Overexpression of p42.3 promotes cell growth and tumorigenicity in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the association of p42.3 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and the biological function of p42.3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blotting to detect p42.3 mRNA and protein expression in hepatic cell lines.We examined primary HCC samples and matched adjacent normal tissue by immunohistochemistry to investigate the correlation between p42.3 expression and clinicopathological features.HepG2 cells were transfected with a pIRES2EGFP-p42.3 expression vector to examine the function of the p42.3 gene.Transfected cells were analyzed for their viability and malignant transformation abilities by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay,colony formation assay,and tumorigenicity assay in nude mice.RESULTS:p42.3 is differentially expressed in primary HCC tumors and cell lines.Approximately 69.6%(96/138) of cells were p42.3-positive in hepatic tumor tissues,while 30.7%(35/114) were p42.3-positive in tumor-adjacent normal tissues.Clinicopathological characteristics of the HCC specimens revealed a significant correlation between p42.3 expression and tumor differentiation(P = 0.031).However,p42.3 positivity was not related to tumor tumor-node-metastasis classification,hepatitis B virus status,or hepatoma type.Regarding p42.3 overexpression in stably transfected HepG2 cells,we discovered significant enhancement of cancer cell growth and colony formation in vitro,and significantly enhanced tumorigenicity in nude mice.Western blot analysis of cell cycle proteins revealed that enhanced p42.3 levels promote upregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen,cyclin B1 and mitotic arrest deficient 2.CONCLUSION:p42.3 promotes tumorigenicity and tumor growth in HCC and may be a potential target for future clinical cancer therapeutics.

Serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 as a novel inflammatory marker predicts the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is an inflammatory disease in which the regulatory pathway is complex and not well understood.Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2(sST2)protein receptor functions as a decoy receptor for interleukin(IL)-33 to prevent IL-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2L(ST2L)-pathwaymediated T helper(Th)2 immune responses.AIM To investigate the role of sST2 in AP.METHODS We assessed the association between sST2 and severity of AP in 123 patients enrolled in this study.The serum levels of sST2,C-reactive protein(CRP)and Th1-and Th2-related cytokines,including interferon(IFN)-γ,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13,were measured by highly sensitive ELISA,and the severity of AP in patients was evaluated by the 2012 Atlanta Classification Criteria.RESULTS Serum sST2 levels were significantly increased in AP patients,and further,these levels were significantly elevated in severe AP(SAP)patients compared to moderately severe AP(MSAP)and mild AP(MAP)patients.Logistic regression showed sST2 was a predictor of SAP[odds ratio(OR):1.003(1.001–1.006),P=0.000].sST2 cutoff point was 1190 pg/mL,and sST2 above this cutoff was associated with SAP.sST2 was also a predictor of any organ failure and mortality during AP[OR:1.006(1.003–1.009),P=0.000,OR:1.002(1.001–1.004),P=0.012,respectively].Additionally,the Th1-related cytokines IFN-γand TNF-αin the SAP group were higher and the Th2-related cytokine IL-4 in the SAP group was significantly lower than those in MSAP and MAP groups.CONCLUSION sST2 may be used as a novel inflammatory marker in predicting AP severity and may regulate the function and differentiation of IL-33/ST2-mediated Th1 and Th2 Lymphocytes in AP homeostasis.

Differentiation and tumorigenicity of neural stem cells from human cord blood mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND： Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissues and exhibit low immunogenicity. OBJECTIVE： To investigate isolation and in vitro cultivation methods of human cord blood MSCs, to observe expression of neural stem cell （NSC） marker mRNA under induction, and to detect tumorigenicity in animals. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cell biological, in vitro trial and a randomized, controlled, in vivo experiment were performed at the Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital at the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from August 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Umbilical cord blood was collected from full-term-delivery fetus at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Daping Hospital, China. Eighteen BALB/C nu/nu nude mice were randomly assigned to three groups： back subcutaneous, cervical subcutaneous, and control, with 6 mice in each group. METHODS： Monocytes were isolated from heparinized human cord blood samples by density gradient centrifugation and then adherent cultivated in vitro to obtain MSC clones. After the cord blood MSCs were cultured for 7 days with nerve growth factor and retinoic acid to induce differentiation into NSCs, the cells （adjusted density of 1 × 10^7/mL） were prepared into cell suspension. In the back subcutaneous and cervical subcutaneous groups, nude mice were hypodermically injected with a 0.5-mL cell suspension into the back and cervical regions, respectively. In the control group, nude mice received a subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mL physiological saline into the back or cervical regions, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Cellular morphology was observed by inverted microscopy, cultured cord blood MSCs were examined by flow cytometry, expression of nestin and musashi-1 mRNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction prior to and after induction, and tumorigenicity following cord blood MSC transplantation was assayed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS： Following adherent cultivation, the majority of cord blood monocytes became rhombic and strongly expressed CD29, but not CD34, CD1 la, or CD11 b. These results supported previously known characteristics of cord blood MSCs. Following differentiation induction, nestin and musashi-1 were expressed on the surface of NSCs, exhibiting strongest expression at 48 hours, and subsequently reducing expression. Cultured cord blood MSCs were not tumorigenic in the nude mice. Cellular morphology displayed no malignant changes between the control and subcutaneous groups. CONCLUSION： MSCs can be isolated from human cord blood, efficiently expanded under culture conditions, differentiated into NSCs following induction, and display no tumorigenicity in nude mice.

Inhibition of cervical cancer cell proliferation and cervical tumorigenicity caused by farnesoid X receptor activation or over-expression is related to CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway

OBJECTIVE Cervical cancer is the third most malignant tumor in the world.Farnesoid X receptor(FXR) is a member of nuclear receptor superfamily.It is highly expressed in liver,kidney and small intestine,while it showed low expression level in other tissues.It not only plays an important role in the metabolism of bile acids and sugars,but also in the production of chronic inflammation in the early stage of cancer,the proliferation and migration of tumor.Compared with the normal tissue,the expression of FXR in most tumor tissues decreased.But there is no correlation between cervical cancer and FXR.So we aimed to find out the relationship between FXR and cervical cancer.METHODS A clinical study using q PCR,western blot and immunohistochemistry detected the expression of FXR in tumor tissues and normal tissues of clinical patients.FXR was activated by agonists or over-expressed by lentivirus.MTT,clone formation and flow cytometry were used to detect the relationship between FXR and proliferation of cervical cell lines.Tumor growth ability of FXR was detected by nude mice tumorigenicity.The interaction between FXR and CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway was detected by q PCR,Western blot and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS FXR was decreased in cancer tissues compared to normal control.Activation of FXR by agonist or constitutively-over-expression of FXR inhibited cervical cell proliferation.Over-expressed FXR attenuated Caski,Hela and Siha xenograft tumor growth in nude mice compared with control.Over-expression of FXR caused G1 cell-cycle arresting and up-regulated CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway.CONCLUSION FXR inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation and cervical tumorigenicity which is related to CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway.Activation or overexpression of FXR may be a potential target for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Further Report on Carcinogenesis or Tumorigenicity ofMDCK Canine Kidney Cell(CKC) Lines and Analysis ofTheir Chromosome Karyotypes

Using Hela cell cultures as positive control and primary canine kidney cell (CKC) or feline kidney cell (FKC) cultures purified in vitro on passage 3 as negative control, the tumorigenicity of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was tested in >273 nude mice, and colony formation in soft agarose and haemag-glutination under different concentration of plant lectins of these cells were carried out at the same time. Subsequently, very low tumorigenicity strains of MDCK line were successfully selected; these were evaluated for the production of canine or feline combination viral vaccines, free of infectious agents, and of known cytoge-netic and tumorigenic. It is thus evident that MDCK cell of M, JB, JC, WB or H strain can be approved as substrate for the preparation of attenuated viral vaccines, but MDCK cell of YA, YB and KA strains can not be approved as substrate for the preparation of attenuated viral vaccines. The heritable character of these cell sub-lines is comparatively stable, and shows little significant difference between passages.

Paradoxical role of interleukin-33/suppressor of tumorigenicity 2 in colorectal carcinogenesis: Progress and therapeutic potential

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is presently the second most prevalent global mortalityinducing cancer.CRC carcinogenesis is a multifactorial process involving internal genetic mutations and the external environment.In addition,non-neoplastic cell activities within tumor microenvironments for CRC development have been established.However,interleukin(IL)-33,secreted by such cell types,plays a pivotal role in cancer progression due to interaction with cellular constituents within the tumor-inflammation microenvironment.IL-33 belongs to the IL-1 cytokine family and acts as binding attachments for the suppressor of tumorigenicity(ST)2 receptor.Therefore,how to coordinate tumor microenvironment,design and optimize treatment strategies suitable for CRC,based on IL-33/ST2 signal is a challenge.Even though it has established influences upon immunitylinked conditions,IL-33 effects on CRC progression and prevention and related mechanisms are still controversial.Our review depicts controversial activities for IL-33/ST2 within carcinogenesis and cancer prevention.Moreover,IL-33/ST2 signaling is a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Glypican 4 down-regulation in pluripotent stem cells as a potential strategy to improve differentiation and to impair tumorigenicity of cell transplants

Recent advances in stem cell technologies have opened new avenues for the treatment of a number of diseases still lacking effective therapeutic options.Cell transplantation has emerged as among the most promising clinical intervention for disorders such as injuries,diabetes,liver diseases, neurodegeneration and heart failure （Lee et al., 2013; Forbes and Rosenthal, 2014; Tabar and Studer, 2014）.

In vitro proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity of IL-2 gene and IL-3 gene co-transfected leukemia cells

<Abstract>In vitro proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity of IL-2 and/or IL-3 gene transfected FBL-3erythroleukemia cells were observed to investigate the anti-tumor effect of tumor vaccine. Methods: Leukemiacells were trans fected with IL-2 and/or IL-3 adenovlrus vector. The cytokine expressions were assayed, and the growth characteristics of the transfected FBL-3 cells were studied. Results: High levels of secreted IL-2 and IL-3remained for one week after transfection, and the trans fected leukemia cells became unchanged in growth in vitro and showed weak tumorigenicity in vlvo. The tumorigenicity of FBL-3 cells decreased more significantly when FBL-3 cells were transfected with both IL-2 gene and IL-3 gene than when FBL-3 cells were tran fected with IL-2or IL-3 gene only. The tumor growth was significantly delayed and survival time of the trans fected FBL-3 inoculat ed mice was significantly prolonged. Conclusion: The inhibition of tumor growth is most likely dependent on immune response induced by

Long-term stable expression of antisense cDNA of cyclin B1 profoundly inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells and suppresses tumorigenicity in implanted mice

Background Cyclin B1 （CLB1） is necessary for mitotic initiation in mammalian cells and plays important roles in cancer development. Therefore, a potential strategy in cancer therapy is to suppress the activity of CLB1 by delivering antisense constructs of CLB1 into tumor cells. In previous CLB1 studies, antisense constructs with a short half life were often used and these constructs might not persistently inhibit CLB1. Methods We successfully created a recombinant plasmid encoding the full-length antisense cDNA of mouse cyclin B1 （AS-mCLB1） and transfected this construct to the murine Lewis lung carcinoma （LL/2） and CT-26 colon carcinoma （CT-26） cells. We isolated clones of LL/2 and CT-26 transfectants with stable expression of AS-mCLB1. Reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blot were applied to detect the expression of the mRNA and protein levels of CLB1. To further test the efficacy of this strategy in vivo, AS-mCLBl-expressing LL/2 and CT-26 transfectants were implanted into mice. Results We found the expression of the mRNA and protein levels of CLB1 decrease in these transfectants. The inhibition of CLB1 caused prominent G1 arrest, abnormal morphology, retarded cell growth and an increase in apoptosis. In AS-mCLBl-expressing LL/2 and CT-26 transfectants implanted mice, tumorigenicity was effectively suppressed compared with the controls. In addition, the expression of AS-mCLB1 also significantly increases the survival duration of implanted animals. Conclusion AS-mCLB1 is likely to be useful in future cancer therapy, which may be associated with its ability to down-regulate the expression of CLB1 and then induce G1 arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells.

Cyclophilin A binds to AKT1 and facilitates the tumorigenicity of Epstein-Barr virus by mediating the activation of AKT/mTOR/NF-κB positive feedback loop

The AKT/mTOR and NF-κB signalings are crucial pathways activated in cancers including nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC), which is prevalent in southern China and closely related to Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection.How these master pathways are persistently activated in EBV-associated NPC remains to be investigated. Here we demonstrated that EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1(LMP1) promoted cyclophilin A(CYPA) expression through the activation of NF-κB. The depletion of CYPA suppressed cell proliferation and facilitated apoptosis.CYPA was able to bind to AKT1, thus activating AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling cascade. Moreover, the use of mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, subverted the activation of the positive feedback loop, NF-κB/CYPA/AKT/mTOR. It is reasonable that LMP1 expression derived from initial viral infection is enough to assure the constant potentiation of AKT/mTOR and NF-κB signalings. This may partly explain the fact that EBV serves as a tumor-promoting factor with minimal expression of the viral oncoprotein LMP1 in malignancies. Our findings provide new insight into the understanding of causative role of EBV in tumorigenicity during latent infection.

Tumorigenicity risk of iPSCs in vivo:nip it in the bud

In 2006,Takahashi and Yamanaka first created induced pluripotent stem cells from mouse fibroblasts via the retroviral introduction of genes encoding the transcription factors Oct3/4,Sox2,Klf44,and c-Myc.Since then,the future clinical application of somatic cell reprogramming technology has become an attractive research topic in the field of regenerative medicine.Of note,considerable interest has been placed in circumventing ethical issues linked to embryonic stem cell research.However,tumorigenicity,immunogenicity,and heterogeneity may hamper attempts to deploy this technology therapeutically.This review highlights the progress aimed at reducing induced pluripotent stem cells tumorigenicity risk and howto assess the safety of induced pluripotent stem cells cell therapy products.

Malignant Transformation and Abnormal Expression of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Induced by Cadmium Chloride

Objective To analyze the relationship between malignant transformation and abnormal expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 （eIF3 p36） in human bronchial epithelial （16HBE） cells induced by cadmium chloride （CdCl2）. Methods 16HBE cells were treated several times with different concentrations of CdCl2. Tumorigenic potential of transformed cells was identified by assays for anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and for tumorigenicity in nude mice after the 35th passage. Total RNA was isolated from 16HBE cells induced by CdC12, including non-transformed, Cd-transformed, and Cd-tumorigenic cell lines. Special primers for eIF3 p36 were designed and the expression of eIF3 mRNA in different cell lines was detected with fluorescent quantitative-polymerase chain reaction technique （FQ-PCR）. Results The 35th passage of 16HBE cells transformed by CdCl2 exhibited overlapping growth. Compared with the non-transformed cells, colonies of transformed cell lines in soft agar showed statistically significant increases and dose-dependent effects （P〈0.01）. All Cd-induced transformed cell lines formed rumors in nude mice within 2 weeks of inoculation, but none of the mice injected with non-transformed cells showed tumors even after 3 weeks. All tumors were pathologically identified as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The eIF3 p36 genes in different stages of 16HBE cells transformed by CdCl2 were elevated as compared with the non-transformed control （P〈0.01）, and the eIF3 expression increased with the degree of cell malignancy. Conclusion CdCl2 is capable of inducing morphological transformation in 16HBE cells and transformed cells are potentially tumorigenic. Over-expression of eIF3 p36 is positively correlated with malignant transformation of 16HBE cells induced by CdCl2 and may be one of the molecular mechanisms potentially responsible for carcinogenesis due to Cd.

What we know about ST13, a co-factor of heat shock protein, or a tumor suppressor?

This article is to summarize the molecular and functional analysis of the gene “suppression of tumorigenicity 13” (ST13). ST13 is in fact the gene encoding Hsp70 interacting protein (Hip), a co-factor (co-chaperone) of the 70-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsc/Hsp70). By collaborating with other positive co-factors such as Hsp40 and the Hsp70-Hsp90 organizing protein (Hop), or competing with negative co-factors such as Bcl2-associated athanogen 1 (Bag1), Hip facilitates may facilitate the chaperone function of Hsc/Hsp70 in protein folding and repair, and in controlling the activity of regulatory proteins such as steroid receptors and regulators of proliferation or apoptosis. Although the nomenclature of ST13 implies a role in the suppression of tumorigenicity (ST), to date available experimental data are not sufficient to support its role in cancer development, except for the possible down-regulation of ST13 in gastric and colorectal cancers. Further investigation of this gene at the physiological level would benefit our understanding of diseases such as endocrinological disorders, cancer, and neurodegeneration commonly associated with protein misfolding.

Genotoxic and tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Chinese herbal plants

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are a class of hepatotoxic and tumorigenic compounds detected in Chinese herbal plants, contaminated foods, and dietary supplements. In this review, the sources, toxicity, genotoxicity, tumorigenicity, and the metabolic pathways, particular the activation pathways leading to hepatotoxicity and tumorigenicity, of pyrrolizidine alkaloids are briefly discussed, with a focus on the most recent important findings concerning the genotoxic mechanism by which riddelliine liver tumors. This mechanism involves the formation of 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP)-derived DNA adducts and may be general to most carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

INDUCTION OF IMMUNE RESPONSE BY IL-6 GENEMODIFIED LEUKEMIA CELLS

This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.39730420). This is one of papers of the special issue on gene therapy research (Chin J Cancer Res Vol. 9 No. 4 December, 1997). Human IL 6 gene was transduced into FBL 3 murine erythroleukemia cells in vitro by calcium phos phate co participation. After selection in the presence of G418, limiting dilution and biological activity assay, G418 resistant clone that secreted the highest level of IL 6 (225.6 U/ml) was selected out of 24 IL 6 secreting clones. The FBL 3 cells secreting the highest level of IL 6 (FBL 3 IL 6) showed decreased growth potential and clono genicity in vitro. Inhibition of cell growth and clone formation was found to be closely related to the level of IL 6 secretion. FBL 3 IL 6 cells grew more slowly than wild type FBL 3 leukemia cells and FBL 3 cells secreting lower level of IL 6 (21.3 U/ml) when inoculated s.c. into C57BL/6 mice. The mice inoculated with FBL 3 IL 6 cells showed prolonged survival period than those inoculated with control leukemia cells. Increased cytotoxic activities of splenic NK and CTL were found in mice inoculated with FBL 3 IL 6 cells. The secretions of IL 2, TNF and GM CSF from murine splenocytes were also found to be greatly elevated after the inoculation of FBL 3 IL 6 leukemia cells. These data suggested that transduction of IL 6 gene into FBL 3 cells magnificently decreased the tumorigenicity and increased the immunogenicity of the leukemia cells, could induce specific and nonspecific antitumor immune responses. IL 6 gene modified leukemia cells might be of great interests to be used as vaccine for the treatment of leukemia.

DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF GENES INVOLVED IN METABOLISM BETWEEN TUMORIGENITIC HUMAN LEUKEMIA CELL LINES K562 AND K562-n

Objective: To study the molecular mechanism ofdifferent tumorigenicity in nude mice of human leukemiacell lines K562-n and K562. Methods: To analyze the genes differently expressed between K562 and K562-n cells byusing cDNA microarray technique. Results: Among the12800 genes detected, some genes involved in materialmetabolism and material transport were differentlyexpressed between K562-n and K562 cells. These genesinclude homo sapiens placenta-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter gene, dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene, hepatic dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene, NAD-dependent methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase cyclohydrolase,lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, alpha gene,argininosuccinate lyase gene, mitochondrial isocitrtatedehydrogenase, adhesion protein SQM1 gene, dimethylarginine dimethylamino-hydrolase gene, M1subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and farnesylpyrophosphate synthetase gene. Conclusion: The hightumorigenicity of K562-n cells is related to the differentexpression of some genes concerned with cell metabolismand material transpoert.

Plasma HGF and OPN as Potential Biomarkers of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Congenital Heart Disease

Objectives:Pulmonary arterial hypertension in congenital heart disease(PAH-CHD)is the most common type of PAH and increases morbidity and mortality in patients with CHD.Right heart catheterization(RHC)is the standard method to diagnose PAH.However,RHC is an invasive and complicated method with relatively high cost.Noninvasive,feasible,and cost-efficient methods are urgently needed.The objective of this study was to evaluate three potential biomarkers of PAH-CHD:Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF),osteopontin(OPN),and suppression of tumorigenicity 2(ST2).Methods:Plasma samples were collected from patients with CHD(n=46)and healthy individuals(n=22)and divided into four groups according to the severity of PAH.The levels of HGF,OPN,and ST2 were then analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Correlations between HGF,OPN,ST2,and clinical parameters of PAH-CHD were analyzed.Results:The plasma HGF levels in the moderate to the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild group,nonPAH group,and healthy control group(p<0.05).Derived from a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis,a cut-off value of 356.75 ng/ml for the HGF concentration was able to predict PAH-CHD with 53%sensitivity and 89%specificity.The HGF level was positively related to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP)(r=0.36,p<0.05)and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR)(r=0.36,p<0.05).Plasma OPN levels in the mild group were significantly higher than other groups and positively correlated with the pulmonary-systemic shunt ratio(Qp/Qs)(r=0.33,p<0.05).There was no statistically significant between-group difference in plasma soluble ST2(sST2)levels.Conclusion:The plasma HGF level was elevated in PAH-CHD patients and can be used as a potential biomarker.The plasma OPN level was positively correlated with the Qp/Qs.

Identification of tumorigenic risk genes in human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells treated with 3-methylcholanthrene

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)capable of tumour topotaxis have been served as cellular vehicles to deliver anti-tumour agents.As cellular components of the tumour microenvironment,MSCs also affect tumour progression.However,the tumour transformation-related genes of MSCs remain unclear since either tumorigenic or tumour suppressor effects within these cells have been researched.Hence,we aimed to identify potential biomarkers indicative of tumorigenic risk by RNA-seq analysis of human placenta tissue-derived MSCs(hPTMSCs)exposed to the carcinogenic agent,3-methylcholanthrene(3-MC).Twenty-nine tumour transformation-related genes and three pluripotency-related genes were appraised as differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in hPTMSCs.Overexpression of sfrp1 led to reduced cell viability,migration,and colony formation in A549.In contrast,the overexpression of ptgs2 exerted the opposite effect.These results indicate that A549 cells with high ptgs2 expression but low sfrp1 expression may have a more potential tumorigenic capacity.Taken together,this study suggests that ptgs2 and sfrp1 may be tumorigenic risk genes.

Isolation and characterization of cancer stem-like cells from MHCC97H Cell Lines

Objective：To identify and isolate CD133 positive cancer stem-like cells （CD133^＋ cells） from the highly invasive human hepatocellular carcinoma cell Iine（MHCC97H）, and examine their potential for clonogenicity and tumorigenicity. Methods： CD133^＋ and CD133^- cells were isolated from MHCC97H cell line by magnetic bead cell sorting（MACS）, and the potentials of CD133^＋ cells for colony formation and tumorigenicity were evaluated by soft agar cloning and tumor formation following nude mice inoculation. Results：CD133^＋ cells represent a minority（0.5-2.0%） of the tumor cell population with a greater colony-forming efficiency and greater tumor production ability. The colony-forming efficiency of CD133^＋ cells in soft agar was significantly higher than CD133^- cells（36.8 ± 1.4 vs 12.9 ± 0.8, P 〈 0.05）. After 6 weeks, 3/5 mice inoculated with 1 × 10^3 CD133^＋ cells, 4/5 with 1 × 10^4 CD133^＋ cells and 5/5 with 1× 10^5 CD133^＋ cells developed detectable tumors at the injection site, while only one tumor was found in mice treated with same numbers of CD133 cells. Conclusion： CD133 may be a hallmark of liver cancer stem cells （CSC） in human hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）, because the CD133^＋ cells identified and isolated with anti-CD133 labeled magnetic beads from MHCC97H cell line exhibit high potentials for clonogenicity and tumorigenicity. These CD 133^＋ cells might contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis, as well as the growth and recurrence of human HCC, and therefore may be a useful target for anti-cancer therapy.

Annexin A2 silencing inhibits invasion, migration, and tumorigenic potential of hepatoma cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of Annexin A2 (ANXA2) silencing on invasion, migration, and tumorigenic potential of hepatoma cells. METHODS: Human hepatoma cell lines [HepG2, SMMC-7721, SMMC-7402, and MHCC97-H, a novel human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with high metastasis potential] and a normal hepatocyte cell line(LO2) were used in this study. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ANXA2 were analysed by western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, re-spectively. The intracellular distribution profile of ANXA2 expression was determined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Short hairpin RNA target-ing ANXA2 was designed and stably transfected into MHCC97-H cells. Cells were cultured for in vitro analy-ses or subcutaneously injected as xenografts in mice for in vivo analyses. Effects of ANXA2 silencing on cell growth were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) as-say (in vitro ) and tumour-growth assay (in vivo ), on cell cycling was assessed by flow cytometry and propidium iodide staining (in vitro ), and on invasion and migration potential were assessed by transwell assay and wound-healing assay, respectively (both in vitro ). RESULTS: The MHCC97-H cells, which are known to have high metastasis potential, showed the highest lev-el of ANXA2 expression among the four HCC cell types examined; compared to the LO2 cells, the MHCC97-H expression level was 8-times higher. The ANXA2 expres-sion was effectively inhibited (about 80%) by ANXA2-specific small hairpin RNA (shRNA). ANXA2 expression in the MHCC97-H cells was mainly localized to the cel-lular membrane and cytoplasm, and some localization was detected in the nucleus. Moreover, the proliferation of MHCC97-H cells was obviously suppressed by shR-NA-mediated ANXA2 silencing in vitro , and the tumour growth inhibition rate was 38.24% in vivo . The per-centage of MHCC97-H cells in S phase dramatically de-creased (to 27.76%) under ANXA2-silenced conditions. Furthermore, ANXA2-silenced MHCC97-H cells showed lower invasiveness (percentage of invading cells de-creased to 52.16%) and suppressed migratory capacity (migration distance decreased to 63.49%). It is also worth noting that shRNA-mediated silencing of ANXA2 in the MHCC97-H cells led to abnormal apoptosis. CONCLUSION: shRNA-mediated silencing of ANXA2suppresses the invasion, migration, and tumorigenic potential of hepatoma cells, and may represent a useful target of future molecular therapies.