Perinodular ductular reaction/epithelial cell adhesion molecule loss in small hepatic nodules

AIM: To investigate if loss of epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM) is associated with microinvasion in hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs) in the presence of chronic hepatitis B.METHODS: The expression of EpCAM, cytokeratin 7(CK7)and CK19 in 112 hepatic nodules was studied, including 20 HCCs with nodules ≤ 3 cm, 26 HCCs with nodules > 3 cm, 20 high-grade dysplastic nodules, 26 cirrhotic, large regenerative nodules and 20 cases of cirrhosis.RESULTS: Membranes of ductular reaction(DR) hepatobiliary cells, interlobular bile duct and some hepatic cells were positive for EpCAM expression. Active expression of DR/EpCAM was observed in the majority of noninvasive nodules(50/66, 75.76%); however, expression was absent in the major area of invasion in HCCs(42/46, 91.30%). DR/EpCAM loss in HCCs ≤ 3 cm was higher than in high-grade dysplastic nodules(HGDNs)(P < 0.05), cirrhotic, large regenerative nodules and cirrhosis(P < 0.01). Furthermore, patients(20 HCCs ≤ 3 cm, 26 HCCs > 3 cm, 20 HGDNs) with DR/EpCAM expression had a higher overall survival rate(P < 0.01) and lower early recurrence rate(P < 0.01). DR/EpCAM expression showed a close relationship with DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 expression(P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve of DR/EpCAM was similar to that of DR/CK7 and DR/CK19(P > 0.05). The diagnostic specificity and diagnostic accuracy were both increased when DR/EpCAM, DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 were combined(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: DR/EpCAM loss may be a useful marker for determining microinvasion in HCCs ≤ 3 cm, but also for predicting prognosis.

Expression pattern of epithelial cell adhesion molecule on normal and malignant colon tissues

AIM: To investigate the expression pattern of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) on normal and malignant colon tissues to evaluate its diagnostic and therapeutic significance.METHODS: cDNA encoding Ep-CAv extracellular domain was cloned by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from excised malignant colon tissues and inserted into a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged vector. EpCAM-GST fusion protein was induced by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and purified with glutathionesepharose. The Ep-CAM-GST fusion protein was mixed with Freund's adjuvant and Balb/c mice were immunized with it. Sp2/0 myeloma cells were fused with the spleen cells of the immunized mice. After having selected by indirect ELISA, the anti-Ep-CAM monoclonal antibodies (NAbs) were generated and the corresponding ascites were obtained.Finally, the human colon carcinoma tissue array prepared from seventy individual patients was stained with the antiEp-CAM NAbs.RESULTS: The isolated Ep-CAM cDNA sequence was identical to the data in GenBank. The expressed fusion protein was almost soluble and had a molecular weight (NW) of 53 ku.Four NAbs against Ep-CAM were obtained and designated as FMU-Ep1, FMU-Ep2, FMU-Ep3 and FMU-Ep4 respectively.Among them, FMU-Ep4 could recognize the natural EpCAM on Colo205 and SW480 cells, and all of them could be used for immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections.It was found that Ep-CAM was distributed differently in normal and various malignant colon tissues, including squamous cell carcinoma, signet-ring cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.In normal colon gland epithelia, Ep-CAM antigen was mainly distributed on the basolateral membrane and in the region between the basolateral membrane and the cytoplastic part near the nuclei, whereas the expression pattern of colon malignancies was mainly on the whole surface of epithelia and the expression was much higher than the normal colon tissues. The staining pattern of tissue array showed in adenocarcinoma and papillary adenocarcinoma, and the expression of Ep-CAM was increased from grade Ⅰ to grade Ⅲ.CONCLUSION: NAbs against Ep-CAM might be useful for research on the structure and function of Ep-CAM and may have diagnostic and therapeutic value to various colon carcinomas.

Role of CD56-expressing immature biliary epithelial cells in biliary atresia

AIM: To analyze the clinical and pathological parameters and expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule(CD56) in patients with biliary atresia(BA).METHODS: Established clinical laboratory markers of hepatic function, including enzyme activity, protein synthesis, and bilirubin metabolism, were evaluated in patients with BA and compared with those in patients with choledochal cysts and neonatal hepatitis. Pathological changes in tissue morphology and fibrosis were examined by histological and tissue collagen staining. Immunohistochemical staining for the biliary epithelial cell markers CD56 and CK19 together with the Notch signaling related molecules Notch1 and Notch2 was performed in the context of alterations in the structure of intrahepatic biliary ducts.RESULTS: Differences in some clinical laboratoryparameters among the three diseases examined were observed, but they did not correlate with the pathological classification of fibrosis in BA. Immunohistochemical staining showed the presence of CD56-positive immature bile ducts in most patients(74.5%) with BA but not in patients with choledochal cysts or neonatal hepatitis. The number of CD56-expressing cells correlated with disease severity, with more positive cells present in the later stages of liver damage(81.8% vs 18.2%). Furthermore, bile plugs were mainly found in CD56-positive immature biliary ducts. Notch signaling was a key regulatory pathway in biliary duct formation and played a role in tissue fibrosis. Notch1 was co-expressed in CD56-positive cells, whereas Notch2 was found exclusively in blood vessels in the portal area of patients with BA. CONCLUSION: The maturation of biliary epithelial cells and the expression of Notch may play a role in the pathogenesis of BA.

Expression of transcription factors Slug in the lens epithelial cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by connective tissue growth factor

AIMTo investigate the expression of transcription factors Slug in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).METHODSHLECs were treated with CTGF of different concentrations (20, 50 and 100 ng/mL) or without CTGF (control) for 24h. The morphological changes of HLECs were analysed by microscopy. The expression and cellular localization of Slug was evaluated by immumo-fluorescence. Expressions of Slug, E-cadherin and alpha smooth muscle actin (&#x003b1;-SMA) were further determined by Western blot analysis.RESULTSHLECs showed spidle fibrolasts-like characteristics and loosely connected each other after CTGF treatment. The immuno-fluorescence staining indicated that Slug was localized in the nuclei and its expression was induced by CTGF. The relative expressions of Slug protein were 1.64&#x000b1;0.11, 1.96 &#x000b1;0.03, 3.12 &#x000b1;0.10, and 4.08&#x000b1;0.14, respectively, in response to control group and treatment with CTGF of 20, 50 and 100 ng/mL (F=443.86, P&#x0003c;0.01). The increased Slug protein levels were correlated well with up-expression of &#x003b1;-SMA (0.78&#x000b1;0.05, 0.85&#x000b1;0.06, 2.17&#x000b1;0.15, 2.86&#x000b1;0.10; F=449.85, P&#x0003c;0.01) and down-expression of E-cadherin (2.50&#x000b1;0.11, 1.79&#x000b1;0.26, 1.05&#x000b1;0.14, 0.63&#x000b1;0.08; F=101.55, P&#x0003c;0.01).CONCLUSIONTranscription factor Slug may be involved in EMT of HLECs induced by CTGF in vitro.

Dynamic interplay between adhesion surfaces in carcinomas:Cell-cell and cell-matrix crosstalk

Cell-cell and cell-matrix signaling and communication between adhesion sites involve mechanisms which are required for cellular functions during normal development and homeostasis; however these cellular functions and mechanisms are often deregulated in cancer. Aberrant signaling at cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion sites often involves downstream mediators including Rho GTPases and tyrosine kinases. This review discusses these molecules as putative mediators of cellular crosstalk between cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion sites, in addition to their attractiveness as therapeutic targets in cancer. Interestingly, inter-junctional crosstalk mechanisms are frequently typified by the way in which bacterial and viral pathogens opportunistically infect or intoxicate mammalian cells. This review therefore also discusses the concept of learning from pathogen-host interaction studies to better understand coordinated communication between cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion sites, in addition to highlighting the potential therapeutic usefulness of exploiting pathogens or their products to tap into inter-junctional crosstalk. Taken together, we feel that increased knowledge around mechanisms of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion site crosstalk and consequently a greater understanding of their therapeutic targeting offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the emerging molecular revolution in cancer biology.

Expressions of TGF-β2, bFGF and ICAM-1 in lens epithelial cells of complicated cataract with silicone oil tamponade

AIM： To investigate the expression differences of transforming growth factor-β2（TGF-β2）, basic fibroblast growth factor（b FGF） and intercellular cell-adhesion molecule-1（ICAM-1） in lens epithelial cells（LECs） of complicated cataract with silicone oil tamponade and agerelated cataract. METHODS： Totally 150 eyes of 150 patients（aged 35 to 77y） were investigated, including 75 patients with complicated cataract after silicone oil tamponade and 75 patients with age-related cataract. The central piece of anterior capsules was collected during cataract surgery. TGF-β2, b FGF and ICAM-1 were detected in the 60 specimens of the two groups by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of the three kinds of messenger ribonucleic acid（m RNA） were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction in the 90 specimens of the two groups.RESULTS： TGF-β2 was detected in the cytomembrane and cytoplasm of the LECs and b FGF was detected in the nucleus. ICAM-1 was positive in the cytomembrane of the LECs and the distribution of positive cells was uneven. The m RNA genes expression of the TGF-β2, b FGF and ICAM-1 was significant differences between the two groups and markedly increased in complicated cataract group（P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION： The up-regulated TGF-β2, b FGF and ICAM-1 maybe associate with the occurrence and development of complicated cataract with silicone oil tamponade.

Vitamin C Attenuates Hemorrhagic Shock-induced Dendritic Cell-specific Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 3-grabbing Nonintegrin Expression in Tubular Epithelial Cells and Renal Injury in Rats

Background： The expression of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin （DC-SIGN） in renal tubular epithelial cells has been thought to be highly correlated with the occurrence of several kidney diseases, but whether it takes place in renal tissues during hemorrhagic shock （HS） is unknown. The present study airned to investigate this phenomenon and the inhibitory effect of Vitamin C （VitC）. Methods： A Sprague Dawley rat HS model was established in vivo in this study. The expression level and location of DC-SIGN were observed in kidneys. Also, the degree of histological damage, the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-or and interleukin-6 in the renal tissues, and the serum concentration of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine at different times （2-24 h） alter HS （six rats in each group）, with or without VitC treatment belbre resuscitation, were evaluated. Results： HS induced DC-SIGN expression in rat tubular epithelial cells. The proinflarnmatory cytokine concentration, histological damage scores, and functional injury of kidneys had increased. All these phenornena induced by HS were relieved when the rats were treated with VitC before resuscitation. Conclusions： The results of the present study illustrated that HS could induce tubular epithelial cells expressing DC-SIGN, and the levels of proinflarnmatory cytokines in the kidney tissues improved correspondingly. The results also indicated that VitC could suppress the DC-SIGN expression in the tubular epithelial cells induced by HS and alleviate the inflammation and functional injury in the kidney.

Induction of Adhesion Molecule Expression in Co-culture of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Neutrophils Suppressed by Puerarin via Down-regulating p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor κB Pathways

Objective： In this study, we aimed to investigate the expressions of adhesion molecules on human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils in co-culture system, assess the effects of puerarin on suppressing these adhesion molecules expressions, and explore the roles of two crucial signal-transduction elements p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） and nuclear factor kappa B （NF- K B） in modulating adhesion molecules expressions. Methods： Neutrophils and BEAS-2B cells （one human bronchial epithelial cell line） were co-cultured, and adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface were detected using flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （real-time qPCR）. Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor K B were analyzed by Western blot. Results： In co-culture system, adhesion molecules expressions on BEAS-2B cells and neutrephils were enhanced significantly （P〈0.05）. Correspondingly, the mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were also increased greatly. Moreover, the pretreatment of peurarin obviously suppressed adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface. Furthermore, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor K B in BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were elevated in co-culture system, but decreased significantly after upon the treatment of peurarin （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： Co- culture boosted the interactions between human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils mimicking airway inflammation, whereas peurarin decreased the expression of adhesion molecules on cell surface by suppressing the activities of p38 MAPK and NF- K B pathways, and exhibiting its anti-inflammation activity.

Bioinformatics research of CD44 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule related genes and pathways in colorectal cancer

Objective To investigate genes and involved biological processes closely associated with stem cell markers of colorectal cancer-epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)+and CD44+.Methods By the bioinformatics method,with microarray data of colorectal cancer from gene expression omnibus(GEO)database and R2 platform,the genes significantly related with CD44 and Ep-

高糖诱导下人脐静脉内皮细胞形态、增殖活性及钙黏蛋白表达变化

目的探讨不同糖浓度状态下人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)形态、增殖活性及VE-钙黏蛋白(VE-cadherin)、E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)表达变化。方法将HUVECs分为正常对照组(葡萄糖浓度5.5 mmol/L)、甘露醇组(葡萄糖浓度5.5 mmol/L+甘露醇浓度24.5 mmol/L)、高糖组(葡萄糖浓度分别为11.1、22.2、33.3 mmol/L),分别培养24、48、72 h,以显微镜观察细胞形态,用CCK-8法检测各组细胞增殖情况,Western blotting法检测各组HUVECs VE-cadherin、E-cadherin、N-cadherin表达。结果培养72 h,正常对照组细胞形态呈类圆形,高糖组、甘露醇组细胞形态由圆形、椭圆形逐渐到条索状,细胞数量减少、细胞间隙较前增加。培养24h,高糖组细胞增殖率高于正常对照组;随糖浓度升高,高糖组细胞增殖率呈现先升高后降低趋势。培养48、72h,高糖组细胞增殖率低于正常对照组;随着糖浓度升高,高糖组细胞增殖率逐渐降低。以上各组细胞增殖率比较均有统计学差异(P均<0.05)。培养24、72 h,与正常对照组比较,高糖组HUVECsN-cadherin、VE-cadherin、E-cadherin蛋白表达明显升高(P均<0.05);且随着葡萄糖浓度升高,高糖组细胞N-cadherin、VE-cadherin、E-caderin蛋白表达呈现先升高后降低的趋势。结论在高糖条件下,HUVECs发生形态转变,增殖率下降,且伴有细胞钙黏蛋白N-cadherin、VE-cadherin、E-cadherin表达变化。

一种可满足产业化需求的靶向EpCAM嵌合抗原受体慢病毒生产工艺

目的建立一种可满足产业化需求的靶向上皮细胞粘附分子(EpCAM)嵌合抗原受体(CAR)慢病毒生产工艺。方法以EpCAM蛋白为抗原,免疫小鼠获得EpCAM单抗,采用EpCAM单抗的scFv为胞外单链可变区,构建人源化靶向EpCAM的第三代CAR载体质粒,并通过EpCAM CAR载体质粒与慢病毒包装质粒共转染HEK 293T细胞获得慢病毒粗毒液,粗毒液经核酸酶孵育、过滤澄清、Core 700层析、浓缩换液、除菌过滤、制剂分装等工序获得EpCAM慢病毒成品。结果通过EpCAM单抗成功构建了靶向EpCAM抗原的嵌合抗原受体Humanized EpCAM ScFv-CD28-CD3ζ-CAR,并通过该EpCAM CAR进行2 L悬浮体系慢病毒包装所收获粗毒液,经层析及超滤浓缩等纯化工艺收获慢病毒成品100 mL,成品慢病毒转导滴度达2.16×10^(8)TU/mL,慢病毒总量达2.16×10^(10)TU。成功开发了可满足产业化需求的靶向EpCAM CAR慢病毒上游包装及下游纯化生产工艺。结论具有成本效益的慢病毒(LV)载体制备对于满足产业化需求至关重要,本研究在EpCAM蛋白、EpCAM抗体、及EpCAM CAR载体质粒的基础上,结合完整的慢病毒悬浮生产工艺,制备高滴度高纯度的靶向EpCAM嵌合抗原受体慢病毒,为EpCAM CAR-T细胞治疗实体瘤应用及其产业化奠定基础。

共干扰Hpa、EP-CAM对人胆囊癌细胞株裸鼠模型的实验研究

目的:研究miRNA转染乙酰肝素酶(heparanase,Hpa)和上皮细胞黏附分子(epithelial cell adhesion molecule,EP-CAM)对胆囊癌裸鼠移植瘤的体内抑瘤作用。方法:通过脂质体转染法将含Hpa、EP-CAM的真核表达质粒分别及共同转染至人胆囊癌细胞株GBC-SD,MTT法检测体外细胞增殖情况,筛选出干扰稳定表达细胞株后,采用裸鼠腋外侧皮下注射方法进行裸鼠体内成瘤实验,连续40 d观察裸鼠体表胆囊癌移植瘤生长情况。结果:单独及共同干扰组细胞生长受到明显抑制,而共同干扰组作用尤为突出。裸鼠体内实验提示Hpa miRNA组、EP-CAM miRNA组、共干扰组抑瘤率分别为69.06%、64.94%、85.67%。Hpa、EP-CAM基因蛋白在干扰组表达均明显低于正常胆囊癌细胞接种组(P<0.01)。结论:采用RNAi法沉默Hpa和EP-CAM在胆囊癌细胞中的表达可有效抑制其在体内外的生长,并且以共同干扰效果尤为突出。

MUC2和EP-CAM蛋白在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨MUC2和上皮细胞黏附分子(EP-CAM)蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的表达及临床意义。方法:应用免疫组化SP法检测48例卵巢癌、16例交界性肿瘤及12例良性肿瘤组织中MUC2和EP-CAM蛋白表达,分析其与卵巢癌发生发展、浸润及转移的关系,以及二者蛋白表达的相关性。结果:MUC2和EP-CAM在卵巢癌、交界性肿瘤和良性肿瘤组织中的表达率均依次降低,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);二者在卵巢癌组织中的表达呈正相关(r=0.583,P<0.01)。结论:MUC2和EP-CAM蛋白高表达与卵巢癌的发生发展密切相关,两者的蛋白表达具有相关性。

肝细胞癌癌组织和癌旁肝组织Ep-CAM和C-Kit表达及其意义探讨

目的探讨肝细胞癌(HCC)患者癌组织和癌旁肝组织C-Kit蛋白和肿瘤干细胞标志上皮细胞黏附分子(EpCAM)蛋白表达的变化。方法 2014年3月～2017年1月我院经手术切除治疗的HCC患者癌组织和癌旁肝组织标本90份,采用免疫组化染色法检测癌组织和癌旁肝组织Ep-CAM蛋白和C-Kit蛋白表达情况,并比较不同分化、有无包膜、不同病灶大小、术前不同血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平癌组织Ep-CAM蛋白和C-Kit蛋白表达阳性率的差异。结果在本组90例HCC患者肝组织中,癌组织Ep-CAM蛋白和C-Kit蛋白表达阳性率分别为65.6%和74.4%,均显著高于癌旁组织的11.1%和4.4%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);50例Ⅲ级和Ⅳ级组织学分化、49例术前血清AFP>400 ng/ml、28例发生血管浸润的癌组织Ep-CAM蛋白表达阳性率分别为76.0%、79.6%和82.1%,显著高于40例Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级组织学分化、41例血清AFP≤400 ng/ml和62例未发生肿瘤血管浸润的癌组织(分别为52.5%、48.8%和58.1%);Ⅲ级和Ⅳ级组织学分化、术前血清AFP>400 ng/ml、发生血管浸润的癌组织C-Kit蛋白表达阳性率分别为86.0%、87.8%和89.3%,也显著高于Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级组织学分化、血清AFP≤400 ng/ml和未发生肿瘤血管浸润的癌组织(分别为60.0%、58.5%和67.7%),差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 HCC患者癌组织Ep-CAM蛋白和C-Kit蛋白表达阳性率显著增高,并与肿瘤组织学分级、术前血清AFP水平和是否发生肿瘤血管浸润有关,其临床意义还有待进一步探讨。

EP-CAM、N-CAM1及C-KIT与原发性肝癌分级、转移及患者预后的关系

目的探讨上皮细胞黏附分子(EP-CAM)、神经细胞黏附分子1(N-CAM1)及C-KIT与原发性肝癌分级、转移及患者预后的关系。方法收集80例原发性肝癌患者作为观察组,选择同期行手术治疗的50例肝硬化及乙型肝炎患者作为对照组,均收集患者病理组织标本,采用免疫组化法测定肝癌组织EP-CAM、N-CAM1、C-KIT表达情况,分析EP-CAM、N-CAM1、C-KIT与原发性肝癌临床病理特点及患者预后的关系。结果观察组EP-CAM、N-CAM1、C-KIT阳性表达率均高于对照组(P<0.05);高AFP水平、无包膜或包膜不完整、低中分化肿瘤、临床分期为Ⅲ~Ⅳ期、病理类型为胆管上皮癌、混合型肝癌及出现肝内外转移的肝癌患者EP-CAM、N-CAM1、C-KIT阳性率较高(P<0.05);肝癌患者1年、2年、3年生存率分别为72.50%、53.75%、37.50%,随访3年存活患者,EP-CAM、N-CAM1、C-KIT阳性率低于1年及2年存活患者(P<0.05)。结论EP-CAM、N-CAM1、C-KIT表达水平与原发性肝癌患者AFP水平、肿瘤包膜情况、分化程度、临床分期、组织学类型及预后均有一定的关系,且参与肝癌侵袭、转移过程。

Cancer stem cell markers correlate with early recurrence and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate whether expression of cancer stem cell(CSC)markers is associated with recurrence and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients.METHODS:A consecutive series of 90 HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy between April2007 and April 2009 were analyzed.Of the 90 patients,38(42%)experienced recurrence within two years of surgery.To adjust for baseline differences between this early recurrence group and the other patients,propensity-score matching was used to generate 25 pairs of patients.Immunohistochemistry was used to compare expression of CD133,CD90,and epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)in liver tissues from propensity score-matched patients and from 10 healthy adults.Associations of the three markers with HCC,clinicopathological characteristics,early recurrence,and survival time were explored.RESULTS:The expression of all three CSC markers was significantly higher in HCC tissue than in healthy liver tissue(P<0.001 for all).Among the HCC clinicopathology characteristics examined,the absence of tumor capsule was associated with CD133 expression(P=0.005);higher histopathology grade and larger tumor size were associated with CD90 expression(P=0.010 and 0.034,respectively);and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were associated with EpCAM expression(P=0.021).Expression of CD90 and EpCAM was significantly higher in the early recurrence group than in other patients(P=0.001 and 0.045,respectively),whereas CD133 expression was not significantly different between the two groups(P=0.440).Multivariate analysis identified only CD90 expression as significantly associated with early recurrence.Log-rank analysis identified expression of both CD90 and EpCAM as significantly associated with survival time of HCC patients.Cox regression identified EpCAM expression as an independent predictor of survival time.CONCLUSION:Expression of CD133,CD90,and EpCAM CSC markers may be linked to HCC tumor onset and/or progression.In addition,EpCAM expression is associated with shorter survival time,while CD90 expression is associated with early HCC recurrence.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted immune magnetic liposomes capture circulating colorectal tumor cells efficiently

AIM To compare the capacity of newly developed epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)-targeted immune magnetic liposomes(EILs) vs epithelial cell adhesion molecule(Ep CAM) immunomagnetic beads to capture colorectal circulating tumor cells(CTCs).METHODS EILs were prepared using a two-step method, and the magnetic and surface characteristics were confirmed. The efficiency of capturing colorectal CTCs as well as the specificity were compared between EILs and Ep CAM magnetic beads. RESULTS The obtained EILs had a lipid nanoparticle structure similar to cell membrane. Improved binding with cancer cells was seen in EILs compared with the method of coupling nano/microspheres with antibody. The binding increased as the contact time extended. Compared with Ep CAM immunomagnetic beads, EILs captured more CTCs in peripheral blood from colorectal cancer patients. The captured cells showed consistency with clinical diagnosis and pathology. Mutation analysis showed same results between captured CTCs and cancer tissues. CONCLUSION EGFR antibody-coated magnetic liposomes show high efficiency and specificity in capturing colorectal CTCs.

Circulating tumor cells isolation:the "post-EpCAM era"

Circulating tumor cells （CTCs） represent a submicroscopic fraction detached from a primary tumor and in transit to a secondary site. The prognostic significance of CTCs in metastatic cancer patients was demonstrated for the first time more than ten years ago. To date, it seems clear enough that CTCs are highly heterogeneous and dynamically change their shape. Thus, the inadequacy of epithelial cell adhesion molecule （EpCAM） as universal marker for CTCs detection seems unquestionable and alternative methods able to recognize a broader spectrum of phenotypes are definitely needed. In this review the pleiotropic functions of EpCAM are discussed in detail and the role of the molecule in the biology of CTCs is critically dissected.

Impact of chronic exposure to bevacizumab on EpCAM-based detection of circulating tumor cells

Background： Circulating tumor cells （CTCs） are often undetected through the immunomagnetic epithelial cell adhesion molecule （EpCAM）-based CellSearch~ System in breast and colorectal cancer （CRC） patients treated with bevacizumab （BEV）, where low CTC numbers have been reported even in patients with evidence of progression of disease. To date, the reasons for this discrepancy have not been clarified. This study was carried out to investigate the molecular and phenotypic changes in CRC cells after chronic exposure to BEV in vitro. Methods： The human CRC cell line WiDr was exposed to a clinically relevant dose of BEV for 3 months in vitro. The expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers and EpCAM isoforms was determined by western blotting and immunofluorescence. To evaluate the impact of EpCAM variant isoforms expression on CTC enumeration by CellSearch, untreated and treated colon cancer cells were spiked into 7.5 mL of blood from a healthy donor and enumerated by CellSearch. Results： Chronic exposure of CRC cell line to BEV induced decreased expression of EpCAM 40 kDa isoform and increased expression EpCAM 42 kDa isoform, together with a decreased expression of cytokeratins （CK）, while no evidence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition （EMT） in treated cells was observed. The recovery rate of cells through CellSearch was gradually reduced in course of treatment with BEV, being 84% , 70% and 40% at l, 2 and 3 months, respectively. Conclusions： We hypothesize that BEV may prevent CellSearch from capturing CTCs through altering EpCAM isoforms.

应用EpCAM/PAN-CK荧光标记流式细胞术检测肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞中肿瘤细胞残留的研究

作为新兴的肿瘤免疫治疗管线之一,过继性细胞免疫疗法(adoptive cell therapy/ACT)已日趋成熟;其中最直接的手段是从实体瘤组织中提取靶向性与特异性俱佳的肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞(tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte/TIL),经体外激活、扩增和优化后回输患者而达到安全、有效的临床疗效。具体的TIL工艺流程除了要保证淋巴细胞的充分扩增(数量)和免疫学活性(质量)以外,还需要解决肿瘤细胞残留问题。虽然在TIL培养过程中肿瘤细胞因为营养成分的相对缺乏和淋巴细胞的持续攻击而逐渐凋亡,在理论上不能完全排除癌细胞残留的可能性。为充分解决这一切实问题,本研究比较、分析了多种有关肿瘤细胞残留的检测方法,并根据灵敏度、可靠性、器材要求和检测效率等参数综合权衡利弊,最后将流式细胞术作为优选方案,并在检测肿瘤细胞系和源自乳腺癌患者和肺癌患者的TIL产品(N=60)时得到进一步验证。这一方法依赖荧光标记的特异性抗体有效识别上皮细胞普遍携带的标志物,即泛细胞角蛋白(pan-cytokeratin);其检测灵敏度<0.05%,而且有进一步提升空间,因此可以作为今后TIL和同类产品放行前有必要采纳的质量检测备选方案。