Objective: Midkine (MK), a new member of the heparin-binding growth factor family, has been found recently to have a high expression level in many tumor specimens including lung carcinoma. Estrogens may be involved...Objective: Midkine (MK), a new member of the heparin-binding growth factor family, has been found recently to have a high expression level in many tumor specimens including lung carcinoma. Estrogens may be involved in lung carcinogenesis, and estrogen receptors, mainly estrogen receptor-β (ER-β), are present and functional in normal lung and tumor cell lines and tissues. In addition, estrogens and growth factors may promote the progression of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previously, we have immunohistochemically demonstrated that MK and ER-β proteins were overexpressed in NSCLC and their expression levels were both significantly negatively correlated with the pathological classification. The purpose of this study was to further verify their expression and its correlation with NSCLC. Methods: Taking NSCLC tissues and their corresponding paraneoplastic and normal lung as research objects, we further examined the expression of MK and ER-β by meas of RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and Western blot analyses at the levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, respectively. Results: The increased MK and ER-β mRNA expression was found in NSCLC by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses. Furthermore, Western blot analysis also displayed increased expression of MK and ER-β proteins in NSCLC. Finally, their correlation analysis at the levels of mRNA and protein expression in NSCLC demonstrated that MK protein level was significantly correlated to estrogen receptor-β (P〈0.01, rs=0.535); in spite of their correlation at the mRNA level, there was no remarkable difference between MK and ER-β (P〉0.05, rs=0.178). Conclusion: All these results in the present study confirmed that MK and ER-β were overexpressed in human NSCLC.展开更多
Background: Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5(Nav1.5) potentially promotes the migratory and invasive behaviors of colon cancer cells. Hitherto, the prognostic significance of Nav1.5 expression remains undetermined. Th...Background: Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5(Nav1.5) potentially promotes the migratory and invasive behaviors of colon cancer cells. Hitherto, the prognostic significance of Nav1.5 expression remains undetermined. The present study aimed to explore the associations of Nav1.5 expression with clinical outcomes and estrogen receptor-β(ER-β)expression in non-metastatic colon cancer patients receiving radical resection.Methods: A total of 269 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ colon cancer who underwent radical resection were selected. Nav1.5 and ER-β expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry(IHC)on tissue microarray constructed from paraffin-embedded specimens. IHC score was determined according to the percentage and intensity of positively stained cells. Statistical analysis was performed with the X-tile method, k coefficient, Chi square test or Fisher's exact test, logistic regression, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards models.Results: We found that Nav1.5 was commonly expressed in tumor tissues with higher mean IHC score as compared with matched tumor-adjacent normal tissues(5.1 ± 3.5 vs. 3.5 ± 2.7, P < 0.001).The high expression of Nav1.5 in colon cancer tissues was associated with high preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level [odds ratio(OR) = 2.980;95% confidential interval(CI)1.163-7.632; P = 0.023] and high ER-β expression(OR = 2.808; 95% CI 1.243-6.343;p = 0.00 3). Log-rank test results showed that high Nav1.5 expression contributed to a low 5-year disease-free survival(DFS) rate in colon cancer patients(77.2% vs. 92.1%, P = 0.048), especially in patients with high ER-β expression tumor(76.2% vs. 91.3%, P = 0.032). Analysis with Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that high Nav1.5 expression[hazard ratio(HR) = 2.738; 95% CI 1.100-6.819;P = 0.030] and lymph node metastasis(HR = 2.633; 95% CI 1.632-4.248; P < 0.001) were prognostic factors for unfavorable DFS in colon cancer patients.Conclusions: High expression of Nav1.5 was associated with high expression of ER-β and indicated unfavorable oncologic prognosis in patients with non-metastatic colon cancer.展开更多
AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHOD...AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.展开更多
Phytoestrogens are natural compounds found in some vegetables, and they replicate many of the physiochemical and physiological properties of estrogens, including the regulation of mood. The phytoestrogen genistein exe...Phytoestrogens are natural compounds found in some vegetables, and they replicate many of the physiochemical and physiological properties of estrogens, including the regulation of mood. The phytoestrogen genistein exerts anxiolytic-like effects in rats with a chronic absence of ovarian hormones, but the mechanism involved in this effect remains to be explored. The present study explored the participation of estrogen receptor-β in the anxiolytic-like effect of genistein (1.0 mg/kg, i.p., for 4 days) in Wistar rats with 12-weeks postovariectomy, considered as experimental model of post-surgical menopause. In the light/dark test, a useful tool for anxiety study and for the screening of anxiolytic drugs, genistein reduced the latency to enter and increased the time spent in the light compartment and significantly increased the frequency and time spent exploring the light compartment compared with the control group, which is considered as an anxiolytic-like effect at experimental level. All behavioral effects produced by genistein in the light/dark test were blocked by previous tamoxifen administration (5.0 mg/kg, s.c., for 6 days), a non selective antagonist for estrogen receptor-β. The effects produced by genistein or tamoxifen in this test were not related to significant changes in general motor activity evaluated in the open field test. In conclusion, the specific contribution of present investigation was identify that estrogen receptor-β is involved in the anxiolytic-like effect produced by phytoestrogen genistein in rats with a long-term absence of ovarian hormones;supporting the hypothesis that estrogen receptor-β participates in the regulation of anxiety associated with low concentration of ovarian hormones and in the anxiolytic-like effects produced by natural estrogenic compounds such as phytoestrogens.展开更多
Objective::The role of Vitamin D-binding protein(DBP)in preeclampsia(PE)pathogenesis is unknown.In this study,we compared the expression of DBP in the placentas of PE patients with the placentas of normotensive pregna...Objective::The role of Vitamin D-binding protein(DBP)in preeclampsia(PE)pathogenesis is unknown.In this study,we compared the expression of DBP in the placentas of PE patients with the placentas of normotensive pregnant women with placenta previa controls,and aimed to explore the effect of DBP on endothelial cells(ECs)and the underlying mechanism.Methods::DBP expression in placental tissues collected from PE patients and controls was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.The downregulation and upregulation of DBP expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells were examined using DBP-targeting small interfering RNA(siRNA)and DBP-expression vector,respectively.The conditioned media of these DBP-overexpressing and DBP-siRNA HTR-8/SVneo cells were collected and added to human umbilical vein EC(HUVEC)cultures.Angiogenic effects on HUVECs were assessed by tube formation assays,and the proliferation and migration of HUVECs were examined using the Real-Time Cell Analyzer.The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and VEGF receptor(VEGFR)-2,as well as the phosphorylation of different residues of VEGFR-2 in HUVECs,were determined by western blotting.Results::DBP expression was significantly increased in the placental tissues collected from PE patients.The conditioned medium of DBP-overexpressing HTR-8/SVneo cells potently inhibited tube formation by HUVECs,in addition to their proliferation and migration.Furthermore,treatment of HUVECs with the conditioned medium of DBP-overexpressing HTR-8/SVneo cells decreased the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at tyrosine 996,whereas the treatment of these cells with the conditioned medium of DBP-siRNA HTR-8/SVneo cells increased the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at tyrosine 951,996,and 1,175.Conclusions::The expression of DBP is increased in the placentas of PE patients.DBP plays potential roles in endothelial dysfunction,which contributes to PE development,by inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in ECs.展开更多
Cadmium(Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that accumulates in living system and as such is currently one of the most important occupational and environmental pollutants. Cd reaches into the environment by anthropoge...Cadmium(Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that accumulates in living system and as such is currently one of the most important occupational and environmental pollutants. Cd reaches into the environment by anthropogenic mobilization and it is absorbed from tobacco consumption or ingestion of contaminated substances. Its extremely long biological half-life(approximately 20-30 years in humans) and low rate of excretion from the body cause cadmium storage predominantly in soft tissues(primarily, liver and kidneys) with a diversity of toxic effects such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, endocrine and reproductive toxicities. Moreover, a Cd-dependent neurotoxicity has been also related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. At the cellular level, Cd affects cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and other cellular activities. Among all these mechanisms, the Cd-dependent interference in DNA repair mechanisms as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species, seem to be the most important causes of its cellular toxicity. Nevertheless, there is still much to find out about its mechanisms of action and ways to reduce health risks. This article gives a brief review of the relevant mechanisms that it would be worth investigating in order to deep inside cadmium toxicity.展开更多
基金supported by a grant from General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30872941)the Scientific Research Foundation of Graduate School of Nanjing University(2008CL06)
文摘Objective: Midkine (MK), a new member of the heparin-binding growth factor family, has been found recently to have a high expression level in many tumor specimens including lung carcinoma. Estrogens may be involved in lung carcinogenesis, and estrogen receptors, mainly estrogen receptor-β (ER-β), are present and functional in normal lung and tumor cell lines and tissues. In addition, estrogens and growth factors may promote the progression of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previously, we have immunohistochemically demonstrated that MK and ER-β proteins were overexpressed in NSCLC and their expression levels were both significantly negatively correlated with the pathological classification. The purpose of this study was to further verify their expression and its correlation with NSCLC. Methods: Taking NSCLC tissues and their corresponding paraneoplastic and normal lung as research objects, we further examined the expression of MK and ER-β by meas of RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and Western blot analyses at the levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, respectively. Results: The increased MK and ER-β mRNA expression was found in NSCLC by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses. Furthermore, Western blot analysis also displayed increased expression of MK and ER-β proteins in NSCLC. Finally, their correlation analysis at the levels of mRNA and protein expression in NSCLC demonstrated that MK protein level was significantly correlated to estrogen receptor-β (P〈0.01, rs=0.535); in spite of their correlation at the mRNA level, there was no remarkable difference between MK and ER-β (P〉0.05, rs=0.178). Conclusion: All these results in the present study confirmed that MK and ER-β were overexpressed in human NSCLC.
基金supported by a grant from the Sun Yat-sen University Clinical Research 5010 Program(Grant No.2015024)a grant of Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan Projects(Health Medical Collaborative Innovation Program of Guangzhou)(Grant No.201400000001-4)a grant of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.81772595)
文摘Background: Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5(Nav1.5) potentially promotes the migratory and invasive behaviors of colon cancer cells. Hitherto, the prognostic significance of Nav1.5 expression remains undetermined. The present study aimed to explore the associations of Nav1.5 expression with clinical outcomes and estrogen receptor-β(ER-β)expression in non-metastatic colon cancer patients receiving radical resection.Methods: A total of 269 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ colon cancer who underwent radical resection were selected. Nav1.5 and ER-β expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry(IHC)on tissue microarray constructed from paraffin-embedded specimens. IHC score was determined according to the percentage and intensity of positively stained cells. Statistical analysis was performed with the X-tile method, k coefficient, Chi square test or Fisher's exact test, logistic regression, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards models.Results: We found that Nav1.5 was commonly expressed in tumor tissues with higher mean IHC score as compared with matched tumor-adjacent normal tissues(5.1 ± 3.5 vs. 3.5 ± 2.7, P < 0.001).The high expression of Nav1.5 in colon cancer tissues was associated with high preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level [odds ratio(OR) = 2.980;95% confidential interval(CI)1.163-7.632; P = 0.023] and high ER-β expression(OR = 2.808; 95% CI 1.243-6.343;p = 0.00 3). Log-rank test results showed that high Nav1.5 expression contributed to a low 5-year disease-free survival(DFS) rate in colon cancer patients(77.2% vs. 92.1%, P = 0.048), especially in patients with high ER-β expression tumor(76.2% vs. 91.3%, P = 0.032). Analysis with Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that high Nav1.5 expression[hazard ratio(HR) = 2.738; 95% CI 1.100-6.819;P = 0.030] and lymph node metastasis(HR = 2.633; 95% CI 1.632-4.248; P < 0.001) were prognostic factors for unfavorable DFS in colon cancer patients.Conclusions: High expression of Nav1.5 was associated with high expression of ER-β and indicated unfavorable oncologic prognosis in patients with non-metastatic colon cancer.
基金Supported by Wholly granted from R and D, CMD Pharma Limited, United Kingdom
文摘AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.
基金partially supported by a grant from PROMEP(103.5/05/1955,UVER-PTC-155)Sistema Nacional de Investigadores(SNI,Exp.32753 and 19190)+1 种基金Cuerpo Académico UVE-CA-202The second author received a fellowship from CONACyT Reg.223529.
文摘Phytoestrogens are natural compounds found in some vegetables, and they replicate many of the physiochemical and physiological properties of estrogens, including the regulation of mood. The phytoestrogen genistein exerts anxiolytic-like effects in rats with a chronic absence of ovarian hormones, but the mechanism involved in this effect remains to be explored. The present study explored the participation of estrogen receptor-β in the anxiolytic-like effect of genistein (1.0 mg/kg, i.p., for 4 days) in Wistar rats with 12-weeks postovariectomy, considered as experimental model of post-surgical menopause. In the light/dark test, a useful tool for anxiety study and for the screening of anxiolytic drugs, genistein reduced the latency to enter and increased the time spent in the light compartment and significantly increased the frequency and time spent exploring the light compartment compared with the control group, which is considered as an anxiolytic-like effect at experimental level. All behavioral effects produced by genistein in the light/dark test were blocked by previous tamoxifen administration (5.0 mg/kg, s.c., for 6 days), a non selective antagonist for estrogen receptor-β. The effects produced by genistein or tamoxifen in this test were not related to significant changes in general motor activity evaluated in the open field test. In conclusion, the specific contribution of present investigation was identify that estrogen receptor-β is involved in the anxiolytic-like effect produced by phytoestrogen genistein in rats with a long-term absence of ovarian hormones;supporting the hypothesis that estrogen receptor-β participates in the regulation of anxiety associated with low concentration of ovarian hormones and in the anxiolytic-like effects produced by natural estrogenic compounds such as phytoestrogens.
基金This study was supported by the National Key R and D Program of China(2016YFC1000403)the National Nature Science Foundation of China(81601311 and 81300491).
文摘Objective::The role of Vitamin D-binding protein(DBP)in preeclampsia(PE)pathogenesis is unknown.In this study,we compared the expression of DBP in the placentas of PE patients with the placentas of normotensive pregnant women with placenta previa controls,and aimed to explore the effect of DBP on endothelial cells(ECs)and the underlying mechanism.Methods::DBP expression in placental tissues collected from PE patients and controls was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.The downregulation and upregulation of DBP expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells were examined using DBP-targeting small interfering RNA(siRNA)and DBP-expression vector,respectively.The conditioned media of these DBP-overexpressing and DBP-siRNA HTR-8/SVneo cells were collected and added to human umbilical vein EC(HUVEC)cultures.Angiogenic effects on HUVECs were assessed by tube formation assays,and the proliferation and migration of HUVECs were examined using the Real-Time Cell Analyzer.The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and VEGF receptor(VEGFR)-2,as well as the phosphorylation of different residues of VEGFR-2 in HUVECs,were determined by western blotting.Results::DBP expression was significantly increased in the placental tissues collected from PE patients.The conditioned medium of DBP-overexpressing HTR-8/SVneo cells potently inhibited tube formation by HUVECs,in addition to their proliferation and migration.Furthermore,treatment of HUVECs with the conditioned medium of DBP-overexpressing HTR-8/SVneo cells decreased the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at tyrosine 996,whereas the treatment of these cells with the conditioned medium of DBP-siRNA HTR-8/SVneo cells increased the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at tyrosine 951,996,and 1,175.Conclusions::The expression of DBP is increased in the placentas of PE patients.DBP plays potential roles in endothelial dysfunction,which contributes to PE development,by inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in ECs.
文摘Cadmium(Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that accumulates in living system and as such is currently one of the most important occupational and environmental pollutants. Cd reaches into the environment by anthropogenic mobilization and it is absorbed from tobacco consumption or ingestion of contaminated substances. Its extremely long biological half-life(approximately 20-30 years in humans) and low rate of excretion from the body cause cadmium storage predominantly in soft tissues(primarily, liver and kidneys) with a diversity of toxic effects such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, endocrine and reproductive toxicities. Moreover, a Cd-dependent neurotoxicity has been also related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. At the cellular level, Cd affects cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and other cellular activities. Among all these mechanisms, the Cd-dependent interference in DNA repair mechanisms as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species, seem to be the most important causes of its cellular toxicity. Nevertheless, there is still much to find out about its mechanisms of action and ways to reduce health risks. This article gives a brief review of the relevant mechanisms that it would be worth investigating in order to deep inside cadmium toxicity.