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
Objective: Despite evidence that estrogens and insulin are involved in the development and progression of many cancers, their synergistic role in endometrial carcinoma(EC) has not been analyzed yet.Methods: Here, we i...Objective: Despite evidence that estrogens and insulin are involved in the development and progression of many cancers, their synergistic role in endometrial carcinoma(EC) has not been analyzed yet.Methods: Here, we investigated how estrogens act synergistically with insulin to promote EC progression. Cell growth in vitro and in vivo, effects of estradiol and insulin on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution, and expression and activation of estrogen receptor(ER), insulin receptor(InsR), and key proteins in the PI3K and MAPK pathways were examined after combined stimulation with estradiol and insulin.Results: Compared to EC cells treated with estradiol or insulin alone, those treated with both estradiol and insulin exhibited stronger stimulation. Estradiol significantly induced phosphorylation of InsR-β and IRS-1, whereas insulin significantly induced phosphorylation of ER-α. In addition, treatment with both insulin and estradiol together significantly increased the expression and phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK, and ERK. Notably, InsR-β inhibition had a limited effect on estradiol-dependent proliferation,cell cycle, and apoptosis, whereas ER-α inhibition had a limited insulin-dependent effect, in EC cell lines. Insulin and estradiol individually and synergistically promoted EC xenograft growth in mice.Conclusions: Estrogen and insulin play synergistic roles in EC carcinogenesis and progression by activating InsR-β and ER-α,promoting a crosstalk between them, and thereby resulting in the activation of downstream PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.展开更多
OBJECTIVE Midkine (MK),a new member of the heparin-binding growth factor family,was found recently to have a highexpression level in many carcinoma specimens,including thoseof the esophagus,gall bladder,pancreas,color...OBJECTIVE Midkine (MK),a new member of the heparin-binding growth factor family,was found recently to have a highexpression level in many carcinoma specimens,including thoseof the esophagus,gall bladder,pancreas,colorectum,breast andlung.Estrogen receptor beta (ER-β),a recently cloned estrogenreceptor subtype,was also found to be highly expressed in lungtumor tissue,in contrast to a lower level of expression in normallung tissue.However,few relevant studies on these proteins havebeen published.The aims of our study were to investigate theexpression of midkine and ER-β proteins in non-small cell lungcancer (NSCLC) and to examine the relationship between theirexpression and the clinicopathologic data as well as to analyse thecorrelation of their expression in NSCLC.METHODS By immunohistochemistry,MK and ER-β were ex-amined in 24 surgically resected cases of NSCLC with their corre-sponding paraneoplastic and normal lung tissues.RESULTS MK and ER-β were overexpressed in NSCLC.Thelevels of MK and ER-β expression in NSCLC were found to be sig-nificantly negatively correlated with the pathological classification(P=0.042 and 0.021,respectively),and their expression decreasedwith a raise in the classification.Spearman's correlation analysisshowed that the correlation of their expression in NSCLC wasstrong (correlation coefficient[r_s]= 0.535,P=0.007<0.01).CONCLUSION The expression levels of MK and ER-β to someextent reflect the malignant degree of NSCLC,and their combineddetection may be of great value in early diagnosis,treatments ofpatients with NSCLC and can predict the prognoses.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
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
Objectives: The invasive breast cancer is divided into four clinical subtypes: Luminal A-like, Luminal B-like, HER-2 positive, and triple-negative according to the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER), progeste...Objectives: The invasive breast cancer is divided into four clinical subtypes: Luminal A-like, Luminal B-like, HER-2 positive, and triple-negative according to the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor(PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) and Ki-67. The prognosis and treatment strategy vary with subtypes. The current studies have reported the relation between lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and the expression status of ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67 in invasive breast cancer, but the results were debatable. So the meta-analysis was conducted to confirm the relation between LVI and the four factors. Methods: Literature was searched by entering the terms: breast AND (neoplasm OR cancer OR carcinoma) AND (lymphovascular OR “lymph vessel” OR “lymphatic vessel” invasion OR carcinoma embolus) AND (ER OR estrogen receptor OR PR OR progesterone receptor OR HER-2 OR human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 OR Ki-67 OR clinicopathological) in Pubmed. The merged odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using fixed-effect model. Review Manager 5.2 was used to analysis the relation between LVI and the expression status of ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67 in invasive breast cancer respectively. The fail-safe number was used to estimate publication bias. Results: The analysis included 5 studies, LVI positive rate was significant lower in ER positive, PR positive, HER-2 negative, low Ki-67 expression group statistically. The OR and 95% CI were 0.6(0.44 - 0.81), 0.64(0.43 - 0.95), 1.52(1.03 - 2.24), 5.29(1.53 - 18.35) respectively.Conclusions:?LVI was significantly correlated with the expression status of ER, PR, HER-2 and Ki-67 in invasive breast cancer. Furthermore, LVI was consistent with poor prognostic expression status of the four factors.展开更多
Aim:Estrogen receptor-α(ER-α)activation drives the progression of luminal breast cancers.Signaling by transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)typically opposes the actions of ER-α;it also induces epithelial-mesenchyma...Aim:Estrogen receptor-α(ER-α)activation drives the progression of luminal breast cancers.Signaling by transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)typically opposes the actions of ER-α;it also induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)programs that promote breast cancer dissemination,stemness and chemoresistance.The impact of EMT programs on nongenomic ER-αsignaling remains unknown and was studied herein.Methods:MCF-7 and BT474 cells were stimulated with TGF-βto induce EMT programs,at which point ER-αexpression,localization,and nongenomic interactions with receptor tyrosine kinases and MAP kinases(MAPKs)were determined.Cell sensitivity to anti-estrogens both before and after traversing the EMT program was also investigated.Results:TGF-β-stimulated MCF-7 and BT474 cells to acquire EMT phenotypes,which enhanced cytoplasmic accumulation of ER-αwithout altering its expression.Post-EMT cells exhibited:(1)elevated expression of EGFR and IGF1R,which together with Src formed cytoplasmic complexes with ER-α;(2)enhanced coupling of EGF,IGF-1 and estrogen to the activation of MAPKs;and(3)reduced sensitivity to tamoxifen,an event reversed by administration of small molecule inhibitors against the receptors for TGF-β,EGF,and IGF-1,as well as those against MAPKs.Conclusion:EMT stimulated by TGF-βpromotes anti-estrogen resistance by activating EGFR-,IGF1R-,and MAPK-dependent nongenomic ER-αsignaling.展开更多
This paper aims to determine the possible role of estrogen receptor-β （ERβ） gene Rsal polymorphism on sperm fertility and early embryonic development in humans. Three groups of Chinese men were recruited： in vitr...This paper aims to determine the possible role of estrogen receptor-β （ERβ） gene Rsal polymorphism on sperm fertility and early embryonic development in humans. Three groups of Chinese men were recruited： in vitro fertilization （IVF） group, including 374 couples who underwent conventional IVF; intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） group, including 294 couples who underwent an ICSI procedure using ejaculated sperm; and azoospermic group, consisting of 197 couples who underwent ICSI using either testis or epididymis sperm. Rsal polymorphism in the ERβ gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique; fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were evaluated for each group. In each group, no significant differences were found in the overall rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos among GG, AG and AA genotypes. However, the proportion of cycles possessing a satisfactory high-quality embryo rate with the AA genotype was significantly lower than that in the wild-type GG genotype from each group. These results demonstrated that sperm possessing the ERβ RsalA genotype may have reduced fertilization ability and decreased early embryonic developmental potential, which could directly or indirectly contribute to the low fertilization rate and early embryonic developmental arrest in some cases.展开更多
Objective To analyze the relationship of the expression level of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor(PR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER-2,c-erbB-2)of breast invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC)with ...Objective To analyze the relationship of the expression level of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor(PR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER-2,c-erbB-2)of breast invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC)with ultrasonographic characteristics.Methods Totally 104 patients with IDCs confirmed pathologically were involved in this study.ER,PR and c-erbB-2 expression in the IDC specimens was determined by immunohistochemical staining technique.The correlation between the ultrasonographic features and the positive expression of ER,PR or c-erbB-2 was analyzed.Results The positive expression rate of ER and PR in the group with tumor spiculation sign and posterior acoustic attenuation was higher than that in the group without.The positive expression rate of ER differed significantly(P<0.05)while that of PR did not(P>0.05).The over-expression rate of c-erbB-2 in the group of microcalcification,sufficient blood flow and axillary lymph node metastasis was higher than that in the group of non-microcalcification,deficient blood flow or without axillary lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).The expression of ER,PR and c-erbB-2 was not related to the size of tumor(P>0.05).Conclusion The expression of ER and c-erbB-2 is closely related to the ultrasonographic characteristics of IDC,which may,to some extent,reflect the expression level of ER and c-erbB-2.展开更多
Objective: The novel estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) variant ER-α36 is reported to be functional in the es-trogen signaling pathway and is related to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. However, ER-α36 tends to be a...Objective: The novel estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) variant ER-α36 is reported to be functional in the es-trogen signaling pathway and is related to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. However, ER-α36 tends to be a favorable factor for survival in patients without tamoxifen therapy. To investigate the mechanisms behind this paradox, we determined the differences between the transcriptional profiles of ER-α36 and full-length ER-α (ER-α66) in breast cancers and matched normal tissues. Methods: We analyzed ER-α36 and ER-α66 messenger RNA ( mRNA) levels in 74 pairs of breast cancers and matched normal tissues using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and correlated the results with their clinicopathological characteristics. Results: Breast cancers expressed lower ER-α36 mRNA levels than matched normal tissues regardless of their ER-α66 expression status. Down-regulation of ER-α36 mRNA was correlated with local progression, lymph node metastasis, and advanced cancer stage. The level of ER-α66 mRNA was lower in ER-α negative breast cancers compared with matched normal tissues. No differences in ER-α66 mRNA levels were observed during cancer progression. Conclusion: Down-regulation of ER-α36 is associated with carcinogenesis and progression of breast cancer.展开更多
Microcystin-leucine-arginine(MC-LR)is positively linked with multiple cancers in humans.However,the association between MC-LR and the risk and prognosis of prostate cancer has not been conducted in epidemiological stu...Microcystin-leucine-arginine(MC-LR)is positively linked with multiple cancers in humans.However,the association between MC-LR and the risk and prognosis of prostate cancer has not been conducted in epidemiological studies.No reported studies have linked MC-LR exposure to the poor prognosis of prostate cancer by conducting experimental studies.The content of MC-LR was detected in most of the aquatic food in wet markets and supermarkets in Nanjing and posed a health risk for consumers.MC-LR levels in both prostate cancer tissues and serum were significantly higher than controls.The adjusted odds ratio(OR)for prostate cancer risk by serum MC-LR was 1.75(95%CI:1.21-2.52)in the whole subjects,and a positive correlation between MC-LR and advanced tumor stage was observed.Survival curve analysis indicated patients with higher MC-LR levels in tissues exhibited poorer overall survival.Human,animal,and cell studies confirmed that MC-LR exposure increases the expression of estrogen receptor-α(ERα)and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in prostate cancer.Moreover,MC-LR-induced decreased E-cadherin levels,increased vimentin levels,and increased migratory and invasive capacities of prostate cancer cells were markedly suppressed upon ERαknockdown.MC-LR-induced xenograft tumor growth and lungmetastasis in BALB/c nude mice can be effectively alleviated with ERαknockdown.Our data demonstrated that MC-LR upregulated vimentin and downregulated E-cadherin through activating ERα,promoting migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells.Our findings highlight the role of MC-LR in prostate cancer,providing new perspectives to understand MC-LR-induced prostatic 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supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30772316 and 81572568)
文摘Objective: Despite evidence that estrogens and insulin are involved in the development and progression of many cancers, their synergistic role in endometrial carcinoma(EC) has not been analyzed yet.Methods: Here, we investigated how estrogens act synergistically with insulin to promote EC progression. Cell growth in vitro and in vivo, effects of estradiol and insulin on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution, and expression and activation of estrogen receptor(ER), insulin receptor(InsR), and key proteins in the PI3K and MAPK pathways were examined after combined stimulation with estradiol and insulin.Results: Compared to EC cells treated with estradiol or insulin alone, those treated with both estradiol and insulin exhibited stronger stimulation. Estradiol significantly induced phosphorylation of InsR-β and IRS-1, whereas insulin significantly induced phosphorylation of ER-α. In addition, treatment with both insulin and estradiol together significantly increased the expression and phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK, and ERK. Notably, InsR-β inhibition had a limited effect on estradiol-dependent proliferation,cell cycle, and apoptosis, whereas ER-α inhibition had a limited insulin-dependent effect, in EC cell lines. Insulin and estradiol individually and synergistically promoted EC xenograft growth in mice.Conclusions: Estrogen and insulin play synergistic roles in EC carcinogenesis and progression by activating InsR-β and ER-α,promoting a crosstalk between them, and thereby resulting in the activation of downstream PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.
基金This work was supported by a grant from General Program of Jiangsu Province Hygiene Department(No.K200601)
文摘OBJECTIVE Midkine (MK),a new member of the heparin-binding growth factor family,was found recently to have a highexpression level in many carcinoma specimens,including thoseof the esophagus,gall bladder,pancreas,colorectum,breast andlung.Estrogen receptor beta (ER-β),a recently cloned estrogenreceptor subtype,was also found to be highly expressed in lungtumor tissue,in contrast to a lower level of expression in normallung tissue.However,few relevant studies on these proteins havebeen published.The aims of our study were to investigate theexpression of midkine and ER-β proteins in non-small cell lungcancer (NSCLC) and to examine the relationship between theirexpression and the clinicopathologic data as well as to analyse thecorrelation of their expression in NSCLC.METHODS By immunohistochemistry,MK and ER-β were ex-amined in 24 surgically resected cases of NSCLC with their corre-sponding paraneoplastic and normal lung tissues.RESULTS MK and ER-β were overexpressed in NSCLC.Thelevels of MK and ER-β expression in NSCLC were found to be sig-nificantly negatively correlated with the pathological classification(P=0.042 and 0.021,respectively),and their expression decreasedwith a raise in the classification.Spearman's correlation analysisshowed that the correlation of their expression in NSCLC wasstrong (correlation coefficient[r_s]= 0.535,P=0.007<0.01).CONCLUSION The expression levels of MK and ER-β to someextent reflect the malignant degree of NSCLC,and their combineddetection may be of great value in early diagnosis,treatments ofpatients with NSCLC and can predict the prognoses.
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.
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.
文摘Objectives: The invasive breast cancer is divided into four clinical subtypes: Luminal A-like, Luminal B-like, HER-2 positive, and triple-negative according to the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor(PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) and Ki-67. The prognosis and treatment strategy vary with subtypes. The current studies have reported the relation between lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and the expression status of ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67 in invasive breast cancer, but the results were debatable. So the meta-analysis was conducted to confirm the relation between LVI and the four factors. Methods: Literature was searched by entering the terms: breast AND (neoplasm OR cancer OR carcinoma) AND (lymphovascular OR “lymph vessel” OR “lymphatic vessel” invasion OR carcinoma embolus) AND (ER OR estrogen receptor OR PR OR progesterone receptor OR HER-2 OR human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 OR Ki-67 OR clinicopathological) in Pubmed. The merged odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using fixed-effect model. Review Manager 5.2 was used to analysis the relation between LVI and the expression status of ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67 in invasive breast cancer respectively. The fail-safe number was used to estimate publication bias. Results: The analysis included 5 studies, LVI positive rate was significant lower in ER positive, PR positive, HER-2 negative, low Ki-67 expression group statistically. The OR and 95% CI were 0.6(0.44 - 0.81), 0.64(0.43 - 0.95), 1.52(1.03 - 2.24), 5.29(1.53 - 18.35) respectively.Conclusions:?LVI was significantly correlated with the expression status of ER, PR, HER-2 and Ki-67 in invasive breast cancer. Furthermore, LVI was consistent with poor prognostic expression status of the four factors.
基金Research support was provided in part by the National Institutes of Health to W.P.S.(CA129359,CA177069,and CA194518).
文摘Aim:Estrogen receptor-α(ER-α)activation drives the progression of luminal breast cancers.Signaling by transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)typically opposes the actions of ER-α;it also induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)programs that promote breast cancer dissemination,stemness and chemoresistance.The impact of EMT programs on nongenomic ER-αsignaling remains unknown and was studied herein.Methods:MCF-7 and BT474 cells were stimulated with TGF-βto induce EMT programs,at which point ER-αexpression,localization,and nongenomic interactions with receptor tyrosine kinases and MAP kinases(MAPKs)were determined.Cell sensitivity to anti-estrogens both before and after traversing the EMT program was also investigated.Results:TGF-β-stimulated MCF-7 and BT474 cells to acquire EMT phenotypes,which enhanced cytoplasmic accumulation of ER-αwithout altering its expression.Post-EMT cells exhibited:(1)elevated expression of EGFR and IGF1R,which together with Src formed cytoplasmic complexes with ER-α;(2)enhanced coupling of EGF,IGF-1 and estrogen to the activation of MAPKs;and(3)reduced sensitivity to tamoxifen,an event reversed by administration of small molecule inhibitors against the receptors for TGF-β,EGF,and IGF-1,as well as those against MAPKs.Conclusion:EMT stimulated by TGF-βpromotes anti-estrogen resistance by activating EGFR-,IGF1R-,and MAPK-dependent nongenomic ER-αsignaling.
文摘This paper aims to determine the possible role of estrogen receptor-β （ERβ） gene Rsal polymorphism on sperm fertility and early embryonic development in humans. Three groups of Chinese men were recruited： in vitro fertilization （IVF） group, including 374 couples who underwent conventional IVF; intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） group, including 294 couples who underwent an ICSI procedure using ejaculated sperm; and azoospermic group, consisting of 197 couples who underwent ICSI using either testis or epididymis sperm. Rsal polymorphism in the ERβ gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique; fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were evaluated for each group. In each group, no significant differences were found in the overall rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos among GG, AG and AA genotypes. However, the proportion of cycles possessing a satisfactory high-quality embryo rate with the AA genotype was significantly lower than that in the wild-type GG genotype from each group. These results demonstrated that sperm possessing the ERβ RsalA genotype may have reduced fertilization ability and decreased early embryonic developmental potential, which could directly or indirectly contribute to the low fertilization rate and early embryonic developmental arrest in some cases.
文摘Objective To analyze the relationship of the expression level of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor(PR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER-2,c-erbB-2)of breast invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC)with ultrasonographic characteristics.Methods Totally 104 patients with IDCs confirmed pathologically were involved in this study.ER,PR and c-erbB-2 expression in the IDC specimens was determined by immunohistochemical staining technique.The correlation between the ultrasonographic features and the positive expression of ER,PR or c-erbB-2 was analyzed.Results The positive expression rate of ER and PR in the group with tumor spiculation sign and posterior acoustic attenuation was higher than that in the group without.The positive expression rate of ER differed significantly(P<0.05)while that of PR did not(P>0.05).The over-expression rate of c-erbB-2 in the group of microcalcification,sufficient blood flow and axillary lymph node metastasis was higher than that in the group of non-microcalcification,deficient blood flow or without axillary lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).The expression of ER,PR and c-erbB-2 was not related to the size of tumor(P>0.05).Conclusion The expression of ER and c-erbB-2 is closely related to the ultrasonographic characteristics of IDC,which may,to some extent,reflect the expression level of ER and c-erbB-2.
基金Project supported by the National Basic Research Program (973) of China (No. 2009CB521704)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30772510)+2 种基金the Ministry of Health of China (No. WKJ2006-2-008)the Department of Science and Technology of Zhejiang Province (No. 2007C24011)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (No. R206060), China
文摘Objective: The novel estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) variant ER-α36 is reported to be functional in the es-trogen signaling pathway and is related to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. However, ER-α36 tends to be a favorable factor for survival in patients without tamoxifen therapy. To investigate the mechanisms behind this paradox, we determined the differences between the transcriptional profiles of ER-α36 and full-length ER-α (ER-α66) in breast cancers and matched normal tissues. Methods: We analyzed ER-α36 and ER-α66 messenger RNA ( mRNA) levels in 74 pairs of breast cancers and matched normal tissues using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and correlated the results with their clinicopathological characteristics. Results: Breast cancers expressed lower ER-α36 mRNA levels than matched normal tissues regardless of their ER-α66 expression status. Down-regulation of ER-α36 mRNA was correlated with local progression, lymph node metastasis, and advanced cancer stage. The level of ER-α66 mRNA was lower in ER-α negative breast cancers compared with matched normal tissues. No differences in ER-α66 mRNA levels were observed during cancer progression. Conclusion: Down-regulation of ER-α36 is associated with carcinogenesis and progression of breast cancer.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31870492,31901182)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China(No.BK20190316).
文摘Microcystin-leucine-arginine(MC-LR)is positively linked with multiple cancers in humans.However,the association between MC-LR and the risk and prognosis of prostate cancer has not been conducted in epidemiological studies.No reported studies have linked MC-LR exposure to the poor prognosis of prostate cancer by conducting experimental studies.The content of MC-LR was detected in most of the aquatic food in wet markets and supermarkets in Nanjing and posed a health risk for consumers.MC-LR levels in both prostate cancer tissues and serum were significantly higher than controls.The adjusted odds ratio(OR)for prostate cancer risk by serum MC-LR was 1.75(95%CI:1.21-2.52)in the whole subjects,and a positive correlation between MC-LR and advanced tumor stage was observed.Survival curve analysis indicated patients with higher MC-LR levels in tissues exhibited poorer overall survival.Human,animal,and cell studies confirmed that MC-LR exposure increases the expression of estrogen receptor-α(ERα)and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in prostate cancer.Moreover,MC-LR-induced decreased E-cadherin levels,increased vimentin levels,and increased migratory and invasive capacities of prostate cancer cells were markedly suppressed upon ERαknockdown.MC-LR-induced xenograft tumor growth and lungmetastasis in BALB/c nude mice can be effectively alleviated with ERαknockdown.Our data demonstrated that MC-LR upregulated vimentin and downregulated E-cadherin through activating ERα,promoting migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells.Our findings highlight the role of MC-LR in prostate cancer,providing new perspectives to understand MC-LR-induced prostatic toxicity.
