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Ouban A, Ameer OZ, Quek KJ, Arafah MA, Raddaoui L. Detection of Increased Expression of Claudin-1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Analysis and Clinical-Pathological Correlation. Cureus 2023; 15:e36648. [PMID: 37102018 PMCID: PMC10123009 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive disease that lacks therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers. Claudin-1 is a well-described tight junction protein with prognostic value in many human cancers. Aims The need for the discovery of biomarkers of TNBC disease was a major reason for this study. Claudin-1 is a tight junction protein that has shown promising results in the prognosis and management of cancer in general. In the breast, claudin-1 expression and significance have shown variable results, especially in TNBC patients. Our study assessed expression of claudin-1 in a group of TNBC patients, and correlated this expression with clinical-pathological parameters, and with the expression of β-catenin. Materials and methods Tissues from a group of 52 TNBC patients were retrieved from the archives of the community hospital. All related information including demographical, pathologic and clinical data were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry assays of a rabbit polyclonal antibody anti-human claudin-1 were applied using the avidin-biotin peroxidase methodology. Results A statistically significant majority of TNBC cases positively expressed claudin-1 (81%, χ2=13.705; p<0.001). Most TNBC cases had grade 2 β-catenin expression (77.5%; p<0.001), and positive expression for claudin-1 correlated with that of β-catenin (χ2= 23.757; p<0.001). Claudin-1 and β-catenin expressions within tumour cells shared several features including absent or weakness of membranous expression, and redistribution of both proteins to the cytoplasm of tumour cells, and in some cases to the nuclei of these cells. Claudin-1 expression also correlates with adverse survival outcomes, where only four of 20 claudin-1-positive patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) achieved pathological complete response (pCR). Conclusions The above presents a complex role of claudin-1 in TNBC patients. In this study, claudin-1 expression was associated with poor prognostic features including invasion, metastases and adverse clinical outcomes. Claudin-1 expression in TNBC correlated with the expression of β-catenin, an important oncogene and a major contributor to the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon. Overall, the above results may serve as an impetus for further mechanistic studies to assess the exact role of claudin-1 in TNBC and its possible use in the management of this subset of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abderrahman Ouban
- Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Alfaisal University College of Medicine, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Omar Z Ameer
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfaisal University College of Pharmacy, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Ko Jin Quek
- Family Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, AUS
| | - Maria A Arafah
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Layla Raddaoui
- Oncology, Alfaisal University College of Medicine, Riyadh, SAU
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Arafah MA, Ouban A, Ameer OZ, Quek KJ. KI-67 LI Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients and Its Significance. Breast Cancer (Auckl) 2021; 15:11782234211016977. [PMID: 34158798 PMCID: PMC8186110 DOI: 10.1177/11782234211016977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subset of breast cancer which is known to carry a poor prognosis because of lack of targets for hormonal therapy. Research efforts have focused in recent years on discovering biomarkers of management in TNBCs. KI-67 Labelling Index (LI) is a nuclear protein which has proven to play diagnostic and prognostic roles in many cancers. Materials and methods: We analysed the expression of KI-67 LI by immunohistochemistry in TNBC cases from the University hospital. This expression was cross-checked against clinical-pathological criteria of TNBC patients and against Vimentin expression in TNBC patients with significant KI-67 expression. Results: KI-67 LI was significantly expressed in the majority of TNBC cases. This expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases, tumour invasion, high tumour nuclear grade, clinical stage, adverse survival outcome, and failure to achieve pathological complete response. TNBCs’ KI-67 LI expression was also correlated with Vimentin expression, the mesenchymal chief marker of the EMT phenomenon. Conclusion: Collectively, our study presents a strong argument for the use of KI-67 LI as a biomarker of aggressive, metastatic TNBC disease with poor outcome. This study, along with mounting evidence in the scientific literature, presents a case for the use of this nuclear protein in diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of patients with this difficult diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Arafah
- Department of Pathology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abderrahman Ouban
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Z Ameer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ko Jin Quek
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Quek KJ, Ameer OZ, Phillips JK. Amlodipine Improves Vessel Function and Remodeling in the Lewis Polycystic Kidney Rat Mesenteric Artery. Am J Hypertens 2020; 33:634-643. [PMID: 32215654 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpaa054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a common comorbidity associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Treatment in these patients often involves L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) blockers. The effect of chronic LTCC-blockade treatment on resistance vasculature was investigated in a genetic hypertensive rat model of CKD, the Lewis Polycystic Kidney (LPK) rat. METHODS Mixed-sex LPK and Lewis control rats (total n = 38) were allocated to treated (amlodipine 20 mg/kg/day p.o. from 4 to 18 weeks) and vehicle groups. Following systolic blood pressure and renal function assessment, animals were euthanized and mesenteric vasculature was collected for functional and structural assessment using pressure myography and histology. RESULTS Amlodipine treatment reduced LPK rat blood pressure (untreated vs. treated: 185 ± 5 vs. 165 ± 9 mm Hg; P = 0.019), reduced plasma creatinine (untreated vs. treated: 197 ± 17 vs. 140 ± 16 µmol/l; P = 0.002), and improved some vascular structural parameters (internal and external diameters and wall-lumen ratios); however wall thickness was still increased in LPK relative to Lewis despite treatment (Lewis vs. LPK: 31 ± 2 vs. 41 ± 2 µm, P = 0.047). Treatment improved LPK rats' endothelium dysfunction, and nitric oxide-dependent and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization vasorelaxation components, and downregulated prostanoid contributions. LTCC blockade had no effect on biomechanical properties of compliance and intrinsic stiffness, nor artery wall composition. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that blockade of LTCCs with amlodipine is effective in improving, to a certain extent, detrimental structural and functional vascular features of resistance arteries in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Jin Quek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Omar Z Ameer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jacqueline K Phillips
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Quek KJ, Ameer OZ, Phillips JK. AT1 Receptor Antagonism Improves Structural, Functional, and Biomechanical Properties in Resistance Arteries in a Rodent Chronic Kidney Disease Model. Am J Hypertens 2018; 31:696-705. [PMID: 29425281 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The renin-angiotensin system, in particular Angiotensin II (AngII), plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Effects of chronic AT1 receptor antagonism were investigated in a genetic hypertensive rat model of CKD, the Lewis polycystic kidney (LPK) rat. METHODS Mixed-sex LPK and Lewis control rats (total n = 31) were split between treated (valsartan 60 mg/kg/day p.o. from 4 to 18 weeks) and vehicle groups. Animals were assessed for systolic blood pressure and urine biochemistry, and after euthanasia, blood collected for urea and creatinine analysis, confirming the hypertensive and renal phenotype. Mesenteric resistance vasculature was assessed using pressure myography and histology. RESULTS Valsartan treatment improved vascular structure in LPK rats, increasing internal and external diameter values and reducing wall thickness (untreated vs. treated LPK: 53.19 ± 3.29 vs. 33.93 ± 2.17 μm) and wall-lumen ratios (untreated vs. treated LPK: 0.52 ± 0.09 vs. 0.16 ± 0.01, all P < 0.0001). Endothelium dysfunction, as measured by maximal response to acetylcholine (Rmax), was normalized with treatment (untreated vs. treated LPK: 69.56 ± 4.34 vs. 103.05 ± 4.13, P < 0.05), increasing the relative contributions of nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization to vasorelaxation while downregulating the prostanoid contribution. Biomechanical properties also improved with treatment, as indicated by an increase in compliance, decrease in intrinsic stiffness and alterations in the artery wall composition, which included decreases in collagen density and collagen/elastin ratio. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance of AngII as a driver of resistance vessel structural, functional, and biomechanical dysfunction and provide insight as to how AT1 receptor blockade exerts therapeutic efficacy in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Jin Quek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Omar Z Ameer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jacqueline K Phillips
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Quek KJ, Boyd R, Ameer OZ, Zangerl B, Butlin M, Murphy TV, Avolio AP, Phillips JK. Progressive vascular remodelling, endothelial dysfunction and stiffness in mesenteric resistance arteries in a rodent model of chronic kidney disease. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 81:42-52. [PMID: 26771067 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension are co-morbid conditions both associated with altered resistance artery structure, biomechanics and function. We examined these characteristics in mesenteric artery together with renal function and systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes in the Lewis polycystic kidney (LPK) rat model of CKD. Animals were studied at early (6-weeks), intermediate (12-weeks), and late (18-weeks) time-points (n=21), relative to age-matched Lewis controls (n=29). At 12 and 18-weeks, LPK arteries exhibited eutrophic and hypertrophic inward remodelling characterised by thickened medial smooth muscle, decreased lumen diameter, and unchanged or increased media cross-sectional area, respectively. At these later time points, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was also compromised, associated with impaired endothelium-dependent hyperpolarisation and reduced nitric oxide synthase activity. Stiffness, elastic-modulus/stress slopes and collagen/elastin ratios were increased in 6 and 18-week-old-LPK, in contrast to greater arterial compliance at 12weeks. Multiple linear regression analysis highlighted SBP as the main predictor of wall-lumen ratio (r=0.536, P<0.001 n=46 pairs). Concentration-response curves revealed increased sensitivity to phenylephrine but not potassium chloride in 18-week-LPK. Our results indicate that impairment in LPK resistance vasculature is evident at 6weeks, and worsens with hypertension and progression of renal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Quek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - R Boyd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - O Z Ameer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - B Zangerl
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - M Butlin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - T V Murphy
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - A P Avolio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - J K Phillips
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
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Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Quek KJ, Asmawi MZ. Loranthus ferrugineus: a Mistletoe from Traditional Uses to Laboratory Bench. J Pharmacopuncture 2015; 18:7-18. [PMID: 25830054 PMCID: PMC4379471 DOI: 10.3831/kpi.2015.18.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Loranthus ferrugineus (L. ferrugineus) from Loranthaceae, a mistletoe, is a medicinal herb used for a variety of human ailments. Traditionally, decoctions of this parasitic shrub have been mainly used to treat high blood pressure (BP) and gastrointestinal complaints; usage which is supported by experimental based pharmacological investigations. Nonetheless, there is still limited data available evaluating this plant’s traditions, and few studies have been scientifically translated toward evidence based phytomedicine. We therefore provide a concise review of the currently available L. ferrugineus literature and discuss potential directions for future areas of investigation. Methods: We surveyed available literature covering ethnopharmacological usage of L. ferrugineus and discussed relevant findings, including important future directions and shortcomings for the medicinal values of this parasitic shrub. Results: Evidence based pharmacological approaches significantly covered the medicinal application of L. ferrugineus for hypertension and gastrointestinal complaint management, with a particular focus on the active hydrophilic extract of this herb. Conclusion: Understanding the sites of action of this plant and its beneficial effects will provide justification for its use in old traditional treatments, and potentially lead to the development of therapies. Other medicinal applicative areas of this parasitic shrub, such as wound healing, gerontological effects, and antiviral and anticancer activities, are yet to be researched.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Z Ameer
- The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia ; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | - Ibrahim M Salman
- The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia ; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | - Ko Jin Quek
- The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mohd Z Asmawi
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
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