Identification of osteopontin as the most consistently over-expressed gene in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Detection by oligonucleotide microarray and real-time PCR analysis

AIM: To investigate the molecular pathways involved in human cholangiocarcinogenesis by gene expression profiling. METHODS: Oligonucleotide arrays (Affymetrix U133A) were used to establish a specific gene expression profile of intrahepatic CCC in comparison to corresponding non- malignant liver tissue. To validate the expression values of the most overexpressed genes, RT-PCR experiments were performed. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-two statistically differentially expressed genes/ESTs (221 probes significantly up-regulated, 331 probes down-regulated; P < 0.05; fold change > 2; ≥ 70%) were identified. Using these data and two-dimensional cluster analysis,a specific gene expression profile was obtained allowing fast and reproducible differentiation of CCC, which was confirmed by supervised neuronal network modelling. The most consistently overexpressed gene (median fold change 33.5, significantly overexpressed in 100%) encoded osteopontin. Furthermore, an association of various genes with the histopathological grading could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: A highly specific gene expression profile for intrahepatic CCC was identified, allowing for its fast and reproducible discrimination against non- malignant liver tissue and other liver masses. The most overexpressed gene in intrahepatic CCC was the gene encoding osteopontin. These data may lead to a better understanding of human cholangiocarcinogenesis.

Ginsenoside Rg1-induced alterations in gene expression in TNF-α stimulated endothelial cells

Background In China the ginseng root began to be used in medicine over 2000 years ago. Ginsenosides are the most important component isolated from ginseng. The authors investigated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the spectrum of gene expression in the endothelial cells stimulated by TNF-α and further explored the potential molecular mechanism of endothelial protection by ginsenoside Rg1. Methods Nitric oxide (NO) production in the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) was measured by using an NO assay kit. A home-made oligonucleotide microarray containing approximately 400 cardiovascular disease-related genes was constructed. The alteration of the spectrum of gene expression induced by ginsenoside Rg1 in HUVECs which were activated by TNF-α were detected by oligonucleotide microarray analysis. Results NO production in HUVECs was decreased significantly after TNF-α treatment,while pretreatment with ginsenoside Rg1 enhanced NO production in TNF-αstimulated HUVECs. Ginsenoside Rg1 affected the expression levels of genes involved in vascular constriction,cell adherence,coagulation,cell growth and signal transduction in TNF-αstimulated HUVECs.Conclusions Ginsenoside Rg1 could enhance NO production and the expression of eNOS mRNA in TNF-α stimulated HUVECs. Ginsenoside Rg1 regulated sets of genes in endothelial cells and protected endothelial cells from TNF-αactivation. Microarray analysis provided us with valuable insights into the atheroprotective mechanism by gingsenoside Rg1.