Endocan silencing induces programmed cell death in hepatocarcinoma

Endocan, a novel inflammatory marker, is upregulated in human chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1 beta

Endocan is a circulating proteoglycan, involved in immunity, inflammation, and endothelial function. It has been recently suggested as a biomarker of inflammation, increased angiogenesis, and cancer. In vitro studies have shown that endocan expression could be upregulated by inflammatory cytokines and proangiogenic molecules. High endocan levels were also shown in arthritic joint tissues and particularly in sites characterized by severe inflammation. This study was performed to evaluate endocan expression in chondrocytes stimulated with IL-ß. mRNA and related protein production were measured for endocan, TNF-α, and IL-6. NF-kB activity was also evaluated. IL-1ß treatment induced a significant upregulation of both endocan and the inflammatory parameters as well as NF-kB activity. The treatment of chondrocytes with the specific NF-kB inhibitor before IL-1ß stimulation was able to reduce endocan and the inflammatory markers over-expression. The results of our study indicated that endocan is also expressed in human chondrocytes; furthermore, consistent with previous results in other cell types and tissues, IL-1ß-induced inflammatory response involves the expression of endocan through NF-kB activation. In this context, endocan seems to be an important inflammatory marker associated with the activation of NF-kB pathway.

Prediction and identification of novel HLA-A*0201-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes from endocan

Background

Prediction and identification of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes from tumor associated antigens is a crucial step for the development of tumor immunotherapy strategy. Endocan has been identified as antigen overexpressed in various tumors.

Methods

In this experiment, we predicted and identified HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitopes from endocan by using the following procedures. Firstly, we predicted the epitopes from the amino acid sequence of endocan by computer-based methods; Secondly, we determined the affinity of the predicted peptide with HLA-A2.1 molecule by peptide-binding assay; Thirdly, we elicited the primary T cell response against the predicted peptides in vitro; Lastly, we tested the specific CTLs toward endocan and HLA-A2.1 positive target cells.

Results

These data demonstrated that peptides of endocan containing residues 4–12 and 9–17 could elicit specific CTLs producing interferon-γ and cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

Therefore, our findings suggested that the predicted peptides were novel HLA-A2.1-restricted CTL epitopes, and might provide promising target for tumor immunotherapy.

Upregulating microRNA-498 inhibits gastric cancer proliferation invasion and chemoresistance through inverse interaction of Bmi1

This study aimed to analyze the functions of microRNA 498 (miR-498) on gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation migration and cisplatin chemosensitivity. QTR-PCR found that miR-498 was markedly downregulated in GC cell lines and human GC tumors. It was discover that, lentivirus-mediated miR-498 overexpression inhibited cancer cell proliferations in vitro and in vivo, invasion and cisplatin chemoresistance. Bmi1 was demonstrated to be directly regulated by miR-498 in GC cell lines. Moreover, Bmi1 upregulation was found to reverse the tumor-suppressing functions of miR-498 in GC. Therefore, this study presented evidence showing miR-498 expression decreased in GC, and overexpressing miR-498 had significant inhibitory effects on GC development, likely through the inverse interaction of Bmi1.