespie MN, Al-Mehdi AB. Connexin-43 upregulation in micrometastases and tumor vasculature and its role in tumor cell attachment to pulmonary endothelium. BMC Med 2008; 6:20. [PMID: 18647409 PMCID: PMC2492868 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-6-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2008] [Accepted: 07/22/2008] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The modulation of gap junctional communication between tumor cells and between tumor and vascular endothelial cells during tumorigenesis and metastasis is complex. The notion of a role for loss of gap junctional intercellular communication in tumorigenesis and metastasis has been controversial. While some of the stages of tumorigenesis and metastasis, such as uncontrolled cell division and cellular detachment, would necessitate the loss of intercellular junctions, other stages, such as intravasation, endothelial attachment, and vascularization, likely require increased cell-cell contact. We hypothesized that, in this multi-stage scheme, connexin-43 is centrally involved as a cell adhesion molecule mediating metastatic tumor attachment to the pulmonary endothelium. METHODS Tumor cell attachment to pulmonary vasculature, tumor growth, and connexin-43 expression was studied in metastatic lung tumor sections obtained after tail-vein injection into nude mice of syngeneic breast cancer cell lines, overexpressing wild type connexin-43 or dominant-negatively mutated connexin-43 proteins. High-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis was performed using a connexin-43 monoclonal antibody. Calcein Orange Red AM dye transfer by fluorescence imaging was used to evaluate the gap junction function. RESULTS Adhesion of breast cancer cells to the pulmonary endothelium increased with cancer cells overexpressing connexin-43 and markedly decreased with cells expressing dominant-negative connexin-43. Upregulation of connexin-43 was observed in tumor cell-endothelial cell contact areas in vitro and in vivo, and in areas of intratumor blood vessels and in micrometastatic foci. CONCLUSION Connexin-43 facilitates metastatic 'homing' by increasing adhesion of cancer cells to the lung endothelial cells. The marked upregulation of connexin-43 in tumor cell-endothelial cell contact areas, whether in preexisting 'homing' vessels or in newly formed tumor vessels, suggests that connexin-43 can serve as a potential marker of micrometastases and tumor vasculature and that it may play a role in the early incorporation of endothelial cells into small tumors as seeds for vasculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Khair Elzarrad
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama, North University Boulevard, Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
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Li WC, Ralphs KL, Slack JM, Tosh D. Keratinocyte serum-free medium maintains long-term liver gene expression and function in cultured rat hepatocytes by preventing the loss of liver-enriched transcription factors. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2006; 39:541-54. [PMID: 17129745 PMCID: PMC1885942 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2006.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2006] [Revised: 10/06/2006] [Accepted: 10/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Freshly isolated hepatocytes rapidly lose their differentiated properties when placed in culture. Therefore, production of a simple culture system for maintaining the phenotype of hepatocytes in culture would greatly facilitate their study. Our aim was to identify conditions that could maintain the differentiated properties of hepatocytes for up to 28 days of culture. Adult rat hepatocytes were isolated and attached in Williams' medium E containing 10% serum. The medium was changed to either fresh Williams' medium E or keratinocyte serum-free medium supplemented with dexamethasone, epidermal growth factor and pituitary gland extract. The hepatic phenotype was then analysed using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and assays of liver function. Cells cultured in keratinocyte serum-free medium supplemented with dexamethasone, epidermal growth factor and pituitary gland extract maintained their phenotype for 3-4 weeks, based on expression of liver proteins, ureagenesis and response to xenobiotics. In contrast, hepatocytes cultured in Williams' medium E rapidly lost the expression of liver proteins after 3 days. Cells cultured in keratinocyte serum-free medium supplemented with dexamethasone, epidermal growth factor and pituitary gland extract maintained their expression of liver-enriched transcription factors (C/EBPalpha and beta, HNF4alpha and RXRalpha) while expression was either lost or reduced in cells cultured in Williams' medium E. These results suggest that keratinocyte serum-free medium supplemented with dexamethasone, epidermal growth factor and pituitary gland extract can maintain the hepatic phenotype for a prolonged period and that this is probably related to the continued expression of the liver-enriched transcription factors.
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Key Words
- w, williams’ medium e
- ksfm, keratinocyte serum-free medium
- dex, dexamethasone
- egf or e, human epidermal growth factor
- pge or p, pituitary gland extract
- c/ebp, ccaat/enhancer-binding protein
- hnf, hepatocyte nuclear factor
- rxr, retinoid x receptor
- pxr, pregnane x receptor
- cyps, cytochrome p450 proteins
- gs, glutamine synthetase
- cps, carbamoylphosphate synthetase
- cx, connexin
- rt-pcr, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- ugt, udp-glucuronosyltransferase
- car, constitutive active receptor
- dmso, dimethyl sulfoxide
- hepatocyte culture
- keratinocyte serum-free media
- liver-enriched transcription factors
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate L. Ralphs
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Jonathan M.W. Slack
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - David Tosh
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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Mei N, Guo L, Zhang L, Shi L, Sun YA, Fung C, Moland CL, Dial SL, Fuscoe JC, Chen T. Analysis of gene expression changes in relation to toxicity and tumorigenesis in the livers of Big Blue transgenic rats fed comfrey (Symphytum officinale). BMC Bioinformatics 2006; 7 Suppl 2:S16. [PMID: 17118137 PMCID: PMC1683566 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-7-s2-s16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Comfrey is consumed by humans as a vegetable and a tea, and has been used as an herbal medicine for more than 2000 years. Comfrey, however, is hepatotoxic in livestock and humans and carcinogenic in experimental animals. Our previous study suggested that comfrey induces liver tumors by a genotoxic mechanism and that the pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant are responsible for mutation induction and tumor initiation in rat liver. Results In this study, we identified comfrey-induced gene expression profile in the livers of rats. Groups of 6 male transgenic Big Blue rats were fed a basal diet and a diet containing 8% comfrey roots, a dose that resulted in liver tumors in a previous carcinogenicity bioassay. The animals were treated for 12 weeks and sacrificed one day after the final treatment. We used a rat microarray containing 26,857 genes to perform genome-wide gene expression studies. Dietary comfrey resulted in marked changes in liver gene expression, as well as in significant decreases in the body weight and increases in liver mutant frequency. When a two-fold cutoff value and a P-value less than 0.01 were selected, 2,726 genes were identified as differentially expressed in comfrey-fed rats compared to control animals. Among these genes, there were 1,617 genes associated by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis with particular functions, and the differentially expressed genes in comfrey-fed rat livers were involved in metabolism, injury of endothelial cells, and liver injury and abnormalities, including liver fibrosis and cancer development. Conclusion The gene expression profile provides us a better understanding of underlying mechanisms for comfrey-induced hepatic toxicity. Integration of gene expression changes with known pathological changes can be used to formulate a mechanistic scheme for comfrey-induced liver toxicity and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Mei
- Division of Genetic and Reproductive Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Division of Systems Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Lu Zhang
- Molecular Biology-SDS/Arrays, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
- Solexa, Inc., 25861 Industrial Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | - Leming Shi
- Division of Systems Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Yongming Andrew Sun
- Molecular Biology-SDS/Arrays, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Chris Fung
- Molecular Biology-SDS/Arrays, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Carrie L Moland
- Division of Systems Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Stacey L Dial
- Division of Systems Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - James C Fuscoe
- Division of Systems Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Tao Chen
- Division of Genetic and Reproductive Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
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García-Olmo DC, Gutiérrez-González L, Samos J, Picazo MG, Atiénzar M, García-Olmo D. Surgery and Hematogenous Dissemination: Comparison Between the Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells and of Tumor DNA in Plasma Before and After Tumor Resection in Rats. Ann Surg Oncol 2006; 13:1136-44. [PMID: 16865589 DOI: 10.1245/aso.2006.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 03/01/2006] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine the effects of the surgical manipulation of tumors on the hematogenous dissemination of tumors, we compared rates of detection of tumor-derived DNA in the buffy coat and in plasma from tumor-bearing rats before and after tumor resection. METHODS We injected DHD/K12-PROb cells subcutaneously into BD-IX rats. Three weeks later, we removed the tumors surgically. Group PERI was sacrificed 3 hours after surgery, group POST-2 was sacrificed 2 weeks later, group POST-4 was sacrificed another 2 weeks later, and group POST-LONG was sacrificed when rats were close to death. In group PERI, four perioperative blood samples were taken. In the other groups, only one blood sample was taken per rat, immediately before euthanasia. We used polymerase chain reaction to detect tumor-derived DNA in buffy-coat, plasma, and lung samples. RESULTS In group PERI, tumor DNA in plasma was more frequent than circulating tumor cells at all perioperative time points. The difference was statistically significant 3 hours after surgery (P = .035). In group POST-2, there was no detectable metastasis or tumor DNA in blood samples. There were lymphatic and lung metastases in most animals in group POST-4 and in all animals in group POST-LONG. In the last two groups, the frequencies of tumor DNA in the buffy coat and in plasma were similar. CONCLUSIONS In our animal model, the hematogenous dissemination of tumors due to surgery seemed to be more closely related to tumor-derived cell-free DNA than to circulating tumor cells. In addition, the surgical resection of primary tumors did not inhibit the development of metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores C García-Olmo
- Experimental Research Unit, General University Hospital of Albacete, C/ Hermanos Falcó 37, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
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