Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients

AIM: To investigate the expression of myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) in relation to clinicopathological parameters and postoperative survival in a group of Chinese patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: In our previous study of human wholegenome gene expression profiling, the differentially expressed genes were detected in the gastric cancer and its adjacent noncancerous mucosa. We found that MR-1 was associated with the location and differentiation of tumors. In this study, MR-1 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in specimens of primary cancer and the adjacent noncancerous tissues from gastric cancer patients. A set of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays based on the Universal ProbeLibrary-a collection of 165 presynthesized, fluorescence-labeled locked nucleic acid hydrolysis probes-was designed specifically to detect the expression of MR-1 mRNA. The correlation was analyzed between the expression of MR-1 and other tumor characteristics which may influence the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study on the prognosis was carried out and clinical data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: MR-1 mRNA and protein could be detected in gastric cancer tissues as well as in matched noncancerous tissues. MR-1 was up-regulated at both mRNA (5.459 ± 0.639 vs 1.233 ± 0.238, P < 0.001) and protein levels (34.2% vs 13.2%, P = 0.003) in gastric cancer tissues. Correlation analysis demonstrated that high expression of MR-1 in gastric cancer was significantly correlated with clinical stage (P = 0.034). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the postoperative survival of the MR-1 positive group tended to be poorer than that of the MR-1 negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). Among all the patients with stageⅠ-Ⅳ carcinoma, the 5-year survival rates of MR-1 positive and negative groups were 50.40% and 12.70%, respectively, with respective median survival times of 64.27 mo (95%CI: 13.41-115.13) and 16.77 mo (95%CI: 8.80-24.74). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare the impact of MR-1 expression and other clinicopathological parameters on prognosis. In a univariate analysis on all 70 specimens, 6 factors were found to be significantly associated with the overall survival statistically: including MR-1 expression, depth of invasion, distant metastasis, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion and the tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage based on the 7th edition of the International Union against Cancer TNM classification. To avoid the influence caused by univariate analysis, the expressions of MR-1 as well as other parameters were examined in multivariate Cox analysis. Clinicopathological variables that might affect the prognosis of gastric cancer patients were analyzed by Cox regression analysis, which showed that MR-1 expression and TNM stage were independent predictors of postoperative survival. The best mathematical multivariate Cox regression model consisted of two factors: MR-1 expression and TNM stage. Our results indicated that MR-1 protein could act as an independent marker for patient overall survival [Hazard ratio (HR): 2.215, P = 0.043]. CONCLUSION: MR-1 is an important variable that can be used to evaluate the outcome, prognosis and targeted therapy of gastric cancer patients.

Expression and correlation of HSP70, Apaf-1 and ST13 in gastric polyps and gastric cancer

Objective: To explore the expressions and relationship of HSP70, Apaf-1 and ST13 in the normal gastric mucosa, gastric polyps and gastric cancer, and to provide research basis and a new way for gastric cancer in the early diagnosis and clinical treatment. Methods: Gastric mucosa samples of 72 patients who suffered from surgery in the Inner Mongolia Medical Baogang Hospital by gastroscopy from December 2014 to September 2015 were selected, and divided into normal gastric mucosa group, proliferative polyps group, adenomatous polyps group and adenocarcinoma cancer group. The levels of HSP70, Apaf-1 and ST13 proteins were detected by the Western blotting. Results: The average IOD of HSP70 expressions was 0.33 ± 0.05, 0.46 ± 0.05, 0.77 ± 0.07, 0.93 ± 0.04 respectively in normal gastric mucosa group, proliferative polyps group, adenomatous polyps group and adenocarcinoma cancer group, the difference was statistically significant among four groups (p < .05). The average IOD of Apaf-1 expressions was 0.74 ± 0.03, 0.65 ± 0.03, 0.49 ± 0.06, 0.28 ± 0.05 respectively, the difference was statistically significant among four groups except for normal gastric mucosa and proliferative polyps (p < .05). The average IOD of ST13 expressions was 0.85 ± 0.11, 0.64 ± 0.07, 0.31 ± 0.06, 0.14 ± 0.01 respectively, the difference was statistically significant among four groups (p < .05). The expressions of HSP70 and Apaf-1 proteins were negatively correlated in the adenomatous polyps (r = -0.817, p < .05) and adenocarcinoma cancer (r= -0.816, p < .05). The expressions of HSP70 and ST13 proteins were negatively correlated in the adenomatous polyps (r =-0.818, p < .05) and adenocarcinoma cancer (r = -0.969, p < .05). The expressions of Apaf-1 and ST13 proteins were positively correlated in the adenomatous polyps (r = 0.830, p < .05) and adenocarcinoma cancer (r = 0.865, p < .05). Conclusions: The expression of HSP70 increased progressively in the process of polyps canceration. It can be regarded as one of the indicators of early diagnosis of gastric cancer. The expressions of Apaf-1 and ST13 decreased progressively in the process of cancelation. The detection of the changes of Apaf-1 and decrease of ST13 specificity in gastric cancer can be learned deeply as diagnostic indicators for gastric cancer. During the canceration of gastric polyps, the expressions of HSP70 and Apaf-1, HSP70 and ST13 proteins were negatively correlated;Apaf-1 and ST13 protein were positively correlated. The joint detection of HSP70, Apaf-1 and ST13 may be helpful in early diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Expression and significance of Musashi-1 in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

AIM:To investigate expression of stem cell marker Musashi-1(Msi-1)in relationship to tumorigenesis and progression of intestinal-type gastric cancer(GC).METHODS:Endoscopic biopsy specimens and surgical specimens were obtained,including 54 cases of intestinal-type GC,41 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia,57low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia,31 intestinal metaplasia,and 36 normal gastric mucosa.Specimens were fixed in 10%paraformaldehyde,conventionally dehydrated,embedded in paraffin,and sliced in 4-μm-thick serial sections.Two-step immunohistochemical staining was used to detect Msi-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)expression.Correlation analysis was conducted between Msi-1 and PCNA expression.The relationship between Msi-1 expression and clinicopathological parameters of GC was analyzed statistically.RESULTS:There were significant differences in Msi-1and PCNA expression in different pathological tissues(χ2=15.37,P<0.01;χ2=115.36,P<0.01).Msi-1and PCNA-positive cells were restricted to the isthmus of normal gastric glands.Expression levels of Msi-1and PCNA in intestinal metaplasia were significantly higher than in normal mucosa(U=392.0,P<0.05;U=40.50,P<0.01),whereas there was no significant difference compared to low or high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia.Msi-1 and PCNA expression in intestinaltype GC was higher than in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(U=798.0,P<0.05;U=688.0,P<0.01).There was a significantly positive correlation between Msi-1 and PCNA expression(rs=0.20,P<0.01).Msi-1expression in GC tissues was correlated with their lymph node metastasis and tumor node metastasis stage(χ2=12.62,P<0.01;χ2=11.24,P<0.05),but not with depth of invasion and the presence of distant metastasis.CONCLUSION:Msi-1-positive cells may play a key role in the early events of gastric carcinogenesis and may be involved in invasion and metastasis of GC.

Significance and relationship between Cripto-1 and p-STAT3 expression in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

AIM:To explore the relationship between Cripto-1 (CR-1) and tyrosine phosphorylation STAT3 (p-STAT3) expressions in gastric cancer (GC) and gastric carcinogensis and metastasis.METHODS: The PV9000 immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CR-1 and p-STAT3 in 178 cases of GC, 95 matched normal gastric mucosa, 40 chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 48 intestinal meta-plasia (IM) and 25 dysplasia (DYS). RESULTS: The positive rates of CR-1 and p-STAT3 expression were significantly higher in CAG (65.0% and 60.0%), in IM (83.3% and 77.1%), DYS (80.0% and 68%) and GC (71.3% and 60.1%) than in normal gastric mucosa (43.2% and 41.1%, P < 0.05), respectively. The expressions of CR-1 and p-STAT3 (78.3% and 66.7%) were signifi cantly higher in GC with lymphnode metastasis than in those without metastasis (53.1% and 42.9%, P < 0.05). CR-1 expression was also related to histological and Lauren's types of GC (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was positive relation-ship between CR-1 and p-STAT3 expressions in GC (rk = 0.189, P = 0.002).CONCLUSION: The up-regulation of CR-1 and p-STAT3 may play important roles in gastric carcinogenesis and lymph node metastasis. CR-1 and p-STAT3 expression in GC was positively correlated, and the relevant molecular mechanism requires further investigations.

Thymoquinone affects hypoxia-inducible factor-1αexpression in pancreatic cancer cells via HSP90 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer(PC)is associated with some of the worst prognoses of all major cancers.Thymoquinone(TQ)has a long history in traditional medical practice and is known for its anti-cancer,anti-inflammatory,anti-fibrosis and antioxidant pharmacological activities.Recent studies on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and PC have shown that HIF-1αaffects the occurrence and development of PC in many aspects.In addition,TQ could inhibit the development of renal cancer by decreasing the expression of HIF-1α.Therefore,we speculate whether TQ affects HIF-1αexpression in PC cells and explore the mechanism.AIM To elucidate the effect of TQ in PC cells and the regulatory mechanism of HIF-1αexpression.METHODS Cell counting kit-8 assay,Transwell assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect the effects of TQ on the proliferative activity,migration and invasion ability and apoptosis of PANC-1 cells and normal pancreatic duct epithelial(hTERTHPNE)cells.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were performed to detect the expression of HIF-1αmRNA and protein in PC cells.The effects of TQ on the HIF-1αprotein initial expression pathway and ubiquitination degradation in PANC-1 cells were examined by western blot assay and co-immunoprecipitation.RESULTS TQ significantly inhibited proliferative activity,migration,and invasion ability and promoted apoptosis of PANC-1 cells;however,no significant effects on hTERT-HPNE cells were observed.TQ significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1αin PANC-1,AsPC-1,and BxPC-3 cells.TQ significantly inhibited the expression of the HIF-1αinitial expression pathway(PI3K/AKT/mTOR)related proteins,and promoted the ubiquitination degradation of the HIF-1αprotein in PANC-1 cells.TQ had no effect on the hydroxylation and von Hippel Lindau protein mediated ubiquitination degradation of the HIF-1αprotein but affected the stability of the HIF-1αprotein by inhibiting the interaction between HIF-1αand HSP90,thus promoting its ubiquitination degradation.CONCLUSION The regulatory mechanism of TQ on HIF-1αprotein expression in PC cells was mainly to promote the ubiquitination degradation of the HIF-1αprotein by inhibiting the interaction between HIF-1αand HSP90;Secondly,TQ reduced the initial expression of HIF-1αprotein by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1/CCL2 in gastric cancer and its relationship with tumor hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the expression and prognostic value of CCL2 in gastric cancer, as well as its relationship with tumor hypoxia.

Quinone oxidoreductase 1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and associated with outcome of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival

BACKGROUND Quinine oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)plays a vital role in protecting normal cells against oxidative damage and electrophilic attack.It is highly expressed in many solid tumors,suggesting a role in cancer development and progression.However,the role of NQO1 in gastric cancer and its effect on cancer development and prognosis have not been fully investigated.AIM To investigate the clinical relevance of NQO1 protein expression in gastric cancer and to explore the potential of NQO1 to serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.METHODS In this retrospective study,gastric cancer specimens of 175 patients who were treated between 1995 and 2011 were subjected to immunohistochemistry analyses for NQO1.The correlation of NQO1 expression with gastric cancer prognosis and clinical and pathological parameters was investigated.RESULTS NQO1 protein was overexpressed in 59.43%(104/175)of the analyzed samples.Overexpression of NQO1 was associated with a significantly inferior prognosis.In addition,multivariate analysis suggested that NQO1 overexpression,along with tumor stage and patient age,are prominent prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer.Moreover,NQO1 overexpression was correlated to a better response to 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy.CONCLUSION NQO1 overexpression is associated with a significantly poor prognosis and better response to 5-FU in patients with gastric cancer.These findings are relevant for improving therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer patients.

Down-Regulation of Claudin-1 Expression in Gastric Cancer Mucosa Is Correlated with Poor Prognosis

Background: Cell adhesion molecule abnormalities are given as one reason for the occurrence of invasion and metastasis in various cancers. In this study, we conducted an immunohistochemical examination of cell adhesion molecule claudin-1 in mucosa and invasive front of gastric cancer, and investigated the correlation of claudin-1 expression and clinicopathological factors. Methods: Immunohistochemical examination was performed for 35 patients who underwent surgery be-tween January 2010 and October 2011, to assess the correlation of claudin-1 with primary gastric cancer. Results: The expression rate of claudin-1 was 48.6% (17/35) in 35 gastric carcinoma patients. The positive rates of claudin-1 were 42.9% (15/35) in mucosa and 28.6% (10/35) in invasive front of gastric cancer. The expression rate of claudin-1 in invasive front was lower than in mucosa. From comparing claudin-1 expression in mucosa, it was found that well-to moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma had significantly more claudin-1 expression than poorly-differrentiated adenocarcinoma. Claudin-1 expression of well-to moderately-differentiated adenocar-cinoma decreased in the invasive front of gastric cancer. Expression of claudin-1 in mucosa was negative in many cases with advanced tumor invasion (T2, T3, T4) and positive in many cases with early tumor invasion (T1), with a significant difference between the two

Assessment of programmed death-ligand 1 expression in primary tumors and paired lymph node metastases of gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Anti-programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1)immuno-therapy has demonstrated promising results on gastric cancer(GC).However,PD-L1 can express differently between metastatic sites and primary tumors(PT).AIM To compare PD-L1 status in PT and matched lymph node metastases(LNM)of GC patients and to determine the correlation between the PD-L1 status and clinicopathological characteristics.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 284 GC patients who underwent D2-gastrectomy.PD-L1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry(clone SP142)using the com-bined positive score.All PD-L1+PT staged as pN+were also tested for PD-L1 expression in their LNM.PD-L1(-)GC with pN+served as the comparison group.RESULTS Among 284 GC patients included,45 had PD-L1+PT and 24 of them had pN+.For comparison,44 PD-L1(-)cases with pN+were included(sample loss of 4 cases).Of the PD-L1+PT,54.2%(13/24 cases)were also PD-L1+in the LNM.Regarding PD-L1(-)PT,9.1%(4/44)had PD-L1+in the LNM.The agreement between PT and LNM had a kappa value of 0.483.Larger tumor size and moderate/severe peritumoral inflammatory response were associated with PD-L1 positivity in both sites.There was no statistical difference in overall survival for PT and LNM according to the PD-L1 status(P=0.166 and P=0.837,respectively).CONCLUSION Intra-patient heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression was observed between the PT and matched LNM.This disagreement in PD-L1 status may emphasize the importance of considering different tumor sites for analyses to select patients for immunotherapy.

Expression of heat shock protein 90 β in human gastric cancer tissue and SGC7901/VCR of MDR type gastric cancer cell line

Objective To examine the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 90 β in human gastric cancer tissue and SGC7901/VCR of MDR type gastric cancer cell line Methods Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization methods Results Heat shock protein 90 β was mainly located in the cell cytoplasma and weakly expressed in non cancerous gastric mucosa The expression rates of HSP90 β in normal gastric mucosa, gastritis and para cancer tissues were 11 76%, 13 04% and 11 42% respectively,and there were no significant differences between them ( P >0 05) The expression of HSP90 β was increased in gastric cancer The positive rate of HSP90 β in gastric cancer tissue was 30 00%, and was higher than non cancerous gastric mucosa ( P <0 05) The expression rates of HSP90 β in well differentiated, moderately differentiated, poorly differentiated gastric cancer and mucinous carcinoma were 15 38%, 31 25%, 33 33%, and 42 85% respectively The expression of HSP90 β in SGC7901/VCR of MDR type gastric cell line was higher than in its parental cell line SGC7901 In situ hybridization showed that the positive signal of HSP90 β was mainly located in the cell cytoplasma Conclusions The expression of HSP90 β was higher in gastric cancer tissue than in non cancerous gastric mucosa In gastric cancer tissue, the expression of HSP90 β was greater in poorly differentiated cancer tissue, and in SGC7901/VCR of MDR type gastric cancer cell line the expression of HSP90?β was higher than that in its parental cell line SGC7901

3-O-(Z)-coumaroyloleanolic acid overcomes Cks1b-induced chemoresistance in lung cancer by inhibiting Hsp90 and MEK pathways

OBJECTIVE To investigate 3-O-(Z)-coumaroyloleanolic acid(3-COA),an active ingredient of oleanolic acid in the TAIWANG leaves of E.oldhamii Maxim,that has been shown to have antitumor activity against A549 lung cancer cells,overcomes Cks1b-induced chemoresistance in lung cancer by inhibiting Hsp90 and MEK pathways.METHODS Cisplatin(CDDP)and doxorubicin(DOX)sensitivity was assessed through proliferation,viability,and clonogenic potential induction in cells overexpressing Cks1b(Cks1b-OE).The mechanism for resistance and 3-COA sensitivity were elucidated by immunoblot analysis of Hsp90 and MEK,and confirmed by sh RNA knockdown.Inhibition of 3-COA or3-COA combined with CDDP(3-COA&CDDP)was assayed in early primary lung cancer(IPH),late primary lung cancer(RFH)cells,and tumor-burdened immunodeficiency mice in vivo.RESULTS The ectopic overexpression of Cks1b in human lung cancer cells induces chemoresistance of the cells to CDDP and DOX,but not3-COA,through mechanisms independent of its canonical Skp2-p27 pathway.Further dissection with application of shR NA and selective inhibitors reveals that Hsp90 and MEK1/2 are the critical components of the non-canonical pathways responsible for the Cks1b-induced chemoresistance.Interestingly,inhibition of either Hsp90 or MEK1/2rendered a similar magnitude of antitumor activity by resensitization of the chemoresistant Cks1b-OE cells to CDDP and DOX,suggesting that both Hsp90 and MEK1/2are essentialto Cks1b for induction of chemoresistance.IC50of 3-COA is 6.82μmol·L-1in H358 Cks1b and8.22μmol·L-1in H226 Cks1b,which were not significantly higher than those in H358 EV and H226 EV,respectively.Furthermore,3-COA mimicked PU-H71,a Hsp90-specific inhibitor,targeted Hsp90 and MEK to reduce the expression of their downstream,respectively.Importantly,compared with CDDP treatment,3-COA or 3-COA&CDDP signifi-cantly inhibited RFH cells in vitro.Moreover,3-COA or3-COA&CDDP significantly prolonged more survival for a H358 Cks1b-OE inducing tumor-burdened mice than PD98059(a MEK-specific inhibitor)in vivo.CONCLUSION Our data report for the first time that Cks1b employs Hsp90 and MEK1/2 pathways in lung cancer cells to develop chemoresistance and identify 3-COA as a potential antitumor drug for clinical treatment of chemoresistant lung cancer.

PGK1-coupled HSP90 stabilizes GSK3βexpression to regulate the stemness of breast cancer stem cells

Objective:Glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK3β)has been recognized as a suppressor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling,which is critical for the stemness maintenance of breast cancer stem cells.However,the regulatory mechanisms of GSK3βprotein expression remain elusive.Methods:Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectral assays were performed to identify molecules binding to GSK3β,and to characterize the interactions of GSK3β,heat shock protein 90(Hsp90),and co-chaperones.The role of PGK1 in Hsp90 chaperoning GSK3βwas evaluated by constructing 293T cells stably expressing different domains/mutants of Hsp90α,and by performing a series of binding assays with bacterially purified proteins and clinical specimens.The influences of Hsp90 inhibitors on breast cancer stem cell stemness were investigated by Western blot and mammosphere formation assays.Results:We showed that GSK3βwas a client protein of Hsp90.Hsp90,which did not directly bind to GSK3β,interacted with phosphoglycerate kinase 1 via its C-terminal domain,thereby facilitating the binding of GSK3βto Hsp90.GSK3β-bound PGK1 interacted with Hsp90 in the“closed”conformation and stabilized GSK3βexpression in an Hsp90 activity-dependent manner.The Hsp90 inhibitor,17-AAG,rather than HDN-1,disrupted the interaction between Hsp90 and PGK1,and reduced GSK3βexpression,resulting in significantly reduced inhibition ofβ-catenin expression,to maintain the stemness of breast cancer stem cells.Conclusions:Our findings identified a novel regulatory mechanism of GSK3βexpression involving metabolic enzyme PGK1-coupled Hsp90,and highlighted the potential for more effective cancer treatment by selecting Hsp90 inhibitors that do not affect PGK1-regulated GSK3βexpression.

The Effect of Helicobacter Pylori Infection on Expression of hMSH2, hMLH1 and p53 in Gastric Carcinogenesis

Objective： To detect the expression of hMSH2, hMLH1 and p53 in gastric epithelial cells with and without Helicobactcr pylori （H. pylori） infection and investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and these genes in gastric carcinogenesis. Methods： H. pylori infection was detected by rapid urease tests. Expression of hMSH2, hMLHland p53 in gastric cancer （GC） tissue, its adjacent mucosa, gastritic mucosa and normal mucosa was assessed by immunohistochemistry SP method. Results： Positive expression rate of hMSH2 in GC tissue （62.7%） was higher than those in adjacent mucosa （29.4%）, gastritic mucosa （32.4%） and normal mucosa （30.0%） （P〈0.001）. Positive rate of hMSH2 in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma （76.4%） was higher than those in other carcinomas （54.3%, 53.1%） （P〈0.05）. Positive expression rate of hMLH1 in GC tissue （64.3%） mucosa （82.4%） and normal mucosa （80.0%） was lower than those in adjacent mucosa （84.4%）, gastritic （P〈0.01）. Positive rate of hMLH1 in mucoid carcinoma （43.7%） was lower than those in other carcinomas （78.2%, 64.7%） （P〈0.01）. Positive expression rate of p53 in GC tissue （51.9%） was higher than those in adjacent mucosa （3.1%）, gastritic mucosa （0.0%） and normal mucosa （0.0%） （P〈0.001）. Positive rate of p53 in well differentiated adenocarcinoma （32.6%） was lower than those in other carcinomas （58.8%, 68.7%） （P〈0.01）. Positive rates of hMSH2 and hMLH1 in GC with H. pylori infection were lower than those without the infection, respectively （P〈0.05）. Positive rate of p53 in GC with H. pylori infection （61.4%） was higher than that without the infection （40.6%） （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Gastric carcinogenesis may be associated with abnormal expression of hMSH2, hMLH1 and p53; H. pylori infection affecting expression of these genes may be one of its carcinogenic mechanisms.

Identification of Annexin A1 protein expression in human gastric adenocarcinoma using proteomics and tissue microarray

AIM:To study the differential expression of Annexin A1(ANXA1)protein in human gastric adenocarcinoma.This study was also designed to analyze the relationship between ANXA1 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of gastric carcinoma.METHODS:Purified gastric adenocarcinoma cells(GAC)and normal gastric epithelial cells(NGEC)were obtained from 15 patients with gastric cancer by laser capture microdissection.All of the peptide specimens were labeled as18O/16O after trypsin digestion.Differential protein expressions were quantitatively identified between GAC and NGEC by nanoliter-reverse-phase liquid chromatography-mass/mass spectrometry(nanoRPLC-MS/MS).The expressions of ANXA1 in GAC and NGEC were verified by western blot analysis.The tissue microarray containing the expressed ANXA1 in 75 pairs of gastric carcinoma and paracarcinoma specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).The relationship between ANXA1 expression and clinicopathological parametes of gastric carcinoma was analyzed.RESULTS:A total of 78 differential proteins were identified.Western blotting revealed that ANXA1 expression was significantly upregulated in GAC(2.17/1,P<0.01).IHC results showed the correlations between ANXA1protein expression and the clinicopathological parameters,including invasive depth(T stage),lymph node metastasis(N stage),distant metastasis(M stage)and tumour-lymph node metastasis stage(P<0.01).However,the correlations between ANXA1 protein expression and the remaining clinicopathological parameters,including sex,age,histological differentiation and the size of tumour were not found(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:The upregulated ANXA1 expression may be associated with carcinogenesis,progression,invasion and metastasis of GAC.This protein could be considered as a biomarker of clinical prognostic prediction and targeted therapy of GAC.

Correlation between mitochondrial TRAP-1 expression and lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer

AIM： To evaluate the effect of mitochondrial tumor ne- crosis factor receptor-associated protein-1 （TRAP-l） on the lymph node metastasis （LNM） in Chinese colorectal cancer （CRC） patients, and develop potential LNM- associated biomarkers for CRC using quantitative real- time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） analysis. METHODS： Differences in mitochondrial TRAP-1 gene expression between primary CRC with LNM （LNM CRC） and without LNM （non-LNM CRC） were assessed in 96 Chinese colorectal carcinoma samples using quantita- tive RT-PCR analysis, Western blotting, and confirmed with immunohistochemical assay. The relationship between clinicopathological parameters and potential diaclnostic biomarkers was also examined.RESULTS： TRAP-1 was significantly upregulated in LNM CRC compared with non-LNM CRC, which was confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immuno- histochemical assay. The expression of TRAP-1 in two different metastatic potential human colorectal cancer cell lines, LoVo and HT29, was analyzed with Western blotting. The expression level of TRAP-1 was dramati- cally higher in LoVo than in HT29. Overexpression of TRAP-1 was significantly associated with LNM （90.2% in LNM group vs 22% in non-LNM group, P 〈 0.001）, the advanced tumor node metastasis stage （89.1% in LNM group vs 26.9% in non-LNM group, P 〈 0.001）, the increased 5-year recurrence rate （82.7% in LNM group vs 22.6% in non-LNM group, P 〈 0.001） and the decreased 5-year overall survival rate （48.4% in LNM vs 83.2% in non-LNM group, P 〈 0.001）. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that TRAP-1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence and survival of CRC patients （Hazard ratio of 2.445 in recurrence, P = 0.017; 2.867 in survival, P = 0.028）. CONCLUSION： Mitochondria TRAP-1 affects the lymph node metastasis in CRC, and may be a potential bio- marker for LNM and a prognostic factor in CRC. Over- expression of TRAP-1 is a predictive factor for the poor outcome of colorectal cancer patients. 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved

Expression of pituitary homeobox 1 gene in human gastric carcinogenesis and its clinicopathological significance

AIM： To investigate the effect of pituitary homeobox 1 （PITX1） expression in cases of human gastric cancer on cancer differentiation and progression, and carcinogenesis. METHODS： Using polyclonal PITX1 antibodies, we studied the expression of PITX1 in normal gastric mucosa, atypical hyperplasia, intestinal metaplasia, and cancer tissue samples from 83 gastric cancer patients by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, semi-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （semi-RT-PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA level of PITX1 in three gastric cancer cell lines and a normal gastric epithelial cell line. Subsequently, somatic mutations of the PITX1 gene in 71 gastric cancer patients were analyzed by a combination of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography （DHPLC） and DNA sequencing. RESULTS： Immunohistochemistry showed that PITXl was strongly or moderately expressed in the parietal cells of normal gastric mucosa （100%）, while 55 （66.3%） out of 83 samples of gastric cancers showed decreased PITXl expression. Moreover, PITXl expression was reduced in 20 out of 28 cases （71.5%） of intestinal metaplasia, but in only 1 out of 9 cases （11%） of atypical hyperplasia. More importantly, PITXl expression was significantly associated with the differentiation, position and invasion depth of gastric cancers （r = -0.316, P 〈 0.01; r = 0.213, P 〈 0.05; r = -0.259, P 〈 0.05, respectively）. Similarly, levels of PITXl mRNA were significantly decreased in 2 gastric cancer cell lines, BGC-823 and SGC-7901, compared with the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 （0.306 ± 0.060 vs 0.722 ± 0.102, P 〈 0.05; 0.356 ± 0.081 vs 0.722 ± 0.102, P 〈 0.05, respectively）. Nevertheless, no somatic mutation of PITX1 gene was found in 71 samples of gastric cancer by DHPLC analysis followed by sequencing. CONCLUSION： Down-regulation of PITX1 may be a frequent molecular event in gastric carcinogenesis. Aberrant levels of PITXl expression may be closely correlated with the progression and differentiation of gastric cancer,

The Role of Expression of Mismatch Repair Proteins hMSH2 and hMLH1 in Gastric Carcinogenesis and Its Clinical Significance

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of the mismatch repair proteins hMSH2 and hMLH1, and to examine the clinical significance of the intracellular expression site （ICES） in gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS Specimens from 172 cases of gastric cancer, 151 tissues from paraneoplastic gastric mucosa and 34 from noncancerous gastric mucosa were collected in Dalain, China. An immunohistochemical method was used to determine the expression of the hMSH2, hMLH1 proteins and their ICES in the gastric mucosas. RESULTS The rate of hMSH2 expression in gastric cancers, paraneoplastic gastric mucosas and noncancerous gastric mucosas were respectively 69.8%, 49.7% and 32.4%. The rate was significantly higher in gastric cancer compared to the latter two groups （P=0.000）, but there was no obvious difference in the expression between the two latter groups （P=0.067）. The hMLH1 protein expression rates were respectively 73.3%, 57.6% and 41.2% in the above three groups. The expression was significantly higher in the gastric cancer group compared to the two latter groups （P=0.000）, while there was no significant difference between the latter groups （P=0.082）. There was no obvious correlation between the hMSH2 and hMLH1 protein expression rates and related factors, such as gender, age and differentiated level of gastric cancer etc. The cell-nuclear expression of the hMSH2 protein was respectively 70.0%, 58.7% and 36.4% in the gastric cancer, paraneoplastic gastric mucosa and noncancerous gastric mucosa groups. The cytoplasmic expression rates were 30.0%, 41.3% and 63.6% in the three groups. The cell-nuclear expression rate of the hMSH2 protein gradually decreased in the gastric mucosas in the following order： cancer, paraneoplastic and noncancerous but cytoplasmic expression only increased slightly in these groups （r=0.161, P=0.020）. There was no significant difference in the ICES of the hMLH1 protein among the three different gastric mucosas （P=0.659）. CONCLUSION Simultaneous determination of the expression and ICES of the mismatch repair proteins hMSH2 and hMLH1 in the gastric mucosa may be helpful in detecting early gastric cancer.

Exploring the mechanism of action of bei shashen-maidong in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Beishashen(BSS)and Maidong(MD)are commonly used Medicine right for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),but their specific mechanism of action is not clear.In this study,network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of BSS-MD on NSCLC and to experimentally validate some of the targets.The network pharmacology approach,including active ingredient and target screening,drug-compound-target network construction,protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,enrichment analysis,and molecular docking,was used to investigate the mechanism of action of Beisashen and Maitong on NSCLC.First,the active components of BSS-MD and their targets were predicted,of which 423 targets interacted with NSCLC targets.Then,network pharmacology showed that Stigmasterol,Quercetin,Alloisoimperatorin,Isoimperatorin,Beta-sitosterol were the core components of BSS-MD,and PLK1,HSP90AB1,and CDK1 were the key therapeutic targets.KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the mechanism of action of BSS-MD in NSCLC treatment was related to the cell cycle.Then we further performed experimental validation.CCK-8 assay showed that BSS-MD inhibited LEWIS cell viability and promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.qPCR assay,immunofluorescence,and protein blotting experiments demonstrated that compared with the control group and the control group,the expression of PLK1,HSP90AB1,and CDK1 mRNAs and proteins were reduced in the treatment group(P<0.01).Therefore,we conclude that BSS-MD can block cell cycle progression by inhibiting the expression of PLK1,CDK1,and HSP90AB1 mRNAs and proteins to inhibit lung cancer cell growth and promote apoptosis,and emphasize that BSS-MD are promising adjuvants for NSCLC treatment.

Bmi-1在胃癌组织中的表达及相关性研究

目的:探讨Bmi-1在胃癌组织和癌旁组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的关系,初步评价Bmi-1在胃癌发生、发展中的作用及其意义。方法:随机收集20例胃癌患者的癌组织、癌旁正常对照组织,采用RT-PCR方法检测其Bmi-1mRNA表达情况;另外收集我院2002～2004年146例有3年以上完整随访资料的胃癌术后患者,采用免疫组织化学法对手术标本石蜡切片进行染色,检测Bmi-1蛋白的表达,并分析Bmi-1与临床病理特征的相关性。结果:RT-PCR结果显示,胃癌组织中Bmi-1mRNA表达水平明显高于癌旁正常对照组织。免疫组化分析表明,Bmi-1蛋白在胃癌中阳性表达率为67.8%(99/146)。Bmi-1的表达与胃癌大小、临床分期、淋巴结转移和浸润深度密切相关(P<0.05),而与患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤分化程度等无关(P>0.05)。结论:Bmi-1在胃癌组织表达状态与胃癌的生长和浸润转移关系密切,可以作为反映胃癌生物学行为的有效指标。

NRP-1在胃癌组织及细胞系中的表达及临床意义

目的研究神经纤毛蛋白1(NRP-1)在胃癌组织的表达,探讨其与胃癌发生、发展及临床病理因素的关系及可能的临床意义。方法应用免疫组织化学染色检测180例胃癌患者的胃癌组织及癌旁组织标本NRP-1表达,用免疫印迹方法检测胃癌组织及不同分化程度的胃癌细胞NRP-1表达,K-M生存曲线和多因素回归模型用于分析胃癌预后。结果胃癌组织中NRP-1表达水平明显高于癌旁组织(P<0.001),胃癌组织中NRP-1高表达与肿瘤分化程度、淋巴结转移、AJCC分期、T分期呈正相关(P<0.05)。多因素生存分析表明高表达NRP-1是胃癌患者总生存期的独立预后因子。结论过表达NRP-1可能在胃癌进展中发挥着重要作用,过表达NRP-1可作为生物标志物预测胃癌患者的不良预后。